The 2009 CIA World Factbook

The Project Gutenberg EBook of The 2009 CIA World Factbook, by United States. Central Intelligence Agency. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org Title: The 2009 CIA World Factbook Author: United States. Central Intelligence Agency. Release Date: April 11, 2011 [EBook #35829] Language: English Character set encoding: ASCII *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE 2009 CIA WORLD FACTBOOK *** Produced by Al Haines THE CIA WORLD FACTBOOK 2009 CONTENTS What's New? Did You Know? Guide to Country Profiles Countries and Locations Field Listings Rank Orders Appendixes Notes and Definitions History of the CIA Factbook Contributors and Copyright Information Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) THE WORLD FACTBOOK :: WHAT'S NEW November 13, 2009 Recent elections and governmental changes recorded for Afghanistan, Aruba, Fiji, Germany, Haiti, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Tunisia, and Uruguay. In the Economy category, some 20 macro-economic fields have been updated with the latest data. New NASA space photos added for the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans, as well as for Montserrat and the World; new ground photos added for Cambodia and France. October 30, 2009 In the Economy category, all the energy-related fields have been updated with the latest data; new photos added for Norway and Poland. October 14, 2009 In addition to regular informational updates, new photos have been added for Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Russia, and Sweden. October 02, 2009 In the Transportation category, updates have been made to the "Airports" and "Heliports" fields; new photos added for Libya, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. September 17, 2009 NASA images taken from space have been introduced to enhance various country photo presentations. Significant numbers of high altitude photos appear under China, Egypt, Spain, Australia, and New Zealand, but can also be found scattered among other country entries. In the Economy category, statistics for "Distribution of family income - Gini index," "Public debt," and "Debt - external" now include two year's worth of data. September 03, 2009 In the Economy category, statistics for "Current Account Balance," "Exports," "Imports," "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold," "Stock of direct foreign investment - at home," and "Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad" now include two year's worth of data; statistics for "Market value of publicly traded shares" now include three year's worth of data. New photos added for Austria, France, Monaco, Netherlands, and Netherlands Antilles. August 17, 2009 Various rail gauge line lengths have been updated for all countries in the Railways entry; selected economic and political entries also updated. July 31, 2009 In the Economy category, statistics for "Central bank discount rate," "Commercial bank prime lending rate," "Stock of money," "Stock of quasi money," and "Stock of domestic credit" now include two year's worth of data. July 20, 2009 Latest updates include changes to the chief of state or head of government in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Lithuania, and Panama. New photographs have been added for Spain, Portugal, Gibraltar, and South Africa. July 01, 2009 With the launch of the new Web site, the former "Rank Order" function was renamed "Country Comparisons." The link to Country Comparisons may be found under the References tab. In addition, many of the regional reference maps now incorporate both elevation and vegetation on landmasses, and bathymetry for ocean areas. Statistics for "Unemployment rate" and "Inflation rate (consumer prices)" now include two year's worth of data. June 08, 2009 Completely redesigned website - presenting a cleaner look, improved navigation, and a host of added features - launched on the World Wide Web. Among the major enhancements are downloadable and printable photos for nearly 100 countries, a "Did You Know?" section explaining the impact of the Factbook around the world, and built-in world rankings for many of the Factbook information fields. Government sections reflect the results of recent parliamentary elections in Kuwait - where women were elected for the first time - and India, as well as presidential elections in Lithuania, Mongolia, Panama, and South Africa. April 27, 2009 Significant updates made to the People and Economy categories; statistics for "GDP - real growth rate" and "GDP - per capita" (at purchasing power parity) now include three year's worth of data, in 2008 dollars. The Urbanization entry under People expanded to include all countries. April 03, 2009 In addition to regular country updates, statistics for "GDP (purchasing power parity)" now include three year's worth of data, in 2008 dollars. March 20, 2009 Recent major leadership changes in Guinea-Bissau, Latvia, and Madagascar included in the Government sections of those countries. March 02, 2009 Latest US Census Bureau figures - updating basic demographic data for all countries - entered into the database. Entries on religions, languages, ethnic groups, and literacy also updated. February 06, 2009 Country information updated across all categories. Economic data now includes 2008 estimates where available. November 05, 2008 In order to provide more information on the nature and global dimensions of the current financial crisis, five additional fields appended to the Economy category: "Central bank discount rate," "Commercial bank prime lending rate," "Stock of money," "Stock of quasi money," and "Stock of domestic credit." August 06, 2008 In the People category, two new fields provide information on education in terms of opportunity and resources: "School Life Expectancy" and "Education expenditures." November 06, 2007 In the Geography category, two new fields focus on the vital resource of water: "Total renewable water resources" and "Freshwater withdrawal." October 31, 2007 Three new fields added to the Economy category: "Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad," "Stock of direct foreign investment - at home," "Market value of publicly traded shares." Ongoing Revision of some individual country maps, first introduced in the 2001 edition, continues. Several regional maps have been updated to reflect boundary changes and place name spelling changes. ====================================================================== About :: DID YOU KNOW? The World Factbook is one of the US Government's most accessed publications. The World Factbook, produced for US policymakers and coordinated throughout the US Intelligence Community, presents the basic realities about the world in which we live. We share these facts with the people of all nations in the belief that knowledge of the truth underpins the functioning of free societies. Who uses The World Factbook? A wide variety of folks including US Government officials, researchers, news organizations, corporations, geographers, teachers, professors, librarians, and students. In short, anyone looking for an expansive body of international data on a recently updated Web site. The World Factbook is a one-stop reference site. Although many of the facts presented in The Factbook may be found in various other publications, they are conveniently gathered together in one place only at The World Factbook Web site. The World Factbook is a unique reference in that it is updated continuously - on average, every two weeks. Information in The Factbook is collected from - and coordinated with - a wide variety of US Government agencies, as well as from hundreds of published sources. ====================================================================== References :: Guide to Country Profiles These are the Categories, Fields, and subfields of information generally recorded for each country. Links are to the Definitions and Notes about each entry. Introduction :: Background: Geography :: Location: Geographic coordinates: Map references: Area: total land water Area - comparative: Land boundaries: total border countries Coastline: Maritime claims: territorial sea contiguous zone exclusive economic zone continental shelf exclusive fishing zone Climate: Terrain: Elevation extremes: lowest point highest point Natural resources: Land use: arable land permanent crops other Irrigated land: Total Renewable Water Resources: Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total per capita Natural hazards: Environment - current issues: Environment - international agreements: party to signed, but not ratified Geography - note: People :: Population: Age structure: 0-14 years 15-64 years 65 years and over Median Age: total male female Population growth rate: Birth rate: Death rate: Net migration rate: Sex ratio: at birth under 15 years 15-64 years 65 years and over total population Infant mortality rate: total male female Life expectancy at birth: total population male female Total fertility rate: HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: HIV/AIDS - deaths: Major infectious diseases: degree of risk food or waterborne diseases vectorborne diseases water contact diseases aerosolized dust or soil contact disease respiratory disease animal contact disease Nationality: noun adjective Ethnic groups: Religions: Languages: Literacy: definition total population male female School life expectancy (primary to tertiary): Education expenditures: People - note: Government :: Country name: conventional long form conventional short form local long form local short form former abbreviation Dependency status: Government type: Capital: name geographic coordinates time difference daylight saving time Administrative divisions: Dependent areas: Independence: National holiday: Constitution: Legal system: Suffrage: Executive branch: chief of state head of government cabinet elections election results Legislative branch: elections election results Judicial branch: Political parties and leaders: Political pressure groups and leaders: International organization participation: Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission chancery telephone FAX consulate(s) general consulate(s) Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission embassy mailing address telephone FAX consulate(s) general consulate(s) branch office(s) Flag description: Government - note: Economy :: Economy - overview: GDP (purchasing power parity) : GDP (official exchange rate) : GDP - real growth rate: GDP - per capita (PPP): GDP - composition by sector: agriculture industry services Labor force: Labor force - by occupation: agriculture industry services Unemployment rate: Population below poverty line: Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10% highest 10% Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): Budget: revenues expenditures Public debt : Inflation rate (consumer prices): Central bank discount rate: Commercial bank prime lending rate: Stock of money: Stock of quasi money: Stock of domestic credit: Market value of publicly traded shares: Agriculture - products: Industries: Industrial production growth rate: Electricity - production: Electricity - consumption: Electricity - exports: Electricity - imports: Oil - production: Oil - consumption: Oil - exports: Oil - imports: Oil - proved reserves: Natural gas - production: Natural gas - consumption: Natural gas - exports: Natural gas - imports: Natural gas - proved reserves: Current account balance: Exports: Exports - commodities: Exports - partners: Imports: Imports - commodities: Imports - partners: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: Debt - external: Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: Exchange rates: Communications :: Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment domestic international Radio broadcast stations: Television broadcast stations: Internet country code: Internet hosts : Internet users: Communications - note: Transportation :: Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total over 3,047 m 2,438 to 3,047 m 1,524 to 2,437 m 914 to 1,530 m under 914 m Airports - with unpaved runways: total over 3,047 m 2,438 to 3,047 m 1,524 to 2,437 m 914 to 1,530 m under 914 m Heliports: Pipelines: Railways: total broad gauge standard gauge narrow gauge dual gauge Roadways: total paved unpaved Waterways: Merchant marine: total ships by type foreign-owned registered in other countries Ports and terminals : Transportation - note: Military :: Military branches: Military service age and obligation : Manpower available for military service : males age 16-49 females age 16-49 Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49 females age 16-49 Manpower reaching military age annually: males females Military expenditures - percent of GDP: Military - note: Transnational Issues :: Disputes - international: Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees IDPs Trafficking in persons: current situation tier rating Illicit drugs: ====================================================================== The World Factbook (2009) - Country Listing [Transcriber's note: To search on a country in this file, prefix the country's name with "@", e.g. "@Afghanistan". "Afghanistan" will find all occurrences; prefixing it with "@" will find the correct location.] World A Afghanistan Akrotiri 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 B Bahamas, The Bahrain Baker Island Bangladesh Barbados 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 C 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 D Denmark Dhekelia Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic E Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia F Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Polynesia French Southern and Antarctic Lands G Gabon Gambia, The Gaza Strip Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana H Haiti Heard Island and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City) Honduras Hong Kong Howland Island Hungary I Iceland India Indian Ocean Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy J Jamaica Jan Mayen Japan Jarvis Island Jersey Johnston Atoll Jordan K Kazakhstan Kenya Kingman Reef Kiribati Korea, North Korea, South Kosovo Kuwait Kyrgyzstan L Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg M Macau Macedonia Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia, Federated States of Midway Islands Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique N Namibia Nauru Navassa Island Nepal Netherlands Netherlands Antilles New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway O Oman P Pacific Ocean Pakistan Palau Palmyra Atoll Panama Papua New Guinea Paracel Islands Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Islands Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Q Qatar R Romania Russia Rwanda S Saint Barthelemy Saint Helena Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands Southern Ocean Spain Spratly Islands Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syria T Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu U Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges Uruguay Uzbekistan V Vanuatu Venezuela Vietnam Virgin Islands W Wake Island Wallis and Futuna West Bank Western Sahara Y Yemen Z Zambia Zimbabwe T Taiwan E European Union Field Listings [Transcriber's note: To search on a field code in this file, prefix the code number with "@", e.g. "@2001". "2001" will find all occurrences; prefixing it with "@" will find the correct location.] Code Field Description 2001 GDP (purchasing power parity) 2002 Population growth rate 2003 GDP - real growth rate 2004 GDP - per capita (PPP) 2005 Affiliation 2006 Dependency status 2007 Diplomatic representation from the US 2008 Transportation - note 2010 Age structure 2011 Geographic coordinates 2012 GDP - composition by sector 2013 Radio broadcast stations 2014 Radios 2015 Television broadcast stations 2016 Televisions 2018 Sex ratio 2019 Heliports 2020 Elevation extremes 2021 Natural hazards 2022 People - note 2023 Area - comparative 2024 Military service age and obligation 2025 Manpower fit for military service 2026 Manpower reaching militarily significant age 2028 Background 2030 Airports - with paved runways 2031 Airports - with unpaved runways 2032 Environment - current issues 2033 Environment - international agreements 2034 Military expenditures 2038 Electricity - production 2042 Electricity - consumption 2043 Electricity - imports 2044 Electricity - exports 2045 Electricity - production by source 2046 Population below poverty line 2047 Household income or consumption by percentage share 2048 Labor force - by occupation 2049 Exports - commodities 2050 Exports - partners 2051 Administrative divisions 2052 Agriculture - products 2053 Airports 2054 Birth rate 2055 Military branches 2056 Budget 2057 Capital 2058 Imports - commodities 2059 Climate 2060 Coastline 2061 Imports - partners 2062 Economic aid - donor 2063 Constitution 2064 Economic aid - recipient 2065 Currency (code) 2066 Death rate 2068 Dependent areas 2070 Disputes - international 2075 Ethnic groups 2076 Exchange rates 2077 Executive branch 2078 Exports 2079 Debt - external 2080 Fiscal year 2081 Flag description 2085 Roadways 2086 Illicit drugs 2087 Imports 2088 Independence 2089 Industrial production growth rate 2090 Industries 2091 Infant mortality rate 2092 Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2093 Waterways 2094 Judicial branch 2095 Labor force 2096 Land boundaries 2097 Land use 2098 Languages 2100 Legal system 2101 Legislative branch 2102 Life expectancy at birth 2103 Literacy 2105 Manpower available for military service 2106 Maritime claims 2107 International organization participation 2108 Merchant marine 2109 National holiday 2110 Nationality 2111 Natural resources 2112 Net migration rate 2113 Geography - note 2115 Political pressure groups and leaders 2116 Economy - overview 2117 Pipelines 2118 Political parties and leaders 2119 Population 2120 Ports and terminals 2121 Railways 2122 Religions 2123 Suffrage 2124 Telephone system 2125 Terrain 2127 Total fertility rate 2128 Government type 2129 Unemployment rate 2137 Military - note 2138 Communications - note 2140 Government - note 2141 Group 2142 Country name 2144 Location 2145 Map references 2146 Irrigated land 2147 Area 2149 Diplomatic representation in the US 2150 Telephones - main lines in use 2151 Telephones - mobile cellular 2152 Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 2153 Internet users 2154 Internet country code 2155 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate 2156 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS 2157 HIV/AIDS - deaths 2158 Currency code 2172 Distribution of family income - Gini index 2173 Oil - production 2174 Oil - consumption 2175 Oil - imports 2176 Oil - exports 2177 Median age 2178 Oil - proved reserves 2179 Natural gas - proved reserves 2180 Natural gas - production 2181 Natural gas - consumption 2182 Natural gas - imports 2183 Natural gas - exports 2184 Internet hosts 2185 Investment (gross fixed) 2186 Public debt 2187 Current account balance 2188 Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2189 Union name 2190 Political structure 2191 Member states 2192 Preliminary statement 2193 Major infectious diseases 2194 Refugees and internally displaced persons 2195 GDP (official exchange rate) 2196 Trafficking in persons 2198 Stock of direct foreign investment - at home 2199 Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad 2200 Market value of publicly traded shares 2201 Total renewable water resources 2202 Freshwater withdrawal 2203 Geographic overview 2204 Economy of the area administered by Turkish Cypriots 2205 School life expectancy (primary to tertiary 2206 Education expenditures 2207 Central bank discount rate 2208 Commercial bank prime lending rate 2209 Stock of money 2210 Stock of quasi money 2211 Stock of domestic credit 2212 Urbanization ====================================================================== References :: Guide to Country Comparisons [Transcriber's note: To search on a rank order in this file, prefix the rank's name with "@", e.g. "@Population". "Population" will find all occurrences; prefixing it with "@" will find the correct location.] Country Comparison pages are presorted lists of data from selected Factbook data fields. Country Comparison pages are generally given in descending order - highest to lowest - such as Population and Area. The two exceptions are Unemployment Rate and Inflation Rate, which are in ascending - lowest to highest - order. Country Comparison pages are available for the following 58 fields in six of the nine Factbook categories. Geography :: Area: total People :: Population: Population growth rate: Birth rate: Death rate: Net migration rate: Infant mortality rate: Life expectancy at birth: Total fertility rate: HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: HIV/AIDS - deaths: Education expenditures: Economy :: GDP (purchasing power parity): GDP real growth rate: GDP - per capita (PPP): Labor force: Unemployment rate: Distribution of family income - Gini Index: Investment (gross fixed): Public debt: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Central bank discount rate: Commercial bank prime lending rate: Stock of money: Stock of quasi money: Stock of domestic credit: Market value of publicly traded shares: Industrial production growth rate: Electricity - production: Electricity - consumption: Oil - production: Oil - consumption: Oil - exports: Oil - imports: Oil - proved reserves: Natural gas - production: Natural gas - consumption: Natural gas - exports: Natural gas - imports: Natural gas - proved reserves: Current account balance: Exports: Imports: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: Debt - external: Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: Communications :: Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Internet hosts: Internet users: Transportation :: Airports: Railways: total Roadways: total Waterways: Merchant marine: total Military :: Military expenditures - percent of GDP: Not all Country Comparisons include the same number of entries because information for a particular field is not available for all countries. In addition, not all data fields are suitable for displaying as Country Comparisons, such as those containing textual information. Textual information is more readily viewed by clicking on the Field Listing icon next to the Data field title. All of the Country Comparisons' pages can be downloaded as tab-delimited data files and can be opened in other applications such as spreadsheets and databases. To save a Country Comparisons page in a spreadsheet, first click on the 'Download Datafile' choice above the Country Comparisons page you selected; then, at the top of your browser window, click on 'File' and 'Save As'. After saving the file, open the spreadsheet, find the saved file, and 'Open' it. ====================================================================== Appendixes Appendix A - Abbreviations Appendix B - International Organizations and Groups Appendix C - Selected International Environmental Agreements Appendix D - Cross-Reference list of Country Data Codes Appendix E - Cross-Reference List of Hydrographic Data Codes Appendix F - Cross-Reference List of Geographic Names Appendix G - Weights and Measures ====================================================================== References :: Definitions and Notes A Abbreviations This information is included in Appendix A: Abbreviations, which includes all abbreviations and acronyms used in the Factbook, with their expansions. Acronyms An acronym is an abbreviation coined from the initial letter of each successive word in a term or phrase. In general, an acronym made up solely from the first letter of the major words in the expanded form is rendered in all capital letters (NATO from North Atlantic Treaty Organization; an exception would be ASEAN for Association of Southeast Asian Nations). In general, an acronym made up of more than the first letter of the major words in the expanded form is rendered with only an initial capital letter (Comsat from Communications Satellite Corporation; an exception would be NAM from Nonaligned Movement). Hybrid forms are sometimes used to distinguish between initially identical terms (ICC for International Chamber of Commerce and ICCt for International Criminal Court). Administrative divisions This entry generally gives the numbers, designatory terms, and first-order administrative divisions as approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (BGN). Changes that have been reported but not yet acted on by the BGN are noted. Age structure This entry provides the distribution of the population according to age. Information is included by sex and age group (0-14 years, 15-64 years, 65 years and over). The age structure of a population affects a nation's key socioeconomic issues. Countries with young populations (high percentage under age 15) need to invest more in schools, while countries with older populations (high percentage ages 65 and over) need to invest more in the health sector. The age structure can also be used to help predict potential political issues. For example, the rapid growth of a young adult population unable to find employment can lead to unrest. Agriculture - products This entry is an ordered listing of major crops and products starting with the most important. Airports This entry gives the total number of airports or airfields recognizable from the air. The runway(s) may be paved (concrete or asphalt surfaces) or unpaved (grass, earth, sand, or gravel surfaces) and may include closed or abandoned installations. Airports or airfields that are no longer recognizable (overgrown, no facilities, etc.) are not included. Note that not all airports have accommodations for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control. Airports - with paved runways This entry gives the total number of airports with paved runways (concrete or asphalt surfaces) by length. For airports with more than one runway, only the longest runway is included according to the following five groups - (1) over 3,047 m (over 10,000 ft), (2) 2,438 to 3,047 m (8,000 to 10,000 ft), (3) 1,524 to 2,437 m (5,000 to 8,000 ft), (4) 914 to 1,523 m (3,000 to 5,000 ft), and (5) under 914 m (under 3,000 ft). Only airports with usable runways are included in this listing. Not all airports have facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control. The type aircraft capable of operating from a runway of a given length is dependent upon a number of factors including elevation of the runway, runway gradient, average maximum daily temperature at the airport, engine types, flap settings, and take-off weight of the aircraft. Airports - with unpaved runways This entry gives the total number of airports with unpaved runways (grass, dirt, sand, or gravel surfaces) by length. For airports with more than one runway, only the longest runway is included according to the following five groups - (1) over 3,047 m (over 10,000 ft), (2) 2,438 to 3,047 m (8,000 to 10,000 ft), (3) 1,524 to 2,437 m (5,000 to 8,000 ft), (4) 914 to 1,523 m (3,000 to 5,000 ft), and (5) under 914 m (under 3,000 ft). Only airports with usable runways are included in this listing. Not all airports have facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control. The type aircraft capable of operating from a runway of a given length is dependent upon a number of factors including elevation of the runway, runway gradient, average maximum daily temperature at the airport, engine types, flap settings, and take-off weight of the aircraft. Appendixes This section includes Factbook-related material by topic. Area This entry includes three subfields. Total area is the sum of all land and water areas delimited by international boundaries and/or coastlines. Land area is the aggregate of all surfaces delimited by international boundaries and/or coastlines, excluding inland water bodies (lakes, reservoirs, rivers). Water area is the sum of the surfaces of all inland water bodies, such as lakes, reservoirs, or rivers, as delimited by international boundaries and/or coastlines. Area - comparative This entry provides an area comparison based on total area equivalents. Most entities are compared with the entire US or one of the 50 states based on area measurements (1990 revised) provided by the US Bureau of the Census. The smaller entities are compared with Washington, DC (178 sq km, 69 sq mi) or The Mall in Washington, DC (0.59 sq km, 0.23 sq mi, 146 acres). B Background This entry usually highlights major historic events and current issues and may include a statement about one or two key future trends. Birth rate This entry gives the average annual number of births during a year per 1,000 persons in the population at midyear; also known as crude birth rate. The birth rate is usually the dominant factor in determining the rate of population growth. It depends on both the level of fertility and the age structure of the population. Budget This entry includes revenues, expenditures, and capital expenditures. These figures are calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. C Capital This entry gives the name of the seat of government, its geographic coordinates, the time difference relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the time observed in Washington, DC, and, if applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those countries that have multiple time zones. Central bank discount rate This entry provides the annualized interest rate a country's central bank charges commercial, depository banks for loans to meet temporary shortages of funds. Climate This entry includes a brief description of typical weather regimes throughout the year. Coastline This entry gives the total length of the boundary between the land area (including islands) and the sea. Commercial bank prime lending rate This entry provides a simple average of annualized interest rates commercial banks charge on new loans, denominated in the national currency, to their most credit-worthy customers. Communications This category deals with the means of exchanging information and includes the telephone, radio, television, and Internet host entries. Communications - note This entry includes miscellaneous communications information of significance not included elsewhere. Constitution This entry includes the dates of adoption, revisions, and major amendments. Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) UTC is the international atomic time scale that serves as the basis of timekeeping for most of the world. The hours, minutes, and seconds expressed by UTC represent the time of day at the Prime Meridian (0 deg. longitude) located near Greenwich, England as reckoned from midnight. UTC is calculated by the Bureau International des Poids et Measures (BIPM) in Sevres, France. The BIPM averages data collected from more than 200 atomic time and frequency standards located at about 50 laboratories worldwide. UTC is the basis for all civil time with the Earth divided into time zones expressed as positive or negative differences from UTC. UTC is also referred to as "Zulu time." See the Standard Time Zones of the World map included with the Reference Maps. Country data codes See Data codes. Country map Most versions of the Factbook provide a country map in color. The maps were produced from the best information available at the time of preparation. Names and/or boundaries may have changed subsequently. Country name This entry includes all forms of the country's name approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (Italy is used as an example): conventional long form (Italian Republic), conventional short form (Italy), local long form (Repubblica Italiana), local short form (Italia), former (Kingdom of Italy), as well as the abbreviation. Also see the Terminology note. Crude oil See entry for oil. Current account balance This entry records a country's net trade in goods and services, plus net earnings from rents, interest, profits, and dividends, and net transfer payments (such as pension funds and worker remittances) to and from the rest of the world during the period specified. These figures are calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. D Data codes This information is presented in This information is presented in <a href = "../appendix/appendix-d.html"Appendix D: Cross-Reference List of Country Data Codes and and <a href = "../appendix/appendix-e.html" Appendix E: Cross-Reference List of Hydrographic Data Codes. Date of information In general, information available as of 1 January 2007 was used in the preparation of this edition. Daylight Saving Time (DST) This entry is included for those entities that have adopted a policy of adjusting the official local time forward, usually one hour, from Standard Time during summer months. Such policies are most common in mid-latitude regions. Death rate This entry gives the average annual number of deaths during a year per 1,000 population at midyear; also known as crude death rate. The death rate, while only a rough indicator of the mortality situation in a country, accurately indicates the current mortality impact on population growth. This indicator is significantly affected by age distribution, and most countries will eventually show a rise in the overall death rate, in spite of continued decline in mortality at all ages, as declining fertility results in an aging population. Debt - external This entry gives the total public and private debt owed to nonresidents repayable in foreign currency, goods, or services. These figures are calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. Dependency status This entry describes the formal relationship between a particular nonindependent entity and an independent state. Dependent areas This entry contains an alphabetical listing of all nonindependent entities associated in some way with a particular independent state. Diplomatic representation The US Government has diplomatic relations with 189 independent states, including 187 of the 192 UN members (excluded UN members are Bhutan, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and the US itself). In addition, the US has diplomatic relations with 2 independent states that are not in the UN, the Holy See and Kosovo, as well as with the EU. Diplomatic representation from the US This entry includes the chief of mission, embassy address, mailing address, telephone number, FAX number, branch office locations, consulate general locations, and consulate locations. Diplomatic representation in the US This entry includes the chief of mission, chancery, telephone, FAX, consulate general locations, and consulate locations. Disputes - international This entry includes a wide variety of situations that range from traditional bilateral boundary disputes to unilateral claims of one sort or another. Information regarding disputes over international terrestrial and maritime boundaries has been reviewed by the US Department of State. References to other situations involving borders or frontiers may also be included, such as resource disputes, geopolitical questions, or irredentist issues; however, inclusion does not necessarily constitute official acceptance or recognition by the US Government. Distribution of family income - Gini index This index measures the degree of inequality in the distribution of family income in a country. The index is calculated from the Lorenz curve, in which cumulative family income is plotted against the number of families arranged from the poorest to the richest. The index is the ratio of (a) the area between a country's Lorenz curve and the 45 degree helping line to (b) the entire triangular area under the 45 degree line. The more nearly equal a country's income distribution, the closer its Lorenz curve to the 45 degree line and the lower its Gini index, e.g., a Scandinavian country with an index of 25. The more unequal a country's income distribution, the farther its Lorenz curve from the 45 degree line and the higher its Gini index, e.g., a Sub-Saharan country with an index of 50. If income were distributed with perfect equality, the Lorenz curve would coincide with the 45 degree line and the index would be zero; if income were distributed with perfect inequality, the Lorenz curve would coincide with the horizontal axis and the right vertical axis and the index would be 100. E Economy This category includes the entries dealing with the size, development, and management of productive resources, i.e., land, labor, and capital. Economy - overview This entry briefly describes the type of economy, including the degree of market orientation, the level of economic development, the most important natural resources, and the unique areas of specialization. It also characterizes major economic events and policy changes in the most recent 12 months and may include a statement about one or two key future macroeconomic trends. Education expenditures This entry provides the public expenditure on education as a percent of GDP. Electricity - consumption This entry consists of total electricity generated annually plus imports and minus exports, expressed in kilowatt-hours. The discrepancy between the amount of electricity generated and/or imported and the amount consumed and/or exported is accounted for as loss in transmission and distribution. Electricity - exports This entry is the total exported electricity in kilowatt-hours. Electricity - imports This entry is the total imported electricity in kilowatt-hours. Electricity - production This entry is the annual electricity generated expressed in kilowatt-hours. The discrepancy between the amount of electricity generated and/or imported and the amount consumed and/or exported is accounted for as loss in transmission and distribution. Elevation extremes This entry includes both the highest point and the lowest point. Entities Some of the independent states, dependencies, areas of special sovereignty, and governments included in this publication are not independent, and others are not officially recognized by the US Government. "Independent state" refers to a people politically organized into a sovereign state with a definite territory. "Dependencies" and "areas of special sovereignty" refer to a broad category of political entities that are associated in some way with an independent state. "Country" names used in the table of contents or for page headings are usually the short-form names as approved by the US Board on Geographic Names and may include independent states, dependencies, and areas of special sovereignty, or other geographic entities. There are a total of 266 separate geographic entities in The World Factbook that may be categorized as follows: INDEPENDENT STATES 194 Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Holy See, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe OTHER 2 Taiwan, European Union DEPENDENCIES AND AREAS OF SPECIAL SOVEREIGNTY 6 Australia - Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Norfolk Island 2 China - Hong Kong, Macau 2 Denmark - Faroe Islands, Greenland 9 France - Clipperton Island, French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Mayotte, New Caledonia, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Martin, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Wallis and Futuna 2 Netherlands - Aruba, Netherlands Antilles 3 New Zealand - Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau 3 Norway - Bouvet Island, Jan Mayen, Svalbard 17 UK - Akrotiri, Anguilla, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dhekelia, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, Isle of Man, Montserrat, Pitcairn Islands, Saint Helena, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands 14 US - American Samoa, Baker Island*, Guam, Howland Island*, Jarvis Island*, Johnston Atoll*, Kingman Reef*, Midway Islands*, Navassa Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Palmyra Atoll*, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Wake Island (* consolidated in United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges entry) MISCELLANEOUS 6 Antarctica, Gaza Strip, Paracel Islands, Spratly Islands, West Bank, Western Sahara OTHER ENTITIES 5 oceans - Arctic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Southern Ocean 1 World 266 total Environment - current issues This entry lists the most pressing and important environmental problems. The following terms and abbreviations are used throughout the entry: Acidification - the lowering of soil and water pH due to acid precipitation and deposition usually through precipitation; this process disrupts ecosystem nutrient flows and may kill freshwater fish and plants dependent on more neutral or alkaline conditions (see acid rain). Acid rain - characterized as containing harmful levels of sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxide; acid rain is damaging and potentially deadly to the earth's fragile ecosystems; acidity is measured using the pH scale where 7 is neutral, values greater than 7 are considered alkaline, and values below 5.6 are considered acid precipitation; note - a pH of 2.4 (the acidity of vinegar) has been measured in rainfall in New England. Aerosol - a collection of airborne particles dispersed in a gas, smoke, or fog. Afforestation - converting a bare or agricultural space by planting trees and plants; reforestation involves replanting trees on areas that have been cut or destroyed by fire. Asbestos - a naturally occurring soft fibrous mineral commonly used in fireproofing materials and considered to be highly carcinogenic in particulate form. Biodiversity - also biological diversity; the relative number of species, diverse in form and function, at the genetic, organism, community, and ecosystem level; loss of biodiversity reduces an ecosystem's ability to recover from natural or man-induced disruption. Bio-indicators - a plant or animal species whose presence, abundance, and health reveal the general condition of its habitat. Biomass - the total weight or volume of living matter in a given area or volume. Carbon cycle - the term used to describe the exchange of carbon (in various forms, e.g., as carbon dioxide) between the atmosphere, ocean, terrestrial biosphere, and geological deposits. Catchments - assemblages used to capture and retain rainwater and runoff; an important water management technique in areas with limited freshwater resources, such as Gibraltar. DDT (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloro-ethane) - a colorless, odorless insecticide that has toxic effects on most animals; the use of DDT was banned in the US in 1972. Defoliants - chemicals which cause plants to lose their leaves artificially; often used in agricultural practices for weed control, and may have detrimental impacts on human and ecosystem health. Deforestation - the destruction of vast areas of forest (e.g., unsustainable forestry practices, agricultural and range land clearing, and the over exploitation of wood products for use as fuel) without planting new growth. Desertification - the spread of desert-like conditions in arid or semi-arid areas, due to overgrazing, loss of agriculturally productive soils, or climate change. Dredging - the practice of deepening an existing waterway; also, a technique used for collecting bottom-dwelling marine organisms (e.g., shellfish) or harvesting coral, often causing significant destruction of reef and ocean-floor ecosystems. Drift-net fishing - done with a net, miles in extent, that is generally anchored to a boat and left to float with the tide; often results in an over harvesting and waste of large populations of non-commercial marine species (by-catch) by its effect of "sweeping the ocean clean." Ecosystems - ecological units comprised of complex communities of organisms and their specific environments. Effluents - waste materials, such as smoke, sewage, or industrial waste which are released into the environment, subsequently polluting it. Endangered species - a species that is threatened with extinction either by direct hunting or habitat destruction. Freshwater - water with very low soluble mineral content; sources include lakes, streams, rivers, glaciers, and underground aquifers. Greenhouse gas - a gas that "traps" infrared radiation in the lower atmosphere causing surface warming; water vapor, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, hydrofluorocarbons, and ozone are the primary greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere. Groundwater - water sources found below the surface of the earth often in naturally occurring reservoirs in permeable rock strata; the source for wells and natural springs. Highlands Water Project - a series of dams constructed jointly by Lesotho and South Africa to redirect Lesotho's abundant water supply into a rapidly growing area in South Africa; while it is the largest infrastructure project in southern Africa, it is also the most costly and controversial; objections to the project include claims that it forces people from their homes, submerges farmlands, and squanders economic resources. Inuit Circumpolar Conference (ICC) - represents the 145,000 Inuits of Russia, Alaska, Canada, and Greenland in international environmental issues; a General Assembly convenes every three years to determine the focus of the ICC; the most current concerns are long-range transport of pollutants, sustainable development, and climate change. Metallurgical plants - industries which specialize in the science, technology, and processing of metals; these plants produce highly concentrated and toxic wastes which can contribute to pollution of ground water and air when not properly disposed. Noxious substances - injurious, very harmful to living beings. Overgrazing - the grazing of animals on plant material faster than it can naturally regrow leading to the permanent loss of plant cover, a common effect of too many animals grazing limited range land. Ozone shield - a layer of the atmosphere composed of ozone gas (O3) that resides approximately 25 miles above the Earth's surface and absorbs solar ultraviolet radiation that can be harmful to living organisms. Poaching - the illegal killing of animals or fish, a great concern with respect to endangered or threatened species. Pollution - the contamination of a healthy environment by man-made waste. Potable water - water that is drinkable, safe to be consumed. Salination - the process through which fresh (drinkable) water becomes salt (undrinkable) water; hence, desalination is the reverse process; also involves the accumulation of salts in topsoil caused by evaporation of excessive irrigation water, a process that can eventually render soil incapable of supporting crops. Siltation - occurs when water channels and reservoirs become clotted with silt and mud, a side effect of deforestation and soil erosion. Slash-and-burn agriculture - a rotating cultivation technique in which trees are cut down and burned in order to clear land for temporary agriculture; the land is used until its productivity declines at which point a new plot is selected and the process repeats; this practice is sustainable while population levels are low and time is permitted for regrowth of natural vegetation; conversely, where these conditions do not exist, the practice can have disastrous consequences for the environment. Soil degradation - damage to the land's productive capacity because of poor agricultural practices such as the excessive use of pesticides or fertilizers, soil compaction from heavy equipment, or erosion of topsoil, eventually resulting in reduced ability to produce agricultural products. Soil erosion - the removal of soil by the action of water or wind, compounded by poor agricultural practices, deforestation, overgrazing, and desertification. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation - a portion of the electromagnetic energy emitted by the sun and naturally filtered in the upper atmosphere by the ozone layer; UV radiation can be harmful to living organisms and has been linked to increasing rates of skin cancer in humans. Waterborne diseases - those in which bacteria survive in, and are transmitted through, water; always a serious threat in areas with an untreated water supply. Environment - international agreements This entry separates country participation in international environmental agreements into two levels - party to and signed, but not ratified. Agreements are listed in alphabetical order by the abbreviated form of the full name. Environmental agreements This information is presented in This information is presented in <a href = "../appendix/appendix-c.html"Appendix C: Selected International Environmental Agreements, which includes the name, abbreviation, date opened for signature, date entered into force, objective, and parties by category. Ethnic groups This entry provides an ordered listing of ethnic groups starting with the largest and normally includes the percent of total population. Exchange rates This entry provides the official value of a country's monetary unit at a given date or over a given period of time, as expressed in units of local currency per US dollar and as determined by international market forces or official fiat. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 4217 alphabetic currency code for the national medium of exchange is presented in parenthesis. Executive branch This entry includes several subfields. Chief of state includes the name and title of the titular leader of the country who represents the state at official and ceremonial functions but may not be involved with the day-to-day activities of the government. Head of government includes the name and title of the top administrative leader who is designated to manage the day-to-day activities of the government. For example, in the UK, the monarch is the chief of state, and the prime minister is the head of government. In the US, the president is both the chief of state and the head of government. Cabinet includes the official name for this body of high-ranking advisers and the method for selection of members. Elections includes the nature of election process or accession to power, date of the last election, and date of the next election. Election results includes the percent of vote for each candidate in the last election. Exports This entry provides the total US dollar amount of merchandise exports on an f.o.b. (free on board) basis. These figures are calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. Exports - commodities This entry provides a listing of the highest-valued exported products; it sometimes includes the percent of total dollar value. Exports - partners This entry provides a rank ordering of trading partners starting with the most important; it sometimes includes the percent of total dollar value. F Flag description This entry provides a written flag description produced from actual flags or the best information available at the time the entry was written. The flags of independent states are used by their dependencies unless there is an officially recognized local flag. Some disputed and other areas do not have flags. Flag graphic Most versions of the Factbook include a color flag at the beginning of the country profile. The flag graphics were produced from actual flags or the best information available at the time of preparation. The flags of independent states are used by their dependencies unless there is an officially recognized local flag. Some disputed and other areas do not have flags. Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural) This entry provides the annual quantity of water in cubic kilometers removed from available sources for use in any purpose. Water drawn-off is not necessarily entirely consumed and some portion may be returned for further use downstream. Domestic sector use refers to water supplied by public distribution systems. Note that some of this total may be used for small industrial and/or limited agricultural purposes. Industrial sector use is the quantity of water used by self-supplied industries not connected to a public distribution system. Agricultural sector use includes water used for irrigation and livestock watering, and does not account for agriculture directly dependent on rainfall. Included are figures for total annual water withdrawal and per capita water withdrawal. G GDP (official exchange rate) This entry gives the gross domestic product (GDP) or value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year. A nation's GDP at official exchange rates (OER) is the home-currency-denominated annual GDP figure divided by the bilateral average US exchange rate with that country in that year. The measure is simple to compute and gives a precise measure of the value of output. Many economists prefer this measure when gauging the economic power an economy maintains vis-a-vis its neighbors, judging that an exchange rate captures the purchasing power a nation enjoys in the international marketplace. Official exchange rates, however, can be artificially fixed and/or subject to manipulation - resulting in claims of the country having an under- or over-valued currency - and are not necessarily the equivalent of a market-determined exchange rate. Moreover, even if the official exchange rate is market-determined, market exchange rates are frequently established by a relatively small set of goods and services (the ones the country trades) and may not capture the value of the larger set of goods the country produces. Furthermore, OER-converted GDP is not well suited to comparing domestic GDP over time, since appreciation/depreciation from one year to the next will make the OER GDP value rise/fall regardless of whether home-currency-denominated GDP changed. GDP (purchasing power parity) This entry gives the gross domestic product (GDP) or value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year. A nation's GDP at purchasing power parity (PPP) exchange rates is the sum value of all goods and services produced in the country valued at prices prevailing in the United States. This is the measure most economists prefer when looking at per-capita welfare and when comparing living conditions or use of resources across countries. The measure is difficult to compute, as a US dollar value has to be assigned to all goods and services in the country regardless of whether these goods and services have a direct equivalent in the United States (for example, the value of an ox-cart or non-US military equipment); as a result, PPP estimates for some countries are based on a small and sometimes different set of goods and services. In addition, many countries do not formally participate in the World Bank's PPP project that calculates these measures, so the resulting GDP estimates for these countries may lack precision. For many developing countries, PPP-based GDP measures are multiples of the official exchange rate (OER) measure. The differences between the OER- and PPP-denominated GDP values for most of the wealthy industrialized countries are generally much smaller. GDP - composition by sector This entry gives the percentage contribution of agriculture, industry, and services to total GDP. The distribution will total less than 100 percent if the data are incomplete. GDP - per capita (PPP) This entry shows GDP on a purchasing power parity basis divided by population as of 1 July for the same year. GDP - real growth rate This entry gives GDP growth on an annual basis adjusted for inflation and expressed as a percent. GDP methodology In the Economy category, GDP dollar estimates for countries are reported both on an official exchange rate (OER) and a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis. Both measures contain information that is useful to the reader. The PPP method involves the use of standardized international dollar price weights, which are applied to the quantities of final goods and services produced in a given economy. The data derived from the PPP method probably provide the best available starting point for comparisons of economic strength and well-being between countries. In contrast, the currency exchange rate method involves a variety of international and domestic financial forces that may not capture the value of domestic output. Whereas PPP estimates for OECD countries are quite reliable, PPP estimates for developing countries are often rough approximations. In developing countries with weak currencies, the exchange rate estimate of GDP in dollars is typically one-fourth to one-half the PPP estimate. Most of the GDP estimates for developing countries are based on extrapolation of PPP numbers published by the UN International Comparison Program (UNICP) and by Professors Robert Summers and Alan Heston of the University of Pennsylvania and their colleagues. GDP derived using the OER method should be used for the purpose of calculating the share of items such as exports, imports, military expenditures, external debt, or the current account balance, because the dollar values presented in the Factbook for these items have been converted at official exchange rates, not at PPP. One should use the OER GDP figure to calculate the proportion of, say, Chinese defense expenditures in GDP, because that share will be the same as one calculated in local currency units. Comparison of OER GDP with PPP GDP may also indicate whether a currency is over- or under-valued. If OER GDP is smaller than PPP GDP, the official exchange rate may be undervalued, and vice versa. However, there is no strong historical evidence that market exchange rates move in the direction implied by the PPP rate, at least not in the short- or medium-term. Note: the numbers for GDP and other economic data should not be chained together from successive volumes of the Factbook because of changes in the US dollar measuring rod, revisions of data by statistical agencies, use of new or different sources of information, and changes in national statistical methods and practices. GNP Gross national product (GNP) is the value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year, plus income earned by its citizens abroad, minus income earned by foreigners from domestic production. The Factbook, following current practice, uses GDP rather than GNP to measure national production. However, the user must realize that in certain countries net remittances from citizens working abroad may be important to national well-being. GWP This entry gives the gross world product (GWP) or aggregate value of all final goods and services produced worldwide in a given year. Geographic coordinates This entry includes rounded latitude and longitude figures for the purpose of finding the approximate geographic center of an entity and is based on the locations provided in the Geographic Names Server (GNS), maintained by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency on behalf of the US Board on Geographic Names. Geographic names This information is presented in This information is presented in <a href = "../appendix/appendix-f.html"Appendix F: Cross Reference List of Geographic Names. It includes a listing of various alternate names, former names, local names, and regional names referenced to one or more related Factbook entries. Spellings are normally, but not always, those approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (BGN). Alternate names and additional information are included in parentheses. Geography This category includes the entries dealing with the natural environment and the effects of human activity. Geography - note This entry includes miscellaneous geographic information of significance not included elsewhere. Gini index See entry for Distribution of family income - Gini index Government This category includes the entries dealing with the system for the adoption and administration of public policy. Government - note This entry includes miscellaneous government information of significance not included elsewhere. Government type This entry gives the basic form of government. Definitions of the major governmental terms are as follows. (Note that for some countries more than one definition applies.): Absolute monarchy - a form of government where the monarch rules unhindered, i.e., without any laws, constitution, or legally organized opposition. Anarchy - a condition of lawlessness or political disorder brought about by the absence of governmental authority. Authoritarian - a form of government in which state authority is imposed onto many aspects of citizens' lives. Commonwealth - a nation, state, or other political entity founded on law and united by a compact of the people for the common good. Communist - a system of government in which the state plans and controls the economy and a single - often authoritarian - party holds power; state controls are imposed with the elimination of private ownership of property or capital while claiming to make progress toward a higher social order in which all goods are equally shared by the people (i.e., a classless society). Confederacy (Confederation) - a union by compact or treaty between states, provinces, or territories, that creates a central government with limited powers; the constituent entities retain supreme authority over all matters except those delegated to the central government. Constitutional - a government by or operating under an authoritative document (constitution) that sets forth the system of fundamental laws and principles that determines the nature, functions, and limits of that government. Constitutional democracy - a form of government in which the sovereign power of the people is spelled out in a governing constitution. Constitutional monarchy - a system of government in which a monarch is guided by a constitution whereby his/her rights, duties, and responsibilities are spelled out in written law or by custom. Democracy - a form of government in which the supreme power is retained by the people, but which is usually exercised indirectly through a system of representation and delegated authority periodically renewed. Democratic republic - a state in which the supreme power rests in the body of citizens entitled to vote for officers and representatives responsible to them. Dictatorship - a form of government in which a ruler or small clique wield absolute power (not restricted by a constitution or laws). Ecclesiastical - a government administrated by a church. Emirate - similar to a monarchy or sultanate, but a government in which the supreme power is in the hands of an emir (the ruler of a Muslim state); the emir may be an absolute overlord or a sovereign with constitutionally limited authority. Federal (Federation) - a form of government in which sovereign power is formally divided - usually by means of a constitution - between a central authority and a number of constituent regions (states, colonies, or provinces) so that each region retains some management of its internal affairs; differs from a confederacy in that the central government exerts influence directly upon both individuals as well as upon the regional units. Federal republic - a state in which the powers of the central government are restricted and in which the component parts (states, colonies, or provinces) retain a degree of self-government; ultimate sovereign power rests with the voters who chose their governmental representatives. Islamic republic - a particular form of government adopted by some Muslim states; although such a state is, in theory, a theocracy, it remains a republic, but its laws are required to be compatible with the laws of Islam. Maoism - the theory and practice of Marxism-Leninism developed in China by Mao Zedong (Mao Tse-tung), which states that a continuous revolution is necessary if the leaders of a communist state are to keep in touch with the people. Marxism - the political, economic, and social principles espoused by 19th century economist Karl Marx; he viewed the struggle of workers as a progression of historical forces that would proceed from a class struggle of the proletariat (workers) exploited by capitalists (business owners), to a socialist "dictatorship of the proletariat," to, finally, a classless society - Communism. Marxism-Leninism - an expanded form of communism developed by Lenin from doctrines of Karl Marx; Lenin saw imperialism as the final stage of capitalism and shifted the focus of workers' struggle from developed to underdeveloped countries. Monarchy - a government in which the supreme power is lodged in the hands of a monarch who reigns over a state or territory, usually for life and by hereditary right; the monarch may be either a sole absolute ruler or a sovereign - such as a king, queen, or prince - with constitutionally limited authority. Oligarchy - a government in which control is exercised by a small group of individuals whose authority generally is based on wealth or power. Parliamentary democracy - a political system in which the legislature (parliament) selects the government - a prime minister, premier, or chancellor along with the cabinet ministers - according to party strength as expressed in elections; by this system, the government acquires a dual responsibility: to the people as well as to the parliament. Parliamentary government (Cabinet-Parliamentary government) - a government in which members of an executive branch (the cabinet and its leader - a prime minister, premier, or chancellor) are nominated to their positions by a legislature or parliament, and are directly responsible to it; this type of government can be dissolved at will by the parliament (legislature) by means of a no confidence vote or the leader of the cabinet may dissolve the parliament if it can no longer function. Parliamentary monarchy - a state headed by a monarch who is not actively involved in policy formation or implementation (i.e., the exercise of sovereign powers by a monarch in a ceremonial capacity); true governmental leadership is carried out by a cabinet and its head - a prime minister, premier, or chancellor - who are drawn from a legislature (parliament). Presidential - a system of government where the executive branch exists separately from a legislature (to which it is generally not accountable). Republic - a representative democracy in which the people's elected deputies (representatives), not the people themselves, vote on legislation. Socialism - a government in which the means of planning, producing, and distributing goods is controlled by a central government that theoretically seeks a more just and equitable distribution of property and labor; in actuality, most socialist governments have ended up being no more than dictatorships over workers by a ruling elite. Sultanate - similar to a monarchy, but a government in which the supreme power is in the hands of a sultan (the head of a Muslim state); the sultan may be an absolute ruler or a sovereign with constitutionally limited authority. Theocracy - a form of government in which a Deity is recognized as the supreme civil ruler, but the Deity's laws are interpreted by ecclesiastical authorities (bishops, mullahs, etc.); a government subject to religious authority. Totalitarian - a government that seeks to subordinate the individual to the state by controlling not only all political and economic matters, but also the attitudes, values, and beliefs of its population. Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) The mean solar time at the Greenwich Meridian, Greenwich, England, with the hours and days, since 1925, reckoned from midnight. GMT is now a historical term having been replaced by UTC on 1 January 1972. See Coordinated Universal Time. Gross domestic product See GDP Gross national product See GNP Gross world product See GWP H HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate This entry gives an estimate of the percentage of adults (aged 15-49) living with HIV/AIDS. The adult prevalence rate is calculated by dividing the estimated number of adults living with HIV/AIDS at yearend by the total adult population at yearend. HIV/AIDS - deaths This entry gives an estimate of the number of adults and children who died of AIDS during a given calendar year. HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS This entry gives an estimate of all people (adults and children) alive at yearend with HIV infection, whether or not they have developed symptoms of AIDS. Heliports This entry gives the total number of heliports with hard-surface runways, helipads, or landing areas that support routine sustained helicopter operations exclusively and have support facilities including one or more of the following facilities: lighting, fuel, passenger handling, or maintenance. It includes former airports used exclusively for helicopter operations but excludes heliports limited to day operations and natural clearings that could support helicopter landings and takeoffs. Household income or consumption by percentage share Data on household income or consumption come from household surveys, the results adjusted for household size. Nations use different standards and procedures in collecting and adjusting the data. Surveys based on income will normally show a more unequal distribution than surveys based on consumption. The quality of surveys is improving with time, yet caution is still necessary in making inter-country comparisons. Hydrographic data codes See Data codes I Illicit drugs This entry gives information on the five categories of illicit drugs - narcotics, stimulants, depressants (sedatives), hallucinogens, and cannabis. These categories include many drugs legally produced and prescribed by doctors as well as those illegally produced and sold outside of medical channels. Cannabis (Cannabis sativa) is the common hemp plant, which provides hallucinogens with some sedative properties, and includes marijuana (pot, Acapulco gold, grass, reefer), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, Marinol), hashish (hash), and hashish oil (hash oil). Coca (mostly Erythroxylum coca) is a bush with leaves that contain the stimulant used to make cocaine. Coca is not to be confused with cocoa, which comes from cacao seeds and is used in making chocolate, cocoa, and cocoa butter. Cocaine is a stimulant derived from the leaves of the coca bush. Depressants (sedatives) are drugs that reduce tension and anxiety and include chloral hydrate, barbiturates (Amytal, Nembutal, Seconal, phenobarbital), benzodiazepines (Librium, Valium), methaqualone (Quaalude), glutethimide (Doriden), and others (Equanil, Placidyl, Valmid). Drugs are any chemical substances that effect a physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral change in an individual. Drug abuse is the use of any licit or illicit chemical substance that results in physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral impairment in an individual. Hallucinogens are drugs that affect sensation, thinking, self-awareness, and emotion. Hallucinogens include LSD (acid, microdot), mescaline and peyote (mexc, buttons, cactus), amphetamine variants (PMA, STP, DOB), phencyclidine (PCP, angel dust, hog), phencyclidine analogues (PCE, PCPy, TCP), and others (psilocybin, psilocyn). Hashish is the resinous exudate of the cannabis or hemp plant (Cannabis sativa). Heroin is a semisynthetic derivative of morphine. Mandrax is a trade name for methaqualone, a pharmaceutical depressant. Marijuana is the dried leaf of the cannabis or hemp plant (Cannabis sativa). Methaqualone is a pharmaceutical depressant, referred to as mandrax in Southwest Asia and Africa. Narcotics are drugs that relieve pain, often induce sleep, and refer to opium, opium derivatives, and synthetic substitutes. Natural narcotics include opium (paregoric, parepectolin), morphine (MS-Contin, Roxanol), codeine (Tylenol with codeine, Empirin with codeine, Robitussin AC), and thebaine. Semisynthetic narcotics include heroin (horse, smack), and hydromorphone (Dilaudid). Synthetic narcotics include meperidine or Pethidine (Demerol, Mepergan), methadone (Dolophine, Methadose), and others (Darvon, Lomotil). Opium is the brown, gummy exudate of the incised, unripe seedpod of the opium poppy. Opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) is the source for the natural and semisynthetic narcotics. Poppy straw is the entire cut and dried opium poppy-plant material, other than the seeds. Opium is extracted from poppy straw in commercial operations that produce the drug for medical use. Qat (kat, khat) is a stimulant from the buds or leaves of Catha edulis that is chewed or drunk as tea. Quaaludes is the North American slang term for methaqualone, a pharmaceutical depressant. Stimulants are drugs that relieve mild depression, increase energy and activity, and include cocaine (coke, snow, crack), amphetamines (Desoxyn, Dexedrine), ephedrine, ecstasy (clarity, essence, doctor, Adam), phenmetrazine (Preludin), methylphenidate (Ritalin), and others (Cylert, Sanorex, Tenuate). Imports This entry provides the total US dollar amount of merchandise imports on a c.i.f. (cost, insurance, and freight) or f.o.b. (free on board) basis. These figures are calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. Imports - commodities This entry provides a listing of the highest-valued imported products; it sometimes includes the percent of total dollar value. Imports - partners This entry provides a rank ordering of trading partners starting with the most important; it sometimes includes the percent of total dollar value. Independence For most countries, this entry gives the date that sovereignty was achieved and from which nation, empire, or trusteeship. For the other countries, the date given may not represent "independence" in the strict sense, but rather some significant nationhood event such as the traditional founding date or the date of unification, federation, confederation, establishment, fundamental change in the form of government, or state succession. Dependent areas include the notation "none" followed by the nature of their dependency status. Also see the Terminology note. Industrial production growth rate This entry gives the annual percentage increase in industrial production (includes manufacturing, mining, and construction). Industries This entry provides a rank ordering of industries starting with the largest by value of annual output. Infant mortality rate This entry gives the number of deaths of infants under one year old in a given year per 1,000 live births in the same year; included is the total death rate, and deaths by sex, male and female. This rate is often used as an indicator of the level of health in a country. Inflation rate (consumer prices) This entry furnishes the annual percent change in consumer prices compared with the previous year's consumer prices. International disputes see Disputes - international International organization participation This entry lists in alphabetical order by abbreviation those international organizations in which the subject country is a member or participates in some other way. International organizations This information is presented in This information is presented in <a href = "../appendix/appendix-b.html"Appendix B: International Organizations and Groups which includes the name, abbreviation, date established, aim, and members by category. Internet country code This entry includes the two-letter codes maintained by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in the ISO 3166 Alpha-2 list and used by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) to establish country-coded top-level domains (ccTLDs). Internet hosts This entry lists the number of Internet hosts available within a country. An Internet host is a computer connected directly to the Internet; normally an Internet Service Provider's (ISP) computer is a host. Internet users may use either a hard-wired terminal, at an institution with a mainframe computer connected directly to the Internet, or may connect remotely by way of a modem via telephone line, cable, or satellite to the Internet Service Provider's host computer. The number of hosts is one indicator of the extent of Internet connectivity. Internet users This entry gives the number of users within a country that access the Internet. Statistics vary from country to country and may include users who access the Internet at least several times a week to those who access it only once within a period of several months. Introduction This category includes one entry, Background. Investment (gross fixed) This entry records total business spending on fixed assets, such as factories, machinery, equipment, dwellings, and inventories of raw materials, which provide the basis for future production. It is measured gross of the depreciation of the assets, i.e., it includes investment that merely replaces worn-out or scrapped capital. Irrigated land This entry gives the number of square kilometers of land area that is artificially supplied with water. J Judicial branch This entry contains the name(s) of the highest court(s) and a brief description of the selection process for members. L Labor force This entry contains the total labor force figure. Labor force - by occupation This entry lists the percentage distribution of the labor force by occupation. The distribution will total less than 100 percent if the data are incomplete. Land boundaries This entry contains the total length of all land boundaries and the individual lengths for each of the contiguous border countries. When available, official lengths published by national statistical agencies are used. Because surveying methods may differ, country border lengths reported by contiguous countries may differ. Land use This entry contains the percentage shares of total land area for three different types of land use: arable land - land cultivated for crops like wheat, maize, and rice that are replanted after each harvest; permanent crops - land cultivated for crops like citrus, coffee, and rubber that are not replanted after each harvest; includes land under flowering shrubs, fruit trees, nut trees, and vines, but excludes land under trees grown for wood or timber; other - any land not arable or under permanent crops; includes permanent meadows and pastures, forests and woodlands, built-on areas, roads, barren land, etc. Languages This entry provides a rank ordering of languages starting with the largest and sometimes includes the percent of total population speaking that language. Legal system This entry contains a brief description of the legal system's historical roots, role in government, and acceptance of International Court of Justice (ICJ) jurisdiction. Legislative branch This entry contains information on the structure (unicameral, bicameral, tricameral), formal name, number of seats, and term of office. Elections includes the nature of the election process or accession to power, date of the last election, and date of the next election. Election results includes the percent of vote and/or number of seats held by each party in the last election. Life expectancy at birth This entry contains the average number of years to be lived by a group of people born in the same year, if mortality at each age remains constant in the future. The entry includes total population as well as the male and female components. Life expectancy at birth is also a measure of overall quality of life in a country and summarizes the mortality at all ages. It can also be thought of as indicating the potential return on investment in human capital and is necessary for the calculation of various actuarial measures. Literacy This entry includes a definition of literacy and Census Bureau percentages for the total population, males, and females. There are no universal definitions and standards of literacy. Unless otherwise specified, all rates are based on the most common definition - the ability to read and write at a specified age. Detailing the standards that individual countries use to assess the ability to read and write is beyond the scope of the Factbook. Information on literacy, while not a perfect measure of educational results, is probably the most easily available and valid for international comparisons. Low levels of literacy, and education in general, can impede the economic development of a country in the current rapidly changing, technology-driven world. Location This entry identifies the country's regional location, neighboring countries, and adjacent bodies of water. M Major infectious diseases This entry lists major infectious diseases likely to be encountered in countries where the risk of such diseases is assessed to be very high as compared to the United States. These infectious diseases represent risks to US government personnel traveling to the specified country for a period of less than three years. The degree of risk is assessed by considering the foreign nature of these infectious diseases, their severity, and the probability of being affected by the diseases present. The diseases listed do not necessarily represent the total disease burden experienced by the local population. The risk to an individual traveler varies considerably by the specific location, visit duration, type of activities, type of accommodations, time of year, and other factors. Consultation with a travel medicine physician is needed to evaluate individual risk and recommend appropriate preventive measures such as vaccines. Diseases are organized into the following six exposure categories shown in italics and listed in typical descending order of risk. Note: The sequence of exposure categories listed in individual country entries may vary according to local conditions. food or waterborne diseases acquired through eating or drinking on the local economy: Hepatitis A - viral disease that interferes with the functioning of the liver; spread through consumption of food or water contaminated with fecal matter, principally in areas of poor sanitation; victims exhibit fever, jaundice, and diarrhea; 15% of victims will experience prolonged symptoms over 6-9 months; vaccine available. Hepatitis E - water-borne viral disease that interferes with the functioning of the liver; most commonly spread through fecal contamination of drinking water; victims exhibit jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain, and dark colored urine. Typhoid fever - bacterial disease spread through contact with food or water contaminated by fecal matter or sewage; victims exhibit sustained high fevers; left untreated, mortality rates can reach 20%. vectorborne diseases acquired through the bite of an infected arthropod: Malaria - caused by single-cell parasitic protozoa Plasmodium; transmitted to humans via the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito; parasites multiply in the liver attacking red blood cells resulting in cycles of fever, chills, and sweats accompanied by anemia; death due to damage to vital organs and interruption of blood supply to the brain; endemic in 100, mostly tropical, countries with 90% of cases and the majority of 1.5-2.5 million estimated annual deaths occurring in sub-Saharan Africa. Dengue fever - mosquito-borne (Aedes aegypti) viral disease associated with urban environments; manifests as sudden onset of fever and severe headache; occasionally produces shock and hemorrhage leading to death in 5% of cases. Yellow fever - mosquito-borne viral disease; severity ranges from influenza-like symptoms to severe hepatitis and hemorrhagic fever; occurs only in tropical South America and sub-Saharan Africa, where most cases are reported; fatality rate is less than 20%. Japanese Encephalitis - mosquito-borne (Culex tritaeniorhynchus) viral disease associated with rural areas in Asia; acute encephalitis can progress to paralysis, coma, and death; fatality rates 30%. African Trypanosomiasis - caused by the parasitic protozoa Trypanosoma; transmitted to humans via the bite of bloodsucking Tsetse flies; infection leads to malaise and irregular fevers and, in advanced cases when the parasites invade the central nervous system, coma and death; endemic in 36 countries of sub-Saharan Africa; cattle and wild animals act as reservoir hosts for the parasites. Cutaneous Leishmaniasis - caused by the parasitic protozoa leishmania; transmitted to humans via the bite of sandflies; results in skin lesions that may become chronic; endemic in 88 countries; 90% of cases occur in Iran, Afghanistan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, and Peru; wild and domesticated animals as well as humans can act as reservoirs of infection. Plague - bacterial disease transmitted by fleas normally associated with rats; person-to-person airborne transmission also possible; recent plague epidemics occurred in areas of Asia, Africa, and South America associated with rural areas or small towns and villages; manifests as fever, headache, and painfully swollen lymph nodes; disease progresses rapidly and without antibiotic treatment leads to pneumonic form with a death rate in excess of 50%. Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever - tick-borne viral disease; infection may also result from exposure to infected animal blood or tissue; geographic distribution includes Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe; sudden onset of fever, headache, and muscle aches followed by hemorrhaging in the bowels, urine, nose, and gums; mortality rate is approximately 30%. Rift Valley fever - viral disease affecting domesticated animals and humans; transmission is by mosquito and other biting insects; infection may also occur through handling of infected meat or contact with blood; geographic distribution includes eastern and southern Africa where cattle and sheep are raised; symptoms are generally mild with fever and some liver abnormalities, but the disease may progress to hemorrhagic fever, encephalitis, or ocular disease; fatality rates are low at about 1% of cases. Chikungunya - mosquito-borne (Aedes aegypti) viral disease associated with urban environments, similar to Dengue Fever; characterized by sudden onset of fever, rash, and severe joint pain usually lasting 3-7 days, some cases result in persistent arthritis. water contact diseases acquired through swimming or wading in freshwater lakes, streams, and rivers: Leptospirosis - bacterial disease that affects animals and humans; infection occurs through contact with water, food, or soil contaminated by animal urine; symptoms include high fever, severe headache, vomiting, jaundice, and diarrhea; untreated, the disease can result in kidney damage, liver failure, meningitis, or respiratory distress; fatality rates are low but left untreated recovery can take months. Schistosomiasis - caused by parasitic trematode flatworm Schistosoma; fresh water snails act as intermediate host and release larval form of parasite that penetrates the skin of people exposed to contaminated water; worms mature and reproduce in the blood vessels, liver, kidneys, and intestines releasing eggs, which become trapped in tissues triggering an immune response; may manifest as either urinary or intestinal disease resulting in decreased work or learning capacity; mortality, while generally low, may occur in advanced cases usually due to bladder cancer; endemic in 74 developing countries with 80% of infected people living in sub-Saharan Africa; humans act as the reservoir for this parasite. aerosolized dust or soil contact disease acquired through inhalation of aerosols contaminated with rodent urine: Lassa fever - viral disease carried by rats of the genus Mastomys; endemic in portions of West Africa; infection occurs through direct contact with or consumption of food contaminated by rodent urine or fecal matter containing virus particles; fatality rate can reach 50% in epidemic outbreaks. respiratory disease acquired through close contact with an infectious person: Meningococcal meningitis - bacterial disease causing an inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord; one of the most important bacterial pathogens is Neisseria meningitidis because of its potential to cause epidemics; symptoms include stiff neck, high fever, headaches, and vomiting; bacteria are transmitted from person to person by respiratory droplets and facilitated by close and prolonged contact resulting from crowded living conditions, often with a seasonal distribution; death occurs in 5-15% of cases, typically within 24-48 hours of onset of symptoms; highest burden of meningococcal disease occurs in the hyperendemic region of sub-Saharan Africa known as the "Meningitis Belt" which stretches from Senegal east to Ethiopia. animal contact disease acquired through direct contact with local animals: Rabies - viral disease of mammals usually transmitted through the bite of an infected animal, most commonly dogs; virus affects the central nervous system causing brain alteration and death; symptoms initially are non-specific fever and headache progressing to neurological symptoms; death occurs within days of the onset of symptoms. Manpower available for military service This entry gives the number of males and females falling in the military age range for a country (defined as being ages 16-49) and assumes that every individual is fit to serve. Manpower fit for military service This entry gives the number of males and females falling in the military age range for a country (defined as being ages 16-49) and who are not otherwise disqualified for health reasons; accounts for the health situation in the country and provides a more realistic estimate of the actual number fit to serve. Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually This entry gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults. Map references This entry includes the name of the Factbook reference map on which a country may be found. Note that boundary representations on these maps are not necessarily authoritative. The entry on Geographic coordinates may be helpful in finding some smaller countries. Maritime claims This entry includes the following claims, the definitions of which are excerpted from the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which alone contains the full and definitive descriptions: territorial sea - the sovereignty of a coastal state extends beyond its land territory and internal waters to an adjacent belt of sea, described as the territorial sea in the UNCLOS (Part II); this sovereignty extends to the air space over the territorial sea as well as its underlying seabed and subsoil; every state has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles; the normal baseline for measuring the breadth of the territorial sea is the mean low-water line along the coast as marked on large-scale charts officially recognized by the coastal state; the UNCLOS describes specific rules for archipelagic states. contiguous zone - according to the UNCLOS (Article 33), this is a zone contiguous to a coastal state's territorial sea, over which it may exercise the control necessary to: prevent infringement of its customs, fiscal, immigration, or sanitary laws and regulations within its territory or territorial sea; punish infringement of the above laws and regulations committed within its territory or territorial sea; the contiguous zone may not extend beyond 24 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured (e.g. the US has claimed a 12-nautical mile contiguous zone in addition to its 12-nautical mile territorial sea). exclusive economic zone (EEZ) - the UNCLOS (Part V) defines the EEZ as a zone beyond and adjacent to the territorial sea in which a coastal state has: sovereign rights for the purpose of exploring and exploiting, conserving and managing the natural resources, whether living or non-living, of the waters superjacent to the seabed and of the seabed and its subsoil, and with regard to other activities for the economic exploitation and exploration of the zone, such as the production of energy from the water, currents, and winds; jurisdiction with regard to the establishment and use of artificial islands, installations, and structures; marine scientific research; the protection and preservation of the marine environment; the outer limit of the exclusive economic zone shall not exceed 200 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured. continental shelf - the UNCLOS (Article 76) defines the continental shelf of a coastal state as comprising the seabed and subsoil of the submarine areas that extend beyond its territorial sea throughout the natural prolongation of its land territory to the outer edge of the continental margin, or to a distance of 200 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured where the outer edge of the continental margin does not extend up to that distance; the continental margin comprises the submerged prolongation of the landmass of the coastal state, and consists of the seabed and subsoil of the shelf, the slope and the rise; wherever the continental margin extends beyond 200 nautical miles from the baseline, coastal states may extend their claim to a distance not to exceed 350 nautical miles from the baseline or 100 nautical miles from the 2500 meter isobath; it does not include the deep ocean floor with its oceanic ridges or the subsoil thereof. exclusive fishing zone - while this term is not used in the UNCLOS, some states (e.g., the United Kingdom) have chosen not to claim an EEZ, but rather to claim jurisdiction over the living resources off their coast; in such cases, the term exclusive fishing zone is often used; the breadth of this zone is normally the same as the EEZ or 200 nautical miles. Market value of publicly traded shares This entry gives the value of shares issued by publicly traded companies at a price determined in the national stock markets on the final day of the period indicated. It is simply the latest price per share multiplied by the total number of outstanding shares, cumulated over all companies listed on the particular exchange. Median age This entry is the age that divides a population into two numerically equal groups; that is, half the people are younger than this age and half are older. It is a single index that summarizes the age distribution of a population. Currently, the median age ranges from a low of about 15 in Uganda and Gaza Strip to 40 or more in several European countries and Japan. See the entry for "Age structure" for the importance of a young versus an older age structure and, by implication, a low versus a higher median age. Merchant marine Merchant marine may be defined as all ships engaged in the carriage of goods; or all commercial vessels (as opposed to all nonmilitary ships), which excludes tugs, fishing vessels, offshore oil rigs, etc. This entry contains information in four fields - total, ships by type, foreign-owned, and registered in other countries. Total includes the number of ships (1,000 GRT or over), total DWT for those ships, and total GRT for those ships. DWT or dead weight tonnage is the total weight of cargo, plus bunkers, stores, etc., that a ship can carry when immersed to the appropriate load line. GRT or gross register tonnage is a figure obtained by measuring the entire sheltered volume of a ship available for cargo and passengers and converting it to tons on the basis of 100 cubic feet per ton; there is no stable relationship between GRT and DWT. Ships by type includes a listing of barge carriers, bulk cargo ships, cargo ships, chemical tankers, combination bulk carriers, combination ore/oil carriers, container ships, liquefied gas tankers, livestock carriers, multifunctional large-load carriers, petroleum tankers, passenger ships, passenger/cargo ships, railcar carriers, refrigerated cargo ships, roll-on/roll-off cargo ships, short-sea passenger ships, specialized tankers, and vehicle carriers. Foreign-owned are ships that fly the flag of one country but belong to owners in another. Registered in other countries are ships that belong to owners in one country but fly the flag of another. Military This category includes the entries dealing with a country's military structure, manpower, and expenditures. Military - note This entry includes miscellaneous military information of significance not included elsewhere. Military branches This entry lists the service branches subordinate to defense ministries or the equivalent (typically ground, naval, air, and marine forces). Military expenditures This entry gives spending on defense programs for the most recent year available as a percent of gross domestic product (GDP); the GDP is calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP). Military service age and obligation This entry gives the required ages for voluntary or conscript military service and the length of service obligation. Money figures All money figures are expressed in contemporaneous US dollars unless otherwise indicated. N National holiday This entry gives the primary national day of celebration - usually independence day. Nationality This entry provides the identifying terms for citizens - noun and adjective. Natural gas - consumption This entry is the total natural gas consumed in cubic meters (cu m). The discrepancy between the amount of natural gas produced and/or imported and the amount consumed and/or exported is due to the omission of stock changes and other complicating factors. Natural gas - exports This entry is the total natural gas exported in cubic meters (cu m). Natural gas - imports This entry is the total natural gas imported in cubic meters (cu m). Natural gas - production This entry is the total natural gas produced in cubic meters (cu m). The discrepancy between the amount of natural gas produced and/or imported and the amount consumed and/or exported is due to the omission of stock changes and other complicating factors. Natural gas - proved reserves This entry is the stock of proved reserves of natural gas in cubic meters (cu m). Proved reserves are those quantities of natural gas, which, by analysis of geological and engineering data, can be estimated with a high degree of confidence to be commercially recoverable from a given date forward, from known reservoirs and under current economic conditions. Natural hazards This entry lists potential natural disasters. Natural resources This entry lists a country's mineral, petroleum, hydropower, and other resources of commercial importance. Net migration rate This entry includes the figure for the difference between the number of persons entering and leaving a country during the year per 1,000 persons (based on midyear population). An excess of persons entering the country is referred to as net immigration (e.g., 3.56 migrants/1,000 population); an excess of persons leaving the country as net emigration (e.g., -9.26 migrants/1,000 population). The net migration rate indicates the contribution of migration to the overall level of population change. High levels of migration can cause problems such as increasing unemployment and potential ethnic strife (if people are coming in) or a reduction in the labor force, perhaps in certain key sectors (if people are leaving). O Oil - consumption This entry is the total oil consumed in barrels per day (bbl/day). The discrepancy between the amount of oil produced and/or imported and the amount consumed and/or exported is due to the omission of stock changes, refinery gains, and other complicating factors. Oil - exports This entry is the total oil exported in barrels per day (bbl/day), including both crude oil and oil products. Oil - imports This entry is the total oil imported in barrels per day (bbl/day), including both crude oil and oil products. Oil - production This entry is the total oil produced in barrels per day (bbl/day). The discrepancy between the amount of oil produced and/or imported and the amount consumed and/or exported is due to the omission of stock changes, refinery gains, and other complicating factors. Oil - proved reserves This entry is the stock of proved reserves of crude oil in barrels (bbl). Proved reserves are those quantities of petroleum which, by analysis of geological and engineering data, can be estimated with a high degree of confidence to be commercially recoverable from a given date forward, from known reservoirs and under current economic conditions. P People This category includes the entries dealing with the characteristics of the people and their society. People - note This entry includes miscellaneous demographic information of significance not included elsewhere. Personal Names - Capitalization The Factbook capitalizes the surname or family name of individuals for the convenience of our users who are faced with a world of different cultures and naming conventions. The need for capitalization, bold type, underlining, italics, or some other indicator of the individual's surname is apparent in the following examples: MAO Zedong, Fidel CASTRO Ruz, George W. BUSH, and TUNKU SALAHUDDIN Abdul Aziz Shah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Hisammuddin Alam Shah. By knowing the surname, a short form without all capital letters can be used with confidence as in President Castro, Chairman Mao, President Bush, or Sultan Tunku Salahuddin. The same system of capitalization is extended to the names of leaders with surnames that are not commonly used such as Queen ELIZABETH II. For Vietnamese names, the given name is capitalized because officials are referred to by their given name rather than by their surname. For example, the president of Vietnam is Tran Duc LUONG. His surname is Tran, but he is referred to by his given name - President LUONG. Personal Names - Spelling The romanization of personal names in the Factbook normally follows the same transliteration system used by the US Board on Geographic Names for spelling place names. At times, however, a foreign leader expressly indicates a preference for, or the media or official documents regularly use, a romanized spelling that differs from the transliteration derived from the US Government standard. In such cases, the Factbook uses the alternative spelling. Personal Names - Titles The Factbook capitalizes any valid title (or short form of it) immediately preceding a person's name. A title standing alone is not capitalized. Examples: President PUTIN and President BUSH are chiefs of state. In Russia, the president is chief of state and the premier is the head of the government, while in the US, the president is both chief of state and head of government. Petroleum See entries under Oil. Petroleum products See entries under Oil. Pipelines This entry gives the lengths and types of pipelines for transporting products like natural gas, crude oil, or petroleum products. Piracy Piracy is defined by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea as any illegal act of violence, detention, or depredation directed against a ship, aircraft, persons, or property in a place outside the jurisdiction of any State. Such criminal acts committed in the territorial waters of a littoral state are generally considered to be armed robbery against ships. Political parties and leaders This entry includes a listing of significant political organizations and their leaders. Political pressure groups and leaders This entry includes a listing of a country's political, social, labor, or religious organizations that are involved in politics, or that exert political pressure, but whose leaders do not stand for legislative election. International movements or organizations are generally not listed. Population This entry gives an estimate from the US Bureau of the Census based on statistics from population censuses, vital statistics registration systems, or sample surveys pertaining to the recent past and on assumptions about future trends. The total population presents one overall measure of the potential impact of the country on the world and within its region. Note: Starting with the 1993 Factbook, demographic estimates for some countries (mostly African) have explicitly taken into account the effects of the growing impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. These countries are currently: The Bahamas, Benin, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Population growth rate The average annual percent change in the population, resulting from a surplus (or deficit) of births over deaths and the balance of migrants entering and leaving a country. The rate may be positive or negative. The growth rate is a factor in determining how great a burden would be imposed on a country by the changing needs of its people for infrastructure (e.g., schools, hospitals, housing, roads), resources (e.g., food, water, electricity), and jobs. Rapid population growth can be seen as threatening by neighboring countries. Ports and terminals This entry lists major ports and terminals primarily on the basis of the amount of cargo tonnage shipped through the facilities on an annual basis. In some instances, the number of containers handled or ship visits were also considered. Public debt This entry records the cumulative total of all government borrowings less repayments that are denominated in a country's home currency. Public debt should not be confused with external debt, which reflects the foreign currency liabilities of both the private and public sector and must be financed out of foreign exchange earnings. R Radio broadcast stations This entry includes the total number of AM, FM, and shortwave broadcast stations. Railways This entry states the total route length of the railway network and of its component parts by gauge: broad, standard, narrow, and dual. Other gauges are listed under note. Reference maps This section includes world and regional maps. Refugees and internally displaced persons This entry includes those persons residing in a country as refugees or internally displaced persons (IDPs). The definition of a refugee according to a United Nations Convention is "a person who is outside his/her country of nationality or habitual residence; has a well-founded fear of persecution because of his/her race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion; and is unable or unwilling to avail himself/herself of the protection of that country, or to return there, for fear of persecution." The UN established the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 1950 to handle refugee matters worldwide. The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has a different operational definition for a Palestinian refugee: "a person whose normal place of residence was Palestine during the period 1 June 1946 to 15 May 1948 and who lost both home and means of livelihood as a result of the 1948 conflict." However, UNHCR also assists some 400,000 Palestinian refugees not covered under the UNRWA definition. The term "internally displaced person" is not specifically covered in the UN Convention; it is used to describe people who have fled their homes for reasons similar to refugees, but who remain within their own national territory and are subject to the laws of that state. Religions This entry is an ordered listing of religions by adherents starting with the largest group and sometimes includes the percent of total population. The core characteristics and beliefs of the world's major religions are described below. Baha'i - Founded by Mirza Husayn-Ali (known as Baha'u'llah) in Iran in 1852, Baha'i faith emphasizes monotheism and believes in one eternal transcendent God. Its guiding focus is to encourage the unity of all peoples on the earth so that justice and peace may be achieved on earth. Baha'i revelation contends the prophets of major world religions reflect some truth or element of the divine, believes all were manifestations of God given to specific communities in specific times, and that Baha'u'llah is an additional prophet meant to call all humankind. Bahais are an open community, located worldwide, with the greatest concentration of believers in South Asia. Buddhism - Religion or philosophy inspired by the 5th century B.C. teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (also known as Gautama Buddha "the enlightened one"). Buddhism focuses on the goal of spiritual enlightenment centered on an understanding of Gautama Buddha's Four Noble Truths on the nature of suffering, and on the Eightfold Path of spiritual and moral practice, to break the cycle of suffering of which we are a part. Buddhism ascribes to a karmic system of rebirth. Several schools and sects of Buddhism exist, differing often on the nature of the Buddha, the extent to which enlightenment can be achieved - for one or for all, and by whom - religious orders or laity. Basic Groupings Theravada Buddhism: The oldest Buddhist school, Theravada is practiced mostly in Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos, Burma, and Thailand, with minority representation elsewhere in Asia and the West. Theravadans follow the Pali Canon of Buddha's teachings, and believe that one may escape the cycle of rebirth, worldly attachment, and suffering for oneself; this process may take one or several lifetimes. Mahayana Buddhism, including subsets Zen and Tibetan Buddhism: Forms of Mahayana Buddhism are common in East Asia and Tibet, and parts of the West. Mahayanas have additional scriptures beyond the Pali Canon and believe the Buddha is eternal and still teaching. Unlike Theravada Buddhism, Mahayana schools maintain the Buddha-nature is present in all beings and all will ultimately achieve enlightenment. Christianity - Descending from Judaism, Christianity's central belief maintains Jesus of Nazareth is the promised messiah of the Hebrew Scriptures, and that his life, death, and resurrection are salvific for the world. Christianity is one of the three monotheistic Abrahamic faiths, along with Islam and Judaism, which traces its spiritual lineage to Abraham of the Hebrew Scriptures. Its sacred texts include the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament (or the Christian Gospels). Basic Groupings Catholicism (or Roman Catholicism): This is the oldest established western Christian church and the world's largest single religious body. It is supranational, and recognizes a hierarchical structure with the Pope, or Bishop of Rome, as its head, located at the Vatican. Catholics believe the Pope is the divinely ordered head of the Church from a direct spiritual legacy of Jesus' apostle Peter. Catholicism is comprised of 23 particular Churches, or Rites - one Western (Latin-Rite) and 22 Eastern. The Latin Rite is by far the largest, making up about 98% of Catholic membership. Eastern-Rite Churches, such as the Maronite Church and the Ukrainian Catholic Church, are in communion with Rome although they preserve their own worship traditions and their immediate hierarchy consists of clergy within their own rite. The Catholic Church has a comprehensive theological and moral doctrine specified for believers in its catechism, which makes it unique among most forms of Christianity. Mormonism (including the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints): Originating in 1830 in the United States under Joseph Smith, Mormonism is not characterized as a form of Protestant Christianity because it claims additional revealed Christian scriptures after the Hebrew Bible and New Testament. The Book of Mormon maintains there was an appearance of Jesus in the New World following the Christian account of his resurrection, and that the Americas are uniquely blessed continents. Mormonism believes earlier Christian traditions, such as the Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant reform faiths, are apostasies and that Joseph Smith's revelation of the Book of Mormon is a restoration of true Christianity. Mormons have a hierarchical religious leadership structure, and actively proselytize their faith; they are located primarily in the Americas and in a number of other Western countries. Orthodox Christianity: The oldest established eastern form of Christianity, the Holy Orthodox Church, has a ceremonial head in the Bishop of Constantinople (Istanbul), also known as a Patriarch, but its various regional forms (e.g., Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, Serbian Orthodox, Ukrainian Orthodox) are autocephalous (independent of Constantinople's authority, and have their own Patriarchs). Orthodox churches are highly nationalist and ethnic. The Orthodox Christian faith shares many theological tenets with the Roman Catholic Church, but diverges on some key premises and does not recognize the governing authority of the Pope. Protestant Christianity: Protestant Christianity originated in the 16th century as an attempt to reform Roman Catholicism's practices, dogma, and theology. It encompasses several forms or denominations which are extremely varied in structure, beliefs, relationship to state, clergy, and governance. Many protestant theologies emphasize the primary role of scripture in their faith, advocating individual interpretation of Christian texts without the mediation of a final religious authority such as the Roman Pope. The oldest Protestant Christianities include Lutheranism, Calvinism (Presbyterians), and Anglican Christianity (Episcopalians), which have established liturgies, governing structure, and formal clergy. Other variants on Protestant Christianity, including Pentecostal movements and independent churches, may lack one or more of these elements, and their leadership and beliefs are individualized and dynamic. Hinduism - Originating in the Vedic civilization of India (second and first millennium B.C.), Hinduism is an extremely diverse set of beliefs and practices with no single founder or religious authority. Hinduism has many scriptures; the Vedas, the Upanishads, and the Bhagavad-Gita are among some of the most important. Hindus may worship one or many deities, usually with prayer rituals within their own home. The most common figures of devotion are the gods Vishnu, Shiva, and a mother goddess, Devi. Most Hindus believe the soul, or atman, is eternal, and goes through a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara) determined by one's positive or negative karma, or the consequences of one's actions. The goal of religious life is to learn to act so as to finally achieve liberation (moksha) of one's soul, escaping the rebirth cycle. Islam - The third of the monotheistic Abrahamic faiths, Islam originated with the teachings of Muhammad in the 7th century. Muslims believe Muhammad is the final of all religious prophets (beginning with Abraham) and that the Qu'ran, which is the Islamic scripture, was revealed to him by God. Islam derives from the word submission, and obedience to God is a primary theme in this religion. In order to live an Islamic life, believers must follow the five pillars, or tenets, of Islam, which are the testimony of faith (shahada), daily prayer (salah), giving alms (zakah), fasting during Ramadan (sawm), and the pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj). Basic Groupings The two primary branches of Islam are Sunni and Shia, which split from each other over a religio-political leadership dispute about the rightful successor to Muhammad. The Shia believe Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law, Ali, was the only divinely ordained Imam (religious leader), while the Sunni maintain the first three caliphs after Muhammad were also legitimate authorities. In modern Islam, Sunnis and Shia continue to have different views of acceptable schools of Islamic jurisprudence, and who is a proper Islamic religious authority. Islam also has an active mystical branch, Sufism, with various Sunni and Shia subsets. Sunni Islam accounts for over 75% of the world's Muslim population. It recognizes the Abu Bakr as the first caliph after Muhammad. Sunni has four schools of Islamic doctrine and law - Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali - which uniquely interpret the Hadith, or recorded oral traditions of Muhammad. A Sunni Muslim may elect to follow any one of these schools, as all are considered equally valid. Shia Islam represents 10-20% of Muslims worldwide, and its distinguishing feature is its reverence for Ali as an infallible, divinely inspired leader, and as the first Imam of the Muslim community after Muhammad. A majority of Shia are known as "Twelvers," because they believe that the 11 familial successor imams after Muhammad culminate in a 12th Imam (al-Mahdi) who is hidden in the world and will reappear at its end to redeem the righteous. Variants Ismaili faith: A sect of Shia Islam, its adherents are also known as "Seveners," because they believe that the rightful seventh Imam in Islamic leadership was Isma'il, the elder son of Imam Jafar al-Sadiq. Ismaili tradition awaits the return of the seventh Imam as the Mahdi, or Islamic messianic figure. Ismailis are located in various parts of the world, particularly South Asia and the Levant. Alawi faith: Another Shia sect of Islam, the name reflects followers' devotion to the religious authority of Ali. Alawites are a closed, secretive religious group who assert they are Shia Muslims, although outside scholars speculate their beliefs may have a syncretic mix with other faiths originating in the Middle East. Alawis live mostly in Syria, Lebanon, and Turkey. Druze faith: A highly secretive tradition and a closed community that derives from the Ismaili sect of Islam; its core beliefs are thought to emphasize a combination of Gnostic principles believing that the Fatimid caliph, al-Hakin, is the one who embodies the key aspects of goodness of the universe, which are, the intellect, the word, the soul, the preceder, and the follower. The Druze have a key presence in Syria, Lebanon, and Israel. Jainism - Originating in India, Jain spiritual philosophy believes in an eternal human soul, the eternal universe, and a principle of "the own nature of things." It emphasizes compassion for all living things, seeks liberation of the human soul from reincarnation through enlightenment, and values personal responsibility due to the belief in the immediate consequences of one's behavior. Jain philosophy teaches non-violence and prescribes vegetarianism for monks and laity alike; its adherents are a highly influential religious minority in Indian society. Judaism - One of the first known monotheistic religions, likely dating to between 2000-1500 B.C., Judaism is the native faith of the Jewish people, based upon the belief in a covenant of responsibility between a sole omnipotent creator God and Abraham, the patriarch of Judaism's Hebrew Bible, or Tanakh. Divine revelation of principles and prohibitions in the Hebrew Scriptures form the basis of Jewish law, or halakhah, which is a key component of the faith. While there are extensive traditions of Jewish halakhic and theological discourse, there is no final dogmatic authority in the tradition. Local communities have their own religious leadership. Modern Judaism has three basic categories of faith: Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform/Liberal. These differ in their views and observance of Jewish law, with the Orthodox representing the most traditional practice, and Reform/Liberal communities the most accommodating of individualized interpretations of Jewish identity and faith. Shintoism - A native animist tradition of Japan, Shinto practice is based upon the premise that every being and object has its own spirit or kami. Shinto practitioners worship several particular kamis, including the kamis of nature, and families often have shrines to their ancestors' kamis. Shintoism has no fixed tradition of prayers or prescribed dogma, but is characterized by individual ritual. Respect for the kamis in nature is a key Shinto value. Prior to the end of World War II, Shinto was the state religion of Japan, and bolstered the cult of the Japanese emperor. Sikhism - Founded by the Guru Nanak (born 1469), Sikhism believes in a non-anthropomorphic, supreme, eternal, creator God; centering one's devotion to God is seen as a means of escaping the cycle of rebirth. Sikhs follow the teachings of Nanak and nine subsequent gurus. Their scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib - also known as the Adi Granth - is considered the living Guru, or final authority of Sikh faith and theology. Sikhism emphasizes equality of humankind and disavows caste, class, or gender discrimination. Taoism - Chinese philosophy or religion based upon Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching, which centers on belief in the Tao, or the way, as the flow of the universe and the nature of things. Taoism encourages a principle of non-force, or wu-wei, as the means to live harmoniously with the Tao. Taoists believe the esoteric world is made up of a perfect harmonious balance and nature, while in the manifest world - particularly in the body - balance is distorted. The Three Jewels of the Tao - compassion, simplicity, and humility - serve as the basis for Taoist ethics. Zoroastrianism - Originating from the teachings of Zoroaster in about the 9th or 10th century B.C., Zoroastrianism may be the oldest continuing creedal religion. Its key beliefs center on a transcendent creator God, Ahura Mazda, and the concept of free will. The key ethical tenets of Zoroastrianism expressed in its scripture, the Avesta, are based on a dualistic worldview where one may prevent chaos if one chooses to serve God and exercises good thoughts, good words, and good deeds. Zoroastrianism is generally a closed religion and members are almost always born to Zoroastrian parents. Prior to the spread of Islam, Zoroastrianism dominated greater Iran. Today, though a minority, Zoroastrians remain primarily in Iran, India, and Pakistan. Reserves of foreign exchange and gold This entry gives the dollar value for the stock of all financial assets that are available to the central monetary authority for use in meeting a country's balance of payments needs as of the end-date of the period specified. This category includes not only foreign currency and gold, but also a country's holdings of Special Drawing Rights in the International Monetary Fund, and its reserve position in the Fund. Roadways This entry gives the total length of the road network and includes the length of the paved and unpaved portions. S School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) School life expectancy (SLE) is the total number of years of schooling (primary to tertiary) that a child can expect to receive, assuming that the probability of his or her being enrolled in school at any particular future age is equal to the current enrollment ratio at that age. Caution must be maintained when utilizing this indicator in international comparisons. For example, a year or grade completed in one country is not necessarily the same in terms of educational content or quality as a year or grade completed in another country. SLE represents the expected number of years of schooling that will be completed, including years spent repeating one or more grades. Sex ratio This entry includes the number of males for each female in five age groups - at birth, under 15 years, 15-64 years, 65 years and over, and for the total population. Sex ratio at birth has recently emerged as an indicator of certain kinds of sex discrimination in some countries. For instance, high sex ratios at birth in some Asian countries are now attributed to sex-selective abortion and infanticide due to a strong preference for sons. This will affect future marriage patterns and fertility patterns. Eventually, it could cause unrest among young adult males who are unable to find partners. Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad This entry gives the cumulative US dollar value of all investments in foreign countries made directly by residents - primarily companies - of the home country, as of the end of the time period indicated. Direct investment excludes investment through purchase of shares. Stock of direct foreign investment - at home This entry gives the cumulative US dollar value of all investments in the home country made directly by residents - primarily companies - of other countries as of the end of the time period indicated. Direct investment excludes investment through purchase of shares. Stock of domestic credit This entry is the total quantity of credit, denominated in the domestic currency, provided by banks to nonbanking institutions. The national currency units have been converted to US dollars at the closing exchange rate on the date of the information. Stock of money This entry, also known as "M1," comprises the total quantity of currency in circulation (notes and coins) plus demand deposits denominated in the national currency, held by nonbank financial institutions, state and local governments, nonfinancial public enterprises, and the private sector of the economy. The national currency units have been converted to US dollars at the closing exchange rate on the date of the information. Stock of quasi money This entry comprises the total quantity of time and savings deposits denominated in the national currency, held by nonbank financial institutions, state and local governments, nonfinancial public enterprises, and the private sector of the economy. When added together with "M1" the total money supply is known as "M2." The national currency units have been converted to US dollars at the closing exchange rate on the date of the information. Suffrage This entry gives the age at enfranchisement and whether the right to vote is universal or restricted. T Telephone numbers All telephone numbers in The World Factbook consist of the country code in brackets, the city or area code (where required) in parentheses, and the local number. The one component that is not presented is the international access code, which varies from country to country. For example, an international direct dial telephone call placed from the US to Madrid, Spain, would be as follows: 011 [34] (1) 577-xxxx, where 011 is the international access code for station-to-station calls; 01 is for calls other than station-to-station calls, [34] is the country code for Spain, (1) is the city code for Madrid, 577 is the local exchange, and xxxx is the local telephone number. An international direct dial telephone call placed from another country to the US would be as follows: international access code + [1] (202) 939-xxxx, where [ 1] is the country code for the US, (202) is the area code for Washington, DC, 939 is the local exchange, and xxxx is the local telephone number. Telephone system This entry includes a brief general assessment of the system with details on the domestic and international components. The following terms and abbreviations are used throughout the entry: Arabsat - Arab Satellite Communications Organization (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia). Autodin - Automatic Digital Network (US Department of Defense). CB - citizen's band mobile radio communications. Cellular telephone system - the telephones in this system are radio transceivers, with each instrument having its own private radio frequency and sufficient radiated power to reach the booster station in its area (cell), from which the telephone signal is fed to a telephone exchange. Central American Microwave System - a trunk microwave radio relay system that links the countries of Central America and Mexico with each other. Coaxial cable - a multichannel communication cable consisting of a central conducting wire, surrounded by and insulated from a cylindrical conducting shell; a large number of telephone channels can be made available within the insulated space by the use of a large number of carrier frequencies. Comsat - Communications Satellite Corporation (US). DSN - Defense Switched Network (formerly Automatic Voice Network or Autovon); basic general-purpose, switched voice network of the Defense Communications System (US Department of Defense). Eutelsat - European Telecommunications Satellite Organization (Paris). Fiber-optic cable - a multichannel communications cable using a thread of optical glass fibers as a transmission medium in which the signal (voice, video, etc.) is in the form of a coded pulse of light. GSM - a global system for mobile (cellular) communications devised by the Groupe Special Mobile of the pan-European standardization organization, Conference Europeanne des Posts et Telecommunications (CEPT) in 1982. HF - high frequency; any radio frequency in the 3,000- to 30,000-kHz range. Inmarsat - International Maritime Satellite Organization (London); provider of global mobile satellite communications for commercial, distress, and safety applications at sea, in the air, and on land. Intelsat - International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (Washington, DC). Intersputnik - International Organization of Space Communications (Moscow); first established in the former Soviet Union and the East European countries, it is now marketing its services worldwide with earth stations in North America, Africa, and East Asia. Landline - communication wire or cable of any sort that is installed on poles or buried in the ground. Marecs - Maritime European Communications Satellite used in the Inmarsat system on lease from the European Space Agency. Marisat - satellites of the Comsat Corporation that participate in the Inmarsat system. Medarabtel - the Middle East Telecommunications Project of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) providing a modern telecommunications network, primarily by microwave radio relay, linking Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen; it was initially started in Morocco in 1970 by the Arab Telecommunications Union (ATU) and was known at that time as the Middle East Mediterranean Telecommunications Network. Microwave radio relay - transmission of long distance telephone calls and television programs by highly directional radio microwaves that are received and sent on from one booster station to another on an optical path. NMT - Nordic Mobile Telephone; an analog cellular telephone system that was developed jointly by the national telecommunications authorities of the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden). Orbita - a Russian television service; also the trade name of a packet-switched digital telephone network. Radiotelephone communications - the two-way transmission and reception of sounds by broadcast radio on authorized frequencies using telephone handsets. PanAmSat - PanAmSat Corporation (Greenwich, CT). SAFE - South African Far East Cable Satellite communication system - a communication system consisting of two or more earth stations and at least one satellite that provide long distance transmission of voice, data, and television; the system usually serves as a trunk connection between telephone exchanges; if the earth stations are in the same country, it is a domestic system. Satellite earth station - a communications facility with a microwave radio transmitting and receiving antenna and required receiving and transmitting equipment for communicating with satellites. Satellite link - a radio connection between a satellite and an earth station permitting communication between them, either one-way (down link from satellite to earth station - television receive-only transmission) or two-way (telephone channels). SHF - super high frequency; any radio frequency in the 3,000- to 30,000-MHz range. Shortwave - radio frequencies (from 1.605 to 30 MHz) that fall above the commercial broadcast band and are used for communication over long distances. Solidaridad - geosynchronous satellites in Mexico's system of international telecommunications in the Western Hemisphere. Statsionar - Russia's geostationary system for satellite telecommunications. Submarine cable - a cable designed for service under water. TAT - Trans-Atlantic Telephone; any of a number of high-capacity submarine coaxial telephone cables linking Europe with North America. Telefax - facsimile service between subscriber stations via the public switched telephone network or the international Datel network. Telegraph - a telecommunications system designed for unmodulated electric impulse transmission. Telex - a communication service involving teletypewriters connected by wire through automatic exchanges. Tropospheric scatter - a form of microwave radio transmission in which the troposphere is used to scatter and reflect a fraction of the incident radio waves back to earth; powerful, highly directional antennas are used to transmit and receive the microwave signals; reliable over-the-horizon communications are realized for distances up to 600 miles in a single hop; additional hops can extend the range of this system for very long distances. Trunk network - a network of switching centers, connected by multichannel trunk lines. UHF - ultra high frequency; any radio frequency in the 300- to 3,000-MHz range. VHF - very high frequency; any radio frequency in the 30- to 300-MHz range. Telephones - main lines in use This entry gives the total number of main telephone lines in use. Telephones - mobile cellular This entry gives the total number of mobile cellular telephone subscribers. Television broadcast stations This entry gives the total number of separate broadcast stations plus any repeater stations. Terminology Due to the highly structured nature of the Factbook database, some collective generic terms have to be used. For example, the word Country in the Country name entry refers to a wide variety of dependencies, areas of special sovereignty, uninhabited islands, and other entities in addition to the traditional countries or independent states. Military is also used as an umbrella term for various civil defense, security, and defense activities in many entries. The Independence entry includes the usual colonial independence dates and former ruling states as well as other significant nationhood dates such as the traditional founding date or the date of unification, federation, confederation, establishment, or state succession that are not strictly independence dates. Dependent areas have the nature of their dependency status noted in this same entry. Terrain This entry contains a brief description of the topography. Time difference This entry is expressed in The World Factbook in two ways. First, it is stated as the difference in hours between the capital of an entity and Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) during Standard Time. Additionally, the difference in time between the capital of an entity and that observed in Washington, D.C. is also provided. Note that the time difference assumes both locations are simultaneously observing Standard Time or Daylight Saving Time. Time zones Ten countries (Australia, Brazil, Canada, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia, Spain, and the United States) and the island of Greenland observe more than one official time depending on the number of designated time zones within their boundaries. An illustration of time zones throughout the world and within countries can be seen in the Standard Time Zones of the World map included in the Reference Maps section of The World Factbook. Total fertility rate This entry gives a figure for the average number of children that would be born per woman if all women lived to the end of their childbearing years and bore children according to a given fertility rate at each age. The total fertility rate (TFR) is a more direct measure of the level of fertility than the crude birth rate, since it refers to births per woman. This indicator shows the potential for population change in the country. A rate of two children per woman is considered the replacement rate for a population, resulting in relative stability in terms of total numbers. Rates above two children indicate populations growing in size and whose median age is declining. Higher rates may also indicate difficulties for families, in some situations, to feed and educate their children and for women to enter the labor force. Rates below two children indicate populations decreasing in size and growing older. Global fertility rates are in general decline and this trend is most pronounced in industrialized countries, especially Western Europe, where populations are projected to decline dramatically over the next 50 years. Total renewable water resources This entry provides the long-term average water availability for a country in cubic kilometers of precipitation, recharged ground water, and surface inflows from surrounding countries. The values have been adjusted to account for overlap resulting from surface flow recharge of groundwater sources. Total renewable water resources provides the water total available to a country but does not include water resource totals that have been reserved for upstream or downstream countries through international agreements. Note that these values are averages and do not accurately reflect the total available in any given year. Annual available resources can vary greatly due to short-term and long-term climatic and weather variations. Trafficking in persons Trafficking in persons is modern-day slavery, involving victims who are forced, defrauded, or coerced into labor or sexual exploitation. The International Labor Organization (ILO), the UN agency charged with addressing labor standards, employment, and social protection issues, estimates that 12.3 million people worldwide are enslaved in forced labor, bonded labor, forced child labor, sexual servitude, and involuntary servitude at any given time. Human trafficking is a multi-dimensional threat, depriving people of their human rights and freedoms, risking global health, promoting social breakdown, inhibiting development by depriving countries of their human capital, and helping fuel the growth of organized crime. In 2000, the US Congress passed the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), reauthorized in 2003 and 2005, which provides tools for the US to combat trafficking in persons, both domestically and abroad. One of the law's key components is the creation of the US Department of State's annual Trafficking in Persons Report, which assesses the government response (i.e., the current situation) in some 150 countries with a significant number of victims trafficked across their borders who are recruited, harbored, transported, provided, or obtained for forced labor or sexual exploitation. Countries in the annual report are rated in three tiers, based on government efforts to combat trafficking. The countries identified in this entry are those listed in the 2008 Trafficking in Persons Report as Tier 2 Watch List or Tier 3 based on the following tier rating definitions: Tier 2 Watch List countries do not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but are making significant efforts to do so, and meet one of the following criteria: 1. they display high or significantly increasing number of victims, 2. they have failed to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in persons, or, 3. they have committed to take action over the next year. Tier 3 countries neither satisfy the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking nor demonstrate a significant effort to do so. Countries in this tier are subject to potential non-humanitarian and non-trade sanctions. Transnational issues This category includes four entries - Disputes - international, Refugees and internally displaced persons, Trafficking in persons, and Illicit drugs - that deal with current issues going beyond national boundaries. Transportation This category includes the entries dealing with the means for movement of people and goods. Transportation - note This entry includes miscellaneous transportation information of significance not included elsewhere. U UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) See entry for Coordinated Universal Time. Unemployment rate This entry contains the percent of the labor force that is without jobs. Substantial underemployment might be noted. Urbanization This entry provides two measures of the degree of urbanization of a population. The first, urban population, describes the percentage of the total population living in urban areas, as defined by the country. The second, rate of urbanization, describes the projected average rate of change of the size of the urban population over the given period of time. Additionally, the World entry includes a list of the ten largest urban agglomerations. An urban agglomeration is defined as comprising the city or town proper and also the suburban fringe or thickly settled territory lying outside of, but adjacent to, the boundaries of the city. W Waterways This entry gives the total length of navigable rivers, canals, and other inland bodies of water. Weights and Measures This information is presented in This information is presented in <a href = "../appendix/appendix-g.html"Appendix G: Weights and Measures and includes mathematical notations (mathematical powers and names), metric interrelationships (prefix; symbol; length, weight, or capacity; area; volume), and standard conversion factors. Y Years All year references are for the calendar year (CY) unless indicated as fiscal year (FY). The calendar year is an accounting period of 12 months from 1 January to 31 December. The fiscal year is an accounting period of 12 months other than 1 January to 31 December. Note: Information for the US and US dependencies was complied from material in the public domain and does not represent Intelligence Community estimates. ====================================================================== CIA - The World Factbook -- About :: History A Brief History of Basic Intelligence and The World Factbook The Intelligence Cycle is the process by which information is acquired, converted into intelligence, and made available to policymakers. Information is raw data from any source, data that may be fragmentary, contradictory, unreliable, ambiguous, deceptive, or wrong. Intelligence is information that has been collected, integrated, evaluated, analyzed, and interpreted. Finished intelligence is the final product of the Intelligence Cycle ready to be delivered to the policymaker. The three types of finished intelligence are: basic, current, and estimative. Basic intelligence provides the fundamental and factual reference material on a country or issue. Current intelligence reports on new developments. Estimative intelligence judges probable outcomes. The three are mutually supportive: basic intelligence is the foundation on which the other two are constructed; current intelligence continually updates the inventory of knowledge; and estimative intelligence revises overall interpretations of country and issue prospects for guidance of basic and current intelligence. The World Factbook, The President's Daily Brief, and the National Intelligence Estimates are examples of the three types of finished intelligence. The United States has carried on foreign intelligence activities since the days of George Washington but only since World War II have they been coordinated on a government-wide basis. Three programs have highlighted the development of coordinated basic intelligence since that time: (1) the Joint Army Navy Intelligence Studies (JANIS), (2) the National Intelligence Survey (NIS), and (3)The World Factbook . During World War II, intelligence consumers realized that the production of basic intelligence by different components of the US Government resulted in a great duplication of effort and conflicting information. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 brought home to leaders in Congress and the executive branch the need for integrating departmental reports to national policymakers. Detailed and coordinated information was needed not only on such major powers as Germany and Japan, but also on places of little previous interest. In the Pacific Theater, for example, the Navy and Marines had to launch amphibious operations against many islands about which information was unconfirmed or nonexistent. Intelligence authorities resolved that the United States should never again be caught unprepared. In 1943, Gen. George B. Strong (G-2), Adm. H. C. Train (Office of Naval Intelligence - ONI), and Gen. William J. Donovan (Director of the Office of Strategic Services - OSS) decided that a joint effort should be initiated. A steering committee was appointed on 27 April 1943 that recommended the formation of a Joint Intelligence Study Publishing Board to assemble, edit, coordinate, and publish the Joint Army Navy Intelligence Studies (JANIS). JANIS was the first interdepartmental basic intelligence program to fulfill the needs of the US Government for an authoritative and coordinated appraisal of strategic basic intelligence. Between April 1943 and July 1947, the board published 34 JANIS studies. JANIS performed well in the war effort, and numerous letters of commendation were received, including a statement from Adm. Forrest Sherman, Chief of Staff, Pacific Ocean Areas, which said, "JANIS has become the indispensable reference work for the shore-based planners." The need for more comprehensive basic intelligence in the postwar world was well expressed in 1946 by George S. Pettee, a noted author on national security. He wrote in The Future of American Secret Intelligence (Infantry Journal Press, 1946, page 46) that world leadership in peace requires even more elaborate intelligence than in war. "The conduct of peace involves all countries, all human activities - not just the enemy and his war production." The Central Intelligence Agency was established on 26 July 1947 and officially began operating on 18 September 1947. Effective 1 October 1947, the Director of Central Intelligence assumed operational responsibility for JANIS. On 13 January 1948, the National Security Council issued Intelligence Directive (NSCID) No. 3, which authorized the National Intelligence Survey (NIS) program as a peacetime replacement for the wartime JANIS program. Before adequate NIS country sections could be produced, government agencies had to develop more comprehensive gazetteers and better maps. The US Board on Geographic Names (BGN) compiled the names; the Department of the Interior produced the gazetteers; and CIA produced the maps. The Hoover Commission's Clark Committee, set up in 1954 to study the structure and administration of the CIA, reported to Congress in 1955 that: "The National Intelligence Survey is an invaluable publication which provides the essential elements of basic intelligence on all areas of the world. There will always be a continuing requirement for keeping the Survey up-to-date." The Factbook was created as an annual summary and update to the encyclopedic NIS studies. The first classified Factbook was published in August 1962, and the first unclassified version was published in June 1971. The NIS program was terminated in 1973 except for the Factbook, map, and gazetteer components. The 1975 Factbook was the first to be made available to the public with sales through the US Government Printing Office (GPO). The Factbook was first made available on the Internet in June 1997. The year 2009 marks the 62nd anniversary of the establishment of the Central Intelligence Agency and the 66th year of continuous basic intelligence support to the US Government by The World Factbook and its two predecessor programs. The Evolution of The World Factbook National Basic Intelligence Factbook produced semiannually until 1980. Country entries include sections on Land, Water, People, Government, Economy, Communications, and Defense Forces. 1981 Publication becomes an annual product and is renamed The World Factbook. A total of 165 nations are covered on 225 pages. 1983 Appendices (Conversion Factors, International Organizations) first introduced. 1984 Appendices expanded; now include: A. The United Nations, B. Selected United Nations Organizations, C. Selected International Organizations, D. Country Membership in Selected Organizations, E. Conversion Factors. 1987 A new Geography section replaces the former separate Land and Water sections. UN Organizations and Selected International Organizations appendices merged into a new International Organizations appendix. First multi-color-cover Factbook. 1988 More than 40 new geographic entities added to provide complete world coverage without overlap or omission. Among the new entities are Antarctica, oceans (Arctic, Atlantic, Indian, Pacific), and the World. The front-of-the-book explanatory introduction expanded and retitled to Notes, Definitions, and Abbreviations. Two new Appendices added: Weights and Measures (in place of Conversion Factors) and a Cross-Reference List of Geographic Names. Factbook size reaches 300 pages. 1989 Economy section completely revised and now includes an Overview briefly describing a country's economy. New entries added under People, Government, and Communications. 1990 The Government section revised and considerably expanded with new entries. 1991 A new International Organizations and Groups appendix added. Factbook size reaches 405 pages. 1992 Twenty new successor state entries replace those of the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia. New countries are respectively: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan; and Bosnia and Hercegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovenia. Number of nations in the Factbook rises to 188. 1993 Czechoslovakia's split necessitates new Czech Republic and Slovakia entries. New Eritrea entry added after it secedes from Ethiopia. Substantial enhancements made to Geography section. 1994 Two new appendices address Selected International Environmental Agreements. The gross domestic product (GDP) of most developing countries changed to a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis rather than an exchange rate basis. Factbook size up to 512 pages. 1995 The GDP of all countries now presented on a PPP basis. New appendix lists estimates of GDP on an exchange rate basis. Communications category split; Railroads, Highways, Inland waterways, Pipelines, Merchant marine, and Airports entries now make up a new Transportation category. The World Factbook is first produced on CD-ROM. 1996 Maps accompanying each entry now present more detail. Flags also introduced for nearly all entities. Various new entries appear under Geography and Communications. Factbook abbreviations consolidated into a new Appendix A. Two new appendices present a Cross-Reference List of Country Data Codes and a Cross-Reference List of Hydrogeographic Data Codes. Geographic coordinates added to Appendix H, Cross-Reference List of Geographic Names. Factbook size expands by 95 pages in one year to reach 652. 1997 A special edition for the CIA's 50 th anniversary. A schema or Guide to Country Profiles introduced. New color maps and flags now accompany each country profile. Category headings distinguished by shaded backgrounds. Number of categories expanded to nine -- the current number -- with the addition of an Introduction (for only a few countries) and Transnational Issues (which includes Disputes-international and Illicit drugs). The World Factbook introduced onto the Internet. 1998 The Introduction category with two entries, Current issues and Historical perspective, expanded to more countries. Last year for the production of CD-ROM versions of the Factbook. 1999 Historical perspective and Current issues entries in the Introduction category combined into a new Background statement. Several new Economy entries introduced. A new physical map of the world added to the back-of-the-book reference maps. 2000 A new "country profile" added on the Southern Ocean. The Background statements dramatically expanded to over 200 countries and possessions. A number of new Communications entries added. 2001 Background entries completed for all 267 entities in the Factbook. Several new HIV/AIDS entries introduced under the People category. Revision begun on individual country maps to include elevation extremes and a partial geographic grid. Weights and Measures appendix deleted. 2002 New entry on Distribution of Family income -- Gini index added. Revision of individual country maps continued (process still ongoing). 2003 In the Economy category, petroleum entries added for oil production, consumption, exports, imports, and proved reserves, as well as natural gas proved reserves. 2004 Additional petroleum entries included for natural gas production, consumption, exports, and imports. In the Transportation category, under Merchant marine, subfields added for foreign-owned vessels and those registered in other countries. Descriptions of the many forms of government mentioned in the Factbook incorporated into the Definitions and Notes. 2005 In the People category, a Major infectious diseases field added for countries deemed to pose a higher risk for travelers. In the Economy category, entries included for Current account balance, Investment, Public debt, and Reserves of foreign exchange and gold. The Transnational issues category expanded to include Refugees and internally displaced persons. Category headings receive distinctive colored backgrounds. These distinguishing colors are used in both the printed and online versions of the Factbook. Size of the printed Factbook reaches 702 pages. 2006 In the Economy category, national GDP figures now presented at Official Exchange Rates (OER) in addition to GDP at purchasing power parity (PPP). Entries in the Transportation section reordered; Highways changed to Roadways, and Ports and harbors to Ports and terminals. 2007 In the Government category, the Capital entry significantly expanded with up to four subfields, including new information having to do with time. The subfields consist of the name of the capital itself, its geographic coordinates, the time difference at the capital from coordinated universal time (UTC), and, if applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note is added to highlight those countries with multiple time zones. A Trafficking in persons entry added to the Transnational issues category. A new appendix, Weights and Measures, (re)introduced to the online version of the Factbook. 2008 In the Geography category, two fields focus on the increasingly vital resource of water: Total renewable water resources and Freshwater withdrawal. In the Economy category, three fields added for: Stock of direct foreign investment - at home, Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad, and Market value of publicly traded shares. Concise descriptions of the major religions mentioned in the Factbook included in the Definitions and Notes. Printing of the Factbook turned over to the Government Printing Office. 2009 In the People category, two new fields provide information on education in terms of opportunity and resources: School Life Expectancy and Education expenditures. Additionally, the Urbanization entry expanded to include all countries. In the Economy category, five fields added: Central bank discount rate, Commercial bank prime lending rate, Stock of money, Stock of quasi money, and Stock of domestic credit. The online Factbook site completely redesigned with many new features. ====================================================================== About :: Copyright and Contributors The World Factbook is prepared by the Central Intelligence Agency for the use of US Government officials, and the style, format, coverage, and content are designed to meet their specific requirements. Information is provided by Antarctic Information Program (National Science Foundation), Armed Forces Medical Intelligence Center (Department of Defense), Bureau of the Census (Department of Commerce), Bureau of Labor Statistics (Department of Labor), Central Intelligence Agency, Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs, Defense Intelligence Agency (Department of Defense), Department of Energy, Department of State, Fish and Wildlife Service (Department of the Interior), Maritime Administration (Department of Transportation), National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (Department of Defense), Naval Facilities Engineering Command (Department of Defense), Office of Insular Affairs (Department of the Interior), Office of Naval Intelligence (Department of Defense), US Board on Geographic Names (Department of the Interior), US Transportation Command (Department of Defense), Oil & Gas Journal, and other public and private sources. The Factbook is in the public domain. Accordingly, it may be copied freely without permission of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The official seal of the CIA, however, may NOT be copied without permission as required by the CIA Act of 1949 (50 U.S.C. section 403m). Misuse of the official seal of the CIA could result in civil and criminal penalties. Citation model: The World Factbook 2009. Washington, DC: Central Intelligence Agency, 2009. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html Comments and queries are welcome and may be addressed to: Central Intelligence Agency Attn: Office of Public Affairs Washington, DC 20505 Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM Eastern Standard Time Telephone: [1] (703) 482-0623 FAX: [1] (703) 482-1739 ====================================================================== About :: Purchasing Printed copies of The World Factbook may be obtained from the following: US Government Printing Office 732 N. Capitol St. Washington, DC 20401 Hours: Monday-Friday 7:00 AM-6:30 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) Telephone: [1] (202) 512-1800; toll free: [1] (866) 512-1800 FAX: [1] (202) 512-2104 http://bookstore.gpo.gov/ National Technical Information Service 5285 Port Royal Road Springfield, VA 22161 Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-6:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) Telephone: [1] (800) 553-6847 (only in the US); [1] (703) 605-6000 (for outside US) FAX: [1] (703) 605-6900 http://www.ntis.gov/ The World Factbook can be accessed on the Internet at: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html CIA - The World Factbook -- Frequently Asked Questions Answers to many frequently asked questions (FAQs) are explained in the Definitions and Notes section inThe World Factbook. Please review this section to see if your question is already answered there. In addition, we have compiled the following list of FAQs to answer other common questions. General :: Can you provide additional information for a specific country? The staff cannot provide data beyond what appears in The World Factbook. The format and information in the Factbook are tailored to the specific requirements of US Government officials and content is focused on their current and anticipated needs. The staff welcomes suggestions for new entries. How often is The World Factbook updated? Formerly our Web site and the published Factbook were only updated annually. In November 2001, we began more frequent online updates, and we now update the Web site every two weeks. The CIA discontinued publishing the printed Factbook after the 2007 edition; the 2008 and 2009 editions are being published by the US Government Printing Office. Can I use some or all of The World Factbook for my Web site (book, research project, homework, etc.)? The World Factbook is in the public domain and may be used freely by anyone at anytime without seeking permission. However, US Code (Section 403m) prohibits use of the CIA seal in a manner which implies that the CIA approved, endorsed, or authorized such use. For any questions about your intended use, you should consult with legal counsel. Further information on use of The World Factbook is described on the Contributors and Copyright Information page. As a courtesy, please cite The World Factbook when used. Why are there discrepancies between The World Factbook's demographic statistics and other sources? Although estimates and projections start with the same basic data from censuses, surveys, and registration systems, final estimates and projections can differ as a result of factors including data availability, assessment, and methods and protocols. Data availability Researchers may obtain specific country data at different times. Estimates or projections developed before the results of a census have been released will not be as accurate as those that take into account new census results. Assessment Researchers can differ in their assessment of data quality and in their estimates based on the available country data. They often need to adjust their estimates due to such factors as undercounting in a census or underregistration of births or deaths. Methods and protocols Differences in methods and protocols can shape the way estimates and projections are made of fertility, mortality, and international migration, and how these data are integrated with the population data. For example, the US Census Bureau uses a model that projects the population ahead by single years of age, a single year at a time (population statistics used in the Factbook are based on this model), whereas the United Nations model projects five-year age groups forward, five years at a time. Why doesn't The World Factbook include information on states, departments, provinces, etc., for each country? The World Factbook provides national-level information on countries, territories, and dependencies, but not subnational administrative units within a country. A comprehensive encyclopedia might be a source for state/province-level information. Is it possible to access older editions of The World Factbook to do comparative research and trend analysis? Previous editions of the Factbook , beginning with 2000, are available for downloading - but not browsing - on the CIA Web site. Rehosted versions of earlier editions of the Factbook are available for browsing, as well as for downloading, at other Internet web sites. We urge caution, however, in attempting to create time series by stringing together economic data - especially dollar values - from previous editions of the Factbook . Over time, data sources, definitions, and economic accounting methods have changed. We occasionally have made these changes ourselves in order to provide our readers with the best information available. Also, in the case of dollar values, changes in relative exchange rates and prices may make trends difficult to comprehend. Therefore, individuals should consult additional resources when doing comparative research or trend analysis. Would it be possible to set up a partnership or collaboration between the producers of The World Factbook and other organizations or individuals? The World Factbook does not partner with other organizations or individuals, but we do welcome comments and suggestions that such groups or persons choose to provide. Geography :: Why can't I find a geographic name for a particular country? The World Factbook is not a gazetteer (a dictionary or index of places, usually with descriptive or statistical information) and cannot provide more than the names of the administrative divisions (in the Government category) and major cities/towns (on the country maps). Our expanded Cross-Reference List of Geographic Names, however, includes many of the world's major geographic features as well as historic (former) names of countries and cities mentioned in The World Factbook. Why are Taiwan and the European Union listed out of alphabetical order at the end of the Factbook entries? Taiwan is listed after the A-Z country entries because even though the mainland People's Republic of China claims Taiwan, elected Taiwanese authorities de facto administer the island and reject mainland sovereignty claims. With the establishment of diplomatic relations with China on January 1, 1979, the US Government recognized the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government of China, acknowledging the Chinese position that there is only one China and that Taiwan is part of China. The European Union (EU) is not a country, but it has taken on many nation-like attributes and these may be expanded in the future. A more complete explanation on the inclusion of the EU into the Factbook can be found in the Preliminary statement. Since we have an ambassador who represents the US at the Vatican, why is this entity not listed in the Factbook? Vatican City is found under Holy See. The term "Holy See" refers to the authority and sovereignty vested in the Pope and his advisors to direct the worldwide Catholic Church. As the jurisdictional equal of a state, the Holy See can enter into treaties and sends and receives diplomatic representatives. Vatican City, created in 1929 to administer properties belonging to the Holy See in Rome, is recognized under international law as a sovereign state, but it does not send or receive diplomatic representatives. Consequently, Holy See is included as a Factbook entry, with Vatican City cross-referenced in the Geographic Names appendix. Why is Palestine not listed in The World Factbook? The Palestinian areas of Gaza Strip and West Bank are listed in the Factbook. Why are the Golan Heights not shown as part of Israel or Northern Cyprus with Turkey? Territorial occupations/annexations not recognized by the United States Government are not shown on US Government maps. Why don't you include information on entities such as Tibet or Kashmir? The World Factbook provides information on the administrative divisions of a country as recommended by the United States Board on Geographic Names (BGN). The BGN is a component of the US Government that develops policies, principles, and procedures governing the spelling, use, and application of geographic names - domestic, foreign, Antarctic, and undersea. Its decisions enable all departments and agencies of the US Government to have access to uniform names of geographic features. Also included in the Factbook are entries on parts of the world whose status has not yet been resolved (e.g., West Bank, Spratly Islands). Specific regions within a country or areas in dispute among countries are not covered. What do you mean when you say that a country is "doubly landlocked"? A doubly landlocked country is one that is separated from an ocean or an ocean-accessible sea by two intervening countries. Uzbekistan and Liechtenstein are the only countries that fit this definition. Why is the area of the United States described as "slightly larger than China" in the Factbook , while other sources list China as larger in area than the United States? It all depends on whether one is looking at total area (land and water) when making the comparison (which is the criterion used by the Factbook) or just land area (which excludes inland water features such as rivers and lakes). Total area (combining land and water) United States = 9,826,630 sq km China = 9,596,960 sq km Land only (without any water features) United States = 9,161,923 sq km China = 9,326,410 sq km Why has The World Factbook dropped the four French departments of Guadeloupe, Martinique, Reunion, and French Guiana? The four entities are no longer in The World Factbook because their status has changed. While they are overseas departments of France, they are also now recognized as French regions, having equal status to the 22 metropolitan regions that make up European France. In other words, they are now recognized as being part of France proper. Their status is somewhat analogous to Alaska and Hawaii vis-a-vis the contiguous United States. Although separated from the larger geographic entity, they are still considered to be an integral part of it. Photos :: Why do you not have pictures for every country? Inclusion of photos in The World Factbook is a new feature that premiered with the unveiling of the redesigned online World Factbook in June 2009. This is a long-term project, and we plan to continuously add more photos to the site over time. Eventually, we hope to have images for every country in the Factbook. Could you include photos of people from different locations around the world? Factbook policy is to not include photos showing identifiable individuals. I have great travel photos from my trips abroad. Can I submit them to your web site to enhance your photo collection? We appreciate the many offers from the public to contribute to our photo collection. However, we only use photos from US Government sources. Can I use a photo in a report I'm writing? Yes! All photos in The World Factbook are in the public domain. Spelling and Pronunciation :: Why is the spelling of proper names such as rulers, presidents, and prime ministers in The World Factbook different than their spelling in my country? The Factbook staff applies the names and spellings from the Chiefs of State link on the CIA Web site. The World Factbook is prepared using the standard American English computer keyboard and does not use any special characters, symbols, or most diacritical markings in its spellings. Surnames are always spelled with capital letters; they may appear first in some cultures. Why does the spelling of geographic names, features, cities, administrative divisions, etc. in the Factbook differ from those used in my country? The United States Board on Geographic Names (BGN) recommends and approves names and spellings. The BGN is the component of the United States Government that develops policies, principles, and procedures governing the spelling, use, and application of geographic names - domestic, foreign, Antarctic, and undersea. Its decisions enable all departments and agencies of the US Government to use uniform names of geographic features. (A note is usually included where changes may have occurred but have not yet been approved by the BGN). The World Factbook is prepared using the standard American English computer keyboard and does not use any special characters, symbols, or most diacritical markings in its spellings. Why does The World Factbook omit pronunciations of country or leader names? There are too many variations in pronunciation among English-speaking countries, not to mention English renditions of non-English names, for pronunciations to be included. American English pronunciations are included for some countries such as Qatar and Kiribati. Why is the name of the Labour party misspelled? When American and British spellings of common English words differ, The World Factbook always uses the American spelling, even when these common words form part of a proper name in British English. Policies and Procedures :: What is The World Factbook's source for a specific subject field? The Factbook staff uses many different sources to publish what we judge are the most reliable and consistent data for any particular category. Space considerations preclude a listing of these various sources. The names of some geographic features provided in the Factbook differ from those used in other publications. For example, in Asia the Factbook has Burma as the country name, but in other publications Myanmar is used; also, the Factbook uses Sea of Japan whereas other publications label it East Sea. What is your policy on naming geographic features? The Factbook staff follows the guidance of the United States Board on Geographic Names (BGN). The BGN is the component of the United States Government that develops policies, principles, and procedures governing the spelling, use, and application of geographic names - domestic, foreign, Antarctic, and undersea. Its decisions enable all departments and agencies of the US Government to have access to uniform names of geographic features. The position of the BGN is that the names Burma and Sea of Japan be used in official US Government maps and publications. Why is most of the statistical information in the Factbook given in metric units, rather than the units standard to US measure? US Federal agencies are required by the Metric Conversion Act of 1975 (Public Law 94-168) and by Executive Order 12770 of July 1991 to use the International System of Units, commonly referred to as the metric system or SI. In addition, the metric system is used by over 95 percent of the world's population. Why don't you include information on minimum and maximum temperature extremes? The Factbook staff judges that this information would only be useful for some (generally smaller) countries. Larger countries can have large temperature extremes that do not represent the landmass as a whole. What information sources are used for the country flags? Flag designs used in The World Factbook are based on various national and vexillological sources. Why do your GDP (Gross Domestic Product) statistics differ from other sources? We have two sets of GDP dollar estimates in The World Factbook , one derived from purchasing power parity (PPP) calculations and the other derived from official exchange rates (OER). Other sources probably use one of the two. See the Definitions and Notes section on GDP and GDP methodology for more information. On the CIA Web site, Chiefs of State is updated weekly, but the last update for the Factbook was an earlier date. Why the discrepancy? Although Chiefs of State and The World Factbook both appear on the CIA Web site, they are produced and updated by separate staffs. Chiefs of State includes fewer countries but more leaders, and is updated more frequently than The World Factbook, which has a much larger database, and includes all countries. Some percentage distributions do not add to 100. Why not? Because of rounding, percentage distributions do not always add precisely to 100%. Rounding of numbers always results in a loss of precision - i.e., error. This error becomes apparent when percentage data are totaled, as the following two examples show: Original Data Rounded to whole integer Example 1 43.2 43 30.4 30 26.4 26 ---- -- 100.0 99 Example 2 42.8 43 31.6 32 25.6 26 ---- -- 100.0 101 When this occurs, we do not force the numbers to add exactly to 100, because doing so would introduce additional error into the distribution. What rounding convention does The World Factbook use? In deciding on the number of digits to present,The Factbook staff assesses the accuracy of the original data and the needs of US Government officials. All of the economic data are processed by computer - either at the source or by the Factbook staff. The economic data presented in The Factbook, therefore, follow the rounding convention used by virtually all numerical software applications, namely, any digit followed by a "5" is rounded up to the next higher digit, no matter whether the original digit is even or odd. Thus, for example, when rounded to the nearest integer, 2.5 becomes 3, rather than 2, as occurred in some pre-computer rounding systems. Why do you list "Independence" dates for countries such as France, Germany, and the United Kingdom? For most countries, this entry presents the date that sovereignty was achieved and from which nation, empire, or trusteeship. For other countries, the date may be some other significant nationhood event such as the traditional founding date or the date of unification, federation, confederation, establishment, or state succession and so may not strictly be an "Independence" date. Dependent entities have the nature of their dependency status noted in this same entry. Technical :: Does The World Factbook comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act regarding accessibility of Web pages? The World Factbook home page has a link entitled "Text/Low Bandwidth Version." The country data in the text version is fully accessible. We believe The World Factbook is compliant with the Section 508 law. If you are experiencing difficulty, please use our comment form to provide us details of the specific problem you are experiencing and the assistive software and/or hardware you are using so that we can work with our technical support staff to find and implement a solution. We welcome visitors' suggestions to improve accessibility of The World Factbook and the CIA Web site. I am using the Factbook online and it is not working. What is wrong? Hundreds of "Factbook" look-alikes exist on the Internet. You can access The World Factbook at: www.cia.gov, which is the only official site. When I attempt to download a PDF (Portable Document Format) map file (or some other map) the file has no image. Can you fix this? Some of the files on The World Factbook Web site are large and could take several minutes to download on a dial-up connection. The screen might be blank during the download process. When I open a map on The World Factbook site, it is fuzzy or granular, or too big or too small. Why? Adjusting the resolution setting on your monitor should correct this problem. Is The World Factbook country data available in machine-readable format? All I can find is HTML, but I'm looking for simple tabular data. The Factbook Web site now features Country Comparison pages for selected Factbook entries. All of the Country Comparison pages can be downloaded as tab-delimited data files that can be opened in other applications such as spreadsheets and databases. The online Factbook is updated bi-weekly. ISSN 1553-8133 For additional information on government leaders in selected foreign countries, go to World Leaders. ====================================================================== @Afghanistan (South Asia) Introduction ::Afghanistan Background: Ahmad Shah DURRANI unified the Pashtun tribes and founded Afghanistan in 1747. The country served as a buffer between the British and Russian empires until it won independence from notional British control in 1919. A brief experiment in democracy ended in a 1973 coup and a 1978 Communist counter-coup. The Soviet Union invaded in 1979 to support the tottering Afghan Communist regime, touching off a long and destructive war. The USSR withdrew in 1989 under relentless pressure by internationally supported anti-Communist mujahedin rebels. A series of subsequent civil wars saw Kabul finally fall in 1996 to the Taliban, a hardline Pakistani-sponsored movement that emerged in 1994 to end the country's civil war and anarchy. Following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City, a US, Allied, and anti-Taliban Northern Alliance military action toppled the Taliban for sheltering Osama BIN LADIN. The UN-sponsored Bonn Conference in 2001 established a process for political reconstruction that included the adoption of a new constitution, a presidential election in 2004, and National Assembly elections in 2005. In December 2004, Hamid KARZAI became the first democratically elected president of Afghanistan and the National Assembly was inaugurated the following December. Despite gains toward building a stable central government, a resurgent Taliban and continuing provincial instability - particularly in the south and the east - remain serious challenges for the Afghan Government. Geography ::Afghanistan Location: Southern Asia, north and west of Pakistan, east of Iran Geographic coordinates: 33 00 N, 65 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 652,230 sq km country comparison to the world: 41 land: 652,230 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, chromite, talc, barites, sulfur, lead, zinc, iron ore, salt, precious and semiprecious stones Land use: arable land: 12.13% permanent crops: 0.21% other: 87.66% (2005) Irrigated land: 27,200 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 65 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 23.26 cu km/yr (2%/0%/98%) per capita: 779 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: damaging earthquakes occur in Hindu Kush mountains; flooding; droughts Environment - current issues: limited natural fresh water resources; inadequate supplies of potable water; soil degradation; overgrazing; deforestation (much of the remaining forests are being cut down for fuel and building materials); desertification; air and water pollution Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: landlocked; the Hindu Kush mountains that run northeast to southwest divide the northern provinces from the rest of the country; the highest peaks are in the northern Vakhan (Wakhan Corridor) People ::Afghanistan Population: 28.396 million (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 note: this is a significantly revised figure; the previous estimate of 33,609,937 was extrapolated from the last Afghan census held in 1979, which was never completed because of the Soviet invasion; a new Afghan census is scheduled to take place in 2010 Age structure: 0-14 years: 44.5% (male 7,664,670/female 7,300,446) 15-64 years: 53% (male 9,147,846/female 8,679,800) 65 years and over: 2.4% (male 394,572/female 422,603) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 17.6 years male: 17.6 years female: 17.6 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 2.629% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 Birth rate: 45.46 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 Death rate: 19.18 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 8 Net migration rate: 21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 Urbanization: urban population: 24% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 5.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 151.95 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 3 male: 156.01 deaths/1,000 live births female: 147.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 44.64 years country comparison to the world: 214 male: 44.47 years female: 44.81 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.53 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.01% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria animal contact disease: rabies note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Nationality: noun: Afghan(s) adjective: Afghan Ethnic groups: Pashtun 42%, Tajik 27%, Hazara 9%, Uzbek 9%, Aimak 4%, Turkmen 3%, Baloch 2%, other 4% Religions: Sunni Muslim 80%, Shia Muslim 19%, other 1% Languages: Afghan Persian or Dari (official) 50%, Pashto (official) 35%, Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%, 30 minor languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai) 4%, much bilingualism Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 28.1% male: 43.1% female: 12.6% (2000 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 8 years male: 11 years female: 4 years (2004) Education expenditures: NA Government ::Afghanistan Country name: conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Afghanistan conventional short form: Afghanistan local long form: Jomhuri-ye Eslami-ye Afghanestan local short form: Afghanestan former: Republic of Afghanistan Government type: Islamic republic Capital: name: Kabul geographic coordinates: 34 31 N, 69 11 E time difference: UTC+4.5 (9.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 34 provinces (welayat, singular - welayat); Badakhshan, Badghis, Baghlan, Balkh, Bamyan, Daykundi, Farah, Faryab, Ghazni, Ghor, Helmand, Herat, Jowzjan, Kabul, Kandahar, Kapisa, Khost, Kunar, Kunduz, Laghman, Logar, Nangarhar, Nimroz, Nuristan, Paktika, Paktiya, Panjshir, Parwan, Samangan, Sar-e Pul, Takhar, Uruzgan, Wardak, Zabul Independence: 19 August 1919 (from UK control over Afghan foreign affairs) National holiday: Independence Day, 19 August (1919) Constitution: new constitution drafted 14 December 2003-4 January 2004; signed 16 January 2004; ratified 26 January 2004 Legal system: based on mixed civil and Sharia law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Hamid KARZAI (since 7 December 2004); First Vice President Ahmad Zia MASOOD; Second Vice President Abdul Karim KHALILI (since 7 December 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government; former King ZAHIR Shah held the honorific, "Father of the Country," and presided symbolically over certain occasions but lacked any governing authority; the honorific is not hereditary; King ZAHIR Shah died on 23 July 2007 head of government: President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Hamid KARZAI (since 7 December 2004); First Vice President Ahmad Zia MASOOD; Second Vice President Abdul Karim KHALILI (since 7 December 2004) cabinet: 25 ministers; note - under the new constitution, ministers are appointed by the president and approved by the National Assembly elections: the president and two vice presidents are elected by direct vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); if no candidate receives 50% or more of the vote in the first round of voting, the two candidates with the most votes will participate in a second round; a president can only be elected for two terms; election last held 20 August 2009 (next to be held in 2014) election results: Hamid KARZAI reelected president; percent of vote - Hamid KARZAI 54.6%, Abdullah ABDULLAH 27.8%, Ramazan BASHARDOST 9.2%, Ashraf GHANI 2.7% (as reported by the Independent Election Commission of Afghanistan on 16 September 2009) note: on 2 November 2009, following the cancellation of the planned 7 November election runoff, the UN-backed Electoral Complaints Commission officially declared Hamid KARZAI the winner of the 20 August presidential election Legislative branch: the bicameral National Assembly consists of the Meshrano Jirga or House of Elders (102 seats, one-third elected from provincial councils for four-year terms, one-third elected from local district councils for three-year terms, and one-third nominated by the president for five-year terms) and the Wolesi Jirga or House of People (no more than 249 seats), directly elected for five-year terms note: on rare occasions the government may convene a Loya Jirga (Grand Council) on issues of independence, national sovereignty, and territorial integrity; it can amend the provisions of the constitution and prosecute the president; it is made up of members of the National Assembly and chairpersons of the provincial and district councils elections: last held 18 September 2005 (next election expected in 2010) election results: the single non-transferable vote (SNTV) system used in the election did not make use of political party slates; most candidates ran as independents Judicial branch: the constitution establishes a nine-member Stera Mahkama or Supreme Court (its nine justices are appointed for 10-year terms by the president with approval of the Wolesi Jirga) and subordinate High Courts and Appeals Courts; there is also a minister of justice; a separate Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission established by the Bonn Agreement is charged with investigating human rights abuses and war crimes Political parties and leaders: Afghanistan Peoples' Treaty Party [Sayyed Amir TAHSEEN]; Afghanistan's Islamic Mission Organization [Abdul Rasoul SAYYAF]; Afghanistan's Islamic Nation Party [Toran Noor Aqa Ahmad ZAI]; Afghanistan's National Islamic Party [Rohullah LOUDIN]; Afghanistan's Welfare Party [Meer Asef ZAEEFI]; Afghan Social Democratic Party [Anwarul Haq AHADI]; Afghan Society for the Call to the Koran and Sunna [Mawlawee Samiullah NAJEEBEE]; Comprehensive Movement of Democracy and Development of Afghanistan Party [Sher Mohammad BAZGAR]; Democratic Party of Afghanistan [Tawos ARAB]; Democratic Party of Afghanistan [Abdul Kabir RANJBAR]; Elites People of Afghanistan Party [Abdul Hamid JAWAD]; Freedom and Democracy Movement of Afghanistan [Abdul Raqib Jawid KOHISTANEE]; Freedom Party of Afghanistan [Ilaj Abdul MALEK]; Freedom Party of Afghanistan [Dr. Ghulam Farooq NEJRABEE]; Hizullah-e-Afghanistan [Qari Ahmad ALI]; Human Rights Protection and Development Party of Afghanistan [Baryalai NASRATI]; Islamic Justice Party of Afghanistan [Mohammad Kabir MARZBAN]; Islamic Movement of Afghanistan [Mohammad Ali JAWID]; Islamic Movement of Afghanistan Party [Mohammad Mukhtar MUFLEH]; Islamic Party of Afghanistan [Mohammad Khalid FAROOQI, Abdul Hadi ARGHANDIWAL]; Islamic Party of the Afghan Land [Mohammad Hassan FEROZKHEL]; Islamic People's Movement of Afghanistan [Ilhaj Said Hussain ANWARY]; Islamic Society of Afghanistan [Ustad RABBANI]; Islamic Unity of the Nation of Afghanistan Party [Qurban Ali URFANI]; Islamic Unity Party of Afghanistan [Mohammad Karim KHALILI]; Islamic Unity Party of the People of Afghanistan [Ustad Mohammad MOHAQQEQ]; Labor and Progress of Afghanistan Party [Zulfiqar OMID]; Muslim People of Afghanistan Party [Besmellah JOYAN]; Muslim Unity Movement Party of Afghanistan [Wazir Mohammad WAHDAT]; National and Islamic Sovereignty Movement Party of Afghanistan [Ahmad Shah AHMADZAI]; National Congress Party of Afghanistan [Abdul Latif PEDRAM]; National Country Party [Ghulam MOHAMMAD]; National Development Party of Afghanistan [Dr. Aref BAKTASH]; National Freedom Seekers Party [Abdul Hadi DABEER]; National Independence Party of Afghanistan [Taj Mohammad WARDAK]; National Islamic Fighters Party of Afghanistan [Amanat NINGARHAREE]; National Islamic Front of Afghanistan [Pir Sayed Ahmad GAILANEE]; National Islamic Moderation Party of Afghanistan [Qara Bik Eized YAAR]; National Islamic Movement of Afghanistan [Sayed NOORULLAH] National Islamic Unity Party of Afghanistan [Mohammad AKBAREE]; National Movement of Afghanistan [Ahmad Wali MASOOUD]; National Party of Afghanistan [Abdul Rashid ARYAN]; National Patch of Afghanistan Party [Sayed Kamal SADAT]; National Peace Islamic Party of Afghanistan [Shah Mohammood Popal ZAI]; National Peace & Islamic Party of the Tribes of Afghanistan [Abdul Qaher SHARIATEE]; National Peace & Unity Party of Afghanistan [Abdul Qader IMAMI]; National Prosperity and Islamic Party of Afghanistan [Mohammad Osman SALEKZADA]; National Prosperity Party [Mohammad Hassan JAHFAREE]; National Solidarity Movement of Afghanistan [Pir Sayed Eshaq GAILANEE]; National Solidarity Party of Afghanistan [Sayed Mansoor NADREEI]; National Sovereignty Party [Sayed Mustafa KAZEMI]; National Stability Party [Mohammad Same KHAROTI]; National Stance Party [Habibullah JANEBDAR]; National Tribal Unity Islamic Party of Afghanistan [Mohammad Shah KHOGYANI]; National United Front [Burhanuddin RABBANI] (a coalition); National Unity Movement [Sultan Mohammad GHAZI]; National Unity Movement of Afghanistan [Mohammad Nadir AATASH]; National Unity Party of Afghanistan [Abdul Rashid JALILI]; New Afghanistan Party [Mohammad Yunis QANUNI]; Peace and National Welfare Activists Society [Shamsul Haq Noor SHAMS]; Peace Movement [Shahnawaz TANAI]; People's Aspirations Party of Afghanistan [Ilhaj Saraj-u-din ZAFAREE]; People's Freedom Seekers Party of Afghanistan [Feda Mohammad EHSAS]; People's Liberal Freedom Seekers Party of Afghanistan [Ajmal SUHAIL]; People's Message Party of Afghanistan [Noor Aqa WAINEE]; People's Movement of the National Unity of Afghanistan [Abdul Hakim NOORZAI]; People's Party of Afghanistan [Ahmad Shah ASAR]; People's Prosperity Party of Afghanistan [Ustad Mohammad ZAREEF]; People's Sovereignty Movement of Afghanistan [Hayatullah SUBHANEE]; People's Uprising Party of Afghanistan [Sayed Zahir Qayed Omul BELADI]; People's Welfare Party of Afghanistan [Mia Gul WASIQ]; People's Welfare Party of Afghanistan [Mohammad Zubair PAIROZ]; Progressive Democratic Party of Afghanistan [Wali ARYA]; Republican Party [Sebghatullah SANJAR]; Solidarity Party of Afghanistan [Abdul Khaleq NEMAT]; The Afghanistan's Mujahid Nation's Islamic Unity Movement [Saeedullah SAEED]; The People of Afghanistan's Democratic Movement [Sharif NAZARI]; Tribes Solidarity Party of Afghanistan [Mohammad Zarif NASERI]; Understanding and Democracy Party of Afghanistan [Ahamad SHAHEEN] United Afghanistan Party [Mohammad Wasil RAHIMEE]; United Islamic Party of Afghanistan [Wahidullah SABAWOON]; Young Afghanistan's Islamic Organization [Sayed Jawad HUSSINEE]; Youth Solidarity Party of Afghanistan [Mohammad Jamil KARZAI]; note - includes only political parties approved by the Ministry of Justice Political pressure groups and leaders: other: religious groups; tribal leaders; ethnically based groups International organization participation: ADB, CP, ECO, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE (partner), SAARC, SACEP, SCO (guest), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Said Tayeb JAWAD chancery: 2341 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-6410 FAX: [1] (202) 483-6488 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Deputy Ambassador Francis J. RICCIARDONE, Jr. embassy: The Great Masood Road, Kabul mailing address: U.S. Embassy Kabul, APO, AE 09806 telephone: [93] 0700 108 001 FAX: [93] 0700 108 564 Flag description: three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), red, and green, with the national emblem in white centered on the red band and slightly overlapping the other two bands; the center of the emblem features a mosque with pulpit and flags on either side, below the mosque are numerals for the solar year 1298 (1919 in the Gregorian calendar, the year of Afghan independence from the UK); this central image is circled by a border consisting of sheaves of wheat on the left and right, in the upper-center is an Arabic inscription of the Shahada (Muslim creed) below which are rays of the rising sun over the Takbir (Arabic expression meaning "God is great"), and at bottom center is a scroll bearing the name Afghanistan Economy ::Afghanistan Economy - overview: Afghanistan's economy is recovering from decades of conflict. The economy has improved significantly since the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001 largely because of the infusion of international assistance, the recovery of the agricultural sector, and service sector growth. Real GDP growth fell from the 10% level in 2006-07 to a little more than 3% in 2008. Despite the progress of the past few years, Afghanistan is extremely poor, landlocked, and highly dependent on foreign aid, agriculture, and trade with neighboring countries. Much of the population continues to suffer from shortages of housing, clean water, electricity, medical care, and jobs. Criminality, insecurity, and the Afghan Government's inability to extend rule of law to all parts of the country pose challenges to future economic growth. It will probably take the remainder of the decade and continuing donor aid and attention to significantly raise Afghanistan's living standards from its current level, among the lowest in the world. International pledges made by more than 60 countries and international financial institutions at the Berlin Donors Conference for Afghan reconstruction in March 2004 reached $8.9 billion for 2004-09. While the international community remains committed to Afghanistan's development, pledging over $57 billion at three donors' conferences since 2002, Kabul will need to overcome a number of challenges. Expanding poppy cultivation and a growing opium trade generate roughly $3 billion in illicit economic activity and looms as one of Kabul's most serious policy concerns. Other long-term challenges include: budget sustainability, job creation, corruption, government capacity, and rebuilding war torn infrastructure. GDP (purchasing power parity): $22.32 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 116 $21.58 billion (2007 est.) $19.25 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $11.71 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 12.1% (2007 est.) 8.2% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $800 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 219 $800 (2007 est.) $700 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 31% industry: 26% services: 43% note: data exclude opium production (2008 est.) Labor force: 15 million (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 80% industry: 10% services: 10% (2004 est.) Unemployment rate: 40% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 185 40% (2005 est.) Population below poverty line: 53% (2003) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $890 million expenditures: $2.7 billion note: Afghanistan has also received $2.6 billion from the Reconstruction Trust Fund and $63 million from the Law and Order Trust Fund (2007 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 13% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 180 Commercial bank prime lending rate: 14.92% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 23 18.14% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $1.688 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 73 $1.426 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $1.219 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 92 $958.6 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $363.6 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 119 $12.04 million (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: opium, wheat, fruits, nuts; wool, mutton, sheepskins, lambskins Industries: small-scale production of textiles, soap, furniture, shoes, fertilizer, cement; handwoven carpets; natural gas, coal, copper Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 839 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 Electricity - consumption: 1.01 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 230 million kWh (2007 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 209 Oil - consumption: 5,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 163 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 Oil - imports: 4,404 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 161 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 Natural gas - production: 30 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 Natural gas - consumption: 30 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 108 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 206 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 Natural gas - proved reserves: 49.55 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 Current account balance: -$67 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 Exports: $327 million (2007) country comparison to the world: 173 $274 million (2006); note - not including illicit exports or reexports Exports - commodities: opium, fruits and nuts, handwoven carpets, wool, cotton, hides and pelts, precious and semi-precious gems Exports - partners: India 20.5%, Pakistan 18.5%, US 17.2%, Tajikistan 13.3%, Netherlands 7.2% (2008) Imports: $4.85 billion (2007) country comparison to the world: 116 $3.823 billion (2006) Imports - commodities: capital goods, food, textiles, petroleum products Imports - partners: Pakistan 36.9%, US 9.5%, Germany 7.7%, India 5.2% (2008) Debt - external: $8 billion (2004) country comparison to the world: 90 Exchange rates: afghanis (AFA) per US dollar - 50 (2007), 46 (2006), 47.7 (2005), 48 (2004), 49 (2003) Communications ::Afghanistan Telephones - main lines in use: 460,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 100 Telephones - mobile cellular: 8.45 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 69 Telephone system: general assessment: limited landline telephone service; an increasing number of Afghans utilize mobile-cellular phone networks in major cities domestic: aided by the presence of multiple providers, mobile-cellular telephone service is improving rapidly international: country code - 93; five VSAT's installed in Kabul, Herat, Mazar-e-Sharif, Kandahar, and Jalalabad provide international and domestic voice and data connectivity (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 21, FM 5, shortwave 1 (broadcasts in Pashto, Dari (Afghan Persian), Urdu, and English) (2006) Television broadcast stations: at least 7 (1 government-run central television station in Kabul and regional stations in 6 of the 34 provinces) (2006) Internet country code: .af Internet hosts: 47 (2009) country comparison to the world: 208 Internet users: 500,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 107 Communications - note: Internet access is growing through Internet cafes as well as public "telekiosks" in Kabul (2005) Transportation ::Afghanistan Airports: 51 (2009) country comparison to the world: 90 Airports - with paved runways: total: 16 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 35 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 9 (2009) Heliports: 11 (2009) Pipelines: gas 466 km (2008) Roadways: total: 42,150 km country comparison to the world: 87 paved: 12,350 km unpaved: 29,800 km (2006) Waterways: 1,200 km (chiefly Amu Darya, which handles vessels up to 500 DWT) (2008) country comparison to the world: 59 Ports and terminals: Kheyrabad, Shir Khan Military ::Afghanistan Military branches: Afghan Armed Forces: Afghan National Army (ANA, includes Afghan National Army Air Corps) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 22 years of age; inductees are contracted into service for a 4-year term (2005) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 7,431,147 females age 16-49: 7,004,819 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 4,371,193 females age 16-49: 4,072,945 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 382,720 female: 361,733 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.9% of GDP (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 Transnational Issues ::Afghanistan Disputes - international: Pakistan has built fences in some portions of its border with Afghanistan which remains open in some areas to foreign terrorists and other illegal activities Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs: 132,246 (mostly Pashtuns and Kuchis displaced in south and west due to drought and instability) (2007) Illicit drugs: world's largest producer of opium; poppy cultivation decreased 22% to 157,000 hectares in 2008 but remains at a historically high level; less favorable growing conditions in 2008 reduced potential opium production to 5,500 metric tons, down 31 percent from 2007; if the entire opium crop were processed, 648 metric tons of pure heroin potentially could be produced; the Taliban and other antigovernment groups participate in and profit from the opiate trade, which is a key source of revenue for the Taliban inside Afghanistan; widespread corruption and instability impede counterdrug efforts; most of the heroin consumed in Europe and Eurasia is derived from Afghan opium; vulnerable to drug money laundering through informal financial networks; regional source of hashish (2008) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Akrotiri (Europe) Introduction ::Akrotiri Background: By terms of the 1960 Treaty of Establishment that created the independent Republic of Cyprus, the UK retained full sovereignty and jurisdiction over two areas of almost 254 square kilometers - Akrotiri and Dhekelia. The southernmost and smallest of these is the Akrotiri Sovereign Base Area, which is also referred to as the Western Sovereign Base Area. Geography ::Akrotiri Location: Eastern Mediterranean, peninsula on the southwest coast of Cyprus Geographic coordinates: 34 37 N, 32 58 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 123 sq km country comparison to the world: 223 note: includes a salt lake and wetlands Area - comparative: about 0.7 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 47.4 km border countries: Cyprus 47.4 km Coastline: 56.3 km Climate: temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters Environment - current issues: hunting around the salt lake; note - breeding place for loggerhead and green turtles; only remaining colony of griffon vultures is on the base Geography - note: British extraterritorial rights also extended to several small off-post sites scattered across Cyprus; of the Sovereign Base Area (SBA) land, 60% is privately owned and farmed, 20% is owned by the Ministry of Defense, and 20% is SBA Crown land People ::Akrotiri Population: approximately 15,700 live on the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia including 7,700 Cypriots, 3,600 Service and UK-based contract personnel, and 4,400 dependents country comparison to the world: 218 Languages: English, Greek Government ::Akrotiri Country name: conventional long form: Akrotiri Sovereign Base Area conventional short form: Akrotiri Dependency status: a special form of UK overseas territory; administered by an administrator who is also the Commander, British Forces Cyprus Capital: name: Episkopi Cantonment (base administrative center for Akrotiri and Dhekelia) geographic coordinates: 34 40 N, 32 51 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Constitution: Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia Order in Council 1960, effective 16 August 1960, functions as a basic legal document Legal system: the Sovereign Base Area Administration has its own court system to deal with civil and criminal matters; laws applicable to the Cypriot population are, as far as possible, the same as the laws of the Republic of Cyprus Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Administrator Major General Jamie GORDON (since October 2008); note - reports to the British Ministry of Defense elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the administrator is appointed by the monarch Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Flag description: the flag of the UK is used Economy ::Akrotiri Economy - overview: Economic activity is limited to providing services to the military and their families located in Akrotiri. All food and manufactured goods must be imported. Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 note: on 1 January 2008 Akrotiri and Dhekelia adopted the euro along with the rest of Cyprus Communications ::Akrotiri Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM 1, shortwave NA (British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) provides Radio 1 and Radio 2 service to Akrotiri, Dhekelia, and Nicosia) (2006) Television broadcast stations: 0 (British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) provides multi-channel satellite service to Akrotiri, Dhekelia, and Nicosia) (2006) Military ::Akrotiri Military - note: Akrotiri has a full RAF base, Headquarters for British Forces Cyprus, and Episkopi Support Unit page last updated on July 2, 2009 ====================================================================== @Albania (Europe) Introduction ::Albania Background: Albania declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912, but was conquered by Italy in 1939. Communist partisans took over the country in 1944. Albania allied itself first with the USSR (until 1960), and then with China (to 1978). In the early 1990s, Albania ended 46 years of xenophobic Communist rule and established a multiparty democracy. The transition has proven challenging as successive governments have tried to deal with high unemployment, widespread corruption, a dilapidated physical infrastructure, powerful organized crime networks, and combative political opponents. Albania has made progress in its democratic development since first holding multiparty elections in 1991, but deficiencies remain. International observers judged elections to be largely free and fair since the restoration of political stability following the collapse of pyramid schemes in 1997; however, there have been claims of electoral fraud in every one of Albania's post-communist elections. In the 2005 general elections, the Democratic Party and its allies won a decisive victory on pledges to reduce crime and corruption, promote economic growth, and decrease the size of government. The election, and particularly the orderly transition of power, was considered an important step forward. Albania joined NATO in April 2009 and is a potential candidate for EU accession. Although Albania's economy continues to grow, the country is still one of the poorest in Europe, hampered by a large informal economy and an inadequate energy and transportation infrastructure. Geography ::Albania Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea, between Greece in the south and Montenegro and Kosovo to the north Geographic coordinates: 41 00 N, 20 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 28,748 sq km country comparison to the world: 144 land: 27,398 sq km water: 1,350 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland Land boundaries: total: 717 km border countries: Greece 282 km, Macedonia 151 km, Montenegro 172 km, Kosovo 112 km Coastline: 362 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation 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 (Golem Korab) 2,764 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, coal, bauxite, chromite, copper, iron ore, nickel, salt, timber, hydropower Land use: arable land: 20.1% permanent crops: 4.21% other: 75.69% (2005) Irrigated land: 3,530 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 41.7 cu km (2001) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 1.71 cu km/yr (27%/11%/62%) per capita: 546 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: destructive earthquakes; tsunamis occur along southwestern coast; floods; drought Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution from industrial and domestic effluents Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: strategic location along Strait of Otranto (links Adriatic Sea to Ionian Sea and Mediterranean Sea) People ::Albania Population: 3,639,453 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 Age structure: 0-14 years: 23.1% (male 440,528/female 400,816) 15-64 years: 67.1% (male 1,251,001/female 1,190,841) 65 years and over: 9.8% (male 165,557/female 190,710) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 29.9 years male: 29.3 years female: 30.6 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.546% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 Birth rate: 15.29 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 Death rate: 5.55 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 174 Net migration rate: -4.28 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 160 Urbanization: urban population: 47% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.1 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 18.62 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 110 male: 19.05 deaths/1,000 live births female: 18.15 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.96 years country comparison to the world: 51 male: 75.28 years female: 80.89 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.01 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Albanian(s) adjective: Albanian Ethnic groups: Albanian 95%, Greek 3%, other 2% (Vlach, Roma (Gypsy), Serb, Macedonian, Bulgarian) (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: percentages are estimates; there are no available current statistics on religious affiliation; all mosques and churches were closed in 1967 and religious observances prohibited; in November 1990, Albania began allowing private religious practice Languages: Albanian (official - derived from Tosk dialect), Greek, Vlach, Romani, Slavic dialects Literacy: definition: age 9 and over can read and write total population: 98.7% male: 99.2% female: 98.3% (2001 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 11 years (2004) Education expenditures: 2.9% of GDP (2002) country comparison to the world: 147 Government ::Albania 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 Government type: emerging democracy Capital: name: Tirana (Tirane) geographic coordinates: 41 19 N, 19 49 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 12 counties (qarqe, singular - qark); Berat, Diber, Durres, Elbasan, Fier, Gjirokaster, Korce, Kukes, Lezhe, Shkoder, Tirane, Vlore Independence: 28 November 1912 (from the Ottoman Empire) National holiday: Independence Day, 28 November (1912) Constitution: approved by parliament on 21 October 1998; adopted by popular referendum on 22 November 1998; promulgated 28 November 1998 Legal system: has a civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; has accepted jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court for its citizens Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President of the Republic Bamir TOPI (since 24 July 2007) head of government: Prime Minister Sali BERISHA (since 10 September 2005) cabinet: Council of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, nominated by the president, and approved by parliament elections: president elected by the Assembly for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); four election rounds held between 8 and 20 July 2007 (next election to be held in 2012); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Bamir TOPI elected president; Assembly vote, fourth round (three-fifths majority (84 votes) required): Bamir TOPI 85 votes, Neritan CEKA 5 votes Legislative branch: unicameral Assembly or Kuvendi (140 seats; 100 members elected by direct popular vote and 40 by proportional vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 3 July 2005 (next to be held in 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PD 56, PS 42, PR 11, PSD 7, LSI 5, other 19 note: Parliament in November 2008 approved an electoral reform package that will transform the electoral system from a majority system to a regional proportional system; the code will also establish an electoral threshold limiting smaller party representation Judicial branch: Constitutional Court, Supreme Court (chairman is elected by the People's Assembly for a four-year term) and multiple appeals and district courts Political parties and leaders: Agrarian Environmentalist Party or PAA [Lufter XHUVELI]; Christian Democratic Party or PDK [Nard NDOKA]; Communist Party of Albania or PKSH [Hysni MILLOSHI]; Democratic Alliance Party or AD [Neritan CEKA]; Democratic Party or PD [Sali BERISHA]; G99 Political Movement [Erion VELIAJ]; Liberal Union Party or BLD [Arjan STAROVA]; National Front Party (Balli Kombetar) or PBK [Artur ROSHI]; New Democratic Party or PDR [Genc POLLO]; Republican Party or PR [Fatmir MEDIU]; Social Democracy Party of Albania or PDSSh [Paskal MILO]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Skender GJINUSHI]; Socialist Movement for Integration or LSI [Ilir META]; Socialist Party or PS [Edi RAMA]; Socialist Party 1991 [Petro KOCI]; Union for Human Rights Party or PBDNj [Vangjel DULE] Political pressure groups and leaders: Citizens Advocacy Office [Kreshnik SPAHIU]; Confederation of Trade Unions of Albania or KSSH [Kastriot MUCO]; Front for Albanian National Unification or FBKSH [Gafur ADILI]; Mjaft Movement; Omonia [Jani JANI]; Union of Independent Trade Unions of Albania or BSPSH [Gezim KALAJA] International organization participation: BSEC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO, OIC, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Aleksander SALLABANDA chancery: 2100 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 223-4942 FAX: [1] (202) 628-7342 consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador John L. WITHERS, II embassy: Rruga e Elbasanit, Labinoti #103, Tirana mailing address: US Department of State, 9510 Tirana Place, Dulles, VA 20189-9510 telephone: [355] (4) 2247285 FAX: [355] (4) 2232222 Flag description: red with a black two-headed eagle in the center; the design is claimed to be that of 15th-century hero George Castriota SKANDERBERG, who led a successful uprising against the Turks that resulted in a short-lived independence for some Albanian regions (1443-1478) Economy ::Albania Economy - overview: Lagging behind its Balkan neighbors, Albania is making the difficult transition to a more modern open-market economy. Macroeconomic growth has averaged around 5% over the last five years and inflation is low and stable. The government has taken measures to curb violent crime, and recently adopted a fiscal reform package aimed at reducing the large gray economy and attracting foreign investment. The economy is bolstered by annual remittances from abroad representing about 15% of GDP, mostly from Albanians residing in Greece and Italy; this helps offset the towering trade deficit. The agricultural sector, which accounts for over half of employment but only about one-fifth of GDP, is limited primarily to small family operations and subsistence farming because of lack of modern equipment, unclear property rights, and the prevalence of small, inefficient plots of land. Energy shortages because of a reliance on hydropower, and antiquated and inadequate infrastructure contribute to Albania's poor business environment and lack of success in attracting new foreign investment. The completion of a new thermal power plant near Vlore has helped diversify generation capacity, and plans to upgrade transmission lines between Albania and Montenegro and Kosovo would help relieve the energy shortages. Also, with help from EU funds, the government is taking steps to improve the poor national road and rail network, a long-standing barrier to sustained economic growth. GDP (purchasing power parity): $21.86 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 $20.61 billion (2007 est.) $19.44 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Albania has an informal, and unreported, sector that may be as large as 50% of official GDP GDP (official exchange rate): $12.96 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 6% (2007 est.) 5.5% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $6,000 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 $5,700 (2007 est.) $5,400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 20.5% industry: 19.8% services: 59.7% (2008 est.) Labor force: 1.103 million (not including 352,000 emigrant workers) (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 137 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 58% industry: 15% services: 27% (September 2006 est.) Unemployment rate: 12.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 13.2% (2007 est.) note: these are official rates, but actual rates may exceed 30% due to preponderance of near-subsistence farming Population below poverty line: 25% (2004 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.2% highest 10%: 25.9% (2005) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 26.7 (2005) country comparison to the world: 124 Investment (gross fixed): 23.1% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 Budget: revenues: $3.458 billion expenditures: $4.175 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 51.9% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 51.4% of GDP (2007 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 2.9% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 6.25% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 69 6.25% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 13.02% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 52 14.1% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $3.028 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 64 $2.707 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $6.251 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 60 $6.433 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $8.176 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 74 $7.247 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: wheat, corn, potatoes, vegetables, fruits, sugar beets, grapes; meat, dairy products Industries: food processing, textiles and clothing; lumber, oil, cement, chemicals, mining, basic metals, hydropower Industrial production growth rate: 3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 Electricity - production: 2.888 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 Electricity - consumption: 3.603 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 2.475 billion kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 5,985 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 93 Oil - consumption: 34,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 108 Oil - exports: 748.9 bbl/day (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 Oil - imports: 24,080 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 Oil - proved reserves: 199.1 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 Natural gas - production: 30 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 Natural gas - consumption: 30 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 205 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 204 Natural gas - proved reserves: 849.5 million cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 Current account balance: -$1.906 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 136 -$1.202 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $1.345 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 $1.076 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: textiles and footwear; asphalt, metals and metallic ores, crude oil; vegetables, fruits, tobacco Exports - partners: Italy 55.9%, Greece 11.6%, China 7.2% (2008) Imports: $4.898 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 $3.999 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, textiles, chemicals Imports - partners: Italy 32.2%, Greece 13.1%, Turkey 7.2%, Germany 6.6%, China 4.5%, Russia 4.4% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $2.364 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 $2.162 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $1.55 billion (2004) country comparison to the world: 143 Exchange rates: leke (ALL) per US dollar - 79.546 (2008 est.), 92.668 (2007), 98.384 (2006), 102.649 (2005), 102.78 (2004) Communications ::Albania Telephones - main lines in use: 316,400 (2008) country comparison to the world: 113 Telephones - mobile cellular: 3.141 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 108 Telephone system: general assessment: despite new investment in fixed lines, the density of main lines remains low with roughly 10 lines per 100 people; cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective; combined fixed line and mobile telephone density is approaching 100 telephones per 100 persons domestic: offsetting the shortage of fixed line capacity, mobile phone service has been available since 1996; by 2003, two companies were providing mobile services at a greater density than some of Albania's neighbors; Internet broadband services initiated in 2005; Internet cafes are popular in Tirana and have started to spread outside the capital international: country code - 355; submarine cable provides connectivity to Italy, Croatia, and Greece; the Trans-Balkan Line, a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system, provides additional connectivity to Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey; international traffic carried by fiber-optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 13, FM 46, shortwave 1 (2005) Television broadcast stations: 65 (3 national, 62 local); 2 cable networks (2005) Internet country code: .al Internet hosts: 14,245 (2009) country comparison to the world: 110 Internet users: 471,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 109 Transportation ::Albania Airports: 5 (2009) country comparison to the world: 176 Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Heliports: 1 (2009) Pipelines: gas 339 km; oil 207 km (2008) Railways: total: 896 km country comparison to the world: 96 standard gauge: 896 km 1.435-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 18,000 km country comparison to the world: 117 paved: 7,020 km unpaved: 10,980 km (2002) Waterways: 43 km (2008) country comparison to the world: 105 Merchant marine: total: 24 country comparison to the world: 91 by type: cargo 22, roll on/roll off 2 foreign-owned: 1 (Turkey 1) registered in other countries: 2 (Panama 2) (2008) Ports and terminals: Durres, Sarande, Shengjin, Vlore Military ::Albania Military branches: Joint Force Command (includes Land, Naval, and Aviation Brigade Commands), Joint Support Command (includes Logistic Command), Training and Doctrine Command (2009) Military service age and obligation: 19 years of age (2004) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 944,592 females age 16-49: 908,527 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 800,665 females age 16-49: 768,536 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 34,778 female: 31,673 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.49% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 Transnational Issues ::Albania Disputes - international: the Albanian Government calls for the protection of the rights of ethnic Albanians in neighboring countries, and the peaceful resolution of interethnic disputes; some ethnic Albanian groups in neighboring countries advocate for a "greater Albania," but the idea has little appeal among Albanian nationals; the mass emigration of unemployed Albanians remains a problem for developed countries, chiefly Greece and Italy Trafficking in persons: current situation: Albania is a source country for women and girls trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor; it is no longer considered a major country of transit; Albanian victims are trafficked to Greece, Italy, Macedonia, and Kosovo, with many trafficked onward to Western European countries; children were also trafficked to Greece for begging and other forms of child labor; approximately half of all Albanian trafficking victims are under age 18; internal sex trafficking of women and children is on the rise tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Albania is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in persons in 2007, particularly in the area of victim protection; the government did not appropriately identify trafficking victims during 2007, and has not demonstrated that it is vigorously investigating or prosecuting complicit officials (2008) Illicit drugs: increasingly active transshipment point for Southwest Asian opiates, hashish, and cannabis transiting the Balkan route and - to a lesser extent - cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe; limited opium and expanding cannabis production; ethnic Albanian narcotrafficking organizations active and expanding in Europe; vulnerable to money laundering associated with regional trafficking in narcotics, arms, contraband, and illegal aliens page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Algeria (Africa) Introduction ::Algeria Background: After more than a century of rule by France, Algerians fought through much of the 1950s to achieve independence in 1962. Algeria's primary political party, the National Liberation Front (FLN), has dominated politics ever since. Many Algerians in the subsequent generation were not satisfied, however, and moved to counter the FLN's centrality in Algerian politics. The surprising first round success of the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) in the December 1991 balloting spurred the Algerian army to intervene and postpone the second round of elections to prevent what the secular elite feared would be an extremist-led government from assuming power. The army began a crackdown on the FIS that spurred FIS supporters to begin attacking government targets. The government later allowed elections featuring pro-government and moderate religious-based parties, but did not appease the activists who progressively widened their attacks. The fighting escalated into an insurgency, which saw intense fighting between 1992-98 and which resulted in over 100,000 deaths - many attributed to indiscriminate massacres of villagers by extremists. The government gained the upper hand by the late-1990s and FIS's armed wing, the Islamic Salvation Army, disbanded in January 2000. However, small numbers of armed militants persist in confronting government forces and conducting ambushes and occasional attacks on villages. The army placed Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA in the presidency in 1999 in a fraudulent election but claimed neutrality in his 2004 landslide reelection victory. Longstanding problems continue to face BOUTEFLIKA in his second term, including large-scale unemployment, a shortage of housing, unreliable electrical and water supplies, government inefficiencies and corruption, and the continuing activities of extremist militants. The Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) in 2006 merged with al-Qaida to form al-Qaida in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb, which since has launched an ongoing series of kidnappings and bombings - including high-profile, mass-casualty suicide attacks targeted against the Algerian government and Western interests. Algeria must also diversify its petroleum-based economy, which has yielded a large cash reserve but which has not been used to redress Algeria's many social and infrastructure problems. Geography ::Algeria Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Morocco and Tunisia Geographic coordinates: 28 00 N, 3 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 2,381,741 sq km country comparison to the world: 11 land: 2,381,741 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: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 32-52 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: 3.17% permanent crops: 0.28% other: 96.55% (2005) Irrigated land: 5,690 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 14.3 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 6.07 cu km/yr (22%/13%/65%) per capita: 185 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: mountainous areas subject to severe earthquakes; mudslides and floods in rainy season 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, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: second-largest country in Africa (after Sudan) People ::Algeria Population: 34,178,188 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 36 Age structure: 0-14 years: 25.4% (male 4,436,591/female 4,259,729) 15-64 years: 69.5% (male 11,976,965/female 11,777,618) 65 years and over: 5.1% (male 798,576/female 928,709) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 26.6 years male: 26.3 years female: 26.8 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.196% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 Birth rate: 16.9 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 Death rate: 4.64 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 197 Net migration rate: -0.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 Urbanization: urban population: 65% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 27.73 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 80 male: 30.86 deaths/1,000 live births female: 24.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.02 years country comparison to the world: 92 male: 72.35 years female: 75.77 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.79 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 157 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1%; note - no country specific models provided (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 21,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 1,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 Nationality: noun: Algerian(s) adjective: Algerian Ethnic groups: Arab-Berber 99%, European less than 1% note: almost all Algerians are Berber in origin, not Arab; the minority who identify themselves as Berber live mostly in the mountainous region of Kabylie east of Algiers; the Berbers are also Muslim but identify with their Berber rather than Arab cultural heritage; Berbers have long agitated, sometimes violently, for autonomy; the government is unlikely to grant autonomy but has offered to begin sponsoring teaching Berber language in schools 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: 69.9% male: 79.6% female: 60.1% (2002 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 13 years (2005) Education expenditures: 5.1% of GDP (1999) country comparison to the world: 64 Government ::Algeria Country name: conventional long form: People's Democratic Republic of Algeria conventional short form: Algeria local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Jaza'iriyah ad Dimuqratiyah ash Sha'biyah local short form: Al Jaza'ir Government type: republic Capital: name: Algiers geographic coordinates: 36 45 N, 3 03 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 48 provinces (wilayat, singular - wilaya); Adrar, Ain Defla, Ain Temouchent, Alger, Annaba, Batna, Bechar, Bejaia, Biskra, Blida, Bordj Bou Arreridj, Bouira, Boumerdes, Chlef, Constantine, Djelfa, El Bayadh, El Oued, El Tarf, Ghardaia, Guelma, Illizi, Jijel, Khenchela, Laghouat, Mascara, Medea, Mila, Mostaganem, M'Sila, Naama, Oran, Ouargla, Oum el Bouaghi, Relizane, Saida, Setif, Sidi Bel Abbes, Skikda, Souk Ahras, Tamanghasset, Tebessa, Tiaret, Tindouf, Tipaza, Tissemsilt, Tizi Ouzou, Tlemcen Independence: 5 July 1962 (from France) National holiday: Revolution Day, 1 November (1954) Constitution: 8 September 1963; revised 19 November 1976; effective 22 November 1976; revised 3 November 1988, 23 February 1989, 28 November 1996, 10 April 2002, and 12 November 2008 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 Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA (since 28 April 1999) head of government: Prime Minister Ahmed OUYAHIA (since 23 June 2008) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; note - a November 2008 constitutional amendment abolished presidential term limits; election last held 9 April 2009 (next to be held in April 2014); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA reelected president for third term; percent of vote - Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA 90.2%, Louisa HANOUNE 4.2%, Moussa TOUATI 2.3%, Djahid YOUNSI 1.4%, Ali Fawzi REBIANE less than 1%, Mohamed SAID less than 1% Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Council of Nations (Senate) (144 seats; one-third of the members appointed by the president, two-thirds elected by indirect vote to serve six-year terms; the constitution requires half the council to be renewed every three years) and the National People's Assembly or Al-Majlis Al-Shabi Al-Watani (389 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: National People's Assembly - last held 17 May 2007 (next to be held in 2012); Council of Nations (Senate) - last held 28 December 2006 (next to be held in 2009) election results: National People's Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FLN 136, RND 61, MSP 52, PT 26, RCD 19, FNA 13, other 49, independents 33; Council of Nations - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FLN 29, RND 12, MSP 3, RCD 1, independents 3, presidential appointees (unknown affiliation) 24; note - Council seating reflects the number of replaced council members rather than the whole Council Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Ahd 54 [Ali Fauzi REBAINE]; Algerian National Front or FNA [Moussa TOUATI]; National Democratic Rally (Rassemblement National Democratique) or RND [Ahmed OUYAHIA]; National Liberation Front or FLN [Abdelaziz BELKHADEM, secretary general]; National Reform Movement or Islah (formerly MRN) [Ahmed ABDESLAM]; Rally for Culture and Democracy or RCD [Said SADI]; Renaissance Movement or EnNahda Movement [Fatah RABEI]; Socialist Forces Front or FFS [Hocine Ait AHMED]; Society of Peace Movement or MSP [Boudjerra SOLTANI]; Workers Party or PT [Louisa HANOUNE] note: a law banning political parties based on religion was enacted in March 1997 Political pressure groups and leaders: The Algerian Human Rights League or LADDH [Hocine ZEHOUANE]; SOS Disparus [Nacera DUTOUR] International organization participation: ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, BIS, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, OSCE (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Abdallah BAALI 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 David D. PEARCE embassy: 05 Chemin Cheikh Bachir, El-Ibrahimi, El-Biar 16000 Algiers mailing address: B. P. 408, Alger-Gare, 16030 Algiers telephone: [213] 770-08-2000 FAX: [213] 21-60-7355 Flag description: two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and white; a red, five-pointed star within a red crescent centered over the two-color boundary; the colors represent Islam (green), purity and peace (white), and liberty (red); the crescent and star are also Islamic symbols, but the crescent is more closed than those of other Muslim countries because the Algerians believe the long crescent horns bring happiness Economy ::Algeria Economy - overview: The hydrocarbons sector is the backbone of the economy, accounting for roughly 60% of budget revenues, 30% of GDP, and over 95% of export earnings. Algeria has the eighth-largest reserves of natural gas in the world and is the fourth-largest gas exporter; it ranks 15th in oil reserves. Sustained high oil prices in recent years have helped improve Algeria's financial and macroeconomic indicators. Algeria is running substantial trade surpluses and building up record foreign exchange reserves. Algeria has decreased its external debt to less than 5% of GDP after repaying its Paris Club and London Club debt in 2006. Real GDP has risen due to higher oil output and increased government spending. The government's continued efforts to diversify the economy by attracting foreign and domestic investment outside the energy sector, however, has had little success in reducing high unemployment and improving living standards. Structural reform within the economy, such as development of the banking sector and the construction of infrastructure, moves ahead slowly hampered by corruption and bureaucratic resistance. GDP (purchasing power parity): $233.5 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 $225.6 billion (2007 est.) $218.8 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $159.7 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 108 3.1% (2007 est.) 2.1% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $6,900 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 $6,800 (2007 est.) $6,600 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 8.3% industry: 62.3% services: 29.4% (2008 est.) Labor force: 9.464 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 14%, industry 13.4%, construction and public works 10%, trade 14.6%, government 32%, other 16% (2003 est.) Unemployment rate: 12.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 11.8% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 23% (2006 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 26.8% (1995) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 35.3 (1995) country comparison to the world: 86 Investment (gross fixed): 26.1% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 Budget: revenues: $70.06 billion expenditures: $56.04 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 8.4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 37.4% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 3.5% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 4% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 123 4% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 8% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 107 8% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $60.91 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 19 $55.43 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $30.36 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 37 $28.59 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $NA (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: wheat, barley, oats, grapes, olives, citrus, fruits; sheep, cattle Industries: petroleum, natural gas, light industries, mining, electrical, petrochemical, food processing Industrial production growth rate: 3.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 Electricity - production: 34.98 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 Electricity - consumption: 28.34 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 Electricity - exports: 273 million kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 279 million kWh (2007 est.) Oil - production: 2.18 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 Oil - consumption: 299,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 Oil - exports: 1.891 million bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 Oil - imports: 14,320 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 Oil - proved reserves: 12.2 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 Natural gas - production: 86.5 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 Natural gas - consumption: 26.83 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 Natural gas - exports: 59.67 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 5 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 205 Natural gas - proved reserves: 4.502 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 Current account balance: $35.27 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 $30.6 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $78.23 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 $60.6 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: petroleum, natural gas, and petroleum products 97% Exports - partners: US 23.9%, Italy 15.5%, Spain 11.4%, France 8%, Netherlands 7.8%, Canada 6.8% (2008) Imports: $39.16 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 $26.4 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods Imports - partners: France 16.5%, Italy 11%, China 10.3%, Spain 7.4%, Germany 6.1%, US 5.5% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $143.5 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 $110.6 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $3.753 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 $3.957 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $13.76 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 $11.91 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $1.162 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 $962 million (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: Algerian dinars (DZD) per US dollar - 63.25 (2008 est.), 69.9 (2007), 72.647 (2006), 73.276 (2005), 72.061 (2004) Communications ::Algeria Telephones - main lines in use: 3.314 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 46 Telephones - mobile cellular: 31.871 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 30 Telephone system: general assessment: a weak network of fixed-main lines, which remains at roughly 10 telephones per 100 persons, is offset by the rapid increase in mobile cellular subscribership; in 2008, combined fixed-line and mobile telephone density surpassed 100 telephones per 100 persons domestic: privatization of Algeria's telecommunications sector began in 2000; three mobile cellular licenses have been issued and, in 2005, a consortium led by Egypt's Orascom Telecom won a 15-year license to build and operate a fixed-line network in Algeria; the license will allow Orascom to develop high-speed data and other specialized services and contribute to meeting the large unfulfilled demand for basic residential telephony; Internet broadband services began in 2003 international: country code - 213; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-4 fiber-optic submarine cable system that provides links to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia; microwave radio relay to Italy, France, Spain, Morocco, and Tunisia; coaxial cable to Morocco and Tunisia; participant in Medarabtel; satellite earth stations - 51 (Intelsat, Intersputnik, and Arabsat) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 25, FM 1, shortwave 8 (1999) Television broadcast stations: 46 (plus 216 repeaters) (1995) Internet country code: .dz Internet hosts: 510 (2009) country comparison to the world: 172 Internet users: 4.1 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 51 Transportation ::Algeria Airports: 143 (2009) country comparison to the world: 39 Airports - with paved runways: total: 57 over 3,047 m: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 29 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 86 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 19 914 to 1,523 m: 41 under 914 m: 23 (2009) Heliports: 2 (2009) Pipelines: condensate 1,937 km; gas 14,648 km; liquid petroleum gas 2,933 km; oil 7,579 km (2008) Railways: total: 3,973 km country comparison to the world: 43 standard gauge: 2,888 km 1.435-m gauge (283 km electrified) narrow gauge: 1,085 km 1.055-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 108,302 km country comparison to the world: 38 paved: 76,028 km (includes 645 km of expressways) unpaved: 32,274 km (2004) Merchant marine: total: 33 country comparison to the world: 83 by type: bulk carrier 6, cargo 8, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas 9, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 4, roll on/roll off 2 foreign-owned: 18 (Jordan 7, UK 11) (2008) Ports and terminals: Algiers, Annaba, Arzew, Bejaia, Djendjene, Jijel, Mostaganem, Oran, Skikda Military ::Algeria Military branches: People's National Army (Armee Nationale Populaire, ANP), Land Forces (Forces Terrestres, FT), Navy of the Republic of Algeria (Marine de la Republique Algerienne, MRA), Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Jaza'eriya, QJJ), Territorial Air Defense Force (2009) Military service age and obligation: 19-30 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 18 months (6 months basic training, 12 months civil projects) (2006) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 9,736,757 females age 16-49: 9,590,978 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 8,317,473 females age 16-49: 8,367,005 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 375,852 female: 362,158 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 3.3% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 41 Transnational Issues ::Algeria Disputes - international: Algeria, and many other states, rejects Moroccan administration of Western Sahara; the Polisario Front, exiled in Algeria, represents the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic; Algeria's border with Morocco remains an irritant to bilateral relations, each nation accusing the other of harboring militants and arms smuggling; Algeria remains concerned about armed bandits operating throughout the Sahel who sometimes destabilize southern Algerian towns; dormant disputes include Libyan claims of about 32,000 sq km still reflected on its maps of southeastern Algeria and the FLN's assertions of a claim to Chirac Pastures in southeastern Morocco Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 90,000 (Western Saharan Sahrawi, mostly living in Algerian-sponsored camps in the southwestern Algerian town of Tindouf) IDPs: undetermined (civil war during 1990s) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Algeria is a transit country for men and women trafficked from sub-Saharan Africa to Europe for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and involuntary servitude; Algerian children are trafficked internally for the purpose of domestic servitude or street vending tier rating: Tier 3 - Algeria did not report any serious law enforcement actions to punish traffickers who force women into commercial sexual exploitation or men into involuntary servitude in 2007; the government again reported no investigations of trafficking of children for domestic servitude or improvements in protection services available to victims of trafficking; Algeria still lacks victim protection services, and its failure to distinguish between trafficking and illegal migration may result in the punishment of victims of trafficking (2008) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @American Samoa (Australia-Oceania) Introduction ::American Samoa Background: Settled as early as 1000 B.C., Samoa was "discovered" by European explorers in the 18th century. International rivalries in the latter half of the 19th century were settled by an 1899 treaty in which Germany and the US divided the Samoan archipelago. The US formally occupied its portion - a smaller group of eastern islands with the excellent harbor of Pago Pago - the following year. Geography ::American Samoa Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and New Zealand Geographic coordinates: 14 20 S, 170 00 W Map references: Oceania Area: total: 199 sq km country comparison to the world: 215 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: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical marine, moderated by southeast trade winds; annual rainfall averages about 3 m; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May to October); little seasonal temperature variation 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 Mountain 964 m Natural resources: pumice, pumicite Land use: arable land: 10% permanent crops: 15% other: 75% (2005) Irrigated land: NA 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 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 People ::American Samoa Population: 65,628 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 204 Age structure: 0-14 years: 33.4% (male 11,159/female 10,768) 15-64 years: 62.7% (male 20,848/female 20,271) 65 years and over: 3.9% (male 1,211/female 1,371) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 23.1 years male: 23 years female: 23.3 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.222% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 Birth rate: 23.31 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 Death rate: 4.1 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 208 Net migration rate: -6.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 170 Urbanization: urban population: 92% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 10.18 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 153 male: 13.3 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.72 years country comparison to the world: 98 male: 70.8 years female: 76.82 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.29 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: American Samoan(s) (US nationals) adjective: American Samoan Ethnic groups: native Pacific islander 91.6%, Asian 2.8%, white 1.1%, mixed 4.2%, other 0.3% (2000 census) Religions: Christian Congregationalist 50%, Roman Catholic 20%, Protestant and other 30% Languages: Samoan 90.6% (closely related to Hawaiian and other Polynesian languages), English 2.9%, Tongan 2.4%, other Pacific islander 2.1%, other 2% note: most people are bilingual (2000 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97% male: 98% female: 97% (1980 est.) Education expenditures: NA Government ::American Samoa Country name: conventional long form: Territory of American Samoa conventional short form: American Samoa abbreviation: AS Dependency status: unincorporated and unorganized territory of the US; administered by the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior Government type: NA Capital: name: Pago Pago geographic coordinates: 14 16 S, 170 42 W time difference: UTC-11 (6 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three districts and two islands* at the second order; Eastern, Manu'a, Rose Island*, Swains Island*, Western Independence: none (territory of the US) National holiday: Flag Day, 17 April (1900) Constitution: ratified 2 June 1966; effective 1 July 1967 Legal system: NA Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009) head of government: Governor Togiola TULAFONO (since 7 April 2003) cabinet: Cabinet made up of 12 department directors elections: under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as American Samoa, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, they may vote in Democratic and Republican presidential primary elections; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 4 and 18 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012) election results: Togiola TULAFONO reelected governor; percent of vote - Togiola TULAFONO 56.5%, Afoa Moega LUTU 43.5% Legislative branch: bicameral Fono or Legislative Assembly consists of the Senate (18 seats; members are elected from local chiefs to serve four-year terms)and the House of Representatives (21 seats; 20 members are elected by popular vote and 1 is an appointed, nonvoting delegate from Swains Island; members serve two-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2010); Senate - last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012) 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 - independents 18 note: American Samoa elects one nonvoting representative to the US House of Representatives; election last held on 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2010); results - Eni F. H. FALEOMAVAEGA reelected as delegate Judicial branch: High Court (chief justice and associate justices are appointed by the US Secretary of the Interior) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party [Oreta M. TOGAFAU]; Republican Party [Tautai A. F. FAALEVAO] Political pressure groups and leaders: Population Pressure LAS (addresses the growing population pressures) International organization participation: Interpol (subbureau), IOC, SPC, UPU 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 fly side and extends to the hoist side; a brown and white American bald eagle flying toward the hoist side is carrying two traditional Samoan symbols of authority, a war club known as a "Fa'alaufa'i" (upper; left talon), and a coconut fiber fly whisk known as a "Fue" (lower; right talon); the combination of symbols broadly mimics that seen on the US Great Seal and reflects the relationship between the United States and American Samoa Economy ::American Samoa Economy - overview: American Samoa has a traditional Polynesian economy in which more than 90% of the land is communally owned. Economic activity is strongly linked to the US with which American Samoa conducts most of its commerce. Tuna fishing and tuna processing plants are the backbone of the private sector, with canned tuna the primary export. Transfers from the US Government add substantially to American Samoa's economic well being. Attempts by the government to develop a larger and broader economy are restrained by Samoa's remote location, its limited transportation, and its devastating hurricanes. Tourism is a promising developing sector. GDP (purchasing power parity): $575.3 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 211 $510.1 million (2003 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $462.2 million (2005) GDP - real growth rate: 3% (2003) country comparison to the world: 123 GDP - per capita (PPP): $8,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 $5,800 (2005 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Labor force: 17,630 (2005) country comparison to the world: 203 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 34% industry: 33% services: 33% (1990) Unemployment rate: 29.8% (2005) country comparison to the world: 175 Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $155.4 million (37% in local revenue and 63% in US grants) expenditures: $183.6 million (FY07) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Agriculture - products: bananas, coconuts, vegetables, taro, breadfruit, yams, copra, pineapples, papayas; dairy products, livestock Industries: tuna canneries (largely supplied by foreign fishing vessels), handicrafts Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 185 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 178 Electricity - consumption: 172.1 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 180 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 208 Oil - consumption: 4,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 169 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 206 Oil - imports: 4,140 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 166 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 208 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 208 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 207 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 203 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 202 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 206 Exports: $445.6 million (FY04 est.) country comparison to the world: 166 Exports - commodities: canned tuna 93% (2004 est.) Imports: $308.8 million (FY04 est.) country comparison to the world: 193 Imports - commodities: materials for canneries 56%, food 8%, petroleum products 7%, machinery and parts 6% (2004 est.) Debt - external: $NA Exchange rates: the US dollar is used Communications ::American Samoa Telephones - main lines in use: 10,400 (2008) country comparison to the world: 202 Telephones - mobile cellular: 2,200 (2004) country comparison to the world: 215 Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: good telex, telegraph, facsimile, and cellular telephone services; domestic satellite system with 1 Comsat earth station international: country code - 1-684; satellite earth station - 1 (Intelsat-Pacific Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0 (2005) Television broadcast stations: 1 (2006) Internet country code: .as Internet hosts: 1,606 (2009) country comparison to the world: 153 Internet users: NA Transportation ::American Samoa Airports: 3 (2009) country comparison to the world: 194 Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Roadways: total: 221 km (2007) country comparison to the world: 205 Ports and terminals: Pago Pago Military ::American Samoa Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 13,875 females age 16-49: 13,517 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 820 female: 802 (2009 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US Transnational Issues ::American Samoa Disputes - international: Tokelau periodically asserts claims to American Samoa's Swains Island (Olohega), such as in its 2006 draft independence constitution page last updated on October 28, 2009 ====================================================================== @Andorra (Europe) Introduction ::Andorra Background: For 715 years, from 1278 to 1993, Andorrans lived under a unique co-principality, ruled by French and Spanish leaders (from 1607 onward, the French chief of state and the Spanish bishop of Urgel). In 1993, this feudal system was modified with the titular heads of state retained, but the government transformed into a parliamentary democracy. Long isolated and impoverished, mountainous Andorra achieved considerable prosperity since World War II through its tourist industry. Many immigrants (legal and illegal) are attracted to the thriving economy with its lack of income taxes. Geography ::Andorra Location: Southwestern Europe, between France and Spain Geographic coordinates: 42 30 N, 1 30 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 468 sq km country comparison to the world: 195 land: 468 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 120.3 km border countries: France 56.6 km, Spain 63.7 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 Runer 840 m highest point: Coma Pedrosa 2,946 m Natural resources: hydropower, mineral water, timber, iron ore, lead Land use: arable land: 2.13% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.87% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: avalanches Environment - current issues: deforestation; overgrazing of mountain meadows contributes to soil erosion; air pollution; wastewater treatment and solid waste disposal Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: landlocked; straddles a number of important crossroads in the Pyrenees People ::Andorra Population: 83,888 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 199 Age structure: 0-14 years: 15.5% (male 6,710/female 6,305) 15-64 years: 72.2% (male 31,604/female 28,925) 65 years and over: 12.3% (male 5,113/female 5,231) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 39.4 years male: 39.7 years female: 39.1 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.135% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 Birth rate: 10.35 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 190 Death rate: 5.89 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 166 Net migration rate: 6.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 13 Urbanization: urban population: 89% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: -0.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.98 male(s)/female total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 3.76 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 212 male: 3.78 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.74 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 82.51 years country comparison to the world: 2 male: 80.33 years female: 84.84 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.33 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 204 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Andorran(s) adjective: Andorran Ethnic groups: Spanish 43%, Andorran 33%, Portuguese 11%, French 7%, other 6% (1998) Religions: Roman Catholic (predominant) Languages: Catalan (official), French, Castilian, Portuguese Literacy: definition: NA total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 11 years (2006) Education expenditures: 2.3% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 162 Government ::Andorra Country name: conventional long form: Principality of Andorra conventional short form: Andorra local long form: Principat d'Andorra local short form: Andorra Government type: parliamentary democracy (since March 1993) that retains as its chiefs of state a coprincipality; the two princes are the president of France and bishop of Seo de Urgel, Spain, who are represented locally by coprinces' representatives Capital: name: Andorra la Vella geographic coordinates: 42 30 N, 1 31 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 7 parishes (parroquies, singular - parroquia); Andorra la Vella, Canillo, Encamp, Escaldes-Engordany, La Massana, Ordino, Sant Julia de Loria Independence: 1278 (formed under the joint suzerainty of the French Count of Foix and the Spanish Bishop of Urgel) National holiday: Our Lady of Meritxell Day, 8 September (1278) Constitution: Andorra's first written constitution was drafted in 1991; approved by referendum 14 March 1993; effective 28 April 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 Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007); represented by Philippe MASSONI (since 26 July 2002) and Spanish Coprince Bishop Joan-Enric VIVES i SICILIA (since 12 May 2003); represented by Nemesi MARQUES i OSTE (since 30 July 2003) head of government: Executive Council President Jaume BARTUMEU Cassany (since 5 June 2009) cabinet: Executive Council or Govern designated by the Executive Council president elections: Executive Council president elected by the General Council and formally appointed by the coprinces for a four-year term; election last held 26 April 2009 (next to be held in April-May 2013) election results: Jaume BARTUMEU CASSANY 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 seven parishes; to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 26 April 2009 (next to be held in March-April 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - PS 45.03%, Reformist Coaliton 32.34%, Andorra for Change 18.86%, other 3.77%; seats by party - PS 14, Reformist Coalition 11, Andorra for Change 3 Judicial branch: Tribunal of Judges or Tribunal de Batlles; Tribunal of the Courts or Tribunal de Corts; Supreme Court of Justice of Andorra or Tribunal Superior de Justicia d'Andorra; Supreme Council of Justice or Consell Superior de la Justicia; Fiscal Ministry or Ministeri Fiscal; Constitutional Tribunal or Tribunal Constitucional Political parties and leaders: Andorra for Change [Juan Eusebio NOMEN CALVET]; New Center [Vicenc MATEU] (formerly Andorran Democratic Center Party); Liberal Party of Andorra or PLA [Joan Gabriel i ESTANY] (formerly Liberal Union or UL); Reformist Coalition (includes the Liberal Party and New Center) [Joan Gabriel i ESTANY]; Social Democratic Party or PS [Jaume BARTUMEU CASSANY] (formerly part of National Democratic Group or AND) Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: CE, FAO, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, Union Latina, UNWTO, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Narcis CASAL FONSDEVIELA 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; the US Ambassador to Spain is accredited to Andorra; US interests in Andorra are represented by the Consulate General's office in Barcelona (Spain); mailing address: Paseo Reina Elisenda de Montcada, 23, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; telephone: [34] (93) 280-2227; FAX: [34] (93) 280-6175 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; the flag combines the blue and red French colors with the red and yellow of Spain to show Franco-Spanish protection note: similar to the flags of Chad and Romania, which do not have a national coat of arms in the center, and the flag of Moldova, which does bear a national emblem Economy ::Andorra Economy - overview: Tourism, the mainstay of Andorra's tiny, well-to-do economy, accounts for more than 80% of GDP. An estimated 11.6 million tourists visit annually, attracted by Andorra's duty-free status and by its summer and winter resorts. Andorra's comparative advantage has recently eroded as the economies of neighboring France and Spain have been opened up, providing broader availability of goods and lower tariffs. The banking sector, with its partial "tax haven" status, also contributes substantially to the economy. Agricultural production is limited - only 2% of the land is arable - and most food has to be imported. The principal livestock activity is sheep raising. Manufacturing output consists mainly of cigarettes, cigars, and furniture. Andorra is a member of the EU Customs Union and is treated as an EU member for trade in manufactured goods (no tariffs) and as a non-EU member for agricultural products. GDP (purchasing power parity): $3.66 billion (2007) country comparison to the world: 167 $3.588 billion (2006) $2.77 billion (2005) GDP (official exchange rate): $NA GDP - real growth rate: 2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 158 3.5% (2005 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $42,500 (2007) country comparison to the world: 16 $38,800 (2005) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Labor force: 42,230 (2007) country comparison to the world: 187 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 0.3% industry: 20.8% services: 79% (2007) Unemployment rate: 0% (2007) country comparison to the world: 1 0% (2006) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $496.9 million expenditures: $496.8 million (2007) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.9% (2007) country comparison to the world: 61 3.2% (2005) Agriculture - products: small quantities of rye, wheat, barley, oats, vegetables; sheep Industries: tourism (particularly skiing), cattle raising, timber, banking, tobacco, furniture Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: NA kWh Electricity - consumption: NA kWh Electricity - exports: NA kWh Electricity - imports: NA kWh; note - most electricity supplied by Spain and France; Andorra generates a small amount of hydropower Exports: $117.1 million (2007) country comparison to the world: 190 $148.7 million (2005) Exports - commodities: tobacco products, furniture Imports: $1.789 billion (2007) country comparison to the world: 155 $1.879 billion (2005) Imports - commodities: consumer goods, food, electricity Debt - external: $NA Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7306 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Communications ::Andorra Telephones - main lines in use: 37,400 (2008) country comparison to the world: 173 Telephones - mobile cellular: 64,200 (2008) country comparison to the world: 189 Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: modern system with microwave radio relay connections between exchanges international: country code - 376; landline circuits to France and Spain Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 1, shortwave 0 (easy access to radio and television broadcasts originating in France and Spain) (2007) Television broadcast stations: 1 (2007) Internet country code: .ad Internet hosts: 23,421 (2009) country comparison to the world: 98 Internet users: 59,100 (2008) country comparison to the world: 168 Transportation ::Andorra Roadways: total: 270 km (1994) country comparison to the world: 203 Military ::Andorra Military branches: no regular military forces, Police Service of Andorra (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 18,685 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 18,617 females age 16-49: 17,613 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 402 female: 373 (2009 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France and Spain Transnational Issues ::Andorra Disputes - international: none page last updated on October 28, 2009 ====================================================================== @Angola (Africa) Introduction ::Angola Background: Angola is rebuilding its country after the end of a 27-year civil war in 2002. Fighting between the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), led by Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS, and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), led by Jonas SAVIMBI, followed independence from Portugal in 1975. Peace seemed imminent in 1992 when Angola held national elections, but fighting picked up again by 1996. Up to 1.5 million lives may have been lost - and 4 million people displaced - in the quarter century of fighting. SAVIMBI's death in 2002 ended UNITA's insurgency and strengthened the MPLA's hold on power. President DOS SANTOS held legislative elections in September 2008, and announced plans to hold presidential elections in 2009. Geography ::Angola 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 country comparison to the world: 23 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 225 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: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 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: 2.65% permanent crops: 0.23% other: 97.12% (2005) Irrigated land: 800 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 184 cu km (1987) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.35 cu km/yr (23%/17%/60%) per capita: 22 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: locally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on the plateau Environment - current issues: 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, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: the province of Cabinda is an exclave, separated from the rest of the country by the Democratic Republic of the Congo People ::Angola Population: 12,799,293 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 Age structure: 0-14 years: 43.5% (male 2,812,359/female 2,759,047) 15-64 years: 53.7% (male 3,496,726/female 3,382,440) 65 years and over: 2.7% (male 153,678/female 195,043) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 18 years male: 18 years female: 18 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 2.095% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 Birth rate: 43.69 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 8 Death rate: 24.08 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 Net migration rate: 1.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 Urbanization: urban population: 57% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 180.21 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 1 male: 192.24 deaths/1,000 live births female: 167.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 38.2 years country comparison to the world: 223 male: 37.24 years female: 39.22 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.12 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 2.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 190,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 11,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria, African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2009) 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: 67.4% male: 82.9% female: 54.2% (2001 est.) Education expenditures: 2.4% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 159 Government ::Angola 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 Government type: republic; multiparty presidential regime Capital: name: Luanda geographic coordinates: 8 50 S, 13 14 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 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: adopted by People's Assembly 25 August 1992 Legal system: based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law; modified to accommodate political pluralism and increased use of free markets; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21 September 1979); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21 September 1979); Antonio Paulo KASSOMA was named prime minister by MPLA on 26 September 2008 cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by universal ballot for a five-year term (eligible for a second consecutive or discontinuous term) under the 1992 constitution; President DOS SANTOS was selected by the party to take over after the death of former President Augustino NETO(1979) under a one-party system and stood for reelection in Angola's first multiparty elections 29-30 September 1992 (next were to be held in September 2009 but have been postponed) election results: Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS 49.6%, Jonas SAVIMBI 40.1%, making a run-off election necessary; the run-off was never held leaving DOS SANTOS in his current position as the president Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (220 seats; members elected by proportional vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 5-6 September 2008 (next to be held in September 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - MPLA 81.6%, UNITA 10.4%, PRS 3.2%, ND 1.2%, FNLA 1.1%, other 2.5%; seats by party - MPLA 191, UNITA 16, PRS 8, FNLA 3, ND 2 Judicial branch: Supreme Court and separate provincial courts (judges are appointed by the president) Political parties and leaders: National Front for the Liberation of Angola or FNLA [Ngola KABANGU]; National Union for the Total Independence of Angola or UNITA (largest opposition party) [Isaias SAMAKUVA]; Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola or MPLA (ruling party in power since 1975) [Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS]; Social Renewal Party or PRS [Eduardo KUANGANA] note: nine other parties participated in the legislative election in September but won no seats Political pressure groups and leaders: Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda or FLEC [N'zita Henriques TIAGO, Antonio Bento BEMBE] note: FLEC's small-scale armed struggle for the independence of Cabinda Province persists despite the signing of a peace accord with the government in August 2006 International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, CPLP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OPEC, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Josefina Perpetua Pitra DIAKITE chancery: 2108 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 785-1156 FAX: [1] (202) 785-1258 consulate(s) general: Houston, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Dan MOZENA embassy: number 32 Rua Houari Boumedienne (in the Miramar area of Luanda), Luanda mailing address: international mail: Caixa Postal 6468, Luanda; pouch: US Embassy Luanda, US Department of State, 2550 Luanda Place, Washington, DC 20521-2550 telephone: [244] (222) 64-1000 FAX: [244] (222) 64-1232 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); red represents liberty, black the African continent, the symbols characterize workers and peasants Economy ::Angola Economy - overview: Angola's high growth rate is driven by its oil sector, which has taken advantage of high international oil prices. Oil production and its supporting activities contribute about 85% of GDP. Increased oil production supported growth averaging more than 15% per year from 2004 to 2007. A postwar reconstruction boom and resettlement of displaced persons has led to high rates of growth in construction and agriculture as well. Much of the country's infrastructure is still damaged or undeveloped from the 27-year-long civil war. Remnants of the conflict such as widespread land mines still mar the countryside even though an apparently durable peace was established after the death of rebel leader Jonas SAVIMBI in February 2002. Subsistence agriculture provides the main livelihood for most of the people, but half of the country's food must still be imported. In 2005, the government started using a $2 billion line of credit, since increased to $7 billion, from China to rebuild Angola's public infrastructure, and several large-scale projects were completed in 2006. Angola also has large credit lines from Brazil, Portugal, Germany, Spain, and the EU. The central bank in 2003 implemented an exchange rate stabilization program using foreign exchange reserves to buy kwanzas out of circulation. This policy became more sustainable in 2005 because of strong oil export earnings; it has significantly reduced inflation. Although consumer inflation declined from 325% in 2000 to under 13% in 2008, the stabilization policy has put pressure on international net liquidity. Angola became a member of OPEC in late 2006 and in late 2007 was assigned a production quota of 1.9 million barrels a day, somewhat less than the 2-2.5 million bbl Angola's government had wanted. To fully take advantage of its rich national resources - gold, diamonds, extensive forests, Atlantic fisheries, and large oil deposits - Angola will need to implement government reforms, increase transparency, and reduce corruption. The government has rejected a formal IMF monitored program, although it continues Article IV consultations and ad hoc cooperation. Corruption, especially in the extractive sectors, and the negative effects of large inflows of foreign exchange, are major challenges facing Angola. GDP (purchasing power parity): $112.8 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 $100.5 billion (2007 est.) $82.94 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $84.95 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 12.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 21.1% (2007 est.) 18.6% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $9,000 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 $8,200 (2007 est.) $6,900 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 9.2% industry: 65.8% services: 24.6% (2008 est.) Labor force: 7.569 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 85% industry and services: 15% (2003 est.) Unemployment rate: NA Population below poverty line: 40.5% (2006 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Investment (gross fixed): 9% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 148 Budget: revenues: $28.99 billion expenditures: $21.44 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 15.5% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 12% of GDP (2007 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 12.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 173 12.2% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 19.57% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 8 19.57% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 12.53% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 25 17.7% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $8.446 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 47 $4.153 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $10.41 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 50 $7.216 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $7.893 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 76 $1.166 billion (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: bananas, sugarcane, coffee, sisal, corn, cotton, manioc (tapioca), tobacco, vegetables, plantains; livestock; forest products; fish Industries: petroleum; diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, feldspar, bauxite, uranium, and gold; cement; basic metal products; fish processing; food processing, brewing, tobacco products, sugar; textiles; ship repair Industrial production growth rate: 14.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 Electricity - production: 3.722 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 Electricity - consumption: 3.173 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 125 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 2.015 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 17 Oil - consumption: 64,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 Oil - exports: 1.407 million bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 Oil - imports: 28,090 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 Oil - proved reserves: 9.04 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 Natural gas - production: 680 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 Natural gas - consumption: 680 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 204 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 203 Natural gas - proved reserves: 269.8 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 Current account balance: $17.11 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 $9.402 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $66.3 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 $44.4 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: crude oil, diamonds, refined petroleum products, coffee, sisal, fish and fish products, timber, cotton Exports - partners: China 33%, US 28.7%, France 6%, South Africa 4.6%, Canada 4.1% (2008) Imports: $17.08 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 $13.66 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and electrical equipment, vehicles and spare parts; medicines, food, textiles, military goods Imports - partners: Portugal 17.6%, China 15.7%, US 11.3%, Brazil 7.6%, South Korea 6.8%, South Africa 4.8% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $18.36 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 $11.2 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $14.09 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 $8.357 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $16.36 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 $14.51 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $2.477 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 Exchange rates: kwanza (AOA) per US dollar - 75.023 (2008 est.), 76.6 (2007), 80.4 (2006), 88.6 (2005), 83.541 (2004) Communications ::Angola Telephones - main lines in use: 114,300 (2008) country comparison to the world: 141 Telephones - mobile cellular: 6.773 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 74 Telephone system: general assessment: system inadequate; fewer than one fixed-line per 100 persons; combined fixed line and mobile telephone density exceeded 50 telephones per 100 persons in 2008 domestic: state-owned telecom had monopoly for fixed-lines until 2005; demand outstripped capacity, prices were high, and services poor; Telecom Namibia, through an Angolan company, became the first private licensed operator in Angola's fixed-line telephone network; Angola Telecom established mobile-cellular service in Luanda in 1993 and the network has been extended to larger towns; a privately-owned, mobile-cellular service provider began operations in 2001 international: country code - 244; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and Asia; satellite earth stations - 29 (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 21, FM 6, shortwave 7 (2001) Television broadcast stations: 6 (2000) Internet country code: .ao Internet hosts: 3,508 (2009) country comparison to the world: 139 Internet users: 550,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 105 Transportation ::Angola Airports: 192 (2009) country comparison to the world: 32 Airports - with paved runways: total: 30 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 162 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 32 914 to 1,523 m: 78 under 914 m: 46 (2009) Pipelines: gas 2 km; oil 87 km (2008) Railways: total: 2,764 km country comparison to the world: 61 narrow gauge: 2,641 km 1.067-m gauge; 123 km 0.600-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 51,429 km country comparison to the world: 78 paved: 5,349 km unpaved: 46,080 km (2001) Waterways: 1,300 km (2008) country comparison to the world: 55 Merchant marine: total: 6 country comparison to the world: 128 by type: cargo 1, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: 1 (Spain 1) registered in other countries: 6 (Bahamas 6) (2008) Ports and terminals: Cabinda, Lobito, Luanda, Namibe Military ::Angola Military branches: Angolan Armed Forces (FAA): Army, Navy (Marinha de Guerra Angola, MGA), Angolan National Air Force (Forca Aerea Nacional Angolana, FANA) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 22-24 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years; Angolan citizenship required (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 2,856,492 females age 16-49: 2,755,864 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,467,833 females age 16-49: 1,411,468 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 146,738 female: 143,478 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 5.7% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 13 Transnational Issues ::Angola Disputes - international: Cabindan separatists continue to return to the Angolan exclave from exile in neighboring states and Europe since the 2006 ceasefire and peace agreement Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 12,615 (Democratic Republic of Congo) IDPs: 61,700 (27-year civil war ending in 2002; 4 million IDPs already have returned) (2007) Illicit drugs: used as a transshipment point for cocaine destined for Western Europe and other African states, particularly South Africa page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Anguilla (Central America and Caribbean) Introduction ::Anguilla Background: Colonized by English settlers from Saint Kitts in 1650, Anguilla was administered by Great Britain until the early 19th century, when the island - against the wishes of the inhabitants - was incorporated into a single British dependency along with Saint Kitts and Nevis. Several attempts at separation failed. In 1971, two years after a revolt, Anguilla was finally allowed to secede; this arrangement was formally recognized in 1980 with Anguilla becoming a separate British dependency. Geography ::Anguilla Location: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico Geographic coordinates: 18 15 N, 63 10 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 91 sq km country comparison to the world: 226 land: 91 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: about one-half the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 61 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 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: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (mostly rock with sparse scrub oak, few trees, some commercial salt ponds) (2005) Irrigated land: NA 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 Geography - note: the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles People ::Anguilla Population: 14,436 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 221 Age structure: 0-14 years: 24.5% (male 1,815/female 1,725) 15-64 years: 67.8% (male 4,665/female 5,125) 65 years and over: 7.7% (male 534/female 572) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 32.6 years male: 31.5 years female: 33.8 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 2.272% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 Birth rate: 13.02 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 157 Death rate: 4.36 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 204 Net migration rate: 14.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 Urbanization: urban population: 100% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 3.52 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 215 male: 3.97 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.05 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80.65 years country comparison to the world: 15 male: 78.11 years female: 83.26 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.75 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 163 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Anguillan(s) adjective: Anguillan Ethnic groups: black (predominant) 90.1%, mixed, mulatto 4.6%, white 3.7%, other 1.5% (2001 census) Religions: Anglican 29%, Methodist 23.9%, other Protestant 30.2%, Roman Catholic 5.7%, other Christian 1.7%, other 5.2%, none or unspecified 4.3% (2001 census) Languages: English (official) Literacy: definition: age 12 and over can read and write total population: 95% male: 95% female: 95% (1984 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 11 years (2006) Education expenditures: 4% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 101 Government ::Anguilla Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Anguilla Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK Government type: NA Capital: name: The Valley geographic coordinates: 18 13 N, 63 03 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of the UK) Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK) National holiday: Anguilla Day, 30 May (1967) 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 (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Alistair HARRISON (since 21 April 2009) head of government: Chief Minister Osbourne FLEMING (since 3 March 2000) cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from among the elected members of the House of Assembly elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed chief minister by the governor Legislative branch: unicameral House of Assembly (11 seats; 7 members elected by direct popular vote, 2 ex officio members, and 2 appointed; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 21 February 2005 (next to be held in 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - AUF 38.9%, AUM 19.4%, ANSA 19.2%, APP 9.5%, independents 13%; seats by party - AUF 4, ANSA 2, AUM 1 Judicial branch: High Court (judge provided by Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court) Political parties and leaders: Anguilla United Front or AUF [Osbourne FLEMING, Victor BANKS] (a coalition of the Anguilla Democratic Party or ADP and the Anguilla National Alliance or ANA); Anguilla United Movement or AUM [Hubert HUGHES]; Anguilla Progressive Party or APP [Roy ROGERS]; Anguilla Strategic Alternative or ANSA [Edison BAIRD] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), OECS, UPU, WFTU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Flag description: blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the 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 Economy ::Anguilla Economy - overview: Anguilla has few natural resources, and the economy depends heavily on luxury tourism, offshore banking, lobster fishing, and remittances from emigrants. Increased activity in the tourism industry has spurred the growth of the construction sector contributing to economic growth. Anguillan officials have put substantial effort into developing the offshore financial sector, which is small but growing. In the medium term, prospects for the economy will depend largely on the tourism sector and, therefore, on revived income growth in the industrialized nations as well as on favorable weather conditions. GDP (purchasing power parity): $108.9 million (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 219 GDP (official exchange rate): $108.9 million (2004 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 10.2% (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 GDP - per capita (PPP): $8,800 (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 4% industry: 18% services: 78% (2002 est.) Labor force: 6,049 (2001) country comparison to the world: 212 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture/fishing/forestry/mining 4%, manufacturing 3%, construction 18%, transportation and utilities 10%, commerce 36%, services 29% (2000 est.) Unemployment rate: 8% (2002) country comparison to the world: 110 Population below poverty line: 23% (2002) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $22.8 million expenditures: $22.5 million (2000 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.3% (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 Central bank discount rate: 6.5% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 58 6.5% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 9.51% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 87 9.76% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $21.12 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 119 $23.57 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $449.5 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 109 $470.1 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $529.6 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 115 $447.7 million (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: small quantities of tobacco, vegetables; cattle raising Industries: tourism, boat building, offshore financial services Industrial production growth rate: NA Electricity - production: NA kWh Current account balance: -$42.87 million (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 Exports: $13 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 208 Exports - commodities: lobster, fish, livestock, salt, concrete blocks, rum Imports: $143 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 202 Imports - commodities: fuels, foodstuffs, manufactures, chemicals, trucks, textiles Debt - external: $8.8 million (1998) country comparison to the world: 199 Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2007), 2.7 (2006), 2.7 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003) note: fixed rate since 1976 Communications ::Anguilla Telephones - main lines in use: 5,800 (2008) country comparison to the world: 211 Telephones - mobile cellular: 13,100 (2005) country comparison to the world: 210 Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: modern internal telephone system international: country code - 1-264; landing point for the East Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS) submarine cable with links to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad; microwave radio relay to island of Saint Martin (Guadeloupe and Netherlands Antilles) (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 7, shortwave 0 (2004) Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997) Internet country code: .ai Internet hosts: 258 (2009) country comparison to the world: 181 Internet users: 4,500 (2008) country comparison to the world: 204 Transportation ::Anguilla Airports: 3 (2009) country comparison to the world: 192 Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Roadways: total: 175 km country comparison to the world: 208 paved: 82 km unpaved: 93 km (2004) Ports and terminals: Blowing Point, Road Bay Military ::Anguilla Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 3,538 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 2,955 females age 16-49: 3,308 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 107 female: 106 (2009 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Transnational Issues ::Anguilla Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Antarctica (Antarctica) Introduction ::Antarctica Background: Speculation over the existence of a "southern land" was not confirmed until the early 1820s when British and American commercial operators and British and Russian national expeditions began exploring the Antarctic Peninsula region and other areas south of the Antarctic Circle. Not until 1840 was it established that Antarctica was indeed a continent and not just a group of islands. Several exploration "firsts" were achieved in the early 20th century. Following World War II, there was an upsurge in scientific research on the continent. A number of countries have set up a range of year-round and seasonal stations, camps, and refuges to support scientific research in Antarctica. Seven have made territorial claims, but not all countries recognize these claims. In order to form a legal framework for the activities of nations on the continent, an Antarctic Treaty was negotiated that neither denies nor gives recognition to existing territorial claims; signed in 1959, it entered into force in 1961. Geography ::Antarctica 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: fifth-largest continent, following Asia, Africa, North America, and South America, but larger than Australia and the subcontinent of Europe Area - comparative: slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US Land boundaries: 0 km note: see entry on Disputes - international Coastline: 17,968 km Maritime claims: Australia, Chile, and Argentina claim Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) rights or similar over 200 nm extensions seaward from their continental claims, but like the claims themselves, these zones are not accepted by other countries; 21 of 28 Antarctic consultative nations have made no claims to Antarctic territory (although Russia and the US have reserved the right to do so) and do not recognize the claims of the other nations; also see the Disputes - international entry 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 nearly 5,000 meters; ice-free coastal areas include parts of southern Victoria Land, Wilkes Land, the Antarctic Peninsula area, and parts of Ross Island on McMurdo Sound; glaciers form ice shelves along about half of the coastline, and floating ice shelves constitute 11% of the area of the continent Elevation extremes: lowest point: Bentley Subglacial Trench -2,540 m highest point: Vinson Massif 4,897 m note: the lowest known land point in Antarctica is hidden in the Bentley Subglacial Trench; at its surface is the deepest ice yet discovered and the world's lowest elevation not under seawater Natural resources: iron ore, chromium, copper, gold, nickel, platinum and other minerals, and coal and hydrocarbons have been found in small uncommercial quantities; none presently exploited; krill, finfish, and crab have been taken by commercial fisheries Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (ice 98%, barren rock 2%) (2005) 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; large icebergs may calve from ice shelf Environment - current issues: in 1998, NASA satellite data showed that the Antarctic ozone hole was the largest on record, covering 27 million square kilometers; researchers in 1997 found that increased ultraviolet light passing through the hole damages the DNA of icefish, an Antarctic fish lacking hemoglobin; ozone depletion earlier was shown to harm one-celled Antarctic marine plants; in 2002, significant areas of ice shelves disintegrated in response to regional warming Geography - note: the coldest, windiest, highest (on average), and driest continent; during summer, more solar radiation reaches the surface at the South Pole than is received at the Equator in an equivalent period; mostly uninhabitable People ::Antarctica Population: no indigenous inhabitants, but there are both permanent and summer-only staffed research stations note: 29 nations, all signatory to the Antarctic Treaty, operate through their National Antarctic Program a number of seasonal-only (summer) and year-round research stations on the continent and its nearby islands south of 60 degrees south latitude (the region covered by the Antarctic Treaty); the population doing and supporting science or engaged in the management and protection of the Antarctic region varies from approximately 4,400 in summer to 1,100 in winter; in addition, approximately 1,000 personnel, including ship's crew and scientists doing onboard research, are present in the waters of the treaty region; peak summer (December-February) population - 4,490 total; Argentina 667, Australia 200, Australia and Romania jointly 13, Belgium 20, Brazil 40, Bulgaria 18, Chile 359, China 90, Czech Republic 20, Ecuador 26, Finland 20, France 125, France and Italy jointly 60, Germany 90, India 65, Italy 102, Japan 125, South Korea 70, NZ 85, Norway 44, Peru 28, Poland 40, Russia 429, South Africa 80, Spain 50, Sweden 20, Ukraine 24, UK 217, US 1,293, Uruguay 70 (2008-2009); winter (June-August) station population - 1,106 total; Argentina 176, Australia 62, Brazil 12, Chile 114, China 29, France 26, France and Italy jointly 13, Germany 9, India 25, Japan 40, South Korea 18, NZ 10, Norway 7, Poland 12, Russia 148, South Africa 10, Ukraine 12, UK 37, US 337, Uruguay 9 (2009); research stations operated within the Antarctic Treaty area (south of 60 degrees south latitude) by National Antarctic Programs: year-round stations - 40 total; Argentina 6, Australia 3, Brazil 1, Chile 6, China 2, France 1, France and Italy jointly 1, Germany 1, India 1, Japan 1, South Korea 1, NZ 1, Norway 1, Poland 1, Russia 5, South Africa 1, Ukraine 1, UK 2, US 3, Uruguay 1 (2009); a range of seasonal-only (summer) stations, camps, and refuges - Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Brazil, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Poland, Romania (with Australia), Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, UK, US, and Uruguay (2008-2009); in addition, during the austral summer some nations have numerous occupied locations such as tent camps, summer-long temporary facilities, and mobile traverses in support of research (May 2009 est.) Government ::Antarctica Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Antarctica 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; the 32nd Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting was held in Baltimore, MD, USA in April 2009; at these periodic meetings, decisions are made by consensus (not by vote) of all consultative member nations; by May 2009, there were 47 treaty member nations: 28 consultative and 19 non-consultative; consultative (decision-making) members include the seven nations that claim portions of Antarctica as national territory (some claims overlap) and 21 non-claimant nations; the US and Russia have reserved the right to make claims; the US does not recognize the claims of others; Antarctica is administered through meetings of the consultative member nations; decisions from these meetings are carried out by these member nations (with respect to their own nationals and operations) in accordance with their own national laws; the years in parentheses indicate when a consultative member-nation acceded to the Treaty and when it was accepted as a consultative member, while no date indicates the country was an original 1959 treaty signatory; claimant nations are - Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, NZ, Norway, and the UK. Nonclaimant consultative nations are - Belgium, Brazil (1975/1983), Bulgaria (1978/1998) China (1983/1985), Ecuador (1987/1990), Finland (1984/1989), Germany (1979/1981), India (1983/1983), Italy (1981/1987), Japan, South Korea (1986/1989), Netherlands (1967/1990), Peru (1981/1989), Poland (1961/1977), Russia, South Africa, Spain (1982/1988), Sweden (1984/1988), Ukraine (1992/2004), Uruguay (1980/1985), and the US; non-consultative members, with year of accession in parentheses, are - Austria (1987), Belarus (2006), Canada (1988), Colombia (1989), Cuba (1984), Czech Republic (1962/1993), Denmark (1965), Estonia (2001), Greece (1987), Guatemala (1991), Hungary (1984), North Korea (1987), Monaco (2008), Papua New Guinea (1981), Romania (1971), Slovakia (1962/1993), Switzerland (1990), Turkey (1996), and Venezuela (1999); note - Czechoslovakia acceded to the Treaty in 1962 and separated into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993; Article 1 - area to be used for peaceful purposes only; military activity, such as weapons testing, is prohibited, but military personnel and equipment may be used for scientific research or any other peaceful purpose; Article 2 - freedom of scientific investigation and cooperation shall continue; Article 3 - free exchange of information and personnel, cooperation with the UN and other international agencies; Article 4 - does not recognize, dispute, or establish territorial claims and no new claims shall be asserted while the treaty is in force; Article 5 - prohibits nuclear explosions or disposal of radioactive wastes; Article 6 - includes under the treaty all land and ice shelves south of 60 degrees 00 minutes south and reserves high seas rights; Article 7 - treaty-state observers have free access, including aerial observation, to any area and may inspect all stations, installations, and equipment; advance notice of all expeditions and of the introduction of military personnel must be given; Article 8 - allows for jurisdiction over observers and scientists by their own states; Article 9 - frequent consultative meetings take place among member nations; Article 10 - treaty states will discourage activities by any country in Antarctica that are contrary to the treaty; Article 11 - disputes to be settled peacefully by the parties concerned or, ultimately, by the ICJ; Articles 12, 13, 14 - deal with upholding, interpreting, and amending the treaty among involved nations; other agreements - some 200 recommendations adopted at treaty consultative meetings and ratified by governments include - Agreed Measures for Fauna and Flora (1964) which were later incorporated into the Environmental Protocol; Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (1972); Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (1980); a mineral resources agreement was signed in 1988 but remains unratified; the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty was signed 4 October 1991 and entered into force 14 January 1998; this agreement provides for the protection of the Antarctic environment through six specific annexes: 1) environmental impact assessment, 2) conservation of Antarctic fauna and flora, 3) waste disposal and waste management, 4) prevention of marine pollution, 5) area protection and management and 6) liability arising from environmental emergencies; it prohibits all activities relating to mineral resources except scientific research; a permanent Antarctic Treaty Secretariat was established in 2004 in Buenos Aires, Argentina Legal system: Antarctica is administered through meetings of the consultative member nations; decisions from these meetings are carried out by these member nations (with respect to their own nationals and operations) in accordance with their own national laws; more generally, access to the Antarctic Treaty area, that is to all areas between 60 and 90 degrees south latitude, is subject to a number of relevant legal instruments and authorization procedures adopted by the states party to the Antarctic Treaty; note - US law, including certain criminal offenses by or against US nationals, such as murder, may apply extraterritorially; some US laws directly apply to Antarctica; for example, the Antarctic Conservation Act, 16 U.S.C. section 2401 et seq., provides civil and criminal penalties for the following activities unless authorized by regulation of statute: the taking of native mammals or birds; the introduction of nonindigenous plants and animals; entry into specially protected areas; the discharge or disposal of pollutants; and the importation into the US of certain items from Antarctica; violation of the Antarctic Conservation Act carries penalties of up to $10,000 in fines and one year in prison; the National Science Foundation and Department of Justice share enforcement responsibilities; Public Law 95-541, the US Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978, as amended in 1996, requires expeditions from the US to Antarctica to notify, in advance, the Office of Oceans, Room 5805, Department of State, Washington, DC 20520, which reports such plans to other nations as required by the Antarctic Treaty; for more information, contact Permit Office, Office of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, Arlington, Virginia 22230; telephone: (703) 292-8030, or visit its website at www.nsf.gov Economy ::Antarctica Economy - overview: Fishing off the coast and tourism, both based abroad, account for Antarctica's limited economic activity. Antarctic fisheries in 2006-07 (1 July-30 June) reported landing 126,976 metric tons (estimated fishing from the area covered by the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), which extends slightly beyond the Antarctic Treaty area). Unregulated fishing, particularly of Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides - also known as Chilean sea bass), is a serious problem. The CCAMLR determines the recommended catch limits for marine species. A total of 45,652 tourists visited the Antarctic Treaty area in the 2007-08 Antarctic summer, up from the 36,460 visitors in 2006-2007, and the 30,877 visitors in 2005-2006 (estimates provided to the Antarctic Treaty by the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO); this does not include passengers on overflights). Nearly all of them were passengers on commercial (nongovernmental) ships and several yachts that make trips during the summer. Most tourist trips last approximately two weeks. Communications ::Antarctica Telephones - main lines in use: 0; note - information for US bases only (2001) country comparison to the world: 231 Telephone system: general assessment: local systems at some research stations domestic: commercial cellular networks operating in a small number of locations international: country code - none allocated; via satellite (including mobile Inmarsat and Iridium systems) to and from all research stations, ships, aircraft, and most field parties (2007) Radio broadcast stations: FM 2, shortwave 1 (information for US bases only); note - many research stations have a local FM radio station (2007) Television broadcast stations: 1 (cable system with 6 channels; American Forces Antarctic Network-McMurdo - information for US bases only) (2002) Internet country code: .aq Internet hosts: 7,758 (2009) country comparison to the world: 126 Transportation ::Antarctica Airports: 25 (2009) country comparison to the world: 129 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 25 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 6 (2009) Heliports: 53 note: all year-round and seasonal stations operated by National Antarctic Programs stations have some kind of helicopter landing facilities, prepared (helipads) or unprepared (2007) Ports and terminals: there are no developed ports and harbors in Antarctica; most coastal stations have sparse and intermittent offshore anchorages; a few stations have basic wharf facilities Transportation - note: US coastal stations include McMurdo (77 51 S, 166 40 E) and Palmer (64 43 S, 64 03 W); government use only except by permit (see Permit Office under "Legal System"); all ships at port are subject to inspection in accordance with Article 7, Antarctic Treaty; relevant legal instruments and authorization procedures adopted by the states parties to the Antarctic Treaty regulating access to the Antarctic Treaty area to all areas between 60 and 90 degrees of latitude south have to be complied with (see "Legal System"); The Hydrographic Commission on Antarctica (HCA), a commission of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), is responsible for hydrographic surveying and nautical charting matters in Antarctic Treaty area; it coordinates and facilitates provision of accurate and appropriate charts and other aids to navigation in support of safety of navigation in region; membership of HCA is open to any IHO Member State whose government has acceded to the Antarctic Treaty and which contributes resources or data to IHO Chart coverage of the area Military ::Antarctica 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 Transnational Issues ::Antarctica Disputes - international: the Antarctic Treaty freezes, and most states do not recognize, the land and maritime territorial claims made by Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom (some overlapping) for three-fourths of the continent; the US and Russia reserve the right to make claims; no claims have been made in the sector between 90 degrees west and 150 degrees west; the International Whaling Commission created a sanctuary around the entire continent to deter catches by countries claiming to conduct scientific whaling; Australia has established a similar preserve in the waters around its territorial claim page last updated on October 28, 2009 ====================================================================== @Antigua and Barbuda (Central America and Caribbean) Introduction ::Antigua and Barbuda Background: The Siboney were the first to inhabit the islands of Antigua and Barbuda in 2400 B.C., but Arawak Indians populated the islands when COLUMBUS landed on his second voyage in 1493. Early settlements by the Spanish and French were succeeded by the English who formed a colony in 1667. Slavery, established to run the sugar plantations on Antigua, was abolished in 1834. The islands became an independent state within the British Commonwealth of Nations in 1981. Geography ::Antigua and Barbuda 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: 442.6 sq km (Antigua 280 sq km; Barbuda 161 sq km) country comparison to the world: 199 land: 442.6 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Redonda, 1.6 sq km Area - comparative: 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 153 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Climate: tropical maritime; 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: NEGL; pleasant climate fosters tourism Land use: arable land: 18.18% permanent crops: 4.55% other: 77.27% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Total renewable water resources: 0.1 cu km (2000) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.005 cu km/yr (60%/20%/20%) per capita: 63 cu m/yr (1990) 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, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: Antigua has a deeply indented shoreline with many natural harbors and beaches; Barbuda has a large western harbor People ::Antigua and Barbuda Population: 85,632 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 198 Age structure: 0-14 years: 26.8% (male 11,660/female 11,303) 15-64 years: 66.6% (male 26,597/female 30,414) 65 years and over: 6.6% (male 2,456/female 3,202) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 29.7 years male: 28.2 years female: 31.1 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.303% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 Birth rate: 16.59 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 Death rate: 5.94 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 164 Net migration rate: 2.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 36 Urbanization: urban population: 30% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.87 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 16.25 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 120 male: 18.76 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.62 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.76 years country comparison to the world: 87 male: 72.81 years female: 76.81 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.07 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Antiguan(s), Barbudan(s) adjective: Antiguan, Barbudan Ethnic groups: black 91%, mixed 4.4%, white 1.7%, other 2.9% (2001 census) Religions: Anglican 25.7%, Seventh Day Adventist 12.3%, Pentecostal 10.6%, Moravian 10.5%, Roman Catholic 10.4%, Methodist 7.9%, Baptist 4.9%, Church of God 4.5%, other Christian 5.4%, other 2%, none or unspecified 5.8% (2001 census) Languages: English (official), local dialects Literacy: definition: age 15 and over has completed five or more years of schooling total population: 85.8% male: NA female: NA (2003 est.) Education expenditures: 3.9% of GDP (2002) country comparison to the world: 106 Government ::Antigua and Barbuda Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Antigua and Barbuda Government type: constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government and a Commonwealth realm Capital: name: Saint John's geographic coordinates: 17 07 N, 61 51 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) 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 the UK) National holiday: Independence Day (National 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 (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Louisse LAKE-TACK (since 17 July 2007) head of government: Prime Minister Winston Baldwin SPENCER (since 24 March 2004) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general chosen by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (17 seats; members appointed by the governor general) and the House of Representatives (17 seats; members are elected by proportional representation to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held 12 March 2009 (next to be held in 2014) election results: percent of vote by party - UPP 50.9%, ALP 47.2%, BPM 1.1%; seats by party - UPP 9, ALP 7, BPM 1 Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court consisting of a High Court of Justice and a Court of Appeal (based in Saint Lucia; two judges of the Supreme Court are residents of the islands and preside over the Court of Summary Jurisdiction); Magistrates' Courts; member of the Caribbean Court of Justice Political parties and leaders: Antigua Labor Party or ALP [Lester Bryant BIRD]; Barbudans for a Better Barbuda [Ordrick SAMUEL]; Barbuda People's Movement or BPM [Thomas H. FRANK]; Barbuda People's Movement for Change [Arthur NIBBS]; United Progressive Party or UPP [Baldwin SPENCER] (a coalition of three parties - Antigua Caribbean Liberation Movement or ACLM, Progressive Labor Movement or PLM, United National Democratic Party or UNDP) 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, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Deborah Mae LOVELL chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 362-5122 FAX: [1] (202) 362-5225 consulate(s) general: Miami, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Antigua and Barbuda; 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; the sun symbolizes the dawn of a new era, black represents the African heritage of most of the population, blue is for hope, and red is for the dynamism of the people; the "V" stands for victory; the successive yellow, blue, and white coloring is also meant to evoke the country's tourist attractions of sun, sea, and sand Economy ::Antigua and Barbuda Economy - overview: Antigua has a relatively high GDP per capita in comparison to most other Caribbean nations. The economy experienced solid growth from 2003 to 2007, reaching over 12% in 2006 driven by a construction boom in hotels and housing associated with the Cricket World Cup. Growth dropped off in 2008 with the end of the boom. Tourism continues to dominate the economy, accounting for nearly 60% of GDP and 40% of investment. The dual-island nation's agricultural production is focused on the domestic market and constrained by a limited water supply and a labor shortage stemming from the lure of higher wages in tourism and construction. Manufacturing comprises enclave-type assembly for export with major products being bedding, handicrafts, and electronic components. Prospects for economic growth in the medium term will continue to depend on tourist arrivals from the US, Canada, and Europe and potential damages from natural disasters. Since taking office in 2004, the SPENCER government has adopted an ambitious fiscal reform program, and has been successful in reducing its public debt-to-GDP ratio from 120% to about 90%. GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.639 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 189 $1.594 billion (2007 est.) $1.491 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $1.224 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 6.9% (2007 est.) 12.4% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $19,400 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 $19,100 (2007 est.) $18,100 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.8% industry: 22% services: 74.3% (2002 est.) Labor force: 30,000 (1991) country comparison to the world: 197 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 7% industry: 11% services: 82% (1983) Unemployment rate: 11% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $123.7 million expenditures: $145.9 million (2000 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.5% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 Central bank discount rate: 6.5% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 57 6.5% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 10.43% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 80 10.44% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $296.4 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 101 $294.8 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $939.9 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 97 $902 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $1.13 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 107 $1.002 billion (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: cotton, fruits, vegetables, bananas, coconuts, cucumbers, mangoes, sugarcane; livestock Industries: tourism, construction, light manufacturing (clothing, alcohol, household appliances) Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 110 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 188 Electricity - consumption: 102.3 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 189 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 Oil - consumption: 5,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 Oil - exports: 219 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 Oil - imports: 4,690 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 159 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 209 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 209 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 209 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 207 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 206 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 207 Current account balance: -$211 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 Exports: $84.3 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 196 Exports - commodities: petroleum products, bedding, handicrafts, electronic components, transport equipment, food and live animals Imports: $522.8 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 186 Imports - commodities: food and live animals, machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, chemicals, oil Debt - external: $359.8 million (June 2006) country comparison to the world: 169 Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2007), 2.7 (2006), 2.7 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003) note: fixed rate since 1976 Communications ::Antigua and Barbuda Telephones - main lines in use: 38,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 171 Telephones - mobile cellular: 136,600 (2008) country comparison to the world: 177 Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: good automatic telephone system international: country code - 1-268; landing point for the East Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS) submarine cable with links to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad; satellite earth stations - 2; tropospheric scatter to Saba (Netherlands Antilles) and Guadeloupe (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 2 (1997) Internet country code: .ag Internet hosts: 7,421 (2009) country comparison to the world: 127 Internet users: 65,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 166 Transportation ::Antigua and Barbuda Airports: 3 (2009) country comparison to the world: 190 Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Roadways: total: 1,165 km country comparison to the world: 181 paved: 384 km unpaved: 781 km (2002) Merchant marine: total: 1,146 country comparison to the world: 7 by type: barge carrier 2, bulk carrier 50, cargo 651, carrier 4, chemical tanker 5, container 392, liquefied gas 12, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 9, roll on/roll off 20 foreign-owned: 1,113 (Australia 1, Colombia 2, Cyprus 18, Denmark 19, Estonia 23, France 1, Germany 941, Greece 3, Iceland 12, Italy 1, Latvia 13, Lithuania 5, Netherlands 20, NZ 2, Norway 8, Poland 2, Russia 4, Slovenia 6, Sweden 1, Switzerland 8, Turkey 6, UK 9, US 8) (2008) Ports and terminals: Saint John's Military ::Antigua and Barbuda Military branches: Royal Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 19,560 females age 16-49: 18,977 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 17,271 females age 16-49: 19,586 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 744 female: 743 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: NA Transnational Issues ::Antigua and Barbuda Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: considered a minor transshipment point for narcotics bound for the US and Europe; more significant as an offshore financial center page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Arctic Ocean (Oceans) Introduction ::Arctic Ocean Background: The Arctic Ocean is the smallest of the world's five oceans (after the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and the recently delimited Southern Ocean). The Northwest Passage (US and Canada) and Northern Sea Route (Norway and Russia) are two important seasonal waterways. A sparse network of air, ocean, river, and land routes circumscribes the Arctic Ocean. Geography ::Arctic Ocean Location: body of water between Europe, Asia, and North America, mostly north of the Arctic Circle Geographic coordinates: 90 00 N, 0 00 E Map references: Arctic 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 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, on average, is about 3 meters thick, although pressure ridges may be three times that thickness; clockwise drift pattern in the Beaufort Gyral Stream, but nearly straight-line movement from the New Siberian Islands (Russia) to Denmark Strait (between Greenland and Iceland); the icepack is surrounded by open seas during the summer, but more than doubles in size during the winter and extends to the encircling landmasses; the ocean floor is about 50% continental shelf (highest percentage of any ocean) with the remainder a central basin interrupted by three submarine ridges (Alpha Cordillera, Nansen Cordillera, and Lomonosov Ridge) 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 ice locked 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; thinning polar icepack 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 Economy ::Arctic Ocean Economy - overview: Economic activity is limited to the exploitation of natural resources, including petroleum, natural gas, fish, and seals. Transportation ::Arctic Ocean Ports and terminals: 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 Transnational Issues ::Arctic Ocean Disputes - international: the littoral states are engaged in various stages of demonstrating the limits of their continental shelves beyond 200 nautical miles from their declared baselines in accordance with Article 76, paragraph 8, of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea; record summer melting of sea ice in the Arctic has restimulated interest in maritime shipping lanes and sea floor exploration page last updated on October 22, 2009 ====================================================================== @Argentina (South America) Introduction ::Argentina Background: In 1816, the United Provinces of the Rio Plata declared their independence from Spain. After Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay went their separate ways, the area that remained became Argentina. The country's population and culture were heavily shaped by immigrants from throughout Europe, but most particularly Italy and Spain, which provided the largest percentage of newcomers from 1860 to 1930. Up until about the mid-20th century, much of Argentina's history was dominated by periods of internal political conflict between Federalists and Unitarians and between civilian and military factions. After World War II, an era of Peronist populism and direct and indirect military interference in subsequent governments was followed by a military junta that took power in 1976. Democracy returned in 1983 after a failed bid to seize the Falkland (Malvinas) Islands by force, and has persisted despite numerous challenges, the most formidable of which was a severe economic crisis in 2001-02 that led to violent public protests and the resignation of several interim presidents. Geography ::Argentina 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: 2,780,400 sq km country comparison to the world: 8 land: 2,736,690 sq km water: 43,710 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than three-tenths the size of the US Land boundaries: total: 9,861 km border countries: Bolivia 832 km, Brazil 1,261 km, Chile 5,308 km, Paraguay 1,880 km, Uruguay 580 km Coastline: 4,989 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Climate: mostly 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: Laguna del Carbon -105 m (located between Puerto San Julian and Comandante Luis Piedra Buena in the province of Santa Cruz) highest point: Cerro Aconcagua 6,960 m (located in the northwestern corner of the province of Mendoza) Natural resources: fertile plains of the pampas, lead, zinc, tin, copper, iron ore, manganese, petroleum, uranium Land use: arable land: 10.03% permanent crops: 0.36% other: 89.61% (2005) Irrigated land: 15,500 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 814 cu km (2000) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 29.19 cu km/yr (17%/9%/74%) per capita: 753 cu m/yr (2000) 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: environmental problems (urban and rural) typical of an industrializing economy such as deforestation, soil degradation, desertification, air pollution, and water pollution note: Argentina is a world leader in setting voluntary greenhouse gas targets Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: second-largest country in South America (after Brazil); strategic location relative to sea lanes between the South Atlantic and the South Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage); diverse geophysical landscapes range from tropical climates in the north to tundra in the far south; Cerro Aconcagua is the Western Hemisphere's tallest mountain, while Laguna del Carbon is the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere People ::Argentina Population: 40,913,584 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 Age structure: 0-14 years: 25.6% (male 5,369,477/female 5,122,260) 15-64 years: 63.5% (male 12,961,725/female 13,029,265) 65 years and over: 10.8% (male 1,819,057/female 2,611,800) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 30 years male: 29 years female: 31 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.053% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 Birth rate: 17.94 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 Death rate: 7.41 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 Urbanization: urban population: 92% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 11.44 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 149 male: 12.76 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.56 years country comparison to the world: 66 male: 73.32 years female: 79.97 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.35 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.5% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 120,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 7,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009) Nationality: noun: Argentine(s) adjective: Argentine Ethnic groups: white (mostly Spanish and Italian) 97%, mestizo (mixed white and Amerindian ancestry), Amerindian, or other non-white groups 3% Religions: nominally Roman Catholic 92% (less than 20% practicing), Protestant 2%, Jewish 2%, other 4% Languages: Spanish (official), Italian, English, German, French Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.2% male: 97.2% female: 97.2% (2001 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 15 years male: 14 years female: 16 years (2005) Education expenditures: 3.8% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 113 Government ::Argentina Country name: conventional long form: Argentine Republic conventional short form: Argentina local long form: Republica Argentina local short form: Argentina Government type: republic Capital: name: Buenos Aires geographic coordinates: 34 36 S, 58 40 W time difference: UTC-3 (3 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in October; ends third Saturday in March; note - a new policy of daylight saving time was initiated by the government on 30 December 2007 Administrative divisions: 23 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 autonomous city* (distrito federal); Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires Capital Federal*, Catamarca, Chaco, Chubut, Cordoba, Corrientes, Entre Rios, Formosa, Jujuy, La Pampa, La Rioja, Mendoza, Misiones, Neuquen, Rio Negro, Salta, San Juan, San Luis, Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Santiago del Estero, Tierra del Fuego - Antartida e Islas del Atlantico Sur, Tucuman 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; amended many times starting in 1860 Legal system: mixture of US and West European legal systems; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: President Cristina FERNANDEZ DE KIRCHNER (since 10 December 2007); Vice President Julio COBOS (since 10 December 2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Cristina FERNANDEZ DE KIRCHNER (since 10 December 2007); Vice President Julio COBOS (since 10 December 2007) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 28 October 2007 (next election to be held in 2011) election results: Cristina FERNANDEZ DE KIRCHNER elected president; percent of vote - Cristina FERNANDEZ DE KIRCHNER 45%, Elisa CARRIO 23%, Roberto LAVAGNA 17%, Alberto Rodriguez SAA 8% Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate (72 seats; members are elected by direct vote; presently one-third of the members elected every two years to serve six-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies (257 seats; members are elected by direct vote; one-half of the members elected every two years to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 28 October 2007 (next to be held in 2009); Chamber of Deputies - last held last held 28 October 2007 (next to be held in 2009) election results: Senate - percent of vote by bloc or party - NA; seats by bloc or party - FpV 12, UCR 4, CC 4, other 4; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by bloc or party - NA; seats by bloc or party - FpV 5, UCR 10, PJ 10, PRO 6, CC 16, FJ 2, other 31; note - as of 1 January 2009, the composition of the entire legislature is as follows: Senate - seats by bloc or party - FpV 42, UCR 8, CC 2, other 20; Chamber of Deputies - seats by bloc or party - FpV 119, UCR 24, CC 18, PS 10, PRO 9, other 77 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (the Supreme Court judges are appointed by the president with approval of the Senate) note: the Supreme Court has seven judges; the Argentine Congress in 2006 passed a bill to gradually reduce the number of Supreme Court judges to five Political parties and leaders: Coalicion Civica (a broad coalition loosely affiliated with Elisa CARRIO); Front for Victory or FpV (a broad coalition, including elements of the UCR and numerous provincial parties) [Nestor KIRCHNER]; Interbloque Federal or IF (a broad coalition of approximately 12 parties including PRO); Justicialist Party or PJ [Nestor KIRCHNER]; Radical Civic Union or UCR [Gerardo MORALES]; Republican Proposal or PRO [Mauricio MACRI] (including Federal Recreate Movement or RECREAR [Esteban BULLRICH]; Socialist Party or PS [Ruben GIUSTINIANI]; Union For All [Patricia BULLRICH]; several provincial parties Political pressure groups and leaders: Argentine Association of Pharmaceutical Labs (CILFA); Argentine Industrial Union (manufacturers' association); Argentine Rural Confederation or CRA (small to medium landowners' association); Argentine Rural Society (large landowners' association); Central of Argentine Workers or CTA (a radical union for employed and unemployed workers); General Confederation of Labor or CGT (Peronist-leaning umbrella labor organization); White and Blue CGT (dissident CGT labor confederation); Roman Catholic Church other: business organizations; Peronist-dominated labor movement; Piquetero groups (popular protest organizations that can be either pro or anti-government); students International organization participation: AfDB (nonregional members), Australia Group, BCIE, BIS, CAN (associate), FAO, G-15, G-20, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, NSG, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, SICA (observer), UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina (observer), UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Hector Marcos TIMERMAN chancery: 1600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 238-6400 FAX: [1] (202) 332-3171 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Earl Anthony WAYNE embassy: Avenida Colombia 4300, C1425GMN Buenos Aires mailing address: international mail: use embassy street address; APO address: US Embassy Buenos Aires, Unit 4334, APO AA 34034 telephone: [54] (11) 5777-4533 FAX: [54] (11) 5777-4240 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; the colors represent the clear skies and snow of the Andes; the sun symbol commemorates the appearance of the sun through cloudy skies on 25 May 1810 during the first mass demonstration in favor of independence; the sun features are those of Inti, the Inca god of the sun Economy ::Argentina Economy - overview: Argentina benefits from rich natural resources, a highly literate population, an export-oriented agricultural sector, and a diversified industrial base. Although one of the world's wealthiest countries 100 years ago, Argentina suffered during most of the 20th century from recurring economic crises, persistent fiscal and current account deficits, high inflation, mounting external debt, and capital flight. A severe depression, growing public and external indebtedness, and a bank run culminated in 2001 in the most serious economic, social, and political crisis in the country's turbulent history. Interim President Adolfo RODRIGUEZ SAA declared a default - the largest in history - on the government's foreign debt in December of that year, and abruptly resigned only a few days after taking office. His successor, Eduardo DUHALDE, announced an end to the peso's decade-long 1-to-1 peg to the US dollar in early 2002. The economy bottomed out that year, with real GDP 18% smaller than in 1998 and almost 60% of Argentines under the poverty line. Real GDP rebounded to grow by an average 9% annually over the subsequent five years, taking advantage of previously idled industrial capacity and labor, an audacious debt restructuring and reduced debt burden, excellent international financial conditions, and expansionary monetary and fiscal policies. Inflation also increased, however, during the administration of President Nestor KIRCHNER, which responded with price restraints on businesses, as well as export taxes and restraints, and beginning in early 2007, with understating inflation data. Cristina FERNANDEZ DE KIRCHNER succeeded her husband as President in late 2007, but was stymied in her efforts to hike export taxes still further by protesting farmers. Her government nationalized private pension funds in late 2008, which bolstered government coffers, but failed to assuage investors' concerns about the direction of economic policy. GDP (purchasing power parity): $575.2 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 $538.6 billion (2007 est.) $495.5 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $324.8 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 8.7% (2007 est.) 8.5% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $14,200 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 $13,400 (2007 est.) $12,500 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 9.9% industry: 32.7% services: 57.4% (2008 est.) Labor force: 16.27 million country comparison to the world: 36 note: urban areas only (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 1% industry: 23% services: 76% (2008 est.) Unemployment rate: 7.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 108 8.5% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 23.4% (January-June 2007) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1% highest 10%: 35% (January-March 2007) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 49 (January-March 2007) country comparison to the world: 27 Investment (gross fixed): 23.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 Budget: revenues: $86.65 billion expenditures: $82.85 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 48.6% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 118% of GDP (June 2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 8.8% (2007 est.) note: based on official estimates, which lack credibility; non-official estimates put inflation at 22% in 2008 Central bank discount rate: NA Commercial bank prime lending rate: 19.47% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 7 28% (28 November 2008) Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $33.93 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) $45.92 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $72.55 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $52.31 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 50 $86.68 billion (31 December 2007) $79.73 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: sunflower seeds, lemons, soybeans, grapes, corn, tobacco, peanuts, tea, wheat; livestock Industries: food processing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, textiles, chemicals and petrochemicals, printing, metallurgy, steel Industrial production growth rate: 4.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 Electricity - production: 109.5 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 Electricity - consumption: 99.21 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 Electricity - exports: 2.628 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 10.28 billion kWh (2007 est.) Oil - production: 792,300 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 Oil - consumption: 610,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 Oil - exports: 314,400 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 Oil - imports: 52,290 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 87 Oil - proved reserves: 2.616 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 Natural gas - production: 44.06 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 Natural gas - consumption: 44.47 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 Natural gas - exports: 890 million cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 37 Natural gas - imports: 1.3 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 Natural gas - proved reserves: 441.7 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 33 Current account balance: $7.077 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 $7.103 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $70.02 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 $55.78 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: soybeans and derivatives, petroleum and gas, vehicles, corn, wheat Exports - partners: Brazil 18.9%, China 9.1%, US 7.9%, Chile 6.7%, Netherlands 4.2% (2008) Imports: $54.56 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 $42.53 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery, motor vehicles, petroleum and natural gas, organic chemicals, plastics Imports - partners: Brazil 31.3%, China 12.4%, US 12.2%, Germany 4.4% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $46.37 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 $46.12 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $128.2 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 34 $124 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $73.98 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 $66 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $28.75 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 $26.92 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: Argentine pesos (ARS) per US dollar - 3.1636 (2008 est.), 3.1105 (2007), 3.0543 (2006), 2.9037 (2005), 2.9233 (2004) Communications ::Argentina Telephones - main lines in use: 9.631 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 23 Telephones - mobile cellular: 46.509 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 21 Telephone system: general assessment: by opening the telecommunications market to competition and foreign investment with the "Telecommunications Liberalization Plan of 1998," Argentina encouraged the growth of modern telecommunications technology; fiber-optic cable trunk lines are being installed between all major cities; major networks are entirely digital and the availability of telephone service is improving; fixed-line telephone density is gradually increasing reaching nearly 25 lines per 100 people in 2008; mobile telephone subscribership has been increasing rapidly and has reached a level of 115 telephones per 100 persons domestic: microwave radio relay, fiber-optic cable, and a domestic satellite system with 40 earth stations serve the trunk network; mobile telephone use is rapidly expanding; broadband services are gaining ground international: country code - 54; landing point for the Atlantis-2, UNISUR, and South America-1 optical submarine cable systems that provide links to Europe, Africa, South and Central America, and US; satellite earth stations - 112; 2 international gateways near Buenos Aires (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 260, FM (probably more than 1,000, mostly unlicensed), shortwave 6 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 42 (plus 444 repeaters) (1997) Internet country code: .ar Internet hosts: 4.906 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 16 Internet users: 11.212 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 28 Transportation ::Argentina Airports: 1,130 (2009) country comparison to the world: 6 Airports - with paved runways: total: 156 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 26 1,524 to 2,437 m: 65 914 to 1,523 m: 51 under 914 m: 10 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 974 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 44 914 to 1,523 m: 522 under 914 m: 406 (2009) Heliports: 2 (2009) Pipelines: gas 28,138 km; liquid petroleum gas 41 km; oil 5,939 km; refined products 3,629 km (2008) Railways: total: 31,409 km country comparison to the world: 8 broad gauge: 27,301 km 1.676-m gauge (94 km electrified) standard gauge: 2,780 km 1.435-m gauge (26 km electrified) narrow gauge: 1,328 km 1.000-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 231,374 km country comparison to the world: 22 paved: 69,412 km (includes 734 km of expressways) unpaved: 161,962 km (2004) Waterways: 11,000 km (2007) country comparison to the world: 11 Merchant marine: total: 46 country comparison to the world: 72 by type: bulk carrier 3, cargo 9, chemical tanker 2, container 1, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 24, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: 14 (Brazil 1, Chile 7, Spain 2, UK 4) registered in other countries: 19 (Liberia 3, Panama 8, Paraguay 5, Uruguay 3) (2008) Ports and terminals: Arroyo Seco, Bahia Blanca, Buenos Aires, La Plata, Punta Colorada, Rosario, San Lorenzo-San Martin Military ::Argentina Military branches: Argentine Army (Ejercito Argentino), Navy of the Argentine Republic (Armada Republica; includes naval aviation and naval infantry), Argentine Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Argentina, FAA) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18-24 years of age for voluntary military service (18-21 requires parental permission); no conscription (2001) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 10,029,488 females age 16-49: 9,889,002 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 8,264,853 females age 16-49: 8,268,498 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 341,590 female: 326,342 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.3% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 Military - note: the Argentine military is a well-organized force constrained by the country's prolonged economic hardship; the country has recently experienced a strong recovery, and the military is implementing a modernization plan aimed at making the ground forces lighter and more responsive (2008) Transnational Issues ::Argentina Disputes - international: Argentina continues to assert its claims to the UK-administered Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia, and the South Sandwich Islands in its constitution, forcibly occupying the Falklands in 1982, but in 1995 agreed no longer to seek settlement by force; territorial claim in Antarctica partially overlaps UK and Chilean claims; unruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay borders is locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and illegal narcotics trafficking, and fundraising for extremist organizations; uncontested dispute between Brazil and Uruguay over Braziliera/Brasiliera Island in the Quarai/Cuareim River leaves the tripoint with Argentina in question; in 2006, Argentina went to the ICJ to protest, on environmental grounds, the construction of two pulp mills in Uruguay on the Uruguay River, which forms the boundary; both parties presented their pleadings in 2007 with Argentina's reply in January and Uruguay's rejoinder in July 2008; the joint boundary commission, established by Chile and Argentina in 2001 has yet to map and demarcate the delimited boundary in the inhospitable Andean Southern Ice Field (Campo de Hielo Sur) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Argentina is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor; most victims are trafficked within the country, from rural to urban areas; child sex tourism is a problem; foreign women and children, primarily from Paraguay, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic, are trafficked to Argentina for commercial sexual exploitation; Argentine women and girls are also trafficked to neighboring countries, Mexico, and Western Europe for sexual exploitation; a significant number of Bolivians, Peruvians, and Paraguayans are trafficked into the country for forced labor in sweatshops, agriculture, and as domestic servants tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - despite some progress, Argentina remains on the Tier 2 Watch List for the third consecutive year for its failure to show evidence of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking, particularly in terms of providing adequate assistance to victims and curbing official complicity with trafficking activity, especially on the provincial and local levels; the Argentine Congress has demonstrated progress by enacting much-needed and first-ever federal anti-trafficking legislation (2009) Illicit drugs: a transshipment country for cocaine headed for Europe, heroin headed for the US, and ephedrine and pseudoephedrine headed for Mexico; some money-laundering activity, especially in the Tri-Border Area; law enforcement corruption; a source for precursor chemicals; increasing domestic consumption of drugs in urban centers, especially cocaine base and synthetic drugs (2008) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Armenia (Middle East) Introduction ::Armenia Background: Armenia prides itself on being the first nation to formally adopt Christianity (early 4th century). Despite periods of autonomy, over the centuries Armenia came under the sway of various empires including the Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Persian, and Ottoman. During World War I in the western portion of Armenia, Ottoman Turkey instituted a policy of forced resettlement coupled with other harsh practices that resulted in an estimated 1 million Armenian deaths. The eastern area of Armenia was ceded by the Ottomans to Russia in 1828; this portion declared its independence in 1918, but was conquered by the Soviet Red Army in 1920. Armenian leaders remain preoccupied by the long conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, a primarily Armenian-populated region, assigned to Soviet Azerbaijan in the 1920s by Moscow. Armenia and Azerbaijan began fighting over the area in 1988; the struggle escalated after both countries attained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. By May 1994, when a cease-fire took hold, ethnic Armenian forces held not only Nagorno-Karabakh but also a significant portion of Azerbaijan proper. The economies of both sides have been hurt by their inability to make substantial progress toward a peaceful resolution. Turkey closed the common border with Armenia because of the Armenian separatists' control of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas. Geography ::Armenia Location: Southwestern Asia, east of Turkey Geographic coordinates: 40 00 N, 45 00 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 29,743 sq km country comparison to the world: 142 land: 28,203 sq km water: 1,540 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: Armenian Highland 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 Lerrnagagat' 4,090 m Natural resources: small deposits of gold, copper, molybdenum, zinc, bauxite Land use: arable land: 16.78% permanent crops: 2.01% other: 81.21% (2005) Irrigated land: 2,860 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 10.5 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 2.95 cu km/yr (30%/4%/66%) per capita: 977 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: occasionally severe earthquakes; droughts Environment - current issues: soil pollution from toxic chemicals such as DDT; the energy crisis of the 1990s led to deforestation when citizens scavenged for firewood; pollution of Hrazdan (Razdan) and Aras Rivers; the draining of Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan), a result of its use as a source for hydropower, threatens drinking water supplies; restart of Metsamor nuclear power plant in spite of its location in a seismically active zone Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants Geography - note: landlocked in the Lesser Caucasus Mountains; Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan) is the largest lake in this mountain range People ::Armenia Population: 2,967,004 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 137 Age structure: 0-14 years: 18.2% (male 289,119/female 252,150) 15-64 years: 71.1% (male 986,764/female 1,123,708) 65 years and over: 10.6% (male 122,996/female 192,267) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 31.5 years male: 28.8 years female: 34.4 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: -0.03% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 206 Birth rate: 12.65 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 160 Death rate: 8.39 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 Net migration rate: -4.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 161 Urbanization: urban population: 64% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: -0.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.14 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.15 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.88 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female total population: 0.89 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 20.21 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 106 male: 24.97 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.68 years country comparison to the world: 116 male: 69.06 years female: 76.81 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.36 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 200 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 2,400 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 Nationality: noun: Armenian(s) adjective: Armenian Ethnic groups: Armenian 97.9%, Yezidi (Kurd) 1.3%, Russian 0.5%, other 0.3% (2001 census) Religions: Armenian Apostolic 94.7%, other Christian 4%, Yezidi (monotheist with elements of nature worship) 1.3% Languages: Armenian 97.7%, Yezidi 1%, Russian 0.9%, other 0.4% (2001 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.4% male: 99.7% female: 99.2% (2001 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 12 years (2006) Education expenditures: 3.2% of GDP (2001) country comparison to the world: 139 Government ::Armenia 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 Government type: republic Capital: name: Yerevan geographic coordinates: 40 10 N, 44 30 E time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 11 provinces (marzer, singular - marz); Aragatsotn, Ararat, Armavir, Geghark'unik', Kotayk', Lorri, Shirak, Syunik', Tavush, Vayots' Dzor, Yerevan Independence: 21 September 1991 (from the Soviet Union) National holiday: Independence Day, 21 September (1991) Constitution: adopted by nationwide referendum 5 July 1995; amendments adopted through a nationwide referendum 27 November 2005 Legal system: based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Serzh SARGSIAN (since 9 April 2008) head of government: Prime Minister Tigran SARGSIAN (since 9 April 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 19 February 2008 (next to be held February 2013); prime minister appointed by the president based on majority or plurality support in parliament; the prime minister and Council of Ministers must resign if the National Assembly refuses to accept their program election results: Serzh SARGSIAN elected president; percent of vote - Serzh SARGSIAN 52.9%, Levon TER-PETROSSIAN 21.5%, Artur BAGHDASARIAN 16.7% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Parliament) or Azgayin Zhoghov (131 seats; members elected by popular vote, 90 members elected by party list and 41 by direct vote; to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 12 May 2007 (next to be held in the spring of 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - HHK 33.9%, Prosperous Armenia 15.1%, ARF (Dashnak) 13.2%, Rule of Law 7.1%, Heritage Party 6%, other 24.7%; seats by party - HHK 64, Prosperous Armenia 18, ARF (Dashnak) 16, Rule of Law 9, Heritage Party 7, independent 17 Judicial branch: Constitutional Court; Court of Cassation (Appeals Court) Political parties and leaders: Armenian National Congress or ANC [Levon TER-PETROSSIAN]; Armenian National Movement or ANM [Ararat ZURABIAN]; Armenian People's Party [Tigran KARAPETIAN]; Armenian Ramkavar Azadagan Party Alliance or HRAK (includes former Dashink Party, National Revival Party, and Ramkavar Liberal Party); Armenian Revolutionary Federation ("Dashnak" Party) or ARF [Hrant MARKARIAN]; Heritage Party [Raffi HOVHANNISIAN]; National Democratic Party [Shavarsh KOCHARIAN]; National Democratic Union or NDU [Vazgen MANUKIAN]; National Unity Party [Artashes GEGHAMIAN]; People's Party of Armenia [Stepan DEMIRCHIAN]; Prosperous Armenia [Gagik TSAROUKIAN]; Republic Party [Aram SARKISIAN]; Republican Party of Armenia or HHK [Serzh SARGSIAN]; Rule of Law Party (Orinats Yerkir) [Artur BAGHDASARIAN]; Union of Constitutional Rights [Hrant KHACHATURIAN]; United Labor Party [Gurgen ARSENIAN] Political pressure groups and leaders: Aylentrank (Impeachment) [Nikol PASHINIAN]; Yerkrapah Union [Manvel GRIGORIAN] International organization participation: ACCT (observer), ADB, BSEC, CE, CIS, CSTO, EAEC (observer), EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS (observer), OIF (associate member), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Tatoul MARKARIAN 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 Marie L. YOVANOVITCH embassy: 1 American Ave., Yerevan 0082 mailing address: American Embassy Yerevan, US Department of State, 7020 Yerevan Place, Washington, DC 20521-7020 telephone: [374](10) 464-700 FAX: [374](10) 464-742 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, and orange; the color red recalls the blood shed for liberty, blue the Armenian skies as well as hope, and orange the land and the courage of the workers who farm it Economy ::Armenia Economy - overview: Since the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, Armenia has made progress in implementing many economic reforms including privatization, price reforms, and prudent fiscal policies. The conflict with Azerbaijan over the ethnic Armenian-dominated region of Nagorno-Karabakh contributed to a severe economic decline in the early 1990s. By 1994, however, the Armenian Government launched an ambitious IMF-sponsored economic liberalization program that resulted in positive growth rates. Economic growth has averaged over 10% in recent years. However, with the global economic downturn, Armenia's growth rate dropped to 6.8% in 2008. Armenia has managed to reduce poverty, slash inflation, stabilize its currency, and privatize most small- and medium-sized enterprises. Under the old Soviet central planning system, Armenia developed a modern industrial sector, supplying machine tools, textiles, and other manufactured goods to sister republics, in exchange for raw materials and energy. Armenia has since switched to small-scale agriculture and away from the large agroindustrial complexes of the Soviet era. Nuclear power plants built at Metsamor in the 1970s were closed following the 1988 Spitak Earthquake, though they sustained no damage. One of the two reactors was re-opened in 1995, but the Armenian government is under international pressure to close it due to concerns that the Soviet era design lacks important safeguards. Metsamor provides 40 percent of the country's electricity - hydropower accounts for about one-fourth. Economic ties with Russia remain close, especially in the energy sector. The electricity distribution system was privatized in 2002 and bought by Russia's RAO-UES in 2005. Construction of a pipeline to deliver natural gas from Iran to Armenia was completed in December 2008 and after testing is expected to be operational in Spring 2009, though it is unlikely significant quantities of gas will flow through it until the Yerevan Thermal Power Plant renovation is completed in 2010. Armenia has some mineral deposits (copper, gold, bauxite). Pig iron, unwrought copper, and other nonferrous metals are Armenia's highest valued exports. Armenia's severe trade imbalance has been offset somewhat by international aid, remittances from Armenians working abroad, and foreign direct investment. Armenia joined the WTO in January 2003. The government made some improvements in tax and customs administration in recent years, but anti-corruption measures will be more difficult to implement. Despite strong economic growth, Armenia's unemployment rate remains high. Armenia will need to pursue additional economic reforms in order to improve its economic competitiveness and to build on recent improvements in poverty and unemployment, especially given its economic isolation from two of its nearest neighbors, Turkey and Azerbaijan. The disruption of rail transit into Armenia during the Georgia-Russia conflict in August 2008 highlighted how vulnerable Armenia's supply chains for key goods - such as gasoline - are to instances of regional instability. GDP (purchasing power parity): $18.81 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 $17.62 billion (2007 est.) $15.48 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $11.92 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 13.8% (2007 est.) 13.2% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $6,300 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 $5,900 (2007 est.) $5,200 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 16.7% industry: 33.8% services: 49.4% (2008 est.) Labor force: 1.481 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 46.2% industry: 15.6% services: 38.2% (2006 est.) Unemployment rate: 7.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 Population below poverty line: 26.5% (2006 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.6% highest 10%: 41.3% (2004) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 37 (2006) country comparison to the world: 77 44.4 (1996) Investment (gross fixed): 39% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 Budget: revenues: $2.481 billion expenditures: $2.626 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 4.4% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 7.25% (2 December 2008) NA% (31 December 2007) note: this is the Refinancing Rate, the key monetary policy instrument of the Armenian National Bank Commercial bank prime lending rate: 17.05% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 27 17.52% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $1.359 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 80 $1.507 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $950.1 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 96 $765.2 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $1.98 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 93 $1.256 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 110 $105 million (31 December 2007) $60.17 million (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: fruit (especially grapes), vegetables; livestock Industries: diamond-processing, metal-cutting machine tools, forging-pressing machines, electric motors, tires, knitted wear, hosiery, shoes, silk fabric, chemicals, trucks, instruments, microelectronics, jewelry manufacturing, software development, food processing, brandy Industrial production growth rate: 2.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 93 Electricity - production: 5.584 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 Electricity - consumption: 4.776 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 108 Electricity - exports: 451.3 million kWh; note - exports an unknown quantity to Georgia; includes exports to Nagorno-Karabakh region in Azerbaijan (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 418.7 million kWh; note - imports an unknown quantity from Iran (2007 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 207 Oil - consumption: 48,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 208 Oil - imports: 45,200 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 207 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 207 Natural gas - consumption: 1.93 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 202 Natural gas - imports: 1.93 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 205 Current account balance: -$1.355 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 -$589.6 million (2007 est.) Exports: $1.124 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 $1.197 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: pig iron, unwrought copper, nonferrous metals, diamonds, mineral products, foodstuffs, energy Exports - partners: Russia 20.2%, Germany 17.2%, Netherlands 12.2%, Belgium 8.5%, Georgia 7.7%, Bulgaria 5.7%, US 4.9% (2008) Imports: $3.763 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 $2.797 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: natural gas, petroleum, tobacco products, foodstuffs, diamonds Imports - partners: Russia 19.3%, China 8.7%, Ukraine 7%, Turkey 6.1%, Germany 5.8%, US 4.9%, Iran 4.6% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $1.407 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 $1.659 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $3.449 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 116 $2.909 billion (31 December 2007) Exchange rates: drams (AMD) per US dollar - 303.93 (2008 est.), 344.06 (2007), 414.69 (2006), 457.69 (2005), 533.45 (2004) Communications ::Armenia Telephones - main lines in use: 650,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 91 Telephones - mobile cellular: 2.336 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 118 Telephone system: general assessment: telecommunications investments have made major inroads in modernizing and upgrading the outdated telecommunications network inherited from the Soviet era; now 100% privately owned and undergoing modernization and expansion; mobile-cellular services monopoly terminated in late 2004 and a second provider began operations in mid-2005 domestic: reliable modern landline and mobile-cellular services are available across Yerevan in major cities and towns; significant but ever-shrinking gaps remain in mobile-cellular coverage in rural areas international: country code - 374; Yerevan is connected to the Trans-Asia-Europe fiber-optic cable through Iran; additional international service is available by microwave radio relay and landline connections to the other countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States, through the Moscow international switch, and by satellite to the rest of the world; satellite earth stations - 3 (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 9, FM 16, shortwave 1 (2006) Television broadcast stations: 48 (private television stations alongside 2 public networks; major Russian channels widely available) (2006) Internet country code: .am Internet hosts: 36,354 (2009) country comparison to the world: 88 Internet users: 191,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 138 Transportation ::Armenia Airports: 11 (2009) country comparison to the world: 153 Airports - with paved runways: total: 10 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Pipelines: gas 2,233 km (2008) Railways: total: 845 km country comparison to the world: 99 broad gauge: 845 km 1.520-m gauge (818 km electrified) note: some lines are out of service (2008) Roadways: total: 7,700 km country comparison to the world: 144 paved: 7,700 km (includes 1,561 km of expressways) (2006) Military ::Armenia Military branches: Armed Forces: Ground Forces, Air Force and Air Defense, Nagorno-Karabakh Self Defense Force (NKSDF) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18-27 years of age for voluntary or compulsory military service; 2-year conscript service obligation (2007) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 809,576 females age 16-49: 870,864 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 642,734 females age 16-49: 729,047 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 27,293 female: 25,574 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 6.5% of GDP (FY01) country comparison to the world: 8 Transnational Issues ::Armenia Disputes - international: Armenia supports ethnic Armenian secessionists in Nagorno-Karabakh and since the early 1990s, has militarily occupied 16% of Azerbaijan - Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) continues to mediate dispute; over 800,000 mostly ethnic Azerbaijanis were driven from the occupied lands and Armenia; about 230,000 ethnic Armenians were driven from their homes in Azerbaijan into Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh; Azerbaijan seeks transit route through Armenia to connect to Naxcivan exclave; border with Turkey remains closed over Nagorno-Karabakh dispute; ethnic Armenian groups in Javakheti region of Georgia seek greater autonomy; Armenians continue to emigrate, primarily to Russia, seeking employment Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 113,295 (Azerbaijan) IDPs: 8,400 (conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, majority have returned home since 1994 ceasefire) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Armenia is primarily a source country for women and girls trafficked to the UAE and Turkey for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation; Armenian men and women are trafficked to Turkey and Russia for the purpose of forced labor tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Armenia is placed on the Tier 2 Watch List for a fourth consecutive year; its efforts to increase compliance with the minimum standards were assessed based on its commitments to undertake future actions, particularly in the areas of improving victim protection and assistance; while the government elevated anti-trafficking responsibilities to the ministerial level, adopted a new National Action Plan, and drafted a National Referral Mechanism, it has yet to show tangible progress in identifying and protecting victims or in tackling trafficking complicity of government officials; the Armenian Government made some notable improvements in its anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts, but it failed to demonstrate evidence of investigations, prosecutions, convictions, and sentences of officials complicit in trafficking (2008) Illicit drugs: illicit cultivation of small amount of cannabis for domestic consumption; minor transit point for illicit drugs - mostly opium and hashish - moving from Southwest Asia to Russia and to a lesser extent the rest of Europe page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Aruba (Central America and Caribbean) Introduction ::Aruba Background: Discovered and claimed for Spain in 1499, Aruba was acquired by the Dutch in 1636. The island's economy has been dominated by three main industries. A 19th century gold rush was followed by prosperity brought on by the opening in 1924 of an oil refinery. The last decades of the 20th century saw a boom in the tourism industry. Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986 and became a separate, autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Movement toward full independence was halted at Aruba's request in 1990. Geography ::Aruba 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: 180 sq km country comparison to the world: 217 land: 180 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: NEGL; white sandy beaches Land use: arable land: 10.53% permanent crops: 0% other: 89.47% (2005) Irrigated land: 0.01 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: hurricanes; lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt and is rarely threatened Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: a flat, riverless island renowned for its white sand beaches; its tropical climate is moderated by constant trade winds from the Atlantic Ocean; the temperature is almost constant at about 27 degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit) People ::Aruba Population: 103,065 country comparison to the world: 193 note: estimate based on a revision of the base population, fertility, and mortality numbers, as well as a revision of 1985-99 migration estimates from outmigration to inmigration, which is assumed to continue into the future; the new results are consistent with the 2000 census (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 19.1% (male 9,921/female 9,758) 15-64 years: 70.3% (male 34,676/female 37,752) 65 years and over: 10.6% (male 4,351/female 6,607) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 37.8 years male: 36 years female: 39.5 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.478% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 Birth rate: 12.79 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 158 Death rate: 7.71 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 Net migration rate: 9.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 8 Urbanization: urban population: 47% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female total population: 0.9 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 13.79 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 132 male: 18.28 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.22 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.28 years country comparison to the world: 82 male: 72.25 years female: 78.38 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.85 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Aruban(s) adjective: Aruban; Dutch Ethnic groups: mixed white/Caribbean Amerindian 80%, other 20% Religions: Roman Catholic 80.8%, Evangelist 4.1%, Protestant 2.5%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.5%, Methodist 1.2%, Jewish 0.2%, other 5.1%, none or unspecified 4.6% Languages: Papiamento (a Spanish-Portuguese-Dutch-English dialect) 66.3%, Spanish 12.6%, English (widely spoken) 7.7%, Dutch (official) 5.8%, other 2.2%, unspecified or unknown 5.3% (2000 census) Literacy: definition: NA total population: 97.3% male: 97.5% female: 97.1% (2000 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 14 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2006) Education expenditures: 4.8% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 79 Government ::Aruba Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Aruba Dependency status: member country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal affairs obtained in 1986 upon separation from the Netherlands Antilles; Dutch Government responsible for defense and foreign affairs Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: name: Oranjestad geographic coordinates: 12 31 N, 70 02 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) Independence: none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) National holiday: Flag Day, 18 March (1976) 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 of the Netherlands (since 30 April 1980); represented by Governor General Fredis REFUNJOL (since 11 May 2004) head of government: Prime Minister Mike EMAN (since 30 October 2009) cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the Staten elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed for a six-year term by the monarch; prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by the Staten for four-year terms; election last held in 2005 (next to be held by 2009) election results: Nelson O. ODUBER elected prime minister; percent of legislative vote - NA Legislative branch: unicameral Legislature or Staten (21 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 25 September 2009 (next to be held in 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - AVP 48%, MEP 35.9%, PDR 5.7%; seats by party - AVP 12, MEP 8, PDR 1 Judicial branch: Common Court of Justice of Aruba (judges are appointed by the monarch) Political parties and leaders: Aliansa/Aruban Social Movement or MSA [Robert WEVER]; Aruban Liberal Organization or OLA [Glenbert CROES]; Aruban Patriotic Movement or MPA [Monica ARENDS-KOCK]; Aruban Patriotic Party or PPA [Benny NISBET]; Aruban People's Party or AVP [Mike EMAN]; People's Electoral Movement Party or MEP [Nelson O. ODUBER]; Real Democracy or PDR [Andin BIKKER]; RED [Rudy LAMPE]; Workers Political Platform or PTT [Gregorio WOLFF] Political pressure groups and leaders: other: environmental groups International organization participation: Caricom (observer), ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITUC, UNESCO (associate), UNWTO (associate), UPU, WCL, WFTU, WMO Diplomatic representation in the US: none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands); note - Mr. Henry BAARH, Minister Plenipotentiary for Aruba at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Aruba; the Consul General to Netherlands Antilles is accredited to Aruba 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; the star represents Aruba and its red soil and white beaches, its four points the four major languages (Papiamento, Dutch, Spanish, English) as well as the four points of a compass, to indicate that its inhabitants come from all over the world; the blue symbolizes Caribbean waters and skies; the stripes represent the island's two main "industries": the flow of tourists to the sun-drenched beaches and the flow of minerals from the earth Economy ::Aruba Economy - overview: Tourism is the mainstay of the small open Aruban economy with offshore banking and oil refining and storage also important. The rapid growth of the tourism sector over the last decade has resulted in a substantial expansion of other activities. Over 1.5 million tourists per year visit Aruba with 75% of those from the US. Construction continues to boom with hotel capacity five times the 1985 level. In addition, the country's oil refinery reopened in 1993 providing a major source of employment, foreign exchange earnings, and growth. Tourist arrivals have rebounded strongly following a dip after the 11 September 2001 attacks. The island experiences only a brief low season. Hotel occupancy in 2004 averaged 80% compared to 68% throughout the rest of the Caribbean. The government has made cutting the budget and trade deficits a high priority. GDP (purchasing power parity): $2.258 billion (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 181 $2.205 billion (2004 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $2.258 billion (2005 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.4% (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 143 GDP - per capita (PPP): $21,800 (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 0.4% industry: 33.3% services: 66.3% (2002 est.) Labor force: 41,500 (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 188 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% note: most employment is in wholesale and retail trade and repair, followed by hotels and restaurants; oil refining Unemployment rate: 6.9% (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $507.9 million expenditures: $577.9 million (2005 est.) Public debt: 46.3% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 42 Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.4% (2005) country comparison to the world: 41 Central bank discount rate: 5% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 91 5% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 11.23% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 74 11.01% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $780.4 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 90 $640.9 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $890.3 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 98 $792.9 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $1.321 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 102 $1.348 billion (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: aloes; livestock; fish Industries: tourism, transshipment facilities, oil refining Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 850 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 148 Electricity - consumption: 790.5 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 2,351 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 Oil - consumption: 8,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 154 Oil - exports: 231,100 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 Oil - imports: 236,400 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl country comparison to the world: 99 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 93 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 44 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 Exports: $124 million (2006); note - includes oil reexports country comparison to the world: 189 Exports - commodities: live animals and animal products, art and collectibles, machinery and electrical equipment, transport equipment Exports - partners: Panama 22.3%, Colombia 19.5%, Venezuela 17.1%, US 13.8%, Netherlands Antilles 10.8%, Netherlands 7.3% (2008) Imports: $1.054 billion (2006) country comparison to the world: 170 Imports - commodities: machinery and electrical equipment, crude oil for refining and reexport, chemicals; foodstuffs Imports - partners: US 53.3%, Netherlands 11.8%, UK 4.6% (2008) Debt - external: $478.6 million (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 165 Exchange rates: Aruban guilders/florins (AWG) per US dollar - NA (2007), 1.79 (2006), 1.79 (2005), 1.79 (2004), 1.79 (2003) Communications ::Aruba Telephones - main lines in use: 38,500 (2008) country comparison to the world: 170 Telephones - mobile cellular: 127,100 (2008) country comparison to the world: 179 Telephone system: general assessment: modern fully automatic telecommunications system domestic: increased competition through privatization; 3 wireless service providers are now licensed international: country code - 297; landing site for the PAN-AM submarine telecommunications cable system that extends from the US Virgin Islands through Aruba to Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, and the west coast of South America; extensive interisland microwave radio relay links (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 16, shortwave 0 (2004) Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997) Internet country code: .aw Internet hosts: 25,051 (2009) country comparison to the world: 95 Internet users: 24,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 184 Transportation ::Aruba Airports: 1 (2009) country comparison to the world: 211 Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2009) Ports and terminals: Barcadera, Oranjestad, Sint Nicolaas Military ::Aruba Military branches: no regular military forces; the Netherlands maintains a detachment of marines, a frigate, and an amphibious combat detachment in the neighboring Netherlands Antilles (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 24,585 females age 16-49: 25,742 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 20,287 females age 16-49: 21,232 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 722 female: 711 (2009 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Transnational Issues ::Aruba Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: transit point for US- and Europe-bound narcotics with some accompanying money-laundering activity; relatively high percentage of population consumes cocaine page last updated on November 10, 2009 ====================================================================== @Ashmore and Cartier Islands (Australia-Oceania) Introduction ::Ashmore and Cartier Islands Background: These uninhabited islands came under Australian authority in 1931; formal administration began two years later. Ashmore Reef supports a rich and diverse avian and marine habitat; in 1983, it became a National Nature Reserve. Cartier Island, a former bombing range, became a marine reserve in 2000. Geography ::Ashmore and Cartier Islands Location: Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, midway between northwestern Australia and Timor island Geographic coordinates: 12 14 S, 123 05 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 5 sq km country comparison to the world: 245 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: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation 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% other: 100% (all grass and sand) (2005) Irrigated land: 0 sq km Natural hazards: surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards Environment - current issues: illegal killing of protected wildlife by traditional Indonesian fisherman, as well as fishing by non-traditional Indonesian vessels, are ongoing problems Geography - note: Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983; Cartier Island Marine Reserve established in 2000 People ::Ashmore and Cartier Islands Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: Indonesian fishermen are allowed access to the lagoon and fresh water at Ashmore Reef's West Island; access to East and Middle Islands is by permit only Government ::Ashmore and Cartier Islands Country name: conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands Dependency status: territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Government Attorney-General's Department Legal system: the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia and the laws of the Northern Territory of Australia, where applicable, apply 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 Economy ::Ashmore and Cartier Islands Economy - overview: no economic activity Transportation ::Ashmore and Cartier Islands Ports and terminals: none; offshore anchorage only Military ::Ashmore and Cartier Islands Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force Transnational Issues ::Ashmore and Cartier Islands Disputes - international: as the closest Australian territory to Indonesia, these islands became the target of human traffickers for the landing of illegal immigrants; in 2001, the Australian government removed these islands from the Australian Migration Zone making illegal arrivals ineligible for temporary visas and entry into Australia page last updated on July 2, 2009 ====================================================================== @Atlantic Ocean (Oceans) Introduction ::Atlantic Ocean Background: The Atlantic Ocean is the second largest of the world's five oceans (after the Pacific Ocean, but larger than the Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, and Arctic Ocean). The Kiel Canal (Germany), Oresund (Denmark-Sweden), Bosporus (Turkey), Strait of Gibraltar (Morocco-Spain), and the Saint Lawrence Seaway (Canada-US) are important strategic access waterways. The decision by the International Hydrographic Organization in the spring of 2000 to delimit a fifth world ocean, the Southern Ocean, removed the portion of the Atlantic Ocean south of 60 degrees south latitude. Geography ::Atlantic Ocean Location: body of water between Africa, Europe, the Southern Ocean, and the Western Hemisphere Geographic coordinates: 0 00 N, 25 00 W Map references: Political Map of the World Area: total: 76.762 million sq km note: includes Baltic Sea, Black Sea, Caribbean Sea, Davis Strait, Denmark Strait, part of the Drake Passage, Gulf of Mexico, Labrador Sea, Mediterranean Sea, North Sea, Norwegian Sea, almost all of the Scotia Sea, and other tributary water bodies Area - comparative: slightly less than 6.5 times the size of the US 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 coastal portions of the Baltic Sea from October to June; clockwise warm-water gyre (broad, circular system of currents) in the northern Atlantic, counterclockwise warm-water gyre in the southern Atlantic; the ocean floor is dominated by the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a rugged north-south centerline for the entire Atlantic basin Elevation extremes: lowest point: Milwaukee Deep in the 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; ships subject to superstructure icing in extreme northern Atlantic from October to May; persistent fog can be a maritime hazard from May to September; hurricanes (May to December) 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 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 Economy ::Atlantic Ocean 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, dredging of aragonite sands (The Bahamas), and production of crude oil and natural gas (Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and North Sea). Transportation ::Atlantic Ocean Ports and terminals: Alexandria (Egypt), Algiers (Algeria), Antwerp (Belgium), Barcelona (Spain), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Casablanca (Morocco), Colon (Panama), Copenhagen (Denmark), Dakar (Senegal), Gdansk (Poland), Hamburg (Germany), Helsinki (Finland), Las Palmas (Canary Islands, Spain), Le Havre (France), Lisbon (Portugal), London (UK), Marseille (France), Montevideo (Uruguay), Montreal (Canada), Naples (Italy), New Orleans (US), New York (US), Oran (Algeria), Oslo (Norway), Peiraiefs or Piraeus (Greece), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Rotterdam (Netherlands), Saint Petersburg (Russia), Stockholm (Sweden) Transportation - note: Kiel Canal and Saint Lawrence Seaway are two important waterways; significant domestic commercial and recreational use of Intracoastal Waterway on central and south Atlantic seaboard and Gulf of Mexico coast of US; the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial waters of littoral states and offshore Atlantic waters as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships, particularly in the Gulf of Guinea off West Africa, the east coast of Brazil, and the Caribbean Sea; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargoes stolen; crews have been robbed and stores or cargoes stolen Transnational Issues ::Atlantic Ocean Disputes - international: some maritime disputes (see littoral states) page last updated on October 22, 2009 ====================================================================== @Australia (Australia-Oceania) Introduction ::Australia Background: Aboriginal settlers arrived on the continent from Southeast Asia about 40,000 years before the first Europeans began exploration in the 17th century. No formal territorial claims were made until 1770, when Capt. James COOK took possession in the name of Great Britain. Six colonies were created in the late 18th and 19th centuries; they federated and became the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. The new country took advantage of its natural resources to rapidly develop agricultural and manufacturing industries and to make a major contribution to the British effort in World Wars I and II. In recent decades, Australia has transformed itself into an internationally competitive, advanced market economy. It boasted one of the OECD's fastest growing economies during the 1990s, a performance due in large part to economic reforms adopted in the 1980s. Long-term concerns include climate-change issues such as the depletion of the ozone layer and more frequent droughts, and management and conservation of coastal areas, especially the Great Barrier Reef. Geography ::Australia 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: 7,741,220 sq km country comparison to the world: 6 land: 7,682,300 sq km water: 58,920 sq km note: includes Lord Howe Island and Macquarie Island Area - comparative: slightly smaller than the US contiguous 48 states Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 25,760 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Climate: 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 Kosciuszko 2,229 m Natural resources: bauxite, coal, iron ore, copper, tin, gold, silver, uranium, nickel, tungsten, mineral sands, lead, zinc, diamonds, natural gas, petroleum note: Australia is the world's largest net exporter of coal accounting for 29% of global coal exports Land use: arable land: 6.15% (includes about 27 million hectares of cultivated grassland) permanent crops: 0.04% other: 93.81% (2005) Irrigated land: 25,450 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 398 cu km (1995) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 24.06 cu km/yr (15%/10%/75%) per capita: 1,193 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: cyclones along the coast; severe droughts; forest fires 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-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: world's smallest continent but sixth-largest country; population concentrated along the eastern and southeastern coasts; the invigorating sea breeze known as the "Fremantle Doctor" affects the city of Perth on the west coast and is one of the most consistent winds in the world People ::Australia Population: 21,262,641 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 Age structure: 0-14 years: 18.6% (male 2,026,975/female 1,923,828) 15-64 years: 67.9% (male 7,318,743/female 7,121,613) 65 years and over: 13.5% (male 1,306,329/female 1,565,153) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 37.3 years male: 36.6 years female: 38.1 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.195% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 Birth rate: 12.47 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 164 Death rate: 6.74 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 Net migration rate: 6.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 Urbanization: urban population: 89% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 4.75 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 196 male: 5.08 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 81.63 years country comparison to the world: 7 male: 79.25 years female: 84.14 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.78 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 159 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 18,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 100 200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 Nationality: noun: Australian(s) adjective: Australian Ethnic groups: white 92%, Asian 7%, aboriginal and other 1% Religions: Catholic 25.8%, Anglican 18.7%, Uniting Church 5.7%, Presbyterian and Reformed 3%, Eastern Orthodox 2.7%, other Christian 7.9%, Buddhist 2.1%, Muslim 1.7%, other 2.4%, unspecified 11.3%, none 18.7% (2006 Census) Languages: English 78.5%, Chinese 2.5%, Italian 1.6%, Greek 1.3%, Arabic 1.2%, Vietnamese 1%, other 8.2%, unspecified 5.7% (2006 Census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 20 years male: 20 years female: 21 years (2006) Education expenditures: 4.5% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 86 Government ::Australia Country name: conventional long form: Commonwealth of Australia conventional short form: Australia Government type: federal parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm Capital: name: Canberra geographic coordinates: 35 17 S, 149 13 E time difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in October; ends last Sunday in March note: Australia is divided into three time zones 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, Macquarie Island, Norfolk Island Independence: 1 January 1901 (federation of UK colonies) National holiday: Australia Day, 26 January (1788); ANZAC Day (commemorated as the anniversary of the landing of troops of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps during World War I at Gallipoli, Turkey), 25 April (1915) 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 of Australia ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Quentin BRYCE (since 5 September 2008) head of government: Prime Minister Kevin RUDD (since 3 December 2007); Deputy Prime Minister Julia GILLARD (since 3 December 2007) cabinet: prime minister nominates, from among members of Parliament, candidates who are subsequently sworn in by the governor general to serve as government ministers elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is sworn in as prime minister by the governor general Legislative branch: bicameral Federal Parliament consists of the Senate (76 seats; 12 members from each of the six states and 2 from each of the two mainland territories; one-half of state members are elected every three years by popular vote to serve six-year terms while all territory members are elected every three years) and the House of Representatives (150 seats; members elected by popular preferential vote to serve terms of up to three-years; no state can have fewer than 5 representatives) elections: Senate - last held 24 November 2007 (next to be held no later than 2010); House of Representatives - last held 24 November 2007 (next to be called no later than 2010) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Liberal Party-National Party coalition 37, Australian Labor Party 32, Australian Greens 5, Family First Party 1, independent 1; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Australian Labor Party 83, Liberal Party 55, National Party 10, independents 2 Judicial branch: High Court (the chief justice and six other justices are appointed by the governor general) Political parties and leaders: Australian Democrats [Lyn ALLISON]; Australian Greens [Bob BROWN]; Australian Labor Party [Kevin RUDD]; Country Liberal Party [Terry MILLS]; Family First Party [Steve FIELDING]; Liberal Party [Malcolm TURNBULL]; The Nationals [Warren TRUSS] Political pressure groups and leaders: other: business groups; environmental groups; social groups; trade unions International organization participation: ADB, ANZUS, APEC, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, C, CP, EAS, EBRD, FAO, G-20, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OECD, OPCW, Paris Club, PCA, PIF, SAARC (observer), Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Dennis J. RICHARDSON chancery: 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 797-3000 FAX: [1] (202) 797-3168 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert D. McCALLUM, Jr. embassy: Moonah Place, Yarralumla, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2600 mailing address: APO AP 96549 telephone: [61] (02) 6214-5600 FAX: [61] (02) 6214-5970 consulate(s) general: Melbourne, Perth, 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 known as the Commonwealth or Federation Star, representing the federation of the colonies of Australia in 1901; the star depicts one point for each of the six original states and one representing all of Australia's internal and external territories; on the fly half is a representation of the Southern Cross constellation in white with one small five-pointed star and four larger, seven-pointed stars Economy ::Australia Economy - overview: Australia has an enviable, strong economy with a per capita GDP on par with the four dominant West European economies. Emphasis on reforms, low inflation, a housing market boom, and growing ties with China have been key factors over the course of the economy's 17 solid years of expansion. Robust business and consumer confidence and high export prices for raw materials and agricultural products fueled the economy in recent years, particularly in mining states. Drought, robust import demand, and a strong currency pushed the trade deficit up however, while infrastructure bottlenecks and a tight labor market constrained growth in export volumes and stoked inflation through mid-2008. The unwinding of the yen-based carry trade in late 2008 has contributed to a weakening of the Australian dollar. Tight global liquidity has challenged Australia's banking sector, which relies heavily on international wholesale markets for funding. The economy remains relatively healthy despite falling export commodity prices. The government plans to counter slowing growth in 2009 with fiscal stimulus efforts. GDP (purchasing power parity): $802.9 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 $784.1 billion (2007 est.) $753.9 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $1.013 trillion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 4% (2007 est.) 2.8% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $38,200 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 $37,800 (2007 est.) $36,800 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.4% industry: 26.8% services: 69.8% (2008 est.) Labor force: 11.25 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 45 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 3.6% industry: 21.1% services: 75% (2005 est.) Unemployment rate: 4.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 4.4% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 25.4% (1994) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 30.5 (2006) country comparison to the world: 111 35.2 (1994) Investment (gross fixed): 28.7% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 Budget: revenues: $350.3 billion expenditures: $332.4 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 14.7% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 17.4% of GDP (2004 est.) note: the Commonwealth government eliminated its net debt in 2006, but continues a gross debt issue to support the market for risk-free securities Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 2.3% (2007 est.) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 8.91% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 84 10.02% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $298.5 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) $667.2 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $1.312 trillion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 13 $1.298 trillion (31 December 2007) $1.096 trillion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: wheat, barley, sugarcane, fruits, cattle, sheep, poultry Industries: mining, industrial and transportation equipment, food processing, chemicals, steel Industrial production growth rate: 3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 Electricity - production: 239.9 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 17 Electricity - consumption: 222 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 586,400 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 Oil - consumption: 953,700 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 Oil - exports: 332,400 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 Oil - imports: 687,200 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 Oil - proved reserves: 1.5 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 Natural gas - production: 45.22 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 Natural gas - consumption: 34.2 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 Natural gas - exports: 19.48 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 12 Natural gas - imports: 5.377 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 Natural gas - proved reserves: 849.5 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 Current account balance: -$44.04 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 184 -$57.68 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $189.9 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 $142.4 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: coal, iron ore, gold, meat, wool, alumina, wheat, machinery and transport equipment Exports - partners: Japan 22.2%, China 14.6%, South Korea 8.2%, India 6.1%, US 5.5%, NZ 4.3%, UK 4.2% (2008) Imports: $194.2 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 $160.2 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, computers and office machines, telecommunication equipment and parts; crude oil and petroleum products Imports - partners: China 15.4%, US 12%, Japan 9.1%, Singapore 7%, Germany 5%, Thailand 4.5%, UK 4.3%, Malaysia 4.1% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $32.92 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 $26.91 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $799.8 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 14 $820.4 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $366.5 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 $337.5 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $197.2 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 $290.4 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.2059 (2008 est.), 1.2137 (2007), 1.3285 (2006), 1.3095 (2005), 1.3598 (2004) Communications ::Australia Telephones - main lines in use: 9.37 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 24 Telephones - mobile cellular: 22.12 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 36 Telephone system: general assessment: excellent domestic and international service domestic: domestic satellite system; significant use of radiotelephone in areas of low population density; rapid growth of mobile cellular telephones international: country code - 61; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 optical telecommunications submarine cable with links to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; the Southern Cross fiber optic submarine cable provides links to New Zealand and the United States; satellite earth stations - 19 (10 Intelsat - 4 Indian Ocean and 6 Pacific Ocean, 2 Inmarsat - Indian and Pacific Ocean regions, 2 Globalstar, 5 other) (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 262, FM 345, shortwave 1 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 104 (1997) Internet country code: .au Internet hosts: 11.756 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 10 Internet users: 15.17 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 24 Transportation ::Australia Airports: 464 (2009) country comparison to the world: 17 Airports - with paved runways: total: 325 over 3,047 m: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 13 1,524 to 2,437 m: 145 914 to 1,523 m: 142 under 914 m: 14 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 139 1,524 to 2,437 m: 17 914 to 1,523 m: 110 under 914 m: 12 (2009) Heliports: 1 (2009) Pipelines: gas 27,105 km; liquid petroleum gas 240 km; oil 3,258 km; oil/gas/water 1 km (2008) Railways: total: 37,855 km country comparison to the world: 7 broad gauge: 142 km 1.600-m gauge standard gauge: 24,409 km 1.435-m gauge (1,094 km electrified) narrow gauge: 13,304 km 1.067-m gauge (1,193 km electrified) (2008) Roadways: total: 812,972 km country comparison to the world: 9 paved: 341,448 km unpaved: 471,524 km (2004) Waterways: 2,000 km (mainly used for recreation on Murray and Murray-Darling river systems) (2006) country comparison to the world: 45 Merchant marine: total: 50 country comparison to the world: 71 by type: bulk carrier 12, cargo 5, chemical tanker 1, container 1, liquefied gas 4, passenger 7, passenger/cargo 7, petroleum tanker 8, roll on/roll off 5 foreign-owned: 24 (Canada 9, France 1, Germany 2, Japan 1, Netherlands 2, Norway 1, Singapore 1, UK 5, US 2) registered in other countries: 28 (Antigua and Barbuda 1, Belize 1, Bermuda 1, Dominica 2, Fiji 1, Marshall Islands 1, NZ 1, Panama 4, Singapore 12, Tonga 1, US 1, Vanuatu 2) (2008) Ports and terminals: Brisbane, Dampier, Fremantle, Gladstone, Hay Point, Melbourne, Newcastle, Port Hedland, Port Kembla, Port Walcott, Sydney Military ::Australia Military branches: Australian Defense Force (ADF): Australian Army, Royal Australian Navy, Royal Australian Air Force, Special Operations Command (2006) Military service age and obligation: 17 years of age for voluntary military service (with parental consent); no conscription; women allowed to serve in Army combat units in non-combat support roles (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 4,999,988 females age 16-49: 4,870,043 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 4,341,591 females age 16-49: 4,179,659 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 144,959 female: 137,333 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 2.4% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 69 Transnational Issues ::Australia Disputes - international: Timor-Leste and Australia agreed in 2005 to defer the disputed portion of the boundary for 50 years and to split hydrocarbon revenues evenly outside the Joint Petroleum Development Area covered by the 2002 Timor Sea Treaty; dispute with Timor-Leste hampers creation of a revised maritime boundary with Indonesia in the Timor Sea; regional states continue to express concern over Australia's 2004 declaration of a 1,000-nautical mile-wide maritime identification zone; Australia asserts land and maritime claims to Antarctica; in 2004 Australia submitted its claims to Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) to extend its continental margins covering over 3.37 million square kilometers, expanding its seabed roughly 30 percent more than its claimed exclusive economic zone; since 2003, Australia has led the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) to maintain civil and political order and reinforce regional security 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; major consumer of cocaine and amphetamines page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Austria (Europe) Introduction ::Austria Background: Once the center of power for the large Austro-Hungarian Empire, Austria was reduced to a small republic after its defeat in World War I. Following annexation by Nazi Germany in 1938 and subsequent occupation by the victorious Allies in 1945, Austria's status remained unclear for a decade. A State Treaty signed in 1955 ended the occupation, recognized Austria's independence, and forbade unification with Germany. A constitutional law that same year declared the country's "perpetual neutrality" as a condition for Soviet military withdrawal. The Soviet Union's collapse in 1991 and Austria's entry into the European Union in 1995 have altered the meaning of this neutrality. A prosperous, democratic country, Austria entered the EU Economic and Monetary Union in 1999. In January 2009, Austria assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2009-10 term. Geography ::Austria Location: Central Europe, north of Italy and Slovenia Geographic coordinates: 47 20 N, 13 20 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 83,871 sq km country comparison to the world: 113 land: 82,445 sq km water: 1,426 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 and some snow in lowlands and snow in mountains; moderate 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 3,798 m Natural resources: oil, coal, lignite, timber, iron ore, copper, zinc, antimony, magnesite, tungsten, graphite, salt, hydropower Land use: arable land: 16.59% permanent crops: 0.85% other: 82.56% (2005) Irrigated land: 40 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 84 cu km (2005) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 3.67 cu km/yr (35%/64%/1%) per capita: 448 cu m/yr (1999) Natural hazards: landslides; avalanches; earthquakes 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-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements 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 People ::Austria Population: 8,210,281 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 Age structure: 0-14 years: 14.5% (male 609,748/female 581,144) 15-64 years: 67.5% (male 2,785,091/female 2,756,402) 65 years and over: 18% (male 612,613/female 865,283) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 42.2 years male: 41.1 years female: 43.2 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.052% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 196 Birth rate: 8.65 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 217 Death rate: 9.98 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 Net migration rate: 1.85 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 45 Urbanization: urban population: 67% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 4.42 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 202 male: 5.39 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.41 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.5 years country comparison to the world: 27 male: 76.6 years female: 82.56 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.39 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 196 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 93 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 9,800 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 100 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 Nationality: noun: Austrian(s) adjective: Austrian Ethnic groups: Austrians 91.1%, former Yugoslavs 4% (includes Croatians, Slovenes, Serbs, and Bosniaks), Turks 1.6%, German 0.9%, other or unspecified 2.4% (2001 census) Religions: Roman Catholic 73.6%, Protestant 4.7%, Muslim 4.2%, other 3.5%, unspecified 2%, none 12% (2001 census) Languages: German (official nationwide) 88.6%, Turkish 2.3%, Serbian 2.2%, Croatian (official in Burgenland) 1.6%, other (includes Slovene, official in Carinthia, and Hungarian, official in Burgenland) 5.3% (2001 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: NA female: NA School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 15 years male: 15 years female: 16 years (2006) Education expenditures: 5.4% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 52 Government ::Austria Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Austria conventional short form: Austria local long form: Republik Oesterreich local short form: Oesterreich Government type: federal republic Capital: name: Vienna geographic coordinates: 48 12 N, 16 22 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 9 states (Bundeslaender, singular - Bundesland); Burgenland, Kaernten (Carinthia), Niederoesterreich (Lower Austria), Oberoesterreich (Upper Austria), Salzburg, Steiermark (Styria), Tirol (Tyrol), Vorarlberg, Wien (Vienna) Independence: 976 (Margravate of Austria established); 17 September 1156 (Duchy of Austria founded); 11 August 1804 (Austrian Empire proclaimed); 12 November 1918 (republic proclaimed) National holiday: National Day, 26 October (1955); note - commemorates the passage of the law on permanent neutrality Constitution: 1920; revised 1929; reinstated 1 May 1945; note - during the period 1 May 1934-1 May 1945 there was a fascist (corporative) constitution in place 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; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 16 years of age; universal; note - reduced from 18 years of age in 2007 Executive branch: chief of state: President Heinz FISCHER (SPOe) (since 8 July 2004) head of government: Chancellor Werner FAYMANN (SPOe) (since 2 December 2008); Vice Chancellor Josef PROELL (OeVP) (since 2 December 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers chosen by the president on the advice of the chancellor elections: president elected by direct popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for a second term); presidential election last held 25 April 2004 (next to be held in April 2010); chancellor formally chosen by the president but determined by the coalition parties forming a parliamentary majority; vice chancellor chosen by the president on the advice of the chancellor election results: Heinz FISCHER elected president; percent of vote - Heinz FISCHER 52.4%, Benita FERRERO-WALDNER 47.6% note: government coalition - SPOe and OeVP Legislative branch: bicameral Federal Assembly or Bundesversammlung consists of Federal Council or Bundesrat (62 seats; members chosen by state parliaments with each state receiving 3 to 12 members in proportion to its population; members serve five- or six-year terms) and the National Council or Nationalrat (183 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: National Council - last held 28 September 2008 (next to be held by September 2013) election results: National Council - percent of vote by party - SPOe 29.3%, OeVP 26%, FPOe 17.5%, BZOe 10.7%, Greens 10.4%, other 6.1%; seats by party - SPOe 57, OeVP 51, FPOe 34, BZOe 21, Greens 20 Judicial branch: Supreme Judicial Court or Oberster Gerichtshof; Administrative Court or Verwaltungsgerichtshof; Constitutional Court or Verfassungsgerichtshof Political parties and leaders: Alliance for the Future of Austria or BZOe [Josef BUCHER]; Austrian People's Party or OeVP [Josef PROELL]; Freedom Party of Austria or FPOe [Heinz Christian STRACHE]; Social Democratic Party of Austria or SPOe [Werner FAYMANN]; The Greens [Eva GLAWISCHNIG] Political pressure groups and leaders: Austrian Trade Union Federation or OeGB (nominally independent but primarily Social Democratic); Federal Economic Chamber; OeVP-oriented Association of Austrian Industrialists or IV; Roman Catholic Church, including its chief lay organization, Catholic Action other: three composite leagues of the Austrian People's Party or OeVP representing business, labor, farmers, and other nongovernment organizations in the areas of environment and human rights International organization participation: ACCT (observer), ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G-9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Christian PROSL 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, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Scott F. KILNER embassy: Boltzmanngasse 16, A-1090, Vienna mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [43] (1) 31339-0 FAX: [43] (1) 3100682 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and red; the flag design is certainly one of the oldest - if not the oldest - national banners in the world; according to tradition, following a fierce battle in the Third Crusade, Duke Leopold V of Austria's white tunic became completely blood-spattered; upon removal of his wide belt or sash, a white band was revealed; the red-white-red color combination was subsequently adopted as his banner Economy ::Austria Economy - overview: Austria, with its well-developed market economy and high standard of living, is closely tied to other EU economies, especially Germany's. Its economy features a large service sector, a sound industrial sector, and a small, but highly developed agricultural sector. Following several years of solid foreign demand for Austrian exports and record employment growth, the global economic downturn in 2008 led to a recession that is likely to persist through 2009. The government's stabilization measures could increase the budget deficit to about 2.8% of GDP in 2009 and above 3% in 2010, from about 0.6% in 2008. The Austrian economy has benefited greatly in the past from strong commercial relations, especially in the banking and insurance sectors, with central, eastern, and southeastern Europe, but these sectors have been vulnerable to recent international financial instabilities, and some of Austria's largest banks have required government support. Even after the global economic outlook improves, Austria will need to continue restructuring, emphasizing knowledge-based sectors of the economy, and encouraging greater labor flexibility and greater labor participation to offset its aging population and exceedingly low fertility rate. GDP (purchasing power parity): $331.2 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 $324.7 billion (2007 est.) $313.7 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $414.8 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 159 3.5% (2007 est.) 3.5% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $40,400 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 $39,600 (2007 est.) $38,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1.9% industry: 30.7% services: 67.4% (2008 est.) Labor force: 3.633 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 5.5% industry: 27.5% services: 67% (2005 est.) Unemployment rate: 3.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 45 4.4% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 5.9% (2004) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.3% highest 10%: 22.5% (2004) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 26 (2007) country comparison to the world: 125 31 (1995) Investment (gross fixed): 22.4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 Budget: revenues: $196.4 billion expenditures: $200.7 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 62.6% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 64.2% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 2.2% (2007 est.) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 6.82% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 128 6.3% (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $606.2 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 18 $504.8 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 34 $228.7 billion (31 December 2007) $191.3 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: grains, potatoes, sugar beets, wine, fruit; dairy products, cattle, pigs, poultry; lumber Industries: construction, machinery, vehicles and parts, food, metals, chemicals, lumber and wood processing, paper and paperboard, communications equipment, tourism Industrial production growth rate: 2.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 Electricity - production: 58.64 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 Electricity - consumption: 61.89 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 Electricity - exports: 14.93 billion kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 19.8 billion kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 24,850 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 Oil - consumption: 285,400 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 Oil - exports: 45,580 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 Oil - imports: 305,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 Oil - proved reserves: 50 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 Natural gas - production: 1.532 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 Natural gas - consumption: 8.65 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 Natural gas - exports: 2.788 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 32 Natural gas - imports: 10.05 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 Natural gas - proved reserves: 16.14 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 Current account balance: $14.27 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 $12.03 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $179.1 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 $162.1 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: machinery and equipment, motor vehicles and parts, paper and paperboard, metal goods, chemicals, iron and steel, textiles, foodstuffs Exports - partners: Germany 29.5%, Italy 8.6%, US 4.3%, Switzerland 4.2% (2008) Imports: $179.2 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 $160.3 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, metal goods, oil and oil products; foodstuffs Imports - partners: Germany 44.5%, Italy 7.1%, Switzerland 5.2%, Netherlands 4.1% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $16.7 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 $18.22 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $832.8 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 13 $801.4 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $261.9 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 $247.9 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $270 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 $240.9 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Communications ::Austria Telephones - main lines in use: 3.285 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 47 Telephones - mobile cellular: 10.816 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 58 Telephone system: general assessment: highly developed and efficient domestic: fixed-line subscribership has been in decline since the mid-1990s with mobile-cellular subscribership eclipsing it by the late 1990s; the fiber-optic net is very extensive; all telephone applications and Internet services are available international: country code - 43; satellite earth stations - 15; in addition, there are about 600 VSATs (very small aperture terminals) (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 65 (plus several hundred repeaters), shortwave 1 (2001) Television broadcast stations: 10 (plus more than 1,000 repeaters) (2001) Internet country code: .at Internet hosts: 2.992 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 26 Internet users: 5.937 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 39 Transportation ::Austria Airports: 55 (2009) country comparison to the world: 84 Airports - with paved runways: total: 25 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 14 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 30 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 26 (2009) Heliports: 1 (2009) Pipelines: gas 2,721 km; oil 663 km; refined products 157 km (2008) Railways: total: 6,399 km country comparison to the world: 29 standard gauge: 5,927 km 1.435-m gauge (3,688 km electrified) narrow gauge: 384 km 1.000-m gauge (15 km electrified); 88 km 0.760-m gauge (10 km electrified) (2008) Roadways: total: 107,262 km country comparison to the world: 39 paved: 107,262 km (includes 1,677 km of expressways) (2006) Waterways: 358 km (2007) country comparison to the world: 90 Merchant marine: total: 4 country comparison to the world: 134 by type: cargo 2, container 2 foreign-owned: 2 (Netherlands 2) registered in other countries: 4 (Cyprus 1, Malta 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2) (2008) Ports and terminals: Enns, Krems, Linz, Vienna Military ::Austria Military branches: Land Forces (KdoLdSK), Air Forces (KdoLuSK) Military service age and obligation: 18-35 years of age for compulsory military service; 16 years of age for male or female voluntary service; service obligation 6 months of training, followed by an 8-year reserve obligation (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,986,411 females age 16-49: 1,944,834 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,607,456 females age 16-49: 1,576,335 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 50,540 female: 48,042 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 0.9% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 Transnational Issues ::Austria Disputes - international: while threats of international legal action never materialized in 2007, 915,220 Austrians, with the support of the newly elected Freedom Party, signed a petition in January 2008, demanding that Austria block the Czech Republic's accession to the EU unless Prague closed its nuclear power plant in Temelin, bordering Austria Illicit drugs: transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and South American cocaine destined for Western Europe; increasing consumption of European-produced synthetic drugs page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Azerbaijan (Middle East) Introduction ::Azerbaijan Background: Azerbaijan - a nation with a majority-Turkic and majority-Muslim population - was briefly independent from 1918 to 1920; it regained its independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Despite a 1994 cease-fire, Azerbaijan has yet to resolve its conflict with Armenia over the Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh region (largely Armenian populated). Azerbaijan has lost 16% of its territory and must support some 600,000 internally displaced persons as a result of the conflict. Corruption is ubiquitous, and the government has been accused of authoritarianism. Although the poverty rate has been reduced in recent years, the promise of widespread wealth from development of Azerbaijan's energy sector remains largely unfulfilled. Geography ::Azerbaijan Location: Southwestern Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Russia, with a small European portion north of the Caucasus range Geographic coordinates: 40 30 N, 47 30 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 86,600 sq km country comparison to the world: 112 land: 82,629 sq km water: 3,971 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 (713 km) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: dry, semiarid steppe Terrain: large, flat Kur-Araz Ovaligi (Kura-Araks Lowland) (much of it below sea level) with Great Caucasus Mountains to the north, Qarabag Yaylasi (Karabakh Upland) in west; Baku lies on Abseron Yasaqligi (Apsheron Peninsula) that juts into Caspian Sea Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m highest point: Bazarduzu Dagi 4,485 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, nonferrous metals, bauxite Land use: arable land: 20.62% permanent crops: 2.61% other: 76.77% (2005) Irrigated land: 14,550 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 30.3 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 17.25 cu km/yr (5%/28%/68%) per capita: 2,051 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: droughts Environment - current issues: local scientists consider the Abseron Yasaqligi (Apsheron Peninsula) (including Baku and Sumqayit) and the Caspian Sea to be the ecologically most devastated area in the world because of severe air, soil, and water pollution; soil pollution results from oil spills, from the use of DDT pesticide, and from toxic defoliants used in the production of cotton Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: both the main area of the country and the Naxcivan exclave are landlocked People ::Azerbaijan Population: 8,238,672 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 Age structure: 0-14 years: 23.9% (male 1,042,132/female 926,495) 15-64 years: 69.4% (male 2,807,717/female 2,908,221) 65 years and over: 6.7% (male 204,410/female 349,697) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 28.2 years male: 26.6 years female: 30 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.762% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 141 Birth rate: 17.62 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 Death rate: 8.3 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 Net migration rate: -1.69 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 134 Urbanization: urban population: 52% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.13 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.12 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.58 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 54.6 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 46 male: 60.2 deaths/1,000 live births female: 48.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 66.66 years country comparison to the world: 158 male: 62.53 years female: 71.34 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.04 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 7,800 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 100 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 Nationality: noun: Azerbaijani(s) adjective: Azerbaijani Ethnic groups: Azeri 90.6%, Dagestani 2.2%, Russian 1.8%, Armenian 1.5%, other 3.9% (1999 census) 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; percentages for actual practicing adherents are much lower Languages: Azerbaijani (Azeri) 90.3%, Lezgi 2.2%, Russian 1.8%, Armenian 1.5%, other 3.3%, unspecified 1% (1999 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.8% male: 99.5% female: 98.2% (1999 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 11 years (2006) Education expenditures: 2.1% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 165 Government ::Azerbaijan Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Azerbaijan conventional short form: Azerbaijan local long form: Azarbaycan Respublikasi local short form: Azarbaycan former: Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic Government type: republic Capital: name: Baku (Baki, Baky) geographic coordinates: 40 23 N, 49 52 E time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 59 rayons (rayonlar; rayon - singular), 11 cities (saharlar; sahar - singular), 1 autonomous republic (muxtar respublika) rayons: Abseron Rayonu, Agcabadi Rayonu, Agdam Rayonu, Agdas Rayonu, Agstafa Rayonu, Agsu Rayonu, Astara Rayonu, Balakan Rayonu, Barda Rayonu, Beylaqan Rayonu, Bilasuvar Rayonu, Cabrayil Rayonu, Calilabad Rayonu, Daskasan Rayonu, Davaci Rayonu, Fuzuli Rayonu, Gadabay Rayonu, Goranboy Rayonu, Goycay Rayonu, Haciqabul Rayonu, Imisli Rayonu, Ismayilli Rayonu, Kalbacar Rayonu, Kurdamir Rayonu, Lacin Rayonu, Lankaran Rayonu, Lerik Rayonu, Masalli Rayonu, Neftcala Rayonu, Oguz Rayonu, Qabala Rayonu, Qax Rayonu, Qazax Rayonu, Qobustan Rayonu, Quba Rayonu, Qubadli Rayonu, Qusar Rayonu, Saatli Rayonu, Sabirabad Rayonu, Saki Rayonu, Salyan Rayonu, Samaxi Rayonu, Samkir Rayonu, Samux Rayonu, Siyazan Rayonu, Susa Rayonu, Tartar Rayonu, Tovuz Rayonu, Ucar Rayonu, Xacmaz Rayonu, Xanlar Rayonu, Xizi Rayonu, Xocali Rayonu, Xocavand Rayonu, Yardimli Rayonu, Yevlax Rayonu, Zangilan Rayonu, Zaqatala Rayonu, Zardab Rayonu cities: Ali Bayramli Sahari, Baki Sahari, Ganca Sahari, Lankaran Sahari, Mingacevir Sahari, Naftalan Sahari, Saki Sahari, Sumqayit Sahari, Susa Sahari, Xankandi Sahari, Yevlax Sahari autonomous republic: Naxcivan Muxtar Respublikasi (Nakhichevan) Independence: 30 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union) National holiday: Founding of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan, 28 May (1918) Constitution: adopted 12 November 1995; modified by referendum 24 August 2002 Legal system: based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Ilham ALIYEV (since 31 October 2003) head of government: Prime Minister Artur RASIZADE (since 4 November 2003); First Deputy Prime Minister Yaqub EYYUBOV (since June 2006) 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 (eligible for a second term); election last held 15 October 2008 (next to be held in October 2013); prime minister and first deputy prime minister appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly election results: Ilham ALIYEV reelected president; percent of vote - Ilham ALIYEV 89%, Igbal AGHAZADE 2.9%, five other candidates with smaller percentages note: several political parties boycotted the election due to unfair conditions; OSCE observers concluded that the election did not meet international standards Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Milli Mejlis (125 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 6 November 2005 (next to be held in November 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Yeni 58, Azadliq coalition 8, CSP 2, Motherland 2, other parties with single seats 9, independents 42, undetermined 4 Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Azadliq (Freedom) coalition (Popular Front Party, Liberal Party, Citizens' Development Party); Azerbaijan Democratic Party or ADP [Sardar JALALOGLU]; Azerbaijan Democratic Reforms Party (ADRP) Youth Movement [Ramin HAJILI]; Azerbaijan Popular Front or APF, now split in two [Ali KARIMLI, leader of "Reform" APF party; Mirmahmud MIRALI-OGLU, leader of "Classic" APF party]; Azerbaijan Public Forum [Eldar NAMAZOV]; Citizens' Development Party [Ali ALIYEV]; Civil Solidarity Party or CSP [Sabir RUSTAMKHANLY]; Dalga Youth Movement [Vafa JAFAROVA]; Green Party [Mais GULALIYEV and Tarana MAMMADOVA]; Hope (Umid) Party [Iqbal AGAZADE]; Ireli Youth Movement [Jeyhun OSMANLI, Roya TALIBOVA, Farhad MAMMADOV, Elnara GARIBOVA, Elnur MAMMADOV, Ziya ALIYEV]; Justice Party [Ilyas ISMAILOV]; Liberal Party of Azerbaijan [Lala Shovkat HACIYEVA]; Magam Youth Movement [Emin HUSEYNOV]; Motherland Party [Fazail AGAMALI]; Musavat (Equality) [Isa GAMBAR, chairman]; Musavat Party Youth Movement [Elnur MAMMADLI]; National Democratic Party or Grey Wolves (Nationalist, Pan-Turkic) [Iskender HAMIDOV]; Open Society Party [Rasul GULIYEV, in exile in the US]; Party for National Independence of Azerbaijan or PNIA [Ayaz RUSTAMOV]; Popular Front Party Youth Movement [Seymur KHAZIYEV]; Social Democratic Party of Azerbaijan or SDP [Araz ALIZADE and Ayaz MUTALIBOV (in exile)]; Turkish Nationalist Party [Vugar BAYTURAN]; United Azerbaijan Party [Karrar ABILOV]; United Azerbaijan National Unity Party [Hajibaba AZIMOV]; United Party [Tahir KARIMLI]; Yeni (New) Azerbaijan Party [President Ilham ALIYEV]; Yeni Azerbaijan Party Youth Movement [Ramil HASANOV]; Yox (No) Youth Movement [Ali ISMAYILOV] note: opposition parties regularly factionalize and form new parties; Political pressure groups and leaders: Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (self-proclaimed); Karabakh Liberation Organization; Sadval, Lezgin movement; Talysh independence movement; Union of Pro-Azerbaijani Forces or UPAF International organization participation: ADB, BSEC, CE, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, GCTU, GUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Yashar ALIYEV chancery: 2741 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 337-3500 FAX: [1] (202) 337-5911 Consulate(s) general: Los Angeles Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Anne E. DERSE embassy: 83 Azadlig Prospecti, Baku AZ1007 mailing address: American Embassy Baku, US Department of State, 7050 Baku Place, Washington, DC 20521-7050 telephone: [994] (12) 4980-335 through 337 FAX: [994] (12) 4656-671 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 Economy ::Azerbaijan Economy - overview: Azerbaijan's high economic growth during 2006-08 is attributable to large and growing oil exports, but the non-energy sector also featured double-digit growth in 2008, spurred by growth in the construction, banking, and real estate sectors. However, the current global economic slowdown presents some challenges for the Azerbaijani economy as oil prices have plummeted since mid-2008 and local banks face a more uncertain international financial environment. Azerbaijan's oil production declined through 1997, but has registered an increase every year since. Negotiation of production-sharing arrangements (PSAs) with foreign firms, which have committed $60 billion to long-term oilfield development, should generate the funds needed to spur future industrial development. Oil production under the first of these PSAs, with the Azerbaijan International Operating Company, began in November 1997. A consortium of Western oil companies built a $4 billion pipeline from Baku to Turkey's Mediterranean port of Ceyhan which will pump 1.2 million barrels a day from a large offshore field when at full capacity. Azerbaijan shares all the formidable problems of the former Soviet republics in making the transition from a command to a market economy, but its considerable energy resources brighten its medium-term prospects. Baku has only recently begun making progress on economic reform, and old economic ties and structures are slowly being replaced. Several other obstacles impede Azerbaijan's economic progress: the need for stepped up foreign investment in the non-energy sector, the continuing conflict with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, pervasive corruption, and potential for a sharp downturn in the construction and real estate sectors. Trade with Russia and the other former Soviet republics is declining in importance, while trade is building with Turkey and the nations of Europe. Long-term prospects will depend on world oil prices, the location of new oil and gas pipelines in the region, and Azerbaijan's ability to manage its energy wealth to promote sustainable growth in non-energy sectors of the economy and spur employment. GDP (purchasing power parity): $77.79 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 $70.21 billion (2007 est.) $56.17 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $46.38 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 10.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 8 25% (2007 est.) 34.5% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $9,500 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 $8,600 (2007 est.) $7,000 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 6% industry: 60.5% services: 33.5% (2008 est.) Labor force: 5.782 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 39.3% industry: 12.1% services: 48.6% (2005) Unemployment rate: 0.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 1% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 24% (2005 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 6.1% highest 10%: 17.5% (2005) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 36.5 (2001) country comparison to the world: 81 36 (1995) Investment (gross fixed): 21.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 93 Budget: revenues: $12.69 billion expenditures: $15.67 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 4.1% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 18.9% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 20.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 206 16.7% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 8% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 19 13% (31 December 2007) note: this is the Refinancing Rate, the key policy rate for the National Bank of Azerbaijan Commercial bank prime lending rate: 19.76% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 19 19.13% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $6.381 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 49 $4.261 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $4.125 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 76 $2.593 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $8.135 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 75 $5.726 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: cotton, grain, rice, grapes, fruit, vegetables, tea, tobacco; cattle, pigs, sheep, goats Industries: petroleum and natural gas, petroleum products, oilfield equipment; steel, iron ore; cement; chemicals and petrochemicals; textiles Industrial production growth rate: 6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 Electricity - production: 19.35 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 Electricity - consumption: 15.68 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 Electricity - exports: 786 million kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 548 million kWh (2007 est.) Oil - production: 875,200 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 Oil - consumption: 126,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 Oil - exports: 528,900 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 Oil - imports: 2,848 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 170 Oil - proved reserves: 7 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 Natural gas - production: 16.2 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 33 Natural gas - consumption: 10.64 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 Natural gas - exports: 5.564 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 25 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 201 Natural gas - proved reserves: 849.5 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 Current account balance: $16.45 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 $9.019 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $30.59 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 $21.27 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: oil and gas 90%, machinery, cotton, foodstuffs Exports - partners: Italy 40.2%, US 12.6%, Israel 7.6%, India 5.1%, France 4.9% (2008) Imports: $7.575 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 $6.045 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, oil products, foodstuffs, metals, chemicals Imports - partners: Russia 18.8%, Turkey 11.3%, Germany 8.4%, Ukraine 7.9%, China 6.7%, UK 5.4% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $6.519 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 $4.273 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $2.635 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 131 $2.439 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $7.844 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 83 $7.829 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $5.232 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 $4.677 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: Azerbaijani manats (AZN) per US dollar - 0.8219 (2008 est.), 0.8581 (2007), 0.8934 (2006), 4,727.1 (2005), 4,913.48 (2004) note: on 1 January 2006 Azerbaijan revalued its currency, with 5,000 old manats equal to 1 new manat Communications ::Azerbaijan Telephones - main lines in use: 1.311 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 68 Telephones - mobile cellular: 6.548 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 76 Telephone system: general assessment: inadequate; requires considerable expansion and modernization; teledensity of 15 main lines per 100 persons is low; mobile-cellular penetration has increased rapidly and is currently about 80 telephones per 100 persons domestic: fixed-line telephony and a broad range of other telecom services are controlled by a state-owned telecommunications monopoly and growth has been stagnant; more competition exists in the mobile-cellular market with three providers in 2006; satellite service connects Baku to a modern switch in its exclave of Naxcivan international: country code - 994; the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic link transits Azerbaijan providing international connectivity to neighboring countries; the old Soviet system of cable and microwave is still serviceable; satellite earth stations - 2 (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 10, FM 17, shortwave 1 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 2 (1997) Internet country code: .az Internet hosts: 7,045 (2009) country comparison to the world: 130 Internet users: 1.485 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 75 Transportation ::Azerbaijan Airports: 34 (2009) country comparison to the world: 111 Airports - with paved runways: total: 27 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 7 under 914 m: 7 (2009) Heliports: 1 (2009) Pipelines: condensate 1 km; gas 3,361 km; oil 1,424 km (2008) Railways: total: 2,122 km country comparison to the world: 71 broad gauge: 2,122 km 1.520-m gauge (1,278 km electrified) (2008) Roadways: total: 59,141 km country comparison to the world: 74 paved: 29,210 km unpaved: 29,931 km (2004) Merchant marine: total: 89 country comparison to the world: 52 by type: cargo 26, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 9, petroleum tanker 46, roll on/roll off 3, specialized tanker 3 registered in other countries: 3 (Malta 2, Panama 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Baku (Baki) Military ::Azerbaijan Military branches: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces (2008) Military service age and obligation: men between 18 and 35 are liable for military service; 18 years of age for voluntary military service; length of military service is 18 months and 12 months for university graduates (2006) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 2,278,888 females age 16-49: 2,291,770 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,727,464 females age 16-49: 1,944,260 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 90,416 female: 85,344 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 2.6% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 59 Transnational Issues ::Azerbaijan Disputes - international: Armenia supports ethnic Armenian secessionists in Nagorno-Karabakh and since the early 1990s has militarily occupied 16% of Azerbaijan; over 800,000 mostly ethnic Azerbaijanis were driven from the occupied lands and Armenia; about 230,000 ethnic Armenians were driven from their homes in Azerbaijan into Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh; Azerbaijan seeks transit route through Armenia to connect to Naxcivan exclave; Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) continues to mediate dispute; Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia have ratified Caspian seabed delimitation treaties based on equidistance, while Iran continues to insist on an even one-fifth allocation and challenges Azerbaijan's hydrocarbon exploration in disputed waters; bilateral talks continue with Turkmenistan on dividing the seabed and contested oilfields in the middle of the Caspian; Azerbaijan and Georgia continue to discuss the alignment of their boundary at certain crossing areas Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 2,400 (Russia) IDPs: 580,000-690,000 (conflict with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Azerbaijan is primarily a source and transit country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor; women and some children from Azerbaijan are trafficked to Turkey and the UAE for the purpose of sexual exploitation; men and boys are trafficked to Russia for the purpose of forced labor; Azerbaijan serves as a transit country for victims from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Moldova trafficked to Turkey and the UAE for sexual exploitation tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Azerbaijan is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in persons, particularly efforts to investigate, prosecute, and punish traffickers; to address complicity among law enforcement personnel; and to adequately identify and protect victims in Azerbaijan; the government has yet to develop a much-needed mechanism to identify potential trafficking victims and refer them to safety and care; poor treatment of trafficking victims in courtrooms continues to be a problem (2008) Illicit drugs: limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for CIS consumption; small government eradication program; transit point for Southwest Asian opiates bound for Russia and to a lesser extent the rest of Europe page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Bahamas, The (Central America and Caribbean) Introduction ::Bahamas, The Background: Lucayan Indians inhabited the islands when Christopher COLUMBUS first set foot in the New World on San Salvador in 1492. British settlement of the islands began in 1647; the islands became a colony in 1783. Since attaining independence from the UK in 1973, The Bahamas have prospered through tourism and international banking and investment management. Because of its geography, the country is a major transshipment point for illegal drugs, particularly shipments to the US and Europe, and its territory is used for smuggling illegal migrants into the US. Geography ::Bahamas, The Location: Caribbean, chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida, northeast of Cuba Geographic coordinates: 24 15 N, 76 00 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 13,880 sq km country comparison to the world: 160 land: 10,010 sq km water: 3,870 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Connecticut Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 3,542 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 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, arable land Land use: arable land: 0.58% permanent crops: 0.29% other: 99.13% (2005) Irrigated land: 10 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: NA Natural hazards: hurricanes and other tropical storms cause extensive flood and wind damage Environment - current issues: coral reef decay; solid waste disposal Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: strategic location adjacent to US and Cuba; extensive island chain of which 30 are inhabited People ::Bahamas, The Population: 309,156 country comparison to the world: 176 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 25.9% (male 40,085/female 39,959) 15-64 years: 67.2% (male 102,154/female 105,482) 65 years and over: 6.9% (male 8,772/female 12,704) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 28.7 years male: 27.9 years female: 29.5 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.536% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 152 Birth rate: 16.81 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 125 Death rate: 9.32 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 Net migration rate: -2.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 Urbanization: urban population: 84% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 23.17 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 93 male: 28.21 deaths/1,000 live births female: 18.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 65.78 years country comparison to the world: 164 male: 62.63 years female: 68.98 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.1 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 3% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 6,200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 Nationality: noun: Bahamian(s) adjective: Bahamian Ethnic groups: black 85%, white 12%, Asian and Hispanic 3% Religions: Baptist 35.4%, Anglican 15.1%, Roman Catholic 13.5%, Pentecostal 8.1%, Church of God 4.8%, Methodist 4.2%, other Christian 15.2%, none or unspecified 2.9%, other 0.8% (2000 census) Languages: English (official), Creole (among Haitian immigrants) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 95.6% male: 94.7% female: 96.5% (2003 est.) Education expenditures: 3.6% of GDP (2000) country comparison to the world: 125 Government ::Bahamas, The Country name: conventional long form: Commonwealth of The Bahamas conventional short form: The Bahamas Government type: constitutional parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm Capital: name: Nassau geographic coordinates: 25 05 N, 77 21 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November 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, New Providence, Nichollstown and Berry Islands, Ragged Island, Rock Sound, Sandy Point, San Salvador, and Rum Cay Independence: 10 July 1973 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 10 July (1973) Constitution: 10 July 1973 Legal system: based on English common law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Arthur D. HANNA (since 1 February 2006) head of government: Prime Minister Hubert A. INGRAHAM (since 4 May 2007) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the prime minister's recommendation elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; the prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (16 seats; members appointed by the governor general upon the advice of the prime minister and the opposition leader to serve five-year terms) and the House of Assembly (41 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms); the government may dissolve the parliament and call elections at any time elections: last held 2 May 2007 (next to be held by May 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - FNM 49.86%, PLP 47.02%; seats by party - FNM 23, PLP 18 Judicial branch: Privy Council in London; Courts of Appeal; Supreme (lower) Court; Magistrates' Courts Political parties and leaders: Free National Movement or FNM [Hubert INGRAHAM]; Progressive Liberal Party or PLP [Perry CHRISTIE] Political pressure groups and leaders: Friends of the Environment other: trade unions International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITSO, ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Cornelius A. SMITH chancery: 2220 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 319-2660 FAX: [1] (202) 319-2668 consulate(s) general: Miami, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ned L. SIEGEL embassy: 42 Queen Street, Nassau, New Providence mailing address: local or express mail address: P. O. Box N-8197, Nassau; US Department of State, 3370 Nassau Place, Washington, DC 20521-3370 telephone: [1] (242) 322-1181, 328-2206 (after hours) FAX: [1] (242) 328-2206 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top), gold, and aquamarine, with a black equilateral triangle based on the hoist side; the band colors represent the golden beaches of the islands surrounded by the aquamarine sea; black represents the vigor and force of a united people, while the pointing triangle indicates the enterprise and determination of the Bahamian people to develop the rich resources of land and sea Economy ::Bahamas, The Economy - overview: The Bahamas is one of the wealthiest Caribbean countries with an economy heavily dependent on tourism and offshore banking. Tourism together with tourism-driven construction and manufacturing accounts for approximately 60% of GDP and directly or indirectly employs half of the archipelago's labor force. Steady growth in tourism receipts and a boom in construction of new hotels, resorts, and residences had led to solid GDP growth in recent years, but tourist arrivals have been on the decline since 2006 and will likely drop even further in 2009. Tourism, in turn, depends on growth in the US, the source of more than 80% of the visitors. To help offset the effect of the global economic downturn, particularly on employment, the INGRAHAM administration plans to engage in infrastructure projects. Financial services constitute the second-most important sector of the Bahamian economy and, when combined with business services, account for about 36% of GDP. However, since December 2000, when the government enacted new regulations on the financial sector, many international businesses have left The Bahamas. Manufacturing and agriculture combined contribute approximately a tenth of GDP and show little growth, despite government incentives aimed at those sectors. Overall growth prospects in the short run rest heavily on the fortunes of the tourism sector. GDP (purchasing power parity): $9.352 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 152 $9.495 billion (2007 est.) $9.236 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $7.564 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -1.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 210 2.8% (2007 est.) 4.6% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $30,700 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 $31,400 (2007 est.) $30,900 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3% industry: 7% services: 90% (2001 est.) Labor force: 175,500 (2007) country comparison to the world: 168 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 5%, industry 5%, tourism 50%, other services 40% (2005 est.) Unemployment rate: 7.6% (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 Population below poverty line: 9.3% (2004) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: 27% (2000) Budget: revenues: $1.03 billion expenditures: $1.03 billion (FY04/05) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.4% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 Central bank discount rate: 5.25% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 81 5.25% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 5.5% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 138 5.5% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $1.255 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 82 $1.274 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $4.637 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 71 $4.324 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $7.883 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 77 $7.395 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: citrus, vegetables; poultry Industries: tourism, banking, cement, oil transshipment, salt, rum, aragonite, pharmaceuticals, spiral-welded steel pipe Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 2.045 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 134 Electricity - consumption: 1.902 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 205 Oil - consumption: 34,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 Oil - exports: transshipments of 41,570 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 Oil - imports: 72,420 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 205 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 205 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 53 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 203 Current account balance: -$1.442 billion (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 Exports: $674 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 159 Exports - commodities: mineral products and salt, animal products, rum, chemicals, fruit and vegetables Exports - partners: US 21.6%, Singapore 19%, Poland 18.2%, Germany 7.7%, Japan 7.5% (2008) Imports: $2.401 billion (2006) country comparison to the world: 145 Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, chemicals, mineral fuels; food and live animals Imports - partners: US 25.1%, South Korea 18.8%, Japan 16.4%, Singapore 7.3%, Venezuela 5% (2008) Debt - external: $342.6 million (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 171 Exchange rates: Bahamian dollars (BSD) per US dollar - 1 (2008 est.), 1 (2007), 1 (2006), 1 (2005), 1 (2004) Communications ::Bahamas, The Telephones - main lines in use: 133,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 138 Telephones - mobile cellular: 358,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 164 Telephone system: general assessment: modern facilities domestic: totally automatic system; highly developed; the Bahamas Domestic Submarine Network links 14 of the islands and is designed to satisfy increasing demand for voice and broadband internet services international: country code - 1-242; landing point for the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) fiber-optic submarine cable that provides links to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 5, shortwave 0 (2006) Television broadcast stations: 2 (2006) Internet country code: .bs Internet hosts: 8,325 (2009) country comparison to the world: 122 Internet users: 106,500 (2008) country comparison to the world: 151 Transportation ::Bahamas, The Airports: 62 (2009) country comparison to the world: 79 Airports - with paved runways: total: 23 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 6 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 39 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 22 (2009) Heliports: 1 (2009) Roadways: total: 2,717 km country comparison to the world: 168 paved: 1,560 km unpaved: 1,157 km (2002) Merchant marine: total: 1,223 country comparison to the world: 6 by type: barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 210, cargo 226, carrier 2, chemical tanker 88, combination ore/oil 12, container 65, liquefied gas 77, passenger 109, passenger/cargo 35, petroleum tanker 209, refrigerated cargo 119, roll on/roll off 16, specialized tanker 3, vehicle carrier 51 foreign-owned: 1,150 (Angola 6, Belgium 15, Bermuda 12, Brazil 2, Canada 84, China 10, Croatia 1, Cuba 1, Cyprus 25, Denmark 67, Finland 9, France 30, Germany 44, Greece 209, Hong Kong 30, Iceland 1, Indonesia 2, Ireland 2, Isle of Man 1, Italy 4, Japan 87, Jordan 2, Kenya 1, Malaysia 13, Monaco 15, Montenegro 2, Netherlands 9, Nigeria 2, Norway 189, Poland 17, Russia 4, Saudi Arabia 16, Singapore 17, Slovenia 1, South Africa 1, Spain 14, Sweden 4, Switzerland 1, Thailand 5, Trinidad and Tobago 1, Turkey 8, UAE 23, UK 56, US 106, Venezuela 1) registered in other countries: 12 (Bolivia 1, Panama 9, Peru 1, Portugal 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Freeport, Nassau, South Riding Point Military ::Bahamas, The Military branches: Royal Bahamian Defense Force: Land Force, Navy, Air Wing (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 80,200 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 50,764 females age 16-49: 51,690 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 2,992 female: 3,003 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 0.5% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 160 Transnational Issues ::Bahamas, The Disputes - international: disagrees with the US on the alignment the northern axis of a potential maritime boundary; continues to monitor and interdict drug dealers and Haitian and Cuban refugees in Bahamian waters Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for US and Europe; offshore financial center page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Bahrain (Middle East) Introduction ::Bahrain Background: In 1783, the al-Khalifa family captured Bahrain from the Persians. In order to secure these holdings, it entered into a series of treaties with the UK during the 19th century that made Bahrain a British protectorate. The archipelago attained its independence in 1971. Bahrain's small size and central location among Persian Gulf countries require it to play a delicate balancing act in foreign affairs among its larger neighbors. Facing declining oil reserves, Bahrain has turned to petroleum processing and refining and has transformed itself into an international banking center. King HAMAD bin Isa al-Khalifa, after coming to power in 1999, pushed economic and political reforms to improve relations with the Shia community. Shia political societies participated in 2006 parliamentary and municipal elections. Al Wifaq, the largest Shia political society, won the largest number of seats in the elected chamber of the legislature. However, Shia discontent has resurfaced in recent years with street demonstrations and occasional low-level violence. Geography ::Bahrain Location: Middle East, archipelago in the Persian Gulf, east of Saudi Arabia Geographic coordinates: 26 00 N, 50 33 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 741 sq km country comparison to the world: 190 land: 741 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 161 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: extending to boundaries to be determined Climate: arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers Terrain: mostly low desert plain rising gently to low central escarpment Elevation extremes: lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Jabal ad Dukhan 122 m Natural resources: oil, associated and nonassociated natural gas, fish, pearls Land use: arable land: 2.82% permanent crops: 5.63% other: 91.55% (2005) Irrigated land: 40 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 0.1 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.3 cu km/yr (40%/3%/57%) per capita: 411 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: periodic droughts; dust storms Environment - current issues: desertification resulting from the degradation of limited arable land, periods of drought, and dust storms; coastal degradation (damage to coastlines, coral reefs, and sea vegetation) resulting from oil spills and other discharges from large tankers, oil refineries, and distribution stations; lack of freshwater resources (groundwater and seawater are the only sources for all water needs) Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: close to primary Middle Eastern petroleum sources; strategic location in Persian Gulf, through which much of the Western world's petroleum must transit to reach open ocean People ::Bahrain Population: 727,785 country comparison to the world: 162 note: includes 235,108 non-nationals (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 25.9% (male 95,224/female 93,241) 15-64 years: 70.2% (male 292,941/female 217,729) 65 years and over: 3.9% (male 15,106/female 13,544) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 30.1 years male: 33.2 years female: 26.7 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.285% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 Birth rate: 17.02 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 Death rate: 4.37 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 202 Net migration rate: 0.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 Urbanization: urban population: 89% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.34 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.12 male(s)/female total population: 1.24 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 15.25 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 125 male: 17.81 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.16 years country comparison to the world: 83 male: 72.64 years female: 77.76 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.5 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: fewer than 600 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 200 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 Nationality: noun: Bahraini(s) adjective: Bahraini Ethnic groups: Bahraini 62.4%, non-Bahraini 37.6% (2001 census) Religions: Muslim (Shia and Sunni) 81.2%, Christian 9%, other 9.8% (2001 census) Languages: Arabic, English, Farsi, Urdu Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 86.5% male: 88.6% female: 83.6% (2001 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 15 years male: 14 years female: 16 years (2006) Education expenditures: 3.9% of GDP (1991) country comparison to the world: 107 Government ::Bahrain Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Bahrain conventional short form: Bahrain local long form: Mamlakat al Bahrayn local short form: Al Bahrayn former: Dilmun Government type: constitutional monarchy Capital: name: Manama geographic coordinates: 26 14 N, 50 34 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 5 governorates; Asamah, Janubiyah, Muharraq, Shamaliyah, Wasat note: each governorate administered by an appointed governor Independence: 15 August 1971 (from the UK) National holiday: National Day, 16 December (1971); note - 15 August 1971 was the date of independence from the UK, 16 December 1971 was the date of independence from British protection Constitution: adopted 14 February 2002 Legal system: based on Islamic law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: King HAMAD bin Isa Al-Khalifa (since 6 March 1999); Heir Apparent Crown Prince SALMAN bin Hamad (son of the monarch, born 21 October 1969) head of government: Prime Minister KHALIFA bin Salman Al-Khalifa (since 1971); Deputy Prime Ministers ALI bin Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa, MUHAMMAD bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa, Jawad al-ARAIDH cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch elections: the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch Legislative branch: bicameral legislature consists of the Consultative Council (40 members appointed by the King) and the Council of Representatives or Chamber of Deputies (40 seats; members directly elected to serve four-year terms) elections: Council of Representatives - last held November-December 2006 (next election to be held in 2010) election results: Council of Representatives - percent of vote by society - NA; seats by society - al Wifaq (Shia) 17, al Asala (Sunni Salafi) 5, al Minbar (Sunni Muslim Brotherhood) 7, independents 11; note - seats by society as of February 2007 - al Wifaq 17, al Asala 8, al Minbar 7, al Mustaqbal (Moderate Sunni pro-government) 4, unassociated independents (all Sunni) 3, independent affiliated with al Wifaq (Sunni oppositionist) 1 Judicial branch: High Civil Appeals Court Political parties and leaders: political parties prohibited but political societies were legalized per a July 2005 law Political pressure groups and leaders: Shia activists; Sunni Islamist legislators other: several small leftist and other groups are active International organization participation: ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Houda Ibrahim Ezra NUNU chancery: 3502 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 342-1111 FAX: [1] (202) 362-2192 consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador J. Adam ERELI embassy: Building #979, Road 3119 (next to Al-Ahli Sports Club), Block 331, Zinj District, Manama mailing address: PSC 451, Box 660, FPO AE 09834-5100; international mail: American Embassy, Box 26431, Manama telephone: [973] 1724-2700 FAX: [973] 1727-0547 Flag description: red, the traditional color for flags of Persian Gulf states, with a white serrated band (five white points) on the hoist side; the five points represent the five pillars of Islam Economy ::Bahrain Economy - overview: With its highly developed communication and transport facilities, Bahrain is home to numerous multinational firms with business in the Gulf. Petroleum production and refining account for over 60% of Bahrain's export receipts, over 70% of government revenues, and 11% of GDP (exclusive of allied industries), underpinning Bahrain's strong economic growth in recent years. Aluminum is Bahrain's second major export after oil. Other major segments of Bahrain's economy are the financial and construction sectors. Bahrain is focused on Islamic banking and is competing on an international scale with Malaysia as a worldwide banking center. Bahrain is actively pursuing the diversification and privatization of its economy to reduce the country's dependence on oil. As part of this effort, in August 2006 Bahrain and the US implemented a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the first FTA between the US and a Gulf state. Continued strong growth hinges on Bahrain's ability to acquire new natural gas supplies as feedstock to support its expanding petrochemical and aluminum industries. Unemployment, especially among the young, and the depletion of oil and underground water resources are long-term economic problems. The global financial crisis is likely to result in slower economic growth for Bahrain during 2009 as tight international credit and a slowing global economy cause funding for many non-oil projects to dry up. Lower oil prices may also cause Bahrain's budget to slip back into deficit. GDP (purchasing power parity): $26.89 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 $25.29 billion (2007 est.) $23.34 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $21.24 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 8.4% (2007 est.) 6.7% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $37,400 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 $35,700 (2007 est.) $33,400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 0.4% industry: 66.2% services: 33.3% (2008 est.) Labor force: 557,000 country comparison to the world: 152 note: 44% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 1% industry: 79% services: 20% (1997 est.) Unemployment rate: 15% (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Investment (gross fixed): 26.6% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 Budget: revenues: $6.934 billion expenditures: $5.612 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 28.7% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 63.8% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 3.3% (2007 est.) Commercial bank prime lending rate: NA% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 101 8.35% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $4.169 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) $10.63 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $10.32 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $21.18 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 65 $28.13 billion (31 December 2007) $21.12 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: fruit, vegetables; poultry, dairy products; shrimp, fish Industries: petroleum processing and refining, aluminum smelting, iron pelletization, fertilizers, Islamic and offshore banking, insurance, ship repairing, tourism Industrial production growth rate: 6.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 Electricity - production: 10.25 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 Electricity - consumption: 10.1 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 48,520 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 Oil - consumption: 38,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 Oil - exports: 238,300 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 Oil - imports: 228,400 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 Oil - proved reserves: 124.6 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 Natural gas - production: 12.64 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 Natural gas - consumption: 12.64 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 45 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 Natural gas - proved reserves: 92.03 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 Current account balance: $2.257 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 $2.907 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $17.49 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 $13.79 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: petroleum and petroleum products, aluminum, textiles Exports - partners: Saudi Arabia 3.4%, India 2.7%, UAE 2.2% (2008) Imports: $14.25 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 85 $10.93 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: crude oil, machinery, chemicals Imports - partners: Saudi Arabia 26.7%, Japan 8.9%, US 7.8%, China 6.2%, Germany 4.8%, South Korea 4.7%, UK 4.5% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $3.803 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 $4.101 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $10.33 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 $7.858 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $15.01 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 $13.31 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $9.34 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 $7.72 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: Bahraini dinars (BHD) per US dollar - 0.376 (2008 est.), 0.376 (2007), 0.376 (2006), 0.376 (2005), 0.376 (2004) Communications ::Bahrain Telephones - main lines in use: 220,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 123 Telephones - mobile cellular: 1.4 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 135 Telephone system: general assessment: modern system domestic: modern fiber-optic integrated services; digital network with rapidly growing use of mobile-cellular telephones international: country code - 973; landing point for the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) submarine cable network that provides links to Asia, Middle East, Europe, and US; tropospheric scatter to Qatar and UAE; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; satellite earth station - 1 (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 4 (1997) Internet country code: .bh Internet hosts: 51,489 (2009) country comparison to the world: 82 Internet users: 402,900 (2008) country comparison to the world: 112 Transportation ::Bahrain Airports: 3 (2009) country comparison to the world: 191 Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2009) Heliports: 1 (2009) Pipelines: gas 20 km; oil 32 km (2008) Roadways: total: 3,498 km country comparison to the world: 161 paved: 2,768 km unpaved: 730 km (2003) Merchant marine: total: 9 country comparison to the world: 114 by type: bulk carrier 4, container 4, petroleum tanker 1 foreign-owned: 6 (Kuwait 5, UAE 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Mina' Salman, Sitrah Military ::Bahrain Military branches: Bahrain Defense Forces (BDF): Ground Force (includes Air Defense), Naval Force, Air Force, National Guard Military service age and obligation: 17 years of age for voluntary military service; 15 years of age for NCOs, technicians, and cadets; no conscription (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 210,938 females age 16-49: 170,471 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 171,004 females age 16-49: 144,555 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 6,612 female: 6,499 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 4.5% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 22 Transnational Issues ::Bahrain Disputes - international: none Trafficking in persons: current situation: Bahrain is a destination country for men and women trafficked for the purposes of involuntary servitude and commercial sexual exploitation; men and women from Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia migrate voluntarily to Bahrain to work as laborers or domestic servants where some face conditions of involuntary servitude such as unlawful withholding of passports, restrictions on movements, non-payment of wages, threats, and physical or sexual abuse; women from Thailand, Morocco, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia are trafficked to Bahrain for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Bahrain is on the Tier 2 Watch List for failing to show evidence of increased efforts to combat human trafficking, particularly efforts that enforce laws against trafficking in persons, and that prevent the punishment of victims of trafficking; during 2007, Bahrain passed a comprehensive law prohibiting all forms of trafficking in persons; the government also established a specialized anti-trafficking unit within the Ministry of Interior to investigate trafficking crimes; however, the government did not report any prosecutions or convictions for trafficking offenses during 2007, despite reports of a substantial problem of involuntary servitude and sex trafficking (2008) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Bangladesh (South Asia) Introduction ::Bangladesh Background: Europeans began to set up trading posts in the area of Bangladesh in the 16th century; eventually the British came to dominate the region and it became part of British India. In 1947, West Pakistan and East Bengal (both primarily Muslim) separated from India (largely Hindu) and jointly became the new country of Pakistan. East Bengal became East Pakistan in 1955, but the awkward arrangement of a two-part country with its territorial units separated by 1,600 km left the Bengalis marginalized and dissatisfied. East Pakistan seceded from its union with West Pakistan in 1971 and was renamed Bangladesh. A military-backed, emergency caretaker regime suspended parliamentary elections planned for January 2007 in an effort to reform the political system and root out corruption. In contrast to the strikes and violent street rallies that had marked Bangladeshi politics in previous years, the parliamentary elections finally held in late December 2008 were mostly peaceful. Sheikh HASINA Wajed was reappointed prime minister. About a third of this extremely poor country floods annually during the monsoon rainy season, hampering economic development. Geography ::Bangladesh Location: Southern Asia, bordering the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and India Geographic coordinates: 24 00 N, 90 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 143,998 sq km country comparison to the world: 94 land: 130,168 sq km water: 13,830 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Iowa Land boundaries: total: 4,246 km border countries: Burma 193 km, India 4,053 km Coastline: 580 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 18 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: up to the outer limits of the continental margin Climate: tropical; mild winter (October to March); hot, humid summer (March to June); humid, warm rainy monsoon (June to October) Terrain: mostly flat alluvial plain; hilly in southeast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Keokradong 1,230 m Natural resources: natural gas, arable land, timber, coal Land use: arable land: 55.39% permanent crops: 3.08% other: 41.53% (2005) Irrigated land: 47,250 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 1,210.6 cu km (1999) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 79.4 cu km/yr (3%/1%/96%) per capita: 560 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: droughts; cyclones; much of the country routinely inundated during the summer monsoon season Environment - current issues: many people are landless and forced to live on and cultivate flood-prone land; waterborne diseases prevalent in surface water; water pollution, especially of fishing areas, results from the use of commercial pesticides; ground water contaminated by naturally occurring arsenic; intermittent water shortages because of falling water tables in the northern and central parts of the country; soil degradation and erosion; deforestation; severe overpopulation Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: most of the country is situated on deltas of large rivers flowing from the Himalayas: the Ganges unites with the Jamuna (main channel of the Brahmaputra) and later joins the Meghna to eventually empty into the Bay of Bengal People ::Bangladesh Population: 156,050,883 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 Age structure: 0-14 years: 34.6% (male 27,065,625/female 26,913,961) 15-64 years: 61.4% (male 45,222,182/female 50,537,052) 65 years and over: 4% (male 3,057,255/female 3,254,808) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 23.3 years male: 22.9 years female: 23.5 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.292% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 Birth rate: 24.68 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 Death rate: 9.23 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 Net migration rate: -2.53 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 Urbanization: urban population: 27% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 59.02 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 39 male: 66.12 deaths/1,000 live births female: 51.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 60.25 years country comparison to the world: 183 male: 57.57 years female: 63.03 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.74 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 12,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 500 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria are high risks in some locations water contact disease: leptospirosis animal contact disease: rabies note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Nationality: noun: Bangladeshi(s) adjective: Bangladeshi Ethnic groups: Bengali 98%, other 2% (includes tribal groups, non-Bengali Muslims) (1998) Religions: Muslim 83%, Hindu 16%, other 1% (1998) Languages: Bangla (official, also known as Bengali), English Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 47.9% male: 54% female: 41.4% (2001 Census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 8 years male: 8 years female: 8 years (2004) Education expenditures: 2.7% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 151 Government ::Bangladesh Country name: conventional long form: People's Republic of Bangladesh conventional short form: Bangladesh local long form: Gana Prajatantri Banladesh local short form: Banladesh former: East Bengal, East Pakistan Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: name: Dhaka geographic coordinates: 23 43 N, 90 24 E time difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 6 divisions; Barisal, Chittagong, Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi, Sylhet Independence: 16 December 1971 (from West Pakistan); note - 26 March 1971 is the date of independence from West Pakistan, 16 December 1971 is known as Victory Day and commemorates the official creation of the state of Bangladesh National holiday: Independence Day, 26 March (1971); note - 26 March 1971 is the date of independence from West Pakistan, 16 December 1971 is Victory Day and commemorates the official creation of the state of Bangladesh Constitution: 4 November 1972; effective 16 December 1972; suspended following coup of 24 March 1982; restored 10 November 1986; amended many times Legal system: based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Zillur RAHMAN (since 12 February 2009) head of government: Prime Minister Sheikh HASINA Wajed (since 6 January 2009) cabinet: Cabinet selected by the prime minister and appointed by the president elections: president elected by National Parliament for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); last election held on 11 February 2009 (next scheduled election to be held in 2014) election results: Zillur RAHMAN declared president-elect by the Election Commission on 11 February 2009 (sworn in on 12 February); he ran unopposed as president; percent of National Parliament vote - NA Legislative branch: unicameral National Parliament or Jatiya Sangsad; 300 seats elected by popular vote from single territorial constituencies; members serve five-year terms elections: last held 29 December 2008 (next to be held in 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - AL 49%, BNP 33.2%, JP 7%, JIB 4.6%, other 6.2%; seats by party - AL 230, BNP 30, JP 27, JIB 2, other 11 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (the chief justices and other judges are appointed by the president) Political parties and leaders: Awami League or AL [Sheikh HASINA]; Bangladesh Communist Party or BCP [Manjurul A. KHAN]; Bangladesh Nationalist Party or BNP [Khaleda ZIA]; Islami Oikya Jote or IOJ [Mufti Fazlul Haq AMINI]; Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh or JIB [Matiur Rahman NIZAMI]; Jatiya Party or JP (Ershad faction) [Hussain Mohammad ERSHAD]; Jatiya Party (Manzur faction) [Naziur Rahman MANZUR]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Badrudozza CHOWDHURY and Oli AHMED] Political pressure groups and leaders: Advocacy to End Gender-based Violence through the MoWCA (Ministry of Women's and Children's Affairs) other: environmentalists; Islamist groups; religious leaders; teachers; union leaders International organization participation: ADB, ARF, BIMSTEC, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant) chancery: 3510 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 244-0183 FAX: [1] (202) 244-7830/2771 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador James F. MORIARTY embassy: Madani Avenue, Baridhara, Dhaka 1212 mailing address: G. P. O. Box 323, Dhaka 1000 telephone: [880] (2) 885-5500 FAX: [880] (2) 882-3744 Flag description: green field with a large red disk shifted slightly to the hoist side of center; the red disk represents the rising sun and the sacrifice to achieve independence; the green field symbolizes the lush vegetation of Bangladesh Economy ::Bangladesh Economy - overview: The economy has grown 5-6% per year since 1996 despite inefficient state-owned enterprises, delays in exploiting natural gas resources, insufficient power supplies, and slow implementation of economic reforms. Bangladesh remains a poor, overpopulated, and inefficiently-governed nation. Although more than half of GDP is generated through the service sector, nearly two-thirds of Bangladeshis are employed in the agriculture sector, with rice as the single-most-important product. Garment exports and remittances from Bangladeshis working overseas, mainly in the Middle East and East Asia, fuel economic growth. In 2008 Bangladesh pursued a monetary policy aimed at maintaining high employment, but created higher inflation in the process. GDP (purchasing power parity): $226.4 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 $214 billion (2007 est.) $201.5 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $84.2 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 6.2% (2007 est.) 6.4% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $1,500 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 197 $1,400 (2007 est.) $1,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 19.1% industry: 28.6% services: 52.3% (2008 est.) Labor force: 70.86 million country comparison to the world: 8 note: extensive export of labor to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Oman, Qatar, and Malaysia; workers' remittances estimated at $4.8 billion in 2005-06. (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 63% industry: 11% services: 26% (FY95/96) Unemployment rate: 2.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 2.5% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 45% (2004 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.3% highest 10%: 26.6% (2005) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 33.2 (2005) country comparison to the world: 94 33.6 (1996) Investment (gross fixed): 24.3% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 Budget: revenues: $8.825 billion expenditures: $12.54 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 39.4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 43% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 9.1% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 5% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 99 5% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 16.38% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 37 16% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $9.294 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 46 $8.444 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $37.98 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 30 $32.35 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $47.03 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 50 $40.1 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $6.671 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 78 $6.793 billion (31 December 2007) $3.61 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: rice, jute, tea, wheat, sugarcane, potatoes, tobacco, pulses, oilseeds, spices, fruit; beef, milk, poultry Industries: cotton textiles, jute, garments, tea processing, paper newsprint, cement, chemical fertilizer, light engineering, sugar Industrial production growth rate: 6.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 Electricity - production: 22.99 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 Electricity - consumption: 21.38 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 6,426 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 Oil - consumption: 95,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 Oil - exports: 2,612 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 Oil - imports: 87,660 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 Oil - proved reserves: 28 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 Natural gas - production: 17.9 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 Natural gas - consumption: 17.9 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 52 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 Natural gas - proved reserves: 141.6 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 Current account balance: $1.032 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 $856.8 million (2007 est.) Exports: $15.44 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 $12.47 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: garments, jute and jute goods, leather, frozen fish and seafood Exports - partners: US 21%, Germany 13.2%, UK 8.6%, France 6.3%, Netherlands 4.7% (2008) Imports: $21.51 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 $16.67 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, iron and steel, textiles, foodstuffs, petroleum products, cement Imports - partners: China 14.7%, India 14.7%, Kuwait 7.5%, Singapore 7.1%, Japan 4.1% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $5.789 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 $5.278 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $22.83 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 $21.23 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $5.971 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 $5.261 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $97 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 Exchange rates: taka (BDT) per US dollar - 68.554 (2008 est.), 69.893 (2007), 69.031 (2006), 64.328 (2005), 59.513 (2004) Communications ::Bangladesh Telephones - main lines in use: 1.39 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 67 Telephones - mobile cellular: 45.75 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 22 Telephone system: general assessment: inadequate for a modern country; fixed-line telephone density remains less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone subscribership has been increasing rapidly and has reached 30 per 100 persons domestic: modernizing; introducing digital systems; trunk systems include VHF and UHF microwave radio relay links, and some fiber-optic cable in cities international: country code - 880; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-4 fiber-optic submarine cable system that provides links to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia; satellite earth stations - 6; international radiotelephone communications and landline service to neighboring countries (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 15, FM 13, shortwave 2 (2006) Television broadcast stations: 15 (1999) Internet country code: .bd Internet hosts: 4,209 (2009) country comparison to the world: 135 Internet users: 556,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 104 Transportation ::Bangladesh Airports: 17 (2009) country comparison to the world: 139 Airports - with paved runways: total: 15 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 4 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Pipelines: gas 2,597 km (2008) Railways: total: 2,768 km country comparison to the world: 60 broad gauge: 946 km 1.676-m gauge narrow gauge: 1,822 km 1.000-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 239,226 km country comparison to the world: 21 paved: 22,726 km unpaved: 216,500 km (2003) Waterways: 8,370 km country comparison to the world: 17 note: includes up to 3,060 km main cargo routes; network reduced to 5,200 km in dry season (2007) Merchant marine: total: 40 country comparison to the world: 77 by type: bulk carrier 3, cargo 27, container 5, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 4 foreign-owned: 1 (China 1) registered in other countries: 10 (Comoros 2, Honduras 1, Malta 2, Panama 2, Singapore 2, Togo 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Chittagong, Mongla Port Transportation - note: the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial waters of Bangladesh as high risk for armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked both at anchor and while underway; crews have been robbed and stores or cargoes stolen Military ::Bangladesh Military branches: Bangladesh Defense Force: Bangladesh Army (Sena Bahini), Bangladesh Navy (Noh Bahini, BN), Bangladesh Air Force (Biman Bahini, BAF) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 16 years of age for voluntary military service; 17 years of age for officers (both with parental consent); conscription legally possible in emergency, but has never been implemented (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 41,199,340 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 24,946,041 females age 16-49: 31,409,069 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 1,538,865 female: 1,666,670 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.5% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 105 Transnational Issues ::Bangladesh Disputes - international: discussions with India remain stalled to delimit a small section of river boundary, exchange territory for 51 small Bangladeshi exclaves in India and 111 small Indian exclaves in Bangladesh, allocate divided villages, and stop illegal cross-border trade, migration, violence, and transit of terrorists through the porous border; Bangladesh protests India's fencing and walling off high-traffic sections of the porous boundary; a joint Bangladesh-India boundary commission resurveyed and reconstructed 92 missing pillars in 2007; dispute with India over New Moore/South Talpatty/Purbasha Island in the Bay of Bengal deters maritime boundary delimitation; after 21 years, Bangladesh resumes talks with Burma on delimiting a maritime boundary Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 26,268 (Burma) IDPs: 65,000 (land conflicts, religious persecution) (2007) Illicit drugs: transit country for illegal drugs produced in neighboring countries page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Barbados (Central America and Caribbean) Introduction ::Barbados Background: The island was uninhabited when first settled by the British in 1627. Slaves worked the sugar plantations established on the island until 1834 when slavery was abolished. The economy remained heavily dependent on sugar, rum, and molasses production through most of the 20th century. The gradual introduction of social and political reforms in the 1940s and 1950s led to complete independence from the UK in 1966. In the 1990s, tourism and manufacturing surpassed the sugar industry in economic importance. Geography ::Barbados Location: Caribbean, island in the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela Geographic coordinates: 13 10 N, 59 32 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 430 sq km country comparison to the world: 200 land: 430 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 97 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; rainy season (June to October) Terrain: relatively flat; rises gently to central highland region Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Hillaby 336 m Natural resources: petroleum, fish, natural gas Land use: arable land: 37.21% permanent crops: 2.33% other: 60.46% (2005) Irrigated land: 50 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 0.1 cu km (2003) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.09 cu km/yr (33%/44%/22%) per capita: 333 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: infrequent hurricanes; periodic landslides Environment - current issues: pollution of coastal waters from waste disposal by ships; soil erosion; illegal solid waste disposal threatens contamination of aquifers Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: easternmost Caribbean island People ::Barbados Population: 284,589 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 180 Age structure: 0-14 years: 19.2% (male 27,383/female 27,352) 15-64 years: 71.3% (male 99,829/female 103,049) 65 years and over: 9.5% (male 10,464/female 16,512) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 35.8 years male: 34.7 years female: 36.9 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.383% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 Birth rate: 12.55 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 163 Death rate: 8.41 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 Net migration rate: -0.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 101 Urbanization: urban population: 40% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.01 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 12.29 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 143 male: 13.89 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.67 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.94 years country comparison to the world: 95 male: 71.65 years female: 76.26 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.68 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 172 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 2,200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 137 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 100 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 152 Nationality: noun: Barbadian(s) or Bajan (colloquial) adjective: Barbadian or Bajan (colloquial) Ethnic groups: black 90%, white 4%, Asian and mixed 6% Religions: Protestant 63.4% (Anglican 28.3%, Pentecostal 18.7%, Methodist 5.1%, other 11.3%), Roman Catholic 4.2%, other Christian 7%, other 4.8%, none or unspecified 20.6% (2008 est.) Languages: English Literacy: definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 99.7% male: 99.7% female: 99.7% (2002 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2001) Education expenditures: 6.9% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 24 Government ::Barbados Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Barbados Government type: parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm Capital: name: Bridgetown geographic coordinates: 13 06 N, 59 37 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 11 parishes and 1 city*; Bridgetown*, Christ Church, Saint Andrew, Saint George, Saint James, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Lucy, Saint Michael, Saint Peter, Saint Philip, Saint Thomas Independence: 30 November 1966 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 30 November (1966) Constitution: 30 November 1966 Legal system: English common law; no judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Sir Clifford Straughn HUSBANDS (since 1 June 1996) head of government: Prime Minister David THOMPSON (since 16 January 2008) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; the prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (21 seats; members appointed by the governor general - 12 on the advice of the Prime Minister, 2 on the advice of the opposition leader, and 7 at his discretion) and the House of Assembly (30 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Assembly - last held 15 January 2008 (next to be called in 2013) election results: House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - DLP 52.5%, BLP 47.3%; seats by party - DLP 20, BLP 10 Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Judicature consists of a High Court and a Court of Appeal (judges are appointed by the Service Commissions for the Judicial and Legal Services); Caribbean Court of Justice or CCJ is the highest court of appeal; based in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago Political parties and leaders: Barbados Labor Party or BLP [Mia MOTTLEY]; Democratic Labor Party or DLP [David THOMPSON]; People's Empowerment Party or PEP [David COMISSIONG] Political pressure groups and leaders: Barbados Secondary Teachers' Union or BSTU [Patrick FROST]; Barbados Union of Teachers or BUT [Herbert GITTENS]; Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados or CTUSAB, (includes the BWU, NUPW, BUT, and BSTU) [Leroy TROTMAN]; Barbados Workers Union or BWU [Leroy TROTMAN]; Clement Payne Labor Union [David COMISSIONG]; National Union of Public Workers [Joseph GODDARD] International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador John BEALE chancery: 2144 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 939-9200 FAX: [1] (202) 332-7467 consulate(s) general: Miami, New York consulate(s): Los Angeles Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Mary M. OURISMAN embassy: U.S. Embassy, Wildey Business Park, Wildey, St. Michael BB 14006 mailing address: P. O. Box 302, Bridgetown BB 11000; CMR 1014, APO AA 34055 telephone: [1] (246) 227-4399 FAX: [1] (246) 431-0179 Flag description: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold, and blue with the head of a black trident centered on the gold band; the band colors represent the blue of the sea and sky and the gold of the beaches; the trident head represents independence and a break with the past (the colonial coat of arms contained a complete trident) Economy ::Barbados Economy - overview: Historically, the Barbadian economy was dependent on sugarcane cultivation and related activities. However, in recent years the economy has diversified into light industry and tourism with about three-quarters of GDP and 80% of exports being attributed to services. Growth has rebounded since 2003, bolstered by increases in construction projects and tourism revenues, reflecting its success in the higher-end segment, but the sector will likely face declining revenues with the global economic downturn. The country enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in the region. Offshore finance and information services are important foreign exchange earners and thrive from having the same time zone as eastern US financial centers and a relatively highly educated workforce. The government continues its efforts to reduce unemployment, to encourage direct foreign investment, and to privatize remaining state-owned enterprises. The public debt-to-GDP ratio of about 80% will likely widen as the THOMPSON administration engages in a more expansionary fiscal policy. GDP (purchasing power parity): $5.367 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 157 $5.329 billion (2007 est.) $5.159 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $3.67 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 0.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 187 3.3% (2007 est.) 3.9% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $18,900 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 $18,900 (2007 est.) $18,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 6% industry: 16% services: 78% (2000 est.) Labor force: 175,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 169 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 10% industry: 15% services: 75% (1996 est.) Unemployment rate: 10.7% (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $847 million (including grants) expenditures: $886 million (2000 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.5% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 93 Central bank discount rate: 10% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 24 12% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 10.03% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 77 10.8% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $1.637 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 75 $1.478 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $3.701 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 77 $2.717 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $4.554 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 82 $3.533 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 85 $5.599 billion (31 December 2007) $4.954 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: sugarcane, vegetables, cotton Industries: tourism, sugar, light manufacturing, component assembly for export Industrial production growth rate: -3.2% (2000 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 Electricity - production: 1.003 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 Electricity - consumption: 939.9 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 1,100 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 Oil - consumption: 9,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 Oil - exports: 1,750 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 Oil - imports: 10,390 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 Oil - proved reserves: 2.17 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 Natural gas - production: 29.17 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 87 Natural gas - consumption: 29.17 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 201 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 200 Natural gas - proved reserves: 141.6 million cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 101 Current account balance: -$254 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 Exports: $385 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 168 Exports - commodities: manufactures, sugar and molasses, rum, other foods and beverages, chemicals, electrical components Exports - partners: Trinidad and Tobago 15.6%, Jamaica 13.9%, Brazil 9.9%, US 8.7%, UK 7.8%, Saint Lucia 7.3%, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 4.5% (2008) Imports: $1.586 billion (2006) country comparison to the world: 158 Imports - commodities: consumer goods, machinery, foodstuffs, construction materials, chemicals, fuel, electrical components Imports - partners: US 27.1%, Trinidad and Tobago 25.6%, Russia 7.1%, Colombia 6.4%, Germany 4.1% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $620 million (2007) country comparison to the world: 135 $620 million (2007) Debt - external: $668 million (2003) country comparison to the world: 159 Exchange rates: Barbadian dollars (BBD) per US dollar - NA (2007), 2 (2006), 2 (2005), 2 (2004), 2 (2003) Communications ::Barbados Telephones - main lines in use: 150,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 132 Telephones - mobile cellular: 406,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 160 Telephone system: general assessment: fixed-line teledensity of roughly 50 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone density approaching 150 per 100 persons domestic: island-wide automatic telephone system international: country code - 1-246; landing point for the East Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS) submarine cable with links to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad; satellite earth stations - 1 (Intelsat -Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Trinidad and Saint Lucia (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 6, shortwave 0 (2004) Television broadcast stations: 1 (plus 2 cable channels) (2004) Internet country code: .bb Internet hosts: 235 (2009) country comparison to the world: 185 Internet users: 188,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 139 Transportation ::Barbados Airports: 1 (2009) country comparison to the world: 212 Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2009) Roadways: total: 1,600 km country comparison to the world: 176 paved: 1,600 km (2004) Merchant marine: total: 85 country comparison to the world: 53 by type: bulk carrier 15, cargo 50, chemical tanker 7, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 3, refrigerated cargo 6, roll on/roll off 2 foreign-owned: 80 (Canada 9, Greece 12, India 1, Iran 2, Lebanon 1, Norway 38, Sweden 7, Syria 1, UK 9) registered in other countries: 1 (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Bridgetown Military ::Barbados Military branches: Royal Barbados Defense Force: Troops Command, Barbados Coast Guard (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service (younger requires parental consent); no conscription (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 75,265 females age 16-49: 75,389 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 58,596 females age 16-49: 58,866 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 2,015 female: 2,007 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 0.5% of GDP (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 159 Military - note: the Royal Barbados Defense Force includes a land-based Troop Command and a small Coast Guard; the primary role of the land element is to defend the island against external aggression; the Command consists of a single, part-time battalion with a small regular cadre that is deployed throughout the island; it increasingly supports the police in patrolling the coastline to prevent smuggling and other illicit activities (2007) Transnational Issues ::Barbados Disputes - international: Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago abide by the April 2006 Permanent Court of Arbitration decision delimiting a maritime boundary and limiting catches of flying fish in Trinidad and Tobago's exclusive economic zone; joins other Caribbean states to counter Venezuela's claim that Aves Island sustains human habitation, a criterion under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which permits Venezuela to extend its EEZ/continental shelf over a large portion of the eastern Caribbean Sea Illicit drugs: one of many Caribbean transshipment points for narcotics bound for Europe and the US; offshore financial center page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Belarus (Europe) Introduction ::Belarus Background: After seven decades as a constituent republic of the USSR, Belarus attained its independence in 1991. It has retained closer political and economic ties to Russia than any of the other former Soviet republics. Belarus and Russia signed a treaty on a two-state union on 8 December 1999 envisioning greater political and economic integration. Although Belarus agreed to a framework to carry out the accord, serious implementation has yet to take place. Since his election in July 1994 as the country's first president, Aleksandr LUKASHENKO has steadily consolidated his power through authoritarian means. Government restrictions on freedom of speech and the press, peaceful assembly, and religion remain in place. Geography ::Belarus Location: Eastern Europe, east of Poland Geographic coordinates: 53 00 N, 28 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 207,600 sq km country comparison to the world: 85 land: 202,900 sq km water: 4,700 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Kansas Land boundaries: total: 3,306 km border countries: Latvia 171 km, Lithuania 680 km, Poland 605 km, Russia 959 km, Ukraine 891 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: cold winters, cool and moist summers; transitional between continental and maritime Terrain: generally flat and contains much marshland Elevation extremes: lowest point: Nyoman River 90 m highest point: Dzyarzhynskaya Hara 346 m Natural resources: forests, peat deposits, small quantities of oil and natural gas, granite, dolomitic limestone, marl, chalk, sand, gravel, clay Land use: arable land: 26.77% permanent crops: 0.6% other: 72.63% (2005) Irrigated land: 1,310 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 58 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 2.79 cu km/yr (23%/47%/30%) per capita: 286 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: soil pollution from pesticide use; southern part of the country contaminated with fallout from 1986 nuclear reactor accident at Chornobyl' in northern Ukraine Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: landlocked; glacial scouring accounts for the flatness of Belarusian terrain and for its 11,000 lakes People ::Belarus Population: 9,648,533 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 Age structure: 0-14 years: 14.3% (male 707,550/female 667,560) 15-64 years: 71.3% (male 3,337,253/female 3,540,916) 65 years and over: 14.5% (male 446,746/female 948,508) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 38.6 years male: 35.6 years female: 41.6 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: -0.378% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 224 Birth rate: 9.71 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 199 Death rate: 13.86 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 Net migration rate: 0.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 Urbanization: urban population: 73% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.47 male(s)/female total population: 0.87 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 6.43 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 177 male: 7.45 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.36 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.63 years country comparison to the world: 141 male: 64.95 years female: 76.67 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.24 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 213 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 13,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 1,100 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 Nationality: noun: Belarusian(s) adjective: Belarusian Ethnic groups: Belarusian 81.2%, Russian 11.4%, Polish 3.9%, Ukrainian 2.4%, other 1.1% (1999 census) Religions: Eastern Orthodox 80%, other (including Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim) 20% (1997 est.) Languages: Belarusian, Russian, other Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.6% male: 99.8% female: 99.4% (1999 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 15 years male: 14 years female: 15 years (2006) Education expenditures: 6.1% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 39 Government ::Belarus Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Belarus conventional short form: Belarus local long form: Respublika Byelarus' local short form: Byelarus' former: Belorussian (Byelorussian) Soviet Socialist Republic Government type: republic in name, although in fact a dictatorship Capital: name: Minsk geographic coordinates: 53 54 N, 27 34 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 6 provinces (voblastsi, singular - voblasts') and 1 municipality* (horad); Brest, Homyel', Horad Minsk*, Hrodna, Mahilyow, Minsk, Vitsyebsk note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers Independence: 25 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union) National holiday: Independence Day, 3 July (1944); note - 3 July 1944 was the date Minsk was liberated from German troops, 25 August 1991 was the date of independence from the Soviet Union Constitution: 15 March 1994; revised by national referendum of 24 November 1996 giving the presidency greatly expanded powers and became effective 27 November 1996; revised again 17 October 2004 removing presidential term limits Legal system: based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Aleksandr LUKASHENKO (since 20 July 1994) head of government: Prime Minister Sergey SIDORSKIY (since 19 December 2003); First Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir SEMASHKO (since December 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; first election took place 23 June and 10 July 1994; according to the 1994 constitution, the next election should have been held in 1999, however, Aleksandr LUKASHENKO extended his term to 2001 via a November 1996 referendum; subsequent election held 9 September 2001; an October 2004 referendum ended presidential term limits and allowed the president to run in a third election, which was held on 19 March 2006; prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president election results: Aleksandr LUKASHENKO reelected president; percent of vote - Aleksandr LUKASHENKO 82.6%, Aleksandr MILINKEVICH 6%, Aleksandr KOZULIN 2.3%; note - election marred by electoral fraud Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly or Natsionalnoye Sobranie consists of the Council of the Republic or Soviet Respubliki (64 seats; 56 members elected by regional councils and eight members appointed by the president, to serve four-year terms) and the Chamber of Representatives or Palata Predstaviteley (110 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Palata Predstaviteley - last held 28 September and 3 October 2008 (next to be held fall of 2012); international observers determined that despite minor improvements the election ultimately fell short of democratic standards; pro-LUKASHENKO candidates won every seat election results: Soviet Respubliki - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; Palata Predstaviteley - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president); Constitutional Court (half of the judges appointed by the president and half appointed by the Chamber of Representatives) Political parties and leaders: pro-government parties: Agrarian Party or AP [Mikhail SHIMANSKY]; Communist Party of Belarus or KPB; Belarusian Patriotic Movement (Belarusian Patriotic Party) or BPR [Nikolay ULAKHOVICH, chairman]; Liberal Democratic Party [Sergey GAYDUKEVICH]; Republican Party of Labor and Justice [Viktor SOKOLOV]; Social-Sports Party [Vladimir ALEXANDROVICH] opposition parties: Belarusian Christian Democracy Party (unregistered) [Pavel SEVERINETS]; Belarusian Party of Communists or PKB [Sergey KALYAKIN]; Belarusian Party of Labor (unregistered) [Aleksandr BUKHVOSTOV, Leonid LEMESHONAK]; Belarusian Popular Front or BPF [Levon BARSHCHEVSKIY]; Belarusian Social-Democratic Gramada [Stanislav SHUSHKEVICH]; Belarusian Social Democratic Party Hramada (People's Assembly) or BSDPH [Anatoliy LEVKOVICH]; European Coalition [Nikolay STATKEVICH]; Green Party [Oleg GROMYKO]; Party of Freedom and Progress (unregistered) [Vladimir NOVOSYAD]; United Civic Party or UCP [Anatoliy LEBEDKO]; Women's Party Hope (Nadezhda) [Valentina MATUSEVICH, chairperson] other opposition includes: Christian Conservative BPF [Zyanon PAZNIAK]; Ecological Party of Greens [Mikhail KARTASH]; Party of Popular Accord [Sergey YERMAKK]; Republican Party [Vladimir BELAZOR] Political pressure groups and leaders: Assembly of Pro-Democratic NGOs [Sergey MATSKEVICH]; Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions [Aleksandr YAROSHUK]; Belarusian Helsinki Committee [Tatiana PROTKO]; Belarusian Organization of Working Women [Irina ZHIKHAR]; BPF-Youth [Franak VYACHORKA]; Charter 97 [Andrey SANNIKOV]; For Freedom [Aleksandr MILINKEVICH]; Lenin Communist Union of Youth (youth wing of the Belarusian Party of Communists or PKB); National Strike Committee of Entrepreneurs [Aleksandr VASILYEV, Valery LEVONEVSKY]; Partnership NGO [Nikolay ASTREYKA]; Perspektiva kiosk watchdog NGO [Anatol SHUMCHENKO]; Vyasna [Ales BYALATSKY]; Women's Independent Democratic Movement [Ludmila PETINA]; Young Belarus (Malady Belarus) [Artur FINKEVICH]; Youth Front (Malady Front) [Dmitriy DASHKEVICH]; Zubr youth group [Vladimir KOBETS] International organization participation: BSEC (observer), CEI, CIS, CSTO, EAEC, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, NSG, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge D'Affaires Oleg KRAVCHENKO chancery: 1619 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 986-1604 FAX: [1] (202) 986-1805 consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Jonathan MOORE embassy: 46 Starovilenskaya Street, Minsk 220002 mailing address: PSC 78, Box B Minsk, APO 09723 telephone: [375] (17) 210-12-83, 217-7347 through 7348 FAX: [375] (17) 234-7853 Flag description: red horizontal band (top) and green horizontal band one-half the width of the red band; a white vertical stripe on the hoist side bears Belarusian national ornamentation in red; the red band color recalls past struggles from oppression, the green band represents hope and the many forests of the country Economy ::Belarus Economy - overview: Belarus has seen little structural reform since 1995, when President LUKASHENKO launched the country on the path of "market socialism." In keeping with this policy, LUKASHENKO reimposed administrative controls over prices and currency exchange rates and expanded the state's right to intervene in the management of private enterprises. Since 2005, the government has re-nationalized a number of private companies. In addition, businesses have been subject to pressure by central and local governments, e.g., arbitrary changes in regulations, numerous rigorous inspections, retroactive application of new business regulations, and arrests of "disruptive" businessmen and factory owners. A wide range of redistributive policies has helped those at the bottom of the ladder; the Gini coefficient is among the lowest in the world. Because of these restrictive economic policies, Belarus has had trouble attracting foreign investment. Nevertheless, government statistics indicate GDP growth has been strong in recent years, reaching 10% in 2008, despite the roadblocks of a tough, centrally directed economy with a high rate of inflation. Belarus receives discounted oil and natural gas from Russia and much of Belarus' growth can be attributed to the re-export of Russian oil at market prices. Trade with Russia - by far its largest single trade partner - decreased in 2007-08, largely as a result of a change in the way the Value Added Tax (VAT) on trade was collected. Russia has introduced an export duty on oil shipped to Belarus, which will increase gradually through 2009, and a requirement that Belarusian duties on re-exported Russian oil be shared with Russia - 80% was slated to go to Russia in 2008, and 85% in 2009. Russia also increased Belarusian natural gas prices from $47 per thousand cubic meters (tcm)in 2006 to $100 per tcm in 2007, and to $128 per tcm in 2008, and plans to increase prices gradually to world levels by 2011. Russia's recent policy of bringing energy prices for Belarus to world market levels may result in a slowdown in economic growth in Belarus over the next few years. Some policy measures, including improving energy efficiency and diversifying exports, have been introduced, but external borrowing has been the main mechanism used to manage the growing pressures on the economy. Belarus felt the effects of the global financial crisis in late 2008 and reached agreement with Russia in November for a $2 billion stabilization loan and with the IMF for a $2.5 billion stand-by agreement in January 2009. In line with IMF conditionality, Belarus devalued the ruble approximately 20% in January 2009 and has tightened some fiscal and monetary policies. Belarus's economic growth is likely to slow in 2009 as it faces decreasing demand for its exports, and will find it difficult to increase external borrowing if the credit markets continue to tighten. GDP (purchasing power parity): $114.3 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 $103.9 billion (2007 est.) $96.06 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $60.3 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 10% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 8.2% (2007 est.) 9.9% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $11,800 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 93 $10,700 (2007 est.) $9,800 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 8.5% industry: 41.2% services: 50.3% (2008 est.) Labor force: 4.869 million (2007) country comparison to the world: 77 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 14% industry: 34.7% services: 51.3% (2003 est.) Unemployment rate: 1.6% (2005) country comparison to the world: 12 note: officially registered unemployed; large number of underemployed workers Population below poverty line: 27.1% (2003 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.6% highest 10%: 22% (2005) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 27.9 (2005) country comparison to the world: 122 21.7 (1998) Investment (gross fixed): 31.9% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 Budget: revenues: $25.15 billion expenditures: $25.97 billion (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 14.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 188 8.4% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 12% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 37 10% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 8.55% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 99 8.58% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $4.872 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 55 $4.065 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $8.784 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 55 $6.823 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $18.42 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 60 $12.16 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: grain, potatoes, vegetables, sugar beets, flax; beef, milk Industries: metal-cutting machine tools, tractors, trucks, earthmovers, motorcycles, televisions, synthetic fibers, fertilizer, textiles, radios, refrigerators Industrial production growth rate: 12% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 Electricity - production: 29.92 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 Electricity - consumption: 30.54 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 Electricity - exports: 5.062 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 9.406 billion kWh (2007 est.) Oil - production: 32,950 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 Oil - consumption: 184,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 Oil - exports: 303,900 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 Oil - imports: 444,800 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 Oil - proved reserves: 198 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 Natural gas - production: 152 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 Natural gas - consumption: 21.75 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 48 Natural gas - imports: 21.6 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 13 Natural gas - proved reserves: 2.832 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 Current account balance: -$5.063 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 158 -$3.042 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $33.04 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 $24.33 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: machinery and equipment, mineral products, chemicals, metals, textiles, foodstuffs Exports - partners: Russia 32.2%, Netherlands 16.9%, Ukraine 8.5%, Latvia 6.6%, Poland 5.5%, UK 4.4% (2008) Imports: $39.16 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 $28.4 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: mineral products, machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs, metals Imports - partners: Russia 59.8%, Germany 7.1%, Ukraine 5.4% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $2.687 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 $3.952 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $15.15 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 77 $12.49 billion (31 December 2007) Exchange rates: Belarusian rubles (BYB/BYR) per US dollar - 2,130 (2008 est.), 2,145 (2007), 2,144.6 (2006), 2,150 (2005), 2,160.26 (2004) Communications ::Belarus Telephones - main lines in use: 3.718 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 41 Telephones - mobile cellular: 8.693 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 66 Telephone system: general assessment: Belarus lags behind its neighbors in upgrading telecommunications infrastructure; state-owned Beltelcom is the sole provider of fixed-line local and long distance service; fixed-line teledensity of roughly 35 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone density of about 90 per 100 persons; modernization of the network progressing with roughly two-thirds of switching equipment now digital domestic: fixed-line penetration is improving although rural areas continue to be underserved; 3 GSM wireless networks are experiencing rapid growth; strict government controls on telecommunications technologies international: country code - 375; Belarus is a member of the Trans-European Line (TEL), Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line, and has access to the Trans-Siberia Line (TSL); 3 fiber-optic segments provide connectivity to Latvia, Poland, Russia, and Ukraine; worldwide service is available to Belarus through this infrastructure; additional analog lines to Russia; Intelsat, Eutelsat, and Intersputnik earth stations (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 28, FM 37, shortwave 11 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 47 (plus 27 repeaters) (1995) Internet country code: .by Internet hosts: 113,115 (2009) country comparison to the world: 70 Internet users: 3.107 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 57 Transportation ::Belarus Airports: 65 (2009) country comparison to the world: 75 Airports - with paved runways: total: 35 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 22 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 7 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 30 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 25 (2009) Heliports: 1 (2009) Pipelines: gas 5,250 km; oil 1,528 km; refined products 1,730 km (2008) Railways: total: 5,538 km country comparison to the world: 32 broad gauge: 5,512 km 1.520-m gauge (874 km electrified) standard gauge: 25 km 1.435-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 94,797 km country comparison to the world: 48 paved: 84,028 km unpaved: 10,769 km (2005) Waterways: 2,500 km (use limited by location on perimeter of country and by shallowness) (2003) country comparison to the world: 36 Ports and terminals: Mazyr Military ::Belarus Military branches: Belarus Armed Forces: Land Force, Air and Air Defense Force (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18-27 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 18 months (2005) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 2,491,643 females age 16-49: 2,528,779 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,720,049 females age 16-49: 2,069,898 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 60,009 female: 56,834 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.4% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 Transnational Issues ::Belarus Disputes - international: Boundary demarcated with Latvia and Lithuania in 2006; 1997 boundary delimitation treaty with Ukraine remains unratified over unresolved financial claims, preventing demarcation and diminishing border security Illicit drugs: limited cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis, mostly for the domestic market; transshipment point for illicit drugs to and via Russia, and to the Baltics and Western Europe; a small and lightly regulated financial center; anti-money-laundering legislation does not meet international standards and was weakened further when know-your-customer requirements were curtailed in 2008; few investigations or prosecutions of money-laundering activities (2008) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Belgium (Europe) Introduction ::Belgium Background: Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830; it was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. The country prospered in the past half century as a modern, technologically advanced European state and member of NATO and the EU. Tensions between the Dutch-speaking Flemings of the north and the French-speaking Walloons of the south have led in recent years to constitutional amendments granting these regions formal recognition and autonomy. Geography ::Belgium Location: Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands Geographic coordinates: 50 50 N, 4 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 30,528 sq km country comparison to the world: 140 land: 30,278 sq km water: 250 sq km Area - comparative: about the size of Maryland Land boundaries: total: 1,385 km border countries: France 620 km, Germany 167 km, Luxembourg 148 km, Netherlands 450 km Coastline: 66.5 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: geographic coordinates define outer limit continental shelf: median line with neighbors Climate: temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy Terrain: flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast Elevation extremes: lowest point: North Sea 0 m highest point: Signal de Botrange 694 m Natural resources: construction materials, silica sand, carbonates Land use: arable land: 27.42% permanent crops: 0.69% other: 71.89% note: includes Luxembourg (2005) Irrigated land: 400 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 20.8 cu km (2005) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 7.44 cu km/yr (13%/85%/1%) per capita: 714 cu m/yr (1998) Natural hazards: flooding is a threat along rivers and in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes Environment - current issues: the environment is exposed to intense pressures from human activities: urbanization, dense transportation network, industry, extensive animal breeding and crop cultivation; air and water pollution also have repercussions for neighboring countries; uncertainties regarding federal and regional responsibilities (now resolved) had slowed progress in tackling environmental challenges Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: crossroads of Western Europe; most West European capitals within 1,000 km of Brussels, the seat of both the European Union and NATO People ::Belgium Population: 10,414,336 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 Age structure: 0-14 years: 16.1% (male 857,373/female 822,303) 15-64 years: 66.3% (male 3,480,072/female 3,419,721) 65 years and over: 17.6% (male 760,390/female 1,074,477) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 41.7 years male: 40.4 years female: 43 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.094% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 192 Birth rate: 10.15 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 193 Death rate: 10.44 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 Net migration rate: 1.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 Urbanization: urban population: 97% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 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: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 4.44 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 201 male: 4.99 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.87 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.22 years country comparison to the world: 33 male: 76.06 years female: 82.53 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.65 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 176 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 15,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 100 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 Nationality: noun: Belgian(s) adjective: Belgian Ethnic groups: Fleming 58%, Walloon 31%, mixed or other 11% Religions: Roman Catholic 75%, other (includes Protestant) 25% Languages: Dutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German (official) less than 1%, legally bilingual (Dutch and French) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 16 years male: 16 years female: 16 years (2006) Education expenditures: 6% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 40 Government ::Belgium Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Belgium conventional short form: Belgium local long form: Royaume de Belgique/Koninkrijk Belgie local short form: Belgique/Belgie Government type: federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy Capital: name: Brussels geographic coordinates: 50 50 N, 4 20 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 3 regions (French: regions, singular - region; Dutch: gewesten, singular - gewest); Brussels-Capital Region, also known as Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest (Dutch), Region de Bruxelles-Capitale (French long form), Bruxelles-Capitale (French short form); Flemish Region (Flanders), also known as Vlaams Gewest (Dutch long form), Vlaanderen (Dutch short form), Region Flamande (French long form), Flandre (French short form); Walloon Region (Wallonia), also known as Region Wallone (French long form), Wallonie (French short form), Waals Gewest (Dutch long form), Wallonie (Dutch short form) note: as a result of the 1993 constitutional revision that furthered devolution into a federal state, there are now three levels of government (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with a complex division of responsibilities Independence: 4 October 1830 (a provisional government declared independence from the Netherlands); 21 July 1831 (King LEOPOLD I ascended to the throne) National holiday: 21 July (1831) ascension to the Throne of King LEOPOLD I Constitution: 7 February 1831; amended many times; revised 14 July 1993 to create a federal state Legal system: based on civil law system influenced by English constitutional theory; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: King ALBERT II (since 9 August 1993); Heir Apparent Prince PHILIPPE, son of the monarch head of government: Prime Minister Herman VAN ROMPUY (30 December 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers are formally appointed by the monarch elections: the monarchy is hereditary and constitutional; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch and then approved by parliament Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of a Senate or Senaat in Dutch, Senat in French (71 seats; 40 members are directly elected by popular vote, 31 are indirectly elected; members serve four-year terms) and a Chamber of Deputies or Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordigers in Dutch, Chambre des Representants in French (150 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate and Chamber of Deputies - last held 10 June 2007 (next to be held no later than June 2011) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - CDV/N-VA 19.4%, Open VLD 12.4%, MR 12.3%, VB 11.9%, PS 10.2%, SP.A-Spirit 10%, CDH 5.9%, Ecolo 5.8%, Groen! 3.6%, Dedecker List 3.4%, FN 2.3%, other 2.8%; seats by party - CDV 12, MR 11, Open VLD 9, VB 8, PS 7, SP.A 6, CDH 5, Ecolo 5, Groen! 2, LDD 1, FN 1, independents 4; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - CDV/N-VA 18.5%, MR 12.5%, VB 12%, Open VLD 11.8%, PS 10.9%, SP.A-Spirit 10.3%, CDH 6.1%, Ecolo 5.1%, Dedecker List 4%, Groen! 4%, FN 2%, other 2.8%; seats by party - CDV 23, N-VA 7, MR 23, VB 17, Open VLD 18, PS 20, SP.A 14, CDH 10, Ecolo 8, Dedecker List 5, Groen! 4, FN 1 note: as a result of the 1993 constitutional revision that furthered devolution into a federal state, there are now three levels of government (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with a complex division of responsibilities; this reality leaves six governments, each with its own legislative assembly Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice or Hof van Cassatie (in Dutch) or Cour de Cassation (in French) (judges are appointed for life by the government; candidacies have to be submitted by the High Justice Council) Political parties and leaders: Flemish parties: Christian Democratic and Flemish or CDV [Marianne THYSSEN]; Dedecker List [Jean-Marie DEDECKER]; Flemish Liberals and Democrats or Open VLD [Bart SOMERS]; Groen! [Mieke VOGELS] (formerly AGALEV, Flemish Greens); New Flemish Alliance or N-VA [Bart DE WEVER]; Social Liberal Party or SLP [Geert LAMBERT]; note - prior to 19 April 2008, known as Spirit; Social Progressive Alternative or SP.A [Caroline GENNEZ]; Vlaams Belang (Flemish Interest) or VB [Bruno VALKENIERS] Francophone parties: Ecolo (Francophone Greens) [Jean-Michel JAVAUX, Isabelle DURANT]; Humanist and Democratic Center or CDH [Joelle MILQUET]; National Front or FN [Daniel HUYGENS]; Reform Movement or MR [Didier REYNDERS]; Socialist Party or PS [Elio DI RUPO]; other minor parties Political pressure groups and leaders: Christian, Socialist, and Liberal Trade Unions; Federation of Belgian Industries other: numerous other associations representing bankers, manufacturers, middle-class artisans, and the legal and medical professions; various organizations represent the cultural interests of Flanders and Wallonia; various peace groups such as Pax Christi and groups representing immigrants International organization participation: ACCT, ADB (nonregional members), AfDB (nonregional members), Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G-9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIS, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCL, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jan MATTHYSEN chancery: 3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 333-6900 FAX: [1] (202) 333-3079 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Wayne BUSH embassy: 27 Boulevard du Regent [Regentlaan], B-1000 Brussels mailing address: PSC 82, Box 002, APO AE 09710 telephone: [32] (2) 508-2111 FAX: [32] (2) 511-2725 Flag description: three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow, and red; the vertical design was based on the flag of France; the colors are those of the arms of the duchy of Brabant (yellow lion with red claws and tongue on a black field) Economy ::Belgium Economy - overview: This modern, private-enterprise economy has capitalized on its central geographic location, highly developed transport network, and diversified industrial and commercial base. Industry is concentrated mainly in the populous Flemish area in the north. With few natural resources, Belgium must import substantial quantities of raw materials and export a large volume of manufactures, making its economy unusually dependent on the state of world markets. Roughly three-quarters of its trade is with other EU countries. Public debt is more than 80% of GDP. On the positive side, the government succeeded in balancing its budget during the 2000-2008 period, and income distribution is relatively equal. Belgium began circulating the euro currency in January 2002. Economic growth and foreign direct investment dropped in 2008. In 2009 Belgium is likely to have negative growth, growing unemployment, and a 3% budget deficit, stemming from the worldwide banking crisis. GDP (purchasing power parity): $390.2 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 $386.3 billion (2007 est.) $376.5 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $506.2 billion (2008) GDP - real growth rate: 1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 174 2.6% (2007 est.) 3% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $37,500 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 $37,200 (2007 est.) $36,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 0.8% industry: 23.2% services: 76.1% (2008 est.) Labor force: 4.99 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 72 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 2% industry: 25% services: 73% (2007 est.) Unemployment rate: 7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 7.5% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 15.2% (2007 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.4% highest 10%: 28.4% (2000) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 28 (2005) country comparison to the world: 120 28.7 (1996) Investment (gross fixed): 22.7% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 Budget: revenues: $239.4 billion expenditures: $245.7 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 89.6% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 96.2% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 1.8% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 3% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 100 5% (31 December 2007) note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area Commercial bank prime lending rate: 7.03% (31 December 2008) Stock of money: NA (31 December 2008) NA (31 December 2007) note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi money circulating within their own borders Stock of quasi money: NA (31 December 2008) NA (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $767.1 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 14 $552 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 25 $386.4 billion (31 December 2007) $396.2 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: sugar beets, fresh vegetables, fruits, grain, tobacco; beef, veal, pork, milk Industries: engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, transportation equipment, scientific instruments, processed food and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum Industrial production growth rate: 2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 Electricity - production: 82.17 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 Electricity - consumption: 84.88 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 33 Electricity - exports: 6.561 billion kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 17.16 billion kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 11,220 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 Oil - consumption: 716,800 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 Oil - exports: 507,500 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 Oil - imports: 1.076 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 204 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 Natural gas - consumption: 17.33 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 54 Natural gas - imports: 17.42 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 Current account balance: -$12.88 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 172 $7.751 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $371.5 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 13 $323.4 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, finished diamonds, metals and metal products, foodstuffs Exports - partners: Germany 19.8%, France 17.4%, Netherlands 12.2%, UK 7.2%, US 4.8%, Italy 4.7% (2008) Imports: $387.7 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 $320.9 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: raw materials, machinery and equipment, chemicals, raw diamonds, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, transportation equipment, oil products Imports - partners: Netherlands 19.4%, Germany 17.2%, France 11%, UK 5.7%, US 5.6%, China 4.2% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $15.65 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 $16.51 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $1.354 trillion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 11 $1.539 trillion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $821 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 $747.5 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $661.9 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 $593 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Communications ::Belgium Telephones - main lines in use: 4.457 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 34 Telephones - mobile cellular: 11.822 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 51 Telephone system: general assessment: highly developed, technologically advanced, and completely automated domestic and international telephone and telegraph facilities domestic: nationwide cellular telephone system; extensive cable network; limited microwave radio relay network international: country code - 32; landing point for a number of submarine cables that provide links to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia; satellite earth stations - 7 (Intelsat - 3) (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 7, FM 79, shortwave 1 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 25 (plus 10 repeaters) (1997) Internet country code: .be Internet hosts: 4.367 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 17 Internet users: 7.292 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 34 Transportation ::Belgium Airports: 43 (2009) country comparison to the world: 99 Airports - with paved runways: total: 27 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 9 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 15 (2009) Heliports: 1 (2009) Pipelines: gas 1,330 km; oil 158 km; refined products 535 km (2008) Railways: total: 3,233 km country comparison to the world: 54 standard gauge: 3,233 km 1.435-m gauge (2,950 km electrified) (2008) Roadways: total: 152,256 km country comparison to the world: 34 paved: 119,079 km (includes 1,763 km of expressways) unpaved: 33,177 km (2006) Waterways: 2,043 km (1,528 km in regular commercial use) (2008) country comparison to the world: 44 Merchant marine: total: 79 country comparison to the world: 56 by type: bulk carrier 20, cargo 9, chemical tanker 1, container 6, liquefied gas 20, passenger 2, petroleum tanker 11, roll on/roll off 10 foreign-owned: 6 (Denmark 4, France 2) registered in other countries: 111 (Bahamas 15, Cyprus 2, France 6, Gibraltar 2, Greece 16, Hong Kong 3, Liberia 4, Luxembourg 7, Malta 15, Mozambique 2, Netherlands 2, Netherlands Antilles 1, Panama 2, Portugal 8, Russia 4, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 8, Sierra Leone 1, Singapore 8, Vanuatu 4) (2008) Ports and terminals: Antwerp, Gent, Liege, Zeebrugge Military ::Belgium Military branches: Belgian Armed Forces: Land Operations Command, Naval Operations Command, Air Operations Command (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription suspended (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 2,407,128 females age 16-49: 2,340,039 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,962,409 females age 16-49: 1,905,178 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 62,722 female: 59,969 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.3% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 Transnational Issues ::Belgium Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: growing producer of synthetic drugs and cannabis; transit point for US-bound ecstasy; source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaine processors; transshipment point for cocaine, heroin, hashish, and marijuana entering Western Europe; despite a strengthening of legislation, the country remains vulnerable to money laundering related to narcotics, automobiles, alcohol, and tobacco; significant domestic consumption of ecstasy page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Belize (Central America and Caribbean) Introduction ::Belize Background: Belize was the site of several Mayan city states until their decline at the end of the first millennium A.D. The British and Spanish disputed the region in the 17th and 18th centuries; it formally became the colony of British Honduras in 1854. Territorial disputes between the UK and Guatemala delayed the independence of Belize until 1981. Guatemala refused to recognize the new nation until 1992 and the two countries are involved in an ongoing border dispute. Guatemala and Belize are gearing up for a simultaneous referendum to determine if this dispute will go before the International Court of Justice at The Hague. Tourism has become the mainstay of the economy. Current concerns include an unsustainable foreign debt, high unemployment, growing involvement in the South American drug trade, growing urban crime, and increasing incidences of HIV/AIDS. Geography ::Belize Location: Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico Geographic coordinates: 17 15 N, 88 45 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 22,966 sq km country comparison to the world: 151 land: 22,806 sq km water: 160 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Massachusetts Land boundaries: total: 516 km border countries: Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 250 km Coastline: 386 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm in the north, 3 nm in the south; note - from the mouth of the Sarstoon River to Ranguana Cay, Belize's territorial sea is 3 nm; according to Belize's Maritime Areas Act, 1992, the purpose of this limitation is to provide a framework for negotiating a definitive agreement on territorial differences with Guatemala exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May) Terrain: flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Doyle's Delight 1,160 m Natural resources: arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower Land use: arable land: 3.05% permanent crops: 1.39% other: 95.56% (2005) Irrigated land: 30 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 18.6 cu km (2000) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.15 cu km/yr (7%/73%/20%) per capita: 556 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: frequent, devastating hurricanes (June to November) and coastal flooding (especially in south) Environment - current issues: deforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff; solid and sewage waste disposal Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: only country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean People ::Belize Population: 307,899 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 177 Age structure: 0-14 years: 37.9% (male 59,462/female 57,117) 15-64 years: 58.6% (male 91,298/female 89,170) 65 years and over: 3.5% (male 5,185/female 5,667) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 20.4 years male: 20.3 years female: 20.6 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 2.154% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 Birth rate: 27.33 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 59 Death rate: 5.8 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 52% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 23.07 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 94 male: 26 deaths/1,000 live births female: 19.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.2 years country comparison to the world: 151 male: 66.44 years female: 70.05 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.36 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 59 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 2.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 3,600 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009) Nationality: noun: Belizean(s) adjective: Belizean Ethnic groups: mestizo 48.7%, Creole 24.9%, Maya 10.6%, Garifuna 6.1%, other 9.7% (2000 census) Religions: Roman Catholic 49.6%, Protestant 27% (Pentecostal 7.4%, Anglican 5.3%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5.2%, Mennonite 4.1%, Methodist 3.5%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.5%), other 14%, none 9.4% (2000) Languages: Spanish 46%, Creole 32.9%, Mayan dialects 8.9%, English 3.9% (official), Garifuna 3.4% (Carib), German 3.3%, other 1.4%, unknown 0.2% (2000 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 76.9% male: 76.7% female: 77.1% (2000 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 13 years (2004) Education expenditures: 5.3% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 55 Government ::Belize Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Belize former: British Honduras Government type: parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm Capital: name: Belmopan geographic coordinates: 17 15 N, 88 46 W time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo Independence: 21 September 1981 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 21 September (1981) Constitution: 21 September 1981 Legal system: English law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Sir Colville YOUNG, Sr. (since 17 November 1993) head of government: Prime Minister Dean Oliver BARROW (since 8 February 2008); Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar VEGA (since 12 February 2008) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (12 seats; members appointed by the governor general - 6 on the advice of the prime minister, 3 on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and 1 each on the advice of the Belize Council of Churches and Evangelical Association of Churches, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Belize Better Business Bureau, and the National Trade Union Congress and the Civil Society Steering Committee; to serve five-year terms) and the House of Representatives (31 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held 6 February 2008 (next to be held in 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - UDP 56.3%, PUP 40.9%; seats by party - UDP 25, PUP 6 Judicial branch: Summary Jurisdiction Courts (criminal) and District Courts (civil jurisdiction); Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister); Court of Appeal; Privy Council in the UK; member of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Political parties and leaders: National Alliance for Belizean Rights or NABR; National Reform Party or NRP [Cornelius DUECK]; People's National Party or PNP [Wil MAHEIA]; People's United Party or PUP [John BRICENO]; United Democratic Party or UDP [Dean BARROW]; Vision Inspired by the People or VIP [Paul MORGAN]; We the People Reform Movement or WTP [Hipolito BAUTISTA] Political pressure groups and leaders: Society for the Promotion of Education and Research or SPEAR [Gustavo PERERA]; Association of Concerned Belizeans or ACB [David VASQUEZ]; National Trade Union Congress of Belize or NTUC/B [Rene GOMEZ] International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, ITUC, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Nestor MENDEZ chancery: 2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-9636 FAX: [1] (202) 332-6888 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires J.A. DIFFILY embassy: Floral Park Road, Belmopan City, Cayo District mailing address: P.O. Box 497, Belmopan City, Cayo District, Belize telephone: [501] 822-4011 FAX: [501] 822-4012 Flag description: blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottom edges; centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of arms; the coat of arms features a shield flanked by two workers in front of a mahogany tree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in the Shade) on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a green garland Economy ::Belize Economy - overview: In this small, essentially private-enterprise economy, tourism is the number one foreign exchange earner followed by exports of marine products, citrus, cane sugar, bananas, and garments. The government's expansionary monetary and fiscal policies, initiated in September 1998, led to sturdy GDP growth averaging nearly 4% in 1999-2007, though growth slipped to 3.8% in 2008 as a result of the global slowdown, natural disasters, and the drop in the price of oil. Oil discoveries in 2006 bolstered the economic growth. Exploration efforts continue and a small increase in production is expected in 2009. Major concerns continue to be the sizable trade deficit and unsustainable foreign debt equivalent to nearly 70% of GDP. In February 2007, the government restructured nearly all of its public external commercial debt, which helped reduce interest payments and relieve some of the country's liquidity concerns. A key short-term objective remains the reduction of poverty with the help of international donors. GDP (purchasing power parity): $2.542 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 178 $2.468 billion (2007 est.) $2.43 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $1.359 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 1.6% (2007 est.) 5.3% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $8,400 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 $8,400 (2007 est.) $8,400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 29% industry: 16.9% services: 54.1% (2008 est.) Labor force: 122,300 country comparison to the world: 173 note: shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 10.2% industry: 18.1% services: 71.7% (2007) Unemployment rate: 8.1% (2008) country comparison to the world: 113 9.4% (2006) Population below poverty line: 33.5% (2002 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Investment (gross fixed): 27.8% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 Budget: revenues: $347 million expenditures: $386.5 million (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 2.3% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 12% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 26 12% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 14.14% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 49 14.33% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $345.7 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 99 $323.9 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $653.8 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 105 $549 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $955 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 108 $877.6 million (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: bananas, cacao, citrus, sugar; fish, cultured shrimp; lumber; garments Industries: garment production, food processing, tourism, construction, oil Industrial production growth rate: 1.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 108 Electricity - production: 213.5 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 175 Electricity - consumption: 198.5 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 177 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 248.4 million kWh (2005) Oil - production: 3,511 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 Oil - consumption: 7,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 156 Oil - exports: 2,260 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 Oil - imports: 7,204 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 Oil - proved reserves: 6.7 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 205 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 51 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 201 Current account balance: -$153.7 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 -$51.1 million (2007 est.) Exports: $464.7 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 165 $425.6 million (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: sugar, bananas, citrus, clothing, fish products, molasses, wood, crude oil Exports - partners: US 35.6%, UK 21.5%, Cote d'Ivoire 5.3%, Italy 4.5%, Nigeria 4% (2008) Imports: $788.1 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 179 $642 million (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods; fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals; food, beverages, tobacco Imports - partners: US 37.4%, Mexico 12.9%, Cuba 7.7%, Guatemala 6.1%, Russia 5%, China 4.2% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $166.2 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 $108.5 million (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $954.1 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 154 $1.2 billion (June 2005 est.) Exchange rates: Belizean dollars (BZD) per US dollar - 2 (2008), 2 (2007), 2 (2006), 2 (2005), 2 (2004) Communications ::Belize Telephones - main lines in use: 31,100 (2008) country comparison to the world: 177 Telephones - mobile cellular: 160,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 175 Telephone system: general assessment: above-average system; fixed-line teledensity of 10 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone density roughly 55 per 100 persons domestic: trunk network depends primarily on microwave radio relay international: country code - 501; landing point for the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) fiber-optic telecommunications submarine cable that provides links to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth station - 8 (Intelsat - 2, unknown - 6) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 16, shortwave 0 (2006) Television broadcast stations: 7 (2008) Internet country code: .bz Internet hosts: 3,017 (2009) country comparison to the world: 142 Internet users: 34,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 178 Transportation ::Belize Airports: 44 (2009) country comparison to the world: 96 Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 40 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 27 (2009) Roadways: total: 3,007 km country comparison to the world: 166 paved: 575 km unpaved: 2,432 km (2006) Waterways: 825 km (navigable only by small craft) (2008) country comparison to the world: 71 Merchant marine: total: 216 country comparison to the world: 33 by type: barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 32, cargo 152, chemical tanker 2, container 1, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 9, refrigerated cargo 12, roll on/roll off 5, specialized tanker 1 foreign-owned: 178 (Australia 1, China 71, Croatia 2, Cyprus 1, Estonia 6, Greece 1, Iceland 2, Italy 3, Japan 8, South Korea 1, Latvia 12, Norway 3, Peru 1, Russia 31, Singapore 2, Spain 1, Turkey 15, Ukraine 7, UAE 5, UK 5) (2008) Ports and terminals: Belize City, Big Creek Military ::Belize Military branches: Belize Defense Force (BDF): Army, BDF Air Wing, BDF Volunteer Guard (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; laws allow for conscription only if volunteers are insufficient; conscription has never been implemented; volunteers typically outnumber available positions by 3:1 (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 74,605 females age 16-49: 72,926 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 56,135 females age 16-49: 54,732 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 3,632 female: 3,500 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.4% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 112 Transnational Issues ::Belize Disputes - international: OAS-initiated Agreement on the Framework for Negotiations and Confidence Building Measures saw cooperation in repatriation of Guatemalan squatters and other areas, but Guatemalan land and maritime claims in Belize and the Caribbean Sea remain unresolved; the Line of Adjacency created under the 2002 Differendum serves in lieu of the contiguous international boundary to control squatting in the sparsely inhabited rain forests of Belize's border region; Honduras claims Belizean-administered Sapodilla Cays in its constitution but agreed to a joint ecological park under the Differendum Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine; small-scale illicit producer of cannabis, primarily for local consumption; offshore sector money-laundering activity related to narcotics trafficking and other crimes (2008) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Benin (Africa) Introduction ::Benin Background: Present day Benin was the site of Dahomey, a prominent West African kingdom that rose in the 15th century. The territory became a French Colony in 1872 and achieved independence on 1 August 1960, as the Republic of Benin. A succession of military governments ended in 1972 with the rise to power of Mathieu KEREKOU and the establishment of a government based on Marxist-Leninist principles. A move to representative government began in 1989. Two years later, free elections ushered in former Prime Minister Nicephore SOGLO as president, marking the first successful transfer of power in Africa from a dictatorship to a democracy. KEREKOU was returned to power by elections held in 1996 and 2001, though some irregularities were alleged. KEREKOU stepped down at the end of his second term in 2006 and was succeeded by Thomas YAYI Boni, a political outsider and independent. YAYI has begun a high profile fight against corruption and has strongly promoted accelerating Benin's economic growth. Geography ::Benin Location: Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Nigeria and Togo Geographic coordinates: 9 30 N, 2 15 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 112,622 sq km country comparison to the world: 101 land: 110,622 sq km water: 2,000 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Pennsylvania Land boundaries: total: 1,989 km border countries: Burkina Faso 306 km, Niger 266 km, Nigeria 773 km, Togo 644 km Coastline: 121 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 200 nm Climate: tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north Terrain: mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Sokbaro 658 m Natural resources: small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber Land use: arable land: 23.53% permanent crops: 2.37% other: 74.1% (2005) Irrigated land: 120 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 25.8 cu km (2001) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.13 cu km/yr (32%/23%/45%) per capita: 15 cu m/yr (2001) Natural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north from December to March Environment - current issues: inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching threatens wildlife populations; deforestation; desertification Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: sandbanks create difficult access to a coast with no natural harbors, river mouths, or islands People ::Benin Population: 8,791,832 country comparison to the world: 90 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 45.2% (male 2,028,493/female 1,948,353) 15-64 years: 52.1% (male 2,275,662/female 2,308,945) 65 years and over: 2.6% (male 94,569/female 135,810) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 17.2 years male: 16.8 years female: 17.7 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 2.977% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 Birth rate: 39.22 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 Death rate: 9.45 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 Urbanization: urban population: 41% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 64.64 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 34 male: 68.07 deaths/1,000 live births female: 61.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 59 years country comparison to the world: 185 male: 57.83 years female: 60.23 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.49 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 64,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 3,300 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis animal contact disease: rabies (2009) Nationality: noun: Beninese (singular and plural) adjective: Beninese Ethnic groups: Fon and related 39.2%, Adja and related 15.2%, Yoruba and related 12.3%, Bariba and related 9.2%, Peulh and related 7%, Ottamari and related 6.1%, Yoa-Lokpa and related 4%, Dendi and related 2.5%, other 1.6% (includes Europeans), unspecified 2.9% (2002 census) Religions: Christian 42.8% (Catholic 27.1%, Celestial 5%, Methodist 3.2%, other Protestant 2.2%, other 5.3%), Muslim 24.4%, Vodoun 17.3%, other 15.5% (2002 census) Languages: French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 34.7% male: 47.9% female: 23.3% (2002 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 7 years male: 9 years female: 6 years (2001) Education expenditures: 4.4% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 91 Government ::Benin Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Benin conventional short form: Benin local long form: Republique du Benin local short form: Benin former: Dahomey Government type: republic Capital: name: Porto-Novo (official capital) geographic coordinates: 6 29 N, 2 37 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) note: Cotonou (seat of government) Administrative divisions: 12 departments; Alibori, Atakora, Atlantique, Borgou, Collines, Kouffo, Donga, Littoral, Mono, Oueme, Plateau, Zou Independence: 1 August 1960 (from France) National holiday: National Day, 1 August (1960) Constitution: adopted by referendum 2 December 1990 Legal system: based on French civil law and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Thomas YAYI Boni (since 6 April 2006); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Thomas YAYI Boni (since 6 April 2006) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); runoff election held 19 March 2006 (next to be held in March 2011) election results: Thomas YAYI Boni elected president; percent of vote - Thomas YAYI Boni 74.5%, Adrien HOUNGBEDJI 25.5% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (83 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 31 March 2007 (next to be held by March 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FCBE 35, ADD 20, PRD 10, other and independents 18 Judicial branch: Constitutional Court or Cour Constitutionnelle; Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; High Court of Justice Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Dynamic Democracy or ADD; Alliance of Progress Forces or AFP; African Movement for Democracy and Progress or MADEP [Sefou FAGBOHOUN]; Benin Renaissance or RB [Rosine SOGLO]; Democratic Renewal Party or PRD [Adrien HOUNGBEDJI]; Force Cowrie for an Emerging Benin or FCBE; Impulse for Progress and Democracy or IPD [Theophile NATA]; Key Force or FC [Lazare SEHOUETO]; Movement for the People's Alternative or MAP [Olivier CAPO-CHICHI]; Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Dominique HOUNGNINOU]; Social Democrat Party or PSD [Bruno AMOUSSOU]; Union for the Relief or UPR [Issa SALIFOU]; Union for Democracy and National Solidarity or UDS [Sacca LAFIA] note: approximately 20 additional minor parties Political pressure groups and leaders: other: economic groups; environmentalists; political groups; teachers' unions and other educational groups International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Cyrille Segbe OGUIN chancery: 2124 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 232-6656 FAX: [1] (202) 265-1996 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Gayleatha B. BROWN embassy: Rue Caporal Bernard Anani, Cotonou mailing address: 01 B. P. 2012, Cotonou telephone: [229] 21-30-06-50 FAX: [229] 21-30-03-84 Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red (bottom) with a vertical green band on the hoist side Economy ::Benin Economy - overview: The economy of Benin remains underdeveloped and dependent on subsistence agriculture, cotton production, and regional trade. Growth in real output has averaged around 5% in the past seven years, but rapid population growth has offset much of this increase. Inflation has subsided over the past several years. In order to raise growth still further, Benin plans to attract more foreign investment, place more emphasis on tourism, facilitate the development of new food processing systems and agricultural products, and encourage new information and communication technology. Specific projects to improve the business climate by reforms to the land tenure system, the commercial justice system, and the financial sector were included in Benin's $307 million Millennium Challenge Account grant signed in February 2006. The 2001 privatization policy continues in telecommunications, water, electricity, and agriculture though the government annulled the privatization of Benin's state cotton company in November 2007 after the discovery of irregularities in the bidding process. The Paris Club and bilateral creditors have eased the external debt situation, with Benin benefiting from a G8 debt reduction announced in July 2005, while pressing for more rapid structural reforms. An insufficient electrical supply continues to adversely affect Benin's economic growth though the government recently has taken steps to increase domestic power production. GDP (purchasing power parity): $12.86 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 $12.28 billion (2007 est.) $11.75 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $6.712 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 4.5% (2007 est.) 3.8% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $1,500 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 199 $1,500 (2007 est.) $1,500 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 33.2% industry: 14.5% services: 52.3% (2007 est.) Labor force: 3.662 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 Unemployment rate: NA% Population below poverty line: 37.4% (2007 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.1% highest 10%: 29% (2003) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 36.5 (2003) country comparison to the world: 82 Investment (gross fixed): 19.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 Budget: revenues: $1.407 billion expenditures: $1.291 billion (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 125 1.3% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 4.75% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 114 4.25% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: NA Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $1.324 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) $627.2 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $520.6 million (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: cotton, corn, cassava (tapioca), yams, beans, palm oil, peanuts, cashews; livestock Industries: textiles, food processing, construction materials, cement Industrial production growth rate: 3.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 Electricity - production: 124 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 185 Electricity - consumption: 597 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 157 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 588 million kWh (2007 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 204 Oil - consumption: 21,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 Oil - exports: 8,770 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 Oil - imports: 28,900 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 Oil - proved reserves: 8 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 204 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 49 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 Natural gas - proved reserves: 1.133 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 Current account balance: -$735 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 -$407 million (2007 est.) Exports: $1.127 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 $819 million (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: cotton, cashews, shea butter, textiles, palm products, seafood Exports - partners: China 15.6%, India 12%, Japan 8.5%, Niger 4.9%, US 4.6%, Nigeria 4.3% (2008) Imports: $1.843 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 154 $1.194 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, capital goods, petroleum products Imports - partners: China 35.9%, US 13.2%, Thailand 6.5%, France 6.5%, Malaysia 6.2%, India 4.4% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $1.261 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 $1.209 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $1.2 billion (2007) country comparison to the world: 150 Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 447.81 (2008 est.), 493.51 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004) note: since 1 January 1999, the West African CFA franc (XOF) has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro; West African CFA franc (XOF) coins and banknotes are not accepted in countries using Central African CFA francs (XAF), and vice versa, even though the two currencies trade at par Communications ::Benin Telephones - main lines in use: 159,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 131 Telephones - mobile cellular: 3.435 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 100 Telephone system: general assessment: inadequate; fixed-line network characterized by aging, deteriorating equipment with fixed-line teledensity only about 2 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone subscribership has been increasing rapidly domestic: system of open-wire, microwave radio relay, and cellular connections; multiple mobile-cellular providers international: country code - 229; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and Asia; satellite earth stations - 7 (Intelsat-Atlantic Ocean) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 34, shortwave 1 (2007) Television broadcast stations: 6 (2007) Internet country code: .bj Internet hosts: 1,155 (2009) country comparison to the world: 157 Internet users: 160,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 141 Transportation ::Benin Airports: 5 (2009) country comparison to the world: 177 Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009) Railways: total: 578 km country comparison to the world: 113 narrow gauge: 578 km 1.000-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 16,000 km country comparison to the world: 121 paved: 1,400 km unpaved: 14,600 km (2006) Waterways: 150 km (on River Niger along northern border) (2007) country comparison to the world: 102 Ports and terminals: Cotonou Military ::Benin Military branches: Benin Armed Forces (FAB): Army (l'Arme de Terre), Benin Navy (Forces Navales Beninois, FNB), Benin People's Air Force (Force Aerienne Populaire de Benin, FAPB) (2008) Military service age and obligation: 21 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; in practice, volunteers may be taken at the age of 18; both sexes are eligible for military service; conscript tour of duty - 18 months (2006) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,908,457 females age 16-49: 1,882,421 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,279,053 females age 16-49: 1,292,438 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 101,549 female: 97,856 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.7% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 96 Transnational Issues ::Benin Disputes - international: in September 2007, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) intervened to attempt to resolve the dispute over two villages along the Benin-Burkina Faso border that remain from 2005 ICJ decision; much of Benin-Niger boundary, including tripoint with Nigeria, remains undemarcated; in 2005, Nigeria ceded thirteen villages to Benin, but border relations remain strained by rival cross-border gang clashes; talks continue between Benin and Togo on funding the Adjrala hydroelectric dam on the Mona River Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 9,444 (Togo) (2007) Illicit drugs: transshipment point used by traffickers for cocaine destined for Western Europe; vulnerable to money laundering due to poorly enforced financial regulations (2008) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Bermuda (North America) Introduction ::Bermuda Background: Bermuda was first settled in 1609 by shipwrecked English colonists headed for Virginia. Tourism to the island to escape North American winters first developed in Victorian times. Tourism continues to be important to the island's economy, although international business has overtaken it in recent years. Bermuda has developed into a highly successful offshore financial center. Although a referendum on independence from the UK was soundly defeated in 1995, the present government has reopened debate on the issue. Geography ::Bermuda Location: North America, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, east of South Carolina (US) Geographic coordinates: 32 20 N, 64 45 W Map references: North America Area: total: 54 sq km country comparison to the world: 231 land: 54 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: about one-third the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 103 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Climate: subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter Terrain: low hills separated by fertile depressions Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Town Hill 76 m Natural resources: limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism Land use: arable land: 20% permanent crops: 0% other: 80% (55% developed, 45% rural/open space) (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: hurricanes (June to November) Environment - current issues: sustainable development Geography - note: consists of about 138 coral islands and islets with ample rainfall, but no rivers or freshwater lakes; some land was leased by US Government from 1941 to 1995 People ::Bermuda Population: 67,837 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 202 Age structure: 0-14 years: 18.3% (male 6,271/female 6,163) 15-64 years: 67.5% (male 22,555/female 23,215) 65 years and over: 14.2% (male 3,979/female 5,654) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 41.3 years male: 39.9 years female: 42.7 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.647% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 Birth rate: 11.57 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 171 Death rate: 7.3 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 125 Net migration rate: 2.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 Urbanization: urban population: 100% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 2.46 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 223 male: 2.57 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.35 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80.43 years country comparison to the world: 17 male: 77.2 years female: 83.72 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.99 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.297% (2005) country comparison to the world: 91 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 163 (2005) country comparison to the world: 161 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 392 (2005) country comparison to the world: 100 Nationality: noun: Bermudian(s) adjective: Bermudian Ethnic groups: black 54.8%, white 34.1%, mixed 6.4%, other races 4.3%, unspecified 0.4% (2000 census) Religions: Anglican 23%, Roman Catholic 15%, African Methodist Episcopal 11%, other Protestant 18%, other 12%, unaffiliated 6%, unspecified 1%, none 14% (2000 census) Languages: English (official), Portuguese Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: 98% female: 99% (2005 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2005) Education expenditures: 1.2% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 177 Government ::Bermuda Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Bermuda former: Somers Islands Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK Government type: parliamentary; self-governing territory Capital: name: Hamilton geographic coordinates: 32 17 N, 64 47 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November Administrative divisions: 9 parishes and 2 municipalities*; Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton*, Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*, Saint George's, Sandys, Smith's, Southampton, Warwick Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK) National holiday: Bermuda Day, 24 May Constitution: 8 June 1968; amended 1989 and 2003 Legal system: English law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Sir Richard GOZNEY (since 12 December 2007) head of government: Premier Ewart BROWN (since 30 October 2006); Deputy Premier Paula COX cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the premier, appointed by the governor elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed premier by the governor Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (11 seats; members appointed by the governor, the premier, and the opposition) and the House of Assembly (36 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve up to five-year terms) elections: last general election held 18 December 2007 (next to be held not later than 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - PLP 52.5%, UBP 47.3%; seats by party - PLP 22, UBP 14 Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; Magistrate Courts Political parties and leaders: Progressive Labor Party or PLP [Ewart BROWN]; United Bermuda Party or UBP [Kim SWAN] Political pressure groups and leaders: Bermuda Employer's Union [Eddie SAINTS]; Bermuda Industrial Union or BIU [Derrick BURGESS]; Bermuda Public Services Union or BPSU [Ed BALL]; Bermuda Union of Teachers [Michael CHARLES] International organization participation: Caricom (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, ITUC, UPU, WCO, WFTU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Consul General Gregory W. SLAYTON consulate(s) general: Crown Hill, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire DVO3 mailing address: P. O. Box HM325, Hamilton HMBX; American Consulate General Hamilton, US Department of State, 5300 Hamilton Place, Washington, DC 20520-5300 telephone: [1] (441) 295-1342 FAX: [1] (441) 295-1592, 296-9233 Flag description: red, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Bermudian coat of arms (white and green shield with a red lion holding a scrolled shield showing the sinking of the ship Sea Venture off Bermuda in 1609) centered on the outer half of the flag Economy ::Bermuda Economy - overview: Bermuda enjoys the third highest per capita income in the world more than 50% higher than that of the US. Its economy is primarily based on providing financial services for international business and luxury facilities for tourists. A number of reinsurance companies relocated to the island following the 11 September 2001 attacks and again after Hurricane Katrina in August 2005 contributing to the expansion of an already robust international business sector. Bermuda's tourism industry - which derives over 80% of its visitors from the US - continues to struggle but remains the island's number two industry. Most capital equipment and food must be imported. Bermuda's industrial sector is small, although construction continues to be important; the average cost of a house in June 2003 had risen to $976,000. Agriculture is limited with only 20% of the land being arable. GDP (purchasing power parity): $4.5 billion (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 GDP (official exchange rate): $NA GDP - real growth rate: 4.6% (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 GDP - per capita (PPP): $69,900 (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1% industry: 10% services: 89% (2002 est.) Labor force: 38,360 (2004) country comparison to the world: 193 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture and fishing 3%, laborers 17%, clerical 19%, professional and technical 21%, administrative and managerial 15%, sales 7%, services 19% (2004 est.) Unemployment rate: 2.1% (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 Population below poverty line: 19% (2000) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $738 million expenditures: $665 million (FY04/05) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.8% (November 2005) country comparison to the world: 32 Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 92 $2.731 billion (31 December 2007) $2.704 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: bananas, vegetables, citrus, flowers; dairy products, honey Industries: international business, tourism, light manufacturing Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 675.6 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 154 Electricity - consumption: 628.3 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 206 Oil - consumption: 5,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 164 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 Oil - imports: 4,500 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 160 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 206 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 206 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 206 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 55 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 204 Exports: $763 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 157 Exports - commodities: reexports of pharmaceuticals Exports - partners: Brazil 24.7%, US 16.2%, Germany 12.2%, South Africa 8.9% (2008) Imports: $1.162 billion (2006) country comparison to the world: 169 Imports - commodities: clothing, fuels, machinery and transport equipment, construction materials, chemicals, food and live animals Imports - partners: Italy 26.3%, US 18%, South Korea 17.3%, UK 8.3%, Singapore 5.3%, France 5.1%, Norway 4.4% (2008) Debt - external: $160 million (FY99/00) country comparison to the world: 184 Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $15.01 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Exchange rates: Bermudian dollars (BMD) per US dollar - 1.0000 (fixed rate pegged to the US dollar) Communications ::Bermuda Telephones - main lines in use: 57,600 (2008) country comparison to the world: 159 Telephones - mobile cellular: 79,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 188 Telephone system: general assessment: good domestic: fully automatic digital telephone system; fiber optic trunk lines international: country code - 1-441; landing point for the Atlantica-1 telecommunications submarine cable that extends from the US to Brazil; satellite earth stations - 3 (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 3, shortwave 0 (2005) Television broadcast stations: 3 (2005) Internet country code: .bm Internet hosts: 15,548 (2009) country comparison to the world: 107 Internet users: 51,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 169 Transportation ::Bermuda Airports: 1 (2009) country comparison to the world: 235 Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2009) Roadways: total: 447 km country comparison to the world: 194 paved: 447 km note: public roads - 225 km; private roads - 222 km (2007) Merchant marine: total: 137 country comparison to the world: 44 by type: bulk carrier 23, chemical tanker 3, container 22, liquefied gas 33, passenger 24, passenger/cargo 5, petroleum tanker 18, refrigerated cargo 9 foreign-owned: 115 (Australia 1, China 10, France 1, Germany 22, Greece 9, Hong Kong 4, Ireland 1, Israel 3, Japan 2, Nigeria 11, Norway 5, Sweden 20, UK 3, US 23) registered in other countries: 50 (Bahamas 12, Marshall Islands 4, Philippines 34) (2008) Ports and terminals: Hamilton, Saint George Military ::Bermuda Military branches: Bermuda Regiment (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18-30 years of age for voluntary or compulsory enlistment in the Bermuda Regiment; males must register at age 18; term of service is 38 months (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 15,623 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 12,496 females age 16-49: 12,486 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 426 female: 413 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 0.11% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 171 Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Transnational Issues ::Bermuda Disputes - international: none page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Bhutan (South Asia) Introduction ::Bhutan Background: In 1865, Britain and Bhutan signed the Treaty of Sinchulu, under which Bhutan would receive an annual subsidy in exchange for ceding some border land to British India. Under British influence, a monarchy was set up in 1907; three years later, a treaty was signed whereby the British agreed not to interfere in Bhutanese internal affairs and Bhutan allowed Britain to direct its foreign affairs. This role was assumed by independent India after 1947. Two years later, a formal Indo-Bhutanese accord returned the areas of Bhutan annexed by the British, formalized the annual subsidies the country received, and defined India's responsibilities in defense and foreign relations. A refugee issue of over 100,000 Bhutanese in Nepal remains unresolved; 90% of the refugees are housed in seven United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) camps. In March 2005, King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK unveiled the government's draft constitution - which would introduce major democratic reforms - and pledged to hold a national referendum for its approval. In December 2006, the King abdicated the throne to his son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel WANGCHUCK, in order to give him experience as head of state before the democratic transition. In early 2007, India and Bhutan renegotiated their treaty to allow Bhutan greater autonomy in conducting its foreign policy, although Thimphu continues to coordinate policy decisions in this area with New Delhi. In July 2007, seven ministers of Bhutan's ten-member cabinet resigned to join the political process, and the cabinet acted as a caretaker regime until democratic elections for seats to the country's first parliament were completed in March 2008. The king ratified the country's first constitution in July 2008. Geography ::Bhutan Location: Southern Asia, between China and India Geographic coordinates: 27 30 N, 90 30 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 38,394 sq km country comparison to the world: 136 land: 38,394 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: about one-half the size of Indiana Land boundaries: total: 1,075 km border countries: China 470 km, India 605 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas Terrain: mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna Elevation extremes: lowest point: Drangme Chhu 97 m highest point: Kula Kangri 7,553 m Natural resources: timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbonate Land use: arable land: 2.3% permanent crops: 0.43% other: 97.27% (2005) Irrigated land: 400 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 95 cu km (1987) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.43 cu km/yr (5%/1%/94%) per capita: 199 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: violent storms from the Himalayas are the source of the country's name, which translates as Land of the Thunder Dragon; frequent landslides during the rainy season Environment - current issues: soil erosion; limited access to potable water Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Geography - note: landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls several key Himalayan mountain passes People ::Bhutan Population: 691,141 country comparison to the world: 163 note: the Factbook population estimate is consistent with the first modern census of Bhutan, conducted in 2005; previous Factbook population estimates for this country, which were on the order of three times the total population reported here, were based on Bhutanese government publications that did not include the census (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 30.2% (male 106,410/female 102,164) 15-64 years: 64.3% (male 235,988/female 208,484) 65 years and over: 5.5% (male 20,169/female 17,926) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 23.9 years male: 24.5 years female: 23.3 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.267% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 Birth rate: 20.07 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 Death rate: 7.39 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 Net migration rate: NA Urbanization: urban population: 35% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.13 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.12 male(s)/female total population: 1.1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 49.36 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 52 male: 50.38 deaths/1,000 live births female: 48.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 66.13 years country comparison to the world: 161 male: 65.33 years female: 66.97 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.38 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: fewer than 100 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009) Nationality: noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural) adjective: Bhutanese Ethnic groups: Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35% (includes Lhotsampas - one of several Nepalese ethnic groups), indigenous or migrant tribes 15% Religions: Lamaistic Buddhist 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25% Languages: Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 47% male: 60% female: 34% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 10 years male: 11 years female: 10 years (2006) Education expenditures: 7% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 22 Government ::Bhutan Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Bhutan conventional short form: Bhutan local long form: Druk Gyalkhap local short form: Druk Yul Government type: constitutional monarchy Capital: name: Thimphu geographic coordinates: 27 29 N, 89 36 E time difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 20 districts (dzongkhag, singular and plural); Bumthang, Chhukha, Chirang, Daga, Gasa, Geylegphug, Ha, Lhuntshi, Mongar, Paro, Pemagatsel, Punakha, Samchi, Samdrup Jongkhar, Shemgang, Tashigang, Tashi Yangtse, Thimphu, Tongsa, Wangdi Phodrang Independence: 1907 (became a unified kingdom under its first hereditary king) National holiday: National Day (Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king), 17 December (1907) Constitution: ratified 18 July 2008 Legal system: based on Indian law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: King Jigme Khesar Namgyel WANGCHUCK (since 14 December 2006); note - King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK abdicated the throne on 14 December 2006 and his son immediately succeeded him; the nearly two-year delay between the former King's abdication and his son's coronation on 6 November 2008 was to ensure an astrologically auspicious coronation date and to give the new King-who had limited experience-deeper administrative expertise under the guidance of this father head of government: Prime Minister Jigme THINLEY (since 9 April 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers (Lhengye Shungtsog) nominated by the monarch, approved by the National Assembly; members serve fixed, five-year terms; note - there is also a Royal Advisory Council (Lodoi Tsokde), members nominated by the monarch elections: the monarch is hereditary, but democratic reforms in July 1998 grant the National Assembly authority to remove the monarch with two-thirds vote; election of a new National Assembly occurred in March 2008; the leader of the majority party is nominated as the prime minister Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the non-partisan National Council (25 seats; 20 members elected by each of the 20 electoral districts (dzongkhags) for four-year terms and 5 members nominated by the King); and the National Assembly (47 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote for five-year terms) elections: National Council elections last held on 31 December 2007 and 29 January 2008 (next to be held by December 2012); National Assembly elections last held on 24 March 2008 (next to be held by March 2013) election results: National Council - NA; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - DPT 67%, PDP 33%; seats by party - DPT 45, PDP 2 Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Appeal (the monarch); High Court (judges appointed by the monarch); note - the draft constitution establishes a Supreme Court that will serve as chief court of appeal Political parties and leaders: Bhutan Peace and Prosperity Party (Druk Phuensum Tshogpa) or DPT [Jigme THINLEY]; People's Democratic Party or PDP [Tshering TOBGAY] Political pressure groups and leaders: United Front for Democracy (exiled); Druk National Congress (exiled) other: Buddhist clergy; ethnic Nepalese organizations leading militant antigovernment campaign; Indian merchant community International organization participation: ADB, BIMSTEC, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, NAM, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: none; note - the Permanent Mission to the UN for Bhutan has consular jurisdiction in the US; address: 763 First Avenue, New York, NY 10017; telephone [1] (212) 682-2268; FAX [1] (212) 661-0551 consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: the US and Bhutan have no formal diplomatic relations, although informal contact is maintained between the Bhutanese and US Embassy in New Delhi (India) Flag description: divided diagonally from the lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle is yellow and the lower triangle is orange; centered along the dividing line is a large black and white dragon facing away from the hoist side Economy ::Bhutan Economy - overview: The economy, one of the world's smallest and least developed, is based on agriculture and forestry, which provide the main livelihood for more than 60% of the population. Agriculture consists largely of subsistence farming and animal husbandry. Rugged mountains dominate the terrain and make the building of roads and other infrastructure difficult and expensive. The economy is closely aligned with India's through strong trade and monetary links and dependence on India's financial assistance. The industrial sector is technologically backward, with most production of the cottage industry type. Most development projects, such as road construction, rely on Indian migrant labor. Model education, social, and environment programs are underway with support from multilateral development organizations. Each economic program takes into account the government's desire to protect the country's environment and cultural traditions. For example, the government, in its cautious expansion of the tourist sector, encourages visits by upscale, environmentally conscientious tourists. Detailed controls and uncertain policies in areas such as industrial licensing, trade, labor, and finance continue to hamper foreign investment. Hydropower exports to India have boosted Bhutan's overall growth, even though GDP fell in 2008 as a result of a slowdown in India, its predominant export market. New hydropower projects will be the driving force behind Bhutan's ability to create employment and sustain growth in the coming years. GDP (purchasing power parity): $3.533 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 169 $2.91 billion (2007 est.) $2.738 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $1.389 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 21.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 6.3% (2007 est.) 6.5% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $5,200 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 $4,300 (2007 est.) $4,100 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 22.3% industry: 37.9% services: 39.8% (2006) Labor force: NA note: major shortage of skilled labor Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 63% industry: 6% services: 31% (2004 est.) Unemployment rate: 2.5% (2004) country comparison to the world: 28 Population below poverty line: 31.7% (2003) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $272 million expenditures: $350 million note: the government of India finances nearly three-fifths of Bhutan's budget expenditures (2005) Public debt: 81.4% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 11 81.4% of GDP (2004) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.9% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 Commercial bank prime lending rate: NA% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 54 14% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $381.1 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) $220.3 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $169.9 million (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: rice, corn, root crops, citrus, foodgrains; dairy products, eggs Industries: cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide, tourism Industrial production growth rate: NA Electricity - production: 4.475 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 116 Electricity - consumption: 528.8 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 160 Electricity - exports: 3.644 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 11 million kWh (2007 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 203 Oil - consumption: 1,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 187 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 Oil - imports: 1,168 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 187 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 201 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 203 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 199 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 200 Current account balance: $116 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 Exports: $350 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 169 Exports - commodities: electricity (to India), cardamom, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, precious stones, spices Exports - partners: India 89%, Bangladesh 6.5%, Italy 1.2% (2008) Imports: $320 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 192 Imports - commodities: fuel and lubricants, grain, aircraft, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics, rice Imports - partners: India 59.5%, Japan 13.4%, China 5.6% (2008) Debt - external: $713.3 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 158 Exchange rates: ngultrum (BTN) per US dollar - 41.487 (2007), 45.279 (2006), 44.101 (2005), 45.317 (2004), 46.583 (2003) note: the ngultrum is pegged to the Indian rupee Communications ::Bhutan Telephones - main lines in use: 27,500 (2008) country comparison to the world: 181 Telephones - mobile cellular: 251,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 170 Telephone system: general assessment: urban towns and district headquarters have telecommunications services domestic: low teledensity; domestic service is very poor especially in rural areas; wireless service available since 2003 international: country code - 975; international telephone and telegraph service via landline and microwave relay through India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 9, shortwave 1 (2007) Television broadcast stations: 1 (2007) Internet country code: .bt Internet hosts: 9,096 (2009) country comparison to the world: 119 Internet users: 40,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 174 Transportation ::Bhutan Airports: 2 (2009) country comparison to the world: 197 Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Roadways: total: 8,050 km country comparison to the world: 140 paved: 4,991 km unpaved: 3,059 km (2003) Military ::Bhutan Military branches: Royal Bhutan Army (includes Royal Bodyguard and Royal Bhutan Police) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 190,104 females age 16-49: 167,289 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 150,210 females age 16-49: 135,991 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 7,668 female: 7,379 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 134 Transnational Issues ::Bhutan Disputes - international: Bhutan cooperates with India to expel Indian Nagaland separatists; lacking any treaty describing the boundary, Bhutan and China continue negotiations to establish a common boundary alignment to resolve territorial disputes arising from substantial cartographic discrepancies, the largest of which lie in Bhutan's northwest and along the Chumbi salient page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Bolivia (South America) Introduction ::Bolivia Background: Bolivia, named after independence fighter Simon BOLIVAR, broke away from Spanish rule in 1825; much of its subsequent history has consisted of a series of nearly 200 coups and countercoups. Democratic civilian rule was established in 1982, but leaders have faced difficult problems of deep-seated poverty, social unrest, and illegal drug production. In December 2005, Bolivians elected Movement Toward Socialism leader Evo MORALES president - by the widest margin of any leader since the restoration of civilian rule in 1982 - after he ran on a promise to change the country's traditional political class and empower the nation's poor, indigenous majority. However, since taking office, his controversial strategies have exacerbated racial and economic tensions between the Amerindian populations of the Andean west and the non-indigenous communities of the eastern lowlands. Geography ::Bolivia Location: Central South America, southwest of Brazil Geographic coordinates: 17 00 S, 65 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 1,098,581 sq km country comparison to the world: 28 land: 1,083,301 sq km water: 15,280 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than three times the size of Montana Land boundaries: total: 6,940 km border countries: Argentina 832 km, Brazil 3,423 km, Chile 860 km, Paraguay 750 km, Peru 1,075 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: varies with altitude; humid and tropical to cold and semiarid Terrain: rugged Andes Mountains with a highland plateau (Altiplano), hills, lowland plains of the Amazon Basin Elevation extremes: lowest point: Rio Paraguay 90 m highest point: Nevado Sajama 6,542 m Natural resources: tin, natural gas, petroleum, zinc, tungsten, antimony, silver, iron, lead, gold, timber, hydropower Land use: arable land: 2.78% permanent crops: 0.19% other: 97.03% (2005) Irrigated land: 1,320 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 622.5 cu km (2000) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 1.44 cu km/yr (13%/7%/81%) per capita: 157 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: flooding in the northeast (March-April) Environment - current issues: the clearing of land for agricultural purposes and the international demand for tropical timber are contributing to deforestation; soil erosion from overgrazing and poor cultivation methods (including slash-and-burn agriculture); desertification; loss of biodiversity; industrial pollution of water supplies used for drinking and irrigation Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: landlocked; shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake (elevation 3,805 m), with Peru People ::Bolivia Population: 9,775,246 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 Age structure: 0-14 years: 35.5% (male 1,767,310/female 1,701,744) 15-64 years: 60% (male 2,877,605/female 2,992,043) 65 years and over: 4.5% (male 193,196/female 243,348) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 21.9 years male: 21.3 years female: 22.6 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.772% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 Birth rate: 25.82 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 Death rate: 7.05 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 Net migration rate: -1.05 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 Urbanization: urban population: 66% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 44.66 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 58 male: 48.56 deaths/1,000 live births female: 40.57 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 66.89 years country comparison to the world: 156 male: 64.2 years female: 69.72 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.17 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 108 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 8,100 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 500 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and yellow fever water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009) Nationality: noun: Bolivian(s) adjective: Bolivian Ethnic groups: Quechua 30%, mestizo (mixed white and Amerindian ancestry) 30%, Aymara 25%, white 15% Religions: Roman Catholic 95%, Protestant (Evangelical Methodist) 5% Languages: Spanish 60.7% (official), Quechua 21.2% (official), Aymara 14.6% (official), foreign languages 2.4%, other 1.2% (2001 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 86.7% male: 93.1% female: 80.7% (2001 census) Education expenditures: 6.4% of GDP (2003) country comparison to the world: 32 Government ::Bolivia Country name: conventional long form: Plurinational State of Bolivia conventional short form: Bolivia local long form: Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia local short form: Bolivia Government type: republic; note - the new constitution defines Bolivia as a "Social Unitarian State" Capital: name: La Paz (administrative capital) geographic coordinates: 16 30 S, 68 09 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) note: Sucre (constitutional capital) Administrative divisions: 9 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Beni, Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, La Paz, Oruro, Pando, Potosi, Santa Cruz, Tarija Independence: 6 August 1825 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 6 August (1825) Constitution: 2 February 1967; revised in August 1994; voters approved a new constitution on 25 January 2009 Legal system: based on Spanish law and Napoleonic Code; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; the 2009 Constitution incorporates indigenous community justice into Bolivia's judicial system Suffrage: 18 years of age, universal and compulsory (married); 21 years of age, universal and compulsory (single) Executive branch: chief of state: President Juan Evo MORALES Ayma (since 22 January 2006); Vice President Alvaro GARCIA Linera (since 22 January 2006); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Juan Evo MORALES Ayma (since 22 January 2006); Vice President Alvaro GARCIA Linera (since 22 January 2006) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single five-year term; election last held 18 December 2005 (next to be held in December 2009) election results: Juan Evo MORALES Ayma elected president; percent of vote - Juan Evo MORALES Ayma 53.7%; Jorge Fernando QUIROGA Ramirez 28.6%; Samuel DORIA MEDINA Arana 7.8%; Michiaki NAGATANI Morishit 6.5%; Felipe QUISPE Huanca 2.2%; Guildo ANGULA Cabrera 0.7% Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (27 seats; members are elected by proportional representation from party lists to serve five-year terms) and Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (130 seats; 70 members are directly elected from their districts and 60 are elected by proportional representation from party lists to serve five-year terms); note - under representational rules established by the 2009 Constitution, the National Congress will become the Plurinational Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa Plurinacional; the number of Deputies will remain at 130, but the number of Senators will rise to 36 elections: Chamber of Senators and Chamber of Deputies - last held 18 December 2005 (next to be held in December 2009) election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PODEMOS 13, MAS 12, UN 1, MNR 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MAS 73, PODEMOS 43, UN 8, MNR 6 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges appointed for 10-year terms by National Congress); District Courts (one in each department); provincial and local courts (to try minor cases); Constitutional Tribunal (five primary or titulares and five alternate or suplente magistrates appointed by Congress; to rule on constitutional issues); National Electoral Court (six members elected by Congress, Supreme Court, the president, and the political party with the highest vote in the last election for four-year terms); note - under the 2009 Constitution, all Constitutional and Supreme Court judges will be elected by popular vote Political parties and leaders: Free Bolivia Movement or MBL [Franz BARRIOS]; Movement Toward Socialism or MAS [Juan Evo MORALES Ayma]; Movement Without Fear or MSM [Juan DEL GRANADO]; National Revolutionary Movement or MNR [Mirta QUEVEDO]; National Unity [Samuel DORIA MEDINA Arana]; Poder Democratico Nacional or PODEMOS [Jorge Fernando QUIROGA Ramirez]; Social Alliance [Rene JOAQUINO] Political pressure groups and leaders: Sole Confederation of Campesino Workers of Bolivia or CSUTCB other: Cocalero groups; indigenous organizations; labor unions International organization participation: CAN, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, MINURCAT, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Erika Angela DUENAS Loayza chancery: 3014 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-4410 FAX: [1] (202) 328-3712 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco note: as of September 2008, the US has expelled the Bolivian ambassador to the US Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Krishna URS embassy: Avenida Arce 2780, Casilla 425, La Paz mailing address: P. O. Box 425, La Paz; APO AA 34032 telephone: [591] (2) 216-8000 FAX: [591] (2) 216-8111 note: as of September 2008, the Bolivian Government has expelled the US Ambassador to Bolivia Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green with the coat of arms centered on the yellow band note: similar to the flag of Ghana, which has a large black five-pointed star centered in the yellow band; in 2009, a presidential decree made it mandatory for a so-called wiphala - a square, multi-colored flag representing the country's indigenous peoples - to be used alongside the traditional flag Economy ::Bolivia Economy - overview: Bolivia is one of the poorest and least developed countries in Latin America. Following a disastrous economic crisis during the early 1980s, reforms spurred private investment, stimulated economic growth, and cut poverty rates in the 1990s. The period 2003-05 was characterized by political instability, racial tensions, and violent protests against plans - subsequently abandoned - to export Bolivia's newly discovered natural gas reserves to large northern hemisphere markets. In 2005, the government passed a controversial hydrocarbons law that imposed significantly higher royalties and required foreign firms then operating under risk-sharing contracts to surrender all production to the state energy company. In early 2008, higher earnings for mining and hydrocarbons exports pushed the current account surplus to 9.4% of GDP and the government's higher tax take produced a fiscal surplus after years of large deficits. Private investment as a share of GDP, however, remains among the lowest in Latin America, and inflation remained at double-digit levels in 2008. The decline in commodity prices in late 2008, the lack of foreign investment in the mining and hydrocarbon sectors, and the suspension of trade benefits with the United States will pose challenges for the Bolivian economy in 2009. GDP (purchasing power parity): $43.38 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 $40.88 billion (2007 est.) $39.08 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $16.6 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 4.6% (2007 est.) 4.8% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $4,500 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 $4,300 (2007 est.) $4,200 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 11.3% industry: 36.9% services: 51.8% (2008 est.) Labor force: 4.454 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 40% industry: 17% services: 43% (2006 est.) Unemployment rate: 7.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 7.5% (2007 est.) note: data are for urban areas; widespread underemployment Population below poverty line: 60% (2006 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.5% highest 10%: 44.1% (2005) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 59.2 (2006) country comparison to the world: 7 44.7 (1999) Investment (gross fixed): 18% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 Budget: revenues: $8.039 billion expenditures: $7.5 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 45.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 46.3% of GDP (2007 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 14% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 184 8.7% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 13% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 59 6.5% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 13.87% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 62 12.86% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $3.998 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 59 $3.032 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $6.339 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 59 $4.729 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $5.433 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 81 $4.759 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 97 $2.263 billion (31 December 2007) $2.223 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: soybeans, coffee, coca, cotton, corn, sugarcane, rice, potatoes; timber Industries: mining, smelting, petroleum, food and beverages, tobacco, handicrafts, clothing Industrial production growth rate: 10.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 Electricity - production: 5.495 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 Electricity - consumption: 4.665 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 51,360 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 Oil - consumption: 60,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 Oil - exports: 10,950 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 Oil - imports: 6,172 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 Oil - proved reserves: 465 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 Natural gas - production: 14.2 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 Natural gas - consumption: 2.41 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 Natural gas - exports: 11.79 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 17 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 Natural gas - proved reserves: 750.4 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 Current account balance: $2.015 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 $1.984 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $6.448 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 101 $4.49 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: natural gas, soybeans and soy products, crude petroleum, zinc ore, tin Exports - partners: Brazil 60.1%, US 8.3%, Japan 4.1% (2008) Imports: $4.641 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 $3.24 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: petroleum products, plastics, paper, aircraft and aircraft parts, prepared foods, automobiles, insecticides, soybeans Imports - partners: Brazil 26.7%, Argentina 16.3%, US 10.5%, Chile 9.5%, Peru 7.1%, China 4.8% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $7.722 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 $5.318 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $5.931 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 102 $5.385 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $5.998 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 87 Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Exchange rates: bolivianos (BOB) per US dollar - 7.253 (2008 est.), 7.8616 (2007), 8.0159 (2006), 8.0661 (2005), 7.9363 (2004) Communications ::Bolivia Telephones - main lines in use: 690,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 90 Telephones - mobile cellular: 4.83 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 89 Telephone system: general assessment: privatization begun in 1995; reliability has steadily improved; new subscribers face bureaucratic difficulties; most telephones are concentrated in La Paz and other cities; mobile-cellular telephone use expanding rapidly; fixed-line teledensity of 7 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone density slighly exceeds 50 per 100 persons domestic: primary trunk system, which is being expanded, employs digital microwave radio relay; some areas are served by fiber-optic cable; mobile cellular systems are being expanded international: country code - 591; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 171, FM 73, shortwave 77 (1999) Television broadcast stations: 48 (1997) Internet country code: .bo Internet hosts: 105,031 (2009) country comparison to the world: 71 Internet users: 1 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 87 Transportation ::Bolivia Airports: 952 (2009) country comparison to the world: 8 Airports - with paved runways: total: 16 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 5 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 936 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 58 914 to 1,523 m: 186 under 914 m: 687 (2009) Pipelines: gas 4,883 km; liquid petroleum gas 47 km; oil 2,475 km; refined products 1,589 km (2008) Railways: total: 3,504 km country comparison to the world: 50 narrow gauge: 3,504 km 1.000-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 62,479 km country comparison to the world: 71 paved: 3,749 km unpaved: 58,730 km (2004) Waterways: 10,000 km (commercially navigable) (2007) country comparison to the world: 13 Merchant marine: total: 23 country comparison to the world: 93 by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 11, carrier 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 7, refrigerated cargo 1, specialized tanker 1 foreign-owned: 7 (Bahamas 1, China 1, Iran 1, Singapore 1, Syria 2, Taiwan 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Puerto Aguirre (inland port on the Paraguay/Parana waterway at the Bolivia/Brazil border); Bolivia has free port privileges in maritime ports in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Paraguay Military ::Bolivia Military branches: Bolivian Armed Forces: Bolivian Army (Ejercito Boliviano, EB), Bolivian Navy (Fuerza Naval Boliviana, FNB; includes marines), Bolivian Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Boliviana, FAB) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18-49 years of age for 12-month compulsory military service; when annual number of volunteers falls short of goal, compulsory recruitment is effected, including conscription of boys as young as 14; 15-19 years of age for voluntary premilitary service, provides exemption from further military service (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 2,295,746 females age 16-49: 2,366,828 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,666,697 females age 16-49: 1,906,396 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 108,304 female: 104,882 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.9% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 88 Transnational Issues ::Bolivia Disputes - international: Chile and Peru rebuff Bolivia's reactivated claim to restore the Atacama corridor, ceded to Chile in 1884, but Chile offers instead unrestricted but not sovereign maritime access through Chile for Bolivian natural gas and other commodities; an accord placed the long-disputed Isla Suarez/Ilha de Guajara-Mirim, a fluvial island on the Rio Mamore, under Bolivian administration in 1958, but sovereignty remains in dispute Illicit drugs: world's third-largest cultivator of coca (after Colombia and Peru) with an estimated 29,500 hectares under cultivation in 2007, increased slightly when compared to 2006; third largest producer of cocaine, estimated at 120 metric tons potential pure cocaine in 2007; transit country for Peruvian and Colombian cocaine destined for Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Europe; cultivation generally increasing since 2000, despite eradication and alternative crop programs; weak border controls; some money-laundering activity related to narcotics trade; major cocaine consumption (2008) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Bosnia and Herzegovina (Europe) Introduction ::Bosnia and Herzegovina Background: Bosnia and Herzegovina's declaration of sovereignty in October 1991 was followed by a declaration of independence from the former Yugoslavia on 3 March 1992 after a referendum boycotted by ethnic Serbs. The Bosnian Serbs - supported by neighboring Serbia and Montenegro - responded with armed resistance aimed at partitioning the republic along ethnic lines and joining Serb-held areas to form a "Greater Serbia." In March 1994, Bosniaks and Croats reduced the number of warring factions from three to two by signing an agreement creating a joint Bosniak/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. On 21 November 1995, in Dayton, Ohio, the warring parties initialed a peace agreement that brought to a halt three years of interethnic civil strife (the final agreement was signed in Paris on 14 December 1995). The Dayton Peace Accords retained Bosnia and Herzegovina's international boundaries and created a joint multi-ethnic and democratic government charged with conducting foreign, diplomatic, and fiscal policy. Also recognized was a second tier of government comprised of two entities roughly equal in size: the Bosniak/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska (RS). The Federation and RS governments were charged with overseeing most government functions. The Office of the High Representative (OHR) was established to oversee the implementation of the civilian aspects of the agreement. In 1995-96, a NATO-led international peacekeeping force (IFOR) of 60,000 troops served in Bosnia to implement and monitor the military aspects of the agreement. IFOR was succeeded by a smaller, NATO-led Stabilization Force (SFOR) whose mission was to deter renewed hostilities. European Union peacekeeping troops (EUFOR) replaced SFOR in December 2004; their mission is to maintain peace and stability throughout the country. EUFOR's mission changed from peacekeeping to civil policing in October 2007, with its presence reduced from nearly 7,000 to less than 2,500 troops. Geography ::Bosnia and Herzegovina Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Croatia Geographic coordinates: 44 00 N, 18 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 51,197 sq km country comparison to the world: 128 land: 51,187 sq km water: 10 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than West Virginia Land boundaries: total: 1,538 km border countries: Croatia 932 km, Montenegro 249 km, Serbia 357 km Coastline: 20 km Maritime claims: no data available Climate: hot summers and cold winters; areas of high elevation have short, cool summers and long, severe winters; mild, rainy winters along coast Terrain: mountains and valleys Elevation extremes: lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m highest point: Maglic 2,386 m Natural resources: coal, iron ore, bauxite, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, cobalt, manganese, nickel, clay, gypsum, salt, sand, forests, hydropower Land use: arable land: 19.61% permanent crops: 1.89% other: 78.5% (2005) Irrigated land: 30 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 37.5 cu km (2003) Natural hazards: destructive earthquakes Environment - current issues: air pollution from metallurgical plants; sites for disposing of urban waste are limited; water shortages and destruction of infrastructure because of the 1992-95 civil strife; deforestation Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: within Bosnia and Herzegovina's recognized borders, the country is divided into a joint Bosniak/Croat Federation (about 51% of the territory) and the Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska or RS (about 49% of the territory); the region called Herzegovina is contiguous to Croatia and Montenegro, and traditionally has been settled by an ethnic Croat majority in the west and an ethnic Serb majority in the east People ::Bosnia and Herzegovina Population: 4,613,414 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 Age structure: 0-14 years: 14.5% (male 344,760/female 323,303) 15-64 years: 70.7% (male 1,645,274/female 1,617,136) 65 years and over: 14.8% (male 279,781/female 403,160) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 39.8 years male: 38.7 years female: 41 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.339% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 172 Birth rate: 8.85 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 214 Death rate: 8.63 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 Net migration rate: 3.17 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 Urbanization: urban population: 47% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 9.1 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 155 male: 10.44 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.67 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.5 years country comparison to the world: 43 male: 74.92 years female: 82.34 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.25 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 212 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 165 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 900 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 143 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 100 (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 Nationality: noun: Bosnian(s), Herzegovinian(s) adjective: Bosnian, Herzegovinian Ethnic groups: Bosniak 48%, Serb 37.1%, Croat 14.3%, other 0.6% (2000) note: Bosniak has replaced Muslim as an ethnic term in part to avoid confusion with the religious term Muslim - an adherent of Islam Religions: Muslim 40%, Orthodox 31%, Roman Catholic 15%, other 14% Languages: Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96.7% male: 99% female: 94.4% (2000 est.) Education expenditures: NA Government ::Bosnia and Herzegovina Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Bosnia and Herzegovina local long form: none local short form: Bosna i Hercegovina former: People's Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Government type: emerging federal democratic republic Capital: name: Sarajevo geographic coordinates: 43 52 N, 18 25 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 2 first-order administrative divisions and 1 internationally supervised district* - Brcko district (Brcko Distrikt)*, the Bosniak/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Federacija Bosna i Hercegovina) and the Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska; note - Brcko district is in northeastern Bosnia and is an administrative unit under the sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina; the district remains under international supervision Independence: 1 March 1992 (from Yugoslavia; referendum for independence completed 1 March 1992; independence declared 3 March 1992) National holiday: National Day, 25 November (1943) Constitution: the Dayton Peace Accords, signed 14 December 1995 in Paris, included a new constitution now in force; note - each of the entities also has its own constitution Legal system: based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age, 16 if employed; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Chairman of the Presidency Zeljko KOMSIC (chairman since 6 July 2009; presidency member since 1 October 2006 - Croat); other members of the three-member presidency rotating (every eight months): Haris SILAJDZIC (presidency member since 1 October 2006 - Bosniak); and Nebojsa RADMANOVIC (presidency member since 1 October 2006 - Serb) head of government: Chairman of the Council of Ministers Nikola SPIRIC (since 11 January 2007) cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the council chairman; approved by the National House of Representatives elections: the three members of the presidency (one Bosniak, one Croat, one Serb) are elected by popular vote for a four-year term (eligible for a second term, but then ineligible for four years); the chairmanship rotates every eight months and resumes where it left off following each national election; election last held 1 October 2006 (next to be held in 2010); the chairman of the Council of Ministers is appointed by the presidency and confirmed by the National House of Representatives election results: percent of vote - Nebojsa RADMANOVIC with 53.3% of the votes for the Serb seat; Zeljko KOMSIC with 39.6% of the votes for the Croat seat; Haris SILAJDZIC with 62.8% of the votes for the Bosniak seat note: President of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Borjana KRISTO (since 21 February 2007); Vice Presidents Spomenka MICIC (since NA 2007) and Mirsad KEBO (since NA 2007); President of the Republika Srpska: Rajko KUSMANOVIC (since 28 December 2007) Legislative branch: bicameral Parliamentary Assembly or Skupstina consists of the House of Peoples or Dom Naroda (15 seats, 5 Bosniak, 5 Croat, 5 Serb; members elected by the Bosniak/Croat Federation's House of Representatives and the Republika Srpska's National Assembly to serve four-year terms); and the national House of Representatives or Predstavnicki Dom (42 seats, 28 seats allocated for the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and 14 seats for the Republika Srpska; members elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation, to serve four-year terms); note - Bosnia's election law specifies four-year terms for the state and first-order administrative division entity legislatures elections: House of Peoples - last constituted in January 2003 (next to be constituted in 2007); national House of Representatives - elections last held 1 October 2006 (next to be held in 2010) election results: House of Peoples - percent of vote by party/coalition - NA; seats by party/coalition - NA; national House of Representatives - percent of vote by party/coalition - NA; seats by party/coalition - SDA 9, SBiH 8, SNSD 7, SDP 5, SDS 3, HDZ-BH 3, HDZ1990 2, other 5 note: the Bosniak/Croat Federation has a bicameral legislature that consists of a House of Peoples (58 seats - 17 Bosniak, 17 Croat, 17 Serb, 7 other); last constituted December 2002; and a House of Representatives (98 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms); elections last held 1 October 2006 (next to be held in October 2010); percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party/coalition - SDA 28, SBiH 24, SDP 17, HDZ-BH 8, HDZ1990 7, other 14; the Republika Srpska has a National Assembly (83 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms); elections last held 1 October 2006 (next to be held in the fall of 2010); percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party/coalition - SNSD 41, SDS 17, PDP 8, DNS 4, SBiH 4, SPRS 3, SDA 3, other 3; as a result of the 2002 constitutional reform process, a 28-member Republika Srpska Council of Peoples (COP) was established in the Republika Srpska National Assembly including eight Croats, eight Bosniaks, eight Serbs, and four members of the smaller communities Judicial branch: BH Constitutional Court (consists of nine members: four members are selected by the Bosniak/Croat Federation's House of Representatives, two members by the Republika Srpska's National Assembly, and three non-Bosnian members by the president of the European Court of Human Rights); BH State Court (consists of nine judges and three divisions - Administrative, Appellate and Criminal - having jurisdiction over cases related to state-level law and appellate jurisdiction over cases initiated in the entities); a War Crimes Chamber opened in March 2005 note: the entities each have a Supreme Court; each entity also has a number of lower courts; there are 10 cantonal courts in the Federation, plus a number of municipal courts; the Republika Srpska has five municipal courts Political parties and leaders: Alliance of Independent Social Democrats or SNSD [Milorad DODIK]; Bosnian Party or BOSS [Mirnes AJANOVIC]; Bosnian Patriotic Party of BPS [Sefer HALILOVIC]; Civic Democratic Party or GDS [Ibrahim SPAHIC]; Croat Christian Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina or HKDU [Marin TOPIC]; Croat Party of Rights or HSP [Zvonko JURISIC]; Croat Peasants Party or HSS [Marko TADIC]; Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina or HDZ-BH [Dragan COVIC]; Croatian Democratic Union 1990 or HDZ1990 [Bozo LJUBIC]; Croatian Peoples Union [Milenko BRKIC]; Democratic National Union or DNZ [Rifet DOLIC]; Democratic Party of DP [Dragan CAVIC]; Democratic Peoples Alliance or DNS [Marko PAVIC]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDS [Rasim KADIC]; Nasa Stranka or NS [Bojan BAJIC]; New Croat Initiative or NHI [Kresimir ZUBAK]; Party for Bosnia and Herzegovina or SBiH [Haris SILAJDZIC]; Party for Democratic Action or SDA [Sulejman TIHIC]; Party for Work and Progress or RzB [Mladen IVANKOVIC-LIJANOVIC]; Party of Democratic Progress or PDP [Mladen IVANIC]; Serb Democratic Party or SDS [Mladen BOSIC]; Serb Radical Party of the Republika Srpska or SRS-RS [Milanko MIHAJLICA]; Serb Radical Party-Dr. Vojislav Seselj or SRS-VS [Radislav KANJERIC]; Social Democratic Party of BIH or SDP [Zlatko LAGUMDZIJA]; Social Democratic Union or SDU [Sejfudin TOKIC]; Socialist Party of Republika Srpska or SPRS [Petar DJOKIC] Political pressure groups and leaders: other: displaced persons associations; student councils; war veterans International organization participation: BIS, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NAM (observer), OAS (observer), OIC (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Mitar KUJUNDZIC chancery: 2109 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 337-1500 FAX: [1] (202) 337-1502 consulate(s) general: Chicago, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Charles L. ENGLISH embassy: Alipasina 43, 71000 Sarajevo mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [387] (33) 445-700 FAX: [387] (33) 659-722 branch office(s): Banja Luka, Mostar Flag description: a wide medium blue vertical band on the fly side with a yellow isosceles triangle abutting the band and the top of the flag; the remainder of the flag is medium blue with seven full five-pointed white stars and two half stars top and bottom along the hypotenuse of the triangle Economy ::Bosnia and Herzegovina Economy - overview: The interethnic warfare in Bosnia and Herzegovina caused production to plummet by 80% from 1992 to 1995 and unemployment to soar. With an uneasy peace in place, output recovered in 1996-99 at high percentage rates from a low base; but output growth slowed in 2000-02. Part of the lag in output was made up in 2003-08 when GDP growth exceeded 5% per year. Banking reform accelerated in 2001 as all the Communist-era payments bureaus were shut down; foreign banks, primarily from Western Europe, now control most of the banking sector. The konvertibilna marka (convertible mark or BAM)- the national currency introduced in 1998 - is pegged to the euro, and confidence in the currency and the banking sector has increased. Bosnia's private sector is growing and foreign investment is slowly increasing, but government spending, at nearly 40% of adjusted GDP, remains high because of redundant government offices at the state, entity and municipal level. Implementing privatization, however, has been slow, particularly in the Federation where political division between ethnically-based political parties makes agreement on economic policy more difficult. A sizeable current account deficit and high unemployment rate remain the two most serious macroeconomic problems. Successful implementation of a value-added tax in 2006 provided a predictable source of revenue for the government and helped rein in gray market activity. National-level statistics have also improved over time but a large share of economic activity remains unofficial and unrecorded. Bosnia and Herzegovina became a full member of the Central European Free Trade Agreement in September 2007. Bosnia's economy has been largely sheltered from the global financial downtown although key economic indicators have worsened. Key exporters in the metal, automobile and wood processing industries have reported a worsening performance and have announced layoffs and output reductions. GDP (purchasing power parity): $29.77 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 $28.22 billion (2007 est.) $26.62 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Bosnia has a large informal sector that may be as much as 50% of official GDP GDP (official exchange rate): $18.47 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 6% (2007 est.) 6.9% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $6,500 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 $6,200 (2007 est.) $5,900 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 10.2% industry: 23.9% services: 66% (2006 est.) Labor force: 1.863 million (2007) country comparison to the world: 122 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 19.8% industry: 32.6% services: 47.6% (2007) Unemployment rate: 29% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 174 45.5% (31 December 2004 est.) note: official rate; gray economy may reduce actual unemployment to 25-30% Population below poverty line: 25% (2004 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 27.4% (2004) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 56.2 (2007) country comparison to the world: 11 Budget: revenues: $8.516 billion expenditures: $8.867 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 40% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 34% of GDP (2007 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 1.6% (2007 est.) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 6.98% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 120 7.17% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $4.49 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 57 $5.13 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $5.614 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 62 $5.597 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $10.26 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 70 $8.895 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: wheat, corn, fruits, vegetables; livestock Industries: steel, coal, iron ore, lead, zinc, manganese, bauxite, vehicle assembly, textiles, tobacco products, wooden furniture, tank and aircraft assembly, domestic appliances, oil refining Industrial production growth rate: 11.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 Electricity - production: 11.32 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 Electricity - consumption: 8.488 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 Electricity - exports: 4.344 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 3.743 billion kWh (2007 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 Oil - consumption: 29,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 Oil - exports: 191.8 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 131 Oil - imports: 25,990 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 203 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 204 Natural gas - consumption: 310 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 50 Natural gas - imports: 310 million cu m country comparison to the world: 63 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 202 Current account balance: -$2.764 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 -$1.931 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $5.194 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 $4.243 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: metals, clothing, wood products Exports - partners: Croatia 20.7%, Slovenia 16.7%, Italy 16.7%, Germany 13%, Austria 10.3%, Hungary 4.8% (2008) Imports: $12.29 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 $9.947 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, foodstuffs Imports - partners: Croatia 24.6%, Slovenia 12.7%, Germany 12.3%, Italy 10.5%, Hungary 6.6%, Turkey 6.5%, Austria 6.3% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $3.516 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 $4.525 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $7.388 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 $6.734 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: konvertibilna markas (BAM) per US dollar - 1.3083 (2008 est.), 1.4419 (2007), 1.5576 (2006), 1.5727 (2005), 1.5752 (2004) note: the convertible mark is pegged to the euro Communications ::Bosnia and Herzegovina Telephones - main lines in use: 1.031 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 80 Telephones - mobile cellular: 3.179 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 106 Telephone system: general assessment: post-war reconstruction of the telecommunications network, aided by a internationally sponsored program under ERBD, resulted in sharp increases in the number of main telephone lines available; mobile cellular subscribership has been increasing rapidly domestic: fixed-line teledensity roughly 22 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone density has reached 70 per 100 persons international: country code - 387; no satellite earth stations (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 8, FM 16, shortwave 1 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 33 (plus 277 repeaters) (September 1995) Internet country code: .ba Internet hosts: 69,370 (2009) country comparison to the world: 79 Internet users: 1.308 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 81 Transportation ::Bosnia and Herzegovina Airports: 25 (2009) country comparison to the world: 132 Airports - with paved runways: total: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 18 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 10 (2009) Heliports: 5 (2009) Railways: total: 1,000 km country comparison to the world: 88 standard gauge: 1,000 km 1.435-m gauge (590 km electrified) (2008) Roadways: total: 21,846 km country comparison to the world: 107 paved: 11,425 km (4,714 km of interurban roads) unpaved: 10,421 km (2006) Waterways: Sava River (northern border) open to shipping but use limited (2008) Ports and terminals: Bosanska Gradiska, Bosanski Brod, Bosanski Samac, and Brcko (all inland waterway ports on the Sava River), Orasje Military ::Bosnia and Herzegovina Military branches: Bosnia and Herzegovina Armed Forces (OSBiH): Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Air and Air Defense Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Zrakoplovstvo i Protuzracna Obrana, ZPO) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription abolished January 2006; 4-month service obligation (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,212,007 females age 16-49: 1,170,645 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 991,953 females age 16-49: 959,226 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 27,368 female: 25,644 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 4.5% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 Transnational Issues ::Bosnia and Herzegovina Disputes - international: sections along the Drina River remain in dispute between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia; discussions continue with Croatia on several small disputed sections of the boundary related to maritime access that hinder final ratification of the 1999 border agreement Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 7,269 (Croatia) IDPs: 131,600 (Bosnian Croats, Serbs, and Bosniaks displaced in 1992-95 war) (2007) Illicit drugs: increasingly a transit point for heroin being trafficked to Western Europe; minor transit point for marijuana; remains highly vulnerable to money-laundering activity given a primarily cash-based and unregulated economy, weak law enforcement, and instances of corruption page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Botswana (Africa) Introduction ::Botswana Background: Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name upon independence in 1966. Four decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and significant capital investment have created one of the most dynamic economies in Africa. Mineral extraction, principally diamond mining, dominates economic activity, though tourism is a growing sector due to the country's conservation practices and extensive nature preserves. Botswana has one of the world's highest known rates of HIV/AIDS infection, but also one of Africa's most progressive and comprehensive programs for dealing with the disease. Geography ::Botswana Location: Southern Africa, north of South Africa Geographic coordinates: 22 00 S, 24 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 581,730 sq km country comparison to the world: 47 land: 566,730 sq km water: 15,000 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Texas Land boundaries: total: 4,013 km border countries: Namibia 1,360 km, South Africa 1,840 km, Zimbabwe 813 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: semiarid; warm winters and hot summers Terrain: predominantly flat to gently rolling tableland; Kalahari Desert in southwest Elevation extremes: lowest point: junction of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers 513 m highest point: Tsodilo Hills 1,489 m Natural resources: diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver Land use: arable land: 0.65% permanent crops: 0.01% other: 99.34% (2005) Irrigated land: 10 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 14.7 cu km (2001) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.19 cu km/yr (41%/18%/41%) per capita: 107 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: periodic droughts; seasonal August winds blow from the west, carrying sand and dust across the country, which can obscure visibility Environment - current issues: overgrazing; desertification; limited fresh water resources Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: landlocked; population concentrated in eastern part of the country People ::Botswana Population: 1,990,876 country comparison to the world: 146 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 34.8% (male 352,399/female 340,058) 15-64 years: 61.4% (male 613,714/female 608,003) 65 years and over: 3.9% (male 31,155/female 45,547) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 21.7 years male: 21.5 years female: 21.9 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.937% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 Birth rate: 22.89 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 Death rate: 8.52 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 93 Net migration rate: 5 migrant(s)/1,000 population country comparison to the world: 21 note: there is an increasing flow of Zimbabweans into South Africa and Botswana in search of better economic opportunities (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 60% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 12.59 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 141 male: 13.43 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 61.85 years country comparison to the world: 178 male: 61.72 years female: 61.99 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.6 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 23.9% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 300,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 11,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria (2009) Nationality: noun: Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural) adjective: Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural) Ethnic groups: Tswana (or Setswana) 79%, Kalanga 11%, Basarwa 3%, other, including Kgalagadi and white 7% Religions: Christian 71.6%, Badimo 6%, other 1.4%, unspecified 0.4%, none 20.6% (2001 census) Languages: Setswana 78.2%, Kalanga 7.9%, Sekgalagadi 2.8%, English 2.1% (official), other 8.6%, unspecified 0.4% (2001 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 81.2% male: 80.4% female: 81.8% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 12 years (2005) Education expenditures: 8.7% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 10 Government ::Botswana Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Botswana conventional short form: Botswana local long form: Republic of Botswana local short form: Botswana former: Bechuanaland Government type: parliamentary republic Capital: name: Gaborone geographic coordinates: 24 45 S, 25 55 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 9 districts and 5 town councils*; Central, Francistown*, Gaborone*, Ghanzi, Jwaneng*, Kgalagadi, Kgatleng, Kweneng, Lobatse*, Northeast, Northwest, Selebi-Pikwe*, Southeast, Southern Independence: 30 September 1966 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day (Botswana Day), 30 September (1966) Constitution: March 1965; effective 30 September 1966 Legal system: based on Roman-Dutch law and local customary law; judicial review limited to matters of interpretation; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA (since 1 April 2008); Vice President Mompati MERAFHE (since 1 April 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA (since 1 April 2008); Vice President Mompati MERAFHE (since 1 April 2008) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president indirectly elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 20 October 2004 (next to be held on 9 October 2009); vice president appointed by the president election results: Festus G. MOGAE elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - 52%: note - MOGAE stepped down on 1 April 2008 and designated KHAMA to serve out the remainder of his term Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the House of Chiefs (a largely advisory 15-member body with 8 ex-officio members consisting of the chiefs of the principal tribes, and 7 non-permanent members serving 5-year terms, consisting of 4 elected subchiefs and 3 members selected by the other 12 members) and the National Assembly (63 seats, 57 members are directly elected by popular vote, 4 are appointed by the majority party, and 2, the President and Attorney-General, serve as ex-officio members; members serve five-year terms) elections: National Assembly elections last held 16 October 2009 (next to be held in 2014) election results: percent of vote by party - BDP 53.3%, BNF 21.9%, BCP 19.2%, 2.3%, other 4.3%; seats by party - BDP 45, BNF 6, BCP 4, BAM 1, other 1 Judicial branch: High Court; Court of Appeal; Magistrates' Courts (one in each district) Political parties and leaders: Botswana Alliance Movement or BAM [Ephraim Lepetu SETSHWAELO]; Botswana Congress Party or BCP [Gilson SALESHANDO]; Botswana Democratic Party or BDP [Daniel KWELAGOBE]; Botswana National Front or BNF [Otswoletse MOUPO]; Botswana Peoples Party or BPP [Bernard BALIKANI]; MELS Movement of Botswana or MELS [Themba JOINA]; New Democratic Front or NDF [Dick BAYFORD] note: a number of minor parties joined forces in 1999 to form the BAM but did not capture any parliamentary seats - includes the United Action Party [Ephraim Lepetu SETSHWAELO]; the Independence Freedom Party or IFP [Motsamai MPHO]; the Botswana Progressive Union [D. K. KWELE] Political pressure groups and leaders: First People of the Kalahari (Bushman organization); Pitso Ya Ba Tswana; Society for the Promotion of Ikalanga Language (Kalanga elites) other: diamond mining companies International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Lapologang Caesar LEKOA chancery: 1531-1533 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 244-4990 FAX: [1] (202) 244-4164 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Stephen J. NOLAN embassy: Embassy Enclave (off Khama Crescent), Gaborone mailing address: Embassy Enclave, P. O. Box 90, Gaborone telephone: [267] 395-3982 FAX: [267] 395-6947 Flag description: light blue with a horizontal white-edged black stripe in the center Economy ::Botswana Economy - overview: Botswana has maintained one of the world's highest economic growth rates since independence in 1966, though growth fell below 5% in 2007-08. Through fiscal discipline and sound management, Botswana has transformed itself from one of the poorest countries in the world to a middle-income country with a per capita GDP of $13,300 in 2008. Two major investment services rank Botswana as the best credit risk in Africa. Diamond mining has fueled much of the expansion and currently accounts for more than one-third of GDP and for 70-80% of export earnings. Tourism, financial services, subsistence farming, and cattle raising are other key sectors. On the downside, the government must deal with high rates of unemployment and poverty. Unemployment officially was 23.8% in 2004, but unofficial estimates place it closer to 40%. HIV/AIDS infection rates are the second highest in the world and threaten Botswana's impressive economic gains. An expected leveling off in diamond mining production overshadows long-term prospects. GDP (purchasing power parity): $27.11 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 $26.35 billion (2007 est.) $25.23 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $13.46 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 4.4% (2007 est.) 5.1% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $13,900 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 83 $13,800 (2007 est.) $13,400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1.6% industry: 52.6% (including 36% mining) services: 45.8% (2008 est.) Labor force: 685,300 formal sector employees (2007) country comparison to the world: 146 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Unemployment rate: 7.5% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 Population below poverty line: 30.3% (2003) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Distribution of family income - Gini index: 63 (1993) country comparison to the world: 4 Investment (gross fixed): 23.4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 Budget: revenues: $4.326 billion expenditures: $4.808 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 5.9% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 8.6% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 12.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 175 7.1% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 15% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 17 14.5% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 16.54% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 34 16.22% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $1.008 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 87 $1.026 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $4.183 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 75 $4.336 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $NA (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $3.556 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 82 $5.887 billion (31 December 2007) $3.947 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: livestock, sorghum, maize, millet, beans, sunflowers, groundnuts Industries: diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash; livestock processing; textiles Industrial production growth rate: -2.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 158 Electricity - production: 1.052 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 Electricity - consumption: 2.648 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 2.181 billion kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 116 Oil - consumption: 15,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 134 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 207 Oil - imports: 15,180 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 101 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 208 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 46 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 Current account balance: $750.3 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 $2.434 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $4.707 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 $5.158 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: diamonds, copper, nickel, soda ash, meat, textiles Imports: $4.486 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 $3.447 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, machinery, electrical goods, transport equipment, textiles, fuel and petroleum products, wood and paper products, metal and metal products Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $9.119 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 $9.79 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $409 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 $408 million (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: pulas (BWP) per US dollar - 6.7907 (2008 est.), 6.2035 (2007), 5.8447 (2006), 5.1104 (2005), 4.6929 (2004) Communications ::Botswana Telephones - main lines in use: 142,300 (2008) country comparison to the world: 135 Telephones - mobile cellular: 1.486 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 133 Telephone system: general assessment: the system is expanding with the growth of mobile-cellular service and participation in regional development; system is fully digital with fiber-optic cables linking the major population centers in the east; fixed-line connections declined in recent years and now stand at roughly 8 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone density currently is about 80 per 100 persons domestic: small system of open-wire lines, microwave radio relay links, and a few radiotelephone communication stations; mobile-cellular service is growing fast international: country code - 267; international calls are made via satellite, using international direct dialing; 2 international exchanges; digital microwave radio relay links to Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 8, FM 13, shortwave 4 (2001) Television broadcast stations: 2 (1 state-owned, 1 private) Internet country code: .bw Internet hosts: 7,341 (2009) country comparison to the world: 128 Internet users: 120,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 146 Transportation ::Botswana Airports: 77 (2009) country comparison to the world: 71 Airports - with paved runways: total: 9 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 68 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 54 under 914 m: 10 (2009) Railways: total: 888 km country comparison to the world: 97 narrow gauge: 888 km 1.067-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 25,798 km country comparison to the world: 103 paved: 8,410 km unpaved: 17,388 km (2005) Military ::Botswana Military branches: Botswana Defense Force: Ground Forces (includes Air Arm) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18 is the apparent age of voluntary military service; the official qualifications for determining minimum age are unknown (2001) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 487,853 females age 16-49: 464,278 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 341,190 females age 16-49: 315,588 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 23,420 female: 22,904 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 3.3% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 42 Transnational Issues ::Botswana Disputes - international: Botswana still struggles to seal its border from thousands of Zimbabweans who flee economic collapse and political persecution; Namibia has long supported, and in 2004 Zimbabwe dropped objections to, plans between Botswana and Zambia to build a bridge over the Zambezi River at Kazungula crossing, thereby de facto recognizing the short, but not clearly delimited, Botswana-Zambia boundary page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Bouvet Island (Antarctica) Introduction ::Bouvet Island Background: This uninhabited volcanic island is almost entirely covered by glaciers and is difficult to approach. It was discovered in 1739 by a French naval officer after whom the island was named. No claim was made until 1825, when the British flag was raised. In 1928, the UK waived its claim in favor of Norway, which had occupied the island the previous year. In 1971, Norway designated Bouvet Island and the adjacent territorial waters a nature reserve. Since 1977, it has run an automated meteorological station on the island. Geography ::Bouvet Island Location: island in the South Atlantic Ocean, southwest of the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) Geographic coordinates: 54 26 S, 3 24 E Map references: Antarctic Region Area: total: 49 sq km country comparison to the world: 232 land: 49 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 29.6 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 4 nm Climate: antarctic Terrain: volcanic; coast is mostly inaccessible Elevation extremes: lowest point: South Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Olav Peak 935 m Natural resources: none Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (93% ice) (2005) Irrigated land: 0 sq km Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: covered by glacial ice; declared a nature reserve by Norway People ::Bouvet Island Population: uninhabited Government ::Bouvet Island Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Bouvet Island Dependency status: territory of Norway; administered by the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice and Oslo Police Legal system: the laws of Norway, where applicable, apply Flag description: the flag of Norway is used Economy ::Bouvet Island Economy - overview: no economic activity; declared a nature reserve Communications ::Bouvet Island Internet country code: .bv Internet hosts: 0 (2009) country comparison to the world: 230 Communications - note: automatic meteorological station Transportation ::Bouvet Island Ports and terminals: none; offshore anchorage only Military ::Bouvet Island Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Norway Transnational Issues ::Bouvet Island Disputes - international: none page last updated on October 28, 2009 ====================================================================== @Brazil (South America) Introduction ::Brazil Background: Following more than three centuries under Portuguese rule, Brazil peacefully gained its independence in 1822, maintaining a monarchical system of government until the abolition of slavery in 1888 and the subsequent proclamation of a republic by the military in 1889. Brazilian coffee exporters politically dominated the country until populist leader Getulio VARGAS rose to power in 1930. By far the largest and most populous country in South America, Brazil underwent more than half a century of populist and military government until 1985, when the military regime peacefully ceded power to civilian rulers. Brazil continues to pursue industrial and agricultural growth and development of its interior. Exploiting vast natural resources and a large labor pool, it is today South America's leading economic power and a regional leader. Highly unequal income distribution and crime remain pressing problems. Geography ::Brazil Location: Eastern South America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean Geographic coordinates: 10 00 S, 55 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 8,514,877 sq km country comparison to the world: 5 land: 8,459,417 sq km water: 55,460 sq km note: includes Arquipelago de Fernando de Noronha, Atol das Rocas, Ilha da Trindade, Ilhas Martin Vaz, and Penedos de Sao Pedro e Sao Paulo Area - comparative: slightly smaller than the US Land boundaries: total: 16,885 km border countries: Argentina 1,261 km, Bolivia 3,423 km, Colombia 1,644 km, French Guiana 730 km, Guyana 1,606 km, Paraguay 1,365 km, Peru 2,995 km, Suriname 593 km, Uruguay 1,068 km, Venezuela 2,200 km Coastline: 7,491 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to edge of the continental margin Climate: mostly tropical, but temperate in south Terrain: mostly flat to rolling lowlands in north; some plains, hills, mountains, and narrow coastal belt Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pico da Neblina 3,014 m Natural resources: bauxite, gold, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, platinum, tin, uranium, petroleum, hydropower, timber Land use: arable land: 6.93% permanent crops: 0.89% other: 92.18% (2005) Irrigated land: 29,200 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 8,233 cu km (2000) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 59.3 cu km/yr (20%/18%/62%) per capita: 318 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: recurring droughts in northeast; floods and occasional frost in south Environment - current issues: deforestation in Amazon Basin destroys the habitat and endangers a multitude of plant and animal species indigenous to the area; there is a lucrative illegal wildlife trade; air and water pollution in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and several other large cities; land degradation and water pollution caused by improper mining activities; wetland degradation; severe oil spills Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: largest country in South America; shares common boundaries with every South American country except Chile and Ecuador People ::Brazil Population: 198,739,269 country comparison to the world: 5 note: Brazil conducted a census in August 2000, which reported a population of 169,872,855; that figure was about 3.8% lower than projections by the US Census Bureau, and is close to the implied underenumeration of 4.6% for the 1991 census (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 26.7% (male 27,092,880/female 26,062,244) 15-64 years: 66.8% (male 65,804,108/female 67,047,725) 65 years and over: 6.4% (male 5,374,230/female 7,358,082) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 28.6 years male: 27.8 years female: 29.3 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.199% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 Birth rate: 18.43 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 Death rate: 6.35 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 Net migration rate: -0.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 Urbanization: urban population: 86% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 22.58 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 97 male: 26.16 deaths/1,000 live births female: 18.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.99 years country comparison to the world: 121 male: 68.43 years female: 75.73 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.21 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 116 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.6% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 730,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 15,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 Nationality: noun: Brazilian(s) adjective: Brazilian Ethnic groups: white 53.7%, mulatto (mixed white and black) 38.5%, black 6.2%, other (includes Japanese, Arab, Amerindian) 0.9%, unspecified 0.7% (2000 census) Religions: Roman Catholic (nominal) 73.6%, Protestant 15.4%, Spiritualist 1.3%, Bantu/voodoo 0.3%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.2%, none 7.4% (2000 census) Languages: Portuguese (official and most widely spoken language); note - less common languages include Spanish (border areas and schools), German, Italian, Japanese, English, and a large number of minor Amerindian languages Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 88.6% male: 88.4% female: 88.8% (2004 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 15 years (2005) Education expenditures: 4% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 105 Government ::Brazil Country name: conventional long form: Federative Republic of Brazil conventional short form: Brazil local long form: Republica Federativa do Brasil local short form: Brasil Government type: federal republic Capital: name: Brasilia geographic coordinates: 15 47 S, 47 55 W time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins third Sunday in October; ends third Sunday in February note: Brazil is divided into four time zones, including one for the Fernando de Noronha Islands Administrative divisions: 26 states (estados, singular - estado) and 1 federal district* (distrito federal); Acre, Alagoas, Amapa, Amazonas, Bahia, Ceara, Distrito Federal*, Espirito Santo, Goias, Maranhao, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Para, Paraiba, Parana, Pernambuco, Piaui, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Norte, Rio Grande do Sul, Rondonia, Roraima, Santa Catarina, Sao Paulo, Sergipe, Tocantins Independence: 7 September 1822 (from Portugal) National holiday: Independence Day, 7 September (1822) Constitution: 5 October 1988 Legal system: based on Roman codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: voluntary between 16 and 18 years of age and over 70; compulsory over 18 and under 70 years of age; note - military conscripts do not vote Executive branch: chief of state: President Luiz Inacio LULA da Silva (since 1 January 2003); Vice President Jose ALENCAR (since 1 January 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Luiz Inacio LULA da Silva (since 1 January 2003); Vice President Jose ALENCAR (since 1 January 2003) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single four-year term; election last held 1 October 2006 with runoff 29 October 2006 (next to be held 3 October 2010 and, if necessary, 31 October 2010) election results: Luiz Inacio LULA da Silva (PT) reelected president - 60.83%, Geraldo ALCKMIN (PSDB) 39.17% Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress or Congresso Nacional consists of the Federal Senate or Senado Federal (81 seats; 3 members from each state and federal district elected according to the principle of majority to serve eight-year terms; one-third and two-thirds elected every four years, alternately) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara dos Deputados (513 seats; members are elected by proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: Federal Senate - last held 1 October 2006 for one-third of the Senate (next to be held in October 2010 for two-thirds of the Senate); Chamber of Deputies - last held 1 October 2006 (next to be held in October 2010) election results: Federal Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PFL 6, PSDB 5, PMDB 4, PTB 3, PT 2, PDT 1, PSB 1, PL 1, PPS 1, PRTB 1, PP 1, PCdoB 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PMDB 89, PT 83, PFL 65, PSDB 65, PP 42, PSB 27, PDT 24, PL 23, PTB 22, PPS 21, PCdoB 13, PV 13, PSC 9, other 17; note - as of 1 January 2009, the composition of the entire legislature is as follows: Federal Senate - seats by party - PMDB 21, DEM (formerly PFL) 12, PSDB 13, PT 12, PTB 7, PDT 5, PR 4, PSB 2, PCdoB 1, PRB 1, PP 1, PSC 1, PSOL 1; Chamber of Deputies - seats by party - PMDB 95, PT 79, PSDB 59, DEM (formerly PFL) 53, PR 44, PP 40, PSB 29, PDT 25, PTB 19, PPS 14, PV 14, PCdoB 13, PSC 11, PMN 5, PRB 4, PHS 3, PSOL 3, PTC 1, PTdoB 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Federal Tribunal or STF (11 ministers are appointed for life by the president and confirmed by the Senate); Higher Tribunal of Justice; Regional Federal Tribunals (judges are appointed for life); note - though appointed "for life," judges, like all federal employees, have a mandatory retirement age of 70 Political parties and leaders: Brazilian Democratic Movement Party or PMDB [Federal Deputy Michel TEMER]; Brazilian Labor Party or PTB [Roberto JEFFERSON]; Brazilian Renewal Labor Party or PRTB [Jose Levy FIDELIX da Cruz]; Brazilian Republican Party or PRB [Vitor Paulo Araujo DOS SANTOS]; Brazilian Social Democracy Party or PSDB [Senator Sergio GUERRA]; Brazilian Socialist Party or PSB [Governor Eduardo Henrique Accioly CAMPOS]; Christian Labor Party or PTC [Daniel TOURINHO]; Communist Party of Brazil or PCdoB [Jose Renato RABELO]; Democratic Labor Party or PDT [Carlos Roberto LUPI]; the Democrats or DEM (formerly Liberal Front Party or PFL) [Federal Deputy Rodrigo MAIA]; Freedom and Socialism Party or PSOL [Heloisa HELENA]; Green Party or PV [Jose Luiz de Franca PENNA]; Humanist Party of Solidarity or PHS [Paulo Roberto MATOS]; Labor Party of Brazil or PTdoB [Luis Henrique de Oliveira RESENDE]; Liberal Front Party or PFL (now known as the Democrats or DEM); National Mobilization Party or PMN [Oscar Noronha FILHO]; Party of the Republic or PR [Sergio TAMER]; Popular Socialist Party or PPS [Federal Deputy Fernando CORUJA]; Progressive Party or PP [Francisco DORNELLES]; Social Christian Party or PSC [Vitor Jorge Abdala NOSSEIS]; Workers' Party or PT [Ricardo Jose Ribeiro BERZOINI] Political pressure groups and leaders: Landless Workers' Movement or MST other: labor unions and federations; large farmers' associations; religious groups including evangelical Christian churches and the Catholic Church International organization participation: AfDB (nonregional member), BIS, CAN (associate), CPLP, FAO, G-15, G-20, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURCAT, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, SICA (observer), UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Antonio de Aguiar PATRIOTA chancery: 3006 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 238-2805 FAX: [1] (202) 238-2827 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Clifford M. SOBEL embassy: Avenida das Nacoes, Quadra 801, Lote 3, Distrito Federal Cep 70403-900, Brasilia mailing address: Unit 3500, APO AA 34030 telephone: [55] (61) 3312-7000 FAX: [55] (61) 3225-9136 consulate(s) general: Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo consulate(s): Recife Flag description: green with a large yellow diamond in the center bearing a blue celestial globe with 27 white five-pointed stars (one for each state and the Federal District) arranged in the same pattern as the night sky over Brazil; the globe has a white equatorial band with the motto ORDEM E PROGRESSO (Order and Progress) Economy ::Brazil Economy - overview: Characterized by large and well-developed agricultural, mining, manufacturing, and service sectors, Brazil's economy outweighs that of all other South American countries and Brazil is expanding its presence in world markets. From 2003 to 2007, Brazil ran record trade surpluses and recorded its first current account surpluses since 1992. Productivity gains coupled with high commodity prices contributed to the surge in exports. Brazil improved its debt profile in 2006 by shifting its debt burden toward real denominated and domestically held instruments. LULA da Silva restated his commitment to fiscal responsibility by maintaining the country's primary surplus during the 2006 election. Following his second inauguration in October of that year, LULA da Silva announced a package of further economic reforms to reduce taxes and increase investment in infrastructure. Brazil's debt achieved investment grade status early in 2008, but the government's attempt to achieve strong growth while reducing the debt burden created inflationary pressures. For most of 2008, the Central Bank embarked on a restrictive monetary policy to stem these pressures. Since the onset of the global financial crisis in September, Brazil's currency and its stock market - Bovespa - have significantly lost value, -41% for Bovespa for the year ending 30 December 2008. Brazil incurred another current account deficit in 2008, as world demand and prices for commodities dropped in the second-half of the year. GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.998 trillion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 $1.901 trillion (2007 est.) $1.798 trillion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $1.573 trillion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 5.7% (2007 est.) 4% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $10,200 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 $9,800 (2007 est.) $9,400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 6.7% industry: 28% services: 65.3% (2008 est.) Labor force: 93.65 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 20% industry: 14% services: 66% (2003 est.) Unemployment rate: 7.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 9.3% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 31% (2005) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.1% highest 10%: 43% (2007) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 56.7 (2005) country comparison to the world: 10 60.7 (1998) Investment (gross fixed): 19% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 Budget: revenues: NA expenditures: NA Public debt: 38.8% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 52% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 3.6% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 20.48% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 9 17.85% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 47.25% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 4 43.72% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $95.03 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 12 $131.1 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $724.5 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 6 $792.8 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $1.249 trillion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 11 $1.377 trillion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $589.4 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 12 $1.37 trillion (31 December 2007) $711.1 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: coffee, soybeans, wheat, rice, corn, sugarcane, cocoa, citrus; beef Industries: textiles, shoes, chemicals, cement, lumber, iron ore, tin, steel, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, other machinery and equipment Industrial production growth rate: 4.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 Electricity - production: 438.8 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 Electricity - consumption: 404.3 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 Electricity - exports: 2.034 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 42.06 billion kWh; note - supplied by Paraguay (2008 est.) Oil - production: 2.422 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 13 Oil - consumption: 2.52 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 8 Oil - exports: 570,100 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 Oil - imports: 632,900 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 Oil - proved reserves: 12.62 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 Natural gas - production: 12.62 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 Natural gas - consumption: 23.65 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 200 Natural gas - imports: 11.03 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 Natural gas - proved reserves: 365 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 36 Current account balance: -$28.19 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 180 $1.551 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $197.9 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 $160.6 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: transport equipment, iron ore, soybeans, footwear, coffee, autos Exports - partners: US 14.4%, China 12.4%, Argentina 8.4%, Netherlands 5%, Germany 4.5% (2008) Imports: $173.1 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 $120.6 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery, electrical and transport equipment, chemical products, oil, automotive parts, electronics Imports - partners: US 14.9%, China 11.6%, Argentina 7.9%, Germany 7% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $193.8 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 $180.3 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $262.9 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 27 $240.5 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $294 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 $248.9 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $127.5 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 $107.1 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: reals (BRL) per US dollar - 1.8644 (2008 est.), 1.85 (2007 est.), 2.1761 (2006), 2.4344 (2005), 2.9251 (2004) Communications ::Brazil Telephones - main lines in use: 41.141 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 6 Telephones - mobile cellular: 150.641 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 5 Telephone system: general assessment: good working system; fixed-line connections have remained relatively stable in recent years and stand at about 20 per 100 persons; less expensive mobile cellular technology is a major driver in expanding telephone service to the low-income segment of the population with mobile-cellular telephone density reaching 80 per 100 persons domestic: extensive microwave radio relay system and a domestic satellite system with 64 earth stations; mobile-cellular usage has more than tripled in the past 5 years international: country code - 55; landing point for a number of submarine cables, including Atlantis 2, that provide direct links to South and Central America, the Caribbean, the US, Africa, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region east), connected by microwave relay system to Mercosur Brazilsat B3 satellite earth station (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1,365, FM 296, shortwave 161 (of which 91 are collocated with AM stations) (1999) Television broadcast stations: 138 (1997) Internet country code: .br Internet hosts: 15.929 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 5 Internet users: 64.948 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 5 Transportation ::Brazil Airports: 4,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 2 Airports - with paved runways: total: 721 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 27 1,524 to 2,437 m: 171 914 to 1,523 m: 460 under 914 m: 56 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 3,279 1,524 to 2,437 m: 87 914 to 1,523 m: 1,547 under 914 m: 1,645 (2009) Heliports: 13 (2009) Pipelines: condensate/gas 62 km; gas 9,892 km; liquid petroleum gas 353 km; oil 4,517 km; refined products 4,465 km (2008) Railways: total: 28,857 km country comparison to the world: 10 broad gauge: 5,709 km 1.600-m gauge (459 km electrified) standard gauge: 194 km 1.440-m gauge narrow gauge: 22,954 km 1.000-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 1,751,868 km country comparison to the world: 4 paved: 96,353 km unpaved: 1,655,515 km (2004) Waterways: 50,000 km (most in areas remote from industry and population) (2008) country comparison to the world: 3 Merchant marine: total: 136 country comparison to the world: 45 by type: bulk carrier 19, cargo 22, carrier 1, chemical tanker 7, container 11, liquefied gas 12, passenger/cargo 12, petroleum tanker 45, roll on/roll off 7 foreign-owned: 25 (Chile 1, Denmark 2, Germany 6, Greece 1, Mexico 1, Norway 5, Spain 9) registered in other countries: 8 (Argentina 1, Bahamas 2, Ghana 1, Liberia 3, Marshall Islands 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Guaiba, Ilha Grande, Paranagua, Rio Grande, Santos, Sao Sebastiao, Tubarao Transportation - note: the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the Atlantic Ocean as a significant risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; crews have been robbed and stores or cargoes stolen Military ::Brazil Military branches: Brazilian Army (Exercito Brasileiro, EB), Brazilian Navy (Marinha do Brasil (MB), includes Naval Air and Marine Corps (Corpo de Fuzileiros Navais)), Brazilian Air Force (Forca Aerea Brasileira, FAB) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 21-45 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 9 to 12 months; 17-45 years of age for voluntary service; an increasing percentage of the ranks are "long-service" volunteer professionals; women were allowed to serve in the armed forces beginning in early 1980s when the Brazilian Army became the first army in South America to accept women into career ranks; women serve in Navy and Air Force only in Women's Reserve Corps (2001) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 52,449,957 females age 16-49: 52,375,921 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 38,043,555 females age 16-49: 44,267,520 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 1,690,031 female: 1,630,851 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 2.6% of GDP (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 Transnational Issues ::Brazil Disputes - international: unruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay borders is locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and illegal narcotics trafficking, and fundraising for extremist organizations; uncontested boundary dispute with Uruguay over Isla Brasilera at the confluence of the Quarai/Cuareim and Invernada rivers, that form a tripoint with Argentina; the Itaipu Dam reservoir covers over a once contested section of Brazil-Paraguay boundary west of Guaira Falls on the Rio Parana; an accord placed the long-disputed Isla Suarez/Ilha de Guajara-Mirim, a fluvial island on the Rio Mamore, under Bolivian administration in 1958, but sovereignty remains in dispute Illicit drugs: second-largest consumer of cocaine in the world; illicit producer of cannabis; trace amounts of coca cultivation in the Amazon region, used for domestic consumption; government has a large-scale eradication program to control cannabis; important transshipment country for Bolivian, Colombian, and Peruvian cocaine headed for Europe; also used by traffickers as a way station for narcotics air transshipments between Peru and Colombia; upsurge in drug-related violence and weapons smuggling; important market for Colombian, Bolivian, and Peruvian cocaine; illicit narcotics proceeds are often laundered through the financial system; significant illicit financial activity in the Tri-Border Area (2008) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @British Indian Ocean Territory (South Asia) Introduction ::British Indian Ocean Territory Background: Formerly administered as part of the British Crown Colony of Mauritius, the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) was established as an overseas territory of the UK in 1965. A number of the islands of the territory were later transferred to the Seychelles when it attained independence in 1976. Subsequently, BIOT has consisted only of the six main island groups comprising the Chagos Archipelago. The largest and most southerly of the islands, Diego Garcia, contains a joint UK-US naval support facility. All of the remaining islands are uninhabited. Between 1967 and 1973, former agricultural workers, earlier residents in the islands, were relocated primarily to Mauritius, but also to the Seychelles. Negotiations between 1971 and 1982 resulted in the establishment of a trust fund by the British Government as compensation for the displaced islanders, known as Chagossians. Beginning in 1998, the islanders pursued a series of lawsuits against the British Government seeking further compensation and the right to return to the territory. In 2006 and 2007, British court rulings invalidated the immigration policies contained in the 2004 BIOT Constitution Order that had excluded the islanders from the archipelago, but upheld the special military status of Diego Garcia. In 2008, the House of Lords, as the final court of appeal in the UK, ruled in favor of the British Government by overturning the lower court rulings and finding no right of return on the part of the Chagossians. Geography ::British Indian Ocean Territory Location: archipelago in the Indian Ocean, south of India, about halfway between Africa and Indonesia Geographic coordinates: 6 00 S, 71 30 E; note - Diego Garcia 7 20 S, 72 25 E Map references: Political Map of the World Area: total: 54,400 sq km country comparison to the world: 127 land: 60 sq km; Diego Garcia 44 sq km water: 54,340 sq km note: includes the entire Chagos Archipelago of 55 islands Area - comparative: land area is about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 698 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical marine; hot, humid, moderated by trade winds Terrain: flat and low (most areas do not exceed two meters in elevation) Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Diego Garcia 15 m Natural resources: coconuts, fish, sugarcane Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) Irrigated land: 0 sq km Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: archipelago of 55 islands; Diego Garcia, largest and southernmost island, occupies strategic location in central Indian Ocean; island is site of joint US-UK military facility People ::British Indian Ocean Territory Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: approximately 1,200 former agricultural workers resident in the Chagos Archipelago, often referred to as Chagossians or Ilois, were relocated to Mauritius and the Seychelles in the 1960s and 1970s; in November 2004, approximately 4,000 UK and US military personnel and civilian contractors were living on the island of Diego Garcia Government ::British Indian Ocean Territory Country name: conventional long form: British Indian Ocean Territory conventional short form: none abbreviation: BIOT Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK; administered by a commissioner, resident in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London Legal system: the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Commissioner Colin ROBERTS (since July 2008); Administrator Joanne YEADON (since December 2007); note - both reside in the UK and are represented by the officer commanding British Forces on Diego Garcia cabinet: NA elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; commissioner and administrator appointed by the monarch Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Flag description: white with six blue wavy horizontal stripes; the flag of the UK is in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the striped section bears a palm tree and yellow crown centered on the outer half of the flag Economy ::British Indian Ocean Territory Economy - overview: All economic activity is concentrated on the largest island of Diego Garcia, where a joint UK-US military facility is located. Construction projects and various services needed to support the military installation are performed by military and contract employees from the UK, Mauritius, the Philippines, and the US. There are no industrial or agricultural activities on the islands. The territory earns foreign exchange by selling fishing licenses and postage stamps. Electricity - production: NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by the US military Electricity - consumption: NA kWh Exchange rates: the US dollar is used Communications ::British Indian Ocean Territory Telephones - main lines in use: NA Telephone system: general assessment: separate facilities for military and public needs are available domestic: all commercial telephone services are available, including connection to the Internet international: country code (Diego Garcia) - 246; international telephone service is carried by satellite (2000) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997) Internet country code: .io Internet hosts: 160 (2009) country comparison to the world: 194 Transportation ::British Indian Ocean Territory Airports: 1 (2009) country comparison to the world: 225 Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2009) Roadways: note: short section of paved road between port and airfield on Diego Garcia Ports and terminals: Diego Garcia Military ::British Indian Ocean Territory Military branches: no regular military forces; Royal Overseas Police Officers (ROPOs) (2008) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK; the US lease on Diego Garcia expires in 2016 Transnational Issues ::British Indian Ocean Territory Disputes - international: Mauritius claims the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia; in 2001, the former inhabitants of the Chagos Archipelago, evicted in 1967 and 1973 and now residing chiefly in Mauritius, were granted UK citizenship and the right to repatriation; in May 2007, the UK Court of Appeals upheld the May 2006 High Court of London judgment reversing the UK government's 2004 Orders of Council that banned habitation on the islands; a small group of Chagossians visited Diego Garcia in April 2006; repatriation is complicated by the exclusive US military lease of Diego Garcia that restricts access to the largest viable island in the chain page last updated on October 28, 2009 ====================================================================== @British Virgin Islands (Central America and Caribbean) Introduction ::British Virgin Islands Background: First inhabited by Arawak and later by Carib Indians, the Virgin Islands were settled by the Dutch in 1648 and then annexed by the English in 1672. The islands were part of the British colony of the Leeward Islands from 1872-1960; they were granted autonomy in 1967. The economy is closely tied to the larger and more populous US Virgin Islands to the west; the US dollar is the legal currency. Geography ::British Virgin Islands Location: Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico Geographic coordinates: 18 30 N, 64 30 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 151 sq km country comparison to the world: 219 land: 151 sq km water: 0 sq km note: comprised of 16 inhabited and more than 20 uninhabited islands; includes the islands of Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda, Jost van Dyke Area - comparative: about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 80 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Climate: subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds Terrain: coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Sage 521 m Natural resources: NEGL Land use: arable land: 20% permanent crops: 6.67% other: 73.33% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October) Environment - current issues: limited natural fresh water resources (except for a few seasonal streams and springs on Tortola, most of the islands' water supply comes from wells and rainwater catchments) Geography - note: strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico People ::British Virgin Islands Population: 24,491 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 215 Age structure: 0-14 years: 19.8% (male 2,454/female 2,387) 15-64 years: 74.4% (male 9,346/female 8,881) 65 years and over: 5.8% (male 734/female 689) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 32.3 years male: 32.4 years female: 32.2 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.837% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 Birth rate: 14.62 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 Death rate: 4.37 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 203 Net migration rate: 8.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 Urbanization: urban population: 40% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.06 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 14.65 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 129 male: 16.61 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.26 years country comparison to the world: 58 male: 76.03 years female: 78.55 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.71 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 170 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: British Virgin Islander(s) adjective: British Virgin Islander Ethnic groups: black 83.4%, white 7%, other 9.6% (includes Indian and mixed) (2004 Census) Religions: Protestant 86% (Methodist 33%, Anglican 17%, Church of God 9%, Seventh-Day Adventist 6%, Baptist 4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 2%, other 15%), Roman Catholic 10%, other 2%, none 2% (1991) Languages: English (official) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.8% (1991 est.) male: NA female: NA School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 17 years male: 15 years female: 19 years (2005) Education expenditures: 3.7% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 123 Government ::British Virgin Islands Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: British Virgin Islands abbreviation: BVI Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK; internal self-governing Government type: NA Capital: name: Road Town geographic coordinates: 18 27 N, 64 37 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of the UK) Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK) National holiday: Territory Day, 1 July (1956) Constitution: 13 June 2007 Legal system: English law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor David PEAREY (since 18 April 2006) head of government: Premier Ralph T. O'NEAL (since 23 August 2007) cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from members of the House of Assembly elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed premier by the governor Legislative branch: unicameral House of Assembly (13 elected seats and 1 non-voting ex officio member in the attorney general; members are elected by direct popular vote, 1 member from each of nine electoral districts, 4 at-large members; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 20 August 2007 (next to be held in 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - VIP 45.2%, NDP 39.6%, independent 15.2%; seats by party - VIP 10, NDP 2, independent 1 Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consisting of the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal (one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the High Court); Magistrate's Court; Juvenile Court; Court of Summary Jurisdiction Political parties and leaders: Concerned Citizens Movement or CCM [Ethlyn SMITH]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Orlando SMITH]; United Party or UP [Gregory MADURO]; Virgin Islands Party or VIP [Ralph T. O'NEAL] Political pressure groups and leaders: The Family Support Network; The Women's Desk other: environmentalists International organization participation: Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, OECS, UNESCO (associate), UPU, WFTU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Flag description: blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Virgin Islander coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts a woman flanked on either side by a vertical column of six oil lamps above a scroll bearing the Latin word VIGILATE (Be Watchful) Economy ::British Virgin Islands Economy - overview: The economy, one of the most stable and prosperous in the Caribbean, is highly dependent on tourism generating an estimated 45% of the national income. An estimated 820,000 tourists, mainly from the US, visited the islands in 2005. In the mid-1980s, the government began offering offshore registration to companies wishing to incorporate in the islands, and incorporation fees now generate substantial revenues. Roughly 400,000 companies were on the offshore registry by yearend 2000. The adoption of a comprehensive insurance law in late 1994, which provides a blanket of confidentiality with regulated statutory gateways for investigation of criminal offenses, made the British Virgin Islands even more attractive to international business. Livestock raising is the most important agricultural activity; poor soils limit the islands' ability to meet domestic food requirements. Because of traditionally close links with the US Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands has used the US dollar as its currency since 1959. GDP (purchasing power parity): $853.4 million (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 206 GDP (official exchange rate): $839.7 million (2003) GDP - real growth rate: 1% (2002 est.) country comparison to the world: 176 GDP - per capita (PPP): $38,500 (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1.8% industry: 6.2% services: 92% (1996 est.) Labor force: 12,770 (2004) country comparison to the world: 206 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 0.6% industry: 40% services: 59.4% (2005) Unemployment rate: 3.6% (1997) country comparison to the world: 43 Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $204.7 million expenditures: $180.4 million (2004) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2% (2005) country comparison to the world: 17 Agriculture - products: fruits, vegetables; livestock, poultry; fish Industries: tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete block, offshore financial center Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 45 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 198 Electricity - consumption: 41.85 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 198 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 Oil - consumption: 1,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 189 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 157 Oil - imports: 691.4 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 194 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 116 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 92 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 Current account balance: $134.3 million (1999) country comparison to the world: 55 Exports: $25.3 million (2002) country comparison to the world: 202 $25.3 million (2002) Exports - commodities: rum, fresh fish, fruits, animals; gravel, sand Imports: $187 million f.o.b. Imports - commodities: building materials, automobiles, foodstuffs, machinery Debt - external: $36.1 million (1997) country comparison to the world: 194 Exchange rates: the US dollar is used Communications ::British Virgin Islands Telephones - main lines in use: 18,900 (2008) country comparison to the world: 196 Telephones - mobile cellular: 23,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 204 Telephone system: general assessment: worldwide telephone service domestic: fixed line connections exceed 75 per 100 persons and mobile cellular subscribership is approaching 100 per 100 persons international: country code - 1-284; connected via submarine cable to Bermuda; the East Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS) submarine cable provides connectivity to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (2004) Television broadcast stations: 1 (plus 1 cable company) (1997) Internet country code: .vg Internet hosts: 581 (2009) country comparison to the world: 169 Internet users: 4,000 (2002) country comparison to the world: 206 Transportation ::British Virgin Islands Airports: 4 (2009) country comparison to the world: 185 Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009) Roadways: total: 200 km country comparison to the world: 206 paved: 200 km (2007) Merchant marine: registered in other countries: 1 (Panama 1) (2008) country comparison to the world: 153 Ports and terminals: Road Town Military ::British Virgin Islands Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 7,101 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 5,979 females age 16-49: 5,738 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 178 female: 173 (2009 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Transnational Issues ::British Virgin Islands Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe; large offshore financial center makes it vulnerable to money laundering page last updated on October 28, 2009 ====================================================================== @Brunei (East & Southeast Asia) Introduction ::Brunei Background: The Sultanate of Brunei's influence peaked between the 15th and 17th centuries when its control extended over coastal areas of northwest Borneo and the southern Philippines. Brunei subsequently entered a period of decline brought on by internal strife over royal succession, colonial expansion of European powers, and piracy. In 1888, Brunei became a British protectorate; independence was achieved in 1984. The same family has ruled Brunei for over six centuries. Brunei benefits from extensive petroleum and natural gas fields, the source of one of the highest per capita GDPs in Asia. Geography ::Brunei Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia Geographic coordinates: 4 30 N, 114 40 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 5,765 sq km country comparison to the world: 172 land: 5,265 sq km water: 500 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Delaware Land boundaries: total: 381 km border countries: Malaysia 381 km Coastline: 161 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or to median line Climate: tropical; hot, humid, rainy Terrain: flat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly lowland in west Elevation extremes: lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: Bukit Pagon 1,850 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, timber Land use: arable land: 2.08% permanent crops: 0.87% other: 97.05% (2005) Irrigated land: 10 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 8.5 cu km (1999) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.09 per capita: 243 cu m/yr (1994) Natural hazards: typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rare Environment - current issues: seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: close to vital sea lanes through South China Sea linking Indian and Pacific Oceans; two parts physically separated by Malaysia; almost an enclave within Malaysia People ::Brunei Population: 388,190 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 175 Age structure: 0-14 years: 26.6% (male 53,282/female 50,141) 15-64 years: 70.1% (male 135,640/female 136,292) 65 years and over: 3.3% (male 6,199/female 6,636) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 27.8 years male: 27.7 years female: 27.8 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.759% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 Birth rate: 18.2 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 Death rate: 3.29 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 216 Net migration rate: 2.69 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 Urbanization: urban population: 75% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 12.27 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 144 male: 14.68 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.75 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.74 years country comparison to the world: 74 male: 73.52 years female: 78.07 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.91 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: fewer than 200 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 156 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 200 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 125 Nationality: noun: Bruneian(s) adjective: Bruneian Ethnic groups: Malay 66.3%, Chinese 11.2%, indigenous 3.4%, other 19.1% (2004 est.) Religions: Muslim (official) 67%, Buddhist 13%, Christian 10%, other (includes indigenous beliefs) 10% Languages: Malay (official), English, Chinese Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.7% male: 95.2% female: 90.2% (2001 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 14 years (2006) Education expenditures: 5.2% of GDP (2000) country comparison to the world: 59 Government ::Brunei Country name: conventional long form: Brunei Darussalam conventional short form: Brunei local long form: Negara Brunei Darussalam local short form: Brunei Government type: constitutional sultanate Capital: name: Bandar Seri Begawan geographic coordinates: 4 53 N, 114 56 E time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 4 districts (daerah-daerah, singular - daerah); Belait, Brunei-Muara, Temburong, Tutong Independence: 1 January 1984 (from the UK) National holiday: National Day, 23 February (1984); note - 1 January 1984 was the date of independence from the UK, 23 February 1984 was the date of independence from British protection Constitution: 29 September 1959 (some provisions suspended under a State of Emergency since December 1962, others since independence on 1 January 1984) Legal system: based on English common law; for Muslims, Islamic Sharia law supersedes civil law in a number of areas; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age for village elections; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967) cabinet: Council of Cabinet Ministers appointed and presided over by the monarch; deals with executive matters; note - there is also a Religious Council (members appointed by the monarch) that advises on religious matters, a Privy Council (members appointed by the monarch) that deals with constitutional matters, and the Council of Succession (members appointed by the monarch) that determines the succession to the throne if the need arises elections: none; the monarch is hereditary Legislative branch: The Sultan appointed a council with 29 members as of 2 September 2005; the council has met in March of each year since then elections: last held in March 1962 (date of next election NA) note: The Legislative Council met on 25 September 2004 for first time in 20 years with 21 members appointed by the Sultan; it passed constitutional amendments calling for a 45-seat council with 15 elected members Judicial branch: Supreme Court - chief justice and judges are sworn in by monarch for three-year terms; Judicial Committee of Privy Council in London is final court of appeal for civil cases; Sharia courts deal with Islamic laws (2006) Political parties and leaders: National Development Party or NDP [YASSIN Affendi] note: Brunei National Solidarity Party or PPKB [Abdul LATIF bin Chuchu] and People's Awareness Party or PAKAR [Awang Haji MAIDIN bin Haji Ahmad] were deregistered; parties are small and have limited activity Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ADB, APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN, C, EAS, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDB, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Angela SHIM chancery: 3520 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 237-1838 FAX: [1] (202) 885-0560 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador William E. TODD embassy: Third Floor, Teck Guan Plaza, Jalan Sultan, Bandar Seri Begawan, BS8811 mailing address: PSC 470 (BSB), FPO AP 96507; P.O. Box 2991, Bandar Seri Begawan BS8675, Negara Brunei Darussalam telephone: [673] 222-0384 FAX: [673] 222-5293 Flag description: yellow with two diagonal bands of white (top, almost double width) and black starting from the upper hoist side; the national emblem in red is superimposed at the center; the emblem includes a swallow-tailed flag on top of a winged column within an upturned crescent above a scroll and flanked by two upraised hands Economy ::Brunei Economy - overview: Brunei has a small well-to-do economy that encompasses a mixture of foreign and domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation, welfare measures, and village tradition. Crude oil and natural gas production account for just over half of GDP and more than 90% of exports. Per capita GDP is among the highest in Asia, and substantial income from overseas investment supplements income from domestic production. The government provides for all medical services and free education through the university level and subsidizes rice and housing. Brunei's leaders are concerned that steadily increased integration into the world economy will undermine internal social cohesion. Plans for the future include upgrading the labor force, reducing unemployment, strengthening the banking and tourist sectors, increasing agricultural production, and, in general, further widening the economic base beyond oil and gas. GDP (purchasing power parity): $19.58 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 $19.96 billion (2007 est.) $19.92 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $14.55 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -1.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 211 0.2% (2007 est.) 4.4% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $51,300 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 $53,300 (2007 est.) $54,200 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 0.7% industry: 75% services: 25% (2005 est.) Labor force: 188,800 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 166 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 4.5% industry: 63.1% services: 32.4% (2003 est.) Unemployment rate: 3.7% (2008) country comparison to the world: 44 4% (2006) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $6.889 billion expenditures: $4 billion (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.3% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 Commercial bank prime lending rate: 5.5% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 139 5.5% (February 2009) Stock of money: $3.046 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 63 $2.674 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $4.551 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 72 $4.258 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $1.274 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 104 $2.38 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: rice, vegetables, fruits; chickens, water buffalo, cattle, goats, eggs Industries: petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas, construction Industrial production growth rate: 1.8% (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 Electricity - production: 3.091 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 Electricity - consumption: 2.926 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 157,400 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 45 Oil - consumption: 15,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 137 Oil - exports: 207,500 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 Oil - imports: 237.6 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 202 Oil - proved reserves: 1.1 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 Natural gas - production: 13.4 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 36 Natural gas - consumption: 4.2 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 Natural gas - exports: 9.2 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 22 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 199 Natural gas - proved reserves: 390.8 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 Current account balance: $7.101 billion (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 Exports: $8.25 billion (2007) country comparison to the world: 93 $6.767 billion (2006) Exports - commodities: crude oil, natural gas, garments Exports - partners: Japan 40.8%, Indonesia 21.6%, South Korea 15.4%, Australia 10% (2008) Imports: $2.055 billion (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 148 $2 billion (2006 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, chemicals Imports - partners: Singapore 36.5%, Malaysia 19%, Japan 7.7%, China 5.5%, Thailand 5%, US 4.7%, UK 4.7% (2008) Debt - external: $0 (2005) country comparison to the world: 202 Exchange rates: Bruneian dollars (BND) per US dollar - NA (2007), 1.5886 (2006), 1.6644 (2005), 1.6902 (2004), 1.7422 (2003) Communications ::Brunei Telephones - main lines in use: 76,600 (2008) country comparison to the world: 151 Telephones - mobile cellular: 376,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 162 Telephone system: general assessment: service throughout the country is excellent; international service is good to Southeast Asia, Middle East, Western Europe, and the US domestic: every service available international: country code - 673; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 optical telecommunications submarine cable that provides links to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; the Asia-America Gateway submarine cable network, scheduled for completion by late 2008, will provide new links to Asia and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 2 (transmitting on 18 different frequencies), shortwave 0 (British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) station transmits two FM signals with English and Nepali service) (2006) Television broadcast stations: 4 (includes 2 UHF stations broadcasting a subscription service) (2006) Internet country code: .bn Internet hosts: 14,978 (2009) country comparison to the world: 108 Internet users: 217,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 133 Transportation ::Brunei Airports: 2 (2009) country comparison to the world: 210 Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Heliports: 3 (2009) Pipelines: gas 37 km; oil 18 km (2008) Roadways: total: 3,650 km country comparison to the world: 159 paved: 2,819 km unpaved: 831 km (2005) Waterways: 209 km (navigable by craft drawing less than 1.2 m) (2008) country comparison to the world: 97 Merchant marine: total: 8 country comparison to the world: 119 by type: liquefied gas 8 foreign-owned: 1 (UK 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Lumut, Muara, Seria Military ::Brunei Military branches: Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF): Royal Brunei Land Forces, Royal Brunei Navy, Royal Brunei Air Force (Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age (est.) for voluntary military service; non-Malays are ineligible to serve (2007) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 108,356 females age 16-49: 110,153 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 92,543 females age 16-49: 95,301 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 3,460 female: 3,399 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 4.5% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 24 Transnational Issues ::Brunei Disputes - international: Brunei and Malaysia agreed in September 2008 to resolve their offshore and deepwater seabed dispute, resume hydrocarbon exploration, and renounce any territorial claims on land; Brunei established an exclusive economic fishing zone encompassing Louisa Reef in the southern Spratly Islands in 1984, but makes no public territorial claim to the offshore reefs; the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" has eased tensions in the Spratly Islands but falls short of a legally binding "code of conduct" desired by several of the disputants Illicit drugs: drug trafficking and illegally importing controlled substances are serious offenses in Brunei and carry a mandatory death penalty page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Bulgaria (Europe) Introduction ::Bulgaria Background: The Bulgars, a Central Asian Turkic tribe, merged with the local Slavic inhabitants in the late 7th century to form the first Bulgarian state. In succeeding centuries, Bulgaria struggled with the Byzantine Empire to assert its place in the Balkans, but by the end of the 14th century the country was overrun by the Ottoman Turks. Northern Bulgaria attained autonomy in 1878 and all of Bulgaria became independent from the Ottoman Empire in 1908. Having fought on the losing side in both World Wars, Bulgaria fell within the Soviet sphere of influence and became a People's Republic in 1946. Communist domination ended in 1990, when Bulgaria held its first multiparty election since World War II and began the contentious process of moving toward political democracy and a market economy while combating inflation, unemployment, corruption, and crime. The country joined NATO in 2004 and the EU in 2007. Geography ::Bulgaria Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Romania and Turkey Geographic coordinates: 43 00 N, 25 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 110,879 sq km country comparison to the world: 104 land: 108,489 sq km water: 2,390 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Tennessee Land boundaries: total: 1,808 km border countries: Greece 494 km, Macedonia 148 km, Romania 608 km, Serbia 318 km, Turkey 240 km Coastline: 354 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: temperate; cold, damp winters; hot, dry summers Terrain: mostly mountains with lowlands in north and southeast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Black Sea 0 m highest point: Musala 2,925 m Natural resources: bauxite, copper, lead, zinc, coal, timber, arable land Land use: arable land: 29.94% permanent crops: 1.9% other: 68.16% (2005) Irrigated land: 5,880 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 19.4 cu km (2005) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 6.92 cu km/yr (3%/78%/19%) per capita: 895 cu m/yr (2003) Natural hazards: earthquakes; landslides Environment - current issues: air pollution from industrial emissions; rivers polluted from raw sewage, heavy metals, detergents; deforestation; forest damage from air pollution and resulting acid rain; soil contamination from heavy metals from metallurgical plants and industrial wastes Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: strategic location near Turkish Straits; controls key land routes from Europe to Middle East and Asia People ::Bulgaria Population: 7,204,687 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 Age structure: 0-14 years: 13.8% (male 509,544/female 484,816) 15-64 years: 68.5% (male 2,426,060/female 2,508,772) 65 years and over: 17.7% (male 518,711/female 756,784) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 41.4 years male: 39.2 years female: 43.6 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: -0.79% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 231 Birth rate: 9.51 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 204 Death rate: 14.31 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 Net migration rate: -3.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 Urbanization: urban population: 71% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: -0.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 17.87 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 115 male: 21.28 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.09 years country comparison to the world: 111 male: 69.48 years female: 76.91 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.41 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 192 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 141 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 346 (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 100 (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 Nationality: noun: Bulgarian(s) adjective: Bulgarian Ethnic groups: Bulgarian 83.9%, Turk 9.4%, Roma 4.7%, other 2% (including Macedonian, Armenian, Tatar, Circassian) (2001 census) Religions: Bulgarian Orthodox 82.6%, Muslim 12.2%, other Christian 1.2%, other 4% (2001 census) Languages: Bulgarian 84.5%, Turkish 9.6%, Roma 4.1%, other and unspecified 1.8% (2001 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.2% male: 98.7% female: 97.7% (2001 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 14 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2006) Education expenditures: 4.5% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 90 Government ::Bulgaria Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Bulgaria conventional short form: Bulgaria local long form: Republika Balgariya local short form: Balgariya Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: name: Sofia geographic coordinates: 42 41 N, 23 19 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 28 provinces (oblasti, singular - oblast); Blagoevgrad, Burgas, Dobrich, Gabrovo, Khaskovo, Kurdzhali, Kyustendil, Lovech, Montana, Pazardzhik, Pernik, Pleven, Plovdiv, Razgrad, Ruse, Shumen, Silistra, Sliven, Smolyan, Sofiya, Sofiya-Grad, Stara Zagora, Turgovishte, Varna, Veliko Turnovo, Vidin, Vratsa, Yambol Independence: 3 March 1878 (as an autonomous principality within the Ottoman Empire); 22 September 1908 (complete independence from the Ottoman Empire) National holiday: Liberation Day, 3 March (1878) Constitution: adopted 12 July 1991 Legal system: civil and criminal law based on Roman law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Georgi PARVANOV (since 22 January 2002); Vice President Angel MARIN (since 22 January 2002) head of government: Prime Minister Boyko BORISSOV (since 27 July 2009); Deputy Prime Ministers Simeon DJANKOV and Tsvetan TSVETANOV (since 27 July 2009); cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and elected by the National Assembly elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 22 and 29 October 2006 (next to be held in 2011); chairman of the Council of Ministers (prime minister) elected by the National Assembly; deputy prime ministers nominated by the prime minister and elected by the National Assembly election results: Georgi PARVANOV reelected president; percent of vote - Georgi PARVANOV 77.3%, Volen SIDEROV 22.7%; Sergei STANISHEV elected prime minister, result of legislative vote - 168 to 67 Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Narodno Sabranie (240 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 5 July 2009 (next to be held mid-2013) election results: percent of vote by party - GERB 39.7%, BSP 17.7%, MRF 14.4%, ATAKA 9.4%, Blue Coalition 6.8%, RZS 4.1%, other 7.9%; seats by party - GERB 116, BSP 40, MRF 38, ATAKA 21, Blue Coalition 15, RZS 10 Judicial branch: independent judiciary comprised of judges, prosecutors and investigating magistrates who are appointed, promoted, demoted, and dismissed by a 25-member Supreme Judicial Council (consists of the chairmen of the two Supreme Courts, the Chief Prosecutor, and 22 members, half of whom are elected by the National Assembly and the other half by the bodies of the judiciary for a 5-year term in office); three levels of case review; 182 courts of which two Supreme Courts act as the last instance on civil and criminal cases (the Supreme Court of Cassation) and appeals of government decisions (the Supreme Administrative Court) Political parties and leaders: ATAKA (Attack Coalition) (coalition of parties headed by the Attack National Union); Attack National Union [Volen SIDEROV]; Agrarian National Union or ANU [Stefan LICHEV]; Blue Coalition (a coalition of center-right parties dominated by UDF and DSB); Bulgarian New Democracy [Borislav RALCHEV]; Bulgarian Socialist Party or BSP [Sergei STANISHEV]; Citizens for the European Development of Bulgaria or GERB [Tsvetan TSVETANOV]; Coalition for Bulgaria or CfB (coalition of parties dominated by BSP) [Sergei STANISHEV]; Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria or DSB [Ivan KOSTOV]; Gergyovden [Petar STOYANOVICH]; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization or IMRO [Krasimir KARAKACHANOV]; Liberal Initiative for Democratic European Development or LIDER [Khristo KOVACHKI]; Movement for Rights and Freedoms or MRF [Ahmed DOGAN]; Movement Forward (LIDER, IMRO, ANU, Gergyovden); National Movement for Stability and Progress or NDSV [Simeon SAXE-COBURG-GOTHA] (formerly National Movement Simeon II or NMS2); New Time [Emil KOSHLUKOV]; Order, Law, Justice or RZS [Yane YANEV]; Union of Democratic Forces or UDF [Martin DIMITROV]; Union of Free Democrats or UFD [Stefan SOFIYANSKI]; United Agrarians [Anastasia MOZER] Political pressure groups and leaders: Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bulgaria or CITUB; Podkrepa Labor Confederation other: numerous regional, ethnic, and national interest groups with various agendas International organization participation: ACCT, Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU, FAO, G- 9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM (guest), NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate affiliate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Latchezar PETKOV chancery: 1621 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 387-0174 FAX: [1] (202) 234-7973 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Nancy McELDOWNEY embassy: 16 Kozyak Street, Sofia 1407 mailing address: American Embassy Sofia, US Department of State, 5740 Sofia Place, Washington, DC 20521-5740 telephone: [359] (2) 937-5100 FAX: [359] (2) 937-5320 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of white (top), green, and red note: the national emblem, formerly on the hoist side of the white stripe, has been removed Economy ::Bulgaria Economy - overview: Bulgaria, a former Communist country that entered the EU on 1 January 2007, has experienced strong growth since a major economic downturn in 1996. Successive governments have demonstrated a commitment to economic reforms and responsible fiscal planning, but have failed so far to rein in rising inflation and large current account deficits. Bulgaria has averaged more than 6% growth since 2004, attracting significant amounts of foreign direct investment, but corruption in the public administration, a weak judiciary, and the presence of organized crime remain significant challenges. GDP (purchasing power parity): $93.98 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 $88.66 billion (2007 est.) $83.48 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $49.9 billion (2008) GDP - real growth rate: 6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 59 6.2% (2007 est.) 6.3% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $12,900 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 $12,100 (2007 est.) $11,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 7.3% industry: 30.5% services: 62.2% (2008 est.) Labor force: 2.67 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 7.5% industry: 35.5% services: 57% (2007 est.) Unemployment rate: 6.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 7.7% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 14.1% (2003 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3% highest 10%: 25.5% (2007) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 30.7 (2007) country comparison to the world: 109 26.4 (2001) Investment (gross fixed): 33.4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 Budget: revenues: $22.24 billion expenditures: $20.74 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 14.1% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 41.9% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 12.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 171 9.8% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 5.77% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 111 4.58% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 10.86% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 85 10% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $14.29 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 40 $15.58 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $19.67 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 42 $17.03 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $32.04 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 52 $25.18 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $8.858 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 68 $21.79 billion (31 December 2007) $10.32 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: vegetables, fruits, tobacco, wine, wheat, barley, sunflowers, sugar beets; livestock Industries: electricity, gas, water; food, beverages, tobacco; machinery and equipment, base metals, chemical products, coke, refined petroleum, nuclear fuel Industrial production growth rate: 1.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 Electricity - production: 40.25 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 Electricity - consumption: 31.08 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 Electricity - exports: 8.441 billion kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 3.097 billion kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 3,357 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 Oil - consumption: 124,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 Oil - exports: 76,570 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 Oil - imports: 189,000 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 Oil - proved reserves: 15 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 83 Natural gas - production: 300 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 Natural gas - consumption: 3.4 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 198 Natural gas - imports: 3.1 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 Natural gas - proved reserves: 5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 Current account balance: -$12.65 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 170 -$8.716 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $22.71 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 $18.58 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: clothing, footwear, iron and steel, machinery and equipment, fuels Exports - partners: Greece 9.9%, Germany 9.2%, Turkey 8.9%, Italy 8.5%, Romania 7.2%, Belgium 5.9%, France 4.1% (2008) Imports: $35.64 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 $28.65 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment; metals and ores; chemicals and plastics; fuels, minerals, and raw materials Imports - partners: Russia 14.6%, Germany 11.8%, Italy 7.9%, Ukraine 7.3%, Romania 5.6%, Turkey 5.5%, Greece 5.4%, Austria 4.1% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $17.93 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 $17.54 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $51.46 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 $42.62 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $42.91 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 $33.91 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $1.292 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 $559 million (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: leva (BGN) per US dollar - 1.3171 (2008 est.), 1.4366 (2007), 1.5576 (2006), 1.5741 (2005), 1.5751 (2004) Communications ::Bulgaria Telephones - main lines in use: 2.258 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 55 Telephones - mobile cellular: 10.633 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 59 Telephone system: general assessment: an extensive but antiquated telecommunications network inherited from the Soviet era; quality has improved; the Bulgaria Telecommunications Company's fixed-line monopoly terminated in 2005 when alternative fixed-line operators were given access to its network; a drop in fixed-line connections in recent years has been more than offset by a sharp increase in mobile-cellular telephone use fostered by multiple service providers; the number of cellular telephone subscriptions now greatly exceeds the population domestic: a fairly modern digital cable trunk line now connects switching centers in most of the regions; the others are connected by digital microwave radio relay international: country code - 359; submarine cable provides connectivity to Ukraine and Russia; a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system provides connectivity to Italy, Albania, and Macedonia; satellite earth stations - 3 (1 Intersputnik in the Atlantic Ocean region, 2 Intelsat in the Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 31, FM 63, shortwave 2 (2001) Television broadcast stations: 39 (plus 1,242 repeaters) (2001) Internet country code: .bg Internet hosts: 706,648 (2009) country comparison to the world: 45 Internet users: 2.647 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 63 Transportation ::Bulgaria Airports: 212 (2009) country comparison to the world: 29 Airports - with paved runways: total: 132 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 18 1,524 to 2,437 m: 15 under 914 m: 97 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 80 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 73 (2009) Heliports: 3 (2009) Pipelines: gas 2,926 km; oil 339 km; refined products 156 km (2008) Railways: total: 4,294 km country comparison to the world: 38 standard gauge: 4,049 km 1.435-m gauge (2,880 km electrified) narrow gauge: 245 km 0.760-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 40,231 km country comparison to the world: 89 paved: 39,587 km (includes 331 km of expressways) unpaved: 644 km (2005) Waterways: 470 km (2008) country comparison to the world: 83 Merchant marine: total: 74 country comparison to the world: 59 by type: bulk carrier 37, cargo 14, chemical tanker 5, container 6, liquefied gas 2, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll off 4, specialized tanker 1 foreign-owned: 65 (Germany 63, Ireland 1, Russia 1) registered in other countries: 31 (Comoros 2, Malta 5, Panama 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 15, Slovakia 6) (2008) Ports and terminals: Burgas, Varna Military ::Bulgaria Military branches: Bulgarian Armed Forces: Ground Forces, Naval Forces, Bulgarian Air Forces (Bulgarski Voennovazdyshni Sily, BVVS) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18-27 years of age for voluntary military service; as of May 2006, 67% of the Bulgarian Army comprised of professional soldiers; conscription ended January 2008; Air Forces and Naval Forces became fully professional at the end of 2006 (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,701,979 females age 16-49: 1,691,092 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,351,312 females age 16-49: 1,381,017 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 38,263 female: 36,374 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 2.6% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 Transnational Issues ::Bulgaria Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: major European transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and, to a lesser degree, South American cocaine for the European market; limited producer of precursor chemicals; vulnerable to money laundering because of corruption, organized crime; some money laundering of drug-related proceeds through financial institutions (2008) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Burkina Faso (Africa) Introduction ::Burkina Faso Background: Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta) achieved independence from France in 1960. Repeated military coups during the 1970s and 1980s were followed by multiparty elections in the early 1990s. Current President Blaise COMPAORE came to power in a 1987 military coup and has won every election since then. Burkina Faso's high population density and limited natural resources result in poor economic prospects for the majority of its citizens. Recent unrest in Cote d'Ivoire and northern Ghana has hindered the ability of several hundred thousand seasonal Burkinabe farm workers to find employment in neighboring countries. In January 2008, Burkina Faso assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2008-09 term. Geography ::Burkina Faso Location: Western Africa, north of Ghana Geographic coordinates: 13 00 N, 2 00 W Map references: Africa Area: total: 274,200 sq km country comparison to the world: 74 land: 273,800 sq km water: 400 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Colorado Land boundaries: total: 3,193 km border countries: Benin 306 km, Cote d'Ivoire 584 km, Ghana 549 km, Mali 1,000 km, Niger 628 km, Togo 126 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: tropical; warm, dry winters; hot, wet summers Terrain: mostly flat to dissected, undulating plains; hills in west and southeast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mouhoun (Black Volta) River 200 m highest point: Tena Kourou 749 m Natural resources: manganese, limestone, marble; small deposits of gold, phosphates, pumice, salt Land use: arable land: 17.66% permanent crops: 0.22% other: 82.12% (2005) Irrigated land: 250 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 17.5 cu km (2001) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.8 cu km/yr (13%/1%/86%) per capita: 60 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: recurring droughts Environment - current issues: recent droughts and desertification severely affecting agricultural activities, population distribution, and the economy; overgrazing; soil degradation; deforestation Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: landlocked savanna cut by the three principal rivers of the Black, Red, and White Voltas People ::Burkina Faso Population: 15,746,232 country comparison to the world: 61 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 46.2% (male 3,646,661/female 3,621,648) 15-64 years: 51.3% (male 4,025,917/female 4,054,865) 65 years and over: 2.5% (male 156,895/female 240,246) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 16.8 years male: 16.6 years female: 17 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 3.103% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 Birth rate: 44.33 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 Death rate: 13.3 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 Net migration rate: NA Urbanization: urban population: 20% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 84.49 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 15 male: 92.09 deaths/1,000 live births female: 76.66 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 52.95 years country comparison to the world: 199 male: 51.04 years female: 54.91 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.28 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 8 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.6% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 130,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 9,200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria and yellow fever water contact disease: schistosomiasis respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis animal contact disease: rabies note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Nationality: noun: Burkinabe (singular and plural) adjective: Burkinabe Ethnic groups: Mossi over 40%, other approximately 60% (includes Gurunsi, Senufo, Lobi, Bobo, Mande, and Fulani) Religions: Muslim 50%, indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian (mainly Roman Catholic) 10% Languages: French (official), native African languages belonging to Sudanic family spoken by 90% of the population Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 21.8% male: 29.4% female: 15.2% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 5 years male: 5 years female: 4 years (2006) Education expenditures: 4.2% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 98 Government ::Burkina Faso Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Burkina Faso local long form: none local short form: Burkina Faso former: Upper Volta, Republic of Upper Volta Government type: parliamentary republic Capital: name: Ouagadougou geographic coordinates: 12 22 N, 1 31 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 45 provinces; Bale, Bam, Banwa, Bazega, Bougouriba, Boulgou, Boulkiemde, Comoe, Ganzourgou, Gnagna, Gourma, Houet, Ioba, Kadiogo, Kenedougou, Komondjari, Kompienga, Kossi, Koulpelogo, Kouritenga, Kourweogo, Leraba, Loroum, Mouhoun, Nahouri, Namentenga, Nayala, Noumbiel, Oubritenga, Oudalan, Passore, Poni, Sanguie, Sanmatenga, Seno, Sissili, Soum, Sourou, Tapoa, Tuy, Yagha, Yatenga, Ziro, Zondoma, Zoundweogo Independence: 5 August 1960 (from France) National holiday: Republic Day, 11 December (1958) Constitution: approved by referendum 2 June 1991; formally adopted 11 June 1991; last amended January 2002 Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Blaise COMPAORE (since 15 October 1987) head of government: Prime Minister Tertius ZONGO (since 4 June 2007) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 13 November 2005 (next to be held in 2010); in April 2000, the constitution was amended reducing the presidential term from seven to five years, enforceable as of 2005; prime minister appointed by the president with the consent of the legislature election results: Blaise COMPAORE reelected president; percent of popular vote - Blaise COMPAORE 80.3%, Benewende Stanislas SANKARA 4.9% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (111 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: National Assembly election last held 6 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CDP 73, ADF-RDA 14, UPR 5, UNIR-MS 4, CFD-B 3, UPS 2, PDP-PS 2, RDB 2, PDS 2, PAREN 1, PAI 1, RPC 1, UDPS 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Appeals Court Political parties and leaders: African Democratic Rally-Alliance for Democracy and Federation or ADF-RDA [Gilbert OUEDRAOGO]; Citizen's Popular Rally or RPC [Antoine QUARE]; Coalition of Democratic Forces of Burkina or CFD-B [Amadou Diemdioda DICKO]; Congress for Democracy and Progress or CDP [Roch Marc-Christian KABORE]; Democratic and Popular Rally or RDP [Nana THIBAUT]; Movement for Tolerance and Progress or MTP [Nayabtigungou Congo KABORE]; Party for African Independence or PAI [Soumane TOURE]; Party for Democracy and Progress-Socialist Party or PDP-PS [Ali LANKOANDE]; Party for Democracy and Socialism or PDS [Felix SOUBEIGA]; Party for National Rebirth or PAREN [Jeanne TRAORE]; Rally for the Development of Burkina or RDB [Antoine KARGOUGOU]; Rally of Ecologists of Burkina Faso or RDEB [Ram OUEDRAGO]; Republican Party for Integration and Solidarity or PARIS; Union for Democracy and Social Progress or UDPS [Fidele HIEN]; Union for Rebirth - Sankarist Movement or UNIR-MS [Benewende STANISLAS]; Union for the Republic or UPR [Toussaint Abel COULIBALY]; Union of Sankarist Parties or UPS [Ernest Nongma OUEDRAOGO] Political pressure groups and leaders: Burkinabe General Confederation of Labor or CGTB [Tole SAGNON]; Burkinabe Movement for Human Rights or MBDHP [Chrysigone ZOUGMORE]; Group of 14 February [Benewende STANISLAS]; National Confederation of Burkinabe Workers or CNTB [Laurent OUEDRAOGO]; National Organization of Free Unions or ONSL [Paul KABORE] other: watchdog/political action groups throughout the country in both organizations and communities International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Paramanga Ernest YONLI chancery: 2340 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-5577 FAX: [1] (202) 667-1882 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Samuel C. LAEUCHLI embassy: 602 Avenue Raoul Follereau, Koulouba, Secteur 4 mailing address: 01 B. P. 35, Ouagadougou 01; pouch mail - US Department of State, 2440 Ouagadougou Place, Washington, DC 20521-2440 telephone: [226] 50-30-67-23 FAX: [226] 50-30-38-90 Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a yellow five-pointed star in the center note: uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Economy ::Burkina Faso Economy - overview: One of the poorest countries in the world, landlocked Burkina Faso has few natural resources and a weak industrial base. About 90% of the population is engaged in subsistence agriculture, which is vulnerable to periodic drought. Cotton is the main cash crop and the government has joined with three other cotton producing countries in the region - Mali, Niger, and Chad - to lobby in the World Trade Organization for fewer subsidies to producers in other competing countries. Since 1998, Burkina Faso has embarked upon a gradual but successful privatization of state-owned enterprises. Having revised its investment code in 2004, Burkina Faso hopes to attract foreign investors. Thanks to this new code and other legislation favoring the mining sector, the country has seen an upswing in gold exploration and production. While the bitter internal crisis in neighboring Cote d'Ivoire is beginning to be resolved, it is still having a negative effect on Burkina Faso's trade and employment. Burkina Faso received a Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) threshold grant to improve girls' education at the primary school level, and signed an MCC compact that focuses on the areas of infrastructure, agriculture, and land reform in July 2008. GDP (purchasing power parity): $17.96 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 $17.11 billion (2007 est.) $16.5 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $8.116 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 3.7% (2007 est.) 5.5% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $1,200 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 207 $1,200 (2007 est.) $1,200 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 29.1% industry: 19.9% services: 51% (2008 est.) Labor force: 6.668 million country comparison to the world: 64 note: a large part of the male labor force migrates annually to neighboring countries for seasonal employment (2007) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 90% industry and services: 10% (2000 est.) Unemployment rate: 77% (2004) country comparison to the world: 197 Population below poverty line: 46.4% (2004) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 32.2% (2004) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 39.5 (2007) country comparison to the world: 64 48.2 (1994) Investment (gross fixed): 19.6% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 Budget: revenues: $1.409 billion expenditures: $1.786 billion (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 158 -0.2% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 4.75% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 117 4.25% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: NA Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $1.051 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) $663 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $905.1 million (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: cotton, peanuts, shea nuts, sesame, sorghum, millet, corn, rice; livestock Industries: cotton lint, beverages, agricultural processing, soap, cigarettes, textiles, gold Industrial production growth rate: 4.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 Electricity - production: 611.6 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 156 Electricity - consumption: 568.8 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 159 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 Oil - consumption: 9,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 152 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 159 Oil - imports: 8,283 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 96 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 Current account balance: -$931 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 -$564 million (2007 est.) Exports: $544 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 161 $618 million (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: cotton, livestock, gold Exports - partners: Singapore 17%, Belgium 12.9%, China 11.3%, Thailand 9.1%, Ghana 7%, Niger 5.2%, Denmark 4.9% (2008) Imports: $1.343 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 164 $1.221 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: capital goods, foodstuffs, petroleum Imports - partners: Cote d'Ivoire 26.7%, France 18.4%, Togo 7.4%, Libya 4.2% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $926.3 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 $1.029 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $1.665 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 $1.33 billion (2007) Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 447.81 (2008 est.), 493.51 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004) note: since 1 January 1999, the West African CFA franc (XOF) has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro; West African CFA franc (XOF) coins and banknotes are not accepted in countries using Central African CFA francs (XAF), and vice versa, even though the two currencies trade at par Communications ::Burkina Faso Telephones - main lines in use: 144,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 133 Telephones - mobile cellular: 2.553 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 114 Telephone system: general assessment: services only fair; in 2006 the government sold a 51 percent stake in the national telephone company and ultimately plans to retain only a 23 percent stake in the company; fixed-line connections stand at less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage, fostered by multiple providers, is increasing rapidly from a low base domestic: microwave radio relay, open-wire, and radiotelephone communication stations international: country code - 226; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 26, shortwave 3 (2007) Television broadcast stations: 3 (1 national, 2 private) Internet country code: .bf Internet hosts: 1,951 (2009) country comparison to the world: 150 Internet users: 140,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 143 Transportation ::Burkina Faso Airports: 26 (2009) country comparison to the world: 127 Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 24 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 7 (2009) Railways: total: 622 km country comparison to the world: 109 narrow gauge: 622 km 1.000-m gauge note: another 660 km of this railway extends into Cote d'Ivoire (2008) Roadways: total: 92,495 km country comparison to the world: 51 paved: 3,857 km unpaved: 88,638 km (2004) Military ::Burkina Faso Military branches: Army, Air Force of Burkina Faso (Force Aerienne de Burkina Faso, FABF), National Gendarmerie (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; women may serve in supporting roles (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 3,364,288 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 2,197,557 females age 16-49: 2,191,978 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 182,540 female: 180,051 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.2% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 129 Transnational Issues ::Burkina Faso Disputes - international: in September 2007, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) intervened to attempt to resolve the dispute over two villages along the Benin-Burkina Faso border that remain from a 2005 ICJ decision; in recent years citizens and rogue security forces rob and harass local populations on both sides of the poorly defined Burkina Faso-Niger border; despite the presence of more than 9,000 UN forces (UNOCI) in Cote d'Ivoire since 2004, ethnic conflict continues to spread into neighboring states who can no longer send their migrant workers to work in Ivorian cocoa plantations page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Burma (East & Southeast Asia) Introduction ::Burma Background: Britain conquered Burma over a period of 62 years (1824-1886) and incorporated it into its Indian Empire. Burma was administered as a province of India until 1937 when it became a separate, self-governing colony; independence from the Commonwealth was attained in 1948. Gen. NE WIN dominated the government from 1962 to 1988, first as military ruler, then as self-appointed president, and later as political kingpin. In September 1988, the military deposed NE WIN and established a new ruling junta. Despite multiparty legislative elections in 1990 that resulted in the main opposition party - the National League for Democracy (NLD) - winning a landslide victory, the junta refused to hand over power. NLD leader and Nobel Peace Prize recipient AUNG SAN SUU KYI, who was under house arrest from 1989 to 1995 and 2000 to 2002, was imprisoned in May 2003 and subsequently transferred to house arrest. After the ruling junta in August 2007 unexpectedly increased fuel prices, tens of thousands of Burmese marched in protest, led by prodemocracy activists and Buddhist monks. In late September 2007, the government brutally suppressed the protests, killing at least 13 people and arresting thousands for participating in the demonstrations. Since then, the regime has continued to raid homes and monasteries and arrest persons suspected of participating in the pro-democracy protests. The junta appointed Labor Minister AUNG KYI in October 2007 as liaison to AUNG SAN SUU KYI, who remains under house arrest and virtually incommunicado with her party and supporters. Burma in early May 2008 was struck by Cyclone Nargis which official estimates claimed left over 80,000 dead and 50,000 injured. Despite this tragedy, the junta proceeded with its May constitutional referendum, the first vote in Burma since 1990, setting the stage for the 2010 parliamentary elections. Geography ::Burma Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Bangladesh and Thailand Geographic coordinates: 22 00 N, 98 00 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 676,578 sq km country comparison to the world: 40 land: 653,508 sq km water: 23,070 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Texas Land boundaries: total: 5,876 km border countries: Bangladesh 193 km, China 2,185 km, India 1,463 km, Laos 235 km, Thailand 1,800 km Coastline: 1,930 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Climate: tropical monsoon; cloudy, rainy, hot, humid summers (southwest monsoon, June to September); less cloudy, scant rainfall, mild temperatures, lower humidity during winter (northeast monsoon, December to April) Terrain: central lowlands ringed by steep, rugged highlands Elevation extremes: lowest point: Andaman Sea 0 m highest point: Hkakabo Razi 5,881 m Natural resources: petroleum, timber, tin, antimony, zinc, copper, tungsten, lead, coal, marble, limestone, precious stones, natural gas, hydropower Land use: arable land: 14.92% permanent crops: 1.31% other: 83.77% (2005) Irrigated land: 18,700 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 1,045.6 cu km (1999) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 33.23 cu km/yr (1%/1%/98%) per capita: 658 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: destructive earthquakes and cyclones; flooding and landslides common during rainy season (June to September); periodic droughts Environment - current issues: deforestation; industrial pollution of air, soil, and water; inadequate sanitation and water treatment contribute to disease Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: strategic location near major Indian Ocean shipping lanes People ::Burma Population: 48,137,741 country comparison to the world: 26 note: estimates for this country take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 25.3% (male 6,193,263/female 5,990,658) 15-64 years: 69.3% (male 16,510,648/female 16,828,462) 65 years and over: 5.4% (male 1,121,412/female 1,493,298) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 28.2 years male: 27.7 years female: 28.8 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.783% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 Birth rate: 16.97 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 Death rate: 9.14 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 83 Net migration rate: NA Urbanization: urban population: 33% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 47.61 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 53 male: 53.78 deaths/1,000 live births female: 41.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63.39 years country comparison to the world: 172 male: 61.17 years female: 65.74 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.89 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.7% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 240,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 25,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria water contact disease: leptospirosis animal contact disease: rabies note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Nationality: noun: Burmese (singular and plural) adjective: Burmese Ethnic groups: Burman 68%, Shan 9%, Karen 7%, Rakhine 4%, Chinese 3%, Indian 2%, Mon 2%, other 5% Religions: Buddhist 89%, Christian 4% (Baptist 3%, Roman Catholic 1%), Muslim 4%, animist 1%, other 2% Languages: Burmese, minority ethnic groups have their own languages Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 89.9% male: 93.9% female: 86.4% (2006 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 8 years male: 8 years female: 8 years (2001) Education expenditures: 1.2% of GDP (2001) country comparison to the world: 178 Government ::Burma Country name: conventional long form: Union of Burma conventional short form: Burma local long form: Pyidaungzu Myanma Naingngandaw (translated by the US Government as Union of Myanma and by the Burmese as Union of Myanmar) local short form: Myanma Naingngandaw former: Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma note: since 1989 the military authorities in Burma have promoted the name Myanmar as a conventional name for their state; this decision was not approved by any sitting legislature in Burma, and the US Government did not adopt the name, which is a derivative of the Burmese short-form name Myanma Naingngandaw Government type: military junta Capital: name: Rangoon (Yangon) geographic coordinates: 16 48 N, 96 09 E time difference: UTC+6.5 (11.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) note: Nay Pyi Taw is administrative capital Administrative divisions: 7 divisions (taing-myar, singular - taing) and 7 states* (pyi ne-myar, singular - pyi ne) divisions: Ayeyarwady, Bago, Magway, Mandalay, Sagaing, Tanintharyi, Yangon states: Chin, Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Mon, Rakhine, Shan Independence: 4 January 1948 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 4 January (1948); Union Day, 12 February (1947) Constitution: 3 January 1974; suspended since 18 September 1988; a new constitution was approved on 10 May 2008; note - new constitution will take effect when a new parliament is convened following elections scheduled for 2010 Legal system: based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) Sr. Gen. THAN SHWE (since 23 April 1992) head of government: Prime Minister, Lt. Gen THEIN SEIN (since 24 October 2007) cabinet: Cabinet is overseen by SPDC; military junta assumed power 18 September 1988 under name State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) elections: none Legislative branch: a unicameral People's Assembly or Pyithu Hluttaw consisting of 485 seats with members elected by popular vote was elected in 1990 but was never seated; according to the terms of the constitution approved on 10 May 2008, a bicameral Pyidaungsu Hluttaw consisting of an upper house with a maximum of 224 seats and a lower house with a maximum of 440 seats will be selected in elections in 2010 elections: last held 27 May 1990, but Assembly never allowed by junta to convene (junta has announced plans to hold elections in 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NLD 392 (opposition), SNLD 23 (opposition), NUP 10 (pro-government), other 60 Judicial branch: remnants of the British-era legal system are in place, but there is no guarantee of a fair public trial; the judiciary is not independent of the executive Political parties and leaders: National League for Democracy or NLD [AUNG SHWE, AUNG SAN SUU KYI]; National Unity Party or NUP (pro-regime) [TUN YE]; Shan Nationalities League for Democracy or SNLD [HKUN HTUN OO]; and numerous other smaller parties Political pressure groups and leaders: Ethnic Nationalities Council or ENC (based in Thailand); Federation of Trade Unions-Burma or FTUB (exile trade union and labor advocates); National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma or NCGUB (self-proclaimed government in exile) ["Prime Minister" Dr. SEIN WIN] consists of individuals, some legitimately elected to the People's Assembly in 1990 (the group fled to a border area and joined insurgents in December 1990 to form parallel government in exile); Kachin Independence Organization or KIO; Karen National Union or KNU; Karenni National People's Party or KNPP; National Council-Union of Burma or NCUB (exile coalition of opposition groups); United Wa State Army or UWSA; Union Solidarity and Development Association or USDA (pro-regime, a social and political mass-member organization) [HTAY OO, general secretary]; 88 Generation Students (pro-democracy movement) [TOE KYAW HLAING] other: several Shan factions International organization participation: ADB, APT, ARF, ASEAN, BIMSTEC, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OPCW (signatory), SAARC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires MYINT LWIN chancery: 2300 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-3344 FAX: [1] (202) 332-4351 consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Charge d'Affaires Larry M. DINGER - note: The United States does not maintain an ambassador in Burma embassy: 110 University Avenue, Kamayut Township, Rangoon mailing address: Box B, APO AP 96546 telephone: [95] (1) 536-509, 535-756, 538-038 FAX: [95] (1) 650-306 Flag description: red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing 14, white, five-pointed stars encircling a cogwheel containing a stalk of rice; the 14 stars represent the seven administrative divisions and seven states Economy ::Burma Economy - overview: Burma, a resource-rich country, suffers from pervasive government controls, inefficient economic policies, and rural poverty. Despite Burma's increasing oil and gas revenue, socio-economic conditions have deteriorated because of the regime's mismanagement of the economy. The economy suffers from serious macroeconomic imbalances - including rising inflation, fiscal deficits, multiple official exchange rates that overvalue the Burmese kyat, a distorted interest rate regime, unreliable statistics, and an inability to reconcile national accounts to determine a realistic GDP figure. Most overseas development assistance ceased after the junta began to suppress the democracy movement in 1988 and subsequently refused to honor the results of the 1990 legislative elections. In response to the government of Burma's attack in May 2003 on AUNG SAN SUU KYI and her convoy, the US imposed new economic sanctions in August 2003 including a ban on imports of Burmese products and a ban on provision of financial services by US persons. Further, a poor investment climate hampers the inflow of foreign investment. Foreign investors have shied away from nearly every sector except for natural gas and power generation. The business climate is widely perceived as opaque, corrupt, and highly inefficient. The most productive sectors will continue to be in extractive industries - especially oil and gas, mining, and timber - with the latter causing significant environmental degradation. Other areas, such as manufacturing and services, are struggling with inadequate infrastructure, unpredictable import/export policies, deteriorating health and education systems, and endemic corruption. A major banking crisis in 2003 shuttered 20 private banks and disrupted the economy. As of 2008, the largest private banks operated under tight restrictions, limiting the private sector's access to formal credit. The September 2007 crackdown on prodemocracy demonstrators, including thousands of monks, strained the economy as the tourism industry, which directly employs about 500,000 people, suffered dramatic declines in foreign visitor levels. In November 2007, the European Union announced new sanctions banning investment and trade in Burmese gems, timber, and precious stones, while the United States expanded its sanctions list to include more Burmese government and military officials and their family members, as well as prominent regime business cronies, their family members, and associated companies. Official statistics are inaccurate. In July 2008 the President signed into law the Tom LANTOS JADE (Junta's Anti-Democratic Efforts) Act of 2008, imposing new targeted sanctions on the regime. Published statistics on foreign trade are greatly understated because of the size of the black market and unofficial border trade - often estimated to be as large as the official economy. Though the Burmese government has good economic relations with its neighbors, better investment and business climates and an improved political situation are needed to promote serious foreign investment, exports, and tourism. GDP (purchasing power parity): $55.27 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 87 $54.66 billion (2007 est.) $52.87 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $26.21 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 171 3.4% (2007 est.) 3.4% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $1,200 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 206 $1,200 (2007 est.) $1,100 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 40.9% industry: 19.8% services: 39.2% (2008 est.) Labor force: 30.04 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 70% industry: 7% services: 23% (2001) Unemployment rate: 5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 5.2% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 32.7% (2007 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 32.4% (1998) Investment (gross fixed): 14.1% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 Budget: revenues: $1 billion expenditures: $1.805 billion (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 26.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 217 35% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 12% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 25 12% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 17% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 30 17% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $598 billion (31 December 2007) note: this number reflects the vastly overvalued official exchange rate of 5.38 kyat per dollar; at the unofficial black market rate of 1305 kyat per dollar, the stock of kyats would equal only US$2.465 billion and Burma's velocity of money (the number of times money turns over in the course of a year) would be six, in line with the velocity of money for other countries in the region Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) $216.9 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $887.7 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: rice, pulses, beans, sesame, groundnuts, sugarcane; hardwood; fish and fish products Industries: agricultural processing; wood and wood products; copper, tin, tungsten, iron; cement, construction materials; pharmaceuticals; fertilizer; oil and natural gas; garments, jade and gems Industrial production growth rate: 7.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 Electricity - production: 6.286 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 Electricity - consumption: 4.403 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 22,120 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 Oil - consumption: 41,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 Oil - exports: 2,200 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 Oil - imports: 18,250 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 Oil - proved reserves: 50 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 Natural gas - production: 12.4 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 Natural gas - consumption: 3.85 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 Natural gas - exports: 8.55 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 23 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 Natural gas - proved reserves: 283.2 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 Current account balance: $1.281 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 $1.285 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $6.677 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 $6.17 billion (2007 est.) note: official export figures are grossly underestimated due to the value of timber, gems, narcotics, rice, and other products smuggled to Thailand, China, and Bangladesh Exports - commodities: natural gas, wood products, pulses, beans, fish, rice, clothing, jade and gems Exports - partners: Thailand 52.3%, India 12.7%, China 8.9%, Japan 4.4% (2008) Imports: $3.388 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 134 $2.964 billion (2007 est.) note: import figures are grossly underestimated due to the value of consumer goods, diesel fuel, and other products smuggled in from Thailand, China, Malaysia, and India Imports - commodities: fabric, petroleum products, fertilizer, plastics, machinery, transport equipment; cement, construction materials, crude oil; food products, edible oil Imports - partners: China 31.9%, Thailand 21.2%, Singapore 20.7%, Malaysia 5.1%, Indonesia 4% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $3.412 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 $2.312 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $7.946 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 $7.022 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: kyats (MMK) per US dollar - 1,205 (2008 est.), 1,296 (2007), 1,280 (2006), 5.761 (2005), 5.7459 (2004) note: unofficial exchange rates ranged in 2004 from 815 kyat/US dollar to nearly 970 kyat/US dollar, and by yearend 2005, the unofficial exchange rate was 1,075 kyat/US dollar; data shown for 2003-05 are official exchange rates Communications ::Burma Telephones - main lines in use: 829,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 85 Telephones - mobile cellular: 375,800 (2008) country comparison to the world: 163 Telephone system: general assessment: meets minimum requirements for local and intercity service for business and government domestic: system barely capable of providing basic service; cellular phone system is grossly underdeveloped with a subscribership base of less than 1 per 100 persons international: country code - 95; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 optical telecommunications submarine cable that provides links to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2, Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and ShinSat (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 3 (2007) Television broadcast stations: 4 (2008) Internet country code: .mm Internet hosts: 128 (2009) country comparison to the world: 196 Internet users: 108,900 (2008) country comparison to the world: 150 Transportation ::Burma Airports: 77 (2009) country comparison to the world: 72 Airports - with paved runways: total: 37 over 3,047 m: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 40 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 23 (2009) Heliports: 5 (2009) Pipelines: gas 2,228 km; oil 558 km (2008) Railways: total: 3,955 km country comparison to the world: 44 narrow gauge: 3,955 km 1.000-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 27,000 km country comparison to the world: 101 paved: 3,200 km unpaved: 23,800 km (2006) Waterways: 12,800 km (2008) country comparison to the world: 10 Merchant marine: total: 24 country comparison to the world: 92 by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 17, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 3, specialized tanker 1 foreign-owned: 3 (Cyprus 1, Germany 1, Japan 1) registered in other countries: 1 (Panama 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Moulmein, Rangoon, Sittwe Military ::Burma Military branches: Myanmar Armed Forces (Tatmadaw): Army, Navy, Air Force (Tatmadaw Lay) (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service for both sexes; forced conscription of children, although officially prohibited, reportedly continues (2007) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 13,402,788 females age 16-49: 13,437,042 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 9,146,312 females age 16-49: 9,520,852 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 426,110 female: 417,674 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 2.1% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 Transnational Issues ::Burma Disputes - international: over half of Burma's population consists of diverse ethnic groups who have substantial numbers of kin in neighboring countries; Thailand must deal with Karen and other ethnic refugees, asylum seekers, and rebels, as well as illegal cross-border activities from Burma; Thailand is studying the feasibility of jointly constructing the Hatgyi Dam on the Salween River near the border with Burma; citing environmental, cultural, and social concerns, China is reconsidering construction of 13 dams on the Salween River but energy-starved Burma with backing from Thailand remains intent on building five hydro-electric dams downstream, despite identical regional and international protests; India seeks cooperation from Burma to keep Indian Nagaland separatists, such as the United Liberation Front of Assam, from hiding in remote Burmese Uplands; after 21 years, Bangladesh resumes talks with Burma on delimiting a maritime boundary in January 2008 Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs: 503,000 (government offensives against ethnic insurgent groups near the eastern borders; most IDPs are ethnic Karen, Karenni, Shan, Tavoyan, and Mon) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Burma is a source country for women, children, and men trafficked for the purpose of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation; Burmese women and children are trafficked to East and Southeast Asia for commercial sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, and forced labor; Burmese children are subjected to conditions of forced labor in Thailand as hawkers, beggars, and for work in shops, agriculture, fish processing, and small-scale industries; women are trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation to Malaysia and China; some trafficking victims transit Burma from Bangladesh to Malaysia and from China to Thailand; internal trafficking occurs primarily from villages to urban centers and economic hubs for labor in industrial zones, agricultural estates, and commercial sexual exploitation; military and civilian officials continue to use a significant amount of forced labor; ethnic insurgent groups also used compulsory labor of adults and unlawful recruitment of children; the military junta's gross economic mismanagement, human rights abuses, and its policy of using forced labor are the top causal factors for Burma's significant trafficking problem tier rating: Tier 3 - Burma does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; military and civilian officials remain directly involved in significant acts of forced labor and unlawful conscription of child soldiers (2008) Illicit drugs: remains world's second largest producer of illicit opium with an estimated production in 2008 of 340 metric tons, an increase of 26%, and poppy cultivation in 2008 totaled 22,500 hectares, a 4% increase from 2007; production in the United Wa State Army's areas of greatest control remains low; Shan state is the source of 94% of Burma's poppy cultivation; lack of government will to take on major narcotrafficking groups and lack of serious commitment against money laundering continues to hinder the overall antidrug effort; major source of methamphetamine and heroin for regional consumption (2008) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Burundi (Africa) Introduction ::Burundi Background: Burundi's first democratically elected president was assassinated in October 1993 after only 100 days in office, triggering widespread ethnic violence between Hutu and Tutsi factions. More than 200,000 Burundians perished during the conflict that spanned almost a dozen years. Hundreds of thousands of Burundians were internally displaced or became refugees in neighboring countries. An internationally brokered power-sharing agreement between the Tutsi-dominated government and the Hutu rebels in 2003 paved the way for a transition process that led to an integrated defense force, established a new constitution in 2005, and elected a majority Hutu government in 2005. The new government, led by President Pierre NKURUNZIZA, signed a South African brokered ceasefire with the country's last rebel group in September of 2006 but still faces many challenges. Geography ::Burundi Location: Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo Geographic coordinates: 3 30 S, 30 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 27,830 sq km country comparison to the world: 146 land: 25,680 sq km water: 2,150 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland Land boundaries: total: 974 km border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 233 km, Rwanda 290 km, Tanzania 451 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: equatorial; high plateau with considerable altitude variation (772 m to 2,670 m above sea level); average annual temperature varies with altitude from 23 to 17 degrees centigrade but is generally moderate as the average altitude is about 1,700 m; average annual rainfall is about 150 cm; two wet seasons (February to May and September to November), and two dry seasons (June to August and December to January) Terrain: hilly and mountainous, dropping to a plateau in east, some plains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Lake Tanganyika 772 m highest point: Heha 2,670 m Natural resources: nickel, uranium, rare earth oxides, peat, cobalt, copper, platinum, vanadium, arable land, hydropower, niobium, tantalum, gold, tin, tungsten, kaolin, limestone Land use: arable land: 35.57% permanent crops: 13.12% other: 51.31% (2005) Irrigated land: 210 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 3.6 cu km (1987) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.29 cu km/yr (17%/6%/77%) per capita: 38 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: flooding; landslides; drought Environment - current issues: soil erosion as a result of overgrazing and the expansion of agriculture into marginal lands; deforestation (little forested land remains because of uncontrolled cutting of trees for fuel); habitat loss threatens wildlife populations Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Geography - note: landlocked; straddles crest of the Nile-Congo watershed; the Kagera, which drains into Lake Victoria, is the most remote headstream of the White Nile People ::Burundi Population: 8,988,091 country comparison to the world: 89 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 46.2% (male 2,087,315/female 2,063,518) 15-64 years: 51.3% (male 2,291,123/female 2,320,839) 65 years and over: 2.5% (male 89,444/female 135,852) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 16.7 years male: 16.5 years female: 17 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 3.279% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 Birth rate: 41.42 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 Death rate: 12.67 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 Net migration rate: 4.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 Urbanization: urban population: 10% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 6.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 59.64 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 38 male: 66.32 deaths/1,000 live births female: 52.76 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 52.09 years country comparison to the world: 202 male: 51.2 years female: 53.01 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.33 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 110,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 11,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria water contact disease: schistosomiasis animal contact disease: rabies (2009) Nationality: noun: Burundian(s) adjective: Burundian Ethnic groups: Hutu (Bantu) 85%, Tutsi (Hamitic) 14%, Twa (Pygmy) 1%, Europeans 3,000, South Asians 2,000 Religions: Christian 67% (Roman Catholic 62%, Protestant 5%), indigenous beliefs 23%, Muslim 10% Languages: Kirundi (official), French (official), Swahili (along Lake Tanganyika and in the Bujumbura area) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 59.3% male: 67.3% female: 52.2% (2000 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 7 years male: 8 years female: 7 years (2006) Education expenditures: 5.1% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 69 Government ::Burundi Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Burundi conventional short form: Burundi local long form: Republique du Burundi/Republika y'u Burundi local short form: Burundi former: Urundi Government type: republic Capital: name: Bujumbura geographic coordinates: 3 22 S, 29 21 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 17 provinces; Bubanza, Bujumbura Mairie, Bujumbura Rurale, Bururi, Cankuzo, Cibitoke, Gitega, Karuzi, Kayanza, Kirundo, Makamba, Muramvya, Muyinga, Mwaro, Ngozi, Rutana, Ruyigi Independence: 1 July 1962 (from UN trusteeship under Belgian administration) National holiday: Independence Day, 1 July (1962) Constitution: ratified by popular referendum 28 February 2005 Legal system: based on German and Belgian civil codes and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal (adult) Executive branch: chief of state: President Pierre NKURUNZIZA (since 26 August 2005); First Vice President Yves SAVINGUVU - Tutsi (since 9 November 2007); Second Vice President Gabriel NTISEZERANA - Hutu (since 9 February 2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Pierre NKURUNZIZA (since 26 August 2005); First Vice President Yves SAVINGUVU - Tutsi (since 9 November 2007); Second Vice President Gabriel NTISEZERANA - Hutu (since 9 February 2007) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by president elections: the president is elected by popular vote to a five-year term (eligible for a second term); note - the constitution adopted in February 2005 permits the post-transition president to be elected by a two-thirds majority of the parliament; next elections to be held in August 2010; vice presidents nominated by the president, endorsed by parliament election results: Pierre NKURUNZIZA was elected president by the parliament by a vote of 151 to 9; note - the constitution adopted in February 2005 permits the post-transition president to be elected by a two-thirds majority of the legislature Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Parlement, consists of a Senate (54 seats; 34 members elected by indirect vote to serve five-year terms, with remaining seats assigned to ethnic groups and former chiefs of state) and a National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (minimum 100 seats, 60% Hutu and 40% Tutsi with at least 30% being women; additional seats appointed by a National Independent Electoral Commission to ensure ethnic representation; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 29 July 2005 (next to be held in July 2010); National Assembly - last held 4 July 2005 (next to be held in July 2010) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CNDD-FDD 30, FRODEBU 3, CNDD 1; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - CNDD-FDD 58.6%, FRODEBU 21.7%, UPRONA 7.2%, CNDD 4.1%, MRC-Rurenzangemero 2.1%, others 6.2%; seats by party - CNDD-FDD 59, FRODEBU 25, UPRONA 10, CNDD 4, MRC-Rurenzangemero 2 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Constitutional Court; High Court of Justice (composed of the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court) Political parties and leaders: governing parties: Burundi Democratic Front or FRODEBU [Leonce NGENDAKUMANA]; National Council for the Defense of Democracy - Front for the Defense of Democracy or CNDD-FDD [Jeremie NGENDAKUMANA]; Unity for National Progress or UPRONA [Aloys RUBUKA] note: a multiparty system was introduced after 1998, included are: National Council for the Defense of Democracy or CNDD [Leonard NYANGOMA]; National Resistance Movement for the Rehabilitation of the Citizen or MRC-Rurenzangemero [Epitace BANYAGANAKANDI]; Party for National Redress or PARENA [Jean-Baptiste BAGAZA] Political pressure groups and leaders: Observatoire de lutte contre la corruption et les malversations economiques or OLUCOME [Gabriel RUFYIRI] (anti-corruption pressure group) other: Hutu and Tutsi militias (loosely organized) International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, CEPGL, COMESA, EAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (subscriber), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Celestin NIYONGABO chancery: Suite 212, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 342-2574 FAX: [1] (202) 342-2578 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Patricia Newton MOLLER embassy: Avenue des Etats-Unis, Bujumbura mailing address: B. P. 1720, Bujumbura telephone: [257] 223454 FAX: [257] 222926 Flag description: divided by a white diagonal cross into red panels (top and bottom) and green panels (hoist side and fly side) with a white disk superimposed at the center bearing three red six-pointed stars outlined in green arranged in a triangular design (one star above, two stars below) Economy ::Burundi Economy - overview: Burundi is a landlocked, resource-poor country with an underdeveloped manufacturing sector. The economy is predominantly agricultural with more than 90% of the population dependent on subsistence agriculture. Economic growth depends on coffee and tea exports, which account for 90% of foreign exchange earnings. The ability to pay for imports rests primarily on weather conditions and international coffee and tea prices. The Tutsi minority, 14% of the population, dominates the coffee trade. An ethnic-based war that lasted for over a decade resulted in more than 200,000 deaths, forced more than 48,000 refugees into Tanzania, and displaced 140,000 others internally. Only one in two children go to school, and approximately one in 15 adults has HIV/AIDS. Food, medicine, and electricity remain in short supply. Burundi's GDP grew around 4% annually in 2006-08. Political stability and the end of the civil war have improved aid flows and economic activity has increased, but underlying weaknesses - a high poverty rate, poor education rates, a weak legal system, and low administrative capacity - risk undermining planned economic reforms. Burundi will continue to remain heavily dependent on aid from bilateral and multilateral donors; the delay of funds after a corruption scandal cut off bilateral aid in 2007 reduced government's revenues and its ability to pay salaries. GDP (purchasing power parity): $3.109 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 173 $2.976 billion (2007 est.) $2.872 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $1.097 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 3.6% (2007 est.) 5.1% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $300 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 227 $300 (2007 est.) $300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 33.4% industry: 21% services: 45.6% (2008 est.) Labor force: 4.245 million (2007) country comparison to the world: 84 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 93.6% industry: 2.3% services: 4.1% (2002 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Population below poverty line: 68% (2002 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.1% highest 10%: 28% (2006) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 42.4 (1998) country comparison to the world: 54 Investment (gross fixed): 12.5% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 Budget: revenues: $295.2 million expenditures: $355 million; including capital expenditures of $NA (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 24.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 210 8.3% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 10.08% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 36 10.12% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 16.52% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 32 16.84% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $261.6 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 102 $208.7 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $189.9 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 116 $141 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $370 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 118 $342 million (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: coffee, cotton, tea, corn, sorghum, sweet potatoes, bananas, manioc (tapioca); beef, milk, hides Industries: light consumer goods such as blankets, shoes, soap; assembly of imported components; public works construction; food processing Industrial production growth rate: 5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 Electricity - production: 92 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 191 Electricity - consumption: 125.6 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 185 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 40 million kWh; note - supplied by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (2007 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 202 Oil - consumption: 3,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 174 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 204 Oil - imports: 2,495 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 174 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 200 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 202 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 197 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 198 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 199 Current account balance: -$182 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 -$116.8 million (2007 est.) Exports: $79 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 198 $52.9 million (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: coffee, tea, sugar, cotton, hides Exports - partners: Switzerland 27.9%, UK 11%, Pakistan 9.5%, Belgium 5.1%, Rwanda 5%, Egypt 4.7% (2008) Imports: $350 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 188 $257.6 million (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: capital goods, petroleum products, foodstuffs Imports - partners: Saudi Arabia 20.7%, Belgium 12.6%, Uganda 8.4%, Kenya 7.4%, China 5.9%, France 5.4%, Germany 4.9%, India 4.1%, Tanzania 4.1%, Japan 4% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $266.7 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 141 $177.1 million (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $1.2 billion (2003) country comparison to the world: 151 Exchange rates: Burundi francs (BIF) per US dollar - 1,198 (2008 est.), 1,065 (2007), 1,030 (2006), 1,138 (2005), 1,100.91 (2004) Communications ::Burundi Telephones - main lines in use: 30,400 (2008) country comparison to the world: 178 Telephones - mobile cellular: 480,600 (2008) country comparison to the world: 156 Telephone system: general assessment: primitive system; telephone density one of the lowest in the world; fixed-line connections stand at well less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage is increasing but remains at a meager 5 per 100 persons domestic: sparse system of open-wire, radiotelephone communications, and low-capacity microwave radio relay international: country code - 257; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001) Television broadcast stations: 1 (2001) Internet country code: .bi Internet hosts: 191 (2009) country comparison to the world: 189 Internet users: 65,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 167 Transportation ::Burundi Airports: 8 (2009) country comparison to the world: 161 Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 3 (2009) Heliports: 1 (2009) Roadways: total: 12,322 km country comparison to the world: 131 paved: 1,286 km unpaved: 11,036 km (2004) Waterways: mainly on Lake Tanganyika (2008) Ports and terminals: Bujumbura Military ::Burundi Military branches: National Defense Force (Forces de Defense Nationale, FDN): Army (includes naval detachment and Air Wing), Gendarmerie (2009) Military service age and obligation: military service is voluntary; the armed forces law of 31 December 2004 did not specify a minimum age for enlistment, but the government had previously specified that each recruit would need to have a primary school leaving certificate (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,878,544 females age 16-49: 1,851,676 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,124,072 females age 16-49: 1,102,729 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 101,402 female: 101,897 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 5.9% of GDP (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 Transnational Issues ::Burundi Disputes - international: Burundi and Rwanda dispute sections of border on the Akanyaru/Kanyaru and the Kagera/Nyabarongo rivers, which have changed course since the 1960s, when the boundary was delimited; cross-border conflicts among Tutsi, Hutu, other ethnic groups, associated political rebels, armed gangs, and various government forces persist in the Great Lakes region Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 9,849 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) IDPs: 100,000 (armed conflict between government and rebels; most IDPs in northern and western Burundi) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Burundi is a source country for children trafficked for the purposes of child soldiering, domestic servitude, and commercial sexual exploitation; a small number of Burundian children may be trafficked internally for domestic servitude or commercial sexual exploitation; in early 2008, Burundian children were allegedly trafficked to Uganda, via Rwanda, for agricultural labor and commercial sexual exploitation tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Burundi is on the Tier 2 Watch List for the second consecutive year for its failure to provide sufficient evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in persons in 2007; the government's inability to provide adequate protective services to children accused of association with armed groups and to conduct anti-trafficking law enforcement activities continue to be causes for concern; Burundi has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Cambodia (East & Southeast Asia) Introduction ::Cambodia Background: Most Cambodians consider themselves to be Khmers, descendants of the Angkor Empire that extended over much of Southeast Asia and reached its zenith between the 10th and 13th centuries. Attacks by the Thai and Cham (from present-day Vietnam) weakened the empire, ushering in a long period of decline. The king placed the country under French protection in 1863 and it became part of French Indochina in 1887. Following Japanese occupation in World War II, Cambodia gained full independence from France in 1953. In April 1975, after a five-year struggle, Communist Khmer Rouge forces captured Phnom Penh and evacuated all cities and towns. At least 1.5 million Cambodians died from execution, forced hardships, or starvation during the Khmer Rouge regime under POL POT. A December 1978 Vietnamese invasion drove the Khmer Rouge into the countryside, began a 10-year Vietnamese occupation, and touched off almost 13 years of civil war. The 1991 Paris Peace Accords mandated democratic elections and a ceasefire, which was not fully respected by the Khmer Rouge. UN-sponsored elections in 1993 helped restore some semblance of normalcy under a coalition government. Factional fighting in 1997 ended the first coalition government, but a second round of national elections in 1998 led to the formation of another coalition government and renewed political stability. The remaining elements of the Khmer Rouge surrendered in early 1999. Some of the surviving Khmer Rouge leaders are awaiting trial by a UN-sponsored tribunal for crimes against humanity. Elections in July 2003 were relatively peaceful, but it took one year of negotiations between contending political parties before a coalition government was formed. In October 2004, King Norodom SIHANOUK abdicated the throne and his son, Prince Norodom SIHAMONI, was selected to succeed him. Local elections were held in Cambodia in April 2007, and there was little in the way of pre-election violence that preceded prior elections. National elections in July 2008 were relatively peaceful. Geography ::Cambodia Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, between Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos Geographic coordinates: 13 00 N, 105 00 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 181,035 sq km country comparison to the world: 89 land: 176,515 sq km water: 4,520 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Oklahoma Land boundaries: total: 2,572 km border countries: Laos 541 km, Thailand 803 km, Vietnam 1,228 km Coastline: 443 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm Climate: tropical; rainy, monsoon season (May to November); dry season (December to April); little seasonal temperature variation Terrain: mostly low, flat plains; mountains in southwest and north Elevation extremes: lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m highest point: Phnum Aoral 1,810 m Natural resources: oil and gas, timber, gemstones, iron ore, manganese, phosphates, hydropower potential Land use: arable land: 20.44% permanent crops: 0.59% other: 78.97% (2005) Irrigated land: 2,700 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 476.1 cu km (1999) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 4.08 cu km/yr (1%/0%/98%) per capita: 290 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: monsoonal rains (June to November); flooding; occasional droughts Environment - current issues: illegal logging activities throughout the country and strip mining for gems in the western region along the border with Thailand have resulted in habitat loss and declining biodiversity (in particular, destruction of mangrove swamps threatens natural fisheries); soil erosion; in rural areas, most of the population does not have access to potable water; declining fish stocks because of illegal fishing and overfishing Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Geography - note: a land of paddies and forests dominated by the Mekong River and Tonle Sap People ::Cambodia Population: 14,494,293 country comparison to the world: 65 note: estimates for this country take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 32.6% (male 2,388,922/female 2,336,439) 15-64 years: 63.8% (male 4,498,568/female 4,743,677) 65 years and over: 3.6% (male 197,649/female 329,038) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 22.1 years male: 21.4 years female: 22.8 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.765% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 Birth rate: 25.73 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 Death rate: 8.08 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 Net migration rate: NA Urbanization: urban population: 22% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 54.79 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 43 male: 61.84 deaths/1,000 live births female: 47.42 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 62.1 years country comparison to the world: 177 male: 60.03 years female: 64.27 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.04 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.8% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 75,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 6,900 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, and malaria note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Nationality: noun: Cambodian(s) adjective: Cambodian Ethnic groups: Khmer 90%, Vietnamese 5%, Chinese 1%, other 4% Religions: Buddhist 96.4%, Muslim 2.1%, other 1.3%, unspecified 0.2% (1998 census) Languages: Khmer (official) 95%, French, English Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 73.6% male: 84.7% female: 64.1% (2004 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 10 years male: 10 years female: 9 years (2006) Education expenditures: 1.7% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 172 Government ::Cambodia Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Cambodia conventional short form: Cambodia local long form: Preahreacheanachakr Kampuchea (phonetic pronunciation) local short form: Kampuchea former: Khmer Republic, Democratic Kampuchea, People's Republic of Kampuchea, State of Cambodia Government type: multiparty democracy under a constitutional monarchy Capital: name: Phnom Penh geographic coordinates: 11 33 N, 104 55 E time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 23 provinces (khett, singular and plural) and 1 municipality (krong, singular and plural) provinces: Banteay Mean Cheay, Batdambang, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Spoe, Kampong Thum, Kampot, Kandal, Kaoh Kong, Keb, Krachen, Mondol Kiri, Otdar Mean Cheay, Pailin, Pouthisat, Preah Seihanu (Sihanoukville), Preah Vihear, Prey Veng, Rotanah Kiri, Siem Reab, Stoeng Treng, Svay Rieng, Takev municipalities: Phnum Penh (Phnom Penh) Independence: 9 November 1953 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 9 November (1953) Constitution: promulgated 21 September 1993 Legal system: primarily a civil law mixture of French-influenced codes from the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) period, royal decrees, and acts of the legislature, with influences of customary law and remnants of communist legal theory; increasing influence of common law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: King Norodom SIHAMONI (since 29 October 2004) head of government: Prime Minister HUN SEN (since 14 January 1985) [co-prime minister from 1993 to 1997]; Permanent Deputy Prime Minister MEN SAM AN (since 25 September 2008); Deputy Prime Ministers SAR KHENG (since 3 February 1992); SOK AN, TEA BANH, HOR NAMHONG, NHEK BUNCHHAY (since 16 July 2004); BIN CHHIN (since 5 September 2007); KEAT CHHON, YIM CHHAI LY (since 24 September 2008); KE KIMYAN (since 12 March 2009) cabinet: Council of Ministers named by the prime minister and appointed by the monarch elections: the king is chosen by a Royal Throne Council from among all eligible males of royal descent; following legislative elections, a member of the majority party or majority coalition is named prime minister by the Chairman of the National Assembly and appointed by the king Legislative branch: bicameral, consists of the Senate (61 seats; 2 members appointed by the monarch, 2 elected by the National Assembly, and 57 elected by parliamentarians and commune councils; members serve five-year terms) and the National Assembly (123 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 22 January 2006 (next to be held in January 2011); National Assembly - last held 27 July 2008 (next to be held in July 2013) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - CPP 69%, FUNCINPEC 21%, SRP 10%; seats by party - CPP 45, FUNCINPEC 10, SRP 2; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - CPP 58%, SRP 22%, HRP 7%; NRP 6%; FUNCINPEC 5%; others 2%; seats by party - CPP 90, SRP 26, HRP 3, FUNCINPEC 2, NRP 2 Judicial branch: Supreme Council of the Magistracy (provided for in the constitution and formed in December 1997); Supreme Court (and lower courts) exercises judicial authority Political parties and leaders: Cambodian People's Party or CPP [CHEA SIM]; Human Rights Party or HRP [KHEM SOKHA, also spelled KEM SOKHA]; National United Front for an Independent, Neutral, Peaceful, and Cooperative Cambodia or FUNCINPEC [KEV PUT REAKSMEI]; Norodom Ranariddh Party or NRP [CHHIM SEAK LENG]; Sam Rangsi Party or SRP [SAM RANGSI, also spelled SAM RAINSY] Political pressure groups and leaders: Cambodian Freedom Fighters or CFF; Partnership for Transparency Fund or PTF (anti-corruption organization); Students Movement for Democracy; The Committee for Free and Fair Elections or Comfrel other: human rights organizations; vendors International organization participation: ACCT, ADB, APT, ARF, ASEAN, EAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (subscriber), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador HENG HEM chancery: 4530 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 telephone: [1] (202) 726-7742 FAX: [1] (202) 726-8381 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Carol A. RODLEY embassy: #1, Street 96, Sangkat Wat Phnom, Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh mailing address: Box P, APO AP 96546 telephone: [855] (23) 728-000 FAX: [855] (23) 728-600 Flag description: three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (double width), and blue with a white three-towered temple representing Angkor Wat outlined in black in the center of the red band note: only national flag to incorporate an actual building in its design Economy ::Cambodia Economy - overview: From 2004 to 2007, the economy grew about 10% per year, driven largely by an expansion in the garment sector, construction, agriculture, and tourism. Growth dropped to below 7% in 2008 as a result of the global economic slowdown. With the January 2005 expiration of a WTO Agreement on Textiles and Clothing, Cambodian textile producers were forced to compete directly with lower-priced countries such as China, India, Vietnam, and Bangladesh. The garment industry currently employs more than 320,000 people and contributes more than 85% of Cambodia's exports. In 2005, exploitable oil deposits were found beneath Cambodia's territorial waters, representing a new revenue stream for the government if commercial extraction begins. Mining also is attracting significant investor interest, particularly in the northern parts of the country. The government has said opportunities exist for mining bauxite, gold, iron and gems. In 2006, a US-Cambodia bilateral Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) was signed, and several rounds of discussions have been held since 2007. The tourism industry has continued to grow rapidly, with foreign arrivals exceeding 2 million per year in 2007-08, however, economic troubles abroad will dampen growth in 2009. Rubber exports declined more than 15% in 2008 due to falling world market prices. The global financial crisis is weakening demand for Cambodian exports, and construction is declining due to a shortage of credit. The long-term development of the economy remains a daunting challenge. The Cambodian government is working with bilateral and multilateral donors, including the World Bank and IMF, to address the country's many pressing needs. The major economic challenge for Cambodia over the next decade will be fashioning an economic environment in which the private sector can create enough jobs to handle Cambodia's demographic imbalance. More than 50% of the population is less than 21 years old. The population lacks education and productive skills, particularly in the poverty-ridden countryside, which suffers from an almost total lack of basic infrastructure. GDP (purchasing power parity): $28.01 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 $26.67 billion (2007 est.) $24.2 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $11.25 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 10.2% (2007 est.) 10.8% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $2,000 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 188 $1,900 (2007 est.) $1,800 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 29% industry: 30% services: 41% (2007 est.) Labor force: 8.6 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 75% industry: NA% services: NA% (2004 est.) Unemployment rate: 3.5% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 2.5% (2000 est.) Population below poverty line: 35% (2004) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3% highest 10%: 34.2% (2007) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 43 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 40 (2004 est.) Investment (gross fixed): 22.4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 Budget: revenues: $1.274 billion expenditures: $1.592 billion (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 25% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 212 5.9% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: NA% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 89 5.25% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 16.01% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 35 16.18% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $591.7 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 91 $513.6 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $2.328 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 82 $2.309 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $1.67 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 96 $1.131 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: rice, rubber, corn, vegetables, cashews, tapioca, silk Industries: tourism, garments, construction, rice milling, fishing, wood and wood products, rubber, cement, gem mining, textiles Industrial production growth rate: 8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 Electricity - production: 1.273 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 141 Electricity - consumption: 1.272 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 167 million kWh (2007 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 201 Oil - consumption: 4,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 173 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 141 Oil - imports: 30,970 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 199 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 201 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 202 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 196 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 197 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 198 Current account balance: -$1.06 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 -$506.3 million (2007 est.) Exports: $4.708 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 $4.089 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: clothing, timber, rubber, rice, fish, tobacco, footwear Exports - partners: US 54.4%, Germany 7.7%, Canada 5.9%, UK 5.5%, Vietnam 4.5% (2008) Imports: $6.534 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 $5.424 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: petroleum products, cigarettes, gold, construction materials, machinery, motor vehicles, pharmaceutical products Imports - partners: Thailand 26.8%, Vietnam 19%, China 14.5%, Hong Kong 8.1%, Singapore 6.9% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $2.641 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 $2.143 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $4.127 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 $3.89 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: riels (KHR) per US dollar - 4,070.94 (2008 est.), 4,006 (2007), 4,103 (2006), 4,092.5 (2005), 4,016.25 (2004) Communications ::Cambodia Telephones - main lines in use: 45,100 (2008) country comparison to the world: 165 Telephones - mobile cellular: 4.237 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 93 Telephone system: general assessment: mobile-phone systems are widely used in urban areas to bypass deficiencies in the fixed-line network; fixed-line connections stand at well less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage, aided by increasing competition among service providers, is increasing and stands at 30 per 100 persons domestic: adequate landline and/or cellular service in Phnom Penh and other provincial cities; mobile-phone coverage is rapidly expanding in rural areas international: country code - 855; adequate but expensive landline and cellular service available to all countries from Phnom Penh and major provincial cities; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 50, shortwave NA (2008) Television broadcast stations: 8 (including 2 TV relay stations with French and Vietnamese broadcasts); excludes 18 regional relay stations (2008) Internet country code: .kh Internet hosts: 2,480 (2009) country comparison to the world: 146 Internet users: 74,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 162 Transportation ::Cambodia Airports: 17 (2009) country comparison to the world: 140 Airports - with paved runways: total: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Heliports: 1 (2009) Railways: total: 602 km country comparison to the world: 110 narrow gauge: 602 km 1.000-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 38,093 km country comparison to the world: 91 paved: 2,977 km unpaved: 35,116 km (2007) Waterways: 2,400 km (mainly on Mekong River) (2008) country comparison to the world: 37 Merchant marine: total: 626 country comparison to the world: 17 by type: bulk carrier 41, cargo 530, carrier 3, chemical tanker 10, container 8, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 11, refrigerated cargo 15, roll on/roll off 1, vehicle carrier 1 foreign-owned: 467 (Canada 2, China 193, Cyprus 7, Egypt 13, Gabon 1, Greece 3, Hong Kong 8, Indonesia 2, Japan 1, South Korea 22, Latvia 1, Lebanon 8, Netherlands 1, Romania 1, Russia 83, Singapore 4, Syria 48, Taiwan 1, Turkey 26, Ukraine 34, UAE 2, US 6) (2008) Ports and terminals: Phnom Penh, Kampong Saom (Sihanoukville) Military ::Cambodia Military branches: Royal Cambodian Armed Forces: Royal Cambodian Army, Royal Khmer Navy, Royal Cambodian Air Force (2009) Military service age and obligation: conscription law of October 2006 requires all males between 18-30 to register for military service; 18-month service obligation (2006) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 3,759,034 females age 16-49: 3,784,333 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 2,673,383 females age 16-49: 2,763,256 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 177,881 female: 175,332 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 3% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 Transnational Issues ::Cambodia Disputes - international: Cambodia and Thailand dispute sections of boundary with missing boundary markers and claims of Thai encroachments into Cambodian territory; maritime boundary with Vietnam is hampered by unresolved dispute over sovereignty of offshore islands; Thailand accuses Cambodia of obstructing inclusion of Thai areas near Preah Vihear temple ruins, awarded to Cambodia by ICJ decision in 1962, as part of a planned UN World Heritage site Illicit drugs: narcotics-related corruption reportedly involving some in the government, military, and police; limited methamphetamine production; vulnerable to money laundering due to its cash-based economy and porous borders page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Cameroon (Africa) Introduction ::Cameroon Background: The former French Cameroon and part of British Cameroon merged in 1961 to form the present country. Cameroon has generally enjoyed stability, which has permitted the development of agriculture, roads, and railways, as well as a petroleum industry. Despite a slow movement toward democratic reform, political power remains firmly in the hands of President Paul BIYA. Geography ::Cameroon Location: Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria Geographic coordinates: 6 00 N, 12 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 475,440 sq km country comparison to the world: 53 land: 472,710 sq km water: 2,730 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than California Land boundaries: total: 4,591 km border countries: Central African Republic 797 km, Chad 1,094 km, Republic of the Congo 523 km, Equatorial Guinea 189 km, Gabon 298 km, Nigeria 1,690 km Coastline: 402 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm Climate: varies with terrain, from tropical along coast to semiarid and hot in north Terrain: diverse, with coastal plain in southwest, dissected plateau in center, mountains in west, plains in north Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Fako 4,095 m (on Mt. Cameroon) Natural resources: petroleum, bauxite, iron ore, timber, hydropower Land use: arable land: 12.54% permanent crops: 2.52% other: 84.94% (2005) Irrigated land: 260 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 285.5 cu km (2003) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.99 cu km/yr (18%/8%/74%) per capita: 61 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: volcanic activity with periodic releases of poisonous gases from Lake Nyos and Lake Monoun volcanoes Environment - current issues: waterborne diseases are prevalent; deforestation; overgrazing; desertification; poaching; overfishing Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: sometimes referred to as the hinge of Africa; throughout the country there are areas of thermal springs and indications of current or prior volcanic activity; Mount Cameroon, the highest mountain in Sub-Saharan west Africa, is an active volcano People ::Cameroon Population: 18,879,301 country comparison to the world: 58 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 40.9% (male 3,891,762/female 3,822,870) 15-64 years: 55.9% (male 5,298,143/female 5,250,493) 65 years and over: 3.3% (male 283,289/female 332,744) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 19.2 years male: 19 years female: 19.3 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 2.19% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 Birth rate: 34.1 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 Death rate: 12.2 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 36 Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 57% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 63.34 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 36 male: 68.08 deaths/1,000 live births female: 58.47 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 53.69 years country comparison to the world: 197 male: 52.89 years female: 54.52 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.33 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 5.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 540,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 39,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever water contact disease: schistosomiasis respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis animal contact disease: rabies (2009) Nationality: noun: Cameroonian(s) adjective: Cameroonian Ethnic groups: Cameroon Highlanders 31%, Equatorial Bantu 19%, Kirdi 11%, Fulani 10%, Northwestern Bantu 8%, Eastern Nigritic 7%, other African 13%, non-African less than 1% Religions: indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 40%, Muslim 20% Languages: 24 major African language groups, English (official), French (official) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 67.9% male: 77% female: 59.8% (2001 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 9 years male: 10 years female: 8 years (2006) Education expenditures: 3.3% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 138 Government ::Cameroon Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Cameroon conventional short form: Cameroon local long form: Republique du Cameroun/Republic of Cameroon local short form: Cameroun/Cameroon former: French Cameroon, British Cameroon, Federal Republic of Cameroon, United Republic of Cameroon Government type: republic; multiparty presidential regime Capital: name: Yaounde geographic coordinates: 3 52 N, 11 31 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 10 regions (regions, singular - region); Adamaoua, Centre, Est, Extreme-Nord, Littoral, Nord, North-West (Nord-Ouest), Ouest, Sud, South-West (Sud-Ouest) Independence: 1 January 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship) National holiday: Republic Day (National Day), 20 May (1972) Constitution: approved by referendum 20 May 1972; adopted 2 June 1972; revised January 1996 Legal system: based on French civil law system, with common law influence; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Paul BIYA (since 6 November 1982) head of government: Prime Minister Philemon YANG (since 30 June 2009) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from proposals submitted by the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 11 October 2004 (next to be held by October 2011); prime minister appointed by the president election results: President Paul BIYA reelected; percent of vote - Paul BIYA 70.9%, John FRU NDI 17.4%, Adamou Ndam NJOYA 4.5%, Garga Haman ADJI 3.7% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (180 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms); note - the president can either lengthen or shorten the term of the legislature elections: last held 22 July 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPDM 140, SDF 14, UDC 4, UNDP 4, MP 1, vacant 17 note: the constitution calls for an upper chamber for the legislature, to be called a Senate, but it has yet to be established Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president); High Court of Justice (consists of nine judges and six substitute judges; elected by the National Assembly) Political parties and leaders: Cameroonian Democratic Union or UDC [Adamou Ndam NJOYA]; Cameroon People's Democratic Movement or CPDM [Paul BIYA]; Movement for the Defense of the Republic or MDR [Dakole DAISSALA]; Movement for the Liberation and Development of Cameroon or MLDC [Marcel YONDO]; National Union for Democracy and Progress or UNDP [Maigari BELLO BOUBA]; Progressive Movement or MP; Social Democratic Front or SDF [John FRU NDI]; Union of Peoples of Cameroon or UPC [Augustin Frederic KODOCK] Political pressure groups and leaders: Human Rights Defense Group [Albert MUKONG, president]; Southern Cameroon National Council [Ayamba Ette OTUN] International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, C, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph FOE-ATANGANA chancery: 2349 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-8790 FAX: [1] (202) 387-3826 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Janet E. GARVEY embassy: Avenue Rosa Parks, Yaounde mailing address: P. O. Box 817, Yaounde; pouch: American Embassy, US Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2520 telephone: [237] 2220 15 00; Consular: [237] 2220 16 03 FAX: [237] 2220 16 00 Ext. 4531; Consular FAX: [237] 2220 17 52 branch office(s): Douala Flag description: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), red, and yellow, with a yellow five-pointed star centered in the red band note: uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Economy ::Cameroon Economy - overview: Because of its modest oil resources and favorable agricultural conditions, Cameroon has one of the best-endowed primary commodity economies in sub-Saharan Africa. Still, it faces many of the serious problems facing other underdeveloped countries, such as stagnating per capita income, a relatively inequitable distribution of income, a top-heavy civil service, and a generally unfavorable climate for business enterprise. International oil and cocoa prices have a significant impact on the economy. Since 1990, the government has embarked on various IMF and World Bank programs designed to spur business investment, increase efficiency in agriculture, improve trade, and recapitalize the nation's banks. The IMF is pressing for more reforms, including increased budget transparency, privatization, and poverty reduction programs. GDP (purchasing power parity): $42.69 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 $41.33 billion (2007 est.) $39.93 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $23.73 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 3.5% (2007 est.) 3.2% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $2,300 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 178 $2,300 (2007 est.) $2,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 43.6% industry: 15.9% services: 40.5% (2008 est.) Labor force: 6.759 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 70% industry: 13% services: 17% (2001 est.) Unemployment rate: 30% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 176 Population below poverty line: 48% (2000 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 35.4% (2001) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 44.6 (2001) country comparison to the world: 45 47.7 (1996) Investment (gross fixed): 17.7% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 131 Budget: revenues: $4.714 billion expenditures: $4.261 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 13.5% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 69.1% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 1.1% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 4.75% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 86 5.25% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: NA% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 47 15% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $2.616 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) $1.698 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $1.3 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: coffee, cocoa, cotton, rubber, bananas, oilseed, grains, root starches; livestock; timber Industries: petroleum production and refining, aluminum production, food processing, light consumer goods, textiles, lumber, ship repair Industrial production growth rate: 4.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 Electricity - production: 5.601 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 108 Electricity - consumption: 4.801 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 81,720 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 Oil - consumption: 26,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 116 Oil - exports: 107,100 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 Oil - imports: 45,520 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 Oil - proved reserves: 200 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 Natural gas - production: 20 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 Natural gas - consumption: 20 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 182 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 192 Natural gas - proved reserves: 135.1 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 Current account balance: -$96 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 -$547 million (2007 est.) Exports: $4.707 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 $4.345 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: crude oil and petroleum products, lumber, cocoa beans, aluminum, coffee, cotton Exports - partners: Spain 19.8%, Italy 13.5%, US 10.6%, France 8.2%, Netherlands 8.1%, China 7.9%, Belgium 4% (2008) Imports: $4.303 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 $4.05 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery, electrical equipment, transport equipment, fuel, food Imports - partners: France 21.1%, Nigeria 13.8%, China 9.5%, Belgium 6.1% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $3.091 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 93 $2.932 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $3.066 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 $2.554 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar - 447.81 (2008 est.), 493.51 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004) note: since 1 January 1999, the Central African CFA franc (XAF) has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro; Central African CFA franc (XAF) coins and banknotes are not accepted in countries using West African CFA francs (XOF), and vice versa, even though the two currencies trade at par Communications ::Cameroon Telephones - main lines in use: 198,300 (2008) country comparison to the world: 124 Telephones - mobile cellular: 6.161 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 79 Telephone system: general assessment: fixed-line connections stand at less than 1 per 100 persons; equipment is old and outdated, and connections with many parts of the country are unreliable; mobile-cellular usage, in part a reflection of the poor condition and general inadequacy of the fixed-line network, has increased sharply, reaching a subscribership base of 33 per 100 persons domestic: cable, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter international: country code - 237; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and Asia; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 3 (2001) Television broadcast stations: 1 (2001) Internet country code: .cm Internet hosts: 70 (2009) country comparison to the world: 204 Internet users: 725,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 99 Transportation ::Cameroon Airports: 36 (2009) country comparison to the world: 107 Airports - with paved runways: total: 11 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 25 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 16 under 914 m: 6 (2009) Pipelines: oil 889 km (2008) Railways: total: 987 km country comparison to the world: 89 narrow gauge: 987 km 1.000-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 50,000 km country comparison to the world: 79 paved: 5,000 km unpaved: 45,000 km (2004) Waterways: navigation mainly on Benue River; limited during rainy season (2008) Ports and terminals: Douala, Limboh Terminal Military ::Cameroon Military branches: Cameroon Armed Forces (Forces Armees Camerounaises, FAC): Army (L'Armee de Terre), Navy (includes naval infantry), Air Force (Armee de l'Air du Cameroun, AAC) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; no conscription; the government makes periodic calls for volunteers (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 4,321,175 females age 16-49: 4,228,625 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 2,645,601 females age 16-49: 2,574,948 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 213,027 female: 208,642 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.3% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 121 Transnational Issues ::Cameroon Disputes - international: Joint Border Commission with Nigeria reviewed 2002 ICJ ruling on the entire boundary and bilaterally resolved differences, including June 2006 Greentree Agreement that immediately ceded sovereignty of the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon with a full phase-out of Nigerian control and patriation of residents in 2008; Cameroon and Nigeria agree on maritime delimitation in March 2008; sovereignty dispute between Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon over an island at the mouth of the Ntem River; only Nigeria and Cameroon have heeded the Lake Chad Commission's admonition to ratify the delimitation treaty, which also includes the Chad-Niger and Niger-Nigeria boundaries Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 20,000-30,000 (Chad); 3,000 (Nigeria); 24,000 (Central African Republic) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Cameroon is a source, transit, and destination country for women and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation; most victims are children trafficked within country, with girls primarily trafficked for domestic servitude and sexual exploitation; both boys and girls are also trafficked within Cameroon for forced labor in sweatshops, bars, restaurants, and on tea and cocoa plantations; children are trafficked into Cameroon from neighboring states for forced labor in agriculture, fishing, street vending, and spare-parts shops; Cameroon is a transit country for children trafficked between Gabon and Nigeria, and from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia; it is a source country for women transported by sex-trafficking rings to Europe tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Cameroon is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking in 2007, particularly in terms of efforts to prosecute and convict trafficking offenders; while Cameroon reported some arrests of traffickers, none of them were prosecuted or punished; the government does not identify trafficking victims among vulnerable populations nor does it monitor the number of victims it intercepts (2008) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Canada (North America) Introduction ::Canada Background: A land of vast distances and rich natural resources, Canada became a self-governing dominion in 1867 while retaining ties to the British crown. Economically and technologically the nation has developed in parallel with the US, its neighbor to the south across an unfortified border. Canada faces the political challenges of meeting public demands for quality improvements in health care and education services, as well as responding to separatist concerns in predominantly francophone Quebec. Canada also aims to develop its diverse energy resources while maintaining its commitment to the environment. Geography ::Canada Location: Northern North America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean on the east, North Pacific Ocean on the west, and the Arctic Ocean on the north, north of the conterminous US Geographic coordinates: 60 00 N, 95 00 W Map references: North America Area: total: 9,984,670 sq km country comparison to the world: 2 land: 9,093,507 sq km water: 891,163 sq km Area - comparative: somewhat larger than the US Land boundaries: total: 8,893 km border countries: US 8,893 km (includes 2,477 km with Alaska) Coastline: 202,080 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Climate: varies from temperate in south to subarctic and arctic in north Terrain: mostly plains with mountains in west and lowlands in southeast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Logan 5,959 m Natural resources: iron ore, nickel, zinc, copper, gold, lead, molybdenum, potash, diamonds, silver, fish, timber, wildlife, coal, petroleum, natural gas, hydropower Land use: arable land: 4.57% permanent crops: 0.65% other: 94.78% (2005) Irrigated land: 7,850 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 3,300 cu km (1985) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 44.72 cu km/yr (20%/69%/12%) per capita: 1,386 cu m/yr (1996) Natural hazards: continuous permafrost in north is a serious obstacle to development; cyclonic storms form east of the Rocky Mountains, a result of the mixing of air masses from the Arctic, Pacific, and North American interior, and produce most of the country's rain and snow east of the mountains Environment - current issues: air pollution and resulting acid rain severely affecting lakes and damaging forests; metal smelting, coal-burning utilities, and vehicle emissions impacting on agricultural and forest productivity; ocean waters becoming contaminated due to agricultural, industrial, mining, and forestry activities Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: second-largest country in world (after Russia); strategic location between Russia and US via north polar route; approximately 90% of the population is concentrated within 160 km of the US border People ::Canada Population: 33,487,208 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 Age structure: 0-14 years: 16.1% (male 2,761,711/female 2,626,836) 15-64 years: 68.7% (male 11,633,950/female 11,381,735) 65 years and over: 15.2% (male 2,220,189/female 2,862,787) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 40.4 years male: 39.3 years female: 41.5 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.817% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 Birth rate: 10.28 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 192 Death rate: 7.74 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 116 Net migration rate: 5.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 Urbanization: urban population: 80% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1% annual rate of change (2005-10 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: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 5.04 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 189 male: 5.37 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 81.23 years country comparison to the world: 8 male: 78.69 years female: 83.91 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.58 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 181 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.4% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 73,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 500 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 83 Nationality: noun: Canadian(s) adjective: Canadian Ethnic groups: British Isles origin 28%, French origin 23%, other European 15%, Amerindian 2%, other, mostly Asian, African, Arab 6%, mixed background 26% Religions: Roman Catholic 42.6%, Protestant 23.3% (including United Church 9.5%, Anglican 6.8%, Baptist 2.4%, Lutheran 2%), other Christian 4.4%, Muslim 1.9%, other and unspecified 11.8%, none 16% (2001 census) Languages: English (official) 58.8%, French (official) 21.6%, other 19.6% (2006 Census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 17 years male: 17 years female: 17 years (2004) Education expenditures: 5.2% of GDP (2002) country comparison to the world: 63 Government ::Canada Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Canada Government type: a parliamentary democracy, a federation, and a Commonwealth realm Capital: name: Ottawa geographic coordinates: 45 25 N, 75 42 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November note: Canada is divided into six time zones Administrative divisions: 10 provinces and 3 territories*; Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories*, Nova Scotia, Nunavut*, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon Territory* Independence: 1 July 1867 (union of British North American colonies); 11 December 1931 (recognized by UK) National holiday: Canada Day, 1 July (1867) Constitution: made up of unwritten and written acts, customs, judicial decisions, and traditions; the written part of the constitution consists of the Constitution Act of 29 March 1867, which created a federation of four provinces, and the Constitution Act of 17 April 1982, which transferred formal control over the constitution from Britain to Canada, and added a Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms as well as procedures for constitutional amendments Legal system: based on English common law, except in Quebec, where civil law system based on French law prevails; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: head of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Michaelle JEAN (since 27 September 2005) head of government: Prime Minister Stephen HARPER (since 6 February 2006) cabinet: Federal Ministry chosen by the prime minister usually from among the members of his own party sitting in Parliament elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister for a five-year term; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition in the House of Commons is automatically designated prime minister by the governor general Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of the Senate or Senat (105 seats; members appointed by the governor general with the advice of the prime minister and serve until reaching 75 years of age) and the House of Commons or Chambre des Communes (308 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote to serve a maximum of five-year terms starting in 2009 elections) elections: House of Commons - last held 14 October 2008 (next to be held no later than 19 October 2012) election results: House of Commons - percent of vote by party - Conservative Party 37.6%, Liberal Party 26.2%, New Democratic Party 18.2%, Bloc Quebecois 10%, Greens 6.8%, other 1%; seats by party - Conservative Party 143, Liberal Party 77, New Democratic Party 37, Bloc Quebecois 49, other 2 Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Canada (judges are appointed by the prime minister through the governor general); Federal Court of Canada; Federal Court of Appeal; Provincial Courts (these are named variously Court of Appeal, Court of Queens Bench, Superior Court, Supreme Court, and Court of Justice) Political parties and leaders: Bloc Quebecois [Gilles DUCEPPE]; Conservative Party of Canada [Stephen HARPER] (a merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party); Green Party [Elizabeth MAY]; Liberal Party [Michael IGNATIEFF]; New Democratic Party [Jack LAYTON] Political pressure groups and leaders: other: agricultural sector; automobile industry; business groups; chemical industry; commercial banks; communications sector; energy industry; environmentalists; public administration groups; steel industry; trade unions International organization participation: ACCT, ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), APEC, Arctic Council, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, C, CDB, CE (observer), EAPC, EBRD, ESA (cooperating state), FAO, G-20, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAFTA, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), SECI (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNMIS, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Gary DOER chancery: 501 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001 telephone: [1] (202) 682-1740 FAX: [1] (202) 682-7701 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Tucson consulate(s): Anchorage, Houston, Philadelphia, Princeton (New Jersey), Raleigh, San Jose (California), Tucson Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador David H. WILKINS embassy: 490 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 1G8 mailing address: P. O. Box 5000, Ogdensburg, NY 13669-0430; P.O. Box 866, Station B, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5T1 telephone: [1] (613) 688-5335 FAX: [1] (613) 688-3082 consulate(s) general: Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Quebec, Toronto, Vancouver, Winnipeg Flag description: two vertical bands of red (hoist and fly side, half width) with white square between them; an 11-pointed red maple leaf is centered in the white square; the official colors of Canada are red and white Economy ::Canada Economy - overview: As an affluent, high-tech industrial society in the trillion-dollar class, Canada resembles the US in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and affluent living standards. Since World War II, the impressive growth of the manufacturing, mining, and service sectors has transformed the nation from a largely rural economy into one primarily industrial and urban. The 1989 US-Canada Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) (which includes Mexico) touched off a dramatic increase in trade and economic integration with the US, its principle trading partner. Canada enjoys a substantial trade surplus with the US, which absorbs nearly 80% of Canadian exports each year. Canada is the US's largest foreign supplier of energy, including oil, gas, uranium, and electric power. Given its great natural resources, skilled labor force, and modern capital plant, Canada has enjoyed solid economic growth, and prudent fiscal management has produced consecutive balanced budgets from 1997 to 2007. In 2008, growth slowed sharply as a result of the global economic downturn, US housing slump, plunging auto sector demand, and a drop in world commodity prices. Public finances, too, are set to deteriorate for the first time in a decade. Tight global credit conditions have further restrained business and housing investment, despite the conservative lending practices and strong capitalization that made Canada's major banks among the most stable in the world. GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.303 trillion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 $1.298 trillion (2007 est.) $1.266 trillion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $1.5 trillion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 0.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 192 2.5% (2007 est.) 2.9% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $39,200 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 $39,400 (2007 est.) $38,800 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2% industry: 28.4% services: 69.6% (2008 est.) Labor force: 18.22 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 2%, manufacturing 13%, construction 6%, services 76%, other 3% (2006) Unemployment rate: 6.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 6% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 10.8%; note - this figure is the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO), a calculation that results in higher figures than found in many comparable economies; Canada does not have an official poverty line (2005) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 24.8% (2000) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 32.1 (2005) country comparison to the world: 100 31.5 (1994) Investment (gross fixed): 22.6% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 Budget: revenues: $594.1 billion expenditures: $573.7 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 63.8% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 64.2% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 2.1% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 1.75% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 112 4.5% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 4.73% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 131 6.1% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $356.2 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 5 $391.6 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $1.299 trillion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 5 $1.381 trillion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $2.335 trillion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 9 $2.382 trillion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 7 $2.187 trillion (31 December 2007) $1.701 trillion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: wheat, barley, oilseed, tobacco, fruits, vegetables; dairy products; forest products; fish Industries: transportation equipment, chemicals, processed and unprocessed minerals, food products, wood and paper products, fish products, petroleum and natural gas Industrial production growth rate: -2.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 159 Electricity - production: 620.7 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 Electricity - consumption: 536.1 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 8 Electricity - exports: 55.73 billion kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 23.5 billion kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 3.35 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 Oil - consumption: 2.26 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 Oil - exports: 2.421 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 Oil - imports: 1.165 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 Oil - proved reserves: 178.1 billion bbl country comparison to the world: 2 note: includes oil sands (1 January 2009 est.) Natural gas - production: 170.9 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 Natural gas - consumption: 82.93 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 Natural gas - exports: 102.8 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 2 Natural gas - imports: 14.84 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 Natural gas - proved reserves: 1.64 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 Current account balance: $7.61 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 $14.53 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $459.1 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 $431.2 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: motor vehicles and parts, industrial machinery, aircraft, telecommunications equipment; chemicals, plastics, fertilizers; wood pulp, timber, crude petroleum, natural gas, electricity, aluminum Exports - partners: US 77.7%, UK 2.7%, Japan 2.3% (2008) Imports: $415.2 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 $386.6 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, motor vehicles and parts, crude oil, chemicals, electricity, durable consumer goods Imports - partners: US 52.4%, China 9.8%, Mexico 4.1% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $43.87 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 $41.08 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $781.1 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 15 $806.9 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $433.4 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 $506.9 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $520.4 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 $520.7 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: Canadian dollars (CAD) per US dollar - 1.0364 (2008 est.), 1.0724 (2007), 1.1334 (2006), 1.2118 (2005), 1.301 (2004) Communications ::Canada Telephones - main lines in use: 18.25 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 17 Telephones - mobile cellular: 21.455 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 37 Telephone system: general assessment: excellent service provided by modern technology domestic: domestic satellite system with about 300 earth stations international: country code - 1; submarine cables provide links to the US and Europe; satellite earth stations - 7 (5 Intelsat - 4 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean, and 2 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region) (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 245, FM 582, shortwave 6 (2004) Television broadcast stations: 148 (2007) Internet country code: .ca Internet hosts: 7.193 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 14 Internet users: 25.086 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 13 Transportation ::Canada Airports: 1,388 (2009) country comparison to the world: 4 Airports - with paved runways: total: 515 over 3,047 m: 19 2,438 to 3,047 m: 18 1,524 to 2,437 m: 148 914 to 1,523 m: 251 under 914 m: 79 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 873 1,524 to 2,437 m: 73 914 to 1,523 m: 373 under 914 m: 427 (2009) Heliports: 12 (2009) Pipelines: crude and refined oil 23,564 km; liquid petroleum gas 74,980 km (2006) Railways: total: 46,688 km country comparison to the world: 5 standard gauge: 46,688 km 1.435-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 1,042,300 km country comparison to the world: 6 paved: 415,600 km (includes 17,000 km of expressways) unpaved: 626,700 km (2006) Waterways: 636 km country comparison to the world: 78 note: Saint Lawrence Seaway of 3,769 km, including the Saint Lawrence River of 3,058 km, shared with United States (2008) Merchant marine: total: 175 country comparison to the world: 38 by type: bulk carrier 60, cargo 13, carrier 1, chemical tanker 10, combination ore/oil 1, container 2, passenger 6, passenger/cargo 64, petroleum tanker 12, roll on/roll off 6 foreign-owned: 17 (Germany 3, Netherlands 1, Norway 3, US 10) registered in other countries: 206 (Australia 9, Bahamas 84, Barbados 9, Cambodia 2, Cyprus 2, Denmark 1, Honduras 1, Hong Kong 44, Liberia 7, Malta 1, Marshall Islands 6, Norway 10, Panama 18, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Spain 4, Taiwan 2, Vanuatu 5) (2008) Ports and terminals: Fraser River Port, Halifax, Hamilton, Montreal, Port-Cartier, Quebec City, Saint John (New Brunswick), Sept-Isles, Vancouver Military ::Canada Military branches: Canadian Forces: Land Forces Command (LFC), Maritime Command (MARCOM), Air Command (AIRCOM), Canada Command (homeland security) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 17 years of age for male and female voluntary military service (with parental consent); 16 years of age for reserve and military college applicants; Canadian citizenship or permanent residence status required; maximum 34 years of age; service obligation 3-9 years (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 8,072,010 females age 16-49: 7,813,462 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 6,647,513 females age 16-49: 6,413,748 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 223,238 female: 210,797 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.1% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 Transnational Issues ::Canada Disputes - international: managed maritime boundary disputes with the US at Dixon Entrance, Beaufort Sea, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the Gulf of Maine including the disputed Machias Seal Island and North Rock; Canada, the US, and other countries dispute the status of the Northwest Passage; US works closely with Canada to intensify security measures for monitoring and controlling legal and illegal movement of people, transport, and commodities across the international border; sovereignty dispute with Denmark over Hans Island in the Kennedy Channel between Ellesmere Island and Greenland; commencing the collection of technical evidence for submission to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf in support of claims for continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles from its declared baselines in the Arctic, as stipulated in Article 76, paragraph 8, of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for the domestic drug market and export to US; use of hydroponics technology permits growers to plant large quantities of high-quality marijuana indoors; increasing ecstasy production, some of which is destined for the US; vulnerable to narcotics money laundering because of its mature financial services sector page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Cape Verde (Africa) Introduction ::Cape Verde Background: The uninhabited islands were discovered and colonized by the Portuguese in the 15th century; Cape Verde subsequently became a trading center for African slaves and later an important coaling and resupply stop for whaling and transatlantic shipping. Following independence in 1975, and a tentative interest in unification with Guinea-Bissau, a one-party system was established and maintained until multi-party elections were held in 1990. Cape Verde continues to exhibit one of Africa's most stable democratic governments. Repeated droughts during the second half of the 20th century caused significant hardship and prompted heavy emigration. As a result, Cape Verde's expatriate population is greater than its domestic one. Most Cape Verdeans have both African and Portuguese antecedents. Geography ::Cape Verde Location: Western Africa, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal Geographic coordinates: 16 00 N, 24 00 W Map references: Africa Area: total: 4,033 sq km country comparison to the world: 175 land: 4,033 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Rhode Island Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 965 km Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and very erratic Terrain: steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mt. Fogo 2,829 m (a volcano on Fogo Island) Natural resources: salt, basalt rock, limestone, kaolin, fish, clay, gypsum Land use: arable land: 11.41% permanent crops: 0.74% other: 87.85% (2005) Irrigated land: 30 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 0.3 cu km (1990) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.02 cu km/yr (7%/2%/91%) per capita: 39 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: prolonged droughts; seasonal harmattan wind produces obscuring dust; volcanically and seismically active Environment - current issues: soil erosion; deforestation due to demand for wood used as fuel; water shortages; desertification; environmental damage has threatened several species of birds and reptiles; illegal beach sand extraction; overfishing Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: strategic location 500 km from west coast of Africa near major north-south sea routes; important communications station; important sea and air refueling site People ::Cape Verde Population: 429,474 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 171 Age structure: 0-14 years: 35.2% (male 76,012/female 74,993) 15-64 years: 58.5% (male 123,376/female 127,653) 65 years and over: 6.4% (male 10,040/female 17,400) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 21.1 years male: 20.4 years female: 21.9 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.561% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 Birth rate: 23.5 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 Death rate: 6.22 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 Net migration rate: -11.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 177 Urbanization: urban population: 60% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.58 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 41.35 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 63 male: 47.39 deaths/1,000 live births female: 35.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.61 years country comparison to the world: 126 male: 68.27 years female: 75.05 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.07 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.035% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 167 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 775 (2001) country comparison to the world: 144 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 225 (as of 2001) country comparison to the world: 103 Nationality: noun: Cape Verdean(s) adjective: Cape Verdean Ethnic groups: Creole (mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1% Religions: Roman Catholic (infused with indigenous beliefs), Protestant (mostly Church of the Nazarene) Languages: Portuguese, Crioulo (a blend of Portuguese and West African words) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 76.6% male: 85.8% female: 69.2% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 12 years male: 11 years female: 12 years (2006) Education expenditures: 6.3% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 34 Government ::Cape Verde Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Cape Verde conventional short form: Cape Verde local long form: Republica de Cabo Verde local short form: Cabo Verde Government type: republic Capital: name: Praia geographic coordinates: 14 55 N, 23 31 W time difference: UTC-1 (4 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 17 municipalities (concelhos, singular - concelho); Boa Vista, Brava, Maio, Mosteiros, Paul, Praia, Porto Novo, Ribeira Grande, Sal, Santa Catarina, Santa Cruz, Sao Domingos, Sao Filipe, Sao Miguel, Sao Nicolau, Sao Vicente, Tarrafal Independence: 5 July 1975 (from Portugal) National holiday: Independence Day, 5 July (1975) Constitution: 25 September 1992; a major revision on 23 November 1995 substantially increased the powers of the president; a 1999 revision created the position of national ombudsman (Provedor de Justica) Legal system: based on the legal system of Portugal; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Pedro Verona Rodriques PIRES (since 22 March 2001) head of government: Prime Minister Jose Maria Pereira NEVES (since 1 February 2001) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 12 February 2006 (next to be held in February 2011); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly and appointed by the president election results: Pedro PIRES reelected president; percent of vote - Pedro PIRES (PAICV) 51.2%, Carlos VIEGA (MPD) 48.8% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (72 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 22 January 2006 (next to be held in January 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - PAICV 52.3%, MPD 44%, UCID 2.7%; seats by party - PAICV 41, MPD 29, UCID 2 Judicial branch: Supreme Tribunal of Justice or Supremo Tribunal de Justia Political parties and leaders: African Party for Independence of Cape Verde or PAICV [Jose Maria Pereira NEVES, chairman]; Democratic Christian Party or PDC [Manuel RODRIGUES]; Democratic Renovation Party or PRD [Victor FIDALGO]; Democratic and Independent Cape Verdean Union or UCID [Antonio MONTEIRO]; Movement for Democracy or MPD [Jorge SANTOS]; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Dr. Eurico MONTEIRO]; Party of Work and Solidarity or PTS [Isaias RODRIGUES]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Joao ALEM] Political pressure groups and leaders: other: environmentalists; political pressure groups International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, CPLP, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Fatima Lima VEIGA chancery: 3415 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 965-6820 FAX: [1] (202) 965-1207 consulate(s) general: Boston Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Marianne M. MYLES embassy: Rua Abilio Macedo n6, Praia mailing address: C. P. 201, Praia telephone: [238] 2-60-89-00 FAX: [238] 2-61-13-55 Flag description: five unequal horizontal bands; the top-most band of blue - equal to one half the width of the flag - is followed by three bands of white, red, and white, each equal to 1/12 of the width, and a bottom stripe of blue equal to one quarter of the flag width; a circle of 10, yellow, five-pointed stars, each representing one of the islands, is centered on the red stripe and positioned 3/8 of the length of the flag from the hoist side Economy ::Cape Verde Economy - overview: This island economy suffers from a poor natural resource base, including serious water shortages exacerbated by cycles of long-term drought. The economy is service-oriented, with commerce, transport, tourism, and public services accounting for about three-fourths of GDP. Although nearly 70% of the population lives in rural areas, the share of food production in GDP is low. About 82% of food must be imported. The fishing potential, mostly lobster and tuna, is not fully exploited. Cape Verde annually runs a high trade deficit, financed by foreign aid and remittances from emigrants; remittances supplement GDP by more than 20%. Economic reforms are aimed at developing the private sector and attracting foreign investment to diversify the economy. Future prospects depend heavily on the maintenance of aid flows, the encouragement of tourism, remittances, and the momentum of the government's development program. Cape Verde became a member of the WTO in July 2008. GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.63 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 190 $1.545 billion (2007 est.) $1.446 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $1.744 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 6.9% (2007 est.) 10.8% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $3,800 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 157 $3,600 (2007 est.) $3,400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 9.1% industry: 16.6% services: 74.4% (2008 est.) Labor force: 196,100 (2007) country comparison to the world: 165 Unemployment rate: 21% (2000 est.) country comparison to the world: 167 Population below poverty line: 30% (2000) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Investment (gross fixed): 41.6% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 Budget: revenues: $508 million expenditures: $540.2 million (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 4.4% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 7.5% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 50 8.5% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 9.99% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 78 10.55% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $563.4 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 92 $574 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $721.3 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 102 $689 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $1.153 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 106 $1.049 billion (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: bananas, corn, beans, sweet potatoes, sugarcane, coffee, peanuts; fish Industries: food and beverages, fish processing, shoes and garments, salt mining, ship repair Industrial production growth rate: 5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 Electricity - production: 250 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 171 Electricity - consumption: 232.5 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 172 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 195 Oil - consumption: 2,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 184 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 194 Oil - imports: 1,619 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 180 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 184 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 193 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 194 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 64 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 184 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 191 Current account balance: -$259 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 -$132.6 million (2007 est.) Exports: $105 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 192 $76.5 million (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: fuel, shoes, garments, fish, hides Exports - partners: Japan 37.5%, Spain 28.5%, Portugal 17.5%, Morocco 4.8% (2008) Imports: $864 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 174 $743.6 million (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, industrial products, transport equipment, fuels Imports - partners: Portugal 40.3%, Netherlands 11.8%, Spain 6.7%, UK 6.5%, Cote d'Ivoire 4.6%, Brazil 4.1% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $258 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 143 $281 million (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $325 million (2002) country comparison to the world: 172 Exchange rates: Cape Verdean escudos (CVE) per US dollar - 73.84 (2008 est.), 81.235 (2007), 87.946 (2006), 88.67 (2005), 88.808 (2004) Communications ::Cape Verde Telephones - main lines in use: 72,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 155 Telephones - mobile cellular: 277,700 (2008) country comparison to the world: 169 Telephone system: general assessment: effective system, extensive modernization from 1996-2000 following partial privatization in 1995 domestic: major service provider is Cabo Verde Telecom (CVT); fiber-optic ring, completed in 2001, links all islands providing Internet access and ISDN services; cellular service introduced in 1998; broadband services launched in 2004 international: country code - 238; landing point for the Atlantis-2 fiber-optic transatlantic telephone cable that provides links to South America, Senegal, and Europe; HF radiotelephone to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 22 (plus 12 repeaters), shortwave 0 (2001) Television broadcast stations: 1 (plus 7 repeaters) (2001) Internet country code: .cv Internet hosts: 24 (2009) country comparison to the world: 214 Internet users: 102,800 (2008) country comparison to the world: 153 Transportation ::Cape Verde Airports: 10 (2009) country comparison to the world: 156 Airports - with paved runways: total: 9 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Roadways: total: 1,350 km country comparison to the world: 178 paved: 932 km unpaved: 418 km (2000) Merchant marine: total: 8 country comparison to the world: 125 by type: cargo 2, chemical tanker 1, passenger/cargo 5 foreign-owned: 2 (Spain 1, UK 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Porto Grande Military ::Cape Verde Military branches: People's Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARP): Army, Coast Guard (includes maritime air wing) (2007) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age (est.) for selective compulsory military service; 14-month conscript service obligation (2006) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 103,650 females age 16-49: 103,553 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 84,967 females age 16-49: 90,154 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 5,471 female: 5,349 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 0.7% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 152 Transnational Issues ::Cape Verde Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: used as a transshipment point for Latin American cocaine destined for Western Europe, particularly because of Lusophone links to Brazil, Portugal, and Guinea-Bissau; has taken steps to deter drug money laundering, including a 2002 anti-money laundering reform that criminalizes laundering the proceeds of narcotics trafficking and other crimes and the establishment in 2008 of a Financial Intelligence Unit (2008) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Cayman Islands (Central America and Caribbean) Introduction ::Cayman Islands Background: The Cayman Islands were colonized from Jamaica by the British during the 18th and 19th centuries and were administered by Jamaica after 1863. In 1959, the islands became a territory within the Federation of the West Indies. When the Federation dissolved in 1962, the Cayman Islands chose to remain a British dependency. Geography ::Cayman Islands Location: Caribbean, three-island group (Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, Little Cayman) in Caribbean Sea, 240 km south of Cuba and 268 km northwest of Jamaica Geographic coordinates: 19 30 N, 80 30 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 264 sq km country comparison to the world: 210 land: 264 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 160 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April) Terrain: low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: The Bluff (Cayman Brac) 43 m Natural resources: fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism Land use: arable land: 3.85% permanent crops: 0% other: 96.15% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: hurricanes (July to November) Environment - current issues: no natural fresh water resources; drinking water supplies must be met by rainwater catchments Geography - note: important location between Cuba and Central America People ::Cayman Islands Population: 49,035 country comparison to the world: 207 note: most of the population lives on Grand Cayman (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 19.6% (male 4,824/female 4,783) 15-64 years: 71.1% (male 16,994/female 17,884) 65 years and over: 9.3% (male 2,139/female 2,411) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 38.1 years male: 37.7 years female: 38.6 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 2.394% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 Birth rate: 12.36 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 165 Death rate: 4.89 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 192 Net migration rate: 16.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population country comparison to the world: 3 note: major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 100% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 6.94 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 169 male: 7.96 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80.44 years country comparison to the world: 16 male: 77.8 years female: 83.14 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.88 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Caymanian(s) adjective: Caymanian Ethnic groups: mixed 40%, white 20%, black 20%, expatriates of various ethnic groups 20% Religions: Church of God 26%, United Church 11.8% (Presbyterian and Congregational), Roman Catholic 11%, Baptist 8.7%, Seventh Day Adventist 8.2%, Anglican 5.7%, Pentecostal 5.3%, other Christian 2.7%, non-denominational 5.8%, other 3.8%, none 9.8%, unspecified 1.1% (1999 census) Languages: English 95%, Spanish 3.2%, other 1.8% (1999 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 98% male: 98% female: 98% (1970 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years male: 12 years female: 13 years (2001) Education expenditures: 2.8% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 150 Government ::Cayman Islands Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Cayman Islands Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: name: George Town (on Grand Cayman) geographic coordinates: 19 18 N, 81 23 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 8 districts; Creek, Eastern, Midland, South Town, Spot Bay, Stake Bay, West End, Western Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK) National holiday: Constitution Day, first Monday in July Constitution: The Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009, 6 November 2009 Legal system: British common law and local statutes Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Stuart JACK (since 23 November 2005) head of government: Premier McKeeva BUSH (since 6 November 2009) cabinet: The Cabinet (six members appointed by the governor on the advice of the premier, selected from among the elected members of the Legislative Assembly) elections: the monarch is hereditary; the governor is appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or coalition is appointed by the governor as premier Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly (20 seats; 18 elected by popular vote and 2 ex officio members from The Cabinet; to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 20 May 2009 (next to be held not later than May 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UDP 9, PPM 5, independent 1 Judicial branch: Grand Court; Cayman Islands Court of Appeal; Summary Court Political parties and leaders: United Democratic Party or UDP [McKeeva BUSH]; People's Progressive Movement or PPM [Kurt TIBBETTS] Political pressure groups and leaders: National Trust other: environmentalists International organization participation: Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UNESCO (associate), UPU, WFTU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Flag description: a blue field, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms includes a crest with a pineapple, representing the connection with Jamaica, and a turtle, representing Cayman's seafaring tradition, above a shield bearing a golden lion, symbolizing Great Britain, below which are three green stars (representing the three islands) surmounting white and blue wavy lines representing the sea and a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS Economy ::Cayman Islands Economy - overview: With no direct taxation, the islands are a thriving offshore financial center. More than 68,000 companies were registered in the Cayman Islands as of 2003, including almost 500 banks, 800 insurers, and 5,000 mutual funds. A stock exchange was opened in 1997. Tourism is also a mainstay, accounting for about 70% of GDP and 75% of foreign currency earnings. The tourist industry is aimed at the luxury market and caters mainly to visitors from North America. Total tourist arrivals exceeded 2.1 million in 2003, with about half from the US. About 90% of the islands' food and consumer goods must be imported. The Caymanians enjoy one of the highest outputs per capita and one of the highest standards of living in the world. GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.939 billion (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 182 $1.922 billion (2003 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $NA GDP - real growth rate: 0.9% (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 177 GDP - per capita (PPP): $43,800 (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1.4% industry: 3.2% services: 95.4% (1994 est.) Labor force: 23,450 (2004) country comparison to the world: 200 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 1.4% industry: 12.6% services: 86% (1995) Unemployment rate: 4.4% (2004) country comparison to the world: 54 Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $423.8 million expenditures: $392.6 million (2004) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.4% (2004) country comparison to the world: 74 Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 107 $183.5 million (31 December 2007) $188.4 million (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: vegetables, fruit; livestock; turtle farming Industries: tourism, banking, insurance and finance, construction, construction materials, furniture Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 546 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 157 Electricity - consumption: 507.8 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 199 Oil - consumption: 3,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 175 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 203 Oil - imports: 3,294 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 197 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 197 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 198 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 183 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 193 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 195 Exports: $2.52 million (2004) country comparison to the world: 216 Exports - commodities: turtle products, manufactured consumer goods Imports: $866.9 million (2004) country comparison to the world: 173 Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, manufactured goods Debt - external: $70 million (1996) country comparison to the world: 191 Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $NA Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Exchange rates: Caymanian dollars (KYD) per US dollar - NA (2007), 0.8496 (2006) Communications ::Cayman Islands Telephones - main lines in use: 38,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 172 Telephones - mobile cellular: 33,800 (2004) country comparison to the world: 202 Telephone system: general assessment: reasonably good system domestic: liberalization of telecom market in 2003; introduction of competition in the mobile-cellular market in 2004 international: country code - 1-345; landing point for the MAYA-1 submarine telephone cable network that provides links to the US and parts of Central and South America; submarine cable provides connectivity to Jamaica; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 0 (2004) Television broadcast stations: 4 with cable system (2004) Internet country code: .ky Internet hosts: 21,428 (2009) country comparison to the world: 102 Internet users: 23,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 186 Transportation ::Cayman Islands Airports: 3 (2009) country comparison to the world: 196 Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Roadways: total: 785 km country comparison to the world: 186 paved: 785 km (2007) Merchant marine: total: 109 country comparison to the world: 49 by type: bulk carrier 30, cargo 2, chemical tanker 42, petroleum tanker 15, refrigerated cargo 10, roll on/roll off 3, vehicle carrier 7 foreign-owned: 107 (Denmark 3, Germany 15, Greece 16, Italy 4, Japan 13, Norway 1, Singapore 10, UK 3, US 42) (2008) Ports and terminals: Cayman Brac, George Town Military ::Cayman Islands Military branches: no regular military forces; Royal Cayman Islands Police Force (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 11,790 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 9,735 females age 16-49: 10,145 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 334 female: 345 (2009 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Transnational Issues ::Cayman Islands Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: major offshore financial center; vulnerable to drug transshipment to the US and Europe (2008) page last updated on November 10, 2009 ====================================================================== @Central African Republic (Africa) Introduction ::Central African Republic Background: The former French colony of Ubangi-Shari became the Central African Republic upon independence in 1960. After three tumultuous decades of misrule - mostly by military governments - civilian rule was established in 1993 and lasted for one decade. President Ange-Felix PATASSE's civilian government was plagued by unrest, and in March 2003 he was deposed in a military coup led by General Francois BOZIZE, who established a transitional government. Though the government has the tacit support of civil society groups and the main parties, a wide field of candidates contested the municipal, legislative, and presidential elections held in March and May of 2005 in which General BOZIZE was affirmed as president. The government still does not fully control the countryside, where pockets of lawlessness persist. Unrest in neighboring nations, Chad, Sudan, and the DRC, continues to affect stability in the Central African Republic as well. Geography ::Central African Republic Location: Central Africa, north of Democratic Republic of the Congo Geographic coordinates: 7 00 N, 21 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 622,984 sq km country comparison to the world: 44 land: 622,984 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Texas Land boundaries: total: 5,203 km border countries: Cameroon 797 km, Chad 1,197 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 467 km, Sudan 1,165 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers Terrain: vast, flat to rolling, monotonous plateau; scattered hills in northeast and southwest Elevation extremes: lowest point: Oubangui River 335 m highest point: Mont Ngaoui 1,420 m Natural resources: diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil, hydropower Land use: arable land: 3.1% permanent crops: 0.15% other: 96.75% (2005) Irrigated land: 20 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 144.4 cu km (2003) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.03 cu km/yr (80%/16%/4%) per capita: 7 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect northern areas; floods are common Environment - current issues: tap water is not potable; poaching has diminished the country's reputation as one of the last great wildlife refuges; desertification; deforestation Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Geography - note: landlocked; almost the precise center of Africa People ::Central African Republic Population: 4,511,488 country comparison to the world: 120 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 40.9% (male 928,277/female 917,739) 15-64 years: 55% (male 1,235,940/female 1,244,958) 65 years and over: 4.1% (male 71,439/female 113,135) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 18.8 years male: 18.5 years female: 19.1 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.491% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 Birth rate: 32.75 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 Death rate: 17.84 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 39% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 80.62 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 21 male: 87.22 deaths/1,000 live births female: 73.82 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 44.47 years country comparison to the world: 215 male: 44.4 years female: 44.54 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.14 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 45 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 6.3% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 160,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 11,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis water contact disease: schistosomiasis animal contact disease: rabies (2009) Nationality: noun: Central African(s) adjective: Central African Ethnic groups: Baya 33%, Banda 27%, Mandjia 13%, Sara 10%, Mboum 7%, M'Baka 4%, Yakoma 4%, other 2% Religions: indigenous beliefs 35%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15% note: animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the Christian majority Languages: French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national language), tribal languages Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 48.6% male: 64.8% female: 33.5% (2000 est.) Education expenditures: 1.4% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 174 Government ::Central African Republic Country name: conventional long form: Central African Republic conventional short form: none local long form: Republique Centrafricaine local short form: none former: Ubangi-Shari, Central African Empire abbreviation: CAR Government type: republic Capital: name: Bangui geographic coordinates: 4 22 N, 18 35 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 14 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture), 2 economic prefectures* (prefectures economiques, singular - prefecture economique), and 1 commune**; Bamingui-Bangoran, Bangui**, Basse-Kotto, Haute-Kotto, Haut-Mbomou, Kemo, Lobaye, Mambere-Kadei, Mbomou, Nana-Grebizi*, Nana-Mambere, Ombella-Mpoko, Ouaka, Ouham, Ouham-Pende, Sangha-Mbaere*, Vakaga Independence: 13 August 1960 (from France) National holiday: Republic Day, 1 December (1958) Constitution: ratified by popular referendum 5 December 2004; effective 27 December 2004 Legal system: based on French law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Francois BOZIZE (since 15 March 2003 coup) head of government: Prime Minister Faustin-Archange TOUADERA (since 22 January 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers elections: under the new constitution, the president elected to a five-year term (eligible for a second term); elections last held 13 March and 8 May 2005 (next to be held in 2010); prime minister appointed by the political party with a parliamentary majority election results: Francois BOZIZE elected president; percent of second round balloting - Francois BOZIZE (KNK) 64.6%, Martin ZIGUELE (MLPC) 35.4% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (105 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 13 March 2005 and 8 May 2005 (next to be held in 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - KNK 42, MLPC 11, RDC 8, PSD 4, FPP 2, ADP 2, LONDO 1, independents 34, other 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Constitutional Court (three judges appointed by the president, three by the president of the National Assembly, and three by fellow judges); Court of Appeal; Criminal Courts; Inferior Courts Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Democracy and Progress or ADP [Jacques MBOLIEDAS]; Central African Democratic Rally or RDC [Andre KOLINGBA]; Civic Forum or FC [Gen. Timothee MALENDOMA]; Democratic Forum for Modernity or FODEM [Charles MASSI]; Liberal Democratic Party or PLD [Nestor KOMBO-NAGUEMON]; Londo Association or LONDO; Movement for Democracy and Development or MDD [David DACKO]; Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People or MLPC [Ange-Felix PATASSE] (the party of deposed president); National Convergence or KNK; Patriotic Front for Progress or FPP [Abel GOUMBA]; People's Union for the Republic or UPR [Pierre Sammy MAKFOY]; National Unity Party or PUN [Jean-Paul NGOUPANDE]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Enoch LAKOUE] Political pressure groups and leaders: Monam (combating gender-base violence) International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIC (observer), OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Emmanuel TOUABOY chancery: 1618 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-7800 FAX: [1] (202) 332-9893 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Frederick B. COOK embassy: Avenue David Dacko, Bangui mailing address: B. P. 924, Bangui telephone: [236] 61 02 00 FAX: [236] 61 44 94 note: the embassy is currently operating with a minimal staff Flag description: four equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, green, and yellow with a vertical red band in center; a yellow five-pointed star to the hoist side of the blue band Economy ::Central African Republic Economy - overview: Subsistence agriculture, together with forestry, remains the backbone of the economy of the Central African Republic (CAR), with more than 70% of the population living in outlying areas. The agricultural sector generates more than half of GDP. Timber has accounted for about 16% of export earnings and the diamond industry, for 40%. Important constraints to economic development include the CAR's landlocked position, a poor transportation system, a largely unskilled work force, and a legacy of misdirected macroeconomic policies. Factional fighting between the government and its opponents remains a drag on economic revitalization. Distribution of income is extraordinarily unequal. Grants from France and the international community can only partially meet humanitarian needs. GDP (purchasing power parity): $3.184 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 171 $3.115 billion (2007 est.) $3.004 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $1.997 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 3.7% (2007 est.) 3.8% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $700 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 221 $700 (2007 est.) $700 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 55% industry: 20% services: 25% (2001 est.) Labor force: 1.926 million (2007) country comparison to the world: 121 Unemployment rate: 8% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 note: 23% unemployment for Bangui Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.1% highest 10%: 33% (2003) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 61.3 (1993) country comparison to the world: 6 Budget: revenues: $250 million expenditures: $273 million (2007 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.9% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 Central bank discount rate: 4.75% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 85 5.25% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: NA% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 45 15% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $218.3 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) $47.58 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $320.2 million (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: timber, cotton, coffee, tobacco, manioc (tapioca), yams, millet, corn, bananas; timber Industries: gold and diamond mining, logging, brewing, textiles, footwear, assembly of bicycles and motorcycles Industrial production growth rate: 3% (2002) country comparison to the world: 85 Electricity - production: 115 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 187 Electricity - consumption: 107 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 188 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 196 Oil - consumption: 2,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 186 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 202 Oil - imports: 2,203 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 176 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 185 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 194 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 195 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 179 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 186 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 192 Current account balance: -$77 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 Exports: $146.7 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 185 Exports - commodities: diamonds, timber, cotton, coffee, tobacco Exports - partners: Japan 40.4%, Belgium 9.8%, China 8.2%, Morocco 6%, Indonesia 5.6%, France 4.4%, Italy 4.1%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 4% (2008) Imports: $237.3 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 197 Imports - commodities: food, textiles, petroleum products, machinery, electrical equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals Imports - partners: South Korea 20.2%, France 13.6%, Cameroon 7.7%, Netherlands 5.8%, US 5.3% (2008) Debt - external: $1.153 billion (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 152 Exchange rates: Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar - 447.81 (2008 est.), 481.8 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004) note: since 1 January 1999, the Central African CFA franc (XAF) has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro; Central African CFA franc (XAF) coins and banknotes are not accepted in countries using West African CFA francs (XOF), and vice versa, even though the two currencies trade at par Communications ::Central African Republic Telephones - main lines in use: 12,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 200 Telephones - mobile cellular: 154,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 176 Telephone system: general assessment: limited telephone service; fixed-line connections for well less than 1 per 100 persons coupled with mobile-cellular usage of only about 3 per 100 persons; most fixed-line and cellular telephone services are concentrated in Bangui domestic: network consists principally of microwave radio relay and low-capacity, low-powered radiotelephone communication international: country code - 236; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 1 (2001) Television broadcast stations: 1 (2001) Internet country code: .cf Internet hosts: 21 (2009) country comparison to the world: 215 Internet users: 19,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 191 Transportation ::Central African Republic Airports: 40 (2009) country comparison to the world: 104 Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 38 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 8 (2009) Roadways: total: 24,307 km (2000) country comparison to the world: 105 Waterways: 2,800 km (primarily on the Oubangui and Sangha rivers) (2007) country comparison to the world: 35 Ports and terminals: Bangui, Nola, Salo, Nzinga Military ::Central African Republic Military branches: Central African Armed Forces (Forces Armees Centrafricaines, FACA): Ground Forces, General Directorate of Gendarmerie Inspection (DGIG), Military Air Service, National Police (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for selective military service; 2-year conscript service obligation (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,032,828 females age 16-49: 999,330 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 552,907 females age 16-49: 512,611 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 55,484 female: 55,168 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.1% of GDP (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 Transnational Issues ::Central African Republic Disputes - international: periodic skirmishes over water and grazing rights among related pastoral populations along the border with southern Sudan persist Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 7,900 (Sudan); 3,700 (Democratic Republic of the Congo); note - UNHCR resumed repatriation of Southern Sudanese refugees in 2006 IDPs: 197,000 (ongoing unrest following coup in 2003) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Central African Republic is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and sexual exploitation; the majority of victims are children trafficked within the country for sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, street vending, and forced agricultural, mine, market and restaurant labor; to a lesser extent, children are trafficked from the Central African Republic to Cameroon, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo; rebels conscript children into armed forces within the country tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Central African Republic is on the Tier 2 Watch List for the third consecutive year for its failure to show evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in 2007; efforts to address trafficking through vigorous law enforcement measures and victim protection efforts were minimal, though awareness about trafficking appeared to be increasing in the country; the government does not actively investigate cases, work to identify trafficking victims among vulnerable populations, or rescue and provide care to victims; the government has not taken measures to reduce demand for commercial sex acts (2008) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Chad (Africa) Introduction ::Chad Background: Chad, part of France's African holdings until 1960, endured three decades of civil warfare as well as invasions by Libya before a semblance of peace was finally restored in 1990. The government eventually drafted a democratic constitution, and held flawed presidential elections in 1996 and 2001. In 1998, a rebellion broke out in northern Chad, which has sporadically flared up despite several peace agreements between the government and the rebels. In 2005, new rebel groups emerged in western Sudan and made probing attacks into eastern Chad, despite signing peace agreements in December 2006 and October 2007. Power remains in the hands of an ethnic minority. In June 2005, President Idriss DEBY held a referendum successfully removing constitutional term limits and won another controversial election in 2006. Sporadic rebel campaigns continued throughout 2006 and 2007, and the capital experienced a significant rebel threat in early 2008. Geography ::Chad Location: Central Africa, south of Libya Geographic coordinates: 15 00 N, 19 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 1.284 million sq km country comparison to the world: 21 land: 1,259,200 sq km water: 24,800 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than three times the size of California Land boundaries: total: 5,968 km border countries: Cameroon 1,094 km, Central African Republic 1,197 km, Libya 1,055 km, Niger 1,175 km, Nigeria 87 km, Sudan 1,360 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: tropical in south, desert in north Terrain: broad, arid plains in center, desert in north, mountains in northwest, lowlands in south Elevation extremes: lowest point: Djourab Depression 160 m highest point: Emi Koussi 3,415 m Natural resources: petroleum, uranium, natron, kaolin, fish (Lake Chad), gold, limestone, sand and gravel, salt Land use: arable land: 2.8% permanent crops: 0.02% other: 97.18% (2005) Irrigated land: 300 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 43 cu km (1987) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.23 cu km/yr (17%/0%/83%) per capita: 24 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds occur in north; periodic droughts; locust plagues Environment - current issues: inadequate supplies of potable water; improper waste disposal in rural areas contributes to soil and water pollution; desertification Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping Geography - note: landlocked; Lake Chad is the most significant water body in the Sahel People ::Chad Population: 10,329,208 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 Age structure: 0-14 years: 46.7% (male 2,445,841/female 2,381,319) 15-64 years: 50.4% (male 2,386,428/female 2,816,050) 65 years and over: 2.9% (male 126,351/female 173,219) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 16.5 years male: 15.3 years female: 17.7 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 2.069% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 Birth rate: 40.86 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 Death rate: 16.09 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 Net migration rate: -4.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 157 Urbanization: urban population: 27% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.85 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 98.69 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 11 male: 104.72 deaths/1,000 live births female: 92.42 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 47.7 years country comparison to the world: 211 male: 46.67 years female: 48.77 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.31 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 3.5% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 200,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 14,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria water contact disease: schistosomiasis respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis animal contact disease: rabies (2009) Nationality: noun: Chadian(s) adjective: Chadian Ethnic groups: Sara 27.7%, Arab 12.3%, Mayo-Kebbi 11.5%, Kanem-Bornou 9%, Ouaddai 8.7%, Hadjarai 6.7%, Tandjile 6.5%, Gorane 6.3%, Fitri-Batha 4.7%, other 6.4%, unknown 0.3% (1993 census) Religions: Muslim 53.1%, Catholic 20.1%, Protestant 14.2%, animist 7.3%, other 0.5%, unknown 1.7%, atheist 3.1% (1993 census) Languages: French (official), Arabic (official), Sara (in south), more than 120 different languages and dialects Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write French or Arabic total population: 25.7% male: 40.8% female: 12.8% (2000 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 6 years male: 7 years female: 4 years (2005) Education expenditures: 1.9% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 168 Government ::Chad Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Chad conventional short form: Chad local long form: Republique du Tchad/Jumhuriyat Tshad local short form: Tchad/Tshad Government type: republic Capital: name: N'Djamena geographic coordinates: 12 06 N, 15 02 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 18 regions (regions, singular - region); Batha, Borkou-Ennedi-Tibesti, Chari-Baguirmi, Guera, Hadjer-Lamis, Kanem, Lac, Logone Occidental, Logone Oriental, Mandoul, Mayo-Kebbi Est, Mayo-Kebbi Ouest, Moyen-Chari, Ouaddai, Salamat, Tandjile, Ville de N'Djamena, Wadi Fira Independence: 11 August 1960 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 11 August (1960) Constitution: passed by referendum 31 March 1996; a June 2005 referendum removed constitutional term limits Legal system: based on French civil law system and Chadian customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY Itno (since 4 December 1990) head of government: Prime Minister Youssof Saleh ABBAS (since 16 April 2008) cabinet: Council of State, members appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote to serve five-year term; if no candidate receives at least 50% of the total vote, the two candidates receiving the most votes must stand for a second round of voting; last held 3 May 2006 (next to be held by May 2011); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY Itno reelected president; percent of vote - Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY 64.7%, Delwa Kassire KOUMAKOYE 15.1%, Albert Pahimi PADACKE 7.8%, Mahamat ABDOULAYE 7.1%, Brahim KOULAMALLAH 5.3%; note - a June 2005 national referendum altered the constitution removing presidential term limits and permitting Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY Itno to run for reelection Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (155 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms); note - the 1996 constitution called for a Senate that has never been formed elections: National Assembly - last held 21 April 2002 (next to be held by 2009); note - legislative elections, originally scheduled for 2006, were first delayed by National Assembly action and subsequently by an accord, signed in August 2007, between government and opposition parties election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MPS 110, RDP 12, FAR 9, RNDP 5, UNDR 5, URD 3, other 11 Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; Criminal Courts; Magistrate Courts Political parties and leaders: Federation Action for the Republic or FAR [Ngarledjy YORONGAR]; National Rally for Development and Progress or RNDP [Delwa Kassire KOUMAKOYE]; National Union for Democracy and Renewal or UNDR [Saleh KEBZABO]; Party for Liberty and Development or PLD [Ibni Oumar Mahamat SALEH]; Patriotic Salvation Movement or MPS [Mahamat Saleh AHMAT, chairman]; Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Lol Mahamat CHOUA]; Union for Renewal and Democracy or URD [Gen. Wadal Abdelkader KAMOUGUE] Political pressure groups and leaders: rebel groups International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Mahamat Adam BECHIR chancery: 2002 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 462-4009 FAX: [1] (202) 265-1937 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Louis NIGRO embassy: Avenue Felix Eboue, N'Djamena mailing address: B. P. 413, N'Djamena telephone: [235] 251-62-11, 251-70-09, 251-77-59 FAX: [235] 251-56-54 Flag description: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red note: similar to the flag of Romania; also similar to the flags of Andorra and Moldova, both of which have a national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; design was based on the flag of France Economy ::Chad Economy - overview: Chad's primarily agricultural economy will continue to be boosted by major foreign direct investment projects in the oil sector that began in 2000. At least 80% of Chad's population relies on subsistence farming and livestock raising for its livelihood. Chad's economy has long been handicapped by its landlocked position, high energy costs, and a history of instability. Chad relies on foreign assistance and foreign capital for most public and private sector investment projects. A consortium led by two US companies has been investing $3.7 billion to develop oil reserves - estimated at 1 billion barrels - in southern Chad. Chinese companies are also expanding exploration efforts and plan to build a refinery. The nation's total oil reserves are estimated at 1.5 billion barrels. Oil production came on stream in late 2003. Chad began to export oil in 2004. Cotton, cattle, and gum arabic provide the bulk of Chad's non-oil export earnings. GDP (purchasing power parity): $15.82 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 131 $15.85 billion (2007 est.) $15.82 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $8.4 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -0.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 200 0.2% (2007 est.) 0.2% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $1,600 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 192 $1,600 (2007 est.) $1,600 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 20.5% industry: 48% services: 31.5% (2008 est.) Labor force: 4.293 million (2007) country comparison to the world: 83 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 80% (subsistence farming, herding, and fishing) industry and services: 20% (2006 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Population below poverty line: 80% (2001 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Investment (gross fixed): 13.7% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 Budget: revenues: $2.324 billion expenditures: $1.91 billion (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 148 4% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 4.75% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 82 5.25% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: NA% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 42 15% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $874.5 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) $55.23 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $82.81 million (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: cotton, sorghum, millet, peanuts, rice, potatoes, manioc (tapioca); cattle, sheep, goats, camels Industries: oil, cotton textiles, meatpacking, brewing, natron (sodium carbonate), soap, cigarettes, construction materials Industrial production growth rate: 2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 Electricity - production: 100 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 190 Electricity - consumption: 93 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 191 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 127,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 Oil - consumption: 1,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 199 Oil - exports: 157,900 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 Oil - imports: 1,571 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 181 Oil - proved reserves: 1.5 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 36 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 200 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 201 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 195 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 196 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 197 Current account balance: -$1.019 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 -$737.8 million (2007 est.) Exports: $4.342 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 116 $3.674 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: oil, cattle, cotton, gum arabic Exports - partners: US 92.8%, Japan 2.2%, France 1.5% (2008) Imports: $1.927 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 $1.541 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and transportation equipment, industrial goods, foodstuffs, textiles Imports - partners: France 17.5%, Cameroon 14.8%, China 9.8%, Ukraine 9.5%, US 7.7%, Germany 5.6%, Saudi Arabia 4.7%, Netherlands 4% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $1.347 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 $964.4 million (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $1.6 billion (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 141 Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $4.5 billion (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Exchange rates: Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar - 447.81 (2008 est.), 480.1 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004) note: since 1 January 1999, the Central African CFA franc (XAF) has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro; Central African CFA franc (XAF) coins and banknotes are not accepted in countries using West African CFA francs (XOF), and vice versa, even though the two currencies trade at par Communications ::Chad Telephones - main lines in use: 13,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 199 Telephones - mobile cellular: 1.809 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 124 Telephone system: general assessment: primitive system with high costs and low telephone density; fixed-line connections for only about 1 per 1000 persons coupled with mobile-cellular subscribership base of less than 20 per 100 persons domestic: fair system of radiotelephone communication stations international: country code - 235; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 4, shortwave 5 (2001) Television broadcast stations: 1 (2001) Internet country code: .td Internet hosts: 5 (2009) country comparison to the world: 225 Internet users: 130,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 144 Transportation ::Chad Airports: 54 (2009) country comparison to the world: 86 Airports - with paved runways: total: 8 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 46 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 20 under 914 m: 11 (2009) Pipelines: oil 250 km (2008) Roadways: total: 33,400 km country comparison to the world: 95 paved: 267 km unpaved: 33,133 km (2002) Waterways: Chari and Legone rivers are navigable only in wet season (2008) Military ::Chad Military branches: Armed Forces: Chadian National Army (Armee Nationale du Tchad, ANT), Chadian Air Force (Force Aerienne Tchadienne, FAT), Gendarmerie (2008) Military service age and obligation: 20 years of age for conscripts, with 3-year service obligation; 18 years of age for volunteers; no minimum age restriction for volunteers with consent from a guardian; women are subject to 1 year of compulsory military or civic service at age of 21 (2004) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,906,545 females age 16-49: 2,258,758 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,103,006 females age 16-49: 1,315,620 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 121,080 female: 121,585 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 4.2% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 27 Transnational Issues ::Chad Disputes - international: since 2003, Janjawid armed militia and the Sudanese military have driven hundreds of thousands of Darfur residents into Chad; Chad remains an important mediator in the Sudanese civil conflict, reducing tensions with Sudan arising from cross-border banditry; Chadian Aozou rebels reside in southern Libya; only Nigeria and Cameroon have heeded the Lake Chad Commission's admonition to ratify the delimitation treaty, which also includes the Chad-Niger and Niger-Nigeria boundaries Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 234,000 (Sudan); 54,200 (Central African Republic) IDPs: 178,918 (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Chad is a source, transit, and destination country for children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation; the majority of children are trafficked within Chad for involuntary domestic servitude, forced cattle herding, forced begging, forced labor in petty commerce or the fishing industry, or for commercial sexual exploitation; to a lesser extent, Chadian children are also trafficked to Cameroon, the Central African Republic, and Nigeria for cattle herding; children may also be trafficked from Cameroon and the Central African Republic to Chad's oil producing regions for sexual exploitation tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Chad is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking in 2007; Chad was destabilized during 2007 by civil conflict leading to a declared state of emergency in February 2008, and a steady influx of refugees fleeing Sudan and the Central African Republic; the government demonstrated insufficient overall efforts to combat trafficking; Chad has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Chile (South America) Introduction ::Chile Background: Prior to the coming of the Spanish in the 16th century, northern Chile was under Inca rule while the indigenous Mapuche inhabited central and southern Chile. Although Chile declared its independence in 1810, decisive victory over the Spanish was not achieved until 1818. In the War of the Pacific (1879-83), Chile defeated Peru and Bolivia and won its present northern regions. It was not until the 1880s that the Mapuche Indians were completely subjugated. After a series of elected governments, a three-year-old Marxist government of Salvador ALLENDE was overthrown in 1973 by a military coup led by Augusto PINOCHET, who ruled until a freely elected president was installed in 1990. Sound economic policies, maintained consistently since the 1980s, have contributed to steady growth, reduced poverty rates by over half, and have helped secure the country's commitment to democratic and representative government. Chile has increasingly assumed regional and international leadership roles befitting its status as a stable, democratic nation. Geography ::Chile Location: Southern South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina and Peru Geographic coordinates: 30 00 S, 71 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 756,102 sq km country comparison to the world: 38 land: 743,812 sq km water: 12,290 sq km note: includes Easter Island (Isla de Pascua) and Isla Sala y Gomez Area - comparative: slightly smaller than twice the size of Montana Land boundaries: total: 6,339 km border countries: Argentina 5,308 km, Bolivia 860 km, Peru 171 km Coastline: 6,435 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200/350 nm Climate: temperate; desert in north; Mediterranean in central region; cool and damp in south Terrain: low coastal mountains; fertile central valley; rugged Andes in east Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Nevado Ojos del Salado 6,880 m Natural resources: copper, timber, iron ore, nitrates, precious metals, molybdenum, hydropower Land use: arable land: 2.62% permanent crops: 0.43% other: 96.95% (2005) Irrigated land: 19,000 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 922 cu km (2000) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 12.55 cu km/yr (11%/25%/64%) per capita: 770 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: severe earthquakes; active volcanism; tsunamis Environment - current issues: widespread deforestation and mining threaten natural resources; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from raw sewage Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: strategic location relative to sea lanes between Atlantic and Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage); Atacama Desert is one of world's driest regions People ::Chile Population: 16,601,707 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 Age structure: 0-14 years: 23.2% (male 1,966,017/female 1,877,963) 15-64 years: 67.8% (male 5,625,963/female 5,628,146) 65 years and over: 9.1% (male 627,746/female 875,872) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 31.4 years male: 30.4 years female: 32.4 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.881% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 136 Birth rate: 14.64 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 143 Death rate: 5.84 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 167 Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 88% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 7.71 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 164 male: 8.49 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.34 years country comparison to the world: 56 male: 74.07 years female: 80.77 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.92 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.3% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 85 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 31,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 1,100 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 Nationality: noun: Chilean(s) adjective: Chilean Ethnic groups: white and white-Amerindian 95.4%, Mapuche 4%, other indigenous groups 0.6% (2002 census) Religions: Roman Catholic 70%, Evangelical 15.1%, Jehovah's Witness 1.1%, other Christian 1%, other 4.6%, none 8.3% (2002 census) Languages: Spanish (official), Mapudungun, German, English Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 95.7% male: 95.8% female: 95.6% (2002 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 14 years (2006) Education expenditures: 3.2% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 141 Government ::Chile Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Chile conventional short form: Chile local long form: Republica de Chile local short form: Chile Government type: republic Capital: name: Santiago geographic coordinates: 33 27 S, 70 40 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in October; ends second Sunday in March Administrative divisions: 15 regions (regiones, singular - region); Aisen del General Carlos Ibanez del Campo, Antofagasta, Araucania, Arica y Parinacota, Atacama, Biobio, Coquimbo, Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins, Los Lagos, Los Rios, Magallanes y de la Antartica Chilena, Maule, Region Metropolitana (Santiago), Tarapaca, Valparaiso note: the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica Independence: 18 September 1810 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 18 September (1810) Constitution: 11 September 1980, effective 11 March 1981; amended 1989, 1991, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2003, and 2005 Legal system: based on Code of 1857 derived from Spanish law and subsequent codes influenced by French and Austrian law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; note - in June 2005, Chile completed overhaul of its criminal justice system to a new, US-style adversarial system Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: President Michelle BACHELET Jeria (since 11 March 2006); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Michelle BACHELET Jeria (since 11 March 2006) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a single four-year term; election last held 11 December 2005, with runoff election held 15 January 2006 (next to be held in December 2009) election results: Michelle BACHELET Jeria elected president; percent of vote - Michelle BACHELET Jeria 53.5%; Sebastian PINERA Echenique 46.5% Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate or Senado (38 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve eight-year terms; one-half elected every four years) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (120 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 11 December 2005 (next to be held in December 2009); Chamber of Deputies - last held 11 December 2005 (next to be held in December 2009) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPD 20 (PDC 6, PS 8, PPD 3, PRSD 3), APC 17 (UDI 9, RN 8), independent 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPD 65 (PDC 21, PPD 22, PS 15, PRSD 7), APC 54 (UDI 34, RN 20), independent 1; note - as of 8 January 2008: Senate - seats by party - CPD 18, (PDC 5, PS 8, PPD 2, PRSD 3), APC 16 (UDI 9, RN 7), independent 4; Chamber of Deputies - seats by party - CPD 57 (PDC 16, PPD 19, PS 15, PRSD 7), APC 53 (UDI 33, RN 20), independent 10. Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges are appointed by the president and ratified by the Senate from lists of candidates provided by the court itself; the president of the Supreme Court is elected every three years by the 20-member court); Constitutional Tribunal (eight-members - two each from the Senate, Chamber of Deputies, Supreme Court, and National Security Council - review the constitutionality of laws approved by Congress) Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Chile (Alianza) or APC (including National Renewal or RN [Carlos LARRAIN Pena] and Independent Democratic Union or UDI [Juan Antonio COLOMA Correa]); Coalition of Parties for Democracy (Concertacion) or CPD (including Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Juan Carlos LATORRE Carmona], Socialist Party or PS [Camilo ESCALONA Medina], Party for Democracy or PPD [Pepe AUTH Stewart], and Radical Social Democratic Party or PRSD [Jose Antonio GOMEZ Urrutia]); Communist Party or PC [Guillermo TEILLIER del Valle]; Humanist Party [Marilen CABRERA Olmos] Political pressure groups and leaders: Roman Catholic Church, particularly conservative groups such as Opus Dei; United Labor Central or CUT includes trade unionists from the country's five largest labor confederations other: revitalized university student federations at all major universities International organization participation: APEC, BIS, CAN (associate), FAO, G-15, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS, OECD (accession state), OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, SICA (observer), UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jose Maria GONI Carrasco chancery: 1732 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 785-1746 FAX: [1] (202) 887-5579 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico) Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Paul E. SIMONS embassy: Avenida Andres Bello 2800, Las Condes, Santiago mailing address: APO AA 34033 telephone: [56] (2) 330-3000 FAX: [56] (2) 330-3710, 330-3160 Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; a blue square the same height as the white band at the hoist-side end of the white band; the square bears a white five-pointed star in the center representing a guide to progress and honor; blue symbolizes the sky, white is for the snow-covered Andes, and red represents the blood spilled to achieve independence note: design was influenced by the US flag Economy ::Chile Economy - overview: Chile has a market-oriented economy characterized by a high level of foreign trade and a reputation for strong financial institutions and sound policy that have given it the strongest sovereign bond rating in South America. Exports account for 40% of GDP, with commodities making up some three-quarters of total exports. Copper alone provides one-third of government revenue. During the early 1990s, Chile's reputation as a role model for economic reform was strengthened when the democratic government of Patricio AYLWIN - which took over from the military in 1990 - deepened the economic reform initiated by the military government. Growth in real GDP averaged 8% during 1991-97, but fell to half that level in 1998 because of tight monetary policies implemented to keep the current account deficit in check and because of lower export earnings - the latter a product of the global financial crisis. A severe drought exacerbated the situation in 1999, reducing crop yields and causing hydroelectric shortfalls and electricity rationing, and Chile experienced negative economic growth for the first time in more than 15 years. In the years since then, growth has averaged 4% per year. Chile deepened its longstanding commitment to trade liberalization with the signing of a free trade agreement with the US, which took effect on 1 January 2004. Chile claims to have more bilateral or regional trade agreements than any other country. It has 57 such agreements (not all of them full free trade agreements), including with the European Union, Mercosur, China, India, South Korea, and Mexico. Over the past five years, foreign direct investment inflows have quadrupled to some $17 billion in 2008. The Chilean government conducts a rule-based countercyclical fiscal policy, accumulating surpluses in sovereign wealth funds during periods of high copper prices and economic growth, and allowing deficit spending only during periods of low copper prices and growth. As of September 2008, those sovereign wealth funds - kept mostly outside the country and separate from Central Bank reserves - amounted to more than $20 billion. GDP (purchasing power parity): $245.1 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 45 $237.5 billion (2007 est.) $226.8 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $169.5 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 4.7% (2007 est.) 4.6% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $14,900 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 $14,600 (2007 est.) $14,000 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 4.8% industry: 50.5% services: 44.7% (2008 est.) Labor force: 7.267 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 13.2% industry: 23% services: 63.9% (2005) Unemployment rate: 7.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 7% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 18.2% (2005) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.6% highest 10%: 41.7% (2006) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 54.9 (2003) country comparison to the world: 14 57.1 (2000) Investment (gross fixed): 24% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 Budget: revenues: $44.79 billion expenditures: $35.09 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 5.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 12.8% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 134 4.4% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 8.25% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 73 6% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 13.26% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 98 8.67% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $14.72 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 39 $16.6 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $73.66 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 25 $80.42 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $116.4 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 35 $127.1 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $132.4 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 36 $212.9 billion (31 December 2007) $174.6 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: grapes, apples, pears, onions, wheat, corn, oats, peaches, garlic, asparagus, beans; beef, poultry, wool; fish; timber Industries: copper, other minerals, foodstuffs, fish processing, iron and steel, wood and wood products, transport equipment, cement, textiles Industrial production growth rate: 0.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 Electricity - production: 60.6 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 Electricity - consumption: 57.29 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 1.628 billion kWh (2007 est.) Oil - production: 11,190 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 85 Oil - consumption: 277,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 Oil - exports: 49,250 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 Oil - imports: 311,200 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 Oil - proved reserves: 150 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 Natural gas - production: 1.65 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 Natural gas - consumption: 2.34 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 184 Natural gas - imports: 690 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 Natural gas - proved reserves: 97.97 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 Current account balance: -$3.44 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 $7.189 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $66.46 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 $67.67 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: copper, fruit, fish products, paper and pulp, chemicals, wine Exports - partners: China 14.2%, US 11.3%, Japan 10.4%, Brazil 5.9%, South Korea 5.7%, Netherlands 5.2%, Italy 4.4% (2008) Imports: $57.61 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 $44.03 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, electrical and telecommunications equipment, industrial machinery, vehicles, natural gas Imports - partners: US 19.1%, China 11.9%, Brazil 9.3%, Argentina 8.8%, South Korea 5.6%, Japan 4.6% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $23.08 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 $16.84 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $64.77 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 $55.67 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $108.3 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 33 $91.49 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $25.7 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 36 $24.68 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: Chilean pesos (CLP) per US dollar - 509.02 (2008 est.), 526.25 (2007), 530.29 (2006), 560.09 (2005), 609.37 (2004) Communications ::Chile Telephones - main lines in use: 3.526 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 43 Telephones - mobile cellular: 14.797 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 45 Telephone system: general assessment: privatization begun in 1988; most advanced telecommunications infrastructure in South America; modern system based on extensive microwave radio relay facilities; fixed-line connections have dropped in recent years as mobile-cellular usage continues to increase, reaching a level of 90 telephones per 100 persons domestic: extensive microwave radio relay links; domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations international: country code - 56; submarine cables provide links to the US and to Central and South America; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 180, FM 64, shortwave 17 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 63 (plus 121 repeaters) (1997) Internet country code: .cl Internet hosts: 877,817 (2009) country comparison to the world: 40 Internet users: 5.456 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 43 Transportation ::Chile Airports: 357 (2009) country comparison to the world: 22 Airports - with paved runways: total: 81 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 22 914 to 1,523 m: 24 under 914 m: 22 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 276 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 50 under 914 m: 212 (2009) Pipelines: gas 2,676 km; liquid petroleum gas 519 km; oil 892 km; refined products 769 km (2008) Railways: total: 5,481 km country comparison to the world: 33 broad gauge: 1,706 km 1.676-m gauge (850 km electrified) narrow gauge: 3,777 km 1.000-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 80,505 km country comparison to the world: 58 paved: 16,745 km (includes 2,414 km of expressways) unpaved: 63,760 km (2004) Merchant marine: total: 44 country comparison to the world: 75 by type: bulk carrier 9, cargo 7, chemical tanker 8, container 1, liquefied gas 2, passenger 4, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 7, roll on/roll off 1, vehicle carrier 3 registered in other countries: 40 (Argentina 7, Brazil 1, Cyprus 1, Isle of Man 6, Marshall Islands 4, Norway 2, Panama 12, Singapore 6, Venezuela 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Coronel, Huasco, Lirquen, Puerto Ventanas, San Antonio, San Vicente, Valparaiso Military ::Chile Military branches: Army of the Nation, Chilean Navy (Armada de Chile, includes naval air, marine corps, and Maritime Territory and Merchant Marine Directorate (Directemar)), Chilean Air Force (Fuerza Aerea de Chile, FACh), Carabineros Corps (Cuerpo de Carabineros) (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18-45 years of age for voluntary male and female military service, although the right to compulsory recruitment is retained; service obligation - 12 months for Army, 22 months for Navy and Air Force (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 4,242,912 females age 16-49: 4,182,509 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 3,573,165 females age 16-49: 3,523,649 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 145,766 female: 139,648 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 2.7% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 57 Transnational Issues ::Chile Disputes - international: Chile and Peru rebuff Bolivia's reinvigorated claim to restore the Atacama corridor, ceded to Chile in 1884, but Chile has offered instead unrestricted but not sovereign maritime access through Chile to Bolivian gas and other commodities; Chile rejects Peru's unilateral legislation to change its latitudinal maritime boundary with Chile to an equidistance line with a southwestern axis favoring Peru, in October 2007, Peru took its maritime complaint with Chile to the ICJ; territorial claim in Antarctica (Chilean Antarctic Territory) partially overlaps Argentine and British claims; the joint boundary commission, established by Chile and Argentina in 2001, has yet to map and demarcate the delimited boundary in the inhospitable Andean Southern Ice Field (Campo de Hielo Sur) Illicit drugs: transshipment country for cocaine destined for Europe and the region; some money laundering activity, especially through the Iquique Free Trade Zone; imported precursors passed on to Bolivia; domestic cocaine consumption is rising, making Chile a significant consumer of cocaine (2008) page last updated on November 12, 2009 ====================================================================== @China (East & Southeast Asia) Introduction ::China Background: For centuries China stood as a leading civilization, outpacing the rest of the world in the arts and sciences, but in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the country was beset by civil unrest, major famines, military defeats, and foreign occupation. After World War II, the Communists under MAO Zedong established an autocratic socialist system that, while ensuring China's sovereignty, imposed strict controls over everyday life and cost the lives of tens of millions of people. After 1978, MAO's successor DENG Xiaoping and other leaders focused on market-oriented economic development and by 2000 output had quadrupled. For much of the population, living standards have improved dramatically and the room for personal choice has expanded, yet political controls remain tight. Geography ::China Location: Eastern Asia, bordering the East China Sea, Korea Bay, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea, between North Korea and Vietnam Geographic coordinates: 35 00 N, 105 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 9,596,961 sq km country comparison to the world: 4 land: 9,569,901 sq km water: 27,060 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than the US Land boundaries: total: 22,117 km border countries: Afghanistan 76 km, Bhutan 470 km, Burma 2,185 km, India 3,380 km, Kazakhstan 1,533 km, North Korea 1,416 km, Kyrgyzstan 858 km, Laos 423 km, Mongolia 4,677 km, Nepal 1,236 km, Pakistan 523 km, Russia (northeast) 3,605 km, Russia (northwest) 40 km, Tajikistan 414 km, Vietnam 1,281 km regional borders: Hong Kong 30 km, Macau 0.34 km Coastline: 14,500 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Climate: extremely diverse; tropical in south to subarctic in north Terrain: mostly mountains, high plateaus, deserts in west; plains, deltas, and hills in east Elevation extremes: lowest point: Turpan Pendi -154 m highest point: Mount Everest 8,850 m Natural resources: coal, iron ore, petroleum, natural gas, mercury, tin, tungsten, antimony, manganese, molybdenum, vanadium, magnetite, aluminum, lead, zinc, uranium, hydropower potential (world's largest) Land use: arable land: 14.86% permanent crops: 1.27% other: 83.87% (2005) Irrigated land: 545,960 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 2,829.6 cu km (1999) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 549.76 cu km/yr (7%/26%/68%) per capita: 415 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: frequent typhoons (about five per year along southern and eastern coasts); damaging floods; tsunamis; earthquakes; droughts; land subsidence Environment - current issues: air pollution (greenhouse gases, sulfur dioxide particulates) from reliance on coal produces acid rain; water shortages, particularly in the north; water pollution from untreated wastes; deforestation; estimated loss of one-fifth of agricultural land since 1949 to soil erosion and economic development; desertification; trade in endangered species Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: world's fourth largest country (after Russia, Canada, and US); Mount Everest on the border with Nepal is the world's tallest peak People ::China Population: 1,338,612,968 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 Age structure: 0-14 years: 19.8% (male 140,877,745/female 124,290,090) 15-64 years: 72.1% (male 495,724,889/female 469,182,087) 65 years and over: 8.1% (male 51,774,115/female 56,764,042) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 34.1 years male: 33.5 years female: 34.7 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.655% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 Birth rate: 14 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 Death rate: 7.06 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 Net migration rate: -0.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 Urbanization: urban population: 43% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.1 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.13 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 20.25 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 105 male: 18.87 deaths/1,000 live births female: 21.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.47 years country comparison to the world: 105 male: 71.61 years female: 75.52 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.79 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 158 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 700,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 17 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 39,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: Japanese encephalitis and dengue fever soil contact disease: hantaviral hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) animal contact disease: rabies note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Nationality: noun: Chinese (singular and plural) adjective: Chinese Ethnic groups: Han Chinese 91.5%, Zhuang, Manchu, Hui, Miao, Uyghur, Tujia, Yi, Mongol, Tibetan, Buyi, Dong, Yao, Korean, and other nationalities 8.5% (2000 census) Religions: Daoist (Taoist), Buddhist, Christian 3%-4%, Muslim 1%-2% note: officially atheist (2002 est.) Languages: Standard Chinese or Mandarin (Putonghua, based on the Beijing dialect), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghainese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects, minority languages (see Ethnic groups entry) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 90.9% male: 95.1% female: 86.5% (2000 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 11 years (2006) Education expenditures: 1.9% of GDP (1999) country comparison to the world: 170 Government ::China Country name: conventional long form: People's Republic of China conventional short form: China local long form: Zhonghua Renmin Gongheguo local short form: Zhongguo abbreviation: PRC Government type: Communist state Capital: name: Beijing geographic coordinates: 39 55 N, 116 23 E time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) note: despite its size, all of China falls within one time zone; many people in Xinjiang Province observe an unofficial "Xinjiang timezone" of UTC+6, two hours behind Beijing Administrative divisions: 23 provinces (sheng, singular and plural), 5 autonomous regions (zizhiqu, singular and plural), and 4 municipalities (shi, singular and plural) provinces: Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Zhejiang; (see note on Taiwan) autonomous regions: Guangxi, Nei Mongol, Ningxia, Xinjiang Uygur, Xizang (Tibet) municipalities: Beijing, Chongqing, Shanghai, Tianjin note: China considers Taiwan its 23rd province; see separate entries for the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau Independence: 221 BC (unification under the Qin or Ch'in Dynasty); 1 January 1912 (Qing or Ch'ing Dynasty replaced by the Republic of China); 1 October 1949 (People's Republic of China established) National holiday: Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China, 1 October (1949) Constitution: most recent promulgation 4 December 1982 with amendments in 1988 and 1993 Legal system: based on civil law system; derived from Soviet and continental civil code legal principles; legislature retains power to interpret statutes; constitution ambiguous on judicial review of legislation; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President HU Jintao (since 15 March 2003); Vice President XI Jinping (since 15 March 2008) head of government: Premier WEN Jiabao (since 16 March 2003); Executive Vice Premier LI Keqiang (17 March 2008), Vice Premier HUI Liangyu (since 17 March 2003), Vice Premier ZHANG Deijiang (since 17 March 2008), and Vice Premier WANG Qishan (since 17 March 2008) cabinet: State Council appointed by National People's Congress elections: president and vice president elected by National People's Congress for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); elections last held 15-17 March 2008 (next to be held in mid-March 2013); premier nominated by president, confirmed by National People's Congress election results: HU Jintao elected president by National People's Congress with a total of 2,963 votes; XI Jinping elected vice president with a total of 2,919 votes Legislative branch: unicameral National People's Congress or Quanguo Renmin Daibiao Dahui (2,987 seats; members elected by municipal, regional, and provincial people's congresses, and People's Liberation Army to serve five-year terms) elections: last held December 2007-February 2008; date of next election - late 2012 to early 2013 election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - 2,987 note: only members of the CCP, its eight allied parties, and sympathetic independent candidates are elected Judicial branch: Supreme People's Court (judges appointed by the National People's Congress); Local People's Courts (comprise higher, intermediate, and basic courts); Special People's Courts (primarily military, maritime, railway transportation, and forestry courts) Political parties and leaders: Chinese Communist Party or CCP [HU Jintao]; eight registered small parties controlled by CCP Political pressure groups and leaders: the China Democracy Party; the Falungong spiritual movement note: no substantial political opposition groups exist, although the government has identified the organizations listed above as subversive groups International organization participation: ADB, AfDB (nonregional member), APEC, APT, Arctic Council (observer), ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), BIS, CDB, EAS, FAO, G-20, G-24 (observer), G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), SCO, SICA (observer), UN, UN Security Council, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNOCI, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador ZHOU Wenzhong chancery: 12 International Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 328-2500 FAX: [1] (202) 328-2582 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jon M. HUNTSMAN, Jr. embassy: 55 An Jia Lou Lu, 100600 Beijing mailing address: PSC 461, Box 50, FPO AP 96521-0002 telephone: [86] (10) 8531-3000 FAX: [86] (10) 8531-3300 consulate(s) general: Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenyang, Wuhan Flag description: red with a large yellow five-pointed star and four smaller yellow five-pointed stars (arranged in a vertical arc toward the middle of the flag) in the upper hoist-side corner Economy ::China Economy - overview: China's economy during the past 30 years has changed from a centrally planned system that was largely closed to international trade to a more market-oriented economy that has a rapidly growing private sector and is a major player in the global economy. Reforms started in the late 1970s with the phasing out of collectivized agriculture, and expanded to include the gradual liberalization of prices, fiscal decentralization, increased autonomy for state enterprises, the foundation of a diversified banking system, the development of stock markets, the rapid growth of the non-state sector, and the opening to foreign trade and investment. Annual inflows of foreign direct investment rose to nearly $84 billion in 2007. China has generally implemented reforms in a gradualist or piecemeal fashion. In recent years, China has re-invigorated its support for leading state-owned enterprises in sectors it considers important to "economic security," explicitly looking to foster globally competitive national champions. After keeping its currency tightly linked to the US dollar for years, China in July 2005 revalued its currency by 2.1% against the US dollar and moved to an exchange rate system that references a basket of currencies. Cumulative appreciation of the renminbi against the US dollar since the end of the dollar peg was more than 20% by late 2008, but the exchange rate has changed little since the onset of the global financial crisis. The restructuring of the economy and resulting efficiency gains have contributed to a more than tenfold increase in GDP since 1978. Measured on a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis that adjusts for price differences, China in 2008 stood as the second-largest economy in the world after the US, although in per capita terms the country is still lower middle-income. The Chinese government faces numerous economic development challenges, including: (a) strengthening its social safety net, including pension and health system reform, to counteract a high domestic savings rate and correspondingly low domestic demand; (b) sustaining adequate job growth for tens of millions of migrants, new entrants to the work force, and workers laid off from state-owned enterprises deemed not worth saving; (c) reducing corruption and other economic crimes; and (d) containing environmental damage and social strife related to the economy's rapid transformation. Economic development has been more rapid in coastal provinces than in the interior, and approximately 200 million rural laborers and their dependents have relocated to urban areas to find work - in recent years many have returned to their villages. One demographic consequence of the "one child" policy is that China is now one of the most rapidly aging countries in the world. Deterioration in the environment - notably air pollution, soil erosion, and the steady fall of the water table, especially in the north - is another long-term problem. China continues to lose arable land because of erosion and economic development. In 2007 China intensified government efforts to improve environmental conditions, tying the evaluation of local officials to environmental targets, publishing a national climate change policy, and establishing a high level leading group on climate change, headed by Premier WEN Jiabao. The Chinese government seeks to add energy production capacity from sources other than coal and oil. In late 2008, as China commemorated the 30th anniversary of its historic economic reforms, the global economic downturn began to slow foreign demand for Chinese exports for the first time in many years. The government vowed to continue reforming the economy and emphasized the need to increase domestic consumption in order to make China less dependent on foreign exports for GDP growth in the future. GDP (purchasing power parity): $7.992 trillion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 $7.332 trillion (2007 est.) $6.489 trillion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $4.327 trillion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 17 13% (2007 est.) 11.6% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $6,000 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 $5,500 (2007 est.) $4,900 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 11.3% industry: 48.6% services: 40.1% (2008 est.) Labor force: 807.3 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 43% industry: 25% services: 32% (2006 est.) Unemployment rate: 4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 4% (2007 est.) note: official data for urban areas only; including migrants may boost total unemployment to 9%; substantial unemployment and underemployment in rural areas Population below poverty line: 8% note: 21.5 million rural population live below the official "absolute poverty" line (approximately $90 per year); and an additional 35.5 million rural population above that but below the official "low income" line (approximately $125 per year) (2006 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.4% highest 10%: 31.4% (2004) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 47 (2007) country comparison to the world: 36 40 (2001) Investment (gross fixed): 40.5% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 Budget: revenues: $847.8 billion expenditures: $861.6 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 15.6% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 101 31.4% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 4.8% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 2.79% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 130 3.33% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 5.31% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 136 5.58% (17 December 2007) Stock of money: $2.434 trillion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 3 $2.09 trillion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $4.523 trillion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 4 $3.437 trillion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $5.555 trillion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 4 $4.653 trillion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $2.794 trillion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 $6.226 trillion (31 December 2007) $2.426 trillion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: rice, wheat, potatoes, corn, peanuts, tea, millet, barley, apples, cotton, oilseed; pork; fish Industries: mining and ore processing, iron, steel, aluminum, and other metals, coal; machine building; armaments; textiles and apparel; petroleum; cement; chemicals; fertilizers; consumer products, including footwear, toys, and electronics; food processing; transportation equipment, including automobiles, rail cars and locomotives, ships, and aircraft; telecommunications equipment, commercial space launch vehicles, satellites Industrial production growth rate: 9.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 Electricity - production: 3.041 trillion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 Electricity - consumption: 2.835 trillion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 Electricity - exports: 16.64 billion kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 3.842 billion kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 3.973 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 Oil - consumption: 7.85 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 Oil - exports: 419,200 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 Oil - imports: 4.21 million bbl/day (2007) country comparison to the world: 4 Oil - proved reserves: 16 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 13 Natural gas - production: 76.04 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 Natural gas - consumption: 77.18 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 Natural gas - exports: 3.36 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 29 Natural gas - imports: 4.5 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 Natural gas - proved reserves: 2.265 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 17 Current account balance: $426.1 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 $371.8 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $1.435 trillion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 $1.22 trillion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: electrical and other machinery, including data processing equipment, apparel, textiles, iron and steel, optical and medical equipment Exports - partners: US 17.7%, Hong Kong 13.3%, Japan 8.1%, South Korea 5.2%, Germany 4.1% (2008) Imports: $1.074 trillion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 $904.6 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: electrical and other machinery, oil and mineral fuels, optical and medical equipment, metal ores, plastics, organic chemicals Imports - partners: Japan 13.3%, South Korea 9.9%, US 7.2%, Germany 4.9% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $1.955 trillion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 $1.534 trillion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $400.6 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 $363 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $758.9 billion (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $149.3 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 $95.8 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: Renminbi yuan (RMB) per US dollar - 6.9385 (2008 est.), 7.61 (2007), 7.97 (2006), 8.1943 (2005), 8.2768 (2004) Communications ::China Telephones - main lines in use: 365.6 million (2007) country comparison to the world: 1 Telephones - mobile cellular: 634 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 1 Telephone system: general assessment: domestic and international services are increasingly available for private use; unevenly distributed domestic system serves principal cities, industrial centers, and many towns; China continues to develop its telecommunications infrastructure, and is partnering with foreign providers to expand its global reach; China in the summer of 2008 began a major restructuring of its telecommunications industry, resulting in the consolidation of its six telecom service operators to three, China Telecom, China Mobile and China Unicom, each providing both fixed-line and mobile services domestic: interprovincial fiber-optic trunk lines and cellular telephone systems have been installed; mobile-cellular subscribership is increasing rapidly; the number of Internet users exceeded 250 million by summer 2008; a domestic satellite system with 55 earth stations is in place international: country code - 86; a number of submarine cables provide connectivity to Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the US; satellite earth stations - 7 (5 Intelsat - 4 Pacific Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean; 1 Intersputnik - Indian Ocean region; and 1 Inmarsat - Pacific and Indian Ocean regions) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 369, FM 259, shortwave 45 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 3,240 (of which 209 are operated by China Central Television, 31 are provincial TV stations, and nearly 3,000 are local city stations) (1997) Internet country code: .cn Internet hosts: 14.156 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 7 Internet users: 298 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 1 Transportation ::China Airports: 482 (2009) country comparison to the world: 15 Airports - with paved runways: total: 425 over 3,047 m: 63 2,438 to 3,047 m: 132 1,524 to 2,437 m: 133 914 to 1,523 m: 25 under 914 m: 72 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 57 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 26 (2009) Heliports: 45 (2009) Pipelines: gas 28,132 km; oil 20,204 km; refined products 9,746 km (2008) Railways: total: 77,834 km country comparison to the world: 3 standard gauge: 77,084 km 1.435-m gauge (24,433 km electrified) narrow gauge: 750 km 0.750-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 1,930,544 km country comparison to the world: 3 paved: 1,575,571 km (includes 41,005 km of expressways) unpaved: 354,973 km (2005) Waterways: 110,000 km navigable (2008) country comparison to the world: 1 Merchant marine: total: 1,826 country comparison to the world: 3 by type: barge carrier 4, bulk carrier 451, cargo 689, carrier 2, chemical tanker 69, combination ore/oil 1, container 162, liquefied gas 44, passenger 8, passenger/cargo 83, petroleum tanker 244, refrigerated cargo 33, roll on/roll off 10, specialized tanker 9, vehicle carrier 17 foreign-owned: 20 (Ecuador 1, Greece 2, Hong Kong 12, Indonesia 1, Japan 2, South Korea 1, Norway 1) registered in other countries: 1,441 (Bahamas 10, Bangladesh 1, Belize 71, Bermuda 10, Bolivia 1, Cambodia 193, Cyprus 10, France 5, Georgia 10, Germany 2, Honduras 3, Hong Kong 324, India 1, Indonesia 2, Kiribati 15, South Korea 1, Liberia 11, Malta 12, Marshall Islands 7, Mongolia 1, Norway 36, Panama 532, Philippines 4, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 94, Sierra Leone 15, Singapore 14, Thailand 1, Tuvalu 16, unknown 39) (2008) Ports and terminals: Dalian, Guangzhou, Ningbo, Qingdao, Qinhuangdao, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Tianjin Military ::China Military branches: People's Liberation Army (PLA): Ground Forces, Navy (includes marines and naval aviation), Air Force (includes airborne forces), and Second Artillery Corps (strategic missile force); People's Armed Police (PAP); PLA Reserve Force (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18-22 years of age for selective compulsory military service, with 24-month service obligation; no minimum age for voluntary service (all officers are volunteers); 18-19 years of age for women high school graduates who meet requirements for specific military jobs (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 375,009,345 females age 16-49: 354,314,328 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 314,459,083 females age 16-49: 296,763,134 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 10,621,373 female: 9,533,880 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 4.3% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 25 Transnational Issues ::China Disputes - international: continuing talks and confidence-building measures work toward reducing tensions over Kashmir that nonetheless remains militarized with portions under the de facto administration of China (Aksai Chin), India (Jammu and Kashmir), and Pakistan (Azad Kashmir and Northern Areas); India does not recognize Pakistan's ceding historic Kashmir lands to China in 1964; China and India continue their security and foreign policy dialogue started in 2005 related to the dispute over most of their rugged, militarized boundary, regional nuclear proliferation, and other matters; China claims most of India's Arunachal Pradesh to the base of the Himalayas; lacking any treaty describing the boundary, Bhutan and China continue negotiations to establish a common boundary alignment to resolve territorial disputes due to cartographic discrepancies; Chinese maps show an international boundary symbol off the coasts of the littoral states of the South China Seas, where China has interrupted Vietnamese hydrocarbon exploration; China asserts sovereignty over the Spratly Islands together with Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" eased tensions in the Spratly's but is not the legally binding "code of conduct" sought by some parties; Vietnam and China continue to expand construction of facilities in the Spratly's and in March 2005, the national oil companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam signed a joint accord on marine seismic activities in the Spratly Islands; China occupies some of the Paracel Islands also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan; China and Taiwan continue to reject both Japan's claims to the uninhabited islands of Senkaku-shoto (Diaoyu Tai) and Japan's unilaterally declared equidistance line in the East China Sea, the site of intensive hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation; certain islands in the Yalu and Tumen rivers are in dispute with North Korea; North Korea and China seek to stem illegal migration to China by North Koreans, fleeing privations and oppression, by building a fence along portions of the border and imprisoning North Koreans deported by China; China and Russia have demarcated the once disputed islands at the Amur and Ussuri confluence and in the Argun River in accordance with their 2004 Agreement; China and Tajikistan have begun demarcating the revised boundary agreed to in the delimitation of 2002; the decade-long demarcation of the China-Vietnam land boundary is expected to be completed by the end of 2008, while the maritime boundary delimitation and fisheries agreements in the Gulf of Tonkin, ratified in June 2004, have been implemented; citing environmental, cultural, and social concerns, China has reconsidered construction of 13 dams on the Salween River, but energy-starved Burma, with backing from Thailand, remains intent on building five hydro-electric dams downstream despite regional and international protests; Chinese and Hong Kong authorities met in March 2008 to resolve ownership and use of lands recovered in Shenzhen River channelization, including 96-hectare Lok Ma Chau Loop; Hong Kong developing plans to reduce 2,000 out of 2,800 hectares of its restricted Closed Area by 2010 Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 300,897 (Vietnam); estimated 30,000-50,000 (North Korea) IDPs: 90,000 (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: China is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor; the majority of trafficking in China occurs within the country's borders, but there is also considerable international trafficking of Chinese citizens to Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and North America; Chinese women are lured abroad through false promises of legitimate employment, only to be forced into commercial sexual exploitation, largely in Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan; women and children are trafficked to China from Mongolia, Burma, North Korea, Russia, and Vietnam for forced labor, marriage, and prostitution; some North Korean women and children seeking to leave their country voluntarily cross the border into China and are then sold into prostitution, marriage, or forced labor tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - China is on the Tier 2 Watch List for the fourth consecutive year for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking, particularly in terms of punishment of trafficking crimes and the protection of Chinese and foreign victims of trafficking; victims are sometimes punished for unlawful acts that were committed as a direct result of their being trafficked, such as violations of prostitution or immigration/emigration controls; the Chinese Government continued to treat North Korean victims of trafficking solely as economic migrants, routinely deporting them back to horrendous conditions in North Korea; additional challenges facing the Chinese Government include the enormous size of its trafficking problem and the significant level of corruption and complicity in trafficking by some local government officials (2008) Illicit drugs: major transshipment point for heroin produced in the Golden Triangle region of Southeast Asia; growing domestic consumption of synthetic drugs, and heroin from Southeast and Southwest Asia; source country for methamphetamine and heroin chemical precursors, despite new regulations on its large chemical industry (2008) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Christmas Island (Australia-Oceania) Introduction ::Christmas Island Background: Named in 1643 for the day of its discovery, the island was annexed and settlement began by the UK in 1888. Phosphate mining began in the 1890s. The UK transferred sovereignty to Australia in 1958. Almost two-thirds of the island has been declared a national park. Geography ::Christmas Island Location: Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia Geographic coordinates: 10 30 S, 105 40 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 135 sq km country comparison to the world: 221 land: 135 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: about three-quarters the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 138.9 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical with a wet season (December to April) and dry season; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds Terrain: steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Murray Hill 361 m Natural resources: phosphate, beaches Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (mainly tropical rainforest; 63% of the island is a national park) (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard Environment - current issues: loss of rainforest; impact of phosphate mining Geography - note: located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean People ::Christmas Island Population: 1,402 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 233 Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Population growth rate: 0% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 202 Birth rate: NA Death rate: NA Net migration rate: NA Sex ratio: NA (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: NA male: NA female: NA Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA male: NA female: NA Total fertility rate: NA HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Christmas Islander(s) adjective: Christmas Island Ethnic groups: Chinese 70%, European 20%, Malay 10% note: no indigenous population (2001) Religions: Buddhist 36%, Muslim 25%, Christian 18%, other 21% (1997) Languages: English (official), Chinese, Malay Literacy: NA Government ::Christmas Island Country name: conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Island conventional short form: Christmas Island Dependency status: non-self governing territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Government Attorney-General's Department Government type: NA Capital: name: The Settlement geographic coordinates: 10 25 S, 105 43 E time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia) Independence: none (territory of Australia) National holiday: Australia Day, 26 January (1788) Constitution: Christmas Island Act of 1958-59 (1 October 1958) as amended by the Territories Law Reform Act of 1992 Legal system: under the authority of the governor general of Australia and Australian law Suffrage: 18 years of age Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) represented by the Australian governor general head of government: Administrator Brian LACY (since 5 October 2009) elections: the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia Legislative branch: unicameral Christmas Island Shire Council (9 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: held every two years with half the members standing for election; last held 20 October 2007 (next to be held in 2009) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 9 Judicial branch: Supreme Court; District Court; Magistrate's Court Political parties and leaders: none Political pressure groups and leaders: none International organization participation: none Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of Australia) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of Australia) Flag description: territorial flag; divided diagonally from upper hoist to lower fly; the upper triangle is green with a yellow image of the Golden Bosun Bird superimposed, the lower triangle is blue with the Southern Cross constellation, representing Australia, superimposed; a centered yellow disk displays a green map of the island note: the flag of Australia is used for official purposes Economy ::Christmas Island Economy - overview: Phosphate mining had been the only significant economic activity, but in December 1987 the Australian government closed the mine. In 1991, the mine was reopened. With the support of the government, a $34 million casino opened in 1993, but closed in 1998. The Australian government in 2001 agreed to support the creation of a commercial space-launching site on the island expected to begin operations in the near future. GDP (purchasing power parity): $NA Labor force: NA Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA Agriculture - products: NA Industries: tourism, phosphate extraction (near depletion) Exports: $NA Exports - commodities: phosphate Imports: $NA Imports - commodities: consumer goods Exchange rates: Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.2059 (2008 est.), 1.2137 (2007), 1.3285 (2006), 1.3095 (2005), 1.3598 (2004) Communications ::Christmas Island Telephones - main lines in use: NA Telephone system: general assessment: service provided by the Australian network domestic: GSM mobile telephone service replaced older analog system in February 2005 international: country code - 61-8; satellite earth station - 1 (Intelsat provides telephone and telex service) (2005) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2006) Television broadcast stations: 0 (TV broadcasts received via satellite from mainland Australia) (2006) Internet country code: .cx Internet hosts: 2,598 (2009) country comparison to the world: 145 Internet users: 464 (2001) country comparison to the world: 216 Transportation ::Christmas Island Airports: 1 (2009) country comparison to the world: 222 Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Roadways: total: 140 km country comparison to the world: 209 paved: 30 km unpaved: 110 km (2007) Ports and terminals: Flying Fish Cove Military ::Christmas Island Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Australia Transnational Issues ::Christmas Island Disputes - international: none page last updated on October 29, 2009 ====================================================================== @Clipperton Island (North America) Introduction ::Clipperton Island Background: This isolated island was named for John CLIPPERTON, a pirate who made it his hideout early in the 18th century. Annexed by France in 1855, it was seized by Mexico in 1897. Arbitration eventually awarded the island to France, which took possession in 1935. Geography ::Clipperton Island Location: Middle America, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, 1,120 km southwest of Mexico Geographic coordinates: 10 17 N, 109 13 W Map references: Political Map of the World Area: total: 6 sq km country comparison to the world: 243 land: 6 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: about 12 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 11.1 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; humid, average temperature 20-32 degrees C, wet season (May to October) Terrain: coral atoll Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Rocher Clipperton 29 m Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all coral) (2005) Irrigated land: 0 sq km Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: reef 12 km in circumference People ::Clipperton Island Population: uninhabited Government ::Clipperton Island Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Clipperton Island local long form: none local short form: Ile Clipperton former: sometimes called Ile de la Passion Dependency status: possession of France; administered directly by the Minister of Overseas France Legal system: the laws of France, where applicable, apply Flag description: the flag of France is used Economy ::Clipperton Island Economy - overview: Although 115 species of fish have been identified in the territorial waters of Clipperton Island, the only economic activity is tuna fishing. Transportation ::Clipperton Island Ports and terminals: none; offshore anchorage only Military ::Clipperton Island Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France Transnational Issues ::Clipperton Island Disputes - international: none page last updated on July 2, 2009 ====================================================================== @Cocos (Keeling) Islands (Australia-Oceania) Introduction ::Cocos (Keeling) Islands Background: There are 27 coral islands in the group. Captain William KEELING discovered the islands in 1609, but they remained uninhabited until the 19th century. From the 1820s to 1978, members of the CLUNIE-ROSS family controlled the islands and the copra produced from local coconuts. Annexed by the UK in 1857, the Cocos Islands were transferred to the Australian Government in 1955. The population on the two inhabited islands generally is split between the ethnic Europeans on West Island and the ethnic Malays on Home Island. Geography ::Cocos (Keeling) Islands Location: Southeastern Asia, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Indonesia, about halfway from Australia to Sri Lanka Geographic coordinates: 12 30 S, 96 50 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 14 sq km country comparison to the world: 239 land: 14 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes the two main islands of West Island and Home Island Area - comparative: about 24 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 26 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical with high humidity, moderated by the southeast trade winds for about nine months of the year Terrain: flat, low-lying coral atolls Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 5 m Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: cyclone season is October to April Environment - current issues: fresh water resources are limited to rainwater accumulations in natural underground reservoirs Geography - note: islands are thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation; site of a World War I naval battle in November 1914 between the Australian light cruiser HMAS Sydney and the German raider SMS Emden; after being heavily damaged in the engagement, the Emden was beached by her captain on North Keeling Island People ::Cocos (Keeling) Islands Population: 596 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 236 Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Population growth rate: 0% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 200 Birth rate: NA Death rate: NA Net migration rate: NA Infant mortality rate: total: NA male: NA female: NA Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA male: NA female: NA Total fertility rate: NA HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Cocos Islander(s) adjective: Cocos Islander Ethnic groups: Europeans, Cocos Malays Religions: Sunni Muslim 80%, other 20% (2002 est.) Languages: Malay (Cocos dialect), English Literacy: NA Government ::Cocos (Keeling) Islands Country name: conventional long form: Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands conventional short form: Cocos (Keeling) Islands Dependency status: non-self governing territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Government Attorney-General's Department Government type: NA Capital: name: West Island geographic coordinates: 12 10 S, 96 50 E time difference: UTC+6.5 (11.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia) Independence: none (territory of Australia) National holiday: Australia Day, 26 January (1788) Constitution: Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act of 1955 (23 November 1955) as amended by the Territories Law Reform Act of 1992 Legal system: based upon the laws of Australia and local laws Suffrage: 18 years of age Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by the Australian governor general head of government: Administrator (nonresident) Brian LACY (since 5 October 2009) cabinet: NA elections: the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia Legislative branch: unicameral Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire Council (7 seats) elections: held every two years with half the members standing for election; last held in May 2007 (next to be held in May 2009) Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Magistrate's Court Political parties and leaders: none Political pressure groups and leaders: The Cocos Islands Youth Support Centre International organization participation: none 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 Economy ::Cocos (Keeling) Islands Economy - overview: Grown throughout the islands, coconuts are the sole cash crop. Small local gardens and fishing contribute to the food supply, but additional food and most other necessities must be imported from Australia. There is a small tourist industry. GDP (purchasing power parity): $NA Labor force: NA Labor force - by occupation: note: the Cocos Islands Cooperative Society Ltd. employs construction workers, stevedores, and lighterage workers; tourism employs others Unemployment rate: 60% (2000 est.) country comparison to the world: 195 Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA Agriculture - products: vegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconuts Industries: copra products and tourism Exports: $NA Exports - commodities: copra Imports: $NA Imports - commodities: foodstuffs Exchange rates: Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.2059 (2008 est.), 1.2137 (2007), 1.3285 (2006), 1.3095 (2005), 1.3598 (2004) Communications ::Cocos (Keeling) Islands Telephones - main lines in use: 287 (1992) country comparison to the world: 229 Telephone system: general assessment: connected within Australia's telecommunication system; a local mobile-cellular network is in operation domestic: NA international: country code - 61; telephone, telex, and facsimile communications with Australia and elsewhere via satellite; satellite earth station - 1 (Intelsat) (2001) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2004) Television broadcast stations: 4 (2007) Internet country code: .cc Transportation ::Cocos (Keeling) Islands Airports: 1 (2009) country comparison to the world: 234 Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Roadways: total: 22 km country comparison to the world: 218 paved: 10 km unpaved: 12 km (2006) Ports and terminals: Port Refuge Military ::Cocos (Keeling) Islands Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Australia; the territory has a five-person police force Transnational Issues ::Cocos (Keeling) Islands Disputes - international: none page last updated on October 29, 2009 ====================================================================== @Colombia (South America) Introduction ::Colombia Background: Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others are Ecuador and Venezuela). A four-decade long conflict between government forces and anti-government insurgent groups, principally the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) heavily funded by the drug trade, escalated during the 1990s. The insurgents lack the military or popular support necessary to overthrow the government and violence has been decreasing since about 2002, but insurgents continue attacks against civilians and large areas of the countryside are under guerrilla influence or are contested by security forces. More than 31,000 former paramilitaries had demobilized by the end of 2006 and the United Self Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) as a formal organization had ceased to function. In the wake of the paramilitary demobilization, emerging criminal groups arose, whose members include some former paramilitaries. The Colombian Government has stepped up efforts to reassert government control throughout the country, and now has a presence in every one of its administrative departments. However, neighboring countries worry about the violence spilling over their borders. Geography ::Colombia Location: Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama Geographic coordinates: 4 00 N, 72 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 1,138,914 sq km country comparison to the world: 26 land: 1,109,104 sq km water: 100,210 sq km note: includes Isla de Malpelo, Roncador Cay, and Serrana Bank Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Texas Land boundaries: total: 6,309 km border countries: Brazil 1,644 km, Ecuador 590 km, Panama 225 km, Peru 1,800 km, Venezuela 2,050 km Coastline: 3,208 km (Caribbean Sea 1,760 km, North Pacific Ocean 1,448 km) Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands Terrain: flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains, eastern lowland plains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Pico Cristobal Colon 5,775 m note: nearby Pico Simon Bolivar also has the same elevation Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold, copper, emeralds, hydropower Land use: arable land: 2.01% permanent crops: 1.37% other: 96.62% (2005) Irrigated land: 9,000 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 2,132 cu km (2000) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 10.71 cu km/yr (50%/4%/46%) per capita: 235 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; occasional earthquakes; periodic droughts Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil and water quality damage from overuse of pesticides; air pollution, especially in Bogota, from vehicle emissions Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Geography - note: only South American country with coastlines on both the North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea People ::Colombia Population: 45,644,023 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 Age structure: 0-14 years: 28.9% (male 6,679,701/female 6,522,976) 15-64 years: 65.4% (male 14,571,536/female 15,297,179) 65 years and over: 5.6% (male 1,103,391/female 1,469,240) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 27.1 years male: 26.1 years female: 28 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.377% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 Birth rate: 19.57 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 Death rate: 5.54 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 175 Net migration rate: -0.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 Urbanization: urban population: 74% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 18.9 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 108 male: 22.53 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.14 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.81 years country comparison to the world: 114 male: 68.98 years female: 76.76 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.46 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.6% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 170,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 9,800 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 33 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and yellow fever water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009) Nationality: noun: Colombian(s) adjective: Colombian Ethnic groups: mestizo 58%, white 20%, mulatto 14%, black 4%, mixed black-Amerindian 3%, Amerindian 1% Religions: Roman Catholic 90%, other 10% Languages: Spanish Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 90.4% male: 90.1% female: 90.7% (2005 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 13 years (2006) Education expenditures: 4.7% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 80 Government ::Colombia Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Colombia conventional short form: Colombia local long form: Republica de Colombia local short form: Colombia Government type: republic; executive branch dominates government structure Capital: name: Bogota geographic coordinates: 4 36 N, 74 05 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 32 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1 capital district* (distrito capital); Amazonas, Antioquia, Arauca, Atlantico, Bogota*, Bolivar, Boyaca, Caldas, Caqueta, Casanare, Cauca, Cesar, Choco, Cordoba, Cundinamarca, Guainia, Guaviare, Huila, La Guajira, Magdalena, Meta, Narino, Norte de Santander, Putumayo, Quindio, Risaralda, San Andres y Providencia, Santander, Sucre, Tolima, Valle del Cauca, Vaupes, Vichada Independence: 20 July 1810 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 20 July (1810) Constitution: 5 July 1991; amended many times Legal system: based on Spanish law; a new criminal code modeled after US procedures was enacted into law in 2004 and reached full implementation in January 2008; judicial review of executive and legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Alvaro URIBE Velez (since 7 August 2002); Vice President Francisco SANTOS Calderon (since 7 August 2002); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Alvaro URIBE Velez (since 7 August 2002); Vice President Francisco SANTOS Calderon (since 7 August 2002) cabinet: Cabinet consists of a coalition of the three largest parties that supported President URIBE's reelection - the PSUN, PC, and CR - and independents elections: president and vice president elected by popular vote for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 28 May 2006 (next to be held in May 2010) election results: President Alvaro URIBE Velez reelected president; percent of vote - Alvaro URIBE Velez 62%, Carlos GAVIRIA Diaz 22%, Horacio SERPA Uribe 12%, other 4% Legislative branch: bicameral Congress or Congreso consists of the Senate or Senado (102 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (166 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 12 March 2006 (next to be held in March 2010); House of Representatives - last held 12 March 2006 (next to be held in March 2010) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PSUN 20, PC 18, PL 18, CR 15, PDI 10, other parties 21; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PL 35, PSUN 33, PC 29, CR 20, PDA 8, other parties 41 Judicial branch: four roughly coequal, supreme judicial organs; Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (highest court of criminal law; judges are selected by their peers from the nominees of the Superior Judicial Council for eight-year terms); Council of State (highest court of administrative law; judges are selected from the nominees of the Superior Judicial Council for eight-year terms); Constitutional Court (guards integrity and supremacy of the constitution; rules on constitutionality of laws, amendments to the constitution, and international treaties); Superior Judicial Council (administers and disciplines the civilian judiciary; resolves jurisdictional conflicts arising between other courts; members are elected by three sister courts and Congress for eight-year terms) Political parties and leaders: Colombian Conservative Party or PC [Efrain Jose CEPEDA Sarabia]; Alternative Democratic Pole or PDA [Carlos GAVIRIA Diaz]; Liberal Party or PL [Cesar GAVIRIA Trujillo]; Radical Change or CR [German VARGAS Lleras]; Social National Unity Party or U Party [Carlos FERRO Solanilla] note: Colombia has 15 formally recognized political parties, and numerous unofficial parties that did not meet the vote threshold in the March 2006 legislative elections required for recognition Political pressure groups and leaders: National Liberation Army or ELN; Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia or FARC note: two largest insurgent groups active in Colombia International organization participation: BCIE, CAN, Caricom (observer), CDB, FAO, G-3, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Carolina BARCO Isakson chancery: 2118 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 387-8338 FAX: [1] (202) 232-8643 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Washington, DC Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador William R. BROWNFIELD embassy: Calle 24 Bis No. 48-50, Bogota, D.C. mailing address: Carrera 45 No. 24B-27, Bogota, D.C. telephone: [57] (1) 315-0811 FAX: [57] (1) 315-2197 Flag description: three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue, and red note: similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is longer and bears the Ecuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the center Economy ::Colombia Economy - overview: Colombia has experienced accelerating growth between 2002 and 2007, with expansion above 7% in 2007, chiefly due to advancements in domestic security, to rising commodity prices, and to President URIBE's promarket economic policies. Colombia's sustained growth helped reduce poverty by 20% and cut unemployment by 25% since 2002. Additionally, investor friendly reforms to Colombia's hydrocarbon sector and the US-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (CTPA) negotiations have attracted record levels of foreign investment. Inequality, underemployment,and narcotrafficking remain significant challenges, and Colombia's infrastructure requires significant updating in order to sustain expansion. Economic growth slipped in 2008 as a result of the global financial crisis and weakening demand for Colombia's exports. In response, URIBE's administration has cut capital controls, arranged for emergency credit lines from multilateral institutions, and promoted investment incentives such as Colombia's modernized free trade zone mechanism, legal stability contracts, and new bilateral investment treaties and trade agreements. The government has also encouraged exporters to diversify their customer base away from the United States and Venezuela, Colombia's largest trading partners. Nevertheless, the business sector continues to be concerned about the impact of a global recession on Colombia's exports, as well as the approval of the CTPA, which is stalled in the US Congress. GDP (purchasing power parity): $396 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 $386.7 billion (2007 est.) $359.7 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $240.8 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 7.5% (2007 est.) 6.9% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $9,200 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 $9,100 (2007 est.) $8,600 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 9% industry: 38.1% services: 52.9% (2008 est.) Labor force: 21.3 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 22.4% industry: 18.8% services: 58.8% (2005 est.) Unemployment rate: 11.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 11.2% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 49.2% (2005) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.8% highest 10%: 45.9% (2006) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 53.8 (2005) country comparison to the world: 15 57.1 (1996) Investment (gross fixed): 24.3% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 Budget: revenues: $83.22 billion expenditures: $82.92 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2008 est.) Public debt: 42.6% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 51.8% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 116 5.5% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 11.5% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 30 11.5% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 17.18% (31 December 2008) Stock of money: $21.58 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 35 $21.81 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $26.57 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 39 $27.25 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $89.69 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 39 $85.34 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $87.03 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 48 $102 billion (31 December 2007) $56.2 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: coffee, cut flowers, bananas, rice, tobacco, corn, sugarcane, cocoa beans, oilseed, vegetables; forest products; shrimp Industries: textiles, food processing, oil, clothing and footwear, beverages, chemicals, cement; gold, coal, emeralds Industrial production growth rate: 0.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 Electricity - production: 50.58 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 Electricity - consumption: 38.59 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 Electricity - exports: 876.7 million kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 39.4 million kWh (2007 est.) Oil - production: 600,600 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 Oil - consumption: 291,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 Oil - exports: 294,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 Oil - imports: 16,540 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 Oil - proved reserves: 1.355 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 Natural gas - production: 9 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 Natural gas - consumption: 8.1 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 Natural gas - exports: 900 million cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 36 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 188 Natural gas - proved reserves: 105.9 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 Current account balance: -$6.712 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 166 -$5.838 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $38.53 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 59 $30.58 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: petroleum, coffee, coal, nickel, emeralds, apparel, bananas, cut flowers Exports - partners: US 38%, Venezuela 16.2%, Ecuador 4% (2008) Imports: $37.56 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 $31.17 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: industrial equipment, transportation equipment, consumer goods, chemicals, paper products, fuels, electricity Imports - partners: US 29.2%, China 11.5%, Mexico 7.9%, Brazil 5.9% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $23.67 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 $20.95 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $46.38 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 56 $44.55 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $67.23 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 $56.45 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $13.18 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 $10.93 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: Colombian pesos (COP) per US dollar - 2,243.6 (2008), 2,013.8 (2007), 2,358.6 (2006), 2,320.75 (2005), 2,628.61 (2004) Communications ::Colombia Telephones - main lines in use: 6.82 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 27 Telephones - mobile cellular: 41.365 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 27 Telephone system: general assessment: modern system in many respects; telecommunications sector liberalized during the 1990s; multiple providers of both fixed-line and mobile-cellular services; fixed-line connections stand at about 15 per 100 persons; mobile cellular telephone subscribership is about 90 per 100 persons; competition among cellular service providers is resulting in falling local and international calling rates and contributing to the steep decline in the market share of fixed line services domestic: nationwide microwave radio relay system; domestic satellite system with 41 earth stations; fiber-optic network linking 50 cities international: country code - 57; submarine cables provide links to the US, parts of the Caribbean, and Central and South America; satellite earth stations - 10 (6 Intelsat, 1 Inmarsat, 3 fully digitalized international switching centers) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 454, FM 34, shortwave 27 (1999) Television broadcast stations: 60 (1997) Internet country code: .co Internet hosts: 2.217 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 30 Internet users: 17.117 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 21 Transportation ::Colombia Airports: 992 (2009) country comparison to the world: 7 Airports - with paved runways: total: 116 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 40 914 to 1,523 m: 50 under 914 m: 15 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 876 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 35 914 to 1,523 m: 228 under 914 m: 612 (2009) Heliports: 2 (2009) Pipelines: gas 4,560 km; oil 6,094 km; refined products 3,383 km (2008) Railways: total: 3,802 km country comparison to the world: 45 standard gauge: 150 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 3,652 km 0.914-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 164,257 km (2005) country comparison to the world: 31 Waterways: 18,000 km (2008) country comparison to the world: 6 Merchant marine: total: 17 country comparison to the world: 100 by type: cargo 13, petroleum tanker 3, specialized tanker 1 registered in other countries: 6 (Antigua and Barbuda 2, Panama 4) (2008) Ports and terminals: Barranquilla, Buenaventura, Cartagena, Santa Marta, Turbo Military ::Colombia Military branches: National Army (Ejercito Nacional), National Navy (Armada Nacional, includes Naval Aviation, Naval Infantry (Infanteria de Marina, IM), and Coast Guard), Colombian Air Force (Fuerza Aerea de Colombia, FAC) (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18-24 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; service obligation - 18 months (2004) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 11,478,109 females age 16-49: 11,809,279 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 8,212,944 females age 16-49: 10,045,435 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 446,432 female: 437,164 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 3.4% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 Transnational Issues ::Colombia Disputes - international: in December 2007, ICJ allocates San Andres, Providencia, and Santa Catalina islands to Colombia under 1928 Treaty but does not rule on 82 degrees W meridian as maritime boundary with Nicaragua; managed dispute with Venezuela over maritime boundary and Venezuelan-administered Los Monjes Islands near the Gulf of Venezuela; Colombian-organized illegal narcotics, guerrilla, and paramilitary activities penetrate all neighboring borders and have caused Colombian citizens to flee mostly into neighboring countries; Colombia, Honduras, Nicaragua, Jamaica, and the US assert various claims to Bajo Nuevo and Serranilla Bank Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs: 1.8-3.5 million (conflict between government and illegal armed groups and drug traffickers) (2007) Illicit drugs: illicit producer of coca, opium poppy, and cannabis; world's leading coca cultivator with 167,000 hectares in coca cultivation in 2007, a 6% increase over 2006, producing a potential of 535 mt of pure cocaine; the world's largest producer of coca derivatives; supplies cocaine to nearly all of the US market and the great majority of other international drug markets; in 2005, aerial eradication dispensed herbicide to treat over 130,000 hectares but aggressive replanting on the part of coca growers means Colombia remains a key producer; a significant portion of narcotics proceeds are either laundered or invested in Colombia through the black market peso exchange; important supplier of heroin to the US market; opium poppy cultivation is estimated to have fallen 25% between 2006 and 2007; most Colombian heroin is destined for the US market (2008) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Comoros (Africa) Introduction ::Comoros Background: Comoros has endured more than 20 coups or attempted coups since gaining independence from France in 1975. In 1997, the islands of Anjouan and Moheli declared independence from Comoros. In 1999, military chief Col. AZALI seized power in a bloodless coup, and helped negotiate the 2000 Fomboni Accords power-sharing agreement in which the federal presidency rotates among the three islands, and each island maintains its own local government. AZALI won the 2002 Presidential election, and each island in the archipelago elected its own president. AZALI stepped down in 2006 and President SAMBI was elected to office. In 2007, BACAR effected Anjouan's de-facto secession from the Union, refusing to step down in favor of fresh Anjouanais elections when Comoros' other islands held legitimate elections in July. The African Union (AU) initially attempted to resolve the political crisis by applying sanctions and a naval blockade on Anjouan, but in March 2008, AU and Comoran soldiers seized the island. The move was generally welcomed by the island's inhabitants. Geography ::Comoros Location: Southern Africa, group of islands at the northern mouth of the Mozambique Channel, about two-thirds of the way between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique Geographic coordinates: 12 10 S, 44 15 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 2,235 sq km country comparison to the world: 179 land: 2,235 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than 12 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 340 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical marine; rainy season (November to May) Terrain: volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Le Karthala 2,360 m Natural resources: NEGL Land use: arable land: 35.87% permanent crops: 23.32% other: 40.81% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Total renewable water resources: 1.2 cu km (2003) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.01 cu km/yr (48%/5%/47%) per capita: 13 cu m/yr (1999) Natural hazards: cyclones possible during rainy season (December to April); Le Karthala on Grand Comore is an active volcano Environment - current issues: soil degradation and erosion results from crop cultivation on slopes without proper terracing; deforestation Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel People ::Comoros Population: 752,438 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 161 Age structure: 0-14 years: 42.2% (male 159,282/female 158,073) 15-64 years: 54.8% (male 203,533/female 208,591) 65 years and over: 3.1% (male 10,474/female 12,485) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 18.8 years male: 18.5 years female: 19.1 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 2.766% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 Birth rate: 35.23 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 36 Death rate: 7.57 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 28% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 66.57 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 30 male: 74.5 deaths/1,000 live births female: 58.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63.47 years country comparison to the world: 171 male: 61.07 years female: 65.94 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.84 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 33 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 163 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Comoran(s) adjective: Comoran Ethnic groups: Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava Religions: Sunni Muslim 98%, Roman Catholic 2% Languages: Arabic (official), French (official), Shikomoro (a blend of Swahili and Arabic) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 56.5% male: 63.6% female: 49.3% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 8 years male: 9 years female: 7 years (2004) Education expenditures: 3.8% of GDP (2002) country comparison to the world: 120 Government ::Comoros Country name: conventional long form: Union of the Comoros conventional short form: Comoros local long form: Udzima wa Komori (Comorian); Union des Comores (French); Jumhuriyat al Qamar al Muttahidah (Arabic) local short form: Komori (Comorian); Comores (French); Juzur al Qamar (Arabic) Government type: republic Capital: name: Moroni geographic coordinates: 11 42 S, 43 14 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 3 islands and 4 municipalities*; Grande Comore (N'gazidja), Anjouan (Ndzuwani), Domoni*, Fomboni*, Moheli (Mwali), Moroni*, Moutsamoudou* Independence: 6 July 1975 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 6 July (1975) Constitution: 23 December 2001 Legal system: French and Islamic law in a new consolidated code; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Ahmed Abdallah SAMBI (since 26 May 2006) head of government: President Ahmed Abdallah SAMBI (since 26 May 2006) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: as defined by the 2001 constitution, the presidency rotates every four years among the elected presidents from the three main islands in the Union; election last held 14 May 2006 (next to be held in 2011) election results: Ahmed Abdallah SAMBI elected president; percent of vote - Ahmed Abdallah SAMBI 58.0%, Ibrahim HALIDI 28.3%, Mohamed DJAANFAMI 13.7% Legislative branch: unicameral Assembly of the Union (33 seats; 15 deputies are selected by the individual islands' local assemblies and 18 by universal suffrage; to serve for five years); elections: last held 18 and 25 April 2004 (next to be held on 2 August 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CdIA 12, CRC 6; note - 15 additional seats are filled by deputies from local island assemblies Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Cour Supremes (two members appointed by the president, two members elected by the Federal Assembly, one elected by the Council of each island, and others are former presidents of the republic) Political parties and leaders: Convention for the Renewal of the Comoros or CRC [AZALI Assowmani]; Camp of the Autonomous Islands or CdIA (a coalition of parties organized by the islands' presidents in opposition to the Union President); Front National pour la Justice or FNJ [Ahmed RACHID] (Islamic party in opposition); Mouvement pour la Democratie et le Progress or MDP-NGDC [Abbas DJOUSSOUF]; Parti Comorien pour la Democratie et le Progress or PCDP [Ali MROUDJAE]; Rassemblement National pour le Development or RND [Omar TAMOU, Abdoulhamid AFFRAITANE] Political pressure groups and leaders: other: environmentalists International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AMF, AU, COMESA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Representative to the UN and Ambassador to the US Mohamed TOIHIRI chancery: Mission to the US, 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 418, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 750-1637 Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Comoros; the ambassador to Madagascar is accredited to Comoros Flag description: four equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), white, red, and blue, with a green isosceles triangle based on the hoist; centered within the triangle is a white crescent with the convex side facing the hoist and four white, five-pointed stars placed vertically in a line between the points of the crescent; the horizontal bands and the four stars represent the four main islands of the archipelago - Mwali, N'gazidja, Nzwani, and Mahore (Mayotte - territorial collectivity of France, but claimed by Comoros) note: the crescent, stars, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam Economy ::Comoros Economy - overview: One of the world's poorest countries, Comoros is made up of three islands that have inadequate transportation links, a young and rapidly increasing population, and few natural resources. The low educational level of the labor force contributes to a subsistence level of economic activity, high unemployment, and a heavy dependence on foreign grants and technical assistance. Agriculture, including fishing, hunting, and forestry, contributes 40% to GDP, employs 80% of the labor force, and provides most of the exports. The country is not self-sufficient in food production; rice, the main staple, accounts for the bulk of imports. The government - which is hampered by internal political disputes - is struggling to upgrade education and technical training, privatize commercial and industrial enterprises, improve health services, diversify exports, promote tourism, and reduce the high population growth rate. The political problems have inhibited growth, which has averaged only about 1% in 2006-08. Remittances from 150,000 Comorans abroad help supplement GDP. GDP (purchasing power parity): $741.7 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 208 $738 million (2007 est.) $745.5 million (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $532 million (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 0.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 191 -1% (2007 est.) 1.3% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $1,000 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 211 $1,000 (2007 est.) $1,100 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 40% industry: 4% services: 56% (2001 est.) Labor force: 268,500 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 160 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 80% industry and services: 20% (1996 est.) Unemployment rate: 20% (1996 est.) country comparison to the world: 164 Population below poverty line: 60% (2002 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $27.6 million expenditures: $NA (2001 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 Central bank discount rate: 5.36% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 80 5.36% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 7% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 79 10.5% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $100.6 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 113 $76.68 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $41.74 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 124 $23.39 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $79.52 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 125 $45.09 million (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: vanilla, cloves, ylang-ylang, perfume essences, copra, coconuts, bananas, cassava (tapioca) Industries: fishing, tourism, perfume distillation Industrial production growth rate: -2% (1999 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 Electricity - production: 22 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 204 Electricity - consumption: 20.46 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 204 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 198 Oil - consumption: 1,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 201 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 Oil - imports: 766.2 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 192 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 196 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 196 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 197 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 181 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 189 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 194 Current account balance: $8 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 Exports: $32 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 201 Exports - commodities: vanilla, ylang-ylang (perfume essence), cloves, copra Exports - partners: France 27.1%, Turkey 15.2%, India 9.5%, Greece 9.4%, Brazil 8.9%, Algeria 7%, Singapore 6.8%, Saudi Arabia 4.3% (2008) Imports: $143 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 203 Imports - commodities: rice and other foodstuffs, consumer goods, petroleum products, cement, transport equipment Imports - partners: Brazil 13.4%, France 13.1%, China 11.5%, UAE 9.1%, India 5.8%, Italy 5.3%, Pakistan 5.3%, Singapore 4.2%, Kenya 4.2% (2008) Debt - external: $232 million (2000 est.) country comparison to the world: 177 Exchange rates: Comoran francs (KMF) per US dollar - 361.4 (2007), 391.8 (2006), 395.6 (2005), 396.21 (2004), 435.9 (2003) note: the Comoran franc is pegged to the euro at a rate of 491.9677 Comoran francs per euro Communications ::Comoros Telephones - main lines in use: 23,300 (2008) country comparison to the world: 187 Telephones - mobile cellular: 42,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 198 Telephone system: general assessment: sparse system of microwave radio relay and HF radiotelephone communication stations; fixed-line connections only about 3 per 100 persons; mobile cellular usage about 5 per 100 persons domestic: HF radiotelephone communications and microwave radio relay international: country code - 269; HF radiotelephone communications to Madagascar and Reunion Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001) Television broadcast stations: NA Internet country code: .km Internet hosts: 7 (2009) country comparison to the world: 223 Internet users: 23,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 188 Transportation ::Comoros Airports: 4 (2009) country comparison to the world: 184 Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2009) Roadways: total: 880 km country comparison to the world: 184 paved: 673 km unpaved: 207 km (2002) Merchant marine: total: 136 country comparison to the world: 46 by type: bulk carrier 15, cargo 87, carrier 2, chemical tanker 5, container 2, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 9, refrigerated cargo 5, roll on/roll off 8, specialized tanker 1 foreign-owned: 68 (Bangladesh 2, Bulgaria 2, Cyprus 1, Greece 6, India 2, Kenya 1, Kuwait 1, Lebanon 4, Norway 1, Pakistan 4, Philippines 1, Russia 12, Saudi Arabia 1, Singapore 1, Syria 4, Turkey 8, Ukraine 8, UAE 7, US 2) (2008) Ports and terminals: Mayotte, Mutsamudu Military ::Comoros Military branches: National Development Army (AND): Comoran Security Force; Comoran Federal Police (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 167,850 females age 16-49: 167,362 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 125,747 females age 16-49: 135,707 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 8,203 female: 8,188 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 2.8% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 54 Transnational Issues ::Comoros Disputes - international: claims French-administered Mayotte and challenges France's and Madagascar's claims to Banc du Geyser, a drying reef in the Mozambique Channel; in May 2008, African Union forces are called in to assist the Comoros military recapture Anjouan Island from rebels who seized it in 2001 page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Congo, Democratic Republic of the (Africa) Introduction ::Congo, Democratic Republic of the Background: Established as a Belgian colony in 1908, the Republic of the Congo gained its independence in 1960, but its early years were marred by political and social instability. Col. Joseph MOBUTU seized power and declared himself president in a November 1965 coup. He subsequently changed his name - to MOBUTU Sese Seko - as well as that of the country - to Zaire. MOBUTU retained his position for 32 years through several sham elections, as well as through the use of brutal force. Ethnic strife and civil war, touched off by a massive inflow of refugees in 1994 from fighting in Rwanda and Burundi, led in May 1997 to the toppling of the MOBUTU regime by a rebellion backed by Rwanda and Uganda and fronted by Laurent KABILA. He renamed the country the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), but in August 1998 his regime was itself challenged by a second insurrection again backed by Rwanda and Uganda. Troops from Angola, Chad, Namibia, Sudan, and Zimbabwe intervened to support KABILA's regime. A cease-fire was signed in July 1999 by the DRC, Congolese armed rebel groups, Angola, Namibia, Rwanda, Uganda, and Zimbabwe but sporadic fighting continued. Laurent KABILA was assassinated in January 2001 and his son, Joseph KABILA, was named head of state. In October 2002, the new president was successful in negotiating the withdrawal of Rwandan forces occupying eastern Congo; two months later, the Pretoria Accord was signed by all remaining warring parties to end the fighting and establish a government of national unity. A transitional government was set up in July 2003. Joseph KABILA as president and four vice presidents represented the former government, former rebel groups, the political opposition, and civil society. The transitional government held a successful constitutional referendum in December 2005 and elections for the presidency, National Assembly, and provincial legislatures in 2006. KABILA was inaugurated president in December 2006. The National Assembly was installed in September 2006. Its president, Vital KAMERHE, was chosen in December. Provincial assemblies were constituted in early 2007, and elected governors and national senators in January 2007. Geography ::Congo, Democratic Republic of the Location: Central Africa, northeast of Angola Geographic coordinates: 0 00 N, 25 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 2,344,858 sq km country comparison to the world: 12 land: 2,267,048 sq km water: 77,810 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than one-fourth the size of the US Land boundaries: total: 10,730 km border countries: Angola 2,511 km (of which 225 km is the boundary of Angola's discontiguous Cabinda Province), Burundi 233 km, Central African Republic 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 2,410 km, Rwanda 217 km, Sudan 628 km, Tanzania 459 km, Uganda 765 km, Zambia 1,930 km Coastline: 37 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: boundaries with neighbors Climate: tropical; hot and humid in equatorial river basin; cooler and drier in southern highlands; cooler and wetter in eastern highlands; north of Equator - wet season (April to October), dry season (December to February); south of Equator - wet season (November to March), dry season (April to October) Terrain: vast central basin is a low-lying plateau; mountains in east Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pic Marguerite on Mont Ngaliema (Mount Stanley) 5,110 m Natural resources: cobalt, copper, niobium, tantalum, petroleum, industrial and gem diamonds, gold, silver, zinc, manganese, tin, uranium, coal, hydropower, timber Land use: arable land: 2.86% permanent crops: 0.47% other: 96.67% (2005) Irrigated land: 110 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 1,283 cu km (2001) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.36 cu km/yr (53%/17%/31%) per capita: 6 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: periodic droughts in south; Congo River floods (seasonal); in the east, in the Great Rift Valley, there are active volcanoes Environment - current issues: poaching threatens wildlife populations; water pollution; deforestation; refugees responsible for significant deforestation, soil erosion, and wildlife poaching; mining of minerals (coltan - a mineral used in creating capacitors, diamonds, and gold) causing environmental damage Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification Geography - note: straddles equator; has narrow strip of land that controls the lower Congo River and is only outlet to South Atlantic Ocean; dense tropical rain forest in central river basin and eastern highlands People ::Congo, Democratic Republic of the Population: 68,692,542 country comparison to the world: 18 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 46.9% (male 16,161,301/female 16,038,024) 15-64 years: 50.6% (male 17,289,453/female 17,483,027) 65 years and over: 2.5% (male 699,667/female 1,021,070) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 16.4 years male: 16.2 years female: 16.6 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 3.208% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 8 Birth rate: 42.63 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 Death rate: 11.63 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 Net migration rate: 1.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 Urbanization: urban population: 34% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 5.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 81.21 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 19 male: 89.11 deaths/1,000 live births female: 73.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 54.36 years country comparison to the world: 194 male: 52.58 years female: 56.2 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.2 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 4.2% (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 1.1 million (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 100,000 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria, plague, and African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) water contact disease: schistosomiasis animal contact disease: rabies (2009) Nationality: noun: Congolese (singular and plural) adjective: Congolese or Congo Ethnic groups: over 200 African ethnic groups of which the majority are Bantu; the four largest tribes - Mongo, Luba, Kongo (all Bantu), and the Mangbetu-Azande (Hamitic) make up about 45% of the population Religions: Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 20%, Kimbanguist 10%, Muslim 10%, other (includes syncretic sects and indigenous beliefs) 10% Languages: French (official), Lingala (a lingua franca trade language), Kingwana (a dialect of Kiswahili or Swahili), Kikongo, Tshiluba Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write French, Lingala, Kingwana, or Tshiluba total population: 67.2% male: 80.9% female: 54.1% (2001 est.) Education expenditures: NA Government ::Congo, Democratic Republic of the Country name: conventional long form: Democratic Republic of the Congo conventional short form: DRC local long form: Republique Democratique du Congo local short form: RDC former: Congo Free State, Belgian Congo, Congo/Leopoldville, Congo/Kinshasa, Zaire abbreviation: DRC Government type: republic Capital: name: Kinshasa geographic coordinates: 4 19 S, 15 18 E time difference: UTC+1 (six hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 10 provinces (provinces, singular - province) and 1 city* (ville); Bandundu, Bas-Congo, Equateur, Kasai-Occidental, Kasai-Oriental, Katanga, Kinshasa*, Maniema, Nord-Kivu, Orientale, Sud-Kivu note: according to the Constitution adopted in December 2005, the current administrative divisions will be subdivided into 26 new provinces by 2009 Independence: 30 June 1960 (from Belgium) National holiday: Independence Day, 30 June (1960) Constitution: 18 February 2006 Legal system: civil law based on Belgian law with Napleonic Civil Code influence; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: President Joseph KABILA (since 17 January 2001); note - following the assassination of his father, Joseph KABILA succeeded to the presidency which he retained through the 2003-06 transition; he was subsequently elected president in October 2006 head of government: Prime Minister Adolphe MUZITO (since 10 October 2008) cabinet: Ministers of State appointed by the president elections: under the new constitution the president is elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); elections last held 30 July 2006 and 29 October 2006 (next to be held in October 2011); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Joseph KABILA elected president; percent of vote (second round) - Joseph KABILA 58%, Jean-Pierre BEMBA Gombo 42% note: Joseph KABILA succeeded his father, Laurent Desire KABILA, following the latter's assassination in January 2001; negotiations with rebel leaders led to the establishment of a transitional government in July 2003 with free elections held on 30 July 2006 and a run-off on 29 October 2006 confirming Joseph KABILA as president Legislative branch: bicameral legislature consists of a Senate (108 seats; members elected by provincial assemblies to serve five-year terms) and a National Assembly (500 seats; 61 members elected by majority vote in single-member constituencies, 439 members elected by open list proportional-representation in multi-member constituencies; to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 19 January 2007 (next to be held by 2012); National Assembly - last held 30 July 2006 (next to be held in July 2011) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PPRD 22, MLC 14, FR 7, RCD 7, PDC 6, CDC 3, MSR 3, PALU 2, independents 26, others 18 (political parties that won a single seat); National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PPRD 111, MLC 64, PALU 34, MSR 27, FR 26, RCD 15, independents 63, others 160 (includes 63 political parties that won 10 or fewer seats) Judicial branch: Constitutional Court; Appeals Court or Cour de Cassation; Council of State; High Military Court; plus civil and military courts and tribunals Political parties and leaders: Christian Democrat Party or PDC [Jose ENDUNDO]; Congolese Rally for Democracy or RCD [Azarias RUBERWA]; Convention of Christian Democrats or CDC; Forces of Renewal or FR [Mbusa NYAMWISI]; Movement for the Liberation of the Congo or MLC [Jean-Pierre BEMBA]; People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy or PPRD [Joseph KABILA]; Social Movement for Renewal or MSR [Pierre LUMBI]; Unified Lumumbist Party or PALU [Antoine GIZENGA]; Union for Democracy and Social Progress or UDPS [Etienne TSHISEKEDI]; Union of Mobutuist Democrats or UDEMO [MOBUTU Nzanga] Political pressure groups and leaders: MONUC - UN organization working with the government; FARDC (Forces Armees de la Republique Democratique du Congo) - Army of the Democratic Republic of the Congo which commits atrocities on citizens; FDLA (Forces Democratiques de Liberation du Rwanda) - Rwandan militia group International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, CEPGL, COMESA, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (suspended), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Faida MITIFU chancery: Suite 601, 1726 M Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 234-7690 through 7691 FAX: [1] (202) 234-2609 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador William GARVELINK embassy: 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa mailing address: Unit 31550, APO AE 09828 telephone: [243] (81) 225-5872 FAX: [243] (81) 301-0561 Flag description: sky blue field divided diagonally from the lower hoist corner to upper fly corner by a red stripe bordered by two narrow yellow stripes; a yellow, five-pointed star appears in the upper hoist corner Economy ::Congo, Democratic Republic of the Economy - overview: The economy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo - a nation endowed with vast potential wealth - is slowly recovering from two decades of decline. Conflict that began in August 1998 has dramatically reduced national output and government revenue, increased external debt, and resulted in the deaths of more than 5 million people from violence, famine, and disease. Foreign businesses curtailed operations due to uncertainty about the outcome of the conflict, lack of infrastructure, and the difficult operating environment. Conditions began to improve in late 2002 with the withdrawal of a large portion of the invading foreign troops. The transitional government reopened relations with international financial institutions and international donors, and President KABILA began implementing reforms, although progress has been slow and the International Monetary Fund curtailed their program for the DRC at the end of March 2006 because of fiscal overruns. Much economic activity still occurs in the informal sector, and is not reflected in GDP data. Renewed activity in the mining sector, the source of most export income, boosted Kinshasa's fiscal position and GDP growth from 2006-2008, however, renewed strife in the second half of 2008, combined with a fall in world market prices for the DRC's key mineral exports inflicted major damage on the economy and halted growth. Government reforms may lead to increased government revenues, outside budget assistance, and foreign direct investment, although an uncertain legal framework, corruption, a lack of transparency in government policy are long-term problems. The DRC government has applied to the IMF for an Exogenous Shock Facility in the amount of $200 million to help it deal with its deteriorating financial situation, and the World Bank will consider a separate $100 million in emergency funding. The global recession probably will cut economic growth in 2009 to half its 2008 level. GDP (purchasing power parity): $20.76 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 $19.61 billion (2007 est.) $18.32 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $11.63 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 7% (2007 est.) 6.4% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $300 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 228 $300 (2007 est.) $300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 55% industry: 11% services: 34% (2000 est.) Labor force: 23.53 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Unemployment rate: NA% Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $700 million expenditures: $2 billion (2006 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 16.7% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 198 Central bank discount rate: NA% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 87 5.25% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: NA Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $597 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) $677.9 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $559.5 million (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber, tea, quinine, cassava (tapioca), palm oil, bananas, root crops, corn, fruits; wood products Industries: mining (diamonds, gold, copper, cobalt, coltan, zinc), mineral processing, consumer products (including textiles, footwear, cigarettes, processed foods and beverages), cement, commercial ship repair Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 8.217 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 Electricity - consumption: 5.997 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 Electricity - exports: 1.916 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 6 million kWh (2007 est.) Oil - production: 19,960 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 Oil - consumption: 11,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 Oil - exports: 20,090 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 Oil - imports: 11,350 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 137 Oil - proved reserves: 180 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 59 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 198 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 199 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 185 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 194 Natural gas - proved reserves: 991.1 million cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 Current account balance: -$402 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 101 Exports: $6.1 billion (2007) country comparison to the world: 102 $1.587 billion (2006) Exports - commodities: diamonds, gold, copper, cobalt, wood products, crude oil, coffee Exports - partners: China 48.4%, Belgium 15.8%, Finland 9.8%, US 8.3%, Zambia 4.5% (2008) Imports: $5.2 billion (2007) country comparison to the world: 113 $2.263 billion (2006) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, mining and other machinery, transport equipment, fuels Imports - partners: South Africa 28.7%, Belgium 10%, Zambia 7.2%, Zimbabwe 6%, China 5.9%, Kenya 5.1%, France 4.7% (2008) Debt - external: $10 billion (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 87 $10 billion (2006 est.) Exchange rates: Congolese francs (CDF) per US dollar - NA (2007), 464.69 (2006), 437.86 (2005), 401.04 (2004), 405.34 (2003) Communications ::Congo, Democratic Republic of the Telephones - main lines in use: 37,300 (2008) country comparison to the world: 174 Telephones - mobile cellular: 9.263 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 63 Telephone system: general assessment: fixed line infrastructure inadequate with the state-owned operator providing less than 1 connection per 1000 persons; given the backdrop of a wholly inadequate fixed-line infrastructure, the use of cellular services has surged and subscribership in 2008 approached 9.3 million - roughly 15 per 100 persons domestic: barely adequate wire and microwave radio relay service in and between urban areas; domestic satellite system with 14 earth stations international: country code - 243; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 11, shortwave 2 (2001) Television broadcast stations: 4 (2001) Internet country code: .cd Internet hosts: 3,015 (2009) country comparison to the world: 143 Internet users: 290,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 129 Transportation ::Congo, Democratic Republic of the Airports: 194 (2009) country comparison to the world: 31 Airports - with paved runways: total: 26 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 17 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 168 1,524 to 2,437 m: 19 914 to 1,523 m: 90 under 914 m: 59 (2009) Pipelines: gas 37 km; oil 39 km; refined products 756 km (2008) Railways: total: 4,007 km country comparison to the world: 42 narrow gauge: 3,882 km 1.067-m gauge (858 km electrified); 125 km 1.000-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 153,497 km country comparison to the world: 33 paved: 2,794 km unpaved: 150,703 km (2004) Waterways: 15,000 km (2008) country comparison to the world: 8 Merchant marine: total: 1 country comparison to the world: 162 by type: petroleum tanker 1 foreign-owned: 1 (Congo, Republic of the 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Banana, Boma, Bukavu, Bumba, Goma, Kalemie, Kindu, Kinshasa, Kisangani, Matadi, Mbandaka Military ::Congo, Democratic Republic of the Military branches: Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Forces d'Armees de la Republique Democratique du Congo, FARDC): Army, National Navy (La Marine Nationale), Congolese Air Force (Force Aerienne Congolaise, FAC) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18-45 years of age for voluntary military service (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 14,101,263 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 8,925,355 females age 16-49: 9,047,356 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 814,199 female: 811,238 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 2.5% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 65 Transnational Issues ::Congo, Democratic Republic of the Disputes - international: heads of the Great Lakes states and UN pledged in 2004 to abate tribal, rebel, and militia fighting in the region, including northeast Congo, where the UN Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), organized in 1999, maintains over 16,500 uniformed peacekeepers; members of Uganda's Lords Resistance Army forces continue to seek refuge in Congo's Garamba National Park as peace talks with the Uganda government evolve; the location of the boundary in the broad Congo River with the Republic of the Congo is indefinite except in the Pool Malebo/Stanley Pool area; Uganda and DROC dispute Rukwanzi island in Lake Albert and other areas on the Semliki River with hydrocarbon potential; boundary commission continues discussions over Congolese-administered triangle of land on the right bank of the Lunkinda river claimed by Zambia near the DROC village of Pweto Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 132,295 (Angola); 37,313 (Rwanda); 17,777 (Burundi); 13,904 (Uganda); 6,181 (Sudan); 5,243 (Republic of Congo) IDPs: 1.4 million (fighting between government forces and rebels since mid-1990s; most IDPs are in eastern provinces) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Democratic Republic of the Congo is a source and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and sexual exploitation; much of this trafficking occurs within the country's unstable eastern provinces and is perpetrated by armed groups outside government control tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Democratic Republic of the Congo is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in persons in 2007; while some significant initial advances were noted, the government's capacity to apprehend, convict, or imprison traffickers remained weak; the government lacks sufficient financial, technical, and human resources to effectively address not only trafficking crimes, but also to provide basic levels of security in some parts of the country (2008) Illicit drugs: one of Africa's biggest producers of cannabis, but mostly for domestic consumption; traffickers exploit lax shipping controls to transit pseudoephedrine through the capital; while rampant corruption and inadequate supervision leaves the banking system vulnerable to money laundering, the lack of a well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a money-laundering center (2008) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Congo, Republic of the (Africa) Introduction ::Congo, Republic of the Background: Upon independence in 1960, the former French region of Middle Congo became the Republic of the Congo. A quarter century of experimentation with Marxism was abandoned in 1990 and a democratically elected government took office in 1992. A brief civil war in 1997 restored former Marxist President Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO, and ushered in a period of ethnic and political unrest. Southern-based rebel groups agreed to a final peace accord in March 2003, but the calm is tenuous and refugees continue to present a humanitarian crisis. The Republic of Congo was once one of Africa's largest petroleum producers, but with declining production it will need new offshore oil finds to sustain its oil earnings over the long term. Geography ::Congo, Republic of the Location: Western Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and Gabon Geographic coordinates: 1 00 S, 15 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 342,000 sq km country comparison to the world: 63 land: 341,500 sq km water: 500 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Montana Land boundaries: total: 5,504 km border countries: Angola 201 km, Cameroon 523 km, Central African Republic 467 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,410 km, Gabon 1,903 km Coastline: 169 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 200 nm Climate: tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to October); persistent high temperatures and humidity; particularly enervating climate astride the Equator Terrain: coastal plain, southern basin, central plateau, northern basin Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Berongou 903 m Natural resources: petroleum, timber, potash, lead, zinc, uranium, copper, phosphates, gold, magnesium, natural gas, hydropower Land use: arable land: 1.45% permanent crops: 0.15% other: 98.4% (2005) Irrigated land: 20 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 832 cu km (1987) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.03 cu km/yr (59%/29%/12%) per capita: 8 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: seasonal flooding Environment - current issues: air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from the dumping of raw sewage; tap water is not potable; deforestation Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: about 70% of the population lives in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, or along the railroad between them People ::Congo, Republic of the Population: 4,012,809 country comparison to the world: 127 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 45.9% (male 927,599/female 915,540) 15-64 years: 51.2% (male 1,021,975/female 1,034,119) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 46,687/female 66,889) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 16.8 years male: 16.6 years female: 17.1 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 2.754% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 Birth rate: 41.37 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 Death rate: 12.01 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 Net migration rate: -1.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 136 Urbanization: urban population: 61% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 79.78 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 22 male: 85.29 deaths/1,000 live births female: 74.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 54.15 years country comparison to the world: 196 male: 52.9 years female: 55.43 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.84 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 13 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 3.5% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 79,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 6,400 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria and African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) animal contact disease: rabies water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2009) Nationality: noun: Congolese (singular and plural) adjective: Congolese or Congo Ethnic groups: Kongo 48%, Sangha 20%, M'Bochi 12%, Teke 17%, Europeans and other 3% Religions: Christian 50%, animist 48%, Muslim 2% Languages: French (official), Lingala and Monokutuba (lingua franca trade languages), many local languages and dialects (of which Kikongo is the most widespread) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 83.8% male: 89.6% female: 78.4% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 9 years male: 10 years female: 8 years (2003) Education expenditures: 1.9% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 169 Government ::Congo, Republic of the Country name: conventional long form: Republic of the Congo conventional short form: Congo (Brazzaville) local long form: Republique du Congo local short form: none former: Middle Congo, Congo/Brazzaville, Congo Government type: republic Capital: name: Brazzaville geographic coordinates: 4 15 S, 15 17 E time difference: UTC+1 (six hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 10 regions (regions, singular - region) and 1 commune*; Bouenza, Brazzaville*, Cuvette, Cuvette-Ouest, Kouilou, Lekoumou, Likouala, Niari, Plateaux, Pool, Sangha Independence: 15 August 1960 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 15 August (1960) Constitution: approved by referendum 20 January 2002 Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Denis SASSOU-Nguesso (since 25 October 1997, following the civil war in which he toppled elected president Pascal LISSOUBA); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Denis SASSOU-Nguesso (since 25 October 1997); note - the position of Prime Minister was abolished in September 2009 cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 12 July 2009 (next to be held in 2016) election results: Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO reelected president; percent of vote - Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO 78.6%, Joseph Kignoumbi Kia MBOUNGOU 7.5%, Nicephore Fylla de SAINT-EUDES 7% Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (72 seats; members are elected by indirect vote to serve five-year terms) and the National Assembly (137 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 5 August 2008 (next to be held in 2013); National Assembly - last held 24 June and 5 August 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - RMP 33, FDU 23, UPADS 2, independents 7, other 7; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PCT 46, MCDDI 11, UPADS 11, MAR 5, MSD 5, independents 37, other 22 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme Political parties and leaders: Action Movement for Renewal or MAR; Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development or MCDDI [Michel MAMPOUYA]; Congolese Labour Party or PCT; Movement for Solidarity and Development or MSD; Pan-African Union for Social Development or UPADS [Martin MBERI]; Rally of the Presidential Majority or RMP; Rally for Democracy and Social Progress or RDPS [Jean-Pierre Thystere TCHICAYA, president]; Rally for Democracy and the Republic or RDR [Raymond Damasge NGOLLO]; Union for Democracy and Republic or UDR; United Democratic Forces or FDU [Sebastian EBAO]; many less important parties Political pressure groups and leaders: Congolese Trade Union Congress or CSC; General Union of Congolese Pupils and Students or UGEEC; Revolutionary Union of Congolese Women or URFC; Union of Congolese Socialist Youth or UJSC International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Serge MOMBOULI chancery: 4891 Colorado Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20011 telephone: [1] (202) 726-5500 FAX: [1] (202) 726-1860 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Allan EASTHAM embassy: Boulevard de la Revolution, BDEAC Building, 4th Floor, Brazzaville; note - a new embassy is expected to open in 2009 mailing address: B.P. 1015, Brazzaville telephone: [242] 281-1481, 281-3368; note - until the new embassy in Brazzaville becomes operational, some duties will still be handled in the US embassy in Kinshasha, Democratic Republic of the Congo Flag description: divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a yellow band; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is red note: uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Economy ::Congo, Republic of the Economy - overview: The economy is a mixture of subsistence agriculture, an industrial sector based largely on oil, and support services, and a government characterized by budget problems and overstaffing. Oil has supplanted forestry as the mainstay of the economy, providing a major share of government revenues and exports. In the early 1980s, rapidly rising oil revenues enabled the government to finance large-scale development projects with GDP growth averaging 5% annually, one of the highest rates in Africa. The government has mortgaged a substantial portion of its oil earnings through oil-backed loans that have contributed to a growing debt burden and chronic revenue shortfalls. Economic reform efforts have been undertaken with the support of international organizations, notably the World Bank and the IMF. However, the reform program came to a halt in June 1997 when civil war erupted. Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO, who returned to power when the war ended in October 1997, publicly expressed interest in moving forward on economic reforms and privatization and in renewing cooperation with international financial institutions. Economic progress was badly hurt by slumping oil prices and the resumption of armed conflict in December 1998, which worsened the republic's budget deficit. The current administration presides over an uneasy internal peace and faces difficult economic challenges of stimulating recovery and reducing poverty. Recovery of oil prices has boosted the economy's GDP and near-term prospects. In March 2006, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) treatment for Congo. GDP (purchasing power parity): $15.39 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 $14.46 billion (2007 est.) $14.7 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $10.77 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 -1.6% (2007 est.) 6.2% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $3,900 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 154 $3,800 (2007 est.) $4,000 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 5.6% industry: 57.1% services: 37.3% (2006 est.) Labor force: NA Unemployment rate: NA% Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Investment (gross fixed): 34.5% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 Budget: revenues: $4.515 billion expenditures: $2.721 billion (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 2.7% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 4.75% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 88 5.25% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: NA% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 46 15% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $1.4 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) $204.3 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $NA (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: cassava (tapioca), sugar, rice, corn, peanuts, vegetables, coffee, cocoa; forest products Industries: petroleum extraction, cement, lumber, brewing, sugar, palm oil, soap, flour, cigarettes Industrial production growth rate: 7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 Electricity - production: 400 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 164 Electricity - consumption: 471 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 164 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 449 million kWh (2007 est.) Oil - production: 239,900 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 Oil - consumption: 9,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 Oil - exports: 241,100 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 Oil - imports: 2,136 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 177 Oil - proved reserves: 1.6 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 Natural gas - production: 180 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 Natural gas - consumption: 180 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 193 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 195 Natural gas - proved reserves: 90.61 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 Current account balance: $848 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 -$2.181 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $10.85 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 $5.808 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: petroleum, lumber, plywood, sugar, cocoa, coffee, diamonds Exports - partners: US 45.1%, China 32.3%, France 6% (2008) Imports: $3.105 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 $2.858 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: capital equipment, construction materials, foodstuffs Imports - partners: France 22.1%, China 18.7%, US 5.6%, Italy 5.2%, India 5.1%, Belgium 4.4% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $3.873 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 87 $2.184 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $5 billion (2000 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 Exchange rates: Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar - 447.81 (2008 est.), 483.6 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004) note: since 1 January 1999, the Central African CFA franc (XAF) has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro; Central African CFA franc (XAF) coins and banknotes are not accepted in countries using West African CFA francs (XOF), and vice versa, even though the two currencies trade at par Communications ::Congo, Republic of the Telephones - main lines in use: 22,200 (2008) country comparison to the world: 191 Telephones - mobile cellular: 1.807 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 125 Telephone system: general assessment: services barely adequate for government use; key exchanges are in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, and Loubomo; intercity lines frequently out of order; fixed-line infrastructure inadequate providing less than 1 connection per 100 persons; in the absence of an adequate fixed line infrastructure, mobile-cellular subscribership has surged and is approaching 50 per 100 persons domestic: primary network consists of microwave radio relay and coaxial cable international: country code - 242; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 3 (2001) Television broadcast stations: 1 (2001) Internet country code: .cg Internet hosts: 18 (2009) country comparison to the world: 216 Internet users: 155,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 142 Transportation ::Congo, Republic of the Airports: 25 (2009) country comparison to the world: 131 Airports - with paved runways: total: 6 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 19 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Pipelines: gas 7 km; oil 207 km (2008) Railways: total: 795 km country comparison to the world: 103 narrow gauge: 795 km 1.067-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 17,289 km country comparison to the world: 119 paved: 864 km unpaved: 16,425 km (2004) Waterways: 1,120 km (commercially navigable on Congo and Oubanqui rivers) (2008) country comparison to the world: 62 Merchant marine: registered in other countries: 1 (Congo, Democratic Republic of the 1) (2008) country comparison to the world: 148 Ports and terminals: Brazzaville, Djeno, Impfondo, Ouesso, Oyo, Pointe-Noire Military ::Congo, Republic of the Military branches: Congolese Armed Forces (Forces Armees Congolaises, FAC): Army (Armee de Terre), Navy, Congolese Air Force (Armee de l'Air Congolaise), Gendarmerie, Special Presidential Security Guard (GSSP) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; women allowed to serve (2007) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 842,771 females age 16-49: 833,624 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 538,202 females age 16-49: 527,649 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 46,976 female: 46,490 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 3.1% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 46 Transnational Issues ::Congo, Republic of the Disputes - international: the location of the boundary in the broad Congo River with the Democratic Republic of the Congo is indefinite except in the Pool Malebo/Stanley Pool area Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 46,341 (Democratic Republic of Congo); 6,564 (Rwanda) IDPs: 48,000 (multiple civil wars since 1992; most IDPs are ethnic Lari) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Republic of the Congo is a source and destination country for children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation; girls are trafficked from rural areas within the country for commercial sexual exploitation, forced street vending, and domestic servitude; children are trafficked from other African countries for domestic servitude, forced market vending, and forced labor in the fishing industry tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Republic of the Congo is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to show evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in persons in 2007; struggling to recover from six years of civil conflict that ended in 2003, the Republic of the Congo's capacity to address trafficking is handicapped; the government neither monitors its borders for trafficking activity nor provides specialized anti-trafficking training for law enforcement officials; the government does not encourage victims to assist in trafficking investigations or prosecutions, and has not taken measures to reduce demand for commercial sex acts in the Republic of the Congo (2008) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Cook Islands (Australia-Oceania) Introduction ::Cook Islands Background: Named after Captain COOK, who sighted them in 1770, the islands became a British protectorate in 1888. By 1900, administrative control was transferred to New Zealand; in 1965, residents chose self-government in free association with New Zealand. The emigration of skilled workers to New Zealand and government deficits are continuing problems. Geography ::Cook Islands Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and New Zealand Geographic coordinates: 21 14 S, 159 46 W Map references: Oceania Area: total: 236 sq km country comparison to the world: 214 land: 236 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: 1.3 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 120 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Climate: tropical oceanic; moderated by trade winds; a dry season from April to November and a more humid season from December to March Terrain: low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Te Manga 652 m Natural resources: NEGL Land use: arable land: 16.67% permanent crops: 8.33% other: 75% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: typhoons (November to March) Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection Geography - note: the northern Cook Islands are seven low-lying, sparsely populated, coral atolls; the southern Cook Islands, where most of the population lives, consist of eight elevated, fertile, volcanic isles, including the largest, Rarotonga, at 67 sq km People ::Cook Islands Population: 11,870 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 224 Age structure: 0-14 years: 27.1% (male 1,704/female 1,508) 15-64 years: 63.7% (male 3,898/female 3,664) 65 years and over: 9.2% (male 540/female 556) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 30.5 years male: 29.8 years female: 31.1 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: -3.302% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 233 Birth rate: 16.18 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 131 Death rate: NA Urbanization: urban population: 74% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: -0.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.13 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.97 male(s)/female total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 16.9 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 118 male: 20.57 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.22 years country comparison to the world: 90 male: 71.46 years female: 77.13 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.49 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Cook Islander(s) adjective: Cook Islander Ethnic groups: Cook Island Maori (Polynesian) 87.7%, part Cook Island Maori 5.8%, other 6.5% (2001 census) Religions: Cook Islands Christian Church 55.9%, Roman Catholic 16.8%, Seventh-Day Adventists 7.9%, Church of Latter Day Saints 3.8%, other Protestant 5.8%, other 4.2%, unspecified 2.6%, none 3% (2001 census) Languages: English (official), Maori Literacy: definition: NA total population: 95% male: NA female: NA School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 10 years male: 10 years female: 10 years (2005) Education expenditures: 0.2% of GDP (2001) country comparison to the world: 182 People - note: 2001 census counted a resident population of 15,017 Government ::Cook Islands Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Cook Islands former: Harvey Islands Dependency status: self-governing in free association with New Zealand; Cook Islands is fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs and defense, in consultation with the Cook Islands Government type: self-governing parliamentary democracy Capital: name: Avarua geographic coordinates: 21 12 S, 159 46 W time difference: UTC-10 (5 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: none Independence: none (became self-governing in free association with New Zealand on 4 August 1965 and has the right at any time to move to full independence by unilateral action) National holiday: Constitution Day, first Monday in August (1965) Constitution: 4 August 1965 Legal system: based on New Zealand law and English common law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal (adult) Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) represented by Sir Frederick GOODWIN (since 9 February 2001); New Zealand High Commissioner Tia BARRETT (since December 2008), representative of New Zealand head of government: Prime Minister Jim MARURAI (since 14 December 2004); Deputy Prime Minister Terepai MAOATE (since 9 August 2005) cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister; collectively responsible to Parliament elections: the monarch is hereditary; the UK representative is appointed by the monarch; the New Zealand high commissioner is appointed by the New Zealand Government; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually becomes prime minister Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consisting of a House of Ariki (or upper house) made up of traditional leaders and a Legislative Assembly (or lower house) (24 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) note: the House of Ariki advises on traditional matters and maintains considerable influence but has no legislative powers elections: last held 26 September 2006 (next to be held by 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - Demo 51.9%, CIP 45.5%, independent 2.7%; seats by party - Demo 15, CIP 8, independent 1 Judicial branch: High Court Political parties and leaders: Cook Islands Party or CIP [Henry PUNA]; Democratic Party or Demo [Dr. Terepai MAOATE] Political pressure groups and leaders: Reform Conference (lobby for political system changes) other: various groups lobbying for political change International organization participation: ACP, ADB, FAO, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IMSO, IOC, ITUC, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation in the US: none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand) Flag description: blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for every island) centered in the outer half of the flag Economy ::Cook Islands Economy - overview: Like many other South Pacific island nations, the Cook Islands' economic development is hindered by the isolation of the country from foreign markets, the limited size of domestic markets, lack of natural resources, periodic devastation from natural disasters, and inadequate infrastructure. Agriculture, employing more than one-quarter of the working population, provides the economic base with major exports made up of copra and citrus fruit. Black pearls are the Cook Islands' leading export. Manufacturing activities are limited to fruit processing, clothing, and handicrafts. Trade deficits are offset by remittances from emigrants and by foreign aid overwhelmingly from New Zealand. In the 1980s and 1990s, the country lived beyond its means, maintaining a bloated public service and accumulating a large foreign debt. Subsequent reforms, including the sale of state assets, the strengthening of economic management, the encouragement of tourism, and a debt restructuring agreement, have rekindled investment and growth. GDP (purchasing power parity): $183.2 million (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 216 GDP (official exchange rate): $183.2 million (2005 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 0.1% (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 196 GDP - per capita (PPP): $9,100 (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 15.1% industry: 9.6% services: 75.3% (2004) Labor force: 6,820 (2001) country comparison to the world: 211 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 29% industry: 15% services: 56% (1995) Unemployment rate: 13.1% (2005) country comparison to the world: 144 Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $70.95 million expenditures: $69.05 million (FY05/06) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.1% (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 Agriculture - products: copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, beans, pawpaws, bananas, yams, taro, coffee; pigs, poultry Industries: fruit processing, tourism, fishing, clothing, handicrafts Industrial production growth rate: 1% (2002) country comparison to the world: 121 Electricity - production: 31 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 201 Electricity - consumption: 28.83 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 201 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 185 Oil - consumption: 1,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 200 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 193 Oil - imports: 495 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 199 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 183 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 192 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 193 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 192 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 183 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 190 Current account balance: $26.67 million (2005) country comparison to the world: 59 Exports: $5.222 million (2005) country comparison to the world: 215 Exports - commodities: copra, papayas, fresh and canned citrus fruit, coffee; fish; pearls and pearl shells; clothing Imports: $81.04 million (2005) country comparison to the world: 209 Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber, capital goods Debt - external: $141 million (1996 est.) country comparison to the world: 185 Exchange rates: NZ dollars (NZD) per US dollar - 1.4151 (2008 est.), 1.3811 (2007), 1.5408 (2006), 1.4203 (2005), 1.5087 (2004) Communications ::Cook Islands Telephones - main lines in use: 6,700 (2008) country comparison to the world: 210 Telephones - mobile cellular: 6,700 (2008) country comparison to the world: 212 Telephone system: general assessment: Telecom Cook Islands offers international direct dialing, Internet, email, fax, and Telex domestic: individual islands are connected by a combination of satellite earth stations, microwave systems, and VHF and HF radiotelephone; within the islands, service is provided by small exchanges connected to subscribers by open-wire, cable, and fiber-optic cable international: country code - 682; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (2004) Television broadcast stations: 1 (outer islands receive satellite broadcasts) (2004) Internet country code: .ck Internet hosts: 2,480 (2009) country comparison to the world: 147 Internet users: 5,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 203 Transportation ::Cook Islands Airports: 9 (2009) country comparison to the world: 157 Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Roadways: total: 320 km country comparison to the world: 200 paved: 33 km unpaved: 287 km (2003) Merchant marine: total: 26 country comparison to the world: 90 by type: cargo 14, chemical tanker 1, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 8, roll on/roll off 2 foreign-owned: 17 (Latvia 1, Lithuania 1, NZ 1, Nigeria 1, Norway 5, Sweden 8) (2008) Ports and terminals: Avatiu Military ::Cook Islands Military branches: no regular military forces; National Police Department (2009) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 2,334 females age 16-49: 2,286 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 148 female: 125 (2009 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of New Zealand in consultation with the Cook Islands and at its request Transnational Issues ::Cook Islands Disputes - international: none page last updated on October 28, 2009 ====================================================================== @Coral Sea Islands (Australia-Oceania) Introduction ::Coral Sea Islands Background: Scattered over more than three-quarters of a million square kilometers of ocean, the Coral Sea Islands were declared a territory of Australia in 1969. They are uninhabited except for a small meteorological staff on the Willis Islets. Automated weather stations, beacons, and a lighthouse occupy many other islands and reefs. Geography ::Coral Sea Islands Location: Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia Geographic coordinates: 18 00 S, 152 00 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: less than 3 sq km country comparison to the world: 247 land: less than 3 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes numerous small islands and reefs scattered over a sea area of about 780,000 sq km with the Willis Islets the most important Area - comparative: NA Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 3,095 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical Terrain: sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays) Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Cato Island 6 m Natural resources: NEGL Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (mostly grass or scrub cover) (2005) Irrigated land: 0 sq km Natural hazards: occasional tropical cyclones Environment - current issues: no permanent fresh water resources Geography - note: important nesting area for birds and turtles People ::Coral Sea Islands Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: there is a staff of three to four at the meteorological station on Willis Island (July 2007 est.) Government ::Coral Sea Islands Country name: conventional long form: Coral Sea Islands Territory conventional short form: Coral Sea Islands Dependency status: territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Government Attorney-General's Department Legal system: the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply Executive branch: administered from Canberra by the Australian Attorney-General's Department 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 Economy ::Coral Sea Islands Economy - overview: no economic activity Communications ::Coral Sea Islands Communications - note: there are automatic weather stations on many of the isles and reefs relaying data to the mainland Transportation ::Coral Sea Islands Ports and terminals: none; offshore anchorage only Military ::Coral Sea Islands Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Australia Transnational Issues ::Coral Sea Islands Disputes - international: none page last updated on July 2, 2009 ====================================================================== @Costa Rica (Central America and Caribbean) Introduction ::Costa Rica Background: Although explored by the Spanish early in the 16th century, initial attempts at colonizing Costa Rica proved unsuccessful due to a combination of factors, including: disease from mosquito-infested swamps, brutal heat, resistance by natives, and pirate raids. It was not until 1563 that a permanent settlement of Cartago was established in the cooler, fertile central highlands. The area remained a colony for some two and a half centuries. In 1821, Costa Rica became one of several Central American provinces that jointly declared their independence from Spain. Two years later it joined the United Provinces of Central America, but this federation disintegrated in 1838, at which time Costa Rica proclaimed its sovereignty and independence. Since the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred the country's democratic development. Although it still maintains a large agricultural sector, Costa Rica has expanded its economy to include strong technology and tourism industries. The standard of living is relatively high. Land ownership is widespread. In January 2008, Costa Rica assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2008-09 term. Geography ::Costa Rica Location: Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama Geographic coordinates: 10 00 N, 84 00 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 51,100 sq km country comparison to the world: 129 land: 51,060 sq km water: 40 sq km note: includes Isla del Coco Area - comparative: slightly smaller than West Virginia Land boundaries: total: 639 km border countries: Nicaragua 309 km, Panama 330 km Coastline: 1,290 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm Climate: tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands Terrain: coastal plains separated by rugged mountains including over 100 volcanic cones, of which several are major volcanoes Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Cerro Chirripo 3,810 m Natural resources: hydropower Land use: arable land: 4.4% permanent crops: 5.87% other: 89.73% (2005) Irrigated land: 1,080 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 112.4 cu km (2000) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 2.68 cu km/yr (29%/17%/53%) per capita: 619 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast; frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season and landslides; active volcanoes Environment - current issues: deforestation and land use change, largely a result of the clearing of land for cattle ranching and agriculture; soil erosion; coastal marine pollution; fisheries protection; solid waste management; air pollution Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: four volcanoes, two of them active, rise near the capital of San Jose in the center of the country; one of the volcanoes, Irazu, erupted destructively in 1963-65 People ::Costa Rica Population: 4,253,877 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 Age structure: 0-14 years: 26.7% (male 581,916/female 555,216) 15-64 years: 67.1% (male 1,443,606/female 1,411,168) 65 years and over: 6.2% (male 120,969/female 141,002) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 27.5 years male: 27.1 years female: 28 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.356% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 Birth rate: 17.43 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 Death rate: 4.34 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 205 Net migration rate: 0.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 Urbanization: urban population: 63% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 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: 0.86 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 8.77 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 160 male: 9.66 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.58 years country comparison to the world: 54 male: 74.96 years female: 80.34 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.14 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.4% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 9,700 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne diseases: dengue fever (2009) Nationality: noun: Costa Rican(s) adjective: Costa Rican Ethnic groups: white (including mestizo) 94%, black 3%, Amerindian 1%, Chinese 1%, other 1% Religions: Roman Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.3%, other Protestant 0.7%, other 4.8%, none 3.2% Languages: Spanish (official), English Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 94.9% male: 94.7% female: 95.1% (2000 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 12 years (2005) Education expenditures: 4.9% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 76 Government ::Costa Rica Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Costa Rica conventional short form: Costa Rica local long form: Republica de Costa Rica local short form: Costa Rica Government type: democratic republic Capital: name: San Jose geographic coordinates: 9 56 N, 84 05 W time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821) Constitution: 7 November 1949 Legal system: based on Spanish civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: President Oscar ARIAS Sanchez (since 8 May 2006); First Vice President (vacant); Second Vice President (vacant); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Oscar ARIAS Sanchez (since 8 May 2006); First Vice President (vacant); Second Vice President (vacant) cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president elections: president and vice presidents elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single four-year term; election last held 5 February 2006 (next to be held in February 2010) election results: Oscar ARIAS Sanchez elected president; percent of vote - Oscar ARIAS Sanchez (PLN) 40.9%; Otton SOLIS (PAC) 39.8%, Otto GUEVARA Guth (PML) 8%, Ricardo TOLEDO (PUSC) 3% Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (57 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 5 February 2006 (next to be held in February 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PLN 25, PAC 17, PML 6, PUSC 5, PASE 1, PFA 1, PRN 1, PUN 1; note - as of 1 January 2009: seats by party - PLN 25, PAC 16, PML 5, PUSC 5, PASE 1, PFA 1, PRN 1, independent 3 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (22 justices are elected for renewable eight-year terms by the Legislative Assembly) Political parties and leaders: Authentic Member from Heredia [Jose SALAS]; Citizen Action Party or PAC [Epsy CAMPBELL Barr]; Costa Rican Renovation Party or PRC [Gerardo Justo OROZCO Alvarez]; Democratic Force Party or PFD [Marco NUNEZ Gonzalez]; General Union Party or PUGEN [Carlos Alberto FERNANDEZ Vega]; Homeland First or PP [Juan Jose VARGAS Fallas]; Independent Worker Party or PIO [Jose Alberto CUBERO Carmona]; Libertarian Movement Party or PML [Otto GUEVARA Guth]; National Christian Alliance Party or ANC [Juan Carlos CHAVEZ Mora]; National Integration Party or PIN [Walter MUNOZ Cespedes]; National Liberation Party or PLN [Francisco Antonio PACHECO Fernandez]; National Patriotic Party or PPN [Daniel Enrique REYNOLDS Vargas]; National Restoration Party or PRN [Fabio Enrique DELGADO Hernandez]; National Union Party or PUN [Arturo ACOSTA Mora]; Nationalist Democratic Alliance or ADN [Jose Miguel VILLALOBOS Umana]; Patriotic Union or UP [Jose Miguel CORRALES Bolanos]; Social Christian Unity Party or PUSC [Luis FISHMAN Zonzinski]; Union for Change Party or UPC [Antonio ALVAREZ Desanti]; United Leftist Coalition or IU [Humberto VARGAS Carbonel] Political pressure groups and leaders: Authentic Confederation of Democratic Workers or CATD (Communist Party affiliate); Chamber of Coffee Growers; Confederated Union of Workers or CUT (Communist Party affiliate); Costa Rican Confederation of Democratic Workers or CCTD (Liberation Party affiliate); Costa Rican Exporter's Chamber or CADEXCO; Costa Rican Solidarity Movement; Costa Rican Union of Private Sector Enterprises or UCCAEP [Rafael CARRILLO]; Federation of Public Service Workers or FTSP; National Association for Economic Development or ANFE; National Association of Educators or ANDE; National Association of Public and Private Employees or ANEP [Albino VARGAS]; Rerum Novarum or CTRN (PLN affiliate) [Gilbert BROWN] International organization participation: BCIE, CACM, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Luis DIEGO Escalante chancery: 2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 234-2945 or 2946 FAX: [1] (202) 265-4795 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico) Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Peter CIANCHETTE embassy: Calle 120 Avenida O, Pavas, San Jose mailing address: APO AA 34020 telephone: [506] 519-2000 FAX: [506] 519-2305 Flag description: five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white elliptical disk on the hoist side of the red band; above the coat of arms a light blue ribbon contains the words, AMERICA CENTRAL, and just below it near the top of the coat of arms is a white ribbon with the words, REPUBLICA COSTA RICA Economy ::Costa Rica Economy - overview: Costa Rica's basically stable economy depends on tourism, agriculture, and electronics exports. Exports have become more diversified in the past 10 years due to the growth of the high-tech manufacturing sector, which is dominated by the microprocessor industry and the production of medical devices. Tourism continues to bring in foreign exchange, as Costa Rica's impressive biodiversity makes it a key destination for ecotourism. Foreign investors remain attracted by the country's political stability and relatively high education levels, as well as the fiscal incentives offered in the free-trade zones. Costa Rica has attracted one of the highest levels of foreign direct investment per capita in Latin America. Poverty has remained around 20% for nearly 20 years, and the strong social safety net that had been put into place by the government has eroded due to increased financial constraints on government expenditures. Immigration from Nicaragua has increasingly become a concern for the government. The estimated 300,000-500,000 Nicaraguans in Costa Rica legally and illegally are an important source of - mostly unskilled - labor, but also place heavy demands on the social welfare system. Under the ARIAS administration, the government has made strides in reducing internal and external debt - in 2007, Costa Rica had its first budget surplus in 50 years. Reducing inflation remains a difficult problem because of rising commodity import prices and labor market rigidities, though lower oil prices will decrease upward pressures. The Central Bank is moving towards a more flexible exchange rate system to focus on inflation targeting by 2010. The US-Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) entered into force on 1 January 2009, after significant delays within the Costa Rican legislature. Nevertheless, economic growth has slowed in 2009 as the global downturn reduced export demand and invesment inflows. GDP (purchasing power parity): $48.84 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 $47.6 billion (2007 est.) $44.16 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $29.66 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 136 7.8% (2007 est.) 8.8% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $11,600 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 $11,500 (2007 est.) $10,800 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 6.5% industry: 25.9% services: 67.6% (2008 est.) Labor force: 2.06 million country comparison to the world: 120 note: this official estimate excludes Nicaraguans living in Costa Rica (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 14% industry: 22% services: 64% (2006 est.) Unemployment rate: 4.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 4.6% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 16% (2006 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.5% highest 10%: 35.5% (2005) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 48 (2008) country comparison to the world: 31 45.9 (1997) Investment (gross fixed): 24.3% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 Budget: revenues: $4.6 billion expenditures: $4.531 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 42.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 58% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 13.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 182 9.4% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 25% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 10 17% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 15.83% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 65 12.8% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $4.209 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 58 $4.504 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $3.143 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 81 $2.87 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $15.15 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 66 $12.91 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 98 $2.035 billion (31 December 2007) $1.944 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: bananas, pineapples, coffee, melons, ornamental plants, sugar, corn, rice, beans, potatoes; beef, poultry, dairy; timber Industries: microprocessors, food processing, medical equipment, textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products Industrial production growth rate: -1.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 Electricity - production: 8.808 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 Electricity - consumption: 8.064 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 Electricity - exports: 77.16 million kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 203.2 million kWh (2007 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 197 Oil - consumption: 45,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 Oil - exports: 2,117 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 Oil - imports: 47,860 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl country comparison to the world: 195 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 195 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 196 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 180 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 187 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 193 Current account balance: -$2.648 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 143 -$1.578 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $9.738 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 $9.266 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: bananas, pineapples, coffee, melons, ornamental plants, sugar; seafood; electronic components, medical equipment Exports - partners: US 23.9%, Netherlands 13.3%, China 12.9%, UK 5%, Mexico 4.9% (2008) Imports: $14.55 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 $12.29 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: raw materials, consumer goods, capital equipment, petroleum, construction materials Imports - partners: US 42.9%, Mexico 6.9%, Venezuela 6.3%, Japan 5.4%, China 4.7%, Brazil 4.2% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $3.799 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 $4.114 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $9.249 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 89 $8.416 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $18.96 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 63 $8.803 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $532 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 $525.9 million (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: Costa Rican colones (CRC) per US dollar - 530.41 (2008 est.), 519.53 (2007), 511.3 (2006), 477.79 (2005), 437.91 (2004) Communications ::Costa Rica Telephones - main lines in use: 1.438 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 66 Telephones - mobile cellular: 1.887 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 122 Telephone system: general assessment: good domestic telephone service in terms of breadth of coverage; restricted cellular telephone service; state-run monopoly provider is struggling with the demand for new lines, resulting in long waiting times domestic: point-to-point and point-to-multi-point microwave, fiber-optic, and coaxial cable link rural areas; Internet service is available international: country code - 506; landing point for the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) fiber-optic telecommunications submarine cable and the MAYA-1 submarine cable that provide links to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; connected to Central American Microwave System; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 65, FM 51, shortwave 19 (2002) Television broadcast stations: 20 (plus 43 repeaters) (2002) Internet country code: .cr Internet hosts: 34,066 (2009) country comparison to the world: 89 Internet users: 1.46 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 76 Transportation ::Costa Rica Airports: 151 (2009) country comparison to the world: 36 Airports - with paved runways: total: 38 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 22 under 914 m: 12 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 113 914 to 1,523 m: 19 under 914 m: 94 (2009) Pipelines: refined products 796 km (2008) Railways: total: 278 km country comparison to the world: 124 narrow gauge: 278 km 1.067-m gauge note: none of the railway network is in use (2008) Roadways: total: 35,330 km country comparison to the world: 94 paved: 8,621 km unpaved: 26,709 km (2004) Waterways: 730 km (seasonally navigable by small craft) (2008) country comparison to the world: 75 Merchant marine: total: 1 country comparison to the world: 161 by type: passenger/cargo 1 (2008) Ports and terminals: Caldera, Puerto Limon Military ::Costa Rica Military branches: no regular military forces; Ministry of Public Security, Government, and Police (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,134,205 females age 16-49: 1,095,763 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 971,224 females age 16-49: 936,978 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 40,698 female: 38,808 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 0.4% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 164 Transnational Issues ::Costa Rica Disputes - international: the ICJ has given Costa Rica until January 2008 to reply and Nicaragua until July 2008 to rejoin before rendering its decision on the navigation, security, and commercial rights of Costa Rican vessels on the Rio San Juan over which Nicaragua retains sovereignty Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 9,699-11,500 (Colombia) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Costa Rica is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor; women and girls from neighboring states, Russia, Uzbekistan, and the Philippines are trafficked into the country for sexual exploitation; Costa Rica also serves as a transit point for victims trafficked to North America and Europe; the government identifies child sex tourism as a serious problem; men, women, and children are also trafficked within the country for forced labor in fishing and construction, and as domestic servants tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Costa Rica is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking, particularly in terms of its failure to improve its inadequate assistance to victims; while Costa Rican officials recognize human trafficking as a serious problem, the lack of a stronger response by the government is of concern (2008) Illicit drugs: transshipment country for cocaine and heroin from South America; illicit production of cannabis in remote areas; domestic cocaine consumption, particularly crack cocaine, is rising; significant consumption of amphetamines; seizures of smuggled cash in Costa Rica and at the main border crossing to enter Costa Rica from Nicaragua have risen in recent years (2008) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Cote d'Ivoire (Africa) Introduction ::Cote d'Ivoire Background: Close ties to France since independence in 1960, the development of cocoa production for export, and foreign investment made Cote d'Ivoire one of the most prosperous of the West African states, but did not protect it from political turmoil. In December 1999, a military coup - the first ever in Cote d'Ivoire's history - overthrew the government. Junta leader Robert GUEI blatantly rigged elections held in late 2000 and declared himself the winner. Popular protest forced him to step aside and brought Laurent GBAGBO into power. Ivorian dissidents and disaffected members of the military launched a failed coup attempt in September 2002. Rebel forces claimed the northern half of the country, and in January 2003 were granted ministerial positions in a unity government under the auspices of the Linas-Marcoussis Peace Accord. President GBAGBO and rebel forces resumed implementation of the peace accord in December 2003 after a three-month stalemate, but issues that sparked the civil war, such as land reform and grounds for citizenship, remained unresolved. In March 2007 President GBAGBO and former New Force rebel leader Guillaume SORO signed the Ouagadougou Political Agreement. As a result of the agreement, SORO joined GBAGBO's government as Prime Minister and the two agreed to reunite the country by dismantling the zone of confidence separating North from South, integrate rebel forces into the national armed forces, and hold elections. Several thousand French and UN troops remain in Cote d'Ivoire to help the parties implement their commitments and to support the peace process. Geography ::Cote d'Ivoire Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Ghana and Liberia Geographic coordinates: 8 00 N, 5 00 W Map references: Africa Area: total: 322,463 sq km country comparison to the world: 68 land: 318,003 sq km water: 4,460 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than New Mexico Land boundaries: total: 3,110 km border countries: Burkina Faso 584 km, Ghana 668 km, Guinea 610 km, Liberia 716 km, Mali 532 km Coastline: 515 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm Climate: tropical along coast, semiarid in far north; three seasons - warm and dry (November to March), hot and dry (March to May), hot and wet (June to October) Terrain: mostly flat to undulating plains; mountains in northwest Elevation extremes: lowest point: Gulf of Guinea 0 m highest point: Mont Nimba 1,752 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, diamonds, manganese, iron ore, cobalt, bauxite, copper, gold, nickel, tantalum, silica sand, clay, cocoa beans, coffee, palm oil, hydropower Land use: arable land: 10.23% permanent crops: 11.16% other: 78.61% (2005) Irrigated land: 730 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 81 cu km (2001) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.93 cu km/yr (24%/12%/65%) per capita: 51 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: coast has heavy surf and no natural harbors; during the rainy season torrential flooding is possible Environment - current issues: deforestation (most of the country's forests - once the largest in West Africa - have been heavily logged); water pollution from sewage and industrial and agricultural effluents Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: most of the inhabitants live along the sandy coastal region; apart from the capital area, the forested interior is sparsely populated People ::Cote d'Ivoire Population: 20,617,068 country comparison to the world: 56 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 40.6% (male 4,215,912/female 4,146,077) 15-64 years: 56.6% (male 5,942,642/female 5,720,108) 65 years and over: 2.9% (male 296,074/female 296,255) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 19.2 years male: 19.4 years female: 19.1 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 2.133% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 Birth rate: 32.11 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 45 Death rate: 10.78 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 49% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 68.06 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 28 male: 75.17 deaths/1,000 live births female: 60.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 55.45 years country comparison to the world: 191 male: 54.64 years female: 56.28 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.12 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 3.9% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 17 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 480,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 38,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever water contact: schistosomiasis animal contact disease: rabies note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Nationality: noun: Ivoirian(s) adjective: Ivoirian Ethnic groups: Akan 42.1%, Voltaiques or Gur 17.6%, Northern Mandes 16.5%, Krous 11%, Southern Mandes 10%, other 2.8% (includes 130,000 Lebanese and 14,000 French) (1998) Religions: Muslim 38.6%, Christian 32.8%, indigenous 11.9%, none 16.7% (2008 est.) note: the majority of foreigners (migratory workers) are Muslim (70%) and Christian (20%) Languages: French (official), 60 native dialects with Dioula the most widely spoken Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 48.7% male: 60.8% female: 38.6% (2000 est.) Education expenditures: 4.6% of GDP (2001) country comparison to the world: 83 Government ::Cote d'Ivoire Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Cote d'Ivoire conventional short form: Cote d'Ivoire local long form: Republique de Cote d'Ivoire local short form: Cote d'Ivoire note: pronounced coat-div-whar former: Ivory Coast Government type: republic; multiparty presidential regime established 1960 note: the government is currently operating under a power-sharing agreement mandated by international mediators Capital: name: Yamoussoukro geographic coordinates: 6 49 N, 5 17 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) note: although Yamoussoukro has been the official capital since 1983, Abidjan remains the commercial and administrative center; the US, like other countries, maintains its Embassy in Abidjan Administrative divisions: 19 regions; Agneby, Bafing, Bas-Sassandra, Denguele, Dix-Huit Montagnes, Fromager, Haut-Sassandra, Lacs, Lagunes, Marahoue, Moyen-Cavally, Moyen-Comoe, N'zi-Comoe, Savanes, Sud-Bandama, Sud-Comoe, Vallee du Bandama, Worodougou, Zanzan Independence: 7 August 1960 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 7 August (1960) Constitution: approved by referendum 23 July 2000 Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review in the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Laurent GBAGBO (since 26 October 2000) head of government: Prime Minister Guillaume SORO (since 4 April 2007) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president; note - under the current power-sharing agreement the prime minister and the president share the authority to appoint ministers elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (no term limits); election last held 26 October 2000 (next to be held 29 November 2009 after being repeatedly postponed by the government; the UN Security Council has extended the government's mandate); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Laurent GBAGBO elected president; percent of vote - Laurent GBAGBO 59.4%, Robert GUEI 32.7%, Francis WODIE 5.7%, other 2.2% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (225 seats; members are elected in single- and multi-district elections by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: elections last held 10 December 2000 with by-elections on 14 January 2001 (elections originally scheduled for 2005 have been repeatedly postponed by the government) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FPI 96, PDCI-RDA 94, RDR 5, PIT 4, other 2, independents 22, vacant 2 note: a Senate was scheduled to be created in October 2006 elections that never took place Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme consists of four chambers: Judicial Chamber for criminal cases, Audit Chamber for financial cases, Constitutional Chamber for judicial review cases, and Administrative Chamber for civil cases; there is no legal limit to the number of members Political parties and leaders: Citizen's Democratic Union or UDCY [Theodore MEL EG]; Democratic Party of Cote d'Ivoire or PDCI [Henri Konan BEDIE]; Ivorian Popular Front or FPI [Pascale Affi N'GUESSAN]; Ivorian Worker's Party or PIT [Francis WODIE]; Opposition Movement of the Future or MFA [Innocent Augustin ANAKY]; Rally of the Republicans or RDR [Alassane OUATTARA]; Union for Democracy and Peace in Cote d'Ivoire or UDPCI [Toikeuse MABRI]; over 144 smaller registered parties Political pressure groups and leaders: Federation of University and High School Students of Cote d'Ivoire or FESCI [Serges KOFFI]; Rally of Houphouetists for Democracy and Peace or RHDP [Alphonse DJEDJE MADY]; Young Patriots [Charles BLE GOUDE] International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Yao Charles KOFFI chancery: 2424 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 797-0300 FAX: [1] (202) 244-3088 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Wanda L. NESBITT embassy: Cocody Riviera Golf 01, Abidjan mailing address: B. P. 1712, Abidjan 01 telephone: [225] 22 49 40 00 FAX: [225] 22 49 43 32 Flag description: three equal vertical bands of orange (hoist side), white, and green note: similar to the flag of Ireland, which is longer and has the colors reversed - green (hoist side), white, and orange; also similar to the flag of Italy, which is green (hoist side), white, and red; design was based on the flag of France Economy ::Cote d'Ivoire Economy - overview: Cote d'Ivoire is the world's largest producer and exporter of cocoa beans and a significant producer and exporter of coffee and palm oil. Consequently, the economy is highly sensitive to fluctuations in international prices for these products, and, to a lesser extent, in climatic conditions. Despite government attempts to diversify the economy, it is still heavily dependent on agriculture and related activities, engaging roughly 68% of the population. Since 2006, oil and gas production have become more important engines of economic activity than cocoa. According to IMF statistics, earnings from oil and refined products were $1.3 billion in 2006, while cocoa-related revenues were $1 billion during the same period. Cote d'Ivoire's offshore oil and gas production has resulted in substantial crude oil exports and provides sufficient natural gas to fuel electricity exports to Ghana, Togo, Benin, Mali and Burkina Faso. Oil exploration by a number of consortiums of private companies continues offshore, and President GBAGBO has expressed hope that daily crude output could reach 200,000 barrels per day (b/d) by the end of the decade. Since the end of the civil war in 2003, political turmoil has continued to damage the economy, resulting in the loss of foreign investment and slow economic growth. GDP grew by nearly 2% in 2007 and 3% in 2008. Per capita income has declined by 15% since 1999. GDP (purchasing power parity): $34.12 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 101 $33.36 billion (2007 est.) $32.79 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $23.51 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 1.7% (2007 est.) 0.7% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $1,700 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 191 $1,700 (2007 est.) $1,700 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 28% industry: 21.6% services: 50.4% (2008 est.) Labor force: 7.346 million (68% agricultural) (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 68% industry and services: NA (2007 est.) Unemployment rate: note: unemployment may have climbed to 40-50% as a result of the civil war Population below poverty line: 42% (2006 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 34% (2002) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 44.6 (2002) country comparison to the world: 46 36.7 (1995) Investment (gross fixed): 9.5% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 Budget: revenues: $4.823 billion expenditures: $4.915 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 66.4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 74.8% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 108 1.9% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 4.75% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 116 4.25% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: NA Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $4.451 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) $1.915 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $4.404 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $7.071 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 75 $8.353 billion (31 December 2007) $4.155 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: coffee, cocoa beans, bananas, palm kernels, corn, rice, manioc (tapioca), sweet potatoes, sugar, cotton, rubber; timber Industries: foodstuffs, beverages; wood products, oil refining, truck and bus assembly, textiles, fertilizer, building materials, electricity, ship construction and repair Industrial production growth rate: 3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 Electricity - production: 5.275 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 Electricity - consumption: 3.231 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 Electricity - exports: 772 million kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 60,100 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 Oil - consumption: 25,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 Oil - exports: 115,700 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 Oil - imports: 80,960 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 Oil - proved reserves: 100 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 Natural gas - production: 1.3 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 Natural gas - consumption: 1.3 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 85 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 168 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 161 Natural gas - proved reserves: 28.32 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 Current account balance: $488 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 -$146 million (2007 est.) Exports: $10.09 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 87 $8.476 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: cocoa, coffee, timber, petroleum, cotton, bananas, pineapples, palm oil, fish Exports - partners: Germany 10.9%, US 10.1%, Netherlands 9.7%, Nigeria 9.3%, France 6.4%, Burkina Faso 4% (2008) Imports: $6.76 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 $5.932 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: fuel, capital equipment, foodstuffs Imports - partners: Nigeria 31.5%, France 14.9%, China 7.2% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $2.252 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 $2.519 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $14.05 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 $13.79 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $NA Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 447.81 (2008 est.), 481.83 (2007), 522.89 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004) note: since 1 January 1999, the West African CFA franc (XOF) has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro; West African CFA franc (XOF) coins and banknotes are not accepted in countries using Central African CFA francs (XAF), and vice versa, even though the two currencies trade at par Communications ::Cote d'Ivoire Telephones - main lines in use: 356,500 (2008) country comparison to the world: 107 Telephones - mobile cellular: 10.449 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 60 Telephone system: general assessment: well developed by African standards; telecommunications sector privatized in late 1990s and operational fixed-lines have more than quadrupled since that time; with multiple cellular service providers competing in the market, cellular usage has increased sharply to roughly 55 per 100 persons domestic: open-wire lines and microwave radio relay; 90% digitalized international: country code - 225; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and Asia; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 3 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 14 (1998) Internet country code: .ci Internet hosts: 9,822 (2009) country comparison to the world: 116 Internet users: 660,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 101 Transportation ::Cote d'Ivoire Airports: 28 (2009) country comparison to the world: 122 Airports - with paved runways: total: 7 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 21 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 3 (2009) Pipelines: condensate 86 km; gas 180 km; oil 92 km (2008) Railways: total: 660 km country comparison to the world: 108 narrow gauge: 660 km 1.000 meter gauge note: an additional 622 km of this railroad extends into Burkina Faso (2008) Roadways: total: 80,000 km country comparison to the world: 59 paved: 6,500 km unpaved: 73,500 km note: includes intercity and urban roads; another 20,000 km of dirt roads are in poor condition and 150,000 km of dirt roads are impassable (2006) Waterways: 980 km (navigable rivers, canals, and numerous coastal lagoons) (2008) country comparison to the world: 67 Ports and terminals: Abidjan, Espoir, San-Pedro Military ::Cote d'Ivoire Military branches: Cote d'Ivoire Defense and Security Forces (FDSCI): Army, Navy, Air Force (2006) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary male and female military service (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 4,369,735 females age 16-49: 4,287,042 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 3,122,106 females age 16-49: 2,936,391 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 236,159 female: 232,617 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.6% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 Transnational Issues ::Cote d'Ivoire Disputes - international: despite the presence of over 9,000 UN forces (UNOCI) in Cote d'Ivoire since 2004, ethnic conflict still leaves displaced hundreds of thousands of Ivorians in and out of the country as well as driven out migrants from neighboring states who worked in Ivorian cocoa plantations; the March 2007 peace deal between Ivorian rebels and the government brought significant numbers of rebels out of hiding in neighboring states Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 25,615 (Liberia) IDPs: 709,000 (2002 coup; most IDPs are in western regions) (2007) Trafficking in persons: Cote d'Ivoire is a source, transit, and destination country for women and children trafficked for forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation; trafficking within the country is more prevalent than international trafficking and the majority of victims are children; women and girls are trafficked from northern areas to southern cities for domestic servitude, restaurant labor, and sexual exploitation; boys are trafficked internally for agricultural and service labor and transnationally for forced labor in agriculture, mining, construction, and in the fishing industry; women and girls are trafficked to and from other West and Central African countries for domestic servitude and forced street vending tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Cote d'Ivoire is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking in 2007, particularly with regard to its law enforcement efforts and protection of sex trafficking victims; in addition, Ivoirian law does not prohibit all forms of trafficking, and Cote d'Ivoire has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008) Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis, mostly for local consumption; utility as a narcotic transshipment point to Europe reduced by ongoing political instability; while rampant corruption and inadequate supervision leave the banking system vulnerable to money laundering, the lack of a developed financial system limits the country's utility as a major money-laundering center (2008) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Croatia (Europe) Introduction ::Croatia Background: The lands that today comprise Croatia were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until the close of World War I. In 1918, the Croats, Serbs, and Slovenes formed a kingdom known after 1929 as Yugoslavia. Following World War II, Yugoslavia became a federal independent Communist state under the strong hand of Marshal TITO. Although Croatia declared its independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, it took four years of sporadic, but often bitter, fighting before occupying Serb armies were mostly cleared from Croatian lands. Under UN supervision, the last Serb-held enclave in eastern Slavonia was returned to Croatia in 1998. In January 2008, Croatia assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2008-09 term, and in April 2008 it joined NATO. Croatia is a candidate for eventual EU accession. Geography ::Croatia Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea, between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia Geographic coordinates: 45 10 N, 15 30 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 56,594 sq km country comparison to the world: 126 land: 55,974 sq km water: 620 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than West Virginia Land boundaries: total: 1,982 km border countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina 932 km, Hungary 329 km, Serbia 241 km, Montenegro 25 km, Slovenia 455 km Coastline: 5,835 km (mainland 1,777 km, islands 4,058 km) Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: Mediterranean and continental; continental climate predominant with hot summers and cold winters; mild winters, dry summers along coast Terrain: geographically diverse; flat plains along Hungarian border, low mountains and highlands near Adriatic coastline and islands Elevation extremes: lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m highest point: Dinara 1,830 m Natural resources: oil, some coal, bauxite, low-grade iron ore, calcium, gypsum, natural asphalt, silica, mica, clays, salt, hydropower Land use: arable land: 25.82% permanent crops: 2.19% other: 71.99% (2005) Irrigated land: 110 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 105.5 cu km (1998) Natural hazards: destructive earthquakes Environment - current issues: air pollution (from metallurgical plants) and resulting acid rain is damaging the forests; coastal pollution from industrial and domestic waste; landmine removal and reconstruction of infrastructure consequent to 1992-95 civil strife Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: controls most land routes from Western Europe to Aegean Sea and Turkish Straits; most Adriatic Sea islands lie off the coast of Croatia - some 1,200 islands, islets, ridges, and rocks People ::Croatia Population: 4,489,409 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 Age structure: 0-14 years: 15.6% (male 358,360/female 340,098) 15-64 years: 67.5% (male 1,506,364/female 1,522,789) 65 years and over: 17% (male 295,960/female 465,838) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 41 years male: 39.1 years female: 42.8 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: -0.052% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 210 Birth rate: 9.64 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 200 Death rate: 11.75 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 Net migration rate: 1.59 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 Urbanization: urban population: 57% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 6.37 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 178 male: 6.42 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.33 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.35 years country comparison to the world: 79 male: 71.72 years female: 79.18 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.42 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 191 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 158 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 10 (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne diseases: tickborne encephalitis note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Nationality: noun: Croat(s), Croatian(s) adjective: Croatian Ethnic groups: Croat 89.6%, Serb 4.5%, other 5.9% (including Bosniak, Hungarian, Slovene, Czech, and Roma) (2001 census) Religions: Roman Catholic 87.8%, Orthodox 4.4%, other Christian 0.4%, Muslim 1.3%, other and unspecified 0.9%, none 5.2% (2001 census) Languages: Croatian 96.1%, Serbian 1%, other and undesignated 2.9% (including Italian, Hungarian, Czech, Slovak, and German) (2001 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.1% male: 99.3% female: 97.1% (2001 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 14 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2006) Education expenditures: 4.5% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 89 Government ::Croatia Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Croatia conventional short form: Croatia local long form: Republika Hrvatska local short form: Hrvatska former: People's Republic of Croatia, Socialist Republic of Croatia Government type: presidential/parliamentary democracy Capital: name: Zagreb geographic coordinates: 45 48 N, 16 00 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 20 counties (zupanije, zupanija - singular) and 1 city* (grad - singular); Bjelovarsko-Bilogorska, Brodsko-Posavska, Dubrovacko-Neretvanska (Dubrovnik-Neretva), Istarska (Istria), Karlovacka, Koprivnicko-Krizevacka, Krapinsko-Zagorska, Licko-Senjska (Lika-Senj), Medimurska, Osjecko-Baranjska, Pozesko-Slavonska (Pozega-Slavonia), Primorsko-Goranska, Sibensko-Kninska, Sisacko-Moslavacka, Splitsko-Dalmatinska (Split-Dalmatia), Varazdinska, Viroviticko-Podravska, Vukovarsko-Srijemska, Zadarska, Zagreb*, Zagrebacka Independence: 25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia) National holiday: Independence Day, 8 October (1991); note - 25 June 1991 was the day the Croatian parliament voted for independence; following a three-month moratorium to allow the European Community to solve the Yugoslav crisis peacefully, Parliament adopted a decision on 8 October 1991 to sever constitutional relations with Yugoslavia Constitution: adopted on 22 December 1990; revised 2000, 2001 Legal system: based on Austro-Hungarian law system with Communist law influences; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal (16 years of age, if employed) Executive branch: chief of state: President Stjepan (Stipe) MESIC (since 18 February 2000) head of government: Prime Minister Jadranka KOSOR (since 6 July 2009); Deputy Prime Ministers Bozidar PANKRETIC (since 6 July 2009), Damir POLANCEC (since 15 February 2005), Djurdja ADLESIC (since 12 January 2008), Slobodan UZELAC (since 12 January 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers named by the prime minister and approved by the parliamentary assembly elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 16 January 2005 (next to be held in January 2010); the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president and then approved by the assembly election results: Stjepan MESIC reelected president; percent of vote in the second round - Stjepan MESIC 66%, Jadranka KOSOR 34% Legislative branch: unicameral Assembly or Sabor (153 seats; members elected from party lists by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 25 November 2007 (next to be held in November 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; number of seats by party - HDZ 66, SDP 57, HNS 6, HSS 6, HDSSB 3, IDS 3, SDSS 3, other 9 Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Constitutional Court; judges for both courts are appointed for eight-year terms by the Judicial Council of the Republic, which is elected by the Assembly Political parties and leaders: Croatian Democratic Congress of Slavonia and Baranja or HDSSB [Vladimir SISLJAGIC]; Croatian Democratic Union or HDZ [Ivo SANADER]; Croatian Party of the Right or HSP [Anto DJAPIC]; Croatian Peasant Party or HSS [Josip FRISCIC]; Croatian Pensioner Party or HSU [Silvano HRELJA]; Croatian People's Party or HNS [Radimir CACIC]; Croatian Social Liberal Party or HSLS [Djurdja ADLESIC]; Independent Democratic Serb Party or SDSS [Vojislav STANIMIROVIC]; Istrian Democratic Assembly or IDS [Ivan JAKOVCIC]; Social Democratic Party of Croatia or SDP [Zoran MILANOVIC] Political pressure groups and leaders: other: human rights groups International organization participation: ACCT (observer), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, NAM (observer), NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Kolinda GRABAR-KITAROVIC chancery: Suite F13, 2343 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 588-5899 FAX: [1] (202) 588-8936 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert A. BRADTKE embassy: 2 Thomas Jefferson Street, 10010 Zagreb mailing address: use street address telephone: [385] (1) 661-2200 FAX: [385] (1) 661-2373 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue, superimposed by the Croatian coat of arms (red and white checkered) Economy ::Croatia Economy - overview: Once one of the wealthiest of the Yugoslav republics, Croatia's economy suffered badly during the 1991-95 war as output collapsed and the country missed the early waves of investment in Central and Eastern Europe that followed the fall of the Berlin Wall. Between 2000 and 2007, however, Croatia's economic fortunes began to improve slowly, with moderate but steady GDP growth between 4% and 6% led by a rebound in tourism and credit-driven consumer spending. Inflation over the same period has remained tame and the currency, the kuna, stable. Nevertheless, difficult problems still remain, including a stubbornly high unemployment rate, a growing trade deficit and uneven regional development. The state retains a large role in the economy, as privatization efforts often meet stiff public and political resistance. While macroeconomic stabilization has largely been achieved, structural reforms lag because of deep resistance on the part of the public and lack of strong support from politicians. The EU accession process should accelerate fiscal and structural reform. While long term growth prospects for the economy remain strong, Croatia will face significant pressure as a result of the global financial crisis. Croatia's high foreign debt, anemic export sector, strained state budget, and over-reliance on tourism revenue will result in higher risk to economic stability over the medium term. GDP (purchasing power parity): $82.58 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 $80.65 billion (2007 est.) $76.44 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $69.36 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 5.5% (2007 est.) 4.7% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $18,400 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 $17,900 (2007 est.) $17,000 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 6% industry: 27.7% services: 66.3% (2008 est.) Labor force: 1.731 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 5% industry: 31.3% services: 63.6% (2008) Unemployment rate: 13.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 11.8% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 11% (2003) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.6% highest 10%: 23.1% (2005 est.) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 29 (2008) country comparison to the world: 119 29 (1998) Investment (gross fixed): 31.1% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 Budget: revenues: $26.86 billion expenditures: $28.54 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 42.7% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 41.7% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 4.5% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 9% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 49 9% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 10.07% (31 December 2008) Stock of money: $10.71 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 43 $11.61 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $33.17 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 35 $31.86 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $49.79 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 48 $45.7 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $26.79 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 55 $65.98 billion (31 December 2007) $29.01 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: wheat, corn, sugar beets, sunflower seed, barley, alfalfa, clover, olives, citrus, grapes, soybeans, potatoes; livestock, dairy products Industries: chemicals and plastics, machine tools, fabricated metal, electronics, pig iron and rolled steel products, aluminum, paper, wood products, construction materials, textiles, shipbuilding, petroleum and petroleum refining, food and beverages, tourism Industrial production growth rate: 1.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 Electricity - production: 11.47 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 87 Electricity - consumption: 15.42 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 Electricity - exports: 2.14 billion kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 8.249 billion kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 22,200 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 Oil - consumption: 105,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 Oil - exports: 43,750 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 Oil - imports: 122,100 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 Oil - proved reserves: 79.3 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 Natural gas - production: 1.58 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 59 Natural gas - consumption: 2.84 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 Natural gas - exports: 310 million cu m (2007) country comparison to the world: 39 Natural gas - imports: 1.26 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 Natural gas - proved reserves: 30.58 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 Current account balance: -$6.397 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 -$4.447 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $14.36 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 $12.62 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: transport equipment, machinery, textiles, chemicals, foodstuffs, fuels Exports - partners: Italy 18.9%, Bosnia and Herzegovina 15.3%, Germany 10.7%, Slovenia 7.7%, Austria 5.7% (2008) Imports: $30.42 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 $25.56 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery, transport and electrical equipment; chemicals, fuels and lubricants; foodstuffs Imports - partners: Italy 17.1%, Germany 13.4%, Russia 10.5%, China 6.1%, Slovenia 5.6%, Austria 4.9% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $12.96 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 $13.67 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $54.79 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 50 $48.93 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $27.17 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 $23.17 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $3.343 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 $3.124 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: kuna (HRK) per US dollar - 4.98 (2008 est.), 5.3735 (2007), 5.8625 (2006), 5.9473 (2005), 6.0358 (2004) Communications ::Croatia Telephones - main lines in use: 1.851 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 60 Telephones - mobile cellular: 5.924 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 80 Telephone system: general assessment: the telecommunications network has improved steadily since the mid-1990s; the number of fixed telephone lines holding steady at about 40 per 100 persons; the number of cellular telephone subscriptions exceeds the population domestic: more than 90 percent of local lines are digital international: country code - 385; digital international service is provided through the main switch in Zagreb; Croatia participates in the Trans-Asia-Europe (TEL) fiber-optic project, which consists of 2 fiber-optic trunk connections with Slovenia and a fiber-optic trunk line from Rijeka to Split and Dubrovnik; the ADRIA-1 submarine cable provides connectivity to Albania and Greece (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 16, FM 98, shortwave 5 (1999) Television broadcast stations: 36 (plus 321 repeaters) (1995) Internet country code: .hr Internet hosts: 1.23 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 38 Internet users: 1.88 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 71 Transportation ::Croatia Airports: 68 (2009) country comparison to the world: 73 Airports - with paved runways: total: 23 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 9 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 45 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 37 (2009) Heliports: 1 (2009) Pipelines: gas 1,327 km; oil 583 km (2008) Railways: total: 2,722 km country comparison to the world: 62 standard gauge: 2,722 km 1.435-m gauge (980 km electrified) (2008) Roadways: total: 28,788 km (includes 877 km of expressways) (2006) country comparison to the world: 99 Waterways: 785 km (2008) country comparison to the world: 74 Merchant marine: total: 80 country comparison to the world: 54 by type: bulk carrier 25, cargo 11, chemical tanker 3, passenger/cargo 30, petroleum tanker 8, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 2 registered in other countries: 30 (Bahamas 1, Belize 2, Liberia 2, Malta 9, Marshall Islands 6, Panama 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 7) (2008) Ports and terminals: Omisalj, Ploce, Rijeka, Sibenik, Vukovar (on Danube River) Military ::Croatia Military branches: Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia (Oruzane Snage Republike Hrvatske, OSRH), consists of five major commands directly subordinate to a General Staff: Ground Forces (Hrvatska Kopnena Vojska, HKoV), Naval Forces (Hrvatska Ratna Mornarica, HRM; includes coast guard), Air Force and Air Defense Command, Joint Education and Training Command, Logistics Command; Military Police Force supports each of the three Croatian military forces (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18-27 years of age for compulsory military service; 16 years of age with consent for voluntary service; 6-month conscript service obligation; full conversion to voluntary military service by 2010 (2006) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,035,712 females age 16-49: 1,037,896 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 770,798 females age 16-49: 849,957 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 27,620 female: 26,154 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 2.39% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 Transnational Issues ::Croatia Disputes - international: dispute remains with Bosnia and Herzegovina over several small sections of the boundary related to maritime access that hinders ratification of the 1999 border agreement; the Croatia-Slovenia land and maritime boundary agreement, which would have ceded most of Pirin Bay and maritime access to Slovenia and several villages to Croatia, remains unratified and in dispute; Slovenia also protests Croatia's 2003 claim to an exclusive economic zone in the Adriatic; as a European Union peripheral state, Slovenia imposed a hard border Schengen regime with non-member Croatia in December 2007 Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs: 2,900-7,000 (Croats and Serbs displaced in 1992-95 war) (2007) Illicit drugs: transit point along the Balkan route for Southwest Asian heroin to Western Europe; has been used as a transit point for maritime shipments of South American cocaine bound for Western Europe (2008) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Cuba (Central America and Caribbean) Introduction ::Cuba Background: The native Amerindian population of Cuba began to decline after the European discovery of the island by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1492 and following its development as a Spanish colony during the next several centuries. Large numbers of African slaves were imported to work the coffee and sugar plantations, and Havana became the launching point for the annual treasure fleets bound for Spain from Mexico and Peru. Spanish rule eventually provoked an independence movement and occasional rebellions that were harshly suppressed. US intervention during the Spanish-American War in 1898 assisted the Cubans in overthrowing Spanish rule. The Treaty of Paris established Cuban independence from the US in 1902 after which the island experienced a string of governments mostly dominated by the military and corrupt politicians. Fidel CASTRO led a rebel army to victory in 1959; his iron rule held the subsequent regime together for nearly five decades. He stepped down as president in February 2008 in favor of his younger brother Raul CASTRO. Cuba's Communist revolution, with Soviet support, was exported throughout Latin America and Africa during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. The country faced a severe economic downturn in 1990 following the withdrawal of former Soviet subsidies worth $4 billion to $6 billion annually. Cuba portrays its difficulties as the result of the US embargo in place since 1961. Illicit migration to the US - using homemade rafts, alien smugglers, air flights, or via the southwest border - is a continuing problem. The US Coast Guard intercepted 2,656 individuals attempting to cross the Straits of Florida in fiscal year 2007. Geography ::Cuba Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, 150 km south of Key West, Florida Geographic coordinates: 21 30 N, 80 00 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 110,860 sq km country comparison to the world: 105 land: 109,820 sq km water: 1,040 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Pennsylvania Land boundaries: total: 29 km border countries: US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay 29 km note: Guantanamo Naval Base is leased by the US and remains part of Cuba Coastline: 3,735 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds; dry season (November to April); rainy season (May to October) Terrain: mostly flat to rolling plains, with rugged hills and mountains in the southeast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Pico Turquino 2,005 m Natural resources: cobalt, nickel, iron ore, chromium, copper, salt, timber, silica, petroleum, arable land Land use: arable land: 27.63% permanent crops: 6.54% other: 65.83% (2005) Irrigated land: 8,700 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 38.1 cu km (2000) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 8.2 cu km/yr (19%/12%/69%) per capita: 728 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: the east coast is subject to hurricanes from August to November (in general, the country averages about one hurricane every other year); droughts are common Environment - current issues: air and water pollution; biodiversity loss; deforestation Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: largest country in Caribbean and westernmost island of the Greater Antilles People ::Cuba Population: 11,451,652 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 Age structure: 0-14 years: 18.3% (male 1,077,745/female 1,020,393) 15-64 years: 70.4% (male 4,035,691/female 4,030,103) 65 years and over: 11.2% (male 584,478/female 703,242) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 37.3 years male: 36.6 years female: 38 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.233% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 180 Birth rate: 11.13 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 174 Death rate: 7.24 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 Net migration rate: -1.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 Urbanization: urban population: 76% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0% annual rate of change (2005-10 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: 0.83 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 5.82 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 181 male: 6.51 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.45 years country comparison to the world: 55 male: 75.19 years female: 79.85 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.61 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 180 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 6,200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 100 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 148 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A vectorborne diseases: dengue fever (2009) Nationality: noun: Cuban(s) adjective: Cuban Ethnic groups: white 65.1%, mulatto and mestizo 24.8%, black 10.1% (2002 census) Religions: nominally 85% Roman Catholic prior to CASTRO assuming power; Protestants, Jehovah's Witnesses, Jews, and Santeria are also represented Languages: Spanish Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.8% male: 99.8% female: 99.8% (2002 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 16 years male: 15 years female: 17 years (2006) Education expenditures: 9.1% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 9 People - note: illicit emigration is a continuing problem; Cubans attempt to depart the island and enter the US using homemade rafts, alien smugglers, direct flights, or falsified visas; Cubans also use non-maritime routes to enter the US including direct flights to Miami and over-land via the southwest border Government ::Cuba Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Cuba conventional short form: Cuba local long form: Republica de Cuba local short form: Cuba Government type: Communist state Capital: name: Havana geographic coordinates: 23 07 N, 82 21 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 14 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 special municipality* (municipio especial); Camaguey, Ciego de Avila, Cienfuegos, Ciudad de La Habana, Granma, Guantanamo, Holguin, Isla de la Juventud*, La Habana, Las Tunas, Matanzas, Pinar del Rio, Sancti Spiritus, Santiago de Cuba, Villa Clara Independence: 20 May 1902 (from Spain 10 December 1898; administered by the US from 1898 to 1902); not acknowledged by the Cuban Government as a day of independence National holiday: Triumph of the Revolution, 1 January (1959) Constitution: 24 February 1976; amended July 1992 and June 2002 Legal system: based on Spanish civil law and influenced by American legal concepts with large elements of Communist legal theory; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 16 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President of the Council of State and President of the Council of Ministers Gen. Raul CASTRO Ruz (president since 24 February 2008); First Vice President of the Council of State and First Vice President of the Council of Ministers Gen. Jose Ramon MACHADO Ventura (since 24 February 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President of the Council of State and President of the Council of Ministers Gen. Raul CASTRO Ruz (president since 24 February 2008); First Vice President of the Council of State and First Vice President of the Council of Ministers Gen. Jose Ramon MACHADO Ventura (since 24 February 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers proposed by the president of the Council of State and appointed by the National Assembly or the 31-member Council of State, elected by the assembly to act on its behalf when it is not in session elections: president and vice presidents elected by the National Assembly for a term of five years; election last held 24 February 2008 (next to be held in 2013) election results: Gen. Raul CASTRO Ruz elected president; percent of legislative vote - 100%; Gen. Jose Ramon MACHADO Ventura elected vice president; percent of legislative vote - 100% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly of People's Power or Asemblea Nacional del Poder Popular (number of seats in the National Assembly is based on population; 614 seats; members elected directly from slates approved by special candidacy commissions to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 20 January 2008 (next to be held in January 2013) election results: Cuba's Communist Party is the only legal party, and officially sanctioned candidates run unopposed Judicial branch: People's Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo Popular (president, vice president, and other judges are elected by the National Assembly) Political parties and leaders: Cuban Communist Party or PCC [Fidel CASTRO Ruz, first secretary] Political pressure groups and leaders: Human Rights Watch; National Association of Small Farmers International organization participation: ACP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS (excluded from formal participation since 1962), OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: none; note - Cuba has an Interests Section in the Swiss Embassy, headed by Principal Officer Jorge BOLANOS Suarez; address: Cuban Interests Section, Swiss Embassy, 2630 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009; telephone: [1] (202) 797-8518; FAX: [1] (202) 797-8521 Diplomatic representation from the US: none; note - the US has an Interests Section in the Swiss Embassy, headed by Chief of Mission Jonathan D. FARRAR; address: USINT, Swiss Embassy, Calzada between L and M Streets, Vedado, Havana; telephone: [53] (7) 833-3551 through 3559 (operator assistance required); FAX: [53] (7) 833-1653; protecting power in Cuba is Switzerland Flag description: five equal horizontal bands of blue (top, center, and bottom) alternating with white; a red equilateral triangle based on the hoist side bears a white, five-pointed star in the center Economy ::Cuba Economy - overview: The government continues to balance the need for economic loosening against a desire for firm political control. It has rolled back limited reforms undertaken in the 1990s to increase enterprise efficiency and alleviate serious shortages of food, consumer goods, and services. The average Cuban's standard of living remains at a lower level than before the downturn of the 1990s, which was caused by the loss of Soviet aid and domestic inefficiencies. Since late 2000, Venezuela has been providing oil on preferential terms, and it currently supplies about 100,000 barrels per day of petroleum products. Cuba has been paying for the oil, in part, with the services of Cuban personnel in Venezuela including some 30,000 medical professionals. GDP (purchasing power parity): $108.4 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 $103.9 billion (2007 est.) $96.9 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $54.71 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 7.3% (2007 est.) 12.1% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $9,500 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 108 $9,100 (2007 est.) $8,500 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 4.4% industry: 22.8% services: 72.8% (2008 est.) Labor force: 4.962 million country comparison to the world: 74 note: state sector 78%, non-state sector 22% (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 20% industry: 19.4% services: 60.6% (2005) Unemployment rate: 1.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 13 1.8% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Investment (gross fixed): 10.5% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 Budget: revenues: $45.42 billion expenditures: $49.96 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 34.8% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 36.8% of GDP (2007 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 3.1% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: NA% Commercial bank prime lending rate: NA% Stock of money: $NA Stock of quasi money: $NA Stock of domestic credit: $NA Agriculture - products: sugar, tobacco, citrus, coffee, rice, potatoes, beans; livestock Industries: sugar, petroleum, tobacco, construction, nickel, steel, cement, agricultural machinery, pharmaceuticals Industrial production growth rate: 1.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 Electricity - production: 16.89 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 Electricity - consumption: 13.93 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 52,630 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 Oil - consumption: 176,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 143 Oil - imports: 104,800 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 Oil - proved reserves: 124 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 Natural gas - production: 400 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 Natural gas - consumption: 400 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 178 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 185 Natural gas - proved reserves: 70.79 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 Current account balance: -$2.58 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 $412 million (2007 est.) Exports: $3.68 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 $3.701 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: sugar, nickel, tobacco, fish, medical products, citrus, coffee Exports - partners: Canada 27.8%, China 26.6%, Spain 6.2%, Netherlands 5.5% (2008) Imports: $14.25 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 $10.08 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: petroleum, food, machinery and equipment, chemicals Imports - partners: Venezuela 30%, China 11.9%, Spain 10.1%, Canada 6.4%, US 6.3% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $4.047 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 85 $4.747 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $19.04 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 $16.79 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $11.24 billion (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $4.138 billion (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 59 Exchange rates: Cuban pesos (CUP) per US dollar - 0.9259 (2008 est.), 0.9259 (2007), 0.9231 (2006) note: Cuba has two currencies in circulation: the Cuban peso (CUP) and the convertible peso (CUC); in April 2005 the official exchange rate changed from $1 per CUC to $1.08 per CUC (0.93 CUC per $1) both for individuals and enterprises; individuals can buy 24 Cuban pesos (CUP) for each CUC sold or sell 25 Cuban pesos for each CUC bought; enterprises, however, must exchange CUP and CUC at a 1:1 ratio. Communications ::Cuba Telephones - main lines in use: 1.104 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 74 Telephones - mobile cellular: 331,700 (2008) country comparison to the world: 167 Telephone system: general assessment: greater investment beginning in 1994 and the establishment of a new Ministry of Information Technology and Communications in 2000 has resulted in improvements in the system; wireless service is expensive and must be paid in convertible pesos, which effectively limits mobile cellular subscribership domestic: national fiber-optic system under development; 95% of switches digitized by end of 2006; fixed telephone line density remains low at less than 10 per 100 inhabitants; domestic cellular service expanding but remains at only about 3 per 100 persons international: country code - 53; fiber-optic cable laid to but not linked to US network; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 169, FM 55, shortwave 1 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 58 (1997) Internet country code: .cu Internet hosts: 3,637 (2009) country comparison to the world: 138 Internet users: 1.45 million country comparison to the world: 77 note: private citizens are prohibited from buying computers or accessing the Internet without special authorization; foreigners may access the Internet in large hotels but are subject to firewalls; some Cubans buy illegal passwords on the black market or take advantage of public outlets to access limited email and the government-controlled "intranet" (2008) Transportation ::Cuba Airports: 136 (2009) country comparison to the world: 42 Airports - with paved runways: total: 65 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 17 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 27 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 71 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 58 (2009) Pipelines: gas 41 km; oil 230 km (2008) Railways: total: 8,598 km country comparison to the world: 24 standard gauge: 8,322 km 1.435-m gauge (176 km electrified) narrow gauge: 276 km 1.000-gauge note: 4,533 km of the track is used by sugar plantations; 4,257 km is standard gauge; 276 km is narrow gauge (2006) Roadways: total: 60,858 km country comparison to the world: 73 paved: 29,820 km (includes 638 km of expressway) unpaved: 31,038 km (2000) Waterways: 240 km (2008) country comparison to the world: 95 Merchant marine: total: 11 country comparison to the world: 111 by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 3, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 3, refrigerated cargo 2 foreign-owned: 1 (Spain 1) registered in other countries: 13 (Bahamas 1, Cyprus 1, Netherlands Antilles 1, Panama 10) (2008) Ports and terminals: Cienfuegos, Havana, Matanzas Military ::Cuba Military branches: Revolutionary Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias, FAR): Revolutionary Army (ER; includes Territorial Militia Troops (Milicia de Tropas de Territoriales, MTT)), Revolutionary Navy (Marina de Guerra Revolucionaria, MGR; includes Marine Corps), Revolutionary Air and Air Defense Force (DAAFAR), Youth Labor Army (Ejercito Juvenil del Trabajo, EJT) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 17-28 years of age for compulsory military service; 2-year service obligation; both sexes subject to military service (2006) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 3,094,388 females age 16-49: 3,024,876 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 2,532,495 females age 16-49: 2,468,631 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 75,969 female: 72,253 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 3.8% of GDP (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 Military - note: the collapse of the Soviet Union deprived the Cuban Army of its major economic and logistic support and had a significant impact on equipment numbers and serviceability; the army remains well trained and professional in nature; while the lack of replacement parts for its existing equipment and the current severe shortage of fuel have increasingly affected operational capabilities, Cuba remains able to offer considerable resistance to any regional power (2008) Transnational Issues ::Cuba Disputes - international: US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay is leased to US and only mutual agreement or US abandonment of the facility can terminate the lease Trafficking in persons: current situation: Cuba is principally a source country for women and children trafficked within the country for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation and possibly for forced labor; the country is a destination for sex tourism including child sex tourism, which is a problem in many areas of the country; some Cuban nationals willingly migrate to the United States but are subsequently exploited for forced labor by their smugglers; Cuba is also a transit point for the smuggling of migrants from China, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Lebanon, and other nations to the United States and Canada tier rating: Tier 3 - Cuba does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; exact information about trafficking in Cuba is difficult to obtain because the government does not acknowledge or condemn human trafficking as a problem in Cuba; tangible efforts to prosecute offenders, protect victims, or prevent human trafficking activity do not appear to have been made during 2007; Cuba has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008) Illicit drugs: territorial waters and air space serve as transshipment zone for US- and European-bound drugs; established the death penalty for certain drug-related crimes in 1999 (2008) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Cyprus (Europe) Introduction ::Cyprus Background: A former British colony, Cyprus became independent in 1960 following years of resistance to British rule. Tensions between the Greek Cypriot majority and Turkish Cypriot minority came to a head in December 1963, when violence broke out in the capital of Nicosia. Despite the deployment of UN peacekeepers in 1964, sporadic intercommunal violence continued forcing most Turkish Cypriots into enclaves throughout the island. In 1974, a Greek Government-sponsored attempt to seize control of Cyprus was met by military intervention from Turkey, which soon controlled more than a third of the island. In 1983, the Turkish-held area declared itself the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" ("TRNC"), but it is recognized only by Turkey. The election of a new Cypriot president in 2008 served as the impetus for the UN to encourage both the Turkish and Cypriot Governments to reopen unification negotiations. In September 2008, the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities started negotiations under UN auspices aimed at reuniting the divided island. The entire island entered the EU on 1 May 2004, although the EU acquis - the body of common rights and obligations - applies only to the areas under direct government control, and is suspended in the areas administered by Turkish Cypriots. However, individual Turkish Cypriots able to document their eligibility for Republic of Cyprus citizenship legally enjoy the same rights accorded to other citizens of European Union states. Geography ::Cyprus Location: Middle East, island in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey Geographic coordinates: 35 00 N, 33 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 9,251 sq km (of which 3,355 sq km are in north Cyprus) country comparison to the world: 170 land: 9,241 sq km water: 10 sq km Area - comparative: about 0.6 times the size of Connecticut Land boundaries: total: 150.4 km (approximately) border sovereign base areas: Akrotiri 47.4 km, Dhekelia 103 km (approximately) Coastline: 648 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters Terrain: central plain with mountains to north and south; scattered but significant plains along southern coast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Olympus 1,951 m Natural resources: copper, pyrites, asbestos, gypsum, timber, salt, marble, clay earth pigment Land use: arable land: 10.81% permanent crops: 4.32% other: 84.87% (2005) Irrigated land: 400 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 0.4 cu km (2005) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.21 cu km/yr (27%/1%/71%) per capita: 250 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: moderate earthquake activity; droughts Environment - current issues: water resource problems (no natural reservoir catchments, seasonal disparity in rainfall, sea water intrusion to island's largest aquifer, increased salination in the north); water pollution from sewage and industrial wastes; coastal degradation; loss of wildlife habitats from urbanization Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (after Sicily and Sardinia) People ::Cyprus Population: 796,740 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 159 Age structure: 0-14 years: 19.1% (male 77,959/female 74,591) 15-64 years: 68.5% (male 276,890/female 269,267) 65 years and over: 12.3% (male 42,961/female 55,072) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 35.5 years male: 34.5 years female: 36.6 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.519% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 154 Birth rate: 12.57 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 161 Death rate: 7.8 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 Net migration rate: 0.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 Urbanization: urban population: 70% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 6.6 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 174 male: 8.14 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.33 years country comparison to the world: 45 male: 75.91 years female: 80.86 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.77 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 143 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: fewer than 1,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Cypriot(s) adjective: Cypriot Ethnic groups: Greek 77%, Turkish 18%, other 5% (2001) Religions: Greek Orthodox 78%, Muslim 18%, other (includes Maronite and Armenian Apostolic) 4% Languages: Greek, Turkish, English Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.6% male: 98.9% female: 96.3% (2001 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 14 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2006) Education expenditures: 6.3% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 35 Government ::Cyprus Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Cyprus conventional short form: Cyprus local long form: Kypriaki Dimokratia/Kibris Cumhuriyeti local short form: Kypros/Kibris note: the Turkish Cypriot community, which administers the northern part of the island, refers to itself as the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" ("TRNC") Government type: republic note: a separation of the two ethnic communities inhabiting the island began following the outbreak of communal strife in 1963; this separation was further solidified after the Turkish intervention in July 1974 that followed a Greek junta-supported coup attempt gave the Turkish Cypriots de facto control in the north; Greek Cypriots control the only internationally recognized government; on 15 November 1983 Turkish Cypriot "President" Rauf DENKTASH declared independence and the formation of a "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" ("TRNC"), which is recognized only by Turkey Capital: name: Nicosia (Lefkosia) geographic coordinates: 35 10 N, 33 22 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 6 districts; Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Nicosia, Paphos; note - Turkish Cypriot area's administrative divisions include Kyrenia, all but a small part of Famagusta, and small parts of Nicosia (Lefkosia) Independence: 16 August 1960 (from the UK); note - Turkish Cypriots proclaimed self-rule on 13 February 1975 and independence in 1983, but these proclamations are only recognized by Turkey National holiday: Independence Day, 1 October (1960); note - Turkish Cypriots celebrate 15 November (1983) as Independence Day Constitution: 16 August 1960 note: from December 1963, the Turkish Cypriots no longer participated in the government; negotiations to create the basis for a new or revised constitution to govern the island and for better relations between Greek and Turkish Cypriots have been held intermittently since the mid-1960s; in 1975, following the 1974 Turkish intervention, Turkish Cypriots created their own constitution and governing bodies within the "Turkish Federated State of Cyprus," which became the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC)" when the Turkish Cypriots declared their independence in 1983; a new constitution for the "TRNC" passed by referendum on 5 May 1985, although the "TRNC" remains unrecognized by any country other than Turkey Legal system: based on English common law, with civil law modifications; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Demetris CHRISTOFIAS (since 28 February 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government; post of vice president is currently vacant; under the 1960 constitution, the post is reserved for a Turkish Cypriot head of government: President Demetris CHRISTOFIAS (since 28 February 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed jointly by the president and vice president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 17 and 24 February 2008 (next to be held in February 2013) election results: Demetris CHRISTOFIAS elected president; percent of vote (first round) - Ioannis KASOULIDES 33.5%, Demetris CHRISTOFIAS 33.3%, Tassos PAPADOPOULOS 31.8%; (second round) Demetris CHRISTOFIAS 53.4%, Ioannis KASOULIDES 46.6% note: Mehmet Ali TALAT became "president" of the "TRNC", 24 April 2005, after "presidential" elections on 17 April 2005; results - Mehmet Ali TALAT 55.6%, Dervis EROGLU 22.7%; Ferdi Sabit SOYER is "TRNC prime minister" and heads the Council of Ministers (cabinet) in coalition with "Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister" Turgay AVCI Legislative branch: unicameral - area under government control: House of Representatives or Vouli Antiprosopon (80 seats; 56 assigned to the Greek Cypriots, 24 to Turkish Cypriots; note - only those assigned to Greek Cypriots are filled; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); area administered by Turkish Cypriots: Assembly of the Republic or Cumhuriyet Meclisi (50 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: area under government control: last held 21 May 2006 (next to be held in 2010); area administered by Turkish Cypriots: last held 19 April 2009 (next to be held in 2014) election results: area under government control: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - AKEL 31.1%, DISY 30.3%, DIKO 17.9%, EDEK 8.9%, EURO.KO 5.8%, Greens 2.0%; seats by party - AKEL 18, DISY 18, DIKO 11, EDEK 4, EURO.KO 4, Greens 1; area administered by Turkish Cypriots: Assembly of the Republic - percent of vote by party - UBP 44.1%, CTP 29.3%, DP 10.6%, other 16%; seats by party - UBP 26, CTP 15, DP 5, other 4 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges are appointed jointly by the president and vice president) note: there is also a Supreme Court in the area administered by Turkish Cypriots Political parties and leaders: area under government control: Democratic Party or DIKO [Marios KAROYIAN]; Democratic Rally or DISY [Nikos ANASTASIADES]; European Party or EURO.KO [Demetris SYLLOURIS]; Fighting Democratic Movement or ADIK [Dinos MIKHAILIDES]; Green Party of Cyprus [George PERDIKIS]; Movement for Social Democrats or EDEK [Yiannakis OMIROU]; Progressive Party of the Working People or AKEL (Communist Party) [Andros KYPRIANOU]; United Democrats or EDI [Michalis PAPAPETROU] area administered by Turkish Cypriots: Centrist Party or HP [Rasit PERTEV]; Communal Democracy Party or TDP [Mehmet CAKICIL]; Cyprus Socialist Party or KSP [Yusuf ALKIM]; Democratic Party or DP [Serder DENKTASH]; Freedom and Reform Party or ORP [Turgay AVCI]; National Unity Party or UBP [Dervis EROGLU]; Nationalist Justice Party or MAP [Ata TEPE]; New Cyprus Party or YKP [Murat KANATLI]; Politics for the People Party or HIS [Ahmet YONLUER]; Republican Turkish Party or CTP [Ferdi Sabit SOYER]; United Cyprus Party or BKP [Izzet IZCAN] Political pressure groups and leaders: Confederation of Cypriot Workers or SEK (pro-West); Confederation of Revolutionary Labor Unions or Dev-Is; Federation of Turkish Cypriot Labor Unions or Turk-Sen; Pan-Cyprian Labor Federation or PEO (Communist controlled) International organization participation: Australia Group, C, CE, EBRD, EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM (guest), NSG, OAS (observer), OIF (associate member), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Andreas KAKOURIS chancery: 2211 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 462-5772, 462-0873 FAX: [1] (202) 483-6710 consulate(s) general: New York note: representative of the Turkish Cypriot community in the US is Hilmi AKIL; office at 1667 K Street NW, Washington, DC; telephone [1] (202) 887-6198 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Frank C. URBANCIC, Jr. embassy: corner of Metochiou and Ploutarchou Streets, 2407 Engomi, Nicosia mailing address: P. O. Box 24536, 1385 Nicosia telephone: [357] (22) 393939 FAX: [357] (22) 780944 Flag description: white with a copper-colored silhouette of the island (the name Cyprus is derived from the Greek word for copper) above two green crossed olive branches in the center of the flag; the branches symbolize the hope for peace and reconciliation between the Greek and Turkish communities note: the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" flag has a white field with narrow horizontal red stripes positioned a small distance from the top and bottom edges between which is centered a red crescent and a red five-pointed star Economy ::Cyprus Economy - overview: The area of the Republic of Cyprus under government control has a market economy dominated by the service sector, which accounts for 78% of GDP. Tourism, financial services, and real estate are the most important sectors. Erratic growth rates over the past decade reflect the economy's reliance on tourism, which often fluctuates with political instability in the region and economic conditions in Western Europe. Nevertheless, the economy in the area under government control has grown at a rate well above the EU average since 2000. Cyprus joined the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM2) in May 2005 and adopted the euro as its national currency on 1 January 2008. An aggressive austerity program in the preceding years, aimed at paving the way for the euro, helped turn a soaring fiscal deficit (6.3% in 2003) into a surplus of 1.2% in 2008, and reduced inflation to 5.1%. This prosperity will come under pressure in 2009, as construction and tourism slow in the face of reduced foreign demand triggered by the ongoing global financial crisis. Growth is expected to slow to less than 2%, which would be its lowest level since 2003. As in the area administered by Turkish Cypriots, water shortages are a perennial problem; a few desalination plants have been added to existing plants over the last year and are now on line. After 10 years of drought, the country received substantial rainfall from 2001-04. Since then, rainfall has been well below average, making water rationing a necessity. GDP (purchasing power parity): $22.76 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 $21.94 billion (2007 est.) $21.02 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $24.92 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 4.4% (2007 est.) 4.1% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $21,300 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 $20,900 (2007 est.) $20,400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2.1% industry: 19.6% services: 78.3% (2008 est.) Labor force: 397,000 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 8.5% industry: 20.5% services: 71% (2006 est.) Unemployment rate: 3.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 3.9% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Distribution of family income - Gini index: 29 (2005) country comparison to the world: 118 Investment (gross fixed): 23.3% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 Budget: revenues:: $11.19 billion expenditures:: $10.96 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 49.1% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 74.9% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 2.4% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 3% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 98 5% (31 December 2007) note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area Commercial bank prime lending rate: 7.19% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 124 6.74% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $4.094 billion (31 December 2007) note: this figure represents the US dollar value of Cypriot pounds in circulation prior to Cyprus joining the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the EMU; individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi money circulating within their own borders Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) $43.93 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $80.68 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 42 $52.09 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 63 $29.48 billion (31 December 2007) $15.9 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: citrus, vegetables, barley, grapes, olives, vegetables; poultry, pork, lamb; dairy, cheese Industries: tourism, food and beverage processing, cement and gypsum production, ship repair and refurbishment, textiles, light chemicals, metal products, wood, paper, stone, and clay products Industrial production growth rate: 4.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 Electricity - production: 4.502 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 Electricity - consumption: 4.277 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 184 Oil - consumption: 59,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 192 Oil - imports: 58,930 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 83 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl country comparison to the world: 182 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 191 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 192 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 191 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 182 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 189 Current account balance: -$4.479 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 156 -$2.595 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $1.906 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 $1.483 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: citrus, potatoes, pharmaceuticals, cement, and clothing Exports - partners: Greece 20.1%, UK 10.8%, Germany 6% (2008) Imports: $10.54 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 $7.957 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: consumer goods, petroleum and lubricants, intermediate goods, machinery, transport equipment Imports - partners: Greece 16.9%, Italy 10.7%, UK 8.7%, Germany 8.3%, Israel 8.2%, China 5.3%, Netherlands 4.1%, France 4% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $1.003 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 $6.507 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $32.86 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 $26.97 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $15.69 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 $13.83 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $7.097 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 $5.591 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), Cypriot pounds (CYP) per US dollar - 0.4286 (2007), 0.4586 (2006), 0.4641 (2005), 0.4686 (2004) Economy of the area administered by Turkish Cypriots: Economy - overview: The Turkish Cypriot economy has roughly 40% of the per capita GDP of the south, and economic growth tends to be volatile, given the north's relative isolation, bloated public sector, reliance on the Turkish lira, and small market size. Agriculture and services, together, employ more than half of the work force. The Turkish Cypriot economy grew around 10.6% in 2006, fueled by growth in the construction and education sectors, as well as increased employment of Turkish Cypriots in the area under government control. GDP declined about 2.0% in 2007. The Turkish Cypriots are heavily dependent on transfers from the Turkish Government. Ankara directly finances about one-third of the "TRNC's" budget. Aid from Turkey has exceeded $400 million annually in recent years. The Turkish Cypriot economy probably will experience a sharp slowdown in 2008-2009 due to the global financial crisis, because the Turkish Cypriot financial sector is dominated by mainland Turkish banks, and because of its reliance on British and Turkish tourism, which has declined due to the recession. GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.829 billion (2007 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -2% (2007 est.) GDP - per capita: $11,700 (2007 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 8.6%, industry: 22.5%, services: 69.1% (2006 est.) Labor force: 95,030 (2007 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 14.5%, industry: 29%, services: 56.5% (2004) Unemployment rate: 9.4% (2005 est.) Population below poverty line: %NA Inflation rate: 11.4% (2006) Budget: revenues: $2.5 billion, expenditures: $2.5 billion (2006) Agriculture - products: citrus fruit, dairy, potatoes, grapes, olives, poultry, lamb Industries: foodstuffs, textiles, clothing, ship repair, clay, gypsum, copper, furniture Industrial production growth rate: -0.3% (2007 est.) Electricity production: 998.9 million kWh (2005) Electricity consumption: 797.9 million kWh (2005) Exports: $68.1 million, f.o.b. (2007 est.) Export - commodities: citrus, dairy, potatoes, textiles Export - partners: Turkey 40%; direct trade between the area administered by Turkish Cypriots and the area under government control remains limited Imports: $1.2 billion, f.o.b. (2007 est.) Import - commodities: vehicles, fuel, cigarettes, food, minerals, chemicals, machinery Import - partners: Turkey 60%; direct trade between the area administered by Turkish Cypriots and the area under government control remains limited Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $NA Debt - external: $NA Currency (code): Turkish new lira (YTL) Exchange rates: Turkish new lira per US dollar: 1.319 (2007) 1.4286 (2006) 1.3436 (2005) 1.4255 (2004) 1.5009 (2003) Communications ::Cyprus Telephones - main lines in use: area under government control: 413,300 (2008); area administered by Turkish Cypriots: 86,228 (2002) country comparison to the world: 102 Telephones - mobile cellular: area under government control: 1.017 million (2008); area administered by Turkish Cypriots: 147,522 (2002) country comparison to the world: 143 Telephone system: general assessment: excellent in both area under government control and area administered by Turkish Cypriots domestic: open-wire, fiber-optic cable, and microwave radio relay international: country code - 357 (area administered by Turkish Cypriots uses the country code of Turkey - 90); a number of submarine cables, including the SEA-ME-WE-3, combine to provide connectivity to Western Europe, the Middle East, and Asia; tropospheric scatter; satellite earth stations - 8 (3 Intelsat - 1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean, 2 Eutelsat, 2 Intersputnik, and 1 Arabsat) Radio broadcast stations: area under government control: AM 5, FM 76, shortwave 0 area administered by Turkish Cypriots: AM 1, FM 20, shortwave 1 (2004) Television broadcast stations: area under government control: 8 area administered by Turkish Cypriots: 2 (plus 4 relay) (2004) Internet country code: .cy Internet hosts: 185,451 (2009) country comparison to the world: 63 Internet users: 334,400 (2008) country comparison to the world: 121 Transportation ::Cyprus Airports: 15 (2009) country comparison to the world: 144 Airports - with paved runways: total: 13 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Heliports: 9 (2009) Roadways: total: 14,630 km (area under government control: 12,280 km; area administered by Turkish Cypriots: 2,350 km) country comparison to the world: 123 paved: area under government control: 7,979 km (includes 257 km of expressways); area administered by Turkish Cypriots: 1,370 km unpaved: area under government control: 4,301 km; area administered by Turkish Cypriots: 980 km (2006) Merchant marine: total: 858 country comparison to the world: 13 by type: bulk carrier 295, cargo 182, chemical tanker 63, container 193, liquefied gas 10, passenger 5, passenger/cargo 24, petroleum tanker 58, refrigerated cargo 10, roll on/roll off 12, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 5 foreign-owned: 690 (Austria 1, Belgium 2, Canada 2, Chile 1, China 10, Cuba 1, Denmark 4, Estonia 5, Germany 189, Greece 259, Hong Kong 2, India 2, Iran 10, Ireland 3, Israel 4, Italy 7, Japan 21, South Korea 1, Latvia 1, Lebanon 1, Netherlands 22, Norway 18, Philippines 1, Poland 18, Portugal 1, Russia 50, Singapore 3, Slovenia 4, Spain 6, Sweden 2, Syria 2, Ukraine 4, UAE 9, UK 19, US 5) registered in other countries: 256 (Antigua and Barbuda 18, Bahamas 25, Belize 1, Burma 1, Cambodia 7, Comoros 1, Georgia 1, Germany 2, Gibraltar 1, Greece 7, Liberia 63, Malta 31, Marshall Islands 37, Netherlands 8, Netherlands Antilles 21, Panama 19, Poland 1, Russia 2, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Samoa 1, Singapore 1, Tonga 1, Turkey 2, UK 2, unknown 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: area under government control: Larnaca, Limassol, Vasilikos;; area administered by Turkish Cypriots: Famagusta, Kyrenia Military ::Cyprus Military branches: Republic of Cyprus: Greek Cypriot National Guard (Ethniki Forea, EF; includes naval and air elements); northern Cyprus: Turkish Cypriot Security Force (GKK) (2009) Military service age and obligation: Greek Cypriot National Guard (GCNG): 18-50 years of age for compulsory military service for all Greek Cypriot males; 17 years of age for voluntary service; women may volunteer for a 3-year term; length of normal service is 25 months (2009) Manpower available for military service: Greek Cypriot National Guard (GCNG): males age 16-49: 199,767 females age 16-49: 190,665 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: Greek Cypriot National Guard (GCNG): males age 16-49: 165,615 females age 16-49: 159,362 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 6,241 female: 5,979 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 3.8% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 Transnational Issues ::Cyprus Disputes - international: hostilities in 1974 divided the island into two de facto autonomous entities, the internationally recognized Cypriot Government and a Turkish-Cypriot community (north Cyprus); the 1,000-strong UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) has served in Cyprus since 1964 and maintains the buffer zone between north and south; on 1 May 2004, Cyprus entered the European Union still divided, with the EU's body of legislation and standards (acquis communitaire) suspended in the north; Turkey protests Cypriot Government creating hydrocarbon blocks and maritime boundary with Lebanon in March 2007 Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs: 210,000 (both Turkish and Greek Cypriots; many displaced for over 30 years) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Cyprus is primarily a destination country for a large number of women trafficked from Eastern and Central Europe, the Philippines, and the Dominican Republic for the purpose of sexual exploitation; traffickers continued to fraudulently recruit victims for work as dancers in cabarets and nightclubs on short-term "artiste" visas, for work in pubs and bars on employment visas, or for illegal work on tourist or student visas tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Cyprus is on the Tier 2 Watch List for a third consecutive year for failure to show evidence of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking during 2007; although Cyprus passed a new trafficking law and opened a government trafficking shelter, these efforts are outweighed by its failure to show tangible and critically needed progress in the areas of law enforcement, victim protection, and the prevention of trafficking (2008) Illicit drugs: minor transit point for heroin and hashish via air routes and container traffic to Europe, especially from Lebanon and Turkey; some cocaine transits as well; despite a strengthening of anti-money-laundering legislation, remains vulnerable to money laundering; reporting of suspicious transactions in offshore sector remains weak (2008) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Czech Republic (Europe) Introduction ::Czech Republic Background: Following the First World War, the closely related Czechs and Slovaks of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire merged to form Czechoslovakia. During the interwar years, the new country's leaders were frequently preoccupied with meeting the demands of other ethnic minorities within the republic, most notably the Sudeten Germans and the Ruthenians (Ukrainians). After World War II, a truncated Czechoslovakia fell within the Soviet sphere of influence. In 1968, an invasion by Warsaw Pact troops ended the efforts of the country's leaders to liberalize Communist party rule and create "socialism with a human face." Anti-Soviet demonstrations the following year ushered in a period of harsh repression. With the collapse of Soviet authority in 1989, Czechoslovakia regained its freedom through a peaceful "Velvet Revolution." On 1 January 1993, the country underwent a "velvet divorce" into its two national components, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The Czech Republic joined NATO in 1999 and the European Union in 2004. Geography ::Czech Republic Location: Central Europe, between Germany, Poland, Slovikia, and Austria Geographic coordinates: 49 45 N, 15 30 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 78,867 sq km country comparison to the world: 115 land: 77,247 sq km water: 1,620 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than South Carolina Land boundaries: total: 1,989 km border countries: Austria 362 km, Germany 815 km, Poland 615 km, Slovakia 197 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters Terrain: Bohemia in the west consists of rolling plains, hills, and plateaus surrounded by low mountains; Moravia in the east consists of very hilly country Elevation extremes: lowest point: Elbe River 115 m highest point: Snezka 1,602 m Natural resources: hard coal, soft coal, kaolin, clay, graphite, timber Land use: arable land: 38.82% permanent crops: 3% other: 58.18% (2005) Irrigated land: 240 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 16 cu km (2005) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 1.91 cu km/yr (41%/57%/2%) per capita: 187 cu m/yr (2002) Natural hazards: flooding Environment - current issues: air and water pollution in areas of northwest Bohemia and in northern Moravia around Ostrava present health risks; acid rain damaging forests; efforts to bring industry up to EU code should improve domestic pollution Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: landlocked; strategically located astride some of oldest and most significant land routes in Europe; Moravian Gate is a traditional military corridor between the North European Plain and the Danube in central Europe People ::Czech Republic Population: 10,211,904 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 Age structure: 0-14 years: 13.6% (male 712,045/female 673,657) 15-64 years: 71% (male 3,641,887/female 3,604,044) 65 years and over: 15.5% (male 623,882/female 956,389) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 40.1 years male: 38.6 years female: 41.9 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: -0.094% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 213 Birth rate: 8.83 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 215 Death rate: 10.74 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 Net migration rate: 0.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 Urbanization: urban population: 73% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 3.79 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 211 male: 4.13 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.43 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.81 years country comparison to the world: 61 male: 73.54 years female: 80.28 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.24 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 214 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 161 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 1,500 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 10 (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 154 Nationality: noun: Czech(s) adjective: Czech Ethnic groups: Czech 90.4%, Moravian 3.7%, Slovak 1.9%, other 4% (2001 census) Religions: Roman Catholic 26.8%, Protestant 2.1%, other 3.3%, unspecified 8.8%, unaffiliated 59% (2001 census) Languages: Czech 94.9%, Slovak 2%, other 2.3%, unidentified 0.8% (2001 census) Literacy: definition: NA total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 15 years male: 15 years female: 15 years (2006) Education expenditures: 4.4% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 94 Government ::Czech Republic Country name: conventional long form: Czech Republic conventional short form: Czech Republic local long form: Ceska Republika local short form: Cesko Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: name: Prague geographic coordinates: 50 05 N, 14 28 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 13 regions (kraje, singular - kraj) and 1 capital city* (hlavni mesto); Jihocesky (South Bohemia), Jihomoravsky (South Moravia), Karlovarsky, Kralovehradecky, Liberecky, Moravskoslezsky (Moravia-Silesia), Olomoucky, Pardubicky, Plzensky (Pilsen), Praha (Prague)*, Stredocesky (Central Bohemia), Ustecky, Vysocina, Zlinsky Independence: 1 January 1993 (Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia) National holiday: Czech Founding Day, 28 October (1918) Constitution: ratified 16 December 1992, effective 1 January 1993; amended 1997, 2000, 2001 (twice), 2002 Legal system: civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes; legal code modified to bring it in line with Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) obligations and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legal theory Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Vaclav KLAUS (since 7 March 2003) head of government: Prime Minister Jan FISCHER (since 9 April 2009); Deputy Prime Ministers Petr NECAS (since 9 January 2007), Martin BURSIK (since 9 January 2007), and Vlasta PARKANOVA (since 23 January 2008) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president elected by Parliament for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); last successful election held 15 February 2008 (after earlier elections held 8 and 9 February 2008 were inconclusive; next election to be held in 2013); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Vaclav KLAUS reelected president on 15 February 2008; Vaclav KLAUS 141 votes, Jan SVEJNAR 111 votes (third round; combined votes of both chambers of parliament) Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Senate or Senat (81 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms; one-third elected every two years) and the Chamber of Deputies or Poslanecka Snemovna (200 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held in two rounds 17-18 and 24-25 October 2008 (next to be held by October 2010); Chamber of Deputies - last held 2-3 June 2006 (next to be held by June 2010) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ODS 36, CSSD 29, KDU-CSL 7, Open Democracy Club 6, others 3; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - ODS 35.4%, CSSD 32.3%, KSCM 12.8%, KDU-CSL 7.2%, Greens 6.3%, other 6%; seats by party - ODS 81, CSSD 74, KSCM 26, KDU-CSL 13, Greens 6; note - seats by party as of December 2008 - ODS 79, CSSD 71, KSCM 26, KDU-CSL 13, Greens 4, unaffiliated 7 (former CSSD, ODS, and Green Party members) Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Constitutional Court; chairman and deputy chairmen are appointed by the president for a 10-year term Political parties and leaders: Association of Independent Candidates-European Democrats or SNK-ED [Helmut DOHNALEK]; Christian Democratic Union-Czechoslovak People's Party or KDU-CSL [Jiri CUNEK]; Civic Democratic Party or ODS [Mirek TOPOLANEK]; Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia or KSCM [Vojtech FILIP]; Czech Social Democratic Party or CSSD [Jiri PAROUBEK]; Free Citizens' Party or SSO [Petr MACH]; Green Party [Martin BURSIK]; Independent Democrats (NEZDEM) [Vladimir ZELEZNY]; Party of Open Society (SOS) [Pavel NOVACEK]; Path of Change [Jiri LOBKOWITZ]; Union of Freedom-Democratic Union or US-DEU [Jan CERNY] Political pressure groups and leaders: Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions or CMKOS [Milan STECH] International organization participation: ACCT (observer), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA (cooperating state), EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Petr KOLAR chancery: 3900 Spring of Freedom Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 274-9100 FAX: [1] (202) 966-8540 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Richard W. GRABER embassy: Trziste 15, 118 01 Prague 1 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [420] 257 022 000 FAX: [420] 257 022 809 Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side note: identical to the flag of the former Czechoslovakia Economy ::Czech Republic Economy - overview: The Czech Republic is one of the most stable and prosperous of the post-Communist states of Central and Eastern Europe. Maintaining an open investment climate has been a key element of the Czech Republic's transition from a communist, centrally planned economy to a functioning market economy. As a member of the European Union, with an advantageous location in the center of Europe, a relatively low cost structure, and a well-qualified labor force, the Czech Republic is an attractive destination for foreign investment. Prior to its EU accession in 2004, the Czech government harmonized its laws and regulations with those of the European Union. The government plans to meet the criteria for joining the euro area around 2012. The small, open, export-driven Czech economy grew by over 6% annually from 2005-2007 and strong growth continued throughout the first three quarters of 2008. Despite the global financial crisis, the conservative Czech financial system has remained relatively healthy. The rate of Czech economic growth, however, fell in the fourth quarter of 2008, mainly due to a significant drop in demand for Czech exports in Western Europe. This trend is expected to continue, with many analysts predicting the Czech economy to contract slightly in 2009. GDP (purchasing power parity): $264.8 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 $258.1 billion (2007 est.) $243.2 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $216.4 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 6.1% (2007 est.) 6.8% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $25,900 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 $25,200 (2007 est.) $23,800 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2.3% industry: 37.6% services: 60.1% (2008 est.) Labor force: 5.36 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 3.6% industry: 40.2% services: 56.2% (2007) Unemployment rate: 5.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 6.6% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.3% highest 10%: 22.4% (1996) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 26 (2005) country comparison to the world: 129 25.4 (1996) Investment (gross fixed): 24% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 59 Budget: revenues: $93.42 billion expenditures: $96.09 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 26.8% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 33.5% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 2.9% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 2.25% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 128 3.5% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 6.25% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 134 5.79% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $86.55 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 14 $84.43 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $58.6 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 27 $58.77 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $110.5 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 37 $103.9 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $48.85 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 53 $73.42 billion (31 December 2007) $48.6 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: wheat, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit; pigs, poultry Industries: motor vehicles, metallurgy, machinery and equipment, glass, armaments Industrial production growth rate: 3.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 Electricity - production: 82.72 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 Electricity - consumption: 61.65 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 Electricity - exports: 19.99 billion kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 8.52 billion kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 16,080 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 Oil - consumption: 212,800 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 Oil - exports: 22,560 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 Oil - imports: 213,900 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 Oil - proved reserves: 15 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 Natural gas - production: 192 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 Natural gas - consumption: 8.719 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 Natural gas - exports: 968 million cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 35 Natural gas - imports: 9.573 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 Natural gas - proved reserves: 3.964 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 Current account balance: -$6.642 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 165 -$5.655 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $145.7 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 $122.7 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment 52%, raw materials and fuel 9%, chemicals 5% (2003) Exports - partners: Germany 30.6%, Slovakia 9.2%, Poland 6.5%, France 5.3%, UK 4.8%, Austria 4.7%, Italy 4.6% (2008) Imports: $139.4 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 $116.8 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment 46%, raw materials and fuels 15%, chemicals 10% (2003) Imports - partners: Germany 30.3%, Slovakia 6.6%, Poland 6.4%, Russia 6.2%, Netherlands 5.6%, Austria 5.2%, China 4.9%, Italy 4.1% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $36.68 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 $34.59 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $80.43 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 41 $76.04 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $111.9 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 $101.1 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $9.913 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 $6.971 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: koruny (CZK) per US dollar - 17.064 (2008), 20.53 (2007), 22.596 (2006), 23.957 (2005), 25.7 (2004) Communications ::Czech Republic Telephones - main lines in use: 2.278 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 54 Telephones - mobile cellular: 13.78 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 48 Telephone system: general assessment: privatization and modernization of the Czech telecommunication system got a late start but is advancing steadily; access to the fixed-line telephone network expanded throughout the 1990s but the number of fixed line connections has been dropping since then; mobile telephone usage increased sharply beginning in the mid-1990s and the number of cellular telephone subscriptions now greatly exceeds the population domestic: virtually all exchanges now digital; existing copper subscriber systems enhanced with Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) equipment to accommodate Internet and other digital signals; trunk systems include fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay international: country code - 420; satellite earth stations - 6 (2 Intersputnik - Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions, 1 Intelsat, 1 Eutelsat, 1 Inmarsat, 1 Globalstar) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 31, FM 304, shortwave 17 (2000) Television broadcast stations: 71 (2008) Internet country code: .cz Internet hosts: 3.233 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 24 Internet users: 6.028 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 38 Transportation ::Czech Republic Airports: 122 (2009) country comparison to the world: 48 Airports - with paved runways: total: 44 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 18 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 78 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 27 under 914 m: 50 (2009) Heliports: 1 (2009) Pipelines: gas 7,010 km; oil 547 km; refined products 94 km (2008) Railways: total: 9,620 km country comparison to the world: 22 standard gauge: 9,521 km 1.435-m gauge (3,013 km electrified) narrow gauge: 99 km 0.750-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 128,512 km country comparison to the world: 36 paved: 128,512 km (includes 657 km of expressways) (2007) Waterways: 664 km (principally on Elbe, Vltava, Oder, and other navigable rivers, lakes, and canals) (2008) country comparison to the world: 77 Merchant marine: registered in other countries: 1 (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2008) country comparison to the world: 150 Ports and terminals: Decin, Prague, Usti nad Labem Military ::Czech Republic Military branches: Army of the Czech Republic (ACR): Joint Forces Command (includes Land Forces and Air Forces), Support and Training Forces Command (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18-28 years of age for voluntary and 19-28 for compulsory military service (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 2,522,383 females age 16-49: 2,425,095 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 2,095,038 females age 16-49: 2,011,531 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 60,150 female: 57,157 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.46% of GDP (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 Transnational Issues ::Czech Republic Disputes - international: while threats of international legal action never materialized in 2007, 915,220 Austrians, with the support of the popular Freedom Party, signed a petition in January 2008, demanding that Austria block the Czech Republic's accession to the EU unless Prague closes its controversial Soviet-style nuclear plant in Temelin, bordering Austria Illicit drugs: transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and minor transit point for Latin American cocaine to Western Europe; producer of synthetic drugs for local and regional markets; susceptible to money laundering related to drug trafficking, organized crime; significant consumer of ecstasy (2008) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Denmark (Europe) Introduction ::Denmark Background: Once the seat of Viking raiders and later a major north European power, Denmark has evolved into a modern, prosperous nation that is participating in the general political and economic integration of Europe. It joined NATO in 1949 and the EEC (now the EU) in 1973. However, the country has opted out of certain elements of the European Union's Maastricht Treaty, including the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), European defense cooperation, and issues concerning certain justice and home affairs. Geography ::Denmark Location: Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, on a peninsula north of Germany (Jutland); also includes two major islands (Sjaelland and Fyn) Geographic coordinates: 56 00 N, 10 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 43,094 sq km country comparison to the world: 133 land: 42,434 sq km water: 660 sq km note: includes the island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea and the rest of metropolitan Denmark (the Jutland Peninsula, and the major islands of Sjaelland and Fyn), but excludes the Faroe Islands and Greenland Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Massachusetts Land boundaries: total: 68 km border countries: Germany 68 km Coastline: 7,314 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: temperate; humid and overcast; mild, windy winters and cool summers Terrain: low and flat to gently rolling plains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Lammefjord -7 m highest point: Yding Skovhoej 173 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, fish, salt, limestone, chalk, stone, gravel and sand Land use: arable land: 52.59% permanent crops: 0.19% other: 47.22% (2005) Irrigated land: 4,490 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 6.1 cu km (2003) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.67 cu km/yr (32%/26%/42%) per capita: 123 cu m/yr (2002) Natural hazards: flooding is a threat in some areas of the country (e.g., parts of Jutland, along the southern coast of the island of Lolland) that are protected from the sea by a system of dikes Environment - current issues: air pollution, principally from vehicle and power plant emissions; nitrogen and phosphorus pollution of the North Sea; drinking and surface water becoming polluted from animal wastes and pesticides Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: controls Danish Straits (Skagerrak and Kattegat) linking Baltic and North Seas; about one-quarter of the population lives in greater Copenhagen People ::Denmark Population: 5,500,510 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 Age structure: 0-14 years: 18.1% (male 511,882/female 485,782) 15-64 years: 65.8% (male 1,817,800/female 1,798,964) 65 years and over: 16.1% (male 387,142/female 498,940) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 40.5 years male: 39.6 years female: 41.3 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.28% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 174 Birth rate: 10.54 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 184 Death rate: 10.22 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 59 Net migration rate: 2.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 33 Urbanization: urban population: 87% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 4.34 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 203 male: 4.39 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.3 years country comparison to the world: 46 male: 75.96 years female: 80.78 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.74 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 165 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 4,800 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 100 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 Nationality: noun: Dane(s) adjective: Danish Ethnic groups: Scandinavian, Inuit, Faroese, German, Turkish, Iranian, Somali Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 95%, other Christian (includes Protestant and Roman Catholic) 3%, Muslim 2% Languages: Danish, Faroese, Greenlandic (an Inuit dialect), German (small minority) note: English is the predominant second language Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 17 years male: 16 years female: 17 years (2006) Education expenditures: 8.3% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 12 Government ::Denmark Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Denmark conventional short form: Denmark local long form: Kongeriget Danmark local short form: Danmark Government type: constitutional monarchy Capital: name: Copenhagen geographic coordinates: 55 40 N, 12 35 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October note: applies to continental Denmark only, not to its North Atlantic components Administrative divisions: metropolitan Denmark - 5 regions (regioner, singular - region); Hovedstaden, Midtjylland, Nordjylland, Sjaelland, Syddanmark note: an extensive local government reform merged 271 municipalities into 98 and 13 counties into five regions, effective 1 January 2007 Independence: first organized as a unified state in 10th century; in 1849 became a constitutional monarchy National holiday: none designated; Constitution Day, 5 June (1849) is generally viewed as the National Day Constitution: 5 June 1953; note - constitution allowed for a unicameral legislature and a female chief of state Legal system: civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II (since 14 January 1972); Heir Apparent Crown Prince FREDERIK, elder son of the monarch (born 26 May 1968) head of government: Prime Minister Lars Lokke RASMUSSEN (since 5 April 2009) cabinet: Council of State appointed by the monarch elections: the monarch is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch Legislative branch: unicameral People's Assembly or Folketing (179 seats, including 2 from Greenland and 2 from the Faroe Islands; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms unless the Folketing is dissolved earlier) elections: last held 13 November 2007 (next to be held in 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - Liberal Party 26.2%, Social Democrats 25.5%, Danish People's Party 13.9%, Socialist People's Party 13.0%, Conservative People's Party 10.4%, Social Liberal Party 5.1%, New Alliance 2.8%, Red-Green Unity List 2.2%, other 0.9%; seats by party - Liberal Party 46, Social Democrats 45, Danish People's Party 25, Socialist People's Party 23, Conservative People's Party 18, Social Liberal Party 9, New Alliance 5, Red-Green Alliance 4; note - does not include the two seats from Greenland and the two seats from the Faroe Islands Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges are appointed for life by the monarch) Political parties and leaders: Christian Democrats [Bjarne Hartung KIRKEGAARD] (was Christian People's Party); Conservative Party [Lene ESPERSEN] (sometimes known as Conservative People's Party); Danish People's Party [Pia KJAERSGAARD]; Liberal Party [Anders Fogh RASMUSSEN]; Liberal Alliance [Naser KHADER](formerly known as New Alliance); Red-Green Unity List (Alliance) [collective leadership] (bloc includes Left Socialist Party, Communist Party of Denmark, Socialist Workers' Party); Social Democratic Party [Helle THORNING-SCHMIDT]; Social Liberal Party [Margrethe VESTAGER]; Socialist People's Party [Villy SOEVNDAL] Political pressure groups and leaders: Danish Free Press Society (freedom of speech); Danish National Socialist Movement or DNSB [Jonni HANSEN] (neo-Nazi organization) other: human rights groups International organization participation: ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, G-9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMOGIP, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Friis Arne PETERSEN chancery: 3200 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 234-4300 FAX: [1] (202) 328-1470 consulate(s) general: Chicago, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador James P. CAIN embassy: Dag Hammarskjolds Alle 24, 2100 Copenhagen mailing address: PSC 73, APO AE 09716 telephone: [45] 33 41 71 00 FAX: [45] 35 43 02 23 Flag description: red with a white cross that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side; the banner is referred to as the Dannebrog (Danish flag) and is one of the oldest national flags in the world; traditions as to the origin of the flag design vary, but the best known is a legend that the banner fell from the sky during an early-13th century battle; caught up by the Danish king before it ever touched the earth, this heavenly talisman inspired the royal army to victory note: the shifted design element was subsequently adopted by the other Nordic countries of Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden Economy ::Denmark Economy - overview: This thoroughly modern market economy features high-tech agriculture, up-to-date small-scale and corporate industry, extensive government welfare measures, an equitable distribution of income, comfortable living standards, a stable currency, a stable political system, and high dependence on foreign trade. Unemployment is low and capacity constraints limit growth potential. Denmark is a net exporter of food and energy and enjoys a comfortable balance of payments surplus. The government has been successful in meeting, and even exceeding, the economic convergence criteria for participating in the third phase (a common European currency) of the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), but so far Denmark has decided not to join 16 other EU members in the euro. Nonetheless, the Danish krone remains pegged to the euro. Denmark's fiscal position is among the strongest in the EU. Economic growth gained momentum in 2004 and the upturn continued through 2006. After a long consumption-driven upswing, Denmark's economy began slowing in early 2007 with the end of a housing boom. This cyclical slowdown has been exacerbated by the global financial crisis through increased borrowing costs and lower export demand, consumer confidence, and investment. The slowing global economy cut GDP by 1.2% in 2008. A major long-term issue will be the sharp decline in the ratio of workers to retirees. GDP (purchasing power parity): $204.1 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 $206.6 billion (2007 est.) $203.3 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $340 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -1.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 209 1.6% (2007 est.) 3.3% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $37,200 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 $37,800 (2007 est.) $37,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1.3% industry: 26.1% services: 72.6% (2008 est.) Labor force: 2.88 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 2.9% industry: 23.8% services: 72.7% (2005 est.) Unemployment rate: 1.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 2.8% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 24% (2000 est.) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 24 (2005) country comparison to the world: 132 24.7 (1992) Investment (gross fixed): 21.6% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 Budget: revenues: $188.6 billion expenditures: $176.3 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 33.5% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 42.5% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 1.7% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 3.5% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 126 4% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: NA Stock of money: $143 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 9 $148.7 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $95.82 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 23 $81.64 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $695.8 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 16 $684.7 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 31 $277.7 billion (31 December 2007) $231 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: barley, wheat, potatoes, sugar beets; pork, dairy products; fish Industries: iron, steel, nonferrous metals, chemicals, food processing, machinery and transportation equipment, textiles and clothing, electronics, construction, furniture and other wood products, shipbuilding and refurbishment, windmills, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment Industrial production growth rate: -3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 161 Electricity - production: 36.92 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 Electricity - consumption: 35.79 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 Electricity - exports: 11.36 billion kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 12.82 billion kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 288,800 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 Oil - consumption: 181,100 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 Oil - exports: 287,100 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 Oil - imports: 153,800 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 Oil - proved reserves: 1.06 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 Natural gas - production: 10.09 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 Natural gas - consumption: 4.59 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 Natural gas - exports: 5.516 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 26 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 Natural gas - proved reserves: 61.3 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 Current account balance: $6.938 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 $2.378 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $114.9 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 $100.5 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: machinery and instruments, meat and meat products, dairy products, fish, pharmaceuticals, furniture, windmills Exports - partners: Germany 18%, Sweden 14.5%, UK 8.2%, Norway 5.7%, US 5.3%, France 4.8%, Netherlands 4.6% (2008) Imports: $116.4 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 $100.8 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, raw materials and semimanufactures for industry, chemicals, grain and foodstuffs, consumer goods Imports - partners: Germany 20.9%, Sweden 14%, Netherlands 6.7%, Norway 6.3%, China 5.7%, UK 5.1% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $42.32 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 $34.32 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $588.8 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 18 $567.4 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $142.7 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 $131.3 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $181.9 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 $153.3 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar - 5.0236 (2008 est.), 5.4797 (2007), 5.9468 (2006), 5.9969 (2005), 5.9911 (2004) Communications ::Denmark Telephones - main lines in use: 2.487 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 53 Telephones - mobile cellular: 6.551 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 75 Telephone system: general assessment: excellent telephone and telegraph services domestic: buried and submarine cables and microwave radio relay form trunk network, multiple cellular mobile communications systems international: country code - 45; a series of fiber-optic submarine cables link Denmark with Canada, Faroe Islands, Germany, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Sweden, and UK; satellite earth stations - 18 (6 Intelsat, 10 Eutelsat, 1 Orion, 1 Inmarsat (Blaavand-Atlantic-East)); note - the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) share the Danish earth station and the Eik, Norway, station for worldwide Inmarsat access (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 355, shortwave 0 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 172 (2008) Internet country code: .dk Internet hosts: 3.991 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 19 Internet users: 4.579 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 44 Transportation ::Denmark Airports: 92 (2009) country comparison to the world: 65 Airports - with paved runways: total: 28 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 3 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 64 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 61 (2009) Pipelines: gas 2,858 km; oil 107 km (2008) Railways: total: 2,667 km country comparison to the world: 63 standard gauge: 2,667 km 1.435-m gauge (640 km electrified) (2008) Roadways: total: 72,362 km country comparison to the world: 64 paved: 72,362 km (includes 1,032 km of expressways) (2006) Waterways: 400 km (2008) country comparison to the world: 88 Merchant marine: total: 327 country comparison to the world: 29 by type: bulk carrier 8, cargo 63, carrier 2, chemical tanker 78, container 84, liquefied gas 2, passenger/cargo 42, petroleum tanker 29, refrigerated cargo 7, roll on/roll off 8, specialized tanker 4 foreign-owned: 26 (Canada 1, Germany 1, Germany 9, Greece 4, Iceland 2, Norway 3, Sweden 6) registered in other countries: 534 (Antigua and Barbuda 19, Bahamas 67, Belgium 4, Brazil 2, Cayman Islands 3, Cyprus 4, Egypt 1, Estonia 1, France 2, Germany 1, Gibraltar 7, Hong Kong 24, Isle of Man 29, Italy 3, Jamaica 2, Liberia 12, Lithuania 5, Luxembourg 1, Malta 30, Marshall Islands 10, Mexico 2, Netherlands 29, Netherlands Antilles 2, Norway 25, Panama 40, Portugal 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 16, Singapore 87, South Africa 1, Spain 2, Sweden 4, Togo 1, UAE 1, UK 62, US 31, Venezuela 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Aalborg, Aarhus, Copenhagen, Ensted, Esbjerg, Fredericia, Kalundborg Military ::Denmark Military branches: Defense Command: Army Operational Command, Admiral Danish Fleet, Island Command Greenland, Tactical Air Command, Home Guard (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscripts serve an initial training period that varies from 4 to 12 months according to specialization; reservists are assigned to mobilization units following completion of their conscript service; women eligible to volunteer for military service (2004) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,235,067 females age 16-49: 1,215,418 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,013,223 females age 16-49: 998,837 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 37,231 female: 35,306 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.3% of GDP (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 125 Transnational Issues ::Denmark Disputes - international: Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm; Faroese continue to study proposals for full independence; sovereignty dispute with Canada over Hans Island in the Kennedy Channel between Ellesmere Island and Greenland page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Dhekelia (Europe) Introduction ::Dhekelia Background: By terms of the 1960 Treaty of Establishment that created the independent Republic of Cyprus, the UK retained full sovereignty and jurisdiction over two areas of almost 254 square kilometers - Akrotiri and Dhekelia. The larger of these is the Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area, which is also referred to as the Eastern Sovereign Base Area. Geography ::Dhekelia Location: Eastern Mediterranean, on the southeast coast of Cyprus near Famagusta Geographic coordinates: 34 59 N, 33 45 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 130.8 sq km country comparison to the world: 222 note: area surrounds three Cypriot enclaves Area - comparative: about three-quarters the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 103 km (approximately) border countries: Cyprus 103 km (approximately) Coastline: 27.5 km Climate: temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters Environment - current issues: netting and trapping of small migrant songbirds in the spring and autumn Geography - note: British extraterritorial rights also extended to several small off-post sites scattered across Cyprus; of the Sovereign Base Area land 60% is privately owned and farmed, 20% is owned by the Ministry of Defense, and 20% is SBA Crown land People ::Dhekelia Population: approximately 15,700 live on the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia including 7,700 Cypriots, 3,600 Service and UK Based Contract personnel, and 4,400 dependents country comparison to the world: 219 Languages: English, Greek Government ::Dhekelia Country name: conventional long form: Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area conventional short form: Dhekelia Dependency status: a special form of UK overseas territory; administered by an administrator who is also the Commander, British Forces Cyprus Capital: name: Episkopi Cantonment (base administrative center for Akrotiri and Dhekelia); located in Akrotiri geographic coordinates: 34 40 N, 32 51 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Constitution: Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia Order in Council 1960, effective 16 August 1960, functions as a basic legal document Legal system: the Sovereign Base Area Administration has its own court system to deal with civil and criminal matters; laws applicable to the Cypriot population are, as far as possible, the same as the laws of the Republic of Cyprus Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Administrator Major General Jamie GORDON (since October 2008); note - reports to the British Ministry of Defense elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the administrator is appointed by the monarch Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Flag description: the flag of the UK is used Economy ::Dhekelia Economy - overview: Economic activity is limited to providing services to the military and their families located in Dhekelia. All food and manufactured goods must be imported. Industries: none Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008) note: on 1 January 2008, Dhekelia and Akrotiri adopted the euro along with the rest of Cyprus Communications ::Dhekelia Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM 1 (located in Akrotiri), shortwave NA (British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) provides Radio 1 and Radio 2 service to Akrotiri, Dhekelia, and Nicosia) (2006) Television broadcast stations: 0 (British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) provides multi-channel satellite service to Akrotiri, Dhekelia, and Nicosia) (2006) Military ::Dhekelia Military - note: includes Dhekelia Garrison and Ayios Nikolaos Station connected by a roadway page last updated on July 2, 2009 ====================================================================== @Djibouti (Africa) Introduction ::Djibouti Background: The French Territory of the Afars and the Issas became Djibouti in 1977. Hassan Gouled APTIDON installed an authoritarian one-party state and proceeded to serve as president until 1999. Unrest among the Afars minority during the 1990s led to a civil war that ended in 2001 following the conclusion of a peace accord between Afar rebels and the Issa-dominated government. In 1999, Djibouti's first multi-party presidential elections resulted in the election of Ismail Omar GUELLEH; he was re-elected to a second and final term in 2005. Djibouti occupies a strategic geographic location at the mouth of the Red Sea and serves as an important transshipment location for goods entering and leaving the east African highlands. The present leadership favors close ties to France, which maintains a significant military presence in the country, but also has strong ties with the US. Djibouti hosts the only US military base in sub-Saharan Africa and is a front-line state in the global war on terrorism. Geography ::Djibouti Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, between Eritrea and Somalia Geographic coordinates: 11 30 N, 43 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 23,200 sq km country comparison to the world: 150 land: 23,180 sq km water: 20 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Massachusetts Land boundaries: total: 516 km border countries: Eritrea 109 km, Ethiopia 349 km, Somalia 58 km Coastline: 314 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: desert; torrid, dry Terrain: coastal plain and plateau separated by central mountains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Lac Assal -155 m highest point: Moussa Ali 2,028 m Natural resources: geothermal areas, gold, clay, granite, limestone, marble, salt, diatomite, gypsum, pumice, petroleum Land use: arable land: 0.04% permanent crops: 0% other: 99.96% (2005) Irrigated land: 10 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 0.3 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.02 cu km/yr (84%/0%/16%) per capita: 25 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: earthquakes; droughts; occasional cyclonic disturbances from the Indian Ocean bring heavy rains and flash floods Environment - current issues: inadequate supplies of potable water; limited arable land; desertification; endangered species Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: strategic location near world's busiest shipping lanes and close to Arabian oilfields; terminus of rail traffic into Ethiopia; mostly wasteland; Lac Assal (Lake Assal) is the lowest point in Africa People ::Djibouti Population: 516,055 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 Age structure: 0-14 years: 43.3% (male 112,135/female 111,343) 15-64 years: 53% (male 141,298/female 132,360) 65 years and over: 3.7% (male 9,502/female 9,417) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 18.1 years male: 18.5 years female: 17.8 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.903% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 Birth rate: 38.13 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 Death rate: 19.1 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 87% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.01 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 97.51 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 12 male: 104.98 deaths/1,000 live births female: 89.82 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 43.37 years country comparison to the world: 217 male: 41.89 years female: 44.89 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.06 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 3.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 16,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 83 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 1,100 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Nationality: noun: Djiboutian(s) adjective: Djiboutian Ethnic groups: Somali 60%, Afar 35%, other 5% (includes French, Arab, Ethiopian, and Italian) Religions: Muslim 94%, Christian 6% Languages: French (official), Arabic (official), Somali, Afar Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 67.9% male: 78% female: 58.4% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 4 years male: 5 years female: 4 years (2006) Education expenditures: 8.4% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 11 Government ::Djibouti Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Djibouti conventional short form: Djibouti local long form: Republique de Djibouti/Jumhuriyat Jibuti local short form: Djibouti/Jibuti former: French Territory of the Afars and Issas, French Somaliland Government type: republic Capital: name: Djibouti geographic coordinates: 11 35 N, 43 09 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 6 districts (cercles, singular - cercle); Ali Sabieh, Arta, Dikhil, Djibouti, Obock, Tadjourah Independence: 27 June 1977 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 27 June (1977) Constitution: approved by referendum 4 September 1992; note - constitution allows for multiparties Legal system: based on French civil law system, traditional practices, and Islamic law; accepts ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Ismail Omar GUELLEH (since 8 May 1999) head of government: Prime Minister Mohamed Dileita DILEITA (since 4 March 2001) cabinet: Council of Ministers responsible to the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 8 April 2005 (next to be held by April 2011); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Ismail Omar GUELLEH reelected president; percent of vote - Ismail Omar GUELLEH 100% Legislative branch: unicameral Chamber of Deputies or Chambre des Deputes (65 seats; members elected by popular vote for five-year terms) elections: last held 8 February 2008 (next to be held 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats - UMP (coalition of parties associated with President Ismail Omar GUELLAH) 65 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme Political parties and leaders: Democratic National Party or PND [ADEN Robleh Awaleh]; Democratic Renewal Party or PRD [Abdillahi HAMARITEH]; Djibouti Development Party or PDD [Mohamed Daoud CHEHEM]; Front pour la Restauration de l'Unite Democratique or FRUD [Ali Mohamed DAOUD]; People's Progress Assembly or RPP [Ismail Omar GUELLEH] (governing party); Peoples Social Democratic Party or PPSD [Moumin Bahdon FARAH]; Republican Alliance for Democracy or ARD [Ahmed YOUSSOUF]; Union for a Presidential Majority or UMP (a coalition of parties including RPP, FRUD, PND, and PPSD) [Mohamed Dileita DILEITA]; Union for Democracy and Justice or UDJ Political pressure groups and leaders: Union for Presidential Majority UMP (coalition includes RPP, FRUD, PPSD and PND); Union for Democratic Changeover or UAD (opposition coalition includes ARD, MRDD, and UDJ) International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Roble OLHAYE Oudine chancery: Suite 515, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 telephone: [1] (202) 331-0270 FAX: [1] (202) 331-0302 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador James C. SWAN embassy: Plateau du Serpent, Boulevard Marechal Joffre, Djibouti mailing address: B. P. 185, Djibouti telephone: [253] 35 39 95 FAX: [253] 35 39 40 Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of light blue (top) and light green with a white isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bearing a red five-pointed star in the center Economy ::Djibouti Economy - overview: The economy is based on service activities connected with the country's strategic location and status as a free trade zone in the Horn of Africa. Two-thirds of Djibouti's inhabitants live in the capital city; the remainder are mostly nomadic herders. Scanty rainfall limits crop production to fruits and vegetables, and most food must be imported. Djibouti provides services as both a transit port for the region and an international transshipment and refueling center. Imports and exports from landlocked neighbor Ethiopia represent 85% of port activity at Djibouti's container terminal. Djibouti has few natural resources and little industry. The nation is, therefore, heavily dependent on foreign assistance to help support its balance of payments and to finance development projects. An unemployment rate of nearly 60% in urban areas continues to be a major problem. While inflation is not a concern, due to the fixed tie of the Djiboutian franc to the US dollar, the artificially high value of the Djiboutian franc adversely affects Djibouti's balance of payments. Per capita consumption dropped an estimated 35% between 1999 and 2006 because of recession, civil war, and a high population growth rate (including immigrants and refugees). Faced with a multitude of economic difficulties, the government has fallen in arrears on long-term external debt and has been struggling to meet the stipulations of foreign aid donors. GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.891 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 184 $1.786 billion (2007 est.) $1.696 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $982 million (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 5.3% (2007 est.) 4.8% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $2,700 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 170 $2,600 (2007 est.) $2,500 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.2% industry: 14.9% services: 81.9% (2006 est.) Labor force: 351,700 (2007) country comparison to the world: 156 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Unemployment rate: 59% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 194 note: data are for urban areas, 83% in rural areas Population below poverty line: 42% (2007 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $135 million expenditures: $182 million (1999 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 85 Commercial bank prime lending rate: NA Stock of money: $462.7 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 97 $380 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $338 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 112 $284.1 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $269.9 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 121 $224.7 million (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: fruits, vegetables; goats, sheep, camels, animal hides Industries: construction, agricultural processing Electricity - production: 280 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 Electricity - consumption: 260.4 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 170 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 183 Oil - consumption: 13,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 141 Oil - exports: 19.18 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 137 Oil - imports: 8,476 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 181 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 190 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 191 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 190 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 191 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 188 Current account balance: -$212 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 Exports: $340 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 170 Exports - commodities: reexports, hides and skins, coffee (in transit) Exports - partners: Somalia 79.9%, UAE 4.1%, Yemen 4.1% (2008) Imports: $1.555 billion (2006) country comparison to the world: 159 Imports - commodities: foods, beverages, transport equipment, chemicals, petroleum products Imports - partners: Saudi Arabia 20.5%, India 20.5%, China 10.6%, US 6%, Malaysia 6% (2008) Debt - external: $428 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 167 Exchange rates: Djiboutian francs (DJF) per US dollar - 177.71 (2007), 174.75 (2006), 177.72 (2005), 177.72 (2004), 177.72 (2003) Communications ::Djibouti Telephones - main lines in use: 10,800 (2008) country comparison to the world: 201 Telephones - mobile cellular: 44,100 (2005) country comparison to the world: 196 Telephone system: general assessment: telephone facilities in the city of Djibouti are adequate, as are the microwave radio relay connections to outlying areas of the country domestic: microwave radio relay network; mobile cellular coverage is primarily limited to the area in and around Djibouti city international: country code - 253; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 optical telecommunications submarine cable with links to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean and 1 Arabsat); Medarabtel regional microwave radio relay telephone network (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2001) Television broadcast stations: 1 (2001) Internet country code: .dj Internet hosts: 199 (2009) country comparison to the world: 188 Internet users: 13,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 197 Transportation ::Djibouti Airports: 13 (2009) country comparison to the world: 152 Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 3 (2009) Railways: total: 100 km (Djibouti segment of the 781 km Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway) country comparison to the world: 127 narrow gauge: 100 km 1.000-m gauge note: railway is under joint control of Djibouti and Ethiopia but is largely inoperable (2008) Roadways: total: 3,065 km country comparison to the world: 165 paved: 1,226 km unpaved: 1,839 km (2000) Ports and terminals: Djibouti Transportation - note: the International Maritime Bureau reports offshore waters in the Gulf of Aden are high risk for piracy; numerous vessels, including commercial shipping and pleasure craft, have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; crew, passengers, and cargo are held for ransom Military ::Djibouti Military branches: Djibouti National Army (includes Navy and Air Force) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; 16-25 years of age for voluntary military training; no conscription (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 111,274 females age 16-49: 105,168 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 55,173 females age 16-49: 52,825 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 5,778 female: 5,771 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 3.8% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 33 Transnational Issues ::Djibouti Disputes - international: Djibouti maintains economic ties and border accords with "Somaliland" leadership while maintaining some political ties to various factions in Somalia; Kuwait is chief investor in the 2008 restoration and upgrade of the Ethiopian-Djibouti rail link Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 8,642 (Somalia) (2007) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Dominica (Central America and Caribbean) Introduction ::Dominica Background: Dominica was the last of the Caribbean islands to be colonized by Europeans due chiefly to the fierce resistance of the native Caribs. France ceded possession to Great Britain in 1763, which made the island a colony in 1805. In 1980, two years after independence, Dominica's fortunes improved when a corrupt and tyrannical administration was replaced by that of Mary Eugenia CHARLES, the first female prime minister in the Caribbean, who remained in office for 15 years. Some 3,000 Carib Indians still living on Dominica are the only pre-Columbian population remaining in the eastern Caribbean. Geography ::Dominica Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about half way between Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago Geographic coordinates: 15 25 N, 61 20 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 751 sq km country comparison to the world: 188 land: 751 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than four times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 148 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds; heavy rainfall Terrain: rugged mountains of volcanic origin Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Morne Diablatins 1,447 m Natural resources: timber, hydropower, arable land Land use: arable land: 6.67% permanent crops: 21.33% other: 72% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Total renewable water resources: NA Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.02 cu km/yr per capita: 213 cu m/yr (1996) Natural hazards: flash floods are a constant threat; destructive hurricanes can be expected during the late summer months Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: known as "The Nature Island of the Caribbean" due to its spectacular, lush, and varied flora and fauna, which are protected by an extensive natural park system; the most mountainous of the Lesser Antilles, its volcanic peaks are cones of lava craters and include Boiling Lake, the second-largest, thermally active lake in the world People ::Dominica Population: 72,660 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 201 Age structure: 0-14 years: 24% (male 8,910/female 8,518) 15-64 years: 65.8% (male 24,532/female 23,301) 65 years and over: 10.2% (male 3,187/female 4,212) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 29.8 years male: 29.4 years female: 30.2 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.208% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 184 Birth rate: 15.73 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 Death rate: 8.2 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 Net migration rate: -5.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 164 Urbanization: urban population: 74% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 13.65 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 133 male: 18.34 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.55 years country comparison to the world: 76 male: 72.61 years female: 78.64 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.09 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Dominican(s) adjective: Dominican Ethnic groups: black 86.8%, mixed 8.9%, Carib Amerindian 2.9%, white 0.8%, other 0.7% (2001 census) Religions: Roman Catholic 61.4%, Seventh Day Adventist 6%, Pentecostal 5.6%, Baptist 4.1%, Methodist 3.7%, Church of God 1.2%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.2%, other Christian 7.7%, Rastafarian 1.3%, other or unspecified 1.6%, none 6.1% (2001 census) Languages: English (official), French patois Literacy: definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 94% male: 94% female: 94% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2005) Education expenditures: 5% of GDP (1999) country comparison to the world: 70 Government ::Dominica Country name: conventional long form: Commonwealth of Dominica conventional short form: Dominica Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: name: Roseau geographic coordinates: 15 18 N, 61 24 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 10 parishes; Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Luke, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick, Saint Paul, Saint Peter Independence: 3 November 1978 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 3 November (1978) Constitution: 3 November 1978 Legal system: based on English common law; accepts ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Nicholas J. O. LIVERPOOL (since October 2003) head of government: Prime Minister Roosevelt SKERRIT (since 8 January 2004) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister elections: president elected by the House of Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 1 October 2003 (next to be held in 2013); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Nicholas LIVERPOOL consented to a second term in 2008 at the request of the prime minister and leader of the opposition Legislative branch: unicameral House of Assembly (30 seats; 9 members appointed, 21 elected by popular vote; to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 5 May 2005 (next to be held by 5 August 2010); note - tradition dictates that the election will be held within five years of the last election, but technically it is five years from the first seating of parliament (12 May 2005) plus a 90-day grace period election results: percent of vote by party - DLP 52.1%, UWP 43.6%, DFP 3.2%, other 1.1%; seats by party - DLP 12, UWP 8, independent 1 Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consisting of the Court of Appeal and the High Court (located in Saint Lucia; one of the six judges must reside in Dominica and preside over the Court of Summary Jurisdiction) Political parties and leaders: Dominica Freedom Party or DFP [Charles SAVARIN]; Dominica Labor Party or DLP [Roosevelt SKERRIT]; Dominica United Workers Party or UWP [Earl WILLIAMS] Political pressure groups and leaders: Dominica Liberation Movement or DLM (a small leftist party) International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OIF, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Judith Ann ROLLE chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 364-6781 FAX: [1] (202) 364-6791 consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Dominica; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Dominica Flag description: green, with a centered cross of three equal bands - the vertical part is yellow (hoist side), black, and white and the horizontal part is yellow (top), black, and white; superimposed in the center of the cross is a red disk bearing a sisserou parrot encircled by 10 green, five-pointed stars edged in yellow; the 10 stars represent the 10 administrative divisions (parishes) Economy ::Dominica Economy - overview: The Dominican economy depends on agriculture, primarily bananas, and remains highly vulnerable to climatic conditions and international economic developments. Tourism has increased as the government seeks to promote Dominica as an "ecotourism" destination and has developed a new tourism development plan with assistance from the EU. Hurricane Dean struck the island in August 2007 causing damages equivalent to 20% of GDP. In 2003, the government began a comprehensive restructuring of the economy - including elimination of price controls, privatization of the state banana company, and tax increases - to address Dominica's economic and financial crisis of 2001-02 and to meet IMF targets. This restructuring paved the way for the current economic recovery - real growth for 2006 reached a two-decade high - and will help to reduce the debt burden, which remains at about 100% of GDP. In order to diversify the island's production base, the government is attempting to develop an offshore financial sector and has signed an agreement with the EU to develop geothermal energy resources. GDP (purchasing power parity): $726.3 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 209 $703.8 million (2007 est.) $691.4 million (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $364 million (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 1.8% (2007 est.) 3.8% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $10,000 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 $9,700 (2007 est.) $9,600 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 17.7% industry: 32.8% services: 49.5% (2004 est.) Labor force: 25,000 (2000 est.) country comparison to the world: 198 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 40% industry: 32% services: 28% (2000 est.) Unemployment rate: 23% (2000 est.) country comparison to the world: 172 Population below poverty line: 30% (2002 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $73.9 million expenditures: $84.4 million (2001) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.7% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 Central bank discount rate: 6.5% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 68 6.5% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 9.06% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 91 9.17% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $72.1 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 115 $73.71 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $289.9 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 114 $269.1 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $213.6 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 122 $193.1 million (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: bananas, citrus, mangoes, root crops, coconuts, cocoa; forest and fishery potential not exploited Industries: soap, coconut oil, tourism, copra, furniture, cement blocks, shoes Industrial production growth rate: NA Electricity - production: 85 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 193 Electricity - consumption: 79.05 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 193 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 182 Oil - consumption: 1,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 198 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 191 Oil - imports: 838.2 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 191 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 180 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 189 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 190 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 189 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 190 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 187 Current account balance: -$72 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 Exports: $94 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 194 Exports - commodities: bananas, soap, bay oil, vegetables, grapefruit, oranges Exports - partners: Japan 33.5%, China 17.8%, Antigua and Barbuda 6.7%, Guyana 5.7%, Jamaica 4.7%, UK 4.7% (2008) Imports: $296 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 195 Imports - commodities: manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, food, chemicals Imports - partners: Japan 43.2%, US 17%, China 12.1%, Trinidad and Tobago 8.4% (2008) Debt - external: $213 million (2004) country comparison to the world: 179 Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2007), 2.7 (2006), 2.7 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003) Communications ::Dominica Telephones - main lines in use: 17,500 (2008) country comparison to the world: 197 Telephones - mobile cellular: 100,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 183 Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: fully automatic network international: country code - 1-767; landing point for the East Caribbean Fiber Optic System (ECFS) submarine cable with links to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad; microwave radio relay and SHF radiotelephone links to Martinique and Guadeloupe; VHF and UHF radiotelephone links to Saint Lucia Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 4, shortwave 0 (2003) Television broadcast stations: 1 (2004) Internet country code: .dm Internet hosts: 485 (2009) country comparison to the world: 173 Internet users: 27,500 (2008) country comparison to the world: 182 Transportation ::Dominica Airports: 2 (2009) country comparison to the world: 198 Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009) Roadways: total: 780 km country comparison to the world: 187 paved: 393 km unpaved: 387 km (2000) Merchant marine: total: 53 country comparison to the world: 69 by type: bulk carrier 14, cargo 27, chemical tanker 3, petroleum tanker 5, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 1, vehicle carrier 1 foreign-owned: 47 (Australia 2, Estonia 7, Greece 10, India 2, Latvia 1, Norway 1, Russia 3, Saudi Arabia 2, Singapore 7, Syria 2, Turkey 5, Ukraine 4, UAE 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Portsmouth, Roseau Military ::Dominica Military branches: no regular military forces; Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (includes Coast Guard) (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 18,584 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 15,821 females age 16-49: 15,291 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 776 female: 731 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: NA (2006) Transnational Issues ::Dominica Disputes - international: Dominica is the only Caribbean state to challenge Venezuela's sovereignty claim over Aves Island and joins the other island nations in challenging whether the feature sustains human habitation, a criterion under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which permits Venezuela to extend its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf claims over a large portion of the eastern Caribbean Sea Illicit drugs: transshipment point for narcotics bound for the US and Europe; minor cannabis producer (2008) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Dominican Republic (Central America and Caribbean) Introduction ::Dominican Republic Background: Explored and claimed by Christopher COLUMBUS on his first voyage in 1492, the island of Hispaniola became a springboard for Spanish conquest of the Caribbean and the American mainland. In 1697, Spain recognized French dominion over the western third of the island, which in 1804 became Haiti. The remainder of the island, by then known as Santo Domingo, sought to gain its own independence in 1821 but was conquered and ruled by the Haitians for 22 years; it finally attained independence as the Dominican Republic in 1844. In 1861, the Dominicans voluntarily returned to the Spanish Empire, but two years later they launched a war that restored independence in 1865. A legacy of unsettled, mostly non-representative rule followed, capped by the dictatorship of Rafael Leonidas TRUJILLO from 1930-61. Juan BOSCH was elected president in 1962 but was deposed in a military coup in 1963. In 1965, the United States led an intervention in the midst of a civil war sparked by an uprising to restore BOSCH. In 1966, Joaquin BALAGUER defeated BOSCH in an election to become president. BALAGUER maintained a tight grip on power for most of the next 30 years when international reaction to flawed elections forced him to curtail his term in 1996. Since then, regular competitive elections have been held in which opposition candidates have won the presidency. Former President (1996-2000) Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna won election to a second term in 2004 following a constitutional amendment allowing presidents to serve more than one term. Geography ::Dominican Republic Location: Caribbean, eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Haiti Geographic coordinates: 19 00 N, 70 40 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 48,670 sq km country comparison to the world: 131 land: 48,320 sq km water: 350 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than twice the size of New Hampshire Land boundaries: total: 360 km border countries: Haiti 360 km Coastline: 1,288 km Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines territorial sea: 6 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Climate: tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation; seasonal variation in rainfall Terrain: rugged highlands and mountains with fertile valleys interspersed Elevation extremes: lowest point: Lago Enriquillo -46 m highest point: Pico Duarte 3,175 m Natural resources: nickel, bauxite, gold, silver Land use: arable land: 22.49% permanent crops: 10.26% other: 67.25% (2005) Irrigated land: 2,750 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 21 cu km (2000) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 3.39 cu km/yr (32%/2%/66%) per capita: 381 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding; periodic droughts Environment - current issues: water shortages; soil eroding into the sea damages coral reefs; deforestation Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Geography - note: shares island of Hispaniola with Haiti People ::Dominican Republic Population: 9,650,054 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 85 Age structure: 0-14 years: 31.4% (male 1,543,141/female 1,488,016) 15-64 years: 62.7% (male 3,087,351/female 2,960,319) 65 years and over: 5.9% (male 264,476/female 306,751) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 24.9 years male: 24.8 years female: 25.1 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.489% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 Birth rate: 22.39 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 83 Death rate: 5.28 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 182 Net migration rate: -2.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 141 Urbanization: urban population: 69% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 25.96 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 83 male: 28 deaths/1,000 live births female: 23.84 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.7 years country comparison to the world: 99 male: 71.88 years female: 75.6 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.76 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 62,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 59 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 4,100 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009) Nationality: noun: Dominican(s) adjective: Dominican Ethnic groups: mixed 73%, white 16%, black 11% Religions: Roman Catholic 95%, other 5% Languages: Spanish Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 87% male: 86.8% female: 87.2% (2002 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 13 years (2004) Education expenditures: 3.6% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 126 Government ::Dominican Republic Country name: conventional long form: Dominican Republic conventional short form: The Dominican local long form: Republica Dominicana local short form: La Dominicana Government type: democratic republic Capital: name: Santo Domingo geographic coordinates: 18 28 N, 69 54 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 31 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 district* (distrito); Azua, Bahoruco, Barahona, Dajabon, Distrito Nacional*, Duarte, El Seibo, Elias Pina, Espaillat, Hato Mayor, Independencia, La Altagracia, La Romana, La Vega, Maria Trinidad Sanchez, Monsenor Nouel, Monte Cristi, Monte Plata, Pedernales, Peravia, Puerto Plata, Salcedo, Samana, San Cristobal, San Jose de Ocoa, San Juan, San Pedro de Macoris, Sanchez Ramirez, Santiago, Santiago Rodriguez, Santo Domingo, Valverde Independence: 27 February 1844 (from Haiti) National holiday: Independence Day, 27 February (1844) Constitution: 28 November 1966; amended 25 July 2002 Legal system: based on French civil codes; Criminal Procedures Code modified in 2004 to include important elements of an accusatory system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age, universal and compulsory; married persons regardless of age; note - members of the armed forces and national police cannot vote Executive branch: chief of state: President Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna (since 16 August 2004); Vice President Rafael ALBURQUERQUE de Castro (since 16 August 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna (since 16 August 2004); Vice President Rafael ALBURQUERQUE de Castro (since 16 August 2004) cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second consecutive term); election last held 16 May 2008 (next to be held in May 2012) election results: Leonel FERNANDEZ reelected president; percent of vote - Leonel FERNANDEZ 53.6%, Miguel VARGAS 41%, Amable ARISTY less than 5% Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate or Senado (32 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Camara de Diputados (178 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 16 May 2006 (next to be held in May 2010); House of Representatives - last held 16 May 2006 (next to be held in May 2010) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PLD 22, PRD 6, PRSC 4; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PLD 96, PRD 60, PRSC 22 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges are appointed by the National Judicial Council comprised of the president, the leaders of both chambers of congress, the president of the Supreme Court, and an additional non-governing party congressional representative) Political parties and leaders: Dominican Liberation Party or PLD [Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna]; Dominican Revolutionary Party or PRD [Ramon ALBURQUERQUE]; National Progressive Front [Vincent CASTILLO, Pelegrin CASTILLO]; Social Christian Reformist Party or PRSC [Enrique ANTUN] Political pressure groups and leaders: Citizen Participation Group (Participacion Ciudadania); Collective of Popular Organizations or COP; Foundation for Institution-Building and Justice (FINJUS) International organization participation: ACP, BCIE, Caricom (observer), FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (suspended), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW (signatory), PCA, RG, SICA (associated member), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Roberto SALADIN chancery: 1715 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-6280 FAX: [1] (202) 265-8057 consulate(s) general: Anchorage, Boston, Chicago, Mayaguez (Puerto Rico), Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Sun Valley (California) Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador P. Robert FANNIN embassy: corner of Calle Cesar Nicolas Penson and Calle Leopoldo Navarro, Santo Domingo mailing address: Unit 5500, APO AA 34041-5500 telephone: [1] (809) 221-2171 FAX: [1] (809) 686-7437 Flag description: a centered white cross that extends to the edges divides the flag into four rectangles - the top ones are blue (hoist side) and red, and the bottom ones are red (hoist side) and blue; a small coat of arms featuring a shield supported by an olive branch (left) and a palm branch (right) is at the center of the cross; above the shield a blue ribbon displays the motto, DIOS, PATRIA, LIBERTAD (God, Fatherland, Liberty), and below the shield, REPUBLICA DOMINICANA appears on a red ribbon Economy ::Dominican Republic Economy - overview: The Dominican Republic has enjoyed strong GDP growth since 2005 and continued to post sound gains through mid-2008. The global recession, however, had a significant impact on GDP growth in the latter half of the year as tourism and remittances, two of the Dominican Republic's most important economic contributors, showed signs of slowing. The economy is highly dependent upon the US, the destination for about two-thirds of exports. Remittances from the US amount to about a tenth of GDP, equivalent to almost half of exports and three-quarters of tourism receipts. The country has long been viewed primarily as an exporter of sugar, coffee, and tobacco but in recent years the service sector has overtaken agriculture as the economy's largest employer due to growth in tourism and free trade zones. Although 2007 saw inflation around 6%, the rate grew to over 12% in 2008. High food prices, driven by the effects of consecutive tropical storms on agricultural products, and education prices were significant contributors to the jump. The effects of the global financial crisis and the US recession are projected to negatively affect GDP growth in 2009 with a rebound expected in 2010. Although the economy is growing at a respectable rate, high unemployment and underemployment remains an important challenge. The country suffers from marked income inequality; the poorest half of the population receives less than one-fifth of GNP, while the richest 10% enjoys nearly 40% of national income. The Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) came into force in March 2007, which should boost investment and exports and reduce losses to the Asian garment industry. GDP (purchasing power parity): $78.19 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 $74.25 billion (2007 est.) $68.43 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $44.44 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 8.5% (2007 est.) 10.7% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $8,200 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 $7,900 (2007 est.) $7,400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 10.8% industry: 22.9% services: 66.3% (2008 est.) Labor force: 4.119 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 14.6% industry: 22.3% services: 63.1% (2005) Unemployment rate: 14.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 15.6% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 42.2% (2004) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.5% highest 10%: 38.7% (2005) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 49.9 (2005) country comparison to the world: 25 47.4 (1998) Investment (gross fixed): 19.4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 Budget: revenues: $7.46 billion expenditures: $9.027 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 37.4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 61.1% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 6.1% (2007 est.) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 19.95% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 39 15.83% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $3.619 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 62 $4.074 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $5.902 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 61 $5.631 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $17.37 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 62 $15.92 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: sugarcane, coffee, cotton, cocoa, tobacco, rice, beans, potatoes, corn, bananas; cattle, pigs, dairy products, beef, eggs Industries: tourism, sugar processing, ferronickel and gold mining, textiles, cement, tobacco Industrial production growth rate: 1.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 Electricity - production: 14.02 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 Electricity - consumption: 12.7 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 181 Oil - consumption: 119,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 190 Oil - imports: 116,200 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl country comparison to the world: 179 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 188 Natural gas - consumption: 470 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 188 Natural gas - imports: 470 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 186 Current account balance: -$4.436 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 -$2.068 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $6.95 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 $7.16 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: ferronickel, sugar, gold, silver, coffee, cocoa, tobacco, meats, consumer goods Exports - partners: US 58.1%, Haiti 9.3%, Netherlands 2.9% (2008) Imports: $16.1 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 $13.6 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, petroleum, cotton and fabrics, chemicals and pharmaceuticals Imports - partners: US 39.2%, Venezuela 7.7%, Mexico 5.4%, Colombia 4.9% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $2.288 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 $2.562 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $11.42 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 $10.21 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $15.59 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 $12.71 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $59 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 Exchange rates: Dominican pesos (DOP) per US dollar - 34.775 (2008 est.), 33.113 (2007), 33.406 (2006), 30.409 (2005), 42.12 (2004) Communications ::Dominican Republic Telephones - main lines in use: 985,700 (2008) country comparison to the world: 82 Telephones - mobile cellular: 7.21 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 70 Telephone system: general assessment: relatively efficient system based on island-wide microwave radio relay network domestic: fixed telephone line density is about 10 per 100 persons; multiple providers of mobile cellular service with a subscribership of roughly 75 per 100 persons international: country code - 1-809; landing point for the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) fiber-optic telecommunications submarine cable that provides links to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and US; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 120, FM 56, shortwave 4 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 25 (2003) Internet country code: .do Internet hosts: 280,457 (2009) country comparison to the world: 56 Internet users: 2.147 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 68 Transportation ::Dominican Republic Airports: 35 (2009) country comparison to the world: 108 Airports - with paved runways: total: 16 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 19 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 17 (2009) Railways: total: 1,784 km country comparison to the world: 77 standard gauge: 375 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 1,368 km 1.076-m, 0.889-m, and 0.762-m gauges note: 1,226 km operated by sugar companies in 1.076 m, 0.889 m, and 0.762-m gauges (2008) Roadways: total: 19,705 km country comparison to the world: 110 paved: 9,872 km unpaved: 9,833 km (2002) Merchant marine: total: 1 country comparison to the world: 149 by type: cargo 1 registered in other countries: 1 (Panama 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Boca Chica, Caucedo, Puerto Plata, Rio Haina, Santo Domingo Military ::Dominican Republic Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Dominicana, FAD) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service (2007) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 2,440,203 females age 16-49: 2,326,694 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 2,056,774 females age 16-49: 1,921,836 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 97,766 female: 93,922 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 0.8% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 147 Transnational Issues ::Dominican Republic Disputes - international: Haitian migrants cross the porous border into the Dominican Republic to find work; illegal migrants from the Dominican Republic cross the Mona Passage each year to Puerto Rico to find better work Trafficking in persons: current situation: the Dominican Republic is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor; a large number of Dominican women are trafficked into prostitution and sexual exploitation in Western Europe, Australia, Central and South America, and Caribbean destinations; a significant number of women, boys, and girls are trafficked within the country for sexual exploitation and domestic servitude tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - for a second consecutive year, the Dominican Republic is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to show evidence of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking, particularly in terms of not adequately investigating and prosecuting public officials who may be complicit with trafficking activity, and inadequate government efforts to protect trafficking victims; the government has taken measures to reduce demand for commercial sex acts with children through criminal prosecutions (2008) Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe; has become a transshipment point for ecstasy from the Netherlands and Belgium destined for US and Canada; substantial money laundering activity in particular by Colombian narcotics traffickers; significant amphetamine consumption (2008) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Ecuador (South America) Introduction ::Ecuador Background: What is now Ecuador formed part of the northern Inca Empire until the Spanish conquest in 1533. Quito became a seat of Spanish colonial government in 1563 and part of the Viceroyalty of New Granada in 1717. The territories of the Viceroyalty - New Granada (Colombia), Venezuela, and Quito - gained their independence between 1819 and 1822 and formed a federation known as Gran Colombia. When Quito withdrew in 1830, the traditional name was changed in favor of the "Republic of the Equator." Between 1904 and 1942, Ecuador lost territories in a series of conflicts with its neighbors. A border war with Peru that flared in 1995 was resolved in 1999. Although Ecuador marked 25 years of civilian governance in 2004, the period has been marred by political instability. Protests in Quito have contributed to the mid-term ouster of Ecuador's last three democratically elected Presidents. In September 2008, voters approved a new constitution; Ecuador's twentieth since gaining independence. General elections, under the new constitutional framework, are expected in April 2009. Geography ::Ecuador Location: Western South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at the Equator, between Colombia and Peru Geographic coordinates: 2 00 S, 77 30 W Map references: South America Area: total: 283,561 sq km country comparison to the world: 73 land: 276,841 sq km water: 6,720 sq km note: includes Galapagos Islands Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Nevada Land boundaries: total: 2,010 km border countries: Colombia 590 km, Peru 1,420 km Coastline: 2,237 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 200 nm continental shelf: 100 nm from 2,500-m isobath Climate: tropical along coast, becoming cooler inland at higher elevations; tropical in Amazonian jungle lowlands Terrain: coastal plain (costa), inter-Andean central highlands (sierra), and flat to rolling eastern jungle (oriente) Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Chimborazo 6,267 m note: due to the fact that the earth is not a perfect sphere and has an equatorial bulge, the highest point on the planet furthest from its center is Mount Chimborazo not Mount Everest, which is merely the highest point above sea-level Natural resources: petroleum, fish, timber, hydropower Land use: arable land: 5.71% permanent crops: 4.81% other: 89.48% (2005) Irrigated land: 8,650 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 432 cu km (2000) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 16.98 cu km/yr (12%/5%/82%) per capita: 1,283 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: frequent earthquakes; landslides; volcanic activity; floods; periodic droughts Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; water pollution; pollution from oil production wastes in ecologically sensitive areas of the Amazon Basin and Galapagos Islands Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: Cotopaxi in Andes is highest active volcano in world People ::Ecuador Population: 14,573,101 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 Age structure: 0-14 years: 31.1% (male 2,312,610/female 2,220,378) 15-64 years: 62.7% (male 4,506,908/female 4,636,703) 65 years and over: 6.2% (male 432,144/female 464,358) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 25 years male: 24.4 years female: 25.6 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.497% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 Birth rate: 20.77 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 Death rate: 4.99 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 191 Net migration rate: -0.81 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 Urbanization: urban population: 66% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 20.9 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 103 male: 24.4 deaths/1,000 live births female: 17.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.3 years country comparison to the world: 81 male: 72.37 years female: 78.37 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.51 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 93 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.3% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 26,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 1,400 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009) Nationality: noun: Ecuadorian(s) adjective: Ecuadorian Ethnic groups: mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 65%, Amerindian 25%, Spanish and others 7%, black 3% Religions: Roman Catholic 95%, other 5% Languages: Spanish (official), Amerindian languages (especially Quechua) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 91% male: 92.3% female: 89.7% (2001 census) Education expenditures: 1% of GDP (2001) country comparison to the world: 179 Government ::Ecuador Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Ecuador conventional short form: Ecuador local long form: Republica del Ecuador local short form: Ecuador Government type: republic Capital: name: Quito geographic coordinates: 0 13 S, 78 30 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 24 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Azuay, Bolivar, Canar, Carchi, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Galapagos, Guayas, Imbabura, Loja, Los Rios, Manabi, Morona-Santiago, Napo, Orellana, Pastaza, Pichincha, Santa Elena, Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas, Sucumbios, Tungurahua, Zamora-Chinchipe Independence: 24 May 1822 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day (independence of Quito), 10 August (1809) Constitution: 20 October 2008 Legal system: based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal, compulsory for literate persons ages 18-65, optional for other eligible voters Executive branch: chief of state: President Rafael CORREA Delgado (since 15 January 2007); Vice President Lenin MORENO Garces (since 15 January 2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Rafael CORREA Delgado (since 15 January 2007); Vice President Lenin MORENO Garces (since 15 January 2007) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: the president and vice president are elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a four-year term and can be re-elected for another consecutive term; election last held 26 April 2009 (next to be held 2013) election results: President Rafael CORREA Delgado reelected president; percent of vote - Rafael CORREA Delgado 51.7%; Lucio GUTIERREZ 28%; Alvaro NOBOA 11.6%; other 8.7%; note - official results pending Legislative branch: unicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional (100 seats; members are elected through a party-list proportional representation system to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 15 October 2006 (next to be held 26 April 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PRIAN 28; PSP 24; PSC 13; ID 7; PRE 6; MUPP-NP 6; RED 5; UDC 5; other 6; note - defections by members of National Congress are commonplace, resulting in frequent changes in the numbers of seats held by the various parties note: when a Constituent Assembly was convened to draft a new constitution, the National Congress was placed on indefinite recess and replaced by a legislative committee; the legislative committee will continue to function until a new National Assembly is elected in April 2009 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (according to the Constitution, new justices are elected by the full Supreme Court; in December 2004, however, Congress successfully replaced the entire court by a simple majority resolution) Political parties and leaders: Alianza PAIS Movement [Rafael Vicente CORREA Delgado]; Christian Democratic Union or UDC [Diego ORDONEZ Guerrero]; Democratic Left or ID [Andres PAEZ Benalcazar]; Ethical and Democratic Network or RED [Leon ROLDOS]; Institutional Renewal and National Action Party or PRIAN [Alvaro NOBOA]; Pachakutik Plurinational Unity Movement - New Country or MUPP-NP [Jorge GUAMAN]; Patriotic Society Party or PSP [Lucio GUTIERREZ Borbua]; Popular Democratic Movement or MPD [Ciro GUZMAN Aldaz]; Roldosist Party or PRE [Abdala BUCARAM Ortiz, director]; Social Christian Party or PSC [Pascual DEL CIOPPO]; Socialist Party - Broad Front or PS-FA [Gustavo AYALA Cruz] Political pressure groups and leaders: Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador or CONAIE [Marlon SANTI, president]; Coordinator of Social Movements or CMS [F. Napoleon SANTOS]; Federation of Indigenous Evangelists of Ecuador or FEINE [Marco MURILLO, president]; National Federation of Indigenous Afro-Ecuatorianos and Peasants or FENOCIN [Pedro DE LA CRUZ, president] International organization participation: CAN, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, MINURCAT, MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Luis Benigno GALLEGOS Chiriboga chancery: 2535 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 234-7200 FAX: [1] (202) 667-3482 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Newark (New Jersey), San Francisco Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Heather HODGES embassy: Avenida Avigiras E12-170 y Avenida Eloy Alfaro, Quito mailing address: Avenida Guayacanes N52-205 y Avenida Avigiras telephone: [593] (2) 398-5000 FAX: [593] (2) 398-5100 consulate(s) general: Guayaquil Flag description: three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double width), blue, and red with the coat of arms superimposed at the center of the flag; similar to the flag of Colombia, which is shorter and does not bear a coat of arms Economy ::Ecuador Economy - overview: Ecuador is substantially dependent on its petroleum resources, which have accounted for more than half of the country's export earnings and one-fourth of public sector revenues in recent years. In 1999/2000, Ecuador suffered a severe economic crisis, with GDP contracting by more than 6%. Poverty increased significantly, the banking system collapsed, and Ecuador defaulted on its external debt later that year. In March 2000, Congress approved a series of structural reforms that also provided for the adoption of the US dollar as legal tender. Dollarization stabilized the economy, and positive growth returned in the years that followed, helped by high oil prices, remittances, and increased non-traditional exports. From 2002-06 the economy grew 5.5%, the highest five-year average in 25 years. The poverty rate declined but remained high at 38% in 2006. In 2006 the government imposed a windfall revenue tax on foreign oil companies, leading to the suspension of free trade negotiations with the US. These measures led to a drop in petroleum production in 2007. President Rafael CORREA raised the specter of debt default and followed through on those threats in December 2008 by defaulting on some commercial bond obligations. He also decreed a higher windfall revenue tax on private oil companies, then renegotiated their contracts to overcome the debilitating effect of the tax. This generated economic uncertainty; private investment has dropped and economic growth has slowed. GDP (purchasing power parity): $108 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 $101.4 billion (2007 est.) $98.93 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $54.69 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 2.5% (2007 est.) 3.9% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $7,500 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 $7,200 (2007 est.) $7,100 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 6.7% industry: 34.3% services: 59% (2008 est.) Labor force: 4.64 million (urban) (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 8.3% industry: 21.2% services: 70.4% (2005) Unemployment rate: 7.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 8.8% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 38.3% (2006) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.2% highest 10%: 43.3% note: data for urban households only (2007) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 46 (2006) country comparison to the world: 39 43.7 (1995) note: data are for urban households Investment (gross fixed): 22.1% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 Budget: revenues: $21.09 billion expenditures: planned $21.35 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 25.1% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 2.3% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 9.14% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 34 10.72% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 9.71% (31 December 2008) Stock of money: $5.907 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 53 $4.395 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $9.383 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 53 $7.974 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $10.13 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 71 $8.926 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $4.562 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 89 $4.266 billion (31 December 2007) $4.04 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: bananas, coffee, cocoa, rice, potatoes, manioc (tapioca), plantains, sugarcane; cattle, sheep, pigs, beef, pork, dairy products; balsa wood; fish, shrimp Industries: petroleum, food processing, textiles, wood products, chemicals Industrial production growth rate: 5.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 Electricity - production: 16.75 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 Electricity - consumption: 9.888 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 85 Electricity - exports: 38.53 million kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 861 million kWh (2007 est.) Oil - production: 505,100 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 Oil - consumption: 178,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 Oil - exports: 417,000 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 33 Oil - imports: 54,190 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 85 Oil - proved reserves: 4.66 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 Natural gas - production: 260 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 Natural gas - consumption: 260 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 187 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 Natural gas - proved reserves: 8.919 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 Current account balance: $1.194 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 45 $1.65 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $19.15 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 $14.87 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: petroleum, bananas, cut flowers, shrimp, cacao, coffee, hemp, wood, fish Exports - partners: US 45.3%, Peru 9.2%, Chile 8.1%, Panama 4.8%, Colombia 4.2% (2008) Imports: $17.79 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 $13.05 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: industrial materials, fuels and lubricants, nondurable consumer goods Imports - partners: US 19.1%, Venezuela 13.8%, Colombia 9.9%, China 8.4%, Brazil 4.8%, Japan 4.1% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $4.473 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 $3.521 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $18.11 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 74 $NA (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $16.99 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 $16.31 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $8.487 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 $10.77 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: the US dollar is used; the sucre was eliminated in 2000 Communications ::Ecuador Telephones - main lines in use: 1.91 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 58 Telephones - mobile cellular: 11.595 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 52 Telephone system: general assessment: generally elementary but being expanded domestic: fixed-line services provided by three state-owned enterprises; plans to transfer the state-owned operators to private ownership have repeatedly failed; fixed-line density stands at about 14 per 100 persons; mobile cellular use has surged and has a subscribership of nearly 85 per 100 persons international: country code - 593; landing point for the PAN-AM submarine telecommunications cable that provides links to the west coast of South America, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, and extending onward to Aruba and the US Virgin Islands in the Caribbean; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 392, FM 35, shortwave 29 (2001) Television broadcast stations: 7 (plus 14 repeaters) (2000) Internet country code: .ec Internet hosts: 57,785 (2009) country comparison to the world: 80 Internet users: 1.31 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 80 Transportation ::Ecuador Airports: 420 (2009) country comparison to the world: 19 Airports - with paved runways: total: 103 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 18 914 to 1,523 m: 25 under 914 m: 54 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 317 914 to 1,523 m: 38 under 914 m: 279 (2009) Heliports: 2 (2009) Pipelines: extra heavy crude 435 km; gas 5 km; oil 1,374 km; refined products 1,301 km (2008) Railways: total: 965 km country comparison to the world: 90 narrow gauge: 965 km 1.067-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 43,670 km country comparison to the world: 84 paved: 6,472 km unpaved: 37,198 km (2006) Waterways: 1,500 km (most inaccessible) (2008) country comparison to the world: 54 Merchant marine: total: 37 country comparison to the world: 80 by type: cargo 1, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas 1, passenger 8, petroleum tanker 24, refrigerated cargo 1, specialized tanker 1 foreign-owned: 1 (US 1) registered in other countries: 5 (China 1, Panama 4) (2008) Ports and terminals: Esmeraldas, Guayaquil, Manta, Puerto Bolivar Military ::Ecuador Military branches: Army, Navy (includes Naval Infantry, Naval Aviation, Coast Guard), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Ecuatoriana, FAE) (2007) Military service age and obligation: 20 years of age for selective conscript military service; 12-month service obligation (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 3,536,602 females age 16-49: 3,559,188 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 2,708,470 females age 16-49: 3,165,489 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 148,010 female: 143,291 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 2.8% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 55 Transnational Issues ::Ecuador Disputes - international: organized illegal narcotics operations in Colombia penetrate across Ecuador's shared border, which thousands of Colombians also cross to escape the violence in their home country Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 11,526 (Colombia); note - UNHCR estimates as many as 250,000 Columbians are seeking asylum in Ecuador, many of whom do not register as refugees for fear of deportation (2007) Illicit drugs: significant transit country for cocaine originating in Colombia and Peru, with much of the US-bound cocaine passing through Ecuadorian Pacific waters; importer of precursor chemicals used in production of illicit narcotics; attractive location for cash-placement by drug traffickers laundering money because of dollarization and weak anti-money-laundering regime; increased activity on the northern frontier by trafficking groups and Colombian insurgents (2008) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Egypt (Africa) Introduction ::Egypt Background: The regularity and richness of the annual Nile River flood, coupled with semi-isolation provided by deserts to the east and west, allowed for the development of one of the world's great civilizations. A unified kingdom arose circa 3200 B.C., and a series of dynasties ruled in Egypt for the next three millennia. The last native dynasty fell to the Persians in 341 B.C., who in turn were replaced by the Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines. It was the Arabs who introduced Islam and the Arabic language in the 7th century and who ruled for the next six centuries. A local military caste, the Mamluks took control about 1250 and continued to govern after the conquest of Egypt by the Ottoman Turks in 1517. Following the completion of the Suez Canal in 1869, Egypt became an important world transportation hub, but also fell heavily into debt. Ostensibly to protect its investments, Britain seized control of Egypt's government in 1882, but nominal allegiance to the Ottoman Empire continued until 1914. Partially independent from the UK in 1922, Egypt acquired full sovereignty with the overthrow of the British-backed monarchy in 1952. The completion of the Aswan High Dam in 1971 and the resultant Lake Nasser have altered the time-honored place of the Nile River in the agriculture and ecology of Egypt. A rapidly growing population (the largest in the Arab world), limited arable land, and dependence on the Nile all continue to overtax resources and stress society. The government has struggled to meet the demands of Egypt's growing population through economic reform and massive investment in communications and physical infrastructure. Geography ::Egypt Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Libya and the Gaza Strip, and the Red Sea north of Sudan, and includes the Asian Sinai Peninsula Geographic coordinates: 27 00 N, 30 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 1,001,450 sq km country comparison to the world: 30 land: 995,450 sq km water: 6,000 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than three times the size of New Mexico Land boundaries: total: 2,665 km border countries: Gaza Strip 11 km, Israel 266 km, Libya 1,115 km, Sudan 1,273 km Coastline: 2,450 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: desert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters Terrain: vast desert plateau interrupted by Nile valley and delta Elevation extremes: lowest point: Qattara Depression -133 m highest point: Mount Catherine 2,629 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, manganese, limestone, gypsum, talc, asbestos, lead, zinc Land use: arable land: 2.92% permanent crops: 0.5% other: 96.58% (2005) Irrigated land: 34,220 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 86.8 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 68.3 cu km/yr (8%/6%/86%) per capita: 923 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: periodic droughts; frequent earthquakes; flash floods; landslides; hot, driving windstorm called khamsin occurs in spring; dust storms; sandstorms Environment - current issues: agricultural land being lost to urbanization and windblown sands; increasing soil salination below Aswan High Dam; desertification; oil pollution threatening coral reefs, beaches, and marine habitats; other water pollution from agricultural pesticides, raw sewage, and industrial effluents; limited natural fresh water resources away from the Nile, which is the only perennial water source; rapid growth in population overstraining the Nile and natural resources Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: controls Sinai Peninsula, only land bridge between Africa and remainder of Eastern Hemisphere; controls Suez Canal, a sea link between Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea; size, and juxtaposition to Israel, establish its major role in Middle Eastern geopolitics; dependence on upstream neighbors; dominance of Nile basin issues; prone to influxes of refugees People ::Egypt Population: 83,082,869 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 Age structure: 0-14 years: 31.4% (male 13,345,500/female 12,743,878) 15-64 years: 63.8% (male 26,823,127/female 26,169,421) 65 years and over: 4.8% (male 1,701,068/female 2,299,875) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 24.8 years male: 24.4 years female: 25.2 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.642% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 Birth rate: 21.7 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 Death rate: 5.08 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 187 Net migration rate: -0.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 Urbanization: urban population: 43% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 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: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 27.26 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 81 male: 28.93 deaths/1,000 live births female: 25.51 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.12 years country comparison to the world: 120 male: 69.56 years female: 74.81 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.66 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 85 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 9,200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 108 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 500 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: Rift Valley fever water contact disease: schistosomiasis note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Nationality: noun: Egyptian(s) adjective: Egyptian Ethnic groups: Egyptian 99.6%, other 0.4% (2006 census) Religions: Muslim (mostly Sunni) 90%, Coptic 9%, other Christian 1% Languages: Arabic (official), English and French widely understood by educated classes Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 71.4% male: 83% female: 59.4% (2005 est.) Education expenditures: 4.2% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 96 Government ::Egypt Country name: conventional long form: Arab Republic of Egypt conventional short form: Egypt local long form: Jumhuriyat Misr al-Arabiyah local short form: Misr former: United Arab Republic (with Syria) Government type: republic Capital: name: Cairo geographic coordinates: 30 03 N, 31 15 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Friday in April; ends last Thursday in September Administrative divisions: 26 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Ad Daqahliyah, Al Bahr al Ahmar (Red Sea), Al Buhayrah (El Beheira), Al Fayyum (El Faiyum), Al Gharbiyah, Al Iskandariyah (Alexandria), Al Isma'iliyah (Ismailia), Al Jizah (Giza), Al Minufiyah (El Monofia), Al Minya, Al Qahirah (Cairo), Al Qalyubiyah, Al Wadi al Jadid (New Valley), As Suways (Suez), Ash Sharqiyah, Aswan, Asyut, Bani Suwayf (Beni Suef), Bur Sa'id (Port Said), Dumyat (Damietta), Janub Sina' (South Sinai), Kafr ash Shaykh, Matruh (Western Desert), Qina (Qena), Shamal Sina' (North Sinai), Suhaj (Sohag) Independence: 28 February 1922 (from the UK) National holiday: Revolution Day, 23 July (1952) Constitution: 11 September 1971; amended 22 May 1980, 25 May 2005, and 26 March 2007 Legal system: based on Islamic and civil law (particularly Napoleonic codes); judicial review by Supreme Court and Council of State (oversees validity of administrative decisions); accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: President Mohamed Hosni MUBARAK (since 14 October 1981) head of government: Prime Minister Ahmed Mohamed NAZIF (since 9 July 2004) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for six-year term (no term limits); note - a national referendum in May 2005 approved a constitutional amendment that changed the presidential election to a multicandidate popular vote; previously the president was nominated by the People's Assembly and the nomination was validated by a national, popular referendum; last referendum held 26 September 1999; first election under terms of constitutional amendment held 7 September 2005; next election scheduled for 2011 election results: Hosni MUBARAK reelected president; percent of vote - Hosni MUBARAK 88.6%, Ayman NOUR 7.6%, Noman GOMAA 2.9% Legislative branch: bicameral system consists of the Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura (Shura Council) that traditionally functions only in a consultative role but 2007 constitutional amendments could grant the Council new powers (264 seats; 176 elected by popular vote, 88 appointed by the president; members serve six-year terms; mid-term elections for half of the elected members) and the People's Assembly or Majlis al-Sha'b (454 seats; 444 elected by popular vote, 10 appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms) elections: Advisory Council - last held June 2007 (next to be held May-June 2010); People's Assembly - three-phase voting - last held 7 and 20 November, 1 December 2005; (next to be held November-December 2010) election results: Advisory Council - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NDP 84, Tagammu 1, independents 3; People's Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NDP 311, NWP 6, Tagammu 2, Tomorrow Party 1, independents 112 (12 seats to be determined by rerun elections, 10 seats appointed by President) Judicial branch: Supreme Constitutional Court Political parties and leaders: National Democratic Party or NDP (governing party) [Mohamed Hosni MUBARAK]; National Progressive Unionist Grouping or Tagammu [Rifaat EL-SAID]; New Wafd Party or NWP [Mahmoud ABAZA]; Tomorrow Party [Moussa Mustafa MOUSSA] note: formation of political parties must be approved by the government; only parties with representation in elected bodies are listed Political pressure groups and leaders: Muslim Brotherhood (technically illegal) note: despite a constitutional ban against religious-based parties and political activity, the technically illegal Muslim Brotherhood constitutes Hosni MUBARAK's potentially most significant political opposition; MUBARAK has alternated between tolerating limited political activity by the Brotherhood (its members, who ran as independents, hold 88 seats in the People's Assembly) and blocking its influence; civic society groups are sanctioned, but constrained in practical terms; only trade unions and professional associations affiliated with the government are officially sanctioned; Internet social networking groups and bloggers International organization participation: ABEDA, ACCT, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, BSEC (observer), CAEU, COMESA, EBRD, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, MINURCAT, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Sameh Hassan SHOUKRY chancery: 3521 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 895-5400 FAX: [1] (202) 244-4319 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, New York, San Francisco Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Margaret SCOBEY embassy: 8 Kamal El Din Salah St., Garden City, Cairo mailing address: Unit 64900, Box 15, APO AE 09839-4900; 5 Tawfik Diab Street, Garden City, Cairo telephone: [20] (2) 2797-3300 FAX: [20] (2) 2797-3200 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black; the national emblem (a gold Eagle of Saladin facing the hoist side with a shield superimposed on its chest above a scroll bearing the name of the country in Arabic) centered in the white band; design is based on the Arab Liberation flag and similar to the flag of Syria, which has two green stars in the white band, Iraq, which has an Arabic inscription centered in the white band, and Yemen, which has a plain white band Economy ::Egypt Economy - overview: Occupying the northeast corner of the African continent, Egypt is bisected by the highly fertile Nile valley, where most economic activity takes place. Egypt's economy was highly centralized during the rule of former President Gamal Abdel NASSER but has opened up considerably under former President Anwar EL-SADAT and current President Mohamed Hosni MUBARAK. Cairo has aggressively pursued economic reforms to encourage inflows of foreign investment and facilitate GDP growth. In 2005, Prime Minister Ahmed NAZIF's government reduced personal and corporate tax rates, reduced energy subsidies, and privatized several enterprises. The stock market boomed, and GDP grew about 7% each year since 2006. Despite these achievements, the government has failed to raise living standards for the average Egyptian, and has had to continue providing subsidies for basic necessities. The subsidies have contributed to a sizeable budget deficit - roughly 7% of GDP in 2007-08 - and represent a significant drain on the economy. Foreign direct investment has increased significantly in the past two years, but the NAZIF government will need to continue its aggressive pursuit of reforms in order to sustain the spike in investment and growth and begin to improve economic conditions for the broader population. Egypt's export sectors - particularly natural gas - have bright prospects. GDP (purchasing power parity): $444.8 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 $414.9 billion (2007 est.) $387.4 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $162.6 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 7.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 7.1% (2007 est.) 6.8% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $5,800 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 134 $5,500 (2007 est.) $5,200 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 13.2% industry: 38.7% services: 48.1% (2008 est.) Labor force: 24.6 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 32% industry: 17% services: 51% (2001 est.) Unemployment rate: 8.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 9.1% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 20% (2005 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.9% highest 10%: 27.6% (2005) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 34.4 (2001) country comparison to the world: 90 Investment (gross fixed): 19.1% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 Budget: revenues: $40.22 billion expenditures: $51.07 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 86.5% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 102.7% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 18.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 201 9.5% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 11.5% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 48 9% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: NA% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 67 12.51% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $31.72 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 27 $27.6 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $112.2 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 20 $102.6 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $126.5 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 34 $113.9 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $85.89 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 43 $139.3 billion (31 December 2007) $93.48 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: cotton, rice, corn, wheat, beans, fruits, vegetables; cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats Industries: textiles, food processing, tourism, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, hydrocarbons, construction, cement, metals, light manufactures Industrial production growth rate: 6.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 Electricity - production: 118.4 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 Electricity - consumption: 104.1 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 Electricity - exports: 814 million kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 251 million kWh (2007 est.) Oil - production: 630,600 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 Oil - consumption: 697,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 Oil - exports: 155,200 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 Oil - imports: 146,200 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 59 Oil - proved reserves: 3.7 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 Natural gas - production: 48.3 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 Natural gas - consumption: 31.38 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 Natural gas - exports: 16.92 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 14 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 87 Natural gas - proved reserves: 1.656 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 Current account balance: -$1.331 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 $500.9 million (2007 est.) Exports: $29.85 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 $24.45 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: crude oil and petroleum products, cotton, textiles, metal products, chemicals Exports - partners: Italy 9.4%, US 7.1%, India 6.2%, Spain 6.1%, Syria 4.7%, Saudi Arabia 4.6%, Japan 4.5%, Germany 4.5% (2008) Imports: $56.62 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 $44.95 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, wood products, fuels Imports - partners: US 10.3%, China 9.9%, Italy 7.3%, Germany 6.8%, Saudi Arabia 4.9% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $33.85 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 $31.37 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $32.12 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 64 $32.84 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $59.13 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 $49.23 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $12.08 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 $11.58 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: Egyptian pounds (EGP) per US dollar - 5.4 (2008 est.), 5.67 (2007), 5.725 (2006), 5.78 (2005), 6.1962 (2004) Communications ::Egypt Telephones - main lines in use: 12.011 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 21 Telephones - mobile cellular: 41.272 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 28 Telephone system: general assessment: large system; underwent extensive upgrading during 1990s and is reasonably modern; Telecom Egypt, the landline monopoly, has been increasing service availability and in 2008 fixed-line density stood at 15 per 100 persons; as of 2008 there were three mobile-cellular networks with a total of more than 41 million subscribers, roughly 50 per 100 persons domestic: principal centers at Alexandria, Cairo, Al Mansurah, Ismailia, Suez, and Tanta are connected by coaxial cable and microwave radio relay international: country code - 20; landing point for both the SEA-ME-WE-3 and SEA-ME-WE-4 submarine cable networks; linked to the international submarine cable FLAG (Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe); satellite earth stations - 4 (2 Intelsat - Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean, 1 Arabsat, and 1 Inmarsat); tropospheric scatter to Sudan; microwave radio relay to Israel; a participant in Medarabtel (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 42 (plus 15 repeaters), FM 11, shortwave 3 (1999) Television broadcast stations: 98 (September 1995) Internet country code: .eg Internet hosts: 177,443 (2009) country comparison to the world: 65 Internet users: 11.414 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 27 Transportation ::Egypt Airports: 85 (2009) country comparison to the world: 68 Airports - with paved runways: total: 72 over 3,047 m: 15 2,438 to 3,047 m: 35 1,524 to 2,437 m: 15 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 5 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 13 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 4 (2009) Heliports: 6 (2009) Pipelines: condensate 320 km; condensate/gas 13 km; gas 5,586 km; liquid petroleum gas 956 km; oil 4,314 km; oil/gas/water 3 km; refined products 895 km; unknown 59 km; water 9 km (2008) Railways: total: 5,063 km country comparison to the world: 35 standard gauge: 5,063 km 1.435-m gauge (62 km electrified) (2008) Roadways: total: 92,370 km country comparison to the world: 52 paved: 74,820 km unpaved: 17,550 km (2004) Waterways: 3,500 km country comparison to the world: 30 note: includes Nile River, Lake Nasser, Alexandria-Cairo Waterway, and numerous smaller canals in delta; Suez Canal (193.5 km including approaches) navigable by oceangoing vessels drawing up to 17.68 m (2007) Merchant marine: total: 67 country comparison to the world: 63 by type: bulk carrier 11, cargo 28, container 2, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 13, roll on/roll off 9 foreign-owned: 10 (Denmark 1, Greece 8, Lebanon 1) registered in other countries: 58 (Cambodia 13, Georgia 12, Honduras 3, North Korea 1, Malta 1, Moldova 1, Panama 17, Saint Kitts and Nevis 2, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3, Saudi Arabia 1, Sierra Leone 3, Togo 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Ayn Sukhnah, Alexandria, Damietta, El Dekheila, Sidi Kurayr, Suez Military ::Egypt Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Command Military service age and obligation: 18-30 years of age for male conscript military service; service obligation 12-36 months, followed by a 9-year reserve obligation (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 21,247,777 females age 16-49: 20,406,408 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 18,490,522 females age 16-49: 17,719,905 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 831,157 female: 792,330 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 3.4% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 Transnational Issues ::Egypt Disputes - international: while Sudan retains claim to the Hala'ib Triangle north of the 1899 Treaty boundary along the 22nd Parallel, both states withdrew their military presence in the 1990s and Egypt has invested in and effectively administers the area; Egypt no longer shows its administration of the Bir Tawil trapezoid in Sudan on its maps; Gazan breaches in the security wall with Egypt in January 2008 highlight difficulties in monitoring the Sinai border Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 60,000 - 80,000 (Iraq); 70,198 (Palestinian Territories); 12,157 (Sudan) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Egypt is a transit country for women trafficked from Eastern European countries to Israel for sexual exploitation, and is a source for children trafficked within the country for commercial sexual exploitation and domestic servitude, although the extent to which children are trafficked internally is unknown; children were also recruited for domestic and agricultural work; some of these children face conditions of involuntary servitude, such as restrictions on movement, non-payment of wages, threats, and physical or sexual abuse tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Egypt is on the Tier 2 Watch List for the third year in a row because it did not provide evidence of increasing efforts to investigate and prosecute traffickers; however, in July 2007, the government established the "National Coordinating Committee to Combat and Prevent Trafficking in Persons," which improved inter-governmental coordination on anti-trafficking initiatives; Egypt made no discernible efforts to punish trafficking crimes in 2007 and the Egyptian penal code does not prohibit all forms of trafficking; Egypt did not increase its services to trafficking victims during the reporting period (2008) Illicit drugs: transit point for cannabis, heroin, and opium moving to Europe, Israel, and North Africa; transit stop for Nigerian drug couriers; concern as money laundering site due to lax enforcement of financial regulations page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @El Salvador (Central America and Caribbean) Introduction ::El Salvador Background: El Salvador achieved independence from Spain in 1821 and from the Central American Federation in 1839. A 12-year civil war, which cost about 75,000 lives, was brought to a close in 1992 when the government and leftist rebels signed a treaty that provided for military and political reforms. Geography ::El Salvador Location: Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Guatemala and Honduras Geographic coordinates: 13 50 N, 88 55 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 21,041 sq km country comparison to the world: 153 land: 20,721 sq km water: 320 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Massachusetts Land boundaries: total: 545 km border countries: Guatemala 203 km, Honduras 342 km Coastline: 307 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; rainy season (May to October); dry season (November to April); tropical on coast; temperate in uplands Terrain: mostly mountains with narrow coastal belt and central plateau Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Cerro El Pital 2,730 m Natural resources: hydropower, geothermal power, petroleum, arable land Land use: arable land: 31.37% permanent crops: 11.88% other: 56.75% (2005) Irrigated land: 450 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 25.2 cu km (2001) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 1.28 cu km/yr (25%/16%/59%) per capita: 186 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: known as the Land of Volcanoes; frequent and sometimes destructive earthquakes and volcanic activity; extremely susceptible to hurricanes Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution; contamination of soils from disposal of toxic wastes Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Geography - note: smallest Central American country and only one without a coastline on Caribbean Sea People ::El Salvador Population: 7,185,218 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 Age structure: 0-14 years: 35.4% (male 1,299,608/female 1,245,617) 15-64 years: 59.3% (male 2,033,423/female 2,225,810) 65 years and over: 5.3% (male 166,224/female 214,536) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 22.5 years male: 21.3 years female: 23.6 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.656% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 Birth rate: 25.31 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 Death rate: 5.47 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 177 Net migration rate: -3.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 Urbanization: urban population: 61% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 21.52 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 101 male: 24.38 deaths/1,000 live births female: 18.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.33 years country comparison to the world: 118 male: 68.72 years female: 76.11 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 3 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.8% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 35,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 1,700 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009) Nationality: noun: Salvadoran(s) adjective: Salvadoran Ethnic groups: mestizo 90%, white 9%, Amerindian 1% Religions: Roman Catholic 57.1%, Protestant 21.2%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.9%, Mormon 0.7%, other religions 2.3%, none 16.8% (2003 est.) Languages: Spanish, Nahua (among some Amerindians) Literacy: definition: age 10 and over can read and write total population: 80.2% male: 82.8% female: 77.7% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 12 years (2006) Education expenditures: 3.1% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 142 Government ::El Salvador Country name: conventional long form: Republic of El Salvador conventional short form: El Salvador local long form: Republica de El Salvador local short form: El Salvador Government type: republic Capital: name: San Salvador geographic coordinates: 13 42 N, 89 12 W time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 14 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Ahuachapan, Cabanas, Chalatenango, Cuscatlan, La Libertad, La Paz, La Union, Morazan, San Miguel, San Salvador, San Vicente, Santa Ana, Sonsonate, Usulutan Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821) Constitution: 20 December 1983 Legal system: based on civil and Roman law with traces of common law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Mauricio FUNES Cartagena (since 1 June 2009); Vice President Salvador SANCHEZ CEREN (since 1 June 2009); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Mauricio FUNES Cartagena (since 1 June 2009); Vice President Salvador SANCHEZ CEREN (since 1 June 2009) cabinet: Council of Ministers selected by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single five-year term; election last held 15 March 2009 (next to be held in March 2014) election results: Mauricio FUNES Cartagena elected president; percent of vote - Mauricio FUNES Cartagena 51.3%, Rodrigo AVILA 48.7% Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (84 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve three-year terms) elections: last held 18 January 2009 (next to be held in March 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FMLN 35, ARENA 32, PCN 11, PDC 5, CD 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (15 judges are selected by the Legislative Assembly; the 15 judges are assigned to four Supreme Court chambers - constitutional, civil, penal, and administrative conflict) Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Rodolfo PARKER]; Democratic Convergence or CD [Hector DADA HIREZI] (formerly United Democratic Center or CDU); Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front or FMLN [Medardo GONZALEZ]; National Conciliation Party or PCN [Ciro CRUZ ZEPEDA]; Nationalist Republican Alliance or ARENA [Rodrigo AVILA]; Popular Social Christian Party or PPSC [Rene AGUILUZ]; Revolutionary Democratic Front or FDR [Julio Cesar HERNANDEZ Carcamo] Political pressure groups and leaders: labor organizations - Electrical Industry Union of El Salvador or SIES; Federation of the Construction Industry, Similar Transport and other activities, or FESINCONTRANS; National Confederation of Salvadoran Workers or CNTS; National Union of Salvadoran Workers or UNTS; Port Industry Union of El Salvador or SIPES; Salvadoran Union of Ex-Petrolleros and Peasant Workers or USEPOC; Salvadoran Workers Central or CTS; Workers Union of Electrical Corporation or STCEL; business organizations - National Association of Small Enterprise or ANEP; Salvadoran Assembly Industry Association or ASIC; Salvadoran Industrial Association or ASI International organization participation: BCIE, CACM, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Francisco ALTSCHUL Fuentes chancery: Suite 100, 1400 16th Street, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 265-9671 FAX: [1] (202) 234-3763 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Dallas, Duluth (Georgia), Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York (2), Nogales (Arizona), Santa Ana (California), San Francisco, Washington (DC), Woodbridge (Virginia) consulate(s): Boston, Elizabeth (New Jersey) Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Robert BLAU embassy: Final Boulevard Santa Elena Sur, Antiguo Cuscatlan, La Libertad, San Salvador mailing address: Unit 3450, APO AA 34023; 3450 San Salvador Place, Washington, DC 20521-3450 telephone: [503] 2501-2999 FAX: [503] 2501-2150 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL; similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which has a different coat of arms centered in the white band - it features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; also similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band Economy ::El Salvador Economy - overview: The smallest country in Central America, El Salvador has the third largest economy, but growth has been modest in recent years. Economic growth will decelerate in 2009 due to the global slowdown and to El Salvador's dependence on exports to the US and remittances from the US. El Salvador leads the region in remittances per capita with inflows equivalent to nearly all export income. In 2006 El Salvador was the first country to ratify the Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). CAFTA has bolstered the export of processed foods, sugar, and ethanol, and supported investment in the maquila sector. The SACA administration has sought to diversify the economy, focusing on regional transportation and tourism. El Salvador has promoted an open trade and investment environment, and has embarked on a wave of privatizations extending to telecom, electricity distribution, banking, and pension funds. In late 2006, the government and the Millennium Challenge Corporation signed a five-year, $461 million compact to stimulate economic growth and reduce poverty in the country's northern region through investments in education, public services, enterprise development, and transportation infrastructure. With the adoption of the US dollar as its currency in 2001, El Salvador lost control over monetary policy and must concentrate on maintaining a disciplined fiscal policy. GDP (purchasing power parity): $43.73 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 $42.66 billion (2007 est.) $40.75 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $22.12 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 4.7% (2007 est.) 4.2% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $6,200 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 131 $6,100 (2007 est.) $6,000 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 10.7% industry: 28.8% services: 60.6% (2008 est.) Labor force: 2.947 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 19% industry: 23% services: 58% (2006 est.) Unemployment rate: 6.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 87 6.2% (2007 est.) note: data are official rates; but the economy has much underemployment Population below poverty line: 30.7% (2006 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1% highest 10%: 37% (2005) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 52.4 (2002) country comparison to the world: 18 52.5 (2001) Investment (gross fixed): 14.9% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 136 Budget: revenues: $4.016 billion expenditures: $4.242 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 44.7% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 41.7% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 4.6% (2007 est.) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 12.33% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 109 7.81% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $213.7 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 105 $209.7 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $788.7 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 101 $797.1 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $1.19 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 105 $1.15 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 79 $6.743 billion (31 December 2007) $5.465 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: coffee, sugar, corn, rice, beans, oilseed, cotton, sorghum; beef, dairy products Industries: food processing, beverages, petroleum, chemicals, fertilizer, textiles, furniture, light metals Industrial production growth rate: 1.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 Electricity - production: 5.559 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 Electricity - consumption: 4.676 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 Electricity - exports: 7 million kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 38 million kWh (2007 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 178 Oil - consumption: 45,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 Oil - exports: 1,927 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 Oil - imports: 46,310 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 172 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 185 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 188 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 61 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 183 Current account balance: -$1.595 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 -$1.119 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $4.611 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 $4.035 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: offshore assembly exports, coffee, sugar, textiles and apparel, gold, ethanol, chemicals, electricity, iron and steel manufactures Exports - partners: US 47.5%, Guatemala 14.2%, Honduras 11.5%, Nicaragua 4.6% (2008) Imports: $9.003 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 $8.108 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: raw materials, consumer goods, capital goods, fuels, foodstuffs, petroleum, electricity Imports - partners: US 29.9%, Guatemala 11.8%, Mexico 9.7%, China 4.5%, France 4.4% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $2.545 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 101 $2.199 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $10.69 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 84 $9.808 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $6.702 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 85 $5.918 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $440 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 $384 million (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: the US dollar became El Salvador's currency in 2001 Communications ::El Salvador Telephones - main lines in use: 1.077 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 77 Telephones - mobile cellular: 6.951 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 72 Telephone system: general assessment: multiple mobile-cellular service providers are expanding services rapidly and in 2008 mobile-cellular density stood at nearly 100 per 100 persons; growth in fixed-line services has slowed in the face of mobile-cellular competition domestic: nationwide microwave radio relay system international: country code - 503; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to Central American Microwave System (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 52, FM 144, shortwave 0 (2005) Television broadcast stations: 5 (1997) Internet country code: .sv Internet hosts: 8,177 (2009) country comparison to the world: 123 Internet users: 826,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 98 Transportation ::El Salvador Airports: 65 (2009) country comparison to the world: 77 Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 61 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 47 (2009) Heliports: 1 (2009) Railways: total: 283 km country comparison to the world: 123 narrow gauge: 283 km 0.914-m gauge note: railways have been inoperable since 2005 because of disuse and high costs that led to a lack of maintenance (2008) Roadways: total: 10,886 km country comparison to the world: 136 paved: 2,827 km (includes 327 km of expressways) unpaved: 8,059 km (2000) Waterways: Rio Lempa partially navigable for small craft (2008) Ports and terminals: Acajutla, Puerto Cutuco Military ::El Salvador Military branches: Salvadoran Army (ES), Salvadoran Navy (FNES), Salvadoran Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Salvadorena, FAS) (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for selective compulsory military service; 16-22 years of age for voluntary male or female service; service obligation - 12 months, with 11 months for officers and NCOs (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,634,816 females age 16-49: 1,775,474 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,201,290 females age 16-49: 1,547,278 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 77,473 female: 74,655 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 5% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 18 Transnational Issues ::El Salvador Disputes - international: International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled on the delimitation of "bolsones" (disputed areas) along the El Salvador-Honduras boundary, in 1992, with final agreement by the parties in 2006 after an Organization of American States (OAS) survey and a further ICJ ruling in 2003; the 1992 ICJ ruling advised a tripartite resolution to a maritime boundary in the Gulf of Fonseca advocating Honduran access to the Pacific; El Salvador continues to claim tiny Conejo Island, not identified in the ICJ decision, off Honduras in the Gulf of Fonseca Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine; small amounts of marijuana produced for local consumption; significant use of cocaine page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Equatorial Guinea (Africa) Introduction ::Equatorial Guinea Background: Equatorial Guinea gained independence in 1968 after 190 years of Spanish rule. This tiny country, composed of a mainland portion plus five inhabited islands, is one of the smallest on the African continent. President Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO has ruled the country since 1979 when he seized power in a coup. Although nominally a constitutional democracy since 1991, the 1996 and 2002 presidential elections - as well as the 1999 and 2004 legislative elections - were widely seen as flawed. The president exerts almost total control over the political system and has discouraged political opposition. Equatorial Guinea has experienced rapid economic growth due to the discovery of large offshore oil reserves, and in the last decade has become Sub-Saharan Africa's third largest oil exporter. Despite the country's economic windfall from oil production resulting in a massive increase in government revenue in recent years, there have been few improvements in the population's living standards. Geography ::Equatorial Guinea Location: Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Cameroon and Gabon Geographic coordinates: 2 00 N, 10 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 28,051 sq km country comparison to the world: 145 land: 28,051 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland Land boundaries: total: 539 km border countries: Cameroon 189 km, Gabon 350 km Coastline: 296 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; always hot, humid Terrain: coastal plains rise to interior hills; islands are volcanic Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pico Basile 3,008 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, timber, gold, bauxite, diamonds, tantalum, sand and gravel, clay Land use: arable land: 4.63% permanent crops: 3.57% other: 91.8% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Total renewable water resources: 26 cu km (2001) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.11 cu km/yr (83%/16%/1%) per capita: 220 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: violent windstorms; flash floods Environment - current issues: tap water is not potable; deforestation Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: insular and continental regions widely separated People ::Equatorial Guinea Population: 633,441 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 165 Age structure: 0-14 years: 41.9% (male 134,823/female 130,308) 15-64 years: 54% (male 167,820/female 174,238) 65 years and over: 4.1% (male 11,574/female 14,678) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 18.9 years male: 18.3 years female: 19.6 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 2.703% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 Birth rate: 36.52 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 Death rate: 9.49 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 Net migration rate: NA Urbanization: urban population: 39% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 81.58 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 18 male: 82.68 deaths/1,000 live births female: 80.46 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 61.61 years country comparison to the world: 180 male: 60.71 years female: 62.54 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.08 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 3.4% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 11,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 370 (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 101 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria and yellow fever animal contact disease: rabies (2009) Nationality: noun: Equatorial Guinean(s) or Equatoguinean(s) adjective: Equatorial Guinean or Equatoguinean Ethnic groups: Fang 85.7%, Bubi 6.5%, Mdowe 3.6%, Annobon 1.6%, Bujeba 1.1%, other 1.4% (1994 census) Religions: nominally Christian and predominantly Roman Catholic, pagan practices Languages: Spanish 67.6% (official), other 32.4% (includes French (official), Fang, Bubi) (1994 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 87% male: 93.4% female: 80.5% (2000 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 10 years male: 10 years female: 9 years (2000) Education expenditures: 0.6% of GDP (2003) country comparison to the world: 181 Government ::Equatorial Guinea Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Equatorial Guinea conventional short form: Equatorial Guinea local long form: Republica de Guinea Ecuatorial/Republique de Guinee equatoriale local short form: Guinea Ecuatorial/Guinee equatoriale former: Spanish Guinea Government type: republic Capital: name: Malabo geographic coordinates: 3 45 N, 8 47 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Annobon, Bioko Norte, Bioko Sur, Centro Sur, Kie-Ntem, Litoral, Wele-Nzas Independence: 12 October 1968 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 12 October (1968) Constitution: approved by national referendum 17 November 1991; amended January 1995 Legal system: partly based on Spanish civil law and tribal custom; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO (since 3 August 1979 when he seized power in a military coup) head of government: Prime Minister Ignacio Milan TANG (since 8 July 2008); cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (no term limits); election last held 15 December 2002 (next to be held in 2010); prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president election results: Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO reelected president; percent of vote - Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO 97.1%, Celestino Bonifacio BACALE 2.2%; elections marred by widespread fraud Legislative branch: unicameral House of People's Representatives or Camara de Representantes del Pueblo (100 seats; members directly elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 4 May 2008 (next to be held in 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDGE 89, EC 10, CPDS 1 note: Parliament has little power since the constitution vests all executive authority in the president Judicial branch: Supreme Tribunal Political parties and leaders: Convergence Party for Social Democracy or CPDS [Placido MICO Abogo]; Democratic Party for Equatorial Guinea or PDGE (ruling party) [Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO]; Electoral Coalition or EC; Party for Progress of Equatorial Guinea or PPGE [Severo MOTO]; Popular Action of Equatorial Guinea or APGE [Avelino MOCACHE]; Popular Union or UP Political pressure groups and leaders: ASODEGUE (Madrid-based pressure group for democratic reform); Global Witness (anti-corruption) International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, CPLP (associate), FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Purificacion ANGUE ONDO chancery: 2020 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 518-5700 FAX: [1] (202) 518-5252 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant) embassy: K-3, Carreterade Aeropuerto, al lado de Restaurante El Paraiso, Malabo; note - relocated embassy is opened for limited functions; inquiries should continue to be directed to the US Embassy in Yaounde, Cameroon mailing address: B.P. 817, Yaounde, Cameroon; US Embassy Yaounde, US Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2520 telephone: [237] 2220-1500 FAX: [237] 2220-1572 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red, with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side and the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms has six yellow six-pointed stars (representing the mainland and five offshore islands) above a gray shield bearing a silk-cotton tree and below which is a scroll with the motto UNIDAD, PAZ, JUSTICIA (Unity, Peace, Justice) Economy ::Equatorial Guinea Economy - overview: The discovery and exploitation of large oil reserves have contributed to dramatic economic growth in recent years. Forestry, farming, and fishing are also major components of GDP. Subsistence farming predominates. Although pre-independence Equatorial Guinea counted on cocoa production for hard currency earnings, the neglect of the rural economy under successive regimes has diminished potential for agriculture-led growth (the government has stated its intention to reinvest some oil revenue into agriculture). A number of aid programs sponsored by the World Bank and the IMF have been cut off since 1993, because of corruption and mismanagement. No longer eligible for concessional financing because of large oil revenues, the government has been trying to agree on a "shadow" fiscal management program with the World Bank and IMF. Government officials and their family members own most businesses. Undeveloped natural resources include titanium, iron ore, manganese, uranium, and alluvial gold. Growth remained strong in 2008, led by oil. GDP (purchasing power parity): $23 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 $20.8 billion (2007 est.) $16.98 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $18.53 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 10.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 22.5% (2007 est.) 1.2% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $37,300 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 $34,700 (2007 est.) $29,100 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2.3% industry: 93.7% services: 3.9% (2008 est.) Labor force: NA Unemployment rate: 30% (1998 est.) country comparison to the world: 181 Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Investment (gross fixed): 31.8% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 Budget: revenues: $6.599 billion expenditures: $3.601 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 0.9% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 1.6% of GDP (2007 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 6% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 4.75% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 84 5.25% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: NA% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 44 15% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $835.2 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) $174.5 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $NA (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: coffee, cocoa, rice, yams, cassava (tapioca), bananas, palm oil nuts; livestock; timber Industries: petroleum, fishing, sawmilling, natural gas Industrial production growth rate: 11.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 Electricity - production: 28 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 203 Electricity - consumption: 26.04 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 203 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 359,200 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 Oil - consumption: 1,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 197 Oil - exports: 362,900 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 Oil - imports: 1,114 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 188 Oil - proved reserves: 1.1 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 Natural gas - production: 6.67 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 45 Natural gas - consumption: 1.5 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 Natural gas - exports: 5.17 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 27 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 Natural gas - proved reserves: 36.81 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 Current account balance: $1.42 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 $540.9 million (2007 est.) Exports: $13.03 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 $10.25 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: petroleum, methanol, timber, cocoa Exports - partners: US 22.7%, Spain 18.2%, China 14.7%, France 7.9%, Italy 6%, South Korea 5.4% (2008) Imports: $3.114 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 $2.365 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: petroleum sector equipment, other equipment Imports - partners: China 17.7%, Spain 13.3%, US 11.8%, France 10.9%, Cote d'Ivoire 10.4%, Italy 5.5%, UK 5.1% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $4.431 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 $3.846 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $190 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 180 $338 million (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar - 447.81 (2008 est.), 481.83 (2007), 522.4 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004) note: since 1 January 1999, the Central African CFA franc (XAF) has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro; Central African CFA franc (XAF) coins and banknotes are not accepted in countries using West African CFA francs (XOF), and vice versa, even though the two currencies trade at par Communications ::Equatorial Guinea Telephones - main lines in use: 10,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 204 Telephones - mobile cellular: 346,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 165 Telephone system: general assessment: digital fixed-line network in most major urban areas and good mobile coverage domestic: fixed-line density is about 2 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership has been increasing and in 2008 stood at about 55 percent of the population international: country code - 240; international communications from Bata and Malabo to African and European countries; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 3, shortwave 5 (2001) Television broadcast stations: 1 (2001) Internet country code: .gq Internet hosts: 9 (2009) country comparison to the world: 221 Internet users: 12,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 198 Transportation ::Equatorial Guinea Airports: 7 (2009) country comparison to the world: 166 Airports - with paved runways: total: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2009) Pipelines: gas 38 km (2008) Roadways: total: 2,880 km (2000) country comparison to the world: 167 Merchant marine: total: 1 country comparison to the world: 158 by type: cargo 1 (2008) Ports and terminals: Bata, Malabo Military ::Equatorial Guinea Military branches: National Guard (Guardia Nacional de Guinea Ecuatoria, GNGE (Army), with Coast Guard (Navy) and Air Wing) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age (est.) for compulsory military service; women hold only administrative positions in the Coast Guard (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 136,725 females age 16-49: 138,018 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 105,468 females age 16-49: 107,919 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 6,983 female: 6,726 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 0.1% of GDP (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 172 Transnational Issues ::Equatorial Guinea Disputes - international: in 2002, ICJ ruled on an equidistance settlement of Cameroon-Equatorial Guinea-Nigeria maritime boundary in the Gulf of Guinea, but a dispute between Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon over an island at the mouth of the Ntem River and imprecisely defined maritime coordinates in the ICJ decision delay final delimitation; UN urges Equatorial Guinea and Gabon to resolve the sovereignty dispute over Gabon-occupied Mbane and lesser islands and to create a maritime boundary in the hydrocarbon-rich Corisco Bay Trafficking in persons: current situation: Equatorial Guinea is primarily a destination country for children trafficked for the purpose of forced labor and possibly for the purpose of sexual exploitation; children have been trafficked from nearby countries for domestic servitude, market labor, ambulant vending, and possibly sexual exploitation; women may also be trafficked to Equatorial Guinea from Cameroon, Benin, other neighboring countries, and China for sexual exploitation tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Equatorial Guinea is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking, particularly in the areas of prosecuting and convicting trafficking offenders and failing to formalize mechanisms to provide assistance to victims; although the government made some effort to enforce laws against child labor exploitation, it failed to report any trafficking prosecutions or convictions in 2007; the government continued to lack shelters or formal procedures for providing care to victims (2008) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Eritrea (Africa) Introduction ::Eritrea Background: Eritrea was awarded to Ethiopia in 1952 as part of a federation. Ethiopia's annexation of Eritrea as a province 10 years later sparked a 30-year struggle for independence that ended in 1991 with Eritrean rebels defeating governmental forces; independence was overwhelmingly approved in a 1993 referendum. A two-and-a-half-year border war with Ethiopia that erupted in 1998 ended under UN auspices in December 2000. Eritrea hosted a UN peacekeeping operation that monitored a 25 km-wide Temporary Security Zone (TSZ) on the border with Ethiopia. Eritrea's denial of fuel to the mission caused the UN to withdraw the mission and terminate its mandate 31 July 2008. An international commission, organized to resolve the border dispute, posted its findings in 2002. However, both parties have been unable to reach agreement on implementing the decision. On 30 November 2007, the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission remotely demarcated the border by coordinates and dissolved itself, leaving Ethiopia still occupying several tracts of disputed territory, including the town of Badme. Eritrea accepted the EEBC's "virtual demarcation" decision and called on Ethiopia to remove its troops from the TSZ which it states is Eritrean territory. Ethiopia has not accepted the virtual demarcation decision. Geography ::Eritrea Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Red Sea, between Djibouti and Sudan Geographic coordinates: 15 00 N, 39 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 117,600 sq km country comparison to the world: 100 land: 101,000 sq km water: 16,600 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Pennsylvania Land boundaries: total: 1,626 km border countries: Djibouti 109 km, Ethiopia 912 km, Sudan 605 km Coastline: 2,234 km (mainland on Red Sea 1,151 km, islands in Red Sea 1,083 km) Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: hot, dry desert strip along Red Sea coast; cooler and wetter in the central highlands (up to 61 cm of rainfall annually, heaviest June to September); semiarid in western hills and lowlands Terrain: dominated by extension of Ethiopian north-south trending highlands, descending on the east to a coastal desert plain, on the northwest to hilly terrain and on the southwest to flat-to-rolling plains Elevation extremes: lowest point: near Kulul within the Danakil Depression -75 m highest point: Soira 3,018 m Natural resources: gold, potash, zinc, copper, salt, possibly oil and natural gas, fish Land use: arable land: 4.78% permanent crops: 0.03% other: 95.19% (2005) Irrigated land: 210 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 6.3 cu km (2001) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.3 cu km/yr (3%/0%/97%) per capita: 68 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: frequent droughts; locust swarms Environment - current issues: deforestation; desertification; soil erosion; overgrazing; loss of infrastructure from civil warfare Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: strategic geopolitical position along world's busiest shipping lanes; Eritrea retained the entire coastline of Ethiopia along the Red Sea upon de jure independence from Ethiopia on 24 May 1993 People ::Eritrea Population: 5,647,168 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 Age structure: 0-14 years: 42.8% (male 1,212,848/female 1,202,240) 15-64 years: 53.7% (male 1,483,169/female 1,547,078) 65 years and over: 3.6% (male 92,009/female 109,824) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 18.4 years male: 18 years female: 18.8 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 2.577% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 Birth rate: 34.2 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 Death rate: 8.43 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 Net migration rate: NA Urbanization: urban population: 21% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 5.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 43.33 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 62 male: 48.97 deaths/1,000 live births female: 37.51 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 61.78 years country comparison to the world: 179 male: 59.71 years female: 63.9 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.72 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.3% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 38,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 2,600 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria (2009) Nationality: noun: Eritrean(s) adjective: Eritrean Ethnic groups: Tigrinya 50%, Tigre and Kunama 40%, Afar 4%, Saho (Red Sea coast dwellers) 3%, other 3% Religions: Muslim, Coptic Christian, Roman Catholic, Protestant Languages: Afar, Arabic, Tigre and Kunama, Tigrinya, other Cushitic languages Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 58.6% male: 69.9% female: 47.6% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 5 years male: 6 years female: 4 years (2004) Education expenditures: 2.4% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 161 Government ::Eritrea Country name: conventional long form: State of Eritrea conventional short form: Eritrea local long form: Hagere Ertra local short form: Ertra former: Eritrea Autonomous Region in Ethiopia Government type: transitional government note: following a successful referendum on independence for the Autonomous Region of Eritrea on 23-25 April 1993, a National Assembly, composed entirely of the People's Front for Democracy and Justice or PFDJ, was established as a transitional legislature; a Constitutional Commission was also established to draft a constitution; ISAIAS Afworki was elected president by the transitional legislature; the constitution, ratified in May 1997, did not enter into effect, pending parliamentary and presidential elections; parliamentary elections were scheduled in December 2001, but were postponed indefinitely; currently the sole legal party is the People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ) Capital: name: Asmara (Asmera) geographic coordinates: 15 20 N, 38 56 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 6 regions (zobatat, singular - zoba); Anseba, Debub (Southern), Debubawi K'eyih Bahri (Southern Red Sea), Gash Barka, Ma'akel (Central), Semenawi Keyih Bahri (Northern Red Sea) Independence: 24 May 1993 (from Ethiopia) National holiday: Independence Day, 24 May (1993) Constitution: adopted on 23 May 1997, but has not yet been fully implemented Legal system: primary basis is the Ethiopian legal code of 1957 with revisions; new civil, commercial, and penal codes have not yet been promulgated; government also issues unilateral proclamations setting laws and policies; also relies on customary and post-independence-enacted laws and, for civil cases involving Muslims, Islamic law; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President ISAIAS Afworki (since 8 June 1993); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government and is head of the State Council and National Assembly head of government: President ISAIAS Afworki (since 8 June 1993) cabinet: State Council is the collective executive authority; members appointed by the president elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); the most recent and only election held 8 June 1993 (next election date uncertain as the National Assembly did not hold a presidential election in December 2001 as anticipated) election results: ISAIAS Afworki elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - ISAIAS Afworki 95%, other 5% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (150 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: in May 1997, following the adoption of the new constitution, 75 members of the PFDJ Central Committee (the old Central Committee of the EPLF), 60 members of the 527-member Constituent Assembly, which had been established in 1997 to discuss and ratify the new constitution, and 15 representatives of Eritreans living abroad were formed into a Transitional National Assembly to serve as the country's legislative body until countrywide elections to a National Assembly were held; although only 75 of 150 members of the Transitional National Assembly were elected, the constitution stipulates that once past the transition stage, all members of the National Assembly will be elected by secret ballot of all eligible voters; National Assembly elections scheduled for December 2001 were postponed indefinitely Judicial branch: High Court - regional, subregional, and village courts; also have military and special courts Political parties and leaders: People's Front for Democracy and Justice or PFDJ [ISAIAS Afworki] (the only party recognized by the government); note - a National Assembly committee drafted a law on political parties in January 2001, but the full National Assembly has yet to debate or vote on it Political pressure groups and leaders: Eritrean Democratic Party (EDP) [HAGOS, Mesfin]; Eritrean Islamic Jihad or EIJ (includes Eritrean Islamic Jihad Movement or EIJM also known as the Abu Sihel Movement); Eritrean Islamic Salvation or EIS (also known as the Arafa Movement); Eritrean Liberation Front or ELF [ABDULLAH Muhammed]; Eritrean National Alliance or ENA (a coalition including EIJ, EIS, ELF, and a number of ELF factions) [HERUY Tedla Biru]; Eritrean Public Forum or EPF [ARADOM Iyob] International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (observer), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC, LAS (observer), MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador GHIRMAI Ghebremariam chancery: 1708 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 319-1991 FAX: [1] (202) 319-1304 consulate(s) general: Oakland (California) Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ronald MCMULLEN embassy: 179 Ala Street, Asmara mailing address: P. O. Box 211, Asmara telephone: [291] (1) 120004 FAX: [291] (1) 127584 Flag description: red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) dividing the flag into two right triangles; the upper triangle is green, the lower one is blue; a gold wreath encircling a gold olive branch is centered on the hoist side of the red triangle Economy ::Eritrea Economy - overview: Since independence from Ethiopia in 1993, Eritrea has faced the economic problems of a small, desperately poor country, accentuated by the recent implementation of restrictive economic policies. Eritrea has a command economy under the control of the sole political party, the People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ). Like the economies of many African nations, the economy is largely based on subsistence agriculture, with 80% of the population involved in farming and herding. The Ethiopian-Eritrea war in 1998-2000 severely hurt Eritrea's economy. GDP growth fell to zero in 1999 and to -12.1% in 2000. The May 2000 Ethiopian offensive into northern Eritrea caused some $600 million in property damage and loss, including losses of $225 million in livestock and 55,000 homes. The attack prevented planting of crops in Eritrea's most productive region, causing food production to drop by 62%. Despite the fighting, Eritrea developed its transportation infrastructure, asphalting new roads, improving its ports, and repairing war-damaged roads and bridges. Since the war's conclusion, the government has maintained a firm grip on the economy, expanding the use of the military and party-owned businesses to complete Eritrea's development agenda. The government strictly controls the use of foreign currency by limiting access and availability. Few private enterprises remain in Eritrea. Eritrea's economy depends heavily on taxes paid by members of the diaspora. Erratic rainfall and the delayed demobilization of agriculturalists from the military continue to interfere with agricultural production, and Eritrea's recent harvests have been unable to meet the food needs of the country. The Government continues to place its hope for additional revenue on the development of several international mining projects. Despite difficulties for international companies in working with the Eritrean Government, a Canadian mining company signed a contract with the Government in 2007 and plans to begin mineral extraction in 2010. Eritrea also opened a free trade zone at the port of Massawa in 2008. Eritrea's economic future depends upon its ability to master social problems such as illiteracy, unemployment, and low skills, and more importantly, on the government's willingness to support a true market economy. GDP (purchasing power parity): $3.954 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 166 $3.876 billion (2007 est.) $3.838 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $1.479 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 164 1% (2007 est.) -1% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $700 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 223 $700 (2007 est.) $700 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 17.4% industry: 23.2% services: 59.4% (2008 est.) Labor force: NA Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 80% industry and services: 20% (2004 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Population below poverty line: 50% (2004 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Investment (gross fixed): 20.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 Budget: revenues: $234.6 million expenditures: $523.3 million (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 18% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 200 17% (2007 est.) Stock of money: $896.2 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 89 $749.1 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $1.053 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 94 $932.9 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $1.851 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 94 $1.711 billion (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: sorghum, lentils, vegetables, corn, cotton, tobacco, sisal; livestock, goats; fish Industries: food processing, beverages, clothing and textiles, light manufacturing, salt, cement Industrial production growth rate: 2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 Electricity - production: 271 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 170 Electricity - consumption: 228 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 175 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 179 Oil - consumption: 5,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 189 Oil - imports: 4,790 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 158 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 173 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 186 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 189 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 62 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 85 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 184 Current account balance: -$229 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 -$203 million (2007 est.) Exports: $13 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 209 $12 million (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: livestock, sorghum, textiles, food, small manufactures Exports - partners: Itlay 25.3%, Sudan 17.2%, China 15.8%, India 8.8%, France 6.7%, Saudi Arabia 6.5%, Russia 4.1% (2008) Imports: $601 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 183 $580 million (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery, petroleum products, food, manufactured goods Imports - partners: India 28.5%, Saudi Arabia 17.8%, Italy 10.9%, China 8.5%, US 4.4%, Germany 4% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $24 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 $34 million (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $311 million (2000 est.) country comparison to the world: 175 Exchange rates: nakfa (ERN) per US dollar - 15.38 (2008 est.), 15.5 (2007), 15.4 (2006), 14.5 (2005), 13.788 (2004) note: the official exchange rate is 15 nakfa to the dollar Communications ::Eritrea Telephones - main lines in use: 40,400 (2008) country comparison to the world: 169 Telephones - mobile cellular: 108,600 (2008) country comparison to the world: 181 Telephone system: general assessment: inadequate; combined fixed-line and mobile cellular subscribership is only about 3 per 100 persons (2008) domestic: inadequate; most telephones are in Asmara; government is seeking international tenders to improve the system (2002) international: country code - 291; note - international connections exist Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM NA, shortwave 2 (2000) Television broadcast stations: 2 (2006) Internet country code: .er Internet hosts: 1,307 (2009) country comparison to the world: 156 Internet users: 200,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 135 Transportation ::Eritrea Airports: 14 (2009) country comparison to the world: 147 Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 10 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Heliports: 1 (2009) Railways: total: 306 km country comparison to the world: 121 narrow gauge: 306 km 0.950-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 4,010 km country comparison to the world: 157 paved: 874 km unpaved: 3,136 km (2000) Merchant marine: total: 5 country comparison to the world: 131 by type: cargo 2, liquefied gas 1, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1 (2008) Ports and terminals: Assab, Massawa Military ::Eritrea Military branches: Eritrean Armed Forces: Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18-40 years of age for male and female voluntary and compulsory military service; 16-month conscript service obligation (2006) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,108,836 females age 16-49: 1,096,120 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 834,018 females age 16-49: 887,495 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 62,265 female: 62,328 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 6.3% of GDP (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 Transnational Issues ::Eritrea Disputes - international: Eritrea and Ethiopia agreed to abide by 2002 Ethiopia-Eritrea Boundary Commission's (EEBC) delimitation decision but, neither party responded to the revised line detailed in the November 2006 EEBC Demarcation Statement; UN Peacekeeping Mission to Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE), which has monitored the 25-km-wide Temporary Security Zone in Eritrea since 2000, is extended for six months in 2007 despite Eritrean restrictions on its operations and reduced force of 17,000; Sudan accuses Eritrea of supporting eastern Sudanese rebel groups Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs: 32,000 (border war with Ethiopia from 1998-2000; most IDPs are near the central border region) (2007) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Estonia (Europe) Introduction ::Estonia Background: After centuries of Danish, Swedish, German, and Russian rule, Estonia attained independence in 1918. Forcibly incorporated into the USSR in 1940 - an action never recognized by the US - it regained its freedom in 1991, with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Since the last Russian troops left in 1994, Estonia has been free to promote economic and political ties with Western Europe. It joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004. Geography ::Estonia Location: Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Finland, between Latvia and Russia Geographic coordinates: 59 00 N, 26 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 45,228 sq km country comparison to the world: 132 land: 42,388 sq km water: 2,840 sq km note: includes 1,520 islands in the Baltic Sea Area - comparative: slightly smaller than New Hampshire and Vermont combined Land boundaries: total: 633 km border countries: Latvia 343 km, Russia 290 km Coastline: 3,794 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: limits fixed in coordination with neighboring states Climate: maritime; wet, moderate winters, cool summers Terrain: marshy, lowlands; flat in the north, hilly in the south Elevation extremes: lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Suur Munamagi 318 m Natural resources: oil shale, peat, phosphorite, clay, limestone, sand, dolomite, arable land, sea mud Land use: arable land: 12.05% permanent crops: 0.35% other: 87.6% (2005) Irrigated land: 40 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 21.1 cu km (2005) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 1.41 cu km/yr (56%/39%/5%) per capita: 1,060 cu m/yr (2002) Natural hazards: sometimes flooding occurs in the spring Environment - current issues: air polluted with sulfur dioxide from oil-shale burning power plants in northeast; however, the amount of pollutants emitted to the air have fallen steadily, the emissions of 2000 were 80% less than in 1980; the amount of unpurified wastewater discharged to water bodies in 2000 was one-20th the level of 1980; in connection with the start-up of new water purification plants, the pollution load of wastewater decreased; Estonia has more than 1,400 natural and manmade lakes, the smaller of which in agricultural areas need to be monitored; coastal seawater is polluted in certain locations Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: the mainland terrain is flat, boggy, and partly wooded; offshore lie more than 1,500 islands People ::Estonia Population: 1,299,371 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 152 Age structure: 0-14 years: 14.9% (male 99,748/female 94,051) 15-64 years: 67.5% (male 417,816/female 459,246) 65 years and over: 17.6% (male 75,486/female 153,024) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 39.9 years male: 36.5 years female: 43.5 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: -0.632% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 229 Birth rate: 10.37 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 188 Death rate: 13.42 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 Net migration rate: -3.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 Urbanization: urban population: 69% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: -0.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.49 male(s)/female total population: 0.84 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 7.32 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 167 male: 8.48 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.82 years country comparison to the world: 113 male: 67.45 years female: 78.53 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.42 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 190 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.3% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 9,900 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 500 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne disease: tickborne encephalitis (2009) Nationality: noun: Estonian(s) adjective: Estonian Ethnic groups: Estonian 67.9%, Russian 25.6%, Ukrainian 2.1%, Belarusian 1.3%, Finn 0.9%, other 2.2% (2000 census) Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 13.6%, Orthodox 12.8%, other Christian (including Methodist, Seventh-Day Adventist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal) 1.4%, unaffiliated 34.1%, other and unspecified 32%, none 6.1% (2000 census) Languages: Estonian (official) 67.3%, Russian 29.7%, other 2.3%, unknown 0.7% (2000 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.8% male: 99.8% female: 99.8% (2000 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 16 years male: 15 years female: 17 years (2006) Education expenditures: 5.1% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 68 Government ::Estonia Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Estonia conventional short form: Estonia local long form: Eesti Vabariik local short form: Eesti former: Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic Government type: parliamentary republic Capital: name: Tallinn geographic coordinates: 59 26 N, 24 43 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 15 counties (maakonnad, singular - maakond); Harjumaa (Tallinn), Hiiumaa (Kardla), Ida-Virumaa (Johvi), Jarvamaa (Paide), Jogevamaa (Jogeva), Laanemaa (Haapsalu), Laane-Virumaa (Rakvere), Parnumaa (Parnu), Polvamaa (Polva), Raplamaa (Rapla), Saaremaa (Kuressaare), Tartumaa (Tartu), Valgamaa (Valga), Viljandimaa (Viljandi), Vorumaa (Voru) note: counties have the administrative center name following in parentheses Independence: 20 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union) National holiday: Independence Day, 24 February (1918); note - 24 February 1918 was the date Estonia declared its independence from Soviet Russia; 20 August 1991 was the date it declared its independence from the Soviet Union Constitution: adopted 28 June 1992 Legal system: based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal for all Estonian citizens Executive branch: chief of state: President Toomas Hendrik ILVES (since 9 October 2006) head of government: Prime Minister Andrus ANSIP (since 12 April 2005) cabinet: Ministers appointed by the prime minister, approved by Parliament elections: president elected by Parliament for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); if a candidate does not secure two-thirds of the votes after three rounds of balloting in the Parliament, then an electoral assembly (made up of Parliament plus members of local councils) elects the president, choosing between the two candidates with the largest number of votes; election last held 23 September 2006 (next to be held in the fall of 2011); prime minister nominated by the president and approved by Parliament election results: Toomas Hendrik ILVES elected president on 23 September 2006 by a 345-member electoral assembly; ILVES received 174 votes to incumbent Arnold RUUTEL's 162; remaining 9 ballots left blank or invalid Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Riigikogu (101 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 4 March 2007 (next to be held in March 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - Estonian Reform Party 27.8%, Center Party of Estonia 26.1%, Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica 17.9%, Social Democratic Party 10.6%, Estonian Greens 7.1%, Estonian People's Union 7.1%, other 5%; seats by party - Estonian Reform Party 31, Center Party 29, Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica 19, Social Democratic Party 10, Estonian Greens 6, Estonian People's Union 6 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (chairman appointed for life by Parliament) Political parties and leaders: Center Party of Estonia (Keskerakond) [Edgar SAVISAAR]; Estonian Greens (Rohelised) [Marek STRANDBERG]; Estonian People's Union (Rahvaliit) [Villu REILJAN]; Estonian Reform Party (Reformierakond) [Andrus ANSIP]; Social Democratic Party (formerly People's Party Moodukad or Moderates) [Ivari PADAR]; Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica (Isamaa je Res Publica Liit) [Mart LAAR] Political pressure groups and leaders: Nochnoy Dozor/Night Watch anti-fascist movement (leader Alexander KOROBOV) International organization participation: Australia Group, BA, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD (accession state), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNITAR, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Vaino REINART chancery: 2131 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 588-0101 FAX: [1] (202) 588-0108 consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Karen DECKER embassy: Kentmanni 20, 15099 Tallinn mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [372] 668-8100 FAX: [372] 668-8265 Flag description: pre-1940 flag restored by Supreme Soviet in May 1990 - three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), black, and white Economy ::Estonia Economy - overview: Estonia, a 2004 European Union entrant, has a modern market-based economy and one of the highest per capita income levels in Central Europe. Estonia's successive governments have pursued a free market, pro-business economic agenda and have wavered little in their commitment to pro-market reforms. Tallinn's priority has been to sustain high growth rates - on average 8% per year from 2003 to 2007. The economy benefits from strong electronics and telecommunications sectors and strong trade ties with Finland, Sweden, and Germany. The current government has pursued relatively sound fiscal policies, resulting in balanced budgets and low public debt. Rapid growth, however, has made it difficult to keep inflation and large current-account deficits from soaring, putting downward pressure on the country's currency. The government has not given up on adopting the euro, but has repeatedly postponed its target date. Estonia's economy slowed down markedly and fell sharply into recession in mid-2008, primarily as a result of an investment and consumption slump following the bursting of the real estate market bubble. GDP (purchasing power parity): $28.03 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 $29.08 billion (2007 est.) $27.13 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $23.55 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -3.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 215 7.2% (2007 est.) 10% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $21,400 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 $22,100 (2007 est.) $20,500 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2.6% industry: 29% services: 68.4% (2008 est.) Labor force: 693,000 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 4.7% industry: 33.7% services: 61.6% (2007) Unemployment rate: 5.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 4.7% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 5% (2003) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.7% highest 10%: 27.7% (2004) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 34 (2008) country comparison to the world: 91 37 (1999) Investment (gross fixed): 28.4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 Budget: revenues: $8.798 billion expenditures: $9.488 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 4.8% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 5.4% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 152 6.6% (2007 est.) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 8.55% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 126 6.46% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $6.106 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 50 $7.158 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $5.478 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 65 $4.253 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $22.02 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 57 $21.35 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $1.951 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 81 $6.037 billion (31 December 2007) $5.963 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: potatoes, vegetables; livestock and dairy products; fish Industries: engineering, electronics, wood and wood products, textiles; information technology, telecommunications Industrial production growth rate: -4.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 166 Electricity - production: 11.46 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 Electricity - consumption: 7.686 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 93 Electricity - exports: 2.31 billion kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 1.369 billion kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 7,600 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 Oil - consumption: 29,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 Oil - exports: 7,280 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 Oil - imports: 30,590 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 174 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 187 Natural gas - consumption: 1.51 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 83 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 63 Natural gas - imports: 1.51 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 185 Current account balance: -$2.192 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 -$3.771 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $12.63 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 $11.08 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: machinery and equipment 29%, wood and paper 13%, metals 10%, food products 8%, textiles 5%, chemical products (2007) Exports - partners: Finland 18.3%, Sweden 13.8%, Russia 10.3%, Latvia 10%, Lithuania 5.7%, Germany 5.1%, US 4.8% (2008) Imports: $15.35 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 $14.75 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment 35%, textiles 19%, mineral fuels 19%, chemical products 9%, foodstuffs 6% (2001) Imports - partners: Finland 14.2%, Germany 13.3%, Sweden 10%, Lithuania 8.9%, Latvia 8.9%, Russia 7.4%, Poland 4.6% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $3.972 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 $3.27 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $26.84 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 65 $25.25 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $18.62 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 $16.59 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $6.686 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 $5.873 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: krooni (EEK) per US dollar - 10.7 (2008), 11.535 (2007), 12.473 (2006), 12.584 (2005), 12.596 (2004) note: the krooni is pegged to the euro Communications ::Estonia Telephones - main lines in use: 498,100 (2008) country comparison to the world: 96 Telephones - mobile cellular: 2.525 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 115 Telephone system: general assessment: foreign investment in the form of joint business ventures greatly improved telephone service; substantial fiber-optic cable systems carry telephone, TV, and radio traffic in the digital mode; Internet services are widely available; schools and libraries are connected to the Internet, a large percentage of the population files income-tax returns online, and online voting was used for the first time in the 2005 local elections domestic: a wide range of high quality voice, data, and Internet services is available throughout the country international: country code - 372; fiber-optic cables to Finland, Sweden, Latvia, and Russia provide worldwide packet-switched service; 2 international switches are located in Tallinn (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 32, shortwave 0 (2007) Television broadcast stations: 4 (2007) Internet country code: .ee Internet hosts: 706,449 (2009) country comparison to the world: 47 Internet users: 888,100 (2008) country comparison to the world: 94 Transportation ::Estonia Airports: 19 (2009) country comparison to the world: 135 Airports - with paved runways: total: 13 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 3 (2009) Heliports: 1 (2009) Pipelines: gas 859 km (2008) Railways: total: 919 km country comparison to the world: 92 broad gauge: 919 km 1.520 m/1.524-m gauge (131 km electrified) (2008) Roadways: total: 57,016 km country comparison to the world: 77 paved: 12,926 km (includes 99 km of expressways) unpaved: 44,090 km (2005) Waterways: 320 km (2008) country comparison to the world: 92 Merchant marine: total: 29 country comparison to the world: 87 by type: cargo 5, passenger/cargo 21, petroleum tanker 2, chemical tanker 1 foreign-owned: 4 (Denmark 1, Germany 1, Norway 2) registered in other countries: 85 (Antigua and Barbuda 23, Belize 6, Cyprus 5, Dominica 7, Finland 2, Latvia 2, Liberia 1, Malta 11, Norway 1, Panama 5, Saint Kitts and Nevis 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 16, Sweden 2, Vanuatu 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Kuivastu, Kunda, Muuga, Tallinn, Virtsu Military ::Estonia Military branches: Estonian Defense Forces: Land Force, Navy, Air Force (Eesti Ohuvagi), Volunteer Defense League (Kaitseliit, KL) (2009) Military service age and obligation: obligation for compulsory service ages 16-60, with conscription "likely" ages 18-27; service requirement 8-11 months (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 306,273 females age 16-49: 317,852 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 216,483 females age 16-49: 260,408 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 7,583 female: 7,111 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 2% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 Transnational Issues ::Estonia Disputes - international: Russia recalled its signature to the 1996 technical border agreement with Estonia in 2005, rather than concede to Estonia's appending prepared a unilateral declaration referencing Soviet occupation and territorial losses; Russia demands better accommodation of Russian-speaking population in Estonia; Estonian citizen groups continue to press for realignment of the boundary based on the 1920 Tartu Peace Treaty that would bring the now divided ethnic Setu people and parts of the Narva region within Estonia; as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Estonia must implement the strict Schengen border rules with Russia Illicit drugs: growing producer of synthetic drugs; increasingly important transshipment zone for cannabis, cocaine, opiates, and synthetic drugs since joining the European Union and the Schengen Accord; potential money laundering related to organized crime and drug trafficking is a concern, as is possible use of the gambling sector to launder funds; major use of opiates and ecstasy page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Ethiopia (Africa) Introduction ::Ethiopia Background: Unique among African countries, the ancient Ethiopian monarchy maintained its freedom from colonial rule with the exception of a short-lived Italian occupation from 1936-41. In 1974, a military junta, the Derg, deposed Emperor Haile SELASSIE (who had ruled since 1930) and established a socialist state. Torn by bloody coups, uprisings, wide-scale drought, and massive refugee problems, the regime was finally toppled in 1991 by a coalition of rebel forces, the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). A constitution was adopted in 1994, and Ethiopia's first multiparty elections were held in 1995. A border war with Eritrea late in the 1990s ended with a peace treaty in December 2000. The Eritrea-Ethiopia Border Commission in November 2007 remotely demarcated the border by geographical coordinates, but final demarcation of the boundary on the ground is currently on hold because of Ethiopian objections to an international commission's finding requiring it to surrender territory considered sensitive to Ethiopia. Geography ::Ethiopia Location: Eastern Africa, west of Somalia Geographic coordinates: 8 00 N, 38 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 1,104,300 sq km country comparison to the world: 27 land: 1 million sq km water: 104,300 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Texas Land boundaries: total: 5,328 km border countries: Djibouti 349 km, Eritrea 912 km, Kenya 861 km, Somalia 1,600 km, Sudan 1,606 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: tropical monsoon with wide topographic-induced variation Terrain: high plateau with central mountain range divided by Great Rift Valley Elevation extremes: lowest point: Danakil Depression -125 m highest point: Ras Dejen 4,533 m Natural resources: small reserves of gold, platinum, copper, potash, natural gas, hydropower Land use: arable land: 10.01% permanent crops: 0.65% other: 89.34% (2005) Irrigated land: 2,900 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 110 cu km (1987) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 5.56 cu km/yr (6%/0%/94%) per capita: 72 cu m/yr (2002) Natural hazards: geologically active Great Rift Valley susceptible to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions; frequent droughts Environment - current issues: deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; water shortages in some areas from water-intensive farming and poor management Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea Geography - note: landlocked - entire coastline along the Red Sea was lost with the de jure independence of Eritrea on 24 May 1993; the Blue Nile, the chief headstream of the Nile by water volume, rises in T'ana Hayk (Lake Tana) in northwest Ethiopia; three major crops are believed to have originated in Ethiopia: coffee, grain sorghum, and castor bean People ::Ethiopia Population: 85,237,338 country comparison to the world: 14 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 46.1% (male 19,596,784/female 19,688,887) 15-64 years: 51.2% (male 21,376,495/female 22,304,812) 65 years and over: 2.7% (male 975,923/female 1,294,437) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 16.9 years male: 16.6 years female: 17.2 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 3.208% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 Birth rate: 43.66 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 Death rate: 11.55 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 Net migration rate: -0.02 migrant(s)/1,000 population country comparison to the world: 86 note: repatriation of Ethiopian refugees residing in Sudan is expected to continue for several years; some Sudanese, Somali, and Eritrean refugees, who fled to Ethiopia from the fighting or famine in their own countries, continue to return to their homes (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 17% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 80.8 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 20 male: 92.06 deaths/1,000 live births female: 69.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 55.41 years country comparison to the world: 192 male: 52.92 years female: 57.97 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.12 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 2.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 980,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 67,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis animal contact disease: rabies water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2009) Nationality: noun: Ethiopian(s) adjective: Ethiopian Ethnic groups: Oromo 32.1%, Amara 30.1%, Tigraway 6.2%, Somalie 5.9%, Guragie 4.3%, Sidama 3.5%, Welaita 2.4%, other 15.4% (1994 census) Religions: Christian 60.8% (Orthodox 50.6%, Protestant 10.2%), Muslim 32.8%, traditional 4.6%, other 1.8% (1994 census) Languages: Amarigna 32.7%, Oromigna 31.6%, Tigrigna 6.1%, Somaligna 6%, Guaragigna 3.5%, Sidamigna 3.5%, Hadiyigna 1.7%, other 14.8%, English (major foreign language taught in schools) (1994 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 42.7% male: 50.3% female: 35.1% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 8 years male: 8 years female: 7 years (2007) Education expenditures: 6% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 43 Government ::Ethiopia Country name: conventional long form: Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia conventional short form: Ethiopia local long form: Ityop'iya Federalawi Demokrasiyawi Ripeblik local short form: Ityop'iya former: Abyssinia, Italian East Africa abbreviation: FDRE Government type: federal republic Capital: name: Addis Ababa geographic coordinates: 9 02 N, 38 42 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 9 ethnically based states (kililoch, singular - kilil) and 2 self-governing administrations* (astedaderoch, singular - astedader); Adis Abeba* (Addis Ababa), Afar, Amara (Amhara), Binshangul Gumuz, Dire Dawa*, Gambela Hizboch (Gambela Peoples), Hareri Hizb (Harari People), Oromiya (Oromia), Sumale (Somali), Tigray, Ye Debub Biheroch Bihereseboch na Hizboch (Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples) Independence: oldest independent country in Africa and one of the oldest in the world - at least 2,000 years National holiday: National Day (defeat of MENGISTU regime), 28 May (1991) Constitution: ratified 8 December 1994, effective 22 August 1995 Legal system: based on civil law; currently transitional mix of national and regional courts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President GIRMA Woldegiorgis (since 8 October 2001) head of government: Prime Minister MELES Zenawi (since August 1995) cabinet: Council of Ministers as provided for in the December 1994 constitution; ministers are selected by the prime minister and approved by the House of People's Representatives elections: president elected by the House of People's Representatives for a six-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 9 October 2007 (next to be held in October 2013); prime minister designated by the party in power following legislative elections election results: GIRMA Woldegiorgis elected president; percent of vote by the House of People's Representatives - 79% Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the House of Federation (or upper chamber responsible for interpreting the constitution and federal-regional issues) (108 seats; members are chosen by state assemblies to serve five-year terms) and the House of People's Representatives (or lower chamber responsible for passing legislation) (547 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote from single-member districts to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 15 May 2005 (next to be held in 2010) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats by party - EPRDF 327, CUD 109, UEDF 52, SPDP 23, OFDM 11, BGPDUF 8, ANDP 8, independent 1, others 6, undeclared 2 note: some seats still remain vacant as detained opposition MPs did not take their seats Judicial branch: Federal Supreme Court (the president and vice president of the Federal Supreme Court are recommended by the prime minister and appointed by the House of People's Representatives; for other federal judges, the prime minister submits to the House of People's Representatives for appointment candidates selected by the Federal Judicial Administrative Council) Political parties and leaders: Afar National Democratic Party or ANDP [Mohammed Kedir]; Benishangul Gumuz People's Democratic Unity Front or BGPDUF [Mulualem BESSE]; Coalition for Unity and Democratic Party or CUDP; Gurage Nationalities' Democratic Movement or GNDM; Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement or OFDM [BULCHA Demeksa]; Omoro People's Congress or OPC [IMERERA Gudina]; Somali People's Democratic Party or SPDP; United Ethiopian Democratic Forces or UEDF [BEYENE Petros] Political pressure groups and leaders: Ethiopian People's Patriotic Front or EPPF; Ogaden National Liberation Front or ONLF; Oromo Liberation Front or OLF [DAOUD Ibsa] International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, COMESA, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Samuel ASSEFA chancery: 3506 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 364-1200 FAX: [1] (202) 587-0195 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles consulate(s): New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Donald Y. YAMAMOTO embassy: Entoto Street, Addis Ababa mailing address: P. O. Box 1014, Addis Ababa telephone: [251] 11-517-40-00 FAX: [251] 11-517-40-01 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and red, with a yellow pentagram and single yellow rays emanating from the angles between the points on a light blue disk centered on the three bands; Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in Africa, and the three main colors of her flag were so often adopted by other African countries upon independence that they became known as the pan-African colors Economy ::Ethiopia Economy - overview: Ethiopia's poverty-stricken economy is based on agriculture, accounting for almost half of GDP, 60% of exports, and 80% of total employment. The agricultural sector suffers from frequent drought and poor cultivation practices. Coffee is critical to the Ethiopian economy with exports of some $350 million in 2006, but historically low prices have seen many farmers switching to qat to supplement income. The war with Eritrea in 1998-2000 and recurrent drought have buffeted the economy, in particular coffee production. In November 2001, Ethiopia qualified for debt relief from the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative, and in December 2005 the IMF forgave Ethiopia's debt. Under Ethiopia's constitution, the state owns all land and provides long-term leases to the tenants; the system continues to hamper growth in the industrial sector as entrepreneurs are unable to use land as collateral for loans. Drought struck again late in 2002, leading to a 3.3% decline in GDP in 2003. Normal weather patterns helped agricultural and GDP growth recover during 2004-08. GDP (purchasing power parity): $70.23 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 $62.93 billion (2007 est.) $56.64 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $26.39 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 11.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 11.1% (2007 est.) 10.9% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $900 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 214 $800 (2007 est.) $700 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 44.9% industry: 12.8% services: 42.3% (2008 est.) Labor force: 37.9 million (2007) country comparison to the world: 15 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 80.2% industry: 6.6% services: 13.2% (2005) Unemployment rate: NA% Population below poverty line: 38.7% (FY05/06 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.1% highest 10%: 25.6% (2005) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 30 (2000) country comparison to the world: 114 40 (1995) Investment (gross fixed): 25.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 Budget: revenues: $4.517 billion expenditures: $5.34 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 32% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 44.5% of GDP (2007 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 44.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 221 17.2% (2007 est.) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 8% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 121 7% (31 December 2006) Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $3.651 billion (31 December 2006) Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) $3.258 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $6.694 billion (31 December 2006) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: cereals, pulses, coffee, oilseed, cotton, sugarcane, potatoes, qat, cut flowers; hides, cattle, sheep, goats; fish Industries: food processing, beverages, textiles, leather, chemicals, metals processing, cement Industrial production growth rate: 10.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 Electricity - production: 3.46 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 Electricity - consumption: 3.13 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 177 Oil - consumption: 37,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 188 Oil - imports: 33,590 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 Oil - proved reserves: 430,000 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 184 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 187 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 60 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 83 Natural gas - proved reserves: 24.92 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 Current account balance: -$1.806 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 -$827.9 million (2007 est.) Exports: $1.555 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 $1.285 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: coffee, qat, gold, leather products, live animals, oilseeds Exports - partners: Germany 11.8%, Saudi Arabia 8.7%, Netherlands 8.6%, US 8.1%, Switzerland 7.7%, Italy 6.1%, China 6%, Sudan 5.5%, Japan 4.4% (2008) Imports: $7.206 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 101 $5.156 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: food and live animals, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, machinery, motor vehicles, cereals, textiles Imports - partners: China 16.3%, Saudi Arabia 12%, India 8.7%, Italy 6%, Japan 4.9%, US 4.5% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $870.5 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 131 $1.29 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $3.155 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 $2.621 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: birr (ETB) per US dollar - 9.57 (2008 est.), 8.96 (2007), 8.69 (2006), 8.68 (2005), 8.6356 (2004) note: since 24 October 2001, exchange rates are determined on a daily basis via interbank transactions regulated by the Central Bank Communications ::Ethiopia Telephones - main lines in use: 908,900 (2008) country comparison to the world: 84 Telephones - mobile cellular: 3.168 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 107 Telephone system: general assessment: inadequate telephone system; the number of fixed lines and mobile telephones is increasing from a very small base; combined fixed and mobile-cellular teledensity is only about 5 per 100 persons domestic: open-wire; microwave radio relay; radio communication in the HF, VHF, and UHF frequencies; 2 domestic satellites provide the national trunk service international: country code - 251; open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti; microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 8, FM 0, shortwave 1 (2001) Television broadcast stations: 1 (plus 24 repeaters) (2001) Internet country code: .et Internet hosts: 136 (2009) country comparison to the world: 195 Internet users: 360,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 116 Transportation ::Ethiopia Airports: 63 (2009) country comparison to the world: 78 Airports - with paved runways: total: 17 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 46 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 23 under 914 m: 9 (2009) Railways: total: 681 km (Ethiopian segment of the 781 km Addis Ababa-Djibouti railroad) country comparison to the world: 106 narrow gauge: 681 km 1.000-m gauge note: railway is under joint control of Djibouti and Ethiopia but is largely inoperable (2008) Roadways: total: 36,469 km country comparison to the world: 93 paved: 6,980 km unpaved: 29,489 km (2004) Merchant marine: total: 9 country comparison to the world: 115 by type: cargo 8, roll on/roll off 1 (2008) Ports and terminals: Ethiopia is landlocked and uses ports of Djibouti in Djibouti and Berbera in Somalia Military ::Ethiopia Military branches: Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF): Ground Forces, Ethiopian Air Force (ETAF) (2008) note: Ethiopia is landlocked and has no navy; following the secession of Eritrea, Ethiopian naval facilities remained in Eritrean possession Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; theoretically, no compulsory military service, but the military can conduct call-ups when necessary and compliance is compulsory (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 17,666,967 females age 16-49: 17,530,211 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 11,078,847 females age 16-49: 12,017,073 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 908,384 female: 916,354 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 3% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 49 Transnational Issues ::Ethiopia Disputes - international: Eritrea and Ethiopia agreed to abide by the 2002 Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission's (EEBC) delimitation decision, but neither party responded to the revised line detailed in the November 2006 EEBC Demarcation Statement; UN Peacekeeping Mission to Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE), which has monitored the 25-km-wide Temporary Security Zone in Eritrea since 2000, is extended for six months in 2007 despite Eritrean restrictions on its operations and reduced force of 17,000; the undemarcated former British administrative line has little meaning as a political separation to rival clans within Ethiopia's Ogaden and southern Somalia's Oromo region; Ethiopian forces invaded southern Somalia and routed Islamist Courts from Mogadishu in January 2007; "Somaliland" secessionists provide port facilities in Berbera and trade ties to landlocked Ethiopia; civil unrest in eastern Sudan has hampered efforts to demarcate the porous boundary with Ethiopia Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 66,980 (Sudan); 16,576 (Somalia); 13,078 (Eritrea) IDPs: 200,000 (border war with Eritrea from 1998-2000, ethnic clashes in Gambela, and ongoing Ethiopian military counterinsurgency in Somali region; most IDPs are in Tigray and Gambela Provinces) (2007) Illicit drugs: transit hub for heroin originating in Southwest and Southeast Asia and destined for Europe, as well as cocaine destined for markets in southern Africa; cultivates qat (khat) for local use and regional export, principally to Djibouti and Somalia (legal in all three countries); the lack of a well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a money laundering center page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @European Union (Europe) Introduction ::European Union Preliminary statement: The evolution of the European Union (EU) from a regional economic agreement among six neighboring states in 1951 to today's supranational organization of 27 countries across the European continent stands as an unprecedented phenomenon in the annals of history. Dynastic unions for territorial consolidation were long the norm in Europe. On a few occasions even country-level unions were arranged - the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the Austro-Hungarian Empire were examples - but for such a large number of nation-states to cede some of their sovereignty to an overarching entity is truly unique. Although the EU is not a federation in the strict sense, it is far more than a free-trade association such as ASEAN, NAFTA, or Mercosur, and it has many of the attributes associated with independent nations: its own flag, anthem, founding date, and currency, as well as an incipient common foreign and security policy in its dealings with other nations. In the future, many of these nation-like characteristics are likely to be expanded. Thus, inclusion of basic intelligence on the EU has been deemed appropriate as a new, separate entity in The World Factbook. However, because of the EU's special status, this description is placed after the regular country entries. Background: Following the two devastating World Wars in the first half of the 20th century, a number of European leaders in the late 1940s became convinced that the only way to establish a lasting peace was to unite the two chief belligerent nations - France and Germany - both economically and politically. In 1950, the French Foreign Minister Robert SCHUMAN proposed an eventual union of all Europe, the first step of which would be the integration of the coal and steel industries of Western Europe. The following year the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) was set up when six members, Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, signed the Treaty of Paris. The ECSC was so successful that within a few years the decision was made to integrate other parts of the countries' economies. In 1957, the Treaties of Rome created the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom), and the six member states undertook to eliminate trade barriers among themselves by forming a common market. In 1967, the institutions of all three communities were formally merged into the European Community (EC), creating a single Commission, a single Council of Ministers, and the European Parliament. Members of the European Parliament were initially selected by national parliaments, but in 1979 the first direct elections were undertaken and they have been held every five years since. In 1973, the first enlargement of the EC took place with the addition of Denmark, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. The 1980s saw further membership expansion with Greece joining in 1981 and Spain and Portugal in 1986. The 1992 Treaty of Maastricht laid the basis for further forms of cooperation in foreign and defense policy, in judicial and internal affairs, and in the creation of an economic and monetary union - including a common currency. This further integration created the European Union (EU). In 1995, Austria, Finland, and Sweden joined the EU, raising the membership total to 15. A new currency, the euro, was launched in world money markets on 1 January 1999; it became the unit of exchange for all of the EU states except the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Denmark. In 2002, citizens of the 12 euro-area countries began using the euro banknotes and coins. Ten new countries joined the EU in 2004 - Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia - and in 2007 Bulgaria and Romania joined, bringing the current membership to 27. In order to ensure that the EU can continue to function efficiently with an expanded membership, the Treaty of Nice (in force as of 1 February 2003) set forth rules streamlining the size and procedures of EU institutions. An effort to establish an EU constitution, begun in October 2004, failed to attain unanimous ratification. A new effort, undertaken in June 2007, created an Intergovernmental Conference to formulate a political agreement - initially known as the Reform Treaty but subsequently referred to as the Treaty of Lisbon - which would serve as a constitution. Unlike the constitution, however, the Treaty of Lisbon sought to amend existing treaties rather than replace them. In October 2009, an Irish referendum approved the Treaty (overturning a previous rejection) and cleared the way for an ultimate unanimous endorsement - the Czech Republic signed on soon after. Treaty implementation is set to begin on 1 December 2009. Geography ::European Union Location: Europe between the North Atlantic Ocean in the west and Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine to the east Map references: Europe Area: total: 4,324,782 sq km Area - comparative: less than one-half the size of the US Land boundaries: total: 12,440.8 km border countries: Albania 282 km, Andorra 120.3 km, Belarus 1,050 km, Croatia 999 km, Holy See 3.2 km, Liechtenstein 34.9 km, Macedonia 394 km, Moldova 450 km, Monaco 4.4 km, Norway 2,348 km, Russia 2,257 km, San Marino 39 km, Serbia 945 km, Switzerland 1,811 km, Turkey 446 km, Ukraine 1,257 km note: data for European Continent only Coastline: 65,992.9 km Maritime claims: NA Climate: cold temperate; potentially subarctic in the north to temperate; mild wet winters; hot dry summers in the south Terrain: fairly flat along the Baltic and Atlantic coast; mountainous in the central and southern areas Elevation extremes: lowest point: Lammefjord, Denmark -7 m; Zuidplaspolder, Netherlands -7 m highest point: Mont Blanc 4,807 m; note - situated on the border between France and Italy Natural resources: iron ore, natural gas, petroleum, coal, copper, lead, zinc, bauxite, uranium, potash, salt, hydropower, arable land, timber, fish Land use: arable land: NA permanent crops: NA other: NA Irrigated land: 168,050 sq km (2003 est.) Natural hazards: flooding along coasts; avalanches in mountainous area; earthquakes in the south; volcanic eruptions in Italy; periodic droughts in Spain; ice floes in the Baltic Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94 signed but not ratified: Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds People ::European Union Population: 491,582,852 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 15.44% (male 38,975,981/female 36,925,704) 15-64 years: 67.22% (male 166,277,341/female 164,183,829) 65 years and over: 17.34% (male 35,372,684/female 49,847,313) (2009 est.) Median age: note - see individual country entries of member states (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.108 % (2009 est.) Birth rate: 9.9 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Death rate: 10.28 deaths/1,000 population (2009 est.) Net migration rate: 1.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 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: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 5.72 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 182 male: 6.38 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.67 years country comparison to the world: 41 male: 75.54 years female: 81.97 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.51 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: note - see individual country entries of member states HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: note - see individual country entries of member states HIV/AIDS - deaths: note - see individual country entries of member states Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, Muslim, Jewish Languages: Bulgarian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, Gaelic, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Slovene, Spanish, Swedish note: only official languages are listed; German, the major language of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, is the most widely spoken mother tongue - over 19% of the EU population; English is the most widely spoken language - about 49% of the EU population is conversant with it (2007) Government ::European Union Union name: conventional long form: European Union abbreviation: EU Political structure: a hybrid intergovernmental and supranational organization Capital: name: Brussels (Belgium), Strasbourg (France), Luxembourg geographic coordinates: 50 50 N, 4 20 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October note: the Council of the European Union meets in Brussels, Belgium; the European Parliament meets in Brussels and Strasbourg, France; the Court of Justice of the European Communities meets in Luxembourg Member states: 27 countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, UK; note - Canary Islands (Spain), Azores and Madeira (Portugal), French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Reunion (France) are sometimes listed separately even though they are legally a part of Spain, Portugal, and France; candidate countries: Croatia, Macedonia, Turkey Independence: 7 February 1992 (Maastricht Treaty signed establishing the EU); 1 November 1993 (Maastricht Treaty entered into force) National holiday: Europe Day 9 May (1950); note - a Union-wide holiday, the day that Robert SCHUMAN proposed the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community to achieve an organized Europe Constitution: none note: based on a series of treaties: the Treaty of Paris, which set up the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) in 1951; the Treaties of Rome, which set up the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) in 1957; the Single European Act in 1986; the Treaty on European Union (Maastricht) in 1992; the Treaty of Amsterdam in 1997; and the Treaty of Nice in 2003; note - a new draft Constitutional Treaty, signed on 29 October 2004 in Rome, gave member states two years for ratification either by parliamentary vote or national referendum before it was scheduled to take effect on 1 November 2006; defeat in French and Dutch referenda in May-June 2005 dealt a severe setback to the ratification process; in June 2007, the European Council agreed on a clear and concise mandate for an Intergovernmental Conference to form a political agreement and put it into legal form; this agreement, known as the Reform Treaty, would have served as a constitution and was presented to the European Council in October 2007 for individual country ratification; it was rejected by Irish voters in June 2008, again stalling the ratification process; the Reform Treaty, more recently known as the Treaty of Lisbon, was again circulated for ratification, and by November 2009 was approved by all 27 countries; it is scheduled to come into effect on 1 December 2009 Legal system: comparable to the legal systems of member states; first supranational law system Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of union: President of the European Commission Jose Manuel DURAO BARROSO (since 22 November 2004) cabinet: European Commission (composed of 27 members, one from each member country; each commissioner responsible for one or more policy areas) elections: the president of the European Commission is designated by member governments and is confirmed by the European Parliament; working from member state recommendations, the Commission president then assembles a "college" of Commission members; the European Parliament confirms the entire Commission for a five-year term; the last confirmation process was held 16 September 2009 (next to be held in 2014) election results: European Parliament approved the European Commission by a vote of 382 to 219 with 117 abstentions note: the European Council brings together heads of state and government and the president of the European Commission and meets at least four times a year; its aim is to provide the impetus for the major political issues relating to European integration and to issue general policy guidelines Legislative branch: two legislative bodies consisting of the Council of the European Union (27 member-state ministers having 345 votes; the number of votes is roughly proportional to member-states' population; note - the Council is the main decision-making body of the EU) and the European Parliament (736 seats; seats allocated among member states in proportion to population; members elected by direct universal suffrage for a five-year term) elections: last held 4-7 June 2009 (next to be held in June 2014) election results: percent of vote - EPP 35.9%, PES 21.9%, ALDE 10.9%, Greens/EFA 7.2%, UEN 4.8%, GUE/NGL 4.3%, IND/DEM 2.4%, others 12.6%; seats by party - EPP 266, PES 161, ALDE 80, Greens/EFA 53, UEN 35, GUE/NGL 32, IND/DEM 18, others 93 Judicial branch: Court of Justice of the European Communities (ensures that the treaties are interpreted and applied uniformly throughout the EU; resolve constitutional issues among the EU institutions) - 27 justices (one from each member state) appointed for a six-year term; note - for the sake of efficiency, the court can sit with 13 justices known as the "Grand Chamber"; Court of First Instance - 27 justices appointed for a six-year term Political parties and leaders: Confederal Group of the European United Left-Nordic Green Left or GUE/NGL [Francis WURTZ]; European People's Party-European Democrats or EPP-ED [Joseph DAUL]; Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe or ALDE [Graham R. WATSON]; Group of Greens/European Free Alliance or Greens/EFA [Monica FRASSONI and Daniel Marc COHN-BENDIT]; Identity, Tradition, Sovereignty Group or ITS [Bruno GOLLNISCH]; Independence/Democracy Group or IND/DEM [Hanne DAHL and Nigel FARAGE]; Socialist Group in the European Parliament or PES [Martin SCHULZ]; Union for Europe of the Nations Group or UEN [Brian CROWLEY and Cristiana MUSCARDINI] International organization participation: European Union: ARF (dialogue member), ASEAN (dialogue member), IDA, OAS (observer), PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), UN (observer) European Community: Australian Group, CBSS, CERN, FAO, EBRD, G-10, LAIA, NSG (observer), OECD, UNRWA, WCO, WTO, ZC (observer) European Central Bank: BIS European Investment Bank: EBRD, WADB (nonregional member) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador John BRUTON chancery: 2300 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 862-9500 FAX: [1] (202) 429-1766 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Christopher MURRAY embassy: 13 Zinnerstraat/Rue Zinner, B-1000 Brussels mailing address: same as above telephone: [32] (2) 508-2111 FAX: [32] (2) 508-2063 Flag description: blue field with 12 five-pointed gold stars arranged in a circle in the center, representing the union of the peoples of Europe; the number of stars is fixed Economy ::European Union Economy - overview: Internally, the EU is attempting to lower trade barriers, adopt a common currency, and move toward convergence of living standards. Internationally, the EU aims to bolster Europe's trade position and its political and economic power. Because of the great differences in per capita income among member states (from $7,000 to $69,000) and historic national animosities, the EU faces difficulties in devising and enforcing common policies. For example, since 2003 Germany and France have flouted the member states' treaty obligation to prevent their national budgets from running more than a 3% deficit. Between 2004 and 2007, the EU admitted 12 countries that are, in general, less advanced technologically and economically than the other 15. Eleven established EU member states introduced the euro as their common currency on 1 January 1999 (Greece did so two years later), but the UK, Sweden, and Denmark chose not to participate. Of the 12 most recent member states, only Slovenia (1 January 2007) and Cyprus and Malta (1 January 2008) have adopted the euro; the remaining nine are legally required to adopt the currency upon meeting EU's fiscal and monetary convergence criteria. GDP (purchasing power parity): $14.94 trillion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 $14.82 trillion (2007 est.) $14.39 trillion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $18.14 trillion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 0.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 181 3% (2007 est.) 3.4% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $33,700 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 $33,500 (2007 est.) $32,700 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2% industry: 27.1% services: 70.9% (2008 est.) Labor force: 224.4 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 5.6% industry: 27.7% services: 66.7% (2007 est.) Unemployment rate: 7.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 8.5% (2006 est.) Population below poverty line: note - see individual country entries of member states Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 25.2% (2001 est.) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 31 (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 31.2 (2003 est.) Investment (gross fixed): 21.1% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 1.8% (2006 est.) Central bank discount rate: 3% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 97 5% (31 December 2007) note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area Commercial bank prime lending rate: 8.6% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 106 8.03% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $5.542 trillion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 1 $5.649 trillion (31 December 2007) note: this is the quantity of money, M1, for the euro area, converted into US dollars at the exchange rate for the date indicated; it excludes the stock of money carried by non-euro-area members of the European Union Stock of quasi money: $5.631 trillion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 3 $5.18 trillion (31 December 2007) note: this is the quantity of quasi money, M2-M1, for the euro area, converted into US dollars at the exchange rate for the date indicated; it excludes the stock of quasi money carried by non-euro-area members of the European Union Stock of domestic credit: $21.17 trillion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 1 $20.94 trillion (31 December 2007) note: this figure refers to the euro area only; it excludes credit data for non-euro-area members of the EU Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 $15.57 trillion (31 December 2008) $13.5 trillion (31 December 2006 est.) Agriculture - products: wheat, barley, oilseeds, sugar beets, wine, grapes; dairy products, cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry; fish Industries: among the world's largest and most technologically advanced, the EU industrial base includes: ferrous and non-ferrous metal production and processing, metal products, petroleum, coal, cement, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, aerospace, rail transportation equipment, passenger and commercial vehicles, construction equipment, industrial equipment, shipbuilding, electrical power equipment, machine tools and automated manufacturing systems, electronics and telecommunications equipment, fishing, food and beverage processing, furniture, paper, textiles, tourism Industrial production growth rate: -0.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 137 Electricity - production: 3.044 trillion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 Electricity - consumption: 2.884 trillion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 Electricity - exports: NA kWh Electricity - imports: NA kWh Oil - production: 2.538 million bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 Oil - consumption: 14.44 million bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 Oil - exports: 2.196 million bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 Oil - imports: 8.613 million bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 Oil - proved reserves: 5.718 billion bbl (1 January 2008) country comparison to the world: 21 Natural gas - production: 201.9 billion cu m (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 Natural gas - consumption: 516.9 billion cu m (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 Natural gas - exports: NA cu m Natural gas - imports: NA cu m Natural gas - proved reserves: 2.318 trillion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 Current account balance: $51.4 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 8 Exports: $1.952 trillion (2007) country comparison to the world: 1 $1.33 trillion (2005) note: external exports, excluding intra-EU trade Exports - commodities: machinery, motor vehicles, aircraft, plastics, pharmaceuticals and other chemicals, fuels, iron and steel, nonferrous metals, wood pulp and paper products, textiles, meat, dairy products, fish, alcoholic beverages. Imports: $1.69 trillion (2007) country comparison to the world: 2 $1.466 trillion (2005) note: external imports, excluding intra-EU trade Imports - commodities: machinery, vehicles, aircraft, plastics, crude oil, chemicals, textiles, metals, foodstuffs, clothing Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $NA Exchange rates: euros per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Communications ::European Union Telephones - main lines in use: 238 million (2005) Telephones - mobile cellular: 466 million (2005) Telephone system: note - see individual country entries of member states Radio broadcast stations: AM 930, FM 13,655, shortwave 71 (1998); note - sum of individual country radio broadcast stations; there is also a European-wide station (Euroradio) Television broadcast stations: 2,700 (1995); note - sum of individual country television broadcast stations excluding repeaters; there is also a European-wide station (Eurovision) Internet country code: .eu; note - see country entries of member states for individual country codes Internet hosts: 118,760; note - this sum reflects the number of internet hosts assigned the .eu internet country code (2009) Internet users: 247 million (2006) Transportation ::European Union Airports: 3,391 (2009) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1,995 over 3,047 m: 115 2,438 to 3,047 m: 341 1,524 to 2,437 m: 543 914 to 1,523 m: 421 under 914 m: 575 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1,396 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 24 914 to 1,523 m: 257 under 914 m: 1,110 (2009) Heliports: 100 (2007) Railways: total: 229,450 km (2008) Roadways: total: 5,454,446 km (2008) Waterways: 52,332 km (2006) Ports and terminals: Antwerp (Belgium), Barcelona (Spain), Braila (Romania), Bremen (Germany), Burgas (Bulgaria), Constanta (Romania), Copenhagen (Denmark), Galati (Romania), Gdansk (Poland), Hamburg (Germany), Helsinki (Finland), Las Palmas (Canary Islands, Spain), Le Havre (France), Lisbon (Portugal), London (UK), Marseille (France), Naples (Italy), Peiraiefs or Piraeus (Greece), Riga (Latvia), Rotterdam (Netherlands), Stockholm (Sweden), Talinn (Estonia), Tulcea (Romania), Varna (Bulgaria) Military ::European Union Military - note: the five-nation Eurocorps - created in 1992 by France, Germany, Belgium, Spain, and Luxembourg - has deployed troops and police on peacekeeping missions to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo and assumed command of the ISAF in Afghanistan in August 2004; Eurocorps directly commands the 5,000-man Franco-German Brigade, the Multinational Command Support Brigade, and EUFOR in Bosnia and Herzegovina; in November 2004, the EU Council of Ministers formally committed to creating 13 1,500-man battle groups by the end of 2007, to respond to international crises on a rotating basis; 22 of the EU's 27 nations have agreed to supply troops; France, Italy, and the UK formed the first of three battle groups in 2005; Norway, Sweden, Estonia, and Finland established the Nordic Battle Group effective 1 January 2008; nine other groups are to be formed; a rapid-reaction naval EU Maritime Task Group was stood up in March 2007 (2007) Transnational Issues ::European Union Disputes - international: as a political union, the EU has no border disputes with neighboring countries, but Estonia has no land boundary agreements with Russia, Slovenia disputes its land and maritime boundaries with Croatia, and Spain has territorial and maritime disputes with Morocco and with the UK over Gibraltar; the EU has set up a Schengen area - consisting of 22 EU member states that have signed the convention implementing the Schengen agreements or "acquis" (1985 and 1990) on the free movement of persons and the harmonization of border controls in Europe; these agreements became incorporated into EU law with the implementation of the 1997 Treaty of Amsterdam on 1 May 1999; in addition, non-EU states Iceland and Norway (as part of the Nordic Union) have been included in the Schengen area since 1996 (full members in 2001), and Switzerland since 2008 bringing the total current membership to 25; the UK (since 2000) and Ireland (since 2002) take part in only some aspects of the Schengen area, especially with respect to police and criminal matters; nine of the 12 new member states that joined the EU since 2004 joined Schengen on 21 December 2007; of the three remaining EU states, Cyprus is expected to join by 2009, while Romania and Bulgaria continue to enhance their border security systems page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) (South America) Introduction ::Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Background: Although first sighted by an English navigator in 1592, the first landing (English) did not occur until almost a century later in 1690, and the first settlement (French) was not established until 1764. The colony was turned over to Spain two years later and the islands have since been the subject of a territorial dispute, first between Britain and Spain, then between Britain and Argentina. The UK asserted its claim to the islands by establishing a naval garrison there in 1833. Argentina invaded the islands on 2 April 1982. The British responded with an expeditionary force that landed seven weeks later and after fierce fighting forced an Argentine surrender on 14 June 1982. Geography ::Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Location: Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of southern Argentina Geographic coordinates: 51 45 S, 59 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 12,173 sq km country comparison to the world: 164 land: 12,173 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes the two main islands of East and West Falkland and about 200 small islands Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Connecticut Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 1,288 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Climate: cold marine; strong westerly winds, cloudy, humid; rain occurs on more than half of days in year; average annual rainfall is 24 inches in Stanley; occasional snow all year, except in January and February, but does not accumulate Terrain: rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating plains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Usborne 705 m Natural resources: fish, squid, wildlife, calcified seaweed, sphagnum moss Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (99% permanent pastures, 1% other) (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: strong winds persist throughout the year Environment - current issues: overfishing by unlicensed vessels is a problem; reindeer were introduced to the islands in 2001 for commercial reasons; this is the only commercial reindeer herd in the world unaffected by the 1986 Chornobyl disaster Geography - note: deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors; short growing season People ::Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Population: 3,140 (July 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 229 Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Population growth rate: 0.011% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 197 Birth rate: NA Death rate: NA Net migration rate: NA Urbanization: urban population: 92% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: NA male: NA female: NA (2008 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA male: NA female: NA Total fertility rate: NA HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Falkland Islander(s) adjective: Falkland Island Ethnic groups: British Religions: Christian 67.2%, none 31.5%, other 1.3% (2006 census) Languages: English Literacy: NA Government ::Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina Government type: NA Capital: name: Stanley geographic coordinates: 51 42 S, 57 51 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in September; ends third Sunday in April Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) National holiday: Liberation Day, 14 June (1982) Constitution: 3 October 1985; amended 1997 and 1998 Legal system: English common law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Governor Alan HUCKLE (since 25 August 2006); Chief Executive Dr. Tim THOROGOOD (since 3 January 2008) cabinet: Executive Council; three members elected by the Legislative Council, two ex officio members (chief executive and the financial secretary), and the governor elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council (10 seats; 2 members are ex officio and 8 are elected by popular vote; to serve four-year terms); presided over by the governor elections: last held 17 November 2005 (next to be held in November 2009) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 8 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (chief justice is a nonresident); Magistrates Court (senior magistrate presides over civil and criminal divisions); Court of Summary Jurisdiction Political parties and leaders: none; all independents Political pressure groups and leaders: Falkland Islands Association (supports freedom of the people from external causes) International organization participation: UPU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) Flag description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Falkland Island coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a white ram (sheep raising was once the major economic activity) above the sailing ship Desire (whose crew discovered the islands) with a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto DESIRE THE RIGHT Economy ::Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Economy - overview: The economy was formerly based on agriculture, mainly sheep farming, but today fishing contributes the bulk of economic activity. In 1987, the government began selling fishing licenses to foreign trawlers operating within the Falkland Islands' exclusive fishing zone. These license fees total more than $40 million per year, which help support the island's health, education, and welfare system. Squid accounts for 75% of the fish taken. Dairy farming supports domestic consumption; crops furnish winter fodder. Exports feature shipments of high-grade wool to the UK and the sale of postage stamps and coins. The islands are now self-financing except for defense. The British Geological Survey announced a 200-mile oil exploration zone around the islands in 1993, and early seismic surveys suggest substantial reserves capable of producing 500,000 barrels per day; to date, no exploitable site has been identified. An agreement between Argentina and the UK in 1995 seeks to defuse licensing and sovereignty conflicts that would dampen foreign interest in exploiting potential oil reserves. Tourism, especially eco-tourism, is increasing rapidly, with about 30,000 visitors in 2001. Another large source of income is interest paid on money the government has in the bank. The British military presence also provides a sizeable economic boost. GDP (purchasing power parity): $105.1 million (2002 est.) country comparison to the world: 220 GDP (official exchange rate): $105.1 million (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita (PPP): $35,400 (2002 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 95% industry: NA% services: NA% (1996) Labor force: 1,724 (est.) (1996) country comparison to the world: 218 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 95% (mostly sheepherding and fishing) industry and services: 5% (1996) Unemployment rate: Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $66.2 million expenditures: $67.9 million (FY98/99 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.6% (1998) country comparison to the world: 52 Agriculture - products: fodder and vegetable crops; sheep, dairy products; fish, squid Industries: fish and wool processing; tourism Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 16 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 207 Electricity - consumption: 14.88 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 208 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 175 Oil - consumption: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 202 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 187 Oil - imports: 270.9 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 200 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 169 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 181 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 185 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 57 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 180 Exports: $125 million (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 188 Exports - commodities: wool, hides, meat, fish, squid Imports: $90 million (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 207 Imports - commodities: fuel, food and drink, building materials, clothing Debt - external: $NA Exchange rates: Falkland pounds (FKP) per US dollar - 0.5302 (2008), 0.4993 (2007), 0.5418 (2006), 0.5493 (2005), 0.5462 (2004) note: the Falkland pound is at par with the British pound Communications ::Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Telephones - main lines in use: 2,300 (2008) country comparison to the world: 222 Telephones - mobile cellular: 3,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 213 Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: government-operated radiotelephone and private VHF/CB radiotelephone networks provide effective service to almost all points on both islands international: country code - 500; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) with links through London to other countries Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 7, shortwave 0 (British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) provides Radio 1 and Radio 2 service) (2006) Television broadcast stations: 2 (British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) provides multi-channel satellite service to members of UK Forces as well as islanders); cable television is available in Stanley (2006) Internet country code: .fk Internet hosts: 90 (2009) country comparison to the world: 200 Internet users: 2,800 (2008) country comparison to the world: 207 Transportation ::Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Airports: 6 (2009) country comparison to the world: 169 Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 4 under 914 m: 4 (2009) Roadways: total: 440 km country comparison to the world: 195 paved: 50 km unpaved: 390 km (2008) Ports and terminals: Stanley Military ::Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Military branches: no regular military forces Military expenditures: NA Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Transnational Issues ::Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Disputes - international: Argentina, which claims the islands in its constitution and briefly occupied them by force in 1982, agreed in 1995 to no longer seek settlement by force; UK continues to reject Argentine requests for sovereignty talks page last updated on October 28, 2009 ====================================================================== @Faroe Islands (Europe) Introduction ::Faroe Islands Background: The population of the Faroe Islands is largely descended from Viking settlers who arrived in the 9th century. The islands have been connected politically to Denmark since the 14th century. A high degree of self government was attained in 1948. Geography ::Faroe Islands Location: Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about half way between Iceland and Norway Geographic coordinates: 62 00 N, 7 00 W Map references: Europe Area: total: 1,393 sq km country comparison to the world: 182 land: 1,393 sq km water: 0 sq km (some lakes and streams) Area - comparative: eight times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 1,117 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line Climate: mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy Terrain: rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Slaettaratindur 882 m Natural resources: fish, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas Land use: arable land: 2.14% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.86% (2005) Irrigated land: 0 sq km Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to: Marine Dumping - associate member to the London Convention and Ship Pollution Geography - note: archipelago of 17 inhabited islands and one uninhabited island, and a few uninhabited islets; strategically located along important sea lanes in northeastern Atlantic; precipitous terrain limits habitation to small coastal lowlands People ::Faroe Islands Population: 48,856 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 208 Age structure: 0-14 years: 21.6% (male 5,451/female 5,108) 15-64 years: 64% (male 16,708/female 14,544) 65 years and over: 14.4% (male 3,324/female 3,721) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 36.9 years male: 36.3 years female: 37.7 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.397% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 164 Birth rate: 13.04 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 156 Death rate: 8.66 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 87 Net migration rate: -0.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 Urbanization: urban population: 41% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.15 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female total population: 1.09 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 6.32 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 179 male: 6.56 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.44 years country comparison to the world: 28 male: 77 years female: 82.05 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.44 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 101 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Faroese (singular and plural) adjective: Faroese Ethnic groups: Scandinavian Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 83.8%, other and unspecified 16.2% (2006 administrative data) Languages: Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish Literacy: NA; note - probably 99%, the same as Denmark proper Government ::Faroe Islands Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Faroe Islands local long form: none local short form: Foroyar Dependency status: part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1948 Government type: NA Capital: name: Torshavn geographic coordinates: 62 01 N, 6 46 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 34 municipalities Independence: none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) National holiday: Olaifest (Olavasoka), 29 July Constitution: 5 June 1953 (Danish constitution) Legal system: the laws of Denmark, where applicable, apply Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Birgit KLEIS, chief administrative officer (since 1 November 2001) head of government: Prime Minister Kaj Leo JOHANNESSEN (since 26 September 2008) cabinet: Landsstyri appointed by the prime minister elections: the monarch is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by the Faroese Parliament; election last held 19 January 2008 (next to be held no later than January 2012) election results: Joannes EIDESGAARD elected prime minister; governing coalition collapses in September 2008, Kaj Leo JOHANNESSEN becomes Prime Minister Legislative branch: unicameral Faroese Parliament or Logting (33 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis from the seven constituencies to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 19 January 2008 (next to be held no later than January 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - Union Party 21%, Social Democratic Party 19.4%, Republican Party 23.3%, People's Party 20.1%, Center Party 8.4%, Self-Government Party 7.2%, other 0.6%; seats by party - Republican Party 8, Union Party 7, Social Democratic Party 6, People's Party 7, Center Party 3, Independence Party 2 note: election of two seats to the Danish Parliament was last held on 13 November 2007 (next to be held no later than November 2011); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican Party 1, Union Party 1 Judicial branch: none Political parties and leaders: Center Party [Jenis A. RANA]; Independence Party [Kari P. HOJGAARD]; People's Party [Jorgen NICLASEN]; Republican Party [Hogni HOYDAL]; Social Democratic Party [Joannes EIDESGAARD]; Self-Government Party [Kari P. HOJGAARD]; Union Party [Kaj Leo JOHANNESEN] Political pressure groups and leaders: Sea Shepard [Paul WATSON] (preservation of small whales) other: conservationists International organization participation: Arctic Council, FAO, IMO (associate), NC, NIB, UPU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) Flag description: white with a red cross outlined in blue extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted toward the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag); the flag resembles those of neighboring Iceland and Norway, and uses the same three colors - but in a different sequence Economy ::Faroe Islands Economy - overview: The Faroese economy is dependent on fishing, which makes the economy vulnerable to price swings. The sector accounts for 95% of exports and nearly half of GDP. Since 2003 the Faroese economy has picked up as a result of higher prices for fish and for housing. Unemployment is minimal and government finances are relatively sound. Oil finds close to the Islands give hope for economically recoverable deposits, which could eventually lay the basis for a more diversified economy and lessen dependence on Danish economic assistance. Aided by a substantial annual subsidy (about 15% of GDP) from Denmark, the Faroese have a standard of living not far below the Danes and other Scandinavians. GDP (purchasing power parity): $1 billion (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 199 GDP (official exchange rate): $1.7 billion (2005 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.4% (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 148 GDP - per capita (PPP): $31,000 (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 27% industry: 11% services: 62% (1999) Labor force: 24,250 (October 2000) country comparison to the world: 199 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 11.2% industry: 21.9% services: 66.9% (2007) Unemployment rate: 1.4% (2007) country comparison to the world: 7 2.1% (2006) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $588 million expenditures: $623 million (2005) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.8% (2005) country comparison to the world: 14 Agriculture - products: milk, potatoes, vegetables; sheep; salmon, other fish Industries: fishing, fish processing, small ship repair and refurbishment, handicrafts Industrial production growth rate: 8% (1999 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 Electricity - production: 243.7 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 173 Electricity - consumption: 226.6 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 176 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 174 Oil - consumption: 5,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 165 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 178 Oil - imports: 4,922 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 157 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 180 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 184 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 56 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 181 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 179 Exports: $634 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 160 Exports - commodities: fish and fish products 94%, stamps, ships (1999) Exports - partners: Denmark 27.3%, UK 18.6%, Croatia 12%, Norway 11.7%, Nigeria 10%, Netherlands 5.5% (2008) Imports: $751 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 180 Imports - commodities: consumer goods 36%, raw materials and semi-manufactures 32%, machinery and transport equipment 29%, fuels, fish, salt (1999) Imports - partners: Denmark 50.4%, Norway 20.2%, Sweden 6.4%, UK 4.2%, Iceland 4.1% (2008) Debt - external: $64 million (1999) country comparison to the world: 192 Exchange rates: Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar - 5.0236 (2008 est.), 5.4797 (2007), 5.9468 (2006), 5.9969 (2005), 5.9911 (2004) Communications ::Faroe Islands Telephones - main lines in use: 21,800 (2008) country comparison to the world: 192 Telephones - mobile cellular: 54,900 (2008) country comparison to the world: 192 Telephone system: general assessment: good international communications; good domestic facilities domestic: digitalization was completed in 1998; both NMT (analog) and GSM (digital) mobile telephone systems are installed international: country code - 298; satellite earth stations - 1 Orion; 1 fiber-optic submarine cable to the Shetland Islands, linking the Faroe Islands with Denmark and Iceland; fiber-optic submarine cable connection to Canada-Europe cable Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 3 (plus 43 repeaters) (September 1995) Internet country code: .fo Internet hosts: 8,833 (2009) country comparison to the world: 120 Internet users: 37,500 (2008) country comparison to the world: 175 Transportation ::Faroe Islands Airports: 1 (2009) country comparison to the world: 233 Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Roadways: total: 463 km (2006) country comparison to the world: 192 Merchant marine: total: 12 country comparison to the world: 110 by type: cargo 9, passenger/cargo 3 foreign-owned: 5 (Iceland 1, Norway 4) (2008) Ports and terminals: Torshavn, Vagur Military ::Faroe Islands Military branches: no regular military forces Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 11,725 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 9,759 females age 16-49: 8,311 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 386 female: 375 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: NA Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Denmark Transnational Issues ::Faroe Islands Disputes - international: because anticipated offshore hydrocarbon resources have not been realized, earlier Faroese proposals for full independence have been deferred; Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm page last updated on November 10, 2009 ====================================================================== @Fiji (Australia-Oceania) Introduction ::Fiji Background: Fiji became independent in 1970 after nearly a century as a British colony. Democratic rule was interrupted by two military coups in 1987 caused by concern over a government perceived as dominated by the Indian community (descendants of contract laborers brought to the islands by the British in the 19th century). The coups and a 1990 constitution that cemented native Melanesian control of Fiji led to heavy Indian emigration; the population loss resulted in economic difficulties, but ensured that Melanesians became the majority. A new constitution enacted in 1997 was more equitable. Free and peaceful elections in 1999 resulted in a government led by an Indo-Fijian, but a civilian-led coup in May 2000 ushered in a prolonged period of political turmoil. Parliamentary elections held in August 2001 provided Fiji with a democratically elected government led by Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE. Re-elected in May 2006, QARASE was ousted in a December 2006 military coup led by Commodore Voreqe BAINIMARAMA, who initially appointed himself acting president but in January 2007 became interim prime minister. Since taking power BAINIMARAMA has neutralized his opponents, crippled Fiji's democratic institutions, and refused to hold elections. Geography ::Fiji Location: Oceania, island group in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand Geographic coordinates: 18 00 S, 175 00 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 18,274 sq km country comparison to the world: 156 land: 18,274 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than New Jersey Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 1,129 km Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation; rectilinear shelf claim added Climate: tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation Terrain: mostly mountains of volcanic origin Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Tomanivi 1,324 m Natural resources: timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil potential, hydropower Land use: arable land: 10.95% permanent crops: 4.65% other: 84.4% (2005) Irrigated land: 30 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 28.6 cu km (1987) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.07 cu km/yr (14%/14%/71%) per capita: 82 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: cyclonic storms can occur from November to January Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: includes 332 islands; approximately 110 are inhabited People ::Fiji Population: 944,720 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 157 Age structure: 0-14 years: 30.3% (male 146,327/female 140,327) 15-64 years: 64.9% (male 307,077/female 305,886) 65 years and over: 4.8% (male 20,300/female 24,803) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 25.5 years male: 25 years female: 26 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.379% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 Birth rate: 21.92 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 85 Death rate: 5.66 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 173 Net migration rate: -2.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 143 Urbanization: urban population: 52% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 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: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 11.58 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 146 male: 12.74 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.35 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.73 years country comparison to the world: 139 male: 68.18 years female: 73.41 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.65 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 136 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 600 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 200 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 Nationality: noun: Fijian(s) adjective: Fijian Ethnic groups: Fijian 57.3% (predominantly Melanesian with a Polynesian admixture), Indian 37.6%, Rotuman 1.2%, other 3.9% (European, other Pacific Islanders, Chinese) (2007 census) Religions: Christian 64.5% (Methodist 34.6%, Roman Catholic 9.1%, Assembly of God 5.7%, Seventh Day Adventist 3.9%, Anglican 0.8%, other 10.4%), Hindu 27.9%, Muslim 6.3%, Sikh 0.3%, other or unspecified 0.3%, none 0.7% (2007 census) Languages: English (official), Fijian (official), Hindustani Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93.7% male: 95.5% female: 91.9% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 13 years (2005) Education expenditures: 6.5% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 30 Government ::Fiji Country name: conventional long form: Republic of the Fiji Islands conventional short form: Fiji local long form: Republic of the Fiji Islands/Matanitu ko Viti local short form: Fiji/Viti Government type: republic Capital: name: Suva (on Viti Levu) geographic coordinates: 18 08 S, 178 25 E time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 4 divisions and 1 dependency*; Central, Eastern, Northern, Rotuma*, Western Independence: 10 October 1970 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day, second Monday of October (1970) Constitution: enacted 25 July 1997; effective 28 July 1998; note - it encourages multiculturalism and makes multiparty government mandatory Legal system: based on British system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Ratu Epeli NAILATIKAU (since 30 July 2009) head of government: Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE (since 10 September 2000); note - although QARASE is still the legal prime minister, he has been confined to his home island; former President ILOILOVATU appointed Commodore Voreqe BAINIMARAMA interim prime minister under the military regime cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among the members of Parliament and is responsible to Parliament; note - coup leader Commodore Voreqe BAINIMARAMA has appointed an interim cabinet elections: under the constitution, president elected by the Great Council of Chiefs for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); in 2007 the Great Council of Chiefs was suspended from its role in electing the president; prime minister appointed by the president election results: Ratu Epeli NAILATIKAU was appointed by Chief Justice Anthony GATES Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (32 seats; 14 appointed by the president on the advice of the Great Council of Chiefs, 9 appointed by the president on the advice of the Prime Minister, 8 on the advice of the opposition leader, and 1 appointed on the advice of the council of Rotuma) and the House of Representatives (71 seats; 23 reserved for ethnic Fijians, 19 reserved for ethnic Indians, 3 reserved for other ethnic groups, 1 reserved for the council of Rotuma constituency encompassing the whole of Fiji, and 25 open seats; members serve five-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held 6-13 May 2006 (next to be held in 2011) election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - SDL 44.6%, FLP 39.2%, UPP 0.8%, independents 4.9%, other 10.5%; seats by party - SDL 36, FLP 31, UPP 2, independents 2 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president); Court of Appeal; High Court; Magistrates' Courts Political parties and leaders: Dodonu Ni Taukei Party or DNT [Fereti S. DEWA]; Fiji Democratic Party or FDP [Filipe BOLE] (a merger of the Christian Democrat Alliance or VLV [Poesci Waqalevu BUNE], Fijian Association Party or FAP, Fijian Political Party or SVT (primarily Fijian) [Sitiveni RABUKA], and New Labor Unity Party or NLUP [Ofa SWANN]); Fiji Labor Party or FLP [Mahendra CHAUDHRY]; General Voters Party or GVP (became part of United General Party); Girmit Heritage Party or GHP; Justice and Freedom Party or AIM; Lio 'On Famor Rotuma Party or LFR; National Federation Party or NFP (primarily Indian) [Pramond RAE]; Nationalist Vanua Takolavo Party or NVTLP [Saula TELAWA]; Party of National Unity or PANU [Ponipate LESAVUA]; Party of the Truth or POTT; United Fiji Party/Sogosogo Duavata ni Lewenivanua or SDL [Laisenia QARASE]; United Peoples Party or UPP [Millis Mick BEDDOES] Political pressure groups and leaders: Group Against Racial Discrimination or GARD [Dr. Anirudk SINGH] (for restoration of a democratic government); Viti Landowners Association International organization participation: ACP, ADB, C (suspended), CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, OPCW, PCA, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Winston THOMPSON chancery: 2000 M Street, NW, Suite 710, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 466-8320 FAX: [1] (202) 466-8325 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador C. Steven McGANN embassy: 31 Loftus Street, Suva mailing address: P. O. Box 218, Suva telephone: [679] 331-4466 FAX: [679] 330-0081 Flag description: light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Fijian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield depicts a yellow lion above a white field quartered by the cross of Saint George featuring stalks of sugarcane, a palm tree, bananas, and a white dove Economy ::Fiji Economy - overview: Fiji, endowed with forest, mineral, and fish resources, is one of the most developed of the Pacific island economies though still with a large subsistence sector. Sugar exports, remittances from Fijians working abroad, and a growing tourist industry - with 400,000 to 500,000 tourists annually - are the major sources of foreign exchange. Fiji's sugar has special access to European Union markets but will be harmed by the EU's decision to cut sugar subsidies. Sugar processing makes up one-third of industrial activity but is not efficient. Fiji's tourism industry was damaged by the December 2006 coup and is facing an uncertain recovery time. In 2007 tourist arrivals were down almost 6%, with substantial job losses in the service sector, and GDP dipped nearly 7%. The coup has created a difficult business climate. The EU has suspended all aid until the interim government takes steps toward new elections. Long-term problems include low investment, uncertain land ownership rights, and the government's inability to manage its budget. Overseas remittances from Fijians working in Kuwait and Iraq have decreased significantly. Fiji's current account deficit reached 23% of GDP in 2006. GDP (purchasing power parity): $3.587 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 $3.58 billion (2007 est.) $3.833 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $3.589 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 0.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 195 -6.6% (2007 est.) 3.4% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $3,800 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 159 $3,900 (2007 est.) $4,200 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 8.9% industry: 13.5% services: 77.6% (2004 est.) Labor force: 335,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 158 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 70% industry and services: 30% (2001 est.) Unemployment rate: 7.6% (1999) country comparison to the world: 100 Population below poverty line: 25.5% (FY90/91) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $1.363 billion expenditures: $1.376 billion (2006) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.8% (2007) country comparison to the world: 83 Central bank discount rate: 6.32% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 47 9.25% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 7.97% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 93 9.01% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $1.042 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) $1.088 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $1.948 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 103 $522.2 million (31 December 2007) $636.7 million (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: sugarcane, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), rice, sweet potatoes, bananas; cattle, pigs, horses, goats; fish Industries: tourism, sugar, clothing, copra, gold, silver, lumber, small cottage industries Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 928 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 Electricity - consumption: 863 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 148 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 176 Oil - consumption: 10,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 148 Oil - exports: 2,455 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 Oil - imports: 20,340 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 170 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 182 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 186 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 58 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 181 Current account balance: -$507 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 Exports: $1.202 billion (2006) country comparison to the world: 147 Exports - commodities: sugar, garments, gold, timber, fish, molasses, coconut oil Exports - partners: US 15.2%, UK 11.6%, Australia 10.2%, Samoa 5.2%, Tonga 4.6%, Japan 4.1% (2008) Imports: $3.12 billion (2006) country comparison to the world: 137 Imports - commodities: manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, petroleum products, food, chemicals Imports - partners: Singapore 30.5%, Australia 20.5%, NZ 15.5%, China 5.4% (2008) Debt - external: $127 million (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 186 Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $6.702 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Exchange rates: Fijian dollars (FJD) per US dollar - NA (2007), 1.7313 (2006), 1.691 (2005), 1.7331 (2004), 1.8958 (2003) Communications ::Fiji Telephones - main lines in use: 129,100 (2008) country comparison to the world: 139 Telephones - mobile cellular: 600,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 151 Telephone system: general assessment: modern local, interisland, and international (wire/radio integrated) public and special-purpose telephone, telegraph, and teleprinter facilities; regional radio communications center domestic: telephone or radio telephone links to almost all inhabited islands; most towns and large villages have automatic telephone exchanges and direct dialing; combined fixed and mobile-cellular density is about 80 per 100 persons international: country code - 679; access to important cable links between US and Canada as well as between NZ and Australia; satellite earth stations - 2 Inmarsat (Pacific Ocean) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 13, FM 40, shortwave 0 (1998) Television broadcast stations: NA Internet country code: .fj Internet hosts: 12,747 (2009) country comparison to the world: 114 Internet users: 103,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 152 Transportation ::Fiji Airports: 28 (2009) country comparison to the world: 118 Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 24 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 19 (2009) Railways: total: 597 km country comparison to the world: 111 narrow gauge: 597 km 0.600-m gauge note: belongs to the government-owned Fiji Sugar Corporation; used to haul sugarcane during the harvest season, which runs from May to December (2008) Roadways: total: 3,440 km country comparison to the world: 163 paved: 1,692 km unpaved: 1,748 km (2000) Waterways: 203 km country comparison to the world: 98 note: 122 km navigable by motorized craft and 200-metric-ton barges (2008) Merchant marine: total: 9 country comparison to the world: 116 by type: passenger 3, passenger/cargo 4, roll on/roll off 2 foreign-owned: 1 (Australia 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Lautoka, Suva Military ::Fiji Military branches: Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF): Land Forces, Naval Forces (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; reserve obligation to age 45 (2006) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 242,567 females age 16-49: 238,556 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 192,363 females age 16-49: 204,410 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 9,107 female: 8,755 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 2.2% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 Transnational Issues ::Fiji Disputes - international: none Trafficking in persons: current situation: Fiji is a source country for children trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation and a destination country for a small number of women from China and India trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation tier rating: Tier 3 - Fiji does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government has demonstrated no action to investigate or prosecute traffickers, assist victims, take steps to reduce the demand for commercial sex acts, or support any anti-trafficking information or education campaigns; Fiji has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Finland (Europe) Introduction ::Finland Background: Finland was a province and then a grand duchy under Sweden from the 12th to the 19th centuries, and an autonomous grand duchy of Russia after 1809. It won its complete independence in 1917. During World War II, it was able to successfully defend its freedom and resist invasions by the Soviet Union - albeit with some loss of territory. In the subsequent half century, the Finns made a remarkable transformation from a farm/forest economy to a diversified modern industrial economy; per capita income is now among the highest in Western Europe. A member of the European Union since 1995, Finland was the only Nordic state to join the euro system at its initiation in January 1999. Geography ::Finland Location: Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, and Gulf of Finland, between Sweden and Russia Geographic coordinates: 64 00 N, 26 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 338,145 sq km country comparison to the world: 64 land: 303,815 sq km water: 34,330 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Montana Land boundaries: total: 2,654 km border countries: Norway 727 km, Sweden 614 km, Russia 1,313 km Coastline: 1,250 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm (in the Gulf of Finland - 3 nm) contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm; extends to continental shelf boundary with Sweden continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: cold temperate; potentially subarctic but comparatively mild because of moderating influence of the North Atlantic Current, Baltic Sea, and more than 60,000 lakes Terrain: mostly low, flat to rolling plains interspersed with lakes and low hills Elevation extremes: lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Haltiatunturi 1,328 m Natural resources: timber, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, nickel, gold, silver, limestone Land use: arable land: 6.54% permanent crops: 0.02% other: 93.44% (2005) Irrigated land: 640 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 110 cu km (2005) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 2.33 cu km/yr (14%/84%/3%) per capita: 444 cu m/yr (1999) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: air pollution from manufacturing and power plants contributing to acid rain; water pollution from industrial wastes, agricultural chemicals; habitat loss threatens wildlife populations Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: long boundary with Russia; Helsinki is northernmost national capital on European continent; population concentrated on small southwestern coastal plain People ::Finland Population: 5,250,275 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 Age structure: 0-14 years: 16.4% (male 438,425/female 422,777) 15-64 years: 66.8% (male 1,773,495/female 1,732,792) 65 years and over: 16.8% (male 357,811/female 524,975) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 42.1 years male: 40.5 years female: 43.7 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.098% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 191 Birth rate: 10.38 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 187 Death rate: 10.07 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 Net migration rate: 0.68 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 Urbanization: urban population: 63% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 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: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 3.47 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 216 male: 3.78 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.15 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.97 years country comparison to the world: 37 male: 75.48 years female: 82.61 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.73 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 166 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 137 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 2,400 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 136 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 100 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 Nationality: noun: Finn(s) adjective: Finnish Ethnic groups: Finn 93.4%, Swede 5.6%, Russian 0.5%, Estonian 0.3%, Roma (Gypsy) 0.1%, Sami 0.1% (2006) Religions: Lutheran Church of Finland 82.5%, Orthodox Church 1.1%, other Christian 1.1%, other 0.1%, none 15.1% (2006) Languages: Finnish 91.2% (official), Swedish 5.5% (official), other 3.3% (small Sami- and Russian-speaking minorities) (2007) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% (2000 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 17 years male: 17 years female: 18 years (2006) Education expenditures: 6.4% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 33 Government ::Finland Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Finland conventional short form: Finland local long form: Suomen tasavalta/Republiken Finland local short form: Suomi/Finland Government type: republic Capital: name: Helsinki geographic coordinates: 60 10 N, 24 56 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 6 provinces (laanit, singular - laani); Ahvenanmaan Laani (Aland), Etela-Suomen Laani (Southern Finland), Ita-Suomen Laani (Eastern Finland), Lansi-Suomen Laani (Western Finland), Lapin Laani (Lapland), Oulun Laani Independence: 6 December 1917 (from Russia) National holiday: Independence Day, 6 December (1917) Constitution: 1 March 2000 Legal system: civil law system based on Swedish law; the president may request the Supreme Court to review laws; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Tarja HALONEN (since 1 March 2000) head of government: Prime Minister Matti VANHANEN (since 24 June 2003); Deputy Prime Minister Jyrki KATAINEN (since 19 April 2007) cabinet: Council of State or Valtioneuvosto appointed by the president, responsible to parliament elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 15 January 2006 (next to be held in January 2012); the president appoints the prime minister and deputy prime minister from the majority party or the majority coalition after parliamentary elections and the parliament must approve the appointment; Prime Minister VANHANEN reelected 17 April 2007 election results: percent of vote - Tarja HALONEN (SDP) 46.3%, Sauli NIINISTO (Kok) 24.1%, Matti VANHANEN (Kesk) 18.6%, Heidi HAUTALA (VIHR) 3.5%; a runoff election between HALONEN and NIINISTO was held 29 January 2006 - HALONEN 51.8%, NIINISTO 48.2%; Matti VANHANEN reelected prime minister; election results 121-71 note: government coalition - Kesk, KOK, VIHR, and SFP Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Eduskunta (200 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 18 March 2007 (next to be held March 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - Kesk 23.1%, Kok 22.3%, SDP 21.4%, VAS 8.8%, VIHR 8.5%, KD 4.9%, SFP 4.5%, True Finns 4.1%, other 3.4%; seats by party - Kesk 51, Kok 50, SDP 45, VAS 17, VIHR 15, SFP 9, KD 7, True Finns 5, other 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Korkein Oikeus (judges appointed by the president) Political parties and leaders: Center Party or Kesk [Matti VANHANEN]; Christian Democrats or KD [Paivi RASANEN]; Green Party or VIHR [Tarja CRONBERG]; Left Alliance or VAS [Martti KORHONEN] (composed of People's Democratic League and Democratic Alternative); National Coalition Party (conservative) or Kok [Jyrki KATAINEN]; Social Democratic Party or SDP [Jutta URPILAINEN]; Swedish People's Party or SFP [Stefan WALLIN]; True Finns [Timo SOINI] International organization participation: ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G-9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Pekka LINTU chancery: 3301 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 298-5800 FAX: [1] (202) 298-6030 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Barbara BARRETT embassy: Itainen Puistotie 14B, 00140 Helsinki mailing address: APO AE 09723 telephone: [358] (9) 616250 FAX: [358] (9) 6162 5800 Flag description: white with a blue cross extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag); the blue represents the thousands of lakes scattered across the country, while the white is for the snow that covers the land in winter Economy ::Finland Economy - overview: Finland has a highly industrialized, largely free-market economy with per capita output roughly that of the UK, France, Germany, and Italy. Its key economic sector is manufacturing - principally the wood, metals, engineering, telecommunications, and electronics industries. Trade is important; Finland's ratio of exports to GDP has risen from a quarter to 37% over the past 15 years. Finland excels in high-tech exports such as mobile phones. Except for timber and several minerals, Finland depends on imports of raw materials, energy, and some components for manufactured goods. Because of the climate, agricultural development is limited to maintaining self-sufficiency in basic products. Forestry, an important export earner, provides a secondary occupation for the rural population. Although Finland has been one of the best performing economies within the EU in recent years and its banks and financial markets have avoided the worst of global financial crisis, the world slowdown has hit export growth and domestic demand and will serve as a brake on economic growth in 2009 and 2010. The slowdown of construction, other investment, and exports will cause unemployment to rise. During 2009, unemployment will climb to over 8% of the labor force. Long-term challenges include the need to address a rapidly aging population and decreasing productivity that threaten competitiveness, fiscal sustainability, and economic growth. GDP (purchasing power parity): $194 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 $192.4 billion (2007 est.) $184.8 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $271.9 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 0.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 183 4.1% (2007 est.) 4.9% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $37,000 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 $36,700 (2007 est.) $35,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2.8% industry: 32.4% services: 64.9% (2008 est.) Labor force: 2.703 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture and forestry 4.5%, industry 18.3%, construction 7.3%, commerce 16%, finance, insurance, and business services 14.5%, transport and communications 7%, public services 32.4% (2008) Unemployment rate: 6.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 6.9% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.6% highest 10%: 24.7% (2007) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 29.5 (2007) country comparison to the world: 117 25.6 (1991) Investment (gross fixed): 20.6% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 Budget: revenues: $143.8 billion expenditures: $132.3 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 33.7% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 46.8% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 2.5% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 3% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 95 5% (31 December 2007) note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area Commercial bank prime lending rate: 5.79% (31 December 2008) Stock of money: $NA (31December 2008) $NA (31 December 2007) note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi money circulating within their own borders Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) $NA (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $241.1 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 29 $225.4 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 26 $369.2 billion (31 December 2007) $265.5 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: barley, wheat, sugar beets, potatoes; dairy cattle; fish Industries: metals and metal products, electronics, machinery and scientific instruments, shipbuilding, pulp and paper, foodstuffs, chemicals, textiles, clothing Industrial production growth rate: 0.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 Electricity - production: 77.24 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 36 Electricity - consumption: 86.9 billion kWh (2008) country comparison to the world: 32 Electricity - exports: 3.335 billion kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 16.11 billion kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 9,789 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 Oil - consumption: 215,600 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 Oil - exports: 133,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 Oil - imports: 347,400 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl country comparison to the world: 171 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 183 Natural gas - consumption: 4.735 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 59 Natural gas - imports: 4.739 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 182 Current account balance: $5.518 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 33 $10.12 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $96.62 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 $90.2 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: electrical and optical equipment, machinery, transport equipment, paper and pulp, chemicals, basic metals; timber Exports - partners: Russia 11.6%, Sweden 10%, Germany 10%, US 6.4%, UK 5.5%, Netherlands 5.1% (2008) Imports: $87.51 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 $78.22 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, transport equipment, iron and steel, machinery, textile yarn and fabrics, grains Imports - partners: Russia 16.3%, Germany 15.7%, Sweden 13.6%, Netherlands 6.3%, China 5.1%, UK 4.2% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $8.346 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 $8.385 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $339.5 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 25 $314.1 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $84.44 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 $88.69 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $116 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 $114.2 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Communications ::Finland Telephones - main lines in use: 1.65 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 63 Telephones - mobile cellular: 6.83 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 73 Telephone system: general assessment: modern system with excellent service domestic: digital fiber-optic fixed-line network and an extensive cellular network provide domestic needs international: country code - 358; submarine cables provide links to Estonia and Sweden; satellite earth stations - access to Intelsat transmission service via a Swedish satellite earth station, 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Finland shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 59, shortwave 2 (2008) Television broadcast stations: 120 (plus 431 repeaters) (1999); note - on 1 September 2007, Finland began broadcasting all television signals digitally; analog broadcasts via cable networks were discontinued 29 February 2008 Internet country code: .fi; note - Aland Islands assigned .ax Internet hosts: 4.205 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 18 Internet users: 4.383 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 46 Transportation ::Finland Airports: 148 (2009) country comparison to the world: 37 Airports - with paved runways: total: 75 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 26 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 22 under 914 m: 14 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 73 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 70 (2009) Pipelines: gas 694 km (2008) Railways: total: 5,794 km country comparison to the world: 31 broad gauge: 5,794 km 1.524-m gauge (3,047 km electrified) (2008) Roadways: total: 78,141 km country comparison to the world: 62 paved: 50,914 km (includes 700 km of expressways) unpaved: 27,227 km (2009) Waterways: 7,842 km country comparison to the world: 18 note: includes Saimaa Canal system of 3,577 km; southern part leased from Russia (2008) Merchant marine: total: 98 country comparison to the world: 51 by type: bulk carrier 3, cargo 28, carrier 1, chemical tanker 6, container 3, passenger 5, passenger/cargo 18, petroleum tanker 5, roll on/roll off 27, vehicle carrier 2 foreign-owned: 8 (Estonia 2, Germany 1, Norway 3, Sweden 2) registered in other countries: 47 (Bahamas 9, Germany 4, Gibraltar 3, Netherlands 14, Norway 1, Panama 2, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Sweden 12, UK 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Hamina, Helsinki, Kokkola, Kotka, Naantali, Pori, Raahe, Rauma, Turku Military ::Finland Military branches: Finnish Defense Forces (FDF): Army, Navy (includes Coastal Defense Forces), Air Force (Suomen Ilmavoimat) (2007) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for male voluntary and compulsory - and female voluntary - national military and nonmilitary service; service obligation 6-12 months; mandatory retirement at age 60 (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,169,910 females age 16-49: 1,121,187 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 962,479 females age 16-49: 920,297 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 33,784 female: 32,621 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 2% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 83 Transnational Issues ::Finland Disputes - international: various groups in Finland advocate restoration of Karelia and other areas ceded to the Soviet Union, but the Finnish Government asserts no territorial demands page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @France (Europe) Introduction ::France Background: Although ultimately a victor in World Wars I and II, France suffered extensive losses in its empire, wealth, manpower, and rank as a dominant nation-state. Nevertheless, France today is one of the most modern countries in the world and is a leader among European nations. Since 1958, it has constructed a hybrid presidential-parliamentary governing system resistant to the instabilities experienced in earlier more purely parliamentary administrations. In recent years, its reconciliation and cooperation with Germany have proved central to the economic integration of Europe, including the introduction of a common exchange currency, the euro, in January 1999. At present, France is at the forefront of efforts to develop the EU's military capabilities to supplement progress toward an EU foreign policy. Geography ::France Location: metropolitan France: Western Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay and English Channel, between Belgium and Spain, southeast of the UK; bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Italy and Spain French Guiana: Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Brazil and Suriname Guadeloupe: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Puerto Rico Martinique: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago Reunion: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar Geographic coordinates: metropolitan France: 46 00 N, 2 00 E French Guiana: 4 00 N, 53 00 W Guadeloupe: 16 15 N, 61 35 W Martinique: 14 40 N, 61 00 W Reunion: 21 06 S, 55 36 E Map references: metropolitan France: Europe French Guiana: South America Guadeloupe: Central America and the Caribbean Martinique: Central America and the Caribbean Reunion: World Area: total: 643,427 sq km; 551,500 sq km (metropolitan France) country comparison to the world: 42 land: 640,053 sq km; 549,970 sq km (metropolitan France) water: 3,374 sq km; 1,530 sq km (metropolitan France) note: the first numbers include the overseas regions of French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Reunion Area - comparative: slightly less than the size of Texas Land boundaries: metropolitan France - total: 2,889 km border countries: Andorra 56.6 km, Belgium 620 km, Germany 451 km, Italy 488 km, Luxembourg 73 km, Monaco 4.4 km, Spain 623 km, Switzerland 573 km French Guiana - total: 1,183 km border countries: Brazil 673 km, Suriname 510 km Coastline: total: 4,668 km metropolitan France: 3,427 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm (does not apply to the Mediterranean) continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: metropolitan France: generally cool winters and mild summers, but mild winters and hot summers along the Mediterranean; occasional strong, cold, dry, north-to-northwesterly wind known as mistral French Guiana: tropical; hot, humid; little seasonal temperature variation Guadeloupe and Martinique: subtropical tempered by trade winds; moderately high humidity; rainy season (June to October); vulnerable to devastating cyclones (hurricanes) every eight years on average Reunion: tropical, but temperature moderates with elevation; cool and dry (May to November), hot and rainy (November to April) Terrain: metropolitan France: mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills in north and west; remainder is mountainous, especially Pyrenees in south, Alps in east French Guiana: low-lying coastal plains rising to hills and small mountains Guadeloupe: Basse-Terre is volcanic in origin with interior mountains; Grande-Terre is low limestone formation; most of the seven other islands are volcanic in origin Martinique: mountainous with indented coastline; dormant volcano Reunion: mostly rugged and mountainous; fertile lowlands along coast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Rhone River delta -2 m highest point: Mont Blanc 4,807 m note: in order to assess the possible effects of climate change on the ice and snow cap of Mont Blanc, its surface and peak have been extensively and periodically measured in recent years; these new peak measurements have exceeded the traditional height of 4,807 m and have varied between 4,808 m and 4,811 m; the actual rock summit is 4,792 m and is 40 m away from the ice-covered summit Natural resources: metropolitan France: coal, iron ore, bauxite, zinc, uranium, antimony, arsenic, potash, feldspar, fluorspar, gypsum, timber, fish French Guiana: gold deposits, petroleum, kaolin, niobium, tantalum, clay Land use: arable land: 33.46% permanent crops: 2.03% other: 64.51% note: French Guiana - arable land 0.13%, permanent crops 0.04%, other 99.83% (90% forest, 10% other); Guadeloupe - arable land 11.70%, permanent crops 2.92%, other 85.38%; Martinique - arable land 9.09%, permanent crops 10.0%, other 80.91%; Reunion - arable land 13.94%, permanent crops 1.59%, other 84.47% (2005) Irrigated land: total: 26,190 sq km; metropolitan France: 26,000 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 189 cu km (2005) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 33.16 cu km/yr (16%/74%/10%) per capita: 548 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: metropolitan France: flooding; avalanches; midwinter windstorms; drought; forest fires in south near the Mediterranean overseas departments: hurricanes (cyclones); flooding; volcanic activity (Guadeloupe, Martinique, Reunion) Environment - current issues: some forest damage from acid rain; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from urban wastes, agricultural runoff Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: largest West European nation People ::France Population: total: 64,057,792 country comparison to the world: 21 note: 62,150,775 in metropolitan France (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 18.6% (male 6,129,729/female 5,838,925) 15-64 years: 65% (male 20,963,124/female 20,929,280) 65 years and over: 16.4% (male 4,403,248/female 6,155,767) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 39.4 years male: 38 years female: 40.9 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.549% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 Birth rate: 12.57 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 Death rate: 8.56 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 Net migration rate: 1.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 Urbanization: urban population: 77% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 3.33 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 217 male: 3.66 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80.98 years country comparison to the world: 9 male: 77.79 years female: 84.33 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.98 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.4% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 83 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 140,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 1,600 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 Nationality: noun: Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women) adjective: French Ethnic groups: Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African, Indochinese, Basque minorities overseas departments: black, white, mulatto, East Indian, Chinese, Amerindian Religions: Roman Catholic 83%-88%, Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim 5%-10%, unaffiliated 4% overseas departments: Roman Catholic, Protestant, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, pagan Languages: French 100%, rapidly declining regional dialects and languages (Provencal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish) overseas departments: French, Creole patois Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 16 years male: 16 years female: 17 years (2006) Education expenditures: 5.7% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 46 Government ::France Country name: conventional long form: French Republic conventional short form: France local long form: Republique francaise local short form: France Government type: republic Capital: name: Paris geographic coordinates: 48 52 N, 2 20 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October note: applies to metropolitan France only, not to its overseas departments, collectivities, or territories Administrative divisions: 26 regions (regions, singular - region); Alsace, Aquitaine, Auvergne, Basse-Normandie (Lower Normandy), Bourgogne (Burgundy), Bretagne (Brittany), Centre, Champagne-Ardenne, Corse (Corsica), Franche-Comte, Guadeloupe, Guyane (French Guiana), Haute-Normandie (Upper Normandy), Ile-de-France, Languedoc-Roussillon, Limousin, Lorraine, Martinique, Midi-Pyrenees, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Pays de la Loire, Picardie, Poitou-Charentes, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, Reunion, Rhone-Alpes note: France is divided into 22 metropolitan regions (including the "territorial collectivity" of Corse or Corsica) and 4 overseas regions (including French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Reunion) and is subdivided into 96 metropolitan departments and 4 overseas departments (which are the same as the overseas regions) Dependent areas: Clipperton Island, French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Mayotte, New Caledonia, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Martin, Wallis and Futuna note: the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica; New Caledonia has been considered a "sui generis" collectivity of France since 1998, a unique status falling between that of an independent country and a French overseas department Independence: 486 (Frankish tribes unified); 843 (Western Francia established from the division of the Carolingian Empire) National holiday: Fete de la Federation, 14 July (1790); note - although often incorrectly referred to as Bastille Day, the celebration actually commemorates the holiday held on the first anniversary of the storming of the Bastille (on 14 July 1789) and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy; other names for the holiday are Fete Nationale (National Holiday) and quatorze juillet (14th of July) Constitution: adopted by referendum 28 September 1958; effective 4 October 1958; amended many times note: amended concerning election of president in 1962; amended to comply with provisions of 1992 EC Maastricht Treaty, 1997 Amsterdam Treaty, 2003 Treaty of Nice; amended to tighten immigration laws in 1993; amended in 2000 to change the seven-year presidential term to a five-year term; amended in 2005 to make the EU constitutional treaty compatible with the Constitution of France and to ensure that the decision to ratify EU accession treaties would be made by referendum Legal system: civil law system with indigenous concepts; review of administrative but not legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007) head of government: Prime Minister Francois FILLON (since 17 May 2007) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president at the suggestion of the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (changed from seven-year term in October 2000); election last held 22 April and 6 May 2007 (next to be held spring 2012); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Nicolas SARKOZY wins the election; first round: percent of vote - Nicolas SARKOZY 31.18%, Segolene ROYAL 25.87%, Francois BAYROU 18.57%, Jean-Marie LE PEN 10.44%, others 13.94%; second round: SARKOZY 53.1% and ROYAL 46.9% Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of the Senate or Senat (343 seats, 321 for metropolitan France and overseas departments, 2 for New Caledonia, 2 for Mayotte, 1 for Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, 1 for Saint-Barthelemy, 1 for Saint-Martin, 3 for overseas territories, and 12 for French nationals abroad; members are indirectly elected by an electoral college to serve six-year terms; one third elected every three years); note - between 2006 and 2011, 15 new seats will be added to the Senate for a total of 348 seats - 326 for metropolitan France and overseas departments, 2 for New Caledonia, 2 for Mayotte, 1 for Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, 1 for Saint-Barthelemy, 1 for Saint-Martin, 3 for overseas territories, and 12 for French nationals abroad; starting in 2008, members will be indirectly elected by an electoral college to serve six-year terms with one-half elected every three years; and the National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (577 seats, 555 for metropolitan France, 15 for overseas departments, 7 for dependencies; members are elected by popular vote under a single-member majority system to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 21 September 2008 (next to be held in September 2014); National Assembly - last held 10 and 17 June 2007 (next to be held in June 2012) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 151, PS 116, UC-UDF 29, CRC 23, RDSE 17, other 7; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - UMP 46.37%, PS 42.25%, miscellaneous left wing parties 2.47%, PCF 2.28%, NC 2.12%, PRG 1.65%, miscellaneous right wing parties 1.17%, the Greens 0.45%, other 1.24%; seats by party - UMP 313, PS 186, NC 22, miscellaneous left wing parties 15, PCF 15, miscellaneous right wing parties 9, PRG 7, the Greens 4, other 6 Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Appeals or Cour de Cassation (judges are appointed by the president from nominations of the High Council of the Judiciary); Constitutional Council or Conseil Constitutionnel (three members appointed by the president, three appointed by the president of the National Assembly, and three appointed by the president of the Senate); Council of State or Conseil d'Etat Political parties and leaders: Communist, Republican and Citizen or CRC; Democratic Movement or MoDem [Francois BAYROU] (previously Union for French Democracy or UDF); Democratic and Social European Rally or RDSE [Yvon COLLIN] (mainly Radical Republican and Socialist Parties, and PRG); French Communist Party or PCF [Marie-George BUFFET]; Greens [Cecile DUFLOT]; Left Radical Party or PRG [Jean-Michel BAYLET] (previously Radical Socialist Party or PRS and the Left Radical Movement or MRG); Movement for France or MPF [Philippe DE VILLIERS]; National Front or FN [Jean-Marie LE PEN]; New Center or NC [Herve MORIN]; Radical Party [Jean-Louis BORLOO]; Rally for France or RPF [Charles PASQUA]; Republican and Citizen Movement or MRC [Jean Pierre CHEVENEMENT and Georges SARRE]; Socialist Party or PS [Martine AUBRY]; Union Centrist-UDF or UC-UDF [Michel MERCIER]; Union for a Popular Movement or UMP [Xavier BERTRAND] Political pressure groups and leaders: Confederation Francaise Democratique du Travail or CFDT, left-leaning labor union with approximately 803,000 members; Confederation Generale des Cadres or CGC, independent white-collar union with 196,000 members; Confederation Generale du Travail or CGT, historically communist labor union with approximately 700,000 members; Confederation Generale du Travail - Force Ouvriere or FO, independent labor union with an estimated 300,000 members; Mouvement des Entreprises de France or MEDEF, employers' union with 750,000 companies as members (claimed) French Guiana: conservationists; gold mining pressure groups; hunting pressure groups Guadeloupe: Christian Movement for the Liberation of Guadeloupe or KLPG; General Federation of Guadeloupe Workers or CGT-G; General Union of Guadeloupe Workers or UGTG; Movement for an Independent Guadeloupe or MPGI; The Socialist Renewal Movement Martinique: Caribbean Revolutionary Alliance or ARC; Central Union for Martinique Workers or CSTM; Frantz Fanon Circle; League of Workers and Peasants; Proletarian Action Group or GAP Reunion: NA International organization participation: ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, BDEAC, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS (observer), CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FZ, G-20, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), Schengen Convention, SECI (observer), SPC, UN, UN Security Council, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCL, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Pierre VIMONT chancery: 4101 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 944-6000 FAX: [1] (202) 944-6166 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Mark A. PEKALA embassy: 2 Avenue Gabriel, 75382 Paris Cedex 08 mailing address: PSC 116, APO AE 09777 telephone: [33] (1) 43-12-22-22 FAX: [33] (1) 42 66 97 83 consulate(s) general: Marseille, Strasbourg Flag description: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), white, and red; known as the "Le drapeau tricolore" (French Tricolor), the origin of the flag dates to 1790 and the French Revolution; the design and/or colors are similar to a number of other flags, including those of Belgium, Chad, Ireland, Cote d'Ivoire, Luxembourg, and Netherlands; the official flag for all French dependent areas Economy ::France Economy - overview: France is in the midst of transition from a well-to-do modern economy that has featured extensive government ownership and intervention to one that relies more on market mechanisms. The government has partially or fully privatized many large companies, banks, and insurers, and has ceded stakes in such leading firms as Air France, France Telecom, Renault, and Thales. It maintains a strong presence in some sectors, particularly power, public transport, and defense industries. The telecommunications sector is gradually being opened to competition. France's leaders remain committed to a capitalism in which they maintain social equity by means of laws, tax policies, and social spending that reduce income disparity and the impact of free markets on public health and welfare. Widespread opposition to labor reform has in recent years hampered the government's ability to revitalize the economy. During 2007-08, the government implemented several important labor reforms, including a de facto extension of the 35-hour workweek by allowing employees to work longer overtime hours. During 2009, the government is expected to delay or even renounce other reform efforts due to the on-going financial crisis. GDP growth dropped to 0.3% in 2008; the French government plans to increase public investment and continue injecting capital into the banking sector to alleviate the negative effects of the crisis during 2009. As a result of lower fiscal revenues and increased expenditures the general government deficit is expected to exceed the euro-zone ceiling 3% of GDP. France's tax burden remains one of the highest in Europe - at nearly 50% of GDP in 2005. With at least 75 million foreign tourists per year, France is the most visited country in the world and maintains the third largest income in the world from tourism. GDP (purchasing power parity): $2.133 trillion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 $2.126 trillion (2007 est.) $2.078 trillion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $2.867 trillion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 0.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 194 2.3% (2007 est.) 2.4% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $33,300 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 $33,400 (2007 est.) $32,800 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2% industry: 20.4% services: 77.6% (2008 est.) Labor force: 27.97 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 3.8% industry: 24.3% services: 71.8% (2005) Unemployment rate: 7.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 93 7.9% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 6.2% (2004) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3% highest 10%: 24.8% (2004) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 32.7 (2008) country comparison to the world: 98 32.7 (1995) Investment (gross fixed): 21.9% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 85 Budget: revenues: $1.407 trillion expenditures: $1.506 trillion (2008 est.) Public debt: 68.1% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 67.7% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 1.5% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 3% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 94 5% (31 December 2007) note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area Commercial bank prime lending rate: 8.13% (31 December 2008) Stock of money: $NA note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi money circulating within their own borders Stock of quasi money: $NA Stock of domestic credit: $4.102 trillion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 6 $3.397 trillion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 6 $2.771 trillion (31 December 2007) $2.429 trillion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: wheat, cereals, sugar beets, potatoes, wine grapes; beef, dairy products; fish Industries: machinery, chemicals, automobiles, metallurgy, aircraft, electronics; textiles, food processing; tourism Industrial production growth rate: -1.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 Electricity - production: 535.7 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 Electricity - consumption: 447.2 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 Electricity - exports: 58.69 billion kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 10.68 billion kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 70,800 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 Oil - consumption: 1.986 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 13 Oil - exports: 554,100 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 Oil - imports: 2.346 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 Oil - proved reserves: 103.3 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 Natural gas - production: 920 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 Natural gas - consumption: 49.27 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 Natural gas - exports: 1 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 34 Natural gas - imports: 49.35 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 Natural gas - proved reserves: 6.937 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 Current account balance: -$52.91 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 187 -$31.25 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $601.9 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 $546 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: machinery and transportation equipment, aircraft, plastics, chemicals, pharmaceutical products, iron and steel, beverages Exports - partners: Germany 14.3%, Italy 8.7%, Spain 8.3%, UK 7.8%, Belgium 7.6%, US 5.8%, Netherlands 4.2% (2008) Imports: $692 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 $600.9 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, vehicles, crude oil, aircraft, plastics, chemicals Imports - partners: Germany 17.9%, Belgium 11.7%, Italy 8.3%, Spain 6.9%, Netherlands 6.8%, UK 5.1%, US 4.3% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $102.9 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 $115.7 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $4.935 trillion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 4 $4.88 trillion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $1.147 trillion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 $1.026 trillion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $1.624 trillion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 $1.399 trillion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Communications ::France Telephones - main lines in use: 35.909 million; 35.0 million (metropolitan France) (2008) country comparison to the world: 8 Telephones - mobile cellular: 59.259 million; 57.972 million (metropolitan France) (2008) country comparison to the world: 18 Telephone system: general assessment: highly developed domestic: extensive cable and microwave radio relay; extensive use of fiber-optic cable; domestic satellite system international: country code - 33; numerous submarine cables provide links throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and US; satellite earth stations - more than 3 (2 Intelsat (with total of 5 antennas - 2 for Indian Ocean and 3 for Atlantic Ocean), NA Eutelsat, 1 Inmarsat - Atlantic Ocean region); HF radiotelephone communications with more than 20 countries overseas departments: country codes: French Guiana - 594; Guadeloupe - 590; Martinique - 596; Reunion - 262 Radio broadcast stations: AM 41, FM about 3,500 (this figure is an approximation and includes many repeaters), shortwave 2 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 584 (plus 9,676 repeaters) (1995) Internet country code: metropolitan France - .fr; French Guiana - .gf; Guadeloupe - .gp; Martinique - .mq; Reunion - .re Internet hosts: 14.327 million; 14,341,000 (metropolitan France) (2009) country comparison to the world: 6 Internet users: 42.912 million; 42.315 million (metropolitan France) (2008) country comparison to the world: 9 Transportation ::France Airports: 475 (2009) country comparison to the world: 16 Airports - with paved runways: total: 297 over 3,047 m: 14 2,438 to 3,047 m: 27 1,524 to 2,437 m: 97 914 to 1,523 m: 82 under 914 m: 77 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 178 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 70 under 914 m: 107 (2009) Heliports: 1 (2009) Pipelines: gas 14,688 km; oil 3,036 km; refined products 5,080 km (2008) Railways: total: 29,213 km country comparison to the world: 9 standard gauge: 29,046 km 1.435-m gauge (15,164 km electrified) narrow gauge: 167 km 1.000-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 951,500 km country comparison to the world: 7 paved: 951,500 km (metropolitan France; includes 10,950 km of expressways) note: there are another 5,100 km of roadways in overseas departments (2006) Waterways: metropolitan France: 8,501 km (1,621 km accessible to craft of 3,000 metric tons) country comparison to the world: 16 French Guiana: 3,760 km (460 km navigable by small oceangoing vessels and coastal and river steamers, 3,300 km by native craft) (2008) Merchant marine: total: 138 country comparison to the world: 43 by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 1, chemical tanker 32, container 25, liquefied gas 12, passenger 3, passenger/cargo 33, petroleum tanker 23, roll on/roll off 7 foreign-owned: 38 (Belgium 6, China 5, Denmark 2, Germany 1, Italy 2, Japan 1, NZ 1, Norway 5, Saudi Arabia 1, Singapore 2, Sweden 9, Switzerland 3) registered in other countries: 127 (Antigua and Barbuda 1, Australia 1, Bahamas 30, Belgium 2, Bermuda 1, Hong Kong 1, Indonesia 1, Isle of Man 1, Italy 2, Liberia 5, Luxembourg 17, Malta 5, Morocco 14, Netherlands 1, Norway 3, Panama 5, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 6, Singapore 1, Taiwan 1, UK 23, Wallis and Futuna 6) (2008) Ports and terminals: Bordeaux, Calais, Dunkerque, Le Havre, Marseille, Nantes, Paris, Rouen, Strasbourg Military ::France Military branches: Army (Armee de Terre; includes Marines, Foreign Legion, Army Light Aviation), Navy (Marine Nationale, includes Naval Air, Maritime Gendarmerie (Coast Guard)), Air Force (Armee de l'Air, includes Air Defense), National Gendarmerie (2009) Military service age and obligation: 17-40 years of age for male or female voluntary military service; no conscription; 12-month service obligation; women serve in noncombat military posts (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 14,646,427 females age 16-49: 14,379,630 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 12,087,606 females age 16-49: 11,811,260 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 391,480 female: 373,334 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 2.6% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 Transnational Issues ::France Disputes - international: Madagascar claims the French territories of Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, and Juan de Nova Island; Comoros claims Mayotte; Mauritius claims Tromelin Island; territorial dispute between Suriname and the French overseas department of French Guiana; France asserts a territorial claim in Antarctica (Adelie Land); France and Vanuatu claim Matthew and Hunter Islands, east of New Caledonia Illicit drugs: metropolitan France: transshipment point for South American cocaine, Southwest Asian heroin, and European synthetics French Guiana: small amount of marijuana grown for local consumption; minor transshipment point to Europe Martinique: transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for the US and Europe page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @French Polynesia (Australia-Oceania) Introduction ::French Polynesia Background: The French annexed various Polynesian island groups during the 19th century. In September 1995, France stirred up widespread protests by resuming nuclear testing on the Mururoa atoll after a three-year moratorium. The tests were suspended in January 1996. In recent years, French Polynesia's autonomy has been considerably expanded. Geography ::French Polynesia Location: Oceania, archipelagoes in the South Pacific Ocean about half way between South America and Australia Geographic coordinates: 15 00 S, 140 00 W Map references: Oceania Area: total: 4,167 sq km (118 islands and atolls) country comparison to the world: 174 land: 3,827 sq km water: 340 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than one-third the size of Connecticut Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 2,525 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical, but moderate Terrain: mixture of rugged high islands and low islands with reefs Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Orohena 2,241 m Natural resources: timber, fish, cobalt, hydropower Land use: arable land: 0.75% permanent crops: 5.5% other: 93.75% (2005) Irrigated land: 10 sq km (2003) Natural hazards: occasional cyclonic storms in January Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: includes five archipelagoes (four volcanic, one coral); Makatea in French Polynesia is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and Nauru People ::French Polynesia Population: 287,032 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 179 Age structure: 0-14 years: 24.3% (male 35,631/female 34,097) 15-64 years: 68.9% (male 102,537/female 95,317) 65 years and over: 6.8% (male 9,821/female 9,629) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 29.1 years male: 29.4 years female: 28.8 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.391% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 Birth rate: 15.91 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 Death rate: 4.73 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 194 Net migration rate: 2.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 Urbanization: urban population: 52% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 7.55 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 166 male: 8.67 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.71 years country comparison to the world: 63 male: 74.26 years female: 79.29 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.92 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: French Polynesian(s) adjective: French Polynesian Ethnic groups: Polynesian 78%, Chinese 12%, local French 6%, metropolitan French 4% Religions: Protestant 54%, Roman Catholic 30%, other 10%, no religion 6% Languages: French 61.1% (official), Polynesian 31.4% (official), Asian languages 1.2%, other 0.3%, unspecified 6% (2002 census) Literacy: definition: age 14 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: 98% female: 98% (1977 est.) Education expenditures: NA Government ::French Polynesia Country name: conventional long form: Overseas Lands of French Polynesia conventional short form: French Polynesia local long form: Pays d'outre-mer de la Polynesie Francaise local short form: Polynesie Francaise former: French Colony of Oceania Dependency status: overseas lands of France; overseas territory of France from 1946-2004 Government type: NA Capital: name: Papeete geographic coordinates: 17 32 S, 149 34 W time difference: UTC-10 (5 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: none (overseas lands of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are five archipelagic divisions named Archipel des Marquises, Archipel des Tuamotu, Archipel des Tubuai, Iles du Vent, Iles Sous-le-Vent Independence: none (overseas lands of France) National holiday: Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) Constitution: 4 October 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: the laws of France, where applicable, apply Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007), represented by High Commissioner of the Republic Adolphe COLRAT (since 7 July 2008) head of government: President of French Polynesia Oscar TEMARU (since 7 February 2009); President of the Territorial Assembly Eduoard FRITCH (since 12 February 2009) cabinet: Council of Ministers; president submits a list of members of the Territorial Assembly for approval by them to serve as ministers elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; high commissioner appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the territorial government and the president of the Territorial Assembly are elected by the members of the assembly for five-year terms (no term limits) Legislative branch: unicameral Territorial Assembly or Assemblee Territoriale (57 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 27 January 2008 (first round) and 10 February 2008 (second round) (next to be held in 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - Our Home alliance 45.2%, Union for Democracy alliance 37.2%, Popular Rally (Tahoeraa Huiraatira) 17.2% other 0.5%; seats by party - Our Home alliance 27, Union for Democracy alliance 20, Popular Rally 10 note: one seat was elected to the French Senate on 21 September 2008 (next to be held in September 2014); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PS 1, independent 1; two seats were elected to the French National Assembly on 10-17 June 2007 (next to be held in 2012); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 2 Judicial branch: Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Court of the First Instance or Tribunal de Premiere Instance; Court of Administrative Law or Tribunal Administratif Political parties and leaders: Alliance for a New Democracy or ADN [Nicole BOUTEAU and Philip SCHYLE](includes the parties The New Star and This Country is Yours); Independent Front for the Liberation of Polynesia (Tavini Huiraatira) [Oscar TEMARU]; New Fatherland Party (Ai'a Api) [Emile VERNAUDON]; Our Home alliance; Popular Rally (Tahoeraa Huiraatira) [Gaston FLOSSE]; Union for Democracy alliance or UPD [Oscar TEMARU] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: FZ, ITUC, PIF (associate member), SPC, UPU, WMO Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas lands of France) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas lands of France) Flag description: two narrow red horizontal bands encase a wide white band; centered on the white band is a disk with a blue and white wave pattern on the lower half and a gold and white ray pattern on the upper half; a stylized red, blue, and white ship rides on the wave pattern note: the flag of France is used for official occasions Government - note: under certain acts of France, French Polynesia has acquired autonomy in all areas except those relating to police and justice, monetary policy, tertiary education, immigration, and defense and foreign affairs; the duties of its president are fashioned after those of the French prime minister Economy ::French Polynesia Economy - overview: Since 1962, when France stationed military personnel in the region, French Polynesia has changed from a subsistence agricultural economy to one in which a high proportion of the work force is either employed by the military or supports the tourist industry. With the halt of French nuclear testing in 1996, the military contribution to the economy fell sharply. Tourism accounts for about one-fourth of GDP and is a primary source of hard currency earnings. Other sources of income are pearl farming and deep-sea commercial fishing. The small manufacturing sector primarily processes agricultural products. The territory benefits substantially from development agreements with France aimed principally at creating new businesses and strengthening social services. GDP (purchasing power parity): $4.718 billion (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 161 $4.58 billion (2003 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $6.1 billion (2004) GDP - real growth rate: 2.7% (2005) country comparison to the world: 134 5.1% (2002) GDP - per capita (PPP): $18,000 (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 $17,500 (2003 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.5% industry: 20.4% services: 76.1% (2005) Labor force: 116,000 (2007) country comparison to the world: 174 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 13% industry: 19% services: 68% (2002) Unemployment rate: 11.7% (2005) country comparison to the world: 134 Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $865 million expenditures: $644.1 million (1999) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.1% (2007) country comparison to the world: 9 1.1% (2006 est.) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: fish; coconuts, vanilla, vegetables, fruits, coffee; poultry, beef, dairy products Industries: tourism, pearls, agricultural processing, handicrafts, phosphates Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 650 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 Electricity - consumption: 604.5 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 156 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 173 Oil - consumption: 7,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 158 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 201 Oil - imports: 6,701 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 148 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 167 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 179 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 183 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 177 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 180 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 178 Exports: $211 million (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 180 Exports - commodities: cultured pearls, coconut products, mother-of-pearl, vanilla, shark meat Imports: $1.706 billion (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 156 Imports - commodities: fuels, foodstuffs, machinery and equipment Debt - external: $NA Exchange rates: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - 87.59 (2007), 94.97 (2006), 95.89 (2005), 96.04 (2004), 105.66 (2003) note: pegged at the rate of 119.25 XPF to the euro Communications ::French Polynesia Telephones - main lines in use: 54,600 (2008) country comparison to the world: 160 Telephones - mobile cellular: 187,100 (2008) country comparison to the world: 173 Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: combined fixed and mobile-cellular density is roughly 85 per 100 persons international: country code - 689; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 14, shortwave 2 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 7 (plus 17 repeaters) (1997) Internet country code: .pf Internet hosts: 13,796 (2009) country comparison to the world: 113 Internet users: 90,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 156 Transportation ::French Polynesia Airports: 53 (2009) country comparison to the world: 88 Airports - with paved runways: total: 47 over 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 34 under 914 m: 7 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 4 (2009) Heliports: 1 (2009) Roadways: total: 2,590 km country comparison to the world: 169 paved: 1,735 km unpaved: 855 km (1999) Merchant marine: total: 15 country comparison to the world: 104 by type: cargo 6, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 5, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 1 registered in other countries: 2 (Wallis and Futuna 2) (2008) Ports and terminals: Papeete Military ::French Polynesia Military branches: no regular military forces (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 79,540 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 65,408 females age 16-49: 64,421 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 2,665 female: 2,552 (2009 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France Transnational Issues ::French Polynesia Disputes - international: none page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @French Southern and Antarctic Lands (Antarctica) Introduction ::French Southern and Antarctic Lands Background: In February 2007, the Iles Eparses became an integral part of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands (TAAF). The Southern Lands are now divided into five administrative districts, two of which are archipelagos, Iles Crozet and Iles Kerguelen; the third is a district composed of two volcanic islands, Ile Saint-Paul and Ile Amsterdam; the fourth, Iles Eparses, consists of five scattered tropical islands around Madagascar. They contain no permanent inhabitants and are visited only by researchers studying the native fauna, scientists at the various scientific stations, fishermen, and military personnel. The fifth district is the Antarctic portion, which consists of "Adelie Land," a thin slice of the Antarctic continent discovered and claimed by the French in 1840. Ile Amsterdam: Discovered but not named in 1522 by the Spanish, the island subsequently received the appellation of Nieuw Amsterdam from a Dutchman; it was claimed by France in 1843. A short-lived attempt at cattle farming began in 1871. A French meteorological station established on the island in 1949 is still in use. Ile Saint Paul: Claimed by France since 1893, the island was a fishing industry center from 1843 to 1914. In 1928, a spiny lobster cannery was established, but when the company went bankrupt in 1931, seven workers were abandoned. Only two survived until 1934 when rescue finally arrived. Iles Crozet: A large archipelago formed from the Crozet Plateau, Iles Crozet is divided into two main groups: L'Occidental (the West), which includes Ile aux Cochons, Ilots des Apotres, Ile des Pingouins, and the reefs Brisants de l'Heroine; and L'Oriental (the east), which includes Ile d'Est and Ile de la Possession (the largest island of the Crozets). Discovered and claimed by France in 1772, the islands were used for seal hunting and as a base for whaling. Originally administered as a dependency of Madagascar, they became part of the TAAF in 1955. Iles Kerguelen: This island group, discovered in 1772, is made up of one large island (Ile Kerguelen) and about 300 smaller islands. A permanent group of 50 to 100 scientists resides at the main base at Port-aux-Francais. Adelie Land: The only non-insular district of the TAAF is the Antarctic claim known as "Adelie Land." The US Government does not recognize it as a French dependency. Bassas da India: A French possession since 1897, this atoll is a volcanic rock surrounded by reefs and is awash at high tide. Europa Island: This heavily wooded island has been a French possession since 1897; it is the site of a small military garrison that staffs a weather station. Glorioso Islands: A French possession since 1892, the Glorioso Islands are composed of two lushly vegetated coral islands (Ile Glorieuse and Ile du Lys) and three rock islets. A military garrison operates a weather and radio station on Ile Glorieuse. Juan de Nova Island: Named after a famous 15th century Spanish navigator and explorer, the island has been a French possession since 1897. It has been exploited for its guano and phosphate. Presently a small military garrison oversees a meteorological station. Tromelin Island: First explored by the French in 1776, the island came under the jurisdiction of Reunion in 1814. At present, it serves as a sea turtle sanctuary and is the site of an important meteorological station. Geography ::French Southern and Antarctic Lands Location: southeast and east of Africa, islands in the southern Indian Ocean, some near Madagascar and others about equidistant between Africa, Antarctica, and Australia; note - French Southern and Antarctic Lands include Ile Amsterdam, Ile Saint-Paul, Iles Crozet, Iles Kerguelen, Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island in the southern Indian Ocean, along with the French-claimed sector of Antarctica, "Adelie Land"; the US does not recognize the French claim to "Adelie Land" Geographic coordinates: Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): 37 50 S, 77 32 E Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): 38 72 S, 77 53 E Iles Crozet: 46 25 S, 51 00 E Iles Kerguelen: 49 15 S, 69 35 E Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): 21 30 S, 39 50 E Europa Island (Iles Eparses): 22 20 S, 40 22 E Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses): 11 30 S, 47 20 E Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): 17 03 S, 42 45 E Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): 15 52 S, 54 25 E Map references: Antarctic Region Area: Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): total - 55 sq km; land - 55 sq km; water - 0 sq km country comparison to the world: 229 Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): total - 7 sq km; land - 7 sq km; water - 0 sq km Iles Crozet: total - 352 sq km; land - 352 sq km; water - 0 sq km Iles Kerguelen: total - 7,215 sq km; land - 7,215 sq km; water - 0 sq km Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): total - 80 sq km; land - 0.2 sq km; water - 79.8 sq km (lagoon) Europa Island (Iles Eparses): total - 28 sq km; land - 28 sq km; water - 0 sq km Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses): total - 5 sq km; land - 5 sq km; water - 0 sq km Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): total - 4.4 sq km; land - 4.4 sq km; water - 0 sq km Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): total - 1 sq km; land - 1 sq km; water - 0 sq km note: excludes "Adelie Land" claim of about 500,000 sq km in Antarctica that is not recognized by the US Area - comparative: Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): less than one-half the size of Washington, DC Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): more than 10 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Iles Crozet: about twice the size of Washington, DC Iles Kerguelen: slightly larger than Delaware Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): land area about one-third the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Europa Island (Iles Eparses): about one-sixth the size of Washington, DC Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses): about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): about seven times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): about 1.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): 28 km Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): Iles Kerguelen: 2,800 km Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): 35.2 km Europa Island (Iles Eparses): 22.2 km Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses): 35.2 km Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): 24.1 km Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): 3.7 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm from Iles Kerguelen and Iles Eparses (does not include the rest of French Southern and Antarctic Lands); Juan de Nova Island and Tromelin Island claim a continental shelf of 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul: oceanic with persistent westerly winds and high humidity Iles Crozet: windy, cold, wet, and cloudy Iles Kerguelen: oceanic, cold, overcast, windy Iles Eparses: tropical Terrain: Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): a volcanic island with steep coastal cliffs; the center floor of the volcano is a large plateau Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): triangular in shape, the island is the top of a volcano, rocky with steep cliffs on the eastern side; has active thermal springs Iles Crozet: a large archipelago formed from the Crozet Plateau is divided into two groups of islands Iles Kerguelen: the interior of the large island of Ile Kerguelen is composed of rugged terrain of high mountains, hills, valleys, and plains with a number of peninsulas stretching off its coasts Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): atoll, awash at high tide; shallow (15 m) lagoon Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island: low, flat, and sandy Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): low, flat, sandy; likely volcanic seamount Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont de la Dives on Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul) 867 m; unnamed location on Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul) 272 m; Pic Marion-Dufresne in Iles Crozet 1,090 m; Mont Ross in Iles Kerguelen 1,850 m; unnamed location on Bassas de India (Iles Eparses) 2.4 m; unnamed location on Europa Island (Iles Eparses) 24 m; unnamed location on Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses) 12 m; unnamed location on Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses) 10 m; unnamed location on Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses) 7 m Natural resources: fish, crayfish note: Glorioso Islands and Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses) have guano, phosphates, and coconuts Land use: Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul) - 100% trees, grasses, ferns, and moss; Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul) - 100% grass, ferns, and moss; Iles Crozet - 100% tossock grass, heath, and fern; Iles Kerguelen - 100% tossock grass and Kerguelen cabbage; Bassas da India (Iles Eparses) - 100% rock, coral reef, and sand; Europa Island (Iles Eparses) - 100% mangrove swamp and dry woodlands; Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses) - 100% lush vegetation and coconut palms; Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses) - 90% forest, 10% other; Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses) - 100% grasses and scattered brush (2005) Irrigated land: 0 sq km Natural hazards: Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paul are inactive volcanoes; Iles Eparses subject to periodic cyclones; Bassas da India is a maritime hazard since it is under water for a period of three hours prior to and following the high tide and surrounded by reefs Environment - current issues: introduction of foreign species on Iles Crozet has caused severe damage to the original ecosystem; overfishing of Patagonian toothfish around Iles Crozet and Iles Kerguelen Geography - note: islands component is widely scattered across remote locations in the southern Indian Ocean Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): the atoll is a circular reef that sits atop a long-extinct, submerged volcano Europa Island and Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): wildlife sanctuary for seabirds and sea turtles Glorioso Island (Iles Eparses): the islands and rocks are surrounded by an extensive reef system Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): climatologically important location for forecasting cyclones in the western Indian Ocean; wildlife sanctuary (seabirds, tortoises) People ::French Southern and Antarctic Lands Population: no indigenous inhabitants Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): has no permanent residents but has a meteorological station Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): is uninhabited but is frequently visited by fishermen and has a scientific research cabin for short stays Iles Crozet: are uninhabited except for 18 to 30 people staffing the Alfred Faure research station on Ile del la Possession Iles Kerguelen: 50 to 100 scientists are located at the main base at Port-aux-Francais on Ile Kerguelen Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): uninhabitable Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): a small French military garrison and a few meteorologists on each possession; visited by scientists Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): uninhabited, except for visits by scientists Government ::French Southern and Antarctic Lands Country name: conventional long form: Territory of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands conventional short form: French Southern and Antarctic Lands local long form: Territoire des Terres Australes et Antarctiques Francaises local short form: Terres Australes et Antarctiques Francaises abbreviation: TAAF Dependency status: overseas territory of France since 1955; administered from Paris by Administrateur Superieur Eric PILLOTON (since 10 April 2007) Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are five administrative districts named Iles Crozet, Iles Eparses, Iles Kerguelen, Ile Saint-Paul et Ile Amsterdam; the fifth district is the "Adelie Land" claim in Antarctica that is not recognized by the US Legal system: the laws of France, where applicable, apply Executive branch: chief of state: President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007), represented by Senior Administrator Rollon MOUCHEL-BLAISOT (16 October 2008) International organization participation: UPU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of France) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of France) Flag description: the flag of France is used Economy ::French Southern and Antarctic Lands Economy - overview: Economic activity is limited to servicing meteorological and geophysical research stations, military bases, and French and other fishing fleets. The fish catches landed on Iles Kerguelen by foreign ships are exported to France and Reunion. Communications ::French Southern and Antarctic Lands Internet country code: .tf Internet hosts: 44 (2009) country comparison to the world: 210 Communications - note: one or more meteorological stations on each possession; note - meteorological station on Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses) is important for forecasting cyclones Transportation ::French Southern and Antarctic Lands Airports: 4 (note - one each on Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island in the Iles Eparses district) (2006) country comparison to the world: 189 Ports and terminals: none; offshore anchorage only Transportation - note: aids to navigation - lighthouses: Europa Island 18m; Juan de Nova Island (W side) 37m; Tromelin Island (NW point) 11m (all in the Iles Eparses district) Military ::French Southern and Antarctic Lands Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France Transnational Issues ::French Southern and Antarctic Lands Disputes - international: French claim to "Adelie Land" in Antarctica is not recognized by the US Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): claimed by Madagascar Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): claimed by Mauritius page last updated on October 28, 2009 ====================================================================== @Gabon (Africa) Introduction ::Gabon Background: Until recently, only two autocratic presidents had ruled Gabon since its independence from France in 1960. The recent president of Gabon, El Hadj Omar BONGO Ondimba -one of the longest-serving heads of state in the world - had dominated the country's political scene for four decades. President BONGO introduced a nominal multiparty system and a new constitution in the early 1990s. However, allegations of electoral fraud during local elections in 2002-03 and the presidential elections in 2005 exposed the weaknesses of formal political structures in Gabon. President BONGO died in June 2009 and was replaced in accordance with the constitution by Rose Francine ROGOMBE, the president of the Senate. New elections are planned for the summer of 2009. This will be the first Gabonese elections in which BONGO is not participating. Despite political conditions, a small population, abundant natural resources, and considerable foreign support have helped make Gabon one of the more prosperous and stable African countries. Geography ::Gabon Location: Western Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean at the Equator, between Republic of the Congo and Equatorial Guinea Geographic coordinates: 1 00 S, 11 45 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 267,667 sq km country comparison to the world: 76 land: 257,667 sq km water: 10,000 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Colorado Land boundaries: total: 2,551 km border countries: Cameroon 298 km, Republic of the Congo 1,903 km, Equatorial Guinea 350 km Coastline: 885 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; always hot, humid Terrain: narrow coastal plain; hilly interior; savanna in east and south Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Iboundji 1,575 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, diamond, niobium, manganese, uranium, gold, timber, iron ore, hydropower Land use: arable land: 1.21% permanent crops: 0.64% other: 98.15% (2005) Irrigated land: 70 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 164 cu km (1987) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.12 cu km/yr (50%/8%/42%) per capita: 87 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: deforestation; poaching Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: a small population and oil and mineral reserves have helped Gabon become one of Africa's wealthier countries; in general, these circumstances have allowed the country to maintain and conserve its pristine rain forest and rich biodiversity People ::Gabon Population: 1,514,993 country comparison to the world: 151 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 42.1% (male 320,414/female 318,027) 15-64 years: 53.9% (male 407,461/female 409,633) 65 years and over: 3.9% (male 24,799/female 34,659) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 18.6 years male: 18.4 years female: 18.9 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.934% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 Birth rate: 35.57 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 Death rate: 12.76 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 Net migration rate: -3.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 154 Urbanization: urban population: 85% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 51.78 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 48 male: 60.17 deaths/1,000 live births female: 43.15 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 53.11 years country comparison to the world: 198 male: 52.19 years female: 54.05 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.65 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 36 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 5.9% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 13 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 49,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 2,300 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria and chikungunya water contact disease: schistosomiasis animal contact disease: rabies (2009) Nationality: noun: Gabonese (singular and plural) adjective: Gabonese Ethnic groups: Bantu tribes, including four major tribal groupings (Fang, Bapounou, Nzebi, Obamba); other Africans and Europeans, 154,000, including 10,700 French and 11,000 persons of dual nationality Religions: Christian 55%-75%, animist, Muslim less than 1% Languages: French (official), Fang, Myene, Nzebi, Bapounou/Eschira, Bandjabi Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 63.2% male: 73.7% female: 53.3% (1995 est.) Education expenditures: 3.8% of GDP (2000) country comparison to the world: 118 Government ::Gabon Country name: conventional long form: Gabonese Republic conventional short form: Gabon local long form: Republique Gabonaise local short form: Gabon Government type: republic; multiparty presidential regime Capital: name: Libreville geographic coordinates: 0 23 N, 9 27 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 9 provinces; Estuaire, Haut-Ogooue, Moyen-Ogooue, Ngounie, Nyanga, Ogooue-Ivindo, Ogooue-Lolo, Ogooue-Maritime, Woleu-Ntem Independence: 17 August 1960 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 17 August (1960) Constitution: adopted 14 March 1991 Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Ali BONGO Ondimba (since 16 October 2009) head of government: Prime Minister Paul BIYOGHE MBA (since 15 July 2009) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister in consultation with the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (no term limits); election last held 30 August 2009 (next to be held in 2016); prime minister appointed by the president election results: President Ali BONGO Ondimba elected; percent of vote - Ali BONGO Ondimba 41.7%, Andre MBA OBAME 25.9%, Pierre MAMBOUNDOU 25.2%, Zacharie MYBOTO 3.9%, other 3.3% note: President BONGO died on 8 June 2009 after serving as president for 32 years, in accordance with the constitution he was replaced on an interim basis by the president of the Senate, Rose Francine ROGOMBE on 10 June 2009, new elections where held on 30 August 2009 and the son of the former president, Ali BONGO Ondimba, was elected president Legislative branch: bicameral legislature consists of the Senate (102 seats; members elected by members of municipal councils and departmental assemblies to serve six-year terms) and the National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (120 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 18 January 2009 (next to be held in January 2015); National Assembly - last held 17 and 24 December 2006 (next to be held in December 2011) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDG 75, GPR 6, UGDD 3, CLR 2, PGCI 2, UPG 2, ADERE 1, independents 9; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDG 82, RPG 8, UPG 8, UGDD 4, ADERE 3, CLR 2, PGP-Ndaot 2, PSD 2, independents 4, others 5 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme consisting of three chambers - Judicial, Administrative, and Accounts; Constitutional Court; Courts of Appeal; Court of State Security; County Courts Political parties and leaders: Circle of Liberal Reformers or CLR [General Jean Boniface ASSELE]; Congress for Democracy and Justice or CDJ [Jules Aristide Bourdes OGOULIGUENDE]; Democratic and Republican Alliance or ADERE [Divungui-di-Ndinge DIDJOB]; Gabonese Democratic Party or PDG (former sole party) [Simplice Nguedet MANZELA]; Gabonese Party for Progress or PGP [Benoit Mouity NZAMBA]; Gabonese Union for Democracy and Development or UGDD [Zacherie MYBOTO]; National Rally of Woodcutters or RNB; National Rally of Woodcutters-Rally for Gabon or RNB-RPG (Bucherons) [Fr. Paul M'BA-ABESSOLE]; Party of Development and Social Solidarity or PDS [Seraphin Ndoat REMBOGO]; People's Unity Party or PUP [Louis Gaston MAYILA]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Pierre Claver MAGANGA-MOUSSAVOU]; Union for Democracy and Social Integration or UDIS; Union of Gabonese Patriots or UPG [Pierre MAMBOUNDOU] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Carlos BOUNGOU chancery: Suite 200, 2034 20th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 797-1000 FAX: [1] (202) 332-0668 consulate(s): New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Eunice S. REDDICK embassy: Boulevard du Bord de Mer, Libreville mailing address: Centre Ville, B. P. 4000, Libreville; pouch:2270 Libreville Place, Washington, DC 20521-2270 telephone: [241] 76 20 03 through 76 20 04, after hours - 07380171 FAX: [241] 74 55 07 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and blue Economy ::Gabon Economy - overview: Gabon enjoys a per capita income four times that of most sub-Saharan African nations, but because of high income inequality, a large proportion of the population remains poor. Gabon depended on timber and manganese until oil was discovered offshore in the early 1970s. The oil sector now accounts for more than 50% of GDP. Gabon continues to face fluctuating prices for its oil, timber, and manganese exports. Despite the abundance of natural wealth, poor fiscal management hobbles the economy. In 1997, an IMF mission to Gabon criticized the government for overspending on off-budget items, overborrowing from the central bank, and slipping on its schedule for privatization and administrative reform. The rebound of oil prices since 1999 have helped growth, but drops in production have hampered Gabon from fully realizing potential gains, and will continue to temper the gains for most of this decade. In December 2000, Gabon signed a new agreement with the Paris Club to reschedule its official debt. A follow-up bilateral repayment agreement with the US was signed in December 2001. Gabon signed a 14-month Stand-By Arrangement with the IMF in May 2007, and received Paris Club debt rescheduling later that year. GDP (purchasing power parity): $21.16 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 $20.74 billion (2007 est.) $19.64 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $14.54 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 163 5.6% (2007 est.) 1.2% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $14,200 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 $14,200 (2007 est.) $13,800 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 5.6% industry: 57.8% services: 36.6% (2008 est.) Labor force: 581,000 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 60% industry: 15% services: 25% (2000 est.) Unemployment rate: 21% (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Investment (gross fixed): 27.3% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 Budget: revenues: $4.511 billion expenditures: $2.932 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 24.7% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 83 29.3% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 5% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 4.75% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 83 5.25% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: NA% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 43 15% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $1.547 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) $799.3 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $359.8 million (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: cocoa, coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber; cattle; okoume (a tropical softwood); fish Industries: petroleum extraction and refining; manganese, gold; chemicals, ship repair, food and beverages, textiles, lumbering and plywood, cement Industrial production growth rate: 1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 Electricity - production: 1.774 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 137 Electricity - consumption: 1.446 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 247,800 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 Oil - consumption: 14,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 Oil - exports: 227,300 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 Oil - imports: 4,185 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 164 Oil - proved reserves: 2 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 33 Natural gas - production: 90 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 Natural gas - consumption: 90 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 175 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 178 Natural gas - proved reserves: 28.32 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 Current account balance: $2.727 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 $1.549 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $9.333 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 $7.046 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: crude oil 70%, timber, manganese, uranium (2001) Exports - partners: US 25.4%, China 19.1%, Japan 10.2%, France 5.4%, Spain 4% (2008) Imports: $2.577 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 143 $2.2 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, construction materials Imports - partners: France 32.2%, US 11.1%, China 5.4%, Belgium 4.7%, Cameroon 4.4%, Netherlands 4.2% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $1.925 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 $1.238 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $2.986 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 $4.895 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar - 447.81 (2008 est.), 481.83 (2007), 522.89 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004) note: since 1 January 1999, the Central African CFA franc (XAF) has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro; Central African CFA franc (XAF) coins and banknotes are not accepted in countries using West African CFA francs (XOF), and vice versa, even though the two currencies trade at par Communications ::Gabon Telephones - main lines in use: 26,500 (2008) country comparison to the world: 182 Telephones - mobile cellular: 1.3 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 137 Telephone system: general assessment: adequate service by African standards and improving with the help of a growing mobile cell network system with multiple providers; mobile-cellular subscribership reached nearly 90 per 100 persons in 2008 domestic: adequate system of cable, microwave radio relay, tropospheric scatter, radiotelephone communication stations, and a domestic satellite system with 12 earth stations international: country code - 241; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and Asia; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 7 (plus 11 repeaters), shortwave 4 (2001) Television broadcast stations: 4 (plus 4 repeaters) (2001) Internet country code: .ga Internet hosts: 91 (2009) country comparison to the world: 199 Internet users: 90,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 158 Transportation ::Gabon Airports: 44 (2009) country comparison to the world: 98 Airports - with paved runways: total: 13 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 31 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 14 (2009) Pipelines: gas 240 km; oil 723 km (2008) Railways: total: 814 km country comparison to the world: 100 standard gauge: 814 km 1.435-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 9,170 km country comparison to the world: 138 paved: 937 km unpaved: 8,233 km (2004) Waterways: 1,600 km (310 km on Ogooue River) (2008) country comparison to the world: 51 Merchant marine: registered in other countries: 2 (Cambodia 1, Panama 1) (2008) country comparison to the world: 143 Ports and terminals: Gamba, Libreville, Lucinda, Port-Gentil Military ::Gabon Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Police Military service age and obligation: 20 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service (2007) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 331,181 females age 16-49: 332,498 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 195,519 females age 16-49: 190,519 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 16,933 female: 16,942 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 3.4% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 Transnational Issues ::Gabon Disputes - international: UN urges Equatorial Guinea and Gabon to resolve the sovereignty dispute over Gabon-occupied Mbane Island and lesser islands and to establish a maritime boundary in hydrocarbon-rich Corisco Bay Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 7,178 (Republic of Congo) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Gabon is predominantly a destination country for children trafficked from other African countries for the purpose of forced labor; girls are primarily trafficked for domestic servitude, forced market vending, forced restaurant labor, and sexual exploitation, while boys are trafficked for forced street hawking and forced labor in small workshops tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Gabon is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking in 2007, particularly in terms of efforts to convict and punish trafficking offenders; the government has not reported the convictions or sentences of any trafficking offenders; the government did not take steps to reduce demand for commercial sex acts (2008) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Gambia, The (Africa) Introduction ::Gambia, The Background: The Gambia gained its independence from the UK in 1965. Geographically surrounded by Senegal, it formed a short-lived federation of Senegambia between 1982 and 1989. In 1991 the two nations signed a friendship and cooperation treaty, but tensions have flared up intermittently since then. Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH led a military coup in 1994 that overthrew the president and banned political activity. A new constitution and presidential elections in 1996, followed by parliamentary balloting in 1997, completed a nominal return to civilian rule. JAMMEH has been elected president in all subsequent elections, including most recently in late 2006. Geography ::Gambia, The Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal Geographic coordinates: 13 28 N, 16 34 W Map references: Africa Area: total: 11,295 sq km country comparison to the world: 166 land: 10,000 sq km water: 1,295 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Delaware Land boundaries: total: 740 km border countries: Senegal 740 km Coastline: 80 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 18 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm continental shelf: extent not specified Climate: tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season (November to May) Terrain: flood plain of the Gambia River flanked by some low hills Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 53 m Natural resources: fish, titanium (rutile and ilmenite), tin, zircon, silica sand, clay, petroleum Land use: arable land: 27.88% permanent crops: 0.44% other: 71.68% (2005) Irrigated land: 20 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 8 cu km (1982) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.03 cu km/yr (23%/12%/65%) per capita: 20 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: drought (rainfall has dropped by 30% in the last 30 years) Environment - current issues: deforestation; desertification; water-borne diseases prevalent Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the continent of Africa People ::Gambia, The Population: 1,782,893 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 148 Age structure: 0-14 years: 43.6% (male 390,806/female 387,172) 15-64 years: 53.6% (male 473,478/female 481,315) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 25,071/female 25,051) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 17.9 years male: 17.8 years female: 18.1 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 2.668% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 Birth rate: 37.87 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 Death rate: 11.49 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 Net migration rate: 0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 Urbanization: urban population: 57% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 67.33 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 29 male: 73.56 deaths/1,000 live births female: 60.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 55.35 years country comparison to the world: 193 male: 53.43 years female: 57.34 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.04 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.9% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 8,200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 600 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria water contact disease: schistosomiasis respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis animal contact disease: rabies (2009) Nationality: noun: Gambian(s) adjective: Gambian Ethnic groups: African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%), non-African 1% (2003 census) Religions: Muslim 90%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 2% Languages: English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 40.1% male: 47.8% female: 32.8% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 7 years male: 7 years female: 7 years (2004) Education expenditures: 2% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 166 Government ::Gambia, The Country name: conventional long form: Republic of The Gambia conventional short form: The Gambia Government type: republic Capital: name: Banjul geographic coordinates: 13 27 N, 16 34 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 5 divisions and 1 city*; Banjul*, Central River, Lower River, North Bank, Upper River, Western Independence: 18 February 1965 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 18 February (1965) Constitution: approved by national referendum 8 August 1996; effective 16 January 1997 Legal system: based on a composite of English common law, Islamic law, and customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since 18 October 1996); note - from 1994 to 1996 he was chairman of the Junta; Vice President Isatou NJIE-SAIDY (since 20 March 1997); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since 18 October 1996); Vice President Isatou NJIE-SAIDY (since 20 March 1997) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (no term limits); election last held 22 September 2006 (next to be held in 2011) election results: Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH reelected president; percent of vote - Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH 67.3%, Ousainou DARBOE 26.6%, Halifa SALLAH 6.0% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (53 seats; 48 members elected by popular vote, 5 appointed by the president; to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 25 January 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - APRC 47, UDP 4, NADD 1, independent 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction or APRC (the ruling party) [Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH]; Gambia People's Democratic Party or GPDP [Henry GOMEZ]; National Alliance for Democracy and Development or NADD [Halifa SALLAH]; National Convention Party or NCP [Sheriff DIBBA]; National Reconciliation Party or NRP [Hamat N. K. BAH]; People's Democratic Organization for Independence and Socialism or PDOIS [Halifa SALLAH]; United Democratic Party or UDP [Ousainou DARBOE] Political pressure groups and leaders: National Environment Agency or NEA; West African Peace Building Network-Gambian Chapter or WANEB-GAMBIA; Youth Employment Network Gambia or YENGambia other: special needs group advocates; teachers and principals International organization participation: ABEDA, ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant) chancery: Suite 600, 1424 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 telephone: [1] (202) 785-1379, 1399, 1425 FAX: [1] (202) 785-1430 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Barry L. WELLS embassy: Kairaba Avenue, Fajara, Banjul mailing address: P. M. B. No. 19, Banjul telephone: [220] 439-2856, 437-6169, 437-6170 FAX: [220] 439-2475 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue with white edges, and green Economy ::Gambia, The Economy - overview: The Gambia has no confirmed mineral or natural resource deposits and has a limited agricultural base. About 75% of the population depends on crops and livestock for its livelihood. Small-scale manufacturing activity features the processing of peanuts, fish, and hides. Reexport trade normally constitutes a major segment of economic activity, but a 1999 government-imposed preshipment inspection plan, and instability of the Gambian dalasi (currency) have drawn some of the reexport trade away from The Gambia. The Gambia's natural beauty and proximity to Europe has made it one of the larger markets for tourism in West Africa. The government's 1998 seizure of the private peanut firm Alimenta eliminated the largest purchaser of Gambian groundnuts. Despite an announced program to begin privatizing key parastatals, no plans have been made public that would indicate that the government intends to follow through on its promises. Unemployment and underemployment rates remain extremely high; short-run economic progress depends on sustained bilateral and multilateral aid, on responsible government economic management, on continued technical assistance from the IMF and bilateral donors, and on expected growth in the construction sector. GDP (purchasing power parity): $2.277 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 180 $2.15 billion (2007 est.) $2.023 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $810 million (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 6.3% (2007 est.) 6.5% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $1,300 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 202 $1,300 (2007 est.) $1,200 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 33.3% industry: 7.6% services: 59% (2008 est.) Labor force: 777,100 (2007) country comparison to the world: 143 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 75% industry: 19% services: 6% (1996) Unemployment rate: NA% Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 36.9% (2003) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 50.2 (1998) country comparison to the world: 23 Investment (gross fixed): 28% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 Budget: revenues: $155.6 million expenditures: $167.3 million (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 5.1% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: NA% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 41 10% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: NA% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 8 27.92% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $186.7 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) $180.4 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $169.9 million (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: rice, millet, sorghum, peanuts, corn, sesame, cassava (tapioca), palm kernels; cattle, sheep, goats Industries: processing peanuts, fish, and hides; tourism, beverages, agricultural machinery assembly, woodworking, metalworking, clothing Industrial production growth rate: 0.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 Electricity - production: 160 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 180 Electricity - consumption: 148.8 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 182 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 172 Oil - consumption: 2,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 185 Oil - exports: 41.62 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 134 Oil - imports: 2,266 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 175 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 166 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 182 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 176 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 179 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 177 Current account balance: -$127 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 -$80.3 million (2007 est.) Exports: $85 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 195 $91.4 million (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: peanut products, fish, cotton lint, palm kernels, re-exports Exports - partners: India 30.5%, Japan 25.6%, Belgium 6.3%, China 5.5%, UK 5.3%, Spain 4.1% (2008) Imports: $299 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 194 $262.9 million (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, manufactures, fuel, machinery and transport equipment Imports - partners: China 20.6%, Senegal 12.1%, Cote d'Ivoire 8.7%, Brazil 7.7%, Netherlands 5% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $140 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 $142.8 million (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $628.8 million (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 161 Exchange rates: dalasis (GMD) per US dollar - 22.75 (2008 est.), 27.79 (2007), 28.066 (2006), 28.575 (2005), 30.03 (2004) Communications ::Gambia, The Telephones - main lines in use: 48,900 (2008) country comparison to the world: 164 Telephones - mobile cellular: 1.166 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 138 Telephone system: general assessment: adequate; a packet switched data network is available; state-owned Gambia Telecommunications partially privatized in 2007 domestic: adequate network of microwave radio relay and open-wire; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity reached 70 telephones per 100 persons in 2008 international: country code - 220; microwave radio relay links to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2001) Television broadcast stations: 1 (government-owned) (1997) Internet country code: .gm Internet hosts: 895 (2009) country comparison to the world: 162 Internet users: 114,200 (2008) country comparison to the world: 148 Transportation ::Gambia, The Airports: 1 (2009) country comparison to the world: 232 Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2009) Roadways: total: 3,742 km country comparison to the world: 158 paved: 723 km unpaved: 3,019 km (2004) Waterways: 390 km (on River Gambia; small ocean-going vessels can reach 190 km) (2008) country comparison to the world: 89 Merchant marine: total: 5 country comparison to the world: 133 by type: passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 1 (2008) Ports and terminals: Banjul Military ::Gambia, The Military branches: Office of the Chief of Defense: Gambian National Army (National Guard, GNA), Gambian Navy (GN) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 379,668 females age 16-49: 384,438 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 238,454 females age 16-49: 253,680 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 20,238 female: 20,167 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 0.5% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 163 Transnational Issues ::Gambia, The Disputes - international: attempts to stem refugees, cross-border raids, arms smuggling, and other illegal activities by separatists from southern Senegal's Casamance region, as well as from conflicts in other west African states Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 5,955 (Sierra Leone) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: The Gambia is a source, transit, and destination country for children and women trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation; women and girls, and to a lesser extent boys, are trafficked for sexual exploitation - in particular to meet the demand for European sex tourism - and for domestic servitude; boys are trafficked within the country for forced begging and street vending; Gambian women and children may be trafficked to Europe through trafficking schemes disguised as migrant smuggling tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - for a second consecutive year, The Gambia is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking; The Gambia failed to report any trafficking arrests, prosecutions, or convictions in 2007, and the government demonstrated weak victim protection efforts during the reporting period (2008) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Gaza Strip (Middle East) Introduction ::Gaza Strip Background: The September 1993 Israel-PLO Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements provided for a transitional period of Palestinian self-rule in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Under a series of agreements signed between May 1994 and September 1999, Israel transferred to the Palestinian Authority (PA) security and civilian responsibility for Palestinian-populated areas of the West Bank and Gaza. Negotiations to determine the permanent status of the West Bank and Gaza stalled following the outbreak of an intifada in September 2000, as Israeli forces reoccupied most Palestinian-controlled areas. In April 2003, the Quartet (US, EU, UN, and Russia) presented a roadmap to a final settlement of the conflict by 2005 based on reciprocal steps by the two parties leading to two states, Israel and a democratic Palestine. The proposed date for a permanent status agreement was postponed indefinitely due to violence and accusations that both sides had not followed through on their commitments. Following Palestinian leader Yasir ARAFAT's death in late 2004, Mahmud ABBAS was elected PA president in January 2005. A month later, Israel and the PA agreed to the Sharm el-Sheikh Commitments in an effort to move the peace process forward. In September 2005, Israel unilaterally withdrew all its settlers and soldiers and dismantled its military facilities in the Gaza Strip and withdrew settlers and redeployed soldiers from four small northern West Bank settlements. Nonetheless, Israel controls maritime, airspace, and most access to the Gaza Strip. A November 2005 PA-Israeli agreement authorized the reopening of the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt under joint PA and Egyptian control. In January 2006, the Islamic Resistance Movement, HAMAS, won control of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC). The international community refused to accept the HAMAS-led government because it did not recognize Israel, would not renounce violence, and refused to honor previous peace agreements between Israel and the PA. HAMAS took control of the PA government in March 2006, but President ABBAS had little success negotiating with HAMAS to present a political platform acceptable to the international community so as to lift economic sanctions on Palestinians. The PLC was unable to convene throughout most of 2006 as a result of Israel's detention of many HAMAS PLC members and Israeli-imposed travel restrictions on other PLC members. Violent clashes took place between Fatah and HAMAS supporters in the Gaza Strip in 2006 and early 2007, resulting in numerous Palestinian deaths and injuries. ABBAS and HAMAS Political Bureau Chief MISHAL in February 2007 signed the Mecca Agreement in Saudi Arabia that resulted in the formation of a Palestinian National Unity Government (NUG) headed by HAMAS member Ismail HANIYA. However, fighting continued in the Gaza Strip, and in June, HAMAS militants succeeded in a violent takeover of all military and governmental institutions in the Gaza Strip. ABBAS dismissed the NUG and through a series of Presidential decrees formed a PA government in the West Bank led by independent Salam FAYYAD. HAMAS rejected the NUG's dismissal and has called for resuming talks with Fatah, but ABBAS has ruled out negotiations until HAMAS agrees to a return of PA control over the Gaza Strip and recognizes the FAYYAD-led government. FAYYAD and his PA government initiated a series of security and economic reforms to improve conditions in the West Bank. ABBAS participated in talks with Israel's Prime Minister OLMERT and secured the release of some Palestinian prisoners and previously withheld customs revenue. During a November 2007 international meeting in Annapolis Maryland, ABBAS and OLMERT agreed to resume peace negotiations with the goal of reaching a final peace settlement. Late November 2007 through June 2008 witnessed a substantial increase in Israeli-Palestinian violence. An Egyptian-brokered truce in June 2008 between Israel and HAMAS brought about a five-month pause in hostilities, but spiraling end-of-year violence culminated with massive Israeli air assaults on HAMAS installations in late December followed by Israeli ground attacks in early January 2009. Israel in mid January unilaterally stopped the attacks and HAMAS responded by suspending rocket and mortar fire. The fighting resulted in the deaths of an estimated 1,100 to 1,400 Palestinians and left tens of thousands of people homeless. International donors pledged $4.5 billion in aid to rebuild the Gaza Strip, but by mid-May 2009 only a small fraction of the aid had been delivered. Geography ::Gaza Strip Location: Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Israel Geographic coordinates: 31 25 N, 34 20 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 360 sq km country comparison to the world: 205 land: 360 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 62 km border countries: Egypt 11 km, Israel 51 km Coastline: 40 km Maritime claims: Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation Climate: temperate, mild winters, dry and warm to hot summers Terrain: flat to rolling, sand- and dune-covered coastal plain Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Abu 'Awdah (Joz Abu 'Auda) 105 m Natural resources: arable land, natural gas Land use: arable land: 29% permanent crops: 21% other: 50% (2002) Irrigated land: 155 sq km; (note - includes West Bank) (2003) Natural hazards: droughts Environment - current issues: desertification; salination of fresh water; sewage treatment; water-borne disease; soil degradation; depletion and contamination of underground water resources Geography - note: strategic strip of land along Mideast-North African trade routes has experienced an incredibly turbulent history; the town of Gaza itself has been besieged countless times in its history People ::Gaza Strip Population: 1,551,859 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 Age structure: 0-14 years: 44.4% (male 353,489/female 334,770) 15-64 years: 53% (male 420,618/female 402,297) 65 years and over: 2.6% (male 16,483/female 24,202) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 17.4 years male: 17.2 years female: 17.5 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 3.349% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 Birth rate: 36.93 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 Death rate: 3.44 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 215 Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 Urbanization: urban population: 72% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 18.35 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 114 male: 19.53 deaths/1,000 live births female: 17.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.42 years country comparison to the world: 107 male: 71.82 years female: 75.12 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.03 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: NA adjective: NA Ethnic groups: Palestinian Arab Religions: Muslim (predominantly Sunni) 99.3%, Christian 0.7% Languages: Arabic, Hebrew (spoken by many Palestinians), English (widely understood) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.4% male: 96.7% female: 88% (2004 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 14 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2006) Education expenditures: NA Government ::Gaza Strip Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Gaza Strip local long form: none local short form: Qita Ghazzah Economy ::Gaza Strip Economy - overview: High population density, limited land access, and strict internal and external security controls have kept economic conditions in the Gaza Strip - the smaller of the two areas under the Palestinian Authority (PA) - even more degraded than in the West Bank. The beginning of the second intifada in September 2000 sparked an economic downturn, largely the result of Israeli closure policies; these policies, which were imposed to address security concerns in Israel, disrupted labor and trade access to and from the Gaza Strip. In 2001, and even more severely in 2003, Israeli military measures in PA areas resulted in the destruction of capital, the disruption of administrative structures, and widespread business closures. The Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in September 2005 offered some medium-term opportunities for economic growth, but Israeli-imposed crossings closures, which became more restrictive after HAMAS violently took over the territory in June 2007, have resulted in widespread private sector layoffs and shortages of most goods. The status of the crossings, which are closed to all but the most basic goods, has not changed following Israel's military offensive into the Gaza Strip in early 2009. GDP (purchasing power parity): $11.95 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 141 $5.034 billion (2006 est.) $5.327 billion (2005 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $6.641 billion (2008 est.) (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 0.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 184 -8% (2006 est.) 4.9% (2005 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $2,900 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 164 $1,100 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 8% industry: 13% services: 79% (includes West Bank) (2007 est.) Labor force: 267,000 (2006) country comparison to the world: 161 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 12% industry: 5% services: 83% (June 2008) Unemployment rate: 41.3% (June 2008) country comparison to the world: 189 34.8% (2006) Population below poverty line: 80% (2007 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $1.149 billion expenditures: $2.31 billion note: includes West Bank (2006) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 11.5% (2008) country comparison to the world: 165 3.6% (2006) note: includes West Bank Commercial bank prime lending rate: 7.19% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 110 7.73% (31 December 2006) Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $1.574 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $5.251 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 68 $1.206 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $1.367 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 100 $368.2 million (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: olives, citrus fruit, vegetables, flowers, beef, dairy products Industries: textiles, food processing Industrial production growth rate: 2.4% (includes West Bank) (2005) country comparison to the world: 95 Electricity - production: 140,000 kWh (2005) country comparison to the world: 212 Electricity - consumption: 230,000 kWh (2005) country comparison to the world: 213 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 90,000 kWh; note - from Israeli Electric Company (2005) Oil - proved reserves: NA bbl Exports: $339 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 171 Exports - commodities: citrus, flowers, textiles Imports: $2.84 billion (2006) country comparison to the world: 142 $2.44 billion (2005) Imports - commodities: food, consumer goods, construction materials Debt - external: $1.3 billion (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 148 Exchange rates: new Israeli shekels (ILS) per US dollar - 3.56 (2008 est.), 4.14 (2007), 4.4565 (2006), 4.4877 (2005), 4.482 (2004) Communications ::Gaza Strip Telephones - main lines in use: 348,000 (includes West Bank) (2008) country comparison to the world: 110 Telephones - mobile cellular: 1.153 million (includes West Bank) (2008) country comparison to the world: 139 Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: Israeli company BEZEK and the Palestinian company PALTEL are responsible for fixed line services; the Palestinian JAWAL company provides cellular services international: country code - 970 (2004) Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 10, shortwave 0 (2008) Television broadcast stations: 1 (2008) Internet country code: .ps; note - same as West Bank Internet users: 356,000 (includes West Bank) (2008) country comparison to the world: 117 Transportation ::Gaza Strip Airports: 1 (2009) country comparison to the world: 230 Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2009) Heliports: 1 (2009) Roadways: note: see entry for West Bank Ports and terminals: Gaza Military ::Gaza Strip Military branches: Palestinian Authority security forces have operated only in the West Bank, not in the Gaza Strip, since Hamas seized power in June 2007; law and order and other security functions are performed by Hamas security organizations (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 337,670 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 312,003 females age 16-49: 297,380 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 19,147 female: 18,200 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: NA Transnational Issues ::Gaza Strip Disputes - international: West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation; Israel removed settlers and military personnel from the Gaza Strip in August 2005 Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 1.017 million (Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA)) (2007) page last updated on November 3, 2009 ====================================================================== @Georgia (Middle East) Introduction ::Georgia Background: The region of present-day Georgia contained the ancient kingdoms of Colchis and Kartli-Iberia. The area came under Roman influence in the first centuries A.D. and Christianity became the state religion in the 330s. Domination by Persians, Arabs, and Turks was followed by a Georgian golden age (11th-13th centuries) that was cut short by the Mongol invasion of 1236. Subsequently, the Ottoman and Persian empires competed for influence in the region. Georgia was absorbed into the Russian Empire in the 19th century. Independent for three years (1918-1921) following the Russian revolution, it was forcibly incorporated into the USSR until the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991. An attempt by the incumbent Georgian government to manipulate national legislative elections in November 2003 touched off widespread protests that led to the resignation of Eduard SHEVARDNADZE, president since 1995. New elections in early 2004 swept Mikheil SAAKASHVILI into power along with his National Movement party. Progress on market reforms and democratization has been made in the years since independence, but this progress has been complicated by Russian assistance and support to the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. After a series of Russian and separatist provocations in summer 2008, Georgian military action in South Ossetia in early August led to a Russian military response that not only occupied the breakaway areas, but large portions of Georgia proper as well. Russian troops pulled back from most occupied Georgian territory, but in late August 2008 Russia unilaterally recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. This action was strongly condemned by most of the world's nations and international organizations. Geography ::Georgia Location: Southwestern Asia, bordering the Black Sea, between Turkey and Russia Geographic coordinates: 42 00 N, 43 30 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 69,700 sq km country comparison to the world: 120 land: 69,700 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than South Carolina Land boundaries: total: 1,461 km border countries: Armenia 164 km, Azerbaijan 322 km, Russia 723 km, Turkey 252 km Coastline: 310 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: warm and pleasant; Mediterranean-like on Black Sea coast Terrain: largely mountainous with Great Caucasus Mountains in the north and Lesser Caucasus Mountains in the south; Kolkhet'is Dablobi (Kolkhida Lowland) opens to the Black Sea in the west; Mtkvari River Basin in the east; good soils in river valley flood plains, foothills of Kolkhida Lowland Elevation extremes: lowest point: Black Sea 0 m highest point: Mt'a Shkhara 5,201 m Natural resources: forests, hydropower, manganese deposits, iron ore, copper, minor coal and oil deposits; coastal climate and soils allow for important tea and citrus growth Land use: arable land: 11.51% permanent crops: 3.79% other: 84.7% (2005) Irrigated land: 4,690 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 63.3 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 3.61 cu km/yr (20%/21%/59%) per capita: 808 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: earthquakes Environment - current issues: air pollution, particularly in Rust'avi; heavy pollution of Mtkvari River and the Black Sea; inadequate supplies of potable water; soil pollution from toxic chemicals Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: strategically located east of the Black Sea; Georgia controls much of the Caucasus Mountains and the routes through them People ::Georgia Population: 4,615,807 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 Age structure: 0-14 years: 16.1% (male 395,929/female 345,071) 15-64 years: 67.6% (male 1,503,360/female 1,616,234) 65 years and over: 16.4% (male 302,103/female 453,110) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 38.6 years male: 36.1 years female: 41 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: -0.325% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 222 Birth rate: 10.66 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 181 Death rate: 9.65 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 Net migration rate: -4.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 159 Urbanization: urban population: 53% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: -0.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.13 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.15 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 16.22 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 121 male: 18.21 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.97 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.72 years country comparison to the world: 62 male: 73.41 years female: 80.45 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.44 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 189 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 2,700 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 200 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 Nationality: noun: Georgian(s) adjective: Georgian Ethnic groups: Georgian 83.8%, Azeri 6.5%, Armenian 5.7%, Russian 1.5%, other 2.5% (2002 census) Religions: Orthodox Christian 83.9%, Muslim 9.9%, Armenian-Gregorian 3.9%, Catholic 0.8%, other 0.8%, none 0.7% (2002 census) Languages: Georgian 71% (official), Russian 9%, Armenian 7%, Azeri 6%, other 7% note: Abkhaz is the official language in Abkhazia Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% (2004 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 13 years (2006) Education expenditures: 3.1% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 145 Government ::Georgia Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Georgia local long form: none local short form: Sak'art'velo former: Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic Government type: republic Capital: name: T'bilisi geographic coordinates: 41 43 N, 44 47 E time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 9 regions (mkharebi, singular - mkhare), 1 city (k'alak'i), and 2 autonomous republics (avtomnoy respubliki, singular - avtom respublika) regions: Guria, Imereti, Kakheti, Kvemo Kartli, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, Samegrelo and Zemo Svaneti, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Shida Kartli city: Tbilisi autonomous republics: Abkhazia or Ap'khazet'is Avtonomiuri Respublika (Sokhumi), Ajaria or Acharis Avtonomiuri Respublika (Bat'umi) note: the administrative centers of the two autonomous republics are shown in parentheses Independence: 9 April 1991 (from the Soviet Union) National holiday: Independence Day, 26 May (1918); note - 26 May 1918 was the date of independence from Soviet Russia, 9 April 1991 was the date of independence from the Soviet Union Constitution: adopted 24 August 1995 Legal system: based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Mikheil SAAKASHVILI (since 25 January 2004); the president is both the chief of state and head of government for the power ministries: state security (includes interior) and defense head of government: President Mikheil SAAKASHVILI (since 25 January 2004); Prime Minister Nikoloz GILAURI (since 6 February 2009); the president is both the chief of state and head of government for the power ministries: state security (includes interior) and defense; the prime minister is head of the remaining ministries of government cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 5 January 2008 (next to be held January 2013) election results: Mikheil SAAKASHVILI reelected president; percent of vote - Mikheil SAAKASHVILI 53.5%, Levan GACHECHILADZE 25.7%, Badri PATARKATSISHVILI 7.1% Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Parlamenti (also known as Supreme Council or Umaghlesi Sabcho) (150 seats; 75 members elected by proportional representation, 75 from single-seat constituencies; to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 21 May 2008 (next to be held in spring 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - United National Movement 59.2%, National Council-New Rights 17.7%, Christian Democratic Movement 8.8%, Labor Party 7.4%, Republican Party 3.8%; seats by party - United National Movement 120, National Council-New Rights 16, Christian Democratic Movement 6, Labor Party 6, Republican Party 2 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges elected by the Supreme Council on the president's or chairman of the Supreme Court's recommendation); Constitutional Court; first and second instance courts Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Movement [Giorgi TARGAMADZE]; Democratic Movement United Georgia [Nino BURJANADZE]; Georgian People's Front [Nodar NATADZE]; Georgian United Communist Party or UCPG [Panteleimon GIORGADZE]; Georgia's Way Party [Salome ZOURABICHVILI]; Greens [Giorgi GACHECHILADZE]; Industry Will Save Georgia (Industrialists) or IWSG [Georgi TOPADZE]; Labor Party [Shalva NATELASHVILI]; National Council-New Rights (bloc forming joint opposition) [Levan GACHECHILADZE]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Bachuki KARDAVA]; United National Movement [Mikheil SAAKASHVILI]; New Rights [David GAMKRELIDZE]; Republican Party [David USUPASHVILI]; Socialist Party or SPG [Irakli MINDELI]; Traditionalists [Akaki ASATIANI]; Union of National Forces-Conservatives [Koba DAVITASHVILI and Zviad DZIDZIGURI] Political pressure groups and leaders: separatists in the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia International organization participation: ACCT (observer), ADB, BSEC, CE, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GCTU, GUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Batu KUTELIA chancery: 2209 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 387-2390 FAX: [1] (202) 393-4537 consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador John F. TEFFT embassy: 11 George Balanchine Street, T'bilisi 0131 mailing address: 7060 T'bilisi Place, Washington, DC 20521-7060 telephone: [995] (32) 27-70-00 FAX: [995] (32) 53-23-10 Flag description: white rectangle, in its central portion a red cross connecting all four sides of the flag; in each of the four corners is a small red bolnur-katskhuri cross; the five-cross flag appears to date back to the 14th century Economy ::Georgia Economy - overview: Georgia's economy sustained GDP growth of close to 10% in 2006 and 12% in 2007, based on strong inflows of foreign investment and robust government spending. However, growth slowed to less than 3% in 2008 and is expected to slow further in 2009. Georgia's main economic activities include the cultivation of agricultural products such as grapes, citrus fruits, and hazelnuts; mining of manganese and copper; and output of a small industrial sector producing alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, metals, machinery, aircraft and chemicals. Areas of recent improvement include growth in the construction, banking services, and mining sectors, but reduced availability of external investment and the slowing regional economy are emerging risks. The country imports nearly all its needed supplies of natural gas and oil products. It has sizeable hydropower capacity, a growing component of its energy supplies. Georgia has overcome the chronic energy shortages of the past by renovating hydropower plants and by bringing in newly available supplies from Azerbaijan. It also has an increased ability to pay for more expensive gas imports from Russia. The construction on the Baku-T'bilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, the Baku-T'bilisi-Erzerum gas pipeline, and the Kars-Akhalkalaki Railroad are part of a strategy to capitalize on Georgia's strategic location between Europe and Asia and develop its role as a transit point for gas, oil and other goods. Georgia has historically suffered from a chronic failure to collect tax revenues; however, the government has made great progress and has reformed the tax code, improved tax administration, increased tax enforcement, and cracked down on corruption since coming to power in 2004. Government revenues have increased nearly four fold since 2003. Due to improvements in customs and tax enforcement, smuggling is a declining problem. The country is pinning its hopes for long-term growth on a determined effort to reduce regulation, taxes, and corruption in order to attract foreign investment, but the economy faces a more difficult investment climate both domestically and internationally. GDP (purchasing power parity): $21.56 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 $21.12 billion (2007 est.) $18.81 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $12.86 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 156 12.3% (2007 est.) 9.4% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $4,700 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 $4,500 (2007 est.) $4,000 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 12.5% industry: 27.9% services: 59.6% (2008 est.) Labor force: 2.317 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 55.6% industry: 8.9% services: 35.5% (2006 est.) Unemployment rate: 13.6% (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 Population below poverty line: 31% (2006) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.4% highest 10%: 27% (2005) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 40.8 (2005) country comparison to the world: 58 37.1 (1996) Investment (gross fixed): 22.5% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 Budget: revenues: $4.596 billion expenditures: $5.345 billion (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 9.3% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 8% (25 December 2008) NA% (31 December 2007) note: this is the Refinancing Rate, the key monetary policy rate of the Georgian National Bank Commercial bank prime lending rate: 21.24% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 15 20.41% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $972.4 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 88 $1.154 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $1.606 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 88 $1.379 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $3.754 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 85 $3.374 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 99 $1.389 billion (31 December 2007) $668.3 million (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: citrus, grapes, tea, hazelnuts, vegetables; livestock Industries: steel, aircraft, machine tools, electrical appliances, mining (manganese and copper), chemicals, wood products, wine Industrial production growth rate: -1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 Electricity - production: 8.17 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 Electricity - consumption: 6.902 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 Electricity - exports: 628 million kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 430 million kWh (2007 est.) Oil - production: 977.4 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 Oil - consumption: 14,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 Oil - exports: 1,486 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 Oil - imports: 16,590 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 Oil - proved reserves: 35 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 Natural gas - production: 8 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 Natural gas - consumption: 1.73 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 174 Natural gas - imports: 1.72 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 Natural gas - proved reserves: 8.495 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 Current account balance: -$2.915 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 -$2.119 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $2.428 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 $2.088 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: scrap metal, wine, mineral water, ores, vehicles, fruits and nuts Exports - partners: Turkey 16.9%, Azerbaijan 12.4%, Ukraine 8.5%, Canada 8.4%, Bulgaria 8.2%, Armenia 7.7%, US 7.1%, UK 4.2% (2008) Imports: $6.261 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 $4.984 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: fuels, vehicles, machinery and parts, grain and other foods, pharmaceuticals Imports - partners: Turkey 14.9%, Ukraine 10.4%, Azerbaijan 9.6%, Germany 7.9%, Russia 6.8%, US 5.7%, China 4.7%, UAE 4.4% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $1.48 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 $1.361 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $7.711 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 93 $5.343 billion (31 December 2007) Exchange rates: laris (GEL) per US dollar - 1.47 (2008 est.), 1.7 (2007), 1.78 (2006), 1.8127 (2005), 1.9167 (2004) Communications ::Georgia Telephones - main lines in use: 618,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 93 Telephones - mobile cellular: 2.755 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 111 Telephone system: general assessment: fixed-line telecommunications network has only limited coverage outside Tbilisi; long list of people waiting for fixed line connections; multiple mobile-cellular providers provide services to an increasing subscribership throughout the country domestic: cellular telephone networks now cover the entire country; mobile-cellular teledensity approaching 75 per 100 people; urban fixed-line telephone density is about 20 per 100 people; rural telephone density is about 4 per 100 people; intercity facilities include a fiber-optic line between T'bilisi and K'ut'aisi; nationwide pager service is available international: country code - 995; the Georgia-Russia fiber optic submarine cable provides connectivity to Russia; international service is available by microwave, landline, and satellite through the Moscow switch; international electronic mail and telex service are available Radio broadcast stations: AM 7, FM 12, shortwave 4 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 12 (plus repeaters) (1998) Internet country code: .ge Internet hosts: 104,243 (2009) country comparison to the world: 72 Internet users: 1.024 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 85 Transportation ::Georgia Airports: 22 (2009) country comparison to the world: 133 Airports - with paved runways: total: 18 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Heliports: 3 (2009) Pipelines: gas 1,591 km; oil 1,253 km (2008) Railways: total: 1,612 km country comparison to the world: 80 broad gauge: 1,575 km 1.520-m gauge (1,575 electrified) narrow gauge: 37 km 0.912-m gauge (37 electrified) (2008) Roadways: total: 20,329 km country comparison to the world: 109 paved: 7,854 km (includes 13 km of expressways) unpaved: 12,475 km (2006) Merchant marine: total: 191 country comparison to the world: 35 by type: bulk carrier 18, cargo 148, carrier 2, chemical tanker 1, container 4, liquefied gas 1, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 4, refrigerated cargo 5, roll on/roll off 4, vehicle carrier 2 foreign-owned: 153 (China 10, Cyprus 1, Egypt 12, Germany 2, Greece 5, Hong Kong 2, Israel 2, Lebanon 4, Monaco 4, Nigeria 1, Romania 16, Russia 12, Syria 49, Turkey 14, Ukraine 18, UAE 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Bat'umi, P'ot'i Transportation - note: large parts of transportation network are in poor condition because of lack of maintenance and repair Military ::Georgia Military branches: Georgian Armed Forces: Land Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces note: naval forces have been incorporated into the coast guard (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18 to 34 years of age for compulsory and voluntary active duty military service; conscript service obligation - 18 months (2005) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,113,251 females age 16-49: 1,168,021 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 908,282 females age 16-49: 959,290 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 32,355 female: 30,809 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 0.59% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 158 Military - note: a CIS peacekeeping force of Russian troops is deployed in the Abkhazia region of Georgia together with a UN military observer group; a Russian peacekeeping battalion is deployed in South Ossetia Transnational Issues ::Georgia Disputes - international: Russia and Georgia agree on delimiting 80% of their common border, leaving certain small, strategic segments and the maritime boundary unresolved; OSCE observers monitor volatile areas such as the Pankisi Gorge in the Akhmeti region and the Argun Gorge in Abkhazia; UN Observer Mission in Georgia has maintained a peacekeeping force in Georgia since 1993; Meshkheti Turks scattered throughout the former Soviet Union seek to return to Georgia; boundary with Armenia remains undemarcated; ethnic Armenian groups in Javakheti region of Georgia seek greater autonomy from the Georgian government; Azerbaijan and Georgia continue to discuss the alignment of their boundary at certain crossing areas Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 1,100 (Russia) IDPs: 220,000-240,000 (displaced from Abkhazia and South Ossetia) (2007) Illicit drugs: limited cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for domestic consumption; used as transshipment point for opiates via Central Asia to Western Europe and Russia page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Germany (Europe) Introduction ::Germany Background: As Europe's largest economy and second most populous nation (after Russia), Germany is a key member of the continent's economic, political, and defense organizations. European power struggles immersed Germany in two devastating World Wars in the first half of the 20th century and left the country occupied by the victorious Allied powers of the US, UK, France, and the Soviet Union in 1945. With the advent of the Cold War, two German states were formed in 1949: the western Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the eastern German Democratic Republic (GDR). The democratic FRG embedded itself in key Western economic and security organizations, the EC, which became the EU, and NATO, while the Communist GDR was on the front line of the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact. The decline of the USSR and the end of the Cold War allowed for German unification in 1990. Since then, Germany has expended considerable funds to bring Eastern productivity and wages up to Western standards. In January 1999, Germany and 10 other EU countries introduced a common European exchange currency, the euro. Geography ::Germany Location: Central Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, between the Netherlands and Poland, south of Denmark Geographic coordinates: 51 00 N, 9 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 357,022 sq km country comparison to the world: 62 land: 348,672 sq km water: 8,350 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Montana Land boundaries: total: 3,621 km border countries: Austria 784 km, Belgium 167 km, Czech Republic 646 km, Denmark 68 km, France 451 km, Luxembourg 138 km, Netherlands 577 km, Poland 456 km, Switzerland 334 km Coastline: 2,389 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: temperate and marine; cool, cloudy, wet winters and summers; occasional warm mountain (foehn) wind Terrain: lowlands in north, uplands in center, Bavarian Alps in south Elevation extremes: lowest point: Neuendorf bei Wilster -3.54 m highest point: Zugspitze 2,963 m Natural resources: coal, lignite, natural gas, iron ore, copper, nickel, uranium, potash, salt, construction materials, timber, arable land Land use: arable land: 33.13% permanent crops: 0.6% other: 66.27% (2005) Irrigated land: 4,850 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 188 cu km (2005) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 38.01 cu km/yr (12%/68%/20%) per capita: 460 cu m/yr (2001) Natural hazards: flooding Environment - current issues: emissions from coal-burning utilities and industries contribute to air pollution; acid rain, resulting from sulfur dioxide emissions, is damaging forests; pollution in the Baltic Sea from raw sewage and industrial effluents from rivers in eastern Germany; hazardous waste disposal; government established a mechanism for ending the use of nuclear power over the next 15 years; government working to meet EU commitment to identify nature preservation areas in line with the EU's Flora, Fauna, and Habitat directive Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: strategic location on North European Plain and along the entrance to the Baltic Sea People ::Germany Population: 82,329,758 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 Age structure: 0-14 years: 13.7% (male 5,768,366/female 5,470,516) 15-64 years: 66.1% (male 27,707,761/female 26,676,759) 65 years and over: 20.3% (male 7,004,805/female 9,701,551) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 43.8 years male: 42.6 years female: 45.2 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: -0.053% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 211 Birth rate: 8.18 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 220 Death rate: 10.9 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 Net migration rate: 2.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 Urbanization: urban population: 74% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 3.99 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 210 male: 4.41 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.26 years country comparison to the world: 32 male: 76.26 years female: 82.42 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.41 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 195 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 53,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 500 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 85 Nationality: noun: German(s) adjective: German Ethnic groups: German 91.5%, Turkish 2.4%, other 6.1% (made up largely of Greek, Italian, Polish, Russian, Serbo-Croatian, Spanish) Religions: Protestant 34%, Roman Catholic 34%, Muslim 3.7%, unaffiliated or other 28.3% Languages: German Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 16 years male: 16 years female: 16 years (2006) Education expenditures: 4.6% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 82 People - note: second most populous country in Europe after Russia Government ::Germany Country name: conventional long form: Federal Republic of Germany conventional short form: Germany local long form: Bundesrepublik Deutschland local short form: Deutschland former: German Empire, German Republic, German Reich Government type: federal republic Capital: name: Berlin geographic coordinates: 52 31 N, 13 24 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 16 states (Laender, singular - Land); Baden-Wurttemberg, Bayern (Bavaria), Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hessen, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania), Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony), Nordrhein-Westfalen (North Rhine-Westphalia), Rheinland-Pfalz (Rhineland-Palatinate), Saarland, Sachsen (Saxony), Sachsen-Anhalt (Saxony-Anhalt), Schleswig-Holstein, Thuringen (Thuringia); note - Bayern, Sachsen, and Thuringen refer to themselves as free states (Freistaaten, singular - Freistaat) Independence: 18 January 1871 (German Empire unification); divided into four zones of occupation (UK, US, USSR, and later, France) in 1945 following World War II; Federal Republic of Germany (FRG or West Germany) proclaimed 23 May 1949 and included the former UK, US, and French zones; German Democratic Republic (GDR or East Germany) proclaimed 7 October 1949 and included the former USSR zone; West Germany and East Germany unified 3 October 1990; all four powers formally relinquished rights 15 March 1991 National holiday: Unity Day, 3 October (1990) Constitution: 23 May 1949, known as Basic Law; became constitution of the united Germany 3 October 1990 Legal system: civil law system with indigenous concepts; judicial review of legislative acts in the Federal Constitutional Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Horst KOEHLER (since 1 July 2004) head of government: Chancellor Angela MERKEL (since 22 November 2005) cabinet: Cabinet or Bundesminister (Federal Ministers) appointed by the president on the recommendation of the chancellor elections: president elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term) by a Federal Convention, including all members of the Federal Assembly and an equal number of delegates elected by the state parliaments; election last held 23 May 2004 (next scheduled for 23 May 2009); chancellor elected by an absolute majority of the Federal Assembly for a four-year term; Bundestag vote for Chancellor last held 22 November 2005 (next will follow the national elections to be held by 27 September 2009) election results: Horst KOEHLER elected president; received 604 votes of the Federal Convention against 589 for Gesine SCHWAN; Angela MERKEL elected chancellor; vote by Federal Assembly 397 to 202 with 12 abstentions Legislative branch: bicameral legislature consists of the Federal Council or Bundesrat (69 votes; state governments sit in the Council; each has three to six votes in proportion to population and are required to vote as a block)and the Federal Assembly or Bundestag (622 seats; members elected by popular vote for a four-year term under a system of personalized proportional representation; a party must win 5% of the national vote or three direct mandates to gain proportional representation and caucus recognition) elections: Bundestag - last held on 27 September 2009 (next to be held no later than autumn 2013); note - there are no elections for the Bundesrat; composition is determined by the composition of the state-level governments; the composition of the Bundesrat has the potential to change any time one of the 16 states holds an election election results: Bundestag - percent of vote by party - CDU/CSU 33.8%, SPD 23%, FDP 14.6%, Left 11.9%, Greens 10.7%, other 6%; seats by party - CDU/CSU 239, SPD 146, FDP 93, Left 76, Greens 68 Judicial branch: Federal Constitutional Court or Bundesverfassungsgericht (half the judges are elected by the Bundestag and half by the Bundesrat) Political parties and leaders: Alliance '90/Greens [Claudia ROTH and Cem OZDEMIR]; Christian Democratic Union or CDU [Angela MERKEL]; Christian Social Union or CSU [Horst SEEHOFER]; Free Democratic Party or FDP [Guido WESTERWELLE]; Left Party or Die Linke [Lothar BISKY and Oskar LAFONTAINE]; Social Democratic Party or SPD [Franz MUENTEFERING] Political pressure groups and leaders: other: business associations and employers' organizations; religious, trade unions, immigrant, expellee, and veterans groups International organization participation: ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS, CDB, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G-20, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, SECI (observer), SICA (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Klaus SCHARIOTH chancery: 4645 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 298-4000 FAX: [1] (202) 298-4249 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires John KOENIG embassy: Pariser Platz 2, 10117 Berlin; note - new embassy opened 4 July 2008 mailing address: PSC 120, Box 1000, APO AE 09265, Clayallee 170, 14195 Berlin telephone: [49] (030) 2385174 FAX: [49] (030) 8305-1215 consulate(s) general: Duesseldorf, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and gold; these colors have played an important role in German history and can be traced back to the medieval banner of the Holy Roman Emperor - a black eagle with red claws and beak on a gold field Economy ::Germany Economy - overview: The German economy - the fifth largest economy in the world in PPP terms and Europe's largest - began to contract in the second quarter of 2008 as the strong euro, high oil prices, tighter credit markets, and slowing growth abroad took their toll on Germany's export-dependent economy. At just 1% in 2008, GDP growth is expected to be negative in 2009. Recent stimulus and lender relief efforts will make demands on Germany's federal budget and undercut plans to balance its budget by 2011. The reforms launched by the former government of Chancellor Gerhard SCHOEDER, deemed necessary due to chronically high unemployment and low average growth, led to strong growth in 2007, while unemployment in 2008 fell below 8%, a new post-reunification low. Germany's aging population, combined with high chronic unemployment, has pushed social security outlays to a level exceeding contributions, but higher government revenues from the cyclical upturn in 2006-07 and a 3% rise in the value-added tax cut Germany's budget deficit to within the EU's 3% debt limit in 2007. The current government of Chancellor Angela MERKEL has initiated other reform measures, such as a gradual increase in the mandatory retirement age from 65 to 67 and measures to increase female participation in the labor market. The modernization and integration of the eastern German economy - where unemployment still exceeds 30% in some municipalities - continues to be a costly long-term process, with annual transfers from west to east amounting to roughly $80 billion. While corporate restructuring and growing capital markets have set strong foundations to help Germany meet the longer-term challenges of European economic integration and globalization, Germany's export-oriented economy has proved a disadvantage in the context of weak global demand. GDP (purchasing power parity): $2.925 trillion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 $2.887 trillion (2007 est.) $2.817 trillion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $3.673 trillion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 167 2.5% (2007 est.) 3.2% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $35,500 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 33 $35,000 (2007 est.) $34,200 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 0.9% industry: 30.1% services: 69.1% (2008 est.) Labor force: 43.6 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 2.4% industry: 29.7% services: 67.8% (2005) Unemployment rate: 7.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 9% (2007 est.) note: this is the International Labor Organization's estimated rate for international comparisons; Germany's Federal Employment Office estimated a seasonally adjusted rate of 10.8% Population below poverty line: 11% (2001 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.2% highest 10%: 22.1% (2000) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 27 (2006) country comparison to the world: 123 30 (1994) Investment (gross fixed): 19.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 Budget: revenues: $1.591 trillion expenditures: $1.591 trillion (2008 est.) Public debt: 66% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 65.8% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 2.3% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 3% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 93 5% (31 December 2007) note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area Commercial bank prime lending rate: 5.97% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 133 5.96% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $NA note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi money circulating within their own borders Stock of quasi money: $NA Stock of domestic credit: $5.019 trillion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 5 $4.457 trillion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 8 $2.106 trillion (31 December 2007) $1.638 trillion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: potatoes, wheat, barley, sugar beets, fruit, cabbages; cattle, pigs, poultry Industries: among the world's largest and most technologically advanced producers of iron, steel, coal, cement, chemicals, machinery, vehicles, machine tools, electronics, food and beverages, shipbuilding, textiles Industrial production growth rate: 0.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 131 Electricity - production: 593.4 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 8 Electricity - consumption: 547.3 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 Electricity - exports: 61.7 billion kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 41.67 billion kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 150,800 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 Oil - consumption: 2.569 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 Oil - exports: 582,900 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 Oil - imports: 2.777 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 Oil - proved reserves: 276 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 Natural gas - production: 16.36 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 Natural gas - consumption: 95.79 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 Natural gas - exports: 12.68 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 16 Natural gas - imports: 91.99 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 Natural gas - proved reserves: 175.6 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 Current account balance: $243.6 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 $263.1 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $1.498 trillion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 $1.35 trillion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: machinery, vehicles, chemicals, metals and manufactures, foodstuffs, textiles Exports - partners: France 9.7%, US 7.1%, UK 6.7%, Netherlands 6.6%, Italy 6.4%, Austria 5.4%, Belgium 5.2%, Spain 4.4%, Poland 4% (2008) Imports: $1.232 trillion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 $1.079 trillion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery, vehicles, chemicals, foodstuffs, textiles, metals Imports - partners: Netherlands 12.5%, France 8.3%, Belgium 7.5%, China 6.2%, Italy 5.7%, UK 5.4%, Austria 4.3%, Russia 4.2%, US 4.2% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $138 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 $136.2 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $5.158 trillion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 3 $5.155 trillion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $1.027 trillion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 $1.002 trillion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $1.407 trillion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 $1.249 trillion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Communications ::Germany Telephones - main lines in use: 51.5 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 3 Telephones - mobile cellular: 107.245 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 8 Telephone system: general assessment: Germany has one of the world's most technologically advanced telecommunications systems; as a result of intensive capital expenditures since reunification, the formerly backward system of the eastern part of the country, dating back to World War II, has been modernized and integrated with that of the western part domestic: Germany is served by an extensive system of automatic telephone exchanges connected by modern networks of fiber-optic cable, coaxial cable, microwave radio relay, and a domestic satellite system; cellular telephone service is widely available, expanding rapidly, and includes roaming service to many foreign countries international: country code - 49; Germany's international service is excellent worldwide, consisting of extensive land and undersea cable facilities as well as earth stations in the Inmarsat, Intelsat, Eutelsat, and Intersputnik satellite systems (2001) Radio broadcast stations: AM 51, FM 787, shortwave 4 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 373 (plus 8,042 repeaters) (1995) Internet country code: .de Internet hosts: 23.796 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 3 Internet users: 61.973 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 6 Transportation ::Germany Airports: 550 (2009) country comparison to the world: 13 Airports - with paved runways: total: 330 over 3,047 m: 13 2,438 to 3,047 m: 52 1,524 to 2,437 m: 58 914 to 1,523 m: 72 under 914 m: 135 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 220 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 33 under 914 m: 184 (2009) Heliports: 25 (2009) Pipelines: gas 24,364 km; oil 3,379 km; refined products 3,843 km (2008) Railways: total: 41,896 km country comparison to the world: 6 standard gauge: 41,641 km 1.435-m gauge (20,053 km electrified) narrow gauge: 75 km 1.000-m gauge (75 km electrified); 24 km 0.750-m gauge (24 km electrified) (2008) Roadways: total: 644,480 km country comparison to the world: 11 paved: 644,480 km (includes 12,400 km of expressways) note: includes local roads (2006) Waterways: 7,467 km country comparison to the world: 19 note: Rhine River carries most goods; Main-Danube Canal links North Sea and Black Sea (2008) Merchant marine: total: 393 country comparison to the world: 26 by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 43, chemical tanker 13, container 284, liquefied gas 5, passenger 5, passenger/cargo 27, petroleum tanker 11, roll on/roll off 3 foreign-owned: 11 (China 2, Cyprus 2, Denmark 1, Finland 4, Netherlands 1, Sweden 1) registered in other countries: 2,998 (Antigua and Barbuda 941, Australia 2, Bahamas 44, Bermuda 22, Brazil 6, Bulgaria 63, Burma 1, Canada 3, Cayman Islands 15, Cyprus 189, Denmark 9, Denmark 1, Estonia 1, Finland 1, France 1, Georgia 2, Gibraltar 129, Hong Kong 6, India 2, Indonesia 1, Isle of Man 56, Jamaica 4, Liberia 849, Luxembourg 5, Malaysia 1, Malta 91, Marshall Islands 235, Mongolia 4, Morocco 2, Netherlands 75, Netherlands Antilles 43, Norway 1, NZ 1, Panama 44, Portugal 20, Russia 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3, Singapore 24, Slovakia 3, Spain 5, Sri Lanka 5, Sweden 5, Turkey 1, UK 76, US 5) (2008) Ports and terminals: Bremen, Bremerhaven, Duisburg, Hamburg, Karlsruhe, Lubeck, Rostock, Wilhemshaven Military ::Germany Military branches: Federal Armed Forces (Bundeswehr): Army (Heer), Navy (Deutsche Marine, includes naval air arm), Air Force (Luftwaffe), Joint Support Services (Streitkraeftbasis), Central Medical Service (Zentraler Sanitaetsdienst) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age (conscripts serve a 9-month tour of compulsory military service) (2004) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 19,594,118 females age 16-49: 18,543,955 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 15,747,493 females age 16-49: 14,899,416 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 431,508 female: 409,111 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.5% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 Transnational Issues ::Germany Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaine processors; transshipment point for and consumer of Southwest Asian heroin, Latin American cocaine, and European-produced synthetic drugs; major financial center page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Ghana (Africa) Introduction ::Ghana Background: Formed from the merger of the British colony of the Gold Coast and the Togoland trust territory, Ghana in 1957 became the first sub-Saharan country in colonial Africa to gain its independence. Ghana endured a long series of coups before Lt. Jerry RAWLINGS took power in 1981 and banned political parties. After approving a new constitution and restoring multiparty politics in 1992, RAWLINGS won presidential elections in 1992 and 1996, but was constitutionally prevented from running for a third term in 2000. John KUFUOR succeeded him and was reelected in 2004. John Atta MILLS took over as head of state in early 2009. Geography ::Ghana Location: Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Cote d'Ivoire and Togo Geographic coordinates: 8 00 N, 2 00 W Map references: Africa Area: total: 238,533 sq km country comparison to the world: 81 land: 227,533 sq km water: 11,000 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Oregon Land boundaries: total: 2,094 km border countries: Burkina Faso 549 km, Cote d'Ivoire 668 km, Togo 877 km Coastline: 539 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm Climate: tropical; warm and comparatively dry along southeast coast; hot and humid in southwest; hot and dry in north Terrain: mostly low plains with dissected plateau in south-central area Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Afadjato 880 m Natural resources: gold, timber, industrial diamonds, bauxite, manganese, fish, rubber, hydropower, petroleum, silver, salt, limestone Land use: arable land: 17.54% permanent crops: 9.22% other: 73.24% (2005) Irrigated land: 310 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 53.2 cu km (2001) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.98 cu km/yr (24%/10%/66%) per capita: 44 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: dry, dusty, northeastern harmattan winds occur from January to March; droughts Environment - current issues: recurrent drought in north severely affects agricultural activities; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; poaching and habitat destruction threatens wildlife populations; water pollution; inadequate supplies of potable water Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: Lake Volta is the world's largest artificial lake People ::Ghana Population: 23,832,495 country comparison to the world: 47 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 37.3% (male 4,503,331/female 4,393,104) 15-64 years: 59.1% (male 7,039,696/female 7,042,208) 65 years and over: 3.6% (male 393,364/female 460,792) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 20.7 years male: 20.5 years female: 21 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.882% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 Birth rate: 28.58 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 Death rate: 9.24 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 Net migration rate: -0.53 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 Urbanization: urban population: 50% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 51.09 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 50 male: 55.32 deaths/1,000 live births female: 46.74 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 59.85 years country comparison to the world: 184 male: 58.98 years female: 60.75 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.68 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.9% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 33 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 260,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 21,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria water contact disease: schistosomiasis respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis animal contact disease: rabies note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Nationality: noun: Ghanaian(s) adjective: Ghanaian Ethnic groups: Akan 45.3%, Mole-Dagbon 15.2%, Ewe 11.7%, Ga-Dangme 7.3%, Guan 4%, Gurma 3.6%, Grusi 2.6%, Mande-Busanga 1%, other tribes 1.4%, other 7.8% (2000 census) Religions: Christian 68.8% (Pentecostal/Charismatic 24.1%, Protestant 18.6%, Catholic 15.1%, other 11%), Muslim 15.9%, traditional 8.5%, other 0.7%, none 6.1% (2000 census) Languages: Asante 14.8%, Ewe 12.7%, Fante 9.9%, Boron (Brong) 4.6%, Dagomba 4.3%, Dangme 4.3%, Dagarte (Dagaba) 3.7%, Akyem 3.4%, Ga 3.4%, Akuapem 2.9%, other 36.1% (includes English (official)) (2000 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 57.9% male: 66.4% female: 49.8% (2000 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 9 years male: 10 years female: 9 years (2007) Education expenditures: 5.4% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 54 Government ::Ghana Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Ghana conventional short form: Ghana former: Gold Coast Government type: constitutional democracy Capital: name: Accra geographic coordinates: 5 33 N, 0 13 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 10 regions; Ashanti, Brong-Ahafo, Central, Eastern, Greater Accra, Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Volta, Western Independence: 6 March 1957 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 6 March (1957) Constitution: approved 28 April 1992 Legal system: based on English common law and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President John Evans Atta MILLS (since 7 January 2009); Vice President John Dramani MAHAMA (since 7 January 2009); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President John Evans Atta MILLS (since 7 January 2009); Vice President John Dramani MAHAMA (since 7 January 2009) cabinet: Council of Ministers; president nominates members subject to approval by Parliament elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 7 December 2008 with a second round held 28 December 2008 (next to be held 7 December 2012) election results: John Evans Atta MILLS elected president in run-off election; percent of vote - John Evans Atta MILLS 50.23%, Nana Addo Dankwa AKUFO-ADDO 49.77% Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (230 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 7 December 2008 (next to be held 7 December 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NDC 114, NPP 107, PNC 2, CPP 1, independent 4, other 2 Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Convention People's Party or CPP [Ladi NYLANDER]; Democratic Freedom Party or DFP [Alhaji Abudu Rahman ISSAKAH]; Every Ghanaian Living Everywhere or EGLE; Great Consolidated Popular Party or GCPP [Dan LARTEY]; National Democratic Congress or NDC [Dr. Kwabena ADJEI]; New Patriotic Party or NPP [Peter MAC-MANU]; People's National Convention or PNC [Alhaji Amed RAMADAN]; Reform Party [Kyeretwie OPUKU]; United Renaissance Party or URP [Charles WAYO] Political pressure groups and leaders: Christian Aid (water rights); Committee for Joint Action or CJA (education reform); National Coalition Against the Privatization of Water or CAP (water rights); Oxfam (water rights); Public Citizen (water rights); Students Coalition Against EPA [Kwabena Ososukene OKAI] (education reform); Third World Network (education reform) International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OIF (associate member), OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Adolphus K. ARTHUR chancery: 3512 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 686-4520 FAX: [1] (202) 686-4527 consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Donald G. TEITELBAUM embassy: 24 4th Circular Rd. Cantonments, Accra mailing address: P. O. Box 194, Accra telephone: [233] (21) 741-000 FAX: [233] (21) 741-389 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green, with a large black five-pointed star centered in the yellow band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the flag of Bolivia, which has a coat of arms centered in the yellow band Economy ::Ghana Economy - overview: Well endowed with natural resources, Ghana has roughly twice the per capita output of the poorest countries in West Africa. Even so, Ghana remains heavily dependent on international financial and technical assistance. Gold and cocoa production, and individual remittances, are major sources of foreign exchange. The domestic economy continues to revolve around agriculture, which accounts for about 35% of GDP and employs about 55% of the work force, mainly small landholders. Ghana signed a Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact in 2006, which aims to assist in transforming Ghana's agricultural sector. Ghana opted for debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) program in 2002, and is also benefiting from the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative that took effect in 2006. Thematic priorities under its current Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy, which also provides the framework for development partner assistance, are: macroeconomic stability; private sector competitiveness; human resource development; and good governance and civic responsibility. Sound macro-economic management along with high prices for gold and cocoa helped sustain GDP growth in 2008. GDP (purchasing power parity): $34.52 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 $32.17 billion (2007 est.) $30.27 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $16.65 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 7.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 6.3% (2007 est.) 6.4% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $1,500 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 198 $1,400 (2007 est.) $1,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 37.3% industry: 25.3% services: 37.5% (2006 est.) Labor force: 10.12 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 56% industry: 15% services: 29% (2005 est.) Unemployment rate: 11% (2000 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 Population below poverty line: 28.5% (2007 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 32.8% (2006) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 39.4 (2005-06) country comparison to the world: 65 40.7 (1999) Investment (gross fixed): 32.1% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 Budget: revenues: $5.256 billion expenditures: $7.492 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 53.8% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 33 58.5% of GDP (2007 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 16.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 197 10.7% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 17% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 18 13.5% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: NA Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $2.179 billion (31 December 2006) Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) $2.174 billion (31 December 2006) Stock of domestic credit: $4.179 billion (31 December 2006) Market value of publicly traded shares: $3.394 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 95 $2.38 billion (31 December 2007) $3.233 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), peanuts, corn, shea nuts, bananas; timber Industries: mining, lumbering, light manufacturing, aluminum smelting, food processing, cement, small commercial ship building Industrial production growth rate: 8.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 Electricity - production: 6.746 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 Electricity - consumption: 5.702 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 Electricity - exports: 249 million kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 435 million kWh (2007 est.) Oil - production: 7,399 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 Oil - consumption: 56,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 Oil - exports: 4,843 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 Oil - imports: 45,380 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 93 Oil - proved reserves: 15 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 181 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 173 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 177 Natural gas - proved reserves: 22.65 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 Current account balance: -$3.471 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 -$1.717 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $5.275 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 $4.172 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: gold, cocoa, timber, tuna, bauxite, aluminum, manganese ore, diamonds, horticulture Exports - partners: Netherlands 13.5%, Ukraine 11.8%, UK 8%, France 5.7%, US 5.2% (2008) Imports: $10.26 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 93 $8.066 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs Imports - partners: China 15.6%, Nigeria 14.7%, India 7.4%, US 5.5%, France 4.4%, UK 4.4% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $2.028 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 $2.831 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $5.055 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 $4.891 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $NA Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Exchange rates: cedis (GHC) per US dollar - 1.1 (2008 est.), 0.95 (2007), 9,174.8 (2006), 9,072.5 (2005), 9,004.6 (2004) note: in 2007 Ghana revalued its currency with 10,000 old cedis equal to 1 new cedis Communications ::Ghana Telephones - main lines in use: 143,900 (2008) country comparison to the world: 134 Telephones - mobile cellular: 11.57 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 53 Telephone system: general assessment: outdated and unreliable fixed-line infrastructure heavily concentrated in Accra; competition among multiple mobile-cellular providers has spurred growth with a subscribership of 50 per 100 persons and rising domestic: primarily microwave radio relay; wireless local loop has been installed international: country code - 233; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and Asia; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); microwave radio relay link to Panaftel system connects Ghana to its neighbors (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 86, shortwave 3 (2007) Television broadcast stations: 7 (2007) Internet country code: .gh Internet hosts: 23,850 (2009) country comparison to the world: 97 Internet users: 997,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 91 Transportation ::Ghana Airports: 11 (2009) country comparison to the world: 155 Airports - with paved runways: total: 7 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Pipelines: oil 5 km; refined products 309 km (2008) Railways: total: 947 km country comparison to the world: 91 narrow gauge: 947 km 1.067-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 62,221 km country comparison to the world: 72 paved: 9,955 km unpaved: 52,266 km (2006) Waterways: 1,293 km country comparison to the world: 58 note: 168 km for launches and lighters on Volta, Ankobra, and Tano rivers; 1,125 km of arterial and feeder waterways on Lake Volta (2008) Merchant marine: total: 4 country comparison to the world: 136 by type: petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 3 foreign-owned: 1 (Brazil 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Tema Military ::Ghana Military branches: Ghanaian Army, Ghanaian Navy, Ghanaian Air Force (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 5,802,096 females age 16-49: 5,729,939 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 3,849,113 females age 16-49: 3,840,083 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 272,954 female: 266,186 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 0.8% of GDP (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 Transnational Issues ::Ghana Disputes - international: Ghana struggles to accommodate returning nationals who worked in the cocoa plantations and escaped fighting in Cote d'Ivoire Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 35,653 (Liberia); 8,517 (Togo) (2007) Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; major transit hub for Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin and, to a lesser extent, South American cocaine destined for Europe and the US; widespread crime and money laundering problem, but the lack of a well developed financial infrastructure limits the country's utility as a money laundering center; significant domestic cocaine and cannabis use page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Gibraltar (Europe) Introduction ::Gibraltar Background: Strategically important, Gibraltar was reluctantly ceded to Great Britain by Spain in the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht; the British garrison was formally declared a colony in 1830. In a referendum held in 1967, Gibraltarians voted overwhelmingly to remain a British dependency. The subsequent granting of autonomy in 1969 by the UK led to Spain closing the border and severing all communication links. A series of talks were held by the UK and Spain between 1997 and 2002 on establishing temporary joint sovereignty over Gibraltar. In response to these talks, the Gibraltar Government called a referendum in late 2002 in which the majority of citizens voted overwhelmingly against any sharing of sovereignty with Spain. Since the referendum, tripartite talks on other issues have been held with Spain, the UK, and Gibraltar, and in September 2006 a three-way agreement was signed. Spain agreed to remove restrictions on air movements, to speed up customs procedures, to implement international telephone dialing, and to allow mobile roaming agreements. Britain agreed to pay increased pensions to Spaniards who had been employed in Gibraltar before the border closed. Spain will be allowed to open a cultural institute from which the Spanish flag will fly. A new noncolonial constitution came into effect in 2007, but the UK retains responsibility for defense, foreign relations, internal security, and financial stability. Geography ::Gibraltar Location: Southwestern Europe, bordering the Strait of Gibraltar, which links the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, on the southern coast of Spain Geographic coordinates: 36 08 N, 5 21 W Map references: Europe Area: total: 6.5 sq km country comparison to the world: 241 land: 6.5 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than one-half the size of Rhode Island Land boundaries: total: 1.2 km border countries: Spain 1.2 km Coastline: 12 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 nm Climate: Mediterranean with mild winters and warm summers Terrain: a narrow coastal lowland borders the Rock of Gibraltar Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Rock of Gibraltar 426 m Natural resources: none Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: limited natural freshwater resources: large concrete or natural rock water catchments collect rainwater (no longer used for drinking water) and adequate desalination plant Geography - note: strategic location on Strait of Gibraltar that links the North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea People ::Gibraltar Population: 28,034 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 214 Age structure: 0-14 years: 16.7% (male 2,393/female 2,276) 15-64 years: 66.9% (male 9,532/female 9,219) 65 years and over: 16.5% (male 2,125/female 2,489) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 40.5 years male: 39.9 years female: 41 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.111% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 190 Birth rate: 10.67 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 180 Death rate: 9.56 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 85 Urbanization: urban population: 100% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 4.83 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 194 male: 5.37 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80.19 years country comparison to the world: 20 male: 77.3 years female: 83.22 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.65 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 177 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Gibraltarian(s) adjective: Gibraltar Ethnic groups: Spanish, Italian, English, Maltese, Portuguese, German, North Africans Religions: Roman Catholic 78.1%, Church of England 7%, other Christian 3.2%, Muslim 4%, Jewish 2.1%, Hindu 1.8%, other or unspecified 0.9%, none 2.9% (2001 census) Languages: English (used in schools and for official purposes), Spanish, Italian, Portuguese Literacy: definition: NA total population: above 80% male: NA female: NA Education expenditures: NA Government ::Gibraltar Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Gibraltar Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK Government type: NA Capital: name: Gibraltar geographic coordinates: 36 08 N, 5 21 W time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of the UK) Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK) National holiday: National Day, 10 September (1967); note - day of the national referendum to decide whether to remain with the UK or go with Spain Constitution: 5 June 2006; came into force 2 January 2007 Legal system: the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; and British citizens who have been residents six months or more Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Sir Robert FULTON (since 27 October 2006) head of government: Chief Minister Peter CARUANA (since 17 May 1996) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed from among the 17 elected members of the Parliament by the governor in consultation with the chief minister elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed chief minister by the governor Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (18 seats: 17 members elected by popular vote, 1 for the Speaker appointed by Parliament; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 11 October 2007 (next to be held not later than October 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - GSD 49.3%, GSLP 31.8%, Gibraltar Liberal Party 13.6%; seats by party - GSD 10, GSLP 4, Gibraltar Liberal Party 3 Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Court of Appeal Political parties and leaders: Gibraltar Liberal Party [Joseph GARCIA]; Gibraltar Social Democrats or GSD [Peter CARUANA]; Gibraltar Socialist Labor Party or GSLP [Joseph John BOSSANO] Political pressure groups and leaders: Chamber of Commerce; Gibraltar Representatives Organization; Women's Association International organization participation: Interpol (subbureau), UPU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Flag description: two horizontal bands of white (top, double width) and red with a three-towered red castle in the center of the white band; hanging from the castle gate is a gold key centered in the red band Economy ::Gibraltar Economy - overview: Self-sufficient Gibraltar benefits from an extensive shipping trade, offshore banking, and its position as an international conference center. The British military presence has been sharply reduced and now contributes about 7% to the local economy, compared with 60% in 1984. The financial sector, tourism (almost 5 million visitors in 1998), shipping services fees, and duties on consumer goods also generate revenue. The financial sector, the shipping sector, and tourism each contribute 25%-30% of GDP. Telecommunications accounts for another 10%. In recent years, Gibraltar has seen major structural change from a public to a private sector economy, but changes in government spending still have a major impact on the level of employment. GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.066 billion (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 197 $769 million (2000 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $1.066 billion (2005 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 7% (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 GDP - per capita (PPP): $38,200 (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 $27,900 (2000 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Labor force: 12,690 (including non-Gibraltar laborers) (2001) country comparison to the world: 207 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: negligible industry: 40% services: 60% (2001) Unemployment rate: 3% (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $455.1 million expenditures: $423.6 million (2005 est.) Public debt: 15.7% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.9% (2005) country comparison to the world: 36 Agriculture - products: none Industries: tourism, banking and finance, ship repairing, tobacco Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 146 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 182 Electricity - consumption: 146 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 183 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 194 Oil - consumption: 24,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 200 Oil - imports: 25,610 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 177 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 180 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 172 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 176 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 176 Exports: $271 million (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 177 Exports - commodities: (principally reexports) petroleum 51%, manufactured goods 41%, other 8% Imports: $2.967 billion (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 141 Imports - commodities: fuels, manufactured goods, and foodstuffs Debt - external: $NA Exchange rates: Gibraltar pounds (GIP) per US dollar - 0.4993 (2007), 0.5434 (2006), 0.5504 (2005), 0.5462 (2004), 0.6125 (2003) note: the Gibraltar pound is at par with the British pound Communications ::Gibraltar Telephones - main lines in use: 24,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 185 Telephones - mobile cellular: 18,400 (2004) country comparison to the world: 207 Telephone system: general assessment: adequate, automatic domestic system and adequate international facilities domestic: automatic exchange facilities international: country code - 350; radiotelephone; microwave radio relay; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 1 (plus 3 repeaters) (1997) Internet country code: .gi Internet hosts: 1,955 (2009) country comparison to the world: 149 Internet users: 6,500 (2008) country comparison to the world: 202 Transportation ::Gibraltar Airports: 1 (2009) country comparison to the world: 231 Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Roadways: total: 29 km country comparison to the world: 216 paved: 29 km (2007) Merchant marine: total: 240 country comparison to the world: 32 by type: bulk carrier 5, cargo 125, chemical tanker 51, container 43, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 10, roll on/roll off 5 foreign-owned: 225 (Belgium 2, Cyprus 1, Denmark 7, Finland 3, Germany 129, Greece 6, Iceland 1, Morocco 4, Netherlands 21, Norway 33, Sweden 13, UAE 3, UK 2) registered in other countries: 7 (Liberia 5, Panama 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Gibraltar Military ::Gibraltar Military branches: Royal Gibraltar Regiment (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 6,308 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 5,234 females age 16-49: 5,242 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 186 female: 179 (2009 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK; the Royal Gibraltar Regiment replaced the last British regular infantry forces in 1992 Transnational Issues ::Gibraltar Disputes - international: in 2002, Gibraltar residents voted overwhelmingly by referendum to reject any "shared sovereignty" arrangement; the government of Gibraltar insists on equal participation in talks between the UK and Spain; Spain disapproves of UK plans to grant Gibraltar even greater autonomy page last updated on October 28, 2009 ====================================================================== @Greece (Europe) Introduction ::Greece Background: Greece achieved independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1829. During the second half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, it gradually added neighboring islands and territories, most with Greek-speaking populations. In World War II, Greece was first invaded by Italy (1940) and subsequently occupied by Germany (1941-44); fighting endured in a protracted civil war between supporters of the king and Communist rebels. Following the latter's defeat in 1949, Greece joined NATO in 1952. A military dictatorship, which in 1967 suspended many political liberties and forced the king to flee the country, lasted seven years. The 1974 democratic elections and a referendum created a parliamentary republic and abolished the monarchy. In 1981, Greece joined the EC (now the EU); it became the 12th member of the European Economic and Monetary Union in 2001. Geography ::Greece Location: Southern Europe, bordering the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea, between Albania and Turkey Geographic coordinates: 39 00 N, 22 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 131,957 sq km country comparison to the world: 96 land: 130,647 sq km water: 1,310 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Alabama Land boundaries: total: 1,228 km border countries: Albania 282 km, Bulgaria 494 km, Turkey 206 km, Macedonia 246 km Coastline: 13,676 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: temperate; mild, wet winters; hot, dry summers Terrain: mostly mountains with ranges extending into the sea as peninsulas or chains of islands Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Olympus 2,917 m Natural resources: lignite, petroleum, iron ore, bauxite, lead, zinc, nickel, magnesite, marble, salt, hydropower potential Land use: arable land: 20.45% permanent crops: 8.59% other: 70.96% (2005) Irrigated land: 14,530 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 72 cu km (2005) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 8.7 cu km/yr (16%/3%/81%) per capita: 782 cu m/yr (1997) Natural hazards: severe earthquakes Environment - current issues: air pollution; water pollution Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds Geography - note: strategic location dominating the Aegean Sea and southern approach to Turkish Straits; a peninsular country, possessing an archipelago of about 2,000 islands People ::Greece Population: 10,737,428 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 Age structure: 0-14 years: 14.3% (male 788,722/female 742,270) 15-64 years: 66.6% (male 3,568,660/female 3,578,344) 65 years and over: 19.2% (male 902,617/female 1,156,815) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 41.8 years male: 40.7 years female: 42.9 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.127% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 188 Birth rate: 9.45 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 206 Death rate: 10.51 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 Net migration rate: 2.33 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 Urbanization: urban population: 61% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 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: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 5.16 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 187 male: 5.68 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.62 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.66 years country comparison to the world: 26 male: 77.11 years female: 82.37 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.37 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 199 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 101 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 11,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 100 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 Nationality: noun: Greek(s) adjective: Greek Ethnic groups: population: Greek 93%, other (foreign citizens) 7% (2001 census) note: percents represent citizenship, since Greece does not collect data on ethnicity Religions: Greek Orthodox 98%, Muslim 1.3%, other 0.7% Languages: Greek 99% (official), other 1% (includes English and French) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96% male: 97.8% female: 94.2% (2001 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 17 years male: 17 years female: 17 years (2006) Education expenditures: 4.4% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 92 Government ::Greece Country name: conventional long form: Hellenic Republic conventional short form: Greece local long form: Elliniki Dhimokratia local short form: Ellas or Ellada former: Kingdom of Greece Government type: parliamentary republic Capital: name: Athens geographic coordinates: 37 59 N, 23 44 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 51 prefectures (nomoi, singular - nomos) and 1 autonomous region*; Achaia, Agion Oros* (Mt. Athos), Aitolia kai Akarnania, Argolis, Arkadia, Arta, Attiki, Chalkidiki, Chanion, Chios, Dodekanisos, Drama, Evros, Evrytania, Evvoia, Florina, Fokidos, Fthiotis, Grevena, Ileia, Imathia, Ioannina, Irakleion, Karditsa, Kastoria, Kavala, Kefallinia, Kerkyra, Kilkis, Korinthia, Kozani, Kyklades, Lakonia, Larisa, Lasithi, Lefkas, Lesvos, Magnisia, Messinia, Pella, Pieria, Preveza, Rethynnis, Rodopi, Samos, Serrai, Thesprotia, Thessaloniki, Trikala, Voiotia, Xanthi, Zakynthos Independence: 1829 (from the Ottoman Empire) National holiday: Independence Day, 25 March (1821) Constitution: 11 June 1975; amended March 1986 and April 2001 Legal system: based on codified Roman law; judiciary divided into civil, criminal, and administrative courts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: President Karolos PAPOULIAS (since 12 March 2005) head of government: Prime Minister Yeoryios PAPANDREOU (since 6 October 2009) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president elected by parliament for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 8 February 2005 (next to be held by February 2010); president appoints leader of the party securing plurality of vote in election to become prime minister and form a government election results: Karolos PAPOULIAS elected president; number of parliamentary votes, 279 out of 300 Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Vouli ton Ellinon (300 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 4 October 2009 (next to be held by 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - PASOK 43.9%, ND 33.5%, KKE 7.5%, LAOS 5.6%, SYRIZA 4.6%, other 4.9%; seats by party - PASOK 160, ND 91, KKE 21, LAOS 15, SYRIZA 13 Judicial branch: Supreme Judicial Court; Special Supreme Tribunal; all judges are appointed for life by the president after consultation with a judicial council Political parties and leaders: Coalition of the Radical Left or SYRIZA [Alekos ALAVANOS]; Communist Party (Marxist-Leninist) [Gr. KONSTANTOPOULOS]; Communist Party of Greece or KKE [Aleka PAPARIGA]; Democratic Revival [Stelios PAPATHEMELIS]; Democratic Universal Hellas [Stergio KRIKELISI]; Ecologist Greens [Ioanna KONTOULI]; Fighting Socialist Party [Nikos KARGOPOULOS]; Greek Ecologists [Dimosthenis VERGIS]; Liberal Alliance [Foris PERIKOS]; Liberal Party [Manolis KALIGIANNIS]; Light-Truth-Justice [Konstantinos MELISSOURGOS]; New Democracy or ND [Konstandinos KARAMANLIS]; Organization for the Reconstruction of the Communist Party of Greece [Ilias ZAFIROPOULOS]; Panhellenic Socialist Movement or PASOK [Yiorgos PAPANDREOU]; Popular Orthodox Rally or LAOS [Yeoryios KARATZAFERIS]; Radical Left Front [D. DESILLAS]; Regional Urban Development [Nikolaos KOLITIS]; Salvation Party Christian Democracy [Alkiviadis STOILIS]; Union of Centrists [Vassilis LEVENTIS]; United Anti-Capitalist Left [Konstantinos PAPDAKIS] Political pressure groups and leaders: Civil Servants Confederation or ADEDY [Spyros PAPASPYROS]; Federation of Greek Industries or SEV [Dimitris DASKALOPOULOS]; General Confederation of Greek Workers or GSEE [Ioannis PANAGOPOULOS] International organization participation: Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIS, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Vassilis KASKARELIS chancery: 2217 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 939-1300 FAX: [1] (202) 939-1324 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Tampa consulate(s): Atlanta, Houston, New Orleans Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Daniel V. SPECKHARD embassy: 91 Vasilisis Sophias Avenue, 10160 Athens mailing address: PSC 108, APO AE 09842-0108 telephone: [30] (210) 721-2951 FAX: [30] (210) 645-6282 consulate(s) general: Thessaloniki Flag description: nine equal horizontal stripes of blue alternating with white; there is a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white cross; the cross symbolizes Greek Orthodoxy, the established religion of the country Economy ::Greece Economy - overview: Greece has a capitalist economy with the public sector accounting for about 40% of GDP and with per capita GDP about two-thirds that of the leading euro-zone economies. Tourism provides 15% of GDP. Immigrants make up nearly one-fifth of the work force, mainly in agricultural and unskilled jobs. Greece is a major beneficiary of EU aid, equal to about 3.3% of annual GDP. The Greek economy grew by nearly 4.0% per year between 2003 and 2007, due partly to infrastructural spending related to the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, and in part to an increased availability of credit, which has sustained record levels of consumer spending. But growth dropped to 2.9% in 2008, as a result of the world financial crisis and tightening credit conditions. Greece violated the EU's Growth and Stability Pact budget deficit criteria of no more than 3% of GDP from 2001 to 2006, but finally met that criteria in 2007-08. Public debt, inflation, and unemployment are above the euro-zone average, but are falling. The Greek Government continues to grapple with cutting government spending, reducing the size of the public sector, and reforming the labor and pension systems, in the face of often vocal opposition from the country's powerful labor unions and the general public. The economy remains an important domestic political issue in Greece and, while the ruling New Democracy government has had some success in improving economic growth and reducing the budget deficit, Athens faces long-term challenges in its effort to continue its economic reforms, especially social security reform and privatization. GDP (purchasing power parity): $343.8 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 $334.1 billion (2007 est.) $321.3 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $357.5 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 4% (2007 est.) 4.5% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $32,100 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 $31,200 (2007 est.) $30,100 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.7% industry: 20.6% services: 75.7% (2008 est.) Labor force: 4.96 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 12.4% industry: 22.4% services: 65.1% (2005 est.) Unemployment rate: 7.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 8.3% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.5% highest 10%: 26% (2000 est.) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 33 (2005) country comparison to the world: 96 35.4 (1998) Investment (gross fixed): 20.7% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 Budget: revenues: $126.5 billion expenditures: $144.4 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 97.4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 8 112% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 2.9% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 3% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 92 5% (31 December 2007) note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area Commercial bank prime lending rate: 8.65% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 112 7.71% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $NA note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi money circulating within their own borders Stock of quasi money: $NA Stock of domestic credit: $394.6 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 21 $365.9 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 32 $264.9 billion (31 December 2007) $208.3 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: wheat, corn, barley, sugar beets, olives, tomatoes, wine, tobacco, potatoes; beef, dairy products Industries: tourism, food and tobacco processing, textiles, chemicals, metal products; mining, petroleum Industrial production growth rate: 3.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 Electricity - production: 58.79 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 Electricity - consumption: 58.28 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 Electricity - exports: 1.962 billion kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 7.575 billion kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 4,891 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 Oil - consumption: 434,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 Oil - exports: 151,300 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 59 Oil - imports: 553,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 Oil - proved reserves: 10 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 Natural gas - production: 14 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 Natural gas - consumption: 4.206 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 73 Natural gas - imports: 4.205 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 36 Natural gas - proved reserves: 1.982 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 Current account balance: -$51.53 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 186 -$44.4 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $29.14 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 $23.91 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: food and beverages, manufactured goods, petroleum products, chemicals, textiles Exports - partners: Italy 11.5%, Germany 10.5%, Bulgaria 7%, Cyprus 6.2%, US 5%, UK 4.7%, Romania 4.4% (2008) Imports: $93.91 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 $80.79 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery, transport equipment, fuels, chemicals Imports - partners: Germany 13.3%, Italy 12.8%, China 6.2%, France 5.6%, Netherlands 5.1%, Russia 4.7% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $3.473 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 $3.658 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $504.6 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 19 $454.2 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $36.7 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 $53.22 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $32.44 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 33 $31.65 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Communications ::Greece Telephones - main lines in use: 5.975 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 29 Telephones - mobile cellular: 13.799 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 47 Telephone system: general assessment: adequate, modern networks reach all areas; good mobile telephone and international service domestic: microwave radio relay trunk system; extensive open-wire connections; submarine cable to offshore islands international: country code - 30; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 optical telecommunications submarine cable that provides links to Europe, Middle East, and Asia; a number of smaller submarine cables provide connectivity to various parts of Europe, the Middle East, and Cyprus; tropospheric scatter; satellite earth stations - 4 (2 Intelsat - 1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean, 1 Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat - Indian Ocean region) Radio broadcast stations: AM 26, FM 88, shortwave 4 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 36 (plus 1,341 repeaters); also 2 stations in the American Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (1995) Internet country code: .gr Internet hosts: 2.342 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 28 Internet users: 4.253 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 47 Transportation ::Greece Airports: 81 (2009) country comparison to the world: 69 Airports - with paved runways: total: 67 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 15 1,524 to 2,437 m: 20 914 to 1,523 m: 18 under 914 m: 9 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 12 (2009) Heliports: 9 (2009) Pipelines: gas 1,197 km; oil 75 km (2008) Railways: total: 2,548 km country comparison to the world: 65 standard gauge: 1,565 km 1.435-m gauge (764 km electrified) narrow gauge: 961 km 1.000-m gauge; 22 km 0.750-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 117,533 km country comparison to the world: 37 paved: 107,895 km (includes 880 km of expressways) unpaved: 9,638 km (2005) Waterways: 6 km country comparison to the world: 108 note: Corinth Canal (6 km) crosses the Isthmus of Corinth; shortens sea voyage by 325 km (2008) Merchant marine: total: 869 country comparison to the world: 12 by type: bulk carrier 260, cargo 66, carrier 1, chemical tanker 66, combination ore/oil 2, container 45, liquefied gas 10, passenger 13, passenger/cargo 115, petroleum tanker 274, roll on/roll off 15, specialized tanker 2 foreign-owned: 64 (Belgium 16, Cyprus 7, Turkey 1, UK 32, US 8) registered in other countries: 2,357 (Antigua and Barbuda 3, Bahamas 209, Barbados 12, Belize 1, Bermuda 9, Brazil 1, Cambodia 3, Cayman Islands 16, China 2, Comoros 6, Cyprus 259, Denmark 4, Dominica 10, Egypt 8, Georgia 5, Gibraltar 6, Honduras 4, Hong Kong 22, Isle of Man 50, Italy 6, Jamaica 6, North Korea 1, Lebanon 2, Liberia 358, Maldives 1, Malta 452, Marshall Islands 269, Norway 3, Panama 510, Philippines 4, Portugal 4, Russia 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 71, Sao Tome and Principe 1, Saudi Arabia 3, Sierra Leone 1, Singapore 15, Slovakia 2, Turkey 1, UAE 3, Uruguay 1, Vanuatu 1, Venezuela 3, unknown 5) (2008) Ports and terminals: Agioitheodoroi, Aspropyrgos, Pachi, Piraeus, Thessaloniki Military ::Greece Military branches: Hellenic Army (Ellinikos Stratos, ES), Hellenic Navy (Ellinikos Polemiko Navtiko, EPN), Hellenic Air Force (Elliniki Polimiki Aeroporia, EPA) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 19-45 years of age for compulsory military service; during wartime the law allows for recruitment beginning January of the year of inductee's 18th birthday, thus including 17 year olds; 17 years of age for volunteers; conscript service obligation - 1 year for all services; women are eligible for voluntary military service (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 2,535,174 females age 16-49: 2,517,273 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 2,067,878 females age 16-49: 2,050,289 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 53,401 female: 50,084 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 4.3% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 Transnational Issues ::Greece Disputes - international: Greece and Turkey continue discussions to resolve their complex maritime, air, territorial, and boundary disputes in the Aegean Sea; Cyprus question with Turkey; Greece rejects the use of the name Macedonia or Republic of Macedonia; the mass migration of unemployed Albanians still remains a problem for developed countries, chiefly Greece and Italy Illicit drugs: a gateway to Europe for traffickers smuggling cannabis and heroin from the Middle East and Southwest Asia to the West and precursor chemicals to the East; some South American cocaine transits or is consumed in Greece; money laundering related to drug trafficking and organized crime page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Greenland (North America) Introduction ::Greenland Background: Greenland, the world's largest island, is about 81% ice-capped. Vikings reached the island in the 10th century from Iceland; Danish colonization began in the 18th century, and Greenland was made an integral part of Denmark in 1953. It joined the European Community (now the EU) with Denmark in 1973, but withdrew in 1985 over a dispute centered on stringent fishing quotas. Greenland was granted self-government in 1979 by the Danish parliament; the law went into effect the following year. Greenland voted in favor of increased self-rule in November 2008 and acquired complete responsibilty for internal affairs in June 2009. Denmark, however, continues to exercise control of Greenland's foreign affairs, security, and financial policy in consultation with Greenland's Home Rule Government. Geography ::Greenland Location: Northern North America, island between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Canada Geographic coordinates: 72 00 N, 40 00 W Map references: North America Area: total: 2,166,086 sq km country comparison to the world: 13 land: 2,166,086 sq km (410,449 sq km ice-free, 1,755,637 sq km ice-covered) Area - comparative: slightly more than three times the size of Texas Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 44,087 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line continental shelf: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line Climate: arctic to subarctic; cool summers, cold winters Terrain: flat to gradually sloping icecap covers all but a narrow, mountainous, barren, rocky coast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Gunnbjorn 3,700 m Natural resources: coal, iron ore, lead, zinc, molybdenum, diamonds, gold, platinum, niobium, tantalite, uranium, fish, seals, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: continuous permafrost over northern two-thirds of the island Environment - current issues: protection of the arctic environment; preservation of the Inuit traditional way of life, including whaling and seal hunting Geography - note: dominates North Atlantic Ocean between North America and Europe; sparse population confined to small settlements along coast; close to one-quarter of the population lives in the capital, Nuuk; world's second largest ice cap People ::Greenland Population: 57,600 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 206 Age structure: 0-14 years: 23% (male 6,727/female 6,533) 15-64 years: 70.1% (male 21,696/female 18,669) 65 years and over: 6.9% (male 2,000/female 1,975) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 33.5 years male: 34.9 years female: 31.9 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.062% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 195 Birth rate: 14.76 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 Death rate: 8.14 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 Net migration rate: -5.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 Urbanization: urban population: 84% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.16 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.01 male(s)/female total population: 1.12 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 10.72 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 151 male: 12.26 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.07 years country comparison to the world: 143 male: 67.44 years female: 72.85 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.19 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 100 (1999) country comparison to the world: 164 HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Greenlander(s) adjective: Greenlandic Ethnic groups: Greenlander 88% (Inuit and Greenland-born whites), Danish and others 12% (2000) Religions: Evangelical Lutheran Languages: Greenlandic (East Inuit) (official), Danish, English Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% (2001 est.) Education expenditures: NA Government ::Greenland Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Greenland local long form: none local short form: Kalaallit Nunaat Dependency status: part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1979 Government type: parliamentary democracy within a constitutional monarchy Capital: name: Nuuk (Godthab) geographic coordinates: 64 11 N, 51 45 W time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October note: Greenland is divided into four time zones Administrative divisions: 3 districts (landsdele); Avannaa (Nordgronland), Tunu (Ostgronland), Kitaa (Vestgronland) note: there are 18 municipalities in Greenland Independence: none (extensive self-rule as part of the Kingdom of Denmark; foreign affairs is the responsibility of Denmark, but Greenland actively participates in international agreements relating to Greenland) National holiday: June 21 (longest day) Constitution: (November 2008) Act on Greenland Self Government Legal system: the laws of Denmark, where applicable, apply Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Soren MOLLER (since April 2005) head of government: Prime Minister Kuupik KLEIST (since 12 June 2009) cabinet: Home Rule Government is elected by the Parliament (Landsting) on the basis of the strength of parties elections: the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; prime minister is elected by parliament (usually the leader of the majority party) election results: Kuupik KLEIST elected prime minister Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Landsting (31 seats; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 2 June 2009 (next to be held by 2014) election results: percent of vote by party - Inuit Ataqatigiit 43.7%, Siumut 26.5%, Demokratiit 12.7%, Atassut 10.9%; Kattusseqatigiit 3.8%, other 2.4%; seats by party - IA 14, Siumut 9, Demokraatiit 4, Atassut 3, Kattusseqatigiit 1 note: two representatives were elected to the Danish Parliament or Folketing on 13 November 2007 (next to be held in November 2011); percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Siumut 1, Inuit Ataqatigiit 1 Judicial branch: High Court or Landsret (appeals can be made to the Ostre Landsret or Eastern Division of the High Court or Supreme Court in Copenhagen) Political parties and leaders: Atassut Party (Solidarity) [Finn KARLSEN] (a conservative party favoring continuing close relations with Denmark); Demokratiit [Per BERTHELSEN]; Inuit Ataqatigiit or IA (Eskimo Brotherhood) [Josef MOTZFELDT] (a leftist party favoring complete independence from Denmark rather than home rule); Kattusseqatigiit (Candidate List) (an independent right-of-center party with no official platform); Siumut (Forward Party) [Hans ENOKSEN] (a social democratic party advocating more distinct Greenlandic identity and greater autonomy from Denmark) Political pressure groups and leaders: other: conservationists; environmentalists International organization participation: Arctic Council, NC, NIB, UPU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a large disk slightly to the hoist side of center - the top half of the disk is red, the bottom half is white; the design represents the sun reflecting off a field of ice; the colors are the same as those of the Danish flag and symbolize Greenland's links to the Kingdom of Denmark Economy ::Greenland Economy - overview: The economy remains critically dependent on exports of shrimp and fish and on a substantial subsidy - about $700 million in 2008-09 - from the Danish Government, which supplies about 60% of government revenues. The public sector, including publicly-owned enterprises and the municipalities, plays the dominant role in the economy. Several interesting hydrocarbon and mineral exploration activities are ongoing and in 2007 a US firm signed an agreement with the Greenland Home Rule government to study the feasibility of building a multi-billion dollar aluminum smelter and hydropower plant. Denmark plans to reduce its subsidies to Greenland as revenues from oil exports come onstream. GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.1 billion (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 195 GDP (official exchange rate): $1.7 billion (2005) GDP - real growth rate: 2% (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 GDP - per capita (PPP): $20,000 (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Labor force: 32,120 (2004) country comparison to the world: 195 Unemployment rate: 9.3% (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $1.36 billion expenditures: $1.27 billion (2005) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1% (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 Agriculture - products: forage crops, garden and greenhouse vegetables; sheep, reindeer; fish Industries: fish processing (mainly shrimp and Greenland halibut); gold, niobium, tantalite, uranium, iron and diamond mining; handicrafts, hides and skins, small shipyards Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 325 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 166 Electricity - consumption: 302.3 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 167 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 192 Oil - consumption: 4,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 171 Oil - exports: 149.5 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 Oil - imports: 4,172 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 165 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 175 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 178 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 170 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 174 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 174 Exports: $480 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 164 Exports - commodities: fish and fish products 94% (prawns 63%) (2001 est.) Exports - partners: Denmark 63.5%, Japan 11.1%, China 4.9%, Canada 4.8% (2008) Imports: $712 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 181 Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, petroleum products Imports - partners: Denmark 59.1%, Sweden 20.9%, Norway 4.7%, UK 4.4% (2008) Debt - external: $25 million (1999) country comparison to the world: 196 Exchange rates: Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar - 5.0236 (2008 est.), 5.4797 (2007), 5.9468 (2006), 5.9969 (2005), 5.9911 (2004) Communications ::Greenland Telephones - main lines in use: 22,800 (2008) country comparison to the world: 189 Telephones - mobile cellular: 55,800 (2008) country comparison to the world: 191 Telephone system: general assessment: adequate domestic and international service provided by satellite, cables and microwave radio relay; totally digitalized in 1995 domestic: microwave radio relay and satellite international: country code - 299; satellite earth stations - 15 (12 Intelsat, 1 Eutelsat, 2 Americom GE-2 (all Atlantic Ocean)) (2000) Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 14, shortwave 0 (2008) Television broadcast stations: 1 (plus some local low-power stations, and 3 American Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) stations (1997) Internet country code: .gl Internet hosts: 14,134 (2009) country comparison to the world: 111 Internet users: 36,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 177 Transportation ::Greenland Airports: 15 (2009) country comparison to the world: 146 Airports - with paved runways: total: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 6 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Roadways: note: although there are short roads in towns, there are no roads between towns; inter-urban transport takes place either by sea or air (2005) Merchant marine: total: 2 country comparison to the world: 144 by type: cargo 1, passenger 1 (2008) Ports and terminals: Sisimiut Military ::Greenland Military branches: no regular military forces Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 15,221 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 10,809 females age 16-49: 11,437 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 532 female: 491 (2009 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Denmark Transnational Issues ::Greenland Disputes - international: managed dispute between Canada and Denmark over Hans Island in the Kennedy Channel between Canada's Ellesmere Island and Greenland page last updated on November 10, 2009 ====================================================================== @Grenada (Central America and Caribbean) Introduction ::Grenada Background: Carib Indians inhabited Grenada when COLUMBUS discovered the island in 1498, but it remained uncolonized for more than a century. The French settled Grenada in the 17th century, established sugar estates, and imported large numbers of African slaves. Britain took the island in 1762 and vigorously expanded sugar production. In the 19th century, cacao eventually surpassed sugar as the main export crop; in the 20th century, nutmeg became the leading export. In 1967, Britain gave Grenada autonomy over its internal affairs. Full independence was attained in 1974 making Grenada one of the smallest independent countries in the Western Hemisphere. Grenada was seized by a Marxist military council on 19 October 1983. Six days later the island was invaded by US forces and those of six other Caribbean nations, which quickly captured the ringleaders and their hundreds of Cuban advisers. Free elections were reinstituted the following year and have continued since that time. Hurricane Ivan struck Grenada in September of 2004 causing severe damage. Geography ::Grenada Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago Geographic coordinates: 12 07 N, 61 40 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 344 sq km country comparison to the world: 206 land: 344 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 121 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; tempered by northeast trade winds Terrain: volcanic in origin with central mountains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Saint Catherine 840 m Natural resources: timber, tropical fruit, deepwater harbors Land use: arable land: 5.88% permanent crops: 29.41% other: 64.71% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Total renewable water resources: NA Natural hazards: lies on edge of hurricane belt; hurricane season lasts from June to November Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: the administration of the islands of the Grenadines group is divided between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada People ::Grenada Population: 90,739 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 195 Age structure: 0-14 years: 32% (male 14,608/female 14,410) 15-64 years: 65.2% (male 31,278/female 27,873) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 1,268/female 1,302) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 22.8 years male: 23.3 years female: 22.3 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.468% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 156 Birth rate: 21.32 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 Death rate: 6.09 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 161 Net migration rate: -10.55 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 176 Urbanization: urban population: 31% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.12 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.97 male(s)/female total population: 1.08 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 13.23 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 135 male: 12.95 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 65.95 years country comparison to the world: 163 male: 64.06 years female: 67.85 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.23 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Grenadian(s) adjective: Grenadian Ethnic groups: black 82%, mixed black and European 13%, European and East Indian 5%, and trace of Arawak/Carib Amerindian Religions: Roman Catholic 53%, Anglican 13.8%, other Protestant 33.2% Languages: English (official), French patois Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96% male: NA female: NA (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 12 years (2005) Education expenditures: 5.2% of GDP (2003) country comparison to the world: 62 Government ::Grenada Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Grenada Government type: parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm Capital: name: Saint George's geographic coordinates: 12 03 N, 61 45 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 6 parishes and 1 dependency*; Carriacou and Petite Martinique*, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick Independence: 7 February 1974 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 7 February (1974) Constitution: 19 December 1973 Legal system: based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Carlyle Arnold GLEAN (since 27 November 2008) head of government: Prime Minister Tillman THOMAS (since 9 July 2008) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (13 seats, 10 appointed by the government and 3 by the leader of the opposition) and the House of Representatives (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 8 July 2008 (next to be held in 2013) election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NDC 11, NNP 4 Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consisting of a court of Appeal and a High Court of Justice (two High Court judges are assigned to and reside in Grenada); Itinerant Court of Appeal three judges; member of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Political parties and leaders: Grenada United Labor Party or GULP [Gloria Payne BANFIELD]; National Democratic Congress or NDC [Tillman THOMAS]; New National Party or NNP [Keith MITCHELL] Political pressure groups and leaders: Committee for Human Rights in Grenada or CHRG; New Jewel Movement Support Group; The British Grenada Friendship Society; The New Jewel 19 Committee International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Gillian M.S. BRISTOL chancery: 1701 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 265-2561 FAX: [1] (202) 265-2468 consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Grenada embassy: Lance-aux-Epines Stretch, Saint George's mailing address: P. O. Box 54, Saint George's telephone: [1] (473) 444-1173 through 1177 FAX: [1] (473) 444-4820 Flag description: a rectangle divided diagonally into yellow triangles (top and bottom) and green triangles (hoist side and outer side), with a red border around the flag; there are seven yellow, five-pointed stars with three centered in the top red border, three centered in the bottom red border, and one on a red disk superimposed at the center of the flag; there is also a symbolic nutmeg pod on the hoist-side triangle (Grenada is the world's second-largest producer of nutmeg, after Indonesia); the seven stars represent the seven administrative divisions Economy ::Grenada Economy - overview: Grenada relies on tourism as its main source of foreign exchange especially since the construction of an international airport in 1985. Hurricanes Ivan (2004) and Emily (2005) severely damaged the agricultural sector - particularly nutmeg and cocoa cultivation - which had been a key driver of economic growth. Grenada has rebounded from the devastating effects of the hurricanes but is now saddled with the debt burden from the rebuilding process. Public debt-to-GDP is nearly 110%, leaving the THOMAS administration limited room to engage in public investments and social spending. Strong performances in construction and manufacturing, together with the development of tourism and an offshore financial industry, have also contributed to growth in national output; however, economic growth will likely slow in 2009 because of the global economic slowdown's effects on tourism and remittances. GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.19 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 194 $1.165 billion (2007 est.) $1.11 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $678 million (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 154 4.9% (2007 est.) -2.3% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $13,200 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 85 $12,900 (2007 est.) $12,400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 5.4% industry: 18% services: 76.6% (2003) Labor force: 42,300 (1996) country comparison to the world: 186 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 24% industry: 14% services: 62% (1999 est.) Unemployment rate: 12.5% (2000) country comparison to the world: 140 Population below poverty line: 32% (2000) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $85.8 million expenditures: $102.1 million (1997) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.7% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 Central bank discount rate: 6.5% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 67 6.5% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 9.53% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 88 9.76% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $141.4 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 109 $151.2 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $578.1 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 106 $533.4 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $658 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 114 $575.8 million (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: bananas, cocoa, nutmeg, mace, citrus, avocados, root crops, sugarcane, corn, vegetables Industries: food and beverages, textiles, light assembly operations, tourism, construction Electricity - production: 178.7 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 179 Electricity - consumption: 155.7 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 181 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 193 Oil - consumption: 3,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 179 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 199 Oil - imports: 1,923 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 178 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 176 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 179 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 171 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 175 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 175 Current account balance: -$138 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 Exports: $38 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 200 Exports - commodities: bananas, cocoa, nutmeg, fruit and vegetables, clothing, mace Exports - partners: Saint Lucia 16.4%, US 11.4%, UK 11.3%, Antigua and Barbuda 11.1%, Saint Kitts & Nevis 10%, Dominica 10%, France 6.4% (2008) Imports: $343 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 189 Imports - commodities: food, manufactured goods, machinery, chemicals, fuel Imports - partners: Trinidad and Tobago 39.6%, US 22.5%, Barbados 3.3% (2008) Debt - external: $347 million (2004) country comparison to the world: 170 Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2007), 2.7 (2006), 2.7 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003) Communications ::Grenada Telephones - main lines in use: 28,600 (2008) country comparison to the world: 180 Telephones - mobile cellular: 60,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 190 Telephone system: general assessment: automatic, islandwide telephone system domestic: interisland VHF and UHF radiotelephone links international: country code - 1-473; landing point for the East Caribbean Fiber Optic System (ECFS) submarine cable with links to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad; SHF radiotelephone links to Trinidad and Tobago and Saint Vincent; VHF and UHF radio links to Trinidad Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 2 (1997) Internet country code: .gd Internet hosts: 42 (2009) country comparison to the world: 211 Internet users: 24,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 185 Transportation ::Grenada Airports: 3 (2009) country comparison to the world: 193 Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Roadways: total: 1,127 km country comparison to the world: 182 paved: 687 km unpaved: 440 km (2000) Ports and terminals: Saint George's Military ::Grenada Military branches: no regular military forces; Royal Grenada Police Force (includes Coast Guard) (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 27,309 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 20,483 females age 16-49: 20,923 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 982 female: 937 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: NA Transnational Issues ::Grenada Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: small-scale cannabis cultivation; lesser transshipment point for marijuana and cocaine to US page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Guam (Australia-Oceania) Introduction ::Guam Background: Guam was ceded to the US by Spain in 1898. Captured by the Japanese in 1941, it was retaken by the US three years later. The military installation on the island is one of the most strategically important US bases in the Pacific. Geography ::Guam Location: Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines Geographic coordinates: 13 28 N, 144 47 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 544 sq km land: 544 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: three times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 125.5 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical marine; generally warm and humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season (January to June), rainy season (July to December); little seasonal temperature variation Terrain: volcanic origin, surrounded by coral reefs; relatively flat coralline limestone plateau (source of most fresh water), with steep coastal cliffs and narrow coastal plains in north, low hills in center, mountains in south Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Lamlam 406 m Natural resources: aquatic wildlife (supporting tourism), fishing (largely undeveloped) Land use: arable land: 3.64% permanent crops: 18.18% other: 78.18% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: frequent squalls during rainy season; relatively rare but potentially destructive typhoons (June - December) Environment - current issues: extirpation of native bird population by the rapid proliferation of the brown tree snake, an exotic, invasive species Geography - note: largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands archipelago; strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean People ::Guam Population: 178,430 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 27.8% (male 25,651/female 23,904) 15-64 years: 65.2% (male 59,304/female 56,995) 65 years and over: 7% (male 5,786/female 6,790) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 29.1 years male: 28.8 years female: 29.4 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.365% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 18.22 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Death rate: 4.57 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Net migration rate: NA Urbanization: urban population: 93% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 6.05 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.47 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.01 years male: 74.97 years female: 81.23 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.54 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Guamanian(s) (US citizens) adjective: Guamanian Ethnic groups: Chamorro 37.1%, Filipino 26.3%, other Pacific islander 11.3%, white 6.9%, other Asian 6.3%, other ethnic origin or race 2.3%, mixed 9.8% (2000 census) Religions: Roman Catholic 85%, other 15% (1999 est.) Languages: English 38.3%, Chamorro 22.2%, Philippine languages 22.2%, other Pacific island languages 6.8%, Asian languages 7%, other languages 3.5% (2000 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (1990 est.) Education expenditures: NA Government ::Guam Country name: conventional long form: Territory of Guam conventional short form: Guam local long form: Guahan local short form: Guahan Dependency status: organized, unincorporated territory of the US with policy relations between Guam and the US under the jurisdiction of the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior Government type: NA Capital: name: Hagatna (Agana) geographic coordinates: 13 28 N, 144 44 E time difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: none (territory of the US) Independence: none (territory of the US) National holiday: Discovery Day, first Monday in March (1521) Constitution: Organic Act of Guam, 1 August 1950 Legal system: modeled on US; US federal laws apply Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections Executive branch: chief of state: President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009) head of government: Governor Felix P. CAMACHO (since 6 January 2003); Lieutenant Governor Dr. Michael W. CRUZ (since 1 January 2007) cabinet: heads of executive departments; appointed by the governor with the consent of the Guam legislature elections: under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as Guam, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, they may vote in Democratic and Republican presidential primary elections; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year term (can serve two consecutive terms, then must wait a full term before running again); election last held 7 November 2006 (next to be held in November 2010) election results: Felix P. CAMACHO reelected governor; Dr. Michael W. CRUZ elected lieutenant governor; percent of vote - NA Legislative branch: unicameral Legislature (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms) elections: last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 10, Republican Party 5 note: Guam elects one nonvoting delegate to the US House of Representatives; election last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2010); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 1 Judicial branch: Federal District Court (judge is appointed by the president); Territorial Superior Court (judges appointed for eight-year terms by the governor) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party [leader Michael PHILLIPS]; Republican Party [Philip J. FLORES] (controls the legislature) Political pressure groups and leaders: Guam Federation of Teachers' Union; Guam Waterworks Authority Workers other: activists; indigenous groups International organization participation: IOC, SPC, UPU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of the US) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of the US) Flag description: territorial flag is dark blue with a narrow red border on all four sides; centered is a red-bordered, pointed, vertical ellipse containing a beach scene, outrigger canoe with sail, and a palm tree with the word GUAM superimposed in bold red letters; US flag is the national flag Economy ::Guam Economy - overview: The economy depends largely on US military spending and tourism. Total US grants, wage payments, and procurement outlays amounted to $1.3 billion in 2004. Over the past 30 years, the tourist industry has grown to become the largest income source following national defense. The Guam economy continues to experience expansion in both its tourism and military sectors. GDP (purchasing power parity): $2.5 billion (2005 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $2.773 billion (2001) GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita (PPP): $15,000 (2005 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Labor force: 82,950 (2007 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 26% industry: 10% services: 64% (2004 est.) Unemployment rate: 11.4% (2002 est.) Population below poverty line: 23% (2001 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $319.6 million expenditures: $427.8 million (2002 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.5% (2005 est.) Agriculture - products: fruits, copra, vegetables; eggs, pork, poultry, beef Industries: US military, tourism, construction, transshipment services, concrete products, printing and publishing, food processing, textiles Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 1.767 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - consumption: 1.644 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Oil - consumption: 9,227 bbl/day (2008 est.) Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - imports: 14,230 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Exports: $45 million (2004 est.) Exports - commodities: transshipments of refined petroleum products, construction materials, fish, food and beverage products Imports: $701 million (2004 est.) Imports - commodities: petroleum and petroleum products, food, manufactured goods Debt - external: $NA Exchange rates: the US dollar is used Communications ::Guam Telephones - main lines in use: 65,500 (2008) Telephones - mobile cellular: 98,000 (2004) Telephone system: general assessment: modern system, integrated with US facilities for direct dialing, including free use of 800 numbers domestic: modern digital system, including cellular mobile service and local access to the Internet international: country code - 1-671; major landing point for submarine cables between Asia and the US (Guam is a trans-Pacific communications hub for major carriers linking the US and Asia); satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 11, shortwave 2 (2005) Television broadcast stations: 3 (2006) Internet country code: .gu Internet hosts: 23 (2009) Internet users: 85,000 (2008) Transportation ::Guam Airports: 5; note - 2 serviceable (2009) Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Roadways: total: 1,045 km (2007) Ports and terminals: Apra Harbor Military ::Guam Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 37,563 females age 16-49: 36,083 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 1,677 female: 1,581 (2009 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US Transnational Issues ::Guam Disputes - international: none page last updated on October 28, 2009 ====================================================================== @Guatemala (Central America and Caribbean) Introduction ::Guatemala Background: The Mayan civilization flourished in Guatemala and surrounding regions during the first millennium A.D. After almost three centuries as a Spanish colony, Guatemala won its independence in 1821. During the second half of the 20th century, it experienced a variety of military and civilian governments, as well as a 36-year guerrilla war. In 1996, the government signed a peace agreement formally ending the conflict, which had left more than 100,000 people dead and had created, by some estimates, some 1 million refugees. Geography ::Guatemala Location: Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Mexico, and bordering the Gulf of Honduras (Caribbean Sea) between Honduras and Belize Geographic coordinates: 15 30 N, 90 15 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 108,889 sq km country comparison to the world: 106 land: 107,159 sq km water: 1,730 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Tennessee Land boundaries: total: 1,687 km border countries: Belize 266 km, El Salvador 203 km, Honduras 256 km, Mexico 962 km Coastline: 400 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands Terrain: mostly mountains with narrow coastal plains and rolling limestone plateau Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Volcan Tajumulco 4,211 m Natural resources: petroleum, nickel, rare woods, fish, chicle, hydropower Land use: arable land: 13.22% permanent crops: 5.6% other: 81.18% (2005) Irrigated land: 1,300 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 111.3 cu km (2000) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 2.01 cu km/yr (6%/13%/80%) per capita: 160 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: numerous volcanoes in mountains, with occasional violent earthquakes; Caribbean coast extremely susceptible to hurricanes and other tropical storms Environment - current issues: deforestation in the Peten rainforest; soil erosion; water pollution Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: no natural harbors on west coast People ::Guatemala Population: 13,276,517 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 Age structure: 0-14 years: 39.4% (male 2,664,058/female 2,573,006) 15-64 years: 56.8% (male 3,655,184/female 3,884,331) 65 years and over: 3.8% (male 231,652/female 268,286) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 19.4 years male: 18.9 years female: 20 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 2.066% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 Birth rate: 27.98 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 Death rate: 5.11 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 185 Net migration rate: -2.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 Urbanization: urban population: 49% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 27.84 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 79 male: 30.2 deaths/1,000 live births female: 25.35 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.29 years country comparison to the world: 142 male: 68.49 years female: 72.19 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.47 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.8% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 59,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 3,900 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: dengue fever and malaria water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009) Nationality: noun: Guatemalan(s) adjective: Guatemalan Ethnic groups: Mestizo (mixed Amerindian-Spanish - in local Spanish called Ladino) and European 59.4%, K'iche 9.1%, Kaqchikel 8.4%, Mam 7.9%, Q'eqchi 6.3%, other Mayan 8.6%, indigenous non-Mayan 0.2%, other 0.1% (2001 census) Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant, indigenous Mayan beliefs Languages: Spanish 60%, Amerindian languages 40% (23 officially recognized Amerindian languages, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Mam, Garifuna, and Xinca) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 69.1% male: 75.4% female: 63.3% (2002 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 10 years male: 11 years female: 10 years (2006) Education expenditures: 2.6% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 154 Government ::Guatemala Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Guatemala conventional short form: Guatemala local long form: Republica de Guatemala local short form: Guatemala Government type: constitutional democratic republic Capital: name: Guatemala City geographic coordinates: 14 37 N, 90 31 W time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in April; ends last Friday in September; note - there is no DST planned for 2007-2009 Administrative divisions: 22 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, Chimaltenango, Chiquimula, El Progreso, Escuintla, Guatemala, Huehuetenango, Izabal, Jalapa, Jutiapa, Peten, Quetzaltenango, Quiche, Retalhuleu, Sacatepequez, San Marcos, Santa Rosa, Solola, Suchitepequez, Totonicapan, Zacapa Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821) Constitution: 31 May 1985, effective 14 January 1986; suspended 25 May 1993; reinstated 5 June 1993; amended November 1993 Legal system: civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; note - active duty members of the armed forces may not vote and are restricted to their barracks on election day Executive branch: chief of state: President Alvaro COLOM Caballeros (since 14 January 2008); Vice President Jose Rafael ESPADA (since 14 January 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Alvaro COLOM Caballeros (since 14 January 2008); Vice President Jose Rafael ESPADA (since 14 January 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term (may not serve consecutive terms); election last held 9 September 2007; runoff held 4 November 2007 (next to be held September 2011) election results: Alvaro COLOM Caballeros elected president; percent of vote - Alvaro COLOM Caballeros 52.8%, Otto PEREZ Molina 47.2% Legislative branch: unicameral Congress of the Republic or Congreso de la Republica (158 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 9 September 2007 (next to be held in September 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - UNE 30.4%, GANA 23.4%, PP 18.9%, FRG 9.5%, PU 5.1%, other 12.7%; seats by party - UNE 48, GANA 37, PP 30, FRG 15, PU 8, CASA 5, EG 4, PAN 4, UCN 4, URNG 2, UD 1 Judicial branch: Constitutional Court or Corte de Constitucionalidad is Guatemala's highest court (five judges are elected for concurrent five-year terms); Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (13 members serve concurrent five-year terms and elect a president of the Court each year from among their number; the president of the Supreme Court of Justice also supervises trial judges around the country, who are named to five-year terms) Political parties and leaders: Center of Social Action or CASA [Eduardo SUGER]; Democracy Front or FRENTE [Alfonso CABRERA]; Democratic Union or UD [Manuel CONDE Orellana]; Encounter for Guatemala or EG [Nineth MONTENGRO]; Grand National Alliance or GANA [Alfredo VILLA]; Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity or URNG [Hector NUILA]; Guatemalan Republican Front or FRG [Efrain RIOS Montt]; National Advancement Party or PAN [Juan Guillermo GUTIERREZ]; National Unity for Hope or UNE [Juan Jose ALFARO Lemus]; Nationalist Change Union or UCN [Mario ESTRADA]; Patriot Party or PP [Ret. Gen. Otto PEREZ Molina]; Unionista Party or PU [Fritz GARCIA-GALLONT] Political pressure groups and leaders: Agrarian Owners Group or UNAGRO; Alliance Against Impunity or AAI; Committee for Campesino Unity or CUC; Coordinating Committee of Agricultural, Commercial, Industrial, and Financial Associations or CACIF; Mutual Support Group or GAM International organization participation: BCIE, CACM, FAO, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Francisco VILLAGRAN de Leon chancery: 2220 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 745-4952 FAX: [1] (202) 745-1908 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Phoenix, Providence, San Francisco Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Stephen G. MCFARLAND embassy: 7-01 Avenida Reforma, Zone 10, Guatemala City mailing address: APO AA 34024 telephone: [502] 2326-4000 FAX: [502] 2326-4654 Flag description: three equal vertical bands of light blue (hoist side), white, and light blue, with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms includes a green and red quetzal (the national bird) and a scroll bearing the inscription LIBERTAD 15 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 1821 (the original date of independence from Spain) all superimposed on a pair of crossed rifles and a pair of crossed swords and framed by a wreath Economy ::Guatemala Economy - overview: Guatemala is the most populous of the Central American countries with a GDP per capita roughly one-half that of Argentina, Brazil, and Chile. The agricultural sector accounts for about one-tenth of GDP, two-fifths of exports, and half of the labor force. Coffee, sugar, and bananas are the main products, with sugar exports benefiting from increased global demand for ethanol. The 1996 signing of peace accords, which ended 36 years of civil war, removed a major obstacle to foreign investment, and Guatemala since then has pursued important reforms and macroeconomic stabilization. The Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) entered into force in July 2006 and has since spurred increased investment in the export sector, but concerns over security, the lack of skilled workers and poor infrastructure continued to hamper foreign participation. The distribution of income remains highly unequal with more than half of the population below the national poverty line. Other ongoing challenges include increasing government revenues, negotiating further assistance from international donors, curtailing drug trafficking and rampant crime, and narrowing the trade deficit. Given Guatemala's large expatriate community in the United States, it is the top remittance recipient in Central America, with inflows serving as a primary source of foreign income equivalent to nearly two-thirds of exports. Economic growth will slow in 2009 as export demand from US and other Central American markets drop and foreign investment slows amid the global slowdown. GDP (purchasing power parity): $68.75 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 $66.1 billion (2007 est.) $62.18 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $38.98 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 6.3% (2007 est.) 5.4% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $5,300 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 136 $5,200 (2007 est.) $5,000 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 13.1% industry: 25% services: 61.9% (2008 est.) Labor force: 4.056 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 87 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 50% industry: 15% services: 35% (1999 est.) Unemployment rate: 3.2% (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 36 Population below poverty line: 56.2% (2004 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.3% highest 10%: 42.4% (2006) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 55.1 (2007) country comparison to the world: 13 55.8 (1998) Investment (gross fixed): 18.6% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 Budget: revenues: $4.693 billion expenditures: $5.338 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 25.7% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 32% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 11.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 163 6.8% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: NA% Commercial bank prime lending rate: 13.39% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 63 12.84% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $6.106 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 51 $6.227 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $9.7 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 51 $8.928 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $14.82 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 67 $13.96 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: sugarcane, corn, bananas, coffee, beans, cardamom; cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens Industries: sugar, textiles and clothing, furniture, chemicals, petroleum, metals, rubber, tourism Industrial production growth rate: 1.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 Electricity - production: 8.425 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 Electricity - consumption: 7.115 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 Electricity - exports: 131.9 million kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 8.11 million kWh (2007 est.) Oil - production: 15,550 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 Oil - consumption: 76,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 85 Oil - exports: 21,850 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 Oil - imports: 72,440 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 Oil - proved reserves: 83.07 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 177 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 72 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 173 Natural gas - proved reserves: 2.96 billion cu m (1 January 2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 93 Current account balance: -$1.932 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 137 -$1.754 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $7.848 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 $7.012 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: coffee, sugar, petroleum, apparel, bananas, fruits and vegetables, cardamom Exports - partners: US 39.4%, El Salvador 12.6%, Honduras 9.5%, Mexico 6.6%, Nicaragua 4.2%, Costa Rica 4.1% (2008) Imports: $13.42 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 87 $12.48 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: fuels, machinery and transport equipment, construction materials, grain, fertilizers, electricity Imports - partners: US 36.7%, Mexico 9.7%, China 5.8%, El Salvador 4.8% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $4.471 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 83 $4.139 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $6.5 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 $5.908 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: quetzales (GTQ) per US dollar - 7.5895 (2008 est.), 7.6833 (2007), 7.6026 (2006), 7.6339 (2005), 7.9465 (2004) Communications ::Guatemala Telephones - main lines in use: 1.449 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 65 Telephones - mobile cellular: 14.949 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 42 Telephone system: general assessment: fairly modern network centered in the city of Guatemala domestic: state-owned telecommunications company privatized in the late 1990s opening the way for competition; fixed-line teledensity 11 per 100 persons; fixed-line investments are being concentrated on improving rural connectivity; mobile-cellular teledensity exceeds 100 per 100 persons international: country code - 502; landing point for both the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) and the SAM-1 fiber optic submarine cable system that together provide connectivity to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; connected to Central American Microwave System; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 130, FM 487, shortwave 15 (2000) Television broadcast stations: 26 (plus 27 repeaters) (1997) Internet country code: .gt Internet hosts: 132,049 (2009) country comparison to the world: 69 Internet users: 1.96 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 70 Transportation ::Guatemala Airports: 371 (2009) country comparison to the world: 21 Airports - with paved runways: total: 13 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 3 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 358 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 84 under 914 m: 270 (2009) Pipelines: oil 480 km (2008) Railways: total: 332 km country comparison to the world: 120 narrow gauge: 332 km 0.914-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 14,095 km country comparison to the world: 124 paved: 4,863 km (includes 75 km of expressways) unpaved: 9,232 km (2000) Waterways: 990 km country comparison to the world: 66 note: 260 km navigable year round; additional 730 km navigable during high-water season (2007) Ports and terminals: Puerto Quetzal, Santo Tomas de Castilla Military ::Guatemala Military branches: Army, Navy (includes Marines), Air Force Military service age and obligation: all male citizens between the ages of 18 and 50 are liable for military service; conscript service obligation varies from 12 to 24 months; women can serve as officers (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 2,861,696 females age 16-49: 3,062,967 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 2,401,297 females age 16-49: 2,725,572 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 165,910 female: 163,760 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 0.4% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 165 Transnational Issues ::Guatemala Disputes - international: annual ministerial meetings under the OAS-initiated Agreement on the Framework for Negotiations and Confidence Building Measures continue to address Guatemalan land and maritime claims in Belize and the Caribbean Sea; the Line of Adjacency created under the 2002 Differendum serves in lieu of the contiguous international boundary to control squatting in the sparsely inhabited rain forests of Belize's border region; Mexico must deal with thousands of impoverished Guatemalans and other Central Americans who cross the porous border looking for work in Mexico and the United States Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs: undetermined (the UN does not estimate there are any IDPs, although some NGOs estimate over 200,000 IDPs as a result of over three decades of internal conflict that ended in 1996) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Guatemala is a source, transit, and destination country for Guatemalans and Central Americans trafficked for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor; human trafficking is a significant and growing problem in the country; Guatemalan women and children are trafficked within the country for commercial sexual exploitation, primarily to Mexico and the United States; Guatemalan men, women, and children are also trafficked within the country, and to Mexico and the United States, for forced labor tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - for a second consecutive year, Guatemala is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in persons, particularly with respect to ensuring that trafficking offenders are appropriately prosecuted for their crimes; while prosecutors initiated trafficking prosecutions, they continued to face problems in court with application of Guatemala's comprehensive anti-trafficking law; the government made modest improvements to its protection efforts, but assistance remained inadequate overall in 2007 (2008) Illicit drugs: major transit country for cocaine and heroin; in 2005, cultivated 100 hectares of opium poppy after reemerging as a potential source of opium in 2004; potential production of less than 1 metric ton of pure heroin; marijuana cultivation for mostly domestic consumption; proximity to Mexico makes Guatemala a major staging area for drugs (particularly for cocaine); money laundering is a serious problem; corruption is a major problem page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Guernsey (Europe) Introduction ::Guernsey Background: Guernsey and the other Channel Islands represent the last remnants of the medieval Dukedom of Normandy, which held sway in both France and England. The islands were the only British soil occupied by German troops in World War II. Guernsey is a British crown dependency, but is not part of the UK. However, the UK Government is constitutionally responsible for its defense and international representation. Geography ::Guernsey Location: Western Europe, islands in the English Channel, northwest of France Geographic coordinates: 49 28 N, 2 35 W Map references: Europe Area: total: 78 sq km country comparison to the world: 227 land: 78 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Alderney, Guernsey, Herm, Sark, and some other smaller islands Area - comparative: about one-half the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 50 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm Climate: temperate with mild winters and cool summers; about 50% of days are overcast Terrain: mostly level with low hills in southwest Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Sark 114 m Natural resources: cropland Land use: arable land: NA permanent crops: NA other: NA Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: large, deepwater harbor at Saint Peter Port People ::Guernsey Population: 65,870 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 203 Age structure: 0-14 years: 14.4% (male 4,793/female 4,668) 15-64 years: 67.5% (male 22,058/female 22,433) 65 years and over: 18.1% (male 5,078/female 6,840) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 42.5 years male: 41.4 years female: 43.4 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.21% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 183 Birth rate: 8.46 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 219 Death rate: 10.16 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 Net migration rate: 3.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 Urbanization: urban population: 31% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 4.47 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 200 male: 4.98 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80.77 years country comparison to the world: 12 male: 77.76 years female: 83.88 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.41 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 193 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Channel Islander(s) adjective: Channel Islander Ethnic groups: UK and Norman-French descent with small percentages from other European countries Religions: Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist, Congregational, Methodist Languages: English, French, Norman-French dialect spoken in country districts Literacy: NA Education expenditures: NA Government ::Guernsey Country name: conventional long form: Bailiwick of Guernsey conventional short form: Guernsey Dependency status: British crown dependency Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: name: Saint Peter Port geographic coordinates: 49 27 N, 2 32 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: none (British crown dependency); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 10 parishes including Castel, Forest, Saint Andrew, Saint Martin, Saint Peter Port, Saint Pierre du Bois, Saint Sampson, Saint Saviour, Torteval, Vale Independence: none (British crown dependency) National holiday: Liberation Day, 9 May (1945) Constitution: unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice Legal system: the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply; justice is administered by the Royal Court Suffrage: 16 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Lieutenant Governor Sir Fabian MALBON (since 28 October 2005) head of government: Chief Minister Lyndon TROTT (since 1 May 2008) cabinet: Policy Council elected by the States of Deliberation elections: the monarch is hereditary; lieutenant governor appointed by the monarch; chief minister is elected by States of Deliberation election results: Lyndon TROTT elected chief minister, percent of vote of the States of Deliberation NA Legislative branch: unicameral States of Deliberation (45 seats; members are elected by popular vote for four years); note - Alderney and Sark have parliaments elections: last held 23 April 2008 (next to be held in 2012) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - all independents Judicial branch: Royal Court (judges elected by an electoral college and the bailiff) Political parties and leaders: none; all independents Political pressure groups and leaders: Stop Traffic Endangering Pedestrian Safety or STEPS; No More Masts [Colin FALLAIZE] International organization participation: UPU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (British crown dependency) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (British crown dependency) Flag description: white with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England) extending to the edges of the flag and a yellow equal-armed cross of William the Conqueror superimposed on the Saint George cross Economy ::Guernsey Economy - overview: Financial services - banking, fund management, insurance - account for about 23% of employment and about 55% of total income in this tiny, prosperous Channel Island economy. Tourism, manufacturing, and horticulture, mainly tomatoes and cut flowers, have been declining. Financial services, construction, retail, and the public sector have been growing. Light tax and death duties make Guernsey a popular tax haven. The evolving economic integration of the EU nations is changing the environment under which Guernsey operates. GDP (purchasing power parity): $2.742 billion (2005) country comparison to the world: 176 GDP (official exchange rate): $2.742 billion (2005) GDP - real growth rate: 3% (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 125 GDP - per capita (PPP): $44,600 (2005) country comparison to the world: 13 GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3% industry: 10% services: 87% (2000) Labor force: 31,470 (March 2006) country comparison to the world: 196 Unemployment rate: 0.9% (March 2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $563.6 million expenditures: $530.9 million (2005) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.4% (June 2006) country comparison to the world: 46 Agriculture - products: tomatoes, greenhouse flowers, sweet peppers, eggplant, fruit; Guernsey cattle Industries: tourism, banking Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: NA kWh Electricity - consumption: NA kWh Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2002) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2002) Exports: $NA Exports - commodities: tomatoes, flowers and ferns, sweet peppers, eggplant, other vegetables Imports: $NA Imports - commodities: coal, gasoline, oil, machinery and equipment Debt - external: $NA Exchange rates: Guernsey pound 0.5302 (2008 est.), 0.4993 (2007), 0.5418 (2006), 0.5493 (2005), 0.5462 (2004) note: the Guernsey pound is at par with the British pound Communications ::Guernsey Telephones - main lines in use: 45,100 (2008) country comparison to the world: 166 Telephones - mobile cellular: 43,800 (2004) country comparison to the world: 197 Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: fixed-line and mobile-cellular services widely available; combined fixed and mobile-cellular density exceeds 100 per 100 persons international: 1 submarine cable Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997) Internet country code: .gg Internet hosts: 174 (2009) country comparison to the world: 191 Internet users: 46,100 (2008) country comparison to the world: 172 Transportation ::Guernsey Airports: 2 (2009) country comparison to the world: 209 Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Ports and terminals: Saint Peter Port, Saint Sampson Military ::Guernsey Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 12,447 females age 16-49: 12,566 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 362 female: 351 (2009 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Transnational Issues ::Guernsey Disputes - international: none page last updated on October 28, 2009 ====================================================================== @Guinea (Africa) Introduction ::Guinea Background: Guinea has had a history of authoritarian rule since gaining its independence from France in 1958. Lansana CONTE came to power in 1984 when the military seized the government after the death of the first president, Sekou TOURE. Guinea did not hold democratic elections until 1993 when Gen. CONTE (head of the military government) was elected president of the civilian government. He was reelected in 1998 and again in 2003, though all the polls were marred by irregularities. History repeated itself in December 2008 when following President CONTE's death, Capt. Moussa Dadis CAMARA led a military coup, seizing power and suspending the constitution as well as political and union activity. Guinea has maintained some semblance of internal stability despite spillover effects from conflict in Sierra Leone and Liberia. As those countries have rebuilt, however, Guinea's own vulnerability to political and economic crisis has increased. Declining economic conditions and popular dissatisfaction with corruption and bad governance prompted two massive strikes in 2006, and a third nationwide strike in early 2007. Geography ::Guinea Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone Geographic coordinates: 11 00 N, 10 00 W Map references: Africa Area: total: 245,857 sq km country comparison to the world: 78 land: 245,717 sq km water: 140 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Oregon Land boundaries: total: 3,399 km border countries: Cote d'Ivoire 610 km, Guinea-Bissau 386 km, Liberia 563 km, Mali 858 km, Senegal 330 km, Sierra Leone 652 km Coastline: 320 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds Terrain: generally flat coastal plain, hilly to mountainous interior Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Nimba 1,752 m Natural resources: bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold, uranium, hydropower, fish, salt Land use: arable land: 4.47% permanent crops: 2.64% other: 92.89% (2005) Irrigated land: 950 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 226 cu km (1987) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 1.51 cu km/yr (8%/2%/90%) per capita: 161 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season Environment - current issues: deforestation; inadequate supplies of potable water; desertification; soil contamination and erosion; overfishing, overpopulation in forest region; poor mining practices have led to environmental damage Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: the Niger and its important tributary the Milo have their sources in the Guinean highlands People ::Guinea Population: 10,057,975 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 Age structure: 0-14 years: 42.8% (male 2,175,852/female 2,128,518) 15-64 years: 53.7% (male 2,701,184/female 2,704,161) 65 years and over: 3.5% (male 153,053/female 195,207) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 18.5 years male: 18.2 years female: 18.7 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 2.572% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 Birth rate: 37.52 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 Death rate: 11 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 Net migration rate: -0.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 Urbanization: urban population: 34% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 65.22 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 31 male: 68.7 deaths/1,000 live births female: 61.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 57.09 years country comparison to the world: 189 male: 55.63 years female: 58.6 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.2 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.6% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 87,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 4,500 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever water contact disease: schistosomiasis animal contact disease: rabies aerosolized dust or soil contact disease: Lassa fever (2009) Nationality: noun: Guinean(s) adjective: Guinean Ethnic groups: Peuhl 40%, Malinke 30%, Soussou 20%, smaller ethnic groups 10% Religions: Muslim 85%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 7% Languages: French (official); note - each ethnic group has its own language Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 29.5% male: 42.6% female: 18.1% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 8 years male: 10 years female: 7 years (2006) Education expenditures: 1.6% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 173 Government ::Guinea Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Guinea conventional short form: Guinea local long form: Republique de Guinee local short form: Guinee former: French Guinea Government type: republic Capital: name: Conakry geographic coordinates: 9 33 N, 13 42 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 33 prefectures and 1 special zone (zone special)*; Beyla, Boffa, Boke, Conakry*, Coyah, Dabola, Dalaba, Dinguiraye, Dubreka, Faranah, Forecariah, Fria, Gaoual, Gueckedou, Kankan, Kerouane, Kindia, Kissidougou, Koubia, Koundara, Kouroussa, Labe, Lelouma, Lola, Macenta, Mali, Mamou, Mandiana, Nzerekore, Pita, Siguiri, Telimele, Tougue, Yomou Independence: 2 October 1958 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 2 October (1958) Constitution: 23 December 1990 (Loi Fundamentale) Legal system: based on French civil law system, customary law, and decree; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Capt. Moussa Dadis CAMARA, President of the National Council for Democracy and Development, who led a military coup following the death of President Lansana CONTE on 22 December 2008 head of government: Prime Minister Kabine KOMARA (since 30 December 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (no term limits); candidate must receive a majority of the votes cast to be elected president; election last held 21 December 2003 (ad hoc election scheduled for 31 January 2010); the prime minister is appointed by the president election results: Lansana CONTE reelected president; percent of vote - Lansana CONTE 95.3%, Mamadou Bhoye BARRY 4.6% Legislative branch: unicameral People's National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale Populaire (114 seats; members are elected by a mixed system of direct popular vote and proportional party lists) elections: last held 30 June 2002 (legislative elections due in 2007 were first rescheduled for 2008 and subsequently rescheduled for 26 March 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - PUP 61.6%, UPR 26.6%, other 11.8%; seats by party - PUP 85, UPR 20, other 9 Judicial branch: Court of First Instance or Tribunal de Premiere Instance; Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Supreme Court or Cour Supreme Political parties and leaders: National Union for Progress or UPN [Mamadou Bhoye BARRY]; Party for Unity and Progress or PUP (the governing party) [Sekou KONATE]; People's Party of Guinea or PPG [Charles Pascal TOLNO]; Rally for the Guinean People or RPG [Alpha CONDE]; Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea or UFDG [Cellou Dalein DIALLO]; Union of Republican Forces or UFR [Sidya TOURE]; Union for Progress of Guinea or UPG [Jean-Marie DORE, secretary-general]; Union for Progress and Renewal or UPR [Ousmane BAH] Political pressure groups and leaders: National Confederation of Guinean Workers-Labor Union of Guinean Workers or CNTG-USTG Alliance (includes National Confederation of Guinean Workers or CNTG [Rabiatou Sarah DIALLO] and Labor Union of Guinean Workers or USTG [Dr. Ibrahima FOFANA]); National Council of Civil Society Organizations of Guinea or CNOSCG [Ben Sekou SYLLA]; Syndicate of Guinean Teachers and Researchers or SLECG [Dr. Louis M'Bemba SOUMAH] International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Mory Karamoko KABA chancery: 2112 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 986-4300 FAX: [1] (202) 483-8688 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Elizabeth RASPOLIC embassy: Koloma, Conakry, east of Hamdallaye Circle mailing address: B. P. 603, Transversale No. 2, Centre Administratif de Koloma, Commune de Ratoma, Conakry telephone: [224] 65-10-40-00 FAX: [224] 65-10-42-97 Flag description: three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, and green; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Economy ::Guinea Economy - overview: Guinea possesses major mineral, hydropower, and agricultural resources, yet remains an underdeveloped nation. The country has almost half of the world's bauxite reserves. The mining sector accounts for more than 70% of exports. Long-run improvements in government fiscal arrangements, literacy, and the legal framework are needed if the country is to move out of poverty. Investor confidence has been sapped by rampant corruption, a lack of electricity and other infrastructure, a lack of skilled workers, and the political uncertainty because of the death of President Lansana CONTE in December 2008. Guinea is trying to reengage with the IMF and World Bank, which cut off most assistance in 2003, and is working closely with technical advisors from the U.S. Treasury Department, the World Bank and IMF, seeking to return to a fully funded program. Growth rose slightly in 2006-08, primarily due to increases in global demand and commodity prices on world markets, but the standard of living fell. The Guinea franc depreciated sharply as the prices for basic necessities like food and fuel rose beyond the reach of most Guineans. Dissatisfaction with economic conditions prompted nationwide strikes in February and June 2006. GDP (purchasing power parity): $10.62 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 $10.17 billion (2007 est.) $10.02 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $4.517 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 1.5% (2007 est.) 2.2% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $1,100 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 208 $1,100 (2007 est.) $1,100 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 23.2% industry: 39.5% services: 37.3% (2008 est.) Labor force: 4.392 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 76% industry and services: 24% (2006 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Population below poverty line: 47% (2006 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.9% highest 10%: 41% (2006) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 38.1 (2006) country comparison to the world: 73 40.3 (1994) Investment (gross fixed): 12.3% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 143 Budget: revenues: $769.7 million expenditures: $837.7 million (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 15% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 190 23.4% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: NA% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 5 22.25% (31 December 2005) Commercial bank prime lending rate: NA% Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $309.8 million (31 December 2005) Stock of quasi money: $NA Stock of domestic credit: $422.1 million (31 December 2005) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: rice, coffee, pineapples, palm kernels, cassava (tapioca), bananas, sweet potatoes; cattle, sheep, goats; timber Industries: bauxite, gold, diamonds, iron; alumina refining; light manufacturing, and agricultural processing Industrial production growth rate: 7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 Electricity - production: 850 million kWh country comparison to the world: 149 note: excludes electricity generated at interior mining sites (2007 est.) Electricity - consumption: 790.5 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 191 Oil - consumption: 9,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 198 Oil - imports: 8,674 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 141 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 165 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 101 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 176 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 71 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 172 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 173 Current account balance: -$489 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 -$463 million (2007 est.) Exports: $1.392 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 $1.203 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: bauxite, alumina, gold, diamonds, coffee, fish, agricultural products Exports - partners: India 28.9%, Spain 10%, Russia 9.5%, Germany 6.7%, US 5.8%, Ireland 4.2%, France 4.1% (2008) Imports: $1.389 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 $1.218 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: petroleum products, metals, machinery, transport equipment, textiles, grain and other foodstuffs Imports - partners: China 9.6%, France 7.8%, Netherlands 7.6% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $93 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 $86 million (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $3.222 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 $3.351 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: Guinean francs (GNF) per US dollar - 5,500 (2008 est.), 4,122.8 (2007), 5,350 (2006), 3,644.3 (2005), 2,225 (2004) Communications ::Guinea Telephones - main lines in use: 50,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 163 Telephones - mobile cellular: 2.6 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 113 Telephone system: general assessment: inadequate system of open-wire lines, small radiotelephone communication stations, and new microwave radio relay system domestic: Conakry reasonably well served; coverage elsewhere remains inadequate and large companies tend to rely on their own systems for nationwide links; fixed-line density less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership is expanding and is roughly 25 per 100 persons international: country code - 224; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 5, shortwave 3 (2006) Television broadcast stations: 6 (2001) Internet country code: .gn Internet hosts: 14 (2009) country comparison to the world: 218 Internet users: 90,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 157 Transportation ::Guinea Airports: 17 (2009) country comparison to the world: 141 Airports - with paved runways: total: 5 over 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 12 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Railways: total: 1,185 km country comparison to the world: 86 standard gauge: 238 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 947 km 1.000-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 44,348 km country comparison to the world: 82 paved: 4,342 km unpaved: 40,006 km (2003) Waterways: 1,300 km (navigable by shallow-draft native craft) (2008) country comparison to the world: 57 Ports and terminals: Conakry, Kamsar Military ::Guinea Military branches: National Armed Forces: Army, Navy (Armee de Mer or Marine Guineenne, includes Marines), Air Force (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18-25 years of age for compulsory or voluntary military service; 18-month conscript service obligation (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 2,230,049 females age 16-49: 2,193,236 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,396,278 females age 16-49: 1,435,387 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 110,281 female: 107,879 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.7% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 97 Transnational Issues ::Guinea Disputes - international: conflicts among rebel groups, warlords, and youth gangs in neighboring states have spilled over into Guinea, resulting in domestic instability; Sierra Leone considers Guinea's definition of the flood plain limits to define the left bank boundary of the Makona and Moa rivers excessive and protests Guinea's continued occupation of these lands, including the hamlet of Yenga, occupied since 1998 Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 21,856 (Liberia); 5,259 (Sierra Leone); 3,900 (Cote d'Ivoire) IDPs: 19,000 (cross-border incursions from Cote d'Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Guinea is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and sexual exploitation; the majority of victims are children, and internal trafficking is more prevalent than transnational trafficking; within the country, girls are trafficked primarily for domestic servitude and sexual exploitation, while boys are trafficked for forced agricultural labor, and as forced beggars, street vendors, shoe shiners, and laborers in gold and diamond mines; some Guinean men are also trafficked for agricultural labor within Guinea; transnationally, girls are trafficked into Guinea for domestic servitude and likely also for sexual exploitation tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Guinea is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking over 2006; Guinea demonstrated minimal law enforcement efforts for a second year in a row, while protection efforts diminished over efforts in 2006; the government did not report any trafficking convictions in 2007; due to a lack of resources, the government does not provide shelter services for trafficking victims; the government took no measures to reduce the demand for commercial sexual exploitation (2008) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Guinea-Bissau (Africa) Introduction ::Guinea-Bissau Background: Since independence from Portugal in 1974, Guinea-Bissau has experienced considerable political and military upheaval. In 1980, a military coup established authoritarian dictator Joao Bernardo 'Nino' VIEIRA as president. Despite setting a path to a market economy and multiparty system, VIEIRA's regime was characterized by the suppression of political opposition and the purging of political rivals. Several coup attempts through the 1980s and early 1990s failed to unseat him. In 1994 VIEIRA was elected president in the country's first free elections. A military mutiny and resulting civil war in 1998 eventually led to VIEIRA's ouster in May 1999. In February 2000, a transitional government turned over power to opposition leader Kumba YALA, after he was elected president in transparent polling. In September 2003, after only three years in office, YALA was ousted by the military in a bloodless coup, and businessman Henrique ROSA was sworn in as interim president. In 2005, former President VIEIRA was re-elected president pledging to pursue economic development and national reconciliation. He was assassinated in March 2009; new elections are to take place in June 2009. Geography ::Guinea-Bissau Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Senegal Geographic coordinates: 12 00 N, 15 00 W Map references: Africa Area: total: 36,125 sq km country comparison to the world: 137 land: 28,120 sq km water: 8,005 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than three times the size of Connecticut Land boundaries: total: 724 km border countries: Guinea 386 km, Senegal 338 km Coastline: 350 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds Terrain: mostly low coastal plain rising to savanna in east Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location in the northeast corner of the country 300 m Natural resources: fish, timber, phosphates, bauxite, clay, granite, limestone, unexploited deposits of petroleum Land use: arable land: 8.31% permanent crops: 6.92% other: 84.77% (2005) Irrigated land: 250 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 31 cu km (2003) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.18 cu km/yr (13%/5%/82%) per capita: 113 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season; brush fires Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing; overfishing Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: this small country is swampy along its western coast and low-lying inland People ::Guinea-Bissau Population: 1,533,964 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 Age structure: 0-14 years: 40.8% (male 312,253/female 313,609) 15-64 years: 56.1% (male 414,924/female 445,639) 65 years and over: 3.1% (male 19,191/female 28,348) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 19.3 years male: 18.7 years female: 19.8 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 2.019% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 Birth rate: 35.97 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 Death rate: 15.79 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 Urbanization: urban population: 30% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 99.82 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 10 male: 109.89 deaths/1,000 live births female: 89.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 47.9 years country comparison to the world: 210 male: 46.07 years female: 49.79 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.65 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.8% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 16,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 1,100 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever water contact disease: schistosomiasis animal contact disease: rabies (2009) Nationality: noun: Guinean(s) adjective: Guinean Ethnic groups: African 99% (includes Balanta 30%, Fula 20%, Manjaca 14%, Mandinga 13%, Papel 7%), European and mulatto less than 1% Religions: Muslim 50%, indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 10% Languages: Portuguese (official), Crioulo, African languages Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 42.4% male: 58.1% female: 27.4% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 5 years male: 7 years female: 4 years (2001) Education expenditures: 5.2% of GDP (1999) country comparison to the world: 60 Government ::Guinea-Bissau Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Guinea-Bissau conventional short form: Guinea-Bissau local long form: Republica da Guine-Bissau local short form: Guine-Bissau former: Portuguese Guinea Government type: republic Capital: name: Bissau geographic coordinates: 11 51 N, 15 35 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 9 regions (regioes, singular - regiao); Bafata, Biombo, Bissau, Bolama, Cacheu, Gabu, Oio, Quinara, Tombali; note - Bolama may have been renamed Bolama/Bijagos Independence: 24 September 1973 (declared); 10 September 1974 (from Portugal) National holiday: Independence Day, 24 September (1973) Constitution: 16 May 1984; amended 4 May 1991, 4 December 1991, 26 February 1993, 9 June 1993, and in 1996 Legal system: based on French civil law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Malam Bacai SANHA (since 8 September 2009) head of government: Prime Minister Carlos GOMES Junior (since 25 December 2008) cabinet: NA elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (no term limits); election last held 28 June 2009 with a runoff between the two leading candidates held on 26 July 2009 (next to be held by 2014); prime minister appointed by the president after consultation with party leaders in the legislature election results: Malam Bacai SANHA elected president; percent of vote, second ballot - Malam Bacai SANHA 63.5%, Kumba YALA 36.5% Legislative branch: unicameral National People's Assembly or Assembleia Nacional Popular (100 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 16 November 2008 (next to be held 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - PAIGC 49.8%, PRS 25.3%, PRID 7.5%, PND 2.4%, AD 1.4%, other parties 13.6%; seats by party - PAIGC 67, PRS 28, PRID 3, PND 1, AD 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Supremo Tribunal da Justica (consists of nine justices appointed by the president and serve at his pleasure; final court of appeals in criminal and civil cases); Regional Courts (one in each of nine regions; first court of appeals for Sectoral Court decisions; hear all felony cases and civil cases valued at more than $1,000); 24 Sectoral Courts (judges are not necessarily trained lawyers; they hear civil cases valued at less than $1,000 and misdemeanor criminal cases) Political parties and leaders: African Party for the Independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde or PAIGC [Carlos GOMES Junior]; Party for Social Renewal or PRS [Kumba YALA]; Democratic Alliance or AD [Victor MANDINGA]; Democratic Social Front or FDS [Rafael BARBOSA]; Electoral Union or UE [Joaquim BALDE]; Guinea-Bissau Civic Forum/Social Democracy or FCGSD [Antonieta Rosa GOMES]; Guinea-Bissau Democratic Party or PDG; Guinea-Bissau Socialist Democratic Party or PDSG [Serifo BALDE]; Labor and Solidarity Party or PST [Iancuba INDJAI]; New Democracy Party or PND; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Victor MANDINGA]; Party for Renewal and Progress or PRP; Progress Party or PP; Republican Party for Independence and Development or PRID [Aristides GOMES]; Union for Change or UM [Amine SAAD]; Union of Guinean Patriots or UPG [Francisca VAZ]; United Platform or UP (coalition formed by PCD, FDS, FLING, and RGB-MB); United Popular Alliance or APU; United Social Democratic Party or PUSD [Frnacisco FADUL] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, CPLP, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: none; note - Guinea-Bissau does not have official representation in Washington, DC Diplomatic representation from the US: the US Embassy suspended operations on 14 June 1998 in the midst of violent conflict between forces loyal to then President VIEIRA and military-led junta; the US Ambassador to Senegal is accredited to Guinea-Bissau Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and green with a vertical red band on the hoist side; there is a black five-pointed star centered in the red band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Economy ::Guinea-Bissau Economy - overview: One of the five poorest countries in the world, Guinea-Bissau depends mainly on farming and fishing. Cashew crops have increased remarkably in recent years, and the country now ranks fifth in cashew production. Guinea-Bissau exports fish and seafood along with small amounts of peanuts, palm kernels, and timber. Rice is the major crop and staple food. However, intermittent fighting between Senegalese-backed government troops and a military junta destroyed much of the country's infrastructure and caused widespread damage to the economy in 1998; the civil war led to a 28% drop in GDP that year, with partial recovery in 1999-2002. Before the war, trade reform and price liberalization were the most successful part of the country's structural adjustment program under IMF sponsorship. The tightening of monetary policy and the development of the private sector had also begun to reinvigorate the economy. Because of high costs, the development of petroleum, phosphate, and other mineral resources is not a near-term prospect. Offshore oil prospecting is underway in several sectors but has not yet led to commercially viable crude deposits. The inequality of income distribution is one of the most extreme in the world. The government and international donors continue to work out plans to forward economic development from a lamentably low base. In December 2003, the World Bank, IMF, and UNDP were forced to step in to provide emergency budgetary support in the amount of $107 million for 2004, representing over 80% of the total national budget. Government drift and indecision, however, resulted in continued low growth in 2002-06. Higher raw material prices boosted growth in 2007 and 2008. GDP (purchasing power parity): $896.5 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 205 $867.9 million (2007 est.) $845.1 million (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $461 million (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 116 2.7% (2007 est.) 0.6% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $600 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 224 $600 (2007 est.) $600 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 62% industry: 12% services: 26% (1999 est.) Labor force: 632,700 (2007) country comparison to the world: 147 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 82% industry and services: 18% (2000 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.9% highest 10%: 28% (2002) Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.8% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 Central bank discount rate: 4.75% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 120 4.25% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $142.5 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) $12.04 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $46.44 million (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: rice, corn, beans, cassava (tapioca), cashew nuts, peanuts, palm kernels, cotton; timber; fish Industries: agricultural products processing, beer, soft drinks Industrial production growth rate: 4.7% (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 Electricity - production: 65 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 196 Electricity - consumption: 60.45 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 196 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 Oil - consumption: 3,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 177 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 Oil - imports: 2,545 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 172 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 130 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 143 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 Current account balance: -$6 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 Exports: $133 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 186 Exports - commodities: cashew nuts, shrimp, peanuts, palm kernels, sawn lumber Exports - partners: India 56.8%, Nigeria 35.6%, Pakistan 1.2% (2008) Imports: $200 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 200 Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment, petroleum products Imports - partners: Portugal 24.5%, Senegal 17.2%, Pakistan 4.8%, France 4.6% (2008) Debt - external: $941.5 million (2000 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 447.81 (2008 est.), 493.51 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004) note: since 1 January 1999, the West African CFA franc (XOF) has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro; West African CFA franc (XOF) coins and banknotes are not accepted in countries using Central African CFA francs (XAF), and vice versa, even though the two currencies trade at par Communications ::Guinea-Bissau Telephones - main lines in use: 4,600 (2008) country comparison to the world: 214 Telephones - mobile cellular: 500,200 (2008) country comparison to the world: 155 Telephone system: general assessment: small system domestic: combination of microwave radio relay, open-wire lines, radiotelephone, and cellular communications; fixed-line teledensity less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity approached 35 per 100 in 2008 international: country code - 245 (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1 (transmitter out of service), FM 4, shortwave 0 (2001) Television broadcast stations: 1 (2007) Internet country code: .gw Internet hosts: 82 (2009) country comparison to the world: 202 Internet users: 37,100 (2008) country comparison to the world: 176 Transportation ::Guinea-Bissau Airports: 9 (2009) country comparison to the world: 160 Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 3 (2009) Roadways: total: 3,455 km country comparison to the world: 162 paved: 965 km unpaved: 2,490 km (2002) Waterways: rivers are navigable for some distance; many inlets and creeks give shallow-water access to much of interior (2008) Ports and terminals: Bissau, Buba, Cacheu, Farim Military ::Guinea-Bissau Military branches: People's Revolutionary Armed Force (FARP): Army, Navy, Air Force; paramilitary force Military service age and obligation: 18-25 years of age for selective compulsory military service; 16 years of age or younger with parental consent, for voluntary service (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 344,087 females age 16-49: 347,886 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 194,110 females age 16-49: 200,660 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 16,957 female: 17,172 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 3.1% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 Transnational Issues ::Guinea-Bissau Disputes - international: in 2006, political instability within Senegal's Casamance region resulted in thousands of Senegalese refugees, cross-border raids, and arms smuggling into Guinea-Bissau Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 7,454 (Senegal) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Guinea-Bissau is a source country for children trafficked primarily for forced begging and forced agricultural labor to other West African countries tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - for the second year in a row, Guinea-Bissau is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to combat severe forms of trafficking in persons, as evidenced by the continued failure to pass an anti-trafficking law and inadequate efforts to investigate or prosecute trafficking crimes or convict and punish trafficking offenders (2008) Illicit drugs: increasingly important transit country for South American cocaine enroute to Europe; enabling environment for trafficker operations thanks to pervasive corruption; archipelago-like geography around the capital facilitates drug smuggling page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Guyana (South America) Introduction ::Guyana Background: Originally a Dutch colony in the 17th century, by 1815 Guyana had become a British possession. The abolition of slavery led to black settlement of urban areas and the importation of indentured servants from India to work the sugar plantations. This ethnocultural divide has persisted and has led to turbulent politics. Guyana achieved independence from the UK in 1966, and since then it has been ruled mostly by socialist-oriented governments. In 1992, Cheddi JAGAN was elected president in what is considered the country's first free and fair election since independence. After his death five years later, his wife, Janet JAGAN, became president but resigned in 1999 due to poor health. Her successor, Bharrat JAGDEO, was reelected in 2001 and again in 2006. Geography ::Guyana Location: Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Suriname and Venezuela Geographic coordinates: 5 00 N, 59 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 214,969 sq km country comparison to the world: 84 land: 196,849 sq km water: 18,120 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Idaho Land boundaries: total: 2,949 km border countries: Brazil 1,606 km, Suriname 600 km, Venezuela 743 km Coastline: 459 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the outer edge of the continental margin Climate: tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy seasons (May to August, November to January) Terrain: mostly rolling highlands; low coastal plain; savanna in south Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Roraima 2,835 m Natural resources: bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp, fish Land use: arable land: 2.23% permanent crops: 0.14% other: 97.63% (2005) Irrigated land: 1,500 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 241 cu km (2000) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 1.64 cu km/yr (2%/1%/98%) per capita: 2,187 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: flash floods are a constant threat during rainy seasons Environment - current issues: water pollution from sewage and agricultural and industrial chemicals; deforestation Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: the third-smallest country in South America after Suriname and Uruguay; substantial portions of its western and eastern territories are claimed by Venezuela and Suriname respectively People ::Guyana Population: 772,298 country comparison to the world: 160 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 25.7% (male 101,319/female 97,505) 15-64 years: 68.7% (male 268,058/female 262,595) 65 years and over: 5.5% (male 17,938/female 24,883) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 28.7 years male: 28.2 years female: 29.2 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.181% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 185 Birth rate: 17.56 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 Death rate: 8.31 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 Net migration rate: -7.44 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 172 Urbanization: urban population: 28% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 29.65 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 76 male: 33.02 deaths/1,000 live births female: 26.11 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 66.68 years country comparison to the world: 157 male: 64.09 years female: 69.4 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.03 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 2.5% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 13,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 1,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009) Nationality: noun: Guyanese (singular and plural) adjective: Guyanese Ethnic groups: East Indian 43.5%, black (African) 30.2%, mixed 16.7%, Amerindian 9.1%, other 0.5% (2002 census) Religions: Hindu 28.4%, Pentecostal 16.9%, Roman Catholic 8.1%, Anglican 6.9%, Seventh Day Adventist 5%, Methodist 1.7%, Jehovah Witness 1.1%, other Christian 17.7%, Muslim 7.2%, other 4.3%, none 4.3% (2002 census) Languages: English, Amerindian dialects, Creole, Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Urdu Literacy: definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 98.8% male: 99.1% female: 98.5% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2005) Education expenditures: 8.3% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 13 Government ::Guyana Country name: conventional long form: Cooperative Republic of Guyana conventional short form: Guyana former: British Guiana Government type: republic Capital: name: Georgetown geographic coordinates: 6 48 N, 58 10 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 10 regions; Barima-Waini, Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Demerara-Mahaica, East Berbice-Corentyne, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara, Mahaica-Berbice, Pomeroon-Supenaam, Potaro-Siparuni, Upper Demerara-Berbice, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo Independence: 26 May 1966 (from the UK) National holiday: Republic Day, 23 February (1970) Constitution: 6 October 1980 Legal system: based on English common law with certain admixtures of Roman-Dutch law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Bharrat JAGDEO (since 11 August 1999); note - assumed presidency after resignation of President Janet JAGAN and was reelected in 2001, and again in 2006 head of government: Prime Minister Samuel HINDS (since October 1992, except for a period as chief of state after the death of President Cheddi JAGAN on 6 March 1997) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president, responsible to the legislature elections: president elected by popular vote as leader of a party list in parliamentary elections, which must be held at least every five years (no term limits); elections last held 28 August 2006 (next to be held by August 2011); prime minister appointed by the president election results: President Bharrat JAGDEO reelected; percent of vote 54.6% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (65 seats; members elected by popular vote, also not more than 4 non-elected non-voting ministers and 2 non-elected non-voting parliamentary secretaries appointed by the president; to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 28 August 2006 (next to be held by August 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - PPP/C 54.6%, PNC/R 34%, AFC 8.1%, other 3.3%; seats by party - PPP/C 36, PNC/R 22, AFC 5, other 2 Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Judicature, consisting of the High Court and the Court of Appeal, with right of final appeal to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Change or AFC [Raphael TROTMAN and Khemraj RAMJATTAN]; Guyana Action Party or GAP [Paul HARDY]; Justice for All Party [C.N. SHARMA]; People's National Congress/Reform or PNC/R [Robert Herman Orlando CORBIN]; People's Progressive Party/Civic or PPP/C [Bharrat JAGDEO]; Rise, Organize, and Rebuild or ROAR [Ravi DEV]; The United Force or TUF [Manzoor NADIR]; The Unity Party [Joey JAGAN]; Vision Guyana [Peter RAMSAROOP]; Working People's Alliance or WPA [Rupert ROOPNARAINE] Political pressure groups and leaders: Amerindian People's Association; Guyana Bar Association; Guyana Citizens Initiative; Guyana Human Rights Association; Guyana Public Service Union or GPSU; Private Sector Commission; Trades Union Congress International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (subscriber), ITU, ITUC, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OIC, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Bayney KARRAN chancery: 2490 Tracy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-6900 FAX: [1] (202) 232-1297 consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador John Melvin JONES embassy: US Embassy, 100 Young and Duke Streets, Kingston, Georgetown mailing address: P. O. Box 10507, Georgetown; US Embassy, 3170 Georgetown Place, Washington DC 20521-3170 telephone: [592] 225-4900 through 4909 FAX: [592] 225-8497 Flag description: green, with a red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) superimposed on a long, yellow arrowhead; there is a narrow, black border between the red and yellow, and a narrow, white border between the yellow and the green Economy ::Guyana Economy - overview: The Guyanese economy exhibited moderate economic growth in recent years and is based largely on agriculture and extractive industries. The economy is heavily dependent upon the export of six commodities - sugar, gold, bauxite, shrimp, timber, and rice - which represent nearly 60% of the country's GDP and are highly susceptible to adverse weather conditions and fluctuations in commodity prices. Economic recovery since the 2005 flood-related contraction has been buoyed by increases in remittances and foreign direct investment in the sugar and rice industries as well as the mining sector. The bauxite mining sector should benefit in the near term from restructuring and partial privatization, and the state-owned sugar industry will conduct efficiency increasing modernizations. Export earnings from agriculture and mining have remained flat as rising commodity prices have offset declining production, while the import bill has risen, driven by higher energy costs. Chronic problems include a shortage of skilled labor and a deficient infrastructure. The government is juggling a sizable external debt against the urgent need for expanded public investment. In March 2007, the Inter-American Development Bank, Guyana's principal donor, canceled Guyana's nearly $470 million debt, equivalent to nearly 48% of GDP, which along with other Highly Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) debt forgiveness brought the debt-to-GDP ratio down from 183% in 2006 to 120% in 2007. Guyana became heavily indebted as a result of the inward-looking, state-led development model pursued in the 1970s and 1980s. Guyana's entrance into the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) in January 2006 has broadened the country's export market, primarily in the raw materials sector. GDP (purchasing power parity): $2.973 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 174 $2.887 billion (2007 est.) $2.739 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $1.154 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 5.4% (2007 est.) 5.1% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $3,900 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 156 $3,800 (2007 est.) $3,600 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 24.9% industry: 24.9% services: 50.2% (2008 est.) Labor force: 333,900 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 159 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Unemployment rate: 11% (2007) country comparison to the world: 131 Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.3% highest 10%: 33.8% (1999) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 43.2 (1999) country comparison to the world: 50 Investment (gross fixed): 35.3% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 8 Budget: revenues: $488.7 million expenditures: $552.6 million (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 131 12.3% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 6.75% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 66 6.5% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 14.58% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 48 14.61% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $344.2 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 100 $315.2 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $817.6 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 99 $728.8 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $829.4 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 110 $739.3 million (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 105 $262.4 million (31 December 2007) $187.4 million (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: sugarcane, rice, shrimp, fish, edible oils; beef, pork, poultry Industries: bauxite, sugar, rice milling, timber, textiles, gold mining Industrial production growth rate: 2.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 Electricity - production: 821 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 152 Electricity - consumption: 667 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 152 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 190 Oil - consumption: 11,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 197 Oil - imports: 10,550 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 164 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 175 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 70 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 171 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 172 Current account balance: -$362 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 -$165.7 million (2007 est.) Exports: $797 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 $674.9 million (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: sugar, gold, bauxite, alumina, rice, shrimp, molasses, rum, timber Exports - partners: Canada 20.8%, US 15.2%, UK 12.3%, Netherlands 7.2%, Portugal 4.7%, Trinidad and Tobago 4.7%, Jamaica 4.5%, Ukraine 4.3% (2008) Imports: $1.294 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 167 $982.9 million (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: manufactures, machinery, petroleum, food Imports - partners: US 23.4%, Trinidad and Tobago 22.3%, Finland 7.7%, Cuba 6.1%, China 5.7% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $355.9 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 $313 million (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $804.3 million (30 September 2008) country comparison to the world: 157 $1.2 billion (2002) Exchange rates: Guyanese dollars (GYD) per US dollar - 203.86 (2008 est.), 201.89 (2007), 200.28 (2006), 200.79 (2005), 198.31 (2004) Communications ::Guyana Telephones - main lines in use: 125,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 140 Telephones - mobile cellular: 281,400 (2005) country comparison to the world: 168 Telephone system: general assessment: fair system for long-distance service domestic: microwave radio relay network for trunk lines; fixed-line teledensity is about 15 per 100 persons; many areas still lack fixed-line telephone services; mobile-cellular teledensity reached 37 per 100 persons in 2005 international: country code - 592; tropospheric scatter to Trinidad; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 3, shortwave 1 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 3 (1 public station; 2 private stations which relay US satellite services) (1997) Internet country code: .gy Internet hosts: 7,116 (2009) country comparison to the world: 129 Internet users: 205,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 134 Transportation ::Guyana Airports: 99 (2009) country comparison to the world: 60 Airports - with paved runways: total: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 7 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 89 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 74 (2009) Roadways: total: 7,970 km country comparison to the world: 142 paved: 590 km unpaved: 7,380 km (2000) Waterways: 330 km country comparison to the world: 91 note: Berbice, Demerara, and Essequibo rivers are navigable by oceangoing vessels for 150 km, 100 km, and 80 km respectively (2008) Merchant marine: total: 8 country comparison to the world: 124 by type: cargo 6, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 1 registered in other countries: 3 (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2, unknown 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Georgetown Military ::Guyana Military branches: Guyana Defense Force: Army (includes Coast Guard, Air Corps) (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18-25 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 220,797 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 150,307 females age 16-49: 144,622 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 6,625 female: 6,365 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.8% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 90 Transnational Issues ::Guyana Disputes - international: all of the area west of the Essequibo River is claimed by Venezuela preventing any discussion of a maritime boundary; Guyana has expressed its intention to join Barbados in asserting claims before UNCLOS that Trinidad and Tobago's maritime boundary with Venezuela extends into their waters; Suriname claims a triangle of land between the New and Kutari/Koetari rivers in a historic dispute over the headwaters of the Courantyne; Guyana seeks arbitration under provisions of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to resolve the long-standing dispute with Suriname over the axis of the territorial sea boundary in potentially oil-rich waters Trafficking in persons: current situation: Guyana is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor; most trafficking appears to take place in remote mining camps in the country's interior; some women and girls are trafficked from northern Brazil; reporting from other nations suggests Guyanese women and girls are trafficked for sexual exploitation to neighboring countries and Guyanese men and boys are subject to labor exploitation in construction and agriculture; trafficking victims from Suriname, Brazil, and Venezuela transit Guyana en route to Caribbean destinations tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - for a second consecutive year, Guyana is on the Tier 2 Watch List for failing to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking, particularly in the area of law enforcement actions against trafficking offenders; the government has yet to produce an anti-trafficking conviction under the comprehensive Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act, which became law in 2005; the government operates no shelters for trafficking victims, but did include limited funding for anti-trafficking NGOs in its 2008 budget; the government did not make any effort to reduce demand for commercial sex acts during 2007 (2008) Illicit drugs: transshipment point for narcotics from South America - primarily Venezuela - to Europe and the US; producer of cannabis; rising money laundering related to drug trafficking and human smuggling page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Haiti (Central America and Caribbean) Introduction ::Haiti Background: The native Taino Amerindians - who inhabited the island of Hispaniola when it was discovered by COLUMBUS in 1492 - were virtually annihilated by Spanish settlers within 25 years. In the early 17th century, the French established a presence on Hispaniola. In 1697, Spain ceded to the French the western third of the island, which later became Haiti. The French colony, based on forestry and sugar-related industries, became one of the wealthiest in the Caribbean but only through the heavy importation of African slaves and considerable environmental degradation. In the late 18th century, Haiti's nearly half million slaves revolted under Toussaint L'OUVERTURE. After a prolonged struggle, Haiti became the first black republic to declare independence in 1804. The poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, Haiti has been plagued by political violence for most of its history. After an armed rebellion led to the forced resignation and exile of President Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE in February 2004, an interim government took office to organize new elections under the auspices of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). Continued violence and technical delays prompted repeated postponements, but Haiti finally did inaugurate a democratically elected president and parliament in May of 2006. Geography ::Haiti Location: Caribbean, western one-third of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of the Dominican Republic Geographic coordinates: 19 00 N, 72 25 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 27,750 sq km country comparison to the world: 147 land: 27,560 sq km water: 190 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland Land boundaries: total: 360 km border countries: Dominican Republic 360 km Coastline: 1,771 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: to depth of exploitation Climate: tropical; semiarid where mountains in east cut off trade winds Terrain: mostly rough and mountainous Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Chaine de la Selle 2,680 m Natural resources: bauxite, copper, calcium carbonate, gold, marble, hydropower Land use: arable land: 28.11% permanent crops: 11.53% other: 60.36% (2005) Irrigated land: 920 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 14 cu km (2000) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.99 cu km/yr (5%/1%/94%) per capita: 116 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding and earthquakes; periodic droughts Environment - current issues: extensive deforestation (much of the remaining forested land is being cleared for agriculture and used as fuel); soil erosion; inadequate supplies of potable water Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Hazardous Wastes Geography - note: shares island of Hispaniola with Dominican Republic (western one-third is Haiti, eastern two-thirds is the Dominican Republic) People ::Haiti Population: 9,035,536 country comparison to the world: 88 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 38.1% (male 1,735,917/female 1,704,383) 15-64 years: 58.5% (male 2,621,059/female 2,665,447) 65 years and over: 3.4% (male 120,040/female 188,690) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 20.2 years male: 19.8 years female: 20.7 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.838% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 Birth rate: 29.1 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 Death rate: 8.65 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 Net migration rate: -2.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 Urbanization: urban population: 47% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 59.69 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 37 male: 66.18 deaths/1,000 live births female: 53.01 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 60.78 years country comparison to the world: 181 male: 59.13 years female: 62.48 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.81 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 2.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 120,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 7,200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009) Nationality: noun: Haitian(s) adjective: Haitian Ethnic groups: black 95%, mulatto and white 5% Religions: Roman Catholic 80%, Protestant 16% (Baptist 10%, Pentecostal 4%, Adventist 1%, other 1%), none 1%, other 3% note: roughly half of the population practices voodoo Languages: French (official), Creole (official) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 52.9% male: 54.8% female: 51.2% (2003 est.) Education expenditures: 1.4% of GDP (1991) country comparison to the world: 175 Government ::Haiti Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Haiti conventional short form: Haiti local long form: Republique d'Haiti/Repiblik d' Ayiti local short form: Haiti/Ayiti Government type: republic Capital: name: Port-au-Prince geographic coordinates: 18 32 N, 72 20 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in April; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 10 departments (departements, singular - departement); Artibonite, Centre, Grand 'Anse, Nippes, Nord, Nord-Est, Nord-Ouest, Ouest, Sud, Sud-Est Independence: 1 January 1804 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 1 January (1804) Constitution: approved March 1987 note: suspended June 1988 with most articles reinstated March 1989; constitutional government ousted in a military coup in September 1991, although in October 1991 military government claimed to be observing the constitution; returned to constitutional rule in October 1994; constitution, while technically in force between 2004-2006, was not enforced; returned to constitutional rule in May 2006 Legal system: based on Roman civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Rene PREVAL (since 14 May 2006) head of government: Prime Minister Jean-Max BELLERIVE (since 7 November 2009) cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation with the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (may not serve consecutive terms); election last held 7 February 2006 (next to be held in 2011); prime minister appointed by the president, ratified by the National Assembly election results: Rene PREVAL elected president; percent of vote - Rene PREVAL 51% Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale consists of the Senate (30 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms; one-third elected every two years) and the Chamber of Deputies (99 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms); note - in reestablishing the Senate, the candidate in each department receiving the most votes in the last election serves six years, the candidate with the second most votes serves four years, and the candidate with the third most votes serves two years elections: Senate - last held 21 April 2006 with run-off elections on 3 December 2006 (next regular election, for one third of seats, to be held in 2008); Chamber of Deputies - last held 21 April 2006 with run-off elections on 3 December 2006 and 29 April 2007 (next regular election to be held in 2010) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - L'ESPWA 11, FUSION 5, OPL 4, FL 3, LAAA 2, UNCRH 2, PONT 2, ALYANS 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - L'ESPWA 23, FUSION 17, FRN 12, OPL 10, ALYANS 10, LAAA 5, MPH 3, MOCHRENA 3, other 10; results for six other seats contested on 3 December 2006 remain unknown Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Cour de Cassation Political parties and leaders: Artibonite in Action or LAAA [Youri LATORTUE]; Assembly of Progressive National Democrats or RDNP [Leslie MANIGAT]; Convention for Democratic Unity or KID [Evans PAUL]; Cooperative Action to Build Haiti or KONBA [Evans LESCOUFALIR]; Democratic Alliance or ALYANS [Evans PAUL] (coalition composed of KID and PPRH); Effort and Solidarity to Create an Alternative for the People or ESKAMP [Joseph JASME]; For Us All or PONT [Jean-Marie CHERESTAL]; Front for Hope or L'ESPWA [Rene PREVAL] (alliance of ESKAMP, PLB, and grass-roots organizations Grand-Anse Resistance Committee, the Central Plateau Peasants' Group, and Kombit Sudest); Haitian Christian Democratic Party or PDCH [Osner FEVRY and Marie-Denise CLAUDE]; Haitian Democratic and Reform Movement or MODEREH [Dany TOUSSAINT and Pierre Soncon PRINCE]; Heads Together or Tet-Ansanm [Dr. Gerard BLOT]; Independent Movement for National Reconciliation or MIRN [Luc FLEURINORD]; Justice for Peace and National Development or JPDN [Rigaud DUPLAN]; Fanmi Lavalas or FL [Rudy HERIVEAUX]; Liberal Party of Haiti or PLH [Gehy MICHEL]; Merging of Haitian Social Democratic Parties or FUSION or FPSDH [Serge GILLES] (coalition of Ayiti Capable, Haitian National Revolutionary Party, and National Congress of Democratic Movements); Mobilization for Haiti's Development or MPH [Samir MOURRA]; Mobilization for National Development or MDN [Hubert de RONCERAY]; Movement for National Reconstruction or MRN [Jean Henold BUTEAU]; Movement for the Installation of Democracy in Haiti or MIDH [Marc BAZIN]; National Christian Union for the Reconstruction of Haiti or UNCRH [Marie Claude GERMAIN]; National Front for the Reconstruction of Haiti or FRN [Guy PHILIPPE]; New Christian Movement for a New Haiti or MOCHRENA [Luc MESADIEU]; Open the Gate Party or PLB [Anes LUBIN]; Popular Party for the Renewal of Haiti or PPRH [Claude ROMAIN]; Struggling People's Organization or OPL [Edgard LEBLANC]; Union of Nationalist and Progressive Haitians or UNITE [Edouard FRANCISQUE] Political pressure groups and leaders: Autonomous Organizations of Haitian Workers or CATH [Fignole ST-CYR]; Confederation of Haitian Workers or CTH; Federation of Workers Trade Unions or FOS; General Organization of Independent Haitian Workers [Patrick NUMAS]; Grand-Anse Resistance Committee, or KOREGA; National Popular Assembly or APN; Papaye Peasants Movement or MPP [Chavannes JEAN-BAPTISTE]; Popular Organizations Gathering Power or PROP; Protestant Federation of Haiti; Roman Catholic Church International organization participation: ACP, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OIF, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Raymond JOSEPH chancery: 2311 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-4090 FAX: [1] (202) 745-7215 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Miami, New York, San Juan (Puerto Rico) consulate(s): Orlando (Florida) Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Janet A. SANDERSON embassy: Tabarre 41, Route de Tabarre, Port-au-Prince mailing address: use mailing address telephone: [509] 229-8000 FAX: [509] 229-8028 Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a centered white rectangle bearing the coat of arms, which contains a palm tree flanked by flags and two cannons above a scroll bearing the motto L'UNION FAIT LA FORCE (Union Makes Strength); the colors are taken from the French Tricolor and represent the union of blacks and mulattoes Economy ::Haiti Economy - overview: Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere with 80% of the population living under the poverty line and 54% in abject poverty. Two-thirds of all Haitians depend on the agricultural sector, mainly small-scale subsistence farming, and remain vulnerable to damage from frequent natural disasters, exacerbated by the country's widespread deforestation. While the economy has recovered in recent years, registering positive growth since 2005, four tropical storms in 2008 severely damaged the transportation infrastructure and agricultural sector. US economic engagement under the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement (HOPE) Act, passed in December 2006, has boosted apparel exports and investment by providing tariff-free access to the US. HOPE II, passed in October 2008, has further improved the export environment for the apparel sector by extending preferences to 2018; the apparel sector accounts for two-thirds of Haitian exports and nearly one-tenth of GDP. Remittances are the primary source of foreign exchange, equaling nearly a quarter of GDP and more than twice the earnings from exports. Haiti suffers from high inflation, a lack of investment because of insecurity and limited infrastructure, and a severe trade deficit. In 2005, Haiti paid its arrears to the World Bank, paving the way for reengagement with the Bank. Haiti is expected to receive debt forgiveness for about $525 million of its debt through the Highly-Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) initiative by mid-2009. The government relies on formal international economic assistance for fiscal sustainability. GDP (purchasing power parity): $11.53 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 $11.38 billion (2007 est.) $11 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $6.943 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 3.4% (2007 est.) 2.3% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $1,300 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 203 $1,300 (2007 est.) $1,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 28% industry: 20% services: 52% (2004 est.) Labor force: 3.643 million country comparison to the world: 93 note: shortage of skilled labor, unskilled labor abundant (2007) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 66% industry: 9% services: 25% (1995) Unemployment rate: NA% note: widespread unemployment and underemployment; more than two-thirds of the labor force do not have formal jobs Population below poverty line: 80% (2003 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.7% highest 10%: 47.7% (2001) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 59.2 (2001) country comparison to the world: 8 Investment (gross fixed): 28.9% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 Budget: revenues: $967.5 million expenditures: $1.162 billion (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 15.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 194 8.5% (2007 est.) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 17.81% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 2 46.99% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $704.7 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) $1.561 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $1.537 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: coffee, mangoes, sugarcane, rice, corn, sorghum; wood Industries: sugar refining, flour milling, textiles, cement, light assembly based on imported parts Industrial production growth rate: 0% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 Electricity - production: 448 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 161 Electricity - consumption: 273 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 169 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 189 Oil - consumption: 12,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 196 Oil - imports: 12,280 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 163 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 174 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 69 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 170 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 171 Current account balance: -$611 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 108 -$407 million (2007 est.) Exports: $490 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 163 $522 million (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: apparel, manufactures, oils, cocoa, mangoes, coffee Exports - partners: US 70.7%, Dominican Republic 8.9%, Canada 3.1% (2008) Imports: $2.107 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 $1.618 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: food, manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, raw materials Imports - partners: US 34%, Dominican Republic 23.1%, Netherlands Antilles 10.6%, China 4.5% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $708 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 134 $555 million (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $1.817 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 $1.475 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: gourdes (HTG) per US dollar - 39.216 (2008 est.), 37.138 (2007), 40.232 (2006), 40.449 (2005), 38.352 (2004) Communications ::Haiti Telephones - main lines in use: 108,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 142 Telephones - mobile cellular: 3.2 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 105 Telephone system: general assessment: telecommunications infrastructure is among the least developed in Latin America and the Caribbean; domestic facilities barely adequate; international facilities slightly better; mobile-cellular telephone services are expanding rapidly due, in part, to the introduction of low-cost GSM phones in 2006 domestic: coaxial cable and microwave radio relay trunk service international: country code - 509; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 41, FM 26, shortwave 0 (1999) Television broadcast stations: 2 (plus a cable TV service) (1997) Internet country code: .ht Internet hosts: 9 (2009) country comparison to the world: 222 Internet users: 1 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 90 Transportation ::Haiti Airports: 14 (2009) country comparison to the world: 151 Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 8 (2009) Roadways: total: 4,160 km country comparison to the world: 155 paved: 1,011 km unpaved: 3,149 km (2000) Ports and terminals: Cap-Haitien Military ::Haiti Military branches: no regular military forces - small Coast Guard; the regular Haitian Armed Forces (FAdH) - Army, Navy, and Air Force - have been demobilized but still exist on paper until or unless they are constitutionally abolished (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 2,047,083 females age 16-49: 2,047,953 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,518,840 females age 16-49: 1,530,043 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 108,444 female: 106,243 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 0.4% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 167 Transnational Issues ::Haiti Disputes - international: since 2004, about 8,000 peacekeepers from the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) maintain civil order in Haiti; despite efforts to control illegal migration, Haitians cross into the Dominican Republic and sail to neighboring countries; Haiti claims US-administered Navassa Island Illicit drugs: Caribbean transshipment point for cocaine en route to the US and Europe; substantial bulk cash smuggling activity; Colombian narcotics traffickers favor Haiti for illicit financial transactions; pervasive corruption; significant consumer of cannabis page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Heard Island and McDonald Islands (Antarctica) Introduction ::Heard Island and McDonald Islands Background: These uninhabited, barren, sub-Antarctic islands were transferred from the UK to Australia in 1947. Populated by large numbers of seal and bird species, the islands have been designated a nature preserve. Geography ::Heard Island and McDonald Islands Location: islands in the Indian Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Madagascar to Antarctica Geographic coordinates: 53 06 S, 72 31 E Map references: Antarctic Region Area: total: 412 sq km country comparison to the world: 201 land: 412 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than two times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 101.9 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Climate: antarctic Terrain: Heard Island - 80% ice-covered, bleak and mountainous, dominated by a large massif (Big Ben) and an active volcano (Mawson Peak); McDonald Islands - small and rocky Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Mawson Peak, on Big Ben volcano 2,745 m Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) Irrigated land: 0 sq km Natural hazards: Mawson Peak, an active volcano, is on Heard Island Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: Mawson Peak on Heard Island is the highest Australian mountain (at 2,745 meters, it is taller than Mt. Kosciuszko in Australia proper), and one of only two active volcanoes located in Australian territory, the other being McDonald Island; in 1992, McDonald Island broke its dormancy and began erupting; it has erupted several times since, the most recent being in 2005 People ::Heard Island and McDonald Islands Population: uninhabited Government ::Heard Island and McDonald Islands Country name: conventional long form: Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands conventional short form: Heard Island and McDonald Islands abbreviation: HIMI Dependency status: territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Antarctic Division of the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts Legal system: the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply 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 Economy ::Heard Island and McDonald Islands Economy - overview: The islands have no indigenous economic activity, but the Australian Government allows limited fishing in the surrounding waters. Communications ::Heard Island and McDonald Islands Internet country code: .hm Transportation ::Heard Island and McDonald Islands Ports and terminals: none; offshore anchorage only Military ::Heard Island and McDonald Islands Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Australia; Australia conducts fisheries patrols Transnational Issues ::Heard Island and McDonald Islands Disputes - international: none page last updated on September 14, 2009 ====================================================================== @Holy See (Vatican City) (Europe) Introduction ::Holy See (Vatican City) Background: Popes in their secular role ruled portions of the Italian peninsula for more than a thousand years until the mid 19th century, when many of the Papal States were seized by the newly united Kingdom of Italy. In 1870, the pope's holdings were further circumscribed when Rome itself was annexed. Disputes between a series of "prisoner" popes and Italy were resolved in 1929 by three Lateran Treaties, which established the independent state of Vatican City and granted Roman Catholicism special status in Italy. In 1984, a concordat between the Holy See and Italy modified certain of the earlier treaty provisions, including the primacy of Roman Catholicism as the Italian state religion. Present concerns of the Holy See include religious freedom, international development, the environment, the Middle East, China, the decline of religion in Europe, terrorism, interreligious dialogue and reconciliation, and the application of church doctrine in an era of rapid change and globalization. About one billion people worldwide profess the Catholic faith. Geography ::Holy See (Vatican City) Location: Southern Europe, an enclave of Rome (Italy) Geographic coordinates: 41 54 N, 12 27 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 0.44 sq km country comparison to the world: 249 land: 0.44 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: about 0.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 3.2 km border countries: Italy 3.2 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: temperate; mild, rainy winters (September to May) with hot, dry summers (May to September) Terrain: urban; low hill Elevation extremes: lowest point: unnamed location 19 m highest point: unnamed location 75 m Natural resources: none Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (urban area) (2005) Irrigated land: 0 sq km Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to: Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution, Environmental Modification Geography - note: landlocked; enclave in Rome, Italy; world's smallest state; beyond the territorial boundary of Vatican City, the Lateran Treaty of 1929 grants the Holy See extraterritorial authority over 23 sites in Rome and five outside of Rome, including the Pontifical Palace at Castel Gandolfo (the Pope's summer residence) People ::Holy See (Vatican City) Population: 826 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 235 Population growth rate: 0.003% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 199 Urbanization: urban population: 100% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: none adjective: none Ethnic groups: Italians, Swiss, other Religions: Roman Catholic Languages: Italian, Latin, French, various other languages Literacy: definition: NA total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% Government ::Holy See (Vatican City) Country name: conventional long form: The Holy See (State of the Vatican City) conventional short form: Holy See (Vatican City) local long form: Santa Sede (Stato della Citta del Vaticano) local short form: Santa Sede (Citta del Vaticano) Government type: ecclesiastical Capital: name: Vatican City geographic coordinates: 41 54 N, 12 27 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: none Independence: 11 February 1929 (from Italy); note - the three treaties signed with Italy on 11 February 1929 acknowledged, among other things, the full sovereignty of the Vatican and established its territorial extent; however, the origin of the Papal States, which over the years have varied considerably in extent, may be traced back to the 8th century National holiday: Election Day of Pope BENEDICT XVI, 19 April (2005) Constitution: Fundamental Law promulgated by Pope JOHN PAUL II on 26 November 2000, effective 22 February 2001 (replaced the first Fundamental Law of 1929) Legal system: based on Code of Canon Law and revisions to it Suffrage: limited to cardinals less than 80 years old Executive branch: chief of state: Pope BENEDICT XVI (since 19 April 2005) head of government: Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio BERTONE (since 15 September 2006) cabinet: Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City appointed by the pope elections: pope elected for life by the College of Cardinals; election last held 19 April 2005 (next to be held after the death of the current pope); secretary of state appointed by the pope election results: Joseph RATZINGER elected Pope BENEDICT XVI Legislative branch: unicameral Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State Judicial branch: there are three tribunals responsible for civil and criminal matters within Vatican City; three other tribunals rule on issues pertaining to the Holy See note: judicial duties were established by the Motu Proprio of Pope PIUS XII on 1 May 1946 Political parties and leaders: none Political pressure groups and leaders: none (exclusive of influence exercised by church officers) International organization participation: CE (observer), IAEA, Interpol, IOM (observer), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, NAM (guest), OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, UN (observer), UNCTAD, UNHCR, Union Latina (observer), UNWTO (observer), UPU, WFTU, WIPO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Pietro SAMBI chancery: 3339 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 333-7121 FAX: [1] (202) 337-4036 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Julieta NOYES embassy: Villa Domiziana, Via delle Terme Deciane 26, 00153 Rome mailing address: PSC 833, Box 66, APO AE 09624 telephone: [39] (06) 4674-3428 FAX: [39] (06) 575-3411 Flag description: two vertical bands of yellow (hoist side) and white with the arms of the Holy See, consisting of the crossed keys of Saint Peter surmounted by the three-tiered papal tiara, centered in the white band Economy ::Holy See (Vatican City) Economy - overview: The Holy See is supported financially by a variety of sources, including investments, real estate income, and donations from Catholic individuals, dioceses, and institutions; these help fund the Roman Curia (Vatican bureaucracy), diplomatic missions, and media outlets. The separate Vatican City State budget includes the Vatican museums and post office and is supported financially by the sale of stamps, coins, medals, and tourist mementos; by fees for admission to museums; and by publications sales. Moreover, an annual collection taken up in dioceses and direct donations go to a non-budgetary fund known as Peter's Pence, which is used directly by the Pope for charity, disaster relief, and aid to churches in developing nations. The incomes and living standards of lay workers are comparable to those of counterparts who work in the city of Rome. GDP (purchasing power parity): $NA Labor force: NA Labor force - by occupation: note: essentially services with a small amount of industry; nearly all dignitaries, priests, nuns, guards, and the approximately 3,000 lay workers live outside the Vatican Population below poverty line: NA% Budget: revenues: $374 million expenditures: $388 million (2007) Industries: printing; production of coins, medals, postage stamps; mosaics and staff uniforms; worldwide banking and financial activities Electricity - production: NA kWh Electricity - consumption: NA kWh Electricity - imports: NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by Italy; a small portion of electricity is self-produced from solar panels Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Communications ::Holy See (Vatican City) Telephones - main lines in use: 5,120 (2005) country comparison to the world: 212 Telephone system: general assessment: automatic digital exchange domestic: connected via fiber optic cable to Telecom Italia network international: country code - 39; uses Italian system Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 3, shortwave 5 (2008) Television broadcast stations: 1 (2008) Internet country code: .va Internet hosts: 63 (2009) country comparison to the world: 205 Military ::Holy See (Vatican City) Military branches: Pontifical Swiss Guard Corps (Corpo della Guardia Svizzera Pontificia) (2009) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Italy; ceremonial and limited security duties performed by Pontifical Swiss Guard Transnational Issues ::Holy See (Vatican City) Disputes - international: none page last updated on October 28, 2009 ====================================================================== @Honduras (Central America and Caribbean) Introduction ::Honduras Background: Once part of Spain's vast empire in the New World, Honduras became an independent nation in 1821. After two and a half decades of mostly military rule, a freely elected civilian government came to power in 1982. During the 1980s, Honduras proved a haven for anti-Sandinista contras fighting the Marxist Nicaraguan Government and an ally to Salvadoran Government forces fighting leftist guerrillas. The country was devastated by Hurricane Mitch in 1998, which killed about 5,600 people and caused approximately $2 billion in damage. Geography ::Honduras Location: Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Nicaragua and bordering the Gulf of Fonseca (North Pacific Ocean), between El Salvador and Nicaragua Geographic coordinates: 15 00 N, 86 30 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 112,090 sq km country comparison to the world: 102 land: 111,890 sq km water: 200 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Tennessee Land boundaries: total: 1,520 km border countries: Guatemala 256 km, El Salvador 342 km, Nicaragua 922 km Coastline: 820 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: natural extension of territory or to 200 nm Climate: subtropical in lowlands, temperate in mountains Terrain: mostly mountains in interior, narrow coastal plains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Cerro Las Minas 2,870 m Natural resources: timber, gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, iron ore, antimony, coal, fish, hydropower Land use: arable land: 9.53% permanent crops: 3.21% other: 87.26% (2005) Irrigated land: 800 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 95.9 cu km (2000) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.86 cu km/yr (8%/12%/80%) per capita: 119 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: frequent, but generally mild, earthquakes; extremely susceptible to damaging hurricanes and floods along the Caribbean coast Environment - current issues: urban population expanding; deforestation results from logging and the clearing of land for agricultural purposes; further land degradation and soil erosion hastened by uncontrolled development and improper land use practices such as farming of marginal lands; mining activities polluting Lago de Yojoa (the country's largest source of fresh water), as well as several rivers and streams, with heavy metals Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: has only a short Pacific coast but a long Caribbean shoreline, including the virtually uninhabited eastern Mosquito Coast People ::Honduras Population: 7,792,854 country comparison to the world: 93 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 38.1% (male 1,514,544/female 1,451,862) 15-64 years: 58.3% (male 2,278,508/female 2,267,527) 65 years and over: 3.6% (male 125,991/female 154,422) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 20.3 years male: 20 years female: 20.7 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.956% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 Birth rate: 26.27 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 Death rate: 5.41 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 180 Net migration rate: -1.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 Urbanization: urban population: 48% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 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: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 24.03 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 91 male: 26.97 deaths/1,000 live births female: 20.94 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.4 years country comparison to the world: 147 male: 67.86 years female: 71.02 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.27 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.7% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 28,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 1,900 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009) Nationality: noun: Honduran(s) adjective: Honduran Ethnic groups: mestizo (mixed Amerindian and European) 90%, Amerindian 7%, black 2%, white 1% Religions: Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant 3% Languages: Spanish, Amerindian dialects Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 80% male: 79.8% female: 80.2% (2001 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 12 years (2004) Education expenditures: 3.8% of GDP (1991) country comparison to the world: 121 Government ::Honduras Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Honduras conventional short form: Honduras local long form: Republica de Honduras local short form: Honduras Government type: democratic constitutional republic Capital: name: Tegucigalpa geographic coordinates: 14 06 N, 87 13 W time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November Administrative divisions: 18 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Atlantida, Choluteca, Colon, Comayagua, Copan, Cortes, El Paraiso, Francisco Morazan, Gracias a Dios, Intibuca, Islas de la Bahia, La Paz, Lempira, Ocotepeque, Olancho, Santa Barbara, Valle, Yoro Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821) Constitution: 11 January 1982, effective 20 January 1982; amended many times Legal system: rooted in Roman and Spanish civil law with increasing influence of English common law; recent judicial reforms include abandoning Napoleonic legal codes in favor of the oral adversarial system; accepts ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: President Jose Manuel ZELAYA Rosales (since 27 January 2006); Vice President Commissioner Aristides MEJIA Carranza (since 1 February 2009); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government; because the president and vice president are elected on the same ticket, the position of "vice president commissioner" was created after Vice President Elvin SANTOS resigned in late 2008 to run for president in the November 2009 election head of government: President Jose Manuel ZELAYA Rosales (since 27 January 2006); Vice President Commissioner Aristides MEJIA Carranza (since 1 February 2009) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by president elections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 27 November 2005 (next to be held in November 2009) election results: Jose Manuel ZELAYA Rosales elected president - 49.8%, Porfirio "Pepe" LOBO Sosa 46.1%, other 4.1% Legislative branch: unicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional (128 seats; members are elected proportionally by department to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 27 November 2005 (next to be held in November 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PL 62, PN 55, PUD 5, PDC 4, PINU 2 Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (15 judges are elected for seven-year terms by the National Congress) Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Felicito AVILA]; Democratic Unification Party or PUD [Cesar HAM]; Liberal Party or PL [Patricia RODAS]; National Innovation and Unity Party or PINU [Jorge AQUILAR Paredes]; National Party of Honduras or PN [Porfirio LOBO] Political pressure groups and leaders: Committee for the Defense of Human Rights in Honduras or CODEH; Confederation of Honduran Workers or CTH; Coordinating Committee of Popular Organizations or CCOP; General Workers Confederation or CGT; Honduran Council of Private Enterprise or COHEP; National Association of Honduran Campesinos or ANACH; National Union of Campesinos or UNC; Popular Bloc or BP; United Confederation of Honduran Workers or CUTH International organization participation: BCIE, CACM, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (subscriber), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Eduardo Enrique REINA Garcia chancery: Suite 4-M, 3007 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 966-2604 FAX: [1] (202) 966-9751 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Phoenix, San Francisco honorary consulate(s): Jacksonville Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Hugo LLORENS embassy: Avenida La Paz, Apartado Postal No. 3453, Tegucigalpa mailing address: American Embassy, APO AA 34022, Tegucigalpa telephone: [504] 236-9320, 238-5114 FAX: [504] 238-4357 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue, with five blue, five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band; the stars represent the members of the former Federal Republic of Central America - Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua; similar to the flag of El Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which features a triangle encircled by the word REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom, centered in the white band Economy ::Honduras Economy - overview: Honduras, the second poorest country in Central America, has an extraordinarily unequal distribution of income and high unemployment. The economy relies heavily on a narrow range of exports, notably bananas and coffee, making it vulnerable to natural disasters and shifts in commodity prices; however, investments in the maquila and non-traditional export sectors are slowly diversifying the economy. Economic growth remains dependent on the US economy its largest trading partner, and will decline in 2009 as a result of reduction in export demand and tightening global credit markets. Remittances represent over a quarter of GDP or nearly three-quarters of exports. The US-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) came into force in 2006 and has helped foster investment. Despite improvements in tax collections, the government's fiscal deficit is growing due to increases in current expenditures and financial losses from the state energy and telephone companies. GDP (purchasing power parity): $33.8 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 $32.5 billion (2007 est.) $30.57 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $14 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 6.3% (2007 est.) 6.6% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $4,400 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 152 $4,300 (2007 est.) $4,200 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 13.1% industry: 30% services: 56.9% (2008 est.) Labor force: 2.991 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 39.2% industry: 20.9% services: 39.8% (2005 est.) Unemployment rate: 3.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 note: high level of underemployment with up to a third of the labor force seeking more work. Population below poverty line: 50.7% (2004) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.7% highest 10%: 42.2% (2006) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 53.8 (2003) country comparison to the world: 16 56.3 (1998) Investment (gross fixed): 33.4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 Budget: revenues: $2.754 billion expenditures: $3.09 billion; including capital expenditures of $106 million (2008 est.) Public debt: 20.4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 93 74.1% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 11.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 164 6.9% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: NA% Commercial bank prime lending rate: 17.94% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 33 16.61% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $1.633 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 76 $1.6 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $5.574 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 63 $5.239 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $7.172 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 79 $6.298 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: bananas, coffee, citrus; beef; timber; shrimp, tilapia, lobster; corn, African palm Industries: sugar, coffee, textiles, clothing, wood products Industrial production growth rate: 4.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 Electricity - production: 6.05 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 Electricity - consumption: 4.696 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 11.8 million kWh (2007 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 187 Oil - consumption: 52,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 195 Oil - imports: 46,130 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 161 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 177 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 173 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 67 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 169 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 169 Current account balance: -$1.977 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 -$1.274 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $6.046 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 $5.642 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: coffee, shrimp, bananas, gold, palm oil, fruit, lobster, lumber Exports - partners: US 62.1%, Guatemala 5.2%, El Salvador 5%, Mexico 4.1% (2008) Imports: $10.39 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 $8.82 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, industrial raw materials, chemical products, fuels, foodstuffs Imports - partners: US 50%, Guatemala 7.6%, El Salvador 5.3%, Mexico 4.7%, Costa Rica 4.2% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $2.492 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 $2.546 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $3.209 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 $3.411 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: lempiras (HNL) per US dollar - 18.983 (2008 est.), 18.9 (2007), 18.895 (2006), 18.92 (2005), 18.206 (2004) Communications ::Honduras Telephones - main lines in use: 825,800 (2008) country comparison to the world: 86 Telephones - mobile cellular: 6.211 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 78 Telephone system: general assessment: the number of fixed-line connections are increasing but still limited; competition among multiple providers of mobile-cellular services is contributing to a sharp increase in the number of subscribers domestic: beginning in 2003, private sub-operators allowed to provide fixed-lines in order to expand telephone coverage contributing to an increase in fixed-line teledensity to roughly 10 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership exceeded 80 per 100 persons in 2008 international: country code - 504; landing point for both the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) and the MAYA-1 fiber optic submarine cable system that together provide connectivity to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to Central American Microwave System Radio broadcast stations: AM 241, FM 53, shortwave 12 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 11 (plus 17 repeaters) (1997) Internet country code: .hn Internet hosts: 15,691 (2009) country comparison to the world: 106 Internet users: 658,500 (2008) country comparison to the world: 102 Transportation ::Honduras Airports: 106 (2009) country comparison to the world: 54 Airports - with paved runways: total: 12 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 3 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 94 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 77 (2009) Railways: total: 699 km country comparison to the world: 104 narrow gauge: 279 km 1.067-m gauge; 420 km 0.914-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 13,600 km country comparison to the world: 126 paved: 2,775 km unpaved: 10,825 km (2000) Waterways: 465 km (most navigable only by small craft) (2008) country comparison to the world: 84 Merchant marine: total: 123 country comparison to the world: 47 by type: bulk carrier 10, cargo 57, chemical tanker 6, container 1, liquefied gas 1, passenger 4, passenger/cargo 7, petroleum tanker 25, refrigerated cargo 7, roll on/roll off 4, specialized tanker 1 foreign-owned: 42 (Bangladesh 1, Canada 1, China 3, Egypt 3, Greece 4, Hong Kong 1, Israel 1, Japan 4, South Korea 6, Lebanon 1, Mexico 1, Singapore 12, Taiwan 2, Tanzania 1, Vietnam 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: La Ceiba, Puerto Cortes, San Lorenzo, Tela Military ::Honduras Military branches: Army, Navy (includes Naval Infantry), Honduran Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Hondurena, FAH) (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary 2 to 3-year military service (2004) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,868,940 females age 16-49: 1,825,770 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,397,938 females age 16-49: 1,402,398 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 92,638 female: 88,993 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 0.6% of GDP (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 154 Transnational Issues ::Honduras Disputes - international: International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled on the delimitation of "bolsones" (disputed areas) along the El Salvador-Honduras border in 1992 with final settlement by the parties in 2006 after an Organization of American States (OAS) survey and a further ICJ ruling in 2003; the 1992 ICJ ruling advised a tripartite resolution to a maritime boundary in the Gulf of Fonseca with consideration of Honduran access to the Pacific; El Salvador continues to claim tiny Conejo Island, not mentioned in the ICJ ruling, off Honduras in the Gulf of Fonseca; Honduras claims the Belizean-administered Sapodilla Cays off the coast of Belize in its constitution, but agreed to a joint ecological park around the cays should Guatemala consent to a maritime corridor in the Caribbean under the OAS-sponsored 2002 Belize-Guatemala Differendum; memorials and countermemorials were filed by the parties in Nicaragua's 1999 and 2001 proceedings against Honduras and Colombia at the ICJ over the maritime boundary and territorial claims in the western Caribbean Sea - final public hearings are scheduled for 2007 Illicit drugs: transshipment point for drugs and narcotics; illicit producer of cannabis, cultivated on small plots and used principally for local consumption; corruption is a major problem; some money-laundering activity page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Hong Kong (East & Southeast Asia) Introduction ::Hong Kong Background: Occupied by the UK in 1841, Hong Kong was formally ceded by China the following year; various adjacent lands were added later in the 19th century. Pursuant to an agreement signed by China and the UK on 19 December 1984, Hong Kong became the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China on 1 July 1997. In this agreement, China promised that, under its "one country, two systems" formula, China's socialist economic system would not be imposed on Hong Kong and that Hong Kong would enjoy a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign and defense affairs for the next 50 years. Geography ::Hong Kong Location: Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China Geographic coordinates: 22 15 N, 114 10 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 1,104 sq km country comparison to the world: 183 land: 1,054 sq km water: 50 sq km Area - comparative: six times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 30 km regional border: China 30 km Coastline: 733 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 nm Climate: subtropical monsoon; cool and humid in winter, hot and rainy from spring through summer, warm and sunny in fall Terrain: hilly to mountainous with steep slopes; lowlands in north Elevation extremes: lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: Tai Mo Shan 958 m Natural resources: outstanding deepwater harbor, feldspar Land use: arable land: 5.05% permanent crops: 1.01% other: 93.94% (2001) Irrigated land: 20 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: occasional typhoons Environment - current issues: air and water pollution from rapid urbanization Environment - international agreements: party to: Marine Dumping (associate member), Ship Pollution (associate member) Geography - note: more than 200 islands People ::Hong Kong Population: 7,055,071 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 Age structure: 0-14 years: 12.2% (male 450,833/female 411,997) 15-64 years: 74.6% (male 2,551,256/female 2,713,532) 65 years and over: 13.1% (male 434,090/female 493,363) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 42.3 years male: 41.9 years female: 42.6 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.504% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 Birth rate: 7.42 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 223 Death rate: 6.76 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 Net migration rate: 4.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 Urbanization: urban population: 100% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 2.92 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 220 male: 3.1 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 81.86 years country comparison to the world: 6 male: 79.16 years female: 84.79 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.02 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 222 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 156 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 2,600 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 134 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 200 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 Nationality: noun: Chinese/Hong Konger adjective: Chinese/Hong Kong Ethnic groups: Chinese 95%, Filipino 1.6%, Indonesian 1.3%, other 2.1% (2006 census) Religions: eclectic mixture of local religions 90%, Christian 10% Languages: Chinese (Cantonese) 89.2% (official), other Chinese dialects 6.4%, English 3.2% (official), other 1.2% (2001 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 93.5% male: 96.9% female: 89.6% (2002) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 13 years (2006) Education expenditures: 3.9% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 112 Government ::Hong Kong Country name: conventional long form: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region conventional short form: Hong Kong local long form: Xianggang Tebie Xingzhengqu local short form: Xianggang abbreviation: HK Dependency status: special administrative region of China Government type: limited democracy Administrative divisions: none (special administrative region of China) Independence: none (special administrative region of China) National holiday: National Day (Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China), 1 October (1949); note - 1 July 1997 is celebrated as Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day Constitution: Basic Law, approved in March 1990 by China's National People's Congress, is Hong Kong's "mini-constitution" Legal system: based on English common law Suffrage: direct election - 18 years of age for half the legislature and a majority of seats in 18 district councils; universal for permanent residents living in the territory of Hong Kong for the past seven years; indirect election - limited to about 220,000 members of functional constituencies and an 800-member election committee drawn from broad regional groupings, central government bodies, and municipal organizations Executive branch: chief of state: President of China HU Jintao (since 15 March 2003) head of government: Chief Executive Donald TSANG Yam-kuen (since 24 June 2005) cabinet: Executive Council or ExCo consists of 15 official members and 14 non-official members elections: chief executive elected for five-year term by 800-member electoral committee; last held on 25 March 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: Donald TSANG elected chief executive receiving 84.1% of the vote of the election committee; Alan LEONG Kah-kit received 15.9% Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council or LegCo (60 seats; 30 seats indirectly elected by functional constituencies, 30 elected by popular vote; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 7 September 2008 (next to be held in September 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - pro-democracy 57%; pro-Beijing 40%, independent 3%; seats by parties - (pro-Beijing 35) DAB 13, Liberal Party 7, FTU 1, others 14; (pro-democracy 23) Democratic Party 8, Civic Party 5, CTU 3, League of Social Democrats 3, ADPL 2, The Frontier 1, NWSC 1; others 11; independents and non-voting LegCo president 2 Judicial branch: Court of Final Appeal in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Political parties and leaders: Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood or ADPL [Frederick FUNG Kin-kee]; Civic Party [KUAN Hsin-chi]; Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong or DAB [TAM Yiu Cheng]; Democratic Party [Albert HO Chun-yan]; League of Social Democrats [Raymond WONG Yuk-man]; Liberal Party [Miriam LAU Kin-yee] note: political blocs include: pro-democracy - ADPL, Civic Party; Democratic Party, League of Social Democrats; pro-Beijing - DAB, Liberal Party, The Professional Forum (an informal group of three generally pro-government and pro-business LegCo members from functional constituencies and one independent elected from a geographic constituency); there is no political party ordinance, so there are no registered political parties; politically active groups register as societies or companies Political pressure groups and leaders: Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (pro-China); Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong; Confederation of Trade Unions or CTU (pro-democracy) [LAU Chin-shek, president; LEE Cheuk-yan, general secretary]; Federation of Hong Kong Industries; Federation of Trade Unions or FTU (pro-China) [CHENG Yiu-tong, executive councilor]; Hong Kong Alliance in Support of the Patriotic Democratic Movement in China [Szeto WAH, chairman]; Hong Kong and Kowloon Trade Union Council (pro-Taiwan); Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce; Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union [CHEUNG Man-kwong, president]; Neighborhood and Workers' Service Center or NWSC [LEUNG Yiu-chung, LegCo member] (pro-democracy); Civic Act-up [Cyd HO Sau-lan, LegCo member] (pro-democracy) International organization participation: ADB, APEC, BIS, ICC, IHO, IMF, IMO (associate), IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITUC, UNWTO (associate), UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: none (special administrative region of China); Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Washington, New York, and San Francisco carries out normal liaison and communication with the US Government and other US entities Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Acting Consul General Christopher J. MARUT consulate(s) general: 26 Garden Road, Hong Kong mailing address: PSC 461, Box 1, FPO AP 96521-0006 telephone: [852] 2523-9011 FAX: [852] 2845-1598 Flag description: red with a stylized, white, five-petal bauhinia flower in the center Economy ::Hong Kong Economy - overview: Hong Kong has a free market economy highly dependent on international trade and finance, which has left it heavily exposed to the global economic slowdown that began in 2008. The total value of goods and services trade, including the sizable share of reexports, was equivalent to 404% of GDP in 2007. The territory has become increasingly integrated with mainland China over the past few years through trade, tourism, and financial links. The mainland has long been Hong Kong's largest trading partner, accounting for nearly 49% of Hong Kong's exports trade by value in 2008. As a result of China's easing of travel restrictions, the number of mainland tourists to the territory has surged from 4.5 million in 2001 to 16.9 million in 2008, when they outnumbered visitors from all other countries combined. Hong Kong has also established itself as the premier stock market for Chinese firms seeking to list abroad. More than one-third of the firms listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange are now mainland Chinese companies. They account for 60% of the Exchange's market capitalization. During the past decade, as Hong Kong's manufacturing industry moved to the mainland, its service industry has grown rapidly and now accounts for more than 90% of the territory's GDP. Hong Kong's natural resources are limited, and food and raw materials must be imported. GDP growth averaged a strong 5% from 1989 to 2007, but the global financial crisis caused a sharp slowdown in the second half of 2008, pushing the territory into recession. Hong Kong continues to link its currency closely to the US dollar, maintaining an arrangement established in 1983. GDP (purchasing power parity): $307.3 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 $300.1 billion (2007 est.) $282.1 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $215.4 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 6.4% (2007 est.) 7% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $43,800 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 $43,000 (2007 est.) $40,600 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 0% industry: 7.4% services: 92.7% (2008 est.) Labor force: 3.66 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 Labor force - by occupation: manufacturing 6.1%, construction 1.9%, wholesale and retail trade, restaurants, and hotels 42.9%, financing, insurance, and real estate 21.4%, transport and communications 7.9%, community and social services 19.7% note: above data exclude public sector (2008 est.) Unemployment rate: 3.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 4% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Distribution of family income - Gini index: 53.3 (2007) country comparison to the world: 17 Investment (gross fixed): 19.7% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 Budget: revenues: $39.04 billion expenditures: $39.76 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 13.9% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 2.1% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 2% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 0.5% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 77 5.75% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 5% (31 December 2008) Stock of money: $63.03 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 18 $51.25 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $352.4 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 10 $578.1 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $259.7 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $1.32 trillion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 15 $1.163 trillion (31 December 2007) $895.2 billion (31 December 2006 est.) Agriculture - products: fresh vegetables; poultry, pork; fish Industries: textiles, clothing, tourism, banking, shipping, electronics, plastics, toys, watches, clocks Industrial production growth rate: -1.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 Electricity - production: 38.4 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 Electricity - consumption: 44.6 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 Electricity - exports: 3.553 billion kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 11 billion kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 188 Oil - consumption: 366,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 36 Oil - exports: 19,480 bbl/day (2008) country comparison to the world: 91 Oil - imports: 334,900 bbl/day (2008) country comparison to the world: 33 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 178 Natural gas - consumption: 3.36 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 68 Natural gas - imports: 3.36 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 170 Current account balance: $30.52 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 $25.53 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $365.2 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 $345.9 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: electrical machinery and appliances, textiles, apparel, footwear, watches and clocks, toys, plastics, precious stones, printed material Exports - partners: China 48.5%, US 12.8%, Japan 4.3% (2008) Imports: $388.4 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 13 $365.6 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: raw materials and semi-manufactures, consumer goods, capital goods, foodstuffs, fuel (most is re-exported) Imports - partners: China 46.6%, Japan 9.8%, Singapore 6.4%, US 5% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $182.5 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 8 $152.7 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $659.9 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 16 $711.1 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $1.241 trillion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 $1.178 trillion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $776 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 $1.011 trillion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: Hong Kong dollars (HKD) per US dollar - 7.751 (2008), 7.802 (2007), 7.7678 (2006), 7.7773 (2005), 7.788 (2004) Communications ::Hong Kong Telephones - main lines in use: 4.108 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 38 Telephones - mobile cellular: 11.374 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 54 Telephone system: general assessment: modern facilities provide excellent domestic and international services domestic: microwave radio relay links and extensive fiber-optic network international: country code - 852; multiple international submarine cables provide connections to Asia, US, Australia, the Middle East, and Western Europe; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Pacific Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean); coaxial cable to Guangzhou, China Radio broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 10, shortwave 0 (2008) Television broadcast stations: 2 (2 TV networks, each broadcasting on 2 channels) (2008) Internet country code: .hk Internet hosts: 813,980 (2009) country comparison to the world: 44 Internet users: 4.124 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 50 Transportation ::Hong Kong Airports: 2 (2009) country comparison to the world: 199 Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Heliports: 9 (2009) Roadways: total: 2,040 km country comparison to the world: 172 paved: 2,040 km (2008) Merchant marine: total: 1,114 country comparison to the world: 8 by type: barge carrier 2, bulk carrier 525, cargo 142, carrier 3, chemical tanker 68, combination ore/oil 2, container 205, liquefied gas 22, passenger 6, passenger/cargo 5, petroleum tanker 114, roll on/roll off 4, specialized tanker 9, vehicle carrier 7 foreign-owned: 703 (Belgium 3, Canada 44, China 324, Denmark 24, France 1, Germany 6, Greece 22, Indonesia 7, Iran 15, Japan 111, South Korea 3, Norway 40, Philippines 1, Portugal 1, Russia 2, Singapore 18, Syria 1, Taiwan 11, UAE 1, UK 39, US 29) registered in other countries: 357 (Bahamas 30, Bermuda 4, Cambodia 8, China 12, Cyprus 2, Georgia 2, Honduras 1, India 1, Jamaica 1, Kiribati 4, Liberia 44, Malaysia 14, Malta 1, Marshall Islands 4, Mexico 1, Netherlands Antilles 2, Norway 20, Panama 130, Philippines 1, Portugal 2, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 6, Seychelles 1, Sierra Leone 1, Singapore 47, Tuvalu 7, UK 2, Vietnam 1, unknown 8) (2008) Ports and terminals: Hong Kong Military ::Hong Kong Military branches: no regular indigenous military forces; Hong Kong garrison of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) includes elements of the PLA Ground Forces, PLA Navy, and PLA Air Force; these forces are under the direct leadership of the Central Military Commission in Beijing and under administrative control of the adjacent Guangzhou Military Region (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,772,820 females age 16-49: 1,941,448 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,421,406 females age 16-49: 1,543,443 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 42,330 female: 38,797 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: NA Military - note: defense is the responsibility of China Transnational Issues ::Hong Kong Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: despite strenuous law enforcement efforts, faces difficult challenges in controlling transit of heroin and methamphetamine to regional and world markets; modern banking system provides conduit for money laundering; rising indigenous use of synthetic drugs, especially among young people page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Hungary (Europe) Introduction ::Hungary Background: Hungary became a Christian kingdom in A.D. 1000 and for many centuries served as a bulwark against Ottoman Turkish expansion in Europe. The kingdom eventually became part of the polyglot Austro-Hungarian Empire, which collapsed during World War I. The country fell under Communist rule following World War II. In 1956, a revolt and an announced withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact were met with a massive military intervention by Moscow. Under the leadership of Janos KADAR in 1968, Hungary began liberalizing its economy, introducing so-called "Goulash Communism." Hungary held its first multiparty elections in 1990 and initiated a free market economy. It joined NATO in 1999 and the EU in 2004. Geography ::Hungary Location: Central Europe, northwest of Romania Geographic coordinates: 47 00 N, 20 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 93,028 sq km country comparison to the world: 109 land: 89,608 sq km water: 3,420 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Indiana Land boundaries: total: 2,185 km border countries: Austria 366 km, Croatia 329 km, Romania 443 km, Serbia 166 km, Slovakia 676 km, Slovenia 102 km, Ukraine 103 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: temperate; cold, cloudy, humid winters; warm summers Terrain: mostly flat to rolling plains; hills and low mountains on the Slovakian border Elevation extremes: lowest point: Tisza River 78 m highest point: Kekes 1,014 m Natural resources: bauxite, coal, natural gas, fertile soils, arable land Land use: arable land: 49.58% permanent crops: 2.06% other: 48.36% (2005) Irrigated land: 2,300 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 120 cu km (2005) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 21.03 cu km/yr (9%/59%/32%) per capita: 2,082 cu m/yr (2001) Environment - current issues: the upgrading of Hungary's standards in waste management, energy efficiency, and air, soil, and water pollution to meet EU requirements will require large investments Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: landlocked; strategic location astride main land routes between Western Europe and Balkan Peninsula as well as between Ukraine and Mediterranean basin; the north-south flowing Duna (Danube) and Tisza Rivers divide the country into three large regions People ::Hungary Population: 9,905,596 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 Age structure: 0-14 years: 15% (male 763,553/female 720,112) 15-64 years: 69.3% (male 3,384,961/female 3,475,135) 65 years and over: 15.8% (male 566,067/female 995,768) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 39.4 years male: 37.1 years female: 42 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: -0.257% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 220 Birth rate: 9.51 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 205 Death rate: 12.94 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 Net migration rate: 0.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 59 Urbanization: urban population: 68% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.57 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 7.86 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 163 male: 8.57 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.44 years country comparison to the world: 106 male: 69.27 years female: 77.87 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.35 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 202 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 3,300 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 100 (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A vectorborne diseases: tickborne encephalitis (2009) Nationality: noun: Hungarian(s) adjective: Hungarian Ethnic groups: Hungarian 92.3%, Roma 1.9%, other or unknown 5.8% (2001 census) Religions: Roman Catholic 51.9%, Calvinist 15.9%, Lutheran 3%, Greek Catholic 2.6%, other Christian 1%, other or unspecified 11.1%, unaffiliated 14.5% (2001 census) Languages: Hungarian 93.6%, other or unspecified 6.4% (2001 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.4% male: 99.5% female: 99.3% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 15 years male: 15 years female: 16 years (2006) Education expenditures: 5.5% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 48 Government ::Hungary Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Hungary conventional short form: Hungary local long form: Magyar Koztarsasag local short form: Magyarorszag Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: name: Budapest geographic coordinates: 47 30 N, 19 05 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 19 counties (megyek, singular - megye), 23 urban counties (singular - megyei varos), and 1 capital city (fovaros) counties: Bacs-Kiskun, Baranya, Bekes, Borsod-Abauj-Zemplen, Csongrad, Fejer, Gyor-Moson-Sopron, Hajdu-Bihar, Heves, Jasz-Nagykun-Szolnok, Komarom-Esztergom, Nograd, Pest, Somogy, Szabolcs-Szatmar-Bereg, Tolna, Vas, Veszprem, Zala urban counties: Bekescsaba, Debrecen, Dunaujvaros, Eger, Erd, Gyor, Hodmezovasarhely, Kaposvar, Kecskemet, Miskolc, Nagykanizsa, Nyiregyhaza, Pecs, Salgotarjan, Sopron, Szeged, Szekesfehervar, Szekszard, Szolnok, Szombathely, Tatabanya, Veszprem, Zalaegerszeg capital city: Budapest Independence: 25 December 1000 (crowning of King STEPHEN I, traditional founding date) National holiday: Saint Stephen's Day, 20 August Constitution: 18 August 1949, effective 20 August 1949; revised 19 April 1972; 18 October 1989; and 1997 note: 18 October 1989 revision ensured legal rights for individuals and constitutional checks on the authority of the prime minister and also established the principle of parliamentary oversight; 1997 amendment streamlined the judicial system Legal system: based on the German-Austrian legal system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Laszlo SOLYOM (since 5 August 2005) head of government: Prime Minister Gordon BAJNAI (since 20 April 2009) cabinet: Council of Ministers prime minister elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president; other ministers proposed by the prime minister and appointed and relieved of their duties by the president elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 6-7 June 2005 (next to be held by June 2010); prime minister elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president; election last held 14 April 2009 election results: Laszlo SOLYOM elected president by a simple majority in the third round of voting, 185 to 182; Gordon BAJNAI elected prime minister; result of legislative vote - 204 to 0 note: to be elected, the president must win two-thirds of legislative vote in the first two rounds or a simple majority in the third round Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Orszaggyules (386 seats; members are elected by popular vote under a system of proportional and direct representation to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 9 and 23 April 2006 (next to be held in April 2010) election results: percent of vote by party (5% or more of the vote required for parliamentary representation in the first round) - MSzP 43.2%, Fidesz-KDNP 42%, SzDSz 6.5%, MDF 5%, other 3.3%; seats by party - MSzP 190, Fidesz-KDNP 164, SzDSz 20, MDF 11, independent 1; seats by party as of January 2009 - MSzP 190, Fidesz-KDNP 161, SzDSz 19, MDF 10, independent 5, vacant 1 Judicial branch: Constitutional Court (judges are elected by the National Assembly for nine-year terms) Political parties and leaders: Alliance of Free Democrats or SzDSz [Gabor FODOR]; Christian Democratic People's Party or KDNP [Zsolt SEMJEN]; Hungarian Civic Alliance or Fidesz [Viktor ORBAN, chairman]; Hungarian Democratic Forum or MDF [Ibolya DAVID]; Hungarian Socialist Party or MSzP [Ildiko LENDVAI] Political pressure groups and leaders: Air Work Group (works to reduce air pollution in towns and cities); Company For Freedom Rights (Tarsasag a Szabadsagjogokert) or TASZ (personal data protection); Danube Circle (protests the building of the Gabchikovo-Nagymaros dam); Green Future (protests the impact of lead contamination of local factory on health of the people); environmentalists: Hungarian Ornithological and Nature Conservation Society (Magyar Madartani Egyesulet)or MME; Green Alternative (Zold Alternativa) International organization participation: Australia Group, BIS, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA (cooperating state), EU, FAO, G-9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Bela SZOMBATI chancery: 3910 Shoemaker Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 362-6730 FAX: [1] (202) 966-8135 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador April H. FOLEY embassy: Szabadsag ter 12, H-1054 Budapest mailing address: pouch: American Embassy Budapest, 5270 Budapest Place, US Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-5270 telephone: [36] (1) 475-4400 FAX: [36] (1) 475-4764 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and green Economy ::Hungary Economy - overview: Hungary has made the transition from a centrally planned to a market economy, with a per capita income nearly two-thirds that of the EU-25 average. The private sector accounts for more than 80% of GDP. Foreign ownership of and investment in Hungarian firms is widespread, with cumulative foreign direct investment totaling more than $200 billion since 1989. The government's IMF-mandated austerity measures, imposed since late 2006, have reduced the budget deficit from over 9% of GDP in 2006 to 3.3% in 2008. Hungary's impending inability to service its short-term debt - brought on by the global credit crunch in late 2008 - led Budapest to seek and receive an IMF-arranged financial assistance package worth over $25 billion. The global financial crisis, declining exports, and low domestic consumption and fixed asset accumulation, dampened by government austerity measures, will result in a negative growth rate of about -1.5% to -2.5% in 2009. GDP (purchasing power parity): $196.7 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 $195.5 billion (2007 est.) $193.2 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $155.9 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 0.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 190 1.2% (2007 est.) 3.9% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $19,800 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 $19,600 (2007 est.) $19,400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2.9% industry: 36.9% services: 60.2% (2008 est.) Labor force: 4.2 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 85 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 5% industry: 32.4% services: 62.6% (2005) Unemployment rate: 7.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 7.3% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 8.6% (1993 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.5% highest 10%: 24.1% (2004) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 28 (2005) country comparison to the world: 121 24.4 (1998) Investment (gross fixed): 20.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 108 Budget: revenues: $67.7 billion expenditures: $73 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 67.7% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 17 58.3% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 8% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 10% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 54 7.5% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 10.18% (31 December 2008) Stock of money: $32.78 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 26 $36.78 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $47.49 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 29 $43.07 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $114.3 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 36 $109.5 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $21.9 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 56 $47.65 billion (31 December 2007) $41.93 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: wheat, corn, sunflower seed, potatoes, sugar beets; pigs, cattle, poultry, dairy products Industries: mining, metallurgy, construction materials, processed foods, textiles, chemicals (especially pharmaceuticals), motor vehicles Industrial production growth rate: -1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 Electricity - production: 37.74 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 Electricity - consumption: 37.77 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 Electricity - exports: 8.871 billion kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 12.77 billion kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 37,830 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 Oil - consumption: 162,100 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 Oil - exports: 72,050 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 Oil - imports: 195,400 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 Oil - proved reserves: 20.18 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 Natural gas - production: 2.643 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 Natural gas - consumption: 13.17 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 Natural gas - exports: 21 million cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 43 Natural gas - imports: 11.47 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 Natural gas - proved reserves: 8.098 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 83 Current account balance: -$12.98 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 173 -$8.922 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $106.6 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 36 $93.86 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: machinery and equipment 61.1%, other manufactures 28.7%, food products 6.5%, raw materials 2%, fuels and electricity 1.6% (2003) Exports - partners: Germany 26.5%, Italy 5.4%, Romania 5.3%, Austria 4.9%, Slovakia 4.7%, France 4.7%, UK 4.5%, Czech Republic 4% (2008) Imports: $106.5 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 $93.4 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment 51.6%, other manufactures 35.7%, fuels and electricity 7.7%, food products 3.1%, raw materials 2.0% (2003) Imports - partners: Germany 25.4%, Russia 9%, China 7.6%, Austria 6.1%, Netherlands 4.4%, France 4.4%, Italy 4.3% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $33.87 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 $24.05 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $212.1 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 30 $167.7 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $237.1 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 $164.7 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $159.7 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 $97.42 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: forints (HUF) per US dollar - 171.8 (2008), 183.83 (2007), 210.39 (2006), 199.58 (2005), 202.75 (2004) Communications ::Hungary Telephones - main lines in use: 3.094 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 48 Telephones - mobile cellular: 12.224 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 50 Telephone system: general assessment: the telephone system has been modernized and is capable of satisfying all requests for telecommunication service domestic: the system is digitalized and highly automated; trunk services are carried by fiber-optic cable and digital microwave radio relay; a program for fiber-optic subscriber connections was initiated in 1996; competition among mobile-cellular service providers has led to a sharp increase in the use of mobile cellular phones since 2000 and a decrease in the number of fixed-line connections international: country code - 36; Hungary has fiber-optic cable connections with all neighboring countries; the international switch is in Budapest; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean regions), 1 Inmarsat, 1 very small aperture terminal (VSAT) system of ground terminals Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 90, shortwave 1 (2008) Television broadcast stations: 95 (2008) Internet country code: .hu Internet hosts: 2.261 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 29 Internet users: 5.873 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 40 Transportation ::Hungary Airports: 46 (2009) country comparison to the world: 94 Airports - with paved runways: total: 20 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 26 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 11 (2009) Heliports: 5 (2009) Pipelines: gas 4,407 km; oil 987 km; refined products 335 km (2008) Railways: total: 8,057 km country comparison to the world: 27 broad gauge: 36 km 1.524-m gauge standard gauge: 7,802 km 1.435-m gauge (2,628 km electrified) narrow gauge: 219 km 0.760-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 159,568 km country comparison to the world: 32 paved: 70,050 km (30,874 km of interurban roads including 626 km of expressways) unpaved: 89,518 km (2005) Waterways: 1,622 km (most on Danube River) (2008) country comparison to the world: 49 Ports and terminals: Budapest, Dunaujvaros, Gyor-Gonyu, Csepel, Baja, Mohacs Military ::Hungary Military branches: Ground Forces, Hungarian Air Force (Magyar Legiero, ML) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18-50 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; 6-month service obligation (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 2,391,400 females age 16-49: 2,337,240 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,887,755 females age 16-49: 1,934,019 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 60,248 female: 57,280 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.75% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 Transnational Issues ::Hungary Disputes - international: bilateral government, legal, technical and economic working group negotiations continue in 2006 with Slovakia over Hungary's failure to complete its portion of the Gabcikovo-Nagymaros hydroelectric dam project along the Danube; as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Hungary has implemented the strict Schengen border rules Illicit drugs: transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and cannabis and for South American cocaine destined for Western Europe; limited producer of precursor chemicals, particularly for amphetamine and methamphetamine; efforts to counter money laundering, related to organized crime and drug trafficking, are improving, but remain vulnerable; significant consumer of ecstasy page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Iceland (Europe) Introduction ::Iceland Background: Settled by Norwegian and Celtic (Scottish and Irish) immigrants during the late 9th and 10th centuries A.D., Iceland boasts the world's oldest functioning legislative assembly, the Althing, established in 930. Independent for over 300 years, Iceland was subsequently ruled by Norway and Denmark. Fallout from the Askja volcano of 1875 devastated the Icelandic economy and caused widespread famine. Over the next quarter century, 20% of the island's population emigrated, mostly to Canada and the US. Limited home rule from Denmark was granted in 1874 and complete independence attained in 1944. Literacy, longevity, and social cohesion are first-rate by world standards. Geography ::Iceland Location: Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northwest of the United Kingdom Geographic coordinates: 65 00 N, 18 00 W Map references: Europe Area: total: 103,000 sq km country comparison to the world: 107 land: 100,250 sq km water: 2,750 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Kentucky Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 4,970 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Climate: temperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild, windy winters; damp, cool summers Terrain: mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks, icefields; coast deeply indented by bays and fiords Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Hvannadalshnukur 2,110 m (at Vatnajokull glacier) Natural resources: fish, hydropower, geothermal power, diatomite Land use: arable land: 0.07% permanent crops: 0% other: 99.93% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Total renewable water resources: 170 cu km (2005) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.17 cu km/yr (34%/66%/0%) per capita: 567 cu m/yr (2003) Natural hazards: earthquakes and volcanic activity Environment - current issues: water pollution from fertilizer runoff; inadequate wastewater treatment Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Transboundary Air Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: strategic location between Greenland and Europe; westernmost European country; Reykjavik is the northernmost national capital in the world; more land covered by glaciers than in all of continental Europe People ::Iceland Population: 306,694 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 178 Age structure: 0-14 years: 20.7% (male 32,268/female 31,308) 15-64 years: 67.1% (male 104,158/female 101,584) 65 years and over: 12.2% (male 16,952/female 20,424) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 35.1 years male: 34.6 years female: 35.6 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.741% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 143 Birth rate: 13.43 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 154 Death rate: 6.85 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 Net migration rate: 0.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 Urbanization: urban population: 92% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 3.23 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 218 male: 3.38 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80.67 years country comparison to the world: 14 male: 78.53 years female: 82.9 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.9 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 143 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 220 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 100 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 Nationality: noun: Icelander(s) adjective: Icelandic Ethnic groups: homogeneous mixture of descendants of Norse and Celts 94%, population of foreign origin 6% Religions: Lutheran Church of Iceland 80.7%, Roman Catholic Church 2.5%, Reykjavik Free Church 2.4%, Hafnarfjorour Free Church 1.6%, other religions 3.6%, unaffiliated 3%, other or unspecified 6.2% (2006 est.) Languages: Icelandic, English, Nordic languages, German widely spoken Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 18 years male: 17 years female: 19 years (2006) Education expenditures: 7.6% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 16 Government ::Iceland Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Iceland conventional short form: Iceland local long form: Lydveldid Island local short form: Island Government type: constitutional republic Capital: name: Reykjavik geographic coordinates: 64 09 N, 21 57 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 8 regions; Austurland, Hofudhborgarsvaedhi, Nordhurland Eystra, Nordhurland Vestra, Sudhurland, Sudhurnes, Vestfirdhir, Vesturland Independence: 1 December 1918 (became a sovereign state under the Danish Crown); 17 June 1944 (from Denmark) National holiday: Independence Day, 17 June (1944) Constitution: 16 June 1944, effective 17 June 1944; amended many times Legal system: civil law system based on Danish law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON (since 1 August 1996) head of government: Prime Minister Johanna SIGURDARDOTTIR (since 1 February 2009); cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister elections: president, a largely ceremonial post, is elected by popular vote for a four-year term (no term limits); election last held 28 June 2004 (next to be held in June 2012); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually the prime minister note: the presidential election of 28 June 2008 was never held because Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON had no challengers; he was sworn in on 1 August 2008 2004 election results: Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON elected president; percent of vote - Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON 85.6%, Baldur AGUSTSSON 12.5%, Astthor MAGNUSSON 1.9%; Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Althing (63 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 25 April 2009 (next to be held in 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - Social Democratic Alliance 29.8%, Independence Party 23.7%, Left-Green Movement 21.7%, Progressive Party 14.8%, Citizens' Movement 7.2%, other 2.8%; seats by party - Social Democratic Alliance 20, Independence Party 16, Left-Green Alliance 14, Progressive Party 9, Citizens' Movement 4 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Haestirettur (justices are appointed for life by the Minister of Justice); eight district courts (justices are appointed for life by the Minister of Justice) Political parties and leaders: Citizens' Movement; Independence Party or IP [Bjarni BENEDIKTSSON, Jr.]; Left-Green Movement or LGM [Steingrimur SIGFUSSON]; Liberal Party or LP [Gudjon KRISTJANSSON]; Progressive Party or PP [Sigmundur David GUNNLAUGSSON; Social Democratic Alliance or SDA [Johanna SIGUROARDOTTIR] (includes People's Alliance or PA, Social Democratic Party or SDP, Women's List) Political pressure groups and leaders: People's Voices [Hordur TORFARSON]; New Times; Civic Action Association [Gunnar SIGURDSSON]; The Association of Military Opponents [Stefan PALSSON] International organization participation: Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EFTA, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Hjalmar W. HANNESSON chancery: House of Sweden, 2900 K Street NW #509, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 265-6653 FAX: [1] (202) 265-6656 consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Hjalmar HANNESSON embassy: Laufasvegur 21, 101 Reykjavik mailing address: US Department of State, 5640 Reykjavik Place, Washington, D.C. 20521-5640 telephone: [354] 562-9100 FAX: [354] 562-9118 Flag description: blue with a red cross outlined in white extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag); the colors represent three of the elements that make up the island: red is for the island's volcanic fires, white recalls the snow and ice fields of the island, and blue is for the surrounding ocean Economy ::Iceland Economy - overview: Iceland's Scandinavian-type social-market economy combines a capitalist structure and free-market principles with an extensive welfare system, including generous housing subsidies. Prior to the 2008 crisis, Iceland had achieved high growth, low unemployment, and a remarkably even distribution of income. Government economic priorities have included stabilizing the krona, reducing the current account deficit, containing inflation, restructuring the financial sector, and diversifying the economy. The economy depends heavily on the fishing industry, which provides 40% of export earnings, more than 12% of GDP, and employs 7% of the work force. It remains sensitive to declining fish stocks as well as to fluctuations in world prices for its main exports: fish and fish products, aluminum, and ferrosilicon. Iceland's economy has been diversifying into manufacturing and service industries in the last decade, with new developments in software production, biotechnology, and tourism. Abundant geothermal sources have attracted substantial foreign investment in the aluminum and hydropower sectors and boosted economic growth, although the financial crisis has put several investment projects on hold. Much of Iceland's economic growth in recent years came as the result of a boom in domestic demand following the rapid expansion of the country's financial sector. Domestic banks expanded aggressively in foreign markets, and consumers and businesses borrowed heavily in foreign-currency loans, following the privatization of the sector in the early 2000s. Worsening global financial conditions throughout 2008 resulted in a sharp depreciation of the krona vis-a-vis other major currencies. The foreign exposure of Icelandic banks, whose loans and other assets totaled more than 10 times the country's GDP, became unsustainable. Iceland's three largest banks collapsed in late 2008. The country negotiated over $10 billion in loans from the IMF and other countries to stabilize its currency and financial sector, and to guarantee foreign deposits in Icelandic banks. A protracted recession is expected in 2009 and 2010 with GDP likely to contract and unemployment likely to surpass 10%. The collapse of the financial system has led to a major shift in opinion in favor of joining the EU and adopting the euro. Previous opposition to this move stemmed from Icelanders' concern about losing control of their fishing resources. Iceland's coalition government collapsed in January 2009 following protests over growing joblessness and losses to personal savings. GDP (purchasing power parity): $12.87 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 $12.7 billion (2007 est.) $12.03 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $16.79 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 169 5.5% (2007 est.) 4.5% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $42,300 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 17 $42,100 (2007 est.) $40,200 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 5% industry: 25.2% services: 69.8% (2008 est.) Labor force: 184,000 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 167 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 3% industry: 19% services: 78% (2007) Unemployment rate: 1.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 1% (2007 est.) note: this figure climbed to 9.4% as of February 2009 Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Distribution of family income - Gini index: 25 (2005) country comparison to the world: 130 Investment (gross fixed): 23.9% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 Budget: revenues: $6.657 billion expenditures: $6.856 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 56.5% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 35.9% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 12.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 176 5.1% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 22% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 12 15.25% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: NA% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 18 19.29% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $6.64 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $15.05 billion (31 December 2006) country comparison to the world: 45 $NA (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $49.67 billion (31 December 2006) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 62 $40.56 billion (31 December 2007) $36.1 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: potatoes, green vegetables; mutton, dairy products; fish Industries: fish processing; aluminum smelting, ferrosilicon production; geothermal power, tourism Industrial production growth rate: 0% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 134 Electricity - production: 11.71 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 Electricity - consumption: 11.22 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 186 Oil - consumption: 19,880 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 Oil - exports: 2,975 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 Oil - imports: 17,510 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 160 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 176 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 172 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 66 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 166 Current account balance: -$6.606 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 164 -$3.178 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $5.399 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 $4.793 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: fish and fish products 70%, aluminum, animal products, ferrosilicon, diatomite Exports - partners: Netherlands 33.8%, UK 11.7%, Germany 11.5%, US 5.8%, Japan 4.9%, Norway 4.1% (2008) Imports: $5.699 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 $6.181 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, petroleum products, foodstuffs, textiles Imports - partners: Norway 10.9%, Germany 10.4%, Sweden 9%, US 8%, Denmark 7.4%, China 6.8%, Netherlands 6%, UK 4.4%, Japan 4% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $2.5 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 $2.436 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $3.073 billion (2002) country comparison to the world: 125 Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $NA Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Exchange rates: Icelandic kronur (ISK) per US dollar - 85.619 (2008 est.), 63.391 (2007), 70.195 (2006), 62.982 (2005), 70.192 (2004) Communications ::Iceland Telephones - main lines in use: 187,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 125 Telephones - mobile cellular: 342,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 166 Telephone system: general assessment: telecommunications infrastructure is modern and fully digitized, with satellite-earth stations, fiber-optic cables, and an extensive broadband network domestic: liberalization of the telecommunications sector beginning in the late 1990s has led to increased competition especially in the mobile services segment of the market international: country code - 354; the CANTAT-3 and FARICE-1 submarine cable systems provide connectivity to Canada, the Faroe Islands, UK, Denmark, and Germany; a planned new section of the Hibernia-Atlantic submarine cable will provide additional connectivity to Canada, US, and Ireland; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Iceland shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden) Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM about 70, shortwave 1 (2008) Television broadcast stations: 14 (plus 156 repeaters) (1997) Internet country code: .is Internet hosts: 272,201 (2009) country comparison to the world: 59 Internet users: 250,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 131 Transportation ::Iceland Airports: 99 (2009) country comparison to the world: 62 Airports - with paved runways: total: 6 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 93 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 27 under 914 m: 63 (2009) Roadways: total: 13,058 km country comparison to the world: 129 paved/oiled gravel: 4,397 km (does not include urban roads) unpaved: 8,661 km (2007) Merchant marine: total: 2 country comparison to the world: 145 by type: passenger/cargo 2 registered in other countries: 37 (Antigua and Barbuda 12, Bahamas 1, Belize 2, Denmark 2, Faroe Islands 1, Gibraltar 1, Malta 5, Marshall Islands 3, Norway 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 7) (2008) Ports and terminals: Grundartangi, Hafnarfjordur, Reykjavik Military ::Iceland Military branches: no regular military forces; Icelandic National Police (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 74,896 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 62,576 females age 16-49: 61,159 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 2,369 female: 2,349 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 0% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 173 Military - note: Iceland has no standing military force; under a 1951 bilateral agreement - still valid - its defense was provided by the US-manned Icelandic Defense Force (IDF) headquartered at Keflavik; however, all US military forces in Iceland were withdrawn as of October 2006; although wartime defense of Iceland remains a NATO commitment, in April 2007, Iceland and Norway signed a bilateral agreement providing for Norwegian aerial surveillance and defense of Icelandic airspace (2008) Transnational Issues ::Iceland Disputes - international: Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @India (South Asia) Introduction ::India Background: The Indus Valley civilization, one of the world's oldest, flourished during the 3rd and 2nd centuries B.C. and extended into northwestern India. Aryan tribes from the northwest infiltrated onto the Indian subcontinent about 1500 B.C.; their merger with the earlier Dravidian inhabitants created the classical Indian culture. The Maurya Empire of the 4th and 3rd centuries B.C. - which reached its zenith under ASHOKA - united much of South Asia. The Golden Age ushered in by the Gupta dynasty (4th to 6th centuries A.D.) saw a flowering of Indian science, art, and culture. Arab incursions starting in the 8th century and Turkic in the 12th were followed by those of European traders, beginning in the late 15th century. By the 19th century, Britain had assumed political control of virtually all Indian lands. Indian armed forces in the British army played a vital role in both World Wars. Nonviolent resistance to British colonialism led by Mohandas GANDHI and Jawaharlal NEHRU brought independence in 1947. The subcontinent was divided into the secular state of India and the smaller Muslim state of Pakistan. A third war between the two countries in 1971 resulted in East Pakistan becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh. India's nuclear weapons testing in 1998 caused Pakistan to conduct its own tests that same year. Despite impressive gains in economic investment and output, India faces pressing problems such as significant overpopulation, environmental degradation, extensive poverty, and widespread corruption. Geography ::India Location: Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and Pakistan Geographic coordinates: 20 00 N, 77 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 3,287,263 sq km country comparison to the world: 7 land: 2,973,193 sq km water: 314,070 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than one-third the size of the US Land boundaries: total: 14,103 km border countries: Bangladesh 4,053 km, Bhutan 605 km, Burma 1,463 km, China 3,380 km, Nepal 1,690 km, Pakistan 2,912 km Coastline: 7,000 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Climate: varies from tropical monsoon in south to temperate in north Terrain: upland plain (Deccan Plateau) in south, flat to rolling plain along the Ganges, deserts in west, Himalayas in north Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Kanchenjunga 8,598 m Natural resources: coal (fourth-largest reserves in the world), iron ore, manganese, mica, bauxite, titanium ore, chromite, natural gas, diamonds, petroleum, limestone, arable land Land use: arable land: 48.83% permanent crops: 2.8% other: 48.37% (2005) Irrigated land: 558,080 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 1,907.8 cu km (1999) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 645.84 cu km/yr (8%/5%/86%) per capita: 585 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: droughts; flash floods, as well as widespread and destructive flooding from monsoonal rains; severe thunderstorms; earthquakes Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing; desertification; air pollution from industrial effluents and vehicle emissions; water pollution from raw sewage and runoff of agricultural pesticides; tap water is not potable throughout the country; huge and growing population is overstraining natural resources Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: dominates South Asian subcontinent; near important Indian Ocean trade routes; Kanchenjunga, third tallest mountain in the world, lies on the border with Nepal People ::India Population: 1,166,079,217 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 Age structure: 0-14 years: 31.1% (male 190,075,426/female 172,799,553) 15-64 years: 63.6% (male 381,446,079/female 359,802,209) 65 years and over: 5.3% (male 29,364,920/female 32,591,030) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 25.3 years male: 24.9 years female: 25.8 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.548% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 Birth rate: 21.76 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 87 Death rate: 6.23 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 154 Net migration rate: -0.05 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 87 Urbanization: urban population: 29% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.12 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 30.15 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 73 male: 34.61 deaths/1,000 live births female: 25.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.89 years country comparison to the world: 145 male: 67.46 years female: 72.61 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.72 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 83 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.3% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 2.4 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 310,000 (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: chikungunya, dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, and malaria animal contact disease: rabies water contact disease: leptospirosis note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Nationality: noun: Indian(s) adjective: Indian Ethnic groups: Indo-Aryan 72%, Dravidian 25%, Mongoloid and other 3% (2000) Religions: Hindu 80.5%, Muslim 13.4%, Christian 2.3%, Sikh 1.9%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.1% (2001 census) Languages: Hindi 41%, Bengali 8.1%, Telugu 7.2%, Marathi 7%, Tamil 5.9%, Urdu 5%, Gujarati 4.5%, Kannada 3.7%, Malayalam 3.2%, Oriya 3.2%, Punjabi 2.8%, Assamese 1.3%, Maithili 1.2%, other 5.9% note: English enjoys associate status but is the most important language for national, political, and commercial communication; Hindi is the most widely spoken language and primary tongue of 41% of the people; there are 14 other official languages: Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, Urdu, Gujarati, Malayalam, Kannada, Oriya, Punjabi, Assamese, Kashmiri, Sindhi, and Sanskrit; Hindustani is a popular variant of Hindi/Urdu spoken widely throughout northern India but is not an official language (2001 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 61% male: 73.4% female: 47.8% (2001 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 10 years male: 11 years female: 9 years (2005) Education expenditures: 3.2% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 140 Government ::India Country name: conventional long form: Republic of India conventional short form: India local long form: Republic of India/Bharatiya Ganarajya local short form: India/Bharat Government type: federal republic Capital: name: New Delhi geographic coordinates: 28 36 N, 77 12 E time difference: UTC+5.5 (10.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 28 states and 7 union territories*; Andaman and Nicobar Islands*, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chandigarh*, Chhattisgarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli*, Daman and Diu*, Delhi*, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep*, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Orissa, Puducherry*, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal Independence: 15 August 1947 (from the UK) National holiday: Republic Day, 26 January (1950) Constitution: 26 January 1950; amended many times Legal system: based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; separate personal law codes apply to Muslims, Christians, and Hindus Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Pratibha PATIL (since 25 July 2007); Vice President Hamid ANSARI (since 11 August 2007) head of government: Prime Minister Manmohan SINGH (since 22 May 2004) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president elected by an electoral college consisting of elected members of both houses of Parliament and the legislatures of the states for a five-year term (no term limits); election last held in July 2007 (next to be held in July 2012); vice president elected by both houses of Parliament for a five-year term; election last held in August 2007 (next to be held August 2012); prime minister chosen by parliamentary members of the majority party following legislative elections; election last held April - May 2004 (next to be held no later than May 2009) election results: Pratibha PATIL elected president; percent of vote - Pratibha PATIL 65.8%, Bhairon Singh SHEKHAWAT - 34.2% Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Sansad consists of the Council of States or Rajya Sabha (a body consisting of not more than 250 members up to 12 of whom are appointed by the president, the remainder are chosen by the elected members of the state and territorial assemblies; members serve six-year terms) and the People's Assembly or Lok Sabha (545 seats; 543 elected by popular vote, 2 appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms) elections: People's Assembly - last held in five phases 16, 22-23, 30 April and 7, 13 May 2009 (next must be held by May 2014) election results: People's Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - INC 206, BJP 116, SP 23, BSP 21, JD (U) 20, AITC 19, DMK 18, CPI-M 16, BJD 14, SS 11, AIADMK 9, NCP 9, other 61, vacant 2 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (one chief justice and 25 associate justices are appointed by the president and remain in office until they reach the age of 65 or are removed for "proved misbehavior") Political parties and leaders: All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam or AIADMK [J. JAYALALITHAA]; All India Trinamool Congress or AITC [Mamata BANERJEE]; Bahujan Samaj Party or BSP [Kumari MAYAWATI]; Bharatiya Janata Party or BJP [Rajnath SINGH]; Biju Janata Dal or BJD [Naveen PATNAIK]; Communist Party of India or CPI [Ardhendu Bhushan BARDHAN]; Communist Party of India-Marxist or CPI-M [Prakash KARAT]; Dravida Munnetra Kazagham or DMK [M. KARUNANIDHI]; Indian National Congress or INC [Sonia GANDHI]; Janata Dal (United) or JD(U) [Sharad YADAV]; Jharkhand Mukti Morcha or JMM [Shibu SOREN]; Left Front (an alliance of Indian leftist parties); Lok Jan Shakti Party or LJSP [Ram Vilas PASWAN]; Nationalist Congress Party or NCP [Sharad PAWAR]; Pattali Makkal Katchi or PMK [S. RAMADOSS]; Rashtriya Janata Dal or RJD [Laloo Prasad YADAV]; Samajwadi Party or SP [Mulayam Singh YADAV]; Shiromani Akali Dal or SAD [Parkash Singh BADAL]; Shiv Sena or SS [Bal THACKERAY]; note - India has dozens of national and regional political parties; only parties or coalitions with four or more seats in the People's Assembly are listed Political pressure groups and leaders: All Parties Hurriyat Conference in the Kashmir Valley (separatist group); Bajrang Dal (religious organization); National Socialist Council of Nagaland in the northeast (separatist group); Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (religious organization); Vishwa Hindu Parishad (religious organization other: numerous religious or militant/chauvinistic organizations; various separatist groups seeking greater communal and/or regional autonomy International organization participation: ADB, AfDB (nonregional member), ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), BIMSTEC, BIS, C, CERN (observer), CP, EAS, FAO, G-15, G-20, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS (observer), MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC, SACEP, SCO (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNITAR, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Meera SHANKAR chancery: 2107 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; note - Consular Wing located at 2536 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 939-7000 FAX: [1] (202) 265-4351 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, New York, San Francisco Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires A. Peter BURLEIGH embassy: Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [91] (011) 2419-8000 FAX: [91] (11) 2419-0017 consulate(s) general: Chennai (Madras), Kolkata (Calcutta), Mumbai (Bombay) Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of saffron (subdued orange) (top), white, and green, with a blue chakra (24-spoked wheel) centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Niger, which has a small orange disk centered in the white band Economy ::India Economy - overview: India's diverse economy encompasses traditional village farming, modern agriculture, handicrafts, a wide range of modern industries, and a multitude of services. Services are the major source of economic growth, accounting for more than half of India's output with less than one third of its labor force. Slightly more than half of the work force is in agriculture, leading the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government to articulate a rural economic development program that includes creating basic infrastructure to improve the lives of the rural poor and boost economic performance. The government has reduced controls on foreign trade and investment. Higher limits on foreign direct investment were permitted in a few key sectors, such as telecommunications. However, tariff spikes in sensitive categories, including agriculture, and incremental progress on economic reforms still hinder foreign access to India's vast and growing market. Privatization of government-owned industries remains stalled and continues to generate political debate; populist pressure from within the UPA government had restrained needed initiatives. The economy has posted an average growth rate of more than 7% in the decade since 1997, reducing poverty by about 10 percentage points. India achieved 9.6% GDP growth in 2006, 9.0% in 2007, and 6.6% in 2008, significantly expanding manufactures through late 2008. India also is capitalizing on its large numbers of well-educated people skilled in the English language to become a major exporter of software services and software workers. Strong growth combined with easy consumer credit, a real estate boom, and fast-rising commodity prices fueled inflation concerns from mid-2006 to August 2008. Rising tax revenues from better tax administration and economic expansion helped New Delhi make progress in reducing its fiscal deficit for three straight years before skyrocketing global commodity prices more than doubled the cost of government energy and fertilizer subsidies. The ballooning subsidies, amidst slowing growth, brought the return of a large fiscal deficit in 2008. In the long run, the huge and growing population is the fundamental social, economic, and environmental problem. GDP (purchasing power parity): $3.304 trillion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 $3.077 trillion (2007 est.) $2.823 trillion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $1.207 trillion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 7.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 9% (2007 est.) 9.7% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $2,900 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 167 $2,700 (2007 est.) $2,500 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 17.6% industry: 29% services: 53.4% (2008 est.) Labor force: 523.5 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 60% industry: 12% services: 28% (2003) Unemployment rate: 9.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 7.2% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 25% (2007 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.6% highest 10%: 31.1% (2005) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 36.8 (2004) country comparison to the world: 79 37.8 (1997) Investment (gross fixed): 39% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 Budget: revenues: $126.7 billion expenditures: $202.6 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 56.4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 59.7% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 6.4% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 6% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 74 6% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 13.31% (31 December 2008) Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $250.9 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) $647.3 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $769.3 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $645.5 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 9 $1.819 trillion (31 December 2007) $818.9 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: rice, wheat, oilseed, cotton, jute, tea, sugarcane, potatoes; onions, dairy products, sheep, goats, poultry; fish Industries: textiles, chemicals, food processing, steel, transportation equipment, cement, mining, petroleum, machinery, software Industrial production growth rate: 4.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 Electricity - production: 761.7 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 Electricity - consumption: 568 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 Electricity - exports: 216 million kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 4.96 billion kWh (2007 est.) Oil - production: 883,500 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 Oil - consumption: 2.94 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 Oil - exports: 671,200 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 Oil - imports: 2.518 million bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 8 Oil - proved reserves: 5.625 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 Natural gas - production: 32.2 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 Natural gas - consumption: 42.99 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 65 Natural gas - imports: 10.79 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 Natural gas - proved reserves: 1.075 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 Current account balance: -$36.09 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 182 -$10.88 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $187.9 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 $150.7 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: petroleum products, textile goods, gems and jewelry, engineering goods, chemicals, leather manufactures Exports - partners: US 12.3%, UAE 9.4%, China 9.3% (2008) Imports: $315.1 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 $231.6 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: crude oil, machinery, gems, fertilizer, chemicals Imports - partners: China 11.1%, Saudi Arabia 7.5%, US 6.6%, UAE 5.1%, Iran 4.2%, Singapore 4.2%, Germany 4.2% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $254 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 $273.9 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $229.3 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 $206 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $144.2 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 $103.1 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $61.77 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 $38.82 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: Indian rupees (INR) per US dollar - 43.319 (2008 est.), 41.487 (2007), 45.3 (2006), 44.101 (2005), 45.317 (2004) Communications ::India Telephones - main lines in use: 37.54 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 7 Telephones - mobile cellular: 427.3 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 2 Telephone system: general assessment: recent deregulation and liberalization of telecommunications laws and policies have prompted rapid growth; local and long distance service provided throughout all regions of the country, with services primarily concentrated in the urban areas; steady improvement is taking place with the recent admission of private and private-public investors, but combined fixed and mobile telephone density remains low at about 40 for each 100 persons nationwide and much lower for persons in rural areas; extremely rapid growth in cellular service with modest declines in fixed lines domestic: mobile cellular service introduced in 1994 and organized nationwide into four metropolitan areas and 19 telecom circles each with multiple private service providers and one or more state-owned service providers; in recent years significant trunk capacity added in the form of fiber-optic cable and one of the world's largest domestic satellite systems, the Indian National Satellite system (INSAT), with 6 satellites supporting 33,000 very small aperture terminals (VSAT) international: country code - 91; a number of major international submarine cable systems, including Sea-Me-We-3 with landing sites at Cochin and Mumbai (Bombay), Sea-Me-We-4 with a landing site at Chennai, Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) with a landing site at Mumbai (Bombay), South Africa - Far East (SAFE) with a landing site at Cochin, the i2i cable network linking to Singapore with landing sites at Mumbai (Bombay) and Chennai (Madras), and Tata Indicom linking Singapore and Chennai (Madras), provide a significant increase in the bandwidth available for both voice and data traffic; satellite earth stations - 8 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean region); 9 gateway exchanges operating from Mumbai (Bombay), New Delhi, Kolkata (Calcutta), Chennai (Madras), Jalandhar, Kanpur, Gandhinagar, Hyderabad, and Ernakulam (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 153, FM 91, shortwave 68 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 562 (1997) Internet country code: .in Internet hosts: 3.611 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 22 Internet users: 81 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 4 Transportation ::India Airports: 349 (2009) country comparison to the world: 23 Airports - with paved runways: total: 250 over 3,047 m: 20 2,438 to 3,047 m: 56 1,524 to 2,437 m: 76 914 to 1,523 m: 84 under 914 m: 14 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 99 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 42 under 914 m: 47 (2009) Heliports: 37 (2009) Pipelines: condensate/gas 2 km; gas 6,061 km; liquid petroleum gas 2,156 km; oil 7,678 km; refined products 6,876 km (2008) Railways: total: 63,327 km country comparison to the world: 4 broad gauge: 49,820 km 1.676-m gauge (17,786 km electrified) narrow gauge: 10,621 km 1.000-m gauge (135 km electrified); 2,886 km 0.762-m gauge and 0.610-m gauge (2007) Roadways: total: 3,316,452 km (includes 200 km of expressways) (2006) country comparison to the world: 2 Waterways: 14,500 km country comparison to the world: 9 note: 5,200 km on major rivers and 485 km on canals suitable for mechanized vessels (2008) Merchant marine: total: 501 country comparison to the world: 23 by type: bulk carrier 102, cargo 241, carrier 1, chemical tanker 19, container 13, liquefied gas 18, passenger 3, passenger/cargo 11, petroleum tanker 92, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: 12 (China 1, Germany 2, Hong Kong 1, UAE 6, UK 2) registered in other countries: 61 (Barbados 1, Comoros 2, Cyprus 2, Dominica 2, Liberia 2, Malta 2, Marshall Islands 1, Panama 27, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 7, Singapore 13, unknown 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Chennai, Haldia, Jawaharal Nehru, Kandla, Kolkata (Calcutta), Mormugao, Mumbai (Bombay), New Mangalore, Vishakhapatnam Military ::India Military branches: Army, Navy (includes naval air arm), Air Force (Bharatiya Vayu Sena), Coast Guard (2009) Military service age and obligation: 16 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; women officers allowed in noncombat roles only (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 301,094,084 females age 16-49: 283,047,141 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 237,042,868 females age 16-49: 243,276,310 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 11.795 million female: 10,820,590 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 2.5% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 66 Transnational Issues ::India Disputes - international: since China and India launched a security and foreign policy dialogue in 2005, consolidated discussions related to the dispute over most of their rugged, militarized boundary, regional nuclear proliferation, Indian claims that China transferred missiles to Pakistan, and other matters continue; various talks and confidence-building measures have cautiously begun to defuse tensions over Kashmir, particularly since the October 2005 earthquake in the region; Kashmir nevertheless remains the site of the world's largest and most militarized territorial dispute with portions under the de facto administration of China (Aksai Chin), India (Jammu and Kashmir), and Pakistan (Azad Kashmir and Northern Areas); India and Pakistan have maintained the 2004 cease fire in Kashmir and initiated discussions on defusing the armed stand-off in the Siachen glacier region; Pakistan protests India's fencing the highly militarized Line of Control and construction of the Baglihar Dam on the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir, which is part of the larger dispute on water sharing of the Indus River and its tributaries; UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) has maintained a small group of peacekeepers since 1949; India does not recognize Pakistan's ceding historic Kashmir lands to China in 1964; to defuse tensions and prepare for discussions on a maritime boundary, India and Pakistan seek technical resolution of the disputed boundary in Sir Creek estuary at the mouth of the Rann of Kutch in the Arabian Sea; Pakistani maps continue to show its Junagadh claim in Indian Gujarat State; discussions with Bangladesh remain stalled to delimit a small section of river boundary, to exchange territory for 51 Bangladeshi exclaves in India and 111 Indian exclaves in Bangladesh, to allocate divided villages, and to stop illegal cross-border trade, migration, violence, and transit of terrorists through the porous border; Bangladesh protests India's attempts to fence off high-traffic sections of the border; dispute with Bangladesh over New Moore/South Talpatty/Purbasha Island in the Bay of Bengal deters maritime boundary delimitation; India seeks cooperation from Bhutan and Burma to keep Indian Nagaland and Assam separatists from hiding in remote areas along the borders; Joint Border Committee with Nepal continues to examine contested boundary sections, including the 400 square kilometer dispute over the source of the Kalapani River; India maintains a strict border regime to keep out Maoist insurgents and control illegal cross-border activities from Nepal Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 77,200 (Tibet/China); 69,609 (Sri Lanka); 9,472 (Afghanistan) IDPs: at least 600,000 (about half are Kashmiri Pandits from Jammu and Kashmir) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: India is a source, destination, and transit country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation; internal forced labor may constitute India's largest trafficking problem; men, women, and children are held in debt bondage and face forced labor working in brick kilns, rice mills, agriculture, and embroidery factories; women and girls are trafficked within the country for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced marriage; children are subjected to forced labor as factory workers, domestic servants, beggars, and agriculture workers, and have been used as armed combatants by some terrorist and insurgent groups; India is also a destination for women and girls from Nepal and Bangladesh trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation; Indian women are trafficked to the Middle East for commercial sexual exploitation; men and women from Bangladesh and Nepal are trafficked through India for forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation in the Middle East tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - India is on the Tier 2 Watch List for a fifth consecutive year for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking in 2007; despite the reported extent of the trafficking crisis in India, government authorities made uneven efforts to prosecute traffickers and protect trafficking victims; government authorities continued to rescue victims of commercial sexual exploitation and forced child labor and child armed combatants, and began to show progress in law enforcement against these forms of trafficking; a critical challenge overall is the lack of punishment for traffickers, effectively resulting in impunity for acts of human trafficking; India has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008) Illicit drugs: world's largest producer of licit opium for the pharmaceutical trade, but an undetermined quantity of opium is diverted to illicit international drug markets; transit point for illicit narcotics produced in neighboring countries and throughout Southwest Asia; illicit producer of methaqualone; vulnerable to narcotics money laundering through the hawala system; licit ketamine and precursor production page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Indian Ocean (Oceans) Introduction ::Indian Ocean Background: The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's five oceans (after the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean, but larger than the Southern Ocean and Arctic Ocean). Four critically important access waterways are the Suez Canal (Egypt), Bab el Mandeb (Djibouti-Yemen), Strait of Hormuz (Iran-Oman), and Strait of Malacca (Indonesia-Malaysia). The decision by the International Hydrographic Organization in the spring of 2000 to delimit a fifth ocean, the Southern Ocean, removed the portion of the Indian Ocean south of 60 degrees south latitude. Geography ::Indian Ocean Location: body of water between Africa, the Southern Ocean, Asia, and Australia Geographic coordinates: 20 00 S, 80 00 E Map references: Political Map of the World Area: total: 68.556 million sq km note: includes Andaman Sea, Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, Flores Sea, Great Australian Bight, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Java Sea, Mozambique Channel, Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Savu Sea, Strait of Malacca, Timor Sea, and other tributary water bodies Area - comparative: about 5.5 times the size of the US Coastline: 66,526 km Climate: northeast monsoon (December to April), southwest monsoon (June to October); tropical cyclones occur during May/June and October/November in the northern Indian Ocean and January/February in the southern Indian Ocean Terrain: surface dominated by counterclockwise gyre (broad, circular system of currents) in the southern Indian Ocean; unique reversal of surface currents in the northern Indian Ocean; low atmospheric pressure over southwest Asia from hot, rising, summer air results in the southwest monsoon and southwest-to-northeast winds and currents, while high pressure over northern Asia from cold, falling, winter air results in the northeast monsoon and northeast-to-southwest winds and currents; ocean floor is dominated by the Mid-Indian Ocean Ridge and subdivided by the Southeast Indian Ocean Ridge, Southwest Indian Ocean Ridge, and Ninetyeast Ridge Elevation extremes: lowest point: Java Trench -7,258 m highest point: sea level 0 m Natural resources: oil and gas fields, fish, shrimp, sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic nodules Natural hazards: occasional icebergs pose navigational hazard in southern reaches Environment - current issues: endangered marine species include the dugong, seals, turtles, and whales; oil pollution in the Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf, and Red Sea Geography - note: major chokepoints include Bab el Mandeb, Strait of Hormuz, Strait of Malacca, southern access to the Suez Canal, and the Lombok Strait Economy ::Indian Ocean Economy - overview: The Indian Ocean provides major sea routes connecting the Middle East, Africa, and East Asia with Europe and the Americas. It carries a particularly heavy traffic of petroleum and petroleum products from the oilfields of the Persian Gulf and Indonesia. Its fish are of great and growing importance to the bordering countries for domestic consumption and export. Fishing fleets from Russia, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan also exploit the Indian Ocean, mainly for shrimp and tuna. Large reserves of hydrocarbons are being tapped in the offshore areas of Saudi Arabia, Iran, India, and western Australia. An estimated 40% of the world's offshore oil production comes from the Indian Ocean. Beach sands rich in heavy minerals and offshore placer deposits are actively exploited by bordering countries, particularly India, South Africa, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Transportation ::Indian Ocean Ports and terminals: Chennai (Madras; India), Colombo (Sri Lanka), Durban (South Africa), Jakarta (Indonesia), Kolkata (Calcutta; India) Melbourne (Australia), Mumbai (Bombay; India), Richards Bay (South Africa) Transportation - note: the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial waters of littoral states and offshore waters as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships, particularly in the Gulf of Aden, along the east coast of Africa, the Bay of Bengal, and the Strait of Malacca; numerous vessels, including commercial shipping and pleasure craft, have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargoes stolen; crew and passengers are often held for ransom, murdered, or cast adrift; the presence of several naval task forces in the Gulf of Aden and additional anti-piracy measures on the part of ship operators have reduced the piracy incidents; in response local pirates shifted operations farther south along the east coast of Somalia and eastward along the coast of Oman Transnational Issues ::Indian Ocean Disputes - international: some maritime disputes (see littoral states) page last updated on October 22, 2009 ====================================================================== @Indonesia (East & Southeast Asia) Introduction ::Indonesia Background: The Dutch began to colonize Indonesia in the early 17th century; Japan occupied the islands from 1942 to 1945. Indonesia declared its independence after Japan's surrender, but it required four years of intermittent negotiations, recurring hostilities, and UN mediation before the Netherlands agreed to transfer sovereignty in 1949. Indonesia's first free parliamentary election after decades of repressive rule took place in 1999. Indonesia is now the world's third-largest democracy, the world's largest archipelagic state, and home to the world's largest Muslim population. Current issues include: alleviating poverty, improving education, preventing terrorism, consolidating democracy after four decades of authoritarianism, implementing economic and financial reforms, stemming corruption, holding the military and police accountable for past human rights violations, addressing climate change, and controlling avian influenza. In 2005, Indonesia reached a historic peace agreement with armed separatists in Aceh, which led to democratic elections in December 2006. Indonesia continues to face a low intensity separatist movement in Papua. Geography ::Indonesia Location: Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean Geographic coordinates: 5 00 S, 120 00 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 1,904,569 sq km country comparison to the world: 16 land: 1,811,569 sq km water: 93,000 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than three times the size of Texas Land boundaries: total: 2,830 km border countries: Timor-Leste 228 km, Malaysia 1,782 km, Papua New Guinea 820 km Coastline: 54,716 km Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands Terrain: mostly coastal lowlands; larger islands have interior mountains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Puncak Jaya 5,030 m Natural resources: petroleum, tin, natural gas, nickel, timber, bauxite, copper, fertile soils, coal, gold, silver Land use: arable land: 11.03% permanent crops: 7.04% other: 81.93% (2005) Irrigated land: 45,000 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 2,838 cu km (1999) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 82.78 cu km/yr (8%/1%/91%) per capita: 372 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: occasional floods; severe droughts; tsunamis; earthquakes; volcanoes; forest fires Environment - current issues: deforestation; water pollution from industrial wastes, sewage; air pollution in urban areas; smoke and haze from forest fires Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: archipelago of 17,508 islands (6,000 inhabited); straddles equator; strategic location astride or along major sea lanes from Indian Ocean to Pacific Ocean People ::Indonesia Population: 240,271,522 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 Age structure: 0-14 years: 28.1% (male 34,337,341/female 33,162,207) 15-64 years: 66% (male 79,549,569/female 78,918,321) 65 years and over: 6% (male 6,335,208/female 7,968,876) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 27.6 years male: 27.1 years female: 28.1 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.136% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 Birth rate: 18.84 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 108 Death rate: 6.25 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 Net migration rate: -1.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 Urbanization: urban population: 52% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 29.97 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 74 male: 34.93 deaths/1,000 live births female: 24.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.76 years country comparison to the world: 137 male: 68.26 years female: 73.38 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.31 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 270,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 8,700 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 36 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: chikungunya, dengue fever, and malaria note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Nationality: noun: Indonesian(s) adjective: Indonesian Ethnic groups: Javanese 40.6%, Sundanese 15%, Madurese 3.3%, Minangkabau 2.7%, Betawi 2.4%, Bugis 2.4%, Banten 2%, Banjar 1.7%, other or unspecified 29.9% (2000 census) Religions: Muslim 86.1%, Protestant 5.7%, Roman Catholic 3%, Hindu 1.8%, other or unspecified 3.4% (2000 census) Languages: Bahasa Indonesia (official, modified form of Malay), English, Dutch, local dialects (the most widely spoken of which is Javanese) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 90.4% male: 94% female: 86.8% (2004 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 11 years male: 12 years female: 11 years (2005) Education expenditures: 3.6% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 127 Government ::Indonesia Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Indonesia conventional short form: Indonesia local long form: Republik Indonesia local short form: Indonesia former: Netherlands East Indies, Dutch East Indies Government type: republic Capital: name: Jakarta geographic coordinates: 6 10 S, 106 49 E time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) note: Indonesia is divided into three time zones Administrative divisions: 30 provinces (provinsi-provinsi, singular - provinsi), 2 special regions* (daerah-daerah istimewa, singular - daerah istimewa), and 1 special capital city district** (daerah khusus ibukota); Aceh*, Bali, Banten, Bengkulu, Gorontalo, Jakarta Raya**, Jambi, Jawa Barat, Jawa Tengah, Jawa Timur, Kalimantan Barat, Kalimantan Selatan, Kalimantan Tengah, Kalimantan Timur, Kepulauan Bangka Belitung, Kepulauan Riau, Lampung, Maluku, Maluku Utara, Nusa Tenggara Barat, Nusa Tenggara Timur, Papua, Papua Barat, Riau, Sulawesi Barat, Sulawesi Selatan, Sulawesi Tengah, Sulawesi Tenggara, Sulawesi Utara, Sumatera Barat, Sumatera Selatan, Sumatera Utara, Yogyakarta* note: following the implementation of decentralization beginning on 1 January 2001, the 465 regencies and municipalities have become the key administrative units responsible for providing most government services Independence: 17 August 1945 (declared); 27 December 1949 (by the Netherlands) note: in August 2005, the Netherlands announced it recognized de facto Indonesian independence on 17 August 1945 National holiday: Independence Day, 17 August (1945) Constitution: August 1945; abrogated by Federal Constitution of 1949 and Provisional Constitution of 1950, restored 5 July 1959; series of amendments concluded in 2002 Legal system: based on Roman-Dutch law, substantially modified by indigenous concepts and by new criminal procedures and election codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 17 years of age; universal and married persons regardless of age Executive branch: chief of state: President Susilo Bambang YUDHOYONO (since 20 October 2004); Vice President BOEDIONO (since 20 October 2009); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Susilo Bambang YUDHOYONO (since 20 October 2004); Vice President Muhammad Yusuf KALLA (since 20 October 2004) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president and vice president are elected for five-year terms (eligible for a second term) by direct vote of the citizenry; last held on 8 July 2009 (next to be held in July 2014) election results: Susilo Bambang YUDHOYONO elected president; percent of vote - Susilo Bambang YUDHOYONO 60.8%, MEGAWATI Sukarnoputri 26.8%, Jusuf KALLA 12.4% Legislative branch: People's Consultative Assembly (Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat or MPR) is the upper house, consists of members of DPR and DPD, has role in inaugurating and impeaching the president and in amending the constitution, does not formulate national policy; House of Representatives or Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat (DPR) (550 seats, members elected to serve five-year terms), formulates and passes legislation at the national level; House of Regional Representatives (Dewan Perwakilan Daerah or DPD), constitutionally mandated role includes providing legislative input to DPR on issues affecting regions elections: last held 9 April 2009 (next to be held in 2014) election results: percent of vote by party - PD 20.9%, GOLKAR 14.5%, PDI-P 14.0%, PKS 7.9%, PAN 6.0%, PPP 5.3%, PKB 4.9%, GERINDRA 4.5%, HANURA 3.8%, others 18.2%; seats by party - PD 148, GOLKAR 108, PDI-P 93, PKS 59, PAN 42, PPP 39, PKB 26, GERINDRA 30, HANURA 15 note: 29 other parties received less than 2.5% of the vote so did not obtain any seats; because of election rules, the number of seats won does not always follow the percentage of votes received by parties Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Mahkamah Agung is the final court of appeal but does not have the power of judicial review (justices are appointed by the president from a list of candidates selected by the legislature); in March 2004 the Supreme Court assumed administrative and financial responsibility for the lower court system from the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights; Constitutional Court or Mahkamah Konstitusi (invested by the president on 16 August 2003) has the power of judicial review, jurisdiction over the results of a general election, and reviews actions to dismiss a president from office; Labor Court under supervision of Supreme Court began functioning in January 2006; the Anti-Corruption Court has jurisdiction over corruption cases brought by the independent Corruption Eradication Commission; in 2006, the Constitutional Court declared the mechanism by which the Anti-Corruption Court was established unconstitutional and gave the parliament until the end of 2009 to pass Anti-Corruption Court legislation Political parties and leaders: Democrat Party or PD [Hadi UTOMO]; Functional Groups Party or GOLKAR [Aburizal BAKRIE]; Great Indonesia Movement Party or GERINDRA [WIRANTO]; Indonesia Democratic Party-Struggle or PDI-P [MEGAWATI Sukarnoputri]; National Awakening Party or PKB [Muhaiman ISKANDAR]; National Mandate Party or PAN [Sutrisno BACHIR]; People's Conscience Party or HANURA [SUHARDI]; Prosperous Justice Party or PKS [Tifatul SEMBIRING]; United Development Party or PPP [Suryadharma ALI] Political pressure groups and leaders: Indonesian Women's Coalition (Koalisi Perempuan - human rights group); Islamic Defenders Front or FPI; National Alliance for Freedom of Religion and Faith; Oil Palm Watch (environmental) International organization participation: ADB, APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN, BIS, CP, EAS, FAO, G-15, G-20, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PIF (partner), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador SUDJADNAN Parnohadiningrat chancery: 2020 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 775-5200 FAX: [1] (202) 775-5365 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Cameron R. HUME embassy: Jalan 1 Medan Merdeka Selatan 4-5, Jakarta 10110 mailing address: Unit 8129, Box 1, FPO AP 96520 telephone: [62] (21) 3435-9000 FAX: [62] (21) 3435-9922 consulate(s) general: Surabaya Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; similar to the flag of Monaco, which is shorter; also similar to the flag of Poland, which is white (top) and red Economy ::Indonesia Economy - overview: Indonesia, a vast polyglot nation, has made significant economic advances under the administration of President YUDHOYONO but faces challenges stemming from the global financial crisis and world economic downturn. Indonesia's debt-to-GDP ratio in recent years has declined steadily because of increasingly robust GDP growth and sound fiscal stewardship. The government has introduced significant reforms in the financial sector, including in the areas of tax and customs, the use of Treasury bills, and capital market supervision. Indonesia's investment law, passed in March 2007, seeks to address some of the concerns of foreign and domestic investors. Indonesia still struggles with poverty and unemployment, inadequate infrastructure, corruption, a complex regulatory environment, and unequal resource distribution among regions. The non-bank financial sector, including pension funds and insurance, remains weak. Despite efforts to broaden and deepen capital markets, they remain underdeveloped. Economic difficulties in early 2008 centered on high global food and oil prices and their impact on Indonesia's poor and on the budget. The onset of the global financial crisis dampened inflationary pressures, but increased risk aversion for emerging market assets resulted in large losses in the stock market, significant depreciation of the rupiah, and a difficult environment for bond issuance. As global demand has slowed and prices for Indonesia's commodity exports have fallen, Indonesia faces the prospect of growth significantly below the 6-plus percent recorded in 2007 and 2008. GDP (purchasing power parity): $916.7 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 $864 billion (2007 est.) $812.8 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $511.8 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 6.3% (2007 est.) 5.5% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $3,900 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 $3,700 (2007 est.) $3,500 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 14.4% industry: 48.1% services: 37.5% (2008 est.) Labor force: 112 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 42.1% industry: 18.6% services: 39.3% (2006 est.) Unemployment rate: 8.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 9.1% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 17.8% (2006) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3% highest 10%: 32.3% (2006) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 39.4 (2005) country comparison to the world: 66 37 (2001) Investment (gross fixed): 23.6% of GDP (2008) country comparison to the world: 61 Budget: revenues: $92.62 billion expenditures: $98.88 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 29.3% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 56.2% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 143 6.3% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 10.83% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 52 8% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 13.6% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 119 7.21% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $41.71 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 24 $47.78 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $131.5 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 18 $127 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $166.2 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 31 $170.2 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $98.76 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 37 $211.7 billion (31 December 2007) $138.9 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: rice, cassava (tapioca), peanuts, rubber, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, copra; poultry, beef, pork, eggs Industries: petroleum and natural gas, textiles, apparel, footwear, mining, cement, chemical fertilizers, plywood, rubber, food, tourism Industrial production growth rate: 3.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 Electricity - production: 134.4 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 Electricity - consumption: 119.3 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 1.051 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 Oil - consumption: 1.564 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 17 Oil - exports: 85,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 Oil - imports: 671,000 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 Oil - proved reserves: 3.99 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 Natural gas - production: 70 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 13 Natural gas - consumption: 36.5 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 Natural gas - exports: 33.5 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 8 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 167 Natural gas - proved reserves: 3.001 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 Current account balance: $604 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 $10.49 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $139.3 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 33 $118 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: oil and gas, electrical appliances, plywood, textiles, rubber Exports - partners: Japan 20.2%, US 9.5%, Singapore 9.4%, China 8.5%, South Korea 6.7%, India 5.2%, Malaysia 4.7% (2008) Imports: $116 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 $85.26 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, foodstuffs Imports - partners: Singapore 16.9%, China 11.8%, Japan 11.7%, Malaysia 6.9%, US 6.1%, South Korea 5.4%, Thailand 4.9% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $51.64 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 $56.92 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $155.1 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 $141.2 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $67.3 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 45 $58.96 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $6.656 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 $9.225 billion (2006 est.) Exchange rates: Indonesian rupiah (IDR) per US dollar - 9,698.9 (2008), 9,143 (2007), 9,159.3 (2006), 9,704.7 (2005), 8,938.9 (2004) Communications ::Indonesia Telephones - main lines in use: 30.378 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 10 Telephones - mobile cellular: 140.578 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 6 Telephone system: general assessment: domestic service fair, international service good domestic: interisland microwave system and HF radio police net; domestic satellite communications system; coverage provided by existing network has been expanded by use of over 200,000 telephone kiosks many located in remote areas; mobile cellular subscribership growing rapidly international: country code - 62; landing point for both the SEA-ME-WE-3 and SEA-ME-WE-4 submarine cable networks that provide links throughout Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 678, FM 43, shortwave 82 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 54 local TV stations (11 national TV networks; each with its group of local transmitters) (2006) Internet country code: .id Internet hosts: 865,309 (2009) country comparison to the world: 42 Internet users: 30 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 11 Transportation ::Indonesia Airports: 683 (2009) country comparison to the world: 10 Airports - with paved runways: total: 164 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 18 1,524 to 2,437 m: 51 914 to 1,523 m: 56 under 914 m: 35 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 519 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 25 under 914 m: 489 (2009) Heliports: 36 (2009) Pipelines: condensate 735 km; condensate/gas 73 km; gas 5,797 km; oil 5,721 km; oil/gas/water 12 km; refined products 1,370 km; water 44 km (2008) Railways: total: 8,529 km country comparison to the world: 25 narrow gauge: 8,529 km 1.067-m gauge (565 km electrified) (2008) Roadways: total: 391,009 km country comparison to the world: 17 paved: 216,714 km unpaved: 174,295 km (2005) Waterways: 21,579 km (2008) country comparison to the world: 5 Merchant marine: total: 971 country comparison to the world: 11 by type: bulk carrier 54, cargo 514, chemical tanker 35, container 80, liquefied gas 7, passenger 44, passenger/cargo 68, petroleum tanker 143, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 10, specialized tanker 10, vehicle carrier 4 foreign-owned: 43 (China 2, France 1, Germany 1, Japan 6, Norway 1, Philippines 1, Singapore 27, Taiwan 2, UAE 2) registered in other countries: 114 (Bahamas 2, Cambodia 2, China 1, Hong Kong 7, Liberia 2, Mongolia 1, Panama 31, Singapore 66, unknown 2) (2008) Ports and terminals: Banjarmasin, Belawan, Ciwandan, Kotabaru, Krueg Geukueh, Palembang, Panjang, Sungai Pakning, Tanjung Perak, Tanjung Priok Transportation - note: the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the Strait of Malacca and South China Sea as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargo diverted to ports in East Asia; crews have been murdered or cast adrift Military ::Indonesia Military branches: Indonesian Armed Forces (Tentara Nasional Indonesia, TNI): Army (TNI-Angkatan Darat (TNI-AD)), Navy (TNI-Angkatan Laut (TNI-AL); includes marines, naval air arm), Air Force (TNI-Angkatan Udara (TNI-AU)), National Air Defense Command (Kommando Pertahanan Udara Nasional (Kohanudnas)) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for selective compulsory and voluntary military service; 2-year conscript service obligation, with reserve obligation to age 45 (officers); Indonesian citizens only (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 63,800,825 females age 16-49: 61,729,717 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 52,997,922 females age 16-49: 52,503,046 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 2,197,323 female: 2,126,412 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 3% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 Transnational Issues ::Indonesia Disputes - international: Indonesia has a stated foreign policy objective of establishing stable fixed land and maritime boundaries with all of its neighbors; Timor-Leste-Indonesia Boundary Committee has resolved all but a small portion of the land boundary, but discussions on maritime boundaries are stalemated over sovereignty of the uninhabited coral island of Pulau Batek/Fatu Sinai in the north and alignment with Australian claims in the south; many refugees from Timor-Leste who left in 2003 still reside in Indonesia and refuse repatriation; a 1997 treaty between Indonesia and Australia settled some parts of their maritime boundary but outstanding issues remain; ICJ's award of Sipadan and Ligitan islands to Malaysia in 2002 left the sovereignty of Unarang rock and the maritime boundary in the Ambalat oil block in the Celebes Sea in dispute; the ICJ decision has prompted Indonesia to assert claims to and to establish a presence on its smaller outer islands; Indonesia and Singapore continue to work on finalization of their 1973 maritime boundary agreement by defining unresolved areas north of Indonesia's Batam Island; Indonesian secessionists, squatters, and illegal migrants create repatriation problems for Papua New Guinea; piracy remains a problem in the Malacca Strait; maritime delimitation talks continue with Palau; Indonesian groups challenge Australia's claim to Ashmore Reef; Australia has closed parts of the Ashmore and Cartier Reserve to Indonesian traditional fishing and placed restrictions on certain catches Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs: 200,000-350,000 (government offensives against rebels in Aceh; most IDPs in Aceh, Central Kalimantan, Central Sulawesi Provinces, and Maluku) (2007) Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis largely for domestic use; producer of methamphetamine and ecstasy page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Iran (Middle East) Introduction ::Iran Background: Known as Persia until 1935, Iran became an Islamic republic in 1979 after the ruling monarchy was overthrown and Shah Mohammad Reza PAHLAVI was forced into exile. Conservative clerical forces established a theocratic system of government with ultimate political authority vested in a learned religious scholar referred to commonly as the Supreme Leader who, according to the constitution, is accountable only to the Assembly of Experts. US-Iranian relations have been strained since a group of Iranian students seized the US Embassy in Tehran on 4 November 1979 and held it until 20 January 1981. During 1980-88, Iran fought a bloody, indecisive war with Iraq that eventually expanded into the Persian Gulf and led to clashes between US Navy and Iranian military forces between 1987 and 1988. Iran has been designated a state sponsor of terrorism for its activities in Lebanon and elsewhere in the world and remains subject to US, UN, and EU economic sanctions and export controls because of its continued involvement in terrorism and its nuclear weapons ambitions. Following the election of reformer Hojjat ol-Eslam Mohammad KHATAMI as president in 1997 and similarly a reformer Majles (parliament) in 2000, a campaign to foster political reform in response to popular dissatisfaction was initiated. The movement floundered as conservative politicians, through the control of unelected institutions, prevented reform measures from being enacted and increased repressive measures. Starting with nationwide municipal elections in 2003 and continuing through Majles elections in 2004, conservatives reestablished control over Iran's elected government institutions, which culminated with the August 2005 inauguration of hardliner Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD as president. The UN Security Council has passed a number of resolutions (1696 in July 2006, 1737 in December 2006, 1747 in March 2007, 1803 in March 2008, and 1835 in September 2008) calling for Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment and reprocessing activities and comply with its IAEA obligations and responsibilities. Resolutions 1737, 1477, and 1803 subject a number of Iranian individuals and entities involved in Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs to sanctions. Additionally, several Iranian entities are subject to US sanctions under Executive Order 13382 designations for proliferation activities and EO 13224 designations for support of terrorism. Geography ::Iran Location: Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, and the Caspian Sea, between Iraq and Pakistan Geographic coordinates: 32 00 N, 53 00 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 1,648,195 sq km country comparison to the world: 18 land: 1,531,595 sq km water: 116,600 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Alaska Land boundaries: total: 5,440 km border countries: Afghanistan 936 km, Armenia 35 km, Azerbaijan-proper 432 km, Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave 179 km, Iraq 1,458 km, Pakistan 909 km, Turkey 499 km, Turkmenistan 992 km Coastline: 2,440 km; note - Iran also borders the Caspian Sea (740 km) Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: bilateral agreements or median lines in the Persian Gulf continental shelf: natural prolongation Climate: mostly arid or semiarid, subtropical along Caspian coast Terrain: rugged, mountainous rim; high, central basin with deserts, mountains; small, discontinuous plains along both coasts Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m highest point: Kuh-e Damavand 5,671 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, iron ore, lead, manganese, zinc, sulfur Land use: arable land: 9.78% permanent crops: 1.29% other: 88.93% (2005) Irrigated land: 76,500 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 137.5 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 72.88 cu km/yr (7%/2%/91%) per capita: 1,048 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: periodic droughts, floods; dust storms, sandstorms; earthquakes Environment - current issues: air pollution, especially in urban areas, from vehicle emissions, refinery operations, and industrial effluents; deforestation; overgrazing; desertification; oil pollution in the Persian Gulf; wetland losses from drought; soil degradation (salination); inadequate supplies of potable water; water pollution from raw sewage and industrial waste; urbanization Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: strategic location on the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, which are vital maritime pathways for crude oil transport People ::Iran Population: 66,429,284 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 Age structure: 0-14 years: 21.7% (male 7,394,841/female 7,022,076) 15-64 years: 72.9% (male 24,501,544/female 23,914,172) 65 years and over: 5.4% (male 1,725,828/female 1,870,823) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 27 years male: 26.8 years female: 27.2 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.883% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 Birth rate: 17.17 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 Death rate: 5.72 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 171 Net migration rate: -2.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 Urbanization: urban population: 68% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 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: 0.92 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 35.78 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 70 male: 35.98 deaths/1,000 live births female: 35.56 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.14 years country comparison to the world: 132 male: 69.65 years female: 72.72 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.71 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 169 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 86,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 4,300 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne diseases: Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever and malaria note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Nationality: noun: Iranian(s) adjective: Iranian Ethnic groups: Persian 51%, Azeri 24%, Gilaki and Mazandarani 8%, Kurd 7%, Arab 3%, Lur 2%, Baloch 2%, Turkmen 2%, other 1% Religions: Muslim 98% (Shia 89%, Sunni 9%), other (includes Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian, and Baha'i) 2% Languages: Persian and Persian dialects 58%, Turkic and Turkic dialects 26%, Kurdish 9%, Luri 2%, Balochi 1%, Arabic 1%, Turkish 1%, other 2% Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 77% male: 83.5% female: 70.4% (2002 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 13 years (2005) Education expenditures: 5.1% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 67 Government ::Iran Country name: conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Iran conventional short form: Iran local long form: Jomhuri-ye Eslami-ye Iran local short form: Iran former: Persia Government type: theocratic republic Capital: name: Tehran geographic coordinates: 35 40 N, 51 25 E time difference: UTC+3.5 (8.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 30 provinces (ostanha, singular - ostan); Ardabil, Azarbayjan-e Gharbi, Azarbayjan-e Sharqi, Bushehr, Chahar Mahal va Bakhtiari, Esfahan, Fars, Gilan, Golestan, Hamadan, Hormozgan, Ilam, Kerman, Kermanshah, Khorasan-e Jonubi, Khorasan-e Razavi, Khorasan-e Shomali, Khuzestan, Kohgiluyeh va Bowyer Ahmad, Kordestan, Lorestan, Markazi, Mazandaran, Qazvin, Qom, Semnan, Sistan va Baluchestan, Tehran, Yazd, Zanjan Independence: 1 April 1979 (Islamic Republic of Iran proclaimed) National holiday: Republic Day, 1 April (1979) Constitution: 2-3 December 1979; revised in 1989 note: the revision in 1989 expanded powers of the presidency and eliminated the prime ministership Legal system: based on Sharia law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Supreme Leader Ali Hoseini-KHAMENEI (since 4 June 1989) head of government: President Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD (since 3 August 2005); First Vice President Mohammad Reza RAHIMI (since 13 September 2009) cabinet: Council of Ministers selected by the president with legislative approval; the Supreme Leader has some control over appointments to the more sensitive ministries note: also considered part of the Executive branch of government are three oversight bodies: 1) Assembly of Experts (Majles-Khebregan), a popularly elected body charged with determining the succession of the Supreme Leader, reviewing his performance, and deposing him if deemed necessary; 2) Expediency Council or the Council for the Discernment of Expediency (Majma-e-Tashkise-Maslahat-e-Nezam) exerts supervisory authority over the executive, judicial, and legislative branches and resolves legislative issues on which the Majles and the Council of Guardians disagree and since 1989 has been used to advise national religious leaders on matters of national policy; in 2005 the Council's powers were expanded to act as a supervisory body for the government; 3) Council of Guardians of the Constitution or Council of Guardians or Guardians Council (Shora-ye Negaban-e Qanun-e Assassi) determines whether proposed legislation is both constitutional and faithful to Islamic law, vets candidates for suitability, and supervises national elections elections: Supreme Leader is appointed for life by the Assembly of Experts; president is elected by popular vote for a four-year term (eligible for a second term and third nonconsecutive term); last held 12 June 2009;(next presidential election slated for June 2013) election results: Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD reelected president; percent of vote - Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD 62.6%, Mir-Hosein MUSAVI-Khamenei 33.8%, other 3.6%; voter turnout 85% Legislative branch: unicameral Islamic Consultative Assembly or Majles-e-Shura-ye-Eslami or Majles (290 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 14 March 2008 with a runoff held 25 April 2008 (next to be held in 2012) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats by party - conservatives/Islamists 167, reformers 39, independents 74, religious minorities 5, other 5 Judicial branch: The Supreme Court (Qeveh Qazaieh) and the four-member High Council of the Judiciary have a single head and overlapping responsibilities; together they supervise the enforcement of all laws and establish judicial and legal policies; lower courts include a special clerical court, a revolutionary court, and a special administrative court Political parties and leaders: formal political parties are a relatively new phenomenon in Iran and most conservatives still prefer to work through political pressure groups rather than parties; often political parties or coalitions are formed prior to elections and disbanded soon thereafter; a loose pro-reform coalition called the 2nd Khordad Front, which includes political parties as well as less formal groups and organizations, achieved considerable success in elections for the sixth Majles in early 2000; groups in the coalition included the Islamic Iran Participation Front (IIPF), Executives of Construction Party (Kargozaran), Solidarity Party, Islamic Labor Party, Mardom Salari, Mojahedin of the Islamic Revolution Organization (MIRO), and Militant Clerics Society (Ruhaniyun); the coalition participated in the seventh Majles elections in early 2004; following his defeat in the 2005 presidential elections, former MCS Secretary General and sixth Majles Speaker Mehdi KARUBI formed the National Trust Party; a new conservative group, Islamic Iran Developers Coalition (Abadgaran), took a leading position in the new Majles after winning a majority of the seats in February 2004; following the 2004 Majles elections, traditional and hardline conservatives have attempted to close ranks under the United Front of Principlists and the Broad Popular Coalition of Principlists; several reformist groups, such as the Islamic Revolution, came together as a reformist coalition in advance of the 2008 Majles elections; the IIPF has repeatedly complained that the overwhelming majority of its candidates have been unfairly disqualified from the 2008 elections Political pressure groups and leaders: groups that generally support the Islamic Republic: Ansar-e Hizballah-Islamic Coalition Party (Motalefeh); Followers of the Line of the Imam and the Leader; Islamic Engineers Society; Tehran Militant Clergy Association (Ruhaniyat); active pro-reform student group: Office of Strengthening Unity (OSU); opposition groups: Baluchistan People's Party (BPP); Freedom Movement of Iran; Marz-e Por Gohar; National Front; and various ethnic and Monarchist organizations; armed political groups that have been repressed by the government: Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (KDPI); Jundallah; Komala; Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization (MEK or MKO); People's Fedayeen; People's Free Life Party of Kurdistan (PJAK) International organization participation: CP, ECO, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, SAARC (observer), SCO (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: none; note - Iran has an Interests Section in the Pakistani Embassy; address: Iranian Interests Section, Pakistani Embassy, 2209 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007; telephone: [1] (202) 965-4990; FAX [1] (202) 965-1073 Diplomatic representation from the US: none; note - the US Interests Section is located in the Embassy of Switzerland No. 39 Shahid Mousavi (Golestan 5th), Pasdaran Ave., Tehran, Iran; telephone [98] 21 2254 2178/2256 5273; FAX [98] 21 2258 0432 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red; the national emblem (a stylized representation of the word Allah in the shape of a tulip, a symbol of martyrdom) in red is centered in the white band; ALLAH AKBAR (God is Great) in white Arabic script is repeated 11 times along the bottom edge of the green band and 11 times along the top edge of the red band Economy ::Iran Economy - overview: Iran's economy is marked by an inefficient state sector, reliance on the oil sector, which provides the majority of government revenues, and statist policies, which create major distortions throughout the system. Most economic activity is controlled by the state. Private sector activity is typically limited to small-scale workshops, farming, and services. Price controls, subsidies, and other rigidities weigh down the economy, undermining the potential for private-sector-led growth. Significant informal market activity flourishes. Corruption and shortages of goods are widespread. President Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD has proposed reforms to Iran's system of price controls and subsidies, particularly on food and energy. However, previous government-led efforts at reform - such as fuel rationing in July 2007 and the imposition of the Value-Added Tax (VAT) in October 2008 - were met with stiff resistance and violent protests. High oil prices in recent years allowed Iran to greatly increase its export earnings and amass nearly $100 billion in foreign exchange reserves. But with oil prices currently below $40 per barrel, the Iranian government is facing difficulties. Tehran has formulated a 2009 budget that anticipates lower oil prices. The government has drawn down the country's Oil Stabilization Fund, and may be dipping into foreign exchange reserves. Iran continues to suffer from double-digit unemployment and inflation - inflation climbed to a 28% annual rate in 2008. Underemployment among Iran's educated youth has convinced many to seek jobs overseas, resulting in a significant "brain drain." GDP (purchasing power parity): $843.7 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 $792.2 billion (2007 est.) $734.7 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $335.2 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 7.8% (2007 est.) 5.8% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $12,800 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 87 $12,100 (2007 est.) $11,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 10.2% industry: 41.9% services: 47.8% (2008 est.) Labor force: 24.35 million country comparison to the world: 23 note: shortage of skilled labor (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 25% industry: 31% services: 45% (June 2007) Unemployment rate: 12.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 12% (2007 est.) note: data are according to the Iranian Government Population below poverty line: 18% (2007 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 29.6% (2005) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 44.5 (2006) country comparison to the world: 47 Investment (gross fixed): 26.3% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 Budget: revenues: $51 billion expenditures: $103 billion (FY09/10 est.) Public debt: 19.4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 27% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 25.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 214 17.1% (2007 est.) note: official Iranian estimate Commercial bank prime lending rate: NA% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 69 12% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $46.13 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) $68.71 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $109.7 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 58 $45.57 billion (31 December 2007) $37.94 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: wheat, rice, other grains, sugar beets, sugar cane, fruits, nuts, cotton; dairy products, wool; caviar Industries: petroleum, petrochemicals, fertilizers, caustic soda, textiles, cement and other construction materials, food processing (particularly sugar refining and vegetable oil production), ferrous and non-ferrous metal fabrication, armaments Industrial production growth rate: 4.5% excluding oil (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 Electricity - production: 192.6 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 Electricity - consumption: 153.8 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 Electricity - exports: 2.52 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 1.842 billion kWh (2007 est.) Oil - production: 4.174 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 Oil - consumption: 1.755 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 Oil - exports: 2.719 million bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 Oil - imports: 212,200 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 Oil - proved reserves: 136.2 billion bbl based on Iranian claims (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 Natural gas - production: 116.3 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 Natural gas - consumption: 119 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 Natural gas - exports: 4.246 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 28 Natural gas - imports: 6.9 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 Natural gas - proved reserves: 28.08 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 Current account balance: $20.19 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 $34.08 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $98.42 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 $97.4 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: petroleum 80%, chemical and petrochemical products, fruits and nuts, carpets Exports - partners: China 15.3%, Japan 14.3%, India 10.4%, South Korea 6.4%, Turkey 6.4%, Italy 4.5% (2008) Imports: $67.25 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 45 $56.58 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: industrial raw materials and intermediate goods, capital goods, foodstuffs and other consumer goods, technical services Imports - partners: UAE 19.3%, China 13%, Germany 9.2%, South Korea 7%, Italy 5.1%, France 4.3%, Russia 4.2% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $96.56 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 $82.06 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $21.06 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 $20.68 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $6.954 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 $6.054 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $993 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 $903 million (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: Iranian rials (IRR) per US dollar - 9,142.8 (2008 est.), 9,407.5 (2007), 9,227.1 (2006), 8,964 (2005), 8,614 (2004) note: Iran has been using a managed floating exchange rate regime since unifying multiple exchange rates in March 2002 Communications ::Iran Telephones - main lines in use: 24.8 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 12 Telephones - mobile cellular: 43 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 26 Telephone system: general assessment: currently being modernized and expanded with the goal of not only improving the efficiency and increasing the volume of the urban service but also bringing telephone service to several thousand villages, not presently connected domestic: the addition of new fiber cables and modern switching and exchange systems installed by Iran's state-owned telecom company have improved and expanded the main line network greatly; main line availability has more than doubled to nearly 25 million lines since 2000; additionally, mobile service has increased dramatically serving 43 million subscribers in 2008; combined fixed and mobile-cellular subscribership now exceeds 100 per 100 persons international: country code - 98; submarine fiber-optic cable to UAE with access to Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG); Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line runs from Azerbaijan through the northern portion of Iran to Turkmenistan with expansion to Georgia and Azerbaijan; HF radio and microwave radio relay to Turkey, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Syria, Kuwait, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan; satellite earth stations - 13 (9 Intelsat and 4 Inmarsat) (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 72, FM 6, shortwave 5 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 29 (plus 450 repeaters) (1997) Internet country code: .ir Internet hosts: 45,678 (2009) country comparison to the world: 85 Internet users: 23 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 17 Transportation ::Iran Airports: 316 (2009) country comparison to the world: 24 Airports - with paved runways: total: 133 over 3,047 m: 40 2,438 to 3,047 m: 28 1,524 to 2,437 m: 25 914 to 1,523 m: 34 under 914 m: 6 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 183 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 139 under 914 m: 33 (2009) Heliports: 19 (2009) Pipelines: condensate 7 km; condensate/gas 12 km; gas 19,246 km; liquid petroleum gas 570 km; oil 7,018 km; refined products 7,936 km (2008) Railways: total: 8,442 km country comparison to the world: 26 broad gauge: 94 km 1.676-m gauge standard gauge: 8,348 km 1.435-m gauge (148 km electrified) (2008) Roadways: total: 172,927 km country comparison to the world: 29 paved: 125,908 km (includes 1,429 km of expressways) unpaved: 47,019 km (2006) Waterways: 850 km (on Karun River; additional service on Lake Urmia) (2008) country comparison to the world: 70 Merchant marine: total: 74 country comparison to the world: 60 by type: bulk carrier 18, cargo 34, chemical tanker 4, container 6, liquefied gas 1, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 2, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 3 foreign-owned: 1 (UAE 1) registered in other countries: 115 (Barbados 2, Bolivia 1, Cyprus 10, Hong Kong 15, Malta 79, Panama 7, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Assaluyeh, Bandar Abbas, Bandar-e-Eman Khomeyni Military ::Iran Military branches: Islamic Republic of Iran Regular Forces (Artesh): Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force of the Military of the Islamic Republic of Iran (Niru-ye Hava'i-ye Artesh-e Jomhuri-ye Eslami-ye Iran, IRIAF; Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (Sepah-e Pasdaran-e Enqelab-e Eslami, IRGC): Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force, Qods Force (special operations), Basij Force (Popular Mobilization Army); Law Enforcement Forces (2008) Military service age and obligation: 19 years of age for compulsory military service; 16 years of age for volunteers; 17 years of age for Law Enforcement Forces; 15 years of age for Basij Forces (Popular Mobilization Army); conscript military service obligation - 18 months; women exempt from military service (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 20,212,275 females age 16-49: 19,638,751 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 17,658,573 females age 16-49: 17,148,290 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 700,213 female: 664,846 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 2.5% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 67 Transnational Issues ::Iran Disputes - international: Iran protests Afghanistan's limiting flow of dammed tributaries to the Helmand River in periods of drought; Iraq's lack of a maritime boundary with Iran prompts jurisdiction disputes beyond the mouth of the Shatt al Arab in the Persian Gulf; Iran and UAE dispute Tunb Islands and Abu Musa Island, which are occupied by Iran; Iran stands alone among littoral states in insisting upon a division of the Caspian Sea into five equal sectors Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 914,268 (Afghanistan); 54,024 (Iraq) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Iran is a source, transit, and destination country for women trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation and involuntary servitude; Iranian women are trafficked internally for the purpose of forced prostitution and for forced marriages to settle debts; Iranian children are trafficked internally and Afghan children are trafficked into Iran for the purpose of forced marriages, commercial sexual exploitation, and involuntary servitude as beggars or laborers tier rating: Tier 3 - Iran did not provide evidence of law enforcement activities against trafficking, and credible reports indicate that Iranian authorities punish victims of trafficking with beatings, imprisonment, and execution; Iran has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008) Illicit drugs: despite substantial interdiction efforts and considerable control measures along the border with Afghanistan, Iran remains one of the primary transshipment routes for Southwest Asian heroin to Europe; suffers one of the highest opiate addiction rates in the world, and has an increasing problem with synthetic drugs; lacks anti-money laundering laws; has reached out to neighboring countries to share counter-drug intelligence page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Iraq (Middle East) Introduction ::Iraq Background: Formerly part of the Ottoman Empire, Iraq was occupied by Britain during the course of World War I; in 1920, it was declared a League of Nations mandate under UK administration. In stages over the next dozen years, Iraq attained its independence as a kingdom in 1932. A "republic" was proclaimed in 1958, but in actuality a series of strongmen ruled the country until 2003. The last was SADDAM Husayn. Territorial disputes with Iran led to an inconclusive and costly eight-year war (1980-88). In August 1990, Iraq seized Kuwait but was expelled by US-led, UN coalition forces during the Gulf War of January-February 1991. Following Kuwait's liberation, the UN Security Council (UNSC) required Iraq to scrap all weapons of mass destruction and long-range missiles and to allow UN verification inspections. Continued Iraqi noncompliance with UNSC resolutions over a period of 12 years led to the US-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003 and the ouster of the SADDAM Husayn regime. US forces remained in Iraq under a UNSC mandate until 31 December 2008 and under a bilateral Security Agreement thereafter, helping to provide security and to support the freely elected government. In October 2005, Iraqis approved a constitution in a national referendum and, pursuant to this document, elected a 275-member Council of Representatives (CoR) in December 2005. After the election, Ibrahim al-JAAFARI was selected as prime minister; he was replaced by Nuri al-MALIKI in May 2006. The CoR approved most cabinet ministers in May 2006, marking the transition to Iraq's first constitutional government in nearly a half century. On 31 January 2009, Iraq held elections for provincial councils in all provinces except for the three provinces comprising the Kurdistan Regional Government and at-Ta'mim (Kirkuk) province. Geography ::Iraq Location: Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iran and Kuwait Geographic coordinates: 33 00 N, 44 00 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 438,317 sq km country comparison to the world: 58 land: 437,367 sq km water: 950 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than twice the size of Idaho Land boundaries: total: 3,650 km border countries: Iran 1,458 km, Jordan 181 km, Kuwait 240 km, Saudi Arabia 814 km, Syria 605 km, Turkey 352 km Coastline: 58 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: not specified Climate: mostly desert; mild to cool winters with dry, hot, cloudless summers; northern mountainous regions along Iranian and Turkish borders experience cold winters with occasionally heavy snows that melt in early spring, sometimes causing extensive flooding in central and southern Iraq Terrain: mostly broad plains; reedy marshes along Iranian border in south with large flooded areas; mountains along borders with Iran and Turkey Elevation extremes: lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: unnamed peak; 3,611 m; note - this peak is neither Gundah Zhur 3,607 m nor Kuh-e Hajji-Ebrahim 3,595 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, phosphates, sulfur Land use: arable land: 13.12% permanent crops: 0.61% other: 86.27% (2005) Irrigated land: 35,250 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 96.4 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 42.7 cu km/yr (3%/5%/92%) per capita: 1,482 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: dust storms; sandstorms; floods Environment - current issues: government water control projects have drained most of the inhabited marsh areas east of An Nasiriyah by drying up or diverting the feeder streams and rivers; a once sizable population of Marsh Arabs, who inhabited these areas for thousands of years, has been displaced; furthermore, the destruction of the natural habitat poses serious threats to the area's wildlife populations; inadequate supplies of potable water; development of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers system contingent upon agreements with upstream riparian Turkey; air and water pollution; soil degradation (salination) and erosion; desertification Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification Geography - note: strategic location on Shatt al Arab waterway and at the head of the Persian Gulf People ::Iraq Population: 28,945,657 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 Age structure: 0-14 years: 38.8% (male 5,709,688/female 5,531,359) 15-64 years: 58.2% (male 8,529,956/female 8,310,164) 65 years and over: 3% (male 408,266/female 456,224) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 20.4 years male: 20.3 years female: 20.5 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 2.507% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 Birth rate: 30.1 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 Death rate: 5.03 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 188 Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 67% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 43.82 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 60 male: 49.38 deaths/1,000 live births female: 37.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.94 years country comparison to the world: 144 male: 68.6 years female: 71.34 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.86 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 154 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: fewer than 500 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 148 HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Nationality: noun: Iraqi(s) adjective: Iraqi Ethnic groups: Arab 75%-80%, Kurdish 15%-20%, Turkoman, Assyrian, or other 5% Religions: Muslim 97% (Shia 60%-65%, Sunni 32%-37%), Christian or other 3% Languages: Arabic, Kurdish (official in Kurdish regions), Turkoman (a Turkish dialect), Assyrian (Neo-Aramaic), Armenian Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 74.1% male: 84.1% female: 64.2% (2000 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 10 years male: 11 years female: 8 years (2005) Education expenditures: NA Government ::Iraq Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Iraq conventional short form: Iraq local long form: Jumhuriyat al-Iraq local short form: Al Iraq Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: name: Baghdad geographic coordinates: 33 20 N, 44 23 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 18 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah) and 1 region*; Al Anbar, Al Basrah, Al Muthanna, Al Qadisiyah, An Najaf, Arbil, As Sulaymaniyah, At Ta'mim, Babil, Baghdad, Dahuk, Dhi Qar, Diyala, Karbala', Kurdistan Regional Government*, Maysan, Ninawa, Salah ad Din, Wasit Independence: 3 October 1932 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration); note - on 28 June 2004 the Coalition Provisional Authority transferred sovereignty to the Iraqi-controlled Government National holiday: Republic Day, July 14 (1958); note - the Government of Iraq has yet to declare an official national holiday but still observes Republic Day Constitution: ratified on 15 October 2005 (subject to review by the Constitutional Review Committee and a possible public referendum ) Legal system: based on European civil and Islamic law under the framework outlined in the Iraqi Constitution; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Jalal TALABANI (since 6 April 2005); Vice Presidents Adil ABD AL-MAHDI and Tariq al-HASHIMI (since 22 April 2006); note - the president and vice presidents comprise the Presidency Council) head of government: Prime Minister Nuri al-MALIKI (since 20 May 2006); Rafi al-ISSAWI (since 19 July 2008) cabinet: 36 ministers appointed by the Presidency Council, plus Prime Minister Nuri al-MALIKI and Deputy Prime Ministers Barham SALIH and Rafi al-ISSAWI elections: held 15 December 2005 to elect a 275-member Council of Representatives Legislative branch: unicameral Council of Representatives (consisting of 275 members elected by a closed-list, proportional representation system) elections: last held 15 December 2005 to elect a 275-member Council of Representatives (next to be held on 18 January 2010); the Council of Representatives elected the Presidency Council and approved the prime minister and two deputy prime ministers election results: Council of Representatives - percent of vote by party - Unified Iraqi Alliance 41%, Kurdistan Alliance 22%, Tawafuq Coalition 15%, Iraqi National List 8%, Iraqi Front for National Dialogue 4%, other 10%; number of seats by party (as of November 2007) - Unified Iraqi Alliance (including the Sadrist bloc with 30 and Fadilah with 15) 130, Kurdistan Alliance 53, Tawafuq Front 44, Iraqi National List 25, Fadilah 15, Iraqi Front for National Dialogue 11, other 12 Judicial branch: the Iraq Constitution calls for the federal judicial power to be comprised of the Higher Judicial Council, Federal Supreme Court, Federal Court of Cassation, Public Prosecution Department, Judiciary Oversight Commission and other federal courts that are regulated in accordance with the law Political parties and leaders: Assyrian Democratic Movement [Yunadim KANNA]; Badr Organization [Hadi al-AMIRI]; Constitutional Monarchy Movement or CMM [Sharif Ali Bin al-HUSAYN]; Da'wa al-Islamiya Party [Nuri al-MALIKI]; General Conference of Iraqi People [Adnan al-DULAYMI]; Independent Iraqi Alliance or IIA [Falah al-NAQIB]; Iraqi Communist Party [Hamid MAJID]; Iraqi Front for National Dialogue [Salih al-MUTLAQ]; Iraqi Hizballah [Karim Mahmud al-MUHAMMADAWI]; Iraqi Independent Democrats or IID [Adnan PACHACHI, Mahdi al-HAFIZ]; Iraqi Islamic Party or IIP [Tariq al-HASHIMI]; Iraqi National Accord or INA [Ayad ALLAWI]; Iraqi National Congress or INC [Ahmad CHALABI]; Iraqi National Council for Dialogue or INCD [Khalaf Ulayan al-Khalifawi al-DULAYMI]; Iraqi National Unity Movement or INUM [Ahmad al-KUBAYSI]; Islamic Action Organization or IAO [Ayatollah Muhammad al-MUDARRISI]; Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq or ISCI [Abd al-Aziz al-HAKIM]; Jama'at al Fadilah or JAF [Muhammad Ali al-YAQUBI]; Kurdistan Democratic Party or KDP [Masud BARZANI]; Kurdistan Islamic Union [Salah ad-Din Muhammad BAHA al-DIN]; Patriotic Union of Kurdistan or PUK [Jalal TALABANI]; Sadrist Trend [Muqtada al-SADR] (not an organized political party, but it fields independent candidates affiliated with Muqtada al-SADR); Sahawa al-Iraq [Ahmad al-RISHAWI] note: the Kurdistan Alliance, Iraqi National List, Tawafuq Front, Iraqi Front for National Dialogue, and Unified Iraqi Alliance were only electoral slates consisting of the representatives from the various Iraqi political parties Political pressure groups and leaders: Sunni militias; Shia militias, some associated with political parties International organization participation: ABEDA, AFESD (suspended), AMF, CAEU, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Samir Shakir al-SUMAYDI chancery: 3421 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 742-1600 FAX: [1] (202) 333-1129 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Christopher R. HILL embassy: Baghdad mailing address: APO AE 09316 telephone: 1-240-553-0589 ext. 5340 or 5635; note - Consular Section FAX: NA Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black; the Takbir (Arabic expression meaning "God is great") in green Arabic script is centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Syria, which has two stars but no script, Yemen, which has a plain white band, and that of Egypt, which has a gold Eagle of Saladin centered in the white band; design is based upon the Arab Liberation colors; Council of Representatives approved this flag as a compromise temporary replacement for Ba'athist Saddam-era flag Economy ::Iraq Economy - overview: Decreasing insurgent attacks and an improving security environment in many parts of the country are helping to spur economic activity. Iraq's economy is dominated by the oil sector, which has traditionally provided over 90% of foreign exchange earnings. Oil exports are around levels seen before Operation Iraqi Freedom. Total government revenues have benefited from high oil prices in recent years; however, revenues have declined significantly since the oil price drop in fall 2008. Iraq is making some progress in building the institutions needed to implement economic policy. In March 2009 Iraq concluded a Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) with the IMF that details economic reforms. The SBA allows an 80% reduction of the debt owed to Paris Club creditor nations. The International Compact with Iraq was established in May 2007 to integrate Iraq into the regional and global economy, and the Iraqi government is seeking to pass laws to strengthen its economy. This legislation includes a hydrocarbon law to establish a modern legal framework to allow Iraq to develop its resources and a revenue sharing law to equitably divide oil revenues within the nation, although both are still under contentious political negotiation. Some foreign entities have expressed interest in reinvigorating Iraq's industrial sector. The government of Iraq is pursuing a strategy to gain foreign participation in joint ventures with State-owned enterprises. Provincial Councils are also using their own budgets to promote and facilitate investment at the local level. The Central Bank has been successful in controlling inflation through appreciation of the dinar against the US dollar. However, Iraq's challenge will be to use macroeconomic gains to improve the lives of ordinary Iraqis. Reducing corruption and implementing structural reforms, such as bank restructuring and developing the private sector, will be key to Iraq's economic success. GDP (purchasing power parity): $90.23 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 $83.7 billion (2007 est.) $82.46 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $91.45 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 7.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 1.5% (2007 est.) 6.2% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $3,200 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 $3,000 (2007 est.) $3,100 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 5% industry: 68% services: 27% (2006 est.) Labor force: 7.74 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Unemployment rate: 18.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 161 18% (2006 est.) note: official data; unofficial estimates as high as 30% Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $42.4 billion expenditures: $49.9 billion (FY08 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 4.7% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: NA% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 6 20% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: NA% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 16 19.74% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $26.1 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 31 $18.81 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $5.415 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 67 $3.67 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $NA (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $1.878 billion (31 March 2008) $NA (31 December 2007) $NA (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: wheat, barley, rice, vegetables, dates, cotton; cattle, sheep, poultry Industries: petroleum, chemicals, textiles, leather, construction materials, food processing, fertilizer, metal fabrication/processing Industrial production growth rate: 10.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 Electricity - production: 36.92 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 Electricity - consumption: 39.88 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 2.95 billion kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 2.385 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 Oil - consumption: 638,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 Oil - exports: 1.83 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 13 Oil - imports: 116,900 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 Oil - proved reserves: 115 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 Natural gas - production: 1.88 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 Natural gas - consumption: 9.454 billion cu m country comparison to the world: 48 note: 1.48 billion cu m were flared (2008 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 167 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 160 Natural gas - proved reserves: 3.17 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 Current account balance: $14.05 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 $4.909 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $58.81 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 $36.08 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: crude oil 84%, crude materials excluding fuels 8%, food and live animals 5% Exports - partners: US 37.3%, India 13.8%, Italy 9.4%, South Korea 6.8% (2008) Imports: $37.22 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 59 $25.67 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: food, medicine, manufactures Imports - partners: Syria 26.4%, Turkey 19.7%, US 10.7%, Jordan 6.5%, China 6% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $49.8 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 $30.66 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $67.74 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 $100.9 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: New Iraqi dinars (NID) per US dollar - 1,176 (2008), 1,255 (2007), 1,466 (2006), 1,475 (2005), 1,890 (second half, 2003) Communications ::Iraq Telephones - main lines in use: 1.082 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 76 Telephones - mobile cellular: 17.529 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 40 Telephone system: general assessment: the 2003 liberation of Iraq severely disrupted telecommunications throughout Iraq including international connections; widespread government efforts to rebuild domestic and international communications through fiber optic links are in progress; the mobile cellular market has expanded rapidly and its subscribership base approached 18 million in 2008 domestic: repairs to switches and lines destroyed during 2003 continue; additional switching capacity is improving access; cellular service is available and centered on 3 GSM networks which are being expanded beyond their regional roots, improving country-wide connectivity; wireless local loop licenses have been issued with the hope of overcoming the lack of fixed-line infrastructure international: country code - 964; satellite earth stations - 4 (2 Intelsat - 1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region, and 1 Arabsat (inoperative)); local microwave radio relay connects border regions to Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey; planned international fiber-optic connections to Iran (terrestrial) with a link to the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) submarine fiber-optic cable (2008) Radio broadcast stations: 52 (station frequency types NA) (2008) Television broadcast stations: 47 (2008) Internet country code: .iq Internet hosts: 11 (2009) country comparison to the world: 219 Internet users: 300,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 126 Transportation ::Iraq Airports: 104 (2009) country comparison to the world: 57 Airports - with paved runways: total: 75 over 3,047 m: 19 2,438 to 3,047 m: 37 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 8 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 29 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 6 (2009) Heliports: 21 (2009) Pipelines: gas 2,501 km; liquid petroleum gas 918 km; oil 5,418 km; refined products 1,637 km (2008) Railways: total: 2,272 km country comparison to the world: 68 standard gauge: 2,272 km 1.435-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 44,900 km country comparison to the world: 81 paved: 37,851 km unpaved: 7,049 km (2002) Waterways: 5,279 km country comparison to the world: 23 note: Euphrates River (2,815 km), Tigris River (1,899 km), and Third River (565 km) are principal waterways (2008) Merchant marine: total: 14 country comparison to the world: 107 by type: cargo 10, petroleum tanker 4 (2008) Ports and terminals: Al Basrah, Khawr az Zubayr, Umm Qasr Military ::Iraq Military branches: Iraqi Armed Forces: Iraqi Army (includes Iraqi Special Operations Force, Iraqi Intervention Force), Iraqi Navy (former Iraqi Coastal Defense Force), Iraqi Air Force (former Iraqi Army Air Corps) (2005) Military service age and obligation: 18-49 years of age for voluntary military service (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 7,086,200 females age 16-49: 6,808,954 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 6,203,425 females age 16-49: 6,065,009 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 313,500 female: 304,923 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 8.6% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 4 Transnational Issues ::Iraq Disputes - international: coalition forces assist Iraqis in monitoring internal and cross-border security; approximately two million Iraqis have fled the conflict in Iraq, with the majority taking refuge in Syria and Jordan, and lesser numbers to Egypt, Lebanon, Iran, and Turkey; Iraq's lack of a maritime boundary with Iran prompts jurisdiction disputes beyond the mouth of the Shatt al Arab in the Persian Gulf; Turkey has expressed concern over the autonomous status of Kurds in Iraq Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 10,000-15,000 (Palestinian Territories); 11,773 (Iran); 16,832 (Turkey) IDPs: 2.4 million (ongoing US-led war and ethno-sectarian violence) (2007) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Ireland (Europe) Introduction ::Ireland Background: Celtic tribes arrived on the island between 600-150 B.C. Invasions by Norsemen that began in the late 8th century were finally ended when King Brian BORU defeated the Danes in 1014. English invasions began in the 12th century and set off more than seven centuries of Anglo-Irish struggle marked by fierce rebellions and harsh repressions. A failed 1916 Easter Monday Rebellion touched off several years of guerrilla warfare that in 1921 resulted in independence from the UK for 26 southern counties; six northern (Ulster) counties remained part of the UK. In 1949, Ireland withdrew from the British Commonwealth; it joined the European Community in 1973. Irish governments have sought the peaceful unification of Ireland and have cooperated with Britain against terrorist groups. A peace settlement for Northern Ireland is gradually being implemented despite some difficulties. In 2006, the Irish and British governments developed and began to implement the St. Andrews Agreement, building on the Good Friday Agreement approved in 1998. Geography ::Ireland Location: Western Europe, occupying five-sixths of the island of Ireland in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Great Britain Geographic coordinates: 53 00 N, 8 00 W Map references: Europe Area: total: 70,273 sq km country comparison to the world: 119 land: 68,883 sq km water: 1,390 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than West Virginia Land boundaries: total: 360 km border countries: UK 360 km Coastline: 1,448 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Climate: temperate maritime; modified by North Atlantic Current; mild winters, cool summers; consistently humid; overcast about half the time Terrain: mostly level to rolling interior plain surrounded by rugged hills and low mountains; sea cliffs on west coast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Carrauntoohil 1,041 m Natural resources: natural gas, peat, copper, lead, zinc, silver, barite, gypsum, limestone, dolomite Land use: arable land: 16.82% permanent crops: 0.03% other: 83.15% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Total renewable water resources: 46.8 cu km (2003) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 1.18 cu km/yr (23%/77%/0%) per capita: 284 cu m/yr (1994) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: water pollution, especially of lakes, from agricultural runoff Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: strategic location on major air and sea routes between North America and northern Europe; over 40% of the population resides within 100 km of Dublin People ::Ireland Population: 4,203,200 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 125 Age structure: 0-14 years: 20.9% (male 454,571/female 424,022) 15-64 years: 67.1% (male 1,411,336/female 1,409,760) 65 years and over: 12% (male 224,850/female 278,661) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 35 years male: 34.2 years female: 35.7 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.12% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 Birth rate: 14.23 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 148 Death rate: 7.75 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 Net migration rate: 4.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 Urbanization: urban population: 61% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 5.05 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 188 male: 5.53 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.24 years country comparison to the world: 47 male: 75.6 years female: 81.06 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.85 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 5,500 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 100 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 Nationality: noun: Irishman(men), Irishwoman(women), Irish (collective plural) adjective: Irish Ethnic groups: Irish 87.4%, other white 7.5%, Asian 1.3%, black 1.1%, mixed 1.1%, unspecified 1.6% (2006 census) Religions: Roman Catholic 87.4%, Church of Ireland 2.9%, other Christian 1.9%, other 2.1%, unspecified 1.5%, none 4.2% (2006 census) Languages: English (official) is the language generally used, Irish (Gaelic or Gaeilge) (official) spoken mainly in areas along the western coast Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 18 years male: 17 years female: 18 years (2006) Education expenditures: 4.7% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 81 Government ::Ireland Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Ireland local long form: none local short form: Eire Government type: republic, parliamentary democracy Capital: name: Dublin geographic coordinates: 53 19 N, 6 14 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 29 counties and 5 cities*; Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Cork*, Donegal, Dublin*, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal, Galway, Galway*, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Limerick*, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, North Tipperary, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, South Dublin, South Tipperary, Waterford, Waterford*, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow Independence: 6 December 1921 (from the UK by treaty) National holiday: Saint Patrick's Day, 17 March Constitution: adopted 1 July 1937 by plebiscite; effective 29 December 1937 Legal system: based on English common law substantially modified by indigenous concepts; judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Mary MCALEESE (since 11 November 1997) head of government: Prime Minister Brian COWEN (since 7 May 2008) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with previous nomination by the prime minister and approval of the House of Representatives elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 31 October 1997 (next scheduled for October 2011); note - Mary MCALEESE appointed to a second term when no other candidate qualified for the 2004 presidential election; prime minister (taoiseach) nominated by the House of Representatives and appointed by the president election results: Mary MCALEESE elected president; percent of vote - Mary MCALEESE 44.8%, Mary BANOTTI 29.6% note: government coalition - Fianna Fail, the Green Party, the Progressive Democrats (disbanding), and independent members of Parliament Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Oireachtas consists of the Senate or Seanad Eireann (60 seats; 49 members elected by the universities and from candidates put forward by five vocational panels, 11 are nominated by the prime minister; members serve five-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Dail Eireann (166 seats; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held in July 2007 (next to be held by July 2012); House of Representatives - last held 24 May 2007 (next to be held by May 2012) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Fianna Fail 28, Fine Gael 14, Labor Party 6, Progressive Democrats 2, Green Party 2, Sein Fein 1, independents 7; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - Fianna Fail 41.6%, Fine Gael 27.3%, Labor Party 10.1%, Sinn Fein 6.9%, Green Party 4.7%, Progressive Democrats 2.7%, other 6.7%; seats by party - Fianna Fail 78, Fine Gael 51, Labor Party 20, Sinn Fein 4, Green Party 6, Progressive Democrats 2, independents 4, Speaker of the Dail 1 note: on 8 November 2008, delegates voted to disband the party, but as of January 2009, the party was still operating Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister and cabinet) Political parties and leaders: Fianna Fail [Brian COWEN]; Fine Gael [Enda KENNY]; Green Party [John GORMLEY]; Labor Party [Eamon GILMORE]; Progressive Democrats [Ciaran CANNON] (disbanding); Sinn Fein [Gerry ADAMS]; Socialist Party [Joe HIGGINS]; The Workers' Party [Mick FINNEGAN] Political pressure groups and leaders: Families Acting for Innocent Relatives or FAIR [Brian McCONNELL] (seek compensation for victims of violence); Families Against Intimidation and Terror or FAIT (oppose terrorism); Gaeltacht Civil Rights Campaign (Coiste Cearta Sibhialta na Gaeilge) or CCSG (encourages the use of the Irish language and campaigns for greater civil rights in Irish speaking areas); Irish Republican Army or IRA (terrorist group); Keep Ireland Open (environmental group); Midland Railway Action Group or MRAG [Willie ALLEN] (transportation promoters); Rail Users Ireland (formerly the Platform 11 - transportation promoters); 32 Country Sovereignty Movement or 32CSM (supports a fully sovereign Ireland); Ulster Defence Association or UDA (terrorist group) International organization participation: ADB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BIS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Michael COLLINS chancery: 2234 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 462-3939 FAX: [1] (202) 232-5993 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, New York, San Francisco Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Daniel ROONEY; note - has not yet presented his credentials to Ireland embassy: 42 Elgin Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [353] (1) 668-8777 FAX: [353] (1) 668-9946 Flag description: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and orange; similar to the flag of Cote d'Ivoire, which is shorter and has the colors reversed - orange (hoist side), white, and green; also similar to the flag of Italy, which is shorter and has colors of green (hoist side), white, and red Economy ::Ireland Economy - overview: Ireland is a small, modern, trade-dependent economy. GDP growth averaged 6% in 1995-2007, but economic activity dropped sharply in 2008 and Ireland entered into a recession for the first time in more than a decade with the onset of the world financial crisis and subsequent severe slowdown in the property and construction markets. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry and services. Although the export sector, dominated by foreign multinationals, remains a key component of Ireland's economy, construction most recently fueled economic growth along with strong consumer spending and business investment. Property prices rose more rapidly in Ireland in the decade up to 2006 than in any other developed world economy. Per capita GDP also surged during Ireland's high-growth years, and in 2007 surpassed that of the United States. The Irish Government has implemented a series of national economic programs designed to curb price and wage inflation, invest in infrastructure, increase labor force skills, and promote foreign investment. In 2008 the COWEN government moved to guarantee all bank deposits, recapitalize the banking system, and establish partly-public venture capital funds in response to the country's economic downturn. Ireland joined in circulating the euro on 1 January 2002 along with 11 other EU nations. GDP (purchasing power parity): $189 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 $194.9 billion (2007 est.) $183.9 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $267.6 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 213 6% (2007 est.) 5.4% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $45,500 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 $47,400 (2007 est.) $45,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 5% industry: 46% services: 49% (2002 est.) Labor force: 2.241 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 6% industry: 27% services: 67% (2006 est.) Unemployment rate: 6.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 4.6% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 7% (2005 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.9% highest 10%: 27.2% (2000) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 32 (2005) country comparison to the world: 101 35.9 (1987) Investment (gross fixed): 21.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 Budget: revenues: $92.57 billion expenditures: $109.9 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 44.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 31.2% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 4.9% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 3% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 96 5% (31 December 2007) note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area Commercial bank prime lending rate: 6.76% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 125 6.52% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $NA note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi money circulating within their own borders Stock of quasi money: $NA Stock of domestic credit: $738.6 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 15 $545.2 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 42 $144 billion (31 December 2007) $163.4 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: turnips, barley, potatoes, sugar beets, wheat; beef, dairy products Industries: steel, lead, zinc, silver, aluminum, barite, and gypsum mining processing; food products, brewing, textiles, clothing; chemicals, pharmaceuticals; machinery, rail transportation equipment; glass and crystal; software, tourism Industrial production growth rate: 5% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 Electricity - production: 26.06 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 Electricity - consumption: 25.12 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 Electricity - exports: 303 million kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 753 million kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 180 Oil - consumption: 188,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 Oil - exports: 22,710 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 87 Oil - imports: 190,800 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 178 Natural gas - production: 438 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 Natural gas - consumption: 5.217 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 186 Natural gas - imports: 4.798 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 Natural gas - proved reserves: 9.911 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 Current account balance: -$13.88 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 174 -$14.12 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $119.8 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 $115.5 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: machinery and equipment, computers, chemicals, pharmaceuticals; live animals, animal products Exports - partners: UK 18.6%, US 18.6%, Belgium 14.7%, Germany 7%, France 5.9%, Spain 4.2% (2008) Imports: $84.82 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 $84.76 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: data processing equipment, other machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum and petroleum products, textiles, clothing Imports - partners: UK 37.7%, US 11.6%, Germany 8.7%, Netherlands 5.6% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $1.023 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 $926.2 million (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $2.356 trillion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 6 $2.263 trillion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $179 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $152.9 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 $139.6 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Communications ::Ireland Telephones - main lines in use: 2.202 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 56 Telephones - mobile cellular: 5.048 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 86 Telephone system: general assessment: modern digital system using cable and microwave radio relay domestic: system privatized but dominated by former state monopoly operator; increasing levels of broadband access international: country code - 353; landing point for the Hibernia-Atlantic submarine cable with links to the US, Canada, and UK; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 9, FM 106, shortwave 0 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 4 (many repeaters); (projected digital broadcasting scheduled to be launched in 2009) (2008) Internet country code: .ie Internet hosts: 1.303 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 36 Internet users: 2.83 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 61 Transportation ::Ireland Airports: 39 (2009) country comparison to the world: 105 Airports - with paved runways: total: 17 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 6 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 22 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 20 (2009) Pipelines: gas 1,550 km (2008) Railways: total: 3,237 km country comparison to the world: 53 broad gauge: 1,872 km 1.600-m gauge (37 km electrified) narrow gauge: 1,365 km 0.914-m gauge (operated by the Irish Peat Board to transport peat to power stations and briquetting plants) (2008) Roadways: total: 96,602 km country comparison to the world: 46 paved: 96,602 km (includes 200 km of expressways) (2003) Waterways: 956 km (pleasure craft only) (2008) country comparison to the world: 68 Merchant marine: total: 29 country comparison to the world: 85 by type: cargo 25, chemical tanker 2, container 1, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: 2 (US 2) registered in other countries: 21 (Bahamas 2, Bermuda 1, Bulgaria 1, Cyprus 3, Isle of Man 1, Marshall Islands 1, Netherlands 10, Slovakia 1, UK 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Cork, Dublin, Shannon Foynes Military ::Ireland Military branches: Irish Defense Forces (Oglaigh na h-Eireann): Army (includes Naval Service and Air Corps (Aer-Chor na h-Eireann)) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 17-25 years of age for male or female voluntary military service (17-27 years of age for the Naval Service); enlistees 16 years of age can be recruited for apprentice specialist positions; maximum obligation 12 years; 17-35 years of age for the Reserve Defense Forces; EU citizenship or 5-year residence in Ireland required (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,024,635 females age 16-49: 1,024,276 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 857,162 females age 16-49: 854,416 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 28,072 female: 26,400 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 0.9% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 Transnational Issues ::Ireland Disputes - international: Ireland, Iceland, and the UK dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm Illicit drugs: transshipment point for and consumer of hashish from North Africa to the UK and Netherlands and of European-produced synthetic drugs; increasing consumption of South American cocaine; minor transshipment point for heroin and cocaine destined for Western Europe; despite recent legislation, narcotics-related money laundering - using bureaux de change, trusts, and shell companies involving the offshore financial community - remains a concern page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Isle of Man (Europe) Introduction ::Isle of Man Background: Part of the Norwegian Kingdom of the Hebrides until the 13th century when it was ceded to Scotland, the isle came under the British crown in 1765. Current concerns include reviving the almost extinct Manx Gaelic language. Isle of Man is a British crown dependency but is not part of the UK. However, the UK Government remains constitutionally responsible for its defense and international representation. Geography ::Isle of Man Location: Western Europe, island in the Irish Sea, between Great Britain and Ireland Geographic coordinates: 54 15 N, 4 30 W Map references: Europe Area: total: 572 sq km country comparison to the world: 194 land: 572 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than three times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 160 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm Climate: temperate; cool summers and mild winters; overcast about a third of the time Terrain: hills in north and south bisected by central valley Elevation extremes: lowest point: Irish Sea 0 m highest point: Snaefell 621 m Natural resources: none Land use: arable land: 9% permanent crops: 0% other: 91% (permanent pastures, forests, mountain, and heathland) (2002) Irrigated land: 0 sq km Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: waste disposal (both household and industrial); transboundary air pollution Geography - note: one small islet, the Calf of Man, lies to the southwest and is a bird sanctuary People ::Isle of Man Population: 76,512 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 200 Age structure: 0-14 years: 16.9% (male 6,612/female 6,300) 15-64 years: 66% (male 25,433/female 25,083) 65 years and over: 17.1% (male 5,408/female 7,676) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 40.2 years male: 39 years female: 41.4 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.524% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 Birth rate: 10.77 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 179 Death rate: 10.76 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 Net migration rate: 5.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 Urbanization: urban population: 51% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: -0.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 5.37 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 184 male: 6.11 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.82 years country comparison to the world: 39 male: 75.86 years female: 81.93 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.65 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 179 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Manxman (men), Manxwoman (women) adjective: Manx Ethnic groups: Manx (Norse-Celtic descent), Britons Religions: Anglican, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Society of Friends Languages: English, Manx Gaelic Literacy: NA Education expenditures: NA Government ::Isle of Man Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Isle of Man abbreviation: I.O.M. Dependency status: British crown dependency Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: name: Douglas geographic coordinates: 54 09 N, 4 29 W time difference: UTC 0 (five hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: none; there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 24 local authorities each with its own elections Independence: none (British crown dependency) National holiday: Tynwald Day, 5 July Constitution: unwritten; note - The Isle of Man Constitution Act of 1961 does not embody the unwritten Manx Constitution Legal system: the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply and Manx statutes Suffrage: 16 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Lord of Mann Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Lieutenant Governor Sir Paul K. HADDACKS (since 17 October 2005) head of government: Chief Minister Tony BROWN (since 14 December 2006) cabinet: Council of Ministers elections: the monarch is hereditary; lieutenant governor appointed by the monarch; the chief minister is elected by the Tynwald for a five-year term; election last held 14 December 2006 (next to be held in December 2011) election results: House of Keys speaker Tony BROWN elected chief minister by the Tynwald Legislative branch: bicameral Tynwald consists of the Legislative Council (11 seats; members composed of the President of Tynwald, the Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man, a nonvoting attorney general, and 8 others named by the House of Keys) and the House of Keys (24 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Keys - last held 23 November 2006 (next to be held in November 2011) election results: House of Keys - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Liberal Vannin Party 2, Man Labor Party 1, independents 21 Judicial branch: High Court of Justice (justices are appointed by the Lord Chancellor of England on the nomination of the lieutenant governor) Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Progressive Government; Liberal Vannin Party [Peter KARRAN]; Man Labor Party; Man Nationalist Party (Mec Vannin) [Bernard MOFFATT] note: most members sit as independents Political pressure groups and leaders: Alliance for Progressive Government or APG (a government watchdog); Mec Vannin (political party advocating a sovereign state and environment policies); note - has only had one member elected to the Tynwald International organization participation: UPU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (British crown dependency) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (British crown dependency) Flag description: red with the Three Legs of Man emblem (Trinacria), in the center; the three legs are joined at the thigh and bent at the knee; in order to have the toes pointing clockwise on both sides of the flag, a two-sided emblem is used Economy ::Isle of Man Economy - overview: Offshore banking, manufacturing, and tourism are key sectors of the economy. The government offers incentives to high-technology companies and financial institutions to locate on the island; this has paid off in expanding employment opportunities in high-income industries. As a result, agriculture and fishing, once the mainstays of the economy, have declined in their contributions to GDP. The Isle of Man also attracts online gambling sites and the film industry. Trade is mostly with the UK. The Isle of Man enjoys free access to EU markets. GDP (purchasing power parity): $2.719 billion (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 177 GDP (official exchange rate): $2.719 billion (2005 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.2% (2005) country comparison to the world: 83 GDP - per capita (PPP): $35,000 (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1% industry: 13% services: 86% (2000 est.) Labor force: 39,690 (2001) country comparison to the world: 190 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture, forestry, and fishing 3%, manufacturing 11%, construction 10%, transport and communication 8%, wholesale and retail distribution 11%, professional and scientific services 18%, public administration 6%, banking and finance 18%, tourism 2%, entertainment and catering 3%, miscellaneous services 10% (2001) Unemployment rate: 1.5% (December 2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $965 million expenditures: $943 million (FY05/06 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.1% (December 2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: cereals, vegetables; cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry Industries: financial services, light manufacturing, tourism Exports: $NA Exports - commodities: tweeds, herring, processed shellfish, beef, lamb Imports: $NA Imports - commodities: timber, fertilizers, fish Debt - external: $NA Exchange rates: Manx pounds (IMP) per US dollar - 0.5302 (2008 est.), 0.4993 (2007), 0.5418 (2006), 0.5493 (2005), 0.5462 (2004) note: the Manx pound is at par with the British pound Communications ::Isle of Man Telephones - main lines in use: 51,000 (1999) country comparison to the world: 161 Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: landline, telefax, mobile cellular telephone system international: fiber-optic cable, microwave radio relay, satellite earth station, submarine cable Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 0 (receives broadcasts from the UK and satellite) (1999) Internet country code: .im Internet hosts: 478 (2009) country comparison to the world: 174 Transportation ::Isle of Man Airports: 1 (2009) country comparison to the world: 229 Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Railways: total: 63 km country comparison to the world: 129 narrow gauge: 6 km 1.076-m gauge (6 km electrified); 57 km 0.914-m gauge (29 km electrified) note: primarily summer tourist attractions (2008) Roadways: total: 500 km (2008) country comparison to the world: 191 Merchant marine: total: 273 country comparison to the world: 31 by type: bulk carrier 31, cargo 50, chemical tanker 48, container 12, liquefied gas 41, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 73, refrigerated cargo 4, roll on/roll off 8, vehicle carrier 5 foreign-owned: 181 (Chile 6, Denmark 29, France 1, Germany 56, Greece 50, Ireland 1, Japan 6, Monaco 3, Netherlands 1, Norway 20, Singapore 1, Sweden 1, Turkey 2, US 4) registered in other countries: 7 (Bahamas 1, Liberia 5, Marshall Islands 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Douglas, Ramsey Military ::Isle of Man Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 14,691 females age 16-49: 14,338 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 466 female: 446 (2009 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Transnational Issues ::Isle of Man Disputes - international: none page last updated on October 28, 2009 ====================================================================== @Israel (Middle East) Introduction ::Israel Background: Following World War II, the British withdrew from their mandate of Palestine, and the UN partitioned the area into Arab and Jewish states, an arrangement rejected by the Arabs. Subsequently, the Israelis defeated the Arabs in a series of wars without ending the deep tensions between the two sides. The territories Israel occupied since the 1967 war are not included in the Israel country profile, unless otherwise noted. On 25 April 1982, Israel withdrew from the Sinai pursuant to the 1979 Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty. In keeping with the framework established at the Madrid Conference in October 1991, bilateral negotiations were conducted between Israel and Palestinian representatives and Syria to achieve a permanent settlement. Israel and Palestinian officials signed on 13 September 1993 a Declaration of Principles (also known as the "Oslo Accords") guiding an interim period of Palestinian self-rule. Outstanding territorial and other disputes with Jordan were resolved in the 26 October 1994 Israel-Jordan Treaty of Peace. In addition, on 25 May 2000, Israel withdrew unilaterally from southern Lebanon, which it had occupied since 1982. In April 2003, US President BUSH, working in conjunction with the EU, UN, and Russia - the "Quartet" - took the lead in laying out a roadmap to a final settlement of the conflict by 2005, based on reciprocal steps by the two parties leading to two states, Israel and a democratic Palestine. However, progress toward a permanent status agreement was undermined by Israeli-Palestinian violence between September 2003 and February 2005. An Israeli-Palestinian agreement reached at Sharm al-Sheikh in February 2005, along with an internally-brokered Palestinian cease-fire, significantly reduced the violence. In the summer of 2005, Israel unilaterally disengaged from the Gaza Strip, evacuating settlers and its military while retaining control over most points of entry into the Gaza Strip. The election of HAMAS in January 2006 to head the Palestinian Legislative Council froze relations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA). Ehud OLMERT became prime minister in March 2006; he shelved plans to unilaterally evacuate from most of the West Bank following an Israeli military operation in Gaza in June-July 2006 and a 34-day conflict with Hizballah in Lebanon in June-August 2006. OLMERT in June 2007 resumed talks with the PA after HAMAS seized control of the Gaza Strip and PA President Mahmoud ABBAS formed a new government without HAMAS. OLMERT in September 2008 resigned in the wake of several corruption allegations, but remained prime minister until the new coalition government under former Prime Minister Binyamin NETANYAHU was completed in late March 2009, following the February general election. Geography ::Israel Location: Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Lebanon Geographic coordinates: 31 30 N, 34 45 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 22,072 sq km country comparison to the world: 152 land: 21,642 sq km water: 430 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than New Jersey Land boundaries: total: 1,017 km border countries: Egypt 266 km, Gaza Strip 51 km, Jordan 238 km, Lebanon 79 km, Syria 76 km, West Bank 307 km Coastline: 273 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: to depth of exploitation Climate: temperate; hot and dry in southern and eastern desert areas Terrain: Negev desert in the south; low coastal plain; central mountains; Jordan Rift Valley Elevation extremes: lowest point: Dead Sea -408 m highest point: Har Meron 1,208 m Natural resources: timber, potash, copper ore, natural gas, phosphate rock, magnesium bromide, clays, sand Land use: arable land: 15.45% permanent crops: 3.88% other: 80.67% (2005) Irrigated land: 1,940 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 1.7 cu km (2001) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 2.05 cu km/yr (31%/7%/62%) per capita: 305 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: sandstorms may occur during spring and summer; droughts; periodic earthquakes Environment - current issues: limited arable land and natural fresh water resources pose serious constraints; desertification; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; groundwater pollution from industrial and domestic waste, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: there are about 340 Israeli civilian sites - including 100 small outpost communities in the West Bank - as well as 42 sites in the Golan Heights, 0 in the Gaza Strip, and 29 in East Jerusalem (July 2008 est.); Lake Tiberias (Sea of Galilee) is an important freshwater source People ::Israel Population: 7,233,701 country comparison to the world: 97 note: includes about 187,000 Israeli settlers in the West Bank, about 20,000 in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, and fewer than 177,000 in East Jerusalem (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 27.9% (male 1,031,629/female 984,230) 15-64 years: 62.3% (male 2,283,034/female 2,221,301) 65 years and over: 9.9% (male 311,218/female 402,289) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 29.1 years male: 28.4 years female: 29.8 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.671% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 Birth rate: 19.77 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 101 Death rate: 5.43 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 179 Net migration rate: 2.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 Urbanization: urban population: 92% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 4.22 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 207 male: 4.39 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.05 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80.73 years country comparison to the world: 13 male: 78.62 years female: 82.95 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.75 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 5,100 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 Nationality: noun: Israeli(s) adjective: Israeli Ethnic groups: Jewish 76.4% (of which Israel-born 67.1%, Europe/America-born 22.6%, Africa-born 5.9%, Asia-born 4.2%), non-Jewish 23.6% (mostly Arab) (2004) Religions: Jewish 76.4%, Muslim 16%, Arab Christians 1.7%, other Christian 0.4%, Druze 1.6%, unspecified 3.9% (2004) Languages: Hebrew (official), Arabic used officially for Arab minority, English most commonly used foreign language Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.1% male: 98.5% female: 95.9% (2004 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 15 years male: 15 years female: 16 years (2006) Education expenditures: 6.9% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 25 Government ::Israel Country name: conventional long form: State of Israel conventional short form: Israel local long form: Medinat Yisra'el local short form: Yisra'el Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: name: Jerusalem geographic coordinates: 31 46 N, 35 14 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Friday in March; ends the Sunday between the holidays of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur note: Israel proclaimed Jerusalem as its capital in 1950, but the US, like nearly all other countries, maintains its Embassy in Tel Aviv Administrative divisions: 6 districts (mehozot, singular - mehoz); Central, Haifa, Jerusalem, Northern, Southern, Tel Aviv Independence: 14 May 1948 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration) National holiday: Independence Day, 14 May (1948); note - Israel declared independence on 14 May 1948, but the Jewish calendar is lunar and the holiday may occur in April or May Constitution: no formal constitution; some of the functions of a constitution are filled by the Declaration of Establishment (1948), the Basic Laws of the parliament (Knesset), and the Israeli citizenship law; note - since May 2003 the Constitution, Law, and Justice Committee of the Knesset has been working on a draft constitution Legal system: mixture of English common law, British Mandate regulations, and, in personal matters, Jewish, Christian, and Muslim legal systems; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Shimon PERES (since 15 July 2007) head of government: Prime Minister Binjamin NETANYAHU (since 31 March 2009); Vice Prime Minister Silvan SHALOM (since 31 March 2009); Vice Prime Minister Moshe YAALON (since 31 March 2009) cabinet: Cabinet selected by prime minister and approved by the Knesset elections: president is largely a ceremonial role and is elected by the Knesset for a seven-year term (one-term limit); election last held 13 June 2007 (next to be held in 2014 but can be called earlier); following legislative elections, the president assigns a Knesset member - traditionally the leader of the largest party - the task of forming a governing coalition election results: Shimon PERES elected president; number of votes in first round - Shimon PERES 58, Reuven RIVLIN 37, Colette AVITAL 21; PERES elected president in second round with 86 votes (unopposed) Legislative branch: unicameral Knesset (120 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 10 February 2009 (next scheduled election to be held in 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - Kadima 23.2%, Likud-Ahi 22.3%, YB 12.1%, Labor 10.2%, SHAS 8.8%, United Torah Judaism 4.5%, United Arab List 3.5%, NU 3.4%, Hadash 3.4%, The Jewish Home 3%, The New Movement-Meretz 3%, Balad 2.6%; seats by party - Kadima 28, Likud-Ahi 27, YB 15, Labor 13, SHAS 11, United Torah Judaism 5, United Arab List 4, NU 4, HADASH 4, The Jewish Home 3, The New Movement-Meretz 3, Balad 3 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (justices appointed by Judicial Selection Committee - made up of all three branches of the government; mandatory retirement age is 70) Political parties and leaders: Balad [Azmi BISHARA]; Democratic Front for Peace and Equality (HADASH) [Muhammad BARAKEH]; Kadima [Tzipora "Tzipi" LIVNI]; Labor Party [Ehud BARAK]; Likud [Binyamin NETANYAHU]; National Union [Yaakov KATZ]; The Jewish Home (HaBayit HaYehudi) [Daniel HERSCHKOWITZ]; SHAS [Eliyahu YISHAI]; The New Movement-Meretz [Haim ORON]; United Arab List-Ta'al [Ibrahim SARSUR]; United Torah Judaism or UTJ [Yaakov LITZMAN]; Yisrael Beiteinu or YB [Avigdor LIEBERMAN] Political pressure groups and leaders: B'Tselem [Jessica MONTELL, Executive Director] monitors human rights abuses; Peace Now [Yariv OPPENHEIMER, Secretary General] supports territorial concessions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip; YESHA Council of Settlements [Danny DAYAN, Chairman] promotes settler interests and opposes territorial compromise International organization participation: BIS, BSEC (observer), CERN (observer), EBRD, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, OAS (observer), OECD (accession state), OPCW (signatory), OSCE (partner), PCA, SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Michael OREN chancery: 3514 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 364-5500 FAX: [1] (202) 364-5607 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador James B. CUNNINGHAM embassy: 71 Hayarkon Street, Tel Aviv 63903 mailing address: PSC 98, Box 29, APO AE 09830 telephone: [972] (3) 519-7575 FAX: [972] (3) 516-4390 consulate(s) general: Jerusalem; note - an independent US mission, established in 1928, whose members are not accredited to a foreign government Flag description: white with a blue hexagram (six-pointed linear star) known as the Magen David (Shield of David) centered between two equal horizontal blue bands near the top and bottom edges of the flag Economy ::Israel Economy - overview: Israel has a technologically advanced market economy with substantial, though diminishing, government participation. It depends on imports of crude oil, grains, raw materials, and military equipment. Despite limited natural resources, Israel has intensively developed its agricultural and industrial sectors over the past 20 years. Israel imports substantial quantities of grain but is largely self-sufficient in other agricultural products. Cut diamonds, high-technology equipment, and agricultural products (fruits and vegetables) are the leading exports. Israel usually posts sizable trade deficits, which are covered by large transfer payments from abroad and by foreign loans. Roughly half of the government's external debt is owed to the US, its major source of economic and military aid. Israel's GDP, after contracting slightly in 2001 and 2002 due to the Palestinian conflict and troubles in the high-technology sector, has grown by about 5% per year since 2003. The economy grew an estimated 3.9% in 2008, slowed by the global financial crisis. The government's prudent fiscal policy and structural reforms over the past few years have helped to induce strong foreign investment, tax revenues, and private consumption, setting the economy on a solid growth path. GDP (purchasing power parity): $203.4 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 $195.2 billion (2007 est.) $185.6 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $202.1 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 5.2% (2007 est.) 5.3% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $28,600 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 $27,900 (2007 est.) $27,000 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2.6% industry: 32.4% services: 65% (2008 est.) Labor force: 2.957 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 101 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 2% industry: 16% services: 82% (30 September 2008) Unemployment rate: 6.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 7.3% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 21.6% note: Israel's poverty line is $7.30 per person per day (2005) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 24.2% (2007) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 38.6 (2005) country comparison to the world: 71 35.5 (2001) Investment (gross fixed): 18.1% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 Budget: revenues: $59.98 billion expenditures: $64.21 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 76.8% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 104.5% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 0.5% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 2.5% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 124 4% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 6.06% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 129 6.27% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $15.36 billion (31 December 2006) Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) $154.3 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $113.4 billion (31 December 2006) Market value of publicly traded shares: $134.5 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 33 $236.4 billion (31 December 2007) $173.3 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: citrus, vegetables, cotton; beef, poultry, dairy products Industries: high-technology projects (including aviation, communications, computer-aided design and manufactures, medical electronics, fiber optics), wood and paper products, potash and phosphates, food, beverages, and tobacco, caustic soda, cement, construction, metals products, chemical products, plastics, diamond cutting, textiles, footwear Industrial production growth rate: 3.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 Electricity - production: 50.41 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 Electricity - consumption: 46.15 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 Electricity - exports: 2.081 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 5,246 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 Oil - consumption: 235,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 Oil - exports: 69,580 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 Oil - imports: 318,900 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 Oil - proved reserves: 1.94 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 Natural gas - production: 1.19 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 Natural gas - consumption: 1.19 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 87 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 169 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 166 Natural gas - proved reserves: 30.44 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 Current account balance: $2.213 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 $4.185 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $57.16 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 $50.07 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: machinery and equipment, software, cut diamonds, agricultural products, chemicals, textiles and apparel Exports - partners: US 32.5%, Belgium 7.5%, Hong Kong 6.7% (2008) Imports: $64.4 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 $55.93 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: raw materials, military equipment, investment goods, rough diamonds, fuels, grain, consumer goods Imports - partners: US 12.3%, Belgium 6.5%, China 6.5%, Switzerland 6.1%, Germany 6% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $42.51 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 $28.52 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $86.08 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 39 $89.58 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $56.93 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 $55.7 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $54.55 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 $48.47 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: new Israeli shekels (ILS) per US dollar - 3.56 (2008 est.), 4.14 (2007), 4.4565 (2006), 4.4877 (2005), 4.482 (2004) Communications ::Israel Telephones - main lines in use: 2.9 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 51 Telephones - mobile cellular: 8.902 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 64 Telephone system: general assessment: most highly developed system in the Middle East although not the largest domestic: good system of coaxial cable and microwave radio relay; all systems are digital; four privately-owned mobile-cellular service providers with countrywide coverage international: country code - 972; submarine cables provide links to Europe, Cyprus, and parts of the Middle East; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 23, FM 15, shortwave 2 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 17 (plus 36 repeaters) (1995) Internet country code: .il Internet hosts: 1.544 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 35 Internet users: 2.106 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 69 Transportation ::Israel Airports: 47 (2009) country comparison to the world: 92 Airports - with paved runways: total: 30 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 6 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 17 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 14 (2009) Heliports: 3 (2009) Pipelines: gas 176 km; oil 442 km; refined products 261 km (2008) Railways: total: 913 km country comparison to the world: 93 standard gauge: 913 km 1.435-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 17,870 km country comparison to the world: 118 paved: 17,870 km (includes 146 km of expressways) (2007) Merchant marine: total: 11 country comparison to the world: 112 by type: cargo 2, container 9 registered in other countries: 60 (Bermuda 3, Cyprus 4, Georgia 2, Honduras 1, Liberia 23, Malta 18, Panama 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2, Slovakia 4) (2008) Ports and terminals: Ashdod, Elat (Eilat), Hadera, Haifa Military ::Israel Military branches: Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Israel Naval Forces (INF), Israel Air Force (IAF) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory (Jews, Druzes) and voluntary (Christians, Muslims, Circassians) military service; both sexes are obligated to military service; conscript service obligation - 36 months for enlisted men, 21 months for enlisted women, 48 months for officers; reserve obligation to age 41-51 (men), 24 (women) (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,717,362 females age 16-49: 1,636,574 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,474,966 females age 16-49: 1,404,712 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 61,223 female: 58,219 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 7.3% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 6 Transnational Issues ::Israel Disputes - international: West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation; Israel continues construction of a "seam line" separation barrier along parts of the Green Line and within the West Bank; Israel withdrew its settlers and military from the Gaza Strip and from four settlements in the West Bank in August 2005; Golan Heights is Israeli-occupied (Lebanon claims the Shab'a Farms area of Golan Heights); since 1948, about 350 peacekeepers from the UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) headquartered in Jerusalem monitor ceasefires, supervise armistice agreements, prevent isolated incidents from escalating, and assist other UN personnel in the region Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs: 150,000-420,000 (Arab villagers displaced from homes in northern Israel) (2007) Illicit drugs: increasingly concerned about ecstasy, cocaine, and heroin abuse; drugs arrive in country from Lebanon and, increasingly, from Jordan; money-laundering center page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Italy (Europe) Introduction ::Italy Background: Italy became a nation-state in 1861 when the regional states of the peninsula, along with Sardinia and Sicily, were united under King Victor EMMANUEL II. An era of parliamentary government came to a close in the early 1920s when Benito MUSSOLINI established a Fascist dictatorship. His alliance with Nazi Germany led to Italy's defeat in World War II. A democratic republic replaced the monarchy in 1946 and economic revival followed. Italy was a charter member of NATO and the European Economic Community (EEC). It has been at the forefront of European economic and political unification, joining the Economic and Monetary Union in 1999. Persistent problems include illegal immigration, organized crime, corruption, high unemployment, sluggish economic growth, and the low incomes and technical standards of southern Italy compared with the prosperous north. Geography ::Italy Location: Southern Europe, a peninsula extending into the central Mediterranean Sea, northeast of Tunisia Geographic coordinates: 42 50 N, 12 50 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 301,340 sq km country comparison to the world: 71 land: 294,140 sq km water: 7,200 sq km note: includes Sardinia and Sicily Area - comparative: slightly larger than Arizona Land boundaries: total: 1,899.2 km border countries: Austria 430 km, France 488 km, Holy See (Vatican City) 3.2 km, San Marino 39 km, Slovenia 199 km, Switzerland 740 km Coastline: 7,600 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: predominantly Mediterranean; Alpine in far north; hot, dry in south Terrain: mostly rugged and mountainous; some plains, coastal lowlands Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Mont Blanc (Monte Bianco) de Courmayeur 4,748 m (a secondary peak of Mont Blanc) Natural resources: coal, mercury, zinc, potash, marble, barite, asbestos, pumice, fluorspar, feldspar, pyrite (sulfur), natural gas and crude oil reserves, fish, arable land Land use: arable land: 26.41% permanent crops: 9.09% other: 64.5% (2005) Irrigated land: 27,500 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 175 cu km (2005) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 41.98 cu km/yr (18%/37%/45%) per capita: 723 cu m/yr (1998) Natural hazards: regional risks include landslides, mudflows, avalanches, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, flooding; land subsidence in Venice Environment - current issues: air pollution from industrial emissions such as sulfur dioxide; coastal and inland rivers polluted from industrial and agricultural effluents; acid rain damaging lakes; inadequate industrial waste treatment and disposal facilities Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: strategic location dominating central Mediterranean as well as southern sea and air approaches to Western Europe People ::Italy Population: 58,126,212 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 Age structure: 0-14 years: 13.5% (male 4,056,156/female 3,814,070) 15-64 years: 66.3% (male 19,530,696/female 18,981,084) 65 years and over: 20.2% (male 4,903,762/female 6,840,444) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 43.3 years male: 41.8 years female: 44.8 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: -0.047% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 208 Birth rate: 8.18 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 221 Death rate: 10.72 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 Net migration rate: 2.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 Urbanization: urban population: 68% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 5.51 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 183 male: 6.07 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80.2 years country comparison to the world: 19 male: 77.26 years female: 83.33 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.31 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 205 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.4% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 150,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 36 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 1,900 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 Nationality: noun: Italian(s) adjective: Italian Ethnic groups: Italian (includes small clusters of German-, French-, and Slovene-Italians in the north and Albanian-Italians and Greek-Italians in the south) Religions: Roman Catholic 90% (approximately; about one-third practicing), other 10% (includes mature Protestant and Jewish communities and a growing Muslim immigrant community) Languages: Italian (official), German (parts of Trentino-Alto Adige region are predominantly German speaking), French (small French-speaking minority in Valle d'Aosta region), Slovene (Slovene-speaking minority in the Trieste-Gorizia area) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.4% male: 98.8% female: 98% (2001 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 16 years male: 16 years female: 17 years (2006) Education expenditures: 4.5% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 88 Government ::Italy Country name: conventional long form: Italian Republic conventional short form: Italy local long form: Repubblica Italiana local short form: Italia former: Kingdom of Italy Government type: republic Capital: name: Rome geographic coordinates: 41 54 N, 12 29 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 15 regions (regioni, singular - regione) and 5 autonomous regions (regioni autonome, singular - regione autonoma) regions: Abruzzo, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Emilia-Romagna, Lazio (Latium), Liguria, Lombardia, Marche, Molise, Piemonte (Piedmont), Puglia (Apulia), Toscana (Tuscany), Umbria, Veneto (Venetia) autonomous regions: Friuli-Venezia Giulia; Sardegna (Sardinia); Sicilia (Sicily); Trentino-South Tyrol, also known as Trentino-Alto Adige (Italian), Trentino-Suedtirol (German); Aosta Valley, also known as Valle d'Aosta (Italian), Vallee d'Aoste (French) Independence: 17 March 1861 (Kingdom of Italy proclaimed; Italy was not finally unified until 1870) National holiday: Republic Day, 2 June (1946) Constitution: passed 11 December 1947, effective 1 January 1948; amended many times Legal system: based on civil law system; appeals treated as new trials; judicial review under certain conditions in Constitutional Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal (except in senatorial elections, where minimum age is 25) Executive branch: chief of state: President Giorgio NAPOLITANO (since 15 May 2006) head of government: Prime Minister Silvio BERLUSCONI (since 8 May 2008) note - in Italy the prime minister is referred to as the president of the Council of Ministers cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and approved by the president elections: president elected by an electoral college consisting of both houses of parliament and 58 regional representatives for a seven-year term (no term limits); election last held 10 May 2006 (next to be held in May 2013); prime minister appointed by the president and confirmed by parliament election results: Giorgio NAPOLITANO elected president on the fourth round of voting; electoral college vote - 543 Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Parlamento consists of the Senate or Senato della Repubblica (315 seats; members elected by proportional vote with the winning coalition in each region receiving 55% of seats from that region; to serve five-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camera dei Deputati (630 seats; members elected by popular vote with the winning national coalition receiving 54% of chamber seats; to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 13-14 April 2008 (next to be held April 2013); Chamber of Deputies - last held 13-14 April 2008 (next to be held April 2013) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - S. BERLUSCONI coalition 174 (PdL 147, LN 25, MpA 2), W. VELTRONI coalition 132 (PD 118, IdV 3), UdC 3, other 6; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - S. BERLUSCONI coalition 344 (PdL 276, LN 60, MpA 8), W. VELTRONI coalition 246 (PD 217, IdV 29), UdC 36, other 4 Judicial branch: Constitutional Court or Corte Costituzionale (composed of 15 judges: one-third appointed by the president, one-third elected by parliament, one-third elected by the ordinary and administrative Supreme Courts) Political parties and leaders: Silvio BERLUSCONI coalition: People of Freedom or PdL [Silvio BERLUSCONI]; Lega Nord or LN [Umberto BOSSI]; Movement for Autonomy or MpA [Raffaele LOMBARDO] Walter VELTRONI coalition: Democratic Party or PD [Walter VELTRONI]; Italy of Values or IdV [Antonio DI PIETRO] other non-allied parties: Union of the Center or UdC [Savino PEZZOTTA] Political pressure groups and leaders: manufacturers and merchants associations - Confcommercio; Confindustria; organized farm groups - Confcoltivatori; Confagricoltura; Roman Catholic Church; three major trade union confederations - Confederazione Generale Italiana del Lavoro or CGIL [Guglielmo EPIFANI] which is left wing; Confederazione Italiana dei Sindacati Lavoratori or CISL [Raffaele BONANNO], which is Roman Catholic centrist; Unione Italiana del Lavoro or UIL [Luigi ANGELETTI] which is lay centrist) International organization participation: ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS (observer), CDB, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G-20, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, SECI (observer), SICA (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNMOGIP, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Giulio TERZI di Sant'Agata chancery: 3000 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 612-4400 FAX: [1] (202) 518-2151 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Francisco consulate(s): Detroit Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Elizabeth DIBBLE embassy: Via Vittorio Veneto 121, 00187-Rome mailing address: PSC 59, Box 100, APO AE 09624 telephone: [39] (06) 46741 FAX: [39] (06) 488-2672, 4674-2356 consulate(s) general: Florence, Milan, Naples Flag description: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and red; similar to the flag of Ireland, which is longer and is green (hoist side), white, and orange; also similar to the flag of the Cote d'Ivoire, which has the colors reversed - orange (hoist side), white, and green; inspired by the French flag brought to Italy by Napoleon in 1797 Economy ::Italy Economy - overview: Italy has a diversified industrial economy, which is divided into a developed industrial north, dominated by private companies, and a less-developed, welfare-dependent, agricultural south, with high unemployment. The Italian economy is driven in large part by the manufacture of high-quality consumer goods produced by small and medium-sized enterprises. Italy also has a sizable underground economy, which by some estimates accounts for as much as 15% of GDP. These activities are most common within the agriculture, construction, and service sectors. Italy has moved slowly on implementing needed structural reforms, such as lightening the high tax burden and overhauling Italy's rigid labor market and over-generous pension system and these conditions will be exacerbated by the recent global financial crisis. The Italian government is seeking to rein in government spending, but the leadership faces a severe economic constraint: Italy's official debt remains above 100% of GDP, and the fiscal deficit - 1.5% of GDP in 2007 - could approach 3% in 2009 as political pressure to stimulate the economy and the costs of servicing Italy's debt rise. The economy will continue to contract through 2009 as the global demand for exports drop. GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.827 trillion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 $1.845 trillion (2007 est.) $1.818 trillion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $2.314 trillion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 207 1.5% (2007 est.) 2.1% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $31,400 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 $31,700 (2007 est.) $31,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2% industry: 27% services: 71% (2008 est.) Labor force: 25.11 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 4.2% industry: 30.7% services: 65.1% (2005) Unemployment rate: 6.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 85 6.2% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 26.8% (2000) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 32 (2006) country comparison to the world: 104 27.3 (1995) Investment (gross fixed): 20.9% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 Budget: revenues: $1.068 trillion expenditures: $1.132 trillion (2008 est.) Public debt: 105.8% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 105.6% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 45 1.8% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 3% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 108 5% (31 December 2007) note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area Commercial bank prime lending rate: 11.34% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 75 10.93% (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $3.046 trillion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 8 $2.932 trillion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 17 $1.073 trillion (31 December 2007) $1.027 trillion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: fruits, vegetables, grapes, potatoes, sugar beets, soybeans, grain, olives; beef, dairy products; fish Industries: tourism, machinery, iron and steel, chemicals, food processing, textiles, motor vehicles, clothing, footwear, ceramics Industrial production growth rate: -2.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 160 Electricity - production: 289.7 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 13 Electricity - consumption: 315 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 13 Electricity - exports: 3.431 billion kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 43 billion kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 162,200 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 Oil - consumption: 1.639 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 Oil - exports: 667,100 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 Oil - imports: 2.205 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 Oil - proved reserves: 406.5 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 Natural gas - production: 9.255 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 Natural gas - consumption: 84.88 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 8 Natural gas - exports: 210 million cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 40 Natural gas - imports: 76.86 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 Natural gas - proved reserves: 94.15 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 Current account balance: -$78.03 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 188 -$51.03 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $546.9 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 $502.4 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: engineering products, textiles and clothing, production machinery, motor vehicles, transport equipment, chemicals; food, beverages and tobacco; minerals, and nonferrous metals Exports - partners: Germany 12.8%, France 11.2%, Spain 6.6%, US 6.3%, UK 5.3% (2008) Imports: $546.9 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 8 $498.1 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: engineering products, chemicals, transport equipment, energy products, minerals and nonferrous metals, textiles and clothing; food, beverages, and tobacco Imports - partners: Germany 16%, France 8.6%, China 6.2%, Netherlands 5.3%, Libya 4.6%, Russia 4.3% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $105.3 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 13 $94.33 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $2.328 trillion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 7 $2.5 trillion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $376.6 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 13 $364.8 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $565.3 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 $520.1 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Communications ::Italy Telephones - main lines in use: 20.031 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 16 Telephones - mobile cellular: 88.58 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 10 Telephone system: general assessment: modern, well developed, fast; fully automated telephone, telex, and data services domestic: high-capacity cable and microwave radio relay trunks international: country code - 39; a series of submarine cables provide links to Asia, Middle East, Europe, North Africa, and US; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (with a total of 5 antennas - 3 for Atlantic Ocean and 2 for Indian Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region), and NA Eutelsat Radio broadcast stations: AM about 100, FM about 4,600, shortwave 9 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 358 (plus 4,728 repeaters) (1995) Internet country code: .it Internet hosts: 22.152 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 4 Internet users: 24.992 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 14 Transportation ::Italy Airports: 132 (2009) country comparison to the world: 43 Airports - with paved runways: total: 101 over 3,047 m: 9 2,438 to 3,047 m: 30 1,524 to 2,437 m: 17 914 to 1,523 m: 32 under 914 m: 13 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 31 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 19 (2009) Heliports: 6 (2009) Pipelines: gas 17,544 km; oil 1,241 km (2008) Railways: total: 19,729 km country comparison to the world: 15 standard gauge: 18,317 km 1.435-m gauge (12,458 km electrified) narrow gauge: 123 km 1.000-m gauge (123 km electrified); 1,058 km 0.950-m gauge (151 km electrified); 231 km 0.850-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 487,700 km country comparison to the world: 12 paved: 487,700 km (includes 6,700 km of expressways) (2005) Waterways: 2,400 km country comparison to the world: 38 note: used for commercial traffic; of limited overall value compared to road and rail (2008) Merchant marine: total: 609 country comparison to the world: 20 by type: bulk carrier 60, cargo 47, carrier 2, chemical tanker 159, combination ore/oil 1, container 25, liquefied gas 27, passenger 22, passenger/cargo 154, petroleum tanker 35, refrigerated cargo 4, roll on/roll off 33, specialized tanker 13, vehicle carrier 27 foreign-owned: 64 (Denmark 3, France 2, Greece 6, Japan 1, Lebanon 1, Nigeria 1, Norway 2, Portugal 1, Sweden 1, Switzerland 8, Taiwan 13, Turkey 1, UK 7, US 17) registered in other countries: 208 (Antigua and Barbuda 1, Bahamas 4, Belize 3, Cayman Islands 4, Cyprus 7, France 2, Liberia 41, Malta 50, Marshall Islands 3, Netherlands 1, Norway 4, Panama 28, Portugal 12, Russia 4, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 17, Singapore 5, Slovakia 2, Spain 2, Sweden 9, Turkey 3, UK 5) (2008) Ports and terminals: Augusta, Genoa, Livorno, Ravenna, Sarroch, Taranto, Trieste, Venice Military ::Italy Military branches: Italian Army (Esercito Italiano, EI), Italian Navy (Marina Militare Italiana, MMI), Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare Italiana, AMI), Carabinieri Corps (Arma dei Carabinieri, CC) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18-27 year of age for voluntary military service; conscription abolished January 2005; women may serve in any military branch; 10-month service obligation, with a reserve obligation to age 45 (Army and Air Force) or 39 (Navy) (2006) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 13,884,079 females age 16-49: 13,158,378 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 11,197,487 females age 16-49: 10,574,250 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 287,845 female: 270,384 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.8% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 93 Transnational Issues ::Italy Disputes - international: Italy's long coastline and developed economy entices tens of thousands of illegal immigrants from southeastern Europe and northern Africa Illicit drugs: important gateway for and consumer of Latin American cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin entering the European market; money laundering by organized crime and from smuggling page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Jamaica (Central America and Caribbean) Introduction ::Jamaica Background: The island - discovered by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1494 - was settled by the Spanish early in the 16th century. The native Taino Indians, who had inhabited Jamaica for centuries, were gradually exterminated and replaced by African slaves. England seized the island in 1655 and established a plantation economy based on sugar, cocoa, and coffee. The abolition of slavery in 1834 freed a quarter million slaves, many of whom became small farmers. Jamaica gradually obtained increasing independence from Britain. In 1958 it joined other British Caribbean colonies in forming the Federation of the West Indies. Jamaica gained full independence when it withdrew from the Federation in 1962. Deteriorating economic conditions during the 1970s led to recurrent violence as rival gangs affiliated with the major political parties evolved into powerful organized crime networks involved in international drug smuggling and money laundering. Violent crime, drug trafficking, and poverty pose significant challenges to the government today. Nonetheless, many rural and resort areas remain relatively safe and contribute substantially to the economy. Geography ::Jamaica Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba Geographic coordinates: 18 15 N, 77 30 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 10,991 sq km country comparison to the world: 167 land: 10,831 sq km water: 160 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Connecticut Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 1,022 km Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to edge of the continental margin Climate: tropical; hot, humid; temperate interior Terrain: mostly mountains, with narrow, discontinuous coastal plain Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Blue Mountain Peak 2,256 m Natural resources: bauxite, gypsum, limestone Land use: arable land: 15.83% permanent crops: 10.01% other: 74.16% (2005) Irrigated land: 250 sq km (2002) Total renewable water resources: 9.4 cu km (2000) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.41 cu km/yr (34%/17%/49%) per capita: 155 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: hurricanes (especially July to November) Environment - current issues: heavy rates of deforestation; coastal waters polluted by industrial waste, sewage, and oil spills; damage to coral reefs; air pollution in Kingston results from vehicle emissions Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: strategic location between Cayman Trench and Jamaica Channel, the main sea lanes for the Panama Canal People ::Jamaica Population: 2,825,928 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 Age structure: 0-14 years: 31.4% (male 451,310/female 436,466) 15-64 years: 61.1% (male 851,372/female 875,132) 65 years and over: 7.5% (male 94,833/female 116,815) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 23.7 years male: 23.1 years female: 24.2 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.755% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 Birth rate: 19.68 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 Death rate: 6.43 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 Net migration rate: -5.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 167 Urbanization: urban population: 53% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 15.22 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 126 male: 15.81 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.53 years country comparison to the world: 104 male: 71.83 years female: 75.3 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.25 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.6% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 27,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 1,500 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 Nationality: noun: Jamaican(s) adjective: Jamaican Ethnic groups: black 91.2%, mixed 6.2%, other or unknown 2.6% (2001 census) Religions: Protestant 62.5% (Seventh-Day Adventist 10.8%, Pentecostal 9.5%, Other Church of God 8.3%, Baptist 7.2%, New Testament Church of God 6.3%, Church of God in Jamaica 4.8%, Church of God of Prophecy 4.3%, Anglican 3.6%, other Christian 7.7%), Roman Catholic 2.6%, other or unspecified 14.2%, none 20.9%, (2001 census) Languages: English, English patois Literacy: definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 87.9% male: 84.1% female: 91.6% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 12 years male: 11 years female: 12 years (2003) Education expenditures: 5.3% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 56 Government ::Jamaica Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Jamaica Government type: constitutional parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm Capital: name: Kingston geographic coordinates: 18 00 N, 76 48 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 14 parishes; Clarendon, Hanover, Kingston, Manchester, Portland, Saint Andrew, Saint Ann, Saint Catherine, Saint Elizabeth, Saint James, Saint Mary, Saint Thomas, Trelawny, Westmoreland note: for local government purposes, Kingston and Saint Andrew were amalgamated in 1923 into the present single corporate body known as the Kingston and Saint Andrew Corporation Independence: 6 August 1962 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 6 August (1962) Constitution: 6 August 1962 Legal system: based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Dr. Patrick L. ALLEN (since 26 February 2009) head of government: Prime Minister Bruce GOLDING (since 11 September 2007) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition in the House of Representatives is appointed prime minister by the governor general; the deputy prime minister is recommended by the prime minister Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (a 21-member body appointed by the governor general on the recommendations of the prime minister and the leader of the opposition; ruling party is allocated 13 seats, and the opposition is allocated 8 seats) and the House of Representatives (60 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 3 September 2007 (next to be held no later than October 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - JLP 50.1%, PNP 49.8%; seats by party - JLP 33, PNP 27 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister); Court of Appeal; Privy Council in UK; member of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Political parties and leaders: Jamaica Labor Party or JLP [Bruce GOLDING]; People's National Party or PNP [Portia SIMPSON-MILLER]; National Democratic Movement or NDM [Michael WILLIAMS] Political pressure groups and leaders: New Beginnings Movement or NBM; Rastafarians (black religious/racial cultists, pan-Africanists) International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-15, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Anthony JOHNSON chancery: 1520 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 452-0660 FAX: [1] (202) 452-0081 consulate(s) general: Miami, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Brenda LaGrange JOHNSON embassy: 142 Old Hope Road, Kingston 6 mailing address: P.O. Box 541, Kingston 5 telephone: [1] (876) 702-6000 FAX: [1] (876) 702-6001 Flag description: diagonal yellow cross divides the flag into four triangles - green (top and bottom) and black (hoist side and outer side); green represents hope, vegetation, and agriculture, black reflects hardships overcome and to be faced, and yellow recalls golden sunshine and the island's natural resources Economy ::Jamaica Economy - overview: The Jamaican economy is heavily dependent on services, which now account for more than 60% of GDP. The country continues to derive most of its foreign exchange from tourism, remittances, and bauxite/alumina. Remittances account for nearly 20% of GDP and are equivalent to tourism revenues. Jamaica's economy, already saddled with the lowest economic growth in Latin America, will face increasing difficulties as the global economy slows. The economy faces serious long-term problems: a sizable merchandise trade deficit, large-scale unemployment and underemployment, and a debt-to-GDP ratio of almost 130%. Jamaica's onerous debt burden - the fourth highest per capita - is the result of government bailouts to ailing sectors of the economy, most notably the financial sector in the mid-to-late 1990s. It hinders government spending on infrastructure and social programs as debt servicing accounts for nearly half of government expenditures. Inflation rose sharply in 2008 as a result of high prices for imported food and oil and should fall in 2009 with the decline in international oil prices. High unemployment exacerbates the serious crime problem, including gang violence that is fueled by the drug trade. The GOLDING administration faces the difficult prospect of having to achieve fiscal discipline in order to maintain debt payments while simultaneously attacking a serious and growing crime problem that is hampering economic growth. GDP (purchasing power parity): $24.04 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 $24.19 billion (2007 est.) $23.85 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $14.03 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -0.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 203 1.4% (2007 est.) 2.7% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $8,600 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 $8,700 (2007 est.) $8,600 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 5.2% industry: 32.6% services: 62.2% (2008 est.) Labor force: 1.304 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 134 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 17% industry: 19% services: 64% (2006) Unemployment rate: 11% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 9.9% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 14.8% (2003 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.1% highest 10%: 35.8% (2004) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 45.5 (2004) country comparison to the world: 42 37.9 (2000) Investment (gross fixed): 26.5% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 Budget: revenues: $3.794 billion expenditures: $4.829 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 116.3% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 146.1% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 22% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 207 9.5% (2007 est.) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 16.83% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 28 17.2% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $1.253 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 83 $1.369 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $4.244 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 74 $4.54 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $7.175 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 78 $6.609 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $7.513 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 72 $12.33 billion (31 December 2007) $12.28 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: sugarcane, bananas, coffee, citrus, yams, ackees, vegetables; poultry, goats, milk; crustaceans, mollusks Industries: tourism, bauxite/alumina, agro processing, light manufactures, rum, cement, metal, paper, chemical products, telecommunications Industrial production growth rate: -0.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 136 Electricity - production: 7.324 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 Electricity - consumption: 6.345 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 101 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 171 Oil - consumption: 78,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 177 Oil - imports: 77,720 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 194 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 175 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 171 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 165 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 159 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 165 Current account balance: -$2.745 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 -$1.744 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $2.602 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 $2.226 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: alumina, bauxite, sugar, rum, coffee, yams, beverages, chemicals, wearing apparel, mineral fuels Exports - partners: US 40.3%, Canada 10.6%, UK 9.2%, Netherlands 7.9%, France 5.4%, Russia 5.2% (2008) Imports: $7.185 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 $5.789 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: food and other consumer goods, industrial supplies, fuel, parts and accessories of capital goods, machinery and transport equipment, construction materials Imports - partners: US 39.4%, Trinidad and Tobago 17.5%, Venezuela 11.6% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $1.767 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 $1.879 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $10.65 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 85 $9.657 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: Jamaican dollars (JMD) per US dollar - 72.236 (2008 est.), 69.034 (2007), 65.768 (2006), 62.51 (2005), 61.197 (2004) Communications ::Jamaica Telephones - main lines in use: 316,600 (2008) country comparison to the world: 112 Telephones - mobile cellular: 2.723 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 112 Telephone system: general assessment: fully automatic domestic telephone network domestic: the 1999 agreement to open the market for telecommunications services resulted in rapid growth in mobile-cellular telephone usage while the number of fixed-lines in use has declined; combined mobile-cellular teledensity now roughly 100 per 100 persons international: country code - 1-876; the Fibralink submarine cable network provides enhanced delivery of business and broadband traffic and is linked to the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) submarine cable in the Dominican Republic; the link to ARCOS-1 provides seamless connectivity to US, parts of the Caribbean, Central America, and South America; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 10, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 7 (1997) Internet country code: .jm Internet hosts: 3,961 (2009) country comparison to the world: 137 Internet users: 1.54 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 73 Transportation ::Jamaica Airports: 27 (2009) country comparison to the world: 123 Airports - with paved runways: total: 12 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 7 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 15 under 914 m: 15 (2009) Roadways: total: 21,552 km country comparison to the world: 108 paved: 15,937 km (includes 33 km of expressways) unpaved: 5,615 km (2005) Merchant marine: total: 20 country comparison to the world: 99 by type: bulk carrier 6, cargo 6, carrier 1, container 4, roll on/roll off 3 foreign-owned: 17 (Denmark 2, Germany 4, Greece 6, Hong Kong 1, Latvia 1, Russia 3) (2008) Ports and terminals: Kingston, Port Esquivel, Port Kaiser, Port Rhoades, Rocky Point Military ::Jamaica Military branches: Jamaica Defense Force: Ground Forces, Coast Guard, Air Wing (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; younger recruits may be conscripted with parental consent (2001) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 688,480 females age 16-49: 709,548 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 573,520 females age 16-49: 586,426 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 31,833 female: 31,257 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 0.6% of GDP (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 Transnational Issues ::Jamaica Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine from South America to North America and Europe; illicit cultivation and consumption of cannabis; government has an active manual cannabis eradication program; corruption is a major concern; substantial money-laundering activity; Colombian narcotics traffickers favor Jamaica for illicit financial transactions page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Jan Mayen (Europe) Introduction ::Jan Mayen Background: This desolate, arctic, mountainous island was named after a Dutch whaling captain who indisputably discovered it in 1614 (earlier claims are inconclusive). Visited only occasionally by seal hunters and trappers over the following centuries, the island came under Norwegian sovereignty in 1929. The long dormant Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg volcano resumed activity in 1970; the most recent eruption occurred in 1985. It is the northernmost active volcano on earth. Geography ::Jan Mayen Location: Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the Norwegian Sea, northeast of Iceland Geographic coordinates: 71 00 N, 8 00 W Map references: Europe Area: total: 377 sq km country comparison to the world: 203 land: 377 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 124.1 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 4 nm contiguous zone: 10 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: arctic maritime with frequent storms and persistent fog Terrain: volcanic island, partly covered by glaciers Elevation extremes: lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m highest point: Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg 2,277 m Natural resources: none Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) Irrigated land: 0 sq km Natural hazards: dominated by the volcano Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg; volcanic activity resumed in 1970; the most recent eruption occurred in 1985 Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: barren volcanic island with some moss and grass People ::Jan Mayen Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: personnel operate the Long Range Navigation (Loran-C) base and the weather and coastal services radio station Government ::Jan Mayen Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Jan Mayen Dependency status: territory of Norway; since August 1994, administered from Oslo through the county governor (fylkesmann) of Nordland; however, authority has been delegated to a station commander of the Norwegian Defense Communication Service Legal system: the laws of Norway, where applicable, apply Flag description: the flag of Norway is used Economy ::Jan Mayen Economy - overview: Jan Mayen is a volcanic island with no exploitable natural resources. Economic activity is limited to providing services for employees of Norway's radio and meteorological stations on the island. Communications ::Jan Mayen Radio broadcast stations: NA; note - there is one radio and meteorological station (1998) Transportation ::Jan Mayen Airports: 1 (2009) country comparison to the world: 223 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Ports and terminals: none; offshore anchorage only Military ::Jan Mayen Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Norway Transnational Issues ::Jan Mayen Disputes - international: none page last updated on September 22, 2009 ====================================================================== @Japan (East & Southeast Asia) Introduction ::Japan Background: In 1603, a Tokugawa shogunate (military dictatorship) ushered in a long period of isolation from foreign influence in order to secure its power. For more than two centuries this policy enabled Japan to enjoy stability and a flowering of its indigenous culture. Following the Treaty of Kanagawa with the US in 1854, Japan opened its ports and began to intensively modernize and industrialize. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Japan became a regional power that was able to defeat the forces of both China and Russia. It occupied Korea, Formosa (Taiwan), and southern Sakhalin Island. In 1931-32 Japan occupied Manchuria, and in 1937 it launched a full-scale invasion of China. Japan attacked US forces in 1941 - triggering America's entry into World War II - and soon occupied much of East and Southeast Asia. After its defeat in World War II, Japan recovered to become an economic power and a staunch ally of the US. While the emperor retains his throne as a symbol of national unity, elected politicians - with heavy input from bureaucrats and business executives - wield actual decisionmaking power. The economy experienced a major slowdown starting in the 1990s following three decades of unprecedented growth, but Japan still remains a major economic power, both in Asia and globally. In January 2009, Japan assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2009-10 term. Geography ::Japan Location: Eastern Asia, island chain between the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan, east of the Korean Peninsula Geographic coordinates: 36 00 N, 138 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 377,915 sq km country comparison to the world: 61 land: 364,485 sq km water: 13,430 sq km note: includes Bonin Islands (Ogasawara-gunto), Daito-shoto, Minami-jima, Okino-tori-shima, Ryukyu Islands (Nansei-shoto), and Volcano Islands (Kazan-retto) Area - comparative: slightly smaller than California Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 29,751 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm; between 3 nm and 12 nm in the international straits - La Perouse or Soya, Tsugaru, Osumi, and Eastern and Western Channels of the Korea or Tsushima Strait contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north Terrain: mostly rugged and mountainous Elevation extremes: lowest point: Hachiro-gata -4 m highest point: Mount Fuji 3,776 m Natural resources: negligible mineral resources, fish note: with virtually no energy natural resources, Japan is the world's largest importer of coal and liquefied natural gas as well as the second largest importer of oil Land use: arable land: 11.64% permanent crops: 0.9% other: 87.46% (2005) Irrigated land: 25,920 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 430 cu km (1999) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 88.43 cu km/yr (20%/18%/62%) per capita: 690 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: many dormant and some active volcanoes; about 1,500 seismic occurrences (mostly tremors) every year; tsunamis; typhoons Environment - current issues: air pollution from power plant emissions results in acid rain; acidification of lakes and reservoirs degrading water quality and threatening aquatic life; Japan is one of the largest consumers of fish and tropical timber, contributing to the depletion of these resources in Asia and elsewhere Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: strategic location in northeast Asia People ::Japan Population: 127,078,679 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 Age structure: 0-14 years: 13.5% (male 8,804,465/female 8,344,800) 15-64 years: 64.3% (male 41,187,425/female 40,533,876) 65 years and over: 22.2% (male 11,964,694/female 16,243,419) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 44.2 years male: 42.4 years female: 46.1 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: -0.191% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 218 Birth rate: 7.64 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 222 Death rate: 9.54 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 66% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 2.79 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 221 male: 2.99 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 82.12 years country comparison to the world: 3 male: 78.8 years female: 85.62 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.21 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 217 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 9,600 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 100 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 143 Nationality: noun: Japanese (singular and plural) adjective: Japanese Ethnic groups: Japanese 98.5%, Koreans 0.5%, Chinese 0.4%, other 0.6% note: up to 230,000 Brazilians of Japanese origin migrated to Japan in the 1990s to work in industries; some have returned to Brazil (2004) Religions: Shintoism 83.9%, Buddhism 71.4%, Christianity 2%, other 7.8% note: total adherents exceeds 100% because many people belong to both Shintoism and Buddhism (2005) Languages: Japanese Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2002) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 15 years male: 15 years female: 15 years (2006) Education expenditures: 3.5% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 128 Government ::Japan Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Japan local long form: Nihon-koku/Nippon-koku local short form: Nihon/Nippon Government type: a parliamentary government with a constitutional monarchy Capital: name: Tokyo geographic coordinates: 35 41 N, 139 45 E time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 47 prefectures; Aichi, Akita, Aomori, Chiba, Ehime, Fukui, Fukuoka, Fukushima, Gifu, Gunma, Hiroshima, Hokkaido, Hyogo, Ibaraki, Ishikawa, Iwate, Kagawa, Kagoshima, Kanagawa, Kochi, Kumamoto, Kyoto, Mie, Miyagi, Miyazaki, Nagano, Nagasaki, Nara, Niigata, Oita, Okayama, Okinawa, Osaka, Saga, Saitama, Shiga, Shimane, Shizuoka, Tochigi, Tokushima, Tokyo, Tottori, Toyama, Wakayama, Yamagata, Yamaguchi, Yamanashi Independence: 660 B.C. (traditional date of the founding of the nation by Emperor JIMMU; first recognized by Emperor Meiji in 1873) National holiday: Birthday of Emperor AKIHITO, 23 December (1933) Constitution: 3 May 1947 Legal system: modeled after German civil law system with English-American influence; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Emperor AKIHITO (since 7 January 1989) head of government: Prime Minister Yukio HATOYAMA (since 16 September 2009); Deputy Prime Minister Naoto KAN (since 16 September 2009) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister elections: Diet designates prime minister; constitution requires that prime minister commands parliamentary majority; following legislative elections, leader of majority party or leader of majority coalition in House of Representatives usually becomes prime minister; monarch is hereditary Legislative branch: bicameral Diet or Kokkai consists of the House of Councillors or Sangi-in (242 seats - members elected for fixed six-year terms; half reelected every three years; 146 members in multi-seat constituencies and 96 by proportional representation) and the House of Representatives or Shugi-in (480 seats - members elected for maximum four-year terms; 300 in single-seat constituencies; 180 members by proportional representation in 11 regional blocs); the prime minister has the right to dissolve the House of Representatives at any time with the concurrence of the cabinet. elections: House of Councillors - last held 29 July 2007 (next to be held in July 2010); House of Representatives - last held 30 August 2009 (next to be held by August 2013) election results: House of Councillors - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - DPJ 109, LDP 83, Komeito 20, JCP 7, SDP 5, others 18 House of Representatives - percent of vote by party (in single-seat constituencies) - DPJ 42.4%, LDP 26.7%, Komeito 11.5%, JCP 7.0%, SDP 4.3%, others 8.1%; seats by party - DPJ 308, LDP 119, Komeito 21, JCP 9, SDP 7, others 16 (2009) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (chief justice is appointed by the monarch after designation by the cabinet; all other justices are appointed by the cabinet) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party of Japan or DPJ [Yukio HATOYAMA]; Japan Communist Party or JCP [Kazuo SHII]; Komeito [Natsuo YAMAGUCHI]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Sadakazu TANIGAKI]; Social Democratic Party or SDP [Mizuho FUKUSHIMA] Political pressure groups and leaders: other: business groups; trade unions International organization participation: ADB, AfDB (nonregional member), APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, CE (observer), CERN (observer), CP, EAS, EBRD, FAO, G-20, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAIA, MIGA, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE (partner), Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ichiro FUJISAKI chancery: 2520 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 238-6700 FAX: [1] (202) 328-2187 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Agana (Guam), Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Portland (Oregon), San Francisco, Seattle consulate(s): Anchorage, Nashville Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador James V. ROOS embassy: 1-10-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8420 mailing address: Unit 9800, Box 300, APO AP 96303-0300 telephone: [81] (03) 3224-5000 FAX: [81] (03) 3505-1862 consulate(s) general: Naha (Okinawa), Osaka-Kobe, Sapporo consulate(s): Fukuoka, Nagoya Flag description: white with a large red disk (representing the sun without rays) in the center Economy ::Japan Economy - overview: In the years following World War II, government-industry cooperation, a strong work ethic, mastery of high technology, and a comparatively small defense allocation (1% of GDP) helped Japan advance with extraordinary speed to the rank of second most technologically powerful economy in the world after the US. Today, measured on a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis, Japan is the third-largest economy in the world after the US and China. Two notable characteristic of the post-war economy were the close interlocking structures of manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors, known as keiretsu, and the guarantee of lifetime employment for a substantial portion of the urban labor force. Both features are now eroding under the dual pressures of global competition and domestic demographic change. Japan's industrial sector is heavily dependent on imported raw materials and fuels. A tiny agricultural sector is highly subsidized and protected, with crop yields among the highest in the world. Usually self sufficient in rice, Japan imports about 60% of its food on a caloric basis. Japan maintains one of the world's largest fishing fleets and accounts for nearly 15% of the global catch. For three decades, overall real economic growth had been spectacular - a 10% average in the 1960s, a 5% average in the 1970s, and a 4% average in the 1980s. Growth slowed markedly in the 1990s, averaging just 1.7%, largely because of the after effects of inefficient investment and an asset price bubble in the late 1980s that required a protracted period of time for firms to reduce excess debt, capital, and labor. In October 2007 Japan's longest post-war period of economic expansion ended after 69 months and Japan entered into recession in 2008, with 2009 marking a return to near 0% interest rates. The 10-year privatization of Japan Post, which has functioned not only as the national postal delivery system but also, through its banking and insurance facilities as Japan's largest financial institution, was completed in October 2007, marking a major milestone in the process of structural reform. The Japanese financial sector was not heavily exposed to sub-prime mortgages or their derivative instruments and weathered the initial effect of the global credit crunch, but a sharp downturn in business investment and global demand for Japan's exports in late 2008 pushed Japan further into a recession. Japan's huge government debt, which totals 170% of GDP, and the aging of the population are two major long-run problems. Debate continues on the role of and effects of reform in restructuring the economy. GDP (purchasing power parity): $4.34 trillion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 $4.37 trillion (2007 est.) $4.272 trillion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $4.911 trillion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -0.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 204 2.3% (2007 est.) 2% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $34,100 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 $34,300 (2007 est.) $33,500 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1.5% industry: 26.3% services: 72.3% (2008 est.) Labor force: 66.5 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 4.4% industry: 27.9% services: 66.4% (2005) Unemployment rate: 4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 3.8% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.8% highest 10%: 21.7% (1993) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 38.1 (2002) country comparison to the world: 74 24.9 (1993) Investment (gross fixed): 23% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 Budget: revenues: $1.72 trillion expenditures: $1.788 trillion (2008 est.) Public debt: 172.1% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 164.3% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 0.1% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 0.3% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 135 0.75% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 1.91% (31 December 2008) Stock of money: $5.417 trillion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 2 $4.37 trillion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $6.16 trillion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 2 $4.783 trillion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $12.34 trillion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 3 $9.653 trillion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 4 $4.453 trillion (31 December 2007) $4.726 trillion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: rice, sugar beets, vegetables, fruit; pork, poultry, dairy products, eggs; fish Industries: among world's largest and technologically advanced producers of motor vehicles, electronic equipment, machine tools, steel and nonferrous metals, ships, chemicals, textiles, processed foods Industrial production growth rate: -2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 Electricity - production: 1.058 trillion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 Electricity - consumption: 1.007 trillion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 133,100 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 Oil - consumption: 4.785 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 Oil - exports: 268,300 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 45 Oil - imports: 5.263 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 Oil - proved reserves: 44.12 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 Natural gas - production: 5.36 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 Natural gas - consumption: 101.1 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 166 Natural gas - imports: 95.39 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 Natural gas - proved reserves: 20.9 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 Current account balance: $156.6 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 $210.5 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $746.5 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 $678.1 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: transport equipment, motor vehicles, semiconductors, electrical machinery, chemicals Exports - partners: US 17.8%, China 16%, South Korea 7.6%, Hong Kong 5.1% (2008) Imports: $708.3 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 $573.3 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, fuels, foodstuffs, chemicals, textiles, raw materials Imports - partners: China 18.9%, US 10.4%, Saudi Arabia 6.7%, Australia 6.2%, UAE 6.1%, Indonesia 4.3% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $1.011 trillion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 $954.1 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $2.231 trillion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 9 $1.768 trillion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $135.4 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 $110.8 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $663.9 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 8 $533.1 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: yen (JPY) per US dollar - 103.58 (2008 est.), 117.99 (2007), 116.18 (2006), 110.22 (2005), 108.19 (2004) Communications ::Japan Telephones - main lines in use: 47.579 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 4 Telephones - mobile cellular: 110.395 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 7 Telephone system: general assessment: excellent domestic and international service domestic: high level of modern technology and excellent service of every kind international: country code - 81; numerous submarine cables provide links throughout Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, and US; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (4 Pacific Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region), and 1 Inmarsat (Pacific and Indian Ocean regions Radio broadcast stations: AM 215 (plus 370 repeaters), FM 89 (plus 485 repeaters), shortwave 21 (2001) Television broadcast stations: 211 (plus 7,341 repeaters); in addition, US Forces are served by 3 TV stations and 2 TV cable services (1999) Internet country code: .jp Internet hosts: 47.249 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 2 Internet users: 90.91 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 3 Transportation ::Japan Airports: 176 (2009) country comparison to the world: 34 Airports - with paved runways: total: 144 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 42 1,524 to 2,437 m: 40 914 to 1,523 m: 28 under 914 m: 27 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 32 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 28 (2009) Heliports: 15 (2009) Pipelines: gas 3,862 km; oil 167 km; oil/gas/water 53 km (2008) Railways: total: 23,506 km country comparison to the world: 11 standard gauge: 3,437 km 1.435-m gauge (3,319 km electrified) narrow gauge: 20,059 km 1.067-m gauge (11,842 km electrified); 11 km 0.762-m gauge (11 km electrified) (2008) Roadways: total: 1,196,999 km country comparison to the world: 5 paved: 949,101 km (includes 7,383 km of expressways) unpaved: 247,898 km (2006) Waterways: 1,770 km (seagoing vessels use inland seas) (2007) country comparison to the world: 47 Merchant marine: total: 683 country comparison to the world: 16 by type: bulk carrier 136, cargo 30, carrier 3, chemical tanker 27, container 11, liquefied gas 59, passenger 12, passenger/cargo 135, petroleum tanker 156, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 51, vehicle carrier 61 registered in other countries: 3,074 (Australia 1, Bahamas 87, Belize 8, Bermuda 2, Burma 1, Cambodia 1, Cayman Islands 13, China 2, Cyprus 21, France 1, Honduras 4, Hong Kong 111, Indonesia 6, Isle of Man 6, Italy 1, South Korea 20, Liberia 116, Malaysia 4, Malta 8, Marshall Islands 17, Nigeria 1, Norway 29, Panama 2335, Philippines 81, Portugal 15, Saint Kitts and Nevis 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3, Singapore 131, Thailand 4, UK 4, US 7, Vanuatu 29, Vietnam 1, unknown 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Chiba, Kawasaki, Kobe, Mizushima, Moji, Nagoya, Osaka, Tokyo, Tomakomai, Yohohama Military ::Japan Military branches: Japanese Ministry of Defense (MOD): Ground Self-Defense Force (Rikujou Jietai, GSDF), Maritime Self-Defense Force (Kaijou Jietai, MSDF), Air Self-Defense Force (Koku Jieitai, ASDF) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 27,819,804 females age 16-49: 26,863,794 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 22,757,136 females age 16-49: 21,920,703 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 621,254 female: 589,270 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 0.8% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 150 Transnational Issues ::Japan Disputes - international: the sovereignty dispute over the islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri, and Shikotan, and the Habomai group, known in Japan as the "Northern Territories" and in Russia as the "Southern Kuril Islands," occupied by the Soviet Union in 1945, now administered by Russia and claimed by Japan, remains the primary sticking point to signing a peace treaty formally ending World War II hostilities; Japan and South Korea claim Liancourt Rocks (Take-shima/Dokdo) occupied by South Korea since 1954; China and Taiwan dispute both Japan's claims to the uninhabited islands of the Senkaku-shoto (Diaoyu Tai) and Japan's unilaterally declared exclusive economic zone in the East China Sea, the site of intensive hydrocarbon prospecting page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Jersey (Europe) Introduction ::Jersey Background: Jersey and the other Channel Islands represent the last remnants of the medieval Dukedom of Normandy that held sway in both France and England. These islands were the only British soil occupied by German troops in World War II. Jersey is a British crown dependency but is not part of the UK. However, the UK Government is constitutionally responsible for its defense and international representation. Geography ::Jersey Location: Western Europe, island in the English Channel, northwest of France Geographic coordinates: 49 15 N, 2 10 W Map references: Europe Area: total: 116 sq km country comparison to the world: 224 land: 116 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: about two-thirds the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 70 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm Climate: temperate; mild winters and cool summers Terrain: gently rolling plain with low, rugged hills along north coast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 143 m Natural resources: arable land Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: largest and southernmost of Channel Islands; about 30% of population concentrated in Saint Helier People ::Jersey Population: 91,626 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 194 Age structure: 0-14 years: 16.1% (male 7,623/female 7,087) 15-64 years: 67.7% (male 30,914/female 31,081) 65 years and over: 16.3% (male 6,614/female 8,307) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 42.9 years male: 42.1 years female: 43.6 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.211% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 182 Birth rate: 8.63 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 218 Death rate: 9.26 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 Net migration rate: 2.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 Urbanization: urban population: 31% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 4.73 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 197 male: 5.09 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.75 years country comparison to the world: 25 male: 77.23 years female: 82.46 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.57 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 183 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Channel Islander(s) adjective: Channel Islander Ethnic groups: Jersey 51.1%, Britons 34.8%, Irish, French, and other white 6.6%, Portuguese/Madeiran 6.4%, other 1.1% (2001 census) Religions: Anglican, Roman Catholic, Baptist, Congregational New Church, Methodist, Presbyterian Languages: English 94.5% (official), Portuguese 4.6%, other 0.9% (2001 census) Literacy: NA Education expenditures: NA Government ::Jersey Country name: conventional long form: Bailiwick of Jersey conventional short form: Jersey Dependency status: British crown dependency Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: name: Saint Helier geographic coordinates: 49 11 N, 2 06 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: none (British crown dependency); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 12 parishes including Grouville, Saint Brelade, Saint Clement, Saint Helier, Saint John, Saint Lawrence, Saint Martin, Saint Mary, Saint Ouen, Saint Peter, Saint Saviour, and Trinity Independence: none (British crown dependency) National holiday: Liberation Day, 9 May (1945) Constitution: unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice Legal system: the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply and local statutes; justice is administered by the Royal Court Suffrage: 16 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Lieutenant Governor Andrew RIDGEWAY (since 14 June 2006) head of government: Chief Minister Terry LE SUEUR (12 December 2008); Bailiff Philip Martin BAILHACHE (since February 1995) cabinet: Cabinet (since December 2005) elections: ministers of the Cabinet including the chief minister are elected by the Assembly of States; the monarch is hereditary; lieutenant governor and bailiff appointed by the monarch Legislative branch: unicameral Assembly of the States of Jersey (58 seats; 55 are voting members, of which 12 are senators elected for six-year terms, 12 are constables or heads of parishes elected for three-year terms, 29 are deputies elected for three-year terms, the bailiff and the deputy bailiff, and 3 non-voting members includes the Dean of Jersey, the Attorney General, and the Solicitor General appointed by the monarch) elections: last held 15 October 2008 for senators and 26 November 2008 for deputies (next to be held in 2011) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 55 Judicial branch: Royal Court (judges elected by an electoral college and the bailiff) Political parties and leaders: two declared parties: Centre Party; Jersey Democratic Alliance note: all senators and deputies elected in 2008 were independents Political pressure groups and leaders: Institute of Directors, Jersey branch (provides business support); Jersey Hospitality Association [Robert JONES] (trade association); Jersey Rights Association [David ROTHERHAM] (human rights); La Societe Jersiaise (education and conservation group); Progress Jersey [Darius J. PEARCE, Daren O'TOOLE, Gino RISOLI] (human rights); Royal Jersey Agriculture and Horticultural Society or RJA&HS (development and management of the Jersey breed of cattle); Save Jersey's Heritage (protects heritage through building preservation) Diplomatic representation in the US: none (British crown dependency) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (British crown dependency) Flag description: white with a diagonal red cross extending to the corners of the flag; in the upper quadrant, surmounted by a yellow crown, a red shield with the three lions of England in yellow Economy ::Jersey Economy - overview: Jersey's economy is based on international financial services, agriculture, and tourism. In 2005 the finance sector accounted for about 50% of the island's output. Potatoes, cauliflower, tomatoes, and especially flowers are important export crops, shipped mostly to the UK. The Jersey breed of dairy cattle is known worldwide and represents an important export income earner. Milk products go to the UK and other EU countries. Tourism accounts for one-quarter of GDP. In recent years, the government has encouraged light industry to locate in Jersey, with the result that an electronics industry has developed, displacing more traditional industries. All raw material and energy requirements are imported, as well as a large share of Jersey's food needs. Light taxes and death duties make the island a popular tax haven. Living standards come close to those of the UK. GDP (purchasing power parity): $5.1 billion (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 159 GDP (official exchange rate): $5.1 billion (2005 est.) GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita (PPP): $57,000 (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1% industry: 2% services: 97% (2005) Labor force: 53,560 (June 2006) country comparison to the world: 181 Unemployment rate: 2.2% (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $829 million expenditures: $851 million (2005) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.7% (December 2006) country comparison to the world: 55 Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: potatoes, cauliflower, tomatoes; beef, dairy products Industries: tourism, banking and finance, dairy, electronics Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - consumption: 630.1 million kWh (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 154 Electricity - imports: NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by France Exports: $NA Exports - commodities: light industrial and electrical goods, dairy cattle, foodstuffs, textiles Imports: $NA Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, foodstuffs, mineral fuels, chemicals Debt - external: $NA Exchange rates: Jersey pounds per US dollar 0.5302 (2008 est.), 0.4993 (2007), 0.5418 (2006), 0.5493 (2005), 0.5462 (2004) note: the Jersey pound is at par with the British pound Communications ::Jersey Telephones - main lines in use: 74,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 154 Telephones - mobile cellular: 83,900 (2004) country comparison to the world: 185 Telephone system: general assessment: state owned, partially-competitive market; increasingly modern, with some broadband access domestic: digital telephone system launch announced in 2006 and currently being implemented; fixed-line and mobile-cellular services widely available; combined fixed and mobile-cellular density exceeds 100 per 100 persons international: submarine cable connectivity to Guernsey, the UK, and France (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM 1, shortwave 0 (UK radio broadcasts carried via local relays) (2008) Television broadcast stations: 2 (UK television carried by local relays with a switch to digital broadcasts scheduled for 2010) (2008) Internet country code: .je Internet hosts: 219 (2009) country comparison to the world: 187 Internet users: 29,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 181 Transportation ::Jersey Airports: 1 (2009) country comparison to the world: 224 Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Roadways: total: 358 km (2002) country comparison to the world: 199 Ports and terminals: Gorey, Saint Aubin, Saint Helier Military ::Jersey Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 16,920 females age 16-49: 16,826 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 586 female: 541 (2009 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Transnational Issues ::Jersey Disputes - international: none page last updated on October 28, 2009 ====================================================================== @Jordan (Middle East) Introduction ::Jordan Background: Following World War I and the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, the UK received a mandate to govern much of the Middle East. Britain separated out a semi-autonomous region of Transjordan from Palestine in the early 1920s, and the area gained its independence in 1946; it adopted the name of Jordan in 1950. The country's long-time ruler was King HUSSEIN (1953-99). A pragmatic leader, he successfully navigated competing pressures from the major powers (US, USSR, and UK), various Arab states, Israel, and a large internal Palestinian population. Jordan lost the West Bank to Israel in the 1967 war and barely managed to defeat Palestinian rebels who threatened to overthrow the monarchy in 1970. King HUSSEIN in 1988 permanently relinquished Jordanian claims to the West Bank. In 1989, he reinstituted parliamentary elections and initiated a gradual political liberalization; political parties were legalized in 1992. In 1994, he signed a peace treaty with Israel. King ABDALLAH II, the son of King HUSSEIN, assumed the throne following his father's death in February 1999. Since then, he has consolidated his power and undertaken an aggressive economic reform program. Jordan acceded to the World Trade Organization in 2000, and began to participate in the European Free Trade Association in 2001. In 2003, Jordan staunchly supported the Coalition ouster of Saddam in Iraq and following the outbreak of insurgent violence in Iraq, absorbed thousands of displaced Iraqis. Municipal elections were held in July 2007 under a system in which 20% of seats in all municipal councils were reserved by quota for women. Parliamentary elections were held in November 2007 and saw independent pro-government candidates win the vast majority of seats. In November 2007, King ABDALLAH instructed his new prime minister to focus on socioeconomic reform, developing a healthcare and housing network for civilians and military personnel, and improving the educational system. Geography ::Jordan Location: Middle East, northwest of Saudi Arabia Geographic coordinates: 31 00 N, 36 00 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 89,342 sq km country comparison to the world: 111 land: 88,802 sq km water: 540 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Indiana Land boundaries: total: 1,635 km border countries: Iraq 181 km, Israel 238 km, Saudi Arabia 744 km, Syria 375 km, West Bank 97 km Coastline: 26 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 nm Climate: mostly arid desert; rainy season in west (November to April) Terrain: mostly desert plateau in east, highland area in west; Great Rift Valley separates East and West Banks of the Jordan River Elevation extremes: lowest point: Dead Sea -408 m highest point: Jabal Ram 1,734 m Natural resources: phosphates, potash, shale oil Land use: arable land: 3.32% permanent crops: 1.18% other: 95.5% (2005) Irrigated land: 750 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 0.9 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 1.01 cu km/yr (21%/4%/75%) per capita: 177 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: droughts; periodic earthquakes Environment - current issues: limited natural fresh water resources; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: strategic location at the head of the Gulf of Aqaba and as the Arab country that shares the longest border with Israel and the occupied West Bank People ::Jordan Population: 6,342,948 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 Age structure: 0-14 years: 31.3% (male 1,014,183/female 973,538) 15-64 years: 64.5% (male 2,183,638/female 1,904,420) 65 years and over: 4.2% (male 128,759/female 138,410) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 24.3 years male: 25 years female: 23.6 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 2.264% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 Birth rate: 19.55 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 Death rate: 2.75 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 217 Net migration rate: 5.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 Urbanization: urban population: 78% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.15 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female total population: 1.1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 14.97 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 128 male: 17.91 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.86 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.87 years country comparison to the world: 38 male: 76.34 years female: 81.56 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.39 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 152 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 600 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 500 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 Nationality: noun: Jordanian(s) adjective: Jordanian Ethnic groups: Arab 98%, Circassian 1%, Armenian 1% Religions: Sunni Muslim 92%, Christian 6% (majority Greek Orthodox, but some Greek and Roman Catholics, Syrian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, and Protestant denominations), other 2% (several small Shia Muslim and Druze populations) (2001 est.) Languages: Arabic (official), English widely understood among upper and middle classes Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 89.9% male: 95.1% female: 84.7% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 13 years (2006) Education expenditures: 4.9% of GDP (1999) country comparison to the world: 77 Government ::Jordan Country name: conventional long form: Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan conventional short form: Jordan local long form: Al Mamlakah al Urduniyah al Hashimiyah local short form: Al Urdun former: Transjordan Government type: constitutional monarchy Capital: name: Amman geographic coordinates: 31 57 N, 35 56 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Thursday in March; ends last Friday in September Administrative divisions: 12 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Ajlun, Al 'Aqabah, Al Balqa', Al Karak, Al Mafraq, 'Amman, At Tafilah, Az Zarqa', Irbid, Jarash, Ma'an, Madaba Independence: 25 May 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration) National holiday: Independence Day, 25 May (1946) Constitution: 1 January 1952; amended many times Legal system: based on Islamic law and French codes; judicial review of legislative acts in a specially provided High Tribunal; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: King ABDALLAH II (since 7 February 1999); Crown Prince HUSSEIN (born 28 June 1994), eldest son of King ABDALLAH II head of government: Prime Minister Nader al-DAHABI (since 25 November 2007) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister in consultation with the monarch elections: the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-'Umma consists of the Senate, also called the House of Notables or Majlis al-Ayan (55 seats; members appointed by the monarch to serve four-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies, also called the House of Representatives or Majlis al-Nuwaab (110 seats; members elected using a single, non-transferable vote system in multi-member districts to serve four-year terms); note - six seats are reserved for women, nine seats are reserved for Christian candidates, nine seats are reserved for Bedouin candidates, and three seats are reserved for Jordanians of Chechen or Circassian descent elections: Chamber of Deputies - last held 20 November 2007 (next scheduled to be held in 2011) election results: Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - IAF 6, independents and other 104; note - seven women serve in the Assembly, six of whom filled women's quota seats and one was directly elected Judicial branch: Court of Cassation (Supreme Court) Political parties and leaders: Arab Ba'ath Socialist Party [Fuad DABBOUR]; Ba'ath Arab Progressive Party [Tayseer al-HAMSI]; Call Party [Mohammed Abu BAKR]; Democratic People's Party [Ahmad Yusuf 'ALIYA]; Democratic Popular Unity Party [Sa'ed DIAB]; Islamic Action Front or IAF [Ishaq al-FARHAN]; Islamic Center Party [Marwan al-FA'OURI; Jordanian Communist Party [Munir HAMARNEH]; Jordanian National Party [Mona Abu BAKR]; Jordanian United Front [Amjad al-MAJALI]; Life Party [Thaher 'AMROU]; Message Party [Hazem QASHOU]; National Constitution Party [Ahmed al-SHUNAQ]; National Movement for Direct Democracy [Mohammed al-QAQ]; Political pressure groups and leaders: Anti-Normalization Committee [Ali Abu SUKKAR, president vice chairman]; Jordan Bar Association [Saleh al-ARMUTI, chairman]; Jordanian Press Association [Sayf al-SHARIF, president]; Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood [Dr. Hamam SAID, controller general] International organization participation: ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, MINURCAT, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador ZEID Ra'ad Zeid al-Hussein, Prince chancery: 3504 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 966-2664 FAX: [1] (202) 966-3110 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert S. BEECROFT embassy: Abdoun, Amman mailing address: P. O. Box 354, Amman 11118 Jordan; Unit 70200, Box 5, DPO AE 09892-0200 telephone: [962] (6) 590-6000 FAX: [962] (6) 592-0121 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), representing the Abbassid Caliphate, white, representing the Ummayyad Caliphate, and green, representing the Fatimid Caliphate; a red isosceles triangle on the hoist side, representing the Great Arab Revolt of 1916, and bearing a small white seven-pointed star symbolizing the seven verses of the opening Sura (Al-Fatiha) of the Holy Koran; the seven points on the star represent faith in One God, humanity, national spirit, humility, social justice, virtue, and aspirations; design is based on the Arab Revolt flag of World War I Economy ::Jordan Economy - overview: Jordan is a small Arab country with insufficient supplies of water, oil, and other natural resources. Poverty, unemployment, and inflation are fundamental problems, but King ABDALLAH II, since assuming the throne in 1999, has undertaken some broad economic reforms in a long-term effort to improve living standards. Since Jordan's graduation from its most recent IMF program in 2002, Amman has continued to follow IMF guidelines, practicing careful monetary policy, making substantial headway with privatization, and opening the trade regime. Jordan's exports have significantly increased under the free trade accord with the US and Jordanian Qualifying Industrial Zones (QIZ), which allow Jordan to export goods with some Israeli content duty free to the US. In 2006 and 2008, Jordan used privatization proceeds to significantly reduce its debt-to-GDP ratio. These measures have helped improve productivity and have made Jordan more attractive for foreign investment. The government ended subsidies for petroleum and other consumer goods in 2008 in an effort to control the budget. The main challenges facing Jordan are reducing dependence on foreign grants, reducing the growing budget deficit, attracting investments, and creating jobs. Jordan is currently exploring nuclear power generation to forestall energy shortfalls. Jordan's conservative banking sector has been largely protected from the worldwide financial crisis, but many businesses, particularly in the tourism and real estate sector, are predicting a slow-down in 2009. GDP (purchasing power parity): $31.68 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 $30 billion (2007 est.) $28.14 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $21.23 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 6.6% (2007 est.) 8% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $5,200 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 $5,000 (2007 est.) $5,000 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.6% industry: 29.9% services: 66.5% (2008 est.) Labor force: 1.615 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 2.7% industry: 20% services: 77.4% (2001 est.) Unemployment rate: 12.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 141 13.5% (2007 est.) note: official rate; unofficial rate is approximately 30% Population below poverty line: 14.2% (2002) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3% highest 10%: 30.7% (2006) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 39.7 (2007) country comparison to the world: 63 36.4 (1997) Investment (gross fixed): 32.3% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 Budget: revenues: $5.67 billion expenditures: $7.66 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 62.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 85.8% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 14.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 189 5.4% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 6.25% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 56 7% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 9.03% (31 December 2008) Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $6.765 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $17.98 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 43 $15.38 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $25.05 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 56 $19.53 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $35.85 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 61 $41.22 billion (31 December 2007) $29.73 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: citrus, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives; sheep, poultry, stone fruits, strawberries, dairy Industries: clothing, fertilizers, potash, phosphate mining, pharmaceuticals, petroleum refining, cement, inorganic chemicals, light manufacturing, tourism Industrial production growth rate: 5.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 Electricity - production: 12.21 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 Electricity - consumption: 10.4 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 Electricity - exports: 176 million kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 200 million kWh (2007 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 170 Oil - consumption: 108,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 176 Oil - imports: 108,200 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 Oil - proved reserves: 1 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 Natural gas - production: 250 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 Natural gas - consumption: 2.97 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 164 Natural gas - imports: 2.72 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 Natural gas - proved reserves: 6.031 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 87 Current account balance: -$2.39 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 141 -$2.767 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $7.782 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 $5.7 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: clothing, fertilizers, potash, phosphates, vegetables, pharmaceuticals Exports - partners: India 16.2%, Iraq 16.1%, US 13.2%, Saudi Arabia 6.9%, UAE 4.6% (2008) Imports: $14.99 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 83 $12.02 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: crude oil, machinery, transport equipment, iron, cereals Imports - partners: Saudi Arabia 21.2%, China 10.4%, Germany 6%, US 4.6%, Egypt 4.5%, Ukraine 4.3% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $8.918 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 $7.929 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $6.794 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 $8.133 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $16.5 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 $14.55 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: Jordanian dinars (JOD) per US dollar - 0.709 (2008 est.), 0.709 (2007), 0.709 (2006), 0.709 (2005), 0.709 (2004) Communications ::Jordan Telephones - main lines in use: 519,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 95 Telephones - mobile cellular: 5.314 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 84 Telephone system: general assessment: service has improved recently with increased use of digital switching equipment; microwave radio relay transmission and coaxial and fiber-optic cable are employed on trunk lines; growing mobile-cellular usage in both urban and rural areas is reducing use of fixed-line services; Internet penetration remains modest and slow-growing domestic: 1995 telecommunications law opened all non-fixed-line services to private competition; in 2005, monopoly over fixed-line services terminated and the entire telecommunications sector was opened to competition; mobile-cellular usage has increased and teledensity reached 85 per 100 persons in 2008 international: country code - 962; landing point for the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) submarine cable network that provides links to Asia, Middle East, Europe; satellite earth stations - 33 (3 Intelsat, 1 Arabsat, and 29 land and maritime Inmarsat terminals); fiber-optic cable to Saudi Arabia and microwave radio relay link with Egypt and Syria; participant in Medarabtel (2008) Radio broadcast stations: FM 31 (2007) Television broadcast stations: 22 (2007) Internet country code: .jo Internet hosts: 28,896 (2009) country comparison to the world: 92 Internet users: 1.5 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 74 Transportation ::Jordan Airports: 17 (2009) country comparison to the world: 142 Airports - with paved runways: total: 15 over 3,047 m: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Heliports: 1 (2009) Pipelines: gas 439 km; oil 49 km (2008) Railways: total: 507 km country comparison to the world: 115 narrow gauge: 507 km 1.050-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 8,002 km country comparison to the world: 141 paved: 8,002 km (2007) Merchant marine: total: 21 country comparison to the world: 97 by type: cargo 8, container 1, passenger/cargo 7, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 3 foreign-owned: 13 (UAE 13) registered in other countries: 24 (Algeria 7, Bahamas 2, Panama 13, Syria 2) (2008) Ports and terminals: Al 'Aqabah Military ::Jordan Military branches: Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF): Royal Jordanian Land Force (RJLF), Royal Jordanian Navy, Royal Jordanian Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Malakiya al-Urduniya, RJAF), Special Operations Command (Socom); Public Security Directorate (normally falls under Ministry of Interior, but comes under JAF in wartime or crisis) (2008) Military service age and obligation: 17 years of age for voluntary military service; male conscription at age 18 - suspended in 1999 - resurrected in July 2007 in order to provide youth training necessary for job market needs; all males under age 37 are required to register; women not subject to conscription, but can volunteer to serve in non-combat military positions in the Royal Jordanian Arab Army Women's Corps (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,812,551 females age 16-49: 1,559,155 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,593,919 females age 16-49: 1,382,097 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 69,830 female: 67,292 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 8.6% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 5 Transnational Issues ::Jordan Disputes - international: approximately two million Iraqis have fled the conflict in Iraq, with the majority taking refuge in Syria and Jordan; 2004 Agreement settles border dispute with Syria pending demarcation Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 1,835,704 (Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA)); 500,000 (Iraq) IDPs: 160,000 (1967 Arab-Israeli War) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Jordan is a destination and transit country for women and men from South and Southeast Asia trafficked for the purpose of forced labor; Jordan is also a destination for women from Eastern Europe and Morocco for prostitution; women from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and the Philippines migrate willingly to work as domestic servants, but some are subjected to conditions of forced labor, including unlawful withholding of passports, restrictions on movement, non-payment of wages, threats, and physical or sexual abuse tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Jordan is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in persons in 2007, particularly in the area of law enforcement against trafficking for forced labor; the government made minimal efforts to investigate or prosecute numerous allegations related to exploitation of foreign domestic workers; Jordan failed for a second year to criminally prosecute and punish those who committed acts of forced labor; Jordan also continues to lack victim protection services; Jordan has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Kazakhstan (Central Asia) Introduction ::Kazakhstan Background: Native Kazakhs, a mix of Turkic and Mongol nomadic tribes who migrated into the region in the 13th century, were rarely united as a single nation. The area was conquered by Russia in the 18th century, and Kazakhstan became a Soviet Republic in 1936. During the 1950s and 1960s agricultural "Virgin Lands" program, Soviet citizens were encouraged to help cultivate Kazakhstan's northern pastures. This influx of immigrants (mostly Russians, but also some other deported nationalities) skewed the ethnic mixture and enabled non-Kazakhs to outnumber natives. Independence in 1991 caused many of these newcomers to emigrate. Kazakhstan's economy is larger than those of all the other Central Asian states combined, largely due to the country's vast natural resources and a recent history of political stability. Current issues include: developing a cohesive national identity; expanding the development of the country's vast energy resources and exporting them to world markets; achieving a sustainable economic growth; diversifying the economy outside the oil, gas, and mining sectors; enhancing Kazakhstan's competitiveness; and strengthening relations with neighboring states and other foreign powers. Geography ::Kazakhstan Location: Central Asia, northwest of China; a small portion west of the Ural (Zhayyq) River in eastern-most Europe Geographic coordinates: 48 00 N, 68 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 2,724,900 sq km country comparison to the world: 9 land: 2,699,700 sq km water: 25,200 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than four times the size of Texas Land boundaries: total: 12,185 km border countries: China 1,533 km, Kyrgyzstan 1,224 km, Russia 6,846 km, Turkmenistan 379 km, Uzbekistan 2,203 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked); note - Kazakhstan borders the Aral Sea, now split into two bodies of water (1,070 km), and the Caspian Sea (1,894 km) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: continental, cold winters and hot summers, arid and semiarid Terrain: vast flat steppe extending from the Volga in the west to the Altai Mountains in the east and from the plains of western Siberia in the north to oases and deserts of Central Asia in the south Elevation extremes: lowest point: Vpadina Kaundy -132 m highest point: Khan Tangiri Shyngy (Pik Khan-Tengri) 6,995 m Natural resources: major deposits of petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, manganese, chrome ore, nickel, cobalt, copper, molybdenum, lead, zinc, bauxite, gold, uranium Land use: arable land: 8.28% permanent crops: 0.05% other: 91.67% (2005) Irrigated land: 35,560 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 109.6 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 35 cu km/yr (2%/17%/82%) per capita: 2,360 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: earthquakes in the south; mudslides around Almaty Environment - current issues: radioactive or toxic chemical sites associated with former defense industries and test ranges scattered throughout the country pose health risks for humans and animals; industrial pollution is severe in some cities; because the two main rivers that flowed into the Aral Sea have been diverted for irrigation, it is drying up and leaving behind a harmful layer of chemical pesticides and natural salts; these substances are then picked up by the wind and blown into noxious dust storms; pollution in the Caspian Sea; soil pollution from overuse of agricultural chemicals and salination from poor infrastructure and wasteful irrigation practices Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Geography - note: landlocked; Russia leases approximately 6,000 sq km of territory enclosing the Baykonur Cosmodrome; in January 2004, Kazakhstan and Russia extended the lease to 2050 People ::Kazakhstan Population: 15,399,437 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 Age structure: 0-14 years: 21.8% (male 1,717,469/female 1,643,920) 15-64 years: 70.2% (male 5,279,292/female 5,534,607) 65 years and over: 7.9% (male 426,494/female 797,655) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 29.6 years male: 28.1 years female: 31.3 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.392% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 166 Birth rate: 16.6 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 Death rate: 9.39 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 Net migration rate: -3.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 152 Urbanization: urban population: 58% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.54 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 25.73 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 86 male: 30.15 deaths/1,000 live births female: 21.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 67.87 years country comparison to the world: 152 male: 62.58 years female: 73.47 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.88 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 12,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 500 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 93 Nationality: noun: Kazakhstani(s) adjective: Kazakhstani Ethnic groups: Kazakh (Qazaq) 53.4%, Russian 30%, Ukrainian 3.7%, Uzbek 2.5%, German 2.4%, Tatar 1.7%, Uygur 1.4%, other 4.9% (1999 census) Religions: Muslim 47%, Russian Orthodox 44%, Protestant 2%, other 7% Languages: Kazakh (Qazaq, state language) 64.4%, Russian (official, used in everyday business, designated the "language of interethnic communication") 95% (2001 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.5% male: 99.8% female: 99.3% (1999 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 15 years male: 15 years female: 16 years (2007) Education expenditures: 2.3% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 163 Government ::Kazakhstan Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Kazakhstan conventional short form: Kazakhstan local long form: Qazaqstan Respublikasy local short form: Qazaqstan former: Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic Government type: republic; authoritarian presidential rule, with little power outside the executive branch Capital: name: Astana geographic coordinates: 51 10 N, 71 25 E time difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) note: Kazakhstan is divided into two time zones Administrative divisions: 14 provinces (oblystar, singular - oblys) and 3 cities* (qalalar, singular - qala); Almaty Oblysy, Almaty Qalasy*, Aqmola Oblysy (Astana), Aqtobe Oblysy, Astana Qalasy*, Atyrau Oblysy, Batys Qazaqstan Oblysy (Oral), Bayqongyr Qalasy*, Mangghystau Oblysy (Aqtau), Ongtustik Qazaqstan Oblysy (Shymkent), Pavlodar Oblysy, Qaraghandy Oblysy, Qostanay Oblysy, Qyzylorda Oblysy, Shyghys Qazaqstan Oblysy (Oskemen), Soltustik Qazaqstan Oblysy (Petropavlovsk), Zhambyl Oblysy (Taraz) note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses); in 1995, the Governments of Kazakhstan and Russia entered into an agreement whereby Russia would lease for a period of 20 years an area of 6,000 sq km enclosing the Baykonur space launch facilities and the city of Bayqongyr (Baykonur, formerly Leninsk); in 2004, a new agreement extended the lease to 2050 Independence: 16 December 1991 (from the Soviet Union) National holiday: Independence Day, 16 December (1991) Constitution: first post-independence constitution adopted 28 January 1993; new constitution adopted by national referendum 30 August 1995 Legal system: based on Islamic law and Roman law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Nursultan A. NAZARBAYEV (chairman of the Supreme Soviet from 22 February 1990, elected president 1 December 1991) head of government: Prime Minister Karim MASIMOV (since 10 January 2007); First Deputy Prime Minister Umirzak SHUKEYEV (since 3 March 2009) and Deputy Prime Ministers Yerbol ORYNBAYEV (since 29 October 2007) and Serik AKHMETOV (since 3 March 2009) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 4 December 2005 (next to be held in 2012); prime minister and first deputy prime minister appointed by the president, with Mazhilis approval; note - constitutional amendments of May 2007 shortened the presidential term from seven years to five years and established a two-consecutive-term limit; changes will take effect after NAZARBAYEV's term ends; he, and only he, is allowed to run for president indefinitely election results: Nursultan A. NAZARBAYEV reelected president; percent of vote - Nursultan A. NAZARBAYEV 91.1%, Zharmakhan A. TUYAKBAI 6.6%, Alikhan M. BAIMENOV 1.6% Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (47 seats; 15 members are appointed by the president; other members are elected by local assemblies; members serve six-year terms, but elections are staggered with half of the members up for re-election every three years) and the Mazhilis (107 seats; 9 out of the 107 Mazhilis members are elected by the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, a presidentially appointed advisory body designed to represent the country's ethnic minorities; non-appointed members are popularly elected to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - (indirect) last held October 2008; next to be held in 2011; Mazhilis - last held 18 August 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Nur Otan 16; Mazhilis - percent of vote by party - Nur-Otan 88.1%, NSDP 4.6%, Ak Zhol 3.3%, Auyl 1.6%, Communist People's Party 1.3%, Patriots Party .8% Ruhaniyat .4%; seats by party - Nur-Otan 98; note - parties must achieve a threshold of 7% of the electorate to qualify for seats in the Mazhilis Judicial branch: Supreme Court (44 members); Constitutional Council (seven members) Political parties and leaders: Adilet (Justice) [Maksut NARIKBAYEV, Zeynulla ALSHIMBAYEV, Serik ABDRAHMANOV, Bakhytbek AKHMETZHAN, Yerkin ONGARBAYEV, Tolegan SYDYKOV] (formerly Democratic Party of Kazakhstan); Agrarian and Industrial Union of Workers Block or AIST (Agrarian Party and Civic Party); Ak Zhol Party (Bright Path) [Alikhan BAIMENOV]; Alga [Vladimir KOZLOV] (unregistered); Auyl (Village) [Gani KALIYEV]; Azat Party (formerly True Ak Zhol Party) [Bolat ABILOV]; Communist Party of Kazakhstan or KPK [Serikbolsyn ABDILDIN]; Communist People's Party of Kazakhstan [Vladislav KOSAREV]; National Social Democratic Party (NSDP)[Zharmakhan TUYAKBAY]; Nur-Otan [Bakhytzhan ZHUMAGULOV] (the Agrarian, Asar, and Civic parties merged with Otan); Patriots' Party [Gani KASYMOV]; Rukhaniyat (Spirituality) [Altynshash ZHAGANOVA] Political pressure groups and leaders: Adil-Soz [Tamara KALEYEVA]; Almaty Helsinki Group [Ninel FOKINA]; Confederation of Free Trade Unions [Sergei BELKIN]; For Fair Elections [Yevgeniy ZHOVTIS, Sabit ZHUSUPOV, Sergey DUVANOV, Ibrash NUSUPBAYEV]; Kazakhstan International Bureau on Human Rights [Yevgeniy ZHOVTIS, executive director]; Pan-National Social Democratic Party of Kazakhstan [Zharmakhan TUYAKBAI]; Pensioners Movement or Pokoleniye [Irina SAVOSTINA, chairwoman]; Republican Network of International Monitors [Dos KUSHIM]; Transparency International [Sergei ZLOTNIKOV] International organization participation: ADB, CIS, CSTO, EAEC, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Yerlan IDRISOV chancery: 1401 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 232-5488 FAX: [1] (202) 232-5845 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles consulate(s): New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Richard E. HOAGLAND embassy: Ak Bulak 4, Str. 23-22, Building #3, Astana 010010 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [7] (7172) 70-21-00 FAX: [7] (7172) 34-08-90 Flag description: sky blue background representing the endless sky and a gold sun with 32 rays above a soaring golden steppe eagle in the center; on the hoist side is a "national ornamentation" in gold Economy ::Kazakhstan Economy - overview: Kazakhstan, the largest of the former Soviet republics in territory, excluding Russia, possesses enormous fossil fuel reserves and plentiful supplies of other minerals and metals. It also has a large agricultural sector featuring livestock and grain. Kazakhstan's industrial sector rests on the extraction and processing of these natural resources. Kazakhstan enjoyed double-digit growth in 2000-01 and 8% or more per year in 2002-07 - thanks largely to its booming energy sector, but also to economic reform, good harvests, and increased foreign investment; growth slowed to 2.4% in 2008, however, as a result of declining oil prices and a softening world economy. Inflation reached 10% in 2007 and 17% in 2008. In the energy sector, the opening of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium in 2001, from western Kazakhstan's Tengiz oilfield to the Black Sea, substantially raised export capacity. In 2006, Kazakhstan completed the Atasu-Alashankou portion of an oil pipeline to China that is planned in future construction to extend from the country's Caspian coast eastward to the Chinese border. The country has embarked upon an industrial policy designed to diversify the economy away from overdependence on the oil sector by developing its manufacturing potential. The policy changed the corporate tax code to favor domestic industry as a means to reduce the influence of foreign investment and foreign personnel. The government has engaged in several disputes with foreign oil companies over the terms of production agreements, most recently, with regard to the Kashagan project in 2007-08. Since 2007, Astana has provided financial support to the banking sector which has been struggling with poor asset quality and large foreign loans. GDP (purchasing power parity): $176.2 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 $172.1 billion (2007 est.) $158.6 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $135.6 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 8.5% (2007 est.) 10.6% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $11,500 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 $11,300 (2007 est.) $10,400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 5.3% industry: 40.9% services: 53.8% (2008 est.) Labor force: 8.412 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 31.5% industry: 18.4% services: 50% (2006) Unemployment rate: 6.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 83 7.3% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 13.8% (2007) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.3% highest 10%: 26.5% (2004 est.) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 30.4 (2005) country comparison to the world: 112 31.5 (2003) Investment (gross fixed): 27.8% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 33 Budget: revenues: $33.47 billion expenditures: $36.23 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 8.6% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 13.7% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 17% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 199 10.8% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 10.5% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 31 11% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $16.12 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 36 $12.74 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $35.76 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 34 $25.75 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $44.53 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 51 $43.75 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $31.08 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 60 $41.38 billion (31 December 2007) $43.69 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: grain (mostly spring wheat), cotton; livestock Industries: oil, coal, iron ore, manganese, chromite, lead, zinc, copper, titanium, bauxite, gold, silver, phosphates, sulfur, iron and steel; tractors and other agricultural machinery, electric motors, construction materials Industrial production growth rate: 2.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 Electricity - production: 72.41 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 Electricity - consumption: 64.69 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 Electricity - exports: 3.617 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 3.27 billion kWh (2007 est.) Oil - production: 1.429 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 Oil - consumption: 239,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 Oil - exports: 1.313 million bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 Oil - imports: 164,000 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 Oil - proved reserves: 30 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 Natural gas - production: 33.38 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 Natural gas - consumption: 33.68 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 Natural gas - exports: 9.221 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 21 Natural gas - imports: 9.517 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 Natural gas - proved reserves: 2.407 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 13 Current account balance: $6.978 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 -$8.226 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $71.97 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 45 $48.35 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: oil and oil products 59%, ferrous metals 19%, chemicals 5%, machinery 3%, grain, wool, meat, coal (2001) Exports - partners: China 13.5%, Russia 12%, Germany 10.6%, Italy 6.9%, Romania 6.6%, France 5.7%, Ukraine 5.4%, Turkey 4.1% (2008) Imports: $38.45 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 $33.26 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, metal products, foodstuffs Imports - partners: Russia 35.9%, China 24.3%, Germany 6%, Ukraine 4.5% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $19.87 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 $17.63 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $107.8 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 35 $96.91 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $55.63 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 $41.08 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $4.617 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 $3.97 billion (September 2007 est.) Exchange rates: tenge (KZT) per US dollar - 120.25 (2008 est.), 122.55 (2007), 126.09 (2006), 132.88 (2005), 136.04 (2004) Communications ::Kazakhstan Telephones - main lines in use: 3.41 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 45 Telephones - mobile cellular: 14.911 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 43 Telephone system: general assessment: inherited an outdated telecommunications network from the Soviet era requiring modernization domestic: intercity by landline and microwave radio relay; number of fixed-line connections is gradually increasing and fixed-line teledensity now exceeds 20 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage is increasing rapidly and the subscriber base now is roughly 100 per 100 persons international: country code - 7; international traffic with other former Soviet republics and China carried by landline and microwave radio relay and with other countries by satellite and by the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic cable; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 60, FM 18, shortwave 9 (2008) Television broadcast stations: 12 (plus 9 repeaters) (1998) Internet country code: .kz Internet hosts: 48,873 (2009) country comparison to the world: 84 Internet users: 2.3 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 66 Transportation ::Kazakhstan Airports: 99 (2009) country comparison to the world: 61 Airports - with paved runways: total: 67 over 3,047 m: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 26 1,524 to 2,437 m: 17 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 9 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 32 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 13 (2009) Heliports: 4 (2009) Pipelines: condensate 658 km; gas 11,146 km; oil 10,376 km; refined products 1,095 km; water 1,465 km (2008) Railways: total: 13,700 km country comparison to the world: 19 broad gauge: 13,700 km 1.520-m gauge (3,700 km electrified) (2008) Roadways: total: 91,563 km country comparison to the world: 53 paved: 83,717 km unpaved: 7,846 km (2006) Waterways: 4,000 km (on the Ertis ((Irtysh)) River (80%) and Syr Darya ((Syrdariya)) River) (2008) country comparison to the world: 26 Merchant marine: total: 5 country comparison to the world: 132 by type: petroleum tanker 4, refrigerated cargo 1 (2008) Ports and terminals: Aqtau (Shevchenko), Atyrau (Gur'yev), Oskemen (Ust-Kamenogorsk), Pavlodar, Semey (Semipalatinsk) Military ::Kazakhstan Military branches: Kazakh Armed Forces: Ground Forces, Navy, Air Mobile Forces, Air Defense Forces (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years; minimum age for volunteers NA (2004) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 4,176,731 females age 16-49: 4,219,636 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 2,888,931 females age 16-49: 3,550,014 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 139,262 female: 133,047 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 0.9% of GDP (Ministry of Defense expenditures) (FY02) country comparison to the world: 145 Transnational Issues ::Kazakhstan Disputes - international: Kyrgyzstan has yet to ratify the 2001 boundary delimitation with Kazakhstan; field demarcation of the boundaries with Turkmenistan commenced in 2005, and with Uzbekistan in 2004; demarcation is scheduled to get underway with Russia in 2007; demarcation with China was completed in 2002; creation of a seabed boundary with Turkmenistan in the Caspian Sea remains under discussion; equidistant seabed treaties have been ratified with Azerbaijan and Russia in the Caspian Sea, but no resolution has been made on dividing the water column among any of the littoral states Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 3,700 (Russia); 508 (Afghanistan) (2007) Illicit drugs: significant illicit cultivation of cannabis for CIS markets, as well as limited cultivation of opium poppy and ephedra (for the drug ephedrine); limited government eradication of illicit crops; transit point for Southwest Asian narcotics bound for Russia and the rest of Europe; significant consumer of opiates page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Kenya (Africa) Introduction ::Kenya Background: Founding president and liberation struggle icon Jomo KENYATTA led Kenya from independence in 1963 until his death in 1978, when President Daniel Toroitich arap MOI took power in a constitutional succession. The country was a de facto one-party state from 1969 until 1982 when the ruling Kenya African National Union (KANU) made itself the sole legal party in Kenya. MOI acceded to internal and external pressure for political liberalization in late 1991. The ethnically fractured opposition failed to dislodge KANU from power in elections in 1992 and 1997, which were marred by violence and fraud, but were viewed as having generally reflected the will of the Kenyan people. President MOI stepped down in December 2002 following fair and peaceful elections. Mwai KIBAKI, running as the candidate of the multiethnic, united opposition group, the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC), defeated KANU candidate Uhuru KENYATTA and assumed the presidency following a campaign centered on an anticorruption platform. KIBAKI's NARC coalition splintered in 2005 over the constitutional review process. Government defectors joined with KANU to form a new opposition coalition, the Orange Democratic Movement, which defeated the government's draft constitution in a popular referendum in November 2005. KIBAKI's reelection in December 2007 brought charges of vote rigging from ODM candidate Raila ODINGA and unleashed two months of violence in which as many as 1,500 people died. UN-sponsored talks in late February produced a powersharing accord bringing ODINGA into the government in the restored position of prime minister. Geography ::Kenya Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania Geographic coordinates: 1 00 N, 38 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 580,367 sq km country comparison to the world: 48 land: 569,140 sq km water: 11,227 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than twice the size of Nevada Land boundaries: total: 3,477 km border countries: Ethiopia 861 km, Somalia 682 km, Sudan 232 km, Tanzania 769 km, Uganda 933 km Coastline: 536 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: varies from tropical along coast to arid in interior Terrain: low plains rise to central highlands bisected by Great Rift Valley; fertile plateau in west Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Kenya 5,199 m Natural resources: limestone, soda ash, salt, gemstones, fluorspar, zinc, diatomite, gypsum, wildlife, hydropower Land use: arable land: 8.01% permanent crops: 0.97% other: 91.02% (2005) Irrigated land: 1,030 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 30.2 cu km (1990) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 1.58 cu km/yr (30%/6%/64%) per capita: 46 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: recurring drought; flooding during rainy seasons Environment - current issues: water pollution from urban and industrial wastes; degradation of water quality from increased use of pesticides and fertilizers; water hyacinth infestation in Lake Victoria; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; poaching Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: the Kenyan Highlands comprise one of the most successful agricultural production regions in Africa; glaciers are found on Mount Kenya, Africa's second highest peak; unique physiography supports abundant and varied wildlife of scientific and economic value People ::Kenya Population: 39,002,772 country comparison to the world: 33 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 42.3% (male 8,300,393/female 8,181,898) 15-64 years: 55.1% (male 10,784,119/female 10,702,999) 65 years and over: 2.6% (male 470,218/female 563,145) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 18.7 years male: 18.6 years female: 18.8 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 2.691% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 Birth rate: 36.64 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 Death rate: 9.72 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 Urbanization: urban population: 22% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 54.7 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 44 male: 57.56 deaths/1,000 live births female: 51.78 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 57.86 years country comparison to the world: 188 male: 57.49 years female: 58.24 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.56 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 6.7% (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 1.2 million (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 8 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 150,000 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria and Rift Valley fever water contact disease: schistosomiasis animal contact disease: rabies (2009) Nationality: noun: Kenyan(s) adjective: Kenyan Ethnic groups: Kikuyu 22%, Luhya 14%, Luo 13%, Kalenjin 12%, Kamba 11%, Kisii 6%, Meru 6%, other African 15%, non-African (Asian, European, and Arab) 1% Religions: Protestant 45%, Roman Catholic 33%, Muslim 10%, indigenous beliefs 10%, other 2% note: a large majority of Kenyans are Christian, but estimates for the percentage of the population that adheres to Islam or indigenous beliefs vary widely Languages: English (official), Kiswahili (official), numerous indigenous languages Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 85.1% male: 90.6% female: 79.7% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 10 years male: 10 years female: 9 years (2004) Education expenditures: 6.9% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 27 Government ::Kenya Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Kenya conventional short form: Kenya local long form: Republic of Kenya/Jamhuri ya Kenya local short form: Kenya former: British East Africa Government type: republic Capital: name: Nairobi geographic coordinates: 1 17 S, 36 49 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 7 provinces and 1 area*; Central, Coast, Eastern, Nairobi Area*, North Eastern, Nyanza, Rift Valley, Western Independence: 12 December 1963 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 12 December (1963) Constitution: 12 December 1963; amended as a republic 1964; reissued with amendments 1979, 1982, 1986, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1997, 2001; note - a new draft constitution was defeated by popular referendum in 2005 Legal system: based on Kenyan statutory law, Kenyan and English common law, tribal law, and Islamic law; judicial review in High Court; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; constitutional amendment of 1982 making Kenya a de jure one-party state repealed in 1991 Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Mwai KIBAKI (since 30 December 2002); Vice President Stephene Kalonzo MUSYOKA (since 10 January 2008); head of government: President Mwai KIBAKI (since 30 December 2002); Vice President Stephene Kalonzo MUSYOKA (since 10 January 2008); note - the roles of the president and prime minister are not well defined at this juncture; constitutionally, the president remains chief of state and head of government, but the prime minister is charged with coordinating government business cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president and headed by the prime minister, who is the leader of the largest party in parliament elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); in addition to receiving the largest number of votes in absolute terms, the presidential candidate must also win 25% or more of the vote in at least five of Kenya's seven provinces and one area to avoid a runoff; election last held 27 December 2007 (next to be held in December 2012); vice president appointed by the president election results: President Mwai KIBAKI reelected; percent of vote - Mwai KIBAKI 46%, Raila ODINGA 44%, Kalonzo MUSYOKA 9% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Bunge usually referred to as Parliament (224 seats; 210 members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms, 12 nominated members who are appointed by the president but selected by the parties in proportion to their parliamentary vote totals, 2 ex-officio members) elections: last held 27 December 2007 (next to be held in December 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ODM 99, PNU 46, ODM-K 16, KANU 14 other 35; ex-officio 2; seats appointed by the president - ODM 6, PNU 3, ODM-K 2, KANU 1 Judicial branch: Court of Appeal (chief justice is appointed by the president); High Court Political parties and leaders: Forum for the Restoration of Democracy-Kenya or FORD-Kenya [Musikari KOMBO]; Forum for the Restoration of Democracy-People or FORD-People [Reuben OYONDI]; Kenya African National Union or KANU [Uhuru KENYATTA]; National Rainbow Coalition-Kenya or NARC-Kenya [Martha KARUA]; Orange Democratic Movement or ODM [Raila ODINGA]; Orange Democratic Movement-Kenya or ODM-K [Kalonzo MUSYOKA]; Party of National Unity or PNU [Mwai KIBAKI]; Shirikisho Party of Kenya or SPK [Chirau Ali MWAKWERE] Political pressure groups and leaders: Council of Islamic Preachers of Kenya or CIPK [Sheikh Idris MOHAMMED]; Kenya Human Rights Commission [L. Muthoni WANYEKI]; Muslim Human Rights Forum [Ali-Amin KIMATHI]; National Convention Executive Council or NCEC, a proreform coalition of political parties and nongovernment organizations [Ndung'u WAINANA]; National Muslim Leaders Forum or NAMLEF [Abdullahi ABDI]; Protestant National Council of Churches of Kenya or NCCK [Canon Peter Karanja MWANGI]; Roman Catholic and other Christian churches; Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims or SUPKEM [Shaykh Abdul Gafur al-BUSAIDY] other: labor unions International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, C, COMESA, EAC, EADB, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Peter Rateng Oginga OGEGO chancery: 2249 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 387-6101 FAX: [1] (202) 462-3829 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles consulate(s): New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Michael RANNEBERGER embassy: US Embassy, United Nations Avenue, Nairobi; P. O. Box 606 Village Market, Nairobi 00621 mailing address: Box 21A, Unit 64100, APO AE 09831 telephone: [254] (20) 363-6000 FAX: [254] (20) 363-410 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green; the red band is edged in white; a large warrior's shield covering crossed spears is superimposed at the center Economy ::Kenya Economy - overview: The regional hub for trade and finance in East Africa, Kenya has been hampered by corruption and by reliance upon several primary goods whose prices have remained low. In 1997, the IMF suspended Kenya's Enhanced Structural Adjustment Program due to the government's failure to maintain reforms and curb corruption. A severe drought from 1999 to 2000 compounded Kenya's problems, causing water and energy rationing and reducing agricultural output. As a result, GDP contracted by 0.2% in 2000. The IMF, which had resumed loans in 2000 to help Kenya through the drought, again halted lending in 2001 when the government failed to institute several anticorruption measures. Despite the return of strong rains in 2001, weak commodity prices, endemic corruption, and low investment limited Kenya's economic growth to 1.2%. Growth lagged at 1.1% in 2002 because of erratic rains, low investor confidence, meager donor support, and political infighting up to the elections. In the key December 2002 elections, Daniel Arap MOI's 24-year-old reign ended, and a new opposition government took on the formidable economic problems facing the nation. After some early progress in rooting out corruption and encouraging donor support, the KIBAKI government was rocked by high-level graft scandals in 2005 and 2006. In 2006, the World Bank and IMF delayed loans pending action by the government on corruption. The international financial institutions and donors have since resumed lending, despite little action on the government's part to deal with corruption. Post-election violence in early 2008, coupled with the effects of the global financial crisis on remittance and exports, reduced GDP growth to 2.2% in 2008, down from 7% the previous year. GDP (purchasing power parity): $61.65 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 $60.62 billion (2007 est.) $56.68 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $29.56 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 166 7% (2007 est.) 6.4% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $1,600 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 193 $1,600 (2007 est.) $1,600 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 23.8% industry: 16.7% services: 59.5% (2007 est.) Labor force: 17.37 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 75% industry and services: 25% (2003 est.) Unemployment rate: 40% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 188 40% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 50% (2000 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.8% highest 10%: 37.8% (2005) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 42.5 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 44.9 (1997) Investment (gross fixed): 21.3% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 Budget: revenues: $6.648 billion expenditures: $8.167 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 60.1% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 74.3% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 26.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 216 9.7% (2007 est.) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 14.02% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 56 13.34% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $6.068 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 52 $5.912 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $5.468 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 66 $6.464 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $10.83 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 69 $10.67 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $10.92 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 71 $13.39 billion (31 December 2007) $11.38 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: tea, coffee, corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruit, vegetables; dairy products, beef, pork, poultry, eggs Industries: small-scale consumer goods (plastic, furniture, batteries, textiles, clothing, soap, cigarettes, flour), agricultural products, horticulture, oil refining; aluminum, steel, lead; cement, commercial ship repair, tourism Industrial production growth rate: 4.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 Electricity - production: 5.223 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 Electricity - consumption: 4.863 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 Electricity - exports: 58.3 million kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 22.5 million kWh (2007 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 Oil - consumption: 75,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 Oil - exports: 7,270 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 Oil - imports: 80,530 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 193 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 174 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 170 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 163 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 158 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 164 Current account balance: -$1.978 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 -$1.102 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $5.04 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 108 $4.123 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: tea, horticultural products, coffee, petroleum products, fish, cement Exports - partners: UK 10%, Netherlands 9.2%, Uganda 9%, Tanzania 8.7%, US 6.3%, Pakistan 5.6% (2008) Imports: $10.69 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 $8.381 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and transportation equipment, petroleum products, motor vehicles, iron and steel, resins and plastics Imports - partners: India 14.1%, UAE 11.5%, China 10%, Saudi Arabia 8%, South Africa 5.7%, Japan 5.1% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $2.879 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 $3.355 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $7.855 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 $6.713 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $2.541 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 $1.891 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $12.4 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 $31.4 million (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: Kenyan shillings (KES) per US dollar - 68.358 (2008 est.), 68.309 (2007), 72.101 (2006), 75.554 (2005), 79.174 (2004) Communications ::Kenya Telephones - main lines in use: 252,300 (2008) country comparison to the world: 119 Telephones - mobile cellular: 16.234 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 41 Telephone system: general assessment: inadequate; fixed-line telephone system is small and inefficient; trunks are primarily microwave radio relay; business data commonly transferred by a very small aperture terminal (VSAT) system domestic: no recent growth in fixed-line infrastructure and the sole provider, Telkom Kenya, is slated for privatization; multiple providers in the mobile-cellular segment of the market fostering a boom in mobile-cellular telephone usage international: country code - 254; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat Radio broadcast stations: AM 24, FM 82, shortwave 6 (2008) Television broadcast stations: 8 (2008) Internet country code: .ke Internet hosts: 32,913 (2009) country comparison to the world: 90 Internet users: 3.36 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 56 Transportation ::Kenya Airports: 181 (2009) country comparison to the world: 33 Airports - with paved runways: total: 16 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 6 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 165 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 105 under 914 m: 50 (2009) Pipelines: oil 4 km; refined products 928 km (2008) Railways: total: 2,778 km country comparison to the world: 59 narrow gauge: 2,778 km 1.000-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 63,574 km (interurban roads) country comparison to the world: 70 paved: 9,273 km unpaved: 54,301 km note: there also are 114,226 km of unclassified roads, 2,000 km paved and 112,226 unpaved, for a national total of 177,800 km (2008) Waterways: part of Lake Victoria system is within boundaries of Kenya (2007) Merchant marine: total: 1 country comparison to the world: 160 by type: petroleum tanker 1 registered in other countries: 6 (Bahamas 1, Comoros 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2, Tuvalu 1, unknown 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Mombasa Military ::Kenya Military branches: Kenyan Armed Forces: Kenyan Army, Kenyan Navy, Kenyan Air Force (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age (est.) for voluntary service, with a 9-year obligation (2007) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 9,044,685 females age 16-49: 8,805,736 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 5,935,480 females age 16-49: 5,662,755 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 412,656 female: 408,657 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 2.8% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 56 Transnational Issues ::Kenya Disputes - international: Kenya served as an important mediator in brokering Sudan's north-south separation in February 2005; Kenya provides shelter to almost a quarter of a million refugees, including Ugandans who flee across the border periodically to seek protection from Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebels; Kenya works hard to prevent the clan and militia fighting in Somalia from spreading across the border, which has long been open to nomadic pastoralists; the boundary that separates Kenya's and Sudan's sovereignty is unclear in the "Ilemi Triangle," which Kenya has administered since colonial times Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 173,702 (Somalia); 73,004 (Sudan); 16,428 (Ethiopia) IDPs: 250,000-400,000 (2007 post-election violence; KANU attacks on opposition tribal groups in 1990s) (2007) Illicit drugs: widespread harvesting of small plots of marijuana; transit country for South Asian heroin destined for Europe and North America; Indian methaqualone also transits on way to South Africa; significant potential for money-laundering activity given the country's status as a regional financial center; massive corruption, and relatively high levels of narcotics-associated activities page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Kiribati (Australia-Oceania) Introduction ::Kiribati Background: The Gilbert Islands became a British protectorate in 1892 and a colony in 1915; they were captured by the Japanese in the Pacific War in 1941. The islands of Makin and Tarawa were the sites of major US amphibious victories over entrenched Japanese garrisons in 1943. The Gilbert Islands were granted self-rule by the UK in 1971 and complete independence in 1979 under the new name of Kiribati. The US relinquished all claims to the sparsely inhabited Phoenix and Line Island groups in a 1979 treaty of friendship with Kiribati. Geography ::Kiribati Location: Oceania, group of 33 coral atolls in the Pacific Ocean, straddling the Equator; the capital Tarawa is about half way between Hawaii and Australia; note - on 1 January 1995, Kiribati proclaimed that all of its territory was in the same time zone as its Gilbert Islands group (UTC +12) even though the Phoenix Islands and the Line Islands under its jurisdiction were on the other side of the International Date Line Geographic coordinates: 1 25 N, 173 00 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 811 sq km country comparison to the world: 186 land: 811 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes three island groups - Gilbert Islands, Line Islands, Phoenix Islands Area - comparative: four times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 1,143 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; marine, hot and humid, moderated by trade winds Terrain: mostly low-lying coral atolls surrounded by extensive reefs Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Banaba 81 m Natural resources: phosphate (production discontinued in 1979) Land use: arable land: 2.74% permanent crops: 47.95% other: 49.31% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: typhoons can occur any time, but usually November to March; occasional tornadoes; low level of some of the islands make them sensitive to changes in sea level Environment - current issues: heavy pollution in lagoon of south Tarawa atoll due to heavy migration mixed with traditional practices such as lagoon latrines and open-pit dumping; ground water at risk Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: 21 of the 33 islands are inhabited; Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Makatea in French Polynesia, and Nauru People ::Kiribati Population: 112,850 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 189 Age structure: 0-14 years: 37.6% (male 21,488/female 20,899) 15-64 years: 59% (male 32,871/female 33,690) 65 years and over: 3.5% (male 1,656/female 2,246) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 20.8 years male: 20.3 years female: 21.3 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 2.235% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 Birth rate: 30.2 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 Death rate: 7.85 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 44% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 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: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 43.48 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 61 male: 48.35 deaths/1,000 live births female: 38.36 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63.22 years country comparison to the world: 174 male: 60.14 years female: 66.45 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.04 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: I-Kiribati (singular and plural) adjective: I-Kiribati Ethnic groups: Micronesian 98.8%, other 1.2% (2000 census) Religions: Roman Catholic 52%, Protestant (Congregational) 40%, other (includes Seventh-Day Adventist, Muslim, Baha'i, Latter-day Saints, Church of God) 8% (1999) Languages: I-Kiribati, English (official) Literacy: NA School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 13 years (2005) Education expenditures: 17.8% of GDP (2002) country comparison to the world: 1 Government ::Kiribati Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Kiribati conventional short form: Kiribati local long form: Republic of Kiribati local short form: Kiribati note: pronounced keer-ree-bahss former: Gilbert Islands Government type: republic Capital: name: Tarawa geographic coordinates: 1 19 N, 172 58 E time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 3 units; Gilbert Islands, Line Islands, Phoenix Islands; note - in addition, there are 6 districts (Banaba, Central Gilberts, Line Islands, Northern Gilberts, Southern Gilberts, Tarawa) and 21 island councils - one for each of the inhabited islands (Abaiang, Abemama, Aranuka, Arorae, Banaba, Beru, Butaritari, Kanton, Kiritimati, Kuria, Maiana, Makin, Marakei, Nikunau, Nonouti, Onotoa, Tabiteuea, Tabuaeran, Tamana, Tarawa, Teraina) Independence: 12 July 1979 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 12 July (1979) Constitution: 12 July 1979 Legal system: English common law supplemented by local, customary law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Anote TONG (since 10 July 2003); Vice President Teima ONORIO; note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Anote TONG (since 10 July 2003); Vice President Teima ONORIO cabinet: 12-member cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the House of Parliament elections: the House of Parliament chooses the presidential candidates from among its members and then those candidates compete in a general election; president is elected by popular vote for a four-year term (eligible for two more terms); election last held 17 October 2007 (next to be held in 2011); vice president appointed by the president election results: Anote TONG 63.7%, Nabuti MWEMWENIKARAWA 32.9% Legislative branch: unicameral House of Parliament or Maneaba Ni Maungatabu (46 seats; 44 members elected by popular vote, 1 ex officio member - the attorney general, 1 nominated by the Rabi Council of Leaders (representing Banaba Island); serve four-year terms) elections: legislative elections were held in two rounds - the first round on 22 August 2007 and the second round on 30 August 2007 (next to be held in 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA, other 2 (includes attorney general) Judicial branch: Court of Appeal; High Court; 26 Magistrates' courts; judges at all levels are appointed by the president Political parties and leaders: Boutokaan Te Koaua Party or BTK [Taberannang TIMEON]; Maneaban Te Mauri Party or MTM [Teburoro TITO]; Maurin Kiribati Pati or MKP; National Progressive Party or NPP [Dr. Harry TONG] note: there is no tradition of formally organized political parties in Kiribati; they more closely resemble factions or interest groups because they have no party headquarters, formal platforms, or party structures Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACP, ADB, C, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, ITUC, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation in the US: Kiribati does not have an embassy in the US; there is an honorary consulate in Honolulu Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Kiribati; the ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Kiribati Flag description: the upper half is red with a yellow frigate bird flying over a yellow rising sun, and the lower half is blue with three horizontal wavy white stripes to represent the ocean Economy ::Kiribati Economy - overview: A remote country of 33 scattered coral atolls, Kiribati has few natural resources and is one of the least developed Pacific Islands. Commercially viable phosphate deposits were exhausted at the time of independence from the UK in 1979. Copra and fish now represent the bulk of production and exports. The economy has fluctuated widely in recent years. Economic development is constrained by a shortage of skilled workers, weak infrastructure, and remoteness from international markets. Tourism provides more than one-fifth of GDP. Private sector initiatives and a financial sector are in the early stages of development. Foreign financial aid from the EU, UK, US, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, UN agencies, and Taiwan accounts for 20-25% of GDP. Remittances from seamen on merchant ships abroad account for more than $5 million each year. Kiribati receives around $15 million annually for the government budget from an Australian trust fund. GDP (purchasing power parity): $580.8 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 210 $561.7 million (2007 est.) $564.6 million (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $137 million (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 -0.5% (2007 est.) 3.2% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $5,300 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 137 $5,200 (2007 est.) $5,400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 8.9% industry: 24.2% services: 66.8% (2004) Labor force: 7,870 economically active, not including subsistence farmers (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 210 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 2.7% industry: 32% services: 65.3% (2000) Unemployment rate: 2% (1992 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $55.52 million expenditures: $59.71 million (FY05) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: copra, taro, breadfruit, sweet potatoes, vegetables; fish Industries: fishing, handicrafts Industrial production growth rate: NA Electricity - production: 14 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 208 Electricity - consumption: 13.02 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 209 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 Oil - consumption: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 206 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 174 Oil - imports: 260.8 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 201 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 191 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 172 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 81 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 156 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 Current account balance: -$21 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 Exports: $17 million (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 206 Exports - commodities: copra 62%, coconuts, seaweed, fish Imports: $62 million (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 212 Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, miscellaneous manufactured goods, fuel Debt - external: $10 million (1999 est.) country comparison to the world: 197 Exchange rates: Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.2059 (2008 est.), 1.2137 (2007), 1.3285 (2006), 1.3095 (2005), 1.3598 (2004) Communications ::Kiribati Telephones - main lines in use: 4,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 216 Telephones - mobile cellular: 1,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 218 Telephone system: general assessment: generally good quality national and international service domestic: wire line service available on Tarawa and Kiritimati (Christmas Island); connections to outer islands by HF/VHF radiotelephone; wireless service available in Tarawa since 1999 international: country code - 686; Kiribati is being linked to the Pacific Ocean Cooperative Telecommunications Network, which should improve telephone service; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 1 (may be inactive) (2002) Television broadcast stations: 1 (possibly inactive) (2002) Internet country code: .ki Internet hosts: 41 (2009) country comparison to the world: 212 Internet users: 2,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 209 Transportation ::Kiribati Airports: 19 (2009) country comparison to the world: 137 Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 15 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 4 (2009) Roadways: total: 670 km (2000) country comparison to the world: 189 Waterways: 5 km (small network of canals in Line Islands) (2007) country comparison to the world: 109 Merchant marine: total: 43 country comparison to the world: 76 by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 18, chemical tanker 3, petroleum tanker 6, refrigerated cargo 14 foreign-owned: 31 (China 15, Hong Kong 4, South Korea 2, Singapore 4, Taiwan 5, Turkey 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Betio Military ::Kiribati Military branches: no regular military forces (constitutionally prohibited); Police Force (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 26,377 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 18,129 females age 16-49: 20,643 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 1,264 female: 1,242 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: NA Military - note: Kiribati does not have military forces; defense assistance is provided by Australia and NZ Transnational Issues ::Kiribati Disputes - international: none page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Korea, North (East & Southeast Asia) Introduction ::Korea, North Background: An independent kingdom for much of its long history, Korea was occupied by Japan beginning in 1905 following the Russo-Japanese War. Five years later, Japan formally annexed the entire peninsula. Following World War II, Korea was split with the northern half coming under Soviet-sponsored Communist control. After failing in the Korean War (1950-53) to conquer the US-backed Republic of Korea (ROK) in the southern portion by force, North Korea (DPRK), under its founder President KIM Il Sung, adopted a policy of ostensible diplomatic and economic "self-reliance" as a check against outside influence. The DPRK demonized the US as the ultimate threat to its social system through state-funded propaganda, and molded political, economic, and military policies around the core ideological objective of eventual unification of Korea under Pyongyang's control. KIM's son, the current ruler KIM Jong Il, was officially designated as his father's successor in 1980, assuming a growing political and managerial role until the elder KIM's death in 1994. After decades of economic mismanagement and resource misallocation, the DPRK since the mid-1990s has relied heavily on international aid to feed its population. North Korea's history of regional military provocations, proliferation of military-related items, long-range missile development, WMD programs including nuclear weapons test in 2006 and 2009, and massive conventional armed forces are of major concern to the international community. Geography ::Korea, North Location: Eastern Asia, northern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Korea Bay and the Sea of Japan, between China and South Korea Geographic coordinates: 40 00 N, 127 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 120,538 sq km country comparison to the world: 98 land: 120,408 sq km water: 130 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Mississippi Land boundaries: total: 1,673 km border countries: China 1,416 km, South Korea 238 km, Russia 19 km Coastline: 2,495 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm note: military boundary line 50 nm in the Sea of Japan and the exclusive economic zone limit in the Yellow Sea where all foreign vessels and aircraft without permission are banned Climate: temperate with rainfall concentrated in summer Terrain: mostly hills and mountains separated by deep, narrow valleys; coastal plains wide in west, discontinuous in east Elevation extremes: lowest point: Sea of Japan 0 m highest point: Paektu-san 2,744 m Natural resources: coal, lead, tungsten, zinc, graphite, magnesite, iron ore, copper, gold, pyrites, salt, fluorspar, hydropower Land use: arable land: 22.4% permanent crops: 1.66% other: 75.94% (2005) Irrigated land: 14,600 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 77.1 cu km (1999) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 9.02 cu km/yr (20%/25%/55%) per capita: 401 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: late spring droughts often followed by severe flooding; occasional typhoons during the early fall Environment - current issues: water pollution; inadequate supplies of potable water; waterborne disease; deforestation; soil erosion and degradation Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Geography - note: strategic location bordering China, South Korea, and Russia; mountainous interior is isolated and sparsely populated People ::Korea, North Population: 22,665,345 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 Age structure: 0-14 years: 21.3% (male 2,440,439/female 2,376,557) 15-64 years: 69.4% (male 7,776,889/female 7,945,399) 65 years and over: 9.4% (male 820,504/female 1,305,557) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 33.5 years male: 32.1 years female: 34.9 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.42% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 160 Birth rate: 14.82 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 141 Death rate: 10.52 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 Net migration rate: -0.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 Urbanization: urban population: 63% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 51.34 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 49 male: 58.64 deaths/1,000 live births female: 43.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63.81 years country comparison to the world: 170 male: 61.23 years female: 66.53 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.96 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 136 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Korean(s) adjective: Korean Ethnic groups: racially homogeneous; there is a small Chinese community and a few ethnic Japanese Religions: traditionally Buddhist and Confucianist, some Christian and syncretic Chondogyo (Religion of the Heavenly Way) note: autonomous religious activities now almost nonexistent; government-sponsored religious groups exist to provide illusion of religious freedom Languages: Korean Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% Education expenditures: NA Government ::Korea, North Country name: conventional long form: Democratic People's Republic of Korea conventional short form: North Korea local long form: Choson-minjujuui-inmin-konghwaguk local short form: Choson abbreviation: DPRK Government type: Communist state one-man dictatorship Capital: name: Pyongyang geographic coordinates: 39 01 N, 125 45 E time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 9 provinces (do, singular and plural) and 2 municipalities (si, singular and plural) provinces: Chagang-do (Chagang), Hamgyong-bukto (North Hamgyong), Hamgyong-namdo (South Hamgyong), Hwanghae-bukto (North Hwanghae), Hwanghae-namdo (South Hwanghae), Kangwon-do (Kangwon), P'yongan-bukto (North P'yongan), P'yongan-namdo (South P'yongan), Yanggang-do (Yanggang) municipalities: Nason-si, P'yongyang-si Independence: 15 August 1945 (from Japan) National holiday: Founding of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), 9 September (1948) Constitution: adopted 1948; revised several times Legal system: based on Prussian civil law system with Japanese influences and Communist legal theory; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 17 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: KIM Jong Il (since July 1994); note - on 9 April 2009, rubberstamp Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) reelected KIM Jong Il chairman of the National Defense Commission, a position accorded nation's "highest administrative authority"; SPA reelected KIM Yong Nam in 2003 president of its Presidium also with responsibility of representing state and receiving diplomatic credentials head of government: Premier KIM Yong Il (since 11 April 2007); Vice Premier KWAK Pom Gi (since 5 September 1998), Vice Premier O Su Yong (since 13 April 2009), Vice Premier PAK Su Gil (since 18 September 2009), Vice Premier PAK Myong Su (since 4 September 2009), Vice Premier RO Tu Chol (since 3 September 2003) cabinet: Naegak (cabinet) members, except for Minister of People's Armed Forces, are appointed by SPA elections: last held in September 2003; date of next election NA election results: KIM Jong Il and KIM Yong Nam were only nominees for positions and ran unopposed Legislative branch: unicameral Supreme People's Assembly or Ch'oego Inmin Hoeui (687 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 8 March 2009 (next due to be held in March 2014) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; ruling party approves a list of candidates who are elected without opposition; a token number of seats are reserved for minor parties Judicial branch: Central Court (judges are elected by the Supreme People's Assembly) Political parties and leaders: major party - Korean Workers' Party or KWP [KIM Jong Il]; minor parties - Chondoist Chongu Party [RYU Mi Yong] (under KWP control), Social Democratic Party [KIM Yong Dae] (under KWP control) Political pressure groups and leaders: none International organization participation: ARF, FAO, G-77, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, IMO, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation in the US: none; North Korea has a Permanent Mission to the UN in New York Diplomatic representation from the US: none; note - Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang represents the US as consular protecting power Flag description: three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue; the red band is edged in white; on the hoist side of the red band is a white disk with a red five-pointed star Economy ::Korea, North Economy - overview: North Korea, one of the world's most centrally directed and least open economies, faces chronic economic problems. Industrial capital stock is nearly beyond repair as a result of years of underinvestment and shortages of spare parts. Large-scale military spending draws off resources needed for investment and civilian consumption. Industrial and power output have declined in parallel from pre-1990 levels. Severe flooding in the summer of 2007 aggravated chronic food shortages caused by on-going systemic problems including a lack of arable land, collective farming practices, and persistent shortages of tractors and fuel. Large-scale international food aid deliveries have allowed the people of North Korea to escape widespread starvation since famine threatened in 1995, but the population continues to suffer from prolonged malnutrition and poor living conditions. Since 2002, the government has allowed private "farmers' markets" to begin selling a wider range of goods. It also permitted some private farming - on an experimental basis - in an effort to boost agricultural output. In October 2005, the government tried to reverse some of these policies by forbidding private sales of grains and reinstituting a centralized food rationing system. By December 2005, the government terminated most international humanitarian assistance operations in North Korea (calling instead for developmental assistance only) and restricted the activities of remaining international and non-governmental aid organizations such as the World Food Program. External food aid now comes primarily from China and South Korea in the form of grants and long-term concessional loans. In May 2008, the US agreed to give 500,000 metric tons of food to North Korea via the World Food Program and US nongovernmental organizations; Pyongyang began receiving these shipments in mid-2008. During the October 2007 summit, South Korea also agreed to develop some of North Korea's infrastructure, natural resources, and light industry, but inter-Korean economic cooperation slowed in 2008 as Pyongyang restricted tourism and manufacturing joint ventures in the North, and food aid from South Korea was suspended. Firm political control remains the Communist government's overriding concern, which will likely inhibit the loosening of economic regulations. GDP (purchasing power parity): $40 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $26.2 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 GDP - per capita (PPP): $1,800 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 189 note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 23.3% industry: 43.1% services: 33.6% (2002 est.) Labor force: 20 million country comparison to the world: 31 note: estimates vary widely (2004 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 37% industry and services: 63% (2004 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $2.88 billion expenditures: $2.98 billion (2005) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Agriculture - products: rice, corn, potatoes, soybeans, pulses; cattle, pigs, pork, eggs Industries: military products; machine building, electric power, chemicals; mining (coal, iron ore, limestone, magnesite, graphite, copper, zinc, lead, and precious metals), metallurgy; textiles, food processing; tourism Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 20.9 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 Electricity - consumption: 17.49 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 120.7 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 Oil - consumption: 16,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 175 Oil - imports: 13,890 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl country comparison to the world: 192 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 173 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 169 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 82 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 157 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 163 Exports: $1.684 billion (2007) country comparison to the world: 136 Exports - commodities: minerals, metallurgical products, manufactures (including armaments), textiles, agricultural and fishery products Exports - partners: South Korea 45%, China 35%, India 5% (2007) Imports: $3.055 billion (2007) country comparison to the world: 140 $2.879 billion (2006) Imports - commodities: petroleum, coking coal, machinery and equipment, textiles, grain Imports - partners: China 46%, South Korea 34%, Thailand 6%, Russia 4% (2007) Debt - external: $12.5 billion (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 Exchange rates: North Korean won (KPW) per US dollar - 140 (2007), 141 (2006), 170 (December 2004), market rate: North Korean won per US dollar - 3,400 (October 2008) Communications ::Korea, North Telephones - main lines in use: 1.18 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 71 Telephone system: general assessment: inadequate system; currently mobile cellular telephone services are available in Pyongyang only domestic: fiber-optic links installed between cities; telephone directories unavailable; mobile cellular service, initiated in 2002, suspended in 2004; Orascom Telecom, an Egyptian company, launched mobile service on December 15, 2008 for the Pyongyang area only international: country code - 850; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Russian - Indian Ocean region); other international connections through Moscow and Beijing (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 17 (including 11 stations of Korean Central Broadcasting Station; North Korea has a "national intercom" cable radio station wired throughout the country that is a significant source of information for the average North Korean citizen; it is wired into most residences and workplaces and carries news and commentary), FM 14, shortwave 14 (2006) Television broadcast stations: 4 (includes Korean Central Television, Mansudae Television, Korean Educational and Cultural Network, and Kaesong Television targeting South Korea) (2003) Internet country code: .kp Internet hosts: 3 (2009) country comparison to the world: 227 Transportation ::Korea, North Airports: 79 (2009) country comparison to the world: 70 Airports - with paved runways: total: 37 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 22 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 4 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 42 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 17 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 8 (2009) Heliports: 22 (2009) Pipelines: oil 154 km (2008) Railways: total: 5,235 km country comparison to the world: 34 standard gauge: 5,235 km 1.435-m gauge (3,500 km electrified) (2006) Roadways: total: 25,554 km country comparison to the world: 104 paved: 724 km unpaved: 24,830 km (2006) Waterways: 2,250 km (most navigable only by small craft) (2008) country comparison to the world: 39 Merchant marine: total: 167 country comparison to the world: 39 by type: bulk carrier 11, cargo 121, carrier 1, chemical tanker 4, container 3, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 19, refrigerated cargo 4, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: 19 (Egypt 1, Greece 1, Lebanon 1, Lithuania 1, Romania 4, Syria 1, UAE 8, Yemen 2) registered in other countries: 2 (Mongolia 1, Panama 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Ch'ongjin, Haeju, Hungnam (Hamhung), Kimch'aek, Kosong, Najin, Namp'o, Sinuiju, Songnim, Sonbong (formerly Unggi), Ungsang, Wonsan Military ::Korea, North Military branches: North Korean People's Army: Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force; civil security forces (2005) Military service age and obligation: 17 years of age (2004) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 6,225,747 females age 16-49: 6,188,270 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 4,104,964 females age 16-49: 4,492,374 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 191,759 female: 184,641 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: NA Transnational Issues ::Korea, North Disputes - international: risking arrest, imprisonment, and deportation, tens of thousands of North Koreans cross into China to escape famine, economic privation, and political oppression; North Korea and China dispute the sovereignty of certain islands in Yalu and Tumen rivers; Military Demarcation Line within the 4-km wide Demilitarized Zone has separated North from South Korea since 1953; periodic incidents in the Yellow Sea with South Korea which claims the Northern Limiting Line as a maritime boundary; North Korea supports South Korea in rejecting Japan's claim to Liancourt Rocks (Tok-do/Take-shima) Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs: undetermined (flooding in mid-2007 and famine during mid-1990s) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: North Korea is a source country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation; the most common form of trafficking involves North Korean women and girls who cross the border into China voluntarily; additionally, North Korean women and girls are lured out of North Korea to escape poor social and economic conditions by the promise of food, jobs, and freedom, only to be forced into prostitution, marriage, or exploitative labor arrangements once in China tier rating: Tier 3 - North Korea does not fully comply with minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government does not acknowledge the existence of human rights abuses in the country or recognize trafficking, either within the country or transnationally; North Korea has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008) Illicit drugs: for years, from the 1970s into the 2000s, citizens of the Democratic People's Republic of (North) Korea (DPRK), many of them diplomatic employees of the government, were apprehended abroad while trafficking in narcotics, including two in Turkey in December 2004; police investigations in Taiwan and Japan in recent years have linked North Korea to large illicit shipments of heroin and methamphetamine, including an attempt by the North Korean merchant ship Pong Su to deliver 150 kg of heroin to Australia in April 2003 page last updated on November 12, 2009 ====================================================================== @Korea, South (East & Southeast Asia) Introduction ::Korea, South Background: An independent Korean state or collection of states has existed almost continuously for several millennia. Between its initial unification in the 7th century - from three predecessor Korean states - until the 20th century, Korea existed as a single independent country. In 1905, following the Russo-Japanese War, Korea became a protectorate of imperial Japan, and in 1910 it was annexed as a colony. Korea regained its independence following Japan's surrender to the United States in 1945. After World War II, a Republic of Korea (ROK) was set up in the southern half of the Korean Peninsula while a Communist-style government was installed in the north (the DPRK). During the Korean War (1950-53), US troops and UN forces fought alongside soldiers from the ROK to defend South Korea from DPRK attacks supported by China and the Soviet Union. An armistice was signed in 1953, splitting the peninsula along a demilitarized zone at about the 38th parallel. Thereafter, South Korea achieved rapid economic growth with per capita income rising to roughly 14 times the level of North Korea. In 1993, KIM Young-sam became South Korea's first civilian president following 32 years of military rule. South Korea today is a fully functioning modern democracy. In June 2000, a historic first North-South summit took place between the South's President KIM Dae-jung and the North's leader KIM Jong Il. In October 2007, a second North-South summit took place between the South's President ROH Moo-hyun and the North Korean leader. Harsh rhetoric and unwillingness by North Korea to engage with President LEE Myung-bak following his February 2008 inauguration has strained inter-Korean relations. Geography ::Korea, South Location: Eastern Asia, southern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea Geographic coordinates: 37 00 N, 127 30 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 99,720 sq km country comparison to the world: 108 land: 96,920 sq km water: 2,800 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Indiana Land boundaries: total: 238 km border countries: North Korea 238 km Coastline: 2,413 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm; between 3 nm and 12 nm in the Korea Strait contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: not specified Climate: temperate, with rainfall heavier in summer than winter Terrain: mostly hills and mountains; wide coastal plains in west and south Elevation extremes: lowest point: Sea of Japan 0 m highest point: Halla-san 1,950 m Natural resources: coal, tungsten, graphite, molybdenum, lead, hydropower potential Land use: arable land: 16.58% permanent crops: 2.01% other: 81.41% (2005) Irrigated land: 8,780 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 69.7 cu km (1999) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 18.59 cu km/yr (36%/16%/48%) per capita: 389 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: occasional typhoons bring high winds and floods; low-level seismic activity common in southwest Environment - current issues: air pollution in large cities; acid rain; water pollution from the discharge of sewage and industrial effluents; drift net fishing Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: strategic location on Korea Strait People ::Korea, South Population: 48,508,972 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 Age structure: 0-14 years: 16.8% (male 4,278,581/female 3,887,516) 15-64 years: 72.3% (male 17,897,053/female 17,196,840) 65 years and over: 10.8% (male 2,104,589/female 3,144,393) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 37.3 years male: 36 years female: 38.5 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.266% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 178 Birth rate: 8.93 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 212 Death rate: 5.94 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 165 Net migration rate: -0.33 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 Urbanization: urban population: 81% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 4.26 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 204 male: 4.49 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.72 years country comparison to the world: 40 male: 75.45 years female: 82.22 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.21 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 218 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 13,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 93 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 500 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 Nationality: noun: Korean(s) adjective: Korean Ethnic groups: homogeneous (except for about 20,000 Chinese) Religions: Christian 26.3% (Protestant 19.7%, Roman Catholic 6.6%), Buddhist 23.2%, other or unknown 1.3%, none 49.3% (1995 census) Languages: Korean, English widely taught in junior high and high school Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.9% male: 99.2% female: 96.6% (2002) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 17 years male: 18 years female: 15 years (2007) Education expenditures: 4.6% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 85 Government ::Korea, South Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Korea conventional short form: South Korea local long form: Taehan-min'guk local short form: Han'guk abbreviation: ROK Government type: republic Capital: name: Seoul geographic coordinates: 37 33 N, 126 59 E time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 9 provinces (do, singular and plural) and 7 metropolitan cities (gwangyoksi, singular and plural) provinces: Cheju-do, Cholla-bukto (North Cholla), Cholla-namdo (South Cholla), Ch'ungch'ong-bukto (North Ch'ungch'ong), Ch'ungch'ong-namdo (South Ch'ungch'ong), Kangwon-do, Kyonggi-do, Kyongsang-bukto (North Kyongsang), Kyongsang-namdo (South Kyongsang) metropolitan cities: Inch'on-gwangyoksi, Kwangju-gwangyoksi, Pusan-gwangyoksi, Soul-t'ukpyolsi, Taegu-gwangyoksi, Taejon-gwangyoksi, Ulsan-gwangyoksi Independence: 15 August 1945 (from Japan) National holiday: Liberation Day, 15 August (1945) Constitution: 17 July 1948; note - amended or rewritten nine times; current constitution approved on 29 October 1987 Legal system: combines elements of continental European civil law systems, Anglo-American law, and Chinese classical thought; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 19 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President LEE Myung-bak (since 25 February 2008) head of government: Prime Minister CHUNG Un-chan (since 30 September 2009) cabinet: State Council appointed by the president on the prime minister's recommendation elections: president elected by popular vote for a single five-year term; election last held 19 December 2007 (next to be held in December 2012); prime minister appointed by president with consent of National Assembly election results: LEE Myung-bak elected president on 19 December 2007; percent of vote - LEE Myung-bak (GNP) 48.7%; CHUNG Dong-young (UNDP) 26.1%); LEE Hoi-chang (independent) 15.1; others 10.1% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Kukhoe (299 seats; 243 members elected in single-seat constituencies, 56 elected by proportional representation; to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 9 April 2008 (next to be held in April 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - GNP 172, UDP 83, LFP 20, Pro-Park Alliance 8, DLP 5, CKP 1, independents 9 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (justices appointed by the president with consent of National Assembly); Constitutional Court (justices appointed by the president based partly on nominations by National Assembly and Chief Justice of the court) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party or DP [CHUNG Sye-kyun] (formerly the United Democratic Party or UDP); Democratic Labor Party or DLP [KANG Ki-kabi]; Grand National Party or GNP [CHUNG Mong-joon]; Liberty Forward Party or LFP [LEE Hoi-chang]; Pro-Park Alliance or PPA [SUH Choung-won]; Renewal Korea Party or RKP [MOON Kook-hyun] Political pressure groups and leaders: Federation of Korean Industries; Federation of Korean Trade Unions; Korean Confederation of Trade Unions; Korean National Council of Churches; Korean Traders Association; Korean Veterans' Association; National Council of Labor Unions; National Democratic Alliance of Korea; National Federation of Farmers' Associations; National Federation of Student Associations International organization participation: ADB, AfDB (nonregional member), APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, CP, EAS, EBRD, FAO, G-20, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAIA, MIGA, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMOGIP, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador HAN Duck-soo chancery: 2450 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 939-5600 FAX: [1] (202) 387-0205 consulate(s) general: Agana (Guam), Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Kathleen STEPHENS embassy: 32 Sejongno, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-710 mailing address: US Embassy Seoul, APO AP 96205-5550 telephone: [82] (2) 397-4114 FAX: [82] (2) 738-8845 Flag description: white with a red (top) and blue yin-yang symbol in the center; there is a different black trigram from the ancient I Ching (Book of Changes) in each corner of the white field Economy ::Korea, South Economy - overview: Since the 1960s, South Korea has achieved an incredible record of growth and integration into the high-tech modern world economy. Four decades ago, GDP per capita was comparable with levels in the poorer countries of Africa and Asia. In 2004, South Korea joined the trillion dollar club of world economies. In 2008, its GDP per capita was roughly the same as that of the Czech Republic and New Zealand. Initially, this success was achieved by a system of close government/business ties including directed credit, import restrictions, sponsorship of specific industries, and a strong labor effort. The government promoted the import of raw materials and technology at the expense of consumer goods and encouraged savings and investment over consumption. The Asian financial crisis of 1997-98 exposed longstanding weaknesses in South Korea's development model including high debt/equity ratios, massive foreign borrowing, and an undisciplined financial sector. GDP plunged by 6.9% in 1998, then recovered by 9% in 1999-2000. Korea adopted numerous economic reforms following the crisis, including greater openness to foreign investment and imports. Growth fell back to 3.3% in 2001 because of the slowing global economy, falling exports, and the perception that much-needed corporate and financial reforms had stalled. Led by consumer spending and exports, growth in 2002 was an impressive 7% despite anemic global growth. Between 2003 and 2007, growth moderated to about 4-5% annually. A downturn in consumer spending was offset by rapid export growth. In 2008, inflation increased in the face of rising oil and food prices before easing in the fourth quarter. Korea was hit hard by the global financial turmoil that began in September 2008. Stock prices fell by more than 40% for the year and the value of the won fell by approximately 26%. Korean GDP shrank in the fourth quarter and GDP growth for the year was just 2.2%. The Korean government adopted several measures to combat the credit crunch and stimulate the economy. GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.338 trillion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 $1.309 trillion (2007 est.) $1.245 trillion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $929.1 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 5.1% (2007 est.) 5.2% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $27,700 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 $27,100 (2007 est.) $25,900 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3% industry: 39.5% services: 57.6% (2008 est.) Labor force: 24.35 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 7.2% industry: 25.1% services: 67.7% (2007) Unemployment rate: 3.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 3.3% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 15% (2003 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.7% highest 10%: 24.2% (2007) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 31.3 (2007) country comparison to the world: 105 35.8 (2000) Investment (gross fixed): 27.1% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 Budget: revenues: $227.5 billion expenditures: $216.7 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 24.4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 21.3% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 2.5% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 1.75% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 131 3.25% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 7.17% (31 December 2008) Stock of money: $80.66 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 15 $92.59 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $478 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 8 $541.7 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $937 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 12 $1.061 trillion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $494.6 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 16 $1.124 trillion (31 December 2007) $835.2 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: rice, root crops, barley, vegetables, fruit; cattle, pigs, chickens, milk, eggs; fish Industries: electronics, telecommunications, automobile production, chemicals, shipbuilding, steel Industrial production growth rate: 2.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 101 Electricity - production: 440 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 Electricity - consumption: 385.1 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 30,440 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 Oil - consumption: 2.175 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 Oil - exports: 800,000 bbl/day country comparison to the world: 22 note: exports consist of oil derivatives (gasoline, light oil, and diesel), not crude oil (2008 est.) Oil - imports: 2.982 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl country comparison to the world: 190 Natural gas - production: 443 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 Natural gas - consumption: 34.76 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 80 Natural gas - imports: 36.21 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 Natural gas - proved reserves: 50 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 Current account balance: -$6.349 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 161 $5.954 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $433.5 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 $379 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: semiconductors, wireless telecommunications equipment, motor vehicles, computers, steel, ships, petrochemicals Exports - partners: China 21.4%, US 10.9%, Japan 6.6%, Hong Kong 4.6% (2008) Imports: $427.4 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 $349.6 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery, electronics and electronic equipment, oil, steel, transport equipment, organic chemicals, plastics Imports - partners: China 17.7%, Japan 14%, US 8.9%, Saudi Arabia 7.8%, UAE 4.4%, Australia 4.1% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $201.2 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 $262.2 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $381.1 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 $383.2 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $124.2 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 $122 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $74.6 billion (30 June 2008) country comparison to the world: 26 $82.1 billion (2006) Exchange rates: South Korean won (KRW) per US dollar - 1,101.7 (2008 est.), 929.2 (2007), 954.8 (2006), 1,024.1 (2005), 1,145.3 (2004) Communications ::Korea, South Telephones - main lines in use: 21.325 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 13 Telephones - mobile cellular: 45.607 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 23 Telephone system: general assessment: excellent domestic and international services featuring rapid incorporation of new technologies domestic: fixed-line and mobile-cellular services wide available with a combined telephone subscribership of roughly 140 per 100 persons; rapid assimilation of a full range of telecommunications technologies leading to a boom in e-commerce international: country code - 82; numerous submarine cables provide links throughout Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, and US; satellite earth stations - 66 Radio broadcast stations: AM 96, FM 322, shortwave 1 (2008) Television broadcast stations: 57 (plus 103 cable operators and 119 relay cable operators) (2008) Internet country code: .kr Internet hosts: 301,270 (2009) country comparison to the world: 54 Internet users: 37.476 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 10 Transportation ::Korea, South Airports: 116 (2009) country comparison to the world: 53 Airports - with paved runways: total: 72 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 22 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 22 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 44 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 42 (2009) Heliports: 516 (2009) Pipelines: gas 1,423 km; refined products 827 km (2008) Railways: total: 3,381 km country comparison to the world: 51 standard gauge: 3,381 km 1.435-m gauge (1,843 km electrified) (2008) Roadways: total: 103,029 km country comparison to the world: 40 paved: 80,642 km (includes 3,367 km of expressways) unpaved: 22,387 km (2008) Waterways: 1,608 km (most navigable only by small craft) (2008) country comparison to the world: 50 Merchant marine: total: 812 country comparison to the world: 14 by type: bulk carrier 212, cargo 226, carrier 2, chemical tanker 133, container 80, liquefied gas 33, passenger 5, passenger/cargo 26, petroleum tanker 61, refrigerated cargo 16, roll on/roll off 9, specialized tanker 4, vehicle carrier 5 foreign-owned: 31 (China 1, Japan 20, Norway 2, UK 1, US 7) registered in other countries: 363 (Belize 1, Cambodia 22, China 1, Cyprus 1, Honduras 6, Hong Kong 3, Kiribati 2, Liberia 3, Malta 2, Marshall Islands 10, Mongolia 1, Netherlands 1, Panama 303, Russia 1, Singapore 3, Tuvalu 1, unknown 2) (2008) Ports and terminals: Inch'on, P'ohang, Pusan, Ulsan Military ::Korea, South Military branches: Republic of Korea Army, Navy (includes Marine Corps), Air Force (2009) Military service age and obligation: 20-30 years of age for compulsory military service, with middle school education required; conscript service obligation - 24-28 months, depending on the military branch involved (to be reduced to 18 months beginning 2016); 18-26 years of age for voluntary military service; women, in service since 1950, admitted to 7 service branches, including infantry, but excluded from artillery, armor, anti-air, and chaplaincy corps; some 4,000 women serve as commissioned and noncommissioned officers, approx. 2.3% of all officers (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 13,691,809 females age 16-49: 13,029,859 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 10,991,263 females age 16-49: 10,356,604 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 371,728 female: 322,605 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 2.7% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 58 Transnational Issues ::Korea, South Disputes - international: Military Demarcation Line within the 4-km wide Demilitarized Zone has separated North from South Korea since 1953; periodic incidents with North Korea in the Yellow Sea over the Northern Limiting Line, which South Korea claims as a maritime boundary; South Korea and Japan claim Liancourt Rocks (Tok-do/Take-shima), occupied by South Korea since 1954 page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Kosovo (Europe) Introduction ::Kosovo Background: Ethnic Serbs migrated to the territories of modern Kosovo in the 7th century but did not fully incorporate them into the Serbian realm until the early 13th century. The defeat of the Serbian empire at the Battle of Kosovo in 1389 led to five centuries of Ottoman rule during which large numbers of Turks and Albanians moved to Kosovo. By the end of the 19th century, Albanians replaced the Serbs as the dominant ethnic group in Kosovo. Serbia reacquired control over Kosovo from the Ottoman Empire during the First Balkan War of 1912. Kosovo became an autonomous province of Serbia with status almost equivalent to that of a republic under the 1974 Constitution of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Despite legislative concessions, Albanian nationalism increased in the 1980s, which led to riots and calls for Kosovo's independence. At the same time, Serb nationalist leaders, such as Slobodan MILOSEVIC, exploited Kosovo Serb claims of maltreatment to secure votes from supporters, many of whom viewed Kosovo as their cultural heartland. Under MILOSEVIC's leadership, Serbia instituted a new constitution in 1989 that revoked Kosovo's status as an autonomous province of Serbia. Kosovo Albanian leaders responded in 1991 by organizing a referendum that declared Kosovo independent. Under MILOSEVIC, Serbia carried out repressive measures against the Albanians in the early 1990s as the unofficial Kosovo government, led by Ibrahim RUGOVA, used passive resistance in an attempt to try to gain international assistance and recognition of an independent Kosovo. Albanians dissatisfied with RUGOVA's passive strategy in the 1990s created the Kosovo Liberation Army and launched an insurgency. Starting in 1998, Serbian military, police, and paramilitary forces conducted a counterinsurgency campaign that resulted in massacres and massive expulsions of ethnic Albanians. International attempts to mediate the conflict failed, and MILOSEVIC's rejection of a proposed settlement led to a three-month NATO bombing campaign against Serbia beginning in March 1999 that forced Serbia to agree to withdraw its military and police forces from Kosovo. UN Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999) placed Kosovo under a transitional administration, the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), pending a determination of Kosovo's future status. A UN-led process began in late 2005 to determine Kosovo's final status. The negotiations ran in stages between 2006 and 2007, but ended without agreement between Belgrade and Pristina. On 17 February 2008, the Kosovo Assembly declared Kosovo independent. Since then, over fifty countries have recognized Kosovo. Serbia continues to reject Kosovo's independence and subsequently has sought an advisory opinion with the backing of the General Assembly from the International Court of Justice on the legality under international law of Kosovo's independence declaration. Geography ::Kosovo Location: Southeast Europe, between Serbia and Macedonia Geographic coordinates: 42 35 N, 21 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 10,887 sq km country comparison to the world: 168 land: 10,887 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Delaware Land boundaries: total: 702 km border countries: Albania 112 km, Macedonia 159 km, Montenegro 79 km, Serbia 352 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: influenced by continental air masses resulting in relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall and hot, dry summers and autumns; Mediterranean and alpine influences create regional variation; maximum rainfall between October and December Terrain: flat fluvial basin with an elevation of 400-700 m above sea level surrounded by several high mountain ranges with elevations of 2,000 to 2,500 m Elevation extremes: lowest point: Drini i Bardhe/Beli Drim 297 m (located on the border with Albania) highest point: Gjeravica/Deravica 2,656 m Natural resources: nickel, lead, zinc, magnesium, lignite, kaolin, chrome, bauxite People ::Kosovo Population: 1,804,838 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 Age structure: 0-14 years: 27.7% (male 260,678/female 239,779) 15-64 years: 65.7% (male 617,890/female 567,939) 65 years and over: 6.6% (male 50,463/female 68,089) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 25.9 years male: 25.4 years female: 26.4 years (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.09 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Nationality: noun: Kosovar (Albanian), Kosovac (Serbian) adjective: Kosovar (Albanian), Kosovski (Serbian) note: Kosovan, a neutral term, is sometimes also used as a noun or adjective Ethnic groups: Albanians 88%, Serbs 7%, other 5% (Bosniak, Gorani, Roma, Turk, Ashkali, Egyptian) Religions: Muslim, Serbian Orthodox, Roman Catholic Languages: Albanian (official), Serbian (official), Bosnian, Turkish, Roma Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 91.9% male: 96.6% female: 87.5% (2007 Census) Government ::Kosovo Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Kosovo conventional short form: Kosovo local long form: Republika e Kosoves (Republika Kosovo) local short form: Kosova (Kosovo) Government type: republic Capital: name: Pristina (Prishtine, Prishtina) geographic coordinates: 42 40 N, 21 10 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 30 municipalities (komunat, singular - komuna in Albanian; opstine, singular - opstina in Serbian); Decan (Decani), Dragash (Dragas), Ferizaj (Urosevac), Fushe Kosove (Kosovo Polje), Gjakove (Dakovica), Gjilan (Gnjilane), Gllogovc/Drenas (Glogovac), Istog (Istok), Kacanik, Kamenice/Dardana (Kamenica), Kline (Klina), Leposaviq (Leposavic), Lipjan (Lipljan), Malisheve (Malisevo), Mitrovice (Mitrovica), Novoberde (Novo Brdo), Obiliq (Obilic), Peje (Pec), Podujeve (Podujevo), Prishtine (Pristina), Prizren, Rahovec (Orahovac), Shterpce (Strpce), Shtime (Stimlje), Skenderaj (Srbica), Suhareke (Suva Reka), Viti (Vitina), Vushtrri (Vucitrn), Zubin Potok, Zvecan Independence: 17 February 2008 (from Serbia) National holiday: Independence Day, 17 February (2008) Constitution: adopted by the Kosovo Assembly on 9 April 2008; effective 15 June 2008 Legal system: evolving legal system based on terms of UN Special Envoy Martti AHTISAARI's Plan for Kosovo's supervised independence Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Fatmir SEJDIU (since 10 February 2006) head of government: Prime Minister Hashim THACI (since 9 January 2008) cabinet: ministers; elected by the Kosovo Assembly elections: the president is elected for a five-year term by the Kosovo Assembly; election last held 9 January 2008 (next to be held by in 2013); the prime minister is elected by the Kosovo Assembly election results: Fatmir SEJDIU reelected president after three rounds; Hashim THACI elected prime minister by the Assembly Legislative branch: unicameral national Assembly (120 seats; 100 seats directly elected, 10 seats guaranteed for ethnic Serbs, 10 seats guaranteed for other ethnic minorities; to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 17 November 2007 (next to be held in 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - PDK 34.3%, LDK 22.6%, AKR 12.3%, LDD 10.0%, AAK 9.6%, other 11.2%; seats by party - PDK 37, LDK 25, AKR 13, LDD 11, AAK 10, other 4 Judicial branch: Supreme Court; district courts; municipal courts note: the Kosovo Constitution dictates that the Supreme Court of Kosovo is the highest judicial authority, and provides for a Kosovo Judicial Council (KJC) that proposes to the president candidates for appointment or reappointment as judges and prosecutors; the KJC is also responsible for decisions on the promotion and transfer of judges and disciplinary proceedings against judges; at least 15 percent of Supreme Court and district court judges shall be from non-majority communities Political parties and leaders: Albanian Christian Democratic Party of Kosovo or PShDK [Tome MARKU]; Alliance for the Future of Kosovo or AAK [Ramush HARADINAJ]; Alliance for a New Kosovo or AKR [Behgjet PACOLLI]; Alliance of Independent Social Democrats of Kosovo and Metohija or SDSKIM [Slavisa PETKOVIC]; Autonomous Liberal Party of SLS [Slobodan PETROVIC]; Bosniak Vakat Coalition [Dzezair MURATI]; Citizens' Initiative of Gora or GIG [Murselj HALJILJI]; Council of Independent Social Democrats of Kosovo or SNSDKIM [Ljubisa ZIVIC]; Democratic Action Party or SDA [Numan BALIC]; Democratic Ashkali Party of Kosovo or PDAK; Democratic League of Dardania or LDD [Nexhat DACI]; Democratic League of Kosovo or LDK [Fatmir SEJDIU]; Democratic Party of Ashkali of Kosovo or PDAK [Sabit RAHMANI]; Democratic Party of Kosovo or PDK [Hashim THACI]; Democratic Party Vatan [Sadik IDRIZI]; Democratic Union of Ashkalis or BDA [Sabit RRAHMANI]; Justice Party or PD [Sylejman QERKEZI]; Kosovo Democratic Turkish Party of KDTP [Mahir YAGCILAR]; Liberal Party of Kosovo or PLK [Gjergi DEDAJ]; New Democratic Initiative of Kosovo or IRDK [Xhevdet NEZIRAJ]; New Democratic Party or ND [Branislav GRBIC]; New Kosovo Alliance or AKR [Behxhet PACOLLI]; Popular Movement of Kosovo or LPK [Emrush XHEMAJLI]; Reform Party Ora [Teuta SAHATCIA]; Serb National Party or SNS [Mihailo SCEPANOVIC]; Serbian Kosovo and Metohija Party or SKMS [Dragisa MIRIC]; Serbian List for Kosovo and Metohija [Oliver IVANOVIC]; Social Democratic Party of Kosovo or PSDK [Agim CEKU]; United Roma Party of Kosovo or PREBK [Haxhi Zylfi MERXHA] Political pressure groups and leaders: Council for the Defense of Human Rights and Freedom (human rights); Humanitarian Law Centre (human rights); Movement for Self-Determination; Serb National Council (SNV) International organization participation: ITUC, WFTU Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Avni SPAHIU chancery: 900 19th Street, NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 2006 telephone: 202-436-3581 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Tina KAIDANOW embassy: Arberia/Dragodan, Nazim Hikmet 30, Pristina, Kosovo mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [381] 38 59 59 3000 FAX: [381] 38 549 890 Flag description: centered on a dark blue field is the geographical shape of Kosovo in a gold color surmounted by six white, five-pointed stars - each representing one of the major ethnic groups of Kosovo - arrayed in a slight arc Economy ::Kosovo Economy - overview: Over the past few years Kosovo's economy has shown significant progress in transitioning to a market-based system and maintaining macroeconomic stability, but it is still highly dependent on the international community and the diaspora for financial and technical assistance. Remittances from the diaspora - located mainly in Germany and Switzerland - are estimated to account for about 15% of GDP, and donor-financed activities and aid for another 15%. Kosovo's citizens are the poorest in Europe with an average annual per capita income of only $2,300. Unemployment, around 40% of the population, is a significant problem that encourages outward migration and black market activity. Most of Kosovo's population lives in rural towns outside of the capital, Pristina. Inefficient, near-subsistence farming is common - the result of small plots, limited mechanization, and lack of technical expertise. With international assistance, Kosovo has been able to privatize 50% of its state-owned enterprises (SOEs) by number, and over 90% of SOEs by value. Minerals and metals - including lignite, lead, zinc, nickel, chrome, aluminum, magnesium, and a wide variety of construction materials - once formed the backbone of industry, but output has declined because of ageing equipment and insufficient investment. A limited and unreliable electricity supply due to technical and financial problems is a major impediment to economic development. Kosovo's Ministry of Energy and Mining has solicited expressions of interest from private investors to develop a new power plant in order to address Kosovo and the region's unmet and growing demands for power. The official currency of Kosovo is the euro, but the Serbian dinar is also used in Serb enclaves. Kosovo's tie to the euro has helped keep core inflation low. Kosovo has one of the most open economies in the region, and continues to work with the international community on measures to improve the business environment and attract foreign investment. GDP (purchasing power parity): $5 billion (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 160 GDP (official exchange rate): $3.237 billion (2007 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 87 GDP - per capita (PPP): $2,300 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 179 GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 20% industry: 20% services: 60% (2007 est.) Labor force: 550,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 16.5% industry: NA services: NA (2007 est.) Unemployment rate: 40% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 187 Population below poverty line: 37% (2007 est.) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 30 (FY05/06) Investment (gross fixed): 30% of GDP (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 Budget: revenues: $1.19 billion expenditures: $1.22 billion (2007 est.) Public debt: NA Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.3% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 Commercial bank prime lending rate: 13.79% (31 December 2008) Agriculture - products: wheat, corn, berries, potatoes, peppers Industries: mineral mining, construction materials, base metals, leather, machinery, appliances Electricity - production: 832 million kWh (2006) country comparison to the world: 151 Electricity - consumption: 4.281 billion kWh (2006) country comparison to the world: 114 Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2007) country comparison to the world: 148 Oil - consumption: NA bbl/day Oil - proved reserves: NA bbl Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007) country comparison to the world: 171 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007) country comparison to the world: 167 Natural gas - proved reserves: NA cu m Current account balance: -$964 million Exports: $527 million Exports - commodities: mining and processed metal products, scrap metals, leather products, machinery, appliances Imports: $2.6 billion f.o.b. Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, wood, petroleum, chemicals, machinery and electrical equipment Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $NA Debt - external: $NA Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008), 0.7345 (2007) Communications ::Kosovo Telephones - main lines in use: 106,300 (2006) country comparison to the world: 143 Telephones - mobile cellular: 562,000 (2007) country comparison to the world: 154 Transportation ::Kosovo Airports: 8 (2009) country comparison to the world: 165 Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 4 under 914 m: 4 (2009) Heliports: 2 (2009) Railways: total: 430 km country comparison to the world: 117 standard gauge: 430 km 1.435-m gauge (2007) Roadways: total: 1,924 km country comparison to the world: 175 paved: 1,666 km unpaved: 258 km (2006) Military ::Kosovo Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 428,685 females age 16-49: 388,848 (2009 est.) Transnational Issues ::Kosovo Disputes - international: Serbia with several other states protest the US and other states' recognition of Kosovo's declaring itself as a sovereign and independent state in February 2008; ethnic Serbian municipalities along Kosovo's northern border challenge final status of Kosovo-Serbia boundary; several thousand NATO-led KFOR peacekeepers under UNMIK authority continue to keep the peace within Kosovo between the ethnic Albanian majority and the Serb minority in Kosovo; Kosovo and Macedonia completed demarcation of their boundary in September 2008 Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDP's: 21,000 (2007) page last updated on October 27, 2009 ====================================================================== @Kuwait (Middle East) Introduction ::Kuwait Background: Britain oversaw foreign relations and defense for the ruling Kuwaiti AL-SABAH dynasty from 1899 until independence in 1961. Kuwait was attacked and overrun by Iraq on 2 August 1990. Following several weeks of aerial bombardment, a US-led, UN coalition began a ground assault on 23 February 1991 that liberated Kuwait in four days. Kuwait spent more than $5 billion to repair oil infrastructure damaged during 1990-91. The AL-SABAH family has ruled since returning to power in 1991 and reestablished an elected legislature that in recent years has become increasingly assertive. The country witnessed the historic election in May 2009 of four women to its National Assembly. Geography ::Kuwait Location: Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iraq and Saudi Arabia Geographic coordinates: 29 30 N, 45 45 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 17,818 sq km country comparison to the world: 157 land: 17,818 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than New Jersey Land boundaries: total: 462 km border countries: Iraq 240 km, Saudi Arabia 222 km Coastline: 499 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: dry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool winters Terrain: flat to slightly undulating desert plain Elevation extremes: lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: unnamed location 306 m Natural resources: petroleum, fish, shrimp, natural gas Land use: arable land: 0.84% permanent crops: 0.17% other: 98.99% (2005) Irrigated land: 130 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 0.02 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.44 cu km/yr (45%/2%/52%) per capita: 164 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: sudden cloudbursts are common from October to April and bring heavy rain, which can damage roads and houses; sandstorms and dust storms occur throughout the year but are most common between March and August Environment - current issues: limited natural fresh water resources; some of world's largest and most sophisticated desalination facilities provide much of the water; air and water pollution; desertification Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Marine Dumping Geography - note: strategic location at head of Persian Gulf People ::Kuwait Population: 2,691,158 country comparison to the world: 139 note: includes 1,291,354 non-nationals (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 26.4% (male 361,150/female 348,518) 15-64 years: 70.7% (male 1,219,075/female 683,587) 65 years and over: 2.9% (male 49,163/female 29,665) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 26.2 years male: 28.1 years female: 22.7 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 3.547% country comparison to the world: 3 note: this rate reflects a return to pre-Gulf crisis immigration of expatriates (2009 est.) Birth rate: 21.81 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 Death rate: 2.35 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 220 Net migration rate: 16.02 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 Urbanization: urban population: 98% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.78 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.66 male(s)/female total population: 1.54 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 8.96 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 159 male: 9.94 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.95 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.71 years country comparison to the world: 53 male: 76.51 years female: 78.95 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.76 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.12% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Kuwaiti(s) adjective: Kuwaiti Ethnic groups: Kuwaiti 45%, other Arab 35%, South Asian 9%, Iranian 4%, other 7% Religions: Muslim 85% (Sunni 70%, Shia 30%), other (includes Christian, Hindu, Parsi) 15% Languages: Arabic (official), English widely spoken Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93.3% male: 94.4% female: 91% (2005 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years male: 12 years female: 13 years (2006) Education expenditures: 3.8% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 119 Government ::Kuwait Country name: conventional long form: State of Kuwait conventional short form: Kuwait local long form: Dawlat al Kuwayt local short form: Al Kuwayt Government type: constitutional emirate Capital: name: Kuwait City geographic coordinates: 29 22 N, 47 58 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 6 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Ahmadi, Al 'Asimah, Al Farwaniyah, Al Jahra', Hawalli, Mubarak al Kabir Independence: 19 June 1961 (from the UK) National holiday: National Day, 25 February (1950) Constitution: approved and promulgated 11 November 1962 Legal system: civil law system with Islamic law significant in personal matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal (adult); note - males in the military or police are not allowed to vote; adult females were allowed to vote as of 16 May 2005; all voters must have been citizens for 20 years Executive branch: chief of state: Amir SABAH al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah (since 29 January 2006); Crown Prince NAWAF al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah head of government: Prime Minister NASIR AL-MUHAMMAD al-Ahmad al-Sabah (since 3 April 2007); First Deputy Prime Minister JABIR AL-MUBAREK al-Hamad al-Sabah (since 9 February 2006); Deputy Prime Minister MUHAMMAD AL-SABAH al-Salim al-Sabah (since 9 February 2006) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister and approved by the amir elections: none; the amir is hereditary; the amir appoints the prime minister and deputy prime ministers Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-Umma (50 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms; all cabinet ministers are also ex officio voting members of the National Assembly) elections: last held 16 May 2009 (next election to be held in 2013) election results: percent of vote by bloc - NA; seats by bloc - Sunni Muslim groups 11, liberals 7, Shiite Muslim groups 6, Popular Action Bloc 3, unaffiliated tribal groups 23 Judicial branch: High Court of Appeal Political parties and leaders: none; formation of political parties is in practice illegal but is not forbidden by law Political pressure groups and leaders: other: Islamists; merchants; political groups; secular liberals and pro-governmental deputies; Shia activists; tribal groups International organization participation: ABEDA, AfDB (nonregional member), AFESD, AMF, BDEAC, CAEU, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador SALIM al-Abdallah al-Jabir al-Sabah chancery: 2940 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 966-0702 FAX: [1] (202) 364-2868 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Deborah K. JONES embassy: Bayan 36302, Block 13, Al-Masjed Al-Aqsa Street (near the Bayan palace), Kuwait City mailing address: P. O. Box 77 Safat 13001 Kuwait; or PSC 1280 APO AE 09880-9000 telephone: [965] 259-1001 FAX: [965] 538-0282 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with a black trapezoid based on the hoist side; design, which dates to 1961, based on the Arab revolt flag of World War I Economy ::Kuwait Economy - overview: Kuwait is a small, rich, relatively open economy with self-reported crude oil reserves of about 104 billion barrels - 8% of world reserves. Petroleum accounts for nearly half of GDP, 95% of export revenues, and 80% of government income. Kuwait experienced rapid economic growth over the last several years on the back of high oil prices and in 2008 posted its tenth consecutive budget surplus. As a result of this positive fiscal situation, the need for economic reforms was less urgent and the government did not push through new initiatives. The drop in oil prices in late 2008 will reduce Kuwait's fiscal surplus in 2009. The global financial crisis may slow the pace of investment and development projects, but Kuwait has vowed to use its considerable financial resources to stabilize the economy if necessary. GDP (purchasing power parity): $149.5 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 $137.8 billion (2007 est.) $131.6 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $158.1 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 8.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 4.7% (2007 est.) 6.3% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $57,500 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 $55,000 (2007 est.) $54,400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 0.3% industry: 52.2% services: 47.5% (2008 est.) Labor force: 2.088 million country comparison to the world: 119 note: non-Kuwaitis represent about 60% of the labor force (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Unemployment rate: 2.2% (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Investment (gross fixed): 18.3% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 Budget: revenues: $105.2 billion expenditures: $58.08 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 7.6% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 116 29.6% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 156 5.5% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 3.75% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 70 6.25% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 7.61% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 100 8.54% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $15.31 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 38 $15.12 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $63.08 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 26 $55.2 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $88.77 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 40 $78.25 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $107.2 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 40 $188 billion (31 December 2007) $128.9 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: practically no crops; fish Industries: petroleum, petrochemicals, cement, shipbuilding and repair, water desalination, food processing, construction materials Industrial production growth rate: 8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 Electricity - production: 45.83 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 Electricity - consumption: 40.21 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 2.741 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 Oil - consumption: 325,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 Oil - exports: 2.349 million bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 Oil - imports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 206 Oil - proved reserves: 104 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 Natural gas - production: 12.7 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 Natural gas - consumption: 12.7 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 79 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 Natural gas - proved reserves: 1.794 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 Current account balance: $64.78 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 $47.48 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $86.94 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 $63.68 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: oil and refined products, fertilizers Exports - partners: Japan 18.4%, South Korea 14.6%, India 11.5%, US 8.9%, Singapore 7.9%, China 6.1% (2008) Imports: $22.94 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 $20.63 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: food, construction materials, vehicles and parts, clothing Imports - partners: US 11.9%, Japan 9.2%, Germany 8.1%, China 7.6%, Saudi Arabia 7%, Italy 4.8%, UK 4.2% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $17.23 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 $16.78 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $36.89 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 $33.62 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $1.22 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 $942 million (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $25.68 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 $16.93 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: Kuwaiti dinars (KD) per US dollar - 0.2679 (2008 est.), 0.2844 (2007), 0.29 (2006), 0.292 (2005), 0.2947 (2004) Communications ::Kuwait Telephones - main lines in use: 541,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 94 Telephones - mobile cellular: 2.907 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 110 Telephone system: general assessment: the quality of service is excellent domestic: new telephone exchanges provide a large capacity for new subscribers; trunk traffic is carried by microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, and open-wire and fiber-optic cable; a cellular telephone system operates throughout Kuwait, and the country is well supplied with pay telephones international: country code - 965; linked to international submarine cable Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG); linked to Bahrain, Qatar, UAE via the Fiber-Optic Gulf (FOG) cable; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; satellite earth stations - 6 (3 Intelsat - 1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean, 1 Inmarsat - Atlantic Ocean, and 2 Arabsat) Radio broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 11, shortwave 1 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 13 (plus several satellite channels) (1997) Internet country code: .kw Internet hosts: 2,305 (2009) country comparison to the world: 148 Internet users: 1 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 88 Transportation ::Kuwait Airports: 7 (2009) country comparison to the world: 168 Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Heliports: 4 (2009) Pipelines: gas 269 km; oil 540 km; refined products 57 km (2008) Roadways: total: 5,749 km country comparison to the world: 150 paved: 4,887 km unpaved: 862 km (2004) Merchant marine: total: 38 country comparison to the world: 79 by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 1, carrier 3, container 6, liquefied gas 4, petroleum tanker 22 registered in other countries: 34 (Bahrain 5, Comoros 1, Libya 1, Panama 2, Qatar 7, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saudi Arabia 7, UAE 10) (2008) Ports and terminals: Ash Shu'aybah, Ash Shuwaykh, Az Zawr (Mina' Sa'ud), Mina' 'Abd Allah, Mina' al Ahmadi Military ::Kuwait Military branches: Kuwaiti Land Forces (KLF), Kuwaiti Navy, Kuwaiti Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Kuwaitiya), Kuwaiti National Guard (KNG) (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18-30 years of age for compulsory and 18-25 years of age for voluntary military service; women age 18-30 may be subject to compulsory military service; conscription suspended in 2001 (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,032,408 females age 16-49: 568,657 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 935,525 females age 16-49: 519,854 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 18,122 female: 18,865 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 5.3% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 16 Transnational Issues ::Kuwait Disputes - international: Kuwait and Saudi Arabia continue negotiating a joint maritime boundary with Iran; no maritime boundary exists with Iraq in the Persian Gulf Trafficking in persons: current situation: Kuwait is a destination country for men and women who migrate legally from South and Southeast Asia for domestic or low-skilled labor, but are subjected to conditions of involuntary servitude by employers in Kuwait including conditions of physical and sexual abuse, non-payment of wages, confinement to the home, and withholding of passports to restrict their freedom of movement; Kuwait is reportedly a transit point for South and East Asian workers recruited for low-skilled work in Iraq; some of these workers are deceived as to the true location and nature of this work, and others are subjected to conditions of involuntary servitude in Iraq tier rating: Tier 3 - insufficient efforts in 2007 to prosecute and punish abusive employers and those who traffic women for sexual exploitation; the government failed for the fourth year in a row to live up to promises to provide shelter and protective services for victims of involuntary domestic servitude and other forms of trafficking (2008) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Kyrgyzstan (Central Asia) Introduction ::Kyrgyzstan Background: A Central Asian country of incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic traditions, most of Kyrgyzstan was formally annexed to Russia in 1876. The Kyrgyz staged a major revolt against the Tsarist Empire in 1916 in which almost one-sixth of the Kyrgyz population was killed. Kyrgyzstan became a Soviet republic in 1936 and achieved independence in 1991 when the USSR dissolved. Nationwide demonstrations in the spring of 2005 resulted in the ouster of President Askar AKAEV, who had run the country since 1990. Subsequent presidential elections in July 2005 were won overwhelmingly by former prime minister Kurmanbek BAKIEV. The political opposition organized demonstrations in Bishkek in April, May, and November 2006 resulting in the adoption of a new constitution that transferred some of the president's powers to parliament and the government. In December 2006, the Kyrgyzstani parliament voted to adopt new amendments, restoring some of the presidential powers lost in the November 2006 constitutional change. By late-September 2007, both previous versions of the constitution were declared illegal, and the country reverted to the AKAEV-era 2003 constitution, which was subsequently modified in a flawed referendum initiated by BAKIEV. The president then dissolved parliament, called for early elections, and gained control of the new parliament through his newly-created political party, Ak Jol, in December 2007 elections. Current concerns include: privatization of state-owned enterprises, negative trends in democracy and political freedoms, endemic corruption, improving interethnic relations, electricity generation, rising food prices, and combating terrorism. Geography ::Kyrgyzstan Location: Central Asia, west of China Geographic coordinates: 41 00 N, 75 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 199,951 sq km country comparison to the world: 86 land: 191,801 sq km water: 8,150 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than South Dakota Land boundaries: total: 3,051 km border countries: China 858 km, Kazakhstan 1,224 km, Tajikistan 870 km, Uzbekistan 1,099 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan Mountains; subtropical in southwest (Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zone Terrain: peaks of Tien Shan and associated valleys and basins encompass entire nation Elevation extremes: lowest point: Kara-Daryya (Karadar'ya) 132 m highest point: Jengish Chokusu (Pik Pobedy) 7,439 m Natural resources: abundant hydropower; significant deposits of gold and rare earth metals; locally exploitable coal, oil, and natural gas; other deposits of nepheline, mercury, bismuth, lead, and zinc Land use: arable land: 6.55% permanent crops: 0.28% other: 93.17% note: Kyrgyzstan has the world's largest natural-growth walnut forest (2005) Irrigated land: 10,720 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 46.5 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 10.08 cu km/yr (3%/3%/94%) per capita: 1,916 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: water pollution; many people get their water directly from contaminated streams and wells; as a result, water-borne diseases are prevalent; increasing soil salinity from faulty irrigation practices Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: landlocked; entirely mountainous, dominated by the Tien Shan range; 94% of the country is 1,000 m above sea level, with an average elevation of 2,750 m; many tall peaks, glaciers, and high-altitude lakes People ::Kyrgyzstan Population: 5,431,747 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 Age structure: 0-14 years: 29.7% (male 822,128/female 789,425) 15-64 years: 64.5% (male 1,717,497/female 1,787,551) 65 years and over: 5.8% (male 123,045/female 192,101) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 24.4 years male: 23.6 years female: 25.3 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.396% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 Birth rate: 23.44 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 Death rate: 6.91 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 136 Net migration rate: -2.57 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 Urbanization: urban population: 36% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 31.26 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 72 male: 36.19 deaths/1,000 live births female: 26.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.43 years country comparison to the world: 146 male: 65.43 years female: 73.64 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.65 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 87 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 4,200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 125 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 Nationality: noun: Kyrgyzstani(s) adjective: Kyrgyzstani Ethnic groups: Kyrgyz 64.9%, Uzbek 13.8%, Russian 12.5%, Dungan 1.1%, Ukrainian 1%, Uygur 1%, other 5.7% (1999 census) Religions: Muslim 75%, Russian Orthodox 20%, other 5% Languages: Kyrgyz 64.7% (official), Uzbek 13.6%, Russian 12.5% (official), Dungun 1%, other 8.2% (1999 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.7% male: 99.3% female: 98.1% (1999 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 13 years (2006) Education expenditures: 4.9% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 78 Government ::Kyrgyzstan Country name: conventional long form: Kyrgyz Republic conventional short form: Kyrgyzstan local long form: Kyrgyz Respublikasy local short form: Kyrgyzstan former: Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic Government type: republic Capital: name: Bishkek geographic coordinates: 42 52 N, 74 36 E time difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 7 provinces (oblastlar, singular - oblasty) and 1 city* (shaar); Batken Oblasty, Bishkek Shaary*, Chuy Oblasty (Bishkek), Jalal-Abad Oblasty, Naryn Oblasty, Osh Oblasty, Talas Oblasty, Ysyk-Kol Oblasty (Karakol) note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses) Independence: 31 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union) National holiday: Independence Day, 31 August (1991) Constitution: approved by referendum in November 2006 note: under the old constitution adopted on 5 May 1993, an amendment proposed by President Askar AKAEV and passed in a national referendum on 2 February 2003 significantly expanded the powers of the president at the expense of the legislature; during large-scale demonstrations in November 2006, President BAKIEV and the opposition negotiated a new constitution granting greater powers to the parliament and the government; amendments added on 30 December 2006 redistributed some power back to the president, but both November and December 2006 versions were annulled in September 2007, and a new version was approved by referendum on 21 October 2007; the BAKIEV-initiated referendum was criticized by Western observers for voting irregularities, particularly ballot stuffing Legal system: based on French and Russian laws; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Kurmanbek BAKIEV (since 14 August 2005) head of government: Prime Minister Daniyar USENOV (since 21 October 2009); First Deputy Prime Minister Akylbek JAPAROV (since 22 October 2009) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, appointed by the president; ministers in charge of defense and security, appointed solely by the president elections: Kurmanbek BAKIEV reelected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 23 July 2009 (next scheduled for 2014); prime minister nominated by the parliamentary party holding more than 50% of the seats; if no such party exists, the president selects the party that will nominate a prime minister election results: Kurmanbek BAKIEV elected president; percent of vote - Kurmanbek BAKIEV 76.1%, Almaz ATAMBAYEV 8.4%, Temir SARIYEV 6.7%, other candidates 8.8% Legislative branch: unicameral Supreme Council or Jorgorku Kengesh (90 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 16 December 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: Supreme Council - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Ak Jol 71, Social Democratic Party 11, KCP 8 Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Constitutional Court (judges of both the Supreme and Constitutional Courts are appointed for 10-year terms by the Jorgorku Kengesh on the recommendation of the president; their mandatory retirement age is 70 years); Higher Court of Arbitration; Local Courts (judges appointed by the president on the recommendation of the National Council on Legal Affairs for a probationary period of five years, then 10 years) Political parties and leaders: Ak Jol (Good Luck) [Avtandil ARABAEV, Elmira IBRAIMOVA, Vladimir NIFADYEV, co-chairs]; Ak Shumkar (Gerfalcon) [Temir SARIYEV]; Ar-Namys (Dignity) Party [Emil ALIEV]; Asaba (Banner National Revival Party) [Sovetbek JAMALDINOV]]; Ata-Meken (Fatherland) [Omurbek TEKEBAEV]; Democratic Movement of Kyrgyzstan or DDK [Viktor TCHETRNOMORETS]; Erkindik (Freedom) Party [Topchubek TURGUNALIEV]; For Justice Movement [Alikbek JEKSHENKULOV]; Green Party [Erkin BULEKBAEV]; Moya Strana (My Country Party of Action) [Medet SADYRKULOV]; Party of Communists of Kyrgyzstan or KCP [Iskhak MASALIEV]; Party of Justice and Progress [Muratbek IMANALIEV]; Party of Peasants [Esengul ISAKOV]; Republican Party of Labor and Unity [Tabaldy OROZALIEV]; Revolutionary Committee [Azimbek BEKNAZAROV]; Sanjira (Tree of Life) [Ednan KARABAEV]; Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan [Almaz ATAMBAEV]; Svoboda Vybora (Free Choice) Party [Vyacheslav LISOVSKIY]; Turan Party [Kanybek IMANALIYEV]; Uluu Birimdik (Solidarity) Party [Emilbek KAPTAGAEV]; Union of Democratic Forces [Osmon ARTYKBAEV]; United Kyrgyzstan [Amangeldi MURALIEV] Political pressure groups and leaders: Adilet Legal Clinic [Cholpon JAKUPOVA]; Coalition for Democracy and Civil Society [Dinara OSHURAKHUNOVA]; Interbilim [Asiya SASYKBAEVA] International organization participation: ADB, CIS, CSTO, EAEC, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, MIGA, MINURCAT, NAM (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Zamira SYDYKOVA chancery: 2360 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 449-9822 FAX: [1] (202) 386-7550 consulate(s): New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Tatiana C. GFOELLER embassy: 171 Prospect Mira, Bishkek 720016 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [996] (312) 551-241, (517) 777-217 FAX: [996] (312) 551-264 Flag description: red field with a yellow sun in the center having 40 rays representing the 40 Kyrgyz tribes; on the obverse side the rays run counterclockwise, on the reverse, clockwise; in the center of the sun is a red ring crossed by two sets of three lines, a stylized representation of the roof of the traditional Kyrgyz yurt Economy ::Kyrgyzstan Economy - overview: Kyrgyzstan is a poor, mountainous country with a predominantly agricultural economy. Cotton, tobacco, wool, and meat are the main agricultural products, although only tobacco and cotton are exported in any quantity. Industrial exports include gold, mercury, uranium, natural gas, and electricity. Following independence, Kyrgyzstan was progressive in carrying out market reforms such as an improved regulatory system and land reform. Kyrgyzstan was the first Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) country to be accepted into the World Trade Organization. Much of the government's stock in enterprises has been sold. Drops in production had been severe after the breakup of the Soviet Union in December 1991, but by mid-1995, production began to recover and exports began to increase. The economy is heavily weighted toward gold export and a drop in output at the main Kumtor gold mine sparked a 0.5% decline in GDP in 2002 and a 0.6% decline in 2005. The government made steady strides in controlling its substantial fiscal deficit, nearly closing the gap between revenues and expenditures in 2006, before boosting expenditures more than 20% in 2007-08. The government and international financial institutions have been engaged in a comprehensive medium-term poverty reduction and economic growth strategy. In 2005, Bishkek agreed to pursue much-needed tax reform and, in 2006, became eligible for the heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC) initiative. Progress fighting corruption, further restructuring of domestic industry, and success in attracting foreign investment are keys to future growth. GDP grew more than 6% annually in 2007-08, partly due to higher gold prices internationally, but growth is likely to decline from that level in 2009, due to declining demand and lower commodity prices in the wake of the international financial crisis. GDP (purchasing power parity): $11.64 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 $10.82 billion (2007 est.) $9.971 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $5.05 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 7.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 8.5% (2007 est.) 3.1% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $2,200 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 184 $2,000 (2007 est.) $1,900 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 29.8% industry: 19.7% services: 50.6% (2008 est.) Labor force: 2.344 million (2007) country comparison to the world: 110 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 48% industry: 12.5% services: 39.5% (2005 est.) Unemployment rate: 18% (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 160 Population below poverty line: 40% (2004 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.6% highest 10%: 25.9% (2004) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 30.3 (2003) country comparison to the world: 113 29 (2001) Investment (gross fixed): 23.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 Budget: revenues: $1.274 billion expenditures: $1.231 billion (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 24.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 211 10.2% (2007 est.) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 19.86% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 10 25.32% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $911.1 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) $303.7 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $558.3 million (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 109 $121 million (31 December 2007) $92.69 million (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: tobacco, cotton, potatoes, vegetables, grapes, fruits and berries; sheep, goats, cattle, wool Industries: small machinery, textiles, food processing, cement, shoes, sawn logs, refrigerators, furniture, electric motors, gold, rare earth metals Industrial production growth rate: 10.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 Electricity - production: 15.96 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 Electricity - consumption: 9 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 87 Electricity - exports: 2.379 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 958.4 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 Oil - consumption: 15,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 136 Oil - exports: 1,890 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 116 Oil - imports: 12,850 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 134 Oil - proved reserves: 40 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 Natural gas - production: 30 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 85 Natural gas - consumption: 750 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 162 Natural gas - imports: 720 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 Natural gas - proved reserves: 5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 Current account balance: -$680 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 -$267.9 million (2007 est.) Exports: $1.847 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 134 $1.337 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: cotton, wool, meat, tobacco; gold, mercury, uranium, natural gas, hydropower; machinery; shoes Exports - partners: Switzerland 27.2%, Russia 19.2%, Uzbekistan 14.3%, Kazakhstan 11.4%, France 6.7% (2008) Imports: $3.754 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 $2.636 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: oil and gas, machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs Imports - partners: Russia 36.6%, China 17.9%, Kazakhstan 9.2%, Germany 8.2% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $1.225 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 $1.177 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $3.467 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 115 $3.162 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $16.5 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Exchange rates: soms (KGS) per US dollar - 36.108 (2008 est.), 37.746 (2007), 40.149 (2006), 41.012 (2005), 42.65 (2004) Communications ::Kyrgyzstan Telephones - main lines in use: 494,500 (2008) country comparison to the world: 99 Telephones - mobile cellular: 3.394 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 101 Telephone system: general assessment: telecommunications infrastructure is being upgraded; loans from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) are being used to install a digital network, digital radio-relay stations, and fiber-optic links domestic: fixed line penetration remains low and concentrated in urban areas; multiple mobile cellular service providers with growing coverage; mobile cellular subscribership exceeded 60 per 100 persons in 2008 international: country code - 996; connections with other CIS countries by landline or microwave radio relay and with other countries by leased connections with Moscow international gateway switch and by satellite; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intersputnik, 1 Intelsat); connected internationally by the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 3 (plus 10 repeater stations), FM 23, shortwave NA (2007) Television broadcast stations: 8 (2 countrywide and 6 regional stations; state-owned); note - there are about 20 private TV stations, most of which rebroadcast other channels (2007) Internet country code: .kg Internet hosts: 82,496 (2009) country comparison to the world: 76 Internet users: 850,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 95 Transportation ::Kyrgyzstan Airports: 29 (2009) country comparison to the world: 116 Airports - with paved runways: total: 18 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 under 914 m: 3 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 9 (2009) Pipelines: gas 254 km; oil 16 km (2008) Railways: total: 470 km country comparison to the world: 116 broad gauge: 470 km 1.520-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 18,500 km country comparison to the world: 116 paved: 16,909 km (includes 140 km of expressways) unpaved: 1,591 km (2003) Waterways: 600 km (2008) country comparison to the world: 79 Ports and terminals: Balykchy (Ysyk-Kol or Rybach'ye) Military ::Kyrgyzstan Military branches: Ground Forces, Air Force (includes Air Defense Forces), National Guard (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory military service (2001) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,398,878 females age 16-49: 1,419,374 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,083,777 females age 16-49: 1,229,406 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 57,659 female: 55,557 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.4% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 Transnational Issues ::Kyrgyzstan Disputes - international: Kyrgyzstan has yet to ratify the 2001 boundary delimitation with Kazakhstan; disputes in Isfara Valley delay completion of delimitation with Tajikistan; delimitation of 130 km of border with Uzbekistan is hampered by serious disputes around enclaves and other areas Illicit drugs: limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy for CIS markets; limited government eradication of illicit crops; transit point for Southwest Asian narcotics bound for Russia and the rest of Europe; major consumer of opiates page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Laos (East & Southeast Asia) Introduction ::Laos Background: Modern-day Laos has its roots in the ancient Lao kingdom of Lan Xang, established in the 14th Century under King FA NGUM. For 300 years Lan Xang had influence reaching into present-day Cambodia and Thailand, as well as over all of what is now Laos. After centuries of gradual decline, Laos came under the domination of Siam (Thailand) from the late 18th century until the late 19th century when it became part of French Indochina. The Franco-Siamese Treaty of 1907 defined the current Lao border with Thailand. In 1975, the Communist Pathet Lao took control of the government ending a six-century-old monarchy and instituting a strict socialist regime closely aligned to Vietnam. A gradual return to private enterprise and the liberalization of foreign investment laws began in 1986. Laos became a member of ASEAN in 1997. Geography ::Laos Location: Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam Geographic coordinates: 18 00 N, 105 00 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 236,800 sq km country comparison to the world: 83 land: 230,800 sq km water: 6,000 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Utah Land boundaries: total: 5,083 km border countries: Burma 235 km, Cambodia 541 km, China 423 km, Thailand 1,754 km, Vietnam 2,130 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to April) Terrain: mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mekong River 70 m highest point: Phou Bia 2,817 m Natural resources: timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones Land use: arable land: 4.01% permanent crops: 0.34% other: 95.65% (2005) Irrigated land: 1,750 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 333.6 cu km (2003) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 3 cu km/yr (4%/6%/90%) per capita: 507 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: floods, droughts Environment - current issues: unexploded ordnance; deforestation; soil erosion; most of the population does not have access to potable water Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: landlocked; most of the country is mountainous and thickly forested; the Mekong River forms a large part of the western boundary with Thailand People ::Laos Population: 6,834,942 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 Age structure: 0-14 years: 40.8% (male 1,400,126/female 1,386,480) 15-64 years: 56.1% (male 1,898,995/female 1,936,892) 65 years and over: 3.1% (male 92,070/female 120,379) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 19.3 years male: 19 years female: 19.6 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 2.316% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 Birth rate: 33.94 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 Death rate: 10.78 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 31% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 5.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 77.82 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 23 male: 86.94 deaths/1,000 live births female: 68.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 56.68 years country comparison to the world: 190 male: 54.56 years female: 58.9 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.41 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 5,500 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 100 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2008) (2009) Nationality: noun: Lao(s) or Laotian(s) adjective: Lao or Laotian Ethnic groups: Lao 55%, Khmou 11%, Hmong 8%, other (over 100 minor ethnic groups) 26% (2005 census) Religions: Buddhist 67%, Christian 1.5%, other and unspecified 31.5% (2005 census) Languages: Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic languages Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 68.7% male: 77% female: 60.9% (2001 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 9 years male: 10 years female: 8 years (2006) Education expenditures: 3% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 146 Government ::Laos Country name: conventional long form: Lao People's Democratic Republic conventional short form: Laos local long form: Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao local short form: Pathet Lao (unofficial) Government type: Communist state Capital: name: Vientiane (Viangchan) geographic coordinates: 17 58 N, 102 36 E time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 16 provinces (khoueng, singular and plural) and 1 capital city* (nakhon luang, singular and plural); Attapu, Bokeo, Bolikhamxai, Champasak, Houaphan, Khammouan, Louangnamtha, Louangphrabang, Oudomxai, Phongsali, Salavan, Savannakhet, Viangchan (Vientiane)*, Viangchan, Xaignabouli, Xekong, Xiangkhoang Independence: 19 July 1949 (from France) National holiday: Republic Day, 2 December (1975) Constitution: promulgated 14 August 1991 Legal system: based on traditional customs, French legal norms and procedures, and socialist practice; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Lt. Gen. CHOUMMALI Saignason (since 8 June 2006); Vice President BOUN-GNANG Volachit (since 8 June 2006) head of government: Prime Minister BOUASONE Bouphavanh (since 8 June 2006); Deputy Prime Ministers Maj. Gen. ASANG Laoli (since May 2002), Maj. Gen. DOUANGCHAI Phichit (since 8 June 2006), SOMSAVAT Lengsavat (since 26 February 1998), and THONGLOUN Sisoulit (since 27 March 2001) cabinet: Ministers appointed by president, approved by National Assembly elections: president and vice president elected by National Assembly for five-year terms; election last held 8 June 2006 (next to be held in 2011); prime minister nominated by president and elected by National Assembly for five-year term election results: CHOUMMALI Saignason elected president; BOUN-GNANG Volachit elected vice president; percent of National Assembly vote - 100%; BOUASONE Bouphavanh elected prime minister; percent of National Assembly vote - 97% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (115 seats; members elected by popular vote from a list of candidates selected by the Lao People's Revolutionary Party to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 30 April 2006 (next to be held in 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LPRP 113, independents 2 Judicial branch: People's Supreme Court (the president of the People's Supreme Court is elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the National Assembly Standing Committee; the vice president of the People's Supreme Court and the judges are appointed by the National Assembly Standing Committee) Political parties and leaders: Lao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP [CHOUMMALI Saignason]; other parties proscribed Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ADB, APT, ARF, ASEAN, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO (subscriber), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador PHIANE Philakone chancery: 2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-6416 FAX: [1] (202) 332-4923 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ravic R. HUSO embassy: 19 Rue Bartholonie, That Dam, Vientiane mailing address: American Embassy Vientiane, APO AP 96546 telephone: [856] 21-26-7000 FAX: [856] 21-26-7190 Flag description: three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double width), and red with a large white disk centered in the blue band Economy ::Laos Economy - overview: The government of Laos, one of the few remaining one-party Communist states, began decentralizing control and encouraging private enterprise in 1986. The results, starting from an extremely low base, were striking - growth averaged 6% per year from 1988-2008 except during the short-lived drop caused by the Asian financial crisis that began in 1997. Despite this high growth rate, Laos remains a country with an underdeveloped infrastructure, particularly in rural areas. It has no railroads, a rudimentary road system, and limited external and internal telecommunications, though the government is sponsoring major improvements in the road system with support from Japan and China. Electricity is available in urban areas and in many rural districts. Subsistence agriculture, dominated by rice, accounts for about 40% of GDP and provides 80% of total employment. The government depends upon aid from international donors for over 80% of its capital investment. The economy has until recently benefited from high foreign investment in hydropower, mining, and construction. The fiscal crisis of late 2008, and the rapid drop in commodity prices - especially copper - has slowed these investments. Several policy changes since 2004 may help spur growth. Laos, which gained Normal Trade Relations status with the US in 2004, is taking steps to join the World Trade Organization. Related trade policy reforms will improve the business environment. On the fiscal side, a value-added tax (VAT) regime, which began with a few large businesses in early 2009, should slowly help streamline the government's inefficient tax system. Economic prospects will improve gradually as the administration continues to simplify investment procedures and as a more competitive banking sector extends credit to small farmers and small entrepreneurs. The government appears committed to raising the country's profile among investors. Foreign donors have praised the Lao government for its efforts to improve the investment regime. The World Bank has declared that Laos' goal of graduating from the UN Development Program's list of least-developed countries by 2020 could be achievable. GDP (purchasing power parity): $14.01 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 $13.04 billion (2007 est.) $12.13 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $5.374 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 7.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 7.5% (2007 est.) 8.3% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $2,100 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 186 $2,000 (2007 est.) $1,900 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 39.2% industry: 34.3% services: 26.5% (2008 est.) Labor force: 2.1 million (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 80% industry and services: 20% (2005 est.) Unemployment rate: 2.4% (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 Population below poverty line: 30.7% (2005 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.4% highest 10%: 28.5% (2002) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 34.6 (2002) country comparison to the world: 88 37 (1997) Budget: revenues: $811.6 million expenditures: $955.9 million (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 4.5% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 7.67% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 21 12.67% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 24% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 6 28.5% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $327.9 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) $717.9 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $285.8 million (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane, tobacco, cotton, tea, peanuts, rice; water buffalo, pigs, cattle, poultry Industries: copper, tin, gold, and gypsum mining; timber, electric power, agricultural processing, construction, garments, cement, tourism Industrial production growth rate: 11% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 8 Electricity - production: 3.075 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 125 Electricity - consumption: 3.068 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 Electricity - exports: 268 million kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 475.9 million kWh (2007 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 Oil - consumption: 3,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 178 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 173 Oil - imports: 3,080 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 169 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 189 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 170 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 166 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 78 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 154 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 161 Current account balance: -$52 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 $107.3 million (2007 est.) Exports: $1.163 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 $922.7 million (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: wood products, coffee, electricity, tin, copper, gold Exports - partners: Thailand 35.5%, Vietnam 15.5%, China 8.5% (2008) Imports: $1.384 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 163 $1.065 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, consumer goods Imports - partners: Thailand 68.5%, China 10.5%, Vietnam 5.8% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $803 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 $540 million (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $3.179 billion (2006) country comparison to the world: 122 Exchange rates: kips (LAK) per US dollar - 8,760.69 (2008 est.), 9,658 (2007), 10,235 (2006), 10,820 (2005), 10,585.5 (2004) Communications ::Laos Telephones - main lines in use: 97,600 (2008) country comparison to the world: 145 Telephones - mobile cellular: 1.822 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 123 Telephone system: general assessment: service to general public is poor but improving; the government relies on a radiotelephone network to communicate with remote areas domestic: multiple service providers; mobile cellular usage growing rapidly; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership approaching 30 per 100 persons international: country code - 856; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 7, FM 14, shortwave 2 (2006) Television broadcast stations: 7 (includes 1 station relaying Vietnam Television from Hanoi) (2006) Internet country code: .la Internet hosts: 1,661 (2009) country comparison to the world: 152 Internet users: 130,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 145 Transportation ::Laos Airports: 41 (2009) country comparison to the world: 103 Airports - with paved runways: total: 9 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 32 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 21 (2009) Pipelines: refined products 540 km (2008) Roadways: total: 29,811 km country comparison to the world: 97 paved: 4,010 km unpaved: 25,801 km (2006) Waterways: 4,600 km country comparison to the world: 24 note: primarily Mekong and tributaries; 2,900 additional km are intermittently navigable by craft drawing less than 0.5 m (2008) Merchant marine: total: 1 ship (1000 GRT or over) 2,370 GRT/3,110 DWT country comparison to the world: 159 by type: cargo 1 (2008) Military ::Laos Military branches: Lao People's Armed Forces (LPAF): Lao People's Army (LPA; includes Riverine Force), Air Force (2009) Military service age and obligation: 15 years of age for compulsory military service; minimum 18-month conscript service obligation (2006) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,549,774 females age 16-49: 1,570,702 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,023,205 females age 16-49: 1,085,197 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 75,310 female: 74,498 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 0.5% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 162 Military - note: serving one of the world's least developed countries, the Lao People's Armed Forces (LPAF) is small, poorly funded, and ineffectively resourced; its mission focus is border and internal security, primarily in countering ethnic Hmong insurgent groups; together with the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and the government, the Lao People's Army (LPA) is the third pillar of state machinery, and as such is expected to suppress political and civil unrest and similar national emergencies, but the LPA also has upgraded skills to respond to avian influenza outbreaks; there is no perceived external threat to the state and the LPA maintains strong ties with the neighboring Vietnamese military (2008) Transnational Issues ::Laos Disputes - international: Southeast Asian states have enhanced border surveillance to check the spread of avian flu; talks continue on completion of demarcation with Thailand but disputes remain over islands in the Mekong River; concern among Mekong Commission members that China's construction of dams on the Mekong River will affect water levels Illicit drugs: estimated opium poppy cultivation in 2008 was 1,900 hectares, about a 73% increase from 2007; estimated potential opium production in 2008 more than tripled to 17 metric tons; unsubstantiated reports of domestic methamphetamine production; growing domestic methamphetamine problem (2007) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Latvia (Europe) Introduction ::Latvia Background: The name "Latvia" originates from the ancient Latgalians, one of four eastern Baltic tribes that formed the ethnic core of the Latvian people (ca. 8th-12th centuries A.D.). The region subsequently came under the control of Germans, Poles, Swedes, and finally, Russians. A Latvian republic emerged following World War I, but it was annexed by the USSR in 1940 - an action never recognized by the US and many other countries. Latvia reestablished its independence in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union. Although the last Russian troops left in 1994, the status of the Russian minority (some 30% of the population) remains of concern to Moscow. Latvia joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004. Geography ::Latvia Location: Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania Geographic coordinates: 57 00 N, 25 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 64,589 sq km country comparison to the world: 123 land: 62,249 sq km water: 2,340 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than West Virginia Land boundaries: total: 1,382 km border countries: Belarus 171 km, Estonia 343 km, Lithuania 576 km, Russia 292 km Coastline: 498 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: maritime; wet, moderate winters Terrain: low plain Elevation extremes: lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Galzina Kalns 312 m Natural resources: peat, limestone, dolomite, amber, hydropower, wood, arable land Land use: arable land: 28.19% permanent crops: 0.45% other: 71.36% (2005) Irrigated land: 200 sq km note: land in Latvia is often too wet and in need of drainage not irrigation; approximately 16,000 sq km or 85% of agricultural land has been improved by drainage (2003) Total renewable water resources: 49.9 cu km (2005) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.25 cu km/yr (55%/33%/12%) per capita: 108 cu m/yr (2003) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: Latvia's environment has benefited from a shift to service industries after the country regained independence; the main environmental priorities are improvement of drinking water quality and sewage system, household, and hazardous waste management, as well as reduction of air pollution; in 2001, Latvia closed the EU accession negotiation chapter on environment committing to full enforcement of EU environmental directives by 2010 Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: most of the country is composed of fertile, low-lying plains, with some hills in the east People ::Latvia Population: 2,231,503 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 141 Age structure: 0-14 years: 13.3% (male 152,472/female 145,161) 15-64 years: 69.6% (male 756,469/female 797,505) 65 years and over: 17% (male 124,432/female 255,464) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 40.1 years male: 37.1 years female: 43.3 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: -0.614% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 228 Birth rate: 9.78 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 196 Death rate: 13.62 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 Net migration rate: -2.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 Urbanization: urban population: 68% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: -0.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.49 male(s)/female total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 8.77 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 161 male: 10.63 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.82 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.15 years country comparison to the world: 119 male: 66.98 years female: 77.59 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.3 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 207 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.8% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 10,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 500 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne diseases: tickborne encephalitis (2009) Nationality: noun: Latvian(s) adjective: Latvian Ethnic groups: Latvian 57.7%, Russian 29.6%, Belarusian 4.1%, Ukrainian 2.7%, Polish 2.5%, Lithuanian 1.4%, other 2% (2002) Religions: Lutheran 19.6%, Orthodox 15.3%, other Christian 1%, other 0.4%, unspecified 63.7% (2006) Languages: Latvian (official) 58.2%, Russian 37.5%, Lithuanian and other 4.3% (2000 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.7% male: 99.8% female: 99.7% (2000 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 16 years male: 14 years female: 17 years (2006) Education expenditures: 5.1% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 66 Government ::Latvia Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Latvia conventional short form: Latvia local long form: Latvijas Republika local short form: Latvija former: Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: name: Riga geographic coordinates: 56 57 N, 24 06 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 26 counties (singular - rajons) and 7 municipalities*: Aizkraukles Rajons, Aluksnes Rajons, Balvu Rajons, Bauskas Rajons, Cesu Rajons, Daugavpils*, Daugavpils Rajons, Dobeles Rajons, Gulbenes Rajons, Jekabpils Rajons, Jelgava*, Jelgavas Rajons, Jurmala*, Kraslavas Rajons, Kuldigas Rajons, Liepaja*, Liepajas Rajons, Limbazu Rajons, Ludzas Rajons, Madonas Rajons, Ogres Rajons, Preilu Rajons, Rezekne*, Rezeknes Rajons, Riga*, Rigas Rajons, Saldus Rajons, Talsu Rajons, Tukuma Rajons, Valkas Rajons, Valmieras Rajons, Ventspils*, Ventspils Rajons Independence: 18 November 1918 (from the Soviet Russia) National holiday: Independence Day, 18 November (1918); note - 18 November 1918 was the date Latvia declared itself independent from Soviet Russia; 4 May 1990 is when it declared the renewal of independence; 21 August 1991 was the date of de facto independence from the Soviet Union Constitution: 15 February 1922; restored to force by the Constitutional Law of the Republic of Latvia adopted by the Supreme Council on 21 August 1991; multiple amendments since Legal system: based on civil law system with traces of Socialist legal traditions and practices; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal for Latvian citizens Executive branch: chief of state: President Valdis ZATLERS (since 8 July 2007) head of government: Prime Minister Valdis DOMBROVSKIS (since 12 March 2009) cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and appointed by Parliament elections: president elected by Parliament for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 31 May 2007 (next to be held in 2011); prime minister appointed by the president, confirmed by Parliament election results: Valdis ZATLERS elected president; parliamentary vote - Valdis ZATLERS 58, Aivars ENDZINS 39 Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Saeima (100 seats; members are elected by proportional representation from party lists by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 7 October 2006 (next to be held in October 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - TP 19.5%, ZZS 16.7%, JL 16.4%, SC 14.4%; LPP/LC 8.6%; TB/LNNK 6.9%; PCTVL 6%; seats by party - TP 23, ZZS 18, JL 18, SC 17, LPP/LC 10, TB/LNNK 8, PCTVL 6; note - seats by party as of January 2009 - TP 21, SC 18, ZZS 17, JL 14, LPP/LC 10, Civic Union 7, TB/LNNK 5, PCTVL 5, independents 3 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by parliament); Constitutional Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by parliament) Political parties and leaders: Civic Union [Sandra KALNIETE, Girts Valdis KRISTOVSKIS]; First Party of Latvia/Latvia's Way or LPP/LC [Ainars SLESERS, Ivars GODMANIS]; For Human Rights in a United Latvia or PCTVL [Jakovs PLINERS, Tatjana ZDANOKA]; For the Fatherland and Freedom/Latvian National Independence Movement or TB/LNNK [Roberts ZILE, Maris GRINBLATS]; Harmony Center or SC [Nils USAKOVS, Janis URBANOVICS]; New Era Party or JL [Solvita ABOLTINA, Dzintars ZAKIS]; People's Party or TP [Mareks SEGLINS]; Society for Different Politics or SCP [Aigars STOKENBERGS; Artis PABRIKS]; The Union of Latvian Greens and Farmers Party or ZZS [Augusts BRIGMANIS] Political pressure groups and leaders: Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia [Peteris KRIGERS], Employers' Confederation of Latvia [Elina EGLE], Farmers' Parliament [Juris LAZDINS] International organization participation: Australia Group, BA, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Andrejs PILDEGOVICS chancery: 2306 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 328-2840 FAX: [1] (202) 328-2860 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Bruce ROGERS embassy: 7 Raina Boulevard, Riga LV-1510 mailing address: American Embassy Riga, PSC 78, Box Riga, APO AE 09723 telephone: [371] 670-36200 FAX: [371] 678-20047 Flag description: three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width), and maroon Economy ::Latvia Economy - overview: Latvia's economy experienced GDP growth of more than 10% per year during 2006-07; but entered a severe recession in 2008 as a result of an unsustainable current account deficit and large debt exposure amid the softening world economy. The IMF, EU, and other donors provided assistance to Latvia as part of an agreement to defend the currency's peg to the euro and reduce the fiscal deficit to about 5% of GDP. The majority of companies, banks, and real estate have been privatized, although the state still holds sizable stakes in a few large enterprises. Latvia officially joined the World Trade Organization in February 1999. EU membership, a top foreign policy goal, came in May 2004. The current account deficit and inflation remain major concerns. GDP (purchasing power parity): $38.95 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 $40.83 billion (2007 est.) $37.12 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $33.98 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -4.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 216 10% (2007 est.) 12.2% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $17,300 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 $18,100 (2007 est.) $16,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.1% industry: 22.7% services: 74.2% (2008 est.) Labor force: 1.193 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 12.1% industry: 25.8% services: 61.8% (2005 est.) Unemployment rate: 7.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 5.7% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.7% highest 10%: 27.4% (2004) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 36 (2005) country comparison to the world: 84 32 (1999) Investment (gross fixed): 30.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 Budget: revenues: $12.06 billion expenditures: $13.41 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 19.5% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 11.8% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 15.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 192 10.1% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 6% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 76 6% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 11.85% (31 December 2008) Stock of money: $6.688 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 48 $8.196 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $5.572 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 64 $5.113 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $28.96 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 54 $27.56 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $1.609 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 91 $3.111 billion (31 December 2007) $2.705 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables; beef, pork, milk, eggs; fish Industries: buses, vans, street and railroad cars; synthetic fibers, agricultural machinery, fertilizers, washing machines, radios, electronics, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, textiles; note - dependent on imports for energy and raw materials Industrial production growth rate: -4.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 165 Electricity - production: 4.62 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 Electricity - consumption: 6.822 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 Electricity - exports: 2.123 billion kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 4.643 billion kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 Oil - consumption: 39,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 Oil - exports: 5,873 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 Oil - imports: 43,400 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 187 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 Natural gas - consumption: 2.05 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 76 Natural gas - imports: 2.05 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 45 Current account balance: -$4.492 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 157 -$6.485 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $9.634 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 $8.227 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: wood and wood products, machinery and equipment, metals, textiles, foodstuffs Exports - partners: Lithuania 15.5%, Russia 14.7%, Estonia 13.2%, Germany 7.7%, Sweden 6.2%, Denmark 4.3% (2008) Imports: $15.65 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 $15.13 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, vehicles Imports - partners: Lithuania 16.1%, Germany 12.9%, Russia 10.7%, Poland 7%, Estonia 7%, Sweden 4.4%, Finland 4.3% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $5.248 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 $5.758 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $42.26 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 57 $38.95 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $11.21 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 $9.779 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $1.083 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 $782 million (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: lati (LVL) per US dollar - 0.4701 (2008 est.), 0.5162 (2007), 0.5597 (2006), 0.5647 (2005), 0.5402 (2004) Communications ::Latvia Telephones - main lines in use: 644,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 92 Telephones - mobile cellular: 2.234 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 119 Telephone system: general assessment: recent efforts focused on bringing competition to the telecommunications sector; the number of fixed lines is decreasing as wireless telephone service expands domestic: number of telecommunications operators has grown rapidly since the fixed-line market opened to competition in 2003; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership exceeds 125 per 100 persons international: country code - 371; the Latvian network is now connected via fiber optic cable to Estonia, Finland, and Sweden (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 8, FM 62, shortwave 1 (2008) Television broadcast stations: 37 (plus 31 repeaters) (2008) Internet country code: .lv Internet hosts: 257,414 (2009) country comparison to the world: 60 Internet users: 1.254 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 82 Transportation ::Latvia Airports: 43 (2009) country comparison to the world: 100 Airports - with paved runways: total: 20 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 8 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 23 under 914 m: 23 (2009) Pipelines: gas 948 km; refined products 415 km (2008) Railways: total: 2,298 km country comparison to the world: 67 broad gauge: 2,265 km 1.520-m gauge narrow gauge: 33 km 0.750-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 69,675 km country comparison to the world: 68 paved: 69,675 km (2006) Waterways: 300 km (2007) country comparison to the world: 93 Merchant marine: total: 22 country comparison to the world: 95 by type: cargo 8, chemical tanker 3, liquefied gas 2, passenger/cargo 5, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 2 foreign-owned: 2 (Estonia 2) registered in other countries: 118 (Antigua and Barbuda 13, Belize 12, Cambodia 1, Cook Islands 1, Cyprus 1, Dominica 1, Jamaica 1, Liberia 21, Malta 19, Marshall Islands 16, Panama 8, Russia 2, Saint Kitts and Nevis 5, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 17) (2008) Ports and terminals: Riga, Ventspils Military ::Latvia Military branches: National Armed Forces (Nacionalo Brunoto Speku): Ground Forces, Navy (Latvijas Juras Speki; includes Coast Guard (Latvijas Kara Flotes)), Latvian Air Force (Latvijas Gaisa Speki), Border Guard, Latvian Home Guard (Latvijas Zemessardze) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary male and female military service; conscription abolished January 2007; under current law, every citizen is entitled to serve in the armed forces for life (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 568,683 females age 16-49: 565,826 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 410,374 females age 16-49: 463,144 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 12,901 female: 12,497 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.2% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 Transnational Issues ::Latvia Disputes - international: Russia demands better Latvian treatment of ethnic Russians in Latvia; as of January 2007, ground demarcation of the boundary with Belarus was complete and mapped with final ratification documentation in preparation; the Latvian parliament has not ratified its 1998 maritime boundary treaty with Lithuania, primarily due to concerns over oil exploration rights; as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Latvia has implemented the strict Schengen border rules with Russia Illicit drugs: transshipment and destination point for cocaine, synthetic drugs, opiates, and cannabis from Southwest Asia, Western Europe, Latin America, and neighboring Balkan countries; despite improved legislation, vulnerable to money laundering due to nascent enforcement capabilities and comparatively weak regulation of offshore companies and the gaming industry; CIS organized crime (including counterfeiting, corruption, extortion, stolen cars, and prostitution) accounts for most laundered proceeds page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Lebanon (Middle East) Introduction ::Lebanon Background: Following World War I, France acquired a mandate over the northern portion of the former Ottoman Empire province of Syria. The French separated out the region of Lebanon in 1920, and granted this area independence in 1943. A lengthy civil war (1975-1990) devastated the country, but Lebanon has since made progress toward rebuilding its political institutions. Under the Ta'if Accord - the blueprint for national reconciliation - the Lebanese established a more equitable political system, particularly by giving Muslims a greater voice in the political process while institutionalizing sectarian divisions in the government. Since the end of the war, Lebanon has conducted several successful elections. Most militias have been disbanded, with the exception of Hizballah, designated by the US State Department as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, and Palestinian militant groups. During Lebanon's civil war, the Arab League legitimized in the Ta'if Accord Syria's troop deployment, numbering about 16,000 based mainly east of Beirut and in the Bekaa Valley. Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon in May 2000 and the passage in September 2004 of UNSCR 1559 - a resolution calling for Syria to withdraw from Lebanon and end its interference in Lebanese affairs - encouraged some Lebanese groups to demand that Syria withdraw its forces as well. The assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq HARIRI and 22 others in February 2005 led to massive demonstrations in Beirut against the Syrian presence ("the Cedar Revolution"), and Syria withdrew the remainder of its military forces in April 2005. In May-June 2005, Lebanon held its first legislative elections since the end of the civil war free of foreign interference, handing a majority to the bloc led by Saad HARIRI, the slain prime minister's son. In July 2006, Hizballah kidnapped two Israeli soldiers leading to a 34-day conflict with Israel in which approximately 1,200 Lebanese civilians were killed. UNSCR 1701 ended the war in August 2006, and Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) deployed throughout the country for the first time in decades, charged with securing Lebanon's borders against weapons smuggling and maintaining a weapons-free zone in south Lebanon with the help of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The LAF in May-September 2007 battled Sunni extremist group Fatah al-Islam in the Nahr al-Barid Palestinian refugee camp, winning a decisive victory, but destroying the camp and displacing 30,000 Palestinian residents. Lebanese politicians in November 2007 were unable to agree on a successor to Emile LAHUD when he stepped down as president, creating a political vacuum until the election of Army Commander Michel SULAYMAN in May 2008 and the formation of a new unity government in July 2008. Geography ::Lebanon Location: Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Israel and Syria Geographic coordinates: 33 50 N, 35 50 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 10,400 sq km country comparison to the world: 169 land: 10,230 sq km water: 170 sq km Area - comparative: about 0.7 times the size of Connecticut Land boundaries: total: 454 km border countries: Israel 79 km, Syria 375 km Coastline: 225 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: Mediterranean; mild to cool, wet winters with hot, dry summers; Lebanon mountains experience heavy winter snows Terrain: narrow coastal plain; El Beqaa (Bekaa Valley) separates Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon Mountains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Qurnat as Sawda' 3,088 m Natural resources: limestone, iron ore, salt, water-surplus state in a water-deficit region, arable land Land use: arable land: 16.35% permanent crops: 13.75% other: 69.9% (2005) Irrigated land: 1,040 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 4.8 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 1.38 cu km/yr (33%/1%/67%) per capita: 385 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: dust storms, sandstorms Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; air pollution in Beirut from vehicular traffic and the burning of industrial wastes; pollution of coastal waters from raw sewage and oil spills Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: Nahr el Litani is the only major river in Near East not crossing an international boundary; rugged terrain historically helped isolate, protect, and develop numerous factional groups based on religion, clan, and ethnicity People ::Lebanon Population: 4,017,095 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 Age structure: 0-14 years: 25.8% (male 528,047/female 506,838) 15-64 years: 67.1% (male 1,294,485/female 1,399,047) 65 years and over: 7.2% (male 130,148/female 158,530) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 29.3 years male: 28 years female: 30.5 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.107% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 Birth rate: 17.1 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 Death rate: 6.03 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 87% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 21.82 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 99 male: 24.26 deaths/1,000 live births female: 19.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.66 years country comparison to the world: 101 male: 71.15 years female: 76.31 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.85 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 152 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 3,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 131 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 Nationality: noun: Lebanese (singular and plural) adjective: Lebanese Ethnic groups: Arab 95%, Armenian 4%, other 1% note: many Christian Lebanese do not identify themselves as Arab but rather as descendents of the ancient Canaanites and prefer to be called Phoenicians Religions: Muslim 59.7% (Shia, Sunni, Druze, Isma'ilite, Alawite or Nusayri), Christian 39% (Maronite Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Melkite Catholic, Armenian Orthodox, Syrian Catholic, Armenian Catholic, Syrian Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Chaldean, Assyrian, Copt, Protestant), other 1.3% note: 17 religious sects recognized Languages: Arabic (official), French, English, Armenian Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 87.4% male: 93.1% female: 82.2% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 13 years (2006) Education expenditures: 2.7% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 153 Government ::Lebanon Country name: conventional long form: Lebanese Republic conventional short form: Lebanon local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Lubnaniyah local short form: Lubnan former: Greater Lebanon Government type: republic Capital: name: Beirut geographic coordinates: 33 52 N, 35 30 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 6 governorates (mohafazat, singular - mohafazah); Beqaa, Beyrouth (Beirut), Liban-Nord, Liban-Sud, Mont-Liban, Nabatiye note: two new governorates - Aakar and Baalbek-Hermel - have been legislated but not yet implemented Independence: 22 November 1943 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration) National holiday: Independence Day, 22 November (1943) Constitution: 23 May 1926; amended a number of times, most recently Charter of Lebanese National Reconciliation (Ta'if Accord) of October 1989 Legal system: mixture of Ottoman law, canon law, Napoleonic code, and civil law; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 21 years of age; compulsory for all males; authorized for women at age 21 with elementary education; excludes military personnel Executive branch: chief of state: President Michel SULAYMAN (since 25 May 2008) head of government: Prime Minister Sa'ad AL-HARIRI (since 9 November 2009);Deputy Prime Minister Elias MURR (since 9 November 2009) cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation with the president and members of the National Assembly elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a six-year term (may not serve consecutive terms); election last held 25 May 2008 (next to be held in 2014); the prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president in consultation with the National Assembly election results: Michel SULAYMAN elected president; National Assembly vote - 118 for, 6 abstentions, 3 invalidated Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Majlis Alnuwab (Arabic) or Assemblee Nationale (French) (128 seats; members elected by popular vote on the basis of sectarian proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 7 June 2009 (next to be held in 2013) election results: percent of vote by group - March 8 Coalition 54.7%, March 14 Coalition 45.3%; seats by group - March 14 Coalition 71; March 8 Coalition 57 Judicial branch: four Courts of Cassation (three courts for civil and commercial cases and one court for criminal cases); Constitutional Council (called for in Ta'if Accord - rules on constitutionality of laws); Supreme Council (hears charges against the president and prime minister as needed) Political parties and leaders: 14 March Coalition: Democratic Gathering Bloc [Walid JUNBLATT, leader of Progressive Socialist Party]; Democratic Left [Ilyas ATALLAH]; Democratic Renewal Movement [Nassib LAHUD]; Future Movement Bloc [Sa'ad al-HARIRI]; Kataeb Party [Amine GEMAYEL]; Lebanese Forces [Samir JA'JA]; Tripoli Independent Bloc 8 March Coalition: Development and Resistance Bloc [Nabih BERRI, leader of Amal Movement]; Free Patriotic Movement [Michel AWN]; Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc [Mohammad RA'AD] (includes Hizballah Party [Hassan NASRALLAH]); Nasserite Popular Movement [Ussama SAAD]; Popular Bloc [Elias SKAFF]; Syrian Ba'th Party [Sayez SHUKR]; Syrian Social Nationalist Party [Ali QANSO] Independent: Metn Bloc [Michel MURR]; Tashnaq Political pressure groups and leaders: Hizballah military wing other: Palestinian militias; Maronite Christians; Sunnis and their militias; Shias and their militias International organization participation: ABEDA, ACCT, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Antoine CHEDID chancery: 2560 28th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 939-6300 FAX: [1] (202) 939-6324 consulate(s) general: Detroit, New York, Los Angeles Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Michele J. SISON embassy: Awkar, Lebanon; (Awkar facing the Municipality) mailing address: P. O. Box 70-840, Antelias, Lebanon; from US: US Embassy Beirut, 6070 Beirut Place, Washington, DC 20521-6070 telephone: [961] (4) 542600, 543600 FAX: [961] (4) 544136 Flag description: three horizontal bands consisting of red (top), white (middle, double width), and red (bottom) with a green cedar tree centered in the white band Economy ::Lebanon Economy - overview: Lebanon has a free-market economy and a strong laissez-faire commercial tradition. The government does not restrict foreign investment; however, the investment climate suffers from red tape, corruption, arbitrary licensing decisions, high taxes, tariffs, and fees, archaic legislation, and weak intellectual property rights. The Lebanese economy is service-oriented; main growth sectors include banking and tourism. The 1975-90 civil war seriously damaged Lebanon's economic infrastructure, cut national output by half, and all but ended Lebanon's position as a Middle Eastern entrepot and banking hub. In the years since, Lebanon has rebuilt much of its war-torn physical and financial infrastructure by borrowing heavily - mostly from domestic banks. In an attempt to reduce the ballooning national debt, the Rafiq HARIRI government in 2000 began an austerity program, reining in government expenditures, increasing revenue collection, and passing legislation to privatize state enterprises, but economic and financial reform initiatives stalled and public debt continued to grow despite receipt of more than $2 billion in bilateral assistance at the 2002 Paris II Donors Conference. The Israeli-Hizballah conflict in July-August 2006 caused an estimated $3.6 billion in infrastructure damage, and prompted international donors to pledge nearly $1 billion in recovery and reconstruction assistance. Donors met again in January 2007 at the Paris III Donor Conference and pledged more than $7.5 billion to Lebanon for development projects and budget support, conditioned on progress on Beirut's fiscal reform and privatization program. An 18-month political stalemate and sporadic sectarian and political violence hampered economic activity, particularly tourism, retail sales, and investment, until the new government was formed in July 2008. Political stability since the Doha Accord of May 2008 has helped to boost investment and tourism, but economic growth is likely to slow in 2009 as a result of the global economic recession. GDP (purchasing power parity): $44.16 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 $41.54 billion (2007 est.) $39.95 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $29.35 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 4% (2007 est.) -4.3% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $11,100 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 $10,600 (2007 est.) $10,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 5.1% industry: 18.8% services: 76.1% (2008 est.) Labor force: 1.481 million country comparison to the world: 129 note: in addition, there are as many as 1 million foreign workers (2007 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Unemployment rate: 9.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 Population below poverty line: 28% (1999 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Investment (gross fixed): 22.4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 Budget: revenues: $6.998 billion expenditures: $9.955 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 160.3% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 177.9% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 4.2% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 12% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 28 12% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 9.96% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 82 10.26% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $2.374 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) $57.4 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $45.51 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $9.641 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 73 $10.86 billion (31 December 2007) $8.279 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: citrus, grapes, tomatoes, apples, vegetables, potatoes, olives, tobacco; sheep, goats Industries: banking, tourism, food processing, wine, jewelry, cement, textiles, mineral and chemical products, wood and furniture products, oil refining, metal fabricating Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 9.03 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 Electricity - consumption: 8.42 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 972 million kWh (2007 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 Oil - consumption: 92,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 172 Oil - imports: 86,750 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 188 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 169 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 165 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 77 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 160 Current account balance: -$2.987 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 148 -$1.395 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $5.023 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 $4.077 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: jewelry, base metals, chemicals, miscellaneous consumer goods, fruit and vegetables, tobacco, construction minerals, electric power machinery and switchgear, textile fibers, paper Exports - partners: Syria 24.9%, UAE 12.9%, Switzerland 6.6%, Saudi Arabia 6.1%, Turkey 4.2% (2008) Imports: $16.25 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 $11.93 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: petroleum products, cars, medicinal products, clothing, meat and live animals, consumer goods, paper, textile fabrics, tobacco, electrical machinery and equipment, chemicals Imports - partners: Syria 10.5%, France 9.5%, US 9.3%, Italy 7.3%, China 6.8%, Germany 4.9%, Saudi Arabia 4.8%, Turkey 4.2% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $28.28 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 $20.55 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $33.28 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 $31.6 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $NA Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Exchange rates: Lebanese pounds (LBP) per US dollar - 1,507.5 (2008 est.), 1,507.5 (2007), 1,507.5 (2006), 1,507.5 (2005), 1,507.5 (2004) Communications ::Lebanon Telephones - main lines in use: 714,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 89 Telephones - mobile cellular: 1.43 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 134 Telephone system: general assessment: repair of the telecommunications system, severely damaged during the civil war, now complete domestic: two wireless networks provide good service; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership exceeds 50 per 100 persons international: country code - 961; submarine cable links to Cyprus, Egypt, and Syria; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean); coaxial cable to Syria (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 20, FM 32 (plus about a dozen unlicensed stations operating), shortwave 4 (2007) Television broadcast stations: 15 (plus 5 repeaters) (1995) Internet country code: .lb Internet hosts: 45,352 (2009) country comparison to the world: 86 Internet users: 2.19 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 67 Transportation ::Lebanon Airports: 7 (2009) country comparison to the world: 167 Airports - with paved runways: total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009) Pipelines: gas 43 km (2008) Railways: total: 401 km country comparison to the world: 119 standard gauge: 319 km 1.435 m narrow gauge: 82 km 1.050 m note: rail system unusable because of the damage done during fighting in the 1980s and in 2006 (2008) Roadways: total: 6,970 km (includes 170 km of expressways) (2005) country comparison to the world: 148 Merchant marine: total: 33 country comparison to the world: 84 by type: bulk carrier 3, cargo 13, carrier 11, passenger/cargo 1, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 2, vehicle carrier 2 foreign-owned: 4 (Greece 2, Syria 2) registered in other countries: 55 (Barbados 1, Cambodia 8, Comoros 4, Cyprus 1, Egypt 1, Georgia 4, Honduras 1, Italy 1, North Korea 1, Liberia 2, Malta 11, Mongolia 2, Panama 5, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 6, Sierra Leone 1, Syria 3, Togo 1, unknown 2) (2008) Ports and terminals: Beirut, Tripoli Military ::Lebanon Military branches: Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF): Army (includes Navy), Air Force (Al Quwwat al Jawwiya al Lubnaniya) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18-30 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2007) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,106,879 females age 16-49: 1,122,595 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 948,765 females age 16-49: 954,663 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 33,018 female: 31,800 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 3.1% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 45 Transnational Issues ::Lebanon Disputes - international: lacking a treaty or other documentation describing the boundary, portions of the Lebanon-Syria boundary are unclear with several sections in dispute; since 2000, Lebanon has claimed Shab'a Farms area in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights; the roughly 2,000-strong UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has been in place since 1978 Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 405,425 (Palestinian refugees (UNRWA)); 50,000-60,000 (Iraq) IDPs: 17,000 (1975-90 civil war, Israeli invasions); 200,000 (July-August 2006 war) (2007) Illicit drugs: cannabis cultivation dramatically reduced to 2,500 hectares in 2002 despite continued significant cannabis consumption; opium poppy cultivation minimal; small amounts of Latin American cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin transit country on way to European markets and for Middle Eastern consumption; money laundering of drug proceeds fuels concern that extremists are benefiting from drug trafficking page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Lesotho (Africa) Introduction ::Lesotho Background: Basutoland was renamed the Kingdom of Lesotho upon independence from the UK in 1966. The Basuto National Party ruled for the first two decades. King MOSHOESHOE was exiled in 1990, but returned to Lesotho in 1992 and was reinstated in 1995. Constitutional government was restored in 1993 after seven years of military rule. In 1998, violent protests and a military mutiny following a contentious election prompted a brief but bloody intervention by South African and Botswanan military forces under the aegis of the Southern African Development Community. Subsequent constitutional reforms restored relative political stability. Peaceful parliamentary elections were held in 2002, but the National Assembly elections of February 2007 were hotly contested and aggrieved parties continue to periodically demonstrate their distrust of the results. Geography ::Lesotho Location: Southern Africa, an enclave of South Africa Geographic coordinates: 29 30 S, 28 30 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 30,355 sq km country comparison to the world: 141 land: 30,355 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland Land boundaries: total: 909 km border countries: South Africa 909 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: temperate; cool to cold, dry winters; hot, wet summers Terrain: mostly highland with plateaus, hills, and mountains Elevation extremes: lowest point: junction of the Orange and Makhaleng Rivers 1,400 m highest point: Thabana Ntlenyana 3,482 m Natural resources: water, agricultural and grazing land, diamonds, sand, clay, building stone Land use: arable land: 10.87% permanent crops: 0.13% other: 89% (2005) Irrigated land: 30 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 5.2 cu km (1987) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.05 cu km/yr (40%/40%/20%) per capita: 28 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: periodic droughts Environment - current issues: population pressure forcing settlement in marginal areas results in overgrazing, severe soil erosion, and soil exhaustion; desertification; Highlands Water Project controls, stores, and redirects water to South Africa Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: landlocked, completely surrounded by South Africa; mountainous, more than 80% of the country is 1,800 m above sea level People ::Lesotho Population: 2,130,819 country comparison to the world: 142 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 34.8% (male 373,159/female 368,271) 15-64 years: 60.2% (male 629,346/female 654,054) 65 years and over: 5% (male 42,074/female 63,915) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 21.4 years male: 20.9 years female: 22 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.116% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 189 Birth rate: 24.14 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 Death rate: 22.2 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 Net migration rate: -0.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 Urbanization: urban population: 25% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 77.4 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 24 male: 81.75 deaths/1,000 live births female: 72.92 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 40.38 years country comparison to the world: 221 male: 41.18 years female: 39.54 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.06 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 23.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 270,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 18,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 Nationality: noun: Mosotho (singular), Basotho (plural) adjective: Basotho Ethnic groups: Sotho 99.7%, Europeans, Asians, and other 0.3%, Religions: Christian 80%, indigenous beliefs 20% Languages: Sesotho (southern Sotho), English (official), Zulu, Xhosa Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 84.8% male: 74.5% female: 94.5% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 10 years male: 10 years female: 10 years (2006) Education expenditures: 13% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 2 Government ::Lesotho Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Lesotho conventional short form: Lesotho local long form: Kingdom of Lesotho local short form: Lesotho former: Basutoland Government type: parliamentary constitutional monarchy Capital: name: Maseru geographic coordinates: 29 19 S, 27 29 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 10 districts; Berea, Butha-Buthe, Leribe, Mafeteng, Maseru, Mohale's Hoek, Mokhotlong, Qacha's Nek, Quthing, Thaba-Tseka Independence: 4 October 1966 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 4 October (1966) Constitution: 2 April 1993 Legal system: based on English common law and Roman-Dutch law; judicial review of legislative acts in High Court and Court of Appeal; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: King LETSIE III (since 7 February 1996); note - King LETSIE III formerly occupied the throne from November 1990 to February 1995 while his father was in exile head of government: Prime Minister Pakalitha MOSISILI (since 23 May 1998) cabinet: Cabinet elections: according to the constitution, the leader of the majority party in the Assembly automatically becomes prime minister; the monarch is hereditary, but, under the terms of the constitution that came into effect after the March 1993 election, the monarch is a "living symbol of national unity" with no executive or legislative powers; under traditional law the college of chiefs has the power to depose the monarch, determine who is next in the line of succession, or who shall serve as regent in the event that the successor is not of mature age Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (33 members - 22 principal chiefs and 11 other members appointed by the ruling party) and the Assembly (120 seats, 80 by popular vote and 40 by proportional vote; members elected by popular vote for five-year terms) elections: last held 17 February 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LCD 61, NIP 21, ABC 17, LWP 10, ACP 4, BNP 3, other 4 Judicial branch: High Court (chief justice appointed by the monarch acting on the advice of the prime minister); Court of Appeal; Magistrate Courts; customary or traditional court Political parties and leaders: Alliance of Congress Parties or ACP including the Lesotho People's Congress or LCP [Kelebone MAOPE], the Basotholand African Congress or BAC [Khauhelo RALITAPOLE], and a faction of the Basotho Congress Party or BCP [Ntsukunyane MPHANYA]; All Basotho Convention or ABC [Thomas THABANE]; Basotho Batho Democratic Party or BBDP; Basotho Congress Party or BCP; Basotho Democratic National Party or BDNP [Thabang NYEOE]; Basotho National Party or BNP [Maj. Gen. Justin Metsing LEKHANYA]; Basotholand African National Congress or BANC; Christian Democratic Party or CDP [Enerst RAMOKOENA]; Lesotho Congress for Democracy or LCD (the governing party) [Pakalitha MOSISILI]; Lesotho Workers Party or LWP [Macaefa BILLY]; National Independent Party or NIP [Anthony MANYELI] Political pressure groups and leaders: Media Institute of Southern Africa, Lesotho chapter [Thabang MATJAMA] (pushes for media freedom) International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO (subscriber), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador David Mohlomi RANTEKOA chancery: 2511 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 797-5533 through 5536 FAX: [1] (202) 234-6815 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert NOLAN embassy: 254 Kingsway, Maseru West (Consular Section) mailing address: P. O. Box 333, Maseru 100, Lesotho telephone: [266] 22 312666 FAX: [266] 22 310116 Flag description: three horizontal stripes of blue (top), white, and green in the proportions of 3:4:3; the colors represent rain, peace, and prosperity respectively; centered in the white stripe is a black Basotho hat representing the indigenous people; the flag was unfurled in October 2006 to celebrate 40 years of independence Economy ::Lesotho Economy - overview: Small, landlocked, and mountainous, Lesotho relies on remittances from miners employed in South Africa and customs duties from the Southern Africa Customs Union for the majority of government revenue. However, the government has recently strengthened its tax system to reduce dependency on customs duties. Completion of a major hydropower facility in January 1998 permitted the sale of water to South Africa and generated royalties for Lesotho. Lesotho produces about 90% of its own electrical power needs. As the number of mineworkers has declined steadily over the past several years, a small manufacturing base has developed based on farm products that support the milling, canning, leather, and jute industries, as well as a rapidly expanding apparel-assembly sector. The latter has grown significantly mainly due to Lesotho qualifying for the trade benefits contained in the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act. The economy is still primarily based on subsistence agriculture, especially livestock, although drought has decreased agricultural activity. The extreme inequality in the distribution of income remains a major drawback. Lesotho has signed an Interim Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility with the IMF. In July 2007, Lesotho signed a Millennium Challenge Account Compact with the US worth $362.5 million. GDP (purchasing power parity): $3.301 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 170 $3.091 billion (2007 est.) $2.949 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $1.618 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 4.8% (2007 est.) 6.2% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $1,600 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 194 $1,500 (2007 est.) $1,400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 15.1% industry: 46.4% services: 38.5% (2008 est.) Labor force: 854,600 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 86% of resident population engaged in subsistence agriculture; roughly 35% of the active male wage earners work in South Africa industry and services: 14% (2002 est.) Unemployment rate: 45% (2002) country comparison to the world: 190 Population below poverty line: 49% (1999) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1% highest 10%: 39.4% (2003) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 63.2 (1995) country comparison to the world: 3 56 (1986-87) Investment (gross fixed): 40.8% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 Budget: revenues: $825.1 million expenditures: $758.7 million (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 157 8% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 14.05% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 20 12.82% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 16.19% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 50 14.13% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $416.5 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 98 $439.2 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $108.1 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 119 $160.2 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $NA (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: corn, wheat, pulses, sorghum, barley; livestock Industries: food, beverages, textiles, apparel assembly, handicrafts, construction, tourism Industrial production growth rate: 10% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 13 Electricity - production: 502 million kWh country comparison to the world: 159 note: electricity supplied by South Africa (2007 est.) Electricity - consumption: 516.9 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 161 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 50 million kWh; note - electricity supplied by South Africa (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 143 Oil - consumption: 2,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 183 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 171 Oil - imports: 1,553 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 182 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 159 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 165 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 163 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 161 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 164 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 Current account balance: $121 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 $211.8 million (2007 est.) Exports: $956 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 152 $805 million (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: manufactures 75% (clothing, footwear, road vehicles), wool and mohair, food and live animals (2000) Exports - partners: US 58.9%, Belgium 37%, Madagascar 1.2% (2008) Imports: $1.88 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 152 $1.604 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: food; building materials, vehicles, machinery, medicines, petroleum products Imports - partners: China 35.5%, Hong Kong 22.1%, South Korea 19.1%, Germany 5.9%, Pakistan 4.6% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $993 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 $874 million (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $619 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 $689 million (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: maloti (LSL) per US dollar - 7.75 (2008 est.), 7.25 (2007), 6.85 (2006), 6.3593 (2005), 6.4597 (2004) Communications ::Lesotho Telephones - main lines in use: 65,200 (2008) country comparison to the world: 156 Telephones - mobile cellular: 581,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 153 Telephone system: general assessment: rudimentary system consisting of a modest but growing number of landlines, a small microwave radio relay system, and a small radiotelephone communication system; mobile-cellular telephone system is expanding domestic: privatized in 2001, Telecom Lesotho tasked with providing an additional 50,000 fixed-line connections within five years, a target not met; mobile-cellular service is expanding with a subscribership exceeding 25 per 100 persons; rural services are scant international: country code - 266; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 3, shortwave 1 (2007) Television broadcast stations: 1 (2007) Internet country code: .ls Internet hosts: 127 (2009) country comparison to the world: 197 Internet users: 73,300 (2008) country comparison to the world: 163 Transportation ::Lesotho Airports: 26 (2009) country comparison to the world: 126 Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 23 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 18 (2009) Roadways: total: 7,091 km country comparison to the world: 147 paved: 1,404 km unpaved: 5,687 km (2003) Military ::Lesotho Military branches: Lesotho Defense Force (LDF): Army (includes Air Wing) (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18-24 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 525,203 females age 16-49: 522,485 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 267,083 females age 16-49: 240,868 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 26,039 female: 25,964 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 2.6% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 60 Military - note: Lesotho's declared policy is maintenance of its independent sovereignty and preservation of internal security; in practice, external security is guaranteed by South Africa; restructuring of the Lesotho Defense Force (LDF) and Ministry of Defense and Public Service over the past five years has focused on subordinating the defense apparatus to civilian control and restoring the LDF's cohesion; the restructuring has considerably improved capabilities and professionalism, but the LDF is disproportionately large for a small, poor country; the government has outlined a reduction to a planned 1,500-man strength, but these plans have met with vociferous resistance from the political opposition and from inside the LDF (2008) Transnational Issues ::Lesotho Disputes - international: none page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Liberia (Africa) Introduction ::Liberia Background: Settlement of freed slaves from the US in what is today Liberia began in 1822; by 1847, the Americo-Liberians were able to establish a republic. William TUBMAN, president from 1944-71, did much to promote foreign investment and to bridge the economic, social, and political gaps between the descendents of the original settlers and the inhabitants of the interior. In 1980, a military coup led by Samuel DOE ushered in a decade of authoritarian rule. In December 1989, Charles TAYLOR launched a rebellion against DOE's regime that led to a prolonged civil war in which DOE himself was killed. A period of relative peace in 1997 allowed for elections that brought TAYLOR to power, but major fighting resumed in 2000. An August 2003 peace agreement ended the war and prompted the resignation of former president Charles TAYLOR, who faces war crimes charges in The Hague related to his involvement in Sierra Leone's civil war. After two years of rule by a transitional government, democratic elections in late 2005 brought President Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF to power. The UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) maintains a strong presence throughout the country, but the security situation is still fragile and the process of rebuilding the social and economic structure of this war-torn country will take many years. Geography ::Liberia Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone Geographic coordinates: 6 30 N, 9 30 W Map references: Africa Area: total: 111,369 sq km country comparison to the world: 103 land: 96,320 sq km water: 15,049 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Tennessee Land boundaries: total: 1,585 km border countries: Guinea 563 km, Cote d'Ivoire 716 km, Sierra Leone 306 km Coastline: 579 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 200 nm Climate: tropical; hot, humid; dry winters with hot days and cool to cold nights; wet, cloudy summers with frequent heavy showers Terrain: mostly flat to rolling coastal plains rising to rolling plateau and low mountains in northeast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Wuteve 1,380 m Natural resources: iron ore, timber, diamonds, gold, hydropower Land use: arable land: 3.43% permanent crops: 1.98% other: 94.59% (2005) Irrigated land: 30 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 232 cu km (1987) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.11 cu km/yr (27%/18%/55%) per capita: 34 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: dust-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to March) Environment - current issues: tropical rain forest deforestation; soil erosion; loss of biodiversity; pollution of coastal waters from oil residue and raw sewage Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: facing the Atlantic Ocean, the coastline is characterized by lagoons, mangrove swamps, and river-deposited sandbars; the inland grassy plateau supports limited agriculture People ::Liberia Population: 3,441,790 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 Age structure: 0-14 years: 44.1% (male 760,989/female 758,554) 15-64 years: 53% (male 904,770/female 920,704) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 47,013/female 49,760) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 18 years male: 17.9 years female: 18.2 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 2.665% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 Birth rate: 42.25 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 Death rate: 20.73 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 Net migration rate: 5.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 Urbanization: urban population: 60% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 5.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 138.24 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 4 male: 153.55 deaths/1,000 live births female: 122.46 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 41.84 years country comparison to the world: 218 male: 40.71 years female: 43 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.79 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.7% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 35,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 2,300 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever water contact disease: schistosomiasis aerosolized dust or soil contact disease: Lassa fever animal contact disease: rabies (2009) Nationality: noun: Liberian(s) adjective: Liberian Ethnic groups: indigenous African 95% (including Kpelle, Bassa, Gio, Kru, Grebo, Mano, Krahn, Gola, Gbandi, Loma, Kissi, Vai, Dei, Bella, Mandingo, and Mende), Americo-Liberians 2.5% (descendants of immigrants from the US who had been slaves), Congo People 2.5% (descendants of immigrants from the Caribbean who had been slaves) Religions: Christian 40%, Muslim 20%, indigenous beliefs 40% Languages: English 20% (official), some 20 ethnic group languages few of which can be written or used in correspondence Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 57.5% male: 73.3% female: 41.6% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 10 years male: 11 years female: 8 years (2000) Education expenditures: NA Government ::Liberia Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Liberia conventional short form: Liberia Government type: republic Capital: name: Monrovia geographic coordinates: 6 18 N, 10 48 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 15 counties; Bomi, Bong, Gbarpolu, Grand Bassa, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Gedeh, Grand Kru, Lofa, Margibi, Maryland, Montserrado, Nimba, River Cess, River Gee, Sinoe Independence: 26 July 1847 National holiday: Independence Day, 26 July (1847) Constitution: 6 January 1986 Legal system: dual system of statutory law based on Anglo-American common law for the modern sector and customary law based on unwritten tribal practices for indigenous sector; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF (since 16 January 2006); note - the President is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF (since 16 January 2006) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 8 November 2005 (next to be held in October 2011) election results: Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF elected president; percent of vote, second round - Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF 59.6%, George WEAH 40.4% Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (30 seats; note - number of seats changed in 11 October 2005 elections; members elected by popular vote to serve nine-year terms) and the House of Representatives (64 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 11 October 2005 (next to be held in October 2011); House of Representatives - last held 11 October 2005 (next to be held in October 2011) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - COTOL 7, NPP 4, CDC 3, LP 3, UP 3, APD 3, other 7; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CDC 15, LP 9, COTOL 8, UP 8, APD 5, NPP 4, other 15 note: junior senators - those who received the second most votes in each county in the 11 October 2005 election - will only serve a six-year first term because the Liberian constitution mandates staggered Senate elections to ensure continuity of government; all senators will be eligible for nine-year terms thereafter Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Peace and Democracy or APD [Togba-na TIPOTEH]; Coalition for the Transformation of Liberia or COTOL [H. Varney SHERMAN]; Congress for Democratic Change or CDC [George WEAH]; Liberty Party or LP [Charles BRUMSKINE]; National Patriotic Party or NPP [Roland MASSAQUOI]; Unity Party or UP [Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF] Political pressure groups and leaders: other: demobilized former military officers International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Milton Nathaniel BARNES chancery: 5201 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 telephone: [1] (202) 723-0437 FAX: [1] (202) 723-0436 consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Linda THOMAS-GREENFIELD embassy: 111 United Nations Drive, P. O. Box 98, Mamba Point, 1000 Monrovia, 10 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [231] 7-705-4826 FAX: [231] 7-701-0370 Flag description: 11 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; there is a white five-pointed star on a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner; the design was based on the US flag Economy ::Liberia Economy - overview: Civil war and government mismanagement destroyed much of Liberia's economy, especially the infrastructure in and around the capital, Monrovia. Many businesses fled the country, taking capital and expertise with them, but with the conclusion of fighting and the installation of a democratically-elected government in 2006, some have returned. Richly endowed with water, mineral resources, forests, and a climate favorable to agriculture, Liberia had been a producer and exporter of basic products - primarily raw timber and rubber. Local manufacturing, mainly foreign owned, had been small in scope. President JOHNSON SIRLEAF, a Harvard-trained banker and administrator, has taken steps to reduce corruption, build support from international donors, and encourage private investment. Embargos on timber and diamond exports have been lifted, opening new sources of revenue for the government. The reconstruction of infrastructure and the raising of incomes in this ravaged economy will largely depend on generous financial and technical assistance from donor countries and foreign investment in key sectors, such as infrastructure and power generation. GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.531 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 193 $1.43 billion (2007 est.) $1.306 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $850 million (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 7.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 9.5% (2007 est.) 7.8% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $500 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 226 $400 (2007 est.) $400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 76.9% industry: 5.4% services: 17.7% (2002 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 70% industry: 8% services: 22% (2000 est.) Unemployment rate: 85% (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 199 Population below poverty line: 80% (2000 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: NA expenditures: NA Inflation rate (consumer prices): 11.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 161 Commercial bank prime lending rate: 14.4% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 40 15.05% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $145.6 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) $49.89 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $1.157 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: rubber, coffee, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), palm oil, sugarcane, bananas; sheep, goats; timber Industries: rubber processing, palm oil processing, timber, diamonds Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 350 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 165 Electricity - consumption: 325.5 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 166 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 Oil - consumption: 4,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 172 Oil - exports: 23.37 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 136 Oil - imports: 4,263 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 163 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 186 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 166 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 164 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 74 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 165 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 116 Current account balance: -$224 million (2007) country comparison to the world: 91 Exports: $1.197 billion (2006) country comparison to the world: 148 Exports - commodities: rubber, timber, iron, diamonds, cocoa, coffee Exports - partners: India 26.5%, US 17.9%, Poland 13.9%, Germany 10.1%, Belgium 6.8% (2008) Imports: $7.143 billion (2006) country comparison to the world: 103 Imports - commodities: fuels, chemicals, machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured goods; foodstuffs Imports - partners: South Korea 27.2%, Singapore 25.5%, Japan 11.8%, China 11% (2008) Debt - external: $3.2 billion (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $124.2 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Exchange rates: Liberian dollars (LRD) per US dollar - NA (2007), 59.43 (2006), 53.098 (2005), 54.906 (2004), 59.379 (2003) Communications ::Liberia Telephones - main lines in use: 2,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 224 Telephones - mobile cellular: 732,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 148 Telephone system: general assessment: the limited services available are found almost exclusively in the capital Monrovia; coverage extended to a number of other towns and rural areas by four mobile-cellular network operators domestic: fixed line service stagnant and extremely limited; mobile-cellular subscription base growing and teledensity exceeding 20 per 100 persons international: country code - 231; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 10, shortwave 2 (2007) Television broadcast stations: 4 (plus 4 repeaters) (2007) Internet country code: .lr Internet hosts: 5 (2009) country comparison to the world: 226 Internet users: 20,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 190 Transportation ::Liberia Airports: 33 (2009) country comparison to the world: 112 Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 31 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 18 (2009) Railways: total: 429 km country comparison to the world: 118 standard gauge: 345 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 84 km 1.067-m gauge note: most sections of the railway are inoperable because of damage suffered during the civil wars from 1980 to 2003 (2008) Roadways: total: 10,600 km country comparison to the world: 137 paved: 657 km unpaved: 9,943 km (2000) Merchant marine: total: 2,204 country comparison to the world: 2 by type: barge carrier 3, bulk carrier 390, cargo 107, chemical tanker 241, combination ore/oil 7, container 750, liquefied gas 84, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 460, refrigerated cargo 103, roll on/roll off 7, specialized tanker 12, vehicle carrier 36 foreign-owned: 2,109 (Argentina 3, Belgium 4, Brazil 3, Canada 7, China 11, Croatia 2, Cyprus 63, Denmark 12, Estonia 1, France 5, Germany 849, Gibraltar 5, Greece 358, Hong Kong 44, India 2, Indonesia 2, Isle of Man 5, Israel 23, Italy 41, Japan 116, South Korea 3, Latvia 21, Lebanon 2, Mexico 2, Monaco 8, Netherlands 6, Nigeria 2, Norway 40, Poland 13, Qatar 4, Romania 2, Russia 94, Saudi Arabia 27, Singapore 32, Slovenia 3, Sweden 10, Switzerland 13, Taiwan 91, Turkey 7, Ukraine 25, UAE 23, UK 20, US 98, Uruguay 3, Vietnam 4) (2008) Ports and terminals: Buchanan, Monrovia Military ::Liberia Military branches: Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL): Army, Navy, Air Force Military service age and obligation: 16 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 729,813 females age 16-49: 741,223 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 387,417 females age 16-49: 382,334 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 34,059 female: 33,281 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.3% of GDP (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 Transnational Issues ::Liberia Disputes - international: although civil unrest continues to abate with the assistance of 18,000 UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) peacekeepers, as of January 2007, Liberian refugees still remain in Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire, Sierra Leone, and Ghana; Liberia, in turn, shelters refugees fleeing turmoil in Cote d'Ivoire; despite the presence of over 9,000 UN forces (UNOCI) in Cote d'Ivoire since 2004, ethnic conflict continues to spread into neighboring states who can no longer send their migrant workers to Ivorian cocoa plantations; UN sanctions ban Liberia from exporting diamonds and timber Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 12,600 (Cote d'Ivoire) IDPs: 13,000 (civil war from 1990-2004; IDP resettlement began in November 2004) (2007) Illicit drugs: transshipment point for Southeast and Southwest Asian heroin and South American cocaine for the European and US markets; corruption, criminal activity, arms-dealing, and diamond trade provide significant potential for money laundering, but the lack of well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a major money-laundering center page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Libya (Africa) Introduction ::Libya Background: The Italians supplanted the Ottoman Turks in the area around Tripoli in 1911 and did not relinquish their hold until 1943 when defeated in World War II. Libya then passed to UN administration and achieved independence in 1951. Following a 1969 military coup, Col. Muammar Abu Minyar al-QADHAFI began to espouse his own political system, the Third Universal Theory. The system is a combination of socialism and Islam derived in part from tribal practices and is supposed to be implemented by the Libyan people themselves in a unique form of "direct democracy." QADHAFI has always seen himself as a revolutionary and visionary leader. He used oil funds during the 1970s and 1980s to promote his ideology outside Libya, supporting subversives and terrorists abroad to hasten the end of Marxism and capitalism. In addition, beginning in 1973, he engaged in military operations in northern Chad's Aozou Strip - to gain access to minerals and to use as a base of influence in Chadian politics - but was forced to retreat in 1987. UN sanctions in 1992 isolated QADHAFI politically following the downing of Pan AM Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. During the 1990s, QADHAFI began to rebuild his relationships with Europe. UN sanctions were suspended in April 1999 and finally lifted in September 2003 after Libya accepted responsibility for the Lockerbie bombing. In December 2003, Libya announced that it had agreed to reveal and end its programs to develop weapons of mass destruction and to renounce terrorism. QADHAFI has made significant strides in normalizing relations with Western nations since then. He has received various Western European leaders as well as many working-level and commercial delegations, and made his first trip to Western Europe in 15 years when he traveled to Brussels in April 2004. The US rescinded Libya's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism in June 2006. In January 2008, Libya assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2008-09 term. In August 2008, the US and Libya signed a bilateral comprehensive claims settlement agreement to compensate claimants in both countries who allege injury or death at the hands of the other country, including the Lockerbie bombing, the LaBelle disco bombing, and the UTA 772 bombing. In October 2008, the US Government received $1.5 billion pursuant to the agreement to distribute to US national claimants, and as a result effectively normalized its bilateral relationship with Libya. The two countries then exchanged ambassadors for the first time since 1973 in January 2009. Geography ::Libya Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Tunisia Geographic coordinates: 25 00 N, 17 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 1,759,540 sq km country comparison to the world: 17 land: 1,759,540 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Alaska Land boundaries: total: 4,348 km border countries: Algeria 982 km, Chad 1,055 km, Egypt 1,115 km, Niger 354 km, Sudan 383 km, Tunisia 459 km Coastline: 1,770 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm note: Gulf of Sidra closing line - 32 degrees, 30 minutes north exclusive fishing zone: 62 nm Climate: Mediterranean along coast; dry, extreme desert interior Terrain: mostly barren, flat to undulating plains, plateaus, depressions Elevation extremes: lowest point: Sabkhat Ghuzayyil -47 m highest point: Bikku Bitti 2,267 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, gypsum Land use: arable land: 1.03% permanent crops: 0.19% other: 98.78% (2005) Irrigated land: 4,700 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 0.6 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 4.27 cu km/yr (14%/3%/83%) per capita: 730 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: hot, dry, dust-laden ghibli is a southern wind lasting one to four days in spring and fall; dust storms, sandstorms Environment - current issues: desertification; limited natural fresh water resources; the Great Manmade River Project, the largest water development scheme in the world, is being built to bring water from large aquifers under the Sahara to coastal cities Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Geography - note: more than 90% of the country is desert or semidesert People ::Libya Population: 6,310,434 country comparison to the world: 105 note: includes 166,510 non-nationals (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 33% (male 1,064,866/female 1,019,790) 15-64 years: 62.7% (male 2,033,478/female 1,920,755) 65 years and over: 4.3% (male 133,092/female 138,453) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 23.9 years male: 24 years female: 23.8 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 2.17% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 Birth rate: 25.15 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 Death rate: 3.45 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 214 Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 78% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 21.05 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 102 male: 23.21 deaths/1,000 live births female: 18.78 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.26 years country comparison to the world: 57 male: 74.98 years female: 79.65 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.08 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.3% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 10,000 (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 101 HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Libyan(s) adjective: Libyan Ethnic groups: Berber and Arab 97%, other 3% (includes Greeks, Maltese, Italians, Egyptians, Pakistanis, Turks, Indians, and Tunisians) Religions: Sunni Muslim 97%, other 3% Languages: Arabic, Italian, English, all are widely understood in the major cities Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 82.6% male: 92.4% female: 72% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 17 years male: 16 years female: 17 years (2003) Education expenditures: 2.7% of GDP (1999) country comparison to the world: 152 Government ::Libya Country name: conventional long form: Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya conventional short form: Libya local long form: Al Jamahiriyah al Arabiyah al Libiyah ash Shabiyah al Ishtirakiyah al Uthma local short form: none Government type: Jamahiriya (a state of the masses) in theory, governed by the populace through local councils; in practice, an authoritarian state Capital: name: Tripoli (Tarabulus) geographic coordinates: 32 53 N, 13 10 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 25 municipalities (baladiyat, singular - baladiyah); Ajdabiya, Al 'Aziziyah, Al Fatih, Al Jabal al Akhdar, Al Jufrah, Al Khums, Al Kufrah, An Nuqat al Khams, Ash Shati', Awbari, Az Zawiyah, Banghazi, Darnah, Ghadamis, Gharyan, Misratah, Murzuq, Sabha, Sawfajjin, Surt, Tarabulus, Tarhunah, Tubruq, Yafran, Zlitan; note - the 25 municipalities may have been replaced by 13 regions Independence: 24 December 1951 (from UN trusteeship) National holiday: Revolution Day, 1 September (1969) Constitution: none; note - following the September 1969 military overthrow of the Libyan government, the Revolutionary Command Council replaced the existing constitution with the Constitutional Proclamation in December 1969; in March 1977, Libya adopted the Declaration of the Establishment of the People's Authority Legal system: based on Italian and French civil law systems and Islamic law; separate religious courts; no constitutional provision for judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and technically compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: Revolutionary Leader Col. Muammar Abu Minyar al-QADHAFI (since 1 September 1969); note - holds no official title, but is de facto chief of state head of government: Secretary of the General People's Committee (Prime Minister) al-Baghdadi Ali al-MAHMUDI (since 5 March 2006) cabinet: General People's Committee established by the General People's Congress elections: national elections are indirect through a hierarchy of people's committees; head of government elected by the General People's Congress; election last held March 2006 (next to be held March 2009) election results: NA Legislative branch: unicameral General People's Congress (760 seats; members elected indirectly through a hierarchy of people's committees) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: none Political pressure groups and leaders: other: Arab nationalist movements; anti-QADHAFI Libyan exile Movement; Islamic elements International organization participation: ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, CAEU, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ali Suleiman AUJALI chancery: 2600 Virginia Avenue NW, Suite 705, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 944-9601 FAX: [1] (202) 944-9060 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Gene A. CRETZ embassy: off Jaraba Street, behind the Libyan-Swiss clinic, Ben Ashour mailing address: US Embassy, 8850 Tripoli Place, Washington, DC 20521-8850 telephone: [218] 91-220-3239 Flag description: plain green; green is the traditional color of Islam (the state religion) Economy ::Libya Economy - overview: The Libyan economy depends primarily upon revenues from the oil sector, which contribute about 95% of export earnings, about one-quarter of GDP, and 60% of public sector wages. The expected weakness in world hydrocarbon prices throughout 2009 will reduce Libyan government tax income and constrain Libyan economic growth in 2009. Substantial revenues from the energy sector coupled with a small population give Libya one of the highest per capita GDPs in Africa, but little of this income flows down to the lower orders of society. Libyan officials in the past five years have made progress on economic reforms as part of a broader campaign to reintegrate the country into the international fold. This effort picked up steam after UN sanctions were lifted in September 2003 and as Libya announced in December 2003 that it would abandon programs to build weapons of mass destruction. UN Sanctions against Libya were lifted in September 2003. The process of lifting US unilateral sanctions began in the spring of 2004; all sanctions were removed by June 2006, helping Libya attract greater foreign direct investment, especially in the energy sector. Libyan oil and gas licensing rounds continue to draw high international interest; the National Oil Company set a goal of nearly doubling oil production to 3 million bbl/day by 2012. Libya faces a long road ahead in liberalizing the socialist-oriented economy, but initial steps - including applying for WTO membership, reducing some subsidies, and announcing plans for privatization - are laying the groundwork for a transition to a more market-based economy. The non-oil manufacturing and construction sectors, which account for more than 20% of GDP, have expanded from processing mostly agricultural products to include the production of petrochemicals, iron, steel, and aluminum. Climatic conditions and poor soils severely limit agricultural output, and Libya imports about 75% of its food. Libya's primary agricultural water source remains the Great Manmade River Project, but significant resources are being invested in desalinization research to meet growing water demands. GDP (purchasing power parity): $87.72 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 $82.83 billion (2007 est.) $78.44 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $89.92 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 5.6% (2007 est.) 5.9% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $14,200 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 $13,700 (2007 est.) $13,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1.7% industry: 70.9% services: 27.4% (2008 est.) Labor force: 1.64 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 125 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 17% industry: 23% services: 59% (2004 est.) Unemployment rate: 30% (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 180 Population below poverty line: 7.4% (2005 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Investment (gross fixed): 9.3% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 Budget: revenues: $58.04 billion expenditures: $35.22 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 8.8% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 6.3% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 5% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 125 4% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 8.41% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 132 6% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $26.66 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 30 $18.04 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $4.264 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 73 $3.192 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $NA (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: wheat, barley, olives, dates, citrus, vegetables, peanuts, soybeans; cattle Industries: petroleum, iron and steel, food processing, textiles, handicrafts, cement Industrial production growth rate: 6.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 Electricity - production: 23.98 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 Electricity - consumption: 22.17 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 Electricity - exports: 104 million kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 77 million kWh (2007 est.) Oil - production: 1.875 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 Oil - consumption: 273,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 Oil - exports: 1.542 million bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 Oil - imports: 575.3 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 196 Oil - proved reserves: 43.66 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 Natural gas - production: 15.9 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 Natural gas - consumption: 5.5 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 Natural gas - exports: 10.4 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 20 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 163 Natural gas - proved reserves: 1.54 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 Current account balance: $37.39 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 13 $28.45 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $64.5 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 $46.97 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: crude oil, refined petroleum products, natural gas, chemicals Exports - partners: Italy 38%, Germany 12%, France 7.4%, Spain 6.9%, US 6.4%, Switzerland 4.6% (2008) Imports: $26.55 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 $17.7 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery, semi-finished goods, food, transport equipment, consumer products Imports - partners: Italy 22.2%, China 9.3%, Germany 8.6%, Turkey 6.1%, Tunisia 5.8%, South Korea 4.7%, US 4.1%, France 4.1% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $92.51 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 17 $79.6 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $6.223 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 $4.837 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $11.23 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 $8.775 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $5.15 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 $3.7 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: Libyan dinars (LYD) per US dollar - 1.2112 (2008 est.), 1.2604 (2007), 1.3108 (2006), 1.3084 (2005), 1.305 (2004) Communications ::Libya Telephones - main lines in use: 1.033 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 79 Telephones - mobile cellular: 4.828 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 90 Telephone system: general assessment: telecommunications system is state-owned and service is poor, but investment is being made to upgrade; state retains monopoly in fixed-line services; mobile cellular telephone system became operational in 1996; multiple providers for a mobile telephone system that is growing rapidly; combined fixed line and mobile telephone density is approaching 100 telephones per 100 persons domestic: microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, cellular, tropospheric scatter, and a domestic satellite system with 14 earth stations international: country code - 218; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat, NA Arabsat, and NA Intersputnik; submarine cables to France and Italy; microwave radio relay to Tunisia and Egypt; tropospheric scatter to Greece; participant in Medarabtel (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 16, FM 3, shortwave 3 (2001) Television broadcast stations: 12 (plus 1 repeater) (1999) Internet country code: .ly Internet hosts: 11,751 (2009) country comparison to the world: 115 Internet users: 323,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 123 Transportation ::Libya Airports: 137 (2009) country comparison to the world: 41 Airports - with paved runways: total: 59 over 3,047 m: 23 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 23 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 78 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 41 under 914 m: 17 (2009) Heliports: 2 (2009) Pipelines: condensate 776 km; gas 2,860 km; oil 6,987 km (2008) Roadways: total: 100,024 km country comparison to the world: 41 paved: 57,214 km unpaved: 42,810 km (2003) Merchant marine: total: 17 country comparison to the world: 101 by type: cargo 9, liquefied gas 3, petroleum tanker 4, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: 4 (Kuwait 1, Norway 1, Syria 2) registered in other countries: 3 (Malta 3) (2008) Ports and terminals: As Sidrah, Az Zuwaytinah, Marsa al Burayqah, Ra's Lanuf, Tripoli, Zawiyah Military ::Libya Military branches: Armed Peoples on Duty (APOD, Army), Libyan Arab Navy, Libyan Arab Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Jamahiriya al-Arabia al-Libyya, LAAF), Libyan Coast Guard (2008) Military service age and obligation: 17 years of age (2004) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,682,183 females age 16-49: 1,611,001 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,466,578 females age 16-49: 1,409,684 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 60,710 female: 58,219 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 3.9% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 Transnational Issues ::Libya Disputes - international: Libya has claimed more than 32,000 sq km in southeastern Algeria and about 25,000 sq km in the Tommo region of Niger in a currently dormant dispute; various Chadian rebels from the Aozou region reside in southern Libya Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 8,000 (Palestinian Territories) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Libya is a transit and destination country for men and women from sub-Saharan Africa and Asia trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Libya is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to address trafficking in persons in 2007 when compared to 2006, particularly in the area of investigating and prosecuting trafficking offenses; Libya did not publicly release any data on investigations or punishment of any trafficking offenses (2008) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Liechtenstein (Europe) Introduction ::Liechtenstein Background: The Principality of Liechtenstein was established within the Holy Roman Empire in 1719. Occupied by both French and Russian troops during the Napoleanic wars, it became a sovereign state in 1806 and joined the Germanic Confederation in 1815. Liechtenstein became fully independent in 1866 when the Confederation dissolved. Until the end of World War I, it was closely tied to Austria, but the economic devastation caused by that conflict forced Liechtenstein to enter into a customs and monetary union with Switzerland. Since World War II (in which Liechtenstein remained neutral), the country's low taxes have spurred outstanding economic growth. In 2000, shortcomings in banking regulatory oversight resulted in concerns about the use of financial institutions for money laundering. However, Liechtenstein implemented anti-money-laundering legislation and a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty with the US that went into effect in 2003. Geography ::Liechtenstein Location: Central Europe, between Austria and Switzerland Geographic coordinates: 47 16 N, 9 32 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 160 sq km country comparison to the world: 218 land: 160 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 76 km border countries: Austria 34.9 km, Switzerland 41.1 km Coastline: 0 km (doubly landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: continental; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow or rain; cool to moderately warm, cloudy, humid summers Terrain: mostly mountainous (Alps) with Rhine Valley in western third Elevation extremes: lowest point: Ruggeller Riet 430 m highest point: Vorder-Grauspitz 2,599 m Natural resources: hydroelectric potential, arable land Land use: arable land: 25% permanent crops: 0% other: 75% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Geography - note: along with Uzbekistan, one of only two doubly landlocked countries in the world; variety of microclimatic variations based on elevation People ::Liechtenstein Population: 34,761 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 210 Age structure: 0-14 years: 16.6% (male 2,877/female 2,901) 15-64 years: 69.4% (male 11,917/female 12,220) 65 years and over: 13.9% (male 2,085/female 2,761) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 41 years male: 40.4 years female: 41.5 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.702% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 Birth rate: 9.75 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 197 Death rate: 7.39 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 Net migration rate: 4.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 Urbanization: urban population: 14% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.01 male(s)/female under 15 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 4.25 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 205 male: 5.54 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.95 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80.06 years country comparison to the world: 22 male: 76.59 years female: 83.53 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.52 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 185 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Liechtensteiner(s) adjective: Liechtenstein Ethnic groups: Liechtensteiner 65.6%, other 34.4% (2000 census) Religions: Roman Catholic 76.2%, Protestant 7%, unknown 10.6%, other 6.2% (June 2002) Languages: German (official), Alemannic dialect Literacy: definition: age 10 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 15 years male: 16 years female: 13 years (2004) Education expenditures: NA Government ::Liechtenstein Country name: conventional long form: Principality of Liechtenstein conventional short form: Liechtenstein local long form: Fuerstentum Liechtenstein local short form: Liechtenstein Government type: constitutional monarchy Capital: name: Vaduz geographic coordinates: 47 08 N, 9 31 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 11 communes (Gemeinden, singular - Gemeinde); Balzers, Eschen, Gamprin, Mauren, Planken, Ruggell, Schaan, Schellenberg, Triesen, Triesenberg, Vaduz Independence: 23 January 1719 (Principality of Liechtenstein established); 12 July 1806 (independence from the Holy Roman Empire) National holiday: Assumption Day, 15 August Constitution: 5 October 1921; amended 15 September 2003 Legal system: local civil and penal codes based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Prince HANS ADAM II (since 13 November 1989, assumed executive powers 26 August 1984); Heir Apparent Prince ALOIS, son of the monarch (born 11 June 1968); note - on 15 August 2004, HANS ADAM transferred the official duties of the ruling prince to ALOIS, but HANS ADAM retains status of chief of state head of government: Head of Government Klaus TSCHUTSCHER (since 25 March 2009) cabinet: Cabinet elected by the Parliament, confirmed by the monarch elections: the monarch is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party in the Landtag is usually appointed the head of government by the monarch and the leader of the largest minority party in the Landtag is usually appointed the deputy head of government by the monarch if there is a coalition government Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Landtag (25 seats; members are elected by popular vote under proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 8 February 2009 (next to be held February 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - VU 47.6%, FBP 43.5%, FL 8.9%; seats by party - VU 13, FBP 11, FL 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Oberster Gerichtshof; Court of Appeal or Obergericht Political parties and leaders: Die Freie Liste (The Free List) or FL [Claudia HEEB-FLECK and Egon MATT]; Fortschrittliche Buergerpartei (Progressive Citizens' Party) or FBP [Marcus VOGT]; Vaterlaendische Union (Fatherland Union) or VU [Adolf HEEB] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: CE, EBRD, EFTA, IAEA, ICCt, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITSO, ITU, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WCL, WIPO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Claudia FRITSCHE chancery: 2900 K Street, NW, Suite 602B, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 331-0590 FAX: [1] (202) 331-3221 Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Liechtenstein; the US Ambassador to Switzerland is accredited to Liechtenstein Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a gold crown on the hoist side of the blue band; the colors may derive from the blue and red livery design used in the principality's household in the 18th century; the prince's crown was introduced in 1937 to distinguish the flag from that of Haiti Economy ::Liechtenstein Economy - overview: Despite its small size and limited natural resources, Liechtenstein has developed into a prosperous, highly industrialized, free-enterprise economy with a vital financial service sector and the highest per capita income in the world. The Liechtenstein economy is widely diversified with a large number of small businesses. Low business taxes - the maximum tax rate is 20% - and easy incorporation rules have induced many holding companies to establish nominal offices in Liechtenstein, providing 30% of state revenues. The country participates in a customs union with Switzerland and uses the Swiss franc as its national currency. It imports more than 90% of its energy requirements. Liechtenstein has been a member of the European Economic Area (an organization serving as a bridge between the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the EU) since May 1995. The government is working to harmonize its economic policies with those of an integrated Europe. In 2008 Liechtenstein came under renewed international pressure - particularly from Germany - to improve transparency in its banking and tax systems. GDP (purchasing power parity): $4.16 billion (2007) country comparison to the world: 165 $4.035 billion (2006 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $4.993 billion (2007) GDP - real growth rate: 3.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 GDP - per capita (PPP): $118,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 8% industry: 39% services: 54% (2007) Labor force: 32,440 of whom 13,900 commute from Austria, Switzerland, and Germany to work each day (2007) country comparison to the world: 194 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 1.7% industry: 43.5% services: 55.4% (31 December 2006) Unemployment rate: 1.5% (31 December 2007) country comparison to the world: 11 1.3% (September 2002) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $424.2 million expenditures: $414.1 million (1998 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1% (2001) country comparison to the world: 8 Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: wheat, barley, corn, potatoes; livestock, dairy products Industries: electronics, metal manufacturing, dental products, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, food products, precision instruments, tourism, optical instruments Industrial production growth rate: NA% Exports: $2.47 billion Exports - commodities: small specialty machinery, connectors for audio and video, parts for motor vehicles, dental products, hardware, prepared foodstuffs, electronic equipment, optical products Imports: $917.3 million Imports - commodities: agricultural products, raw materials, energy products, machinery, metal goods, textiles, foodstuffs, motor vehicles Debt - external: $0 (2001) country comparison to the world: 203 Exchange rates: Swiss francs (CHF) per US dollar - 1.0774 (2008 est.), 1.1973 (2007), 1.2539 (2006), 1.2452 (2005), 1.2435 (2004) Communications ::Liechtenstein Telephones - main lines in use: 19,600 (2008) country comparison to the world: 195 Telephones - mobile cellular: 34,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 201 Telephone system: general assessment: automatic telephone system domestic: fixed line and mobile-cellular services widely available; combined telephone service subscribership exceeds 150 per 100 persons international: country code - 423; linked to Swiss networks by cable and microwave radio relay (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998) Television broadcast stations: NA (linked to Swiss networks) (1997) Internet country code: .li Internet hosts: 9,287 (2009) country comparison to the world: 118 Internet users: 23,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 187 Transportation ::Liechtenstein Pipelines: gas 20 km (2008) Railways: 9 km 1.435-m gauge (electrified) note: belongs to the Austrian Railway System connecting Austria and Switzerland (2008) Roadways: total: 380 km country comparison to the world: 198 paved: 380 km (2007) Waterways: 28 km (2008) country comparison to the world: 107 Military ::Liechtenstein Military branches: no regular military forces (constitutionally prohibited); Principality of Liechtenstein National Police (Landespolizei, LP) (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 8,102 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 6,584 females age 16-49: 6,801 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 199 female: 222 (2009 est.) Military - note: Liechtenstein has no military forces, but is interested in European security policy and is an active member of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Transnational Issues ::Liechtenstein Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: has strengthened money laundering controls, but money laundering remains a concern due to Liechtenstein's sophisticated offshore financial services sector page last updated on November 4, 2009 ====================================================================== @Lithuania (Europe) Introduction ::Lithuania Background: Lithuanian lands were united under MINDAUGAS in 1236; over the next century, through alliances and conquest, Lithuania extended its territory to include most of present-day Belarus and Ukraine. By the end of the 14th century Lithuania was the largest state in Europe. An alliance with Poland in 1386 led the two countries into a union through the person of a common ruler. In 1569, Lithuania and Poland formally united into a single dual state, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. This entity survived until 1795, when its remnants were partitioned by surrounding countries. Lithuania regained its independence following World War I but was annexed by the USSR in 1940 - an action never recognized by the US and many other countries. On 11 March 1990, Lithuania became the first of the Soviet republics to declare its independence, but Moscow did not recognize this proclamation until September of 1991 (following the abortive coup in Moscow). The last Russian troops withdrew in 1993. Lithuania subsequently restructured its economy for integration into Western European institutions; it joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004. Geography ::Lithuania Location: Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Latvia and Russia Geographic coordinates: 56 00 N, 24 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 65,300 sq km country comparison to the world: 122 land: 62,680 sq km water: 2,620 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than West Virginia Land boundaries: total: 1,574 km border countries: Belarus 680 km, Latvia 576 km, Poland 91 km, Russia (Kaliningrad) 227 km Coastline: 90 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: transitional, between maritime and continental; wet, moderate winters and summers Terrain: lowland, many scattered small lakes, fertile soil Elevation extremes: lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Juozapines Kalnas 294 m Natural resources: peat, arable land, amber Land use: arable land: 44.81% permanent crops: 0.9% other: 54.29% (2005) Irrigated land: 70 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 24.5 cu km (2005) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 3.33 cu km/yr (78%/15%/7%) per capita: 971 cu m/yr (2003) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: contamination of soil and groundwater with petroleum products and chemicals at military bases Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: fertile central plains are separated by hilly uplands that are ancient glacial deposits People ::Lithuania Population: 3,555,179 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 Age structure: 0-14 years: 14.2% (male 258,423/female 245,115) 15-64 years: 69.6% (male 1,214,743/female 1,261,413) 65 years and over: 16.2% (male 198,714/female 376,771) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 39.3 years male: 36.8 years female: 41.9 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: -0.279% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 221 Birth rate: 9.11 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 208 Death rate: 11.18 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 45 Net migration rate: -0.72 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 Urbanization: urban population: 67% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: -0.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.53 male(s)/female total population: 0.89 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 6.47 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 176 male: 7.73 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.13 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.9 years country comparison to the world: 86 male: 69.98 years female: 80.1 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.23 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 215 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 2,200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne diseases: tickborne encephalitis (2009) Nationality: noun: Lithuanian(s) adjective: Lithuanian Ethnic groups: Lithuanian 83.4%, Polish 6.7%, Russian 6.3%, other or unspecified 3.6% (2001 census) Religions: Roman Catholic 79%, Russian Orthodox 4.1%, Protestant (including Lutheran and Evangelical Christian Baptist) 1.9%, other or unspecified 5.5%, none 9.5% (2001 census) Languages: Lithuanian (official) 82%, Russian 8%, Polish 5.6%, other and unspecified 4.4% (2001 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.6% male: 99.6% female: 99.6% (2001 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 16 years male: 15 years female: 17 years (2006) Education expenditures: 5% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 72 Government ::Lithuania Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Lithuania conventional short form: Lithuania local long form: Lietuvos Respublika local short form: Lietuva former: Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: name: Vilnius geographic coordinates: 54 41 N, 25 19 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 10 counties (apskritys, singular - apskritis); Alytaus, Kauno, Klaipedos, Marijampoles, Panevezio, Siauliu, Taurages, Telsiu, Utenos, Vilniaus Independence: 11 March 1990 (declared); 6 September 1991 (recognized by the Soviet Union) National holiday: Independence Day, 16 February (1918); note - 16 February 1918 was the date Lithuania declared its independence from Soviet Russia and established its statehood; 11 March 1990 was the date it declared its independence from the Soviet Union Constitution: adopted 25 October 1992; last amended 13 July 2004 Legal system: based on civil law system; legislative acts can be appealed to the constitutional court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Dalia GRYBAUSKAITE (since 12 July 2009) head of government: Prime Minister Andrius KUBILIUS (since 27 November 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the nomination of the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 17 May 2009 (next to be held in May 2014); prime minister appointed by the president on the approval of the Parliament election results: Dalia GRYBAUSKAITE elected president; percent of vote - Dalia GRYBAUSKAITE 69.1%, Algirdas BUTKEVICIUS 11.8%, Valentinas MAZURONIS 6.2%, others 12.9%; Andrius KUBILIUS' government approved by Parliament 83-40 with 5 abstentions Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Seimas (141 seats; 71 members are elected by popular vote, 70 are elected by proportional representation; serve four-year terms) elections: last held 12 and 26 October 2008 (next to be held October 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - TS-LKD 19.7%, TPP 15.1%, TT 12.7%, LSDP 11.7%, KDP+J 9%, LRLS 5.7%, LCS 5.3%, LLRA 4.8%, LVLS 3.7%, NS 3.6%, other 8.7%; seats by faction - TS-LKD 44, LSDP 26, TPP 16, TT 15, LRLS 11, KDP+J 10, LCS 8, LLRA 3, LVLS 3, NS 1, independent 4 Judicial branch: Constitutional Court; Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; judges for all courts appointed by the president Political parties and leaders: Civil Democracy Party or PDP [Viktor MUNTIANAS]; Coalition of Labor Party and Youth or KDP+J [Viktor USPASKICH]; Electoral Action of Lithuanian Poles or LLRA [Valdemar TOMASZEVSKI]; Homeland Union - Lithuanian Christian Democrats or TS-LKD [Andrius KUBILIUS]; Lithuanian Peasant Popular Union or LVLS [Kazimiera PRUNSKIENE]; Liberal and Center Union or LCS [Arturas ZUOKAS]; Liberal Movement or LRLS [Eligijus MASIULIS]; National Revival or TPP [Arunas VALINSKAS]; New Union (Social Liberal) or NS [Arturas PAULAUSKAS]; Order and Justice Party or TT [Rolandas PAKSAS]; Social Democratic Party or LSDP [Gediminas KIRKILAS]; Young Lithuania and New Nationalists [Stanislovas BUSKEVICIUS] Political pressure groups and leaders: Europe House (promotes the EU); European Movement (promotes the EU); Lithuanian Future Forum (promotes the EU) International organization participation: Australia Group, BA, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO, NIB, NSG, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Audrius BRUZGA chancery: 2622 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 234-5860 FAX: [1] (202) 328-0466 consulate(s) general: Chicago, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador John A. CLOUD embassy: Akmenu gatve 6, Vilnius, LT-03106 mailing address: American Embassy, Akmenu Gatve 6, Vilnius LT-03106 telephone: [370] (5) 266 5500 FAX: [370] (5) 266 5510 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green, and red Economy ::Lithuania Economy - overview: Lithuania's economy grew on average 8% per year for the four years prior to 2008, driven by exports and domestic consumer demand. Unemployment stood at 4.8% in 2008, while wages grew at double digit rates. The current account deficit rose to roughly 15% of GDP in 2007-08. Lithuania has gained membership in the World Trade Organization and joined the EU in May 2004. Despite Lithuania's EU accession, Lithuania's trade with its Central and Eastern European neighbors, and Russia in particular, accounts for a growing percentage of total trade. Privatization of the large, state-owned utilities is nearly complete. Foreign government and business support have helped in the transition from the old command economy to a market economy. GDP (purchasing power parity): $63.37 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 83 $61.52 billion (2007 est.) $56.49 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $47.3 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 8.9% (2007 est.) 7.8% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $17,800 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 $17,200 (2007 est.) $15,800 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 4.5% industry: 32.2% services: 63.3% (2008 est.) Labor force: 1.614 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 14% industry: 29.1% services: 56.9% (2005) Unemployment rate: 5.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 3.5% (2007 est.) note: based on survey data, official registered unemployment of 5.7% Population below poverty line: 4% (2003) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.7% highest 10%: 27.4% (2003) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 36 (2005) country comparison to the world: 85 34 (1999) Investment (gross fixed): 24.8% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 Budget: revenues: $15.15 billion expenditures: $16.66 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 15.6% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 25.2% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 160 5.7% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 4.73% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 109 4.85% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 6.29% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 122 6.86% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $9.519 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 45 $11.84 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $8.419 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 57 $6.917 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $29.21 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 53 $25.05 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $3.625 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 74 $10.13 billion (31 December 2007) $10.19 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: grain, potatoes, sugar beets, flax, vegetables; beef, milk, eggs; fish Industries: metal-cutting machine tools, electric motors, television sets, refrigerators and freezers, petroleum refining, shipbuilding (small ships), furniture making, textiles, food processing, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, optical equipment, electronic components, computers, amber jewelry Industrial production growth rate: 1.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 116 Electricity - production: 12.09 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 85 Electricity - consumption: 9.612 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 Electricity - exports: 6.606 billion kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 5.649 billion kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 8,247 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 Oil - consumption: 73,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 87 Oil - exports: 137,200 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 Oil - imports: 204,000 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 Oil - proved reserves: 12 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 87 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 167 Natural gas - consumption: 3.53 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 75 Natural gas - imports: 3.53 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 159 Current account balance: -$5.629 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 159 -$5.692 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $23.74 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 $17.16 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: mineral products 23%, textiles and clothing 16%, machinery and equipment 11%, chemicals 6%, wood and wood products 5%, foodstuffs 5% (2001) Exports - partners: Russia 16%, Latvia 11.6%, Germany 7.2%, Poland 5.8%, Estonia 5.7%, France 4.9%, UK 4.7%, Denmark 4.7%, Belarus 4.5% (2008) Imports: $29.3 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 $23.04 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: mineral products, machinery and equipment, transport equipment, chemicals, textiles and clothing, metals Imports - partners: Russia 30.1%, Germany 11.8%, Poland 10%, Latvia 5.2% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $6.441 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 $7.721 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $32.47 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 63 $30.1 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $12.85 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 $15.06 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $1.985 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 $1.65 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: litai (LTL) per US dollar - 2.3251 (2008 est.), 2.5362 (2007), 2.7498 (2006), 2.774 (2005), 2.7806 (2004) Communications ::Lithuania Telephones - main lines in use: 784,900 (2008) country comparison to the world: 88 Telephones - mobile cellular: 5.023 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 87 Telephone system: general assessment: adequate; being modernized to provide improved international capability and better residential access domestic: rapid expansion of mobile-cellular services has resulted in a steady decline in the number of main line subscriptions; mobile-cellular teledensity has increased to about 140 per 100 persons while fixed-line teledensity has dropped to 22 per 100 persons international: country code - 370; major international connections to Denmark, Sweden, and Norway by submarine cable for further transmission by satellite; landline connections to Latvia and Poland (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 29, FM 142, shortwave 1 (2001) Television broadcast stations: 44 (may have as many as 100 transmitters, including repeater stations) (2008) Internet country code: .lt Internet hosts: 885,064 (2009) country comparison to the world: 39 Internet users: 1.777 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 72 Transportation ::Lithuania Airports: 87 (2009) country comparison to the world: 67 Airports - with paved runways: total: 32 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 19 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 55 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 51 (2009) Pipelines: gas 1,695 km; refined products 114 km (2008) Railways: total: 1,765 km country comparison to the world: 78 broad gauge: 1,743 km 1.524-m gauge (122 km electrified) standard gauge: 22 km 1.435-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 80,715 km country comparison to the world: 57 paved: 71,301 km (includes 309 km of expressways) unpaved: 9,414 km (2007) Waterways: 441 km (2007) country comparison to the world: 86 Merchant marine: total: 45 country comparison to the world: 73 by type: cargo 23, container 2, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 13 foreign-owned: 6 (Denmark 5, Ukraine 1) registered in other countries: 28 (Antigua and Barbuda 5, Cook Islands 1, North Korea 1, Malta 1, Norway 1, Panama 7, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 9, unknown 3) (2008) Ports and terminals: Klaipeda Military ::Lithuania Military branches: Ground Forces, Naval Forces, Air Forces (Karines Oro Pajegos, KOP), National Defense Volunteer Forces (2009) Military service age and obligation: 19-26 years of age for compulsory military service; 18 years of age for volunteers; 12-month conscript service obligation; male registration required at age 16 (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 915,187 females age 16-49: 906,097 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 677,689 females age 16-49: 743,468 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 23,556 female: 22,404 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.2% of GDP (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 131 Transnational Issues ::Lithuania Disputes - international: Lithuania and Russia committed to demarcating their boundary in 2006 in accordance with the land and maritime treaty ratified by Russia in May 2003 and by Lithuania in 1999; Lithuania operates a simplified transit regime for Russian nationals traveling from the Kaliningrad coastal exclave into Russia, while still conforming, as a EU member state having an external border with a non-EU member, to strict Schengen border rules; the Latvian parliament has not ratified its 1998 maritime boundary treaty with Lithuania, primarily due to concerns over potential hydrocarbons; as of January 2007, ground demarcation of the boundary with Belarus was complete and mapped with final ratification documents in preparation Illicit drugs: transshipment and destination point for cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy, and opiates from Southwest Asia, Latin America, Western Europe, and neighboring Baltic countries; growing production of high-quality amphetamines, but limited production of cannabis, methamphetamines; susceptible to money laundering despite changes to banking legislation page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Luxembourg (Europe) Introduction ::Luxembourg Background: Founded in 963, Luxembourg became a grand duchy in 1815 and an independent state under the Netherlands. It lost more than half of its territory to Belgium in 1839, but gained a larger measure of autonomy. Full independence was attained in 1867. Overrun by Germany in both World Wars, it ended its neutrality in 1948 when it entered into the Benelux Customs Union and when it joined NATO the following year. In 1957, Luxembourg became one of the six founding countries of the European Economic Community (later the European Union), and in 1999 it joined the euro currency area. Geography ::Luxembourg Location: Western Europe, between France and Germany Geographic coordinates: 49 45 N, 6 10 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 2,586 sq km country comparison to the world: 178 land: 2,586 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Rhode Island Land boundaries: total: 359 km border countries: Belgium 148 km, France 73 km, Germany 138 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: modified continental with mild winters, cool summers Terrain: mostly gently rolling uplands with broad, shallow valleys; uplands to slightly mountainous in the north; steep slope down to Moselle flood plain in the southeast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Moselle River 133 m highest point: Buurgplaatz 559 m Natural resources: iron ore (no longer exploited), arable land Land use: arable land: 27.42% permanent crops: 0.69% other: 71.89% (includes Belgium) (2005) Irrigated land: NA Total renewable water resources: 1.6 cu km (2005) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.06 cu km/yr (42%/45%/13%) per capita: 121 cu m/yr (1999) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: air and water pollution in urban areas, soil pollution of farmland Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification Geography - note: landlocked; the only Grand Duchy in the world People ::Luxembourg Population: 491,775 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 169 Age structure: 0-14 years: 18.5% (male 46,918/female 44,052) 15-64 years: 66.7% (male 165,342/female 162,681) 65 years and over: 14.8% (male 29,839/female 42,943) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 39.2 years male: 38.2 years female: 40.2 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.172% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 Birth rate: 11.73 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 170 Death rate: 8.44 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 Net migration rate: 8.44 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 Urbanization: urban population: 82% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 4.56 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 199 male: 4.56 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.33 years country comparison to the world: 31 male: 76.07 years female: 82.81 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.78 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 160 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: fewer than 500 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 152 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 100 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 Nationality: noun: Luxembourger(s) adjective: Luxembourg Ethnic groups: Luxembourger 63.1%, Portuguese 13.3%, French 4.5%, Italian 4.3%, German 2.3%, other EU 7.3%, other 5.2% (2000 census) Religions: Roman Catholic 87%, other (includes Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim) 13% (2000) Languages: Luxembourgish (national language), German (administrative language), French (administrative language) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% (2000 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 14 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2006) Education expenditures: 3.4% of GDP (1999) country comparison to the world: 131 Government ::Luxembourg Country name: conventional long form: Grand Duchy of Luxembourg conventional short form: Luxembourg local long form: Grand Duche de Luxembourg local short form: Luxembourg Government type: constitutional monarchy Capital: name: Luxembourg geographic coordinates: 49 36 N, 6 07 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 3 districts; Diekirch, Grevenmacher, Luxembourg Independence: 1839 (from the Netherlands) National holiday: National Day (Birthday of Grand Duchess Charlotte) 23 June; note - the actual date of birth was 23 January 1896, but the festivities were shifted by five months to allow observance during a more favorable time of year Constitution: 17 October 1868; occasional revisions Legal system: based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: Grand Duke HENRI (since 7 October 2000); Heir Apparent Prince GUILLAUME (son of the monarch, born 11 November 1981) head of government: Prime Minister Jean-Claude JUNCKER (since 20 January 1995); Deputy Prime Minister Jean ASSELBORN (since 31 July 2004) cabinet: Council of Ministers recommended by the prime minister and appointed by the monarch elections: the monarch is hereditary; following popular elections to the Chamber of Deputies, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch; the deputy prime minister is appointed by the monarch; they are responsible to the Chamber of Deputies note: government coalition - CSV and LSAP Legislative branch: unicameral Chamber of Deputies or Chambre des Deputes (60 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 7 June 2009 (next to be held by June 2014) election results: percent of vote by party - CSV 38%, LSAP 21.6%, DP 15%, Green Party 11.7%, ADR 8.1%, The Left 3.3%, other 2.3%; seats by party - CSV 26, LSAP 13, DP 9, Green Party 7, ADR 4, The Left 1 note: there is also a Council of State that serves as an advisory body to the Chamber of Deputies; the Council of State has 21 members appointed by the Grand Duke on the advice of the prime minister Judicial branch: judicial courts and tribunals (three Justices of the Peace, two district courts, and one Supreme Court of Appeals); administrative courts and tribunals (State Prosecutor's Office, administrative courts and tribunals, and the Constitutional Court); judges for all courts are appointed for life by the monarch Political parties and leaders: Alternative Democratic Reform Party or ADR [Robert MEHLEN]; Christian Social People's Party or CSV [Francois BILTGEN]; Democratic Party or DP [Claude MEISCH]; Green Party [Francois BAUSCH]; dei Lenk/la Gauche (the Left); Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party or LSAP [Alex BODRY]; other minor parties Political pressure groups and leaders: ABBL (bankers' association); ALEBA (financial sector trade union); Centrale Paysanne (federation of agricultural producers); CEP (professional sector chamber); CGFP (trade union representing civil service); Chambre de Commerce (Chamber of Commerce); Chambre des Metiers (Chamber of Artisans); FEDIL (federation of industrialists); Greenpeace (environment protection); LCGP (center-right trade union); Mouvement Ecologique (protection of ecology); OGBL (center-left trade union) International organization participation: ADB (nonregional member), Australia Group, Benelux, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNRWA, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jean-Paul SENNINGER chancery: 2200 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-4171 through 72 FAX: [1] (202) 328-8270 consulate(s) general: New York, San Francisco Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ann WAGNER embassy: 22 Boulevard Emmanuel Servais, L-2535 Luxembourg City mailing address: American Embassy Luxembourg, Unit 1410, APO AE 09126-1410 (official mail); American Embassy Luxembourg, PSC 9, Box 9500, APO AE 09123 (personal mail) telephone: [352] 46 01 23 FAX: [352] 46 14 01 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and light blue; similar to the flag of the Netherlands, which uses a darker blue and is shorter; the coloring is derived from the Grand Duke's coat of arms (a red lion on a white and blue striped field) Economy ::Luxembourg Economy - overview: This stable, high-income economy - benefiting from its proximity to France, Belgium, and Germany - has historically featured solid growth, low inflation, and low unemployment. The industrial sector, initially dominated by steel, has become increasingly diversified to include chemicals, rubber, and other products. Growth in the financial sector, which now accounts for about 28% of GDP, has more than compensated for the decline in steel. Most banks are foreign owned and have extensive foreign dealings. Agriculture is based on small family-owned farms. The economy depends on foreign and cross-border workers for about 60% of its labor force. Although Luxembourg, like all EU members, suffered from the global economic slump in the early part of this decade, the country continues to enjoy an extraordinarily high standard of living - GDP per capita ranks third in the world, after Liechtenstein and Qatar. After two years of strong economic growth in 2006-07, turmoil in the world financial markets trimmed Luxembourg's economy in 2008. GDP (purchasing power parity): $39.47 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 $39.84 billion (2007 est.) $37.87 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $54.97 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -0.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 205 5.2% (2007 est.) 6.4% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $81,200 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 $83,000 (2007 est.) $79,800 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 0.4% industry: 13.6% services: 86% (2007 est.) Labor force: 206,000 of whom 125,400 are foreign cross-border workers commuting primarily from France, Belgium, and Germany (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 163 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 2.2% industry: 17.2% services: 80.6% (2007 est.) Unemployment rate: 4.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 4.4% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.5% highest 10%: 23.8% (2000) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 26 (2005) country comparison to the world: 126 Investment (gross fixed): 20.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 Budget: revenues: $22.42 billion expenditures: $21 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 10.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 6.4% of GDP (2007 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 2.3% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 3% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 107 5% (31 December 2007) note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area Stock of money: $NA note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi money circulating within their own borders Stock of quasi money: $NA Stock of domestic credit: $369.6 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 22 $100.9 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 41 $166.1 billion (31 December 2007) $79.52 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: wine, grapes, barley, oats, potatoes, wheat, fruits; dairy products, livestock products Industries: banking and financial services, iron and steel, information technology, telecommunications, cargo transportation, food processing, chemicals, metal products, engineering, tires, glass, aluminum, tourism Industrial production growth rate: 1.7% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 Electricity - production: 2.696 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 Electricity - consumption: 6.525 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 Electricity - exports: 2.483 billion kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 6.83 billion kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 Oil - consumption: 59,140 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 93 Oil - exports: 168 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 Oil - imports: 60,030 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 164 Natural gas - consumption: 1.255 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 160 Natural gas - imports: 1.255 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 167 Current account balance: $2.979 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 $4.928 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $21.43 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 $18.26 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: machinery and equipment, steel products, chemicals, rubber products, glass Exports - partners: Germany 21.8%, France 17.4%, Belgium 10%, Italy 6.9%, UK 6.5%, Netherlands 6%, Spain 4.9% (2008) Imports: $27.73 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 $23.09 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: minerals, metals, foodstuffs, quality consumer goods Imports - partners: Belgium 28%, Germany 24%, China 18.9%, France 10%, Netherlands 4.8% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $397.8 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 $205.5 million (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $2.02 trillion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 10 $NA (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $11.21 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Communications ::Luxembourg Telephones - main lines in use: 260,600 (2008) country comparison to the world: 118 Telephones - mobile cellular: 707,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 149 Telephone system: general assessment: highly developed, completely automated and efficient system, mainly buried cables domestic: fixed line teledensity over 50 per 100 persons; nationwide cellular telephone system with market for mobile-cellular phones virtually saturated international: country code - 352 (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 2 (1999) Television broadcast stations: 5 (1999) Internet country code: .lu Internet hosts: 220,107 (2009) country comparison to the world: 62 Internet users: 387,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 113 Transportation ::Luxembourg Airports: 2 (2009) country comparison to the world: 208 Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Heliports: 1 (2009) Pipelines: gas 155 km (2008) Railways: total: 275 km country comparison to the world: 125 standard gauge: 275 km 1.435-m gauge (243 km electrified) (2008) Roadways: total: 5,227 km country comparison to the world: 152 paved: 5,227 km (includes 147 km of expressways) (2004) Waterways: 37 km (on Moselle River) (2008) country comparison to the world: 106 Merchant marine: total: 45 country comparison to the world: 74 by type: bulk carrier 6, cargo 3, chemical tanker 15, container 4, liquefied gas 1, passenger 3, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll off 9 foreign-owned: 44 (Belgium 7, Denmark 1, France 17, Germany 5, Netherlands 2, UK 8, US 4) registered in other countries: 1 (Ukraine 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Mertert Military ::Luxembourg Military branches: Army (2009) Military service age and obligation: 17-25 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; soldiers under 18 are not deployed into combat or with peacekeeping missions; no conscription; Luxembourg citizen or EU citizen with 3-year residence in Luxembourg (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 116,305 females age 16-49: 114,566 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 95,840 females age 16-49: 94,641 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 3,170 female: 2,995 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 0.9% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 141 Transnational Issues ::Luxembourg Disputes - international: none page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Macau (East & Southeast Asia) Introduction ::Macau Background: Colonized by the Portuguese in the 16th century, Macau was the first European settlement in the Far East. Pursuant to an agreement signed by China and Portugal on 13 April 1987, Macau became the Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China on 20 December 1999. In this agreement, China promised that, under its "one country, two systems" formula, China's socialist economic system would not be practiced in Macau, and that Macau would enjoy a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign and defense affairs for the next 50 years. Geography ::Macau Location: Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China Geographic coordinates: 22 10 N, 113 33 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 28.2 sq km country comparison to the world: 235 land: 28.2 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: less than one-sixth the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 0.34 km regional border: China 0.34 km Coastline: 41 km Maritime claims: not specified Climate: subtropical; marine with cool winters, warm summers Terrain: generally flat Elevation extremes: lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: Coloane Alto 172 m Natural resources: NEGL Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: typhoons Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to: Marine Dumping (associate member), Ship Pollution (associate member) Geography - note: essentially urban; an area of land reclaimed from the sea measuring 5.2 sq km and known as Cotai now connects the islands of Coloane and Taipa; the island area is connected to the mainland peninsula by three bridges People ::Macau Population: 559,846 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 167 Age structure: 0-14 years: 16.1% (male 47,853/female 42,019) 15-64 years: 76.2% (male 199,593/female 227,010) 65 years and over: 7.7% (male 20,245/female 23,126) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 35.2 years male: 35.9 years female: 34.6 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.995% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 Birth rate: 8.88 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 213 Death rate: 3.5 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 213 Net migration rate: 14.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 Urbanization: urban population: 100% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.14 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.88 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 3.22 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 219 male: 3.37 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.05 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 84.36 years country comparison to the world: 1 male: 81.39 years female: 87.47 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 0.91 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 223 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Chinese adjective: Chinese Ethnic groups: Chinese 94.3%, other 5.7% (includes Macanese - mixed Portuguese and Asian ancestry) (2006 census) Religions: Buddhist 50%, Roman Catholic 15%, none or other 35% (1997 est.) Languages: Cantonese 85.7%, Hokkien 4%, Mandarin 3.2%, other Chinese dialects 2.7%, English 1.5%, Tagalog 1.3%, other 1.6% (2001 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 91.3% male: 95.3% female: 87.8% (2001 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 15 years male: 16 years female: 14 years (2006) Education expenditures: 2.4% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 160 Government ::Macau Country name: conventional long form: Macau Special Administrative Region conventional short form: Macau local long form: Aomen Tebie Xingzhengqu (Chinese); Regiao Administrativa Especial de Macau (Portuguese) local short form: Aomen (Chinese); Macau (Portuguese) Dependency status: special administrative region of China Government type: limited democracy Administrative divisions: none (special administrative region of the People's Republic of China) Independence: none (special administrative region of China) National holiday: National Day (Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China), 1 October (1949); note - 20 December 1999 is celebrated as Macau Special Administrative Region Establishment Day Constitution: Basic Law, approved on 31 March 1993 by China's National People's Congress, is Macau's "mini-constitution" Legal system: based on Portuguese civil law system Suffrage: direct election 18 years of age for some non-executive positions, universal for permanent residents living in Macau for the past seven years; indirect election limited to organizations registered as "corporate voters" (257 are currently registered) and a 300-member Election Committee drawn from broad regional groupings, municipal organizations, and central government bodies Executive branch: chief of state: President of China HU Jintao (since 15 March 2003) head of government: Chief Executive Edmund HO Hau-wah (since 20 December 1999) cabinet: Executive Council consists of 1 government secretary, 3 legislators, 4 businessmen, 1 pro-Beijing unionist, and 1 pro-Beijing educator elections: chief executive chosen by a 300-member Election Committee for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 26 July 2009 (next to be held on in July 2014) election results: Edmund HO Hau-wah reelected with 296 votes in 2004 election; Fernando CHUI Sai-on elected in 2009 with 282 votes, takes office on 20 December 2009 Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly (29 seats; 12 members elected by popular vote, 10 by indirect vote, and 7 appointed by the chief executive; serve four-year terms) elections: last held 25 September 2005 (next to be held on 20 September 2009) election results: percent of vote - New Democratic Macau Association 18.8%, Macau United Citizens' Association 16.6%, Union for Development 13.3%, Union for Promoting Progress 9.6%, Macau Development Alliance 9.3%, others 32.4%; seats by political group - New Democratic Macau Association 2, Macau United Citizens' Association 2, Union for Development 2, Union for Promoting Progress 2, Macau Development Alliance 1, New Hope 1, Convergence for Development 1, General Union for the Good of Macau 1; 10 seats filled by professional and business groups; seven members appointed by chief executive Judicial branch: Court of Final Appeal in Macau Special Administrative Region Political parties and leaders: New Hope [Jose Maria Pereira COUTINHO]; Development Union [KWAN Tsui-hang]; Macau Development Alliance [Angela LEONG On-kei]; Macau United Citizens' Association [CHAN Meng-kam]; New Democratic Macau Association [Antonio NG Kuok-cheong]; Union for Promoting Progress [LEONG Heng-teng] note: there is no political party ordinance, so there are no registered political parties; politically active groups register as societies or companies Political pressure groups and leaders: Civic Power [Agnes LAM Lok-fong]; Macau Society of Tourism and Entertainment or STDM [Stanley HO]; Macau Worker's Union [HO Heng-kuok]; Roman Catholic Church; Union for Democracy Development [Antonio NG Kuok-cheong] International organization participation: IHO, IMF, IMO (associate), ISO (correspondent), UNESCO (associate), UNWTO (associate), UPU, WCO, WFTU, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: none (special administrative region of China) Diplomatic representation from the US: the US has no offices in Macau; US Consulate General in Hong Kong is accredited to Macau Flag description: light green with a lotus flower above a stylized bridge and water in white, beneath an arc of five gold, five-pointed stars: one large in the center of the arc and two smaller on either side; the lotus is the floral emblem of Macau, the three petals represent the peninsula and two islands that make up Macau; the five stars echo those on the flag of China Economy ::Macau Economy - overview: Macau's economy has enjoyed strong growth in recent years on the back of its expanding tourism and gaming sectors. After opening up its locally-controlled casino industry to foreign competition in 2001, the territory attracted tens of billions of dollars in foreign investment, transforming Macao into the world's largest gaming center. By 2006, Macau's gaming revenue surpassed that of the Las Vegas strip, and gaming-related taxes accounted for 75% of total government revenue. In 2008, government revenue from gaming was set to double 2006 collections. The expanding casino sector, and China's decision beginning in 2002 to relax travel restrictions, reenergized Macau's tourism industry. This city of just over 500,000 hosted more than 30 million visitors in 2008. Almost 60% came from mainland China despite increasing restrictions on travel to the SAR. Macau's traditional manufacturing industry has been in a slow decline since the termination of the Multi-Fiber Agreement in 2005. In 2008, exports of textiles and garments generated only $1.1 billion, compared to $13.7 billion in gross gaming receipts. The Closer Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Macau and mainland China that came into effect on 1 January 2004 offers many Macau-made products tariff-free access to the mainland. Macau's currency, the Pataca, is closely tied to the Hong Kong dollar, which is also freely accepted in the territory. GDP (purchasing power parity): $18.14 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 $12.5 billion (2006) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $22.04 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 15% (2008) country comparison to the world: 2 16.6% (2006) GDP - per capita (PPP): $30,000 (2007) country comparison to the world: 45 $28,400 (2006) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 0.1% industry: 2.8% services: 97.1% (2007 est.) Labor force: 337,400 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 157 Labor force - by occupation: manufacturing 7.4%, construction 12.6%, transport and communications 5%, wholesale and retail trade 12.5%, restaurants and hotels 12.7%, gambling 14%, public sector 6%, financial services 2.1%, other services and agriculture 27.7% (2008 est.) Unemployment rate: 3% (2008) country comparison to the world: 33 3.1% (2006) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $6.2 billion expenditures: $2.9 billion (2008) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.2% (December 2008) country comparison to the world: 105 7.2% (2006) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 5.43% (31 December 2008) Stock of money: $1.591 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 77 $1.16 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $22.15 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 41 $21.91 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $11.5 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 68 $NA (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $2.3 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $NA (31 December 2007) $413.1 million (2004 est.) Agriculture - products: only 2% of land area is cultivated, mainly by vegetable growers; fishing, mostly for crustaceans, is important; some of the catch is exported to Hong Kong Industries: tourism, gambling, clothing, textiles, electronics, footwear, toys Industrial production growth rate: NA Electricity - production: 1.106 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 143 Electricity - consumption: 3.311 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 2.215 billion kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 169 Oil - consumption: 16,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 131 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 152 Oil - imports: 5,027 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 156 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 108 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 Natural gas - consumption: 81.6 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 158 Natural gas - imports: 81.9 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 Natural gas - proved reserves: 300,000 cu m (1 January 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 Exports: $2 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 $2.557 billion (2006 est.); note - includes reexports Exports - commodities: clothing, textiles, footwear, toys, electronics, machinery and parts Exports - partners: US 39.9%, Hong Kong 19.7%, China 12.3%, Germany 4% (2008) Imports: $5.4 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 $4.559 billion (2006 est.) Imports - commodities: raw materials and semi-manufactured goods, consumer goods (foodstuffs, beverages, tobacco), capital goods, mineral fuels and oils Imports - partners: China 39.3%, Hong Kong 10.1%, Japan 8.5%, US 5.5%, France 5.3%, Switzerland 4.7% (2008) Debt - external: $0 (2006) country comparison to the world: 205 Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $7.9 billion (2007) country comparison to the world: 82 $6.5 billion (2006) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $1.9 billion (2007) country comparison to the world: 65 $1.1 billion (2006) Exchange rates: patacas (MOP) per US dollar - 8.011 (2007), 8.0015 (2006), 8.011 (2005), 8.022 (2004), 8.021 (2003) Communications ::Macau Telephones - main lines in use: 173,533 (2009) country comparison to the world: 127 Telephones - mobile cellular: 993,545 (2009) country comparison to the world: 145 Telephone system: general assessment: fairly modern communication facilities maintained for domestic and international services domestic: termination of monopoly over mobile-cellular telephone services in 2001 spurred sharp increase in subscriptions with mobile-cellular teledensity approaching 180 per 100 persons in 2008; fixed-line subscribership appears to have peaked and is now in decline international: country code - 853; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 submarine cable network that provides links to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; HF radiotelephone communication facility; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2009) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2008) Television broadcast stations: 1 (2008) Internet country code: .mo Internet hosts: 244 (2009) country comparison to the world: 183 Internet users: 259,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 130 Transportation ::Macau Airports: 1 (2009) country comparison to the world: 221 Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2009) Heliports: 2 (2009) Roadways: total: 404 km country comparison to the world: 196 paved: 404 km (2008) Ports and terminals: Macau Military ::Macau Military branches: no regular military forces; defense is the responsibility of China (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 121,825 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 122,962 females age 16-49: 148,809 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 4,578 female: 4,052 (2009 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of China Transnational Issues ::Macau Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: transshipment point for drugs going into mainland China; consumer of opiates and amphetamines page last updated on November 10, 2009 ====================================================================== @Macedonia (Europe) Introduction ::Macedonia Background: Macedonia gained its independence peacefully from Yugoslavia in 1991, but Greece's objection to the new state's use of what it considered a Hellenic name and symbols delayed international recognition, which occurred under the provisional designation of "the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia." In 1995, Greece lifted a 20-month trade embargo and the two countries agreed to normalize relations. The United States began referring to Macedonia by its constitutional name, Republic of Macedonia, in 2004 and negotiations continue between Greece and Macedonia to resolve the name issue. Some ethnic Albanians, angered by perceived political and economic inequities, launched an insurgency in 2001 that eventually won the support of the majority of Macedonia's Albanian population and led to the internationally-brokered Framework Agreement, which ended the fighting by establishing a set of new laws enhancing the rights of minorities. Fully implementing the Framework Agreement and stimulating economic growth and development continue to be challenges for Macedonia, although progress has been made on both fronts over the past several years. Geography ::Macedonia Location: Southeastern Europe, north of Greece Geographic coordinates: 41 50 N, 22 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 25,713 sq km country comparison to the world: 149 land: 25,433 sq km water: 280 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Vermont Land boundaries: total: 766 km border countries: Albania 151 km, Bulgaria 148 km, Greece 246 km, Kosovo 159 km, Serbia 62 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: warm, dry summers and autumns; relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall Terrain: mountainous territory covered with deep basins and valleys; three large lakes, each divided by a frontier line; country bisected by the Vardar River Elevation extremes: lowest point: Vardar River 50 m highest point: Golem Korab (Maja e Korabit) 2,764 m Natural resources: low-grade iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, manganese, nickel, tungsten, gold, silver, asbestos, gypsum, timber, arable land Land use: arable land: 22.01% permanent crops: 1.79% other: 76.2% (2005) Irrigated land: 550 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 6.4 cu km (2001) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 2.27 per capita: 1,118 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: high seismic risks Environment - current issues: air pollution from metallurgical plants Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: landlocked; major transportation corridor from Western and Central Europe to Aegean Sea and Southern Europe to Western Europe People ::Macedonia Population: 2,066,718 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 Age structure: 0-14 years: 19.2% (male 206,054/female 191,354) 15-64 years: 69.4% (male 722,823/female 710,830) 65 years and over: 11.4% (male 102,231/female 133,426) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 35.1 years male: 34.1 years female: 36.2 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.262% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 179 Birth rate: 11.97 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 Death rate: 8.83 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 85 Net migration rate: -0.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 Urbanization: urban population: 67% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 9.01 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 157 male: 9.21 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.68 years country comparison to the world: 88 male: 72.18 years female: 77.38 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.58 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 182 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: fewer than 200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 159 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 100 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 Nationality: noun: Macedonian(s) adjective: Macedonian Ethnic groups: Macedonian 64.2%, Albanian 25.2%, Turkish 3.9%, Roma (Gypsy) 2.7%, Serb 1.8%, other 2.2% (2002 census) Religions: Macedonian Orthodox 64.7%, Muslim 33.3%, other Christian 0.37%, other and unspecified 1.63% (2002 census) Languages: Macedonian 66.5%, Albanian 25.1%, Turkish 3.5%, Roma 1.9%, Serbian 1.2%, other 1.8% (2002 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96.1% male: 98.2% female: 94.1% (2002 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 12 years (2005) Education expenditures: 3.5% of GDP (2002) country comparison to the world: 130 Government ::Macedonia Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Macedonia conventional short form: Macedonia local long form: Republika Makedonija local short form: Makedonija note: the provisional designation used by the UN, EU, and NATO is the "former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" (FYROM) former: People's Republic of Macedonia, Socialist Republic of Macedonia Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: name: Skopje geographic coordinates: 42 00 N, 21 26 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 84 municipalities (opstini, singular - opstina); Aerodrom (Skopje), Aracinovo, Berovo, Bitola, Bogdanci, Bogovinje, Bosilovo, Brvenica, Butel (Skopje), Cair (Skopje), Caska, Centar (Skopje), Centar Zupa, Cesinovo, Cucer Sandevo, Debar, Debarca, Delcevo, Demir Hisar, Demir Kapija, Dojran, Dolneni, Dorce Petrov (Gjorce Petrov) (Skopje), Drugovo, Gazi Baba (Skopje), Gevgelija, Gostivar, Gradsko, Ilinden, Jegunovce, Karbinci, Karpos (Skopje), Kavadarci, Kicevo, Kisela Voda (Skopje), Kocani, Konce, Kratovo, Kriva Palanka, Krivogastani, Krusevo, Kumanovo, Lipkovo, Lozovo, Makedonska Kamenica, Makedonski Brod, Mavrovo i Rostusa, Mogila, Negotino, Novaci, Novo Selo, Ohrid, Oslomej, Pehcevo, Petrovec, Plasnica, Prilep, Probistip, Radovis, Rankovce, Resen, Rosoman, Saraj (Skopje), Sopiste, Staro Nagoricane, Stip, Struga, Strumica, Studenicani, Suto Orizari (Skopje), Sveti Nikole, Tearce, Tetovo, Valandovo, Vasilevo, Veles, Vevcani, Vinica, Vranestica, Vrapciste, Zajas, Zelenikovo, Zelino, Zrnovci note: the 10 municipalities followed by Skopje in parentheses collectively constitute the larger Skopje Municipality Independence: 8 September 1991 (referendum by registered voters endorsed independence from Yugoslavia) National holiday: Ilinden Uprising Day, 2 August (1903); note - also known as Saint Elijah's Day Constitution: adopted 17 November 1991, effective 20 November 1991; amended November 2001 and in 2005 note: amended November 2001 by a series of new constitutional amendments strengthening minority rights and in 2005 with amendments related to the judiciary Legal system: based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Gjorge IVANOV (since 12 May 2009) head of government: Prime Minister Nikola GRUEVSKI (since 26 August 2006) cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the majority vote of all the deputies in the Assembly; note - current cabinet formed by the government coalition parties VMRO/DPMNE, BDI/DUI, and several small parties elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); two-round election: first round held 22 March 2009, second round held 5 April 2009 (next to be held in March 2014); prime minister elected by the Assembly following legislative elections election results: Gjorge IVANOV elected president on second-round ballot; percent of vote - Gjorge IVANOV 63.14%, Ljubomir FRCKOSKI 36.86% Legislative branch: unicameral Assembly or Sobranie (120 seats; members elected by popular vote from party lists based on the percentage of the overall vote the parties gain in each of six electoral districts; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 1 June and 15 June 2008 (next to be held by July 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - VMRO-DPMNE-led block 49%, SDSM-led block 24%, BDI/DUI 13%, PDSh/DPA 8%, other 6%; seats by party - VMRO-DPMNE-led block 63, SDSM-led block 27, BDI/DUI 18, PDSh/DPA 11, PEI 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Constitutional Court; Republican Judicial Council note: the Assembly appoints the judges Political parties and leaders: Democratic Alliance [Pavle TRAJANOV]; Democratic League of Bosniaks [Rafet MUMINOVIC]; Democratic Party of Albanians or PDSh/DPA [Menduh THACI]; Democratic Party of Serbs [Ivan STOILJKOVIC]; Democratic Party of Turks [Kenan HASIPI]; Democratic Renewal of Macedonia [Liljana POPOVSKA]; Democratic Union of Albanians or BDSh [Bardyl MAHMUTI]; Democratic Union of Vlachs for Macedonia [Mitko KOSTOV]; Democratic Union for Integration or BDI/DUI [Ali AHMETI]; For a Better Macedonia coalition [Nikola GRUEVSKI] (includes VMRO-DPMNE, SP, Democratic Union, Democratic Renewal of Macedonia, Democratic Party of Turks, Democratic Party of Serbs, SR, and smaller parties); Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization-Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity or VMRO-DPMNE [Nikola GRUEVSKI]; League for Democracy [Gjorgi MARJANOVIC]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Jovan MANSIEVSKI]; Liberal Party [Stojan ANDOV]; National Alternative [Harun ALIU]; National Democratic Union or BDK [Hysni SHAQIR]; New Democracy of DR/ND [Imer SELMANI]; New Social Democratic Party or NSDP [Tito PETKOVSKI]; Party for Democratic Prosperity or PPD/PDP [Sefedin HARUNI]; Party for European Future or PEI [Fijat CANOSKI]; Party of Free Democrats or PSD [Ljubco JORDANOVSKI]; Social Democratic Alliance of Macedonia or SDSM [Zoran ZAEV]; Socialist Party of Macedonia or SP [Ljubisav IVANOV-ZINGO]; Sun-Coalition for Europe [Radmila SKERINSKA] (includes SDSM, NSDP, LDP, Liberal Party and smaller parties); Union of Romas or SR [Shaban SALIU]; United Party for Emancipation or OPE [Nezdet MUSTAFA] Political pressure groups and leaders: Federation of Free Trade Unions [Svetlana PETROVIC]; Federation of Trade Unions [Vanco MURATOVSKI]; Trade Union of Education, Science and Culture [Dojcin CVETANOSKI]; World Macedonian Congress [Todor PETROV] International organization participation: BIS, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Zoran JOLEVSKI chancery: 2129 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 667-0501 FAX: [1] (202) 667-2131 consulate(s) general: Southfield (Michigan) Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Philip T. REEKER embassy: Bul. Ilindenska bb, 1000 Skopje mailing address: American Embassy Skopje, US Department of State, 7120 Skopje Place, Washington, DC 20521-7120 (pouch) telephone: [389] 2 311-6180 FAX: [389] 2 311-7103 Flag description: a yellow sun with eight broadening rays extending to the edges of the red field Economy ::Macedonia Economy - overview: Having a small, open economy makes Macedonia vulnerable to economic developments in Europe and dependent on regional integration and progress toward EU membership for continued economic growth. At independence in September 1991, Macedonia was the least developed of the Yugoslav republics, producing a mere 5% of the total federal output of goods and services. The collapse of Yugoslavia ended transfer payments from the central government and eliminated advantages from inclusion in a de facto free trade area. An absence of infrastructure, UN sanctions on the downsized Yugoslavia, and a Greek economic embargo over a dispute about the country's constitutional name and flag hindered economic growth until 1996. GDP subsequently rose each year through 2000. In 2001, during a civil conflict, the economy shrank 4.5% because of decreased trade, intermittent border closures, increased deficit spending on security needs, and investor uncertainty. Growth averaged 4% per year during 2003-06 and more than 5% per year during 2007-08. Macedonia has maintained macroeconomic stability with low inflation, but it has so far lagged the region in attracting foreign investment and creating jobs, despite making extensive fiscal and business sector reforms. Official unemployment remains high at nearly 35%, but may be overstated based on the existence of an extensive gray market, estimated to be more than 20% of GDP, that is not captured by official statistics. In the wake of the global economic downturn, Macedonia has experienced decreased foreign direct investment, lowered credit, and a slowdown of export growth. The Government of Macedonia now predicts growth in 2009 to be no more than 3%. GDP (purchasing power parity): $18.83 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 125 $17.88 billion (2007 est.) $16.88 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Macedonia has a large informal sector GDP (official exchange rate): $9.569 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 5.9% (2007 est.) 3.7% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $9,100 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 $8,700 (2007 est.) $8,200 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 11.5% industry: 27.8% services: 60.7% (2008 est.) Labor force: 925,000 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 141 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 19.6% industry: 30.4% services: 50% (September 2007) Unemployment rate: 33.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 182 34.9% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 29.8% (2006) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.4% highest 10%: 29.6% (2003) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 39 (2003) country comparison to the world: 68 Investment (gross fixed): 20.6% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 101 Budget: revenues: $3.167 billion expenditures: $3.239 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 20.8% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 20% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 2.3% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 6.5% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 64 6.5% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 9.68% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 83 10.23% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $1.307 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 81 $1.173 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $3.254 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 80 $3.127 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $3.906 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 84 $2.924 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 93 $2.715 billion (31 December 2007) $1.098 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: grapes, wine, tobacco, vegetables, fruits; milk, eggs Industries: food processing, beverages, textiles, chemicals, iron, steel, cement, energy, pharmaceuticals Industrial production growth rate: 4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 Electricity - production: 6.376 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 Electricity - consumption: 7.358 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 2.491 billion kWh (2007 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 164 Oil - consumption: 21,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 Oil - exports: 7,410 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 Oil - imports: 26,730 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 158 Natural gas - consumption: 70 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 153 Natural gas - imports: 70 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 Current account balance: -$1.21 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 -$247 million (2007 est.) Exports: $3.971 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 $3.35 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: food, beverages, tobacco; textiles, miscellaneous manufactures, iron and steel Exports - partners: Serbia and Montenegro 20.4%, Germany 15.4%, Greece 12.4%, Bulgaria 10.1%, Italy 8.8%, Croatia 6.5% (2008) Imports: $6.523 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 108 $4.976 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, automobiles, chemicals, fuels, food products Imports - partners: Germany 13.3%, Greece 12.4%, Bulgaria 9.9%, Serbia and Montenegro 6.9%, Italy 6.3%, Turkey 5.6%, Slovenia 5.3%, Poland 4.4% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $2.109 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 108 $2.265 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $4.667 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 $3.967 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $2.405 billion (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 93 Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Exchange rates: Macedonian denars (MKD) per US dollar - 41.414 (2008 est.), 44.732 (2007), 48.978 (2006), 48.92 (2005), 49.41 (2004) Communications ::Macedonia Telephones - main lines in use: 457,100 (2008) country comparison to the world: 101 Telephones - mobile cellular: 2.502 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 116 Telephone system: general assessment: competition from the mobile-cellular segment of the telecommunications market has led to a drop in fixed-line telephone subscriptions domestic: combined fixed line and mobile telephone subscribership approaching 150 per 100 persons international: country code - 389 (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 29, FM 32, shortwave 0 (2008) Television broadcast stations: 52 (2007) Internet country code: .mk Internet hosts: 57,763 (2009) country comparison to the world: 81 Internet users: 847,900 (2008) country comparison to the world: 97 Transportation ::Macedonia Airports: 14 (2009) country comparison to the world: 150 Airports - with paved runways: total: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 under 914 m: 8 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 3 (2009) Pipelines: gas 268 km; oil 120 km (2008) Railways: total: 699 km country comparison to the world: 105 standard gauge: 699 km 1.435-m gauge (223 km electrified) (2008) Roadways: total: 13,182 km (includes 208 km of expressways) (2002) country comparison to the world: 128 Military ::Macedonia Military branches: Army of the Republic of Macedonia (ARM): Joint Operational Command, with subordinate Air Wing (Makedonsko Voeno Vozduhoplovstvo, MVV), Special Operations Regiment (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2007) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 532,856 females age 16-49: 513,684 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 444,247 females age 16-49: 427,556 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 14,596 female: 13,881 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 6% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 Transnational Issues ::Macedonia Disputes - international: Kosovo and Macedonia completed demarcation of their boundary in September 2008; Greece continues to reject the use of the name Macedonia or Republic of Macedonia Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs: fewer than 1,000 (ethnic conflict in 2001) (2007) Illicit drugs: major transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and hashish; minor transit point for South American cocaine destined for Europe; although not a financial center and most criminal activity is thought to be domestic, money laundering is a problem due to a mostly cash-based economy and weak enforcement page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Madagascar (Africa) Introduction ::Madagascar Background: Formerly an independent kingdom, Madagascar became a French colony in 1896 but regained independence in 1960. During 1992-93, free presidential and National Assembly elections were held ending 17 years of single-party rule. In 1997, in the second presidential race, Didier RATSIRAKA, the leader during the 1970s and 1980s, was returned to the presidency. The 2001 presidential election was contested between the followers of Didier RATSIRAKA and Marc RAVALOMANANA, nearly causing secession of half of the country. In April 2002, the High Constitutional Court announced RAVALOMANANA the winner. RAVALOMANANA achieved a second term following a landslide victory in the generally free and fair presidential elections of 2006. In early 2009, protests due to increasing restrictions on opposition press and activities resulted in RAVALOMANANA stepping down and the presidency was conferred to the mayor of Antananarivo, Andry RAJOELINA. Following negotiations in July and August of 2009, a power-sharing agreement with a 15-month transitional period was established. Elections are expected in the fall of 2010. Geography ::Madagascar Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique Geographic coordinates: 20 00 S, 47 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 587,041 sq km country comparison to the world: 46 land: 581,540 sq km water: 5,501 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Arizona Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 4,828 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or 100 nm from the 2,500-m isobath Climate: tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south Terrain: narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Maromokotro 2,876 m Natural resources: graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, salt, quartz, tar sands, semiprecious stones, mica, fish, hydropower Land use: arable land: 5.03% permanent crops: 1.02% other: 93.95% (2005) Irrigated land: 10,860 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 337 cu km (1984) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 14.96 cu km/yr (3%/2%/96%) per capita: 804 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: periodic cyclones; drought; and locust infestation Environment - current issues: soil erosion results from deforestation and overgrazing; desertification; surface water contaminated with raw sewage and other organic wastes; several endangered species of flora and fauna unique to the island Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: world's fourth-largest island; strategic location along Mozambique Channel People ::Madagascar Population: 20,653,556 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 Age structure: 0-14 years: 43.5% (male 4,523,033/female 4,460,473) 15-64 years: 53.5% (male 5,483,684/female 5,557,098) 65 years and over: 3% (male 280,677/female 348,591) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 18 years male: 17.8 years female: 18.2 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 3% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 13 Birth rate: 38.14 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 Death rate: 8.14 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 29% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 54.2 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 47 male: 59.12 deaths/1,000 live births female: 49.13 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 62.89 years country comparison to the world: 176 male: 60.93 years female: 64.91 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.14 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 116 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 14,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 1,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: chikungunya, malaria, and plague water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2009) Nationality: noun: Malagasy (singular and plural) adjective: Malagasy Ethnic groups: Malayo-Indonesian (Merina and related Betsileo), Cotiers (mixed African, Malayo-Indonesian, and Arab ancestry - Betsimisaraka, Tsimihety, Antaisaka, Sakalava), French, Indian, Creole, Comoran Religions: indigenous beliefs 52%, Christian 41%, Muslim 7% Languages: English (official), French (official), Malagasy (official) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 68.9% male: 75.5% female: 62.5% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 9 years male: 10 years female: 9 years (2006) Education expenditures: 3.1% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 144 Government ::Madagascar Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Madagascar conventional short form: Madagascar local long form: Republique de Madagascar/Repoblikan'i Madagasikara local short form: Madagascar/Madagasikara former: Malagasy Republic Government type: republic Capital: name: Antananarivo geographic coordinates: 18 55 S, 47 31 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 6 provinces (faritany); Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara Independence: 26 June 1960 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 26 June (1960) Constitution: passed by referendum 19 August 1992 Legal system: based on French civil law system and traditional Malagasy law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Andry RAJOELINA (since 18 March 2009) head of government: Prime Minister Monja Roindefo ZAFITSIMIVALO (since 18 March 2009) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 3 December 2006 (next to be held in October 2011); prime minister appointed by the president election results: percent of vote - Marc RAVALOMANANA 54.8%, Jean LAHINIRIKO 11.7%, Roland RATSIRAKA 10.1%, Herizo RAZAFIMAHALEO 9.1%, Norbert RATSIRAHONANA 4.2%, Ny Hasina ANDRIAMANJATO 4.2%, Elia RAVELOMANANTSOA 2.6%, Pety RAKOTONIAINA 1.7%, other 1.6%; note - RAVALOMANANA stepped down on 17 March 2009 note:: on 17 March 2009, democratically elected President Marc RAVALOMANANA stepped down handing the government over to the military, which in turn conferred the presidency on opposition leader and Antananarivo mayor Andry RAJOELINA, who will head the High Transition Authority; a power-sharing agreement reached in August 2009 established a 15-month transition period, concluding in general elections Legislative branch: bicameral legislature consists of a Senate or Senat (100 seats; two-thirds of the seats filled by regional assemblies; the remaining one-third of seats appointed by the president; to serve four-year terms) and a National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (127 seats - reduced from 160 seats by an April 2007 national referendum; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: National Assembly - last held 23 September 2007 (next to be held in late 2010); note - a power-sharing agreement in the summer of 2009 established a 15-month transition, concluding in general elections election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - TIM 106, LEADER/Fanilo 1, independents 20 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; High Constitutional Court or Haute Cour Constitutionnelle Political parties and leaders: Association for the Rebirth of Madagascar or AREMA [Pierrot RAJAONARIVELO]; Democratic Party for Union in Madagascar or PSDUM [Jean LAHINIRIKO]; Economic Liberalism and Democratic Action for National Recovery or LEADER/Fanilo [Herizo RAZAFIMAHALEO]; Fihaonana Party or FP [Guy-Willy RAZANAMASY]; I Love Madagascar or TIM [Marc RAVALOMANANA]; Renewal of the Social Democratic Party or RPSD [Evariste MARSON] Political pressure groups and leaders: Committee for the Defense of Truth and Justice or KMMR; Committee for National Reconciliation or CRN [Albert Zafy]; National Council of Christian Churches or FFKM International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jocelyn Bertin RADIFERA chancery: 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-5525 through 5526 FAX: [1] (202) 265-3034 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador R. Niels MARQUARDT embassy: 14-16 Rue Rainitovo, Antsahavola, Antananarivo 101 mailing address: B. P. 620, Antsahavola, Antananarivo telephone: [261] (20) 22-212-57, 22-212-73, 22-209-56 FAX: [261] (20) 22-345-39 Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a vertical white band of the same width on hoist side Economy ::Madagascar Economy - overview: Having discarded past socialist economic policies, Madagascar has since the mid 1990s followed a World Bank- and IMF-led policy of privatization and liberalization. This strategy placed the country on a slow and steady growth path from an extremely low level. Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is a mainstay of the economy, accounting for more than one-fourth of GDP and employing 80% of the population. Exports of apparel have boomed in recent years primarily due to duty-free access to the US. Deforestation and erosion, aggravated by the use of firewood as the primary source of fuel, are serious concerns. President RAVALOMANANA has worked aggressively to revive the economy following the 2002 political crisis, which triggered a 12% drop in GDP that year. Poverty reduction and combating corruption will be the centerpieces of economic policy for the next few years. GDP (purchasing power parity): $20.18 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 $18.86 billion (2007 est.) $17.76 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $9.463 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 6.2% (2007 est.) 5% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $1,000 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 212 $1,000 (2007 est.) $900 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 26.2% industry: 15.2% services: 58.5% (2008 est.) Labor force: 9.504 million (2007) country comparison to the world: 51 Population below poverty line: 50% (2004 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 41.5% (2005) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 47.5 (2001) country comparison to the world: 33 38.1 (1999) Investment (gross fixed): 26.6% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 Budget: revenues: $1.612 billion expenditures: $2.05 billion (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 10.3% (2007 est.) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 45% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 3 45% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $1.217 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 84 $1.161 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $667.2 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 104 $577.4 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $820.3 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 111 $767.5 million (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), beans, bananas, peanuts; livestock products Industries: meat processing, seafood, soap, breweries, tanneries, sugar, textiles, glassware, cement, automobile assembly plant, paper, petroleum, tourism Industrial production growth rate: 3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 83 Electricity - production: 1.045 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 Electricity - consumption: 971.4 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 84.57 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 Oil - consumption: 20,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 Oil - exports: 364.9 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 125 Oil - imports: 16,940 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 163 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 159 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 Current account balance: -$1.03 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 -$807 million (2007 est.) Exports: $1.254 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 $1.095 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: coffee, vanilla, shellfish, sugar, cotton cloth, chromite, petroleum products Exports - partners: France 38.9%, US 20.3%, Germany 5% (2008) Imports: $2.419 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 $1.944 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: capital goods, petroleum, consumer goods, food Imports - partners: China 20.1%, Bahrain 8.7%, France 6.3%, South Africa 5.7%, US 4.9%, India 4.4% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $982.3 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 $846.7 million (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $2.023 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 $4.6 billion (2002) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $NA Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Exchange rates: Malagasy ariary (MGA) per US dollar - 1,654.78 (2008 est.), 1,880 (2007), 2,161.4 (2006), 2,003 (2005), 1,868.9 (2004) Communications ::Madagascar Telephones - main lines in use: 164,900 (2008) country comparison to the world: 130 Telephones - mobile cellular: 4.835 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 88 Telephone system: general assessment: system is above average for the region; Antananarivo's main telephone exchange modernized in the late 1990s, but the rest of the analogue-based telephone system is poorly developed; have added new fixed lines since 2005 domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile telephone density about 25 per 100 persons international: country code - 261; submarine cable to Bahrain; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 6 (2001) Television broadcast stations: 1 (plus 36 repeaters) (2001) Internet country code: .mg Internet hosts: 27,807 (2009) country comparison to the world: 93 Internet users: 316,100 (2008) country comparison to the world: 124 Transportation ::Madagascar Airports: 89 (2009) country comparison to the world: 66 Airports - with paved runways: total: 27 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 62 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 39 under 914 m: 21 (2009) Railways: total: 854 km country comparison to the world: 98 narrow gauge: 854 km 1.000-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 65,663 km country comparison to the world: 69 paved: 7,617 km unpaved: 58,046 km (2003) Waterways: 600 km country comparison to the world: 80 note: 432 km navigable (2008) Merchant marine: total: 8 country comparison to the world: 120 by type: cargo 4, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 2 (2008) Ports and terminals: Antsiranana, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara Military ::Madagascar Military branches: People's Armed Forces: Intervention Force, Development Force, and Aeronaval Force (navy and air); National Gendarmerie Military service age and obligation: 18-25 years of age for male-only compulsory military service; 18-month conscript service obligation (either military or equivalent civil service); 20-30 years of age for National Gendarmerie recruits (35 years of age for those with military experience) (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 4,443,341 females age 16-49: 4,441,124 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 3,150,043 females age 16-49: 3,404,988 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 236,500 female: 235,994 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 136 Transnational Issues ::Madagascar Disputes - international: claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, and Juan de Nova Island (all administered by France) Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis (cultivated and wild varieties) used mostly for domestic consumption; transshipment point for heroin page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Malawi (Africa) Introduction ::Malawi Background: Established in 1891, the British protectorate of Nyasaland became the independent nation of Malawi in 1964. After three decades of one-party rule under President Hastings Kamuzu BANDA the country held multiparty elections in 1994, under a provisional constitution that came into full effect the following year. Current President Bingu wa MUTHARIKA, elected in May 2004 after a failed attempt by the previous president to amend the constitution to permit another term, struggled to assert his authority against his predecessor and subsequently started his own party, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in 2005. As president, MUTHARIKA has overseen substantial economic improvement but because of political deadlock in the legislature, his minority party has been unable to pass significant legislation, and anti-corruption measures have stalled. Population growth, increasing pressure on agricultural lands, corruption, and the spread of HIV/AIDS pose major problems for Malawi. Geography ::Malawi Location: Southern Africa, east of Zambia Geographic coordinates: 13 30 S, 34 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 118,484 sq km country comparison to the world: 99 land: 94,080 sq km water: 24,404 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Pennsylvania Land boundaries: total: 2,881 km border countries: Mozambique 1,569 km, Tanzania 475 km, Zambia 837 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: sub-tropical; rainy season (November to May); dry season (May to November) Terrain: narrow elongated plateau with rolling plains, rounded hills, some mountains Elevation extremes: lowest point: junction of the Shire River and international boundary with Mozambique 37 m highest point: Sapitwa (Mount Mlanje) 3,002 m Natural resources: limestone, arable land, hydropower, unexploited deposits of uranium, coal, and bauxite Land use: arable land: 20.68% permanent crops: 1.18% other: 78.14% (2005) Irrigated land: 560 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 17.3 cu km (2001) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 1.01 cu km/yr (15%/5%/80%) per capita: 78 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: deforestation; land degradation; water pollution from agricultural runoff, sewage, industrial wastes; siltation of spawning grounds endangers fish populations Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Geography - note: landlocked; Lake Nyasa, some 580 km long, is the country's most prominent physical feature People ::Malawi Population: 14,268,711 country comparison to the world: 66 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 45.8% (male 3,272,790/female 3,258,893) 15-64 years: 51.5% (male 3,696,857/female 3,656,918) 65 years and over: 2.7% (male 162,863/female 220,390) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 16.8 years male: 16.8 years female: 16.9 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 2.388% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 36 Birth rate: 41.48 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 13 Death rate: 17.6 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 19% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 5.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 89.05 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 14 male: 93.15 deaths/1,000 live births female: 84.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 43.82 years country comparison to the world: 216 male: 44.07 years female: 43.57 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.59 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 11.9% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 930,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 68,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and plague water contact disease: schistosomiasis animal contact disease: rabies (2009) Nationality: noun: Malawian(s) adjective: Malawian Ethnic groups: Chewa, Nyanja, Tumbuka, Yao, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga, Ngoni, Ngonde, Asian, European Religions: Christian 79.9%, Muslim 12.8%, other 3%, none 4.3% (1998 census) Languages: Chichewa 57.2% (official), Chinyanja 12.8%, Chiyao 10.1%, Chitumbuka 9.5%, Chisena 2.7%, Chilomwe 2.4%, Chitonga 1.7%, other 3.6% (1998 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 62.7% male: 76.1% female: 49.8% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 9 years male: 10 years female: 9 years (2004) Education expenditures: 5.8% of GDP (2003) country comparison to the world: 44 Government ::Malawi Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Malawi conventional short form: Malawi local long form: Dziko la Malawi local short form: Malawi former: British Central African Protectorate, Nyasaland Protectorate, Nyasaland Government type: multiparty democracy Capital: name: Lilongwe geographic coordinates: 13 59 S, 33 47 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 28 districts; Balaka, Blantyre, Chikwawa, Chiradzulu, Chitipa, Dedza, Dowa, Karonga, Kasungu, Likoma, Lilongwe, Machinga (Kasupe), Mangochi, Mchinji, Mulanje, Mwanza, Mzimba, Neno, Ntcheu, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Nsanje, Ntchisi, Phalombe, Rumphi, Salima, Thyolo, Zomba Independence: 6 July 1964 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day (Republic Day), 6 July (1964) Constitution: 18 May 1994 Legal system: based on English common law and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Appeal; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Bingu wa MUTHARIKA (since 24 May 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Bingu wa MUTHARIKA (since 24 May 2004) cabinet: 46-member Cabinet named by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 19 May 2009 (next to be held in May 2014) election results: Bingu wa MUTHARIKA elected president; percent of vote - Bingu wa MUTHARIKA 66%, John TEMBO 30.7%, other 3.3% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (193 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 19 May 2009 (next to be held in May 2014) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - DPP 114, MCP 26, UDF 17, independents 32, other 4 Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Appeal; High Court (chief justice appointed by the president, puisne judges appointed on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission); magistrate's courts Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Democracy or AFORD [Dindi NYASULU]; Congress of Democrats or CODE [Ralph KASAMBARA]; Democratic Progressive Party or DPP [Bingu wa MUTHARIKA]; Malawi Congress Party or MCP [John TEMBO]; Malawi Democratic Party or MDP [Kampelo KALUA]; Malawi Forum for Unity and Development or MAFUNDE [George MNESA]; Maravi People's Party [Uladi MUSSA]; National Unity Party or NUP [Harry CHIUME]; New Rainbow Coalition Party [Beatrice MWALE]; New Republican Party [Gwanda CHAKUWAMBA]; People's Progressive Movement or PPM [Aleke BANDA]; People's Transformation Movement or PETRA [Kamuzu CHIBAMBO]; Republican Party or RP [Stanley MASAULI]; United Democratic Front or UDF [Bakili MULUZI]; United Democratic Party [Kenedy KALAMBO] Political pressure groups and leaders: Agri-Ecology Media (agriculture and environmental group); Council for NGOs in Malawi or CONGOMA (human rights, democracy, and development); Human Rights Consultative Committee or HRCC (human rights); Malawi Law Society (human rights and law reform); Malawi Movement for the Restoration of Democracy or MMRD (acts to restore and maintain democracy); Public Affairs Committee or PAC (promotes democracy, development, peace and unity) International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, C, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Hawa NDILOWE chancery: 1029 Vermont Avenue, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20005 telephone: [1] (202) 721-0270 FAX: [1] (202) 721-0288 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Peter W. BODDE embassy: 16 Jomo Kenyatta Road, Lilongwe 3 mailing address: P. O. Box 30016, Lilongwe 3, Malawi telephone: [265] (1) 773 166 FAX: [265] (1) 770 471 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green with a radiant, rising, red sun centered in the black band Government - note: no party has a majority in the fractured legislature Economy ::Malawi Economy - overview: Landlocked Malawi ranks among the world's most densely populated and least developed countries. The economy is predominately agricultural with about 85% of the population living in rural areas. Agriculture accounts for more than one-third of GDP and 90% of export revenues. The performance of the tobacco sector is key to short-term growth as tobacco accounts for more than half of exports. The economy depends on substantial inflows of economic assistance from the IMF, the World Bank, and individual donor nations. In December 2007, the US granted Malawi eligibility status to receive financial support within the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) initiative. Malawi will now begin a consultative process to develop a five-year program before funding can begin. In 2006, Malawi was approved for relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) program. The government faces many challenges including developing a market economy, improving educational facilities, facing up to environmental problems, dealing with the rapidly growing problem of HIV/AIDS, and satisfying foreign donors that fiscal discipline is being tightened. In 2005, President MUTHARIKA championed an anticorruption campaign. Since 2005 President MUTHARIKA'S government has exhibited improved financial discipline under the guidance of Finance Minister Goodall GONDWE and signed a three year Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility worth $56 million with the IMF. Improved relations with the IMF lead other international donors to resume aid as well. GDP (purchasing power parity): $11.95 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 143 $10.9 billion (2007 est.) $10.1 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $4.268 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 9.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 7.9% (2007 est.) 8.2% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $800 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 220 $800 (2007 est.) $700 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 39.2% industry: 16.8% services: 44% (2008 est.) Labor force: 5.747 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 90% industry and services: 10% (2003 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Population below poverty line: 53% (2004) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3% highest 10%: 31.9% (2004) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 39 (2004) country comparison to the world: 67 Investment (gross fixed): 8.4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 Budget: revenues: $1.254 billion expenditures: $1.351 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 49.1% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 228.3% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 7.9% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 15% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 15 15% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 25.28% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 9 27.72% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $361.5 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) $250.4 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $406.2 million (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) $NA (31 December 2007) $587.2 million (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: tobacco, sugarcane, cotton, tea, corn, potatoes, cassava (tapioca), sorghum, pulses, groundnuts, Macadamia nuts; cattle, goats Industries: tobacco, tea, sugar, sawmill products, cement, consumer goods Industrial production growth rate: 4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 Electricity - production: 1.69 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 Electricity - consumption: 1.572 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 166 Oil - consumption: 8,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 184 Oil - imports: 6,960 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 159 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 159 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 154 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 Current account balance: -$241 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 93 -$75 million (2007 est.) Exports: $830 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 154 $721 million (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: tobacco 53%, tea, sugar, cotton, coffee, peanuts, wood products, apparel Exports - partners: South Africa 14.2%, Egypt 9.8%, Zimbabwe 8.6%, US 7.4%, Netherlands 7%, Russia 5.7%, Germany 5.7% (2008) Imports: $1.587 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 157 $1.323 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: food, petroleum products, semimanufactures, consumer goods, transportation equipment Imports - partners: South Africa 41.5%, China 7.3%, India 6.1%, Tanzania 5.4%, US 4.1% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $185 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 $217.2 million (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $1.005 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 $894 million (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $11.23 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Exchange rates: Malawian kwachas (MWK) per US dollar - 142.41 (2008 est.), 141.12 (2007), 135.96 (2006), 108.894 (2005), 108.898 (2004) Communications ::Malawi Telephones - main lines in use: 236,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 122 Telephones - mobile cellular: 1.781 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 127 Telephone system: general assessment: rudimentary domestic: fixed-line subscribership about 2 per 100 persons; privatization of Malawi Telecommunications (MTL), a necessary step in bringing improvement to telecommunications services, completed in 2006; mobile-cellular services are expanding but cellular network coverage is limited and is based around the main urban areas; mobile cellular subscribership approaching 15 per 100 persons international: country code - 265; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean, 1 Atlantic Ocean) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 9, FM 5 (plus 15 repeater stations), shortwave 2 (plus one shortwave station on standby) (2001) Television broadcast stations: 1 (2001) Internet country code: .mw Internet hosts: 741 (2009) country comparison to the world: 165 Internet users: 316,100 (2008) country comparison to the world: 125 Transportation ::Malawi Airports: 32 (2009) country comparison to the world: 113 Airports - with paved runways: total: 6 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 26 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 10 (2009) Railways: total: 797 km country comparison to the world: 102 narrow gauge: 797 km 1.067-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 15,451 km country comparison to the world: 122 paved: 6,956 km unpaved: 8,495 km (2003) Waterways: 700 km (on Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) and Shire River) (2008) country comparison to the world: 76 Ports and terminals: Chipoka, Monkey Bay, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Chilumba Military ::Malawi Military branches: Malawi Armed Forces: Army (includes Air Wing and Naval Detachment) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; standard obligation is 2 years of active duty and 5 years of reserve service (2007) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 3,050,444 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,732,621 females age 16-49: 1,562,107 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 174,044 female: 173,828 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.3% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 123 Transnational Issues ::Malawi Disputes - international: disputes with Tanzania over the boundary in Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) and the meandering Songwe River remain dormant page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Malaysia (East & Southeast Asia) Introduction ::Malaysia Background: During the late 18th and 19th centuries, Great Britain established colonies and protectorates in the area of current Malaysia; these were occupied by Japan from 1942 to 1945. In 1948, the British-ruled territories on the Malay Peninsula formed the Federation of Malaya, which became independent in 1957. Malaysia was formed in 1963 when the former British colonies of Singapore and the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak on the northern coast of Borneo joined the Federation. The first several years of the country's history were marred by a Communist insurgency, Indonesian confrontation with Malaysia, Philippine claims to Sabah, and Singapore's secession from the Federation in 1965. During the 22-year term of Prime Minister MAHATHIR bin Mohamad (1981-2003), Malaysia was successful in diversifying its economy from dependence on exports of raw materials to expansion in manufacturing, services, and tourism. Geography ::Malaysia Location: Southeastern Asia, peninsula bordering Thailand and northern one-third of the island of Borneo, bordering Indonesia, Brunei, and the South China Sea, south of Vietnam Geographic coordinates: 2 30 N, 112 30 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 329,847 sq km country comparison to the world: 66 land: 328,657 sq km water: 1,190 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than New Mexico Land boundaries: total: 2,669 km border countries: Brunei 381 km, Indonesia 1,782 km, Thailand 506 km Coastline: 4,675 km (Peninsular Malaysia 2,068 km, East Malaysia 2,607 km) Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation; specified boundary in the South China Sea Climate: tropical; annual southwest (April to October) and northeast (October to February) monsoons Terrain: coastal plains rising to hills and mountains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Gunung Kinabalu 4,100 m Natural resources: tin, petroleum, timber, copper, iron ore, natural gas, bauxite Land use: arable land: 5.46% permanent crops: 17.54% other: 77% (2005) Irrigated land: 3,650 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 580 cu km (1999) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 9.02 cu km/yr (17%/21%/62%) per capita: 356 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: flooding; landslides; forest fires Environment - current issues: air pollution from industrial and vehicular emissions; water pollution from raw sewage; deforestation; smoke/haze from Indonesian forest fires Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: strategic location along Strait of Malacca and southern South China Sea People ::Malaysia Population: 25,715,819 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 Age structure: 0-14 years: 31.4% (male 4,153,621/female 3,914,962) 15-64 years: 63.6% (male 8,210,373/female 8,143,043) 65 years and over: 5% (male 569,245/female 724,575) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 24.9 years male: 24.3 years female: 25.6 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.723% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 Birth rate: 22.24 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 Death rate: 5.02 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 189 Net migration rate: NA note: does not reflect net flow of an unknown number of illegal immigrants from other countries in the region (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 70% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 15.87 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 124 male: 18.32 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.29 years country comparison to the world: 108 male: 70.56 years female: 76.21 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.95 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.5% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 80,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 3,900 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Nationality: noun: Malaysian(s) adjective: Malaysian Ethnic groups: Malay 50.4%, Chinese 23.7%, indigenous 11%, Indian 7.1%, others 7.8% (2004 est.) Religions: Muslim 60.4%, Buddhist 19.2%, Christian 9.1%, Hindu 6.3%, Confucianism, Taoism, other traditional Chinese religions 2.6%, other or unknown 1.5%, none 0.8% (2000 census) Languages: Bahasa Malaysia (official), English, Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainan, Foochow), Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Panjabi, Thai note: in East Malaysia there are several indigenous languages; most widely spoken are Iban and Kadazan Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 88.7% male: 92% female: 85.4% (2000 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years male: 12 years female: 13 years (2005) Education expenditures: 6.2% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 37 Government ::Malaysia Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Malaysia local long form: none local short form: Malaysia former: Federation of Malaya Government type: constitutional monarchy note: nominally headed by paramount ruler (commonly referred to as the King) and a bicameral Parliament consisting of a nonelected upper house and an elected lower house; all Peninsular Malaysian states have hereditary rulers (commonly referred to as sultans) except Melaka and Pulau Pinang (Penang); those two states along with Sabah and Sarawak in East Malaysia have governors appointed by government; powers of state governments are limited by federal constitution; under terms of federation, Sabah and Sarawak retain certain constitutional prerogatives (e.g., right to maintain their own immigration controls) Capital: name: Kuala Lumpur geographic coordinates: 3 10 N, 101 42 E time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) note: Putrajaya is referred to as administrative center not capital; Parliament meets in Kuala Lumpur Administrative divisions: 13 states (negeri-negeri, singular - negeri) Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Pulau Pinang, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, and Terengganu; and 1 federal territory (wilayah persekutuan) with three components, city of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, and Putrajaya Independence: 31 August 1957 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day/Malaysia Day, 31 August (1957) Constitution: 31 August 1957; amended many times, the latest in 2007 Legal system: based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court at request of supreme head of the federation; Islamic law is applied to Muslims in matters of family law and religion; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: King - Sultan MIZAN Zainal Abidin (since 13 December 2006); (the position of the king is primarily ceremonial) head of government: Prime Minister Mohamed NAJIB bin Abdul Razak (since 3 April 2009); Deputy Prime Minister MUHYIDDIN bin Mohamed Yassin (since 9 April 2009) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among the members of Parliament with consent of the king elections: kings are elected by and from the hereditary rulers of nine of the states for five-year terms; election last held on 3 November 2006 (next to be held in 2011); prime minister designated from among the members of the House of Representatives; following legislative elections, the leader who commands the support of the majority of members in the House becomes prime minister (since independence this has been the leader of the UMNO party) election results: Sultan MIZAN Zainal Abidin elected king; in practice, selection is based on principle of rotation among rulers of states Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Parlimen consists of Senate or Dewan Negara (70 seats; 44 appointed by the king, 26 elected by 13 state legislatures; serve three-year terms with limit of two terms) and House of Representatives or Dewan Rakyat (222 seats; members elected by popular vote; serve up to five-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held on 8 March 2008 (next to be held by June 2013) election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote - BN coalition 50.3%, opposition parties 46.8%, others 2.9%; seats - BN coalition 140, opposition parties 82 Judicial branch: Civil Courts include Federal Court, Court of Appeal, High Court of Malaya on peninsula Malaysia, and High Court of Sabah and Sarawak in states of Borneo (judges are appointed by the king on the advice of the prime minister); Sharia Courts include Sharia Appeal Court, Sharia High Court, and Sharia Subordinate Courts at state-level and deal with religious and family matters such as custody, divorce, and inheritance only for Muslims; decisions of Sharia courts cannot be appealed to civil courts Political parties and leaders: National Front (Barisan Nasional) or BN (ruling coalition) consists of the following parties: Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia Party or PGRM [KOH Tsu Koon]; Liberal Democratic Party (Parti Liberal Demokratik - Sabah) or LDP [LIEW Vui Keong]; Malaysian Chinese Association (Persatuan China Malaysia) or MCA [ONG Tee Keat]; Malaysian Indian Congress (Kongres India Malaysia) or MIC [S. Samy VELLU]; Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah or PBRS [Joseph KURUP]; Parti Bersatu Sabah or PBS [Joseph PAIRIN Kitingan]; Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu or PBB [Abdul TAIB Mahmud]; Parti Rakyat Sarawak or PRS [James MASING]; Sarawak United People's Party (Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sarawak) or SUPP [George CHAN Hong Nam]; United Malays National Organization or UMNO [NAJIB bin Abdul Razak]; United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organization (Pertubuhan Pasko Momogun Kadazan Dusun Bersatu) or UPKO [Bernard DOMPOK]; People's Progressive Party (Parti Progresif Penduduk Malaysia) or PPP [M.Kayveas]; Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party or SPDP [William MAWAN]) People's Alliance (Pakatan Rakyat) or PR (opposition coalition) consists of the following parties: Democratic Action Party (Parti Tindakan Demokratik) or DAP [KARPAL Singh]; Islamic Party of Malaysia (Parti Islam se Malaysia) or PAS [Abdul HADI Awang]; People's Justice Party (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) or PKR [WAN AZIZAH Wan Ismail]; Sarawak National Party or SNAP [Edwin DUNDANG] independent party: Sabah Progressive Party (Parti Progresif Saban) or SAPP [YONG Teck Lee] Political pressure groups and leaders: Bar Council BERSIH (electoral reform coalition); PEMBELA (Muslim NGO coalition) other: religious groups; women's groups; youth groups International organization participation: ADB, APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN, BIS, C, CP, EAS, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OPCW, PCA, PIF (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador JAMALUDDIN Jarjis chancery: 3516 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 572-9700 FAX: [1] (202) 572-9882 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador James R. KEITH embassy: 376 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur mailing address: US Embassy Kuala Lumpur, APO AP 96535-8152 telephone: [60] (3) 2168-5000 FAX: [60] (3) 2142-2207 Flag description: 14 equal horizontal stripes of red (top) alternating with white (bottom); there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a yellow crescent and a yellow 14-pointed star; the crescent and the star are traditional symbols of Islam; the design was based on the flag of the US Economy ::Malaysia Economy - overview: Malaysia, a middle-income country, has transformed itself since the 1970s from a producer of raw materials into an emerging multi-sector economy. After coming to office in 2003, former Prime Minister ABDULLAH tried to move the economy farther up the value-added production chain by attracting investments in high technology industries, medical technology, and pharmaceuticals. The Government of Malaysia is continuing efforts to boost domestic demand to wean the economy off of its dependence on exports. Nevertheless, exports - particularly of electronics - remain a significant driver of the economy. As an oil and gas exporter, Malaysia has profited from higher world energy prices, although the rising cost of domestic gasoline and diesel fuel forced Kuala Lumpur to reduce government subsidies. Malaysia "unpegged" the ringgit from the US dollar in 2005 and the currency appreciated 6% per year against the dollar in 2006-08. Although this has helped to hold down the price of imports, inflationary pressures began to build in 2007 - in 2008 inflation stood at nearly 6%, year-over-year. The government presented its five-year national development agenda in April 2006 through the Ninth Malaysia Plan, a comprehensive blueprint for the allocation of the national budget from 2006-10. ABDULLAH unveiled a series of ambitious development schemes for several regions that have had trouble attracting business investment. Real GDP growth averaged about 6% per year under ABDULLAH, but regions outside of Kuala Lumpur and the manufacturing hub Penang did not fare as well. The central bank maintains healthy foreign exchange reserves and the regulatory regime has limited Malaysia's exposure to riskier financial instruments and the global financial crisis. Decreasing worldwide demand for consumer goods is expected to hurt economic growth in 2009 and beyond, however. GDP (purchasing power parity): $385.2 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 $368.3 billion (2007 est.) $346.8 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $221.6 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 6.2% (2007 est.) 5.8% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $15,200 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 $14,800 (2007 est.) $14,200 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 10.1% industry: 43.7% services: 46.3% (2008 est.) Labor force: 11.09 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 13% industry: 36% services: 51% (2005 est.) Unemployment rate: 3.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 3.2% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 5.1% (2002 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 28.5% (2004 est.) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 46.1 (2002) country comparison to the world: 38 49.2 (1997) Investment (gross fixed): 19.7% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 Budget: revenues: $48.49 billion expenditures: $58.85 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 40% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 45.4% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 2% (2007 est.) note: approximately 30% of goods are price-controlled Commercial bank prime lending rate: 6.08% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 127 6.41% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $51.51 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 22 $49.41 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $200.9 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 14 $187.6 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $246.7 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 28 $220 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $187.1 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 29 $325.7 billion (31 December 2007) $235.4 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: Peninsular Malaysia - rubber, palm oil, cocoa, rice; Sabah - subsistence crops, rubber, timber, coconuts, rice; Sarawak - rubber, pepper, timber Industries: Peninsular Malaysia - rubber and oil palm processing and manufacturing, light manufacturing, electronics, tin mining and smelting, logging, timber processing; Sabah - logging, petroleum production; Sarawak - agriculture processing, petroleum production and refining, logging Industrial production growth rate: 1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 125 Electricity - production: 103.2 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 Electricity - consumption: 99.25 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 Electricity - exports: 2.268 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 727,200 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 Oil - consumption: 547,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 Oil - exports: 511,900 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 Oil - imports: 314,600 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 36 Oil - proved reserves: 4 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 Natural gas - production: 57.3 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 Natural gas - consumption: 26.27 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 Natural gas - exports: 31.03 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 9 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 Natural gas - proved reserves: 2.35 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 Current account balance: $33.76 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 $28.93 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $198.7 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 $176.4 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: electronic equipment, petroleum and liquefied natural gas, wood and wood products, palm oil, rubber, textiles, chemicals Exports - partners: Singapore 14.7%, US 12.5%, Japan 10.8%, China 9.5%, Thailand 4.8%, Hong Kong 4.3% (2008) Imports: $154.7 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 $139.1 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: electronics, machinery, petroleum products, plastics, vehicles, iron and steel products, chemicals Imports - partners: China 12.8%, Japan 12.5%, Singapore 11%, US 10.8%, Thailand 5.6%, South Korea 4.6%, Indonesia 4.6%, Germany 4.3% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $91.21 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 $101.1 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $75.33 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 42 $62.33 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $83.35 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 $76.75 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $71.2 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 $58.18 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: ringgits (MYR) per US dollar - 3.33 (2008 est.), 3.46 (2007), 3.6683 (2006), 3.8 (2005), 3.8 (2004) Communications ::Malaysia Telephones - main lines in use: 4.292 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 36 Telephones - mobile cellular: 27.125 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 31 Telephone system: general assessment: modern system; international service excellent domestic: good intercity service provided on Peninsular Malaysia mainly by microwave radio relay; adequate intercity microwave radio relay network between Sabah and Sarawak via Brunei; domestic satellite system with 2 earth stations; combined fixed-line and mobile cellular teledensity 125 per 100 persons international: country code - 60; landing point for several major international submarine cable networks that provide connectivity to Asia, Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean, 1 Pacific Ocean) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 35, FM 391, shortwave 15 (2001) Television broadcast stations: 88 (mainland Malaysia 51, Sabah 16, and Sarawak 21) (2006) Internet country code: .my Internet hosts: 362,968 (2009) country comparison to the world: 53 Internet users: 16.903 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 22 Transportation ::Malaysia Airports: 118 (2009) country comparison to the world: 51 Airports - with paved runways: total: 38 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 7 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 80 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 73 (2009) Heliports: 2 (2009) Pipelines: condensate 3 km; gas 1,965 km; oil 31 km; refined products 114 km (2008) Railways: total: 1,849 km country comparison to the world: 75 standard gauge: 57 km 1.435-m gauge (57 km electrified) narrow gauge: 1,792 km 1.000-m gauge (150 km electrified) (2008) Roadways: total: 98,721 km country comparison to the world: 42 paved: 80,280 km (includes 1,821 km of expressways) unpaved: 18,441 km (2004) Waterways: 7,200 km country comparison to the world: 20 note: Peninsular Malaysia 3,200 km; Sabah 1,500 km; Sarawak 2,500 km (2008) Merchant marine: total: 306 country comparison to the world: 30 by type: bulk carrier 12, cargo 97, carrier 1, chemical tanker 34, container 46, liquefied gas 33, passenger/cargo 5, petroleum tanker 71, roll on/roll off 3, vehicle carrier 4 foreign-owned: 40 (Germany 1, Hong Kong 14, Japan 4, Russia 2, Singapore 16, Sweden 3) registered in other countries: 68 (Bahamas 13, Marshall Islands 3, Norway 1, Panama 12, Philippines 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Singapore 27, Thailand 3, Tuvalu 1, US 2, unknown 4) (2008) Ports and terminals: Bintulu, Johor Bahru, Kuantan, Labuan, George Town (Penang), Port Kelang, Tanjung Pelepas Transportation - note: the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the Strait of Malacca and South China Sea as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargo diverted to ports in East Asia; crews have been murdered or cast adrift; increased naval patrols in 2009 resulted in significantly reduced numbers of incidents Military ::Malaysia Military branches: Malaysian Armed Forces (Angkatan Tentera Malaysia, ATM): Malaysian Army (Tentera Darat Malaysia), Royal Malaysian Navy (Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia, TLDM), Royal Malaysian Air Force (Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia, TUDM) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service (2005) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 6,440,338 females age 16-49: 6,280,826 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 5,493,946 females age 16-49: 5,409,524 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 266,267 female: 252,543 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 2.03% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 Transnational Issues ::Malaysia Disputes - international: Malaysia has asserted sovereignty over the Spratly Islands together with China, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; while the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" has eased tensions over the Spratly Islands, it is not the legally binding "code of conduct" sought by some parties; Malaysia was not party to the March 2005 joint accord among the national oil companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam on conducting marine seismic activities in the Spratly Islands; disputes continue over deliveries of fresh water to Singapore, Singapore's land reclamation, bridge construction, and maritime boundaries in the Johor and Singapore Straits; in November 2007, the ICJ will hold public hearings in response to the memorials and countermemorials filed by the parties in 2003 and 2005 over sovereignty of Pedra Branca Island/Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge; ICJ awarded Ligitan and Sipadan islands, also claimed by Indonesia and Philippines, to Malaysia but left maritime boundary and sovereignty of Unarang rock in the hydrocarbon-rich Celebes Sea in dispute; separatist violence in Thailand's predominantly Muslim southern provinces prompts measures to close and monitor border with Malaysia to stem terrorist activities; Philippines retains a dormant claim to Malaysia's Sabah State in northern Borneo; Brunei and Malaysia agreed in September 2008 to resolve their offshore and deepwater seabed dispute, resume hydrocarbon exploration and renounce any territorial claims on land; piracy remains a problem in the Malacca Strait Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 15,174 (Indonesia); 21,544 (Burma) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Malaysia is a destination and, to a lesser extent, a source and transit country for women and children trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation, and men, women, and children for forced labor; Malaysia is mainly a destination country for men, women, and children who migrate willingly from South and Southeast Asia to work, some of whom are subjected to conditions of involuntary servitude by Malaysian employers in the domestic, agricultural, construction, plantation, and industrial sectors; to a lesser extent, some Malaysian women, primarily of Chinese ethnicity, are trafficked abroad for commercial sexual exploitation tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Malaysia improved from Tier 3 to the Tier 2 Watch List for 2008 when it enacted comprehensive anti-trafficking legislation in July 2007; however, it did not take action against exploitative employers or labor traffickers in 2007; the government has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008) Illicit drugs: drug trafficking prosecuted vigorously and carries severe penalties; heroin still primary drug of abuse, but synthetic drug demand remains strong; continued ecstasy and methamphetamine producer for domestic users and, to a lesser extent, the regional drug market page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Maldives (South Asia) Introduction ::Maldives Background: The Maldives was long a sultanate, first under Dutch and then under British protection. It became a republic in 1968, three years after independence. President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM dominated the islands' political scene for 30 years, elected to six successive terms by single-party referendums. Following riots in the capital Male in August 2004, the president and his government pledged to embark upon democratic reforms including a more representative political system and expanded political freedoms. Progress was sluggish, however, and many promised reforms were slow to be realized. Nonetheless, political parties were legalized in 2005. In June 2008, a constituent assembly - termed the "Special Majlis" - finalized a new constitution, which was ratified by the president in August. The first-ever presidential elections under a multi-candidate, multi-party system were held in October 2008. GAYOOM was defeated in a runoff poll by Mohamed NASHEED, a political activist who had been jailed several years earlier by the former regime. Challenges facing the new president include strengthening democracy and combating poverty and drug abuse. Geography ::Maldives Location: Southern Asia, group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India Geographic coordinates: 3 15 N, 73 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 298 sq km country comparison to the world: 209 land: 298 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: about 1.7 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 644 km Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August) Terrain: flat, with white sandy beaches Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Wilingili island in the Addu Atoll 2.4 m Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land: 13.33% permanent crops: 30% other: 56.67% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Total renewable water resources: 0.03 cu km (1999) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.003 cu km/yr (98%/2%/0%) per capita: 9 cu m/yr (1987) Natural hazards: tsunamis; low elevation of islands makes them sensitive to sea level rise Environment - current issues: depletion of freshwater aquifers threatens water supplies; global warming and sea level rise; coral reef bleaching Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: 1,190 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls (200 inhabited islands, plus 80 islands with tourist resorts); archipelago with strategic location astride and along major sea lanes in Indian Ocean People ::Maldives Population: 396,334 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 174 Age structure: 0-14 years: 22.3% (male 45,038/female 43,291) 15-64 years: 73.8% (male 180,874/female 111,703) 65 years and over: 3.9% (male 7,711/female 7,717) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 25.7 years male: 26.5 years female: 24.3 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: -0.168% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 217 Birth rate: 14.55 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 Death rate: 3.65 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 212 Net migration rate: -12.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 179 Urbanization: urban population: 38% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 5.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.62 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female total population: 1.44 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 29.53 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 77 male: 32.04 deaths/1,000 live births female: 26.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.97 years country comparison to the world: 94 male: 71.78 years female: 76.28 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.9 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: fewer than 100 (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 163 HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Maldivian(s) adjective: Maldivian Ethnic groups: South Indians, Sinhalese, Arabs Religions: Sunni Muslim Languages: Maldivian Dhivehi (dialect of Sinhala, script derived from Arabic), English spoken by most government officials Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96.3% male: 96.2% female: 96.4% (2000 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 12 years (2006) Education expenditures: 8% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 15 Government ::Maldives Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Maldives conventional short form: Maldives local long form: Dhivehi Raajjeyge Jumhooriyyaa local short form: Dhivehi Raajje Government type: republic Capital: name: Male geographic coordinates: 4 10 N, 73 30 E time difference: UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 19 atolls (atholhu, singular and plural) and 1 capital city*; Alifu, Baa, Dhaalu, Faafu, Gaafu Alifu, Gaafu Dhaalu, Gnaviyani, Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, Kaafu, Laamu, Lhaviyani, Maale* (Male), Meemu, Noonu, Raa, Seenu, Shaviyani, Thaa, Vaavu Independence: 26 July 1965 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 26 July (1965) Constitution: new constitution ratified 7 August 2008 Legal system: based on Islamic law with admixtures of English common law primarily in commercial matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Mohamed "Anni" NASHEED (since 11 November 2008); Vice President Mohamed WAHEED Hassan Maniku (since 11 November 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Mohamed "Anni" NASHEED (since 11 November 2008); Vice President Mohamed WAHEED Hassan Maniku (since 11 November 2008) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president elections: under the new constitution, the president is elected by direct vote; president elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 8 and 28 October 2008 (next to be held in 2013) election results: Mohamed NASHEED elected president; percent of vote - NASHEED 54.25%, Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM 45.75% Legislative branch: unicameral People's Council or People's Majlis (77 seats; members elected by direct vote to serve five-year terms); note - the Majlis in February 2009 passed legislation that incresed the number of seats to 77 from 50 elections: last held 9 May 2009 (next to be held in 2014) election results: percent of vote - DRP 36.8%, MDP 32.9 %, PA 9.2%, DQP 2.6% AP 1.3%, independents 17.1%; seats by party - DRP 28, MDP 25, PA 7, DQP 2, AP 1, independents 13; note - one seat unfilled Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Supreme Court judges are appointed by the president with approval of voting members of the People's Council; High Court; Trial Courts; all lower court judges are appointed by the Judicial Service Commission Political parties and leaders: Adhaalath (Justice) Party or AP [Abdul Majeed Abdul BARI]; Dhivehi Quamee Party or DQP [Hassan SAEED]; Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (Maldivian People's Party) or DRP [Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM]; Islamic Democratic Party or IDP [Omar NASEER]; Maldivian Democratic Party or MDP [Mohamed NASHEED]; People's Alliance or PA [Abdullah YAMEEN]; Republican (Jumhooree) Party [Gasim IBRAHIM]; Social Liberal Party or SLP [Ibrahim ISMAIL] Political pressure groups and leaders: other: various unregistered political parties International organization participation: ADB, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge D'Affaires Abdul Ghafoor MOHAMED chancery: 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400E, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 599-6195 FAX: [1] (212) 661-6405 Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Maldives; the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Ambassador Robert O. BLAKE, Jr., is accredited to Maldives and makes periodic visits Flag description: red with a large green rectangle in the center bearing a vertical white crescent; the closed side of the crescent is on the hoist side of the flag Economy ::Maldives Economy - overview: Tourism, Maldives' largest industry, accounts for 28% of GDP and more than 60% of foreign exchange receipts. Over 90% of government tax revenue comes from import duties and tourism-related taxes. Fishing is the second leading sector. Agriculture and manufacturing continue to play a lesser role in the economy, constrained by the limited availability of cultivable land and the shortage of domestic labor. Most staple foods must be imported. Industry, which consists mainly of garment production, boat building, and handicrafts, accounts for about 7% of GDP. The Maldivian Government began an economic reform program in 1989 initially by lifting import quotas and opening some exports to the private sector. Subsequently, it has liberalized regulations to allow more foreign investment. Real GDP growth averaged over 7.5% per year for more than a decade. In late December 2004, a major tsunami left more than 100 dead, 12,000 displaced, and property damage exceeding $300 million. As a result of the tsunami, the GDP contracted by about 4.6% in 2005. A rebound in tourism, post-tsunami reconstruction, and development of new resorts helped the economy recover quickly, with GDP growth registering 18% in 2006. Growth slowed in 2007-08, but remained above 5% per year. The trade deficit expanded sharply as a result of high oil prices and imports of construction material. Government spending on social needs, subsidies, and civil servant salaries have created a large budget deficit and inflation has picked up sharply, reaching nearly 13% in October 2008 due to high oil and food prices. Diversifying beyond tourism and fishing, reforming public finance, and increasing employment are the major challenges facing the government. Over the longer term Maldivian authorities worry about the impact of erosion and possible global warming on their low-lying country; 80% of the area is 1 meter or less above sea level. GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.723 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 187 $1.628 billion (2007 est.) $1.519 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $1.261 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 7.2% (2007 est.) 18% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $4,500 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 $4,500 (2007 est.) $4,400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 7% industry: 17% services: 76% (2006 est.) Labor force: 136,100 (2007) country comparison to the world: 172 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 22% industry: 18% services: 60% (1995) Unemployment rate: 14.4% (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 Population below poverty line: 21% (2004) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $762 million (including foreign grants) expenditures: $884 million (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 12.8% (October 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 178 5% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 13% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 22 12.5% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 13% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 60 13% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $475.2 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 96 $344.1 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $487.8 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 108 $434.9 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $1.548 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 97 $1.08 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; fish Industries: tourism, fish processing, shipping, boat building, coconut processing, garments, woven mats, rope, handicrafts, coral and sand mining Industrial production growth rate: -0.9% (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 141 Electricity - production: 205 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 176 Electricity - consumption: 190.7 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 178 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 160 Oil - consumption: 6,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 159 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 180 Oil - imports: 5,406 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 154 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 147 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 157 Current account balance: -$638 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 -$472 million (2007 est.) Exports: $113 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 191 $167 million (2006 est.) Exports - commodities: fish Exports - partners: Thailand 34.4%, UK 13.8%, France 12.2%, Italy 9%, Sri Lanka 8.5% (2008) Imports: $1.276 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 $930 million (2006 est.) Imports - commodities: petroleum products, ships, foodstuffs, clothing, intermediate and capital goods Imports - partners: Singapore 27.2%, UAE 16.9%, Malaysia 9.7%, India 7.7%, Thailand 4.9%, Sri Lanka 4.6%, Germany 4.1% (2008) Debt - external: $477 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 166 $482 million (2006 est.) Exchange rates: rufiyaa (MVR) per US dollar - 12.8 (2008), 12.8 (2007), 12.8 (2006), 12.8 (2005), 12.8 (2004) Communications ::Maldives Telephones - main lines in use: 50,396 (2009) country comparison to the world: 162 Telephones - mobile cellular: 450,500 (2009) country comparison to the world: 158 Telephone system: general assessment: telephone services have improved; each island now has at least 1 public telephone, and there are mobile cellular networks with a rapidly expanding subscribership that exceeds 100 per 100 persons domestic: interatoll communication through microwave links; all inhabited islands and resorts are connected with telephone and fax service international: country code - 960; linked to international submarine cable Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG); satellite earth station - 3 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2009) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 1 (2006) Internet country code: .mv Internet hosts: 1,732 (2009) country comparison to the world: 151 Internet users: 71,700 (2008) country comparison to the world: 164 Transportation ::Maldives Airports: 5 (2009) country comparison to the world: 180 Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009) Roadways: total: 88 km country comparison to the world: 213 paved roads: 88 km - 60 km in Male; 14 km on Addu Atolis; 14 km on Laamu note: village roads are mainly compacted coral (2006) Merchant marine: total: 29 country comparison to the world: 86 by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 23, petroleum tanker 3, refrigerated cargo 2 foreign-owned: 1 (Greece 1) registered in other countries: 2 (Panama 1, Tuvalu 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Male Military ::Maldives Military branches: Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF): Rapid Reaction Force, Security Protection Group, Coast Guard (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 89,505 females age 16-49: 85,745 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 138,746 females age 16-49: 82,247 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 4,576 female: 3,942 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 5.5% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 Military - note: the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF), with its small size and with little serviceable equipment, is inadequate to prevent external aggression and is primarily tasked to reinforce the Maldives Police Service (MPS) and ensure security in the exclusive economic zone (2008) Transnational Issues ::Maldives Disputes - international: none Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs: 1,000-10,000 (December 2004 tsunami victims) (2007) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Mali (Africa) Introduction ::Mali Background: The Sudanese Republic and Senegal became independent of France in 1960 as the Mali Federation. When Senegal withdrew after only a few months, what formerly made up the Sudanese Republic was renamed Mali. Rule by dictatorship was brought to a close in 1991 by a military coup - led by the current president Amadou TOURE - enabling Mali's emergence as one of the strongest democracies on the continent. President Alpha KONARE won Mali's first democratic presidential election in 1992 and was reelected in 1997. In keeping with Mali's two-term constitutional limit, KONARE stepped down in 2002 and was succeeded by Amadou TOURE, who was subsequently elected to a second term in 2007. The elections were widely judged to be free and fair. Geography ::Mali Location: Western Africa, southwest of Algeria Geographic coordinates: 17 00 N, 4 00 W Map references: Africa Area: total: 1,240,192 sq km country comparison to the world: 24 land: 1,220,190 sq km water: 20,002 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Texas Land boundaries: total: 7,243 km border countries: Algeria 1,376 km, Burkina Faso 1,000 km, Guinea 858 km, Cote d'Ivoire 532 km, Mauritania 2,237 km, Niger 821 km, Senegal 419 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: subtropical to arid; hot and dry (February to June); rainy, humid, and mild (June to November); cool and dry (November to February) Terrain: mostly flat to rolling northern plains covered by sand; savanna in south, rugged hills in northeast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Senegal River 23 m highest point: Hombori Tondo 1,155 m Natural resources: gold, phosphates, kaolin, salt, limestone, uranium, gypsum, granite, hydropower note: bauxite, iron ore, manganese, tin, and copper deposits are known but not exploited Land use: arable land: 3.76% permanent crops: 0.03% other: 96.21% (2005) Irrigated land: 2,360 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 100 cu km (2001) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 6.55 cu km/yr (9%/1%/90%) per capita: 484 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: hot, dust-laden harmattan haze common during dry seasons; recurring droughts; occasional Niger River flooding Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: landlocked; divided into three natural zones: the southern, cultivated Sudanese; the central, semiarid Sahelian; and the northern, arid Saharan People ::Mali Population: 12,666,987 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 Age structure: 0-14 years: 48.3% (male 3,089,406/female 3,023,341) 15-64 years: 48.7% (male 3,065,167/female 3,101,914) 65 years and over: 3.1% (male 151,718/female 235,441) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 15.8 years male: 15.5 years female: 16.2 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 2.765% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 Birth rate: 49.15 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 Death rate: 15.82 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 17 Net migration rate: -5.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 166 Urbanization: urban population: 32% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 102.05 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 8 male: 111.56 deaths/1,000 live births female: 92.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 50.35 years country comparison to the world: 207 male: 48.38 years female: 52.38 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 7.29 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.5% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 100,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 5,800 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria water contact disease: schistosomiasis respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2009) Nationality: noun: Malian(s) adjective: Malian Ethnic groups: Mande 50% (Bambara, Malinke, Soninke), Peul 17%, Voltaic 12%, Songhai 6%, Tuareg and Moor 10%, other 5% Religions: Muslim 90%, Christian 1%, indigenous beliefs 9% Languages: French (official), Bambara 80%, numerous African languages Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 46.4% male: 53.5% female: 39.6% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 7 years male: 8 years female: 5 years (2005) Education expenditures: 4.5% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 87 Government ::Mali Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Mali conventional short form: Mali local long form: Republique de Mali local short form: Mali former: French Sudan and Sudanese Republic Government type: republic Capital: name: Bamako geographic coordinates: 12 39 N, 8 00 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 8 regions (regions, singular - region); Gao, Kayes, Kidal, Koulikoro, Mopti, Segou, Sikasso, Tombouctou Independence: 22 September 1960 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 22 September (1960) Constitution: adopted 12 January 1992 Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Amadou Toumani TOURE (since 8 June 2002) head of government: Prime Minister Modibo SIDIBE (since 28 September 2007) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 29 April 2007 (next to be held in April 2012); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Amadou Toumani TOURE reelected president; percent of vote - Amadou Toumani TOURE 71.2%, Ibrahim Boubacar KEITA 19.2%, other 9.6% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (147 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 1 and 22 July 2007 (next to be held in July 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ADP coalition 113 (including ADEMA 51, URD 34, MPR 8, CNID 7, UDD 3, and other 10), FDR coalition 15 (including RPM 11, PARENA 4), SADI 4, independent 15 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Democratic Change (political group comprised mainly of Tuareg from Mali's northern region); African Solidarity for Democracy and Independence or SADI [Oumar MARIKO, secretary general]; Alliance for Democracy and Progress or ADP (a coalition of political parties including ADEMA and URD formed in December 2006 to support the presidential candidacy of Amadou TOURE); Alliance for Democracy or ADEMA [Diounconda TRAORE]; Convergence 2007 [Soumeylou Boubeye MAIGA]; Front for Democracy and the Republic or FDR (a coalition of political parties including RPM and PARENA formed to oppose the presidential candidacy of Amadou TOURE); National Congress for Democratic Initiative or CNID [Mountaga TALL]; Party for Democracy and Progress or PDP [Mady KONATE]; Party for National Renewal or PARENA [Tiebile DRAME]; Patriotic Movement for Renewal or MPR [Choguel MAIGA]; Rally for Democracy and Labor or RDT [Amadou Ali NIANGADOU]; Rally for Mali or RPM [Ibrahim Boubacar KEITA]; Sudanese Union/African Democratic Rally or US/RDA [Mamadou Basir GOLOGO]; Union for Democracy and Development or UDD [Moussa Balla COULIBALY]; Union for Republic and Democracy or URD [Soumaila CISSE] Political pressure groups and leaders: other: the army; Islamic authorities; rebels in the northern region; state-run cotton company CMDT; tuaregs International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Abdoulaye DIOP chancery: 2130 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-2249, 939-8950 FAX: [1] (202) 332-6603 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Gillian A. MILOVANOVIC embassy: located just off the Roi Bin Fahad Aziz Bridge just west of the Bamako central district mailing address: ACI 2000, Rue 243, Porte 297, Bamako telephone: [223] 270-2300 FAX: [223] 270-2479 Flag description: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Economy ::Mali Economy - overview: Mali is among the 25 poorest countries in the world, with 65% of its land area desert or semidesert and with a highly unequal distribution of income. Economic activity is largely confined to the riverine area irrigated by the Niger. About 10% of the population is nomadic and some 80% of the labor force is engaged in farming and fishing. Industrial activity is concentrated on processing farm commodities. Mali is heavily dependent on foreign aid and vulnerable to fluctuations in world prices for gold and cotton, its main exports. The government has continued its successful implementation of an IMF-recommended structural adjustment program that is helping the economy grow, diversify, and attract foreign investment. Mali has invested in tourism and a tractor assembly factory. Mali's adherence to economic reform and the 50% devaluation of the CFA franc in January 1994 have pushed up economic growth to a 5% average in 1996-2008. Worker remittances and external trade routes for the landlocked country have been jeopardized by continued unrest in neighboring Cote d'Ivoire, however, Mali is building a road network that will connect it to all adjacent countries and it has a railway line to Senegal. GDP (purchasing power parity): $14.75 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 134 $14.04 billion (2007 est.) $13.65 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $8.774 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 2.8% (2007 est.) 5.3% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $1,100 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 209 $1,100 (2007 est.) $1,100 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 45% industry: 17% services: 38% (2001 est.) Labor force: 3.241 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 80% industry and services: 20% (2005 est.) Unemployment rate: 30% (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 179 Population below poverty line: 36.1% (2005 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.7% highest 10%: 30.5% (2006) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 40.1 (2001) country comparison to the world: 60 50.5 (1994) Budget: revenues: $1.5 billion expenditures: $1.8 billion (2006 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.5% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 Central bank discount rate: 4.75% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 122 4.25% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: NA% Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $1.58 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) $697.1 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $1.099 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: cotton, millet, rice, corn, vegetables, peanuts; cattle, sheep, goats Industries: food processing; construction; phosphate and gold mining Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 515 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 158 Electricity - consumption: 479 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 163 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh; note - recent hydropower developments may be providing electricity to Senegal and Mauritania (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 163 Oil - consumption: 5,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 167 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 183 Oil - imports: 4,402 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 158 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 157 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 158 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 152 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 Current account balance: -$446 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 Exports: $294 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 175 Exports - commodities: cotton, gold, livestock Exports - partners: China 26.7%, Thailand 10.7%, Denmark 6.4%, Pakistan 5.2%, Morocco 5% (2008) Imports: $2.358 billion (2006) country comparison to the world: 146 Imports - commodities: petroleum, machinery and equipment, construction materials, foodstuffs, textiles Imports - partners: Senegal 13.1%, France 11.4%, Cote d'Ivoire 11.2%, China 5.9% (2008) Debt - external: $2.8 billion (2002) country comparison to the world: 129 Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 447.81 (2008 est.), 493.51 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004) note: since 1 January 1999, the West African CFA franc (XOF) has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro; West African CFA franc (XOF) coins and banknotes are not accepted in countries using Central African CFA francs (XAF), and vice versa, even though the two currencies trade at par Communications ::Mali Telephones - main lines in use: 82,800 (2008) country comparison to the world: 148 Telephones - mobile cellular: 3.267 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 103 Telephone system: general assessment: domestic system unreliable but improving; provides only minimal service domestic: fixed-line subscribership remains less than 1 per 100 persons; increasing use of local radio loops to extend network coverage to remote areas; mobile-cellular subscribership has increased sharply to about 25 per 100 persons international: country code - 223; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean, 1 Indian Ocean) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 230 (27 regional and government stations, and 203 private stations), shortwave 1 (2001) Television broadcast stations: 2 (plus repeaters) (2007) Internet country code: .ml Internet hosts: 519 (2009) country comparison to the world: 171 Internet users: 200,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 136 Transportation ::Mali Airports: 22 (2009) country comparison to the world: 134 Airports - with paved runways: total: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 14 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 3 (2009) Railways: total: 593 km country comparison to the world: 112 narrow gauge: 593 km 1.000-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 18,709 km country comparison to the world: 114 paved: 3,368 km unpaved: 15,341 km (2004) Waterways: 1,800 km (2008) country comparison to the world: 46 Ports and terminals: Koulikoro Military ::Mali Military branches: Malian Armed Forces: Army, Republic of Mali Air Force (Force Aerienne de la Republique du Mali, FARM), National Guard (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 2,603,700 females age 16-49: 2,441,776 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,649,772 females age 16-49: 1,579,601 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 147,846 female: 140,543 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.9% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 87 Transnational Issues ::Mali Disputes - international: none Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 6,300 (Mauritania) (2007) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Malta (Europe) Introduction ::Malta Background: Great Britain formally acquired possession of Malta in 1814. The island staunchly supported the UK through both World Wars and remained in the Commonwealth when it became independent in 1964. A decade later Malta became a republic. Since about the mid-1980s, the island has transformed itself into a freight transshipment point, a financial center, and a tourist destination. Malta became an EU member in May 2004 and began using the euro as currency in 2008. Geography ::Malta Location: Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy) Geographic coordinates: 35 50 N, 14 35 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 316 sq km country comparison to the world: 207 land: 316 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 196.8 km (excludes 56.01 km for the island of Gozo) Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 25 nm Climate: Mediterranean; mild, rainy winters; hot, dry summers Terrain: mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Ta'Dmejrek 253 m (near Dingli) Natural resources: limestone, salt, arable land Land use: arable land: 31.25% permanent crops: 3.13% other: 65.62% (2005) Irrigated land: 20 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 0.07 cu km (2005) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.02 cu km/yr (74%/1%/25%) per capita: 50 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: limited natural fresh water resources; increasing reliance on desalination Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: the country comprises an archipelago, with only the three largest islands (Malta, Ghawdex or Gozo, and Kemmuna or Comino) being inhabited; numerous bays provide good harbors; Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration People ::Malta Population: 405,165 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 173 Age structure: 0-14 years: 16.1% (male 33,526/female 31,780) 15-64 years: 69.4% (male 142,491/female 138,769) 65 years and over: 14.5% (male 25,406/female 33,193) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 39.5 years male: 38.1 years female: 40.9 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.4% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 163 Birth rate: 10.36 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 189 Death rate: 8.38 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 Net migration rate: 2.02 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 Urbanization: urban population: 94% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 3.75 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 213 male: 4.2 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.44 years country comparison to the world: 29 male: 77.21 years female: 81.8 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.51 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 186 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 131 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: fewer than 500 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 100 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 136 Nationality: noun: Maltese (singular and plural) adjective: Maltese Ethnic groups: Maltese (descendants of ancient Carthaginians and Phoenicians with strong elements of Italian and other Mediterranean stock) Religions: Roman Catholic 98% Languages: Maltese (official) 90.2%, English (official) 6%, multilingual 3%, other 0.8% (2005 census) Literacy: definition: age 10 and over can read and write total population: 92.8% male: 92% female: 93.6% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 15 years male: 15 years female: 15 years (2005) Education expenditures: 5.1% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 65 Government ::Malta Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Malta conventional short form: Malta local long form: Repubblika ta' Malta local short form: Malta Government type: republic Capital: name: Valletta geographic coordinates: 35 53 N, 14 30 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: none (administered directly from Valletta); note - local councils carry out administrative orders Independence: 21 September 1964 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 21 September (1964) Constitution: 1964; amended many times Legal system: based on English common law and Roman civil law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President George ABELA (since 4 April 2009) head of government: Prime Minister Lawrence GONZI (since 23 March 2004) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister elections: president elected by the House of Representatives for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 12 January 2009 (next to be held by April 2014); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president for a five-year term; the deputy prime minister is appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister election results: George ABELA elected president by the House of Representatives Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives (normally 65 seats; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve five-year terms; note - the current Parliament is composed of 69 seats; when the political party winning the plurality of votes does not win a majority of seats, the constitution provides that a sufficient number of seats will be added to Parliament to ensure that the party that won the elections has a majority in Parliament) elections: last held on 8 March 2008 (next to be held by March 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - PN 49.3%, MLP 48.9%, other 1.8%; seats by party - PN 35, MLP 34 Judicial branch: Constitutional Court; Court of Appeal; judges for both courts are appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister Political parties and leaders: Alternativa Demokratika/Alliance for Social Justice or AD [Arnold CASSOLA]; Azzjoni Nazzjonaili or AN [Josi MUSCAT]; Malta Labor Party or MLP [Joseph MUSCAT]; Nationalist Party or PN [Lawrence GONZI] Political pressure groups and leaders: Alleanza Liberal-Demokratika Maltra or ALDM (for divorce, abortion, gay marriage, the rights existent in other EU member states); Alleanza Nazzionali Repubblikana or ANR (for traditional values, anti-immigration); Alternattiva Demokratika (pro-environment); Azzjoni Nazzjonali or AN (freedom to participate in democratic government); Flimkien Ghal-Ambjent Ahjar (pro-environment); Ghazdatal-Konsumaturi (consumer rights) other: environmentalists International organization participation: Australia Group, C, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NSG, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Mark MICELI-FARRUGIA chancery: 2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 462-3611 through 3612 FAX: [1] (202) 387-5470 consulate(s): New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Jason DAVIS embassy: 3rd Floor, Development House, Saint Anne Street, Floriana, VLT 01 mailing address: P. O. Box 535, Valletta, CMR01 telephone: [356] 2561 4000 FAX: [356] 21 243229 Flag description: two equal vertical bands of white (hoist side) and red; in the upper hoist-side corner is a representation of the George Cross, edged in red Economy ::Malta Economy - overview: Malta produces only about 20% of its food needs, has limited fresh water supplies, and has few domestic energy sources. Malta's geographic position between the EU and Africa makes it a recipient of illegal immigration, which has strained Malta's political and economic resources. The financial services industry has grown in recent years, but is not fully modernized. Malta's economy is dependent on foreign trade, manufacturing - especially electronics and pharmaceuticals - and tourism all of which have been negatively affected by the global economic downturn. Malta adopted the euro on 1 January 2008. The Maltese government in 2009 will be challenged to contain the budget deficit, which ballooned in 2008 to about 4.1% of GDP, placing it above the euro zone's 3% maximum. GDP (purchasing power parity): $9.933 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 $9.707 billion (2007 est.) $9.317 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $8.37 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 152 4.2% (2007 est.) 3.5% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $24,600 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 $24,200 (2007 est.) $23,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1.4% industry: 18% services: 80.6% (2007 est.) Labor force: 173,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 170 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 2.3% industry: 29.6% services: 68% (2005 est.) Unemployment rate: 6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Distribution of family income - Gini index: 26 (2007) country comparison to the world: 127 Investment (gross fixed): 16.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 Budget: revenues: $3.378 billion expenditures: $3.77 billion (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 1.3% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 3% (31 December 2008) note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area Commercial bank prime lending rate: 5.89% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 130 6.24% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $4.639 billion (31 January 2008) country comparison to the world: 56 $4.603 billion (31 December 2007) note: this figure represents the US dollar value of Maltese liri in circulation prior to Malta joining the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the EMU; individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi money circulating within their own borders Stock of quasi money: $8.771 billion (31 January 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 $7.645 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $16.17 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 $10.99 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 84 $5.633 billion (31 December 2007) $4.504 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: potatoes, cauliflower, grapes, wheat, barley, tomatoes, citrus, cut flowers, green peppers; pork, milk, poultry, eggs Industries: tourism, electronics, ship building and repair, construction, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, footwear, clothing, tobacco Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 2.146 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 Electricity - consumption: 1.832 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 136 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 161 Oil - consumption: 19,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 181 Oil - imports: 17,910 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 156 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 148 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 158 Current account balance: -$445 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 -$468 million (2007 est.) Exports: $3.06 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 $3.305 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, manufactures Exports - partners: Germany 13.5%, Singapore 13%, France 12.2%, US 9.6%, UK 8.2%, Hong Kong 6.7%, Japan 6.4%, Italy 4.7% (2008) Imports: $4.792 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 $4.655 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, manufactured and semi-manufactured goods; food, drink, tobacco Imports - partners: Italy 28.1%, UK 13.5%, France 8.2%, Germany 7.4%, Singapore 6.4% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $373.4 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 $3.798 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $188.8 million (2005) country comparison to the world: 181 Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $NA Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), Maltese liri per US dollar - 0.3106 (2007), 0.37 (2006), 0.34578 (2005), 0.34466 (2004), 0.37723 (2003) Communications ::Malta Telephones - main lines in use: 241,100 (2008) country comparison to the world: 120 Telephones - mobile cellular: 385,600 (2008) country comparison to the world: 161 Telephone system: general assessment: automatic system is adequate; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership exceeds 150 per 100 persons domestic: submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands international: country code - 356; submarine cable connects to Italy; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 18, shortwave 6 (1999) Television broadcast stations: 5 (2006) Internet country code: .mt Internet hosts: 25,139 (2009) country comparison to the world: 94 Internet users: 198,800 (2008) country comparison to the world: 137 Transportation ::Malta Airports: 1 (2009) country comparison to the world: 219 Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2009) Roadways: total: 2,227 km country comparison to the world: 171 paved: 2,014 km unpaved: 213 km (2005) Merchant marine: total: 1,438 country comparison to the world: 4 by type: bulk carrier 459, cargo 411, carrier 2, chemical tanker 171, container 80, liquefied gas 25, passenger 29, passenger/cargo 15, petroleum tanker 159, refrigerated cargo 32, roll on/roll off 37, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 17 foreign-owned: 1,343 (Austria 1, Azerbaijan 2, Bangladesh 2, Belgium 15, Bulgaria 5, Canada 1, China 12, Croatia 9, Cyprus 31, Denmark 30, Egypt 1, Estonia 11, France 5, Germany 91, Greece 452, Hong Kong 1, Iceland 5, India 2, Iran 79, Israel 18, Italy 50, Japan 8, South Korea 2, Latvia 19, Lebanon 11, Libya 3, Lithuania 1, Norway 93, Pakistan 2, Poland 24, Portugal 3, Romania 8, Russia 58, Slovenia 4, Spain 3, Sweden 2, Switzerland 20, Syria 6, Turkey 176, Ukraine 30, UAE 5, UK 19, US 23) registered in other countries: 3 (Panama 3) (2008) Ports and terminals: Marsaxlokk (Malta Freeport), Valletta Military ::Malta Military branches: Armed Forces of Malta (AFM; includes air and maritime elements) (2007) Military service age and obligation: 17 years 6 months of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 96,309 females age 16-49: 92,242 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 80,186 females age 16-49: 76,426 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 2,695 female: 2,533 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 0.7% of GDP (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 Transnational Issues ::Malta Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: minor transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Western Europe page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Marshall Islands (Australia-Oceania) Introduction ::Marshall Islands Background: After almost four decades under US administration as the easternmost part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, the Marshall Islands attained independence in 1986 under a Compact of Free Association. Compensation claims continue as a result of US nuclear testing on some of the atolls between 1947 and 1962. The Marshall Islands hosts the US Army Kwajalein Atoll (USAKA) Reagan Missile Test Site, a key installation in the US missile defense network. Geography ::Marshall Islands Location: Oceania, two archipelagic island chains of 29 atolls, each made up of many small islets, and five single islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and Australia Geographic coordinates: 9 00 N, 168 00 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 181 sq km country comparison to the world: 216 land: 181 sq km water: 0 sq km note: the archipelago includes 11,673 sq km of lagoon waters and includes the atolls of Bikini, Enewetak, Kwajalein, Majuro, Rongelap, and Utirik Area - comparative: about the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 370.4 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November; islands border typhoon belt Terrain: low coral limestone and sand islands Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Likiep 10 m Natural resources: coconut products, marine products, deep seabed minerals Land use: arable land: 11.11% permanent crops: 44.44% other: 44.45% (2005) Irrigated land: 0 sq km Natural hazards: infrequent typhoons Environment - current issues: inadequate supplies of potable water; pollution of Majuro lagoon from household waste and discharges from fishing vessels Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: the islands of Bikini and Enewetak are former US nuclear test sites; Kwajalein atoll, famous as a World War II battleground, surrounds the world's largest lagoon and is used as a US missile test range; the island city of Ebeye is the second largest settlement in the Marshall Islands, after the capital of Majuro, and one of the most densely populated locations in the Pacific People ::Marshall Islands Population: 64,522 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 205 Age structure: 0-14 years: 38.6% (male 12,683/female 12,217) 15-64 years: 58.5% (male 19,302/female 18,459) 65 years and over: 2.9% (male 902/female 959) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 21.2 years male: 21.3 years female: 21.2 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 2.08% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 Birth rate: 30.7 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 Death rate: 4.49 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 199 Net migration rate: -5.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 163 Urbanization: urban population: 71% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 25.45 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 87 male: 28.58 deaths/1,000 live births female: 22.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.19 years country comparison to the world: 130 male: 69.15 years female: 73.34 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.59 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Marshallese (singular and plural) adjective: Marshallese Ethnic groups: Marshallese 92.1%, mixed Marshallese 5.9%, other 2% (2006) Religions: Protestant 54.8%, Assembly of God 25.8%, Roman Catholic 8.4%, Bukot nan Jesus 2.8%, Mormon 2.1%, other Christian 3.6%, other 1%, none 1.5% (1999 census) Languages: Marshallese (official) 98.2%, other languages 1.8% (1999 census) note: English (official), widely spoken as a second language Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93.7% male: 93.6% female: 93.7% (1999) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 13 years (2003) Education expenditures: 11.8% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 3 Government ::Marshall Islands Country name: conventional long form: Republic of the Marshall Islands conventional short form: Marshall Islands local long form: Republic of the Marshall Islands local short form: Marshall Islands abbreviation: RMI former: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Marshall Islands District Government type: constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 21 October 1986 and the Amended Compact entered into force in May 2004 Capital: name: Majuro geographic coordinates: 7 06 N, 171 23 E time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 33 municipalities; Ailinginae, Ailinglaplap, Ailuk, Arno, Aur, Bikar, Bikini, Bokak, Ebon, Enewetak, Erikub, Jabat, Jaluit, Jemo, Kili, Kwajalein, Lae, Lib, Likiep, Majuro, Maloelap, Mejit, Mili, Namorik, Namu, Rongelap, Rongrik, Toke, Ujae, Ujelang, Utirik, Wotho, Wotje Independence: 21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship) National holiday: Constitution Day, 1 May (1979) Constitution: 1 May 1979 Legal system: based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Jurelang ZEDKAIA (since 2 November 2009); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Jurelang ZEDKAIA (since 2 November 2009) cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president from among the members of the legislature elections: president elected by Nitijela (legislature) from among its members for a four-year term; election last held 7 January 2008 (next to be held in 2012) election results: Litokwa TOMEING removed as president by no confidence vote on 21 October 2009; legislature elects ZEDKAIA president on 26 October 2009 Legislative branch: unicameral legislature or Nitijela (33 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 19 November 2007 (next to be held by November 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - independents 4 note: the Council of Chiefs or Ironij is a 12-member body comprised of tribal chiefs that advises on matters affecting customary law and practice Judicial branch: Supreme Court; High Court; Traditional Rights Court Political parties and leaders: traditionally there have been no formally organized political parties; what has existed more closely resembles factions or interest groups because they do not have party headquarters, formal platforms, or party structures; the following two "groupings" have competed in legislative balloting in recent years - Aelon Kein Ad Party [Michael KABUA] and United Democratic Party or UDP [Litokwa TOMEING] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACP, ADB, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, IDA, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Charles A. PAUL chancery: 2433 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 234-5414 FAX: [1] (202) 232-3236 consulate(s) general: Honolulu Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Clyde BISHOP embassy: Oceanside, Mejen Weto, Long Island, Majuro mailing address: P. O. Box 1379, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands 96960-1379 telephone: [692] 247-4011 FAX: [692] 247-4012 Flag description: blue with two stripes radiating from the lower hoist-side corner - orange (top) and white; there is a white star with four large rays and 20 small rays on the hoist side above the two stripes Economy ::Marshall Islands Economy - overview: US Government assistance is the mainstay of this tiny island economy. The Marshall Islands received more than $1 billion in aid from the US from 1986-2002. Agricultural production, primarily subsistence, is concentrated on small farms; the most important commercial crops are coconuts and breadfruit. Small-scale industry is limited to handicrafts, tuna processing, and copra. The tourist industry, now a small source of foreign exchange employing less than 10% of the labor force, remains the best hope for future added income. The islands have few natural resources, and imports far exceed exports. Under the terms of the Amended Compact of Free Association, the US will provide millions of dollars per year to the Marshall Islands (RMI) through 2023, at which time a Trust Fund made up of US and RMI contributions will begin perpetual annual payouts. Government downsizing, drought, a drop in construction, the decline in tourism, and less income from the renewal of fishing vessel licenses have held GDP growth to an average of 1% over the past decade. GDP (purchasing power parity): $133.5 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 218 $115 million (2001 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $161.7 million (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -0.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 201 3.5% (2005 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $2,500 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 177 $2,900 (2005 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 31.7% industry: 14.9% services: 53.4% (2004 est.) Labor force: 14,680 (2000) country comparison to the world: 205 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 21.4% industry: 20.9% services: 57.7% (2000) Unemployment rate: 36% (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 184 30.9% (2000 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $123.3 million expenditures: $1.213 billion (2008) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 12.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 179 3% (2005 est.) Agriculture - products: coconuts, tomatoes, melons, taro, breadfruit, fruits; pigs, chickens Industries: copra, tuna processing, tourism, craft items (from seashells, wood, and pearls) Industrial production growth rate: NA% Exports: $19.4 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 204 $9.1 million (2000 est.) Exports - commodities: copra cake, coconut oil, handicrafts, fish Imports: $79.4 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 210 $54.7 million (2000 est.) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels, beverages and tobacco Debt - external: $87 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 187 $86.5 million (FY99/00 est.) Exchange rates: the US dollar is used Communications ::Marshall Islands Telephones - main lines in use: 4,400 (2008) country comparison to the world: 215 Telephones - mobile cellular: 1,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 219 Telephone system: general assessment: digital switching equipment; modern services include telex, cellular, Internet, international calling, caller ID, and leased data circuits domestic: Majuro Atoll and Ebeye and Kwajalein islands have regular, seven-digit, direct-dial telephones; other islands interconnected by high frequency radiotelephone (used mostly for government purposes) and mini-satellite telephones international: country code - 692; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); US Government satellite communications system on Kwajalein (2005) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 3, shortwave 0 (additionally, the American Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (Central Pacific Network) operates one FM and one AM station on Kwajalein Island) (2005) Television broadcast stations: 2 (both are US military stations; Marshalls Broadcasting Service, a cable company, operates on Majuro) (2005) Internet country code: .mh Internet hosts: 6 (2009) country comparison to the world: 224 Internet users: 2,200 (2008) country comparison to the world: 208 Transportation ::Marshall Islands Airports: 15 (2009) country comparison to the world: 145 Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Roadways: total: 2,028 km (includes 75 km of expressways) (2007) country comparison to the world: 174 Merchant marine: total: 1,049 country comparison to the world: 10 by type: barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 284, cargo 71, carrier 1, chemical tanker 191, combination ore/oil 4, container 188, liquefied gas 47, passenger 5, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 221, refrigerated cargo 13, roll on/roll off 14, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 6 foreign-owned: 990 (Australia 1, Bermuda 4, Brazil 1, Canada 6, Chile 4, China 7, Croatia 6, Cyprus 37, Denmark 10, Germany 235, Greece 269, Hong Kong 4, Iceland 3, India 1, Ireland 1, Isle of Man 1, Italy 3, Japan 17, South Korea 10, Latvia 16, Malaysia 3, Mexico 4, Monaco 13, Netherlands 8, Norway 66, Pakistan 1, Panama 1, Romania 1, Russia 9, Saudi Arabia 5, Singapore 18, Slovenia 4, Spain 1, Sweden 1, Switzerland 12, Taiwan 1, Turkey 50, UAE 15, UK 10, US 123) (2008) Ports and terminals: Majuro Military ::Marshall Islands Military branches: no regular military forces; under the 1983 Compact of Free Association, the US has full authority and responsibility for security and defense of the Marshall Islands; Marshall Islands Police (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 15,708 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 13,041 females age 16-49: 13,199 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 540 female: 521 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: NA Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US Transnational Issues ::Marshall Islands Disputes - international: claims US territory of Wake Island page last updated on November 2, 2009 ====================================================================== @Mauritania (Africa) Introduction ::Mauritania Background: Independent from France in 1960, Mauritania annexed the southern third of the former Spanish Sahara (now Western Sahara) in 1976, but relinquished it after three years of raids by the Polisario guerrilla front seeking independence for the territory. Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA seized power in a coup in 1984 and ruled Mauritania with a heavy hand for more than two decades. A series of presidential elections that he held were widely seen as flawed. A bloodless coup in August 2005 deposed President TAYA and ushered in a military council that oversaw a transition to democratic rule. Independent candidate Sidi Ould Cheikh ABDALLAHI was inaugurated in April 2007 as Mauritania's first freely and fairly elected president. His term ended prematurely in August 2008 when a military junta deposed him and ushered in a military council government. Meanwhile, the country continues to experience ethnic tensions among its black population (Afro-Mauritanians) and White and Black Moor (Arab-Berber) communities. Geography ::Mauritania Location: Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Senegal and Western Sahara Geographic coordinates: 20 00 N, 12 00 W Map references: Africa Area: total: 1,030,700 sq km country comparison to the world: 29 land: 1,030,700 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico Land boundaries: total: 5,074 km border countries: Algeria 463 km, Mali 2,237 km, Senegal 813 km, Western Sahara 1,561 km Coastline: 754 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Climate: desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty Terrain: mostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara; some central hills Elevation extremes: lowest point: Sebkhet Te-n-Dghamcha -5 m highest point: Kediet Ijill 915 m Natural resources: iron ore, gypsum, copper, phosphate, diamonds, gold, oil, fish Land use: arable land: 0.2% permanent crops: 0.01% other: 99.79% (2005) Irrigated land: 490 sq km (2002) Total renewable water resources: 11.4 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 1.7 cu km/yr (9%/3%/88%) per capita: 554 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind blows primarily in March and April; periodic droughts Environment - current issues: overgrazing, deforestation, and soil erosion aggravated by drought are contributing to desertification; limited natural fresh water resources away from the Senegal, which is the only perennial river; locust infestation Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: most of the population concentrated in the cities of Nouakchott and Nouadhibou and along the Senegal River in the southern part of the country People ::Mauritania Population: 3,129,486 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 Age structure: 0-14 years: 41% (male 643,436/female 638,793) 15-64 years: 55.7% (male 818,778/female 923,046) 65 years and over: 3.4% (male 44,836/female 60,597) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 19.2 years male: 18.3 years female: 20 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 2.399% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 33 Birth rate: 34.11 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 Death rate: 9.16 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 Net migration rate: -0.96 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 Urbanization: urban population: 41% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.89 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 63.42 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 35 male: 68.65 deaths/1,000 live births female: 58.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 60.37 years country comparison to the world: 182 male: 58.22 years female: 62.59 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.45 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.8% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 59 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 14,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 1,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and Rift Valley fever respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis animal contact disease: rabies (2009) Nationality: noun: Mauritanian(s) adjective: Mauritanian Ethnic groups: mixed Moor/black 40%, Moor 30%, black 30% Religions: Muslim 100% Languages: Arabic (official and national), Pulaar, Soninke, Wolof (all national languages), French, Hassaniya Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 51.2% male: 59.5% female: 43.4% (2000 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 8 years male: 8 years female: 8 years (2006) Education expenditures: 2.9% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 149 Government ::Mauritania Country name: conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Mauritania conventional short form: Mauritania local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Islamiyah al Muritaniyah local short form: Muritaniyah Government type: military junta Capital: name: Nouakchott geographic coordinates: 18 07 N, 16 02 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 12 regions (regions, singular - region) and 1 capital district*; Adrar, Assaba, Brakna, Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh Ech Chargui, Hodh El Gharbi, Inchiri, Nouakchott*, Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, Trarza Independence: 28 November 1960 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 28 November (1960) Constitution: 12 July 1991 Legal system: a combination of Islamic law and French civil law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Mohamed Ould Abdel AZIZ (since 5 August 2009) note - AZIZ, who deposed democratically elected President Sidi Ould Cheikh ABDELLAHI in a coup and installed himself as President of Military High Council of State on 6 August 2008, was elected president in an election held 18 July 2009 head of government: Prime Minister Moulaye Ould Mohamed LAGHDAF (since 14 August 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers elections: following the August 2008 coup, the Military High Council of State pledged to hold a new presidential election which was subsequently scheduled and held on 18 July 2009; under Mauritania's constitution, the president is elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held on 18 July 2009 (next to be held by 2014) election results: percent of vote - Mohamed Ould Abdel AZIZ 52.6%, Messaoud Ould BOULKHEIR 16.3%, Ahmed Ould DADDAH 13.7%, Other 17.4% Legislative branch: bicameral legislature consists of the Senate or Majlis al-Shuyukh (56 seats; 53 members elected by municipal leaders and 3 members elected by Mauritanians abroad to serve six-year terms; a portion of seats up for election every two years) and the National Assembly or Majlis al-Watani (95 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 21 January and 4 February 2007 (next to be held in 2009); National Assembly - last held 19 November and 3 December 2006 (next to be held in 2011); note - it is unclear when the Senate elections originally scheduled for 2009 will be held election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Mithaq (coalition of independents and parties associated with the former regime) 37, CFCD (coalition of political parties) 15, representatives of the diaspora 3, undecided 1; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Mithaq 51 (independents 37, PRDR 7, UDP 3, RDU 3, Alternative (El-Badil) 1), CFCD 41 (RFD 16, UFP 9, APP 6, Centrist Reformists 4, HATEM-PMUC 3, RD 2, PUDS 1), RNDLE 1, UCD 1, FP 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Court of Appeals; lower courts Political parties and leaders: Alternative or El-Badil [Mohamed Yahdhi Ould MOCTAR HACEN]; Centrist Reformists (independent moderate Islamists) [Mohamed Jamil MANSOUR]; Coalition for Forces for Democratic Change or CFCD (coalition of political parties including APP, Centrist Reformists (independent moderate Islamists), HATEM-PMUC, PUDS, RD, RFD, UFP); Democratic Renewal or RD [Moustapha Ould ABDEIDARRAHMANE]; Mauritanian Party for Unity and Change or HATEM-PMUC [Saleh Ould HANENA]; Mithaq (coalition of independents and parties associated with the former regime including Alternative or El-Badil, PRDR, UDP, RDU); National Pact for Democracy and Development or PNDD-ADIL (independents supporting President Abdellahi) [Yahya Ould Ahmed Ould WAGHEF]; National Rally for Freedom, Democracy and Equality or RNDLE; National Rally for Reform and Development or Tawassoul (moderate Islamists) [Mohamed Jemil Ould MANSOUR]; Popular Front or FP [Ch'bih Ould CHEIKH MALAININE]; Popular Progressive Alliance or APP [Messoud Ould BOULKHEIR]; Rally of Democratic Forces or RFD [Ahmed Ould DADDAH]; Rally for Democracy and Unity or RDU [Ahmed Ould SIDI BABA]; Republican Party for Democracy and Renewal or PRDR [Boullah Ould MOGUEYA]; Socialist and Democratic Unity Party or PUDS; Union for Democracy and Progress or UDP [Naha Mint MOUKNASS]; Union of Democratic Center or UCD [Cheikh Sid'Ahmed Ould BABA]; Union of the Forces for Progress or UFP [Mohamed Ould MAOULOUD]; Political pressure groups and leaders: General Confederation of Mauritanian Workers or CGTM [Abdallahi Ould MOHAMED, secretary general]; Independent Confederation of Mauritanian Workers or CLTM [Samory Ould BEYE]; Mauritanian Workers Union or UTM [Mohamed Ely Ould BRAHIM, secretary general] other: Arab nationalists; Ba'thists; Islamists International organization participation: ABEDA, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, CAEU, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ibrahima DIA chancery: 2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 232-5700 through 5701 FAX: [1] (202) 319-2623 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Mark M. BOULWARE embassy: 288 Rue Abdallaye, Rue 42-100 (between Presidency building and Spanish Embassy), Nouakchott mailing address: BP 222, Nouakchott telephone: [222] 525-2660 through 2663 FAX: [222] 525-1592 Flag description: green with a yellow five-pointed star above a yellow, horizontal crescent; the closed side of the crescent is down; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam Economy ::Mauritania Economy - overview: Half the population still depends on agriculture and livestock for a livelihood, even though many of the nomads and subsistence farmers were forced into the cities by recurrent droughts in the 1970s and 1980s. Mauritania has extensive deposits of iron ore, which account for nearly 40% of total exports. The nation's coastal waters are among the richest fishing areas in the world, but overexploitation by foreigners threatens this key source of revenue. The country's first deepwater port opened near Nouakchott in 1986. Before 2000, drought and economic mismanagement resulted in a buildup of foreign debt. In February 2000, Mauritania qualified for debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative and nearly all of its foreign debt has since been forgiven. In December 2007 donors pledged $2.1 billion at a triennial Consultative Group review. A new investment code approved in December 2001 improved the opportunities for direct foreign investment. Mauritania and the IMF agreed to a three-year Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) arrangement in 2006 and Mauritania made satisfactory progress, but IMF and World Bank suspended their programs in Mauritania following the August 2008 coup; following the July 2009 Presidential elections, the IMF and World Bank agreed to meet with the Goverment to discuss a resumption. Oil prospects, while initially promising, have largely failed to materialize. The Government continues to emphasize reduction of poverty, improvement of health and education, and privatization of the economy. GDP (purchasing power parity): $6.323 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 154 $6.109 billion (2007 est.) $6.048 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $3.161 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 1% (2007 est.) 11.4% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $2,100 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 187 $2,000 (2007 est.) $2,100 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 12.5% industry: 46.7% services: 40.7% (2008 est.) Labor force: 1.318 million (2007) country comparison to the world: 133 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 50% industry: 10% services: 40% (2001 est.) Unemployment rate: 30% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 177 20% (2004 est.) Population below poverty line: 40% (2004 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.5% highest 10%: 29.5% (2000) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 39 (2000) country comparison to the world: 70 37.3 (1995) Budget: revenues: $770 million expenditures: $770 million (2007 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.3% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 Central bank discount rate: NA% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 27 12% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: dates, millet, sorghum, rice, corn; cattle, sheep Industries: fish processing, oil production, mining of iron ore, gold, and copper; gypsum deposits have never been exploited Industrial production growth rate: 2% (2000 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 Electricity - production: 415.3 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 163 Electricity - consumption: 386.2 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 165 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 12,830 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 Oil - consumption: 21,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 Oil - exports: 30,620 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 85 Oil - imports: 20,610 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 Oil - proved reserves: 100 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 156 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 149 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 Natural gas - proved reserves: 28.32 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 Current account balance: -$184 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 87 Exports: $1.395 billion (2006) country comparison to the world: 141 Exports - commodities: iron ore, fish and fish products, gold, copper, petroleum Exports - partners: China 41.4%, France 10.2%, Spain 7%, Italy 6.9%, Netherlands 5.4%, Belgium 4.7%, Cote d'Ivoire 4% (2008) Imports: $1.475 billion (2006) country comparison to the world: 161 Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, petroleum products, capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods Imports - partners: France 16.7%, China 8.8%, Netherlands 6.4%, Spain 6%, Belgium 5.4%, US 5.1%, Brazil 4.5% (2008) Debt - external: $NA Exchange rates: ouguiyas (MRO) per US dollar - NA (2007), 271.3 (2006), 267.04 (2005), 265.8 (2004), 263.03 (2003) Communications ::Mauritania Telephones - main lines in use: 76,400 (2008) country comparison to the world: 152 Telephones - mobile cellular: 2.092 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 120 Telephone system: general assessment: limited system of cable and open-wire lines, minor microwave radio relay links, and radiotelephone communications stations; mobile-cellular services expanding rapidly domestic: Mauritel, the national telecommunications company, was privatized in 2001 but remains the monopoly provider of fixed-line services; fixed-line teledensity 2 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular network coverage extends mainly to urban areas with a teledensity of 60 per 100 persons; mostly cable and open-wire lines; a domestic satellite telecommunications system links Nouakchott with regional capitals international: country code - 222; satellite earth stations - 3 (1 Intelsat - Atlantic Ocean, 2 Arabsat) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 14, shortwave 1 (2001) Television broadcast stations: 1 (2002) Internet country code: .mr Internet hosts: 15 (2009) country comparison to the world: 217 Internet users: 45,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 173 Transportation ::Mauritania Airports: 27 (2009) country comparison to the world: 125 Airports - with paved runways: total: 9 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 18 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Railways: 728 km standard gauge: 728 km 1.435-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 11,066 km country comparison to the world: 135 paved: 2,966 km unpaved: 8,100 km (2006) Waterways: some navigation possible on Senegal River Ports and terminals: Nouadhibou, Nouakchott Military ::Mauritania Military branches: Mauritanian Armed Forces: Army, Mauritanian Navy (Marine Mauritanienne; includes naval infantry), Islamic Air Force of Mauritania (Force Aerienne Islamique de Mauritanie, FAIM) (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age (est.); conscript service obligation - 2 years; majority of servicemen believed to be volunteers; service in Air Force and Navy is voluntary (2006) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 740,675 females age 16-49: 744,709 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 450,289 females age 16-49: 544,598 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 34,546 female: 35,272 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 5.5% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 14 Transnational Issues ::Mauritania Disputes - international: Mauritanian claims to Western Sahara remain dormant page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Mauritius (Africa) Introduction ::Mauritius Background: Although known to Arab and Malay sailors as early as the 10th century, Mauritius was first explored by the Portuguese in the 16th century and subsequently settled by the Dutch - who named it in honor of Prince Maurits van NASSAU - in the 17th century. The French assumed control in 1715, developing the island into an important naval base overseeing Indian Ocean trade, and establishing a plantation economy of sugar cane. The British captured the island in 1810, during the Napoleonic Wars. Mauritius remained a strategically important British naval base, and later an air station, playing an important role during World War II for anti-submarine and convoy operations, as well as the collection of signals intelligence. Independence from the UK was attained in 1968. A stable democracy with regular free elections and a positive human rights record, the country has attracted considerable foreign investment and has earned one of Africa's highest per capita incomes. Recent poor weather, declining sugar prices, and declining textile and apparel production, have slowed economic growth, leading to some protests over standards of living in the Creole community. Geography ::Mauritius Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar Geographic coordinates: 20 17 S, 57 33 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 2,040 sq km country comparison to the world: 180 land: 2,030 sq km water: 10 sq km note: includes Agalega Islands, Cargados Carajos Shoals (Saint Brandon), and Rodrigues Area - comparative: almost 11 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 177 km Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Climate: tropical, modified by southeast trade winds; warm, dry winter (May to November); hot, wet, humid summer (November to May) Terrain: small coastal plain rising to discontinuous mountains encircling central plateau Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Piton 828 m Natural resources: arable land, fish Land use: arable land: 49.02% permanent crops: 2.94% other: 48.04% (2005) Irrigated land: 220 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 2.2 cu km (2001) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.61 cu km/yr (25%/14%/60%) per capita: 488 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: cyclones (November to April); almost completely surrounded by reefs that may pose maritime hazards Environment - current issues: water pollution, degradation of coral reefs Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: the main island, from which the country derives its name, is of volcanic origin and is almost entirely surrounded by coral reefs; home of the dodo, a large flightless bird related to pigeons, driven to extinction by the end of the 17th century through a combination of hunting and the introduction of predatory species People ::Mauritius Population: 1,284,264 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 Age structure: 0-14 years: 22.5% (male 147,136/female 142,121) 15-64 years: 70.4% (male 449,176/female 455,057) 65 years and over: 7.1% (male 36,309/female 54,465) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 31.9 years male: 31 years female: 32.7 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.776% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 Birth rate: 14.41 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 Death rate: 6.59 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 Net migration rate: -0.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 Urbanization: urban population: 42% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 12.2 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 145 male: 14.51 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74 years country comparison to the world: 93 male: 70.53 years female: 77.65 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.81 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 156 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.7% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 36 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 13,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 100 (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 137 Nationality: noun: Mauritian(s) adjective: Mauritian Ethnic groups: Indo-Mauritian 68%, Creole 27%, Sino-Mauritian 3%, Franco-Mauritian 2% Religions: Hindu 48%, Roman Catholic 23.6%, Muslim 16.6%, other Christian 8.6%, other 2.5%, unspecified 0.3%, none 0.4% (2000 census) Languages: Creole 80.5%, Bhojpuri 12.1%, French 3.4%, English (official; spoken by less than 1% of the population), other 3.7%, unspecified 0.3% (2000 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 84.4% male: 88.4% female: 80.5% (2000 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 13 years (2005) Education expenditures: 3.9% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 110 Government ::Mauritius Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Mauritius conventional short form: Mauritius local long form: Republic of Mauritius local short form: Mauritius Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: name: Port Louis geographic coordinates: 20 09 S, 57 29 E time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 9 districts and 3 dependencies*; Agalega Islands*, Black River, Cargados Carajos Shoals*, Flacq, Grand Port, Moka, Pamplemousses, Plaines Wilhems, Port Louis, Riviere du Rempart, Rodrigues*, Savanne Independence: 12 March 1968 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 12 March (1968) Constitution: 12 March 1968; amended 12 March 1992 Legal system: based on French civil law system with elements of English common law in certain areas; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Sir Anerood JUGNAUTH (since 7 October 2003); Vice President Abdool Raouf BUNDHUN (since 25 February 2002) head of government: Prime Minister Navinchandra RAMGOOLAM (since 5 July 2005) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president and vice president elected by the National Assembly for five-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 19 September 2008 (next to be held in 2013); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president, responsible to the National Assembly election results: Sir Anerood JUGNAUTH reelected president by unanimous vote; percent of vote by the National Assembly - NA% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (70 seats; 62 members elected by popular vote, 8 appointed by the election commission to give representation to various ethnic minorities; to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 3 July 2005 (next to be held in July 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - AS 38, MSM/MMM 22, OPR 2; appointed seats - AS 4, MSM/MMM 2, OPR 2 Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Alliance Sociale or AS [Navinchandra RAMGOOLAM] (governing coalition - includes MLD, MMSM, MR, MSD, PMXD); Mauritian Labor Party or MLP [Navinchandra RAMGOOLAM]; Mauritian Militant Movement or MMM [Paul BERENGER]; Mauritian Socialist Militant Movement or MMSM [Madan DULLOO]; Militant Socialist Movement or MSM [Pravind JUGNAUTH]; Mouvement Republicain or MR [Jayarama VALAYDEN]; Parti Mauricien Xavier Duval or PMXD [Xavier Luc DUVAL]; Rodrigues Movement or MR [Joseph (Nicholas) Von MALLY]; Rodrigues Peoples Organization or OPR [Serge CLAIR] Political pressure groups and leaders: other: various labor unions International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, C, COMESA, CPLP (associate), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, SAARC (observer), SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Keerteecoomar RUHEE chancery: 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 441, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 244-1491 through 1492 FAX: [1] (202) 966-0983 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Cesar CABRERA embassy: 4th Floor, Rogers House, John Kennedy Street, Port Louis mailing address: international mail: P. O. Box 544, Port Louis; US mail: American Embassy, Port Louis, US Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2450 telephone: [230] 202-4400 FAX: [230] 208-9534 Flag description: four equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, yellow, and green Economy ::Mauritius Economy - overview: Since independence in 1968, Mauritius has developed from a low-income, agriculturally based economy to a middle-income diversified economy with growing industrial, financial, and tourist sectors. For most of the period, annual growth has been in the order of 5% to 6%. This remarkable achievement has been reflected in more equitable income distribution, increased life expectancy, lowered infant mortality, and a much-improved infrastructure. The economy rests on sugar, tourism, textiles and apparel, and financial services, and is expanding into fish processing, information and communications technology, and hospitality and property development. Sugarcane is grown on about 90% of the cultivated land area and accounts for 15% of export earnings. The government's development strategy centers on creating vertical and horizontal clusters of development in these sectors. Mauritius has attracted more than 32,000 offshore entities, many aimed at commerce in India, South Africa, and China. Investment in the banking sector alone has reached over $1 billion. Mauritius, with its strong textile sector, has been well poised to take advantage of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). GDP (purchasing power parity): $15.43 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 $14.65 billion (2007 est.) $13.89 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $8.738 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 5.5% (2007 est.) 5.1% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $12,100 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 $11,600 (2007 est.) $11,100 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 4.6% industry: 24.9% services: 70.5% (2008 est.) Labor force: 584,000 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture and fishing 9%, construction and industry 30%, transportation and communication 7%, trade, restaurants, hotels 22%, finance 6%, other services 25% (2007) Unemployment rate: 7.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 8.8% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 8% (2006 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Distribution of family income - Gini index: 39 (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 37 (1987 est.) Investment (gross fixed): 25.4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 Budget: revenues: $1.871 billion expenditures: $2.163 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2008 est.) Public debt: 56.5% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 29.2% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 8.8% (2007 est.) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 21.54% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 14 21.87% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $1.68 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 74 $1.673 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $6.914 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 58 $6.759 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $9.323 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 72 $8.582 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $3.443 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 83 $5.666 billion (31 December 2007) $3.598 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: sugarcane, tea, corn, potatoes, bananas, pulses; cattle, goats; fish Industries: food processing (largely sugar milling), textiles, clothing, mining, chemicals, metal products, transport equipment, nonelectrical machinery, tourism Industrial production growth rate: 5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 Electricity - production: 2.321 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 131 Electricity - consumption: 2.158 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 Oil - consumption: 23,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 182 Oil - imports: 22,200 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 157 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 156 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 157 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 150 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 93 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 108 Current account balance: -$972.8 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 -$408.3 million (2007 est.) Exports: $2.4 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 $2.231 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: clothing and textiles, sugar, cut flowers, molasses, fish Exports - partners: UK 30.8%, France 15.1%, US 8.6%, Italy 6.5%, Belgium 5.3%, UAE 5.1%, Madagascar 4.1% (2008) Imports: $4.399 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 $3.656 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: manufactured goods, capital equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals Imports - partners: India 21.1%, France 11.8%, South Africa 9.9%, China 8.2% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $1.785 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 $1.822 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $5.077 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 $2.149 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $NA Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Exchange rates: Mauritian rupees (MUR) per US dollar - 27.973 (2008 est.), 31.798 (2007), 31.656 (2006), 29.496 (2005), 27.499 (2004) Communications ::Mauritius Telephones - main lines in use: 364,500 (2008) country comparison to the world: 103 Telephones - mobile cellular: 1.033 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 142 Telephone system: general assessment: small system with good service domestic: monopoly over fixed-line services terminated in 2005; fixed-line teledensity roughly 30 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular services launched in 1989 with teledensity in 2008 reaching 80 per 100 persons international: country code - 230; landing point for the SAFE submarine cable that provides links to Asia and South Africa where it connects to the SAT-3/WASC submarine cable that provides further links to parts of East Africa, and Europe; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean); new microwave link to Reunion; HF radiotelephone links to several countries (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 9, shortwave 0 (2001) Television broadcast stations: 2 (plus several repeaters) (1997) Internet country code: .mu Internet hosts: 22,813 (2009) country comparison to the world: 99 Internet users: 380,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 114 Transportation ::Mauritius Airports: 5 (2009) country comparison to the world: 181 Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Roadways: total: 2,028 km country comparison to the world: 173 paved: 2,028 km (includes 75 km of expressways) (2007) Merchant marine: total: 3 country comparison to the world: 141 by type: passenger/cargo 2, refrigerated cargo 1 (2008) Ports and terminals: Port Louis Military ::Mauritius Military branches: no regular military forces; Mauritius Police Force, Special Mobile Force, National Coast Guard (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 341,018 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 277,690 females age 16-49: 282,211 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 10,901 female: 10,796 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 0.3% of GDP (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 Transnational Issues ::Mauritius Disputes - international: Mauritius claims the Chagos Archipelago (UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory), and its former inhabitants, who reside chiefly in Mauritius; claims French-administered Tromelin Island Illicit drugs: consumer and transshipment point for heroin from South Asia; small amounts of cannabis produced and consumed locally; significant offshore financial industry creates potential for money laundering, but corruption levels are relatively low and the government appears generally to be committed to regulating its banking industry page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Mayotte (Africa) Introduction ::Mayotte Background: Mayotte was ceded to France along with the other islands of the Comoros group in 1843. It was the only island in the archipelago that voted in 1974 to retain its link with France and forego independence. Geography ::Mayotte Location: Southern Indian Ocean, island in the Mozambique Channel, about half way between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique Geographic coordinates: 12 50 S, 45 10 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 374 sq km country comparison to the world: 204 land: 374 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 185.2 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; marine; hot, humid, rainy season during northeastern monsoon (November to May); dry season is cooler (May to November) Terrain: generally undulating, with deep ravines and ancient volcanic peaks Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Benara 660 m Natural resources: NEGL Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% other: NA% Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: cyclones during rainy season Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: part of Comoro Archipelago (18 islands) People ::Mayotte Population: 223,765 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 183 Age structure: 0-14 years: 45.3% (male 50,985/female 50,413) 15-64 years: 52.9% (male 63,395/female 54,882) 65 years and over: 1.8% (male 2,085/female 2,005) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 17.2 years male: 18.1 years female: 16.4 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 3.317% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 Birth rate: 39.26 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 Death rate: 7.2 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 Net migration rate: 1.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.16 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.04 male(s)/female total population: 1.08 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 56.29 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 41 male: 61.89 deaths/1,000 live births female: 50.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 62.91 years country comparison to the world: 175 male: 60.65 years female: 65.24 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.5 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Mahorais (singular and plural) adjective: Mahoran Ethnic groups: NA Religions: Muslim 97%, Christian (mostly Roman Catholic) 3% Languages: Mahorian (a Swahili dialect), French (official language) spoken by 35% of the population Literacy: NA Education expenditures: NA Government ::Mayotte Country name: conventional long form: Territorial Collectivity of Mayotte conventional short form: Mayotte Dependency status: departmental collectivity of France Government type: NA Capital: name: Mamoudzou geographic coordinates: 12 46 S, 45 13 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: none (territorial overseas collectivity of France) Independence: none (territorial overseas collectivity of France) National holiday: Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) Constitution: 4 October 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: the laws of France, where applicable, apply Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007); represented by Prefect Hubert DERACHE (since 22 July 2009) head of government: President of the General Council Ahmed Attoumani DOUCHINA (since March 2008) cabinet: NA elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of the Interior; president of the General Council elected by the members of the General Council for a six-year term; next election to be held in 2010 Legislative branch: unicameral General Council or Conseil General (19 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms) elections: last held 9 and 16 March 2008 (next to be held in 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 8, Diverse Right 4, independents 4, Citizens and Republic Movement 1, Democratic Movement 1, Diverse Left 1; note - political parties are the same as parties in France note: Mayotte elects two members of the French Senate; elections last held 21 September 2008 (next to be held in September 2014); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UC-UDF 1, UMP 1; Mayotte also elects one member to the French National Assembly; elections last held 10-17 June 2007 (next to be held in 2012); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - independent 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Tribunal Superieur d'Appel Political parties and leaders: Democratic Front or FD [Youssouf MOUSSA]; Mahoran Popular Movement or MPM [Ahmed MADI]; Federation of Mahorans or UMP-RPR [Mansour KAMARDINE]; Force of the Rally and the Alliance for Democracy or FRAP; Movement for Department Status Mayotte or MDM [Mouhoutar SALIM]; Renewed Communist Party of Mayotte or MRC [Omar SIMBA]; Socialist Party or PS [Ibrahim ABUBACAR] (local branch of French Parti Socialiste); Union for French Democracy or UDF [Henri JEAN-BAPTISTE] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: InOC, UPU, WFTU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territorial overseas collectivity of France) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territorial overseas collectivity of France) Flag description: unofficial, local flag with the coat of arms of Mayotte centered on a white field, above which the name of the island appears in red capital letters; the main elements of the coat of arms, flanked on either side by a seahorse, appear above a scroll with the motto RA HACHIRI (We are Vigilant) note: the flag of France used for official occasions Economy ::Mayotte Economy - overview: Economic activity is based primarily on the agricultural sector, including fishing and livestock raising. Mayotte is not self-sufficient and must import a large portion of its food requirements, mainly from France. The economy and future development of the island are heavily dependent on French financial assistance, an important supplement to GDP. Mayotte's remote location is an obstacle to the development of tourism. GDP (purchasing power parity): $953.6 million (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 202 GDP (official exchange rate): $NA GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita (PPP): $4,900 (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 141 GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Labor force: 44,560 (2002) country comparison to the world: 184 Unemployment rate: 25.4% (2005) country comparison to the world: 173 Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $420 million expenditures: $394 million (2005) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.7% (2005) country comparison to the world: 13 Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: vanilla, ylang-ylang (perfume essence), coffee, copra, fish, livestock Industries: newly created lobster and shrimp industry, construction Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: NA kWh Electricity - consumption: 139.2 million kWh (2005) country comparison to the world: 184 Exports: $6.5 million (2005) country comparison to the world: 212 Exports - commodities: ylang-ylang (perfume essence), vanilla, copra, coconuts, coffee, cinnamon Imports: $341 million (2005) country comparison to the world: 190 Imports - commodities: food, machinery and equipment, transportation equipment, metals, chemicals Debt - external: $NA Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6734 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Communications ::Mayotte Telephones - main lines in use: 10,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 205 Telephones - mobile cellular: 48,100 (2005) country comparison to the world: 195 Telephone system: general assessment: small system administered by French Department of Posts and Telecommunications domestic: NA international: country code - 262; microwave radio relay and HF radiotelephone communications to Comoros Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (2001) Television broadcast stations: 3 (2001) Internet country code: .yt Internet hosts: 1 (2009) country comparison to the world: 229 Transportation ::Mayotte Airports: 1 (2009) country comparison to the world: 220 Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Ports and terminals: Dzaoudzi Military ::Mayotte Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 35,849 females age 16-49: 34,456 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 2,517 female: 2,511 (2009 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France; a small contingent of French forces is stationed on the island Transnational Issues ::Mayotte Disputes - international: claimed by Comoros page last updated on October 28, 2009 ====================================================================== @Mexico (North America) Introduction ::Mexico Background: The site of advanced Amerindian civilizations, Mexico came under Spanish rule for three centuries before achieving independence early in the 19th century. A devaluation of the peso in late 1994 threw Mexico into economic turmoil, triggering the worst recession in over half a century. The nation had been making an impressive recovery until the global financial crisis hit in late 2008. Ongoing economic and social concerns include low real wages, underemployment for a large segment of the population, inequitable income distribution, and few advancement opportunities for the largely Amerindian population in the impoverished southern states. The elections held in 2000 marked the first time since the 1910 Mexican Revolution that an opposition candidate - Vicente FOX of the National Action Party (PAN) - defeated the party in government, the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). He was succeeded in 2006 by another PAN candidate Felipe CALDERON. In January 2009, Mexico assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2009-10 term. Geography ::Mexico Location: Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, between Belize and the United States and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Guatemala and the United States Geographic coordinates: 23 00 N, 102 00 W Map references: North America Area: total: 1,964,375 sq km country comparison to the world: 15 land: 1,943,945 sq km water: 20,430 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than three times the size of Texas Land boundaries: total: 4,353 km border countries: Belize 250 km, Guatemala 962 km, US 3,141 km Coastline: 9,330 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Climate: varies from tropical to desert Terrain: high, rugged mountains; low coastal plains; high plateaus; desert Elevation extremes: lowest point: Laguna Salada -10 m highest point: Volcan Pico de Orizaba 5,700 m Natural resources: petroleum, silver, copper, gold, lead, zinc, natural gas, timber Land use: arable land: 12.66% permanent crops: 1.28% other: 86.06% (2005) Irrigated land: 63,200 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 457.2 cu km (2000) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 78.22 cu km/yr (17%/5%/77%) per capita: 731 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: tsunamis along the Pacific coast, volcanoes and destructive earthquakes in the center and south, and hurricanes on the Pacific, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean coasts Environment - current issues: scarcity of hazardous waste disposal facilities; rural to urban migration; natural fresh water resources scarce and polluted in north, inaccessible and poor quality in center and extreme southeast; raw sewage and industrial effluents polluting rivers in urban areas; deforestation; widespread erosion; desertification; deteriorating agricultural lands; serious air and water pollution in the national capital and urban centers along US-Mexico border; land subsidence in Valley of Mexico caused by groundwater depletion note: the government considers the lack of clean water and deforestation national security issues Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: strategic location on southern border of US; corn (maize), one of the world's major grain crops, is thought to have originated in Mexico People ::Mexico Population: 111,211,789 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 Age structure: 0-14 years: 29.1% (male 16,544,223/female 15,861,141) 15-64 years: 64.6% (male 34,734,571/female 37,129,793) 65 years and over: 6.2% (male 3,130,518/female 3,811,543) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 26.3 years male: 25.3 years female: 27.3 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.13% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 Birth rate: 19.71 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 Death rate: 4.8 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 193 Net migration rate: -3.61 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 156 Urbanization: urban population: 77% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 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: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 18.42 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 113 male: 20.3 deaths/1,000 live births female: 16.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.06 years country comparison to the world: 71 male: 73.25 years female: 79 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.34 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 108 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.3% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 200,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 11,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: dengue fever water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009) Nationality: noun: Mexican(s) adjective: Mexican Ethnic groups: mestizo (Amerindian-Spanish) 60%, Amerindian or predominantly Amerindian 30%, white 9%, other 1% Religions: Roman Catholic 76.5%, Protestant 6.3% (Pentecostal 1.4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.1%, other 3.8%), other 0.3%, unspecified 13.8%, none 3.1% (2000 census) Languages: Spanish only 92.7%, Spanish and indigenous languages 5.7%, indigenous only 0.8%, unspecified 0.8%; note - indigenous languages include various Mayan, Nahuatl, and other regional languages (2005) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 91% male: 92.4% female: 89.6% (2004 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years male: 14 years female: 13 years (2006) Education expenditures: 5.5% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 49 Government ::Mexico Country name: conventional long form: United Mexican States conventional short form: Mexico local long form: Estados Unidos Mexicanos local short form: Mexico Government type: federal republic Capital: name: Mexico City (Distrito Federal) geographic coordinates: 19 26 N, 99 08 W time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in April; ends last Sunday in October note: Mexico is divided into three time zones Administrative divisions: 31 states (estados, singular - estado) and 1 federal district* (distrito federal); Aguascalientes, Baja California, Baja California Sur, Campeche, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Coahuila de Zaragoza, Colima, Distrito Federal*, Durango, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Mexico, Michoacan de Ocampo, Morelos, Nayarit, Nuevo Leon, Oaxaca, Puebla, Queretaro de Arteaga, Quintana Roo, San Luis Potosi, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tabasco, Tamaulipas, Tlaxcala, Veracruz-Llave, Yucatan, Zacatecas Independence: 16 September 1810 (declared); 27 September 1821 (recognized by Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 16 September (1810) Constitution: 5 February 1917 Legal system: mixture of US constitutional theory and civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory (but not enforced) Executive branch: chief of state: President Felipe de Jesus CALDERON Hinojosa (since 1 December 2006); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Felipe de Jesus CALDERON Hinojosa (since 1 December 2006) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president; note - appointment of attorney general requires consent of the Senate elections: president elected by popular vote for a single six-year term; election last held on 2 July 2006 (next to be held 1 July 2012) election results: Felipe CALDERON elected president; percent of vote - Felipe CALDERON 35.89%, Andres Manuel LOPEZ OBRADOR 35.31%, Roberto MADRAZO 22.26%, other 6.54% Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress or Congreso de la Union consists of the Senate or Camara de Senadores (128 seats; 96 members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms, and 32 seats are allocated on the basis of each party's popular vote) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (500 seats; 300 members are elected by popular vote; remaining 200 members are allocated on the basis of each party's popular vote; to serve three-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 2 July 2006 for all of the seats (next to be held 1 July 2012); Chamber of Deputies - last held 2 July 2006 (next to be held 5 July 2009) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PAN 52, PRI 33, PRD 26, PVEM 6, CD 5, PT 5, independent 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PAN 207, PRD 127, PRI 106, PVEM 17, CD 17, PT 11, other 15 Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice or Suprema Corte de Justicia de la Nacion (justices or ministros are appointed by the president with consent of the Senate) Political parties and leaders: Convergence for Democracy or CD [Luis MALDONADO Venegas]; Institutional Revolutionary Party or PRI [Beatriz PAREDES]; Labor Party or PT [Alberto ANAYA Gutierrez]; Mexican Green Ecological Party or PVEM [Jorge Emilio GONZALEZ Martinez]; National Action Party (Partido Accion Nacional) or PAN [German MARTINEZ Cazares]; New Alliance Party (Partido Nueva Alianza) or PNA [Jorge Antonio KAHWAGI Macari]; Party of the Democratic Revolution (Partido de la Revolucion Democratica) or PRD [Leonel COTA Montano]; Social Democratic and Peasant Alternative Party (Partido Alternativa Socialdemocrata y Campesina) or Alternativa [Alberto BEGNE Guerra] Political pressure groups and leaders: Broad Progressive Front or FAP; Businessmen's Coordinating Council or CCE; Confederation of Employers of the Mexican Republic or COPARMEX; Confederation of Industrial Chambers or CONCAMIN; Confederation of Mexican Workers or CTM; Confederation of National Chambers of Commerce or CONCANACO; Coordinator for Foreign Trade Business Organizations or COECE; Federation of Unions Providing Goods and Services or FESEBES; National Chamber of Transformation Industries or CANACINTRA; National Peasant Confederation or CNC; National Small Business Chamber or CANACOPE; National Syndicate of Education Workers or SNTE; National Union of Workers or UNT; Popular Assembly of the People of Oaxaca or APPO; Roman Catholic Church International organization participation: APEC, BCIE, BIS, CAN (observer), Caricom (observer), CDB, CE (observer), CSN (observer), EBRD, FAO, G-20, G-3, G-15, G-24, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, MIGA, NAFTA, NAM (observer), NEA, OAS, OECD, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, SICA (observer), UN, UNASUR (observer), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Arturo SARUKHAN Casamitjana chancery: 1911 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20006 telephone: [1] (202) 728-1600 FAX: [1] (202) 728-1698 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, El Paso, Houston, Laredo (Texas), Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Nogales (Arizona), Phoenix, Sacramento, Saint Paul (Minnesota), San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, San Juan (Puerto Rico) consulate(s): Albuquerque, Brownsville (Texas), Calexico (California), Del Rio (Texas), Detroit, Douglas (Arizona), Eagle Pass (Texas), Fresno (California), Indianapolis (Indiana), Kansas City (Missouri), Laredo (Texas), Las Vegas, Little Rock (Arkansas), McAllen (Texas), New Orleans, Omaha, Orlando, Oxnard (California), Philadelphia, Portland (Oregon), Presidio (Texas), Raleigh, Salt Lake City, San Bernardino, Santa Ana (California), Seattle, Tucson, Yuma (Arizona) Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Antonio O. GARZA, Jr. embassy: Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, 06500 Mexico, Distrito Federal mailing address: P. O. Box 9000, Brownsville, TX 78520-9000 telephone: [52] (55) 5080-2000 FAX: [52] (55) 5511-9980 consulate(s) general: Ciudad Juarez, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Tijuana consulate(s): Hermosillo, Matamoros, Merida, Nogales, Nuevo Laredo Flag description: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and red; the coat of arms (an eagle with a snake in its beak perched on a cactus) is centered in the white band Economy ::Mexico Economy - overview: Mexico has a free market economy in the trillion dollar class. It contains a mixture of modern and outmoded industry and agriculture, increasingly dominated by the private sector. Recent administrations have expanded competition in seaports, railroads, telecommunications, electricity generation, natural gas distribution, and airports. Per capita income is roughly one-third that of the US; income distribution remains highly unequal. Trade with the US and Canada has nearly tripled since the implementation of NAFTA in 1994. Mexico has 12 free trade agreements with over 40 countries including, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, the European Free Trade Area, and Japan, putting more than 90% of trade under free trade agreements. In 2007, during its first year in office, the Felipe CALDERON administration was able to garner support from the opposition to successfully pass a pension and a fiscal reform. The administration continues to face many economic challenges including the need to upgrade infrastructure, modernize labor laws, and allow private investment in the energy sector. CALDERON has stated that his top economic priorities remain reducing poverty and creating jobs. GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.567 trillion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 $1.547 trillion (2007 est.) $1.498 trillion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $1.088 trillion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 170 3.3% (2007 est.) 5.1% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $14,300 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 $14,200 (2007 est.) $13,900 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.8% industry: 35.2% services: 61% (2008 est.) Labor force: 45.32 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 13 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 15.1% industry: 25.7% services: 59% (2005) Unemployment rate: 4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 3.7% (2007 est.) note: underemployment is perhaps 25% Population below poverty line: 13.8% using food-based definition of poverty; asset based poverty amounted to more than 40% (2006) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.8% highest 10%: 37.9% (2006) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 47.9 (2006) country comparison to the world: 32 53.1 (1998) Investment (gross fixed): 22.1% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 Budget: revenues: $257.1 billion expenditures: $258.1 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 35.8% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 23.5% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 87 4% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: NA% (31 December 2008) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 8.71% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 114 7.56% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $92.34 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 13 $103.5 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $147.4 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 16 $168.4 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $287 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 25 $349.1 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $232.6 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 24 $397.7 billion (31 December 2007) $348.3 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: corn, wheat, soybeans, rice, beans, cotton, coffee, fruit, tomatoes; beef, poultry, dairy products; wood products Industries: food and beverages, tobacco, chemicals, iron and steel, petroleum, mining, textiles, clothing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, tourism Industrial production growth rate: -0.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 Electricity - production: 245 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 Electricity - consumption: 200.9 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 Electricity - exports: 1.288 billion kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 584 million kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 3.186 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 Oil - consumption: 2.128 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 Oil - exports: 1.986 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 Oil - imports: 479,600 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 Oil - proved reserves: 10.5 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 17 Natural gas - production: 52.15 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 17 Natural gas - consumption: 66.88 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 13 Natural gas - exports: 1.136 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 33 Natural gas - imports: 12.61 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 17 Natural gas - proved reserves: 372.7 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 Current account balance: -$15.81 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 176 -$8.331 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $291.3 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 17 $271.9 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: manufactured goods, oil and oil products, silver, fruits, vegetables, coffee, cotton Exports - partners: US 80.2%, Canada 2.4%, Germany 1.7% (2008) Imports: $308.6 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 17 $281.9 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: metalworking machines, steel mill products, agricultural machinery, electrical equipment, car parts for assembly, repair parts for motor vehicles, aircraft, and aircraft parts Imports - partners: US 49%, China 11.2%, Japan 5.3%, South Korea 4.4%, Germany 4.1% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $95.3 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 $87.19 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $200.4 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 31 $193.1 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $289.8 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 17 $267.8 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $45.39 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 $44.7 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: Mexican pesos (MXN) per US dollar - 11.016 (2008 est.), 10.8 (2007), 10.899 (2006), 10.898 (2005), 11.286 (2004) Communications ::Mexico Telephones - main lines in use: 20.539 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 14 Telephones - mobile cellular: 75.304 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 12 Telephone system: general assessment: adequate telephone service for business and government, but the population is poorly served; mobile subscribers far outnumber fixed-line subscribers; domestic satellite system with 120 earth stations; extensive microwave radio relay network; considerable use of fiber-optic cable and coaxial cable domestic: low telephone density with about 19 fixed lines per 100 persons; privatized in December 1990; despite the opening to competition in January 1997, Telmex remains dominant; legal challenges to Telmex's alleged anti-competitive behavior in the mobile and fixed-line markets culminated in a World Trade Organization ruling in 2004 against Mexico prompting some strengthening of the powers granted Mexico's telecom regulator; mobile cellular teledensity approaching 70 per 100 persons international: country code - 52; Columbus-2 fiber-optic submarine cable with access to the US, Virgin Islands, Canary Islands, Spain, and Italy; the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) and the MAYA-1 submarine cable system together provide access to Central America, parts of South America and the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth stations - 120 (32 Intelsat, 2 Solidaridad (giving Mexico improved access to South America, Central America, and much of the US as well as enhancing domestic communications), 1 Panamsat, numerous Inmarsat mobile earth stations); linked to Central American Microwave System of trunk connections (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 850, FM 545, shortwave 15 (2003) Television broadcast stations: 236 (plus repeaters) (1997) Internet country code: .mx Internet hosts: 12.716 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 8 Internet users: 23.26 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 16 Transportation ::Mexico Airports: 1,744 (2009) country comparison to the world: 3 Airports - with paved runways: total: 246 over 3,047 m: 12 2,438 to 3,047 m: 29 1,524 to 2,437 m: 85 914 to 1,523 m: 82 under 914 m: 38 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1,498 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 65 914 to 1,523 m: 426 under 914 m: 1,005 (2009) Heliports: 1 (2009) Pipelines: gas 22,705 km; liquid petroleum gas 1,875 km; oil 8,688 km; oil/gas/water 228 km; refined products 6,520 km (2006) Railways: total: 17,516 km country comparison to the world: 16 standard gauge: 17,516 km 1.435-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 356,945 km country comparison to the world: 19 paved: 178,473 km (includes 6,279 km of expressways) unpaved: 178,472 km (2006) Waterways: 2,900 km (navigable rivers and coastal canals) (2008) country comparison to the world: 34 Merchant marine: total: 55 country comparison to the world: 67 by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 7, chemical tanker 5, liquefied gas 4, passenger/cargo 11, petroleum tanker 23, roll on/roll off 3 foreign-owned: 4 (Denmark 2, Hong Kong 1, UAE 1) registered in other countries: 20 (Brazil 1, Honduras 1, Liberia 2, Marshall Islands 4, Panama 2, Portugal 1, Spain 3, Venezuela 5, unknown 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Altamira, Coatzacoalcos, Manzanillo, Morro Redondo, Salina Cruz, Tampico, Veracruz Military ::Mexico Military branches: Secretariat of National Defense (Secretaria de Defensa Nacional, Sedena): Army (Ejercito, includes Mexican Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Mexicana, FAM)); Secretariat of the Navy (Secretaria de Marina, Semar): Mexican Navy (Armada de Mexico, ARM, includes Naval Air Force (FAN) and naval infantry) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory military service, conscript service obligation - 12 months; 16 years of age with consent for voluntary enlistment; conscripts serve only in the Army; Navy and Air Force service is all voluntary; women are eligible for voluntary military service (2007) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 27,774,688 females age 16-49: 29,376,791 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 22,541,654 females age 16-49: 25,149,027 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 1,109,981 female: 1,072,094 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 0.5% of GDP (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 161 Transnational Issues ::Mexico Disputes - international: abundant rainfall in recent years along much of the Mexico-US border region has ameliorated periodically strained water-sharing arrangements; the US has intensified security measures to monitor and control legal and illegal personnel, transport, and commodities across its border with Mexico; Mexico must deal with thousands of impoverished Guatemalans and other Central Americans who cross the porous border looking for work in Mexico and the United States Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs: 5,500-10,000 (government's quashing of Zapatista uprising in 1994 in eastern Chiapas Region) (2007) Illicit drugs: major drug-producing nation; cultivation of opium poppy in 2007 rose to 6,900 hectares yielding a potential production of 18 metric tons of pure heroin, or 50 metric tons of "black tar" heroin, the dominant form of Mexican heroin in the western United States; marijuana cultivation increased to 8,900 hectares in 2007 and yielded a potential production of 15,800 metric tons; government conducts the largest independent illicit-crop eradication program in the world; continues as the primary transshipment country for US-bound cocaine from South America, with an estimated 90% of annual cocaine movements toward the US stopping in Mexico; major drug syndicates control the majority of drug trafficking throughout the country; producer and distributor of ecstasy; significant money-laundering center; major supplier of heroin and largest foreign supplier of marijuana and methamphetamine to the US market (2007) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Micronesia, Federated States of (Australia-Oceania) Introduction ::Micronesia, Federated States of Background: In 1979 the Federated States of Micronesia, a UN Trust Territory under US administration, adopted a constitution. In 1986 independence was attained under a Compact of Free Association with the US, which was amended and renewed in 2004. Present concerns include large-scale unemployment, overfishing, and overdependence on US aid. Geography ::Micronesia, Federated States of Location: Oceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia Geographic coordinates: 6 55 N, 158 15 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 702 sq km country comparison to the world: 191 land: 702 sq km water: 0 sq km (fresh water only) note: includes Pohnpei (Ponape), Chuuk (Truk) Islands, Yap Islands, and Kosrae (Kosaie) Area - comparative: four times the size of Washington, DC (land area only) Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 6,112 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasionally severe damage Terrain: islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to low, coral atolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Chuuk Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Dolohmwar (Totolom) 791 m Natural resources: forests, marine products, deep-seabed minerals, phosphate Land use: arable land: 5.71% permanent crops: 45.71% other: 48.58% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: typhoons (June to December) Environment - current issues: overfishing, climate change, pollution Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: four major island groups totaling 607 islands People ::Micronesia, Federated States of Population: 107,434 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 191 Age structure: 0-14 years: 34.8% (male 19,010/female 18,411) 15-64 years: 62.3% (male 33,286/female 33,629) 65 years and over: 2.9% (male 1,317/female 1,781) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 22 years male: 21.5 years female: 22.5 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: -0.238% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 219 Birth rate: 23.1 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 Death rate: 4.46 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 200 Net migration rate: -21.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 180 Urbanization: urban population: 22% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 26.1 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 82 male: 28.79 deaths/1,000 live births female: 23.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.94 years country comparison to the world: 134 male: 69.06 years female: 72.93 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.89 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Micronesian(s) adjective: Micronesian; Chuukese, Kosraen(s), Pohnpeian(s), Yapese Ethnic groups: Chuukese 48.8%, Pohnpeian 24.2%, Kosraean 6.2%, Yapese 5.2%, Yap outer islands 4.5%, Asian 1.8%, Polynesian 1.5%, other 6.4%, unknown 1.4% (2000 census) Religions: Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 47%, other 3% Languages: English (official and common language), Chuukese, Kosrean, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 89% male: 91% female: 88% (1980 est.) Education expenditures: 7.3% of GDP (2000) country comparison to the world: 18 Government ::Micronesia, Federated States of Country name: conventional long form: Federated States of Micronesia conventional short form: none local long form: Federated States of Micronesia local short form: none former: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Ponape, Truk, and Yap Districts abbreviation: FSM Government type: constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 3 November 1986 and the Amended Compact entered into force May 2004 Capital: name: Palikir geographic coordinates: 6 55 N, 158 09 E time difference: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 4 states; Chuuk (Truk), Kosrae (Kosaie), Pohnpei (Ponape), Yap Independence: 3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship) National holiday: Constitution Day, 10 May (1979) Constitution: 10 May 1979 Legal system: based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Emanuel MORI (since 11 May 2007); Vice President Alik L. ALIK (since 11 May 2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Emanuel MORI (since 11 May 2007); Vice President Alik L. ALIK (since 11 May 2007) cabinet: Cabinet includes the vice president and the heads of the 8 executive departments elections: president and vice president elected by Congress from among the four senators at large for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 11 May 2007 (next to be held May 2011); note - a proposed constitutional amendment to establish popular elections for president and vice president failed election results: Emanuel MORI elected president; percent of Congress vote - NA; Alik L. ALIK elected vice president; percent of Congress vote - NA Legislative branch: unicameral Congress (14 seats; 4 - one elected from each state to serve four-year terms and 10 - elected from single-member districts delineated by population to serve two-year terms; members elected by popular vote) elections: last held 3 March 2009 (next to be held in March 2011) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 14 Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: no formal parties Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACP, ADB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Yosiwo GEORGE chancery: 1725 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 223-4383 FAX: [1] (202) 223-4391 consulate(s) general: Honolulu, Tamuning (Guam) Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Miriam K. HUGHES embassy: 101 Upper Pics Road, Kolonia mailing address: P. O. Box 1286, Kolonia, Pohnpei, 96941 telephone: [691] 320-2187 FAX: [691] 320-2186 Flag description: light blue with four white five-pointed stars centered; the stars are arranged in a diamond pattern Economy ::Micronesia, Federated States of Economy - overview: Economic activity consists primarily of subsistence farming and fishing. The islands have few mineral deposits worth exploiting, except for high-grade phosphate. The potential for a tourist industry exists, but the remote location, a lack of adequate facilities, and limited air connections hinder development. Under the original terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US provided $1.3 billion in grant aid during the period 1986-2001; the level of aid has been subsequently reduced. The Amended Compact of Free Association with the US guarantees the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) millions of dollars in annual aid through 2023, and establishes a Trust Fund into which the US and the FSM make annual contributions in order to provide annual payouts to the FSM in perpetuity after 2023. The country's medium-term economic outlook appears fragile due not only to the reduction in US assistance but also to the current slow growth of the private sector. GDP (purchasing power parity): $238.1 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 214 $277 million (2002 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP supplemented by grant aid, averaging perhaps $100 million annually GDP (official exchange rate): $238.1 million (2008) GDP - real growth rate: NA 0.3% (2005 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $2,200 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 183 $2,300 (2005 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 28.9% industry: 15.2% services: 55.9% (2004 est.) Labor force: 16,360 (2008) country comparison to the world: 204 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 0.9% industry: 34.4% services: 64.7% note: two-thirds are government employees (FY05 est.) Unemployment rate: 22% (2000 est.) country comparison to the world: 170 Population below poverty line: 26.7% (2000) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $166 million ($69 million less grants) expenditures: $152.7 million (FY07 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.2% (2005) country comparison to the world: 20 Commercial bank prime lending rate: 14.38% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 53 14.03% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $22.45 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) $72.49 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $NA (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: black pepper, tropical fruits and vegetables, coconuts, bananas, cassava (tapioca), sakau (kava), betel nuts, sweet potatoes; pigs, chickens; fish; Kosraen citrus Industries: tourism, construction; fish processing, specialized aquaculture; craft items (from shell, wood, and pearls) Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 192 million kWh (2002) country comparison to the world: 177 Electricity - consumption: 178.6 million kWh (2002) country comparison to the world: 179 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2002) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2002) Current account balance: -$34.3 million (FY05 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 Exports: $14 million (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 207 Exports - commodities: fish, garments, bananas, black pepper, sakau (kava), betel nut Imports: $132.7 million (2004) country comparison to the world: 205 Imports - commodities: food, manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, beverages Debt - external: $60.8 million (FY05 est.) country comparison to the world: 193 Exchange rates: the US dollar is used Communications ::Micronesia, Federated States of Telephones - main lines in use: 8,700 (2008) country comparison to the world: 206 Telephones - mobile cellular: 34,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 200 Telephone system: general assessment: adequate system domestic: islands interconnected by shortwave radiotelephone (used mostly for government purposes), satellite (Intelsat) ground stations, and some coaxial and fiber-optic cable; cellular service available on Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap international: country code - 691; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2002) Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 1, shortwave 0 (2004) Television broadcast stations: 3 (cable TV also available) (2004) Internet country code: .fm Internet hosts: 1,050 (2009) country comparison to the world: 159 Internet users: 16,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 194 Transportation ::Micronesia, Federated States of Airports: 6 (2009) country comparison to the world: 170 Airports - with paved runways: total: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009) Roadways: total: 240 km country comparison to the world: 204 paved: 42 km unpaved: 198 km (2000) Merchant marine: total: 3 country comparison to the world: 137 by type: cargo 1, passenger/cargo 2 (2008) Ports and terminals: Tomil Harbor Military ::Micronesia, Federated States of Military branches: no regular military forces; defense is the responsibility of the US (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 26,686 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 21,845 females age 16-49: 23,401 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 1,273 female: 1,212 (2009 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US Transnational Issues ::Micronesia, Federated States of Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: major consumer of cannabis page last updated on November 3, 2009 ====================================================================== @Moldova (Europe) Introduction ::Moldova Background: Part of Romania during the interwar period, Moldova was incorporated into the Soviet Union at the close of World War II. Although independent from the USSR since 1991, Russian forces have remained on Moldovan territory east of the Dniester River supporting the Slavic majority population, mostly Ukrainians and Russians, who have proclaimed a "Transnistria" republic. One of the poorest nations in Europe, Moldova became the first former Soviet state to elect a Communist as its president in 2001. Geography ::Moldova Location: Eastern Europe, northeast of Romania Geographic coordinates: 47 00 N, 29 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 33,851 sq km country comparison to the world: 139 land: 32,891 sq km water: 960 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Maryland Land boundaries: total: 1,390 km border countries: Romania 450 km, Ukraine 940 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: moderate winters, warm summers Terrain: rolling steppe, gradual slope south to Black Sea Elevation extremes: lowest point: Dniester River 2 m highest point: Dealul Balanesti 430 m Natural resources: lignite, phosphorites, gypsum, arable land, limestone Land use: arable land: 54.52% permanent crops: 8.81% other: 36.67% (2005) Irrigated land: 3,000 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 11.7 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 2.31 cu km/yr (10%/58%/33%) per capita: 549 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: landslides Environment - current issues: heavy use of agricultural chemicals, including banned pesticides such as DDT, has contaminated soil and groundwater; extensive soil erosion from poor farming methods Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: landlocked; well endowed with various sedimentary rocks and minerals including sand, gravel, gypsum, and limestone People ::Moldova Population: 4,320,748 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 Age structure: 0-14 years: 15.9% (male 353,495/female 334,592) 15-64 years: 73.3% (male 1,536,263/female 1,629,882) 65 years and over: 10.8% (male 172,070/female 294,446) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 34.6 years male: 32.7 years female: 36.7 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: -0.079% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 212 Birth rate: 11.12 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 176 Death rate: 10.78 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 Net migration rate: -1.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 Urbanization: urban population: 42% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: -1.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.58 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 13.13 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 137 male: 14.57 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.8 years country comparison to the world: 136 male: 67.1 years female: 74.71 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.27 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 210 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.4% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 8,900 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 100 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 Nationality: noun: Moldovan(s) adjective: Moldovan Ethnic groups: Moldovan/Romanian 78.2%, Ukrainian 8.4%, Russian 5.8%, Gagauz 4.4%, Bulgarian 1.9%, other 1.3% (2004 census) note: internal disputes with ethnic Slavs in the Transnistrian region Religions: Eastern Orthodox 98%, Jewish 1.5%, Baptist and other 0.5% (2000) Languages: Moldovan (official, virtually the same as the Romanian language), Russian, Gagauz (a Turkish dialect) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.1% male: 99.7% female: 98.6% (2005 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 13 years (2006) Education expenditures: 7.6% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 17 Government ::Moldova Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Moldova conventional short form: Moldova local long form: Republica Moldova local short form: Moldova former: Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic, Moldovan Soviet Socialist Republic Government type: republic Capital: name: Chisinau (Kishinev) note: pronounced kee-shee-now geographic coordinates: 47 00 N, 28 51 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 32 raions (raioane, singular - raionul), 3 municipalities (municipiul), 1 autonomous territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala autonoma), and 1 territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala) raions: Anenii Noi, Basarabeasca, Briceni, Cahul, Cantemir, Calarasi, Causeni, Cimislia, Criuleni, Donduseni, Drochia, Dubasari, Edinet, Falesti, Floresti, Glodeni, Hincesti, Ialoveni, Leova, Nisporeni, Ocnita, Orhei, Rezina, Riscani, Singerei, Soldanesti, Soroca, Stefan-Voda, Straseni, Taraclia, Telenesti, Ungheni municipalities: Balti, Bender, Chisinau autonomous territorial unit: Gagauzia territorial unit: Stinga Nistrului (Transnistria) Independence: 27 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union) National holiday: Independence Day, 27 August (1991) Constitution: adopted 29 July 1994; effective 27 August 1994; note - replaced 1979 Soviet constitution Legal system: based on civil law system; Constitutional Court reviews legality of legislative acts and governmental decisions of resolution; accepts many UN and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) documents; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Acting President Mihai GHIMPU (since 11 September 2009) note: Vladimir VORONIN, president since 4 April 2001, resigned on 11 September 2009; Mihai GHIMPU, the Parliamentary Speaker, replaced him until new elections can be held head of government: Prime Minister Vladimir FILAT (since 25 September 2009); Deputy Prime Minister Iurie LEANCA (since 25 September 2009) cabinet: Cabinet selected by president, subject to approval of Parliament elections: president elected by Parliament for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 4 April 2005 (next to have been held 5 April 2009); note - prime minister designated by the president upon consultation with Parliament; within 15 days from designation, the prime minister-designate must request a vote of confidence from the Parliament regarding his/her work program and entire cabinet; prime minister designated 17 September 2009; cabinet received a vote of confidence 25 September 2009 election results: Vladimir VORONIN reelected president; parliamentary votes - Vladimir VORONIN 75, Gheorghe DUCA 1; Vladimir FILAT designated prime minister; parliamentary votes of confidence - 53 of 101 Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Parlamentul (101 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 29 July 2009 (next to be held in 2013); note - this was the second parliamentary election in less than four months; the earlier parliament (elected 5 April 2009) could not agree on a presidential candidate election results: percent of vote by party - PCRM 44.7%, PLDM 16.6%, PL 14.7%, PD 12.5%, AMN 7.4%; seats by party - PCRM 48, PLDM 18, PL 15, PD 13, AMN 7 Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Constitutional Court (the sole authority for constitutional judicature) Political parties and leaders: Centrist Union or UCM [Vasile TARLEV]; Christian Democratic People's Party or PPCD [Iurie ROSCA]; Communist Party of the Republic of Moldova or PCRM [Vladimir VORONIN]; Democratic Party or PD [Dumitru DIACOV]; Liberal Democratic Party or PLDM [Vladmir FILAT]; Liberal Party or PL [Mihai GHIMPU]; National Liberal Party or PNL [Vitalia PAVLICENKO]; Our Moldova Alliance or AMN [Serafim URECHEAN]; Party for Social Democracy or PDSM [Dumitru BRAGHIS] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: BSEC, CE, CEI, CIS, EAEC (observer), EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GCTU, GUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Nicolae CHIRTOACA chancery: 2101 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 667-1130 FAX: [1] (202) 667-1204 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Asif CHAUDHRY embassy: 103 Mateevici Street, Chisinau MD-2009 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [373] (22) 40-8300 FAX: [373] (22) 23-3044 Flag description: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; emblem in center of flag is of a Roman eagle of gold outlined in black with a red beak and talons carrying a yellow cross in its beak and a green olive branch in its right talons and a yellow scepter in its left talons; on its breast is a shield divided horizontally red over blue with a stylized ox head, star, rose, and crescent all in black-outlined yellow; same color scheme as Romania Economy ::Moldova Economy - overview: Moldova remains one of the poorest countries in Europe despite recent progress from its small economic base. It enjoys a favorable climate and good farmland but has no major mineral deposits. As a result, the economy depends heavily on agriculture, featuring fruits, vegetables, wine, and tobacco. Moldova must import almost all of its energy supplies. Moldova's dependence on Russian energy was underscored at the end of 2005, when a Russian-owned electrical station in Moldova's separatist Transnistria region cut off power to Moldova and Russia's Gazprom cut off natural gas in disputes over pricing, and again in January 2009, during a similar dispute. Russia's decision to ban Moldovan wine and agricultural products, coupled with its decision to double the price Moldova paid for Russian natural gas, slowed GDP growth in 2006-07. However, in 2008 growth exceeded the 6% level Moldova had achieved in 2000-05, boosted by Russia's partial removal of the bans, solid fixed capital investment, and strong domestic demand driven by remittances from abroad. Economic reforms have been slow because of corruption and strong political forces backing government controls. Nevertheless, the government's primary goal of EU integration has resulted in some market-oriented progress. The granting of EU trade preferences and increased exports to Russia will encourage higher growth rates, but the agreements are unlikely to serve as a panacea, given the extent to which export success depends on higher quality standards and other factors. The economy remains vulnerable to higher fuel prices, poor agricultural weather, and the skepticism of foreign investors. Also, the presence of an illegal separatist regime in Moldova's Transnistria region continues to be a drag on the Moldovan economy. The deteriorating global economic crisis did not seriously effect the Moldovan economy in 2008 due to its low exposure to the international financial system, but a global economic slowdown, particularly in the EU and Russia, could hurt the economy in 2009 as Moldova relies heavily on remittances from Moldovans abroad. GDP (purchasing power parity): $10.8 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 $10.07 billion (2007 est.) $9.684 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $6.047 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 7.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 33 4% (2007 est.) 4.8% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $2,500 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 172 $2,300 (2007 est.) $2,200 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 19.4% industry: 20% services: 60.6% (2008 est.) Labor force: 1.327 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 40.6% industry: 16% services: 43.3% (2005) Unemployment rate: 1.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 Population below poverty line: 29.5% (2005) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3% highest 10%: 28.2% (2004) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 33.2 (2003) country comparison to the world: 95 40.6 (1997) Investment (gross fixed): 32.5% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 Budget: revenues: $2.453 billion expenditures: $2.513 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 22.3% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 63.4% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 12.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 177 12.3% (2007 est.) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 21.06% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 22 18.83% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $1.116 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 85 $965 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $1.928 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 83 $1.449 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $2.406 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 90 $1.896 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 102 $573.9 million (2004) Agriculture - products: vegetables, fruits, wine, grain, sugar beets, sunflower seed, tobacco; beef, milk Industries: sugar, vegetable oil, food processing, agricultural machinery; foundry equipment, refrigerators and freezers, washing machines; hosiery, shoes, textiles Industrial production growth rate: -1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 143 Electricity - production: 3.617 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 Electricity - consumption: 4.37 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 Electricity - exports: 240 million kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 2.931 billion kWh (2007 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 Oil - consumption: 17,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 Oil - exports: 36.49 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 Oil - imports: 14,230 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 Natural gas - production: 50 million cu m (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 Natural gas - consumption: 2.52 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 157 Natural gas - imports: 2.52 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 Current account balance: -$1.015 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 -$695.5 million (2007 est.) Exports: $1.641 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 137 $1.368 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: foodstuffs, textiles, machinery Exports - partners: Morocco 48.3%, Russia 15.2%, Romania 8.1%, Italy 5% (2008) Imports: $4.87 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 $3.676 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: mineral products and fuel, machinery and equipment, chemicals, textiles Imports - partners: Ukraine 20.6%, Russia 19.5%, Romania 14.6%, Germany 8.1%, Italy 5.1%, Belarus 4.3% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $1.672 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 $1.334 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $4.125 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 110 $3.326 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $1.813 billion (2008) country comparison to the world: 94 Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Exchange rates: Moldovan lei (MDL) per US dollar - 10.326 (2008 est.), 12.177 (2007), 13.131 (2006), 12.6 (2005), 12.33 (2004) Communications ::Moldova Telephones - main lines in use: 1.115 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 73 Telephones - mobile cellular: 2.423 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 117 Telephone system: general assessment: inadequate, outmoded, poor service outside Chisinau; some modernization is under way domestic: depending on location, new subscribers may face long wait for service; multiple private operators of GSM mobile-cellular telephone service are operating; GPRS system is being introduced; a CDMA mobile telephone network began operations in 2007; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity 85 per 100 persons international: country code - 373; service through Romania and Russia via landline; satellite earth stations - at least 3 (Intelsat, Eutelsat, and Intersputnik) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 29, shortwave NA (2006) Television broadcast stations: 40 (2006) Internet country code: .md Internet hosts: 367,150 (2009) country comparison to the world: 52 Internet users: 850,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 96 Transportation ::Moldova Airports: 11 (2009) country comparison to the world: 154 Airports - with paved runways: total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 under 914 m: 3 (2009) Pipelines: gas 1,906 km (2008) Railways: total: 1,138 km country comparison to the world: 87 broad gauge: 1,124 km 1.520-m gauge standard gauge: 14 km 1.435-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 12,666 km country comparison to the world: 130 paved: 12,117 km unpaved: 549 km (2007) Waterways: 424 km (on Dniester and Prut rivers) (2008) country comparison to the world: 87 Merchant marine: total: 39 country comparison to the world: 78 by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 32, chemical tanker 2, combination ore/oil 2, petroleum tanker 1 foreign-owned: 17 (Egypt 1, Romania 3, Russia 3, Syria 1, Turkey 3, Ukraine 5, Yemen 1) (2008) Military ::Moldova Military branches: National Army: Land Forces, Rapid Reaction Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory military service; 17 years of age for voluntary service; male registration required at age 16; 12-month service obligation (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,161,924 females age 16-49: 1,187,771 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 877,665 females age 16-49: 987,356 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 31,633 female: 30,214 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 0.4% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 166 Transnational Issues ::Moldova Disputes - international: Moldova and Ukraine operate joint customs posts to monitor the transit of people and commodities through Moldova's break-away Transnistria region, which remains under OSCE supervision Trafficking in persons: current situation: Moldova is a major source and, to a lesser extent, a transit country for women and girls trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation; Moldovan women are trafficked to the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Western Europe; girls and young women are trafficked within the country from rural areas to Chisinau; children are also trafficked to neighboring countries for forced labor and begging; labor trafficking of men to work in the construction, agriculture, and service sectors of Russia is increasingly a problem tier rating: Tier 3 - Moldova does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government failed to follow-up on allegations of officials complicit in trafficking cited in the 2007 Report, and it did not demonstrate proactive efforts to identify trafficking victims (2008) Illicit drugs: limited cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis, mostly for CIS consumption; transshipment point for illicit drugs from Southwest Asia via Central Asia to Russia, Western Europe, and possibly the US; widespread crime and underground economic activity page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Monaco (Europe) Introduction ::Monaco Background: The Genoese built a fortress on the site of present-day Monaco in 1215. The current ruling Grimaldi family secured control in the late 13th century, and a principality was established in 1338. Economic development was spurred in the late 19th century with a railroad linkup to France and the opening of a casino. Since then, the principality's mild climate, splendid scenery, and gambling facilities have made Monaco world famous as a tourist and recreation center. Geography ::Monaco Location: Western Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea on the southern coast of France, near the border with Italy Geographic coordinates: 43 44 N, 7 24 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 2 sq km country comparison to the world: 248 land: 2 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: about three times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 4.4 km border countries: France 4.4 km Coastline: 4.1 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 12 nm Climate: Mediterranean with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers Terrain: hilly, rugged, rocky Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Mont Agel 140 m Natural resources: none Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (urban area) (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: second-smallest independent state in the world (after Holy See); almost entirely urban People ::Monaco Population: 32,965 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 211 Age structure: 0-14 years: 14.6% (male 2,466/female 2,349) 15-64 years: 62.4% (male 10,184/female 10,395) 65 years and over: 23% (male 3,068/female 4,503) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 45.7 years male: 43.6 years female: 47.7 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.394% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 165 Birth rate: 9.1 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 209 Death rate: 12.74 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 33 Net migration rate: 7.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 Urbanization: urban population: 100% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 5 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 191 male: 5.77 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80.09 years country comparison to the world: 21 male: 76.3 years female: 84.09 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.75 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 164 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Monegasque(s) or Monacan(s) adjective: Monegasque or Monacan Ethnic groups: French 47%, Monegasque 16%, Italian 16%, other 21% Religions: Roman Catholic 90%, other 10% Languages: French (official), English, Italian, Monegasque Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) Education expenditures: 4.4% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 93 Government ::Monaco Country name: conventional long form: Principality of Monaco conventional short form: Monaco local long form: Principaute de Monaco local short form: Monaco Government type: constitutional monarchy Capital: name: Monaco geographic coordinates: 43 44 N, 7 25 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: none; there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are four quarters (quartiers, singular - quartier); Fontvieille, La Condamine, Monaco-Ville, Monte-Carlo Independence: 1419 (beginning of rule by the House of Grimaldi) National holiday: National Day (Saint Rainier's Day), 19 November (1857) Constitution: 17 December 1962; modified 2 April 2002 Legal system: based on French law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Prince ALBERT II (since 6 April 2005) head of government: Minister of State Jean-Paul PROUST (since 1 June 2005) cabinet: Council of Government is under the authority of the monarch elections: the monarchy is hereditary; minister of state appointed by the monarch from a list of three French national candidates presented by the French Government Legislative branch: unicameral National Council or Conseil National (24 seats; 16 members elected by list majority system, 8 by proportional representation; to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 3 February 2008 (next to be held in February 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - UPM 52.2%, REM 40.5%, Monaco Together 7.3%; seats by party - UPM 21, REM 3 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Tribunal Supreme (judges appointed by the monarch on the basis of nominations by the National Council) Political parties and leaders: Union for Monaco or UPM (including National Union for the Future of Monaco or UNAM); Rally and Issues for Monaco or REM; Monaco Together Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: CE, FAO, IAEA, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IFRCS, IHO, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITSO, ITU, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador to the US and Representative to the UN Gilles NOGHES chancery: 3400 International Drive NW, Suite 2K-100, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 234-1530 FAX: (202) 552-5778 consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Monaco; the US Ambassador to France is accredited to Monaco; the US Consul General in Marseille (France), under the authority of the US ambassador to France, handles routine diplomatic and consular matters concerning Monaco Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; similar to the flag of Indonesia which is longer and the flag of Poland which is white (top) and red Economy ::Monaco Economy - overview: Monaco, bordering France on the Mediterranean coast, is a popular resort, attracting tourists to its casino and pleasant climate. The principality also is a major banking center and has successfully sought to diversify into services and small, high-value-added, nonpolluting industries. The state has no income tax and low business taxes and thrives as a tax haven both for individuals who have established residence and for foreign companies that have set up businesses and offices. The state retains monopolies in a number of sectors, including tobacco, the telephone network, and the postal service. Living standards are high, roughly comparable to those in prosperous French metropolitan areas. GDP (purchasing power parity): $976.3 million (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 201 note: Monaco does not publish national income figures; the estimates are extremely rough GDP (official exchange rate): $NA GDP - real growth rate: 0.9% (2000 est.) country comparison to the world: 182 GDP - per capita (PPP): $30,000 (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 0% industry: 4.9% services: 95.1% (2005) Labor force: 44,000 country comparison to the world: 185 note: includes workers from all foreign countries (2005 est.) Unemployment rate: 0% (2005) country comparison to the world: 2 Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $863 million expenditures: $920.6 million (2005 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.9% (2000) country comparison to the world: 15 Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: none Industries: tourism, construction, small-scale industrial and consumer products Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - consumption: NA kWh Electricity - imports: NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by France Exports: $716.3 million (2005) country comparison to the world: 158 note: full customs integration with France, which collects and rebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates in EU market system through customs union with France Imports: $916.1 million (2005) country comparison to the world: 172 note: full customs integration with France, which collects and rebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates in EU market system through customs union with France Debt - external: $18 billion (2000 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Communications ::Monaco Telephones - main lines in use: 35,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 175 Telephones - mobile cellular: 22,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 205 Telephone system: general assessment: modern automatic telephone system; the country's sole fixed line operator offers a full range of services to residential and business customers domestic: combined fixed line and mobile telephone density exceeds 100% international: country code - 377; no satellite earth stations; connected by cable into the French communications system Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 11, shortwave 1 (2008) Television broadcast stations: 5 (1998) Internet country code: .mc Internet hosts: 22,608 (2009) country comparison to the world: 100 Internet users: 22,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 189 Transportation ::Monaco Heliports: 1 (2007) Roadways: total: 50 km country comparison to the world: 215 paved: 50 km (2007) Merchant marine: registered in other countries: 70 (Bahamas 15, Georgia 4, Isle of Man 3, Liberia 8, Marshall Islands 13, Norway 5, Panama 16, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 5, Vanuatu 1) (2008) country comparison to the world: 61 Ports and terminals: Monaco Military ::Monaco Military branches: no regular military forces; the Palace Guard performs ceremonial duties Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 6,687 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 5,495 females age 16-49: 5,406 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 190 female: 182 (2009 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France Transnational Issues ::Monaco Disputes - international: none page last updated on October 28, 2009 ====================================================================== @Mongolia (East & Southeast Asia) Introduction ::Mongolia Background: The Mongols gained fame in the 13th century when under Chinggis KHAN they established a huge Eurasian empire through conquest. After his death the empire was divided into several powerful Mongol states, but these broke apart in the 14th century. The Mongols eventually retired to their original steppe homelands and in the late 17th century came under Chinese rule. Mongolia won its independence in 1921 with Soviet backing and a Communist regime was installed in 1924. The modern country of Mongolia, however, represents only part of the Mongols' historical homeland; more Mongols live in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in the People's Republic of China than in Mongolia. Following a peaceful democratic revolution, the ex-Communist Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP) won elections in 1990 and 1992, but was defeated by the Democratic Union Coalition (DUC) in the 1996 parliamentary election. The MPRP won an overwhelming majority in the 2000 parliamentary election, but the party lost seats in the 2004 election and shared power with democratic coalition parties from 2004-08. The MPRP regained a solid majority in the 2008 parliamentary elections but nevertheless formed a coalition government with the Democratic Party. The prime minister and most cabinet members are MPRP members. Geography ::Mongolia Location: Northern Asia, between China and Russia Geographic coordinates: 46 00 N, 105 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 1,564,116 sq km country comparison to the world: 19 land: 1,553,556 sq km water: 10,560 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Alaska Land boundaries: total: 8,220 km border countries: China 4,677 km, Russia 3,543 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: desert; continental (large daily and seasonal temperature ranges) Terrain: vast semidesert and desert plains, grassy steppe, mountains in west and southwest; Gobi Desert in south-central Elevation extremes: lowest point: Hoh Nuur 518 m highest point: Nayramadlin Orgil (Huyten Orgil) 4,374 m Natural resources: oil, coal, copper, molybdenum, tungsten, phosphates, tin, nickel, zinc, fluorspar, gold, silver, iron Land use: arable land: 0.76% permanent crops: 0% other: 99.24% (2005) Irrigated land: 840 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 34.8 cu km (1999) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.44 cu km/yr (20%/27%/52%) per capita: 166 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: dust storms; grassland and forest fires; drought; "zud," which is harsh winter conditions Environment - current issues: limited natural fresh water resources in some areas; the policies of former Communist regimes promoted rapid urbanization and industrial growth that had negative effects on the environment; the burning of soft coal in power plants and the lack of enforcement of environmental laws severely polluted the air in Ulaanbaatar; deforestation, overgrazing, and the converting of virgin land to agricultural production increased soil erosion from wind and rain; desertification and mining activities had a deleterious effect on the environment Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: landlocked; strategic location between China and Russia People ::Mongolia Population: 3,041,142 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 136 Age structure: 0-14 years: 28.1% (male 436,391/female 418,923) 15-64 years: 67.9% (male 1,031,819/female 1,033,806) 65 years and over: 4% (male 52,430/female 67,773) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 25.3 years male: 24.9 years female: 25.7 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.493% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 Birth rate: 21.05 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 Death rate: 6.12 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 159 Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 57% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 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: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 39.88 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 67 male: 42.99 deaths/1,000 live births female: 36.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 67.65 years country comparison to the world: 154 male: 65.23 years female: 70.19 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.23 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: fewer than 500 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 200 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 108 Nationality: noun: Mongolian(s) adjective: Mongolian Ethnic groups: Mongol (mostly Khalkha) 94.9%, Turkic (mostly Kazakh) 5%, other (including Chinese and Russian) 0.1% (2000) Religions: Buddhist Lamaist 50%, Shamanist and Christian 6%, Muslim 4%, none 40% (2004) Languages: Khalkha Mongol 90%, Turkic, Russian (1999) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.8% male: 98% female: 97.5% (2000 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years male: 12 years female: 14 years (2006) Education expenditures: 5% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 73 Government ::Mongolia Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Mongolia local long form: none local short form: Mongol Uls former: Outer Mongolia Government type: parliamentary Capital: name: Ulaanbaatar geographic coordinates: 47 55 N, 106 55 E time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 21 provinces (aymguud, singular - aymag) and 1 municipality* (singular - hot); Arhangay, Bayanhongor, Bayan-Olgiy, Bulgan, Darhan-Uul, Dornod, Dornogovi, Dundgovi, Dzavhan (Zavkhan), Govi-Altay, Govisumber, Hentiy, Hovd, Hovsgol, Omnogovi, Orhon, Ovorhangay, Selenge, Suhbaatar, Tov, Ulaanbaatar*, Uvs Independence: 11 July 1921 (from China) National holiday: Independence Day/Revolution Day, 11 July (1921) Constitution: 13 January 1992 Legal system: blend of Soviet and German systems that employ "continental" or "civil" code; case-precedent may be used to inform judges, but all decisions must refer to the law as written; constitution ambiguous on judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Tsakhia ELBEGDORJ (since 18 June 2009) head of government: Prime Minister Sukhbaatar BATBOLD (since 29 October 2009); First Deputy Prime Minister (Norov ALTANKHUYAG (since 20 September 2008); Vice Prime Minister Miegombyn ENKHBOLD (since 6 December 2007) cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the prime minister in consultation with the president and confirmed by the State Great Hural (parliament) elections: presidential candidates nominated by political parties represented in State Great Hural and elected by popular vote for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 24 May 2009 (next to be held in May 2013); following legislative elections, leader of majority party or majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by State Great Hural election results: in elections in May 2009, Tsakhia ELBEGDORJ elected president; percent of vote - Tsakhia ELBEGDORJ 51.24%, Nambaryn ENKHBAYAR 47.44%, others 1.32% Legislative branch: unicameral State Great Hural 76 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms elections: last held 29 June 2008 (next to be held in June 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MPRP 45, DP 27, others 4; note - 1 seat disputed and unfilled Judicial branch: Supreme Court (serves as appeals court for people's and provincial courts but rarely overturns verdicts of lower courts; judges are nominated by the General Council of Courts and approved by the president) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party or DP [Norov ALTANHUYAG]; Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party or MPRP [Sanjaa BAYAR] Political pressure groups and leaders: other: human rights groups; women's groups International organization participation: ADB, ARF, CP, EBRD, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OPCW, OSCE (partner), SCO (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Khasbazaryn BEKHBAT chancery: 2833 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 333-7117 FAX: [1] (202) 298-9227 consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Mark C. MINTON embassy: Big Ring Road, 11th Micro Region, Ulaanbaatar, 14171 Mongolia mailing address: PSC 461, Box 300, FPO AP 96521-0002; P.O. Box 1021, Ulaanbaatar-13 telephone: [976] (11) 329-095 FAX: [976] (11) 320-776 Flag description: three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), blue, and red; centered on the hoist-side red band in yellow is the national emblem ("soyombo" - a columnar arrangement of abstract and geometric representation for fire, sun, moon, earth, water, and the yin-yang symbol) Economy ::Mongolia Economy - overview: Economic activity in Mongolia has traditionally been based on herding and agriculture. Mongolia has extensive mineral deposits. Copper, coal, gold, molybdenum, fluorspar, uranium, tin, and tungsten account for a large part of industrial production and foreign direct investment. Soviet assistance, at its height one-third of GDP, disappeared almost overnight in 1990 and 1991 at the time of the dismantlement of the USSR. The following decade saw Mongolia endure both deep recession because of political inaction and natural disasters, as well as economic growth because of reform-embracing, free-market economics and extensive privatization of the formerly state-run economy. Severe winters and summer droughts in 2000-02 resulted in massive livestock die-off and zero or negative GDP growth. This was compounded by falling prices for Mongolia's primary sector exports and widespread opposition to privatization. Growth averaged nearly 9% per year in 2004-08 largely because of high copper prices and new gold production. Until late 2008 Mongolia experienced a soaring inflation rate with year-to-year inflation reaching nearly 40% - the highest inflation rate in over a decade. In late 2008 falling commodity prices in this import-reliant country helped lower inflation but by that time, the country had begun to feel the effects of the global financial crisis. Falling prices for copper and other mineral exports have reduced government revenues and are forcing cuts in spending. The global credit crisis has stalled growth in key sectors, especially those that had been fueled by foreign investment. Mongolia's economy continues to be heavily influenced by its neighbors. Mongolia purchases 95% of its petroleum products and a substantial amount of electric power from Russia, leaving it vulnerable to price increases. Trade with China represents more than half of Mongolia's total external trade - China receives about 70% of Mongolia's exports. Remittances from Mongolians working abroad both legally and illegally are sizable but have fallen due to the economic crisis; money laundering is a growing concern. Mongolia settled its $11 billion debt with Russia at the end of 2003 on favorable terms. Mongolia, which joined the World Trade Organization in 1997, seeks to expand its participation and integration into Asian regional economic and trade regimes. GDP (purchasing power parity): $9.499 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 $8.714 billion (2007 est.) $7.929 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $5.243 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 9.9% (2007 est.) 8.6% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $3,200 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 163 $3,000 (2007 est.) $2,700 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 18.8% industry: 38.5% services: 42.7% (2008) Labor force: 1.068 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 138 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 34% industry: 5% services: 61% (2008) Unemployment rate: 2.8% (2008) country comparison to the world: 31 3% (2007) Population below poverty line: 36.1% (2004) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.9% highest 10%: 24.9% (2005) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 32.8 (2002) country comparison to the world: 97 44 (1998) Budget: revenues: $1.71 billion expenditures: $1.95 billion (2008) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 28% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 218 9% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 14.78% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 44 9.87% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 18% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 26 17.54% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $521.2 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 93 $504.7 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $1.288 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 91 $1.53 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $1.743 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 95 $1.183 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $412 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 101 $612.2 million (31 December 2007) $112.6 million (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: wheat, barley, vegetables, forage crops; sheep, goats, cattle, camels, horses Industries: construction and construction materials; mining (coal, copper, molybdenum, fluorspar, tin, tungsten, and gold); oil; food and beverages; processing of animal products, cashmere and natural fiber manufacturing Industrial production growth rate: 3% (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 Electricity - production: 3.979 billion kWh (2008) country comparison to the world: 118 Electricity - consumption: 3.491 billion kWh (2008) country comparison to the world: 118 Electricity - exports: 15.8 million kWh (2008) Electricity - imports: 197.5 million kWh (2008) Oil - production: 3,216 bbl/day (2008) country comparison to the world: 101 Oil - consumption: 15,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 186 Oil - imports: 17,680 bbl/day (2008) country comparison to the world: 116 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl country comparison to the world: 106 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 161 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 161 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 156 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 Current account balance: -$1 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 -$23 million (2007 est.) Exports: $2.539 billion (2008) country comparison to the world: 127 $1.889 billion (2007) Exports - commodities: copper, apparel, livestock, animal products, cashmere, wool, hides, fluorspar, other nonferrous metals, coal Exports - partners: China 74%, Canada 9.4%, Russia 3.3% (2008) Imports: $3.615 billion (2008) country comparison to the world: 132 $2.117 billion (2007) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, fuel, cars, food products, industrial consumer goods, chemicals, building materials, sugar, tea Imports - partners: Russia 34.1%, China 29.1%, South Korea 7.6%, Japan 7.4% (2008) Debt - external: $1.6 billion (2008) country comparison to the world: 142 $1.438 billion (2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $NA Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Exchange rates: togrog/tugriks (MNT) per US dollar - 1,267.51 (2008), 1,170 (2007), 1,165 (2006), 1,205 (2005), 1,185.3 (2004) Communications ::Mongolia Telephones - main lines in use: 165,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 129 Telephones - mobile cellular: 1.796 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 126 Telephone system: general assessment: network is improving with international direct dialing available in many areas domestic: very low fixed-line density; there are multiple mobile cellular service providers and subscribership is increasing rapidly; a fiber-optic network has been installed that is improving broadband and communication services between major urban centers with multiple companies providing inter-city fiber-optic cable services international: country code - 976; satellite earth stations - 7 Radio broadcast stations: AM 7, FM 115 (includes 20 national radio broadcaster repeaters), shortwave 4 (2006) Television broadcast stations: 68 (2008) Internet country code: .mn Internet hosts: 524 (2009) country comparison to the world: 170 Internet users: 330,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 122 Transportation ::Mongolia Airports: 45 (2009) country comparison to the world: 95 Airports - with paved runways: total: 14 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 31 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 24 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Heliports: 1 (2009) Railways: total: 1,810 km country comparison to the world: 76 broad gauge: 1,810 km 1.520-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 49,249 km country comparison to the world: 80 paved: 2,671 km unpaved: 46,578 km (2008) Waterways: 580 km country comparison to the world: 82 note: only waterway in operation is Lake Hovsgol (135 km); Selenge River (270 km) and Orhon River (175 km) are navigable but carry little traffic; lakes and rivers freeze in winter, are open from May to September (2007) Merchant marine: total: 77 country comparison to the world: 57 by type: bulk carrier 20, cargo 44, chemical tanker 2, liquefied gas 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 6, vehicle carrier 1 foreign-owned: 53 (China 1, Germany 4, Indonesia 1, North Korea 1, South Korea 1, Lebanon 2, Russia 9, Singapore 9, Thailand 1, Ukraine 1, Vietnam 23) (2008) Military ::Mongolia Military branches: Mongolian Armed Forces: Mongolian Army, Mongolian Air Force; there is no navy (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18-25 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 12 months in land or air defense forces or police; a small portion of Mongolian land forces (2.5 percent) is comprised of contract soldiers; women cannot be deployed overseas for military operations (2006) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 865,425 females age 16-49: 860,669 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 706,774 females age 16-49: 740,550 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 28,251 female: 27,344 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.4% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 116 Transnational Issues ::Mongolia Disputes - international: none page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Montenegro (Europe) Introduction ::Montenegro Background: The use of the name Montenegro began in the 15th century when the Crnojevic dynasty began to rule the Serbian principality of Zeta; over subsequent centuries Montenegro was able to maintain its independence from the Ottoman Empire. From the 16th to 19th centuries, Montenegro became a theocracy ruled by a series of bishop princes; in 1852, it was transformed into a secular principality. After World War I, Montenegro was absorbed by the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, which became the Kingdom of Yugoslavia in 1929; at the conclusion of World War II, it became a constituent republic of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. When the latter dissolved in 1992, Montenegro federated with Serbia, first as the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and, after 2003, in a looser union of Serbia and Montenegro. In May 2006, Montenegro invoked its right under the Constitutional Charter of Serbia and Montenegro to hold a referendum on independence from the state union. The vote for severing ties with Serbia exceeded 55% - the threshold set by the EU - allowing Montenegro to formally declare its independence on 3 June 2006. Geography ::Montenegro Location: Southeastern Europe, between the Adriatic Sea and Serbia Geographic coordinates: 42 30 N, 19 18 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 13,812 sq km country comparison to the world: 161 land: 13,452 sq km water: 360 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Connecticut Land boundaries: total: 625 km border countries: Albania 172 km, Bosnia and Herzegovina 225 km, Croatia 25 km, Kosovo 79 km, Serbia 124 km Coastline: 293.5 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: defined by treaty Climate: Mediterranean climate, hot dry summers and autumns and relatively cold winters with heavy snowfalls inland Terrain: highly indented coastline with narrow coastal plain backed by rugged high limestone mountains and plateaus Elevation extremes: lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m highest point: Bobotov Kuk 2,522 m Natural resources: bauxite, hydroelectricity Land use: arable land: 13.7% permanent crops: 1% other: 85.3% Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: destructive earthquakes Environment - current issues: pollution of coastal waters from sewage outlets, especially in tourist-related areas such as Kotor Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: strategic location along the Adriatic coast People ::Montenegro Population: 672,180 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 164 Age structure: 0-14 years: 16% (male 52,645/female 54,846) 15-64 years: 70.3% (male 244,949/female 227,794) 65 years and over: 13.7% (male 37,217/female 54,729) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 36.7 years male: 35.2 years female: 38.4 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: -0.851% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 232 Birth rate: 11.14 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 173 Death rate: 8.63 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 Urbanization: urban population: 60% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: -0.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne disease: Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever (2009) Nationality: noun: Montenegrin(s) adjective: Montenegrin Ethnic groups: Montenegrin 43%, Serbian 32%, Bosniak 8%, Albanian 5%, other (Muslims, Croats, Roma (Gypsy)) 12% (2003 census) Religions: Orthodox 74.2%, Muslim 17.7%, Catholic 3.5%, other 0.6%, unspecified 3%, atheist 1% (2003 census) Languages: Serbian 63.6%, Montenegrin (official) 22%, Bosnian 5.5%, Albanian 5.3%, unspecified 3.7% (2003 census) Education expenditures: NA Government ::Montenegro Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Montenegro local long form: none local short form: Crna Gora former: People's Republic of Montenegro, Socialist Republic of Montenegro, Republic of Montenegro Government type: republic Capital: name: Podgorica geographic coordinates: 42 26 N, 19 16 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1 hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 21 municipalities (opstine, singular - opstina); Andrijevica, Bar, Berane, Bijelo Polje, Budva, Cetinje, Danilovgrad, Herceg Novi, Kolasin, Kotor, Mojkovac, Niksic, Plav, Pljevlja, Pluzine, Podgorica, Rozaje, Savnik, Tivat, Ulcinj, Zabljak Independence: 3 June 2006 (from Serbia and Montenegro) National holiday: National Day, 13 July (1878) Constitution: approved 19 October 2007 (by the Assembly) Legal system: based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Filip VUJANOVIC (since 6 April 2008) head of government: Prime Minister Milo DJUKANOVIC (since 29 February 2008) cabinet: Ministries act as cabinet elections: president elected by direct vote for five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 6 April 2008 (next to be held in 2013); prime minister proposed by president, accepted by Assembly election results: Filip VUJANOVIC reelected president; Filip VUJANOVIC 51.89%, Andrija MANDIC 19.55%, Nebojsa MEDOJEVIC 16.64%, Srdan MILIC 11.92% Legislative branch: unicameral Assembly (81 seats; members elected by direct vote for four-year terms; changed from 74 seats in 2006) elections: last held 29 March 2009 (next to be held in 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - Coalition for European Montenegro 51.94%, SNP 16.83%, NSD 9.22%, PZP 6.03%, other (including Albanian minority parties) 15.98%; seats by party - Coalition for European Montenegro 48, SNP 16, NSD 8, PZP 5, Albanian minority parties 4 Judicial branch: Constitutional Court (five judges with nine-year terms); Supreme Court (judges have life tenure) Political parties and leaders: Albanian Alternative or AA [Vesel SINISHTAJ]; Coalition for European Montenegro or DPS-SDP (bloc) [Milo DJUKANOVIC] (includes Democratic Party of Socialists or DPS [Milo DJUKANOVIC] and Social Democratic Party or SDP [Ranko KRIVOKAPIC]); Coalition SNP-NS-DSS (bloc) (includes Socialist People's Party or SNP [Srdjan MILIC], People's Party of Montenegro or NS [Predrag POPOVIC], and Democratic Serbian Party of Montenegro or DSS [Ranko KADIC]); Democratic League-Party of Democratic Prosperity or SPP [Mehmet BARDHIJ]; Democratic Union of Albanians or DUA [Ferhat DINOSA]; Liberals and the Bosniak Party (bloc) [Miodrag ZIVKOVIC] (includes Liberal Party of Montenegro or LP [Miodrag ZIVKOVIC] and Bosniak Party or BS [Rafet HUSOVIC]); Movement for Changes or PZP [Nebojsa MEDOJEVIC]; New Serb Democracy or NSD [Andrija MANDIC]; Serbian List (bloc) [Andrija MANDIC] (includes Party of Serb Radicals or SSR [Dusko SEKULIC], People's Socialist Party or NSS [Emilo LABUDOVIC], and Serbian People's Party of Montenegro or SNS [Andrija MANDIC]); Socialist People's Party of Montenegro or SNP [Srdjan MILIC] International organization participation: CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SECI, UN, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Miodrag VLAHOVIC chancery: 1610 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 234-6108 FAX: [1] (202) 234-6109 consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Roderick W. MOORE embassy: Ljubljanska bb, 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [382] 81 225 417 FAX: [382] 81 241 358 Flag description: a red field bordered by a narrow golden-yellow stripe with the Montenegrin coat of arms centered Economy ::Montenegro Economy - overview: Montenegro severed its economy from federal control and from Serbia during the MILOSEVIC era and maintained its own central bank, adopted the Deutchmark, then the euro - rather than the Yugoslav dinar - as official currency, collected customs tariffs, and managed its own budget. The dissolution of the loose political union between Serbia and Montenegro in 2006 led to separate membership in several international financial institutions, such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. On 18 January 2007, Montenegro joined the World Bank and IMF. Montenegro is pursuing its own membership in the World Trade Organization and signed a Stabilization and Association agreement with the European Union in October 2007. On December 15, 2008, Montenegro submitted an EU membership application. Unemployment and regional disparities in development are key political and economic problems. Montenegro has privatized its large aluminum complex - the dominant industry - as well as most of its financial sector, and has begun to attract foreign direct investment in the tourism sector. The global financial crisis is likely to have a significant negative impact on the economy. GDP (purchasing power parity): $6.832 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 $6.355 billion (2007 est.) $5.804 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $4.848 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 7.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 9.5% (2007 est.) 8.6% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $10,100 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 $9,300 (2007 est.) $8,400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Labor force: 259,100 (2004) country comparison to the world: 162 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 2% industry: 30% services: 68% (2004 est.) Unemployment rate: 14.7% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 152 Population below poverty line: 7% (2007 est.) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 30 (2003) country comparison to the world: 115 Investment (gross fixed): 30.5% of GDP (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 Budget: revenues: NA expenditures: NA Public debt: 38% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 59 Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.4% (2007) country comparison to the world: 43 Commercial bank prime lending rate: 9.24% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 92 9.09% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $1.172 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) $1.446 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $3.083 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 90 $3.699 billion (31 December 2007) $1.754 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: grains, tobacco, potatoes, citrus fruits, olives, grapes; sheepherding; commercial fishing negligible Industries: steelmaking, aluminum, agricultural processing, consumer goods, tourism Electricity - production: 2.864 billion kWh (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 Electricity - consumption: 18.6 million kWh (2005) country comparison to the world: 206 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2005) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2005) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 165 Oil - consumption: bbl/day NA Oil - exports: 313.6 bbl/day (2005) country comparison to the world: 127 Oil - imports: 6,093 bbl/day (2005) country comparison to the world: 152 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 Natural gas - consumption: NA cu m Current account balance: -$1.102 billion (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 Exports: $171.3 million (2003) country comparison to the world: 183 Imports: $601.7 million (2003) country comparison to the world: 182 Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $NA Debt - external: $650 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 160 Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Communications ::Montenegro Telephones - main lines in use: 362,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 105 Telephones - mobile cellular: 735,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 147 Telephone system: general assessment: modern telecommunications system with access to European satellites domestic: GSM wireless service, available through 3 providers with national coverage, is growing international: country code - 382; 2 international switches connect the national system Radio broadcast stations: 31 (station frequency types NA) (2004) Television broadcast stations: 13 (2004) Internet country code: .me Internet hosts: 3,245 (2009) country comparison to the world: 141 Internet users: 294,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 128 Transportation ::Montenegro Airports: 5 (2009) country comparison to the world: 182 Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Heliports: 1 (2007) Railways: total: 250 km country comparison to the world: 126 standard gauge: 250 km 1.435-m gauge (electrified 169 km) (2007) Roadways: total: 7,368 km country comparison to the world: 146 paved: 4,742 km unpaved: 2,626 km (2006) Merchant marine: total: 6 country comparison to the world: 129 by type: cargo 5, passenger/cargo 1 registered in other countries: 3 (Bahamas 2, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Bar Military ::Montenegro Military branches: Armed Forces of the Republic of Montenegro: Army, Navy, Air Force (2009) Military service age and obligation: compulsory national military service abolished August 2006 Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 154,029 females age 16-49: 136,847 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 3,945 female: 3,907 (2009 est.) Military - note: Montenegrin plans call for the establishment of a fully professional armed forces Transnational Issues ::Montenegro Disputes - international: none Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 7,000 (Kosovo); note - mostly ethnic Serbs and Roma who fled Kosovo in 1999 IDPs: 16,192 (ethnic conflict in 1999 and riots in 2004) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Montenegro is primarily a transit country for the trafficking of women and girls to Western Europe for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation; women and girls from the Balkans and Eastern Europe are trafficked across Montenegro to Western European countries tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Montenegro is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in persons in 2007; public attention to the issue of trafficking has diminished considerably in Montenegro in recent years (2008) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Montserrat (Central America and Caribbean) Introduction ::Montserrat Background: English and Irish colonists from St. Kitts first settled on Montserrat in 1632; the first African slaves arrived three decades later. The British and French fought for possession of the island for most of the 18th century, but it finally was confirmed as a British possession in 1783. The island's sugar plantation economy was converted to small farm landholdings in the mid 19th century. Much of this island was devastated and two-thirds of the population fled abroad because of the eruption of the Soufriere Hills Volcano that began on 18 July 1995. Montserrat has endured volcanic activity since, with the last eruption occurring in July 2003. Geography ::Montserrat Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, southeast of Puerto Rico Geographic coordinates: 16 45 N, 62 12 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 102 sq km country comparison to the world: 225 land: 102 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: about 0.6 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 40 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; little daily or seasonal temperature variation Terrain: volcanic island, mostly mountainous, with small coastal lowland Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: lava dome in English's Crater (in the Soufriere Hills volcanic complex) estimated at over 930 m (2006) Natural resources: NEGL Land use: arable land: 20% permanent crops: 0% other: 80% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: severe hurricanes (June to November); volcanic eruptions (Soufriere Hills volcano has erupted continuously since 1995) Environment - current issues: land erosion occurs on slopes that have been cleared for cultivation Geography - note: the island is entirely volcanic in origin and comprised of three major volcanic centers of differing ages People ::Montserrat Population: 5,097 country comparison to the world: 228 note: an estimated 8,000 refugees left the island following the resumption of volcanic activity in July 1995; some have returned (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 27.6% (male 731/female 678) 15-64 years: 65.5% (male 1,599/female 1,738) 65 years and over: 6.9% (male 232/female 119) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 28.5 years male: 28.2 years female: 28.7 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.392% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 167 Birth rate: 12.36 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 166 Death rate: 8.44 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 Net migration rate: NA Urbanization: urban population: 14% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.95 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 16.08 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 122 male: 12.01 deaths/1,000 live births female: 20.36 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.76 years country comparison to the world: 115 male: 74.74 years female: 70.68 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.23 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 216 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Montserratian(s) adjective: Montserratian Ethnic groups: black, white Religions: Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Seventh-Day Adventist, other Christian denominations Languages: English Literacy: definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 97% male: 97% female: 97% (1970 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 16 years male: 15 years female: 16 years (2006) Education expenditures: 3.3% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 137 Government ::Montserrat Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Montserrat Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK Government type: NA Capital: name: Plymouth geographic coordinates: 16 42 N, 62 13 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) note: Plymouth was abandoned in 1997 because of volcanic activity; interim government buildings have been built at Brades Estate in the Carr's Bay/Little Bay vicinity at the northwest end of Montserrat Administrative divisions: 3 parishes; Saint Anthony, Saint Georges, Saint Peter Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK) National holiday: Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926) Constitution: effective 19 December 1989 Legal system: English common law and statutory law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Peter A. WATERWORTH (since 27 July 2007) head of government: Chief Minister Rueben MEADE (since 10 September 2009) cabinet: Executive Council consists of the governor, the chief minister, 3 other ministers, the attorney general, and the finance secretary elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party usually becomes chief minister Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council (11 seats, 9 popularly elected; members serve five-year terms) note: expanded in 2001 from 7 to 9 elected members with attorney general and financial secretary sitting as ex-officio members elections: last held 8 September 2009 (next to be held by 2014) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MCAP 6, independents 3 note: in 2001, the Elections Commission instituted a single constituency/voter-at-large system whereby all eligible voters cast ballots for all nine seats of the Legislative Council 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 High Court) Political parties and leaders: Montserrat Democratic Party or MDP [Lowell LEWIS]; Movement for Change and Prosperity or MCAP [Roselyn CASSELL-SEALY]; New People's Liberation Movement or NPLM [John A. OSBORNE] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: Caricom, CDB, Interpol (subbureau), OECS, UPU, WFTU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Flag description: blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Montserratian coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms features a woman standing beside a yellow harp with her arm around a black cross Economy ::Montserrat Economy - overview: Severe volcanic activity, which began in July 1995, has put a damper on this small, open economy. A catastrophic eruption in June 1997 closed the airports and seaports, causing further economic and social dislocation. Two-thirds of the 12,000 inhabitants fled the island. Some began to return in 1998 but lack of housing limited the number. The agriculture sector continued to be affected by the lack of suitable land for farming and the destruction of crops. Prospects for the economy depend largely on developments in relation to the volcanic activity and on public sector construction activity. The UK has launched a three-year $122.8 million aid program to help reconstruct the economy. Half of the island is expected to remain uninhabitable for another decade. GDP (purchasing power parity): $29 million (2002 est.) country comparison to the world: 224 GDP (official exchange rate): $NA GDP - real growth rate: -1% (2002 est.) country comparison to the world: 208 GDP - per capita (PPP): $3,400 (2002 est.) country comparison to the world: 160 GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1.2% industry: 23.1% services: 75.7% (1999 est.) Labor force: NA Unemployment rate: 6% (1998 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $31.4 million expenditures: $31.6 million (1997 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.6% (2002 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 Central bank discount rate: 6.5% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 65 6.5% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 9.89% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 81 10.4% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $16.71 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 120 $17.9 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $45.42 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 123 $43.9 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $9.93 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 128 $5.537 million (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: cabbages, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, peppers; livestock products Industries: tourism, rum, textiles, electronic appliances Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 22 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 205 Electricity - consumption: 20.46 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 205 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 167 Oil - consumption: 1,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 196 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 185 Oil - imports: 520.6 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 198 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 160 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 160 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 155 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 Exports: $700,000 (2001) country comparison to the world: 219 Exports - commodities: electronic components, plastic bags, apparel; hot peppers, limes, live plants; cattle Imports: $17 million Imports - commodities: machinery and transportation equipment, foodstuffs, manufactured goods, fuels, lubricants, and related materials Debt - external: $8.9 million (1997) country comparison to the world: 198 Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2007), 2.7 (2006), 2.7 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003) note: fixed rate since 1976 Communications ::Montserrat Telephones - main lines in use: 2,800 (2008) country comparison to the world: 218 Telephones - mobile cellular: 3,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 214 Telephone system: general assessment: modern and fully digitalized domestic: fixed-line and mobile-cellular telephone systems available international: country code - 1-664; landing point for the East Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS) optic submarine cable with links to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997) Internet country code: .ms Internet hosts: 688 (2009) country comparison to the world: 168 Internet users: 1,200 (2008) country comparison to the world: 211 Transportation ::Montserrat Airports: 2 (2009) country comparison to the world: 207 Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Roadways: note: volcanic eruptions that began in 1995 destroyed most of the 227 km road system; a new road infrastructure has been built in the north end of the island (2008) Ports and terminals: Little Bay, Plymouth Military ::Montserrat Military branches: no regular military forces; Royal Montserrat Police Force (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 2,528 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,126 females age 16-49: 1,226 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 36 female: 33 (2009 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Transnational Issues ::Montserrat Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe page last updated on November 4, 2009 ====================================================================== @Morocco (Africa) Introduction ::Morocco Background: In 788, about a century after the Arab conquest of North Africa, successive Moorish dynasties began to rule in Morocco. In the 16th century, the Sa'adi monarchy, particularly under Ahmad AL-MANSUR (1578-1603), repelled foreign invaders and inaugurated a golden age. In 1860, Spain occupied northern Morocco and ushered in a half century of trade rivalry among European powers that saw Morocco's sovereignty steadily erode; in 1912, the French imposed a protectorate over the country. A protracted independence struggle with France ended successfully in 1956. The internationalized city of Tangier and most Spanish possessions were turned over to the new country that same year. Morocco virtually annexed Western Sahara during the late 1970s, but final resolution on the status of the territory remains unresolved. Gradual political reforms in the 1990s resulted in the establishment of a bicameral legislature, which first met in 1997. The country has made improvements in human rights under King MOHAMMED VI and its press is moderately free. Despite the continuing reforms, ultimate authority remains in the hands of the monarch. Geography ::Morocco Location: Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Western Sahara Geographic coordinates: 32 00 N, 5 00 W Map references: Africa Area: total: 446,550 sq km country comparison to the world: 57 land: 446,300 sq km water: 250 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than California Land boundaries: total: 2,017.9 km border countries: Algeria 1,559 km, Western Sahara 443 km, Spain (Ceuta) 6.3 km, Spain (Melilla) 9.6 km Coastline: 1,835 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: Mediterranean, becoming more extreme in the interior Terrain: northern coast and interior are mountainous with large areas of bordering plateaus, intermontane valleys, and rich coastal plains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Sebkha Tah -55 m highest point: Jebel Toubkal 4,165 m Natural resources: phosphates, iron ore, manganese, lead, zinc, fish, salt Land use: arable land: 19% permanent crops: 2% other: 79% (2005) Irrigated land: 14,450 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 29 cu km (2003) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 12.6 cu km/yr (10%/3%/87%) per capita: 400 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: northern mountains geologically unstable and subject to earthquakes; periodic droughts Environment - current issues: land degradation/desertification (soil erosion resulting from farming of marginal areas, overgrazing, destruction of vegetation); water supplies contaminated by raw sewage; siltation of reservoirs; oil pollution of coastal waters Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification Geography - note: strategic location along Strait of Gibraltar People ::Morocco Population: 34,859,364 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 Age structure: 0-14 years: 30% (male 5,333,396/female 5,131,886) 15-64 years: 64.7% (male 11,261,139/female 11,305,792) 65 years and over: 5.2% (male 781,089/female 1,046,062) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 25 years male: 24.5 years female: 25.6 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.479% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 93 Birth rate: 20.96 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 Death rate: 5.45 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 178 Net migration rate: -0.72 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 116 Urbanization: urban population: 56% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 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: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 36.88 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 69 male: 40.35 deaths/1,000 live births female: 33.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.8 years country comparison to the world: 125 male: 69.42 years female: 74.3 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.51 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 21,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 1,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 Nationality: noun: Moroccan(s) adjective: Moroccan Ethnic groups: Arab-Berber 99.1%, other 0.7%, Jewish 0.2% Religions: Muslim 98.7%, Christian 1.1%, Jewish 0.2% Languages: Arabic (official), Berber dialects, French often the language of business, government, and diplomacy Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 52.3% male: 65.7% female: 39.6% (2004 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 10 years male: 11 years female: 9 years (2005) Education expenditures: NA Government ::Morocco Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Morocco conventional short form: Morocco local long form: Al Mamlakah al Maghribiyah local short form: Al Maghrib Government type: constitutional monarchy Capital: name: Rabat geographic coordinates: 34 01 N, 6 49 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 15 regions; Grand Casablanca, Chaouia-Ouardigha, Doukkala-Abda, Fes-Boulemane, Gharb-Chrarda-Beni Hssen, Guelmim-Es Smara, Laayoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra, Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz, Meknes-Tafilalet, Oriental, Rabat-Sale-Zemmour-Zaer, Souss-Massa-Draa, Tadla-Azilal, Tanger-Tetouan, Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate note: Morocco claims the territory of Western Sahara, the political status of which is considered undetermined by the US Government; portions of the regions Guelmim-Es Smara and Laayoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra as claimed by Morocco lie within Western Sahara; Morocco also claims Oued Eddahab-Lagouira, another region which falls entirely within Western Sahara Independence: 2 March 1956 (from France) National holiday: Throne Day (accession of King MOHAMMED VI to the throne), 30 July (1999) Constitution: 10 March 1972; revised 4 September 1992, amended September 1996 note: the amendment of September 1996 was to create a bicameral legislature Legal system: based on Islamic law and French and Spanish civil law systems; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Chamber of Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal (as of January 2003) Executive branch: chief of state: King MOHAMMED VI (since 30 July 1999) head of government: Prime Minister Abbas EL FASSI (since 19 September 2007) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch elections: the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch following legislative elections Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of a Chamber of Counselors (or upper house) (270 seats; members elected indirectly by local councils, professional organizations, and labor syndicates for nine-year terms; one-third of the members are elected every three years) and Chamber of Representatives (or lower house) (325 seats; 295 members elected by multi-seat constituencies and 30 from national lists of women; members elected by popular vote for five-year terms) elections: Chamber of Counselors - last held 8 September 2006 (next to be held in 2009); Chamber of Representatives - last held 7 September 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: Chamber of Counselors - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PI 17, MP 14, RNI 13, USFP 11, UC 6, PND 4, PPS 4, Al Ahd 4, other 17; Chamber of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PI 52, PJD 46, MP 41, RNI 39, USFP 38, UC 27, PPS 17, FFD 9, MDS 9, Al Ahd 8, other 39 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges are appointed on the recommendation of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary, presided over by the monarch) Political parties and leaders: Action Party or PA [Mohammed EL IDRISSI]; Al Ahd (The Covenant) Party [Najib EL OUAZZANI]; Alliance des Libert'es (Alliance of Liberty) or ADL [Ali BELHAJ]; An-Nahj Ad-Dimocrati or An-Nahj [Abdellah EL HARIF]; Authenticity and Modernity Party or PAM [Mohamed Cheikh BIADILLAH, Secretary General]; Choura et Istiqlal (Consultation and Independence) Party or PCI [Abdelwahed MAACH]; Citizens' Forces or FC [Abderrahman LAHJOUJI]; Citizenship and Development Initiative or ICD [Mohamed BENHAMOU]; Constitutional Union Party or UC [Mohammed ABIED]; Democratic and Social Movement or MDS [Mahmoud ARCHANE]; Democratic Forces Front or FFD [Touhami EL KHIARI]; Democratic Socialist Vanguard Party or PADS [Ahmed BENJELLOUN]; Democratic Society Party or PSD [Zhor CHEKKAFI]; Democratic Union or UD [Bouazza IKKEN]; Environment and Development Party or PED [Ahmed EL ALAMI]; Istiqlal (Independence) Party or PI [Abbas EL FASSI]; Justice and Development Party or PJD [Abdelilah BENKIRANE]; Labor Party or PT [Abdelkrim BENATIK]; Moroccan Liberal Party or PML [Mohamed ZIANE]; National Democratic Party or PND [Abdallah KADIRI]; National Ittihadi Congress Party or CNI [Abdelmajid BOUZOUBAA]; National Popular Movement or MNP [Mahjoubi AHERDANE]; National Rally of Independents or RNI [Mustapha EL MANSOURI]; National Union of Popular Forces or UNFP [Abdellah IBRAHIM]; Popular Movement or MP [Mohamed LAENSER]; Progress and Socialism Party or PPS [Ismail ALAOUI]; Reform and Development Party or PRD [Abderrahmane EL KOUHEN]; Renaissance and Virtue Party or PRV [Mohamed KHALIDI]; Renewal and Equity Party or PRE [Chakir ACHABAR]; Social Center Party or PSC [Lahcen MADIH]; Socialist Democratic Party or PSD [Aissa OUARDIGHI]; Socialist Union of Popular Forces or USFP [Abdelwahed RADI]; Unified Socialist Left Party or PGSU [Mohamed Ben Said AIT IDDER] Political pressure groups and leaders: Democratic Confederation of Labor or CDT [Noubir AMAOUI]; General Union of Moroccan Workers or UGTM [Abderrazzak AFILAL]; Moroccan Employers Association or CGEM [Hassan CHAMI]; National Labor Union of Morocco or UNMT [Abdelslam MAATI]; Union of Moroccan Workers or UMT [Mahjoub BENSEDDIK] International organization participation: ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, EBRD, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Aziz MEKOUAR chancery: 1601 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 462-7979 FAX: [1] (202) 265-0161 consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Robert P. JACKSON embassy: 2 Avenue de Mohamed El Fassi, Rabat mailing address: PSC 74, Box 021, APO AE 09718 telephone: [212] (37) 76 22 65 FAX: [212] (37) 76 56 61 consulate(s) general: Casablanca Flag description: red with a green pentacle (five-pointed, linear star) known as Sulayman's (Solomon's) seal in the center of the flag; red and green are traditional colors in Arab flags, although the use of red is more commonly associated with the Arab states of the Persian gulf; design dates to 1912 Economy ::Morocco Economy - overview: Moroccan economic policies brought macroeconomic stability to the country in the early 1990s but have not spurred growth sufficient to reduce unemployment - nearing 20% in urban areas - despite the Moroccan Government's ongoing efforts to diversify the economy. Morocco's GDP growth rose to 5.9% in 2008, with the economy recovering from a drought in 2007 that severely reduced agricultural output and necessitated wheat imports at rising world prices. Moroccan authorities understand that reducing poverty and providing jobs are key to domestic security and development. In 2005, Morocco launched the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH), a $2 billion social development plan to address poverty and unemployment and to improve the living conditions of the country's urban slums. Moroccan authorities are implementing reform efforts to open the economy to international investors. Despite structural adjustment programs supported by the IMF, the World Bank, and the Paris Club, the dirham is only fully convertible for current account transactions. In 2000, Morocco entered an Association Agreement with the EU and, in 2006, entered a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US. Long-term challenges include improving education and job prospects for Morocco's youth, and closing the income gap between the rich and the poor, which the government hopes to achieve by increasing tourist arrivals and boosting competitiveness in textiles. GDP (purchasing power parity): $137.9 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 59 $129.9 billion (2007 est.) $125.9 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $88.88 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 3.2% (2007 est.) 7.8% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $4,500 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 148 $4,200 (2007 est.) $4,200 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 15.7% industry: 30.1% services: 54.1% (2008 est.) Labor force: 11.29 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 44.6% industry: 19.8% services: 35.5% (2006 est.) Unemployment rate: 9.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 9.8% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 15% (2007 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.7% highest 10%: 33.2% (2007) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 40 (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 39.5 (1999 est.) Investment (gross fixed): 32.1% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 17 Budget: revenues: $26.16 billion expenditures: $27.93 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 55.6% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 70.2% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 2% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 3.32% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 132 3.25% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: NA% Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $67.42 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) $16.23 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $71.9 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $65.75 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 52 $75.49 billion (31 December 2007) $49.36 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: barley, wheat, citrus, wine, vegetables, olives; livestock Industries: phosphate rock mining and processing, food processing, leather goods, textiles, construction, tourism Industrial production growth rate: 4.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 Electricity - production: 21.56 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 Electricity - consumption: 20.78 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 3.455 billion kWh (2007 est.) Oil - production: 4,310 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 Oil - consumption: 187,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 Oil - exports: 17,420 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 Oil - imports: 195,800 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 Oil - proved reserves: 750,000 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 Natural gas - production: 60 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 Natural gas - consumption: 560 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 151 Natural gas - imports: 500 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 59 Natural gas - proved reserves: 1.501 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 Current account balance: -$5.836 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 160 -$224 million (2007 est.) Exports: $20.17 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 $15.15 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: clothing and textiles, electric components, inorganic chemicals, transistors, crude minerals, fertilizers (including phosphates), petroleum products, citrus fruits, vegetables, fish Exports - partners: Spain 19.2%, France 17.6%, Brazil 7.1%, US 4.5%, Belgium 4.5%, Italy 4.3% (2008) Imports: $39.35 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 $29.32 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: crude petroleum, textile fabric, telecommunications equipment, wheat, gas and electricity, transistors, plastics Imports - partners: France 16.1%, Spain 13.5%, Italy 6.5%, China 6%, Germany 5.6%, Saudi Arabia 5.4%, Moldova 5% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $22.72 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 $24.72 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $20.12 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 $19.91 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $40.92 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $966 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 $1.337 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: Moroccan dirhams (MAD) per US dollar - 7.526 (2008 est.), 8.3563 (2007), 8.7722 (2006), 8.865 (2005), 8.868 (2004) Communications ::Morocco Telephones - main lines in use: 2.991 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 50 Telephones - mobile cellular: 22.816 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 35 Telephone system: general assessment: modern system with all important capabilities; however, density is low with only 9 fixed lines available for each 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership reached 65 per 100 persons in 2008 domestic: good system composed of open-wire lines, cables, and microwave radio relay links; Internet available but expensive; principal switching centers are Casablanca and Rabat; national network nearly 100% digital using fiber-optic links; improved rural service employs microwave radio relay international: country code - 212; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 optical telecommunications submarine cable that provides connectivity to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; microwave radio relay to Gibraltar, Spain, and Western Sahara; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Algeria; participant in Medarabtel; fiber-optic cable link from Agadir to Algeria and Tunisia (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 27, FM 25, shortwave 6 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 35 (plus 66 repeaters) (1995) Internet country code: .ma Internet hosts: 276,521 (2009) country comparison to the world: 57 Internet users: 10.3 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 31 Transportation ::Morocco Airports: 58 (2009) country comparison to the world: 81 Airports - with paved runways: total: 32 over 3,047 m: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 26 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 8 (2009) Heliports: 1 (2009) Pipelines: gas 830 km; oil 439 km (2008) Railways: total: 1,907 km country comparison to the world: 74 standard gauge: 1,907 km 1.435-m gauge (1,022 km electrified) (2008) Roadways: total: 57,625 km country comparison to the world: 76 paved: 35,664 km (includes 639 km of expressways) unpaved: 21,961 km (2006) Merchant marine: total: 35 country comparison to the world: 81 by type: cargo 3, chemical tanker 6, container 8, passenger/cargo 13, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 4 foreign-owned: 16 (France 14, Germany 2) registered in other countries: 4 (Gibraltar 4) (2008) Ports and terminals: Agadir, Casablanca, Mohammedia, Safi Military ::Morocco Military branches: Royal Armed Forces (Forces Armees Royales, FAR): Royal Moroccan Army (includes Air Defense), Navy (includes Marines), Royal Moroccan Air Force (Al Quwwat al Jawyiya al Malakiya Marakishiya; Force Aerienne Royale Marocaine) (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 18 months (2004) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 9,152,580 females age 16-49: 9,080,830 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 7,779,589 females age 16-49: 7,881,024 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 356,014 female: 343,520 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 5% of GDP (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 Transnational Issues ::Morocco Disputes - international: claims and administers Western Sahara whose sovereignty remains unresolved - UN-administered cease-fire has remained in effect since September 1991, but attempts to hold a referendum have failed and parties thus far have rejected all brokered proposals; Morocco protests Spain's control over the coastal enclaves of Ceuta, Melilla, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera, the islands of Penon de Alhucemas and Islas Chafarinas, and surrounding waters; discussions have not progressed on a comprehensive maritime delimitation, setting limits on resource exploration and refugee interdiction, since Morocco's 2002 rejection of Spain's unilateral designation of a median line from the Canary Islands; Morocco serves as one of the primary launching areas of illegal migration into Spain from North Africa Illicit drugs: one of the world's largest producers of illicit hashish; shipments of hashish mostly directed to Western Europe; transit point for cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe; significant consumer of cannabis page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Mozambique (Africa) Introduction ::Mozambique Background: Almost five centuries as a Portuguese colony came to a close with independence in 1975. Large-scale emigration, economic dependence on South Africa, a severe drought, and a prolonged civil war hindered the country's development until the mid 1990's. The ruling Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO) party formally abandoned Marxism in 1989, and a new constitution the following year provided for multiparty elections and a free market economy. A UN-negotiated peace agreement between FRELIMO and rebel Mozambique National Resistance (RENAMO) forces ended the fighting in 1992. In December 2004, Mozambique underwent a delicate transition as Joaquim CHISSANO stepped down after 18 years in office. His elected successor, Armando Emilio GUEBUZA, promised to continue the sound economic policies that have encouraged foreign investment. Mozambique has seen very strong economic growth since the end of the civil war largely due to post-conflict reconstruction. Geography ::Mozambique Location: Southeastern Africa, bordering the Mozambique Channel, between South Africa and Tanzania Geographic coordinates: 18 15 S, 35 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 799,380 sq km country comparison to the world: 35 land: 786,380 sq km water: 13,000 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of California Land boundaries: total: 4,571 km border countries: Malawi 1,569 km, South Africa 491 km, Swaziland 105 km, Tanzania 756 km, Zambia 419 km, Zimbabwe 1,231 km Coastline: 2,470 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical to subtropical Terrain: mostly coastal lowlands, uplands in center, high plateaus in northwest, mountains in west Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Monte Binga 2,436 m Natural resources: coal, titanium, natural gas, hydropower, tantalum, graphite Land use: arable land: 5.43% permanent crops: 0.29% other: 94.28% (2005) Irrigated land: 1,180 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 216 cu km (1992) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.63 cu km/yr (11%/2%/87%) per capita: 32 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: severe droughts; devastating cyclones and floods in central and southern provinces Environment - current issues: a long civil war and recurrent drought in the hinterlands have resulted in increased migration of the population to urban and coastal areas with adverse environmental consequences; desertification; pollution of surface and coastal waters; elephant poaching for ivory is a problem Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: the Zambezi flows through the north-central and most fertile part of the country People ::Mozambique Population: 21,669,278 country comparison to the world: 52 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected; the 1997 Mozambican census reported a population of 16,099,246 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 44.3% (male 4,829,272/female 4,773,209) 15-64 years: 52.8% (male 5,605,227/female 5,842,679) 65 years and over: 2.9% (male 257,119/female 361,772) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 17.4 years male: 17 years female: 17.8 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.791% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 Birth rate: 37.98 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 Death rate: 20.07 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 37% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 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 total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 105.8 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 7 male: 108.57 deaths/1,000 live births female: 103 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 41.18 years country comparison to the world: 220 male: 41.83 years female: 40.53 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.18 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 12.5% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 8 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 1.5 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 81,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 8 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and plague water contact disease: schistosomiasis animal contact disease: rabies (2009) Nationality: noun: Mozambican(s) adjective: Mozambican Ethnic groups: African 99.66% (Makhuwa, Tsonga, Lomwe, Sena, and others), Europeans 0.06%, Euro-Africans 0.2%, Indians 0.08% Religions: Catholic 23.8%, Muslim 17.8%, Zionist Christian 17.5%, other 17.8%, none 23.1% (1997 census) Languages: Emakhuwa 26.1%, Xichangana 11.3%, Portuguese 8.8% (official; spoken by 27% of population as a second language), Elomwe 7.6%, Cisena 6.8%, Echuwabo 5.8%, other Mozambican languages 32%, other foreign languages 0.3%, unspecified 1.3% (1997 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 47.8% male: 63.5% female: 32.7% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 8 years male: 9 years female: 7 years (2005) Education expenditures: 5% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 75 Government ::Mozambique Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Mozambique conventional short form: Mozambique local long form: Republica de Mocambique local short form: Mocambique former: Portuguese East Africa Government type: republic Capital: name: Maputo geographic coordinates: 25 57 S, 32 35 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 10 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia), 1 city (cidade)*; Cabo Delgado, Gaza, Inhambane, Manica, Maputo, Cidade de Maputo*, Nampula, Niassa, Sofala, Tete, Zambezia Independence: 25 June 1975 (from Portugal) National holiday: Independence Day, 25 June (1975) Constitution: 30 November 1990 Legal system: based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Armando GUEBUZA (since 2 February 2005) head of government: Prime Minister Luisa DIOGO (since 17 February 2004) cabinet: Cabinet elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 28 October 2009 (next to be held in 2014); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Armando GUEBUZA relected president; percent of vote - Armando GUEBUZA 76.3%, Afonso DHLAKAMA 14.9%, Daviz SIMANGO 8.8% Legislative branch: unicameral Assembly of the Republic or Assembleia da Republica (250 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 1-2 December 2004 (next to be held on 28 October 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - FRELIMO 62%, RENAMO 29.7%, other 8.3%; seats by party - FRELIMO 160, RENAMO 90 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (the court of final appeal; some of its professional judges are appointed by the president, and some are elected by the Assembly); other courts include an Administrative Court, Constitutional Court, customs courts, maritime courts, courts marshal, labor courts Political parties and leaders: Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frente de Liberatacao de Mocambique) or FRELIMO [Armando Emilio GUEBUZA]; Mozambique National Resistance (Resistencia Nacional Mocambicana) or RENAMO [Afonso DHLAKAMA] Political pressure groups and leaders: Mozambican League of Human Rights (Liga Mocambicana dos Direitos Humanos) or LDH [Alice MABOTE, president] International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, C, CPLP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OIF (observer), OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Armando PANGUENE chancery: 1525 New Hampshire Avenue, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 293-7146 FAX: [1] (202) 835-0245 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Todd C. CHAPMAN embassy: Avenida Kenneth Kuanda 193, Maputo mailing address: P. O. Box 783, Maputo telephone: [258] (21) 492797 FAX: [258] (21) 490114 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), black, and yellow with a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; the black band is edged in white; centered in the triangle is a yellow five-pointed star bearing a crossed rifle and hoe in black superimposed on an open white book Economy ::Mozambique Economy - overview: At independence in 1975, Mozambique was one of the world's poorest countries. Socialist mismanagement and a brutal civil war from 1977-92 exacerbated the situation. In 1987, the government embarked on a series of macroeconomic reforms designed to stabilize the economy. These steps, combined with donor assistance and with political stability since the multi-party elections in 1994, have led to dramatic improvements in the country's growth rate. Inflation was reduced to single digits during the late 1990s, and although it returned to double digits in 2000-06, in 2007 inflation had slowed to 8%, while GDP growth reached 7.5%. Fiscal reforms, including the introduction of a value-added tax and reform of the customs service, have improved the government's revenue collection abilities. In spite of these gains, Mozambique remains dependent upon foreign assistance for much of its annual budget, and the majority of the population remains below the poverty line. Subsistence agriculture continues to employ the vast majority of the country's work force. A substantial trade imbalance persists although the opening of the Mozal aluminum smelter, the country's largest foreign investment project to date, has increased export earnings. At the end of 2007, and after years of negotiations, the government took over Portugal's majority share of the Cahora Bassa Hydroelectricity (HCB) company, a dam that was not transferred to Mozambique at independence because of the ensuing civil war and unpaid debts. More power is needed for additional investment projects in titanium extraction and processing and garment manufacturing that could further close the import/export gap. Mozambique's once substantial foreign debt has been reduced through forgiveness and rescheduling under the IMF's Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) and Enhanced HIPC initiatives, and is now at a manageable level. In July 2007 the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) signed a Compact with Mozambique; the Compact entered into force in September 2008 and will continue for five years. Compact projects will focus on improving sanitation, roads, agriculture, and the business regulation environment in an effort to spur economic growth in the four northern provinces of the country. GDP (purchasing power parity): $19.11 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 $17.89 billion (2007 est.) $16.66 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $9.897 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 7.4% (2007 est.) 8.5% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $900 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 215 $900 (2007 est.) $800 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 23.5% industry: 30.9% services: 45.6% (2008 est.) Labor force: 9.65 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 81% industry: 6% services: 13% (1997 est.) Unemployment rate: 21% (1997 est.) country comparison to the world: 169 Population below poverty line: 70% (2001 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.1% highest 10%: 39.2% (2003) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 47.3 (2002) country comparison to the world: 34 39.6 (1997) Investment (gross fixed): 24.9% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 Budget: revenues: $2.801 billion expenditures: $3.28 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 21.4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 22.2% of GDP (2007 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 8.2% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 9.95% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 43 9.95% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 18.31% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 17 19.52% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $1.406 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 79 $1.261 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $1.752 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 85 $1.467 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $1.315 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 103 $877.2 million (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: cotton, cashew nuts, sugarcane, tea, cassava (tapioca), corn, coconuts, sisal, citrus and tropical fruits, potatoes, sunflowers; beef, poultry Industries: food, beverages, chemicals (fertilizer, soap, paints), aluminum, petroleum products, textiles, cement, glass, asbestos, tobacco Industrial production growth rate: 9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 17 Electricity - production: 15.91 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 Electricity - consumption: 10.16 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 83 Electricity - exports: 11.82 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 8.278 billion kWh (2007 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 159 Oil - consumption: 16,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 179 Oil - imports: 13,760 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 154 Natural gas - production: 3.3 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 Natural gas - consumption: 100 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 101 Natural gas - exports: 3.2 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 30 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 152 Natural gas - proved reserves: 127.4 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 Current account balance: -$975.3 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 116 -$785.3 million (2007 est.) Exports: $2.653 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 125 $2.412 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: aluminum, prawns, cashews, cotton, sugar, citrus, timber; bulk electricity Exports - partners: Netherlands 55.5%, South Africa 9.2%, Zimbabwe 2.1% (2008) Imports: $3.458 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 $2.811 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, chemicals, metal products, foodstuffs, textiles Imports - partners: South Africa 27.4%, Netherlands 15.7%, China 4.3% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $1.578 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 116 $1.445 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $3.826 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 $4.189 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: meticais (MZM) per US dollar - 24.125 (2008 est.), 26.264 (2007), 25.4 (2006), 23,061 (2005), 22,581 (2004) note: in 2006 Mozambique revalued its currency, with 1000 old meticais equal to 1 new meticais Communications ::Mozambique Telephones - main lines in use: 78,300 (2008) country comparison to the world: 150 Telephones - mobile cellular: 4.405 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 92 Telephone system: general assessment: fair system with an extremely low density of less than 1 fixed line per 100 persons domestic: the telecommunications sector is shackled with a heavy state presence, lack of competition, and high operating costs and charges; stagnation in the fixed-line network contrasts with rapid growth in the mobile-cellular network; mobile-cellular coverage now includes all the main cities and key roads, including those from Maputo to the South African and Swaziland borders, the national highway through Gaza and Inhambane provinces, the Beira corridor, and from Nampula to Nacala international: country code - 258; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 3 Indian Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 13, FM 17, shortwave 11 (2001) Television broadcast stations: 4 (2008) Internet country code: .mz Internet hosts: 21,388 (2009) country comparison to the world: 103 Internet users: 350,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 119 Transportation ::Mozambique Airports: 105 (2009) country comparison to the world: 55 Airports - with paved runways: total: 23 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 5 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 82 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 33 under 914 m: 39 (2009) Pipelines: gas 918 km; refined products 278 km (2008) Railways: total: 4,787 km country comparison to the world: 37 narrow gauge: 4,787 km 1.067-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 30,400 km country comparison to the world: 96 paved: 5,685 km unpaved: 24,715 km (2000) Waterways: 460 km (Zambezi River navigable to Tete and along Cahora Bassa Lake) (2008) country comparison to the world: 85 Merchant marine: total: 2 country comparison to the world: 147 by type: cargo 2 foreign-owned: 2 (Belgium 2) (2008) Ports and terminals: Beira, Maputo, Nacala Military ::Mozambique Military branches: Mozambique Armed Defense Forces (FADM): Mozambique Army, Mozambique Navy (Marinha Mocambique, MM), Mozambique Air Force (Forca Aerea de Mocambique, FAM) (2006) Military service age and obligation: 19-35 years of age for compulsory military service; 18 years of age for voluntary service; 2-year service obligation (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 4,545,975 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 2,366,897 females age 16-49: 2,209,764 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 263,994 female: 265,058 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 0.8% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 149 Transnational Issues ::Mozambique Disputes - international: none Trafficking in persons: current situation: Mozambique is a source and, to a much lesser extent, a destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and sexual exploitation; the use of forced and bonded child laborers is a common practice in Mozambique's rural areas; women and girls are trafficked from rural to urban areas of Mozambique, as well as to South Africa, for domestic servitude and commercial sexual exploitation; young men and boys are trafficked to South Africa for farm work and mining tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - for the second consecutive year, Mozambique is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking in 2007; while the government conducted investigations into cases of human trafficking, there were no prosecutions or convictions of traffickers; government efforts to protect victims of trafficking continued to suffer from limited resources and a lack of political commitment (2008) Illicit drugs: southern African transit point for South Asian hashish and heroin, and South American cocaine probably destined for the European and South African markets; producer of cannabis (for local consumption) and methaqualone (for export to South Africa); corruption and poor regulatory capability makes the banking system vulnerable to money laundering, but the lack of a well-developed financial infrastructure limits the country's utility as a money-laundering center page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Namibia (Africa) Introduction ::Namibia Background: South Africa occupied the German colony of South-West Africa during World War I and administered it as a mandate until after World War II, when it annexed the territory. In 1966 the Marxist South-West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) guerrilla group launched a war of independence for the area that became Namibia, but it was not until 1988 that South Africa agreed to end its administration in accordance with a UN peace plan for the entire region. Namibia has been governed by SWAPO since the country won independence in 1990. Hifikepunye POHAMBA was elected president in November 2004 in a landslide victory replacing Sam NUJOMA who led the country during its first 14 years of self rule. Geography ::Namibia Location: Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and South Africa Geographic coordinates: 22 00 S, 17 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 824,292 sq km country comparison to the world: 34 land: 823,290 sq km water: 1,002 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than half the size of Alaska Land boundaries: total: 3,936 km border countries: Angola 1,376 km, Botswana 1,360 km, South Africa 967 km, Zambia 233 km Coastline: 1,572 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic Terrain: mostly high plateau; Namib Desert along coast; Kalahari Desert in east Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Konigstein 2,606 m Natural resources: diamonds, copper, uranium, gold, silver, lead, tin, lithium, cadmium, tungsten, zinc, salt, hydropower, fish note: suspected deposits of oil, coal, and iron ore Land use: arable land: 0.99% permanent crops: 0.01% other: 99% (2005) Irrigated land: 80 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 45.5 cu km (1991) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.3 cu km/yr (24%/5%/71%) per capita: 148 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: prolonged periods of drought Environment - current issues: limited natural fresh water resources; desertification; wildlife poaching; land degradation has led to few conservation areas Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: first country in the world to incorporate the protection of the environment into its constitution; some 14% of the land is protected, including virtually the entire Namib Desert coastal strip People ::Namibia Population: 2,108,665 country comparison to the world: 143 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 35.9% (male 381,904/female 375,059) 15-64 years: 60.2% (male 641,995/female 627,146) 65 years and over: 3.9% (male 36,894/female 45,667) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 21 years male: 20.9 years female: 21.1 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.95% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 131 Birth rate: 22.51 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 Death rate: 13.3 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 Net migration rate: 0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 Urbanization: urban population: 37% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 45.51 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 55 male: 48.98 deaths/1,000 live births female: 41.94 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 51.24 years country comparison to the world: 205 male: 51.61 years female: 50.86 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.69 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 15.3% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 200,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 5,100 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2009) Nationality: noun: Namibian(s) adjective: Namibian Ethnic groups: black 87.5%, white 6%, mixed 6.5% note: about 50% of the population belong to the Ovambo tribe and 9% to the Kavangos tribe; other ethnic groups include Herero 7%, Damara 7%, Nama 5%, Caprivian 4%, Bushmen 3%, Baster 2%, Tswana 0.5% Religions: Christian 80% to 90% (Lutheran 50% at least), indigenous beliefs 10% to 20% Languages: English 7% (official), Afrikaans common language of most of the population and about 60% of the white population, German 32%, indigenous languages 1% (includes Oshivambo, Herero, Nama) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 85% male: 86.8% female: 83.5% (2001 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 11 years (2006) Education expenditures: 6.9% of GDP (2003) country comparison to the world: 26 Government ::Namibia Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Namibia conventional short form: Namibia local long form: Republic of Namibia local short form: Namibia former: German Southwest Africa, South-West Africa Government type: republic Capital: name: Windhoek geographic coordinates: 22 34 S, 17 05 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in September; ends first Sunday in April Administrative divisions: 13 regions; Caprivi, Erongo, Hardap, Karas, Khomas, Kunene, Ohangwena, Okavango, Omaheke, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa Independence: 21 March 1990 (from South African mandate) National holiday: Independence Day, 21 March (1990) Constitution: ratified 9 February 1990, effective 12 March 1990 Legal system: based on Roman-Dutch law and 1990 constitution; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Hifikepunye POHAMBA (since 21 March 2005) head of government: Prime Minister Nahas ANGULA (since 21 March 2005) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 15 November 2004 (next to be held in November 2009) election results: Hifikepunye POHAMBA elected president; percent of vote - Hifikepunye POHAMBA 76.4%, Den ULENGA 7.3%, Katuutire KAURA 5.1%, Kuaima RIRUAKO 4.2%, Justus GAROEB 3.8%, other 3.2% Legislative branch: bicameral legislature consists of the National Council (26 seats; two members are chosen from each regional council to serve six-year terms) and the National Assembly (72 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: National Council - elections for regional councils to determine members of the National Council held 29-30 November 2004 (next to be held in November 2010); National Assembly - last held 15-16 November 2004 (next to be held in November 2009) election results: National Council - percent of vote by party - SWAPO 89.7%, UDF 4.7%, NUDO 2.8%, DTA 1.9%, other 0.9%; seats by party - SWAPO 24, UDF 1, DTA 1; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - SWAPO 76.1%, COD 7.3%, DTA 5.1%, NUDO 4.2%, UDF 3.6%, RP 1.9%, MAG 0.8%, other 1.0%; seats by party - SWAPO 55, COD 5, DTA 4, NUDO 3, UDF 3, RP 1, MAG 1 note: the National Council is primarily an advisory body Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission) Political parties and leaders: All People's Party or APP [Ignatius SHIXWAMENI]; Congress of Democrats or COD [Ben ULENGA]; Democratic Turnhalle Alliance of Namibia or DTA [Katuutire KAURA]; Monitor Action Group or MAG [Jurie VILJOEN]; National Democratic Movement for Change or NamDMC; National Unity Democratic Organization or NUDO [Kuaima RIRUAKO]; Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Hidipo HAMUTENYA]; Republican Party or RP [Henk MUDGE]; South West Africa National Union or SWANU [Usutuaije MAAMBERUA]; South West Africa People's Organization or SWAPO [Hifikepunye POHAMBA]; United Democratic Front or UDF [Justus GAROEB] Political pressure groups and leaders: Earthlife Namibia [Berthchen KOHRS] (environmentalist group); National Society for Human Rights or NSHR; The World Information Services of Energy or WISE (group against nuclear power) International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Patrick NANDAGO chancery: 1605 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 986-0540 FAX: [1] (202) 986-0443 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador G. Dennise MATHIEU embassy: 14 Lossen Street, Windhoek mailing address: Private Bag 12029 Ausspannplatz, Windhoek telephone: [264] (61) 295-8500 FAX: [264] (61) 295-8603 Flag description: a wide red stripe edged by narrow white stripes divides the flag diagonally from lower hoist corner to upper fly corner; the upper hoist-side triangle is blue and charged with a yellow, 12-rayed sunburst; the lower fly-side triangle is green Economy ::Namibia Economy - overview: The economy is heavily dependent on the extraction and processing of minerals for export. Mining accounts for 8% of GDP, but provides more than 50% of foreign exchange earnings. Rich alluvial diamond deposits make Namibia a primary source for gem-quality diamonds. Namibia is the fourth-largest exporter of nonfuel minerals in Africa, the world's fifth-largest producer of uranium, and the producer of large quantities of lead, zinc, tin, silver, and tungsten. The mining sector employs only about 3% of the population while about half of the population depends on subsistence agriculture for its livelihood. Namibia normally imports about 50% of its cereal requirements; in drought years food shortages are a major problem in rural areas. A high per capita GDP, relative to the region, hides one of the world's most unequal income distributions. The Namibian economy is closely linked to South Africa with the Namibian dollar pegged one-to-one to the South African rand. Increased payments from the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) put Namibia's budget into surplus in 2007 for the first time since independence, but SACU payments will decline after 2008 as part of a new revenue sharing formula. Increased fish production and mining of zinc, copper, uranium, and silver spurred growth in 2003-07, but growth in recent years was undercut by poor fish catches and high costs for metal inputs. GDP (purchasing power parity): $13.28 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 136 $12.9 billion (2007 est.) $12.23 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $8.835 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 5.5% (2007 est.) 7.1% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $6,400 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 $6,200 (2007 est.) $6,000 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 9% industry: 37% services: 54% (2008 est.) Labor force: 686,000 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 47% industry: 20% services: 33% (1999 est.) Unemployment rate: 5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 Population below poverty line: the UNDP's 2005 Human Development Report indicated that 34.9% of the population live on $1 per day and 55.8% live on $2 per day Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.5% highest 10%: 64.5% (2003) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 70.7 (2003) country comparison to the world: 1 Investment (gross fixed): 23.4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 Budget: revenues: $2.661 billion expenditures: $2.745 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 20% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 38.5% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 6.7% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 10% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 35 10.5% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 13.74% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 61 12.88% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $1.983 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 72 $2.149 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $1.158 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 93 $1.493 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $3.43 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 86 $4.446 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $618.7 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 100 $702 million (31 December 2007) $541.8 million (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: millet, sorghum, peanuts, grapes; livestock; fish Industries: meatpacking, fish processing, dairy products; mining (diamonds, lead, zinc, tin, silver, tungsten, uranium, copper) Industrial production growth rate: 0.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 Electricity - production: 1.65 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 Electricity - consumption: 3.175 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 Electricity - exports: 40 million kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 2.045 billion kWh; note - electricity supplied by South Africa (2007 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 Oil - consumption: 21,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 156 Oil - imports: 19,120 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 116 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 89 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 Natural gas - proved reserves: 62.29 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 Current account balance: $239.8 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 $693.2 million (2007 est.) Exports: $3.167 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 $2.922 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: diamonds, copper, gold, zinc, lead, uranium; cattle, processed fish, karakul skins Imports: $3.849 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 $3.102 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs; petroleum products and fuel, machinery and equipment, chemicals Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $1.293 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 $896 million (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $807.3 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 156 $1.003 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $NA Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Exchange rates: Namibian dollars (NAD) per US dollar - 7.75 (2008 est.), 7.18 (2007), 6.7649 (2006), 6.3593 (2005), 6.4597 (2004) Communications ::Namibia Telephones - main lines in use: 140,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 137 Telephones - mobile cellular: 1.052 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 141 Telephone system: general assessment: good system with a combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity of about 55 per 100 persons domestic: core fiber-optic network links most centers and connections are now digital; Namibia's first mobile-cellular network, launched in 1994, provides coverage to 86 percent of Namibia by area international: country code - 264; fiber-optic cable to South Africa, microwave radio relay link to Botswana, direct links to other neighboring countries; connected to the South African Far East (SAFE) submarine cable through South Africa; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 39, shortwave 4 (2001) Television broadcast stations: 2 (2007) Internet country code: .na Internet hosts: 17,840 (2009) country comparison to the world: 105 Internet users: 113,500 (2008) country comparison to the world: 149 Transportation ::Namibia Airports: 129 (2009) country comparison to the world: 44 Airports - with paved runways: total: 21 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 108 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 22 914 to 1,523 m: 73 under 914 m: 11 (2009) Railways: total: 2,629 km country comparison to the world: 64 narrow gauge: 2,629 km 1.067-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 42,237 km country comparison to the world: 86 paved: 5,406 km unpaved: 36,831 km (2002) Merchant marine: total: 1 country comparison to the world: 155 by type: cargo 1 registered in other countries: 1 (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Luderitz, Walvis Bay Military ::Namibia Military branches: Namibian Defense Force: Army, Navy, Air Wing (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18-25 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 527,948 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 329,614 females age 16-49: 294,490 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 25,857 female: 25,505 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 3.7% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 36 Transnational Issues ::Namibia Disputes - international: concerns from international experts and local populations over the Okavango Delta ecology in Botswana and human displacement scuttled Namibian plans to construct a hydroelectric dam on Popa Falls along the Angola-Namibia border; managed dispute with South Africa over the location of the boundary in the Orange River; Namibia has supported, and in 2004 Zimbabwe dropped objections to, plans between Botswana and Zambia to build a bridge over the Zambezi River, thereby de facto recognizing a short, but not clearly delimited, Botswana-Zambia boundary in the river Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 4,700 (Angola) (2007) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Nauru (Australia-Oceania) Introduction ::Nauru Background: The exact origins of the Nauruans are unclear since their language does not resemble any other in the Pacific. The island was annexed by Germany in 1888. Its phosphate deposits began to be mined early in the 20th century by a German-British consortium. Nauru was occupied by Australian forces in World War I and subsequently became a League of Nations mandate. After the Second World War - and a brutal occupation by Japan - Nauru became a UN trust territory. It achieved independence in 1968 and joined the UN in 1999 as the world's smallest independent republic. Geography ::Nauru Location: Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, south of the Marshall Islands Geographic coordinates: 0 32 S, 166 55 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 21 sq km country comparison to the world: 238 land: 21 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 30 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical with a monsoonal pattern; rainy season (November to February) Terrain: sandy beach rises to fertile ring around raised coral reefs with phosphate plateau in center Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location along plateau rim 61 m Natural resources: phosphates, fish Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: periodic droughts Environment - current issues: limited natural fresh water resources, roof storage tanks collect rainwater but mostly dependent on a single, aging desalination plant; intensive phosphate mining during the past 90 years - mainly by a UK, Australia, and NZ consortium - has left the central 90% of Nauru a wasteland and threatens limited remaining land resources Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: Nauru is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and Makatea in French Polynesia; only 53 km south of Equator People ::Nauru Population: 14,019 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 222 Age structure: 0-14 years: 34.7% (male 2,482/female 2,384) 15-64 years: 63.2% (male 4,362/female 4,495) 65 years and over: 2.1% (male 151/female 145) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 21.6 years male: 21 years female: 22.2 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.748% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 Birth rate: 23.9 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 Death rate: 6.42 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 100% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.04 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 9.25 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 154 male: 11.58 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 64.2 years country comparison to the world: 168 male: 60.58 years female: 68.01 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.85 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Nauruan(s) adjective: Nauruan Ethnic groups: Nauruan 58%, other Pacific Islander 26%, Chinese 8%, European 8% Religions: Nauru Congregational 35.4%, Roman Catholic 33.2%, Nauru Independent Church 10.4%, other 14.1%, none 4.5%, unspecified 2.4% (2002 census) Languages: Nauruan (official; a distinct Pacific Island language), English widely understood, spoken, and used for most government and commercial purposes Literacy: NA School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 8 years male: 8 years female: 9 years (2006) Education expenditures: NA Government ::Nauru Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Nauru conventional short form: Nauru local long form: Republic of Nauru local short form: Nauru former: Pleasant Island Government type: republic Capital: no official capital; government offices in Yaren District time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 14 districts; Aiwo, Anabar, Anetan, Anibare, Baiti, Boe, Buada, Denigomodu, Ewa, Ijuw, Meneng, Nibok, Uaboe, Yaren Independence: 31 January 1968 (from the Australia-, NZ-, and UK-administered UN trusteeship) National holiday: Independence Day, 31 January (1968) Constitution: 29 January 1968; amended 17 May 1968 Legal system: acts of the Nauru Parliament and British common law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: President Marcus STEPHEN (since 19 December 2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Marcus STEPHEN (since 19 December 2007); note - President Ludwig SCOTTY defeated in a no confidence vote in parliament on 19 December 2007 cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of parliament elections: president elected by parliament for a three-year term; election last held 19 December 2007 (next to be held in 2010) election results: NA Legislative branch: unicameral parliament (18 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms) elections: last held 26 April 2008 (next to be held in 2011) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 18; note - President Marcus STEPHEN called a snap election to break a parliamentary stalemate blocking legislative action Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party [Kennan ADEANG]; Nauru Party (informal); Nauru First (Naoero Amo) Party; note - loose multiparty system Political pressure groups and leaders: Woman Information and News Agency (women's issues) International organization participation: ACP, ADB, C, FAO, ICAO, ICCt, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Marlene I. MOSES chancery: 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400 D, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 937-0074 FAX: [1] (212) 937-0079 consulate(s): Agana (Guam) Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Nauru; the US Ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Nauru Flag description: blue with a narrow, horizontal, yellow stripe across the center and a large white 12-pointed star below the stripe on the hoist side; the star indicates the country's location in relation to the Equator (the yellow stripe) and the 12 points symbolize the 12 original tribes of Nauru Economy ::Nauru Economy - overview: Revenues of this tiny island have traditionally come from exports of phosphates now significantly depleted. An Australian company in 2005 entered into an agreement intended to exploit remaining supplies. Few other resources exist with most necessities being imported, mainly from Australia its former occupier and later major source of support. The rehabilitation of mined land and the replacement of income from phosphates are serious long-term problems. Reserves of phosphates may only last until 2010 at current mining rates. In anticipation of the exhaustion of Nauru's phosphate deposits, substantial amounts of phosphate income were invested in trust funds to help cushion the transition and provide for Nauru's economic future. As a result of heavy spending from the trust funds, the government faces virtual bankruptcy. To cut costs the government has frozen wages and reduced overstaffed public service departments. Nauru lost further revenue in 2008 with the closure of Australia's refugee processing center, making it almost totally dependent on food imports and foreign aid. Housing, hospitals, and other capital plant is deteriorating. The cost to Australia of keeping the government and economy afloat continues to climb. Few comprehensive statistics on the Nauru economy exist with estimates of Nauru's GDP varying widely. GDP (purchasing power parity): $60 million (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 221 GDP (official exchange rate): $NA GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita (PPP): $5,000 (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Labor force - by occupation: note: employed in mining phosphates, public administration, education, and transportation (1992) Unemployment rate: 90% (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 200 Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $13.5 million expenditures: $13.5 million (2005) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Agriculture - products: coconuts Industries: phosphate mining, offshore banking, coconut products Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 31 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 202 Electricity - consumption: 28.83 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 202 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 Oil - consumption: 1,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 194 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 Oil - imports: 1,026 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 190 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 148 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 141 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 Exports: $64,000 (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 221 Exports - commodities: phosphates Imports: $20 million (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 215 Imports - commodities: food, fuel, manufactures, building materials, machinery Debt - external: $33.3 million country comparison to the world: 195 Exchange rates: Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.2059 (2008 est.), 1.2137 (2007), 1.3285 (2006), 1.3095 (2005), 1.3598 (2004) Communications ::Nauru Telephones - main lines in use: 1,800 (2008) country comparison to the world: 225 Telephones - mobile cellular: 1,500 (2002) country comparison to the world: 217 Telephone system: general assessment: adequate local and international radiotelephone communication provided via Australian facilities domestic: NA international: country code - 674; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997) Internet country code: .nr Internet hosts: 47 (2009) country comparison to the world: 209 Transportation ::Nauru Airports: 1 (2009) country comparison to the world: 228 Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Roadways: total: 24 km country comparison to the world: 217 paved: 24 km (2002) Ports and terminals: Nauru Military ::Nauru Military branches: no regular military forces; Nauru Police Force (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 3,470 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 2,592 females age 16-49: 2,966 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 179 female: 174 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: NA Military - note: Nauru maintains no defense forces; under an informal agreement, defense is the responsibility of Australia Transnational Issues ::Nauru Disputes - international: none page last updated on October 28, 2009 ====================================================================== @Navassa Island (Central America and Caribbean) Introduction ::Navassa Island Background: This uninhabited island was claimed by the US in 1857 for its guano. Mining took place between 1865 and 1898. The lighthouse, built in 1917, was shut down in 1996 and administration of Navassa Island transferred from the Coast Guard to the Department of the Interior. A 1998 scientific expedition to the island described it as a unique preserve of Caribbean biodiversity; the following year it became a National Wildlife Refuge and annual scientific expeditions have continued. Geography ::Navassa Island Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, 35 miles west of Tiburon Peninsula of Haiti Geographic coordinates: 18 25 N, 75 02 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 5.4 sq km country comparison to the world: 244 land: 5.4 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: about nine times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 8 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: marine, tropical Terrain: raised coral and limestone plateau, flat to undulating; ringed by vertical white cliffs (9 to 15 m high) Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: unnamed location on southwest side 77 m Natural resources: guano Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) Natural hazards: hurricanes Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: strategic location 160 km south of the US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; mostly exposed rock with numerous solution holes but with enough grassland to support goat herds; dense stands of fig trees, scattered cactus People ::Navassa Island Population: uninhabited note: transient Haitian fishermen and others camp on the island Government ::Navassa Island Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Navassa Island Dependency status: unorganized, unincorporated territory of the US; administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service, US Department of the Interior from the Caribbean Islands National Wildlife Refuge in Boqueron, Puerto Rico; in September 1996 the Coast Guard ceased operations and maintenance of Navassa Island Light a 46-meter-tall lighthouse on the southern side of the island; there has also been a private claim advanced against the island Legal system: the laws of the US, where applicable, apply Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of the US) Flag description: the flag of the US is used Economy ::Navassa Island Economy - overview: Subsistence fishing and commercial trawling occur within refuge waters. Transportation ::Navassa Island Ports and terminals: none; offshore anchorage only Military ::Navassa Island Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US Transnational Issues ::Navassa Island Disputes - international: claimed by Haiti, source of subsistence fishing page last updated on July 2, 2009 ====================================================================== @Nepal (South Asia) Introduction ::Nepal Background: In 1951, the Nepalese monarch ended the century-old system of rule by hereditary premiers and instituted a cabinet system of government. Reforms in 1990 established a multiparty democracy within the framework of a constitutional monarchy. An insurgency led by Maoist extremists broke out in 1996. The ensuing ten-year civil war between insurgents and government forces witnessed the dissolution of the cabinet and parliament and assumption of absolute power by the king. Several weeks of mass protests in April 2006 were followed by several months of peace negotiations between the Maoists and government officials, and culminated in a November 2006 peace accord and the promulgation of an interim constitution. Following a nation-wide election in April 2008, the newly formed Constituent Assembly declared Nepal a federal democratic republic and abolished the monarchy at its first meeting the following month. The Constituent Assembly elected the country's first president in July. The Maoists, who received a plurality of votes in the Constituent Assembly election, formed a coalition government in August 2008. Geography ::Nepal Location: Southern Asia, between China and India Geographic coordinates: 28 00 N, 84 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 147,181 sq km country comparison to the world: 93 land: 143,351 sq km water: 3,830 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Arkansas Land boundaries: total: 2,926 km border countries: China 1,236 km, India 1,690 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: varies from cool summers and severe winters in north to subtropical summers and mild winters in south Terrain: Tarai or flat river plain of the Ganges in south, central hill region, rugged Himalayas in north Elevation extremes: lowest point: Kanchan Kalan 70 m highest point: Mount Everest 8,850 m Natural resources: quartz, water, timber, hydropower, scenic beauty, small deposits of lignite, copper, cobalt, iron ore Land use: arable land: 16.07% permanent crops: 0.85% other: 83.08% (2005) Irrigated land: 11,700 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 210.2 cu km (1999) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 10.18 cu km/yr (3%/1%/96%) per capita: 375 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: severe thunderstorms; flooding; landslides; drought and famine depending on the timing, intensity, and duration of the summer monsoons Environment - current issues: deforestation (overuse of wood for fuel and lack of alternatives); contaminated water (with human and animal wastes, agricultural runoff, and industrial effluents); wildlife conservation; vehicular emissions Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: landlocked; strategic location between China and India; contains eight of world's 10 highest peaks, including Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga - the world's tallest and third tallest - on the borders with China and India respectively People ::Nepal Population: 28,563,377 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 Age structure: 0-14 years: 36.6% (male 5,327,484/female 5,127,178) 15-64 years: 59.2% (male 8,094,494/female 8,812,675) 65 years and over: 4.2% (male 566,666/female 634,880) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 20.8 years male: 19.8 years female: 21.7 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.281% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 Birth rate: 23.18 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 Death rate: 6.97 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 Net migration rate: -3.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 Urbanization: urban population: 17% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 47.46 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 54 male: 47.4 deaths/1,000 live births female: 47.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 65.46 years country comparison to the world: 165 male: 64.3 years female: 66.67 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.64 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.5% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 70,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 5,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 45 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: Japanese encephalitis, malaria, and dengue fever (2009) Nationality: noun: Nepalese (singular and plural) adjective: Nepalese Ethnic groups: Chhettri 15.5%, Brahman-Hill 12.5%, Magar 7%, Tharu 6.6%, Tamang 5.5%, Newar 5.4%, Muslim 4.2%, Kami 3.9%, Yadav 3.9%, other 32.7%, unspecified 2.8% (2001 census) Religions: Hindu 80.6%, Buddhist 10.7%, Muslim 4.2%, Kirant 3.6%, other 0.9% (2001 census) note: only official Hindu state in the world Languages: Nepali 47.8%, Maithali 12.1%, Bhojpuri 7.4%, Tharu (Dagaura/Rana) 5.8%, Tamang 5.1%, Newar 3.6%, Magar 3.3%, Awadhi 2.4%, other 10%, unspecified 2.5% (2001 census) note: many in government and business also speak English (2001 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 48.6% male: 62.7% female: 34.9% (2001 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 9 years male: 10 years female: 8 years (2003) Education expenditures: 3.4% of GDP (2003) country comparison to the world: 133 Government ::Nepal Country name: conventional long form: Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal conventional short form: Nepal local long form: Sanghiya Loktantrik Ganatantra Nepal local short form: Nepal Government type: federal democratic republic Capital: name: Kathmandu geographic coordinates: 27 43 N, 85 19 E time difference: UTC+5.75 (10.75 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 14 zones (anchal, singular and plural); Bagmati, Bheri, Dhawalagiri, Gandaki, Janakpur, Karnali, Kosi, Lumbini, Mahakali, Mechi, Narayani, Rapti, Sagarmatha, Seti Independence: 1768 (unified by Prithvi Narayan SHAH) National holiday: Republic Day, 29 May; Democracy Day, 24 April Constitution: 15 January 2007 (interim Constitution); note - in April 2008, a Constituent Assembly was elected to draft and promulgate a new constitution by May 2010 Legal system: based on Hindu legal concepts and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Ram Baran YADAV (as of 23 July 2008); Vice President Paramananda JHA (as of 23 July 2008) head of government: Prime Minister Madhav Kumar NEPAL (as of 25 May 2009); Deputy Prime Minister Bijay Kumar GACHHEDAR cabinet: cabinet formed in August 2008 by a majority coalition made up of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), Communist Party of Nepal-United Marxist-Leninist, Madhesi People's Rights Forum, and several smaller parties elections: president elected by Parliament; term extends until the new constitution is promulgated; election last held 21 July 2008; date of next election NA election results: Ram Baran YADAV elected president by the Constituent Assembly in a second round of voting on 21 July 2008; Ram Baran YADAV 308, Ram Jaja Prasad SINGH 282 Legislative branch: unicameral Constituent Assembly (601 seats; 240 seats decided by direct popular vote; 335 seats by proportional representation; 26 appointed by the Cabinet (Council of Ministers)) elections: last held 10 April 2008 (next to be held NA) election results: percent of vote by party - CPN-M 38%, NC 19%, CPN-UML 19%,Madhesi People's Right Forum 9%, Terai-Madhes Democratic Party and Sadbhavana Party 5%, other 10%; seats by party - CPN-M 220, NC 110, CPN-UML 103, Madhesi People's Rights Forum 52, Terai-Madhes Democratic Party 20, Sadbhawana Party 9, other smaller parties 61; note - 26 seats filled by the new Cabinet Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Sarbochha Adalat (the president appoints the chief justice is appointed by the monarch on recommendation of the Constitutional Council; the chief justice appoints other judges on the recommendation of the Judicial Council) Political parties and leaders: Chure Bhawar Rastriya Ekata Party [Keshav Prasad MAINALI]; Communist Party of Nepal (ML) [C.P. MAINALI]; Communist Party of Nepal (Unified) [Raj Singh SHRIS]; Communist Party of Nepal (United) [Ganesh SHAH]; Communist Party of Nepal/United Marxist-Leninist or CPN/UML [Jhalanath KHANAL]; Dalit Janajati Party [Vishwendraman PASHWAN]; Madhesi People's Rights Forum [Upendra YADAV]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Pashupati Shumsher RANA] (also called Rastriya Prajatantra Party or RPP); Nepal Loktantrik Samajbadi Dal [Upendra GACHCHHADAR]; Nepal Pariwar Dal [Vinod DANGI]; Nepal Rastriya Party [Khushilal YADAV]; Nepal Sadbhavana Party (Anandi Devi) [Shyam Sundar GUPTA]; Nepal Workers and Peasants Party or NWPP [Narayan Man BIJUKCHHE]; Nepali Congress or NC [Girija Prasad KOIRALA]; Nepali Janata Dal [Bharat Prasad MAHATO]; Rastriya Janamorcha [Chitra BAHADUR K.C.]; Rastriya Janamukti Party [Malwar Singh THAPA]; Rastriya Janashakti Party or RJP [Surya Bahadur THAPA]; Rastriya Prajatantra Party Nepal [Kamal THAPA]; Sadbhavana Party (Mahato) [Rajendra MAHATO]; Samajbadi Prajatantrik Janata Party Nepal [Prem Bahadur SINGH]; Sanghiya Loktantrik Rastriya Manch [Kamal CHHARAHANG]; Terai-Madhes Democratic Party [Mahantha THAKUR]; United Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) [Pushpa Kamal DAHAL, also known as PRACHANDA, chairman] Political pressure groups and leaders: other: several small armed Madhesi groups along the southern border with India; a variety of groups advocating regional autonomy for individual ethnic groups International organization participation: ADB, BIMSTEC, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Kali POKHREL chancery: 2131 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 667-4550 FAX: [1] (202) 667-5534 consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Nancy J. POWELL embassy: Maharajgunj, Kathmandu mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [977] (1) 400-7200 FAX: [977] (1) 400-7272 Flag description: red with a blue border around the unique shape of two overlapping right triangles; the smaller, upper triangle bears a white stylized moon and the larger, lower triangle bears a white 12-pointed sun Economy ::Nepal Economy - overview: Nepal is among the poorest and least developed countries in the world with almost one-third of its population living below the poverty line. Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy, providing a livelihood for three-fourths of the population and accounting for about one-third of GDP. Industrial activity mainly involves the processing of agricultural products, including pulses, jute, sugarcane, tobacco, and grain. Bumper crops, better security, improved transportation, and increased tourism pushed growth past 5% in 2008, after growth had hovered around 3% - barely above the rate of population growth - for the previous three years. The deteriorating world economy in 2009 will challenge tourism and remittance growth, a key source of foreign exchange. Nepal has considerable scope for exploiting its potential in hydropower and tourism, areas of recent foreign investment interest. Prospects for foreign trade or investment in other sectors will remain poor, however, because of the small size of the economy, its technological backwardness, its remoteness and landlocked geographic location, its civil strife and labor unrest, and its susceptibility to natural disaster. GDP (purchasing power parity): $31.39 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 $29.81 billion (2007 est.) $28.86 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $12.28 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 3.3% (2007 est.) 3.4% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $1,100 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 210 $1,100 (2007 est.) $1,100 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 32.5% industry: 16.6% services: 50.9% (FY07 est.) Labor force: 14.6 million country comparison to the world: 39 note: severe lack of skilled labor (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 76% industry: 6% services: 18% (2004 est.) Unemployment rate: 46% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 191 42% (2004 est.) Population below poverty line: 30.9% (2004) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.7% highest 10%: 40.6% (2006) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 47.2 (2008) country comparison to the world: 35 36.7 (1996) Budget: revenues: $1.7 billion expenditures: $2.3 billion (FY08) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 6.4% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 6.5% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 72 6.25% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: NA% (31 December 2008) Stock of money: $2.106 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 69 $2.184 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $4.885 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 70 $4.745 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $5.556 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 80 $5.636 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $5.5 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 88 $4.909 billion (31 December 2007) $1.805 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: pulses, rice, corn, wheat, sugarcane, jute, root crops; milk, water buffalo meat Industries: tourism, carpets, textiles; small rice, jute, sugar, and oilseed mills; cigarettes, cement and brick production Industrial production growth rate: 1.8% (FY08) country comparison to the world: 110 Electricity - production: 2.781 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 Electricity - consumption: 2.243 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 Electricity - exports: 140 million kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 213 million kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 154 Oil - consumption: 18,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 148 Oil - imports: 16,920 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 142 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 152 Current account balance: $241 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 53 $58 million (2007) Exports: $868 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 153 $830 million (2006) Exports - commodities: clothing, carpets, leather goods, jute goods, pulses, grain Exports - partners: India 59.2%, US 8.7%, Bangladesh 8.3%, Germany 4.3% (2008) Imports: $3.229 billion (2008) country comparison to the world: 135 $2.398 billion (2006) Imports - commodities: petroleum products, machinery and equipment, electrical goods Imports - partners: India 55.4%, China 13.3%, Singapore 2% (2008) Debt - external: $3.285 billion (2008) country comparison to the world: 118 $3.07 billion (March 2006) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $NA Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Exchange rates: Nepalese rupees (NPR) per US dollar - 65.21 (2008), 70.35 (2007), 72.446 (2006), 72.16 (2005), 73.674 (2004) Communications ::Nepal Telephones - main lines in use: 805,100 (2008) country comparison to the world: 87 Telephones - mobile cellular: 4.2 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 94 Telephone system: general assessment: poor telephone and telegraph service; fair radiotelephone communication service and mobile-cellular telephone network domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular telephone service subscribership base only about 15 per 100 persons international: country code - 977; radiotelephone communications; microwave landline to India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 80, shortwave 4 (2008) Television broadcast stations: 9 (plus 9 repeaters) (2008) Internet country code: .np Internet hosts: 43,411 (2009) country comparison to the world: 87 Internet users: 499,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 108 Transportation ::Nepal Airports: 47 (2009) country comparison to the world: 93 Airports - with paved runways: total: 11 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 36 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 30 (2009) Railways: total: 59 km country comparison to the world: 130 narrow gauge: 59 km 0.762-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 17,282 km country comparison to the world: 120 paved: 10,142 km unpaved: 7,140 km (2007) Military ::Nepal Military branches: Nepal Army (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; 15 years of age for military training; no conscription (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 7,322,965 females age 16-49: 6,859,064 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 4,886,103 females age 16-49: 5,525,764 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 365,567 female: 352,643 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.6% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 104 Transnational Issues ::Nepal Disputes - international: joint border commission continues to work on contested sections of boundary with India, including the 400 square kilometer dispute over the source of the Kalapani River; India has instituted a stricter border regime to restrict transit of Maoist insurgents and illegal cross-border activities; approximately 106,000 Bhutanese Lhotshampas (Hindus) have been confined in refugee camps in southeastern Nepal since 1990 Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 107,803 (Bhutan); 20,153 (Tibet/China) IDPs: 50,000-70,000 (remaining from ten-year Maoist insurgency that officially ended in 2006; displacement spread across the country) (2007) Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis and hashish for the domestic and international drug markets; transit point for opiates from Southeast Asia to the West page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Netherlands (Europe) Introduction ::Netherlands Background: The Dutch United Provinces declared their independence from Spain in 1579; during the 17th century, they became a leading seafaring and commercial power, with settlements and colonies around the world. After a 20-year French occupation, a Kingdom of the Netherlands was formed in 1815. In 1830 Belgium seceded and formed a separate kingdom. The Netherlands remained neutral in World War I, but suffered invasion and occupation by Germany in World War II. A modern, industrialized nation, the Netherlands is also a large exporter of agricultural products. The country was a founding member of NATO and the EEC (now the EU), and participated in the introduction of the euro in 1999. Geography ::Netherlands Location: Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between Belgium and Germany Geographic coordinates: 52 30 N, 5 45 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 41,543 sq km country comparison to the world: 134 land: 33,893 sq km water: 7,650 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey Land boundaries: total: 1,027 km border countries: Belgium 450 km, Germany 577 km Coastline: 451 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Climate: temperate; marine; cool summers and mild winters Terrain: mostly coastal lowland and reclaimed land (polders); some hills in southeast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Zuidplaspolder -7 m highest point: Vaalserberg 322 m Natural resources: natural gas, petroleum, peat, limestone, salt, sand and gravel, arable land Land use: arable land: 21.96% permanent crops: 0.77% other: 77.27% (2005) Irrigated land: 5,650 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 89.7 cu km (2005) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 8.86 cu km/yr (6%/60%/34%) per capita: 544 cu m/yr (2001) Natural hazards: flooding Environment - current issues: water pollution in the form of heavy metals, organic compounds, and nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates; air pollution from vehicles and refining activities; acid rain Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: located at mouths of three major European rivers (Rhine, Maas or Meuse, and Schelde) People ::Netherlands Population: 16,715,999 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 59 Age structure: 0-14 years: 17.4% (male 1,485,873/female 1,416,999) 15-64 years: 67.7% (male 5,720,387/female 5,604,014) 65 years and over: 14.9% (male 1,070,496/female 1,418,230) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 40.4 years male: 39.6 years female: 41.2 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.412% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 Birth rate: 10.4 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 186 Death rate: 8.74 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 Net migration rate: 2.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 Urbanization: urban population: 82% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 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: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 4.73 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 198 male: 5.25 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.4 years country comparison to the world: 30 male: 76.8 years female: 82.14 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.66 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 174 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 18,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 Nationality: noun: Dutchman(men), Dutchwoman(women) adjective: Dutch Ethnic groups: Dutch 80.7%, EU 5%, Indonesian 2.4%, Turkish 2.2%, Surinamese 2%, Moroccan 2%, Netherlands Antilles & Aruba 0.8%, other 4.8% (2008 est.) Religions: Roman Catholic 30%, Dutch Reformed 11%, Calvinist 6%, other Protestant 3%, Muslim 5.8%, other 2.2%, none 42% (2006) Languages: Dutch (official), Frisian (official) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 16 years male: 17 years female: 16 years (2006) Education expenditures: 5.3% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 58 Government ::Netherlands Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of the Netherlands conventional short form: Netherlands local long form: Koninkrijk der Nederlanden local short form: Nederland Government type: constitutional monarchy Capital: name: Amsterdam geographic coordinates: 52 23 N, 4 54 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October note: The Hague is the seat of government; time descriptions apply to the continental Netherlands only, not to the Caribbean components Administrative divisions: 12 provinces (provincies, singular - provincie); Drenthe, Flevoland, Friesland (Fryslan), Gelderland, Groningen, Limburg, Noord-Brabant (North Brabant), Noord-Holland (North Holland), Overijssel, Utrecht, Zeeland (Zealand), Zuid-Holland (South Holland) Dependent areas: Aruba, Netherlands Antilles Independence: 23 January 1579 (the northern provinces of the Low Countries conclude the Union of Utrecht breaking with Spain; on 26 July 1581 they formally declared their independence with an Act of Abjuration; however, it was not until 30 January 1648 and the Peace of Westphalia that Spain recognized this independence) National holiday: Queen's Day (Birthday of Queen-Mother JULIANA and accession to the throne of her oldest daughter BEATRIX), 30 April (1909 and 1980) Constitution: adopted 1815; amended many times, most recently in 2002 Legal system: based on civil law system incorporating French penal theory; constitution does not permit judicial review of acts of the States General; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen BEATRIX (since 30 April 1980); Heir Apparent WILLEM-ALEXANDER (born 27 April 1967), son of the monarch head of government: Prime Minister Jan Peter BALKENENDE (since 22 July 2002); Deputy Prime Ministers Wouter BOS (since 22 February 2007) and Andre ROUVOET (since 22 February 2007) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch elections: the monarchy is hereditary; following Second Chamber elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch; deputy prime ministers appointed by the monarch note: there is also a Council of State composed of the monarch, heir apparent, and councilors that provides consultations to the cabinet on legislative and administrative policy Legislative branch: bicameral States General or Staten Generaal consists of the First Chamber or Eerste Kamer (75 seats; members indirectly elected by the country's 12 provincial councils to serve four-year terms) and the Second Chamber or Tweede Kamer (150 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: First Chamber - last held 29 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2011); Second Chamber - last held 22 November 2006 (next to be held by early 2011) election results: First Chamber - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CDA 21, PvdA 14, VVD 14, Socialist Party 11, Christian Union 4, Green Left Party 4, D66 2, other 5; Second Chamber - percent of vote by party - CDA 26.5%, PvdA 21.2%, Socialist Party 16.6%, VVD 14.6%, Party for Freedom 5.9%, Green Party 4.6%, Christian Union 4.0%, other 6.6%; seats by party - CDA 41, PvdA 33, Socialist Party 25, VVD 22, Party for Freedom 9, Green Party 7, Christian Union 6, other 7 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Hoge Raad (justices are nominated for life by the monarch) Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Appeal or CDA [Pieter VAN GEEL]; Christian Union Party [Arie SLOB]; Democrats 66 or D66 [Alexander PECHTOLD]; Green Left Party [Femke HALSEMA]; Labor Party or PvdA [Mariette HAMER]; Party for Freedom or PVV [Geert WILDERS]; Party for the Animals or PvdD [Marianne THIEME]; People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (Liberal) or VVD [Mark RUTTE]; Reformed Political Party of SGP [Bas VAN DER VLIES]; Socialist Party [Agnes KANT]; plus a few minor parties Political pressure groups and leaders: Christian Trade Union Federation or CNV [Rene PAAS]; Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers or VNO-NCW [Bernard WIENTJES]; Federation for Small and Medium-sized businesses or MKB [Loek HERMANS]; Netherlands Trade Union Federation or FNV [Agnes JONGERIUS]; Social Economic Council or SER [Alexander RINNOOY KAN]; Trade Union Federation of Middle and High Personnel or MHP [Ad VERHOEVEN] International organization participation: ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CBSS (observer), CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Regina "Renee" JONES-BOS chancery: 4200 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 244-5300, [1] 877-388-2443 FAX: [1] (202) 362-3430 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York consulate(s): Boston Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Michael GALLAGHER embassy: Lange Voorhout 102, 2514 EJ, The Hague mailing address: PSC 71, Box 1000, APO AE 09715 telephone: [31] (70) 310-2209 FAX: [31] (70) 361-4688 consulate(s) general: Amsterdam Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue; similar to the flag of Luxembourg, which uses a lighter blue and is longer; the colors were those of WILLIAM I, Prince of Orange, who led the Dutch Revolt against Spanish sovereignty in the latter half of the 16th century; originally the upper band was orange, but because it tended to fade to red over time, the red shade was eventually made the permanent color; the banner is perhaps the oldest tricolor in continuous use Economy ::Netherlands Economy - overview: The Netherlands has a prosperous and open economy, which depends heavily on foreign trade. The economy is noted for stable industrial relations, moderate unemployment and inflation, a sizable current account surplus, and an important role as a European transportation hub. Industrial activity is predominantly in food processing, chemicals, petroleum refining, and electrical machinery. A highly mechanized agricultural sector employs no more than 3% of the labor force but provides large surpluses for the food-processing industry and for exports. The Netherlands, along with 11 of its EU partners, began circulating the euro currency on 1 January 2002. The country has been one of the leading European nations for attracting foreign direct investment and is one of the four largest investors in the US. The pace of job growth reached 10-year highs in 2007, but economic growth fell sharply in 2008 as fallout from the world financial crisis constricted demand and raised the specter of a recession in 2009. GDP (purchasing power parity): $673.5 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 $660.3 billion (2007 est.) $637.4 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $877 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 161 3.6% (2007 est.) 3.4% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $40,500 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 $39,900 (2007 est.) $38,700 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1.7% industry: 25.5% services: 72.9% (2008 est.) Labor force: 7.715 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 2% industry: 18% services: 80% (2005 est.) Unemployment rate: 4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 4.6% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 10.5% (2005) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.5% highest 10%: 22.9% (1999) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 30.9 (2007) country comparison to the world: 108 32.6 (1994) Investment (gross fixed): 20.5% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 Budget: revenues: $405.9 billion expenditures: $397.3 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 58.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 55.8% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 1.6% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 3% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 106 5% (31 December 2007) note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area Commercial bank prime lending rate: 10.37% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 96 8.72% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $NA note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi money circulating within their own borders Stock of quasi money: $NA Stock of domestic credit: $1.824 trillion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 10 $1.684 trillion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $456.2 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 18 $956.5 billion (31 December 2007) $779.6 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: grains, potatoes, sugar beets, fruits, vegetables; livestock Industries: agroindustries, metal and engineering products, electrical machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum, construction, microelectronics, fishing Industrial production growth rate: 2.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 87 Electricity - production: 97.19 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 Electricity - consumption: 110.2 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 Electricity - exports: 9.28 billion kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 25.01 billion kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 72,090 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 Oil - consumption: 962,900 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 Oil - exports: 1.647 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 Oil - imports: 2.678 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 Oil - proved reserves: 100 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 Natural gas - production: 84.69 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 8 Natural gas - consumption: 48.34 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 17 Natural gas - exports: 61.72 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 4 Natural gas - imports: 25.34 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 Natural gas - proved reserves: 1.416 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 Current account balance: $41.93 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 $59.51 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $531.7 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 8 $461 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels; foodstuffs Exports - partners: Germany 25.5%, Belgium 13.8%, France 8.9%, UK 8.8%, Italy 5.2% (2008) Imports: $474.8 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 $406.2 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, fuels, foodstuffs, clothing Imports - partners: Germany 16.6%, China 10.1%, Belgium 8.7%, US 7.5%, UK 5.8%, Russia 5.4%, France 4.4% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $28.51 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 45 $26.98 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $2.461 trillion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 5 $2.59 trillion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $644.6 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 8 $724.1 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $843.7 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 $876.9 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Communications ::Netherlands Telephones - main lines in use: 7.324 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 25 Telephones - mobile cellular: 19.927 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 39 Telephone system: general assessment: highly developed and well maintained domestic: extensive fixed-line fiber-optic network; large cellular telephone system with 5 major operators utilizing the third generation of the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) technology; one in five households now use Voice over the Internet Protocol (VoIP) services international: country code - 31; submarine cables provide links to the US and Europe; satellite earth stations - 5 (3 Intelsat - 1 Indian Ocean and 2 Atlantic Ocean, 1 Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 567, shortwave 1 (2008) Television broadcast stations: 342 (2008) Internet country code: .nl Internet hosts: 12.388 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 9 Internet users: 14.273 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 26 Transportation ::Netherlands Airports: 27 (2009) country comparison to the world: 124 Airports - with paved runways: total: 20 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 4 (2009) Heliports: 1 (2009) Pipelines: gas 3,816 km; oil 365 km; refined products 716 km (2008) Railways: total: 2,811 km country comparison to the world: 57 standard gauge: 2,811 km 1.435-m gauge (2,064 km electrified) (2008) Roadways: total: 135,470 km (includes 2,582 km of expressways) (2007) country comparison to the world: 35 Waterways: 6,215 km (navigable for ships of 50 tons) (2007) country comparison to the world: 22 Merchant marine: total: 622 country comparison to the world: 18 by type: bulk carrier 9, cargo 381, carrier 19, chemical tanker 44, container 76, liquefied gas 15, passenger 16, passenger/cargo 15, petroleum tanker 11, refrigerated cargo 10, roll on/roll off 23, specialized tanker 3 foreign-owned: 203 (Belgium 2, Cyprus 8, Denmark 29, Finland 14, France 1, Germany 75, Ireland 10, Italy 1, South Korea 1, Norway 12, Sweden 28, Turkey 1, UAE 5, UK 2, US 14) registered in other countries: 178 (Antigua and Barbuda 20, Australia 2, Austria 2, Bahamas 9, Cambodia 1, Canada 1, Cyprus 22, Germany 1, Gibraltar 21, Isle of Man 1, Liberia 6, Luxembourg 2, Marshall Islands 8, Netherlands Antilles 38, Panama 14, Paraguay 1, Philippines 23, Portugal 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3, US 1, unknown 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Amsterdam, IJmuiden, Rotterdam, Terneuzen, Vlissingen Military ::Netherlands Military branches: Royal Netherlands Army, Royal Netherlands Navy (includes Naval Air Service and Marine Corps), Royal Netherlands Air Force (Koninklijke Luchtmacht, KLu), Royal Military Police (2009) Military service age and obligation: 20 years of age for an all-volunteer force (2004) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 3,950,825 females age 16-49: 3,850,800 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 3,224,790 females age 16-49: 3,143,096 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 105,194 female: 100,341 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.6% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 101 Transnational Issues ::Netherlands Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: major European producer of synthetic drugs, including ecstasy, and cannabis cultivator; important gateway for cocaine, heroin, and hashish entering Europe; major source of US-bound ecstasy; large financial sector vulnerable to money laundering; significant consumer of ecstasy page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Netherlands Antilles (Central America and Caribbean) Introduction ::Netherlands Antilles Background: Once the center of the Caribbean slave trade, the island of Curacao was hard hit by the abolition of slavery in 1863. Its prosperity (and that of neighboring Aruba) was restored in the early 20th century with the construction of oil refineries to service newly discovered Venezuelan oil fields. The island of Saint Martin is shared with France; its southern portion is named Sint Maarten and is part of the Netherlands Antilles; its northern portion, called Saint Martin, is an overseas collectivity of France. Geography ::Netherlands Antilles Location: Caribbean, two island groups in the Caribbean Sea - composed of five islands, Curacao and Bonaire located off the coast of Venezuela, and Sint Maarten, Saba, and Sint Eustatius lie east of the US Virgin Islands Geographic coordinates: Bonaire: 12 12 N, 68 15 W Curacao: 12 10 N, 69 00 W Saba: 17 38 N, 63 14 W Sint Eustatius: 17 30 N, 62 58 W Sint Maarten: 18 04 N, 63 04 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 800 sq km country comparison to the world: 187 land: 800 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten (Dutch part of the island of Saint Martin) Area - comparative: more than five times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 15 km border countries: Saint Martin 15 km Coastline: 364 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm Climate: tropical; ameliorated by northeast trade winds Terrain: generally hilly, volcanic interiors Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Scenery 862 m Natural resources: phosphates (Curacao only), salt (Bonaire only) Land use: arable land: 10% permanent crops: 0% other: 90% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: Sint Maarten, Saba, and Sint Eustatius are subject to hurricanes from July to October; Curacao and Bonaire are south of Caribbean hurricane belt and are rarely threatened Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: the five islands of the Netherlands Antilles are divided geographically into the Leeward Islands (northern) group (Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten) and the Windward Islands (southern) group (Bonaire and Curacao); the island of Saint Martin is the smallest landmass in the world shared by two independent states, the French territory of Saint Martin and the Dutch territory of Sint Maarten People ::Netherlands Antilles Population: 227,049 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 182 Age structure: 0-14 years: 22.7% (male 26,429/female 25,162) 15-64 years: 67.7% (male 74,183/female 79,434) 65 years and over: 9.6% (male 8,875/female 12,966) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 33.7 years male: 31.9 years female: 35.5 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.732% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 Birth rate: 14.19 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 Death rate: 6.48 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 148 Net migration rate: -0.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 Urbanization: urban population: 93% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 9.09 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 156 male: 9.76 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.39 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.65 years country comparison to the world: 65 male: 74.33 years female: 79.09 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.97 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 134 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Dutch Antillean(s) adjective: Dutch Antillean Ethnic groups: mixed black 85%, other 15% (includes Carib Amerindian, white, East Asian) Religions: Roman Catholic 72%, Pentecostal 4.9%, Protestant 3.5%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3.1%, Methodist 2.9%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.7%, other Christian 4.2%, Jewish 1.3%, other or unspecified 1.2%, none 5.2% (2001 census) Languages: Papiamento 65.4% (a Spanish-Portuguese-Dutch-English dialect), English 15.9% (widely spoken), Dutch 7.3% (official), Spanish 6.1%, Creole 1.6%, other 1.9%, unspecified 1.8% (2001 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96.7% male: 96.7% female: 96.8% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 15 years (2002) Education expenditures: NA Government ::Netherlands Antilles Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Netherlands Antilles local long form: none local short form: Nederlandse Antillen former: Curacao and Dependencies Dependency status: an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal affairs granted in 1954; Dutch Government responsible for defense and foreign affairs Government type: parliamentary Capital: name: Willemstad (on Curacao) geographic coordinates: 12 06 N, 68 56 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) note: each island has its own government Independence: none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) National holiday: Queen's Day (Birthday of Queen-Mother JULIANA and accession to the throne of her oldest daughter BEATRIX), 30 April (1909 and 1980) Constitution: 29 December 1954, Statute of the Realm of the Netherlands, as amended 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 of the Netherlands (since 30 April 1980); represented by Governor General Frits GOEDGEDRAG (since 1 July 2002) head of government: Prime Minister Emily de JONGH-ELHAGE (since 26 March 2006) cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the Staten (legislature) elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch for a six-year term; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is usually elected prime minister by the Staten; election last held 27 January 2006 (next to be held by 2010) note: government coalition - PAR, PNP, DP-St. M, UPB, WIPM Saba, DP-St. E Legislative branch: unicameral States or Staten (22 seats, Curacao 14, Bonaire 3, St. Maarten 3, St. Eustatius 1, Saba 1; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 27 January 2006 (next to be held in 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PAR 5, MAN 3, FOL 2, Forsa Korsou 2, National Alliance 2, PNP 2, UPB 2, DP-St. E 1, DP-St. M 1, PDB 1, WIPM 1 note: the government is a coalition of several parties Judicial branch: Joint High Court of Justice (judges appointed by the monarch) Political parties and leaders: Bonaire: Democratic Party of Bonaire or PDB [Jopi ABRAHAM]; Patriotic Union of Bonaire or UPB [Ramonsito BOOI] Curacao: Ban Vota [Norbert GEORGE]; C-93 [Stanley BROWN]; Democratic Party of Curacao or DP [Errol HERNANDEZ]; E Mayoria [Aurelio PEDRO]; Forsa Korsou [Nelson NAVARRO]; Liste Ni'un Paso Atras [Nelson PIERRE]; Movemiento Patriotiko Korsou [Reginald LAK]; New Antilles Movement or MAN [Charles COOPER]; Partido Akshon Pa Prosperidat I Seguridat [Sonja BERKEMEYER]; Partido Laboral Krusada Popular or PLKP [Errol COVA]; Party for the Restructured Antilles or PAR [Emily de JONGH-ELHAGE]; People's National Party or PNP [Ersilia DE LANNOOY]; Pidjin [Jasmin PINEDO]; Pueblo Soberano [Herman WIELS]; Workers' Liberation Front or FOL [Anthony GODETT] Saba: Saba Labor Party [Akilah LEVENSTONE]; Windward Islands People's Movement or WIPM [Ray HASSELL] Sint Eustatius: Democratic Party of Sint Eustatius or DP-St. E [Julian WOODLEY]; Progressive Labor Party [Clyde VAN PUTTEN]; St. Eustatius Alliance [Ingrid HOUTMAN-WHITFIELD] Sint Maarten: Democratic Party of Sint Maarten or DP-St. M [Sarah WESCOTT-WILLIAMS]; Freedom Slate of National Democratic Party [Theophilus PRIEST]; National Alliance or NA [William MARLIN]; People's Progressive Alliance or PPA [Gracita ARRINDELL]; St. Maarten People's Party [Johan LEONARD]; United People's Labor Party [Bienvenido RICHARDSON] note: political parties are indigenous to each island Political pressure groups and leaders: Employers Association (VBC); Unions (AVBO) International organization participation: Caricom (observer), ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, UNESCO (associate), UNWTO (associate), UPU, WCL, WCO, WMO Diplomatic representation in the US: none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands); note - Mr. Jeffrey CORRION, Minister Plenipotentiary for Aruba at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Consul General Robert E. SORENSON consulate(s) general: J. B. Gorsiraweg #1, Willemstad, Curacao mailing address: P. O. Box 158, Willemstad, Curacao telephone: [599] (9) 461-3066 FAX: [599] (9) 461-6489 Flag description: white, with a horizontal blue stripe in the center superimposed on a vertical red band, also centered; five white, five-pointed stars are arranged in an oval pattern in the center of the blue band; the five stars represent the five main islands of Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten Economy ::Netherlands Antilles Economy - overview: Tourism, petroleum refining, and offshore finance are the mainstays of this small economy, which is closely tied to the outside world. Although GDP has declined or grown slightly in each of the past eight years, the islands enjoy a high per capita income and a well-developed infrastructure compared with other countries in the region. Most of the oil Netherlands Antilles imports for its refineries come from Venezuela. Almost all consumer and capital goods are imported, the US, Italy, and Mexico being the major suppliers. Poor soils and inadequate water supplies hamper the development of agriculture. Budgetary problems hamper reform of the health and pension systems of an aging population. The Netherlands provides financial aid to support the economy. GDP (purchasing power parity): $2.8 billion (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 175 GDP (official exchange rate): $NA GDP - real growth rate: 1% (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 175 GDP - per capita (PPP): $16,000 (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1% industry: 15% services: 84% (2000 est.) Labor force: 91,470 (2007) country comparison to the world: 177 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 1% industry: 20% services: 79% (2005 est.) Unemployment rate: 15.5% (2002 est.) country comparison to the world: 157 Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $757.9 million expenditures: $949.5 million (2004) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.1% (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 Central bank discount rate: NA% Commercial bank prime lending rate: 8.33% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 90 9.21% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $997.8 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) $2.309 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $2.927 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 23 $488.6 billion (2003) Agriculture - products: aloes, sorghum, peanuts, vegetables, tropical fruit Industries: tourism (Curacao, Sint Maarten, and Bonaire), petroleum refining (Curacao), petroleum transshipment facilities (Curacao and Bonaire), light manufacturing (Curacao) Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 1.22 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 Electricity - consumption: 1.013 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 152 Oil - consumption: 71,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 Oil - exports: 224,600 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 Oil - imports: 298,500 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 154 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 139 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 Exports: $3.71 billion (2006) country comparison to the world: 119 Exports - commodities: petroleum products Exports - partners: US 19%, Guatemala 10.6%, Dominican Republic 9.3%, Haiti 7.4%, Singapore 6.7%, Bahamas, The 5.9%, Italy 4.5%, Honduras 4.4%, Mexico 4.1% (2008) Imports: $15.74 billion (2006) country comparison to the world: 79 Imports - commodities: crude petroleum, food, manufactures Imports - partners: Venezuela 58.8%, US 19%, Brazil 5.9% (2008) Debt - external: $2.68 billion (2004) country comparison to the world: 130 Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $NA Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Exchange rates: Netherlands Antillean guilders (ANG) per US dollar - NA (2007), 1.79 (2006), 1.79 (2005), 1.79 (2004), 1.79 (2003) Communications ::Netherlands Antilles Telephones - main lines in use: 88,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 147 Telephones - mobile cellular: 200,000 (2004) country comparison to the world: 171 Telephone system: general assessment: generally adequate facilities domestic: extensive interisland microwave radio relay links international: country code - 599; the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) and the Americas-2 submarine cable systems provide connectivity to Central America, parts of South America and the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 8, FM 19, shortwave 0 (2003) Television broadcast stations: 3 (there is also a cable service that supplies programs received from various US satellite networks and 4 Venezuelan channels) (2003) Internet country code: .an Internet hosts: 71,671 (2009) country comparison to the world: 77 Transportation ::Netherlands Antilles Airports: 5 (2009) country comparison to the world: 179 Airports - with paved runways: total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Roadways: total: 845 Merchant marine: total: 147 country comparison to the world: 42 by type: barge carrier 2, bulk carrier 2, cargo 72, carrier 19, chemical tanker 2, container 8, liquefied gas 1, passenger 2, petroleum tanker 3, refrigerated cargo 27, roll on/roll off 6, specialized tanker 3 foreign-owned: 123 (Belgium 1, Cuba 1, Cyprus 21, Denmark 2, Germany 43, Hong Kong 2, Netherlands 38, Norway 3, Sweden 1, Turkey 10, US 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Bopec Terminal, Willemstad Military ::Netherlands Antilles Military branches: no regular military forces; National Guard (2008) Military service age and obligation: 16 years of age for National Guard recruitment; no conscription (2004) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 55,365 females age 16-49: 57,060 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 46,461 females age 16-49: 47,325 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 1,920 female: 1,827 (2009 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Transnational Issues ::Netherlands Antilles Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American drugs bound for the US and Europe; money-laundering center page last updated on November 10, 2009 ====================================================================== @New Caledonia (Australia-Oceania) Introduction ::New Caledonia Background: Settled by both Britain and France during the first half of the 19th century, the island was made a French possession in 1853. It served as a penal colony for four decades after 1864. Agitation for independence during the 1980s and early 1990s ended in the 1998 Noumea Accord, which over a period of 15 to 20 years will transfer an increasing amount of governing responsibility from France to New Caledonia. The agreement also commits France to conduct as many as three referenda between 2013 and 2018, to decide whether New Caledonia should assume full sovereignty and independence. Geography ::New Caledonia Location: Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia Geographic coordinates: 21 30 S, 165 30 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 18,575 sq km country comparison to the world: 155 land: 18,275 sq km water: 300 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than New Jersey Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 2,254 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; modified by southeast trade winds; hot, humid Terrain: coastal plains with interior mountains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Panie 1,628 m Natural resources: nickel, chrome, iron, cobalt, manganese, silver, gold, lead, copper Land use: arable land: 0.32% permanent crops: 0.22% other: 99.46% (2005) Irrigated land: 100 sq km (2003) Natural hazards: cyclones, most frequent from November to March Environment - current issues: erosion caused by mining exploitation and forest fires Geography - note: consists of the main island of New Caledonia (one of the largest in the Pacific Ocean), the archipelago of Iles Loyaute, and numerous small, sparsely populated islands and atolls People ::New Caledonia Population: 227,436 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 181 Age structure: 0-14 years: 26.8% (male 31,191/female 29,870) 15-64 years: 65.8% (male 75,189/female 74,552) 65 years and over: 7.3% (male 7,681/female 8,953) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 28.7 years male: 28.2 years female: 29.2 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.136% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 Birth rate: 17.04 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 Death rate: 5.68 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 172 Net migration rate: NA note: there has been steady emigration from Wallis and Futuna to New Caledonia (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 65% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 7.05 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 168 male: 7.7 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.36 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.98 years country comparison to the world: 85 male: 71.99 years female: 78.12 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.18 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: New Caledonian(s) adjective: New Caledonian Ethnic groups: Melanesian 44.1%, European 34.1%, Wallisian & Futunian 9%, Tahitian 2.6%, Indonesian 2.5%, Vietnamese 1.4%, Ni-Vanuatu 1.1%, other 5.2% (1996 census) Religions: Roman Catholic 60%, Protestant 30%, other 10% Languages: French (official), 33 Melanesian-Polynesian dialects Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96.2% male: 96.8% female: 95.5% (1996 census) Government ::New Caledonia Country name: conventional long form: Territory of New Caledonia and Dependencies conventional short form: New Caledonia local long form: Territoire des Nouvelle-Caledonie et Dependances local short form: Nouvelle-Caledonie Dependency status: territorial collectivity of France since 1998 Government type: NA Capital: name: Noumea geographic coordinates: 22 16 S, 166 27 E time difference: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 3 provinces named Province des Iles, Province Nord, and Province Sud Independence: none (overseas territory of France); note - a referendum on independence was held in 1998 but did not pass; a new referendum is scheduled for 2014 National holiday: Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) Constitution: 4 October 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: based on French civil law; the 1988 Matignon Accords grant substantial autonomy to the islands Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007); represented by High Commissioner Yves DASSONVILLE (since 9 November 2007) head of government: President of the Government Philippe GOMES (since 5 June 2009) cabinet: Cabinet consisting of 11 members elected from and by the Territorial Congress elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; high commissioner appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the government elected by the members of the Territorial Congress for a five-year term (no term limits); note - last election held 7 August 2007 when Harold MARTIN was elected following the resignation of Marie-Noelle THEMEREAU as president on 24 July 2007 (next to be held in 2012) Legislative branch: elections: unicameral Territorial Congress or Congres du territoire (54 seats; members belong to the three Provincial Assemblies or Assemblees Provinciales elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held 9 May 2009 (next to be held in 10 May 2014) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 13, Caledonia Together 10, UC 8, UNI 8, AE 6, FLNKS 3, Labor Party 3, other 3 note: New Caledonia holds two seats in the French Senate; elections last held 21 September 2008 (next to be held not later than September 2014); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 2; New Caledonia also elects two seats to the French National Assembly; elections last held 10 and 17 June 2007 (next to be held on June 2012); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 2 Judicial branch: Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; County Courts; Joint Commerce Tribunal Court; Children's Court Political parties and leaders: Alliance pour la Caledonie or APLC [Didier LE ROUX]; Caledonia Together [Philippe GOMES]; Caledonian Union or UC [Charles PIDJOT]; Federation des Comites de Coordination des Independantistes or FCCI [Francois BURCK]; Front National or FN [Jean-Marie LE PEN]; Front Uni de Liberation Kanak or FULK [Ernest UNE]; Labor Party or PT [Louis Kora UREGEI]; Kanak Socialist Front for National Liberation or FLNKS (includes PALIKA, UNI, UC, and UPM); Parti de Liberation Kanak or PALIKA [Paul NEAOUTYINE]; Rally for Caledonia or RPC [Jacques LAFLEUR]; The Future Together or AE [Didier LEROUX]; The Rally or UMP [Pierre FROGIER]; Union Nationale pour l'Independance or UNI; Union Progressiste Melanesienne or UPM [Victor TUTUGORO] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ITUC, PIF (associate member), SPC, UPU, WFTU, WMO Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of France) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of France) Flag description: the flag of France is used Economy ::New Caledonia Economy - overview: New Caledonia has about 25% of the world's known nickel resources. Only a small amount of the land is suitable for cultivation, and food accounts for about 20% of imports. In addition to nickel, substantial financial support from France - equal to more than 15% of GDP - and tourism are keys to the health of the economy. Substantial new investment in the nickel industry, combined with the recovery of global nickel prices, brightens the economic outlook for the next several years. GDP (purchasing power parity): $3.158 billion (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 172 GDP (official exchange rate): $3.3 billion (2003 est.) GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita (PPP): $15,000 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 15% industry: 8.8% services: 76.2% (2003) Labor force: 102,600 (2007) country comparison to the world: 176 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 20% industry: 20% services: 60% (2002) Unemployment rate: 17.1% (2004) country comparison to the world: 159 Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $996 million expenditures: $1.072 billion (2001 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.4% (2000 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: vegetables; beef, deer, other livestock products; fish Industries: nickel mining and smelting Electricity - production: 1.825 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 136 Electricity - consumption: 1.697 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 137 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 158 Oil - consumption: 13,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 Oil - exports: 645.3 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 Oil - imports: 14,430 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 146 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 156 Exports: $1.341 billion (2006) country comparison to the world: 145 Exports - commodities: ferronickels, nickel ore, fish Exports - partners: France 18.9%, Japan 18.3%, Spain 7.3%, China 6.5%, Belgium 5.4%, Australia 4.6% (2008) Imports: $1.998 billion (2006) country comparison to the world: 149 Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, fuels, chemicals, foodstuffs Imports - partners: France 36.6%, Singapore 17.7%, Australia 11.5%, NZ 4.7% (2008) Debt - external: $79 million (1998 est.) country comparison to the world: 190 Exchange rates: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - 87.59 (2007), 94.97 (2006), 95.89 (2005), 96.04 (2004), 105.66 (2003) Communications ::New Caledonia Telephones - main lines in use: 63,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 157 Telephones - mobile cellular: 196,500 (2008) country comparison to the world: 172 Telephone system: general assessment: a submarine cable network connection between New Caledonia and Australia, completed in 2007, is expected to significantly increase network capacity and improve high-speed connectivity and access to international networks domestic: combined fixed and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership exceeds 100 per 100 persons international: country code - 687; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 6 (plus 25 repeaters) (1997) Internet country code: .nc Internet hosts: 22,448 (2009) country comparison to the world: 101 Internet users: 85,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 159 Transportation ::New Caledonia Airports: 25 (2009) country comparison to the world: 130 Airports - with paved runways: total: 12 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 8 (2009) Heliports: 8 (2009) Roadways: total: 5,622 km (2006) country comparison to the world: 151 Merchant marine: total: 2 country comparison to the world: 146 by type: cargo 1, passenger/cargo 1 (2008) Ports and terminals: Noumea Military ::New Caledonia Military branches: no regular military forces; French police and gendarmerie (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 57,738 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 48,288 females age 16-49: 48,959 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 2,160 female: 2,087 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: NA Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France Transnational Issues ::New Caledonia Disputes - international: Matthew and Hunter Islands east of New Caledonia claimed by France and Vanuatu page last updated on November 10, 2009 ====================================================================== @New Zealand (Australia-Oceania) Introduction ::New Zealand Background: The Polynesian Maori reached New Zealand in about A.D. 800. In 1840, their chieftains entered into a compact with Britain, the Treaty of Waitangi, in which they ceded sovereignty to Queen Victoria while retaining territorial rights. In that same year, the British began the first organized colonial settlement. A series of land wars between 1843 and 1872 ended with the defeat of the native peoples. The British colony of New Zealand became an independent dominion in 1907 and supported the UK militarily in both World Wars. New Zealand's full participation in a number of defense alliances lapsed by the 1980s. In recent years, the government has sought to address longstanding Maori grievances. Geography ::New Zealand Location: Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of Australia Geographic coordinates: 41 00 S, 174 00 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 267,710 sq km country comparison to the world: 75 land: 267,710 sq km water: NA note: includes Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Bounty Islands, Campbell Island, Chatham Islands, and Kermadec Islands Area - comparative: about the size of Colorado Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 15,134 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Climate: temperate with sharp regional contrasts Terrain: predominately mountainous with some large coastal plains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Aoraki-Mount Cook 3,754 m Natural resources: natural gas, iron ore, sand, coal, timber, hydropower, gold, limestone Land use: arable land: 5.54% permanent crops: 6.92% other: 87.54% (2005) Irrigated land: 2,850 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 397 cu km (1995) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 2.11 cu km/yr (48%/9%/42%) per capita: 524 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: earthquakes are common, though usually not severe; volcanic activity Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; native flora and fauna hard-hit by invasive species Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Antarctic Seals, Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: almost 90% of the population lives in cities; Wellington is the southernmost national capital in the world People ::New Zealand Population: 4,213,418 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 Age structure: 0-14 years: 20.7% (male 447,174/female 424,522) 15-64 years: 66.5% (male 1,404,143/female 1,399,530) 65 years and over: 12.8% (male 244,986/female 293,063) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 36.6 years male: 35.8 years female: 37.4 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.935% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 Birth rate: 13.94 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 Death rate: 7.05 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 131 Net migration rate: 2.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 Urbanization: urban population: 87% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 4.92 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 192 male: 5.53 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80.36 years country comparison to the world: 18 male: 78.43 years female: 82.39 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.1 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 1,400 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 200 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 Nationality: noun: New Zealander(s) adjective: New Zealand Ethnic groups: European 69.8%, Maori 7.9%, Asian 5.7%, Pacific islander 4.4%, other 0.5%, mixed 7.8%, unspecified 3.8% (2001 census) Religions: Anglican 14.9%, Roman Catholic 12.4%, Presbyterian 10.9%, Methodist 2.9%, Pentecostal 1.7%, Baptist 1.3%, other Christian 9.4%, other 3.3%, unspecified 17.2%, none 26% (2001 census) Languages: English (official), Maori (official), Sign Language (official) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 19 years male: 19 years female: 20 years (2006) Education expenditures: 6.2% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 38 Government ::New Zealand Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: New Zealand abbreviation: NZ Government type: parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm Capital: name: Wellington geographic coordinates: 41 28 S, 174 51 E time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in September; ends first Sunday in April note: New Zealand is divided into two time zones - New Zealand standard time (12 hours in advance of UTC), and Chatham Islands time (45 minutes in advance of New Zealand standard time) Administrative divisions: 16 regions and 1 territory*; Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Canterbury, Chatham Islands*, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, Manawatu-Wanganui, Marlborough, Nelson, Northland, Otago, Southland, Taranaki, Tasman, Waikato, Wellington, West Coast Dependent areas: Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau Independence: 26 September 1907 (from the UK) National holiday: Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840); ANZAC Day (commemorated as the anniversary of the landing of troops of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps during World War I at Gallipoli, Turkey), 25 April (1915) Constitution: consists of a series of legal documents, including certain acts of the UK and New Zealand parliaments, as well as The Constitution Act 1986, which is the principal formal charter; adopted 1 January 1987, effective 1 January 1987 Legal system: based on English law, with special land legislation and land courts for the Maori; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Anand SATYANAND (since 23 August 2006) head of government: Prime Minister John KEY (since 19 November 2008); Deputy Prime Minister Bill ENGLISH (since 19 November 2008) cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives - commonly called Parliament (usually 120 seats; 69 members elected by popular vote in single-member constituencies including 7 Maori constituencies, and 51 proportional seats chosen from party lists; serve three-year terms) elections: last held 8 November 2008 (next to be held not later than 27 November 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - NP 44.9%, NZLP 34%, Green Party 6.7%, NZ First 4%, ACT New Zealand 3.7%, Maori 2.4%, Progressive 0.9%, UF 0.9%, other 6.6%; seats by party - NP 58, NZLP 43, Green Party 9, ACT New Zealand 5, Maori 5, Progressive 1, UF 1 note: results of 2008 election saw the total number of seats increase to 122 Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; High Court; note - judges appointed by the governor general Political parties and leaders: ACT New Zealand [Rodney HIDE]; Green Party [Jeanette FITZSIMONS]; Maori Party [Tariana TURIA and Pita SHARPLES]; National Party or NP [John KEY]; New Zealand First Party or NZ First [Winston PETERS]; New Zealand Labor Party or NZLP [Phil GOFF]; Progressive Party [James (Jim) ANDERTON]; United Future or UF [Peter DUNNE] Political pressure groups and leaders: Women's Electoral Lobby or WEL other: apartheid groups; civil rights groups; farmers groups; Maori; nuclear weapons groups; women's rights groups International organization participation: ADB, ANZUS (US suspended security obligations to NZ on 11 August 1986), APEC, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, C, CP, EAS, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, NAM (guest), NSG, OECD, OPCW, PCA, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Roy N. FERGUSON chancery: 37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 328-4800 FAX: [1] (202) 667-5227 consulate(s) general: New York, Santa Monica Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador William P. McCORMICK embassy: 29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon, Wellington mailing address: P. O. Box 1190, Wellington; PSC 467, Box 1, APO AP 96531-1034 telephone: [64] (4) 462-6000 FAX: [64] (4) 499-0490 consulate(s) general: Auckland Flag description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant with four red five-pointed stars edged in white centered in the outer half of the flag; the stars represent the Southern Cross constellation Government - note: while not an official symbol, the Kiwi, a small native flightless bird, represents New Zealand Economy ::New Zealand Economy - overview: Over the past 20 years the government has transformed New Zealand from an agrarian economy dependent on concessionary British market access to a more industrialized, free market economy that can compete globally. This dynamic growth has boosted real incomes - but left behind some at the bottom of the ladder - and broadened and deepened the technological capabilities of the industrial sector. Per capita income has risen for nine consecutive years and reached $27,900 in 2008 in purchasing power parity terms. Debt-driven consumer spending drove robust growth in the first half of the decade, helping fuel a large balance of payments deficit that posed a challenge for economic managers. Inflationary pressures caused the central bank to raise its key rate steadily from January 2004 until it was among the highest in the OECD in 2007-08; international capital inflows attracted to the high rates further strengthened the currency and housing market, however, aggravating the current account deficit. The economy fell into recession in 2008. In line with global peers, the central bank has cut interest rates aggressively; the new government is responding with plans to raise productivity growth and develop infrastructure. GDP (purchasing power parity): $116.6 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 $116.6 billion (2007 est.) $113 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $128.4 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 0% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 198 3.2% (2007 est.) 1.9% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $27,900 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 $28,200 (2007 est.) $27,600 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 4.4% industry: 25.7% services: 69.9% (2008 est.) Labor force: 2.25 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 7% industry: 19% services: 74% (2006 est.) Unemployment rate: 4.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 3.6% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: %NA highest 10%: %NA Distribution of family income - Gini index: 36.2 (1997) country comparison to the world: 83 Investment (gross fixed): 22.4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 Budget: revenues: $54.41 billion expenditures: $55.93 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 24.4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 85 22.1% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 2.4% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 5% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 51 8.25% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 12.06% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 64 12.83% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $13.7 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 42 $17.85 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $99.91 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 22 $117.8 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $164.4 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 32 $200.1 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 57 $47.45 billion (31 December 2007) $44.94 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: dairy products, lamb and mutton; wheat, barley, potatoes, pulses, fruits, vegetables; wool, beef; fish Industries: food processing, wood and paper products, textiles, machinery, transportation equipment, banking and insurance, tourism, mining Industrial production growth rate: -2.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 Electricity - production: 42.4 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 Electricity - consumption: 39.24 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 65,400 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 Oil - consumption: 154,100 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 Oil - exports: 34,260 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 83 Oil - imports: 147,600 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 Oil - proved reserves: 60 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 Natural gas - production: 4.275 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 Natural gas - consumption: 4.276 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 137 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 Natural gas - proved reserves: 33.98 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 Current account balance: -$11.34 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 169 -$10.63 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $31.19 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 $27.29 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: dairy products, meat, wood and wood products, fish, machinery Exports - partners: Australia 23.1%, US 10.1%, Japan 8.4%, China 5.8% (2008) Imports: $32.76 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 $29.05 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, vehicles and aircraft, petroleum, electronics, textiles, plastics Imports - partners: Australia 18.1%, China 13.2%, US 9.5%, Japan 8.3%, Singapore 4.7%, Malaysia 4.4%, Germany 4.3% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $11.15 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 $17.25 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $59.08 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 $51.44 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $72.92 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 $70.94 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZD) per US dollar - 1.4151 (2008 est.), 1.3811 (2007), 1.5408 (2006), 1.4203 (2005), 1.5087 (2004) Communications ::New Zealand Telephones - main lines in use: 1.75 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 62 Telephones - mobile cellular: 4.62 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 91 Telephone system: general assessment: excellent domestic and international systems domestic: combined fixed and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership exceeds 150 per 100 persons international: country code - 64; the Southern Cross submarine cable system provides links to Australia, Fiji, and the US; satellite earth stations - 8 (1 Inmarsat - Pacific Ocean, 7 other) Radio broadcast stations: AM 124, FM 290, shortwave 4 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 41 (plus about 700 repeaters) (1997) Internet country code: .nz Internet hosts: 2.007 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 32 Internet users: 3.047 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 58 Transportation ::New Zealand Airports: 120 (2009) country comparison to the world: 50 Airports - with paved runways: total: 41 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 25 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 79 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 31 under 914 m: 45 (2009) Pipelines: condensate 331 km; gas 1,838 km; liquid petroleum gas 172 km; oil 288 km; refined products 198 km (2008) Railways: total: 4,128 km country comparison to the world: 39 narrow gauge: 4,128 km 1.067-m gauge (506 km electrified) (2008) Roadways: total: 93,576 km country comparison to the world: 49 paved: 61,564 km (includes 172 km of expressways) unpaved: 32,012 km (2006) Merchant marine: total: 13 country comparison to the world: 108 by type: bulk carrier 3, cargo 2, chemical tanker 1, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 2 foreign-owned: 3 (Australia 1, Germany 1, South Africa 1) registered in other countries: 5 (Antigua and Barbuda 2, Cook Islands 1, France 1, UK 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Auckland, Lyttelton, Marsden Point, Tauranga, Wellington, Whangarei Military ::New Zealand Military branches: New Zealand Defense Force (NZDF): New Zealand Army, Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal New Zealand Air Force (2009) Military service age and obligation: 17 years of age for voluntary military service; soldiers cannot be deployed until the age of 18; no conscription (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,009,298 females age 16-49: 997,134 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 837,553 females age 16-49: 825,981 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 31,461 female: 29,809 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 Transnational Issues ::New Zealand Disputes - international: asserts a territorial claim in Antarctica (Ross Dependency) Illicit drugs: significant consumer of amphetamines page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Nicaragua (Central America and Caribbean) Introduction ::Nicaragua Background: The Pacific coast of Nicaragua was settled as a Spanish colony from Panama in the early 16th century. Independence from Spain was declared in 1821 and the country became an independent republic in 1838. Britain occupied the Caribbean Coast in the first half of the 19th century, but gradually ceded control of the region in subsequent decades. Violent opposition to governmental manipulation and corruption spread to all classes by 1978 and resulted in a short-lived civil war that brought the Marxist Sandinista guerrillas to power in 1979. Nicaraguan aid to leftist rebels in El Salvador caused the US to sponsor anti-Sandinista contra guerrillas through much of the 1980s. Free elections in 1990, 1996, and 2001, saw the Sandinistas defeated, but voting in 2006 announced the return of former Sandinista President Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra. The 2008 municipal elections were characterized by widespread irregularities. Nicaragua's infrastructure and economy - hard hit by the earlier civil war and by Hurricane Mitch in 1998 - are slowly being rebuilt, but democratic institutions face new challenges under the ORTEGA administration. Geography ::Nicaragua Location: Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Costa Rica and Honduras Geographic coordinates: 13 00 N, 85 00 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 130,370 sq km country comparison to the world: 97 land: 119,990 sq km water: 10,380 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than New York state Land boundaries: total: 1,231 km border countries: Costa Rica 309 km, Honduras 922 km Coastline: 910 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: natural prolongation Climate: tropical in lowlands, cooler in highlands Terrain: extensive Atlantic coastal plains rising to central interior mountains; narrow Pacific coastal plain interrupted by volcanoes Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mogoton 2,438 m Natural resources: gold, silver, copper, tungsten, lead, zinc, timber, fish Land use: arable land: 14.81% permanent crops: 1.82% other: 83.37% (2005) Irrigated land: 610 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 196.7 cu km (2000) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 1.3 cu km/yr (15%/2%/83%) per capita: 237 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: destructive earthquakes; volcanoes; landslides; extremely susceptible to hurricanes Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: largest country in Central America; contains the largest freshwater body in Central America, Lago de Nicaragua People ::Nicaragua Population: 5,891,199 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 108 Age structure: 0-14 years: 33.8% (male 1,013,866/female 976,430) 15-64 years: 62.9% (male 1,847,756/female 1,857,264) 65 years and over: 3.3% (male 85,782/female 110,101) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 22.1 years male: 21.7 years female: 22.5 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.784% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 Birth rate: 23.25 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 Death rate: 4.3 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 206 Net migration rate: -1.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 125 Urbanization: urban population: 57% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 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: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 25.02 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 88 male: 28.09 deaths/1,000 live births female: 21.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.5 years country comparison to the world: 128 male: 69.35 years female: 73.75 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.57 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 7,700 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 500 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: dengue fever and malaria water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009) Nationality: noun: Nicaraguan(s) adjective: Nicaraguan Ethnic groups: mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 69%, white 17%, black 9%, Amerindian 5% Religions: Roman Catholic 58.5%, Evangelical 21.6%, Moravian 1.6%, Jehovah's Witness 0.9%, other 1.7%, none 15.7% (2005 census) Languages: Spanish 97.5% (official), Miskito 1.7%, other 0.8% (1995 census) note: English and indigenous languages on Atlantic coast Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 67.5% male: 67.2% female: 67.8% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 11 years (2003) Education expenditures: 3.1% of GDP (2003) country comparison to the world: 143 Government ::Nicaragua Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Nicaragua conventional short form: Nicaragua local long form: Republica de Nicaragua local short form: Nicaragua Government type: republic Capital: name: Managua geographic coordinates: 12 09 N, 86 17 W time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 15 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 2 autonomous regions* (regiones autonomistas, singular - region autonoma); Atlantico Norte*, Atlantico Sur*, Boaco, Carazo, Chinandega, Chontales, Esteli, Granada, Jinotega, Leon, Madriz, Managua, Masaya, Matagalpa, Nueva Segovia, Rio San Juan, Rivas Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821) Constitution: 9 January 1987; revised in 1995, 2000, and 2005 Legal system: civil law system; Supreme Court may review administrative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 16 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (since 10 January 2007); Vice President Jaime MORALES Carazo (since 10 January 2007); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (since 10 January 2007); Vice President Jaime MORALES Carazo (since 10 January 2007) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term so long as it is not consecutive); election last held 5 November 2006 (next to be held by November 2011) election results: Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra elected president - 38.07%, Eduardo MONTEALEGRE 29%, Jose RIZO 26.21%, Edmundo JARQUIN 6.44% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (92 seats; 90 members are elected by proportional representation and party lists to serve five-year terms; 1 seat for the previous president, 1 seat for the runner-up in previous presidential election) elections: last held 5 November 2006 (next to be held by November 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FSLN 38, PLC 25, ALN 23 (22 plus one for presidential candidate Eduardo MONTEALEGRE, runner-up in the 2006 presidential election), MRS 5, APRE 1 (outgoing President Enrique BOLANOS); note - as of 1 January 2009: seats by party - FSLN 38, PLC 25, BDN 15, ALN 6, MRS 3, APRE 1, Independent 4 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Corte Suprema de Justicia (16 judges elected for five-year terms by the National Assembly) Political parties and leaders: Conservative Party or PC [Azalia AVILES Salmeron]; Liberal Constitutionalist Party or PLC [Jorge CASTILLO Quant]; Nicaraguan Democratic Bloc or BDN [Eduardo MONTEALEGRE]; Nicaraguan Liberal Alliance or ALN [Eliseo NUNEZ Sr.]; Sandinista National Liberation Front or FSLN [Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra]; Sandinista Renovation Movement or MRS [Enrique SAENZ Navarrete] Political pressure groups and leaders: National Workers Front or FNT (a Sandinista umbrella group of eight labor unions including: Farm Workers Association or ATC, Health Workers Federation or FETASALUD, Heroes and Martyrs Confederation of Professional Associations or CONAPRO, National Association of Educators of Nicaragua or ANDEN, National Union of Employees or UNE, National Union of Farmers and Ranchers or UNAG, Sandinista Workers Central or CST, and Union of Journalists of Nicaragua or UPN); Permanent Congress of Workers or CPT (an umbrella group of four non-Sandinista labor unions including: Autonomous Nicaraguan Workers Central or CTN-A, Confederation of Labor Unification or CUS, Independent General Confederation of Labor or CGT-I, and Labor Action and Unity Central or CAUS); Nicaraguan Workers' Central or CTN (an independent labor union); Superior Council of Private Enterprise or COSEP (a confederation of business groups) International organization participation: BCIE, CACM, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charges d'Affaires Alcides J. MONTIEL Barillas chancery: 1627 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 939-6570, 6573 FAX: [1] (202) 939-6545 consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert J. CALLAHAN embassy: Kilometer 5.5 Carretera Sur, Managua mailing address: American Embassy Managua, APO AA 34021 telephone: [505] 252-7100, 252-7888; 252-7634 (after hours) FAX: [505] 252-7304 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on the top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; similar to the flag of El Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band Economy ::Nicaragua Economy - overview: Nicaragua has widespread underemployment and the second lowest per capita income in the Western Hemisphere. The US-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) has been in effect since April 2006 and has expanded export opportunities for many agricultural and manufactured goods. Textiles and apparel account for nearly 60% of Nicaragua's exports, but recent increases in the minimum wage will likely erode its comparative advantage in this industry. Nicaragua relies on international economic assistance to meet internal- and external-debt financing obligations. In early 2004, Nicaragua secured some $4.5 billion in foreign debt reduction under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative, and in October 2007, the IMF approved a new poverty reduction and growth facility (PRGF) program. However, severe budget shortfalls resulting from the suspension of large amounts of direct budget support from foreign donors concerned with recent political developments has caused a slowdown in PRGF disbursements. Similarly, private sector concerns surrounding ORTEGA's handling of economic issues have dampened investment. Economic growth has slowed in 2009, due to decreased export demand from the US and Central American markets, lower commodity prices for key agricultural exports, and low remittance growth - remittances are equivalent to almost 15% of GDP. GDP (purchasing power parity): $16.83 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 $16.31 billion (2007 est.) $15.8 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $6.365 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 3.2% (2007 est.) 3.9% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $2,900 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 165 $2,900 (2007 est.) $2,800 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 16.9% industry: 25.8% services: 57.3% (2008 est.) Labor force: 2.322 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 29% industry: 19% services: 52% (2006 est.) Unemployment rate: 5.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 4.9% (2007 est.) note: underemployment was 46.5% in 2008 Population below poverty line: 48% (2005) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.4% highest 10%: 41.8% (2005) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 43.1 (2001) country comparison to the world: 51 60.3 (1998) Investment (gross fixed): 34.5% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 Budget: revenues: $1.271 billion expenditures: $1.594 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 74.8% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 69.5% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 19.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 203 11.1% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: NA% Commercial bank prime lending rate: 13.17% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 59 13.04% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $507.5 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 94 $465.1 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $1.81 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 84 $1.802 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $4.272 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 83 $4.133 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: coffee, bananas, sugarcane, cotton, rice, corn, tobacco, sesame, soya, beans; beef, veal, pork, poultry, dairy products; shrimp, lobsters Industries: food processing, chemicals, machinery and metal products, textiles, clothing, petroleum refining and distribution, beverages, footwear, wood Industrial production growth rate: 3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 Electricity - production: 3.286 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 Electricity - consumption: 2.569 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 131 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 63.95 million kWh (2007 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 Oil - consumption: 29,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 Oil - exports: 212.5 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 Oil - imports: 29,570 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 101 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 154 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 138 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 148 Current account balance: -$1.475 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 131 -$1.048 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $2.675 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 $2.313 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: coffee, beef, shrimp and lobster, tobacco, sugar, gold, peanuts Exports - partners: US 32.3%, El Salvador 14.6%, Costa Rica 6.9%, Honduras 6.8%, Mexico 5.3%, Canada 5%, Guatemala 5% (2008) Imports: $4.848 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 $4.117 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: consumer goods, machinery and equipment, raw materials, petroleum products Imports - partners: US 21%, Venezuela 14.3%, Mexico 8.4%, Costa Rica 8%, China 7.8%, Guatemala 6.1%, El Salvador 5.2% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $1.141 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 $1.103 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $4.596 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 108 $3.341 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: cordobas (NIO) per US dollar - 19.374 (2008 est.), 18.457 (2007), 17.582 (2006), 16.733 (2005), 15.937 (2004) Communications ::Nicaragua Telephones - main lines in use: 312,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 114 Telephones - mobile cellular: 3.039 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 109 Telephone system: general assessment: system being upgraded by foreign investment; nearly all installed telecommunications capacity now uses digital technology, owing to investments since privatization of the formerly state-owned telecommunications company domestic: since privatization, access to fixed-line and mobile-cellular services has improved but teledensity still lags behind other Central American countries; fixed-line teledensity roughly 5 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone subscribership increasing and now exceeds 50 per 100 persons; connected to Central American Microwave System international: country code - 505; the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) fiber optic submarine cable provides connectivity to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth stations - 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region) and 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 63, FM 32, shortwave 1 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 3 (plus 7 repeaters) (1997) Internet country code: .ni Internet hosts: 88,742 (2009) country comparison to the world: 74 Internet users: 185,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 140 Transportation ::Nicaragua Airports: 143 (2009) country comparison to the world: 40 Airports - with paved runways: total: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 3 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 132 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 16 under 914 m: 115 (2009) Pipelines: oil 54 km (2008) Roadways: total: 19,036 km country comparison to the world: 113 paved: 2,299 km unpaved: 16,737 km (2005) Waterways: 2,220 km (including lakes Managua and Nicaragua) (2008) country comparison to the world: 41 Ports and terminals: Bluefields, Corinto, El Bluff Military ::Nicaragua Military branches: National Army of Nicaragua (ENN; includes Navy, Air Force) (2008) Military service age and obligation: 17 years of age for voluntary military service; tour of duty 18-36 months (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,513,312 females age 16-49: 1,507,999 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,277,878 females age 16-49: 1,339,413 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 72,366 female: 70,118 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 0.6% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 157 Transnational Issues ::Nicaragua Disputes - international: memorials and countermemorials were filed by the parties in Nicaragua's 1999 and 2001 proceedings against Honduras and Colombia at the ICJ over the maritime boundary and territorial claims in the western Caribbean Sea, final public hearings are scheduled for 2007; the 1992 ICJ ruling for El Salvador and Honduras advised a tripartite resolution to establish a maritime boundary in the Gulf of Fonseca, which considers Honduran access to the Pacific; legal dispute over navigational rights of San Juan River on border with Costa Rica Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine destined for the US and transshipment point for arms-for-drugs dealing page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Niger (Africa) Introduction ::Niger Background: Niger became independent from France in 1960 and experienced single-party and military rule until 1991, when Gen. Ali SAIBOU was forced by public pressure to allow multiparty elections, which resulted in a democratic government in 1993. Political infighting brought the government to a standstill and in 1996 led to a coup by Col. Ibrahim BARE. In 1999, BARE was killed in a coup by military officers who promptly restored democratic rule and held elections that brought Mamadou TANDJA to power in December of that year. TANDJA was reelected in 2004. Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world with minimal government services and insufficient funds to develop its resource base. The largely agrarian and subsistence-based economy is frequently disrupted by extended droughts common to the Sahel region of Africa. A predominately Tuareg ethnic group emerged in February 2007, the Nigerien Movement for Justice (MNJ), and attacked several military targets in Niger's northern region throughout 2007 and 2008. Events have since evolved into a fledging insurgency. Geography ::Niger Location: Western Africa, southeast of Algeria Geographic coordinates: 16 00 N, 8 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 1.267 million sq km country comparison to the world: 22 land: 1,266,700 sq km water: 300 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Texas Land boundaries: total: 5,697 km border countries: Algeria 956 km, Benin 266 km, Burkina Faso 628 km, Chad 1,175 km, Libya 354 km, Mali 821 km, Nigeria 1,497 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: desert; mostly hot, dry, dusty; tropical in extreme south Terrain: predominately desert plains and sand dunes; flat to rolling plains in south; hills in north Elevation extremes: lowest point: Niger River 200 m highest point: Mont Bagzane 2,022 m Natural resources: uranium, coal, iron ore, tin, phosphates, gold, molybdenum, gypsum, salt, petroleum Land use: arable land: 11.43% permanent crops: 0.01% other: 88.56% (2005) Irrigated land: 730 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 33.7 cu km (2003) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 2.18 cu km/yr (4%/0%/95%) per capita: 156 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: recurring droughts Environment - current issues: overgrazing; soil erosion; deforestation; desertification; wildlife populations (such as elephant, hippopotamus, giraffe, and lion) threatened because of poaching and habitat destruction Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Geography - note: landlocked; one of the hottest countries in the world; northern four-fifths is desert, southern one-fifth is savanna, suitable for livestock and limited agriculture People ::Niger Population: 15,306,252 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 Age structure: 0-14 years: 49.6% (male 3,840,379/female 3,758,674) 15-64 years: 48% (male 3,658,361/female 3,690,373) 65 years and over: 2.3% (male 159,984/female 198,481) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 15.2 years male: 14.9 years female: 15.4 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 3.677% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 Birth rate: 51.6 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 Death rate: 14.83 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 Net migration rate: -0.57 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 Urbanization: urban population: 16% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 116.66 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 5 male: 121.72 deaths/1,000 live births female: 111.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 52.6 years country comparison to the world: 201 male: 51.39 years female: 53.85 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 7.75 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.8% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 60,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 4,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria water contact disease: schistosomiasis animal contact disease: rabies respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Nationality: noun: Nigerien(s) adjective: Nigerien Ethnic groups: Haoussa 55.4%, Djerma Sonrai 21%, Tuareg 9.3%, Peuhl 8.5%, Kanouri Manga 4.7%, other 1.2% (2001 census) Religions: Muslim 80%, other (includes indigenous beliefs and Christian) 20% Languages: French (official), Hausa, Djerma Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 28.7% male: 42.9% female: 15.1% (2005 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 4 years male: 5 years female: 3 years (2006) Education expenditures: 3.4% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 134 Government ::Niger Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Niger conventional short form: Niger local long form: Republique du Niger local short form: Niger Government type: republic Capital: name: Niamey geographic coordinates: 13 31 N, 2 07 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 8 regions (regions, singular - region) includes 1 capital district* (communite urbaine); Agadez, Diffa, Dosso, Maradi, Niamey*, Tahoua, Tillaberi, Zinder Independence: 3 August 1960 (from France) National holiday: Republic Day, 18 December (1958) Constitution: adopted 18 July 1999 Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Mamadou TANDJA (since 22 December 1999) head of government: Prime Minister Ali Badjo GAMATIE (since 2 October 2009); appointed by the president and shares some executive responsibilities with the president cabinet: 26-member Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); second round of election last held 4 December 2004 (next to be held December 2009) election results: Mamadou TANDJA reelected president; percent of vote - Mamadou TANDJA 65.5%, Mahamadou ISSOUFOU 34.5% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (113 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 20 October 2009 (next to be held in 2014) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MNSD 76, RSD 15, RDP 7, PNA-Alouma 1, Alkalami 1, Nigerien Party of the Masses for Labor 1, independents 12 Judicial branch: State Court or Cour d'Etat; Court of Appeals or Cour d'Appel Political parties and leaders: Alkalama; Democratic and Social Convention-Rahama or CDS-Rahama [Mahamane OUSMANE]; National Movement for a Developing Society-Nassara or MNSD-Nassara [Hama AMADOU]; Niger Social Democratic Party or PSDN; Nigerien Alliance for Democracy and Social Progress-Zaman Lahiya or ANDP-Zaman Lahiya [Moumouni DJERMAKOYE]; Nigerien Party for Autonomy or PNA-Alouma [Sanousi JACKOU]; Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism or PNDS-Tarrayya [Issifou MAHAMADOU]; Nigerien Party of the Masses for Labor; Nigerien Progressive Party or PPN-RDA; Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP-jama'a [Hamid ALGABID]; Social and Democratic Rally or RSD-Gaskiyya [Cheiffou AMADOU] Political pressure groups and leaders: The Nigerien Movement for Justice or MNJ, a predominantly Tuareg rebel group International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Aminata Djibrilla Maiga TOURE chancery: 2204 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-4224 through 4227 FAX: [1] (202)483-3169 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Bernadette M. ALLEN embassy: Rue Des Ambassades, Niamey mailing address: B. P. 11201, Niamey telephone: [227] 20-72-26-61 thru 64 FAX: [227] 20-73-31-67 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and green with a small orange disk (representing the sun) centered in the white band; similar to the flag of India, which has a blue spoked wheel centered in the white band Economy ::Niger Economy - overview: Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world, ranking near last on the United Nations Development Fund index of human development. It is a landlocked, Sub-Saharan nation, whose economy centers on subsistence crops, livestock, and some of the world's largest uranium deposits. Drought cycles, desertification, and strong population growth have undercut the economy. Niger shares a common currency, the CFA franc, and a common central bank, the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO), with seven other members of the West African Monetary Union. In December 2000, Niger qualified for enhanced debt relief under the International Monetary Fund program for Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) and concluded an agreement with the Fund on a Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF). Debt relief provided under the enhanced HIPC initiative significantly reduces Niger's annual debt service obligations, freeing funds for expenditures on basic health care, primary education, HIV/AIDS prevention, rural infrastructure, and other programs geared at poverty reduction. In December 2005, Niger received 100% multilateral debt relief from the IMF, which translates into the forgiveness of approximately US $86 million in debts to the IMF, excluding the remaining assistance under HIPC. Nearly half of the government's budget is derived from foreign donor resources. Future growth may be sustained by exploitation of oil, gold, coal, and other mineral resources. Uranium prices have increased sharply in the last few years. A drought and locust infestation in 2005 led to food shortages for as many as 2.5 million Nigeriens. GDP (purchasing power parity): $10.29 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 148 $9.398 billion (2007 est.) $9.097 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $5.382 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 9.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 3.3% (2007 est.) 5.8% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $700 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 222 $700 (2007 est.) $700 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 39% industry: 17% services: 44% (2001) Labor force: 4.688 million (2007) country comparison to the world: 78 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 90% industry: 6% services: 4% (1995) Unemployment rate: NA% Population below poverty line: 63% (1993 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 35.7% (2005) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 50.5 (1995) country comparison to the world: 21 Budget: revenues: $320 million (includes $134 million from foreign sources) expenditures: $320 million (2002 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 Central bank discount rate: 4.75% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 121 4.25% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: NA% Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $604.5 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) $193.7 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $318.9 million (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: cowpeas, cotton, peanuts, millet, sorghum, cassava (tapioca), rice; cattle, sheep, goats, camels, donkeys, horses, poultry Industries: uranium mining, cement, brick, soap, textiles, food processing, chemicals, slaughterhouses Industrial production growth rate: 5.1% (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 45 Electricity - production: 150 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 181 Electricity - consumption: 589.5 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 158 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 450 million kWh (2007 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 156 Oil - consumption: 6,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 161 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 Oil - imports: 5,367 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl country comparison to the world: 151 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 144 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 154 Current account balance: -$321 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 -$321 million (2007 est.) Exports: $428 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 167 $428 million (2006) Exports - commodities: uranium ore, livestock, cowpeas, onions Exports - partners: Japan 80.4%, Nigeria 8.5%, France 2.9% (2008) Imports: $800 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 176 Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, machinery, vehicles and parts, petroleum, cereals Imports - partners: France 16.6%, China 10.9%, Algeria 9.6%, Nigeria 7.4%, French Polynesia 6.5%, Belgium 4.2%, Cote d'Ivoire 4.2% (2008) Debt - external: $2.1 billion (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 134 Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 447.81 (2008 est.), 493.51 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004) note: since 1 January 1999, the West African CFA franc (XOF) has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro; West African CFA franc (XOF) coins and banknotes are not accepted in countries using Central African CFA francs (XAF), and vice versa, even though the two currencies trade at par Communications ::Niger Telephones - main lines in use: 24,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 186 Telephones - mobile cellular: 1.677 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 129 Telephone system: general assessment: inadequate; small system of wire, radio telephone communications, and microwave radio relay links concentrated in the southwestern area of Niger domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity only 13 per 100 persons with cellular subscribership increasing rapidly from a small base; domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations and 1 planned international: country code - 227; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 6, shortwave 4 (2001) Television broadcast stations: 5 (2007) Internet country code: .ne Internet hosts: 253 (2009) country comparison to the world: 182 Internet users: 80,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 160 Transportation ::Niger Airports: 28 (2009) country comparison to the world: 119 Airports - with paved runways: total: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 18 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Roadways: total: 18,550 km country comparison to the world: 115 paved: 3,803 km unpaved: 14,747 km (2006) Waterways: 300 km (the Niger, the only major river, is navigable to Gaya between September and March) (2008) country comparison to the world: 94 Military ::Niger Military branches: Nigerien Armed Forces (Forces Armees Nigeriennes, FAN): Army, Niger Air Force (Force Aerienne du Niger) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 17-21 years of age for selective compulsory or voluntary military service; enlistees must be Nigerien citizens and unmarried; 2-year service term; women may serve in health care (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 2,871,868 females age 16-49: 2,696,966 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 2,019,553 females age 16-49: 2,046,906 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 170,060 female: 163,996 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.3% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 122 Transnational Issues ::Niger Disputes - international: Libya claims about 25,000 sq km in a currently dormant dispute in the Tommo region; much of Benin-Niger boundary, including tripoint with Nigeria, remains undemarcated; only Nigeria and Cameroon have heeded the Lake Chad Commission's admonition to ratify the delimitation treaty which also includes the Chad-Niger and Niger-Nigeria boundaries Trafficking in persons: current situation: Niger is a source, transit, and destination country for children and women trafficked for forced labor and sexual exploitation; caste-based slavery practices, rooted in ancestral master-slave relationships, continue in isolated areas of the country - an estimated 8,800 to 43,000 Nigeriens live under conditions of traditional slavery; children are trafficked within Niger for forced begging, forced labor in gold mines, domestic servitude, sexual exploitation, and possibly for forced labor in agriculture and stone quarries; women and children from neighboring states are trafficked to and through Niger for domestic servitude, sexual exploitation, forced labor in mines and on farms, and as mechanics and welders tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Niger is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking in 2007; in particular, measures to combat and eliminate traditional slavery practices were weak; the government's overall law enforcement efforts have stalled from 2006; while efforts to protect child trafficking victims were steady, the government failed to provide services to or rescue adult victims subjected to traditional slavery practices, and made poor efforts to educate the public about traditional slavery practices in general (2008) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Nigeria (Africa) Introduction ::Nigeria Background: British influence and control over what would become Nigeria and Africa's most populous country grew through the 19th century. A series of constitutions after World War II granted Nigeria greater autonomy; independence came in 1960. Following nearly 16 years of military rule, a new constitution was adopted in 1999, and a peaceful transition to civilian government was completed. The government continues to face the daunting task of reforming a petroleum-based economy, whose revenues have been squandered through corruption and mismanagement, and institutionalizing democracy. In addition, Nigeria continues to experience longstanding ethnic and religious tensions. Although both the 2003 and 2007 presidential elections were marred by significant irregularities and violence, Nigeria is currently experiencing its longest period of civilian rule since independence. The general elections of April 2007 marked the first civilian-to-civilian transfer of power in the country's history. Geography ::Nigeria Location: Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Benin and Cameroon Geographic coordinates: 10 00 N, 8 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 923,768 sq km country comparison to the world: 32 land: 910,768 sq km water: 13,000 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than twice the size of California Land boundaries: total: 4,047 km border countries: Benin 773 km, Cameroon 1,690 km, Chad 87 km, Niger 1,497 km Coastline: 853 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: varies; equatorial in south, tropical in center, arid in north Terrain: southern lowlands merge into central hills and plateaus; mountains in southeast, plains in north Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Chappal Waddi 2,419 m Natural resources: natural gas, petroleum, tin, iron ore, coal, limestone, niobium, lead, zinc, arable land Land use: arable land: 33.02% permanent crops: 3.14% other: 63.84% (2005) Irrigated land: 2,820 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 286.2 cu km (2003) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 8.01 cu km/yr (21%/10%/69%) per capita: 61 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: periodic droughts; flooding Environment - current issues: soil degradation; rapid deforestation; urban air and water pollution; desertification; oil pollution - water, air, and soil; has suffered serious damage from oil spills; loss of arable land; rapid urbanization Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: the Niger enters the country in the northwest and flows southward through tropical rain forests and swamps to its delta in the Gulf of Guinea People ::Nigeria Population: 149,229,090 country comparison to the world: 8 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 41.5% (male 31,624,050/female 30,242,637) 15-64 years: 55.5% (male 42,240,641/female 40,566,672) 65 years and over: 3.1% (male 2,211,840/female 2,343,250) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 19 years male: 18.9 years female: 19.1 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.999% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 59 Birth rate: 36.65 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 Death rate: 16.56 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 13 Net migration rate: -0.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 Urbanization: urban population: 48% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 94.35 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 13 male: 100.38 deaths/1,000 live births female: 87.97 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 46.94 years country comparison to the world: 212 male: 46.16 years female: 47.76 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.91 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 3.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 2.6 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 170,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria and yellow fever respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis aerosolized dust or soil contact disease: one of the most highly endemic areas for Lassa fever water contact disease: leptospirosis and shistosomiasis animal contact disease: rabies note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Nationality: noun: Nigerian(s) adjective: Nigerian Ethnic groups: Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, is composed of more than 250 ethnic groups; the following are the most populous and politically influential: Hausa and Fulani 29%, Yoruba 21%, Igbo (Ibo) 18%, Ijaw 10%, Kanuri 4%, Ibibio 3.5%, Tiv 2.5% Religions: Muslim 50%, Christian 40%, indigenous beliefs 10% Languages: English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo (Ibo), Fulani Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 68% male: 75.7% female: 60.6% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 8 years male: 9 years female: 7 years (2004) Education expenditures: 0.9% of GDP (1991) country comparison to the world: 180 Government ::Nigeria Country name: conventional long form: Federal Republic of Nigeria conventional short form: Nigeria Government type: federal republic Capital: name: Abuja geographic coordinates: 9 05 N, 7 32 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 36 states and 1 territory*; Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Federal Capital Territory*, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nassarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara Independence: 1 October 1960 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day (National Day), 1 October (1960) Constitution: adopted 5 May 1999; effective 29 May 1999 Legal system: based on English common law, Islamic law (in 12 northern states), and traditional law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Umaru Musa YAR'ADUA (since 29 May 2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Umaru Musa YAR'ADUA (since 29 May 2007) cabinet: Federal Executive Council elections: president is elected by popular vote for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 21 April 2007 (next to be held in April 2011) election results: Umaru Musa YAR'ADUA elected president; percent of vote - Umaru Musa YAR'ADUA 69.8%, Muhammadu BUHARI 18.7%, Atiku ABUBAKAR 7.5%, Orji Uzor KALU 1.7%, other 2.3% Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (109 seats, 3 from each state plus 1 from Abuja; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and House of Representatives (360 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 21 April 2007 (next to be held in April 2011); House of Representatives - last held 21 April 2007 (next to be held in April 2011) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - PDP 53.7%, ANPP 27.9%, AD 9.7%, other 8.7%; seats by party - PDP 76, ANPP 27, AD 6; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - PDP 54.5%, ANPP 27.4%, AD 8.8%, UNPP 2.8%, NPD 1.9%, APGA 1.6%, PRP 0.8%; seats by party - PDP 76, ANPP 27, AD 6, UNPP 2, APGA 2, NPD 1, PRP 1, vacant 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges recommended by the National Judicial Council and appointed by the president); Federal Court of Appeal (judges are appointed by the federal government from a pool of judges recommended by the National Judicial Council) Political parties and leaders: Accord Party [Ikra Aliyu BILBIS]; Action Congress or AC [Hassan ZUMI]; Alliance for Democracy or AD [Mojisoluwa AKINFENWA]; All Nigeria Peoples' Party or ANPP [Edwin UME-EZEOKE]; All Progressives Grand Alliance or APGA [Victor C. UMEH]; Democratic People's Party or DPP [Jeremiah USENI]; Fresh Democratic Party [Chris OKOTIE]; Labor Party [Dan NWANYANWU]; Movement for the Restoration and Defense of Democracy or MRDD [Mohammed Gambo JIMETA]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Aliyu Habu FARI]; Peoples Democratic Party or PDP [Vincent OGBULAFOR]; Peoples Progressive Alliance [Clement EBRI]; Peoples Redemption Party or PRP [Abdulkadir Balarabe MUSA]; Peoples Salvation Party or PSP [Lawal MAITURARE]; United Nigeria Peoples Party or UNPP [Mallam Selah JAMBO] Political pressure groups and leaders: Academic Staff Union for Universities or ASUU; Campaign for Democracy or CD; Civil Liberties Organization or CLO; Committee for the Defense of Human Rights or CDHR; Constitutional Right Project or CRP; Human Right Africa; National Association of Democratic Lawyers or NADL; National Association of Nigerian Students or NANS; Nigerian Bar Association or NBA; Nigerian Labor Congress or NLC; Nigerian Medical Association or NMA; the Press; Universal Defenders of Democracy or UDD International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Baba Gana WIKIL chancery: 3519 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 986-8400 FAX: [1] (202) 775-1385 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Robin SANDERS embassy: 1075 Diplomatic Drive, Central District Area, Abuja mailing address: P. O. Box 5760, Garki, Abuja telephone: [234] (9) 461-4000 FAX: [234] (9) 461-4036 Flag description: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green Economy ::Nigeria Economy - overview: Oil-rich Nigeria, long hobbled by political instability, corruption, inadequate infrastructure, and poor macroeconomic management, has undertaken several reforms over the past decade. Nigeria's former military rulers failed to diversify the economy away from its overdependence on the capital-intensive oil sector, which provides 95% of foreign exchange earnings and about 80% of budgetary revenues. Following the signing of an IMF stand-by agreement in August 2000, Nigeria received a debt-restructuring deal from the Paris Club and a $1 billion credit from the IMF, both contingent on economic reforms. Nigeria pulled out of its IMF program in April 2002, after failing to meet spending and exchange rate targets, making it ineligible for additional debt forgiveness from the Paris Club. Since 2008 the government has begun showing the political will to implement the market-oriented reforms urged by the IMF, such as to modernize the banking system, to curb inflation by blocking excessive wage demands, and to resolve regional disputes over the distribution of earnings from the oil industry. In 2003, the government began deregulating fuel prices, announced the privatization of the country's four oil refineries, and instituted the National Economic Empowerment Development Strategy, a domestically designed and run program modeled on the IMF's Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility for fiscal and monetary management. In November 2005, Abuja won Paris Club approval for a debt-relief deal that eliminated $18 billion of debt in exchange for $12 billion in payments - a total package worth $30 billion of Nigeria's total $37 billion external debt. The deal requires Nigeria to be subject to stringent IMF reviews. Based largely on increased oil exports and high global crude prices, GDP rose strongly in 2007 and 2008. President YAR'ADUA has pledged to continue the economic reforms of his predecessor with emphasis on infrastructure improvements. Infrastructure is the main impediment to growth. The government is working toward developing stronger public-private partnerships for electricity and roads. GDP (purchasing power parity): $336.2 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 36 $319.3 billion (2007 est.) $300.1 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $207.1 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 6.4% (2007 est.) 6.2% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $2,300 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 182 $2,200 (2007 est.) $2,100 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 18.1% industry: 50.8% services: 31.1% (2008 est.) Labor force: 51.04 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 70% industry: 10% services: 20% (1999 est.) Unemployment rate: 4.9% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 Population below poverty line: 70% (2007 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 32.4% (2004) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 43.7 (2003) country comparison to the world: 48 50.6 (1997) Investment (gross fixed): 21.7% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 Budget: revenues: $19.76 billion expenditures: $24.72 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 13.4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 20% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 11.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 167 5.4% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 9.75% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 46 9.5% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 15.48% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 31 16.94% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $35.29 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 25 $26.82 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $32.04 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 36 $22.78 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $49.51 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 49 $35.68 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $49.8 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 51 $86.35 billion (31 December 2007) $32.82 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: cocoa, peanuts, palm oil, corn, rice, sorghum, millet, cassava (tapioca), yams, rubber; cattle, sheep, goats, pigs; timber; fish Industries: crude oil, coal, tin, columbite; palm oil, peanuts, cotton, rubber, wood; hides and skins, textiles, cement and other construction materials, food products, footwear, chemicals, fertilizer, printing, ceramics, steel, small commercial ship construction and repair Industrial production growth rate: 2.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 Electricity - production: 21.92 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 Electricity - consumption: 19.21 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 2.169 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 Oil - consumption: 286,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 45 Oil - exports: 2.327 million bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 8 Oil - imports: 170,000 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 Oil - proved reserves: 36.22 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 Natural gas - production: 32.82 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 Natural gas - consumption: 12.28 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 Natural gas - exports: 20.55 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 11 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 Natural gas - proved reserves: 5.215 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 Current account balance: $3.877 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 $2.203 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $76.03 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 $61.82 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: petroleum and petroleum products 95%, cocoa, rubber Exports - partners: US 41.4%, India 10.4%, Brazil 9.4%, Spain 7.2%, France 4.6% (2008) Imports: $46.3 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 $38.8 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery, chemicals, transport equipment, manufactured goods, food and live animals Imports - partners: China 13.8%, Netherlands 9.6%, US 8.4%, UK 5.3%, South Korea 5.2%, France 4.3% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $53 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 $51.33 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $9.996 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 $8.007 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $68.84 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 $58.84 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $13.02 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 $12.72 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: nairas (NGN) per US dollar - 117.8 (2008 est.), 127.46 (2007), 127.38 (2006), 132.59 (2005), 132.89 (2004) Communications ::Nigeria Telephones - main lines in use: 1.308 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 69 Telephones - mobile cellular: 62.988 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 16 Telephone system: general assessment: further expansion and modernization of the fixed-line telephone network is needed domestic: the addition of a second fixed-line provider in 2002 resulted in faster growth but subscribership remains only about 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular services growing rapidly, in part responding to the shortcomings of the fixed-line network; multiple cellular service providers operate nationally with subscribership reaching 45 per 100 persons in 2008 international: country code - 234; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and Asia; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 83, FM 36, shortwave 11 (2001) Television broadcast stations: 3 (the government controls 2 of the broadcasting stations and 15 repeater stations) (2001) Internet country code: .ng Internet hosts: 1,098 (2009) country comparison to the world: 158 Internet users: 11 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 29 Transportation ::Nigeria Airports: 56 (2009) country comparison to the world: 83 Airports - with paved runways: total: 38 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 12 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 3 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 18 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 3 (2009) Heliports: 3 (2009) Pipelines: condensate 21 km; gas 2,560 km; liquid petroleum gas 97 km; oil 3,396 km; refined products 4,090 km (2008) Railways: total: 3,505 km country comparison to the world: 49 narrow gauge: 3,505 km 1.067-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 193,200 km country comparison to the world: 27 paved: 28,980 km unpaved: 164,220 km (2004) Waterways: 8,600 km (Niger and Benue rivers and smaller rivers and creeks) (2008) country comparison to the world: 15 Merchant marine: total: 68 country comparison to the world: 62 by type: cargo 4, chemical tanker 12, combination ore/oil 1, liquefied gas 2, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 46, specialized tanker 2 foreign-owned: 3 (Japan 1, South Africa 1, Spain 1) registered in other countries: 34 (Bahamas 2, Bermuda 11, Cook Islands 1, Georgia 1, Italy 1, Liberia 2, Panama 10, Poland 1, Seychelles 1, Sierra Leone 1, unknown 3) (2008) Ports and terminals: Bonny Inshore Terminal, Calabar, Lagos Transportation - note: the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the Niger Delta and Gulf of Guinea as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; crews have been robbed and stores or cargoes stolen Military ::Nigeria Military branches: Nigerian Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service (2007) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 31,929,204 females age 16-49: 30,638,979 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 19,763,535 females age 16-49: 18,850,650 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 1,697,030 female: 1,618,561 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.5% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 108 Transnational Issues ::Nigeria Disputes - international: Joint Border Commission with Cameroon reviewed 2002 ICJ ruling on the entire boundary and bilaterally resolved differences, including June 2006 Greentree Agreement that immediately cedes sovereignty of the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon with a phase-out of Nigerian control within two years while resolving patriation issues; the ICJ ruled on an equidistance settlement of Cameroon-Equatorial Guinea-Nigeria maritime boundary in the Gulf of Guinea, but imprecisely defined coordinates in the ICJ decision and a sovereignty dispute between Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon over an island at the mouth of the Ntem River all contribute to the delay in implementation; only Nigeria and Cameroon have heeded the Lake Chad Commission's admonition to ratify the delimitation treaty which also includes the Chad-Niger and Niger-Nigeria boundaries Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 5,778 (Liberia) IDPs: undetermined (communal violence between Christians and Muslims since President OBASANJO's election in 1999; displacement is mostly short-term) (2007) Illicit drugs: a transit point for heroin and cocaine intended for European, East Asian, and North American markets; consumer of amphetamines; safe haven for Nigerian narcotraffickers operating worldwide; major money-laundering center; massive corruption and criminal activity; Nigeria has improved some anti-money-laundering controls, resulting in its removal from the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF's) Noncooperative Countries and Territories List in June 2006; Nigeria's anti-money-laundering regime continues to be monitored by FATF page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Niue (Australia-Oceania) Introduction ::Niue Background: Niue's remoteness, as well as cultural and linguistic differences between its Polynesian inhabitants and those of the rest of the Cook Islands, have caused it to be separately administered. The population of the island continues to drop (from a peak of 5,200 in 1966 to an estimated 1,398 in 2009) with substantial emigration to New Zealand 2,400 km to the southwest. Geography ::Niue Location: Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Tonga Geographic coordinates: 19 02 S, 169 52 W Map references: Oceania Area: total: 260 sq km country comparison to the world: 212 land: 260 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 64 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; modified by southeast trade winds Terrain: steep limestone cliffs along coast, central plateau Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location near Mutalau settlement 68 m Natural resources: fish, arable land Land use: arable land: 11.54% permanent crops: 15.38% other: 73.08% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: typhoons Environment - current issues: increasing attention to conservationist practices to counter loss of soil fertility from traditional slash and burn agriculture Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection Geography - note: one of world's largest coral islands People ::Niue Population: 1,398 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 234 Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA (2009 est.) Population growth rate: -0.032% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 207 Birth rate: NA Death rate: NA Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 39% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: -0.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: NA (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: NA male: NA female: NA (2008 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA male: NA female: NA Total fertility rate: NA (2008 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Niuean(s) adjective: Niuean Ethnic groups: Niuen 78.2%, Pacific islander 10.2%, European 4.5%, mixed 3.9%, Asian 0.2%, unspecified 3% (2001 census) Religions: Ekalesia Niue (Niuean Church - a Protestant church closely related to the London Missionary Society) 61.1%, Latter-Day Saints 8.8%, Roman Catholic 7.2%, Jehovah's Witnesses 2.4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1.4%, other 8.4%, unspecified 8.7%, none 1.9% (2001 census) Languages: Niuean, a Polynesian language closely related to Tongan and Samoan; English Literacy: definition: NA total population: 95% male: NA female: NA School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 12 years (2005) Education expenditures: NA Government ::Niue Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Niue note: pronunciation falls between nyu-way and new-way, but not like new-wee former: Savage Island Dependency status: self-governing in free association with New Zealand since 1974; Niue fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs and defense; however, these responsibilities confer no rights of control and are only exercised at the request of the Government of Niue Government type: self-governing parliamentary democracy Capital: name: Alofi geographic coordinates: 19 01 S, 169 55 W time difference: UTC-11 (6 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: none; note - there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 14 villages at the second order Independence: on 19 October 1974, Niue became a self-governing parliamentary government in free association with New Zealand National holiday: Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840) Constitution: 19 October 1974 (Niue Constitution Act) Legal system: English common law; note - Niue is self-governing with the power to make its laws Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General of New Zealand Anand SATYANAND (since 23 August 2006); the UK and New Zealand are represented by New Zealand High Commissioner John BRYAN (since May 2000) head of government: Premier Toke TALAGI (since 18 June 2008) cabinet: Cabinet consists of the premier and 3 ministers elections: the monarch is hereditary; premier elected by the Legislative Assembly for a three-year term; election last held 18 June 2008 (next to be held in 2011) election results: Toke TALAGI defeats incumbent Young VIVIAN in Legislative Assembly vote; Toke TALAGI - 14, Young VIVIAN - 5 Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly (20 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms; six elected from a common roll and 14 are village representatives) elections: last held 7 June 2008 (next to be held in 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - 20 independents Judicial branch: Supreme Court of New Zealand; High Court of Niue Political parties and leaders: Alliance of Independents or AI; Niue People's Action Party or NPP [Young VIVIAN] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACP, FAO, IFAD, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation in the US: none (self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand) Flag description: yellow with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the flag of the UK bears five yellow five-pointed stars - a large star on a blue disk in the center and a smaller star on each arm of the bold red cross Economy ::Niue Economy - overview: The economy suffers from the typical Pacific island problems of geographic isolation, few resources, and a small population. Government expenditures regularly exceed revenues, and the shortfall is made up by critically needed grants from New Zealand that are used to pay wages to public employees. Niue has cut government expenditures by reducing the public service by almost half. The agricultural sector consists mainly of subsistence gardening, although some cash crops are grown for export. Industry consists primarily of small factories to process passion fruit, lime oil, honey, and coconut cream. The sale of postage stamps to foreign collectors is an important source of revenue. The island in recent years has suffered a serious loss of population because of emigration to New Zealand. Efforts to increase GDP include the promotion of tourism and a financial services industry, although the International Banking Repeal Act of 2002 resulted in the termination of all offshore banking licenses. Economic aid from New Zealand in 2002 was US$2.6 million. Niue suffered a devastating typhoon in January 2004, which decimated nascent economic programs. While in the process of rebuilding, Niue has been dependent on foreign aid. GDP (purchasing power parity): $10.01 million (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 227 GDP (official exchange rate): $10.01 million (2003) GDP - real growth rate: 6.2% (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 GDP - per capita (PPP): $5,800 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 23.5% industry: 26.9% services: 49.5% (2003) Labor force: 663 (2001) country comparison to the world: 219 Labor force - by occupation: note: most work on family plantations; paid work exists only in government service, small industry, and the Niue Development Board Unemployment rate: 12% (2001) country comparison to the world: 136 Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $15.07 million expenditures: $16.33 million (FY0405) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4% (2005) country comparison to the world: 63 Agriculture - products: coconuts, passion fruit, honey, limes, taro, yams, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes; pigs, poultry, beef cattle Industries: tourism, handicrafts, food processing Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 3 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 211 Electricity - consumption: 2.79 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 212 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 157 Oil - consumption: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 205 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 Oil - imports: 30.66 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 205 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 152 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 148 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 148 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 145 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 Exports: $201,400 (2004) country comparison to the world: 220 Exports - commodities: canned coconut cream, copra, honey, vanilla, passion fruit products, pawpaws, root crops, limes, footballs, stamps, handicrafts Imports: $9.038 million (2004) country comparison to the world: 217 Imports - commodities: food, live animals, manufactured goods, machinery, fuels, lubricants, chemicals, drugs Debt - external: $418,000 (2002 est.) country comparison to the world: 201 Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZD) per US dollar - 1.4151 (2008 est.), 1.3811 (2007), 1.5408 (2006), 1.4203 (2005), 1.5087 (2004) Communications ::Niue Telephones - main lines in use: 1,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 227 Telephones - mobile cellular: 600 (2004) country comparison to the world: 220 Telephone system: domestic: single-line telephone system connects all villages on island international: country code - 683 (2001) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997) Internet country code: .nu Internet hosts: 396,370 (2009) country comparison to the world: 50 Internet users: 1,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 214 Transportation ::Niue Airports: 1 (2009) country comparison to the world: 218 Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Roadways: total: 120 km country comparison to the world: 211 paved: 120 km (2008) Ports and terminals: none; offshore anchorage only Military ::Niue Military branches: no regular indigenous military forces; Police Force Military - note: defense is the responsibility of New Zealand Transnational Issues ::Niue Disputes - international: none page last updated on October 28, 2009 ====================================================================== @Norfolk Island (Australia-Oceania) Introduction ::Norfolk Island Background: Two British attempts at establishing the island as a penal colony (1788-1814 and 1825-55) were ultimately abandoned. In 1856, the island was resettled by Pitcairn Islanders, descendants of the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian companions. Geography ::Norfolk Island Location: Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia Geographic coordinates: 29 02 S, 167 57 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 36 sq km country comparison to the world: 234 land: 36 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: about 0.2 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 32 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Climate: subtropical; mild, little seasonal temperature variation Terrain: volcanic formation with mostly rolling plains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Bates 319 m Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: typhoons (especially May to July) Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: most of the 32 km coastline consists of almost inaccessible cliffs, but the land slopes down to the sea in one small southern area on Sydney Bay, where the capital of Kingston is situated People ::Norfolk Island Population: 2,141 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 230 Age structure: 0-14 years: 20.2% 15-64 years: 63.9% 65 years and over: 15.9% (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.006% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 198 Birth rate: NA Death rate: NA Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Sex ratio: NA (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: NA male: NA female: NA (2008 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA male: NA female: NA Total fertility rate: NA HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Norfolk Islander(s) adjective: Norfolk Islander(s) Ethnic groups: descendants of the Bounty mutineers, Australian, New Zealander, Polynesian Religions: Anglican 31.8%, Roman Catholic 11.5%, Uniting Church in Australia 10.6%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3.2%, other Christian 5.6%, none 19.9%, unspecified 16.6% (2006 census) Languages: English (official), Norfolk - a mixture of 18th century English and ancient Tahitian Literacy: NA Education expenditures: NA Government ::Norfolk Island Country name: conventional long form: Territory of Norfolk Island conventional short form: Norfolk Island Dependency status: self governing territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Government Attorney-General's Department Government type: NA Capital: name: Kingston geographic coordinates: 29 03 S, 167 58 E time difference: UTC+11.5 (16.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia) Independence: none (territory of Australia) National holiday: Bounty Day (commemorates the arrival of Pitcairn Islanders), 8 June (1856) Constitution: Norfolk Island Act of 1979 as amended in 2005 Legal system: based on the laws of Australia, local ordinances and acts; English common law applies in matters not covered by either Australian or Norfolk Island law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by the Australian governor general head of government: Acting Administrator Owen WALSH (since October 2007) cabinet: Executive Council is made up of 4 of the 9 members of the Legislative Assembly; the council devises government policy and acts as an advisor to the administrator elections: the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly (9 seats; members elected by electors who have nine equal votes each but only four votes can be given to any one candidate; to serve three-year terms) elections: last held 21 March 2007 (next to be held by 28 March 2010) election results: seats - independents 9 (note - no political parties) Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Court of Petty Sessions Political parties and leaders: none Political pressure groups and leaders: none International organization participation: UPU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of Australia) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of Australia) Flag description: three vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green with a large green Norfolk Island pine tree centered in the slightly wider white band Economy ::Norfolk Island Economy - overview: Tourism, the primary economic activity, has steadily increased over the years and has brought a level of prosperity unusual among inhabitants of the Pacific islands. The agricultural sector has become self sufficient in the production of beef, poultry, and eggs. GDP (purchasing power parity): $NA Labor force: NA Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 10% industry and services: 90% Budget: revenues: $4.6 million expenditures: $4.8 million (FY99/00) Agriculture - products: Norfolk Island pine seed, Kentia palm seed, cereals, vegetables, fruit; cattle, poultry Industries: tourism, light industry, ready mixed concrete Electricity - production: NA kWh Electricity - consumption: NA kWh Exports: $1.5 million (FY91/92) country comparison to the world: 217 Exports - commodities: postage stamps, seeds of the Norfolk Island pine and Kentia palm, small quantities of avocados Imports: $17.9 million c.i.f. Imports - commodities: NA Debt - external: $NA Exchange rates: Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.2059 (2008 est.), 1.2137 (2007), 1.3285 (2006), 1.3095 (2005), 1.3598 (2004) Communications ::Norfolk Island Telephones - main lines in use: 2,532; note - a mix of analog (2,500) and digital (32) circuits (2004) country comparison to the world: 220 Telephones - mobile cellular: 0; note - proposed cellular service disallowed in August 2002 island referendum (2002) country comparison to the world: 221 Telephone system: general assessment: adequate domestic: free local calls international: country code - 672; undersea coaxial cable links with Australia and New Zealand; satellite earth station - 1 Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 3, shortwave 0 (2005) Television broadcast stations: 1 (local programming station plus 2 repeaters that air Australian programs by satellite) (2005) Internet country code: .nf Internet hosts: 89 (2009) country comparison to the world: 201 Transportation ::Norfolk Island Airports: 1 (2009) country comparison to the world: 217 Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Roadways: total: 80 km country comparison to the world: 214 paved: 53 km unpaved: 27 km (2008) Ports and terminals: none; loading jetties at Kingston and Cascade Military ::Norfolk Island Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Australia Transnational Issues ::Norfolk Island Disputes - international: none page last updated on October 28, 2009 ====================================================================== @Northern Mariana Islands (Australia-Oceania) Introduction ::Northern Mariana Islands Background: Under US administration as part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific, the people of the Northern Mariana Islands decided in the 1970s not to seek independence but instead to forge closer links with the US. Negotiations for territorial status began in 1972. A covenant to establish a commonwealth in political union with the US was approved in 1975, and came into force on 24 March 1976. A new government and constitution went into effect in 1978. Geography ::Northern Mariana Islands Location: Oceania, islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines Geographic coordinates: 15 12 N, 145 45 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 464 sq km country comparison to the world: 196 land: 464 sq km water: 0 sq km note: consists of 14 islands including Saipan, Rota, and Tinian Area - comparative: 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 1,482 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical marine; moderated by northeast trade winds, little seasonal temperature variation; dry season December to June, rainy season July to October Terrain: southern islands are limestone with level terraces and fringing coral reefs; northern islands are volcanic Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Agrihan 965 m Natural resources: arable land, fish Land use: arable land: 13.04% permanent crops: 4.35% other: 82.61% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: active volcanoes on Pagan and Agrihan; typhoons (especially August to November) Environment - current issues: contamination of groundwater on Saipan may contribute to disease; clean-up of landfill; protection of endangered species conflicts with development Geography - note: strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean People ::Northern Mariana Islands Population: 88,662 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 196 Age structure: 0-14 years: 18% (male 8,372/female 7,616) 15-64 years: 80.3% (male 28,602/female 42,557) 65 years and over: 1.7% (male 786/female 729) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 30.1 years male: 32.1 years female: 29.2 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 2.292% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 Birth rate: 18.77 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 Death rate: 2.32 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 221 Net migration rate: 6.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 Urbanization: urban population: 91% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.67 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.08 male(s)/female total population: 0.74 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 6.59 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 175 male: 6.56 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.7 years country comparison to the world: 64 male: 74.08 years female: 79.47 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.15 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 219 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: NA (US citizens) adjective: NA Ethnic groups: Asian 56.3%, Pacific islander 36.3%, Caucasian 1.8%, other 0.8%, mixed 4.8% (2000 census) Religions: Christian (Roman Catholic majority, although traditional beliefs and taboos may still be found) Languages: Philippine languages 24.4%, Chinese 23.4%, Chamorro 22.4%, English 10.8%, other Pacific island languages 9.5%, other 9.6% (2000 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97% male: 97% female: 96% (1980 est.) Education expenditures: NA Government ::Northern Mariana Islands Country name: conventional long form: Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands conventional short form: Northern Mariana Islands abbreviation: CNMI former: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Mariana Islands District Dependency status: commonwealth in political union with the US; federal funds to the Commonwealth administered by the US Department of the Interior, Office of Insular Affairs Government type: commonwealth; self-governing with locally elected governor, lieutenant governor, and legislature Capital: name: Saipan geographic coordinates: 15 12 N, 145 45 E time difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: none (commonwealth in political union with the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are four municipalities at the second order: Northern Islands, Rota, Saipan, Tinian Independence: none (commonwealth in political union with the US) National holiday: Commonwealth Day, 8 January (1978) Constitution: Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands effective 1 January 1978; Covenant Agreement fully effective 4 November 1986 Legal system: based on US system, except for customs, wages, immigration laws, and taxation Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections Executive branch: chief of state: President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009) head of government: Governor Benigno R. FITIAL (since 9 January 2006); Lieutenant Governor Eloy S. INOS (since 1 May 2009) cabinet: the cabinet consists of the heads of the 10 principal departments under the executive branch who are appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Senate; other members include Special Assistants to the governor and office heads appointed by and reporting directly to the governor elections: under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, they may vote in the Democratic and Republican party presidential primary elections; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 7 November 2009 (run-off election to be held on 23 November 2009) election results: percent of vote - Benigno R. FITIAL 36%, Heinz HOFSCHNEIDER 36%, Juan GUERRERO 20%, Ramon Deleon GUERRERO 8%; a run-off election between FITIAL and HOFSCHNEIDER will held on 23 November 2009 Legislative branch: bicameral legislature consists of the Senate (9 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year staggered terms) and the House of Representatives (20 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 3 November 2007 (next to be held in November 2009); House of Representatives - last held 3 November 2007 (next to be held in November 2009) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Covenant Party 3, Republican Party 3, Democratic Party 1, independents 2; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican Party 12, Covenant Party 4, Democratic Party 1, independents 3 note: the Northern Mariana Islands elects one nonvoting delegate to the US House of Representatives; election last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2010); seats by party - independent 1 Judicial branch: Commonwealth Supreme Court; Superior Court; Federal District Court Political parties and leaders: Covenant Party [Benigno R. FITIAL]; Democratic Party [Dr. Carlos S. CAMACHO]; Republican Party [Juan S. REYES] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: SPC, UPU Flag description: blue, with a white, five-pointed star superimposed on the gray silhouette of a latte stone (a traditional foundation stone used in building) in the center, surrounded by a wreath Economy ::Northern Mariana Islands Economy - overview: The economy benefits substantially from financial assistance from the US. The rate of funding has declined as locally generated government revenues have grown. The key tourist industry employs about 50% of the work force and accounts for roughly one-fourth of GDP. Japanese tourists predominate. Annual tourist entries have exceeded one-half million in recent years, but financial difficulties in Japan have caused a temporary slowdown. The agricultural sector is made up of cattle ranches and small farms producing coconuts, breadfruit, tomatoes, and melons. Garment production is by far the most important industry with the employment of 17,500 mostly Chinese workers and sizable shipments to the US under duty and quota exemptions. GDP (purchasing power parity): $900 million (2000 est.) country comparison to the world: 203 note: GDP estimate includes US subsidy GDP (official exchange rate): $633.4 million (2000) GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita (PPP): $12,500 (2000 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Labor force: 38,450 total indigenous labor force; 2,699 unemployed; 28,717 foreign workers (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 192 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Unemployment rate: 8% (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 3.9% (2001) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $193 million expenditures: $223 million (FY01/02 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): -0.8% (2000) country comparison to the world: 2 Agriculture - products: vegetables and melons, fruits and nuts, ornamental plants, livestock, poultry and eggs, fish and aquaculture products Industries: banking, construction, fishing, garment, tourism, handicrafts Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 60,600 kWh (January 2009) country comparison to the world: 213 Electricity - consumption: 48,300 kWh (January 2009) country comparison to the world: 214 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (January 2009 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (January 2009 est.) Exports: $98.2 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 193 Exports - commodities: garments Imports: $214.4 million (2001) country comparison to the world: 198 Imports - commodities: food, construction equipment and materials, petroleum products Debt - external: $NA Exchange rates: the US dollar is used Communications ::Northern Mariana Islands Telephones - main lines in use: 24,700 (2008) country comparison to the world: 184 Telephones - mobile cellular: 20,500 (2004) country comparison to the world: 206 Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: country code - 1-670; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 6, shortwave 1 (2005) Television broadcast stations: 1 (on Saipan; in addition, 2 cable services on Saipan provide varied programming from satellite networks) (2006) Internet country code: .mp Internet hosts: 9 (2009) country comparison to the world: 220 Transportation ::Northern Mariana Islands Airports: 5 (2009) country comparison to the world: 183 Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Heliports: 1 (2009) Roadways: total: 536 km (2007) country comparison to the world: 190 Ports and terminals: Saipan, Tinian Military ::Northern Mariana Islands Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 19,209 females age 16-49: 33,074 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 570 female: 587 (2009 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US Transnational Issues ::Northern Mariana Islands Disputes - international: none page last updated on November 12, 2009 ====================================================================== @Norway (Europe) Introduction ::Norway Background: Two centuries of Viking raids into Europe tapered off following the adoption of Christianity by King Olav TRYGGVASON in 994. Conversion of the Norwegian kingdom occurred over the next several decades. In 1397, Norway was absorbed into a union with Denmark that lasted more than four centuries. In 1814, Norwegians resisted the cession of their country to Sweden and adopted a new constitution. Sweden then invaded Norway but agreed to let Norway keep its constitution in return for accepting the union under a Swedish king. Rising nationalism throughout the 19th century led to a 1905 referendum granting Norway independence. Although Norway remained neutral in World War I, it suffered heavy losses to its shipping. Norway proclaimed its neutrality at the outset of World War II, but was nonetheless occupied for five years by Nazi Germany (1940-45). In 1949, neutrality was abandoned and Norway became a member of NATO. Discovery of oil and gas in adjacent waters in the late 1960s boosted Norway's economic fortunes. The current focus is on containing spending on the extensive welfare system and planning for the time when petroleum reserves are depleted. In referenda held in 1972 and 1994, Norway rejected joining the EU. Geography ::Norway Location: Northern Europe, bordering the North Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Sweden Geographic coordinates: 62 00 N, 10 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 323,802 sq km country comparison to the world: 67 land: 304,282 sq km water: 19,520 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than New Mexico Land boundaries: total: 2,542 km border countries: Finland 727 km, Sweden 1,619 km, Russia 196 km Coastline: 25,148 km (includes mainland 2,650 km, as well as long fjords, numerous small islands, and minor indentations 22,498 km; length of island coastlines 58,133 km) Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 10 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm Climate: temperate along coast, modified by North Atlantic Current; colder interior with increased precipitation and colder summers; rainy year-round on west coast Terrain: glaciated; mostly high plateaus and rugged mountains broken by fertile valleys; small, scattered plains; coastline deeply indented by fjords; arctic tundra in north Elevation extremes: lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m highest point: Galdhopiggen 2,469 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, titanium, pyrites, nickel, fish, timber, hydropower Land use: arable land: 2.7% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.3% (2005) Irrigated land: 1,270 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 381.4 cu km (2005) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 2.4 cu km/yr (23%/67%/10%) per capita: 519 cu m/yr (1996) Natural hazards: rockslides, avalanches Environment - current issues: water pollution; acid rain damaging forests and adversely affecting lakes, threatening fish stocks; air pollution from vehicle emissions Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: about two-thirds mountains; some 50,000 islands off its much-indented coastline; strategic location adjacent to sea lanes and air routes in North Atlantic; one of the most rugged and longest coastlines in the world People ::Norway Population: 4,660,539 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 116 Age structure: 0-14 years: 18.5% (male 441,508/female 422,050) 15-64 years: 66.2% (male 1,564,482/female 1,522,519) 65 years and over: 15.2% (male 305,120/female 404,860) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 39.4 years male: 38.5 years female: 40.2 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.341% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 170 Birth rate: 10.99 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 178 Death rate: 9.29 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 Net migration rate: 1.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 Urbanization: urban population: 77% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 3.58 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 214 male: 3.92 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.22 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.95 years country comparison to the world: 24 male: 77.29 years female: 82.74 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.78 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 161 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 3,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 100 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 Nationality: noun: Norwegian(s) adjective: Norwegian Ethnic groups: Norwegian 94.4% (includes Sami, about 60,000), other European 3.6%, other 2% (2007 estimate) Religions: Church of Norway 85.7%, Pentecostal 1%, Roman Catholic 1%, other Christian 2.4%, Muslim 1.8%, other 8.1% (2004) Languages: Bokmal Norwegian (official), Nynorsk Norwegian (official), small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities; note - Sami is official in six municipalities Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 17 years male: 17 years female: 18 years (2006) Education expenditures: 7.2% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 20 Government ::Norway Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Norway conventional short form: Norway local long form: Kongeriket Norge local short form: Norge Government type: constitutional monarchy Capital: name: Oslo geographic coordinates: 59 55 N, 10 45 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 19 counties (fylker, singular - fylke); Akershus, Aust-Agder, Buskerud, Finnmark, Hedmark, Hordaland, More og Romsdal, Nordland, Nord-Trondelag, Oppland, Oslo, Ostfold, Rogaland, Sogn og Fjordane, Sor-Trondelag, Telemark, Troms, Vest-Agder, Vestfold Dependent areas: Bouvet Island, Jan Mayen, Svalbard Independence: 7 June 1905 (Norway declared the union with Sweden dissolved); 26 October 1905 (Sweden agreed to the repeal of the union) National holiday: Constitution Day, 17 May (1814) Constitution: 17 May 1814; amended many times Legal system: mixture of customary law, civil law system, and common law traditions; Supreme Court renders advisory opinions to legislature when asked; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: King HARALD V (since 17 January 1991); Heir Apparent Crown Prince HAAKON MAGNUS, son of the monarch (born 20 July 1973) head of government: Prime Minister Jens STOLTENBERG (since 17 October 2005) cabinet: State Council appointed by the monarch with the approval of parliament elections: the monarch is hereditary; following parliamentary elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch with the approval of the parliament Legislative branch: modified unicameral Parliament or Storting (169 seats; members are elected by popular vote by proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 14 September 2009 (next to be held in September 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - Labor Party 35.4%, Progress Party 22.9%, Conservative Party 17.2%, Socialist Left Party 6.2%, Center Party 6.2%, Christian People's Party 5.5%, Liberal Party 3.9%, other 2.7%; seats by party - Labor Party 64, Progress Party 41, Conservative Party 30, Socialist Left Party 11, Center Party 11, Christian People's Party 10, Liberal Party 2 note: for certain purposes, the parliament divides itself into two chambers and elects one-fourth of its membership in the Lagting and three-fourths of its membership in the Odelsting Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Hoyesterett (justices appointed by the monarch) Political parties and leaders: Center Party [Liv Signe NAVARSETE]; Christian People's Party [Dagfinn HOYBRATEN]; Conservative Party [Erna SOLBERG]; Labor Party [Jens STOLTENBERG]; Liberal Party [Lars SPONHEIM]; Progress Party [Siv JENSEN]; Socialist Left Party [Kristin HALVORSEN] Political pressure groups and leaders: Norwegian Aid Committee or NORWAC; Norwegian Association of the Disabled; Pure Salmon Campaign; The Consumer Council (consumer advocacy group) other: environmental groups; media; reform movements International organization participation: ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EFTA, ESA, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM (guest), NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNITAR, UNMIS, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Wegger C. STROMMEN chancery: 2720 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 333-6000 FAX: [1] (202) 337-0870 consulate(s) general: Houston, Minneapolis, New York, San Francisco Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Benson K. WHITNEY embassy: Henrik Ibsens gate 48, 0244 Oslo; note - the embassy will move to Huseby in the near future mailing address: PSC 69, Box 1000, APO AE 09707 telephone: [47] (22) 44 85 50 FAX: [47] (22) 44 33 63, 56 27 51 Flag description: red with a blue cross outlined in white that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag); the colors recall Norway's past political unions with Denmark (red and white) and Sweden (blue) Economy ::Norway Economy - overview: The Norwegian economy is a prosperous bastion of welfare capitalism, featuring a combination of free market activity and government intervention. The government controls key areas, such as the vital petroleum sector, through large-scale state enterprises. The country is richly endowed with natural resources - petroleum, hydropower, fish, forests, and minerals - and is highly dependent on the petroleum sector, which accounts for nearly half of exports and over 30% of state revenue. Norway is the world's third-largest gas exporter; its position as an oil exporter has slipped to seventh-largest as production has begun to decline. Norway opted to stay out of the EU during a referendum in November 1994; nonetheless, as a member of the European Economic Area, it contributes sizably to the EU budget. In anticipation of eventual declines in oil and gas production, Norway saves almost all state revenue from the petroleum sector in a sovereign wealth fund. After lackluster growth of less than 1.5% in 2002-03, GDP growth picked up to 2.5-6.2% in 2004-07, partly due to higher oil prices. Growth fell to 2.6% in 2008 as a result of the slowing world economy and the drop in oil prices. GDP (purchasing power parity): $276.3 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 $269.6 billion (2007 est.) $253.8 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $451.8 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 6.2% (2007 est.) 4.4% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $59,500 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 $58,200 (2007 est.) $55,100 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2% industry: 44.2% services: 53.8% (2008 est.) Labor force: 2.591 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 2.9% industry: 21.1% services: 76% (2008) Unemployment rate: 2.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 2.5% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.9% highest 10%: 23.4% (2000) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 25 (2008) country comparison to the world: 131 25.8 (1995) Investment (gross fixed): 20.8% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 Budget: revenues: $266.2 billion expenditures: $178.1 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 55.7% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 33.1% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 0.8% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 4% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 71 6.25% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 7.28% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 141 3.5% (1st quarter 2009) Stock of money: $NA Stock of quasi money: $NA Stock of domestic credit: $NA Market value of publicly traded shares: $142.5 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 27 $357.4 billion (31 December 2007) $281.1 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: barley, wheat, potatoes; pork, beef, veal, milk; fish Industries: petroleum and gas, food processing, shipbuilding, pulp and paper products, metals, chemicals, timber, mining, textiles, fishing Industrial production growth rate: -0.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 Electricity - production: 142.7 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 Electricity - consumption: 128.8 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 Electricity - exports: 17.29 billion kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 3.414 billion kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 2.466 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 Oil - consumption: 220,200 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 Oil - exports: 2.383 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 Oil - imports: 104,400 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 Oil - proved reserves: 6.68 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 Natural gas - production: 99.2 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 Natural gas - consumption: 3.97 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 Natural gas - exports: 95.23 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 3 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 Natural gas - proved reserves: 2.313 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 Current account balance: $88.34 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 $60.46 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $173.6 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 $137.3 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: petroleum and petroleum products, machinery and equipment, metals, chemicals, ships, fish Exports - partners: UK 27%, Germany 12.8%, Netherlands 10.4%, France 9.4%, Sweden 6.5%, US 4.5% (2008) Imports: $85.95 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 $77.03 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals, foodstuffs Imports - partners: Sweden 14.4%, Germany 13.4%, Denmark 6.9%, China 6.4%, UK 5.9%, US 5.4%, Netherlands 4.2% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $50.95 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 $60.84 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $475.9 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 22 $540.3 billion (31 December 2007) note: Norway is a net external creditor Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $91.49 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 $93.69 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $160.1 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 $133.3 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: Norwegian kroner (NOK) per US dollar - 5.6361 (2008), 5.86 (2007), 6.418 (2006), 6.445 (2005), 6.7327 (2004) Communications ::Norway Telephones - main lines in use: 1.928 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 57 Telephones - mobile cellular: 5.287 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 85 Telephone system: general assessment: modern in all respects; one of the most advanced telecommunications networks in Europe domestic: Norway has a domestic satellite system; moreover, the prevalence of rural areas encourages the wide use of cellular-mobile systems instead of fixed-wire systems international: country code - 47; 2 buried coaxial cable systems; submarine cables provide links to other Nordic countries and Europe; satellite earth stations - NA Eutelsat, NA Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), and 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Norway shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Sweden) (1999) Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 160, shortwave 1 (2008) Television broadcast stations: 69 (2008) Internet country code: .no Internet hosts: 3.198 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 25 Internet users: 3.935 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 52 Transportation ::Norway Airports: 98 (2009) country comparison to the world: 63 Airports - with paved runways: total: 67 2,438 to 3,047 m: 13 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 25 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 31 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 25 (2009) Heliports: 1 (2009) Pipelines: condensate 31 km; gas 64 km (2008) Railways: total: 4,114 km country comparison to the world: 40 standard gauge: 4,114 km 1.435-m gauge (2,552 km electrified) (2009) Roadways: total: 92,946 km country comparison to the world: 50 paved: 72,033 km (includes 664 km of expressways) unpaved: 20,913 km (2007) Waterways: 1,577 km (2008) country comparison to the world: 53 Merchant marine: total: 688 country comparison to the world: 15 by type: bulk carrier 46, cargo 141, carrier 3, chemical tanker 137, combination ore/oil 12, container 4, liquefied gas 65, passenger/cargo 117, petroleum tanker 85, refrigerated cargo 14, roll on/roll off 13, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 50 foreign-owned: 199 (Canada 10, Chile 2, China 36, Denmark 25, Estonia 1, Finland 1, France 3, Germany 1, Greece 3, Hong Kong 20, Iceland 3, Italy 4, Japan 29, Lithuania 1, Malaysia 1, Monaco 5, Poland 3, Saudi Arabia 3, Singapore 1, Sweden 34, UK 5, US 8) registered in other countries: 923 (Antigua and Barbuda 8, Australia 1, Bahamas 189, Barbados 38, Belize 3, Bermuda 5, Brazil 5, Canada 3, Cayman Islands 1, China 1, Comoros 1, Cook Islands 5, Cyprus 18, Denmark 3, Dominica 1, Estonia 2, Faroe Islands 4, Finland 3, France 5, Gibraltar 33, Hong Kong 40, Indonesia 1, Isle of Man 20, Italy 2, South Korea 2, Liberia 40, Libya 1, Malta 93, Marshall Islands 66, Netherlands 12, Netherlands Antilles 3, Panama 89, Philippines 10, Russia 2, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 13, Singapore 143, Spain 5, Sweden 7, Tuvalu 1, UK 31, US 9, unknown 4) (2008) Ports and terminals: Bergen, Borg Havn, Haugesund, Maaloy, Mongstad, Narvik, Oslo, Sture Military ::Norway Military branches: Norwegian Army (Haeren), Royal Norwegian Navy (Kongelige Norske Sjoeforsvaret, RNoN; includes Coastal Rangers and Coast Guard (Kystvakt)), Royal Norwegian Air Force (Kongelige Norske Luftforsvaret, RNoAF), Home Guard (Heimevernet, HV) (2007) Military service age and obligation: 18-44 years of age for male compulsory military service; 16 years of age in wartime; 17 years of age for male volunteers; 18 years of age for women; 12-month service obligation, in practice shortened to 8 to 9 months; although all males between ages of 18 and 44 are liable for service, in practice they are seldom called to duty after age 30; reserve obligation to age 35-60; 16 years of age for volunteers to the Home Guard, who serve 6-month duty tours (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,078,181 females age 16-49: 1,046,550 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 888,219 females age 16-49: 863,255 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 31,980 female: 30,543 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.9% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 Transnational Issues ::Norway Disputes - international: Norway asserts a territorial claim in Antarctica (Queen Maud Land and its continental shelf); despite dialogue, Russia and Norway continue to dispute their maritime limits in the Barents Sea and Russia's fishing rights beyond Svalbard's territorial limits within the Svalbard Treaty zone page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Oman (Middle East) Introduction ::Oman Background: The inhabitants of the area of Oman have long prospered on Indian Ocean trade. In the late 18th century, a newly established sultanate in Muscat signed the first in a series of friendship treaties with Britain. Over time, Oman's dependence on British political and military advisors increased, but it never became a British colony. In 1970, QABOOS bin Said al-Said overthrew the restrictive rule of his father; he has ruled as sultan ever since. His extensive modernization program has opened the country to the outside world while preserving the longstanding close ties with the UK. Oman's moderate, independent foreign policy has sought to maintain good relations with all Middle Eastern countries. Geography ::Oman Location: Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian Gulf, between Yemen and UAE Geographic coordinates: 21 00 N, 57 00 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 309,500 sq km country comparison to the world: 70 land: 309,500 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Kansas Land boundaries: total: 1,374 km border countries: Saudi Arabia 676 km, UAE 410 km, Yemen 288 km Coastline: 2,092 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: dry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strong southwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south Terrain: central desert plain, rugged mountains in north and south Elevation extremes: lowest point: Arabian Sea 0 m highest point: Jabal Shams 2,980 m Natural resources: petroleum, copper, asbestos, some marble, limestone, chromium, gypsum, natural gas Land use: arable land: 0.12% permanent crops: 0.14% other: 99.74% (2005) Irrigated land: 720 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 1 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 1.36 cu km/yr (7%/2%/90%) per capita: 529 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: summer winds often raise large sandstorms and dust storms in interior; periodic droughts Environment - current issues: rising soil salinity; beach pollution from oil spills; limited natural fresh water resources Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: strategic location on Musandam Peninsula adjacent to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil People ::Oman Population: 3,418,085 country comparison to the world: 133 note: includes 577,293 non-nationals (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 42.7% (male 744,265/female 714,116) 15-64 years: 54.5% (male 1,079,511/female 783,243) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 55,180/female 41,770) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 18.8 years male: 21.1 years female: 16.7 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 3.138% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 Birth rate: 34.79 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 Death rate: 3.65 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 211 Net migration rate: 0.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 Urbanization: urban population: 72% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.38 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.32 male(s)/female total population: 1.22 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 16.88 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 119 male: 19.29 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.35 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.16 years country comparison to the world: 91 male: 71.87 years female: 76.55 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.53 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 17 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 148 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 1,300 (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 141 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 200 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 Nationality: noun: Omani(s) adjective: Omani Ethnic groups: Arab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi), African Religions: Ibadhi Muslim 75%, other (includes Sunni Muslim, Shia Muslim, Hindu) 25% Languages: Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects Literacy: definition: NA total population: 81.4% male: 86.8% female: 73.5% (2003 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 11 years (2006) Education expenditures: 4% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 103 Government ::Oman Country name: conventional long form: Sultanate of Oman conventional short form: Oman local long form: Saltanat Uman local short form: Uman former: Muscat and Oman Government type: monarchy Capital: name: Muscat geographic coordinates: 23 37 N, 58 35 E time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 5 regions (manatiq, singular - mintaqat) and 4 governorates* (muhafazat, singular - muhafazat) Ad Dakhiliyah, Al Batinah, Al Buraymi*, Al Wusta, Ash Sharqiyah, Az Zahirah, Masqat (Muscat)*, Musandam*, Zufar (Dhofar)* Independence: 1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese) National holiday: Birthday of Sultan QABOOS, 18 November (1940) Constitution: none; note - on 6 November 1996, Sultan QABOOS issued a royal decree promulgating a basic law considered by the government to be a constitution which, among other things, clarifies the royal succession, provides for a prime minister, bars ministers from holding interests in companies doing business with the government, establishes a bicameral legislature, and guarantees basic civil liberties for Omani citizens Legal system: based on English common law and Islamic law; ultimate appeal to the monarch; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal; note - members of the military and security forces are not allowed to vote Executive branch: chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said al-Said (sultan since 23 July 1970 and prime minister since 23 July 1972); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said al-Said (sultan since 23 July 1970 and prime minister since 23 July 1972) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch elections: the monarch is hereditary Legislative branch: bicameral Majlis Oman consists of Majlis al-Dawla or upper chamber (71 seats; members appointed by the monarch; has advisory powers only) and Majlis al-Shura or lower chamber (84 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms; body has only advisory powers) elections: last held 27 October 2007 (next to be held in 2011) election results: new candidates won 46 seats and 38 members of the outgoing Majlis kept their positions; none of the 20 female candidates were elected Judicial branch: Supreme Court note: the nascent civil court system, administered by region, has judges who practice secular and Sharia law Political parties and leaders: none Political pressure groups and leaders: none International organization participation: ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Hunaina bint Sultan bin Ahmad al-MUGHAIRI chancery: 2535 Belmont Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 387-1980 FAX: [1] (202) 745-4933 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Gary A. GRAPPO embassy: Jameat A'Duwal Al Arabiya Street, Al Khuwair area, Muscat mailing address: P. O. Box 202, P.C. 115, Madinat Sultan Qaboos, Muscat telephone: [968] 24-643-400 FAX: [968] 24-699771 Flag description: three horizontal bands of white, red, and green of equal width with a broad, vertical, red band on the hoist side; the national emblem (a khanjar dagger in its sheath superimposed on two crossed swords in scabbards) in white is centered near the top of the vertical band Economy ::Oman Economy - overview: Oman is a middle-income economy that is heavily dependent on dwindling oil resources, but sustained high oil prices in recent years have helped build Oman's budget and trade surpluses and foreign reserves. As a result of its dwindling oil resources, Oman is actively pursuing a development plan that focuses on diversification, industrialization, and privatization, with the objective of reducing the oil sector's contribution to GDP to 9% by 2020. Some of these projects may be in jeopardy, however, because Muscat overestimated its ability to produce or secure the natural gas needed to power them. Oman actively seeks private foreign investors, especially in the industrial, information technology, tourism, and higher education fields. Industrial development plans focus on gas resources, metal manufacturing, petrochemicals, and international transshipment ports. The drop in oil prices and the global financial crisis in 2008 will affect Oman's fiscal position and it may post a deficit in 2009 if oil prices stay low. In addition, the global credit crisis is slowing the pace of investment and development projects - a trend that probably will continue into 2009. GDP (purchasing power parity): $66.87 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 $62.84 billion (2007 est.) $59.4 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $59.95 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 5.8% (2007 est.) 7.5% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $20,200 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 $19,600 (2007 est.) $19,100 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2.1% industry: 36.1% services: 61.8% (2008 est.) Labor force: 968,800 country comparison to the world: 139 note: about 60% of the labor force is non-national (2007) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Unemployment rate: 15% (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 154 Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Investment (gross fixed): 27.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 36 Budget: revenues: $18.13 billion expenditures: $15.95 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 2.8% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 125 10.3% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 12.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 174 5.9% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 0.91% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 134 1.98% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 7.1% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 116 7.29% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $5.25 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 54 $5.044 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $14.57 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 47 $11.04 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $17.83 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 61 $13.88 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $14.91 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 67 $23.06 billion (31 December 2007) $16.16 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: dates, limes, bananas, alfalfa, vegetables; camels, cattle; fish Industries: crude oil production and refining, natural and liquefied natural gas (LNG) production; construction, cement, copper, steel, chemicals, optic fiber Industrial production growth rate: 3.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 Electricity - production: 13.58 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 83 Electricity - consumption: 11.36 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 761,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 Oil - consumption: 81,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 83 Oil - exports: 593,700 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 Oil - imports: 17,290 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 Oil - proved reserves: 5.5 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 Natural gas - production: 24 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 Natural gas - consumption: 13.46 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 Natural gas - exports: 10.89 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 18 Natural gas - imports: 350 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 Natural gas - proved reserves: 849.5 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 Current account balance: $5.523 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 $1.933 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $37.72 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 $24.72 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: petroleum, reexports, fish, metals, textiles Exports - partners: China 31.7%, South Korea 17%, UAE 11.7%, Japan 11%, Thailand 7.1% (2008) Imports: $20.71 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 $14.34 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, livestock, lubricants Imports - partners: UAE 27.2%, Japan 15.6%, US 5.7%, China 4.6%, India 4.5%, South Korea 4.2%, Germany 4.2% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $11.58 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 $9.524 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $7.68 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 $5.297 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $NA Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Exchange rates: Omani rials (OMR) per US dollar - 0.3845 (2008 est.), 0.3845 (2007), 0.3845 (2006), 0.3845 (2005), 0.3845 (2004) Communications ::Oman Telephones - main lines in use: 274,200 (2008) country comparison to the world: 116 Telephones - mobile cellular: 3.219 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 104 Telephone system: general assessment: modern system consisting of open-wire, microwave, and radiotelephone communication stations; limited coaxial cable domestic: fixed-line phone service gradually being introduced to remote villages using wireless local loop systems; fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership both increasing; open-wire, microwave, radiotelephone communications, and a domestic satellite system with 8 earth stations international: country code - 968; the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) and the SEA-ME-WE-3 submarine cable provide connectivity to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean), 1 Arabsat (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 9, shortwave 2 (1999) Television broadcast stations: 13 (plus 25 repeaters) (1999) Internet country code: .om Internet hosts: 6,346 (2009) country comparison to the world: 133 Internet users: 465,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 110 Transportation ::Oman Airports: 128 (2009) country comparison to the world: 45 Airports - with paved runways: total: 10 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 118 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 52 914 to 1,523 m: 33 under 914 m: 25 (2009) Heliports: 3 (2009) Pipelines: gas 4,126 km; oil 3,558 km; refined products 263 km (2008) Roadways: total: 42,300 km country comparison to the world: 85 paved: 16,500 km (includes 550 km of expressways) unpaved: 25,800 km (2005) Merchant marine: total: 3 country comparison to the world: 142 by type: chemical tanker 1, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 1 registered in other countries: 2 (Panama 2) (2008) Ports and terminals: Mina' Qabus, Salalah Military ::Oman Military branches: Sultan's Armed Forces (SAF): Royal Army of Oman, Royal Navy of Oman, Royal Air Force of Oman (al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Sultanat) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18-30 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 802,455 females age 16-49: 626,841 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 675,454 females age 16-49: 563,890 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 35,647 female: 34,407 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 11.4% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 Transnational Issues ::Oman Disputes - international: boundary agreement reportedly signed and ratified with UAE in 2003 for entire border, including Oman's Musandam Peninsula and Al Madhah exclave, but details of the alignment have not been made public Trafficking in persons: current situation: Oman is a destination country for men and women primarily from Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan who migrate willingly, but some of whom become victims of trafficking when subjected to conditions of involuntary servitude as domestic workers and laborers; mistreatment includes non-payment of wages, restrictions on movement and withholding of passports, threats, and physical or sexual abuse; Oman may also be a destination country for women from Asia, Eastern Europe, and North Africa for commercial sexual exploitation tier rating: Tier 3 - Oman was rated as Tier 3 for the second consecutive year because it did not report any law enforcement efforts to prosecute and punish trafficking offenses in 2007 and continues to lack victim protection services or a systematic procedure to identify victims of trafficking (2008) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Pacific Ocean (Oceans) Introduction ::Pacific Ocean Background: The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the world's five oceans (followed by the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, and Arctic Ocean). Strategically important access waterways include the La Perouse, Tsugaru, Tsushima, Taiwan, Singapore, and Torres Straits. The decision by the International Hydrographic Organization in the spring of 2000 to delimit a fifth ocean, the Southern Ocean, removed the portion of the Pacific Ocean south of 60 degrees south. Geography ::Pacific Ocean Location: body of water between the Southern Ocean, Asia, Australia, and the Western Hemisphere Geographic coordinates: 0 00 N, 160 00 W Map references: Political Map of the World Area: total: 155.557 million sq km note: includes Bali Sea, Bering Sea, Bering Strait, Coral Sea, East China Sea, Gulf of Alaska, Gulf of Tonkin, Philippine Sea, Sea of Japan, Sea of Okhotsk, South China Sea, Tasman Sea, and other tributary water bodies Area - comparative: about 15 times the size of the US; covers about 28% of the global surface; almost equal to the total land area of the world Coastline: 135,663 km Climate: planetary air pressure systems and resultant wind patterns exhibit remarkable uniformity in the south and east; trade winds and westerly winds are well-developed patterns, modified by seasonal fluctuations; tropical cyclones (hurricanes) may form south of Mexico from June to October and affect Mexico and Central America; continental influences cause climatic uniformity to be much less pronounced in the eastern and western regions at the same latitude in the North Pacific Ocean; the western Pacific is monsoonal - a rainy season occurs during the summer months, when moisture-laden winds blow from the ocean over the land, and a dry season during the winter months, when dry winds blow from the Asian landmass back to the ocean; tropical cyclones (typhoons) may strike southeast and east Asia from May to December Terrain: surface currents in the northern Pacific are dominated by a clockwise, warm-water gyre (broad circular system of currents) and in the southern Pacific by a counterclockwise, cool-water gyre; in the northern Pacific, sea ice forms in the Bering Sea and Sea of Okhotsk in winter; in the southern Pacific, sea ice from Antarctica reaches its northernmost extent in October; the ocean floor in the eastern Pacific is dominated by the East Pacific Rise, while the western Pacific is dissected by deep trenches, including the Mariana Trench, which is the world's deepest Elevation extremes: lowest point: Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench -10,924 m highest point: sea level 0 m Natural resources: oil and gas fields, polymetallic nodules, sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, fish Natural hazards: surrounded by a zone of violent volcanic and earthquake activity sometimes referred to as the "Pacific Ring of Fire"; subject to tropical cyclones (typhoons) in southeast and east Asia from May to December (most frequent from July to October); tropical cyclones (hurricanes) may form south of Mexico and strike Central America and Mexico from June to October (most common in August and September); cyclical El Nino/La Nina phenomenon occurs in the equatorial Pacific, influencing weather in the Western Hemisphere and the western Pacific; ships subject to superstructure icing in extreme north from October to May; persistent fog in the northern Pacific can be a maritime hazard from June to December Environment - current issues: endangered marine species include the dugong, sea lion, sea otter, seals, turtles, and whales; oil pollution in Philippine Sea and South China Sea Geography - note: the major chokepoints are the Bering Strait, Panama Canal, Luzon Strait, and the Singapore Strait; the Equator divides the Pacific Ocean into the North Pacific Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean; dotted with low coral islands and rugged volcanic islands in the southwestern Pacific Ocean Economy ::Pacific Ocean Economy - overview: The Pacific Ocean is a major contributor to the world economy and particularly to those nations its waters directly touch. It provides low-cost sea transportation between East and West, extensive fishing grounds, offshore oil and gas fields, minerals, and sand and gravel for the construction industry. In 1996, over 60% of the world's fish catch came from the Pacific Ocean. Exploitation of offshore oil and gas reserves is playing an ever-increasing role in the energy supplies of the US, Australia, NZ, China, and Peru. The high cost of recovering offshore oil and gas, combined with the wide swings in world prices for oil since 1985, has led to fluctuations in new drillings. Transportation ::Pacific Ocean Ports and terminals: Bangkok (Thailand), Hong Kong (China), Kao-hsiung (Taiwan), Los Angeles (US), Manila (Philippines), Pusan (South Korea), San Francisco (US), Seattle (US), Shanghai (China), Singapore, Sydney (Australia), Vladivostok (Russia), Wellington (NZ), Yokohama (Japan) Transportation - note: Inside Passage offers protected waters from southeast Alaska to Puget Sound (Washington state); the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial waters of littoral states and offshore waters in the South China Sea as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargoes stolen; crew and passengers are often held for ransom, murdered, or cast adrift Transnational Issues ::Pacific Ocean Disputes - international: some maritime disputes (see littoral states) page last updated on October 22, 2009 ====================================================================== @Pakistan (South Asia) Introduction ::Pakistan Background: The Indus Valley civilization, one of the oldest in the world and dating back at least 5,000 years, spread over much of what is presently Pakistan. During the second millennium B.C., remnants of this culture fused with the migrating Indo-Aryan peoples. The area underwent successive invasions in subsequent centuries from the Persians, Greeks, Scythians, Arabs (who brought Islam), Afghans, and Turks. The Mughal Empire flourished in the 16th and 17th centuries; the British came to dominate the region in the 18th century. The separation in 1947 of British India into the Muslim state of Pakistan (with West and East sections) and largely Hindu India was never satisfactorily resolved, and India and Pakistan fought two wars - in 1947-48 and 1965 - over the disputed Kashmir territory. A third war between these countries in 1971 - in which India capitalized on Islamabad's marginalization of Bengalis in Pakistani politics - resulted in East Pakistan becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh. In response to Indian nuclear weapons testing, Pakistan conducted its own tests in 1998. The dispute over the state of Kashmir is ongoing, but discussions and confidence-building measures have led to decreased tensions since 2002. Mounting public dissatisfaction with President MUSHARRAF, coupled with the assassination of the prominent and popular political leader, Benazir BHUTTO, in late 2007, and MUSHARRAF's resignation in August 2008, led to the September presidential election of Asif ZARDARI, BHUTTO's widower. Pakistani government and military leaders are struggling to control Islamist militants, many of whom are located in the tribal areas adjacent to the border with Afghanistan. The November 2008 Mumbai attacks again inflamed Indo-Pakistan relations. The Pakistani Government is also faced with a deteriorating economy as foreign exchange reserves decline, the currency depreciates, and the current account deficit widens. Geography ::Pakistan Location: Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea, between India on the east and Iran and Afghanistan on the west and China in the north Geographic coordinates: 30 00 N, 70 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 796,095 sq km country comparison to the world: 36 land: 770,875 sq km water: 25,220 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of California Land boundaries: total: 6,774 km border countries: Afghanistan 2,430 km, China 523 km, India 2,912 km, Iran 909 km Coastline: 1,046 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Climate: mostly hot, dry desert; temperate in northwest; arctic in north Terrain: flat Indus plain in east; mountains in north and northwest; Balochistan plateau in west Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: K2 (Mt. Godwin-Austen) 8,611 m Natural resources: land, extensive natural gas reserves, limited petroleum, poor quality coal, iron ore, copper, salt, limestone Land use: arable land: 24.44% permanent crops: 0.84% other: 74.72% (2005) Irrigated land: 182,300 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 233.8 cu km (2003) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 169.39 cu km/yr (2%/2%/96%) per capita: 1,072 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: frequent earthquakes, occasionally severe especially in north and west; flooding along the Indus after heavy rains (July and August) Environment - current issues: water pollution from raw sewage, industrial wastes, and agricultural runoff; limited natural fresh water resources; most of the population does not have access to potable water; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: controls Khyber Pass and Bolan Pass, traditional invasion routes between Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent People ::Pakistan Population: 176,242,949 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 Age structure: 0-14 years: 37.2% (male 33,739,547/female 31,868,065) 15-64 years: 58.6% (male 52,849,607/female 50,378,198) 65 years and over: 4.2% (male 3,475,927/female 3,931,605) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 20.8 years male: 20.6 years female: 21 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.947% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 Birth rate: 27.62 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 Death rate: 7.68 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 Net migration rate: -0.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 Urbanization: urban population: 36% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 65.14 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 32 male: 65.24 deaths/1,000 live births female: 65.05 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 64.49 years country comparison to the world: 167 male: 63.4 years female: 65.64 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.6 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 96,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 5,100 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria animal contact disease: rabies note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Nationality: noun: Pakistani(s) adjective: Pakistani Ethnic groups: Punjabi 44.68%, Pashtun (Pathan) 15.42%, Sindhi 14.1%, Sariaki 8.38%, Muhagirs 7.57%, Balochi 3.57%, other 6.28% Religions: Muslim 95% (Sunni 75%, Shia 20%), other (includes Christian and Hindu) 5% Languages: Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Siraiki (a Punjabi variant) 10%, Pashtu 8%, Urdu (official) 8%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2%, Brahui 1%, English (official; lingua franca of Pakistani elite and most government ministries), Burushaski, and other 8% Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 49.9% male: 63% female: 36% (2005 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 7 years male: 7 years female: 6 years (2006) Education expenditures: 2.6% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 155 Government ::Pakistan Country name: conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Pakistan conventional short form: Pakistan local long form: Jamhuryat Islami Pakistan local short form: Pakistan former: West Pakistan Government type: federal republic Capital: name: Islamabad geographic coordinates: 33 42 N, 73 10 E time difference: UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, in 2009 - begins third Wednesday in April; ends first Sunday in November; note - a new policy of daylight saving time was initiated by the government in 2008; the specific date of the start of DST has varied over the last two years Administrative divisions: 4 provinces, 1 territory*, and 1 capital territory**; Balochistan, Federally Administered Tribal Areas*, Islamabad Capital Territory**, North-West Frontier Province, Punjab, Sindh note: the Pakistani-administered portion of the disputed Jammu and Kashmir region consists of two administrative entities: Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan Independence: 14 August 1947 (from British India) National holiday: Republic Day, 23 March (1956) Constitution: 12 April 1973; suspended 5 July 1977, restored 30 December 1985; suspended 15 October 1999, restored in stages in 2002; amended 31 December 2003; suspended 3 November 2007; restored on 15 December 2007 Legal system: based on English common law with provisions to accommodate Pakistan's status as an Islamic state; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; joint electorates and reserved parliamentary seats for women and non-Muslims Executive branch: chief of state: President Asif Ali ZARDARI (since 9 September 2008) note: following President Pervez MUSHARRAF's resignation on 18 August 2008, elections were held on 6 September in which Asif Ali ZARDARI won a clear majority; ZARDARI'S inauguration as president of Pakistan on 9 September solidified the country's return to civilian government after more than eight years of military rule head of government: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza GILANI (since 25 March 2008) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president upon the advice of the prime minister elections: the president is elected by secret ballot through an Electoral College comprising the members of the Senate, National Assembly, and the provincial assemblies for a five-year term; election last held on 6 September 2008 (next to be held not later than 2013); note - any person who is a Muslim and not less than 45 years of age and is qualified to be elected as a member of the National Assembly can contest the presidential election; the prime minister is selected by the National Assembly; election last held on 24 March 2008 election results: Asif Ali ZARDARI elected president; ZARDARI 481 votes, SIDDIQUE 153 votes, SYED 44 votes; Syed Yousuf Raza GILANI elected prime minister; GILANI 264 votes, Pervaiz ELAHI 42 votes; several abstentions Legislative branch: bicameral parliament or Majlis-e-Shoora consists of the Senate (100 seats; members indirectly elected by provincial assemblies and the territories' representatives in the National Assembly to serve six-year terms; one half are elected every three years) and the National Assembly (342 seats; 272 members elected by popular vote; 60 seats reserved for women; 10 seats reserved for non-Muslims; serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 3 March 2009 (next to be held in March 2012); National Assembly - last held on 18 February 2008 with by-elections on 26 June 2008 (next to be held in 2013) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PPPP 27, PML-Q 21, MMA 9, PML-N 7, ANP 6, MQM 6, JUI-F 4, BNP-A 2, JWP 1, NPP 1, PKMAP 1, PML-F 1, PPP 1, independents 13; National Assembly - percent of votes by party - NA; seats by party - PPPP 124, PML-N 91, PML 54, MQM 25, ANP 13, MMA 7, PML-F 5, BNP-A 1, NPP 1, PPP-S 1, independents 17; note - 3 seats remain unfilled Judicial branch: Supreme Court (justices appointed by the president); Federal Islamic or Sharia Court Political parties and leaders: Awami National Party or ANP [Asfandyar Wali KHAN]; Balochistan National Party-Hayee Group or BNP-H [Dr. Hayee BALOCH]; Balochistan National Party-Awami or BNP-A [Moheem Khan BALOCH]; Balochistan National Party-Mengal or BNP-M [Sardar Ataullah MENGAL]; Jamhoori Watan Party or JWP; Jamiat Ahle Hadith or JAH [Sajid MIR]; Jamaat-i Islami or JI [Qazi Hussain AHMED]; Jamiat Ulema-i Islam Fazlur Rehman or JUI-F [Fazlur REHMAN]; Jamiat Ulema-i Islam Sami-ul HAQ or JUI-S [Sami ul-HAQ]; Jamiat Ulema-i Pakistan or JUP [Shah Faridul HAQ]; Muttahida Majlis-e Amal or MMA [Qazi Hussain AHMED]; Muttahida Qaumi Movement or MQM [Altaf HUSSAIN]; National Alliance or NA [Ghulam Mustapha JATOI] (merged with PML); National Peoples Party or NPP; Pakhtun Khwa Milli Awami Party or PKMAP [Mahmood Khan ACHAKZAI]; Pakistan Awami Tehrik or PAT [Tahir ul QADRI]; Pakistan Muslim League-Functional or PML-F [Pir PAGARO]; Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Sharif or PML-N [Nawaz SHARIF]; Pakistan Muslim League or PML [Chaudhry Shujaat HUSSAIN]; Pakistan Peoples Party-SHERPAO or PPP-S [Aftab Ahmed Khan SHERPAO]; Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians or PPPP [Bilawal Bhutto ZARDARI, chairman; Asif Ali ZARDARI, co-chairman]; Pakistan Tehrik-e Insaaf or PTI [Imran KHAN]; Tehrik-i Islami [Allama Sajid NAQVI] note: political alliances in Pakistan can shift frequently Political pressure groups and leaders: other: military (most important political force); ulema (clergy); landowners; industrialists; small merchants International organization participation: ADB, ARF, C, CP, ECO, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, PCA, SAARC, SACEP, SCO (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Husain HAQQANI chancery: 3517 International Court, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 243-6500 FAX: [1] (202) 686-1544 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York, Sunnyvale (California) consulate(s): Chicago, Houston Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Anne W. PATTERSON embassy: Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, Islamabad mailing address: P. O. Box 1048, Unit 62200, APO AE 09812-2200 telephone: [92] (51) 208-0000 FAX: [92] (51) 2276427 consulate(s) general: Karachi consulate(s): Lahore, Peshawar Flag description: green with a vertical white band (symbolizing the role of religious minorities) on the hoist side; a large white crescent and star are centered in the green field; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam Economy ::Pakistan Economy - overview: Pakistan, an impoverished and underdeveloped country, has suffered from decades of internal political disputes, low levels of foreign investment, and declining exports of manufactures. Faced with untenable budgetary deficits, high inflation, and hemorrhaging foreign exchange reserves, the government agreed to an International Monetary Fund Standby Arrangement in November 2008. Between 2004-07, GDP growth in the 6-8% range was spurred by gains in the industrial and service sectors, despite severe electricity shortfalls. Poverty levels decreased by 10% since 2001, and Islamabad steadily raised development spending in recent years. In 2008 the fiscal deficit - a result of chronically low tax collection and increased spending - exceeded Islamabad's target of 4% of GDP. Inflation remains the top concern among the public, jumping from 7.7% in 2007 to 20.8% in 2008, primarily because of rising world fuel and commodity prices. In addition, the Pakistani rupee has depreciated significantly as a result of political and economic instability. GDP (purchasing power parity): $431.2 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 $417 billion (2007 est.) $393.4 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $164.6 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 6% (2007 est.) 6% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $2,500 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 173 $2,500 (2007 est.) $2,400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 20.4% industry: 26.6% services: 53% (2008 est.) Labor force: 50.58 million country comparison to the world: 11 note: extensive export of labor, mostly to the Middle East, and use of child labor (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 43% industry: 20.3% services: 36.6% (2005 est.) Unemployment rate: 13.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 5.6% (2007 est.) note: substantial underemployment exists Population below poverty line: 24% (FY05/06 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.9% highest 10%: 26.5% (2005) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 30.6 (FY07/08) country comparison to the world: 110 41 (FY98/99) Investment (gross fixed): 20% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 Budget: revenues: $22.3 billion expenditures: $32.35 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 51.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 36 71.4% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 20.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 204 7.6% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 15% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 42 10% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $52.76 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) $18.42 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $65.05 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $23.49 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 54 $70.26 billion (31 December 2007) $45.52 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: cotton, wheat, rice, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; milk, beef, mutton, eggs Industries: textiles and apparel, food processing, pharmaceuticals, construction materials, paper products, fertilizer, shrimp Industrial production growth rate: 4.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 Electricity - production: 90.8 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 33 Electricity - consumption: 72.2 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 61,870 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 59 Oil - consumption: 383,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 Oil - exports: 30,090 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 Oil - imports: 319,500 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 Oil - proved reserves: 339 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 Natural gas - production: 37.5 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 Natural gas - consumption: 37.5 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 134 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 Natural gas - proved reserves: 885.3 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 Current account balance: -$15.68 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 175 -$8.297 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $21.09 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 $18.12 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: textiles (garments, bed linen, cotton cloth, yarn), rice, leather goods, sports goods, chemicals, manufactures, carpets and rugs Exports - partners: US 16%, UAE 11.7%, Afghanistan 8.6%, UK 4.5%, China 4.2% (2008) Imports: $38.19 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 $28.76 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: petroleum, petroleum products, machinery, plastics, transportation equipment, edible oils, paper and paperboard, iron and steel, tea Imports - partners: China 14.1%, Saudi Arabia 12%, UAE 11.2%, Kuwait 5.4%, India 4.8%, US 4.7%, Malaysia 4.1% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $8.903 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 $15.69 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $46.39 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 $38.8 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $25.44 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 $20.01 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $1.017 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 $982 million (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: Pakistani rupees (PKR) per US dollar - 70.64 (2008 est.), 60.6295 (2007), 60.35 (2006), 59.515 (2005), 58.258 (2004) Communications ::Pakistan Telephones - main lines in use: 4.546 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 33 Telephones - mobile cellular: 91.44 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 9 Telephone system: general assessment: the telecommunications infrastructure is improving dramatically with foreign and domestic investments in fixed-line and mobile networks; mobile-cellular subscribership has skyrocketed, reaching some 91 million in 2009, up from only about 300,000 in 2000; fiber systems are being constructed throughout the country to aid in network growth; main line availability has risen only marginally over the same period and there are still difficulties getting main line service to rural areas domestic: microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, fiber-optic cable, cellular, and satellite networks international: country code - 92; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 and SEA-ME-WE-4 submarine cable systems that provide links to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean); 3 operational international gateway exchanges (1 at Karachi and 2 at Islamabad); microwave radio relay to neighboring countries (2009) Radio broadcast stations: AM 31, FM 68, shortwave NA (2006) Television broadcast stations: 20 (5 state-run channels and 15 privately-owned satellite channels) (2006) Internet country code: .pk Internet hosts: 226,236 (2009) country comparison to the world: 61 Internet users: 18.5 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 20 Transportation ::Pakistan Airports: 145 (2009) country comparison to the world: 38 Airports - with paved runways: total: 98 over 3,047 m: 16 2,438 to 3,047 m: 19 1,524 to 2,437 m: 38 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 8 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 47 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 24 (2009) Heliports: 19 (2009) Pipelines: gas 10,402 km; oil 2,076 km; refined products 792 km (2008) Railways: total: 7,791 km country comparison to the world: 28 broad gauge: 7,479 km 1.676-m gauge (293 km electrified) narrow gauge: 312 km 1.000-m gauge (2007) Roadways: total: 259,197 km country comparison to the world: 20 paved: 172,827 km (includes 711 km of expressways) unpaved: 86,370 km (2007) Merchant marine: total: 15 country comparison to the world: 105 by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 10, petroleum tanker 4 registered in other countries: 19 (Comoros 4, Malta 2, Marshall Islands 1, Panama 9, Saint Kitts and Nevis 3) (2008) Ports and terminals: Karachi, Port Muhammad Bin Qasim Military ::Pakistan Military branches: Army (includes National Guard), Navy (includes Marines and Maritime Security Agency), Pakistan Air Force (Pakistan Fiza'ya) (2008) Military service age and obligation: 17-23 years of age for voluntary military service; soldiers cannot be deployed for combat until age 18; the Pakistani Air Force and Pakistani Navy have inducted their first female pilots and sailors (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 42,633,765 females age 16-49: 40,114,017 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 33,690,322 females age 16-49: 32,602,910 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 2,089,936 female: 1,964,090 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 3% of GDP (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 Transnational Issues ::Pakistan Disputes - international: various talks and confidence-building measures cautiously have begun to defuse tensions over Kashmir, particularly since the October 2005 earthquake in the region; Kashmir nevertheless remains the site of the world's largest and most militarized territorial dispute with portions under the de facto administration of China (Aksai Chin), India (Jammu and Kashmir), and Pakistan (Azad Kashmir and Northern Areas); UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) has maintained a small group of peacekeepers since 1949; India does not recognize Pakistan's ceding historic Kashmir lands to China in 1964; India and Pakistan have maintained their 2004 cease fire in Kashmir and initiated discussions on defusing the armed stand-off in the Siachen glacier region; Pakistan protests India's fencing the highly militarized Line of Control and construction of the Baglihar Dam on the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir, which is part of the larger dispute on water sharing of the Indus River and its tributaries; to defuse tensions and prepare for discussions on a maritime boundary, India and Pakistan seek technical resolution of the disputed boundary in Sir Creek estuary at the mouth of the Rann of Kutch in the Arabian Sea; Pakistani maps continue to show the Junagadh claim in India's Gujarat State; by 2005, Pakistan, with UN assistance, repatriated 2.3 million Afghan refugees leaving slightly more than a million, many of whom remain at their own choosing; Pakistan has proposed and Afghanistan protests construction of a fence and laying of mines along portions of their porous border; Pakistan has sent troops into remote tribal areas to monitor and control the border with Afghanistan and to stem terrorist or other illegal activities Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 1,043,984 (Afghanistan) IDPs: undetermined (government strikes on Islamic militants in South Waziristan); 34,000 (October 2005 earthquake; most of those displaced returned to their home villages in the spring of 2006) (2007) Illicit drugs: significant transit area for Afghan drugs, including heroin, opium, morphine, and hashish, bound for Iran, Western markets, the Gulf States, Africa, and Asia; financial crimes related to drug trafficking, terrorism, corruption, and smuggling remain problems; opium poppy cultivation estimated to be 2,300 hectares in 2007 with 600 of those hectares eradicated; federal and provincial authorities continue to conduct anti-poppy campaigns that utilizes forced eradication, fines, and arrests page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Palau (Australia-Oceania) Introduction ::Palau Background: After three decades as part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific under US administration, this westernmost cluster of the Caroline Islands opted for independence in 1978 rather than join the Federated States of Micronesia. A Compact of Free Association with the US was approved in 1986 but not ratified until 1993. It entered into force the following year when the islands gained independence. Geography ::Palau Location: Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean, southeast of the Philippines Geographic coordinates: 7 30 N, 134 30 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 459 sq km country comparison to the world: 197 land: 459 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 1,519 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November Terrain: varying geologically from the high, mountainous main island of Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrier reefs Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Ngerchelchuus 242 m Natural resources: forests, minerals (especially gold), marine products, deep-seabed minerals Land use: arable land: 8.7% permanent crops: 4.35% other: 86.95% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: typhoons (June to December) Environment - current issues: inadequate facilities for disposal of solid waste; threats to the marine ecosystem from sand and coral dredging, illegal fishing practices, and overfishing Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: westernmost archipelago in the Caroline chain, consists of six island groups totaling more than 300 islands; includes World War II battleground of Beliliou (Peleliu) and world-famous rock islands People ::Palau Population: 20,796 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 217 Age structure: 0-14 years: 22.9% (male 2,458/female 2,314) 15-64 years: 70.8% (male 8,207/female 6,521) 65 years and over: 6.2% (male 401/female 895) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 32.2 years male: 32 years female: 32.7 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.428% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 159 Birth rate: 11.2 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 172 Death rate: 7.89 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 Net migration rate: 0.96 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 Urbanization: urban population: 81% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.26 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.45 male(s)/female total population: 1.14 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 13.14 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 136 male: 14.83 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.36 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.22 years country comparison to the world: 129 male: 68.08 years female: 74.54 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.82 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Palauan(s) adjective: Palauan Ethnic groups: Palauan (Micronesian with Malayan and Melanesian admixtures) 69.9%, Filipino 15.3%, Chinese 4.9%, other Asian 2.4%, white 1.9%, Carolinian 1.4%, other Micronesian 1.1%, other or unspecified 3.2% (2000 census) Religions: Roman Catholic 41.6%, Protestant 23.3%, Modekngei 8.8% (indigenous to Palau), Seventh-Day Adventist 5.3%, Jehovah's Witness 0.9%, Latter-Day Saints 0.6%, other 3.1%, unspecified or none 16.4% (2000 census) Languages: Palauan 64.7% official in all islands except Sonsoral (Sonsoralese and English are official), Tobi (Tobi and English are official), and Angaur (Angaur, Japanese, and English are official), Filipino 13.5%, English 9.4%, Chinese 5.7%, Carolinian 1.5%, Japanese 1.5%, other Asian 2.3%, other languages 1.5% (2000 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92% male: 93% female: 90% (1980 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 15 years male: 14 years female: 15 years (2000) Education expenditures: 10.3% of GDP (2002) country comparison to the world: 4 Government ::Palau Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Palau conventional short form: Palau local long form: Beluu er a Belau local short form: Belau former: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Palau District Government type: constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 1 October 1994 Capital: name: Melekeok geographic coordinates: 7 29 N, 134 38 E time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 16 states; Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Hatohobei, Kayangel, Koror, Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngarchelong, Ngardmau, Ngatpang, Ngchesar, Ngeremlengui, Ngiwal, Peleliu, Sonsorol Independence: 1 October 1994 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship) National holiday: Constitution Day, 9 July (1979) Constitution: 1 January 1981 Legal system: based on Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Johnson TORIBIONG (since 15 January 2009); Vice President Kerai MARIUR (since 15 January 2009); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Johnson TORIBIONG (since 15 January 2009); Vice President Kerai MARIUR (since 15 January 2009) cabinet: NA elections: president and vice president elected on separate tickets by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012) election results: Johnson TORIBIONG (51%) defeats Elias Camsek CHIN (49%) for president; Kerai MARIUR elected vice president Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress or Olbiil Era Kelulau (OEK) consists of the Senate (9 seats; members elected by popular vote on a population basis to serve four-year terms) and the House of Delegates (16 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012); House of Delegates - last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012) election results: Senate - percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 9; House of Delegates - percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 16 Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Court of Common Pleas; Land Court Political parties and leaders: none Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACP, ADB, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC, IPU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Hersey KYOTA chancery: 1701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20006 telephone: [1] (202) 452-6814 FAX: [1] (202) 452-6281 consulate(s): Tamuning (Guam) Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Charge d'Affaires Mark BEZNER embassy: Koror (no street address) mailing address: P. O. Box 6028, Republic of Palau 96940 telephone: [680] 488-2920, 2990 FAX: [680] 488-2911 Flag description: light blue with a large yellow disk (representing the moon) shifted slightly to the hoist side Economy ::Palau Economy - overview: The economy consists primarily of tourism, subsistence agriculture, and fishing. The government is the major employer of the work force relying heavily on financial assistance from the US. The Compact of Free Association with the US, entered into after the end of the UN trusteeship on 1 October 1994, provided Palau with up to $700 million in US aid for the following 15 years in return for furnishing military facilities. Business and tourist arrivals numbered 85,000 in 2007. The population enjoys a per capita income roughly 50% higher than that of the Philippines and much of Micronesia. Long-run prospects for the key tourist sector have been greatly bolstered by the expansion of air travel in the Pacific, the rising prosperity of leading East Asian countries, and the willingness of foreigners to finance infrastructure development. GDP (purchasing power parity): $164 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 217 $124.5 million (2004 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP estimate includes US subsidy GDP (official exchange rate): $164 million (2008) GDP - real growth rate: 5.5% (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 GDP - per capita (PPP): $8,100 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 $7,600 (2005 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 6.2% industry: 12% services: 81.8% (2003) Labor force: 9,777 (2005) country comparison to the world: 209 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 20% industry: NA% services: NA% (1990) Unemployment rate: 4.2% (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $114.8 million expenditures: $99.5 million (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.7% (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: coconuts, copra, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes; fish Industries: tourism, craft items (from shell, wood, pearls), construction, garment making Industrial production growth rate: NA% Current account balance: $15.09 million (FY03/04) country comparison to the world: 61 Exports: $5.882 million (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 213 Exports - commodities: shellfish, tuna, copra, garments Imports: $107.3 million (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 206 Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, fuels, metals; foodstuffs Debt - external: $0 (FY99/00) country comparison to the world: 204 Exchange rates: the US dollar is used Communications ::Palau Telephones - main lines in use: 7,500 (2008) country comparison to the world: 209 Telephones - mobile cellular: 12,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 211 Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: fixed-line and mobile-cellular services available with a combined subscribership of more than 90 per 100 persons international: country code - 680; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001) Television broadcast stations: 1 (cable) (2005) Internet country code: .pw Internet hosts: 2 (2009) country comparison to the world: 228 Transportation ::Palau Airports: 3 (2009) country comparison to the world: 195 Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2009) Roadways: note: estimated to have 60 km of roads as of 1996 Ports and terminals: Koror Military ::Palau Military branches: no regular military forces; Palau National Police (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 5,973 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 5,177 females age 16-49: 3,936 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 207 female: 214 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: NA Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US; under a Compact of Free Association between Palau and the US, the US military is granted access to the islands for 50 years, but it has not stationed any military forces there (2008) Transnational Issues ::Palau Disputes - international: maritime delineation negotiations continue with Philippines, Indonesia page last updated on October 28, 2009 ====================================================================== @Panama (Central America and Caribbean) Introduction ::Panama Background: Explored and settled by the Spanish in the 16th century, Panama broke with Spain in 1821 and joined a union of Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela - named the Republic of Gran Colombia. When the latter dissolved in 1830, Panama remained part of Colombia. With US backing, Panama seceded from Colombia in 1903 and promptly signed a treaty with the US allowing for the construction of a canal and US sovereignty over a strip of land on either side of the structure (the Panama Canal Zone). The Panama Canal was built by the US Army Corps of Engineers between 1904 and 1914. In 1977, an agreement was signed for the complete transfer of the Canal from the US to Panama by the end of the century. Certain portions of the Zone and increasing responsibility over the Canal were turned over in the subsequent decades. With US help, dictator Manuel NORIEGA was deposed in 1989. The entire Panama Canal, the area supporting the Canal, and remaining US military bases were transferred to Panama by the end of 1999. In October 2006, Panamanians approved an ambitious plan to expand the Canal. The project, which began in 2007 and could double the Canal's capacity, is expected to be completed in 2014-15. Geography ::Panama Location: Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica Geographic coordinates: 9 00 N, 80 00 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 75,420 sq km country comparison to the world: 117 land: 74,340 sq km water: 1,080 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than South Carolina Land boundaries: total: 555 km border countries: Colombia 225 km, Costa Rica 330 km Coastline: 2,490 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or edge of continental margin Climate: tropical maritime; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season (May to January), short dry season (January to May) Terrain: interior mostly steep, rugged mountains and dissected, upland plains; coastal areas largely plains and rolling hills Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Volcan Baru 3,475 m Natural resources: copper, mahogany forests, shrimp, hydropower Land use: arable land: 7.26% permanent crops: 1.95% other: 90.79% (2005) Irrigated land: 430 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 148 cu km (2000) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.82 cu km/yr (67%/5%/28%) per capita: 254 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: occasional severe storms and forest fires in the Darien area Environment - current issues: water pollution from agricultural runoff threatens fishery resources; deforestation of tropical rain forest; land degradation and soil erosion threatens siltation of Panama Canal; air pollution in urban areas; mining threatens natural resources Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: strategic location on eastern end of isthmus forming land bridge connecting North and South America; controls Panama Canal that links North Atlantic Ocean via Caribbean Sea with North Pacific Ocean People ::Panama Population: 3,360,474 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 134 Age structure: 0-14 years: 29.3% (male 501,950/female 481,750) 15-64 years: 63.9% (male 1,085,435/female 1,061,530) 65 years and over: 6.8% (male 106,934/female 122,875) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 27 years male: 26.6 years female: 27.3 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.503% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 87 Birth rate: 20.18 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 Death rate: 4.66 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 195 Net migration rate: -0.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 Urbanization: urban population: 73% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 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 total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 12.67 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 139 male: 13.53 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.25 years country comparison to the world: 59 male: 74.47 years female: 80.16 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.53 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 20,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 1,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne disease: dengue fever and malaria (2009) Nationality: noun: Panamanian(s) adjective: Panamanian Ethnic groups: mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 70%, Amerindian and mixed (West Indian) 14%, white 10%, Amerindian 6% Religions: Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 15% Languages: Spanish (official), English 14%; note - many Panamanians bilingual Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 91.9% male: 92.5% female: 91.2% (2000 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2006) Education expenditures: 3.8% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 114 Government ::Panama Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Panama conventional short form: Panama local long form: Republica de Panama local short form: Panama Government type: constitutional democracy Capital: name: Panama City geographic coordinates: 8 58 N, 79 32 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 11 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 territory* (comarca); Bocas del Toro, Comarca Kuna Yala, Comarca Ngobe-Bugle, Chiriqui, Cocle, Colon, Darien, Herrera, Los Santos, Panama, San Blas* (Kuna Yala), and Veraguas Independence: 3 November 1903 (from Colombia; became independent from Spain 28 November 1821) National holiday: Independence Day, 3 November (1903) Constitution: 11 October 1972; revised in 1978, 1983, 1994, and 2004 Legal system: based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Justice; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: President Ricardo MARTINELLI Berrocal (since 1 July 2009); Vice President Juan Carlos VARELA (since 1 July 2009); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Ricardo MARTINELLI Berrocal (since 1 July 2009); Vice President Juan Carlos VARELA (since 1 July 2009) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms (not eligible for immediate reelection; president and vice president must sit out two additional terms (10 years) before becoming eligible for reelection); election last held 3 May 2009 (next to be held in 2014) election results: Ricardo MARTINELLI Berrocal elected president; percent of vote - Ricardo MARTINELLI Berrocal 60%, Balbina HERRERA 38%, Guillermo ENDARA Galimany 2% note: government coalition - PRD (Democratic Revolutionary Party), PP (Popular Party) Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (71 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 3 May 2009 (next to be held May 2014) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PRD 26, Panamenista 22, CD 14, PU 4, Independent 2, MOLIRENA 2, PP 1 note: legislators from outlying rural districts are chosen on a plurality basis while districts located in more populous towns and cities elect multiple legislators by means of a proportion-based formula Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (nine judges appointed for 10-year terms); five superior courts; three courts of appeal Political parties and leaders: Democratic Change or CD [Ricardo MARTINELLI]; Democratic Revolutionary Party or PRD [Martin TORRIJOS Espino]; Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement or MOLIRENA [Sergio GONZALEZ-Ruiz]; Panamenista Party [Juan Carlos VARELA] (formerly the Arnulfista Party); Patriotic Union Party or UP (combination of the Liberal National Party or PLN and the Solidarity Party or PS)[Guillermo "Billy" FORD and Anibal GALINDO]; Popular Party or PP [Rene ORILLAC] (formerly Christian Democratic Party or PDC) Political pressure groups and leaders: Chamber of Commerce; National Civic Crusade; National Council of Organized Workers or CONATO; National Council of Private Enterprise or CONEP; National Union of Construction and Similar Workers (SUNTRACS); Panamanian Association of Business Executives or APEDE; Panamanian Industrialists Society or SIP; Workers Confederation of the Republic of Panama or CTRP International organization participation: BCIE, CAN (observer), CSN (observer), FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, SICA, UN, UNASUR (observer), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jaime Eduardo ALEMAN Healy chancery: 2862 McGill Terrace NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-1407 FAX: [1] (202) 483-8416 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco, Tampa Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Barbara J. STEPHENSON embassy: Edificio 783, Avenida Demetrio Basilio Lakas Panama, Apartado Postal 0816-02561, Zona 5, Panama City mailing address: American Embassy Panama, Unit 0945, APO AA 34002 telephone: [507] 207-7000 FAX: [507] 317-5568 Flag description: divided into four, equal rectangles; the top quadrants are white (hoist side) with a blue five-pointed star in the center and plain red; the bottom quadrants are plain blue (hoist side) and white with a red five-pointed star in the center Economy ::Panama Economy - overview: Panama's dollarized economy rests primarily on a well-developed services sector that accounts for 80% of GDP. Services include operating the Panama Canal, banking, the Colon Free Zone, insurance, container ports, flagship registry, and tourism. Economic growth will be bolstered by the Panama Canal expansion project that began in 2007 and is scheduled to be completed by 2014 at a cost of $5.3 billion - about 25% of current GDP. The expansion project will more than double the Canal's capacity, enabling it to accommodate ships that are now too large to transverse the transoceanic crossway, and should help to reduce the high unemployment rate. Strong economic performance has reduced the national poverty level to 29% in 2008; however, Panama has the second most unequal income distribution in Latin America. The government has implemented tax reforms, as well as social security reforms, and backs regional trade agreements and development of tourism. Not a CAFTA signatory, Panama in December 2006 independently negotiated a free trade agreement with the US, which, when implemented, will help promote the country's economic growth. GDP (purchasing power parity): $38.92 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 $35.64 billion (2007 est.) $31.96 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $23.09 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 9.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 11.5% (2007 est.) 8.5% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $11,800 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 $10,900 (2007 est.) $10,000 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 6.4% industry: 17.2% services: 76.4% (2008 est.) Labor force: 1.392 million country comparison to the world: 131 note: shortage of skilled labor, but an oversupply of unskilled labor (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 15% industry: 18% services: 67% (2006) Unemployment rate: 5.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 6.4% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 28.6% (2006 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.8% highest 10%: 41.4% (2006) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 56.1 (2003) country comparison to the world: 12 48.5 (1997) Investment (gross fixed): 25.7% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 Budget: revenues: $6.02 billion expenditures: $5.923 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 45% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 45 69.2% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 137 4.2% (2007 est.) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 8.16% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 103 8.25% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $3.764 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 61 $3.054 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $15.84 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 44 $14.26 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $19.8 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 59 $17.4 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $6.568 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 80 $6.219 billion (31 December 2007) $5.716 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: bananas, rice, corn, coffee, sugarcane, vegetables; livestock; shrimp Industries: construction, brewing, cement and other construction materials, sugar milling Industrial production growth rate: 14.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 Electricity - production: 6.322 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 Electricity - consumption: 5.17 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 Electricity - exports: 124.9 million kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 8.74 million kWh (2007 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 141 Oil - consumption: 94,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 Oil - exports: 4,803 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 Oil - imports: 87,100 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 152 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 133 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 Current account balance: -$2.792 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 -$1.422 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $10.29 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 $9.338 billion (2007 est.) note: includes the Colon Free Zone Exports - commodities: bananas, shrimp, sugar, coffee, clothing Exports - partners: US 39.2%, Netherlands 10.7%, Costa Rica 5.8%, Sweden 5.4%, UK 5.4%, Spain 5%, China 4.1% (2008) Imports: $15 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 $12.52 billion (2007 est.) note: includes the Colon Free Zone Imports - commodities: capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods, chemicals Imports - partners: US 29.6%, Costa Rica 5%, China 5%, Japan 4.2% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $2.693 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 $1.935 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $11.26 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 $10.45 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $NA Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Exchange rates: balboas (PAB) per US dollar - 1 (2008 est.), 1 (2007), 1 (2006), 1 (2005), 1 (2004) note: the US dollar is the legal currency Communications ::Panama Telephones - main lines in use: 495,800 (2008) country comparison to the world: 97 Telephones - mobile cellular: 3.805 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 95 Telephone system: general assessment: domestic and international facilities well developed domestic: mobile-cellular telephone subscribership has increased rapidly with combined fixed and mobile-cellular teledensity reaching 130 per 100 persons in 2008 international: country code - 507; landing point for the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1), the MAYA-1, and PAN-AM submarine cable systems that together provide links to the US and parts of the Caribbean, Central America, and South America; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to the Central American Microwave System (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 101, FM 134, shortwave 0 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 38 (including repeaters) (1998) Internet country code: .pa Internet hosts: 8,067 (2009) country comparison to the world: 124 Internet users: 934,500 (2008) country comparison to the world: 92 Transportation ::Panama Airports: 117 (2009) country comparison to the world: 52 Airports - with paved runways: total: 54 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 30 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 63 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 51 (2009) Heliports: 3 (2009) Railways: total: 76 km country comparison to the world: 128 standard gauge: 76 km 1.435-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 11,978 km country comparison to the world: 132 paved: 4,300 km unpaved: 7,678 km (2002) Waterways: 800 km (includes 82 km Panama Canal) (2008) country comparison to the world: 72 Merchant marine: total: 6,323 country comparison to the world: 1 by type: barge carrier 2, bulk carrier 2,143, cargo 1,208, carrier 13, chemical tanker 565, combination ore/oil 6, container 790, liquefied gas 189, passenger 44, passenger/cargo 71, petroleum tanker 557, refrigerated cargo 265, roll on/roll off 128, specialized tanker 29, vehicle carrier 313 foreign-owned: 5,394 (Albania 2, Argentina 8, Australia 4, Azerbaijan 1, Bahamas 9, Bangladesh 2, Belgium 2, British Virgin Islands 1, Bulgaria 3, Burma 1, Canada 18, Chile 12, China 532, Colombia 4, Croatia 3, Cuba 10, Cyprus 19, Denmark 40, Dominican Republic 1, Ecuador 4, Egypt 17, Estonia 5, Finland 2, France 5, Gabon 1, Germany 44, Gibraltar 1, Greece 510, Hong Kong 130, India 27, Indonesia 31, Iran 7, Israel 3, Italy 28, Japan 2,335, Jordan 13, North Korea 1, South Korea 303, Kuwait 2, Latvia 8, Lebanon 5, Lithuania 7, Malaysia 12, Maldives 1, Malta 3, Mexico 2, Monaco 16, Netherlands 14, Nigeria 10, Norway 89, Oman 2, Pakistan 9, Peru 16, Philippines 7, Poland 11, Portugal 9, Qatar 1, Romania 7, Russia 18, Saudi Arabia 16, Singapore 100, Spain 50, Sri Lanka 1, Sweden 6, Switzerland 25, Syria 32, Taiwan 320, Thailand 10, Tunisia 1, Turkey 94, Turks and Caicos Islands 1, Ukraine 10, UAE 109, UK 59, US 126, Venezuela 10, Vietnam 30, Yemen 6) registered in other countries: 3 (Marshall Islands 1, Sierra Leone 1, Venezuela 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Balboa, Colon, Cristobal Military ::Panama Military branches: no regular military forces; Panamanian public forces include: Panamanian National Police (PNP), National Air-Naval Service (SENAN), National Border Service (SENAFRONT) (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 851,044 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 705,160 females age 16-49: 710,521 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 31,089 female: 29,939 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 138 Military - note: on 10 February 1990, the government of then President ENDARA abolished Panama's military and reformed the security apparatus by creating the Panamanian Public Forces; in October 1994, Panama's Legislative Assembly approved a constitutional amendment prohibiting the creation of a standing military force but allowing the temporary establishment of special police units to counter acts of "external aggression" Transnational Issues ::Panama Disputes - international: organized illegal narcotics operations in Colombia operate within the remote border region with Panama Trafficking in persons: current situation: Panama is a source, transit, and destination country for women and children trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation; the majority of victims are Panamanian women and children trafficked within the country into the sex trade; rural children in Panama may be trafficked internally to urban areas for labor exploitation tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Panama is on the Tier 2 Watch List for failing to show evidence of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking, particularly with respect to prosecuting, convicting, and sentencing human traffickers for their crimes, and for failing to provide adequate victim assistance (2008) Illicit drugs: major cocaine transshipment point and primary money-laundering center for narcotics revenue; money-laundering activity is especially heavy in the Colon Free Zone; offshore financial center; negligible signs of coca cultivation; monitoring of financial transactions is improving; official corruption remains a major problem page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Papua New Guinea (East & Southeast Asia) Introduction ::Papua New Guinea Background: The eastern half of the island of New Guinea - second largest in the world - was divided between Germany (north) and the UK (south) in 1885. The latter area was transferred to Australia in 1902, which occupied the northern portion during World War I and continued to administer the combined areas until independence in 1975. A nine-year secessionist revolt on the island of Bougainville ended in 1997 after claiming some 20,000 lives. Geography ::Papua New Guinea Location: Oceania, group of islands including the eastern half of the island of New Guinea between the Coral Sea and the South Pacific Ocean, east of Indonesia Geographic coordinates: 6 00 S, 147 00 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 462,840 sq km country comparison to the world: 54 land: 452,860 sq km water: 9,980 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than California Land boundaries: total: 820 km border countries: Indonesia 820 km Coastline: 5,152 km Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; northwest monsoon (December to March), southeast monsoon (May to October); slight seasonal temperature variation Terrain: mostly mountains with coastal lowlands and rolling foothills Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Wilhelm 4,509 m Natural resources: gold, copper, silver, natural gas, timber, oil, fisheries Land use: arable land: 0.49% permanent crops: 1.4% other: 98.11% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Total renewable water resources: 801 cu km (1987) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.1 cu km/yr (56%/43%/1%) per capita: 17 cu m/yr (1987) Natural hazards: active volcanism; situated along the Pacific "Ring of Fire"; the country is subject to frequent and sometimes severe earthquakes; mud slides; tsunamis Environment - current issues: rain forest subject to deforestation as a result of growing commercial demand for tropical timber; pollution from mining projects; severe drought Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: shares island of New Guinea with Indonesia; one of world's largest swamps along southwest coast People ::Papua New Guinea Population: 6,057,263 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 Age structure: 0-14 years: 36.9% (male 1,137,796/female 1,099,365) 15-64 years: 59% (male 1,836,272/female 1,735,298) 65 years and over: 4.1% (male 114,789/female 133,743) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 21.7 years male: 21.8 years female: 21.6 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 2.069% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 Birth rate: 27.55 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 Death rate: 6.86 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 12% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 45.23 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 57 male: 49.17 deaths/1,000 live births female: 41.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 66.34 years country comparison to the world: 160 male: 64.08 years female: 68.72 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.62 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.5% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 54,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 1,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria (2009) Nationality: noun: Papua New Guinean(s) adjective: Papua New Guinean Ethnic groups: Melanesian, Papuan, Negrito, Micronesian, Polynesian Religions: Roman Catholic 27%, Evangelical Lutheran 19.5%, United Church 11.5%, Seventh-Day Adventist 10%, Pentecostal 8.6%, Evangelical Alliance 5.2%, Anglican 3.2%, Baptist 2.5%, other Protestant 8.9%, Bahai 0.3%, indigenous beliefs and other 3.3% (2000 census) Languages: Tok Pisin, English, and Hiri Motu are official languages; some 860 indigenous languages spoken (over one-tenth of the world's total) note: Tok Pisin, a creole language, is widely used and understood; English is spoken by 1%-2%; Hiri Motu is spoken by less than 2% Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 57.3% male: 63.4% female: 50.9% (2000 census) Education expenditures: NA People - note: the indigenous population of Papua New Guinea is one of the most heterogeneous in the world; PNG has several thousand separate communities, most with only a few hundred people; divided by language, customs, and tradition, some of these communities have engaged in low-scale tribal conflict with their neighbors for millennia; the advent of modern weapons and modern migrants into urban areas has greatly magnified the impact of this lawlessness Government ::Papua New Guinea Country name: conventional long form: Independent State of Papua New Guinea conventional short form: Papua New Guinea local short form: Papuaniugini former: Territory of Papua and New Guinea abbreviation: PNG Government type: constitutional parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm Capital: name: Port Moresby geographic coordinates: 9 30 S, 147 10 E time difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 20 provinces; Bougainville (autonomous region), Central, Chimbu, Eastern Highlands, East New Britain, East Sepik, Enga, Gulf, Madang, Manus, Milne Bay, Morobe, National Capital, New Ireland, Northern, Sandaun, Southern Highlands, Western, Western Highlands, West New Britain Independence: 16 September 1975 (from the Australian-administered UN trusteeship) National holiday: Independence Day, 16 September (1975) Constitution: 16 September 1975 Legal system: based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by governor general Sir Paulius MATANE (since 29 June 2004) head of government: Prime Minister Sir Michael SOMARE (since 2 August 2002); Deputy Prime Minister Puka TEMU (since 29 August 2007) cabinet: National Executive Council appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: the monarch is hereditary; the governor general is nominated by parliament and appointed by the chief of state; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of the majority coalition usually is appointed prime minister by the governor general acting in accordance with a decision of the parliament Legislative branch: unicameral National Parliament (109 seats, 89 filled from open electorates and 20 from provinces and national capital district; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); constitution allows up to 126 seats elections: last held from 30 June to 10 July 2007; next to be held in June 2012 election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - National Alliance 27, PNGP 8, PAP 6, URP 6, PANGU 5, PDM 5, independents 19, others 33; note - election to 1 seat was nullified note: 15 other parties won 4 or fewer seats; association with political parties is fluid Judicial branch: Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the proposal of the National Executive Council after consultation with the minister responsible for justice; other judges are appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission) Political parties and leaders: National Alliance Party or NA [Michael SOMARE]; Papua and Niugini Union Party or PANGU PATI [Andrew KUMBAKOR]; Papua New Guinea Party or PNGP [Sir Mekere MORAUTA]; People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Michael OGIO]; People's Action Party or PAP [Gabriel KAPRIS]; United Resources Party or URP [William DUMA] (2007) Political pressure groups and leaders: Ahora [Andrew MAMOKO] (represents local tribes); Centre for Environment Law and Community Rights or Celcor [Damien ASE]; Community Coalition Against Corruption International organization participation: ACP, ADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN (observer), C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Evan Jeremy PAKI chancery: 1779 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 805, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 745-3680 FAX: [1] (202) 745-3679 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Teddy B. TAYLOR embassy: Douglas Street, Port Moresby, N.C.D. mailing address: 4240 Port Moresby PI, US Department of State, Washington DC 20521-4240 telephone: [675] 321-1455 FAX: [675] 321-3423 Flag description: divided diagonally from upper hoist-side corner; the upper triangle is red with a soaring yellow bird of paradise centered; the lower triangle is black with five, white, five-pointed stars of the Southern Cross constellation centered Economy ::Papua New Guinea Economy - overview: Papua New Guinea is richly endowed with natural resources, but exploitation has been hampered by rugged terrain and the high cost of developing infrastructure. Agriculture provides a subsistence livelihood for 75% of the population. Mineral deposits, including copper, gold, and oil, account for nearly two-thirds of export earnings. The government of Prime Minister SOMARE has expended much of its energy remaining in power. He was the first prime minister ever to serve a full five-year term. The government also brought stability to the national budget, largely through expenditure control; however, it relaxed spending constraints in 2006 and 2007 as elections approached. Numerous challenges still face the government including regaining investor confidence, restoring integrity to state institutions, promoting economic efficiency by privatizing moribund state institutions, and balancing relations with Australia, its former colonial ruler. Other socio-cultural challenges could upend the economy including a worsening HIV/AIDS epidemic, currently the highest rate in all of East Asia and the Pacific, and chronic law and order and land tenure issues. Australia supplied more than $300 million in aid in FY07/08, which accounts for nearly 20% of the national budget. A consortium led by a major American oil company hopes to begin the commercialization of the country's estimated 227 billion cubic meters of natural gas reserves through the construction of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) production facility by 2010. The project has the potential to double the GDP of Papua New Guinea. GDP (purchasing power parity): $13.17 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 $12.3 billion (2007 est.) $11.65 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $8.092 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 5.6% (2007 est.) 2.3% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $2,300 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 181 $2,200 (2007 est.) $2,100 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 33.3% industry: 36.3% services: 30.4% (2008 est.) Labor force: 3.639 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 85% industry: NA% services: NA% (2005 est.) Unemployment rate: 1.9% (2004) country comparison to the world: 17 Population below poverty line: 37% (2002 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.7% highest 10%: 40.5% (1996) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 50.9 (1996) country comparison to the world: 19 Investment (gross fixed): 19.4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 Budget: revenues: $2.62 billion expenditures: $2.797 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 32.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 59.3% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 159 0.9% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 7% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 55 7.38% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 9.27% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 86 9.78% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $2.005 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 71 $1.685 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $1.726 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 86 $1.482 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $2.065 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 92 $1.486 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) $NA (31 December 2007) $6.632 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: coffee, cocoa, copra, palm kernels, tea, sugar, rubber, sweet potatoes, fruit, vegetables, vanilla; shell fish, poultry, pork Industries: copra crushing, palm oil processing, plywood production, wood chip production; mining of gold, silver, and copper; crude oil production, petroleum refining; construction, tourism Industrial production growth rate: 5.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 Electricity - production: 2.885 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 Electricity - consumption: 2.683 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 38,100 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 Oil - consumption: 33,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 Oil - exports: 32,490 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 Oil - imports: 14,380 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 Oil - proved reserves: 88 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 Natural gas - production: 100 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 Natural gas - consumption: 100 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 131 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 Natural gas - proved reserves: 226.5 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 Current account balance: $710 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 $193.6 million (2007 est.) Exports: $5.719 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 $4.748 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: oil, gold, copper ore, logs, palm oil, coffee, cocoa, crayfish, prawns Exports - partners: Australia 27.2%, Japan 9.2%, China 5.1% (2008) Imports: $3.124 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 136 $2.629 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, fuels, chemicals Imports - partners: Australia 42.6%, Singapore 15.6%, China 11%, Japan 5.8%, Malaysia 4.3% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $1.987 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 $2.087 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $2.511 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 $1.646 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $NA Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Exchange rates: kina (PGK) per US dollar - 2.6956 (2008 est.), 3.03 (2007), 3.0643 (2006), 3.08 (2005), 3.2225 (2004) Communications ::Papua New Guinea Telephones - main lines in use: 60,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 158 Telephones - mobile cellular: 600,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 152 Telephone system: general assessment: services are minimal; facilities provide radiotelephone and telegraph, coastal radio, aeronautical radio, and international radio communication services domestic: access to telephone services is not widely available; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is 11 per 100 persons international: country code - 675; submarine cables to Australia and Guam; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); international radio communication service (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 8, FM 19, shortwave 28 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 3 (all in the Port Moresby area; stations at Mt. Hagen, Goroka, Lae, and Rabaul are planned) (2004) Internet country code: .pg Internet hosts: 3,432 (2009) country comparison to the world: 140 Internet users: 120,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 147 Transportation ::Papua New Guinea Airports: 560 (2009) country comparison to the world: 12 Airports - with paved runways: total: 21 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 539 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 63 under 914 m: 467 (2009) Heliports: 2 (2009) Pipelines: oil 195 km (2008) Roadways: total: 19,600 km country comparison to the world: 111 paved: 686 km unpaved: 18,914 km (2000) Waterways: 11,000 km (2006) country comparison to the world: 12 Merchant marine: total: 21 country comparison to the world: 98 by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 17, petroleum tanker 2 foreign-owned: 6 (UAE 6) (2008) Ports and terminals: Kimbe, Lae, Madang, Rabaul, Wewak Military ::Papua New Guinea Military branches: Papua New Guinea Defense Force (PNGDF; includes Maritime Operations Element, Air Operations Element) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 16 years of age for voluntary military service (with parental consent); no conscription (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,481,417 females age 16-49: 1,385,040 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,110,175 females age 16-49: 1,127,758 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 64,636 female: 62,803 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.4% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 Transnational Issues ::Papua New Guinea Disputes - international: relies on assistance from Australia to keep out illegal cross-border activities from primarily Indonesia, including goods smuggling, illegal narcotics trafficking, and squatters and secessionists Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 10,177 (Indonesia) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Papua New Guinea is a country of destination for women and children from Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and China trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation; internal trafficking of women and children for the purposes of sexual exploitation and involuntary domestic servitude occurs as well tier rating: Tier 3 - Papua New Guinea does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the current legal framework does not contain elements of crimes that characterize trafficking; the government lacks victim protection services or a systematic procedure to identify victims of trafficking; the government did not prosecute anyone in 2007 for trafficking; Papua New Guinea has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008) Illicit drugs: major consumer of cannabis page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Paracel Islands (East & Southeast Asia) Introduction ::Paracel Islands Background: The Paracel Islands are surrounded by productive fishing grounds and by potential oil and gas reserves. In 1932, French Indochina annexed the islands and set up a weather station on Pattle Island; maintenance was continued by its successor, Vietnam. China has occupied the Paracel Islands since 1974, when its troops seized a South Vietnamese garrison occupying the western islands. China built a military installation on Mischief Reef in 1999. The islands are claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam. Geography ::Paracel Islands Location: Southeastern Asia, group of small islands and reefs in the South China Sea, about one-third of the way from central Vietnam to the northern Philippines Geographic coordinates: 16 30 N, 112 00 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: NA sq km land: NA sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: NA Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 518 km Maritime claims: NA Climate: tropical Terrain: mostly low and flat Elevation extremes: lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Rocky Island 14 m Natural resources: none Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) Irrigated land: 0 sq km Natural hazards: typhoons Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: composed of 130 small coral islands and reefs divided into the northeast Amphitrite Group and the western Crescent Group People ::Paracel Islands Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: there are scattered Chinese garrisons Government ::Paracel Islands Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Paracel Islands Economy ::Paracel Islands Economy - overview: The islands have the potential for oil and gas development. Waters around the islands support commercial fishing, but the islands themselves are not populated on a permanent basis. China announced plans in 1997 to open the islands for tourism. Transportation ::Paracel Islands Airports: 1 (2009) country comparison to the world: 227 Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Ports and terminals: small Chinese port facilities on Woody Island and Duncan Island being expanded Military ::Paracel Islands Military - note: occupied by China Transnational Issues ::Paracel Islands Disputes - international: occupied by China, also claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam page last updated on September 22, 2009 ====================================================================== @Paraguay (South America) Introduction ::Paraguay Background: Paraguay achieved its independence from Spain in 1811. In the disastrous War of the Triple Alliance (1865-70) - between Paraguay and Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay - Paraguay lost two-thirds of all adult males and much of its territory. The country stagnated economically for the next half century. Following the Chaco War of 1932-35 with Bolivia, Paraguay gained a large part of the Chaco lowland region. The 35-year military dictatorship of Alfredo STROESSNER ended in 1989, and, despite a marked increase in political infighting in recent years, Paraguay has held relatively free and regular presidential elections since then. Geography ::Paraguay Location: Central South America, northeast of Argentina Geographic coordinates: 23 00 S, 58 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 406,752 sq km country comparison to the world: 59 land: 397,302 sq km water: 9,450 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than California Land boundaries: total: 3,995 km border countries: Argentina 1,880 km, Bolivia 750 km, Brazil 1,365 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: subtropical to temperate; substantial rainfall in the eastern portions, becoming semiarid in the far west Terrain: grassy plains and wooded hills east of Rio Paraguay; Gran Chaco region west of Rio Paraguay mostly low, marshy plain near the river, and dry forest and thorny scrub elsewhere Elevation extremes: lowest point: junction of Rio Paraguay and Rio Parana 46 m highest point: Cerro Pero (Cerro Tres Kandu) 842 m Natural resources: hydropower, timber, iron ore, manganese, limestone Land use: arable land: 7.47% permanent crops: 0.24% other: 92.29% (2005) Irrigated land: 670 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 336 cu km (2000) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.49 cu km/yr (20%/8%/71%) per capita: 80 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: local flooding in southeast (early September to June); poorly drained plains may become boggy (early October to June) Environment - current issues: deforestation; water pollution; inadequate means for waste disposal pose health risks for many urban residents; loss of wetlands Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: landlocked; lies between Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil; population concentrated in southern part of country People ::Paraguay Population: 6,995,655 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 101 Age structure: 0-14 years: 36.7% (male 1,304,115/female 1,260,560) 15-64 years: 58.1% (male 2,043,509/female 2,023,317) 65 years and over: 5.2% (male 168,554/female 195,600) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 21.9 years male: 21.6 years female: 22.2 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 2.364% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 Birth rate: 28.17 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 Death rate: 4.46 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 201 Net migration rate: -0.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 Urbanization: urban population: 60% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 24.68 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 89 male: 28.77 deaths/1,000 live births female: 20.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.77 years country comparison to the world: 73 male: 73.19 years female: 78.49 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.75 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.6% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 21,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 1,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: dengue fever and malaria (2009) Nationality: noun: Paraguayan(s) adjective: Paraguayan Ethnic groups: mestizo (mixed Spanish and Amerindian) 95%, other 5% Religions: Roman Catholic 89.6%, Protestant 6.2%, other Christian 1.1%, other or unspecified 1.9%, none 1.1% (2002 census) Languages: Spanish (official), Guarani (official) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 94% male: 94.9% female: 93% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 12 years (2005) Education expenditures: 4% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 104 Government ::Paraguay Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Paraguay conventional short form: Paraguay local long form: Republica del Paraguay local short form: Paraguay Government type: constitutional republic Capital: name: Asuncion geographic coordinates: 25 16 S, 57 40 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 17 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1 capital city*; Alto Paraguay, Alto Parana, Amambay, Asuncion*, Boqueron, Caaguazu, Caazapa, Canindeyu, Central, Concepcion, Cordillera, Guaira, Itapua, Misiones, Neembucu, Paraguari, Presidente Hayes, San Pedro Independence: 14 May 1811 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 14 May 1811 (observed 15 May) Constitution: promulgated 20 June 1992 Legal system: based on Argentine codes, Roman law, and French codes; judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court of Justice; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory up to age 75 Executive branch: chief of state: President Fernando Armindo LUGO Mendez (since 15 August 2008); Vice President Federico FRANCO (since 15 August 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Fernando Armindo LUGO Mendez (since 15 August 2008); Vice President Federico FRANCO (since 15 August 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single five-year term; election last held 20 April 2008 (next to be held April 2013) election results: Fernando Armindo LUGO Mendez elected president; percent of vote - Fernando Armindo LUGO Mendez 40.8%, Blanca OVELAR 30.6%, Lino OVIEDO 21.9%, Pedro FADUL 2.4%, other 4.3% Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (45 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (80 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Chamber of Senators - last held 20 April 2008 (next to be held in April 2013); Chamber of Deputies - last held 20 April 2008 (next to be held in April 2013) election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ANR 15, PLRA 14, UNACE 9, PPQ 4, other 3; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ANR 30, PLRA 27, UNACE 15, PPQ 3, APC 2, other 3 Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (nine judges appointed on the proposal of the Council of Magistrates or Consejo de la Magistratura) Political parties and leaders: Alianza Patriotica por el Cambio (Patriotic Alliance for Change) or APC [Fernando LUGO]; Asociacion Nacional Republicana - Colorado Party or ANR [Lilian SAMANIEGO]; Movimiento Union Nacional de Ciudadanos Eticos or UNACE [Lino Cesar OVIEDO Silva]; Patria Querida (Beloved Fatherland Party) or PPQ [Pedro Nicolas Maraa FADUL Niella]; Partido del Movimiento al Socialismo or P-MAS; Partido Encuentro Nacional or PEN [Emilio CAMACHO Paredes]; Partido Liberal Radical Autentico or PLRA [Gustavo CARDOZO]; Partido Pais Solidario or PPS [Carlos Alberto FILIZZOLA Pallares] Political pressure groups and leaders: Ahorristas Estafados or AE; National Coordinating Board of Campesino Organizations or MCNOC [Luis AGUAYO]; National Federation of Campesinos or FNC [Odilon ESPINOLA]; National Workers Central or CNT [Secretary General Juan TORRALES]; Paraguayan Workers Confederation or CPT; Roman Catholic Church; Unitary Workers Central or CUT [Jorge Guzman ALVARENGA Malgarejo] International organization participation: CAN (associate), FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador James SPALDING Hellmers chancery: 2400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-6960 through 6962 FAX: [1] (202) 234-4508 consulate(s) general: Kansas City (Kansas), Los Angeles, Miami, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: Ambassador Liliana AYALDE embassy: 1776 Avenida Mariscal Lopez, Casilla Postal 402, Asuncion mailing address: Unit 4711, APO AA 34036-0001 telephone: [595] (21) 213-715 FAX: [595] (21) 228-603 Flag description: three equal, horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue with an emblem centered in the white band; unusual flag in that the emblem is different on each side; the obverse (hoist side at the left) bears the national coat of arms (a yellow five-pointed star within a green wreath capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles); the reverse (hoist side at the right) bears the seal of the treasury (a yellow lion below a red Cap of Liberty and the words Paz y Justicia (Peace and Justice) capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles) Economy ::Paraguay Economy - overview: Landlocked Paraguay has a market economy marked by a large informal sector, featuring reexport of imported consumer goods to neighboring countries, as well as the activities of thousands of microenterprises and urban street vendors. A large percentage of the population, especially in rural areas, derives its living from agricultural activity, often on a subsistence basis. Because of the importance of the informal sector, accurate economic measures are difficult to obtain. On a per capita basis, real income has stagnated at 1980 levels. Most observers attribute Paraguay's poor economic performance to political uncertainty, corruption, limited progress on structural reform, and deficient infrastructure. The economy rebounded between 2003 and 2008, however, as growing world demand for commodities combined with high prices and favorable weather to support Paraguay's commodity-based export expansion. Paraguay is the sixth largest soy producer in the world. GDP (purchasing power parity): $28.95 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 108 $27.37 billion (2007 est.) $25.62 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $16.01 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 6.8% (2007 est.) 4.3% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $4,200 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 $4,100 (2007 est.) $3,900 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 23.4% industry: 18.4% services: 58.2% (2008 est.) Labor force: 2.839 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 31% industry: 17% services: 52% (2007) Unemployment rate: 5.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 5.6% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 32% (2005 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.1% highest 10%: 42.3% (2007) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 56.8 (2008) country comparison to the world: 9 57.7 (1998) Investment (gross fixed): 19.6% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 Budget: revenues: $2.856 billion expenditures: $2.826 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 19.9% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 39.2% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 8.1% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 20% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 7 20% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 25.81% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 11 25.03% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $2.062 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 70 $1.943 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $1.599 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 89 $1.368 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $3.098 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 89 $2.457 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) $NA (31 December 2007) $409.1 million (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: cotton, sugarcane, soybeans, corn, wheat, tobacco, cassava (tapioca), fruits, vegetables; beef, pork, eggs, milk; timber Industries: sugar, cement, textiles, beverages, wood products, steel, metallurgic, electric power Industrial production growth rate: 4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 Electricity - production: 53.19 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 Electricity - consumption: 5.337 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 Electricity - exports: 45.14 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 26.97 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 Oil - consumption: 28,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 Oil - imports: 25,100 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 108 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 152 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 136 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 101 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 Current account balance: -$345 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 $126.1 million (2007 est.) Exports: $7.769 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 $5.463 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: soybeans, feed, cotton, meat, edible oils, electricity, wood, leather Exports - partners: Argentina 31.7%, Brazil 15.9%, Uruguay 11.7%, Chile 6.4%, Russia 5.7% (2008) Imports: $8.809 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 $6.008 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: road vehicles, consumer goods, tobacco, petroleum products, electrical machinery, tractors, chemicals, vehicle parts Imports - partners: Brazil 27.2%, US 22.1%, Argentina 14.9%, China 10.4% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $2.863 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 $2.462 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $3.507 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 114 $3.096 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $2.057 million (2007) country comparison to the world: 96 Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Exchange rates: guarani (PYG) per US dollar - 4,337.7 (2008 est.), 5,031 (2007), 5,672.8 (2006), 6,178 (2005), 5,974.6 (2004) Communications ::Paraguay Telephones - main lines in use: 363,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 104 Telephones - mobile cellular: 5.791 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 81 Telephone system: general assessment: meager telephone service; principal switching center is in Asuncion domestic: the fixed-line market is a state monopoly; deficiencies in provision of fixed-line service have resulted in a rapid expansion of mobile-cellular services fostered by competition among multiple providers international: country code - 595; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 41, FM 121, shortwave 6 (2006) Television broadcast stations: 5 (2007) Internet country code: .py Internet hosts: 71,487 (2009) country comparison to the world: 78 Internet users: 894,200 (2008) country comparison to the world: 93 Transportation ::Paraguay Airports: 798 (2009) country comparison to the world: 9 Airports - with paved runways: total: 14 over 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 5 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 784 1,524 to 2,437 m: 25 914 to 1,523 m: 289 under 914 m: 470 (2009) Railways: total: 36 km country comparison to the world: 132 standard gauge: 36 km 1.435-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 29,500 km country comparison to the world: 98 paved: 14,986 km unpaved: 14,514 km (2000) Waterways: 3,100 km (2008) country comparison to the world: 33 Merchant marine: total: 23 country comparison to the world: 94 by type: cargo 18, carrier 1, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: 6 (Argentina 5, Netherlands 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Asuncion, Villeta, San Antonio, Encarnacion Military ::Paraguay Military branches: Army, National Navy (Armada Nacional, includes Naval Aviation, Marine Corps, General Naval Prefecture), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Paraguay, FAP) (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 12 months for Army, 24 months for Navy (2007) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,589,873 females age 16-49: 1,585,573 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,363,746 females age 16-49: 1,390,799 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 73,660 female: 72,046 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1% of GDP (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 137 Transnational Issues ::Paraguay Disputes - international: unruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay borders is locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and illegal narcotics trafficking, and fundraising for extremist organizations Illicit drugs: major illicit producer of cannabis, most or all of which is consumed in Brazil, Argentina, and Chile; transshipment country for Andean cocaine headed for Brazil, other Southern Cone markets, and Europe; weak border controls, extensive corruption and money-laundering activity, especially in the Tri-Border Area; weak anti-money-laundering laws and enforcement page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Peru (South America) Introduction ::Peru Background: Ancient Peru was the seat of several prominent Andean civilizations, most notably that of the Incas whose empire was captured by the Spanish conquistadors in 1533. Peruvian independence was declared in 1821, and remaining Spanish forces defeated in 1824. After a dozen years of military rule, Peru returned to democratic leadership in 1980, but experienced economic problems and the growth of a violent insurgency. President Alberto FUJIMORI's election in 1990 ushered in a decade that saw a dramatic turnaround in the economy and significant progress in curtailing guerrilla activity. Nevertheless, the president's increasing reliance on authoritarian measures and an economic slump in the late 1990s generated mounting dissatisfaction with his regime, which led to his ouster in 2000. A caretaker government oversaw new elections in the spring of 2001, which ushered in Alejandro TOLEDO Manrique as the new head of government - Peru's first democratically elected president of Native American ethnicity. The presidential election of 2006 saw the return of Alan GARCIA Perez who, after a disappointing presidential term from 1985 to 1990, has overseen a robust macroeconomic performance. Geography ::Peru Location: Western South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Chile and Ecuador Geographic coordinates: 10 00 S, 76 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 1,285,216 sq km country comparison to the world: 20 land: 1,279,996 sq km water: 5,220 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Alaska Land boundaries: total: 7,461 km border countries: Bolivia 1,075 km, Brazil 2,995 km, Chile 171 km, Colombia 1,800 km, Ecuador 1,420 km Coastline: 2,414 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm Climate: varies from tropical in east to dry desert in west; temperate to frigid in Andes Terrain: western coastal plain (costa), high and rugged Andes in center (sierra), eastern lowland jungle of Amazon Basin (selva) Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Nevado Huascaran 6,768 m Natural resources: copper, silver, gold, petroleum, timber, fish, iron ore, coal, phosphate, potash, hydropower, natural gas Land use: arable land: 2.88% permanent crops: 0.47% other: 96.65% (2005) Irrigated land: 12,000 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 1,913 cu km (2000) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 20.13 cu km/yr (8%/10%/82%) per capita: 720 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, landslides, mild volcanic activity Environment - current issues: deforestation (some the result of illegal logging); overgrazing of the slopes of the costa and sierra leading to soil erosion; desertification; air pollution in Lima; pollution of rivers and coastal waters from municipal and mining wastes Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake, with Bolivia; a remote slope of Nevado Mismi, a 5,316 m peak, is the ultimate source of the Amazon River People ::Peru Population: 29,546,963 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 Age structure: 0-14 years: 29.1% (male 4,370,923/female 4,216,364) 15-64 years: 65.2% (male 9,695,270/female 9,574,018) 65 years and over: 5.7% (male 796,631/female 893,757) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 26.1 years male: 25.8 years female: 26.4 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.229% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 108 Birth rate: 19.38 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 Death rate: 6.14 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 157 Net migration rate: -0.95 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 Urbanization: urban population: 71% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 28.62 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 78 male: 31.07 deaths/1,000 live births female: 26.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.74 years country comparison to the world: 138 male: 68.88 years female: 72.69 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.37 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.5% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 76,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 3,300 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: dengue fever, malaria, and yellow fever water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009) Nationality: noun: Peruvian(s) adjective: Peruvian Ethnic groups: Amerindian 45%, mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 37%, white 15%, black, Japanese, Chinese, and other 3% Religions: Roman Catholic 81.3%, Evangelical 12.5%, other 3.3%, unspecified or none 2.9% (2007 Census) Languages: Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara, and a large number of minor Amazonian languages Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.9% male: 96.4% female: 89.4% (2007 Census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 14 years (2006) Education expenditures: 2.5% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 157 Government ::Peru Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Peru conventional short form: Peru local long form: Republica del Peru local short form: Peru Government type: constitutional republic Capital: name: Lima geographic coordinates: 12 03 S, 77 03 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 25 regions (regiones, singular - region) and 1 province* (provincia); Amazonas, Ancash, Apurimac, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Callao, Cusco, Huancavelica, Huanuco, Ica, Junin, La Libertad, Lambayeque, Lima, Lima*, Loreto, Madre de Dios, Moquegua, Pasco, Piura, Puno, San Martin, Tacna, Tumbes, Ucayali Independence: 28 July 1821 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 28 July (1821) Constitution: 29 December 1993 Legal system: based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory until the age of 70; note - for the first time in recent elections, members of the military and national police were eligible to vote in the 2006 elections Executive branch: chief of state: President Alan GARCIA Perez (since 28 July 2006); First Vice President Luis GIAMPIETRI Rojas (since 28 July 2006); Second Vice President Lourdes MENDOZA del Solar (since 28 July 2006); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Alan GARCIA Perez (since 28 July 2006); First Vice President Luis GIAMPIETRI Rojas (since 28 July 2006); Second Vice President Lourdes MENDOZA del Solar (since 28 July 2006) note: Prime Minister Javier VELASQUEZ Quesquen (since 12 July 2009) does not exercise executive power; this power is in the hands of the president cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a nonconsecutive reelection); presidential and congressional elections held 9 April 2006 with runoff election held 4 June 2006; next to be held in April 2011 election results: Alan GARCIA Perez elected president in runoff election; percent of vote - Alan GARCIA Perez 52.5%, Ollanta HUMALA Tasso 47.5% Legislative branch: unicameral Congress of the Republic of Peru or Congreso de la Republica del Peru (120 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 9 April 2006 (next to be held in April 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - UPP 21.2%, PAP 20.6%, UN 15.3%, AF 13.1%, FC 7.1%, PP 4.1%, RN 4.0%, other 14.6%; seats by party - UPP 45, PAP 36, UN 17, AF 13, FC 5, PP 2, RN 2 Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (judges are appointed by the National Council of the Judiciary) Political parties and leaders: Alliance For Progress (Alianza Para El Progreso) [Cesar ACUNA Peralta]; Alliance For The Future (Alianza Por El Futuro) or AF (a coalition of pro-FUJIMORI parties including Cambio 90, Nueva Mayoria, and Si Cumple); Central Front (Frente Del Centro) or FC (a coalition of Accion Popular, Somos Peru, and Coordinadora Nacional de Independientes) [Victor Andres GARCIA Belaunde]; National Renovation Party (Partido Renovacion Nacional) [Rafael REY]; National Restoration Party (Restauracion Nacional) or RN [Humberto LAY Sun]; National Solidarity Party (Partido Solidaridad Nacional) or SN [Luis CASTANEDA Lossio]; Peru Possible (Peru Posible) or PP [Alejandro TOLEDO Manrique]; Peruvian Aprista Party (Partido Aprista Peruano) or PAP [Alan GARCIA Perez] (also referred to by its original name Alianza Popular Revolucionaria Americana or APRA); Peruvian Nationalist Party (Partido Nacionalista Peruano) or PNP [Ollanta HUMALA Tasso]; Popular Christian Party (Partido Popular Cristiano) or PPC [Lourdes FLORES Nano]; Union for Peru (Union por el Peru) or UPP [Aldo ESTRADA Choque] Political pressure groups and leaders: General Workers Confederation of Peru (Confederacion General de Trabajadores del Peru) or CGTP [Mario HUAMAN]; Shining Path (Sendero Luminoso) or SL [Abimael GUZMAN Reynoso (imprisoned), Victor QUISPE Palomino (top leader at-large)] (leftist guerrilla group) International organization participation: APEC, CAN, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Luis VALDIVIESO Montano chancery: 1700 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 833-9860 through 9869 FAX: [1] (202) 659-8124 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Hartford, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Paterson (New Jersey), San Francisco Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador P. Michael MCKINLEY embassy: Avenida La Encalada, Cuadra 17s/n, Surco, Lima 33 mailing address: P. O. Box 1995, Lima 1; American Embassy (Lima), APO AA 34031-5000 telephone: [51] (1) 434-3000 FAX: [51] (1) 618-2397 Flag description: three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), white, and red with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a shield bearing a vicuna, cinchona tree (the source of quinine), and a yellow cornucopia spilling out gold coins, all framed by a green wreath Economy ::Peru Economy - overview: Peru's economy reflects its varied geography - an arid coastal region, the Andes further inland, and tropical lands bordering Colombia and Brazil. Abundant mineral resources are found in the mountainous areas, and Peru's coastal waters provide excellent fishing grounds. The Peruvian economy grew by more than 4% per year during the period 2002-06, with a stable exchange rate and low inflation. Growth jumped to 9% per year in 2007 and 2008, driven by higher world prices for minerals and metals and the government's aggressive trade liberalization strategies. Peru's rapid expansion has helped to reduce the national poverty rate by about 15% since 2002, though underemployment and inflation remain high. Despite Peru's strong macroeconomic performance, overdependence on minerals and metals subjects the economy to fluctuations in world prices, and poor infrastructure precludes the spread of growth to Peru's non-coastal areas. Not all Peruvians therefore have shared in the benefits of growth. President GARCIA's pursuit of sound trade and macroeconomic policies has cost him political support since his election. Nevertheless, he remains committed to Peru's free-trade path. The United States and Peru completed negotiations on the implementation of the US-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (PTPA), and the agreement entered into force February 1, 2009, opening the way to greater trade and investment between the two economies. GDP (purchasing power parity): $247.9 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 $225.8 billion (2007 est.) $207.3 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $127.5 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 9.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 8.9% (2007 est.) 7.7% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $8,500 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 116 $7,800 (2007 est.) $7,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 8.5% industry: 21.2% services: 70.3% (2008 est.) Labor force: 10.2 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 0.7% industry: 23.8% services: 75.5% (2005) Unemployment rate: 8.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 6.9% (2007 est.) note: data are for metropolitan Lima; widespread underemployment Population below poverty line: 44.5% (2006) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.5% highest 10%: 37.9% (2006) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 49.8 (2005) country comparison to the world: 26 46.2 (1996) Investment (gross fixed): 25.9% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 Budget: revenues: $38.01 billion expenditures: $35.29 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 24% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 44.1% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 1.8% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 7.25% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 78 5.75% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 23.67% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 13 24.1% (December 2008) Stock of money: $15.42 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 37 $14.66 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $25.32 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 40 $19.95 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $21.98 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 58 $17.88 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $55.63 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 46 $106 billion (31 December 2007) $59.66 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: asparagus, coffee, cocoa, cotton, sugarcane, rice, potatoes, corn, plantains, grapes, oranges, pineapples, guavas, bananas, apples, lemons, pears, coca, tomatoes, mango, barley, medicinal plants, palm oil, marigold, onion, wheat, dry beans; poultry, beef, dairy products; fish, guinea pigs Industries: mining and refining of minerals; steel, metal fabrication; petroleum extraction and refining, natural gas; fishing and fish processing, textiles, clothing, food processing Industrial production growth rate: 8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 Electricity - production: 30.57 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 Electricity - consumption: 28.97 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 59 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 120,200 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 Oil - consumption: 160,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 Oil - exports: 68,640 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 Oil - imports: 133,100 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 Oil - proved reserves: 415.8 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 Natural gas - production: 3.39 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 Natural gas - consumption: 3.39 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 135 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 Natural gas - proved reserves: 335.3 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 Current account balance: -$4.18 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 154 $1.22 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $31.53 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 $27.88 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: copper, gold, zinc, crude petroleum and petroleum products, coffee, potatoes, asparagus, textiles, fishmeal Exports - partners: US 20%, China 15.2%, Canada 8.3%, Japan 7%, Chile 5.8%, Brazil 4.2% (2008) Imports: $28.44 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 $19.6 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: petroleum and petroleum products, plastics, machinery, vehicles, iron and steel, wheat, paper Imports - partners: US 23.7%, China 10.6%, Brazil 7.5%, Ecuador 6.5%, Chile 5.1%, Argentina 5%, Mexico 4.5% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $31.25 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 $27.78 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $34.59 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 59 $32.57 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $30.31 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 $24.74 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $1.694 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 $2.284 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: nuevo sol (PEN) per US dollar - 2.91 (2008 est.), 3.1731 (2007), 3.2742 (2006), 3.2958 (2005), 3.4132 (2004) Communications ::Peru Telephones - main lines in use: 2.878 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 52 Telephones - mobile cellular: 20.952 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 38 Telephone system: general assessment: adequate for most requirements domestic: fixed-line teledensity is only about 10 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity, spurred by competition among multiple providers, has increased to more than 70 telephones per 100 persons; nationwide microwave radio relay system and a domestic satellite system with 12 earth stations international: country code - 51; the South America-1 (SAM-1) and Pan American (PAN-AM) submarine cable systems provide links to parts of Central and South America, the Caribbean, and US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 472, FM 198, shortwave 189 (1999) Television broadcast stations: 13 (plus 112 repeaters) (1997) Internet country code: .pe Internet hosts: 274,592 (2009) country comparison to the world: 58 Internet users: 7.128 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 36 Transportation ::Peru Airports: 201 (2009) country comparison to the world: 30 Airports - with paved runways: total: 57 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 20 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 4 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 144 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 24 914 to 1,523 m: 39 under 914 m: 79 (2009) Heliports: 1 (2009) Pipelines: extra heavy crude 533 km; gas 1,078 km; liquid petroleum gas 654 km; oil 1,018 km; refined products 15 km (2008) Railways: total: 1,989 km country comparison to the world: 73 standard gauge: 1,726 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 263 km 0.914-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 78,829 km country comparison to the world: 61 paved: 11,351 km (includes 276 km of expressways) unpaved: 67,478 km (2004) Waterways: 8,808 km country comparison to the world: 14 note: 8,600 km of navigable tributaries of Amazon system and 208 km of Lago Titicaca (2008) Merchant marine: total: 8 country comparison to the world: 123 by type: cargo 3, chemical tanker 1, petroleum tanker 4 foreign-owned: 1 (Bahamas 1) registered in other countries: 17 (Belize 1, Panama 16) (2008) Ports and terminals: Callao, Iquitos, Matarani, Paita, Pucallpa, Yurimaguas; note - Iquitos, Pucallpa, and Yurimaguas are on the upper reaches of the Amazon and its tributaries Military ::Peru Military branches: Army of Peru (Ejercito Peruano), Navy of Peru (Marina de Guerra del Peru, MGP (includes naval air, naval infantry, and Coast Guard)), Air Force of Peru (Fuerza Aerea del Peru, FAP) (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18-30 years of age for voluntary male and female military service; no conscription (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 7,653,898 females age 16-49: 7,531,329 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 5,920,716 females age 16-49: 6,359,803 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 310,575 female: 300,838 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.5% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 107 Transnational Issues ::Peru Disputes - international: Chile and Ecuador rejected Peru's November 2005 unilateral legislation to shift the axis of their joint treaty-defined maritime boundaries along the parallels of latitude to equidistance lines which favor Peru; organized illegal narcotics operations in Colombia have penetrated Peru's shared border; Peru rejects Bolivia's claim to restore maritime access through a sovereign corridor through Chile along the Peruvian border Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs: 60,000-150,000 (civil war from 1980-2000; most IDPs are indigenous peasants in Andean and Amazonian regions) (2007) Illicit drugs: until 1996 the world's largest coca leaf producer, Peru is now the world's second largest producer of coca leaf, though it lags far behind Colombia; cultivation of coca in Peru declined to 36,000 hectares in 2007; second largest producer of cocaine, estimated at 210 metric tons of potential pure cocaine in 2007; finished cocaine is shipped out from Pacific ports to the international drug market; increasing amounts of base and finished cocaine, however, are being moved to Brazil, Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia for use in the Southern Cone or transshipment to Europe and Africa; increasing domestic drug consumption page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Philippines (East & Southeast Asia) Introduction ::Philippines Background: The Philippine Islands became a Spanish colony during the 16th century; they were ceded to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. In 1935 the Philippines became a self-governing commonwealth. Manuel QUEZON was elected president and was tasked with preparing the country for independence after a 10-year transition. In 1942 the islands fell under Japanese occupation during World War II, and US forces and Filipinos fought together during 1944-45 to regain control. On 4 July 1946 the Republic of the Philippines attained its independence. The 20-year rule of Ferdinand MARCOS ended in 1986, when a "people power" movement in Manila ("EDSA 1") forced him into exile and installed Corazon AQUINO as president. Her presidency was hampered by several coup attempts, which prevented a return to full political stability and economic development. Fidel RAMOS was elected president in 1992 and his administration was marked by greater stability and progress on economic reforms. In 1992, the US closed its last military bases on the islands. Joseph ESTRADA was elected president in 1998, but was succeeded by his vice-president, Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, in January 2001 after ESTRADA's stormy impeachment trial on corruption charges broke down and another "people power" movement ("EDSA 2") demanded his resignation. MACAPAGAL-ARROYO was elected to a six-year term as president in May 2004. The Philippine Government faces threats from three terrorist groups on the US Government's Foreign Terrorist Organization list, but in 2006 and 2007 scored some major successes in capturing or killing key wanted terrorists. Decades of Muslim insurgency in the southern Philippines have led to a peace accord with one group and on-again/off-again peace talks with another. Geography ::Philippines Location: Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam Geographic coordinates: 13 00 N, 122 00 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 300,000 sq km country comparison to the world: 72 land: 298,170 sq km water: 1,830 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Arizona Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 36,289 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: irregular polygon extending up to 100 nm from coastline as defined by 1898 treaty; since late 1970s has also claimed polygonal-shaped area in South China Sea up to 285 nm in breadth exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: to depth of exploitation Climate: tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October) Terrain: mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands Elevation extremes: lowest point: Philippine Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Apo 2,954 m Natural resources: timber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, salt, copper Land use: arable land: 19% permanent crops: 16.67% other: 64.33% (2005) Irrigated land: 15,500 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 479 cu km (1999) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 28.52 cu km/yr (17%/9%/74%) per capita: 343 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: astride typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 and struck by five to six cyclonic storms per year; landslides; active volcanoes; destructive earthquakes; tsunamis Environment - current issues: uncontrolled deforestation especially in watershed areas; soil erosion; air and water pollution in major urban centers; coral reef degradation; increasing pollution of coastal mangrove swamps that are important fish breeding grounds Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants Geography - note: the Philippine archipelago is made up of 7,107 islands; favorably located in relation to many of Southeast Asia's main water bodies: the South China Sea, Philippine Sea, Sulu Sea, Celebes Sea, and Luzon Strait People ::Philippines Population: 97,976,603 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 Age structure: 0-14 years: 35.2% (male 17,606,352/female 16,911,376) 15-64 years: 60.6% (male 29,679,327/female 29,737,919) 65 years and over: 4.1% (male 1,744,248/female 2,297,381) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 22.5 years male: 22 years female: 23 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.957% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 Birth rate: 26.01 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 Death rate: 5.1 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 186 Net migration rate: -1.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 Urbanization: urban population: 65% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3% annual rate of change (2005-10 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: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 20.56 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 104 male: 23.17 deaths/1,000 live births female: 17.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.09 years country comparison to the world: 133 male: 68.17 years female: 74.15 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.27 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 8,300 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and Japanese encephalitis water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009) Nationality: noun: Filipino(s) adjective: Philippine Ethnic groups: Tagalog 28.1%, Cebuano 13.1%, Ilocano 9%, Bisaya/Binisaya 7.6%, Hiligaynon Ilonggo 7.5%, Bikol 6%, Waray 3.4%, other 25.3% (2000 census) Religions: Roman Catholic 80.9%, Muslim 5%, Evangelical 2.8%, Iglesia ni Kristo 2.3%, Aglipayan 2%, other Christian 4.5%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.6%, none 0.1% (2000 census) Languages: Filipino (official; based on Tagalog) and English (official); eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.6% male: 92.5% female: 92.7% (2000 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 12 years male: 11 years female: 12 years (2006) Education expenditures: 2.5% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 158 Government ::Philippines Country name: conventional long form: Republic of the Philippines conventional short form: Philippines local long form: Republika ng Pilipinas local short form: Pilipinas Government type: republic Capital: name: Manila geographic coordinates: 14 35 N, 121 00 E time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 80 provinces and 120 chartered cities provinces: Abra, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Aklan, Albay, Antique, Apayao, Aurora, Basilan, Bataan, Batanes, Batangas, Biliran, Benguet, Bohol, Bukidnon, Bulacan, Cagayan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Camiguin, Capiz, Catanduanes, Cavite, Cebu, Compostela, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Dinagat Islands, Eastern Samar, Guimaras, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Iloilo, Isabela, Kalinga, Laguna, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, La Union, Leyte, Maguindanao, Marinduque, Masbate, Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Mountain Province, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, North Cotabato, Northern Samar, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Palawan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Quezon, Quirino, Rizal, Romblon, Samar, Sarangani, Siquijor, Sorsogon, South Cotabato, Southern Leyte, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tarlac, Tawi-Tawi, Zambales, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay chartered cities: Alaminos, Angeles, Antipolo, Bacolod, Bago, Baguio, Bais, Balanga, Batac, Batangas, Bayawan, Bislig, Butuan, Cabadbaran, Cabanatuan, Cadiz, Cagayan de Oro, Calamba, Calapan, Calbayog, Candon, Canlaon, Cauayan, Cavite, Cebu, Cotabato, Dagupan, Danao, Dapitan, Davao, Digos, Dipolog, Dumaguete, Escalante, Gapan, General Santos, Gingoog, Himamaylan, Iligan, Iloilo, Isabela, Iriga, Kabankalan, Kalookan, Kidapawan, Koronadal, La Carlota, Laoag, Lapu-Lapu, Las Pinas, Legazpi, Ligao, Lipa, Lucena, Maasin, Makati, Malabon, Malaybalay, Malolos, Mandaluyong, Mandaue, Manila, Marawi, Marikina, Masbate, Mati, Meycauayan, Muntinlupa, Munoz, Naga, Navotas, Olongapo, Ormoc, Oroquieta, Ozamis, Pagadian, Palayan, Panabo, Paranaque, Pasay, Pasig, Passi, Puerto Princesa, Quezon, Roxas, Sagay, Samal, San Carlos (in Negros Occidental), San Carlos (in Pangasinan), San Fernando (in La Union), San Fernando (in Pampanga), San Jose, San Jose del Monte, San Juan, San Pablo, Santa Rosa, Santiago, Silay, Sipalay, Sorsogon, Surigao, Tabaco, Tacloban, Tacurong, Tagaytay, Tagbilaran, Taguig, Tagum, Talisay (in Cebu), Talisay (in Negros Occidental), Tanauan, Tangub, Tanjay, Tarlac, Toledo, Tuguegarao, Trece Martires, Urdaneta, Valencia, Valenzuela, Victorias, Vigan, Zamboanga (2009) Independence: 12 June 1898 (independence proclaimed from Spain); 4 July 1946 (from the US) National holiday: Independence Day, 12 June (1898); note - 12 June 1898 was date of declaration of independence from Spain; 4 July 1946 was date of independence from US Constitution: 2 February 1987, effective 11 February 1987 Legal system: based on Spanish and Anglo-American law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 20 January 2001); Vice President (Manuel "Noli" DE CASTRO (since 10 May 2004); note - president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 20 January 2001) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with consent of Commission of Appointments elections: president and vice president elected on separate tickets by popular vote for a single six-year term; election last held on 10 May 2004 (next to be held in May 2010) election results: Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO elected president; percent of vote - Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO 40%, Fernando POE 37%, three others 23% Legislative branch: bicameral Congress or Kongreso consists of the Senate or Senado (24 seats - one-half elected every three years; members elected at large by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Kapulungan Ng Nga Kinatawan (as a result of May 2007 election it has 240 seats including 218 members representing districts and 22 sectoral party-list members representing special minorities elected on the basis of 1 seat for every 2% of the total vote but limited to 3 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms; note - the Constitution prohibits the House of Representatives from having more than 250 members) elections: Senate - last held on 14 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2010); House of Representatives - elections last held on 14 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2010) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Lakas 4, LP 4, Nacionalista 3, NPC 2, PDP-Laban 2, PMP 2, Kampi 1, LDP 1, PRP 1, independents 3; note - there are 23 rather than 24 sitting senators because one senator was elected mayor of Manila; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Lakas 92, Kampi 54, NPC 25, LP 21, Party-list 22, independents 3, others 26; there are 238 rather than 240 sitting representatives because two died in office Judicial branch: Supreme Court (15 justices are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial and Bar Council and serve until 70 years of age); Court of Appeals; Sandigan-bayan (special court for hearing corruption cases of government officials) Political parties and leaders: Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino or Kampi [Luis VILLAFUERTE]; Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (Struggle of Filipino Democrats) or LDP [Edgardo ANGARA]; Lakas ng EDSA-Christian Muslim Democrats or Lakas-CMD [Prospero NOGRALES]; Liberal Party or LP [Manuel ROXAS]; Nacionalista Party or NP [Manuel VILLAR]; Nationalist People's Coalition or NPC [Frisco SAN JUAN]; PDP-Laban [Aquilino PIMENTEL]; People's Reform Party [Miriam Defensor SANTIAGO]; Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino (Force of the Philippine Masses) or PMP [Joseph ESTRADA]; United Opposition or UNO [Jejomar BINAY] note: Lakas-CMD and Kampi merged on 29 May 2009 to form Lakas-Kampi CMD Political pressure groups and leaders: ABONO [Robert ESTRELLA]; AKBAYAN [Anna Theresia BARAQUIEL]; An Waray [Florencio NOEL]; Anak Mindanao [Mujiv HATAMIN]; ANAKPAWIS [Rafael MARIANO]; ARC [Narciso SANTIAGO III]; Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives (APEC) [Ernesto PABLO and Edgar VALDEZ]; A TEACHER [Mariano PIAMONTE]; Bayan Muna [Satur OCAMPO and Teodoro CASINO, Jr.]; Black and White Movement [Vicente ROMANO]; BUHAY [Rene VELARDE, Carissa COSCOLLUELLA, and William TIENG]; BUTIL [Leonila CHAVEZ]; CIBAC [Emmanuel Joel VILLANUEVA]; COOP-NATCO [Jose PING-AY]; GABRIELA [Liza MAZA and Luzviminda ILAGAN]; Kilosbayan [Jovito SALONGA]; YACAP [Carol LOPEZ] International organization participation: ADB, APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN, BIS, CP, EAS, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, PIF (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Willy C. GAA chancery: 1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 467-9300 FAX: [1] (202) 467-9417 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands), San Francisco, Tamuning (Guam) Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Kristie A. KENNEY embassy: 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita 1000, Manila mailing address: PSC 500, FPO AP 96515-1000 telephone: [63] (2) 301-2000 FAX: [63] (2) 301-2399 Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of blue (top; representing peace and justice) and red (representing courage); a white equilateral triangle based on the hoist side represents equality; the center of the triangle displays a yellow sun with eight primary rays, each representing one of the first eight provinces that sought independence from Spain; each corner of the triangle contains a small, yellow, five-pointed star representing the three major geographical divisions of the country: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao; the design of the flag dates to 1897; in wartime the flag is flown upside down with the red band at the top Economy ::Philippines Economy - overview: Economic growth has averaged 5% since President MACAPAGAL-ARROYO took office in 2001. MACAPAGAL-ARROYO averted a fiscal crisis by pushing for new revenue measures and, until recently, tightening expenditures. Declining fiscal deficits, tapering debt and debt service ratios, and increased spending on infrastructure and social services bolstered optimism over Philippine economic prospects. Although the general macroeconomic outlook improved significantly in recent years, the economy still faces several long term challenges. The Philippines must maintain the reform momentum in order to catch up with regional competitors, improve employment opportunities, and alleviate poverty. The Philippines will need still higher, sustained growth to make progress in alleviating poverty, given its high population growth and unequal distribution of income. The Philippine economy grew at its fastest pace in three decades in 2007 with real GDP growth exceeding 7%, but growth slowed to 3.8% in 2008 as a result of the world financial crisis. High government spending, a relatively small trade sector, a resilient service sector, and large remittances from the four- to five-million Filipinos who work abroad have helped cushion the economy from the current financial crisis. GDP (purchasing power parity): $318.2 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 $306.6 billion (2007 est.) $286.2 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $166.9 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 7.1% (2007 est.) 5.3% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $3,300 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 161 $3,300 (2007 est.) $3,100 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 14.7% industry: 31.6% services: 53.7% (2008 est.) Labor force: 36.81 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 17 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 35% industry: 15% services: 50% (2008 est.) Unemployment rate: 7.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 7.3% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 30% (2003 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.4% highest 10%: 31.2% (2006) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 45.8 (2006) country comparison to the world: 40 46.6 (2003) Investment (gross fixed): 14.8% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 137 Budget: revenues: $27.05 billion expenditures: $28.58 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 56.9% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 74.2% of GDP (September 2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 141 2.8% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 6% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 113 4.28% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 8.75% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 97 8.69% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $22.53 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 34 $21.27 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) $65.85 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $65.66 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $52.1 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 47 $103.2 billion (31 December 2007) $68.38 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: sugarcane, coconuts, rice, corn, bananas, cassavas, pineapples, mangoes; pork, eggs, beef; fish Industries: electronics assembly, garments, footwear, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, wood products, food processing, petroleum refining, fishing Industrial production growth rate: 5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 Electricity - production: 56.57 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 45 Electricity - consumption: 48.96 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 45 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 25,120 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 Oil - consumption: 320,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 Oil - exports: 36,720 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 Oil - imports: 342,200 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 Oil - proved reserves: 138.5 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 Natural gas - production: 2.94 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 Natural gas - consumption: 2.94 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 127 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 141 Natural gas - proved reserves: 98.54 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 Current account balance: $4.227 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 36 $7.119 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $48.2 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 $49.51 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: semiconductors and electronic products, transport equipment, garments, copper products, petroleum products, coconut oil, fruits Exports - partners: US 16.7%, Japan 15.7%, China 11.1%, Hong Kong 10.1%, Netherlands 7.5%, Singapore 5.3%, South Korea 5.1%, Germany 5% (2008) Imports: $60.78 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 $57.9 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: electronic products, mineral fuels, machinery and transport equipment, iron and steel, textile fabrics, grains, chemicals, plastic Imports - partners: US 12.8%, Japan 11.8%, Singapore 10.3%, Saudi Arabia 8.5%, China 7.5%, South Korea 5.2%, Thailand 5%, Malaysia 4.3% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $37.55 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 $33.75 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $66.27 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 45 $61.78 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $21.4 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 $19.88 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $5.81 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 $5.584 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: Philippine pesos (PHP) per US dollar - 44.439 (2008 est.), 46.148 (2007), 51.246 (2006), 55.086 (2005), 56.04 (2004) Communications ::Philippines Telephones - main lines in use: 3.905 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 40 Telephones - mobile cellular: 68.102 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 14 Telephone system: general assessment: good international radiotelephone and submarine cable services; domestic and interisland service adequate domestic: domestic satellite system with 11 earth stations; cellular communications now dominate the industry; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular telephone density about 80 telephones per 100 persons international: country code - 63; a series of submarine cables together provide connectivity to Asia, US, the Middle East, and Europe; multiple international gateways (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 381, FM 628, shortwave 4 (2007) Television broadcast stations: 250 (plus 1,501 CATV networks) (2007) Internet country code: .ph Internet hosts: 283,607 (2009) country comparison to the world: 55 Internet users: 5.618 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 42 Transportation ::Philippines Airports: 254 (2009) country comparison to the world: 25 Airports - with paved runways: total: 85 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 28 914 to 1,523 m: 35 under 914 m: 10 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 169 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 66 under 914 m: 99 (2009) Heliports: 2 (2009) Pipelines: oil 107 km; refined products 112 km (2008) Railways: total: 897 km country comparison to the world: 95 narrow gauge: 897 km 1.067-m gauge (492 km are in operation) (2008) Roadways: total: 201,910 km country comparison to the world: 25 paved: 21,677 km unpaved: 180,233 km (2008) Waterways: 3,219 km (limited to vessels with draft less than 1.5 m) (2008) country comparison to the world: 31 Merchant marine: total: 391 country comparison to the world: 27 by type: bulk carrier 75, cargo 125, carrier 16, chemical tanker 17, container 6, liquefied gas 5, passenger 6, passenger/cargo 68, petroleum tanker 36, refrigerated cargo 15, roll on/roll off 11, vehicle carrier 11 foreign-owned: 161 (Bermuda 34, China 4, Greece 4, Hong Kong 1, Japan 81, Malaysia 1, Netherlands 23, Norway 10, Singapore 1, Taiwan 1, UAE 1) registered in other countries: 11 (Comoros 1, Cyprus 1, Hong Kong 1, Indonesia 1, Panama 7) (2008) Ports and terminals: Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Liman, Manila, Nasipit Harbor Transportation - note: the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the South China Sea as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargo diverted to ports in East Asia; crews have been murdered or cast adrift Military ::Philippines Military branches: Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP): Army, Navy (includes Marine Corps and Coast Guard), Air Force (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18-25 years of age (officers 21-29) for compulsory and voluntary military service; applicants must be single male or female Philippine citizens (2007) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 23,547,252 females age 16-49: 23,177,487 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 19,169,298 females age 16-49: 20,636,853 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 1,023,431 female: 986,434 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 0.9% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 Transnational Issues ::Philippines Disputes - international: Philippines claims sovereignty over certain of the Spratly Islands, known locally as the Kalayaan (Freedom) Islands, also claimed by China, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam; the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea," has eased tensions in the Spratly Islands but falls short of a legally binding "code of conduct" desired by several of the disputants; in March 2005, the national oil companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam signed a joint accord to conduct marine seismic activities in the Spratly Islands; Philippines retains a dormant claim to Malaysia's Sabah State in northern Borneo based on the Sultanate of Sulu's granting the Philippines Government power of attorney to pursue a sovereignty claim on his behalf; maritime delimitation negotiations continue with Palau Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs: 300,000 (fighting between government troops and MILF and Abu Sayyaf groups) (2007) Illicit drugs: domestic methamphetamine production has been a growing problem in recent years despite government crackdowns; major consumer of amphetamines; longstanding marijuana producer mainly in rural areas where Manila's control is limited page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Pitcairn Islands (Australia-Oceania) Introduction ::Pitcairn Islands Background: Pitcairn Island was discovered in 1767 by the British and settled in 1790 by the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian companions. Pitcairn was the first Pacific island to become a British colony (in 1838) and today remains the last vestige of that empire in the South Pacific. Outmigration, primarily to New Zealand, has thinned the population from a peak of 233 in 1937 to less than 50 today. Geography ::Pitcairn Islands Location: Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about midway between Peru and New Zealand Geographic coordinates: 25 04 S, 130 06 W Map references: Oceania Area: total: 47 sq km country comparison to the world: 233 land: 47 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 51 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; hot and humid; modified by southeast trade winds; rainy season (November to March) Terrain: rugged volcanic formation; rocky coastline with cliffs Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Pawala Valley Ridge 347 m Natural resources: miro trees (used for handicrafts), fish note: manganese, iron, copper, gold, silver, and zinc have been discovered offshore Land use: arable land: NA permanent crops: NA other: NA Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: typhoons (especially November to March) Environment - current issues: deforestation (only a small portion of the original forest remains because of burning and clearing for settlement) Geography - note: Britain's most isolated dependency; only the larger island of Pitcairn is inhabited but it has no port or natural harbor; supplies must be transported by rowed longboat from larger ships stationed offshore People ::Pitcairn Islands Population: 48 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 237 Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 201 Birth rate: NA Death rate: NA Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 0% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: NA (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: NA male: NA female: NA (2008 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA male: NA female: NA Total fertility rate: NA (2008 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Pitcairn Islander(s) adjective: Pitcairn Islander Ethnic groups: descendants of the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian wives Religions: Seventh-Day Adventist 100% Languages: English (official), Pitkern (mixture of an 18th century English dialect and a Tahitian dialect) Literacy: NA Government ::Pitcairn Islands Country name: conventional long form: Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno Islands conventional short form: Pitcairn Islands Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK Government type: NA Capital: name: Adamstown geographic coordinates: 25 04 S, 130 05 W time difference: UTC-9 (4 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of the UK) Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK) National holiday: Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926) Constitution: 30 November 1838; reformed 1904 with additional reforms in 1940; further refined by the Local Government Ordinance of 1964 Legal system: local island by-laws Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal with three years residency Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by UK High Commissioner to New Zealand and Governor (nonresident) of the Pitcairn Islands George FERGUSSON (since April 2006); Commissioner (nonresident) Leslie JAQUES (since September 2003) serves as liaison between the governor and the Island Council head of government: Governor George FERGUSSON (since April 2006); Mayor and Chairman of the Island Council Mike WARREN (since 1 January 2008) cabinet: NA elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor and commissioner appointed by the monarch; island mayor elected by popular vote for a three-year term; election last held December 2007 (next to be held in December 2010) election results: Mike WARREN elected mayor and chairman of the Island Council Legislative branch: unicameral Island Council (10 seats; 5 members elected by popular vote, 1 nominated by the 5 elected members, 2 appointed by the governor including 1 seat for the Island Secretary, the Island Mayor, and a commissioner liaising between the governor and council; elected members serve one-year terms) elections: last held 24 December 2008 (next to be held in 24 December 2009) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - all independents Judicial branch: Magistrate's Court; Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; judicial officers are appointed by the governor Political parties and leaders: none Political pressure groups and leaders: none International organization participation: SPC, UPU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Flag description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Pitcairn Islander coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms is yellow, green, and light blue with a shield featuring a yellow anchor Economy ::Pitcairn Islands Economy - overview: The inhabitants of this tiny isolated economy exist on fishing, subsistence farming, handicrafts, and postage stamps. The fertile soil of the valleys produces a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, including citrus, sugarcane, watermelons, bananas, yams, and beans. Bartering is an important part of the economy. The major sources of revenue are the sale of postage stamps to collectors and the sale of handicrafts to passing ships. In October 2004, more than one-quarter of Pitcairn's small labor force was arrested, putting the economy in a bind, since their services were required as lighter crew to load or unload passing ships. GDP (purchasing power parity): $NA Labor force: 15 able-bodied men (2004) country comparison to the world: 221 Labor force - by occupation: note: no business community in the usual sense; some public works; subsistence farming and fishing Budget: revenues: $746,000 expenditures: $1.028 million (FY04/05) Agriculture - products: honey; wide variety of fruits and vegetables; goats, chickens, fish Industries: postage stamps, handicrafts, beekeeping, honey Electricity - production: NA kWh; note - electric power is provided by a small diesel-powered generator Exports: $NA Exports - commodities: fruits, vegetables, curios, stamps Imports: $NA Imports - commodities: fuel oil, machinery, building materials, flour, sugar, other foodstuffs Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZD) per US dollar - 1.4151 (2008 est.), 1.3811 (2007), 1.5408 (2006), 1.4203 (2005), 1.5087 (2004) Communications ::Pitcairn Islands Telephones - main lines in use: 1 (there are 17 telephones on one party line); (2004) country comparison to the world: 230 Telephone system: general assessment: satellite phone services domestic: domestic communication via radio (CB) international: country code - 872; satellite earth station - 1 (Inmarsat) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 (15 ham radio operators (VP6)) (2004) Internet country code: .pn Internet hosts: 26 (2009) country comparison to the world: 213 Transportation ::Pitcairn Islands Ports and terminals: Adamstown (on Bounty Bay) Military ::Pitcairn Islands Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Transnational Issues ::Pitcairn Islands Disputes - international: none page last updated on October 28, 2009 ====================================================================== @Poland (Europe) Introduction ::Poland Background: Poland is an ancient nation that was conceived near the middle of the 10th century. Its golden age occurred in the 16th century. During the following century, the strengthening of the gentry and internal disorders weakened the nation. In a series of agreements between 1772 and 1795, Russia, Prussia, and Austria partitioned Poland amongst themselves. Poland regained its independence in 1918 only to be overrun by Germany and the Soviet Union in World War II. It became a Soviet satellite state following the war, but its government was comparatively tolerant and progressive. Labor turmoil in 1980 led to the formation of the independent trade union "Solidarity" that over time became a political force and by 1990 had swept parliamentary elections and the presidency. A "shock therapy" program during the early 1990s enabled the country to transform its economy into one of the most robust in Central Europe, but Poland still faces the lingering challenges of high unemployment, underdeveloped and dilapidated infrastructure, and a poor rural underclass. Solidarity suffered a major defeat in the 2001 parliamentary elections when it failed to elect a single deputy to the lower house of Parliament, and the new leaders of the Solidarity Trade Union subsequently pledged to reduce the Trade Union's political role. Poland joined NATO in 1999 and the European Union in 2004. With its transformation to a democratic, market-oriented country largely completed, Poland is an increasingly active member of Euro-Atlantic organizations. Geography ::Poland Location: Central Europe, east of Germany Geographic coordinates: 52 00 N, 20 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 312,685 sq km country comparison to the world: 69 land: 304,255 sq km water: 8,430 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than New Mexico Land boundaries: total: 3,047 km border countries: Belarus 605 km, Czech Republic 615 km, Germany 456 km, Lithuania 91 km, Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) 432 km, Slovakia 420 km, Ukraine 428 km Coastline: 440 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: defined by international treaties Climate: temperate with cold, cloudy, moderately severe winters with frequent precipitation; mild summers with frequent showers and thundershowers Terrain: mostly flat plain; mountains along southern border Elevation extremes: lowest point: near Raczki Elblaskie -2 m highest point: Rysy 2,499 m Natural resources: coal, sulfur, copper, natural gas, silver, lead, salt, amber, arable land Land use: arable land: 40.25% permanent crops: 1% other: 58.75% (2005) Irrigated land: 1,000 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 63.1 cu km (2005) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 11.73 cu km/yr (13%/79%/8%) per capita: 304 cu m/yr (2002) Natural hazards: flooding Environment - current issues: situation has improved since 1989 due to decline in heavy industry and increased environmental concern by post-Communist governments; air pollution nonetheless remains serious because of sulfur dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants, and the resulting acid rain has caused forest damage; water pollution from industrial and municipal sources is also a problem, as is disposal of hazardous wastes; pollution levels should continue to decrease as industrial establishments bring their facilities up to EU code, but at substantial cost to business and the government Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94 Geography - note: historically, an area of conflict because of flat terrain and the lack of natural barriers on the North European Plain People ::Poland Population: 38,482,919 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 Age structure: 0-14 years: 15% (male 2,964,995/female 2,802,278) 15-64 years: 71.6% (male 13,713,078/female 13,845,251) 65 years and over: 13.4% (male 1,966,406/female 3,190,911) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 37.9 years male: 36.1 years female: 39.7 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: -0.047% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 209 Birth rate: 10.04 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 195 Death rate: 10.05 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 Net migration rate: -0.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 Urbanization: urban population: 61% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: -0.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 6.8 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 172 male: 7.52 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.63 years country comparison to the world: 75 male: 71.65 years female: 79.85 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.28 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 208 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1%; note - no country specific models provided (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 20,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne disease: tickborne encephalitis note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Nationality: noun: Pole(s) adjective: Polish Ethnic groups: Polish 96.7%, German 0.4%, Belarusian 0.1%, Ukrainian 0.1%, other and unspecified 2.7% (2002 census) Religions: Roman Catholic 89.8% (about 75% practicing), Eastern Orthodox 1.3%, Protestant 0.3%, other 0.3%, unspecified 8.3% (2002) Languages: Polish 97.8%, other and unspecified 2.2% (2002 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.8% male: 99.8% female: 99.7% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 15 years male: 15 years female: 16 years (2006) Education expenditures: 5.5% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 51 Government ::Poland Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Poland conventional short form: Poland local long form: Rzeczpospolita Polska local short form: Polska Government type: republic Capital: name: Warsaw geographic coordinates: 52 15 N, 21 00 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 16 provinces (wojewodztwa, singular - wojewodztwo); Dolnoslaskie (Lower Silesia), Kujawsko-Pomorskie (Kuyavia-Pomerania), Lodzkie, Lubelskie (Lublin), Lubuskie (Lubusz), Malopolskie (Lesser Poland), Mazowieckie (Masovia), Opolskie, Podkarpackie (Subcarpathia), Podlaskie, Pomorskie (Pomerania), Slaskie (Silesia), Swietokrzyskie, Warminsko-Mazurskie (Warmia-Masuria), Wielkopolskie (Greater Poland), Zachodniopomorskie (West Pomerania) Independence: 11 November 1918 (republic proclaimed) National holiday: Constitution Day, 3 May (1791) Constitution: adopted by the National Assembly 2 April 1997; passed by national referendum 25 May 1997; effective 17 October 1997 Legal system: based on a mixture of Continental (Napoleonic) civil law and holdover Communist legal theory; changes being gradually introduced as part of broader democratization process; limited judicial review of legislative acts, but rulings of the Constitutional Tribunal are final; court decisions can be appealed to the European Court of Justice in Strasbourg; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Lech KACZYNSKI (since 23 December 2005) head of government: Prime Minister Donald TUSK (since 16 November 2007); Deputy Prime Minister Waldemar PAWLAK (since 16 November 2007) cabinet: Council of Ministers responsible to the prime minister and the Sejm; the prime minister proposes, the president appoints, and the Sejm approves the Council of Ministers elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 9 and 23 October 2005 (next to be held in the fall 2010); prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the Sejm election results: Lech KACZYNSKI elected president; percent of popular vote - Lech KACZYNSKI 54%, Donald Tusk 46% Legislative branch: bicameral legislature consists of an upper house, the Senate or Senat (100 seats; members are elected by a majority vote on a provincial basis to serve four-year terms), and a lower house, the Sejm (460 seats; members are elected under a complex system of proportional representation to serve four-year terms); the designation of National Assembly or Zgromadzenie Narodowe is only used on those rare occasions when the two houses meet jointly elections: Senate - last held 21 October 2007 (next to be held by October 2011); Sejm elections last held 21 October 2007 (next to be held by October 2011) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PO 60, PiS 39, independents 1; Sejm - percent of vote by party - PO 41.5%, PiS 32.1%, LiD 13.2%, PSL 8.9%, other 4.3%; seats by party - PO 209, PiS 166, LiD 53, PSL 31, German minorities 1; note - seats by parliamentary grouping as of February 2009 - PO 208, PiS 156, Left 42, PSL 31, SDPL-New Left 5, Polska XXI 6, Democratic Caucus 3, German minorities 1, nonaffiliated 8 note: one seat is assigned to ethnic minority parties in the Sejm only Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the National Council of the Judiciary for an indefinite period); Constitutional Tribunal (judges are chosen by the Sejm for nine-year terms) Political parties and leaders: Civic Platform or PO [chairman Donald TUSK; parliamentary caucus leader Grzegorz SCHETYNA]; Democratic Caucus of the Democratic Party (SD) or DKP SD [parliamentary caucus leader Bogdan LIS]; Democratic Left Alliance or SLD [chairman Grzegorz NAPIERALSKI]; Democratic Party or PD [chairwoman Brygida KUZNIAK]; Democratic Party or SD [chairman Pawel PISKORSKI]; German Minority of Lower Silesia or MNSO [representative Henryk KROLL]; Law and Justice or PiS [chairman Jaroslaw KACZYNSKI; parliamentary caucus leader Przemyslaw GOSIEWSKI]; League of Polish Families or LPR [acting chairman Arnold MASIN]; Left (Democratic Left Alliance and independents) [parliamentary caucus leader Grzegorz NAPIERALSKI]; Polish People's Party or PSL [chairman Waldemar PAWLAK; parliamentary caucus leader Stanislaw ZELICHOWSKI]; Polska XXI (political grouping of former PiS members; not officially registered) [chairman Jaroslaw SELLIN; parliamentary caucus leader Kazimierz Michal UJAZDOWSKI]; Samoobrona or SO [chairman Andrzej LEPPER]; Social Democratic Party of Poland or SDPL [chairman Wojciech FILEMONOWICZ]; Social Democratic Party of Poland-New Left (SDPL-New Left) [parliamentary caucus leader Marek BOROWSKI]; Union of Labor or UP [chairman Waldemar WITKOWSKI] Political pressure groups and leaders: All Poland Trade Union Alliance or OPZZ (trade union) [Jan GUZ]; Roman Catholic Church [Cardinal Stanislaw DZIWISZ, Archbishop Jozef MICHALIK]; Solidarity Trade Union [Janusz SNIADEK] International organization participation: Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA (cooperating state), EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert KUPIECKI chancery: 2640 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 234-3800 through 3802 FAX: [1] (202) 328-6271 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Victor ASHE embassy: Aleje Ujazdowskie 29/31 00-540 Warsaw mailing address: American Embassy Warsaw, US Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-5010 (pouch) telephone: [48] (22) 504-2000 FAX: [48] (22) 504-2688 consulate(s) general: Krakow Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; similar to the flags of Indonesia and Monaco which are red (top) and white Economy ::Poland Economy - overview: Poland has pursued a policy of economic liberalization since 1990 and today stands out as a success story among transition economies. In 2008, GDP grew an estimated 4.8%, based on rising private consumption, a jump in corporate investment, and EU funds inflows. GDP per capita is still much below the EU average, but is similar to that of the three Baltic states. Since 2004, EU membership and access to EU structural funds have provided a major boost to the economy. Unemployment is falling rapidly, though at roughly 9.7% in 2008, it remains above the EU average. In 2008 inflation reached 4.3%, more than the upper limit of the National Bank of Poland's target range, but has been falling due to global economic slowdown. Poland's economic performance could improve further if the country addresses some of the remaining deficiencies in its business environment. An inefficient commercial court system, a rigid labor code, bureaucratic red tape, and persistent low-level corruption keep the private sector from performing up to its full potential. Rising demands to fund health care, education, and the state pension system present a challenge to the Polish Government's effort to hold the consolidated public sector budget deficit under 3.0% of GDP, a target which was achieved in 2007-08. The PO/PSL coalition government which came to power in November 2007 plans to further reduce the budget deficit with the aim of eventually adopting the euro by 2012. The new government has also announced its intention to enact business-friendly reforms, reduce public sector spending growth, lower taxes, and accelerate privatization. The government, however, has moved slowly on major reforms. Pension and health-care bills passed through the legislature, but the legislature failed to overturn a presidential veto. GDP (purchasing power parity): $670.7 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 $638.8 billion (2007 est.) $598.1 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $527.9 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 6.8% (2007 est.) 6.2% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $17,400 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 $16,600 (2007 est.) $15,500 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 4.5% industry: 31.2% services: 64.3% (2008 est.) Labor force: 17.01 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 17.4% industry: 29.2% services: 53.4% (2005) Unemployment rate: 9.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 12.8% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 17% (2003 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3% highest 10%: 27.2% (2005) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 34.9 (2005) country comparison to the world: 87 31.6 (1998) Investment (gross fixed): 22% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 83 Budget: revenues: $105.5 billion expenditures: $115.7 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 45.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 49.9% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 2.5% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 5% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 105 5% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 5.99% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 135 5.72% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $118.2 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 10 $137.4 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $109 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 21 $93.98 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $258.3 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 27 $223.2 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $90.23 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 38 $207.3 billion (31 December 2007) $149.1 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: potatoes, fruits, vegetables, wheat; poultry, eggs, pork, dairy Industries: machine building, iron and steel, coal mining, chemicals, shipbuilding, food processing, glass, beverages, textiles Industrial production growth rate: 4.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 Electricity - production: 149.1 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 Electricity - consumption: 129.3 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 Electricity - exports: 9.703 billion kWh (2008) Electricity - imports: 8.48 billion kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 35,560 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 Oil - consumption: 544,800 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 Oil - exports: 67,340 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 Oil - imports: 595,400 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 Oil - proved reserves: 96.38 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 Natural gas - production: 5.719 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 Natural gas - consumption: 16.55 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 Natural gas - exports: 39 million cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 42 Natural gas - imports: 11.2 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 Natural gas - proved reserves: 164.8 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 Current account balance: -$26.91 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 179 -$20.12 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $178.4 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 $145.3 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment 37.8%, intermediate manufactured goods 23.7%, miscellaneous manufactured goods 17.1%, food and live animals 7.6% (2003) Exports - partners: Germany 24.9%, France 6.2%, Italy 6%, UK 5.7%, Czech Republic 5.6%, Russia 5.3% (2008) Imports: $204.4 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 $162.4 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment 38%, intermediate manufactured goods 21%, chemicals 14.8%, minerals, fuels, lubricants, and related materials 9.1% (2003) Imports - partners: Germany 28.3%, Russia 9.9%, Italy 6.2%, Netherlands 5.4%, France 4.8%, China 4.5%, Czech Republic 4% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $62.18 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 $65.75 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $243.5 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 28 $233.1 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $161.4 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 $176.1 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $21.81 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 $19.39 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: zlotych (PLN) per US dollar - 2.3 (2008 est.), 2.81 (2007), 3.1032 (2006), 3.2355 (2005), 3.6576 (2004) note: zlotych is the plural form of zloty Communications ::Poland Telephones - main lines in use: 10.336 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 22 Telephones - mobile cellular: 44.004 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 25 Telephone system: general assessment: modernization of the telecommunications network has accelerated with market based competition finalized in 2003; fixed-line service, dominated by the former state-owned company, is dwarfed by the growth in wireless telephony domestic: mobile-cellular service available since 1993 and provided by three nation-wide networks with a fourth provider beginning operations in late 2006; cellular coverage is generally good with some gaps in the east; fixed-line service is growing slowly and still lags in rural areas international: country code - 48; international direct dialing with automated exchanges; satellite earth station - 1 with access to Intelsat, Eutelsat, Inmarsat, and Intersputnik (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 14, FM 63, shortwave 2 (2008) Television broadcast stations: 75 (2008) Internet country code: .pl Internet hosts: 8.906 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 12 Internet users: 18.679 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 19 Transportation ::Poland Airports: 125 (2009) country comparison to the world: 46 Airports - with paved runways: total: 84 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 30 1,524 to 2,437 m: 39 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 4 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 41 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 20 (2009) Heliports: 7 (2009) Pipelines: gas 13,631 km; oil 1,384 km; refined products 777 km (2008) Railways: total: 22,314 km country comparison to the world: 12 broad gauge: 633 km 1.524-m gauge standard gauge: 21,681 km 1.435-m gauge (11,769 km electrified) (2007) Roadways: total: 423,997 km country comparison to the world: 15 paved: 295,356 km (includes 662 km of expressways) unpaved: 128,641 km (2006) Waterways: 3,997 km (navigable rivers and canals) (2007) country comparison to the world: 28 Merchant marine: total: 15 country comparison to the world: 106 by type: cargo 8, chemical tanker 4, passenger/cargo 1, roll on/roll off 1, vehicle carrier 1 foreign-owned: 2 (Cyprus 1, Nigeria 1) registered in other countries: 98 (Antigua and Barbuda 2, Bahamas 17, Cyprus 18, Liberia 13, Malta 24, Norway 3, Panama 11, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Slovakia 2, Vanuatu 7) (2008) Ports and terminals: Gdansk, Gdynia, Swinoujscie, Szczecin Military ::Poland Military branches: Polish Armed Forces: Land Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Aviation Forces, Special Forces (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18-28 years of age for male voluntary or compulsory military service; service obligation shortened from 12 to 9 months in 2005; conscription is to end in 2012; only soldiers who have completed their conscript service are allowed to volunteer for professional service; as of April 2004, women are only allowed to serve as officers and noncommissioned officers; reserve obligation to age 50 (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 9,741,508 females age 16-49: 9,514,843 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 7,898,892 females age 16-49: 7,888,035 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 246,667 female: 235,698 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.71% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 Transnational Issues ::Poland Disputes - international: as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Poland has implemented the strict Schengen border rules to restrict illegal immigration and trade along its eastern borders with Belarus and Ukraine Illicit drugs: despite diligent counternarcotics measures and international information sharing on cross-border crimes, a major illicit producer of synthetic drugs for the international market; minor transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and Latin American cocaine to Western Europe page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Portugal (Europe) Introduction ::Portugal Background: Following its heyday as a global maritime power during the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal lost much of its wealth and status with the destruction of Lisbon in a 1755 earthquake, occupation during the Napoleonic Wars, and the independence of its wealthiest colony of Brazil in 1822. A 1910 revolution deposed the monarchy; for most of the next six decades, repressive governments ran the country. In 1974, a left-wing military coup installed broad democratic reforms. The following year, Portugal granted independence to all of its African colonies. Portugal is a founding member of NATO and entered the EC (now the EU) in 1986. Geography ::Portugal Location: Southwestern Europe, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Spain Geographic coordinates: 39 30 N, 8 00 W Map references: Europe Area: total: 92,090 sq km country comparison to the world: 110 land: 91,470 sq km water: 620 sq km note: includes Azores and Madeira Islands Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Indiana Land boundaries: total: 1,214 km border countries: Spain 1,214 km Coastline: 1,793 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: maritime temperate; cool and rainy in north, warmer and drier in south Terrain: mountainous north of the Tagus River, rolling plains in south Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Ponta do Pico (Pico or Pico Alto) on Ilha do Pico in the Azores 2,351 m Natural resources: fish, forests (cork), iron ore, copper, zinc, tin, tungsten, silver, gold, uranium, marble, clay, gypsum, salt, arable land, hydropower Land use: arable land: 17.29% permanent crops: 7.84% other: 74.87% (2005) Irrigated land: 6,500 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 73.6 cu km (2005) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 11.09 cu km/yr (10%/12%/78%) per capita: 1,056 cu m/yr (1998) Natural hazards: Azores subject to severe earthquakes Environment - current issues: soil erosion; air pollution caused by industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution, especially in coastal areas Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Environmental Modification Geography - note: Azores and Madeira Islands occupy strategic locations along western sea approaches to Strait of Gibraltar People ::Portugal Population: 10,707,924 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 Age structure: 0-14 years: 16.3% (male 912,147/female 834,941) 15-64 years: 66.1% (male 3,525,717/female 3,554,513) 65 years and over: 17.6% (male 772,413/female 1,108,193) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 39.4 years male: 37.3 years female: 41.6 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.275% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 177 Birth rate: 10.29 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 191 Death rate: 10.68 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 Net migration rate: 3.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 Urbanization: urban population: 59% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 4.78 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 195 male: 5.24 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.21 years country comparison to the world: 48 male: 74.95 years female: 81.69 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.49 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 187 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.5% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 34,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 500 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 Nationality: noun: Portuguese (singular and plural) adjective: Portuguese Ethnic groups: homogeneous Mediterranean stock; citizens of black African descent who immigrated to mainland during decolonization number less than 100,000; since 1990 East Europeans have entered Portugal Religions: Roman Catholic 84.5%, other Christian 2.2%, other 0.3%, unknown 9%, none 3.9% (2001 census) Languages: Portuguese (official), Mirandese (official - but locally used) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93.3% male: 95.5% female: 91.3% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 15 years male: 15 years female: 16 years (2006) Education expenditures: 5.5% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 50 Government ::Portugal Country name: conventional long form: Portuguese Republic conventional short form: Portugal local long form: Republica Portuguesa local short form: Portugal Government type: republic; parliamentary democracy Capital: name: Lisbon geographic coordinates: 38 43 N, 9 08 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 18 districts (distritos, singular - distrito) and 2 autonomous regions* (regioes autonomas, singular - regiao autonoma); Aveiro, Acores (Azores)*, Beja, Braga, Braganca, Castelo Branco, Coimbra, Evora, Faro, Guarda, Leiria, Lisboa (Lisbon), Madeira*, Portalegre, Porto, Santarem, Setubal, Viana do Castelo, Vila Real, Viseu Independence: 1143 (Kingdom of Portugal recognized); 5 October 1910 (republic proclaimed) National holiday: Portugal Day (Dia de Portugal), 10 June (1580); note - also called Camoes Day, the day that revered national poet Luis de Camoes (1524-80) died Constitution: adopted 2 April 1976; subsequently revised note: the revisions placed the military under strict civilian control, trimmed the powers of the president, and laid the groundwork for a stable, pluralistic liberal democracy; and they allowed for the privatization of nationalized firms and the government-owned communications media Legal system: based on civil law system; the Constitutional Tribunal reviews the constitutionality of legislation; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Anibal CAVACO SILVA (since 9 March 2006) head of government: Prime Minister Jose SOCRATES Carvalho Pinto de Sousa (since 12 March 2005) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister note: there is also a Council of State that acts as a consultative body to the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 22 January 2006 (next to be held in January 2011); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president election results: Anibal CAVACO SILVA elected president; percent of vote - Anibal CAVACO SILVA 50.6%, Manuel ALEGRE 20.7%, Mario Alberto Nobre Lopes SOARES 14.3%, Jeronimo DE SOUSA 8.5%, Franciso LOUCA 5.3% Legislative branch: unicameral Assembly of the Republic or Assembleia da Republica (230 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 27 September 2009 (next to be held in fall 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - PS 37.7%, PSD 30%, CDS/PP 10.8%, BE 10.2%, CDU 8.1%, other 3.2%; seats by party - PS 96, PSD 78, CDS/PP 21, BE 16, CDU 15 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Supremo Tribunal de Justica); judges appointed for life by the Conselho Superior da Magistratura Political parties and leaders: Democratic and Social Center/Popular Party or CDS/PP [Paulo PORTAS]; Green Ecologist Party (The Greens) or PEV [leadership commission elected by members]; Portuguese Communist Party or PCP [Jeronimo DE SOUSA]; Portuguese Socialist Party or PS [Jose SOCRATES Carvalho Pinto de Sousa]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Manuela FERREIRA LEITE]; The Left Bloc or BE [Franciso Anacleto LOUCA]; Unitarian Democratic Coalition or CDU [Jeronimo DE SOUSA] (includes PCP and PEV) Political pressure groups and leaders: the media; labor unions International organization participation: ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BIS, CE, CERN, CPLP, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURCAT, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNMIT, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Joao DE VALLERA chancery: 2012 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 328-8610 FAX: [1] (202) 462-3726 consulate(s) general: Boston, New York, Newark (New Jersey), San Francisco consulate(s): New Bedford (Massachusetts), Providence (Rhode Island) Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas F. STEPHENSON embassy: Avenida das Forcas Armadas, 1600-081 Lisbon mailing address: Apartado 43033, 1601-301 Lisboa; PSC 83, APO AE 09726 telephone: [351] (21) 727-3300 FAX: [351] (21) 726-9109 consulate(s): Ponta Delgada (Azores) Flag description: two vertical bands of green (hoist side, two-fifths) and red (three-fifths) with the Portuguese coat of arms centered on the dividing line Economy ::Portugal Economy - overview: Portugal has become a diversified and increasingly service-based economy since joining the European Community in 1986. Over the past two decades, successive governments have privatized many state-controlled firms and liberalized key areas of the economy, including the financial and telecommunications sectors. The country qualified for the European Monetary Union (EMU) in 1998 and began circulating the euro on 1 January 2002 along with 11 other EU member economies. Economic growth had been above the EU average for much of the 1990s, but fell back in 2001-08. GDP per capita stands at roughly two-thirds of the EU-27 average. A poor educational system, in particular, has been an obstacle to greater productivity and growth. Portugal has been increasingly overshadowed by lower-cost producers in Central Europe and Asia as a target for foreign direct investment. The budget deficit surged to an all-time high of 6% of GDP in 2005, but the government reduced the deficit to 2.6% in 2007 - a year ahead of Portugal's targeted schedule. Nonetheless, the government faces tough choices in its attempts to boost the economy, which declined 0.1% in 2008, while keeping the budget deficit within the euro-zone 3%-of-GDP ceiling. GDP (purchasing power parity): $237.3 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 $237.3 billion (2007 est.) $232.9 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $244.6 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 0% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 199 1.9% (2007 est.) 1.4% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $22,200 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 $22,300 (2007 est.) $22,000 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2.8% industry: 25% services: 72.2% (2008 est.) Labor force: 5.625 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 10% industry: 30% services: 60% (2007 est.) Unemployment rate: 7.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 8% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 18% (2006) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.1% highest 10%: 28.4% (1995 est.) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 38.5 (2007) country comparison to the world: 72 35.6 (1995) Investment (gross fixed): 21.7% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 Budget: revenues: $105.5 billion expenditures: $111.9 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 66.4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 61.5% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 2.4% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 3% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 104 5% (31 December 2007) note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area Commercial bank prime lending rate: 8.35% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 108 7.92% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $NA note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi money circulating within their own borders Stock of quasi money: $NA Stock of domestic credit: $491 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 20 $412.7 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 44 $132.3 billion (31 December 2007) $104.2 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: grain, potatoes, tomatoes, olives, grapes; sheep, cattle, goats, swine, poultry, dairy products; fish Industries: textiles, clothing, footwear, wood and cork, paper, chemicals, auto-parts manufacturing, base metals, diary products, wine and other foods, porcelain and ceramics, glassware, technology, telecommunications; ship construction and refurbishment; tourism Industrial production growth rate: -2.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 156 Electricity - production: 44.47 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 Electricity - consumption: 48.78 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 Electricity - exports: 1.313 billion kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 10.74 billion kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 7,861 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 Oil - consumption: 291,700 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 Oil - exports: 53,260 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 Oil - imports: 351,100 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl country comparison to the world: 143 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 141 Natural gas - consumption: 4.754 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 59 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 132 Natural gas - imports: 4.763 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 33 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 Current account balance: -$29.6 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 181 -$21.18 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $56.42 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 $51.81 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: agricultural products, food products, oil products, chemical products, plastics and rubber, skins and leather, wood and cork, wood pulp and paper, textile materials, clothing, footwear, minerals and mineral products, base metals, machinery and tools, vehicles and other transport material, and optical and precision instruments Exports - partners: Spain 25.7%, Germany 12.7%, France 11.1%, Angola 5.9%, UK 5.3% (2008) Imports: $87.83 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 $75.98 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: agricultural products, food products, oil products, chemical products, plastics and rubber, skins and leather, wood and cork, wood pulp and paper, textile materials, clothing, footwear, minerals and mineral products, base metals, machinery and tools, vehicles and other transport material, and optical and precision instruments, computer accessories and parts, semi-conductors and related devices, household goods, passenger cars new and used, and wine products Imports - partners: Spain 28.9%, Germany 11.6%, France 8%, Italy 4.9%, Netherlands 4.4% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $11.95 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 $11.55 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $484.7 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 20 $483.9 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $117.8 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 $114.2 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $69.24 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 $69.24 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Communications ::Portugal Telephones - main lines in use: 4.121 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 37 Telephones - mobile cellular: 14.91 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 44 Telephone system: general assessment: Portugal's telephone system has a state-of-the-art network with broadband, high-speed capabilities domestic: integrated network of coaxial cables, open-wire, microwave radio relay, and domestic satellite earth stations international: country code - 351; a combination of submarine cables provide connectivity to Europe, North and East Africa, South Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and the US; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), NA Eutelsat; tropospheric scatter to Azores (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 63, shortwave 1 (2008) Television broadcast stations: 42 (2008) Internet country code: .pt Internet hosts: 1.967 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 33 Internet users: 4.476 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 45 Transportation ::Portugal Airports: 65 (2009) country comparison to the world: 76 Airports - with paved runways: total: 43 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 11 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 22 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 21 (2009) Pipelines: gas 1,098 km; oil 11 km; refined products 188 km (2008) Railways: total: 2,786 km country comparison to the world: 58 broad gauge: 2,603 km 1.668-m gauge (1,351 km electrified) narrow gauge: 183 km 1.000-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 82,900 km country comparison to the world: 56 paved: 71,294 km (includes 2,300 km of expressways) unpaved: 11,606 km (2005) Waterways: 210 km (on Douro River from Porto) (2008) country comparison to the world: 96 Merchant marine: total: 117 country comparison to the world: 48 by type: bulk carrier 10, cargo 36, carrier 1, chemical tanker 15, container 6, liquefied gas 9, passenger 10, passenger/cargo 9, petroleum tanker 4, roll on/roll off 1, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 15 foreign-owned: 84 (Bahamas 1, Belgium 8, Denmark 3, Germany 20, Greece 4, Hong Kong 2, Italy 12, Japan 15, Mexico 1, Netherlands 1, Spain 11, Sweden 3, Switzerland 2, US 1) registered in other countries: 15 (Cyprus 1, Hong Kong 1, Italy 1, Malta 3, Panama 9) (2008) Ports and terminals: Leixoes, Lisbon, Setubal, Sines Military ::Portugal Military branches: Portuguese Army (Exercito Portugues), Portuguese Navy (Marinha Portuguesa; includes Marine Corps), Portuguese Air Force (Forca Aerea Portuguesa, FAP) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; compulsory military service ended in 2004; women serve in the armed forces, on naval ships since 1993, but are prohibited from serving in some combatant specialties; reserve obligation to age 35 (2007) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 2,573,913 females age 16-49: 2,498,262 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 2,103,558 females age 16-49: 2,049,032 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 64,047 female: 57,630 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 2.3% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 Transnational Issues ::Portugal Disputes - international: Portugal does not recognize Spanish sovereignty over the territory of Olivenza based on a difference of interpretation of the 1815 Congress of Vienna and the 1801 Treaty of Badajoz Illicit drugs: seizing record amounts of Latin American cocaine destined for Europe; a European gateway for Southwest Asian heroin; transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Europe; consumer of Southwest Asian heroin page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Puerto Rico (Central America and Caribbean) Introduction ::Puerto Rico Background: Populated for centuries by aboriginal peoples, the island was claimed by the Spanish Crown in 1493 following COLUMBUS' second voyage to the Americas. In 1898, after 400 years of colonial rule that saw the indigenous population nearly exterminated and African slave labor introduced, Puerto Rico was ceded to the US as a result of the Spanish-American War. Puerto Ricans were granted US citizenship in 1917. Popularly-elected governors have served since 1948. In 1952, a constitution was enacted providing for internal self government. In plebiscites held in 1967, 1993, and 1998, voters chose not to alter the existing political status. Geography ::Puerto Rico Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic Geographic coordinates: 18 15 N, 66 30 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 13,790 sq km country comparison to the world: 162 land: 8,870 sq km water: 4,921 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than three times the size of Rhode Island Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 501 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical marine, mild; little seasonal temperature variation Terrain: mostly mountains with coastal plain belt in north; mountains precipitous to sea on west coast; sandy beaches along most coastal areas Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Cerro de Punta 1,339 m Natural resources: some copper and nickel; potential for onshore and offshore oil Land use: arable land: 3.69% permanent crops: 5.59% other: 90.72% (2005) Irrigated land: 400 sq km (2003) Natural hazards: periodic droughts; hurricanes Environment - current issues: erosion; occasional drought causing water shortages Geography - note: important location along the Mona Passage - a key shipping lane to the Panama Canal; San Juan is one of the biggest and best natural harbors in the Caribbean; many small rivers and high central mountains ensure land is well watered; south coast relatively dry; fertile coastal plain belt in north People ::Puerto Rico Population: 3,971,020 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 Age structure: 0-14 years: 19.9% (male 404,635/female 386,733) 15-64 years: 66% (male 1,260,114/female 1,361,193) 65 years and over: 14.1% (male 240,318/female 318,027) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 36.2 years male: 34.5 years female: 37.9 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.34% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 171 Birth rate: 12.12 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 167 Death rate: 7.75 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 Net migration rate: -0.96 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 Urbanization: urban population: 98% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 8.42 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 162 male: 9.69 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.53 years country comparison to the world: 42 male: 74.85 years female: 82.39 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.71 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 171 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 7,397 (1997) country comparison to the world: 115 HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Puerto Rican(s) (US citizens) adjective: Puerto Rican Ethnic groups: white (mostly Spanish origin) 76.2%, black 6.9%, Asian 0.3%, Amerindian 0.2%, mixed 4.4%, other 12% (2007) Religions: Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant and other 15% Languages: Spanish, English Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 94.1% male: 93.9% female: 94.4% (2002 est.) Education expenditures: NA Government ::Puerto Rico Country name: conventional long form: Commonwealth of Puerto Rico conventional short form: Puerto Rico Dependency status: unincorporated, organized territory of the US with commonwealth status; policy relations between Puerto Rico and the US conducted under the jurisdiction of the Office of the President Government type: commonwealth Capital: name: San Juan geographic coordinates: 18 28 N, 66 07 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: none (territory of the US with commonwealth status); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 78 municipalities (municipios, singular - municipio) at the second order; Adjuntas, Aguada, Aguadilla, Aguas Buenas, Aibonito, Anasco, Arecibo, Arroyo, Barceloneta, Barranquitas, Bayamon, Cabo Rojo, Caguas, Camuy, Canovanas, Carolina, Catano, Cayey, Ceiba, Ciales, Cidra, Coamo, Comerio, Corozal, Culebra, Dorado, Fajardo, Florida, Guanica, Guayama, Guayanilla, Guaynabo, Gurabo, Hatillo, Hormigueros, Humacao, Isabela, Jayuya, Juana Diaz, Juncos, Lajas, Lares, Las Marias, Las Piedras, Loiza, Luquillo, Manati, Maricao, Maunabo, Mayaguez, Moca, Morovis, Naguabo, Naranjito, Orocovis, Patillas, Penuelas, Ponce, Quebradillas, Rincon, Rio Grande, Sabana Grande, Salinas, San German, San Juan, San Lorenzo, San Sebastian, Santa Isabel, Toa Alta, Toa Baja, Trujillo Alto, Utuado, Vega Alta, Vega Baja, Vieques, Villalba, Yabucoa, Yauco Independence: none (territory of the US with commonwealth status) National holiday: US Independence Day, 4 July (1776); Puerto Rico Constitution Day, 25 July (1952) Constitution: ratified 3 March 1952; approved by US Congress 3 July 1952; effective 25 July 1952 Legal system: based on Spanish civil code and within the US Federal system of justice Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; island residents are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections Executive branch: chief of state: President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009) head of government: Governor Luis FORTUNO (since 2 January 2009) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor with the consent of the legislature elections: under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as Puerto Rico, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, they may vote in Democratic and Republican party presidential primary elections; governor elected by popular vote for a four-year term (no term limits); election last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012) election results: Luis FORTUNO elected governor with 52.8% of the vote Legislative branch: bicameral Legislative Assembly consists of the Senate (at least 27 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives (51 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held November 2012); House of Representatives - last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - PNP 81.5%, PPD 18.5%; seats by party - PNP 22, PPD 5; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - PNP 72.5%, PPD 27.5%; seats by party - PNP 37, PPD 14 note: Puerto Rico elects, by popular vote, a resident commissioner to serve a four-year term as a nonvoting representative in the US House of Representatives; aside from not voting on the House floor, he enjoys all the rights of a member of Congress; elections last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PNP 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Appellate Court; Court of First Instance composed of two sections: a Superior Court and a Municipal Court (justices for all these courts appointed by the governor with the consent of the Senate) Political parties and leaders: National Democratic Party [Roberto PRATS]; National Republican Party of Puerto Rico [Dr. Tiody FERRE]; New Progressive Party or PNP [Pedro ROSSELLO] (pro-US statehood); Popular Democratic Party or PPD [Anibal ACEVEDO-VILA] (pro-commonwealth); Puerto Rican Independence Party or PIP [Ruben BERRIOS Martinez] (pro-independence) Political pressure groups and leaders: Boricua Popular Army or EPB (a revolutionary group also known as Los Macheteros); note - the following radical groups are considered dormant by Federal law enforcement: Armed Forces for National Liberation or FALN, Armed Forces of Popular Resistance, Volunteers of the Puerto Rican Revolution International organization participation: Caricom (observer), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, ITUC, UNWTO (associate), UPU, WCL, WFTU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of the US with commonwealth status) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of the US with commonwealth status) Flag description: five equal horizontal bands of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bears a large, white, five-pointed star in the center; design initially influenced by the US flag, but similar to the Cuban flag, with the colors of the bands and triangle reversed Economy ::Puerto Rico Economy - overview: Puerto Rico has one of the most dynamic economies in the Caribbean region. A diverse industrial sector has far surpassed agriculture as the primary locus of economic activity and income. Encouraged by duty-free access to the US and by tax incentives, US firms have invested heavily in Puerto Rico since the 1950s. US minimum wage laws apply. Sugar production has lost out to dairy production and other livestock products as the main source of income in the agricultural sector. Tourism has traditionally been an important source of income with estimated arrivals of nearly 5 million tourists in 2004. Growth fell off in 2001-03, largely due to the slowdown in the US economy, recovered in 2004-05, but declined again in 2006-07. GDP (purchasing power parity): $70.23 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 $72.03 billion (2007 est.) $73.35 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $88 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -2.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 212 -1.8% (2007 est.) 0.5% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $17,800 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 $18,300 (2007 est.) $18,700 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1% industry: 45% services: 54% (2005 est.) Labor force: 1.479 million (2007) country comparison to the world: 130 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 2.1% industry: 19% services: 79% (2005) Unemployment rate: 12% (2002) country comparison to the world: 137 Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $6.7 billion expenditures: $9.6 billion (FY99/00) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.5% (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: sugarcane, coffee, pineapples, plantains, bananas; livestock products, chickens Industries: pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, food products, tourism Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 23.72 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 Electricity - consumption: 22.06 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 1,354 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 Oil - consumption: 185,300 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 59 Oil - exports: 16,520 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 93 Oil - imports: 225,000 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 141 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 Natural gas - consumption: 806.6 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 126 Natural gas - imports: 806.6 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 143 Exports: $46.9 billion (2001) country comparison to the world: 58 Exports - commodities: chemicals, electronics, apparel, canned tuna, rum, beverage concentrates, medical equipment Imports: $29.1 billion c.i.f. Imports - commodities: chemicals, machinery and equipment, clothing, food, fish, petroleum products Debt - external: $NA Exchange rates: the US dollar is used Communications ::Puerto Rico Telephones - main lines in use: 1.038 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 78 Telephones - mobile cellular: 3.354 million (2005) country comparison to the world: 102 Telephone system: general assessment: modern system integrated with that of the US by high-capacity submarine cable and Intelsat with high-speed data capability domestic: digital telephone system; cellular telephone service international: country code - 1-787, 939; submarine cables provide connectivity to the US, Caribbean, Central and South America; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat Radio broadcast stations: AM 74, FM 53, shortwave 0 (2008) Television broadcast stations: 34 (2008) Internet country code: .pr Internet hosts: 700 (2009) country comparison to the world: 167 Internet users: 1 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 89 Transportation ::Puerto Rico Airports: 29 (2009) country comparison to the world: 117 Airports - with paved runways: total: 17 over 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 5 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 12 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 10 (2009) Roadways: total: 26,186 km country comparison to the world: 102 paved: 24,877 km (includes 427 km of expressways) unpaved: 1,309 km (2007) Merchant marine: total: 3 country comparison to the world: 140 by type: roll on/roll off 3 foreign-owned: 3 (US 3) registered in other countries: 1 (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Guayanilla, Mayaguez, San Juan Military ::Puerto Rico Military branches: no regular indigenous military forces; paramilitary National Guard, Police Force Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 699,784 females age 16-49: 790,482 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 30,422 female: 29,396 (2009 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US Transnational Issues ::Puerto Rico Disputes - international: increasing numbers of illegal migrants from the Dominican Republic cross the Mona Passage to Puerto Rico each year looking for work page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Qatar (Middle East) Introduction ::Qatar Background: Ruled by the al-Thani family since the mid-1800s, Qatar transformed itself from a poor British protectorate noted mainly for pearling into an independent state with significant oil and natural gas revenues. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Qatari economy was crippled by a continuous siphoning off of petroleum revenues by the Amir, who had ruled the country since 1972. His son, the current Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa al-Thani, overthrew him in a bloodless coup in 1995. In 2001, Qatar resolved its longstanding border disputes with both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. As of 2007, oil and natural gas revenues had enabled Qatar to attain the second-highest per capita income in the world. Geography ::Qatar Location: Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia Geographic coordinates: 25 30 N, 51 15 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 11,586 sq km country comparison to the world: 165 land: 11,586 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Connecticut Land boundaries: total: 60 km border countries: Saudi Arabia 60 km Coastline: 563 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: as determined by bilateral agreements or the median line Climate: arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers Terrain: mostly flat and barren desert covered with loose sand and gravel Elevation extremes: lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Qurayn Abu al Bawl 103 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, fish Land use: arable land: 1.64% permanent crops: 0.27% other: 98.09% (2005) Irrigated land: 130 sq km (2002) Total renewable water resources: 0.1 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.29 cu km/yr (24%/3%/72%) per capita: 358 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: haze, dust storms, sandstorms common Environment - current issues: limited natural fresh water resources are increasing dependence on large-scale desalination facilities Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: strategic location in central Persian Gulf near major petroleum deposits People ::Qatar Population: 833,285 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 158 Age structure: 0-14 years: 21.8% (male 93,805/female 88,040) 15-64 years: 76.8% (male 454,714/female 185,004) 65 years and over: 1.4% (male 6,792/female 4,930) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 30.8 years male: 32.8 years female: 25.4 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.957% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 Birth rate: 15.61 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 136 Death rate: 2.46 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 219 Net migration rate: -3.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 Urbanization: urban population: 96% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 2.46 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.38 male(s)/female total population: 2 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 12.66 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 140 male: 13.51 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.35 years country comparison to the world: 80 male: 73.66 years female: 77.14 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.45 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.09% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 166 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Qatari(s) adjective: Qatari Ethnic groups: Arab 40%, Indian 18%, Pakistani 18%, Iranian 10%, other 14% Religions: Muslim 77.5%, Christian 8.5%, other 14% (2004 census) Languages: Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 89% male: 89.1% female: 88.6% (2004 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2006) Education expenditures: 3.3% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 136 Government ::Qatar Country name: conventional long form: State of Qatar conventional short form: Qatar local long form: Dawlat Qatar local short form: Qatar note: closest approximation of the native pronunciation falls between cutter and gutter, but not like guitar Government type: emirate Capital: name: Doha geographic coordinates: 25 17 N, 51 32 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 10 municipalities (baladiyat, singular - baladiyah); Ad Dawhah, Al Ghuwayriyah, Al Jumayliyah, Al Khawr, Al Wakrah, Ar Rayyan, Jarayan al Batinah, Madinat ash Shamal, Umm Sa'id, Umm Salal Independence: 3 September 1971 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 3 September (1971); also observed is National Day, 18 December Constitution: ratified by public referendum on 29 April 2003, endorsed by the Amir on 8 June 2004, effective on 9 June 2005 Legal system: based on Islamic and civil law codes; discretionary system of law controlled by the Amir, although civil codes are being implemented; Islamic law dominates family and personal matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa al-Thani (since 27 June 1995 when, as heir apparent, he ousted his father, Amir KHALIFA bin Hamad al-Thani, in a bloodless coup); Heir Apparent TAMIM bin Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, fourth son of the monarch (selected Heir Apparent by the monarch on 5 August 2003); note - Amir HAMAD also holds the positions of Minister of Defense and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces head of government: Prime Minister HAMAD bin Jasim bin Jabir al-Thani (since 3 April 2007); Deputy Prime Minister Abdallah bin Hamad al-ATIYAH (since 3 April 2007) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch elections: the monarch is hereditary note: in April 2007, Qatar held nationwide elections for a 29-member Central Municipal Council (CMC), which has limited consultative powers aimed at improving the provision of municipal services; the first election for the CMC was held in March 1999 Legislative branch: unicameral Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura (35 seats; members appointed) note: no legislative elections have been held since 1970 when there were partial elections to the body; Council members have had their terms extended every year since the new constitution came into force on 9 June 2005; the constitution provides for a new 45-member Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura; the public would elect two-thirds of the Majlis al-Shura; the Amir would appoint the remaining members; preparations are underway to conduct elections to the Majlis al-Shura Judicial branch: Courts of First Instance, Appeal, and Cassation; an Administrative Court and a Constitutional Court were established in 2007; note - all judges are appointed by Amiri Decree based on the recommendation of the Supreme Judiciary Council for renewable three-year terms Political parties and leaders: none Political pressure groups and leaders: none International organization participation: ABEDA, ACC, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ali Fahad al-Shahwany al-HAJRI chancery: 2555 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 274-1600 and 274-1603 FAX: [1] (202) 237-0061 consulate(s) general: Houston Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph E. LEBARON embassy: Al-Luqta District, 22 February Road, Doha mailing address: P. O. Box 2399, Doha telephone: [974] 488 4161 FAX: [974] 488 4150 Flag description: maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points) on the hoist side Economy ::Qatar Economy - overview: Qatar has experienced rapid economic growth over the last several years on the back of high oil prices, and in 2008 posted its eighth consecutive budget surplus. Economic policy is focused on developing Qatar's nonassociated natural gas reserves and increasing private and foreign investment in non-energy sectors, but oil and gas still account for more than 50% of GDP, roughly 85% of export earnings, and 70% of government revenues. Oil and gas have made Qatar the second highest per-capita income country - following Liechtenstein - and one of the world's fastest growing. Proved oil reserves of 15 billion barrels should enable continued output at current levels for 37 years. Qatar's proved reserves of natural gas are nearly 26 trillion cubic meters, about 14% of the world total and third largest in the world. The drop in oil prices in late 2008 and the global financial crisis will reduce Qatar's budget surplus and may slow the pace of investment and development projects in 2009. GDP (purchasing power parity): $91.55 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 $80.73 billion (2007 est.) $68.82 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $102.3 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 13.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 17.3% (2007 est.) 12.2% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $111,000 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 $99,100 (2007 est.) $85,800 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 0.1% industry: 74.9% services: 25.1% (2008 est.) Labor force: 1.119 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 136 Unemployment rate: 0.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 0.7% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Investment (gross fixed): 32.1% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 Budget: revenues: $36.59 billion expenditures: $27.14 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 5.1% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 11% of GDP (2007 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 15.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 191 13.7% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 5.5% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 79 5.5% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 6.84% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 115 7.43% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $13.98 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 41 $9.718 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $36.58 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 32 $22.6 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $59.43 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 45 $30.52 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $76.31 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 49 $95.49 billion (31 December 2007) $61.56 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: fruits, vegetables; poultry, dairy products, beef; fish Industries: crude oil production and refining, ammonia, fertilizers, petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement, commercial ship repair Industrial production growth rate: 13% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 Electricity - production: 15.11 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 Electricity - consumption: 13.73 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 1.208 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 Oil - consumption: 129,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 Oil - exports: 1.043 million bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 Oil - imports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 207 Oil - proved reserves: 15.21 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 Natural gas - production: 76.98 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 Natural gas - consumption: 20.2 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 36 Natural gas - exports: 56.78 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 6 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 Natural gas - proved reserves: 25.26 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 Current account balance: $15.07 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 $10.45 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $55.73 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 $42.02 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: liquefied natural gas (LNG), petroleum products, fertilizers, steel Exports - partners: Japan 38.5%, South Korea 20.9%, Singapore 11.1%, India 4.5%, Thailand 4.4% (2008) Imports: $25.11 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 $19.82 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, food, chemicals Imports - partners: US 12.1%, Germany 9%, Italy 8.9%, Japan 8%, South Korea 7.5%, France 6.2%, UAE 5.5%, UK 4.9%, Saudi Arabia 4.6%, Turkey 4.2%, China 4.2% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $9.998 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 $9.752 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $57.37 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 $33.09 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $3.627 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 $2.601 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $5.363 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 $6.993 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: Qatari rials (QAR) per US dollar - 3.64 (2008 est.), 3.64 (2007), 3.64 (2006), 3.64 (2005), 3.64 (2004) Communications ::Qatar Telephones - main lines in use: 263,400 (2008) country comparison to the world: 117 Telephones - mobile cellular: 1.683 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 128 Telephone system: general assessment: modern system centered in Doha domestic: combined fixed and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership exceeds 200 telephones per 100 persons international: country code - 974; landing point for the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) submarine cable network that provides links to Asia, Middle East, Europe, and the US; tropospheric scatter to Bahrain; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia and the UAE; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 5, shortwave 1 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 1 (plus 3 repeaters) (2001) Internet country code: .qa Internet hosts: 722 (2009) country comparison to the world: 166 Internet users: 436,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 111 Transportation ::Qatar Airports: 5 (2009) country comparison to the world: 178 Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 over 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Heliports: 1 (2009) Pipelines: condensate 145 km; condensate/gas 132 km; gas 978 km; liquid petroleum gas 90 km; oil 382 km (2008) Roadways: total: 7,790 km (2006) country comparison to the world: 143 Merchant marine: total: 22 country comparison to the world: 96 by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 2, chemical tanker 2, container 8, liquefied gas 4, petroleum tanker 4 foreign-owned: 7 (Kuwait 7) registered in other countries: 5 (Liberia 4, Panama 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Doha, Ra's Laffan Military ::Qatar Military branches: Qatari Amiri Land Force (QALF), Qatari Amiri Navy (QAN), Qatari Amiri Air Force (QAAF) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 320,383 females age 16-49: 167,475 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 318,388 females age 16-49: 136,841 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 6,337 female: 5,059 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 10% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 Transnational Issues ::Qatar Disputes - international: none Trafficking in persons: current situation: Qatar is a destination country for men and women from South and Southeast Asia who migrate willingly, but are subsequently trafficked into involuntary servitude as domestic workers and laborers, and, to a lesser extent, commercial sexual exploitation; the most common offense was forcing workers to accept worse contract terms than those under which they were recruited; other conditions include bonded labor, withholding of pay, restrictions on movement, arbitrary detention, and physical, mental, and sexual abuse tier rating: Tier 3 - Qatar failed, for the second consecutive year, to enforce criminal laws against traffickers, or to provide an effective mechanism to identify and protect victims; it continues to detain and deport victims rather than providing them protection; the government made little progress to increase prosecutions for trafficking in a meaningful way in 2007; workers complaining of working conditions or non-payment of wages were sometimes penalized (2008) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Romania (Europe) Introduction ::Romania Background: The principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia - for centuries under the suzerainty of the Turkish Ottoman Empire - secured their autonomy in 1856; they united in 1859 and a few years later adopted the new name of Romania. The country gained recognition of its independence in 1878. It joined the Allied Powers in World War I and acquired new territories - most notably Transylvania - following the conflict. In 1940, Romania allied with the Axis powers and participated in the 1941 German invasion of the USSR. Three years later, overrun by the Soviets, Romania signed an armistice. The post-war Soviet occupation led to the formation of a Communist "people's republic" in 1947 and the abdication of the king. The decades-long rule of dictator Nicolae CEAUSESCU, who took power in 1965, and his Securitate police state became increasingly oppressive and draconian through the 1980s. CEAUSESCU was overthrown and executed in late 1989. Former Communists dominated the government until 1996 when they were swept from power. Romania joined NATO in 2004 and the EU in 2007. Geography ::Romania Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Ukraine Geographic coordinates: 46 00 N, 25 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 238,391 sq km country comparison to the world: 82 land: 229,891 sq km water: 8,500 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Oregon Land boundaries: total: 2,508 km border countries: Bulgaria 608 km, Hungary 443 km, Moldova 450 km, Serbia 476 km, Ukraine (north) 362 km, Ukraine (east) 169 km Coastline: 225 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: temperate; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow and fog; sunny summers with frequent showers and thunderstorms Terrain: central Transylvanian Basin is separated from the Moldavian Plateau on the east by the Eastern Carpathian Mountains and separated from the Walachian Plain on the south by the Transylvanian Alps Elevation extremes: lowest point: Black Sea 0 m highest point: Moldoveanu 2,544 m Natural resources: petroleum (reserves declining), timber, natural gas, coal, iron ore, salt, arable land, hydropower Land use: arable land: 39.49% permanent crops: 1.92% other: 58.59% (2005) Irrigated land: 30,770 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 42.3 cu km (2003) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 6.5 cu km/yr (9%/34%/57%) per capita: 299 cu m/yr (2003) Natural hazards: earthquakes, most severe in south and southwest; geologic structure and climate promote landslides Environment - current issues: soil erosion and degradation; water pollution; air pollution in south from industrial effluents; contamination of Danube delta wetlands Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: controls most easily traversable land route between the Balkans, Moldova, and Ukraine People ::Romania Population: 22,215,421 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 Age structure: 0-14 years: 15.5% (male 1,772,583/female 1,681,539) 15-64 years: 69.7% (male 7,711,062/female 7,784,041) 65 years and over: 14.7% (male 1,332,120/female 1,934,076) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 37.7 years male: 36.3 years female: 39.2 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: -0.147% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 216 Birth rate: 10.53 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 185 Death rate: 11.88 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 Net migration rate: -0.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 Urbanization: urban population: 54% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: -0.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 22.9 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 95 male: 25.94 deaths/1,000 live births female: 19.66 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.45 years country comparison to the world: 117 male: 68.95 years female: 76.16 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.39 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 197 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 15,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 87 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 350 (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 Nationality: noun: Romanian(s) adjective: Romanian Ethnic groups: Romanian 89.5%, Hungarian 6.6%, Roma 2.5%, Ukrainian 0.3%, German 0.3%, Russian 0.2%, Turkish 0.2%, other 0.4% (2002 census) Religions: Eastern Orthodox (including all sub-denominations) 86.8%, Protestant (various denominations including Reformate and Pentecostal) 7.5%, Roman Catholic 4.7%, other (mostly Muslim) and unspecified 0.9%, none 0.1% (2002 census) Languages: Romanian 91% (official), Hungarian 6.7%, Romany (Gypsy) 1.1%, other 1.2% Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.3% male: 98.4% female: 96.3% (2002 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 14 years (2006) Education expenditures: 3.5% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 129 Government ::Romania Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Romania local long form: none local short form: Romania Government type: republic Capital: name: Bucharest geographic coordinates: 44 26 N, 26 06 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 41 counties (judete, singular - judet) and 1 municipality* (municipiu); Alba, Arad, Arges, Bacau, Bihor, Bistrita-Nasaud, Botosani, Braila, Brasov, Bucuresti (Bucharest)*, Buzau, Calarasi, Caras-Severin, Cluj, Constanta, Covasna, Dimbovita, Dolj, Galati, Gorj, Giurgiu, Harghita, Hunedoara, Ialomita, Iasi, Ilfov, Maramures, Mehedinti, Mures, Neamt, Olt, Prahova, Salaj, Satu Mare, Sibiu, Suceava, Teleorman, Timis, Tulcea, Vaslui, Vilcea, Vrancea Independence: 9 May 1877 (independence proclaimed from the Ottoman Empire; independence recognized 13 July 1878 by the Treaty of Berlin); 26 March 1881 (kingdom proclaimed); 30 December 1947 (republic proclaimed) National holiday: Unification Day (of Romania and Transylvania), 1 December (1918) Constitution: 8 December 1991; revised 29 October 2003 Legal system: based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Traian BASESCU (since 20 December 2004); note - President Traian BASESCU was suspended by vote of parliament on 19 April 2007, but resumed his duties on 23 May 2007 after a popular referendum confirmed that his impeachment should not stand head of government: Prime Minister Emil BOC (since 22 December 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 28 November 2004 with runoff between the top two candidates held 12 December 2004 (next to be held in November-December 2009); prime minister appointed by the president with the consent of the Parliament election results: percent of vote - Traian BASESCU 51.23%, Adrian NASTASE 48.77% Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Senate or Senat (137 seats; members are elected by popular vote in a mixed electoral system to serve four-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camera Deputatilor (334 seats; members are elected by popular vote in a mixed electoral system to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 30 November 2008 (next expected to be held in November 2012); Chamber of Deputies - last held 30 November 2008 (next expected to be held November 2012) election results: Senate - percent of vote by alliance/party - PSD-PC 34.2%, PDL 33.6%, PNL 18.7%, UDMR 6.4%, other 7.1%; seats by alliance/party - PSD-PC 49, PDL 51, PNL 28, UDMR 9; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by alliance/party - PSD-PC 33.1%, PDL 32.4%, PNL 18.6%, UDMR 6.2%, ethnic minorities 3.6%, other 6.1%; seats by alliance/party - PSD-PC 114, PDL 115, PNL 65, UDMR 22, ethnic minorities 18 Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (comprised of 11 judges appointed for three-year terms by the president in consultation with the Superior Council of Magistrates, which is comprised of the minister of justice, the prosecutor general, two civil society representatives appointed by the Senate, and 14 judges and prosecutors elected by their peers); a separate body, the Constitutional Court, validates elections and makes decisions regarding the constitutionality of laws, treaties, ordinances, and internal rules of the Parliament; it is comprised of nine members serving nine-year terms, with three members each appointed by the president, the Senate, and the Chamber of Deputies Political parties and leaders: Conservative Party or PC [Daniela POPA] (formerly Humanist Party or PUR); Democratic Liberal Party or PDL [Emil BOC]; Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania or UDMR [Bela MARKO]; National Liberal Party or PNL [Calin Popescu-TARICEANU]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Mircea Dan GEOANA] (formerly Party of Social Democracy in Romania or PDSR) Political pressure groups and leaders: other: various human rights and professional associations International organization participation: Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA (cooperating state), EU, FAO, G-9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Adrian Cosmin VIERITA chancery: 1607 23rd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-4846, 4848, 4851, 4852 FAX: [1] (202) 232-4748 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge D'Affaires Jeri GUTHRIE-CORN embassy: Strada Tudor Arghezi 7-9, Bucharest mailing address: pouch: American Embassy Bucharest, US Department of State, 5260 Bucharest Place, Washington, DC 20521-5260 (pouch) telephone: [40] (21) 200-3300 FAX: [40] (21) 200-3442 Flag description: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; the national coat of arms that used to be centered in the yellow band has been removed; now similar to the flag of Chad, also resembles the flags of Andorra and Moldova Economy ::Romania Economy - overview: Romania, which joined the European Union on 1 January 2007, began the transition from Communism in 1989 with a largely obsolete industrial base and a pattern of output unsuited to the country's needs. The country emerged in 2000 from a punishing three-year recession thanks to strong demand in EU export markets. Domestic consumption and investment have fueled strong GDP growth in recent years, but have led to large current account imbalances. Romania's macroeconomic gains have only recently started to spur creation of a middle class and address Romania's widespread poverty. Corruption and red tape continue to handicap its business environment. Inflation rose in 2007-08, driven in part by strong consumer demand and high wage growth, rising energy costs, a nation-wide drought affecting food prices, and a relaxation of fiscal discipline. Romania's strong GDP growth moderated markedly in the last quarter of 2008 as the country began to feel the effects of a global downturn in financial markets and trade, and growth is expected to be much weaker in 2009. Romania hopes to adopt the euro by 2014. GDP (purchasing power parity): $272 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 $254 billion (2007 est.) $239.2 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $200.1 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 7.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 6.2% (2007 est.) 7.9% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $12,200 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 $11,400 (2007 est.) $10,700 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 8.1% industry: 36% services: 55.9% (2008 est.) Labor force: 9.32 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 29.7% industry: 23.2% services: 47.1% (2006) Unemployment rate: 4.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 4.1% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 25% (2005 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.2% highest 10%: 20.8% (2006) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 32 (2008) country comparison to the world: 103 28.8 (2003) Investment (gross fixed): 33.3% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 13 Budget: revenues: $65.29 billion expenditures: $74.99 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 14.7% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 23.6% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 4.8% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: NA% Commercial bank prime lending rate: 14.99% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 55 13.35% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $25.3 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 33 $25.17 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $36.09 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 33 $34.96 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $72.85 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 43 $58.76 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $19.92 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 59 $44.93 billion (31 December 2007) $32.78 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: wheat, corn, barley, sugar beets, sunflower seed, potatoes, grapes; eggs, sheep Industries: electric machinery and equipment, textiles and footwear, light machinery and auto assembly, mining, timber, construction materials, metallurgy, chemicals, food processing, petroleum refining Industrial production growth rate: 7.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 Electricity - production: 58.28 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 Electricity - consumption: 49.44 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 Electricity - exports: 5.169 billion kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 921 million kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 115,200 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 Oil - consumption: 219,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 Oil - exports: 115,600 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 Oil - imports: 217,000 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 45 Oil - proved reserves: 600 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 Natural gas - production: 11.42 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 Natural gas - consumption: 16.92 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 128 Natural gas - imports: 5.5 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 Natural gas - proved reserves: 63 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 Current account balance: -$24.81 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 178 -$23.02 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $49.41 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 $40.32 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: machinery and equipment, textiles and footwear, metals and metal products, machinery and equipment, minerals and fuels, chemicals, agricultural products Exports - partners: Germany 16.5%, Italy 15.6%, France 7.4%, Turkey 6.6%, Hungary 5.1%, Bulgaria 4.2% (2008) Imports: $76.17 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 $64.54 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, fuels and minerals, chemicals, textile and products, metals, agricultural products Imports - partners: Germany 16.3%, Italy 11.4%, Hungary 7.4%, Russia 6%, France 5.7%, Turkey 4.9%, Austria 4.9%, Kazakhstan 4.6%, China 4.2% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $39.47 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 33 $39.96 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $102.2 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 36 $NA (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $72.61 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 $62.86 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $921 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 $1.238 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: lei (RON) per US dollar - 2.5 (2008 est.), 2.43 (2007), 2.809 (2006), 3 (2005), 3 (2004) Communications ::Romania Telephones - main lines in use: 5.036 million (2007) country comparison to the world: 31 Telephones - mobile cellular: 24.467 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 34 Telephone system: general assessment: the telecommunications sector is being expanded and modernized; domestic and international service improving rapidly, especially mobile-cellular services domestic: more than 90 percent of telephone network is automatic; fixed-line teledensity exceeds 20 telephones per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity, expanding rapidly, roughly 110 telephones per 100 persons international: country code - 40; the Black Sea Fiber Optic System provides connectivity to Bulgaria and Turkey; satellite earth stations - 10; digital, international, direct-dial exchanges operate in Bucharest (2008) Radio broadcast stations: 698 (station frequency type NA) (2006) Television broadcast stations: 623 (plus 200 repeaters) (2006) Internet country code: .ro Internet hosts: 2.188 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 31 Internet users: 6.132 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 37 Transportation ::Romania Airports: 53 (2009) country comparison to the world: 89 Airports - with paved runways: total: 25 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 28 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 21 (2009) Heliports: 2 (2009) Pipelines: gas 3,588 km; oil 2,424 km (2008) Railways: total: 10,788 km country comparison to the world: 21 broad gauge: 57 km 1.524-m gauge standard gauge: 10,731 km 1.435-m gauge (3,965 km electrified) (2008) Roadways: total: 198,817 km country comparison to the world: 26 paved: 60,043 km (includes 228 km of expressways) unpaved: 138,774 km (2004) Waterways: 1,731 km country comparison to the world: 48 note: includes 1,075 km on Danube River, 524 km on secondary branches, and 132 km on canals (2006) Merchant marine: total: 17 country comparison to the world: 103 by type: cargo 11, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 1 registered in other countries: 49 (Cambodia 1, Georgia 16, North Korea 4, Liberia 2, Malta 8, Marshall Islands 1, Moldova 3, Panama 7, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Sierra Leone 3, Syria 2) (2008) Ports and terminals: Braila, Constanta, Galati, Tulcea Military ::Romania Military branches: Land Forces, Naval Forces, Romanian Air Force (Fortele Aeriene Romane, FAR), Special Operations (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18-35 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; conscription officially ended October 2006; all military inductees (including women) contract for an initial 5-year term of service, with subsequent successive contracts for 3-year terms until age 36 (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 5,682,299 females age 16-49: 5,557,098 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 4,542,720 females age 16-49: 4,604,484 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 124,356 female: 118,430 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.9% of GDP (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 85 Transnational Issues ::Romania Disputes - international: the ICJ gave Ukraine until December 2006 to reply, and Romania until June 2007 to issue a rejoinder, in their dispute submitted in 2004 over Ukrainian-administered Zmiyinyy/Serpilor (Snake) Island and Black Sea maritime boundary delimitation; Romania also opposes Ukraine's reopening of a navigation canal from the Danube border through Ukraine to the Black Sea Illicit drugs: major transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin transiting the Balkan route and small amounts of Latin American cocaine bound for Western Europe; although not a significant financial center, role as a narcotics conduit leaves it vulnerable to laundering, which occurs via the banking system, currency exchange houses, and casinos page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Russia (Central Asia) Introduction ::Russia Background: Founded in the 12th century, the Principality of Muscovy, was able to emerge from over 200 years of Mongol domination (13th-15th centuries) and to gradually conquer and absorb surrounding principalities. In the early 17th century, a new Romanov Dynasty continued this policy of expansion across Siberia to the Pacific. Under PETER I (ruled 1682-1725), hegemony was extended to the Baltic Sea and the country was renamed the Russian Empire. During the 19th century, more territorial acquisitions were made in Europe and Asia. Defeat in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-05 contributed to the Revolution of 1905, which resulted in the formation of a parliament and other reforms. Repeated devastating defeats of the Russian army in World War I led to widespread rioting in the major cities of the Russian Empire and to the overthrow in 1917 of the imperial household. The Communists under Vladimir LENIN seized power soon after and formed the USSR. The brutal rule of Iosif STALIN (1928-53) strengthened Communist rule and Russian dominance of the Soviet Union at a cost of tens of millions of lives. The Soviet economy and society stagnated in the following decades until General Secretary Mikhail GORBACHEV (1985-91) introduced glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) in an attempt to modernize Communism, but his initiatives inadvertently released forces that by December 1991 splintered the USSR into Russia and 14 other independent republics. Since then, Russia has shifted its post-Soviet democratic ambitions in favor of a centralized semi-authoritarian state whose legitimacy is buttressed, in part, by carefully managed national elections, former President PUTIN's genuine popularity, and the prudent management of Russia's windfall energy wealth. Russia has severely disabled a Chechen rebel movement, although violence still occurs throughout the North Caucasus. Geography ::Russia Location: Northern Asia (the area west of the Urals is considered part of Europe), bordering the Arctic Ocean, between Europe and the North Pacific Ocean Geographic coordinates: 60 00 N, 100 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 17,098,242 sq km country comparison to the world: 1 land: 16,377,742 sq km water: 720,500 sq km Area - comparative: approximately 1.8 times the size of the US Land boundaries: total: 20,241.5 km border countries: Azerbaijan 284 km, Belarus 959 km, China (southeast) 3,605 km, China (south) 40 km, Estonia 290 km, Finland 1,313 km, Georgia 723 km, Kazakhstan 6,846 km, North Korea 17.5 km, Latvia 292 km, Lithuania (Kaliningrad Oblast) 227 km, Mongolia 3,441 km, Norway 196 km, Poland (Kaliningrad Oblast) 432 km, Ukraine 1,576 km Coastline: 37,653 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: ranges from steppes in the south through humid continental in much of European Russia; subarctic in Siberia to tundra climate in the polar north; winters vary from cool along Black Sea coast to frigid in Siberia; summers vary from warm in the steppes to cool along Arctic coast Terrain: broad plain with low hills west of Urals; vast coniferous forest and tundra in Siberia; uplands and mountains along southern border regions Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m highest point: Gora El'brus 5,633 m Natural resources: wide natural resource base including major deposits of oil, natural gas, coal, and many strategic minerals, timber note: formidable obstacles of climate, terrain, and distance hinder exploitation of natural resources Land use: arable land: 7.17% permanent crops: 0.11% other: 92.72% (2005) Irrigated land: 46,000 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 4,498 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 76.68 cu km/yr (19%/63%/18%) per capita: 535 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: permafrost over much of Siberia is a major impediment to development; volcanic activity in the Kuril Islands; volcanoes and earthquakes on the Kamchatka Peninsula; spring floods and summer/autumn forest fires throughout Siberia and parts of European Russia Environment - current issues: air pollution from heavy industry, emissions of coal-fired electric plants, and transportation in major cities; industrial, municipal, and agricultural pollution of inland waterways and seacoasts; deforestation; soil erosion; soil contamination from improper application of agricultural chemicals; scattered areas of sometimes intense radioactive contamination; groundwater contamination from toxic waste; urban solid waste management; abandoned stocks of obsolete pesticides Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Sulfur 94 Geography - note: largest country in the world in terms of area but unfavorably located in relation to major sea lanes of the world; despite its size, much of the country lacks proper soils and climates (either too cold or too dry) for agriculture; Mount El'brus is Europe's tallest peak People ::Russia Population: 140,041,247 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 Age structure: 0-14 years: 14.8% (male 10,644,833/female 10,095,011) 15-64 years: 71.5% (male 48,004,040/female 52,142,313) 65 years and over: 13.7% (male 5,880,877/female 13,274,173) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 38.4 years male: 35.2 years female: 41.6 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: -0.467% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 226 Birth rate: 11.1 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 177 Death rate: 16.06 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 Net migration rate: 0.28 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 Urbanization: urban population: 73% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: -0.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.44 male(s)/female total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 10.56 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 152 male: 12.08 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.94 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 66.03 years country comparison to the world: 162 male: 59.33 years female: 73.14 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.41 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 194 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 940,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 13 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 40,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 13 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne disease: tickborne encephalitis note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Nationality: noun: Russian(s) adjective: Russian Ethnic groups: Russian 79.8%, Tatar 3.8%, Ukrainian 2%, Bashkir 1.2%, Chuvash 1.1%, other or unspecified 12.1% (2002 census) Religions: Russian Orthodox 15-20%, Muslim 10-15%, other Christian 2% (2006 est.) note: estimates are of practicing worshipers; Russia has large populations of non-practicing believers and non-believers, a legacy of over seven decades of Soviet rule Languages: Russian, many minority languages Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.4% male: 99.7% female: 99.2% (2002 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 14 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2006) Education expenditures: 3.8% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 117 Government ::Russia Country name: conventional long form: Russian Federation conventional short form: Russia local long form: Rossiyskaya Federatsiya local short form: Rossiya former: Russian Empire, Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic Government type: federation Capital: name: Moscow geographic coordinates: 55 45 N, 37 35 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October note: Russia is divided into 11 time zones Administrative divisions: 46 oblasts (oblastey, singular - oblast), 21 republics (respublik, singular - respublika), 4 autonomous okrugs (avtonomnykh okrugov, singular - avtonomnyy okrug), 9 krays (krayev, singular - kray), 2 federal cities (goroda, singular - gorod), and 1 autonomous oblast (avtonomnaya oblast') oblasts: Amur (Blagoveshchensk), Arkhangel'sk, Astrakhan', Belgorod, Bryansk, Chelyabinsk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Kaliningrad, Kaluga, Kemerovo, Kirov, Kostroma, Kurgan, Kursk, Leningrad, Lipetsk, Magadan, Moscow, Murmansk, Nizhniy Novgorod, Novgorod, Novosibirsk, Omsk, Orenburg, Orel, Penza, Pskov, Rostov, Ryazan', Sakhalin (Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk), Samara, Saratov, Smolensk, Sverdlovsk (Yekaterinburg), Tambov, Tomsk, Tula, Tver', Tyumen', Ul'yanovsk, Vladimir, Volgograd, Vologda, Voronezh, Yaroslavl' republics: Adygeya (Maykop), Altay (Gorno-Altaysk), Bashkortostan (Ufa), Buryatiya (Ulan-Ude), Chechnya (Groznyy), Chuvashiya (Cheboksary), Dagestan (Makhachkala), Ingushetiya (Magas), Kabardino-Balkariya (Nal'chik), Kalmykiya (Elista), Karachayevo-Cherkesiya (Cherkessk), Kareliya (Petrozavodsk), Khakasiya (Abakan), Komi (Syktyvkar), Mariy-El (Yoshkar-Ola), Mordoviya (Saransk), North Ossetia (Vladikavkaz), Sakha [Yakutiya] (Yakutsk), Tatarstan (Kazan'), Tyva (Kyzyl), Udmurtiya (Izhevsk) autonomous okrugs: Chukotka (Anadyr'), Khanty-Mansi (Khanty-Mansiysk), Nenets (Nar'yan-Mar), Yamalo-Nenets (Salekhard) krays: Altay (Barnaul), Kamchatka (Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy), Khabarovsk, Krasnodar, Krasnoyarsk, Perm', Primorskiy [Maritime] (Vladivostok), Stavropol', Zabaykal'sk (Chita) federal cities: Moscow [Moskva], Saint Petersburg [Sankt-Peterburg] autonomous oblast: Yevrey [Jewish] (Birobidzhan) note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses) Independence: 24 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union) National holiday: Russia Day, 12 June (1990) Constitution: adopted 12 December 1993 Legal system: based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Dmitriy Anatolyevich MEDVEDEV (since 7 May 2008) head of government: Premier Vladimir Vladimirovich PUTIN (since 8 May 2008); First Deputy Premiers Igor Ivanovich SHUVALOV and Viktor Alekseyevich ZUBKOV (since 12 May 2008); Deputy Premiers Sergey Borisovich IVANOV (since 12 May 2008), Dmitriy Nikolayevich KOZAK (since 14 October 2008), Aleksey Leonidovich KUDRIN (since 24 September 2007), Igor Ivanovich SECHIN (since 12 May 2008), Sergey Semenovich SOBYANIN (since 12 May 2008), Aleksandr Dmitriyevich ZHUKOV (since 9 March 2004), and Dmitry Nikolayevich KOZAK (since 14 October 2008) cabinet: Ministries of the Government or "Government" composed of the premier and his deputies, ministers, and selected other individuals; all are appointed by the president note: there is also a Presidential Administration (PA) that provides staff and policy support to the president, drafts presidential decrees, and coordinates policy among government agencies; a Security Council also reports directly to the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 2 March 2008 (next to be held in March 2012); note - no vice president; if the president dies in office, cannot exercise his powers because of ill health, is impeached, or resigns, the premier serves as acting president until a new presidential election is held, which must be within three months; premier appointed by the president with the approval of the Duma election results: Dmitriy MEDVEDEV elected president; percent of vote - Dmitry MEDVEDEV 70.2%, Gennady ZYUGANOV 17.7%, Vladimir ZHIRINOVSKY 9.4%, Andrey BOGDANOV 1.3% Legislative branch: bicameral Federal Assembly or Federalnoye Sobraniye consists of an upper house, the Federation Council or Sovet Federatsii (168 seats; as of July 2000, members appointed by the top executive and legislative officials in each of the 84 federal administrative units - oblasts, krays, republics, autonomous okrugs and oblasts, and the federal cities of Moscow and Saint Petersburg; serve four-year terms) and a lower house, the State Duma or Gosudarstvennaya Duma (450 seats; as of 2007, all members elected by proportional representation from party lists winning at least 7% of the vote; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: State Duma - last held 2 December 2007 (next to be held in December 2011) election results: State Duma - United Russia 64.3%, CPRF 11.5%, LDPR 8.1%, Just Russia 7.7%, other 8.4%; total seats by party - United Russia 315, CPRF 57, LDPR 40, Just Russia 38 Judicial branch: Constitutional Court; Supreme Court; Supreme Arbitration Court; judges for all courts are appointed for life by the Federation Council on the recommendation of the president Political parties and leaders: A Just Russia [Sergey MIRONOV]; Communist Party of the Russian Federation or CPRF [Gennadiy Andreyevich ZYUGANOV]; Liberal Democratic Party of Russia or LDPR [Vladimir Volfovich ZHIRINOVSKIY]; Patriots of Russia [Gennadiy SEMIGIN]; People's Union [Sergey BABURIN]; Right Cause [Leonid Yakovlevich GOZMAN, Boris Yuriyevich TITOV, and Georgiy Georgiyevich BOVT] (registration pending; formed from merger of Union of Right Forces, Democratic Party of Russia, and Civic Force); United Russia [Vladimir Vladimirovich PUTIN]; Yabloko Party [Sergey Sergeyevich MITROKHIN] Political pressure groups and leaders: All-Russian Confederation of Labor; Baikal Environmental Wave; Federation of Independent Labor Unions of Russia; Freedom of Choice Interregional Organization of Automobilists; Glasnost Defense Foundation; Golos Association in Defense of Voters' Rights; Greenpeace Russia; Human Rights Watch (Russian chapter); Institute for Collective Action; Memorial (human rights group); Movement Against Illegal Migration; Pamjat (preservation of historical monuments and recording of history); Russian Orthodox Church; Russian-Chechen Friendship Society; SOVA Analytical-Information Center; Union of the Committees of Soldiers' Mothers; World Wildlife Fund (Russian chapter) International organization participation: APEC, Arctic Council, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), BIS, BSEC, CBSS, CE, CERN (observer), CIS, CSTO, EAEC, EAPC, EBRD, G-20, G-8, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM (guest), NSG, OAS (observer), OECD (accession state), OIC (observer), OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, SCO, UN, UN Security Council, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer), ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Sergey Ivanovich KISLYAK chancery: 2650 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 298-5700, 5701, 5704, 5708 FAX: [1] (202) 298-5735 consulate(s) general: Houston, New York, San Francisco, Seattle Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador John R. BEYRLE embassy: Bolshoy Deviatinskiy Pereulok No. 8, 121099 Moscow mailing address: PSC-77, APO AE 09721 telephone: [7] (495) 728-5000 FAX: [7] (495) 728-5090 consulate(s) general: Saint Petersburg, Vladivostok, Yekaterinburg Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red Economy ::Russia Economy - overview: Russia ended 2008 with GDP growth of 5.6%, following 10 straight years of growth averaging 7% annually since the financial crisis of 1998. Over the last six years, fixed capital investment growth and personal income growth have averaged above 10%, but both grew at slower rates in 2008. Growth in 2008 was driven largely by non-tradable services and domestic manufacturing, rather than exports. During the past decade, poverty and unemployment declined steadily and the middle class continued to expand. Russia also improved its international financial position, running balance of payments surpluses since 2000. Foreign exchange reserves grew from $12 billion in 1999 to almost $600 billion by end July 2008, which include $200 billion in two sovereign wealth funds: a reserve fund to support budgetary expenditures in case of a fall in the price of oil and a national welfare fund to help fund pensions and infrastructure development. Total foreign debt is almost one-third of GDP. The state component of foreign debt has declined, but commercial short-term debt to foreigners has risen strongly. These positive trends began to reverse in the second half of 2008. Investor concerns over the Russia-Georgia conflict, corporate governance issues, and the global credit crunch in September caused the Russian stock market to fall by roughly 70%, primarily due to margin calls that were difficult for many Russian companies to meet. The global crisis also affected Russia's banking system, which faced liquidity problems. Moscow responded quickly in early October 2008, initiating a rescue plan of over $200 billion that was designed to increase liquidity in the financial sector, to help firms refinance foreign debt, and to support the stock market. The government also unveiled a $20 billion tax cut plan and other safety nets for society and industry. Meanwhile, a 70% drop in the price of oil since mid-July further exacerbated imbalances in external accounts and the federal budget. In mid-November, mini-devaluations of the currency by the Central Bank caused increased capital flight and froze domestic credit markets, resulting in growing unemployment, wage arrears, and a severe drop in production. Foreign exchange reserves dropped to around $435 billion by end 2008, as the Central Bank defended an overvalued ruble. In the first year of his term, President MEDVEDEV outlined a number of economic priorities for Russia including improving infrastructure, innovation, investment, and institutions; reducing the state's role in the economy; reforming the tax system and banking sector; developing one of the biggest financial centers in the world, combating corruption, and improving the judiciary. The Russian government needs to diversify the economy further, as energy and other raw materials still dominate Russian export earnings and federal budget receipts. Russia's infrastructure requires large investments and must be replaced or modernized if the country is to achieve broad-based economic growth. Corruption, lack of trust in institutions, and more recently, exchange rate uncertainty and the global economic crisis continue to dampen domestic and foreign investor sentiment. Russia has made some progress in building the rule of law, the bedrock of a modern market economy, but much work remains on judicial reform. Moscow continues to seek accession to the WTO and has made some progress, but its timeline for entry into the organization continues to slip, and the negotiating atmosphere has soured in the wake of the Georgia and global economic crises. GDP (purchasing power parity): $2.271 trillion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 $2.151 trillion (2007 est.) $1.99 trillion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $1.677 trillion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 8.1% (2007 est.) 7.7% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $16,100 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 $15,200 (2007 est.) $14,000 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 4.7% industry: 37.6% services: 57.7% (2008 est.) Labor force: 75.7 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 10.2% industry: 27.4% services: 62.4% (2007 est.) Unemployment rate: 6.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 6.2% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 15.8% (November 2007) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.9% highest 10%: 30.4% (September 2007) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 41.5 (September 2008) country comparison to the world: 56 39.9 (2001) Investment (gross fixed): 22.1% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 Budget: revenues: $364.6 billion expenditures: $304.6 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 6.5% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 28.2% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 14.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 186 9% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 13% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 38 10% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 12.23% (31 December 2008) NA% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $252.5 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 6 $303.7 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $318.4 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 11 $292.5 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $367.2 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 23 $339.1 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $397.2 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 $1.503 trillion (31 December 2007) $1.057 trillion (31 December 2006 est.) Agriculture - products: grain, sugar beets, sunflower seed, vegetables, fruits; beef, milk Industries: complete range of mining and extractive industries producing coal, oil, gas, chemicals, and metals; all forms of machine building from rolling mills to high-performance aircraft and space vehicles; defense industries including radar, missile production, and advanced electronic components, shipbuilding; road and rail transportation equipment; communications equipment; agricultural machinery, tractors, and construction equipment; electric power generating and transmitting equipment; medical and scientific instruments; consumer durables, textiles, foodstuffs, handicrafts Industrial production growth rate: 3.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 Electricity - production: 958 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 Electricity - consumption: 840.4 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 Electricity - exports: 18.6 billion kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 3.105 billion kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 9.79 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 Oil - consumption: 2.9 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 Oil - exports: 6.845 million bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 Oil - imports: 47,360 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 Oil - proved reserves: 60 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 8 Natural gas - production: 662.2 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 Natural gas - consumption: 475.7 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 Natural gas - exports: 243.4 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 1 Natural gas - imports: 56.9 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 Natural gas - proved reserves: 47.57 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 Current account balance: $102.4 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 $77.01 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $471.6 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 $354.4 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: petroleum and petroleum products, natural gas, wood and wood products, metals, chemicals, and a wide variety of civilian and military manufactures Exports - partners: Netherlands 11.2%, Italy 8.1%, Germany 8%, Turkey 6%, Ukraine 5.1%, Poland 4.5%, China 4.3% (2008) Imports: $291.9 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 $223.5 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: vehicles, machinery and equipment, plastics, medicines, iron and steel, consumer goods, meat, fruits and nuts, semifinished metal products Imports - partners: Germany 13.5%, China 13.2%, Japan 6.5%, Ukraine 6%, US 4.5%, Italy 4.3% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $427.1 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 $476.4 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $483.5 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 21 $471 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $491.2 billion (2007) country comparison to the world: 10 $271.6 billion (2006) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $176.7 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 17 $209.6 billion (2006) Exchange rates: Russian rubles (RUB) per US dollar - 24.3 (2008 est.), 25.659 (2007), 27.19 (2006), 28.284 (2005), 28.814 (2004) Communications ::Russia Telephones - main lines in use: 44.2 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 5 Telephones - mobile cellular: 187.5 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 4 Telephone system: general assessment: the telephone system is experiencing significant changes; there are more than 1,000 companies licensed to offer communication services; access to digital lines has improved, particularly in urban centers; Internet and e-mail services are improving; Russia has made progress toward building the telecommunications infrastructure necessary for a market economy; the estimated number of mobile subscribers jumped from fewer than 1 million in 1998 to nearly 188 million in 2008; a large demand for main line service remains unsatisfied domestic: cross-country digital trunk lines run from Saint Petersburg to Khabarovsk, and from Moscow to Novorossiysk; the telephone systems in 60 regional capitals have modern digital infrastructures; cellular services, both analog and digital, are available in many areas; in rural areas, the telephone services are still outdated, inadequate, and low density international: country code - 7; Russia is connected internationally by undersea fiber optic cables; digital switches in several cities provide more than 50,000 lines for international calls; satellite earth stations provide access to Intelsat, Intersputnik, Eutelsat, Inmarsat, and Orbita systems (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 323, FM 1,500 est., shortwave 62 (2004) Television broadcast stations: 7,306 (1998) Internet country code: .ru; note - Russia also has responsibility for a legacy domain ".su" that was allocated to the Soviet Union and is being phased out Internet hosts: 7.663 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 13 Internet users: 45.25 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 8 Transportation ::Russia Airports: 1,216 (2009) country comparison to the world: 5 Airports - with paved runways: total: 595 over 3,047 m: 52 2,438 to 3,047 m: 198 1,524 to 2,437 m: 129 914 to 1,523 m: 99 under 914 m: 117 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 621 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 13 1,524 to 2,437 m: 68 914 to 1,523 m: 84 under 914 m: 453 (2009) Heliports: 48 (2009) Pipelines: condensate 122 km; gas 158,767 km; liquid petroleum gas 127 km; oil 74,285 km; refined products 13,658 km; water 23 km (2008) Railways: total: 87,157 km country comparison to the world: 2 broad gauge: 86,200 km 1.520-m gauge (40,300 km electrified) narrow gauge: 957 km 1.067-m gauge (on Sakhalin Island) note: an additional 30,000 km of non-common carrier lines serve industries (2006) Roadways: total: 933,000 km country comparison to the world: 8 paved: 754,984 km (includes 30,000 km of expressways) unpaved: 178,016 km note: includes public, local, and departmental roads (2006) Waterways: 102,000 km (including 33,000 km with guaranteed depth) country comparison to the world: 2 note: 72,000 km system in European Russia links Baltic Sea, White Sea, Caspian Sea, Sea of Azov, and Black Sea (2007) Merchant marine: total: 1,074 country comparison to the world: 9 by type: bulk carrier 25, cargo 663, carrier 2, chemical tanker 27, combination ore/oil 34, container 11, passenger 14, passenger/cargo 7, petroleum tanker 217, refrigerated cargo 59, roll on/roll off 10, specialized tanker 5 foreign-owned: 112 (Belgium 4, Cyprus 2, Germany 1, Greece 1, Italy 4, South Korea 1, Latvia 2, Norway 2, Switzerland 3, Turkey 80, Ukraine 11, US 1) registered in other countries: 486 (Antigua and Barbuda 4, Bahamas 4, Belize 31, Bulgaria 1, Cambodia 83, Comoros 12, Cyprus 50, Dominica 3, Georgia 12, Hong Kong 2, Jamaica 3, Liberia 94, Malaysia 2, Malta 58, Marshall Islands 9, Moldova 3, Mongolia 9, Panama 18, Saint Kitts and Nevis 19, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 21, Sierra Leone 11, Slovakia 1, Tuvalu 2, Ukraine 1, Vanuatu 2, unknown 31) (2008) Ports and terminals: Azov, Kaliningrad, Kavkaz, Nakhodka, Novorossiysk, Primorsk, Saint Petersburg, Vostochnyy Military ::Russia Military branches: Ground Forces (Sukhoputnyye Voyskia, SV), Navy (Voyenno-Morskoy Flot, VMF), Air Forces (Voyenno-Vozdushniye Sily, VVS); Airborne Troops (VDV), Strategic Rocket Forces (Raketnyye Voyska Strategicheskogo Naznacheniya, RVSN), and Space Troops (Kosmicheskiye Voyska, KV) are independent "combat arms," not subordinate to any of the three branches; Russian Ground Forces include the following combat arms: motorized-rifle troops, tank troops, missile and artillery troops, air defense of ground troops (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18-27 years of age for compulsory or voluntary military service; males are registered for the draft at 17 years of age; service obligation - 1 year; reserve obligation to age 50; as of July 2008, a draft military strategy called for the draft to continue up to the year 2030 (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 36,219,908 females age 16-49: 37,019,853 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 21,098,306 females age 16-49: 27,968,883 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 741,692 female: 706,081 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 3.9% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 30 Transnational Issues ::Russia Disputes - international: China and Russia have demarcated the once disputed islands at the Amur and Ussuri confluence and in the Argun River in accordance with the 2004 Agreement, ending their centuries-long border disputes; the sovereignty dispute over the islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri, Shikotan, and the Habomai group, known in Japan as the "Northern Territories" and in Russia as the "Southern Kurils," occupied by the Soviet Union in 1945, now administered by Russia, and claimed by Japan, remains the primary sticking point to signing a peace treaty formally ending World War II hostilities; Russia and Georgia agree on delimiting all but small, strategic segments of the land boundary and the maritime boundary; OSCE observers monitor volatile areas such as the Pankisi Gorge in the Akhmeti region and the Kodori Gorge in Abkhazia; Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia signed equidistance boundaries in the Caspian seabed but the littoral states have no consensus on dividing the water column; Russia and Norway dispute their maritime limits in the Barents Sea and Russia's fishing rights beyond Svalbard's territorial limits within the Svalbard Treaty zone; various groups in Finland advocate restoration of Karelia (Kareliya) and other areas ceded to the Soviet Union following the Second World War but the Finnish Government asserts no territorial demands; in May 2005, Russia recalled its signatures to the 1996 border agreements with Estonia (1996) and Latvia (1997), when the two Baltic states announced issuance of unilateral declarations referencing Soviet occupation and ensuing territorial losses; Russia demands better treatment of ethnic Russians in Estonia and Latvia; Estonian citizen groups continue to press for realignment of the boundary based on the 1920 Tartu Peace Treaty that would bring the now divided ethnic Setu people and parts of the Narva region within Estonia; Lithuania and Russia committed to demarcating their boundary in 2006 in accordance with the land and maritime treaty ratified by Russia in May 2003 and by Lithuania in 1999; Lithuania operates a simplified transit regime for Russian nationals traveling from the Kaliningrad coastal exclave into Russia, while still conforming, as an EU member state with an EU external border, where strict Schengen border rules apply; preparations for the demarcation delimitation of land boundary with Ukraine have commenced; the dispute over the boundary between Russia and Ukraine through the Kerch Strait and Sea of Azov remains unresolved despite a December 2003 framework agreement and on-going expert-level discussions; Kazakhstan and Russia boundary delimitation was ratified on November 2005 and field demarcation should commence in 2007; Russian Duma has not yet ratified 1990 Bering Sea Maritime Boundary Agreement with the US Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs: 18,000-160,000 (displacement from Chechnya and North Ossetia) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Russia is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for various purposes; it remains a significant source of women trafficked to over 50 countries for commercial sexual exploitation; Russia is also a transit and destination country for men and women trafficked from Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and North Korea to Central and Western Europe and the Middle East for purposes of forced labor and sexual exploitation; internal trafficking remains a problem in Russia with women trafficked from rural areas to urban centers for commercial sexual exploitation, and men trafficked internally and from Central Asia for forced labor in the construction and agricultural industries; debt bondage is common among trafficking victims, and child sex tourism remains a concern tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Russia is on the Tier 2 Watch List for a fifth consecutive year for its failure to show evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking over the previous year, particularly in providing assistance to victims of trafficking; comprehensive trafficking victim assistance legislation, which would address key deficiencies, has been pending before the Duma since 2003 and was neither passed nor enacted in 2007 (2008) Illicit drugs: limited cultivation of illicit cannabis and opium poppy and producer of methamphetamine, mostly for domestic consumption; government has active illicit crop eradication program; used as transshipment point for Asian opiates, cannabis, and Latin American cocaine bound for growing domestic markets, to a lesser extent Western and Central Europe, and occasionally to the US; major source of heroin precursor chemicals; corruption and organized crime are key concerns; major consumer of opiates page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Rwanda (Africa) Introduction ::Rwanda Background: In 1959, three years before independence from Belgium, the majority ethnic group, the Hutus, overthrew the ruling Tutsi king. Over the next several years, thousands of Tutsis were killed, and some 150,000 driven into exile in neighboring countries. The children of these exiles later formed a rebel group, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), and began a civil war in 1990. The war, along with several political and economic upheavals, exacerbated ethnic tensions, culminating in April 1994 in the genocide of roughly 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus. The Tutsi rebels defeated the Hutu regime and ended the killing in July 1994, but approximately 2 million Hutu refugees - many fearing Tutsi retribution - fled to neighboring Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zaire. Since then, most of the refugees have returned to Rwanda, but several thousand remained in the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC; the former Zaire) and formed an extremist insurgency bent on retaking Rwanda, much as the RPF tried in 1990. Despite substantial international assistance and political reforms - including Rwanda's first local elections in March 1999 and its first post-genocide presidential and legislative elections in August and September 2003 - the country continues to struggle to boost investment and agricultural output, and ethnic reconciliation is complicated by the real and perceived Tutsi political dominance. Kigali's increasing centralization and intolerance of dissent, the nagging Hutu extremist insurgency across the border, and Rwandan involvement in two wars in recent years in the neighboring DRC continue to hinder Rwanda's efforts to escape its bloody legacy. Geography ::Rwanda Location: Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo Geographic coordinates: 2 00 S, 30 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 26,338 sq km country comparison to the world: 148 land: 24,668 sq km water: 1,670 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland Land boundaries: total: 893 km border countries: Burundi 290 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 217 km, Tanzania 217 km, Uganda 169 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: temperate; two rainy seasons (February to April, November to January); mild in mountains with frost and snow possible Terrain: mostly grassy uplands and hills; relief is mountainous with altitude declining from west to east Elevation extremes: lowest point: Rusizi River 950 m highest point: Volcan Karisimbi 4,519 m Natural resources: gold, cassiterite (tin ore), wolframite (tungsten ore), methane, hydropower, arable land Land use: arable land: 45.56% permanent crops: 10.25% other: 44.19% (2005) Irrigated land: 90 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 5.2 cu km (2003) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.15 cu km/yr (24%/8%/68%) per capita: 17 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: periodic droughts; the volcanic Virunga mountains are in the northwest along the border with Democratic Republic of the Congo Environment - current issues: deforestation results from uncontrolled cutting of trees for fuel; overgrazing; soil exhaustion; soil erosion; widespread poaching Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Geography - note: landlocked; most of the country is savanna grassland with the population predominantly rural People ::Rwanda Population: 10,473,282 country comparison to the world: 77 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 42.1% (male 2,216,352/female 2,196,327) 15-64 years: 55.4% (male 2,897,003/female 2,909,994) 65 years and over: 2.4% (male 100,920/female 152,686) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 18.7 years male: 18.5 years female: 18.9 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 2.782% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 17 Birth rate: 39.67 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 Death rate: 14.02 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 Net migration rate: 2.17 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 Urbanization: urban population: 18% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 81.61 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 17 male: 86.68 deaths/1,000 live births female: 76.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 50.52 years country comparison to the world: 206 male: 49.25 years female: 51.83 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.25 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 2.8% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 150,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 7,800 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria animal contact disease: rabies (2009) Nationality: noun: Rwandan(s) adjective: Rwandan Ethnic groups: Hutu (Bantu) 84%, Tutsi (Hamitic) 15%, Twa (Pygmy) 1% Religions: Roman Catholic 56.5%, Protestant 26%, Adventist 11.1%, Muslim 4.6%, indigenous beliefs 0.1%, none 1.7% (2001) Languages: Kinyarwanda (official) universal Bantu vernacular, French (official), English (official), Kiswahili (Swahili) used in commercial centers Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 70.4% male: 76.3% female: 64.7% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 9 years male: 8 years female: 9 years (2005) Education expenditures: 3.8% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 115 People - note: Rwanda is the most densely populated country in Africa Government ::Rwanda Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Rwanda conventional short form: Rwanda local long form: Republika y'u Rwanda local short form: Rwanda former: Ruanda, German East Africa Government type: republic; presidential, multiparty system Capital: name: Kigali geographic coordinates: 1 57 S, 30 04 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 4 provinces (in French - provinces, singular - province; in Kinyarwanda - intara for singular and plural) and 1 city* (in French - ville; in Kinyarwanda - umujyi); Est (Eastern), Kigali*, Nord (Northern), Ouest (Western), Sud (Southern) Independence: 1 July 1962 (from Belgium-administered UN trusteeship) National holiday: Independence Day, 1 July (1962) Constitution: new constitution passed by referendum 26 May 2003 Legal system: based on German and Belgian civil law systems and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Paul KAGAME (since 22 April 2000) head of government: Prime Minister Bernard MAKUZA (since 8 March 2000) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: President elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (eligible for a second term); elections last held 25 August 2003 (next to be held in September 2010) election results: Paul KAGAME elected president in first direct popular vote; Paul KAGAME 95.05%, Faustin TWAGIRAMUNGU 3.62%, Jean-Nepomuscene NAYINZIRA 1.33% Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of Senate (26 seats; 12 members elected by local councils, 8 appointed by the president, 4 by the Political Organizations Forum, 2 represent institutions of higher learning; to serve eight-year terms) and Chamber of Deputies (80 seats; 53 members elected by popular vote, 24 women elected by local bodies, 3 selected by youth and disability organizations; serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - members appointed as part of the transitional government (next to be held in 2011); Chamber of Deputies - last held 15 September 2008 (next to be held September 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - RPF 78.8%, PSD 13.1%, PL 7.5%; seats by party - RPF 42, PSD 7, PL 4, additional 27 members indirectly elected Judicial branch: Supreme Court; High Courts of the Republic; Provincial Courts; District Courts; mediation committees Political parties and leaders: Centrist Democratic Party or PDC [Alfred MUKEZAMFURA]; Democratic Popular Union of Rwanda or UDPR [Adrien RANGIRA]; Democratic Republican Movement or MDR [Celestin KABANDA] (officially banned); Islamic Democratic Party or PDI [Andre BUMAYA]; Liberal Party or PL [Protais MITALI]; Party for Democratic Renewal (officially banned); Rwandan Patriotic Front or RPF [Paul KAGAME]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Vincent BIRUTA] Political pressure groups and leaders: IBUKA (association of genocide survivors) International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, CEPGL, COMESA, EAC, EADB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador James KOMONYO chancery: 1714 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 232-2882 FAX: [1] (202) 232-4544 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador W. Stuart SYMINGTON embassy: 2657 Avenue de la Gendarmerie, Kigali mailing address: B. P. 28, Kigali telephone: [250] 596-400 FAX: [250] 596-591 Flag description: three horizontal bands of sky blue (top, double width), yellow, and green, with a golden sun with 24 rays near the fly end of the blue band Economy ::Rwanda Economy - overview: Rwanda is a poor rural country with about 90% of the population engaged in (mainly subsistence) agriculture. It is the most densely populated country in Africa and is landlocked with few natural resources and minimal industry. Primary foreign exchange earners are coffee and tea. The 1994 genocide decimated Rwanda's fragile economic base, severely impoverished the population, particularly women, and eroded the country's ability to attract private and external investment. However, Rwanda has made substantial progress in stabilizing and rehabilitating its economy to pre-1994 levels, although poverty levels are higher now. GDP has rebounded and inflation has been curbed. Despite Rwanda's fertile ecosystem, food production often does not keep pace with population growth, requiring food imports. Rwanda continues to receive substantial aid money and obtained IMF-World Bank Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) initiative debt relief in 2005-06. Rwanda also received Millennium Challenge Account Threshold status in 2006. The government has embraced an expansionary fiscal policy to reduce poverty by improving education, infrastructure, and foreign and domestic investment and pursuing market-oriented reforms, although energy shortages, instability in neighboring states, and lack of adequate transportation linkages to other countries continue to handicap growth. GDP (purchasing power parity): $9.729 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 $8.749 billion (2007 est.) $8.108 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $4.459 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 11.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 7.9% (2007 est.) 7.3% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $900 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 218 $900 (2007 est.) $800 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 43.2% industry: 22.3% services: 34.5% (2008 est.) Labor force: 4.446 million (2007) country comparison to the world: 81 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 90% industry and services: 10% (2000) Unemployment rate: NA% Population below poverty line: 60% (2001 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.1% highest 10%: 38.2% (2000) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 46.8 (2000) country comparison to the world: 37 28.9 (1985) Investment (gross fixed): 22% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 Budget: revenues: $930.4 million expenditures: $1.023 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 15.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 193 9.1% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 11.25% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 23 12.5% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 16.51% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 38 15.84% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $233.6 million (31 December 2005) country comparison to the world: 104 Stock of quasi money: $227.4 million (31 December 2005) country comparison to the world: 115 Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $209.2 million (31 December 2005) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: coffee, tea, pyrethrum (insecticide made from chrysanthemums), bananas, beans, sorghum, potatoes; livestock Industries: cement, agricultural products, small-scale beverages, soap, furniture, shoes, plastic goods, textiles, cigarettes Industrial production growth rate: 7.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 Electricity - production: 120 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 186 Electricity - consumption: 231.6 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 174 Electricity - exports: 10 million kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 130 million kWh (2007 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 Oil - consumption: 6,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 160 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 Oil - imports: 5,623 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 141 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 125 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 Natural gas - proved reserves: 56.63 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 Current account balance: -$292 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 -$147 million (2007 est.) Exports: $210 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 181 $184 million (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: coffee, tea, hides, tin ore Exports - partners: China 9.1%, Thailand 8.6%, Germany 7.3%, US 4.5%, Belgium 4.1% (2008) Imports: $834 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 175 $637 million (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, steel, petroleum products, cement and construction material Imports - partners: Kenya 15.2%, Uganda 13.3%, China 6.3%, Belgium 5.3%, Germany 4.5% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $596 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 136 $552.8 million (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $1.4 billion (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 Exchange rates: Rwandan francs (RWF) per US dollar - 550 (2008 est.), 585 (2007), 560 (2006), 610 (2005), 574.62 (2004) Communications ::Rwanda Telephones - main lines in use: 16,800 (2008) country comparison to the world: 198 Telephones - mobile cellular: 1.323 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 136 Telephone system: general assessment: small, inadequate telephone system primarily serves business and government domestic: the capital, Kigali, is connected to the centers of the provinces by microwave radio relay and, recently, by cellular telephone service; much of the network depends on wire and HF radiotelephone; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular telephone density is only about 13 telephones per 100 persons international: country code - 250; international connections employ microwave radio relay to neighboring countries and satellite communications to more distant countries; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) in Kigali (includes telex and telefax service) Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 10 (two main FM programs are broadcast through a system of repeaters; international FM programming includes the BBC, VOA, and Deutchewelle) (2007) Television broadcast stations: 2 (2004) Internet country code: .rw Internet hosts: 81 (2009) country comparison to the world: 203 Internet users: 300,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 127 Transportation ::Rwanda Airports: 9 (2009) country comparison to the world: 159 Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 3 (2009) Roadways: total: 14,008 km country comparison to the world: 125 paved: 2,662 km unpaved: 11,346 km (2004) Waterways: Lac Kivu navigable by shallow-draft barges and native craft (2008) Ports and terminals: Cyangugu, Gisenyi, Kibuye Military ::Rwanda Military branches: Rwandan Defense Forces: Army, Air Force Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 2,430,469 females age 16-49: 2,392,933 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,452,768 females age 16-49: 1,456,207 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 106,741 female: 106,935 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 2.9% of GDP (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 Transnational Issues ::Rwanda Disputes - international: fighting among ethnic groups - loosely associated political rebels, armed gangs, and various government forces in Great Lakes region transcending the boundaries of Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda - abated substantially from a decade ago due largely to UN peacekeeping, international mediation, and efforts by local governments to create civil societies; nonetheless, 57,000 Rwandan refugees still reside in 21 African states, including Zambia, Gabon, and 20,000 who fled to Burundi in 2005 and 2006 to escape drought and recriminations from traditional courts investigating the 1994 massacres; the 2005 DROC and Rwanda border verification mechanism to stem rebel actions on both sides of the border remains in place Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 46,272 (Democratic Republic of the Congo); 4,400 (Burundi) (2007) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Saint Barthelemy (Central America and Caribbean) Introduction ::Saint Barthelemy Background: Discovered in 1493 by Christopher COLUMBUS who named it for his brother Bartolomeo, St. Barthelemy was first settled by the French in 1648. In 1784, the French sold the island to Sweden, who renamed the largest town Gustavia, after the Swedish King GUSTAV III, and made it a free port; the island prospered as a trade and supply center during the colonial wars of the 18th century. France repurchased the island in 1878 and placed it under the administration of Guadeloupe. St. Barthelemy retained its free port status along with various Swedish appellations such as Swedish street and town names, and the three-crown symbol on the coat of arms. In 2003, the populace of the island voted to secede from Guadeloupe and in 2007, the island became a French overseas collectivity. Geography ::Saint Barthelemy Location: located approximately 125 miles northwest of Guadeloupe Geographic coordinates: 17 90 N, 62 85 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: 21 sq km Area - comparative: less than an eighth of the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Climate: tropical, with practically no variation in temperature; has two seasons (dry and humid) Terrain: hilly, almost completely surrounded by shallow-water reefs, with 20 beaches Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Ocean 0 m highest point: Morne du Vitet 286 m Natural resources: has few natural resources, its beaches being the most important Environment - current issues: with no natural rivers or streams, fresh water is in short supply, especially in summer, and provided by desalinization of sea water, collection of rain water, or imported via water tanker People ::Saint Barthelemy Population: 7,448 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 226 Age structure: 0-14 years: 19.2% (male 734/female 696) 15-64 years: 70.6% (male 2,855/female 2,402) 65 years and over: 10.2% (male 378/female 383) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 39.1 years male: 39.3 years female: 38.9 years (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.19 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.99 male(s)/female total population: 1.14 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Ethnic groups: white, Creole (mulatto), black, Guadeloupe Mestizo (French-East Asia) Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jehovah's Witness Languages: French (primary), English Government ::Saint Barthelemy Country name: conventional long form: Overseas Collectivity of Saint Barthelemy conventional short form: Saint Barthelemy local long form: Collectivite d'outre mer de Saint-Barthelemy local short form: Saint-Barthelemy Dependency status: overseas collectivity of France Capital: name: Gustavia geographic coordinates: 17 53 N, 62 51 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) Independence: none (overseas collectivity of France) National holiday: Bastille Day, 14 July (1789); note - local holiday is St. Barthelemy Day, 24 August Constitution: 4 October 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: the laws of France, where applicable, apply Suffrage: 18 years of age, universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007), represented by Prefect Dominique LACROIX (since 21 March 2007) head of government: President of the Territorial Council Bruno MAGRAS (since 16 July 2007) cabinet: Executive Council; note - there is also an advisory, economic, social, and cultural council elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the Territorial Council is elected by the members of the Council for a five-year term election results: Bruno MAGRAS unanimously elected president by the Territorial Council on 16 July 2007 Legislative branch: unicameral Territorial Council (19 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 1 and 8 July 2007 (next to be held in July 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - SBA 72.2%, Action-Equilibre-Transparence 9.9%, Ensemble pour Saint-Barthelemy 7.9%, Tous Unis pour Saint-Barthelemy 9.9%; seats by party - SBA 16, Action-Equilibre-Transparence 1, Ensemble pour Saint-Barthelemy 1, Tous Unis pour Saint-Barthelemy 1 note: Saint Barthelemy elects one seat to the French Senate; elections last held 21 September 2008 (next to be held in September 2014); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 1 Political parties and leaders: Action-Equilibre-Transparence [Maxime DESOUCHES]; Ensemble pour Saint-Barthelemy [Benoit CHAUVIN]; Saint-Barth d'Abord! or SBA [Bruno MAGRAS]; Tous Unis pour Saint-Barthelemy [Karine MIOT-RICHARD] Political pressure groups and leaders: The Marine Reserve (protection of fish); Rotary Club International organization participation: UPU, WFTU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas collectivity of France) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas collectivity of France) Flag description: the flag of France is used Economy ::Saint Barthelemy Economy - overview: The economy of Saint Barthelemy is based upon high-end tourism and duty-free luxury commerce, serving visitors primarily from North America. The luxury hotels and villas host 70,000 visitors each year with another 130,000 arriving by boat. The relative isolation and high cost of living inhibits mass tourism. The construction and public sectors also enjoy significant investment in support of tourism. With limited fresh water resources, all food must be imported, as must all energy resources and most manufactured goods. Employment is strong and attracts labor from Brazil and Portugal. Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003) Communications ::Saint Barthelemy Telephone system: general assessment: fully integrated access domestic: direct dial capability with both fixed and wireless systems international: country code - 590; undersea fiber-optic cable provides voice and data connectivity to Puerto Rico and Guadeloupe Internet country code: .bl; note - .gp, the internet country code for Guadeloupe, and .fr, the internet country code for France, might also be encountered Transportation ::Saint Barthelemy Airports: 1 (2009) country comparison to the world: 215 Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Transportation - note: nearest airport for international flights is Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) located in Sint Maarten (Netherlands Antilles) Military ::Saint Barthelemy Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,594 females age 16-49: 1,340 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 21 female: 20 (2009 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France page last updated on September 22, 2009 ====================================================================== @Saint Helena (Africa) Introduction ::Saint Helena Background: Saint Helena is a British Overseas Territory consisting of Saint Helena and Ascension Islands, and the island group of Tristan da Cunha. Saint Helena: Uninhabited when first discovered by the Portuguese in 1502, Saint Helena was garrisoned by the British during the 17th century. It acquired fame as the place of Napoleon BONAPARTE's exile from 1815 until his death in 1821, but its importance as a port of call declined after the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869. During the Anglo-Boer War in South Africa, several thousand Boer prisoners were confined on the island between 1900 and 1903. Ascension Island: This barren and uninhabited island was discovered and named by the Portuguese in 1503. The British garrisoned the island in 1815 to prevent a rescue of Napoleon from Saint Helena. It served as a provisioning station for the Royal Navy's West Africa Squadron on anti-slavery patrol. The island remained under Admiralty control until 1922, when it became a dependency of Saint Helena. During World War II, the UK permitted the US to construct an airfield on Ascension in support of trans-Atlantic flights to Africa and anti-submarine operations in the South Atlantic. In the 1960s the island became an important space tracking station for the US. In 1982, Ascension was an essential staging area for British forces during the Falklands War. It remains a critical refueling point in the air-bridge from the UK to the South Atlantic. Tristan da Cunha: The island group consists of the islands of Tristan da Cunha, Nightingale, Inaccessible, and Gough. Tristan da Cunha is named after its Portuguese discoverer (1506); it was garrisoned by the British in 1816 to prevent any attempt to rescue Napoleon from Saint Helena. Gough and Inaccessible Islands have been designated World Heritage Sites. South Africa leases a site for a meteorological station on Gough Island. Geography ::Saint Helena Location: islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, about midway between South America and Africa; Ascension Island lies 700 nm northwest of Saint Helena; Tristan da Cunha lies 2,300 nm southwest of Saint Helena Geographic coordinates: Saint Helena: 15 57 S, 5 42 W Ascension Island: 7 57 S, 14 22 W Tristan da Cunha island group: 37 15 S, 12 30 W Map references: Africa Area: total: 308 sq km country comparison to the world: 208 land: Saint Helena Island 122 sq km; Ascension Island 88 sq km; Tristan da Cunha island group 98 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: Saint Helena: 60 km Ascension Island: NA Tristan da Cunha: 40 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Climate: Saint Helena: tropical marine; mild, tempered by trade winds Ascension Island: tropical marine; mild, semi-arid Tristan da Cunha: temperate marine; mild, tempered by trade winds (tends to be cooler than Saint Helena) Terrain: the islands of this group result from volcanic activity associated with the Atlantic Mid-Ocean Ridge Saint Helena: rugged, volcanic; small scattered plateaus and plains Ascension: surface covered by lava flows and cinder cones of 44 dormant volcanoes; ground rises to the east Tristan da Cunha: sheer cliffs line the coastline of the nearly circular island; the flanks of the central volcanic peak are deeply dissected; narrow coastal plain lies between The Peak and the coastal cliffs Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Queen Mary's Peak on Tristan da Cunha 2,062 m; Green Mountain on Ascension Island 859 m; Mount Actaeon on Saint Helena Island 818 m Natural resources: fish, lobster Land use: arable land: 12.9% permanent crops: 0% other: 87.1% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: active volcanism on Tristan da Cunha, last eruption in 1961 Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: Saint Helena harbors at least 40 species of plants unknown anywhere else in the world; Ascension is a breeding ground for sea turtles and sooty terns; Queen Mary's Peak on Tristan da Cunha is the highest island mountain in the South Atlantic and a prominent landmark on the sea lanes around southern Africa People ::Saint Helena Population: 7,637 country comparison to the world: 225 note: only Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha islands are inhabited (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 18.3% (male 712/female 685) 15-64 years: 70.4% (male 2,744/female 2,629) 65 years and over: 11.4% (male 412/female 455) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 37.6 years male: 37.7 years female: 37.5 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.445% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 158 Birth rate: 11.13 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 175 Death rate: 6.68 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 39% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 17.63 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 116 male: 20.71 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.44 years country comparison to the world: 44 male: 75.52 years female: 81.5 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.56 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 184 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Saint Helenian(s) adjective: Saint Helenian note: referred to locally as "Saints" Ethnic groups: African descent 50%, white 25%, Chinese 25% Religions: Anglican (majority), Baptist, Seventh-Day Adventist, Roman Catholic Languages: English Literacy: definition: age 20 and over can read and write total population: 97% male: 97% female: 98% (1987 est.) Education expenditures: NA Government ::Saint Helena Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Saint Helena Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK Government type: NA Capital: name: Jamestown geographic coordinates: 15 56 S, 5 44 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 1 administrative area and 2 dependencies*; Ascension*, Saint Helena, Tristan da Cunha* Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK) National holiday: Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926) Constitution: 1 January 1989 Legal system: English common law and statutes supplemented by local statutes Suffrage: NA Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Governor and Commander in Chief Andrew GURR (since 11 November 2007) cabinet: Executive Council consists of the governor, 3 ex-officio officers, and 5 elected members of the Legislative Council elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor is appointed by the monarch Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council (16 seats, including the speaker, three ex officio and 12 elected members; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 31 August 2005 (next to be held in November 2009) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 12 Judicial branch: Magistrate's Court; Supreme Court; Court of Appeal Political parties and leaders: none Political pressure groups and leaders: other: private sector; unions International organization participation: UPU, WFTU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Flag description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Saint Helenian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield features a rocky coastline and three-masted sailing ship Economy ::Saint Helena Economy - overview: The economy depends largely on financial assistance from the UK, which amounted to about $27 million in FY06/07 or more than twice the level of annual budgetary revenues. The local population earns income from fishing, raising livestock, and sales of handicrafts. Because there are few jobs, 25% of the work force has left to seek employment on Ascension Island, on the Falklands, and in the UK. GDP (purchasing power parity): $18 million (1998 est.) country comparison to the world: 225 GDP (official exchange rate): $NA GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita (PPP): $2,500 (1998 est.) country comparison to the world: 176 GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Labor force: 2,486 country comparison to the world: 217 note: 1,200 work offshore (1998 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 6% industry: 48% services: 46% (1987 est.) Unemployment rate: 14% (1998 est.) country comparison to the world: 148 Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $12.33 million expenditures: $30.28 million note: revenue data reflect locally raised revenues only; the budget deficit is resolved by grant aid from the United Kingdom (FY06/07 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.2% (1997 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 3.2% (1997 est.) Agriculture - products: coffee, corn, potatoes, vegetables; timber; fish, lobster (on Tristan da Cunha); livestock Industries: construction, crafts (furniture, lacework, fancy woodwork), fishing, philatelic sales Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 8 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 210 Electricity - consumption: 7.44 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 211 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 134 Oil - consumption: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 204 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 167 Oil - imports: 79.73 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 204 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 134 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 137 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 118 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 134 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 Exports: $19 million (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 205 Exports - commodities: fish (frozen, canned, and salt-dried skipjack, tuna), coffee, handicrafts Imports: $45 million (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 214 Imports - commodities: food, beverages, tobacco, fuel oils, animal feed, building materials, motor vehicles and parts, machinery and parts Debt - external: $NA Exchange rates: Saint Helenian pounds (SHP) per US dollar - 0.5302 (2008), 0.4993 (2007), 0.5418 (2006), 0.5493 (2005), 0.5462 (2004) note: the Saint Helenian pound is on par with the British pound Communications ::Saint Helena Telephones - main lines in use: 2,300 (2008) country comparison to the world: 223 Telephone system: general assessment: can communicate worldwide domestic: automatic digital network international: country code (Saint Helena) - 290, (Ascension Island) - 247; international direct dialing; satellite voice and data communications; satellite earth stations - 5 (Ascension Island - 4, Saint Helena - 1) Radio broadcast stations: Saint Helena: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 Ascension: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 1 (2005) Television broadcast stations: 0 (3 television channels are received via satellite and distributed by UHF) (2005) Internet country code: .sh; note - Ascension Island assigned .ac Internet hosts: 343 (2009) country comparison to the world: 178 Internet users: 1,100; note - includes Ascension Island (2008) country comparison to the world: 213 Communications - note: South Africa maintains a meteorological station on Gough Island Transportation ::Saint Helena Airports: 1 (2009) country comparison to the world: 216 Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2009) Roadways: total: 198 km (Saint Helena 138 km, Ascension 40 km, Tristan da Cunha 20 km) country comparison to the world: 207 paved: 168 km (Saint Helena 118 km, Ascension 40 km, Tristan da Cunha 10 km) unpaved: 30 km (Saint Helena 20 km, Ascension 0 km, Tristan da Cunha 10 km) (2002) Ports and terminals: Saint Helena: Jamestown Ascension Island: Georgetown Tristan da Cunha: Calshot Harbor Transportation - note: there is no air connection to Saint Helena or Tristan da Cunha; an international airport for Saint Helena is in development for 2010 Military ::Saint Helena Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,586 females age 16-49: 1,600 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 47 female: 45 (2009 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Transnational Issues ::Saint Helena Disputes - international: none page last updated on October 28, 2009 ====================================================================== @Saint Kitts and Nevis (Central America and Caribbean) Introduction ::Saint Kitts and Nevis Background: Carib Indians occupied the islands for hundreds of years before the British began settlement in 1623. The islands became an associated state of the UK with full internal autonomy in 1967. The island of Anguilla rebelled and was allowed to secede in 1971. Saint Kitts and Nevis achieved independence in 1983. In 1998, a vote in Nevis on a referendum to separate from Saint Kitts fell short of the two-thirds majority needed. Nevis continues in its efforts to separate from Saint Kitts. Geography ::Saint Kitts and Nevis Location: Caribbean, islands in the Caribbean Sea, about one-third of the way from Puerto Rico to Trinidad and Tobago Geographic coordinates: 17 20 N, 62 45 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 261 sq km (Saint Kitts 168 sq km; Nevis 93 sq km) country comparison to the world: 211 land: 261 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 135 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Climate: tropical, tempered by constant sea breezes; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November) Terrain: volcanic with mountainous interiors Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Liamuiga 1,156 m Natural resources: arable land Land use: arable land: 19.44% permanent crops: 2.78% other: 77.78% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Total renewable water resources: 0.02 cu km (2000) Natural hazards: hurricanes (July to October) Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: with coastlines in the shape of a baseball bat and ball, the two volcanic islands are separated by a 3-km-wide channel called The Narrows; on the southern tip of long, baseball bat-shaped Saint Kitts lies the Great Salt Pond; Nevis Peak sits in the center of its almost circular namesake island and its ball shape complements that of its sister island People ::Saint Kitts and Nevis Population: 40,131 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 209 Age structure: 0-14 years: 26.3% (male 5,397/female 5,138) 15-64 years: 65.9% (male 13,231/female 13,196) 65 years and over: 7.9% (male 1,326/female 1,843) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 28.6 years male: 27.9 years female: 29.3 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.847% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 137 Birth rate: 17.67 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 Death rate: 8.05 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 Net migration rate: -1.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 Urbanization: urban population: 32% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 13.94 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 130 male: 15.66 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.11 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.2 years country comparison to the world: 109 male: 70.33 years female: 76.25 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.26 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Kittitian(s), Nevisian(s) adjective: Kittitian, Nevisian Ethnic groups: predominantly black; some British, Portuguese, and Lebanese Religions: Anglican, other Protestant, Roman Catholic Languages: English Literacy: definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 97.8% male: NA female: NA (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 13 years (2005) Education expenditures: 9.3% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 8 Government ::Saint Kitts and Nevis Country name: conventional long form: Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis conventional short form: Saint Kitts and Nevis former: Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis Government type: parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm Capital: name: Basseterre geographic coordinates: 17 18 N, 62 43 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 14 parishes; Christ Church Nichola Town, Saint Anne Sandy Point, Saint George Basseterre, Saint George Gingerland, Saint James Windward, Saint John Capesterre, Saint John Figtree, Saint Mary Cayon, Saint Paul Capesterre, Saint Paul Charlestown, Saint Peter Basseterre, Saint Thomas Lowland, Saint Thomas Middle Island, Trinity Palmetto Point Independence: 19 September 1983 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 19 September (1983) Constitution: 19 September 1983 Legal system: based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Cuthbert Montraville SEBASTIAN (since 1 January 1996) head of government: Prime Minister Dr. Denzil DOUGLAS (since 6 July 1995); Deputy Prime Minister Sam CONDOR (since 6 July 1995) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general in consultation with the prime minister elections: the monarch is hereditary; the governor general is appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (14 seats, 3 appointed and 11 popularly elected from single-member constituencies; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 25 October 2004 (next to be held by 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - SKNLP 7, CCM 2, NRP 1, PAM 1 Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (consisting of a Court of Appeal and a High Court; based on Saint Lucia; two judges of the Supreme Court reside in Saint Kitts and Nevis); member of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Political parties and leaders: Concerned Citizens Movement or CCM [Vance AMORY]; Nevis Reformation Party or NRP [Joseph PARRY]; People's Action Movement or PAM [Lindsay GRANT]; Saint Kitts and Nevis Labor Party or SKNLP [Dr. Denzil DOUGLAS] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Izben Cordinal WILLIAMS chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 686-2636 FAX: [1] (202) 686-5740 consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Saint Kitts and Nevis; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Saint Kitts and Nevis Flag description: divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a broad black band bearing two white, five-pointed stars; the black band is edged in yellow; the upper triangle is green, the lower triangle is red Economy ::Saint Kitts and Nevis Economy - overview: The economy of Saint Kitts and Nevis is heavily dependent upon tourism revenues, which has replaced sugar, the traditional mainstay of the economy until the 1970s. Following the 2005 harvest, the government closed the sugar industry after decades of losses of 3-4% of GDP annually. To compensate for employment losses, the government has embarked on a program to diversify the agricultural sector and to stimulate other sectors of the economy, such as tourism, export-oriented manufacturing, and offshore banking. Economic growth was above average for Latin America from 2004 to 2006, but has since slowed. Like other tourist destinations in the Caribbean, the St. Kitts and Nevis is vulnerable to damage from natural disasters and shifts in tourism demand. The current government is constrained by a high public debt burden equivalent to nearly 185% of GDP by the end of 2006, largely attributable to public enterprise losses. GDP (purchasing power parity): $759.5 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 207 $742 million (2007 est.) $735.8 million (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $546 million (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 0.9% (2007 est.) 5.3% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $19,100 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 $18,800 (2007 est.) $18,700 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.5% industry: 25.8% services: 70.7% (2001) Labor force: 18,170 (June 1995) country comparison to the world: 202 Unemployment rate: 4.5% (1997) country comparison to the world: 57 Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $89.7 million expenditures: $128.2 million (2003 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.5% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 Central bank discount rate: 6.5% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 63 6.5% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 8.69% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 94 8.89% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $107.2 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 110 $97.31 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $680.6 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 103 $688.6 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $790.8 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 113 $782.4 million (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 104 $439.7 million (31 December 2007) $304.5 million (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: sugarcane, rice, yams, vegetables, bananas; fish Industries: tourism, cotton, salt, copra, clothing, footwear, beverages Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 130 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 184 Electricity - consumption: 120.9 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 187 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 137 Oil - consumption: 1,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 192 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 169 Oil - imports: 1,225 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 185 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 136 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 122 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 137 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 141 Current account balance: -$163 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 85 Exports: $84 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 197 Exports - commodities: machinery, food, electronics, beverages, tobacco Exports - partners: US 65.7%, Azerbaijan 7.5%, Canada 6% (2008) Imports: $383 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 187 Imports - commodities: machinery, manufactures, food, fuels Imports - partners: US 46.8%, Trinidad and Tobago 14.8%, UK 4.1% (2008) Debt - external: $314 million (2004) country comparison to the world: 174 Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2007), 2.7 (2006), 2.7 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003) Communications ::Saint Kitts and Nevis Telephones - main lines in use: 20,400 (2008) country comparison to the world: 194 Telephones - mobile cellular: 80,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 187 Telephone system: general assessment: good interisland and international connections domestic: interisland links via Eastern Caribbean Fiber Optic cable; construction of enhanced wireless infrastructure launched in November 2004 international: country code - 1-869; connected internationally by the East Caribbean Fiber Optic System (ECFS) and Southern Caribbean fiber optic system (SCF) submarine cables Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 3, shortwave 0 (2003) Television broadcast stations: 1 (plus 3 repeaters) (2003) Internet country code: .kn Internet hosts: 53 (2009) country comparison to the world: 206 Internet users: 16,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 195 Transportation ::Saint Kitts and Nevis Airports: 2 (2009) country comparison to the world: 206 Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Railways: total: 50 km country comparison to the world: 131 narrow gauge: 50 km 0.762-m gauge on Saint Kitts for tourists (2008) Roadways: total: 383 km country comparison to the world: 197 paved: 163 km unpaved: 220 km (2002) Merchant marine: total: 159 country comparison to the world: 40 by type: bulk carrier 10, cargo 109, chemical tanker 7, container 1, liquefied gas 1, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 19, refrigerated cargo 7, roll on/roll off 1, specialized tanker 1 foreign-owned: 121 (Belgium 1, Cyprus 1, Egypt 2, Estonia 3, Finland 1, Greece 3, India 1, Italy 1, Japan 3, Kuwait 1, Latvia 5, Malaysia 1, Pakistan 3, Romania 1, Russia 19, Singapore 1, Spain 1, Syria 7, Turkey 35, Ukraine 9, UAE 18, UK 3, Yemen 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Basseterre Military ::Saint Kitts and Nevis Military branches: Royal Saint Kitts and Nevis Defense Force (includes Coast Guard), Royal Saint Kitts and Nevis Police Force (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 10,095 females age 16-49: 10,081 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 8,159 females age 16-49: 8,517 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 376 female: 362 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: NA Transnational Issues ::Saint Kitts and Nevis Disputes - international: joins other Caribbean states to counter Venezuela's claim that Aves Island sustains human habitation, a criterion under UNCLOS, which permits Venezuela to extend its EEZ/continental shelf over a large portion of the eastern Caribbean Sea Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe; some money-laundering activity page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Saint Lucia (Central America and Caribbean) Introduction ::Saint Lucia Background: The island, with its fine natural harbor at Castries, was contested between England and France throughout the 17th and early 18th centuries (changing possession 14 times); it was finally ceded to the UK in 1814. Even after the abolition of slavery on its plantations in 1834, Saint Lucia remained an agricultural island, dedicated to producing tropical commodity crops. Self-government was granted in 1967 and independence in 1979. Geography ::Saint Lucia Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago Geographic coordinates: 13 53 N, 60 58 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 616 sq km country comparison to the world: 193 land: 606 sq km water: 10 sq km Area - comparative: 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 158 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Climate: tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season January to April, rainy season May to August Terrain: volcanic and mountainous with some broad, fertile valleys Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Gimie 950 m Natural resources: forests, sandy beaches, minerals (pumice), mineral springs, geothermal potential Land use: arable land: 6.45% permanent crops: 22.58% other: 70.97% (2005) Irrigated land: 30 sq km (2003) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.01 per capita: 81 cu m/yr (1997) Natural hazards: hurricanes; volcanic activity Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion, particularly in the northern region Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: the twin Pitons (Gros Piton and Petit Piton), striking cone-shaped peaks south of Soufriere, are one of the scenic natural highlights of the Caribbean People ::Saint Lucia Population: 160,267 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 187 Age structure: 0-14 years: 24.4% (male 20,035/female 19,021) 15-64 years: 66.4% (male 51,593/female 54,843) 65 years and over: 9.2% (male 6,668/female 8,107) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 29.8 years male: 28.7 years female: 30.8 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.416% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 161 Birth rate: 15.1 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 Death rate: 6.8 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 141 Net migration rate: -4.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 158 Urbanization: urban population: 28% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 13.43 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 134 male: 12.47 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.45 years country comparison to the world: 67 male: 73.78 years female: 79.27 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.84 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Saint Lucian(s) adjective: Saint Lucian Ethnic groups: black 82.5%, mixed 11.9%, East Indian 2.4%, other or unspecified 3.1% (2001 census) Religions: Roman Catholic 67.5%, Seventh Day Adventist 8.5%, Pentecostal 5.7%, Rastafarian 2.1%, Anglican 2%, Evangelical 2%, other Christian 5.1%, other 1.1%, unspecified 1.5%, none 4.5% (2001 census) Languages: English (official), French patois Literacy: definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 90.1% male: 89.5% female: 90.6% (2001 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 14 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2006) Education expenditures: 6.6% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 29 Government ::Saint Lucia Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Saint Lucia Government type: parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm Capital: name: Castries geographic coordinates: 14 01 N, 61 00 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 11 quarters; Anse-la-Raye, Castries, Choiseul, Dauphin, Dennery, Gros-Islet, Laborie, Micoud, Praslin, Soufriere, Vieux-Fort Independence: 22 February 1979 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 22 February (1979) Constitution: 22 February 1979 Legal system: based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Dame Pearlette LOUISY (since September 1997) head of government: Prime Minister Stephenson KING (since 9 September 2007); note - Sir John COMPTON died in office 7 September 2007 cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: the monarch is hereditary; the governor general is appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (11 seats; six members appointed on the advice of the prime minister, three on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and two after consultation with religious, economic, and social groups) and the House of Assembly (17 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Assembly - last held 11 December 2006 (next to be held in December 2011) election results: House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - UWP 50%, SLP 46.9%, other 3.1%; seats by party - UWP 11, SLP 6 Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (consists of a High Court and a Court of Appeals; based on Saint Lucia; three judges of the Supreme Court reside in Saint Lucia); member of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Political parties and leaders: National Alliance or NA [George ODLUM]; Saint Lucia Freedom Party or SFP [Martinus FRANCOIS]; Saint Lucia Labor Party or SLP [Kenneth ANTHONY]; Sou Tout Apwe Fete Fini or STAFF [Christopher HUNTE]; United Workers Party or UWP [Stephenson KING] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OIF, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Michael LOUIS chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 364-6792 through 6795 FAX: [1] (202) 364-6723 consulate(s) general: Miami, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Saint Lucia; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Saint Lucia Flag description: blue, with a gold isosceles triangle below a black arrowhead; the upper edges of the arrowhead have a white border Economy ::Saint Lucia Economy - overview: The island nation has been able to attract foreign business and investment, especially in its offshore banking and tourism industries, with a surge in foreign direct investment in 2006, attributed to the construction of several tourism projects. Although crops such as bananas, mangos, and avocados continue to be grown for export, tourism provides Saint Lucia's main source of income and the industry is the island's biggest employer. The tourism sector is likely to face declining revenues with the global economic downturn as US and European travel declines. The manufacturing sector is the most diverse in the Eastern Caribbean area, and the government is trying to revitalize the banana industry, although recent hurricanes have caused exports to contract. Saint Lucia is vulnerable to a variety of external shocks including volatile tourism receipts, natural disasters, and dependence on foreign oil. The public debt-to-GDP ratio is about 70% and high debt servicing obligations constrain the KING administration's ability to respond to adverse external shocks. Economic fundamentals remain solid, even though unemployment needs to be reduced. GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.774 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 186 $1.762 billion (2007 est.) $1.733 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $987 million (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 0.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 189 1.7% (2007 est.) 5% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $11,100 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 $11,100 (2007 est.) $11,000 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 5% industry: 15% services: 80% (2005 est.) Labor force: 79,700 (2007) country comparison to the world: 178 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 21.7% industry: 24.7% services: 53.6% (2002 est.) Unemployment rate: 20% (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 166 Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $141.2 million expenditures: $146.7 million (2000 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.9% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 Central bank discount rate: 6.5% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 62 6.5% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 10.08% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 102 8.34% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $261.3 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 103 $264.7 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $800.1 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 100 $720.9 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $1.378 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 99 $1.217 billion (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: bananas, coconuts, vegetables, citrus, root crops, cocoa Industries: clothing, assembly of electronic components, beverages, corrugated cardboard boxes, tourism; lime processing, coconut processing Industrial production growth rate: NA Electricity - production: 325 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 167 Electricity - consumption: 302.2 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 Oil - consumption: 3,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 176 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 166 Oil - imports: 2,747 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 171 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 134 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 112 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 131 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 134 Current account balance: -$199 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 Exports: $288 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 176 Exports - commodities: bananas 41%, clothing, cocoa, vegetables, fruits, coconut oil Exports - partners: UK 23.6%, US 19.3%, South Korea 16.6%, Antigua and Barbuda 5.9%, Dominica 5.8%, Barbados 5.2%, Trinidad and Tobago 4.8% (2008) Imports: $791 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 178 Imports - commodities: food 23%, manufactured goods 21%, machinery and transportation equipment 19%, chemicals, fuels Imports - partners: Brazil 68%, US 11.7%, Trinidad and Tobago 7.4% (2008) Debt - external: $257 million (2004) country comparison to the world: 176 Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2007), 2.7 (2006), 2.7 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003) Communications ::Saint Lucia Telephones - main lines in use: 40,900 (2008) country comparison to the world: 168 Telephones - mobile cellular: 169,600 (2008) country comparison to the world: 174 Telephone system: general assessment: adequate system domestic: system is automatically switched international: country code - 1-758; the East Caribbean Fiber Optic System (ECFS) and Southern Caribbean fiber optic system (SCF) submarine cables, along with Intelsat from Martinique, carry calls internationally; direct microwave radio relay link with Martinique and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; tropospheric scatter to Barbados Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 7, shortwave 0 (2003) Television broadcast stations: 2 (1 commercial broadcast station and 1 community antenna television or CATV channel) (2003) Internet country code: .lc Internet hosts: 103 (2009) country comparison to the world: 198 Internet users: 100,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 155 Transportation ::Saint Lucia Airports: 2 (2009) country comparison to the world: 201 Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Roadways: total: 1,210 km (2002) country comparison to the world: 180 Ports and terminals: Castries, Cul-de-Sac, Vieux-Fort Military ::Saint Lucia Military branches: no regular military forces; Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (includes Special Service Unit and Coast Guard) (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 48,358 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 32,094 females age 16-49: 36,110 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 1,607 female: 1,511 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: NA Transnational Issues ::Saint Lucia Disputes - international: joins other Caribbean states to counter Venezuela's claim that Aves Island sustains human habitation, a criterion under UNCLOS, which permits Venezuela to extend its EEZ/continental shelf over a large portion of the eastern Caribbean Sea Illicit drugs: transit point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Saint Martin (Central America and Caribbean) Introduction ::Saint Martin Background: Although sighted by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1493 and claimed for Spain, it was the Dutch who occupied the island in 1631 and set about exploiting its salt deposits. The Spanish retook the island in 1633, but continued to be harassed by the Dutch. The Spanish finally relinquished St. Martin to the French and Dutch, who divided it amongst themselves in 1648. The cultivation of sugar cane introduced slavery to the island in the late 18th century; the practice was not abolished until 1848. The island became a free port in 1939; the tourism industry was dramatically expanded during the 1970s and 1980s. In 2003, the populace of St. Martin voted to secede from Guadeloupe and in 2007, the northern portion of the island became a French overseas collectivity. Geography ::Saint Martin Location: island 300 km southeast of Puerto Rico Geographic coordinates: 18 05 N, 63 57 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 54.4 sq km country comparison to the world: 230 land: 54.4 sq km water: NEGL Area - comparative: more than one-third the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 15 km border countries: Netherlands Antilles (Sint Maarten) 15 km Coastline: 58.9 km (for entire island) Climate: temperature averages 80-85 degrees all year long; low humidity, gentle trade winds, brief, intense rain showers; July-November is the hurricane season Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Ocean 0 m highest point: Pic du Paradis 424 m Natural resources: salt Environment - current issues: fresh water supply is dependent on desalinization of sea water Geography - note: the island of Saint Martin is the smallest landmass in the world shared by two independent states, the French territory of Saint Martin and the Dutch territory of Sint Maarten People ::Saint Martin Population: 29,820 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 213 Age structure: 0-14 years: 27% (male 3,991/female 4,048) 15-64 years: 67.5% (male 9,596/female 10,532) 65 years and over: 5.5% (male 742/female 911) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 30.5 years male: 29.5 years female: 31.3 years (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Ethnic groups: creole (mulatto), black, Guadeloupe Mestizo (French-East Asia), white, East Indian Religions: Roman Catholic, Jehovah's Witness, Protestant, Hindu Languages: French (official language), English, Dutch, French Patois, Spanish, Papiamento (dialect of Netherlands Antilles) Government ::Saint Martin Country name: conventional long form: Overseas Collectivity of Saint Martin conventional short form: Saint Martin local long form: Collectivity d'outre mer de Saint-Martin local short form: Saint-Martin Dependency status: overseas collectivity of France Capital: name: Marigot geographical coordinates: 18 04 N, 63 05 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time) daylight savings: +1 hour Independence: none (overseas collectivity of France) National holiday: Bastille Day, 14 July (1789); note - local holiday is Schoalcher Day (Slavery Abolition Day) 12 July (1848) Constitution: 4 October 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: the laws of France, where applicable, apply Suffrage: 18 years of age, universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007), represented by Prefect Dominique LACROIX (since 21 March 2007) head of government: President of the Territorial Council Frantz GUMBS (since 5 May 2009) cabinet: Executive Council; note - there is also an advisory economic, social, and cultural council election: French president elected by popular vote to a five-year term; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the Territorial Council is elected by the members of the Council for a five-year term election results: Frantz GUMBS elected president by the Territorial Council on 7 August 2008 but election was declared invalid on 10 April 2009 Legislative branch: unicameral Territorial Council (23 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 1 and 8 July 2007 (next to be held in July 2012) election results: percent of seats by party - UPP 49%, RRR 42.2%, Reussir Saint-Martin 8.9%; seats by party - UPP 16, RRR 6, Reussir Saint-Martin 1 note: Saint Martin elects one seat to the French Senate; election last held 21 September 2008 (next to be held in September 2014); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 1 Political parties and leaders: Union Pour le Progres or UPP [Louis-Constant FLEMING]; Rassemblement Responsabilite Reussite or RRR [Alain RICHARDSON]; Reussir Saint-Martin [Jean-Luc HAMLET] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: UPU, WFTU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas collectivity of France) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas collectivity of France) Flag description: the flag of France is used Economy ::Saint Martin Economy - overview: The economy of Saint Martin centers around tourism with 85% of the labor force engaged in this sector. Over one million visitors come to the island each year with most arriving through the Princess Juliana International Airport in Sint Maarten. No significant agriculture and limited local fishing means that almost all food must be imported. Energy resources and manufactured goods are also imported, primarily from Mexico and the United States. Saint Martin is reported to have the highest per capita income in the Caribbean. GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1% industry: 15% services: 84% (2000) Labor force - by occupation: 85% directly or indirectly employed in tourist industry Industries: tourism, light industry and manufacturing, heavy industry Imports - commodities: crude petroleum, food, manufactured items Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Communications ::Saint Martin Telephone system: general assessment: fully integrated access domestic: direct dial capability with both fixed and wireless systems international: country code - 590; undersea fiber-optic cable provides voice and data connectivity to Puerto Rico and Guadeloupe Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 3, shortwave 0 (2007) Internet country code: .mf; note - .gp, the internet country code for Guadeloupe, and .fr, the internet country code for France, might also be encountered Transportation ::Saint Martin Airports: 1 (2009) country comparison to the world: 226 Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Transportation - note: nearest airport for international flights is Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) located in Sint Maarten Military ::Saint Martin Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 6,336 females age 16-49: 6,925 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 177 female: 162 (2009 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France page last updated on September 22, 2009 ====================================================================== @Saint Pierre and Miquelon (North America) Introduction ::Saint Pierre and Miquelon Background: First settled by the French in the early 17th century, the islands represent the sole remaining vestige of France's once vast North American possessions. Geography ::Saint Pierre and Miquelon Location: Northern North America, islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, south of Newfoundland (Canada) Geographic coordinates: 46 50 N, 56 20 W Map references: North America Area: total: 242 sq km country comparison to the world: 213 land: 242 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes eight small islands in the Saint Pierre and the Miquelon groups Area - comparative: 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 120 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: cold and wet, with much mist and fog; spring and autumn are windy Terrain: mostly barren rock Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Morne de la Grande Montagne 240 m Natural resources: fish, deepwater ports Land use: arable land: 12.5% permanent crops: 0% other: 87.5% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: persistent fog throughout the year can be a maritime hazard Environment - current issues: recent test drilling for oil in waters around Saint Pierre and Miquelon may bring future development that would impact the environment Geography - note: vegetation scanty People ::Saint Pierre and Miquelon Population: 7,051 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 227 Age structure: 0-14 years: 21.9% (male 788/female 756) 15-64 years: 66.5% (male 2,378/female 2,312) 65 years and over: 11.6% (male 379/female 438) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 35.2 years male: 34.6 years female: 35.7 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.085% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 193 Birth rate: 12.76 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 159 Death rate: 6.95 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 Net migration rate: -4.96 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 Urbanization: urban population: 89% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 6.87 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 170 male: 7.86 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.82 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.07 years country comparison to the world: 34 male: 76.69 years female: 81.57 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.97 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women) adjective: French Ethnic groups: Basques and Bretons (French fishermen) Religions: Roman Catholic 99%, other 1% Languages: French (official) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (1982 est.) Education expenditures: NA Government ::Saint Pierre and Miquelon Country name: conventional long form: Territorial Collectivity of Saint Pierre and Miquelon conventional short form: Saint Pierre and Miquelon local long form: Departement de Saint-Pierre et Miquelon local short form: Saint-Pierre et Miquelon Dependency status: self-governing territorial overseas collectivity of France Government type: NA Capital: name: Saint-Pierre geographic coordinates: 46 46 N, 56 11 W time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November Administrative divisions: none (territorial overseas collectivity of France); note - there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are two communes - Saint Pierre, Miquelon at the second order Independence: none (territorial collectivity of France; has been under French control since 1763) National holiday: Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) Constitution: 4 October 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: the laws of France, where applicable, apply Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007); represented by Prefect Jean-Pierre BERCOT (since 28 July 2008) head of government: President of the Territorial Council Stephane ARTANO (since 21 February 2007) cabinet: NA elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 6 May 2007 (next to be held in 2012); prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the Territorial Council is elected by the members of the council Legislative branch: unicameral Territorial Council or Conseil Territorial (19 seats, 15 from Saint Pierre and four from Miquelon; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) elections: elections last held 19 and 26 in March 2006 (next to be held in March 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - AD 16, Cap sur l'Avenir 2, SPM 2000/AM 1 note: Saint Pierre and Miquelon elect one seat to the French Senate; elections last held 21 September 2008 (next to be held in September 2014); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 1; Saint Pierre and Miquelon also elects one seat to the French National Assembly; elections last held, first round - 10 June 2007, second round - 17 June 2007 (next to be held in 2012); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Left Radical Party 1 Judicial branch: Superior Tribunal of Appeals or Tribunal Superieur d'Appel Political parties and leaders: Archipelago Tomorrow or AD affiliated with UDF/RPR list; Cap sur l'Avenir affiliated with PRG; Left Radical Party or PRG; Rassemblement pour la Republique or RPR (now UMP); Saint Pierre and Miquelon 2000/Avenir Miquelon or SPM 2000/AM; Socialist Party or PS; Union pour la Democratie Francaise or UDF Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: UPU, WFTU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territorial overseas collectivity of France) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territorial overseas collectivity of France) Flag description: a yellow three-masted sailing ship facing the hoist side rides on a blue background with scattered, white, wavy lines under the ship; a continuous black-over-white wavy line divides the ship from the white wavy lines; on the hoist side, a vertical band is divided into three parts: the top part (called ikkurina) is red with a green diagonal cross extending to the corners overlaid by a white cross dividing the rectangle into four sections; the middle part has a white background with an ermine pattern; the third part has a red background with two stylized yellow lions outlined in black, one above the other; these three heraldic arms represent settlement by colonists from the Basque Country (top), Brittany, and Normandy note: the flag of France used for official occasions Economy ::Saint Pierre and Miquelon Economy - overview: The inhabitants have traditionally earned their livelihood by fishing and by servicing fishing fleets operating off the coast of Newfoundland. The economy has been declining, however, because of disputes with Canada over fishing quotas and a steady decline in the number of ships stopping at Saint Pierre. In 1992, an arbitration panel awarded the islands an exclusive economic zone of 12,348 sq km to settle a longstanding territorial dispute with Canada, although it represents only 25% of what France had sought. France heavily subsidizes the islands to the great betterment of living standards. The government hopes an expansion of tourism will boost economic prospects. Fish farming, crab fishing, and agriculture are being developed to diversify the local economy. Recent test drilling for oil may pave the way for development of the energy sector. GDP (purchasing power parity): $48.3 million (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 223 note: supplemented by annual payments from France of about $60 million GDP (official exchange rate): $NA GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita (PPP): $7,000 (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 125 GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Labor force: 3,450 (2005) country comparison to the world: 215 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 18% industry: 41% services: 41% (1996 est.) Unemployment rate: 10.3% (1999) country comparison to the world: 125 Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $70 million expenditures: $60 million (1996 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.1% (2005) country comparison to the world: 127 Agriculture - products: vegetables; poultry, cattle, sheep, pigs; fish Industries: fish processing and supply base for fishing fleets; tourism Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 53 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 197 Electricity - consumption: 49.29 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 197 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 Oil - consumption: 1,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 193 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 170 Oil - imports: 563.6 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 197 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 137 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 123 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 Exports: $5.5 million (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 214 Exports - commodities: fish and fish products, soybeans, animal feed, mollusks and crustaceans, fox and mink pelts Imports: $68.2 million (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 211 Imports - commodities: meat, clothing, fuel, electrical equipment, machinery, building materials Debt - external: $NA Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6734 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Communications ::Saint Pierre and Miquelon Telephones - main lines in use: 4,800 (2008) country comparison to the world: 213 Telephone system: general assessment: adequate domestic: NA international: country code - 508; radiotelephone communication with most countries in the world; satellite earth station - 1 in French domestic satellite system Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 0 (2 repeaters rebroadcast programs from France, Canada, and the US) (1997) Internet country code: .pm Internet hosts: 0 (2009) country comparison to the world: 231 Transportation ::Saint Pierre and Miquelon Airports: 2 (2009) country comparison to the world: 200 Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Roadways: total: 117 km country comparison to the world: 212 paved: 80 km unpaved: 37 km (2000) Ports and terminals: Saint-Pierre Military ::Saint Pierre and Miquelon Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,427 females age 16-49: 1,406 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 61 female: 57 (2009 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France Transnational Issues ::Saint Pierre and Miquelon Disputes - international: none page last updated on November 10, 2009 ====================================================================== @Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (Central America and Caribbean) Introduction ::Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Background: Resistance by native Caribs prevented colonization on St. Vincent until 1719. Disputed between France and the United Kingdom for most of the 18th century, the island was ceded to the latter in 1783. Between 1960 and 1962, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines was a separate administrative unit of the Federation of the West Indies. Autonomy was granted in 1969 and independence in 1979. Geography ::Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Location: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago Geographic coordinates: 13 15 N, 61 12 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 389 sq km (Saint Vincent 344 sq km) country comparison to the world: 202 land: 389 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 84 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm Climate: tropical; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November) Terrain: volcanic, mountainous Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: La Soufriere 1,234 m Natural resources: hydropower, cropland Land use: arable land: 17.95% permanent crops: 17.95% other: 64.1% (2005) Irrigated land: 10 sq km (2003) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.01 per capita: 83 cu m/yr (1995) Natural hazards: hurricanes; Soufriere volcano on the island of Saint Vincent is a constant threat Environment - current issues: pollution of coastal waters and shorelines from discharges by pleasure yachts and other effluents; in some areas, pollution is severe enough to make swimming prohibitive Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: the administration of the islands of the Grenadines group is divided between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is comprised of 32 islands and cays People ::Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Population: 104,574 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 192 Age structure: 0-14 years: 25.9% (male 13,637/female 13,425) 15-64 years: 66.4% (male 35,693/female 33,701) 65 years and over: 7.8% (male 3,659/female 4,459) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 28.9 years male: 29 years female: 28.9 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: -0.344% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 223 Birth rate: 15.27 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 Death rate: 6.91 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 137 Net migration rate: -11.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 178 Urbanization: urban population: 47% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 15.14 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 127 male: 16.48 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.76 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.65 years country comparison to the world: 102 male: 71.82 years female: 75.54 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.98 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Saint Vincentian(s) or Vincentian(s) adjective: Saint Vincentian or Vincentian Ethnic groups: black 66%, mixed 19%, East Indian 6%, European 4%, Carib Amerindian 2%, other 3% Religions: Anglican 47%, Methodist 28%, Roman Catholic 13%, other (includes Hindu, Seventh-Day Adventist, other Protestant) 12% Languages: English, French patois Literacy: definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 96% male: 96% female: 96% (1970 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 12 years (2005) Education expenditures: 8.1% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 14 Government ::Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Government type: parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm Capital: name: Kingstown geographic coordinates: 13 09 N, 61 14 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 6 parishes; Charlotte, Grenadines, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint Patrick Independence: 27 October 1979 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 27 October (1979) Constitution: 27 October 1979 Legal system: based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Sir Fredrick Nathaniel BALLANTYNE (since 2 September 2002) head of government: Prime Minister Ralph E. GONSALVES (since 29 March 2001) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: the monarch is hereditary; the governor general is appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister Legislative branch: unicameral House of Assembly (21 seats, 15 elected representatives and six appointed senators; representatives are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 7 December 2005 (next to be held in 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - ULP 55.3%, NDP 44.7%; seats by party - ULP 12, NDP 3 Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (consisting of a High Court and Court of Appeals; based on Saint Lucia; two judges of the Supreme Court reside in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) Political parties and leaders: New Democratic Party or NDP [Arnhim EUSTACE]; Unity Labor Party or ULP [Ralph GONSALVES] (formed by the coalition of Saint Vincent Labor Party or SVLP and the Movement for National Unity or MNU) Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador La Celia A. PRINCE chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 364-6730 FAX: [1] (202) 364-6736 consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Flag description: three vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold (double width), and green; the gold band bears three green diamonds arranged in a V pattern Economy ::Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Economy - overview: Economic growth slowed in 2008 after reaching a 10-year high of nearly 7% in 2006, and will likely slow in 2009 with the global economic downturn, though it will be above average for Latin America. Success of the economy hinges upon seasonal variations in agriculture, tourism, and construction activity as well as remittance inflows. Much of the workforce is employed in banana production and tourism, but persistent high unemployment has prompted many to leave the islands. This lower-middle-income country is vulnerable to natural disasters - tropical storms wiped out substantial portions of crops in 1994, 1995, and 2002. In 2007, the islands had more than 200,000 tourist arrivals, mostly to the Grenadines. Saint Vincent is home to a small offshore banking sector and has moved to adopt international regulatory standards. The government's ability to invest in social programs and respond to external shocks is constrained by its high debt burden - 25% of current revenues are directed towards debt servicing. An agreement with Italy to write-off debt reduced the public debt-to-GDP ratio to about 70%. The GONSALVES administration is directing government resources to infrastructure projects, including a new international airport that is expected to be completed in 2011. GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.072 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 196 $1.063 billion (2007 est.) $993.4 million (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $601 million (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 0.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 179 7% (2007 est.) 7.6% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $10,200 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 $10,100 (2007 est.) $9,400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 10% industry: 26% services: 64% (2001 est.) Labor force: 57,520 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 180 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 26% industry: 17% services: 57% (1980 est.) Unemployment rate: 15% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $94.6 million expenditures: $85.8 million (2000 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 Central bank discount rate: 6.5% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 61 6.5% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 9.52% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 95 8.8% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $150.8 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 108 $155.5 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $302.7 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 113 $280.2 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $417.4 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 116 $387.8 million (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: bananas, coconuts, sweet potatoes, spices; small numbers of cattle, sheep, pigs, goats; fish Industries: food processing, cement, furniture, clothing, starch Electricity - production: 133.8 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 183 Electricity - consumption: 124.4 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 186 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 125 Oil - consumption: 2,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 182 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 158 Oil - imports: 1,451 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 183 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 125 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 94 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 Current account balance: -$149 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 83 Exports: $193 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 182 Exports - commodities: bananas, eddoes and dasheen (taro), arrowroot starch; tennis racquets Exports - partners: Greece 31.8%, France 18.9%, India 9.9%, China 8.3%, Italy 7.5% (2008) Imports: $578 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 184 Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, chemicals and fertilizers, minerals and fuels Imports - partners: Singapore 27.1%, Trinidad and Tobago 13.2%, US 12.1%, China 8.5%, Italy 7.1%, Norway 5.1% (2008) Debt - external: $223 million (2004) country comparison to the world: 178 Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2007), 2.7 (2006), 2.7 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003) Communications ::Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Telephones - main lines in use: 22,800 (2008) country comparison to the world: 190 Telephones - mobile cellular: 130,100 (2008) country comparison to the world: 178 Telephone system: general assessment: adequate system domestic: islandwide, fully automatic telephone system; VHF/UHF radiotelephone from Saint Vincent to the other islands of the Grenadines; mobile-cellular teledensity exceeds 100 telephones per 100 persons international: country code - 1-784; the East Caribbean Fiber Optic System (ECFS) and Southern Caribbean fiber optic system (SCF) submarine cables carry international calls; connectivity also provided by VHF/UHF radiotelephone from Saint Vincent to Barbados; SHF radiotelephone to Grenada and Saint Lucia; access to Intelsat earth station in Martinique through Saint Lucia Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 6, shortwave 0 (2004) Television broadcast stations: 1 (plus 3 repeaters) (2004) Internet country code: .vc Internet hosts: 181 (2009) country comparison to the world: 190 Internet users: 66,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 165 Transportation ::Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Airports: 6 (2009) country comparison to the world: 174 Airports - with paved runways: total: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Roadways: total: 829 km country comparison to the world: 185 paved: 580 km unpaved: 249 km (2003) Merchant marine: total: 525 country comparison to the world: 21 by type: barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 83, cargo 315, carrier 20, chemical tanker 2, liquefied gas 6, passenger 3, passenger/cargo 17, petroleum tanker 17, refrigerated cargo 20, roll on/roll off 18, specialized tanker 2, container 21 foreign-owned: 476 (Austria 2, Barbados 1, Belgium 8, Bulgaria 15, Canada 1, China 94, Croatia 7, Cyprus 1, Czech Republic 1, Denmark 16, Egypt 3, Estonia 16, France 6, Germany 3, Gibraltar 1, Greece 71, Guyana 2, Hong Kong 6, Iceland 7, India 7, Iran 1, Israel 2, Italy 17, Japan 3, Kenya 2, Latvia 17, Lebanon 6, Lithuania 9, Monaco 5, Montenegro 1, Namibia 1, Netherlands 3, Norway 13, Poland 1, Puerto Rico 1, Romania 1, Russia 21, Singapore 4, Slovenia 5, South Africa 1, Sweden 2, Switzerland 6, Syria 13, Turkey 20, Ukraine 11, UAE 9, UK 14, US 18, Venezuela 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Kingstown Military ::Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Military branches: no regular military forces; Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force, Coast Guard (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 34,373 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 22,975 females age 16-49: 22,250 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 1,020 female: 1,009 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: NA Transnational Issues ::Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Disputes - international: joins other Caribbean states to counter Venezuela's claim that Aves Island sustains human habitation, a criterion under UNCLOS, which permits Venezuela to extend its EEZ/continental shelf over a large portion of the eastern Caribbean Sea Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe; small-scale cannabis cultivation page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Samoa (Australia-Oceania) Introduction ::Samoa Background: New Zealand occupied the German protectorate of Western Samoa at the outbreak of World War I in 1914. It continued to administer the islands as a mandate and then as a trust territory until 1962, when the islands became the first Polynesian nation to reestablish independence in the 20th century. The country dropped the "Western" from its name in 1997. Geography ::Samoa Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and New Zealand Geographic coordinates: 13 35 S, 172 20 W Map references: Oceania Area: total: 2,831 sq km country comparison to the world: 177 land: 2,821 sq km water: 10 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Rhode Island Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 403 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May to October) Terrain: two main islands (Savaii, Upolu) and several smaller islands and uninhabited islets; narrow coastal plain with volcanic, rocky, rugged mountains in interior Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mauga Silisili (Savaii) 1,857 m Natural resources: hardwood forests, fish, hydropower Land use: arable land: 21.13% permanent crops: 24.3% other: 54.57% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: occasional typhoons; active volcanism Environment - current issues: soil erosion, deforestation, invasive species, overfishing Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: occupies an almost central position within Polynesia People ::Samoa Population: 219,998 country comparison to the world: 184 note: prior estimates used official net migration data by sex, but a highly unusual pattern for 1993 lead to a significant imbalance in the sex ratios (more men and fewer women) and a seeming reduction in the female population; the revised total was calculated using a 1993 number that was an average of the 1992 and 1994 migration figures (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 37.6% (male 42,117/female 40,603) 15-64 years: 56.7% (male 65,541/female 59,292) 65 years and over: 5.7% (male 5,538/female 6,907) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 20.8 years male: 21 years female: 20.5 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.346% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 101 Birth rate: 28.06 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 Death rate: 5.79 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 170 Net migration rate: -8.81 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 174 Urbanization: urban population: 23% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 24.22 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 90 male: 28.61 deaths/1,000 live births female: 19.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.86 years country comparison to the world: 124 male: 69.03 years female: 74.84 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.16 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Samoan(s) adjective: Samoan Ethnic groups: Samoan 92.6%, Euronesians (persons of European and Polynesian blood) 7%, Europeans 0.4% (2001 census) Religions: Congregationalist 34.8%, Roman Catholic 19.6%, Methodist 15%, Latter-Day Saints 12.7%, Assembly of God 6.6%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3.5%, Worship Centre 1.3%, other Christian 4.5%, other 1.9%, unspecified 0.1% (2001 census) Languages: Samoan (Polynesian), English Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.7% male: 99.6% female: 99.7% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 12 years (2001) Education expenditures: 4.3% of GDP (2002) country comparison to the world: 95 Government ::Samoa Country name: conventional long form: Independent State of Samoa conventional short form: Samoa local long form: Malo Sa'oloto Tuto'atasi o Samoa local short form: Samoa former: Western Samoa Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: name: Apia geographic coordinates: 13 50 S, 171 44 W time difference: UTC-11 (6 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 11 districts; A'ana, Aiga-i-le-Tai, Atua, Fa'asaleleaga, Gaga'emauga, Gagaifomauga, Palauli, Satupa'itea, Tuamasaga, Va'a-o-Fonoti, Vaisigano Independence: 1 January 1962 (from New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship) National holiday: Independence Day Celebration, 1 June (1962); note - 1 January 1962 is the date of independence from the New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship; it is observed in June Constitution: 1 January 1962 Legal system: based on English common law and local customs; judicial review of legislative acts with respect to fundamental rights of the citizen; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: TUIATUA Tupua Tamasese Efi (since 20 June 2007) head of government: Prime Minister Sailele Malielegaoi TUILA'EPA (since 1998); Deputy Prime Minister MISA Telefoni (since 2001) cabinet: Cabinet consists of 12 members appointed by the chief of state on the prime minister's advice elections: chief of state is elected by the Legislative Assembly to serve a five-year term (no term limits); election last held 15 June 2007 (next to be held in 2012); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is usually appointed prime minister by the chief of state with the approval of the Legislative Assembly election results: TUIATUA Tupua Tamasese Efi unanimously elected by the Legislative Assembly Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fono (49 seats, 47 elected by voters affiliated with traditional village-based electoral districts, 2 elected by independent, mostly non-Samoan or part-Samoan, voters who cannot, (or choose not to) establish a village affiliation; only chiefs (matai) may stand for election to the Fono from the 47 village-based electorates; members serve five-year terms) elections: election last held 31 March 2006 (next election to be held not later than March 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - HRPP 35, SDUP 10, independents 4 Judicial branch: Court of Appeal; Supreme Court; District Court; Land and Titles Court Political parties and leaders: Human Rights Protection Party or HRPP [Sailele Malielegaoi TUILA'EPA]; Samoa Christian Party or TCP [Tuala Tiresa MALIETOA]; Samoa Democratic United Party or SDUP [LE MAMEA Ropati]; Samoa Party or SP [Su'a Rimoni Ah CHONG]; Samoa Progressive Political Party or SPPP [Toeolesulusulu SIUEVA] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACP, ADB, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, IPU, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Aliioaiga Feturi ELISAIA chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400J, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 599-6196 through 6197 FAX: [1] (212) 599-0797 consulate(s) general: Pago Pago (American Samoa) Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: none; US Ambassador to New Zealand is accredited to Samoa embassy: Accident Corporation Building, 5th Floor, Matafele, Apia mailing address: P. O. Box 3430, Matafele, Apia telephone: [685] 21436/21631/21452/22696 FAX: [685] 22030 Flag description: red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side quadrant bearing five white five-pointed stars representing the Southern Cross constellation Economy ::Samoa Economy - overview: The economy of Samoa has traditionally been dependent on development aid, family remittances from overseas, agriculture, and fishing. The country is vulnerable to devastating storms. Agriculture employs two-thirds of the labor force and furnishes 90% of exports, featuring coconut cream, coconut oil, and copra. The fish catch declined during the El Nino of 2002-03 but returned to normal by mid-2005. The manufacturing sector mainly processes agricultural products. One factory in the Foreign Trade Zone employs 3,000 people to make automobile electrical harnesses for an assembly plant in Australia. Tourism is an expanding sector accounting for 25% of GDP; 122,000 tourists visited the islands in 2007. The Samoan Government has called for deregulation of the financial sector, encouragement of investment, and continued fiscal discipline, while at the same time protecting the environment. Observers point to the flexibility of the labor market as a basic strength for future economic advances. Foreign reserves are in a relatively healthy state, the external debt is stable, and inflation is low. GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.021 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 198 $1.057 billion (2007 est.) $996.5 million (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $500 million (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -3.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 214 6.1% (2007 est.) 1.9% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $4,700 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 143 $4,900 (2007 est.) $4,700 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 11.6% industry: 13.1% services: 75.3% (2004 est.) Labor force: 66,270 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 179 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Unemployment rate: NA% Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $171.3 million expenditures: $78.1 million (FY04/05 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 101 Commercial bank prime lending rate: 12.66% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 66 12.65% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $60.13 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 116 $69.97 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $162.8 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 118 $168.7 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $208.5 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 123 $215.1 million (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: coconuts, bananas, taro, yams, coffee, cocoa Industries: food processing, building materials, auto parts Industrial production growth rate: 2.8% (2000) country comparison to the world: 90 Electricity - production: 109 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 189 Electricity - consumption: 101.4 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 190 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 Oil - consumption: 1,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 188 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 154 Oil - imports: 1,105 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 189 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 87 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 Current account balance: -$24 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 Exports: $131 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 187 Exports - commodities: fish, coconut oil and cream, copra, taro, automotive parts, garments, beer Exports - partners: Australia 36.8%, American Samoa 35.3%, US 2.9% (2008) Imports: $324 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 191 Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, industrial supplies, foodstuffs Imports - partners: NZ 20.1%, Fiji 18.2%, Singapore 18.1%, China 8.7%, Australia 6.4% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $70.15 million (FY03/04) country comparison to the world: 150 Debt - external: $177 million (2004) country comparison to the world: 182 Exchange rates: tala (SAT) per US dollar - NA (2007), 2.7594 (2006), 2.7103 (2005), 2.7807 (2004), 2.9732 (2003) Communications ::Samoa Telephones - main lines in use: 28,800 (2008) country comparison to the world: 179 Telephones - mobile cellular: 124,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 180 Telephone system: general assessment: adequate domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 70 telephones per 100 persons; coverage extended to roughly 95 percent of the country international: country code - 685; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 5, shortwave 0 (2004) Television broadcast stations: 2 (2002) Internet country code: .ws Internet hosts: 13,985 (2009) country comparison to the world: 112 Internet users: 9,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 200 Transportation ::Samoa Airports: 4 (2009) country comparison to the world: 186 Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Roadways: total: 2,337 km country comparison to the world: 170 paved: 332 km unpaved: 2,005 km (2001) Merchant marine: total: 1 country comparison to the world: 154 by type: cargo 1 foreign-owned: 1 (Cyprus 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Apia Military ::Samoa Military branches: no regular military forces; Samoa Police Force (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 53,417 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 43,169 females age 16-49: 40,957 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 2,597 female: 2,477 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: NA Military - note: Samoa has no formal defense structure or regular armed forces; informal defense ties exist with NZ, which is required to consider any Samoan request for assistance under the 1962 Treaty of Friendship Transnational Issues ::Samoa Disputes - international: none page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @San Marino (Europe) Introduction ::San Marino Background: The third smallest state in Europe (after the Holy See and Monaco), San Marino also claims to be the world's oldest republic. According to tradition, it was founded by a Christian stonemason named Marinus in A.D. 301. San Marino's foreign policy is aligned with that of Italy; social and political trends in the republic also track closely with those of its larger neighbor. Geography ::San Marino Location: Southern Europe, an enclave in central Italy Geographic coordinates: 43 46 N, 12 25 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 61 sq km country comparison to the world: 228 land: 61 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: about one third times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 39 km border countries: Italy 39 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: Mediterranean; mild to cool winters; warm, sunny summers Terrain: rugged mountains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Torrente Ausa 55 m highest point: Monte Titano 755 m Natural resources: building stone Land use: arable land: 16.67% permanent crops: 0% other: 83.33% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution Geography - note: landlocked; smallest independent state in Europe after the Holy See and Monaco; dominated by the Apennines People ::San Marino Population: 30,324 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 212 Age structure: 0-14 years: 16.8% (male 2,636/female 2,451) 15-64 years: 65.8% (male 9,539/female 10,428) 65 years and over: 17.4% (male 2,273/female 2,997) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 41.5 years male: 41.1 years female: 41.9 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.148% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 Birth rate: 9.63 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 201 Death rate: 8.48 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 Net migration rate: 10.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 Urbanization: urban population: 94% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.09 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 5.34 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 186 male: 5.76 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 81.97 years country comparison to the world: 5 male: 78.53 years female: 85.72 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.36 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 201 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Sammarinese (singular and plural) adjective: Sammarinese Ethnic groups: Sammarinese, Italian Religions: Roman Catholic Languages: Italian Literacy: definition: age 10 and over can read and write total population: 96% male: 97% female: 95% Education expenditures: NA Government ::San Marino Country name: conventional long form: Republic of San Marino conventional short form: San Marino local long form: Repubblica di San Marino local short form: San Marino Government type: republic Capital: name: San Marino geographic coordinates: 43 56 N, 12 25 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 9 municipalities (castelli, singular - castello); Acquaviva, Borgo Maggiore, Chiesanuova, Domagnano, Faetano, Fiorentino, Montegiardino, San Marino Citta, Serravalle Independence: 3 September 301 National holiday: Founding of the Republic, 3 September (AD 301) Constitution: 8 October 1600; electoral law of 1926 serves some of the functions of a constitution Legal system: based on civil law system with Italian law influences; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Co-chiefs of State Captain Regent Francesco MUSSONI and Captain Regent Stefano PALMIERI (for the period 1 October 2009-31 March 2010) head of government: Secretary of State for Foreign and Political Affairs Antonella MULARONI (since 3 December 2008) cabinet: Congress of State elected by the Great and General Council for a five-year term elections: co-chiefs of state (captains regent) elected by the Great and General Council for a six-month term; election last held in September 2009 (next to be held in March 2010); secretary of state for foreign and political affairs elected by the Great and General Council for a five-year term; election last held 9 November 2008 (next to be held by 2013) election results: Francesco MUSSONI and Stefano PALMIERI elected captains regent; percent of legislative vote - NA; Antonella MULARONI elected secretary of state for foreign and political affairs; percent of legislative vote - NA note: the popularly elected parliament (Grand and General Council) selects two of its members to serve as the Captains Regent (co-chiefs of state) for a six-month period; they preside over meetings of the Grand and General Council and its cabinet (Congress of State), which has 10 other members, all selected by the Grand and General Council; assisting the captains regent are 10 secretaries of state; the secretary of state for Foreign Affairs has assumed some prime ministerial roles Legislative branch: unicameral Grand and General Council or Consiglio Grande e Generale (60 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 9 November 2008 (next to be held by June 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - Pact for San Marino coalition 54.2%: PDCS 31.9%, AP 11.5%, Freedom List 6.3%, San Marino Union of Moderates 4.2%; Reforms and Freedom coalition 45.8%: Party of Socialists and Democrats 32%, United Left 8.6%, Democrats of the Center 4.9%; seats by party - Pact for San Marino coalition 35: PDCS 22, AP 7, the Freedom List 4, San Marino Union of Moderates 2; Reforms and Freedom coalition 25: Party of Socialists and Democrats 18, United Left 5, Democrats of the Center 2 Judicial branch: Council of Twelve or Consiglio dei XII Political parties and leaders: Christian Democrats or PDCS [Pasquale VALENTINI]; Communist Refoundation or RC [Ivan FOSHI]; Democrats of the Center or DdC [Giovanni LONGERNINI]; Freedom List (including NPS and We Sammarinesi or NS [Gabriele GATTEI]; New Socialist Party or NPS [Augusto CASALI]; Party of Socialists and Democrats or PDS [Paride ANDREOLI]; Popular Alliance or AP [Carlo FRANCIOSI]; Union of Moderates (including National Alliance or ANS [Glcuco SANSOVINI] and San Marino Populars or pop [Romeo MORRI and Angela VENTURINI]; United Left of SU [Alessandro ROSSI] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: CE, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ITU, ITUC, OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Paolo RONDELLI chancery: 888 27th Street NW, Suite 900, Washington, DC 20006 telephone: 202-337-2260 Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in San Marino; the ambassador to Italy is accredited to San Marino Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and light blue with the national coat of arms superimposed in the center; the coat of arms has a shield (featuring three towers on three peaks) flanked by a wreath, below a crown and above a scroll bearing the word LIBERTAS (Liberty) Economy ::San Marino Economy - overview: San Marino's economy relies heavily on its tourism and banking industries, as well as from the manufacture and export of ceramics, clothing, fabrics, furniture, paints, spirits, tiles, and wine. The economy also benefits from foreign investment due to its relatively low corporate taxes and low taxes on interest earnings. The San Marino government, sworn in on 3 December 2008, will continue to work towards an economic cooperation agreement with Italy - a longstanding priority - as well as harmonizing its fiscal laws with EU members. The per capita level of output and standard of living are comparable to those of the most prosperous regions of Italy, which supplies much of its food. GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.662 billion (2007) country comparison to the world: 188 $850 million (2004 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $1.048 billion (2004) GDP - real growth rate: 4.3% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 101 GDP - per capita (PPP): $41,900 (2007) country comparison to the world: 19 GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 0.1% industry: 46.5% services: 53.4% (2007) Labor force: 22,660 (2008) country comparison to the world: 201 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 0.1% industry: 37.7% services: 62.2% (2008 est.) Unemployment rate: 3.1% (2008) country comparison to the world: 35 Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $690.6 million expenditures: $652.9 million (2006) Inflation rate (consumer prices): -3.5% (2008) country comparison to the world: 1 -1.5% (2006) Commercial bank prime lending rate: NA% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 113 7.58% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $1.326 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) $4.584 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $7.511 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: wheat, grapes, corn, olives; cattle, pigs, horses, beef, cheese, hides Industries: tourism, banking, textiles, electronics, ceramics, cement, wine Industrial production growth rate: 3.1% (2007) country comparison to the world: 78 Exports: $4.628 billion (2007) country comparison to the world: 114 $1.291 billion (2004) Exports - commodities: building stone, lime, wood, chestnuts, wheat, wine, baked goods, hides, ceramics Imports: $3.744 billion (2007) country comparison to the world: 130 $2.035 billion (2004) Imports - commodities: wide variety of consumer manufactures, food Debt - external: $NA Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6734 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Communications ::San Marino Telephones - main lines in use: 21,300 (2008) country comparison to the world: 193 Telephones - mobile cellular: 17,700 (2008) country comparison to the world: 208 Telephone system: general assessment: adequate connections domestic: automatic telephone system completely integrated into Italian system; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity 130 telephones per 100 persons international: country code - 378; connected to Italian international network (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2008) Television broadcast stations: 1 (San Marino residents also receive broadcasts from Italy) (1997) Internet country code: .sm Internet hosts: 6,734 (2009) country comparison to the world: 132 Internet users: 17,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 193 Transportation ::San Marino Roadways: total: 292 km country comparison to the world: 202 paved: 292 km (2006) Military ::San Marino Military branches: no regular military forces; Voluntary Military Force (Corpi Militari Voluntar) performs ceremonial duties and limited police support functions (2008) Military service age and obligation: 16-55 for voluntary service in Voluntary Military Force (2006) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 6,613 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 5,343 females age 16-49: 6,048 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 161 female: 160 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: NA Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Italy Transnational Issues ::San Marino Disputes - international: none page last updated on October 28, 2009 ====================================================================== @Sao Tome and Principe (Africa) Introduction ::Sao Tome and Principe Background: Discovered and claimed by Portugal in the late 15th century, the islands' sugar-based economy gave way to coffee and cocoa in the 19th century - all grown with plantation slave labor, a form of which lingered into the 20th century. While independence was achieved in 1975, democratic reforms were not instituted until the late 1980s. The country held its first free elections in 1991, but frequent internal wrangling between the various political party's precipitated repeated changes in leadership and two failed coup attempts in 1995 and 2003. The recent discovery of oil in the Gulf of Guinea promises to attract increased attention to the small island nation. Geography ::Sao Tome and Principe Location: Western Africa, islands in the Gulf of Guinea, straddling the Equator, west of Gabon Geographic coordinates: 1 00 N, 7 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 964 sq km country comparison to the world: 184 land: 964 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: more than five times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 209 km Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; hot, humid; one rainy season (October to May) Terrain: volcanic, mountainous Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pico de Sao Tome 2,024 m Natural resources: fish, hydropower Land use: arable land: 8.33% permanent crops: 48.96% other: 42.71% (2005) Irrigated land: 100 sq km (2003) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion and exhaustion Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: the smallest country in Africa; the two main islands form part of a chain of extinct volcanoes and both are mountainous People ::Sao Tome and Principe Population: 212,679 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 186 Age structure: 0-14 years: 46.9% (male 50,475/female 49,188) 15-64 years: 49.7% (male 51,325/female 54,289) 65 years and over: 3.5% (male 3,335/female 4,067) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 16.4 years male: 15.9 years female: 17 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 3.093% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 Birth rate: 38.54 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 Death rate: 5.8 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 169 Net migration rate: -1.81 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 Urbanization: urban population: 61% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 37.12 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 68 male: 38.84 deaths/1,000 live births female: 35.35 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.32 years country comparison to the world: 149 male: 66.65 years female: 70.04 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.33 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria animal contact disease: rabies (2009) Nationality: noun: Sao Tomean(s) adjective: Sao Tomean Ethnic groups: mestico, angolares (descendants of Angolan slaves), forros (descendants of freed slaves), servicais (contract laborers from Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde), tongas (children of servicais born on the islands), Europeans (primarily Portuguese) Religions: Catholic 70.3%, Evangelical 3.4%, New Apostolic 2%, Adventist 1.8%, other 3.1%, none 19.4% (2001 census) Languages: Portuguese (official) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 84.9% male: 92.2% female: 77.9% (2001 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 10 years male: 10 years female: 10 years (2006) Education expenditures: NA Government ::Sao Tome and Principe Country name: conventional long form: Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe conventional short form: Sao Tome and Principe local long form: Republica Democratica de Sao Tome e Principe local short form: Sao Tome e Principe Government type: republic Capital: name: Sao Tome geographic coordinates: 0 12 N, 6 39 E time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 2 provinces; Principe, Sao Tome note: Principe has had self government since 29 April 1995 Independence: 12 July 1975 (from Portugal) National holiday: Independence Day, 12 July (1975) Constitution: approved March 1990, effective 10 September 1990 Legal system: based on Portuguese legal system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Fradique Bandiera Melo DE MENEZES (since 3 September 2001) head of government: Prime Minister Joachim Rafael BRANCO (since 22 June 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the proposal of the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 30 July 2006 (next to be held July 2011); prime minister chosen by the National Assembly and approved by the president election results: Fradique DE MENEZES elected president; percent of vote - Fradique DE MENEZES 60%, Patrice TROVOADA 38.5% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (55 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 26 March 2006 (next to be held in March 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - MDFM-PCD 37.2%, MLSTP 28.9%, ADI 20.0%, NR 4.7%, others 9.2%; seats by party - MDFM-PCD 23, MLSTP 19, ADI 12, NR 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the National Assembly) Political parties and leaders: Force for Change Democratic Movement or MDFM [Tome Soares da VERA CRUZ]; Independent Democratic Action or ADI [[Patrice TROVOADA]; Movement for the Liberation of Sao Tome and Principe-Social Democratic Party or MLSTP-PSD [Rafael BRANCO]; New Way Movement or NR; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Delfim NEVES]; Ue-Kedadji coalition; other small parties Political pressure groups and leaders: Association of Sao Tome and Principe NGOs or FONG other: the media International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, CPLP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ITU, ITUC, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant) chancery: 400 Park Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10022 telephone: [1] (212) 317-0580 FAX: [1] (212) 935-7348 Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Sao Tome and Principe; the Ambassador to Gabon is accredited to Sao Tome and Principe on a nonresident basis and makes periodic visits to the islands Flag description: three horizontal bands of green (top), yellow (double width), and green with two black five-pointed stars placed side by side in the center of the yellow band and a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Economy ::Sao Tome and Principe Economy - overview: This small, poor island economy has become increasingly dependent on cocoa since independence in 1975. Cocoa production has substantially declined in recent years because of drought and mismanagement. Sao Tome has to import all fuels, most manufactured goods, consumer goods, and a substantial amount of food. Over the years, it has had difficulty servicing its external debt and has relied heavily on concessional aid and debt rescheduling. Sao Tome benefited from $200 million in debt relief in December 2000 under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) program, which helped bring down the country's $300 million debt burden. In August 2005, Sao Tome signed on to a new 3-year IMF Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) program worth $4.3 million. Considerable potential exists for development of a tourist industry, and the government has taken steps to expand facilities in recent years. The government also has attempted to reduce price controls and subsidies. Potential exists for the development of petroleum resources in Sao Tome's territorial waters in the oil-rich Gulf of Guinea, which are being jointly developed in a 60-40 split with Nigeria, but any actual production is at least several years off. The first production licenses were sold in 2004, though a dispute over licensing with Nigeria delayed Sao Tome's receipt of more than $20 million in signing bonuses for almost a year. Real GDP growth averaged about 6% in 2006-08, as a result of increases in public expenditures and oil-related capital investment. GDP (purchasing power parity): $277.1 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 213 $262.7 million (2007 est.) $247.8 million (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $175 million (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 6% (2007 est.) 6.7% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $1,300 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 205 $1,300 (2007 est.) $1,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 14.6% industry: 14.6% services: 70.8% (2008 est.) Labor force: 52,490 (2007) country comparison to the world: 182 Labor force - by occupation: note: population mainly engaged in subsistence agriculture and fishing; shortages of skilled workers Unemployment rate: NA% Population below poverty line: 54% (2004 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Investment (gross fixed): 38.8% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 Budget: revenues: $47.65 million expenditures: $51.48 million (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 26% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 215 18% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 28% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 3 28% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 32.4% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 5 32.4% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $27.84 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 118 $19.99 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $36.95 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 125 $33.5 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $20.42 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 127 $31.84 million (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, copra, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, bananas, papayas, beans; poultry; fish Industries: light construction, textiles, soap, beer, fish processing, timber Industrial production growth rate: 9.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 Electricity - production: 19 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 206 Electricity - consumption: 17.67 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 207 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 Oil - consumption: 1,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 190 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 163 Oil - imports: 725.5 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 193 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 102 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 125 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 Current account balance: -$67 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 -$44 million (2007 est.) Exports: $8 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 211 $7 million (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: cocoa 80%, copra, coffee, palm oil Exports - partners: Japan 77.5%, Belgium 7.7%, Netherlands 6.4% (2008) Imports: $87 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 208 $65 million (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and electrical equipment, food products, petroleum products Imports - partners: Portugal 55.8%, Belgium 9.6%, Japan 9.3% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $43 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 152 $39 million (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $318 million (2002) country comparison to the world: 173 Exchange rates: dobras (STD) per US dollar - 14,900 (2008 est.), 13,700 (2007), 12,050 (2006), 9,900.4 (2005), 9,902.3 (2004) Communications ::Sao Tome and Principe Telephones - main lines in use: 7,700 (2008) country comparison to the world: 208 Telephones - mobile cellular: 49,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 194 Telephone system: general assessment: local telephone network of adequate quality with most lines connected to digital switches domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity approaching 30 telephones per 100 persons international: country code - 239; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 1 (2001) Television broadcast stations: 2 (2001) Internet country code: .st Internet hosts: 1,345 (2009) country comparison to the world: 155 Internet users: 24,800 (2008) country comparison to the world: 183 Transportation ::Sao Tome and Principe Airports: 2 (2009) country comparison to the world: 205 Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Roadways: total: 320 km country comparison to the world: 201 paved: 218 km unpaved: 102 km (2000) Merchant marine: total: 6 country comparison to the world: 130 by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 5 foreign-owned: 1 (Greece 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Sao Tome Military ::Sao Tome and Principe Military branches: Armed Forces of Sao Tome and Principe (FASTP): Army, Coast Guard of Sao Tome e Principe (Guarda Costeira de Sao Tome e Principe, GCSTP), Presidential Guard (2007) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age (est.) (2004) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 42,340 females age 16-49: 43,781 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 35,216 females age 16-49: 38,329 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 2,534 female: 2,485 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 0.8% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 148 Military - note: Sao Tome and Principe's army is a tiny force with almost no resources at its disposal and would be wholly ineffective operating unilaterally; infantry equipment is considered simple to operate and maintain but may require refurbishment or replacement after 25 years in tropical climates; poor pay, working conditions, and alleged nepotism in the promotion of officers have been problems in the past, as reflected in the 1995 and 2003 coups; these issues are being addressed with foreign assistance aimed at improving the army and its focus on realistic security concerns; command is exercised from the president, through the Minister of Defense, to the Chief of the Armed Forces staff (2005) Transnational Issues ::Sao Tome and Principe Disputes - international: none page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Saudi Arabia (Middle East) Introduction ::Saudi Arabia Background: Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam and home to Islam's two holiest shrines in Mecca and Medina. The king's official title is the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. The modern Saudi state was founded in 1932 by ABD AL-AZIZ bin Abd al-Rahman AL SAUD (Ibn Saud) after a 30-year campaign to unify most of the Arabian Peninsula. A male descendent of Ibn Saud, his son ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz, rules the country today as required by the country's 1992 Basic Law. Following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990, Saudi Arabia accepted the Kuwaiti royal family and 400,000 refugees while allowing Western and Arab troops to deploy on its soil for the liberation of Kuwait the following year. The continuing presence of foreign troops on Saudi soil after the liberation of Kuwait became a source of tension between the royal family and the public until all operational US troops left the country in 2003. Major terrorist attacks in May and November 2003 spurred a strong on-going campaign against domestic terrorism and extremism. King ABDALLAH has continued the cautious reform program begun when he was crown prince. To promote increased political participation, the government held elections nationwide from February through April 2005 for half the members of 179 municipal councils. In December 2005, King ABDALLAH completed the process by appointing the remaining members of the advisory municipal councils. The king instituted an Inter-Faith Dialogue initiative in 2008 to encourage religious tolerance on a global level; in February 2009, he reshuffled the cabinet, which led to more moderates holding ministerial and judicial positions, and appointed the first female to the cabinet. The country remains a leading producer of oil and natural gas and holds more than 20% of the world's proven oil reserves. The government continues to pursue economic reform and diversification, particularly since Saudi Arabia's accession to the WTO in December 2005, and promotes foreign investment in the kingdom. A burgeoning population, aquifer depletion, and an economy largely dependent on petroleum output and prices are all ongoing governmental concerns. Geography ::Saudi Arabia Location: Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, north of Yemen Geographic coordinates: 25 00 N, 45 00 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 2,149,690 sq km country comparison to the world: 14 land: 2,149,690 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than one-fifth the size of the US Land boundaries: total: 4,431 km border countries: Iraq 814 km, Jordan 744 km, Kuwait 222 km, Oman 676 km, Qatar 60 km, UAE 457 km, Yemen 1,458 km Coastline: 2,640 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 18 nm continental shelf: not specified Climate: harsh, dry desert with great temperature extremes Terrain: mostly uninhabited, sandy desert Elevation extremes: lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Jabal Sawda' 3,133 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper Land use: arable land: 1.67% permanent crops: 0.09% other: 98.24% (2005) Irrigated land: 16,200 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 2.4 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 17.32 cu km/yr (10%/1%/89%) per capita: 705 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: frequent sand and dust storms Environment - current issues: desertification; depletion of underground water resources; the lack of perennial rivers or permanent water bodies has prompted the development of extensive seawater desalination facilities; coastal pollution from oil spills Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: extensive coastlines on Persian Gulf and Red Sea provide great leverage on shipping (especially crude oil) through Persian Gulf and Suez Canal People ::Saudi Arabia Population: 28,686,633 country comparison to the world: 41 note: includes 5,576,076 non-nationals (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 38% (male 5,557,453/female 5,340,614) 15-64 years: 59.5% (male 9,608,032/female 7,473,543) 65 years and over: 2.5% (male 363,241/female 343,750) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 21.6 years male: 22.9 years female: 19.9 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.848% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 Birth rate: 28.55 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 Death rate: 2.47 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 218 Net migration rate: -7.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 173 Urbanization: urban population: 82% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.29 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.06 male(s)/female total population: 1.18 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 11.57 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 148 male: 13.15 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.3 years country comparison to the world: 69 male: 74.23 years female: 78.48 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.83 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.01% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 169 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Saudi(s) adjective: Saudi or Saudi Arabian Ethnic groups: Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10% Religions: Muslim 100% Languages: Arabic Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 78.8% male: 84.7% female: 70.8% (2003 est.) Education expenditures: 6.8% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 28 Government ::Saudi Arabia Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia conventional short form: Saudi Arabia local long form: Al Mamlakah al Arabiyah as Suudiyah local short form: Al Arabiyah as Suudiyah Government type: monarchy Capital: name: Riyadh geographic coordinates: 24 38 N, 46 43 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 13 provinces (mintaqat, singular - mintaqah); Al Bahah, Al Hudud ash Shamaliyah (Northern Border), Al Jawf, Al Madinah, Al Qasim, Ar Riyad (Riyadh), Ash Sharqiyah (Eastern), 'Asir, Ha'il, Jizan, Makkah, Najran, Tabuk Independence: 23 September 1932 (unification of the kingdom) National holiday: Unification of the Kingdom, 23 September (1932) Constitution: governed according to Islamic law; the Basic Law that articulates the government's rights and responsibilities was promulgated by royal decree in 1992 Legal system: based on Sharia law, several secular codes have been introduced; commercial disputes handled by special committees; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 21 years of age; male Executive branch: chief of state: King and Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 1 August 2005); Heir Apparent Crown Prince SULTAN bin Abd al- Aziz Al Saud (half brother of the monarch); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: King and Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 1 August 2005); Deputy Prime Minister SULTAN bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud; Second Deputy Prime Minister NAYIF bin Abd Al-Aziz Al Saud cabinet: Council of Ministers is appointed by the monarch every four years and includes many royal family members elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; note - a new Allegiance Commission created by royal decree in October 2006 established a committee of Saudi princes that will play a role in selecting future Saudi kings, but the new system will not take effect until after Crown Prince Sultan becomes king Legislative branch: Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura (150 members and a chairman appointed by the monarch for four-year terms); note - though the Council of Ministers announced in October 2003 its intent to introduce elections for half of the members of local and provincial assemblies and a third of the members of the national Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura incrementally over a period of four to five years, to date no such elections have been held or announced Judicial branch: Supreme Council of Justice Political parties and leaders: none Political pressure groups and leaders: Ansar Al Marah (supports women's rights) other: gas companies; religious groups International organization participation: ABEDA, AfDB (nonregional member), AFESD, AMF, BIS, FAO, G-20, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Adil al-Ahmad al-JUBAYR chancery: 601 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 342-3800 FAX: [1] (202) 944-3113 consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ford M. FRAKER embassy: Collector Road M, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh mailing address: American Embassy, Unit 61307, APO AE 09803-1307; International Mail: P. O. Box 94309, Riyadh 11693 telephone: [966] (1) 488-3800 FAX: [966] (1) 488-7360 consulate(s) general: Dhahran, Jiddah (Jeddah) Flag description: green, a traditional color in Islamic flags, with the Shahada or Muslim creed in large white Arabic script (translated as "There is no god but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of God") above a white horizontal saber (the tip points to the hoist side); design dates to the early twentieth century and is closely associated with the Al Saud family which established the kingdom in 1932 Economy ::Saudi Arabia Economy - overview: Saudi Arabia has an oil-based economy with strong government controls over major economic activities. It possesses more than 20% of the world's proven petroleum reserves, ranks as the largest exporter of petroleum, and plays a leading role in OPEC. The petroleum sector accounts for roughly 80% of budget revenues, 45% of GDP, and 90% of export earnings. About 40% of GDP comes from the private sector. Roughly 6.4 million foreign workers play an important role in the Saudi economy, particularly in the oil and service sectors. High oil prices through mid-2008 have boosted growth, government revenues, and Saudi ownership of foreign assets, while enabling Riyadh to pay down domestic debt. The government is encouraging private sector growth - especially in power generation, telecommunications, natural gas exploration, and petrochemicals - to lessen the kingdom's dependence on oil exports and to increase employment opportunities for the swelling Saudi population, nearly 40% of which are youths under 15 years old. Unemployment is high, and the large youth population generally lacks the education and technical skills the private sector needs. Riyadh has substantially boosted spending on job training and education, infrastructure development, and government salaries. As part of its effort to attract foreign investment and diversify the economy, Saudi Arabia acceded to the WTO in December 2005 after many years of negotiations. The government has announced plans to establish six "economic cities" in different regions of the country to promote development and diversification. The last five years of high oil prices have given the Kingdom ample financial reserves to manage the impact of the global financial crisis, but tight international credit, falling oil prices, and the global economic slowdown will reduce Saudi economic growth in 2009. GDP (purchasing power parity): $577.9 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 $553.5 billion (2007 est.) $535.8 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $469.4 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 3.3% (2007 est.) 3.1% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $20,500 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 $20,100 (2007 est.) $19,800 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.1% industry: 61.9% services: 35% (2008 est.) Labor force: 6.74 million country comparison to the world: 63 note: about 80% of the labor force is non-national (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 6.7% industry: 21.4% services: 71.9% (2005 est.) Unemployment rate: 11.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 13% (2004 est.) note: data are for Saudi males only (local bank estimates; some estimates range as high as 25%) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Investment (gross fixed): 19.4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 Budget: revenues: $293.7 billion expenditures: $136 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 18.9% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 75% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 4.1% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 2.5% (31 December 2008) NA% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: NA% (31 December 2008) Stock of money: $113.2 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 11 $102.4 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $134.3 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 17 $109.5 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $66.94 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $246.3 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 22 $515.1 billion (31 December 2007) $326.9 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: wheat, barley, tomatoes, melons, dates, citrus; mutton, chickens, eggs, milk Industries: crude oil production, petroleum refining, basic petrochemicals, ammonia, industrial gases, sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), cement, fertilizer, plastics, metals, commercial ship repair, commercial aircraft repair, construction Industrial production growth rate: 2.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 Electricity - production: 179.1 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 Electricity - consumption: 165.1 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 10.78 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 Oil - consumption: 2.38 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 Oil - exports: 8.728 million bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 Oil - imports: 79,250 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 Oil - proved reserves: 266.7 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 Natural gas - production: 80.44 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 Natural gas - consumption: 80.44 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 124 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 Natural gas - proved reserves: 7.319 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 Current account balance: $132.6 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 $96.77 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $313.4 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 $234.1 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: petroleum and petroleum products 90% Exports - partners: US 17.1%, Japan 15.2%, South Korea 10.1%, China 9.3%, India 7%, Singapore 4.4% (2008) Imports: $108.3 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 33 $82.6 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, motor vehicles, textiles Imports - partners: US 12.2%, China 10.5%, Japan 7.7%, Germany 7.4%, South Korea 5.1%, Italy 4.8%, India 4.2%, UK 4.1% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $30.59 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 $34.01 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $82.13 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 $58.6 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $108.5 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 $92 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $18.07 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 $16.99 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: Saudi riyals (SAR) per US dollar - 3.75 (2008 est.), 3.745 (2007), 3.745 (2006), 3.747 (2005), 3.75 (2004) Communications ::Saudi Arabia Telephones - main lines in use: 4.1 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 39 Telephones - mobile cellular: 36 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 29 Telephone system: general assessment: modern system domestic: extensive microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, and fiber-optic cable systems; mobile-cellular subscribership has been increasing rapidly international: country code - 966; landing point for the international submarine cable Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) and for both the SEA-ME-WE-3 and SEA-ME-WE-4 submarine cable networks providing connectivity to Asia, Middle East, Europe, and US; microwave radio relay to Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Yemen, and Sudan; coaxial cable to Kuwait and Jordan; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (3 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean), 1 Arabsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean region) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 43, FM 31, shortwave 2 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 117 (1997) Internet country code: .sa Internet hosts: 471,217 (2009) country comparison to the world: 49 Internet users: 7.7 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 33 Transportation ::Saudi Arabia Airports: 217 (2009) country comparison to the world: 27 Airports - with paved runways: total: 80 over 3,047 m: 31 2,438 to 3,047 m: 16 1,524 to 2,437 m: 27 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 4 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 137 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 72 914 to 1,523 m: 41 under 914 m: 16 (2009) Heliports: 9 (2009) Pipelines: condensate 212 km; gas 1,880 km; liquid petroleum gas 1,183 km; oil 4,239 km; refined products 1,148 km (2008) Railways: total: 1,392 km country comparison to the world: 83 standard gauge: 1,392 km 1.435-m gauge (with branch lines and sidings) (2008) Roadways: total: 221,372 km country comparison to the world: 24 paved: 47,529 km (includes 3,891 km of expressways) unpaved: 173,843 km (2006) Merchant marine: total: 62 country comparison to the world: 64 by type: cargo 5, chemical tanker 13, container 5, passenger/cargo 8, petroleum tanker 20, refrigerated cargo 3, roll on/roll off 8 foreign-owned: 12 (Egypt 1, Greece 3, Kuwait 7, UAE 1) registered in other countries: 71 (Bahamas 16, Comoros 1, Dominica 2, France 1, Liberia 27, Marshall Islands 5, Norway 3, Panama 16) (2008) Ports and terminals: Ad Dammam, Al Jubayl, Jiddah, Yanbu' al Sinaiyah Military ::Saudi Arabia Military branches: Ministry of Defense and Aviation Forces: Royal Saudi Land Forces, Royal Saudi Naval Forces (includes Marine Forces and Special Forces), Royal Saudi Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Malakiya as-Sa'udiya), Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces, Royal Saudi Strategic Rocket Forces, Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2004) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 8,547,441 females age 16-49: 6,381,098 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 7,486,622 females age 16-49: 5,652,819 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 278,179 female: 267,905 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 10% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 Transnational Issues ::Saudi Arabia Disputes - international: Saudi Arabia has reinforced its concrete-filled security barrier along sections of the now fully demarcated border with Yemen to stem illegal cross-border activities; Kuwait and Saudi Arabia continue discussions on a maritime boundary with Iran Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 240,015 (Palestinian Territories) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Saudi Arabia is a destination country for workers from South and Southeast Asia who are subjected to conditions that constitute involuntary servitude including being subjected to physical and sexual abuse, non-payment of wages, confinement, and withholding of passports as a restriction on their movement; domestic workers are particularly vulnerable because some are confined to the house in which they work unable to seek help; Saudi Arabia is also a destination country for Nigerian, Yemeni, Pakistani, Afghan, Somali, Malian, and Sudanese children trafficked for forced begging and involuntary servitude as street vendors; some Nigerian women were reportedly trafficked into Saudi Arabia for commercial sexual exploitation tier rating: Tier 3 - Saudi Arabia does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government continues to lack adequate anti-trafficking laws and, despite evidence of widespread trafficking abuses, did not report any criminal prosecutions, convictions, or prison sentences for trafficking crimes committed against foreign domestic workers (2008) Illicit drugs: death penalty for traffickers; improving anti-money-laundering legislation and enforcement page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Senegal (Africa) Introduction ::Senegal Background: The French colonies of Senegal and the French Sudan were merged in 1959 and granted their independence as the Mali Federation in 1960. The union broke up after only a few months. Senegal joined with The Gambia to form the nominal confederation of Senegambia in 1982, but the envisaged integration of the two countries was never carried out, and the union was dissolved in 1989. The Movement of Democratic Forces in the Casamance (MFDC) has led a low-level separatist insurgency in southern Senegal since the 1980s, and several peace deals have failed to resolve the conflict. Nevertheless, Senegal remains one of the most stable democracies in Africa. Senegal was ruled by a Socialist Party for 40 years until current President Abdoulaye WADE was elected in 2000. He was reelected in February 2007, but complaints of fraud led opposition parties to boycott June 2007 legislative polls. Senegal has a long history of participating in international peacekeeping. Geography ::Senegal Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania Geographic coordinates: 14 00 N, 14 00 W Map references: Africa Area: total: 196,722 sq km country comparison to the world: 87 land: 192,530 sq km water: 4,192 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than South Dakota Land boundaries: total: 2,640 km border countries: The Gambia 740 km, Guinea 330 km, Guinea-Bissau 338 km, Mali 419 km, Mauritania 813 km Coastline: 531 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Climate: tropical; hot, humid; rainy season (May to November) has strong southeast winds; dry season (December to April) dominated by hot, dry, harmattan wind Terrain: generally low, rolling, plains rising to foothills in southeast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed feature near Nepen Diakha 581 m Natural resources: fish, phosphates, iron ore Land use: arable land: 12.51% permanent crops: 0.24% other: 87.25% (2005) Irrigated land: 1,200 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 39.4 cu km (1987) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 2.22 cu km/yr (4%/3%/93%) per capita: 190 cu m/yr (2002) Natural hazards: lowlands seasonally flooded; periodic droughts Environment - current issues: wildlife populations threatened by poaching; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; overfishing Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: westernmost country on the African continent; The Gambia is almost an enclave within Senegal People ::Senegal Population: 13,711,597 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 Age structure: 0-14 years: 42.2% (male 2,911,324/female 2,877,804) 15-64 years: 54.8% (male 3,728,664/female 3,786,000) 65 years and over: 3% (male 190,343/female 217,462) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 18.6 years male: 18.4 years female: 18.8 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 2.709% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 Birth rate: 36.84 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 Death rate: 9.75 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 83 Urbanization: urban population: 42% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 58.94 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 40 male: 65.7 deaths/1,000 live births female: 51.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 59 years country comparison to the world: 186 male: 57.12 years female: 60.93 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.95 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 67,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 1,800 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, dengue fever, malaria, Rift Valley fever, and yellow fever water contact disease: schistosomiasis respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis animal contact disease: rabies (2009) Nationality: noun: Senegalese (singular and plural) adjective: Senegalese Ethnic groups: Wolof 43.3%, Pular 23.8%, Serer 14.7%, Jola 3.7%, Mandinka 3%, Soninke 1.1%, European and Lebanese 1%, other 9.4% Religions: Muslim 94%, Christian 5% (mostly Roman Catholic), indigenous beliefs 1% Languages: French (official), Wolof, Pulaar, Jola, Mandinka Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 39.3% male: 51.1% female: 29.2% (2002 est.) Education expenditures: 5% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 74 Government ::Senegal Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Senegal conventional short form: Senegal local long form: Republique du Senegal local short form: Senegal former: Senegambia (along with The Gambia), Mali Federation Government type: republic Capital: name: Dakar geographic coordinates: 14 40 N, 17 26 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 14 regions (regions, singular - region); Dakar, Diourbel, Fatick, Kaffrine, Kaolack, Kedougou, Kolda, Louga, Matam, Saint-Louis, Sedhiou, Tambacounda, Thies, Ziguinchor Independence: 4 April 1960 (from France); note - complete independence achieved upon dissolution of federation with Mali on 20 August 1960 National holiday: Independence Day, 4 April (1960) Constitution: adopted 7 January 2001 Legal system: based on French civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Court; the Council of State audits the government's accounting office; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Abdoulaye WADE (since 1 April 2000) head of government: Prime Minister Soulayemane Ndene NDIAYE (since 1 May 2009) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister in consultation with the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term) under new constitution; election last held on 25 February 2007 (next to be held in 2012); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Abdoulaye WADE reelected president; percent of vote - Abdoulaye WADE 55.9%, Idrissa SECK 14.9%, Ousmane Tanor DIENG 13.6%, Moustapha NIASSE 5.9%, other 9.7% Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consisting of the Senate, reinstituted in 2007, (100 seats; 35 indirectly elected with the remaining 65 members to be appointed by the president) and the National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (150 seats; 90 members elected by direct popular vote with the remaining members elected by proportional representation from party lists to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 19 August 2007 (next to be held - NA); National Assembly - last held on 3 June 2007 (next to be held 2012); note - the National Assembly in December 2005 voted to postpone legislative elections originally scheduled for 2006; legislative elections were first rescheduled to coincide with the 25 February 2007 presidential elections and later rescheduled for 3 June 2007; the June election was boycotted by 12 opposition parties, including the former ruling Socialist Party, which resulted in a record-low 35% voter turnout election results: Senate results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDS 34, AJ/PADS 1, 65 appointed by the president; National Assembly results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - SOPI Coalition 131, other 19 Judicial branch: Constitutional Court; Council of State; Court of Final Appeals or Cour de Cassation; Court of Appeals Political parties and leaders: African Party of Independence [Majhemout DIOP]; Alliance for the Republic-Yakaar [Macky Sall]; And-Jef/African Party for Democracy and Socialism or AJ/PADS [Landing SAVANE]; Alliance of Forces of Progress or AFP [Moustapha NIASSE]; Democratic League-Labor Party Movement or LD-MPT [Dr. Abdoulaye BATHILY]; Front for Socialism and Democracy/Benno Jubel or FSD/BJ [Cheikh Abdoulaye Bamba DIEYE]; Gainde Centrist Bloc or BGC [Jean-Paul DIAS]; Independence and Labor Party or PIT [Amath DANSOKHO]; Jef-Jel [Talla SYLLA]; National Democratic Rally or RND [Madior DIOUF]; People's Labor Party or PTP [El Hadji DIOUF]; Reform Party or PR [Abdourahim AGNE]; Rewmi Party [Idrissa Seck]; Senegalese Democratic Party or PDS [Abdoulaye WADE]; Socialist Party or PS [Ousmane Tanor DIENG]; SOPI Coalition [Abdoulaye WADE] (a coalition led by the PDS); Union for Democratic Renewal or URD [Djibo Leyti KA] Political pressure groups and leaders: other: labor; students; Sufi brotherhoods, including the Mourides and Tidjanes; teachers International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, CPLP (associate), ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Amadou Lamine BA chancery: 2112 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 234-0540 FAX: [1] (202) 332-6315 consulate(s) general: Houston, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Marcia S. BERNICAT embassy: Avenue Jean XXIII at the corner of Rue Kleber, Dakar mailing address: B. P. 49, Dakar telephone: [221] 33-829-2100 FAX: [221] 33-822-2991 Flag description: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red with a small green five-pointed star centered in the yellow band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Economy ::Senegal Economy - overview: In January 1994, Senegal undertook a bold and ambitious economic reform program with the support of the international donor community. This reform began with a 50% devaluation of Senegal's currency, the CFA franc, which was linked at a fixed rate to the French franc. Government price controls and subsidies have been steadily dismantled. After seeing its economy contract by 2.1% in 1993, Senegal made an important turnaround, thanks to the reform program, with real growth in GDP averaging over 5% annually during 1995-2008. Annual inflation had been pushed down to the single digits. As a member of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), Senegal is working toward greater regional integration with a unified external tariff and a more stable monetary policy. High unemployment, however, continues to prompt illegal migrants to flee Senegal in search of better job opportunities in Europe. Senegal was also beset by an energy crisis that caused widespread blackouts in 2006 and 2007. The phosphate industry has struggled for two years to secure capital, and reduced output has directly impacted GDP. In 2007, Senegal signed agreements for major new mining concessions for iron, zircon, and gold with foreign companies. Firms from Dubai have agreed to manage and modernize Dakar's maritime port, and create a new special economic zone. Senegal still relies heavily upon outside donor assistance. Under the IMF's Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) debt relief program, Senegal has benefited from eradication of two-thirds of its bilateral, multilateral, and private-sector debt. In 2007, Senegal and the IMF agreed to a new, non-disbursing, Policy Support Initiative program. GDP (purchasing power parity): $21.78 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 $21.25 billion (2007 est.) $20.27 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $13.35 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 141 4.8% (2007 est.) 2.3% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $1,600 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 196 $1,600 (2007 est.) $1,600 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 16.1% industry: 19.3% services: 64.6% (2008 est.) Labor force: 4.973 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 77.5% industry and services: 22.5% (2007 est.) Unemployment rate: 48% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 192 Population below poverty line: 54% (2001 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.5% highest 10%: 30.1% (2005) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 41.3 (2001) country comparison to the world: 57 41.3 (1995) Investment (gross fixed): 25.3% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 Budget: revenues: $3.077 billion expenditures: $3.802 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 21.4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 55.2% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 5.9% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 4.75% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 119 4.25% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: NA% (31 December 2008) NA% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $2.842 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) $1.579 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $2.97 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: peanuts, millet, corn, sorghum, rice, cotton, tomatoes, green vegetables; cattle, poultry, pigs; fish Industries: agricultural and fish processing, phosphate mining, fertilizer production, petroleum refining; iron ore, zircon, and gold mining, construction materials, ship construction and repair Industrial production growth rate: 4.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 59 Electricity - production: 1.88 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 Electricity - consumption: 1.384 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 141 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 Oil - consumption: 38,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 Oil - exports: 5,653 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 Oil - imports: 42,850 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 136 Natural gas - production: 50 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 83 Natural gas - consumption: 50 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 119 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m country comparison to the world: 139 Current account balance: -$975 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 -$1.18 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $2.053 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 131 $1.65 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: fish, groundnuts (peanuts), petroleum products, phosphates, cotton Exports - partners: Mali 19.6%, India 7.2%, France 5.5%, Gambia, The 5.4%, Italy 4.9% (2008) Imports: $4.263 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 125 $3.732 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: food and beverages, capital goods, fuels Imports - partners: France 19.7%, UK 15.2%, China 6.7%, Belgium 4.6%, Thailand 4.4%, Netherlands 4.1% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $1.601 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 $1.66 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $2.627 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 $2.19 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 447.81 (2008 est.), 481.83 (2007), 522.89 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004) note: since 1 January 1999, the West African CFA franc (XOF) has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro; West African CFA franc (XOF) coins and banknotes are not accepted in countries using Central African CFA francs (XAF), and vice versa, even though the two currencies trade at par Communications ::Senegal Telephones - main lines in use: 237,800 (2008) country comparison to the world: 121 Telephones - mobile cellular: 5.389 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 83 Telephone system: general assessment: good system domestic: above-average urban system with a fiber-optic network; nearly two-thirds of all fixed-line connections are in Dakar where a call-center industry is emerging; expansion of fixed-line services in rural areas needed; mobile-cellular service is expanding rapidly; microwave radio relay, coaxial cable and fiber-optic cable in trunk system international: country code - 221; the SAT-3/WASC fiber optic cable provides connectivity to Europe and Asia while Atlantis-2 provides connectivity to South America; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 8, FM 20, shortwave 1 (2001) Television broadcast stations: 4 (2007) Internet country code: .sn Internet hosts: 227 (2009) country comparison to the world: 186 Internet users: 1.02 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 86 Transportation ::Senegal Airports: 19 (2009) country comparison to the world: 136 Airports - with paved runways: total: 10 over 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Pipelines: gas 43 km; refined products 8 km (2008) Railways: total: 906 km country comparison to the world: 94 narrow gauge: 906 km 1.000 meter gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 13,576 km country comparison to the world: 127 paved: 3,972 km (includes 7 km of expressways) unpaved: 9,604 km (2003) Waterways: 1,000 km (primarily on Senegal, Saloum, and Casamance rivers) (2008) country comparison to the world: 64 Ports and terminals: Dakar Military ::Senegal Military branches: Army, Senegalese Navy (Marine Senegalaise), Senegalese Air Force (Armee de l'Air du Senegal) (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years (2004) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 2,943,619 females age 16-49: 2,955,179 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 2,038,508 females age 16-49: 2,207,510 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 154,249 female: 153,679 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.4% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 Transnational Issues ::Senegal Disputes - international: The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau attempt to stem separatist violence, cross border raids, and arms smuggling into their countries from Senegal's Casamance region, and in 2006, respectively accepted 6,000 and 10,000 Casamance residents fleeing the conflict; 2,500 Guinea-Bissau residents fled into Senegal in 2006 to escape armed confrontations along the border Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 19,630 (Mauritania) IDPs: 22,400 (approximately 65% of the IDP population returned in 2005, but new displacement is occurring due to clashes between government troops and separatists in Casamance region) (2007) Illicit drugs: transshipment point for Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin and South American cocaine moving to Europe and North America; illicit cultivator of cannabis page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Serbia (Europe) Introduction ::Serbia Background: The Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes was formed in 1918; its name was changed to Yugoslavia in 1929. Various paramilitary bands resisted Nazi Germany's occupation and division of Yugoslavia from 1941 to 1945, but fought each other and ethnic opponents as much as the invaders. The military and political movement headed by Josip TITO (Partisans) took full control of Yugoslavia when German and Croatian separatist forces were defeated in 1945. Although Communist, TITO's new government and his successors (he died in 1980) managed to steer their own path between the Warsaw Pact nations and the West for the next four and a half decades. In 1989, Slobodan MILOSEVIC became president of the Serbian Republic and his ultranationalist calls for Serbian domination led to the violent breakup of Yugoslavia along ethnic lines. In 1991, Croatia, Slovenia, and Macedonia declared independence, followed by Bosnia in 1992. The remaining republics of Serbia and Montenegro declared a new Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) in April 1992 and under MILOSEVIC's leadership, Serbia led various military campaigns to unite ethnic Serbs in neighboring republics into a "Greater Serbia." These actions led to Yugoslavia being ousted from the UN in 1992, but Serbia continued its - ultimately unsuccessful - campaign until signing the Dayton Peace Accords in 1995. MILOSEVIC kept tight control over Serbia and eventually became president of the FRY in 1997. In 1998, an ethnic Albanian insurgency in the formerly autonomous Serbian province of Kosovo provoked a Serbian counterinsurgency campaign that resulted in massacres and massive expulsions of ethnic Albanians living in Kosovo. The MILOSEVIC government's rejection of a proposed international settlement led to NATO's bombing of Serbia in the spring of 1999 and to the eventual withdrawal of Serbian military and police forces from Kosovo in June 1999. UNSC Resolution 1244 in June 1999 authorized the stationing of a NATO-led force (KFOR) in Kosovo to provide a safe and secure environment for the region's ethnic communities, created a UN interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) to foster self-governing institutions, and reserved the issue of Kosovo's final status for an unspecified date in the future. In 2001, UNMIK promulgated a constitutional framework that allowed Kosovo to establish institutions of self-government and led to Kosovo's first parliamentary election. FRY elections in September 2000 led to the ouster of MILOSEVIC and installed Vojislav KOSTUNICA as president. A broad coalition of democratic reformist parties known as DOS (the Democratic Opposition of Serbia) was subsequently elected to parliament in December 2000 and took control of the government. DOS arrested MILOSEVIC in 2001 and allowed for him to be tried in The Hague for crimes against humanity. (MILOSEVIC died in March 2006 before the completion of his trial.) In 2001, the country's suspension from the UN was lifted. In 2003, the FRY became Serbia and Montenegro, a loose federation of the two republics with a federal level parliament. Widespread violence predominantly targeting ethnic Serbs in Kosovo in March 2004 caused the international community to open negotiations on the future status of Kosovo in January 2006. In May 2006, Montenegro invoked its right to secede from the federation and - following a successful referendum - it declared itself an independent nation on 3 June 2006. Two days later, Serbia declared that it was the successor state to the union of Serbia and Montenegro. A new Serbian constitution was approved in October 2006 and adopted the following month. After 15 months of inconclusive negotiations mediated by the UN and four months of further inconclusive negotiations mediated by the US, EU, and Russia, on 17 February 2008, the UNMIK-administered province of Kosovo declared itself independent of Serbia. Geography ::Serbia Location: Southeastern Europe, between Macedonia and Hungary Geographic coordinates: 44 00 N, 21 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 77,474 sq km country comparison to the world: 116 land: 77,474 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than South Carolina Land boundaries: total: 2,026 km border countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina 302 km, Bulgaria 318 km, Croatia 241 km, Hungary 151 km, Kosovo 352 km, Macedonia 62 km, Montenegro 124 km, Romania 476 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: in the north, continental climate (cold winters and hot, humid summers with well distributed rainfall); in other parts, continental and Mediterranean climate (relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall and hot, dry summers and autumns) Terrain: extremely varied; to the north, rich fertile plains; to the east, limestone ranges and basins; to the southeast, ancient mountains and hills Elevation extremes: lowest point: NA highest point: Midzor 2,169 m Natural resources: oil, gas, coal, iron ore, copper, zinc, antimony, chromite, gold, silver, magnesium, pyrite, limestone, marble, salt, arable land Land use: arable land: NA permanent crops: NA other: NA Irrigated land: NA Total renewable water resources: 208.5 cu km (note - includes Kosovo) (2003) Natural hazards: destructive earthquakes Environment - current issues: air pollution around Belgrade and other industrial cities; water pollution from industrial wastes dumped into the Sava which flows into the Danube Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: controls one of the major land routes from Western Europe to Turkey and the Near East People ::Serbia Population: 7,379,339 country comparison to the world: 95 note: does not include the population of Kosovo (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 15.4% (male 586,806/female 549,900) 15-64 years: 67.8% (male 2,503,194/female 2,502,807) 65 years and over: 16.8% (male 508,606/female 728,026) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 41 years male: 39.3 years female: 42.7 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: -0.468% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 227 Birth rate: 9.19 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 207 Death rate: 13.86 deaths/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 Urbanization: urban population: 52% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and above: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 6.75 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 173 male: 7.79 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.9 years country comparison to the world: 96 male: 71.09 years female: 76.89 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.38 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 198 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 6,400 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 100 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 134 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne disease: Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Nationality: noun: Serb(s) adjective: Serbian Ethnic groups: Serb 82.9%, Hungarian 3.9%, Romany (Gypsy) 1.4%, Yugoslavs 1.1%, Bosniaks 1.8%, Montenegrin 0.9%, other 8% (2002 census) Religions: Serbian Orthodox 85%, Catholic 5.5%, Protestant 1.1%, Muslim 3.2%, unspecified 2.6%, other, unknown, or atheist 2.6% (2002 census) Languages: Serbian 88.3% (official), Hungarian 3.8%, Bosniak 1.8%, Romany (Gypsy) 1.1%, other 4.1%, unknown 0.9% (2002 census) note: Romanian, Hungarian, Slovak, Ukrainian, and Croatian all official in Vojvodina Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96.4% male: 98.9% female: 94.1% (2003 census) note: includes Montenegro Education expenditures: NA Government ::Serbia Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Serbia conventional short form: Serbia local long form: Republika Srbija local short form: Srbija former: People's Republic of Serbia, Socialist Republic of Serbia Government type: republic Capital: name: Belgrade (Beograd) geographic coordinates: 44 50 N, 20 30 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 167 municipalities (opcstine, singular - opcstina) Serbia Proper: Belgrade City (Beograd): Barajevo, Cukarica, Grocka, Lazarevac, Mladenovac, Novi Beograd, Obrenovac, Palilula, Rakovica, Savski Venac, Sopot, Stari Grad, Surcin, Vozdovac, Vracar, Zemun, Zvezdara; Bor: Bor, Kladovo, Majdanpek, Negotin; Branicevo: Golubac, Kucevo, Malo Crnice, Petrovac, Pozarevac, Veliko Gradiste, Zabari, Zagubica; Grad Nis: Crveni Krst, Mediana, Niska Banja, Palilula, Pantelej Jablanica: Bojnik, Crna Trava, Lebane, Leskovac, Medveda, Vlasotince; Kolubara: Lajkovac, Ljig, Mionica, Osecina, Ub, Valjevo; Macva: Bogatic, Koceljeva, Krupanj, Ljubovija, Loznica, Mali Zvornik, Sabac, Vladimirci; Moravica: Cacak, Gornkji Milanovac, Ivanjica, Lucani; Nisava: Aleksinac, Doljevac, Gadzin Han, Merosina, Nis, Razanj, Svrljig; Pcinja: Bosilegrad, Bujanovac, Presevo, Surdulica, Trgoviste, Vladicin Han, Vranje; Pirot: Babusnica, Bela Palanka, Dimitrovgrad, Pirot; Podunavlje: Smederevo, Smederevskia Palanka, Velika Plana; Pomoravlje: Cuprija, Despotovac, Jagodina, Paracin, Rekovac, Svilajnac; Rasina: Aleksandrovac, Brus, Cicevac, Krusevac, Trstenik, Varvarin; Raska: Kraljevo, Novi Pazar, Raska, Tutin, Vrnjacka Banja; Sumadija: Arandelovac, Batocina, Knic, Kragujevac, Lapovo, Raca, Topola; Toplica: Blace, Kursumlija, Prokuplje, Zitorada; Zajecar: Boljevac, Knjazevac, Sokobanja, Zajecar; Zlatibor: Arilje, Bajina Basta, Cajetina, Kosjeric, Nova Varos, Pozega, Priboj, Prijepolje, Sjenica, Uzice Vojvodina Autonomous Province: South Backa: Bac, Backa Palanka, Backi Petrovac, Becej, Beocin, Novi Sad, Sremski Karlovci, Srobobran, Temerin, Titel, Vrbas, Zabalj; South Banat: Alibunar, Bela Crkva, Kovacica, Kovin, Opovo, Pancevo, Plandiste, Vrsac; North Backa: Backa Topola, Mali Idjos, Subotica; North Banat: Ada, Coka, Kanjiza, Kikinda, Novi Knezevac, Senta; Central Banat: Nova Crnja, Novi Becej, Secanj, Zitiste, Zrenjanin; Srem: Indija, Irig, Pecinci, Ruma, Sid, Sremska Mitrovica, Stara Pazova; West Backa: Apatin, Kula, Odzaci, Sombor Independence: 5 June 2006 (from Serbia and Montenegro) National holiday: National Day, 15 February Constitution: adopted 8 November 2006; effective 10 November 2006 Legal system: based on civil law system Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Boris TADIC (since 11 July 2004) head of government: Prime Minister Mirko CVETKOVIC (since 7 July 2008) cabinet: Federal Ministries act as cabinet elections: president elected by direct vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 3 February 2008 (next to be held in 2013); prime minister elected by the National Assembly election results: Boris TADIC elected president in the second round of voting; Boris TADIC received 51.2% of the vote and Tomislav NIKOLIC 48.8% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (250 seats; deputies elected according to party lists to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 11 May 2008 (next to be held in May 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - For a European Serbia coalition 38.4%, SRS 29.5%, DSS-NS 11.6%, SPS-led coalition 7.6%, LPD 5.2%, other 7.7%; seats by party - For a European Serbia coalition 102, SRS 77, DSS-NS 30, SNS 21, SPS-led coalition 20, LDP 13, other 7; note - the seat allocation for the SNS and SRS is uncertain because of an ongoing dispute with the SRS Judicial branch: Constitutional Court, Supreme Court (to become court of cassation under new constitution), appellate courts, district courts, municipal courts Political parties and leaders: Coalition of Albanians of the Presevo Valley or KAPD [Riza HALIMI]; Coalition for Sandzak or KZS [Sulejman UGLJANIN]; Democratic Party of Albanians or PDSh [Ragmi MUSTAFA]; Democratic Party of Serbia or DSS [Vojislav KOSTUNICA]; Democratic Party or DS [Boris TADIC]; Democratic Union of the Valley or BDL [Skender DESTANI]; For a European Serbia [Boris TADIC]; Force of Serbia Movement or PSS [Bogoljub KARIC]; G17 Plus [Mladjan DINKIC]; League of Vojvodina Hungarians or SVM [Istvan PASTOR]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Cedomir JOVANOVIC]; Movement for Democratic Progress or LPD [Jonuz MUSLIU]; New Serbia or NS [Velimir ILIC]; Party of Democratic Action or PVD [Riza HALIMI]; People's Party or NS [Maja GOJKOVIC]; Roma Party or RP [Srdjan SAJN]; Serbian Progressive Party or SNS [Tomislav NIKOLIC]; Serbian Radical Party or SRS [Vojislav SESELJ (currently on trial at The Hague), with Dragan TODOROVIC as acting leader]; Socialist Party of Serbia or SPS [Ivica DACIC]; Union of Roma of Serbia or URS [Rajko DJURIC] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: BSEC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, G-9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD (suspended), IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NAM (observer), OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Vladimir PETROVIC chancery: 2134 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-0333 FAX: [1] (202) 332-3933 consulate(s) general: Chicago, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Cameron MUNTER embassy: Kneza Milosa 50, 11000 Belgrade mailing address: 5070 Belgrade Place, Washington, DC 20521-5070 telephone: [381] (11) 361-9344 FAX: [381] (11) 361-8230 Flag description: three equal horizontal stripes of red (top), blue, and white; charged with the coat of arms of Serbia shifted slightly to the hoist side Economy ::Serbia Economy - overview: MILOSEVIC-era mismanagement of the economy, an extended period of international economic sanctions, and the damage to Yugoslavia's infrastructure and industry during the NATO airstrikes in 1999 left the economy only half the size it was in 1990. After the ousting of former Federal Yugoslav President MILOSEVIC in September 2000, the Democratic Opposition of Serbia (DOS) coalition government implemented stabilization measures and embarked on a market reform program. After renewing its membership in the IMF in December 2000, Yugoslavia continued to reintegrate into the international community by rejoining the World Bank (IBRD) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). A World Bank-European Commission sponsored Donors' Conference held in June 2001 raised $1.3 billion for economic restructuring. In November 2001, the Paris Club agreed to reschedule the country's $4.5 billion public debt and wrote off 66% of the debt. In July 2004, the London Club of private creditors forgave $1.7 billion of debt just over half the total owed. Belgrade has made progress in trade liberalization and enterprise restructuring and privatization, including telecommunications and small- and medium-size firms. It has made halting progress towards EU membership despite signing a Stabilization and Association Agreement with Brussels in May 2008. Serbia is also pursuing membership in the World Trade Organization. Unemployment and the large current account deficit remain ongoing political and economic problems. GDP (purchasing power parity): $79.77 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 $75.68 billion (2007 est.) $70.8 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $50.06 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 6.9% (2007 est.) 5.2% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $10,800 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 $10,200 (2007 est.) $9,500 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 12.3% industry: 24.2% services: 63.5% (2007 est.) Labor force: 2.961 million (2002 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 30% industry: 46% services: 24% (2002) Unemployment rate: 18.8% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 163 Population below poverty line: 6.5% (2007 est.) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 30 (2003) country comparison to the world: 116 Investment (gross fixed): 20.1% of GDP (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 Budget: revenues: $9.6 billion expenditures: $9.8 billion (2007 est.) Public debt: 37% of GDP (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.8% (2007) country comparison to the world: 114 Central bank discount rate: 17.75% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 45 9.57% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 18.11% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 73 11.13% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $3.831 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 60 $4.632 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $11.95 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 48 $12.19 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $17.06 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 63 $13.44 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 66 $23.93 billion (31 December 2007) $10.99 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: wheat, maize, sugar beets, sunflower, raspberries, beef, pork, milk Industries: sugar, agricultural machinery, electrical and communication equipment, paper and pulp, lead, transportation equipment Industrial production growth rate: 1.8% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 Electricity - production: 33.87 billion kWh (2004) country comparison to the world: 61 Electricity - consumption: NA kWh Electricity - exports: 12.05 billion kWh (2004 est.) Electricity - imports: 11.23 billion kWh (2004) Oil - production: 11,420 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 83 Oil - consumption: NA bbl/day Oil - exports: 3,641 bbl/day (2005) country comparison to the world: 108 Oil - imports: 70,760 bbl/day (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 Oil - proved reserves: 77.5 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 Natural gas - production: 650 million cu m (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 Natural gas - consumption: 2.55 billion cu m (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2005) country comparison to the world: 129 Natural gas - imports: 2.1 billion cu m (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 Natural gas - proved reserves: 48.14 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 Current account balance: -$6.889 billion (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 167 Exports: $8.824 billion (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 Exports - commodities: manufactured goods, food and live animals, machinery and transport equipment Imports: $18.35 billion (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $14.22 billion (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 59 $14.22 billion (2007 est.) Debt - external: $26.24 billion (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $11.95 billion (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Exchange rates: Serbian dinars (RSD) per US dollar - 54.5 (2007), 59.98 (2006) Communications ::Serbia Telephones - main lines in use: 3.085 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 49 Telephones - mobile cellular: 9.619 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 61 Telephone system: general assessment: modernization of the telecommunications network has been slow as a result of damage stemming from the 1999 war and transition to a competitive market-based system; network was 90% digitalized in 2006 domestic: teledensity remains below the average for neighboring states; GSM wireless service, available through multiple providers with national coverage, is growing very rapidly; best telecommunications service centered in urban centers international: country code - 381 Radio broadcast stations: 153 (station types NA) (2001) Internet country code: .rs Internet hosts: 181,313 (2009) country comparison to the world: 64 Internet users: 2.936 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 59 Transportation ::Serbia Airports: 28 (2009) country comparison to the world: 121 Airports - with paved runways: total: 10 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 18 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 8 (2009) Heliports: 2 (2007) Pipelines: gas 1,921 km; oil 323 km (2008) Railways: total: 3,379 km country comparison to the world: 52 standard gauge: 3,379 km 1.435-m gauge (electrified 1,254 km) (2006) Roadways: total: 36,875 km country comparison to the world: 92 paved: 31,392 km unpaved: 5,483 km (2006) Waterways: 587 km (primarily on Danube and Sava rivers) (2008) country comparison to the world: 81 Military ::Serbia Military branches: Serbian Armed Forces (Vojska Srbije, VS): Land Forces Command (includes Riverine Component, consisting of a river flotilla on the Danube), Joint Operations Command, Air and Air Defense Forces Command (2009) Military service age and obligation: 19-35 years of age for male compulsory military service; under a state of war or impending war, conscription can begin at age 16; conscription is to be abolished in 2010; 6-month service obligation, with a reserve obligation to age 60 for men and 50 for women (2007) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,415,007 females age 16-49: 1,379,541 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 44,601 female: 41,845 (2009 est.) Transnational Issues ::Serbia Disputes - international: Serbia with several other states protest the U.S. and other states' recognition of Kosovo's declaring itself as a sovereign and independent state in February 2008; ethnic Serbian municipalities along Kosovo's northern border challenge final status of Kosovo-Serbia boundary; several thousand NATO-led KFOR peacekeepers under UNMIK authority continue to keep the peace within Kosovo between the ethnic Albanian majority and the Serb minority in Kosovo; Serbia delimited about half of the boundary with Bosnia and Herzegovina, but sections along the Drina River remain in dispute Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 71,111 (Croatia); 27,414 (Bosnia and Herzegovina); 206,000 (Kosovo), note - mostly ethnic Serbs and Roma who fled Kosovo in 1999 (2007) Illicit drugs: transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin moving to Western Europe on the Balkan route; economy vulnerable to money laundering page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Seychelles (Africa) Introduction ::Seychelles Background: A lengthy struggle between France and Great Britain for the islands ended in 1814, when they were ceded to the latter. Independence came in 1976. Socialist rule was brought to a close with a new constitution and free elections in 1993. President France-Albert RENE, who had served since 1977, was re-elected in 2001, but stepped down in 2004. Vice President James MICHEL took over the presidency and in July 2006 was elected to a new five-year term. Geography ::Seychelles Location: archipelago in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar Geographic coordinates: 4 35 S, 55 40 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 455 sq km country comparison to the world: 198 land: 455 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 491 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Climate: tropical marine; humid; cooler season during southeast monsoon (late May to September); warmer season during northwest monsoon (March to May) Terrain: Mahe Group is granitic, narrow coastal strip, rocky, hilly; others are coral, flat, elevated reefs Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Morne Seychellois 905 m Natural resources: fish, copra, cinnamon trees Land use: arable land: 2.17% permanent crops: 13.04% other: 84.79% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: lies outside the cyclone belt, so severe storms are rare; short droughts possible Environment - current issues: water supply depends on catchments to collect rainwater Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: 41 granitic and about 75 coralline islands People ::Seychelles Population: 87,476 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 197 Age structure: 0-14 years: 22.8% (male 10,201/female 9,732) 15-64 years: 70.1% (male 31,870/female 29,439) 65 years and over: 7.1% (male 2,321/female 3,913) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 31.4 years male: 30.9 years female: 32 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.999% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 125 Birth rate: 15.87 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 134 Death rate: 6.93 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 Net migration rate: 1.05 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 Urbanization: urban population: 54% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 12.3 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 142 male: 15.44 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.02 years country comparison to the world: 112 male: 68.33 years female: 77.85 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.93 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Seychellois (singular and plural) adjective: Seychellois Ethnic groups: mixed French, African, Indian, Chinese, and Arab Religions: Roman Catholic 82.3%, Anglican 6.4%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.1%, other Christian 3.4%, Hindu 2.1%, Muslim 1.1%, other non-Christian 1.5%, unspecified 1.5%, none 0.6% (2002 census) Languages: Creole 91.8%, English 4.9% (official), other 3.1%, unspecified 0.2% (2002 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 91.8% male: 91.4% female: 92.3% (2002 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 15 years male: 14 years female: 15 years (2007) Education expenditures: 6.5% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 31 Government ::Seychelles Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Seychelles conventional short form: Seychelles local long form: Republic of Seychelles local short form: Seychelles Government type: republic Capital: name: Victoria geographic coordinates: 4 38 S, 55 27 E time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 23 administrative districts; Anse aux Pins, Anse Boileau, Anse Etoile, Anse Louis, Anse Royale, Baie Lazare, Baie Sainte Anne, Beau Vallon, Bel Air, Bel Ombre, Cascade, Glacis, Grand' Anse (on Mahe), Grand' Anse (on Praslin), La Digue, La Riviere Anglaise, Mont Buxton, Mont Fleuri, Plaisance, Pointe La Rue, Port Glaud, Saint Louis, Takamaka Independence: 29 June 1976 (from the UK) National holiday: Constitution Day (National Day), 18 June (1993) Constitution: 18 June 1993 Legal system: based on English common law, French civil law, and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 17 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President James Alix MICHEL (since 14 April 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President James MICHEL (since 14 April 2004) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for two more terms); election last held 28-30 July 2006 (next to be held in 2011) election results: President James MICHEL elected president; percent of vote - James MICHEL 53.73%, Wavel RAMKALAWAN 45.71%, Philippe BOULLE 0.56%; note - this was the first election in which President James MICHEL participated; he was originally sworn in as president after former president France Albert RENE stepped down in April 2004 Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (34 seats; 25 members elected by popular vote, 9 allocated on a proportional basis to parties winning at least 10% of the vote; to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 10-12 May 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - SPPF 56.2%, SNP 43.8%; seats by party - SPPF 23, SNP 11 Judicial branch: Court of Appeal; Supreme Court; judges for both courts are appointed by the president Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party or DP [James MANCHAM, Paul CHOW]; Seychelles National Party or SNP [Wavel RAMKALAWAN] (formerly the United Opposition or UO); People's Party (Parti Lepep) or PL [France Albert RENE, James MICHEL] (the governing party) Political pressure groups and leaders: Roman Catholic Church other: trade unions International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, C, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jean Ronald JUMEAU chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400C, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 972-1785 FAX: [1] (212) 972-1786 Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Seychelles; the ambassador to Mauritius is accredited to Seychelles Flag description: five oblique bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, red, white, and green (bottom) radiating from the bottom of the hoist side Economy ::Seychelles Economy - overview: Since independence in 1976, per capita output in this Indian Ocean archipelago has expanded to roughly seven times the pre-independence, near-subsistence level, moving the island into the upper-middle income group of countries. Growth has been led by the tourist sector, which employs about 30% of the labor force and provides more than 70% of hard currency earnings, and by tuna fishing. In recent years, the government has encouraged foreign investment to upgrade hotels and other services. At the same time, the government has moved to reduce the dependence on tourism by promoting the development of farming, fishing, and small-scale manufacturing. GDP grew about 7-8% per year in 2006-07, driven by tourism and a boom in tourism-related construction. The Seychelles rupee was allowed to depreciate in 2006 after being overvalued for years and fell by 10% in the first 9 months of 2007. Despite these actions, the Seychelles economy has struggled to maintain its gains and in 2008 suffered from food and oil price shocks, a foreign exchange shortage, high inflation and large financing gaps, with GDP growth reduced to about 3% in 2008. In July 2008 the government defaulted on a Euro amortizing note worth roughly US$80 million, leading to a downgrading of Seychelles credit rating. Seychelles requested an IMF Stand-By Agreement in December 2008. GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.821 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 185 $1.838 billion (2007 est.) $1.675 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $822 million (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -0.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 206 9.7% (2007 est.) 9.3% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $21,000 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 59 $21,400 (2007 est.) $19,800 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2% industry: 28.9% services: 69.2% (2008 est.) Labor force: 39,560 (2006) country comparison to the world: 191 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 3% industry: 23% services: 74% (2006) Unemployment rate: 2% (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Investment (gross fixed): 13.7% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 141 Budget: revenues: $260.5 million expenditures: $291.2 million (2008 est.) Public debt: 74.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 122.8% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 37% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 220 5.3% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: NA% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 90 5.13% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 11.81% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 76 10.89% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $164.8 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 107 $330.8 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $188.5 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 117 $249 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $375.6 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 117 $660.2 million (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: coconuts, cinnamon, vanilla, sweet potatoes, cassava (tapioca), bananas; poultry; tuna Industries: fishing, tourism, processing of coconuts and vanilla, coir (coconut fiber) rope, boat building, printing, furniture; beverages Industrial production growth rate: 2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 Electricity - production: 250 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 172 Electricity - consumption: 232.5 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 173 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 136 Oil - consumption: 7,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 157 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 Oil - imports: 7,653 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 137 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 121 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 136 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 Current account balance: -$430 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 -$274.8 million (2007 est.) Exports: $495 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 $391.7 million (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: canned tuna, frozen fish, cinnamon bark, copra, petroleum products (reexports) Exports - partners: UK 21.1%, France 19.1%, Mauritius 10.1%, Japan 7.9%, Italy 7.8%, Netherlands 6% (2008) Imports: $1.018 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 171 $804 million (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals Imports - partners: Saudi Arabia 17.5%, Singapore 12.4%, France 10.3%, Spain 8.1%, Germany 7%, India 5.4%, South Africa 4.7% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $64 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 $40.8 million (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $1.422 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 $1.059 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: Seychelles rupees (SCR) per US dollar - 8 (2008 est.), 6.5 (2007), 5.5 (2006), 5.5 (2005), 5.5 (2004) Communications ::Seychelles Telephones - main lines in use: 23,200 (2008) country comparison to the world: 188 Telephones - mobile cellular: 85,300 (2008) country comparison to the world: 184 Telephone system: general assessment: effective system domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is 130 telephones per 100 persons; radiotelephone communications between islands in the archipelago international: country code - 248; direct radiotelephone communications with adjacent island countries and African coastal countries; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 2 (2001) Television broadcast stations: 2 (plus 9 repeaters) (1997) Internet country code: .sc Internet hosts: 324 (2009) country comparison to the world: 179 Internet users: 32,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 179 Transportation ::Seychelles Airports: 14 (2009) country comparison to the world: 149 Airports - with paved runways: total: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 5 (2009) Roadways: total: 458 km country comparison to the world: 193 paved: 440 km unpaved: 18 km (2003) Merchant marine: total: 8 country comparison to the world: 121 by type: cargo 1, carrier 1, chemical tanker 6 foreign-owned: 3 (Hong Kong 1, Nigeria 1, South Africa 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Victoria Military ::Seychelles Military branches: Seychelles Defense Force: Army, Coast Guard (includes Naval Wing, Air Wing), National Guard (2005) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service (younger with parental consent); no conscription (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 23,598 females age 16-49: 24,424 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 19,702 females age 16-49: 19,780 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 714 female: 685 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 2% of GDP (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 Transnational Issues ::Seychelles Disputes - international: together with Mauritius, Seychelles claims the Chagos Archipelago (UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Sierra Leone (Africa) Introduction ::Sierra Leone Background: Democracy is slowly being reestablished after the civil war from 1991 to 2002 that resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and the displacement of more than 2 million people (about one-third of the population). The military, which took over full responsibility for security following the departure of UN peacekeepers at the end of 2005, is increasingly developing as a guarantor of the country's stability. The armed forces remained on the sideline during the 2007 presidential election, but still look to the UN Integrated Office in Sierra Leone (UNIOSIL) - a civilian UN mission - to support efforts to consolidate peace. The new government's priorities include furthering development, creating jobs, and stamping out endemic corruption. Geography ::Sierra Leone Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Liberia Geographic coordinates: 8 30 N, 11 30 W Map references: Africa Area: total: 71,740 sq km country comparison to the world: 118 land: 71,620 sq km water: 120 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than South Carolina Land boundaries: total: 958 km border countries: Guinea 652 km, Liberia 306 km Coastline: 402 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm Climate: tropical; hot, humid; summer rainy season (May to December); winter dry season (December to April) Terrain: coastal belt of mangrove swamps, wooded hill country, upland plateau, mountains in east Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Loma Mansa (Bintimani) 1,948 m Natural resources: diamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore, gold, chromite Land use: arable land: 7.95% permanent crops: 1.05% other: 91% (2005) Irrigated land: 300 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 160 cu km (1987) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.38 cu km/yr (5%/3%/92%) per capita: 69 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: dry, sand-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to February); sandstorms, dust storms Environment - current issues: rapid population growth pressuring the environment; overharvesting of timber, expansion of cattle grazing, and slash-and-burn agriculture have resulted in deforestation and soil exhaustion; civil war depleted natural resources; overfishing Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification Geography - note: rainfall along the coast can reach 495 cm (195 inches) a year, making it one of the wettest places along coastal, western Africa People ::Sierra Leone Population: 6,440,053 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 Age structure: 0-14 years: 44.5% (male 1,407,226/female 1,460,366) 15-64 years: 52.2% (male 1,613,554/female 1,750,250) 65 years and over: 3.2% (male 95,533/female 113,124) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 17.5 years male: 17.2 years female: 17.8 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 2.282% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 Birth rate: 44.73 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 Death rate: 21.91 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population country comparison to the world: 80 note: refugees currently in surrounding countries are slowly returning (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 38% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 154.43 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 2 male: 171.57 deaths/1,000 live births female: 136.78 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 41.24 years country comparison to the world: 219 male: 38.92 years female: 43.64 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.88 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.7% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 55,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 3,300 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever water contact disease: schistosomiasis aerosolized dust or soil contact disease: Lassa fever (2009) Nationality: noun: Sierra Leonean(s) adjective: Sierra Leonean Ethnic groups: 20 African ethnic groups 90% (Temne 30%, Mende 30%, other 30%), Creole (Krio) 10% (descendants of freed Jamaican slaves who were settled in the Freetown area in the late-18th century), refugees from Liberia's recent civil war, small numbers of Europeans, Lebanese, Pakistanis, and Indians Religions: Muslim 60%, Christian 10%, indigenous beliefs 30% Languages: English (official, regular use limited to literate minority), Mende (principal vernacular in the south), Temne (principal vernacular in the north), Krio (English-based Creole, spoken by the descendants of freed Jamaican slaves who were settled in the Freetown area, a lingua franca and a first language for 10% of the population but understood by 95%) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write English, Mende, Temne, or Arabic total population: 35.1% male: 46.9% female: 24.4% (2004 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 7 years male: 8 years female: 6 years (2001) Education expenditures: 3.8% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 116 Government ::Sierra Leone Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Sierra Leone conventional short form: Sierra Leone local long form: Republic of Sierra Leone local short form: Sierra Leone Government type: constitutional democracy Capital: name: Freetown geographic coordinates: 8 30 N, 13 15 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 3 provinces and 1 area*; Eastern, Northern, Southern, Western* Independence: 27 April 1961 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 27 April (1961) Constitution: 1 October 1991; amended several times Legal system: based on English law and customary laws indigenous to local tribes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Ernest Bai KOROMA (since 17 September 2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Ernest Bai KOROMA (since 17 September 2007) cabinet: Ministers of State appointed by the president with the approval of the House of Representatives; the cabinet is responsible to the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 11 August 2007 and 8 September 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: second round results; percent of vote - Ernest Bai KOROMA 54.6%, Solomon BEREWA 45.4% Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (124 seats; 112 members elected by popular vote, 12 filled by paramount chiefs elected in separate elections; serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 11 August 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - APC 59, SLPP 43, PMDC 10 Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Appeals Court; High Court Political parties and leaders: All People's Congress or APC [Ernest Bai KOROMA]; Peace and Liberation Party or PLP [Darlington MORRISON]; People's Movement for Democratic Change or PMDC [Charles MARGAI]; Sierra Leone People's Party or SLPP [Solomon BEREWA]; numerous others Political pressure groups and leaders: other: student unions; trade unions International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIT, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Bockari Kortu STEVENS chancery: 1701 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 939-9261 through 9263 FAX: [1] (202) 483-1793 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador June Carter PERRY embassy: Southridge-Hill Station, Freetown mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [232] (22) 515 000 or (76) 515 000 FAX: [232] (22) 515 355 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of light green (top), white, and light blue Economy ::Sierra Leone Economy - overview: Sierra Leone is an extremely poor nation with tremendous inequality in income distribution. While it possesses substantial mineral, agricultural, and fishery resources, its physical and social infrastructure is not well developed, and serious social disorders continue to hamper economic development. Nearly half of the working-age population engages in subsistence agriculture. Manufacturing consists mainly of the processing of raw materials and of light manufacturing for the domestic market. Alluvial diamond mining remains the major source of hard currency earnings accounting for nearly half of Sierra Leone's exports. The fate of the economy depends upon the maintenance of domestic peace and the continued receipt of substantial aid from abroad, which is essential to offset the severe trade imbalance and supplement government revenues. The IMF has completed a Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility program that helped stabilize economic growth and reduce inflation. A recent increase in political stability has led to a revival of economic activity such as the rehabilitation of bauxite and rutile mining. GDP (purchasing power parity): $4.388 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 163 $4.159 billion (2007 est.) $3.909 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $1.953 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 6.4% (2007 est.) 7.4% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $900 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 217 $800 (2007 est.) $800 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 49% industry: 31% services: 21% (2005 est.) Labor force: 2.207 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 116 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Unemployment rate: NA% Population below poverty line: 70.2% (2004) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 33.6% (2003) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 62.9 (1989) country comparison to the world: 5 Budget: revenues: $96 million expenditures: $351 million (2000 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 11.7% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 Central bank discount rate: NA% (31 December 2008) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 24.5% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 12 25% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $184.6 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) $177.7 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $162.9 million (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: rice, coffee, cocoa, palm kernels, palm oil, peanuts; poultry, cattle, sheep, pigs; fish Industries: diamond mining; small-scale manufacturing (beverages, textiles, cigarettes, footwear); petroleum refining, small commercial ship repair Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 80 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 194 Electricity - consumption: 74.4 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 194 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 2.99 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 Oil - consumption: 9,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 Oil - exports: 502.4 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 Oil - imports: 8,316 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 143 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 136 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 116 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 136 Current account balance: -$63 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 Exports: $216 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 179 Exports - commodities: diamonds, rutile, cocoa, coffee, fish Exports - partners: Belgium 35.6%, US 20.1%, India 15.2%, France 4.9% (2008) Imports: $560 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 185 Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels and lubricants, chemicals Imports - partners: China 10.3%, Cote d'Ivoire 8.8%, US 7.8%, Belgium 6.6%, UK 6.6%, Thailand 5.2%, India 4.2% (2008) Debt - external: $1.61 billion (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 Exchange rates: leones (SLL) per US dollar - NA (2007), 2,961.7 (2006), 2,889.6 (2005), 2,701.3 (2004), 2,347.9 (2003) Communications ::Sierra Leone Telephones - main lines in use: 31,500 (2008) country comparison to the world: 176 Telephones - mobile cellular: 1.009 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 144 Telephone system: general assessment: marginal telephone service domestic: the national microwave radio relay trunk system connects Freetown to Bo and Kenema; mobile-cellular service is growing rapidly from a small base international: country code - 232; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 9, shortwave 1 (2001) Television broadcast stations: 2 (1999) Internet country code: .sl Internet hosts: 273 (2009) country comparison to the world: 180 Internet users: 13,900 (2008) country comparison to the world: 196 Transportation ::Sierra Leone Airports: 9 (2009) country comparison to the world: 158 Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Heliports: 2 (2009) Roadways: total: 11,300 km country comparison to the world: 134 paved: 904 km unpaved: 10,396 km (2002) Waterways: 800 km (600 km year round) (2007) country comparison to the world: 73 Merchant marine: total: 182 country comparison to the world: 37 by type: bulk carrier 4, cargo 143, carrier 2, chemical tanker 3, container 6, liquefied gas 2, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 10, roll on/roll off 3, specialized tanker 2 foreign-owned: 95 (Belgium 1, China 15, Egypt 3, Greece 1, Hong Kong 1, Lebanon 1, Nigeria 1, Panama 1, Romania 3, Russia 11, Syria 18, Taiwan 1, Turkey 15, Ukraine 10, UAE 8, UK 2, US 1, Yemen 2) (2008) Ports and terminals: Freetown, Pepel, Sherbro Islands Military ::Sierra Leone Military branches: Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF): Army (includes Maritime Wing and Air Wing) (2008) Military service age and obligation: 17 years 6 months of age for voluntary military service (younger with parental consent); no conscription (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,315,561 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 692,469 females age 16-49: 762,239 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 71,524 female: 75,491 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 2.3% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 73 Transnational Issues ::Sierra Leone Disputes - international: as domestic fighting among disparate ethnic groups, rebel groups, warlords, and youth gangs in Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone gradually abate, the number of refugees in border areas has begun to slowly dwindle; Sierra Leone considers excessive Guinea's definition of the flood plain limits to define the left bank boundary of the Makona and Moa rivers and protests Guinea's continued occupation of these lands including the hamlet of Yenga occupied since 1998 Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 27,311 (Liberia) (2007) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Singapore (East & Southeast Asia) Introduction ::Singapore Background: Singapore was founded as a British trading colony in 1819. It joined the Malaysian Federation in 1963 but separated two years later and became independent. Singapore subsequently became one of the world's most prosperous countries with strong international trading links (its port is one of the world's busiest in terms of tonnage handled) and with per capita GDP equal to that of the leading nations of Western Europe. Geography ::Singapore Location: Southeastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia Geographic coordinates: 1 22 N, 103 48 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 697 sq km country comparison to the world: 192 land: 687 sq km water: 10 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 193 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: within and beyond territorial sea, as defined in treaties and practice Climate: tropical; hot, humid, rainy; two distinct monsoon seasons - Northeastern monsoon (December to March) and Southwestern monsoon (June to September); inter-monsoon - frequent afternoon and early evening thunderstorms Terrain: lowland; gently undulating central plateau contains water catchment area and nature preserve Elevation extremes: lowest point: Singapore Strait 0 m highest point: Bukit Timah 166 m Natural resources: fish, deepwater ports Land use: arable land: 1.47% permanent crops: 1.47% other: 97.06% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Total renewable water resources: 0.6 cu km (1975) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.19 cu km/yr (45%/51%/4%) per capita: 44 cu m/yr (1975) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: industrial pollution; limited natural fresh water resources; limited land availability presents waste disposal problems; seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: focal point for Southeast Asian sea routes People ::Singapore Population: 4,657,542 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 Age structure: 0-14 years: 14.4% (male 348,382/female 324,050) 15-64 years: 76.7% (male 1,737,972/female 1,833,415) 65 years and over: 8.9% (male 184,393/female 229,330) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 39 years male: 38.5 years female: 39.4 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.998% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 Birth rate: 8.82 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 216 Death rate: 4.66 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 196 Net migration rate: 5.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 17 Urbanization: urban population: 100% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 2.31 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 224 male: 2.51 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 81.98 years country comparison to the world: 4 male: 79.37 years female: 84.78 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.09 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 221 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 4,200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 Nationality: noun: Singaporean(s) adjective: Singapore Ethnic groups: Chinese 76.8%, Malay 13.9%, Indian 7.9%, other 1.4% (2000 census) Religions: Buddhist 42.5%, Muslim 14.9%, Taoist 8.5%, Hindu 4%, Catholic 4.8%, other Christian 9.8%, other 0.7%, none 14.8% (2000 census) Languages: Mandarin 35%, English 23%, Malay 14.1%, Hokkien 11.4%, Cantonese 5.7%, Teochew 4.9%, Tamil 3.2%, other Chinese dialects 1.8%, other 0.9% (2000 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.5% male: 96.6% female: 88.6% (2000 census) Education expenditures: 3.7% of GDP (2001) country comparison to the world: 122 Government ::Singapore Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Singapore conventional short form: Singapore local long form: Republic of Singapore local short form: Singapore Government type: parliamentary republic Capital: name: Singapore geographic coordinates: 1 17 N, 103 51 E time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: none Independence: 9 August 1965 (from Malaysian Federation) National holiday: National Day, 9 August (1965) Constitution: 3 June 1959; amended 1965 (based on pre-independence State of Singapore Constitution) Legal system: based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: President S R NATHAN (since 1 September 1999) note: uses S R NATHAN but his full name and the one used in formal communications is Sellapan RAMANATHAN head of government: Prime Minister LEE Hsien Loong (since 12 August 2004); Senior Minister GOH Chok Tong (since 12 August 2004); Senior Minister Shunmugam JAYAKUMAR (since 1 April 2009); Minister Mentor LEE Kuan Yew (since 12 August 2004); Deputy Prime Minister TEO Chee Huan (since 1 April 2009) and Deputy Prime Minister WONG Kan Seng (since 1 September 2005) cabinet: appointed by president, responsible to parliament elections: president elected by popular vote for six-year term; appointed on 17 August 2005 (next election to be held by August 2011); following legislative elections, leader of majority party or leader of majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by president; deputy prime ministers appointed by president election results: Sellapan Rama (S R) NATHAN appointed president in August 2005 after Presidential Elections Committee disqualified three other would-be candidates; scheduled election not held Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (84 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); note - in addition, there are up to nine nominated members; up to three losing opposition candidates who came closest to winning seats may be appointed as "nonconstituency" members elections: last held on 6 May 2006 (next to be held by 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - PAP 66.6%, WP 16.3%, SDA 13%, SDP 4.1%; seats by party - PAP 82, WP 1, SDA 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (chief justice is appointed by the president with the advice of the prime minister, other judges are appointed by the president with the advice of the chief justice); Court of Appeals Political parties and leaders: People's Action Party or PAP [LEE Hsien Loong]; Reform Party [NG Teck Siong]; Singapore Democratic Alliance or SDA [CHIAM See Tong]; Singapore Democratic Party or SDP [CHEE Soon Juan]; Workers' Party or WP [Sylvia LIM Swee Lian] note: SDA includes Singapore Justice Party or SJP, Singapore National Malay Organization or PKMS, Singapore People's Party or SPP Political pressure groups and leaders: none International organization participation: ADB, APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN, BIS, C, CP, EAS, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNMIT, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador CHAN Heng Chee chancery: 3501 International Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 537-3100 FAX: [1] (202) 537-0876 consulate(s) general: San Francisco consulate(s): New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Daniel L. SHIELDS III embassy: 27 Napier Road, Singapore 258508 mailing address: FPO AP 96507-0001 telephone: [65] 6476-9100 FAX: [65] 6476-9340 Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; near the hoist side of the red band, there is a vertical, white crescent (closed portion is toward the hoist side) partially enclosing five white five-pointed stars arranged in a circle Economy ::Singapore Economy - overview: Singapore has a highly developed and successful free-market economy. It enjoys a remarkably open and corruption-free environment, stable prices, and a per capita GDP higher than that of most developed countries. The economy depends heavily on exports, particularly in consumer electronics, information technology products, pharmaceuticals, and on a growing service sector. Real GDP growth averaged 7% between 2004 and 2007, but dropped to 1.1% in 2008 as a result of the global financial crisis. The economy contracted in the last three quarters of 2008. Prime Minister LEE and other senior officials have dampened expectations for a quick rebound in 2009. Over the longer term, the government hopes to establish a new growth path that will be less vulnerable to global demand cycles especially for information technology products. It has attracted major investments in pharmaceuticals and medical technology production and will continue efforts to establish Singapore as Southeast Asia's financial and high-tech hub. GDP (purchasing power parity): $237.9 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 $235.3 billion (2007 est.) $218.3 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $181.9 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 173 7.8% (2007 est.) 8.4% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $51,600 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 8 $51,700 (2007 est.) $48,600 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 0% industry: 27.8% services: 72.2% (2008 est.) Labor force: 2.94 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 0%, industry 22.6%, services 77.4% (2007) Unemployment rate: 2.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 2.1% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.4% highest 10%: 23.2% (2008) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 48.1 (2008) country comparison to the world: 30 Investment (gross fixed): 28.5% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 Budget: revenues: $29.25 billion expenditures: $26.48 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 99.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 102.5% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 2.1% (2007 est.) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 5.38% (31 December 2008) Stock of money: $52.57 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 21 $44.4 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $179 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 15 $162.2 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $143.6 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 33 $129.2 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $268.6 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 28 $353.5 billion (31 December 2007) $276.3 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: orchids, vegetables; poultry, eggs; fish, ornamental fish Industries: electronics, chemicals, financial services, oil drilling equipment, petroleum refining, rubber processing and rubber products, processed food and beverages, ship repair, offshore platform construction, life sciences, entrepot trade Industrial production growth rate: -0.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 Electricity - production: 38.67 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 Electricity - consumption: 36.6 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 8,553 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 87 Oil - consumption: 896,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 Oil - exports: 1.289 million bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 Oil - imports: 2.109 million bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 131 Natural gas - consumption: 8.27 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 115 Natural gas - imports: 8.27 billion cu m country comparison to the world: 27 note: from Indonesia and Malaysia (2008 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 Current account balance: $25.78 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 17 $39.11 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $342.7 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 $303.1 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: machinery and equipment (including electronics), consumer goods, pharmaceuticals and other chemicals, mineral fuels Exports - partners: Malaysia 12.1%, Indonesia 10.5%, Hong Kong 10.3%, China 9.2%, US 7.1%, Japan 4.9%, Australia 4.1% (2008) Imports: $309.6 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 $254 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, mineral fuels, chemicals, foodstuffs, consumer goods Imports - partners: Malaysia 11.9%, US 11.8%, China 10.5%, Japan 8.1%, South Korea 5.6%, Indonesia 5.5%, Saudi Arabia 4.6% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $174.2 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 $163 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $25.52 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 $25.59 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $250.2 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 $232.8 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $173.6 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 $169.9 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: Singapore dollars (SGD) per US dollar - 1.415 (2008 est.), 1.507 (2007), 1.5889 (2006), 1.6644 (2005), 1.6902 (2004) Communications ::Singapore Telephones - main lines in use: 1.857 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 59 Telephones - mobile cellular: 6.375 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 77 Telephone system: general assessment: excellent service domestic: excellent domestic facilities; launched 3G wireless service in February 2005; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is nearly 175 telephones per 100 persons international: country code - 65; numerous submarine cables provide links throughout Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, and US; satellite earth stations -4; supplemented by VSAT coverage (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 19, shortwave 1 (2008) Television broadcast stations: 1 (broadcasting on 8 channels); additional reception of numerous UHF and VHF signals originating in Malaysia and Indonesia (2008) Internet country code: .sg Internet hosts: 864,943 (2009) country comparison to the world: 43 Internet users: 3.37 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 55 Transportation ::Singapore Airports: 8 (2009) country comparison to the world: 164 Airports - with paved runways: total: 8 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Pipelines: gas 106 km (2008) Roadways: total: 3,297 km country comparison to the world: 164 paved: 3,297 km (includes 150 km of expressways) (2007) Merchant marine: total: 1,292 country comparison to the world: 5 by type: bulk carrier 167, cargo 87, carrier 5, chemical tanker 209, container 273, liquefied gas 96, petroleum tanker 386, refrigerated cargo 5, roll on/roll off 4, specialized tanker 7, vehicle carrier 53 foreign-owned: 774 (Australia 12, Bangladesh 2, Belgium 8, Chile 6, China 14, Cyprus 1, Denmark 87, France 1, Germany 24, Greece 15, Hong Kong 47, India 13, Indonesia 66, Italy 5, Japan 131, South Korea 3, Malaysia 27, Norway 143, Slovenia 1, Sweden 20, Switzerland 2, Taiwan 72, Thailand 23, UAE 12, UK 17, US 22) registered in other countries: 331 (Australia 1, Bahamas 17, Belize 2, Bolivia 1, Cambodia 4, Cayman Islands 10, Comoros 1, Cyprus 3, Dominica 7, France 2, Honduras 12, Hong Kong 18, Indonesia 27, Isle of Man 1, Kiribati 4, Liberia 32, Malaysia 16, Marshall Islands 18, Mongolia 9, Norway 1, Panama 100, Philippines 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 4, Thailand 2, Tuvalu 23, US 12, unknown 2) (2008) Ports and terminals: Singapore Transportation - note: the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the South China Sea as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargo diverted to ports in East Asia; crews have been murdered or cast adrift Military ::Singapore Military branches: Singapore Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force (includes Air Defense) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18-21 years of age for male compulsory military service; 16 years of age for volunteers; 2-year conscript service obligation, with a reserve obligation to age 40 (enlisted) or age 50 (officers) (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,277,862 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,033,961 females age 16-49: 1,104,952 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 27,715 female: 26,290 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 4.9% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 Transnational Issues ::Singapore Disputes - international: disputes persist with Malaysia over deliveries of fresh water to Singapore, Singapore's extensive land reclamation works, bridge construction, and maritime boundaries in the Johor and Singapore Straits; in November 2007, the ICJ will hold public hearings as a consequence of the Memorials and Countermemorials filed by the parties in 2003 and 2005 over sovereignty of Pedra Branca Island/Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge; Indonesia and Singapore continue to work on finalization of their 1973 maritime boundary agreement by defining unresolved areas north of Indonesia's Batam Island; piracy remains a problem in the Malacca Strait Illicit drugs: drug abuse limited because of aggressive law enforcement efforts; as a transportation and financial services hub, Singapore is vulnerable, despite strict laws and enforcement, as a venue for money laundering page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Slovakia (Europe) Introduction ::Slovakia Background: The dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the close of World War I allowed the Slovaks to join the closely related Czechs to form Czechoslovakia. Following the chaos of World War II, Czechoslovakia became a Communist nation within Soviet-dominated Eastern Europe. Soviet influence collapsed in 1989 and Czechoslovakia once more became free. The Slovaks and the Czechs agreed to separate peacefully on 1 January 1993. Slovakia joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004 and the euro area on 1 January 2009. Geography ::Slovakia Location: Central Europe, south of Poland Geographic coordinates: 48 40 N, 19 30 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 49,035 sq km country comparison to the world: 130 land: 48,105 sq km water: 930 sq km Area - comparative: about twice the size of New Hampshire Land boundaries: total: 1,474 km border countries: Austria 91 km, Czech Republic 197 km, Hungary 676 km, Poland 420 km, Ukraine 90 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters Terrain: rugged mountains in the central and northern part and lowlands in the south Elevation extremes: lowest point: Bodrok River 94 m highest point: Gerlachovsky Stit 2,655 m Natural resources: brown coal and lignite; small amounts of iron ore, copper and manganese ore; salt; arable land Land use: arable land: 29.23% permanent crops: 2.67% other: 68.1% (2005) Irrigated land: 1,830 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 50.1 cu km (2003) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 1.04 per capita: 193 cu m/yr (2003) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: air pollution from metallurgical plants presents human health risks; acid rain damaging forests Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: landlocked; most of the country is rugged and mountainous; the Tatra Mountains in the north are interspersed with many scenic lakes and valleys People ::Slovakia Population: 5,463,046 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 Age structure: 0-14 years: 15.8% (male 442,168/female 422,055) 15-64 years: 71.7% (male 1,952,527/female 1,965,646) 65 years and over: 12.5% (male 254,510/female 426,140) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 36.9 years male: 35.2 years female: 38.6 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.137% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 187 Birth rate: 10.6 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 183 Death rate: 9.53 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 Net migration rate: 0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 Urbanization: urban population: 56% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 6.84 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 171 male: 7.99 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.4 years country comparison to the world: 78 male: 71.47 years female: 79.53 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.35 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 203 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: fewer than 200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 157 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 100 (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 141 Nationality: noun: Slovak(s) adjective: Slovak Ethnic groups: Slovak 85.8%, Hungarian 9.7%, Roma 1.7%, Ruthenian/Ukrainian 1%, other and unspecified 1.8% (2001 census) Religions: Roman Catholic 68.9%, Protestant 10.8%, Greek Catholic 4.1%, other or unspecified 3.2%, none 13% (2001 census) Languages: Slovak (official) 83.9%, Hungarian 10.7%, Roma 1.8%, Ukrainian 1%, other or unspecified 2.6% (2001 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.6% male: 99.7% female: 99.6% (2004) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 15 years male: 14 years female: 15 years (2006) Education expenditures: 3.9% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 111 Government ::Slovakia Country name: conventional long form: Slovak Republic conventional short form: Slovakia local long form: Slovenska Republika local short form: Slovensko Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: name: Bratislava geographic coordinates: 48 09 N, 17 07 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 8 regions (kraje, singular - kraj); Banskobystricky, Bratislavsky, Kosicky, Nitriansky, Presovsky, Trenciansky, Trnavsky, Zilinsky Independence: 1 January 1993 (Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia) National holiday: Constitution Day, 1 September (1992) Constitution: ratified 1 September 1992, effective 1 January 1993; changed in September 1998; amended February 2001 note: the change in September 1998 allowed direct election of the president; the amendment of February 2001 allowed Slovakia to apply for NATO and EU membership Legal system: civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; legal code modified to comply with the obligations of Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legal theory Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Ivan GASPAROVIC (since 15 June 2004) head of government: Prime Minister Robert FICO (since 4 July 2006); Deputy Prime Ministers Dusan CAPLOVIC, Robert KALINAK, Stefan HARABIN, Jan MIKOLAJ (since 4 July 2006) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 21 March and 4 April 2009 (next to be held no later than April 2014); following National Council elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president election results: Ivan GASPAROVIC reelected president in runoff; percent of vote - Ivan GASPAROVIC 55.5%, Iveta RADICOVA 44.5% Legislative branch: unicameral National Council of the Slovak Republic or Narodna Rada Slovenskej Republiky (150 seats; members are elected on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 17 June 2006 (next to be held in 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - Smer 29.1%, SDKU 18.4%, SMK 11.7%, SNS 11.7%, LS-HZDS 8.8%, KDH 8.3%, other 12%; seats by party - Smer 50, SDKU-DS 31, SMK 20, SNS 19, LS-HZDS 16, KDH 14; note - seats by party as of December 2008 - Smer 50, SDKU-DS 28, SMK 20, SNS 19, LS-HZDS 15, KDH 9, nonaffiliated 9 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges are elected by the National Council); Constitutional Court (judges appointed by president from group of nominees approved by the National Council); Special Court (judges elected by a council of judges and appointed by president) Political parties and leaders: parties in the Parliament:: Christian Democratic Movement or KDH [Pavol HRUSOVSKY]; Direction-Social Democracy or Smer-SD [Robert FICO]; Party of the Hungarian Coalition or SMK [Pal CSAKY]; People's Party - Movement for a Democratic Slovakia or LS-HZDS [Vladimir MECIAR]; Slovak Democratic and Christian Union-Democratic Party or SDKU-DS [Mikulas DZURINDA]; Slovak National Party or SNS [Jan SLOTA] selected parties outside the Parliament:: Agrarian Party of the Provinces or ASV [Vladimir GOZORA]; Alliance of the New Citizen or ANO [Pavol RUSKO]; Civic Conservative Party or OKS [Peter ZAJAC]; Free Forum [Zuzana MARTINAKOVA]; Mission 21 - New Christian Democracy or MISIA 21 [Ivan SIMKO]; Movement for Democracy or HZD [Jozef GRAPA]; Party of the Democratic Left or SDL [Ladislav KOZMON]; Prosperita Slovenska or PS [Frantisek A. ZVRSKOVEC]; Slovak Communist Party or KSS [Jozef HRDLICKA]; Slovak People's Party or SLS [Jozef SASIK]; Union of the Workers of Slovakia or ZRS [Jan LUPTAK] Political pressure groups and leaders: Association of Towns and Villages or ZMOS; Confederation of Trade Unions or KOZ; Entrepreneurs Association of Slovakia or ZPS; Federation of Employers' Associations of the Slovak Republic; National Union of Employers or RUZ; Slovak Chamber of Commerce and Industry or SOPK; The Business Alliance of Slovakia or PAS International organization participation: Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS (observer), CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Peter BURIAN chancery: 3523 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 237-1054 FAX: [1] (202) 237-6438 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Keith EDDINS embassy: Hviezdoslavovo Namestie 4, 81102 Bratislava mailing address: P.O. Box 309, 814 99 Bratislava telephone: [421] (2) 5443-3338 FAX: [421] (2) 5441-8861 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red superimposed with the coat of arms of Slovakia (consisting of a red shield bordered in white and bearing a white Cross of Lorraine surmounting three blue hills); the coat of arms is centered vertically and offset slightly to the hoist side Economy ::Slovakia Economy - overview: Slovakia has made significant economic reforms since its separation from the Czech Republic in 1993. Reforms to the taxation, healthcare, pension, and social welfare systems helped Slovakia to consolidate its budget and get on track to join the EU in 2004 and to adopt the euro in January 2009. Major privatizations are nearly complete, the banking sector is almost entirely in foreign hands, and the government has helped facilitate a foreign investment boom with business friendly policies such as labor market liberalization and a 19% flat tax. Foreign investment in the automotive and electronic sectors has been strong. Slovakia's economic growth exceeded expectations in 2001-08 despite the general European slowdown. Unemployment, at an unacceptable 18% in 2003-04, dropped to 8.4% in 2008 but remains the economy's Achilles heel. Despite its 2006 pre-election promises to loosen fiscal policy and reverse the previous DZURINDA government's pro-market reforms, FICO's cabinet has thus far been careful to keep a lid on spending in order to meet euro adoption criteria and has focused on regulating energy and food prices instead. The OECD expects Slovakia's GDP growth to be positive in 2009. GDP (purchasing power parity): $119.8 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 $112.6 billion (2007 est.) $102 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $95.4 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 10.4% (2007 est.) 8.5% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $22,000 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 $20,700 (2007 est.) $18,700 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.7% industry: 37.2% services: 59% (2008 est.) Labor force: 2.254 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 4%, industry 39%, services 56.9% (30 September 2008) Unemployment rate: 7.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 8.4% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 21% (2002) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.1% highest 10%: 20.9% (1996) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 26 (2005) country comparison to the world: 128 26.3 (1996) Investment (gross fixed): 25.9% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 Budget: revenues: $31.23 billion expenditures: $33.32 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 28.7% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 46.6% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 2.8% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 3% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 115 4.25% (31 December 2007) note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks from the euro area; as of 1 January 2009 Slovakia became a member of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 6.42% (31 December 2008) Stock of money: $25.52 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 32 $26.17 billion (31 December 2007) note: this figure represents the US dollar value of Slovak koruny in circulation prior to Slovakia joining the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi money circulating within their own borders Stock of quasi money: $27.71 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 38 $21.11 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $50.94 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 46 $41.76 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $5.079 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 77 $6.971 billion (31 December 2007) $5.574 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: grains, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit; pigs, cattle, poultry; forest products Industries: metal and metal products; food and beverages; electricity, gas, coke, oil, nuclear fuel; chemicals and manmade fibers; machinery; paper and printing; earthenware and ceramics; transport vehicles; textiles; electrical and optical apparatus; rubber products Industrial production growth rate: -3.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 163 Electricity - production: 26.53 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 Electricity - consumption: 26.81 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 Electricity - exports: 8.891 billion kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 9.412 billion kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 14,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 Oil - consumption: 84,990 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 Oil - exports: 74,070 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 Oil - imports: 148,600 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 Oil - proved reserves: 9 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 Natural gas - production: 102 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 Natural gas - consumption: 6.308 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 Natural gas - exports: 186 million cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 41 Natural gas - imports: 6.266 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 Natural gas - proved reserves: 14.16 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 Current account balance: -$6.43 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 163 -$4.482 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $72.57 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 $64.5 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: vehicles 25.9%, machinery and electrical equipment 21.3%, base metals 14.6%, chemicals and minerals 10.1%, plastics 5.4% (2004) Exports - partners: Germany 20%, Czech Republic 13.1%, France 6.7%, Poland 6.6%, Hungary 6.3%, Austria 5.9%, Italy 5.8%, UK 4.7% (2008) Imports: $73.62 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 $65.47 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment 41.1%, intermediate manufactured goods 19.3%, fuels 12.3%, chemicals 9.8%, miscellaneous manufactured goods 10.2% (2003) Imports - partners: Germany 20%, Czech Republic 17.7%, Russia 10.6%, Hungary 6.9%, South Korea 5.2%, Austria 5%, Poland 4.9%, China 4.1% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $18.78 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 $18.96 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $52.53 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 52 $44.31 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $44.12 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 $40.7 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $1.867 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 $1.609 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: Slovak koruny (SKK) per US dollar - 21.05 (2008 est.), 24.919 (2007), 29.611 (2006), 31.018 (2005), 32.257 (2004) note: on 1 January 2009 Slovakia adopted the euro as legal tender Communications ::Slovakia Telephones - main lines in use: 1.098 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 75 Telephones - mobile cellular: 5.52 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 82 Telephone system: general assessment: Slovakia has a modern telecommunications system that has expanded dramatically in recent years with the growth in cellular services domestic: analog system is now receiving digital equipment and is being enlarged with fiber-optic cable, especially in the larger cities; 3 companies provide nationwide cellular services international: country code - 421; 3 international exchanges (1 in Bratislava and 2 in Banska Bystrica) are available; Slovakia is participating in several international telecommunications projects that will increase the availability of external services Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 22, shortwave 1 (2008) Television broadcast stations: 37 (2008) Internet country code: .sk Internet hosts: 867,615 (2009) country comparison to the world: 41 Internet users: 3.566 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 53 Transportation ::Slovakia Airports: 35 (2009) country comparison to the world: 110 Airports - with paved runways: total: 20 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 10 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 15 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 7 (2009) Heliports: 1 (2009) Pipelines: gas 6,769 km; oil 416 km (2008) Railways: total: 3,622 km country comparison to the world: 48 broad gauge: 99 km 1.520-m gauge standard gauge: 3,473 km 1.435-m gauge (1,577 km electrified) narrow gauge: 50 km (1.000-m or 0.750-m gauge) (2008) Roadways: total: 43,761 km country comparison to the world: 83 paved: 38,085 km (includes 316 km of expressways) unpaved: 5,676 km (2006) Waterways: 172 km (on Danube River) (2008) country comparison to the world: 100 Merchant marine: total: 51 country comparison to the world: 70 by type: bulk carrier 5, cargo 42, refrigerated cargo 4 foreign-owned: 47 (Bulgaria 6, Germany 3, Greece 2, Ireland 1, Israel 4, Italy 2, Poland 2, Russia 1, Slovenia 1, Syria 2, Turkey 10, Ukraine 12, UK 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Bratislava, Komarno Military ::Slovakia Military branches: Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic (Ozbrojene Sily Slovenskej Republiky): Land Forces (Pozemne Sily), Air Forces (Vzdusne Sily) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 17-30 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription abolished in 2006; women are eligible to serve (2007) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,420,966 females age 16-49: 1,386,259 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,165,470 females age 16-49: 1,152,941 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 36,552 female: 34,783 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.87% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 Transnational Issues ::Slovakia Disputes - international: bilateral government, legal, technical and economic working group negotiations continued in 2006 between Slovakia and Hungary over Hungary's completion of its portion of the Gabcikovo-Nagymaros hydroelectric dam project along the Danube; as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Slovakia has implemented the strict Schengen border rules Illicit drugs: transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin bound for Western Europe; producer of synthetic drugs for regional market; consumer of ecstasy page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Slovenia (Europe) Introduction ::Slovenia Background: The Slovene lands were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until the latter's dissolution at the end of World War I. In 1918, the Slovenes joined the Serbs and Croats in forming a new multinational state, which was named Yugoslavia in 1929. After World War II, Slovenia became a republic of the renewed Yugoslavia, which though Communist, distanced itself from Moscow's rule. Dissatisfied with the exercise of power by the majority Serbs, the Slovenes succeeded in establishing their independence in 1991 after a short 10-day war. Historical ties to Western Europe, a strong economy, and a stable democracy have assisted in Slovenia's transformation to a modern state. Slovenia acceded to both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004. Geography ::Slovenia Location: Central Europe, eastern Alps bordering the Adriatic Sea, between Austria and Croatia Geographic coordinates: 46 07 N, 14 49 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 20,273 sq km country comparison to the world: 154 land: 20,151 sq km water: 122 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than New Jersey Land boundaries: total: 1,086 km border countries: Austria 330 km, Croatia 455 km, Hungary 102 km, Italy 199 km Coastline: 46.6 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: Mediterranean climate on the coast, continental climate with mild to hot summers and cold winters in the plateaus and valleys to the east Terrain: a short coastal strip on the Adriatic, an alpine mountain region adjacent to Italy and Austria, mixed mountains and valleys with numerous rivers to the east Elevation extremes: lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m highest point: Triglav 2,864 m Natural resources: lignite coal, lead, zinc, building stone, hydropower, forests Land use: arable land: 8.53% permanent crops: 1.43% other: 90.04% (2005) Irrigated land: 30 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 32.1 cu km (2005) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.9 per capita: 457 cu m/yr (2002) Natural hazards: flooding; earthquakes Environment - current issues: Sava River polluted with domestic and industrial waste; pollution of coastal waters with heavy metals and toxic chemicals; forest damage near Koper from air pollution (originating at metallurgical and chemical plants) and resulting acid rain Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: despite its small size, this eastern Alpine country controls some of Europe's major transit routes People ::Slovenia Population: 2,005,692 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 Age structure: 0-14 years: 13.5% (male 139,880/female 131,826) 15-64 years: 69.9% (male 707,219/female 695,470) 65 years and over: 16.5% (male 129,662/female 201,635) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 41.7 years male: 40.1 years female: 43.3 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: -0.113% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 215 Birth rate: 8.97 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 211 Death rate: 10.62 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 Net migration rate: 0.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 Urbanization: urban population: 48% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: -0.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 4.25 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 206 male: 4.82 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.65 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.92 years country comparison to the world: 60 male: 73.25 years female: 80.84 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.28 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 209 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 280 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 154 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 100 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 Nationality: noun: Slovene(s) adjective: Slovenian Ethnic groups: Slovene 83.1%, Serb 2%, Croat 1.8%, Bosniak 1.1%, other or unspecified 12% (2002 census) Religions: Catholic 57.8%, Muslim 2.4%, Orthodox 2.3%, other Christian 0.9%, unaffiliated 3.5%, other or unspecified 23%, none 10.1% (2002 census) Languages: Slovenian 91.1%, Serbo-Croatian 4.5%, other or unspecified 4.4% (2002 census) Literacy: definition: NA total population: 99.7% male: 99.7% female: 99.6% School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 17 years male: 16 years female: 17 years (2006) Education expenditures: 6% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 41 Government ::Slovenia Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Slovenia conventional short form: Slovenia local long form: Republika Slovenija local short form: Slovenija former: People's Republic of Slovenia, Socialist Republic of Slovenia Government type: parliamentary republic Capital: name: Ljubljana geographic coordinates: 46 03 N, 14 31 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 182 municipalities (obcine, singular - obcina) and 11 urban municipalities* (mestne obcine , singular - mestna obcina ) Ajdovscina, Beltinci, Benedikt, Bistrica ob Sotli, Bled, Bloke, Bohinj, Borovnica, Bovec, Braslovce, Brda, Brezice, Brezovica, Cankova, Celje*, Cerklje na Gorenjskem, Cerknica, Cerkno, Cerkvenjak, Crensovci, Crna na Koroskem, Crnomelj, Destrnik, Divaca, Dobje, Dobrepolje, Dobrna, Dobrova-Horjul-Polhov Gradec, Dobrovnik-Dobronak, Dolenjske Toplice, Dol pri Ljubljani, Domzale, Dornava, Dravograd, Duplek, Gorenja Vas-Poljane, Gorisnica, Gornja Radgona, Gornji Grad, Gornji Petrovci, Grad, Grosuplje, Hajdina, Hoce-Slivnica, Hodos-Hodos, Horjul, Hrastnik, Hrpelje-Kozina, Idrija, Ig, Ilirska Bistrica, Ivancna Gorica, Izola-Isola, Jesenice, Jezersko, Jursinci, Kamnik, Kanal, Kidricevo, Kobarid, Kobilje, Kocevje, Komen, Komenda, Koper-Capodistria*, Kostel, Kozje, Kranj*, Kranjska Gora, Krizevci, Krsko, Kungota, Kuzma, Lasko, Lenart, Lendava-Lendva, Litija, Ljubljana*, Ljubno, Ljutomer, Logatec, Loska Dolina, Loski Potok, Lovrenc na Pohorju, Luce, Lukovica, Majsperk, Maribor*, Markovci, Medvode, Menges, Metlika, Mezica, Miklavz na Dravskem Polju, Miren-Kostanjevica, Mirna Pec, Mislinja, Moravce, Moravske Toplice, Mozirje, Murska Sobota*, Muta, Naklo, Nazarje, Nova Gorica*, Novo Mesto*, Odranci, Oplotnica, Ormoz, Osilnica, Pesnica, Piran-Pirano, Pivka, Podcetrtek, Podlehnik, Podvelka, Polzela, Postojna, Prebold, Preddvor, Prevalje, Ptuj*, Puconci, Race-Fram, Radece, Radenci, Radlje ob Dravi, Radovljica, Ravne na Koroskem, Razkrizje, Ribnica, Ribnica na Pohorju, Rogasovci, Rogaska Slatina, Rogatec, Ruse, Salovci, Selnica ob Dravi, Semic, Sempeter-Vrtojba, Sencur, Sentilj, Sentjernej, Sentjur pri Celju, Sevnica, Sezana, Skocjan, Skofja Loka, Skofljica, Slovenj Gradec*, Slovenska Bistrica, Slovenske Konjice, Smarje pri Jelsah, Smartno ob Paki, Smartno pri Litiji, Sodrazica, Solcava, Sostanj, Starse, Store, Sveta Ana, Sveti Andraz v Slovenskih Goricah, Sveti Jurij, Tabor, Tisina, Tolmin, Trbovlje, Trebnje, Trnovska Vas, Trzic, Trzin, Turnisce, Velenje*, Velika Polana, Velike Lasce, Verzej, Videm, Vipava, Vitanje, Vodice, Vojnik, Vransko, Vrhnika, Vuzenica, Zagorje ob Savi, Zalec, Zavrc, Zelezniki, Zetale, Ziri, Zirovnica, Zuzemberk, Zrece note: the Government of Slovenia has reported 210 municipalities Independence: 25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia) National holiday: Independence Day/Statehood Day, 25 June (1991) Constitution: adopted 23 December 1991, amended 14 July 1997 and 25 July 2000 Legal system: based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal (16 years of age, if employed) Executive branch: chief of state: President Danilo TURK (since 22 December 2007) head of government: Prime Minister Borut PAHOR (since 7 November 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and elected by the National Assembly elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 21 October and 11 November 2007 (next to be held in the 8 October 2012); following National Assembly elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually nominated to become prime minister by the president and elected by the National Assembly; election last held on 21 September 2008 (next National Assembly elections to be held in 8 October 2012) election results: Danilo TURK elected president; percent of vote - Danilo TURK 68.2%, Alojze PETERLE 31.8%; Borut PAHOR elected prime minister by National Assembly vote Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of a National Council or Drzavni Svet (40 seats; members indirectly elected by an electoral college to serve five-year terms; note - this is primarily an advisory body with limited legislative powers; it may propose laws, ask to review any National Assembly decision, and call national referenda) and the National Assembly or Drzavni Zbor (90 seats; 40 members are directly elected and 50 are elected on a proportional basis; note - the number of directly elected and proportionally elected seats varies with each election; the constitution mandates 1 seat each for Slovenia's Hungarian and Italian minorities; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: National Assembly - last held 21 September 2008 (next to be held 8 October 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - SD 30.5%, SDS 29.3%, ZARES 9.4%, DeSUS 7.5%, SNS 5.5%, SLS+SMS 5.2%, LDS 5.2%, other 7.4%; seats by party - SD 29, SDS 28, ZARES 9, DeSUS 7, SNS 5, SLS+SMS 5, LDS 5, Hungarian minority 1, Italian minority 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges are elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the Judicial Council); Constitutional Court (judges elected for nine-year terms by the National Assembly and nominated by the president) Political parties and leaders: Liberal Democracy of Slovenia or LDS [Katarina KRESAL]; New Slovenia or NSi [Ljudmila NOVAK (acting)]; Slovenian Democratic Party or SDS [Janez JANSA]; Democratic Party of Pensioners of Slovenia or DeSUS [Karl ERJAVEC]; Slovene National Party or SNS [Zmago JELINCIC]; Slovene People's Party or SLS [Bojan SROT]; Slovene Youth Party or SMS [Darko KRANJC]; Social Democrats or SD [Borut PAHOR] (formerly ZLSD); ZARES [Gregor Golobic] Political pressure groups and leaders: Democratic Party of Slovenian Pensioners or DeSUS (protecting the rights of the older generation); Slovenian Roma Association [Jozek Horvat MUC] other: Catholic Church International organization participation: Australia Group, BIS, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (guest), NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD (accession state), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Roman KIRN chancery: 2410 California Street N.W., Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 386-6601 FAX: [1] (202) 386-6633 consulate(s) general: Cleveland, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Brad FREDEN embassy: Presernova 31, 1000 Ljubljana mailing address: American Embassy Ljubljana, US Department of State, 7140 Ljubljana Place, Washington, DC 20521-7140 telephone: [386] (1) 200-5500 FAX: [386] (1) 200-5555 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red, with the Slovenian seal (a shield with the image of Triglav, Slovenia's highest peak, in white against a blue background at the center; beneath it are two wavy blue lines depicting seas and rivers, and above it are three six-pointed stars arranged in an inverted triangle, which are taken from the coat of arms of the Counts of Celje, the great Slovene dynastic house of the late 14th and early 15th centuries); the seal is in the upper hoist side of the flag centered on the white and blue bands Economy ::Slovenia Economy - overview: Slovenia, which on 1 January 2007 became the first 2004 European Union entrant to adopt the euro, is a model of economic success and stability for the region. With the highest per capita GDP in Central Europe, Slovenia has excellent infrastructure, a well-educated work force, and a strategic location between the Balkans and Western Europe. Privatization has lagged since 2002, and the economy has one of highest levels of state control in the EU. Structural reforms to improve the business environment have allowed for somewhat greater foreign participation in Slovenia's economy and have helped to lower unemployment. In March 2004, Slovenia became the first transition country to graduate from borrower status to donor partner at the World Bank. In December 2007, Slovenia was invited to begin the accession process for joining the OECD. Despite its economic success, foreign direct investment (FDI) in Slovenia has lagged behind the region average, and taxes remain relatively high. Furthermore, the labor market is often seen as inflexible, and legacy industries are losing sales to more competitive firms in China, India, and elsewhere. GDP (purchasing power parity): $59.49 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 85 $57.47 billion (2007 est.) $53.81 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $54.64 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 6.8% (2007 est.) 5.9% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $29,600 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 $28,600 (2007 est.) $26,800 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2.2% industry: 33.4% services: 64.3% (2008 est.) Labor force: 940,000 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 2.5% industry: 36% services: 61.5% (2007) Unemployment rate: 6.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 7.7% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 12.9% (2004) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.4% highest 10%: 24.6% (2004) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 24 (2005) country comparison to the world: 133 28.4 (1998) Investment (gross fixed): 28% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 Budget: revenues: $22.55 billion expenditures: $22.7 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 23% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 31.5% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 3.6% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 3% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 103 5% (31 December 2007) note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area Commercial bank prime lending rate: 7.41% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 123 6.82% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $9.347 billion (31 December 2006) note: the figure for 2006 represents the US dollar value of tolars in circulation prior to Slovenia joining the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi money circulating within their own borders Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) $12.69 billion (31 December 2006) Stock of domestic credit: $50.31 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 47 $41.63 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $11.77 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 64 $28.96 billion (31 December 2007) $15.18 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: potatoes, hops, wheat, sugar beets, corn, grapes; cattle, sheep, poultry Industries: ferrous metallurgy and aluminum products, lead and zinc smelting; electronics (including military electronics), trucks, automobiles, electric power equipment, wood products, textiles, chemicals, machine tools Industrial production growth rate: 1.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 Electricity - production: 14.14 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 Electricity - consumption: 13.5 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 Electricity - exports: 7.82 billion kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 6.218 billion kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 5 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 Oil - consumption: 61,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 Oil - exports: 8,450 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 Oil - imports: 63,080 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 134 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 Natural gas - consumption: 1 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 117 Natural gas - imports: 1 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 137 Current account balance: -$3.323 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 -$1.982 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $29.61 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 $27.09 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food Exports - partners: Germany 18.7%, Italy 11.7%, Croatia 8.3%, Austria 7.5%, France 5.7%, Russia 4.8% (2008) Imports: $33.49 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 $29.42 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, chemicals, fuels and lubricants, food Imports - partners: Germany 17.2%, Italy 16.6%, Austria 11.2%, France 4.7%, Croatia 4.1% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $7.57 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 $5.682 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $54.61 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 51 $50.58 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $11.96 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 $10.41 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $7.592 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 $6.127 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007) note: Slovenia adopted the euro as its currency on 1 January 2007 Communications ::Slovenia Telephones - main lines in use: 1.01 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 81 Telephones - mobile cellular: 2.055 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 121 Telephone system: general assessment: well-developed telecommunications infrastructure domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 150 telephones per 100 persons international: country code - 386 Radio broadcast stations: AM 10, FM 230, shortwave 0 (2006) Television broadcast stations: 31 (2006) Internet country code: .si Internet hosts: 88,567 (2009) country comparison to the world: 75 Internet users: 1.126 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 84 Transportation ::Slovenia Airports: 16 (2009) country comparison to the world: 143 Airports - with paved runways: total: 6 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 5 (2009) Pipelines: gas 840 km; oil 11 km (2008) Railways: total: 1,228 km country comparison to the world: 85 standard gauge: 1,228 km 1.435-m gauge (503 km electrified) (2007) Roadways: total: 38,709 km country comparison to the world: 90 paved: 38,709 km (includes 579 km of expressways) (2007) Waterways: some transport on Danube River (2008) Merchant marine: registered in other countries: 29 (Antigua and Barbuda 6, Bahamas 1, Cyprus 4, Liberia 3, Malta 4, Marshall Islands 4, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 5, Singapore 1, Slovakia 1) (2008) country comparison to the world: 88 Ports and terminals: Koper Military ::Slovenia Military branches: Slovenian Army (includes air and naval forces) Military service age and obligation: 17 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription abolished in 2003 (2007) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 494,496 females age 16-49: 481,180 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 402,484 females age 16-49: 390,559 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 10,192 female: 9,717 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.7% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 Transnational Issues ::Slovenia Disputes - international: the Croatia-Slovenia land and maritime boundary agreement, which would have ceded most of Piran Bay and maritime access to Slovenia and several villages to Croatia, remains unratified and in dispute; Slovenia also protests Croatia's 2003 claim to an exclusive economic zone in the Adriatic; as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Slovenia has implemented the strict Schengen border rules to curb illegal migration and commerce through southeastern Europe while encouraging close cross-border ties with Croatia Illicit drugs: minor transit point for cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin bound for Western Europe, and for precursor chemicals page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Solomon Islands (Australia-Oceania) Introduction ::Solomon Islands Background: The UK established a protectorate over the Solomon Islands in the 1890s. Some of the most bitter fighting of World War II occurred on this archipelago. Self-government was achieved in 1976 and independence two years later. Ethnic violence, government malfeasance, and endemic crime have undermined stability and civil society. In June 2003, then Prime Minister Sir Allan KEMAKEZA sought the assistance of Australia in reestablishing law and order; the following month, an Australian-led multinational force arrived to restore peace and disarm ethnic militias. The Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) has generally been effective in restoring law and order and rebuilding government institutions. Geography ::Solomon Islands Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Papua New Guinea Geographic coordinates: 8 00 S, 159 00 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 28,896 sq km country comparison to the world: 143 land: 27,986 sq km water: 910 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 5,313 km Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm Climate: tropical monsoon; few extremes of temperature and weather Terrain: mostly rugged mountains with some low coral atolls Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Makarakomburu 2,447 m Natural resources: fish, forests, gold, bauxite, phosphates, lead, zinc, nickel Land use: arable land: 0.62% permanent crops: 2.04% other: 97.34% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Total renewable water resources: 44.7 cu km (1987) Natural hazards: typhoons, but rarely destructive; geologically active region with frequent earthquakes, tremors, and volcanic activity; tsunamis Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; many of the surrounding coral reefs are dead or dying Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: strategic location on sea routes between the South Pacific Ocean, the Solomon Sea, and the Coral Sea; on 2 April 2007 an undersea earthquake measuring 8.1 on the Richter scale occurred 345 km WNW of the capital Honiara; the resulting tsunami devastated coastal areas of Western and Choiseul provinces with dozens of deaths and thousands dislocated; the provincial capital of Gizo was especially hard hit People ::Solomon Islands Population: 595,613 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 166 Age structure: 0-14 years: 39.5% (male 119,875/female 115,127) 15-64 years: 57.1% (male 171,792/female 168,023) 65 years and over: 3.5% (male 9,849/female 10,947) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 19.7 years male: 19.5 years female: 19.8 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 2.392% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 Birth rate: 27.69 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 Death rate: 3.77 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 209 Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 18% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 19.03 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 107 male: 21.65 deaths/1,000 live births female: 16.28 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.69 years country comparison to the world: 100 male: 71.14 years female: 76.37 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.52 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Solomon Islander(s) adjective: Solomon Islander Ethnic groups: Melanesian 94.5%, Polynesian 3%, Micronesian 1.2%, other 1.1%, unspecified 0.2% (1999 census) Religions: Church of Melanesia 32.8%, Roman Catholic 19%, South Seas Evangelical 17%, Seventh-Day Adventist 11.2%, United Church 10.3%, Christian Fellowship Church 2.4%, other Christian 4.4%, other 2.4%, unspecified 0.3%, none 0.2% (1999 census) Languages: Melanesian pidgin in much of the country is lingua franca; English (official but spoken by only 1%-2% of the population); 120 indigenous languages Literacy: NA School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 8 years male: 9 years female: 8 years (2005) Education expenditures: 3.3% of GDP (1999) country comparison to the world: 135 Government ::Solomon Islands Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Solomon Islands local long form: none local short form: Solomon Islands former: British Solomon Islands Government type: parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm Capital: name: Honiara geographic coordinates: 9 26 S, 159 57 E time difference: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 9 provinces and 1 capital territory*; Central, Choiseul, Guadalcanal, Honiara*, Isabel, Makira, Malaita, Rennell and Bellona, Temotu, Western Independence: 7 July 1978 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 7 July (1978) Constitution: 7 July 1978 Legal system: English common law, which is widely disregarded; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Frank KABUI (since 7 July 2009) head of government: Prime Minister Derek SIKUA (since 20 December 2007); note - Prime Minister Manasseh SOGAVARE defeated in a no confidence vote in parliament on 13 December 2007; SIKUA elected on 20 December 2007 cabinet: Cabinet consists of 20 members appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister from among the members of Parliament elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the advice of parliament for up to five years (eligible for a second term); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by parliament; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister from among the members of parliament Legislative branch: unicameral National Parliament (50 seats; members elected from single-member constituencies by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 5 April 2006 (next to be held in 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - National Party 6.9%, PAP 6.3%, SIPRA 6.3%, Liberal 5%, Democratic 4.9%, SOCRED 4.3%, LAFARI 2.8%, independents 60.3%; seats by party - National Party 4, SIPRA 4, Democratic 3, PAP 3, LAFARI 2, Liberal 2, SOCRED 2, independents 30 Judicial branch: Court of Appeal Political parties and leaders: Association of Independent Members or AIM [Thomas CHAN]; Christian Alliance Solomon Islands or CASI [Edward RONIA]; LAFARI Party [John GARO]; National Party [Francis HILLY]; People's Alliance Party or PAP [Sir Allan KEMAKEZA]; Social Credit Party or SOCRED [Manasseh Damukana SOGAVARE]; Solomon First Party [David QUAN]; Solomon Islands Democratic Party [Gabriel SURI]; Solomon Islands Labor Party or SILP [Joses TUHANUKU]; Solomon Islands Liberal Party [Bartholomew ULUFA'ALU]; Solomon Islands Party for Rural Advancement or SIPRA [Job D. TAUSINGA]; United Party [Sir Peter KENILOREA] note: in general, Solomon Islands politics is characterized by fluid coalitions Political pressure groups and leaders: Isatabu Freedom Movement (IFM); Malaita Eagle Force (MEF); note - these rival armed ethnic factions crippled the Solomon Islands in a wave of violence from 1999 to 2003 International organization participation: ACP, ADB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Collin David BECK chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400L, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 599-6192, 6193 FAX: [1] (212) 661-8925 Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Solomon Islands (embassy closed July 1993); the ambassador to Papua New Guinea is accredited to the Solomon Islands Flag description: divided diagonally by a thin yellow stripe from the lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is blue with five white five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern; the lower triangle is green Government - note: by the end of 2007, the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) - originally made up of police and troops from Australia, NZ, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Tonga - had been scaled back to 303 police officers, 197 civilian technical advisers, and 72 military advisers from 15 countries across the region Economy ::Solomon Islands Economy - overview: The bulk of the population depends on agriculture, fishing, and forestry for at least part of its livelihood. Most manufactured goods and petroleum products must be imported. The islands are rich in undeveloped mineral resources such as lead, zinc, nickel, and gold. Prior to the arrival of RAMSI, severe ethnic violence, the closing of key businesses, and an empty government treasury culminated in economic collapse. RAMSI's efforts to restore law and order and economic stability have led to modest growth as the economy rebuilds. GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.546 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 192 $1.441 billion (2007 est.) $1.306 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $642 million (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 7.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 10.3% (2007 est.) 6.1% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $2,700 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 169 $2,500 (2007 est.) $2,400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 42% industry: 11% services: 47% (2005 est.) Labor force: 202,500 (2007) country comparison to the world: 164 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 75% industry: 5% services: 20% (2000 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $49.7 million expenditures: $75.1 million (2003) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.3% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 Commercial bank prime lending rate: 14.44% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 51 14.12% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $86.96 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 114 $94 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $96.79 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 121 $85.47 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $166.1 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 124 $126.5 million (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: cocoa beans, coconuts, palm kernels, rice, potatoes, vegetables, fruit; timber; cattle, pigs; fish Industries: fish (tuna), mining, timber Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 71 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 195 Electricity - consumption: 66.03 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 195 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 Oil - consumption: 2,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 180 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 205 Oil - imports: 1,323 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 184 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 202 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 203 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 47 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 Current account balance: -$143 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 Exports: $237 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 178 Exports - commodities: timber, fish, copra, palm oil, cocoa Exports - partners: China 47.7%, Thailand 6.7%, Spain 5.4%, South Korea 5.2%, Philippines 4.6% (2008) Imports: $256 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 196 Imports - commodities: food, plant and equipment, manufactured goods, fuels, chemicals Imports - partners: Singapore 26.7%, Australia 18.1%, India 7.5%, Fiji 4.4%, Malaysia 4.4%, Papua New Guinea 4.3%, NZ 4% (2008) Debt - external: $166 million (2004) country comparison to the world: 183 Exchange rates: Solomon Islands dollars (SBD) per US dollar - NA (2007), 7.3447 (2006), 7.5299 (2005), 7.4847 (2004), 7.5059 (2003) Communications ::Solomon Islands Telephones - main lines in use: 8,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 207 Telephones - mobile cellular: 14,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 209 Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: country code - 677; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 1 (2004) Internet country code: .sb Internet hosts: 4,067 (2009) country comparison to the world: 136 Internet users: 10,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 199 Transportation ::Solomon Islands Airports: 36 (2009) country comparison to the world: 106 Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 34 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 25 (2009) Heliports: 3 (2009) Roadways: total: 1,360 km country comparison to the world: 177 paved: 33 km unpaved: 1,327 km note: includes 800 km of private plantation roads (2002) Ports and terminals: Honiara, Malloco Bay, Viru Harbor Military ::Solomon Islands Military branches: no regular military forces; Solomon Islands Police Force (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 141,051 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 121,368 females age 16-49: 122,821 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 7,091 female: 6,837 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 3% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 47 Transnational Issues ::Solomon Islands Disputes - international: since 2003, RAMSI, consisting of police, military, and civilian advisors drawn from 15 countries, has assisted in reestablishing and maintaining civil and political order while reinforcing regional stability and security Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs: 5,400 (displaced by tsunami on 2 April 2007) (2007) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Somalia (Africa) Introduction ::Somalia Background: Britain withdrew from British Somaliland in 1960 to allow its protectorate to join with Italian Somaliland and form the new nation of Somalia. In 1969, a coup headed by Mohamed SIAD Barre ushered in an authoritarian socialist rule that managed to impose a degree of stability in the country for a couple of decades. After the regime's collapse early in 1991, Somalia descended into turmoil, factional fighting, and anarchy. In May 1991, northern clans declared an independent Republic of Somaliland that now includes the administrative regions of Awdal, Woqooyi Galbeed, Togdheer, Sanaag, and Sool. Although not recognized by any government, this entity has maintained a stable existence and continues efforts to establish a constitutional democracy, including holding municipal, parliamentary, and presidential elections. The regions of Bari, Nugaal, and northern Mudug comprise a neighboring self-declared autonomous state of Puntland, which has been self-governing since 1998 but does not aim at independence; it has also made strides toward reconstructing a legitimate, representative government but has suffered some civil strife. Puntland disputes its border with Somaliland as it also claims portions of eastern Sool and Sanaag. Beginning in 1993, a two-year UN humanitarian effort (primarily in the south) was able to alleviate famine conditions, but when the UN withdrew in 1995, having suffered significant casualties, order still had not been restored. A two-year peace process, led by the Government of Kenya under the auspices of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), concluded in October 2004 with the election of Abdullahi YUSUF Ahmed as President of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia and the formation of an interim government, known as the Somalia Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs). The TFIs included a 275-member parliamentary body, known as the Transitional Federal Assembly (TFA). President YUSUF resigned late in 2008 while United Nations-sponsored talks between the TFG and the opposition Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia (ARS) were underway in Djibouti. In January 2009, following the creation of a TFG-ARS unity government, Ethiopian military forces, which had entered Somalia in December 2006 to support the TFG in the face of advances by the opposition Council of Islamic Courts (CIC), withdrew from the country. The TFA was increased to 550 seats with the addition of 275 ARS members of parliament. The expanded parliament elected Sheikh SHARIF Sheikh Ahmed, the former CIC and ARS chairman as president on 31 January 2009, in Djibouti. Subsequently, President SHARIF appointed Omar Abdirashid ali SHARMARKE, son of a former president of Somalia, as prime minister on 13 February 2009. The TFIs are based on the Transitional Federal Charter (TFC), which outlines a five-year mandate leading to the establishment of a new Somali constitution and a transition to a representative government following national elections. However, in January 2009 the TFA amended the TFC to extend TFG's mandate until 2011. While its institutions remain weak, the TFG continues to reach out to Somali stakeholders and work with international donors to help build the governance capacity of the TFIs and work toward national elections in 2011. Geography ::Somalia Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, east of Ethiopia Geographic coordinates: 10 00 N, 49 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 637,657 sq km country comparison to the world: 43 land: 627,337 sq km water: 10,320 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Texas Land boundaries: total: 2,340 km border countries: Djibouti 58 km, Ethiopia 1,600 km, Kenya 682 km Coastline: 3,025 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 200 nm Climate: principally desert; northeast monsoon (December to February), moderate temperatures in north and hot in south; southwest monsoon (May to October), torrid in the north and hot in the south, irregular rainfall, hot and humid periods (tangambili) between monsoons Terrain: mostly flat to undulating plateau rising to hills in north Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Shimbiris 2,416 m Natural resources: uranium and largely unexploited reserves of iron ore, tin, gypsum, bauxite, copper, salt, natural gas, likely oil reserves Land use: arable land: 1.64% permanent crops: 0.04% other: 98.32% (2005) Irrigated land: 2,000 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 15.7 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 3.29 cu km/yr (0%/0%/100%) per capita: 400 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: recurring droughts; frequent dust storms over eastern plains in summer; floods during rainy season Environment - current issues: famine; use of contaminated water contributes to human health problems; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: strategic location on Horn of Africa along southern approaches to Bab el Mandeb and route through Red Sea and Suez Canal People ::Somalia Population: 9,832,017 country comparison to the world: 83 note: this estimate was derived from an official census taken in 1975 by the Somali Government; population counting in Somalia is complicated by the large number of nomads and by refugee movements in response to famine and clan warfare (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 45% (male 2,215,331/female 2,204,503) 15-64 years: 52.6% (male 2,588,356/female 2,579,737) 65 years and over: 2.5% (male 101,764/female 142,326) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 17.5 years male: 17.4 years female: 17.6 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 2.815% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 Birth rate: 43.7 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 Death rate: 15.55 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 Urbanization: urban population: 37% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 109.19 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 6 male: 118.31 deaths/1,000 live births female: 99.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 49.63 years country comparison to the world: 208 male: 47.78 years female: 51.53 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.52 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.5% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 24,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 1,600 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and Rift Valley fever water contact disease: schistosomiasis animal contact disease: rabies (2009) Nationality: noun: Somali(s) adjective: Somali Ethnic groups: Somali 85%, Bantu and other non-Somali 15% (including Arabs 30,000) Religions: Sunni Muslim Languages: Somali (official), Arabic, Italian, English Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 37.8% male: 49.7% female: 25.8% (2001 est.) Education expenditures: NA Government ::Somalia Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Somalia local long form: Jamhuuriyada Demuqraadiga Soomaaliyeed local short form: Soomaaliya former: Somali Republic, Somali Democratic Republic Government type: no permanent national government; transitional, parliamentary federal government Capital: name: Mogadishu geographic coordinates: 2 04 N, 45 22 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 18 regions (plural - NA, singular - gobolka); Awdal, Bakool, Banaadir, Bari, Bay, Galguduud, Gedo, Hiiraan, Jubbada Dhexe, Jubbada Hoose, Mudug, Nugaal, Sanaag, Shabeellaha Dhexe, Shabeellaha Hoose, Sool, Togdheer, Woqooyi Galbeed Independence: 1 July 1960 (from a merger of British Somaliland, which became independent from the UK on 26 June 1960, and Italian Somaliland, which became independent from the Italian-administered UN trusteeship on 1 July 1960, to form the Somali Republic) National holiday: Foundation of the Somali Republic, 1 July (1960); note - 26 June (1960) in Somaliland Constitution: 25 August 1979, presidential approval 23 September 1979 note: the formation of transitional governing institutions, known as the Transitional Federal Government, is currently ongoing Legal system: no national system; a mixture of English common law, Italian law, Islamic Sharia, and Somali customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Transitional Federal President Sheikh SHARIF Sheikh Ahmed (since 31 January 2009); note - a transitional governing entity with a five-year mandate, known as the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs), was established in October 2004; the TFIs relocated to Somalia in June 2004 head of government: Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali SHARMARKE (since 13 February 2009) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister and approved by the Transitional Federal Assembly election results: Sheikh SHARIF Sheikh Ahmed was elected president by the expanded Transitional Federal Assembly in Djibouti Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly note: unicameral Transitional Federal Assembly (TFA) (550 seats; 475 members appointed according to the 4.5 clan formula, with the remaining 75 seats reserved for civil society and business persons) Judicial branch: following the breakdown of the central government, most regions have reverted to local forms of conflict resolution, either secular, traditional Somali customary law, or Sharia (Islamic) law with a provision for appeal of all sentences Political parties and leaders: none Political pressure groups and leaders: other: numerous clan and sub-clan factions exist both in support and in opposition to the transitional government International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, CAEU, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, LAS, NAM, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation in the US: Somalia does not have an embassy in the US (ceased operations on 8 May 1991); note - the Transitional Federal Government is represented in the United States through its Permanent Mission to the United Nations Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Somalia; US interests are represented by the US Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya at United Nations Avenue, Nairobi; mailing address: Unit 64100, Nairobi; APO AE 09831; telephone: [254] (20) 363-6000; FAX [254] (20) 363-6157 Flag description: light blue with a large white five-pointed star in the center; blue field influenced by the flag of the UN Government - note: although an interim government was created in 2004, other regional and local governing bodies continue to exist and control various regions of the country, including the self-declared Republic of Somaliland in northwestern Somalia and the semi-autonomous State of Puntland in northeastern Somalia Economy ::Somalia Economy - overview: Despite the lack of effective national governance, Somalia has maintained a healthy informal economy, largely based on livestock, remittance/money transfer companies, and telecommunications. Agriculture is the most important sector, with livestock normally accounting for about 40% of GDP and about 65% of export earnings. Nomads and semi-pastoralists, who are dependent upon livestock for their livelihood, make up a large portion of the population. Livestock, hides, fish, charcoal, and bananas are Somalia's principal exports, while sugar, sorghum, corn, qat, and machined goods are the principal imports. Somalia's small industrial sector, based on the processing of agricultural products, has largely been looted and sold as scrap metal. Somalia's service sector also has grown. Telecommunication firms provide wireless services in most major cities and offer the lowest international call rates on the continent. In the absence of a formal banking sector, money transfer/remittance services have sprouted throughout the country, handling roughly $2 billion in remittances annually. Mogadishu's main market offers a variety of goods from food to the newest electronic gadgets. Hotels continue to operate and are supported with private-security militias. Somalia's arrears to the IMF continued to grow in 2008. Statistics on Somalia's GDP, growth, per capita income, and inflation should be viewed skeptically. GDP (purchasing power parity): $5.524 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 156 $5.387 billion (2007 est.) $5.252 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $2.6 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 2.6% (2007 est.) 2.6% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $600 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 225 $600 (2007 est.) $600 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 65% industry: 10% services: 25% (2005 est.) Labor force: 3.447 million (few skilled laborers) (2007) country comparison to the world: 96 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 71% industry and services: 29% (1975) Unemployment rate: NA% Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% note: businesses print their own money, so inflation rates cannot be easily determined Agriculture - products: bananas, sorghum, corn, coconuts, rice, sugarcane, mangoes, sesame seeds, beans; cattle, sheep, goats; fish Industries: a few light industries, including sugar refining, textiles, wireless communication Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 280 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 169 Electricity - consumption: 260.4 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 171 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 Oil - consumption: 5,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 166 Oil - exports: 1,475 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 Oil - imports: 6,387 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 131 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 114 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 Natural gas - proved reserves: 5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 Exports: $300 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 174 Exports - commodities: livestock, bananas, hides, fish, charcoal, scrap metal Exports - partners: UAE 56.2%, Yemen 21%, Saudi Arabia 3.6% (2008) Imports: $798 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 177 Imports - commodities: manufactures, petroleum products, foodstuffs, construction materials, qat Imports - partners: Djibouti 29.2%, India 11.9%, Kenya 7.6%, US 6%, Oman 5.6%, UAE 5.5%, Yemen 4.7% (2008) Debt - external: $3 billion (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 Exchange rates: Somali shillings (SOS) per US dollar - NA (2007-08), 1,438.3 (2006) official rate; the unofficial black market rate was about 23,000 shillings per dollar as of February 2007 note: the Republic of Somaliland, a self-declared independent country not recognized by any foreign government, issues its own currency, the Somaliland shilling Communications ::Somalia Telephones - main lines in use: 100,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 144 Telephones - mobile cellular: 627,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 150 Telephone system: general assessment: the public telecommunications system was almost completely destroyed or dismantled during the civil war; private companies offer limited local fixed-line service and private wireless companies offer service in most major cities while charging the lowest international rates on the continent domestic: local cellular telephone systems have been established in Mogadishu and in several other population centers international: country code - 252; international connections are available from Mogadishu by satellite (2001) Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 11 (also 1 station each in Puntland and Somaliland), shortwave 1 (in Mogadishu) (2001) Television broadcast stations: 4 (2 in Mogadishu and 2 in Hargeisa) (2001) Internet country code: .so Internet hosts: 0 (2009) country comparison to the world: 232 Internet users: 102,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 154 Transportation ::Somalia Airports: 59 (2009) country comparison to the world: 80 Airports - with paved runways: total: 7 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 52 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 19 914 to 1,523 m: 23 under 914 m: 6 (2009) Roadways: total: 22,100 km country comparison to the world: 106 paved: 2,608 km unpaved: 19,492 km (2000) Merchant marine: total: 1 country comparison to the world: 157 by type: cargo 1 foreign-owned: 1 (UAE 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Berbera, Kismaayo Transportation - note: the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean are high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous vessels, including commercial shipping and pleasure craft, have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; crew, passengers, and cargo are held for ransom; the presence of several naval task forces in the Gulf of Aden and additional anti-piracy measures on the part of ship operators have reduced the piracy incidents; in response local pirates shifted operations farther south along the east coast of Somalia and eastward along the coast of Oman Military ::Somalia Military branches: no national-level armed forces (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 2,181,050 females age 16-49: 2,125,558 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,301,026 females age 16-49: 1,351,649 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 93,763 female: 93,738 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 0.9% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 143 Transnational Issues ::Somalia Disputes - international: Ethiopian forces invaded southern Somalia and routed Islamist Courts from Mogadishu in January 2007; "Somaliland" secessionists provide port facilities in Berbera to landlocked Ethiopia and have established commercial ties with other regional states; "Puntland" and "Somaliland" "governments" seek international support in their secessionist aspirations and overlapping border claims; the undemarcated former British administrative line has little meaning as a political separation to rival clans within Ethiopia's Ogaden and southern Somalia's Oromo region; Kenya works hard to prevent the clan and militia fighting in Somalia from spreading south across the border, which has long been open to nomadic pastoralists Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs: 1.1 million (civil war since 1988, clan-based competition for resources) (2007) page last updated on November 10, 2009 ====================================================================== @South Africa (Africa) Introduction ::South Africa Background: Dutch traders landed at the southern tip of modern day South Africa in 1652 and established a stopover point on the spice route between the Netherlands and the East, founding the city of Cape Town. After the British seized the Cape of Good Hope area in 1806, many of the Dutch settlers (the Boers) trekked north to found their own republics. The discovery of diamonds (1867) and gold (1886) spurred wealth and immigration and intensified the subjugation of the native inhabitants. The Boers resisted British encroachments but were defeated in the Boer War (1899-1902); however, the British and the Afrikaners, as the Boers became known, ruled together under the Union of South Africa. In 1948, the National Party was voted into power and instituted a policy of apartheid - the separate development of the races. The first multi-racial elections in 1994 brought an end to apartheid and ushered in black majority rule under the African National Congress (ANC). ANC infighting, which has grown in recent years, came to a head in September 2008 after President Thabo MBEKI resigned. Kgalema MOTLANTHE, the party's General-Secretary, succeeded as interim president until general elections scheduled for 2009. Geography ::South Africa Location: Southern Africa, at the southern tip of the continent of Africa Geographic coordinates: 29 00 S, 24 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 1,219,090 sq km country comparison to the world: 25 land: 1,214,470 sq km water: 4,620 sq km note: includes Prince Edward Islands (Marion Island and Prince Edward Island) Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Texas Land boundaries: total: 4,862 km border countries: Botswana 1,840 km, Lesotho 909 km, Mozambique 491 km, Namibia 967 km, Swaziland 430 km, Zimbabwe 225 km Coastline: 2,798 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to edge of the continental margin Climate: mostly semiarid; subtropical along east coast; sunny days, cool nights Terrain: vast interior plateau rimmed by rugged hills and narrow coastal plain Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Njesuthi 3,408 m Natural resources: gold, chromium, antimony, coal, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, tin, uranium, gem diamonds, platinum, copper, vanadium, salt, natural gas Land use: arable land: 12.1% permanent crops: 0.79% other: 87.11% (2005) Irrigated land: 14,980 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 50 cu km (1990) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 12.5 cu km/yr (31%/6%/63%) per capita: 264 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: prolonged droughts Environment - current issues: lack of important arterial rivers or lakes requires extensive water conservation and control measures; growth in water usage outpacing supply; pollution of rivers from agricultural runoff and urban discharge; air pollution resulting in acid rain; soil erosion; desertification Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: South Africa completely surrounds Lesotho and almost completely surrounds Swaziland People ::South Africa Population: 49,052,489 country comparison to the world: 24 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 28.9% (male 7,093,328/female 7,061,579) 15-64 years: 65.8% (male 16,275,424/female 15,984,181) 65 years and over: 5.4% (male 1,075,117/female 1,562,860) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 24.4 years male: 24.1 years female: 24.8 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.281% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 173 Birth rate: 19.93 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 Death rate: 16.99 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 Net migration rate: -0.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population country comparison to the world: 95 note: there is an increasing flow of Zimbabweans into South Africa and Botswana in search of better economic opportunities (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 61% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 44.42 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 59 male: 48.66 deaths/1,000 live births female: 40.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 48.98 years country comparison to the world: 209 male: 49.81 years female: 48.13 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.38 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 18.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 5.7 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 350,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2009) Nationality: noun: South African(s) adjective: South African Ethnic groups: black African 79%, white 9.6%, colored 8.9%, Indian/Asian 2.5% (2001 census) Religions: Zion Christian 11.1%, Pentecostal/Charismatic 8.2%, Catholic 7.1%, Methodist 6.8%, Dutch Reformed 6.7%, Anglican 3.8%, Muslim 1.5%, other Christian 36%, other 2.3%, unspecified 1.4%, none 15.1% (2001 census) Languages: IsiZulu 23.8%, IsiXhosa 17.6%, Afrikaans 13.3%, Sepedi 9.4%, English 8.2%, Setswana 8.2%, Sesotho 7.9%, Xitsonga 4.4%, other 7.2% (2001 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 86.4% male: 87% female: 85.7% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 13 years (2004) Education expenditures: 5.4% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 53 Government ::South Africa Country name: conventional long form: Republic of South Africa conventional short form: South Africa former: Union of South Africa abbreviation: RSA Government type: republic Capital: name: Pretoria (administrative capital) geographic coordinates: 25 42 S, 28 13 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) note: Cape Town (legislative capital); Bloemfontein (judicial capital) Administrative divisions: 9 provinces; Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, North-West, Western Cape Independence: 31 May 1910 (Union of South Africa formed from four British colonies: Cape Colony, Natal, Transvaal, and Orange Free State); 31 May 1961 (republic declared) 27 April 1994 (majority rule) National holiday: Freedom Day, 27 April (1994) Constitution: 10 December 1996; note - certified by the Constitutional Court on 4 December 1996; was signed by then President MANDELA on 10 December 1996; and entered into effect on 4 February 1997 Legal system: based on Roman-Dutch law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Jacob ZUMA (since 9 May 2009); Executive Deputy President Kgalema MOTLANTHE (since 11 May 2009); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Jacob ZUMA (since 9 May 2009); Executive Deputy President Kgalema MOTLANTHE (since 11 May 2009) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 6 May 2009 (next to be held in 2014) election results: Jacob ZUMA elected president; National Assembly vote - Jacob ZUMA 277, Mvume DANDALA 47, other 76 Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consisting of the National Council of Provinces (90 seats, 10 members elected by each of the nine provincial legislatures for five-year terms; has special powers to protect regional interests, including the safeguarding of cultural and linguistic traditions among ethnic minorities) and the National Assembly (400 seats; members are elected by popular vote under a system of proportional representation to serve five-year terms); note - following the implementation of the new constitution on 4 February 1997, the former Senate was disbanded and replaced by the National Council of Provinces with essentially no change in membership and party affiliations, although the new institution's responsibilities have been changed somewhat by the new constitution elections: National Assembly and National Council of Provinces - last held on 22 April 2009 (next to be held in April 2014) election results: National Council of Provinces - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - ANC 65.9%, DA 16.7%, COPE 7.4%, IFP 4.6%, other 5.4%; seats by party - ANC 264, DA 67, COPE 30, IFP 18, other 21 Judicial branch: Constitutional Court; Supreme Court of Appeals; High Courts; Magistrate Courts Political parties and leaders: African Christian Democratic Party or ACDP [Kenneth MESHOE]; African National Congress or ANC [Jacob ZUMA]; Congress of the People or COPE [Mosiuoa LEKOTA]; Democratic Alliance or DA [Helen ZILLE]; Freedom Front Plus or FF+ [Pieter MULDER]; Independent Democrats or ID [Patricia DE LILLE]; Inkatha Freedom Party or IFP [Mangosuthu BUTHELEZI]; Pan-Africanist Congress or PAC [Motsoko PHEKO]; United Christian Democratic Party or UCDP [Lucas MANGOPE]; United Democratic Movement or UDM [Bantu HOLOMISA] Political pressure groups and leaders: Congress of South African Trade Unions or COSATU [Zwelinzima VAVI, general secretary]; South African Communist Party or SACP [Blade NZIMANDE, general secretary]; South African National Civics Organization or SANCO [Mlungisi HLONGWANE, national president] note: note - COSATU and SACP are in a formal alliance with the ANC International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, BIS, C, FAO, G-20, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, NSG, OPCW, PCA, SACU, SADC, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Welile Augustine NHLAPO chancery: 3051 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 232-4400 FAX: [1] (202) 265-1607 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Eric BOST embassy: 877 Pretorius Street, Pretoria mailing address: P. O. Box 9536, Pretoria 0001 telephone: [27] (12) 431-4000 FAX: [27] (12) 342-2299 consulate(s) general: Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg Flag description: two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue separated by a central green band that splits into a horizontal Y, the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist side; the Y embraces a black isosceles triangle from which the arms are separated by narrow yellow bands; the red and blue bands are separated from the green band and its arms by narrow white stripes Economy ::South Africa Economy - overview: South Africa is a middle-income, emerging market with an abundant supply of natural resources; well-developed financial, legal, communications, energy, and transport sectors; a stock exchange that is 17th largest in the world; and modern infrastructure supporting an efficient distribution of goods to major urban centers throughout the region. Growth was robust from 2004 to 2008 as South Africa reaped the benefits of macroeconomic stability and a global commodities boom, but began to slow in the second half of 2008 due to the global financial crisis' impact on commodity prices and demand. However, unemployment remains high and outdated infrastructure has constrained growth. At the end of 2007, South Africa began to experience an electricity crisis because state power supplier Eskom suffered supply problems with aged plants, necessitating "load-shedding" cuts to residents and businesses in the major cities. Daunting economic problems remain from the apartheid era - especially poverty, lack of economic empowerment among the disadvantaged groups, and a shortage of public transportation. South African economic policy is fiscally conservative but pragmatic, focusing on controlling inflation, maintaining a budget surplus, and using state-owned enterprises to deliver basic services to low-income areas as a means to increase job growth and household income. GDP (purchasing power parity): $492.2 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 $477.4 billion (2007 est.) $454.2 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $276.8 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 5.1% (2007 est.) 5.3% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $10,100 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 $9,900 (2007 est.) $9,500 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.3% industry: 33.7% services: 63% (2008 est.) Labor force: 17.79 million economically active (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 33 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 9% industry: 26% services: 65% (2007 est.) Unemployment rate: 22.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 171 24.3% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 50% (2000 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.3% highest 10%: 44.7% (2000) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 65 (2005) country comparison to the world: 2 59.3 (1994) Investment (gross fixed): 23.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 Budget: revenues: $77.43 billion expenditures: $79.9 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 31.6% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 45.9% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 11.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 6.5% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 11.5% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 32 11% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 15.13% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 57 13.17% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $44.66 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 23 $58.49 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $124.1 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 19 $141.9 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $214.8 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 30 $254.9 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $491.3 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 19 $833.5 billion (31 December 2007) $715 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; beef, poultry, mutton, wool, dairy products Industries: mining (world's largest producer of platinum, gold, chromium), automobile assembly, metalworking, machinery, textiles, iron and steel, chemicals, fertilizer, foodstuffs, commercial ship repair Industrial production growth rate: 1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 Electricity - production: 240.3 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 Electricity - consumption: 215.1 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 17 Electricity - exports: 14.16 billion kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 10.57 billion kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 195,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 Oil - consumption: 583,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 Oil - exports: 128,500 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 Oil - imports: 490,500 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 Oil - proved reserves: 15 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 85 Natural gas - production: 3.25 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 Natural gas - consumption: 6.45 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 120 Natural gas - imports: 3.2 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 Natural gas - proved reserves: 27.16 million cu m (1 January 2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 Current account balance: -$20.98 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 177 -$20.78 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $86.12 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 $75.92 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: gold, diamonds, platinum, other metals and minerals, machinery and equipment Exports - partners: Japan 11.1%, US 11.1%, Germany 8%, UK 6.8%, China 6%, Netherlands 5.2% (2008) Imports: $90.57 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 36 $81.66 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum products, scientific instruments, foodstuffs Imports - partners: Germany 11.2%, China 11.1%, US 7.9%, Saudi Arabia 6.2%, Japan 5.5%, UK 4% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $34.07 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 36 $32.94 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $71.81 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 43 $75.28 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $120 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 $110.4 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $63.57 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 $65.88 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: rand (ZAR) per US dollar - 7.9576 (2008 est.), 7.05 (2007), 6.7649 (2006), 6.3593 (2005), 6.4597 (2004) Communications ::South Africa Telephones - main lines in use: 4.425 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 35 Telephones - mobile cellular: 45 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 24 Telephone system: general assessment: the system is the best developed and most modern in Africa domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity exceeds 110 telephones per 100 persons; consists of carrier-equipped open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay links, fiber-optic cable, radiotelephone communication stations, and wireless local loops; key centers are Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, and Pretoria international: country code - 27; the SAT-3/WASC and SAFE fiber optic cable systems connect South Africa to Europe and Asia; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 14, FM 347 (plus 243 repeaters), shortwave 1 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 556 (plus 144 network repeaters) (1997) Internet country code: .za Internet hosts: 1.73 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 34 Internet users: 4.187 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 49 Transportation ::South Africa Airports: 607 (2009) country comparison to the world: 11 Airports - with paved runways: total: 148 over 3,047 m: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 52 914 to 1,523 m: 68 under 914 m: 12 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 459 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 34 914 to 1,523 m: 298 under 914 m: 125 (2009) Heliports: 1 (2009) Pipelines: condensate 11 km; gas 908 km; oil 980 km; refined products 1,379 km (2008) Railways: total: 20,872 km country comparison to the world: 14 narrow gauge: 20,436 km 1.065-m gauge (8,271 km electrified); 436 km 0.610-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 362,099 km country comparison to the world: 18 paved: 73,506 km (includes 239 km of expressways) unpaved: 288,593 km (2002) Merchant marine: total: 3 country comparison to the world: 138 by type: container 1, petroleum tanker 2 foreign-owned: 1 (Denmark 1) registered in other countries: 8 (Bahamas 1, Nigeria 1, NZ 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Seychelles 1, UK 3) (2008) Ports and terminals: Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Richards Bay, Saldanha Bay Military ::South Africa Military branches: South African National Defense Force (SANDF): South African Army, South African Navy (SAN), South African Air Force (SAAF), Joint Operations Command, Military Intelligence, South African Military Health Services (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; women are eligible to serve in noncombat roles; 2-year service obligation (2007) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 11,622,507 females age 16-49: 11,501,537 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 7,641,557 females age 16-49: 6,518,793 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 511,616 female: 510,540 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.7% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 98 Military - note: with the end of apartheid and the establishment of majority rule, former military, black homelands forces, and ex-opposition forces were integrated into the South African National Defense Force (SANDF); as of 2003 the integration process was considered complete Transnational Issues ::South Africa Disputes - international: South Africa has placed military along the border to apprehend the thousands of Zimbabweans fleeing economic dysfunction and political persecution; as of January 2007, South Africa also supports large numbers of refugees and asylum seekers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (33,000), Somalia (20,000), Burundi (6,500), and other states in Africa (26,000); managed dispute with Namibia over the location of the boundary in the Orange River; in 2006, Swazi king advocates resort to ICJ to claim parts of Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal from South Africa Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 10,772 (Democratic Republic of Congo); 7,818 (Somalia); 5,759 (Angola) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: South Africa is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for forced labor and sexual exploitation; women and girls are trafficked internally - and occasionally to European and Asian countries - for sexual exploitation; women from other African countries are trafficked to South Africa and, less frequently, onward to Europe for sexual exploitation; men and boys are trafficked from neighboring countries for forced agricultural labor; Asian and Eastern European women are trafficked to South Africa for debt-bonded sexual exploitation tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - South Africa is on the Tier 2 Watch List for a fourth consecutive year for its failure to show increasing efforts to address trafficking; the government provided inadequate data in 2007 on trafficking crimes investigated or prosecuted, or on resulting convictions or sentences; it also did not provide information on its efforts to protect victims of trafficking; the country continues to deport and/or prosecute suspected foreign victims without providing appropriate protective services (2008) Illicit drugs: transshipment center for heroin, hashish, and cocaine, as well as a major cultivator of marijuana in its own right; cocaine and heroin consumption on the rise; world's largest market for illicit methaqualone, usually imported illegally from India through various east African countries, but increasingly producing its own synthetic drugs for domestic consumption; attractive venue for money launderers given the increasing level of organized criminal and narcotics activity in the region and the size of the South African economy page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Southern Ocean (Oceans) Introduction ::Southern Ocean Background: A large body of recent oceanographic research has shown that the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), an ocean current that flows from west to east around Antarctica, plays a crucial role in global ocean circulation. The region where the cold waters of the ACC meet and mingle with the warmer waters of the north defines a distinct border - the Antarctic Convergence - which fluctuates with the seasons, but which encompasses a discrete body of water and a unique ecologic region. The Convergence concentrates nutrients, which promotes marine plant life, and which in turn allows for a greater abundance of animal life. In the spring of 2000, the International Hydrographic Organization decided to delimit the waters within the Convergence as a fifth world ocean - the Southern Ocean - by combining the southern portions of the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and Pacific Ocean. The Southern Ocean extends from the coast of Antarctica north to 60 degrees south latitude, which coincides with the Antarctic Treaty Limit and which approximates the extent of the Antarctic Convergence. As such, the Southern Ocean is now the fourth largest of the world's five oceans (after the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, and Indian Ocean, but larger than the Arctic Ocean). It should be noted that inclusion of the Southern Ocean does not imply recognition of this feature as one of the world's primary oceans by the US Government. Geography ::Southern Ocean Location: body of water between 60 degrees south latitude and Antarctica Geographic coordinates: 60 00 S, 90 00 E (nominally), but the Southern Ocean has the unique distinction of being a large circumpolar body of water totally encircling the continent of Antarctica; this ring of water lies between 60 degrees south latitude and the coast of Antarctica and encompasses 360 degrees of longitude Map references: Antarctic Region Area: total: 20.327 million sq km note: includes Amundsen Sea, Bellingshausen Sea, part of the Drake Passage, Ross Sea, a small part of the Scotia Sea, Weddell Sea, and other tributary water bodies Area - comparative: slightly more than twice the size of the US Coastline: 17,968 km Climate: sea temperatures vary from about 10 degrees Celsius to -2 degrees Celsius; cyclonic storms travel eastward around the continent and frequently are intense because of the temperature contrast between ice and open ocean; the ocean area from about latitude 40 south to the Antarctic Circle has the strongest average winds found anywhere on Earth; in winter the ocean freezes outward to 65 degrees south latitude in the Pacific sector and 55 degrees south latitude in the Atlantic sector, lowering surface temperatures well below 0 degrees Celsius; at some coastal points intense persistent drainage winds from the interior keep the shoreline ice-free throughout the winter Terrain: the Southern Ocean is deep, 4,000 to 5,000 m over most of its extent with only limited areas of shallow water; the Antarctic continental shelf is generally narrow and unusually deep, its edge lying at depths of 400 to 800 m (the global mean is 133 m); the Antarctic icepack grows from an average minimum of 2.6 million sq km in March to about 18.8 million sq km in September, better than a sixfold increase in area; the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (21,000 km in length) moves perpetually eastward; it is the world's largest ocean current, transporting 130 million cubic meters of water per second - 100 times the flow of all the world's rivers Elevation extremes: lowest point: -7,235 m at the southern end of the South Sandwich Trench highest point: sea level 0 m Natural resources: probable large and possible giant oil and gas fields on the continental margin; manganese nodules, possible placer deposits, sand and gravel, fresh water as icebergs; squid, whales, and seals - none exploited; krill, fish Natural hazards: huge icebergs with drafts up to several hundred meters; smaller bergs and iceberg fragments; sea ice (generally 0.5 to 1 m thick) with sometimes dynamic short-term variations and with large annual and interannual variations; deep continental shelf floored by glacial deposits varying widely over short distances; high winds and large waves much of the year; ship icing, especially May-October; most of region is remote from sources of search and rescue Environment - current issues: increased solar ultraviolet radiation resulting from the Antarctic ozone hole in recent years, reducing marine primary productivity (phytoplankton) by as much as 15% and damaging the DNA of some fish; illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in recent years, especially the landing of an estimated five to six times more Patagonian toothfish than the regulated fishery, which is likely to affect the sustainability of the stock; large amount of incidental mortality of seabirds resulting from long-line fishing for toothfish note: the now-protected fur seal population is making a strong comeback after severe overexploitation in the 18th and 19th centuries Environment - international agreements: the Southern Ocean is subject to all international agreements regarding the world's oceans; in addition, it is subject to these agreements specific to the Antarctic region: International Whaling Commission (prohibits commercial whaling south of 40 degrees south [south of 60 degrees south between 50 degrees and 130 degrees west]); Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (limits sealing); Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (regulates fishing) note: many nations (including the US) prohibit mineral resource exploration and exploitation south of the fluctuating Polar Front (Antarctic Convergence), which is in the middle of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current and serves as the dividing line between the cold polar surface waters to the south and the warmer waters to the north Geography - note: the major chokepoint is the Drake Passage between South America and Antarctica; the Polar Front (Antarctic Convergence) is the best natural definition of the northern extent of the Southern Ocean; it is a distinct region at the middle of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current that separates the cold polar surface waters to the south from the warmer waters to the north; the Front and the Current extend entirely around Antarctica, reaching south of 60 degrees south near New Zealand and near 48 degrees south in the far South Atlantic coinciding with the path of the maximum westerly winds Economy ::Southern Ocean Economy - overview: Fisheries in 2006-07 landed 126,976 metric tons, of which 82% (104,586 tons) was krill (Euphausia superba) and 9.5% (12,027 tons) Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides - also known as Chilean sea bass), compared to 127,910 tons in 2005-06 of which 83% (106,591 tons) was krill and 9.7% (12,396 tons) Patagonian toothfish (estimated fishing from the area covered by the Convention of the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), which extends slightly beyond the Southern Ocean area). International agreements were adopted in late 1999 to reduce illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, which in the 2000-01 season landed, by one estimate, 8,376 metric tons of Patagonian and Antarctic toothfish. In the 2007-08 Antarctic summer, 45,213 tourists visited the Southern Ocean, compared to 35,552 in 2006-2007, and 29,799 in 2005-2006 (estimates provided to the Antarctic Treaty by the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), and does not include passengers on overflights and those flying directly in and out of Antarctica). Transportation ::Southern Ocean Ports and terminals: McMurdo, Palmer, and offshore anchorages in Antarctica note: few ports or harbors exist on southern side of Southern Ocean; ice conditions limit use of most to short periods in midsummer; even then some cannot be entered without icebreaker escort; most Antarctic ports are operated by government research stations and, except in an emergency, are not open to commercial or private vessels (2007) Transportation - note: Drake Passage offers alternative to transit through the Panama Canal Transnational Issues ::Southern Ocean Disputes - international: Antarctic Treaty defers claims (see Antarctica entry), but Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, NZ, Norway, and UK assert claims (some overlapping), including the continental shelf in the Southern Ocean; several states have expressed an interest in extending those continental shelf claims under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to include undersea ridges; the US and most other states do not recognize the land or maritime claims of other states and have made no claims themselves (the US and Russia have reserved the right to do so); no formal claims exist in the waters in the sector between 90 degrees west and 150 degrees west page last updated on October 22, 2009 ====================================================================== @South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands (South America) Introduction ::South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands Background: The islands, which have large bird and seal populations, lie approximately 1,000 km east of the Falkland Islands and have been under British administration since 1908 - except for a brief period in 1982 when Argentina occupied them. Grytviken, on South Georgia, was a 19th and early 20th century whaling station. Famed explorer Ernest SHACKLETON stopped there in 1914 en route to his ill-fated attempt to cross Antarctica on foot. He returned some 20 months later with a few companions in a small boat and arranged a successful rescue for the rest of his crew, stranded off the Antarctic Peninsula. He died in 1922 on a subsequent expedition and is buried in Grytviken. Today, the station houses scientists from the British Antarctic Survey. Recognizing the importance of preserving the marine stocks in adjacent waters, the UK, in 1993, extended the exclusive fishing zone from 12 nm to 200 nm around each island. Geography ::South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands Location: Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of the tip of South America Geographic coordinates: 54 30 S, 37 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 3,903 sq km country comparison to the world: 176 land: 3,903 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Shag Rocks, Black Rock, Clerke Rocks, South Georgia Island, Bird Island, and the South Sandwich Islands, which consist of 11 islands Area - comparative: slightly larger than Rhode Island Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: NA Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Climate: variable, with mostly westerly winds throughout the year interspersed with periods of calm; nearly all precipitation falls as snow Terrain: most of the islands, rising steeply from the sea, are rugged and mountainous; South Georgia is largely barren and has steep, glacier-covered mountains; the South Sandwich Islands are of volcanic origin with some active volcanoes Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Paget (South Georgia) 2,934 m Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (largely covered by permanent ice and snow with some sparse vegetation consisting of grass, moss, and lichen) (2005) Irrigated land: 0 sq km Natural hazards: the South Sandwich Islands have prevailing weather conditions that generally make them difficult to approach by ship; they are also subject to active volcanism Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: the north coast of South Georgia has several large bays, which provide good anchorage; reindeer, introduced early in the 20th century, live on South Georgia People ::South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: the small military garrison on South Georgia withdrew in March 2001 replaced by a permanent group of scientists of the British Antarctic Survey, which also has a biological station on Bird Island; the South Sandwich Islands are uninhabited Government ::South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands Country name: conventional long form: South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands conventional short form: South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands abbreviation: SGSSI Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK, also claimed by Argentina; administered from the Falkland Islands by a commissioner, who is concurrently governor of the Falkland Islands, representing Queen ELIZABETH II Legal system: the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply; the senior magistrate from the Falkland Islands presides over the Magistrates Court Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK, also claimed by Argentina) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of the UK, also claimed by Argentina) Flag description: blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms features a shield with a golden lion centered; the shield is supported by a fur seal on the left and a penguin on the right; a reindeer appears above the shield, and below it on a scroll is the motto LEO TERRAM PROPRIAM PROTEGAT (Let the Lion Protect its Own Land) Economy ::South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands Economy - overview: Some fishing takes place in adjacent waters. There is a potential source of income from harvesting finfish and krill. The islands receive income from postage stamps produced in the UK, sale of fishing licenses, and harbor and landing fees from tourist vessels. Tourism from specialized cruise ships is increasing rapidly. Communications ::South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: coastal radiotelephone station at Grytviken Radio broadcast stations: 0 (2003) Television broadcast stations: 0 (2003) Internet country code: .gs Internet hosts: 363 (2009) country comparison to the world: 176 Transportation ::South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands Ports and terminals: Grytviken Military ::South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Transnational Issues ::South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands Disputes - international: Argentina, which claims the islands in its constitution and briefly occupied them by force in 1982, agreed in 1995 to no longer seek settlement by force page last updated on October 28, 2009 ====================================================================== @Spain (Europe) Introduction ::Spain Background: Spain's powerful world empire of the 16th and 17th centuries ultimately yielded command of the seas to England. Subsequent failure to embrace the mercantile and industrial revolutions caused the country to fall behind Britain, France, and Germany in economic and political power. Spain remained neutral in World Wars I and II but suffered through a devastating civil war (1936-39). A peaceful transition to democracy following the death of dictator Francisco FRANCO in 1975, and rapid economic modernization (Spain joined the EU in 1986) gave Spain a dynamic and rapidly growing economy and made it a global champion of freedom and human rights. The government continues to battle the Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA) terrorist organization, but its major focus for the immediate future will be on measures to reverse the severe economic recession that started in mid-2008. Geography ::Spain Location: Southwestern Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay, Mediterranean Sea, North Atlantic Ocean, and Pyrenees Mountains, southwest of France Geographic coordinates: 40 00 N, 4 00 W Map references: Europe Area: total: 505,370 sq km country comparison to the world: 51 land: 498,980 sq km water: 6,390 sq km note: there are two autonomous cities - Ceuta and Melilla - and 17 autonomous communities including Balearic Islands and Canary Islands, and three small Spanish possessions off the coast of Morocco - Islas Chafarinas, Penon de Alhucemas, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera Area - comparative: slightly more than twice the size of Oregon Land boundaries: total: 1,917.8 km border countries: Andorra 63.7 km, France 623 km, Gibraltar 1.2 km, Portugal 1,214 km, Morocco (Ceuta) 6.3 km, Morocco (Melilla) 9.6 km Coastline: 4,964 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm (applies only to the Atlantic Ocean) Climate: temperate; clear, hot summers in interior, more moderate and cloudy along coast; cloudy, cold winters in interior, partly cloudy and cool along coast Terrain: large, flat to dissected plateau surrounded by rugged hills; Pyrenees in north Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pico de Teide (Tenerife) on Canary Islands 3,718 m Natural resources: coal, lignite, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, uranium, tungsten, mercury, pyrites, magnesite, fluorspar, gypsum, sepiolite, kaolin, potash, hydropower, arable land Land use: arable land: 27.18% permanent crops: 9.85% other: 62.97% (2005) Irrigated land: 37,800 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 111.1 cu km (2005) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 37.22 cu km/yr (13%/19%/68%) per capita: 864 cu m/yr (2002) Natural hazards: periodic droughts Environment - current issues: pollution of the Mediterranean Sea from raw sewage and effluents from the offshore production of oil and gas; water quality and quantity nationwide; air pollution; deforestation; desertification Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants Geography - note: strategic location along approaches to Strait of Gibraltar; Spain controls a number of territories in northern Morocco including the enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, and the islands of Penon de Velez de la Gomera, Penon de Alhucemas, and Islas Chafarinas People ::Spain Population: 40,525,002 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 Age structure: 0-14 years: 14.5% (male 3,021,822/female 2,842,597) 15-64 years: 67.4% (male 13,705,107/female 13,601,399) 65 years and over: 18.1% (male 3,071,394/female 4,282,683) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 41.1 years male: 39.7 years female: 42.5 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.072% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 194 Birth rate: 9.72 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 198 Death rate: 9.99 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 Net migration rate: 0.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 Urbanization: urban population: 77% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 4.21 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 208 male: 4.59 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80.05 years country comparison to the world: 23 male: 76.74 years female: 83.57 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.31 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 206 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.5% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 140,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 2,300 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 59 Nationality: noun: Spaniard(s) adjective: Spanish Ethnic groups: composite of Mediterranean and Nordic types Religions: Roman Catholic 94%, other 6% Languages: Castilian Spanish (official) 74%, Catalan 17%, Galician 7%, Basque 2%, are official regionally Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.9% male: 98.7% female: 97.2% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 16 years male: 16 years female: 17 years (2006) Education expenditures: 4.2% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 97 Government ::Spain Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Spain conventional short form: Spain local long form: Reino de Espana local short form: Espana Government type: parliamentary monarchy Capital: name: Madrid geographic coordinates: 40 24 N, 3 41 W time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October note: Spain is divided into two time zones including the Canary Islands Administrative divisions: 17 autonomous communities (comunidades autonomas, singular - comunidad autonoma) and 2 autonomous cities* (ciudades autonomas, singular - ciudad autonoma); Andalucia, Aragon, Asturias, Baleares (Balearic Islands), Ceuta*, Canarias (Canary Islands), Cantabria, Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y Leon, Cataluna (Catalonia), Comunidad Valenciana (Valencian Community), Extremadura, Galicia, La Rioja, Madrid, Melilla*, Murcia, Navarra, Pais Vasco (Basque Country) note: the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla plus three small islands of Islas Chafarinas, Penon de Alhucemas, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera, administered directly by the Spanish central government, are all along the coast of Morocco and are collectively referred to as Places of Sovereignty (Plazas de Soberania) Independence: 1492; the Iberian peninsula was characterized by a variety of independent kingdoms prior to the Muslim occupation that began in the early 8th century A.D. and lasted nearly seven centuries; the small Christian redoubts of the north began the reconquest almost immediately, culminating in the seizure of Granada in 1492; this event completed the unification of several kingdoms and is traditionally considered the forging of present-day Spain National holiday: National Day, 12 October (1492); year when Columbus first set foot in the Americas Constitution: approved by legislature 31 October 1978; passed by referendum 6 December 1978; signed by the king 27 December 1978 Legal system: civil law system, with regional applications; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: King JUAN CARLOS I (since 22 November 1975); Heir Apparent Prince FELIPE, son of the monarch, born 30 January 1968 head of government: President of the Government (Prime Minister equivalent) Jose Luis Rodriguez ZAPATERO (since 17 April 2004); First Vice President (and Minister of the Presidency) Maria Teresa FERNANDEZ DE LA VEGA (since 18 April 2004), Second Vice President (and Minister of Economy and Finance) Elena SALGADO Mendez (since 8 April 2009), and Third Vice President (and Minister of Regional Affairs) Manuel CHAVES Gonzalez (since 8 April 2009) cabinet: Council of Ministers designated by the president note: there is also a Council of State that is the supreme consultative organ of the government, but its recommendations are non-binding elections: the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually proposed president by the monarch and elected by the National Assembly; election last held on 9 and 11 April 2008 (next to be held in March 2012); vice presidents appointed by the monarch on the proposal of the president election results: Jose Luis Rodriguez ZAPATERO reelected President of the Government; percent of National Assembly vote - 46.94% Legislative branch: bicameral; General Courts or Las Cortes Generales (National Assembly) consists of the Senate or Senado (264 seats as of 2008; 208 members directly elected by popular vote and the other 56 - as of 2008 - appointed by the regional legislatures; to serve four-year terms) and the Congress of Deputies or Congreso de los Diputados (350 seats; each of the 50 electoral provinces fills a minimum of two seats and the North African enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla fill one seat each with members serving a four-year term; the other 248 members are determined by proportional representation based on popular vote on block lists who serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 9 March 2008 (next to be held not later than March 2012); Congress of Deputies - last held on 9 March 2008 (next to be held not later than March 2012) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PP 101, PSOE 88, Entesa Catalona de Progress 12, CiU 4, PNV 2, CC 1, members appointed by regional legislatures 56; Congress of Deputies - percent of vote by party - PSOE 43.6%, PP 40.1%, CiU 3.1%, PNV 1.2%, ERC 1.2%, other 10.8%; seats by party - PSOE 169, PP 154, CiU 10, PNV 6, ERC 3, other 8 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo Political parties and leaders: Aragonese Party or CHA [Bizen FUSTER]; Basque Nationalist Party or PNV or EAJ [Inigo URKULLU]; Basque Solidarity or EA [Begona ERRAZTI]; Canarian Coalition or CC [Jose Torres STINGA] (a coalition of five parties); Convergence and Union or CiU [Artur MAS i Gavarro] (a coalition of the Democratic Convergence of Catalonia or CDC [Artur MAS i Gavarro] and the Democratic Union of Catalonia or UDC [Josep Antoni DURAN i LLEIDA]); Entesa Catalonia de Progress (a Senate coalition grouping four Catalan parties - PSC, ERC, ICV, EUA); Galician Nationalist Bloc or BNG [Anxo Manuel QUINTANA Gonzalez]; Initiative for Catalonia Greens or ICV [Joan SAURA i Laporta]; Navarra yes or Na Bai [Uxue BARKOS Berruezo] (a coalition of four Navarran parties); Popular Party or PP [Mariano RAJOY Brey]; Republican Left of Catalonia or ERC [Joan RIDAO]; Spanish Socialist Workers Party or PSOE [Jose Luis Rodriguez ZAPATERO]; United Left or IU [Cayo LARA] (a coalition of parties including the Communist Party of Spain or PCE and other small parties) Political pressure groups and leaders: Association for Victims of Terrorism or AVT (grassroots organization devoted primarily to opposing ETA terrorist attacks and supporting its victims); Basta Ya (Spanish for "Enough is Enough"; grassroots organization devoted primarily to opposing ETA terrorist attacks and supporting its victims); Nunca Mais (Galician for "Never Again"; formed in response to the oil Tanker Prestige oil spill); Socialist General Union of Workers or UGT and the smaller independent Workers Syndical Union or USO; Trade Union Confederation of Workers' Commissions or CC.OO. other: business and landowning interests; Catholic Church; free labor unions (authorized in April 1977); university students International organization participation: ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, BCIE, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURCAT, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, SECI (observer), SICA (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jorge DEZCALLAR de Mazarredo chancery: 2375 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 452-0100, 728-2340 FAX: [1] (202) 833-5670 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico) Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Arnold A. CHACON embassy: Serrano 75, 28006 Madrid mailing address: PSC 61, APO AE 09642 telephone: [34] (91) 587-2200 FAX: [34] (91) 587-2303 consulate(s) general: Barcelona Flag description: three horizontal bands of red (top), yellow (double width), and red with the national coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band; the coat of arms is quartered to display the emblems of the traditional kingdoms of Spain (clockwise from upper left, Castile, Leon, Navarre, and Aragon) while Granada is represented by the stylized pomegranate at the bottom of the shield; the arms are framed by two columns representing the Pillars of Hercules, which are the two promontories (Gibraltar and Ceuta) on either side of the eastern end of the Strait of Gibraltar; the red scroll across the two columns bears the imperial motto of "Plus Ultra" (further beyond) referring to Spanish lands beyond Europe Economy ::Spain Economy - overview: The Spanish economy grew every year from 1994 through 2008 before entering a recession that started in the third quarter of 2008. Spain's mixed capitalist economy supports a GDP that on a per capita basis is approaching that of the largest West European economies. The Socialist president, Jose Luis Rodriguez ZAPATERO, in office since 2004, has made mixed progress in carrying out key structural reforms. The economy was greatly affected, especially after Zapatero's second term began in April 2008, by the bursting of the housing bubble and construction boom that had fueled much of the economic growth between 2001 and 2007. The global financial crisis exacerbated the economic downturn. GDP growth in 2008 was 1.2%, well below the 3% or higher growth the country enjoyed from 1997 through 2007. The Spanish banking system is considered solid, thanks in part to conservative oversight by the European Central Bank, and government intervention to rescue banks on the scale seen elsewhere in Europe in 2008 was not necessary. After considerable success since the mid-1990s in reducing unemployment to a 2007 low of 8%, Spain suffered a major spike in unemployment in the last few months of 2008, finishing the year with an unemployment rate over 13%. GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.402 trillion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 13 $1.39 trillion (2007 est.) $1.341 trillion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $1.602 trillion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 0.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 180 3.6% (2007 est.) 4% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $34,600 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 36 $34,400 (2007 est.) $33,200 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.4% industry: 29% services: 67.6% (2008 est.) Labor force: 22.85 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 4% industry: 26.4% services: 69.5% (2008 est.) Unemployment rate: 11.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 8.3% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 19.8% (2005) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 26.6% (2000) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 32 (2005) country comparison to the world: 102 32.5 (1990) Investment (gross fixed): 29.4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 Budget: revenues: $598.1 billion expenditures: $659.1 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 40.7% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 53.2% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 2.8% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 3% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 102 5% (31 December 2007) note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area Commercial bank prime lending rate: 11.02% (31 December 2008) Stock of money: $NA note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi money circulating within their own borders Stock of quasi money: $NA Stock of domestic credit: $3.45 trillion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 7 $2.976 trillion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $1.132 trillion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 10 $1.8 trillion (31 December 2007) $1.323 trillion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: grain, vegetables, olives, wine grapes, sugar beets, citrus; beef, pork, poultry, dairy products; fish Industries: textiles and apparel (including footwear), food and beverages, metals and metal manufactures, chemicals, shipbuilding, automobiles, machine tools, tourism, clay and refractory products, footwear, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment Industrial production growth rate: -2.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 157 Electricity - production: 283.2 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 Electricity - consumption: 276.1 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 Electricity - exports: 16.92 billion kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 5.88 billion kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 28,130 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 Oil - consumption: 1.562 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 Oil - exports: 226,900 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 Oil - imports: 1.813 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 Oil - proved reserves: 150 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 Natural gas - production: 17 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 Natural gas - consumption: 38.18 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 113 Natural gas - imports: 38.59 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 8 Natural gas - proved reserves: 2.548 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 Current account balance: -$154.1 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 189 -$145.4 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $285.9 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 $256.7 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: machinery, motor vehicles; foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals, medicines, other consumer goods Exports - partners: France 18.4%, Germany 10.6%, Portugal 8.7%, Italy 8%, UK 6.7%, US 4.2% (2008) Imports: $415.5 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 $380.2 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, fuels, chemicals, semifinished goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods, measuring and medical control instruments Imports - partners: Germany 14.5%, France 11.1%, Italy 7.4%, China 6.3%, UK 4.6%, Netherlands 4.4% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $20.25 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 $19.05 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $2.317 trillion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 8 $2.299 trillion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $636.5 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 $570.7 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $605.3 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 $687.4 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Communications ::Spain Telephones - main lines in use: 20.2 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 15 Telephones - mobile cellular: 49.682 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 20 Telephone system: general assessment: well developed, modern facilities; fixed-line teledensity is roughly 50 per 100 persons domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is nearly 175 telephones per 100 persons international: country code - 34; submarine cables provide connectivity to Europe, Middle East, Asia, and US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), NA Eutelsat; tropospheric scatter to adjacent countries Radio broadcast stations: AM 18, FM 250, shortwave 2 (2008) Television broadcast stations: 379 (2008) Internet country code: .es Internet hosts: 3.537 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 23 Internet users: 25.24 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 12 Transportation ::Spain Airports: 153 (2009) country comparison to the world: 35 Airports - with paved runways: total: 95 over 3,047 m: 18 2,438 to 3,047 m: 12 1,524 to 2,437 m: 18 914 to 1,523 m: 24 under 914 m: 23 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 58 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 39 (2009) Heliports: 9 (2009) Pipelines: gas 7,738 km; oil 560 km; refined products 3,445 km (2008) Railways: total: 15,288 km country comparison to the world: 18 broad gauge: 11,919 km 1.668-m gauge (6,950 km electrified) standard gauge: 1,392 km 1.435-m gauge (1,054 km electrified) narrow gauge: 1,949 km 1.000-m gauge (815 km electrified); 28 km 0.914-m gauge (28 km electrified) (2008) Roadways: total: 681,224 km country comparison to the world: 10 paved: 681,224 km (includes 13,872 km of expressways) (2006) Waterways: 1,000 km (2008) country comparison to the world: 65 Merchant marine: total: 158 country comparison to the world: 41 by type: bulk carrier 9, cargo 14, chemical tanker 11, container 22, liquefied gas 11, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 47, petroleum tanker 16, refrigerated cargo 5, roll on/roll off 15, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 5 foreign-owned: 26 (Canada 4, Denmark 2, Germany 5, Italy 2, Mexico 3, Norway 5, UK 5) registered in other countries: 110 (Angola 1, Argentina 2, Bahamas 14, Belize 1, Brazil 9, Cape Verde 1, Cuba 1, Cyprus 6, Malta 3, Marshall Islands 1, Nigeria 1, Panama 50, Portugal 11, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, UK 1, Uruguay 6, Venezuela 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Algeciras, Barcelona, Bilbao, Cartagena, Huelva, Tarragona, Valencia Military ::Spain Military branches: Spanish Armed Forces: Army (Ejercito de Tierra), Spanish Navy (Armada Espanola, AE; includes Marine Corps), Spanish Air Force (Ejercito del Aire Espanola, EdA) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 20 years of age (2004) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 10,033,069 females age 16-49: 9,764,937 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 8,139,020 females age 16-49: 7,899,157 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 199,124 female: 187,224 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.2% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 Transnational Issues ::Spain Disputes - international: in 2002, Gibraltar residents voted overwhelmingly by referendum to remain a British colony and against a "total shared sovereignty" arrangement while demanding participation in talks between the UK and Spain; Spain disapproves of UK plans to grant Gibraltar greater autonomy; Morocco protests Spain's control over the coastal enclaves of Ceuta, Melilla, and the islands of Penon de Velez de la Gomera, Penon de Alhucemas, and Islas Chafarinas, and surrounding waters; Morocco serves as the primary launching site of illegal migration into Spain from North Africa; Portugal does not recognize Spanish sovereignty over the territory of Olivenza based on a difference of interpretation of the 1815 Congress of Vienna and the 1801 Treaty of Badajoz Illicit drugs: despite rigorous law enforcement efforts, North African, Latin American, Galician, and other European traffickers take advantage of Spain's long coastline to land large shipments of cocaine and hashish for distribution to the European market; consumer for Latin American cocaine and North African hashish; destination and minor transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin; money-laundering site for Colombian narcotics trafficking organizations and organized crime page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Spratly Islands (East & Southeast Asia) Introduction ::Spratly Islands Background: The Spratly Islands consist of more than 100 small islands or reefs. They are surrounded by rich fishing grounds and potentially by gas and oil deposits. They are claimed in their entirety by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam, while portions are claimed by Malaysia and the Philippines. About 45 islands are occupied by relatively small numbers of military forces from China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Brunei has established a fishing zone that overlaps a southern reef but has not made any formal claim. Geography ::Spratly Islands Location: Southeastern Asia, group of reefs and islands in the South China Sea, about two-thirds of the way from southern Vietnam to the southern Philippines Geographic coordinates: 8 38 N, 111 55 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: less than 5 sq km country comparison to the world: 246 land: less than 5 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes 100 or so islets, coral reefs, and sea mounts scattered over an area of nearly 410,000 sq km of the central South China Sea Area - comparative: NA Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 926 km Maritime claims: NA Climate: tropical Terrain: flat Elevation extremes: lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Southwest Cay 4 m Natural resources: fish, guano, undetermined oil and natural gas potential Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) Irrigated land: 0 sq km Natural hazards: typhoons; numerous reefs and shoals pose a serious maritime hazard Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: strategically located near several primary shipping lanes in the central South China Sea; includes numerous small islands, atolls, shoals, and coral reefs People ::Spratly Islands Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: there are scattered garrisons occupied by personnel of several claimant states Government ::Spratly Islands Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Spratly Islands Economy ::Spratly Islands Economy - overview: Economic activity is limited to commercial fishing. The proximity to nearby oil- and gas-producing sedimentary basins suggests the potential for oil and gas deposits, but the region is largely unexplored. There are no reliable estimates of potential reserves. Commercial exploitation has yet to be developed. Transportation ::Spratly Islands Airports: 4 (2009) country comparison to the world: 188 Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Heliports: 3 (2009) Ports and terminals: none; offshore anchorage only Military ::Spratly Islands Military - note: Spratly Islands consist of more than 100 small islands or reefs of which about 45 are claimed and occupied by China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam Transnational Issues ::Spratly Islands Disputes - international: all of the Spratly Islands are claimed by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam; parts of them are claimed by Malaysia and the Philippines; in 1984, Brunei established an exclusive fishing zone that encompasses Louisa Reef in the southern Spratly Islands but has not publicly claimed the reef; claimants in November 2002 signed the "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea," which has eased tensions but falls short of a legally binding "code of conduct"; in March 2005, the national oil companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam signed a joint accord to conduct marine seismic activities in the Spratly Islands page last updated on September 24, 2009 ====================================================================== @Sri Lanka (South Asia) Introduction ::Sri Lanka Background: The first Sinhalese arrived in Sri Lanka late in the 6th century B.C. probably from northern India. Buddhism was introduced in about the mid-third century B.C., and a great civilization developed at the cities of Anuradhapura (kingdom from circa 200 B.C. to circa A.D. 1000) and Polonnaruwa (from about 1070 to 1200). In the 14th century, a south Indian dynasty established a Tamil kingdom in northern Sri Lanka. The coastal areas of the island were controlled by the Portuguese in the 16th century and by the Dutch in the 17th century. The island was ceded to the British in 1796, became a crown colony in 1802, and was united under British rule by 1815. As Ceylon, it became independent in 1948; its name was changed to Sri Lanka in 1972. Tensions between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil separatists erupted into war in 1983. Tens of thousands have died in the ethnic conflict that continues to fester. After two decades of fighting, the government and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) formalized a cease-fire in February 2002 with Norway brokering peace negotiations. Violence between the LTTE and government forces intensified in 2006 and the government regained control of the Eastern Province in 2007. In May 2009, the government announced that its military had finally defeated the remnants of the LTTE and that its leader, Velupillai PRABHAKARAN, had been killed. Geography ::Sri Lanka Location: Southern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of India Geographic coordinates: 7 00 N, 81 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 65,610 sq km country comparison to the world: 121 land: 64,630 sq km water: 980 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than West Virginia Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 1,340 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Climate: tropical monsoon; northeast monsoon (December to March); southwest monsoon (June to October) Terrain: mostly low, flat to rolling plain; mountains in south-central interior Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Pidurutalagala 2,524 m Natural resources: limestone, graphite, mineral sands, gems, phosphates, clay, hydropower Land use: arable land: 13.96% permanent crops: 15.24% other: 70.8% (2005) Irrigated land: 7,430 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 50 cu km (1999) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 12.61 cu km/yr (2%/2%/95%) per capita: 608 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: occasional cyclones and tornadoes Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; wildlife populations threatened by poaching and urbanization; coastal degradation from mining activities and increased pollution; freshwater resources being polluted by industrial wastes and sewage runoff; waste disposal; air pollution in Colombo Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: strategic location near major Indian Ocean sea lanes People ::Sri Lanka Population: 21,324,791 country comparison to the world: 53 note: since the outbreak of hostilities between the government and armed Tamil separatists in the mid-1980s, several hundred thousand Tamil civilians have fled the island and more than 200,000 Tamils have sought refuge in the West (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 23.9% (male 2,594,815/female 2,493,002) 15-64 years: 68% (male 7,089,307/female 7,418,123) 65 years and over: 8.1% (male 803,172/female 926,372) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 30.9 years male: 29.9 years female: 31.8 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.904% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 134 Birth rate: 16.26 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 Death rate: 6.13 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 158 Net migration rate: -1.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 Urbanization: urban population: 15% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 18.57 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 111 male: 20.33 deaths/1,000 live births female: 16.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.14 years country comparison to the world: 84 male: 73.08 years female: 77.28 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.99 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 131 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 164 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 3,800 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 200 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A vectorborne disease: dengue fever and chikungunya water contact disease: leptospirosis animal contact disease: rabies (2009) Nationality: noun: Sri Lankan(s) adjective: Sri Lankan Ethnic groups: Sinhalese 73.8%, Sri Lankan Moors 7.2%, Indian Tamil 4.6%, Sri Lankan Tamil 3.9%, other 0.5%, unspecified 10% (2001 census provisional data) Religions: Buddhist 69.1%, Muslim 7.6%, Hindu 7.1%, Christian 6.2%, unspecified 10% (2001 census provisional data) Languages: Sinhala (official and national language) 74%, Tamil (national language) 18%, other 8% note: English is commonly used in government and is spoken competently by about 10% of the population Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 90.7% male: 92.3% female: 89.1% (2001 census) Education expenditures: NA Government ::Sri Lanka Country name: conventional long form: Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka conventional short form: Sri Lanka local long form: Shri Lamka Prajatantrika Samajaya di Janarajaya/Ilankai Jananayaka Choshalichak Kutiyarachu local short form: Shri Lamka/Ilankai former: Serendib, Ceylon Government type: republic Capital: name: Colombo geographic coordinates: 6 56 N, 79 51 E time difference: UTC+5.5 (10.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) note: Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte (legislative capital) Administrative divisions: 8 provinces; Central, North Central, North Eastern, North Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva, Western note: in October 2006, a Sri Lankan Supreme Court ruling voided a presidential directive merging the North and Eastern Provinces; many have defended the merger as a prerequisite for a negotiated settlement to the ethnic conflict; a parliamentary decision on the issue is pending Independence: 4 February 1948 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 4 February (1948) Constitution: adopted 16 August 1978, certified 31 August 1978; amended 20 December 2000 Legal system: a highly complex mixture of English common law, Roman-Dutch, Kandyan, and Jaffna Tamil law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Mahinda Percy RAJAPAKSA (since 19 November 2005); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government; Ratnasiri WICKREMANAYAKE (since 21 November 2005) holds the largely ceremonial title of prime minister head of government: President Mahinda Percy RAJAPAKSA (since 19 November 2005) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president in consultation with the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 17 November 2005 (next to be held in 2011) election results: Mahinda RAJAPAKSA elected president; percent of vote - Mahinda RAJAPAKSA 50.3%, Ranil WICKREMESINGHE 48.4%, other 1.3% Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (225 seats; members elected by popular vote on the basis of an open-list, proportional representation system by electoral district to serve six-year terms) elections: last held on 2 April 2004 (next to be held by 2010) election results: percent of vote by party or electoral alliance - SLFP and JVP (no longer in United People's Freedom Alliance) 45.6%, UNP 37.8%, TNA 6.8%, JHU 6%, SLMC 2%, UPF 0.5%, EPDP 0.3%, other 1%; seats by party - UNP 68, SLFP 57, JVP 39, TNA 22, CWC 8, JHU 7, SLMC 6, SLMC dissidents 4, Communist Party 2, JHU dissidents 2, LSSP 2, MEP 2, NUA 2, UPF 2, EPDP 1, UNP dissident 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Court of Appeals; judges for both courts are appointed by the president Political parties and leaders: All Ceylon Tamil Congress or ACTC [G.PONNAMBALAM]; Ceylon Workers Congress or CWC [Arumugam THONDAMAN]; Communist Party or CP [D. GUNASEKERA]; Eelam People's Democratic Party or EPDP [Douglas DEVANANDA]; Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front or EPRLF [Suresh PREMACHANDRAN]; Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna or JVP [Somawansa AMARASINGHE]; Lanka Sama Samaja Party or LSSP [Tissa VITHARANA]; Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (People's United Front) or MEP [D. GUNAWARDENE]; National Heritage Party or JHU [Ellawala METHANANDA]; National Unity Alliance or NUA [Ferial ASHRAFF]; People's Liberation Organization of Tamil Eelam or PLOTE [D. SIDHARTHAN]; Sri Lanka Freedom Party or SLFP [Mahinda RAJAPAKSA]; Sri Lanka Muslim Congress or SLMC [Rauff HAKEEM]; Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization or TELO [Selvam ADAIKALANATHAN]; Tamil National Alliance or TNA [R. SAMPANTHAN]; Tamil United Liberation Front or TULF [V. ANANDASANGAREE]; United National Party or UNP [Ranil WICKREMASINGHE]; Up-country People's Front or UPF [P. CHANDRASEKARAN] Political pressure groups and leaders: Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam or LTTE [Velupillai PRABHAKARAN](insurgent group fighting for a separate state); Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) or Karuna Faction [Vinayagamurthi MURALITHARAN] (paramilitary breakaway from LTTE and fighting LTTE) other: Buddhist clergy; labor unions; radical chauvinist Sinhalese groups such as the National Movement Against Terrorism; Sinhalese Buddhist lay groups International organization participation: ADB, BIMSTEC, C, CP, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, PCA, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jaliya Chitran WICKRAMASURIYA chancery: 2148 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-4025 through 4028 FAX: [1] (202) 232-7181 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles consulate(s): New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert O. BLAKE, Jr. embassy: 210 Galle Road, Colombo 3 mailing address: P. O. Box 106, Colombo telephone: [94] (11) 249-8500 FAX: [94] (11) 243-7345 Flag description: yellow with two panels; the smaller hoist-side panel has two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and orange; the other panel is a large dark red rectangle with a yellow lion holding a sword, and there is a yellow bo leaf in each corner; the yellow field appears as a border around the entire flag and extends between the two panels Economy ::Sri Lanka Economy - overview: In 1977, Colombo abandoned statist economic policies and its import substitution trade policy for more market-oriented policies, export-oriented trade, and encouragement of foreign investment. Recent changes in government, however, have brought some policy reversals. Currently, the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party has a more statist economic approach, which seeks to reduce poverty by steering investment to disadvantaged areas, developing small and medium enterprises, promoting agriculture, and expanding the already enormous civil service. The government has halted privatizations. Although suffering a brutal civil war that began in 1983, Sri Lanka saw GDP growth average 4.5% in the last 10 years with the exception of a recession in 2001. In late December 2004, a major tsunami took about 31,000 lives, left more than 6,300 missing and 443,000 displaced, and destroyed an estimated $1.5 billion worth of property. Government spending on development and fighting the LTTE drove GDP growth to about 7% per year in 2006-07 before the global recession slow growth in 2008, but high government spending and high oil and commodity prices also raised inflation to around 15% in 2008. Sri Lanka's most dynamic sectors now are food processing, textiles and apparel, food and beverages, port construction, telecommunications, and insurance and banking. In 2008, plantation crops made up only about 20% of exports (compared with more than 90% in 1970), while textiles and garments accounted for more than 40%. About 1.5 million Sri Lankans work abroad, 90% of them in the Middle East. They send home more than $2.5 billion a year. The 25-year civil conflict between LTTE and the government of Sri Lanka has been a serious impediment to economic activities. By mid February 2009, the LTTE remained in control of small and shrinking area in the North. The conflict continues to cast a shadow over the economy. GDP (purchasing power parity): $92.09 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 $86.88 billion (2007 est.) $81.35 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $39.6 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 6.8% (2007 est.) 7.7% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $4,400 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 $4,200 (2007 est.) $3,900 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 13.4% industry: 29.4% services: 57.3% (2008 est.) Labor force: 7.569 million country comparison to the world: 59 note: excludes northern and eastern provinces (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 34.7% industry: 26.1% services: 39.2% (30 September 2008 est.) Unemployment rate: 5.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 6% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 22% (2002 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.1% highest 10%: 39.7% (2004) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 49 (2004) country comparison to the world: 28 34.4 (1995) Investment (gross fixed): 24.5% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 Budget: revenues: $7.8 billion expenditures: $11 billion (2009 est.) Public debt: 76.7% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 13 104.3% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 22.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 208 15.8% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 15% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 13 15% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 18.89% (31 December 2008) Stock of money: $2.55 billion (30 September 2008) country comparison to the world: 65 $2.465 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $9.01 billion (30 September 2008) country comparison to the world: 54 $10.46 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $15.92 billion (30 September 2008) country comparison to the world: 65 $14.82 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $4.326 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 76 $7.553 billion (31 December 2007) $7.769 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: rice, sugarcane, grains, pulses, oilseed, spices, tea, rubber, coconuts; milk, eggs, hides, beef; fish Industries: processing of rubber, tea, coconuts, tobacco and other agricultural commodities; telecommunications, insurance, banking; clothing, textiles; cement, petroleum refining, information technology services Industrial production growth rate: 5.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 Electricity - production: 9.507 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 Electricity - consumption: 7.946 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 200 Oil - consumption: 89,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 Oil - exports: 968.4 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 Oil - imports: 87,690 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 198 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 199 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 200 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 194 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 196 Current account balance: -$3.876 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 -$1.464 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $8.137 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 $7.741 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: textiles and apparel, tea and spices; diamonds, emeralds, rubies; coconut products, rubber manufactures, fish Exports - partners: US 21.6%, UK 11.9%, India 6.8%, Germany 5.1%, Belgium 4.8%, Italy 4.7% (2008) Imports: $12.61 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 $10.17 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: textile fabrics, mineral products, petroleum, foodstuffs, machinery and transportation equipment Imports - partners: India 20.3%, China 12.2%, Iran 7.6%, Singapore 7.4%, South Korea 4.7% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $2.655 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 $3.644 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $16.78 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 $12.2 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $250.2 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Exchange rates: Sri Lankan rupees (LKR) per US dollar - 108.33 (2008), 110.78 (2007), 103.99 (2006), 100.498 (2005), 101.194 (2004) Communications ::Sri Lanka Telephones - main lines in use: 3.446 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 44 Telephones - mobile cellular: 11.082 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 56 Telephone system: general assessment: telephone services have improved significantly and are available in most parts of the country domestic: national trunk network consists mostly of digital microwave radio relay; fiber-optic links now in use in Colombo area and fixed wireless local loops have been installed; competition is strong in mobile cellular systems and mobile cellular subscribership is increasing international: country code - 94; the SEA-ME-WE-3 and SEA-ME-WE-4 submarine cables provide connectivity to Asia, Australia, Middle East, Europe, US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 15, FM 52, shortwave 4 (2007) Television broadcast stations: 14 (2006) Internet country code: .lk Internet hosts: 6,090 (2009) country comparison to the world: 134 Internet users: 1.164 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 83 Transportation ::Sri Lanka Airports: 18 (2009) country comparison to the world: 138 Airports - with paved runways: total: 14 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 7 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 3 (2009) Railways: total: 1,449 km country comparison to the world: 82 broad gauge: 1,449 km 1.676-m gauge (2007) Roadways: total: 97,286 km country comparison to the world: 44 paved: 78,802 km unpaved: 18,484 km (2003) Waterways: 160 km (primarily on rivers in southwest) (2008) country comparison to the world: 101 Merchant marine: total: 26 country comparison to the world: 89 by type: bulk carrier 4, cargo 18, chemical tanker 1, container 1, petroleum tanker 2 foreign-owned: 5 (Germany 5) registered in other countries: 1 (Panama 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Colombo Military ::Sri Lanka Military branches: Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy, Sri Lanka Air Force (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; 5-year service obligation (2007) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 5,458,720 females age 16-49: 5,594,006 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 4,498,667 females age 16-49: 4,693,895 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 173,256 female: 167,645 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 2.6% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 63 Transnational Issues ::Sri Lanka Disputes - international: none Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs: 460,000 (both Tamils and non-Tamils displaced due to long-term civil war between the government and the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Sri Lanka is a source and destination country for men and women trafficked for the purposes of involuntary servitude and commercial sexual exploitation; Sri Lankan men and women migrate willingly to the Persian Gulf, Middle East, and East Asia to work as construction workers, domestic servants, or garment factory workers, where some find themselves in situations of involuntary servitude when faced with restrictions on movement, withholding of passports, threats, physical or sexual abuse, and debt bondage; children are trafficked internally for commercial sexual exploitation and, less frequently, for forced labor tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - for a second consecutive year, Sri Lanka is on the Tier 2 Watch List for failing to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat severe forms of human trafficking, particularly in the area of law enforcement; the government failed to arrest, prosecute, or convict any person for trafficking offenses and continued to punish some victims of trafficking for crimes committed as a result of being trafficked; Sri Lanka has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Sudan (Africa) Introduction ::Sudan Background: Military regimes favoring Islamic-oriented governments have dominated national politics since independence from the UK in 1956. Sudan was embroiled in two prolonged civil wars during most of the remainder of the 20th century. These conflicts were rooted in northern economic, political, and social domination of largely non-Muslim, non-Arab southern Sudanese. The first civil war ended in 1972 but broke out again in 1983. The second war and famine-related effects resulted in more than four million people displaced and, according to rebel estimates, more than two million deaths over a period of two decades. Peace talks gained momentum in 2002-04 with the signing of several accords. The final North/South Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), signed in January 2005, granted the southern rebels autonomy for six years. After which, a referendum for independence is scheduled to be held. A separate conflict, which broke out in the western region of Darfur in 2003, has displaced nearly two million people and caused an estimated 200,000 to 400,000 deaths. The UN took command of the Darfur peacekeeping operation from the African Union on 31 December 2007. As of early 2009, peacekeeping troops were struggling to stabilize the situation, which has become increasingly regional in scope, and has brought instability to eastern Chad, and Sudanese incursions into the Central African Republic. Sudan also has faced large refugee influxes from neighboring countries, primarily Ethiopia and Chad. Armed conflict, poor transport infrastructure, and lack of government support have chronically obstructed the provision of humanitarian assistance to affected populations. Geography ::Sudan Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Red Sea, between Egypt and Eritrea Geographic coordinates: 15 00 N, 30 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 2,505,813 sq km country comparison to the world: 10 land: 2.376 million sq km water: 129,813 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than one-quarter the size of the US Land boundaries: total: 7,687 km border countries: Central African Republic 1,165 km, Chad 1,360 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 628 km, Egypt 1,273 km, Eritrea 605 km, Ethiopia 1,606 km, Kenya 232 km, Libya 383 km, Uganda 435 km Coastline: 853 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 18 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: tropical in south; arid desert in north; rainy season varies by region (April to November) Terrain: generally flat, featureless plain; mountains in far south, northeast and west; desert dominates the north Elevation extremes: lowest point: Red Sea 0 m highest point: Kinyeti 3,187 m Natural resources: petroleum; small reserves of iron ore, copper, chromium ore, zinc, tungsten, mica, silver, gold, hydropower Land use: arable land: 6.78% permanent crops: 0.17% other: 93.05% (2005) Irrigated land: 18,630 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 154 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 37.32 cu km/yr (3%/1%/97%) per capita: 1,030 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: dust storms and periodic persistent droughts Environment - current issues: inadequate supplies of potable water; wildlife populations threatened by excessive hunting; soil erosion; desertification; periodic drought Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: largest country in Africa; dominated by the Nile and its tributaries People ::Sudan Population: 41,087,825 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 Age structure: 0-14 years: 40.7% (male 8,535,551/female 8,173,616) 15-64 years: 56.8% (male 11,745,683/female 11,603,906) 65 years and over: 2.5% (male 532,968/female 496,101) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 19.1 years male: 18.9 years female: 19.2 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 2.143% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 Birth rate: 33.74 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 Death rate: 12.94 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 Net migration rate: 0.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 Urbanization: urban population: 43% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.07 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 82.43 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 16 male: 82.48 deaths/1,000 live births female: 82.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 51.42 years country comparison to the world: 204 male: 50.49 years female: 52.4 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.48 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.4% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 45 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 320,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 25,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) water contact disease: schistosomiasis respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis animal contact disease: rabies note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Nationality: noun: Sudanese (singular and plural) adjective: Sudanese Ethnic groups: black 52%, Arab 39%, Beja 6%, foreigners 2%, other 1% Religions: Sunni Muslim 70% (in north), Christian 5% (mostly in south and Khartoum), indigenous beliefs 25% Languages: Arabic (official), English (official), Nubian, Ta Bedawie, diverse dialects of Nilotic, Nilo-Hamitic, Sudanic languages note: program of "Arabization" in process Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 61.1% male: 71.8% female: 50.5% (2003 est.) Education expenditures: 6% of GDP (1991) country comparison to the world: 42 Government ::Sudan Country name: conventional long form: Republic of the Sudan conventional short form: Sudan local long form: Jumhuriyat as-Sudan local short form: As-Sudan former: Anglo-Egyptian Sudan Government type: Government of National Unity (GNU) - the National Congress Party (NCP) and Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) formed a power-sharing government under the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA); the NCP, which came to power by military coup in 1989, is the majority partner; the agreement stipulates national elections in 2009 Capital: name: Khartoum geographic coordinates: 15 36 N, 32 32 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 25 states (wilayat, singular - wilayah); A'ali an Nil (Upper Nile), Al Bahr al Ahmar (Red Sea), Al Buhayrat (Lakes), Al Jazira (Gezira), Al Khartoum (Khartoum), Al Qadarif (Gedaref), Al Wahda (Unity), An Nil al Abyad (White Nile), An Nil al Azraq (Blue Nile), Ash Shimaliyya (Northern), Bahr al Jabal (Central Equatoria), Gharb al Istiwa'iyya (Western Equatoria), Gharb Bahr al Ghazal (Western Bahr el Ghazal), Gharb Darfur (Western Darfur), Janub Darfur (Southern Darfur), Janub Kurdufan (Southern Kordofan), Junqoley (Jonglei), Kassala (Kassala), Nahr an Nil (River Nile), Shimal Bahr al Ghazal (Northern Bahr el Ghazal), Shimal Darfur (Northern Darfur), Shimal Kurdufan (Northern Kordofan), Sharq al Istiwa'iyya (Eastern Equatoria), Sinnar (Sinnar), Warab (Warab) Independence: 1 January 1956 (from Egypt and the UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 1 January (1956) Constitution: Interim National Constitution ratified 5 July 2005 note: under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the Interim National Constitution was ratified 5 July 2005; Constitution of Southern Sudan was signed December 2005 Legal system: based on English common law and Islamic law; as of 20 January 1991, the now defunct Revolutionary Command Council imposed Islamic law in the northern states; Islamic law applies to all residents of the northern states regardless of their religion; however, the CPA establishes some protections for non-Muslims in Khartoum; some separate religious courts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; the southern legal system is still developing under the CPA following the civil war; Islamic law will not apply to the southern states Suffrage: 17 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Umar Hassan Ahmad al-BASHIR (since 16 October 1993); First Vice President Salva KIIR (since 4 August 2005), Vice President Ali Osman TAHA (since 20 September 2005); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Umar Hassan Ahmad al-BASHIR (since 16 October 1993); First Vice President Salva KIIR (since 4 August 2005), Vice President Ali Osman TAHA (since 20 September 2005) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president; note - the National Congress Party or NCP (formerly the National Islamic Front or NIF) dominates al-BASHIR's cabinet elections: election last held 13-23 December 2000; next to be held February 2010 election results: Umar Hassan Ahmad al-BASHIR reelected president; percent of vote - Umar Hassan Ahmad al-BASHIR 86.5%, Ja'afar Muhammed NUMAYRI 9.6%, three other candidates received a combined vote of 3.9%; election widely viewed as rigged; all popular opposition parties boycotted elections because of a lack of guarantees for a free and fair election note: al-BASHIR assumed power as chairman of Sudan's Revolutionary Command Council for National Salvation (RCC) in June 1989 and served concurrently as chief of state, chairman of the RCC, prime minister, and minister of defense until mid-October 1993 when he was appointed president by the RCC; he was elected president by popular vote for the first time in March 1996 Legislative branch: bicameral National Legislature consists of a Council of States (50 seats; members indirectly elected by state legislatures to serve six-year terms) and a National Assembly (450 seats; members presently appointed, but in the future 60% from geographic constituencies, 25% from a women's list, and 15% from party lists; to serve six-year terms) elections: last held 13-22 December 2000 (next to be held February 2010) election results: NCP 355, others 5; note - replaced by appointments under the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement Judicial branch: Constitutional Court of nine justices; National Supreme Court; National Courts of Appeal; other national courts; National Judicial Service Commission will undertake overall management of the National Judiciary Political parties and leaders: National Congress Party or NCP [Umar Hassan al-BASHIR]; Sudan People's Liberation Movement or SPLM [Salva KIIR]; and elements of the National Democratic Alliance or NDA including factions of the Democratic Union Party [Muhammad Uthman al-MIRGHANI] and Umma Party; Popular Congress Party or PCP [Hassan al-TURABI] Political pressure groups and leaders: Umma Party [SADIQ Siddiq al-Mahdi]; Popular Congress Party or PCP [Hassan al-TURABI]; Darfur rebel groups including the Justice and Equality Movement or JEM [Khalil IBRAHIM] and the Sudan Liberation Movement or SLM [various factional leaders] International organization participation: ABEDA, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, CAEU, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Akec Khoc ACIEW Khoc chancery: 2210 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 338-8565 FAX: [1] (202) 667-2406 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Robert E. WHITEHEAD embassy: Sharia Ali Abdul Latif Street, Khartoum mailing address: P.O. Box 699, Khartoum; APO AE 09829 telephone: [249] (183) 774700 through 704 FAX: [249] (183) 774137 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black with a green isosceles triangle based on the hoist side Economy ::Sudan Economy - overview: Until the second half of 2008, Sudan's economy boomed on the back of increases in oil production, high oil prices, and large inflows of foreign direct investment. GDP growth registered more than 10% per year in 2006 and 2007. From 1997 to date, Sudan has been working with the IMF to implement macroeconomic reforms, including a managed float of the exchange rate. Sudan began exporting crude oil in the last quarter of 1999. Agricultural production remains important, because it employs 80% of the work force and contributes a third of GDP. The Darfur conflict, the aftermath of two decades of civil war in the south, the lack of basic infrastructure in large areas, and a reliance by much of the population on subsistence agriculture ensure much of the population will remain at or below the poverty line for years despite rapid rises in average per capita income. In January 2007, the government introduced a new currency, the Sudanese Pound, at an initial exchange rate of $1.00 equals 2 Sudanese Pounds. GDP (purchasing power parity): $88.37 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 $82.9 billion (2007 est.) $75.22 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $58.03 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 45 10.2% (2007 est.) 11.3% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $2,200 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 185 $2,100 (2007 est.) $1,900 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 31% industry: 34.7% services: 34.3% (2008 est.) Labor force: 11.92 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 80% industry: 7% services: 13% (1998 est.) Unemployment rate: 18.7% (2002 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 Population below poverty line: 40% (2004 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Investment (gross fixed): 18.1% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 Budget: revenues: $11.55 billion expenditures: $12.67 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 100% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 79.7% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 14.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 187 8% (2007 est.) Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $5.549 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) $4.068 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $8.659 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: cotton, groundnuts (peanuts), sorghum, millet, wheat, gum arabic, sugarcane, cassava (tapioca), mangos, papaya, bananas, sweet potatoes, sesame; sheep, livestock Industries: oil, cotton ginning, textiles, cement, edible oils, sugar, soap distilling, shoes, petroleum refining, pharmaceuticals, armaments, automobile/light truck assembly Industrial production growth rate: 0.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 Electricity - production: 4.341 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 Electricity - consumption: 3.438 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 480,200 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 Oil - consumption: 86,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 Oil - exports: 303,800 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 Oil - imports: 11,400 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 136 Oil - proved reserves: 5 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 111 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 Natural gas - proved reserves: 84.95 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 Current account balance: -$1.314 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 -$3.447 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $11.67 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 83 $8.879 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: oil and petroleum products; cotton, sesame, livestock, groundnuts, gum arabic, sugar Exports - partners: China 49.8%, Japan 33.4%, Indonesia 5.5% (2008) Imports: $8.229 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 $7.722 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, manufactured goods, refinery and transport equipment, medicines and chemicals, textiles, wheat Imports - partners: China 20%, Saudi Arabia 8.4%, UAE 6.2%, India 6.1%, Egypt 5.5%, Italy 4.1% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $1.399 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 $1.378 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $33.72 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 $29.42 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: Sudanese pounds (SDG) per US dollar - 2.1 (2008 est.), 2.06 (2007), 2.172 (2006), 2.4361 (2005), 2.5791 (2004) note: in October 2007 Sudan redenominated its currency by transforming 100 units of Sudanese dinar into one unit of Sudanese pound Communications ::Sudan Telephones - main lines in use: 356,100 (2008) country comparison to the world: 108 Telephones - mobile cellular: 11.186 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 55 Telephone system: general assessment: well-equipped system by regional standards and being upgraded; cellular communications started in 1996 and have expanded substantially with wide coverage of most major cities domestic: consists of microwave radio relay, cable, fiber optic, radiotelephone communications, tropospheric scatter, and a domestic satellite system with 14 earth stations international: country code - 249; linked to international submarine cable Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG); satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Arabsat (2000) Radio broadcast stations: AM 12, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 3 (1997) Internet country code: .sd Internet hosts: 48 (2009) country comparison to the world: 207 Internet users: 4.2 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 48 Transportation ::Sudan Airports: 121 (2009) country comparison to the world: 49 Airports - with paved runways: total: 19 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 102 1,524 to 2,437 m: 18 914 to 1,523 m: 56 under 914 m: 28 (2009) Heliports: 4 (2009) Pipelines: gas 156 km; oil 4,070 km; refined products 1,613 km (2008) Railways: total: 5,978 km country comparison to the world: 30 narrow gauge: 4,578 km 1.067-m gauge; 1,400 km 0.600-m gauge for cotton plantations (2008) Roadways: total: 11,900 km country comparison to the world: 133 paved: 4,320 km unpaved: 7,580 km (2000) Waterways: 4,068 km (1,723 km open year round on White and Blue Nile rivers) (2008) country comparison to the world: 25 Merchant marine: total: 3 country comparison to the world: 139 by type: cargo 2, carrier 1 (2008) Ports and terminals: Port Sudan Military ::Sudan Military branches: Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF): Land Forces, Navy (includes Marines), Sudanese Air Force (Sikakh al-Jawwiya as-Sudaniya), Popular Defense Forces; Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA): Land Forces (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18-33 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; 12-24 month service obligation (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 9,639,923 females age 16-49: 9,321,106 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 5,836,971 females age 16-49: 5,942,043 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 498,376 female: 479,005 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 3% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 Transnational Issues ::Sudan Disputes - international: the effects of Sudan's almost constant ethnic and rebel militia fighting since the mid-20th century have penetrated all of the neighboring states; as of 2006, Chad, Ethiopia, Kenya, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Uganda provided shelter for over half a million Sudanese refugees, which includes 240,000 Darfur residents driven from their homes by Janjawid armed militia and the Sudanese military forces; Sudan, in turn, hosted about 116,000 Eritreans, 20,000 Chadians, and smaller numbers of Ethiopians, Ugandans, Central Africans, and Congolese as refugees; in February 2006, Sudan and DROC signed an agreement to repatriate 13,300 Sudanese and 6,800 Congolese; Sudan accuses Eritrea of supporting Sudanese rebel groups; efforts to demarcate the porous boundary with Ethiopia proceed slowly due to civil and ethnic fighting in eastern Sudan; the boundary that separates Kenya and Sudan's sovereignty is unclear in the "Ilemi Triangle," which Kenya has administered since colonial times; Sudan claims to administer the Hala'ib Triangle north of the 1899 Treaty boundary with Egypt along the 22nd Parallel; both states withdrew their military presence in the 1990s, but Egypt has invested in and effectively administers the area; periodic violent skirmishes with Sudanese residents over water and grazing rights persist among related pastoral populations along the border with the Central African Republic Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 157,220 (Eritrea); 25,023 (Chad); 11,009 (Ethiopia); 7,895 (Uganda); 5,023 (Central African Republic) IDPs: 5.3 - 6.2 million (civil war 1983-2005; ongoing conflict in Darfur region) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Sudan is a source country for men, women, and children trafficked internally for the purposes of forced labor and sexual exploitation; Sudan is also a transit and destination country for Ethiopian women trafficked abroad for domestic servitude; Sudanese women and girls are trafficked within the country, as well as possibly to Middle Eastern countries for domestic servitude; the terrorist rebel organization, Lord's Resistance Army, continues to harbor small numbers of Sudanese and Ugandan children in the southern part of the country for use as cooks, porters, and combatants; some of these children are also trafficked across borders into Uganda or the Democratic Republic of the Congo; militia groups in Darfur, some of which are linked to the government, abduct women for short periods of forced labor and to perpetrate sexual violence; during the two decades-long north-south civil war, thousands of Dinka women and children were abducted and subsequently enslaved by members of the Missiriya and Rezeigat tribes; while there have been no known new abductions of Dinka by members of Baggara tribes in the last few years, inter-tribal abductions continue in southern Sudan tier rating: Tier 3 - Sudan does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; combating human trafficking through law enforcement or prevention measures was not a priority for the government in 2007 (2008) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Suriname (South America) Introduction ::Suriname Background: First explored by the Spaniards in the 16th century and then settled by the English in the mid-17th century, Suriname became a Dutch colony in 1667. With the abolition of slavery in 1863, workers were brought in from India and Java. Independence from the Netherlands was granted in 1975. Five years later the civilian government was replaced by a military regime that soon declared a socialist republic. It continued to exert control through a succession of nominally civilian administrations until 1987, when international pressure finally forced a democratic election. In 1990, the military overthrew the civilian leadership, but a democratically elected government - a four-party New Front coalition - returned to power in 1991 and has ruled since; the coalition expanded to eight parties in 2005. Geography ::Suriname Location: Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between French Guiana and Guyana Geographic coordinates: 4 00 N, 56 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 163,820 sq km country comparison to the world: 91 land: 156,000 sq km water: 7,820 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Georgia Land boundaries: total: 1,703 km border countries: Brazil 593 km, French Guiana 510 km, Guyana 600 km Coastline: 386 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds Terrain: mostly rolling hills; narrow coastal plain with swamps Elevation extremes: lowest point: unnamed location in the coastal plain -2 m highest point: Juliana Top 1,230 m Natural resources: timber, hydropower, fish, kaolin, shrimp, bauxite, gold, and small amounts of nickel, copper, platinum, iron ore Land use: arable land: 0.36% permanent crops: 0.06% other: 99.58% (2005) Irrigated land: 510 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 122 cu km (2003) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.67 cu km/yr (4%/3%/93%) per capita: 1,489 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: deforestation as timber is cut for export; pollution of inland waterways by small-scale mining activities Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: smallest independent country on South American continent; mostly tropical rain forest; great diversity of flora and fauna that, for the most part, is increasingly threatened by new development; relatively small population, mostly along the coast People ::Suriname Population: 481,267 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 170 Age structure: 0-14 years: 27.1% (male 66,603/female 64,035) 15-64 years: 66.6% (male 159,525/female 160,871) 65 years and over: 6.3% (male 13,004/female 17,229) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 27.9 years male: 27.5 years female: 28.3 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.103% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 Birth rate: 16.8 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 Death rate: 5.51 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 176 Net migration rate: -0.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 Urbanization: urban population: 75% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 18.81 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 109 male: 22.21 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.18 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.73 years country comparison to the world: 97 male: 71 years female: 76.65 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.99 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 2.4% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 6,800 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 116 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 500 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: dengue fever, Mayaro virus, and malaria water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009) Nationality: noun: Surinamer(s) adjective: Surinamese Ethnic groups: Hindustani (also known locally as "East Indians"; their ancestors emigrated from northern India in the latter part of the 19th century) 37%, Creole (mixed white and black) 31%, Javanese 15%, "Maroons" (their African ancestors were brought to the country in the 17th and 18th centuries as slaves and escaped to the interior) 10%, Amerindian 2%, Chinese 2%, white 1%, other 2% Religions: Hindu 27.4%, Protestant 25.2% (predominantly Moravian), Roman Catholic 22.8%, Muslim 19.6%, indigenous beliefs 5% Languages: Dutch (official), English (widely spoken), Sranang Tongo (Surinamese, sometimes called Taki-Taki, is native language of Creoles and much of the younger population and is lingua franca among others), Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Javanese Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 89.6% male: 92% female: 87.2% (2004 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 12 years male: 11 years female: 13 years (2002) Education expenditures: NA Government ::Suriname Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Suriname conventional short form: Suriname local long form: Republiek Suriname local short form: Suriname former: Netherlands Guiana, Dutch Guiana Government type: constitutional democracy Capital: name: Paramaribo geographic coordinates: 5 50 N, 55 10 W time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 10 districts (distrikten, singular - distrikt); Brokopondo, Commewijne, Coronie, Marowijne, Nickerie, Para, Paramaribo, Saramacca, Sipaliwini, Wanica Independence: 25 November 1975 (from the Netherlands) National holiday: Independence Day, 25 November (1975) Constitution: ratified 30 September 1987; effective 30 October 1987 Legal system: based on Dutch legal system incorporating French penal theory; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN (since 12 August 2000); Vice President Ramdien SARDJOE (since 3 August 2005); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN (since 12 August 2000); Vice President Ram SARDJOE (since 3 August 2005) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president and vice president elected by the National Assembly or, if no presidential or vice presidential candidate receives a two-thirds constitutional majority in the National Assembly after two votes, by a simple majority in the larger United People's Assembly (893 representatives from the national, local, and regional councils), for five-year terms (no term limits); election last held on 25 May 2005 (next to be held in 2010) election results: Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN reelected president; percent of vote - Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN 62.9%, Rabin PARMESSAR 35.4%, other 1.7%; note - after two votes in the parliament failed to secure a two-thirds majority for a candidate, the vote then went to a special session of the United People's Assembly on 3 August 2005 Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Nationale Assemblee (51 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 25 May 2005 (next to be held in 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - NF 39.7%, NDP 22.2%, VVV 13.8%, A-Com 7.2%, A-1 5.9%, other 11.2%; seats by party - NF 23, NDP 15, VVV 5, A-Com 5, A-1 3 Judicial branch: Cantonal Courts and a Court of Justice as an appellate court (justices are nominated for life); member of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Political parties and leaders: Alternative-1 or A-1 (a coalition of Amazone Party of Suriname or APS [Kenneth VAN GENDEREN], Democrats of the 21st Century or D-21 [Soewarto MOESTADJA], Nieuw Suriname or NS [Radjen Nanan PANDAY], Political Wing of the FAL or PVF [Jiwan SITAL], Trefpunt 2000 or T-2000 [Arti JESSURUN]); General Interior Development Party or ABOP [Ronnie BRUNSWIJK]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Desire BOUTERSE]; New Front for Democracy and Development or NF (a coalition that includes A-Combination or A-Com, Democratic Alternative 1991 or DA-91, an independent, business-oriented party [Winston JESSURUN], National Party Suriname or NPS [Ronald VENETIAAN], United Reform Party or VHP [Ramdien SARDJOE], Pertjaja Luhur or PL [Salam Paul SOMOHARDJO], Surinamese Labor Party or SPA [Siegfried GILDS]); Party for Democracy and Development in Unity or DOE [Marten SCHALKWIJK]; People's Alliance for Progress or VVV (a coalition of Democratic National Platform 2000 or DNP-2000 [Jules WIJDENBOSCH], Grassroots Party for Renewal and Democracy or BVD [Tjan GOBARDHAN], Party for National Unity and Solidarity of the Highest Order or KTPI [Willy SOEMITA], Party for Progression, Justice, and Perseverance or PPRS [Renee KAIMAN], Pendawalima or PL [Raymond SAPOEN]); Progressive Laborers and Farmers Union or PALU [Jim HOK]; Progressive Political Party or PPP [Surinder MUNGRA]; Seeka [Paul ABENA]; Union of Progressive Surinamers or UPS [Sheoradj PANDAY] Political pressure groups and leaders: Association of Indigenous Village Chiefs [Ricardo PANE]; Association of Saramaccan Authorities or Maroon [Head Captain WASE]; Women's Parliament Forum or PVF [Iris GILLIAD] International organization participation: ACP, Caricom, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDB, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO (suspended), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO (subscriber), ITU, ITUC, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OIC, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jacques Ruben Constantijn KROSS chancery: Suite 460, 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 244-7488 FAX: [1] (202) 244-5878 consulate(s) general: Miami Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Lisa Bobbie SCHREIBER HUGHES embassy: Dr. Sophie Redmondstraat 129, Paramaribo mailing address: US Department of State, PO Box 1821, Paramaribo telephone: [597] 472-900 FAX: [597] 410-025 Flag description: five horizontal bands of green (top, double width), white, red (quadruple width), white, and green (double width); there is a large, yellow, five-pointed star centered in the red band Economy ::Suriname Economy - overview: The economy is dominated by the mining industry, with exports of alumina, gold, and oil accounting for about 85% of exports and 25% of government revenues, making the economy highly vulnerable to mineral price volatility. Prospects for local onshore oil production are good, and a drilling program is underway. Offshore oil drilling was given a boost in 2004 when the State Oil Company (Staatsolie) signed exploration agreements with several Western oil companies. Bidding on these new offshore blocks was completed in July 2006. The short-term economic outlook depends on the government's ability to control inflation and on the development of projects in the bauxite and gold mining sectors, though investment in these projects may slow with the tightening of global credit markets. Suriname has received aid for these projects from Netherlands, Belgium, and the European Development Fund. Suriname's economic prospects for the medium term will depend on continued commitment to responsible monetary and fiscal policies and to the introduction of structural reforms to liberalize markets and promote competition. In 2000, the government of Ronald VENETIAAN, returned to office and inherited an economy with inflation of over 100% and a growing fiscal deficit. He quickly implemented an austerity program, raised taxes, attempted to control spending, and tamed inflation. The VENETIAAN administration also has created a stabilization fund to insulate future revenue from commodity shocks. These economic policies are likely to remain in effect during VENETIAAN's third term. GDP (purchasing power parity): $4.226 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 164 $3.987 billion (2007 est.) $3.779 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $2.933 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 5.5% (2007 est.) 4.8% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $8,900 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 $8,500 (2007 est.) $8,100 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 10.8% industry: 24.4% services: 64.8% (2005 est.) Labor force: 165,600 (2007) country comparison to the world: 171 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 8% industry: 14% services: 78% (2004) Unemployment rate: 9.5% (2004) country comparison to the world: 122 Population below poverty line: 70% (2002 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $392.6 million expenditures: $425.9 million (2004) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.4% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 Commercial bank prime lending rate: 12.23% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 89 9.71% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $484.7 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 95 $416.6 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $1.018 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 95 $824.4 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $793.1 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 112 $651 million (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: paddy rice, bananas, palm kernels, coconuts, plantains, peanuts; beef, chickens; shrimp; forest products Industries: bauxite and gold mining, alumina production; oil, lumbering, food processing, fishing Industrial production growth rate: 6.5% (1994 est.) country comparison to the world: 33 Electricity - production: 1.605 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 Electricity - consumption: 1.467 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 15,280 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 Oil - consumption: 14,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 Oil - exports: 4,308 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 Oil - imports: 6,296 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 Oil - proved reserves: 79.6 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 143 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 143 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 140 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 Current account balance: $24 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 Exports: $1.391 billion (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 143 Exports - commodities: alumina, gold, crude oil, lumber, shrimp and fish, rice, bananas Exports - partners: Canada 36.2%, Belgium 12.5%, Norway 12.4%, UAE 8.9%, US 7.7% (2008) Imports: $1.297 billion (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 166 Imports - commodities: capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs, cotton, consumer goods Imports - partners: US 31.2%, Netherlands 15.5%, Trinidad and Tobago 14.2%, China 7.7%, Japan 6.4% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $263.3 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 142 Debt - external: $504.3 million (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 164 Exchange rates: Surinamese dollars (SRD) per US dollar - 2.745 (2007), 2.745 (2006), 2.7317 (2005), 2.7336 (2004), 2.6013 (2003) note: in January 2004, the government replaced the guilder with the Surinamese dollar, tied to a US dollar-dominated currency basket Communications ::Suriname Telephones - main lines in use: 81,500 (2008) country comparison to the world: 149 Telephones - mobile cellular: 416,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 159 Telephone system: general assessment: international facilities are good domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity exceed 100 telephones per 100 persons; microwave radio relay network international: country code - 597; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 13, shortwave 1 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 3 (plus 7 repeaters) (2000) Internet country code: .sr Internet hosts: 162 (2009) country comparison to the world: 193 Internet users: 50,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 170 Transportation ::Suriname Airports: 50 (2009) country comparison to the world: 91 Airports - with paved runways: total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 4 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 45 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 40 (2009) Pipelines: oil 50 km (2008) Roadways: total: 4,304 km country comparison to the world: 154 paved: 1,130 km unpaved: 3,174 km (2003) Waterways: 1,200 km (most navigable by ships with drafts up to 7 m) (2008) country comparison to the world: 61 Merchant marine: total: 1 country comparison to the world: 151 by type: cargo 1 (2008) Ports and terminals: Paramaribo, Wageningen Military ::Suriname Military branches: National Army (Nationaal Leger, NL; includes Naval Wing, Air Wing) (2007) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age (est.); recruitment is voluntary, with personnel drawn almost exclusively from the Creole community (2007) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 130,534 females age 16-49: 130,243 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 107,367 females age 16-49: 111,000 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 4,251 female: 4,265 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 0.6% of GDP (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 156 Transnational Issues ::Suriname Disputes - international: area claimed by French Guiana between Riviere Litani and Riviere Marouini (both headwaters of the Lawa); Suriname claims a triangle of land between the New and Kutari/Koetari rivers in a historic dispute over the headwaters of the Courantyne; Guyana seeks United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) arbitration to resolve the long-standing dispute with Suriname over the axis of the territorial sea boundary in potentially oil-rich waters Illicit drugs: growing transshipment point for South American drugs destined for Europe via the Netherlands and Brazil; transshipment point for arms-for-drugs dealing page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Svalbard (Europe) Introduction ::Svalbard Background: First discovered by the Norwegians in the 12th century, the islands served as an international whaling base during the 17th and 18th centuries. Norway's sovereignty was recognized in 1920; five years later it officially took over the territory. Geography ::Svalbard Location: Northern Europe, islands between the Arctic Ocean, Barents Sea, Greenland Sea, and Norwegian Sea, north of Norway Geographic coordinates: 78 00 N, 20 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 62,045 sq km country comparison to the world: 124 land: 62,045 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Spitsbergen and Bjornoya (Bear Island) Area - comparative: slightly smaller than West Virginia Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 3,587 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 4 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm unilaterally claimed by Norway but not recognized by Russia Climate: arctic, tempered by warm North Atlantic Current; cool summers, cold winters; North Atlantic Current flows along west and north coasts of Spitsbergen, keeping water open and navigable most of the year Terrain: wild, rugged mountains; much of high land ice covered; west coast clear of ice about one-half of the year; fjords along west and north coasts Elevation extremes: lowest point: Arctic Ocean 0 m highest point: Newtontoppen 1,717 m Natural resources: coal, iron ore, copper, zinc, phosphate, wildlife, fish Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (no trees; the only bushes are crowberry and cloudberry) (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: ice floes often block the entrance to Bellsund (a transit point for coal export) on the west coast and occasionally make parts of the northeastern coast inaccessible to maritime traffic Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: northernmost part of the Kingdom of Norway; consists of nine main islands; glaciers and snowfields cover 60% of the total area; Spitsbergen Island is the site of the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, a seed repository established by the Global Crop Diversity Trust and the Norwegian Government People ::Svalbard Population: 2,116 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 231 Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA (2009 est.) Population growth rate: -0.023% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 204 Birth rate: NA Death rate: NA Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Sex ratio: NA (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: NA male: NA female: NA (2008 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA male: NA female: NA Total fertility rate: NA (2008 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0% (2001) country comparison to the world: 170 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 0 (2001) country comparison to the world: 165 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 0 (2001) country comparison to the world: 156 Ethnic groups: Norwegian 55.4%, Russian and Ukrainian 44.3%, other 0.3% (1998) Languages: Norwegian, Russian Literacy: NA Government ::Svalbard Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Svalbard (sometimes referred to as Spitzbergen) Dependency status: territory of Norway; administered by the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice, through a governor (sysselmann) residing in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen; by treaty (9 February 1920) sovereignty was awarded to Norway Government type: NA Capital: name: Longyearbyen geographic coordinates: 78 13 N, 15 33 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Independence: none (territory of Norway) Legal system: the laws of Norway, where applicable, apply Executive branch: chief of state: King HARALD V of Norway (since 17 January 1991) head of government: Governor Per SEFLAND (since 1 October 2005); Assistant Governor Rune Baard HANSEN (since 2003) elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor and assistant governor responsible to the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: none Flag description: the flag of Norway is used Economy ::Svalbard Economy - overview: Coal mining is the major economic activity on Svalbard. The treaty of 9 February 1920 gave the 41 signatories equal rights to exploit mineral deposits, subject to Norwegian regulation. Although US, UK, Dutch, and Swedish coal companies have mined in the past, the only companies still mining are Norwegian and Russian. The settlements on Svalbard are essentially company towns. The Norwegian state-owned coal company employs nearly 60% of the Norwegian population on the island, runs many of the local services, and provides most of the local infrastructure. There is also some hunting of seal, reindeer, and fox. GDP (purchasing power parity): $NA GDP - real growth rate: NA% Labor force: NA Budget: revenues: $25.07 million expenditures: $NA (2004 est.) Exports: $197.6 million Imports: $NA Exchange rates: Norwegian kroner (NOK) per US dollar - 5.6361 (2008), 5.86 (2007), 6.418 (2006), 6.445 (2005), 6.7327 (2004) Communications ::Svalbard Telephones - main lines in use: NA Telephone system: general assessment: probably adequate domestic: local telephone service international: country code - 47-790; satellite earth station - 1 of unknown type (for communication with Norwegian mainland only) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1 (plus 2 repeaters), shortwave 0 (1998) Television broadcast stations: NA Internet country code: .sj Transportation ::Svalbard Airports: 4 (2009) country comparison to the world: 187 Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 3 under 914 m: 3 (2009) Heliports: 1 (2009) Ports and terminals: Barentsburg, Longyearbyen, Ny-Alesund, Pyramiden Military ::Svalbard Military branches: no regular military forces Military - note: Svalbard is a territory of Norway, demilitarized by treaty on 9 February 1920 Transnational Issues ::Svalbard Disputes - international: despite recent discussions, Russia and Norway dispute their maritime limits in the Barents Sea and Russia's fishing rights beyond Svalbard's territorial limits within the Svalbard Treaty zone page last updated on September 24, 2009 ====================================================================== @Swaziland (Africa) Introduction ::Swaziland Background: Autonomy for the Swazis of southern Africa was guaranteed by the British in the late 19th century; independence was granted in 1968. Student and labor unrest during the 1990s pressured King MSWATI III, the world's last absolute monarch, to grudgingly allow political reform and greater democracy, although he has backslid on these promises in recent years. A constitution came into effect in 2006, but political parties remain banned. The African United Democratic Party tried unsuccessfully to register as an official political party in mid 2006. Talks over the constitution broke down between the government and progressive groups in 2007. Swaziland recently surpassed Botswana as the country with the world's highest known HIV/AIDS prevalence rate. Geography ::Swaziland Location: Southern Africa, between Mozambique and South Africa Geographic coordinates: 26 30 S, 31 30 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 17,364 sq km country comparison to the world: 158 land: 17,204 sq km water: 160 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than New Jersey Land boundaries: total: 535 km border countries: Mozambique 105 km, South Africa 430 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: varies from tropical to near temperate Terrain: mostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping plains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Great Usutu River 21 m highest point: Emlembe 1,862 m Natural resources: asbestos, coal, clay, cassiterite, hydropower, forests, small gold and diamond deposits, quarry stone, and talc Land use: arable land: 10.25% permanent crops: 0.81% other: 88.94% (2005) Irrigated land: 500 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 4.5 cu km (1987) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 1.04 cu km/yr (2%/1%/97%) per capita: 1,010 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: drought Environment - current issues: limited supplies of potable water; wildlife populations being depleted because of excessive hunting; overgrazing; soil degradation; soil erosion Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Geography - note: landlocked; almost completely surrounded by South Africa People ::Swaziland Population: 1,123,913 country comparison to the world: 156 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 39.4% (male 223,420/female 219,420) 15-64 years: 56.9% (male 308,251/female 331,623) 65 years and over: 3.7% (male 15,261/female 25,938) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 18.8 years male: 18.2 years female: 19.5 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: -0.459% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 225 Birth rate: 26.25 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 Death rate: 30.83 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 25% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 68.63 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 27 male: 71.87 deaths/1,000 live births female: 65.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 31.99 years country comparison to the world: 224 male: 31.69 years female: 32.3 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.24 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 26.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 190,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 33 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 10,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2009) Nationality: noun: Swazi(s) adjective: Swazi Ethnic groups: African 97%, European 3% Religions: Zionist 40% (a blend of Christianity and indigenous ancestral worship), Roman Catholic 20%, Muslim 10%, other (includes Anglican, Bahai, Methodist, Mormon, Jewish) 30% Languages: English (official, government business conducted in English), siSwati (official) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 81.6% male: 82.6% female: 80.8% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 10 years male: 10 years female: 10 years (2005) Education expenditures: 7% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 23 Government ::Swaziland Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Swaziland conventional short form: Swaziland local long form: Umbuso weSwatini local short form: eSwatini Government type: monarchy Capital: name: Mbabane geographic coordinates: 26 18 S, 31 06 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) note: Lobamba (royal and legislative capital) Administrative divisions: 4 districts; Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini, Shiselweni Independence: 6 September 1968 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 6 September (1968) Constitution: signed by the King in July 2005 went into effect on 8 February 2006 Legal system: based on South African Roman-Dutch law in statutory courts and Swazi traditional law and custom in traditional courts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age Executive branch: chief of state: King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986) head of government: Prime Minister Barnabas Sibusiso DLAMINI (since 16 October 2008) cabinet: Cabinet recommended by the prime minister and confirmed by the monarch elections: the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch from among the elected members of the House of Assembly Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Libandla consists of the Senate (30 seats; 10 members appointed by the House of Assembly and 20 appointed by the monarch; to serve five-year terms) and the House of Assembly (65 seats; 10 members appointed by the monarch and 55 elected by popular vote; serve five-year terms) elections: House of Assembly - last held 19 September 2008 (next to be held in 2013) election results: House of Assembly - balloting is done on a nonparty basis; candidates for election are nominated by the local council of each constituency and for each constituency the three candidates with the most votes in the first round of voting are narrowed to a single winner by a second round Judicial branch: High Court; Supreme Court; judges for both courts are appointed by the monarch Political parties and leaders: the status of political parties, previously banned, is unclear under the new (2006) Constitution and currently being debated - the following are considered political associations; African United Democratic Party or AUDP [Stanley MAUNDZISA, president]; Imbokodvo National Movement or INM; Ngwane National Liberatory Congress or NNLC [Obed DLAMINI, president]; People's United Democratic Movement or PUDEMO [Mario MASUKU, president] Political pressure groups and leaders: Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions; Swaziland and Solidarity Network or SSN International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, C, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ephraim Mandla HLOPHE chancery: 1712 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 234-5002 FAX: [1] (202) 234-8254 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Maurice S. PARKER embassy: 2350 Mbabane Place, Mbabane mailing address: P. O. Box 199, Mbabane telephone: [268] 404-2445 FAX: [268] 404-2059 Flag description: three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue; the red band is edged in yellow; centered in the red band is a large black and white shield covering two spears and a staff decorated with feather tassels, all placed horizontally Economy ::Swaziland Economy - overview: In this small, landlocked economy, subsistence agriculture occupies approximately 70% of the population. The manufacturing sector has diversified since the mid-1980s. Sugar and wood pulp remain important foreign exchange earners. In 2007, the sugar industry increased efficiency and diversification efforts, in response to a 17% decline in EU sugar prices. Mining has declined in importance in recent years with only coal and quarry stone mines remaining active. Surrounded by South Africa, except for a short border with Mozambique, Swaziland is heavily dependent on South Africa from which it receives more than nine-tenths of its imports and to which it sends 60% of its exports. Swaziland's currency is pegged to the South African rand, subsuming Swaziland's monetary policy to South Africa. Customs duties from the Southern African Customs Union, which may equal as much as 70% of government revenue this year, and worker remittances from South Africa substantially supplement domestically earned income. Swaziland is not poor enough to merit an IMF program; however, the country is struggling to reduce the size of the civil service and control costs at public enterprises. The government is trying to improve the atmosphere for foreign investment. With an estimated 40% unemployment rate, Swaziland's need to increase the number and size of small and medium enterprises and attract foreign direct investment is acute. Overgrazing, soil depletion, drought, and sometimes floods persist as problems for the future. More than one-fourth of the population needed emergency food aid in 2006-07 because of drought, and nearly two-fifths of the adult population has been infected by HIV/AIDS. GDP (purchasing power parity): $5.826 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 $5.673 billion (2007 est.) $5.481 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $2.84 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 3.5% (2007 est.) 2.8% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $4,400 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 $4,400 (2007 est.) $4,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 11.2% industry: 46% services: 42.8% (2008 est.) Labor force: 457,900 (2007) country comparison to the world: 154 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Unemployment rate: 40% (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 186 Population below poverty line: 69% (2006) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.6% highest 10%: 40.7% (2001) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 50.4 (2001) country comparison to the world: 22 Investment (gross fixed): 18.8% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 Budget: revenues: $1.055 billion expenditures: $1.083 billion (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 13.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 183 8.1% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 11% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 33 11% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 14.83% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 58 13.17% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $211.8 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 106 $244.8 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $441.5 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 110 $529.4 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $51.55 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 126 $204.1 million (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 106 $203.1 million (31 December 2007) $199.9 million (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: sugarcane, cotton, corn, tobacco, rice, citrus, pineapples, sorghum, peanuts; cattle, goats, sheep Industries: coal, wood pulp, sugar, soft drink concentrates, textiles and apparel Industrial production growth rate: 1.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 Electricity - production: 441 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 Electricity - consumption: 1.266 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 143 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008) Electricity - imports: 770 million kWh; note - electricity supplied by South Africa (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 Oil - consumption: 4,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 170 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 Oil - imports: 4,100 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 167 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 86 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 Current account balance: -$33 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 $4 million (2007 est.) Exports: $1.756 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 $1.95 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: soft drink concentrates, sugar, wood pulp, cotton yarn, refrigerators, citrus and canned fruit Imports: $1.855 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 $1.926 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: motor vehicles, machinery, transport equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $752 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 $774.2 million (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $554 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 163 $524 million (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $NA Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Exchange rates: emalangeni per US dollar - 7.75 (2008 est.), 7.4 (2007), 6.85 (2006), 6.3593 (2005), 6.4597 (2004) Communications ::Swaziland Telephones - main lines in use: 44,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 167 Telephones - mobile cellular: 457,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 157 Telephone system: general assessment: a somewhat modern but not an advanced system domestic: mobile-cellular subscribership is increasing; combined fixed-line and mobile cellular teledensity approaching 45 telephones per 100 persons; telephone system consists of carrier-equipped, open-wire lines and low-capacity, microwave radio relay international: country code - 268; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 2 (plus 4 repeaters), shortwave 3 (2004) Television broadcast stations: 12 (includes 7 relay stations) (2004) Internet country code: .sz Internet hosts: 2,609 (2009) country comparison to the world: 144 Internet users: 48,200 (2008) country comparison to the world: 171 Transportation ::Swaziland Airports: 14 (2009) country comparison to the world: 148 Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 7 (2009) Railways: total: 301 km country comparison to the world: 122 narrow gauge: 301 km 1.067-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 3,594 km country comparison to the world: 160 paved: 1,078 km unpaved: 2,516 km (2002) Military ::Swaziland Military branches: Umbutfo Swaziland Defense Force (USDF): Ground Force (includes air wing) (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18-30 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; no conscription (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 266,311 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 124,132 females age 16-49: 118,570 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 15,985 female: 15,754 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 4.7% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 21 Transnational Issues ::Swaziland Disputes - international: in 2006, Swazi king advocates resort to ICJ to claim parts of Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal from South Africa page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Sweden (Europe) Introduction ::Sweden Background: A military power during the 17th century, Sweden has not participated in any war in almost two centuries. An armed neutrality was preserved in both World Wars. Sweden's long-successful economic formula of a capitalist system interlarded with substantial welfare elements was challenged in the 1990s by high unemployment and in 2000-02 by the global economic downturn, but fiscal discipline over the past several years has allowed the country to weather economic vagaries. Sweden joined the EU in 1995, but the public rejected the introduction of the euro in a 2003 referendum. Geography ::Sweden Location: Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, Kattegat, and Skagerrak, between Finland and Norway Geographic coordinates: 62 00 N, 15 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 450,295 sq km country comparison to the world: 55 land: 410,335 sq km water: 39,960 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than California Land boundaries: total: 2,233 km border countries: Finland 614 km, Norway 1,619 km Coastline: 3,218 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm (adjustments made to return a portion of straits to high seas) exclusive economic zone: agreed boundaries or midlines continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: temperate in south with cold, cloudy winters and cool, partly cloudy summers; subarctic in north Terrain: mostly flat or gently rolling lowlands; mountains in west Elevation extremes: lowest point: reclaimed bay of Lake Hammarsjon, near Kristianstad -2.4 m highest point: Kebnekaise 2,111 m Natural resources: iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, gold, silver, tungsten, uranium, arsenic, feldspar, timber, hydropower Land use: arable land: 5.93% permanent crops: 0.01% other: 94.06% (2005) Irrigated land: 1,150 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 179 cu km (2005) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 2.68 cu km/yr (37%/54%/9%) per capita: 296 cu m/yr (2002) Natural hazards: ice floes in the surrounding waters, especially in the Gulf of Bothnia, can interfere with maritime traffic Environment - current issues: acid rain damage to soils and lakes; pollution of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: strategic location along Danish Straits linking Baltic and North Seas People ::Sweden Population: 9,059,651 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 87 Age structure: 0-14 years: 15.7% (male 733,597/female 692,194) 15-64 years: 65.5% (male 3,003,358/female 2,927,038) 65 years and over: 18.8% (male 753,293/female 950,171) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 41.5 years male: 40.4 years female: 42.6 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.158% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 186 Birth rate: 10.13 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 194 Death rate: 10.21 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 Net migration rate: 1.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 Urbanization: urban population: 85% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 2.75 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 222 male: 2.91 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80.86 years country comparison to the world: 10 male: 78.59 years female: 83.26 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.67 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 173 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 125 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 6,200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 100 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 Nationality: noun: Swede(s) adjective: Swedish Ethnic groups: indigenous population: Swedes with Finnish and Sami minorities; foreign-born or first-generation immigrants: Finns, Yugoslavs, Danes, Norwegians, Greeks, Turks Religions: Lutheran 87%, other (includes Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish, and Buddhist) 13% Languages: Swedish, small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 16 years male: 15 years female: 17 years (2006) Education expenditures: 7.1% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 21 Government ::Sweden Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Sweden conventional short form: Sweden local long form: Konungariket Sverige local short form: Sverige Government type: constitutional monarchy Capital: name: Stockholm geographic coordinates: 59 20 N, 18 03 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 21 counties (lan, singular and plural); Blekinge, Dalarna, Gavleborg, Gotland, Halland, Jamtland, Jonkoping, Kalmar, Kronoberg, Norrbotten, Orebro, Ostergotland, Skane, Sodermanland, Stockholm, Uppsala, Varmland, Vasterbotten, Vasternorrland, Vastmanland, Vastra Gotaland Independence: 6 June 1523 (Gustav VASA elected king) National holiday: Swedish Flag Day, 6 June (1916); National Day, 6 June (1983) Constitution: 1 January 1975 Legal system: civil law system influenced by customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: King CARL XVI GUSTAF (since 19 September 1973); Heir Apparent Princess VICTORIA Ingrid Alice Desiree, daughter of the monarch (born 14 July 1977) head of government: Prime Minister Fredrik REINFELDT (since 5 October 2006) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister elections: the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the prime minister is elected by the parliament; election last held on 17 September 2006 (next to be held in September 2010) election results: Center-right coalition of Moderate, Center, Liberal, and Christian Democrats parties win 175 out of 349 votes; Fredrik REINFELDT becomes prime minister Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Riksdag (349 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional representation basis to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 17 September 2006 (next to be held in September 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - Social Democrats 37.2%, Moderates 27.8%, Center Party 8.3%, Liberal People's Party 8.0%, Christian Democrats 6.9%, Left Party 6.3%, Greens 5.4%; seats by party - Social Democrats 130, Moderates 97, Center Party 29, Liberal People's Party 28, Christian Democrats 24, Left Party 22, Greens 19 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Hogsta Domstolen (judges are appointed by the prime minister and the cabinet) Political parties and leaders: Center Party [Maud OLOFSSON]; Christian Democratic Party [Goran HAGGLUND]; Environment Party the Greens [no formal leader but party spokespersons are Maria WETTERSTRAND and Peter ERIKSSON]; Left Party or V (formerly Communist) [Lars OHLY]; Liberal People's Party [Jan BJORKLUND]; Moderate Party (conservative) [Fredrik REINFELDT]; Social Democratic Party [Mona SAHLIN] Political pressure groups and leaders: Children's Rights in Society; Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees or TCO; Swedish Federation of Trade Unions or LO other: media International organization participation: ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, G-9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, MONUC, NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMOGIP, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jonas HAFSTROM chancery: The House of Sweden, 2900 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 467-2600 FAX: [1] (202) 467-2699 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Robert J. SILVERMAN embassy: Dag Hammarskjolds Vag 31, SE-11589 Stockholm mailing address: American Embassy Stockholm, US Department of State, 5750 Stockholm Place, Washington, DC 20521-5750 telephone: [46] (08) 783 53 00 FAX: [46] (08) 661 19 64 Flag description: blue with a golden yellow cross extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag); the colors reflect those of the Swedish coat of arms - three gold crowns on a blue field Economy ::Sweden Economy - overview: Aided by peace and neutrality for the whole of the 20th century, Sweden has achieved an enviable standard of living under a mixed system of high-tech capitalism and extensive welfare benefits. It has a modern distribution system, excellent internal and external communications, and a skilled labor force. In September 2003, Swedish voters turned down entry into the euro system concerned about the impact on the economy and sovereignty. Timber, hydropower, and iron ore constitute the resource base of an economy heavily oriented toward foreign trade. Privately owned firms account for about 90% of industrial output, of which the engineering sector accounts for 50% of output and exports. Agriculture accounts for only 1% of GDP and of employment. Until 2008, Sweden was in the midst of a sustained economic upswing, boosted by increased domestic demand and strong exports. This and robust finances offered the center-right government considerable scope to implement its reform program aimed at increasing employment, reducing welfare dependence, and streamlining the state's role in the economy. Despite strong finances and underlying fundamentals, the Swedish economy slid into recession in the third quarter of 2008 and growth continued downward in the fourth as deteriorating global conditions reduced export demand and consumption. On 3 February 2009, the Swedish Government announced a $6 billon rescue package for the banking sector. GDP (purchasing power parity): $345.1 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 33 $346.5 billion (2007 est.) $337.4 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $479 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -0.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 202 2.7% (2007 est.) 4.5% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $38,200 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 $38,400 (2007 est.) $37,400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1.6% industry: 28% services: 70.5% (2008 est.) Labor force: 4.897 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 1.1% industry: 28.2% services: 70.7% (2008 est.) Unemployment rate: 6.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 6.1% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.6% highest 10%: 22.2% (2000) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 23 (2005) country comparison to the world: 134 25 (1992) Investment (gross fixed): 19.5% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 116 Budget: revenues: $259.9 billion expenditures: $248.1 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 36.7% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 51.6% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 2.2% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 2% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 129 3.5% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: NA% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 140 4% (2004) Stock of money: $185.4 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 8 $217.1 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $54.55 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 28 $48.49 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $549 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 19 $630.8 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 21 $612.5 billion (31 December 2007) $573.3 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: barley, wheat, sugar beets; meat, milk Industries: iron and steel, precision equipment (bearings, radio and telephone parts, armaments), wood pulp and paper products, processed foods, motor vehicles Industrial production growth rate: -1.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 Electricity - production: 144 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 Electricity - consumption: 134.5 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 Electricity - exports: 14.71 billion kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 12.75 billion kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 3,572 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 Oil - consumption: 351,800 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 Oil - exports: 219,300 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 Oil - imports: 542,100 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 Natural gas - consumption: 913 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 110 Natural gas - imports: 913 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 Current account balance: $40.32 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 $38.42 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $185.9 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 $170.5 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: machinery 35%, motor vehicles, paper products, pulp and wood, iron and steel products, chemicals Exports - partners: Germany 10.4%, Norway 9.5%, Denmark 7.4%, UK 7.3%, US 6.6%, Finland 6.3%, Netherlands 5.1%, France 4.9%, Belgium 4.4% (2008) Imports: $167.8 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 $152.2 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, motor vehicles, iron and steel; foodstuffs, clothing Imports - partners: Germany 17.5%, Denmark 9.4%, Norway 8.6%, UK 6.2%, Finland 5.7%, Netherlands 5.6%, France 5%, Russia 4.4%, China 4.2% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $29.72 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 $31.04 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $617.3 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 17 $598.2 billion (30 June 2006) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $290.4 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 $252.3 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $333.9 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 13 $306.4 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: Swedish kronor (SEK) per US dollar - 6.4074 (2008 est.), 6.7629 (2007), 7.3731 (2006), 7.4731 (2005), 7.3489 (2004) Communications ::Sweden Telephones - main lines in use: 5.323 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 30 Telephones - mobile cellular: 10.988 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 57 Telephone system: general assessment: highly developed telecommunications infrastructure; ranked among leading countries for fixed-line, mobile-cellular, Internet and broadband penetration domestic: coaxial and multiconductor cables carry most of the voice traffic; parallel microwave radio relay systems carry some additional telephone channels international: country code - 46; submarine cables provide links to other Nordic countries and Europe; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Sweden shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Norway) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 124, shortwave 0 (2008) Television broadcast stations: 252 (2008) Internet country code: .se Internet hosts: 3.886 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 20 Internet users: 8.1 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 32 Transportation ::Sweden Airports: 249 (2009) country comparison to the world: 26 Airports - with paved runways: total: 152 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 12 1,524 to 2,437 m: 76 914 to 1,523 m: 25 under 914 m: 36 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 97 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 92 (2009) Heliports: 2 (2009) Pipelines: gas 786 km (2008) Railways: total: 11,633 km country comparison to the world: 20 standard gauge: 11,528 km 1.435-m gauge (7,531 km electrified) narrow gauge: 65 km 1.000-m gauge (65 km electrified) (2008) Roadways: total: 425,300 km country comparison to the world: 14 paved: 139,300 km (includes 1,740 km of expressways) unpaved: 286,000 km (2008) Waterways: 2,052 km (2007) country comparison to the world: 43 Merchant marine: total: 195 country comparison to the world: 34 by type: bulk carrier 6, cargo 23, carrier 1, chemical tanker 45, passenger 4, passenger/cargo 36, petroleum tanker 15, roll on/roll off 37, specialized tanker 3, vehicle carrier 25 foreign-owned: 41 (Denmark 4, Estonia 2, Finland 12, Germany 5, Italy 9, Norway 7, UK 2) registered in other countries: 207 (Antigua and Barbuda 1, Bahamas 4, Barbados 7, Bermuda 20, Cook Islands 8, Cyprus 2, Denmark 6, Finland 2, France 9, Germany 1, Gibraltar 13, Isle of Man 1, Italy 1, Liberia 10, Malaysia 3, Malta 2, Marshall Islands 1, Netherlands 28, Netherlands Antilles 1, Norway 34, Panama 6, Portugal 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2, Singapore 20, UK 17, US 5) (2008) Ports and terminals: Brofjorden, Goteborg, Helsingborg, Lulea, Malmo, Stenungsund, Stockholm, Trelleborg, Visby Military ::Sweden Military branches: Swedish Armed Forces (Forsvarsmakten): Army (Armen), Royal Swedish Navy (Marinen), Swedish Air Force (Svenska Flygvapnet) (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18-47 years of age for male compulsory or voluntary military service; conscript service obligation: 7.5 months (Army), 7-15 months (Navy), 8-12 months (Air Force); after completing initial service, soldiers have a reserve commitment until age 47; women are eligible for voluntary military service (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 2,052,890 females age 16-49: 1,980,550 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,705,746 females age 16-49: 1,645,070 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 62,262 female: 59,340 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.5% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 Transnational Issues ::Sweden Disputes - international: none page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Switzerland (Europe) Introduction ::Switzerland Background: The Swiss Confederation was founded in 1291 as a defensive alliance among three cantons. In succeeding years, other localities joined the original three. The Swiss Confederation secured its independence from the Holy Roman Empire in 1499. A constitution of 1848, subsequently modified in 1874, replaced the confederation with a centralized federal government. Switzerland's sovereignty and neutrality have long been honored by the major European powers, and the country was not involved in either of the two World Wars. The political and economic integration of Europe over the past half century, as well as Switzerland's role in many UN and international organizations, has strengthened Switzerland's ties with its neighbors. However, the country did not officially become a UN member until 2002. Switzerland remains active in many UN and international organizations but retains a strong commitment to neutrality. Geography ::Switzerland Location: Central Europe, east of France, north of Italy Geographic coordinates: 47 00 N, 8 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 41,277 sq km country comparison to the world: 135 land: 39,997 sq km water: 1,280 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey Land boundaries: total: 1,852 km border countries: Austria 164 km, France 573 km, Italy 740 km, Liechtenstein 41 km, Germany 334 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers Terrain: mostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes Elevation extremes: lowest point: Lake Maggiore 195 m highest point: Dufourspitze 4,634 m Natural resources: hydropower potential, timber, salt Land use: arable land: 9.91% permanent crops: 0.58% other: 89.51% (2005) Irrigated land: 250 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 53.3 cu km (2005) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 2.52 cu km/yr (24%/74%/2%) per capita: 348 cu m/yr (2002) Natural hazards: avalanches, landslides; flash floods Environment - current issues: air pollution from vehicle emissions and open-air burning; acid rain; water pollution from increased use of agricultural fertilizers; loss of biodiversity Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Geography - note: landlocked; crossroads of northern and southern Europe; along with southeastern France, northern Italy, and southwestern Austria, has the highest elevations in the Alps People ::Switzerland Population: 7,604,467 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 Age structure: 0-14 years: 15.6% (male 616,561/female 571,610) 15-64 years: 68.1% (male 2,609,673/female 2,567,245) 65 years and over: 16.3% (male 514,761/female 724,617) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 41 years male: 40 years female: 42 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.276% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 176 Birth rate: 9.59 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 203 Death rate: 8.59 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 Net migration rate: 1.76 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 Urbanization: urban population: 73% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 4.18 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 209 male: 4.64 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.68 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80.85 years country comparison to the world: 11 male: 78.03 years female: 83.83 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.45 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 188 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.6% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 25,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 500 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 Nationality: noun: Swiss (singular and plural) adjective: Swiss Ethnic groups: German 65%, French 18%, Italian 10%, Romansch 1%, other 6% Religions: Roman Catholic 41.8%, Protestant 35.3%, Muslim 4.3%, Orthodox 1.8%, other Christian 0.4%, other 1%, unspecified 4.3%, none 11.1% (2000 census) Languages: German (official) 63.7%, French (official) 20.4%, Italian (official) 6.5%, Serbo-Croatian 1.5%, Albanian 1.3%, Portuguese 1.2%, Spanish 1.1%, English 1%, Romansch (official) 0.5%, other 2.8% (2000 census) note: German, French, Italian, and Romansch are all national and official languages Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 15 years male: 15 years female: 15 years (2006) Education expenditures: 5.8% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 45 Government ::Switzerland Country name: conventional long form: Swiss Confederation conventional short form: Switzerland local long form: Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft (German); Confederation Suisse (French); Confederazione Svizzera (Italian); Confederaziun Svizra (Romansh) local short form: Schweiz (German); Suisse (French); Svizzera (Italian); Svizra (Romansh) Government type: formally a confederation but similar in structure to a federal republic Capital: name: Bern geographic coordinates: 46 57 N, 7 26 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 26 cantons, singular - canton in French; cantoni, singular - cantone in Italian; Kantone, singular - Kanton in German); Aargau, Appenzell Ausser-Rhoden, Appenzell Inner-Rhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Bern, Fribourg, Geneve, Glarus, Graubunden, Jura, Luzern, Neuchatel, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Sankt Gallen, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, Thurgau, Ticino, Uri, Valais, Vaud, Zug, Zurich note: 6 of the cantons - Appenzell Ausser-Rhoden, Appenzell-Inner-Rhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Nidwalden, Obwalden - are styled half cantons because they elect only one member to the Council of States and, in popular referendums where a majority of popular votes and a majority of cantonal votes are required, these six cantons only have a half vote Independence: 1 August 1291 (founding of the Swiss Confederation) National holiday: Founding of the Swiss Confederation, 1 August (1291) Constitution: revision of Constitution of 1874 approved by the Federal Parliament 18 December 1998, adopted by referendum 18 April 1999, officially entered into force 1 January 2000 Legal system: civil law system influenced by customary law; judicial review of legislative acts, except with respect to federal decrees of general obligatory character; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Hans-Rudolf MERZ (since 1 January 2009); Vice President Doris LEUTHARD (since 1 January 2009); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government representing the Federal Council; the Federal Council is the formal chief of state and head of government whose council members, rotating in one-year terms as federal president, represent the Council head of government: President Hans-Rudolf MERZ (since 1 January 2009); Vice President Doris LEUTHARD (since 1 January 2009); cabinet: Federal Council or Bundesrat (in German), Conseil Federal (in French), Consiglio Federale (in Italian) elected by the Federal Assembly usually from among its members for a four-year term elections: president and vice president elected by the Federal Assembly from among the members of the Federal Council for a one-year term (they may not serve consecutive terms); election last held on 10 December 2008 (next to be held in December 2009) election results: Hans-Rudolf MERZ elected president; percent of Federal Assembly vote - 88.5%; Doris LEUTHARD elected vice president; percent of Federal Assembly vote - 87.4% Legislative branch: bicameral Federal Assembly or Bundesversammlung (in German), Assemblee Federale (in French), Assemblea Federale (in Italian) consists of the Council of States or Standerat (in German), Conseil des Etats (in French), Consiglio degli Stati (in Italian) (46 seats; membership consists of 2 representatives from each canton and 1 from each half canton; to serve four-year terms) and the National Council or Nationalrat (in German), Conseil National (in French), Consiglio Nazionale (in Italian) (200 seats; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: Council of States - last held in most cantons in October 2007 (each canton determines when the next election will be held); National Council - last held on 21 October 2007 (next to be held in October 2011) election results: Council of States - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CVP 15, FDP 12, SVP 7, SPS 9, other 3; National Council - percent of vote by party - SVP 29%, SPS 19.5%, FDP 15.6%, CVP 14.6%, Greens 9.6%, other 11.7%; seats by party - SVP 62, SPS 43, FDP 31, CVP 31, Green Party 20, other small parties 13 Judicial branch: Federal Supreme Court (judges elected for six-year terms by the Federal Assembly) Political parties and leaders: Green Party (Gruene Partei der Schweiz or Gruene, Parti Ecologiste Suisse or Les Verts, Partito Ecologista Svizzero or I Verdi, Partida Ecologica Svizra or La Verda) [Ueli LEUENBERGER]; Christian Democratic People's Party (Christlichdemokratische Volkspartei der Schweiz or CVP, Parti Democrate-Chretien Suisse or PDC, Partito Democratico-Cristiano Popolare Svizzero or PDC, Partida Cristiandemocratica dalla Svizra or PCD) [Christophe DARBELLAY]; Radical Free Democratic Party (Freisinnig-Demokratische Partei der Schweiz or FDP, Parti Radical-Democratique Suisse or PRD, Partitio Liberal-Radicale Svizzero or PLR) [Fulvio PELLI]; Social Democratic Party (Sozialdemokratische Partei der Schweiz or SPS, Parti Socialist Suisse or PSS, Partito Socialista Svizzero or PSS, Partida Socialdemocratica de la Svizra or PSS) [Christian LEVRAT]; Swiss People's Party (Schweizerische Volkspartei or SVP, Union Democratique du Centre or UDC, Unione Democratica de Centro or UDC, Uniun Democratica dal Center or UDC) [Toni BRUNNER]; and other minor parties Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EFTA, ESA, FAO, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MONUC, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Urs ZISWILER chancery: 2900 Cathedral Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 745-7900 FAX: [1] (202) 387-2564 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco consulate(s): Boston Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Leigh CARTER embassy: Sulgeneckstrasse 19, CH-3007 Bern mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [41] (031) 357 70 11 FAX: [41] (031) 357 73 44 Flag description: red square with a bold, equilateral white cross in the center that does not extend to the edges of the flag; various medieval legends purport to describe the origin of the flag; a white cross used as identification for troops of the Swiss Confederation is first attested at the Battle of Laupen (1339) Economy ::Switzerland Economy - overview: Switzerland is a peaceful, prosperous, and stable modern market economy with low unemployment, a highly skilled labor force, and a per capita GDP among the highest in the world. Switzerland's economy benefits from a highly developed service sector led by financial services and a manufacturing industry that specializes in high-technology, knowledge-based production. The Swiss in recent years have brought their economic practices largely into conformity with the EU's to enhance their international competitiveness, but some trade protectionism remains, particularly for its small agricultural sector. Switzerland remains a safehaven for investors, because it has maintained a degree of bank secrecy and has kept up the franc's long-term external value. The global financial crisis and resulting economic downturn could, however, put Switzerland in a recession in 2009, particularly as global export demand stalls. Switzerland's largest banks suffered significant losses in 2008 and the country's largest bank accepted a government rescue deal in late 2008. The Swiss National Bank, beginning in October 2008, cut interest rates on several consecutive occasions, effectively instituting a zero-rate policy in a bid to boost the economy. GDP (purchasing power parity): $318.1 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 $312.4 billion (2007 est.) $301.6 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $500.3 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 165 3.6% (2007 est.) 3.6% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $42,000 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 $41,400 (2007 est.) $40,100 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1.5% industry: 34% services: 64.5% (2003 est.) Labor force: 4.053 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 3.9% industry: 22.8% services: 73.2% (2005) Unemployment rate: 2.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 2.8% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.9% highest 10%: 25.9% (2000) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 33.7 (2008) country comparison to the world: 93 33.1 (1992) Investment (gross fixed): 21.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 Budget: revenues: $189.8 billion expenditures: $185.2 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 40.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 57.2% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 0.7% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 0.05% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 133 2.05% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 3.34% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 142 3.15% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $207 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 $213.9 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of quasi money: $477.6 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 $450.7 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $864.4 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 13 $855.4 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 14 $1.275 trillion (31 December 2007) $1.213 trillion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: grains, fruits, vegetables; meat, eggs Industries: machinery, chemicals, watches, textiles, precision instruments, tourism, banking, and insurance Industrial production growth rate: 6.5% (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 Electricity - production: 63.93 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 Electricity - consumption: 57.62 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 Electricity - exports: 32.74 billion kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 31.6 billion kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 3,244 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 Oil - consumption: 275,600 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 Oil - exports: 10,310 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 Oil - imports: 247,200 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl country comparison to the world: 128 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 Natural gas - consumption: 3.429 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 108 Natural gas - imports: 3.429 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 Current account balance: $41.21 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 $43.95 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $241.3 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 $200.5 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: machinery, chemicals, metals, watches, agricultural products Exports - partners: Germany 19.8%, US 9.6%, Italy 8.7%, France 8.6%, UK 5.2% (2008) Imports: $227.4 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 $187.7 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery, chemicals, vehicles, metals; agricultural products, textiles Imports - partners: Germany 33.3%, Italy 11%, France 9.4%, US 5.8%, Netherlands 4.6%, Austria 4% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $74.07 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 $75.37 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $1.305 trillion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 12 $1.565 trillion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $405.1 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 $365.8 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $726.3 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 $659.9 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: Swiss francs (CHF) per US dollar - 1.0774 (2008 est.), 1.1973 (2007), 1.2539 (2006), 1.2452 (2005), 1.2435 (2004) Communications ::Switzerland Telephones - main lines in use: 4.82 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 32 Telephones - mobile cellular: 8.78 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 65 Telephone system: general assessment: highly developed telecommunications infrastructure with excellent domestic and international services domestic: ranked among leading countries for fixed-line teledensity and infrastructure; mobile-cellular subscribership roughly 115 per 100 persons; extensive cable and microwave radio relay networks international: country code - 41; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 106 (plus many low-power stations), shortwave 3 (2008) Television broadcast stations: 106 (2007) Internet country code: .ch Internet hosts: 3.697 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 21 Internet users: 5.739 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 41 Transportation ::Switzerland Airports: 66 (2009) country comparison to the world: 74 Airports - with paved runways: total: 43 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 17 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 23 under 914 m: 23 (2009) Heliports: 1 (2009) Pipelines: gas 1,662 km; oil 94 km; refined products 7 km (2008) Railways: total: 4,888 km country comparison to the world: 36 standard gauge: 3,397 km 1.435-m gauge (3,142 km electrified) narrow gauge: 1,481 km 1.000-m gauge (1,378 km electrified); 10 km 0.800-m gauge (10 km electrified) (2008) Roadways: total: 71,298 km country comparison to the world: 66 paved: 71,298 km (includes 1,758 of expressways) (2006) Waterways: 65 km (Rhine River between Basel-Rheinfelden and Schaffhausen-Bodensee) (2008) country comparison to the world: 103 Merchant marine: total: 35 country comparison to the world: 82 by type: bulk carrier 13, cargo 9, chemical tanker 6, container 6, specialized tanker 1 registered in other countries: 106 (Antigua and Barbuda 8, Bahamas 1, France 3, Italy 8, Liberia 13, Malta 20, Marshall Islands 12, Panama 25, Portugal 2, Russia 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 6, Singapore 2, Tonga 1, UK 1, Vanuatu 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Basel Military ::Switzerland Military branches: Swiss Armed Forces: Land Forces, Swiss Air Force (Schweizer Luftwaffe) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 19 years of age for male compulsory military service; 18 years of age for voluntary male and female military service; the Swiss Constitution states that "every Swiss male is obliged to do military service"; every Swiss male has to serve at least 260 days in the armed forces; conscripts receive 18 weeks of mandatory training, followed by seven 3-week intermittent recalls for training during the next 10 years (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,852,580 females age 16-49: 1,807,667 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,510,259 females age 16-49: 1,475,993 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 48,076 female: 44,049 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 Transnational Issues ::Switzerland Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: a major international financial center vulnerable to the layering and integration stages of money laundering; despite significant legislation and reporting requirements, secrecy rules persist and nonresidents are permitted to conduct business through offshore entities and various intermediaries; transit country for and consumer of South American cocaine, Southwest Asian heroin, and Western European synthetics; domestic cannabis cultivation and limited ecstasy production page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Syria (Middle East) Introduction ::Syria Background: Following World War I, France acquired a mandate over the northern portion of the former Ottoman Empire province of Syria. The French administered the area as Syria until granting it independence in 1946. The new country lacked political stability, however, and experienced a series of military coups during its first decades. Syria united with Egypt in February 1958 to form the United Arab Republic. In September 1961, the two entities separated, and the Syrian Arab Republic was reestablished. In November 1970, Hafiz al-ASAD, a member of the Socialist Ba'th Party and the minority Alawite sect, seized power in a bloodless coup and brought political stability to the country. In the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, Syria lost the Golan Heights to Israel. During the 1990s, Syria and Israel held occasional peace talks over its return. Following the death of President al-ASAD, his son, Bashar al-ASAD, was approved as president by popular referendum in July 2000. Syrian troops - stationed in Lebanon since 1976 in an ostensible peacekeeping role - were withdrawn in April 2005. During the July-August 2006 conflict between Israel and Hizballah, Syria placed its military forces on alert but did not intervene directly on behalf of its ally Hizballah. Geography ::Syria Location: Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Lebanon and Turkey Geographic coordinates: 35 00 N, 38 00 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 185,180 sq km country comparison to the world: 88 land: 183,630 sq km water: 1,550 sq km note: includes 1,295 sq km of Israeli-occupied territory Area - comparative: slightly larger than North Dakota Land boundaries: total: 2,253 km border countries: Iraq 605 km, Israel 76 km, Jordan 375 km, Lebanon 375 km, Turkey 822 km Coastline: 193 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm Climate: mostly desert; hot, dry, sunny summers (June to August) and mild, rainy winters (December to February) along coast; cold weather with snow or sleet periodically in Damascus Terrain: primarily semiarid and desert plateau; narrow coastal plain; mountains in west Elevation extremes: lowest point: unnamed location near Lake Tiberias -200 m highest point: Mount Hermon 2,814 m Natural resources: petroleum, phosphates, chrome and manganese ores, asphalt, iron ore, rock salt, marble, gypsum, hydropower Land use: arable land: 24.8% permanent crops: 4.47% other: 70.73% (2005) Irrigated land: 13,330 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 46.1 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 19.95 cu km/yr (3%/2%/95%) per capita: 1,048 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: dust storms, sandstorms Environment - current issues: deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; water pollution from raw sewage and petroleum refining wastes; inadequate potable water Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification Geography - note: there are 42 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights (August 2005 est.) People ::Syria Population: 20,178,485 country comparison to the world: 57 note: in addition, about 40,000 people live in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights - 20,000 Arabs (18,000 Druze and 2,000 Alawites) and about 20,000 Israeli settlers (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 35.9% (male 3,724,770/female 3,510,182) 15-64 years: 60.8% (male 6,285,866/female 5,980,029) 65 years and over: 3.4% (male 318,646/female 358,992) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 21.7 years male: 21.6 years female: 21.9 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 2.129% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 Birth rate: 25.9 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 Death rate: 4.61 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 198 Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 54% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 25.87 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 84 male: 26.13 deaths/1,000 live births female: 25.59 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.19 years country comparison to the world: 131 male: 69.8 years female: 72.68 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.12 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 160 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: fewer than 500 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 200 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 Nationality: noun: Syrian(s) adjective: Syrian Ethnic groups: Arab 90.3%, Kurds, Armenians, and other 9.7% Religions: Sunni Muslim 74%, other Muslim (includes Alawite, Druze) 16%, Christian (various denominations) 10%, Jewish (tiny communities in Damascus, Al Qamishli, and Aleppo) Languages: Arabic (official); Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, Circassian widely understood; French, English somewhat understood Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 79.6% male: 86% female: 73.6% (2004 census) Education expenditures: 3.9% of GDP (1999) country comparison to the world: 109 Government ::Syria Country name: conventional long form: Syrian Arab Republic conventional short form: Syria local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Arabiyah as Suriyah local short form: Suriyah former: United Arab Republic (with Egypt) Government type: republic under an authoritarian military-dominated regime Capital: name: Damascus geographic coordinates: 33 30 N, 36 18 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins 1 April; ends 30 September Administrative divisions: 14 provinces (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Hasakah, Al Ladhiqiyah (Latakia), Al Qunaytirah, Ar Raqqah, As Suwayda', Dar'a, Dayr az Zawr, Dimashq, Halab, Hamah, Hims, Idlib, Rif Dimashq (Damascus), Tartus Independence: 17 April 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration) National holiday: Independence Day, 17 April (1946) Constitution: 13 March 1973 Legal system: based on a combination of French and Ottoman civil law; Islamic law is used in the family court system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Bashar al-ASAD (since 17 July 2000); Vice President Farouk al-SHARA (since 11 February 2006) oversees foreign policy; Vice President Najah al-ATTAR (since 23 March 2006) oversees cultural policy head of government: Prime Minister Muhammad Naji al-UTRI (since 10 September 2003); Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Abdallah al-DARDARI (since 14 June 2005) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president approved by popular referendum for a second seven-year term (no term limits); referendum last held on 27 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2014); the president appoints the vice presidents, prime minister, and deputy prime ministers election results: Bashar al-ASAD approved as president; percent of vote - Bashar al-ASAD 97.6% Legislative branch: unicameral People's Council or Majlis al-Shaab (250 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 22-23 April 2007 (next to be held in 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NPF 172, independents 78 Judicial branch: Supreme Judicial Council (appoints and dismisses judges; headed by the president); national level - Supreme Constitutional Court (adjudicates electoral disputes and rules on constitutionality of laws and decrees; justices appointed for four-year terms by the president); Court of Cassation; Appeals Courts (Appeals Courts represent an intermediate level between the Court of Cassation and local level courts); local level - Magistrate Courts; Courts of First Instance; Juvenile Courts; Customs Courts; specialized courts - Economic Security Courts (hear cases related to economic crimes); Supreme State Security Court (hear cases related to national security); Personal Status Courts (religious; hear cases related to marriage and divorce) Political parties and leaders: legal parties: National Progressive Front or NPF [President Bashar al-ASAD, Dr. Suleiman QADDAH] (includes Arab Socialist Renaissance (Ba'th) Party [President Bashar al-ASAD]; Socialist Unionist Democratic Party [Fadlallah Nasr Al-DIN]; Syrian Arab Socialist Union or ASU [Safwan QUDSI]; Syrian Communist Party (two branches) [Wissal Farha BAKDASH, Yusuf Rashid FAYSAL]; Syrian Social Nationalist Party [Ali QANSU]; Unionist Socialist Party [Fayez ISMAIL]) opposition parties not legally recognized: Arab Democratic Socialist Union Party [Hasan Abdul AZIM]; Arab Socialist Movement; Democratic Ba'th Party [Ibrahim MAHKOS]; National Democratic Front [Hasan Abdul AZIM, spokesman] (includes five parties - Arab Democratic Socialist Union Party [Hasan Abdul AZIM], Arab Socialist Movement, Democratic Ba'th Party [Ibrahim MAHKOS], People's Democratic Party [Riad al TURK], Revolutionary Workers' Party [Abdul Hafeez al HAFEZ]); People's Democratic Party; Revolutionary Workers' Party [Abdul Hafeez al HAFEZ] Kurdish parties (considered illegal): Azadi Party [Kheirudin MURAD]; Future Party [Masha'l TAMMO]; Kurdish Democratic Alliance (includes four parties); Kurdish Democratic Front (includes three parties); Yekiti Party [Hasan SALEH, Fu'ad ALEYKO] other parties: Nahda Party [Abdul Aziz al MISLET]; Syrian Democratic Party [Mustafa QALAAJI] Political pressure groups and leaders: Damascus Declaration National Council [Riyad SEIF, secretary general] (a broad alliance of opposition groups and individuals including: Committee for Revival of Civil Society [Michel KILO, Riyad SEIF]; Communist Action Party [Fateh JAMOUS]; Kurdish Democratic Alliance; Kurdish Democratic Front; Liberal Nationalists' Movement; National Democratic Rally; and Syrian Human Rights Society or HRAS [Fawed FAWUZ]); National Salvation Front (alliance between former Vice President Abd al-Halim KHADDAM, the SMB, and other small opposition groups); Syrian Muslim Brotherhood or SMB [Sadr al-Din al-BAYANUNI] (operates in exile in London; endorsed the Damascus Declaration, but is not an official member) International organization participation: ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Imad MOUSTAPHA chancery: 2215 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 232-6313 FAX: [1] (202) 265-4585 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Maura CONNELLY embassy: Abou Roumaneh, Al-Mansour Street, No. 2, Damascus mailing address: P. O. Box 29, Damascus telephone: [963] (11) 3391-4444 FAX: [963] (11) 3391-3999 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black, colors associated with the Arab Liberation flag; two small, green, five-pointed stars in a horizontal line centered in the white band; former flag of the United Arab Republic where the two stars represented the constituent states of Syria and Egypt; similar to the flag of Yemen, which has a plain white band, Iraq, which has an Arabic inscription centered in the white band, and that of Egypt, which has a gold Eagle of Saladin centered in the white band; the current design dates to 1980 Economy ::Syria Economy - overview: The Syrian economy grew by an estimated 2.4% in real terms in 2008 led by the petroleum and agricultural sectors, which together account for about one-half of GDP. Higher crude oil prices countered declining oil production and led to higher budgetary and export receipts. Damascus has implemented modest economic reforms in the past few years, including cutting lending interest rates, opening private banks, consolidating all of the multiple exchange rates, raising prices on some subsidized items, most notably gasoline and cement, and establishing the Damascus Stock Exchange - which is set to begin operations in 2009. In October 2007, for example, Damascus raised the price of subsidized gasoline by 20%, then instituted a rationing system in 2008. In addition, President ASAD signed legislative decrees to encourage corporate ownership reform, and to allow the Central Bank to issue Treasury bills and bonds for government debt. Nevertheless, the economy remains highly controlled by the government. Long-run economic constraints include declining oil production, high unemployment and inflation, rising budget deficits, and increasing pressure on water supplies caused by heavy use in agriculture, rapid population growth, industrial expansion, and water pollution. GDP (purchasing power parity): $99.06 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 $94.26 billion (2007 est.) $88.65 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $55.02 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 85 6.3% (2007 est.) 5.2% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $4,600 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 $4,600 (2007 est.) $4,600 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 18.5% industry: 26.9% services: 54.6% (2008 est.) Labor force: 5.593 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 19.2% industry: 14.5% services: 66.3% (2006 est.) Unemployment rate: 8.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 116 9% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 11.9% (2006 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Investment (gross fixed): 21.7% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 Budget: revenues: $11.23 billion expenditures: $12.85 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 25.4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 32% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 15.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 195 12.2% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: NA% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 101 5% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: NA% (31 December 2008) Stock of money: $73.54 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 17 $15.21 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $73.93 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 24 $12.29 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $84.31 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 41 $15.19 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: wheat, barley, cotton, lentils, chickpeas, olives, sugar beets; beef, mutton, eggs, poultry, milk Industries: petroleum, textiles, food processing, beverages, tobacco, phosphate rock mining, cement, oil seeds crushing, car assembly Industrial production growth rate: 2.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 Electricity - production: 36.5 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 59 Electricity - consumption: 27.35 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 1.4 billion kWh (2007) Oil - production: 426,100 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 33 Oil - consumption: 256,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 Oil - exports: 155,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 Oil - imports: 58,710 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 Oil - proved reserves: 2.5 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 Natural gas - production: 6.04 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 Natural gas - consumption: 6.18 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m country comparison to the world: 109 Natural gas - imports: 140 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 Natural gas - proved reserves: 240.7 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 Current account balance: -$791 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 $402 million (2007 est.) Exports: $13.97 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 $11.75 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: crude oil, minerals, petroleum products, fruits and vegetables, cotton fiber, textiles, clothing, meat and live animals, wheat Exports - partners: Iraq 30.9%, Germany 9.8%, Lebanon 9.7%, Italy 6.4%, France 5.5%, Egypt 5.4%, Saudi Arabia 5.1% (2008) Imports: $15.97 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 $12.27 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, electric power machinery, food and livestock, metal and metal products, chemicals and chemical products, plastics, yarn, paper Imports - partners: Saudi Arabia 11.7%, China 8.7%, Russia 6.4%, Italy 5.9%, Egypt 5.8%, UAE 5.8%, Turkey 4.3%, Iran 4.2% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $6.765 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 $6.507 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $7.167 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 $6.633 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: Syrian pounds (SYP) per US dollar - 46.5281 (2008 est.), 50.0085 (2007), 51.689 (2006), 50 (2005), 48.5 (2004) note: data for 2004-06 are the public sector rate; data for 2002-03 are the parallel market rate in 'Amman and Beirut; the official rate for repaying loans was 11.25 Syrian pounds per US dollars during 2004-06, Communications ::Syria Telephones - main lines in use: 3.633 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 42 Telephones - mobile cellular: 7.056 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 71 Telephone system: general assessment: fair system currently undergoing significant improvement and digital upgrades, including fiber-optic technology domestic: the number of fixed-line connections has increased markedly since 2000; mobile-cellular service growing with telephone subscribership reaching 40 per 100 persons in 2008; international: country code - 963; submarine cable connection to Egypt, Lebanon, and Cyprus; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region); coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey; participant in Medarabtel Radio broadcast stations: AM 14, FM 2, shortwave 1 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 44 (plus 17 repeaters) (1995) Internet country code: .sy Internet hosts: 7,879 (2009) country comparison to the world: 125 Internet users: 3.565 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 54 Transportation ::Syria Airports: 104 (2009) country comparison to the world: 58 Airports - with paved runways: total: 29 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 16 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 5 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 75 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 59 (2009) Heliports: 7 (2009) Pipelines: gas 2,900 km; oil 2,000 km (2008) Railways: total: 2,052 km country comparison to the world: 72 standard gauge: 1,801 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 251 km 1.050-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 97,401 km country comparison to the world: 43 paved: 19,490 km (includes 1,103 km of expressways) unpaved: 77,911 km (2006) Waterways: 900 km (not economically significant) (2008) country comparison to the world: 69 Merchant marine: total: 77 country comparison to the world: 58 by type: bulk carrier 5, cargo 65, carrier 4, container 1, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: 7 (Jordan 2, Lebanon 3, Romania 2) registered in other countries: 196 (Barbados 1, Bolivia 2, Cambodia 48, Comoros 4, Cyprus 2, Dominica 2, Georgia 49, Hong Kong 1, North Korea 1, Lebanon 2, Libya 2, Malta 6, Moldova 1, Panama 32, Saint Kitts and Nevis 7, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 13, Sierra Leone 18, Slovakia 2, Togo 2, unknown 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Latakia, Tartus Military ::Syria Military branches: Syrian Armed Forces: Syrian Arab Army, Syrian Arab Navy, Syrian Arab Air and Air Defense Forces (includes Air Defense Command) (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 30 months (18 months in the Syrian Arab Navy); women are not conscripted but may volunteer to serve (2004) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 5,251,875 females age 16-49: 4,966,367 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 4,360,934 females age 16-49: 4,344,895 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 213,513 female: 201,055 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 5.9% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 Transnational Issues ::Syria Disputes - international: Golan Heights is Israeli-occupied with the almost 1,000-strong UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) patrolling a buffer zone since 1964; lacking a treaty or other documentation describing the boundary, portions of the Lebanon-Syria boundary are unclear with several sections in dispute; since 2000, Lebanon has claimed Shabaa farms in the Golan Heights; 2004 Agreement and pending demarcation settles border dispute with Jordan; approximately two million Iraqis have fled the conflict in Iraq with the majority taking refuge in Syria and Jordan Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 1-1.4 million (Iraq); 522,100 (Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA)) IDPs: 305,000 (most displaced from Golan Heights during 1967 Arab-Israeli War) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Syria is a destination and transit country for women and children trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor; a significant number of women and children in the large and expanding Iraqi refugee community in Syria are reportedly forced into commercial sexual exploitation by Iraqi gangs or, in some cases, their families; women from Indonesia, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Ethiopia, and Sierra Leone are recruited for work in Syria as domestic servants, but some face conditions of involuntary servitude, including long hours, non-payment of wages, withholding of passports, restrictions on movement, threats, and physical or sexual abuse tier rating: Tier 3 - Syria again failed to report any law enforcement efforts to punish trafficking offenses in 2007; in addition, the government did not offer protection services to victims of trafficking and may have arrested, prosecuted, or deported some victims for prostitution or immigration violations; Syria has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008) Illicit drugs: a transit point for opiates, hashish, and cocaine bound for regional and Western markets; weak anti-money-laundering controls and bank privatization may leave it vulnerable to money laundering page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Taiwan (East & Southeast Asia) Introduction ::Taiwan Background: In 1895, military defeat forced China to cede Taiwan to Japan. Taiwan reverted to Chinese control after World War II. Following the Communist victory on the mainland in 1949, 2 million Nationalists fled to Taiwan and established a government using the 1946 constitution drawn up for all of China. Over the next five decades, the ruling authorities gradually democratized and incorporated the local population within the governing structure. In 2000, Taiwan underwent its first peaceful transfer of power from the Nationalist to the Democratic Progressive Party. Throughout this period, the island prospered and became one of East Asia's economic "Tigers." The dominant political issues continue to be the relationship between Taiwan and China - specifically the question of Taiwan's eventual status - as well as domestic political and economic reform. Geography ::Taiwan Location: Eastern Asia, islands bordering the East China Sea, Philippine Sea, South China Sea, and Taiwan Strait, north of the Philippines, off the southeastern coast of China Geographic coordinates: 23 30 N, 121 00 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 35,980 sq km country comparison to the world: 138 land: 32,260 sq km water: 3,720 sq km note: includes the Pescadores, Matsu, and Quemoy islands Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland and Delaware combined Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 1,566.3 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; marine; rainy season during southwest monsoon (June to August); cloudiness is persistent and extensive all year Terrain: eastern two-thirds mostly rugged mountains; flat to gently rolling plains in west Elevation extremes: lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: Yu Shan 3,952 m Natural resources: small deposits of coal, natural gas, limestone, marble, and asbestos Land use: arable land: 24% permanent crops: 1% other: 75% (2001) Irrigated land: NA Total renewable water resources: 67 cu km (2000) Natural hazards: earthquakes; typhoons Environment - current issues: air pollution; water pollution from industrial emissions, raw sewage; contamination of drinking water supplies; trade in endangered species; low-level radioactive waste disposal Environment - international agreements: party to: none of the selected agreements because of Taiwan's international status Geography - note: strategic location adjacent to both the Taiwan Strait and the Luzon Strait People ::Taiwan Population: 22,974,347 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 Age structure: 0-14 years: 16.7% (male 1,996,905/female 1,844,611) 15-64 years: 72.6% (male 8,416,300/female 8,267,675) 65 years and over: 10.7% (male 1,183,382/female 1,265,474) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 36.5 years male: 35.9 years female: 37.1 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.227% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 181 Birth rate: 8.99 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 210 Death rate: 6.76 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 143 Net migration rate: 0.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 Sex ratio: at birth: 1.09 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 5.35 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 185 male: 5.64 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.96 years country comparison to the world: 52 male: 75.12 years female: 81.05 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.14 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 220 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Taiwan (singular and plural) note: example - he or she is from Taiwan; they are from Taiwan adjective: Taiwan Ethnic groups: Taiwanese (including Hakka) 84%, mainland Chinese 14%, indigenous 2% Religions: mixture of Buddhist and Taoist 93%, Christian 4.5%, other 2.5% Languages: Mandarin Chinese (official), Taiwanese (Min), Hakka dialects Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96.1% male: NA female: NA (2003) Education expenditures: NA Government ::Taiwan Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Taiwan local long form: none local short form: T'ai-wan former: Formosa Government type: multiparty democracy Capital: name: Taipei geographic coordinates: 25 03 N, 121 30 E time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: includes main island of Taiwan plus smaller islands nearby and off coast of China's Fujian Province; Taiwan is divided into 18 counties (hsien, singular and plural), 5 municipalities (shih, singular and plural), and 2 special municipalities (chih-hsia-shih, singular and plural) note: Taiwan uses a variety of romanization systems; while a modified Wade-Giles system still dominates, the city of Taipei has adopted a Pinyin romanization for street and place names within its boundaries; other local authorities use different romanization systems; names for administrative divisions that follow are taken from the Taiwan Yearbook 2007 published by the Government Information Office in Taipei. counties: Changhua, Chiayi [county], Hsinchu [county], Hualien, Kaohsiung [county], Kinmen, Lienchiang, Miaoli, Nantou, Penghu, Pingtung, Taichung [county], Tainan [county], Taipei [county], Taitung, Taoyuan, Yilan, and Yunlin municipalities: Chiayi [city], Hsinchu [city], Keelung, Taichung [city], Tainan [city] special municipalities: Kaohsiung [city], Taipei [city] National holiday: Republic Day (Anniversary of the Chinese Revolution), 10 October (1911) Constitution: adopted on 25 December 1946; effective 25 December 1947; amended in 1991, 1992, 1994, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2005 Legal system: based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President MA Ying-jeou (since 20 May 2008); Vice President Vincent SIEW (since 20 May 2008) head of government: Premier (President of the Executive Yuan) WU Den-yih (since 10 September 2009); Vice Premier (Vice President of Executive Yuan) Eric Liluan CHU (since 10 September 2009) cabinet: Executive Yuan - (ministers appointed by president on recommendation of premier) elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 22 March 2008 (next to be held in March 2012); premier appointed by the president; vice premiers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the premier election results: MA Ying-jeou elected president; percent of vote - MA Ying-jeou 58.45%, Frank HSIEH 41.55% Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Yuan (113 seats - 73 district members elected by popular vote, 34 at-large members elected on basis of proportion of islandwide votes received by participating political parties, 6 elected by popular vote among aboriginal populations; to serve four-year terms); parties must receive 5% of vote to qualify for at-large seats elections: Legislative Yuan - last held 12 January 2008 (next to be held in December 2011 or January 2012) election results: Legislative Yuan - percent of vote by party - KMT 53.5%, DPP 38.2%, NPSU 2.4%, PFP 0.3%, others 1.6%, independents 4%; seats by party - KMT 81, DPP 27, NPSU 3, PFP 1, independent 1 Judicial branch: Judicial Yuan (justices appointed by the president with consent of the Legislative Yuan) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Progressive Party or DPP [TSAI Ing-wen]; Kuomintang or KMT (Nationalist Party) [WU Po-hsiung], MA Ying-jeou elected in July 2009, takes office on 12 September 2009; Non-Partisan Solidarity Union or NPSU [LIN Pin-kuan]; People First Party or PFP [James SOONG] Political pressure groups and leaders: Organization for Taiwan Nation Building; World United Formosans for Independence other: environmental groups; independence movement; various business groups note: debate on Taiwan independence has become acceptable within the mainstream of domestic politics on Taiwan; political liberalization and the increased representation of opposition parties in Taiwan's legislature have opened public debate on the island's national identity; a broad public consensus has developed that the government enjoys popular sovereignty and - whatever the ultimate outcome regarding unification or independence - that Taiwan's people must have the deciding voice; public opinion polls consistently show a substantial majority of Taiwan people supports maintaining Taiwan's status quo for the foreseeable future; advocates of Taiwan independence oppose the stand that the island will eventually unify with mainland China; goals of the Taiwan independence movement include establishing a sovereign nation on Taiwan and entering the UN; advocates of eventual unification predicate their goal on the democratic transformation of the mainland International organization participation: ADB, APEC, BCIE, ICC, IOC, ITUC, WCL, WFTU, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: none; commercial and cultural relations with the people in the United States are maintained through an unofficial instrumentality, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO), a private nonprofit corporation that performs citizen and consular services similar to those at diplomatic posts representative: Jason C. YUAN office: 4201 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] 202 895-1800 Taipei Economic and Cultural Offices (branch offices): Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Guam, Houston, Honolulu, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Seattle Diplomatic representation from the US: none; commercial and cultural relations with the people on Taiwan are maintained through an unofficial instrumentality, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), a private nonprofit corporation that performs citizen and consular services similar to those at diplomatic posts director: William A. STANTON office: #7 Lane 134, Hsin Yi Road, Section 3, Taipei, Taiwan telephone: [1] [886] (02) 2162-2000 FAX: [1] [886] (07) 238-7744 other offices: Kaohsiung Flag description: red field with a dark blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white sun with 12 triangular rays Economy ::Taiwan Economy - overview: Taiwan has a dynamic capitalist economy with gradually decreasing government guidance of investment and foreign trade. In keeping with this trend, some large, state-owned banks and industrial firms have been privatized. Exports have provided the primary impetus for industrialization. The island runs a large trade surplus, and its foreign reserves are among the world's largest. Recently opened cross-strait travel, transportation, and tourism links are likely to increase Taiwan and China's economic interdependence. In 2008 China overtook the US to become Taiwan's second-largest source of imports, after Japan. China is also the island's number one destination for foreign direct investment. Growth fell to 0.1% in 2008 because of the global slowdown. GDP (purchasing power parity): $713.7 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 $713 billion (2007 est.) $674.5 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $391.4 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 0.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 197 5.7% (2007 est.) 4.8% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $31,100 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 $31,200 (2007 est.) $29,600 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1.7% industry: 25.1% services: 73.2% (2008 est.) Labor force: 10.85 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 5.1% industry: 36.8% services: 58% (2008 est.) Unemployment rate: 4.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 3.9% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 0.95% (2007 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 6.7% highest 10%: 41.1% (2002 est.) Investment (gross fixed): 20.6% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 Budget: revenues: $73.02 billion expenditures: $77.96 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 29.4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 32.4% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 1.8% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 1.5% (January 2009) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 4.06% (2008 est.) Stock of quasi money: $618 billion (November 2008) country comparison to the world: 7 $NA (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $677.8 billion (November 2008) country comparison to the world: 17 $NA (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 20 $654 billion (28 December 2007) $654 billion (28 December 2007) Agriculture - products: rice, corn, vegetables, fruit, tea; pigs, poultry, beef, milk; fish Industries: electronics, petroleum refining, armaments, chemicals, textiles, iron and steel, machinery, cement, food processing, vehicles, consumer products, pharmaceuticals Industrial production growth rate: -1.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 Electricity - production: 225 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 Electricity - consumption: 233 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 12,310 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 Oil - consumption: 959,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 Oil - exports: 303,500 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 Oil - imports: 1.251 million bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 Oil - proved reserves: 2.38 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 93 Natural gas - production: 360 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 Natural gas - consumption: 12.44 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 45 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 99 Natural gas - imports: 12.08 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 Natural gas - proved reserves: 6.229 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 Current account balance: $24.89 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 $32.98 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $254.9 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 $246.5 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: electronics, flat panels, machinery, metals, textiles, plastics, chemicals, auto parts (2008) Exports - partners: China 29.2%, US 12%, Hong Kong 9.8%, Japan 6.9%, Singapore 4.6% (2008 est.) Imports: $236.7 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 $216.1 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: electronics, machinery, petroleum, precision instruments, organic chemicals, metals (2008) Imports - partners: Japan 19.3%, China 13%, US 10.9%, Saudi Arabia 6.3%, South Korea 5.5% (2008 est.) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $296.4 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 $275 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $93.02 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 $97.85 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $102.3 billion (2008) country comparison to the world: 34 $52.65 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $107.1 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 $96.81 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: New Taiwan dollars (TWD) per US dollar - 31.53 (2008 est.), 32.84 (2007), 32.534 (2006), 31.71 (2005), 34.418 (2004) Communications ::Taiwan Telephones - main lines in use: 14.273 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 19 Telephones - mobile cellular: 25.412 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 33 Telephone system: general assessment: provides telecommunications service for every business and private need domestic: thoroughly modern; completely digitalized international: country code - 886; numerous submarine cables provide links throughout Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 Radio broadcast stations: AM 21, FM 143, shortwave 1 (2008) Television broadcast stations: 76 (5 television networks with 46 digital and 30 analog stations) (2007) Internet country code: .tw Internet hosts: 5.704 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 15 Internet users: 15.143 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 25 Transportation ::Taiwan Airports: 42 (2009) country comparison to the world: 101 Airports - with paved runways: total: 38 over 3,047 m: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 4 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Heliports: 4 (2009) Pipelines: gas 406 km (2008) Railways: total: 1,588 km country comparison to the world: 81 standard gauge: 345 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 1,093 km 1.067-m gauge; 150 km .762-m gauge note: the 150 km of .762 gauge track belongs primarily to Taiwan Sugar Corporation and Taiwan Forestry Bureau; some to other entities (2007) Roadways: total: 40,262 km country comparison to the world: 88 paved: 38,171 km (includes 976 km of expressways) unpaved: 2,091 km (2007) Merchant marine: total: 102 country comparison to the world: 50 by type: bulk carrier 32, cargo 19, chemical tanker 1, container 24, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 14, refrigerated cargo 7, roll on/roll off 2 foreign-owned: 3 (Canada 2, France 1) registered in other countries: 536 (Bolivia 1, Cambodia 1, Honduras 2, Hong Kong 11, Indonesia 2, Italy 13, Kiribati 5, Liberia 91, Marshall Islands 1, Panama 320, Philippines 1, Sierra Leone 1, Singapore 72, Thailand 1, UK 11, unknown 3) (2008) Ports and terminals: Chilung (Keelung), Kaohsiung, Taichung Military ::Taiwan Military branches: Army, Navy (includes Marine Corps), Air Force, Coast Guard Administration, Armed Forces Reserve Command, Combined Service Forces Command, Armed Forces Police Command Military service age and obligation: 19-35 years of age for male compulsory military service; service obligation 14 months (reducing to 1 year in 2009); women may enlist; women in Air Force service are restricted to noncombat roles; reserve obligation to age 30 (Army); the Ministry of Defense has announced plans to implement an incremental voluntary enlistment system beginning 2010, with 10% fewer conscripts each year thereafter, although nonvolunteers will still be required to perform alternative service or go through 3-4 months of military training (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 6,283,134 females age 16-49: 6,098,599 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 5,106,730 females age 16-49: 5,008,563 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 165,738 female: 154,123 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 2.2% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 75 Transnational Issues ::Taiwan Disputes - international: involved in complex dispute with China, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei over the Spratly Islands; the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" has eased tensions but falls short of a legally binding "code of conduct" desired by several of the disputants; Paracel Islands are occupied by China, but claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam; in 2003, China and Taiwan became more vocal in rejecting both Japan's claims to the uninhabited islands of the Senkaku-shoto (Diaoyu Tai) and Japan's unilaterally declared exclusive economic zone in the East China Sea where all parties engage in hydrocarbon prospecting Illicit drugs: regional transit point for heroin, methamphetamine, and precursor chemicals; transshipment point for drugs to Japan; major problem with domestic consumption of methamphetamine and heroin; rising problems with use of ketamine and club drugs page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Tajikistan (Central Asia) Introduction ::Tajikistan Background: The Tajik people came under Russian rule in the 1860s and 1870s, but Russia's hold on Central Asia weakened following the Revolution of 1917. Bolshevik control of the area was fiercely contested and not fully reestablished until 1925. Much of present-day Sughd province was transferred from the Uzbek SSR to the newly formed Tajik SSR in 1929. Ethnic Uzbeks form a substantial minority in Sughd province. Tajikistan became independent in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union, and experienced a civil war between regional factions from 1992-97. There have been no major security incidents in recent years, although the country remains the poorest in the former Soviet sphere. Attention by the international community since the beginning of the NATO intervention in Afghanistan has brought increased economic development and security assistance, which could create jobs and strengthen stability in the long term. Tajikistan is in the early stages of seeking World Trade Organization membership and has joined NATO's Partnership for Peace. Geography ::Tajikistan Location: Central Asia, west of China Geographic coordinates: 39 00 N, 71 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 143,100 sq km country comparison to the world: 95 land: 141,510 sq km water: 2,590 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Wisconsin Land boundaries: total: 3,651 km border countries: Afghanistan 1,206 km, China 414 km, Kyrgyzstan 870 km, Uzbekistan 1,161 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: midlatitude continental, hot summers, mild winters; semiarid to polar in Pamir Mountains Terrain: Pamir and Alay Mountains dominate landscape; western Fergana Valley in north, Kofarnihon and Vakhsh Valleys in southwest Elevation extremes: lowest point: Syr Darya (Sirdaryo) 300 m highest point: Qullai Ismoili Somoni 7,495 m Natural resources: hydropower, some petroleum, uranium, mercury, brown coal, lead, zinc, antimony, tungsten, silver, gold Land use: arable land: 6.52% permanent crops: 0.89% other: 92.59% (2005) Irrigated land: 7,220 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 99.7 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 11.96 cu km/yr (4%/5%/92%) per capita: 1,837 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: earthquakes; floods Environment - current issues: inadequate sanitation facilities; increasing levels of soil salinity; industrial pollution; excessive pesticides Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: landlocked; mountainous region dominated by the Trans-Alay Range in the north and the Pamirs in the southeast; highest point, Qullai Ismoili Somoni (formerly Communism Peak), was the tallest mountain in the former USSR People ::Tajikistan Population: 7,349,145 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 Age structure: 0-14 years: 34.3% (male 1,282,681/female 1,238,607) 15-64 years: 62.1% (male 2,260,552/female 2,303,034) 65 years and over: 3.6% (male 112,334/female 151,937) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 21.9 years male: 21.5 years female: 22.4 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.878% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 Birth rate: 26.9 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 Death rate: 6.83 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 Net migration rate: -1.28 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 Urbanization: urban population: 26% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 41.03 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 64 male: 45.9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 35.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 65.33 years country comparison to the world: 166 male: 62.29 years female: 68.52 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.99 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.3% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 87 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 10,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 500 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria (2009) Nationality: noun: Tajikistani(s) adjective: Tajikistani Ethnic groups: Tajik 79.9%, Uzbek 15.3%, Russian 1.1%, Kyrgyz 1.1%, other 2.6% (2000 census) Religions: Sunni Muslim 85%, Shia Muslim 5%, other 10% (2003 est.) Languages: Tajik (official), Russian widely used in government and business Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.5% male: 99.7% female: 99.2% (2000 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 11 years male: 12 years female: 10 years (2006) Education expenditures: 3.4% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 132 Government ::Tajikistan Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Tajikistan conventional short form: Tajikistan local long form: Jumhurii Tojikiston local short form: Tojikiston former: Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic Government type: republic Capital: name: Dushanbe geographic coordinates: 38 35 N, 68 48 E time difference: UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 2 provinces (viloyatho, singular - viloyat) and 1 autonomous province* (viloyati mukhtor); Viloyati Khatlon (Qurghonteppa), Viloyati Mukhtori Kuhistoni Badakhshon* [Gorno-Badakhshan] (Khorugh), Viloyati Sughd (Khujand) note: the administrative center name follows in parentheses Independence: 9 September 1991 (from the Soviet Union) National holiday: Independence Day (or National Day), 9 September (1991) Constitution: 6 November 1994 Legal system: based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Emomali RAHMON (since 6 November 1994; head of state and Supreme Assembly chairman since 19 November 1992) head of government: Prime Minister Oqil OQILOV (since 20 January 1999) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by the Supreme Assembly elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 6 November 2006 (next to be held in November 2013); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Emomali RAHMON reelected president; percent of vote - Emomali RAHMON 79.3%, Olimjon BOBOEV 6.2%, other 14.5% Legislative branch: bicameral Supreme Assembly or Majlisi Oli consists of the National Assembly (upper chamber) or Majlisi Milliy (34 seats; 25 members selected by local deputies, 8 appointed by the president; 1 seat reserved for the former president; to serve five-year terms) and the Assembly of Representatives (lower chamber) or Majlisi Namoyandagon (63 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: National Assembly - last held 25 March 2005 (next to be held in February 2010); Assembly of Representatives 27 February and 13 March 2005 (next to be held in February 2010) election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDPT 29, CPT 2, independents 3; Assembly of Representatives - percent of vote by party - PDPT 74.9%, CPT 13.6%, Islamic Revival Party 8.9%, other 2.5%; seats by party - PDPT 51, CPT 5, Islamic Revival Party 2, independents 5 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president) Political parties and leaders: Agrarian Party of Tajikistan or APT [Amir QARAQULOV]; Democratic Party or DPT [Mahmadruzi ISKANDAROV (imprisoned October 2005); Rahmatullo VALIYEV, deputy]; Islamic Revival Party [Muhiddin KABIRI]; Party of Economic Reform or PER [Olimjon BOBOEV]; People's Democratic Party of Tajikistan or PDPT [Emomali RAHMON]; Social Democratic Party or SDPT [Rahmatullo ZOYIROV]; Socialist Party or SPT [Mirhuseyn NARZIEV]; Tajik Communist Party or CPT [Shodi SHABDOLOV] Political pressure groups and leaders: splinter parties recognized by the government but not by the base of the party: Democratic Party or DPT [Masud SOBIROV] (splintered from ISKANDAROV's DPT); Socialist Party or SPT [Abduhalim GHAFFOROV] (splintered from NARZIEV's SPT) unregistered political parties: Agrarian Party [Hikmatullo NASREDDINOV]; Progressive Party [Sulton QUVVATOV]; Unity Party [Hikmatullo SAIDOV] International organization participation: ADB, CIS, CSTO, EAEC, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, MIGA, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Abdujabbor SHIRINOV chancery: 1005 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 223-6090 FAX: [1] (202) 223-6091 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Tracey Ann JACOBSON embassy: 109-A Ismoili Somoni Avenue, Dushanbe 734019 mailing address: 7090 Dushanbe Place, Dulles, VA 20189 telephone: [992] (37) 229-20-00 FAX: [992] (37) 229-20-50 Flag description: three horizontal stripes of red (top), a wider stripe of white, and green; a gold crown surmounted by seven gold, five-pointed stars is located in the center of the white stripe Economy ::Tajikistan Economy - overview: Tajikistan has one of the lowest per capita GDPs among the 15 former Soviet republics. Because of a lack of employment opportunities in Tajikistan, nearly half of the labor force works abroad, primarily in Russia, supporting families in Tajikistan through remittances. The exact number of labor migrants is unknown, but estimated at around 1 million. Less than 7% of the land area is arable. Cotton is the most important crop, but this sector is burdened with debt and obsolete infrastructure. Mineral resources include silver, gold, uranium, and tungsten. Industry consists only of a large aluminum plant, hydropower facilities, and small obsolete factories mostly in light industry and food processing. The civil war (1992-97) severely damaged the already weak economic infrastructure and caused a sharp decline in industrial and agricultural production. Tajikistan's economic situation remains fragile due to uneven implementation of structural reforms, corruption, weak governance, widespread unemployment, seasonal power shortages, and the external debt burden. A debt restructuring agreement was reached with Russia in December 2002 including a $250 million write-off of Tajikistan's $300 million debt. Completion of the Sangtuda I hydropower dam - built with Russian investment - and the Sangtuda II and Rogun dams will add substantially to electricity output. If finished according to Tajik plans, Rogun will be the world's tallest dam. Tajikistan has also received substantial infrastructure development loans from the Chinese government to improve roads and an electricity transmission network. To help increase north-south trade, the US funded a $36 million bridge which opened in August 2007 and links Tajikistan and Afghanistan. While, Tajikistan has experienced steady economic growth since 1997, nearly two-thirds of the population continues to live in poverty. Economic growth reached 10.6% in 2004, but dropped below 8% in 2005-08, as the effects of higher oil prices and then the international financial crisis began to register - mainly in the form of lower prices for key commodities and lower remittances from Tajiks working in Russia, due to the declining economic conditions in that country. GDP (purchasing power parity): $13.19 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 137 $12.22 billion (2007 est.) $11.34 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $5.135 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 7.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 7.8% (2007 est.) 7% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $1,800 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 190 $1,700 (2007 est.) $1,600 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 22.7% industry: 27.1% services: 50.2% (2008 est.) Labor force: 2.1 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 118 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 67.2% industry: 7.5% services: 25.3% (2000 est.) Unemployment rate: 2.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 2.4% (2007 est.) note: official rates; actual unemployment is higher Population below poverty line: 60% (2007 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.3% highest 10%: 25.6% (2007 est.) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 32.6 (2006) country comparison to the world: 99 34.7 (1998) Investment (gross fixed): 12% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 Budget: revenues: $996.8 million expenditures: $899.6 million (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 20.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 205 13.1% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: NA% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 14 15% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 23.1% (31 December 2008) Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $329.2 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $544 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 107 $350.3 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $889 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 109 $NA (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: cotton, grain, fruits, grapes, vegetables; cattle, sheep, goats Industries: aluminum, zinc, lead; chemicals and fertilizers, cement, vegetable oil, metal-cutting machine tools, refrigerators and freezers Industrial production growth rate: -4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 164 Electricity - production: 17.3 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 Electricity - consumption: 17.8 billion kWh (2008) country comparison to the world: 69 Electricity - exports: 1 billion kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 4.361 billion kWh (2007 est.) Oil - production: 238 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 108 Oil - consumption: 36,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 Oil - exports: 348.9 bbl/day country comparison to the world: 126 Oil - imports: 10,100 bbl/day (2008) country comparison to the world: 140 Oil - proved reserves: 12 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 Natural gas - production: 15.3 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 Natural gas - consumption: 515.3 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 106 Natural gas - imports: 500 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 Natural gas - proved reserves: 5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 Current account balance: $47.6 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 -$495.1 million (2007 est.) Exports: $1.575 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 $1.557 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: aluminum, electricity, cotton, fruits, vegetable oil, textiles Exports - partners: Netherlands 36.7%, Turkey 26.5%, Russia 8.6%, Iran 6.6%, China 5.7%, Uzbekistan 5.1% (2008) Imports: $3.699 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 131 $3.115 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: electricity, petroleum products, aluminum oxide, machinery and equipment, foodstuffs Imports - partners: Russia 32.3%, China 11.9%, Kazakhstan 8.8%, Uzbekistan 4.7% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $195 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 $328 million (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $1.503 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 $1.56 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $102 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 36 $94.76 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $10.86 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 45 $8.022 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: Tajikistani somoni (TJS) per US dollar - 3.4563 (2008 est.), 3.4418 (2007), 3.3 (2006), 3.1166 (2005), 2.9705 (2004) Communications ::Tajikistan Telephones - main lines in use: 360,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 106 Telephones - mobile cellular: 3.5 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 99 Telephone system: general assessment: foreign investment in the telephone system has resulted in major improvements domestic: the domestic telecommunications network has historically been under funded and poorly maintained; main line availability has not changed significantly since 1998; mobile cellular use, aided by competition among multiple operators, has expanded rapidly; coverage now extends to all major cities and towns international: country code - 992; linked by cable and microwave radio relay to other CIS republics and by leased connections to the Moscow international gateway switch; Dushanbe linked by Intelsat to international gateway switch in Ankara (Turkey); satellite earth stations - 3 (2 Intelsat and 1 Orbita) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: 16 (number of licensed stations with only about 10 broadcasting) (2009) Television broadcast stations: 24 (number of licensed stations with only about 15 active) (2009) Internet country code: .tj Internet hosts: 987 (2009) country comparison to the world: 161 Internet users: 600,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 103 Transportation ::Tajikistan Airports: 26 (2009) country comparison to the world: 128 Airports - with paved runways: total: 18 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 3 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 7 (2009) Pipelines: gas 549 km; oil 38 km (2008) Railways: total: 680 km country comparison to the world: 107 broad gauge: 680 km 1.520-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 27,767 km (2000) country comparison to the world: 100 Waterways: 200 km (along Vakhsh River) (2008) country comparison to the world: 99 Military ::Tajikistan Military branches: Ground Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces, Mobile Forces (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory military service; 2-year conscript service obligation (2007) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,897,356 females age 16-49: 1,911,594 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,428,218 females age 16-49: 1,603,779 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 80,819 female: 78,460 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 3.9% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 Transnational Issues ::Tajikistan Disputes - international: in 2006, China and Tajikistan pledged to commence demarcation of the revised boundary agreed to in the delimitation of 2002; talks continue with Uzbekistan to delimit border and remove minefields; disputes in Isfara Valley delay delimitation with Kyrgyzstan Trafficking in persons: current situation: Tajikistan is a source country for women trafficked through Kyrgyzstan and Russia to the UAE, Turkey, and Russia for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation; men are trafficked to Russia and Kazakhstan for the purpose of forced labor, primarily in the construction and agricultural industries; boys and girls are trafficked internally for various purposes, including forced labor and forced begging tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Tajikistan is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking, especially efforts to investigate, prosecute, convict, and sentence traffickers; despite evidence of low- and mid-level officials' complicity in trafficking, the government did not punish any public officials for trafficking complicity during 2007; lack of capacity and poor coordination between government institutions remained key obstacles to effective anti-trafficking efforts (2008) Illicit drugs: major transit country for Afghan narcotics bound for Russian and, to a lesser extent, Western European markets; limited illicit cultivation of opium poppy for domestic consumption; Tajikistan seizes roughly 80% of all drugs captured in Central Asia and stands third worldwide in seizures of opiates (heroin and raw opium); significant consumer of opiates page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Tanzania (Africa) Introduction ::Tanzania Background: Shortly after achieving independence from Britain in the early 1960s, Tanganyika and Zanzibar merged to form the nation of Tanzania in 1964. One-party rule came to an end in 1995 with the first democratic elections held in the country since the 1970s. Zanzibar's semi-autonomous status and popular opposition have led to two contentious elections since 1995, which the ruling party won despite international observers' claims of voting irregularities. Geography ::Tanzania Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Kenya and Mozambique Geographic coordinates: 6 00 S, 35 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 947,300 sq km country comparison to the world: 31 land: 885,800 sq km water: 61,500 sq km note: includes the islands of Mafia, Pemba, and Zanzibar Area - comparative: slightly larger than twice the size of California Land boundaries: total: 3,861 km border countries: Burundi 451 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 459 km, Kenya 769 km, Malawi 475 km, Mozambique 756 km, Rwanda 217 km, Uganda 396 km, Zambia 338 km Coastline: 1,424 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: varies from tropical along coast to temperate in highlands Terrain: plains along coast; central plateau; highlands in north, south Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Kilimanjaro 5,895 m Natural resources: hydropower, tin, phosphates, iron ore, coal, diamonds, gemstones, gold, natural gas, nickel Land use: arable land: 4.23% permanent crops: 1.16% other: 94.61% (2005) Irrigated land: 1,840 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 91 cu km (2001) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 5.18 cu km/yr (10%/0%/89%) per capita: 135 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: flooding on the central plateau during the rainy season; drought Environment - current issues: soil degradation; deforestation; desertification; destruction of coral reefs threatens marine habitats; recent droughts affected marginal agriculture; wildlife threatened by illegal hunting and trade, especially for ivory Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: Kilimanjaro is highest point in Africa; bordered by three of the largest lakes on the continent: Lake Victoria (the world's second-largest freshwater lake) in the north, Lake Tanganyika (the world's second deepest) in the west, and Lake Nyasa in the southwest People ::Tanzania Population: 41,048,532 country comparison to the world: 30 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 43% (male 8,853,529/female 8,805,810) 15-64 years: 54.1% (male 10,956,133/female 11,255,868) 65 years and over: 2.9% (male 513,959/female 663,233) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 18 years male: 17.8 years female: 18.3 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 2.04% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 Birth rate: 34.29 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 Death rate: 12.59 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 Net migration rate: -1.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 131 Urbanization: urban population: 25% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 69.28 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 26 male: 76.24 deaths/1,000 live births female: 62.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 52.01 years country comparison to the world: 203 male: 50.56 years female: 53.51 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.46 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 6.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 1.4 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 96,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and plague water contact disease: schistosomiasis animal contact disease: rabies (2009) Nationality: noun: Tanzanian(s) adjective: Tanzanian Ethnic groups: mainland - African 99% (of which 95% are Bantu consisting of more than 130 tribes), other 1% (consisting of Asian, European, and Arab); Zanzibar - Arab, African, mixed Arab and African Religions: mainland - Christian 30%, Muslim 35%, indigenous beliefs 35%; Zanzibar - more than 99% Muslim Languages: Kiswahili or Swahili (official), Kiunguja (name for Swahili in Zanzibar), English (official, primary language of commerce, administration, and higher education), Arabic (widely spoken in Zanzibar), many local languages note: Kiswahili (Swahili) is the mother tongue of the Bantu people living in Zanzibar and nearby coastal Tanzania; although Kiswahili is Bantu in structure and origin, its vocabulary draws on a variety of sources including Arabic and English; it has become the lingua franca of central and eastern Africa; the first language of most people is one of the local languages Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write Kiswahili (Swahili), English, or Arabic total population: 69.4% male: 77.5% female: 62.2% (2002 census) Education expenditures: 2.2% of GDP (1999) country comparison to the world: 164 Government ::Tanzania Country name: conventional long form: United Republic of Tanzania conventional short form: Tanzania local long form: Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania local short form: Tanzania former: United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar Government type: republic Capital: name: Dar es Salaam geographic coordinates: 6 48 S, 39 17 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) note: legislative offices have been transferred to Dodoma, which is planned as the new national capital; the National Assembly now meets there on a regular basis Administrative divisions: 26 regions; Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Iringa, Kagera, Kigoma, Kilimanjaro, Lindi, Manyara, Mara, Mbeya, Morogoro, Mtwara, Mwanza, Pemba North, Pemba South, Pwani, Rukwa, Ruvuma, Shinyanga, Singida, Tabora, Tanga, Zanzibar Central/South, Zanzibar North, Zanzibar Urban/West Independence: 26 April 1964; Tanganyika became independent 9 December 1961 (from UK-administered UN trusteeship); Zanzibar became independent 19 December 1963 (from UK); Tanganyika united with Zanzibar 26 April 1964 to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar; renamed United Republic of Tanzania 29 October 1964 National holiday: Union Day (Tanganyika and Zanzibar), 26 April (1964) Constitution: 25 April 1977; major revisions October 1984 Legal system: based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts limited to matters of interpretation; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Jakaya KIKWETE (since 21 December 2005); Vice President Dr. Ali Mohammed SHEIN (since 5 July 2001); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Jakaya KIKWETE (since 21 December 2005); Vice President Dr. Ali Mohammed SHEIN (since 5 July 2001) note: Zanzibar elects a president who is head of government for matters internal to Zanzibar; Amani Abeid KARUME was reelected to that office on 30 October 2005 cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly elections: president and vice president elected on the same ballot by popular vote for five-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 14 December 2005 (next to be held in December 2010); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Jakaya KIKWETE elected president; percent of vote - Jakaya KIKWETE 80.3%, Ibrahim LIPUMBA 11.7%, Freeman MBOWE 5.9% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Bunge (274 seats; 232 members elected by popular vote, 37 allocated to women nominated by the president, 5 to members of the Zanzibar House of Representatives; to serve five-year terms); note - in addition to enacting laws that apply to the entire United Republic of Tanzania, the Assembly enacts laws that apply only to the mainland; Zanzibar has its own House of Representatives to make laws especially for Zanzibar (the Zanzibar House of Representatives has 50 seats elected by universal suffrage to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 14 December 2005 (next to be held in December 2010) election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CCM 206, CUF 19, CHADEMA 5, other 2, women appointed by the president 37, Zanzibar representatives 5 Zanzibar House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CCM 30, CUF 19; 1 seat was nullified with a rerun to take place soon Judicial branch: Permanent Commission of Enquiry (official ombudsman); Court of Appeal (consists of a chief justice and four judges); High Court (consists of a Jaji Kiongozi and 29 judges appointed by the president; holds regular sessions in all regions); District Courts; Primary Courts (limited jurisdiction and appeals can be made to the higher courts) Political parties and leaders: Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Party of Democracy and Development) or CHADEMA [Bob MAKANI]; Chama Cha Mapinduzi or CCM (Revolutionary Party) [Jakaya Mrisho KIKWETE]; Civic United Front or CUF [Ibrahim LIPUMBA]; Democratic Party [Christopher MTIKLA] (unregistered); Tanzania Labor Party or TLP [Augustine Lyatonga MREME]; United Democratic Party or UDP [John CHEYO] Political pressure groups and leaders: Economic and Social Research Foundation or ESRF; Free Zanzibar; Tanzania Media Women's Association or TAMWA International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, C, EAC, EADB, FAO, G-6, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ombeni Yohana SEFUE chancery: 2139 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 939-6125 FAX: [1] (202) 797-7408 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Mark GREEN embassy: 686 Old Bagamoyo Road, Msasani, Dar es Salaam mailing address: P. O. Box 9123, Dar es Salaam telephone: [255] (22) 266-8001 FAX: [255] (22) 266-8238, 266-8373 Flag description: divided diagonally by a yellow-edged black band from the lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is blue Economy ::Tanzania Economy - overview: Tanzania is in the bottom ten percent of the world's economies in terms of per capita income. The economy depends heavily on agriculture, which accounts for more than 40% of GDP, provides 85% of exports, and employs 80% of the work force. Topography and climatic conditions, however, limit cultivated crops to only 4% of the land area. Industry traditionally featured the processing of agricultural products and light consumer goods. The World Bank, the IMF, and bilateral donors have provided funds to rehabilitate Tanzania's out-of-date economic infrastructure and to alleviate poverty. Long-term growth through 2005 featured a pickup in industrial production and a substantial increase in output of minerals led by gold. Recent banking reforms have helped increase private-sector growth and investment. Continued donor assistance and solid macroeconomic policies supported real GDP growth of 7.1% in 2008. GDP (purchasing power parity): $54.38 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 $50.77 billion (2007 est.) $47.38 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $20.67 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 7.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 36 7.1% (2007 est.) 6.7% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $1,400 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 201 $1,300 (2007 est.) $1,200 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 27.1% industry: 22.5% services: 50.4% (2008 est.) Labor force: 21.06 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 80% industry and services: 20% (2002 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Population below poverty line: 36% (2002 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.9% highest 10%: 26.9% (2000) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 34.6 (2000) country comparison to the world: 89 38.2 (1993) Investment (gross fixed): 22.6% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 Budget: revenues: $4.099 billion expenditures: $4.517 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 23.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 87 5% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 7% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 15.99% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 11 16.4% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 14.98% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 36 16.03% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $2.464 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 66 $2.285 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $3.362 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 79 $3.212 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $3.297 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 88 $2.501 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) $NA (31 December 2007) $541.1 million (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: coffee, sisal, tea, cotton, pyrethrum (insecticide made from chrysanthemums), cashew nuts, tobacco, cloves, corn, wheat, cassava (tapioca), bananas, fruits, vegetables; cattle, sheep, goats Industries: agricultural processing (sugar, beer, cigarettes, sisal twine); diamond, gold, and iron mining, salt, soda ash; cement, oil refining, shoes, apparel, wood products, fertilizer Industrial production growth rate: 9.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 Electricity - production: 3.786 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 Electricity - consumption: 3.182 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 200 million kWh (2007 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 Oil - consumption: 32,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 161 Oil - imports: 28,070 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 Natural gas - production: 560.7 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 Natural gas - consumption: 560.7 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 93 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 98 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 Natural gas - proved reserves: 6.513 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 85 Current account balance: -$3.536 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 152 -$1.856 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $2.413 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 $2.227 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: gold, coffee, cashew nuts, manufactures, cotton Exports - partners: India 8.1%, Japan 6.5%, China 6.3%, UAE 5.7%, Netherlands 5.6%, Germany 5.1% (2008) Imports: $7.08 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 $4.861 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: consumer goods, machinery and transportation equipment, industrial raw materials, crude oil Imports - partners: China 14.4%, India 9%, South Africa 7.7%, Kenya 6.9%, UAE 5.9% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $2.869 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 $2.91 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $6.195 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 $4.382 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $NA Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Exchange rates: Tanzanian shillings (TZS) per US dollar - 1,178.1 (2008 est.), 1,255 (2007), 1,251.9 (2006), 1,128.93 (2005), 1,089.33 (2004) Communications ::Tanzania Telephones - main lines in use: 179,849 (2009) country comparison to the world: 126 Telephones - mobile cellular: 14.723 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 46 Telephone system: general assessment: telecommunications services are inadequate; system operating below capacity and being modernized for better service; small aperture terminal (VSAT) system under construction domestic: fixed-line telephone network inadequate with less than 1 connection per 100 persons; mobile-cellular service, aided by multiple providers, is increasing rapidly; trunk service provided by open-wire, microwave radio relay, tropospheric scatter, and fiber-optic cable; some links being made digital international: country code - 255; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean, 1 Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 12, FM 11, shortwave 2 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 3 (1999) Internet country code: .tz Internet hosts: 24,724 (2009) country comparison to the world: 96 Internet users: 520,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 106 Transportation ::Tanzania Airports: 125 (2009) country comparison to the world: 47 Airports - with paved runways: total: 9 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 116 1,524 to 2,437 m: 19 914 to 1,523 m: 63 under 914 m: 34 (2009) Pipelines: gas 253 km; oil 888 km; refined products 8 km (2008) Railways: total: 3,689 km country comparison to the world: 46 narrow gauge: 969 km 1.067-m gauge; 2,720 km 1.000-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 78,891 km country comparison to the world: 60 paved: 6,808 km unpaved: 72,083 km (2003) Waterways: Lake Tanganyika, Lake Victoria, and Lake Nyasa principal avenues of commerce with neighboring countries; rivers not navigable (2007) Merchant marine: total: 9 country comparison to the world: 117 by type: cargo 1, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 4 registered in other countries: 1 (Honduras 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Dar es Salaam Transportation - note: the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the Indian Ocean are high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; crews have been robbed and stores or cargoes stolen Military ::Tanzania Military branches: Tanzanian People's Defense Force (Jeshi la Wananchi la Tanzania, JWTZ): Army, Naval Wing (includes Coast Guard), Air Defense Command (includes Air Wing), National Service (2007) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service (2007) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 9,108,177 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 5,473,552 females age 16-49: 5,493,188 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 487,742 female: 489,462 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 0.2% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 170 Transnational Issues ::Tanzania Disputes - international: Tanzania still hosts more than a half-million refugees, more than any other African country, mainly from Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, despite the international community's efforts at repatriation; disputes with Malawi over the boundary in Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) and the meandering Songwe River remain dormant Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 352,640 (Burundi); 127,973 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (2007) Illicit drugs: targeted by traffickers moving hashish, Afghan heroin, and South American cocaine transported down the East African coastline, through airports, or overland through Central Africa; Zanzibar likely used by traffickers for drug smuggling; traffickers in the past have recruited Tanzanian couriers to move drugs through Iran into East Asia. page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Thailand (East & Southeast Asia) Introduction ::Thailand Background: A unified Thai kingdom was established in the mid-14th century. Known as Siam until 1939, Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country never to have been taken over by a European power. A bloodless revolution in 1932 led to a constitutional monarchy. In alliance with Japan during World War II, Thailand became a US treaty ally following the conflict. A military coup in September 2006 ousted then Prime Minister THAKSIN Chinnawat. The interim government held elections in December 2007 that saw the former pro-THAKSIN People's Power Party (PPP) emerge at the head of a coalition government. The anti-THAKSIN People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) in May 2008 began street demonstrations against the new government, eventually occupying the prime minister's office in August. Clashes in October 2008 between PAD protesters blocking parliament and police resulted in the death of at least two people. The PAD occupied Bangkok's international airports briefly, ending their protests in early December 2008 following a court ruling that dissolved the ruling PPP and two other coalition parties for election violations. The Democrat Party then formed a new coalition government with the support of some of THAKSIN's former political allies, and ABHISIT Wetchachiwa became prime minister. Since January 2004, thousands have been killed as separatists in Thailand's southern ethnic Malay-Muslim provinces increased the violence associated with their cause. Geography ::Thailand Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, southeast of Burma Geographic coordinates: 15 00 N, 100 00 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 513,120 sq km country comparison to the world: 50 land: 510,890 sq km water: 2,230 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than twice the size of Wyoming Land boundaries: total: 4,863 km border countries: Burma 1,800 km, Cambodia 803 km, Laos 1,754 km, Malaysia 506 km Coastline: 3,219 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: tropical; rainy, warm, cloudy southwest monsoon (mid-May to September); dry, cool northeast monsoon (November to mid-March); southern isthmus always hot and humid Terrain: central plain; Khorat Plateau in the east; mountains elsewhere Elevation extremes: lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m highest point: Doi Inthanon 2,576 m Natural resources: tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber, lead, fish, gypsum, lignite, fluorite, arable land Land use: arable land: 27.54% permanent crops: 6.93% other: 65.53% (2005) Irrigated land: 49,860 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 409.9 cu km (1999) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 82.75 cu km/yr (2%/2%/95%) per capita: 1,288 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: land subsidence in Bangkok area resulting from the depletion of the water table; droughts Environment - current issues: air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from organic and factory wastes; deforestation; soil erosion; wildlife populations threatened by illegal hunting Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Geography - note: controls only land route from Asia to Malaysia and Singapore People ::Thailand Population: 65,905,410 country comparison to the world: 20 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 20.8% (male 7,009,845/female 6,691,470) 15-64 years: 70.5% (male 22,977,945/female 23,512,538) 65 years and over: 8.7% (male 2,594,387/female 3,119,225) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 33.3 years male: 32.4 years female: 34.2 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.615% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 148 Birth rate: 13.4 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 Death rate: 7.25 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 33% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 17.63 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 117 male: 18.9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 16.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.1 years country comparison to the world: 110 male: 70.77 years female: 75.55 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.65 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 178 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.4% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 610,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 30,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 17 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, and malaria animal contact disease: rabies water contact disease: leptospirosis note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Nationality: noun: Thai (singular and plural) adjective: Thai Ethnic groups: Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, other 11% Religions: Buddhist 94.6%, Muslim 4.6%, Christian 0.7%, other 0.1% (2000 census) Languages: Thai, English (secondary language of the elite), ethnic and regional dialects Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.6% male: 94.9% female: 90.5% (2000 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 14 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2006) Education expenditures: 4.2% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 99 Government ::Thailand Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Thailand conventional short form: Thailand local long form: Ratcha Anachak Thai local short form: Prathet Thai former: Siam Government type: constitutional monarchy Capital: name: Bangkok geographic coordinates: 13 45 N, 100 31 E time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 76 provinces (changwat, singular and plural); Amnat Charoen, Ang Thong, Buriram, Chachoengsao, Chai Nat, Chaiyaphum, Chanthaburi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chon Buri, Chumphon, Kalasin, Kamphaeng Phet, Kanchanaburi, Khon Kaen, Krabi, Krung Thep Mahanakhon (Bangkok), Lampang, Lamphun, Loei, Lop Buri, Mae Hong Son, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nan, Narathiwat, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Pattani, Phangnga, Phatthalung, Phayao, Phetchabun, Phetchaburi, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Phrae, Phuket, Prachin Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ranong, Ratchaburi, Rayong, Roi Et, Sa Kaeo, Sakon Nakhon, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Sara Buri, Satun, Sing Buri, Sisaket, Songkhla, Sukhothai, Suphan Buri, Surat Thani, Surin, Tak, Trang, Trat, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Uthai Thani, Uttaradit, Yala, Yasothon Independence: 1238 (traditional founding date; never colonized) National holiday: Birthday of King PHUMIPHON (BHUMIBOL), 5 December (1927) Constitution: 24 August 2007 Legal system: based on civil law system with influences of common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet, also spelled BHUMIBOL Adulyadej (since 9 June 1946) head of government: Prime Minister ABHISIT Wetchachiwa, also spelled ABHISIT Vejjajiva (since 17 December 2008); Deputy Prime Minister KORBSAK Saphawasu, also spelled KORBSAK Sabhavasu (since 22 December 2008); Deputy Prime Minister SANAN Kachornprasat, also spelled SANAN Kachornparsart (since 7 February 2008); Deputy Prime Minister SUTHEP Thueaksuban, also spelled SUTHEP Thaugsuban (since 22 December 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers note: there is also a Privy Council advising the king elections: monarch is hereditary; according to 2007 constitution, prime minister is elected from among members of House of Representatives; following national elections for House of Representatives, leader of party that could organize a majority coalition usually was appointed prime minister by king; prime minister is limited to two 4-year terms Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly or Rathasapha consisted of the Senate or Wuthisapha (150 seats; 76 members elected by popular vote representing 76 provinces, 74 appointed by judges and independent government bodies; all serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Sapha Phuthaen Ratsadon (480 seats; 400 members elected from 157 multi-seat constituencies and 80 elected on proportional party-list basis of 10 per eight zones or groupings of provinces; all serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 2 March 2008 (next to be held in March 2014); House of Representatives - last election held on 23 December 2007 (next to be held by December 2011) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PPP 233, DP 164, TNP 34, Motherland 24, Middle Way 11, Unity 9, Royalist People's 5 note: 74 senators were appointed on 19 February 2008 by a seven-member committee headed by the chief of the Constitutional Court; 76 senators were elected on 2 March 2008; elections to the Senate are non-partisan; registered political party members are disqualified from being senators Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Sandika (judges appointed by the monarch) Political parties and leaders: Chat Thai Phattana Party or CP (Thai Nation Development Party) [CHUMPON Silpa-archa]; Democrat Party or DP (Prachathipat Party) [ABHISIT Wetchachiwa, also spelled ABHISIT Vejjajiva]; Motherland Party (Phuea Phaendin Party) [CHANCHAI Chairungrueang]; Phuea Thai Party (For Thais Party) or PTP [CHAVALIT Yongchaiyudh]; Phumchai (Bhumjai) Thai Party or PCT (Thai Pride) [CHAVARAT Charnvirakul]; Royalist People's Party (Pracharaj) [SANOH Thienthong]; Ruam Jai Thai Party (Thai Unity Party) [WANNARAT Channukul] Political pressure groups and leaders: People's Alliance for Democracy or PAD; United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship International organization participation: ADB, APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN, BIMSTEC, BIS, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, PIF (partner), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador DON Pramudwinai chancery: 1024 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 401, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 944-3600 FAX: [1] (202) 944-3611 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Eric G. JOHN embassy: 120-122 Wireless Road, Bangkok 10330 mailing address: APO AP 96546 telephone: [66] (2) 205-4000 FAX: [66] (2) 254-2990, 205-4131 consulate(s) general: Chiang Mai Flag description: five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue (double width), white, and red Economy ::Thailand Economy - overview: With a well-developed infrastructure, a free-enterprise economy, and generally pro-investment policies, Thailand was one of East Asia's best performers from 2002-04, averaging more than 6% annual real GDP growth. However, overall economic growth has fallen sharply - averaging 4.9% from 2005 to 2007 - as persistent political crisis stalled infrastructure mega-projects, eroded investor and consumer confidence, and damaged the country's international image. The growth rate fell to 2.6% in 2008. Exports were the key economic driver as foreign investment and consumer demand stalled. Export growth from January 2005 to November 2008 averaged 17.5% annually. Business uncertainty escalated, however, following the September 2006 coup when the military-installed government imposed capital controls and considered far-reaching changes to foreign investment rules and other business legislation. Although controversial capital controls have since been lifted and business rules largely remain unchanged, investor sentiment has not recovered. Moreover, the 2008 global financial crisis further darkened Thailand's economic horizon. Continued political uncertainty will hamper resumption of infrastructure mega-projects. GDP (purchasing power parity): $548.7 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 $534.8 billion (2007 est.) $509.8 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $273.3 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 137 4.9% (2007 est.) 5.2% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $8,400 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 $8,200 (2007 est.) $7,900 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 11.6% industry: 45.1% services: 43.3% (2008 est.) Labor force: 37.78 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 42.6% industry: 20.2% services: 37.1% (2005 est.) Unemployment rate: 1.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 8 1.4% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 10% (2004 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 33.7% (2004) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 42 (2002) country comparison to the world: 55 Investment (gross fixed): 27.3% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 Budget: revenues: $48.24 billion expenditures: $51.33 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 37.9% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 47.6% of GDP (November 2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 2.2% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 3.25% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 127 3.75% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 7.04% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 117 7.25% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $28.76 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 29 $28.63 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $237.5 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 13 $224.9 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $274.1 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 26 $263.5 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $102.6 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 39 $196 billion (31 December 2007) $141.1 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: rice, cassava (tapioca), rubber, corn, sugarcane, coconuts, soybeans Industries: tourism, textiles and garments, agricultural processing, beverages, tobacco, cement, light manufacturing such as jewelry and electric appliances, computers and parts, integrated circuits, furniture, plastics, automobiles and automotive parts; world's second-largest tungsten producer and third-largest tin producer Industrial production growth rate: 3.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 Electricity - production: 135.2 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 Electricity - consumption: 129.5 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 Electricity - exports: 773 million kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 2.784 billion kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 361,300 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 Oil - consumption: 942,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 Oil - exports: 216,400 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 Oil - imports: 826,000 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 17 Oil - proved reserves: 441 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 Natural gas - production: 28.76 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 Natural gas - consumption: 37.31 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 107 Natural gas - imports: 8.55 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 Natural gas - proved reserves: 317.1 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 Current account balance: -$113 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 $15.76 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $175.3 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 $150 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: textiles and footwear, fishery products, rice, rubber, jewelry, automobiles, computers and electrical appliances Exports - partners: US 11.4%, Japan 11.4%, China 9.2%, Singapore 5.7%, Hong Kong 5.6%, Malaysia 5.6%, Australia 4.3% (2008) Imports: $157.3 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 $124.5 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: capital goods, intermediate goods and raw materials, consumer goods, fuels Imports - partners: Japan 18.8%, China 11.2%, US 6.4%, UAE 6%, Malaysia 5.5%, Saudi Arabia 4.1%, Singapore 4% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $111 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 $87.46 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $65.09 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 46 $61.74 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $80.83 billion (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $7.013 billion (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 Exchange rates: baht per US dollar - 33.37 (2008 est.), 34.52 (2007), 37.882 (2006), 40.22 (2005), 40.222 (2004) Communications ::Thailand Telephones - main lines in use: 7.024 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 26 Telephones - mobile cellular: 62 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 17 Telephone system: general assessment: high quality system, especially in urban areas like Bangkok domestic: fixed line system provided by both a government owned and commercial provider; wireless service expanding rapidly and outpacing fixed lines international: country code - 66; connected to major submarine cable systems providing links throughout Asia, Australia, Middle East, Europe, and US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean, 1 Pacific Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 238, FM 351, shortwave 6 (2007) Television broadcast stations: 111 (2006) Internet country code: .th Internet hosts: 1.231 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 37 Internet users: 16.1 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 23 Transportation ::Thailand Airports: 105 (2009) country comparison to the world: 56 Airports - with paved runways: total: 64 over 3,047 m: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 24 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 6 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 41 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 27 (2009) Heliports: 4 (2009) Pipelines: gas 1,348 km; refined products 323 km (2008) Railways: total: 4,071 km country comparison to the world: 41 standard gauge: 29 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 4,042 km 1.000-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 180,053 km (includes 450 km of expressways) (2006) country comparison to the world: 28 Waterways: 4,000 km country comparison to the world: 27 note: 3,701 km navigable by boats with drafts up to 0.9 m (2008) Merchant marine: total: 398 country comparison to the world: 25 by type: bulk carrier 53, cargo 135, chemical tanker 15, container 22, liquefied gas 28, passenger/cargo 10, petroleum tanker 100, refrigerated cargo 32, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 1 foreign-owned: 16 (China 1, Japan 4, Malaysia 3, Singapore 2, Taiwan 1, UK 5) registered in other countries: 40 (Bahamas 5, Mongolia 1, Panama 10, Singapore 23, Tuvalu 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Bangkok, Laem Chabang, Prachuap Port, Si Racha Military ::Thailand Military branches: Royal Thai Army (Kongthap Bok Thai, RTA), Royal Thai Navy (Kongthap Ruea Thai, RTN, includes Royal Thai Marine Corps), Royal Thai Air Force (Kongtap Agard Thai, RTAF) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 21 years of age for compulsory military service; 18 years of age for voluntary military service; males are registered at 18 years of age; 2-year conscript service obligation (2007) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 17,553,410 females age 16-49: 17,751,268 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 13,086,106 females age 16-49: 14,126,398 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 532,977 female: 510,737 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.8% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 Transnational Issues ::Thailand Disputes - international: separatist violence in Thailand's predominantly Muslim southern provinces prompt border closures and controls with Malaysia to stem terrorist activities; Southeast Asian states have enhanced border surveillance to check the spread of avian flu; talks continue on completion of demarcation with Laos but disputes remain over several islands in the Mekong River; despite continuing border committee talks, Thailand must deal with Karen and other ethnic rebels, refugees, and illegal cross-border activities, and as of 2006, over 116,000 Karen, Hmong, and other refugees and asylum seekers from Burma; Cambodia and Thailand dispute sections of historic boundary with missing boundary markers; Cambodia claims Thai encroachments into Cambodian territory and obstructing access to Preah Vihear temple ruins awarded to Cambodia by ICJ decision in 1962; Thailand is studying the feasibility of jointly constructing the Hatgyi Dam on the Salween river near the border with Burma; in 2004, international environmentalist pressure prompted China to halt construction of 13 dams on the Salween River that flows through China, Burma, and Thailand Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 132,241 (Burma) (2007) Illicit drugs: a minor producer of opium, heroin, and marijuana; transit point for illicit heroin en route to the international drug market from Burma and Laos; eradication efforts have reduced the area of cannabis cultivation and shifted some production to neighboring countries; opium poppy cultivation has been reduced by eradication efforts; also a drug money-laundering center; minor role in methamphetamine production for regional consumption; major consumer of methamphetamine since the 1990s despite a series of government crackdowns page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Timor-Leste (East & Southeast Asia) Introduction ::Timor-Leste Background: The Portuguese began to trade with the island of Timor in the early 16th century and colonized it in mid-century. Skirmishing with the Dutch in the region eventually resulted in an 1859 treaty in which Portugal ceded the western portion of the island. Imperial Japan occupied Portuguese Timor from 1942 to 1945, but Portugal resumed colonial authority after the Japanese defeat in World War II. East Timor declared itself independent from Portugal on 28 November 1975 and was invaded and occupied by Indonesian forces nine days later. It was incorporated into Indonesia in July 1976 as the province of Timor Timur (East Timor). An unsuccessful campaign of pacification followed over the next two decades, during which an estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals lost their lives. On 30 August 1999, in a UN-supervised popular referendum, an overwhelming majority of the people of Timor-Leste voted for independence from Indonesia. Between the referendum and the arrival of a multinational peacekeeping force in late September 1999, anti-independence Timorese militias - organized and supported by the Indonesian military - commenced a large-scale, scorched-earth campaign of retribution. The militias killed approximately 1,400 Timorese and forcibly pushed 300,000 people into western Timor as refugees. The majority of the country's infrastructure, including homes, irrigation systems, water supply systems, and schools, and nearly 100% of the country's electrical grid were destroyed. On 20 September 1999, the Australian-led peacekeeping troops of the International Force for East Timor (INTERFET) deployed to the country and brought the violence to an end. On 20 May 2002, Timor-Leste was internationally recognized as an independent state. In late April 2006, internal tensions threatened the new nation's security when a military strike led to violence and a near breakdown of law and order in Dili. At the request of the Government of Timor-Leste, an Australian-led International Stabilization Force (ISF) deployed to Timor-Leste in late May. In August, the UN Security Council established the UN Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT), which included an authorized police presence of over 1,600 personnel. The ISF and UNMIT restored stability, allowing the Government of Timor-Leste to hold presidential and parliamentary elections in April and June 2007 in a largely peaceful atmosphere. In February 2008, a rebel group staged an unsuccessful attack against the president and prime minister. The ringleader was killed in the attack and the majority of the rebels surrendered to the government in April 2008. Geography ::Timor-Leste Location: Southeastern Asia, northwest of Australia in the Lesser Sunda Islands at the eastern end of the Indonesian archipelago; note - Timor-Leste includes the eastern half of the island of Timor, the Oecussi (Ambeno) region on the northwest portion of the island of Timor, and the islands of Pulau Atauro and Pulau Jaco Geographic coordinates: 8 50 S, 125 55 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 14,874 sq km country comparison to the world: 159 land: 14,874 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Connecticut Land boundaries: total: 228 km border countries: Indonesia 228 km Coastline: 706 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; hot, humid; distinct rainy and dry seasons Terrain: mountainous Elevation extremes: lowest point: Timor Sea, Savu Sea, and Banda Sea 0 m highest point: Foho Tatamailau 2,963 m Natural resources: gold, petroleum, natural gas, manganese, marble Land use: arable land: 8.2% permanent crops: 4.57% other: 87.23% (2005) Irrigated land: 1,065 sq km (2003) Natural hazards: floods and landslides are common; earthquakes; tsunamis; tropical cyclones Environment - current issues: widespread use of slash and burn agriculture has led to deforestation and soil erosion Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: Timor comes from the Malay word for "East"; the island of Timor is part of the Malay Archipelago and is the largest and easternmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands People ::Timor-Leste Population: 1,131,612 country comparison to the world: 155 note: other estimates range as low as 800,000 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 34.7% (male 199,237/female 192,900) 15-64 years: 61.9% (male 356,772/female 344,103) 65 years and over: 3.4% (male 18,403/female 20,197) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 21.8 years male: 21.8 years female: 21.8 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 2.027% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 Birth rate: 26.25 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 Death rate: 5.98 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 163 Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 27% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 40.65 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 66 male: 46.72 deaths/1,000 live births female: 34.28 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 67.27 years country comparison to the world: 155 male: 64.92 years female: 69.75 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.28 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: chikungunya, dengue fever and malaria (2009) Nationality: noun: Timorese adjective: Timorese Ethnic groups: Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian), Papuan, small Chinese minority Religions: Roman Catholic 98%, Muslim 1%, Protestant 1% (2005) Languages: Tetum (official), Portuguese (official), Indonesian, English note: there are about 16 indigenous languages; Tetum, Galole, Mambae, and Kemak are spoken by significant numbers of people Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 58.6% male: NA female: NA (2002) Education expenditures: NA Government ::Timor-Leste Country name: conventional long form: Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (pronounced TEE-mor LESS-tay) conventional short form: Timor-Leste local long form: Republika Demokratika Timor Lorosa'e [Tetum]; Republica Democratica de Timor-Leste [Portuguese] local short form: Timor Lorosa'e [Tetum]; Timor-Leste [Portuguese] former: East Timor, Portuguese Timor Government type: republic Capital: name: Dili geographic coordinates: 8 35 S, 125 36 E time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 13 administrative districts; Aileu, Ainaro, Baucau, Bobonaro (Maliana), Cova-Lima (Suai), Dili, Ermera (Gleno), Lautem (Los Palos), Liquica, Manatuto, Manufahi (Same), Oecussi (Ambeno), Viqueque note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses) Independence: 28 November 1975 (independence proclaimed from Portugal); note - 20 May 2002 is the official date of international recognition of Timor-Leste's independence from Indonesia National holiday: Independence Day, 28 November (1975) Constitution: 22 March 2002 (based on the Portuguese model) Legal system: UN-drafted legal system based on Indonesian law remains in place but is to be replaced by civil and penal codes based on Portuguese law; these have passed but have not been promulgated; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 17 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Jose RAMOS-HORTA (since 20 May 2007); note - the president plays a largely symbolic role but is able to veto legislation, dissolve parliament, and call national elections head of government: Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana GUSMAO (since 8 August 2007), note - he formerly used the name Jose Alexandre GUSMAO; Vice Prime Minister Mario Viegas CARRASCALAO (since 5 March 2009); Vice Prime Minister Jose Luis GUTERRES (since 8 August 2007) cabinet: Council of Ministers elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 9 April 2007 with run-off on 8 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2012); following elections, president appoints leader of majority party or majority coalition as prime minister election results: Jose RAMOS-HORTA elected president; percent of vote - Jose RAMOS-HORTA 69.2%, Francisco GUTTERES 30.8% Legislative branch: unicameral National Parliament (number of seats can vary from 52 to 65; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 30 June 2007 (next elections due by June 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - FRETILIN 29%, CNRT 24.1%, ASDT-PSD 15.8%, PD 11.3%, PUN 4.5%, KOTA-PPT (Democratic Alliance) 3.2%, UNDERTIM 3.2%, others 8.9%; seats by party - FRETILIN 21, CNRT 18, ASDT-PSD 11, PD 8, PUN 3, KOTA-PPT 2, UNDERTIM 2 Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice - constitution calls for one judge to be appointed by National Parliament and rest appointed by Superior Council for Judiciary; note - until Supreme Court is established, Court of Appeals is highest court Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party or PD [Fernando de ARAUJO]; National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction or CNRT [Xanana GUSMAO]; National Democratic Union of Timorese Resistance or UNDERTIM [Cornelio DA Conceicao GAMA]; National Unity Party or PUN [Fernanda BORGES]; People's Party of Timor or PPT [Jacob XAVIER]; Revolutionary Front of Independent Timor-Leste or FRETILIN [Mari ALKATIRI]; Social Democratic Association of Timor or ASDT [Francisco Xavier do AMARAL]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Zacarias Albano da COSTA]; Sons of the Mountain Warriors or KOTA [Manuel TILMAN] (also known as Association of Timorese Heroes) Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACP, ADB, ARF, CPLP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PIF (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Jorge Trindade NEVES de Camoes chancery: 4201 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 504,Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 966-3202 FAX: [1] (202) 966-3205 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Hans G. KLEMM embassy: Avenida de Portugal, Praia dos Conqueiros, Dili mailing address: US Department of State, 8250 Dili Place, Washington, DC 20521-8250 telephone: (670) 332-4684 FAX: (670) 331-3206 Flag description: red, with a black isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) superimposed on a slightly longer yellow arrowhead that extends to the center of the flag; a white star is in the center of the black triangle Economy ::Timor-Leste Economy - overview: In late 1999, about 70% of the economic infrastructure of Timor-Leste was laid waste by Indonesian troops and anti-independence militias. Three hundred thousand people fled westward. Over the next three years a massive international program, manned by 5,000 peacekeepers (8,000 at peak) and 1,300 police officers, led to substantial reconstruction in both urban and rural areas. By the end of 2005, refugees had returned or had settled in Indonesia. The country continues to face great challenges in rebuilding its infrastructure, strengthening the civil administration, and generating jobs for young people entering the work force. The development of oil and gas resources in offshore waters has begun to supplement government revenues ahead of schedule and above expectations. The technology-intensive industry, however, has done little to create jobs for the unemployed because there are no production facilities in Timor. Gas is piped to Australia. In June 2005, the National Parliament unanimously approved the creation of a Petroleum Fund to serve as a repository for all petroleum revenues and preserve the value of Timor-Leste's petroleum wealth for future generations. The Fund held assets of US$3.9 billion as of October 2008. The economy is recovering from the mid-2006 outbreak of violence and civil unrest, which disrupted both private and public sector economic activity. The government in 2008 resettled tens of thousands of an estimated 100,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) and planned for all IDPs to return home by early 2009. The underlying economic policy challenge the country faces remains how best to use oil-and-gas wealth to lift the non-oil economy onto a higher growth path and to reduce poverty. GDP (purchasing power parity): $2.526 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 179 $2.239 billion (2007 est.) $2.066 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $499 million (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 12.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 8.4% (2007 est.) -5.8% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $2,300 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 180 $2,100 (2007 est.) $1,900 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 32.2% industry: 12.8% services: 55% (2005) Labor force: NA Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 90% industry: NA% services: NA% (2006 est.) Unemployment rate: 20% (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 165 note: data are for rural areas, unemployment rises to more than 40% among urban youth Population below poverty line: 42% (2003 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Distribution of family income - Gini index: 38 country comparison to the world: 75 Budget: revenues: $733 million expenditures: $309 million note: the government in 2008 moved to a fiscal year calendar; it passed a supplementary spending package to cover the latter half of 2008 (FY06/07 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.8% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 Commercial bank prime lending rate: 13.11% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 41 15.05% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $102.8 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 111 $74.94 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $89.88 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 122 $68.78 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $NA (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: coffee, rice, corn, cassava, sweet potatoes, soybeans, cabbage, mangoes, bananas, vanilla Industries: printing, soap manufacturing, handicrafts, woven cloth Industrial production growth rate: 8.5% (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 Electricity - production: kWh NA Electricity - consumption: kWh NA Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Oil - production: 100,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 Oil - consumption: NA bbl/day Oil - proved reserves: 553.8 million bbl (1 January 2008) country comparison to the world: 46 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 100 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 Natural gas - proved reserves: 200 billion cu m (1 January 2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 Current account balance: $1.161 billion (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 Exports: $10 million (2005 est.); note - excludes oil country comparison to the world: 210 Exports - commodities: coffee, sandalwood, marble; note - potential for oil and vanilla exports Imports: $202 million (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 199 Imports - commodities: food, gasoline, kerosene, machinery Exchange rates: the US dollar is used Communications ::Timor-Leste Telephones - main lines in use: 2,400 (2008) country comparison to the world: 221 Telephones - mobile cellular: 101,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 182 Telephone system: general assessment: rudimentary service limited to urban areas domestic: system suffered significant damage during the violence associated with independence; extremely limited fixed-line services; mobile-cellular services and coverage limited primarily to urban areas international: country code - 670; international service is available in major urban centers Radio broadcast stations: at least 21 (Timor-Leste has one national public broadcaster and 20 community and church radio stations - station frequency types NA) (2007) Television broadcast stations: 1 (Timor-Leste has one national public broadcaster) Internet country code: .tl Internet hosts: 169 (2009) country comparison to the world: 192 Internet users: 1,800 (2008) country comparison to the world: 210 Transportation ::Timor-Leste Airports: 6 (2009) country comparison to the world: 172 Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Heliports: 8 (2009) Roadways: total: 6,040 km country comparison to the world: 149 paved: 2,600 km unpaved: 3,440 km (2005) Merchant marine: total: 1 country comparison to the world: 156 by type: passenger/cargo 1 (2008) Ports and terminals: Dili Military ::Timor-Leste Military branches: Timor-Leste Defense Force (Forcas de Defesa de Timor-L'este, Falintil (F-FDTL)): Army, Navy (Armada) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 284,903 females age 16-49: 272,212 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 230,534 females age 16-49: 238,610 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 12,887 female: 12,529 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: NA Transnational Issues ::Timor-Leste Disputes - international: Timor-Leste-Indonesia Boundary Committee has resolved all but a small portion of the land boundary, but discussions on maritime boundaries are stalemated over sovereignty of the uninhabited coral island of Pulau Batek/Fatu Sinai in the north and alignment with Australian claims in the south; many refugees who left Timor-Leste in 2003 still reside in Indonesia and refuse repatriation; Australia and Timor-Leste agreed in 2005 to defer the disputed portion of the boundary for 50 years and to split hydrocarbon revenues evenly outside the Joint Petroleum Development Area covered by the 2002 Timor Sea Treaty Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs: 100,000 (2007) Illicit drugs: NA page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Togo (Africa) Introduction ::Togo Background: French Togoland became Togo in 1960. Gen. Gnassingbe EYADEMA, installed as military ruler in 1967, ruled Togo with a heavy hand for almost four decades. Despite the facade of multiparty elections instituted in the early 1990s, the government was largely dominated by President EYADEMA, whose Rally of the Togolese People (RPT) party has maintained power almost continually since 1967 and maintains a majority of seats in today's legislature. Upon EYADEMA's death in February 2005, the military installed the president's son, Faure GNASSINGBE, and then engineered his formal election two months later. Democratic gains since then allowed Togo to hold its first relatively free and fair legislative elections in October 2007. After years of political unrest and fire from international organizations for human rights abuses, Togo is finally being re-welcomed into the international community. Geography ::Togo Location: Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Benin and Ghana Geographic coordinates: 8 00 N, 1 10 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 56,785 sq km country comparison to the world: 125 land: 54,385 sq km water: 2,400 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than West Virginia Land boundaries: total: 1,647 km border countries: Benin 644 km, Burkina Faso 126 km, Ghana 877 km Coastline: 56 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 30 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north Terrain: gently rolling savanna in north; central hills; southern plateau; low coastal plain with extensive lagoons and marshes Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Agou 986 m Natural resources: phosphates, limestone, marble, arable land Land use: arable land: 44.2% permanent crops: 2.11% other: 53.69% (2005) Irrigated land: 70 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 14.7 cu km (2001) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.17 cu km/yr (53%/2%/45%) per capita: 28 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: hot, dry harmattan wind can reduce visibility in north during winter; periodic droughts Environment - current issues: deforestation attributable to slash-and-burn agriculture and the use of wood for fuel; water pollution presents health hazards and hinders the fishing industry; air pollution increasing in urban areas Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: the country's length allows it to stretch through six distinct geographic regions; climate varies from tropical to savanna People ::Togo Population: 6,019,877 country comparison to the world: 107 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 41.5% (male 1,252,662/female 1,245,379) 15-64 years: 55.7% (male 1,640,982/female 1,714,278) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 65,427/female 101,149) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 18.7 years male: 18.3 years female: 19.2 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 2.711% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 Birth rate: 36.44 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 33 Death rate: 9.33 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 42% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 56.24 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 42 male: 63.5 deaths/1,000 live births female: 48.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 58.69 years country comparison to the world: 187 male: 56.56 years female: 60.88 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.79 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 3.3% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 130,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 9,100 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever water contact disease: schistosomiasis respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis animal contact disease: rabies note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Nationality: noun: Togolese (singular and plural) adjective: Togolese Ethnic groups: African (37 tribes; largest and most important are Ewe, Mina, and Kabre) 99%, European and Syrian-Lebanese less than 1% Religions: Christian 29%, Muslim 20%, indigenous beliefs 51% Languages: French (official and the language of commerce), Ewe and Mina (the two major African languages in the south), Kabye (sometimes spelled Kabiye) and Dagomba (the two major African languages in the north) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 60.9% male: 75.4% female: 46.9% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 9 years male: 11 years female: 7 years (2000) Education expenditures: 2.6% of GDP (2002) country comparison to the world: 156 Government ::Togo Country name: conventional long form: Togolese Republic conventional short form: Togo local long form: Republique togolaise local short form: none former: French Togoland Government type: republic under transition to multiparty democratic rule Capital: name: Lome geographic coordinates: 6 08 N, 1 13 E time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 5 regions (regions, singular - region); Centrale, Kara, Maritime, Plateaux, Savanes Independence: 27 April 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship) National holiday: Independence Day, 27 April (1960) Constitution: adopted by public referendum 27 September 1992 Legal system: French-based court system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal (adult) Executive branch: chief of state: President Faure GNASSINGBE (since 4 May 2005); note - Gnassingbe EYADEMA died on 5 February 2005 and was succeeded by his son, Faure GNASSINGBE, with the support of the military; following international condemnation for the unconstitutional move he then stepped aside pending elections, and Abass BONFOH served as interim president; Faure GNASSINGBE later won popular elections in April 2005 head of government: Prime Minister Gilbert HOUNGBO (since 7 September 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president and the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (no term limits); election last held 24 April 2005 (next to be held in April 2010); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Faure GNASSINGBE elected president; percent of vote - Faure GNASSINGBE 60.2%, Emmanuel Akitani BOB 38.3%, Nicolas LAWSON 1%, Harry OLYMPIO 0.5% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (81 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 14 October 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - RPT 39.4%, UFC 37.0%, CAR 8.2%, independents 2.5%, other 12.9%; seats by party - RPT 50, UFC 27, CAR 4 Judicial branch: Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Supreme Court or Cour Supreme Political parties and leaders: Action Committee for Renewal or CAR [Yawovi AGBOYIBO]; Democratic Convention of African Peoples or CDPA; Democratic Party for Renewal or PDR; Juvento [Monsilia DJATO]; Movement of the Believers of Peace and Equality or MOCEP; Pan-African Patriotic Convergence or CPP; Rally for the Support for Development and Democracy or RSDD [Harry OLYMPIO]; Rally of the Togolese People or RPT [Faure GNASSINGBE]; Socialist Pact for Renewal or PSR; Union for Democracy and Social Progress or UDPS [Gagou KOKOU]; Union of Forces for a Change or UFC [Gilchrist OLYMPIO] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Kadangha Limbiya BARIKI chancery: 2208 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 234-4212 FAX: [1] (202) 232-3190 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Patricia McMahon HAWKINS embassy: 4332 Blvd. Gnassingbe Eyadema, Cite OUA, Lome mailing address: B. P. 852, Lome; 2300 Lome Place, Washington, DC 20512-2300 telephone: [228] 261-5470 FAX: [228] 261-5501 Flag description: five equal horizontal bands of green (top and bottom) alternating with yellow; a white five-pointed star on a red square is in the upper hoist-side corner; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Economy ::Togo Economy - overview: This small, sub-Saharan economy is heavily dependent on both commercial and subsistence agriculture, which provides employment for 65% of the labor force. Some basic foodstuffs must still be imported. Cocoa, coffee, and cotton generate about 40% of export earnings with cotton being the most important cash crop. Togo is the world's fourth-largest producer of phosphate. The government's decade-long effort, supported by the World Bank and the IMF, to implement economic reform measures, encourage foreign investment, and bring revenues in line with expenditures has moved slowly. Progress depends on follow through on privatization, increased openness in government financial operations, progress toward legislative elections, and continued support from foreign donors. Togo is working with donors to write a Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) that could eventually lead to a debt reduction plan. Economic growth remains marginal due to declining cotton production, underinvestment in phosphate mining, and strained relations with donors. GDP (purchasing power parity): $5.13 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 158 $5.074 billion (2007 est.) $4.98 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $2.89 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 172 1.9% (2007 est.) 3.9% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $900 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 216 $900 (2007 est.) $900 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 40% industry: 25% services: 35% (2008 est.) Labor force: 2.595 million (2007) country comparison to the world: 108 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 65% industry: 5% services: 30% (1998 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Population below poverty line: 32% (1989 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Investment (gross fixed): 20.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 Budget: revenues: $438.1 million expenditures: $519.9 million (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 136 1% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 4.75% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 118 4.25% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: NA% Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $624.9 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) $383.9 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $674,300 (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 129 $590.7 million (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: coffee, cocoa, cotton, yams, cassava (tapioca), corn, beans, rice, millet, sorghum; livestock; fish Industries: phosphate mining, agricultural processing, cement, handicrafts, textiles, beverages Industrial production growth rate: 3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 Electricity - production: 230 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 174 Electricity - consumption: 640 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 514 million kWh; note - electricity supplied by Ghana (2007 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 Oil - consumption: 20,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 125 Oil - exports: 1,547 bbl/day (2005) country comparison to the world: 118 Oil - imports: 15,270 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 125 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 103 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 Current account balance: -$272 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 -$154 million (2007 est.) Exports: $777 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 156 $702 million (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: reexports, cotton, phosphates, coffee, cocoa Exports - partners: Ghana 12.7%, Burkina Faso 11%, Germany 9.8%, South Africa 7.3%, Benin 6.9%, India 6.3%, Brazil 4.9%, Belgium 4.8%, Mali 4.4%, Netherlands 4.3% (2008) Imports: $1.541 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 160 $1.264 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products Imports - partners: China 34.2%, Netherlands 7.5%, France 6.8%, India 6.5%, Thailand 4.9% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $580 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 137 $438 million (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $2 billion (2005) country comparison to the world: 136 Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 447.81 (2008 est.), 482.71 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004) note: since 1 January 1999, the West African CFA franc (XOF) has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro; West African CFA franc (XOF) coins and banknotes are not accepted in countries using Central African CFA francs (XAF), and vice versa, even though the two currencies trade at par Communications ::Togo Telephones - main lines in use: 140,900 (2008) country comparison to the world: 136 Telephones - mobile cellular: 1.547 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 131 Telephone system: general assessment: fair system based on a network of microwave radio relay routes supplemented by open-wire lines and a mobile-cellular system domestic: microwave radio relay and open-wire lines for conventional system; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 30 telephones per 100 persons international: country code - 228; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Symphonie Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 4 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 3 (plus 2 repeaters) (1997) Internet country code: .tg Internet hosts: 784 (2009) country comparison to the world: 163 Internet users: 350,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 120 Transportation ::Togo Airports: 8 (2009) country comparison to the world: 162 Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Railways: total: 532 km country comparison to the world: 114 narrow gauge: 532 km 1.000-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 7,520 km country comparison to the world: 145 paved: 2,376 km unpaved: 5,144 km (2000) Waterways: 50 km (seasonally on Mono River depending on rainfall) (2008) country comparison to the world: 104 Merchant marine: total: 10 country comparison to the world: 113 by type: cargo 9, refrigerated cargo 1 foreign-owned: 6 (Bangladesh 1, Denmark 1, Egypt 1, Lebanon 1, Syria 2) (2008) Ports and terminals: Kpeme, Lome Military ::Togo Military branches: Togolese Armed Forces (Forces Armees Togolaise, FAT): Ground Forces, Togolese Navy (Marine du Togo), Togolese Air Force (Force Aerienne Togolaise, FAT), National Gendarmerie (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for selective compulsory and voluntary military service; 2-year service obligation (2006) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,365,505 females age 16-49: 1,374,993 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 929,395 females age 16-49: 943,967 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 70,775 female: 70,051 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.6% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 Transnational Issues ::Togo Disputes - international: in 2001, Benin claimed Togo moved boundary monuments - joint commission continues to resurvey the boundary; in 2006, 14,000 Togolese refugees remain in Benin and Ghana out of the 40,000 who fled there in 2005 Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 5,000 (Ghana) IDPs: 1,500 (2007) Illicit drugs: transit hub for Nigerian heroin and cocaine traffickers; money laundering not a significant problem page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Tokelau (Australia-Oceania) Introduction ::Tokelau Background: Originally settled by Polynesian emigrants from surrounding island groups, the Tokelau Islands were made a British protectorate in 1889. They were transferred to New Zealand administration in 1925. Referenda held in 2006 and 2007 to change the status of the islands from that of a New Zealand territory to one of free association with New Zealand did not meet the needed threshold for approval. Geography ::Tokelau Location: Oceania, group of three atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand Geographic coordinates: 9 00 S, 172 00 W Map references: Oceania Area: total: 12 sq km country comparison to the world: 240 land: 12 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: about 17 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 101 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds (April to November) Terrain: low-lying coral atolls enclosing large lagoons Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 5 m Natural resources: NEGL Land use: arable land: 0% (soil is thin and infertile) permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: lies in Pacific typhoon belt Environment - current issues: limited natural resources and overcrowding are contributing to emigration to New Zealand Geography - note: consists of three atolls (Atafu, Fakaofo, Nukunonu), each with a lagoon surrounded by a number of reef-bound islets of varying length and rising to over 3 m above sea level People ::Tokelau Population: 1,416 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 232 Age structure: 0-14 years: 42% 15-64 years: 53% 65 years and over: 5% (2009 est.) Population growth rate: -0.011% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 203 Birth rate: NA Death rate: NA Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 0% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: NA (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: NA male: NA female: NA (2008 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA male: NA female: NA Total fertility rate: NA (2008 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Tokelauan(s) adjective: Tokelauan Ethnic groups: Polynesian Religions: Congregational Christian Church 70%, Roman Catholic 28%, other 2% note: on Atafu, all Congregational Christian Church of Samoa; on Nukunonu, all Roman Catholic; on Fakaofo, both denominations, with the Congregational Christian Church predominant Languages: Tokelauan (a Polynesian language), English Literacy: NA School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 11 years male: 10 years female: 11 years (2004) Education expenditures: NA Government ::Tokelau Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Tokelau Dependency status: self-administering territory of New Zealand; note - Tokelau and New Zealand have agreed to a draft constitution as Tokelau moves toward free association with New Zealand; a UN-sponsored referendum on self governance in October 2007 did not produce the two-thirds majority vote necessary for changing the political status Government type: NA Capital: none; each atoll has its own administrative center time difference: UTC-11 (6 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: none (territory of New Zealand) Independence: none (territory of New Zealand) National holiday: Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840) Constitution: administered under the Tokelau Islands Act of 1948; amended in 1970 Legal system: New Zealand and local statutes Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General of New Zealand Anand SATYANAND (since 23 August 2006); New Zealand is represented by Administrator David PAYTON (since 17 October 2006) head of government: Foua TOLOA (since 21 February 2009); note - position rotates annually among the 3 Faipule (village leaders) cabinet: the Council for the Ongoing Government of Tokelau, consisting of 3 Faipule (village leaders) and 3 Pulenuku (village mayors), functions as a cabinet elections: the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade in New Zealand; the head of government is chosen from the Council of Faipule and serves a one-year term Legislative branch: unicameral General Fono (20 seats; based upon proportional representation from the three islands elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms; Atafu has seven seats, Fakaofo has seven seats, Nukunonu has six seats); note - the Tokelau Amendment Act of 1996 confers limited legislative power to the General Fono elections: last held 17-19 January 2008 (next to be held in 2011) election results: independents 20 Judicial branch: Supreme Court in New Zealand exercises civil and criminal jurisdiction in Tokelau Political parties and leaders: none Political pressure groups and leaders: none International organization participation: PIF (observer), SPC, UNESCO (associate), UPU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of New Zealand) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of New Zealand) Flag description: a yellow stylized Tokelauan canoe on a dark blue field sails toward the manu - the Southern Cross constellation of four, white, five-pointed stars at the hoist side; the Southern Cross represents the role of Christianity in Tokelauan culture and symbolizes the country's navigating into the future, the color yellow indicates happiness and peace, and the blue field represents the ocean on which the community relies Economy ::Tokelau Economy - overview: Tokelau's small size (three villages), isolation, and lack of resources greatly restrain economic development and confine agriculture to the subsistence level. The people rely heavily on aid from New Zealand - about $4 million annually - to maintain public services with annual aid being substantially greater than GDP. The principal sources of revenue come from sales of copra, postage stamps, souvenir coins, and handicrafts. Money is also remitted to families from relatives in New Zealand. GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.5 million (1993 est.) country comparison to the world: 228 GDP (official exchange rate): $NA GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita (PPP): $1,000 (1993 est.) country comparison to the world: 213 GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Labor force: 440 (2001) country comparison to the world: 220 Unemployment rate: NA% Population below poverty line: NA% Budget: revenues: $430,800 expenditures: $2.8 million (1987 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Agriculture - products: coconuts, copra, breadfruit, papayas, bananas; pigs, poultry, goats; fish Industries: small-scale enterprises for copra production, woodworking, plaited craft goods; stamps, coins; fishing Electricity - production: NA kWh Electricity - consumption: NA kWh Exports: $0 (2002) country comparison to the world: 223 Exports - commodities: stamps, copra, handicrafts Imports: $969,200 (2002) country comparison to the world: 218 Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, building materials, fuel Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZD) per US dollar - 1.4151 (2008 est.), 1.3811 (2007), 1.5408 (2006), 1.4203 (2005), 1.5087 (2004) Communications ::Tokelau Telephones - main lines in use: 300 (2008) country comparison to the world: 228 Telephone system: general assessment: modern satellite-based communications system domestic: radiotelephone service between islands international: country code - 690; radiotelephone service to Samoa; government-regulated telephone service (TeleTok); satellite earth stations - 3 Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA (one radio station provides service to all islands) (2002) Internet country code: .tk Internet hosts: 360 (2009) country comparison to the world: 177 Internet users: 800 (2008) country comparison to the world: 215 Transportation ::Tokelau Ports and terminals: none; offshore anchorage only Military ::Tokelau Military - note: defense is the responsibility of New Zealand Transnational Issues ::Tokelau Disputes - international: Tokelau included American Samoa's Swains Island (Olohega) in its 2006 draft constitution page last updated on November 10, 2009 ====================================================================== @Tonga (Australia-Oceania) Introduction ::Tonga Background: Tonga - unique among Pacific nations - never completely lost its indigenous governance. The archipelagos of "The Friendly Islands" were united into a Polynesian kingdom in 1845. Tonga became a constitutional monarchy in 1875 and a British protectorate in 1900; it withdrew from the protectorate and joined the Commonwealth of Nations in 1970. Tonga remains the only monarchy in the Pacific. Geography ::Tonga Location: Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand Geographic coordinates: 20 00 S, 175 00 W Map references: Oceania Area: total: 747 sq km country comparison to the world: 189 land: 717 sq km water: 30 sq km Area - comparative: four times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 419 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December to May), cool season (May to December) Terrain: most islands have limestone base formed from uplifted coral formation; others have limestone overlying volcanic base Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Kao Island 1,033 m Natural resources: fish, fertile soil Land use: arable land: 20% permanent crops: 14.67% other: 65.33% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: cyclones (October to April); earthquakes and volcanic activity on Fonuafo'ou Environment - current issues: deforestation results as more and more land is being cleared for agriculture and settlement; some damage to coral reefs from starfish and indiscriminate coral and shell collectors; overhunting threatens native sea turtle populations Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: archipelago of 169 islands (36 inhabited) People ::Tonga Population: 120,898 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 188 Age structure: 0-14 years: 32.8% (male 20,270/female 19,428) 15-64 years: 62.9% (male 37,837/female 38,166) 65 years and over: 4.3% (male 2,163/female 3,034) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 22.3 years male: 21.8 years female: 22.8 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.482% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 Birth rate: 19.84 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 Death rate: 5.02 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 190 Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 25% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 11.58 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 147 male: 12.74 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.35 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.73 years country comparison to the world: 140 male: 68.18 years female: 73.41 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.25 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Tongan(s) adjective: Tongan Ethnic groups: Polynesian, Europeans Religions: Christian (Free Wesleyan Church claims over 30,000 adherents) Languages: Tongan, English Literacy: definition: can read and write Tongan and/or English total population: 98.9% male: 98.8% female: 99% (1999 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 13 years (2004) Education expenditures: 5% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 71 Government ::Tonga Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Tonga conventional short form: Tonga local long form: Pule'anga Tonga local short form: Tonga former: Friendly Islands Government type: constitutional monarchy Capital: name: Nuku'alofa geographic coordinates: 21 08 S, 175 12 W time difference: UTC+13 (18 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 3 island groups; Ha'apai, Tongatapu, Vava'u Independence: 4 June 1970 (from UK protectorate) National holiday: Emancipation Day, 4 June (1970) Constitution: 4 November 1875; revised 1 January 1967 Legal system: based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: King George TUPOU V (since 11 September 2006) head of government: Prime Minister Dr. Feleti SEVELE (since 11 February 2006); Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Viliami TANGI (since 16 May 2006) cabinet: Cabinet consists of 14 members, 10 appointed by the monarch for life; 4 appointed from among the elected members of the Legislative Assembly, including 2 each from the nobles' and peoples' representatives serving three-year terms note: there is also a Privy Council that consists of the monarch, the cabinet, and 2 governors elections: the monarch is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the monarch Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fale Alea (32 seats - 14 reserved for cabinet ministers sitting ex officio, 9 for nobles selected by the country's 33 nobles, and 9 elected by popular vote; members serve three-year terms) elections: last held on 23-24 April 2008 (next to be held in 2011) election results: Peoples Representatives: percent of vote - independents 54%, THRDM 28%, PDP 14%; seats - THRDM 4, independents 3, PDP 2 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the monarch); Court of Appeal (Chief Justice and high court justices from overseas chosen and approved by Privy Council) Political parties and leaders: Tonga Human Rights and Democracy Movement or THRDM [Uliti UATA]; People's Democratic Party or PDP [Tesina FUKO] Political pressure groups and leaders: Human Rights and Democracy Movement Tonga or HRDMT [Rev. Simote VEA, chairman]; Public Servant's Association [Finau TUTONE] International organization participation: ACP, ADB, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, ITUC, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Viliami MALOLO chancery: 250 East 51st Street, New York, NY 10022 telephone: [1] (917) 369-1025 FAX: [1] (917) 369-1024 consulate(s) general: San Francisco Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Tonga; the ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tonga Flag description: red with a bold red cross on a white rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner Economy ::Tonga Economy - overview: Tonga has a small, open, South Pacific island economy. It has a narrow export base in agricultural goods. Squash, vanilla beans, and yams are the main crops. Agricultural exports, including fish, make up two-thirds of total exports. The country must import a high proportion of its food, mainly from New Zealand. The country remains dependent on external aid and remittances from Tongan communities overseas to offset its trade deficit. Tourism is the second-largest source of hard currency earnings following remittances. Tonga had 41,000 visitors in 2004. The government is emphasizing the development of the private sector, especially the encouragement of investment, and is committing increased funds for health and education. Tonga has a reasonably sound basic infrastructure and well developed social services. High unemployment among the young, a continuing upturn in inflation, pressures for democratic reform, and rising civil service expenditures are major issues facing the government. GDP (purchasing power parity): $548.1 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 212 $543.7 million (2007 est.) $545.4 million (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $258 million (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 0.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 186 -0.3% (2007 est.) 3.2% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $4,600 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 $4,600 (2007 est.) $4,800 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 25% industry: 17% services: 57% (FY05/06 est.) Labor force: 39,960 (2007) country comparison to the world: 189 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 31.8% industry: 30.6% services: 37.6% (2003 est.) Unemployment rate: 13% (FY03/04 est.) country comparison to the world: 143 Population below poverty line: 24% (FY03/04) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $80.48 million expenditures: $109.8 million (FY07/08 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.9% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 Commercial bank prime lending rate: 12.46% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 68 12.16% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $36.16 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 117 $46.38 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $100.7 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 120 $106.8 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $163.1 million (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: squash, coconuts, copra, bananas, vanilla beans, cocoa, coffee, ginger, black pepper; fish Industries: tourism, construction, fishing Industrial production growth rate: 1% (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 Electricity - production: 43 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 199 Electricity - consumption: 39.99 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 199 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 Oil - consumption: 1,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 191 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 164 Oil - imports: 1,173 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 186 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 131 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 104 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 Current account balance: -$23 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 Exports: $22 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 203 Exports - commodities: squash, fish, vanilla beans, root crops Exports - partners: US 29.6%, Japan 12%, NZ 12%, Fiji 7.1%, Samoa 6%, Australia 4.8%, South Korea 4.4%, Hong Kong 4.3% (2008) Imports: $139 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 204 Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, chemicals Imports - partners: Fiji 36.8%, NZ 23.9%, US 9.3%, Australia 8.8%, China 4.9% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $40.83 million (yearend, FY04/05) country comparison to the world: 153 Debt - external: $80.7 million (2004) country comparison to the world: 189 Exchange rates: pa'anga (TOP) per US dollar - NA (2007), 2.0277 (2006), 1.96 (2005), 1.9716 (2004), 2.142 (2003) Communications ::Tonga Telephones - main lines in use: 25,500 (2008) country comparison to the world: 183 Telephones - mobile cellular: 50,500 (2008) country comparison to the world: 193 Telephone system: general assessment: competition between Tonga Telecommunications Corporation (TCC) and Shoreline Communications Tonga (SCT) is accelerating expansion of telecommunications; SCT granted approval to introduce high-speed digital service for telephone, Internet, and television while TCC has exclusive rights to operate the mobile-phone network; international telecom services are provided by government-owned Tonga Telecommunications International (TTI) domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity exceeds 60 telephones per 100 persons; fully automatic switched network international: country code - 676; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001) Television broadcast stations: 3 (2004) Internet country code: .to Internet hosts: 20,107 (2009) country comparison to the world: 104 Internet users: 8,400 (2008) country comparison to the world: 201 Transportation ::Tonga Airports: 6 (2009) country comparison to the world: 171 Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Roadways: total: 680 km country comparison to the world: 188 paved: 184 km unpaved: 496 km (2000) Merchant marine: total: 13 country comparison to the world: 109 by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 8, carrier 1, liquefied gas 1, passenger/cargo 1, refrigerated cargo 1 foreign-owned: 4 (Australia 1, Cyprus 1, Switzerland 1, UK 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Nuku'alofa Military ::Tonga Military branches: Tonga Defense Services (TDS): Land Force (Royal Guard), Naval Force (includes Royal Marines, Air Wing) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 32,053 females age 16-49: 30,981 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 26,471 females age 16-49: 27,715 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 1,458 female: 1,403 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 0.9% of GDP (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 Transnational Issues ::Tonga Disputes - international: none page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Trinidad and Tobago (Central America and Caribbean) Introduction ::Trinidad and Tobago Background: First colonized by the Spanish, the islands came under British control in the early 19th century. The islands' sugar industry was hurt by the emancipation of the slaves in 1834. Manpower was replaced with the importation of contract laborers from India between 1845 and 1917, which boosted sugar production as well as the cocoa industry. The discovery of oil on Trinidad in 1910 added another important export. Independence was attained in 1962. The country is one of the most prosperous in the Caribbean thanks largely to petroleum and natural gas production and processing. Tourism, mostly in Tobago, is targeted for expansion and is growing. The government is coping with a rise in violent crime. Geography ::Trinidad and Tobago Location: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela Geographic coordinates: 11 00 N, 61 00 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 5,128 sq km country comparison to the world: 173 land: 5,128 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Delaware Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 362 km Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the outer edge of the continental margin Climate: tropical; rainy season (June to December) Terrain: mostly plains with some hills and low mountains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: El Cerro del Aripo 940 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, asphalt Land use: arable land: 14.62% permanent crops: 9.16% other: 76.22% (2005) Irrigated land: 40 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 3.8 cu km (2000) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.31 cu km/yr (68%/26%/6%) per capita: 237 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: outside usual path of hurricanes and other tropical storms Environment - current issues: water pollution from agricultural chemicals, industrial wastes, and raw sewage; oil pollution of beaches; deforestation; soil erosion Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: Pitch Lake, on Trinidad's southwestern coast, is the world's largest natural reservoir of asphalt People ::Trinidad and Tobago Population: 1,229,953 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 154 Age structure: 0-14 years: 19.6% (male 123,214/female 117,584) 15-64 years: 72.6% (male 457,868/female 434,486) 65 years and over: 7.9% (male 41,467/female 55,334) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 32.1 years male: 31.6 years female: 32.7 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: -0.102% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 214 Birth rate: 14.36 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 Death rate: 8.11 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 108 Net migration rate: -7.28 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 171 Urbanization: urban population: 13% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 29.93 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 75 male: 31.14 deaths/1,000 live births female: 28.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.86 years country comparison to the world: 135 male: 67.98 years female: 73.82 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.72 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 167 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.5% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 14,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 1,900 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 Nationality: noun: Trinidadian(s), Tobagonian(s) adjective: Trinidadian, Tobagonian Ethnic groups: Indian (South Asian) 40%, African 37.5%, mixed 20.5%, other 1.2%, unspecified 0.8% (2000 census) Religions: Roman Catholic 26%, Hindu 22.5%, Anglican 7.8%, Baptist 7.2%, Pentecostal 6.8%, Muslim 5.8%, Seventh Day Adventist 4%, other Christian 5.8%, other 10.8%, unspecified 1.4%, none 1.9% (2000 census) Languages: English (official), Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), French, Spanish, Chinese Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.6% male: 99.1% female: 98% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 11 years (2005) Education expenditures: 4.2% of GDP (2002) country comparison to the world: 100 People - note: in 2007, the government of Trinidad and Tobago estimated the population to be 1.3 million Government ::Trinidad and Tobago Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Trinidad and Tobago conventional short form: Trinidad and Tobago Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: name: Port-of-Spain geographic coordinates: 10 39 N, 61 31 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 9 regional corporations, 2 city corporations, 3 borough corporations, 1 ward regional corporations: Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo, Diego Martin, Mayaro/Rio Claro, Penal/Debe, Princes Town, Sangre Grande, San Juan/Laventille, Siparia, Tunapuna/Piarco city corporations: Port-of-Spain, San Fernando borough corporations: Arima, Chaguanas, Point Fortin ward: Tobago Independence: 31 August 1962 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 31 August (1962) Constitution: 1 August 1976 Legal system: based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President George Maxwell RICHARDS (since 17 March 2003) head of government: Prime Minister Patrick MANNING (since 24 December 2001) cabinet: Cabinet appointed from among the members of Parliament elections: president elected by an electoral college, which consists of the members of the Senate and House of Representatives, for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 11 February 2008 (next to be held by February 2013); the president usually appoints as prime minister the leader of the majority party in the House of Representatives election results: George Maxwell RICHARDS reelected president; percent of electoral college vote - NA Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (31 seats; 16 members appointed by the ruling party, 9 by the President, 6 by the opposition party to serve a maximum term of five years) and the House of Representatives (41 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held on 5 November 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote - PNM 46%, UNC 29.7%; seats by party - PNM 26, UNC 15 note: Tobago has a unicameral House of Assembly with 12 members serving four-year terms; last election held in January 2005; seats by party - PNM 11, DAC 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Judicature (comprised of the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeals; the chief justice is appointed by the president after consultation with the prime minister and the leader of the opposition; other justices are appointed by the president on the advice of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission); the highest court of appeal is the Privy Council in London; member of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Political parties and leaders: Congress of the People [Winston DOOKERAN]; Democratic Action Congress or DAC [Hochoy CHARLES] (only active in Tobago); Democratic National Alliance or DNA [Gerald YETMING] (coalition of NAR, DDPT, MND); Movement for National Development or MND [Garvin NICHOLAS]; National Alliance for Reconstruction or NAR [Dr. Carson CHARLES]; People's National Movement or PNM [Patrick MANNING]; United National Congress or UNC [Basdeo PANDAY] Political pressure groups and leaders: Jamaat-al Muslimeen [Yasin BAKR] International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-24, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Glenda MOREAN-PHILLIP chancery: 1708 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 467-6490 FAX: [1] (202) 785-3130 consulate(s) general: Miami, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Roy L. AUSTIN embassy: 15 Queen's Park West, Port-of-Spain mailing address: P. O. Box 752, Port-of-Spain telephone: [1] (868) 622-6371 through 6376 FAX: [1] (868) 822-5905 Flag description: red with a white-edged black diagonal band from the upper hoist side to the lower fly side Economy ::Trinidad and Tobago Economy - overview: Trinidad and Tobago has earned a reputation as an excellent investment site for international businesses and has one of the highest growth rates and per capita incomes in Latin America. Economic growth for the past seven years has averaged slightly over 8%, significantly above the regional average of about 3.7% for that same period; however, it has slowed down this year to about 5% and is expected to slow further with the global downturn. Growth has been fueled by investments in liquefied natural gas (LNG), petrochemicals, and steel. Additional petrochemical, aluminum, and plastics projects are in various stages of planning. Trinidad and Tobago is the leading Caribbean producer of oil and gas, and its economy is heavily dependent upon these resources but it also supplies manufactured goods, notably food and beverages, as well as cement to the Caribbean region. Oil and gas account for about 40% of GDP and 80% of exports, but only 5% of employment. The country is also a regional financial center, and tourism is a growing sector, although it is not proportionately as important as in many other Caribbean islands. The economy benefits from a growing trade surplus. The MANNING administration has benefited from fiscal surpluses fueled by the dynamic export sector; however, declines in oil and gas prices have reduced government revenues which will challenge his government's commitment to maintaining high levels of public investment. GDP (purchasing power parity): $29.09 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 $28.11 billion (2007 est.) $26.65 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $25.93 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 5.5% (2007 est.) 12.1% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $23,600 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 $22,800 (2007 est.) $21,600 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 0.5% industry: 62.3% services: 37.2% (2008 est.) Labor force: 620,800 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 148 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 3.8%, manufacturing, mining, and quarrying 12.8%, construction and utilities 20.4%, services 62.9% (2007 est.) Unemployment rate: 4.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 4.5% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 17% (2007 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Investment (gross fixed): 16.7% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 Budget: revenues: $7.421 billion expenditures: $7.141 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 26.6% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 54.4% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 12% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 169 7.9% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 10.75% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 40 10% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 12.44% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 70 11.75% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $2.39 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 67 $2.646 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $3.506 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 78 $5.707 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $3.423 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 87 $3.73 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $12.16 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 70 $15.61 billion (31 December 2007) $15.57 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: cocoa, rice, citrus, coffee, vegetables; poultry Industries: petroleum, chemicals, tourism, food processing, cement, beverage, cotton textiles Industrial production growth rate: 4.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 Electricity - production: 7.202 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 101 Electricity - consumption: 7.034 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 163,300 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 Oil - consumption: 41,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 101 Oil - exports: 248,300 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 Oil - imports: 92,480 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 Oil - proved reserves: 728.3 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 Natural gas - production: 39.3 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 Natural gas - consumption: 21.94 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 33 Natural gas - exports: 17.36 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 13 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 Natural gas - proved reserves: 531.5 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 Current account balance: $5.401 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 $5.364 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $15.85 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 $13.39 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: petroleum and petroleum products, liquefied natural gas (LNG), methanol, ammonia, urea, steel products, beverages, cereal and cereal products, sugar, cocoa, coffee, citrus fruit, vegetables, flowers Exports - partners: US 44.5%, Spain 7.8%, Jamaica 6.9%, Netherlands 6.9%, Mexico 4.9% (2008) Imports: $9.788 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 $7.67 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: mineral fuels, lubricants, machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured goods, food, chemicals, live animals Imports - partners: US 26.8%, Brazil 9.8%, Venezuela 7.9%, Colombia 6.2%, China 4.1%, Gabon 4% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $9.496 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 $6.745 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $3.289 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 $2.869 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $102 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 $12.44 billion (2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $3.829 billion (2007) country comparison to the world: 60 Exchange rates: Trinidad and Tobago dollars (TTD) per US dollar - 6.2896 (2008 est.), 6.3275 (2007), 6.3107 (2006), 6.2842 (2005), 6.299 (2004) Communications ::Trinidad and Tobago Telephones - main lines in use: 307,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 115 Telephones - mobile cellular: 1.505 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 132 Telephone system: general assessment: excellent international service; good local service domestic: mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 175 telephones per 100 persons international: country code - 1-868; submarine cable systems provide connectivity to US and parts of the Caribbean and South America; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Barbados and Guyana Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 18, shortwave 0 (2001) Television broadcast stations: 6 (2005) Internet country code: .tt Internet hosts: 162,849 (2009) country comparison to the world: 67 Internet users: 227,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 132 Transportation ::Trinidad and Tobago Airports: 6 (2009) country comparison to the world: 175 Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Pipelines: gas 659 km; oil 336 km (2008) Roadways: total: 8,320 km country comparison to the world: 139 paved: 4,252 km unpaved: 4,068 km (2000) Merchant marine: total: 9 country comparison to the world: 118 by type: passenger 2, passenger/cargo 5, petroleum tanker 2 foreign-owned: 1 (US 1) registered in other countries: 2 (Bahamas 1, unknown 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Point Fortin, Point Lisas, Port-of-Spain Military ::Trinidad and Tobago Military branches: Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force (TTDF): Trinidad and Tobago Army, Coast Guard, Air Guard, Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service (16 years of age with parental consent); no conscription (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 301,561 females age 16-49: 264,225 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 276,224 females age 16-49: 271,677 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 9,183 female: 8,662 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 0.3% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 169 Transnational Issues ::Trinidad and Tobago Disputes - international: in April 2006, the Permanent Court of Arbitration issued a decision that delimited a maritime boundary with Trinidad and Tobago and compelled Barbados to enter a fishing agreement that limited Barbadian fishermen's catches of flying fish in Trinidad and Tobago's exclusive economic zone; in 2005, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago agreed to compulsory international arbitration under UNCLOS challenging whether the northern limit of Trinidad and Tobago's and Venezuela's maritime boundary extends into Barbadian waters; Guyana has also expressed its intention to include itself in the arbitration as the Trinidad and Tobago-Venezuela maritime boundary may extend into its waters as well Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe; producer of cannabis page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Tunisia (Africa) Introduction ::Tunisia Background: Rivalry between French and Italian interests in Tunisia culminated in a French invasion in 1881 and the creation of a protectorate. Agitation for independence in the decades following World War I was finally successful in getting the French to recognize Tunisia as an independent state in 1956. The country's first president, Habib BOURGUIBA, established a strict one-party state. He dominated the country for 31 years, repressing Islamic fundamentalism and establishing rights for women unmatched by any other Arab nation. In November 1987, BOURGUIBA was removed from office and replaced by Zine el Abidine BEN ALI in a bloodless coup. BEN ALI is currently serving his fourth consecutive five-year term as president; the next elections are scheduled for October 2009. Tunisia has long taken a moderate, non-aligned stance in its foreign relations. Domestically, it has sought to defuse rising pressure for a more open political society. Geography ::Tunisia Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Libya Geographic coordinates: 34 00 N, 9 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 163,610 sq km country comparison to the world: 92 land: 155,360 sq km water: 8,250 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Georgia Land boundaries: total: 1,424 km border countries: Algeria 965 km, Libya 459 km Coastline: 1,148 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 12 nm Climate: temperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers; desert in south Terrain: mountains in north; hot, dry central plain; semiarid south merges into the Sahara Elevation extremes: lowest point: Shatt al Gharsah -17 m highest point: Jebel ech Chambi 1,544 m Natural resources: petroleum, phosphates, iron ore, lead, zinc, salt Land use: arable land: 17.05% permanent crops: 13.08% other: 69.87% (2005) Irrigated land: 3,940 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 4.6 cu km (2003) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 2.64 cu km/yr (14%/4%/82%) per capita: 261 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: toxic and hazardous waste disposal is ineffective and poses health risks; water pollution from raw sewage; limited natural fresh water resources; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: strategic location in central Mediterranean; Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration People ::Tunisia Population: 10,486,339 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 Age structure: 0-14 years: 22.7% (male 1,227,238/female 1,149,796) 15-64 years: 70.1% (male 3,701,661/female 3,652,322) 65 years and over: 7.2% (male 352,003/female 403,319) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 29.2 years male: 28.7 years female: 29.8 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.98% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 Birth rate: 15.42 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 137 Death rate: 5.2 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 183 Net migration rate: -0.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 Urbanization: urban population: 67% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 22.57 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 98 male: 24.81 deaths/1,000 live births female: 20.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.78 years country comparison to the world: 72 male: 73.98 years female: 77.7 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.72 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 3,700 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 116 Nationality: noun: Tunisian(s) adjective: Tunisian Ethnic groups: Arab 98%, European 1%, Jewish and other 1% Religions: Muslim 98%, Christian 1%, Jewish and other 1% Languages: Arabic (official and one of the languages of commerce), French (commerce) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 74.3% male: 83.4% female: 65.3% (2004 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 14 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2006) Education expenditures: 7.3% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 19 Government ::Tunisia Country name: conventional long form: Tunisian Republic conventional short form: Tunisia local long form: Al Jumhuriyah at Tunisiyah local short form: Tunis Government type: republic Capital: name: Tunis geographic coordinates: 36 48 N, 10 11 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 24 governorates; Ariana (Aryanah), Beja (Bajah), Ben Arous (Bin 'Arus), Bizerte (Banzart), Gabes (Qabis), Gafsa (Qafsah), Jendouba (Jundubah), Kairouan (Al Qayrawan), Kasserine (Al Qasrayn), Kebili (Qibili), Kef (Al Kaf), Mahdia (Al Mahdiyah), Manouba (Manubah), Medenine (Madanin), Monastir (Al Munastir), Nabeul (Nabul), Sfax (Safaqis), Sidi Bou Zid (Sidi Bu Zayd), Siliana (Silyanah), Sousse (Susah), Tataouine (Tatawin), Tozeur (Tawzar), Tunis, Zaghouan (Zaghwan) Independence: 20 March 1956 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 20 March (1956); also the anniversary of BEN ALI's assumption of the presidency, 7 November (1987) Constitution: 1 June 1959; amended 1988, 2002 Legal system: based on French civil law system and Islamic law; some judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court in joint session; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal except for active government security forces (including the police and the military), people with mental disabilities, people who have served more than three months in prison (criminal cases only), and people given a suspended sentence of more than six months Executive branch: chief of state: President Zine el Abidine BEN ALI (since 7 November 1987) head of government: Prime Minister Mohamed GHANNOUCHI (since 17 November 1999) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (no term limits); election last held on 25 October 2009 (next to be held in October 2014); prime minister appointed by the president election results: President Zine El Abidine BEN ALI reelected for a fifth term; percent of vote - Zine El Abidine BEN ALI 89.6%, Mohamed BOUCHIHA 5%, Ahmed INOUBLI 3.8%, Ahmed BRAHIM 1.6%; voter turnout 89.4% Legislative branch: bicameral system consists of the Chamber of Advisors (126 seats; 85 members elected by municipal counselors, deputies, mayors, and professional associations and trade unions; 41 members are presidential appointees; members serve six-year terms); and the Chamber of Deputies or Majlis al-Nuwaab (214 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Chamber of Advisors - last held on 3 July 2005 (next to be held in July 2011); Chamber of Deputies - last held on 25 October 2009 (next to be held in October 2014); election results: Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - RCD 161, MDS 16, PUP 12, UDU 9, PSL 8, PVP 6, Et-Tajdid 2; voter turnout 89.4% Judicial branch: Court of Cassation or Cour de Cassation Political parties and leaders: Al-Tajdid Movement [Ahmed IBRAHIM]; Constitutional Democratic Rally Party (Rassemblement Constitutionnel Democratique) or RCD (official ruling party) [President Zine El Abidine BEN ALI]; Democratic Forum for Labor and Liberties or FDTL [Mustapha Ben JAFAAR]; Green Party for Progress or PVP [Mongi KHAMASSI]; Liberal Social Party or PSL [Mondher THABET]; Movement of Socialist Democrats or MDS [Ismail BOULAHYA]; Popular Unity Party or PUP [Mohamed BOUCHIHA]; Progressive Democratic Party [Maya JERIBI]; Unionist Democratic Union or UDU [Ahmed INOUBLI]; note - the Islamist party, Al Nahda (Renaissance), is outlawed Political pressure groups and leaders: 18 October Group [collective leadership]; Tunisian League for Human Rights or LTDH [Mokhtar TRIFI] International organization participation: ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, BSEC (observer), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OAPEC (suspended), OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, OSCE (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Habib MANSOUR chancery: 1515 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005 telephone: [1] (202) 862-1850 FAX: [1] (202) 862-1858 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert F. GODEC embassy: Zone Nord-Est des Berges du Lac Nord de Tunis 1053 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [216] 71 107-000 FAX: [216] 71 963-263 Flag description: red with a white disk in the center bearing a red crescent nearly encircling a red five-pointed star; the crescent and star are traditional symbols of Islam Economy ::Tunisia Economy - overview: Tunisia has a diverse economy, with important agricultural, mining, tourism, and manufacturing sectors. Governmental control of economic affairs while still heavy has gradually lessened over the past decade with increasing privatization, simplification of the tax structure, and a prudent approach to debt. Progressive social policies also have helped raise living conditions in Tunisia relative to the region. Real growth, which averaged almost 5% over the past decade, declined to 4.7% in 2008 and probably will decline further in 2009 because of economic contraction and slowing of import demand in Europe - Tunisia's largest export market. However, development of non-textile manufacturing, a recovery in agricultural production, and strong growth in the services sector somewhat mitigated the economic effect of slowing exports. Tunisia will need to reach even higher growth levels to create sufficient employment opportunities for an already large number of unemployed as well as the growing population of university graduates. The challenges ahead include: privatizing industry, liberalizing the investment code to increase foreign investment, improving government efficiency, reducing the trade deficit, and reducing socioeconomic disparities in the impoverished south and west. GDP (purchasing power parity): $81.98 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 $78.53 billion (2007 est.) $73.67 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $40.84 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 6.6% (2007 est.) 5.3% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $7,900 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 $7,600 (2007 est.) $7,200 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 10.5% industry: 37% services: 52.5% (2008 est.) Labor force: 3.66 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 55% industry: 23% services: 22% (1995 est.) Unemployment rate: 14.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 14.1% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 7.4% (2005 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 31.5% (2000) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 40 (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 41.7 (1995 est.) Investment (gross fixed): 21.8% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 Budget: revenues: $9.843 billion expenditures: $11.3 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 48.4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 59.2% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 3.1% (2007 est.) Stock of money: $9.892 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 44 $9.491 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $14.72 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 46 $13.56 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $26.5 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 55 $25.23 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $6.374 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 86 $5.355 billion (31 December 2007) $4.446 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: olives, olive oil, grain, tomatoes, citrus fruit, sugar beets, dates, almonds; beef, dairy products Industries: petroleum, mining (particularly phosphate and iron ore), tourism, textiles, footwear, agribusiness, beverages Industrial production growth rate: 2.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 Electricity - production: 13.79 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 Electricity - consumption: 11.9 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 Electricity - exports: 130 million kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 145 million kWh (2007 est.) Oil - production: 86,930 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 Oil - consumption: 90,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 Oil - exports: 77,130 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 Oil - imports: 87,300 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 Oil - proved reserves: 425 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 Natural gas - production: 2.97 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 Natural gas - consumption: 4.22 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 101 Natural gas - imports: 1.25 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 Natural gas - proved reserves: 65.13 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 59 Current account balance: -$1.667 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 134 -$904 million (2007 est.) Exports: $19.22 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 $15.15 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: clothing, semi-finished goods and textiles, agricultural products, mechanical goods, phosphates and chemicals, hydrocarbons, electrical equipment Exports - partners: France 28.3%, Italy 17.9%, Germany 9.6%, Libya 5.8%, Spain 5% (2008) Imports: $23.23 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 $18.02 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: textiles, machinery and equipment, hydrocarbons, chemicals, foodstuffs Imports - partners: France 21.5%, Italy 19.3%, Germany 9%, Libya 4.6%, Spain 4.5% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $8.853 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 $7.854 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $20.81 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 71 $20.4 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $28.67 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 59 $26.22 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $162 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 $118 million (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: Tunisian dinars (TND) per US dollar - 1.211 (2008 est.), 1.2776 (2007), 1.331 (2006), 1.2974 (2005), 1.2455 (2004) Communications ::Tunisia Telephones - main lines in use: 1.239 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 70 Telephones - mobile cellular: 8.569 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 67 Telephone system: general assessment: above the African average and continuing to be upgraded; key centers are Sfax, Sousse, Bizerte, and Tunis; Internet access available domestic: in an effort jumpstart expansion of the fixed-line network, the government has awarded a concession to build and operate a VSAT network with international connectivity; competition between the two mobile-cellular service providers has resulted in lower activation and usage charges and a strong surge in subscribership; expansion of mobile-cellular services to include multimedia messaging and e-mail and Internet to mobile phone services also leading to a surge in subscribership; overall fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is about 95 telephones per 100 persons international: country code - 216; a landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-4 submarine cable system that provides links to Europe, Middle East, and Asia; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Algeria and Libya; participant in Medarabtel; 2 international gateway digital switches Radio broadcast stations: AM 7, FM 38, shortwave 2 (2007) Television broadcast stations: 26 (plus 76 repeaters) (1995) Internet country code: .tn Internet hosts: 406 (2009) country comparison to the world: 175 Internet users: 2.8 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 62 Transportation ::Tunisia Airports: 32 (2009) country comparison to the world: 114 Airports - with paved runways: total: 16 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 16 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 7 (2009) Pipelines: gas 2,102 km; oil 1,195 km; refined products 372 km (2008) Railways: total: 2,159 km country comparison to the world: 69 standard gauge: 471 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 1,688 km 1.000-m gauge (65 km electrified) (2008) Roadways: total: 19,232 km country comparison to the world: 112 paved: 12,655 km (includes 262 km of expressways) unpaved: 6,577 km (2004) Merchant marine: total: 7 country comparison to the world: 126 by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 1, chemical tanker 1, passenger/cargo 4 registered in other countries: 1 (Panama 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Bizerte, Gabes, La Goulette, Rades, Sfax, Skhira Military ::Tunisia Military branches: Army, Navy, Republic of Tunisia Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Jamahiriyah At'tunisia) (2008) Military service age and obligation: 20 years of age for compulsory military service, 18 years of age for voluntary military service; 1-year conscript service obligation (2007) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 2,992,249 females age 16-49: 2,912,819 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 2,569,403 females age 16-49: 2,489,651 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 100,478 female: 94,055 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.4% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 114 Transnational Issues ::Tunisia Disputes - international: none page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Turkey (Middle East) Introduction ::Turkey Background: Modern Turkey was founded in 1923 from the Anatolian remnants of the defeated Ottoman Empire by national hero Mustafa KEMAL, who was later honored with the title Ataturk or "Father of the Turks." Under his authoritarian leadership, the country adopted wide-ranging social, legal, and political reforms. After a period of one-party rule, an experiment with multi-party politics led to the 1950 election victory of the opposition Democratic Party and the peaceful transfer of power. Since then, Turkish political parties have multiplied, but democracy has been fractured by periods of instability and intermittent military coups (1960, 1971, 1980), which in each case eventually resulted in a return of political power to civilians. In 1997, the military again helped engineer the ouster - popularly dubbed a "post-modern coup" - of the then Islamic-oriented government. Turkey intervened militarily on Cyprus in 1974 to prevent a Greek takeover of the island and has since acted as patron state to the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus," which only Turkey recognizes. A separatist insurgency begun in 1984 by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) - now known as the People's Congress of Kurdistan or Kongra-Gel (KGK) - has dominated the Turkish military's attention and claimed more than 30,000 lives. After the capture of the group's leader in 1999, the insurgents largely withdrew from Turkey mainly to northern Iraq. In 2004, KGK announced an end to its ceasefire and attacks attributed to the KGK increased. Turkey joined the UN in 1945 and in 1952 it became a member of NATO; it holds a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council from 2009-10. In 1964, Turkey became an associate member of the European Community. Over the past decade, it has undertaken many reforms to strengthen its democracy and economy; it began accession membership talks with the European Union in 2005. Geography ::Turkey Location: Southeastern Europe and Southwestern Asia (that portion of Turkey west of the Bosporus is geographically part of Europe), bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Georgia, and bordering the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, between Greece and Syria Geographic coordinates: 39 00 N, 35 00 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 783,562 sq km country comparison to the world: 37 land: 769,632 sq km water: 13,930 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Texas Land boundaries: total: 2,648 km border countries: Armenia 268 km, Azerbaijan 9 km, Bulgaria 240 km, Georgia 252 km, Greece 206 km, Iran 499 km, Iraq 352 km, Syria 822 km Coastline: 7,200 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 6 nm in the Aegean Sea; 12 nm in Black Sea and in Mediterranean Sea exclusive economic zone: in Black Sea only: to the maritime boundary agreed upon with the former USSR Climate: temperate; hot, dry summers with mild, wet winters; harsher in interior Terrain: high central plateau (Anatolia); narrow coastal plain; several mountain ranges Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Ararat 5,166 m Natural resources: coal, iron ore, copper, chromium, antimony, mercury, gold, barite, borate, celestite (strontium), emery, feldspar, limestone, magnesite, marble, perlite, pumice, pyrites (sulfur), clay, arable land, hydropower Land use: arable land: 29.81% permanent crops: 3.39% other: 66.8% (2005) Irrigated land: 52,150 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 234 cu km (2003) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 39.78 cu km/yr (15%/11%/74%) per capita: 544 cu m/yr (2001) Natural hazards: severe earthquakes, especially in northern Turkey, along an arc extending from the Sea of Marmara to Lake Van Environment - current issues: water pollution from dumping of chemicals and detergents; air pollution, particularly in urban areas; deforestation; concern for oil spills from increasing Bosporus ship traffic Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification Geography - note: strategic location controlling the Turkish Straits (Bosporus, Sea of Marmara, Dardanelles) that link Black and Aegean Seas; Mount Ararat, the legendary landing place of Noah's ark, is in the far eastern portion of the country People ::Turkey Population: 76,805,524 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 17 Age structure: 0-14 years: 27.2% (male 10,701,631/female 10,223,260) 15-64 years: 66.7% (male 25,896,326/female 25,327,403) 65 years and over: 6.1% (male 2,130,360/female 2,526,544) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 27.7 years male: 27.4 years female: 28.1 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.312% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 Birth rate: 18.66 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 Death rate: 6.1 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 160 Net migration rate: 0.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 Urbanization: urban population: 69% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 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: 0.84 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 25.78 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 85 male: 26.84 deaths/1,000 live births female: 24.67 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.96 years country comparison to the world: 122 male: 70.12 years female: 73.89 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.21 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1%; note - no country specific models provided (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 159 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Turk(s) adjective: Turkish Ethnic groups: Turkish 70-75%, Kurdish 18%, other minorities 7-12% (2008 est.) Religions: Muslim 99.8% (mostly Sunni), other 0.2% (mostly Christians and Jews) Languages: Turkish (official), Kurdish, other minority languages Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 87.4% male: 95.3% female: 79.6% (2004 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 11 years male: 12 years female: 11 years (2006) Education expenditures: 4% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 102 Government ::Turkey Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Turkey conventional short form: Turkey local long form: Turkiye Cumhuriyeti local short form: Turkiye Government type: republican parliamentary democracy Capital: name: Ankara geographic coordinates: 39 56 N, 32 52 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 81 provinces (iller, singular - ili); Adana, Adiyaman, Afyonkarahisar, Agri, Aksaray, Amasya, Ankara, Antalya, Ardahan, Artvin, Aydin, Balikesir, Bartin, Batman, Bayburt, Bilecik, Bingol, Bitlis, Bolu, Burdur, Bursa, Canakkale, Cankiri, Corum, Denizli, Diyarbakir, Duzce, Edirne, Elazig, Erzincan, Erzurum, Eskisehir, Gaziantep, Giresun, Gumushane, Hakkari, Hatay, Igdir, Isparta, Istanbul, Izmir (Smyrna), Kahramanmaras, Karabuk, Karaman, Kars, Kastamonu, Kayseri, Kilis, Kirikkale, Kirklareli, Kirsehir, Kocaeli, Konya, Kutahya, Malatya, Manisa, Mardin, Mersin (Icel), Mugla, Mus, Nevsehir, Nigde, Ordu, Osmaniye, Rize, Sakarya, Samsun, Sanliurfa, Siirt, Sinop, Sirnak, Sivas, Tekirdag, Tokat, Trabzon (Trebizond), Tunceli, Usak, Van, Yalova, Yozgat, Zonguldak Independence: 29 October 1923 (successor state to the Ottoman Empire) National holiday: Republic Day, 29 October (1923) Constitution: 7 November 1982; amended 17 May 1987, 1995, 2001, and 2007; note - amendment passed by referendum concerning presidential elections on 21 October 2007 Legal system: civil law system derived from various European continental legal systems; note - member of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), although Turkey claims limited derogations on the ratified European Convention on Human Rights; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Abdullah GUL (since 28 August 2007) head of government: Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN (since 14 March 2003); Deputy Prime Minister Cemil CICEK (since 29 August 2007); Deputy Prime Minister Ali BABACAN (since 1 May 2009); Deputy Prime Minister Bulent ARINC (since 1 May 2009) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the nomination of the prime minister elections: president elected directly for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister appointed by the president from among members of parliament election results: on 28 August 2007 the National Assembly elected Abdullah GUL president on the third ballot; National Assembly vote - 339 note: in October 2007 Turkish voters approved a referendum package of constitutional amendments including a provision for direct presidential elections Legislative branch: unicameral Grand National Assembly of Turkey or Turkiye Buyuk Millet Meclisi (550 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 22 July 2007 (next to be held in November 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - AKP 46.7%, CHP 20.8%, MHP 14.3%, independents 5.2%, and other 13.0%; seats by party - AKP 341, CHP 112, MHP 71, independents 26; note - seats by party as of 31 January 2009 - AKP 340, CHP 97, MHP 70, DTP 21, DSP 13, ODP 1, BBP 1, independents 5, vacant 2 (DTP entered parliament as independents; DSP entered parliament on CHP's party list); only parties surpassing the 10% threshold are entitled to parliamentary seats Judicial branch: Constitutional Court; High Court of Appeals (Yargitay); Council of State (Danistay); Court of Accounts (Sayistay); Military High Court of Appeals; Military High Administrative Court Political parties and leaders: Anavatan Partisi (Motherland Party) or Anavatan [Erkan MUMCU]; note - True Path Party or DYP has merged with the Motherland Party; Democratic Party or DP [Husamettin CINDORUK]; Democratic Left Party or DSP [Masum TURKER]; Democratic Society Party or DTP [Ahmet TURK]; Felicity Party or SP [Numan KURTULMUS] (sometimes translated as Contentment Party); Freedom and Solidarity Party or ODP [Hayri KOZANOGLU]; Grand Unity Party or BBP; note - Mushin YAZICIOGLU, former leader of the Grand Unity Party was killed in an March 2009 helicopter crash; Justice and Development Party or AKP [Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN]; Nationalist Movement Party or MHP [Devlet BAHCELI] (sometimes translated as Nationalist Action Party); People's Rise Party (Halkin Yukselisi Partisi) or HYP [Yasar Nuri OZTURK]; Republican People's Party or CHP [Deniz BAYKAL]; Social Democratic People's Party or SHP [Ugur CILASUN (acting)]; Young Party or GP [Cem Cengiz UZAN] note: the parties listed above are some of the more significant of the 49 parties that Turkey had as of 31 January 2009 Political pressure groups and leaders: Confederation of Public Sector Unions or KESK [Sami EVREN]; Confederation of Revolutionary Workers Unions or DISK [Suleyman CELEBI]; Independent Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association or MUSIAD [Omer Cihad VARDAN]; Moral Rights Workers Union or Hak-Is [Salim USLU]; Turkish Confederation of Employers' Unions or TISK [Tugurl KUDATGOBILIK]; Turkish Confederation of Labor or Turk-Is [Mustafa KUMLU]; Turkish Confederation of Tradesmen and Craftsmen or TESK [Dervis GUNDAY]; Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association or TUSIAD [Arzuhan Dogan YALCINDAG]; Turkish Union of Chambers of Commerce and Commodity Exchanges or TOBB [M. Rifat HISARCIKLIOGLU] International organization participation: ADB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CE, CERN (observer), EAPC, EBRD, ECO, EU (applicant), FAO, G-20, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Nabi SENSOY chancery: 2525 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 612-6700 FAX: [1] (202) 612-6744 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador James F. JEFFREY embassy: 110 Ataturk Boulevard, Kavaklidere, 06100 Ankara mailing address: PSC 93, Box 5000, APO AE 09823 telephone: [90] (312) 455-5555 FAX: [90] (312) 467-0019 consulate(s) general: Istanbul consulate(s): Adana; note - there is a Consular Agent in Izmir Flag description: red with a vertical white crescent (the closed portion is toward the hoist side) and white five-pointed star centered just outside the crescent opening Economy ::Turkey Economy - overview: Turkey's dynamic economy is a complex mix of modern industry and commerce along with a traditional agriculture sector that still accounts for about 30% of employment. It has a strong and rapidly growing private sector, yet the state remains a major participant in basic industry, banking, transport, and communication. The largest industrial sector is textiles and clothing, which accounts for one-third of industrial employment; it faces stiff competition in international markets with the end of the global quota system. However, other sectors, notably the automotive and electronics industries, are rising in importance within Turkey's export mix. Real GDP growth has exceeded 6% in many years, but this strong expansion has been interrupted by sharp declines in output in 1994, 1999, and 2001. Due to global contractions, annual growth is estimated to have fallen to 1.1% in 2008. Inflation fell to 7.7% in 2005 - a 30-year low - but climbed to over 10% in 2008. Despite the strong economic gains from 2002-07, which were largely due to renewed investor interest in emerging markets, IMF backing, and tighter fiscal policy, the economy is still burdened by a high current account deficit and high external debt. Further economic and judicial reforms and prospective EU membership are expected to boost foreign direct investment. The stock value of FDI stood at nearly $130 billion at year-end 2008. Privatization sales are currently approaching $21 billion. Oil began to flow through the Baku-Tblisi-Ceyhan pipeline in May 2006, marking a major milestone that will bring up to 1 million barrels per day from the Caspian to market. In 2007 and 2008, Turkish financial markets weathered significant domestic political turmoil, including turbulence sparked by controversy over the selection of former Foreign Minister Abdullah GUL as Turkey's 11th president and the possible closure of the Justice and Development Party (AKP). Economic fundamentals are sound, marked by moderate economic growth and foreign direct investment. Nevertheless, the Turkish economy may be faced with more negative economic indicators in 2009 as a result of the global economic slowdown. In addition, Turkey's high current account deficit leaves the economy vulnerable to destabilizing shifts in investor confidence. GDP (purchasing power parity): $903.9 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 17 $895.8 billion (2007 est.) $855.6 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $730 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 0.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 178 4.7% (2007 est.) 6.9% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $11,900 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 $12,000 (2007 est.) $11,600 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 8.8% industry: 27.5% services: 63.8% (2008 est.) Labor force: 24.06 million country comparison to the world: 25 note: about 1.2 million Turks work abroad (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 29.5% industry: 24.7% services: 45.8% (2005) Unemployment rate: 11% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 9.9% (2007 est.) note: underemployment amounted to 4% in 2008 Population below poverty line: 20% (2002) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.9% highest 10%: 33.2% (2005) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 43.6 (2003) country comparison to the world: 49 Investment (gross fixed): 20.3% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 Budget: revenues: $160.5 billion expenditures: $173.6 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 40% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 74.3% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 154 8.7% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 25% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 4 25% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $53.25 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 20 $63.88 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $248.4 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 12 $252.1 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $326.4 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 24 $355 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $117.9 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 30 $286.6 billion (31 December 2007) $162.4 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: tobacco, cotton, grain, olives, sugar beets, hazelnuts, pulse, citrus; livestock Industries: textiles, food processing, autos, electronics, mining (coal, chromite, copper, boron), steel, petroleum, construction, lumber, paper Industrial production growth rate: -0.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 Electricity - production: 181.9 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 Electricity - consumption: 153.7 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 Electricity - exports: 1.063 billion kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 790 million kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 46,120 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 Oil - consumption: 675,500 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 Oil - exports: 141,700 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 Oil - imports: 783,800 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 Oil - proved reserves: 300 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 Natural gas - production: 1.013 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 Natural gas - consumption: 37.18 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 Natural gas - exports: 435 million cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 38 Natural gas - imports: 36.72 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 Natural gas - proved reserves: 8.495 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 Current account balance: -$41.69 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 183 -$37.7 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $140.7 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 $115.4 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: apparel, foodstuffs, textiles, metal manufactures, transport equipment Exports - partners: Germany 9.8%, UK 6.2%, UAE 6%, Italy 5.9%, France 5%, Russia 4.9% (2008) Imports: $193.9 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 $162 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery, chemicals, semi-finished goods, fuels, transport equipment Imports - partners: Russia 15.5%, Germany 9.3%, China 7.8%, US 5.9%, Italy 5.5%, France 4.5%, Iran 4.1% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $73.66 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 $76.51 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $278.1 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 $249.4 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $128.7 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 $110.5 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $14.8 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 $10.97 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: Turkish liras (TRY) per US dollar - 1.3179 (2008 est.), 1.319 (2007), 1.4286 (2006), 1.3436 (2005), 1.4255 (2004) note: on 1 January 2005, the old Turkish lira (TRL) was converted to new Turkish lira (TRY) at a rate of 1,000,000 old to 1 new Turkish lira; on 1 January 2009, the Turkish government dropped the word "new" and the currency is now called simply the Turkish lira Communications ::Turkey Telephones - main lines in use: 17.502 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 18 Telephones - mobile cellular: 65.824 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 15 Telephone system: general assessment: comprehensive telecommunications network undergoing rapid modernization and expansion especially in mobile-cellular services domestic: additional digital exchanges are permitting a rapid increase in subscribers; the construction of a network of technologically advanced intercity trunk lines, using both fiber-optic cable and digital microwave radio relay, is facilitating communication between urban centers; remote areas are reached by a domestic satellite system; the number of subscribers to mobile-cellular telephone service is growing rapidly international: country code - 90; international service is provided by the SEA-ME-WE-3 submarine cable and by submarine fiber-optic cables in the Mediterranean and Black Seas that link Turkey with Italy, Greece, Israel, Bulgaria, Romania, and Russia; satellite earth stations - 12 Intelsat; mobile satellite terminals - 328 in the Inmarsat and Eutelsat systems (2002) Radio broadcast stations: AM 16, FM 107, shortwave 6 (2001) Television broadcast stations: 635 (plus 2,934 repeaters) (1995) Internet country code: .tr Internet hosts: 2.961 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 27 Internet users: 24.483 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 15 Transportation ::Turkey Airports: 102 (2009) country comparison to the world: 59 Airports - with paved runways: total: 90 over 3,047 m: 16 2,438 to 3,047 m: 33 1,524 to 2,437 m: 20 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 4 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 12 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 4 (2009) Heliports: 21 (2009) Pipelines: gas 7,555 km; oil 3,636 km (2008) Railways: total: 8,697 km country comparison to the world: 23 standard gauge: 8,697 km 1.435-m gauge (1,920 km electrified) (2008) Roadways: total: 426,951 km (includes 1,987 km of expressways) (2006) country comparison to the world: 13 Waterways: 1,200 km (2008) country comparison to the world: 60 Merchant marine: total: 612 country comparison to the world: 19 by type: bulk carrier 101, cargo 281, chemical tanker 70, combination ore/oil 1, container 35, liquefied gas 7, passenger 4, passenger/cargo 51, petroleum tanker 31, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 28, specialized tanker 2 foreign-owned: 8 (Cyprus 2, Germany 1, Greece 1, Italy 3, UAE 1) registered in other countries: 595 (Albania 1, Antigua and Barbuda 6, Bahamas 8, Belize 15, Cambodia 26, Comoros 8, Dominica 5, Georgia 14, Greece 1, Isle of Man 2, Italy 1, Kiribati 1, Liberia 7, Malta 176, Marshall Islands 50, Moldova 3, Netherlands 1, Netherlands Antilles 10, Panama 94, Russia 80, Saint Kitts and Nevis 35, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 20, Sierra Leone 15, Slovakia 10, Tuvalu 2, UK 2, unknown 2) (2008) Ports and terminals: Aliaga, Diliskelesi, Izmir, Kocaeli (Izmit), Mercin Limani, Nemrut Limani Military ::Turkey Military branches: Turkish Armed Forces (TSK): Turkish Land Forces (Turk Kara Kuvvetleri), Turkish Naval Forces (Turk Deniz Kuvvetleri; includes naval air and naval infantry), Turkish Air Force (Turk Hava Kuvvetleri) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 20 years of age (2004) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 20,213,205 females age 16-49: 19,432,688 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 17,223,506 females age 16-49: 16,995,299 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 692,592 female: 663,689 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 5.3% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 17 Military - note: a "National Security Policy Document" adopted in October 2005 increases the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) role in internal security, augmenting the General Directorate of Security and Gendarmerie General Command (Jandarma); the TSK leadership continues to play a key role in politics and considers itself guardian of Turkey's secular state; in April 2007, it warned the ruling party about any pro-Islamic appointments; despite on-going negotiations on EU accession since October 2005, progress has been limited in establishing required civilian supremacy over the military; primary domestic threats are listed as fundamentalism (with the definition in some dispute with the civilian government), separatism (the Kurdish problem), and the extreme left wing; Ankara strongly opposed establishment of an autonomous Kurdish region; an overhaul of the Turkish Land Forces Command (TLFC) taking place under the "Force 2014" program is to produce 20-30% smaller, more highly trained forces characterized by greater mobility and firepower and capable of joint and combined operations; the TLFC has taken on increasing international peacekeeping responsibilities, and took charge of a NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) command in Afghanistan in April 2007; the Turkish Navy is a regional naval power that wants to develop the capability to project power beyond Turkey's coastal waters; the Navy is heavily involved in NATO, multinational, and UN operations; its roles include control of territorial waters and security for sea lines of communications; the Turkish Air Force adopted an "Aerospace and Missile Defense Concept" in 2002 and has initiated project work on an integrated missile defense system; Air Force priorities include attaining a modern deployable, survivable, and sustainable force structure, and establishing a sustainable command and control system (2008) Transnational Issues ::Turkey Disputes - international: complex maritime, air, and territorial disputes with Greece in the Aegean Sea; status of north Cyprus question remains; Syria and Iraq protest Turkish hydrological projects to control upper Euphrates waters; Turkey has expressed concern over the status of Kurds in Iraq; border with Armenia remains closed over Nagorno-Karabakh Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs: 1-1.2 million (fighting 1984-99 between Kurdish PKK and Turkish military; most IDPs in southeastern provinces) (2007) Illicit drugs: key transit route for Southwest Asian heroin to Western Europe and, to a lesser extent, the US - via air, land, and sea routes; major Turkish and other international trafficking organizations operate out of Istanbul; laboratories to convert imported morphine base into heroin exist in remote regions of Turkey and near Istanbul; government maintains strict controls over areas of legal opium poppy cultivation and over output of poppy straw concentrate; lax enforcement of money-laundering controls page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Turkmenistan (Central Asia) Introduction ::Turkmenistan Background: Eastern Turkmenistan for centuries formed part of the Persian province of Khurasan; in medieval times Merv (today known as Mary) was one of the great cities of the Islamic world and an important stop on the Silk Road. Annexed by Russia between 1865 and 1885, Turkmenistan became a Soviet republic in 1924. It achieved independence upon the dissolution of the USSR in 1991. Extensive hydrocarbon/natural gas reserves could prove a boon to this underdeveloped country if extraction and delivery projects were to be expanded. The Turkmenistan Government is actively seeking to develop alternative petroleum transportation routes to break Russia's pipeline monopoly. President for Life Saparmurat NYYAZOW died in December 2006, and Turkmenistan held its first multi-candidate presidential electoral process in February 2007. Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOW, a vice premier under NYYAZOW, emerged as the country's new president. Geography ::Turkmenistan Location: Central Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Kazakhstan Geographic coordinates: 40 00 N, 60 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 488,100 sq km country comparison to the world: 52 land: 469,930 sq km water: 18,170 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than California Land boundaries: total: 3,736 km border countries: Afghanistan 744 km, Iran 992 km, Kazakhstan 379 km, Uzbekistan 1,621 km Coastline: 0 km; note - Turkmenistan borders the Caspian Sea (1,768 km) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: subtropical desert Terrain: flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes rising to mountains in the south; low mountains along border with Iran; borders Caspian Sea in west Elevation extremes: lowest point: Vpadina Akchanaya -81 m; note - Sarygamysh Koli is a lake in northern Turkmenistan with a water level that fluctuates above and below the elevation of Vpadina Akchanaya (the lake has dropped as low as -110 m) highest point: Gora Ayribaba 3,139 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, sulfur, salt Land use: arable land: 4.51% permanent crops: 0.14% other: 95.35% (2005) Irrigated land: 18,000 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 60.9 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 24.65 cu km/yr (2%/1%/98%) per capita: 5,104 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: contamination of soil and groundwater with agricultural chemicals, pesticides; salination, water logging of soil due to poor irrigation methods; Caspian Sea pollution; diversion of a large share of the flow of the Amu Darya into irrigation contributes to that river's inability to replenish the Aral Sea; desertification Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: landlocked; the western and central low-lying desolate portions of the country make up the great Garagum (Kara-Kum) desert, which occupies over 80% of the country; eastern part is plateau People ::Turkmenistan Population: 4,884,887 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 Age structure: 0-14 years: 28.9% (male 713,698/female 697,222) 15-64 years: 66.9% (male 1,618,678/female 1,646,992) 65 years and over: 4.3% (male 90,352/female 117,945) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 24.4 years male: 24.1 years female: 24.8 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.141% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 116 Birth rate: 19.69 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 Death rate: 6.31 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 152 Net migration rate: -1.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 137 Urbanization: urban population: 49% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 45.36 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 56 male: 53.85 deaths/1,000 live births female: 36.46 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 67.87 years country comparison to the world: 153 male: 64.94 years female: 70.95 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.22 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 158 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: fewer than 200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 160 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 100 (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 131 Nationality: noun: Turkmen(s) adjective: Turkmen Ethnic groups: Turkmen 85%, Uzbek 5%, Russian 4%, other 6% (2003) Religions: Muslim 89%, Eastern Orthodox 9%, unknown 2% Languages: Turkmen 72%, Russian 12%, Uzbek 9%, other 7% Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.8% male: 99.3% female: 98.3% (1999 est.) Education expenditures: 3.9% of GDP (1991) country comparison to the world: 108 Government ::Turkmenistan Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Turkmenistan local long form: none local short form: Turkmenistan former: Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic Government type: republic; authoritarian presidential rule, with little power outside the executive branch Capital: name: Ashgabat (Ashkhabad) geographic coordinates: 37 57 N, 58 23 E time difference: UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 5 provinces (welayatlar, singular - welayat) and 1 independent city*: Ahal Welayaty (Anew), Ashgabat*, Balkan Welayaty (Balkanabat), Dashoguz Welayaty, Lebap Welayaty (Turkmenabat), Mary Welayaty note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses) Independence: 27 October 1991 (from the Soviet Union) National holiday: Independence Day, 27 October (1991) Constitution: adopted 18 May 1992 Legal system: based on civil law system and Islamic law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOW (since 14 February 2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOW (since 14 February 2007) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held on 11 February 2007 (next to be held in February 2012) election results: Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOW elected president; percent of vote - Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOW 89.2%, Amanyaz ATAJYKOW 3.2%, other candidates 7.6% Legislative branch: unicameral parliament known as the National Assembly (Mejlis) (125 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 14 December 2008 (next to be held December 2013) election results: 100% of elected officials are members of either the Democratic Party of Turkmenistan or its pseudo-civil society parent organization, the Revival Movement, and are preapproved by the president note: in autumn 2008, the constitution of Turkmenistan was revised to abolish the 2,507-member legislative body known as the People's Council and to expand the number of deputies in the National Assembly from 65 to 125; the powers formerly held by the People's Council were divided up between the president and the National Assembly Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party of Turkmenistan or DPT [Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOW] note: formal opposition parties are outlawed; unofficial, small opposition movements exist abroad; the three most prominent opposition groups-in-exile are the National Democratic Movement of Turkmenistan (NDMT), the Republican Party of Turkmenistan, and the Watan (Fatherland) Party; the NDMT was led by former Foreign Minister Boris SHIKHMURADOV until his arrest and imprisonment in the wake of the 25 November 2002 attack on President NYYAZOW's motorcade Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ADB, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SCO (guest), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Meret Bairamovich ORAZOW chancery: 2207 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 588-1500 FAX: [1] (202) 588-0697 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Richard M. MILES embassy: No. 9 1984 Street (formerly Pushkin Street), Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 mailing address: 7070 Ashgabat Place, Washington, DC 20521-7070 telephone: [993] (12) 35-00-45 FAX: [993] (12) 39-26-14 Flag description: green field with a vertical red stripe near the hoist side, containing five tribal guls (designs used in producing carpets) stacked above two crossed olive branches; a white crescent moon representing Islam with five white stars representing the regions or welayats of Turkmenistan appear in the upper corner of the field just to the fly side of the red stripe Economy ::Turkmenistan Economy - overview: Turkmenistan is largely a desert country with intensive agriculture in irrigated oases and sizeable gas and oil resources. One-half of its irrigated land is planted in cotton; formerly it was the world's 10th-largest producer. Poor harvests in recent years have led to an almost 50% decline in cotton exports. With an authoritarian ex-Communist regime in power and a tribally based social structure, Turkmenistan has taken a cautious approach to economic reform, hoping to use gas and cotton sales to sustain its inefficient economy. Privatization goals remain limited. From 1998-2005, Turkmenistan suffered from the continued lack of adequate export routes for natural gas and from obligations on extensive short-term external debt. At the same time, however, total exports rose by an average of roughly 15% per year from 2003-08, largely because of higher international oil and gas prices. A new pipeline to China, set to come online in late 2009 or early 2010, will give Turkmenistan an additional export route for its gas. Overall prospects in the near future are discouraging because of widespread internal poverty, a poor educational system, government misuse of oil and gas revenues, and Ashgabat's reluctance to adopt market-oriented reforms. In the past, Turkmenistan's economic statistics were state secrets. The new government has established a State Agency for Statistics, but GDP numbers and other figures are subject to wide margins of error. In particular, the rate of GDP growth is uncertain. Since his election, President BERDIMUHAMEDOW has sought to improve the health and education systems, unified the country's dual currency exchange rate, ordered the redenomination of the manat, reduced state subsidies for gasoline, increased Internet access both in schools and Internet cafes, ordered an independent audit of Turkmenistan's gas resources, and created a special tourism zone on the Caspian Sea. Although foreign investment is encouraged, numerous bureaucratic obstacles from the NYYZOW-era remain. GDP (purchasing power parity): $31.28 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 $28.49 billion (2007 est.) $25.53 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $29.16 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 9.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 13 11.6% (2007 est.) 11.4% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $6,500 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 $6,000 (2007 est.) $5,400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 9.1% industry: 39% services: 51.9% (2008 est.) Labor force: 13.51 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 48.2% industry: 14% services: 37.8% (2004 est.) Unemployment rate: 60% (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 196 Population below poverty line: 30% (2004 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 31.7% (1998) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 40.8 (1998) country comparison to the world: 59 Investment (gross fixed): 1.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 Budget: revenues: $1.667 billion expenditures: $1.407 billion (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 13% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 181 11.3% (2007 est.) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: cotton, grain; livestock Industries: natural gas, oil, petroleum products, textiles, food processing Industrial production growth rate: -1.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 148 Electricity - production: 13.99 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 Electricity - consumption: 10.45 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 Electricity - exports: 1.46 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 189,400 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 Oil - consumption: 112,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 Oil - exports: 84,770 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 Oil - imports: 2,542 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 173 Oil - proved reserves: 600 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 Natural gas - production: 70.5 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 Natural gas - consumption: 21 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 Natural gas - exports: 48.5 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 7 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 Natural gas - proved reserves: 2.662 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 Current account balance: $4.669 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 $3.285 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $11.92 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 $7.919 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: gas, crude oil, petrochemicals, textiles, cotton fiber Exports - partners: Ukraine 51.7%, Poland 10%, Hungary 8.1% (2008) Imports: $5.654 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 $3.615 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs Imports - partners: China 16.9%, Russia 15.9%, Turkey 14%, UAE 10.3%, Ukraine 7.9%, Germany 5.6%, Iran 5.1% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $13.88 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 $13.19 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $1.4 billion (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 note: some estimates put this figure as high as $5 billion Exchange rates: Turkmen manat (TMM) per US dollar - 14,250 (as of 1 May 2008 est.) Communications ::Turkmenistan Telephones - main lines in use: 495,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 98 Telephones - mobile cellular: 810,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 146 Telephone system: general assessment: telecommunications network remains underdeveloped and progress toward improvement is slow; strict government control and censorship inhibits liberalization and modernization domestic: Turkmentelekom, in cooperation with foreign partners, has installed high speed fiber-optic lines and has upgraded most of the country's telephone exchanges and switching centers with new digital technology; mobile telephone usage is expanding with Russia's Mobile Telesystems (MTS) the primary service provider international: country code - 993; linked by fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay to other CIS republics and to other countries by leased connections to the Moscow international gateway switch; an exchange in Ashgabat switches international traffic through Turkey via Intelsat; satellite earth stations - 1 Orbita and 1 Intelsat (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 16, FM 8, shortwave 2 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 4 (government-owned and programmed) (2004) Internet country code: .tm Internet hosts: 755 (2009) country comparison to the world: 164 Internet users: 75,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 161 Transportation ::Turkmenistan Airports: 28 (2009) country comparison to the world: 120 Airports - with paved runways: total: 22 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 under 914 m: 4 (2009) Heliports: 1 (2009) Pipelines: gas 6,417 km; oil 1,457 km (2008) Railways: total: 2,980 km country comparison to the world: 56 broad gauge: 2,980 km 1.520-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 58,592 km country comparison to the world: 75 paved: 47,577 km unpaved: 11,015 km (2002) Waterways: 1,300 km (Amu Darya and Kara Kum canal are important inland waterways) (2008) country comparison to the world: 56 Merchant marine: total: 7 country comparison to the world: 127 by type: cargo 4, petroleum tanker 2, refrigerated cargo 1 (2008) Ports and terminals: Turkmenbasy Military ::Turkmenistan Military branches: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18-30 years of age for compulsory military service; 2-year conscript service obligation (2007) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,316,698 females age 16-49: 1,331,005 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,024,884 females age 16-49: 1,147,714 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 57,021 female: 56,064 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 3.4% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 Transnational Issues ::Turkmenistan Disputes - international: cotton monoculture in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan creates water-sharing difficulties for Amu Darya river states; field demarcation of the boundaries with Kazakhstan commenced in 2005, but Caspian seabed delimitation remains stalled with Azerbaijan, Iran, and Kazakhstan due to Turkmenistan's indecision over how to allocate the sea's waters and seabed Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 11,173 (Tajikistan); less than 1,000 (Afghanistan) (2007) Illicit drugs: transit country for Afghan narcotics bound for Russian and Western European markets; transit point for heroin precursor chemicals bound for Afghanistan page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Turks and Caicos Islands (Central America and Caribbean) Introduction ::Turks and Caicos Islands Background: The islands were part of the UK's Jamaican colony until 1962, when they assumed the status of a separate crown colony upon Jamaica's independence. The governor of The Bahamas oversaw affairs from 1965 to 1973. With Bahamian independence, the islands received a separate governor in 1973. Although independence was agreed upon for 1982, the policy was reversed and the islands remain a British overseas territory. Geography ::Turks and Caicos Islands Location: Caribbean, two island groups in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of The Bahamas, north of Haiti Geographic coordinates: 21 45 N, 71 35 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 948 sq km country comparison to the world: 185 land: 948 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 389 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; marine; moderated by trade winds; sunny and relatively dry Terrain: low, flat limestone; extensive marshes and mangrove swamps Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Blue Hills 49 m Natural resources: spiny lobster, conch Land use: arable land: 2.33% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.67% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: frequent hurricanes Environment - current issues: limited natural fresh water resources, private cisterns collect rainwater Geography - note: about 40 islands (eight inhabited) People ::Turks and Caicos Islands Population: 22,942 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 216 Age structure: 0-14 years: 30.2% (male 3,528/female 3,401) 15-64 years: 65.6% (male 7,875/female 7,164) 65 years and over: 4.2% (male 475/female 499) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 27.9 years male: 28.7 years female: 27.2 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 2.563% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 Birth rate: 20.79 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 93 Death rate: 4.18 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 207 Net migration rate: 9.02 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 Urbanization: urban population: 92% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.95 male(s)/female total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 13.89 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 131 male: 16.02 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.42 years country comparison to the world: 77 male: 73.12 years female: 77.83 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.95 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: none adjective: none Ethnic groups: black 90%, mixed, European, or North American 10% Religions: Baptist 40%, Anglican 18%, Methodist 16%, Church of God 12%, other 14% (1990) Languages: English (official) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 98% male: 99% female: 98% (1970 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 12 years (2005) Education expenditures: NA People - note: destination and transit point for illegal Haitian immigrants bound for the Turks and Caicos Islands, The Bahamas, and the US Government ::Turks and Caicos Islands Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Turks and Caicos Islands abbreviation: TCI Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK Government type: NA Capital: name: Grand Turk (Cockburn Town) geographic coordinates: 21 28 N, 71 08 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in April; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of the UK) Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK) National holiday: Constitution Day, 30 August (1976) Constitution: Turks and Caicos Islands Constitution (Interim Amendment) Order 2009, S.I. 2009/701 - effective 14 August 2009 - suspended Ministerial government, the House of Assembly, and the constitutional right to trial by jury, and imposed direct British rule Legal system: based on laws of England and Wales with a few adopted from Jamaica and The Bahamas Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Gordon WETHERELL (since 5 August 2008) head of government: Governor Gordon WETHERELL (since 14 August 2009); note - the office of premier is suspended by the Order in Council, effective 14 August 2009 cabinet: under provisions of the Order in Council, the cabinet is suspended effective 14 August 2009 and replaced by an Advisory Council appointed by the governor elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch note: following an investigation into allegations of widespread corruption and misconduct within the Turks and Caicos Government, the UK foreign minister directed the governor to bring into effect on 14 August 2009 an Order in Council suspending Ministerial government and the House of Assembly, and imposing direct rule for a period of up to two years Legislative branch: under provisions of the Order in Council, the unicameral House of Assembly is dissolved and all seats vacated for a period of up to two years; in the interim, a Consultative Forum, appointed by the governor, will be established elections: last held 9 February 2007 (next to be held by July 2011) election results: under provisions of the Order in Council, all seats in the House of Assembly are vacated Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Court of Appeal Political parties and leaders: People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Floyd SEYMOUR]; Progressive National Party or PNP [Michael Eugene MISICK] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), UPU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Flag description: blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the colonial shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield is yellow and contains a conch shell, lobster, and cactus Economy ::Turks and Caicos Islands Economy - overview: The Turks and Caicos economy is based on tourism, offshore financial services, and fishing. Most capital goods and food for domestic consumption are imported. The US is the leading source of tourists, accounting for more than three-quarters of the 175,000 visitors that arrived in 2004. Major sources of government revenue also include fees from offshore financial activities and customs receipts. GDP (purchasing power parity): $216 million (2002 est.) country comparison to the world: 215 GDP (official exchange rate): $NA GDP - real growth rate: 4.9% (2000 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 GDP - per capita (PPP): $11,500 (2002 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Labor force: 4,848 (1990 est.) country comparison to the world: 213 Labor force - by occupation: note: about 33% in government and 20% in agriculture and fishing; significant numbers in tourism, financial, and other services Unemployment rate: 10% (1997 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $47 million expenditures: $33.6 million (1997-98 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4% (1995) country comparison to the world: 65 Agriculture - products: corn, beans, cassava (tapioca), citrus fruits; fish Industries: tourism, offshore financial services Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 12 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 209 Electricity - consumption: 11.16 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 210 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 131 Oil - consumption: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 203 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 165 Oil - imports: 80 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 203 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 125 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 105 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 131 Exports: $169.2 million (2000) country comparison to the world: 184 Exports - commodities: lobster, dried and fresh conch, conch shells Imports: $175.6 million Imports - commodities: food and beverages, tobacco, clothing, manufactures, construction materials Debt - external: $NA Exchange rates: the US dollar is used Communications ::Turks and Caicos Islands Telephones - main lines in use: 3,700 (2008) country comparison to the world: 217 Telephones - mobile cellular: 25,100 (2004) country comparison to the world: 203 Telephone system: general assessment: fully digital system with international direct dialing domestic: full range of services available; GSM wireless service available international: country code - 1-649; the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) fiber optic telecommunications submarine cable provides connectivity to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 7, shortwave 0 (2003) Television broadcast stations: 0 (broadcasts received from The Bahamas; 2 cable television networks) (2003) Internet country code: .tc Internet hosts: 9,445 (2009) country comparison to the world: 117 Transportation ::Turks and Caicos Islands Airports: 8 (2009) country comparison to the world: 163 Airports - with paved runways: total: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Roadways: total: 121 km country comparison to the world: 210 paved: 24 km unpaved: 97 km (2003) Merchant marine: registered in other countries: 1 (Panama 1) (2008) country comparison to the world: 152 Ports and terminals: Grand Turk, Providenciales Military ::Turks and Caicos Islands Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 4,937 females age 16-49: 4,648 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 226 female: 218 (2009 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Transnational Issues ::Turks and Caicos Islands Disputes - international: have received Haitians fleeing economic and civil disorder Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe page last updated on October 28, 2009 ====================================================================== @Tuvalu (Australia-Oceania) Introduction ::Tuvalu Background: In 1974, ethnic differences within the British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands caused the Polynesians of the Ellice Islands to vote for separation from the Micronesians of the Gilbert Islands. The following year, the Ellice Islands became the separate British colony of Tuvalu. Independence was granted in 1978. In 2000, Tuvalu negotiated a contract leasing its Internet domain name ".tv" for $50 million in royalties over a 12-year period. Geography ::Tuvalu Location: Oceania, island group consisting of nine coral atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia Geographic coordinates: 8 00 S, 178 00 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 26 sq km country comparison to the world: 236 land: 26 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 24 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; moderated by easterly trade winds (March to November); westerly gales and heavy rain (November to March) Terrain: low-lying and narrow coral atolls Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 5 m Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 66.67% other: 33.33% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: severe tropical storms are usually rare, but in 1997 there were three cyclones; low level of islands make them sensitive to changes in sea level Environment - current issues: since there are no streams or rivers and groundwater is not potable, most water needs must be met by catchment systems with storage facilities (the Japanese Government has built one desalination plant and plans to build one other); beachhead erosion because of the use of sand for building materials; excessive clearance of forest undergrowth for use as fuel; damage to coral reefs from the spread of the Crown of Thorns starfish; Tuvalu is concerned about global increases in greenhouse gas emissions and their effect on rising sea levels, which threaten the country's underground water table; in 2000, the government appealed to Australia and New Zealand to take in Tuvaluans if rising sea levels should make evacuation necessary Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: one of the smallest and most remote countries on Earth; six of the nine coral atolls - Nanumea, Nui, Vaitupu, Nukufetau, Funafuti, and Nukulaelae - have lagoons open to the ocean; Nanumaya and Niutao have landlocked lagoons; Niulakita does not have a lagoon People ::Tuvalu Population: 12,373 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 223 Age structure: 0-14 years: 29.2% (male 1,841/female 1,770) 15-64 years: 65.6% (male 3,973/female 4,141) 65 years and over: 5.2% (male 240/female 408) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 25.4 years male: 24.4 years female: 26.6 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.616% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 83 Birth rate: 23.11 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 Death rate: 6.95 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 134 Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 49% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 18.43 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 112 male: 20.95 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.29 years country comparison to the world: 148 male: 66.99 years female: 71.7 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.91 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Tuvaluan(s) adjective: Tuvaluan Ethnic groups: Polynesian 96%, Micronesian 4% Religions: Church of Tuvalu (Congregationalist) 97%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1.4%, Baha'i 1%, other 0.6% Languages: Tuvaluan, English, Samoan, Kiribati (on the island of Nui) Literacy: NA School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 11 years (2001) Education expenditures: NA Government ::Tuvalu Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Tuvalu local long form: none local short form: Tuvalu former: Ellice Islands note: "Tuvalu" means "group of eight" referring to the country's eight traditionally inhabited islands Government type: a parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm Capital: name: Funafuti geographic coordinates: 8 30 S, 179 12 E time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) note: administrative offices are in Vaiaku Village on Fongafale Islet Administrative divisions: none Independence: 1 October 1978 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 1 October (1978) Constitution: 1 October 1978 Legal system: English common law supplemented by local customary law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Filoimea TELITO (since 15 April 2005) head of government: Prime Minister Apisai IELEMIA (since 14 August 2006) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by and from the members of parliament; election last held 14 August 2006 (next to be held following parliamentary elections in 2010) election results: Apisai IELEMIA elected prime minister in a parliamentary election on 14 August 2006 Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Fale I Fono, also called House of Assembly (15 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 3 August 2006 (next to be held in 2010) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 15 Judicial branch: High Court (a chief justice visits twice a year to preside over its sessions; its rulings can be appealed to the Court of Appeal in Fiji); eight Island Courts (with limited jurisdiction) Political parties and leaders: there are no political parties but members of parliament usually align themselves in informal groupings Political pressure groups and leaders: none International organization participation: ACP, ADB, C, FAO, IFRCS (observer), IMO, IOC, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO Diplomatic representation in the US: Tuvalu does not have an embassy in the US - the country's only diplomatic post is in Fiji - Tuvalu does, however, have a UN office located at 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400D, New York, NY 10017, telephone: [1] (212) 490-0534 Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Tuvalu; the US ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tuvalu Flag description: light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the outer half of the flag represents a map of the country with nine yellow five-pointed stars symbolizing the nine islands Economy ::Tuvalu Economy - overview: Tuvalu consists of a densely populated, scattered group of nine coral atolls with poor soil. The country has no known mineral resources and few exports and is almost entirely dependent upon imported food and fuel. Subsistence farming and fishing are the primary economic activities. Fewer than 1,000 tourists, on average, visit Tuvalu annually. Job opportunities are scarce and public sector workers make up most of those employed. About 15% of the adult male population work as seamen on merchant ships abroad, and remittances are a vital source of income contributing around $4 million in 2006. Substantial income is received annually from the Tuvalu Trust Fund (TTF) an international trust fund established in 1987 by Australia, NZ, and the UK and supported also by Japan and South Korea. Thanks to wise investments and conservative withdrawals, this fund grew from an initial $17 million to an estimated value of $77 million in 2006. The TFF contributed nearly $9 million towards the government budget in 2006 and is an important cushion for meeting shortfalls in the government's budget. The US Government is also a major revenue source for Tuvalu because of payments from a 1988 treaty on fisheries. In an effort to ensure financial stability and sustainability, the government is pursuing public sector reforms, including privatization of some government functions and personnel cuts. Tuvalu also derives royalties from the lease of its ".tv" Internet domain name with revenue of more than $2 million in 2006. A minor source of government revenue comes from the sale of stamps and coins. With merchandise exports only a fraction of merchandise imports, continued reliance must be placed on fishing and telecommunications license fees, remittances from overseas workers, official transfers, and income from overseas investments. Growing income disparities and the vulnerability of the country to climatic change are among leading concerns for the nation. GDP (purchasing power parity): $14.94 million (2002 est.) country comparison to the world: 226 GDP (official exchange rate): $14.94 million (2002) GDP - real growth rate: 3% (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 GDP - per capita (PPP): $1,600 (2002 est.) country comparison to the world: 195 GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 16.6% industry: 27.2% services: 56.2% (2002) Labor force: 3,615 (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 214 Labor force - by occupation: note: people make a living mainly through exploitation of the sea, reefs, and atolls and from wages sent home by those abroad (mostly workers in the phosphate industry and sailors) Unemployment rate: NA% Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $21.54 million expenditures: $23.05 million (2006) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.8% (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 Agriculture - products: coconuts; fish Industries: fishing, tourism, copra Industrial production growth rate: NA% Current account balance: -$11.68 million (2003) country comparison to the world: 64 Exports: $1 million (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 218 Exports - commodities: copra, fish Imports: $12.91 million (2005) country comparison to the world: 216 Imports - commodities: food, animals, mineral fuels, machinery, manufactured goods Debt - external: $NA Exchange rates: Tuvaluan dollars or Australian dollars (AUD) per U 1.2059 (2008 est.), 1.2137 (2007), 1.3285 (2006), 1.3095 (2005), 1.3598 (2004) Communications ::Tuvalu Telephones - main lines in use: 1,500 (2008) country comparison to the world: 226 Telephones - mobile cellular: 2,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 216 Telephone system: general assessment: serves particular needs for internal communications domestic: radiotelephone communications between islands international: country code - 688; international calls can be made by satellite Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (2004) Television broadcast stations: 0 (2004) Internet country code: .tv Internet hosts: 103,041 (2009) country comparison to the world: 73 Internet users: 4,200 (2008) country comparison to the world: 205 Transportation ::Tuvalu Airports: 1 (2009) country comparison to the world: 214 Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Roadways: total: 8 km country comparison to the world: 219 paved: 8 km (2002) Merchant marine: total: 80 country comparison to the world: 55 by type: bulk carrier 7, cargo 30, chemical tanker 14, container 2, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 22, refrigerated cargo 1, specialized tanker 1 foreign-owned: 63 (China 16, Hong Kong 7, Kenya 1, South Korea 1, Malaysia 1, Maldives 1, Norway 1, Russia 2, Singapore 23, Thailand 1, Turkey 2, Ukraine 1, US 1, Vietnam 5) (2008) Ports and terminals: Funafuti Military ::Tuvalu Military branches: no regular military forces; Tuvalu Police Force (2008) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 2,462 females age 16-49: 2,631 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 125 female: 121 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: NA Transnational Issues ::Tuvalu Disputes - international: none page last updated on October 28, 2009 ====================================================================== @Uganda (Africa) Introduction ::Uganda Background: The colonial boundaries created by Britain to delimit Uganda grouped together a wide range of ethnic groups with different political systems and cultures. These differences prevented the establishment of a working political community after independence was achieved in 1962. The dictatorial regime of Idi AMIN (1971-79) was responsible for the deaths of some 300,000 opponents; guerrilla war and human rights abuses under Milton OBOTE (1980-85) claimed at least another 100,000 lives. The rule of Yoweri MUSEVENI since 1986 has brought relative stability and economic growth to Uganda. During the 1990s, the government promulgated non-party presidential and legislative elections. In January 2009, Uganda assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2009-10 term. Geography ::Uganda Location: Eastern Africa, west of Kenya Geographic coordinates: 1 00 N, 32 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 241,038 sq km country comparison to the world: 80 land: 197,100 sq km water: 43,938 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Oregon Land boundaries: total: 2,698 km border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 765 km, Kenya 933 km, Rwanda 169 km, Sudan 435 km, Tanzania 396 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: tropical; generally rainy with two dry seasons (December to February, June to August); semiarid in northeast Terrain: mostly plateau with rim of mountains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Lake Albert 621 m highest point: Margherita Peak on Mount Stanley 5,110 m Natural resources: copper, cobalt, hydropower, limestone, salt, arable land, gold Land use: arable land: 21.57% permanent crops: 8.92% other: 69.51% (2005) Irrigated land: 90 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 66 cu km (1970) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.3 cu km/yr (43%/17%/40%) per capita: 10 cu m/yr (2002) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: draining of wetlands for agricultural use; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; water hyacinth infestation in Lake Victoria; widespread poaching Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification Geography - note: landlocked; fertile, well-watered country with many lakes and rivers People ::Uganda Population: 32,369,558 country comparison to the world: 38 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 50% (male 8,152,830/female 8,034,366) 15-64 years: 47.9% (male 7,789,209/female 7,703,143) 65 years and over: 2.1% (male 286,693/female 403,317) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 15 years male: 14.9 years female: 15.1 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 2.692% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 Birth rate: 47.84 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 Death rate: 12.09 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 Net migration rate: -8.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 175 Urbanization: urban population: 13% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 64.82 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 33 male: 68.46 deaths/1,000 live births female: 61.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 52.72 years country comparison to the world: 200 male: 51.66 years female: 53.81 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.77 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 5.4% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 940,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 77,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria, plague, and African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) water contact disease: schistosomiasis animal contact disease: rabies (2009) Nationality: noun: Ugandan(s) adjective: Ugandan Ethnic groups: Baganda 16.9%, Banyakole 9.5%, Basoga 8.4%, Bakiga 6.9%, Iteso 6.4%, Langi 6.1%, Acholi 4.7%, Bagisu 4.6%, Lugbara 4.2%, Bunyoro 2.7%, other 29.6% (2002 census) Religions: Roman Catholic 41.9%, Protestant 42% (Anglican 35.9%, Pentecostal 4.6%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.5%), Muslim 12.1%, other 3.1%, none 0.9% (2002 census) Languages: English (official national language, taught in grade schools, used in courts of law and by most newspapers and some radio broadcasts), Ganda or Luganda (most widely used of the Niger-Congo languages, preferred for native language publications in the capital and may be taught in school), other Niger-Congo languages, Nilo-Saharan languages, Swahili, Arabic Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 66.8% male: 76.8% female: 57.7% (2002 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 10 years male: 11 years female: 10 years (2004) Education expenditures: 5.2% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 61 Government ::Uganda Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Uganda conventional short form: Uganda Government type: republic Capital: name: Kampala geographic coordinates: 0 19 N, 32 25 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 80 districts; Abim, Adjumani, Amolatar, Amuria, Amuru, Apac, Arua, Budaka, Bududa, Bugiri, Bukedea, Bukwa, Bulisa, Bundibugyo, Bushenyi, Busia, Butaleja, Dokolo, Gulu, Hoima, Ibanda, Iganga, Isingiro, Jinja, Kaabong, Kabale, Kabarole, Kaberamaido, Kalangala, Kaliro, Kampala, Kamuli, Kamwenge, Kanungu, Kapchorwa, Kasese, Katakwi, Kayunga, Kibale, Kiboga, Kiruhara, Kisoro, Kitgum, Koboko, Kotido, Kumi, Kyenjojo, Lira, Luwero, Lyantonde, Manafwa, Maracha, Masaka, Masindi, Mayuge, Mbale, Mbarara, Mityana, Moroto, Moyo, Mpigi, Mubende, Mukono, Nakapiripirit, Nakaseke, Nakasongola, Namutumba, Nebbi, Ntungamo, Oyam, Pader, Pallisa, Rakai, Rukungiri, Sembabule, Sironko, Soroti, Tororo, Wakiso, Yumbe Independence: 9 October 1962 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 9 October (1962) Constitution: 8 October 1995; amended in 2005 note: the amendments in 2005 removed presidential term limits and legalized a multiparty political system Legal system: in 1995, the government restored the legal system to one based on English common law and customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI (since seizing power 26 January 1986); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI (since seizing power 26 January 1986); Prime Minister Apolo NSIBAMBI (since 5 April 1999); note - the prime minister assists the president in the supervision of the cabinet cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among elected legislators elections: president reelected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 23 February 2006 (next to be held in February 2011) election results: Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI elected president; percent of vote - Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI 59.3%, Kizza BESIGYE 37.4%, other 3.3% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (332 seats; 215 members elected by popular vote, 104 nominated by legally established special interest groups [women 79, army 10, disabled 5, youth 5, labor 5], 13 ex officio members; serve five-year terms) elections: last held 23 February 2006 (next to be held in February 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NRM 191, FDC 37, UPC 9, DP 8, CP 1, JEEMA 1, independents 36, other 49 Judicial branch: Court of Appeal (judges are appointed by the president and approved by the legislature); High Court (judges are appointed by the president) Political parties and leaders: Conservative Party or CP [Ken LUKYAMUZI]; Democratic Party or DP [Kizito SSEBAANA]; Forum for Democratic Change or FDC [Kizza BESIGYE]; Justice Forum or JEEMA [Muhammad Kibirige MAYANJA]; National Resistance Movement or NRM [Yoweri MUSEVENI]; Peoples Progressive Party or PPP [Bidandi SSALI]; Ugandan People's Congress or UPC [Miria OBOTE] note: a national referendum in July 2005 opened the way for Uganda's transition to a multi-party political system Political pressure groups and leaders: Lord's Resistance Army or LRA [Joseph KONY]; Young Parliamentary Association [Henry BANYENZAKI]; Parliamentary Advocacy Forum or PAFO; National Association of Women Organizations in Uganda or NAWOU [Florence NEKYON]; The Ugandan Coalition for Political Accountability to Women or COPAW International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, C, COMESA, EAC, EADB, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, NAM, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Perezi Karukubiro KAMUNANWIRE chancery: 5911 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 telephone: [1] (202) 726-7100 through 7102, 0416 FAX: [1] (202) 726-1727 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Steven BROWNING embassy: 1577 Ggaba Road, Kampala mailing address: P. O. Box 7007, Kampala telephone: [256] (414) 259 791 through 93, 95 FAX: [256] (414) 258-794 Flag description: six equal horizontal bands of black (top), yellow, red, black, yellow, and red; a white disk is superimposed at the center and depicts a red-crested crane (the national symbol) facing the hoist side Economy ::Uganda Economy - overview: Uganda has substantial natural resources, including fertile soils, regular rainfall, sizable mineral deposits of copper, cobalt, gold, and other minerals, and recently discovered oil. Agriculture is the most important sector of the economy, employing over 80% of the work force. Coffee accounts for the bulk of export revenues. Since 1986, the government - with the support of foreign countries and international agencies - has acted to rehabilitate and stabilize the economy by undertaking currency reform, raising producer prices on export crops, increasing prices of petroleum products, and improving civil service wages. The policy changes are especially aimed at dampening inflation and boosting production and export earnings. During 1990-2001, the economy turned in a solid performance based on continued investment in the rehabilitation of infrastructure, improved incentives for production and exports, reduced inflation, gradually improved domestic security, and the return of exiled Indian-Ugandan entrepreneurs. Growth continues to be solid, despite variability in the price of coffee, Uganda's principal export, and a consistent upturn in Uganda's export markets. In 2000, Uganda qualified for enhanced Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) debt relief worth $1.3 billion and Paris Club debt relief worth $145 million. These amounts combined with the original HIPC debt relief added up to about $2 billion. GDP (purchasing power parity): $40.08 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 $37 billion (2007 est.) $34.21 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $14.57 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 8.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 8.2% (2007 est.) 7.1% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $1,300 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 204 $1,200 (2007 est.) $1,200 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 21.5% industry: 24.6% services: 53.9% (2008 est.) Labor force: 14.54 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 82% industry: 5% services: 13% (1999 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Population below poverty line: 35% (2001 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 34.1% (2005) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 45.7 (2002) country comparison to the world: 41 37.4 (1996) Investment (gross fixed): 23.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 Budget: revenues: $2.621 billion expenditures: $2.939 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2008 est.) Public debt: 18.8% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 73.9% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 12.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 170 6.1% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 19.42% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 16 14.68% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 20.45% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 20 19.11% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $1.488 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 78 $1.347 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $1.485 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 90 $1.258 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $1.464 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 98 $640.3 million (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) $NA (31 December 2007) $116.3 million (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: coffee, tea, cotton, tobacco, cassava (tapioca), potatoes, corn, millet, pulses, cut flowers; beef, goat meat, milk, poultry Industries: sugar, brewing, tobacco, cotton textiles; cement, steel production Industrial production growth rate: 7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 Electricity - production: 2.256 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 Electricity - consumption: 2.068 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 134 Electricity - exports: 30 million kWh (2007) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: bbl/day NA Oil - consumption: 13,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 160 Oil - imports: 13,090 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 97 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 Current account balance: -$1.088 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 -$744.7 million (2007 est.) Exports: $2.688 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 $1.686 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: coffee, fish and fish products, tea, cotton, flowers, horticultural products; gold Exports - partners: Sudan 14.3%, Kenya 9.5%, Switzerland 9%, Rwanda 7.9%, UAE 7.4%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 7.3%, UK 6.9%, Netherlands 4.7%, Germany 4.4% (2008) Imports: $3.98 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 $2.983 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: capital equipment, vehicles, petroleum, medical supplies; cereals Imports - partners: UAE 11.4%, Kenya 11.3%, India 10.4%, China 8.1%, South Africa 6.7%, Japan 5.9% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $2.301 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 $2.56 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $1.835 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 137 $1.498 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $NA Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Exchange rates: Ugandan shillings (UGX) per US dollar - 1,658.1 (2008 est.), 1,685.8 (2007), 1,834.9 (2006), 1,780.7 (2005), 1,810.3 (2004) Communications ::Uganda Telephones - main lines in use: 168,500 (2008) country comparison to the world: 128 Telephones - mobile cellular: 8.555 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 68 Telephone system: general assessment: seriously inadequate; mobile cellular service is increasing rapidly, but the number of main lines is still deficient; e-mail and Internet services are available domestic: intercity traffic by wire, microwave radio relay, and radiotelephone communication stations, fixed and mobile-cellular systems for short-range traffic international: country code - 256; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Inmarsat; analog links to Kenya and Tanzania Radio broadcast stations: AM 7, FM 33, shortwave 2 (2001) Television broadcast stations: 8 (plus 1 repeater) (2001) Internet country code: .ug Internet hosts: 6,757 (2009) country comparison to the world: 131 Internet users: 2.5 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 64 Transportation ::Uganda Airports: 35 (2009) country comparison to the world: 109 Airports - with paved runways: total: 5 over 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 30 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 8 (2009) Railways: total: 1,244 km country comparison to the world: 84 narrow gauge: 1,244 km 1.000-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 70,746 km country comparison to the world: 67 paved: 16,272 km unpaved: 54,474 km (2003) Waterways: on Lake Victoria, 200 km on Lake Albert, Lake Kyoga, and parts of Albert Nile (2008) Ports and terminals: Entebbe, Jinja, Port Bell Military ::Uganda Military branches: Uganda Peoples Defense Force (UPDF): Army (includes Marine Unit), Air Force (2007) Military service age and obligation: 18-26 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military duty; 18-30 years of age for professionals; 9-year service obligation; the government has stated that recruitment below 18 years of age could occur with proper consent and that "no person under the apparent age of 13 years shall be enrolled in the armed forces"; Ugandan citizenship and secondary education required (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 6,532,894 females age 16-49: 6,352,416 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 3,996,597 females age 16-49: 3,899,717 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 399,134 female: 395,505 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 2.2% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 76 Transnational Issues ::Uganda Disputes - international: Uganda is subject to armed fighting among hostile ethnic groups, rebels, armed gangs, militias, and various government forces that extend across its borders; Uganda hosts 209,860 Sudanese, 27,560 Congolese, and 19,710 Rwandan refugees, while Ugandan refugees as well as members of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) seek shelter in southern Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo's Garamba National Park; LRA forces have also attacked Kenyan villages across the border Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 215,700 (Sudan); 28,880 (Democratic Republic of Congo); 24,900 (Rwanda) IDPs: 1.27 million (350,000 IDPs returned in 2006 following ongoing peace talks between the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) and the Government of Uganda) (2007) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Ukraine (Europe) Introduction ::Ukraine Background: Ukraine was the center of the first eastern Slavic state, Kyivan Rus, which during the 10th and 11th centuries was the largest and most powerful state in Europe. Weakened by internecine quarrels and Mongol invasions, Kyivan Rus was incorporated into the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and eventually into the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The cultural and religious legacy of Kyivan Rus laid the foundation for Ukrainian nationalism through subsequent centuries. A new Ukrainian state, the Cossack Hetmanate, was established during the mid-17th century after an uprising against the Poles. Despite continuous Muscovite pressure, the Hetmanate managed to remain autonomous for well over 100 years. During the latter part of the 18th century, most Ukrainian ethnographic territory was absorbed by the Russian Empire. Following the collapse of czarist Russia in 1917, Ukraine was able to bring about a short-lived period of independence (1917-20), but was reconquered and forced to endure a brutal Soviet rule that engineered two artificial famines (1921-22 and 1932-33) in which over 8 million died. In World War II, German and Soviet armies were responsible for some 7 to 8 million more deaths. Although final independence for Ukraine was achieved in 1991 with the dissolution of the USSR, democracy remained elusive as the legacy of state control and endemic corruption stalled efforts at economic reform, privatization, and civil liberties. A peaceful mass protest "Orange Revolution" in the closing months of 2004 forced the authorities to overturn a rigged presidential election and to allow a new internationally monitored vote that swept into power a reformist slate under Viktor YUSHCHENKO. Subsequent internal squabbles in the YUSHCHENKO camp allowed his rival Viktor YANUKOVYCH to stage a comeback in parliamentary elections and become prime minister in August of 2006. An early legislative election, brought on by a political crisis in the spring of 2007, saw Yuliya TYMOSHENKO, as head of an "Orange" coalition, installed as a new prime minister in December 2007. Geography ::Ukraine Location: Eastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Poland, Romania, and Moldova in the west and Russia in the east Geographic coordinates: 49 00 N, 32 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 603,550 sq km country comparison to the world: 45 land: 579,330 sq km water: 24,220 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Texas Land boundaries: total: 4,566 km border countries: Belarus 891 km, Hungary 103 km, Moldova 940 km, Poland 428 km, Romania (south) 176 km, Romania (southwest) 362 km, Russia 1,576 km, Slovakia 90 km Coastline: 2,782 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m or to the depth of exploitation Climate: temperate continental; Mediterranean only on the southern Crimean coast; precipitation disproportionately distributed, highest in west and north, lesser in east and southeast; winters vary from cool along the Black Sea to cold farther inland; summers are warm across the greater part of the country, hot in the south Terrain: most of Ukraine consists of fertile plains (steppes) and plateaus, mountains being found only in the west (the Carpathians), and in the Crimean Peninsula in the extreme south Elevation extremes: lowest point: Black Sea 0 m highest point: Hora Hoverla 2,061 m Natural resources: iron ore, coal, manganese, natural gas, oil, salt, sulfur, graphite, titanium, magnesium, kaolin, nickel, mercury, timber, arable land Land use: arable land: 53.8% permanent crops: 1.5% other: 44.7% (2005) Irrigated land: 22,080 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 139.5 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 37.53 cu km/yr (12%/35%/52%) per capita: 807 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: inadequate supplies of potable water; air and water pollution; deforestation; radiation contamination in the northeast from 1986 accident at Chornobyl' Nuclear Power Plant Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds Geography - note: strategic position at the crossroads between Europe and Asia; second-largest country in Europe People ::Ukraine Population: 45,700,395 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 Age structure: 0-14 years: 13.8% (male 3,238,280/female 3,066,594) 15-64 years: 70.3% (male 15,399,488/female 16,742,612) 65 years and over: 15.9% (male 2,422,311/female 4,831,110) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 39.5 years male: 36.3 years female: 42.7 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: -0.632% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 230 Birth rate: 9.6 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 202 Death rate: 15.81 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 Net migration rate: -0.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 93 Urbanization: urban population: 68% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: -0.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.5 male(s)/female total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 8.98 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 158 male: 11.2 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.25 years country comparison to the world: 150 male: 62.37 years female: 74.5 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.26 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 211 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.6% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 440,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 19,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 Nationality: noun: Ukrainian(s) adjective: Ukrainian Ethnic groups: Ukrainian 77.8%, Russian 17.3%, Belarusian 0.6%, Moldovan 0.5%, Crimean Tatar 0.5%, Bulgarian 0.4%, Hungarian 0.3%, Romanian 0.3%, Polish 0.3%, Jewish 0.2%, other 1.8% (2001 census) Religions: Ukrainian Orthodox - Kyiv Patriarchate 50.4%, Ukrainian Orthodox - Moscow Patriarchate 26.1%, Ukrainian Greek Catholic 8%, Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox 7.2%, Roman Catholic 2.2%, Protestant 2.2%, Jewish 0.6%, other 3.2% (2006 est.) Languages: Ukrainian (official) 67%, Russian 24%, other 9% (includes small Romanian-, Polish-, and Hungarian-speaking minorities) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.4% male: 99.7% female: 99.2% (2001 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 15 years (2006) Education expenditures: 6.3% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 36 Government ::Ukraine Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Ukraine local long form: none local short form: Ukrayina former: Ukrainian National Republic, Ukrainian State, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic Government type: republic Capital: name: Kyiv (Kiev) geographic coordinates: 50 26 N, 30 31 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 24 provinces (oblasti, singular - oblast'), 1 autonomous republic* (avtonomna respublika), and 2 municipalities (mista, singular - misto) with oblast status**; Cherkasy, Chernihiv, Chernivtsi, Crimea or Avtonomna Respublika Krym* (Simferopol'), Dnipropetrovs'k, Donets'k, Ivano-Frankivs'k, Kharkiv, Kherson, Khmel'nyts'kyy, Kirovohrad, Kyiv**, Kyiv, Luhans'k, L'viv, Mykolayiv, Odesa, Poltava, Rivne, Sevastopol'**, Sumy, Ternopil', Vinnytsya, Volyn' (Luts'k), Zakarpattya (Uzhhorod), Zaporizhzhya, Zhytomyr note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses) Independence: 24 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union) National holiday: Independence Day, 24 August (1991); note - 22 January 1918, the day Ukraine first declared its independence (from Soviet Russia) and the day the short-lived Western and Central Ukrainian republics united (1919), is now celebrated as Unity Day Constitution: adopted 28 June 1996 Legal system: based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Viktor A. YUSHCHENKO (since 23 January 2005) head of government: Prime Minister Yuliya TYMOSHENKO (since 18 December 2007); First Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr TURCHYNOV (since 18 December 2007); Deputy Prime Ministers Hryhoriy NEMYRYA and Ivan VASYUNYK (since 18 December 2007) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers selected by the prime minister; the only exceptions are the foreign and defense ministers, who are chosen by the president note: there is also a National Security and Defense Council or NSDC originally created in 1992 as the National Security Council; the NSDC staff is tasked with developing national security policy on domestic and international matters and advising the president; a Presidential Secretariat helps draft presidential edicts and provides policy support to the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); note - a special repeat runoff presidential election between Viktor YUSHCHENKO and Viktor YANUKOVYCH took place on 26 December 2004 after the earlier 21 November 2004 contest - won by YANUKOVYCH - was invalidated by the Ukrainian Supreme Court because of widespread and significant violations; under constitutional reforms that went into effect 1 January 2006, the majority in parliament takes the lead in naming the prime minister election results: Viktor YUSHCHENKO elected president; percent of vote - Viktor YUSHCHENKO 52%, Viktor YANUKOVYCH 44.2% Legislative branch: unicameral Supreme Council or Verkhovna Rada (450 seats; members allocated on a proportional basis to those parties that gain 3% or more of the national electoral vote; serve five-year terms) elections: last held 30 September 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: percent of vote by party/bloc - Party of Regions 34.4%, Yuliya Tymoshenko Bloc 30.7%, Our Ukraine-People's Self Defense 14.2%, CPU 5.4%, Lytvyn bloc 4%, other parties 11.3%; seats by party/bloc - Party of Regions 175, Yuliya Tymoshenko Bloc 156, Our Ukraine-People's Self Defense 72, CPU 27, Lytvyn bloc 20 Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Constitutional Court Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Union [Volodymyr STRETOVYCH]; Communist Party of Ukraine or CPU [Petro SYMONENKO]; European Party of Ukraine [Mykola KATERYNCHUK]; Fatherland Party (Batkivshchyna) [Yuliya TYMOSHENKO]; Forward Ukraine! [Viktor MUSIYAKA]; Labor Party of Ukraine [Mykola SYROTA]; Our Ukraine [Viktor YUSHCHENKO]; Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs [Anatoliy KINAKH]; Party of the Defenders of the Fatherland [Yuriy Karmazin]; People's Movement of Ukraine (Rukh) [Borys TARASYUK]; People's Party [Volodymyr LYTVYN]; Peoples' Self-Defense [Yuriy LUTSENKO]; PORA! (It's Time!) party [Vladyslav KASKIV]; Progressive Socialist Party [Natalya VITRENKO]; Reforms and Order Party [Viktor PYNZENYK]; Party of Regions [Viktor YANUKOVYCH]; Sobor [Anatoliy MATVIYENKO]; Social Democratic Party [Yevhen KORNICHUK]; Social Democratic Party (United) or SDPU(o) [Yuriy ZAHORODNIY]; Socialist Party of Ukraine or SPU [Oleksandr MOROZ]; Ukrainian People's Party [Yuriy KOSTENKO]; United Center [Ihor Krill]; Viche [Inna BOHOSLOVSKA] Political pressure groups and leaders: Committee of Voters of Ukraine [Ihor POPOV] International organization participation: Australia Group, BSEC, CBSS (observer), CE, CEI, CIS, EAEC (observer), EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GCTU, GUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MONUC, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Oleh V. SHAMSHUR chancery: 3350 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 333-0606 FAX: [1] (202) 333-0817 consulate(s) general: Chicago, New York, San Francisco Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador William B. TAYLOR Jr. embassy: 10 Yurii Kotsiubynsky Street, 01901 Kyiv mailing address: 5850 Kiev Place, Washington, DC 20521-5850 telephone: [380] (44) 490-4000 FAX: [380] (44) 490-4085 Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of azure (top) and golden yellow represent grain fields under a blue sky Economy ::Ukraine Economy - overview: After Russia, the Ukrainian republic was far and away the most important economic component of the former Soviet Union, producing about four times the output of the next-ranking republic. Its fertile black soil generated more than one-fourth of Soviet agricultural output, and its farms provided substantial quantities of meat, milk, grain, and vegetables to other republics. Likewise, its diversified heavy industry supplied the unique equipment (for example, large diameter pipes) and raw materials to industrial and mining sites (vertical drilling apparatus) in other regions of the former USSR. Shortly after independence was ratified in December 1991, the Ukrainian Government liberalized most prices and erected a legal framework for privatization, but widespread resistance to reform within the government and the legislature soon stalled reform efforts and led to some backtracking. Output by 1999 had fallen to less than 40% of the 1991 level. Ukraine's dependence on Russia for energy supplies and the lack of significant structural reform have made the Ukrainian economy vulnerable to external shocks. Ukraine depends on imports to meet about three-fourths of its annual oil and natural gas requirements. Ukraine concluded a deal with Russia in January 2006 that almost doubled the price Ukraine pays for Russian gas. Disputes with Russia over pricing have led to periodic gas cut-offs. Outside institutions - particularly the IMF - have encouraged Ukraine to quicken the pace and scope of reforms. Ukrainian Government officials eliminated most tax and customs privileges in a March 2005 budget law, bringing more economic activity out of Ukraine's large shadow economy, but more improvements are needed, including fighting corruption, developing capital markets, and improving the legislative framework. Ukraine's economy was buoyant despite political turmoil between the prime minister and president until mid-2008. Real GDP growth exceeded 7% in 2006-07, fueled by high global prices for steel - Ukraine's top export - and by strong domestic consumption, spurred by rising pensions and wages. The drop in steel prices and Ukraine's exposure to the global financial crisis due to aggressive foreign borrowing has lowered growth in 2008 and the economy probably will contract in 2009. Ukraine reached an agreement with the IMF for a $16.5 billion standby arrangement in November 2008 to deal with the economic crisis. However, political turmoil in Ukraine as well as deteriorating external conditions are likely to hamper efforts for economic recovery. GDP (purchasing power parity): $338.6 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 $331.6 billion (2007 est.) $307.4 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $179.6 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 157 7.9% (2007 est.) 7.3% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $7,400 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 $7,200 (2007 est.) $6,600 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 9.3% industry: 31.7% services: 58.9% (2008 est.) Labor force: 21.57 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 19.4% industry: 24.2% services: 56.4% (2005) Unemployment rate: 3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 2.3% (2007 est.) note: officially registered; large number of unregistered or underemployed workers Population below poverty line: 37.7% (2003) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.4% highest 10%: 25.7% (2006) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 31 (2006) country comparison to the world: 107 29 (1999) Investment (gross fixed): 27.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 Budget: revenues: $56.55 billion expenditures: $59.24 billion; note - this is the planned, consolidated budget (2008 est.) Public debt: 10.3% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 24.7% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 25.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 213 12.8% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 12% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 53 8% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 17.49% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 71 11.33% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $29.24 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 28 $35.97 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $37.32 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 31 $41.51 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $101.1 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 38 $87.13 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $24.36 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 45 $111.8 billion (31 December 2007) $42.87 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: grain, sugar beets, sunflower seeds, vegetables; beef, milk Industries: coal, electric power, ferrous and nonferrous metals, machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food processing (especially sugar) Industrial production growth rate: -5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 167 Electricity - production: 185.2 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 Electricity - consumption: 153.1 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 Electricity - exports: 12.55 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 3.383 billion kWh (2007 est.) Oil - production: 101,300 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 Oil - consumption: 353,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 Oil - exports: 97,200 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 Oil - imports: 354,100 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 Oil - proved reserves: 395 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 Natural gas - production: 19.8 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 Natural gas - consumption: 84 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 Natural gas - exports: 3.2 billion cu m (2007) country comparison to the world: 31 Natural gas - imports: 64.2 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 Natural gas - proved reserves: 1.104 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 Current account balance: -$12.76 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 171 -$5.918 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $67.72 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 $49.84 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: ferrous and nonferrous metals, fuel and petroleum products, chemicals, machinery and transport equipment, food products Exports - partners: Russia 23.5%, Turkey 6.9%, Italy 4.4% (2008) Imports: $83.81 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 $60.41 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: energy, machinery and equipment, chemicals Imports - partners: Russia 22.7%, Germany 8.4%, Turkmenistan 6.6%, China 6.5%, Poland 5% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $31.54 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 $32.48 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $101.7 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 37 $79.96 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $41.77 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 $31.08 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $1.905 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 $895 million (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: hryvnia (UAH) per US dollar - 4.9523 (2008 est.), 5.05 (2007), 5.05 (2006), 5.1247 (2005), 5.3192 (2004) Communications ::Ukraine Telephones - main lines in use: 13.177 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 20 Telephones - mobile cellular: 55.695 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 19 Telephone system: general assessment: Ukraine's telecommunication development plan emphasizes improving domestic trunk lines, international connections, and the mobile-cellular system domestic: at independence in December 1991, Ukraine inherited a telephone system that was antiquated, inefficient, and in disrepair; more than 3.5 million applications for telephones could not be satisfied; telephone density is rising and the domestic trunk system is being improved; about one-third of Ukraine's networks are digital and a majority of regional centers now have digital switching stations; improvements in local networks and local exchanges continue to lag; the mobile-cellular telephone system's expansion has slowed, largely due to saturation of the market which had reached 120 mobile phones per 100 people by 2008 international: country code - 380; 2 new domestic trunk lines are a part of the fiber-optic Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) system and 3 Ukrainian links have been installed in the fiber-optic Trans-European Lines (TEL) project that connects 18 countries; additional international service is provided by the Italy-Turkey-Ukraine-Russia (ITUR) fiber-optic submarine cable and by an unknown number of earth stations in the Intelsat, Inmarsat, and Intersputnik satellite systems Radio broadcast stations: 524 (station frequency types NA) (2006) Television broadcast stations: 647 (2006) Internet country code: .ua Internet hosts: 706,485 (2009) country comparison to the world: 46 Internet users: 10.354 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 30 Transportation ::Ukraine Airports: 425 (2009) country comparison to the world: 18 Airports - with paved runways: total: 189 over 3,047 m: 12 2,438 to 3,047 m: 51 1,524 to 2,437 m: 24 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 96 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 236 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 214 (2009) Heliports: 7 (2009) Pipelines: gas 33,327 km; oil 4,514 km; refined products 4,211 km (2008) Railways: total: 21,655 km country comparison to the world: 13 broad gauge: 21,655 km 1.524-m gauge (9,729 km electrified) (2008) Roadways: total: 169,422 km country comparison to the world: 30 paved: 165,611 km (includes 15 km of expressways) unpaved: 3,811 km (2007) Waterways: 2,176 km (most on Dnieper River) (2007) country comparison to the world: 42 Merchant marine: total: 189 country comparison to the world: 36 by type: bulk carrier 6, cargo 141, chemical tanker 1, container 3, passenger 6, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 9, refrigerated cargo 11, roll on/roll off 7, specialized tanker 2 foreign-owned: 2 (Luxembourg 1, Russia 1) registered in other countries: 204 (Belize 7, Cambodia 34, Comoros 8, Cyprus 4, Dominica 4, Georgia 18, Liberia 25, Lithuania 1, Malta 30, Moldova 5, Mongolia 1, Panama 10, Russia 11, Saint Kitts and Nevis 9, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 11, Sierra Leone 10, Slovakia 12, Tuvalu 1, unknown 3) (2008) Ports and terminals: Feodosiya, Kerch, Kherson, Mariupol', Mykolayiv, Odesa, Yuzhnyy Military ::Ukraine Military branches: Ground Forces, Naval Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces (Viyskovo-Povitryani Syly, VPS) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18-25 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 18 months for Army and Air Force, 24 months for Navy (2004) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 11,457,562 females age 16-49: 11,767,357 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 7,056,742 females age 16-49: 9,234,591 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 269,311 female: 257,656 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.4% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 Transnational Issues ::Ukraine Disputes - international: 1997 boundary delimitation treaty with Belarus remains un-ratified due to unresolved financial claims, stalling demarcation and reducing border security; delimitation of land boundary with Russia is complete with preparations for demarcation underway; the dispute over the boundary between Russia and Ukraine through the Kerch Strait and Sea of Azov remains unresolved despite a December 2003 framework agreement and ongoing expert-level discussions; Moldova and Ukraine operate joint customs posts to monitor transit of people and commodities through Moldova's break-away Transnistria Region, which remains under OSCE supervision; the ICJ gave Ukraine until December 2006 to reply, and Romania until June 2007 to rejoin, in their dispute submitted in 2004 over Ukrainian-administered Zmiyinyy/Serpilor (Snake) Island and Black Sea maritime boundary; Romania opposes Ukraine's reopening of a navigation canal from the Danube border through Ukraine to the Black Sea Illicit drugs: limited cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for CIS consumption; some synthetic drug production for export to the West; limited government eradication program; used as transshipment point for opiates and other illicit drugs from Africa, Latin America, and Turkey to Europe and Russia; Ukraine has improved anti-money-laundering controls, resulting in its removal from the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF's) Noncooperative Countries and Territories List in February 2004; Ukraine's anti-money-laundering regime continues to be monitored by FATF page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @United Arab Emirates (Middle East) Introduction ::United Arab Emirates Background: The Trucial States of the Persian Gulf coast granted the UK control of their defense and foreign affairs in 19th century treaties. In 1971, six of these states - Abu Zaby, 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah, Dubayy, and Umm al Qaywayn - merged to form the United Arab Emirates (UAE). They were joined in 1972 by Ra's al Khaymah. The UAE's per capita GDP is on par with those of leading West European nations. Its generosity with oil revenues and its moderate foreign policy stance have allowed the UAE to play a vital role in the affairs of the region. Geography ::United Arab Emirates Location: Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia Geographic coordinates: 24 00 N, 54 00 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 83,600 sq km country comparison to the world: 114 land: 83,600 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maine Land boundaries: total: 867 km border countries: Oman 410 km, Saudi Arabia 457 km Coastline: 1,318 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Climate: desert; cooler in eastern mountains Terrain: flat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand dunes of vast desert wasteland; mountains in east Elevation extremes: lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Jabal Yibir 1,527 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas Land use: arable land: 0.77% permanent crops: 2.27% other: 96.96% (2005) Irrigated land: 760 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 0.2 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 2.3 cu km/yr (23%/9%/68%) per capita: 511 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: frequent sand and dust storms Environment - current issues: lack of natural freshwater resources compensated by desalination plants; desertification; beach pollution from oil spills Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Geography - note: strategic location along southern approaches to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil People ::United Arab Emirates Population: 4,798,491 country comparison to the world: 115 note: estimate is based on the results of the 2005 census that included a significantly higher estimate of net inmigration of non-citizens than previous estimates (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 20.4% (male 500,928/female 478,388) 15-64 years: 78.7% (male 2,768,030/female 1,008,404) 65 years and over: 0.9% (male 27,601/female 15,140) note: 73.9% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (2009 est.) Median age: total: 30.1 years male: 32 years female: 24.7 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 3.689% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 Birth rate: 16.02 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 Death rate: 2.11 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 222 Net migration rate: 22.98 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 Urbanization: urban population: 78% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 2.74 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.82 male(s)/female total population: 2.19 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 12.7 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 138 male: 14.86 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.11 years country comparison to the world: 70 male: 73.56 years female: 78.78 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.42 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.18% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Emirati(s) adjective: Emirati Ethnic groups: Emirati 19%, other Arab and Iranian 23%, South Asian 50%, other expatriates (includes Westerners and East Asians) 8% (1982) note: less than 20% are UAE citizens (1982) Religions: Muslim 96% (Shia 16%), other (includes Christian, Hindu) 4% Languages: Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 77.9% male: 76.1% female: 81.7% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 12 years (2003) Education expenditures: 1.3% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 176 Government ::United Arab Emirates Country name: conventional long form: United Arab Emirates conventional short form: none local long form: Al Imarat al Arabiyah al Muttahidah local short form: none former: Trucial Oman, Trucial States abbreviation: UAE Government type: federation with specified powers delegated to the UAE federal government and other powers reserved to member emirates Capital: name: Abu Dhabi geographic coordinates: 24 28 N, 54 22 E time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 7 emirates (imarat, singular - imarah); Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi), 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah (Sharjah), Dubayy (Dubai), Ra's al Khaymah, Umm al Qaywayn (Quwayn) Independence: 2 December 1971 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 2 December (1971) Constitution: 2 December 1971; made permanent in 1996 Legal system: based on a dual system of Sharia and civil courts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: none Executive branch: chief of state: President KHALIFA bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan (since 3 November 2004), ruler of Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) (since 4 November 2004); Vice President and Prime Minister MUHAMMAD BIN RASHID al-Maktum (since 5 January 2006) head of government: Prime Minister and Vice President MUHAMMAD bin Rashid al-Maktum (since 5 January 2006); Deputy Prime Ministers SULTAN bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan (since 20 November 1990) and HAMDAN bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan (since 20 October 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president note: there is also a Federal Supreme Council (FSC) composed of the seven emirate rulers; the FSC is the highest constitutional authority in the UAE; establishes general policies and sanctions federal legislation; meets four times a year; Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) and Dubayy (Dubai) rulers have effective veto power elections: president and vice president elected by the FSC for five-year terms (no term limits) from among the seven FSC members; election last held 3 November 2004 upon the death of the UAE's Founding Father and first President ZAYID bin Sultan al Nuhayyan (next to be held in 2009); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president election results: KHALIFA bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan elected president by a unanimous vote of the FSC; MUHAMMAD bin Rashid al-Maktum unanimously affirmed vice president after the 2006 death of his brother Sheikh Maktum bin Rashid al-Maktum Legislative branch: unicameral Federal National Council (FNC) or Majlis al-Ittihad al-Watani (40 seats; 20 members appointed by the rulers of the constituent states, 20 members elected to serve two-year terms) elections: elections for one half of the FNC (the other half remains appointed) held in the UAE on 18-20 December 2006; the new electoral college - a body of 6,689 Emiratis (including 1,189 women) appointed by the rulers of the seven emirates - were the only eligible voters and candidates; 456 candidates including 65 women ran for 20 contested FNC seats; one female from the Emirate of Abu Dhabi won a seat and 8 women were among the 20 appointed members note: reviews legislation but cannot change or veto Judicial branch: Union Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president) Political parties and leaders: none; political parties are not allowed Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Yousef bin Mani Saeed al-OTAIBA chancery: 3522 International Court NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 243-2400 FAX: [1] (202) 243-2432 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Richard G. OLSON, Jr. embassy: Embassies District, Plot 38 Sector W59-02, Street No. 4, Abu Dhabi mailing address: P. O. Box 4009, Abu Dhabi telephone: [971] (2) 414-2200 FAX: [971] (2) 414-2603 consulate(s) general: Dubai Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and black with a wider vertical red band on the hoist side Economy ::United Arab Emirates Economy - overview: The UAE has an open economy with a high per capita income and a sizable annual trade surplus. Successful efforts at economic diversification have reduced the portion of GDP based on oil and gas output to 25%. Since the discovery of oil in the UAE more than 30 years ago, the UAE has undergone a profound transformation from an impoverished region of small desert principalities to a modern state with a high standard of living. The government has increased spending on job creation and infrastructure expansion and is opening up utilities to greater private sector involvement. In April 2004, the UAE signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement with Washington and in November 2004 agreed to undertake negotiations toward a Free Trade Agreement with the US. The country's Free Trade Zones - offering 100% foreign ownership and zero taxes - are helping to attract foreign investors. Higher oil revenue, strong liquidity, housing shortages, and cheap credit in 2005-07 led to a surge in asset prices (shares and real estate) and consumer inflation. The global financial crisis and the resulting tight international credit market and falling oil prices have already begun to deflate asset prices and will result in slower economic growth for 2009. Dependence on oil and a large expatriate workforce are significant long-term challenges. The UAE's strategic plan for the next few years focuses on diversification and creating more opportunities for nationals through improved education and increased private sector employment. GDP (purchasing power parity): $206.3 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 $192 billion (2007 est.) $181.2 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $262.2 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 7.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 6% (2007 est.) 14.9% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $44,600 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 $43,200 (2007 est.) $42,500 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1.5% industry: 62.7% services: 35.7% (2008 est.) Labor force: 3.266 million country comparison to the world: 97 note: expatriates account for about 85% of the work force (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 7% industry: 15% services: 78% (2000 est.) Unemployment rate: 2.4% (2001) country comparison to the world: 25 Population below poverty line: 19.5% (2003) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Investment (gross fixed): 22.8% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 Budget: revenues: $78.74 billion expenditures: $48.31 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 40.7% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 17.6% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 15.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 196 14% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: NA% (31 December 2008) Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $49.5 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) $104.6 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $155.4 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $97.85 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 35 $224.7 billion (31 December 2007) $138.5 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: dates, vegetables, watermelons; poultry, eggs, dairy products; fish Industries: petroleum and petrochemicals; fishing, aluminum, cement, fertilizers, commercial ship repair, construction materials, some boat building, handicrafts, textiles Industrial production growth rate: 6.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 Electricity - production: 71.54 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 Electricity - consumption: 65.98 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 36 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 3.046 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 8 Oil - consumption: 463,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 33 Oil - exports: 2.7 million bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 Oil - imports: 192,900 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 Oil - proved reserves: 97.8 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 Natural gas - production: 50.24 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 Natural gas - consumption: 59.42 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 Natural gas - exports: 7.567 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 24 Natural gas - imports: 16.75 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 Natural gas - proved reserves: 6.071 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 Current account balance: $22.31 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 $25.84 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $239.2 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 $170.4 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: crude oil 45%, natural gas, reexports, dried fish, dates Exports - partners: Japan 23%, South Korea 9.4%, India 7.9%, Iran 6.5%, Thailand 5.3% (2008) Imports: $176.3 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 $116.6 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food Imports - partners: China 13.2%, India 10.4%, US 8.8%, Germany 6.5%, Japan 6.1%, Turkey 4.5%, Italy 4.3% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $31.69 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 $77.24 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $134.7 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 33 $61.68 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $62.69 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 $51.54 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $28.95 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 $24.95 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: Emirati dirhams (AED) per US dollar - 3.6725 (2008 est.), 3.6725 (2007), 3.6725 (2006), 3.6725 (2005), 3.6725 (2004) note: officially pegged to the US dollar since February 2002 Communications ::United Arab Emirates Telephones - main lines in use: 1.508 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 64 Telephones - mobile cellular: 9.358 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 62 Telephone system: general assessment: modern fiber-optic integrated services; digital network with rapidly growing use of mobile-cellular telephones; key centers are Abu Dhabi and Dubai domestic: microwave radio relay, fiber optic and coaxial cable international: country code - 971; linked to the international submarine cable FLAG (Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe); landing point for both the SEA-ME-WE-3 and SEA-ME-WE-4 submarine cable networks; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; tropospheric scatter to Bahrain; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia Radio broadcast stations: AM 13, FM 8, shortwave 2 (2004) Television broadcast stations: 15 (2004) Internet country code: .ae Internet hosts: 379,106 (2009) country comparison to the world: 51 Internet users: 2.922 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 60 Transportation ::United Arab Emirates Airports: 41 (2009) country comparison to the world: 102 Airports - with paved runways: total: 24 over 3,047 m: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 17 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 5 (2009) Heliports: 5 (2009) Pipelines: condensate 458 km; gas 2,129 km; liquid petroleum gas 220 km; oil 1,310 km; refined products 212 km; water 90 km (2008) Roadways: total: 4,080 km country comparison to the world: 156 paved: 4,080 km (includes 253 km of expressways) (2008) Merchant marine: total: 58 country comparison to the world: 66 by type: bulk carrier 6, cargo 9, chemical tanker 4, container 8, liquefied gas 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 24, roll on/roll off 4, specialized tanker 1 foreign-owned: 14 (Denmark 1, Greece 3, Kuwait 10) registered in other countries: 313 (Bahamas 23, Bahrain 1, Belize 5, Cambodia 2, Comoros 7, Cyprus 9, Dominica 1, Georgia 1, Gibraltar 3, Hong Kong 1, India 6, Indonesia 2, Iran 1, Jordan 13, North Korea 8, Liberia 23, Malta 5, Marshall Islands 15, Mexico 1, Netherlands 5, Panama 109, Papua New Guinea 6, Philippines 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis 18, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 9, Saudi Arabia 1, Sierra Leone 8, Singapore 12, Somalia 1, Turkey 1, UK 9, unknown 6) (2008) Ports and terminals: Mina' Zayid (Abu Dhabi), Al Fujayrah, Mina' Jabal 'Ali (Dubai), Mina' Rashid (Dubai), Mina' Saqr (Ra's al Khaymah), Khawr Fakkan (Sharjah) Military ::United Arab Emirates Military branches: United Arab Emirates Armed Forces: Army, Navy (includes Marines), Air Force and Air Defense, National Coast Guard (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age (est.) for voluntary military service; 18 years of age for officers and women; no conscription (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 2,405,884 (includes non-nationals) females age 16-49: 884,853 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 2,081,491 females age 16-49: 788,632 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 26,659 female: 23,793 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 3.1% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 Transnational Issues ::United Arab Emirates Disputes - international: boundary agreement was signed and ratified with Oman in 2003 for entire border, including Oman's Musandam Peninsula and Al Madhah enclaves, but contents of the agreement and detailed maps showing the alignment have not been published; Iran and UAE dispute Tunb Islands and Abu Musa Island, which Iran occupies Illicit drugs: the UAE is a drug transshipment point for traffickers given its proximity to Southwest Asian drug-producing countries; the UAE's position as a major financial center makes it vulnerable to money laundering; anti-money-laundering controls improving, but informal banking remains unregulated page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @United Kingdom (Europe) Introduction ::United Kingdom Background: As the dominant industrial and maritime power of the 19th century, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland played a leading role in developing parliamentary democracy and in advancing literature and science. At its zenith, the British Empire stretched over one-fourth of the earth's surface. The first half of the 20th century saw the UK's strength seriously depleted in two World Wars and the Irish republic withdraw from the union. The second half witnessed the dismantling of the Empire and the UK rebuilding itself into a modern and prosperous European nation. As one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council, a founding member of NATO, and of the Commonwealth, the UK pursues a global approach to foreign policy; it currently is weighing the degree of its integration with continental Europe. A member of the EU, it chose to remain outside the Economic and Monetary Union for the time being. Constitutional reform is also a significant issue in the UK. The Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales, and the Northern Ireland Assembly were established in 1999, but the latter was suspended until May 2007 due to wrangling over the peace process. Geography ::United Kingdom Location: Western Europe, islands including the northern one-sixth of the island of Ireland between the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea, northwest of France Geographic coordinates: 54 00 N, 2 00 W Map references: Europe Area: total: 243,610 sq km country comparison to the world: 79 land: 241,930 sq km water: 1,680 sq km note: includes Rockall and Shetland Islands Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Oregon Land boundaries: total: 360 km border countries: Ireland 360 km Coastline: 12,429 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm continental shelf: as defined in continental shelf orders or in accordance with agreed upon boundaries Climate: temperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current; more than one-half of the days are overcast Terrain: mostly rugged hills and low mountains; level to rolling plains in east and southeast Elevation extremes: lowest point: The Fens -4 m highest point: Ben Nevis 1,343 m Natural resources: coal, petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, lead, zinc, gold, tin, limestone, salt, clay, chalk, gypsum, potash, silica sand, slate, arable land Land use: arable land: 23.23% permanent crops: 0.2% other: 76.57% (2005) Irrigated land: 1,700 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 160.6 cu km (2005) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 11.75 cu km/yr (22%/75%/3%) per capita: 197 cu m/yr (1994) Natural hazards: winter windstorms; floods Environment - current issues: continues to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (has met Kyoto Protocol target of a 12.5% reduction from 1990 levels and intends to meet the legally binding target and move toward a domestic goal of a 20% cut in emissions by 2010); by 2005 the government reduced the amount of industrial and commercial waste disposed of in landfill sites to 85% of 1998 levels and recycled or composted at least 25% of household waste, increasing to 33% by 2015 Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: lies near vital North Atlantic sea lanes; only 35 km from France and linked by tunnel under the English Channel; because of heavily indented coastline, no location is more than 125 km from tidal waters People ::United Kingdom Population: 61,113,205 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 Age structure: 0-14 years: 16.7% (male 5,233,756/female 4,986,131) 15-64 years: 67.1% (male 20,774,192/female 20,246,519) 65 years and over: 16.2% (male 4,259,654/female 5,612,953) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 40.2 years male: 39.1 years female: 41.3 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.279% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 175 Birth rate: 10.65 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 182 Death rate: 10.02 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 Net migration rate: 2.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 Urbanization: urban population: 90% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 4.85 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 193 male: 5.4 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.28 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.01 years country comparison to the world: 36 male: 76.52 years female: 81.63 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.66 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 175 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 77,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 500 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 Nationality: noun: Briton(s), British (collective plural) adjective: British Ethnic groups: white (of which English 83.6%, Scottish 8.6%, Welsh 4.9%, Northern Irish 2.9%) 92.1%, black 2%, Indian 1.8%, Pakistani 1.3%, mixed 1.2%, other 1.6% (2001 census) Religions: Christian (Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist) 71.6%, Muslim 2.7%, Hindu 1%, other 1.6%, unspecified or none 23.1% (2001 census) Languages: English, Welsh (about 26% of the population of Wales), Scottish form of Gaelic (about 60,000 in Scotland) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over has completed five or more years of schooling total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 16 years male: 16 years female: 17 years (2006) Education expenditures: 5.6% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 47 Government ::United Kingdom Country name: conventional long form: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; note - Great Britain includes England, Scotland, and Wales conventional short form: United Kingdom abbreviation: UK Government type: constitutional monarchy and Commonwealth realm Capital: name: London geographic coordinates: 51 30 N, 0 10 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October note: applies to the United Kingdom proper, not to its overseas dependencies or territories Administrative divisions: England: 34 two-tier counties, 32 London boroughs and 1 City of London or Greater London, 36 metropolitan counties, 46 unitary authorities two-tier counties: Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Cheshire, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Devon, Dorset, Durham, East Sussex, Essex, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, North Yorkshire, Northamptonshire, Northumberland, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Shropshire, Somerset, Staffordshire, Suffolk, Surrey, Warwickshire, West Sussex, Wiltshire, Worcestershire London boroughs and City of London or Greater London: Barking and Dagenham, Barnet, Bexley, Brent, Bromley, Camden, Croydon, Ealing, Enfield, Greenwich, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, Haringey, Harrow, Havering, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Kingston upon Thames, Lambeth, Lewisham, City of London, Merton, Newham, Redbridge, Richmond upon Thames, Southwark, Sutton, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, Wandsworth, Westminster metropolitan counties: Barnsley, Birmingham, Bolton, Bradford, Bury, Calderdale, Coventry, Doncaster, Dudley, Gateshead, Kirklees, Knowlsey, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside, Oldham, Rochdale, Rotherham, Salford, Sandwell, Sefton, Sheffield, Solihull, South Tyneside, St. Helens, Stockport, Sunderland, Tameside, Trafford, Wakefield, Walsall, Wigan, Wirral, Wolverhampton unitary authorities: Bath and North East Somerset, Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool, Bournemouth, Bracknell Forest, Brighton and Hove, City of Bristol, Darlington, Derby, East Riding of Yorkshire, Halton, Hartlepool, County of Herefordshire, Isle of Wight, City of Kingston upon Hull, Leicester, Luton, Medway, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes, North East Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire, North Somerset, Nottingham, Peterborough, Plymouth, Poole, Portsmouth, Reading, Redcar and Cleveland, Rutland, Slough, South Gloucestershire, Southampton, Southend-on-Sea, Stockton-on-Tees, Stoke-on-Trent, Swindon, Telford and Wrekin, Thurrock, Torbay, Warrington, West Berkshire, Windsor and Maidenhead, Wokingham, York Northern Ireland: 26 district council areas district council areas: Antrim, Ards, Armagh, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Banbridge, Belfast, Carrickfergus, Castlereagh, Coleraine, Cookstown, Craigavon, Derry, Down, Dungannon, Fermanagh, Larne, Limavady, Lisburn, Magherafelt, Moyle, Newry and Mourne, Newtownabbey, North Down, Omagh, Strabane Scotland: 32 unitary authorities unitary authorities: Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Argyll and Bute, Clackmannanshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Dundee City, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Lothian, East Renfrewshire, City of Edinburgh, Eilean Siar (Western Isles), Falkirk, Fife, Glasgow City, Highland, Inverclyde, Midlothian, Moray, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Orkney Islands, Perth and Kinross, Renfrewshire, Shetland Islands, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, Stirling, The Scottish Borders, West Dunbartonshire, West Lothian Wales: 22 unitary authorities unitary authorities: Blaenau Gwent; Bridgend; Caerphilly; Cardiff; Carmarthenshire; Ceredigion; Conwy; Denbighshire; Flintshire; Gwynedd; Isle of Anglesey; Merthyr Tydfil; Monmouthshire; Neath Port Talbot; Newport; Pembrokeshire; Powys; Rhondda, Cynon, Taff; Swansea; The Vale of Glamorgan; Torfaen; Wrexham Dependent areas: Anguilla, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Pitcairn Islands, Saint Helena, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands Independence: 1927; England has existed as a unified entity since the 10th century; the union between England and Wales, begun in 1284 with the Statute of Rhuddlan, was not formalized until 1536 with an Act of Union; in another Act of Union in 1707, England and Scotland agreed to permanently join as Great Britain; the legislative union of Great Britain and Ireland was implemented in 1801, with the adoption of the name the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland; the Anglo-Irish treaty of 1921 formalized a partition of Ireland; six northern Irish counties remained part of the United Kingdom as Northern Ireland and the current name of the country, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, was adopted in 1927 National holiday: the UK does not celebrate one particular national holiday Constitution: unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice Legal system: based on common law tradition with early Roman and modern continental influences; has nonbinding judicial review of Acts of Parliament under the Human Rights Act of 1998; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Heir Apparent Prince CHARLES (son of the queen, born 14 November 1948) head of government: Prime Minister James Gordon BROWN (since 27 June 2007) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the prime minister elections: the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually the prime minister Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of House of Lords (618 seats; consisting of approximately 500 life peers, 92 hereditary peers, and 26 clergy) and House of Commons (646 seats since 2005 elections; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms unless the House is dissolved earlier) elections: House of Lords - no elections (note - in 1999, as provided by the House of Lords Act, elections were held in the House of Lords to determine the 92 hereditary peers who would remain there; elections are held only as vacancies in the hereditary peerage arise); House of Commons - last held 5 May 2005 (next to be held by June 2010) election results: House of Commons - percent of vote by party - Labor 35.2%, Conservative 32.3%, Liberal Democrats 22%, other 10.5%; seats by party - Labor 355, Conservative 198, Liberal Democrat 62, other 31; seats by party in the House of Commons as of 21 November 2008 - Labor 350, Conservative 192, Liberal Democrat 63, Scottish National Party/Plaid Cymru 10, Democratic Unionist 9, Sinn Fein 5, other 17 note: in 1998 elections were held for a Northern Ireland Assembly (because of unresolved disputes among existing parties, the transfer of power from London to Northern Ireland came only at the end of 1999 and has been suspended four times, the latest occurring in October 2002 and lasting until 8 May 2007); in 1999, the UK held the first elections for a Scottish Parliament and a Welsh Assembly, the most recent of which were held in May 2007 Judicial branch: House of Lords (highest court of appeal; several Lords of Appeal in Ordinary are appointed by the monarch for life); Supreme Courts of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (comprising the Courts of Appeal, the High Courts of Justice, and the Crown Courts); Scotland's Court of Session and Court of the Justiciary Political parties and leaders: Conservative [David CAMERON]; Democratic Unionist Party or DUP (Northern Ireland) [Peter ROBINSON]; Labor Party [Gordon BROWN]; Liberal Democrats (Lib Dems) [Nick CLEGG]; Party of Wales (Plaid Cymru) [Ieuan Wyn JONES]; Scottish National Party or SNP [Alex SALMOND]; Sinn Fein (Northern Ireland) [Gerry ADAMS]; Social Democratic and Labor Party or SDLP (Northern Ireland) [Mark DURKAN]; Ulster Unionist Party (Northern Ireland) [Sir Reg EMPEY] Political pressure groups and leaders: Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament; Confederation of British Industry; National Farmers' Union; Trades Union Congress International organization participation: ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, BIS, C, CBSS (observer), CDB, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, G-20, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), SECI (observer), UN, UN Security Council, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Sir Nigel E. SHEINWALD chancery: 3100 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 588-6500 FAX: [1] (202) 588-7870 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco consulate(s): Dallas, Denver, Orlando Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert Holmes TUTTLE embassy: 24 Grosvenor Square, London, W1A 1AE mailing address: PSC 801, Box 40, FPO AE 09498-4040 telephone: [44] (0) 20 7499-9000 FAX: [44] (0) 20 7629-9124 consulate(s) general: Belfast, Edinburgh Flag description: blue field with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England) edged in white superimposed on the diagonal red cross of Saint Patrick (patron saint of Ireland), which is superimposed on the diagonal white cross of Saint Andrew (patron saint of Scotland); properly known as the Union Flag, but commonly called the Union Jack; the design and colors (especially the Blue Ensign) have been the basis for a number of other flags including other Commonwealth countries and their constituent states or provinces, and British overseas territories Economy ::United Kingdom Economy - overview: The UK, a leading trading power and financial center, is one of the quintet of trillion dollar economies of Western Europe. Over the past two decades, the government has greatly reduced public ownership and contained the growth of social welfare programs. Agriculture is intensive, highly mechanized, and efficient by European standards, producing about 60% of food needs with less than 2% of the labor force. The UK has large coal, natural gas, and oil resources, but its oil and natural gas reserves are declining and the UK became a net importer of energy in 2005; energy industries now contribute about 4% to GDP. Services, particularly banking, insurance, and business services, account by far for the largest proportion of GDP while industry continues to decline in importance. Since emerging from recession in 1992, Britain's economy enjoyed the longest period of expansion on record during which time growth outpaced most of Western Europe. The global economic slowdown, tight credit, and falling home prices, however, pushed Britain back into recession in the latter half of 2008 and prompted the BROWN government to implement a number of new measures to stimulate the economy and stabilize the financial markets; these include part-nationalizing the banking system, cutting taxes, suspending public sector borrowing rules, and bringing forward public spending on capital projects. The Bank of England periodically coordinates interest rate moves with the European Central Bank, but Britain remains outside the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), and opinion polls show a majority of Britons oppose joining the euro. GDP (purchasing power parity): $2.236 trillion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 8 $2.22 trillion (2007 est.) $2.164 trillion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $2.68 trillion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 0.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 188 2.6% (2007 est.) 2.9% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $36,700 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 $36,500 (2007 est.) $35,700 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1.3% industry: 24.2% services: 74.5% (2008 est.) Labor force: 31.23 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 1.4% industry: 18.2% services: 80.4% (2006 est.) Unemployment rate: 5.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 5.3% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 14% (2006 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.1% highest 10%: 28.5% (1999) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 34 (2005) country comparison to the world: 92 36.8 (1999) Investment (gross fixed): 16.7% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 134 Budget: revenues: $1.056 trillion expenditures: $1.214 trillion (2008 est.) Public debt: 51.8% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 39.6% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 2.3% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 0.86% (31 December 2008) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 4.63% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 137 5.52% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $5.277 trillion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 5 $3.859 trillion (31 December 2007) $3.794 trillion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: cereals, oilseed, potatoes, vegetables; cattle, sheep, poultry; fish Industries: machine tools, electric power equipment, automation equipment, railroad equipment, shipbuilding, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, electronics and communications equipment, metals, chemicals, coal, petroleum, paper and paper products, food processing, textiles, clothing, other consumer goods Industrial production growth rate: -2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 154 Electricity - production: 368.6 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 Electricity - consumption: 345.8 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 Electricity - exports: 1.272 billion kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 12.29 billion kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 1.584 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 Oil - consumption: 1.71 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 Oil - exports: 1.602 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 Oil - imports: 1.651 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 13 Oil - proved reserves: 3.41 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 Natural gas - production: 69.9 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 Natural gas - consumption: 95.94 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 Natural gas - exports: 10.5 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 19 Natural gas - imports: 36.54 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 Natural gas - proved reserves: 342.9 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 Current account balance: -$45.68 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 185 -$78.78 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $466.3 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 $442 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: manufactured goods, fuels, chemicals; food, beverages, tobacco Exports - partners: US 13.8%, Germany 11.5%, Netherlands 7.8%, France 7.6%, Ireland 7.5%, Belgium 5.3%, Spain 4.1% (2008) Imports: $639.3 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 $620.7 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: manufactured goods, machinery, fuels; foodstuffs Imports - partners: Germany 13.1%, US 8.7%, China 7.5%, Netherlands 7.4%, France 6.8%, Norway 6%, Belgium 4.7%, Italy 4.1% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $52.98 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 $57.3 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $9.041 trillion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 2 $11.26 trillion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $1.445 trillion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 $1.348 trillion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $1.567 trillion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 $1.705 trillion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: British pounds (GBP) per US dollar - 0.5302 (2008 est.), 0.4993 (2007), 0.5418 (2006), 0.5493 (2005), 0.5462 (2004) Communications ::United Kingdom Telephones - main lines in use: 33.209 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 9 Telephones - mobile cellular: 75.565 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 11 Telephone system: general assessment: technologically advanced domestic and international system domestic: equal mix of buried cables, microwave radio relay, and fiber-optic systems international: country code - 44; numerous submarine cables provide links throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and US; satellite earth stations - 10 Intelsat (7 Atlantic Ocean and 3 Indian Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region), and 1 Eutelsat; at least 8 large international switching centers Radio broadcast stations: AM 206, FM 696, shortwave 3 (2008) Television broadcast stations: 940 (2008) Internet country code: .uk Internet hosts: 9.322 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 11 Internet users: 48.755 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 7 Transportation ::United Kingdom Airports: 506 (2009) country comparison to the world: 14 Airports - with paved runways: total: 307 over 3,047 m: 9 2,438 to 3,047 m: 32 1,524 to 2,437 m: 125 914 to 1,523 m: 77 under 914 m: 64 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 199 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 22 under 914 m: 173 (2009) Heliports: 11 (2009) Pipelines: condensate 43 km; gas 7,541 km; liquid petroleum gas 59 km; oil 699 km; refined products 4,417 km (2008) Railways: total: 16,454 km country comparison to the world: 17 broad gauge: 303 km 1.600-m gauge (in Northern Ireland) standard gauge: 16,151 km 1.435-m gauge (5,248 km electrified) (2008) Roadways: total: 398,366 km country comparison to the world: 16 paved: 398,366 km (includes 3,520 km of expressways) (2006) Waterways: 3,200 km (620 km used for commerce) (2008) country comparison to the world: 32 Merchant marine: total: 518 country comparison to the world: 22 by type: bulk carrier 33, cargo 67, carrier 5, chemical tanker 61, container 180, liquefied gas 18, passenger 10, passenger/cargo 67, petroleum tanker 23, refrigerated cargo 12, roll on/roll off 24, vehicle carrier 18 foreign-owned: 264 (Cyprus 2, Denmark 62, Finland 1, France 23, Germany 76, Hong Kong 2, Ireland 1, Italy 5, Japan 4, NZ 1, Norway 31, South Africa 3, Spain 1, Sweden 17, Switzerland 1, Taiwan 11, Turkey 2, UAE 9, US 12) registered in other countries: 391 (Algeria 11, Antigua and Barbuda 9, Argentina 4, Australia 5, Bahamas 56, Barbados 9, Belize 5, Bermuda 3, Brunei 1, Cape Verde 1, Cayman Islands 3, Cyprus 19, Gibraltar 2, Greece 32, Hong Kong 39, India 2, Italy 7, South Korea 1, Liberia 20, Luxembourg 8, Malta 19, Marshall Islands 18, Netherlands 2, Norway 5, Panama 59, Saint Kitts and Nevis 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 14, Sierra Leone 2, Singapore 17, Slovakia 1, Spain 5, Sweden 2, Thailand 5, Tonga 1, US 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Dover, Felixstowe, Immingham, Liverpool, London, Southampton, Teesport (England); Forth Ports, Hound Point (Scotland); Milford Haven (Wales) Military ::United Kingdom Military branches: Army, Royal Navy (includes Royal Marines), Royal Air Force (2009) Military service age and obligation: 16-33 years of age (officers 17-28) for voluntary military service (with parental consent under 18); women serve in military services, but are excluded from ground combat positions and some naval postings; must be citizen of the UK, Commonwealth, or Republic of Ireland; reservists serve a minimum of 3 years, to age 45 or 55; 16 years of age for voluntary military service by Nepalese citizens in the Brigade of the Gurkhas; 16-34 years of age for voluntary military service by Papua New Guinean citizens (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 14,729,500 females age 16-49: 14,125,600 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 12,123,900 females age 16-49: 11,616,769 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 393,892 female: 376,351 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 2.4% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 Transnational Issues ::United Kingdom Disputes - international: in 2002, Gibraltar residents voted overwhelmingly by referendum to reject any "shared sovereignty" arrangement between the UK and Spain; the Government of Gibraltar insists on equal participation in talks between the two countries; Spain disapproves of UK plans to grant Gibraltar greater autonomy; Mauritius and Seychelles claim the Chagos Archipelago (British Indian Ocean Territory), and its former inhabitants since their eviction in 1965; most Chagossians reside in Mauritius, and in 2001 were granted UK citizenship, where some have since resettled; in May 2006, the High Court of London reversed the UK Government's 2004 orders of council that banned habitation on the islands; UK rejects sovereignty talks requested by Argentina, which still claims the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands; territorial claim in Antarctica (British Antarctic Territory) overlaps Argentine claim and partially overlaps Chilean claim; Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm Illicit drugs: producer of limited amounts of synthetic drugs and synthetic precursor chemicals; major consumer of Southwest Asian heroin, Latin American cocaine, and synthetic drugs; money-laundering center page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @United States (North America) Introduction ::United States Background: Britain's American colonies broke with the mother country in 1776 and were recognized as the new nation of the United States of America following the Treaty of Paris in 1783. During the 19th and 20th centuries, 37 new states were added to the original 13 as the nation expanded across the North American continent and acquired a number of overseas possessions. The two most traumatic experiences in the nation's history were the Civil War (1861-65), in which a northern Union of states defeated a secessionist Confederacy of 11 southern slave states, and the Great Depression of the 1930s, an economic downturn during which about a quarter of the labor force lost its jobs. Buoyed by victories in World Wars I and II and the end of the Cold War in 1991, the US remains the world's most powerful nation state. The economy is marked by steady growth, low unemployment and inflation, and rapid advances in technology. Geography ::United States Location: North America, bordering both the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Pacific Ocean, between Canada and Mexico Geographic coordinates: 38 00 N, 97 00 W Map references: North America Area: total: 9,826,675 sq km country comparison to the world: 3 land: 9,161,966 sq km water: 664,709 sq km note: includes only the 50 states and District of Columbia Area - comparative: about half the size of Russia; about three-tenths the size of Africa; about half the size of South America (or slightly larger than Brazil); slightly larger than China; more than twice the size of the European Union Land boundaries: total: 12,034 km border countries: Canada 8,893 km (including 2,477 km with Alaska), Mexico 3,141 km note: US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba is leased by the US and is part of Cuba; the base boundary is 28 km Coastline: 19,924 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: not specified Climate: mostly temperate, but tropical in Hawaii and Florida, arctic in Alaska, semiarid in the great plains west of the Mississippi River, and arid in the Great Basin of the southwest; low winter temperatures in the northwest are ameliorated occasionally in January and February by warm chinook winds from the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains Terrain: vast central plain, mountains in west, hills and low mountains in east; rugged mountains and broad river valleys in Alaska; rugged, volcanic topography in Hawaii Elevation extremes: lowest point: Death Valley -86 m highest point: Mount McKinley 6,198 m Natural resources: coal, copper, lead, molybdenum, phosphates, uranium, bauxite, gold, iron, mercury, nickel, potash, silver, tungsten, zinc, petroleum, natural gas, timber note: the US has the world's largest coal reserves with 491 billion short tons accounting for 27% of the world's total Land use: arable land: 18.01% permanent crops: 0.21% other: 81.78% (2005) Irrigated land: 223,850 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 3,069 cu km (1985) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 477 cu km/yr (13%/46%/41%) per capita: 1,600 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: tsunamis; volcanoes; earthquake activity around Pacific Basin; hurricanes along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts; tornadoes in the midwest and southeast; mud slides in California; forest fires in the west; flooding; permafrost in northern Alaska, a major impediment to development Environment - current issues: air pollution resulting in acid rain in both the US and Canada; the US is the largest single emitter of carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels; water pollution from runoff of pesticides and fertilizers; limited natural fresh water resources in much of the western part of the country require careful management; desertification Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Hazardous Wastes Geography - note: world's third-largest country by size (after Russia and Canada) and by population (after China and India); Mt. McKinley is highest point in North America and Death Valley the lowest point on the continent People ::United States Population: 307,212,123 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 Age structure: 0-14 years: 20.2% (male 31,639,127/female 30,305,704) 15-64 years: 67% (male 102,665,043/female 103,129,321) 65 years and over: 12.8% (male 16,901,232/female 22,571,696) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 36.7 years male: 35.4 years female: 38 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.975% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 Birth rate: 13.82 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 Death rate: 8.38 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 101 Net migration rate: 4.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 Urbanization: urban population: 82% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 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: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 6.26 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 180 male: 6.94 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.11 years country comparison to the world: 50 male: 75.65 years female: 80.69 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.05 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 125 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.6% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 1.2 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 22,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 Nationality: noun: American(s) adjective: American Ethnic groups: white 79.96%, black 12.85%, Asian 4.43%, Amerindian and Alaska native 0.97%, native Hawaiian and other Pacific islander 0.18%, two or more races 1.61% (July 2007 estimate) note: a separate listing for Hispanic is not included because the US Census Bureau considers Hispanic to mean persons of Spanish/Hispanic/Latino origin including those of Mexican, Cuban, Puerto Rican, Dominican Republic, Spanish, and Central or South American origin living in the US who may be of any race or ethnic group (white, black, Asian, etc.); about 15.1% of the total US population is Hispanic Religions: Protestant 51.3%, Roman Catholic 23.9%, Mormon 1.7%, other Christian 1.6%, Jewish 1.7%, Buddhist 0.7%, Muslim 0.6%, other or unspecified 2.5%, unaffiliated 12.1%, none 4% (2007 est.) Languages: English 82.1%, Spanish 10.7%, other Indo-European 3.8%, Asian and Pacific island 2.7%, other 0.7% (2000 census) note: Hawaiian is an official language in the state of Hawaii Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 16 years male: 15 years female: 16 years (2006) Education expenditures: 5.3% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 57 Government ::United States Country name: conventional long form: United States of America conventional short form: United States abbreviation: US or USA Government type: Constitution-based federal republic; strong democratic tradition Capital: name: Washington, DC geographic coordinates: 38 53 N, 77 02 W time difference: UTC-5 (during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November note: the 50 United States cover six time zones Administrative divisions: 50 states and 1 district*; Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia*, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming Dependent areas: American Samoa, Baker Island, Guam, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Navassa Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Palmyra Atoll, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Wake Island note: from 18 July 1947 until 1 October 1994, the US administered the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands; it entered into a political relationship with all four political units: the Northern Mariana Islands is a commonwealth in political union with the US (effective 3 November 1986); the Republic of the Marshall Islands signed a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective 21 October 1986); the Federated States of Micronesia signed a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective 3 November 1986); Palau concluded a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective 1 October 1994) Independence: 4 July 1776 (from Great Britain) National holiday: Independence Day, 4 July (1776) Constitution: 17 September 1787, effective 4 March 1789 Legal system: federal court system based on English common law; each state has its own unique legal system, of which all but one (Louisiana, which is still influenced by the Napoleonic Code) is based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph BIDEN (since 20 January 2009) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with Senate approval elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by a college of representatives who are elected directly from each state; president and vice president serve four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held on 6 November 2012) election results: Barack H. OBAMA elected president; percent of popular vote - Barack H. OBAMA 52.4%, John MCCAIN 46.3%, other 1.3%; Legislative branch: bicameral Congress consists of the Senate (100 seats, 2 members are elected from each state by popular vote to serve six-year terms; one-third are elected every two years) and the House of Representatives (435 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held November 2010); House of Representatives - last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2010) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 57, Republican Party 41, independent 2; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 257, Republican Party 178 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (nine justices; nominated by the president and confirmed with the advice and consent of the Senate; appointed to serve for life); United States Courts of Appeal; United States District Courts; State and County Courts Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party [Timothy KAINE]; Green Party; Libertarian Party [William (Bill) REDPATH]; Republican Party [Michael STEELE] Political pressure groups and leaders: environmentalists; business groups; labor unions; churches; ethnic groups; political action committees or PAC; health groups; education groups; civic groups; youth groups; transportation groups; agricultural groups; veterans groups; women's groups; reform lobbies International organization participation: ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), ANZUS, APEC, Arctic Council, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS (observer), CE (observer), CERN (observer), CP, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, G-20, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAFTA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), SECI (observer), SPC, UN, UN Security Council, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Flag description: 13 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing 50 small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars (top and bottom) alternating with rows of five stars; the 50 stars represent the 50 states, the 13 stripes represent the 13 original colonies; known as Old Glory; the design and colors have been the basis for a number of other flags, including Chile, Liberia, Malaysia, and Puerto Rico Economy ::United States Economy - overview: The US has the largest and most technologically powerful economy in the world, with a per capita GDP of $46,900. In this market-oriented economy, private individuals and business firms make most of the decisions, and the federal and state governments buy needed goods and services predominantly in the private marketplace. US business firms enjoy greater flexibility than their counterparts in Western Europe and Japan in decisions to expand capital plant, to lay off surplus workers, and to develop new products. At the same time, they face higher barriers to enter their rivals' home markets than foreign firms face entering US markets. US firms are at or near the forefront in technological advances, especially in computers and in medical, aerospace, and military equipment; their advantage has narrowed since the end of World War II. The onrush of technology largely explains the gradual development of a "two-tier labor market" in which those at the bottom lack the education and the professional/technical skills of those at the top and, more and more, fail to get comparable pay raises, health insurance coverage, and other benefits. Since 1975, practically all the gains in household income have gone to the top 20% of households. The war in March-April 2003 between a US-led coalition and Iraq, and the subsequent occupation of Iraq, required major shifts in national resources to the military. Hurricane Katrina caused extensive damage in the Gulf Coast region in August 2005, but had a small impact on overall GDP growth for the year. Soaring oil prices between 2005 and the first half of 2008 threatened inflation and unemployment, as higher gasoline prices ate into consumers' budgets. Imported oil accounts for about two-thirds of US consumption. Long-term problems include inadequate investment in economic infrastructure, rapidly rising medical and pension costs of an aging population, sizable trade and budget deficits, and stagnation of family income in the lower economic groups. The merchandise trade deficit reached a record $819 billion in 2007 and $821 billion in 2008. The global economic downturn, the sub-prime mortgage crisis, investment bank failures, falling home prices, and tight credit pushed the United States into a recession by mid-2008. To help stabilize financial markets, the US Congress established a $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) in October 2008. The government used some of these funds to purchase equity in US banks and other industrial corporations. In January 2009 the US Congress passed and President Barack OBAMA signed a bill providing an additional $787 billion fiscal stimulus - two-thirds on additional spending and one-third on tax cuts - to create jobs and to help the economy recover. GDP (purchasing power parity): $14.44 trillion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 $14.38 trillion (2007 est.) $14.09 trillion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $14.44 trillion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 0.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 193 2.1% (2007 est.) 2.7% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $47,500 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 $47,700 (2007 est.) $47,200 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1.2% industry: 19.2% services: 79.6% (2008 est.) Labor force: 154.3 million (includes unemployed) (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 Labor force - by occupation: farming, forestry, and fishing 0.6%, manufacturing, extraction, transportation, and crafts 22.6%, managerial, professional, and technical 35.5%, sales and office 24.8%, other services 16.5% note: figures exclude the unemployed (2007) Unemployment rate: 5.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 4.6% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 12% (2004 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 30% (2007 est.) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 45 (2007) country comparison to the world: 44 40.8 (1997) Investment (gross fixed): 14.3% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 Budget: revenues: $2.524 trillion expenditures: $2.978 trillion (2008 est.) Public debt: 37.5% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 65% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 59 2.9% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 0.5% (31 March 2009) country comparison to the world: 110 4.83% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 5.09% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 105 8.05% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $1.436 trillion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 4 $1.395 trillion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $10.99 trillion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 1 $7.466 trillion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $15.06 trillion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 2 $14.21 trillion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 1 $19.95 trillion (31 December 2007) $19.43 trillion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: wheat, corn, other grains, fruits, vegetables, cotton; beef, pork, poultry, dairy products; fish; forest products Industries: leading industrial power in the world, highly diversified and technologically advanced; petroleum, steel, motor vehicles, aerospace, telecommunications, chemicals, electronics, food processing, consumer goods, lumber, mining Industrial production growth rate: -2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 152 Electricity - production: 4.11 trillion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 Electricity - consumption: 3.873 trillion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 Electricity - exports: 24.08 billion kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 57.02 billion kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 8.514 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 Oil - consumption: 19.5 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 Oil - exports: 1.433 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 17 Oil - imports: 13.47 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 Oil - proved reserves: 21.32 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 Natural gas - production: 582.2 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 Natural gas - consumption: 657.2 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 Natural gas - exports: 28.49 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 10 Natural gas - imports: 112.7 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 Natural gas - proved reserves: 6.731 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 Current account balance: -$706.1 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 190 -$731.2 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $1.277 trillion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 $1.148 trillion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: agricultural products (soybeans, fruit, corn) 9.2%, industrial supplies (organic chemicals) 26.8%, capital goods (transistors, aircraft, motor vehicle parts, computers, telecommunications equipment) 49.0%, consumer goods (automobiles, medicines) 15.0% (2003) Exports - partners: Canada 20.1%, Mexico 11.7%, China 5.5%, Japan 5.1%, Germany 4.2%, UK 4.1% (2008) Imports: $2.117 trillion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 $1.968 trillion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: agricultural products 4.9%, industrial supplies 32.9% (crude oil 8.2%), capital goods 30.4% (computers, telecommunications equipment, motor vehicle parts, office machines, electric power machinery), consumer goods 31.8% (automobiles, clothing, medicines, furniture, toys) (2003) Imports - partners: China 16.5%, Canada 15.7%, Mexico 10.1%, Japan 6.6%, Germany 4.6% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $77.65 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 $70.57 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $13.75 trillion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 1 $13.43 trillion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $2.367 trillion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 $2.093 trillion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $3.162 trillion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 $2.791 trillion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: British pounds per US dollar: 0.5302 (2008), 0.4993 (2007), 0.5418 (2006), 0.5493 (2005), 0.5462 (2004) Canadian dollars per US dollar: 1.0364 (2008), 1.0724 (2007), 1.1334 (2006), 1.2118 (2005), 1.3010 (2004) Chinese yuan per US dollar: 6.9385 (2008), 7.61 (2007), 7.97 (2006), 8.1943 (2005), 8.2768 (2004) euros per US dollar: 0.6827 (2008), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Japanese yen per US dollar: 103.58 (2008), 117.99 (2007), 116.18 (2006) 110.22 (2005), 108.19 (2004) Communications ::United States Telephones - main lines in use: 150 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 2 Telephones - mobile cellular: 270 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 3 Telephone system: general assessment: a large, technologically advanced, multipurpose communications system domestic: a large system of fiber-optic cable, microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, and domestic satellites carries every form of telephone traffic; a rapidly growing cellular system carries mobile telephone traffic throughout the country international: country code - 1; multiple ocean cable systems provide international connectivity; satellite earth stations - 61 Intelsat (45 Atlantic Ocean and 16 Pacific Ocean), 5 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region), and 4 Inmarsat (Pacific and Atlantic Ocean regions) (2000) Radio broadcast stations: AM 4,789, FM 8,961, shortwave 19 (2006) Television broadcast stations: 2,218 (2006) Internet country code: .us Internet hosts: 383 million (2009); note - the US Internet total host count includes the following top level domain host addresses: .us, .com, .edu, .gov, .mil, .net, and .org country comparison to the world: 1 Internet users: 231 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 2 Transportation ::United States Airports: 15,095 (2009) country comparison to the world: 1 Airports - with paved runways: total: 5,174 over 3,047 m: 190 2,438 to 3,047 m: 229 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1,477 914 to 1,523 m: 2,309 under 914 m: 969 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 9,921 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 158 914 to 1,523 m: 1,757 under 914 m: 8,000 (2009) Heliports: 126 (2009) Pipelines: petroleum products 244,620 km; natural gas 548,665 km (2006) Railways: total: 226,427 km country comparison to the world: 1 standard gauge: 226,427 km 1.435-m gauge (2007) Roadways: total: 6,465,799 km country comparison to the world: 1 paved: 4,209,835 km (includes 75,040 km of expressways) unpaved: 2,255,964 km (2007) Waterways: 41,009 km (19,312 km used for commerce) country comparison to the world: 4 note: Saint Lawrence Seaway of 3,769 km, including the Saint Lawrence River of 3,058 km, shared with Canada (2008) Merchant marine: total: 422 country comparison to the world: 24 by type: barge carrier 6, bulk carrier 61, cargo 69, carrier 2, chemical tanker 22, container 81, passenger 19, passenger/cargo 59, petroleum tanker 53, refrigerated cargo 3, roll on/roll off 25, vehicle carrier 22 foreign-owned: 74 (Australia 1, Denmark 31, Germany 5, Japan 7, Malaysia 2, Netherlands 1, Norway 9, Singapore 12, Sweden 5, UK 1) registered in other countries: 732 (Antigua and Barbuda 8, Australia 2, Bahamas 106, Bermuda 23, Cambodia 6, Canada 10, Cayman Islands 42, Comoros 2, Cyprus 5, Ecuador 1, Greece 8, Hong Kong 29, Ireland 2, Isle of Man 4, Italy 17, South Korea 7, Liberia 98, Luxembourg 4, Malta 23, Marshall Islands 123, Netherlands 14, Netherlands Antilles 1, Norway 8, Panama 126, Portugal 1, Puerto Rico 3, Russia 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 18, Sierra Leone 1, Singapore 22, Trinidad and Tobago 1, Tuvalu 1, UK 12, Vanuatu 1, unknown 2) (2008) Ports and terminals: Corpus Christi, Duluth, Hampton Roads, Houston, Long Beach, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, Tampa, Texas City Military ::United States Military branches: United States Armed Forces: US Army, US Navy (includes Marine Corps), US Air Force, US Coast Guard; note - Coast Guard administered in peacetime by the Department of Homeland Security, but in wartime reports to the Department of the Navy (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age (17 years of age with parental consent) for male and female voluntary service; maximum enlistment age 42 (Army), 27 (Air Force), 34 (Navy), 28 (Marines); service obligation 8 years, including 2-5 years active duty (Army), 2 years active (Navy), 4 years active (Air Force, Marines) (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 72,715,332 females age 16-49: 71,638,785 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 59,764,677 females age 16-49: 59,437,663 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 2,196,124 female: 2,085,085 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 4.06% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 Transnational Issues ::United States Disputes - international: the U.S. has intensified domestic security measures and is collaborating closely with its neighbors, Canada and Mexico, to monitor and control legal and illegal personnel, transport, and commodities across the international borders; abundant rainfall in recent years along much of the Mexico-US border region has ameliorated periodically strained water-sharing arrangements; 1990 Maritime Boundary Agreement in the Bering Sea still awaits Russian Duma ratification; managed maritime boundary disputes with Canada at Dixon Entrance, Beaufort Sea, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and around the disputed Machias Seal Island and North Rock; The Bahamas and US have not been able to agree on a maritime boundary; US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay is leased from Cuba and only mutual agreement or US abandonment of the area can terminate the lease; Haiti claims US-administered Navassa Island; US has made no territorial claim in Antarctica (but has reserved the right to do so) and does not recognize the claims of any other states; Marshall Islands claims Wake Island; Tokelau included American Samoa's Swains Island among the islands listed in its 2006 draft constitution Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): the US admitted 62,643 refugees during FY04/05 including; 10,586 (Somalia); 8,549 (Laos); 6,666 (Russia); 6,479 (Cuba); 3,100 (Haiti); 2,136 (Iran) (2006) Illicit drugs: world's largest consumer of cocaine (shipped from Colombia through Mexico and the Caribbean), Colombian heroin, and Mexican heroin and marijuana; major consumer of ecstasy and Mexican methamphetamine; minor consumer of high-quality Southeast Asian heroin; illicit producer of cannabis, marijuana, depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, and methamphetamine; money-laundering center page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges (Australia-Oceania) Introduction ::United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges Background: All of the following US Pacific island territories except Midway Atoll constitute the Pacific Remote Islands National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Complex and as such are managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior. Midway Atoll NWR has been included in a Refuge Complex with the Hawaiian Islands NWR and also designated as part of Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. These remote refuges are the most widespread collection of marine- and terrestrial-life protected areas on the planet under a single country's jurisdiction. They sustain many endemic species including corals, fish, shellfish, marine mammals, seabirds, water birds, land birds, insects, and vegetation not found elsewhere. Baker Island: The US took possession of the island in 1857. Its guano deposits were mined by US and British companies during the second half of the 19th century. In 1935, a short-lived attempt at colonization began on this island but was disrupted by World War II and thereafter abandoned. The island was established as a NWR in 1974. Howland Island: Discovered by the US early in the 19th century, the uninhabited atoll was officially claimed by the US in 1857. Both US and British companies mined for guano deposits until about 1890. In 1935, a short-lived attempt at colonization began on this island, similar to the effort on nearby Baker Island, but was disrupted by World War II and thereafter abandoned. The famed American aviatrix Amelia EARHART disappeared while seeking out Howland Island as a refueling stop during her 1937 round-the-world flight; Earhart Light, a day beacon near the middle of the west coast, was named in her memory. The island was established as a NWR in 1974. Jarvis Island: First discovered by the British in 1821, the uninhabited island was annexed by the US in 1858 but abandoned in 1879 after tons of guano had been removed. The UK annexed the island in 1889 but never carried out plans for further exploitation. The US occupied and reclaimed the island in 1935. It was abandoned in 1942 during World War II. The island was established as a NWR in 1974. Johnston Atoll: Both the US and the Kingdom of Hawaii annexed Johnston Atoll in 1858, but it was the US that mined the guano deposits until the late 1880s. Johnston and Sand Islands were designated wildlife refuges in 1926. The US Navy took over the atoll in 1934. Subsequently, the US Air Force assumed control in 1948. The site was used for high-altitude nuclear tests in the 1950s and 1960s. Until late in 2000 the atoll was maintained as a storage and disposal site for chemical weapons. Munitions destruction, cleanup, and closure of the facility were completed by May 2005. The Fish and Wildlife Service and the US Air Force are currently discussing future management options; in the interim, Johnston Atoll and the three-mile Naval Defensive Sea around it remain under the jurisdiction and administrative control of the US Air Force. Kingman Reef: The US annexed the reef in 1922. Its sheltered lagoon served as a way station for flying boats on Hawaii-to-American Samoa flights during the late 1930s. There are no terrestrial plants on the reef, which is frequently awash, but it does support abundant and diverse marine fauna and flora. In 2001, the waters surrounding the reef out to 12 nm were designated a US NWR. Midway Islands: The US took formal possession of the islands in 1867. The laying of the trans-Pacific cable, which passed through the islands, brought the first residents in 1903. Between 1935 and 1947, Midway was used as a refueling stop for trans-Pacific flights. The US naval victory over a Japanese fleet off Midway in 1942 was one of the turning points of World War II. The islands continued to serve as a naval station until closed in 1993. Today the islands are a NWR and are the site of the world's largest Laysan albatross colony. Palmyra Atoll: The Kingdom of Hawaii claimed the atoll in 1862, and the US included it among the Hawaiian Islands when it annexed the archipelago in 1898. The Hawaii Statehood Act of 1959 did not include Palmyra Atoll, which is now partly privately owned by the Nature Conservancy with the rest owned by the Federal government and managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. These organizations are managing the atoll as a wildlife refuge. The lagoons and surrounding waters within the 12 nm US territorial seas were transferred to the US Fish and Wildlife Service and designated as a NWR in January 2001. Geography ::United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges Location: Oceania Baker Island: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 1,830 nm (3,389 km) southwest of Honolulu, about half way between Hawaii and Australia Howland Island: island in the North Pacific Ocean 1,815 nm (3,361 km) southwest of Honolulu, about half way between Hawaii and Australia Jarvis Island: island in the South Pacific Ocean 1,305 nm (2,417 km) south of Honolulu, about half way between Hawaii and Cook Islands Johnston Atoll: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 717 nm (1,328 km) southwest of Honolulu, about one-third of the way from Hawaii to the Marshall Islands Kingman Reef: reef in the North Pacific Ocean 930 nm (1,722 km) south of Honolulu, about half way between Hawaii and American Samoa Midway Islands: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 1,260 nm (2,334 km) northwest of Honolulu near the end of the Hawaiian Archipelago, about one-third of the way from Honolulu to Tokyo Palmyra Atoll: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 960 nm (1,778 km) south of Honolulu, about half way between Hawaii and American Samoa Geographic coordinates: Baker Island: 0 13 N, 176 28 W Howland Island: 0 48 N, 176 38 W Jarvis Island: 0 23 S, 160 01 W Johnston Atoll: 16 45 N, 169 31 W Kingman Reef: 6 23 N, 162 25 W Midway Islands: 28 12 N, 177 22 W Palmyra Atoll: 5 53 N, 162 05 W Map references: Oceania Area: total - 6,959.41 sq km; emergent land - 22.41 sq km; submerged - 6,937 sq km country comparison to the world: 237 Baker Island: total - 129.1 sq km; emergent land - 2.1 sq km; submerged - 127 sq km Howland Island: total - 138.6 sq km; emergent land - 2.6 sq km; submerged - 136 sq km Jarvis Island: total - 152 sq km; emergent land - 5 sq km; submerged - 147 sq km Johnston Atoll: total - 276.6 sq km; emergent land - 2.6 sq km; submerged - 274 sq km Kingman Reef: total - 1,958.01 sq km; emergent land - 0.01 sq km; submerged - 1,958 sq km Midway Islands: total - 2,355.2 sq km; emergent land - 6.2 sq km; submerged - 2,349 sq km Palmyra Atoll: total - 1,949.9 sq km; emergent land - 3.9 sq km; submerged - 1,946 sq km Area - comparative: Baker Island: about two and a half times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Howland Island: about three times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Jarvis Island: about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Johnston Atoll: about four and a half times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Kingman Reef: a little more than one and a half times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Midway Islands: about nine times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Palmyra Atoll: about 20 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: Baker Island: 4.8 km Howland Island: 6.4 km Jarvis Island: 8 km Johnston Atoll: 34 km Kingman Reef: 3 km Midway Islands: 15 km Palmyra Atoll: 14.5 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands: equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun Johnston Atoll and Kingman Reef: tropical, but generally dry; consistent northeast trade winds with little seasonal temperature variation Midway Islands: subtropical with cool, moist winters (December to February) and warm, dry summers (May to October); moderated by prevailing easterly winds; most of the 1,067 mm (42 in) of annual rainfall occurs during the winter Palmyra Atoll: equatorial, hot; located within the low pressure area of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) where the northeast and southeast trade winds meet, it is extremely wet with between 4,000-5,000 mm (160-200 in) of rainfall each year Terrain: low and nearly level sandy coral islands with narrow fringing reefs that have developed at the top of submerged volcanic mountains, which in most cases rise steeply from the ocean floor Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Baker Island, unnamed location - 8 m; Howland Island, unnamed location - 3 m; Jarvis Island, unnamed location - 7 m; Johnston Atoll, Sand Island - 10 m; Kingman Reef, unnamed location - less than 2 m; Midway Islands, unnamed location - 13 m; Palmyra Atoll, unnamed location - 3 m Natural resources: terrestrial and aquatic wildlife Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2008) Natural hazards: Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands: the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard Kingman Reef: wet or awash most of the time, maximum elevation of less than 2 m makes Kingman Reef a maritime hazard Midway Islands, Johnston, and Palmyra Atolls: NA Environment - current issues: Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands, and Johnston Atoll: no natural fresh water resources Kingman Reef: none Midway Islands and Palmyra Atoll: NA Geography - note: Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands: scattered vegetation consisting of grasses, prostrate vines, and low growing shrubs; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife; closed to the public Johnston Atoll: Johnston Island and Sand Island are natural islands, which have been expanded by coral dredging; North Island (Akau) and East Island (Hikina) are manmade islands formed from coral dredging; the egg-shaped reef is 34 km in circumference; closed to the public Kingman Reef: barren coral atoll with deep interior lagoon; closed to the public Midway Islands: a coral atoll managed as a NWR and open to the public for wildlife-related recreation in the form of wildlife observation and photography Palmyra Atoll: the high rainfall and resulting lush vegetation make the environment of this atoll unique among the US Pacific Island territories; supports a large undisturbed stand of Pisonia beach forest People ::United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: public entry is by special-use permit from US Fish and Wildlife Service only and generally restricted to scientists and educators; visited annually by US Fish and Wildlife Service Johnston Atoll: in previous years, an average of 1,100 US military and civilian contractor personnel were present; as of May 2005, all US government personnel had left the island Midway Islands: approximately 40 people make up the staff of US Fish and Wildlife Service and their services contractor living at the atoll Palmyra Atoll: four to 20 Nature Conservancy, US Fish and Wildlife staff, and researchers Government ::United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Baker Island; Howland Island; Jarvis Island; Johnston Atoll; Kingman Reef; Midway Islands; Palmyra Atoll Dependency status: unincorporated territories of the US; administered from Washington, DC by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system note on Palmyra Atoll: incorporated Territory of the US; partly privately owned and partly federally owned; administered from Washington, DC by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior; the Office of Insular Affairs of the US Department of the Interior continues to administer nine excluded areas comprising certain tidal and submerged lands within the 12 nm territorial sea or within the lagoon Legal system: the laws of the US, where applicable, apply Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territories of the US) Flag description: the flag of the US is used Economy ::United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges Economy - overview: no economic activity Transportation ::United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges Airports: Baker Island: one abandoned World War II runway of 1,665 m covered with vegetation and unusable Howland Island: airstrip constructed in 1937 for scheduled refueling stop on the round-the-world flight of Amelia EARHART and Fred NOONAN; the aviators left Lae, New Guinea, for Howland Island but were never seen again; the airstrip is no longer serviceable Johnston Atoll: one closed and not maintained Kingman Reef: lagoon was used as a halfway station between Hawaii and American Samoa by Pan American Airways for flying boats in 1937 and 1938 Midway Islands: 3 - one operational (2,409 m paved); no fuel for sale except emergencies Palmyra Atoll: 1 - 1,846 m unpaved runway; privately owned (2008) Ports and terminals: Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands, and Kingman Reef: none; offshore anchorage only Johnston Atoll: Johnston Island Midway Islands: Sand Island Palmyra Atoll: West Lagoon Military ::United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US Transnational Issues ::United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges Disputes - international: none page last updated on August 26, 2009 ====================================================================== @Uruguay (South America) Introduction ::Uruguay Background: Montevideo, founded by the Spanish in 1726 as a military stronghold, soon took advantage of its natural harbor to become an important commercial center. Claimed by Argentina but annexed by Brazil in 1821, Uruguay declared its independence four years later and secured its freedom in 1828 after a three-year struggle. The administrations of President Jose BATLLE in the early 20th century established widespread political, social, and economic reforms that established a statist tradition. A violent Marxist urban guerrilla movement named the Tupamaros, launched in the late 1960s, led Uruguay's president to cede control of the government to the military in 1973. By yearend, the rebels had been crushed, but the military continued to expand its hold over the government. Civilian rule was not restored until 1985. In 2004, the left-of-center Frente Amplio Coalition won national elections that effectively ended 170 years of political control previously held by the Colorado and Blanco parties. Uruguay's political and labor conditions are among the freest on the continent. Geography ::Uruguay Location: Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Argentina and Brazil Geographic coordinates: 33 00 S, 56 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 176,215 sq km country comparison to the world: 90 land: 175,015 sq km water: 1,200 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than the state of Washington Land boundaries: total: 1,648 km border countries: Argentina 580 km, Brazil 1,068 km Coastline: 660 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or edge of continental margin Climate: warm temperate; freezing temperatures almost unknown Terrain: mostly rolling plains and low hills; fertile coastal lowland Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Cerro Catedral 514 m Natural resources: arable land, hydropower, minor minerals, fisheries Land use: arable land: 7.77% permanent crops: 0.24% other: 91.99% (2005) Irrigated land: 2,100 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 139 cu km (2000) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 3.15 cu km/yr (2%/1%/96%) per capita: 910 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: seasonally high winds (the pampero is a chilly and occasional violent wind that blows north from the Argentine pampas), droughts, floods; because of the absence of mountains, which act as weather barriers, all locations are particularly vulnerable to rapid changes from weather fronts Environment - current issues: water pollution from meat packing/tannery industry; inadequate solid/hazardous waste disposal Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: second-smallest South American country (after Suriname); most of the low-lying landscape (three-quarters of the country) is grassland, ideal for cattle and sheep raising People ::Uruguay Population: 3,494,382 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 131 Age structure: 0-14 years: 22.4% (male 397,942/female 385,253) 15-64 years: 64.3% (male 1,115,963/female 1,129,478) 65 years and over: 13.3% (male 187,176/female 278,570) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 33.4 years male: 32 years female: 34.8 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.466% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 157 Birth rate: 13.91 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 152 Death rate: 9.09 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 Net migration rate: -0.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 Urbanization: urban population: 92% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 11.32 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 150 male: 12.73 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.87 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.35 years country comparison to the world: 68 male: 73.1 years female: 79.72 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.92 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 141 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.6% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 10,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 500 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 87 Nationality: noun: Uruguayan(s) adjective: Uruguayan Ethnic groups: white 88%, mestizo 8%, black 4%, Amerindian (practically nonexistent) Religions: Roman Catholic 47.1%, non-Catholic Christians 11.1%, nondenominational 23.2%, Jewish 0.3%, atheist or agnostic 17.2%, other 1.1% (2006) Languages: Spanish, Portunol, or Brazilero (Portuguese-Spanish mix on the Brazilian frontier) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: 97.6% female: 98.4% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 15 years male: 14 years female: 16 years (2006) Education expenditures: 2.9% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 148 Government ::Uruguay Country name: conventional long form: Oriental Republic of Uruguay conventional short form: Uruguay local long form: Republica Oriental del Uruguay local short form: Uruguay former: Banda Oriental, Cisplatine Province Government type: constitutional republic Capital: name: Montevideo geographic coordinates: 34 53 S, 56 11 W time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in October; ends second Sunday in March Administrative divisions: 19 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Artigas, Canelones, Cerro Largo, Colonia, Durazno, Flores, Florida, Lavalleja, Maldonado, Montevideo, Paysandu, Rio Negro, Rivera, Rocha, Salto, San Jose, Soriano, Tacuarembo, Treinta y Tres Independence: 25 August 1825 (from Brazil) National holiday: Independence Day, 25 August (1825) Constitution: 27 November 1966; effective 15 February 1967; suspended 27 June 1973; revised 26 November 1989 and 7 January 1997 Legal system: based on Spanish civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: President Tabare VAZQUEZ Rosas (since 1 March 2005); Vice President Rodolfo NIN NOVOA (since 1 March 2005); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Tabare VAZQUEZ Rosas (since 1 March 2005); Vice President Rodolfo NIN NOVOA (since 1 March 2005) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president with parliamentary approval elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms (may not serve consecutive terms); election last held 25 October 2009, with a runoff election scheduled for 29 November 2009 (next to be held in October 2014) election results: Jose MUJICA wins first round; percent of vote - Jose MUJICA 48.5%, Luis Alberto LACALLE 29.2%, Pedro BORDABERRY 17%; other 5.3%; note - a runoff election will be held on 29 November 2009 Legislative branch: bicameral General Assembly or Asamblea General consists of Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (30 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; vice president has one vote in the Senate) and Chamber of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (99 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Chamber of Senators - last held 25 October 2009 (next to be held in October 2014); Chamber of Representatives - last held 25 October 2009 (next to be held in October 2014) election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Frente Amplio 16, Blanco 9, Colorado Party 5; Chamber of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Frente Amplio 50, Blanco 30, Colorado Party 17, Independent Party 2 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges are nominated by the president and elected for 10-year terms by the General Assembly) Political parties and leaders: Broad Front (Frente Amplio) - formerly known as the Progressive Encounter/Broad Front Coalition or EP-FA [Jorge BROVETTO] (a broad governing coalition that includes Movement of the Popular Participation or MPP [Jose MUJICA], New Space Party (Nuevo Espacio) [Rafael MICHELINI], Progressive Alliance (Alianza Progresista) [Rodolfo NIN NOVOA], Socialist Party [Eduardo FERNANDEZ], the Communist Party [Marina ARISMENDI], Uruguayan Assembly (Asamblea Uruguay) [Danilo ASTORI], and Vertiente Artiguista [Mariano ARANA]); Colorado Party (Foro Batllista) [Julio Maria SANGUINETTI]; National Party or Blanco [Luis Alberto LACALLE and Jorge LARRANAGA] Political pressure groups and leaders: Architect's Society of Uruguay (professional organization); Chamber of Uruguayan Industries (manufacturer's association); Chemist and Pharmaceutical Association (professional organization); PIT/CNT (powerful federation of Uruguayan Unions - umbrella labor organization); Rural Association of Uruguay (rancher's association); Uruguayan Construction League; Uruguayan Network of Political Women other: Catholic Church; students International organization participation: CAN (associate), FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIS, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Carlos Alberto GIANELLI Derois chancery: 1913 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20006 telephone: [1] (202) 331-1313 through 1316 FAX: [1] (202) 331-8142 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York consulate(s): San Juan (Puerto Rico) Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Robin H. MATTHEWMAN embassy: Lauro Muller 1776, Montevideo 11200 mailing address: APO AA 34035 telephone: [598] (2) 418-7777 FAX: [598] (2) 418-8611 Flag description: nine equal horizontal stripes of white (top and bottom) alternating with blue; a white square in the upper hoist-side corner with a yellow sun bearing a human face known as the Sun of May with 16 rays that alternate between triangular and wavy Economy ::Uruguay Economy - overview: Uruguay's economy is characterized by an export-oriented agricultural sector, a well-educated work force, and high levels of social spending. After averaging growth of 5% annually during 1996-98, in 1999-2002 the economy suffered a major downturn, stemming largely from the spillover effects of the economic problems of its large neighbors, Argentina and Brazil. In 2001-02, Argentine citizens made massive withdrawals of dollars deposited in Uruguayan banks after bank deposits in Argentina were frozen, which led to a plunge in the Uruguayan peso, a banking crisis, and a sharp economic contraction. Real GDP fell in four years by nearly 20%, with 2002 the worst year. The unemployment rate rose, inflation surged, and the burden of external debt doubled. Financial assistance from the IMF helped stem the damage. Uruguay restructured its external debt in 2003 without asking creditors to accept a reduction on the principal. Economic growth for Uruguay resumed, and averaged 8% annually during the period 2004-08. GDP (purchasing power parity): $43.27 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 93 $39.73 billion (2007 est.) $36.99 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $32.19 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 8.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 7.4% (2007 est.) 7% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $12,400 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 $11,500 (2007 est.) $10,700 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 9.5% industry: 23.4% services: 67.1% (2008 est.) Labor force: 1.641 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 9% industry: 15% services: 76% (2007 est.) Unemployment rate: 7.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 101 9.2% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 27.4% of households (2006) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.7% highest 10%: 34.8% (2006) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 45.2 (2006) country comparison to the world: 43 44.8 (1999) Investment (gross fixed): 18.7% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 125 Budget: revenues: $8.16 billion expenditures: $8.555 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 59.8% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 64.8% of GDP (2007 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 8.1% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 10% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 39 10% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 12.45% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 118 7.25% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $2.247 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 68 $2.145 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $9.409 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 52 $7.919 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $9.096 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 73 $6.396 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 108 $159 million (31 December 2007) $125.1 million (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: rice, wheat, soybeans, barley; livestock, beef; fish; forestry Industries: food processing, electrical machinery, transportation equipment, petroleum products, textiles, chemicals, beverages Industrial production growth rate: 8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 Electricity - production: 9.265 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 93 Electricity - consumption: 7.14 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 Electricity - exports: 996 million kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 789 million kWh (2007 est.) Oil - production: 946.1 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 Oil - consumption: 41,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 Oil - exports: 7,100 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 101 Oil - imports: 52,730 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl country comparison to the world: 120 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 Natural gas - consumption: 70 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 95 Natural gas - imports: 70 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 125 Current account balance: -$1.484 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 -$82.7 million (2007 est.) Exports: $7.084 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 $5.043 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: meat, rice, leather products, wool, fish, dairy products Exports - partners: Brazil 18.7%, China 8.5%, Argentina 7.3%, Germany 6.5%, Mexico 4.9%, Netherlands 4.5%, Russia 4.3% (2008) Imports: $8.799 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 $5.598 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: crude petroleum and petroleum products, machinery, chemicals, road vehicles, paper, plastics Imports - partners: Argentina 19.9%, Brazil 16.5%, China 11.2%, US 9.9%, Paraguay 6.6%, Nigeria 4.6% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $6.36 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 $4.121 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $10.73 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 83 $11.07 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $4.19 billion (2007) country comparison to the world: 90 Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $156 million (2007) country comparison to the world: 78 Exchange rates: Uruguayan pesos (UYU) per US dollar - 20.936 (2008 est.), 23.947 (2007), 24.048 (2006), 24.479 (2005), 28.704 (2004) Communications ::Uruguay Telephones - main lines in use: 959,300 (2008) country comparison to the world: 83 Telephones - mobile cellular: 3.508 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 98 Telephone system: general assessment: fully digitalized domestic: most modern facilities concentrated in Montevideo; new nationwide microwave radio relay network; overall fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is 130 telephones per 100 persons international: country code - 598; the UNISOR submarine cable system provides direct connectivity to Brazil and Argentina; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2002) Radio broadcast stations: AM 93, FM 191, shortwave 7 (2005) Television broadcast stations: 62 (2005) Internet country code: .uy Internet hosts: 498,232 (2009) country comparison to the world: 48 Internet users: 1.34 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 79 Transportation ::Uruguay Airports: 57 (2009) country comparison to the world: 82 Airports - with paved runways: total: 9 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 48 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 20 under 914 m: 25 (2009) Pipelines: gas 226 km; oil 155 km (2008) Railways: total: 1,641 km country comparison to the world: 79 standard gauge: 1,641 km 1.435-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 77,732 km country comparison to the world: 63 paved: 7,743 km unpaved: 69,989 km (2004) Waterways: 1,600 km (2008) country comparison to the world: 52 Merchant marine: total: 17 country comparison to the world: 102 by type: cargo 3, chemical tanker 2, passenger/cargo 9, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: 10 (Argentina 3, Greece 1, Spain 6) registered in other countries: 3 (Liberia 3) (2008) Ports and terminals: Montevideo Military ::Uruguay Military branches: Uruguayan Armed Forces: Army (Ejercito), National Navy (Armada Nacional; includes naval air arm, Marine Corps (Cuerpo de Fusileros Navales, FUSNA), Maritime Prefecture in wartime), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Uruguaya, FAU) (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary and compulsory military service; enlistment is voluntary in peacetime, but the government has the authority to conscript in emergencies (2007) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 837,252 females age 16-49: 824,096 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 708,545 females age 16-49: 693,622 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 27,452 female: 26,479 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.6% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 103 Transnational Issues ::Uruguay Disputes - international: in Jan 2007, ICJ provisionally ruled Uruguay may begin construction of two paper mills on the Uruguay River, which forms the border with Argentina, while the court examines further whether Argentina has the legal right to stop such construction with potential environmental implications to both countries; uncontested dispute with Brazil over certain islands in the Quarai/Cuareim and Invernada streams and the resulting tripoint with Argentina Illicit drugs: small-scale transit country for drugs mainly bound for Europe, often through sea-borne containers; law enforcement corruption; money laundering because of strict banking secrecy laws; weak border control along Brazilian frontier; increasing consumption of cocaine base and synthetic drugs page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Uzbekistan (Central Asia) Introduction ::Uzbekistan Background: Russia conquered Uzbekistan in the late 19th century. Stiff resistance to the Red Army after World War I was eventually suppressed and a socialist republic set up in 1924. During the Soviet era, intensive production of "white gold" (cotton) and grain led to overuse of agrochemicals and the depletion of water supplies, which have left the land poisoned and the Aral Sea and certain rivers half dry. Independent since 1991, the country seeks to gradually lessen its dependence on agriculture while developing its mineral and petroleum reserves. Current concerns include terrorism by Islamic militants, economic stagnation, and the curtailment of human rights and democratization. Geography ::Uzbekistan Location: Central Asia, north of Afghanistan Geographic coordinates: 41 00 N, 64 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 447,400 sq km country comparison to the world: 56 land: 425,400 sq km water: 22,000 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than California Land boundaries: total: 6,221 km border countries: Afghanistan 137 km, Kazakhstan 2,203 km, Kyrgyzstan 1,099 km, Tajikistan 1,161 km, Turkmenistan 1,621 km Coastline: 0 km (doubly landlocked); note - Uzbekistan includes the southern portion of the Aral Sea with a 420 km shoreline Maritime claims: none (doubly landlocked) Climate: mostly midlatitude desert, long, hot summers, mild winters; semiarid grassland in east Terrain: mostly flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes; broad, flat intensely irrigated river valleys along course of Amu Darya, Syr Darya (Sirdaryo), and Zarafshon; Fergana Valley in east surrounded by mountainous Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan; shrinking Aral Sea in west Elevation extremes: lowest point: Sariqarnish Kuli -12 m highest point: Adelunga Toghi 4,301 m Natural resources: natural gas, petroleum, coal, gold, uranium, silver, copper, lead and zinc, tungsten, molybdenum Land use: arable land: 10.51% permanent crops: 0.76% other: 88.73% (2005) Irrigated land: 42,810 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 72.2 cu km (2003) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 58.34 cu km/yr (5%/2%/93%) per capita: 2,194 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: shrinkage of the Aral Sea is resulting in growing concentrations of chemical pesticides and natural salts; these substances are then blown from the increasingly exposed lake bed and contribute to desertification; water pollution from industrial wastes and the heavy use of fertilizers and pesticides is the cause of many human health disorders; increasing soil salination; soil contamination from buried nuclear processing and agricultural chemicals, including DDT Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: along with Liechtenstein, one of the only two doubly landlocked countries in the world People ::Uzbekistan Population: 27,606,007 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 Age structure: 0-14 years: 28.1% (male 3,970,386/female 3,787,371) 15-64 years: 67% (male 9,191,439/female 9,309,791) 65 years and over: 4.9% (male 576,191/female 770,829) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 24.7 years male: 24.2 years female: 25.2 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.935% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 Birth rate: 17.58 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 116 Death rate: 5.29 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 181 Net migration rate: -2.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 148 Urbanization: urban population: 37% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 23.43 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 92 male: 27.7 deaths/1,000 live births female: 18.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.96 years country comparison to the world: 123 male: 68.95 years female: 75.15 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.95 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 137 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 134 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 16,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 85 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 500 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 Nationality: noun: Uzbekistani adjective: Uzbekistani Ethnic groups: Uzbek 80%, Russian 5.5%, Tajik 5%, Kazakh 3%, Karakalpak 2.5%, Tatar 1.5%, other 2.5% (1996 est.) Religions: Muslim 88% (mostly Sunnis), Eastern Orthodox 9%, other 3% Languages: Uzbek 74.3%, Russian 14.2%, Tajik 4.4%, other 7.1% Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.3% male: 99.6% female: 99% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 11 years male: 12 years female: 11 years (2007) Education expenditures: 9.4% of GDP (1991) country comparison to the world: 7 Government ::Uzbekistan Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Uzbekistan conventional short form: Uzbekistan local long form: Ozbekiston Respublikasi local short form: Ozbekiston former: Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic Government type: republic; authoritarian presidential rule, with little power outside the executive branch Capital: name: Tashkent (Toshkent) geographic coordinates: 41 20 N, 69 18 E time difference: UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 12 provinces (viloyatlar, singular - viloyat), 1 autonomous republic* (respublika), and 1 city** (shahar); Andijon Viloyati, Buxoro Viloyati, Farg'ona Viloyati, Jizzax Viloyati, Namangan Viloyati, Navoiy Viloyati, Qashqadaryo Viloyati (Qarshi), Qoraqalpog'iston Respublikasi [Karakalpakstan]* (Nukus), Samarqand Viloyati, Sirdaryo Viloyati (Guliston), Surxondaryo Viloyati (Termiz), Toshkent Shahri**, Toshkent Viloyati, Xorazm Viloyati (Urganch) note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses) Independence: 1 September 1991 (from the Soviet Union) National holiday: Independence Day, 1 September (1991) Constitution: adopted 8 December 1992 Legal system: based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Islom KARIMOV (since 24 March 1990, when he was elected president by the then Supreme Soviet) head of government: Prime Minister Shavkat MIRZIYOYEV (since 11 December 2003); First Deputy Prime Minister Rustam AZIMOV (since 2 January 2008) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president with approval of the Supreme Assembly elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (eligible for a second term; previously was a five-year term, extended by constitutional amendment in 2002); election last held 23 December 2007 (next to be held in 2014); prime minister, ministers, and deputy ministers appointed by the president election results: Islom KARIMOV reelected president; percent of vote - Islom KARIMOV 88.1%, Asliddin RUSTAMOV 3.2%, Dilorom T0SHMUHAMEDOVA 2.9%, Akmal SAIDOV 2.6% Legislative branch: bicameral Supreme Assembly or Oliy Majlis consists of an upper house or Senate (100 seats; 84 members are elected by regional governing councils and 16 appointed by the president; to serve five-year terms) and a lower house or Legislative Chamber (120 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 26 December 2004 and 9 January 2005 (next to be held in December 2009) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; Legislative Chamber - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LDPU 41, NDP 32, Fidokorlar 17, MTP 11, Adolat 9, unaffiliated 10 note: all parties in the Supreme Assembly support President KARIMOV Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Supreme Assembly) Political parties and leaders: Adolat (Justice) Social Democratic Party [Dilorom TOSHMUHAMEDOVA]; Democratic National Rebirth Party (Milliy Tiklanish) or MTP [Hurshid DOSMUHAMMEDOV]; Fidokorlar National Democratic Party (Self-Sacrificers) [Ahtam TURSUNOV]; Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan or LDPU [Adham SHADMANOV; People's Democratic Party or NDP (formerly Communist Party) [Asliddin RUSTAMOV] Political pressure groups and leaders: Agrarian and Entrepreneurs' Party [Marat ZAHIDOV]; Birlik (Unity) Movement [Abdurahim POLAT, chairman]; Committee for the Protection of Human Rights [Marat ZAHIDOV]; Erk (Freedom) Democratic Party [Muhammad SOLIH, chairman] (was banned 9 December 1992); Ezgulik Human Rights Society [Vasila INOYATOVA]; Free Farmers' Party or Ozod Dehqonlar [Nigora HIDOYATOVA]; Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan [Talib YAKUBOV, chairman]; Independent Human Rights Organization of Uzbekistan [Mikhail ARDZINOV, chairman]; Mazlum; Sunshine Coalition [Sanjar UMAROV, chairman] International organization participation: ADB, CIS, CSTO, EAEC, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Abdulaziz KAMILOV chancery: 1746 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 887-5300 FAX: [1] (202) 293-6804 consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Richard B. NORLAND embassy: 3 Moyqo'rq'on, 5th Block, Yunusobod District, Tashkent 100093 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [998] (71) 120-5450 FAX: [998] (71) 120-6335 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and green separated by red fimbriations with a white crescent moon and 12 white stars in the upper hoist-side quadrant Economy ::Uzbekistan Economy - overview: Uzbekistan is a dry, landlocked country of which 11% consists of intensely cultivated, irrigated river valleys. More than 60% of its population lives in densely populated rural communities. Uzbekistan is now the world's second-largest cotton exporter and fifth largest producer; it relies heavily on cotton production as the major source of export earnings and has come under increasing international criticism for the use of child labor in its annual cotton harvest. Other major export earners include gold, natural gas, and oil. Following independence in September 1991, the government sought to prop up its Soviet-style command economy with subsidies and tight controls on production and prices. While aware of the need to improve the investment climate, the government still sponsors measures that often increase, not decrease, its control over business decisions. A sharp increase in the inequality of income distribution has hurt the lower ranks of society since independence. In 2003, the government accepted Article VIII obligations under the IMF, providing for full currency convertibility. However, strict currency controls and tightening of borders have lessened the effects of convertibility and have also led to some shortages that have further stifled economic activity. The Central Bank often delays or restricts convertibility, especially for consumer goods. Potential investment by Russia and China in Uzbekistan's gas and oil industry, as well as increased cooperation with South Korea in the realm of civil aviation, may boost growth prospects. In November 2005, Russian President Vladimir PUTIN and Uzbekistan President KARIMOV signed an "alliance," which included provisions for economic and business cooperation. Russian businesses have shown increased interest in Uzbekistan, especially in mining, telecom, and oil and gas. In 2006, Uzbekistan took steps to rejoin the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and the Eurasian Economic Community (EurASEC), which it subsequently left in 2008, both organizations dominated by Russia. Uzbek authorities have accused US and other foreign companies operating in Uzbekistan of violating Uzbek tax laws and have frozen their assets. GDP (purchasing power parity): $71.84 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 $65.91 billion (2007 est.) $60.19 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $27.92 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 9.5% (2007 est.) 7.3% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $2,600 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 171 $2,400 (2007 est.) $2,200 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 25.8% industry: 31.4% services: 42.8% (2008 est.) Labor force: 15.37 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 44% industry: 20% services: 36% (1995) Unemployment rate: 1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 0.8% (2007 est.) note: officially measured by the Ministry of Labor, plus another 20% underemployed Population below poverty line: 33% (2004 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 29.6% (2003) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 36.8 (2003) country comparison to the world: 80 44.7 (1998) Budget: revenues: $8.884 billion expenditures: $8.474 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 10.4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 41.5% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 14% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 185 12% (2007 est.) note: official data; based on independent analysis of consumer prices, inflation reached 38% in 2008 Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) $NA (31 December 2007) $715.3 million (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: cotton, vegetables, fruits, grain; livestock Industries: textiles, food processing, machine building, metallurgy, gold, petroleum, natural gas, chemicals Industrial production growth rate: 12.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 Electricity - production: 46.33 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 Electricity - consumption: 41.94 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 Electricity - exports: 11.44 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 11.36 billion kWh (2007 est.) Oil - production: 83,820 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 Oil - consumption: 148,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 Oil - exports: 6,104 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 Oil - imports: 35,810 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 Oil - proved reserves: 594 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 45 Natural gas - production: 67.6 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 Natural gas - consumption: 52.6 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 Natural gas - exports: 15 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 15 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 Natural gas - proved reserves: 1.841 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 Current account balance: $6.257 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 $4.267 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $10.37 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 85 $8.026 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: cotton, gold, energy products, mineral fertilizers, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, textiles, food products, machinery, automobiles Exports - partners: Ukraine 27.3%, Russia 19.6%, Turkey 7.5%, Kazakhstan 5.9%, Bangladesh 5%, China 4.3%, Japan 4.1% (2008) Imports: $7.07 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 $5.73 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, ferrous and non-ferrous metals Imports - partners: Russia 24.7%, China 15.4%, South Korea 13.6%, Ukraine 7.2%, Germany 5.5%, Kazakhstan 4.9%, Turkey 4.1% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $10.15 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 $7.413 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $4.022 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 $3.927 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $NA Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Exchange rates: Uzbekistani soum (UZS) per US dollar - 1,317 (2008 est.), 1,263.8 (2007), 1,219.8 (2006), 1,020 (2005), 971.265 (2004) Communications ::Uzbekistan Telephones - main lines in use: 1.85 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 61 Telephones - mobile cellular: 12.734 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 49 Telephone system: general assessment: antiquated and inadequate; in serious need of modernization domestic: the main line telecommunications system is dilapidated and telephone density is low; the state-owned telecommunications company, Uzbektelecom, is using loans from the Japanese government and the China Development Bank to improve mainline services; completion of conversion to digital exchanges planned for 2010; mobile services are growing rapidly, with the subscriber base reaching 12.7 million in 2008 international: country code - 998; linked by fiber-optic cable or microwave radio relay with CIS member states and to other countries by leased connection via the Moscow international gateway switch; after the completion of the Uzbek link to the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic cable, Uzbekistan plans to establish a fiber-optic connection to Afghanistan (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 12, shortwave 3 (2008) Television broadcast stations: 28 (includes 1 cable rebroadcaster in Tashkent and approximately 20 stations in regional capitals) (2006) Internet country code: .uz Internet hosts: 50,228 (2009) country comparison to the world: 83 Internet users: 2.469 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 65 Transportation ::Uzbekistan Airports: 54 (2009) country comparison to the world: 87 Airports - with paved runways: total: 33 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 13 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 4 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 21 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 under 914 m: 19 (2009) Pipelines: gas 9,706 km; oil 868 km (2008) Railways: total: 3,645 km country comparison to the world: 47 broad gauge: 3,645 km 1.520-m gauge (620 km electrified) (2008) Roadways: total: 86,496 km country comparison to the world: 55 paved: 75,511 km unpaved: 10,985 km (2000) Waterways: 1,100 km (2008) country comparison to the world: 63 Ports and terminals: Termiz (Amu Darya) Military ::Uzbekistan Military branches: Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, National Guard Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory military service; 1-year conscript service obligation; moving toward a professional military, but conscription will continue; the military cannot accommodate everyone who wishes to enlist, and competition for entrance into the military is similar to the competition for admission to universities (2007) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 7,480,484 females age 16-49: 7,542,017 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 6,340,446 females age 16-49: 6,559,769 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 313,131 female: 310,442 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 2% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 Transnational Issues ::Uzbekistan Disputes - international: prolonged drought and cotton monoculture in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan creates water-sharing difficulties for Amu Darya river states; field demarcation of the boundaries with Kazakhstan commenced in 2004; border delimitation of 130 km of border with Kyrgyzstan is hampered by serious disputes around enclaves and other areas Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 39,202 (Tajikistan); 1,060 (Afghanistan) IDPs: 3,400 (forced population transfers by government from villages near Tajikistan border) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Uzbekistan is a source country for women and girls trafficked to Kazakhstan, Russia, Middle East, and Asia for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation; men are trafficked to Kazakhstan and Russia for purposes of forced labor in the construction, cotton, and tobacco industries; men and women are also trafficked internally for the purposes of domestic servitude, forced labor in the agricultural and construction industries, and for commercial sexual exploitation tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Uzbekistan is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat severe forms of trafficking in 2007; the government did not amend its criminal code to increase penalties for convicted traffickers; in March 2008, Uzbekistan adopted ILO Conventions on minimum age of employment and on the elimination of the worst forms of child labor and is working with the ILO on implementation; the government also demonstrated its increasing commitment to combat trafficking in March 2008 by adopting a comprehensive anti-trafficking law; Uzbekistan has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008) Illicit drugs: transit country for Afghan narcotics bound for Russian and, to a lesser extent, Western European markets; limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and small amounts of opium poppy for domestic consumption; poppy cultivation almost wiped out by government crop eradication program; transit point for heroin precursor chemicals bound for Afghanistan page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Vanuatu (Australia-Oceania) Introduction ::Vanuatu Background: Multiple waves of colonizers, each speaking a distinct language, migrated to the New Hebrides in the millennia preceding European exploration in the 18th century. This settlement pattern accounts for the complex linguistic diversity found on the archipelago to this day. The British and French, who settled the New Hebrides in the 19th century, agreed in 1906 to an Anglo-French Condominium, which administered the islands until independence in 1980, when the new name of Vanuatu was adopted. Geography ::Vanuatu Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Australia Geographic coordinates: 16 00 S, 167 00 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 12,189 sq km country comparison to the world: 163 land: 12,189 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes more than 80 islands, about 65 of which are inhabited Area - comparative: slightly larger than Connecticut Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 2,528 km Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Climate: tropical; moderated by southeast trade winds from May to October; moderate rainfall from November to April; may be affected by cyclones from December to April Terrain: mostly mountainous islands of volcanic origin; narrow coastal plains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Tabwemasana 1,877 m Natural resources: manganese, hardwood forests, fish Land use: arable land: 1.64% permanent crops: 6.97% other: 91.39% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: tropical cyclones or typhoons (January to April); volcanic eruption on Aoba (Ambae) island began 27 November 2005, volcanism also causes minor earthquakes; tsunamis Environment - current issues: most of the population does not have access to a reliable supply of potable water; deforestation Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: a Y-shaped chain of four main islands and 80 smaller islands; several of the islands have active volcanoes People ::Vanuatu Population: 218,519 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 185 Age structure: 0-14 years: 30.7% (male 34,263/female 32,833) 15-64 years: 65.3% (male 72,670/female 69,970) 65 years and over: 4% (male 4,516/female 4,267) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 24.2 years male: 24.2 years female: 24.2 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.398% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 Birth rate: 21.53 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 Death rate: 7.55 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 25% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.06 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 49.45 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 51 male: 51.97 deaths/1,000 live births female: 46.81 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63.98 years country comparison to the world: 169 male: 62.37 years female: 65.66 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.5 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Ni-Vanuatu (singular and plural) adjective: Ni-Vanuatu Ethnic groups: Ni-Vanuatu 98.5%, other 1.5% (1999 Census) Religions: Presbyterian 31.4%, Anglican 13.4%, Roman Catholic 13.1%, Seventh-Day Adventist 10.8%, other Christian 13.8%, indigenous beliefs 5.6% (including Jon Frum cargo cult), other 9.6%, none 1%, unspecified 1.3% (1999 Census) Languages: local languages (more than 100) 72.6%, pidgin (known as Bislama or Bichelama) 23.1%, English 1.9%, French 1.4%, other 0.3%, unspecified 0.7% (1999 Census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 74% male: NA female: NA (1999 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 10 years male: 11 years female: 10 years (2004) Education expenditures: 9.5% of GDP (2003) country comparison to the world: 6 Government ::Vanuatu Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Vanuatu conventional short form: Vanuatu local long form: Ripablik blong Vanuatu local short form: Vanuatu former: New Hebrides Government type: parliamentary republic Capital: name: Port-Vila (on Efate) geographic coordinates: 17 44 S, 168 19 E time difference: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 6 provinces; Malampa, Penama, Sanma, Shefa, Tafea, Torba Independence: 30 July 1980 (from France and the UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 30 July (1980) Constitution: 30 July 1980 Legal system: unified system being created from former dual French and British systems; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Iolu Johnson ABIL (since 3 September 2009) head of government: Prime Minister Edward NATAPEI (since 22 September 2008); Deputy Prime Minister Ham LINI (since 22 September 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister, responsible to parliament elections: president elected for a five-year term by an electoral college consisting of parliament and the presidents of the regional councils; election for president last held 2 September 2009 (next to be held in 2014); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by parliament from among its members; election for prime minister last held 22 September 2008 (next to be held following general elections in 2012) election results: Iolu Johnson ABIL elected president, with 41 votes out of 58, on the third ballot on 2 September 2009 Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (52 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 2 September 2008 (next to be held in 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - VP 11, NUP 8, UMP 7, VRP 7, PPP 4, GC 2, MPP 1, NA 1, NAG 1, PAP 1, Shepherds Alliance 1, VFFP 1, VLP 1, VNP 1, VPRFP 1, and independent 4; note - political party associations are fluid note: the National Council of Chiefs advises on matters of culture and language Judicial branch: Supreme Court (chief justice is appointed by the president after consultation with the prime minister and the leader of the opposition, three other justices are appointed by the president on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission) Political parties and leaders: Greens Confederation or GC [Moana CARCASSES]; Jon Frum Movement or JF [Song KEASPAI]; Melanesian Progressive Party or MPP [Barak SOPE]; Nagriamel movement or NAG [Havo MOLI]; Namangi Aute or NA [Paul TELUKLUK]; National United Party or NUP [Ham LINI]; People's Action Party or PAP [Peter VUTA]; People's Progressive Party or PPP [Sato KILMAN]; Shepherds Alliance Party [leader NA]; Union of Moderate Parties or UMP [Serge VOHOR]; Vanuatu Family First Party or VFFP [Eta RORI]; Vanuatu Labor Party or VLP [Joshua KALSAKAU]; Vanuatu National Party or VNP [Issac HAMARILIU]; Vanua'aku Pati (Our Land Party) or VP [Edward NATAPEI]; Vanuatu Republican Party or VRP [Maxime Carlot KORMAN]; Vanuatu Republican Farmers Party or VPRFP [Jean RAVOU] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, ADB, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: Vanuatu does not have an embassy in the US; it does, however, have a Permanent Mission to the UN Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Vanuatu; the ambassador to Papua New Guinea is accredited to Vanuatu Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a black isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) all separated by a black-edged yellow stripe in the shape of a horizontal Y (the two points of the Y face the hoist side and enclose the triangle); centered in the triangle is a boar's tusk encircling two crossed namele leaves, all in yellow Economy ::Vanuatu Economy - overview: This South Pacific island economy is based primarily on small-scale agriculture, which provides a living for over 70% of the population. Fishing, offshore financial services, and tourism, with more than 167,000 visitors in 2007 are other mainstays of the economy. Mineral deposits are negligible; the country has no known petroleum deposits. A small light industry sector caters to the local market. Tax revenues come mainly from import duties. Economic development is hindered by dependence on relatively few commodity exports, vulnerability to natural disasters, and long distances from main markets and between constituent islands. In response to foreign concerns, the government has promised to tighten regulation of its offshore financial center. In mid-2002, the government stepped up efforts to boost tourism through improved air connections, resort development, and cruise ship facilities. Agriculture, especially livestock farming, is a second target for growth. Australia and New Zealand are the main suppliers of tourists and foreign aid. GDP (purchasing power parity): $990.8 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 200 $929.5 million (2007 est.) $870.3 million (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $573 million (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 6.8% (2007 est.) 7.2% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $4,600 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 $4,400 (2007 est.) $4,200 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 26% industry: 12% services: 62% (2000 est.) Labor force: 115,900 (2007) country comparison to the world: 175 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 65% industry: 5% services: 30% (2000 est.) Unemployment rate: 1.7% (1999) country comparison to the world: 15 Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $78.7 million expenditures: $72.23 million (2005 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.9% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 Central bank discount rate: 6% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 75 6% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 5.29% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 104 8.16% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $101.6 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 112 $107.1 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $430 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 111 $421.8 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $274 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 120 $229.5 million (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: copra, coconuts, cocoa, coffee, taro, yams, fruits, vegetables; beef; fish Industries: food and fish freezing, wood processing, meat canning Electricity - production: 42 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 200 Electricity - consumption: 39.06 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 200 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 Oil - consumption: 1,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 195 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 Oil - imports: 653.6 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 195 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 143 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 148 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 Current account balance: -$60 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 Exports: $40 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 199 Exports - commodities: copra, beef, cocoa, timber, kava, coffee Exports - partners: Thailand 83%, Japan 5.9%, Belgium 1.8% (2008) Imports: $156 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 201 Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, fuels Imports - partners: Australia 17.6%, US 15.9%, Japan 12%, Singapore 10.8%, China 8.5%, NZ 7.5%, Fiji 6.7% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $40.54 million (2003) country comparison to the world: 154 Debt - external: $81.2 million (2004) country comparison to the world: 188 Exchange rates: vatu (VUV) per US dollar - NA (2007), 111.93 (2006), NA (2005), 111.79 (2004), 122.19 (2003) Communications ::Vanuatu Telephones - main lines in use: 10,400 (2008) country comparison to the world: 203 Telephones - mobile cellular: 36,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 199 Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: country code - 678; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001) Television broadcast stations: 1 (2004) Internet country code: .vu Internet hosts: 1,023 (2009) country comparison to the world: 160 Internet users: 17,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 192 Transportation ::Vanuatu Airports: 31 (2009) country comparison to the world: 115 Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 28 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 23 (2009) Roadways: total: 1,070 km country comparison to the world: 183 paved: 256 km unpaved: 814 km (1999) Merchant marine: total: 54 country comparison to the world: 68 by type: bulk carrier 32, cargo 8, container 1, liquefied gas 2, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 4, vehicle carrier 5 foreign-owned: 54 (Australia 2, Belgium 4, Canada 5, Estonia 1, Greece 1, Japan 29, Monaco 1, Poland 7, Russia 2, Switzerland 1, US 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Forari, Port-Vila, Santo (Espiritu Santo) Military ::Vanuatu Military branches: no regular military forces; Vanuatu Police Force (VPF), Vanuatu Mobile Force (VMF; includes Police Maritime Wing (PMW)) (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 58,900 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 41,533 females age 16-49: 42,837 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 2,368 female: 2,272 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: NA Transnational Issues ::Vanuatu Disputes - international: Matthew and Hunter Islands east of New Caledonia claimed by Vanuatu and France page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Venezuela (South America) Introduction ::Venezuela Background: Venezuela was one of three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Ecuador and New Granada, which became Colombia). For most of the first half of the 20th century, Venezuela was ruled by generally benevolent military strongmen, who promoted the oil industry and allowed for some social reforms. Democratically elected governments have held sway since 1959. Hugo CHAVEZ, president since 1999, seeks to implement his "21st Century Socialism," which purports to alleviate social ills while at the same time attacking globalization and undermining regional stability. Current concerns include: a weakening of democratic institutions, political polarization, a politicized military, drug-related violence along the Colombian border, increasing internal drug consumption, overdependence on the petroleum industry with its price fluctuations, and irresponsible mining operations that are endangering the rain forest and indigenous peoples. Geography ::Venezuela Location: Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana Geographic coordinates: 8 00 N, 66 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 912,050 sq km country comparison to the world: 33 land: 882,050 sq km water: 30,000 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than twice the size of California Land boundaries: total: 4,993 km border countries: Brazil 2,200 km, Colombia 2,050 km, Guyana 743 km Coastline: 2,800 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 15 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands Terrain: Andes Mountains and Maracaibo Lowlands in northwest; central plains (llanos); Guiana Highlands in southeast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Pico Bolivar (La Columna) 5,007 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, bauxite, other minerals, hydropower, diamonds Land use: arable land: 2.85% permanent crops: 0.88% other: 96.27% (2005) Irrigated land: 5,750 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 1,233.2 cu km (2000) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 8.37 cu km/yr (6%/7%/47%) per capita: 313 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: subject to floods, rockslides, mudslides; periodic droughts Environment - current issues: sewage pollution of Lago de Valencia; oil and urban pollution of Lago de Maracaibo; deforestation; soil degradation; urban and industrial pollution, especially along the Caribbean coast; threat to the rainforest ecosystem from irresponsible mining operations Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed but not ratified:: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: on major sea and air routes linking North and South America; Angel Falls in the Guiana Highlands is the world's highest waterfall People ::Venezuela Population: 26,814,843 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 45 Age structure: 0-14 years: 30.5% (male 4,157,194/female 4,022,595) 15-64 years: 64.3% (male 8,480,872/female 8,754,620) 65 years and over: 5.2% (male 620,657/female 778,905) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 25.5 years male: 24.8 years female: 26.2 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.508% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 Birth rate: 20.61 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 Death rate: 5.12 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 184 Net migration rate: -0.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 108 Urbanization: urban population: 93% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 21.54 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 100 male: 25.1 deaths/1,000 live births female: 17.81 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.61 years country comparison to the world: 103 male: 70.54 years female: 76.83 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.48 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.7%; note - no country specific models provided (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 110,000 (1999 est.) country comparison to the world: 45 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 4,100 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne disease: dengue fever and malaria (2009) Nationality: noun: Venezuelan(s) adjective: Venezuelan Ethnic groups: Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Arab, German, African, indigenous people Religions: nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, other 2% Languages: Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93% male: 93.3% female: 92.7% (2001 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 12 years male: 11 years female: 12 years (2003) Education expenditures: 3.7% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 124 Government ::Venezuela Country name: conventional long form: Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela conventional short form: Venezuela local long form: Republica Bolivariana de Venezuela local short form: Venezuela Government type: federal republic Capital: name: Caracas geographic coordinates: 10 30 N, 66 56 W time difference: UTC-4.5 (half an hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 23 states (estados, singular - estado), 1 capital district* (distrito capital), and 1 federal dependency** (dependencia federal); Amazonas, Anzoategui, Apure, Aragua, Barinas, Bolivar, Carabobo, Cojedes, Delta Amacuro, Dependencias Federales**, Distrito Federal*, Falcon, Guarico, Lara, Merida, Miranda, Monagas, Nueva Esparta, Portuguesa, Sucre, Tachira, Trujillo, Vargas, Yaracuy, Zulia note: the federal dependency consists of 11 federally controlled island groups with a total of 72 individual islands Independence: 5 July 1811 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 5 July (1811) Constitution: 30 December 1999 Legal system: open, adversarial court system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Hugo CHAVEZ Frias (since 3 February 1999); Executive Vice President Ramon Alonzo CARRIZALEZ Rengifo (since 4 January 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Hugo CHAVEZ Frias (since 3 February 1999); Executive Vice President Ramon Alonzo CARRIZALEZ Rengifo (since 4 January 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 3 December 2006 (next to be held in December 2012) note: in 1999, a National Constituent Assembly drafted a new constitution that increased the presidential term to six years; an election was subsequently held on 30 July 2000 under the terms of this constitution election results: Hugo CHAVEZ Frias reelected president; percent of vote - Hugo CHAVEZ Frias 62.9%, Manuel ROSALES 36.9% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (167 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; three seats reserved for the indigenous peoples of Venezuela) elections: last held 4 December 2005 (next to be held in 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - pro-government 167 (MVR 114, PODEMOS 15, PPT 11, indigenous 2, other 25), opposition 0; total seats by party as of 1 January 2008 - pro-government 152 (PSUV 114, PPT 11, indigenous 2, other 25), PODEMOS 15 Judicial branch: Supreme Tribunal of Justice or Tribuna Suprema de Justicia (magistrates are elected by the National Assembly for a single 12-year term) Political parties and leaders: A New Time or UNT [Manuel ROSALES]; Christian Democrats or COPEI [Cesar PEREZ Vivas]; Communist Party of Venezuela or PCV [Jeronimo CARRERA]; Democratic Action or AD [Henry RAMOS Allup]; Fatherland for All or PPT [Jose ALBORNOZ]; Justice First [Julio BORGES]; Movement Toward Socialism or MAS [Hector MUJICA]; United Socialist Party of Venezuela or PSUV [Hugo CHAVEZ]; Venezuela Project or PV [Henrique SALAS Romer]; We Can or PODEMOS [Ismael GARCIA] Political pressure groups and leaders: FEDECAMARAS, a conservative business group; VECINOS groups; Venezuelan Confederation of Workers or CTV (labor organization dominated by the Democratic Action) International organization participation: Caricom (observer), CDB, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, LAS (observer), Mercosur (associate), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Bernardo ALVAREZ Herrera chancery: 1099 30th Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 342-2214 FAX: [1] (202) 342-6820 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico) Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Patrick DUDDY embassy: Calle F con Calle Suapure, Urbanizacion Colinas de Valle Arriba, Caracas 1080 mailing address: P. O. Box 62291, Caracas 1060-A; APO AA 34037 telephone: [58] (212) 975-6411, 907-8400 (after hours) FAX: [58] (212) 907-8199 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), blue, and red with the coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band and an arc of eight white five-pointed stars centered in the blue band Economy ::Venezuela Economy - overview: Venezuela remains highly dependent on oil revenues, which account for roughly 90% of export earnings, about 50% of the federal budget revenues, and around 30% of GDP. A nationwide strike between December 2002 and February 2003 had far-reaching economic consequences - real GDP declined by around 9% in 2002 and 8% in 2003 - but economic output since then has recovered strongly. Fueled by high oil prices, record government spending helped to boost GDP by about 10% in 2006, 8% in 2007, and nearly 5% in 2008. This spending, combined with recent minimum wage hikes and improved access to domestic credit, has created a consumption boom but has come at the cost of higher inflation - roughly 20% in 2007 and more than 30% in 2008. Imports also have jumped significantly. Declining oil prices in the latter part of 2008 are expected to undermine the govenment's ability to continue the high rate of spending. President Hugo CHAVEZ in 2008 continued efforts to increase the government's contol of the economy by nationalizing firms in the cement and steel sectors. In 2007, he nationalized firms in the petroleum, communications, and electricity sectors. In July 2008, CHAVEZ implemented by decree a number of laws that further consolidate and centralize authority over the economy through his plan for "21st Century Socialism." GDP (purchasing power parity): $356.3 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 $340 billion (2007 est.) $314.2 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $319.4 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 93 8.2% (2007 est.) 9.9% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $13,500 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 $13,100 (2007 est.) $12,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.8% industry: 37.6% services: 58.6% (2008 est.) Labor force: 12.59 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 13% industry: 23% services: 64% (1997 est.) Unemployment rate: 7.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 8.5% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 37.9% (end 2005 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.7% highest 10%: 32.7% (2006) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 48.2 (2003) country comparison to the world: 29 49.5 (1998) Investment (gross fixed): 19.7% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 Budget: revenues: $94.14 billion expenditures: $97.69 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 13.8% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 108 43.1% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 30.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 219 18.7% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 33.5% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 2 28.5% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 22.37% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 29 17.11% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $79.91 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 16 $63.18 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $10.93 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 49 $8.889 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $62.42 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 44 $50.24 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) $NA (31 December 2007) $8.251 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: corn, sorghum, sugarcane, rice, bananas, vegetables, coffee; beef, pork, milk, eggs; fish Industries: petroleum, construction materials, food processing, textiles; iron ore mining, steel, aluminum; motor vehicle assembly Industrial production growth rate: 2.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 Electricity - production: 113.3 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 Electricity - consumption: 83.02 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 Electricity - exports: 540 million kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 1.651 billion kWh (2007 est.) Oil - production: 2.643 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 Oil - consumption: 760,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 Oil - exports: 2.182 million bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 Oil - imports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 208 Oil - proved reserves: 99.38 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 Natural gas - production: 24.01 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 Natural gas - consumption: 25.51 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 93 Natural gas - imports: 1.5 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 Natural gas - proved reserves: 4.84 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 8 Current account balance: $39.21 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 $20 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $93.54 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 $69.17 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: petroleum, bauxite and aluminum, steel, chemicals, agricultural products, basic manufactures Exports - partners: US 40.7%, Netherlands Antilles 7.8%, China 4.7% (2008) Imports: $48.1 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 $45.46 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: raw materials, machinery and equipment, transport equipment, construction materials Imports - partners: US 26.3%, Colombia 12.7%, Brazil 10.3%, China 7%, Mexico 4.8% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $42.3 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 $33.48 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $47.03 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 $43.33 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $41.38 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 $43.96 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $16.62 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 $13.81 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: bolivars (VEB) per US dollar - 2.147 (2008 est.), 2,147 (2007), 2,147 (2006), 2,089.8 (2005), 1,891.3 (2004) note: on 1 January 2008 Venezuela revalued its currency with 1000 old bolivares equal to 1 new bolivar Communications ::Venezuela Telephones - main lines in use: 6.304 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 28 Telephones - mobile cellular: 27.084 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 32 Telephone system: general assessment: modern and expanding domestic: domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations; recent substantial improvement in telephone service in rural areas; substantial increase in digitalization of exchanges and trunk lines; installation of a national interurban fiber-optic network capable of digital multimedia services; combined fixed and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership 125 per 100 persons international: country code - 58; submarine cable systems provide connectivity to the Caribbean, Central and South America, and US; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 PanAmSat; participating with Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia in the construction of an international fiber-optic network (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 201, FM unknown, but at least 25 in Caracas, shortwave 11 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 66 (plus 45 repeaters) (1997) Internet country code: .ve Internet hosts: 155,139 (2009) country comparison to the world: 68 Internet users: 7.167 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 35 Transportation ::Venezuela Airports: 406 (2009) country comparison to the world: 20 Airports - with paved runways: total: 131 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 35 914 to 1,523 m: 63 under 914 m: 19 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 275 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 103 under 914 m: 155 (2009) Heliports: 4 (2009) Pipelines: extra heavy crude 980 km; gas 5,036 km; oil 6,695 km; refined products 1,484 km; unknown 141 km (2008) Railways: total: 806 km country comparison to the world: 101 standard gauge: 806 km 1.435-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 96,155 km country comparison to the world: 47 paved: 32,308 km unpaved: 63,847 km (2002) Waterways: 7,100 km country comparison to the world: 21 note: Orinoco River (400 km) and Lake de Maracaibo navigable by oceangoing vessels (2008) Merchant marine: total: 62 country comparison to the world: 65 by type: bulk carrier 9, cargo 16, chemical tanker 3, liquefied gas 5, passenger/cargo 10, petroleum tanker 17, refrigerated cargo 2 foreign-owned: 12 (Chile 1, Denmark 1, Greece 3, Mexico 5, Panama 1, Spain 1) registered in other countries: 12 (Bahamas 1, Panama 10, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: La Guaira, Maracaibo, Puerto Cabello, Punta Cardon Transportation - note: the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the Caribbean Sea as a significant risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous vessels, including commercial shipping and pleasure craft, have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; crews have been robbed and stores or cargoes stolen Military ::Venezuela Military branches: National Bolivarian Armed Forces (Fuerza Armada Nacional Bolivariana, FANB): National Bolivarian Army (Ejercito Nacional Bolivariano, ENB), Bolivarian National Navy (Fuerza Armada Nacional Bolivariana (FANB); includes Naval Infantry, Coast Guard, Naval Aviation), Bolivarian National Military Aviation (Aviacion Militar Nacional Bolivariana, AMNB), Bolivarian National Guard (Guardia Nacional Bolivaria, GNB) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18-30 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; 30-month conscript service obligation; all citizens 18-50 years old are obligated to register for military service (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 6,647,124 females age 16-49: 6,801,133 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 5,391,582 females age 16-49: 5,873,563 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 276,051 female: 274,162 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.2% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 Transnational Issues ::Venezuela Disputes - international: claims all of the area west of the Essequibo River in Guyana, preventing any discussion of a maritime boundary; Guyana has expressed its intention to join Barbados in asserting claims before the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) that Trinidad and Tobago's maritime boundary with Venezuela extends into their waters; dispute with Colombia over maritime boundary and Venezuelan-administered Los Monjes islands near the Gulf of Venezuela; Colombian-organized illegal narcotics and paramilitary activities penetrate Venezuela's shared border region; in 2006, an estimated 139,000 Colombians sought protection in 150 communities along the border in Venezuela; US, France, and the Netherlands recognize Venezuela's granting full effect to Aves Island, thereby claiming a Venezuelan EEZ/continental shelf extending over a large portion of the eastern Caribbean Sea; Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines protest Venezuela's full effect claim Trafficking in persons: current situation: Venezuela is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor; Venezuelan women and girls are trafficked within the country for sexual exploitation, lured from the nation's interior to urban and tourist areas; child prostitution in urban areas and child sex tourism in resort destinations appear to be growing; Venezuelan women and girls are trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation to Western Europe, Mexico, and Caribbean destinations tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Venezuela is placed on the Tier 2 Watch List, up from Tier 3, as it showed greater resolve to address trafficking through law enforcement measures and prevention efforts in 2007, although stringent punishment of offenders and victim assistance remain lacking (2008) Illicit drugs: small-scale illicit producer of opium and coca for the processing of opiates and coca derivatives; however, large quantities of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana transit the country from Colombia bound for US and Europe; significant narcotics-related money-laundering activity, especially along the border with Colombia and on Margarita Island; active eradication program primarily targeting opium; increasing signs of drug-related activities by Colombian insurgents on border page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Vietnam (East & Southeast Asia) Introduction ::Vietnam Background: The conquest of Vietnam by France began in 1858 and was completed by 1884. It became part of French Indochina in 1887. Vietnam declared independence after World War II, but France continued to rule until its 1954 defeat by Communist forces under Ho Chi MINH. Under the Geneva Accords of 1954, Vietnam was divided into the Communist North and anti-Communist South. US economic and military aid to South Vietnam grew through the 1960s in an attempt to bolster the government, but US armed forces were withdrawn following a cease-fire agreement in 1973. Two years later, North Vietnamese forces overran the South reuniting the country under Communist rule. Despite the return of peace, for over a decade the country experienced little economic growth because of conservative leadership policies, the persecution and mass exodus of individuals - many of them successful South Vietnamese merchants - and growing international isolation. However, since the enactment of Vietnam's "doi moi" (renovation) policy in 1986, Vietnamese authorities have committed to increased economic liberalization and enacted structural reforms needed to modernize the economy and to produce more competitive, export-driven industries. The country continues to experience small-scale protests from various groups, the vast majority connected to land-use issues and the lack of equitable mechanisms for resolving disputes. Various ethnic minorities, such as the Montagnards of the Central Highlands and the Khmer Krom in the southern delta region, have also held protests. In January 2008, Vietnam assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2008-09 term. Geography ::Vietnam Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, Gulf of Tonkin, and South China Sea, alongside China, Laos, and Cambodia Geographic coordinates: 16 10 N, 107 50 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 331,210 sq km country comparison to the world: 65 land: 310,070 sq km water: 21,140 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than New Mexico Land boundaries: total: 4,639 km border countries: Cambodia 1,228 km, China 1,281 km, Laos 2,130 km Coastline: 3,444 km (excludes islands) Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Climate: tropical in south; monsoonal in north with hot, rainy season (May to September) and warm, dry season (October to March) Terrain: low, flat delta in south and north; central highlands; hilly, mountainous in far north and northwest Elevation extremes: lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: Fan Si Pan 3,144 m Natural resources: phosphates, coal, manganese, bauxite, chromate, offshore oil and gas deposits, forests, hydropower Land use: arable land: 20.14% permanent crops: 6.93% other: 72.93% (2005) Irrigated land: 30,000 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 891.2 cu km (1999) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 71.39 cu km/yr (8%/24%/68%) per capita: 847 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: occasional typhoons (May to January) with extensive flooding, especially in the Mekong River delta Environment - current issues: logging and slash-and-burn agricultural practices contribute to deforestation and soil degradation; water pollution and overfishing threaten marine life populations; groundwater contamination limits potable water supply; growing urban industrialization and population migration are rapidly degrading environment in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: extending 1,650 km north to south, the country is only 50 km across at its narrowest point People ::Vietnam Population: 86,967,524 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 13 Age structure: 0-14 years: 24.9% (male 11,230,402/female 10,423,901) 15-64 years: 69.4% (male 29,971,088/female 30,356,393) 65 years and over: 5.7% (male 1,920,043/female 3,065,697) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 27.4 years male: 26.4 years female: 28.5 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.977% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 Birth rate: 16.31 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 Death rate: 6.17 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 156 Net migration rate: -0.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 Urbanization: urban population: 28% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 22.88 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 96 male: 23.27 deaths/1,000 live births female: 22.46 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.58 years country comparison to the world: 127 male: 68.78 years female: 74.57 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.83 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 154 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.5% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 290,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 24,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, Japanese encephalitis, and plague water contact disease: leptospirosis note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Nationality: noun: Vietnamese (singular and plural) adjective: Vietnamese Ethnic groups: Kinh (Viet) 86.2%, Tay 1.9%, Thai 1.7%, Muong 1.5%, Khome 1.4%, Hoa 1.1%, Nun 1.1%, Hmong 1%, others 4.1% (1999 census) Religions: Buddhist 9.3%, Catholic 6.7%, Hoa Hao 1.5%, Cao Dai 1.1%, Protestant 0.5%, Muslim 0.1%, none 80.8% (1999 census) Languages: Vietnamese (official), English (increasingly favored as a second language), some French, Chinese, and Khmer; mountain area languages (Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 90.3% male: 93.9% female: 86.9% (2002 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 10 years male: 11 years female: 10 years (2000) Education expenditures: 1.8% of GDP (1991) country comparison to the world: 171 Government ::Vietnam Country name: conventional long form: Socialist Republic of Vietnam conventional short form: Vietnam local long form: Cong Hoa Xa Hoi Chu Nghia Viet Nam local short form: Viet Nam abbreviation: SRV Government type: Communist state Capital: name: Hanoi (Ha Noi) geographic coordinates: 21 02 N, 105 51 E time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 58 provinces (tinh, singular and plural) and 5 municipalities (thanh pho, singular and plural) provinces: An Giang, Bac Giang, Bac Kan, Bac Lieu, Bac Ninh, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Ben Tre, Binh Dinh, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Binh Thuan, Ca Mau, Cao Bang, Da Nang*, Dac Lak, Dac Nong, Dien Bien, Dong Nai, Dong Thap, Gia Lai, Ha Giang, Ha Nam, Ha Tinh, Hai Duong, Hau Giang, Hoa Binh, Hung Yen, Khanh Hoa, Kien Giang, Kon Tum, Lai Chau, Lam Dong, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Long An, Nam Dinh, Nghe An, Ninh Binh, Ninh Thuan, Phu Tho, Phu Yen, Quang Binh, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Quang Ninh, Quang Tri, Soc Trang, Son La, Tay Ninh, Thai Binh, Thai Nguyen, Thanh Hoa, Thua Thien-Hue, Tien Giang, Tra Vinh, Tuyen Quang, Vinh Long, Vinh Phuc, Yen Bai municipalities: Can Tho, Da Nang, Ha Noi, Hai Phong, Ho Chi Minh City Independence: 2 September 1945 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 2 September (1945) Constitution: 15 April 1992 Legal system: based on communist legal theory and French civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Nguyen Minh TRIET (since 27 June 2006); Vice President Nguyen Thi DOAN (since 25 July 2007) head of government: Prime Minister Nguyen Tan DUNG (since 27 June 2006); Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh HUNG (since 28 June 2006), Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung HAI (since 2 August 2007), Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien NHAN (since 2 August 2007), Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia KHIEM (since 28 June 2006), and Deputy Prime Minister Truong Vinh TRONG (since 28 June 2006) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by president based on proposal of prime minister and confirmed by National Assembly elections: president elected by the National Assembly from among its members for five-year term; last held 27 June 2006 (next to be held in 2011); prime minister appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly; deputy prime ministers appointed by the prime minister; appointment of prime minister and deputy prime ministers confirmed by National Assembly election results: Nguyen Minh TRIET elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - 94%; Nguyen Tan DUNG elected prime minister; percent of National Assembly vote - 92% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Quoc Hoi (500 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 20 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPV 450, non-party CPV-approved 42, self-nominated 1; note - 493 candidates were elected; CPV and non-party CPV-approved delegates were members of the Vietnamese Fatherland Front Judicial branch: Supreme People's Court (chief justice is elected for a five-year term by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president) Political parties and leaders: Communist Party of Vietnam or CPV [Nong Duc MANH]; other parties proscribed Political pressure groups and leaders: 8406 Bloc; Democratic Party of Vietnam or DPV; People's Democratic Party Vietnam or PDP-VN; Alliance for Democracy note: these groups advocate democracy but are not recognized by the government International organization participation: ADB, APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Le Cong PHUNG chancery: 1233 20th Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 861-0737 FAX: [1] (202) 861-0917 consulate(s) general: San Francisco Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Michael W. MICHALAK embassy: 7 Lang Ha Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi mailing address: PSC 461, Box 400, FPO AP 96521-0002 telephone: [84] (4) 3850-5000 FAX: [84] (4) 3850-5010 consulate(s) general: Ho Chi Minh City Flag description: red field with a large yellow five-pointed star in the center Economy ::Vietnam Economy - overview: Vietnam is a densely-populated developing country that in the last 30 years has had to recover from the ravages of war, the loss of financial support from the old Soviet Bloc, and the rigidities of a centrally-planned economy. Since 2001, Vietnamese authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to economic liberalization and international integration. They have moved to implement the structural reforms needed to modernize the economy and to produce more competitive export-driven industries. Vietnam's membership in the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) and entry into force of the US-Vietnam Bilateral Trade Agreement in December 2001 have led to even more rapid changes in Vietnam's trade and economic regime. Vietnam's exports to the US increased 900% from 2001 to 2007. Vietnam joined the WTO in January 2007 following over a decade long negotiation process. WTO membership has provided Vietnam an anchor to the global market and reinforced the domestic economic reform process. Among other benefits, accession allows Vietnam to take advantage of the phase-out of the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing, which eliminated quotas on textiles and clothing for WTO partners on 1 January 2005. Agriculture's share of economic output has continued to shrink from about 25% in 2000 to less than 20% in 2008. Deep poverty has declined significantly and is now smaller than that of China, India, and the Philippines. Vietnam is working to create jobs to meet the challenge of a labor force that is growing by more than one-and-a-half million people every year. The global financial crisis, however, will constrain Vietnam's ability to create jobs and further reduce poverty. As global growth sharply drops in 2009, Vietnam's export-oriented economy - exports were 68% of GDP in 2007 - will suffer from lower exports, higher unemployment and corporate bankruptcies, and decreased foreign investment. GDP (purchasing power parity): $242.3 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 $228.1 billion (2007 est.) $210.3 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $89.83 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 8.5% (2007 est.) 8.2% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $2,800 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 $2,600 (2007 est.) $2,500 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 22% industry: 39.9% services: 38.1% (2008 est.) Labor force: 47.41 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 55.6% industry: 18.9% services: 25.5% (July 2005) Unemployment rate: 4.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 59 4.3% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 14.8% (2007 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.1% highest 10%: 29.8% (2006) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 37 (2004) country comparison to the world: 78 36.1 (1998) Investment (gross fixed): 41.9% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 Budget: revenues: $24.27 billion expenditures: $28.85 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 48.8% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 65.9% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 23.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 209 8.3% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 10.25% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 60 6.5% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 15.78% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 72 11.18% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $27.01 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) $50.81 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $68.27 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $9.589 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 69 $19.54 billion (31 December 2007) $9.093 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: paddy rice, coffee, rubber, cotton, tea, pepper, soybeans, cashews, sugar cane, peanuts, bananas; poultry; fish, seafood Industries: food processing, garments, shoes, machine-building; mining, coal, steel; cement, chemical fertilizer, glass, tires, oil, paper Industrial production growth rate: 6.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 36 Electricity - production: 66.81 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 Electricity - consumption: 59.3 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 313,600 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 36 Oil - consumption: 288,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 Oil - exports: 347,400 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 36 Oil - imports: 254,000 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 Oil - proved reserves: 600 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 Natural gas - production: 6.6 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 Natural gas - consumption: 6.6 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 91 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 116 Natural gas - proved reserves: 192.5 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 45 Current account balance: -$10.71 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 -$6.993 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $62.69 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 $48.56 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: crude oil, marine products, rice, coffee, rubber, tea, garments, shoes Exports - partners: US 18.9%, Japan 13.6%, China 7.2%, Australia 6.7%, Singapore 4.2% (2008) Imports: $75.47 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 $58.92 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, petroleum products, fertilizer, steel products, raw cotton, grain, cement, motorcycles Imports - partners: China 19.4%, Singapore 11.6%, South Korea 8.8%, Thailand 6.1% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $24.18 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 $23.75 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $25.89 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 $21.83 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $40.34 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 $32.74 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Exchange rates: dong (VND) per US dollar - 16,548.3 (2008 est.), 16,119 (2007), 15,983 (2006), 15,746 (2005), NA (2004) Communications ::Vietnam Telephones - main lines in use: 29.591 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 11 Telephones - mobile cellular: 70 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 13 Telephone system: general assessment: Vietnam is putting considerable effort into modernization and expansion of its telecommunication system domestic: all provincial exchanges are digitalized and connected to Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City by fiber-optic cable or microwave radio relay networks; main lines have been substantially increased, and the use of mobile telephones is growing rapidly international: country code - 84; a landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3, the C2C, and Thailand-Vietnam-Hong Kong submarine cable systems; the Asia-America Gateway submarine cable system, scheduled for completion by the end of 2008, will provide new access links to Asia and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region) Radio broadcast stations: AM 65, FM 7, shortwave 29 (1999) Television broadcast stations: 67 (includes 61 relay, provincial, and city TV stations) (2006) Internet country code: .vn Internet hosts: 170,689 (2009) country comparison to the world: 66 Internet users: 20.834 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 18 Transportation ::Vietnam Airports: 44 (2009) country comparison to the world: 97 Airports - with paved runways: total: 37 over 3,047 m: 9 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 9 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 3 (2009) Heliports: 1 (2009) Pipelines: condensate/gas 42 km; gas 66 km; refined products 206 km (2008) Railways: total: 2,347 km country comparison to the world: 66 standard gauge: 178 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 2,169 km 1.000-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 222,179 km country comparison to the world: 23 paved: 42,167 km unpaved: 180,012 km (2004) Waterways: 17,702 km (5,000 km navigable by vessels up to 1.8 m draft) (2008) country comparison to the world: 7 Merchant marine: total: 387 country comparison to the world: 28 by type: barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 36, cargo 280, chemical tanker 12, container 14, liquefied gas 6, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 32, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 1, specialized tanker 1 foreign-owned: 2 (Hong Kong 1, Japan 1) registered in other countries: 64 (Honduras 1, Liberia 4, Mongolia 23, Panama 30, Tuvalu 5, unknown 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Da Nang, Hai Phong, Ho Chi Minh City Transportation - note: the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the South China Sea as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargo diverted to ports in East Asia; crews have been murdered or cast adrift Military ::Vietnam Military branches: People's Armed Forces: People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) (includes People's Navy Command (with naval infantry, coast guard), Air and Air Defense Force (Kon Quan Nhan Dan), Border Defense Command), People's Public Security Forces, Militia Force, Self-Defense Forces (2005) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age (male) for compulsory military service; females may volunteer for active duty military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years (3 to 4 years in the navy); 18-45 years of age (male) or 18-40 years of age (female) for Militia Force or Self Defense Forces (2006) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 24,586,328 females age 16-49: 24,335,132 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 19,190,676 females age 16-49: 20,768,508 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 893,726 female: 834,279 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 2.5% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 Transnational Issues ::Vietnam Disputes - international: southeast Asian states have enhanced border surveillance to check the spread of avian flu; Cambodia and Laos protest Vietnamese squatters and armed encroachments along border; an estimated 300,000 Vietnamese refugees reside in China; establishment of a maritime boundary with Cambodia is hampered by unresolved dispute over the sovereignty of offshore islands; demarcation of the China-Vietnam boundary proceeds slowly and although the maritime boundary delimitation and fisheries agreements were ratified in June 2004, implementation has been delayed; China occupies the Paracel Islands also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan; involved in complex dispute with China, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, and possibly Brunei over the Spratly Islands; the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" has eased tensions but falls short of a legally binding "code of conduct" desired by several of the disputants; Vietnam continues to expand construction of facilities in the Spratly Islands; in March 2005, the national oil companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam signed a joint accord to conduct marine seismic activities in the Spratly Islands Illicit drugs: minor producer of opium poppy; probable minor transit point for Southeast Asian heroin; government continues to face domestic opium/heroin/methamphetamine addiction problems despite longstanding crackdowns page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Virgin Islands (Central America and Caribbean) Introduction ::Virgin Islands Background: During the 17th century, the archipelago was divided into two territorial units, one English and the other Danish. Sugarcane, produced by slave labor, drove the islands' economy during the 18th and early 19th centuries. In 1917, the US purchased the Danish portion, which had been in economic decline since the abolition of slavery in 1848. Geography ::Virgin Islands Location: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico Geographic coordinates: 18 20 N, 64 50 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 1,910 sq km country comparison to the world: 181 land: 346 sq km water: 1,564 sq km Area - comparative: twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 188 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season September to November Terrain: mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level land Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Crown Mountain 475 m Natural resources: sun, sand, sea, surf Land use: arable land: 5.71% permanent crops: 2.86% other: 91.43% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughts and floods; occasional earthquakes Environment - current issues: lack of natural freshwater resources Geography - note: important location along the Anegada Passage - a key shipping lane for the Panama Canal; Saint Thomas has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the Caribbean People ::Virgin Islands Population: 109,825 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 190 Age structure: 0-14 years: 20.4% (male 11,394/female 11,048) 15-64 years: 65.9% (male 33,843/female 38,574) 65 years and over: 13.6% (male 6,747/female 8,219) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 39.1 years male: 38.6 years female: 39.6 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: -0.029% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 205 Birth rate: 11.95 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 169 Death rate: 6.75 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 Net migration rate: -5.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 165 Urbanization: urban population: 95% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.88 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 0.9 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 7.56 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 165 male: 8.28 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.05 years country comparison to the world: 35 male: 76.02 years female: 82.26 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.85 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Virgin Islander(s) (US citizens) adjective: Virgin Islander Ethnic groups: black 76.2%, white 13.1%, Asian 1.1%, other 6.1%, mixed 3.5% (2000 census) Religions: Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7% Languages: English 74.7%, Spanish or Spanish Creole 16.8%, French or French Creole 6.6%, other 1.9% (2000 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 90-95% est. male: NA female: NA (2005 est.) Education expenditures: NA Government ::Virgin Islands Country name: conventional long form: United States Virgin Islands conventional short form: Virgin Islands former: Danish West Indies abbreviation: USVI Dependency status: organized, unincorporated territory of the US with policy relations between the Virgin Islands and the US under the jurisdiction of the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior Government type: NA Capital: name: Charlotte Amalie geographic coordinates: 18 21 N, 64 56 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three islands at the second order; Saint Croix, Saint John, Saint Thomas Independence: none (territory of the US) National holiday: Transfer Day (from Denmark to the US), 31 March (1917) Constitution: Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954 Legal system: based on US laws Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; island residents are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections Executive branch: chief of state: President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009) head of government: Governor John DeJONGH (since 1 January 2007) cabinet: NA elections: under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as the Virgin Islands, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, they may vote in the Democratic and Republican presidential primary elections; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 7 and 21 November 2006 (next to be held November 2010) election results: John DeJONGH elected governor; percent of vote - John DeJONGH 57.3%, Kenneth MAPP 42.7% Legislative branch: unicameral Senate (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms) elections: last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 10, ICM 2, independent 3 note: the Virgin Islands elects one non-voting representative to the US House of Representatives; election last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2010) Judicial branch: US District Court of the Virgin Islands (under Third Circuit jurisdiction); Superior Court of the Virgin Islands (judges appointed by the governor for 10-year terms) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party [Arturo WATLINGTON]; Independent Citizens' Movement or ICM [Usie RICHARDS]; Republican Party [Gary SPRAUVE] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: IOC, UPU, WFTU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of the US) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of the US) Flag description: white field with a modified US coat of arms in the center between the large blue initials V and I; the coat of arms shows a yellow eagle holding an olive branch in one talon and three arrows in the other with a superimposed shield of vertical red and white stripes below a blue panel Economy ::Virgin Islands Economy - overview: Tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting for 80% of GDP and employment. The islands hosted 2.6 million visitors in 2005. The manufacturing sector consists of petroleum refining, rum distilling, textiles, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and watch assembly. One of the world's largest petroleum refineries is at Saint Croix. The agricultural sector is small, with most food being imported. International business and financial services are small but growing components of the economy. The islands are vulnerable to substantial damage from storms. The government is working to improve fiscal discipline, to support construction projects in the private sector, to expand tourist facilities, to reduce crime, and to protect the environment. GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.577 billion (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 191 GDP (official exchange rate): $NA GDP - real growth rate: 2% (2002 est.) country comparison to the world: 160 GDP - per capita (PPP): $14,500 (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1% industry: 19% services: 80% (2003 est.) Labor force: 49,820 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 183 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 1% industry: 19% services: 80% (2003 est.) Unemployment rate: 6.2% (2004) country comparison to the world: 78 Population below poverty line: 28.9% (2002) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $837 million expenditures: $837 million (FY08/09) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.2% (2003) country comparison to the world: 21 Agriculture - products: fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle Industries: tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 776.4 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 Electricity - consumption: 722 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 17,620 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 Oil - consumption: 72,860 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 Oil - exports: 388,000 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 Oil - imports: 480,600 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl country comparison to the world: 117 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 90 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 Exports: $4.234 billion (2001) country comparison to the world: 117 Exports - commodities: refined petroleum products Imports: $4.609 billion (2001) country comparison to the world: 121 Imports - commodities: crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials Debt - external: $NA Exchange rates: the US dollar is used Communications ::Virgin Islands Telephones - main lines in use: 74,200 (2008) country comparison to the world: 153 Telephones - mobile cellular: 80,300 (2005) country comparison to the world: 186 Telephone system: general assessment: modern system with total digital switching, uses fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay domestic: full range of services available international: country code - 1-340; submarine cable connections to US, the Caribbean, Central and South America; satellite earth stations - NA Radio broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 16, shortwave 0 (2005) Television broadcast stations: 5 (2006) Internet country code: .vi Internet hosts: 8,726 (2009) country comparison to the world: 121 Internet users: 30,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 180 Transportation ::Virgin Islands Airports: 2 (2009) country comparison to the world: 202 Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Roadways: total: 1,257 km (2007) country comparison to the world: 179 Ports and terminals: Charlotte Amalie, Limetree Bay Military ::Virgin Islands Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 17,820 females age 16-49: 21,193 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 831 female: 873 (2009 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US Transnational Issues ::Virgin Islands Disputes - international: none page last updated on October 28, 2009 ====================================================================== @Wake Island (Australia-Oceania) Introduction ::Wake Island Background: The US annexed Wake Island in 1899 for a cable station. An important air and naval base was constructed in 1940-41. In December 1941, the island was captured by the Japanese and held until the end of World War II. In subsequent years, Wake was developed as a stopover and refueling site for military and commercial aircraft transiting the Pacific. Since 1974, the island's airstrip has been used by the US military, as well as for emergency landings. All operations on the island were suspended and all personnel evacuated in August 2006 with the approach of super typhoon IOKE (category 5), which struck the island with sustained winds of 250 kph and a 6 m storm surge inflicting major damage. A US Air Force assessment and repair team returned to the island in September and restored limited function to the airfield and facilities. The future status of activities on the island will be determined upon completion of the survey and assessment. Geography ::Wake Island Location: Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to the Northern Mariana Islands Geographic coordinates: 19 17 N, 166 39 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 6.5 sq km country comparison to the world: 242 land: 6.5 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: about 11 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 19.3 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical Terrain: atoll of three low coral islands, Peale, Wake, and Wilkes, built up on an underwater volcano; central lagoon is former crater, islands are part of the rim Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 6 m Natural resources: none Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) Irrigated land: 0 sq km Natural hazards: occasional typhoons Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean; emergency landing location for transpacific flights People ::Wake Island Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: since super typhoon IOKE, a small military contingent along with 75 contractor personnel have returned to the island to conduct clean-up and restore basic operations on the island (July 2008 est.) Government ::Wake Island Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Wake Island Dependency status: unorganized, unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by the Department of the Interior; activities in the atoll are currently conducted by the US Air Force Legal system: the laws of the US, where applicable, apply Flag description: the flag of the US is used Economy ::Wake Island Economy - overview: Economic activity is limited to providing services to military personnel and contractors located on the island. All food and manufactured goods must be imported. Electricity - production: NA kWh Communications ::Wake Island Telephone system: general assessment: satellite communications; 2 DSN circuits off the Overseas Telephone System (OTS) domestic: NA international: NA Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 0, shortwave 0 (American Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS)) provides satellite radio service (2005) Television broadcast stations: 0 (2005) Transportation ::Wake Island Airports: 1 (2009) country comparison to the world: 213 Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2009) Ports and terminals: none; two offshore anchorages for large ships Transportation - note: there are no commercial or civilian flights to and from Wake Island, except in direct support of island missions; emergency landing is available Military ::Wake Island Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US; the US Air Force is responsible for overall administration and operation of the island; the launch support facility is administered by the US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Transnational Issues ::Wake Island Disputes - international: claimed by Marshall Islands page last updated on September 22, 2009 ====================================================================== @Wallis and Futuna (Australia-Oceania) Introduction ::Wallis and Futuna Background: The Futuna island group was discovered by the Dutch in 1616 and Wallis by the British in 1767, but it was the French who declared a protectorate over the islands in 1842. In 1959, the inhabitants of the islands voted to become a French overseas territory. Geography ::Wallis and Futuna Location: Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand Geographic coordinates: 13 18 S, 176 12 W Map references: Oceania Area: total: 142 sq km country comparison to the world: 220 land: 142 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Ile Uvea (Wallis Island), Ile Futuna (Futuna Island), Ile Alofi, and 20 islets Area - comparative: 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 129 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; hot, rainy season (November to April); cool, dry season (May to October); rains 2,500-3,000 mm per year (80% humidity); average temperature 26.6 degrees C Terrain: volcanic origin; low hills Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Singavi (on Futuna) 765 m Natural resources: NEGL Land use: arable land: 7.14% permanent crops: 35.71% other: 57.15% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: deforestation (only small portions of the original forests remain) largely as a result of the continued use of wood as the main fuel source; as a consequence of cutting down the forests, the mountainous terrain of Futuna is particularly prone to erosion; there are no permanent settlements on Alofi because of the lack of natural fresh water resources Geography - note: both island groups have fringing reefs People ::Wallis and Futuna Population: 15,289 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 220 Age structure: 0-14 years: 26.7% (male 2,141/female 1,935) 15-64 years: 66.3% (male 5,069/female 5,065) 65 years and over: 7.1% (male 488/female 591) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 27.2 years male: 26.1 years female: 28.5 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.347% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 169 Birth rate: NA Death rate: NA Net migration rate: -6.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population country comparison to the world: 169 note: there has been steady emigration from Wallis and Futuna to New Caledonia (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 0% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.11 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 5.02 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 190 male: 5.27 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.75 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.2 years country comparison to the world: 49 male: 75.22 years female: 81.32 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.87 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 148 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Wallisian(s), Futunan(s), or Wallis and Futuna Islanders adjective: Wallisian, Futunan, or Wallis and Futuna Islander Ethnic groups: Polynesian Religions: Roman Catholic 99%, other 1% Languages: Wallisian 58.9% (indigenous Polynesian language), Futunian 30.1%, French 10.8%, other 0.2% (2003 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 50% male: 50% female: 50% (1969 est.) Government ::Wallis and Futuna Country name: conventional long form: Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands conventional short form: Wallis and Futuna local long form: Territoire des Iles Wallis et Futuna local short form: Wallis et Futuna Dependency status: overseas territory of France Government type: NA Capital: name: Mata-Utu (on Ile Uvea) geographic coordinates: 13 57 S, 171 56 W time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three kingdoms at the second order named Alo, Sigave, Wallis Independence: none (overseas territory of France) National holiday: Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) Constitution: 4 October 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: the laws of France, where applicable, apply Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007); represented by High Administrator Philippe PAOLANTONI (since 28 July 2008) head of government: President of the Territorial Assembly Pesamino TAPUTAI (since 11 April 2007) cabinet: Council of the Territory consists of 3 kings and 3 members appointed by the high administrator on the advice of the Territorial Assembly note: there are 3 traditional kings with limited powers elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; high administrator appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of the Interior; the presidents of the Territorial Government and the Territorial Assembly are elected by the members of the assembly Legislative branch: unicameral Territorial Assembly or Assemblee Territoriale (20 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 1 April 2007 (next to be held April 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 13, other 7 note: Wallis and Futuna elects one senator to the French Senate and one deputy to the French National Assembly; French Senate - elections last held 21 September 2008 (next to be held by September 2014); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats - UMP 1; French National Assembly - elections last held 17 June 2007 (next to be held by 2012); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats - PS 1 Judicial branch: justice generally administered under French law by the high administrator, but the three traditional kings administer customary law and there is a magistrate in Mata-Utu; a court of appeal is located in Noumea, New Caledonia Political parties and leaders: Lua Kae Tahi (Giscardians); Mouvement des Radicaux de Gauche or MRG; Rally for the Republic or RPR (UMP) [Clovis LOGOLOGOFOLAU]; Socialist Party or PS; Taumu'a Lelei [Soane Muni UHILA]; Union Populaire Locale or UPL [Falakiko GATA]; Union Pour la Democratie Francaise or UDF Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: PIF (observer), SPC, UPU, WFTU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of France) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of France) Flag description: unofficial, local flag has a red field with four white isosceles triangles in the middle, representing the three native kings of the islands and the French administrator; the apexes of the triangles are oriented inward and at right angles to each other; the flag of France, outlined in white on two sides, is in the upper hoist quadrant note: the flag of France used for official occasions Economy ::Wallis and Futuna Economy - overview: The economy is limited to traditional subsistence agriculture, with about 80% of labor force earnings from agriculture (coconuts and vegetables), livestock (mostly pigs), and fishing. About 4% of the population is employed in government. Revenues come from French Government subsidies, licensing of fishing rights to Japan and South Korea, import taxes, and remittances from expatriate workers in New Caledonia. GDP (purchasing power parity): $60 million (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 222 GDP (official exchange rate): $NA GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita (PPP): $3,800 (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 158 GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Labor force: 3,104 (2003) country comparison to the world: 216 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 80% industry: 4% services: 16% (2001 est.) Unemployment rate: 15.2% (2003) country comparison to the world: 156 Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $29,730 expenditures: $31,330 (2004) Public debt: 5.6% of GDP (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.8% (2005) country comparison to the world: 33 Agriculture - products: breadfruit, yams, taro, bananas; pigs, goats; fish Industries: copra, handicrafts, fishing, lumber Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: NA kWh Electricity - consumption: NA kWh Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2002) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2002) Exports: $47,450 (2004) country comparison to the world: 222 Exports - commodities: copra, chemicals, construction materials Imports: $61.17 million (2004) country comparison to the world: 213 Imports - commodities: chemicals, machinery, passenger ships, consumer goods Debt - external: $3.67 million (2004) country comparison to the world: 200 Exchange rates: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - 87.59 (2007), 94.97 (2006), 95.89 (2005), 96.04 (2004), 105.66 (2003) Communications ::Wallis and Futuna Telephones - main lines in use: 2,700 (2008) country comparison to the world: 219 Telephones - mobile cellular: NA Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: country code - 681 Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 (2000) Television broadcast stations: 2 (2000) Internet country code: .wf Internet hosts: 1,480 (2009) country comparison to the world: 154 Internet users: 1,200 (2008) country comparison to the world: 212 Transportation ::Wallis and Futuna Airports: 2 (2009) country comparison to the world: 203 Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Merchant marine: total: 8 country comparison to the world: 122 by type: chemical tanker 2, passenger 6 foreign-owned: 8 (France 6, French Polynesia 2) (2008) Ports and terminals: Leava, Mata-Utu Military ::Wallis and Futuna Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 3,273 females age 16-49: 3,297 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 175 female: 164 (2009 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France Transnational Issues ::Wallis and Futuna Disputes - international: none page last updated on October 28, 2009 ====================================================================== @West Bank (Middle East) Introduction ::West Bank Background: The September 1993 Israel-PLO Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements provided for a transitional period of Palestinian self-rule in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Under a series of agreements signed between May 1994 and September 1999, Israel transferred to the Palestinian Authority (PA) security and civilian responsibility for Palestinian-populated areas of the West Bank and Gaza. Negotiations to determine the permanent status of the West Bank and Gaza stalled following the outbreak of an intifada in September 2000, as Israeli forces reoccupied most Palestinian-controlled areas. In April 2003, the Quartet (US, EU, UN, and Russia) presented a roadmap to a final settlement of the conflict by 2005 based on reciprocal steps by the two parties leading to two states, Israel and a democratic Palestine. The proposed date for a permanent status agreement was postponed indefinitely due to violence and accusations that both sides had not followed through on their commitments. Following Palestinian leader Yasir ARAFAT's death in late 2004, Mahmud ABBAS was elected PA president in January 2005. A month later, Israel and the PA agreed to the Sharm el-Sheikh Commitments in an effort to move the peace process forward. In September 2005, Israel unilaterally withdrew all its settlers and soldiers and dismantled its military facilities in the Gaza Strip and withdrew settlers and redeployed soldiers from four small northern West Bank settlements. Nonetheless, Israel controls maritime, airspace, and most access to the Gaza Strip. A November 2005 PA-Israeli agreement authorized the reopening of the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt under joint PA and Egyptian control. In January 2006, the Islamic Resistance Movement, HAMAS, won control of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC). The international community refused to accept the HAMAS-led government because it did not recognize Israel, would not renounce violence, and refused to honor previous peace agreements between Israel and the PA. HAMAS took control of the PA government in March 2006, but President ABBAS had little success negotiating with HAMAS to present a political platform acceptable to the international community so as to lift economic sanctions on Palestinians. The PLC was unable to convene throughout most of 2006 as a result of Israel's detention of many HAMAS PLC members and Israeli-imposed travel restrictions on other PLC members. Violent clashes took place between Fatah and HAMAS supporters in the Gaza Strip in 2006 and early 2007, resulting in numerous Palestinian deaths and injuries. ABBAS and HAMAS Political Bureau Chief MISHAL in February 2007 signed the Mecca Agreement in Saudi Arabia that resulted in the formation of a Palestinian National Unity Government (NUG) headed by HAMAS member Ismail HANIYA. However, fighting continued in the Gaza Strip, and in June 2007, HAMAS militants succeeded in a violent takeover of all military and governmental institutions in the Gaza Strip. ABBAS dismissed the NUG and through a series of presidential decrees formed a PA government in the West Bank led by independent Salam FAYYAD. HAMAS rejected the NUG's dismissal and has called for resuming talks with Fatah, but ABBAS has ruled out negotiations until HAMAS agrees to a return of PA control over the Gaza Strip and recognizes the FAYYAD-led government. FAYYAD and his PA government initiated a series of security and economic reforms to improve conditions in the West Bank. ABBAS participated in talks with Israel's Prime Minister OLMERT and secured the release of some Palestinian prisoners and previously withheld customs revenue. During a November 2007 international meeting in Annapolis Maryland, ABBAS and OLMERT agreed to resume peace negotiations with the goal of reaching a final peace settlement. Geography ::West Bank Location: Middle East, west of Jordan Geographic coordinates: 32 00 N, 35 15 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 5,860 sq km country comparison to the world: 171 land: 5,640 sq km water: 220 sq km note: includes West Bank, Latrun Salient, and the northwest quarter of the Dead Sea, but excludes Mt. Scopus; East Jerusalem and Jerusalem No Man's Land are also included only as a means of depicting the entire area occupied by Israel in 1967 Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Delaware Land boundaries: total: 404 km border countries: Israel 307 km, Jordan 97 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: temperate; temperature and precipitation vary with altitude, warm to hot summers, cool to mild winters Terrain: mostly rugged dissected upland, some vegetation in west, but barren in east Elevation extremes: lowest point: Dead Sea -408 m highest point: Tall Asur 1,022 m Natural resources: arable land Land use: arable land: 16.9% permanent crops: 18.97% other: 64.13% (2001) Irrigated land: 150 sq km; note - includes Gaza Strip (2003) Natural hazards: droughts Environment - current issues: adequacy of fresh water supply; sewage treatment Geography - note: landlocked; highlands are main recharge area for Israel's coastal aquifers; there are about 340 Israeli civilian sites - including 100 small outpost communities in the West Bank and 29 sites in East Jerusalem (July 2008 est.) People ::West Bank Population: 2,461,267 country comparison to the world: 140 note: in addition, there are about 187,000 Israeli settlers in the West Bank and fewer than 177,000 in East Jerusalem (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 37.3% (male 470,735/female 446,878) 15-64 years: 59.1% (male 744,822/female 708,695) 65 years and over: 3.7% (male 37,471/female 52,666) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 20.5 years male: 20.4 years female: 20.8 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 2.178% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 45 Birth rate: 25.44 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 Death rate: 3.66 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 210 Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 Urbanization: urban population: 72% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 15.96 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 123 male: 17.87 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.54 years country comparison to the world: 89 male: 72.54 years female: 76.65 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.22 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: NA adjective: NA Ethnic groups: Palestinian Arab and other 83%, Jewish 17% Religions: Muslim 75% (predominantly Sunni), Jewish 17%, Christian and other 8% Languages: Arabic, Hebrew (spoken by Israeli settlers and many Palestinians), English (widely understood) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.4% male: 96.7% female: 88% (2004 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 14 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2006) Education expenditures: NA Government ::West Bank Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: West Bank Economy ::West Bank Economy - overview: The West Bank - the larger of the two areas comprising the Palestinian Authority (PA) - has experienced a general decline in economic conditions since the second intifada began in September 2000. The downturn has been largely a result of Israeli closure policies - the imposition of closures and access restrictions in response to security concerns in Israel - which disrupted labor and trading relationships. In 2001, and even more severely in 2002, Israeli military measures in PA areas resulted in the destruction of capital, the disruption of administrative structures, and widespread business closures. International aid of at least $1.14 billion to the West Bank and Gaza Strip in 2004 prevented the complete collapse of the economy and allowed some reforms in the government's financial operations. In 2005, high unemployment and limited trade opportunities - due to continued closures both within the West Bank and externally - stymied growth. Israel's and the international community's financial embargo of the PA when HAMAS ran the PA during March 2006 - June 2007 interrupted the provision of PA social services and the payment of PA salaries. Since then the FAYYAD government in the West Bank has restarted salary payments and the provision of services but would be unable to operate absent high levels of international assistance. GDP (purchasing power parity): $11.95 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $6.641 billion (2008 est.) (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 0.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 185 GDP - per capita (PPP): $2,900 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 166 note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 8% industry: 13% services: 79% (includes Gaza Strip) (2007 est.) Labor force: 605,000 (2006) country comparison to the world: 149 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 17% industry: 15% services: 68% (June 2008) Unemployment rate: 16.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 158 18.6% (2006) Population below poverty line: 46% (2007 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $1.149 billion expenditures: $2.31 billion note: includes Gaza Strip (2006) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 11.5% (2008) country comparison to the world: 166 3.6% (2006) note: data in include Gaza Strip Commercial bank prime lending rate: 7.19% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 111 7.73% (31 December 2006) Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $1.574 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $5.251 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 69 $3.048 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $1.367 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 101 $368.2 million (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 94 $2.475 billion (31 December 2007) $2.729 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: olives, citrus, vegetables; beef, dairy products Industries: cement, quarrying, textiles, soap, olive-wood carvings, and mother-of-pearl souvenirs; the Israelis have established some small-scale, modern industries in the settlements and industrial centers Industrial production growth rate: 2.4% (includes Gaza Strip) (2005) country comparison to the world: 96 Electricity - production: 500 million kWh; note - most electricity imported from Israel; East Jerusalem Electric Company buys and distributes electricity to Palestinians in East Jerusalem and its concession in the West Bank; the Israel Electric Company directly supplies electricity to most Jewish residents and military facilities; some Palestinian municipalities, such as Nablus and Janin, generate their own electricity from small power plants country comparison to the world: 160 Electricity - consumption: 3.265 billion kWh country comparison to the world: 121 Electricity - imports: 2.8 billion kWh Oil - proved reserves: NA bbl Exports: $339 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 172 $301 million (2005) note: includes Gaza Strip Exports - commodities: olives, fruit, vegetables, limestone Imports: $1.3 billion (2006) country comparison to the world: 165 $2.44 billion (2005) Imports - commodities: food, consumer goods, construction materials Debt - external: $1.3 billion (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 Exchange rates: new Israeli shekels (ILS) per US dollar - 3.56 (2008 est.), 4.14 (2007), 4.4565 (2006), 4.4877 (2005), 4.482 (2004) Communications ::West Bank Telephones - main lines in use: 348,000 (includes Gaza Strip) (2008) country comparison to the world: 111 Telephones - mobile cellular: 1.153 million (includes Gaza Strip) (2008) country comparison to the world: 140 Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: Israeli company BEZEK and the Palestinian company PALTEL are responsible for fixed line services; the Palestinian JAWAL company provides cellular services international: country code - 970 (2004) Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 25, shortwave 0 (2008) Television broadcast stations: 30 (2008) Internet country code: .ps; note - same as Gaza Strip Internet users: 356,000 (includes Gaza Strip) (2008) country comparison to the world: 118 Transportation ::West Bank Airports: 2 (2009) country comparison to the world: 204 Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Roadways: total: 5,147 km country comparison to the world: 153 paved: 5,147 km note: includes Gaza Strip (2006) Military ::West Bank Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 545,653 females age 16-49: 515,102 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 30,233 female: 28,745 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: NA Transnational Issues ::West Bank Disputes - international: West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation; Israel continues construction of a "seam line" separation barrier along parts of the Green Line and within the West Bank; Israel withdrew from four settlements in the northern West Bank in August 2005; since 1948, about 350 peacekeepers from the UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO), headquartered in Jerusalem, monitor ceasefires, supervise armistice agreements, prevent isolated incidents from escalating, and assist other UN personnel in the region Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 722,000 (Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA)) (2007) page last updated on November 3, 2009 ====================================================================== @Western Sahara (Africa) Introduction ::Western Sahara Background: Morocco virtually annexed the northern two-thirds of Western Sahara (formerly Spanish Sahara) in 1976, and claimed the rest of the territory in 1979, following Mauritania's withdrawal. A guerrilla war with the Polisario Front contesting Rabat's sovereignty ended in a 1991 UN-brokered cease-fire; a UN-organized referendum on the territory's final status has been repeatedly postponed. In April 2007, Morocco presented an autonomy plan for the territory to the UN, which the U.S. considers serious and credible. The Polisario also presented a plan to the UN in 2007 that called for independence. Representatives from the Government of Morocco and the Polisario Front have met four times since June 2007 to negotiate the status of Western Sahara, but talks have stalled since the UN envoy to the territory stated in April 2008 that independence is unrealistic. Geography ::Western Sahara Location: Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Mauritania and Morocco Geographic coordinates: 24 30 N, 13 00 W Map references: Africa Area: total: 266,000 sq km country comparison to the world: 77 land: 266,000 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: about the size of Colorado Land boundaries: total: 2,046 km border countries: Algeria 42 km, Mauritania 1,561 km, Morocco 443 km Coastline: 1,110 km Maritime claims: contingent upon resolution of sovereignty issue Climate: hot, dry desert; rain is rare; cold offshore air currents produce fog and heavy dew Terrain: mostly low, flat desert with large areas of rocky or sandy surfaces rising to small mountains in south and northeast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Sebjet Tah -55 m highest point: unnamed elevation 805 m Natural resources: phosphates, iron ore Land use: arable land: 0.02% permanent crops: 0% other: 99.98% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind can occur during winter and spring; widespread harmattan haze exists 60% of time, often severely restricting visibility Environment - current issues: sparse water and lack of arable land Environment - international agreements: party to: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: the waters off the coast are particularly rich fishing areas People ::Western Sahara Population: 405,210 country comparison to the world: 172 note: estimate is based on projections by age, sex, fertility, mortality, and migration; fertility and mortality are based on data from neighboring countries (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 44.9% (male 92,428/female 89,570) 15-64 years: 52.8% (male 105,191/female 108,803) 65 years and over: 2.3% (male 3,881/female 5,337) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 17.3 years male: 16.8 years female: 17.8 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 2.829% NA (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 Birth rate: 39.54 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 Death rate: 11.49 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 Urbanization: urban population: 81% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 69.66 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 25 male: 69.84 deaths/1,000 live births female: 69.47 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 54.32 years country comparison to the world: 195 male: 52 years female: 56.73 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: NA 5.61 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Sahrawi(s), Sahraoui(s) adjective: Sahrawi, Sahrawian, Sahraouian Ethnic groups: Arab, Berber Religions: Muslim Languages: Hassaniya Arabic, Moroccan Arabic Literacy: NA Government ::Western Sahara Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Western Sahara former: Spanish Sahara Government type: legal status of territory and issue of sovereignty unresolved; territory contested by Morocco and Polisario Front (Popular Front for the Liberation of the Saguia el Hamra and Rio de Oro), which in February 1976 formally proclaimed a government-in-exile of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), led by President Mohamed ABDELAZIZ; territory partitioned between Morocco and Mauritania in April 1976 when Spain withdrew, with Morocco acquiring northern two-thirds; Mauritania, under pressure from Polisario guerrillas, abandoned all claims to its portion in August 1979; Morocco moved to occupy that sector shortly thereafter and has since asserted administrative control; the Polisario's government-in-exile was seated as an Organization of African Unity (OAU) member in 1984; guerrilla activities continued sporadically until a UN-monitored cease-fire was implemented on 6 September 1991 (Security Council Resolution 690) by the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara or MINURSO Capital: none time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: none (under de facto control of Morocco) Suffrage: none; a UN-sponsored voter identification campaign not yet completed Executive branch: none Political pressure groups and leaders: none International organization participation: WFTU Diplomatic representation in the US: none Diplomatic representation from the US: none Economy ::Western Sahara Economy - overview: Western Sahara depends on pastoral nomadism, fishing, and phosphate mining as the principal sources of income for the population. The territory lacks sufficient rainfall for sustainable agricultural production, and most of the food for the urban population must be imported. Incomes in Western Sahara are substantially below the Moroccan level. The Moroccan Government controls all trade and other economic activities in Western Sahara. Morocco and the EU signed a four-year agreement in July 2006 allowing European vessels to fish off the coast of Morocco, including the disputed waters off the coast of Western Sahara. Moroccan energy interests in 2001 signed contracts to explore for oil off the coast of Western Sahara, which has angered the Polisario. However, in 2006 the Polisario awarded similar exploration licenses in the disputed territory, which would come into force if Morocco and the Polisario resolve their dispute over Western Sahara. GDP (purchasing power parity): $900 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 204 GDP (official exchange rate): $NA GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita (PPP): $2,500 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 174 GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: 40% (2007 est.) Labor force: 12,000 (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 208 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 50% industry and services: 50% (2005 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Agriculture - products: fruits and vegetables (grown in the few oases); camels, sheep, goats (kept by nomads); fish Industries: phosphate mining, handicrafts Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 90 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 192 Electricity - consumption: 83.7 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 192 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 Oil - consumption: 2,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 181 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 Oil - imports: 1,702 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 179 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 88 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 Exports: $NA Exports - commodities: phosphates 62% Imports: $NA Imports - commodities: fuel for fishing fleet, foodstuffs Debt - external: $NA Exchange rates: Moroccan dirhams (MAD) per US dollar - 7.526 (2008 est.), 8.3563 (2007), 8.7722 (2006), 8.865 (2005), 8.868 (2004) Communications ::Western Sahara Telephones - main lines in use: about 2,000 (1999 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: 0 (1999) country comparison to the world: 222 Telephone system: general assessment: sparse and limited system domestic: NA international: country code - 212; tied into Morocco's system by microwave radio relay, tropospheric scatter, and satellite; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) linked to Rabat, Morocco Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998) Television broadcast stations: NA Internet country code: .eh Transportation ::Western Sahara Airports: 6 (2009) country comparison to the world: 173 Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Ports and terminals: Ad Dakhla, Cabo Bojador, Laayoune (El Aaiun) Military ::Western Sahara Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 52,267 females age 16-49: 59,221 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 4,796 female: 4,679 (2009 est.) Transnational Issues ::Western Sahara Disputes - international: Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, whose sovereignty remains unresolved; UN-administered cease-fire has remained in effect since September 1991, administered by the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), but attempts to hold a referendum have failed and parties thus far have rejected all brokered proposals; several states have extended diplomatic relations to the "Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic" represented by the Polisario Front in exile in Algeria, while others recognize Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara; most of the approximately 102,000 Sahrawi refugees are sheltered in camps in Tindouf, Algeria page last updated on October 22, 2009 ====================================================================== @World (World) Introduction ::World Background: Globally, the 20th century was marked by: (a) two devastating world wars; (b) the Great Depression of the 1930s; (c) the end of vast colonial empires; (d) rapid advances in science and technology, from the first airplane flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina (US) to the landing on the moon; (e) the Cold War between the Western alliance and the Warsaw Pact nations; (f) a sharp rise in living standards in North America, Europe, and Japan; (g) increased concerns about the environment, including loss of forests, shortages of energy and water, the decline in biological diversity, and air pollution; (h) the onset of the AIDS epidemic; and (i) the ultimate emergence of the US as the only world superpower. The planet's population continues to explode: from 1 billion in 1820, to 2 billion in 1930, 3 billion in 1960, 4 billion in 1974, 5 billion in 1988, and 6 billion in 2000. For the 21st century, the continued exponential growth in science and technology raises both hopes (e.g., advances in medicine) and fears (e.g., development of even more lethal weapons of war). Geography ::World Geographic overview: The surface of the earth is approximately 70.9% water and 29.1% land. The former portion is divided into large water bodies termed oceans. The World Factbook recognizes and describes five oceans, which are in decreasing order of size: the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, and Arctic Ocean. The land portion is generally divided into several, large, discrete landmasses termed continents. Depending on the convention used, the number of continents can vary from five to seven. The most common classification recognizes seven, which are (from largest to smallest): Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia. Asia and Europe are sometimes lumped together into a Eurasian continent resulting in six continents. Alternatively, North and South America are sometimes grouped as simply the Americas, resulting in a continent total of six (or five, if the Eurasia designation is used). North America is commonly understood to include the island of Greenland, the isles of the Caribbean, and to extend south all the way to the Isthmus of Panama. The easternmost extent of Europe is generally defined as being the Ural Mountains and the Ural River; on the southeast the Caspian Sea; and on the south the Caucasus Mountains, the Black Sea, and the Mediterranean. Africa's northeast extremity is frequently delimited at the Isthmus of Suez, but for geopolitical purposes, the Egyptian Sinai Peninsula is often included as part of Africa. Asia usually incorporates all the islands of the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The islands of the Pacific are often lumped with Australia into a "land mass" termed Oceania or Australasia. Although the above groupings are the most common, different continental dispositions are recognized or taught in certain parts of the world, with some arrangements more heavily based on cultural spheres rather than physical geographic considerations. Map references: Political Map of the World , Physical Map of the World , Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total: 510.072 million sq km land: 148.94 million sq km water: 361.132 million sq km note: 70.9% of the world's surface is water, 29.1% is land Area - comparative: land area about 16 times the size of the US top fifteen World Factbook entities ranked by size: Pacific Ocean 155.557 million sq km; Atlantic Ocean 76.762 million sq km; Indian Ocean 68.556 million sq km; Southern Ocean 20.327 million sq km; Russia 17,098,242 sq km; Arctic Ocean 14.056 million sq km; Antarctica 14 million sq km; Canada 9,984,670 sq km; United States 9,826,675 sq km; China 9,596,961 sq km; Brazil 8,514,877 sq km; Australia 7,741,220 sq km; European Union 4,324,782 sq km; India 3,287,263 sq km; Argentina 2,780,400 sq km Land boundaries: the land boundaries in the world total 251,060 km (not counting shared boundaries twice); two nations, China and Russia, each border 14 other countries note: 45 nations and other areas are landlocked, these include: Afghanistan, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Czech Republic, Ethiopia, Holy See (Vatican City), Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malawi, Mali, Moldova, Mongolia, Nepal, Niger, Paraguay, Rwanda, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Swaziland, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Uzbekistan, West Bank, Zambia, Zimbabwe; two of these, Liechtenstein and Uzbekistan, are doubly landlocked Coastline: 356,000 km note: 94 nations and other entities are islands that border no other countries, they include: American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Ashmore and Cartier Islands, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Baker Island, Barbados, Bermuda, Bouvet Island, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Christmas Island, Clipperton Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Comoros, Cook Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Cuba, Cyprus, Dominica, Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), Faroe Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Greenland, Grenada, Guam, Guernsey, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Howland Island, Iceland, Isle of Man, Jamaica, Jan Mayen, Japan, Jarvis Island, Jersey, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Kiribati, Madagascar, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Martinique, Mauritius, Mayotte, Federated States of Micronesia, Midway Islands, Montserrat, Nauru, Navassa Island, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Norfolk Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Palmyra Atoll, Paracel Islands, Philippines, Pitcairn Islands, Puerto Rico, Reunion, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Helena, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Spratly Islands, Sri Lanka, Svalbard, Tokelau, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Virgin Islands, Wake Island, Wallis and Futuna, Taiwan Maritime claims: a variety of situations exist, but in general, most countries make the following claims measured from the mean low-tide baseline as described in the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea: territorial sea - 12 nm, contiguous zone - 24 nm, and exclusive economic zone - 200 nm; additional zones provide for exploitation of continental shelf resources and an exclusive fishing zone; boundary situations with neighboring states prevent many countries from extending their fishing or economic zones to a full 200 nm Climate: a wide equatorial band of hot and humid tropical climates - bordered north and south by subtropical temperate zones - that separate two large areas of cold and dry polar climates Terrain: the greatest ocean depth is the Mariana Trench at 10,924 m in the Pacific Ocean Elevation extremes: lowest point: Bentley Subglacial Trench -2,555 m note: in the oceanic realm, Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench is the lowest point, lying -10,924 m below the surface of the Pacific Ocean highest point: Mount Everest 8,850 m Natural resources: the rapid depletion of nonrenewable mineral resources, the depletion of forest areas and wetlands, the extinction of animal and plant species, and the deterioration in air and water quality (especially in some countries of Eastern Europe, the former USSR, and China) pose serious long-term problems that governments and peoples are only beginning to address Land use: arable land: 10.57% permanent crops: 1.04% other: 88.38% (2005) Irrigated land: 2,770,980 sq km (2003) Natural hazards: large areas subject to severe weather (tropical cyclones); natural disasters (earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions) Environment - current issues: large areas subject to overpopulation, industrial disasters, pollution (air, water, acid rain, toxic substances), loss of vegetation (overgrazing, deforestation, desertification), loss of wildlife, soil degradation, soil depletion, erosion; global warming becoming a greater concern Geography - note: the world is now thought to be about 4.55 billion years old, just about one-third of the 13.7-billion-year age estimated for the universe People ::World Population: 6,790,062,216 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 27.2% (male 950,127,898/female 894,359,186) 15-64 years: 65.2% (male 2,235,114,476/female 2,192,071,874) 65 years and over: 7.6% (male 227,748,114/female 290,640,668) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 28.4 years male: 27.7 years female: 29 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.167% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 19.95 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Death rate: 8.2 deaths/1,000 population (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 48.6% of total population (2005) rate of urbanization: 1.98% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) ten largest urban agglomerations: Tokyo (Japan) - 35,676,000; New York-Newark (US) - 19,040,000; Ciudad de Mexico (Mexico) - 19,028,000; Mumbai (India) - 18,978,000; Sao Paulo (Brazil) - 18,845,000; Delhi (India) - 15,926,000; Shanghai (China) - 14,987,000; Kolkata (India) - 14,787,000; Dhaka (Bangladesh) - 13,458,000; Buenos Aires (Argentina) - 12,795,000 (2007) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 40.85 deaths/1,000 live births male: 43.85 deaths/1,000 live births female: 37.67 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 66.57 years male: 64.52 years female: 68.76 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.58 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.8% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 33 million (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 2 million (2007 est.) Religions: Christians 33.32% (of which Roman Catholics 16.99%, Protestants 5.78%, Orthodox 3.53%, Anglicans 1.25%), Muslims 21.01%, Hindus 13.26%, Buddhists 5.84%, Sikhs 0.35%, Jews 0.23%, Baha'is 0.12%, other religions 11.78%, non-religious 11.77%, atheists 2.32% (2007 est.) Languages: Mandarin Chinese 13.22%, Spanish 4.88%, English 4.68%, Arabic 3.12%, Hindi 2.74%, Portuguese 2.69%, Bengali 2.59%, Russian 2.2%, Japanese 1.85%, Standard German 1.44%, French 1.2% (2005 est.) note: percents are for "first language" speakers only Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 82% male: 87% female: 77% note: over two-thirds of the world's 785 million illiterate adults are found in only eight countries (Bangladesh, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Pakistan); of all the illiterate adults in the world, two-thirds are women; extremely low literacy rates are concentrated in three regions, the Arab states, South and West Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa, where around one-third of the men and half of all women are illiterate (2005 est.) Government ::World Administrative divisions: 265 nations, dependent areas, and other entities Legal system: all members of the UN are parties to the statute that established the International Court of Justice (ICJ) or World Court Economy ::World Economy - overview: Global output rose by 3.8% in 2008, down from 5.2% in 2007. Among major economies, growth was led by China (9.8%), Russia (7.4%), and India (7.3%). Worldwide, nations varied widely in their growth results, with Macau (15%), Azerbaijan (13.2%), and Angola (11.6%), registering the highest. Growth rates slowed in all the major industrial countries and most developing countries, because of uncertainties in the financial markets and lowered consumer confidence. Externally, the nation-state, as a bedrock economic-political institution, is steadily losing control over international flows of people, goods, funds, and technology. Internally, the central government often finds its control over resources slipping as separatist regional movements - typically based on ethnicity - gain momentum, e.g., in many of the successor states of the former Soviet Union, in the former Yugoslavia, in India, in Iraq, in Indonesia, and in Canada. Externally, the central government is losing decisionmaking powers to international bodies, notably the EU. In Western Europe, governments face the difficult political problem of channeling resources away from welfare programs in order to increase investment and strengthen incentives to seek employment. The addition of 80 million people each year to an already overcrowded globe is exacerbating the problems of pollution, desertification, underemployment, epidemics, and famine. Because of their own internal problems and priorities, the industrialized countries devote insufficient resources to deal effectively with the poorer areas of the world, which, at least from an economic point of view, are becoming further marginalized. The introduction of the euro as the common currency of much of Western Europe in January 1999, while paving the way for an integrated economic powerhouse, poses economic risks because of varying levels of income and cultural and political differences among the participating nations. The terrorist attacks on the US on 11 September 2001 accentuated a growing risk to global prosperity, illustrated, for example, by the reallocation of resources away from investment to anti-terrorist programs. The opening of war in March 2003 between a US-led coalition and Iraq added new uncertainties to global economic prospects. The complex political difficulties and the high economic cost of establishing domestic order in Iraq became major global problems that continued through 2008. GDP (purchasing power parity): $70.14 trillion (2008 est.) $68.08 trillion (2007 est.) $64.77 trillion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): GWP (gross world product): $61.22 trillion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.9% (2008 est.) 5% (2007 est.) 5% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $10,500 (2008 est.) $10,300 (2007 est.) $9,900 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 4% industry: 32% services: 64% (2008 est.) Labor force: 3.232 billion (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 40.5% industry: 20.5% services: 39% (2007 est.) Unemployment rate: 30% (2007 est.) note: combined unemployment and underemployment in many non-industrialized countries; developed countries typically 4%-12% unemployment Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.5% highest 10%: 29.4% (2003 est.) Investment (gross fixed): 21.8% of GDP (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): developed countries 1% to 4% typically; developing countries 5% to 20% typically; national inflation rates vary widely in individual cases, from declining prices in Japan to hyperinflation in one Third World country (Zimbabwe); inflation rates have declined for most countries for the last several years, held in check by increasing international competition from several low wage countries Stock of money: $12.35 trillion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $27.31 trillion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $69.9 trillion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008 est.) $64.99 trillion (31 December 2007) $53.38 trillion (31 December 2006 est.) Industries: dominated by the onrush of technology, especially in computers, robotics, telecommunications, and medicines and medical equipment; most of these advances take place in OECD nations; only a small portion of non-OECD countries have succeeded in rapidly adjusting to these technological forces; the accelerated development of new industrial (and agricultural) technology is complicating already grim environmental problems Industrial production growth rate: 3.2% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 18.83 trillion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - consumption: 17.13 trillion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - exports: 621.4 billion kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 623.2 billion kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 85.43 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Oil - consumption: 85.98 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Oil - exports: 66.13 million bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - imports: 66.68 million bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - proved reserves: 1.343 trillion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Natural gas - production: 3.137 trillion cu m (2008 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 3.159 trillion cu m (2008 est.) Natural gas - exports: 980.4 billion cu m (2008) Natural gas - imports: 995.9 billion cu m (2008 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 177.4 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Exports: $16.04 trillion (2008 est.) $13.89 trillion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: the whole range of industrial and agricultural goods and services top ten - share of world trade: electrical machinery, including computers 14.8%; mineral fuels, including oil, coal, gas, and refined products 14.4%; nuclear reactors, boilers, and parts 14.2%; cars, trucks, and buses 8.9%; scientific and precision instruments 3.5%; plastics 3.4%; iron and steel 2.7%; organic chemicals 2.6%; pharmaceutical products 2.6%; diamonds, pearls, and precious stones 1.9% (2006 est.) Exports - partners: US 12.7%, Germany 7.2%, China 6.4%, France 4.5%, Japan 4.3%, UK 4.2% (2008) Imports: $15.97 trillion (2008 est.) $13.74 trillion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: the whole range of industrial and agricultural goods and services top ten - share of world trade: see listing for exports Imports - partners: China 10.3%, Germany 8.7%, US 8%, Japan 5% (2008) Debt - external: $60.96 trillion (31 December 2008 est.) $60.26 trillion (31 December 2007 est.) note: this figure is the sum total of all countries' external debt, both public and private Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $16.65 trillion (31 December 2008 est.) $14.77 trillion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $16.22 trillion (31 December 2008 est.) $15.43 trillion (31 December 2007 est.) Communications ::World Telephones - main lines in use: 1.268 billion (2008) Telephones - mobile cellular: 4,017.294 million (2008) Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: NA Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA Television broadcast stations: NA Internet users: 1.604 billion (2008) Transportation ::World Airports: total airports - 43,867 top ten by passengers: Atlanta (ATL) - 89,379,287; Chicago (ORD) - 76,177,855; London (LHR) - 68,068,304; Tokyo (HND) - 66,823,414; Los Angeles (LAX) - 61,896,075; Paris (CDG) - 59,922,177; Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) - 59,786,476; Frankfurt (FRA) - 54,161,856; Beijing (PEK) - 53,583,664; Madrid (MAD) - 52,122,702 top ten by cargo (metric tons): Memphis (MEM) - 3,840,491; Hong Kong (HKG) - 3,773,964; Anchorage (ANC) - 2,825,511; Shanghai (PVG) - 2,559,310; Inch'on (ICN) - 2,555,580; Paris (CDG) - 2,297,896; Tokyo (NRT) - 2,254,421; Frankfurt (FRA) - 2,127,646; Louisville (SDF) - 2,078,947; Miami (MIA) - 1,922,985 (2009) Heliports: 1,359 (2007) Railways: total: 1,134,429 km (2008) Roadways: total: 68,937,575 km (2008) Waterways: 671,886 km (2004) Ports and terminals: top ten container ports as measured by Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs): Singapore - 27,935,500; Shanghai - 26,150,000; Hong Kong - 23,999,000; Shenzhen (China) - 21,099,100; Pusan (South Korea) - 13,254,703; - Rotterdam - 10,790,604; Dubai (UAE) - 10,650,000; Kaohsiung (Taiwan) - 10,256,829; Hamburg - 9,917,180; Qingdao (China) - 9,462,000 (2007) Transportation - note: As of September 2009, incidents of piracy around the world have more than doubled over the comparable time period in 2008; half of all attacks occur in the waters off Somalia, primarily in the Gulf of Aden; other high risk areas include the waters off Nigeria, the South China Sea, and waters off Malaysia Military ::World Military expenditures: roughly 2% of GDP of gross world product (2005 est.) Transnational Issues ::World Disputes - international: stretching over 250,000 km, the world's 322 international land boundaries separate 194 independent states and 71 dependencies, areas of special sovereignty, and other miscellaneous entities; ethnicity, culture, race, religion, and language have divided states into separate political entities as much as history, physical terrain, political fiat, or conquest, resulting in sometimes arbitrary and imposed boundaries; most maritime states have claimed limits that include territorial seas and exclusive economic zones; overlapping limits due to adjacent or opposite coasts create the potential for 430 bilateral maritime boundaries of which 209 have agreements that include contiguous and non-contiguous segments; boundary, borderland/resource, and territorial disputes vary in intensity from managed or dormant to violent or militarized; undemarcated, indefinite, porous, and unmanaged boundaries tend to encourage illegal cross-border activities, uncontrolled migration, and confrontation; territorial disputes may evolve from historical and/or cultural claims, or they may be brought on by resource competition; ethnic and cultural clashes continue to be responsible for much of the territorial fragmentation and internal displacement of the estimated 6.6 million people and cross-border displacements of 8.6 million refugees around the world as of early 2006; just over one million refugees were repatriated in the same period; other sources of contention include access to water and mineral (especially hydrocarbon) resources, fisheries, and arable land; armed conflict prevails not so much between the uniformed armed forces of independent states as between stateless armed entities that detract from the sustenance and welfare of local populations, leaving the community of nations to cope with resultant refugees, hunger, disease, impoverishment, and environmental degradation Refugees and internally displaced persons: the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimated that in December 2006 there was a global population of 8.8 million registered refugees and as many as 24.5 million IDPs in more than 50 countries; the actual global population of refugees is probably closer to 10 million given the estimated 1.5 million Iraqi refugees displaced throughout the Middle East (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: approximately 800,000 people, mostly women and children, are trafficked annually across national borders, not including millions trafficked within their own countries; at least 80% of the victims are female and up to 50% are minors; 75% of all victims are trafficked into commercial sexual exploitation; almost two-thirds of the global victims are trafficked intra-regionally within East Asia and the Pacific (260,000 to 280,000 people) and Europe and Eurasia (170,000 to 210,000 people) Tier 2 Watch List: Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cyprus, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, The Gambia, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, India, Jordan, Libya, Malaysia, Montenegro, Mozambique, Niger, Panama, Republic of the Congo, Russia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe Tier 3: Algeria, Burma, Cuba, Fiji, Iran, Kuwait, Moldova, North Korea, Oman, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria (2008) Illicit drugs: cocaine: worldwide coca leaf cultivation in 2007 amounted to 232,500 hectares; Colombia produced slightly more than two-thirds of the worldwide crop, followed by Peru and Bolivia; potential pure cocaine production decreased 7% to 865 metric tons in 2007; Colombia conducts an aggressive coca eradication campaign, but both Peruvian and Bolivian Governments are hesitant to eradicate coca in key growing areas; 551 metric tons of export-quality cocaine (85% pure) is documented to have been seized or destroyed in 2005; US consumption of export quality cocaine is estimated to have been in excess of 380 metric tons opiates: worldwide illicit opium poppy cultivation continued to increase in 2007, with a potential opium production of 8,400 metric tons, reaching the highest levels recorded since estimates began in mid-1980s; Afghanistan is world's primary opium producer, accounting for 95% of the global supply; Southeast Asia - responsible for 9% of global opium - saw marginal increases in production; Latin America produced 1% of global opium, but most was refined into heroin destined for the US market; if all potential opium was processed into pure heroin, the potential global production would be 1,000 metric tons of heroin in 2007 page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Yemen (Middle East) Introduction ::Yemen Background: North Yemen became independent of the Ottoman Empire in 1918. The British, who had set up a protectorate area around the southern port of Aden in the 19th century, withdrew in 1967 from what became South Yemen. Three years later, the southern government adopted a Marxist orientation. The massive exodus of hundreds of thousands of Yemenis from the south to the north contributed to two decades of hostility between the states. The two countries were formally unified as the Republic of Yemen in 1990. A southern secessionist movement in 1994 was quickly subdued. In 2000, Saudi Arabia and Yemen agreed to a delimitation of their border. Geography ::Yemen Location: Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Red Sea, between Oman and Saudi Arabia Geographic coordinates: 15 00 N, 48 00 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 527,968 sq km country comparison to the world: 49 land: 527,968 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Perim, Socotra, the former Yemen Arab Republic (YAR or North Yemen), and the former People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (PDRY or South Yemen) Area - comparative: slightly larger than twice the size of Wyoming Land boundaries: total: 1,746 km border countries: Oman 288 km, Saudi Arabia 1,458 km Coastline: 1,906 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Climate: mostly desert; hot and humid along west coast; temperate in western mountains affected by seasonal monsoon; extraordinarily hot, dry, harsh desert in east Terrain: narrow coastal plain backed by flat-topped hills and rugged mountains; dissected upland desert plains in center slope into the desert interior of the Arabian Peninsula Elevation extremes: lowest point: Arabian Sea 0 m highest point: Jabal an Nabi Shu'ayb 3,667 m Natural resources: petroleum, fish, rock salt, marble; small deposits of coal, gold, lead, nickel, and copper; fertile soil in west Land use: arable land: 2.91% permanent crops: 0.25% other: 96.84% (2005) Irrigated land: 5,500 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 4.1 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 6.63 cu km/yr (4%/1%/95%) per capita: 316 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: sandstorms and dust storms in summer Environment - current issues: limited natural fresh water resources; inadequate supplies of potable water; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: strategic location on Bab el Mandeb, the strait linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, one of world's most active shipping lanes People ::Yemen Population: 23,822,783 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 Age structure: 0-14 years: 46.2% (male 5,602,590/female 5,398,103) 15-64 years: 51.3% (male 6,212,378/female 6,009,401) 65 years and over: 2.5% (male 288,501/female 311,810) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 16.8 years male: 16.7 years female: 16.8 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 3.453% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 Birth rate: 42.14 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 Death rate: 7.61 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 31% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 54.7 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 45 male: 59.12 deaths/1,000 live births female: 50.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63.27 years country comparison to the world: 173 male: 61.3 years female: 65.33 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.32 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 157 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 12,000 (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2009) Nationality: noun: Yemeni(s) adjective: Yemeni Ethnic groups: predominantly Arab; but also Afro-Arab, South Asians, Europeans Religions: Muslim including Shaf'i (Sunni) and Zaydi (Shia), small numbers of Jewish, Christian, and Hindu Languages: Arabic Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 50.2% male: 70.5% female: 30% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 9 years male: 11 years female: 7 years (2005) Education expenditures: 9.6% of GDP (2001) country comparison to the world: 5 Government ::Yemen Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Yemen conventional short form: Yemen local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Yamaniyah local short form: Al Yaman former: Yemen Arab Republic [Yemen (Sanaa) or North Yemen] and People's Democratic Republic of Yemen [Yemen (Aden) or South Yemen] Government type: republic Capital: name: Sanaa geographic coordinates: 15 21 N, 44 12 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 21 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Abyan, 'Adan, Ad Dali', Al Bayda', Al Hudaydah, Al Jawf, Al Mahrah, Al Mahwit, Amanat al 'Asimah, 'Amran, Dhamar, Hadramawt, Hajjah, Ibb, Lahij, Ma'rib, Raymah, Sa'dah, San'a', Shabwah, Ta'izz Independence: 22 May 1990 (Republic of Yemen was established with the merger of the Yemen Arab Republic [Yemen (Sanaa) or North Yemen] and the Marxist-dominated People's Democratic Republic of Yemen [Yemen (Aden) or South Yemen]); note - previously North Yemen became independent in November 1918 (from the Ottoman Empire) and became a republic with the overthrow of the theocratic Imamate in 1962; South Yemen became independent on 30 November 1967 (from the UK) National holiday: Unification Day, 22 May (1990) Constitution: 16 May 1991; amended 29 September 1994 and February 2001 Legal system: based on Islamic law, Turkish law, English common law, and local tribal customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Ali Abdallah SALIH (since 22 May 1990, the former president of North Yemen, assumed office upon the merger of North and South Yemen); Vice President Maj. Gen. Abd al-Rab Mansur al-HADI (since 3 October 1994) head of government: Prime Minister Ali Muhammad MUJAWWAR (since 31 March 2007) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; election last held 20 September 2006 (next to be held in September 2013); vice president appointed by the president; prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president election results: Ali Abdallah SALIH elected president; percent of vote - Ali Abdallah SALIH 77.2%, Faysal BIN SHAMLAN 21.8% Legislative branch: a bicameral legislature consisting of a Shura Council (111 seats; members appointed by the president) and a House of Representatives (301 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) elections: last held on 27 April 2003 (scheduled April 2009 election postponed for two years) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - GPC 228, Islah 47, YSP 7, Nasserite Unionist Party 3, National Arab Socialist Ba'th Party 2, independents 14 Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: General People's Congress or GPC [Abdul-Kader BAJAMMAL]; Islamic Reform Grouping or Islah [Mohammed Abdullah AL-YADOUMI (acting)]; Nasserite Unionist Party [Abdal Malik al-MAKHLAFI]; National Arab Socialist Ba'th Party [Dr. Qasim SALAM]; Yemeni Socialist Party or YSP [Ali Salih MUQBIL]; note - there are at least seven more active political parties Political pressure groups and leaders: Muslim Brotherhood; Women National Committee other: conservative tribal groups International organization participation: AFESD, AMF, CAEU, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, MINURCAT, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Abd al-Wahab Abdallah al-HAJRI chancery: 2319 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 965-4760 FAX: [1] (202) 337-2017 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Stephen A. SECHE embassy: Sa'awan Street, Sanaa mailing address: P. O. Box 22347, Sanaa telephone: [967] (1) 755-2000 ext. 2153 or 2266 FAX: [967] (1) 303-182 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black; similar to the flag of Syria, which has two green stars in the white band, and of Iraq, which has an Arabic inscription centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Egypt, which has a heraldic eagle centered in the white band Economy ::Yemen Economy - overview: Yemen, one of the poorest countries in the Arab world, reported average annual growth in the range of 3-4% from 2000 through 2007. In 2008, growth declined slightly as the price of oil dropped and the slowing global economy reduced demand for oil. Yemen's economic fortunes depend mostly on declining oil resources, but the country is trying to diversify its earnings. In 2006, Yemen began an economic reform program designed to bolster non-oil sectors of the economy and foreign investment. As a result of the program, international donors pledged about $5 billion for development projects. A liquefied natural gas facility is scheduled to open in 2009. Yemen has limited exposure to the international financial system and no capital markets, however, the global financial crisis probably will reduce international aid in 2009. GDP (purchasing power parity): $55.41 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 $53.69 billion (2007 est.) $51.87 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $26.91 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 3.5% (2007 est.) 3.2% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $2,500 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 175 $2,500 (2007 est.) $2,500 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 10.3% industry: 56.5% services: 33.2% (2008 est.) Labor force: 6.454 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 Labor force - by occupation: note: most people are employed in agriculture and herding; services, construction, industry, and commerce account for less than one-fourth of the labor force Unemployment rate: 35% (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 183 Population below poverty line: 45.2% (2003) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.9% highest 10%: 30.8% (2005) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 37.7 (2005) country comparison to the world: 76 33.4 (1998) Investment (gross fixed): 25.9% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 45 Budget: revenues: $9.243 billion expenditures: $10.36 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 28.1% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 46.4% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 19% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 202 10% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: NA% Commercial bank prime lending rate: 18% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 24 18% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $3.076 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) $4.526 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $2.224 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: grain, fruits, vegetables, pulses, qat, coffee, cotton; dairy products, livestock (sheep, goats, cattle, camels), poultry; fish Industries: crude oil production and petroleum refining; small-scale production of cotton textiles and leather goods; food processing; handicrafts; small aluminum products factory; cement; commercial ship repair Industrial production growth rate: 2.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 Electricity - production: 5.665 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 Electricity - consumption: 4.133 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 116 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 300,100 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 Oil - consumption: 149,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 Oil - exports: 274,400 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 Oil - imports: 65,860 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 Oil - proved reserves: 3 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 85 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 Natural gas - proved reserves: 478.5 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 Current account balance: -$1.113 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 125 -$1.547 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $8.977 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 $7.05 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: crude oil, coffee, dried and salted fish Exports - partners: China 28.4%, Thailand 23.6%, India 16.1%, South Africa 13.4%, Japan 4.7% (2008) Imports: $8.829 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 $7.49 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: food and live animals, machinery and equipment, chemicals Imports - partners: UAE 14.7%, India 11.7%, China 11.3%, Saudi Arabia 6.9%, Kuwait 5.2% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $8.157 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 $7.759 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $5.977 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 101 $6.044 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: Yemeni rials (YER) per US dollar - 199.76 (2008 est.), 199.14 (2007), 197.18 (2006), 192.67 (2005), 184.78 (2004) Communications ::Yemen Telephones - main lines in use: 1.117 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 72 Telephones - mobile cellular: 3.7 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 96 Telephone system: general assessment: since unification in 1990, efforts have been made to create a national telecommunications network domestic: the national network consists of microwave radio relay, cable, tropospheric scatter, GSM and CDMA mobile-cellular telephone systems; fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity remains low by regional standards international: country code - 967; landing point for the international submarine cable Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG); satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region), and 2 Arabsat; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia and Djibouti Radio broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 1, shortwave 2 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 3 (including one Egypt-based station that broadcasts in Yemen); plus several repeaters (2007) Internet country code: .ye Internet hosts: 242 (2009) country comparison to the world: 184 Internet users: 370,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 115 Transportation ::Yemen Airports: 55 (2009) country comparison to the world: 85 Airports - with paved runways: total: 18 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 37 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 9 (2009) Pipelines: gas 96 km; liquid petroleum gas 22 km; oil 1,367 km (2008) Roadways: total: 71,300 km country comparison to the world: 65 paved: 6,200 km unpaved: 65,100 km (2005) Merchant marine: total: 4 country comparison to the world: 135 by type: cargo 1, chemical tanker 1, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1 registered in other countries: 13 (North Korea 2, Moldova 1, Panama 6, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Sierra Leone 2, unknown 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Aden, Al Hudaydah, Al Mukalla Transportation - note: the International Maritime Bureau reports offshore waters in the Gulf of Aden are high risk for piracy; numerous vessels, including commercial shipping and pleasure craft, have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; crew, passengers, and cargo are held for ransom Military ::Yemen Military branches: Army (includes Republican Guard), Navy (includes Marines), Yemen Air Force (Al Quwwat al Jawwiya al Jamahiriya al Yemeniya; includes Air Defense Force) (2009) Military service age and obligation: voluntary military service program authorized in 2001; 2-year service obligation (2006) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 5,080,038 females age 16-49: 4,852,555 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 3,733,704 females age 16-49: 3,773,626 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 273,624 female: 263,402 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 6.6% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 7 Military - note: a Coast Guard was established in 2002 Transnational Issues ::Yemen Disputes - international: Saudi Arabia has reinforced its concrete-filled security barrier along sections of the fully demarcated border with Yemen to stem illegal cross-border activities Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 91,587 (Somalia) (2007) page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Zambia (Africa) Introduction ::Zambia Background: The territory of Northern Rhodesia was administered by the [British] South Africa Company from 1891 until it was taken over by the UK in 1923. During the 1920s and 1930s, advances in mining spurred development and immigration. The name was changed to Zambia upon independence in 1964. In the 1980s and 1990s, declining copper prices and a prolonged drought hurt the economy. Elections in 1991 brought an end to one-party rule, but the subsequent vote in 1996 saw blatant harassment of opposition parties. The election in 2001 was marked by administrative problems with three parties filing a legal petition challenging the election of ruling party candidate Levy MWANAWASA. The new president launched an anticorruption investigation in 2002 to probe high-level corruption during the previous administration. In 2006-07, this task force successfully prosecuted four cases, including a landmark civil case in the UK in which former President CHILUBA and numerous others were found liable for USD 41 million. MWANAWASA was reelected in 2006 in an election that was deemed free and fair. Upon his abrupt death in August 2008, he was succeeded by his Vice-president Rupiah BANDA, who subsequently won a special presidential election in October 2008. Geography ::Zambia Location: Southern Africa, east of Angola Geographic coordinates: 15 00 S, 30 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 752,618 sq km country comparison to the world: 39 land: 743,398 sq km water: 9,220 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Texas Land boundaries: total: 5,664 km border countries: Angola 1,110 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,930 km, Malawi 837 km, Mozambique 419 km, Namibia 233 km, Tanzania 338 km, Zimbabwe 797 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: tropical; modified by altitude; rainy season (October to April) Terrain: mostly high plateau with some hills and mountains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Zambezi river 329 m highest point: unnamed location in Mafinga Hills 2,301 m Natural resources: copper, cobalt, zinc, lead, coal, emeralds, gold, silver, uranium, hydropower Land use: arable land: 6.99% permanent crops: 0.04% other: 92.97% (2005) Irrigated land: 1,560 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 105.2 cu km (2001) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 1.74 cu km/yr (17%/7%/76%) per capita: 149 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: periodic drought; tropical storms (November to April) Environment - current issues: air pollution and resulting acid rain in the mineral extraction and refining region; chemical runoff into watersheds; poaching seriously threatens rhinoceros, elephant, antelope, and large cat populations; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; lack of adequate water treatment presents human health risks Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: landlocked; the Zambezi forms a natural riverine boundary with Zimbabwe People ::Zambia Population: 11,862,740 country comparison to the world: 71 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 45.1% (male 2,685,142/female 2,659,771) 15-64 years: 52.6% (male 3,122,305/female 3,116,846) 65 years and over: 2.3% (male 114,477/female 164,199) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 17 years male: 16.9 years female: 17.2 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.631% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 Birth rate: 40.24 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 17 Death rate: 21.34 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 Net migration rate: -2.59 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 Urbanization: urban population: 35% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 101.2 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 9 male: 105.97 deaths/1,000 live births female: 96.28 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 38.63 years country comparison to the world: 222 male: 38.53 years female: 38.73 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.15 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 15.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 1.1 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 56,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and plague are high risks in some locations water contact disease: schistosomiasis animal contact disease: rabies (2009) Nationality: noun: Zambian(s) adjective: Zambian Ethnic groups: African 99.5% (includes Bemba, Tonga, Chewa, Lozi, Nsenga, Tumbuka, Ngoni, Lala, Kaonde, Lunda, and other African groups), other 0.5% (includes Europeans, Asians, and Americans) (2000 Census) Religions: Christian 50%-75%, Muslim and Hindu 24%-49%, indigenous beliefs 1% Languages: Bemba 30.1% (official), Nyanja 10.7% (official), Tonga 10.6% (official), Lozi 5.7% (official), Chewa 4.9%, Nsenga 3.4%, Tumbuka 2.5%, Lunda 2.2% (official), Kaonde 2% (official), Lala 2%, Luvale 1.7% (official), English 1.7% (official), other 22.5% (2000 Census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write English total population: 80.6% male: 86.8% female: 74.8% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 7 years male: 7 years female: 7 years (2000) Education expenditures: 2% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 167 Government ::Zambia Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Zambia conventional short form: Zambia former: Northern Rhodesia Government type: republic Capital: name: Lusaka geographic coordinates: 15 25 S, 28 17 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 9 provinces; Central, Copperbelt, Eastern, Luapula, Lusaka, Northern, North-Western, Southern, Western Independence: 24 October 1964 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 24 October (1964) Constitution: 24 August 1991; amended in 1996 to establish presidential term limits Legal system: based on English common law and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in an ad hoc constitutional council; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Rupiah BANDA (since 19 August 2008); Vice President George KUNDA (since 14 November 2008); note - President BANDA was acting president since the illness and eventual death of President Levy MWANAWASA on 18 August 2008, he was then elected president on 30 October 2008 to serve out the remainder of MWANAWASA's term; the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Rupiah BANDA (since 19 August 2008); Vice President George KUNDA (since 14 November 2008) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 30 October 2008 (next to be held in 2011); vice president appointed by the president; note - due to the death of former President Levy MWANAWASA, early elections were held to identify a replacement to serve out the remainder of his term election results: Rupiah BANDA elected president; percent of vote - Rupiah BANDA 40.1%, Michael SATA 38.1%, Hakainde HICHILEMA 19.7%, Godfrey MIYANDA 0.8%, other 1.3% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (158 seats; 150 members are elected by popular vote, 8 members are appointed by the president, to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 28 September 2006 (next to be held in October 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MMD 72, PF 44, UDA 27, ULP 2, NDF 1, independents 2; seats not determined 2 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (the final court of appeal; justices are appointed by the president); High Court (has unlimited jurisdiction to hear civil and criminal cases) Political parties and leaders: Forum for Democracy and Development or FDD [Edith NAWAKWI]; Heritage Party or HP [Godfrey MIYANDA]; Movement for Multiparty Democracy or MMD [vacant]; Patriotic Front or PF [Michael SATA]; Party of Unity for Democracy and Development or PUDD [Dan PULE]; Reform Party [Nevers MUMBA]; United Democratic Alliance or UDA (a coalition of RP, ZADECO, PUDD, and ZRP); United Liberal Party or ULP [Sakwiba SIKOTA]; United National Independence Party or UNIP [Tilyenji KAUNDA]; United Party for National Development or UPND [Hakainde HICHILEMA]; Zambia Democratic Congress or ZADECO [Langton SICHONE]; Zambian Republican Party or ZRP [Benjamin MWILA] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, C, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, MONUC, NAM, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Inonge MBIKUSITA-LEWANIKA chancery: 2419 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-9717 through 9719 FAX: [1] (202) 332-0826 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Donald E. BOOTH embassy: corner of Independence and United Nations Avenues, Lusaka mailing address: P. O. Box 31617, Lusaka telephone: [260] (211) 250-955 FAX: [260] (211) 252-225 Flag description: green field with a panel of three vertical bands of red (hoist side), black, and orange below a soaring orange eagle, on the outer edge of the flag Economy ::Zambia Economy - overview: Zambia's economy has experienced strong growth in recent years, with real GDP growth in 2005-08 about 6% per year. Privatization of government-owned copper mines in the 1990s relieved the government from covering mammoth losses generated by the industry and greatly improved the chances for copper mining to return to profitability and spur economic growth. Copper output has increased steadily since 2004, due to higher copper prices and foreign investment. In 2005, Zambia qualified for debt relief under the Highly Indebted Poor Country Initiative, consisting of approximately USD 6 billion in debt relief. Zambia experienced a bumper harvest in 2007, which helped to boost GDP and agricultural exports and contain inflation. Although poverty continues to be significant problem in Zambia, its economy has strengthened, featuring single-digit inflation, a relatively stable currency, decreasing interest rates, and increasing levels of trade. The decline in world commodity prices and demand will hurt GDP growth in 2009, and elections and campaign promises are likely to weaken Zambia's improved fiscal stance. GDP (purchasing power parity): $17.54 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 $16.55 billion (2007 est.) $15.58 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $14.65 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 6.2% (2007 est.) 6.2% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $1,500 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 200 $1,400 (2007 est.) $1,400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 16% industry: 26.6% services: 57.4% (2008 est.) Labor force: 5.235 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 85% industry: 6% services: 9% (2004) Unemployment rate: 50% (2000 est.) country comparison to the world: 193 Population below poverty line: 86% (1993) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.2% highest 10%: 38.8% (2004) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 50.8 (2004) country comparison to the world: 20 52.6 (1998) Investment (gross fixed): 25.5% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 Budget: revenues: $3.291 billion expenditures: $3.578 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 29.5% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 127.5% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 12.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 172 10.6% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 14.49% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 29 11.73% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 19.06% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 21 18.89% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $1.034 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 86 $995.8 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $1.618 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 87 $1.709 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $2.138 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 91 $1.968 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 96 $2.346 billion (31 December 2007) $1.186 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: corn, sorghum, rice, peanuts, sunflower seed, vegetables, flowers, tobacco, cotton, sugarcane, cassava (tapioca), coffee; cattle, goats, pigs, poultry, milk, eggs, hides Industries: copper mining and processing, construction, foodstuffs, beverages, chemicals, textiles, fertilizer, horticulture Industrial production growth rate: 6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 Electricity - production: 9.752 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 Electricity - consumption: 8.838 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 Electricity - exports: 268 million kWh (2007) Electricity - imports: 222 million kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 159.3 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 Oil - consumption: 16,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 Oil - exports: 275.3 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 Oil - imports: 14,730 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 125 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl country comparison to the world: 112 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 84 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 Current account balance: -$977 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 -$198 million (2007 est.) Exports: $4.818 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 $4.594 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: copper/cobalt 64%, cobalt, electricity; tobacco, flowers, cotton Exports - partners: China 14.2%, South Africa 8.5%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 8.1%, Saudi Arabia 7.9%, South Korea 7.9%, Egypt 7.7%, Italy 6.9%, Belgium 4.1% (2008) Imports: $4.694 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 $3.611 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery, transportation equipment, petroleum products, electricity, fertilizer; foodstuffs, clothing Imports - partners: South Africa 51.7%, UAE 8%, China 6.8%, India 4.5% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $1.096 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 125 $1.09 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $3.095 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 $2.596 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $40.34 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Exchange rates: Zambian kwacha (ZMK) per US dollar - 3,512.9 (2008 est.), 3,990.2 (2007), 3,601.5 (2006), 4,463.5 (2005), 4,778.9 (2004) Communications ::Zambia Telephones - main lines in use: 90,600 (2008) country comparison to the world: 146 Telephones - mobile cellular: 3.539 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 97 Telephone system: general assessment: facilities are aging but still among the best in Sub-Saharan Africa domestic: high-capacity microwave radio relay connects most larger towns and cities; several cellular telephone services in operation and network coverage is improving; Internet service is widely available; very small aperture terminal (VSAT) networks are operated by private firms international: country code - 260; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 19, FM 5, shortwave 4 (2001) Television broadcast stations: 9 (2001) Internet country code: .zm Internet hosts: 14,951 (2009) country comparison to the world: 109 Internet users: 700,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 100 Transportation ::Zambia Airports: 97 (2009) country comparison to the world: 64 Airports - with paved runways: total: 9 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 88 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 65 under 914 m: 18 (2009) Pipelines: oil 771 km (2008) Railways: total: 2,157 km country comparison to the world: 70 narrow gauge: 2,157 km 1.067-m gauge note: includes 891 km of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) (2008) Roadways: total: 91,440 km country comparison to the world: 54 paved: 20,117 km unpaved: 71,323 km (2001) Waterways: 2,250 km (includes Lake Tanganyika and the Zambezi and Luapula rivers) (2008) country comparison to the world: 40 Ports and terminals: Mpulungu Military ::Zambia Military branches: Zambian National Defense Force (ZNDF): Zambian Army, Zambian Air Force, National Service (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18-27 years of age for voluntary military service (16 years of age with parental consent); Zambian citizenship required; mandatory HIV testing on enlistment; no conscription (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 2,678,668 females age 16-49: 2,567,433 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,364,173 females age 16-49: 1,245,220 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 149,567 female: 148,889 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.8% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 Transnational Issues ::Zambia Disputes - international: in 2004, Zimbabwe dropped objections to plans between Botswana and Zambia to build a bridge over the Zambezi River, thereby de facto recognizing a short, but not clearly delimited, Botswana-Zambia boundary in the river Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 42,565 (Angola); 60,874 (Democratic Republic of the Congo); 4,100 (Rwanda) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Zambia is a source, transit, and destination country for women and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and sexual exploitation; many Zambian child laborers, particularly those in the agriculture, domestic service, and fishing sectors, are also victims of human trafficking; Zambian women, lured by false employment or marriage offers abroad, are trafficked to South Africa via Zimbabwe and to Europe via Malawi for sexual exploitation; Zambia is a transit point for regional trafficking of women and children, particularly from Angola to Namibia and from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to South Africa for agricultural labor tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Zambia is on the Tier 2 Watch List for failing to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat severe forms of trafficking, particularly in regard to its inability to bring alleged traffickers to justice through prosecutions and convictions; unlike 2006, there were no new prosecutions or convictions of alleged traffickers in 2007; government efforts to protect victims of trafficking remained extremely limited throughout the year (2008) Illicit drugs: transshipment point for moderate amounts of methaqualone, small amounts of heroin, and cocaine bound for southern Africa and possibly Europe; a poorly developed financial infrastructure coupled with a government commitment to combating money laundering make it an unattractive venue for money launderers; major consumer of cannabis page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @Zimbabwe (Africa) Introduction ::Zimbabwe Background: The UK annexed Southern Rhodesia from the [British] South Africa Company in 1923. A 1961 constitution was formulated that favored whites in power. In 1965 the government unilaterally declared its independence, but the UK did not recognize the act and demanded more complete voting rights for the black African majority in the country (then called Rhodesia). UN sanctions and a guerrilla uprising finally led to free elections in 1979 and independence (as Zimbabwe) in 1980. Robert MUGABE, the nation's first prime minister, has been the country's only ruler (as president since 1987) and has dominated the country's political system since independence. His chaotic land redistribution campaign, which began in 2000, caused an exodus of white farmers, crippled the economy, and ushered in widespread shortages of basic commodities. Ignoring international condemnation, MUGABE rigged the 2002 presidential election to ensure his reelection. The ruling ZANU-PF party used fraud and intimidation to win a two-thirds majority in the March 2005 parliamentary election, allowing it to amend the constitution at will and recreate the Senate, which had been abolished in the late 1980s. In April 2005, Harare embarked on Operation Restore Order, ostensibly an urban rationalization program, which resulted in the destruction of the homes or businesses of 700,000 mostly poor supporters of the opposition. President MUGABE in June 2007 instituted price controls on all basic commodities causing panic buying and leaving store shelves empty for months. General elections held in March 2008 contained irregularities but still amounted to a censure of the ZANU-PF-led government with significant gains in opposition seats in parliament. MDC opposition leader Morgan TSVANGIRAI won the presidential polls, and may have won an out right majority, but official results posted by the Zimbabwe Electoral Committee did not reflect this. In the lead up to a run-off election in late June 2008, considerable violence enacted against opposition party members led to the withdrawal of TSVANGIRAI from the ballot. Extensive evidence of vote tampering and ballot-box stuffing resulted in international condemnation of the process. Difficult negotiations over a power sharing agreement, allowing MUGABE to remain as president and creating the new position of prime minister for TSVANGIRAI, were finally settled in February 2009. Geography ::Zimbabwe Location: Southern Africa, between South Africa and Zambia Geographic coordinates: 20 00 S, 30 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 390,757 sq km country comparison to the world: 60 land: 386,847 sq km water: 3,910 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Montana Land boundaries: total: 3,066 km border countries: Botswana 813 km, Mozambique 1,231 km, South Africa 225 km, Zambia 797 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: tropical; moderated by altitude; rainy season (November to March) Terrain: mostly high plateau with higher central plateau (high veld); mountains in east Elevation extremes: lowest point: junction of the Runde and Save rivers 162 m highest point: Inyangani 2,592 m Natural resources: coal, chromium ore, asbestos, gold, nickel, copper, iron ore, vanadium, lithium, tin, platinum group metals Land use: arable land: 8.24% permanent crops: 0.33% other: 91.43% (2005) Irrigated land: 1,740 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 20 cu km (1987) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 4.21 cu km/yr (14%/7%/79%) per capita: 324 cu m/yr (2002) Natural hazards: recurring droughts; floods and severe storms are rare Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; land degradation; air and water pollution; the black rhinoceros herd - once the largest concentration of the species in the world - has been significantly reduced by poaching; poor mining practices have led to toxic waste and heavy metal pollution Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: landlocked; the Zambezi forms a natural riverine boundary with Zambia; in full flood (February-April) the massive Victoria Falls on the river forms the world's largest curtain of falling water People ::Zimbabwe Population: 11,392,629 country comparison to the world: 73 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 43.9% (male 2,523,119/female 2,473,928) 15-64 years: 52.2% (male 2,666,928/female 3,283,474) 65 years and over: 3.9% (male 194,360/female 250,820) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 17.6 years male: 16.3 years female: 18.8 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 1.53% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 85 Birth rate: 31.49 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 Death rate: 16.19 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 Net migration rate: NA note: there is an increasing flow of Zimbabweans into South Africa and Botswana in search of better economic opportunities (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 37% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.81 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 0.9 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 32.31 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 71 male: 34.9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 29.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 45.77 years country comparison to the world: 213 male: 46.36 years female: 45.16 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.69 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 15.3% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 1.3 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 140,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria water contact disease: schistosomiasis animal contact disease: rabies (2009) Nationality: noun: Zimbabwean(s) adjective: Zimbabwean Ethnic groups: African 98% (Shona 82%, Ndebele 14%, other 2%), mixed and Asian 1%, white less than 1% Religions: syncretic (part Christian, part indigenous beliefs) 50%, Christian 25%, indigenous beliefs 24%, Muslim and other 1% Languages: English (official), Shona, Sindebele (the language of the Ndebele, sometimes called Ndebele), numerous but minor tribal dialects Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write English total population: 90.7% male: 94.2% female: 87.2% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 9 years male: 9 years female: 9 years (2003) Education expenditures: 4.6% of GDP (2000) country comparison to the world: 84 Government ::Zimbabwe Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Zimbabwe conventional short form: Zimbabwe former: Southern Rhodesia, Rhodesia Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: name: Harare geographic coordinates: 17 50 S, 31 03 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 8 provinces and 2 cities* with provincial status; Bulawayo*, Harare*, Manicaland, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Masvingo, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Midlands Independence: 18 April 1980 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 18 April (1980) Constitution: 21 December 1979 Legal system: mixture of Roman-Dutch and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Executive President Robert Gabriel MUGABE (since 31 December 1987); Vice President Joseph MSIKA (since December 1999) and Vice President Joyce MUJURU (since 6 December 2004) head of government: Prime Minister Morgan TSVANGIRAI (since 11 February 2009); Deputy Prime Minister Arthur MUTAMBARA cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president; responsible to the House of Assembly elections: presidential candidates nominated with a nomination paper signed by at least 10 registered voters (at least one from each province) and elected by popular vote for a five-year term (no term limits); elections last held 28 March 2008 followed by a run-off on 27 June 2008 (next to be held in 2013); co-vice presidents appointed by the president election results: Robert Gabriel MUGABE reelected president; percent of vote - Robert Gabriel MUGABE 85.5%, Morgan TSVANGIRAI 9.3%, other 5.2%; note - first round voting results - Morgan TSVANGIRAI 47.9%, Robert Gabriel MUGABE 43.2%, Simba MAKONI 8.3%, other 0.6%; first-round round polls were deemed to be flawed suppressing TSVANGIRAI's results; the 27 June 2008 run-off between MUGABE and TSVANGIRAI were severely flawed and internationally condemned Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of a Senate (93 seats - 60 elected by popular vote for a five-year term, 10 provincial governors nominated by the president, 16 traditional chiefs elected by the Council of Chiefs, 2 held by the president and deputy president of the Council of Chiefs, and 5 appointed by the president) and a House of Assembly (210 seats - all elected by popular vote for five-year terms) elections: last held 28 March 2008 (next to be held in 2013) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - MDC 51.6%, ZANU-PF 45.8%, other 2.6%; seats by party - MDC 30, ZANU-PF 30; House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - MDC 51.3%, ZANU-PF 45.8%, other 2.9%; seats by party - MDC 109, ZANU-PF 97, other 4 Judicial branch: Supreme Court; High Court Political parties and leaders: African National Party or ANP [Egypt DZINEMUNHENZVA]; Movement for Democratic Change or MDC [Morgan TSVANGIRAI]; Movement for Democratic Change - Mutambara or MDC-M [splinter faction under Arthur MUTAMBARA]; Peace Action is Freedom for All or PAFA; United Parties [Abel MUZOREWA]; United People's Party or UPP [Daniel SHUMBA]; Zimbabwe African National Union-Ndonga or ZANU-Ndonga [Wilson KUMBULA]; Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front or ZANU-PF [Robert Gabriel MUGABE]; Zimbabwe African Peoples Union or ZAPU [Agrippa MADLELA]; Zimbabwe Youth in Alliance or ZIYA Political pressure groups and leaders: Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition [Xolani ZITHA]; National Constitutional Assembly or NCA [Lovemore MADHUKU]; Women of Zimbabwe Arise or WOZA [Jenny WILLIAMS]; Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions or ZCTU [Wellington CHIBEBE] International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, COMESA, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Machivenyika MAPURANGA chancery: 1608 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 332-7100 FAX: [1] (202) 483-9326 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador James D. MCGEE embassy: 172 Herbert Chitepo Avenue, Harare mailing address: P. O. Box 3340, Harare telephone: [263] (4) 250-593 through 250-594 FAX: [263] (4) 796-488, or 722-618 Flag description: seven equal horizontal bands of green, yellow, red, black, red, yellow, and green with a white isosceles triangle edged in black with its base on the hoist side; a yellow Zimbabwe bird representing the long history of the country is superimposed on a red five-pointed star in the center of the triangle, which symbolizes peace; green symbolizes agriculture, yellow - mineral wealth, red - blood shed to achieve independence, and black stands for the native people Economy ::Zimbabwe Economy - overview: The government of Zimbabwe faces a wide variety of difficult economic problems as it struggles with an unsustainable fiscal deficit, an overvalued official exchange rate, hyperinflation, and bare store shelves. Its 1998-2002 involvement in the war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo drained hundreds of millions of dollars from the economy. The government's land reform program, characterized by chaos and violence, has badly damaged the commercial farming sector, the traditional source of exports and foreign exchange and the provider of 400,000 jobs, turning Zimbabwe into a net importer of food products. The EU and the US provide food aid on humanitarian grounds. Badly needed support from the IMF has been suspended because of the government's arrears on past loans and the government's unwillingness to enact reforms that would stabilize the economy. The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe routinely prints money to fund the budget deficit, causing the official annual inflation rate to rise from 32% in 1998, to 133% in 2004, 585% in 2005, past 1,000% in 2006, and 26,000% in November 2007, and to 11.2 million percent in 2008. Meanwhile, the official exchange rate fell from approximately 1 (revalued) Zimbabwean dollar per US dollar in 2003 to 30,000 per US dollar in September 2007. GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.925 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 183 $2.241 billion (2007 est.) $2.371 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $10.58 billion note: hyperinflation and the plunging value of the Zimbabwean dollar makes Zimbabwe's GDP at the official exchange rate a highly inaccurate statistic (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -14.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 217 -5.6% (2007 est.) -4.6% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $200 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 229 $200 (2007 est.) $200 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 18.1% industry: 22.6% services: 59.3% (2008 est.) Labor force: 4.039 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 66% industry: 10% services: 24% (1996) Unemployment rate: 80% (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 198 Population below poverty line: 68% (2004) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 40.4% (1995) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 50.1 (2006) country comparison to the world: 24 50.1 (1995) Investment (gross fixed): 17.7% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 Budget: revenues: $941,600 expenditures: $1.092 million (2008 est.) Public debt: 265.6% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 52.3% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 14.93 billion% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 222 12,563% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: NA% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 1 975% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: NA% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 1 578.96% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $NA (31 December 2008) $14.18 billion (31 December 2007) note: this number reflects the vastly overvalued official exchange rate of 30,000 Zimbabwe dollars per US dollar; at an unofficial rate of 800,000 Zimbabwe dollars per US dollar, the stock of Zimbabwe dollars would equal only about US$500 million and Zimbabwe's velocity of money (the number of times money turns over in the course of a year) would be nine, in line with the velocity of money for other countries in the region Stock of quasi money: $NA (31 December 2008) $5.349 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31 December 2008) $24.91 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 87 $5.333 billion (31 December 2007) $26.56 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: corn, cotton, tobacco, wheat, coffee, sugarcane, peanuts; sheep, goats, pigs Industries: mining (coal, gold, platinum, copper, nickel, tin, clay, numerous metallic and nonmetallic ores), steel; wood products, cement, chemicals, fertilizer, clothing and footwear, foodstuffs, beverages Industrial production growth rate: -14.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 Electricity - production: 8.89 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 Electricity - consumption: 10.89 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 Electricity - exports: 32 million kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 2.691 billion kWh (2007 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 Oil - consumption: 13,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 143 Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 Oil - imports: 13,830 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 131 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 108 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 116 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 83 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 108 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 Current account balance: -$584.6 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 -$494.8 million (2007 est.) Exports: $1.396 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 $1.467 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: platinum, cotton, tobacco, gold, ferroalloys, textiles/clothing Exports - partners: South Africa 32.1%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 9.7%, Botswana 8.7%, China 5.6%, Zambia 4.8%, Japan 4.5%, Italy 4.4%, US 4.3% (2008) Imports: $1.915 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 $1.975 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, other manufactures, chemicals, fuels Imports - partners: South Africa 60.1%, China 4.2%, Botswana 3.7% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $96 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 148 $117 million (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $5.669 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 $5.155 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $NA Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Exchange rates: Zimbabwean dollars (ZWD) per US dollar - NA (2008 est.), 30,000 (2007), 162.07 (2006), 77.965 (2005), 5.729 (2004) note: these are official exchange rates; non-official rates vary significantly Communications ::Zimbabwe Telephones - main lines in use: 354,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 109 Telephones - mobile cellular: 1.655 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 130 Telephone system: general assessment: system was once one of the best in Africa, but now suffers from poor maintenance; more than 100,000 outstanding requests for connection despite an equally large number of installed but unused main lines domestic: consists of microwave radio relay links, open-wire lines, radiotelephone communication stations, fixed wireless local loop installations, and a substantial mobile-cellular network; Internet connection is available in Harare and planned for all major towns and for some of the smaller ones international: country code - 263; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat; 2 international digital gateway exchanges (in Harare and Gweru) Radio broadcast stations: AM 7, FM 20 (plus 17 repeater stations), shortwave 1 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 16 (1997) Internet country code: .zw Internet hosts: 29,094 (2009) country comparison to the world: 91 Internet users: 1.421 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 78 Transportation ::Zimbabwe Airports: 215 (2009) country comparison to the world: 28 Airports - with paved runways: total: 19 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 9 (2009) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 196 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 119 under 914 m: 74 (2009) Pipelines: refined products 270 km (2008) Railways: total: 3,077 km country comparison to the world: 55 narrow gauge: 3,077 km 1.067-m gauge (313 km electrified) (2008) Roadways: total: 97,267 km country comparison to the world: 45 paved: 18,481 km unpaved: 78,786 km (2002) Waterways: on Lake Kariba (2008) Ports and terminals: Binga, Kariba Military ::Zimbabwe Military branches: Zimbabwe Defense Forces (ZDF): Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA), Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ), Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18-24 years of age for compulsory military service; women are eligible to serve (2007) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 3,264,258 females age 16-49: 3,048,049 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,198,727 females age 16-49: 1,436,232 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 149,592 female: 149,717 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 3.8% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 35 Transnational Issues ::Zimbabwe Disputes - international: Botswana built electric fences and South Africa has placed military along the border to stem the flow of thousands of Zimbabweans fleeing to find work and escape political persecution; Namibia has supported, and in 2004 Zimbabwe dropped objections to, plans between Botswana and Zambia to build a bridge over the Zambezi River, thereby de facto recognizing a short, but not clearly delimited, Botswana-Zambia boundary in the river Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 2,500 (Democratic Republic of Congo) IDPs: 569,685 (MUGABE-led political violence, human rights violations, land reform, and economic collapse) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Zimbabwe is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and sexual exploitation; large scale migration of Zimbabweans to surrounding countries - as they flee a progressively more desperate situation at home - has increased; rural Zimbabwean men, women, and children are trafficked internally to farms for agricultural labor and domestic servitude and to cities for domestic labor and commercial sexual exploitation; young men and boys are trafficked to South Africa for farm work, often laboring for months in South Africa without pay before "employers" have them arrested and deported as illegal immigrants; young women and girls are lured abroad with false employment offers that result in involuntary domestic servitude or commercial sexual exploitation; men, women, and children from neighboring states are trafficked through Zimbabwe en route to South Africa tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Zimbabwe is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat severe forms of human trafficking, and because the absolute number of victims of severe forms of trafficking is significantly increasing; the trafficking situation in the country is worsening as more of the population is made vulnerable by declining socio-economic conditions (2008) Illicit drugs: transit point for cannabis and South Asian heroin, mandrax, and methamphetamines en route to South Africa page last updated on November 11, 2009 ====================================================================== @2001 Field Listing :: GDP (purchasing power parity) This entry gives the gross domestic product (GDP) or value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year. A nation's GDP at purchasing power parity (PPP) exchange rates is the sum value of all goods and services produced in the country valued at prices prevailing in the United States. This is the measure most economists prefer when looking at per-capita welfare and when comparing living conditions or use of resources across countries. The measure is difficult to compute, as a US dollar value has to be assigned to all goods and services in the country regardless of whether these goods and services have a direct equivalent in the United States (for example, the value of an ox-cart or non-US military equipment); as a result, PPP estimates for some countries are based on a small and sometimes different set of goods and services. In addition, many countries do not formally participate in the World Bank's PPP project that calculates these measures, so the resulting GDP estimates for these countries may lack precision. For many developing countries, PPP-based GDP measures are multiples of the official exchange rate (OER) measure. The differences between the OER- and PPP-denominated GDP values for most of the wealthy industrialized countries are generally much smaller. Country Comparison to the World Country GDP (purchasing power parity) Afghanistan $22.32 billion (2008 est.) $21.58 billion (2007 est.) $19.25 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Albania $21.86 billion (2008 est.) $20.61 billion (2007 est.) $19.44 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Albania has an informal, and unreported, sector that may be as large as 50% of official GDP Algeria $233.5 billion (2008 est.) $225.6 billion (2007 est.) $218.8 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars American Samoa $575.3 million (2007 est.) $510.1 million (2003 est.) Andorra $3.66 billion (2007) $3.588 billion (2006) $2.77 billion (2005) Angola $112.8 billion (2008 est.) $100.5 billion (2007 est.) $82.94 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Anguilla $108.9 million (2004 est.) Antigua and Barbuda $1.639 billion (2008 est.) $1.594 billion (2007 est.) $1.491 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Argentina $575.2 billion (2008 est.) $538.6 billion (2007 est.) $495.5 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Armenia $18.81 billion (2008 est.) $17.62 billion (2007 est.) $15.48 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Aruba $2.258 billion (2005 est.) $2.205 billion (2004 est.) Australia $802.9 billion (2008 est.) $784.1 billion (2007 est.) $753.9 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Austria $331.2 billion (2008 est.) $324.7 billion (2007 est.) $313.7 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Azerbaijan $77.79 billion (2008 est.) $70.21 billion (2007 est.) $56.17 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Bahamas, The $9.352 billion (2008 est.) $9.495 billion (2007 est.) $9.236 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Bahrain $26.89 billion (2008 est.) $25.29 billion (2007 est.) $23.34 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Bangladesh $226.4 billion (2008 est.) $214 billion (2007 est.) $201.5 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Barbados $5.367 billion (2008 est.) $5.329 billion (2007 est.) $5.159 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Belarus $114.3 billion (2008 est.) $103.9 billion (2007 est.) $96.06 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Belgium $390.2 billion (2008 est.) $386.3 billion (2007 est.) $376.5 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Belize $2.542 billion (2008 est.) $2.468 billion (2007 est.) $2.43 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Benin $12.86 billion (2008 est.) $12.28 billion (2007 est.) $11.75 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Bermuda $4.5 billion (2004 est.) Bhutan $3.533 billion (2008 est.) $2.91 billion (2007 est.) $2.738 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Bolivia $43.38 billion (2008 est.) $40.88 billion (2007 est.) $39.08 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Bosnia and Herzegovina $29.77 billion (2008 est.) $28.22 billion (2007 est.) $26.62 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Bosnia has a large informal sector that may be as much as 50% of official GDP Botswana $27.11 billion (2008 est.) $26.35 billion (2007 est.) $25.23 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Brazil $1.998 trillion (2008 est.) $1.901 trillion (2007 est.) $1.798 trillion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars British Virgin Islands $853.4 million (2004 est.) Brunei $19.58 billion (2008 est.) $19.96 billion (2007 est.) $19.92 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Bulgaria $93.98 billion (2008 est.) $88.66 billion (2007 est.) $83.48 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Burkina Faso $17.96 billion (2008 est.) $17.11 billion (2007 est.) $16.5 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Burma $55.27 billion (2008 est.) $54.66 billion (2007 est.) $52.87 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Burundi $3.109 billion (2008 est.) $2.976 billion (2007 est.) $2.872 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Cambodia $28.01 billion (2008 est.) $26.67 billion (2007 est.) $24.2 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Cameroon $42.69 billion (2008 est.) $41.33 billion (2007 est.) $39.93 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Canada $1.303 trillion (2008 est.) $1.298 trillion (2007 est.) $1.266 trillion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Cape Verde $1.63 billion (2008 est.) $1.545 billion (2007 est.) $1.446 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Cayman Islands $1.939 billion (2004 est.) $1.922 billion (2003 est.) Central African Republic $3.184 billion (2008 est.) $3.115 billion (2007 est.) $3.004 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Chad $15.82 billion (2008 est.) $15.85 billion (2007 est.) $15.82 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Chile $245.1 billion (2008 est.) $237.5 billion (2007 est.) $226.8 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars China $7.992 trillion (2008 est.) $7.332 trillion (2007 est.) $6.489 trillion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Christmas Island $NA Cocos (Keeling) Islands $NA Colombia $396 billion (2008 est.) $386.7 billion (2007 est.) $359.7 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Comoros $741.7 million (2008 est.) $738 million (2007 est.) $745.5 million (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Congo, Democratic Republic of the $20.76 billion (2008 est.) $19.61 billion (2007 est.) $18.32 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Congo, Republic of the $15.39 billion (2008 est.) $14.46 billion (2007 est.) $14.7 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Cook Islands $183.2 million (2005 est.) Costa Rica $48.84 billion (2008 est.) $47.6 billion (2007 est.) $44.16 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Cote d'Ivoire $34.12 billion (2008 est.) $33.36 billion (2007 est.) $32.79 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Croatia $82.58 billion (2008 est.) $80.65 billion (2007 est.) $76.44 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Cuba $108.4 billion (2008 est.) $103.9 billion (2007 est.) $96.9 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Cyprus $22.76 billion (2008 est.) $21.94 billion (2007 est.) $21.02 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Czech Republic $264.8 billion (2008 est.) $258.1 billion (2007 est.) $243.2 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Denmark $204.1 billion (2008 est.) $206.6 billion (2007 est.) $203.3 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Djibouti $1.891 billion (2008 est.) $1.786 billion (2007 est.) $1.696 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Dominica $726.3 million (2008 est.) $703.8 million (2007 est.) $691.4 million (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Dominican Republic $78.19 billion (2008 est.) $74.25 billion (2007 est.) $68.43 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Ecuador $108 billion (2008 est.) $101.4 billion (2007 est.) $98.93 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Egypt $444.8 billion (2008 est.) $414.9 billion (2007 est.) $387.4 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars El Salvador $43.73 billion (2008 est.) $42.66 billion (2007 est.) $40.75 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Equatorial Guinea $23 billion (2008 est.) $20.8 billion (2007 est.) $16.98 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Eritrea $3.954 billion (2008 est.) $3.876 billion (2007 est.) $3.838 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Estonia $28.03 billion (2008 est.) $29.08 billion (2007 est.) $27.13 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Ethiopia $70.23 billion (2008 est.) $62.93 billion (2007 est.) $56.64 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars European Union $14.94 trillion (2008 est.) $14.82 trillion (2007 est.) $14.39 trillion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) $105.1 million (2002 est.) Faroe Islands $1 billion (2001 est.) Fiji $3.587 billion (2008 est.) $3.58 billion (2007 est.) $3.833 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Finland $194 billion (2008 est.) $192.4 billion (2007 est.) $184.8 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars France $2.133 trillion (2008 est.) $2.126 trillion (2007 est.) $2.078 trillion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars French Polynesia $4.718 billion (2004 est.) $4.58 billion (2003 est.) Gabon $21.16 billion (2008 est.) $20.74 billion (2007 est.) $19.64 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Gambia, The $2.277 billion (2008 est.) $2.15 billion (2007 est.) $2.023 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Gaza Strip $11.95 billion (2008 est.) $5.034 billion (2006 est.) $5.327 billion (2005 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Georgia $21.56 billion (2008 est.) $21.12 billion (2007 est.) $18.81 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Germany $2.925 trillion (2008 est.) $2.887 trillion (2007 est.) $2.817 trillion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Ghana $34.52 billion (2008 est.) $32.17 billion (2007 est.) $30.27 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Gibraltar $1.066 billion (2005 est.) $769 million (2000 est.) Greece $343.8 billion (2008 est.) $334.1 billion (2007 est.) $321.3 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Greenland $1.1 billion (2001 est.) Grenada $1.19 billion (2008 est.) $1.165 billion (2007 est.) $1.11 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Guam $2.5 billion (2005 est.) Guatemala $68.75 billion (2008 est.) $66.1 billion (2007 est.) $62.18 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Guernsey $2.742 billion (2005) Guinea $10.62 billion (2008 est.) $10.17 billion (2007 est.) $10.02 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Guinea-Bissau $896.5 million (2008 est.) $867.9 million (2007 est.) $845.1 million (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Guyana $2.973 billion (2008 est.) $2.887 billion (2007 est.) $2.739 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Haiti $11.53 billion (2008 est.) $11.38 billion (2007 est.) $11 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Holy See (Vatican City) $NA Honduras $33.8 billion (2008 est.) $32.5 billion (2007 est.) $30.57 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Hong Kong $307.3 billion (2008 est.) $300.1 billion (2007 est.) $282.1 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Hungary $196.7 billion (2008 est.) $195.5 billion (2007 est.) $193.2 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Iceland $12.87 billion (2008 est.) $12.7 billion (2007 est.) $12.03 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars India $3.304 trillion (2008 est.) $3.077 trillion (2007 est.) $2.823 trillion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Indonesia $916.7 billion (2008 est.) $864 billion (2007 est.) $812.8 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Iran $843.7 billion (2008 est.) $792.2 billion (2007 est.) $734.7 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Iraq $90.23 billion (2008 est.) $83.7 billion (2007 est.) $82.46 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Ireland $189 billion (2008 est.) $194.9 billion (2007 est.) $183.9 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Isle of Man $2.719 billion (2005 est.) Israel $203.4 billion (2008 est.) $195.2 billion (2007 est.) $185.6 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Italy $1.827 trillion (2008 est.) $1.845 trillion (2007 est.) $1.818 trillion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Jamaica $24.04 billion (2008 est.) $24.19 billion (2007 est.) $23.85 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Japan $4.34 trillion (2008 est.) $4.37 trillion (2007 est.) $4.272 trillion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Jersey $5.1 billion (2005 est.) Jordan $31.68 billion (2008 est.) $30 billion (2007 est.) $28.14 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Kazakhstan $176.2 billion (2008 est.) $172.1 billion (2007 est.) $158.6 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Kenya $61.65 billion (2008 est.) $60.62 billion (2007 est.) $56.68 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Kiribati $580.8 million (2008 est.) $561.7 million (2007 est.) $564.6 million (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Korea, North $40 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Korea, South $1.338 trillion (2008 est.) $1.309 trillion (2007 est.) $1.245 trillion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Kosovo $5 billion (2007 est.) Kuwait $149.5 billion (2008 est.) $137.8 billion (2007 est.) $131.6 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Kyrgyzstan $11.64 billion (2008 est.) $10.82 billion (2007 est.) $9.971 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Laos $14.01 billion (2008 est.) $13.04 billion (2007 est.) $12.13 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Latvia $38.95 billion (2008 est.) $40.83 billion (2007 est.) $37.12 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Lebanon $44.16 billion (2008 est.) $41.54 billion (2007 est.) $39.95 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Lesotho $3.301 billion (2008 est.) $3.091 billion (2007 est.) $2.949 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Liberia $1.531 billion (2008 est.) $1.43 billion (2007 est.) $1.306 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Libya $87.72 billion (2008 est.) $82.83 billion (2007 est.) $78.44 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Liechtenstein $4.16 billion (2007) $4.035 billion (2006 est.) Lithuania $63.37 billion (2008 est.) $61.52 billion (2007 est.) $56.49 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Luxembourg $39.47 billion (2008 est.) $39.84 billion (2007 est.) $37.87 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Macau $18.14 billion (2008 est.) $12.5 billion (2006) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Macedonia $18.83 billion (2008 est.) $17.88 billion (2007 est.) $16.88 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Macedonia has a large informal sector Madagascar $20.18 billion (2008 est.) $18.86 billion (2007 est.) $17.76 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Malawi $11.95 billion (2008 est.) $10.9 billion (2007 est.) $10.1 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Malaysia $385.2 billion (2008 est.) $368.3 billion (2007 est.) $346.8 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Maldives $1.723 billion (2008 est.) $1.628 billion (2007 est.) $1.519 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Mali $14.75 billion (2008 est.) $14.04 billion (2007 est.) $13.65 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Malta $9.933 billion (2008 est.) $9.707 billion (2007 est.) $9.317 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Marshall Islands $133.5 million (2008 est.) $115 million (2001 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Mauritania $6.323 billion (2008 est.) $6.109 billion (2007 est.) $6.048 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Mauritius $15.43 billion (2008 est.) $14.65 billion (2007 est.) $13.89 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Mayotte $953.6 million (2005 est.) Mexico $1.567 trillion (2008 est.) $1.547 trillion (2007 est.) $1.498 trillion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Micronesia, Federated States of $238.1 million (2008 est.) $277 million (2002 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP supplemented by grant aid, averaging perhaps $100 million annually Moldova $10.8 billion (2008 est.) $10.07 billion (2007 est.) $9.684 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Monaco $976.3 million (2006 est.) note: Monaco does not publish national income figures; the estimates are extremely rough Mongolia $9.499 billion (2008 est.) $8.714 billion (2007 est.) $7.929 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Montenegro $6.832 billion (2008 est.) $6.355 billion (2007 est.) $5.804 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Montserrat $29 million (2002 est.) Morocco $137.9 billion (2008 est.) $129.9 billion (2007 est.) $125.9 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Mozambique $19.11 billion (2008 est.) $17.89 billion (2007 est.) $16.66 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Namibia $13.28 billion (2008 est.) $12.9 billion (2007 est.) $12.23 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Nauru $60 million (2005 est.) Nepal $31.39 billion (2008 est.) $29.81 billion (2007 est.) $28.86 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Netherlands $673.5 billion (2008 est.) $660.3 billion (2007 est.) $637.4 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Netherlands Antilles $2.8 billion (2004 est.) New Caledonia $3.158 billion (2003 est.) New Zealand $116.6 billion (2008 est.) $116.6 billion (2007 est.) $113 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Nicaragua $16.83 billion (2008 est.) $16.31 billion (2007 est.) $15.8 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Niger $10.29 billion (2008 est.) $9.398 billion (2007 est.) $9.097 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Nigeria $336.2 billion (2008 est.) $319.3 billion (2007 est.) $300.1 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Niue $10.01 million (2003 est.) Norfolk Island $NA Northern Mariana Islands $900 million (2000 est.) note: GDP estimate includes US subsidy Norway $276.3 billion (2008 est.) $269.6 billion (2007 est.) $253.8 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Oman $66.87 billion (2008 est.) $62.84 billion (2007 est.) $59.4 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Pakistan $431.2 billion (2008 est.) $417 billion (2007 est.) $393.4 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Palau $164 million (2008 est.) $124.5 million (2004 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP estimate includes US subsidy Panama $38.92 billion (2008 est.) $35.64 billion (2007 est.) $31.96 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Papua New Guinea $13.17 billion (2008 est.) $12.3 billion (2007 est.) $11.65 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Paraguay $28.95 billion (2008 est.) $27.37 billion (2007 est.) $25.62 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Peru $247.9 billion (2008 est.) $225.8 billion (2007 est.) $207.3 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Philippines $318.2 billion (2008 est.) $306.6 billion (2007 est.) $286.2 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Pitcairn Islands $NA Poland $670.7 billion (2008 est.) $638.8 billion (2007 est.) $598.1 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Portugal $237.3 billion (2008 est.) $237.3 billion (2007 est.) $232.9 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Puerto Rico $70.23 billion (2008 est.) $72.03 billion (2007 est.) $73.35 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Qatar $91.55 billion (2008 est.) $80.73 billion (2007 est.) $68.82 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Romania $272 billion (2008 est.) $254 billion (2007 est.) $239.2 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Russia $2.271 trillion (2008 est.) $2.151 trillion (2007 est.) $1.99 trillion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Rwanda $9.729 billion (2008 est.) $8.749 billion (2007 est.) $8.108 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Saint Helena $18 million (1998 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis $759.5 million (2008 est.) $742 million (2007 est.) $735.8 million (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Saint Lucia $1.774 billion (2008 est.) $1.762 billion (2007 est.) $1.733 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Saint Pierre and Miquelon $48.3 million (2003 est.) note: supplemented by annual payments from France of about $60 million Saint Vincent and the Grenadines $1.072 billion (2008 est.) $1.063 billion (2007 est.) $993.4 million (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Samoa $1.021 billion (2008 est.) $1.057 billion (2007 est.) $996.5 million (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars San Marino $1.662 billion (2007) $850 million (2004 est.) Sao Tome and Principe $277.1 million (2008 est.) $262.7 million (2007 est.) $247.8 million (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Saudi Arabia $577.9 billion (2008 est.) $553.5 billion (2007 est.) $535.8 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Senegal $21.78 billion (2008 est.) $21.25 billion (2007 est.) $20.27 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Serbia $79.77 billion (2008 est.) $75.68 billion (2007 est.) $70.8 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Seychelles $1.821 billion (2008 est.) $1.838 billion (2007 est.) $1.675 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Sierra Leone $4.388 billion (2008 est.) $4.159 billion (2007 est.) $3.909 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Singapore $237.9 billion (2008 est.) $235.3 billion (2007 est.) $218.3 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Slovakia $119.8 billion (2008 est.) $112.6 billion (2007 est.) $102 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Slovenia $59.49 billion (2008 est.) $57.47 billion (2007 est.) $53.81 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Solomon Islands $1.546 billion (2008 est.) $1.441 billion (2007 est.) $1.306 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Somalia $5.524 billion (2008 est.) $5.387 billion (2007 est.) $5.252 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars South Africa $492.2 billion (2008 est.) $477.4 billion (2007 est.) $454.2 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Spain $1.402 trillion (2008 est.) $1.39 trillion (2007 est.) $1.341 trillion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Sri Lanka $92.09 billion (2008 est.) $86.88 billion (2007 est.) $81.35 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Sudan $88.37 billion (2008 est.) $82.9 billion (2007 est.) $75.22 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Suriname $4.226 billion (2008 est.) $3.987 billion (2007 est.) $3.779 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Svalbard $NA Swaziland $5.826 billion (2008 est.) $5.673 billion (2007 est.) $5.481 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Sweden $345.1 billion (2008 est.) $346.5 billion (2007 est.) $337.4 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Switzerland $318.1 billion (2008 est.) $312.4 billion (2007 est.) $301.6 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Syria $99.06 billion (2008 est.) $94.26 billion (2007 est.) $88.65 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Taiwan $713.7 billion (2008 est.) $713 billion (2007 est.) $674.5 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Tajikistan $13.19 billion (2008 est.) $12.22 billion (2007 est.) $11.34 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Tanzania $54.38 billion (2008 est.) $50.77 billion (2007 est.) $47.38 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Thailand $548.7 billion (2008 est.) $534.8 billion (2007 est.) $509.8 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Timor-Leste $2.526 billion (2008 est.) $2.239 billion (2007 est.) $2.066 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Togo $5.13 billion (2008 est.) $5.074 billion (2007 est.) $4.98 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Tokelau $1.5 million (1993 est.) Tonga $548.1 million (2008 est.) $543.7 million (2007 est.) $545.4 million (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Trinidad and Tobago $29.09 billion (2008 est.) $28.11 billion (2007 est.) $26.65 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Tunisia $81.98 billion (2008 est.) $78.53 billion (2007 est.) $73.67 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Turkey $903.9 billion (2008 est.) $895.8 billion (2007 est.) $855.6 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Turkmenistan $31.28 billion (2008 est.) $28.49 billion (2007 est.) $25.53 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Turks and Caicos Islands $216 million (2002 est.) Tuvalu $14.94 million (2002 est.) Uganda $40.08 billion (2008 est.) $37 billion (2007 est.) $34.21 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Ukraine $338.6 billion (2008 est.) $331.6 billion (2007 est.) $307.4 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars United Arab Emirates $206.3 billion (2008 est.) $192 billion (2007 est.) $181.2 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars United Kingdom $2.236 trillion (2008 est.) $2.22 trillion (2007 est.) $2.164 trillion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars United States $14.44 trillion (2008 est.) $14.38 trillion (2007 est.) $14.09 trillion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Uruguay $43.27 billion (2008 est.) $39.73 billion (2007 est.) $36.99 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Uzbekistan $71.84 billion (2008 est.) $65.91 billion (2007 est.) $60.19 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Vanuatu $990.8 million (2008 est.) $929.5 million (2007 est.) $870.3 million (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Venezuela $356.3 billion (2008 est.) $340 billion (2007 est.) $314.2 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Vietnam $242.3 billion (2008 est.) $228.1 billion (2007 est.) $210.3 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Virgin Islands $1.577 billion (2004 est.) Wallis and Futuna $60 million (2004 est.) West Bank $11.95 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Western Sahara $900 million (2007 est.) World $70.14 trillion (2008 est.) $68.08 trillion (2007 est.) $64.77 trillion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Yemen $55.41 billion (2008 est.) $53.69 billion (2007 est.) $51.87 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Zambia $17.54 billion (2008 est.) $16.55 billion (2007 est.) $15.58 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Zimbabwe $1.925 billion (2008 est.) $2.241 billion (2007 est.) $2.371 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars ====================================================================== @2002 Field Listing :: Population growth rate The average annual percent change in the population, resulting from a surplus (or deficit) of births over deaths and the balance of migrants entering and leaving a country. The rate may be positive or negative. The growth rate is a factor in determining how great a burden would be imposed on a country by the changing needs of its people for infrastructure (e.g., schools, hospitals, housing, roads), resources (e.g., food, water, electricity), and jobs. Rapid population growth can be seen as threatening by neighboring countries. Country Comparison to the World Country Population growth rate(%) Afghanistan 2.629% (2009 est.) Albania 0.546% (2009 est.) Algeria 1.196% (2009 est.) American Samoa 1.222% (2009 est.) Andorra 1.135% (2009 est.) Angola 2.095% (2009 est.) Anguilla 2.272% (2009 est.) Antigua and Barbuda 1.303% (2009 est.) Argentina 1.053% (2009 est.) Armenia -0.03% (2009 est.) Aruba 1.478% (2009 est.) Australia 1.195% (2009 est.) Austria 0.052% (2009 est.) Azerbaijan 0.762% (2009 est.) Bahamas, The 0.536% (2009 est.) Bahrain 1.285% (2009 est.) Bangladesh 1.292% (2009 est.) Barbados 0.383% (2009 est.) Belarus -0.378% (2009 est.) Belgium 0.094% (2009 est.) Belize 2.154% (2009 est.) Benin 2.977% (2009 est.) Bermuda 0.647% (2009 est.) Bhutan 1.267% (2009 est.) Bolivia 1.772% (2009 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina 0.339% (2009 est.) Botswana 1.937% (2009 est.) Brazil 1.199% (2009 est.) British Virgin Islands 1.837% (2009 est.) Brunei 1.759% (2009 est.) Bulgaria -0.79% (2009 est.) Burkina Faso 3.103% (2009 est.) Burma 0.783% (2009 est.) Burundi 3.279% (2009 est.) Cambodia 1.765% (2009 est.) Cameroon 2.19% (2009 est.) Canada 0.817% (2009 est.) Cape Verde 0.561% (2009 est.) Cayman Islands 2.394% (2009 est.) Central African Republic 1.491% (2009 est.) Chad 2.069% (2009 est.) Chile 0.881% (2009 est.) China 0.655% (2009 est.) Christmas Island 0% (2009 est.) Cocos (Keeling) Islands 0% (2009 est.) Colombia 1.377% (2009 est.) Comoros 2.766% (2009 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 3.208% (2009 est.) Congo, Republic of the 2.754% (2009 est.) Cook Islands -3.302% (2009 est.) Costa Rica 1.356% (2009 est.) Cote d'Ivoire 2.133% (2009 est.) Croatia -0.052% (2009 est.) Cuba 0.233% (2009 est.) Cyprus 0.519% (2009 est.) Czech Republic -0.094% (2009 est.) Denmark 0.28% (2009 est.) Djibouti 1.903% (2009 est.) Dominica 0.208% (2009 est.) Dominican Republic 1.489% (2009 est.) Ecuador 1.497% (2009 est.) Egypt 1.642% (2009 est.) El Salvador 1.656% (2009 est.) Equatorial Guinea 2.703% (2009 est.) Eritrea 2.577% (2009 est.) Estonia -0.632% (2009 est.) Ethiopia 3.208% (2009 est.) European Union 0.108 % (2009 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 0.011% (2009 est.) Faroe Islands 0.397% (2009 est.) Fiji 1.379% (2009 est.) Finland 0.098% (2009 est.) France 0.549% (2009 est.) French Polynesia 1.391% (2009 est.) Gabon 1.934% (2009 est.) Gambia, The 2.668% (2009 est.) Gaza Strip 3.349% (2009 est.) Georgia -0.325% (2009 est.) Germany -0.053% (2009 est.) Ghana 1.882% (2009 est.) Gibraltar 0.111% (2009 est.) Greece 0.127% (2009 est.) Greenland 0.062% (2009 est.) Grenada 0.468% (2009 est.) Guam 1.365% (2009 est.) Guatemala 2.066% (2009 est.) Guernsey 0.21% (2009 est.) Guinea 2.572% (2009 est.) Guinea-Bissau 2.019% (2009 est.) Guyana 0.181% (2009 est.) Haiti 1.838% (2009 est.) Holy See (Vatican City) 0.003% (2009 est.) Honduras 1.956% (2009 est.) Hong Kong 0.504% (2009 est.) Hungary -0.257% (2009 est.) Iceland 0.741% (2009 est.) India 1.548% (2009 est.) Indonesia 1.136% (2009 est.) Iran 0.883% (2009 est.) Iraq 2.507% (2009 est.) Ireland 1.12% (2009 est.) Isle of Man 0.524% (2009 est.) Israel 1.671% (2009 est.) Italy -0.047% (2009 est.) Jamaica 0.755% (2009 est.) Japan -0.191% (2009 est.) Jersey 0.211% (2009 est.) Jordan 2.264% (2009 est.) Kazakhstan 0.392% (2009 est.) Kenya 2.691% (2009 est.) Kiribati 2.235% (2009 est.) Korea, North 0.42% (2009 est.) Korea, South 0.266% (2009 est.) Kuwait 3.547% note: this rate reflects a return to pre-Gulf crisis immigration of expatriates (2009 est.) Kyrgyzstan 1.396% (2009 est.) Laos 2.316% (2009 est.) Latvia -0.614% (2009 est.) Lebanon 1.107% (2009 est.) Lesotho 0.116% (2009 est.) Liberia 2.665% (2009 est.) Libya 2.17% (2009 est.) Liechtenstein 0.702% (2009 est.) Lithuania -0.279% (2009 est.) Luxembourg 1.172% (2009 est.) Macau 1.995% (2009 est.) Macedonia 0.262% (2009 est.) Madagascar 3% (2009 est.) Malawi 2.388% (2009 est.) Malaysia 1.723% (2009 est.) Maldives -0.168% (2009 est.) Mali 2.765% (2009 est.) Malta 0.4% (2009 est.) Marshall Islands 2.08% (2009 est.) Mauritania 2.399% (2009 est.) Mauritius 0.776% (2009 est.) Mayotte 3.317% (2009 est.) Mexico 1.13% (2009 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of -0.238% (2009 est.) Moldova -0.079% (2009 est.) Monaco 0.394% (2009 est.) Mongolia 1.493% (2009 est.) Montenegro -0.851% (2009 est.) Montserrat 0.392% (2009 est.) Morocco 1.479% (2009 est.) Mozambique 1.791% (2009 est.) Namibia 0.95% (2009 est.) Nauru 1.748% (2009 est.) Nepal 1.281% (2009 est.) Netherlands 0.412% (2009 est.) Netherlands Antilles 0.732% (2009 est.) New Caledonia 1.136% (2009 est.) New Zealand 0.935% (2009 est.) Nicaragua 1.784% (2009 est.) Niger 3.677% (2009 est.) Nigeria 1.999% (2009 est.) Niue -0.032% (2009 est.) Norfolk Island 0.006% (2009 est.) Northern Mariana Islands 2.292% (2009 est.) Norway 0.341% (2009 est.) Oman 3.138% (2009 est.) Pakistan 1.947% (2009 est.) Palau 0.428% (2009 est.) Panama 1.503% (2009 est.) Papua New Guinea 2.069% (2009 est.) Paraguay 2.364% (2009 est.) Peru 1.229% (2009 est.) Philippines 1.957% (2009 est.) Pitcairn Islands 0% (2009 est.) Poland -0.047% (2009 est.) Portugal 0.275% (2009 est.) Puerto Rico 0.34% (2009 est.) Qatar 0.957% (2009 est.) Romania -0.147% (2009 est.) Russia -0.467% (2009 est.) Rwanda 2.782% (2009 est.) Saint Helena 0.445% (2009 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis 0.847% (2009 est.) Saint Lucia 0.416% (2009 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0.085% (2009 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines -0.344% (2009 est.) Samoa 1.346% (2009 est.) San Marino 1.148% (2009 est.) Sao Tome and Principe 3.093% (2009 est.) Saudi Arabia 1.848% (2009 est.) Senegal 2.709% (2009 est.) Serbia -0.468% (2009 est.) Seychelles 0.999% (2009 est.) Sierra Leone 2.282% (2009 est.) Singapore 0.998% (2009 est.) Slovakia 0.137% (2009 est.) Slovenia -0.113% (2009 est.) Solomon Islands 2.392% (2009 est.) Somalia 2.815% (2009 est.) South Africa 0.281% (2009 est.) Spain 0.072% (2009 est.) Sri Lanka 0.904% (2009 est.) Sudan 2.143% (2009 est.) Suriname 1.103% (2009 est.) Svalbard -0.023% (2009 est.) Swaziland -0.459% (2009 est.) Sweden 0.158% (2009 est.) Switzerland 0.276% (2009 est.) Syria 2.129% (2009 est.) Taiwan 0.227% (2009 est.) Tajikistan 1.878% (2009 est.) Tanzania 2.04% (2009 est.) Thailand 0.615% (2009 est.) Timor-Leste 2.027% (2009 est.) Togo 2.711% (2009 est.) Tokelau -0.011% (2009 est.) Tonga 1.482% (2009 est.) Trinidad and Tobago -0.102% (2009 est.) Tunisia 0.98% (2009 est.) Turkey 1.312% (2009 est.) Turkmenistan 1.141% (2009 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands 2.563% (2009 est.) Tuvalu 1.616% (2009 est.) Uganda 2.692% (2009 est.) Ukraine -0.632% (2009 est.) United Arab Emirates 3.689% (2009 est.) United Kingdom 0.279% (2009 est.) United States 0.975% (2009 est.) Uruguay 0.466% (2009 est.) Uzbekistan 0.935% (2009 est.) Vanuatu 1.398% (2009 est.) Venezuela 1.508% (2009 est.) Vietnam 0.977% (2009 est.) Virgin Islands -0.029% (2009 est.) Wallis and Futuna 0.347% (2009 est.) West Bank 2.178% (2009 est.) Western Sahara 2.829% NA (2009 est.) World 1.167% (2009 est.) Yemen 3.453% (2009 est.) Zambia 1.631% (2009 est.) Zimbabwe 1.53% (2009 est.) ====================================================================== @2003 Field Listing :: GDP - real growth rate This entry gives GDP growth on an annual basis adjusted for inflation and expressed as a percent. Country Comparison to the World Country GDP - real growth rate(%) Afghanistan 3.4% (2008 est.) 12.1% (2007 est.) 8.2% (2006 est.) Albania 6.1% (2008 est.) 6% (2007 est.) 5.5% (2006 est.) Algeria 3.5% (2008 est.) 3.1% (2007 est.) 2.1% (2006 est.) American Samoa 3% (2003) Andorra 2% (2007 est.) 3.5% (2005 est.) Angola 12.3% (2008 est.) 21.1% (2007 est.) 18.6% (2006 est.) Anguilla 10.2% (2004 est.) Antigua and Barbuda 2.8% (2008 est.) 6.9% (2007 est.) 12.4% (2006 est.) Argentina 6.8% (2008 est.) 8.7% (2007 est.) 8.5% (2006 est.) Armenia 6.8% (2008 est.) 13.8% (2007 est.) 13.2% (2006 est.) Aruba 2.4% (2005 est.) Australia 2.4% (2008 est.) 4% (2007 est.) 2.8% (2006 est.) Austria 2% (2008 est.) 3.5% (2007 est.) 3.5% (2006 est.) Azerbaijan 10.8% (2008 est.) 25% (2007 est.) 34.5% (2006 est.) Bahamas, The -1.5% (2008 est.) 2.8% (2007 est.) 4.6% (2006 est.) Bahrain 6.3% (2008 est.) 8.4% (2007 est.) 6.7% (2006 est.) Bangladesh 5.8% (2008 est.) 6.2% (2007 est.) 6.4% (2006 est.) Barbados 0.7% (2008 est.) 3.3% (2007 est.) 3.9% (2006 est.) Belarus 10% (2008 est.) 8.2% (2007 est.) 9.9% (2006 est.) Belgium 1% (2008 est.) 2.6% (2007 est.) 3% (2006 est.) Belize 3% (2008 est.) 1.6% (2007 est.) 5.3% (2006 est.) Benin 4.8% (2008 est.) 4.5% (2007 est.) 3.8% (2006 est.) Bermuda 4.6% (2004 est.) Bhutan 21.4% (2008 est.) 6.3% (2007 est.) 6.5% (2006 est.) Bolivia 6.1% (2008 est.) 4.6% (2007 est.) 4.8% (2006 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina 5.5% (2008 est.) 6% (2007 est.) 6.9% (2006 est.) Botswana 2.9% (2008 est.) 4.4% (2007 est.) 5.1% (2006 est.) Brazil 5.1% (2008 est.) 5.7% (2007 est.) 4% (2006 est.) British Virgin Islands 1% (2002 est.) Brunei -1.9% (2008 est.) 0.2% (2007 est.) 4.4% (2006 est.) Bulgaria 6% (2008 est.) 6.2% (2007 est.) 6.3% (2006 est.) Burkina Faso 5% (2008 est.) 3.7% (2007 est.) 5.5% (2006 est.) Burma 1.1% (2008 est.) 3.4% (2007 est.) 3.4% (2006 est.) Burundi 4.5% (2008 est.) 3.6% (2007 est.) 5.1% (2006 est.) Cambodia 5% (2008 est.) 10.2% (2007 est.) 10.8% (2006 est.) Cameroon 3.3% (2008 est.) 3.5% (2007 est.) 3.2% (2006 est.) Canada 0.4% (2008 est.) 2.5% (2007 est.) 2.9% (2006 est.) Cape Verde 5.5% (2008 est.) 6.9% (2007 est.) 10.8% (2006 est.) Cayman Islands 0.9% (2004 est.) Central African Republic 2.2% (2008 est.) 3.7% (2007 est.) 3.8% (2006 est.) Chad -0.2% (2008 est.) 0.2% (2007 est.) 0.2% (2006 est.) Chile 3.2% (2008 est.) 4.7% (2007 est.) 4.6% (2006 est.) China 9% (2008 est.) 13% (2007 est.) 11.6% (2006 est.) Colombia 2.4% (2008 est.) 7.5% (2007 est.) 6.9% (2006 est.) Comoros 0.5% (2008 est.) -1% (2007 est.) 1.3% (2006 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 5.9% (2008 est.) 7% (2007 est.) 6.4% (2006 est.) Congo, Republic of the 6.4% (2008 est.) -1.6% (2007 est.) 6.2% (2006 est.) Cook Islands 0.1% (2005 est.) Costa Rica 2.6% (2008 est.) 7.8% (2007 est.) 8.8% (2006 est.) Cote d'Ivoire 2.3% (2008 est.) 1.7% (2007 est.) 0.7% (2006 est.) Croatia 2.4% (2008 est.) 5.5% (2007 est.) 4.7% (2006 est.) Cuba 4.3% (2008 est.) 7.3% (2007 est.) 12.1% (2006 est.) Cyprus 3.7% (2008 est.) 4.4% (2007 est.) 4.1% (2006 est.) Czech Republic 2.6% (2008 est.) 6.1% (2007 est.) 6.8% (2006 est.) Denmark -1.2% (2008 est.) 1.6% (2007 est.) 3.3% (2006 est.) Djibouti 5.9% (2008 est.) 5.3% (2007 est.) 4.8% (2006 est.) Dominica 3.2% (2008 est.) 1.8% (2007 est.) 3.8% (2006 est.) Dominican Republic 5.3% (2008 est.) 8.5% (2007 est.) 10.7% (2006 est.) Ecuador 6.5% (2008 est.) 2.5% (2007 est.) 3.9% (2006 est.) Egypt 7.2% (2008 est.) 7.1% (2007 est.) 6.8% (2006 est.) El Salvador 2.5% (2008 est.) 4.7% (2007 est.) 4.2% (2006 est.) Equatorial Guinea 10.6% (2008 est.) 22.5% (2007 est.) 1.2% (2006 est.) Eritrea 2% (2008 est.) 1% (2007 est.) -1% (2006 est.) Estonia -3.6% (2008 est.) 7.2% (2007 est.) 10% (2006 est.) Ethiopia 11.6% (2008 est.) 11.1% (2007 est.) 10.9% (2006 est.) European Union 0.9% (2008 est.) 3% (2007 est.) 3.4% (2006 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) NA% Faroe Islands 2.4% (2005 est.) Fiji 0.2% (2008 est.) -6.6% (2007 est.) 3.4% (2006 est.) Finland 0.8% (2008 est.) 4.1% (2007 est.) 4.9% (2006 est.) France 0.3% (2008 est.) 2.3% (2007 est.) 2.4% (2006 est.) French Polynesia 2.7% (2005) 5.1% (2002) Gabon 2% (2008 est.) 5.6% (2007 est.) 1.2% (2006 est.) Gambia, The 5.9% (2008 est.) 6.3% (2007 est.) 6.5% (2006 est.) Gaza Strip 0.8% (2008 est.) -8% (2006 est.) 4.9% (2005 est.) Georgia 2.1% (2008 est.) 12.3% (2007 est.) 9.4% (2006 est.) Germany 1.3% (2008 est.) 2.5% (2007 est.) 3.2% (2006 est.) Ghana 7.3% (2008 est.) 6.3% (2007 est.) 6.4% (2006 est.) Gibraltar 7% (2005 est.) Greece 2.9% (2008 est.) 4% (2007 est.) 4.5% (2006 est.) Greenland 2% (2005 est.) Grenada 2.2% (2008 est.) 4.9% (2007 est.) -2.3% (2006 est.) Guam NA% Guatemala 4% (2008 est.) 6.3% (2007 est.) 5.4% (2006 est.) Guernsey 3% (2005 est.) Guinea 4.5% (2008 est.) 1.5% (2007 est.) 2.2% (2006 est.) Guinea-Bissau 3.3% (2008 est.) 2.7% (2007 est.) 0.6% (2006 est.) Guyana 3% (2008 est.) 5.4% (2007 est.) 5.1% (2006 est.) Haiti 1.3% (2008 est.) 3.4% (2007 est.) 2.3% (2006 est.) Honduras 4% (2008 est.) 6.3% (2007 est.) 6.6% (2006 est.) Hong Kong 2.4% (2008 est.) 6.4% (2007 est.) 7% (2006 est.) Hungary 0.6% (2008 est.) 1.2% (2007 est.) 3.9% (2006 est.) Iceland 1.3% (2008 est.) 5.5% (2007 est.) 4.5% (2006 est.) India 7.4% (2008 est.) 9% (2007 est.) 9.7% (2006 est.) Indonesia 6.1% (2008 est.) 6.3% (2007 est.) 5.5% (2006 est.) Iran 6.5% (2008 est.) 7.8% (2007 est.) 5.8% (2006 est.) Iraq 7.8% (2008 est.) 1.5% (2007 est.) 6.2% (2006 est.) Ireland -3% (2008 est.) 6% (2007 est.) 5.4% (2006 est.) Isle of Man 5.2% (2005) Israel 4.2% (2008 est.) 5.2% (2007 est.) 5.3% (2006 est.) Italy -1% (2008 est.) 1.5% (2007 est.) 2.1% (2006 est.) Jamaica -0.6% (2008 est.) 1.4% (2007 est.) 2.7% (2006 est.) Japan -0.7% (2008 est.) 2.3% (2007 est.) 2% (2006 est.) Jersey NA% Jordan 5.6% (2008 est.) 6.6% (2007 est.) 8% (2006 est.) Kazakhstan 2.4% (2008 est.) 8.5% (2007 est.) 10.6% (2006 est.) Kenya 1.7% (2008 est.) 7% (2007 est.) 6.4% (2006 est.) Kiribati 3.4% (2008 est.) -0.5% (2007 est.) 3.2% (2006 est.) Korea, North 3.7% (2008 est.) Korea, South 2.2% (2008 est.) 5.1% (2007 est.) 5.2% (2006 est.) Kosovo 5.1% (2007 est.) Kuwait 8.5% (2008 est.) 4.7% (2007 est.) 6.3% (2006 est.) Kyrgyzstan 7.6% (2008 est.) 8.5% (2007 est.) 3.1% (2006 est.) Laos 7.5% (2008 est.) 7.5% (2007 est.) 8.3% (2006 est.) Latvia -4.6% (2008 est.) 10% (2007 est.) 12.2% (2006 est.) Lebanon 6.3% (2008 est.) 4% (2007 est.) -4.3% (2006 est.) Lesotho 6.8% (2008 est.) 4.8% (2007 est.) 6.2% (2006 est.) Liberia 7.1% (2008 est.) 9.5% (2007 est.) 7.8% (2006 est.) Libya 5.9% (2008 est.) 5.6% (2007 est.) 5.9% (2006 est.) Liechtenstein 3.1% (2007 est.) Lithuania 3% (2008 est.) 8.9% (2007 est.) 7.8% (2006 est.) Luxembourg -0.9% (2008 est.) 5.2% (2007 est.) 6.4% (2006 est.) Macau 15% (2008) 16.6% (2006) Macedonia 5.3% (2008 est.) 5.9% (2007 est.) 3.7% (2006 est.) Madagascar 7% (2008 est.) 6.2% (2007 est.) 5% (2006 est.) Malawi 9.7% (2008 est.) 7.9% (2007 est.) 8.2% (2006 est.) Malaysia 4.6% (2008 est.) 6.2% (2007 est.) 5.8% (2006 est.) Maldives 5.8% (2008 est.) 7.2% (2007 est.) 18% (2006 est.) Mali 5.1% (2008 est.) 2.8% (2007 est.) 5.3% (2006 est.) Malta 2.3% (2008 est.) 4.2% (2007 est.) 3.5% (2006 est.) Marshall Islands -0.3% (2008 est.) 3.5% (2005 est.) Mauritania 3.5% (2008 est.) 1% (2007 est.) 11.4% (2006 est.) Mauritius 5.3% (2008 est.) 5.5% (2007 est.) 5.1% (2006 est.) Mayotte NA% Mexico 1.3% (2008 est.) 3.3% (2007 est.) 5.1% (2006 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of NA 0.3% (2005 est.) Moldova 7.2% (2008 est.) 4% (2007 est.) 4.8% (2006 est.) Monaco 0.9% (2000 est.) Mongolia 9% (2008 est.) 9.9% (2007 est.) 8.6% (2006 est.) Montenegro 7.5% (2008 est.) 9.5% (2007 est.) 8.6% (2006 est.) Montserrat -1% (2002 est.) Morocco 6.2% (2008 est.) 3.2% (2007 est.) 7.8% (2006 est.) Mozambique 6.8% (2008 est.) 7.4% (2007 est.) 8.5% (2006 est.) Namibia 2.9% (2008 est.) 5.5% (2007 est.) 7.1% (2006 est.) Nauru NA% Nepal 5.3% (2008 est.) 3.3% (2007 est.) 3.4% (2006 est.) Netherlands 2% (2008 est.) 3.6% (2007 est.) 3.4% (2006 est.) Netherlands Antilles 1% (2004 est.) New Caledonia NA% New Zealand 0% (2008 est.) 3.2% (2007 est.) 1.9% (2006 est.) Nicaragua 3.2% (2008 est.) 3.2% (2007 est.) 3.9% (2006 est.) Niger 9.5% (2008 est.) 3.3% (2007 est.) 5.8% (2006 est.) Nigeria 5.3% (2008 est.) 6.4% (2007 est.) 6.2% (2006 est.) Niue 6.2% (2003 est.) Northern Mariana Islands NA% Norway 2.5% (2008 est.) 6.2% (2007 est.) 4.4% (2006 est.) Oman 6.4% (2008 est.) 5.8% (2007 est.) 7.5% (2006 est.) Pakistan 3.4% (2008 est.) 6% (2007 est.) 6% (2006 est.) Palau 5.5% (2005 est.) Panama 9.2% (2008 est.) 11.5% (2007 est.) 8.5% (2006 est.) Papua New Guinea 7% (2008 est.) 5.6% (2007 est.) 2.3% (2006 est.) Paraguay 5.8% (2008 est.) 6.8% (2007 est.) 4.3% (2006 est.) Peru 9.8% (2008 est.) 8.9% (2007 est.) 7.7% (2006 est.) Philippines 3.8% (2008 est.) 7.1% (2007 est.) 5.3% (2006 est.) Poland 5% (2008 est.) 6.8% (2007 est.) 6.2% (2006 est.) Portugal 0% (2008 est.) 1.9% (2007 est.) 1.4% (2006 est.) Puerto Rico -2.5% (2008 est.) -1.8% (2007 est.) 0.5% (2006 est.) Qatar 13.4% (2008 est.) 17.3% (2007 est.) 12.2% (2006 est.) Romania 7.1% (2008 est.) 6.2% (2007 est.) 7.9% (2006 est.) Russia 5.6% (2008 est.) 8.1% (2007 est.) 7.7% (2006 est.) Rwanda 11.2% (2008 est.) 7.9% (2007 est.) 7.3% (2006 est.) Saint Helena NA% Saint Kitts and Nevis 2.4% (2008 est.) 0.9% (2007 est.) 5.3% (2006 est.) Saint Lucia 0.7% (2008 est.) 1.7% (2007 est.) 5% (2006 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon NA% Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0.9% (2008 est.) 7% (2007 est.) 7.6% (2006 est.) Samoa -3.4% (2008 est.) 6.1% (2007 est.) 1.9% (2006 est.) San Marino 4.3% (2007 est.) Sao Tome and Principe 5.5% (2008 est.) 6% (2007 est.) 6.7% (2006 est.) Saudi Arabia 4.4% (2008 est.) 3.3% (2007 est.) 3.1% (2006 est.) Senegal 2.5% (2008 est.) 4.8% (2007 est.) 2.3% (2006 est.) Serbia 5.4% (2008 est.) 6.9% (2007 est.) 5.2% (2006 est.) Seychelles -0.9% (2008 est.) 9.7% (2007 est.) 9.3% (2006 est.) Sierra Leone 5.5% (2008 est.) 6.4% (2007 est.) 7.4% (2006 est.) Singapore 1.1% (2008 est.) 7.8% (2007 est.) 8.4% (2006 est.) Slovakia 6.4% (2008 est.) 10.4% (2007 est.) 8.5% (2006 est.) Slovenia 3.5% (2008 est.) 6.8% (2007 est.) 5.9% (2006 est.) Solomon Islands 7.3% (2008 est.) 10.3% (2007 est.) 6.1% (2006 est.) Somalia 2.6% (2008 est.) 2.6% (2007 est.) 2.6% (2006 est.) South Africa 3.1% (2008 est.) 5.1% (2007 est.) 5.3% (2006 est.) Spain 0.9% (2008 est.) 3.6% (2007 est.) 4% (2006 est.) Sri Lanka 6% (2008 est.) 6.8% (2007 est.) 7.7% (2006 est.) Sudan 6.6% (2008 est.) 10.2% (2007 est.) 11.3% (2006 est.) Suriname 6% (2008 est.) 5.5% (2007 est.) 4.8% (2006 est.) Svalbard NA% Swaziland 2.7% (2008 est.) 3.5% (2007 est.) 2.8% (2006 est.) Sweden -0.4% (2008 est.) 2.7% (2007 est.) 4.5% (2006 est.) Switzerland 1.8% (2008 est.) 3.6% (2007 est.) 3.6% (2006 est.) Syria 5.1% (2008 est.) 6.3% (2007 est.) 5.2% (2006 est.) Taiwan 0.1% (2008 est.) 5.7% (2007 est.) 4.8% (2006 est.) Tajikistan 7.9% (2008 est.) 7.8% (2007 est.) 7% (2006 est.) Tanzania 7.1% (2008 est.) 7.1% (2007 est.) 6.7% (2006 est.) Thailand 2.6% (2008 est.) 4.9% (2007 est.) 5.2% (2006 est.) Timor-Leste 12.8% (2008 est.) 8.4% (2007 est.) -5.8% (2006 est.) Togo 1.1% (2008 est.) 1.9% (2007 est.) 3.9% (2006 est.) Tokelau NA% Tonga 0.8% (2008 est.) -0.3% (2007 est.) 3.2% (2006 est.) Trinidad and Tobago 3.5% (2008 est.) 5.5% (2007 est.) 12.1% (2006 est.) Tunisia 4.4% (2008 est.) 6.6% (2007 est.) 5.3% (2006 est.) Turkey 0.9% (2008 est.) 4.7% (2007 est.) 6.9% (2006 est.) Turkmenistan 9.8% (2008 est.) 11.6% (2007 est.) 11.4% (2006 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands 4.9% (2000 est.) Tuvalu 3% (2006 est.) Uganda 8.3% (2008 est.) 8.2% (2007 est.) 7.1% (2006 est.) Ukraine 2.1% (2008 est.) 7.9% (2007 est.) 7.3% (2006 est.) United Arab Emirates 7.4% (2008 est.) 6% (2007 est.) 14.9% (2006 est.) United Kingdom 0.7% (2008 est.) 2.6% (2007 est.) 2.9% (2006 est.) United States 0.4% (2008 est.) 2.1% (2007 est.) 2.7% (2006 est.) Uruguay 8.9% (2008 est.) 7.4% (2007 est.) 7% (2006 est.) Uzbekistan 9% (2008 est.) 9.5% (2007 est.) 7.3% (2006 est.) Vanuatu 6.6% (2008 est.) 6.8% (2007 est.) 7.2% (2006 est.) Venezuela 4.8% (2008 est.) 8.2% (2007 est.) 9.9% (2006 est.) Vietnam 6.2% (2008 est.) 8.5% (2007 est.) 8.2% (2006 est.) Virgin Islands 2% (2002 est.) Wallis and Futuna NA% West Bank 0.8% (2008 est.) Western Sahara NA% World 2.9% (2008 est.) 5% (2007 est.) 5% (2006 est.) Yemen 3.2% (2008 est.) 3.5% (2007 est.) 3.2% (2006 est.) Zambia 6% (2008 est.) 6.2% (2007 est.) 6.2% (2006 est.) Zimbabwe -14.4% (2008 est.) -5.6% (2007 est.) -4.6% (2006 est.) ====================================================================== @2004 Field Listing :: GDP - per capita (PPP) This entry shows GDP on a purchasing power parity basis divided by population as of 1 July for the same year. Country Comparison to the World Country GDP - per capita (PPP) Afghanistan $800 (2008 est.) $800 (2007 est.) $700 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Albania $6,000 (2008 est.) $5,700 (2007 est.) $5,400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Algeria $6,900 (2008 est.) $6,800 (2007 est.) $6,600 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars American Samoa $8,000 (2007 est.) $5,800 (2005 est.) Andorra $42,500 (2007) $38,800 (2005) Angola $9,000 (2008 est.) $8,200 (2007 est.) $6,900 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Anguilla $8,800 (2004 est.) Antigua and Barbuda $19,400 (2008 est.) $19,100 (2007 est.) $18,100 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Argentina $14,200 (2008 est.) $13,400 (2007 est.) $12,500 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Armenia $6,300 (2008 est.) $5,900 (2007 est.) $5,200 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Aruba $21,800 (2004 est.) Australia $38,200 (2008 est.) $37,800 (2007 est.) $36,800 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Austria $40,400 (2008 est.) $39,600 (2007 est.) $38,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Azerbaijan $9,500 (2008 est.) $8,600 (2007 est.) $7,000 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Bahamas, The $30,700 (2008 est.) $31,400 (2007 est.) $30,900 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Bahrain $37,400 (2008 est.) $35,700 (2007 est.) $33,400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Bangladesh $1,500 (2008 est.) $1,400 (2007 est.) $1,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Barbados $18,900 (2008 est.) $18,900 (2007 est.) $18,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Belarus $11,800 (2008 est.) $10,700 (2007 est.) $9,800 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Belgium $37,500 (2008 est.) $37,200 (2007 est.) $36,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Belize $8,400 (2008 est.) $8,400 (2007 est.) $8,400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Benin $1,500 (2008 est.) $1,500 (2007 est.) $1,500 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Bermuda $69,900 (2004 est.) Bhutan $5,200 (2008 est.) $4,300 (2007 est.) $4,100 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Bolivia $4,500 (2008 est.) $4,300 (2007 est.) $4,200 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Bosnia and Herzegovina $6,500 (2008 est.) $6,200 (2007 est.) $5,900 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Botswana $13,900 (2008 est.) $13,800 (2007 est.) $13,400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Brazil $10,200 (2008 est.) $9,800 (2007 est.) $9,400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars British Virgin Islands $38,500 (2004 est.) Brunei $51,300 (2008 est.) $53,300 (2007 est.) $54,200 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Bulgaria $12,900 (2008 est.) $12,100 (2007 est.) $11,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Burkina Faso $1,200 (2008 est.) $1,200 (2007 est.) $1,200 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Burma $1,200 (2008 est.) $1,200 (2007 est.) $1,100 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Burundi $300 (2008 est.) $300 (2007 est.) $300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Cambodia $2,000 (2008 est.) $1,900 (2007 est.) $1,800 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Cameroon $2,300 (2008 est.) $2,300 (2007 est.) $2,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Canada $39,200 (2008 est.) $39,400 (2007 est.) $38,800 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Cape Verde $3,800 (2008 est.) $3,600 (2007 est.) $3,400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Cayman Islands $43,800 (2004 est.) Central African Republic $700 (2008 est.) $700 (2007 est.) $700 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Chad $1,600 (2008 est.) $1,600 (2007 est.) $1,600 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Chile $14,900 (2008 est.) $14,600 (2007 est.) $14,000 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars China $6,000 (2008 est.) $5,500 (2007 est.) $4,900 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Colombia $9,200 (2008 est.) $9,100 (2007 est.) $8,600 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Comoros $1,000 (2008 est.) $1,000 (2007 est.) $1,100 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Congo, Democratic Republic of the $300 (2008 est.) $300 (2007 est.) $300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Congo, Republic of the $3,900 (2008 est.) $3,800 (2007 est.) $4,000 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Cook Islands $9,100 (2005 est.) Costa Rica $11,600 (2008 est.) $11,500 (2007 est.) $10,800 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Cote d'Ivoire $1,700 (2008 est.) $1,700 (2007 est.) $1,700 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Croatia $18,400 (2008 est.) $17,900 (2007 est.) $17,000 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Cuba $9,500 (2008 est.) $9,100 (2007 est.) $8,500 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Cyprus $21,300 (2008 est.) $20,900 (2007 est.) $20,400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Czech Republic $25,900 (2008 est.) $25,200 (2007 est.) $23,800 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Denmark $37,200 (2008 est.) $37,800 (2007 est.) $37,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Djibouti $2,700 (2008 est.) $2,600 (2007 est.) $2,500 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Dominica $10,000 (2008 est.) $9,700 (2007 est.) $9,600 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Dominican Republic $8,200 (2008 est.) $7,900 (2007 est.) $7,400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Ecuador $7,500 (2008 est.) $7,200 (2007 est.) $7,100 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Egypt $5,800 (2008 est.) $5,500 (2007 est.) $5,200 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars El Salvador $6,200 (2008 est.) $6,100 (2007 est.) $6,000 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Equatorial Guinea $37,300 (2008 est.) $34,700 (2007 est.) $29,100 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Eritrea $700 (2008 est.) $700 (2007 est.) $700 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Estonia $21,400 (2008 est.) $22,100 (2007 est.) $20,500 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Ethiopia $900 (2008 est.) $800 (2007 est.) $700 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars European Union $33,700 (2008 est.) $33,500 (2007 est.) $32,700 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) $35,400 (2002 est.) Faroe Islands $31,000 (2001 est.) Fiji $3,800 (2008 est.) $3,900 (2007 est.) $4,200 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Finland $37,000 (2008 est.) $36,700 (2007 est.) $35,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars France $33,300 (2008 est.) $33,400 (2007 est.) $32,800 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars French Polynesia $18,000 (2004 est.) $17,500 (2003 est.) Gabon $14,200 (2008 est.) $14,200 (2007 est.) $13,800 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Gambia, The $1,300 (2008 est.) $1,300 (2007 est.) $1,200 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Gaza Strip $2,900 (2008 est.) $1,100 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Georgia $4,700 (2008 est.) $4,500 (2007 est.) $4,000 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Germany $35,500 (2008 est.) $35,000 (2007 est.) $34,200 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Ghana $1,500 (2008 est.) $1,400 (2007 est.) $1,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Gibraltar $38,200 (2005 est.) $27,900 (2000 est.) Greece $32,100 (2008 est.) $31,200 (2007 est.) $30,100 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Greenland $20,000 (2001 est.) Grenada $13,200 (2008 est.) $12,900 (2007 est.) $12,400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Guam $15,000 (2005 est.) Guatemala $5,300 (2008 est.) $5,200 (2007 est.) $5,000 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Guernsey $44,600 (2005) Guinea $1,100 (2008 est.) $1,100 (2007 est.) $1,100 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Guinea-Bissau $600 (2008 est.) $600 (2007 est.) $600 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Guyana $3,900 (2008 est.) $3,800 (2007 est.) $3,600 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Haiti $1,300 (2008 est.) $1,300 (2007 est.) $1,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Honduras $4,400 (2008 est.) $4,300 (2007 est.) $4,200 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Hong Kong $43,800 (2008 est.) $43,000 (2007 est.) $40,600 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Hungary $19,800 (2008 est.) $19,600 (2007 est.) $19,400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Iceland $42,300 (2008 est.) $42,100 (2007 est.) $40,200 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars India $2,900 (2008 est.) $2,700 (2007 est.) $2,500 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Indonesia $3,900 (2008 est.) $3,700 (2007 est.) $3,500 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Iran $12,800 (2008 est.) $12,100 (2007 est.) $11,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Iraq $3,200 (2008 est.) $3,000 (2007 est.) $3,100 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Ireland $45,500 (2008 est.) $47,400 (2007 est.) $45,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Isle of Man $35,000 (2005 est.) Israel $28,600 (2008 est.) $27,900 (2007 est.) $27,000 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Italy $31,400 (2008 est.) $31,700 (2007 est.) $31,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Jamaica $8,600 (2008 est.) $8,700 (2007 est.) $8,600 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Japan $34,100 (2008 est.) $34,300 (2007 est.) $33,500 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Jersey $57,000 (2005 est.) Jordan $5,200 (2008 est.) $5,000 (2007 est.) $5,000 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Kazakhstan $11,500 (2008 est.) $11,300 (2007 est.) $10,400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Kenya $1,600 (2008 est.) $1,600 (2007 est.) $1,600 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Kiribati $5,300 (2008 est.) $5,200 (2007 est.) $5,400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Korea, North $1,800 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Korea, South $27,700 (2008 est.) $27,100 (2007 est.) $25,900 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Kosovo $2,300 (2007 est.) Kuwait $57,500 (2008 est.) $55,000 (2007 est.) $54,400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Kyrgyzstan $2,200 (2008 est.) $2,000 (2007 est.) $1,900 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Laos $2,100 (2008 est.) $2,000 (2007 est.) $1,900 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Latvia $17,300 (2008 est.) $18,100 (2007 est.) $16,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Lebanon $11,100 (2008 est.) $10,600 (2007 est.) $10,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Lesotho $1,600 (2008 est.) $1,500 (2007 est.) $1,400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Liberia $500 (2008 est.) $400 (2007 est.) $400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Libya $14,200 (2008 est.) $13,700 (2007 est.) $13,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Liechtenstein $118,000 (2007 est.) Lithuania $17,800 (2008 est.) $17,200 (2007 est.) $15,800 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Luxembourg $81,200 (2008 est.) $83,000 (2007 est.) $79,800 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Macau $30,000 (2007) $28,400 (2006) Macedonia $9,100 (2008 est.) $8,700 (2007 est.) $8,200 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Madagascar $1,000 (2008 est.) $1,000 (2007 est.) $900 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Malawi $800 (2008 est.) $800 (2007 est.) $700 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Malaysia $15,200 (2008 est.) $14,800 (2007 est.) $14,200 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Maldives $4,500 (2008 est.) $4,500 (2007 est.) $4,400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Mali $1,100 (2008 est.) $1,100 (2007 est.) $1,100 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Malta $24,600 (2008 est.) $24,200 (2007 est.) $23,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Marshall Islands $2,500 (2008 est.) $2,900 (2005 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Mauritania $2,100 (2008 est.) $2,000 (2007 est.) $2,100 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Mauritius $12,100 (2008 est.) $11,600 (2007 est.) $11,100 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Mayotte $4,900 (2005 est.) Mexico $14,300 (2008 est.) $14,200 (2007 est.) $13,900 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Micronesia, Federated States of $2,200 (2008 est.) $2,300 (2005 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Moldova $2,500 (2008 est.) $2,300 (2007 est.) $2,200 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Monaco $30,000 (2006 est.) Mongolia $3,200 (2008 est.) $3,000 (2007 est.) $2,700 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Montenegro $10,100 (2008 est.) $9,300 (2007 est.) $8,400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Montserrat $3,400 (2002 est.) Morocco $4,500 (2008 est.) $4,200 (2007 est.) $4,200 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Mozambique $900 (2008 est.) $900 (2007 est.) $800 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Namibia $6,400 (2008 est.) $6,200 (2007 est.) $6,000 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Nauru $5,000 (2005 est.) Nepal $1,100 (2008 est.) $1,100 (2007 est.) $1,100 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Netherlands $40,500 (2008 est.) $39,900 (2007 est.) $38,700 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Netherlands Antilles $16,000 (2004 est.) New Caledonia $15,000 (2003 est.) New Zealand $27,900 (2008 est.) $28,200 (2007 est.) $27,600 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Nicaragua $2,900 (2008 est.) $2,900 (2007 est.) $2,800 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Niger $700 (2008 est.) $700 (2007 est.) $700 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Nigeria $2,300 (2008 est.) $2,200 (2007 est.) $2,100 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Niue $5,800 (2003 est.) Northern Mariana Islands $12,500 (2000 est.) Norway $59,500 (2008 est.) $58,200 (2007 est.) $55,100 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Oman $20,200 (2008 est.) $19,600 (2007 est.) $19,100 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Pakistan $2,500 (2008 est.) $2,500 (2007 est.) $2,400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Palau $8,100 (2008 est.) $7,600 (2005 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Panama $11,800 (2008 est.) $10,900 (2007 est.) $10,000 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Papua New Guinea $2,300 (2008 est.) $2,200 (2007 est.) $2,100 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Paraguay $4,200 (2008 est.) $4,100 (2007 est.) $3,900 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Peru $8,500 (2008 est.) $7,800 (2007 est.) $7,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Philippines $3,300 (2008 est.) $3,300 (2007 est.) $3,100 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Poland $17,400 (2008 est.) $16,600 (2007 est.) $15,500 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Portugal $22,200 (2008 est.) $22,300 (2007 est.) $22,000 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Puerto Rico $17,800 (2008 est.) $18,300 (2007 est.) $18,700 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Qatar $111,000 (2008 est.) $99,100 (2007 est.) $85,800 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Romania $12,200 (2008 est.) $11,400 (2007 est.) $10,700 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Russia $16,100 (2008 est.) $15,200 (2007 est.) $14,000 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Rwanda $900 (2008 est.) $900 (2007 est.) $800 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Saint Helena $2,500 (1998 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis $19,100 (2008 est.) $18,800 (2007 est.) $18,700 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Saint Lucia $11,100 (2008 est.) $11,100 (2007 est.) $11,000 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Saint Pierre and Miquelon $7,000 (2001 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines $10,200 (2008 est.) $10,100 (2007 est.) $9,400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Samoa $4,700 (2008 est.) $4,900 (2007 est.) $4,700 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars San Marino $41,900 (2007) Sao Tome and Principe $1,300 (2008 est.) $1,300 (2007 est.) $1,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Saudi Arabia $20,500 (2008 est.) $20,100 (2007 est.) $19,800 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Senegal $1,600 (2008 est.) $1,600 (2007 est.) $1,600 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Serbia $10,800 (2008 est.) $10,200 (2007 est.) $9,500 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Seychelles $21,000 (2008 est.) $21,400 (2007 est.) $19,800 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Sierra Leone $900 (2008 est.) $800 (2007 est.) $800 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Singapore $51,600 (2008 est.) $51,700 (2007 est.) $48,600 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Slovakia $22,000 (2008 est.) $20,700 (2007 est.) $18,700 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Slovenia $29,600 (2008 est.) $28,600 (2007 est.) $26,800 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Solomon Islands $2,700 (2008 est.) $2,500 (2007 est.) $2,400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Somalia $600 (2008 est.) $600 (2007 est.) $600 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars South Africa $10,100 (2008 est.) $9,900 (2007 est.) $9,500 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Spain $34,600 (2008 est.) $34,400 (2007 est.) $33,200 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Sri Lanka $4,400 (2008 est.) $4,200 (2007 est.) $3,900 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Sudan $2,200 (2008 est.) $2,100 (2007 est.) $1,900 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Suriname $8,900 (2008 est.) $8,500 (2007 est.) $8,100 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Swaziland $4,400 (2008 est.) $4,400 (2007 est.) $4,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Sweden $38,200 (2008 est.) $38,400 (2007 est.) $37,400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Switzerland $42,000 (2008 est.) $41,400 (2007 est.) $40,100 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Syria $4,600 (2008 est.) $4,600 (2007 est.) $4,600 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Taiwan $31,100 (2008 est.) $31,200 (2007 est.) $29,600 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Tajikistan $1,800 (2008 est.) $1,700 (2007 est.) $1,600 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Tanzania $1,400 (2008 est.) $1,300 (2007 est.) $1,200 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Thailand $8,400 (2008 est.) $8,200 (2007 est.) $7,900 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Timor-Leste $2,300 (2008 est.) $2,100 (2007 est.) $1,900 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Togo $900 (2008 est.) $900 (2007 est.) $900 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Tokelau $1,000 (1993 est.) Tonga $4,600 (2008 est.) $4,600 (2007 est.) $4,800 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Trinidad and Tobago $23,600 (2008 est.) $22,800 (2007 est.) $21,600 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Tunisia $7,900 (2008 est.) $7,600 (2007 est.) $7,200 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Turkey $11,900 (2008 est.) $12,000 (2007 est.) $11,600 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Turkmenistan $6,500 (2008 est.) $6,000 (2007 est.) $5,400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Turks and Caicos Islands $11,500 (2002 est.) Tuvalu $1,600 (2002 est.) Uganda $1,300 (2008 est.) $1,200 (2007 est.) $1,200 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Ukraine $7,400 (2008 est.) $7,200 (2007 est.) $6,600 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars United Arab Emirates $44,600 (2008 est.) $43,200 (2007 est.) $42,500 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars United Kingdom $36,700 (2008 est.) $36,500 (2007 est.) $35,700 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars United States $47,500 (2008 est.) $47,700 (2007 est.) $47,200 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Uruguay $12,400 (2008 est.) $11,500 (2007 est.) $10,700 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Uzbekistan $2,600 (2008 est.) $2,400 (2007 est.) $2,200 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Vanuatu $4,600 (2008 est.) $4,400 (2007 est.) $4,200 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Venezuela $13,500 (2008 est.) $13,100 (2007 est.) $12,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Vietnam $2,800 (2008 est.) $2,600 (2007 est.) $2,500 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Virgin Islands $14,500 (2004 est.) Wallis and Futuna $3,800 (2004 est.) West Bank $2,900 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Western Sahara $2,500 (2007 est.) World $10,500 (2008 est.) $10,300 (2007 est.) $9,900 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Yemen $2,500 (2008 est.) $2,500 (2007 est.) $2,500 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Zambia $1,500 (2008 est.) $1,400 (2007 est.) $1,400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Zimbabwe $200 (2008 est.) $200 (2007 est.) $200 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars ====================================================================== @2005 Field Listing :: Affiliation Country Affiliation Akrotiri (UK Sovereign Base Area) American Samoa (territory of the US) Anguilla (overseas territory of the UK) Aruba (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) Ashmore and Cartier Islands (territory of Australia) Bermuda (overseas territory of the UK) Bouvet Island (territory of Norway) British Indian Ocean Territory (overseas territory of the UK) British Virgin Islands (overseas territory of the UK) Cayman Islands (overseas territory of the UK) China (also see separate Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan entries) Christmas Island (territory of Australia) Clipperton Island (possession of France) Cocos (Keeling) Islands (territory of Australia) Cook Islands (self-governing in free association with New Zealand) Coral Sea Islands (territory of Australia) Dhekelia (UK sovereign base area) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) Faroe Islands (part of the Kingdom of Denmark) French Polynesia (overseas lands of France) French Southern and Antarctic Lands (overseas territory of France) Gibraltar (overseas territory of the UK) Greenland (part of the Kingdom of Denmark) Guam (territory of the US) Guernsey (British crown dependency) Heard Island and McDonald Islands (territory of Australia) Hong Kong (special administrative region of China) Isle of Man (British crown dependency) Israel (also see separate Gaza Strip and West Bank entries) Jan Mayen (territory of Norway) Jersey (British crown dependency) Macau (special administrative region of China) Mayotte (overseas collectivity of France) Montserrat (overseas territory of the UK) Navassa Island (territory of the US) Netherlands Antilles (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) New Caledonia (self-governing territory of France) Niue (self-governing in free association with New Zealand) Norfolk Island (territory of Australia) Northern Mariana Islands (commonwealth in political union with the US) Pitcairn Islands (overseas territory of the UK) Puerto Rico (territory of the US with commonwealth status) Saint Barthelemy (overseas collectivity of France) Saint Helena (overseas territory of the UK) Saint Martin (overseas collectivity of France) Saint Pierre and Miquelon (territorial overseas collectivity of France) South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands (overseas territory of the UK, also claimed by Argentina) Svalbard (territory of Norway) Tokelau (territory of New Zealand) Turks and Caicos Islands (overseas territory of the UK) United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges (territories of the US) Virgin Islands (territory of the US) Wake Island (territory of the US) Wallis and Futuna (overseas collectivity of France) ====================================================================== @2006 Field Listing :: Dependency status This entry describes the formal relationship between a particular nonindependent entity and an independent state. Country Dependency status Akrotiri a special form of UK overseas territory; administered by an administrator who is also the Commander, British Forces Cyprus American Samoa unincorporated and unorganized territory of the US; administered by the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior Anguilla overseas territory of the UK Aruba member country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal affairs obtained in 1986 upon separation from the Netherlands Antilles; Dutch Government responsible for defense and foreign affairs Ashmore and Cartier Islands territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Government Attorney-General's Department Bermuda overseas territory of the UK Bouvet Island territory of Norway; administered by the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice and Oslo Police British Indian Ocean Territory overseas territory of the UK; administered by a commissioner, resident in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London British Virgin Islands overseas territory of the UK; internal self-governing Cayman Islands overseas territory of the UK Christmas Island non-self governing territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Government Attorney-General's Department Clipperton Island possession of France; administered directly by the Minister of Overseas France Cocos (Keeling) Islands non-self governing territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Government Attorney-General's Department Cook Islands self-governing in free association with New Zealand; Cook Islands is fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs and defense, in consultation with the Cook Islands Coral Sea Islands territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Government Attorney-General's Department Dhekelia a special form of UK overseas territory; administered by an administrator who is also the Commander, British Forces Cyprus Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina Faroe Islands part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1948 French Polynesia overseas lands of France; overseas territory of France from 1946-2004 French Southern and Antarctic Lands overseas territory of France since 1955; administered from Paris by Administrateur Superieur Eric PILLOTON (since 10 April 2007) Gibraltar overseas territory of the UK Greenland part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1979 Guam organized, unincorporated territory of the US with policy relations between Guam and the US under the jurisdiction of the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior Guernsey British crown dependency Heard Island and McDonald Islands territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Antarctic Division of the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts Hong Kong special administrative region of China Isle of Man British crown dependency Jan Mayen territory of Norway; since August 1994, administered from Oslo through the county governor (fylkesmann) of Nordland; however, authority has been delegated to a station commander of the Norwegian Defense Communication Service Jersey British crown dependency Macau special administrative region of China Mayotte departmental collectivity of France Montserrat overseas territory of the UK Navassa Island unorganized, unincorporated territory of the US; administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service, US Department of the Interior from the Caribbean Islands National Wildlife Refuge in Boqueron, Puerto Rico; in September 1996 the Coast Guard ceased operations and maintenance of Navassa Island Light a 46-meter-tall lighthouse on the southern side of the island; there has also been a private claim advanced against the island Netherlands Antilles an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal affairs granted in 1954; Dutch Government responsible for defense and foreign affairs New Caledonia territorial collectivity of France since 1998 Niue self-governing in free association with New Zealand since 1974; Niue fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs and defense; however, these responsibilities confer no rights of control and are only exercised at the request of the Government of Niue Norfolk Island self governing territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Government Attorney-General's Department Northern Mariana Islands commonwealth in political union with the US; federal funds to the Commonwealth administered by the US Department of the Interior, Office of Insular Affairs Pitcairn Islands overseas territory of the UK Puerto Rico unincorporated, organized territory of the US with commonwealth status; policy relations between Puerto Rico and the US conducted under the jurisdiction of the Office of the President Saint Barthelemy overseas collectivity of France Saint Helena overseas territory of the UK Saint Martin overseas collectivity of France Saint Pierre and Miquelon self-governing territorial overseas collectivity of France South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands overseas territory of the UK, also claimed by Argentina; administered from the Falkland Islands by a commissioner, who is concurrently governor of the Falkland Islands, representing Queen ELIZABETH II Svalbard territory of Norway; administered by the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice, through a governor (sysselmann) residing in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen; by treaty (9 February 1920) sovereignty was awarded to Norway Tokelau self-administering territory of New Zealand; note - Tokelau and New Zealand have agreed to a draft constitution as Tokelau moves toward free association with New Zealand; a UN-sponsored referendum on self governance in October 2007 did not produce the two-thirds majority vote necessary for changing the political status Turks and Caicos Islands overseas territory of the UK United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges unincorporated territories of the US; administered from Washington, DC by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system note on Palmyra Atoll: incorporated Territory of the US; partly privately owned and partly federally owned; administered from Washington, DC by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior; the Office of Insular Affairs of the US Department of the Interior continues to administer nine excluded areas comprising certain tidal and submerged lands within the 12 nm territorial sea or within the lagoon Virgin Islands organized, unincorporated territory of the US with policy relations between the Virgin Islands and the US under the jurisdiction of the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior Wake Island unorganized, unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by the Department of the Interior; activities in the atoll are currently conducted by the US Air Force Wallis and Futuna overseas territory of France ====================================================================== @2007 Field Listing :: Diplomatic representation from the US This entry includes the chief of mission, embassy address, mailing address, telephone number, FAX number, branch office locations, consulate general locations, and consulate locations. Country Diplomatic representation from the US Afghanistan chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Deputy Ambassador Francis J. RICCIARDONE, Jr. embassy: The Great Masood Road, Kabul mailing address: U.S. Embassy Kabul, APO, AE 09806 telephone: [93] 0700 108 001 FAX: [93] 0700 108 564 Akrotiri none (overseas territory of the UK) Albania chief of mission: Ambassador John L. WITHERS, II embassy: Rruga e Elbasanit, Labinoti #103, Tirana mailing address: US Department of State, 9510 Tirana Place, Dulles, VA 20189-9510 telephone: [355] (4) 2247285 FAX: [355] (4) 2232222 Algeria chief of mission: Ambassador David D. PEARCE embassy: 05 Chemin Cheikh Bachir, El-Ibrahimi, El-Biar 16000 Algiers mailing address: B. P. 408, Alger-Gare, 16030 Algiers telephone: [213] 770-08-2000 FAX: [213] 21-60-7355 American Samoa none (territory of the US) Andorra the US does not have an embassy in Andorra; the US Ambassador to Spain is accredited to Andorra; US interests in Andorra are represented by the Consulate General's office in Barcelona (Spain); mailing address: Paseo Reina Elisenda de Montcada, 23, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; telephone: [34] (93) 280-2227; FAX: [34] (93) 280-6175 Angola chief of mission: Ambassador Dan MOZENA embassy: number 32 Rua Houari Boumedienne (in the Miramar area of Luanda), Luanda mailing address: international mail: Caixa Postal 6468, Luanda; pouch: US Embassy Luanda, US Department of State, 2550 Luanda Place, Washington, DC 20521-2550 telephone: [244] (222) 64-1000 FAX: [244] (222) 64-1232 Anguilla none (overseas territory of the UK) Antigua and Barbuda the US does not have an embassy in Antigua and Barbuda; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Antigua and Barbuda Argentina chief of mission: Ambassador Earl Anthony WAYNE embassy: Avenida Colombia 4300, C1425GMN Buenos Aires mailing address: international mail: use embassy street address; APO address: US Embassy Buenos Aires, Unit 4334, APO AA 34034 telephone: [54] (11) 5777-4533 FAX: [54] (11) 5777-4240 Armenia chief of mission: Ambassador Marie L. YOVANOVITCH embassy: 1 American Ave., Yerevan 0082 mailing address: American Embassy Yerevan, US Department of State, 7020 Yerevan Place, Washington, DC 20521-7020 telephone: [374](10) 464-700 FAX: [374](10) 464-742 Aruba the US does not have an embassy in Aruba; the Consul General to Netherlands Antilles is accredited to Aruba Ashmore and Cartier Islands none (territory of Australia) Australia chief of mission: Ambassador Robert D. McCALLUM, Jr. embassy: Moonah Place, Yarralumla, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2600 mailing address: APO AP 96549 telephone: [61] (02) 6214-5600 FAX: [61] (02) 6214-5970 consulate(s) general: Melbourne, Perth, Sydney Austria chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Scott F. KILNER embassy: Boltzmanngasse 16, A-1090, Vienna mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [43] (1) 31339-0 FAX: [43] (1) 3100682 Azerbaijan chief of mission: Ambassador Anne E. DERSE embassy: 83 Azadlig Prospecti, Baku AZ1007 mailing address: American Embassy Baku, US Department of State, 7050 Baku Place, Washington, DC 20521-7050 telephone: [994] (12) 4980-335 through 337 FAX: [994] (12) 4656-671 Bahamas, The chief of mission: Ambassador Ned L. SIEGEL embassy: 42 Queen Street, Nassau, New Providence mailing address: local or express mail address: P. O. Box N-8197, Nassau; US Department of State, 3370 Nassau Place, Washington, DC 20521-3370 telephone: [1] (242) 322-1181, 328-2206 (after hours) FAX: [1] (242) 328-2206 Bahrain chief of mission: Ambassador J. Adam ERELI embassy: Building #979, Road 3119 (next to Al-Ahli Sports Club), Block 331, Zinj District, Manama mailing address: PSC 451, Box 660, FPO AE 09834-5100; international mail: American Embassy, Box 26431, Manama telephone: [973] 1724-2700 FAX: [973] 1727-0547 Bangladesh chief of mission: Ambassador James F. MORIARTY embassy: Madani Avenue, Baridhara, Dhaka 1212 mailing address: G. P. O. Box 323, Dhaka 1000 telephone: [880] (2) 885-5500 FAX: [880] (2) 882-3744 Barbados chief of mission: Ambassador Mary M. OURISMAN embassy: U.S. Embassy, Wildey Business Park, Wildey, St. Michael BB 14006 mailing address: P. O. Box 302, Bridgetown BB 11000; CMR 1014, APO AA 34055 telephone: [1] (246) 227-4399 FAX: [1] (246) 431-0179 Belarus chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Jonathan MOORE embassy: 46 Starovilenskaya Street, Minsk 220002 mailing address: PSC 78, Box B Minsk, APO 09723 telephone: [375] (17) 210-12-83, 217-7347 through 7348 FAX: [375] (17) 234-7853 Belgium chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Wayne BUSH embassy: 27 Boulevard du Regent [Regentlaan], B-1000 Brussels mailing address: PSC 82, Box 002, APO AE 09710 telephone: [32] (2) 508-2111 FAX: [32] (2) 511-2725 Belize chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires J.A. DIFFILY embassy: Floral Park Road, Belmopan City, Cayo District mailing address: P.O. Box 497, Belmopan City, Cayo District, Belize telephone: [501] 822-4011 FAX: [501] 822-4012 Benin chief of mission: Ambassador Gayleatha B. BROWN embassy: Rue Caporal Bernard Anani, Cotonou mailing address: 01 B. P. 2012, Cotonou telephone: [229] 21-30-06-50 FAX: [229] 21-30-03-84 Bermuda chief of mission: Consul General Gregory W. SLAYTON consulate(s) general: Crown Hill, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire DVO3 mailing address: P. O. Box HM325, Hamilton HMBX; American Consulate General Hamilton, US Department of State, 5300 Hamilton Place, Washington, DC 20520-5300 telephone: [1] (441) 295-1342 FAX: [1] (441) 295-1592, 296-9233 Bhutan the US and Bhutan have no formal diplomatic relations, although informal contact is maintained between the Bhutanese and US Embassy in New Delhi (India) Bolivia chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Krishna URS embassy: Avenida Arce 2780, Casilla 425, La Paz mailing address: P. O. Box 425, La Paz; APO AA 34032 telephone: [591] (2) 216-8000 FAX: [591] (2) 216-8111 note: as of September 2008, the Bolivian Government has expelled the US Ambassador to Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina chief of mission: Ambassador Charles L. ENGLISH embassy: Alipasina 43, 71000 Sarajevo mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [387] (33) 445-700 FAX: [387] (33) 659-722 branch office(s): Banja Luka, Mostar Botswana chief of mission: Ambassador Stephen J. NOLAN embassy: Embassy Enclave (off Khama Crescent), Gaborone mailing address: Embassy Enclave, P. O. Box 90, Gaborone telephone: [267] 395-3982 FAX: [267] 395-6947 Brazil chief of mission: Ambassador Clifford M. SOBEL embassy: Avenida das Nacoes, Quadra 801, Lote 3, Distrito Federal Cep 70403-900, Brasilia mailing address: Unit 3500, APO AA 34030 telephone: [55] (61) 3312-7000 FAX: [55] (61) 3225-9136 consulate(s) general: Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo consulate(s): Recife British Indian Ocean Territory none (overseas territory of the UK) British Virgin Islands none (overseas territory of the UK) Brunei chief of mission: Ambassador William E. TODD embassy: Third Floor, Teck Guan Plaza, Jalan Sultan, Bandar Seri Begawan, BS8811 mailing address: PSC 470 (BSB), FPO AP 96507; P.O. Box 2991, Bandar Seri Begawan BS8675, Negara Brunei Darussalam telephone: [673] 222-0384 FAX: [673] 222-5293 Bulgaria chief of mission: Ambassador Nancy McELDOWNEY embassy: 16 Kozyak Street, Sofia 1407 mailing address: American Embassy Sofia, US Department of State, 5740 Sofia Place, Washington, DC 20521-5740 telephone: [359] (2) 937-5100 FAX: [359] (2) 937-5320 Burkina Faso chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Samuel C. LAEUCHLI embassy: 602 Avenue Raoul Follereau, Koulouba, Secteur 4 mailing address: 01 B. P. 35, Ouagadougou 01; pouch mail - US Department of State, 2440 Ouagadougou Place, Washington, DC 20521-2440 telephone: [226] 50-30-67-23 FAX: [226] 50-30-38-90 Burma chief of mission: Charge d'Affaires Larry M. DINGER - note: The United States does not maintain an ambassador in Burma embassy: 110 University Avenue, Kamayut Township, Rangoon mailing address: Box B, APO AP 96546 telephone: [95] (1) 536-509, 535-756, 538-038 FAX: [95] (1) 650-306 Burundi chief of mission: Ambassador Patricia Newton MOLLER embassy: Avenue des Etats-Unis, Bujumbura mailing address: B. P. 1720, Bujumbura telephone: [257] 223454 FAX: [257] 222926 Cambodia chief of mission: Ambassador Carol A. RODLEY embassy: #1, Street 96, Sangkat Wat Phnom, Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh mailing address: Box P, APO AP 96546 telephone: [855] (23) 728-000 FAX: [855] (23) 728-600 Cameroon chief of mission: Ambassador Janet E. GARVEY embassy: Avenue Rosa Parks, Yaounde mailing address: P. O. Box 817, Yaounde; pouch: American Embassy, US Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2520 telephone: [237] 2220 15 00; Consular: [237] 2220 16 03 FAX: [237] 2220 16 00 Ext. 4531; Consular FAX: [237] 2220 17 52 branch office(s): Douala Canada chief of mission: Ambassador David H. WILKINS embassy: 490 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 1G8 mailing address: P. O. Box 5000, Ogdensburg, NY 13669-0430; P.O. Box 866, Station B, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5T1 telephone: [1] (613) 688-5335 FAX: [1] (613) 688-3082 consulate(s) general: Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Quebec, Toronto, Vancouver, Winnipeg Cape Verde chief of mission: Ambassador Marianne M. MYLES embassy: Rua Abilio Macedo n6, Praia mailing address: C. P. 201, Praia telephone: [238] 2-60-89-00 FAX: [238] 2-61-13-55 Cayman Islands none (overseas territory of the UK) Central African Republic chief of mission: Ambassador Frederick B. COOK embassy: Avenue David Dacko, Bangui mailing address: B. P. 924, Bangui telephone: [236] 61 02 00 FAX: [236] 61 44 94 note: the embassy is currently operating with a minimal staff Chad chief of mission: Ambassador Louis NIGRO embassy: Avenue Felix Eboue, N'Djamena mailing address: B. P. 413, N'Djamena telephone: [235] 251-62-11, 251-70-09, 251-77-59 FAX: [235] 251-56-54 Chile chief of mission: Ambassador Paul E. SIMONS embassy: Avenida Andres Bello 2800, Las Condes, Santiago mailing address: APO AA 34033 telephone: [56] (2) 330-3000 FAX: [56] (2) 330-3710, 330-3160 China chief of mission: Ambassador Jon M. HUNTSMAN, Jr. embassy: 55 An Jia Lou Lu, 100600 Beijing mailing address: PSC 461, Box 50, FPO AP 96521-0002 telephone: [86] (10) 8531-3000 FAX: [86] (10) 8531-3300 consulate(s) general: Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenyang, Wuhan Christmas Island none (territory of Australia) Cocos (Keeling) Islands none (territory of Australia) Colombia chief of mission: Ambassador William R. BROWNFIELD embassy: Calle 24 Bis No. 48-50, Bogota, D.C. mailing address: Carrera 45 No. 24B-27, Bogota, D.C. telephone: [57] (1) 315-0811 FAX: [57] (1) 315-2197 Comoros the US does not have an embassy in Comoros; the ambassador to Madagascar is accredited to Comoros Congo, Democratic Republic of the chief of mission: Ambassador William GARVELINK embassy: 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa mailing address: Unit 31550, APO AE 09828 telephone: [243] (81) 225-5872 FAX: [243] (81) 301-0561 Congo, Republic of the chief of mission: Ambassador Allan EASTHAM embassy: Boulevard de la Revolution, BDEAC Building, 4th Floor, Brazzaville; note - a new embassy is expected to open in 2009 mailing address: B.P. 1015, Brazzaville telephone: [242] 281-1481, 281-3368; note - until the new embassy in Brazzaville becomes operational, some duties will still be handled in the US embassy in Kinshasha, Democratic Republic of the Congo Cook Islands none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand) Coral Sea Islands none (territory of Australia) Costa Rica chief of mission: Ambassador Peter CIANCHETTE embassy: Calle 120 Avenida O, Pavas, San Jose mailing address: APO AA 34020 telephone: [506] 519-2000 FAX: [506] 519-2305 Cote d'Ivoire chief of mission: Ambassador Wanda L. NESBITT embassy: Cocody Riviera Golf 01, Abidjan mailing address: B. P. 1712, Abidjan 01 telephone: [225] 22 49 40 00 FAX: [225] 22 49 43 32 Croatia chief of mission: Ambassador Robert A. BRADTKE embassy: 2 Thomas Jefferson Street, 10010 Zagreb mailing address: use street address telephone: [385] (1) 661-2200 FAX: [385] (1) 661-2373 Cuba none; note - the US has an Interests Section in the Swiss Embassy, headed by Chief of Mission Jonathan D. FARRAR; address: USINT, Swiss Embassy, Calzada between L and M Streets, Vedado, Havana; telephone: [53] (7) 833-3551 through 3559 (operator assistance required); FAX: [53] (7) 833-1653; protecting power in Cuba is Switzerland Cyprus chief of mission: Ambassador Frank C. URBANCIC, Jr. embassy: corner of Metochiou and Ploutarchou Streets, 2407 Engomi, Nicosia mailing address: P. O. Box 24536, 1385 Nicosia telephone: [357] (22) 393939 FAX: [357] (22) 780944 Czech Republic chief of mission: Ambassador Richard W. GRABER embassy: Trziste 15, 118 01 Prague 1 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [420] 257 022 000 FAX: [420] 257 022 809 Denmark chief of mission: Ambassador James P. CAIN embassy: Dag Hammarskjolds Alle 24, 2100 Copenhagen mailing address: PSC 73, APO AE 09716 telephone: [45] 33 41 71 00 FAX: [45] 35 43 02 23 Dhekelia none (overseas territory of the UK) Djibouti chief of mission: Ambassador James C. SWAN embassy: Plateau du Serpent, Boulevard Marechal Joffre, Djibouti mailing address: B. P. 185, Djibouti telephone: [253] 35 39 95 FAX: [253] 35 39 40 Dominica the US does not have an embassy in Dominica; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Dominica Dominican Republic chief of mission: Ambassador P. Robert FANNIN embassy: corner of Calle Cesar Nicolas Penson and Calle Leopoldo Navarro, Santo Domingo mailing address: Unit 5500, APO AA 34041-5500 telephone: [1] (809) 221-2171 FAX: [1] (809) 686-7437 Ecuador chief of mission: Ambassador Heather HODGES embassy: Avenida Avigiras E12-170 y Avenida Eloy Alfaro, Quito mailing address: Avenida Guayacanes N52-205 y Avenida Avigiras telephone: [593] (2) 398-5000 FAX: [593] (2) 398-5100 consulate(s) general: Guayaquil Egypt chief of mission: Ambassador Margaret SCOBEY embassy: 8 Kamal El Din Salah St., Garden City, Cairo mailing address: Unit 64900, Box 15, APO AE 09839-4900; 5 Tawfik Diab Street, Garden City, Cairo telephone: [20] (2) 2797-3300 FAX: [20] (2) 2797-3200 El Salvador chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Robert BLAU embassy: Final Boulevard Santa Elena Sur, Antiguo Cuscatlan, La Libertad, San Salvador mailing address: Unit 3450, APO AA 34023; 3450 San Salvador Place, Washington, DC 20521-3450 telephone: [503] 2501-2999 FAX: [503] 2501-2150 Equatorial Guinea chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant) embassy: K-3, Carreterade Aeropuerto, al lado de Restaurante El Paraiso, Malabo; note - relocated embassy is opened for limited functions; inquiries should continue to be directed to the US Embassy in Yaounde, Cameroon mailing address: B.P. 817, Yaounde, Cameroon; US Embassy Yaounde, US Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2520 telephone: [237] 2220-1500 FAX: [237] 2220-1572 Eritrea chief of mission: Ambassador Ronald MCMULLEN embassy: 179 Ala Street, Asmara mailing address: P. O. Box 211, Asmara telephone: [291] (1) 120004 FAX: [291] (1) 127584 Estonia chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Karen DECKER embassy: Kentmanni 20, 15099 Tallinn mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [372] 668-8100 FAX: [372] 668-8265 Ethiopia chief of mission: Ambassador Donald Y. YAMAMOTO embassy: Entoto Street, Addis Ababa mailing address: P. O. Box 1014, Addis Ababa telephone: [251] 11-517-40-00 FAX: [251] 11-517-40-01 European Union chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Christopher MURRAY embassy: 13 Zinnerstraat/Rue Zinner, B-1000 Brussels mailing address: same as above telephone: [32] (2) 508-2111 FAX: [32] (2) 508-2063 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) Faroe Islands none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) Fiji chief of mission: Ambassador C. Steven McGANN embassy: 31 Loftus Street, Suva mailing address: P. O. Box 218, Suva telephone: [679] 331-4466 FAX: [679] 330-0081 Finland chief of mission: Ambassador Barbara BARRETT embassy: Itainen Puistotie 14B, 00140 Helsinki mailing address: APO AE 09723 telephone: [358] (9) 616250 FAX: [358] (9) 6162 5800 France chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Mark A. PEKALA embassy: 2 Avenue Gabriel, 75382 Paris Cedex 08 mailing address: PSC 116, APO AE 09777 telephone: [33] (1) 43-12-22-22 FAX: [33] (1) 42 66 97 83 consulate(s) general: Marseille, Strasbourg French Polynesia none (overseas lands of France) French Southern and Antarctic Lands none (overseas territory of France) Gabon chief of mission: Ambassador Eunice S. REDDICK embassy: Boulevard du Bord de Mer, Libreville mailing address: Centre Ville, B. P. 4000, Libreville; pouch:2270 Libreville Place, Washington, DC 20521-2270 telephone: [241] 76 20 03 through 76 20 04, after hours - 07380171 FAX: [241] 74 55 07 Gambia, The chief of mission: Ambassador Barry L. WELLS embassy: Kairaba Avenue, Fajara, Banjul mailing address: P. M. B. No. 19, Banjul telephone: [220] 439-2856, 437-6169, 437-6170 FAX: [220] 439-2475 Georgia chief of mission: Ambassador John F. TEFFT embassy: 11 George Balanchine Street, T'bilisi 0131 mailing address: 7060 T'bilisi Place, Washington, DC 20521-7060 telephone: [995] (32) 27-70-00 FAX: [995] (32) 53-23-10 Germany chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires John KOENIG embassy: Pariser Platz 2, 10117 Berlin; note - new embassy opened 4 July 2008 mailing address: PSC 120, Box 1000, APO AE 09265, Clayallee 170, 14195 Berlin telephone: [49] (030) 2385174 FAX: [49] (030) 8305-1215 consulate(s) general: Duesseldorf, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich Ghana chief of mission: Ambassador Donald G. TEITELBAUM embassy: 24 4th Circular Rd. Cantonments, Accra mailing address: P. O. Box 194, Accra telephone: [233] (21) 741-000 FAX: [233] (21) 741-389 Gibraltar none (overseas territory of the UK) Greece chief of mission: Ambassador Daniel V. SPECKHARD embassy: 91 Vasilisis Sophias Avenue, 10160 Athens mailing address: PSC 108, APO AE 09842-0108 telephone: [30] (210) 721-2951 FAX: [30] (210) 645-6282 consulate(s) general: Thessaloniki Greenland none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) Grenada chief of mission: the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Grenada embassy: Lance-aux-Epines Stretch, Saint George's mailing address: P. O. Box 54, Saint George's telephone: [1] (473) 444-1173 through 1177 FAX: [1] (473) 444-4820 Guam none (territory of the US) Guatemala chief of mission: Ambassador Stephen G. MCFARLAND embassy: 7-01 Avenida Reforma, Zone 10, Guatemala City mailing address: APO AA 34024 telephone: [502] 2326-4000 FAX: [502] 2326-4654 Guernsey none (British crown dependency) Guinea chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Elizabeth RASPOLIC embassy: Koloma, Conakry, east of Hamdallaye Circle mailing address: B. P. 603, Transversale No. 2, Centre Administratif de Koloma, Commune de Ratoma, Conakry telephone: [224] 65-10-40-00 FAX: [224] 65-10-42-97 Guinea-Bissau the US Embassy suspended operations on 14 June 1998 in the midst of violent conflict between forces loyal to then President VIEIRA and military-led junta; the US Ambassador to Senegal is accredited to Guinea-Bissau Guyana chief of mission: Ambassador John Melvin JONES embassy: US Embassy, 100 Young and Duke Streets, Kingston, Georgetown mailing address: P. O. Box 10507, Georgetown; US Embassy, 3170 Georgetown Place, Washington DC 20521-3170 telephone: [592] 225-4900 through 4909 FAX: [592] 225-8497 Haiti chief of mission: Ambassador Janet A. SANDERSON embassy: Tabarre 41, Route de Tabarre, Port-au-Prince mailing address: use mailing address telephone: [509] 229-8000 FAX: [509] 229-8028 Heard Island and McDonald Islands none (territory of Australia) Holy See (Vatican City) chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Julieta NOYES embassy: Villa Domiziana, Via delle Terme Deciane 26, 00153 Rome mailing address: PSC 833, Box 66, APO AE 09624 telephone: [39] (06) 4674-3428 FAX: [39] (06) 575-3411 Honduras chief of mission: Ambassador Hugo LLORENS embassy: Avenida La Paz, Apartado Postal No. 3453, Tegucigalpa mailing address: American Embassy, APO AA 34022, Tegucigalpa telephone: [504] 236-9320, 238-5114 FAX: [504] 238-4357 Hong Kong chief of mission: Acting Consul General Christopher J. MARUT consulate(s) general: 26 Garden Road, Hong Kong mailing address: PSC 461, Box 1, FPO AP 96521-0006 telephone: [852] 2523-9011 FAX: [852] 2845-1598 Hungary chief of mission: Ambassador April H. FOLEY embassy: Szabadsag ter 12, H-1054 Budapest mailing address: pouch: American Embassy Budapest, 5270 Budapest Place, US Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-5270 telephone: [36] (1) 475-4400 FAX: [36] (1) 475-4764 Iceland chief of mission: Ambassador Hjalmar HANNESSON embassy: Laufasvegur 21, 101 Reykjavik mailing address: US Department of State, 5640 Reykjavik Place, Washington, D.C. 20521-5640 telephone: [354] 562-9100 FAX: [354] 562-9118 India chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires A. Peter BURLEIGH embassy: Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [91] (011) 2419-8000 FAX: [91] (11) 2419-0017 consulate(s) general: Chennai (Madras), Kolkata (Calcutta), Mumbai (Bombay) Indonesia chief of mission: Ambassador Cameron R. HUME embassy: Jalan 1 Medan Merdeka Selatan 4-5, Jakarta 10110 mailing address: Unit 8129, Box 1, FPO AP 96520 telephone: [62] (21) 3435-9000 FAX: [62] (21) 3435-9922 consulate(s) general: Surabaya Iran none; note - the US Interests Section is located in the Embassy of Switzerland No. 39 Shahid Mousavi (Golestan 5th), Pasdaran Ave., Tehran, Iran; telephone [98] 21 2254 2178/2256 5273; FAX [98] 21 2258 0432 Iraq chief of mission: Ambassador Christopher R. HILL embassy: Baghdad mailing address: APO AE 09316 telephone: 1-240-553-0589 ext. 5340 or 5635; note - Consular Section FAX: NA Ireland chief of mission: Ambassador Daniel ROONEY; note - has not yet presented his credentials to Ireland embassy: 42 Elgin Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [353] (1) 668-8777 FAX: [353] (1) 668-9946 Isle of Man none (British crown dependency) Israel chief of mission: Ambassador James B. CUNNINGHAM embassy: 71 Hayarkon Street, Tel Aviv 63903 mailing address: PSC 98, Box 29, APO AE 09830 telephone: [972] (3) 519-7575 FAX: [972] (3) 516-4390 consulate(s) general: Jerusalem; note - an independent US mission, established in 1928, whose members are not accredited to a foreign government Italy chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Elizabeth DIBBLE embassy: Via Vittorio Veneto 121, 00187-Rome mailing address: PSC 59, Box 100, APO AE 09624 telephone: [39] (06) 46741 FAX: [39] (06) 488-2672, 4674-2356 consulate(s) general: Florence, Milan, Naples Jamaica chief of mission: Ambassador Brenda LaGrange JOHNSON embassy: 142 Old Hope Road, Kingston 6 mailing address: P.O. Box 541, Kingston 5 telephone: [1] (876) 702-6000 FAX: [1] (876) 702-6001 Japan chief of mission: Ambassador James V. ROOS embassy: 1-10-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8420 mailing address: Unit 9800, Box 300, APO AP 96303-0300 telephone: [81] (03) 3224-5000 FAX: [81] (03) 3505-1862 consulate(s) general: Naha (Okinawa), Osaka-Kobe, Sapporo consulate(s): Fukuoka, Nagoya Jersey none (British crown dependency) Jordan chief of mission: Ambassador Robert S. BEECROFT embassy: Abdoun, Amman mailing address: P. O. Box 354, Amman 11118 Jordan; Unit 70200, Box 5, DPO AE 09892-0200 telephone: [962] (6) 590-6000 FAX: [962] (6) 592-0121 Kazakhstan chief of mission: Ambassador Richard E. HOAGLAND embassy: Ak Bulak 4, Str. 23-22, Building #3, Astana 010010 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [7] (7172) 70-21-00 FAX: [7] (7172) 34-08-90 Kenya chief of mission: Ambassador Michael RANNEBERGER embassy: US Embassy, United Nations Avenue, Nairobi; P. O. Box 606 Village Market, Nairobi 00621 mailing address: Box 21A, Unit 64100, APO AE 09831 telephone: [254] (20) 363-6000 FAX: [254] (20) 363-410 Kiribati the US does not have an embassy in Kiribati; the ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Kiribati Korea, North none; note - Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang represents the US as consular protecting power Korea, South chief of mission: Ambassador Kathleen STEPHENS embassy: 32 Sejongno, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-710 mailing address: US Embassy Seoul, APO AP 96205-5550 telephone: [82] (2) 397-4114 FAX: [82] (2) 738-8845 Kosovo chief of mission: Ambassador Tina KAIDANOW embassy: Arberia/Dragodan, Nazim Hikmet 30, Pristina, Kosovo mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [381] 38 59 59 3000 FAX: [381] 38 549 890 Kuwait chief of mission: Ambassador Deborah K. JONES embassy: Bayan 36302, Block 13, Al-Masjed Al-Aqsa Street (near the Bayan palace), Kuwait City mailing address: P. O. Box 77 Safat 13001 Kuwait; or PSC 1280 APO AE 09880-9000 telephone: [965] 259-1001 FAX: [965] 538-0282 Kyrgyzstan chief of mission: Ambassador Tatiana C. GFOELLER embassy: 171 Prospect Mira, Bishkek 720016 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [996] (312) 551-241, (517) 777-217 FAX: [996] (312) 551-264 Laos chief of mission: Ambassador Ravic R. HUSO embassy: 19 Rue Bartholonie, That Dam, Vientiane mailing address: American Embassy Vientiane, APO AP 96546 telephone: [856] 21-26-7000 FAX: [856] 21-26-7190 Latvia chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Bruce ROGERS embassy: 7 Raina Boulevard, Riga LV-1510 mailing address: American Embassy Riga, PSC 78, Box Riga, APO AE 09723 telephone: [371] 670-36200 FAX: [371] 678-20047 Lebanon chief of mission: Ambassador Michele J. SISON embassy: Awkar, Lebanon; (Awkar facing the Municipality) mailing address: P. O. Box 70-840, Antelias, Lebanon; from US: US Embassy Beirut, 6070 Beirut Place, Washington, DC 20521-6070 telephone: [961] (4) 542600, 543600 FAX: [961] (4) 544136 Lesotho chief of mission: Ambassador Robert NOLAN embassy: 254 Kingsway, Maseru West (Consular Section) mailing address: P. O. Box 333, Maseru 100, Lesotho telephone: [266] 22 312666 FAX: [266] 22 310116 Liberia chief of mission: Ambassador Linda THOMAS-GREENFIELD embassy: 111 United Nations Drive, P. O. Box 98, Mamba Point, 1000 Monrovia, 10 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [231] 7-705-4826 FAX: [231] 7-701-0370 Libya chief of mission: Ambassador Gene A. CRETZ embassy: off Jaraba Street, behind the Libyan-Swiss clinic, Ben Ashour mailing address: US Embassy, 8850 Tripoli Place, Washington, DC 20521-8850 telephone: [218] 91-220-3239 Liechtenstein the US does not have an embassy in Liechtenstein; the US Ambassador to Switzerland is accredited to Liechtenstein Lithuania chief of mission: Ambassador John A. CLOUD embassy: Akmenu gatve 6, Vilnius, LT-03106 mailing address: American Embassy, Akmenu Gatve 6, Vilnius LT-03106 telephone: [370] (5) 266 5500 FAX: [370] (5) 266 5510 Luxembourg chief of mission: Ambassador Ann WAGNER embassy: 22 Boulevard Emmanuel Servais, L-2535 Luxembourg City mailing address: American Embassy Luxembourg, Unit 1410, APO AE 09126-1410 (official mail); American Embassy Luxembourg, PSC 9, Box 9500, APO AE 09123 (personal mail) telephone: [352] 46 01 23 FAX: [352] 46 14 01 Macau the US has no offices in Macau; US Consulate General in Hong Kong is accredited to Macau Macedonia chief of mission: Ambassador Philip T. REEKER embassy: Bul. Ilindenska bb, 1000 Skopje mailing address: American Embassy Skopje, US Department of State, 7120 Skopje Place, Washington, DC 20521-7120 (pouch) telephone: [389] 2 311-6180 FAX: [389] 2 311-7103 Madagascar chief of mission: Ambassador R. Niels MARQUARDT embassy: 14-16 Rue Rainitovo, Antsahavola, Antananarivo 101 mailing address: B. P. 620, Antsahavola, Antananarivo telephone: [261] (20) 22-212-57, 22-212-73, 22-209-56 FAX: [261] (20) 22-345-39 Malawi chief of mission: Ambassador Peter W. BODDE embassy: 16 Jomo Kenyatta Road, Lilongwe 3 mailing address: P. O. Box 30016, Lilongwe 3, Malawi telephone: [265] (1) 773 166 FAX: [265] (1) 770 471 Malaysia chief of mission: Ambassador James R. KEITH embassy: 376 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur mailing address: US Embassy Kuala Lumpur, APO AP 96535-8152 telephone: [60] (3) 2168-5000 FAX: [60] (3) 2142-2207 Maldives the US does not have an embassy in Maldives; the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Ambassador Robert O. BLAKE, Jr., is accredited to Maldives and makes periodic visits Mali chief of mission: Ambassador Gillian A. MILOVANOVIC embassy: located just off the Roi Bin Fahad Aziz Bridge just west of the Bamako central district mailing address: ACI 2000, Rue 243, Porte 297, Bamako telephone: [223] 270-2300 FAX: [223] 270-2479 Malta chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Jason DAVIS embassy: 3rd Floor, Development House, Saint Anne Street, Floriana, VLT 01 mailing address: P. O. Box 535, Valletta, CMR01 telephone: [356] 2561 4000 FAX: [356] 21 243229 Marshall Islands chief of mission: Ambassador Clyde BISHOP embassy: Oceanside, Mejen Weto, Long Island, Majuro mailing address: P. O. Box 1379, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands 96960-1379 telephone: [692] 247-4011 FAX: [692] 247-4012 Mauritania chief of mission: Ambassador Mark M. BOULWARE embassy: 288 Rue Abdallaye, Rue 42-100 (between Presidency building and Spanish Embassy), Nouakchott mailing address: BP 222, Nouakchott telephone: [222] 525-2660 through 2663 FAX: [222] 525-1592 Mauritius chief of mission: Ambassador Cesar CABRERA embassy: 4th Floor, Rogers House, John Kennedy Street, Port Louis mailing address: international mail: P. O. Box 544, Port Louis; US mail: American Embassy, Port Louis, US Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2450 telephone: [230] 202-4400 FAX: [230] 208-9534 Mayotte none (territorial overseas collectivity of France) Mexico chief of mission: Ambassador Antonio O. GARZA, Jr. embassy: Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, 06500 Mexico, Distrito Federal mailing address: P. O. Box 9000, Brownsville, TX 78520-9000 telephone: [52] (55) 5080-2000 FAX: [52] (55) 5511-9980 consulate(s) general: Ciudad Juarez, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Tijuana consulate(s): Hermosillo, Matamoros, Merida, Nogales, Nuevo Laredo Micronesia, Federated States of chief of mission: Ambassador Miriam K. HUGHES embassy: 101 Upper Pics Road, Kolonia mailing address: P. O. Box 1286, Kolonia, Pohnpei, 96941 telephone: [691] 320-2187 FAX: [691] 320-2186 Moldova chief of mission: Ambassador Asif CHAUDHRY embassy: 103 Mateevici Street, Chisinau MD-2009 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [373] (22) 40-8300 FAX: [373] (22) 23-3044 Monaco the US does not have an embassy in Monaco; the US Ambassador to France is accredited to Monaco; the US Consul General in Marseille (France), under the authority of the US ambassador to France, handles routine diplomatic and consular matters concerning Monaco Mongolia chief of mission: Ambassador Mark C. MINTON embassy: Big Ring Road, 11th Micro Region, Ulaanbaatar, 14171 Mongolia mailing address: PSC 461, Box 300, FPO AP 96521-0002; P.O. Box 1021, Ulaanbaatar-13 telephone: [976] (11) 329-095 FAX: [976] (11) 320-776 Montenegro chief of mission: Ambassador Roderick W. MOORE embassy: Ljubljanska bb, 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [382] 81 225 417 FAX: [382] 81 241 358 Montserrat none (overseas territory of the UK) Morocco chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Robert P. JACKSON embassy: 2 Avenue de Mohamed El Fassi, Rabat mailing address: PSC 74, Box 021, APO AE 09718 telephone: [212] (37) 76 22 65 FAX: [212] (37) 76 56 61 consulate(s) general: Casablanca Mozambique chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Todd C. CHAPMAN embassy: Avenida Kenneth Kuanda 193, Maputo mailing address: P. O. Box 783, Maputo telephone: [258] (21) 492797 FAX: [258] (21) 490114 Namibia chief of mission: Ambassador G. Dennise MATHIEU embassy: 14 Lossen Street, Windhoek mailing address: Private Bag 12029 Ausspannplatz, Windhoek telephone: [264] (61) 295-8500 FAX: [264] (61) 295-8603 Nauru the US does not have an embassy in Nauru; the US Ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Nauru Navassa Island none (territory of the US) Nepal chief of mission: Ambassador Nancy J. POWELL embassy: Maharajgunj, Kathmandu mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [977] (1) 400-7200 FAX: [977] (1) 400-7272 Netherlands chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Michael GALLAGHER embassy: Lange Voorhout 102, 2514 EJ, The Hague mailing address: PSC 71, Box 1000, APO AE 09715 telephone: [31] (70) 310-2209 FAX: [31] (70) 361-4688 consulate(s) general: Amsterdam Netherlands Antilles chief of mission: Consul General Robert E. SORENSON consulate(s) general: J. B. Gorsiraweg #1, Willemstad, Curacao mailing address: P. O. Box 158, Willemstad, Curacao telephone: [599] (9) 461-3066 FAX: [599] (9) 461-6489 New Caledonia none (overseas territory of France) New Zealand chief of mission: Ambassador William P. McCORMICK embassy: 29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon, Wellington mailing address: P. O. Box 1190, Wellington; PSC 467, Box 1, APO AP 96531-1034 telephone: [64] (4) 462-6000 FAX: [64] (4) 499-0490 consulate(s) general: Auckland Nicaragua chief of mission: Ambassador Robert J. CALLAHAN embassy: Kilometer 5.5 Carretera Sur, Managua mailing address: American Embassy Managua, APO AA 34021 telephone: [505] 252-7100, 252-7888; 252-7634 (after hours) FAX: [505] 252-7304 Niger chief of mission: Ambassador Bernadette M. ALLEN embassy: Rue Des Ambassades, Niamey mailing address: B. P. 11201, Niamey telephone: [227] 20-72-26-61 thru 64 FAX: [227] 20-73-31-67 Nigeria chief of mission: Ambassador Robin SANDERS embassy: 1075 Diplomatic Drive, Central District Area, Abuja mailing address: P. O. Box 5760, Garki, Abuja telephone: [234] (9) 461-4000 FAX: [234] (9) 461-4036 Niue none (self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand) Norfolk Island none (territory of Australia) Norway chief of mission: Ambassador Benson K. WHITNEY embassy: Henrik Ibsens gate 48, 0244 Oslo; note - the embassy will move to Huseby in the near future mailing address: PSC 69, Box 1000, APO AE 09707 telephone: [47] (22) 44 85 50 FAX: [47] (22) 44 33 63, 56 27 51 Oman chief of mission: Ambassador Gary A. GRAPPO embassy: Jameat A'Duwal Al Arabiya Street, Al Khuwair area, Muscat mailing address: P. O. Box 202, P.C. 115, Madinat Sultan Qaboos, Muscat telephone: [968] 24-643-400 FAX: [968] 24-699771 Pakistan chief of mission: Ambassador Anne W. PATTERSON embassy: Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, Islamabad mailing address: P. O. Box 1048, Unit 62200, APO AE 09812-2200 telephone: [92] (51) 208-0000 FAX: [92] (51) 2276427 consulate(s) general: Karachi consulate(s): Lahore, Peshawar Palau chief of mission: Charge d'Affaires Mark BEZNER embassy: Koror (no street address) mailing address: P. O. Box 6028, Republic of Palau 96940 telephone: [680] 488-2920, 2990 FAX: [680] 488-2911 Panama chief of mission: Ambassador Barbara J. STEPHENSON embassy: Edificio 783, Avenida Demetrio Basilio Lakas Panama, Apartado Postal 0816-02561, Zona 5, Panama City mailing address: American Embassy Panama, Unit 0945, APO AA 34002 telephone: [507] 207-7000 FAX: [507] 317-5568 Papua New Guinea chief of mission: Ambassador Teddy B. TAYLOR embassy: Douglas Street, Port Moresby, N.C.D. mailing address: 4240 Port Moresby PI, US Department of State, Washington DC 20521-4240 telephone: [675] 321-1455 FAX: [675] 321-3423 Paraguay Ambassador Liliana AYALDE embassy: 1776 Avenida Mariscal Lopez, Casilla Postal 402, Asuncion mailing address: Unit 4711, APO AA 34036-0001 telephone: [595] (21) 213-715 FAX: [595] (21) 228-603 Peru chief of mission: Ambassador P. Michael MCKINLEY embassy: Avenida La Encalada, Cuadra 17s/n, Surco, Lima 33 mailing address: P. O. Box 1995, Lima 1; American Embassy (Lima), APO AA 34031-5000 telephone: [51] (1) 434-3000 FAX: [51] (1) 618-2397 Philippines chief of mission: Ambassador Kristie A. KENNEY embassy: 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita 1000, Manila mailing address: PSC 500, FPO AP 96515-1000 telephone: [63] (2) 301-2000 FAX: [63] (2) 301-2399 Pitcairn Islands none (overseas territory of the UK) Poland chief of mission: Ambassador Victor ASHE embassy: Aleje Ujazdowskie 29/31 00-540 Warsaw mailing address: American Embassy Warsaw, US Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-5010 (pouch) telephone: [48] (22) 504-2000 FAX: [48] (22) 504-2688 consulate(s) general: Krakow Portugal chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas F. STEPHENSON embassy: Avenida das Forcas Armadas, 1600-081 Lisbon mailing address: Apartado 43033, 1601-301 Lisboa; PSC 83, APO AE 09726 telephone: [351] (21) 727-3300 FAX: [351] (21) 726-9109 consulate(s): Ponta Delgada (Azores) Puerto Rico none (territory of the US with commonwealth status) Qatar chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph E. LEBARON embassy: Al-Luqta District, 22 February Road, Doha mailing address: P. O. Box 2399, Doha telephone: [974] 488 4161 FAX: [974] 488 4150 Romania chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge D'Affaires Jeri GUTHRIE-CORN embassy: Strada Tudor Arghezi 7-9, Bucharest mailing address: pouch: American Embassy Bucharest, US Department of State, 5260 Bucharest Place, Washington, DC 20521-5260 (pouch) telephone: [40] (21) 200-3300 FAX: [40] (21) 200-3442 Russia chief of mission: Ambassador John R. BEYRLE embassy: Bolshoy Deviatinskiy Pereulok No. 8, 121099 Moscow mailing address: PSC-77, APO AE 09721 telephone: [7] (495) 728-5000 FAX: [7] (495) 728-5090 consulate(s) general: Saint Petersburg, Vladivostok, Yekaterinburg Rwanda chief of mission: Ambassador W. Stuart SYMINGTON embassy: 2657 Avenue de la Gendarmerie, Kigali mailing address: B. P. 28, Kigali telephone: [250] 596-400 FAX: [250] 596-591 Saint Barthelemy none (overseas collectivity of France) Saint Helena none (overseas territory of the UK) Saint Kitts and Nevis the US does not have an embassy in Saint Kitts and Nevis; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia the US does not have an embassy in Saint Lucia; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Saint Lucia Saint Martin none (overseas collectivity of France) Saint Pierre and Miquelon none (territorial overseas collectivity of France) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines the US does not have an embassy in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa chief of mission: none; US Ambassador to New Zealand is accredited to Samoa embassy: Accident Corporation Building, 5th Floor, Matafele, Apia mailing address: P. O. Box 3430, Matafele, Apia telephone: [685] 21436/21631/21452/22696 FAX: [685] 22030 San Marino the US does not have an embassy in San Marino; the ambassador to Italy is accredited to San Marino Sao Tome and Principe the US does not have an embassy in Sao Tome and Principe; the Ambassador to Gabon is accredited to Sao Tome and Principe on a nonresident basis and makes periodic visits to the islands Saudi Arabia chief of mission: Ambassador Ford M. FRAKER embassy: Collector Road M, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh mailing address: American Embassy, Unit 61307, APO AE 09803-1307; International Mail: P. O. Box 94309, Riyadh 11693 telephone: [966] (1) 488-3800 FAX: [966] (1) 488-7360 consulate(s) general: Dhahran, Jiddah (Jeddah) Senegal chief of mission: Ambassador Marcia S. BERNICAT embassy: Avenue Jean XXIII at the corner of Rue Kleber, Dakar mailing address: B. P. 49, Dakar telephone: [221] 33-829-2100 FAX: [221] 33-822-2991 Serbia chief of mission: Ambassador Cameron MUNTER embassy: Kneza Milosa 50, 11000 Belgrade mailing address: 5070 Belgrade Place, Washington, DC 20521-5070 telephone: [381] (11) 361-9344 FAX: [381] (11) 361-8230 Seychelles the US does not have an embassy in Seychelles; the ambassador to Mauritius is accredited to Seychelles Sierra Leone chief of mission: Ambassador June Carter PERRY embassy: Southridge-Hill Station, Freetown mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [232] (22) 515 000 or (76) 515 000 FAX: [232] (22) 515 355 Singapore chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Daniel L. SHIELDS III embassy: 27 Napier Road, Singapore 258508 mailing address: FPO AP 96507-0001 telephone: [65] 6476-9100 FAX: [65] 6476-9340 Slovakia chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Keith EDDINS embassy: Hviezdoslavovo Namestie 4, 81102 Bratislava mailing address: P.O. Box 309, 814 99 Bratislava telephone: [421] (2) 5443-3338 FAX: [421] (2) 5441-8861 Slovenia chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Brad FREDEN embassy: Presernova 31, 1000 Ljubljana mailing address: American Embassy Ljubljana, US Department of State, 7140 Ljubljana Place, Washington, DC 20521-7140 telephone: [386] (1) 200-5500 FAX: [386] (1) 200-5555 Solomon Islands the US does not have an embassy in Solomon Islands (embassy closed July 1993); the ambassador to Papua New Guinea is accredited to the Solomon Islands Somalia the US does not have an embassy in Somalia; US interests are represented by the US Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya at United Nations Avenue, Nairobi; mailing address: Unit 64100, Nairobi; APO AE 09831; telephone: [254] (20) 363-6000; FAX [254] (20) 363-6157 South Africa chief of mission: Ambassador Eric BOST embassy: 877 Pretorius Street, Pretoria mailing address: P. O. Box 9536, Pretoria 0001 telephone: [27] (12) 431-4000 FAX: [27] (12) 342-2299 consulate(s) general: Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands none (overseas territory of the UK, also claimed by Argentina) Spain chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Arnold A. CHACON embassy: Serrano 75, 28006 Madrid mailing address: PSC 61, APO AE 09642 telephone: [34] (91) 587-2200 FAX: [34] (91) 587-2303 consulate(s) general: Barcelona Sri Lanka chief of mission: Ambassador Robert O. BLAKE, Jr. embassy: 210 Galle Road, Colombo 3 mailing address: P. O. Box 106, Colombo telephone: [94] (11) 249-8500 FAX: [94] (11) 243-7345 Sudan chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Robert E. WHITEHEAD embassy: Sharia Ali Abdul Latif Street, Khartoum mailing address: P.O. Box 699, Khartoum; APO AE 09829 telephone: [249] (183) 774700 through 704 FAX: [249] (183) 774137 Suriname chief of mission: Ambassador Lisa Bobbie SCHREIBER HUGHES embassy: Dr. Sophie Redmondstraat 129, Paramaribo mailing address: US Department of State, PO Box 1821, Paramaribo telephone: [597] 472-900 FAX: [597] 410-025 Swaziland chief of mission: Ambassador Maurice S. PARKER embassy: 2350 Mbabane Place, Mbabane mailing address: P. O. Box 199, Mbabane telephone: [268] 404-2445 FAX: [268] 404-2059 Sweden chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Robert J. SILVERMAN embassy: Dag Hammarskjolds Vag 31, SE-11589 Stockholm mailing address: American Embassy Stockholm, US Department of State, 5750 Stockholm Place, Washington, DC 20521-5750 telephone: [46] (08) 783 53 00 FAX: [46] (08) 661 19 64 Switzerland chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Leigh CARTER embassy: Sulgeneckstrasse 19, CH-3007 Bern mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [41] (031) 357 70 11 FAX: [41] (031) 357 73 44 Syria chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Maura CONNELLY embassy: Abou Roumaneh, Al-Mansour Street, No. 2, Damascus mailing address: P. O. Box 29, Damascus telephone: [963] (11) 3391-4444 FAX: [963] (11) 3391-3999 Taiwan none; commercial and cultural relations with the people on Taiwan are maintained through an unofficial instrumentality, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), a private nonprofit corporation that performs citizen and consular services similar to those at diplomatic posts director: William A. STANTON office: #7 Lane 134, Hsin Yi Road, Section 3, Taipei, Taiwan telephone: [1] [886] (02) 2162-2000 FAX: [1] [886] (07) 238-7744 other offices: Kaohsiung Tajikistan chief of mission: Ambassador Tracey Ann JACOBSON embassy: 109-A Ismoili Somoni Avenue, Dushanbe 734019 mailing address: 7090 Dushanbe Place, Dulles, VA 20189 telephone: [992] (37) 229-20-00 FAX: [992] (37) 229-20-50 Tanzania chief of mission: Ambassador Mark GREEN embassy: 686 Old Bagamoyo Road, Msasani, Dar es Salaam mailing address: P. O. Box 9123, Dar es Salaam telephone: [255] (22) 266-8001 FAX: [255] (22) 266-8238, 266-8373 Thailand chief of mission: Ambassador Eric G. JOHN embassy: 120-122 Wireless Road, Bangkok 10330 mailing address: APO AP 96546 telephone: [66] (2) 205-4000 FAX: [66] (2) 254-2990, 205-4131 consulate(s) general: Chiang Mai Timor-Leste chief of mission: Ambassador Hans G. KLEMM embassy: Avenida de Portugal, Praia dos Conqueiros, Dili mailing address: US Department of State, 8250 Dili Place, Washington, DC 20521-8250 telephone: (670) 332-4684 FAX: (670) 331-3206 Togo chief of mission: Ambassador Patricia McMahon HAWKINS embassy: 4332 Blvd. Gnassingbe Eyadema, Cite OUA, Lome mailing address: B. P. 852, Lome; 2300 Lome Place, Washington, DC 20512-2300 telephone: [228] 261-5470 FAX: [228] 261-5501 Tokelau none (territory of New Zealand) Tonga the US does not have an embassy in Tonga; the ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tonga Trinidad and Tobago chief of mission: Ambassador Roy L. AUSTIN embassy: 15 Queen's Park West, Port-of-Spain mailing address: P. O. Box 752, Port-of-Spain telephone: [1] (868) 622-6371 through 6376 FAX: [1] (868) 822-5905 Tunisia chief of mission: Ambassador Robert F. GODEC embassy: Zone Nord-Est des Berges du Lac Nord de Tunis 1053 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [216] 71 107-000 FAX: [216] 71 963-263 Turkey chief of mission: Ambassador James F. JEFFREY embassy: 110 Ataturk Boulevard, Kavaklidere, 06100 Ankara mailing address: PSC 93, Box 5000, APO AE 09823 telephone: [90] (312) 455-5555 FAX: [90] (312) 467-0019 consulate(s) general: Istanbul consulate(s): Adana; note - there is a Consular Agent in Izmir Turkmenistan chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Richard M. MILES embassy: No. 9 1984 Street (formerly Pushkin Street), Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 mailing address: 7070 Ashgabat Place, Washington, DC 20521-7070 telephone: [993] (12) 35-00-45 FAX: [993] (12) 39-26-14 Turks and Caicos Islands none (overseas territory of the UK) Tuvalu the US does not have an embassy in Tuvalu; the US ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tuvalu Uganda chief of mission: Ambassador Steven BROWNING embassy: 1577 Ggaba Road, Kampala mailing address: P. O. Box 7007, Kampala telephone: [256] (414) 259 791 through 93, 95 FAX: [256] (414) 258-794 Ukraine chief of mission: Ambassador William B. TAYLOR Jr. embassy: 10 Yurii Kotsiubynsky Street, 01901 Kyiv mailing address: 5850 Kiev Place, Washington, DC 20521-5850 telephone: [380] (44) 490-4000 FAX: [380] (44) 490-4085 United Arab Emirates chief of mission: Ambassador Richard G. OLSON, Jr. embassy: Embassies District, Plot 38 Sector W59-02, Street No. 4, Abu Dhabi mailing address: P. O. Box 4009, Abu Dhabi telephone: [971] (2) 414-2200 FAX: [971] (2) 414-2603 consulate(s) general: Dubai United Kingdom chief of mission: Ambassador Robert Holmes TUTTLE embassy: 24 Grosvenor Square, London, W1A 1AE mailing address: PSC 801, Box 40, FPO AE 09498-4040 telephone: [44] (0) 20 7499-9000 FAX: [44] (0) 20 7629-9124 consulate(s) general: Belfast, Edinburgh United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges none (territories of the US) Uruguay chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Robin H. MATTHEWMAN embassy: Lauro Muller 1776, Montevideo 11200 mailing address: APO AA 34035 telephone: [598] (2) 418-7777 FAX: [598] (2) 418-8611 Uzbekistan chief of mission: Ambassador Richard B. NORLAND embassy: 3 Moyqo'rq'on, 5th Block, Yunusobod District, Tashkent 100093 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [998] (71) 120-5450 FAX: [998] (71) 120-6335 Vanuatu the US does not have an embassy in Vanuatu; the ambassador to Papua New Guinea is accredited to Vanuatu Venezuela chief of mission: Ambassador Patrick DUDDY embassy: Calle F con Calle Suapure, Urbanizacion Colinas de Valle Arriba, Caracas 1080 mailing address: P. O. Box 62291, Caracas 1060-A; APO AA 34037 telephone: [58] (212) 975-6411, 907-8400 (after hours) FAX: [58] (212) 907-8199 Vietnam chief of mission: Ambassador Michael W. MICHALAK embassy: 7 Lang Ha Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi mailing address: PSC 461, Box 400, FPO AP 96521-0002 telephone: [84] (4) 3850-5000 FAX: [84] (4) 3850-5010 consulate(s) general: Ho Chi Minh City Virgin Islands none (territory of the US) Wallis and Futuna none (overseas territory of France) Western Sahara none Yemen chief of mission: Ambassador Stephen A. SECHE embassy: Sa'awan Street, Sanaa mailing address: P. O. Box 22347, Sanaa telephone: [967] (1) 755-2000 ext. 2153 or 2266 FAX: [967] (1) 303-182 Zambia chief of mission: Ambassador Donald E. BOOTH embassy: corner of Independence and United Nations Avenues, Lusaka mailing address: P. O. Box 31617, Lusaka telephone: [260] (211) 250-955 FAX: [260] (211) 252-225 Zimbabwe chief of mission: Ambassador James D. MCGEE embassy: 172 Herbert Chitepo Avenue, Harare mailing address: P. O. Box 3340, Harare telephone: [263] (4) 250-593 through 250-594 FAX: [263] (4) 796-488, or 722-618 ====================================================================== @2008 Field Listing :: Transportation - note This entry includes miscellaneous transportation information of significance not included elsewhere. Country Transportation - note Antarctica US coastal stations include McMurdo (77 51 S, 166 40 E) and Palmer (64 43 S, 64 03 W); government use only except by permit (see Permit Office under "Legal System"); all ships at port are subject to inspection in accordance with Article 7, Antarctic Treaty; relevant legal instruments and authorization procedures adopted by the states parties to the Antarctic Treaty regulating access to the Antarctic Treaty area to all areas between 60 and 90 degrees of latitude south have to be complied with (see "Legal System"); The Hydrographic Commission on Antarctica (HCA), a commission of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), is responsible for hydrographic surveying and nautical charting matters in Antarctic Treaty area; it coordinates and facilitates provision of accurate and appropriate charts and other aids to navigation in support of safety of navigation in region; membership of HCA is open to any IHO Member State whose government has acceded to the Antarctic Treaty and which contributes resources or data to IHO Chart coverage of the area Arctic Ocean sparse network of air, ocean, river, and land routes; the Northwest Passage (North America) and Northern Sea Route (Eurasia) are important seasonal waterways Atlantic Ocean Kiel Canal and Saint Lawrence Seaway are two important waterways; significant domestic commercial and recreational use of Intracoastal Waterway on central and south Atlantic seaboard and Gulf of Mexico coast of US; the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial waters of littoral states and offshore Atlantic waters as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships, particularly in the Gulf of Guinea off West Africa, the east coast of Brazil, and the Caribbean Sea; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargoes stolen; crews have been robbed and stores or cargoes stolen Bangladesh the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial waters of Bangladesh as high risk for armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked both at anchor and while underway; crews have been robbed and stores or cargoes stolen Brazil the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the Atlantic Ocean as a significant risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; crews have been robbed and stores or cargoes stolen Djibouti the International Maritime Bureau reports offshore waters in the Gulf of Aden are high risk for piracy; numerous vessels, including commercial shipping and pleasure craft, have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; crew, passengers, and cargo are held for ransom French Southern and Antarctic Lands aids to navigation - lighthouses: Europa Island 18m; Juan de Nova Island (W side) 37m; Tromelin Island (NW point) 11m (all in the Iles Eparses district) Georgia large parts of transportation network are in poor condition because of lack of maintenance and repair Indian Ocean the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial waters of littoral states and offshore waters as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships, particularly in the Gulf of Aden, along the east coast of Africa, the Bay of Bengal, and the Strait of Malacca; numerous vessels, including commercial shipping and pleasure craft, have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargoes stolen; crew and passengers are often held for ransom, murdered, or cast adrift; the presence of several naval task forces in the Gulf of Aden and additional anti-piracy measures on the part of ship operators have reduced the piracy incidents; in response local pirates shifted operations farther south along the east coast of Somalia and eastward along the coast of Oman Indonesia the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the Strait of Malacca and South China Sea as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargo diverted to ports in East Asia; crews have been murdered or cast adrift Malaysia the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the Strait of Malacca and South China Sea as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargo diverted to ports in East Asia; crews have been murdered or cast adrift; increased naval patrols in 2009 resulted in significantly reduced numbers of incidents Nigeria the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the Niger Delta and Gulf of Guinea as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; crews have been robbed and stores or cargoes stolen Pacific Ocean Inside Passage offers protected waters from southeast Alaska to Puget Sound (Washington state); the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial waters of littoral states and offshore waters in the South China Sea as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargoes stolen; crew and passengers are often held for ransom, murdered, or cast adrift Philippines the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the South China Sea as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargo diverted to ports in East Asia; crews have been murdered or cast adrift Saint Barthelemy nearest airport for international flights is Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) located in Sint Maarten (Netherlands Antilles) Saint Helena there is no air connection to Saint Helena or Tristan da Cunha; an international airport for Saint Helena is in development for 2010 Saint Martin nearest airport for international flights is Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) located in Sint Maarten Singapore the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the South China Sea as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargo diverted to ports in East Asia; crews have been murdered or cast adrift Somalia the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean are high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous vessels, including commercial shipping and pleasure craft, have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; crew, passengers, and cargo are held for ransom; the presence of several naval task forces in the Gulf of Aden and additional anti-piracy measures on the part of ship operators have reduced the piracy incidents; in response local pirates shifted operations farther south along the east coast of Somalia and eastward along the coast of Oman Southern Ocean Drake Passage offers alternative to transit through the Panama Canal Tanzania the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the Indian Ocean are high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; crews have been robbed and stores or cargoes stolen Venezuela the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the Caribbean Sea as a significant risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous vessels, including commercial shipping and pleasure craft, have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; crews have been robbed and stores or cargoes stolen Vietnam the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the South China Sea as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargo diverted to ports in East Asia; crews have been murdered or cast adrift Wake Island there are no commercial or civilian flights to and from Wake Island, except in direct support of island missions; emergency landing is available World As of September 2009, incidents of piracy around the world have more than doubled over the comparable time period in 2008; half of all attacks occur in the waters off Somalia, primarily in the Gulf of Aden; other high risk areas include the waters off Nigeria, the South China Sea, and waters off Malaysia Yemen the International Maritime Bureau reports offshore waters in the Gulf of Aden are high risk for piracy; numerous vessels, including commercial shipping and pleasure craft, have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; crew, passengers, and cargo are held for ransom ====================================================================== @2010 Field Listing :: Age structure This entry provides the distribution of the population according to age. Information is included by sex and age group (0-14 years, 15-64 years, 65 years and over). The age structure of a population affects a nation's key socioeconomic issues. Countries with young populations (high percentage under age 15) need to invest more in schools, while countries with older populations (high percentage ages 65 and over) need to invest more in the health sector. The age structure can also be used to help predict potential political issues. For example, the rapid growth of a young adult population unable to find employment can lead to unrest. Country Age structure(%) Afghanistan 0-14 years: 44.5% (male 7,664,670/female 7,300,446) 15-64 years: 53% (male 9,147,846/female 8,679,800) 65 years and over: 2.4% (male 394,572/female 422,603) (2009 est.) Albania 0-14 years: 23.1% (male 440,528/female 400,816) 15-64 years: 67.1% (male 1,251,001/female 1,190,841) 65 years and over: 9.8% (male 165,557/female 190,710) (2009 est.) Algeria 0-14 years: 25.4% (male 4,436,591/female 4,259,729) 15-64 years: 69.5% (male 11,976,965/female 11,777,618) 65 years and over: 5.1% (male 798,576/female 928,709) (2009 est.) American Samoa 0-14 years: 33.4% (male 11,159/female 10,768) 15-64 years: 62.7% (male 20,848/female 20,271) 65 years and over: 3.9% (male 1,211/female 1,371) (2009 est.) Andorra 0-14 years: 15.5% (male 6,710/female 6,305) 15-64 years: 72.2% (male 31,604/female 28,925) 65 years and over: 12.3% (male 5,113/female 5,231) (2009 est.) Angola 0-14 years: 43.5% (male 2,812,359/female 2,759,047) 15-64 years: 53.7% (male 3,496,726/female 3,382,440) 65 years and over: 2.7% (male 153,678/female 195,043) (2009 est.) Anguilla 0-14 years: 24.5% (male 1,815/female 1,725) 15-64 years: 67.8% (male 4,665/female 5,125) 65 years and over: 7.7% (male 534/female 572) (2009 est.) Antigua and Barbuda 0-14 years: 26.8% (male 11,660/female 11,303) 15-64 years: 66.6% (male 26,597/female 30,414) 65 years and over: 6.6% (male 2,456/female 3,202) (2009 est.) Argentina 0-14 years: 25.6% (male 5,369,477/female 5,122,260) 15-64 years: 63.5% (male 12,961,725/female 13,029,265) 65 years and over: 10.8% (male 1,819,057/female 2,611,800) (2009 est.) Armenia 0-14 years: 18.2% (male 289,119/female 252,150) 15-64 years: 71.1% (male 986,764/female 1,123,708) 65 years and over: 10.6% (male 122,996/female 192,267) (2009 est.) Aruba 0-14 years: 19.1% (male 9,921/female 9,758) 15-64 years: 70.3% (male 34,676/female 37,752) 65 years and over: 10.6% (male 4,351/female 6,607) (2009 est.) Australia 0-14 years: 18.6% (male 2,026,975/female 1,923,828) 15-64 years: 67.9% (male 7,318,743/female 7,121,613) 65 years and over: 13.5% (male 1,306,329/female 1,565,153) (2009 est.) Austria 0-14 years: 14.5% (male 609,748/female 581,144) 15-64 years: 67.5% (male 2,785,091/female 2,756,402) 65 years and over: 18% (male 612,613/female 865,283) (2009 est.) Azerbaijan 0-14 years: 23.9% (male 1,042,132/female 926,495) 15-64 years: 69.4% (male 2,807,717/female 2,908,221) 65 years and over: 6.7% (male 204,410/female 349,697) (2009 est.) Bahamas, The 0-14 years: 25.9% (male 40,085/female 39,959) 15-64 years: 67.2% (male 102,154/female 105,482) 65 years and over: 6.9% (male 8,772/female 12,704) (2009 est.) Bahrain 0-14 years: 25.9% (male 95,224/female 93,241) 15-64 years: 70.2% (male 292,941/female 217,729) 65 years and over: 3.9% (male 15,106/female 13,544) (2009 est.) Bangladesh 0-14 years: 34.6% (male 27,065,625/female 26,913,961) 15-64 years: 61.4% (male 45,222,182/female 50,537,052) 65 years and over: 4% (male 3,057,255/female 3,254,808) (2009 est.) Barbados 0-14 years: 19.2% (male 27,383/female 27,352) 15-64 years: 71.3% (male 99,829/female 103,049) 65 years and over: 9.5% (male 10,464/female 16,512) (2009 est.) Belarus 0-14 years: 14.3% (male 707,550/female 667,560) 15-64 years: 71.3% (male 3,337,253/female 3,540,916) 65 years and over: 14.5% (male 446,746/female 948,508) (2009 est.) Belgium 0-14 years: 16.1% (male 857,373/female 822,303) 15-64 years: 66.3% (male 3,480,072/female 3,419,721) 65 years and over: 17.6% (male 760,390/female 1,074,477) (2009 est.) Belize 0-14 years: 37.9% (male 59,462/female 57,117) 15-64 years: 58.6% (male 91,298/female 89,170) 65 years and over: 3.5% (male 5,185/female 5,667) (2009 est.) Benin 0-14 years: 45.2% (male 2,028,493/female 1,948,353) 15-64 years: 52.1% (male 2,275,662/female 2,308,945) 65 years and over: 2.6% (male 94,569/female 135,810) (2009 est.) Bermuda 0-14 years: 18.3% (male 6,271/female 6,163) 15-64 years: 67.5% (male 22,555/female 23,215) 65 years and over: 14.2% (male 3,979/female 5,654) (2009 est.) Bhutan 0-14 years: 30.2% (male 106,410/female 102,164) 15-64 years: 64.3% (male 235,988/female 208,484) 65 years and over: 5.5% (male 20,169/female 17,926) (2009 est.) Bolivia 0-14 years: 35.5% (male 1,767,310/female 1,701,744) 15-64 years: 60% (male 2,877,605/female 2,992,043) 65 years and over: 4.5% (male 193,196/female 243,348) (2009 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina 0-14 years: 14.5% (male 344,760/female 323,303) 15-64 years: 70.7% (male 1,645,274/female 1,617,136) 65 years and over: 14.8% (male 279,781/female 403,160) (2009 est.) Botswana 0-14 years: 34.8% (male 352,399/female 340,058) 15-64 years: 61.4% (male 613,714/female 608,003) 65 years and over: 3.9% (male 31,155/female 45,547) (2009 est.) Brazil 0-14 years: 26.7% (male 27,092,880/female 26,062,244) 15-64 years: 66.8% (male 65,804,108/female 67,047,725) 65 years and over: 6.4% (male 5,374,230/female 7,358,082) (2009 est.) British Virgin Islands 0-14 years: 19.8% (male 2,454/female 2,387) 15-64 years: 74.4% (male 9,346/female 8,881) 65 years and over: 5.8% (male 734/female 689) (2009 est.) Brunei 0-14 years: 26.6% (male 53,282/female 50,141) 15-64 years: 70.1% (male 135,640/female 136,292) 65 years and over: 3.3% (male 6,199/female 6,636) (2009 est.) Bulgaria 0-14 years: 13.8% (male 509,544/female 484,816) 15-64 years: 68.5% (male 2,426,060/female 2,508,772) 65 years and over: 17.7% (male 518,711/female 756,784) (2009 est.) Burkina Faso 0-14 years: 46.2% (male 3,646,661/female 3,621,648) 15-64 years: 51.3% (male 4,025,917/female 4,054,865) 65 years and over: 2.5% (male 156,895/female 240,246) (2009 est.) Burma 0-14 years: 25.3% (male 6,193,263/female 5,990,658) 15-64 years: 69.3% (male 16,510,648/female 16,828,462) 65 years and over: 5.4% (male 1,121,412/female 1,493,298) (2009 est.) Burundi 0-14 years: 46.2% (male 2,087,315/female 2,063,518) 15-64 years: 51.3% (male 2,291,123/female 2,320,839) 65 years and over: 2.5% (male 89,444/female 135,852) (2009 est.) Cambodia 0-14 years: 32.6% (male 2,388,922/female 2,336,439) 15-64 years: 63.8% (male 4,498,568/female 4,743,677) 65 years and over: 3.6% (male 197,649/female 329,038) (2009 est.) Cameroon 0-14 years: 40.9% (male 3,891,762/female 3,822,870) 15-64 years: 55.9% (male 5,298,143/female 5,250,493) 65 years and over: 3.3% (male 283,289/female 332,744) (2009 est.) Canada 0-14 years: 16.1% (male 2,761,711/female 2,626,836) 15-64 years: 68.7% (male 11,633,950/female 11,381,735) 65 years and over: 15.2% (male 2,220,189/female 2,862,787) (2009 est.) Cape Verde 0-14 years: 35.2% (male 76,012/female 74,993) 15-64 years: 58.5% (male 123,376/female 127,653) 65 years and over: 6.4% (male 10,040/female 17,400) (2009 est.) Cayman Islands 0-14 years: 19.6% (male 4,824/female 4,783) 15-64 years: 71.1% (male 16,994/female 17,884) 65 years and over: 9.3% (male 2,139/female 2,411) (2009 est.) Central African Republic 0-14 years: 40.9% (male 928,277/female 917,739) 15-64 years: 55% (male 1,235,940/female 1,244,958) 65 years and over: 4.1% (male 71,439/female 113,135) (2009 est.) Chad 0-14 years: 46.7% (male 2,445,841/female 2,381,319) 15-64 years: 50.4% (male 2,386,428/female 2,816,050) 65 years and over: 2.9% (male 126,351/female 173,219) (2009 est.) Chile 0-14 years: 23.2% (male 1,966,017/female 1,877,963) 15-64 years: 67.8% (male 5,625,963/female 5,628,146) 65 years and over: 9.1% (male 627,746/female 875,872) (2009 est.) China 0-14 years: 19.8% (male 140,877,745/female 124,290,090) 15-64 years: 72.1% (male 495,724,889/female 469,182,087) 65 years and over: 8.1% (male 51,774,115/female 56,764,042) (2009 est.) Christmas Island 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Cocos (Keeling) Islands 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Colombia 0-14 years: 28.9% (male 6,679,701/female 6,522,976) 15-64 years: 65.4% (male 14,571,536/female 15,297,179) 65 years and over: 5.6% (male 1,103,391/female 1,469,240) (2009 est.) Comoros 0-14 years: 42.2% (male 159,282/female 158,073) 15-64 years: 54.8% (male 203,533/female 208,591) 65 years and over: 3.1% (male 10,474/female 12,485) (2009 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 0-14 years: 46.9% (male 16,161,301/female 16,038,024) 15-64 years: 50.6% (male 17,289,453/female 17,483,027) 65 years and over: 2.5% (male 699,667/female 1,021,070) (2009 est.) Congo, Republic of the 0-14 years: 45.9% (male 927,599/female 915,540) 15-64 years: 51.2% (male 1,021,975/female 1,034,119) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 46,687/female 66,889) (2009 est.) Cook Islands 0-14 years: 27.1% (male 1,704/female 1,508) 15-64 years: 63.7% (male 3,898/female 3,664) 65 years and over: 9.2% (male 540/female 556) (2009 est.) Costa Rica 0-14 years: 26.7% (male 581,916/female 555,216) 15-64 years: 67.1% (male 1,443,606/female 1,411,168) 65 years and over: 6.2% (male 120,969/female 141,002) (2009 est.) Cote d'Ivoire 0-14 years: 40.6% (male 4,215,912/female 4,146,077) 15-64 years: 56.6% (male 5,942,642/female 5,720,108) 65 years and over: 2.9% (male 296,074/female 296,255) (2009 est.) Croatia 0-14 years: 15.6% (male 358,360/female 340,098) 15-64 years: 67.5% (male 1,506,364/female 1,522,789) 65 years and over: 17% (male 295,960/female 465,838) (2009 est.) Cuba 0-14 years: 18.3% (male 1,077,745/female 1,020,393) 15-64 years: 70.4% (male 4,035,691/female 4,030,103) 65 years and over: 11.2% (male 584,478/female 703,242) (2009 est.) Cyprus 0-14 years: 19.1% (male 77,959/female 74,591) 15-64 years: 68.5% (male 276,890/female 269,267) 65 years and over: 12.3% (male 42,961/female 55,072) (2009 est.) Czech Republic 0-14 years: 13.6% (male 712,045/female 673,657) 15-64 years: 71% (male 3,641,887/female 3,604,044) 65 years and over: 15.5% (male 623,882/female 956,389) (2009 est.) Denmark 0-14 years: 18.1% (male 511,882/female 485,782) 15-64 years: 65.8% (male 1,817,800/female 1,798,964) 65 years and over: 16.1% (male 387,142/female 498,940) (2009 est.) Djibouti 0-14 years: 43.3% (male 112,135/female 111,343) 15-64 years: 53% (male 141,298/female 132,360) 65 years and over: 3.7% (male 9,502/female 9,417) (2009 est.) Dominica 0-14 years: 24% (male 8,910/female 8,518) 15-64 years: 65.8% (male 24,532/female 23,301) 65 years and over: 10.2% (male 3,187/female 4,212) (2009 est.) Dominican Republic 0-14 years: 31.4% (male 1,543,141/female 1,488,016) 15-64 years: 62.7% (male 3,087,351/female 2,960,319) 65 years and over: 5.9% (male 264,476/female 306,751) (2009 est.) Ecuador 0-14 years: 31.1% (male 2,312,610/female 2,220,378) 15-64 years: 62.7% (male 4,506,908/female 4,636,703) 65 years and over: 6.2% (male 432,144/female 464,358) (2009 est.) Egypt 0-14 years: 31.4% (male 13,345,500/female 12,743,878) 15-64 years: 63.8% (male 26,823,127/female 26,169,421) 65 years and over: 4.8% (male 1,701,068/female 2,299,875) (2009 est.) El Salvador 0-14 years: 35.4% (male 1,299,608/female 1,245,617) 15-64 years: 59.3% (male 2,033,423/female 2,225,810) 65 years and over: 5.3% (male 166,224/female 214,536) (2009 est.) Equatorial Guinea 0-14 years: 41.9% (male 134,823/female 130,308) 15-64 years: 54% (male 167,820/female 174,238) 65 years and over: 4.1% (male 11,574/female 14,678) (2009 est.) Eritrea 0-14 years: 42.8% (male 1,212,848/female 1,202,240) 15-64 years: 53.7% (male 1,483,169/female 1,547,078) 65 years and over: 3.6% (male 92,009/female 109,824) (2009 est.) Estonia 0-14 years: 14.9% (male 99,748/female 94,051) 15-64 years: 67.5% (male 417,816/female 459,246) 65 years and over: 17.6% (male 75,486/female 153,024) (2009 est.) Ethiopia 0-14 years: 46.1% (male 19,596,784/female 19,688,887) 15-64 years: 51.2% (male 21,376,495/female 22,304,812) 65 years and over: 2.7% (male 975,923/female 1,294,437) (2009 est.) European Union 0-14 years: 15.44% (male 38,975,981/female 36,925,704) 15-64 years: 67.22% (male 166,277,341/female 164,183,829) 65 years and over: 17.34% (male 35,372,684/female 49,847,313) (2009 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Faroe Islands 0-14 years: 21.6% (male 5,451/female 5,108) 15-64 years: 64% (male 16,708/female 14,544) 65 years and over: 14.4% (male 3,324/female 3,721) (2009 est.) Fiji 0-14 years: 30.3% (male 146,327/female 140,327) 15-64 years: 64.9% (male 307,077/female 305,886) 65 years and over: 4.8% (male 20,300/female 24,803) (2009 est.) Finland 0-14 years: 16.4% (male 438,425/female 422,777) 15-64 years: 66.8% (male 1,773,495/female 1,732,792) 65 years and over: 16.8% (male 357,811/female 524,975) (2009 est.) France 0-14 years: 18.6% (male 6,129,729/female 5,838,925) 15-64 years: 65% (male 20,963,124/female 20,929,280) 65 years and over: 16.4% (male 4,403,248/female 6,155,767) (2009 est.) French Polynesia 0-14 years: 24.3% (male 35,631/female 34,097) 15-64 years: 68.9% (male 102,537/female 95,317) 65 years and over: 6.8% (male 9,821/female 9,629) (2009 est.) Gabon 0-14 years: 42.1% (male 320,414/female 318,027) 15-64 years: 53.9% (male 407,461/female 409,633) 65 years and over: 3.9% (male 24,799/female 34,659) (2009 est.) Gambia, The 0-14 years: 43.6% (male 390,806/female 387,172) 15-64 years: 53.6% (male 473,478/female 481,315) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 25,071/female 25,051) (2009 est.) Gaza Strip 0-14 years: 44.4% (male 353,489/female 334,770) 15-64 years: 53% (male 420,618/female 402,297) 65 years and over: 2.6% (male 16,483/female 24,202) (2009 est.) Georgia 0-14 years: 16.1% (male 395,929/female 345,071) 15-64 years: 67.6% (male 1,503,360/female 1,616,234) 65 years and over: 16.4% (male 302,103/female 453,110) (2009 est.) Germany 0-14 years: 13.7% (male 5,768,366/female 5,470,516) 15-64 years: 66.1% (male 27,707,761/female 26,676,759) 65 years and over: 20.3% (male 7,004,805/female 9,701,551) (2009 est.) Ghana 0-14 years: 37.3% (male 4,503,331/female 4,393,104) 15-64 years: 59.1% (male 7,039,696/female 7,042,208) 65 years and over: 3.6% (male 393,364/female 460,792) (2009 est.) Gibraltar 0-14 years: 16.7% (male 2,393/female 2,276) 15-64 years: 66.9% (male 9,532/female 9,219) 65 years and over: 16.5% (male 2,125/female 2,489) (2009 est.) Greece 0-14 years: 14.3% (male 788,722/female 742,270) 15-64 years: 66.6% (male 3,568,660/female 3,578,344) 65 years and over: 19.2% (male 902,617/female 1,156,815) (2009 est.) Greenland 0-14 years: 23% (male 6,727/female 6,533) 15-64 years: 70.1% (male 21,696/female 18,669) 65 years and over: 6.9% (male 2,000/female 1,975) (2009 est.) Grenada 0-14 years: 32% (male 14,608/female 14,410) 15-64 years: 65.2% (male 31,278/female 27,873) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 1,268/female 1,302) (2009 est.) Guam 0-14 years: 27.8% (male 25,651/female 23,904) 15-64 years: 65.2% (male 59,304/female 56,995) 65 years and over: 7% (male 5,786/female 6,790) (2009 est.) Guatemala 0-14 years: 39.4% (male 2,664,058/female 2,573,006) 15-64 years: 56.8% (male 3,655,184/female 3,884,331) 65 years and over: 3.8% (male 231,652/female 268,286) (2009 est.) Guernsey 0-14 years: 14.4% (male 4,793/female 4,668) 15-64 years: 67.5% (male 22,058/female 22,433) 65 years and over: 18.1% (male 5,078/female 6,840) (2009 est.) Guinea 0-14 years: 42.8% (male 2,175,852/female 2,128,518) 15-64 years: 53.7% (male 2,701,184/female 2,704,161) 65 years and over: 3.5% (male 153,053/female 195,207) (2009 est.) Guinea-Bissau 0-14 years: 40.8% (male 312,253/female 313,609) 15-64 years: 56.1% (male 414,924/female 445,639) 65 years and over: 3.1% (male 19,191/female 28,348) (2009 est.) Guyana 0-14 years: 25.7% (male 101,319/female 97,505) 15-64 years: 68.7% (male 268,058/female 262,595) 65 years and over: 5.5% (male 17,938/female 24,883) (2009 est.) Haiti 0-14 years: 38.1% (male 1,735,917/female 1,704,383) 15-64 years: 58.5% (male 2,621,059/female 2,665,447) 65 years and over: 3.4% (male 120,040/female 188,690) (2009 est.) Honduras 0-14 years: 38.1% (male 1,514,544/female 1,451,862) 15-64 years: 58.3% (male 2,278,508/female 2,267,527) 65 years and over: 3.6% (male 125,991/female 154,422) (2009 est.) Hong Kong 0-14 years: 12.2% (male 450,833/female 411,997) 15-64 years: 74.6% (male 2,551,256/female 2,713,532) 65 years and over: 13.1% (male 434,090/female 493,363) (2009 est.) Hungary 0-14 years: 15% (male 763,553/female 720,112) 15-64 years: 69.3% (male 3,384,961/female 3,475,135) 65 years and over: 15.8% (male 566,067/female 995,768) (2009 est.) Iceland 0-14 years: 20.7% (male 32,268/female 31,308) 15-64 years: 67.1% (male 104,158/female 101,584) 65 years and over: 12.2% (male 16,952/female 20,424) (2009 est.) India 0-14 years: 31.1% (male 190,075,426/female 172,799,553) 15-64 years: 63.6% (male 381,446,079/female 359,802,209) 65 years and over: 5.3% (male 29,364,920/female 32,591,030) (2009 est.) Indonesia 0-14 years: 28.1% (male 34,337,341/female 33,162,207) 15-64 years: 66% (male 79,549,569/female 78,918,321) 65 years and over: 6% (male 6,335,208/female 7,968,876) (2009 est.) Iran 0-14 years: 21.7% (male 7,394,841/female 7,022,076) 15-64 years: 72.9% (male 24,501,544/female 23,914,172) 65 years and over: 5.4% (male 1,725,828/female 1,870,823) (2009 est.) Iraq 0-14 years: 38.8% (male 5,709,688/female 5,531,359) 15-64 years: 58.2% (male 8,529,956/female 8,310,164) 65 years and over: 3% (male 408,266/female 456,224) (2009 est.) Ireland 0-14 years: 20.9% (male 454,571/female 424,022) 15-64 years: 67.1% (male 1,411,336/female 1,409,760) 65 years and over: 12% (male 224,850/female 278,661) (2009 est.) Isle of Man 0-14 years: 16.9% (male 6,612/female 6,300) 15-64 years: 66% (male 25,433/female 25,083) 65 years and over: 17.1% (male 5,408/female 7,676) (2009 est.) Israel 0-14 years: 27.9% (male 1,031,629/female 984,230) 15-64 years: 62.3% (male 2,283,034/female 2,221,301) 65 years and over: 9.9% (male 311,218/female 402,289) (2009 est.) Italy 0-14 years: 13.5% (male 4,056,156/female 3,814,070) 15-64 years: 66.3% (male 19,530,696/female 18,981,084) 65 years and over: 20.2% (male 4,903,762/female 6,840,444) (2009 est.) Jamaica 0-14 years: 31.4% (male 451,310/female 436,466) 15-64 years: 61.1% (male 851,372/female 875,132) 65 years and over: 7.5% (male 94,833/female 116,815) (2009 est.) Japan 0-14 years: 13.5% (male 8,804,465/female 8,344,800) 15-64 years: 64.3% (male 41,187,425/female 40,533,876) 65 years and over: 22.2% (male 11,964,694/female 16,243,419) (2009 est.) Jersey 0-14 years: 16.1% (male 7,623/female 7,087) 15-64 years: 67.7% (male 30,914/female 31,081) 65 years and over: 16.3% (male 6,614/female 8,307) (2009 est.) Jordan 0-14 years: 31.3% (male 1,014,183/female 973,538) 15-64 years: 64.5% (male 2,183,638/female 1,904,420) 65 years and over: 4.2% (male 128,759/female 138,410) (2009 est.) Kazakhstan 0-14 years: 21.8% (male 1,717,469/female 1,643,920) 15-64 years: 70.2% (male 5,279,292/female 5,534,607) 65 years and over: 7.9% (male 426,494/female 797,655) (2009 est.) Kenya 0-14 years: 42.3% (male 8,300,393/female 8,181,898) 15-64 years: 55.1% (male 10,784,119/female 10,702,999) 65 years and over: 2.6% (male 470,218/female 563,145) (2009 est.) Kiribati 0-14 years: 37.6% (male 21,488/female 20,899) 15-64 years: 59% (male 32,871/female 33,690) 65 years and over: 3.5% (male 1,656/female 2,246) (2009 est.) Korea, North 0-14 years: 21.3% (male 2,440,439/female 2,376,557) 15-64 years: 69.4% (male 7,776,889/female 7,945,399) 65 years and over: 9.4% (male 820,504/female 1,305,557) (2009 est.) Korea, South 0-14 years: 16.8% (male 4,278,581/female 3,887,516) 15-64 years: 72.3% (male 17,897,053/female 17,196,840) 65 years and over: 10.8% (male 2,104,589/female 3,144,393) (2009 est.) Kosovo 0-14 years: 27.7% (male 260,678/female 239,779) 15-64 years: 65.7% (male 617,890/female 567,939) 65 years and over: 6.6% (male 50,463/female 68,089) (2009 est.) Kuwait 0-14 years: 26.4% (male 361,150/female 348,518) 15-64 years: 70.7% (male 1,219,075/female 683,587) 65 years and over: 2.9% (male 49,163/female 29,665) (2009 est.) Kyrgyzstan 0-14 years: 29.7% (male 822,128/female 789,425) 15-64 years: 64.5% (male 1,717,497/female 1,787,551) 65 years and over: 5.8% (male 123,045/female 192,101) (2009 est.) Laos 0-14 years: 40.8% (male 1,400,126/female 1,386,480) 15-64 years: 56.1% (male 1,898,995/female 1,936,892) 65 years and over: 3.1% (male 92,070/female 120,379) (2009 est.) Latvia 0-14 years: 13.3% (male 152,472/female 145,161) 15-64 years: 69.6% (male 756,469/female 797,505) 65 years and over: 17% (male 124,432/female 255,464) (2009 est.) Lebanon 0-14 years: 25.8% (male 528,047/female 506,838) 15-64 years: 67.1% (male 1,294,485/female 1,399,047) 65 years and over: 7.2% (male 130,148/female 158,530) (2009 est.) Lesotho 0-14 years: 34.8% (male 373,159/female 368,271) 15-64 years: 60.2% (male 629,346/female 654,054) 65 years and over: 5% (male 42,074/female 63,915) (2009 est.) Liberia 0-14 years: 44.1% (male 760,989/female 758,554) 15-64 years: 53% (male 904,770/female 920,704) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 47,013/female 49,760) (2009 est.) Libya 0-14 years: 33% (male 1,064,866/female 1,019,790) 15-64 years: 62.7% (male 2,033,478/female 1,920,755) 65 years and over: 4.3% (male 133,092/female 138,453) (2009 est.) Liechtenstein 0-14 years: 16.6% (male 2,877/female 2,901) 15-64 years: 69.4% (male 11,917/female 12,220) 65 years and over: 13.9% (male 2,085/female 2,761) (2009 est.) Lithuania 0-14 years: 14.2% (male 258,423/female 245,115) 15-64 years: 69.6% (male 1,214,743/female 1,261,413) 65 years and over: 16.2% (male 198,714/female 376,771) (2009 est.) Luxembourg 0-14 years: 18.5% (male 46,918/female 44,052) 15-64 years: 66.7% (male 165,342/female 162,681) 65 years and over: 14.8% (male 29,839/female 42,943) (2009 est.) Macau 0-14 years: 16.1% (male 47,853/female 42,019) 15-64 years: 76.2% (male 199,593/female 227,010) 65 years and over: 7.7% (male 20,245/female 23,126) (2009 est.) Macedonia 0-14 years: 19.2% (male 206,054/female 191,354) 15-64 years: 69.4% (male 722,823/female 710,830) 65 years and over: 11.4% (male 102,231/female 133,426) (2009 est.) Madagascar 0-14 years: 43.5% (male 4,523,033/female 4,460,473) 15-64 years: 53.5% (male 5,483,684/female 5,557,098) 65 years and over: 3% (male 280,677/female 348,591) (2009 est.) Malawi 0-14 years: 45.8% (male 3,272,790/female 3,258,893) 15-64 years: 51.5% (male 3,696,857/female 3,656,918) 65 years and over: 2.7% (male 162,863/female 220,390) (2009 est.) Malaysia 0-14 years: 31.4% (male 4,153,621/female 3,914,962) 15-64 years: 63.6% (male 8,210,373/female 8,143,043) 65 years and over: 5% (male 569,245/female 724,575) (2009 est.) Maldives 0-14 years: 22.3% (male 45,038/female 43,291) 15-64 years: 73.8% (male 180,874/female 111,703) 65 years and over: 3.9% (male 7,711/female 7,717) (2009 est.) Mali 0-14 years: 48.3% (male 3,089,406/female 3,023,341) 15-64 years: 48.7% (male 3,065,167/female 3,101,914) 65 years and over: 3.1% (male 151,718/female 235,441) (2009 est.) Malta 0-14 years: 16.1% (male 33,526/female 31,780) 15-64 years: 69.4% (male 142,491/female 138,769) 65 years and over: 14.5% (male 25,406/female 33,193) (2009 est.) Marshall Islands 0-14 years: 38.6% (male 12,683/female 12,217) 15-64 years: 58.5% (male 19,302/female 18,459) 65 years and over: 2.9% (male 902/female 959) (2009 est.) Mauritania 0-14 years: 41% (male 643,436/female 638,793) 15-64 years: 55.7% (male 818,778/female 923,046) 65 years and over: 3.4% (male 44,836/female 60,597) (2009 est.) Mauritius 0-14 years: 22.5% (male 147,136/female 142,121) 15-64 years: 70.4% (male 449,176/female 455,057) 65 years and over: 7.1% (male 36,309/female 54,465) (2009 est.) Mayotte 0-14 years: 45.3% (male 50,985/female 50,413) 15-64 years: 52.9% (male 63,395/female 54,882) 65 years and over: 1.8% (male 2,085/female 2,005) (2009 est.) Mexico 0-14 years: 29.1% (male 16,544,223/female 15,861,141) 15-64 years: 64.6% (male 34,734,571/female 37,129,793) 65 years and over: 6.2% (male 3,130,518/female 3,811,543) (2009 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of 0-14 years: 34.8% (male 19,010/female 18,411) 15-64 years: 62.3% (male 33,286/female 33,629) 65 years and over: 2.9% (male 1,317/female 1,781) (2009 est.) Moldova 0-14 years: 15.9% (male 353,495/female 334,592) 15-64 years: 73.3% (male 1,536,263/female 1,629,882) 65 years and over: 10.8% (male 172,070/female 294,446) (2009 est.) Monaco 0-14 years: 14.6% (male 2,466/female 2,349) 15-64 years: 62.4% (male 10,184/female 10,395) 65 years and over: 23% (male 3,068/female 4,503) (2009 est.) Mongolia 0-14 years: 28.1% (male 436,391/female 418,923) 15-64 years: 67.9% (male 1,031,819/female 1,033,806) 65 years and over: 4% (male 52,430/female 67,773) (2009 est.) Montenegro 0-14 years: 16% (male 52,645/female 54,846) 15-64 years: 70.3% (male 244,949/female 227,794) 65 years and over: 13.7% (male 37,217/female 54,729) (2009 est.) Montserrat 0-14 years: 27.6% (male 731/female 678) 15-64 years: 65.5% (male 1,599/female 1,738) 65 years and over: 6.9% (male 232/female 119) (2009 est.) Morocco 0-14 years: 30% (male 5,333,396/female 5,131,886) 15-64 years: 64.7% (male 11,261,139/female 11,305,792) 65 years and over: 5.2% (male 781,089/female 1,046,062) (2009 est.) Mozambique 0-14 years: 44.3% (male 4,829,272/female 4,773,209) 15-64 years: 52.8% (male 5,605,227/female 5,842,679) 65 years and over: 2.9% (male 257,119/female 361,772) (2009 est.) Namibia 0-14 years: 35.9% (male 381,904/female 375,059) 15-64 years: 60.2% (male 641,995/female 627,146) 65 years and over: 3.9% (male 36,894/female 45,667) (2009 est.) Nauru 0-14 years: 34.7% (male 2,482/female 2,384) 15-64 years: 63.2% (male 4,362/female 4,495) 65 years and over: 2.1% (male 151/female 145) (2009 est.) Nepal 0-14 years: 36.6% (male 5,327,484/female 5,127,178) 15-64 years: 59.2% (male 8,094,494/female 8,812,675) 65 years and over: 4.2% (male 566,666/female 634,880) (2009 est.) Netherlands 0-14 years: 17.4% (male 1,485,873/female 1,416,999) 15-64 years: 67.7% (male 5,720,387/female 5,604,014) 65 years and over: 14.9% (male 1,070,496/female 1,418,230) (2009 est.) Netherlands Antilles 0-14 years: 22.7% (male 26,429/female 25,162) 15-64 years: 67.7% (male 74,183/female 79,434) 65 years and over: 9.6% (male 8,875/female 12,966) (2009 est.) New Caledonia 0-14 years: 26.8% (male 31,191/female 29,870) 15-64 years: 65.8% (male 75,189/female 74,552) 65 years and over: 7.3% (male 7,681/female 8,953) (2009 est.) New Zealand 0-14 years: 20.7% (male 447,174/female 424,522) 15-64 years: 66.5% (male 1,404,143/female 1,399,530) 65 years and over: 12.8% (male 244,986/female 293,063) (2009 est.) Nicaragua 0-14 years: 33.8% (male 1,013,866/female 976,430) 15-64 years: 62.9% (male 1,847,756/female 1,857,264) 65 years and over: 3.3% (male 85,782/female 110,101) (2009 est.) Niger 0-14 years: 49.6% (male 3,840,379/female 3,758,674) 15-64 years: 48% (male 3,658,361/female 3,690,373) 65 years and over: 2.3% (male 159,984/female 198,481) (2009 est.) Nigeria 0-14 years: 41.5% (male 31,624,050/female 30,242,637) 15-64 years: 55.5% (male 42,240,641/female 40,566,672) 65 years and over: 3.1% (male 2,211,840/female 2,343,250) (2009 est.) Niue 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA (2009 est.) Norfolk Island 0-14 years: 20.2% 15-64 years: 63.9% 65 years and over: 15.9% (2009 est.) Northern Mariana Islands 0-14 years: 18% (male 8,372/female 7,616) 15-64 years: 80.3% (male 28,602/female 42,557) 65 years and over: 1.7% (male 786/female 729) (2009 est.) Norway 0-14 years: 18.5% (male 441,508/female 422,050) 15-64 years: 66.2% (male 1,564,482/female 1,522,519) 65 years and over: 15.2% (male 305,120/female 404,860) (2009 est.) Oman 0-14 years: 42.7% (male 744,265/female 714,116) 15-64 years: 54.5% (male 1,079,511/female 783,243) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 55,180/female 41,770) (2009 est.) Pakistan 0-14 years: 37.2% (male 33,739,547/female 31,868,065) 15-64 years: 58.6% (male 52,849,607/female 50,378,198) 65 years and over: 4.2% (male 3,475,927/female 3,931,605) (2009 est.) Palau 0-14 years: 22.9% (male 2,458/female 2,314) 15-64 years: 70.8% (male 8,207/female 6,521) 65 years and over: 6.2% (male 401/female 895) (2009 est.) Panama 0-14 years: 29.3% (male 501,950/female 481,750) 15-64 years: 63.9% (male 1,085,435/female 1,061,530) 65 years and over: 6.8% (male 106,934/female 122,875) (2009 est.) Papua New Guinea 0-14 years: 36.9% (male 1,137,796/female 1,099,365) 15-64 years: 59% (male 1,836,272/female 1,735,298) 65 years and over: 4.1% (male 114,789/female 133,743) (2009 est.) Paraguay 0-14 years: 36.7% (male 1,304,115/female 1,260,560) 15-64 years: 58.1% (male 2,043,509/female 2,023,317) 65 years and over: 5.2% (male 168,554/female 195,600) (2009 est.) Peru 0-14 years: 29.1% (male 4,370,923/female 4,216,364) 15-64 years: 65.2% (male 9,695,270/female 9,574,018) 65 years and over: 5.7% (male 796,631/female 893,757) (2009 est.) Philippines 0-14 years: 35.2% (male 17,606,352/female 16,911,376) 15-64 years: 60.6% (male 29,679,327/female 29,737,919) 65 years and over: 4.1% (male 1,744,248/female 2,297,381) (2009 est.) Pitcairn Islands 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA (2009 est.) Poland 0-14 years: 15% (male 2,964,995/female 2,802,278) 15-64 years: 71.6% (male 13,713,078/female 13,845,251) 65 years and over: 13.4% (male 1,966,406/female 3,190,911) (2009 est.) Portugal 0-14 years: 16.3% (male 912,147/female 834,941) 15-64 years: 66.1% (male 3,525,717/female 3,554,513) 65 years and over: 17.6% (male 772,413/female 1,108,193) (2009 est.) Puerto Rico 0-14 years: 19.9% (male 404,635/female 386,733) 15-64 years: 66% (male 1,260,114/female 1,361,193) 65 years and over: 14.1% (male 240,318/female 318,027) (2009 est.) Qatar 0-14 years: 21.8% (male 93,805/female 88,040) 15-64 years: 76.8% (male 454,714/female 185,004) 65 years and over: 1.4% (male 6,792/female 4,930) (2009 est.) Romania 0-14 years: 15.5% (male 1,772,583/female 1,681,539) 15-64 years: 69.7% (male 7,711,062/female 7,784,041) 65 years and over: 14.7% (male 1,332,120/female 1,934,076) (2009 est.) Russia 0-14 years: 14.8% (male 10,644,833/female 10,095,011) 15-64 years: 71.5% (male 48,004,040/female 52,142,313) 65 years and over: 13.7% (male 5,880,877/female 13,274,173) (2009 est.) Rwanda 0-14 years: 42.1% (male 2,216,352/female 2,196,327) 15-64 years: 55.4% (male 2,897,003/female 2,909,994) 65 years and over: 2.4% (male 100,920/female 152,686) (2009 est.) Saint Barthelemy 0-14 years: 19.2% (male 734/female 696) 15-64 years: 70.6% (male 2,855/female 2,402) 65 years and over: 10.2% (male 378/female 383) (2009 est.) Saint Helena 0-14 years: 18.3% (male 712/female 685) 15-64 years: 70.4% (male 2,744/female 2,629) 65 years and over: 11.4% (male 412/female 455) (2009 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis 0-14 years: 26.3% (male 5,397/female 5,138) 15-64 years: 65.9% (male 13,231/female 13,196) 65 years and over: 7.9% (male 1,326/female 1,843) (2009 est.) Saint Lucia 0-14 years: 24.4% (male 20,035/female 19,021) 15-64 years: 66.4% (male 51,593/female 54,843) 65 years and over: 9.2% (male 6,668/female 8,107) (2009 est.) Saint Martin 0-14 years: 27% (male 3,991/female 4,048) 15-64 years: 67.5% (male 9,596/female 10,532) 65 years and over: 5.5% (male 742/female 911) (2009 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0-14 years: 21.9% (male 788/female 756) 15-64 years: 66.5% (male 2,378/female 2,312) 65 years and over: 11.6% (male 379/female 438) (2009 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0-14 years: 25.9% (male 13,637/female 13,425) 15-64 years: 66.4% (male 35,693/female 33,701) 65 years and over: 7.8% (male 3,659/female 4,459) (2009 est.) Samoa 0-14 years: 37.6% (male 42,117/female 40,603) 15-64 years: 56.7% (male 65,541/female 59,292) 65 years and over: 5.7% (male 5,538/female 6,907) (2009 est.) San Marino 0-14 years: 16.8% (male 2,636/female 2,451) 15-64 years: 65.8% (male 9,539/female 10,428) 65 years and over: 17.4% (male 2,273/female 2,997) (2009 est.) Sao Tome and Principe 0-14 years: 46.9% (male 50,475/female 49,188) 15-64 years: 49.7% (male 51,325/female 54,289) 65 years and over: 3.5% (male 3,335/female 4,067) (2009 est.) Saudi Arabia 0-14 years: 38% (male 5,557,453/female 5,340,614) 15-64 years: 59.5% (male 9,608,032/female 7,473,543) 65 years and over: 2.5% (male 363,241/female 343,750) (2009 est.) Senegal 0-14 years: 42.2% (male 2,911,324/female 2,877,804) 15-64 years: 54.8% (male 3,728,664/female 3,786,000) 65 years and over: 3% (male 190,343/female 217,462) (2009 est.) Serbia 0-14 years: 15.4% (male 586,806/female 549,900) 15-64 years: 67.8% (male 2,503,194/female 2,502,807) 65 years and over: 16.8% (male 508,606/female 728,026) (2009 est.) Seychelles 0-14 years: 22.8% (male 10,201/female 9,732) 15-64 years: 70.1% (male 31,870/female 29,439) 65 years and over: 7.1% (male 2,321/female 3,913) (2009 est.) Sierra Leone 0-14 years: 44.5% (male 1,407,226/female 1,460,366) 15-64 years: 52.2% (male 1,613,554/female 1,750,250) 65 years and over: 3.2% (male 95,533/female 113,124) (2009 est.) Singapore 0-14 years: 14.4% (male 348,382/female 324,050) 15-64 years: 76.7% (male 1,737,972/female 1,833,415) 65 years and over: 8.9% (male 184,393/female 229,330) (2009 est.) Slovakia 0-14 years: 15.8% (male 442,168/female 422,055) 15-64 years: 71.7% (male 1,952,527/female 1,965,646) 65 years and over: 12.5% (male 254,510/female 426,140) (2009 est.) Slovenia 0-14 years: 13.5% (male 139,880/female 131,826) 15-64 years: 69.9% (male 707,219/female 695,470) 65 years and over: 16.5% (male 129,662/female 201,635) (2009 est.) Solomon Islands 0-14 years: 39.5% (male 119,875/female 115,127) 15-64 years: 57.1% (male 171,792/female 168,023) 65 years and over: 3.5% (male 9,849/female 10,947) (2009 est.) Somalia 0-14 years: 45% (male 2,215,331/female 2,204,503) 15-64 years: 52.6% (male 2,588,356/female 2,579,737) 65 years and over: 2.5% (male 101,764/female 142,326) (2009 est.) South Africa 0-14 years: 28.9% (male 7,093,328/female 7,061,579) 15-64 years: 65.8% (male 16,275,424/female 15,984,181) 65 years and over: 5.4% (male 1,075,117/female 1,562,860) (2009 est.) Spain 0-14 years: 14.5% (male 3,021,822/female 2,842,597) 15-64 years: 67.4% (male 13,705,107/female 13,601,399) 65 years and over: 18.1% (male 3,071,394/female 4,282,683) (2009 est.) Sri Lanka 0-14 years: 23.9% (male 2,594,815/female 2,493,002) 15-64 years: 68% (male 7,089,307/female 7,418,123) 65 years and over: 8.1% (male 803,172/female 926,372) (2009 est.) Sudan 0-14 years: 40.7% (male 8,535,551/female 8,173,616) 15-64 years: 56.8% (male 11,745,683/female 11,603,906) 65 years and over: 2.5% (male 532,968/female 496,101) (2009 est.) Suriname 0-14 years: 27.1% (male 66,603/female 64,035) 15-64 years: 66.6% (male 159,525/female 160,871) 65 years and over: 6.3% (male 13,004/female 17,229) (2009 est.) Svalbard 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA (2009 est.) Swaziland 0-14 years: 39.4% (male 223,420/female 219,420) 15-64 years: 56.9% (male 308,251/female 331,623) 65 years and over: 3.7% (male 15,261/female 25,938) (2009 est.) Sweden 0-14 years: 15.7% (male 733,597/female 692,194) 15-64 years: 65.5% (male 3,003,358/female 2,927,038) 65 years and over: 18.8% (male 753,293/female 950,171) (2009 est.) Switzerland 0-14 years: 15.6% (male 616,561/female 571,610) 15-64 years: 68.1% (male 2,609,673/female 2,567,245) 65 years and over: 16.3% (male 514,761/female 724,617) (2009 est.) Syria 0-14 years: 35.9% (male 3,724,770/female 3,510,182) 15-64 years: 60.8% (male 6,285,866/female 5,980,029) 65 years and over: 3.4% (male 318,646/female 358,992) (2009 est.) Taiwan 0-14 years: 16.7% (male 1,996,905/female 1,844,611) 15-64 years: 72.6% (male 8,416,300/female 8,267,675) 65 years and over: 10.7% (male 1,183,382/female 1,265,474) (2009 est.) Tajikistan 0-14 years: 34.3% (male 1,282,681/female 1,238,607) 15-64 years: 62.1% (male 2,260,552/female 2,303,034) 65 years and over: 3.6% (male 112,334/female 151,937) (2009 est.) Tanzania 0-14 years: 43% (male 8,853,529/female 8,805,810) 15-64 years: 54.1% (male 10,956,133/female 11,255,868) 65 years and over: 2.9% (male 513,959/female 663,233) (2009 est.) Thailand 0-14 years: 20.8% (male 7,009,845/female 6,691,470) 15-64 years: 70.5% (male 22,977,945/female 23,512,538) 65 years and over: 8.7% (male 2,594,387/female 3,119,225) (2009 est.) Timor-Leste 0-14 years: 34.7% (male 199,237/female 192,900) 15-64 years: 61.9% (male 356,772/female 344,103) 65 years and over: 3.4% (male 18,403/female 20,197) (2009 est.) Togo 0-14 years: 41.5% (male 1,252,662/female 1,245,379) 15-64 years: 55.7% (male 1,640,982/female 1,714,278) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 65,427/female 101,149) (2009 est.) Tokelau 0-14 years: 42% 15-64 years: 53% 65 years and over: 5% (2009 est.) Tonga 0-14 years: 32.8% (male 20,270/female 19,428) 15-64 years: 62.9% (male 37,837/female 38,166) 65 years and over: 4.3% (male 2,163/female 3,034) (2009 est.) Trinidad and Tobago 0-14 years: 19.6% (male 123,214/female 117,584) 15-64 years: 72.6% (male 457,868/female 434,486) 65 years and over: 7.9% (male 41,467/female 55,334) (2009 est.) Tunisia 0-14 years: 22.7% (male 1,227,238/female 1,149,796) 15-64 years: 70.1% (male 3,701,661/female 3,652,322) 65 years and over: 7.2% (male 352,003/female 403,319) (2009 est.) Turkey 0-14 years: 27.2% (male 10,701,631/female 10,223,260) 15-64 years: 66.7% (male 25,896,326/female 25,327,403) 65 years and over: 6.1% (male 2,130,360/female 2,526,544) (2009 est.) Turkmenistan 0-14 years: 28.9% (male 713,698/female 697,222) 15-64 years: 66.9% (male 1,618,678/female 1,646,992) 65 years and over: 4.3% (male 90,352/female 117,945) (2009 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands 0-14 years: 30.2% (male 3,528/female 3,401) 15-64 years: 65.6% (male 7,875/female 7,164) 65 years and over: 4.2% (male 475/female 499) (2009 est.) Tuvalu 0-14 years: 29.2% (male 1,841/female 1,770) 15-64 years: 65.6% (male 3,973/female 4,141) 65 years and over: 5.2% (male 240/female 408) (2009 est.) Uganda 0-14 years: 50% (male 8,152,830/female 8,034,366) 15-64 years: 47.9% (male 7,789,209/female 7,703,143) 65 years and over: 2.1% (male 286,693/female 403,317) (2009 est.) Ukraine 0-14 years: 13.8% (male 3,238,280/female 3,066,594) 15-64 years: 70.3% (male 15,399,488/female 16,742,612) 65 years and over: 15.9% (male 2,422,311/female 4,831,110) (2009 est.) United Arab Emirates 0-14 years: 20.4% (male 500,928/female 478,388) 15-64 years: 78.7% (male 2,768,030/female 1,008,404) 65 years and over: 0.9% (male 27,601/female 15,140) note: 73.9% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (2009 est.) United Kingdom 0-14 years: 16.7% (male 5,233,756/female 4,986,131) 15-64 years: 67.1% (male 20,774,192/female 20,246,519) 65 years and over: 16.2% (male 4,259,654/female 5,612,953) (2009 est.) United States 0-14 years: 20.2% (male 31,639,127/female 30,305,704) 15-64 years: 67% (male 102,665,043/female 103,129,321) 65 years and over: 12.8% (male 16,901,232/female 22,571,696) (2009 est.) Uruguay 0-14 years: 22.4% (male 397,942/female 385,253) 15-64 years: 64.3% (male 1,115,963/female 1,129,478) 65 years and over: 13.3% (male 187,176/female 278,570) (2009 est.) Uzbekistan 0-14 years: 28.1% (male 3,970,386/female 3,787,371) 15-64 years: 67% (male 9,191,439/female 9,309,791) 65 years and over: 4.9% (male 576,191/female 770,829) (2009 est.) Vanuatu 0-14 years: 30.7% (male 34,263/female 32,833) 15-64 years: 65.3% (male 72,670/female 69,970) 65 years and over: 4% (male 4,516/female 4,267) (2009 est.) Venezuela 0-14 years: 30.5% (male 4,157,194/female 4,022,595) 15-64 years: 64.3% (male 8,480,872/female 8,754,620) 65 years and over: 5.2% (male 620,657/female 778,905) (2009 est.) Vietnam 0-14 years: 24.9% (male 11,230,402/female 10,423,901) 15-64 years: 69.4% (male 29,971,088/female 30,356,393) 65 years and over: 5.7% (male 1,920,043/female 3,065,697) (2009 est.) Virgin Islands 0-14 years: 20.4% (male 11,394/female 11,048) 15-64 years: 65.9% (male 33,843/female 38,574) 65 years and over: 13.6% (male 6,747/female 8,219) (2009 est.) Wallis and Futuna 0-14 years: 26.7% (male 2,141/female 1,935) 15-64 years: 66.3% (male 5,069/female 5,065) 65 years and over: 7.1% (male 488/female 591) (2009 est.) West Bank 0-14 years: 37.3% (male 470,735/female 446,878) 15-64 years: 59.1% (male 744,822/female 708,695) 65 years and over: 3.7% (male 37,471/female 52,666) (2009 est.) Western Sahara 0-14 years: 44.9% (male 92,428/female 89,570) 15-64 years: 52.8% (male 105,191/female 108,803) 65 years and over: 2.3% (male 3,881/female 5,337) (2009 est.) World 0-14 years: 27.2% (male 950,127,898/female 894,359,186) 15-64 years: 65.2% (male 2,235,114,476/female 2,192,071,874) 65 years and over: 7.6% (male 227,748,114/female 290,640,668) (2009 est.) Yemen 0-14 years: 46.2% (male 5,602,590/female 5,398,103) 15-64 years: 51.3% (male 6,212,378/female 6,009,401) 65 years and over: 2.5% (male 288,501/female 311,810) (2009 est.) Zambia 0-14 years: 45.1% (male 2,685,142/female 2,659,771) 15-64 years: 52.6% (male 3,122,305/female 3,116,846) 65 years and over: 2.3% (male 114,477/female 164,199) (2009 est.) Zimbabwe 0-14 years: 43.9% (male 2,523,119/female 2,473,928) 15-64 years: 52.2% (male 2,666,928/female 3,283,474) 65 years and over: 3.9% (male 194,360/female 250,820) (2009 est.) ====================================================================== @2011 Field Listing :: Geographic coordinates This entry includes rounded latitude and longitude figures for the purpose of finding the approximate geographic center of an entity and is based on the locations provided in the Geographic Names Server (GNS), maintained by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency on behalf of the US Board on Geographic Names. Country Geographic coordinates Afghanistan 33 00 N, 65 00 E Akrotiri 34 37 N, 32 58 E Albania 41 00 N, 20 00 E Algeria 28 00 N, 3 00 E American Samoa 14 20 S, 170 00 W Andorra 42 30 N, 1 30 E Angola 12 30 S, 18 30 E Anguilla 18 15 N, 63 10 W Antarctica 90 00 S, 0 00 E Antigua and Barbuda 17 03 N, 61 48 W Arctic Ocean 90 00 N, 0 00 E Argentina 34 00 S, 64 00 W Armenia 40 00 N, 45 00 E Aruba 12 30 N, 69 58 W Ashmore and Cartier Islands 12 14 S, 123 05 E Atlantic Ocean 0 00 N, 25 00 W Australia 27 00 S, 133 00 E Austria 47 20 N, 13 20 E Azerbaijan 40 30 N, 47 30 E Bahamas, The 24 15 N, 76 00 W Bahrain 26 00 N, 50 33 E Bangladesh 24 00 N, 90 00 E Barbados 13 10 N, 59 32 W Belarus 53 00 N, 28 00 E Belgium 50 50 N, 4 00 E Belize 17 15 N, 88 45 W Benin 9 30 N, 2 15 E Bermuda 32 20 N, 64 45 W Bhutan 27 30 N, 90 30 E Bolivia 17 00 S, 65 00 W Bosnia and Herzegovina 44 00 N, 18 00 E Botswana 22 00 S, 24 00 E Bouvet Island 54 26 S, 3 24 E Brazil 10 00 S, 55 00 W British Indian Ocean Territory 6 00 S, 71 30 E; note - Diego Garcia 7 20 S, 72 25 E British Virgin Islands 18 30 N, 64 30 W Brunei 4 30 N, 114 40 E Bulgaria 43 00 N, 25 00 E Burkina Faso 13 00 N, 2 00 W Burma 22 00 N, 98 00 E Burundi 3 30 S, 30 00 E Cambodia 13 00 N, 105 00 E Cameroon 6 00 N, 12 00 E Canada 60 00 N, 95 00 W Cape Verde 16 00 N, 24 00 W Cayman Islands 19 30 N, 80 30 W Central African Republic 7 00 N, 21 00 E Chad 15 00 N, 19 00 E Chile 30 00 S, 71 00 W China 35 00 N, 105 00 E Christmas Island 10 30 S, 105 40 E Clipperton Island 10 17 N, 109 13 W Cocos (Keeling) Islands 12 30 S, 96 50 E Colombia 4 00 N, 72 00 W Comoros 12 10 S, 44 15 E Congo, Democratic Republic of the 0 00 N, 25 00 E Congo, Republic of the 1 00 S, 15 00 E Cook Islands 21 14 S, 159 46 W Coral Sea Islands 18 00 S, 152 00 E Costa Rica 10 00 N, 84 00 W Cote d'Ivoire 8 00 N, 5 00 W Croatia 45 10 N, 15 30 E Cuba 21 30 N, 80 00 W Cyprus 35 00 N, 33 00 E Czech Republic 49 45 N, 15 30 E Denmark 56 00 N, 10 00 E Dhekelia 34 59 N, 33 45 E Djibouti 11 30 N, 43 00 E Dominica 15 25 N, 61 20 W Dominican Republic 19 00 N, 70 40 W Ecuador 2 00 S, 77 30 W Egypt 27 00 N, 30 00 E El Salvador 13 50 N, 88 55 W Equatorial Guinea 2 00 N, 10 00 E Eritrea 15 00 N, 39 00 E Estonia 59 00 N, 26 00 E Ethiopia 8 00 N, 38 00 E Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 51 45 S, 59 00 W Faroe Islands 62 00 N, 7 00 W Fiji 18 00 S, 175 00 E Finland 64 00 N, 26 00 E France metropolitan France: 46 00 N, 2 00 E French Guiana: 4 00 N, 53 00 W Guadeloupe: 16 15 N, 61 35 W Martinique: 14 40 N, 61 00 W Reunion: 21 06 S, 55 36 E French Polynesia 15 00 S, 140 00 W French Southern and Antarctic Lands Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): 37 50 S, 77 32 E Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): 38 72 S, 77 53 E Iles Crozet: 46 25 S, 51 00 E Iles Kerguelen: 49 15 S, 69 35 E Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): 21 30 S, 39 50 E Europa Island (Iles Eparses): 22 20 S, 40 22 E Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses): 11 30 S, 47 20 E Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): 17 03 S, 42 45 E Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): 15 52 S, 54 25 E Gabon 1 00 S, 11 45 E Gambia, The 13 28 N, 16 34 W Gaza Strip 31 25 N, 34 20 E Georgia 42 00 N, 43 30 E Germany 51 00 N, 9 00 E Ghana 8 00 N, 2 00 W Gibraltar 36 08 N, 5 21 W Greece 39 00 N, 22 00 E Greenland 72 00 N, 40 00 W Grenada 12 07 N, 61 40 W Guam 13 28 N, 144 47 E Guatemala 15 30 N, 90 15 W Guernsey 49 28 N, 2 35 W Guinea 11 00 N, 10 00 W Guinea-Bissau 12 00 N, 15 00 W Guyana 5 00 N, 59 00 W Haiti 19 00 N, 72 25 W Heard Island and McDonald Islands 53 06 S, 72 31 E Holy See (Vatican City) 41 54 N, 12 27 E Honduras 15 00 N, 86 30 W Hong Kong 22 15 N, 114 10 E Hungary 47 00 N, 20 00 E Iceland 65 00 N, 18 00 W India 20 00 N, 77 00 E Indian Ocean 20 00 S, 80 00 E Indonesia 5 00 S, 120 00 E Iran 32 00 N, 53 00 E Iraq 33 00 N, 44 00 E Ireland 53 00 N, 8 00 W Isle of Man 54 15 N, 4 30 W Israel 31 30 N, 34 45 E Italy 42 50 N, 12 50 E Jamaica 18 15 N, 77 30 W Jan Mayen 71 00 N, 8 00 W Japan 36 00 N, 138 00 E Jersey 49 15 N, 2 10 W Jordan 31 00 N, 36 00 E Kazakhstan 48 00 N, 68 00 E Kenya 1 00 N, 38 00 E Kiribati 1 25 N, 173 00 E Korea, North 40 00 N, 127 00 E Korea, South 37 00 N, 127 30 E Kosovo 42 35 N, 21 00 E Kuwait 29 30 N, 45 45 E Kyrgyzstan 41 00 N, 75 00 E Laos 18 00 N, 105 00 E Latvia 57 00 N, 25 00 E Lebanon 33 50 N, 35 50 E Lesotho 29 30 S, 28 30 E Liberia 6 30 N, 9 30 W Libya 25 00 N, 17 00 E Liechtenstein 47 16 N, 9 32 E Lithuania 56 00 N, 24 00 E Luxembourg 49 45 N, 6 10 E Macau 22 10 N, 113 33 E Macedonia 41 50 N, 22 00 E Madagascar 20 00 S, 47 00 E Malawi 13 30 S, 34 00 E Malaysia 2 30 N, 112 30 E Maldives 3 15 N, 73 00 E Mali 17 00 N, 4 00 W Malta 35 50 N, 14 35 E Marshall Islands 9 00 N, 168 00 E Mauritania 20 00 N, 12 00 W Mauritius 20 17 S, 57 33 E Mayotte 12 50 S, 45 10 E Mexico 23 00 N, 102 00 W Micronesia, Federated States of 6 55 N, 158 15 E Moldova 47 00 N, 29 00 E Monaco 43 44 N, 7 24 E Mongolia 46 00 N, 105 00 E Montenegro 42 30 N, 19 18 E Montserrat 16 45 N, 62 12 W Morocco 32 00 N, 5 00 W Mozambique 18 15 S, 35 00 E Namibia 22 00 S, 17 00 E Nauru 0 32 S, 166 55 E Navassa Island 18 25 N, 75 02 W Nepal 28 00 N, 84 00 E Netherlands 52 30 N, 5 45 E Netherlands Antilles Bonaire: 12 12 N, 68 15 W Curacao: 12 10 N, 69 00 W Saba: 17 38 N, 63 14 W Sint Eustatius: 17 30 N, 62 58 W Sint Maarten: 18 04 N, 63 04 W New Caledonia 21 30 S, 165 30 E New Zealand 41 00 S, 174 00 E Nicaragua 13 00 N, 85 00 W Niger 16 00 N, 8 00 E Nigeria 10 00 N, 8 00 E Niue 19 02 S, 169 52 W Norfolk Island 29 02 S, 167 57 E Northern Mariana Islands 15 12 N, 145 45 E Norway 62 00 N, 10 00 E Oman 21 00 N, 57 00 E Pacific Ocean 0 00 N, 160 00 W Pakistan 30 00 N, 70 00 E Palau 7 30 N, 134 30 E Panama 9 00 N, 80 00 W Papua New Guinea 6 00 S, 147 00 E Paracel Islands 16 30 N, 112 00 E Paraguay 23 00 S, 58 00 W Peru 10 00 S, 76 00 W Philippines 13 00 N, 122 00 E Pitcairn Islands 25 04 S, 130 06 W Poland 52 00 N, 20 00 E Portugal 39 30 N, 8 00 W Puerto Rico 18 15 N, 66 30 W Qatar 25 30 N, 51 15 E Romania 46 00 N, 25 00 E Russia 60 00 N, 100 00 E Rwanda 2 00 S, 30 00 E Saint Barthelemy 17 90 N, 62 85 W Saint Helena Saint Helena: 15 57 S, 5 42 W Ascension Island: 7 57 S, 14 22 W Tristan da Cunha island group: 37 15 S, 12 30 W Saint Kitts and Nevis 17 20 N, 62 45 W Saint Lucia 13 53 N, 60 58 W Saint Martin 18 05 N, 63 57 W Saint Pierre and Miquelon 46 50 N, 56 20 W Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 13 15 N, 61 12 W Samoa 13 35 S, 172 20 W San Marino 43 46 N, 12 25 E Sao Tome and Principe 1 00 N, 7 00 E Saudi Arabia 25 00 N, 45 00 E Senegal 14 00 N, 14 00 W Serbia 44 00 N, 21 00 E Seychelles 4 35 S, 55 40 E Sierra Leone 8 30 N, 11 30 W Singapore 1 22 N, 103 48 E Slovakia 48 40 N, 19 30 E Slovenia 46 07 N, 14 49 E Solomon Islands 8 00 S, 159 00 E Somalia 10 00 N, 49 00 E South Africa 29 00 S, 24 00 E South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands 54 30 S, 37 00 W Southern Ocean 60 00 S, 90 00 E (nominally), but the Southern Ocean has the unique distinction of being a large circumpolar body of water totally encircling the continent of Antarctica; this ring of water lies between 60 degrees south latitude and the coast of Antarctica and encompasses 360 degrees of longitude Spain 40 00 N, 4 00 W Spratly Islands 8 38 N, 111 55 E Sri Lanka 7 00 N, 81 00 E Sudan 15 00 N, 30 00 E Suriname 4 00 N, 56 00 W Svalbard 78 00 N, 20 00 E Swaziland 26 30 S, 31 30 E Sweden 62 00 N, 15 00 E Switzerland 47 00 N, 8 00 E Syria 35 00 N, 38 00 E Taiwan 23 30 N, 121 00 E Tajikistan 39 00 N, 71 00 E Tanzania 6 00 S, 35 00 E Thailand 15 00 N, 100 00 E Timor-Leste 8 50 S, 125 55 E Togo 8 00 N, 1 10 E Tokelau 9 00 S, 172 00 W Tonga 20 00 S, 175 00 W Trinidad and Tobago 11 00 N, 61 00 W Tunisia 34 00 N, 9 00 E Turkey 39 00 N, 35 00 E Turkmenistan 40 00 N, 60 00 E Turks and Caicos Islands 21 45 N, 71 35 W Tuvalu 8 00 S, 178 00 E Uganda 1 00 N, 32 00 E Ukraine 49 00 N, 32 00 E United Arab Emirates 24 00 N, 54 00 E United Kingdom 54 00 N, 2 00 W United States 38 00 N, 97 00 W United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges Baker Island: 0 13 N, 176 28 W Howland Island: 0 48 N, 176 38 W Jarvis Island: 0 23 S, 160 01 W Johnston Atoll: 16 45 N, 169 31 W Kingman Reef: 6 23 N, 162 25 W Midway Islands: 28 12 N, 177 22 W Palmyra Atoll: 5 53 N, 162 05 W Uruguay 33 00 S, 56 00 W Uzbekistan 41 00 N, 64 00 E Vanuatu 16 00 S, 167 00 E Venezuela 8 00 N, 66 00 W Vietnam 16 10 N, 107 50 E Virgin Islands 18 20 N, 64 50 W Wake Island 19 17 N, 166 39 E Wallis and Futuna 13 18 S, 176 12 W West Bank 32 00 N, 35 15 E Western Sahara 24 30 N, 13 00 W Yemen 15 00 N, 48 00 E Zambia 15 00 S, 30 00 E Zimbabwe 20 00 S, 30 00 E ====================================================================== @2012 Field Listing :: GDP - composition by sector This entry gives the percentage contribution of agriculture, industry, and services to total GDP. The distribution will total less than 100 percent if the data are incomplete. Country GDP - composition by sector(%) Afghanistan agriculture: 31% industry: 26% services: 43% note: data exclude opium production (2008 est.) Albania agriculture: 20.5% industry: 19.8% services: 59.7% (2008 est.) Algeria agriculture: 8.3% industry: 62.3% services: 29.4% (2008 est.) American Samoa agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Andorra agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Angola agriculture: 9.2% industry: 65.8% services: 24.6% (2008 est.) Anguilla agriculture: 4% industry: 18% services: 78% (2002 est.) Antigua and Barbuda agriculture: 3.8% industry: 22% services: 74.3% (2002 est.) Argentina agriculture: 9.9% industry: 32.7% services: 57.4% (2008 est.) Armenia agriculture: 16.7% industry: 33.8% services: 49.4% (2008 est.) Aruba agriculture: 0.4% industry: 33.3% services: 66.3% (2002 est.) Australia agriculture: 3.4% industry: 26.8% services: 69.8% (2008 est.) Austria agriculture: 1.9% industry: 30.7% services: 67.4% (2008 est.) Azerbaijan agriculture: 6% industry: 60.5% services: 33.5% (2008 est.) Bahamas, The agriculture: 3% industry: 7% services: 90% (2001 est.) Bahrain agriculture: 0.4% industry: 66.2% services: 33.3% (2008 est.) Bangladesh agriculture: 19.1% industry: 28.6% services: 52.3% (2008 est.) Barbados agriculture: 6% industry: 16% services: 78% (2000 est.) Belarus agriculture: 8.5% industry: 41.2% services: 50.3% (2008 est.) Belgium agriculture: 0.8% industry: 23.2% services: 76.1% (2008 est.) Belize agriculture: 29% industry: 16.9% services: 54.1% (2008 est.) Benin agriculture: 33.2% industry: 14.5% services: 52.3% (2007 est.) Bermuda agriculture: 1% industry: 10% services: 89% (2002 est.) Bhutan agriculture: 22.3% industry: 37.9% services: 39.8% (2006) Bolivia agriculture: 11.3% industry: 36.9% services: 51.8% (2008 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina agriculture: 10.2% industry: 23.9% services: 66% (2006 est.) Botswana agriculture: 1.6% industry: 52.6% (including 36% mining) services: 45.8% (2008 est.) Brazil agriculture: 6.7% industry: 28% services: 65.3% (2008 est.) British Virgin Islands agriculture: 1.8% industry: 6.2% services: 92% (1996 est.) Brunei agriculture: 0.7% industry: 75% services: 25% (2005 est.) Bulgaria agriculture: 7.3% industry: 30.5% services: 62.2% (2008 est.) Burkina Faso agriculture: 29.1% industry: 19.9% services: 51% (2008 est.) Burma agriculture: 40.9% industry: 19.8% services: 39.2% (2008 est.) Burundi agriculture: 33.4% industry: 21% services: 45.6% (2008 est.) Cambodia agriculture: 29% industry: 30% services: 41% (2007 est.) Cameroon agriculture: 43.6% industry: 15.9% services: 40.5% (2008 est.) Canada agriculture: 2% industry: 28.4% services: 69.6% (2008 est.) Cape Verde agriculture: 9.1% industry: 16.6% services: 74.4% (2008 est.) Cayman Islands agriculture: 1.4% industry: 3.2% services: 95.4% (1994 est.) Central African Republic agriculture: 55% industry: 20% services: 25% (2001 est.) Chad agriculture: 20.5% industry: 48% services: 31.5% (2008 est.) Chile agriculture: 4.8% industry: 50.5% services: 44.7% (2008 est.) China agriculture: 11.3% industry: 48.6% services: 40.1% (2008 est.) Colombia agriculture: 9% industry: 38.1% services: 52.9% (2008 est.) Comoros agriculture: 40% industry: 4% services: 56% (2001 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the agriculture: 55% industry: 11% services: 34% (2000 est.) Congo, Republic of the agriculture: 5.6% industry: 57.1% services: 37.3% (2006 est.) Cook Islands agriculture: 15.1% industry: 9.6% services: 75.3% (2004) Costa Rica agriculture: 6.5% industry: 25.9% services: 67.6% (2008 est.) Cote d'Ivoire agriculture: 28% industry: 21.6% services: 50.4% (2008 est.) Croatia agriculture: 6% industry: 27.7% services: 66.3% (2008 est.) Cuba agriculture: 4.4% industry: 22.8% services: 72.8% (2008 est.) Cyprus agriculture: 2.1% industry: 19.6% services: 78.3% (2008 est.) Czech Republic agriculture: 2.3% industry: 37.6% services: 60.1% (2008 est.) Denmark agriculture: 1.3% industry: 26.1% services: 72.6% (2008 est.) Djibouti agriculture: 3.2% industry: 14.9% services: 81.9% (2006 est.) Dominica agriculture: 17.7% industry: 32.8% services: 49.5% (2004 est.) Dominican Republic agriculture: 10.8% industry: 22.9% services: 66.3% (2008 est.) Ecuador agriculture: 6.7% industry: 34.3% services: 59% (2008 est.) Egypt agriculture: 13.2% industry: 38.7% services: 48.1% (2008 est.) El Salvador agriculture: 10.7% industry: 28.8% services: 60.6% (2008 est.) Equatorial Guinea agriculture: 2.3% industry: 93.7% services: 3.9% (2008 est.) Eritrea agriculture: 17.4% industry: 23.2% services: 59.4% (2008 est.) Estonia agriculture: 2.6% industry: 29% services: 68.4% (2008 est.) Ethiopia agriculture: 44.9% industry: 12.8% services: 42.3% (2008 est.) European Union agriculture: 2% industry: 27.1% services: 70.9% (2008 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) agriculture: 95% industry: NA% services: NA% (1996) Faroe Islands agriculture: 27% industry: 11% services: 62% (1999) Fiji agriculture: 8.9% industry: 13.5% services: 77.6% (2004 est.) Finland agriculture: 2.8% industry: 32.4% services: 64.9% (2008 est.) France agriculture: 2% industry: 20.4% services: 77.6% (2008 est.) French Polynesia agriculture: 3.5% industry: 20.4% services: 76.1% (2005) Gabon agriculture: 5.6% industry: 57.8% services: 36.6% (2008 est.) Gambia, The agriculture: 33.3% industry: 7.6% services: 59% (2008 est.) Gaza Strip agriculture: 8% industry: 13% services: 79% (includes West Bank) (2007 est.) Georgia agriculture: 12.5% industry: 27.9% services: 59.6% (2008 est.) Germany agriculture: 0.9% industry: 30.1% services: 69.1% (2008 est.) Ghana agriculture: 37.3% industry: 25.3% services: 37.5% (2006 est.) Gibraltar agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Greece agriculture: 3.7% industry: 20.6% services: 75.7% (2008 est.) Greenland agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Grenada agriculture: 5.4% industry: 18% services: 76.6% (2003) Guam agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Guatemala agriculture: 13.1% industry: 25% services: 61.9% (2008 est.) Guernsey agriculture: 3% industry: 10% services: 87% (2000) Guinea agriculture: 23.2% industry: 39.5% services: 37.3% (2008 est.) Guinea-Bissau agriculture: 62% industry: 12% services: 26% (1999 est.) Guyana agriculture: 24.9% industry: 24.9% services: 50.2% (2008 est.) Haiti agriculture: 28% industry: 20% services: 52% (2004 est.) Honduras agriculture: 13.1% industry: 30% services: 56.9% (2008 est.) Hong Kong agriculture: 0% industry: 7.4% services: 92.7% (2008 est.) Hungary agriculture: 2.9% industry: 36.9% services: 60.2% (2008 est.) Iceland agriculture: 5% industry: 25.2% services: 69.8% (2008 est.) India agriculture: 17.6% industry: 29% services: 53.4% (2008 est.) Indonesia agriculture: 14.4% industry: 48.1% services: 37.5% (2008 est.) Iran agriculture: 10.2% industry: 41.9% services: 47.8% (2008 est.) Iraq agriculture: 5% industry: 68% services: 27% (2006 est.) Ireland agriculture: 5% industry: 46% services: 49% (2002 est.) Isle of Man agriculture: 1% industry: 13% services: 86% (2000 est.) Israel agriculture: 2.6% industry: 32.4% services: 65% (2008 est.) Italy agriculture: 2% industry: 27% services: 71% (2008 est.) Jamaica agriculture: 5.2% industry: 32.6% services: 62.2% (2008 est.) Japan agriculture: 1.5% industry: 26.3% services: 72.3% (2008 est.) Jersey agriculture: 1% industry: 2% services: 97% (2005) Jordan agriculture: 3.6% industry: 29.9% services: 66.5% (2008 est.) Kazakhstan agriculture: 5.3% industry: 40.9% services: 53.8% (2008 est.) Kenya agriculture: 23.8% industry: 16.7% services: 59.5% (2007 est.) Kiribati agriculture: 8.9% industry: 24.2% services: 66.8% (2004) Korea, North agriculture: 23.3% industry: 43.1% services: 33.6% (2002 est.) Korea, South agriculture: 3% industry: 39.5% services: 57.6% (2008 est.) Kosovo agriculture: 20% industry: 20% services: 60% (2007 est.) Kuwait agriculture: 0.3% industry: 52.2% services: 47.5% (2008 est.) Kyrgyzstan agriculture: 29.8% industry: 19.7% services: 50.6% (2008 est.) Laos agriculture: 39.2% industry: 34.3% services: 26.5% (2008 est.) Latvia agriculture: 3.1% industry: 22.7% services: 74.2% (2008 est.) Lebanon agriculture: 5.1% industry: 18.8% services: 76.1% (2008 est.) Lesotho agriculture: 15.1% industry: 46.4% services: 38.5% (2008 est.) Liberia agriculture: 76.9% industry: 5.4% services: 17.7% (2002 est.) Libya agriculture: 1.7% industry: 70.9% services: 27.4% (2008 est.) Liechtenstein agriculture: 8% industry: 39% services: 54% (2007) Lithuania agriculture: 4.5% industry: 32.2% services: 63.3% (2008 est.) Luxembourg agriculture: 0.4% industry: 13.6% services: 86% (2007 est.) Macau agriculture: 0.1% industry: 2.8% services: 97.1% (2007 est.) Macedonia agriculture: 11.5% industry: 27.8% services: 60.7% (2008 est.) Madagascar agriculture: 26.2% industry: 15.2% services: 58.5% (2008 est.) Malawi agriculture: 39.2% industry: 16.8% services: 44% (2008 est.) Malaysia agriculture: 10.1% industry: 43.7% services: 46.3% (2008 est.) Maldives agriculture: 7% industry: 17% services: 76% (2006 est.) Mali agriculture: 45% industry: 17% services: 38% (2001 est.) Malta agriculture: 1.4% industry: 18% services: 80.6% (2007 est.) Marshall Islands agriculture: 31.7% industry: 14.9% services: 53.4% (2004 est.) Mauritania agriculture: 12.5% industry: 46.7% services: 40.7% (2008 est.) Mauritius agriculture: 4.6% industry: 24.9% services: 70.5% (2008 est.) Mayotte agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Mexico agriculture: 3.8% industry: 35.2% services: 61% (2008 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of agriculture: 28.9% industry: 15.2% services: 55.9% (2004 est.) Moldova agriculture: 19.4% industry: 20% services: 60.6% (2008 est.) Monaco agriculture: 0% industry: 4.9% services: 95.1% (2005) Mongolia agriculture: 18.8% industry: 38.5% services: 42.7% (2008) Montenegro agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Montserrat agriculture: 1.2% industry: 23.1% services: 75.7% (1999 est.) Morocco agriculture: 15.7% industry: 30.1% services: 54.1% (2008 est.) Mozambique agriculture: 23.5% industry: 30.9% services: 45.6% (2008 est.) Namibia agriculture: 9% industry: 37% services: 54% (2008 est.) Nauru agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Nepal agriculture: 32.5% industry: 16.6% services: 50.9% (FY07 est.) Netherlands agriculture: 1.7% industry: 25.5% services: 72.9% (2008 est.) Netherlands Antilles agriculture: 1% industry: 15% services: 84% (2000 est.) New Caledonia agriculture: 15% industry: 8.8% services: 76.2% (2003) New Zealand agriculture: 4.4% industry: 25.7% services: 69.9% (2008 est.) Nicaragua agriculture: 16.9% industry: 25.8% services: 57.3% (2008 est.) Niger agriculture: 39% industry: 17% services: 44% (2001) Nigeria agriculture: 18.1% industry: 50.8% services: 31.1% (2008 est.) Niue agriculture: 23.5% industry: 26.9% services: 49.5% (2003) Northern Mariana Islands agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Norway agriculture: 2% industry: 44.2% services: 53.8% (2008 est.) Oman agriculture: 2.1% industry: 36.1% services: 61.8% (2008 est.) Pakistan agriculture: 20.4% industry: 26.6% services: 53% (2008 est.) Palau agriculture: 6.2% industry: 12% services: 81.8% (2003) Panama agriculture: 6.4% industry: 17.2% services: 76.4% (2008 est.) Papua New Guinea agriculture: 33.3% industry: 36.3% services: 30.4% (2008 est.) Paraguay agriculture: 23.4% industry: 18.4% services: 58.2% (2008 est.) Peru agriculture: 8.5% industry: 21.2% services: 70.3% (2008 est.) Philippines agriculture: 14.7% industry: 31.6% services: 53.7% (2008 est.) Poland agriculture: 4.5% industry: 31.2% services: 64.3% (2008 est.) Portugal agriculture: 2.8% industry: 25% services: 72.2% (2008 est.) Puerto Rico agriculture: 1% industry: 45% services: 54% (2005 est.) Qatar agriculture: 0.1% industry: 74.9% services: 25.1% (2008 est.) Romania agriculture: 8.1% industry: 36% services: 55.9% (2008 est.) Russia agriculture: 4.7% industry: 37.6% services: 57.7% (2008 est.) Rwanda agriculture: 43.2% industry: 22.3% services: 34.5% (2008 est.) Saint Helena agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Saint Kitts and Nevis agriculture: 3.5% industry: 25.8% services: 70.7% (2001) Saint Lucia agriculture: 5% industry: 15% services: 80% (2005 est.) Saint Martin agriculture: 1% industry: 15% services: 84% (2000) Saint Pierre and Miquelon agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Saint Vincent and the Grenadines agriculture: 10% industry: 26% services: 64% (2001 est.) Samoa agriculture: 11.6% industry: 13.1% services: 75.3% (2004 est.) San Marino agriculture: 0.1% industry: 46.5% services: 53.4% (2007) Sao Tome and Principe agriculture: 14.6% industry: 14.6% services: 70.8% (2008 est.) Saudi Arabia agriculture: 3.1% industry: 61.9% services: 35% (2008 est.) Senegal agriculture: 16.1% industry: 19.3% services: 64.6% (2008 est.) Serbia agriculture: 12.3% industry: 24.2% services: 63.5% (2007 est.) Seychelles agriculture: 2% industry: 28.9% services: 69.2% (2008 est.) Sierra Leone agriculture: 49% industry: 31% services: 21% (2005 est.) Singapore agriculture: 0% industry: 27.8% services: 72.2% (2008 est.) Slovakia agriculture: 3.7% industry: 37.2% services: 59% (2008 est.) Slovenia agriculture: 2.2% industry: 33.4% services: 64.3% (2008 est.) Solomon Islands agriculture: 42% industry: 11% services: 47% (2005 est.) Somalia agriculture: 65% industry: 10% services: 25% (2005 est.) South Africa agriculture: 3.3% industry: 33.7% services: 63% (2008 est.) Spain agriculture: 3.4% industry: 29% services: 67.6% (2008 est.) Sri Lanka agriculture: 13.4% industry: 29.4% services: 57.3% (2008 est.) Sudan agriculture: 31% industry: 34.7% services: 34.3% (2008 est.) Suriname agriculture: 10.8% industry: 24.4% services: 64.8% (2005 est.) Swaziland agriculture: 11.2% industry: 46% services: 42.8% (2008 est.) Sweden agriculture: 1.6% industry: 28% services: 70.5% (2008 est.) Switzerland agriculture: 1.5% industry: 34% services: 64.5% (2003 est.) Syria agriculture: 18.5% industry: 26.9% services: 54.6% (2008 est.) Taiwan agriculture: 1.7% industry: 25.1% services: 73.2% (2008 est.) Tajikistan agriculture: 22.7% industry: 27.1% services: 50.2% (2008 est.) Tanzania agriculture: 27.1% industry: 22.5% services: 50.4% (2008 est.) Thailand agriculture: 11.6% industry: 45.1% services: 43.3% (2008 est.) Timor-Leste agriculture: 32.2% industry: 12.8% services: 55% (2005) Togo agriculture: 40% industry: 25% services: 35% (2008 est.) Tokelau agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Tonga agriculture: 25% industry: 17% services: 57% (FY05/06 est.) Trinidad and Tobago agriculture: 0.5% industry: 62.3% services: 37.2% (2008 est.) Tunisia agriculture: 10.5% industry: 37% services: 52.5% (2008 est.) Turkey agriculture: 8.8% industry: 27.5% services: 63.8% (2008 est.) Turkmenistan agriculture: 9.1% industry: 39% services: 51.9% (2008 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Tuvalu agriculture: 16.6% industry: 27.2% services: 56.2% (2002) Uganda agriculture: 21.5% industry: 24.6% services: 53.9% (2008 est.) Ukraine agriculture: 9.3% industry: 31.7% services: 58.9% (2008 est.) United Arab Emirates agriculture: 1.5% industry: 62.7% services: 35.7% (2008 est.) United Kingdom agriculture: 1.3% industry: 24.2% services: 74.5% (2008 est.) United States agriculture: 1.2% industry: 19.2% services: 79.6% (2008 est.) Uruguay agriculture: 9.5% industry: 23.4% services: 67.1% (2008 est.) Uzbekistan agriculture: 25.8% industry: 31.4% services: 42.8% (2008 est.) Vanuatu agriculture: 26% industry: 12% services: 62% (2000 est.) Venezuela agriculture: 3.8% industry: 37.6% services: 58.6% (2008 est.) Vietnam agriculture: 22% industry: 39.9% services: 38.1% (2008 est.) Virgin Islands agriculture: 1% industry: 19% services: 80% (2003 est.) Wallis and Futuna agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% West Bank agriculture: 8% industry: 13% services: 79% (includes Gaza Strip) (2007 est.) Western Sahara agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: 40% (2007 est.) World agriculture: 4% industry: 32% services: 64% (2008 est.) Yemen agriculture: 10.3% industry: 56.5% services: 33.2% (2008 est.) Zambia agriculture: 16% industry: 26.6% services: 57.4% (2008 est.) Zimbabwe agriculture: 18.1% industry: 22.6% services: 59.3% (2008 est.) ====================================================================== @2013 Field Listing :: Radio broadcast stations This entry includes the total number of AM, FM, and shortwave broadcast stations. Country Radio broadcast stations Afghanistan AM 21, FM 5, shortwave 1 (broadcasts in Pashto, Dari (Afghan Persian), Urdu, and English) (2006) Akrotiri AM NA, FM 1, shortwave NA (British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) provides Radio 1 and Radio 2 service to Akrotiri, Dhekelia, and Nicosia) (2006) Albania AM 13, FM 46, shortwave 1 (2005) Algeria AM 25, FM 1, shortwave 8 (1999) American Samoa AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0 (2005) Andorra AM 0, FM 1, shortwave 0 (easy access to radio and television broadcasts originating in France and Spain) (2007) Angola AM 21, FM 6, shortwave 7 (2001) Anguilla AM 2, FM 7, shortwave 0 (2004) Antarctica FM 2, shortwave 1 (information for US bases only); note - many research stations have a local FM radio station (2007) Antigua and Barbuda AM 4, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998) Argentina AM 260, FM (probably more than 1,000, mostly unlicensed), shortwave 6 (1998) Armenia AM 9, FM 16, shortwave 1 (2006) Aruba AM 2, FM 16, shortwave 0 (2004) Australia AM 262, FM 345, shortwave 1 (1998) Austria AM 2, FM 65 (plus several hundred repeaters), shortwave 1 (2001) Azerbaijan AM 10, FM 17, shortwave 1 (1998) Bahamas, The AM 3, FM 5, shortwave 0 (2006) Bahrain AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998) Bangladesh AM 15, FM 13, shortwave 2 (2006) Barbados AM 2, FM 6, shortwave 0 (2004) Belarus AM 28, FM 37, shortwave 11 (1998) Belgium AM 7, FM 79, shortwave 1 (1998) Belize AM 1, FM 16, shortwave 0 (2006) Benin AM 1, FM 34, shortwave 1 (2007) Bermuda AM 5, FM 3, shortwave 0 (2005) Bhutan AM 0, FM 9, shortwave 1 (2007) Bolivia AM 171, FM 73, shortwave 77 (1999) Bosnia and Herzegovina AM 8, FM 16, shortwave 1 (1998) Botswana AM 8, FM 13, shortwave 4 (2001) Brazil AM 1,365, FM 296, shortwave 161 (of which 91 are collocated with AM stations) (1999) British Indian Ocean Territory AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998) British Virgin Islands AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (2004) Brunei AM 1, FM 2 (transmitting on 18 different frequencies), shortwave 0 (British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) station transmits two FM signals with English and Nepali service) (2006) Bulgaria AM 31, FM 63, shortwave 2 (2001) Burkina Faso AM 2, FM 26, shortwave 3 (2007) Burma AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 3 (2007) Burundi AM 0, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001) Cambodia AM 1, FM 50, shortwave NA (2008) Cameroon AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 3 (2001) Canada AM 245, FM 582, shortwave 6 (2004) Cape Verde AM 0, FM 22 (plus 12 repeaters), shortwave 0 (2001) Cayman Islands AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 0 (2004) Central African Republic AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 1 (2001) Chad AM 2, FM 4, shortwave 5 (2001) Chile AM 180, FM 64, shortwave 17 (1998) China AM 369, FM 259, shortwave 45 (1998) Christmas Island AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2006) Cocos (Keeling) Islands AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2004) Colombia AM 454, FM 34, shortwave 27 (1999) Comoros AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001) Congo, Democratic Republic of the AM 3, FM 11, shortwave 2 (2001) Congo, Republic of the AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 3 (2001) Cook Islands AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (2004) Costa Rica AM 65, FM 51, shortwave 19 (2002) Cote d'Ivoire AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 3 (1998) Croatia AM 16, FM 98, shortwave 5 (1999) Cuba AM 169, FM 55, shortwave 1 (1998) Cyprus area under government control: AM 5, FM 76, shortwave 0 area administered by Turkish Cypriots: AM 1, FM 20, shortwave 1 (2004) Czech Republic AM 31, FM 304, shortwave 17 (2000) Denmark AM 1, FM 355, shortwave 0 (1998) Dhekelia AM NA, FM 1 (located in Akrotiri), shortwave NA (British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) provides Radio 1 and Radio 2 service to Akrotiri, Dhekelia, and Nicosia) (2006) Djibouti AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2001) Dominica AM 2, FM 4, shortwave 0 (2003) Dominican Republic AM 120, FM 56, shortwave 4 (1998) Ecuador AM 392, FM 35, shortwave 29 (2001) Egypt AM 42 (plus 15 repeaters), FM 11, shortwave 3 (1999) El Salvador AM 52, FM 144, shortwave 0 (2005) Equatorial Guinea AM 0, FM 3, shortwave 5 (2001) Eritrea AM 2, FM NA, shortwave 2 (2000) Estonia AM 0, FM 32, shortwave 0 (2007) Ethiopia AM 8, FM 0, shortwave 1 (2001) European Union AM 930, FM 13,655, shortwave 71 (1998); note - sum of individual country radio broadcast stations; there is also a European-wide station (Euroradio) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) AM 1, FM 7, shortwave 0 (British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) provides Radio 1 and Radio 2 service) (2006) Faroe Islands AM 1, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998) Fiji AM 13, FM 40, shortwave 0 (1998) Finland AM 2, FM 59, shortwave 2 (2008) France AM 41, FM about 3,500 (this figure is an approximation and includes many repeaters), shortwave 2 (1998) French Polynesia AM 2, FM 14, shortwave 2 (1998) Gabon AM 6, FM 7 (plus 11 repeaters), shortwave 4 (2001) Gambia, The AM 3, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2001) Gaza Strip AM 0, FM 10, shortwave 0 (2008) Georgia AM 7, FM 12, shortwave 4 (1998) Germany AM 51, FM 787, shortwave 4 (1998) Ghana AM 0, FM 86, shortwave 3 (2007) Gibraltar AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (1998) Greece AM 26, FM 88, shortwave 4 (1998) Greenland AM 5, FM 14, shortwave 0 (2008) Grenada AM 2, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998) Guam AM 3, FM 11, shortwave 2 (2005) Guatemala AM 130, FM 487, shortwave 15 (2000) Guernsey AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998) Guinea AM 0, FM 5, shortwave 3 (2006) Guinea-Bissau AM 1 (transmitter out of service), FM 4, shortwave 0 (2001) Guyana AM 3, FM 3, shortwave 1 (1998) Haiti AM 41, FM 26, shortwave 0 (1999) Holy See (Vatican City) AM 5, FM 3, shortwave 5 (2008) Honduras AM 241, FM 53, shortwave 12 (1998) Hong Kong AM 6, FM 10, shortwave 0 (2008) Hungary AM 5, FM 90, shortwave 1 (2008) Iceland AM 3, FM about 70, shortwave 1 (2008) India AM 153, FM 91, shortwave 68 (1998) Indonesia AM 678, FM 43, shortwave 82 (1998) Iran AM 72, FM 6, shortwave 5 (1998) Iraq 52 (station frequency types NA) (2008) Ireland AM 9, FM 106, shortwave 0 (1998) Isle of Man AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998) Israel AM 23, FM 15, shortwave 2 (1998) Italy AM about 100, FM about 4,600, shortwave 9 (1998) Jamaica AM 10, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998) Jan Mayen NA; note - there is one radio and meteorological station (1998) Japan AM 215 (plus 370 repeaters), FM 89 (plus 485 repeaters), shortwave 21 (2001) Jersey AM NA, FM 1, shortwave 0 (UK radio broadcasts carried via local relays) (2008) Jordan FM 31 (2007) Kazakhstan AM 60, FM 18, shortwave 9 (2008) Kenya AM 24, FM 82, shortwave 6 (2008) Kiribati AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 1 (may be inactive) (2002) Korea, North AM 17 (including 11 stations of Korean Central Broadcasting Station; North Korea has a "national intercom" cable radio station wired throughout the country that is a significant source of information for the average North Korean citizen; it is wired into most residences and workplaces and carries news and commentary), FM 14, shortwave 14 (2006) Korea, South AM 96, FM 322, shortwave 1 (2008) Kuwait AM 6, FM 11, shortwave 1 (1998) Kyrgyzstan AM 3 (plus 10 repeater stations), FM 23, shortwave NA (2007) Laos AM 7, FM 14, shortwave 2 (2006) Latvia AM 8, FM 62, shortwave 1 (2008) Lebanon AM 20, FM 32 (plus about a dozen unlicensed stations operating), shortwave 4 (2007) Lesotho AM 1, FM 3, shortwave 1 (2007) Liberia AM 0, FM 10, shortwave 2 (2007) Libya AM 16, FM 3, shortwave 3 (2001) Liechtenstein AM 0, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998) Lithuania AM 29, FM 142, shortwave 1 (2001) Luxembourg AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 2 (1999) Macau AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2008) Macedonia AM 29, FM 32, shortwave 0 (2008) Madagascar AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 6 (2001) Malawi AM 9, FM 5 (plus 15 repeater stations), shortwave 2 (plus one shortwave station on standby) (2001) Malaysia AM 35, FM 391, shortwave 15 (2001) Maldives AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998) Mali AM 1, FM 230 (27 regional and government stations, and 203 private stations), shortwave 1 (2001) Malta AM 1, FM 18, shortwave 6 (1999) Marshall Islands AM 1, FM 3, shortwave 0 (additionally, the American Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (Central Pacific Network) operates one FM and one AM station on Kwajalein Island) (2005) Mauritania AM 1, FM 14, shortwave 1 (2001) Mauritius AM 4, FM 9, shortwave 0 (2001) Mayotte AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (2001) Mexico AM 850, FM 545, shortwave 15 (2003) Micronesia, Federated States of AM 5, FM 1, shortwave 0 (2004) Moldova AM 2, FM 29, shortwave NA (2006) Monaco AM 1, FM 11, shortwave 1 (2008) Mongolia AM 7, FM 115 (includes 20 national radio broadcaster repeaters), shortwave 4 (2006) Montenegro 31 (station frequency types NA) (2004) Montserrat AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998) Morocco AM 27, FM 25, shortwave 6 (1998) Mozambique AM 13, FM 17, shortwave 11 (2001) Namibia AM 2, FM 39, shortwave 4 (2001) Nauru AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998) Nepal AM 6, FM 80, shortwave 4 (2008) Netherlands AM 4, FM 567, shortwave 1 (2008) Netherlands Antilles AM 8, FM 19, shortwave 0 (2003) New Caledonia AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (1998) New Zealand AM 124, FM 290, shortwave 4 (1998) Nicaragua AM 63, FM 32, shortwave 1 (1998) Niger AM 5, FM 6, shortwave 4 (2001) Nigeria AM 83, FM 36, shortwave 11 (2001) Niue AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998) Norfolk Island AM 1, FM 3, shortwave 0 (2005) Northern Mariana Islands AM 1, FM 6, shortwave 1 (2005) Norway AM 5, FM 160, shortwave 1 (2008) Oman AM 3, FM 9, shortwave 2 (1999) Pakistan AM 31, FM 68, shortwave NA (2006) Palau AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001) Panama AM 101, FM 134, shortwave 0 (1998) Papua New Guinea AM 8, FM 19, shortwave 28 (1998) Paraguay AM 41, FM 121, shortwave 6 (2006) Peru AM 472, FM 198, shortwave 189 (1999) Philippines AM 381, FM 628, shortwave 4 (2007) Pitcairn Islands AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 (15 ham radio operators (VP6)) (2004) Poland AM 14, FM 63, shortwave 2 (2008) Portugal AM 2, FM 63, shortwave 1 (2008) Puerto Rico AM 74, FM 53, shortwave 0 (2008) Qatar AM 6, FM 5, shortwave 1 (1998) Romania 698 (station frequency type NA) (2006) Russia AM 323, FM 1,500 est., shortwave 62 (2004) Rwanda AM 0, FM 10 (two main FM programs are broadcast through a system of repeaters; international FM programming includes the BBC, VOA, and Deutchewelle) (2007) Saint Helena Saint Helena: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 Ascension: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 1 (2005) Saint Kitts and Nevis AM 3, FM 3, shortwave 0 (2003) Saint Lucia AM 2, FM 7, shortwave 0 (2003) Saint Martin AM 0, FM 3, shortwave 0 (2007) Saint Pierre and Miquelon AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines AM 1, FM 6, shortwave 0 (2004) Samoa AM 2, FM 5, shortwave 0 (2004) San Marino AM 0, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2008) Sao Tome and Principe AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 1 (2001) Saudi Arabia AM 43, FM 31, shortwave 2 (1998) Senegal AM 8, FM 20, shortwave 1 (2001) Serbia 153 (station types NA) (2001) Seychelles AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 2 (2001) Sierra Leone AM 1, FM 9, shortwave 1 (2001) Singapore AM 0, FM 19, shortwave 1 (2008) Slovakia AM 1, FM 22, shortwave 1 (2008) Slovenia AM 10, FM 230, shortwave 0 (2006) Solomon Islands AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 1 (2004) Somalia AM 0, FM 11 (also 1 station each in Puntland and Somaliland), shortwave 1 (in Mogadishu) (2001) South Africa AM 14, FM 347 (plus 243 repeaters), shortwave 1 (1998) South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands 0 (2003) Spain AM 18, FM 250, shortwave 2 (2008) Sri Lanka AM 15, FM 52, shortwave 4 (2007) Sudan AM 12, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998) Suriname AM 4, FM 13, shortwave 1 (1998) Svalbard AM 1, FM 1 (plus 2 repeaters), shortwave 0 (1998) Swaziland AM 3, FM 2 (plus 4 repeaters), shortwave 3 (2004) Sweden AM 1, FM 124, shortwave 0 (2008) Switzerland AM 3, FM 106 (plus many low-power stations), shortwave 3 (2008) Syria AM 14, FM 2, shortwave 1 (1998) Taiwan AM 21, FM 143, shortwave 1 (2008) Tajikistan 16 (number of licensed stations with only about 10 broadcasting) (2009) Tanzania AM 12, FM 11, shortwave 2 (1998) Thailand AM 238, FM 351, shortwave 6 (2007) Timor-Leste at least 21 (Timor-Leste has one national public broadcaster and 20 community and church radio stations - station frequency types NA) (2007) Togo AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 4 (1998) Tokelau AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA (one radio station provides service to all islands) (2002) Tonga AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001) Trinidad and Tobago AM 4, FM 18, shortwave 0 (2001) Tunisia AM 7, FM 38, shortwave 2 (2007) Turkey AM 16, FM 107, shortwave 6 (2001) Turkmenistan AM 16, FM 8, shortwave 2 (1998) Turks and Caicos Islands AM 2, FM 7, shortwave 0 (2003) Tuvalu AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (2004) Uganda AM 7, FM 33, shortwave 2 (2001) Ukraine 524 (station frequency types NA) (2006) United Arab Emirates AM 13, FM 8, shortwave 2 (2004) United Kingdom AM 206, FM 696, shortwave 3 (2008) United States AM 4,789, FM 8,961, shortwave 19 (2006) Uruguay AM 93, FM 191, shortwave 7 (2005) Uzbekistan AM 4, FM 12, shortwave 3 (2008) Vanuatu AM 2, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001) Venezuela AM 201, FM unknown, but at least 25 in Caracas, shortwave 11 (1998) Vietnam AM 65, FM 7, shortwave 29 (1999) Virgin Islands AM 6, FM 16, shortwave 0 (2005) Wake Island AM 0, FM 0, shortwave 0 (American Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS)) provides satellite radio service (2005) Wallis and Futuna AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 (2000) West Bank AM 0, FM 25, shortwave 0 (2008) Western Sahara AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998) World AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA Yemen AM 6, FM 1, shortwave 2 (1998) Zambia AM 19, FM 5, shortwave 4 (2001) Zimbabwe AM 7, FM 20 (plus 17 repeater stations), shortwave 1 (1998) ====================================================================== @2014 Field Listing :: Radios Country Radios Afghanistan 167,000 (1999) Albania 1 million (2001) Algeria 7.1 million (1997) American Samoa 57,000 (1997) Andorra 16,000 (1997) Angola 815,000 (2000) Anguilla 3,000 (1997) Antarctica NA Antigua and Barbuda 36,000 (1997) Argentina 24.3 million (1997) Armenia 850,000 (1997) Aruba 50,000 (1997) Australia 25.5 million (1997) Austria 6.08 million (1997) Azerbaijan 175,000 (1997) Bahamas, The 215,000 (1997) Bahrain 338,000 (1997) Bangladesh 6.15 million (1997) Barbados 237,000 (1997) Belarus 3.02 million (1997) Belgium 8.075 million (1997) Belize 133,000 (1997) Benin 660,000 (2000) Bermuda 82,000 (1997) Bhutan 37,000 (1997) Bolivia 5.25 million (1997) Bosnia and Herzegovina 940,000 (1997) Botswana 252,720 (2000) Brazil 71 million (1997) British Indian Ocean Territory NA British Virgin Islands 9,000 (1997) Brunei 329,000 (1998) Bulgaria 4.51 million (1997) Burkina Faso 394,020 (2000) Burma 4.2 million (1997) Burundi 440,000 (2001) Cambodia 1.34 million (1997) Cameroon 2.27 million (1997) Canada 32.3 million (1997) Cape Verde 100,000 (2002 est.) Cayman Islands 36,000 (1997) Central African Republic 283,000 (1997) Chad 1.67 million (1997) Chile 5.18 million (1997) China 417 million (1997) Christmas Island 1,000 (1997) Cocos (Keeling) Islands 300 (1992) Colombia 21 million (1997) Comoros 90,000 (1997) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 18.03 million (1997) Congo, Republic of the 341,000 (1997) Cook Islands 14,000 (1997) Costa Rica 980,000 (1997) Cote d'Ivoire 2.26 million (1997) Croatia 1.51 million (1997) Cuba 3.9 million (1997) Cyprus Greek Cypriot area: 310,000 (1997); Turkish Cypriot area: 56,450 (1994) Czech Republic 3,159,134 (December 2000) Denmark 6.02 million (1997) Djibouti 52,000 (1997) Dominica 46,000 (1997) Dominican Republic 1.44 million (1997) Ecuador 5 million (2001) Egypt 20.5 million (1997) El Salvador 2.75 million (1997) Equatorial Guinea 180,000 (1997) Eritrea 345,000 (1997) Estonia 1.01 million (1997) Ethiopia 15.2 million (2002) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 1,000 (1997) Faroe Islands 26,000 (1997) Fiji 541,476 (1999) Finland 7.7 million (1997) France 55.3 million (1997) French Polynesia 128,000 (1997) Gabon 208,000 (1997) Gambia, The 196,000 (1997) Gaza Strip NA; note - most Palestinian households have radios (1999) Georgia 3.02 million (1997) Germany 77.8 million (1997) Ghana 12.5 million (2001) Gibraltar 37,000 (1997) Greece 5.02 million (1997) Greenland 30,000 (1998 est.) Grenada 57,000 (1997) Guam 221,000 (1997) Guatemala 835,000 (1997) Guernsey NA Guinea 357,000 (1997) Guinea-Bissau 49,000 (1997) Guyana 420,000 (1997) Haiti 415,000 (1997) Holy See (Vatican City) NA Honduras 2.45 million (1997) Hong Kong 4.45 million (1997) Hungary 7.01 million (1997) Iceland 260,000 (1997) India 116 million (1997) Indonesia 31.5 million (1997) Iran 17 million (1997) Iraq 4.85 million (1997) Ireland 2.55 million (1997) Isle of Man NA Israel 3.07 million (1997) Italy 50.5 million (1997) Jamaica 1.215 million (1997) Japan 120.5 million (1997) Jersey NA Jordan 1.66 million (1997) Kazakhstan 6.47 million (1997) Kenya 3.07 million (1997) Kiribati 17,000 (1997) Korea, North 3.36 million (1997) Korea, South 47.5 million (2000) Kuwait 1.175 million (1997) Kyrgyzstan 520,000 (1997) Laos 730,000 (1997) Latvia 1.76 million (1997) Lebanon 2.85 million (1997) Lesotho NA (2002) Liberia 790,000 (1997) Libya 1.35 million (1997) Liechtenstein 21,000 (1997) Lithuania 1.9 million (1997) Luxembourg 285,000 (1997) Macau 160,000 (1997) Macedonia 410,000 (1997) Madagascar 3.05 million (1997) Malawi 2.6 million (1997) Malaysia 10.9 million (1999) Maldives 35,000 (1999) Mali 570,000 (1997) Malta 255,000 (1997) Marshall Islands NA Mauritania 410,000 (2001) Mauritius 420,000 (1997) Mayotte NA Mexico 31 million (1997) Micronesia, Federated States of 9,400 (1996) Moldova 3.22 million (1997) Monaco 34,000 (1997) Mongolia 155,900 (1999) Montserrat 7,000 (1997) Morocco 6.64 million (1997) Mozambique 730,000 (1997) Namibia 232,000 (1997) Nauru 7,000 (1997) Nepal 840,000 (1997) Netherlands 15.3 million (1996) Netherlands Antilles 217,000 (1997) New Caledonia 107,000 (1997) New Zealand 3.75 million (1997) Nicaragua 1.24 million (1997) Niger 680,000 (1997) Nigeria 23.5 million (1997) Niue 1,000 (1997) Norfolk Island 2,500 (1996) Northern Mariana Islands NA Norway 4.03 million (1997) Oman 1.4 million (1997) Pakistan 13.5 million (1997) Palau 12,000 (1997) Panama 815,000 (1997) Papua New Guinea 410,000 (1997) Paraguay 925,000 (1997) Peru 6.65 million (1997) Philippines 11.5 million (1997) Pitcairn Islands NA Poland 20.2 million (1997) Portugal 3.02 million (1997) Puerto Rico 2.7 million (1997) Qatar 256,000 (1997) Romania 7.2 million (1997) Russia 61.5 million (1997) Rwanda 601,000 (1997) Saint Helena 3,000 (1997) Saint Kitts and Nevis 28,000 (1997) Saint Lucia 111,000 (1997) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 4,000 (1997) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 77,000 (1997) Samoa 174,849 (1997) San Marino 16,000 (1997) Sao Tome and Principe 38,000 (1997) Saudi Arabia 6.25 million (1997) Senegal 1.24 million (1997) Seychelles 42,000 (1997) Sierra Leone 1.12 million (1997) Singapore 2.6 million (2000) Slovakia 3.12 million (1997) Slovenia 805,000 (1997) Solomon Islands 57,000 (1997) Somalia 470,000 (1997) South Africa 17 million (2001) Spain 13.1 million (1997) Sri Lanka 3.85 million (1997) Sudan 7.55 million (1997) Suriname 300,000 (1997) Svalbard NA Swaziland 170,000 (1999) Sweden 8.25 million (1997) Switzerland 7.1 million (1997) Syria 4.15 million (1997) Taiwan 16 million (1994) Tajikistan 1.291 million (1991) Tanzania 8.8 million (1997) Thailand 13.96 million (1997) Timor-Leste NA Togo 940,000 (1997) Tokelau 1,000 (1997) Tonga 61,000 (1997) Trinidad and Tobago 680,000 (1997) Tunisia 2.06 million (1997) Turkey 11.3 million (1997) Turkmenistan 1.225 million (1997) Turks and Caicos Islands 8,000 (1997) Tuvalu 4,000 (1997) Uganda 5 million (2001) Ukraine 45.05 million (1997) United Arab Emirates 820,000 (1997) United Kingdom 84.5 million (1997) United States 575 million (1997) Uruguay 1.97 million (1997) Uzbekistan 10.8 million (1997) Vanuatu 67,000 (1997) Venezuela 10.75 million (1997) Vietnam 8.2 million (1997) Virgin Islands 107,000 (1997) Wallis and Futuna NA West Bank NA; note - most Palestinian households have radios (1999) Western Sahara 56,000 (1997) World NA Yemen 1.05 million (1997) Zambia 1.2 million (2001) Zimbabwe 1.14 million (1997) ====================================================================== @2015 Field Listing :: Television broadcast stations This entry gives the total number of separate broadcast stations plus any repeater stations. Country Television broadcast stations Afghanistan at least 7 (1 government-run central television station in Kabul and regional stations in 6 of the 34 provinces) (2006) Akrotiri 0 (British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) provides multi-channel satellite service to Akrotiri, Dhekelia, and Nicosia) (2006) Albania 65 (3 national, 62 local); 2 cable networks (2005) Algeria 46 (plus 216 repeaters) (1995) American Samoa 1 (2006) Andorra 1 (2007) Angola 6 (2000) Anguilla 1 (1997) Antarctica 1 (cable system with 6 channels; American Forces Antarctic Network-McMurdo - information for US bases only) (2002) Antigua and Barbuda 2 (1997) Argentina 42 (plus 444 repeaters) (1997) Armenia 48 (private television stations alongside 2 public networks; major Russian channels widely available) (2006) Aruba 1 (1997) Australia 104 (1997) Austria 10 (plus more than 1,000 repeaters) (2001) Azerbaijan 2 (1997) Bahamas, The 2 (2006) Bahrain 4 (1997) Bangladesh 15 (1999) Barbados 1 (plus 2 cable channels) (2004) Belarus 47 (plus 27 repeaters) (1995) Belgium 25 (plus 10 repeaters) (1997) Belize 7 (2008) Benin 6 (2007) Bermuda 3 (2005) Bhutan 1 (2007) Bolivia 48 (1997) Bosnia and Herzegovina 33 (plus 277 repeaters) (September 1995) Botswana 2 (1 state-owned, 1 private) Brazil 138 (1997) British Indian Ocean Territory 1 (1997) British Virgin Islands 1 (plus 1 cable company) (1997) Brunei 4 (includes 2 UHF stations broadcasting a subscription service) (2006) Bulgaria 39 (plus 1,242 repeaters) (2001) Burkina Faso 3 (1 national, 2 private) Burma 4 (2008) Burundi 1 (2001) Cambodia 8 (including 2 TV relay stations with French and Vietnamese broadcasts); excludes 18 regional relay stations (2008) Cameroon 1 (2001) Canada 148 (2007) Cape Verde 1 (plus 7 repeaters) (2001) Cayman Islands 4 with cable system (2004) Central African Republic 1 (2001) Chad 1 (2001) Chile 63 (plus 121 repeaters) (1997) China 3,240 (of which 209 are operated by China Central Television, 31 are provincial TV stations, and nearly 3,000 are local city stations) (1997) Christmas Island 0 (TV broadcasts received via satellite from mainland Australia) (2006) Cocos (Keeling) Islands 4 (2007) Colombia 60 (1997) Comoros NA Congo, Democratic Republic of the 4 (2001) Congo, Republic of the 1 (2001) Cook Islands 1 (outer islands receive satellite broadcasts) (2004) Costa Rica 20 (plus 43 repeaters) (2002) Cote d'Ivoire 14 (1998) Croatia 36 (plus 321 repeaters) (1995) Cuba 58 (1997) Cyprus area under government control: 8 area administered by Turkish Cypriots: 2 (plus 4 relay) (2004) Czech Republic 71 (2008) Denmark 172 (2008) Dhekelia 0 (British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) provides multi-channel satellite service to Akrotiri, Dhekelia, and Nicosia) (2006) Djibouti 1 (2001) Dominica 1 (2004) Dominican Republic 25 (2003) Ecuador 7 (plus 14 repeaters) (2000) Egypt 98 (September 1995) El Salvador 5 (1997) Equatorial Guinea 1 (2001) Eritrea 2 (2006) Estonia 4 (2007) Ethiopia 1 (plus 24 repeaters) (2001) European Union 2,700 (1995); note - sum of individual country television broadcast stations excluding repeaters; there is also a European-wide station (Eurovision) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 2 (British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) provides multi-channel satellite service to members of UK Forces as well as islanders); cable television is available in Stanley (2006) Faroe Islands 3 (plus 43 repeaters) (September 1995) Fiji NA Finland 120 (plus 431 repeaters) (1999); note - on 1 September 2007, Finland began broadcasting all television signals digitally; analog broadcasts via cable networks were discontinued 29 February 2008 France 584 (plus 9,676 repeaters) (1995) French Polynesia 7 (plus 17 repeaters) (1997) Gabon 4 (plus 4 repeaters) (2001) Gambia, The 1 (government-owned) (1997) Gaza Strip 1 (2008) Georgia 12 (plus repeaters) (1998) Germany 373 (plus 8,042 repeaters) (1995) Ghana 7 (2007) Gibraltar 1 (plus 3 repeaters) (1997) Greece 36 (plus 1,341 repeaters); also 2 stations in the American Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (1995) Greenland 1 (plus some local low-power stations, and 3 American Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) stations (1997) Grenada 2 (1997) Guam 3 (2006) Guatemala 26 (plus 27 repeaters) (1997) Guernsey 1 (1997) Guinea 6 (2001) Guinea-Bissau 1 (2007) Guyana 3 (1 public station; 2 private stations which relay US satellite services) (1997) Haiti 2 (plus a cable TV service) (1997) Holy See (Vatican City) 1 (2008) Honduras 11 (plus 17 repeaters) (1997) Hong Kong 2 (2 TV networks, each broadcasting on 2 channels) (2008) Hungary 95 (2008) Iceland 14 (plus 156 repeaters) (1997) India 562 (1997) Indonesia 54 local TV stations (11 national TV networks; each with its group of local transmitters) (2006) Iran 29 (plus 450 repeaters) (1997) Iraq 47 (2008) Ireland 4 (many repeaters); (projected digital broadcasting scheduled to be launched in 2009) (2008) Isle of Man 0 (receives broadcasts from the UK and satellite) (1999) Israel 17 (plus 36 repeaters) (1995) Italy 358 (plus 4,728 repeaters) (1995) Jamaica 7 (1997) Japan 211 (plus 7,341 repeaters); in addition, US Forces are served by 3 TV stations and 2 TV cable services (1999) Jersey 2 (UK television carried by local relays with a switch to digital broadcasts scheduled for 2010) (2008) Jordan 22 (2007) Kazakhstan 12 (plus 9 repeaters) (1998) Kenya 8 (2008) Kiribati 1 (possibly inactive) (2002) Korea, North 4 (includes Korean Central Television, Mansudae Television, Korean Educational and Cultural Network, and Kaesong Television targeting South Korea) (2003) Korea, South 57 (plus 103 cable operators and 119 relay cable operators) (2008) Kuwait 13 (plus several satellite channels) (1997) Kyrgyzstan 8 (2 countrywide and 6 regional stations; state-owned); note - there are about 20 private TV stations, most of which rebroadcast other channels (2007) Laos 7 (includes 1 station relaying Vietnam Television from Hanoi) (2006) Latvia 37 (plus 31 repeaters) (2008) Lebanon 15 (plus 5 repeaters) (1995) Lesotho 1 (2007) Liberia 4 (plus 4 repeaters) (2007) Libya 12 (plus 1 repeater) (1999) Liechtenstein NA (linked to Swiss networks) (1997) Lithuania 44 (may have as many as 100 transmitters, including repeater stations) (2008) Luxembourg 5 (1999) Macau 1 (2008) Macedonia 52 (2007) Madagascar 1 (plus 36 repeaters) (2001) Malawi 1 (2001) Malaysia 88 (mainland Malaysia 51, Sabah 16, and Sarawak 21) (2006) Maldives 1 (2006) Mali 2 (plus repeaters) (2007) Malta 5 (2006) Marshall Islands 2 (both are US military stations; Marshalls Broadcasting Service, a cable company, operates on Majuro) (2005) Mauritania 1 (2002) Mauritius 2 (plus several repeaters) (1997) Mayotte 3 (2001) Mexico 236 (plus repeaters) (1997) Micronesia, Federated States of 3 (cable TV also available) (2004) Moldova 40 (2006) Monaco 5 (1998) Mongolia 68 (2008) Montenegro 13 (2004) Montserrat 1 (1997) Morocco 35 (plus 66 repeaters) (1995) Mozambique 4 (2008) Namibia 2 (2007) Nauru 1 (1997) Nepal 9 (plus 9 repeaters) (2008) Netherlands 342 (2008) Netherlands Antilles 3 (there is also a cable service that supplies programs received from various US satellite networks and 4 Venezuelan channels) (2003) New Caledonia 6 (plus 25 repeaters) (1997) New Zealand 41 (plus about 700 repeaters) (1997) Nicaragua 3 (plus 7 repeaters) (1997) Niger 5 (2007) Nigeria 3 (the government controls 2 of the broadcasting stations and 15 repeater stations) (2001) Niue 1 (1997) Norfolk Island 1 (local programming station plus 2 repeaters that air Australian programs by satellite) (2005) Northern Mariana Islands 1 (on Saipan; in addition, 2 cable services on Saipan provide varied programming from satellite networks) (2006) Norway 69 (2008) Oman 13 (plus 25 repeaters) (1999) Pakistan 20 (5 state-run channels and 15 privately-owned satellite channels) (2006) Palau 1 (cable) (2005) Panama 38 (including repeaters) (1998) Papua New Guinea 3 (all in the Port Moresby area; stations at Mt. Hagen, Goroka, Lae, and Rabaul are planned) (2004) Paraguay 5 (2007) Peru 13 (plus 112 repeaters) (1997) Philippines 250 (plus 1,501 CATV networks) (2007) Poland 75 (2008) Portugal 42 (2008) Puerto Rico 34 (2008) Qatar 1 (plus 3 repeaters) (2001) Romania 623 (plus 200 repeaters) (2006) Russia 7,306 (1998) Rwanda 2 (2004) Saint Helena 0 (3 television channels are received via satellite and distributed by UHF) (2005) Saint Kitts and Nevis 1 (plus 3 repeaters) (2003) Saint Lucia 2 (1 commercial broadcast station and 1 community antenna television or CATV channel) (2003) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0 (2 repeaters rebroadcast programs from France, Canada, and the US) (1997) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1 (plus 3 repeaters) (2004) Samoa 2 (2002) San Marino 1 (San Marino residents also receive broadcasts from Italy) (1997) Sao Tome and Principe 2 (2001) Saudi Arabia 117 (1997) Senegal 4 (2007) Seychelles 2 (plus 9 repeaters) (1997) Sierra Leone 2 (1999) Singapore 1 (broadcasting on 8 channels); additional reception of numerous UHF and VHF signals originating in Malaysia and Indonesia (2008) Slovakia 37 (2008) Slovenia 31 (2006) Somalia 4 (2 in Mogadishu and 2 in Hargeisa) (2001) South Africa 556 (plus 144 network repeaters) (1997) South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands 0 (2003) Spain 379 (2008) Sri Lanka 14 (2006) Sudan 3 (1997) Suriname 3 (plus 7 repeaters) (2000) Svalbard NA Swaziland 12 (includes 7 relay stations) (2004) Sweden 252 (2008) Switzerland 106 (2007) Syria 44 (plus 17 repeaters) (1995) Taiwan 76 (5 television networks with 46 digital and 30 analog stations) (2007) Tajikistan 24 (number of licensed stations with only about 15 active) (2009) Tanzania 3 (1999) Thailand 111 (2006) Timor-Leste 1 (Timor-Leste has one national public broadcaster) Togo 3 (plus 2 repeaters) (1997) Tonga 3 (2004) Trinidad and Tobago 6 (2005) Tunisia 26 (plus 76 repeaters) (1995) Turkey 635 (plus 2,934 repeaters) (1995) Turkmenistan 4 (government-owned and programmed) (2004) Turks and Caicos Islands 0 (broadcasts received from The Bahamas; 2 cable television networks) (2003) Tuvalu 0 (2004) Uganda 8 (plus 1 repeater) (2001) Ukraine 647 (2006) United Arab Emirates 15 (2004) United Kingdom 940 (2008) United States 2,218 (2006) Uruguay 62 (2005) Uzbekistan 28 (includes 1 cable rebroadcaster in Tashkent and approximately 20 stations in regional capitals) (2006) Vanuatu 1 (2004) Venezuela 66 (plus 45 repeaters) (1997) Vietnam 67 (includes 61 relay, provincial, and city TV stations) (2006) Virgin Islands 5 (2006) Wake Island 0 (2005) Wallis and Futuna 2 (2000) West Bank 30 (2008) Western Sahara NA World NA Yemen 3 (including one Egypt-based station that broadcasts in Yemen); plus several repeaters (2007) Zambia 9 (2001) Zimbabwe 16 (1997) ====================================================================== @2016 Field Listing :: Televisions Country Televisions Afghanistan 100,000 (1999) Albania 700,000 (2001) Algeria 3.1 million (1997) American Samoa 14,000 (1997) Andorra 27,000 (1997) Angola 196,000 (2000) Anguilla 1,000 (1997) Antarctica several hundred at McMurdo Station (US) note: information for US bases only (2001) Antigua and Barbuda 31,000 (1997) Argentina 7.95 million (1997) Armenia 825,000 (1997) Aruba 20,000 (1997) Australia 10.15 million (1997) Austria 4.25 million (1997) Azerbaijan 170,000 (1997) Bahamas, The 67,000 (1997) Bahrain 275,000 (1997) Bangladesh 770,000 (1997) Barbados 76,000 (1997) Belarus 2.52 million (1997) Belgium 4.72 million (1997) Belize 41,000 (1997) Benin 66,000 (2000) Bermuda 66,000 (1997) Bhutan 11,000 (1997) Bolivia 900,000 (1997) Bosnia and Herzegovina NA Botswana 31,000 (1997) Brazil 36.5 million (1997) British Indian Ocean Territory NA British Virgin Islands 4,000 (1997) Brunei 201,900 (1998) Bulgaria 3.31 million (1997) Burkina Faso 131,340 (2002) Burma 320,000 (2000) Burundi 25,000 (1997) Cambodia 94,000 (1997) Cameroon 450,000 (1997) Canada 21.5 million (1997) Cape Verde 15,000 (2002 est.) Cayman Islands 7,000 (1997) Central African Republic 18,000 (1997) Chad 10,000 (1997) Chile 3.15 million (1997) China 400 million (1997) Christmas Island 600 (1997) Cocos (Keeling) Islands NA Colombia 4.59 million (1997) Comoros 1,000 (1997) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 6.478 million (1997) Congo, Republic of the 33,000 (1997) Cook Islands 4,000 (1997) Costa Rica 525,000 (1997) Cote d'Ivoire 1.09 million (2000) Croatia 1.22 million (1997) Cuba 2.64 million (1997) Cyprus Greek Cypriot area: 248,000 (1997); Turkish Cypriot area: 52,300 (1994) Czech Republic 3,405,834 (December 2000) Denmark 3.121 million (1997) Djibouti 28,000 (1997) Dominica 6,000 (1997) Dominican Republic 770,000 (1997) Ecuador 2.5 million (2001) Egypt 7.7 million (1997) El Salvador 600,000 (1990) Equatorial Guinea 4,000 (1997) Eritrea 1,000 (1997) Estonia 605,000 (1997) Ethiopia 682,000 (2002) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 1,000 (1997) Faroe Islands 15,000 (1997) Fiji 88,110 (1999) Finland 3.2 million (1997) France 34.8 million (1997) French Polynesia 40,000 (1997) Gabon 63,000 (1997) Gambia, The 5,000 (2000) Gaza Strip NA; note - most Palestinian households have televisions (1997) Georgia 2.57 million (1997) Germany 51.4 million (1998) Ghana 1.9 million (2001) Gibraltar 10,000 (1997) Greece 2.54 million (1997) Greenland 30,000 (1998 est.) Grenada 33,000 (1997) Guam 106,000 (1997) Guatemala 1.323 million (1997) Guernsey NA Guinea 85,000 (1997) Guinea-Bissau NA Guyana 46,000 (1997) Haiti 38,000 (1997) Holy See (Vatican City) NA Honduras 570,000 (1997) Hong Kong 1.84 million (1997) Hungary 4.42 million (1997) Iceland 98,000 (1997) India 63 million (1997) Indonesia 13.75 million (1997) Iran 4.61 million (1997) Iraq 1.75 million (1997) Ireland 1.82 million (2001) Isle of Man 27,490 (1999) Israel 1.69 million (1997) Italy 30.3 million (1997) Jamaica 460,000 (1997) Japan 86.5 million (1997) Jersey NA Jordan 500,000 (1997) Kazakhstan 3.88 million (1997) Kenya 730,000 (1997) Kiribati 1,000 (1997) Korea, North 1.2 million (1997) Korea, South 15.9 million (1997) Kuwait 875,000 (1997) Kyrgyzstan 210,000 (1997) Laos 52,000 (1997) Latvia 1.22 million (1997) Lebanon 1.18 million (1997) Lesotho NA Liberia 70,000 (1997) Libya 730,000 (1997) Liechtenstein 12,000 (1997) Lithuania 1.7 million (1997) Luxembourg 285,000 (1998 est.) Macau 49,000 (1997) Macedonia 510,000 (1997) Madagascar 325,000 (1997) Malawi NA Malaysia 10.8 million (1999) Maldives 10,000 (1999) Mali 45,000 (1997) Malta 280,000 (1997) Marshall Islands NA Mauritania 98,000 (2001) Mauritius 258,000 (1997) Mayotte 3,500 (1994) Mexico 25.6 million (1997) Micronesia, Federated States of 2,800 (1999) Moldova 1.26 million (1997) Monaco 25,000 (1997) Mongolia 168,800 (1999) Montserrat 3,000 (1997) Morocco 3.1 million (1997) Mozambique 67,600 (2000) Namibia 60,000 (1997) Nauru 500 (1997) Nepal 130,000 (1997) Netherlands 8.1 million (1997) Netherlands Antilles 69,000 (1997) New Caledonia 52,000 (1997) New Zealand 1.926 million (1997) Nicaragua 320,000 (1997) Niger 125,000 (1997) Nigeria 6.9 million (1997) Niue NA Norfolk Island 1,200 (1996) Northern Mariana Islands NA Norway 2.03 million (1997) Oman 1.6 million (1997) Pakistan 3.1 million (1997) Palau 11,000 (1997) Panama 510,000 (1997) Papua New Guinea 59,841 (1999) Paraguay 990,000 (2001) Peru 3.06 million (1997) Philippines 3.7 million (1997) Pitcairn Islands NA Poland 13.05 million (1997) Portugal 3.31 million (1997) Puerto Rico 1.021 million (1997) Qatar 230,000 (1997) Romania 5.25 million (1997) Russia 60.5 million (1997) Rwanda NA; probably less than 1,000 (1997) Saint Helena 2,000 (1997) Saint Kitts and Nevis 10,000 (1997) Saint Lucia 32,000 (1997) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 4,000 (1997) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 18,000 (1997) Samoa 8,634 (1999) San Marino 9,000 (1997) Sao Tome and Principe 23,000 (1997) Saudi Arabia 5.1 million (1997) Senegal 361,000 (1997) Seychelles 11,000 (1997) Sierra Leone 53,000 (1997) Singapore 1.33 million (1997) Slovakia 2.62 million (1997) Slovenia 710,000 (1997) Solomon Islands 3,000 (1997) Somalia 135,000 (1997) South Africa 6 million (2000) Spain 16.2 million (1997) Sri Lanka 1.53 million (1997) Sudan 2.38 million (1997) Suriname 63,000 (1997) Svalbard NA Swaziland 23,000 (2000) Sweden 4.6 million (1997) Switzerland 3.31 million (1997) Syria 1.05 million (1997) Taiwan 8.8 million (1998) Tajikistan 820,000 (1997) Tanzania 103,000 (1997) Thailand 15.19 million (1997) Timor-Leste NA Togo 73,000 (1997) Tonga 2,000 (1997) Trinidad and Tobago 425,000 (1997) Tunisia 920,000 (1997) Turkey 20.9 million (1997) Turkmenistan 820,000 (1997) Turks and Caicos Islands NA Tuvalu 800 Uganda 500,000 (2001) Ukraine 18.05 million (1997) United Arab Emirates 310,000 (1997) United Kingdom 30.5 million (1997) United States 219 million (1997) Uruguay 782,000 (1997) Uzbekistan 6.4 million (1997) Vanuatu 2,300 (1999) Venezuela 4.1 million (1997) Vietnam 3.57 million (1997) Virgin Islands 68,000 (1997) Wallis and Futuna NA West Bank NA; note - many Palestinian households have televisions (1999) Western Sahara 6,000 (1997) World NA Yemen 470,000 (1997) Zambia 277,000 (1997) Zimbabwe 370,000 (1997) ====================================================================== @2018 Field Listing :: Sex ratio This entry includes the number of males for each female in five age groups - at birth, under 15 years, 15-64 years, 65 years and over, and for the total population. Sex ratio at birth has recently emerged as an indicator of certain kinds of sex discrimination in some countries. For instance, high sex ratios at birth in some Asian countries are now attributed to sex-selective abortion and infanticide due to a strong preference for sons. This will affect future marriage patterns and fertility patterns. Eventually, it could cause unrest among young adult males who are unable to find partners. Country Sex ratio(male(s)/female) Afghanistan at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Albania at birth: 1.1 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Algeria at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.) American Samoa at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Andorra at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.98 male(s)/female total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Angola at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Anguilla at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Antigua and Barbuda at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.87 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Argentina at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Armenia at birth: 1.14 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.15 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.88 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female total population: 0.89 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Aruba at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female total population: 0.9 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Australia at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Austria at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Azerbaijan at birth: 1.13 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.12 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.58 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Bahamas, The at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Bahrain at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.34 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.12 male(s)/female total population: 1.24 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Bangladesh at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Barbados at birth: 1.01 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Belarus at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.47 male(s)/female total population: 0.87 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Belgium 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: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Belize at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Benin at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Bermuda at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Bhutan at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.13 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.12 male(s)/female total population: 1.1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Bolivia at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Botswana at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Brazil at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) British Virgin Islands at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.06 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Brunei at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Bulgaria at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Burkina Faso at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Burma at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Burundi at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Cambodia at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Cameroon at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Canada 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: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Cape Verde at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.58 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Cayman Islands at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Central African Republic at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Chad at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.85 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Chile at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) China at birth: 1.1 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.13 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Christmas Island NA (2009 est.) Colombia at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Comoros at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Congo, Republic of the at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Cook Islands at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.13 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.97 male(s)/female total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Costa Rica 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: 0.86 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Cote d'Ivoire at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Croatia at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Cuba 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: 0.83 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Cyprus at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Czech Republic at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Denmark at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Djibouti at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.01 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Dominica at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Dominican Republic at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Ecuador at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Egypt 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: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2009 est.) El Salvador at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Equatorial Guinea at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Eritrea at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Estonia at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.49 male(s)/female total population: 0.84 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Ethiopia at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2009 est.) European Union 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: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Faroe Islands at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.15 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female total population: 1.09 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Fiji 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: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Finland 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: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.) France at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.) French Polynesia at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Gabon at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Gambia, The at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Gaza Strip at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Georgia at birth: 1.13 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.15 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Germany at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Ghana at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Gibraltar at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Greece 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: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Greenland at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.16 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.01 male(s)/female total population: 1.12 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Grenada at birth: 1 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.12 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.97 male(s)/female total population: 1.08 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Guam at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Guatemala at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Guernsey at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Guinea at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Guinea-Bissau at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Guyana at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Haiti at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Honduras 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: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Hong Kong at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Hungary at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.57 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Iceland at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) India at birth: 1.12 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Indonesia at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Iran 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: 0.92 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Iraq at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Ireland at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Isle of Man at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Israel at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Italy at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Jamaica at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Japan at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Jersey at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Jordan at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.15 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female total population: 1.1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Kazakhstan at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.54 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Kenya at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Kiribati 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: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Korea, North at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Korea, South at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Kosovo at birth: 1.09 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Kuwait at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.78 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.66 male(s)/female total population: 1.54 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Kyrgyzstan at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Laos at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Latvia at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.49 male(s)/female total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Lebanon at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Lesotho at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Liberia at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Libya at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Liechtenstein at birth: 1.01 male(s)/female under 15 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Lithuania at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.53 male(s)/female total population: 0.89 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Luxembourg at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Macau at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.14 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.88 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Macedonia at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Madagascar at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Malawi at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Malaysia at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Maldives at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.62 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female total population: 1.44 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Mali at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Malta at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Marshall Islands at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Mauritania at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.89 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Mauritius at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Mayotte at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.16 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.04 male(s)/female total population: 1.08 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Mexico 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: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Moldova at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.58 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Monaco at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Mongolia 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: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Montenegro at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Montserrat at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.95 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Morocco 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: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Mozambique 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 total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Namibia at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Nauru at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.04 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Nepal at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Netherlands 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: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Netherlands Antilles at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2009 est.) New Caledonia at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.) New Zealand at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Nicaragua 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: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Niger at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Nigeria at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Niue NA (2009 est.) Norfolk Island NA (2009 est.) Northern Mariana Islands at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.67 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.08 male(s)/female total population: 0.74 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Norway at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Oman at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.38 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.32 male(s)/female total population: 1.22 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Pakistan at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Palau at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.26 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.45 male(s)/female total population: 1.14 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Panama 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 total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Papua New Guinea at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Paraguay at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Peru at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Philippines 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: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Pitcairn Islands NA (2009 est.) Poland at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Portugal at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Puerto Rico at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Qatar at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 2.46 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.38 male(s)/female total population: 2 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Romania at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Russia at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.44 male(s)/female total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Rwanda at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Saint Barthelemy at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.19 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.99 male(s)/female total population: 1.14 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Saint Helena at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Saint Lucia at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Saint Martin at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Samoa at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2009 est.) San Marino at birth: 1.09 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Sao Tome and Principe at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Saudi Arabia at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.29 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.06 male(s)/female total population: 1.18 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Senegal at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Serbia at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and above: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Seychelles at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Sierra Leone at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Singapore at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Slovakia at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Slovenia at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Solomon Islands at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Somalia at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) South Africa at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Spain at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Sri Lanka at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Sudan at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.07 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Suriname at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Svalbard NA (2009 est.) Swaziland at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Sweden at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Switzerland at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Syria at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Taiwan at birth: 1.09 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Tajikistan at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Tanzania at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Thailand at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Timor-Leste at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Togo at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Tokelau NA (2009 est.) Tonga at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Trinidad and Tobago at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Tunisia at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Turkey 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: 0.84 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Turkmenistan at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.95 male(s)/female total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Tuvalu at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Uganda at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Ukraine at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.5 male(s)/female total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2009 est.) United Arab Emirates at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 2.74 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.82 male(s)/female total population: 2.19 male(s)/female (2009 est.) United Kingdom at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) United States 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: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Uruguay at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Uzbekistan at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Vanuatu at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.06 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Venezuela at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Vietnam at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Virgin Islands at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.88 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 0.9 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Wallis and Futuna at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.11 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.) West Bank at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Western Sahara at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) World at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Yemen at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Zambia at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Zimbabwe at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.81 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 0.9 male(s)/female (2009 est.) ====================================================================== @2019 Field Listing :: Heliports This entry gives the total number of heliports with hard-surface runways, helipads, or landing areas that support routine sustained helicopter operations exclusively and have support facilities including one or more of the following facilities: lighting, fuel, passenger handling, or maintenance. It includes former airports used exclusively for helicopter operations but excludes heliports limited to day operations and natural clearings that could support helicopter landings and takeoffs. Country Heliports Afghanistan 11 (2009) Albania 1 (2009) Algeria 2 (2009) Antarctica 53 note: all year-round and seasonal stations operated by National Antarctic Programs stations have some kind of helicopter landing facilities, prepared (helipads) or unprepared (2007) Argentina 2 (2009) Australia 1 (2009) Austria 1 (2009) Azerbaijan 1 (2009) Bahamas, The 1 (2009) Bahrain 1 (2009) Belarus 1 (2009) Belgium 1 (2009) Bosnia and Herzegovina 5 (2009) Brazil 13 (2009) Brunei 3 (2009) Bulgaria 3 (2009) Burma 5 (2009) Burundi 1 (2009) Cambodia 1 (2009) Canada 12 (2009) China 45 (2009) Colombia 2 (2009) Croatia 1 (2009) Cyprus 9 (2009) Czech Republic 1 (2009) Ecuador 2 (2009) Egypt 6 (2009) El Salvador 1 (2009) Eritrea 1 (2009) Estonia 1 (2009) European Union 100 (2007) France 1 (2009) French Polynesia 1 (2009) Gaza Strip 1 (2009) Georgia 3 (2009) Germany 25 (2009) Greece 9 (2009) Hong Kong 9 (2009) Hungary 5 (2009) India 37 (2009) Indonesia 36 (2009) Iran 19 (2009) Iraq 21 (2009) Israel 3 (2009) Italy 6 (2009) Japan 15 (2009) Jordan 1 (2009) Kazakhstan 4 (2009) Korea, North 22 (2009) Korea, South 516 (2009) Kosovo 2 (2009) Kuwait 4 (2009) Libya 2 (2009) Luxembourg 1 (2009) Macau 2 (2009) Malaysia 2 (2009) Mexico 1 (2009) Monaco 1 (2007) Mongolia 1 (2009) Montenegro 1 (2007) Morocco 1 (2009) Netherlands 1 (2009) New Caledonia 8 (2009) Nigeria 3 (2009) Northern Mariana Islands 1 (2009) Norway 1 (2009) Oman 3 (2009) Pakistan 19 (2009) Panama 3 (2009) Papua New Guinea 2 (2009) Peru 1 (2009) Philippines 2 (2009) Poland 7 (2009) Qatar 1 (2009) Romania 2 (2009) Russia 48 (2009) Saudi Arabia 9 (2009) Serbia 2 (2007) Sierra Leone 2 (2009) Slovakia 1 (2009) Solomon Islands 3 (2009) South Africa 1 (2009) Spain 9 (2009) Spratly Islands 3 (2009) Sudan 4 (2009) Svalbard 1 (2009) Sweden 2 (2009) Switzerland 1 (2009) Syria 7 (2009) Taiwan 4 (2009) Thailand 4 (2009) Timor-Leste 8 (2009) Turkey 21 (2009) Turkmenistan 1 (2009) Ukraine 7 (2009) United Arab Emirates 5 (2009) United Kingdom 11 (2009) United States 126 (2009) Venezuela 4 (2009) Vietnam 1 (2009) World 1,359 (2007) ====================================================================== @2020 Field Listing :: Elevation extremes This entry includes both the highest point and the lowest point. Country Elevation extremes(m) Afghanistan lowest point: Amu Darya 258 m highest point: Nowshak 7,485 m Albania lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m highest point: Maja e Korabit (Golem Korab) 2,764 m Algeria lowest point: Chott Melrhir -40 m highest point: Tahat 3,003 m American Samoa lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Lata Mountain 964 m Andorra lowest point: Riu Runer 840 m highest point: Coma Pedrosa 2,946 m Angola lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Morro de Moco 2,620 m Anguilla lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Crocus Hill 65 m Antarctica lowest point: Bentley Subglacial Trench -2,540 m highest point: Vinson Massif 4,897 m note: the lowest known land point in Antarctica is hidden in the Bentley Subglacial Trench; at its surface is the deepest ice yet discovered and the world's lowest elevation not under seawater Antigua and Barbuda lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Boggy Peak 402 m Arctic Ocean lowest point: Fram Basin -4,665 m highest point: sea level 0 m Argentina lowest point: Laguna del Carbon -105 m (located between Puerto San Julian and Comandante Luis Piedra Buena in the province of Santa Cruz) highest point: Cerro Aconcagua 6,960 m (located in the northwestern corner of the province of Mendoza) Armenia lowest point: Debed River 400 m highest point: Aragats Lerrnagagat' 4,090 m Aruba lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Jamanota 188 m Ashmore and Cartier Islands lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 3 m Atlantic Ocean lowest point: Milwaukee Deep in the Puerto Rico Trench -8,605 m highest point: sea level 0 m Australia lowest point: Lake Eyre -15 m highest point: Mount Kosciuszko 2,229 m Austria lowest point: Neusiedler See 115 m highest point: Grossglockner 3,798 m Azerbaijan lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m highest point: Bazarduzu Dagi 4,485 m Bahamas, The lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Alvernia, on Cat Island 63 m Bahrain lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Jabal ad Dukhan 122 m Bangladesh lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Keokradong 1,230 m Barbados lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Hillaby 336 m Belarus lowest point: Nyoman River 90 m highest point: Dzyarzhynskaya Hara 346 m Belgium lowest point: North Sea 0 m highest point: Signal de Botrange 694 m Belize lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Doyle's Delight 1,160 m Benin lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Sokbaro 658 m Bermuda lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Town Hill 76 m Bhutan lowest point: Drangme Chhu 97 m highest point: Kula Kangri 7,553 m Bolivia lowest point: Rio Paraguay 90 m highest point: Nevado Sajama 6,542 m Bosnia and Herzegovina lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m highest point: Maglic 2,386 m Botswana lowest point: junction of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers 513 m highest point: Tsodilo Hills 1,489 m Bouvet Island lowest point: South Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Olav Peak 935 m Brazil lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pico da Neblina 3,014 m British Indian Ocean Territory lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Diego Garcia 15 m British Virgin Islands lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Sage 521 m Brunei lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: Bukit Pagon 1,850 m Bulgaria lowest point: Black Sea 0 m highest point: Musala 2,925 m Burkina Faso lowest point: Mouhoun (Black Volta) River 200 m highest point: Tena Kourou 749 m Burma lowest point: Andaman Sea 0 m highest point: Hkakabo Razi 5,881 m Burundi lowest point: Lake Tanganyika 772 m highest point: Heha 2,670 m Cambodia lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m highest point: Phnum Aoral 1,810 m Cameroon lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Fako 4,095 m (on Mt. Cameroon) Canada lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Logan 5,959 m Cape Verde lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mt. Fogo 2,829 m (a volcano on Fogo Island) Cayman Islands lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: The Bluff (Cayman Brac) 43 m Central African Republic lowest point: Oubangui River 335 m highest point: Mont Ngaoui 1,420 m Chad lowest point: Djourab Depression 160 m highest point: Emi Koussi 3,415 m Chile lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Nevado Ojos del Salado 6,880 m China lowest point: Turpan Pendi -154 m highest point: Mount Everest 8,850 m Christmas Island lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Murray Hill 361 m Clipperton Island lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Rocher Clipperton 29 m Cocos (Keeling) Islands lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 5 m Colombia lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Pico Cristobal Colon 5,775 m note: nearby Pico Simon Bolivar also has the same elevation Comoros lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Le Karthala 2,360 m Congo, Democratic Republic of the lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pic Marguerite on Mont Ngaliema (Mount Stanley) 5,110 m Congo, Republic of the lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Berongou 903 m Cook Islands lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Te Manga 652 m Coral Sea Islands lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Cato Island 6 m Costa Rica lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Cerro Chirripo 3,810 m Cote d'Ivoire lowest point: Gulf of Guinea 0 m highest point: Mont Nimba 1,752 m Croatia lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m highest point: Dinara 1,830 m Cuba lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Pico Turquino 2,005 m Cyprus lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Olympus 1,951 m Czech Republic lowest point: Elbe River 115 m highest point: Snezka 1,602 m Denmark lowest point: Lammefjord -7 m highest point: Yding Skovhoej 173 m Djibouti lowest point: Lac Assal -155 m highest point: Moussa Ali 2,028 m Dominica lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Morne Diablatins 1,447 m Dominican Republic lowest point: Lago Enriquillo -46 m highest point: Pico Duarte 3,175 m Ecuador lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Chimborazo 6,267 m note: due to the fact that the earth is not a perfect sphere and has an equatorial bulge, the highest point on the planet furthest from its center is Mount Chimborazo not Mount Everest, which is merely the highest point above sea-level Egypt lowest point: Qattara Depression -133 m highest point: Mount Catherine 2,629 m El Salvador lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Cerro El Pital 2,730 m Equatorial Guinea lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pico Basile 3,008 m Eritrea lowest point: near Kulul within the Danakil Depression -75 m highest point: Soira 3,018 m Estonia lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Suur Munamagi 318 m Ethiopia lowest point: Danakil Depression -125 m highest point: Ras Dejen 4,533 m European Union lowest point: Lammefjord, Denmark -7 m; Zuidplaspolder, Netherlands -7 m highest point: Mont Blanc 4,807 m; note - situated on the border between France and Italy Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Usborne 705 m Faroe Islands lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Slaettaratindur 882 m Fiji lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Tomanivi 1,324 m Finland lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Haltiatunturi 1,328 m France lowest point: Rhone River delta -2 m highest point: Mont Blanc 4,807 m note: in order to assess the possible effects of climate change on the ice and snow cap of Mont Blanc, its surface and peak have been extensively and periodically measured in recent years; these new peak measurements have exceeded the traditional height of 4,807 m and have varied between 4,808 m and 4,811 m; the actual rock summit is 4,792 m and is 40 m away from the ice-covered summit French Polynesia lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Orohena 2,241 m French Southern and Antarctic Lands lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont de la Dives on Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul) 867 m; unnamed location on Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul) 272 m; Pic Marion-Dufresne in Iles Crozet 1,090 m; Mont Ross in Iles Kerguelen 1,850 m; unnamed location on Bassas de India (Iles Eparses) 2.4 m; unnamed location on Europa Island (Iles Eparses) 24 m; unnamed location on Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses) 12 m; unnamed location on Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses) 10 m; unnamed location on Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses) 7 m Gabon lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Iboundji 1,575 m Gambia, The lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 53 m Gaza Strip lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Abu 'Awdah (Joz Abu 'Auda) 105 m Georgia lowest point: Black Sea 0 m highest point: Mt'a Shkhara 5,201 m Germany lowest point: Neuendorf bei Wilster -3.54 m highest point: Zugspitze 2,963 m Ghana lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Afadjato 880 m Gibraltar lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Rock of Gibraltar 426 m Greece lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Olympus 2,917 m Greenland lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Gunnbjorn 3,700 m Grenada lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Saint Catherine 840 m Guam lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Lamlam 406 m Guatemala lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Volcan Tajumulco 4,211 m Guernsey lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Sark 114 m Guinea lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Nimba 1,752 m Guinea-Bissau lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location in the northeast corner of the country 300 m Guyana lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Roraima 2,835 m Haiti lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Chaine de la Selle 2,680 m Heard Island and McDonald Islands lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Mawson Peak, on Big Ben volcano 2,745 m Holy See (Vatican City) lowest point: unnamed location 19 m highest point: unnamed location 75 m Honduras lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Cerro Las Minas 2,870 m Hong Kong lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: Tai Mo Shan 958 m Hungary lowest point: Tisza River 78 m highest point: Kekes 1,014 m Iceland lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Hvannadalshnukur 2,110 m (at Vatnajokull glacier) India lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Kanchenjunga 8,598 m Indian Ocean lowest point: Java Trench -7,258 m highest point: sea level 0 m Indonesia lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Puncak Jaya 5,030 m Iran lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m highest point: Kuh-e Damavand 5,671 m Iraq lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: unnamed peak; 3,611 m; note - this peak is neither Gundah Zhur 3,607 m nor Kuh-e Hajji-Ebrahim 3,595 m Ireland lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Carrauntoohil 1,041 m Isle of Man lowest point: Irish Sea 0 m highest point: Snaefell 621 m Israel lowest point: Dead Sea -408 m highest point: Har Meron 1,208 m Italy lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Mont Blanc (Monte Bianco) de Courmayeur 4,748 m (a secondary peak of Mont Blanc) Jamaica lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Blue Mountain Peak 2,256 m Jan Mayen lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m highest point: Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg 2,277 m Japan lowest point: Hachiro-gata -4 m highest point: Mount Fuji 3,776 m Jersey lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 143 m Jordan lowest point: Dead Sea -408 m highest point: Jabal Ram 1,734 m Kazakhstan lowest point: Vpadina Kaundy -132 m highest point: Khan Tangiri Shyngy (Pik Khan-Tengri) 6,995 m Kenya lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Kenya 5,199 m Kiribati lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Banaba 81 m Korea, North lowest point: Sea of Japan 0 m highest point: Paektu-san 2,744 m Korea, South lowest point: Sea of Japan 0 m highest point: Halla-san 1,950 m Kosovo lowest point: Drini i Bardhe/Beli Drim 297 m (located on the border with Albania) highest point: Gjeravica/Deravica 2,656 m Kuwait lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: unnamed location 306 m Kyrgyzstan lowest point: Kara-Daryya (Karadar'ya) 132 m highest point: Jengish Chokusu (Pik Pobedy) 7,439 m Laos lowest point: Mekong River 70 m highest point: Phou Bia 2,817 m Latvia lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Galzina Kalns 312 m Lebanon lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Qurnat as Sawda' 3,088 m Lesotho lowest point: junction of the Orange and Makhaleng Rivers 1,400 m highest point: Thabana Ntlenyana 3,482 m Liberia lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Wuteve 1,380 m Libya lowest point: Sabkhat Ghuzayyil -47 m highest point: Bikku Bitti 2,267 m Liechtenstein lowest point: Ruggeller Riet 430 m highest point: Vorder-Grauspitz 2,599 m Lithuania lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Juozapines Kalnas 294 m Luxembourg lowest point: Moselle River 133 m highest point: Buurgplaatz 559 m Macau lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: Coloane Alto 172 m Macedonia lowest point: Vardar River 50 m highest point: Golem Korab (Maja e Korabit) 2,764 m Madagascar lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Maromokotro 2,876 m Malawi lowest point: junction of the Shire River and international boundary with Mozambique 37 m highest point: Sapitwa (Mount Mlanje) 3,002 m Malaysia lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Gunung Kinabalu 4,100 m Maldives lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Wilingili island in the Addu Atoll 2.4 m Mali lowest point: Senegal River 23 m highest point: Hombori Tondo 1,155 m Malta lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Ta'Dmejrek 253 m (near Dingli) Marshall Islands lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Likiep 10 m Mauritania lowest point: Sebkhet Te-n-Dghamcha -5 m highest point: Kediet Ijill 915 m Mauritius lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Piton 828 m Mayotte lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Benara 660 m Mexico lowest point: Laguna Salada -10 m highest point: Volcan Pico de Orizaba 5,700 m Micronesia, Federated States of lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Dolohmwar (Totolom) 791 m Moldova lowest point: Dniester River 2 m highest point: Dealul Balanesti 430 m Monaco lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Mont Agel 140 m Mongolia lowest point: Hoh Nuur 518 m highest point: Nayramadlin Orgil (Huyten Orgil) 4,374 m Montenegro lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m highest point: Bobotov Kuk 2,522 m Montserrat lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: lava dome in English's Crater (in the Soufriere Hills volcanic complex) estimated at over 930 m (2006) Morocco lowest point: Sebkha Tah -55 m highest point: Jebel Toubkal 4,165 m Mozambique lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Monte Binga 2,436 m Namibia lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Konigstein 2,606 m Nauru lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location along plateau rim 61 m Navassa Island lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: unnamed location on southwest side 77 m Nepal lowest point: Kanchan Kalan 70 m highest point: Mount Everest 8,850 m Netherlands lowest point: Zuidplaspolder -7 m highest point: Vaalserberg 322 m Netherlands Antilles lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Scenery 862 m New Caledonia lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Panie 1,628 m New Zealand lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Aoraki-Mount Cook 3,754 m Nicaragua lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mogoton 2,438 m Niger lowest point: Niger River 200 m highest point: Mont Bagzane 2,022 m Nigeria lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Chappal Waddi 2,419 m Niue lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location near Mutalau settlement 68 m Norfolk Island lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Bates 319 m Northern Mariana Islands lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Agrihan 965 m Norway lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m highest point: Galdhopiggen 2,469 m Oman lowest point: Arabian Sea 0 m highest point: Jabal Shams 2,980 m Pacific Ocean lowest point: Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench -10,924 m highest point: sea level 0 m Pakistan lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: K2 (Mt. Godwin-Austen) 8,611 m Palau lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Ngerchelchuus 242 m Panama lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Volcan Baru 3,475 m Papua New Guinea lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Wilhelm 4,509 m Paracel Islands lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Rocky Island 14 m Paraguay lowest point: junction of Rio Paraguay and Rio Parana 46 m highest point: Cerro Pero (Cerro Tres Kandu) 842 m Peru lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Nevado Huascaran 6,768 m Philippines lowest point: Philippine Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Apo 2,954 m Pitcairn Islands lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Pawala Valley Ridge 347 m Poland lowest point: near Raczki Elblaskie -2 m highest point: Rysy 2,499 m Portugal lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Ponta do Pico (Pico or Pico Alto) on Ilha do Pico in the Azores 2,351 m Puerto Rico lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Cerro de Punta 1,339 m Qatar lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Qurayn Abu al Bawl 103 m Romania lowest point: Black Sea 0 m highest point: Moldoveanu 2,544 m Russia lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m highest point: Gora El'brus 5,633 m Rwanda lowest point: Rusizi River 950 m highest point: Volcan Karisimbi 4,519 m Saint Barthelemy lowest point: Caribbean Ocean 0 m highest point: Morne du Vitet 286 m Saint Helena lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Queen Mary's Peak on Tristan da Cunha 2,062 m; Green Mountain on Ascension Island 859 m; Mount Actaeon on Saint Helena Island 818 m Saint Kitts and Nevis lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Liamuiga 1,156 m Saint Lucia lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Gimie 950 m Saint Martin lowest point: Caribbean Ocean 0 m highest point: Pic du Paradis 424 m Saint Pierre and Miquelon lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Morne de la Grande Montagne 240 m Saint Vincent and the Grenadines lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: La Soufriere 1,234 m Samoa lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mauga Silisili (Savaii) 1,857 m San Marino lowest point: Torrente Ausa 55 m highest point: Monte Titano 755 m Sao Tome and Principe lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pico de Sao Tome 2,024 m Saudi Arabia lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Jabal Sawda' 3,133 m Senegal lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed feature near Nepen Diakha 581 m Serbia lowest point: NA highest point: Midzor 2,169 m Seychelles lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Morne Seychellois 905 m Sierra Leone lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Loma Mansa (Bintimani) 1,948 m Singapore lowest point: Singapore Strait 0 m highest point: Bukit Timah 166 m Slovakia lowest point: Bodrok River 94 m highest point: Gerlachovsky Stit 2,655 m Slovenia lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m highest point: Triglav 2,864 m Solomon Islands lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Makarakomburu 2,447 m Somalia lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Shimbiris 2,416 m South Africa lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Njesuthi 3,408 m South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Paget (South Georgia) 2,934 m Southern Ocean lowest point: -7,235 m at the southern end of the South Sandwich Trench highest point: sea level 0 m Spain lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pico de Teide (Tenerife) on Canary Islands 3,718 m Spratly Islands lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Southwest Cay 4 m Sri Lanka lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Pidurutalagala 2,524 m Sudan lowest point: Red Sea 0 m highest point: Kinyeti 3,187 m Suriname lowest point: unnamed location in the coastal plain -2 m highest point: Juliana Top 1,230 m Svalbard lowest point: Arctic Ocean 0 m highest point: Newtontoppen 1,717 m Swaziland lowest point: Great Usutu River 21 m highest point: Emlembe 1,862 m Sweden lowest point: reclaimed bay of Lake Hammarsjon, near Kristianstad -2.4 m highest point: Kebnekaise 2,111 m Switzerland lowest point: Lake Maggiore 195 m highest point: Dufourspitze 4,634 m Syria lowest point: unnamed location near Lake Tiberias -200 m highest point: Mount Hermon 2,814 m Taiwan lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: Yu Shan 3,952 m Tajikistan lowest point: Syr Darya (Sirdaryo) 300 m highest point: Qullai Ismoili Somoni 7,495 m Tanzania lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Kilimanjaro 5,895 m Thailand lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m highest point: Doi Inthanon 2,576 m Timor-Leste lowest point: Timor Sea, Savu Sea, and Banda Sea 0 m highest point: Foho Tatamailau 2,963 m Togo lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Agou 986 m Tokelau lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 5 m Tonga lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Kao Island 1,033 m Trinidad and Tobago lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: El Cerro del Aripo 940 m Tunisia lowest point: Shatt al Gharsah -17 m highest point: Jebel ech Chambi 1,544 m Turkey lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Ararat 5,166 m Turkmenistan lowest point: Vpadina Akchanaya -81 m; note - Sarygamysh Koli is a lake in northern Turkmenistan with a water level that fluctuates above and below the elevation of Vpadina Akchanaya (the lake has dropped as low as -110 m) highest point: Gora Ayribaba 3,139 m Turks and Caicos Islands lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Blue Hills 49 m Tuvalu lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 5 m Uganda lowest point: Lake Albert 621 m highest point: Margherita Peak on Mount Stanley 5,110 m Ukraine lowest point: Black Sea 0 m highest point: Hora Hoverla 2,061 m United Arab Emirates lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Jabal Yibir 1,527 m United Kingdom lowest point: The Fens -4 m highest point: Ben Nevis 1,343 m United States lowest point: Death Valley -86 m highest point: Mount McKinley 6,198 m United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Baker Island, unnamed location - 8 m; Howland Island, unnamed location - 3 m; Jarvis Island, unnamed location - 7 m; Johnston Atoll, Sand Island - 10 m; Kingman Reef, unnamed location - less than 2 m; Midway Islands, unnamed location - 13 m; Palmyra Atoll, unnamed location - 3 m Uruguay lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Cerro Catedral 514 m Uzbekistan lowest point: Sariqarnish Kuli -12 m highest point: Adelunga Toghi 4,301 m Vanuatu lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Tabwemasana 1,877 m Venezuela lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Pico Bolivar (La Columna) 5,007 m Vietnam lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: Fan Si Pan 3,144 m Virgin Islands lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Crown Mountain 475 m Wake Island lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 6 m Wallis and Futuna lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Singavi (on Futuna) 765 m West Bank lowest point: Dead Sea -408 m highest point: Tall Asur 1,022 m Western Sahara lowest point: Sebjet Tah -55 m highest point: unnamed elevation 805 m World lowest point: Bentley Subglacial Trench -2,555 m note: in the oceanic realm, Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench is the lowest point, lying -10,924 m below the surface of the Pacific Ocean highest point: Mount Everest 8,850 m Yemen lowest point: Arabian Sea 0 m highest point: Jabal an Nabi Shu'ayb 3,667 m Zambia lowest point: Zambezi river 329 m highest point: unnamed location in Mafinga Hills 2,301 m Zimbabwe lowest point: junction of the Runde and Save rivers 162 m highest point: Inyangani 2,592 m ====================================================================== @2021 Field Listing :: Natural hazards This entry lists potential natural disasters. Country Natural hazards Afghanistan damaging earthquakes occur in Hindu Kush mountains; flooding; droughts Albania destructive earthquakes; tsunamis occur along southwestern coast; floods; drought Algeria mountainous areas subject to severe earthquakes; mudslides and floods in rainy season American Samoa typhoons common from December to March Andorra avalanches Angola locally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on the plateau Anguilla frequent hurricanes and other tropical storms (July to October) Antarctica katabatic (gravity-driven) winds blow coastward from the high interior; frequent blizzards form near the foot of the plateau; cyclonic storms form over the ocean and move clockwise along the coast; volcanism on Deception Island and isolated areas of West Antarctica; other seismic activity rare and weak; large icebergs may calve from ice shelf Antigua and Barbuda hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October); periodic droughts Arctic Ocean ice islands occasionally break away from northern Ellesmere Island; icebergs calved from glaciers in western Greenland and extreme northeastern Canada; permafrost in islands; virtually ice locked from October to June; ships subject to superstructure icing from October to May Argentina 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 Armenia occasionally severe earthquakes; droughts Aruba hurricanes; lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt and is rarely threatened Ashmore and Cartier Islands surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards Atlantic Ocean icebergs common in Davis Strait, Denmark Strait, and the northwestern Atlantic Ocean from February to August and have been spotted as far south as Bermuda and the Madeira Islands; ships subject to superstructure icing in extreme northern Atlantic from October to May; persistent fog can be a maritime hazard from May to September; hurricanes (May to December) Australia cyclones along the coast; severe droughts; forest fires Austria landslides; avalanches; earthquakes Azerbaijan droughts Bahamas, The hurricanes and other tropical storms cause extensive flood and wind damage Bahrain periodic droughts; dust storms Bangladesh droughts; cyclones; much of the country routinely inundated during the summer monsoon season Barbados infrequent hurricanes; periodic landslides Belarus NA Belgium flooding is a threat along rivers and in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes Belize frequent, devastating hurricanes (June to November) and coastal flooding (especially in south) Benin hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north from December to March Bermuda hurricanes (June to November) Bhutan violent storms from the Himalayas are the source of the country's name, which translates as Land of the Thunder Dragon; frequent landslides during the rainy season Bolivia flooding in the northeast (March-April) Bosnia and Herzegovina destructive earthquakes Botswana periodic droughts; seasonal August winds blow from the west, carrying sand and dust across the country, which can obscure visibility Bouvet Island NA Brazil recurring droughts in northeast; floods and occasional frost in south British Indian Ocean Territory NA British Virgin Islands hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October) Brunei typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rare Bulgaria earthquakes; landslides Burkina Faso recurring droughts Burma destructive earthquakes and cyclones; flooding and landslides common during rainy season (June to September); periodic droughts Burundi flooding; landslides; drought Cambodia monsoonal rains (June to November); flooding; occasional droughts Cameroon volcanic activity with periodic releases of poisonous gases from Lake Nyos and Lake Monoun volcanoes Canada continuous permafrost in north is a serious obstacle to development; cyclonic storms form east of the Rocky Mountains, a result of the mixing of air masses from the Arctic, Pacific, and North American interior, and produce most of the country's rain and snow east of the mountains Cape Verde prolonged droughts; seasonal harmattan wind produces obscuring dust; volcanically and seismically active Cayman Islands hurricanes (July to November) Central African Republic hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect northern areas; floods are common Chad hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds occur in north; periodic droughts; locust plagues Chile severe earthquakes; active volcanism; tsunamis China frequent typhoons (about five per year along southern and eastern coasts); damaging floods; tsunamis; earthquakes; droughts; land subsidence Christmas Island the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard Clipperton Island NA Cocos (Keeling) Islands cyclone season is October to April Colombia highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; occasional earthquakes; periodic droughts Comoros cyclones possible during rainy season (December to April); Le Karthala on Grand Comore is an active volcano Congo, Democratic Republic of the periodic droughts in south; Congo River floods (seasonal); in the east, in the Great Rift Valley, there are active volcanoes Congo, Republic of the seasonal flooding Cook Islands typhoons (November to March) Coral Sea Islands occasional tropical cyclones Costa Rica occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast; frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season and landslides; active volcanoes Cote d'Ivoire coast has heavy surf and no natural harbors; during the rainy season torrential flooding is possible Croatia destructive earthquakes Cuba the east coast is subject to hurricanes from August to November (in general, the country averages about one hurricane every other year); droughts are common Cyprus moderate earthquake activity; droughts Czech Republic flooding Denmark flooding is a threat in some areas of the country (e.g., parts of Jutland, along the southern coast of the island of Lolland) that are protected from the sea by a system of dikes Djibouti earthquakes; droughts; occasional cyclonic disturbances from the Indian Ocean bring heavy rains and flash floods Dominica flash floods are a constant threat; destructive hurricanes can be expected during the late summer months Dominican Republic lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding; periodic droughts Ecuador frequent earthquakes; landslides; volcanic activity; floods; periodic droughts Egypt periodic droughts; frequent earthquakes; flash floods; landslides; hot, driving windstorm called khamsin occurs in spring; dust storms; sandstorms El Salvador known as the Land of Volcanoes; frequent and sometimes destructive earthquakes and volcanic activity; extremely susceptible to hurricanes Equatorial Guinea violent windstorms; flash floods Eritrea frequent droughts; locust swarms Estonia sometimes flooding occurs in the spring Ethiopia geologically active Great Rift Valley susceptible to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions; frequent droughts European Union flooding along coasts; avalanches in mountainous area; earthquakes in the south; volcanic eruptions in Italy; periodic droughts in Spain; ice floes in the Baltic Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) strong winds persist throughout the year Faroe Islands NA Fiji cyclonic storms can occur from November to January Finland NA France metropolitan France: flooding; avalanches; midwinter windstorms; drought; forest fires in south near the Mediterranean overseas departments: hurricanes (cyclones); flooding; volcanic activity (Guadeloupe, Martinique, Reunion) French Polynesia occasional cyclonic storms in January French Southern and Antarctic Lands Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paul are inactive volcanoes; Iles Eparses subject to periodic cyclones; Bassas da India is a maritime hazard since it is under water for a period of three hours prior to and following the high tide and surrounded by reefs Gabon NA Gambia, The drought (rainfall has dropped by 30% in the last 30 years) Gaza Strip droughts Georgia earthquakes Germany flooding Ghana dry, dusty, northeastern harmattan winds occur from January to March; droughts Gibraltar NA Greece severe earthquakes Greenland continuous permafrost over northern two-thirds of the island Grenada lies on edge of hurricane belt; hurricane season lasts from June to November Guam frequent squalls during rainy season; relatively rare but potentially destructive typhoons (June - December) Guatemala numerous volcanoes in mountains, with occasional violent earthquakes; Caribbean coast extremely susceptible to hurricanes and other tropical storms Guernsey NA Guinea hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season Guinea-Bissau hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season; brush fires Guyana flash floods are a constant threat during rainy seasons Haiti lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding and earthquakes; periodic droughts Heard Island and McDonald Islands Mawson Peak, an active volcano, is on Heard Island Holy See (Vatican City) NA Honduras frequent, but generally mild, earthquakes; extremely susceptible to damaging hurricanes and floods along the Caribbean coast Hong Kong occasional typhoons Iceland earthquakes and volcanic activity India droughts; flash floods, as well as widespread and destructive flooding from monsoonal rains; severe thunderstorms; earthquakes Indian Ocean occasional icebergs pose navigational hazard in southern reaches Indonesia occasional floods; severe droughts; tsunamis; earthquakes; volcanoes; forest fires Iran periodic droughts, floods; dust storms, sandstorms; earthquakes Iraq dust storms; sandstorms; floods Ireland NA Isle of Man NA Israel sandstorms may occur during spring and summer; droughts; periodic earthquakes Italy regional risks include landslides, mudflows, avalanches, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, flooding; land subsidence in Venice Jamaica hurricanes (especially July to November) Jan Mayen dominated by the volcano Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg; volcanic activity resumed in 1970; the most recent eruption occurred in 1985 Japan many dormant and some active volcanoes; about 1,500 seismic occurrences (mostly tremors) every year; tsunamis; typhoons Jersey NA Jordan droughts; periodic earthquakes Kazakhstan earthquakes in the south; mudslides around Almaty Kenya recurring drought; flooding during rainy seasons Kiribati typhoons can occur any time, but usually November to March; occasional tornadoes; low level of some of the islands make them sensitive to changes in sea level Korea, North late spring droughts often followed by severe flooding; occasional typhoons during the early fall Korea, South occasional typhoons bring high winds and floods; low-level seismic activity common in southwest Kuwait sudden cloudbursts are common from October to April and bring heavy rain, which can damage roads and houses; sandstorms and dust storms occur throughout the year but are most common between March and August Kyrgyzstan NA Laos floods, droughts Latvia NA Lebanon dust storms, sandstorms Lesotho periodic droughts Liberia dust-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to March) Libya hot, dry, dust-laden ghibli is a southern wind lasting one to four days in spring and fall; dust storms, sandstorms Liechtenstein NA Lithuania NA Luxembourg NA Macau typhoons Macedonia high seismic risks Madagascar periodic cyclones; drought; and locust infestation Malawi NA Malaysia flooding; landslides; forest fires Maldives tsunamis; low elevation of islands makes them sensitive to sea level rise Mali hot, dust-laden harmattan haze common during dry seasons; recurring droughts; occasional Niger River flooding Malta NA Marshall Islands infrequent typhoons Mauritania hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind blows primarily in March and April; periodic droughts Mauritius cyclones (November to April); almost completely surrounded by reefs that may pose maritime hazards Mayotte cyclones during rainy season Mexico tsunamis along the Pacific coast, volcanoes and destructive earthquakes in the center and south, and hurricanes on the Pacific, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean coasts Micronesia, Federated States of typhoons (June to December) Moldova landslides Monaco NA Mongolia dust storms; grassland and forest fires; drought; "zud," which is harsh winter conditions Montenegro destructive earthquakes Montserrat severe hurricanes (June to November); volcanic eruptions (Soufriere Hills volcano has erupted continuously since 1995) Morocco northern mountains geologically unstable and subject to earthquakes; periodic droughts Mozambique severe droughts; devastating cyclones and floods in central and southern provinces Namibia prolonged periods of drought Nauru periodic droughts Navassa Island hurricanes Nepal severe thunderstorms; flooding; landslides; drought and famine depending on the timing, intensity, and duration of the summer monsoons Netherlands flooding Netherlands Antilles Sint Maarten, Saba, and Sint Eustatius are subject to hurricanes from July to October; Curacao and Bonaire are south of Caribbean hurricane belt and are rarely threatened New Caledonia cyclones, most frequent from November to March New Zealand earthquakes are common, though usually not severe; volcanic activity Nicaragua destructive earthquakes; volcanoes; landslides; extremely susceptible to hurricanes Niger recurring droughts Nigeria periodic droughts; flooding Niue typhoons Norfolk Island typhoons (especially May to July) Northern Mariana Islands active volcanoes on Pagan and Agrihan; typhoons (especially August to November) Norway rockslides, avalanches Oman summer winds often raise large sandstorms and dust storms in interior; periodic droughts Pacific Ocean surrounded by a zone of violent volcanic and earthquake activity sometimes referred to as the "Pacific Ring of Fire"; subject to tropical cyclones (typhoons) in southeast and east Asia from May to December (most frequent from July to October); tropical cyclones (hurricanes) may form south of Mexico and strike Central America and Mexico from June to October (most common in August and September); cyclical El Nino/La Nina phenomenon occurs in the equatorial Pacific, influencing weather in the Western Hemisphere and the western Pacific; ships subject to superstructure icing in extreme north from October to May; persistent fog in the northern Pacific can be a maritime hazard from June to December Pakistan frequent earthquakes, occasionally severe especially in north and west; flooding along the Indus after heavy rains (July and August) Palau typhoons (June to December) Panama occasional severe storms and forest fires in the Darien area Papua New Guinea active volcanism; situated along the Pacific "Ring of Fire"; the country is subject to frequent and sometimes severe earthquakes; mud slides; tsunamis Paracel Islands typhoons Paraguay local flooding in southeast (early September to June); poorly drained plains may become boggy (early October to June) Peru earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, landslides, mild volcanic activity Philippines astride typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 and struck by five to six cyclonic storms per year; landslides; active volcanoes; destructive earthquakes; tsunamis Pitcairn Islands typhoons (especially November to March) Poland flooding Portugal Azores subject to severe earthquakes Puerto Rico periodic droughts; hurricanes Qatar haze, dust storms, sandstorms common Romania earthquakes, most severe in south and southwest; geologic structure and climate promote landslides Russia permafrost over much of Siberia is a major impediment to development; volcanic activity in the Kuril Islands; volcanoes and earthquakes on the Kamchatka Peninsula; spring floods and summer/autumn forest fires throughout Siberia and parts of European Russia Rwanda periodic droughts; the volcanic Virunga mountains are in the northwest along the border with Democratic Republic of the Congo Saint Helena active volcanism on Tristan da Cunha, last eruption in 1961 Saint Kitts and Nevis hurricanes (July to October) Saint Lucia hurricanes; volcanic activity Saint Pierre and Miquelon persistent fog throughout the year can be a maritime hazard Saint Vincent and the Grenadines hurricanes; Soufriere volcano on the island of Saint Vincent is a constant threat Samoa occasional typhoons; active volcanism San Marino NA Sao Tome and Principe NA Saudi Arabia frequent sand and dust storms Senegal lowlands seasonally flooded; periodic droughts Serbia destructive earthquakes Seychelles lies outside the cyclone belt, so severe storms are rare; short droughts possible Sierra Leone dry, sand-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to February); sandstorms, dust storms Singapore NA Slovakia NA Slovenia flooding; earthquakes Solomon Islands typhoons, but rarely destructive; geologically active region with frequent earthquakes, tremors, and volcanic activity; tsunamis Somalia recurring droughts; frequent dust storms over eastern plains in summer; floods during rainy season South Africa prolonged droughts South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands the South Sandwich Islands have prevailing weather conditions that generally make them difficult to approach by ship; they are also subject to active volcanism Southern Ocean huge icebergs with drafts up to several hundred meters; smaller bergs and iceberg fragments; sea ice (generally 0.5 to 1 m thick) with sometimes dynamic short-term variations and with large annual and interannual variations; deep continental shelf floored by glacial deposits varying widely over short distances; high winds and large waves much of the year; ship icing, especially May-October; most of region is remote from sources of search and rescue Spain periodic droughts Spratly Islands typhoons; numerous reefs and shoals pose a serious maritime hazard Sri Lanka occasional cyclones and tornadoes Sudan dust storms and periodic persistent droughts Suriname NA Svalbard ice floes often block the entrance to Bellsund (a transit point for coal export) on the west coast and occasionally make parts of the northeastern coast inaccessible to maritime traffic Swaziland drought Sweden ice floes in the surrounding waters, especially in the Gulf of Bothnia, can interfere with maritime traffic Switzerland avalanches, landslides; flash floods Syria dust storms, sandstorms Taiwan earthquakes; typhoons Tajikistan earthquakes; floods Tanzania flooding on the central plateau during the rainy season; drought Thailand land subsidence in Bangkok area resulting from the depletion of the water table; droughts Timor-Leste floods and landslides are common; earthquakes; tsunamis; tropical cyclones Togo hot, dry harmattan wind can reduce visibility in north during winter; periodic droughts Tokelau lies in Pacific typhoon belt Tonga cyclones (October to April); earthquakes and volcanic activity on Fonuafo'ou Trinidad and Tobago outside usual path of hurricanes and other tropical storms Tunisia NA Turkey severe earthquakes, especially in northern Turkey, along an arc extending from the Sea of Marmara to Lake Van Turkmenistan NA Turks and Caicos Islands frequent hurricanes Tuvalu severe tropical storms are usually rare, but in 1997 there were three cyclones; low level of islands make them sensitive to changes in sea level Uganda NA Ukraine NA United Arab Emirates frequent sand and dust storms United Kingdom winter windstorms; floods United States tsunamis; volcanoes; earthquake activity around Pacific Basin; hurricanes along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts; tornadoes in the midwest and southeast; mud slides in California; forest fires in the west; flooding; permafrost in northern Alaska, a major impediment to development United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands: the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard Kingman Reef: wet or awash most of the time, maximum elevation of less than 2 m makes Kingman Reef a maritime hazard Midway Islands, Johnston, and Palmyra Atolls: NA Uruguay seasonally high winds (the pampero is a chilly and occasional violent wind that blows north from the Argentine pampas), droughts, floods; because of the absence of mountains, which act as weather barriers, all locations are particularly vulnerable to rapid changes from weather fronts Uzbekistan NA Vanuatu tropical cyclones or typhoons (January to April); volcanic eruption on Aoba (Ambae) island began 27 November 2005, volcanism also causes minor earthquakes; tsunamis Venezuela subject to floods, rockslides, mudslides; periodic droughts Vietnam occasional typhoons (May to January) with extensive flooding, especially in the Mekong River delta Virgin Islands several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughts and floods; occasional earthquakes Wake Island occasional typhoons Wallis and Futuna NA West Bank droughts Western Sahara hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind can occur during winter and spring; widespread harmattan haze exists 60% of time, often severely restricting visibility World large areas subject to severe weather (tropical cyclones); natural disasters (earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions) Yemen sandstorms and dust storms in summer Zambia periodic drought; tropical storms (November to April) Zimbabwe recurring droughts; floods and severe storms are rare ====================================================================== @2022 Field Listing :: People - note This entry includes miscellaneous demographic information of significance not included elsewhere. Country People - note Cook Islands 2001 census counted a resident population of 15,017 Cuba illicit emigration is a continuing problem; Cubans attempt to depart the island and enter the US using homemade rafts, alien smugglers, direct flights, or falsified visas; Cubans also use non-maritime routes to enter the US including direct flights to Miami and over-land via the southwest border Germany second most populous country in Europe after Russia Papua New Guinea the indigenous population of Papua New Guinea is one of the most heterogeneous in the world; PNG has several thousand separate communities, most with only a few hundred people; divided by language, customs, and tradition, some of these communities have engaged in low-scale tribal conflict with their neighbors for millennia; the advent of modern weapons and modern migrants into urban areas has greatly magnified the impact of this lawlessness Rwanda Rwanda is the most densely populated country in Africa Trinidad and Tobago in 2007, the government of Trinidad and Tobago estimated the population to be 1.3 million Turks and Caicos Islands destination and transit point for illegal Haitian immigrants bound for the Turks and Caicos Islands, The Bahamas, and the US ====================================================================== @2023 Field Listing :: Area - comparative This entry provides an area comparison based on total area equivalents. Most entities are compared with the entire US or one of the 50 states based on area measurements (1990 revised) provided by the US Bureau of the Census. The smaller entities are compared with Washington, DC (178 sq km, 69 sq mi) or The Mall in Washington, DC (0.59 sq km, 0.23 sq mi, 146 acres). Country Area - comparative(sq km) Afghanistan slightly smaller than Texas Akrotiri about 0.7 times the size of Washington, DC Albania slightly smaller than Maryland Algeria slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Texas American Samoa slightly larger than Washington, DC Andorra 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Angola slightly less than twice the size of Texas Anguilla about one-half the size of Washington, DC Antarctica slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US Antigua and Barbuda 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Arctic Ocean slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US Argentina slightly less than three-tenths the size of the US Armenia slightly smaller than Maryland Aruba slightly larger than Washington, DC Ashmore and Cartier Islands about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Atlantic Ocean slightly less than 6.5 times the size of the US Australia slightly smaller than the US contiguous 48 states Austria slightly smaller than Maine Azerbaijan slightly smaller than Maine Bahamas, The slightly smaller than Connecticut Bahrain 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC Bangladesh slightly smaller than Iowa Barbados 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Belarus slightly smaller than Kansas Belgium about the size of Maryland Belize slightly smaller than Massachusetts Benin slightly smaller than Pennsylvania Bermuda about one-third the size of Washington, DC Bhutan about one-half the size of Indiana Bolivia slightly less than three times the size of Montana Bosnia and Herzegovina slightly smaller than West Virginia Botswana slightly smaller than Texas Bouvet Island about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC Brazil slightly smaller than the US British Indian Ocean Territory land area is about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC British Virgin Islands about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC Brunei slightly smaller than Delaware Bulgaria slightly larger than Tennessee Burkina Faso slightly larger than Colorado Burma slightly smaller than Texas Burundi slightly smaller than Maryland Cambodia slightly smaller than Oklahoma Cameroon slightly larger than California Canada somewhat larger than the US Cape Verde slightly larger than Rhode Island Cayman Islands 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC Central African Republic slightly smaller than Texas Chad slightly more than three times the size of California Chile slightly smaller than twice the size of Montana China slightly smaller than the US Christmas Island about three-quarters the size of Washington, DC Clipperton Island about 12 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Cocos (Keeling) Islands about 24 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Colombia slightly less than twice the size of Texas Comoros slightly more than 12 times the size of Washington, DC Congo, Democratic Republic of the slightly less than one-fourth the size of the US Congo, Republic of the slightly smaller than Montana Cook Islands 1.3 times the size of Washington, DC Coral Sea Islands NA Costa Rica slightly smaller than West Virginia Cote d'Ivoire slightly larger than New Mexico Croatia slightly smaller than West Virginia Cuba slightly smaller than Pennsylvania Cyprus about 0.6 times the size of Connecticut Czech Republic slightly smaller than South Carolina Denmark slightly less than twice the size of Massachusetts Dhekelia about three-quarters the size of Washington, DC Djibouti slightly smaller than Massachusetts Dominica slightly more than four times the size of Washington, DC Dominican Republic slightly more than twice the size of New Hampshire Ecuador slightly smaller than Nevada Egypt slightly more than three times the size of New Mexico El Salvador slightly smaller than Massachusetts Equatorial Guinea slightly smaller than Maryland Eritrea slightly larger than Pennsylvania Estonia slightly smaller than New Hampshire and Vermont combined Ethiopia slightly less than twice the size of Texas European Union less than one-half the size of the US Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) slightly smaller than Connecticut Faroe Islands eight times the size of Washington, DC Fiji slightly smaller than New Jersey Finland slightly smaller than Montana France slightly less than the size of Texas French Polynesia slightly less than one-third the size of Connecticut French Southern and Antarctic Lands Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): less than one-half the size of Washington, DC Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): more than 10 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Iles Crozet: about twice the size of Washington, DC Iles Kerguelen: slightly larger than Delaware Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): land area about one-third the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Europa Island (Iles Eparses): about one-sixth the size of Washington, DC Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses): about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): about seven times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): about 1.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Gabon slightly smaller than Colorado Gambia, The slightly less than twice the size of Delaware Gaza Strip slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC Georgia slightly smaller than South Carolina Germany slightly smaller than Montana Ghana slightly smaller than Oregon Gibraltar slightly less than one-half the size of Rhode Island Greece slightly smaller than Alabama Greenland slightly more than three times the size of Texas Grenada twice the size of Washington, DC Guam three times the size of Washington, DC Guatemala slightly smaller than Tennessee Guernsey about one-half the size of Washington, DC Guinea slightly smaller than Oregon Guinea-Bissau slightly less than three times the size of Connecticut Guyana slightly smaller than Idaho Haiti slightly smaller than Maryland Heard Island and McDonald Islands slightly more than two times the size of Washington, DC Holy See (Vatican City) about 0.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Honduras slightly larger than Tennessee Hong Kong six times the size of Washington, DC Hungary slightly smaller than Indiana Iceland slightly smaller than Kentucky India slightly more than one-third the size of the US Indian Ocean about 5.5 times the size of the US Indonesia slightly less than three times the size of Texas Iran slightly smaller than Alaska Iraq slightly more than twice the size of Idaho Ireland slightly larger than West Virginia Isle of Man slightly more than three times the size of Washington, DC Israel slightly smaller than New Jersey Italy slightly larger than Arizona Jamaica slightly smaller than Connecticut Jan Mayen slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC Japan slightly smaller than California Jersey about two-thirds the size of Washington, DC Jordan slightly smaller than Indiana Kazakhstan slightly less than four times the size of Texas Kenya slightly more than twice the size of Nevada Kiribati four times the size of Washington, DC Korea, North slightly smaller than Mississippi Korea, South slightly larger than Indiana Kosovo slightly larger than Delaware Kuwait slightly smaller than New Jersey Kyrgyzstan slightly smaller than South Dakota Laos slightly larger than Utah Latvia slightly larger than West Virginia Lebanon about 0.7 times the size of Connecticut Lesotho slightly smaller than Maryland Liberia slightly larger than Tennessee Libya slightly larger than Alaska Liechtenstein about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC Lithuania slightly larger than West Virginia Luxembourg slightly smaller than Rhode Island Macau less than one-sixth the size of Washington, DC Macedonia slightly larger than Vermont Madagascar slightly less than twice the size of Arizona Malawi slightly smaller than Pennsylvania Malaysia slightly larger than New Mexico Maldives about 1.7 times the size of Washington, DC Mali slightly less than twice the size of Texas Malta slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC Marshall Islands about the size of Washington, DC Mauritania slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico Mauritius almost 11 times the size of Washington, DC Mayotte slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC Mexico slightly less than three times the size of Texas Micronesia, Federated States of four times the size of Washington, DC (land area only) Moldova slightly larger than Maryland Monaco about three times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Mongolia slightly smaller than Alaska Montenegro slightly smaller than Connecticut Montserrat about 0.6 times the size of Washington, DC Morocco slightly larger than California Mozambique slightly less than twice the size of California Namibia slightly more than half the size of Alaska Nauru about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC Navassa Island about nine times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Nepal slightly larger than Arkansas Netherlands slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey Netherlands Antilles more than five times the size of Washington, DC New Caledonia slightly smaller than New Jersey New Zealand about the size of Colorado Nicaragua slightly smaller than New York state Niger slightly less than twice the size of Texas Nigeria slightly more than twice the size of California Niue 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC Norfolk Island about 0.2 times the size of Washington, DC Northern Mariana Islands 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Norway slightly larger than New Mexico Oman slightly smaller than Kansas Pacific Ocean about 15 times the size of the US; covers about 28% of the global surface; almost equal to the total land area of the world Pakistan slightly less than twice the size of California Palau slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Panama slightly smaller than South Carolina Papua New Guinea slightly larger than California Paracel Islands NA Paraguay slightly smaller than California Peru slightly smaller than Alaska Philippines slightly larger than Arizona Pitcairn Islands about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC Poland slightly smaller than New Mexico Portugal slightly smaller than Indiana Puerto Rico slightly less than three times the size of Rhode Island Qatar slightly smaller than Connecticut Romania slightly smaller than Oregon Russia approximately 1.8 times the size of the US Rwanda slightly smaller than Maryland Saint Barthelemy less than an eighth of the size of Washington, DC Saint Helena slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC Saint Kitts and Nevis 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC Saint Lucia 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC Saint Martin more than one-third the size of Washington, DC Saint Pierre and Miquelon 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC Saint Vincent and the Grenadines twice the size of Washington, DC Samoa slightly smaller than Rhode Island San Marino about one third times the size of Washington, DC Sao Tome and Principe more than five times the size of Washington, DC Saudi Arabia slightly more than one-fifth the size of the US Senegal slightly smaller than South Dakota Serbia slightly smaller than South Carolina Seychelles 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Sierra Leone slightly smaller than South Carolina Singapore slightly more than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC Slovakia about twice the size of New Hampshire Slovenia slightly smaller than New Jersey Solomon Islands slightly smaller than Maryland Somalia slightly smaller than Texas South Africa slightly less than twice the size of Texas South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands slightly larger than Rhode Island Southern Ocean slightly more than twice the size of the US Spain slightly more than twice the size of Oregon Spratly Islands NA Sri Lanka slightly larger than West Virginia Sudan slightly more than one-quarter the size of the US Suriname slightly larger than Georgia Svalbard slightly smaller than West Virginia Swaziland slightly smaller than New Jersey Sweden slightly larger than California Switzerland slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey Syria slightly larger than North Dakota Taiwan slightly smaller than Maryland and Delaware combined Tajikistan slightly smaller than Wisconsin Tanzania slightly larger than twice the size of California Thailand slightly more than twice the size of Wyoming Timor-Leste slightly larger than Connecticut Togo slightly smaller than West Virginia Tokelau about 17 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Tonga four times the size of Washington, DC Trinidad and Tobago slightly smaller than Delaware Tunisia slightly larger than Georgia Turkey slightly larger than Texas Turkmenistan slightly larger than California Turks and Caicos Islands 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Tuvalu 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC Uganda slightly smaller than Oregon Ukraine slightly smaller than Texas United Arab Emirates slightly smaller than Maine United Kingdom slightly smaller than Oregon United States about half the size of Russia; about three-tenths the size of Africa; about half the size of South America (or slightly larger than Brazil); slightly larger than China; more than twice the size of the European Union United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges Baker Island: about two and a half times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Howland Island: about three times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Jarvis Island: about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Johnston Atoll: about four and a half times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Kingman Reef: a little more than one and a half times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Midway Islands: about nine times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Palmyra Atoll: about 20 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Uruguay slightly smaller than the state of Washington Uzbekistan slightly larger than California Vanuatu slightly larger than Connecticut Venezuela slightly more than twice the size of California Vietnam slightly larger than New Mexico Virgin Islands twice the size of Washington, DC Wake Island about 11 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Wallis and Futuna 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC West Bank slightly smaller than Delaware Western Sahara about the size of Colorado World land area about 16 times the size of the US top fifteen World Factbook entities ranked by size: Pacific Ocean 155.557 million sq km; Atlantic Ocean 76.762 million sq km; Indian Ocean 68.556 million sq km; Southern Ocean 20.327 million sq km; Russia 17,098,242 sq km; Arctic Ocean 14.056 million sq km; Antarctica 14 million sq km; Canada 9,984,670 sq km; United States 9,826,675 sq km; China 9,596,961 sq km; Brazil 8,514,877 sq km; Australia 7,741,220 sq km; European Union 4,324,782 sq km; India 3,287,263 sq km; Argentina 2,780,400 sq km Yemen slightly larger than twice the size of Wyoming Zambia slightly larger than Texas Zimbabwe slightly larger than Montana ====================================================================== @2024 Field Listing :: Military service age and obligation This entry gives the required ages for voluntary or conscript military service and the length of service obligation. Country Military service age and obligation(years of age) Afghanistan 22 years of age; inductees are contracted into service for a 4-year term (2005) Albania 19 years of age (2004) Algeria 19-30 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 18 months (6 months basic training, 12 months civil projects) (2006) Angola 22-24 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years; Angolan citizenship required (2009) Antigua and Barbuda 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008) Argentina 18-24 years of age for voluntary military service (18-21 requires parental permission); no conscription (2001) Armenia 18-27 years of age for voluntary or compulsory military service; 2-year conscript service obligation (2007) Australia 17 years of age for voluntary military service (with parental consent); no conscription; women allowed to serve in Army combat units in non-combat support roles (2008) Austria 18-35 years of age for compulsory military service; 16 years of age for male or female voluntary service; service obligation 6 months of training, followed by an 8-year reserve obligation (2009) Azerbaijan men between 18 and 35 are liable for military service; 18 years of age for voluntary military service; length of military service is 18 months and 12 months for university graduates (2006) Bahamas, The 18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2008) Bahrain 17 years of age for voluntary military service; 15 years of age for NCOs, technicians, and cadets; no conscription (2008) Bangladesh 16 years of age for voluntary military service; 17 years of age for officers (both with parental consent); conscription legally possible in emergency, but has never been implemented (2008) Barbados 18 years of age for voluntary military service (younger requires parental consent); no conscription (2008) Belarus 18-27 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 18 months (2005) Belgium 18 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription suspended (2008) Belize 18 years of age for voluntary military service; laws allow for conscription only if volunteers are insufficient; conscription has never been implemented; volunteers typically outnumber available positions by 3:1 (2008) Benin 21 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; in practice, volunteers may be taken at the age of 18; both sexes are eligible for military service; conscript tour of duty - 18 months (2006) Bermuda 18-30 years of age for voluntary or compulsory enlistment in the Bermuda Regiment; males must register at age 18; term of service is 38 months (2009) Bhutan 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008) Bolivia 18-49 years of age for 12-month compulsory military service; when annual number of volunteers falls short of goal, compulsory recruitment is effected, including conscription of boys as young as 14; 15-19 years of age for voluntary premilitary service, provides exemption from further military service (2009) Bosnia and Herzegovina 18 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription abolished January 2006; 4-month service obligation (2009) Botswana 18 is the apparent age of voluntary military service; the official qualifications for determining minimum age are unknown (2001) Brazil 21-45 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 9 to 12 months; 17-45 years of age for voluntary service; an increasing percentage of the ranks are "long-service" volunteer professionals; women were allowed to serve in the armed forces beginning in early 1980s when the Brazilian Army became the first army in South America to accept women into career ranks; women serve in Navy and Air Force only in Women's Reserve Corps (2001) Brunei 18 years of age (est.) for voluntary military service; non-Malays are ineligible to serve (2007) Bulgaria 18-27 years of age for voluntary military service; as of May 2006, 67% of the Bulgarian Army comprised of professional soldiers; conscription ended January 2008; Air Forces and Naval Forces became fully professional at the end of 2006 (2008) Burkina Faso 18 years of age for voluntary military service; women may serve in supporting roles (2009) Burma 18 years of age for voluntary military service for both sexes; forced conscription of children, although officially prohibited, reportedly continues (2007) Burundi military service is voluntary; the armed forces law of 31 December 2004 did not specify a minimum age for enlistment, but the government had previously specified that each recruit would need to have a primary school leaving certificate (2009) Cambodia conscription law of October 2006 requires all males between 18-30 to register for military service; 18-month service obligation (2006) Cameroon 18 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; no conscription; the government makes periodic calls for volunteers (2009) Canada 17 years of age for male and female voluntary military service (with parental consent); 16 years of age for reserve and military college applicants; Canadian citizenship or permanent residence status required; maximum 34 years of age; service obligation 3-9 years (2008) Cape Verde 18 years of age (est.) for selective compulsory military service; 14-month conscript service obligation (2006) Central African Republic 18 years of age for selective military service; 2-year conscript service obligation (2009) Chad 20 years of age for conscripts, with 3-year service obligation; 18 years of age for volunteers; no minimum age restriction for volunteers with consent from a guardian; women are subject to 1 year of compulsory military or civic service at age of 21 (2004) Chile 18-45 years of age for voluntary male and female military service, although the right to compulsory recruitment is retained; service obligation - 12 months for Army, 22 months for Navy and Air Force (2008) China 18-22 years of age for selective compulsory military service, with 24-month service obligation; no minimum age for voluntary service (all officers are volunteers); 18-19 years of age for women high school graduates who meet requirements for specific military jobs (2009) Colombia 18-24 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; service obligation - 18 months (2004) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 18-45 years of age for voluntary military service (2009) Congo, Republic of the 18 years of age for voluntary military service; women allowed to serve (2007) Cote d'Ivoire 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary male and female military service (2008) Croatia 18-27 years of age for compulsory military service; 16 years of age with consent for voluntary service; 6-month conscript service obligation; full conversion to voluntary military service by 2010 (2006) Cuba 17-28 years of age for compulsory military service; 2-year service obligation; both sexes subject to military service (2006) Cyprus Greek Cypriot National Guard (GCNG): 18-50 years of age for compulsory military service for all Greek Cypriot males; 17 years of age for voluntary service; women may volunteer for a 3-year term; length of normal service is 25 months (2009) Czech Republic 18-28 years of age for voluntary and 19-28 for compulsory military service (2008) Denmark 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscripts serve an initial training period that varies from 4 to 12 months according to specialization; reservists are assigned to mobilization units following completion of their conscript service; women eligible to volunteer for military service (2004) Djibouti 18 years of age for voluntary military service; 16-25 years of age for voluntary military training; no conscription (2008) Dominican Republic 18 years of age for voluntary military service (2007) Ecuador 20 years of age for selective conscript military service; 12-month service obligation (2008) Egypt 18-30 years of age for male conscript military service; service obligation 12-36 months, followed by a 9-year reserve obligation (2008) El Salvador 18 years of age for selective compulsory military service; 16-22 years of age for voluntary male or female service; service obligation - 12 months, with 11 months for officers and NCOs (2009) Equatorial Guinea 18 years of age (est.) for compulsory military service; women hold only administrative positions in the Coast Guard (2009) Eritrea 18-40 years of age for male and female voluntary and compulsory military service; 16-month conscript service obligation (2006) Estonia obligation for compulsory service ages 16-60, with conscription "likely" ages 18-27; service requirement 8-11 months (2009) Ethiopia 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; theoretically, no compulsory military service, but the military can conduct call-ups when necessary and compliance is compulsory (2008) Fiji 18 years of age for voluntary military service; reserve obligation to age 45 (2006) Finland 18 years of age for male voluntary and compulsory - and female voluntary - national military and nonmilitary service; service obligation 6-12 months; mandatory retirement at age 60 (2008) France 17-40 years of age for male or female voluntary military service; no conscription; 12-month service obligation; women serve in noncombat military posts (2008) Gabon 20 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service (2007) Gambia, The 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008) Georgia 18 to 34 years of age for compulsory and voluntary active duty military service; conscript service obligation - 18 months (2005) Germany 18 years of age (conscripts serve a 9-month tour of compulsory military service) (2004) Ghana 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008) Greece 19-45 years of age for compulsory military service; during wartime the law allows for recruitment beginning January of the year of inductee's 18th birthday, thus including 17 year olds; 17 years of age for volunteers; conscript service obligation - 1 year for all services; women are eligible for voluntary military service (2008) Guatemala all male citizens between the ages of 18 and 50 are liable for military service; conscript service obligation varies from 12 to 24 months; women can serve as officers (2008) Guinea 18-25 years of age for compulsory or voluntary military service; 18-month conscript service obligation (2009) Guinea-Bissau 18-25 years of age for selective compulsory military service; 16 years of age or younger with parental consent, for voluntary service (2009) Guyana 18-25 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008) Honduras 18 years of age for voluntary 2 to 3-year military service (2004) Hungary 18-50 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; 6-month service obligation (2008) India 16 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; women officers allowed in noncombat roles only (2008) Indonesia 18 years of age for selective compulsory and voluntary military service; 2-year conscript service obligation, with reserve obligation to age 45 (officers); Indonesian citizens only (2008) Iran 19 years of age for compulsory military service; 16 years of age for volunteers; 17 years of age for Law Enforcement Forces; 15 years of age for Basij Forces (Popular Mobilization Army); conscript military service obligation - 18 months; women exempt from military service (2008) Iraq 18-49 years of age for voluntary military service (2008) Ireland 17-25 years of age for male or female voluntary military service (17-27 years of age for the Naval Service); enlistees 16 years of age can be recruited for apprentice specialist positions; maximum obligation 12 years; 17-35 years of age for the Reserve Defense Forces; EU citizenship or 5-year residence in Ireland required (2008) Israel 18 years of age for compulsory (Jews, Druzes) and voluntary (Christians, Muslims, Circassians) military service; both sexes are obligated to military service; conscript service obligation - 36 months for enlisted men, 21 months for enlisted women, 48 months for officers; reserve obligation to age 41-51 (men), 24 (women) (2008) Italy 18-27 year of age for voluntary military service; conscription abolished January 2005; women may serve in any military branch; 10-month service obligation, with a reserve obligation to age 45 (Army and Air Force) or 39 (Navy) (2006) Jamaica 18 years of age for voluntary military service; younger recruits may be conscripted with parental consent (2001) Japan 18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001) Jordan 17 years of age for voluntary military service; male conscription at age 18 - suspended in 1999 - resurrected in July 2007 in order to provide youth training necessary for job market needs; all males under age 37 are required to register; women not subject to conscription, but can volunteer to serve in non-combat military positions in the Royal Jordanian Arab Army Women's Corps (2009) Kazakhstan 18 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years; minimum age for volunteers NA (2004) Kenya 18 years of age (est.) for voluntary service, with a 9-year obligation (2007) Korea, North 17 years of age (2004) Korea, South 20-30 years of age for compulsory military service, with middle school education required; conscript service obligation - 24-28 months, depending on the military branch involved (to be reduced to 18 months beginning 2016); 18-26 years of age for voluntary military service; women, in service since 1950, admitted to 7 service branches, including infantry, but excluded from artillery, armor, anti-air, and chaplaincy corps; some 4,000 women serve as commissioned and noncommissioned officers, approx. 2.3% of all officers (2008) Kuwait 18-30 years of age for compulsory and 18-25 years of age for voluntary military service; women age 18-30 may be subject to compulsory military service; conscription suspended in 2001 (2009) Kyrgyzstan 18 years of age for compulsory military service (2001) Laos 15 years of age for compulsory military service; minimum 18-month conscript service obligation (2006) Latvia 18 years of age for voluntary male and female military service; conscription abolished January 2007; under current law, every citizen is entitled to serve in the armed forces for life (2009) Lebanon 18-30 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2007) Lesotho 18-24 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008) Liberia 16 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008) Libya 17 years of age (2004) Lithuania 19-26 years of age for compulsory military service; 18 years of age for volunteers; 12-month conscript service obligation; male registration required at age 16 (2009) Luxembourg 17-25 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; soldiers under 18 are not deployed into combat or with peacekeeping missions; no conscription; Luxembourg citizen or EU citizen with 3-year residence in Luxembourg (2008) Macedonia 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2007) Madagascar 18-25 years of age for male-only compulsory military service; 18-month conscript service obligation (either military or equivalent civil service); 20-30 years of age for National Gendarmerie recruits (35 years of age for those with military experience) (2008) Malawi 18 years of age for voluntary military service; standard obligation is 2 years of active duty and 5 years of reserve service (2007) Malaysia 18 years of age for voluntary military service (2005) Maldives 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008) Mali 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years (2008) Malta 17 years 6 months of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008) Mauritania 18 years of age (est.); conscript service obligation - 2 years; majority of servicemen believed to be volunteers; service in Air Force and Navy is voluntary (2006) Mexico 18 years of age for compulsory military service, conscript service obligation - 12 months; 16 years of age with consent for voluntary enlistment; conscripts serve only in the Army; Navy and Air Force service is all voluntary; women are eligible for voluntary military service (2007) Moldova 18 years of age for compulsory military service; 17 years of age for voluntary service; male registration required at age 16; 12-month service obligation (2009) Mongolia 18-25 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 12 months in land or air defense forces or police; a small portion of Mongolian land forces (2.5 percent) is comprised of contract soldiers; women cannot be deployed overseas for military operations (2006) Montenegro compulsory national military service abolished August 2006 Morocco 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 18 months (2004) Mozambique 19-35 years of age for compulsory military service; 18 years of age for voluntary service; 2-year service obligation (2009) Namibia 18-25 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008) Nepal 18 years of age for voluntary military service; 15 years of age for military training; no conscription (2008) Netherlands 20 years of age for an all-volunteer force (2004) Netherlands Antilles 16 years of age for National Guard recruitment; no conscription (2004) New Zealand 17 years of age for voluntary military service; soldiers cannot be deployed until the age of 18; no conscription (2008) Nicaragua 17 years of age for voluntary military service; tour of duty 18-36 months (2008) Niger 17-21 years of age for selective compulsory or voluntary military service; enlistees must be Nigerien citizens and unmarried; 2-year service term; women may serve in health care (2009) Nigeria 18 years of age for voluntary military service (2007) Norway 18-44 years of age for male compulsory military service; 16 years of age in wartime; 17 years of age for male volunteers; 18 years of age for women; 12-month service obligation, in practice shortened to 8 to 9 months; although all males between ages of 18 and 44 are liable for service, in practice they are seldom called to duty after age 30; reserve obligation to age 35-60; 16 years of age for volunteers to the Home Guard, who serve 6-month duty tours (2009) Oman 18-30 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008) Pakistan 17-23 years of age for voluntary military service; soldiers cannot be deployed for combat until age 18; the Pakistani Air Force and Pakistani Navy have inducted their first female pilots and sailors (2009) Papua New Guinea 16 years of age for voluntary military service (with parental consent); no conscription (2008) Paraguay 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 12 months for Army, 24 months for Navy (2007) Peru 18-30 years of age for voluntary male and female military service; no conscription (2008) Philippines 18-25 years of age (officers 21-29) for compulsory and voluntary military service; applicants must be single male or female Philippine citizens (2007) Poland 18-28 years of age for male voluntary or compulsory military service; service obligation shortened from 12 to 9 months in 2005; conscription is to end in 2012; only soldiers who have completed their conscript service are allowed to volunteer for professional service; as of April 2004, women are only allowed to serve as officers and noncommissioned officers; reserve obligation to age 50 (2009) Portugal 18 years of age for voluntary military service; compulsory military service ended in 2004; women serve in the armed forces, on naval ships since 1993, but are prohibited from serving in some combatant specialties; reserve obligation to age 35 (2007) Qatar 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008) Romania 18-35 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; conscription officially ended October 2006; all military inductees (including women) contract for an initial 5-year term of service, with subsequent successive contracts for 3-year terms until age 36 (2009) Russia 18-27 years of age for compulsory or voluntary military service; males are registered for the draft at 17 years of age; service obligation - 1 year; reserve obligation to age 50; as of July 2008, a draft military strategy called for the draft to continue up to the year 2030 (2009) Rwanda 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008) Saint Kitts and Nevis 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008) San Marino 16-55 for voluntary service in Voluntary Military Force (2006) Sao Tome and Principe 18 years of age (est.) (2004) Saudi Arabia 18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2004) Senegal 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years (2004) Serbia 19-35 years of age for male compulsory military service; under a state of war or impending war, conscription can begin at age 16; conscription is to be abolished in 2010; 6-month service obligation, with a reserve obligation to age 60 for men and 50 for women (2007) Seychelles 18 years of age for voluntary military service (younger with parental consent); no conscription (2008) Sierra Leone 17 years 6 months of age for voluntary military service (younger with parental consent); no conscription (2008) Singapore 18-21 years of age for male compulsory military service; 16 years of age for volunteers; 2-year conscript service obligation, with a reserve obligation to age 40 (enlisted) or age 50 (officers) (2008) Slovakia 17-30 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription abolished in 2006; women are eligible to serve (2007) Slovenia 17 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription abolished in 2003 (2007) South Africa 18 years of age for voluntary military service; women are eligible to serve in noncombat roles; 2-year service obligation (2007) Spain 20 years of age (2004) Sri Lanka 18 years of age for voluntary military service; 5-year service obligation (2007) Sudan 18-33 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; 12-24 month service obligation (2009) Suriname 18 years of age (est.); recruitment is voluntary, with personnel drawn almost exclusively from the Creole community (2007) Swaziland 18-30 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; no conscription (2008) Sweden 18-47 years of age for male compulsory or voluntary military service; conscript service obligation: 7.5 months (Army), 7-15 months (Navy), 8-12 months (Air Force); after completing initial service, soldiers have a reserve commitment until age 47; women are eligible for voluntary military service (2009) Switzerland 19 years of age for male compulsory military service; 18 years of age for voluntary male and female military service; the Swiss Constitution states that "every Swiss male is obliged to do military service"; every Swiss male has to serve at least 260 days in the armed forces; conscripts receive 18 weeks of mandatory training, followed by seven 3-week intermittent recalls for training during the next 10 years (2008) Syria 18 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 30 months (18 months in the Syrian Arab Navy); women are not conscripted but may volunteer to serve (2004) Taiwan 19-35 years of age for male compulsory military service; service obligation 14 months (reducing to 1 year in 2009); women may enlist; women in Air Force service are restricted to noncombat roles; reserve obligation to age 30 (Army); the Ministry of Defense has announced plans to implement an incremental voluntary enlistment system beginning 2010, with 10% fewer conscripts each year thereafter, although nonvolunteers will still be required to perform alternative service or go through 3-4 months of military training (2009) Tajikistan 18 years of age for compulsory military service; 2-year conscript service obligation (2007) Tanzania 18 years of age for voluntary military service (2007) Thailand 21 years of age for compulsory military service; 18 years of age for voluntary military service; males are registered at 18 years of age; 2-year conscript service obligation (2007) Timor-Leste 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008) Togo 18 years of age for selective compulsory and voluntary military service; 2-year service obligation (2006) Tonga 18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2008) Trinidad and Tobago 18 years of age for voluntary military service (16 years of age with parental consent); no conscription (2008) Tunisia 20 years of age for compulsory military service, 18 years of age for voluntary military service; 1-year conscript service obligation (2007) Turkey 20 years of age (2004) Turkmenistan 18-30 years of age for compulsory military service; 2-year conscript service obligation (2007) Uganda 18-26 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military duty; 18-30 years of age for professionals; 9-year service obligation; the government has stated that recruitment below 18 years of age could occur with proper consent and that "no person under the apparent age of 13 years shall be enrolled in the armed forces"; Ugandan citizenship and secondary education required (2009) Ukraine 18-25 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 18 months for Army and Air Force, 24 months for Navy (2004) United Arab Emirates 18 years of age (est.) for voluntary military service; 18 years of age for officers and women; no conscription (2008) United Kingdom 16-33 years of age (officers 17-28) for voluntary military service (with parental consent under 18); women serve in military services, but are excluded from ground combat positions and some naval postings; must be citizen of the UK, Commonwealth, or Republic of Ireland; reservists serve a minimum of 3 years, to age 45 or 55; 16 years of age for voluntary military service by Nepalese citizens in the Brigade of the Gurkhas; 16-34 years of age for voluntary military service by Papua New Guinean citizens (2008) United States 18 years of age (17 years of age with parental consent) for male and female voluntary service; maximum enlistment age 42 (Army), 27 (Air Force), 34 (Navy), 28 (Marines); service obligation 8 years, including 2-5 years active duty (Army), 2 years active (Navy), 4 years active (Air Force, Marines) (2008) Uruguay 18 years of age for voluntary and compulsory military service; enlistment is voluntary in peacetime, but the government has the authority to conscript in emergencies (2007) Uzbekistan 18 years of age for compulsory military service; 1-year conscript service obligation; moving toward a professional military, but conscription will continue; the military cannot accommodate everyone who wishes to enlist, and competition for entrance into the military is similar to the competition for admission to universities (2007) Venezuela 18-30 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; 30-month conscript service obligation; all citizens 18-50 years old are obligated to register for military service (2008) Vietnam 18 years of age (male) for compulsory military service; females may volunteer for active duty military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years (3 to 4 years in the navy); 18-45 years of age (male) or 18-40 years of age (female) for Militia Force or Self Defense Forces (2006) Yemen voluntary military service program authorized in 2001; 2-year service obligation (2006) Zambia 18-27 years of age for voluntary military service (16 years of age with parental consent); Zambian citizenship required; mandatory HIV testing on enlistment; no conscription (2009) Zimbabwe 18-24 years of age for compulsory military service; women are eligible to serve (2007) ====================================================================== @2025 Field Listing :: Manpower fit for military service This entry gives the number of males and females falling in the military age range for a country (defined as being ages 16-49) and who are not otherwise disqualified for health reasons; accounts for the health situation in the country and provides a more realistic estimate of the actual number fit to serve. Country Manpower fit for military service Afghanistan males age 16-49: 4,371,193 females age 16-49: 4,072,945 (2009 est.) Albania males age 16-49: 800,665 females age 16-49: 768,536 (2009 est.) Algeria males age 16-49: 8,317,473 females age 16-49: 8,367,005 (2009 est.) American Samoa males age 16-49: 13,875 females age 16-49: 13,517 (2009 est.) Andorra males age 16-49: 18,617 females age 16-49: 17,613 (2009 est.) Angola males age 16-49: 1,467,833 females age 16-49: 1,411,468 (2009 est.) Anguilla males age 16-49: 2,955 females age 16-49: 3,308 (2009 est.) Antigua and Barbuda males age 16-49: 17,271 females age 16-49: 19,586 (2009 est.) Argentina males age 16-49: 8,264,853 females age 16-49: 8,268,498 (2009 est.) Armenia males age 16-49: 642,734 females age 16-49: 729,047 (2009 est.) Aruba males age 16-49: 20,287 females age 16-49: 21,232 (2009 est.) Australia males age 16-49: 4,341,591 females age 16-49: 4,179,659 (2009 est.) Austria males age 16-49: 1,607,456 females age 16-49: 1,576,335 (2009 est.) Azerbaijan males age 16-49: 1,727,464 females age 16-49: 1,944,260 (2009 est.) Bahamas, The males age 16-49: 50,764 females age 16-49: 51,690 (2009 est.) Bahrain males age 16-49: 171,004 females age 16-49: 144,555 (2009 est.) Bangladesh males age 16-49: 24,946,041 females age 16-49: 31,409,069 (2009 est.) Barbados males age 16-49: 58,596 females age 16-49: 58,866 (2009 est.) Belarus males age 16-49: 1,720,049 females age 16-49: 2,069,898 (2009 est.) Belgium males age 16-49: 1,962,409 females age 16-49: 1,905,178 (2009 est.) Belize males age 16-49: 56,135 females age 16-49: 54,732 (2009 est.) Benin males age 16-49: 1,279,053 females age 16-49: 1,292,438 (2009 est.) Bermuda males age 16-49: 12,496 females age 16-49: 12,486 (2009 est.) Bhutan males age 16-49: 150,210 females age 16-49: 135,991 (2009 est.) Bolivia males age 16-49: 1,666,697 females age 16-49: 1,906,396 (2009 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina males age 16-49: 991,953 females age 16-49: 959,226 (2009 est.) Botswana males age 16-49: 341,190 females age 16-49: 315,588 (2009 est.) Brazil males age 16-49: 38,043,555 females age 16-49: 44,267,520 (2009 est.) British Virgin Islands males age 16-49: 5,979 females age 16-49: 5,738 (2009 est.) Brunei males age 16-49: 92,543 females age 16-49: 95,301 (2009 est.) Bulgaria males age 16-49: 1,351,312 females age 16-49: 1,381,017 (2009 est.) Burkina Faso males age 16-49: 2,197,557 females age 16-49: 2,191,978 (2009 est.) Burma males age 16-49: 9,146,312 females age 16-49: 9,520,852 (2009 est.) Burundi males age 16-49: 1,124,072 females age 16-49: 1,102,729 (2009 est.) Cambodia males age 16-49: 2,673,383 females age 16-49: 2,763,256 (2009 est.) Cameroon males age 16-49: 2,645,601 females age 16-49: 2,574,948 (2009 est.) Canada males age 16-49: 6,647,513 females age 16-49: 6,413,748 (2009 est.) Cape Verde males age 16-49: 84,967 females age 16-49: 90,154 (2009 est.) Cayman Islands males age 16-49: 9,735 females age 16-49: 10,145 (2009 est.) Central African Republic males age 16-49: 552,907 females age 16-49: 512,611 (2009 est.) Chad males age 16-49: 1,103,006 females age 16-49: 1,315,620 (2009 est.) Chile males age 16-49: 3,573,165 females age 16-49: 3,523,649 (2009 est.) China males age 16-49: 314,459,083 females age 16-49: 296,763,134 (2009 est.) Colombia males age 16-49: 8,212,944 females age 16-49: 10,045,435 (2009 est.) Comoros males age 16-49: 125,747 females age 16-49: 135,707 (2009 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the males age 16-49: 8,925,355 females age 16-49: 9,047,356 (2009 est.) Congo, Republic of the males age 16-49: 538,202 females age 16-49: 527,649 (2009 est.) Cook Islands males age 16-49: 2,334 females age 16-49: 2,286 (2009 est.) Costa Rica males age 16-49: 971,224 females age 16-49: 936,978 (2009 est.) Cote d'Ivoire males age 16-49: 3,122,106 females age 16-49: 2,936,391 (2009 est.) Croatia males age 16-49: 770,798 females age 16-49: 849,957 (2009 est.) Cuba males age 16-49: 2,532,495 females age 16-49: 2,468,631 (2009 est.) Cyprus Greek Cypriot National Guard (GCNG): males age 16-49: 165,615 females age 16-49: 159,362 (2009 est.) Czech Republic males age 16-49: 2,095,038 females age 16-49: 2,011,531 (2009 est.) Denmark males age 16-49: 1,013,223 females age 16-49: 998,837 (2009 est.) Djibouti males age 16-49: 55,173 females age 16-49: 52,825 (2009 est.) Dominica males age 16-49: 15,821 females age 16-49: 15,291 (2009 est.) Dominican Republic males age 16-49: 2,056,774 females age 16-49: 1,921,836 (2009 est.) Ecuador males age 16-49: 2,708,470 females age 16-49: 3,165,489 (2009 est.) Egypt males age 16-49: 18,490,522 females age 16-49: 17,719,905 (2009 est.) El Salvador males age 16-49: 1,201,290 females age 16-49: 1,547,278 (2009 est.) Equatorial Guinea males age 16-49: 105,468 females age 16-49: 107,919 (2009 est.) Eritrea males age 16-49: 834,018 females age 16-49: 887,495 (2009 est.) Estonia males age 16-49: 216,483 females age 16-49: 260,408 (2009 est.) Ethiopia males age 16-49: 11,078,847 females age 16-49: 12,017,073 (2009 est.) Faroe Islands males age 16-49: 9,759 females age 16-49: 8,311 (2009 est.) Fiji males age 16-49: 192,363 females age 16-49: 204,410 (2009 est.) Finland males age 16-49: 962,479 females age 16-49: 920,297 (2009 est.) France males age 16-49: 12,087,606 females age 16-49: 11,811,260 (2009 est.) French Polynesia males age 16-49: 65,408 females age 16-49: 64,421 (2009 est.) Gabon males age 16-49: 195,519 females age 16-49: 190,519 (2009 est.) Gambia, The males age 16-49: 238,454 females age 16-49: 253,680 (2009 est.) Gaza Strip males age 16-49: 312,003 females age 16-49: 297,380 (2009 est.) Georgia males age 16-49: 908,282 females age 16-49: 959,290 (2009 est.) Germany males age 16-49: 15,747,493 females age 16-49: 14,899,416 (2009 est.) Ghana males age 16-49: 3,849,113 females age 16-49: 3,840,083 (2009 est.) Gibraltar males age 16-49: 5,234 females age 16-49: 5,242 (2009 est.) Greece males age 16-49: 2,067,878 females age 16-49: 2,050,289 (2009 est.) Greenland males age 16-49: 10,809 females age 16-49: 11,437 (2009 est.) Grenada males age 16-49: 20,483 females age 16-49: 20,923 (2009 est.) Guam males age 16-49: 37,563 females age 16-49: 36,083 (2009 est.) Guatemala males age 16-49: 2,401,297 females age 16-49: 2,725,572 (2009 est.) Guernsey males age 16-49: 12,447 females age 16-49: 12,566 (2009 est.) Guinea males age 16-49: 1,396,278 females age 16-49: 1,435,387 (2009 est.) Guinea-Bissau males age 16-49: 194,110 females age 16-49: 200,660 (2009 est.) Guyana males age 16-49: 150,307 females age 16-49: 144,622 (2009 est.) Haiti males age 16-49: 1,518,840 females age 16-49: 1,530,043 (2009 est.) Honduras males age 16-49: 1,397,938 females age 16-49: 1,402,398 (2009 est.) Hong Kong males age 16-49: 1,421,406 females age 16-49: 1,543,443 (2009 est.) Hungary males age 16-49: 1,887,755 females age 16-49: 1,934,019 (2009 est.) Iceland males age 16-49: 62,576 females age 16-49: 61,159 (2009 est.) India males age 16-49: 237,042,868 females age 16-49: 243,276,310 (2009 est.) Indonesia males age 16-49: 52,997,922 females age 16-49: 52,503,046 (2009 est.) Iran males age 16-49: 17,658,573 females age 16-49: 17,148,290 (2009 est.) Iraq males age 16-49: 6,203,425 females age 16-49: 6,065,009 (2009 est.) Ireland males age 16-49: 857,162 females age 16-49: 854,416 (2009 est.) Isle of Man males age 16-49: 14,691 females age 16-49: 14,338 (2009 est.) Israel males age 16-49: 1,474,966 females age 16-49: 1,404,712 (2009 est.) Italy males age 16-49: 11,197,487 females age 16-49: 10,574,250 (2009 est.) Jamaica males age 16-49: 573,520 females age 16-49: 586,426 (2009 est.) Japan males age 16-49: 22,757,136 females age 16-49: 21,920,703 (2009 est.) Jersey males age 16-49: 16,920 females age 16-49: 16,826 (2009 est.) Jordan males age 16-49: 1,593,919 females age 16-49: 1,382,097 (2009 est.) Kazakhstan males age 16-49: 2,888,931 females age 16-49: 3,550,014 (2009 est.) Kenya males age 16-49: 5,935,480 females age 16-49: 5,662,755 (2009 est.) Kiribati males age 16-49: 18,129 females age 16-49: 20,643 (2009 est.) Korea, North males age 16-49: 4,104,964 females age 16-49: 4,492,374 (2009 est.) Korea, South males age 16-49: 10,991,263 females age 16-49: 10,356,604 (2009 est.) Kosovo males age 16-49: 428,685 females age 16-49: 388,848 (2009 est.) Kuwait males age 16-49: 935,525 females age 16-49: 519,854 (2009 est.) Kyrgyzstan males age 16-49: 1,083,777 females age 16-49: 1,229,406 (2009 est.) Laos males age 16-49: 1,023,205 females age 16-49: 1,085,197 (2009 est.) Latvia males age 16-49: 410,374 females age 16-49: 463,144 (2009 est.) Lebanon males age 16-49: 948,765 females age 16-49: 954,663 (2009 est.) Lesotho males age 16-49: 267,083 females age 16-49: 240,868 (2009 est.) Liberia males age 16-49: 387,417 females age 16-49: 382,334 (2009 est.) Libya males age 16-49: 1,466,578 females age 16-49: 1,409,684 (2009 est.) Liechtenstein males age 16-49: 6,584 females age 16-49: 6,801 (2009 est.) Lithuania males age 16-49: 677,689 females age 16-49: 743,468 (2009 est.) Luxembourg males age 16-49: 95,840 females age 16-49: 94,641 (2009 est.) Macau males age 16-49: 122,962 females age 16-49: 148,809 (2009 est.) Macedonia males age 16-49: 444,247 females age 16-49: 427,556 (2009 est.) Madagascar males age 16-49: 3,150,043 females age 16-49: 3,404,988 (2009 est.) Malawi males age 16-49: 1,732,621 females age 16-49: 1,562,107 (2009 est.) Malaysia males age 16-49: 5,493,946 females age 16-49: 5,409,524 (2009 est.) Maldives males age 16-49: 138,746 females age 16-49: 82,247 (2009 est.) Mali males age 16-49: 1,649,772 females age 16-49: 1,579,601 (2009 est.) Malta males age 16-49: 80,186 females age 16-49: 76,426 (2009 est.) Marshall Islands males age 16-49: 13,041 females age 16-49: 13,199 (2009 est.) Mauritania males age 16-49: 450,289 females age 16-49: 544,598 (2009 est.) Mauritius males age 16-49: 277,690 females age 16-49: 282,211 (2009 est.) Mayotte males age 16-49: 35,849 females age 16-49: 34,456 (2009 est.) Mexico males age 16-49: 22,541,654 females age 16-49: 25,149,027 (2009 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of males age 16-49: 21,845 females age 16-49: 23,401 (2009 est.) Moldova males age 16-49: 877,665 females age 16-49: 987,356 (2009 est.) Monaco males age 16-49: 5,495 females age 16-49: 5,406 (2009 est.) Mongolia males age 16-49: 706,774 females age 16-49: 740,550 (2009 est.) Montenegro males age 16-49: 154,029 females age 16-49: 136,847 (2009 est.) Montserrat males age 16-49: 1,126 females age 16-49: 1,226 (2009 est.) Morocco males age 16-49: 7,779,589 females age 16-49: 7,881,024 (2009 est.) Mozambique males age 16-49: 2,366,897 females age 16-49: 2,209,764 (2009 est.) Namibia males age 16-49: 329,614 females age 16-49: 294,490 (2009 est.) Nauru males age 16-49: 2,592 females age 16-49: 2,966 (2009 est.) Nepal males age 16-49: 4,886,103 females age 16-49: 5,525,764 (2009 est.) Netherlands males age 16-49: 3,224,790 females age 16-49: 3,143,096 (2009 est.) Netherlands Antilles males age 16-49: 46,461 females age 16-49: 47,325 (2009 est.) New Caledonia males age 16-49: 48,288 females age 16-49: 48,959 (2009 est.) New Zealand males age 16-49: 837,553 females age 16-49: 825,981 (2009 est.) Nicaragua males age 16-49: 1,277,878 females age 16-49: 1,339,413 (2009 est.) Niger males age 16-49: 2,019,553 females age 16-49: 2,046,906 (2009 est.) Nigeria males age 16-49: 19,763,535 females age 16-49: 18,850,650 (2009 est.) Northern Mariana Islands males age 16-49: 19,209 females age 16-49: 33,074 (2009 est.) Norway males age 16-49: 888,219 females age 16-49: 863,255 (2009 est.) Oman males age 16-49: 675,454 females age 16-49: 563,890 (2009 est.) Pakistan males age 16-49: 33,690,322 females age 16-49: 32,602,910 (2009 est.) Palau males age 16-49: 5,177 females age 16-49: 3,936 (2009 est.) Panama males age 16-49: 705,160 females age 16-49: 710,521 (2009 est.) Papua New Guinea males age 16-49: 1,110,175 females age 16-49: 1,127,758 (2009 est.) Paraguay males age 16-49: 1,363,746 females age 16-49: 1,390,799 (2009 est.) Peru males age 16-49: 5,920,716 females age 16-49: 6,359,803 (2009 est.) Philippines males age 16-49: 19,169,298 females age 16-49: 20,636,853 (2009 est.) Poland males age 16-49: 7,898,892 females age 16-49: 7,888,035 (2009 est.) Portugal males age 16-49: 2,103,558 females age 16-49: 2,049,032 (2009 est.) Puerto Rico males age 16-49: 699,784 females age 16-49: 790,482 (2009 est.) Qatar males age 16-49: 318,388 females age 16-49: 136,841 (2009 est.) Romania males age 16-49: 4,542,720 females age 16-49: 4,604,484 (2009 est.) Russia males age 16-49: 21,098,306 females age 16-49: 27,968,883 (2009 est.) Rwanda males age 16-49: 1,452,768 females age 16-49: 1,456,207 (2009 est.) Saint Barthelemy males age 16-49: 1,594 females age 16-49: 1,340 (2009 est.) Saint Helena males age 16-49: 1,586 females age 16-49: 1,600 (2009 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis males age 16-49: 8,159 females age 16-49: 8,517 (2009 est.) Saint Lucia males age 16-49: 32,094 females age 16-49: 36,110 (2009 est.) Saint Martin males age 16-49: 6,336 females age 16-49: 6,925 (2009 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon males age 16-49: 1,427 females age 16-49: 1,406 (2009 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines males age 16-49: 22,975 females age 16-49: 22,250 (2009 est.) Samoa males age 16-49: 43,169 females age 16-49: 40,957 (2009 est.) San Marino males age 16-49: 5,343 females age 16-49: 6,048 (2009 est.) Sao Tome and Principe males age 16-49: 35,216 females age 16-49: 38,329 (2009 est.) Saudi Arabia males age 16-49: 7,486,622 females age 16-49: 5,652,819 (2009 est.) Senegal males age 16-49: 2,038,508 females age 16-49: 2,207,510 (2009 est.) Serbia males age 16-49: 1,415,007 females age 16-49: 1,379,541 (2009 est.) Seychelles males age 16-49: 19,702 females age 16-49: 19,780 (2009 est.) Sierra Leone males age 16-49: 692,469 females age 16-49: 762,239 (2009 est.) Singapore males age 16-49: 1,033,961 females age 16-49: 1,104,952 (2009 est.) Slovakia males age 16-49: 1,165,470 females age 16-49: 1,152,941 (2009 est.) Slovenia males age 16-49: 402,484 females age 16-49: 390,559 (2009 est.) Solomon Islands males age 16-49: 121,368 females age 16-49: 122,821 (2009 est.) Somalia males age 16-49: 1,301,026 females age 16-49: 1,351,649 (2009 est.) South Africa males age 16-49: 7,641,557 females age 16-49: 6,518,793 (2009 est.) Spain males age 16-49: 8,139,020 females age 16-49: 7,899,157 (2009 est.) Sri Lanka males age 16-49: 4,498,667 females age 16-49: 4,693,895 (2009 est.) Sudan males age 16-49: 5,836,971 females age 16-49: 5,942,043 (2009 est.) Suriname males age 16-49: 107,367 females age 16-49: 111,000 (2009 est.) Swaziland males age 16-49: 124,132 females age 16-49: 118,570 (2009 est.) Sweden males age 16-49: 1,705,746 females age 16-49: 1,645,070 (2009 est.) Switzerland males age 16-49: 1,510,259 females age 16-49: 1,475,993 (2009 est.) Syria males age 16-49: 4,360,934 females age 16-49: 4,344,895 (2009 est.) Taiwan males age 16-49: 5,106,730 females age 16-49: 5,008,563 (2009 est.) Tajikistan males age 16-49: 1,428,218 females age 16-49: 1,603,779 (2009 est.) Tanzania males age 16-49: 5,473,552 females age 16-49: 5,493,188 (2009 est.) Thailand males age 16-49: 13,086,106 females age 16-49: 14,126,398 (2009 est.) Timor-Leste males age 16-49: 230,534 females age 16-49: 238,610 (2009 est.) Togo males age 16-49: 929,395 females age 16-49: 943,967 (2009 est.) Tonga males age 16-49: 26,471 females age 16-49: 27,715 (2009 est.) Trinidad and Tobago males age 16-49: 276,224 females age 16-49: 271,677 (2009 est.) Tunisia males age 16-49: 2,569,403 females age 16-49: 2,489,651 (2009 est.) Turkey males age 16-49: 17,223,506 females age 16-49: 16,995,299 (2009 est.) Turkmenistan males age 16-49: 1,024,884 females age 16-49: 1,147,714 (2009 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands males age 16-49: 4,937 females age 16-49: 4,648 (2009 est.) Tuvalu males age 16-49: 2,462 females age 16-49: 2,631 (2009 est.) Uganda males age 16-49: 3,996,597 females age 16-49: 3,899,717 (2009 est.) Ukraine males age 16-49: 7,056,742 females age 16-49: 9,234,591 (2009 est.) United Arab Emirates males age 16-49: 2,081,491 females age 16-49: 788,632 (2009 est.) United Kingdom males age 16-49: 12,123,900 females age 16-49: 11,616,769 (2009 est.) United States males age 16-49: 59,764,677 females age 16-49: 59,437,663 (2009 est.) Uruguay males age 16-49: 708,545 females age 16-49: 693,622 (2009 est.) Uzbekistan males age 16-49: 6,340,446 females age 16-49: 6,559,769 (2009 est.) Vanuatu males age 16-49: 41,533 females age 16-49: 42,837 (2009 est.) Venezuela males age 16-49: 5,391,582 females age 16-49: 5,873,563 (2009 est.) Vietnam males age 16-49: 19,190,676 females age 16-49: 20,768,508 (2009 est.) Virgin Islands males age 16-49: 17,820 females age 16-49: 21,193 (2009 est.) Wallis and Futuna males age 16-49: 3,273 females age 16-49: 3,297 (2009 est.) West Bank males age 16-49: 545,653 females age 16-49: 515,102 (2009 est.) Western Sahara males age 16-49: 52,267 females age 16-49: 59,221 (2009 est.) Yemen males age 16-49: 3,733,704 females age 16-49: 3,773,626 (2009 est.) Zambia males age 16-49: 1,364,173 females age 16-49: 1,245,220 (2009 est.) Zimbabwe males age 16-49: 1,198,727 females age 16-49: 1,436,232 (2009 est.) ====================================================================== @2026 Field Listing :: Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually This entry gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults. Country Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually Afghanistan male: 382,720 female: 361,733 (2009 est.) Albania male: 34,778 female: 31,673 (2009 est.) Algeria male: 375,852 female: 362,158 (2009 est.) American Samoa male: 820 female: 802 (2009 est.) Andorra male: 402 female: 373 (2009 est.) Angola male: 146,738 female: 143,478 (2009 est.) Anguilla male: 107 female: 106 (2009 est.) Antigua and Barbuda male: 744 female: 743 (2009 est.) Argentina male: 341,590 female: 326,342 (2009 est.) Armenia male: 27,293 female: 25,574 (2009 est.) Aruba male: 722 female: 711 (2009 est.) Australia male: 144,959 female: 137,333 (2009 est.) Austria male: 50,540 female: 48,042 (2009 est.) Azerbaijan male: 90,416 female: 85,344 (2009 est.) Bahamas, The male: 2,992 female: 3,003 (2009 est.) Bahrain male: 6,612 female: 6,499 (2009 est.) Bangladesh male: 1,538,865 female: 1,666,670 (2009 est.) Barbados male: 2,015 female: 2,007 (2009 est.) Belarus male: 60,009 female: 56,834 (2009 est.) Belgium male: 62,722 female: 59,969 (2009 est.) Belize male: 3,632 female: 3,500 (2009 est.) Benin male: 101,549 female: 97,856 (2009 est.) Bermuda male: 426 female: 413 (2009 est.) Bhutan male: 7,668 female: 7,379 (2009 est.) Bolivia male: 108,304 female: 104,882 (2009 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina male: 27,368 female: 25,644 (2009 est.) Botswana male: 23,420 female: 22,904 (2009 est.) Brazil male: 1,690,031 female: 1,630,851 (2009 est.) British Virgin Islands male: 178 female: 173 (2009 est.) Brunei male: 3,460 female: 3,399 (2009 est.) Bulgaria male: 38,263 female: 36,374 (2009 est.) Burkina Faso male: 182,540 female: 180,051 (2009 est.) Burma male: 426,110 female: 417,674 (2009 est.) Burundi male: 101,402 female: 101,897 (2009 est.) Cambodia male: 177,881 female: 175,332 (2009 est.) Cameroon male: 213,027 female: 208,642 (2009 est.) Canada male: 223,238 female: 210,797 (2009 est.) Cape Verde male: 5,471 female: 5,349 (2009 est.) Cayman Islands male: 334 female: 345 (2009 est.) Central African Republic male: 55,484 female: 55,168 (2009 est.) Chad male: 121,080 female: 121,585 (2009 est.) Chile male: 145,766 female: 139,648 (2009 est.) China male: 10,621,373 female: 9,533,880 (2009 est.) Colombia male: 446,432 female: 437,164 (2009 est.) Comoros male: 8,203 female: 8,188 (2009 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the male: 814,199 female: 811,238 (2009 est.) Congo, Republic of the male: 46,976 female: 46,490 (2009 est.) Cook Islands male: 148 female: 125 (2009 est.) Costa Rica male: 40,698 female: 38,808 (2009 est.) Cote d'Ivoire male: 236,159 female: 232,617 (2009 est.) Croatia male: 27,620 female: 26,154 (2009 est.) Cuba male: 75,969 female: 72,253 (2009 est.) Cyprus male: 6,241 female: 5,979 (2009 est.) Czech Republic male: 60,150 female: 57,157 (2009 est.) Denmark male: 37,231 female: 35,306 (2009 est.) Djibouti male: 5,778 female: 5,771 (2009 est.) Dominica male: 776 female: 731 (2009 est.) Dominican Republic male: 97,766 female: 93,922 (2009 est.) Ecuador male: 148,010 female: 143,291 (2009 est.) Egypt male: 831,157 female: 792,330 (2009 est.) El Salvador male: 77,473 female: 74,655 (2009 est.) Equatorial Guinea male: 6,983 female: 6,726 (2009 est.) Eritrea male: 62,265 female: 62,328 (2009 est.) Estonia male: 7,583 female: 7,111 (2009 est.) Ethiopia male: 908,384 female: 916,354 (2009 est.) Faroe Islands male: 386 female: 375 (2009 est.) Fiji male: 9,107 female: 8,755 (2009 est.) Finland male: 33,784 female: 32,621 (2009 est.) France male: 391,480 female: 373,334 (2009 est.) French Polynesia male: 2,665 female: 2,552 (2009 est.) Gabon male: 16,933 female: 16,942 (2009 est.) Gambia, The male: 20,238 female: 20,167 (2009 est.) Gaza Strip male: 19,147 female: 18,200 (2009 est.) Georgia male: 32,355 female: 30,809 (2009 est.) Germany male: 431,508 female: 409,111 (2009 est.) Ghana male: 272,954 female: 266,186 (2009 est.) Gibraltar male: 186 female: 179 (2009 est.) Greece male: 53,401 female: 50,084 (2009 est.) Greenland male: 532 female: 491 (2009 est.) Grenada male: 982 female: 937 (2009 est.) Guam male: 1,677 female: 1,581 (2009 est.) Guatemala male: 165,910 female: 163,760 (2009 est.) Guernsey male: 362 female: 351 (2009 est.) Guinea male: 110,281 female: 107,879 (2009 est.) Guinea-Bissau male: 16,957 female: 17,172 (2009 est.) Guyana male: 6,625 female: 6,365 (2009 est.) Haiti male: 108,444 female: 106,243 (2009 est.) Honduras male: 92,638 female: 88,993 (2009 est.) Hong Kong male: 42,330 female: 38,797 (2009 est.) Hungary male: 60,248 female: 57,280 (2009 est.) Iceland male: 2,369 female: 2,349 (2009 est.) India male: 11.795 million female: 10,820,590 (2009 est.) Indonesia male: 2,197,323 female: 2,126,412 (2009 est.) Iran male: 700,213 female: 664,846 (2009 est.) Iraq male: 313,500 female: 304,923 (2009 est.) Ireland male: 28,072 female: 26,400 (2009 est.) Isle of Man male: 466 female: 446 (2009 est.) Israel male: 61,223 female: 58,219 (2009 est.) Italy male: 287,845 female: 270,384 (2009 est.) Jamaica male: 31,833 female: 31,257 (2009 est.) Japan male: 621,254 female: 589,270 (2009 est.) Jersey male: 586 female: 541 (2009 est.) Jordan male: 69,830 female: 67,292 (2009 est.) Kazakhstan male: 139,262 female: 133,047 (2009 est.) Kenya male: 412,656 female: 408,657 (2009 est.) Kiribati male: 1,264 female: 1,242 (2009 est.) Korea, North male: 191,759 female: 184,641 (2009 est.) Korea, South male: 371,728 female: 322,605 (2009 est.) Kuwait male: 18,122 female: 18,865 (2009 est.) Kyrgyzstan male: 57,659 female: 55,557 (2009 est.) Laos male: 75,310 female: 74,498 (2009 est.) Latvia male: 12,901 female: 12,497 (2009 est.) Lebanon male: 33,018 female: 31,800 (2009 est.) Lesotho male: 26,039 female: 25,964 (2009 est.) Liberia male: 34,059 female: 33,281 (2009 est.) Libya male: 60,710 female: 58,219 (2009 est.) Liechtenstein male: 199 female: 222 (2009 est.) Lithuania male: 23,556 female: 22,404 (2009 est.) Luxembourg male: 3,170 female: 2,995 (2009 est.) Macau male: 4,578 female: 4,052 (2009 est.) Macedonia male: 14,596 female: 13,881 (2009 est.) Madagascar male: 236,500 female: 235,994 (2009 est.) Malawi male: 174,044 female: 173,828 (2009 est.) Malaysia male: 266,267 female: 252,543 (2009 est.) Maldives male: 4,576 female: 3,942 (2009 est.) Mali male: 147,846 female: 140,543 (2009 est.) Malta male: 2,695 female: 2,533 (2009 est.) Marshall Islands male: 540 female: 521 (2009 est.) Mauritania male: 34,546 female: 35,272 (2009 est.) Mauritius male: 10,901 female: 10,796 (2009 est.) Mayotte male: 2,517 female: 2,511 (2009 est.) Mexico male: 1,109,981 female: 1,072,094 (2009 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of male: 1,273 female: 1,212 (2009 est.) Moldova male: 31,633 female: 30,214 (2009 est.) Monaco male: 190 female: 182 (2009 est.) Mongolia male: 28,251 female: 27,344 (2009 est.) Montenegro male: 3,945 female: 3,907 (2009 est.) Montserrat male: 36 female: 33 (2009 est.) Morocco male: 356,014 female: 343,520 (2009 est.) Mozambique male: 263,994 female: 265,058 (2009 est.) Namibia male: 25,857 female: 25,505 (2009 est.) Nauru male: 179 female: 174 (2009 est.) Nepal male: 365,567 female: 352,643 (2009 est.) Netherlands male: 105,194 female: 100,341 (2009 est.) Netherlands Antilles male: 1,920 female: 1,827 (2009 est.) New Caledonia male: 2,160 female: 2,087 (2009 est.) New Zealand male: 31,461 female: 29,809 (2009 est.) Nicaragua male: 72,366 female: 70,118 (2009 est.) Niger male: 170,060 female: 163,996 (2009 est.) Nigeria male: 1,697,030 female: 1,618,561 (2009 est.) Northern Mariana Islands male: 570 female: 587 (2009 est.) Norway male: 31,980 female: 30,543 (2009 est.) Oman male: 35,647 female: 34,407 (2009 est.) Pakistan male: 2,089,936 female: 1,964,090 (2009 est.) Palau male: 207 female: 214 (2009 est.) Panama male: 31,089 female: 29,939 (2009 est.) Papua New Guinea male: 64,636 female: 62,803 (2009 est.) Paraguay male: 73,660 female: 72,046 (2009 est.) Peru male: 310,575 female: 300,838 (2009 est.) Philippines male: 1,023,431 female: 986,434 (2009 est.) Poland male: 246,667 female: 235,698 (2009 est.) Portugal male: 64,047 female: 57,630 (2009 est.) Puerto Rico male: 30,422 female: 29,396 (2009 est.) Qatar male: 6,337 female: 5,059 (2009 est.) Romania male: 124,356 female: 118,430 (2009 est.) Russia male: 741,692 female: 706,081 (2009 est.) Rwanda male: 106,741 female: 106,935 (2009 est.) Saint Barthelemy male: 21 female: 20 (2009 est.) Saint Helena male: 47 female: 45 (2009 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis male: 376 female: 362 (2009 est.) Saint Lucia male: 1,607 female: 1,511 (2009 est.) Saint Martin male: 177 female: 162 (2009 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon male: 61 female: 57 (2009 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines male: 1,020 female: 1,009 (2009 est.) Samoa male: 2,597 female: 2,477 (2009 est.) San Marino male: 161 female: 160 (2009 est.) Sao Tome and Principe male: 2,534 female: 2,485 (2009 est.) Saudi Arabia male: 278,179 female: 267,905 (2009 est.) Senegal male: 154,249 female: 153,679 (2009 est.) Serbia male: 44,601 female: 41,845 (2009 est.) Seychelles male: 714 female: 685 (2009 est.) Sierra Leone male: 71,524 female: 75,491 (2009 est.) Singapore male: 27,715 female: 26,290 (2009 est.) Slovakia male: 36,552 female: 34,783 (2009 est.) Slovenia male: 10,192 female: 9,717 (2009 est.) Solomon Islands male: 7,091 female: 6,837 (2009 est.) Somalia male: 93,763 female: 93,738 (2009 est.) South Africa male: 511,616 female: 510,540 (2009 est.) Spain male: 199,124 female: 187,224 (2009 est.) Sri Lanka male: 173,256 female: 167,645 (2009 est.) Sudan male: 498,376 female: 479,005 (2009 est.) Suriname male: 4,251 female: 4,265 (2009 est.) Swaziland male: 15,985 female: 15,754 (2009 est.) Sweden male: 62,262 female: 59,340 (2009 est.) Switzerland male: 48,076 female: 44,049 (2009 est.) Syria male: 213,513 female: 201,055 (2009 est.) Taiwan male: 165,738 female: 154,123 (2009 est.) Tajikistan male: 80,819 female: 78,460 (2009 est.) Tanzania male: 487,742 female: 489,462 (2009 est.) Thailand male: 532,977 female: 510,737 (2009 est.) Timor-Leste male: 12,887 female: 12,529 (2009 est.) Togo male: 70,775 female: 70,051 (2009 est.) Tonga male: 1,458 female: 1,403 (2009 est.) Trinidad and Tobago male: 9,183 female: 8,662 (2009 est.) Tunisia male: 100,478 female: 94,055 (2009 est.) Turkey male: 692,592 female: 663,689 (2009 est.) Turkmenistan male: 57,021 female: 56,064 (2009 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands male: 226 female: 218 (2009 est.) Tuvalu male: 125 female: 121 (2009 est.) Uganda male: 399,134 female: 395,505 (2009 est.) Ukraine male: 269,311 female: 257,656 (2009 est.) United Arab Emirates male: 26,659 female: 23,793 (2009 est.) United Kingdom male: 393,892 female: 376,351 (2009 est.) United States male: 2,196,124 female: 2,085,085 (2009 est.) Uruguay male: 27,452 female: 26,479 (2009 est.) Uzbekistan male: 313,131 female: 310,442 (2009 est.) Vanuatu male: 2,368 female: 2,272 (2009 est.) Venezuela male: 276,051 female: 274,162 (2009 est.) Vietnam male: 893,726 female: 834,279 (2009 est.) Virgin Islands male: 831 female: 873 (2009 est.) Wallis and Futuna male: 175 female: 164 (2009 est.) West Bank male: 30,233 female: 28,745 (2009 est.) Western Sahara male: 4,796 female: 4,679 (2009 est.) Yemen male: 273,624 female: 263,402 (2009 est.) Zambia male: 149,567 female: 148,889 (2009 est.) Zimbabwe male: 149,592 female: 149,717 (2009 est.) ====================================================================== @2028 Field Listing :: Background This entry usually highlights major historic events and current issues and may include a statement about one or two key future trends. Country Background Afghanistan Ahmad Shah DURRANI unified the Pashtun tribes and founded Afghanistan in 1747. The country served as a buffer between the British and Russian empires until it won independence from notional British control in 1919. A brief experiment in democracy ended in a 1973 coup and a 1978 Communist counter-coup. The Soviet Union invaded in 1979 to support the tottering Afghan Communist regime, touching off a long and destructive war. The USSR withdrew in 1989 under relentless pressure by internationally supported anti-Communist mujahedin rebels. A series of subsequent civil wars saw Kabul finally fall in 1996 to the Taliban, a hardline Pakistani-sponsored movement that emerged in 1994 to end the country's civil war and anarchy. Following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City, a US, Allied, and anti-Taliban Northern Alliance military action toppled the Taliban for sheltering Osama BIN LADIN. The UN-sponsored Bonn Conference in 2001 established a process for political reconstruction that included the adoption of a new constitution, a presidential election in 2004, and National Assembly elections in 2005. In December 2004, Hamid KARZAI became the first democratically elected president of Afghanistan and the National Assembly was inaugurated the following December. Despite gains toward building a stable central government, a resurgent Taliban and continuing provincial instability - particularly in the south and the east - remain serious challenges for the Afghan Government. Akrotiri By terms of the 1960 Treaty of Establishment that created the independent Republic of Cyprus, the UK retained full sovereignty and jurisdiction over two areas of almost 254 square kilometers - Akrotiri and Dhekelia. The southernmost and smallest of these is the Akrotiri Sovereign Base Area, which is also referred to as the Western Sovereign Base Area. Albania Albania declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912, but was conquered by Italy in 1939. Communist partisans took over the country in 1944. Albania allied itself first with the USSR (until 1960), and then with China (to 1978). In the early 1990s, Albania ended 46 years of xenophobic Communist rule and established a multiparty democracy. The transition has proven challenging as successive governments have tried to deal with high unemployment, widespread corruption, a dilapidated physical infrastructure, powerful organized crime networks, and combative political opponents. Albania has made progress in its democratic development since first holding multiparty elections in 1991, but deficiencies remain. International observers judged elections to be largely free and fair since the restoration of political stability following the collapse of pyramid schemes in 1997; however, there have been claims of electoral fraud in every one of Albania's post-communist elections. In the 2005 general elections, the Democratic Party and its allies won a decisive victory on pledges to reduce crime and corruption, promote economic growth, and decrease the size of government. The election, and particularly the orderly transition of power, was considered an important step forward. Albania joined NATO in April 2009 and is a potential candidate for EU accession. Although Albania's economy continues to grow, the country is still one of the poorest in Europe, hampered by a large informal economy and an inadequate energy and transportation infrastructure. Algeria After more than a century of rule by France, Algerians fought through much of the 1950s to achieve independence in 1962. Algeria's primary political party, the National Liberation Front (FLN), has dominated politics ever since. Many Algerians in the subsequent generation were not satisfied, however, and moved to counter the FLN's centrality in Algerian politics. The surprising first round success of the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) in the December 1991 balloting spurred the Algerian army to intervene and postpone the second round of elections to prevent what the secular elite feared would be an extremist-led government from assuming power. The army began a crackdown on the FIS that spurred FIS supporters to begin attacking government targets. The government later allowed elections featuring pro-government and moderate religious-based parties, but did not appease the activists who progressively widened their attacks. The fighting escalated into an insurgency, which saw intense fighting between 1992-98 and which resulted in over 100,000 deaths - many attributed to indiscriminate massacres of villagers by extremists. The government gained the upper hand by the late-1990s and FIS's armed wing, the Islamic Salvation Army, disbanded in January 2000. However, small numbers of armed militants persist in confronting government forces and conducting ambushes and occasional attacks on villages. The army placed Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA in the presidency in 1999 in a fraudulent election but claimed neutrality in his 2004 landslide reelection victory. Longstanding problems continue to face BOUTEFLIKA in his second term, including large-scale unemployment, a shortage of housing, unreliable electrical and water supplies, government inefficiencies and corruption, and the continuing activities of extremist militants. The Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) in 2006 merged with al-Qaida to form al-Qaida in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb, which since has launched an ongoing series of kidnappings and bombings - including high-profile, mass-casualty suicide attacks targeted against the Algerian government and Western interests. Algeria must also diversify its petroleum-based economy, which has yielded a large cash reserve but which has not been used to redress Algeria's many social and infrastructure problems. American Samoa Settled as early as 1000 B.C., Samoa was "discovered" by European explorers in the 18th century. International rivalries in the latter half of the 19th century were settled by an 1899 treaty in which Germany and the US divided the Samoan archipelago. The US formally occupied its portion - a smaller group of eastern islands with the excellent harbor of Pago Pago - the following year. Andorra For 715 years, from 1278 to 1993, Andorrans lived under a unique co-principality, ruled by French and Spanish leaders (from 1607 onward, the French chief of state and the Spanish bishop of Urgel). In 1993, this feudal system was modified with the titular heads of state retained, but the government transformed into a parliamentary democracy. Long isolated and impoverished, mountainous Andorra achieved considerable prosperity since World War II through its tourist industry. Many immigrants (legal and illegal) are attracted to the thriving economy with its lack of income taxes. Angola Angola is rebuilding its country after the end of a 27-year civil war in 2002. Fighting between the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), led by Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS, and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), led by Jonas SAVIMBI, followed independence from Portugal in 1975. Peace seemed imminent in 1992 when Angola held national elections, but fighting picked up again by 1996. Up to 1.5 million lives may have been lost - and 4 million people displaced - in the quarter century of fighting. SAVIMBI's death in 2002 ended UNITA's insurgency and strengthened the MPLA's hold on power. President DOS SANTOS held legislative elections in September 2008, and announced plans to hold presidential elections in 2009. Anguilla Colonized by English settlers from Saint Kitts in 1650, Anguilla was administered by Great Britain until the early 19th century, when the island - against the wishes of the inhabitants - was incorporated into a single British dependency along with Saint Kitts and Nevis. Several attempts at separation failed. In 1971, two years after a revolt, Anguilla was finally allowed to secede; this arrangement was formally recognized in 1980 with Anguilla becoming a separate British dependency. Antarctica Speculation over the existence of a "southern land" was not confirmed until the early 1820s when British and American commercial operators and British and Russian national expeditions began exploring the Antarctic Peninsula region and other areas south of the Antarctic Circle. Not until 1840 was it established that Antarctica was indeed a continent and not just a group of islands. Several exploration "firsts" were achieved in the early 20th century. Following World War II, there was an upsurge in scientific research on the continent. A number of countries have set up a range of year-round and seasonal stations, camps, and refuges to support scientific research in Antarctica. Seven have made territorial claims, but not all countries recognize these claims. In order to form a legal framework for the activities of nations on the continent, an Antarctic Treaty was negotiated that neither denies nor gives recognition to existing territorial claims; signed in 1959, it entered into force in 1961. Antigua and Barbuda The Siboney were the first to inhabit the islands of Antigua and Barbuda in 2400 B.C., but Arawak Indians populated the islands when COLUMBUS landed on his second voyage in 1493. Early settlements by the Spanish and French were succeeded by the English who formed a colony in 1667. Slavery, established to run the sugar plantations on Antigua, was abolished in 1834. The islands became an independent state within the British Commonwealth of Nations in 1981. Arctic Ocean The Arctic Ocean is the smallest of the world's five oceans (after the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and the recently delimited Southern Ocean). The Northwest Passage (US and Canada) and Northern Sea Route (Norway and Russia) are two important seasonal waterways. A sparse network of air, ocean, river, and land routes circumscribes the Arctic Ocean. Argentina In 1816, the United Provinces of the Rio Plata declared their independence from Spain. After Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay went their separate ways, the area that remained became Argentina. The country's population and culture were heavily shaped by immigrants from throughout Europe, but most particularly Italy and Spain, which provided the largest percentage of newcomers from 1860 to 1930. Up until about the mid-20th century, much of Argentina's history was dominated by periods of internal political conflict between Federalists and Unitarians and between civilian and military factions. After World War II, an era of Peronist populism and direct and indirect military interference in subsequent governments was followed by a military junta that took power in 1976. Democracy returned in 1983 after a failed bid to seize the Falkland (Malvinas) Islands by force, and has persisted despite numerous challenges, the most formidable of which was a severe economic crisis in 2001-02 that led to violent public protests and the resignation of several interim presidents. Armenia Armenia prides itself on being the first nation to formally adopt Christianity (early 4th century). Despite periods of autonomy, over the centuries Armenia came under the sway of various empires including the Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Persian, and Ottoman. During World War I in the western portion of Armenia, Ottoman Turkey instituted a policy of forced resettlement coupled with other harsh practices that resulted in an estimated 1 million Armenian deaths. The eastern area of Armenia was ceded by the Ottomans to Russia in 1828; this portion declared its independence in 1918, but was conquered by the Soviet Red Army in 1920. Armenian leaders remain preoccupied by the long conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, a primarily Armenian-populated region, assigned to Soviet Azerbaijan in the 1920s by Moscow. Armenia and Azerbaijan began fighting over the area in 1988; the struggle escalated after both countries attained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. By May 1994, when a cease-fire took hold, ethnic Armenian forces held not only Nagorno-Karabakh but also a significant portion of Azerbaijan proper. The economies of both sides have been hurt by their inability to make substantial progress toward a peaceful resolution. Turkey closed the common border with Armenia because of the Armenian separatists' control of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas. Aruba Discovered and claimed for Spain in 1499, Aruba was acquired by the Dutch in 1636. The island's economy has been dominated by three main industries. A 19th century gold rush was followed by prosperity brought on by the opening in 1924 of an oil refinery. The last decades of the 20th century saw a boom in the tourism industry. Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986 and became a separate, autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Movement toward full independence was halted at Aruba's request in 1990. Ashmore and Cartier Islands These uninhabited islands came under Australian authority in 1931; formal administration began two years later. Ashmore Reef supports a rich and diverse avian and marine habitat; in 1983, it became a National Nature Reserve. Cartier Island, a former bombing range, became a marine reserve in 2000. Atlantic Ocean The Atlantic Ocean is the second largest of the world's five oceans (after the Pacific Ocean, but larger than the Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, and Arctic Ocean). The Kiel Canal (Germany), Oresund (Denmark-Sweden), Bosporus (Turkey), Strait of Gibraltar (Morocco-Spain), and the Saint Lawrence Seaway (Canada-US) are important strategic access waterways. The decision by the International Hydrographic Organization in the spring of 2000 to delimit a fifth world ocean, the Southern Ocean, removed the portion of the Atlantic Ocean south of 60 degrees south latitude. Australia Aboriginal settlers arrived on the continent from Southeast Asia about 40,000 years before the first Europeans began exploration in the 17th century. No formal territorial claims were made until 1770, when Capt. James COOK took possession in the name of Great Britain. Six colonies were created in the late 18th and 19th centuries; they federated and became the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. The new country took advantage of its natural resources to rapidly develop agricultural and manufacturing industries and to make a major contribution to the British effort in World Wars I and II. In recent decades, Australia has transformed itself into an internationally competitive, advanced market economy. It boasted one of the OECD's fastest growing economies during the 1990s, a performance due in large part to economic reforms adopted in the 1980s. Long-term concerns include climate-change issues such as the depletion of the ozone layer and more frequent droughts, and management and conservation of coastal areas, especially the Great Barrier Reef. Austria Once the center of power for the large Austro-Hungarian Empire, Austria was reduced to a small republic after its defeat in World War I. Following annexation by Nazi Germany in 1938 and subsequent occupation by the victorious Allies in 1945, Austria's status remained unclear for a decade. A State Treaty signed in 1955 ended the occupation, recognized Austria's independence, and forbade unification with Germany. A constitutional law that same year declared the country's "perpetual neutrality" as a condition for Soviet military withdrawal. The Soviet Union's collapse in 1991 and Austria's entry into the European Union in 1995 have altered the meaning of this neutrality. A prosperous, democratic country, Austria entered the EU Economic and Monetary Union in 1999. In January 2009, Austria assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2009-10 term. Azerbaijan Azerbaijan - a nation with a majority-Turkic and majority-Muslim population - was briefly independent from 1918 to 1920; it regained its independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Despite a 1994 cease-fire, Azerbaijan has yet to resolve its conflict with Armenia over the Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh region (largely Armenian populated). Azerbaijan has lost 16% of its territory and must support some 600,000 internally displaced persons as a result of the conflict. Corruption is ubiquitous, and the government has been accused of authoritarianism. Although the poverty rate has been reduced in recent years, the promise of widespread wealth from development of Azerbaijan's energy sector remains largely unfulfilled. Bahamas, The Lucayan Indians inhabited the islands when Christopher COLUMBUS first set foot in the New World on San Salvador in 1492. British settlement of the islands began in 1647; the islands became a colony in 1783. Since attaining independence from the UK in 1973, The Bahamas have prospered through tourism and international banking and investment management. Because of its geography, the country is a major transshipment point for illegal drugs, particularly shipments to the US and Europe, and its territory is used for smuggling illegal migrants into the US. Bahrain In 1783, the al-Khalifa family captured Bahrain from the Persians. In order to secure these holdings, it entered into a series of treaties with the UK during the 19th century that made Bahrain a British protectorate. The archipelago attained its independence in 1971. Bahrain's small size and central location among Persian Gulf countries require it to play a delicate balancing act in foreign affairs among its larger neighbors. Facing declining oil reserves, Bahrain has turned to petroleum processing and refining and has transformed itself into an international banking center. King HAMAD bin Isa al-Khalifa, after coming to power in 1999, pushed economic and political reforms to improve relations with the Shia community. Shia political societies participated in 2006 parliamentary and municipal elections. Al Wifaq, the largest Shia political society, won the largest number of seats in the elected chamber of the legislature. However, Shia discontent has resurfaced in recent years with street demonstrations and occasional low-level violence. Bangladesh Europeans began to set up trading posts in the area of Bangladesh in the 16th century; eventually the British came to dominate the region and it became part of British India. In 1947, West Pakistan and East Bengal (both primarily Muslim) separated from India (largely Hindu) and jointly became the new country of Pakistan. East Bengal became East Pakistan in 1955, but the awkward arrangement of a two-part country with its territorial units separated by 1,600 km left the Bengalis marginalized and dissatisfied. East Pakistan seceded from its union with West Pakistan in 1971 and was renamed Bangladesh. A military-backed, emergency caretaker regime suspended parliamentary elections planned for January 2007 in an effort to reform the political system and root out corruption. In contrast to the strikes and violent street rallies that had marked Bangladeshi politics in previous years, the parliamentary elections finally held in late December 2008 were mostly peaceful. Sheikh HASINA Wajed was reappointed prime minister. About a third of this extremely poor country floods annually during the monsoon rainy season, hampering economic development. Barbados The island was uninhabited when first settled by the British in 1627. Slaves worked the sugar plantations established on the island until 1834 when slavery was abolished. The economy remained heavily dependent on sugar, rum, and molasses production through most of the 20th century. The gradual introduction of social and political reforms in the 1940s and 1950s led to complete independence from the UK in 1966. In the 1990s, tourism and manufacturing surpassed the sugar industry in economic importance. Belarus After seven decades as a constituent republic of the USSR, Belarus attained its independence in 1991. It has retained closer political and economic ties to Russia than any of the other former Soviet republics. Belarus and Russia signed a treaty on a two-state union on 8 December 1999 envisioning greater political and economic integration. Although Belarus agreed to a framework to carry out the accord, serious implementation has yet to take place. Since his election in July 1994 as the country's first president, Aleksandr LUKASHENKO has steadily consolidated his power through authoritarian means. Government restrictions on freedom of speech and the press, peaceful assembly, and religion remain in place. Belgium Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830; it was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. The country prospered in the past half century as a modern, technologically advanced European state and member of NATO and the EU. Tensions between the Dutch-speaking Flemings of the north and the French-speaking Walloons of the south have led in recent years to constitutional amendments granting these regions formal recognition and autonomy. Belize Belize was the site of several Mayan city states until their decline at the end of the first millennium A.D. The British and Spanish disputed the region in the 17th and 18th centuries; it formally became the colony of British Honduras in 1854. Territorial disputes between the UK and Guatemala delayed the independence of Belize until 1981. Guatemala refused to recognize the new nation until 1992 and the two countries are involved in an ongoing border dispute. Guatemala and Belize are gearing up for a simultaneous referendum to determine if this dispute will go before the International Court of Justice at The Hague. Tourism has become the mainstay of the economy. Current concerns include an unsustainable foreign debt, high unemployment, growing involvement in the South American drug trade, growing urban crime, and increasing incidences of HIV/AIDS. Benin Present day Benin was the site of Dahomey, a prominent West African kingdom that rose in the 15th century. The territory became a French Colony in 1872 and achieved independence on 1 August 1960, as the Republic of Benin. A succession of military governments ended in 1972 with the rise to power of Mathieu KEREKOU and the establishment of a government based on Marxist-Leninist principles. A move to representative government began in 1989. Two years later, free elections ushered in former Prime Minister Nicephore SOGLO as president, marking the first successful transfer of power in Africa from a dictatorship to a democracy. KEREKOU was returned to power by elections held in 1996 and 2001, though some irregularities were alleged. KEREKOU stepped down at the end of his second term in 2006 and was succeeded by Thomas YAYI Boni, a political outsider and independent. YAYI has begun a high profile fight against corruption and has strongly promoted accelerating Benin's economic growth. Bermuda Bermuda was first settled in 1609 by shipwrecked English colonists headed for Virginia. Tourism to the island to escape North American winters first developed in Victorian times. Tourism continues to be important to the island's economy, although international business has overtaken it in recent years. Bermuda has developed into a highly successful offshore financial center. Although a referendum on independence from the UK was soundly defeated in 1995, the present government has reopened debate on the issue. Bhutan In 1865, Britain and Bhutan signed the Treaty of Sinchulu, under which Bhutan would receive an annual subsidy in exchange for ceding some border land to British India. Under British influence, a monarchy was set up in 1907; three years later, a treaty was signed whereby the British agreed not to interfere in Bhutanese internal affairs and Bhutan allowed Britain to direct its foreign affairs. This role was assumed by independent India after 1947. Two years later, a formal Indo-Bhutanese accord returned the areas of Bhutan annexed by the British, formalized the annual subsidies the country received, and defined India's responsibilities in defense and foreign relations. A refugee issue of over 100,000 Bhutanese in Nepal remains unresolved; 90% of the refugees are housed in seven United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) camps. In March 2005, King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK unveiled the government's draft constitution - which would introduce major democratic reforms - and pledged to hold a national referendum for its approval. In December 2006, the King abdicated the throne to his son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel WANGCHUCK, in order to give him experience as head of state before the democratic transition. In early 2007, India and Bhutan renegotiated their treaty to allow Bhutan greater autonomy in conducting its foreign policy, although Thimphu continues to coordinate policy decisions in this area with New Delhi. In July 2007, seven ministers of Bhutan's ten-member cabinet resigned to join the political process, and the cabinet acted as a caretaker regime until democratic elections for seats to the country's first parliament were completed in March 2008. The king ratified the country's first constitution in July 2008. Bolivia Bolivia, named after independence fighter Simon BOLIVAR, broke away from Spanish rule in 1825; much of its subsequent history has consisted of a series of nearly 200 coups and countercoups. Democratic civilian rule was established in 1982, but leaders have faced difficult problems of deep-seated poverty, social unrest, and illegal drug production. In December 2005, Bolivians elected Movement Toward Socialism leader Evo MORALES president - by the widest margin of any leader since the restoration of civilian rule in 1982 - after he ran on a promise to change the country's traditional political class and empower the nation's poor, indigenous majority. However, since taking office, his controversial strategies have exacerbated racial and economic tensions between the Amerindian populations of the Andean west and the non-indigenous communities of the eastern lowlands. Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina's declaration of sovereignty in October 1991 was followed by a declaration of independence from the former Yugoslavia on 3 March 1992 after a referendum boycotted by ethnic Serbs. The Bosnian Serbs - supported by neighboring Serbia and Montenegro - responded with armed resistance aimed at partitioning the republic along ethnic lines and joining Serb-held areas to form a "Greater Serbia." In March 1994, Bosniaks and Croats reduced the number of warring factions from three to two by signing an agreement creating a joint Bosniak/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. On 21 November 1995, in Dayton, Ohio, the warring parties initialed a peace agreement that brought to a halt three years of interethnic civil strife (the final agreement was signed in Paris on 14 December 1995). The Dayton Peace Accords retained Bosnia and Herzegovina's international boundaries and created a joint multi-ethnic and democratic government charged with conducting foreign, diplomatic, and fiscal policy. Also recognized was a second tier of government comprised of two entities roughly equal in size: the Bosniak/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska (RS). The Federation and RS governments were charged with overseeing most government functions. The Office of the High Representative (OHR) was established to oversee the implementation of the civilian aspects of the agreement. In 1995-96, a NATO-led international peacekeeping force (IFOR) of 60,000 troops served in Bosnia to implement and monitor the military aspects of the agreement. IFOR was succeeded by a smaller, NATO-led Stabilization Force (SFOR) whose mission was to deter renewed hostilities. European Union peacekeeping troops (EUFOR) replaced SFOR in December 2004; their mission is to maintain peace and stability throughout the country. EUFOR's mission changed from peacekeeping to civil policing in October 2007, with its presence reduced from nearly 7,000 to less than 2,500 troops. Botswana Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name upon independence in 1966. Four decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and significant capital investment have created one of the most dynamic economies in Africa. Mineral extraction, principally diamond mining, dominates economic activity, though tourism is a growing sector due to the country's conservation practices and extensive nature preserves. Botswana has one of the world's highest known rates of HIV/AIDS infection, but also one of Africa's most progressive and comprehensive programs for dealing with the disease. Bouvet Island This uninhabited volcanic island is almost entirely covered by glaciers and is difficult to approach. It was discovered in 1739 by a French naval officer after whom the island was named. No claim was made until 1825, when the British flag was raised. In 1928, the UK waived its claim in favor of Norway, which had occupied the island the previous year. In 1971, Norway designated Bouvet Island and the adjacent territorial waters a nature reserve. Since 1977, it has run an automated meteorological station on the island. Brazil Following more than three centuries under Portuguese rule, Brazil peacefully gained its independence in 1822, maintaining a monarchical system of government until the abolition of slavery in 1888 and the subsequent proclamation of a republic by the military in 1889. Brazilian coffee exporters politically dominated the country until populist leader Getulio VARGAS rose to power in 1930. By far the largest and most populous country in South America, Brazil underwent more than half a century of populist and military government until 1985, when the military regime peacefully ceded power to civilian rulers. Brazil continues to pursue industrial and agricultural growth and development of its interior. Exploiting vast natural resources and a large labor pool, it is today South America's leading economic power and a regional leader. Highly unequal income distribution and crime remain pressing problems. British Indian Ocean Territory Formerly administered as part of the British Crown Colony of Mauritius, the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) was established as an overseas territory of the UK in 1965. A number of the islands of the territory were later transferred to the Seychelles when it attained independence in 1976. Subsequently, BIOT has consisted only of the six main island groups comprising the Chagos Archipelago. The largest and most southerly of the islands, Diego Garcia, contains a joint UK-US naval support facility. All of the remaining islands are uninhabited. Between 1967 and 1973, former agricultural workers, earlier residents in the islands, were relocated primarily to Mauritius, but also to the Seychelles. Negotiations between 1971 and 1982 resulted in the establishment of a trust fund by the British Government as compensation for the displaced islanders, known as Chagossians. Beginning in 1998, the islanders pursued a series of lawsuits against the British Government seeking further compensation and the right to return to the territory. In 2006 and 2007, British court rulings invalidated the immigration policies contained in the 2004 BIOT Constitution Order that had excluded the islanders from the archipelago, but upheld the special military status of Diego Garcia. In 2008, the House of Lords, as the final court of appeal in the UK, ruled in favor of the British Government by overturning the lower court rulings and finding no right of return on the part of the Chagossians. British Virgin Islands First inhabited by Arawak and later by Carib Indians, the Virgin Islands were settled by the Dutch in 1648 and then annexed by the English in 1672. The islands were part of the British colony of the Leeward Islands from 1872-1960; they were granted autonomy in 1967. The economy is closely tied to the larger and more populous US Virgin Islands to the west; the US dollar is the legal currency. Brunei The Sultanate of Brunei's influence peaked between the 15th and 17th centuries when its control extended over coastal areas of northwest Borneo and the southern Philippines. Brunei subsequently entered a period of decline brought on by internal strife over royal succession, colonial expansion of European powers, and piracy. In 1888, Brunei became a British protectorate; independence was achieved in 1984. The same family has ruled Brunei for over six centuries. Brunei benefits from extensive petroleum and natural gas fields, the source of one of the highest per capita GDPs in Asia. Bulgaria The Bulgars, a Central Asian Turkic tribe, merged with the local Slavic inhabitants in the late 7th century to form the first Bulgarian state. In succeeding centuries, Bulgaria struggled with the Byzantine Empire to assert its place in the Balkans, but by the end of the 14th century the country was overrun by the Ottoman Turks. Northern Bulgaria attained autonomy in 1878 and all of Bulgaria became independent from the Ottoman Empire in 1908. Having fought on the losing side in both World Wars, Bulgaria fell within the Soviet sphere of influence and became a People's Republic in 1946. Communist domination ended in 1990, when Bulgaria held its first multiparty election since World War II and began the contentious process of moving toward political democracy and a market economy while combating inflation, unemployment, corruption, and crime. The country joined NATO in 2004 and the EU in 2007. Burkina Faso Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta) achieved independence from France in 1960. Repeated military coups during the 1970s and 1980s were followed by multiparty elections in the early 1990s. Current President Blaise COMPAORE came to power in a 1987 military coup and has won every election since then. Burkina Faso's high population density and limited natural resources result in poor economic prospects for the majority of its citizens. Recent unrest in Cote d'Ivoire and northern Ghana has hindered the ability of several hundred thousand seasonal Burkinabe farm workers to find employment in neighboring countries. In January 2008, Burkina Faso assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2008-09 term. Burma Britain conquered Burma over a period of 62 years (1824-1886) and incorporated it into its Indian Empire. Burma was administered as a province of India until 1937 when it became a separate, self-governing colony; independence from the Commonwealth was attained in 1948. Gen. NE WIN dominated the government from 1962 to 1988, first as military ruler, then as self-appointed president, and later as political kingpin. In September 1988, the military deposed NE WIN and established a new ruling junta. Despite multiparty legislative elections in 1990 that resulted in the main opposition party - the National League for Democracy (NLD) - winning a landslide victory, the junta refused to hand over power. NLD leader and Nobel Peace Prize recipient AUNG SAN SUU KYI, who was under house arrest from 1989 to 1995 and 2000 to 2002, was imprisoned in May 2003 and subsequently transferred to house arrest. After the ruling junta in August 2007 unexpectedly increased fuel prices, tens of thousands of Burmese marched in protest, led by prodemocracy activists and Buddhist monks. In late September 2007, the government brutally suppressed the protests, killing at least 13 people and arresting thousands for participating in the demonstrations. Since then, the regime has continued to raid homes and monasteries and arrest persons suspected of participating in the pro-democracy protests. The junta appointed Labor Minister AUNG KYI in October 2007 as liaison to AUNG SAN SUU KYI, who remains under house arrest and virtually incommunicado with her party and supporters. Burma in early May 2008 was struck by Cyclone Nargis which official estimates claimed left over 80,000 dead and 50,000 injured. Despite this tragedy, the junta proceeded with its May constitutional referendum, the first vote in Burma since 1990, setting the stage for the 2010 parliamentary elections. Burundi Burundi's first democratically elected president was assassinated in October 1993 after only 100 days in office, triggering widespread ethnic violence between Hutu and Tutsi factions. More than 200,000 Burundians perished during the conflict that spanned almost a dozen years. Hundreds of thousands of Burundians were internally displaced or became refugees in neighboring countries. An internationally brokered power-sharing agreement between the Tutsi-dominated government and the Hutu rebels in 2003 paved the way for a transition process that led to an integrated defense force, established a new constitution in 2005, and elected a majority Hutu government in 2005. The new government, led by President Pierre NKURUNZIZA, signed a South African brokered ceasefire with the country's last rebel group in September of 2006 but still faces many challenges. Cambodia Most Cambodians consider themselves to be Khmers, descendants of the Angkor Empire that extended over much of Southeast Asia and reached its zenith between the 10th and 13th centuries. Attacks by the Thai and Cham (from present-day Vietnam) weakened the empire, ushering in a long period of decline. The king placed the country under French protection in 1863 and it became part of French Indochina in 1887. Following Japanese occupation in World War II, Cambodia gained full independence from France in 1953. In April 1975, after a five-year struggle, Communist Khmer Rouge forces captured Phnom Penh and evacuated all cities and towns. At least 1.5 million Cambodians died from execution, forced hardships, or starvation during the Khmer Rouge regime under POL POT. A December 1978 Vietnamese invasion drove the Khmer Rouge into the countryside, began a 10-year Vietnamese occupation, and touched off almost 13 years of civil war. The 1991 Paris Peace Accords mandated democratic elections and a ceasefire, which was not fully respected by the Khmer Rouge. UN-sponsored elections in 1993 helped restore some semblance of normalcy under a coalition government. Factional fighting in 1997 ended the first coalition government, but a second round of national elections in 1998 led to the formation of another coalition government and renewed political stability. The remaining elements of the Khmer Rouge surrendered in early 1999. Some of the surviving Khmer Rouge leaders are awaiting trial by a UN-sponsored tribunal for crimes against humanity. Elections in July 2003 were relatively peaceful, but it took one year of negotiations between contending political parties before a coalition government was formed. In October 2004, King Norodom SIHANOUK abdicated the throne and his son, Prince Norodom SIHAMONI, was selected to succeed him. Local elections were held in Cambodia in April 2007, and there was little in the way of pre-election violence that preceded prior elections. National elections in July 2008 were relatively peaceful. Cameroon The former French Cameroon and part of British Cameroon merged in 1961 to form the present country. Cameroon has generally enjoyed stability, which has permitted the development of agriculture, roads, and railways, as well as a petroleum industry. Despite a slow movement toward democratic reform, political power remains firmly in the hands of President Paul BIYA. Canada A land of vast distances and rich natural resources, Canada became a self-governing dominion in 1867 while retaining ties to the British crown. Economically and technologically the nation has developed in parallel with the US, its neighbor to the south across an unfortified border. Canada faces the political challenges of meeting public demands for quality improvements in health care and education services, as well as responding to separatist concerns in predominantly francophone Quebec. Canada also aims to develop its diverse energy resources while maintaining its commitment to the environment. Cape Verde The uninhabited islands were discovered and colonized by the Portuguese in the 15th century; Cape Verde subsequently became a trading center for African slaves and later an important coaling and resupply stop for whaling and transatlantic shipping. Following independence in 1975, and a tentative interest in unification with Guinea-Bissau, a one-party system was established and maintained until multi-party elections were held in 1990. Cape Verde continues to exhibit one of Africa's most stable democratic governments. Repeated droughts during the second half of the 20th century caused significant hardship and prompted heavy emigration. As a result, Cape Verde's expatriate population is greater than its domestic one. Most Cape Verdeans have both African and Portuguese antecedents. Cayman Islands The Cayman Islands were colonized from Jamaica by the British during the 18th and 19th centuries and were administered by Jamaica after 1863. In 1959, the islands became a territory within the Federation of the West Indies. When the Federation dissolved in 1962, the Cayman Islands chose to remain a British dependency. Central African Republic The former French colony of Ubangi-Shari became the Central African Republic upon independence in 1960. After three tumultuous decades of misrule - mostly by military governments - civilian rule was established in 1993 and lasted for one decade. President Ange-Felix PATASSE's civilian government was plagued by unrest, and in March 2003 he was deposed in a military coup led by General Francois BOZIZE, who established a transitional government. Though the government has the tacit support of civil society groups and the main parties, a wide field of candidates contested the municipal, legislative, and presidential elections held in March and May of 2005 in which General BOZIZE was affirmed as president. The government still does not fully control the countryside, where pockets of lawlessness persist. Unrest in neighboring nations, Chad, Sudan, and the DRC, continues to affect stability in the Central African Republic as well. Chad Chad, part of France's African holdings until 1960, endured three decades of civil warfare as well as invasions by Libya before a semblance of peace was finally restored in 1990. The government eventually drafted a democratic constitution, and held flawed presidential elections in 1996 and 2001. In 1998, a rebellion broke out in northern Chad, which has sporadically flared up despite several peace agreements between the government and the rebels. In 2005, new rebel groups emerged in western Sudan and made probing attacks into eastern Chad, despite signing peace agreements in December 2006 and October 2007. Power remains in the hands of an ethnic minority. In June 2005, President Idriss DEBY held a referendum successfully removing constitutional term limits and won another controversial election in 2006. Sporadic rebel campaigns continued throughout 2006 and 2007, and the capital experienced a significant rebel threat in early 2008. Chile Prior to the coming of the Spanish in the 16th century, northern Chile was under Inca rule while the indigenous Mapuche inhabited central and southern Chile. Although Chile declared its independence in 1810, decisive victory over the Spanish was not achieved until 1818. In the War of the Pacific (1879-83), Chile defeated Peru and Bolivia and won its present northern regions. It was not until the 1880s that the Mapuche Indians were completely subjugated. After a series of elected governments, a three-year-old Marxist government of Salvador ALLENDE was overthrown in 1973 by a military coup led by Augusto PINOCHET, who ruled until a freely elected president was installed in 1990. Sound economic policies, maintained consistently since the 1980s, have contributed to steady growth, reduced poverty rates by over half, and have helped secure the country's commitment to democratic and representative government. Chile has increasingly assumed regional and international leadership roles befitting its status as a stable, democratic nation. China For centuries China stood as a leading civilization, outpacing the rest of the world in the arts and sciences, but in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the country was beset by civil unrest, major famines, military defeats, and foreign occupation. After World War II, the Communists under MAO Zedong established an autocratic socialist system that, while ensuring China's sovereignty, imposed strict controls over everyday life and cost the lives of tens of millions of people. After 1978, MAO's successor DENG Xiaoping and other leaders focused on market-oriented economic development and by 2000 output had quadrupled. For much of the population, living standards have improved dramatically and the room for personal choice has expanded, yet political controls remain tight. Christmas Island Named in 1643 for the day of its discovery, the island was annexed and settlement began by the UK in 1888. Phosphate mining began in the 1890s. The UK transferred sovereignty to Australia in 1958. Almost two-thirds of the island has been declared a national park. Clipperton Island This isolated island was named for John CLIPPERTON, a pirate who made it his hideout early in the 18th century. Annexed by France in 1855, it was seized by Mexico in 1897. Arbitration eventually awarded the island to France, which took possession in 1935. Cocos (Keeling) Islands There are 27 coral islands in the group. Captain William KEELING discovered the islands in 1609, but they remained uninhabited until the 19th century. From the 1820s to 1978, members of the CLUNIE-ROSS family controlled the islands and the copra produced from local coconuts. Annexed by the UK in 1857, the Cocos Islands were transferred to the Australian Government in 1955. The population on the two inhabited islands generally is split between the ethnic Europeans on West Island and the ethnic Malays on Home Island. Colombia Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others are Ecuador and Venezuela). A four-decade long conflict between government forces and anti-government insurgent groups, principally the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) heavily funded by the drug trade, escalated during the 1990s. The insurgents lack the military or popular support necessary to overthrow the government and violence has been decreasing since about 2002, but insurgents continue attacks against civilians and large areas of the countryside are under guerrilla influence or are contested by security forces. More than 31,000 former paramilitaries had demobilized by the end of 2006 and the United Self Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) as a formal organization had ceased to function. In the wake of the paramilitary demobilization, emerging criminal groups arose, whose members include some former paramilitaries. The Colombian Government has stepped up efforts to reassert government control throughout the country, and now has a presence in every one of its administrative departments. However, neighboring countries worry about the violence spilling over their borders. Comoros Comoros has endured more than 20 coups or attempted coups since gaining independence from France in 1975. In 1997, the islands of Anjouan and Moheli declared independence from Comoros. In 1999, military chief Col. AZALI seized power in a bloodless coup, and helped negotiate the 2000 Fomboni Accords power-sharing agreement in which the federal presidency rotates among the three islands, and each island maintains its own local government. AZALI won the 2002 Presidential election, and each island in the archipelago elected its own president. AZALI stepped down in 2006 and President SAMBI was elected to office. In 2007, BACAR effected Anjouan's de-facto secession from the Union, refusing to step down in favor of fresh Anjouanais elections when Comoros' other islands held legitimate elections in July. The African Union (AU) initially attempted to resolve the political crisis by applying sanctions and a naval blockade on Anjouan, but in March 2008, AU and Comoran soldiers seized the island. The move was generally welcomed by the island's inhabitants. Congo, Democratic Republic of the Established as a Belgian colony in 1908, the Republic of the Congo gained its independence in 1960, but its early years were marred by political and social instability. Col. Joseph MOBUTU seized power and declared himself president in a November 1965 coup. He subsequently changed his name - to MOBUTU Sese Seko - as well as that of the country - to Zaire. MOBUTU retained his position for 32 years through several sham elections, as well as through the use of brutal force. Ethnic strife and civil war, touched off by a massive inflow of refugees in 1994 from fighting in Rwanda and Burundi, led in May 1997 to the toppling of the MOBUTU regime by a rebellion backed by Rwanda and Uganda and fronted by Laurent KABILA. He renamed the country the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), but in August 1998 his regime was itself challenged by a second insurrection again backed by Rwanda and Uganda. Troops from Angola, Chad, Namibia, Sudan, and Zimbabwe intervened to support KABILA's regime. A cease-fire was signed in July 1999 by the DRC, Congolese armed rebel groups, Angola, Namibia, Rwanda, Uganda, and Zimbabwe but sporadic fighting continued. Laurent KABILA was assassinated in January 2001 and his son, Joseph KABILA, was named head of state. In October 2002, the new president was successful in negotiating the withdrawal of Rwandan forces occupying eastern Congo; two months later, the Pretoria Accord was signed by all remaining warring parties to end the fighting and establish a government of national unity. A transitional government was set up in July 2003. Joseph KABILA as president and four vice presidents represented the former government, former rebel groups, the political opposition, and civil society. The transitional government held a successful constitutional referendum in December 2005 and elections for the presidency, National Assembly, and provincial legislatures in 2006. KABILA was inaugurated president in December 2006. The National Assembly was installed in September 2006. Its president, Vital KAMERHE, was chosen in December. Provincial assemblies were constituted in early 2007, and elected governors and national senators in January 2007. Congo, Republic of the Upon independence in 1960, the former French region of Middle Congo became the Republic of the Congo. A quarter century of experimentation with Marxism was abandoned in 1990 and a democratically elected government took office in 1992. A brief civil war in 1997 restored former Marxist President Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO, and ushered in a period of ethnic and political unrest. Southern-based rebel groups agreed to a final peace accord in March 2003, but the calm is tenuous and refugees continue to present a humanitarian crisis. The Republic of Congo was once one of Africa's largest petroleum producers, but with declining production it will need new offshore oil finds to sustain its oil earnings over the long term. Cook Islands Named after Captain COOK, who sighted them in 1770, the islands became a British protectorate in 1888. By 1900, administrative control was transferred to New Zealand; in 1965, residents chose self-government in free association with New Zealand. The emigration of skilled workers to New Zealand and government deficits are continuing problems. Coral Sea Islands Scattered over more than three-quarters of a million square kilometers of ocean, the Coral Sea Islands were declared a territory of Australia in 1969. They are uninhabited except for a small meteorological staff on the Willis Islets. Automated weather stations, beacons, and a lighthouse occupy many other islands and reefs. Costa Rica Although explored by the Spanish early in the 16th century, initial attempts at colonizing Costa Rica proved unsuccessful due to a combination of factors, including: disease from mosquito-infested swamps, brutal heat, resistance by natives, and pirate raids. It was not until 1563 that a permanent settlement of Cartago was established in the cooler, fertile central highlands. The area remained a colony for some two and a half centuries. In 1821, Costa Rica became one of several Central American provinces that jointly declared their independence from Spain. Two years later it joined the United Provinces of Central America, but this federation disintegrated in 1838, at which time Costa Rica proclaimed its sovereignty and independence. Since the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred the country's democratic development. Although it still maintains a large agricultural sector, Costa Rica has expanded its economy to include strong technology and tourism industries. The standard of living is relatively high. Land ownership is widespread. In January 2008, Costa Rica assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2008-09 term. Cote d'Ivoire Close ties to France since independence in 1960, the development of cocoa production for export, and foreign investment made Cote d'Ivoire one of the most prosperous of the West African states, but did not protect it from political turmoil. In December 1999, a military coup - the first ever in Cote d'Ivoire's history - overthrew the government. Junta leader Robert GUEI blatantly rigged elections held in late 2000 and declared himself the winner. Popular protest forced him to step aside and brought Laurent GBAGBO into power. Ivorian dissidents and disaffected members of the military launched a failed coup attempt in September 2002. Rebel forces claimed the northern half of the country, and in January 2003 were granted ministerial positions in a unity government under the auspices of the Linas-Marcoussis Peace Accord. President GBAGBO and rebel forces resumed implementation of the peace accord in December 2003 after a three-month stalemate, but issues that sparked the civil war, such as land reform and grounds for citizenship, remained unresolved. In March 2007 President GBAGBO and former New Force rebel leader Guillaume SORO signed the Ouagadougou Political Agreement. As a result of the agreement, SORO joined GBAGBO's government as Prime Minister and the two agreed to reunite the country by dismantling the zone of confidence separating North from South, integrate rebel forces into the national armed forces, and hold elections. Several thousand French and UN troops remain in Cote d'Ivoire to help the parties implement their commitments and to support the peace process. Croatia The lands that today comprise Croatia were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until the close of World War I. In 1918, the Croats, Serbs, and Slovenes formed a kingdom known after 1929 as Yugoslavia. Following World War II, Yugoslavia became a federal independent Communist state under the strong hand of Marshal TITO. Although Croatia declared its independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, it took four years of sporadic, but often bitter, fighting before occupying Serb armies were mostly cleared from Croatian lands. Under UN supervision, the last Serb-held enclave in eastern Slavonia was returned to Croatia in 1998. In January 2008, Croatia assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2008-09 term, and in April 2008 it joined NATO. Croatia is a candidate for eventual EU accession. Cuba The native Amerindian population of Cuba began to decline after the European discovery of the island by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1492 and following its development as a Spanish colony during the next several centuries. Large numbers of African slaves were imported to work the coffee and sugar plantations, and Havana became the launching point for the annual treasure fleets bound for Spain from Mexico and Peru. Spanish rule eventually provoked an independence movement and occasional rebellions that were harshly suppressed. US intervention during the Spanish-American War in 1898 assisted the Cubans in overthrowing Spanish rule. The Treaty of Paris established Cuban independence from the US in 1902 after which the island experienced a string of governments mostly dominated by the military and corrupt politicians. Fidel CASTRO led a rebel army to victory in 1959; his iron rule held the subsequent regime together for nearly five decades. He stepped down as president in February 2008 in favor of his younger brother Raul CASTRO. Cuba's Communist revolution, with Soviet support, was exported throughout Latin America and Africa during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. The country faced a severe economic downturn in 1990 following the withdrawal of former Soviet subsidies worth $4 billion to $6 billion annually. Cuba portrays its difficulties as the result of the US embargo in place since 1961. Illicit migration to the US - using homemade rafts, alien smugglers, air flights, or via the southwest border - is a continuing problem. The US Coast Guard intercepted 2,656 individuals attempting to cross the Straits of Florida in fiscal year 2007. Cyprus A former British colony, Cyprus became independent in 1960 following years of resistance to British rule. Tensions between the Greek Cypriot majority and Turkish Cypriot minority came to a head in December 1963, when violence broke out in the capital of Nicosia. Despite the deployment of UN peacekeepers in 1964, sporadic intercommunal violence continued forcing most Turkish Cypriots into enclaves throughout the island. In 1974, a Greek Government-sponsored attempt to seize control of Cyprus was met by military intervention from Turkey, which soon controlled more than a third of the island. In 1983, the Turkish-held area declared itself the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" ("TRNC"), but it is recognized only by Turkey. The election of a new Cypriot president in 2008 served as the impetus for the UN to encourage both the Turkish and Cypriot Governments to reopen unification negotiations. In September 2008, the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities started negotiations under UN auspices aimed at reuniting the divided island. The entire island entered the EU on 1 May 2004, although the EU acquis - the body of common rights and obligations - applies only to the areas under direct government control, and is suspended in the areas administered by Turkish Cypriots. However, individual Turkish Cypriots able to document their eligibility for Republic of Cyprus citizenship legally enjoy the same rights accorded to other citizens of European Union states. Czech Republic Following the First World War, the closely related Czechs and Slovaks of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire merged to form Czechoslovakia. During the interwar years, the new country's leaders were frequently preoccupied with meeting the demands of other ethnic minorities within the republic, most notably the Sudeten Germans and the Ruthenians (Ukrainians). After World War II, a truncated Czechoslovakia fell within the Soviet sphere of influence. In 1968, an invasion by Warsaw Pact troops ended the efforts of the country's leaders to liberalize Communist party rule and create "socialism with a human face." Anti-Soviet demonstrations the following year ushered in a period of harsh repression. With the collapse of Soviet authority in 1989, Czechoslovakia regained its freedom through a peaceful "Velvet Revolution." On 1 January 1993, the country underwent a "velvet divorce" into its two national components, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The Czech Republic joined NATO in 1999 and the European Union in 2004. Denmark Once the seat of Viking raiders and later a major north European power, Denmark has evolved into a modern, prosperous nation that is participating in the general political and economic integration of Europe. It joined NATO in 1949 and the EEC (now the EU) in 1973. However, the country has opted out of certain elements of the European Union's Maastricht Treaty, including the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), European defense cooperation, and issues concerning certain justice and home affairs. Dhekelia By terms of the 1960 Treaty of Establishment that created the independent Republic of Cyprus, the UK retained full sovereignty and jurisdiction over two areas of almost 254 square kilometers - Akrotiri and Dhekelia. The larger of these is the Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area, which is also referred to as the Eastern Sovereign Base Area. Djibouti The French Territory of the Afars and the Issas became Djibouti in 1977. Hassan Gouled APTIDON installed an authoritarian one-party state and proceeded to serve as president until 1999. Unrest among the Afars minority during the 1990s led to a civil war that ended in 2001 following the conclusion of a peace accord between Afar rebels and the Issa-dominated government. In 1999, Djibouti's first multi-party presidential elections resulted in the election of Ismail Omar GUELLEH; he was re-elected to a second and final term in 2005. Djibouti occupies a strategic geographic location at the mouth of the Red Sea and serves as an important transshipment location for goods entering and leaving the east African highlands. The present leadership favors close ties to France, which maintains a significant military presence in the country, but also has strong ties with the US. Djibouti hosts the only US military base in sub-Saharan Africa and is a front-line state in the global war on terrorism. Dominica Dominica was the last of the Caribbean islands to be colonized by Europeans due chiefly to the fierce resistance of the native Caribs. France ceded possession to Great Britain in 1763, which made the island a colony in 1805. In 1980, two years after independence, Dominica's fortunes improved when a corrupt and tyrannical administration was replaced by that of Mary Eugenia CHARLES, the first female prime minister in the Caribbean, who remained in office for 15 years. Some 3,000 Carib Indians still living on Dominica are the only pre-Columbian population remaining in the eastern Caribbean. Dominican Republic Explored and claimed by Christopher COLUMBUS on his first voyage in 1492, the island of Hispaniola became a springboard for Spanish conquest of the Caribbean and the American mainland. In 1697, Spain recognized French dominion over the western third of the island, which in 1804 became Haiti. The remainder of the island, by then known as Santo Domingo, sought to gain its own independence in 1821 but was conquered and ruled by the Haitians for 22 years; it finally attained independence as the Dominican Republic in 1844. In 1861, the Dominicans voluntarily returned to the Spanish Empire, but two years later they launched a war that restored independence in 1865. A legacy of unsettled, mostly non-representative rule followed, capped by the dictatorship of Rafael Leonidas TRUJILLO from 1930-61. Juan BOSCH was elected president in 1962 but was deposed in a military coup in 1963. In 1965, the United States led an intervention in the midst of a civil war sparked by an uprising to restore BOSCH. In 1966, Joaquin BALAGUER defeated BOSCH in an election to become president. BALAGUER maintained a tight grip on power for most of the next 30 years when international reaction to flawed elections forced him to curtail his term in 1996. Since then, regular competitive elections have been held in which opposition candidates have won the presidency. Former President (1996-2000) Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna won election to a second term in 2004 following a constitutional amendment allowing presidents to serve more than one term. Ecuador What is now Ecuador formed part of the northern Inca Empire until the Spanish conquest in 1533. Quito became a seat of Spanish colonial government in 1563 and part of the Viceroyalty of New Granada in 1717. The territories of the Viceroyalty - New Granada (Colombia), Venezuela, and Quito - gained their independence between 1819 and 1822 and formed a federation known as Gran Colombia. When Quito withdrew in 1830, the traditional name was changed in favor of the "Republic of the Equator." Between 1904 and 1942, Ecuador lost territories in a series of conflicts with its neighbors. A border war with Peru that flared in 1995 was resolved in 1999. Although Ecuador marked 25 years of civilian governance in 2004, the period has been marred by political instability. Protests in Quito have contributed to the mid-term ouster of Ecuador's last three democratically elected Presidents. In September 2008, voters approved a new constitution; Ecuador's twentieth since gaining independence. General elections, under the new constitutional framework, are expected in April 2009. Egypt The regularity and richness of the annual Nile River flood, coupled with semi-isolation provided by deserts to the east and west, allowed for the development of one of the world's great civilizations. A unified kingdom arose circa 3200 B.C., and a series of dynasties ruled in Egypt for the next three millennia. The last native dynasty fell to the Persians in 341 B.C., who in turn were replaced by the Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines. It was the Arabs who introduced Islam and the Arabic language in the 7th century and who ruled for the next six centuries. A local military caste, the Mamluks took control about 1250 and continued to govern after the conquest of Egypt by the Ottoman Turks in 1517. Following the completion of the Suez Canal in 1869, Egypt became an important world transportation hub, but also fell heavily into debt. Ostensibly to protect its investments, Britain seized control of Egypt's government in 1882, but nominal allegiance to the Ottoman Empire continued until 1914. Partially independent from the UK in 1922, Egypt acquired full sovereignty with the overthrow of the British-backed monarchy in 1952. The completion of the Aswan High Dam in 1971 and the resultant Lake Nasser have altered the time-honored place of the Nile River in the agriculture and ecology of Egypt. A rapidly growing population (the largest in the Arab world), limited arable land, and dependence on the Nile all continue to overtax resources and stress society. The government has struggled to meet the demands of Egypt's growing population through economic reform and massive investment in communications and physical infrastructure. El Salvador El Salvador achieved independence from Spain in 1821 and from the Central American Federation in 1839. A 12-year civil war, which cost about 75,000 lives, was brought to a close in 1992 when the government and leftist rebels signed a treaty that provided for military and political reforms. Equatorial Guinea Equatorial Guinea gained independence in 1968 after 190 years of Spanish rule. This tiny country, composed of a mainland portion plus five inhabited islands, is one of the smallest on the African continent. President Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO has ruled the country since 1979 when he seized power in a coup. Although nominally a constitutional democracy since 1991, the 1996 and 2002 presidential elections - as well as the 1999 and 2004 legislative elections - were widely seen as flawed. The president exerts almost total control over the political system and has discouraged political opposition. Equatorial Guinea has experienced rapid economic growth due to the discovery of large offshore oil reserves, and in the last decade has become Sub-Saharan Africa's third largest oil exporter. Despite the country's economic windfall from oil production resulting in a massive increase in government revenue in recent years, there have been few improvements in the population's living standards. Eritrea Eritrea was awarded to Ethiopia in 1952 as part of a federation. Ethiopia's annexation of Eritrea as a province 10 years later sparked a 30-year struggle for independence that ended in 1991 with Eritrean rebels defeating governmental forces; independence was overwhelmingly approved in a 1993 referendum. A two-and-a-half-year border war with Ethiopia that erupted in 1998 ended under UN auspices in December 2000. Eritrea hosted a UN peacekeeping operation that monitored a 25 km-wide Temporary Security Zone (TSZ) on the border with Ethiopia. Eritrea's denial of fuel to the mission caused the UN to withdraw the mission and terminate its mandate 31 July 2008. An international commission, organized to resolve the border dispute, posted its findings in 2002. However, both parties have been unable to reach agreement on implementing the decision. On 30 November 2007, the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission remotely demarcated the border by coordinates and dissolved itself, leaving Ethiopia still occupying several tracts of disputed territory, including the town of Badme. Eritrea accepted the EEBC's "virtual demarcation" decision and called on Ethiopia to remove its troops from the TSZ which it states is Eritrean territory. Ethiopia has not accepted the virtual demarcation decision. Estonia After centuries of Danish, Swedish, German, and Russian rule, Estonia attained independence in 1918. Forcibly incorporated into the USSR in 1940 - an action never recognized by the US - it regained its freedom in 1991, with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Since the last Russian troops left in 1994, Estonia has been free to promote economic and political ties with Western Europe. It joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004. Ethiopia Unique among African countries, the ancient Ethiopian monarchy maintained its freedom from colonial rule with the exception of a short-lived Italian occupation from 1936-41. In 1974, a military junta, the Derg, deposed Emperor Haile SELASSIE (who had ruled since 1930) and established a socialist state. Torn by bloody coups, uprisings, wide-scale drought, and massive refugee problems, the regime was finally toppled in 1991 by a coalition of rebel forces, the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). A constitution was adopted in 1994, and Ethiopia's first multiparty elections were held in 1995. A border war with Eritrea late in the 1990s ended with a peace treaty in December 2000. The Eritrea-Ethiopia Border Commission in November 2007 remotely demarcated the border by geographical coordinates, but final demarcation of the boundary on the ground is currently on hold because of Ethiopian objections to an international commission's finding requiring it to surrender territory considered sensitive to Ethiopia. European Union Following the two devastating World Wars in the first half of the 20th century, a number of European leaders in the late 1940s became convinced that the only way to establish a lasting peace was to unite the two chief belligerent nations - France and Germany - both economically and politically. In 1950, the French Foreign Minister Robert SCHUMAN proposed an eventual union of all Europe, the first step of which would be the integration of the coal and steel industries of Western Europe. The following year the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) was set up when six members, Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, signed the Treaty of Paris. The ECSC was so successful that within a few years the decision was made to integrate other parts of the countries' economies. In 1957, the Treaties of Rome created the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom), and the six member states undertook to eliminate trade barriers among themselves by forming a common market. In 1967, the institutions of all three communities were formally merged into the European Community (EC), creating a single Commission, a single Council of Ministers, and the European Parliament. Members of the European Parliament were initially selected by national parliaments, but in 1979 the first direct elections were undertaken and they have been held every five years since. In 1973, the first enlargement of the EC took place with the addition of Denmark, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. The 1980s saw further membership expansion with Greece joining in 1981 and Spain and Portugal in 1986. The 1992 Treaty of Maastricht laid the basis for further forms of cooperation in foreign and defense policy, in judicial and internal affairs, and in the creation of an economic and monetary union - including a common currency. This further integration created the European Union (EU). In 1995, Austria, Finland, and Sweden joined the EU, raising the membership total to 15. A new currency, the euro, was launched in world money markets on 1 January 1999; it became the unit of exchange for all of the EU states except the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Denmark. In 2002, citizens of the 12 euro-area countries began using the euro banknotes and coins. Ten new countries joined the EU in 2004 - Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia - and in 2007 Bulgaria and Romania joined, bringing the current membership to 27. In order to ensure that the EU can continue to function efficiently with an expanded membership, the Treaty of Nice (in force as of 1 February 2003) set forth rules streamlining the size and procedures of EU institutions. An effort to establish an EU constitution, begun in October 2004, failed to attain unanimous ratification. A new effort, undertaken in June 2007, created an Intergovernmental Conference to formulate a political agreement - initially known as the Reform Treaty but subsequently referred to as the Treaty of Lisbon - which would serve as a constitution. Unlike the constitution, however, the Treaty of Lisbon sought to amend existing treaties rather than replace them. In October 2009, an Irish referendum approved the Treaty (overturning a previous rejection) and cleared the way for an ultimate unanimous endorsement - the Czech Republic signed on soon after. Treaty implementation is set to begin on 1 December 2009. Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Although first sighted by an English navigator in 1592, the first landing (English) did not occur until almost a century later in 1690, and the first settlement (French) was not established until 1764. The colony was turned over to Spain two years later and the islands have since been the subject of a territorial dispute, first between Britain and Spain, then between Britain and Argentina. The UK asserted its claim to the islands by establishing a naval garrison there in 1833. Argentina invaded the islands on 2 April 1982. The British responded with an expeditionary force that landed seven weeks later and after fierce fighting forced an Argentine surrender on 14 June 1982. Faroe Islands The population of the Faroe Islands is largely descended from Viking settlers who arrived in the 9th century. The islands have been connected politically to Denmark since the 14th century. A high degree of self government was attained in 1948. Fiji Fiji became independent in 1970 after nearly a century as a British colony. Democratic rule was interrupted by two military coups in 1987 caused by concern over a government perceived as dominated by the Indian community (descendants of contract laborers brought to the islands by the British in the 19th century). The coups and a 1990 constitution that cemented native Melanesian control of Fiji led to heavy Indian emigration; the population loss resulted in economic difficulties, but ensured that Melanesians became the majority. A new constitution enacted in 1997 was more equitable. Free and peaceful elections in 1999 resulted in a government led by an Indo-Fijian, but a civilian-led coup in May 2000 ushered in a prolonged period of political turmoil. Parliamentary elections held in August 2001 provided Fiji with a democratically elected government led by Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE. Re-elected in May 2006, QARASE was ousted in a December 2006 military coup led by Commodore Voreqe BAINIMARAMA, who initially appointed himself acting president but in January 2007 became interim prime minister. Since taking power BAINIMARAMA has neutralized his opponents, crippled Fiji's democratic institutions, and refused to hold elections. Finland Finland was a province and then a grand duchy under Sweden from the 12th to the 19th centuries, and an autonomous grand duchy of Russia after 1809. It won its complete independence in 1917. During World War II, it was able to successfully defend its freedom and resist invasions by the Soviet Union - albeit with some loss of territory. In the subsequent half century, the Finns made a remarkable transformation from a farm/forest economy to a diversified modern industrial economy; per capita income is now among the highest in Western Europe. A member of the European Union since 1995, Finland was the only Nordic state to join the euro system at its initiation in January 1999. France Although ultimately a victor in World Wars I and II, France suffered extensive losses in its empire, wealth, manpower, and rank as a dominant nation-state. Nevertheless, France today is one of the most modern countries in the world and is a leader among European nations. Since 1958, it has constructed a hybrid presidential-parliamentary governing system resistant to the instabilities experienced in earlier more purely parliamentary administrations. In recent years, its reconciliation and cooperation with Germany have proved central to the economic integration of Europe, including the introduction of a common exchange currency, the euro, in January 1999. At present, France is at the forefront of efforts to develop the EU's military capabilities to supplement progress toward an EU foreign policy. French Polynesia The French annexed various Polynesian island groups during the 19th century. In September 1995, France stirred up widespread protests by resuming nuclear testing on the Mururoa atoll after a three-year moratorium. The tests were suspended in January 1996. In recent years, French Polynesia's autonomy has been considerably expanded. French Southern and Antarctic Lands In February 2007, the Iles Eparses became an integral part of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands (TAAF). The Southern Lands are now divided into five administrative districts, two of which are archipelagos, Iles Crozet and Iles Kerguelen; the third is a district composed of two volcanic islands, Ile Saint-Paul and Ile Amsterdam; the fourth, Iles Eparses, consists of five scattered tropical islands around Madagascar. They contain no permanent inhabitants and are visited only by researchers studying the native fauna, scientists at the various scientific stations, fishermen, and military personnel. The fifth district is the Antarctic portion, which consists of "Adelie Land," a thin slice of the Antarctic continent discovered and claimed by the French in 1840. Ile Amsterdam: Discovered but not named in 1522 by the Spanish, the island subsequently received the appellation of Nieuw Amsterdam from a Dutchman; it was claimed by France in 1843. A short-lived attempt at cattle farming began in 1871. A French meteorological station established on the island in 1949 is still in use. Ile Saint Paul: Claimed by France since 1893, the island was a fishing industry center from 1843 to 1914. In 1928, a spiny lobster cannery was established, but when the company went bankrupt in 1931, seven workers were abandoned. Only two survived until 1934 when rescue finally arrived. Iles Crozet: A large archipelago formed from the Crozet Plateau, Iles Crozet is divided into two main groups: L'Occidental (the West), which includes Ile aux Cochons, Ilots des Apotres, Ile des Pingouins, and the reefs Brisants de l'Heroine; and L'Oriental (the east), which includes Ile d'Est and Ile de la Possession (the largest island of the Crozets). Discovered and claimed by France in 1772, the islands were used for seal hunting and as a base for whaling. Originally administered as a dependency of Madagascar, they became part of the TAAF in 1955. Iles Kerguelen: This island group, discovered in 1772, is made up of one large island (Ile Kerguelen) and about 300 smaller islands. A permanent group of 50 to 100 scientists resides at the main base at Port-aux-Francais. Adelie Land: The only non-insular district of the TAAF is the Antarctic claim known as "Adelie Land." The US Government does not recognize it as a French dependency. Bassas da India: A French possession since 1897, this atoll is a volcanic rock surrounded by reefs and is awash at high tide. Europa Island: This heavily wooded island has been a French possession since 1897; it is the site of a small military garrison that staffs a weather station. Glorioso Islands: A French possession since 1892, the Glorioso Islands are composed of two lushly vegetated coral islands (Ile Glorieuse and Ile du Lys) and three rock islets. A military garrison operates a weather and radio station on Ile Glorieuse. Juan de Nova Island: Named after a famous 15th century Spanish navigator and explorer, the island has been a French possession since 1897. It has been exploited for its guano and phosphate. Presently a small military garrison oversees a meteorological station. Tromelin Island: First explored by the French in 1776, the island came under the jurisdiction of Reunion in 1814. At present, it serves as a sea turtle sanctuary and is the site of an important meteorological station. Gabon Until recently, only two autocratic presidents had ruled Gabon since its independence from France in 1960. The recent president of Gabon, El Hadj Omar BONGO Ondimba -one of the longest-serving heads of state in the world - had dominated the country's political scene for four decades. President BONGO introduced a nominal multiparty system and a new constitution in the early 1990s. However, allegations of electoral fraud during local elections in 2002-03 and the presidential elections in 2005 exposed the weaknesses of formal political structures in Gabon. President BONGO died in June 2009 and was replaced in accordance with the constitution by Rose Francine ROGOMBE, the president of the Senate. New elections are planned for the summer of 2009. This will be the first Gabonese elections in which BONGO is not participating. Despite political conditions, a small population, abundant natural resources, and considerable foreign support have helped make Gabon one of the more prosperous and stable African countries. Gambia, The The Gambia gained its independence from the UK in 1965. Geographically surrounded by Senegal, it formed a short-lived federation of Senegambia between 1982 and 1989. In 1991 the two nations signed a friendship and cooperation treaty, but tensions have flared up intermittently since then. Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH led a military coup in 1994 that overthrew the president and banned political activity. A new constitution and presidential elections in 1996, followed by parliamentary balloting in 1997, completed a nominal return to civilian rule. JAMMEH has been elected president in all subsequent elections, including most recently in late 2006. Gaza Strip The September 1993 Israel-PLO Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements provided for a transitional period of Palestinian self-rule in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Under a series of agreements signed between May 1994 and September 1999, Israel transferred to the Palestinian Authority (PA) security and civilian responsibility for Palestinian-populated areas of the West Bank and Gaza. Negotiations to determine the permanent status of the West Bank and Gaza stalled following the outbreak of an intifada in September 2000, as Israeli forces reoccupied most Palestinian-controlled areas. In April 2003, the Quartet (US, EU, UN, and Russia) presented a roadmap to a final settlement of the conflict by 2005 based on reciprocal steps by the two parties leading to two states, Israel and a democratic Palestine. The proposed date for a permanent status agreement was postponed indefinitely due to violence and accusations that both sides had not followed through on their commitments. Following Palestinian leader Yasir ARAFAT's death in late 2004, Mahmud ABBAS was elected PA president in January 2005. A month later, Israel and the PA agreed to the Sharm el-Sheikh Commitments in an effort to move the peace process forward. In September 2005, Israel unilaterally withdrew all its settlers and soldiers and dismantled its military facilities in the Gaza Strip and withdrew settlers and redeployed soldiers from four small northern West Bank settlements. Nonetheless, Israel controls maritime, airspace, and most access to the Gaza Strip. A November 2005 PA-Israeli agreement authorized the reopening of the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt under joint PA and Egyptian control. In January 2006, the Islamic Resistance Movement, HAMAS, won control of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC). The international community refused to accept the HAMAS-led government because it did not recognize Israel, would not renounce violence, and refused to honor previous peace agreements between Israel and the PA. HAMAS took control of the PA government in March 2006, but President ABBAS had little success negotiating with HAMAS to present a political platform acceptable to the international community so as to lift economic sanctions on Palestinians. The PLC was unable to convene throughout most of 2006 as a result of Israel's detention of many HAMAS PLC members and Israeli-imposed travel restrictions on other PLC members. Violent clashes took place between Fatah and HAMAS supporters in the Gaza Strip in 2006 and early 2007, resulting in numerous Palestinian deaths and injuries. ABBAS and HAMAS Political Bureau Chief MISHAL in February 2007 signed the Mecca Agreement in Saudi Arabia that resulted in the formation of a Palestinian National Unity Government (NUG) headed by HAMAS member Ismail HANIYA. However, fighting continued in the Gaza Strip, and in June, HAMAS militants succeeded in a violent takeover of all military and governmental institutions in the Gaza Strip. ABBAS dismissed the NUG and through a series of Presidential decrees formed a PA government in the West Bank led by independent Salam FAYYAD. HAMAS rejected the NUG's dismissal and has called for resuming talks with Fatah, but ABBAS has ruled out negotiations until HAMAS agrees to a return of PA control over the Gaza Strip and recognizes the FAYYAD-led government. FAYYAD and his PA government initiated a series of security and economic reforms to improve conditions in the West Bank. ABBAS participated in talks with Israel's Prime Minister OLMERT and secured the release of some Palestinian prisoners and previously withheld customs revenue. During a November 2007 international meeting in Annapolis Maryland, ABBAS and OLMERT agreed to resume peace negotiations with the goal of reaching a final peace settlement. Late November 2007 through June 2008 witnessed a substantial increase in Israeli-Palestinian violence. An Egyptian-brokered truce in June 2008 between Israel and HAMAS brought about a five-month pause in hostilities, but spiraling end-of-year violence culminated with massive Israeli air assaults on HAMAS installations in late December followed by Israeli ground attacks in early January 2009. Israel in mid January unilaterally stopped the attacks and HAMAS responded by suspending rocket and mortar fire. The fighting resulted in the deaths of an estimated 1,100 to 1,400 Palestinians and left tens of thousands of people homeless. International donors pledged $4.5 billion in aid to rebuild the Gaza Strip, but by mid-May 2009 only a small fraction of the aid had been delivered. Georgia The region of present-day Georgia contained the ancient kingdoms of Colchis and Kartli-Iberia. The area came under Roman influence in the first centuries A.D. and Christianity became the state religion in the 330s. Domination by Persians, Arabs, and Turks was followed by a Georgian golden age (11th-13th centuries) that was cut short by the Mongol invasion of 1236. Subsequently, the Ottoman and Persian empires competed for influence in the region. Georgia was absorbed into the Russian Empire in the 19th century. Independent for three years (1918-1921) following the Russian revolution, it was forcibly incorporated into the USSR until the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991. An attempt by the incumbent Georgian government to manipulate national legislative elections in November 2003 touched off widespread protests that led to the resignation of Eduard SHEVARDNADZE, president since 1995. New elections in early 2004 swept Mikheil SAAKASHVILI into power along with his National Movement party. Progress on market reforms and democratization has been made in the years since independence, but this progress has been complicated by Russian assistance and support to the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. After a series of Russian and separatist provocations in summer 2008, Georgian military action in South Ossetia in early August led to a Russian military response that not only occupied the breakaway areas, but large portions of Georgia proper as well. Russian troops pulled back from most occupied Georgian territory, but in late August 2008 Russia unilaterally recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. This action was strongly condemned by most of the world's nations and international organizations. Germany As Europe's largest economy and second most populous nation (after Russia), Germany is a key member of the continent's economic, political, and defense organizations. European power struggles immersed Germany in two devastating World Wars in the first half of the 20th century and left the country occupied by the victorious Allied powers of the US, UK, France, and the Soviet Union in 1945. With the advent of the Cold War, two German states were formed in 1949: the western Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the eastern German Democratic Republic (GDR). The democratic FRG embedded itself in key Western economic and security organizations, the EC, which became the EU, and NATO, while the Communist GDR was on the front line of the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact. The decline of the USSR and the end of the Cold War allowed for German unification in 1990. Since then, Germany has expended considerable funds to bring Eastern productivity and wages up to Western standards. In January 1999, Germany and 10 other EU countries introduced a common European exchange currency, the euro. Ghana Formed from the merger of the British colony of the Gold Coast and the Togoland trust territory, Ghana in 1957 became the first sub-Saharan country in colonial Africa to gain its independence. Ghana endured a long series of coups before Lt. Jerry RAWLINGS took power in 1981 and banned political parties. After approving a new constitution and restoring multiparty politics in 1992, RAWLINGS won presidential elections in 1992 and 1996, but was constitutionally prevented from running for a third term in 2000. John KUFUOR succeeded him and was reelected in 2004. John Atta MILLS took over as head of state in early 2009. Gibraltar Strategically important, Gibraltar was reluctantly ceded to Great Britain by Spain in the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht; the British garrison was formally declared a colony in 1830. In a referendum held in 1967, Gibraltarians voted overwhelmingly to remain a British dependency. The subsequent granting of autonomy in 1969 by the UK led to Spain closing the border and severing all communication links. A series of talks were held by the UK and Spain between 1997 and 2002 on establishing temporary joint sovereignty over Gibraltar. In response to these talks, the Gibraltar Government called a referendum in late 2002 in which the majority of citizens voted overwhelmingly against any sharing of sovereignty with Spain. Since the referendum, tripartite talks on other issues have been held with Spain, the UK, and Gibraltar, and in September 2006 a three-way agreement was signed. Spain agreed to remove restrictions on air movements, to speed up customs procedures, to implement international telephone dialing, and to allow mobile roaming agreements. Britain agreed to pay increased pensions to Spaniards who had been employed in Gibraltar before the border closed. Spain will be allowed to open a cultural institute from which the Spanish flag will fly. A new noncolonial constitution came into effect in 2007, but the UK retains responsibility for defense, foreign relations, internal security, and financial stability. Greece Greece achieved independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1829. During the second half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, it gradually added neighboring islands and territories, most with Greek-speaking populations. In World War II, Greece was first invaded by Italy (1940) and subsequently occupied by Germany (1941-44); fighting endured in a protracted civil war between supporters of the king and Communist rebels. Following the latter's defeat in 1949, Greece joined NATO in 1952. A military dictatorship, which in 1967 suspended many political liberties and forced the king to flee the country, lasted seven years. The 1974 democratic elections and a referendum created a parliamentary republic and abolished the monarchy. In 1981, Greece joined the EC (now the EU); it became the 12th member of the European Economic and Monetary Union in 2001. Greenland Greenland, the world's largest island, is about 81% ice-capped. Vikings reached the island in the 10th century from Iceland; Danish colonization began in the 18th century, and Greenland was made an integral part of Denmark in 1953. It joined the European Community (now the EU) with Denmark in 1973, but withdrew in 1985 over a dispute centered on stringent fishing quotas. Greenland was granted self-government in 1979 by the Danish parliament; the law went into effect the following year. Greenland voted in favor of increased self-rule in November 2008 and acquired complete responsibilty for internal affairs in June 2009. Denmark, however, continues to exercise control of Greenland's foreign affairs, security, and financial policy in consultation with Greenland's Home Rule Government. Grenada Carib Indians inhabited Grenada when COLUMBUS discovered the island in 1498, but it remained uncolonized for more than a century. The French settled Grenada in the 17th century, established sugar estates, and imported large numbers of African slaves. Britain took the island in 1762 and vigorously expanded sugar production. In the 19th century, cacao eventually surpassed sugar as the main export crop; in the 20th century, nutmeg became the leading export. In 1967, Britain gave Grenada autonomy over its internal affairs. Full independence was attained in 1974 making Grenada one of the smallest independent countries in the Western Hemisphere. Grenada was seized by a Marxist military council on 19 October 1983. Six days later the island was invaded by US forces and those of six other Caribbean nations, which quickly captured the ringleaders and their hundreds of Cuban advisers. Free elections were reinstituted the following year and have continued since that time. Hurricane Ivan struck Grenada in September of 2004 causing severe damage. Guam Guam was ceded to the US by Spain in 1898. Captured by the Japanese in 1941, it was retaken by the US three years later. The military installation on the island is one of the most strategically important US bases in the Pacific. Guatemala The Mayan civilization flourished in Guatemala and surrounding regions during the first millennium A.D. After almost three centuries as a Spanish colony, Guatemala won its independence in 1821. During the second half of the 20th century, it experienced a variety of military and civilian governments, as well as a 36-year guerrilla war. In 1996, the government signed a peace agreement formally ending the conflict, which had left more than 100,000 people dead and had created, by some estimates, some 1 million refugees. Guernsey Guernsey and the other Channel Islands represent the last remnants of the medieval Dukedom of Normandy, which held sway in both France and England. The islands were the only British soil occupied by German troops in World War II. Guernsey is a British crown dependency, but is not part of the UK. However, the UK Government is constitutionally responsible for its defense and international representation. Guinea Guinea has had a history of authoritarian rule since gaining its independence from France in 1958. Lansana CONTE came to power in 1984 when the military seized the government after the death of the first president, Sekou TOURE. Guinea did not hold democratic elections until 1993 when Gen. CONTE (head of the military government) was elected president of the civilian government. He was reelected in 1998 and again in 2003, though all the polls were marred by irregularities. History repeated itself in December 2008 when following President CONTE's death, Capt. Moussa Dadis CAMARA led a military coup, seizing power and suspending the constitution as well as political and union activity. Guinea has maintained some semblance of internal stability despite spillover effects from conflict in Sierra Leone and Liberia. As those countries have rebuilt, however, Guinea's own vulnerability to political and economic crisis has increased. Declining economic conditions and popular dissatisfaction with corruption and bad governance prompted two massive strikes in 2006, and a third nationwide strike in early 2007. Guinea-Bissau Since independence from Portugal in 1974, Guinea-Bissau has experienced considerable political and military upheaval. In 1980, a military coup established authoritarian dictator Joao Bernardo 'Nino' VIEIRA as president. Despite setting a path to a market economy and multiparty system, VIEIRA's regime was characterized by the suppression of political opposition and the purging of political rivals. Several coup attempts through the 1980s and early 1990s failed to unseat him. In 1994 VIEIRA was elected president in the country's first free elections. A military mutiny and resulting civil war in 1998 eventually led to VIEIRA's ouster in May 1999. In February 2000, a transitional government turned over power to opposition leader Kumba YALA, after he was elected president in transparent polling. In September 2003, after only three years in office, YALA was ousted by the military in a bloodless coup, and businessman Henrique ROSA was sworn in as interim president. In 2005, former President VIEIRA was re-elected president pledging to pursue economic development and national reconciliation. He was assassinated in March 2009; new elections are to take place in June 2009. Guyana Originally a Dutch colony in the 17th century, by 1815 Guyana had become a British possession. The abolition of slavery led to black settlement of urban areas and the importation of indentured servants from India to work the sugar plantations. This ethnocultural divide has persisted and has led to turbulent politics. Guyana achieved independence from the UK in 1966, and since then it has been ruled mostly by socialist-oriented governments. In 1992, Cheddi JAGAN was elected president in what is considered the country's first free and fair election since independence. After his death five years later, his wife, Janet JAGAN, became president but resigned in 1999 due to poor health. Her successor, Bharrat JAGDEO, was reelected in 2001 and again in 2006. Haiti The native Taino Amerindians - who inhabited the island of Hispaniola when it was discovered by COLUMBUS in 1492 - were virtually annihilated by Spanish settlers within 25 years. In the early 17th century, the French established a presence on Hispaniola. In 1697, Spain ceded to the French the western third of the island, which later became Haiti. The French colony, based on forestry and sugar-related industries, became one of the wealthiest in the Caribbean but only through the heavy importation of African slaves and considerable environmental degradation. In the late 18th century, Haiti's nearly half million slaves revolted under Toussaint L'OUVERTURE. After a prolonged struggle, Haiti became the first black republic to declare independence in 1804. The poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, Haiti has been plagued by political violence for most of its history. After an armed rebellion led to the forced resignation and exile of President Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE in February 2004, an interim government took office to organize new elections under the auspices of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). Continued violence and technical delays prompted repeated postponements, but Haiti finally did inaugurate a democratically elected president and parliament in May of 2006. Heard Island and McDonald Islands These uninhabited, barren, sub-Antarctic islands were transferred from the UK to Australia in 1947. Populated by large numbers of seal and bird species, the islands have been designated a nature preserve. Holy See (Vatican City) Popes in their secular role ruled portions of the Italian peninsula for more than a thousand years until the mid 19th century, when many of the Papal States were seized by the newly united Kingdom of Italy. In 1870, the pope's holdings were further circumscribed when Rome itself was annexed. Disputes between a series of "prisoner" popes and Italy were resolved in 1929 by three Lateran Treaties, which established the independent state of Vatican City and granted Roman Catholicism special status in Italy. In 1984, a concordat between the Holy See and Italy modified certain of the earlier treaty provisions, including the primacy of Roman Catholicism as the Italian state religion. Present concerns of the Holy See include religious freedom, international development, the environment, the Middle East, China, the decline of religion in Europe, terrorism, interreligious dialogue and reconciliation, and the application of church doctrine in an era of rapid change and globalization. About one billion people worldwide profess the Catholic faith. Honduras Once part of Spain's vast empire in the New World, Honduras became an independent nation in 1821. After two and a half decades of mostly military rule, a freely elected civilian government came to power in 1982. During the 1980s, Honduras proved a haven for anti-Sandinista contras fighting the Marxist Nicaraguan Government and an ally to Salvadoran Government forces fighting leftist guerrillas. The country was devastated by Hurricane Mitch in 1998, which killed about 5,600 people and caused approximately $2 billion in damage. Hong Kong Occupied by the UK in 1841, Hong Kong was formally ceded by China the following year; various adjacent lands were added later in the 19th century. Pursuant to an agreement signed by China and the UK on 19 December 1984, Hong Kong became the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China on 1 July 1997. In this agreement, China promised that, under its "one country, two systems" formula, China's socialist economic system would not be imposed on Hong Kong and that Hong Kong would enjoy a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign and defense affairs for the next 50 years. Hungary Hungary became a Christian kingdom in A.D. 1000 and for many centuries served as a bulwark against Ottoman Turkish expansion in Europe. The kingdom eventually became part of the polyglot Austro-Hungarian Empire, which collapsed during World War I. The country fell under Communist rule following World War II. In 1956, a revolt and an announced withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact were met with a massive military intervention by Moscow. Under the leadership of Janos KADAR in 1968, Hungary began liberalizing its economy, introducing so-called "Goulash Communism." Hungary held its first multiparty elections in 1990 and initiated a free market economy. It joined NATO in 1999 and the EU in 2004. Iceland Settled by Norwegian and Celtic (Scottish and Irish) immigrants during the late 9th and 10th centuries A.D., Iceland boasts the world's oldest functioning legislative assembly, the Althing, established in 930. Independent for over 300 years, Iceland was subsequently ruled by Norway and Denmark. Fallout from the Askja volcano of 1875 devastated the Icelandic economy and caused widespread famine. Over the next quarter century, 20% of the island's population emigrated, mostly to Canada and the US. Limited home rule from Denmark was granted in 1874 and complete independence attained in 1944. Literacy, longevity, and social cohesion are first-rate by world standards. India The Indus Valley civilization, one of the world's oldest, flourished during the 3rd and 2nd centuries B.C. and extended into northwestern India. Aryan tribes from the northwest infiltrated onto the Indian subcontinent about 1500 B.C.; their merger with the earlier Dravidian inhabitants created the classical Indian culture. The Maurya Empire of the 4th and 3rd centuries B.C. - which reached its zenith under ASHOKA - united much of South Asia. The Golden Age ushered in by the Gupta dynasty (4th to 6th centuries A.D.) saw a flowering of Indian science, art, and culture. Arab incursions starting in the 8th century and Turkic in the 12th were followed by those of European traders, beginning in the late 15th century. By the 19th century, Britain had assumed political control of virtually all Indian lands. Indian armed forces in the British army played a vital role in both World Wars. Nonviolent resistance to British colonialism led by Mohandas GANDHI and Jawaharlal NEHRU brought independence in 1947. The subcontinent was divided into the secular state of India and the smaller Muslim state of Pakistan. A third war between the two countries in 1971 resulted in East Pakistan becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh. India's nuclear weapons testing in 1998 caused Pakistan to conduct its own tests that same year. Despite impressive gains in economic investment and output, India faces pressing problems such as significant overpopulation, environmental degradation, extensive poverty, and widespread corruption. Indian Ocean The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's five oceans (after the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean, but larger than the Southern Ocean and Arctic Ocean). Four critically important access waterways are the Suez Canal (Egypt), Bab el Mandeb (Djibouti-Yemen), Strait of Hormuz (Iran-Oman), and Strait of Malacca (Indonesia-Malaysia). The decision by the International Hydrographic Organization in the spring of 2000 to delimit a fifth ocean, the Southern Ocean, removed the portion of the Indian Ocean south of 60 degrees south latitude. Indonesia The Dutch began to colonize Indonesia in the early 17th century; Japan occupied the islands from 1942 to 1945. Indonesia declared its independence after Japan's surrender, but it required four years of intermittent negotiations, recurring hostilities, and UN mediation before the Netherlands agreed to transfer sovereignty in 1949. Indonesia's first free parliamentary election after decades of repressive rule took place in 1999. Indonesia is now the world's third-largest democracy, the world's largest archipelagic state, and home to the world's largest Muslim population. Current issues include: alleviating poverty, improving education, preventing terrorism, consolidating democracy after four decades of authoritarianism, implementing economic and financial reforms, stemming corruption, holding the military and police accountable for past human rights violations, addressing climate change, and controlling avian influenza. In 2005, Indonesia reached a historic peace agreement with armed separatists in Aceh, which led to democratic elections in December 2006. Indonesia continues to face a low intensity separatist movement in Papua. Iran Known as Persia until 1935, Iran became an Islamic republic in 1979 after the ruling monarchy was overthrown and Shah Mohammad Reza PAHLAVI was forced into exile. Conservative clerical forces established a theocratic system of government with ultimate political authority vested in a learned religious scholar referred to commonly as the Supreme Leader who, according to the constitution, is accountable only to the Assembly of Experts. US-Iranian relations have been strained since a group of Iranian students seized the US Embassy in Tehran on 4 November 1979 and held it until 20 January 1981. During 1980-88, Iran fought a bloody, indecisive war with Iraq that eventually expanded into the Persian Gulf and led to clashes between US Navy and Iranian military forces between 1987 and 1988. Iran has been designated a state sponsor of terrorism for its activities in Lebanon and elsewhere in the world and remains subject to US, UN, and EU economic sanctions and export controls because of its continued involvement in terrorism and its nuclear weapons ambitions. Following the election of reformer Hojjat ol-Eslam Mohammad KHATAMI as president in 1997 and similarly a reformer Majles (parliament) in 2000, a campaign to foster political reform in response to popular dissatisfaction was initiated. The movement floundered as conservative politicians, through the control of unelected institutions, prevented reform measures from being enacted and increased repressive measures. Starting with nationwide municipal elections in 2003 and continuing through Majles elections in 2004, conservatives reestablished control over Iran's elected government institutions, which culminated with the August 2005 inauguration of hardliner Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD as president. The UN Security Council has passed a number of resolutions (1696 in July 2006, 1737 in December 2006, 1747 in March 2007, 1803 in March 2008, and 1835 in September 2008) calling for Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment and reprocessing activities and comply with its IAEA obligations and responsibilities. Resolutions 1737, 1477, and 1803 subject a number of Iranian individuals and entities involved in Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs to sanctions. Additionally, several Iranian entities are subject to US sanctions under Executive Order 13382 designations for proliferation activities and EO 13224 designations for support of terrorism. Iraq Formerly part of the Ottoman Empire, Iraq was occupied by Britain during the course of World War I; in 1920, it was declared a League of Nations mandate under UK administration. In stages over the next dozen years, Iraq attained its independence as a kingdom in 1932. A "republic" was proclaimed in 1958, but in actuality a series of strongmen ruled the country until 2003. The last was SADDAM Husayn. Territorial disputes with Iran led to an inconclusive and costly eight-year war (1980-88). In August 1990, Iraq seized Kuwait but was expelled by US-led, UN coalition forces during the Gulf War of January-February 1991. Following Kuwait's liberation, the UN Security Council (UNSC) required Iraq to scrap all weapons of mass destruction and long-range missiles and to allow UN verification inspections. Continued Iraqi noncompliance with UNSC resolutions over a period of 12 years led to the US-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003 and the ouster of the SADDAM Husayn regime. US forces remained in Iraq under a UNSC mandate until 31 December 2008 and under a bilateral Security Agreement thereafter, helping to provide security and to support the freely elected government. In October 2005, Iraqis approved a constitution in a national referendum and, pursuant to this document, elected a 275-member Council of Representatives (CoR) in December 2005. After the election, Ibrahim al-JAAFARI was selected as prime minister; he was replaced by Nuri al-MALIKI in May 2006. The CoR approved most cabinet ministers in May 2006, marking the transition to Iraq's first constitutional government in nearly a half century. On 31 January 2009, Iraq held elections for provincial councils in all provinces except for the three provinces comprising the Kurdistan Regional Government and at-Ta'mim (Kirkuk) province. Ireland Celtic tribes arrived on the island between 600-150 B.C. Invasions by Norsemen that began in the late 8th century were finally ended when King Brian BORU defeated the Danes in 1014. English invasions began in the 12th century and set off more than seven centuries of Anglo-Irish struggle marked by fierce rebellions and harsh repressions. A failed 1916 Easter Monday Rebellion touched off several years of guerrilla warfare that in 1921 resulted in independence from the UK for 26 southern counties; six northern (Ulster) counties remained part of the UK. In 1949, Ireland withdrew from the British Commonwealth; it joined the European Community in 1973. Irish governments have sought the peaceful unification of Ireland and have cooperated with Britain against terrorist groups. A peace settlement for Northern Ireland is gradually being implemented despite some difficulties. In 2006, the Irish and British governments developed and began to implement the St. Andrews Agreement, building on the Good Friday Agreement approved in 1998. Isle of Man Part of the Norwegian Kingdom of the Hebrides until the 13th century when it was ceded to Scotland, the isle came under the British crown in 1765. Current concerns include reviving the almost extinct Manx Gaelic language. Isle of Man is a British crown dependency but is not part of the UK. However, the UK Government remains constitutionally responsible for its defense and international representation. Israel Following World War II, the British withdrew from their mandate of Palestine, and the UN partitioned the area into Arab and Jewish states, an arrangement rejected by the Arabs. Subsequently, the Israelis defeated the Arabs in a series of wars without ending the deep tensions between the two sides. The territories Israel occupied since the 1967 war are not included in the Israel country profile, unless otherwise noted. On 25 April 1982, Israel withdrew from the Sinai pursuant to the 1979 Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty. In keeping with the framework established at the Madrid Conference in October 1991, bilateral negotiations were conducted between Israel and Palestinian representatives and Syria to achieve a permanent settlement. Israel and Palestinian officials signed on 13 September 1993 a Declaration of Principles (also known as the "Oslo Accords") guiding an interim period of Palestinian self-rule. Outstanding territorial and other disputes with Jordan were resolved in the 26 October 1994 Israel-Jordan Treaty of Peace. In addition, on 25 May 2000, Israel withdrew unilaterally from southern Lebanon, which it had occupied since 1982. In April 2003, US President BUSH, working in conjunction with the EU, UN, and Russia - the "Quartet" - took the lead in laying out a roadmap to a final settlement of the conflict by 2005, based on reciprocal steps by the two parties leading to two states, Israel and a democratic Palestine. However, progress toward a permanent status agreement was undermined by Israeli-Palestinian violence between September 2003 and February 2005. An Israeli-Palestinian agreement reached at Sharm al-Sheikh in February 2005, along with an internally-brokered Palestinian cease-fire, significantly reduced the violence. In the summer of 2005, Israel unilaterally disengaged from the Gaza Strip, evacuating settlers and its military while retaining control over most points of entry into the Gaza Strip. The election of HAMAS in January 2006 to head the Palestinian Legislative Council froze relations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA). Ehud OLMERT became prime minister in March 2006; he shelved plans to unilaterally evacuate from most of the West Bank following an Israeli military operation in Gaza in June-July 2006 and a 34-day conflict with Hizballah in Lebanon in June-August 2006. OLMERT in June 2007 resumed talks with the PA after HAMAS seized control of the Gaza Strip and PA President Mahmoud ABBAS formed a new government without HAMAS. OLMERT in September 2008 resigned in the wake of several corruption allegations, but remained prime minister until the new coalition government under former Prime Minister Binyamin NETANYAHU was completed in late March 2009, following the February general election. Italy Italy became a nation-state in 1861 when the regional states of the peninsula, along with Sardinia and Sicily, were united under King Victor EMMANUEL II. An era of parliamentary government came to a close in the early 1920s when Benito MUSSOLINI established a Fascist dictatorship. His alliance with Nazi Germany led to Italy's defeat in World War II. A democratic republic replaced the monarchy in 1946 and economic revival followed. Italy was a charter member of NATO and the European Economic Community (EEC). It has been at the forefront of European economic and political unification, joining the Economic and Monetary Union in 1999. Persistent problems include illegal immigration, organized crime, corruption, high unemployment, sluggish economic growth, and the low incomes and technical standards of southern Italy compared with the prosperous north. Jamaica The island - discovered by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1494 - was settled by the Spanish early in the 16th century. The native Taino Indians, who had inhabited Jamaica for centuries, were gradually exterminated and replaced by African slaves. England seized the island in 1655 and established a plantation economy based on sugar, cocoa, and coffee. The abolition of slavery in 1834 freed a quarter million slaves, many of whom became small farmers. Jamaica gradually obtained increasing independence from Britain. In 1958 it joined other British Caribbean colonies in forming the Federation of the West Indies. Jamaica gained full independence when it withdrew from the Federation in 1962. Deteriorating economic conditions during the 1970s led to recurrent violence as rival gangs affiliated with the major political parties evolved into powerful organized crime networks involved in international drug smuggling and money laundering. Violent crime, drug trafficking, and poverty pose significant challenges to the government today. Nonetheless, many rural and resort areas remain relatively safe and contribute substantially to the economy. Jan Mayen This desolate, arctic, mountainous island was named after a Dutch whaling captain who indisputably discovered it in 1614 (earlier claims are inconclusive). Visited only occasionally by seal hunters and trappers over the following centuries, the island came under Norwegian sovereignty in 1929. The long dormant Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg volcano resumed activity in 1970; the most recent eruption occurred in 1985. It is the northernmost active volcano on earth. Japan In 1603, a Tokugawa shogunate (military dictatorship) ushered in a long period of isolation from foreign influence in order to secure its power. For more than two centuries this policy enabled Japan to enjoy stability and a flowering of its indigenous culture. Following the Treaty of Kanagawa with the US in 1854, Japan opened its ports and began to intensively modernize and industrialize. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Japan became a regional power that was able to defeat the forces of both China and Russia. It occupied Korea, Formosa (Taiwan), and southern Sakhalin Island. In 1931-32 Japan occupied Manchuria, and in 1937 it launched a full-scale invasion of China. Japan attacked US forces in 1941 - triggering America's entry into World War II - and soon occupied much of East and Southeast Asia. After its defeat in World War II, Japan recovered to become an economic power and a staunch ally of the US. While the emperor retains his throne as a symbol of national unity, elected politicians - with heavy input from bureaucrats and business executives - wield actual decisionmaking power. The economy experienced a major slowdown starting in the 1990s following three decades of unprecedented growth, but Japan still remains a major economic power, both in Asia and globally. In January 2009, Japan assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2009-10 term. Jersey Jersey and the other Channel Islands represent the last remnants of the medieval Dukedom of Normandy that held sway in both France and England. These islands were the only British soil occupied by German troops in World War II. Jersey is a British crown dependency but is not part of the UK. However, the UK Government is constitutionally responsible for its defense and international representation. Jordan Following World War I and the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, the UK received a mandate to govern much of the Middle East. Britain separated out a semi-autonomous region of Transjordan from Palestine in the early 1920s, and the area gained its independence in 1946; it adopted the name of Jordan in 1950. The country's long-time ruler was King HUSSEIN (1953-99). A pragmatic leader, he successfully navigated competing pressures from the major powers (US, USSR, and UK), various Arab states, Israel, and a large internal Palestinian population. Jordan lost the West Bank to Israel in the 1967 war and barely managed to defeat Palestinian rebels who threatened to overthrow the monarchy in 1970. King HUSSEIN in 1988 permanently relinquished Jordanian claims to the West Bank. In 1989, he reinstituted parliamentary elections and initiated a gradual political liberalization; political parties were legalized in 1992. In 1994, he signed a peace treaty with Israel. King ABDALLAH II, the son of King HUSSEIN, assumed the throne following his father's death in February 1999. Since then, he has consolidated his power and undertaken an aggressive economic reform program. Jordan acceded to the World Trade Organization in 2000, and began to participate in the European Free Trade Association in 2001. In 2003, Jordan staunchly supported the Coalition ouster of Saddam in Iraq and following the outbreak of insurgent violence in Iraq, absorbed thousands of displaced Iraqis. Municipal elections were held in July 2007 under a system in which 20% of seats in all municipal councils were reserved by quota for women. Parliamentary elections were held in November 2007 and saw independent pro-government candidates win the vast majority of seats. In November 2007, King ABDALLAH instructed his new prime minister to focus on socioeconomic reform, developing a healthcare and housing network for civilians and military personnel, and improving the educational system. Kazakhstan Native Kazakhs, a mix of Turkic and Mongol nomadic tribes who migrated into the region in the 13th century, were rarely united as a single nation. The area was conquered by Russia in the 18th century, and Kazakhstan became a Soviet Republic in 1936. During the 1950s and 1960s agricultural "Virgin Lands" program, Soviet citizens were encouraged to help cultivate Kazakhstan's northern pastures. This influx of immigrants (mostly Russians, but also some other deported nationalities) skewed the ethnic mixture and enabled non-Kazakhs to outnumber natives. Independence in 1991 caused many of these newcomers to emigrate. Kazakhstan's economy is larger than those of all the other Central Asian states combined, largely due to the country's vast natural resources and a recent history of political stability. Current issues include: developing a cohesive national identity; expanding the development of the country's vast energy resources and exporting them to world markets; achieving a sustainable economic growth; diversifying the economy outside the oil, gas, and mining sectors; enhancing Kazakhstan's competitiveness; and strengthening relations with neighboring states and other foreign powers. Kenya Founding president and liberation struggle icon Jomo KENYATTA led Kenya from independence in 1963 until his death in 1978, when President Daniel Toroitich arap MOI took power in a constitutional succession. The country was a de facto one-party state from 1969 until 1982 when the ruling Kenya African National Union (KANU) made itself the sole legal party in Kenya. MOI acceded to internal and external pressure for political liberalization in late 1991. The ethnically fractured opposition failed to dislodge KANU from power in elections in 1992 and 1997, which were marred by violence and fraud, but were viewed as having generally reflected the will of the Kenyan people. President MOI stepped down in December 2002 following fair and peaceful elections. Mwai KIBAKI, running as the candidate of the multiethnic, united opposition group, the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC), defeated KANU candidate Uhuru KENYATTA and assumed the presidency following a campaign centered on an anticorruption platform. KIBAKI's NARC coalition splintered in 2005 over the constitutional review process. Government defectors joined with KANU to form a new opposition coalition, the Orange Democratic Movement, which defeated the government's draft constitution in a popular referendum in November 2005. KIBAKI's reelection in December 2007 brought charges of vote rigging from ODM candidate Raila ODINGA and unleashed two months of violence in which as many as 1,500 people died. UN-sponsored talks in late February produced a powersharing accord bringing ODINGA into the government in the restored position of prime minister. Kiribati The Gilbert Islands became a British protectorate in 1892 and a colony in 1915; they were captured by the Japanese in the Pacific War in 1941. The islands of Makin and Tarawa were the sites of major US amphibious victories over entrenched Japanese garrisons in 1943. The Gilbert Islands were granted self-rule by the UK in 1971 and complete independence in 1979 under the new name of Kiribati. The US relinquished all claims to the sparsely inhabited Phoenix and Line Island groups in a 1979 treaty of friendship with Kiribati. Korea, North An independent kingdom for much of its long history, Korea was occupied by Japan beginning in 1905 following the Russo-Japanese War. Five years later, Japan formally annexed the entire peninsula. Following World War II, Korea was split with the northern half coming under Soviet-sponsored Communist control. After failing in the Korean War (1950-53) to conquer the US-backed Republic of Korea (ROK) in the southern portion by force, North Korea (DPRK), under its founder President KIM Il Sung, adopted a policy of ostensible diplomatic and economic "self-reliance" as a check against outside influence. The DPRK demonized the US as the ultimate threat to its social system through state-funded propaganda, and molded political, economic, and military policies around the core ideological objective of eventual unification of Korea under Pyongyang's control. KIM's son, the current ruler KIM Jong Il, was officially designated as his father's successor in 1980, assuming a growing political and managerial role until the elder KIM's death in 1994. After decades of economic mismanagement and resource misallocation, the DPRK since the mid-1990s has relied heavily on international aid to feed its population. North Korea's history of regional military provocations, proliferation of military-related items, long-range missile development, WMD programs including nuclear weapons test in 2006 and 2009, and massive conventional armed forces are of major concern to the international community. Korea, South An independent Korean state or collection of states has existed almost continuously for several millennia. Between its initial unification in the 7th century - from three predecessor Korean states - until the 20th century, Korea existed as a single independent country. In 1905, following the Russo-Japanese War, Korea became a protectorate of imperial Japan, and in 1910 it was annexed as a colony. Korea regained its independence following Japan's surrender to the United States in 1945. After World War II, a Republic of Korea (ROK) was set up in the southern half of the Korean Peninsula while a Communist-style government was installed in the north (the DPRK). During the Korean War (1950-53), US troops and UN forces fought alongside soldiers from the ROK to defend South Korea from DPRK attacks supported by China and the Soviet Union. An armistice was signed in 1953, splitting the peninsula along a demilitarized zone at about the 38th parallel. Thereafter, South Korea achieved rapid economic growth with per capita income rising to roughly 14 times the level of North Korea. In 1993, KIM Young-sam became South Korea's first civilian president following 32 years of military rule. South Korea today is a fully functioning modern democracy. In June 2000, a historic first North-South summit took place between the South's President KIM Dae-jung and the North's leader KIM Jong Il. In October 2007, a second North-South summit took place between the South's President ROH Moo-hyun and the North Korean leader. Harsh rhetoric and unwillingness by North Korea to engage with President LEE Myung-bak following his February 2008 inauguration has strained inter-Korean relations. Kosovo Ethnic Serbs migrated to the territories of modern Kosovo in the 7th century but did not fully incorporate them into the Serbian realm until the early 13th century. The defeat of the Serbian empire at the Battle of Kosovo in 1389 led to five centuries of Ottoman rule during which large numbers of Turks and Albanians moved to Kosovo. By the end of the 19th century, Albanians replaced the Serbs as the dominant ethnic group in Kosovo. Serbia reacquired control over Kosovo from the Ottoman Empire during the First Balkan War of 1912. Kosovo became an autonomous province of Serbia with status almost equivalent to that of a republic under the 1974 Constitution of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Despite legislative concessions, Albanian nationalism increased in the 1980s, which led to riots and calls for Kosovo's independence. At the same time, Serb nationalist leaders, such as Slobodan MILOSEVIC, exploited Kosovo Serb claims of maltreatment to secure votes from supporters, many of whom viewed Kosovo as their cultural heartland. Under MILOSEVIC's leadership, Serbia instituted a new constitution in 1989 that revoked Kosovo's status as an autonomous province of Serbia. Kosovo Albanian leaders responded in 1991 by organizing a referendum that declared Kosovo independent. Under MILOSEVIC, Serbia carried out repressive measures against the Albanians in the early 1990s as the unofficial Kosovo government, led by Ibrahim RUGOVA, used passive resistance in an attempt to try to gain international assistance and recognition of an independent Kosovo. Albanians dissatisfied with RUGOVA's passive strategy in the 1990s created the Kosovo Liberation Army and launched an insurgency. Starting in 1998, Serbian military, police, and paramilitary forces conducted a counterinsurgency campaign that resulted in massacres and massive expulsions of ethnic Albanians. International attempts to mediate the conflict failed, and MILOSEVIC's rejection of a proposed settlement led to a three-month NATO bombing campaign against Serbia beginning in March 1999 that forced Serbia to agree to withdraw its military and police forces from Kosovo. UN Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999) placed Kosovo under a transitional administration, the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), pending a determination of Kosovo's future status. A UN-led process began in late 2005 to determine Kosovo's final status. The negotiations ran in stages between 2006 and 2007, but ended without agreement between Belgrade and Pristina. On 17 February 2008, the Kosovo Assembly declared Kosovo independent. Since then, over fifty countries have recognized Kosovo. Serbia continues to reject Kosovo's independence and subsequently has sought an advisory opinion with the backing of the General Assembly from the International Court of Justice on the legality under international law of Kosovo's independence declaration. Kuwait Britain oversaw foreign relations and defense for the ruling Kuwaiti AL-SABAH dynasty from 1899 until independence in 1961. Kuwait was attacked and overrun by Iraq on 2 August 1990. Following several weeks of aerial bombardment, a US-led, UN coalition began a ground assault on 23 February 1991 that liberated Kuwait in four days. Kuwait spent more than $5 billion to repair oil infrastructure damaged during 1990-91. The AL-SABAH family has ruled since returning to power in 1991 and reestablished an elected legislature that in recent years has become increasingly assertive. The country witnessed the historic election in May 2009 of four women to its National Assembly. Kyrgyzstan A Central Asian country of incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic traditions, most of Kyrgyzstan was formally annexed to Russia in 1876. The Kyrgyz staged a major revolt against the Tsarist Empire in 1916 in which almost one-sixth of the Kyrgyz population was killed. Kyrgyzstan became a Soviet republic in 1936 and achieved independence in 1991 when the USSR dissolved. Nationwide demonstrations in the spring of 2005 resulted in the ouster of President Askar AKAEV, who had run the country since 1990. Subsequent presidential elections in July 2005 were won overwhelmingly by former prime minister Kurmanbek BAKIEV. The political opposition organized demonstrations in Bishkek in April, May, and November 2006 resulting in the adoption of a new constitution that transferred some of the president's powers to parliament and the government. In December 2006, the Kyrgyzstani parliament voted to adopt new amendments, restoring some of the presidential powers lost in the November 2006 constitutional change. By late-September 2007, both previous versions of the constitution were declared illegal, and the country reverted to the AKAEV-era 2003 constitution, which was subsequently modified in a flawed referendum initiated by BAKIEV. The president then dissolved parliament, called for early elections, and gained control of the new parliament through his newly-created political party, Ak Jol, in December 2007 elections. Current concerns include: privatization of state-owned enterprises, negative trends in democracy and political freedoms, endemic corruption, improving interethnic relations, electricity generation, rising food prices, and combating terrorism. Laos Modern-day Laos has its roots in the ancient Lao kingdom of Lan Xang, established in the 14th Century under King FA NGUM. For 300 years Lan Xang had influence reaching into present-day Cambodia and Thailand, as well as over all of what is now Laos. After centuries of gradual decline, Laos came under the domination of Siam (Thailand) from the late 18th century until the late 19th century when it became part of French Indochina. The Franco-Siamese Treaty of 1907 defined the current Lao border with Thailand. In 1975, the Communist Pathet Lao took control of the government ending a six-century-old monarchy and instituting a strict socialist regime closely aligned to Vietnam. A gradual return to private enterprise and the liberalization of foreign investment laws began in 1986. Laos became a member of ASEAN in 1997. Latvia The name "Latvia" originates from the ancient Latgalians, one of four eastern Baltic tribes that formed the ethnic core of the Latvian people (ca. 8th-12th centuries A.D.). The region subsequently came under the control of Germans, Poles, Swedes, and finally, Russians. A Latvian republic emerged following World War I, but it was annexed by the USSR in 1940 - an action never recognized by the US and many other countries. Latvia reestablished its independence in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union. Although the last Russian troops left in 1994, the status of the Russian minority (some 30% of the population) remains of concern to Moscow. Latvia joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004. Lebanon Following World War I, France acquired a mandate over the northern portion of the former Ottoman Empire province of Syria. The French separated out the region of Lebanon in 1920, and granted this area independence in 1943. A lengthy civil war (1975-1990) devastated the country, but Lebanon has since made progress toward rebuilding its political institutions. Under the Ta'if Accord - the blueprint for national reconciliation - the Lebanese established a more equitable political system, particularly by giving Muslims a greater voice in the political process while institutionalizing sectarian divisions in the government. Since the end of the war, Lebanon has conducted several successful elections. Most militias have been disbanded, with the exception of Hizballah, designated by the US State Department as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, and Palestinian militant groups. During Lebanon's civil war, the Arab League legitimized in the Ta'if Accord Syria's troop deployment, numbering about 16,000 based mainly east of Beirut and in the Bekaa Valley. Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon in May 2000 and the passage in September 2004 of UNSCR 1559 - a resolution calling for Syria to withdraw from Lebanon and end its interference in Lebanese affairs - encouraged some Lebanese groups to demand that Syria withdraw its forces as well. The assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq HARIRI and 22 others in February 2005 led to massive demonstrations in Beirut against the Syrian presence ("the Cedar Revolution"), and Syria withdrew the remainder of its military forces in April 2005. In May-June 2005, Lebanon held its first legislative elections since the end of the civil war free of foreign interference, handing a majority to the bloc led by Saad HARIRI, the slain prime minister's son. In July 2006, Hizballah kidnapped two Israeli soldiers leading to a 34-day conflict with Israel in which approximately 1,200 Lebanese civilians were killed. UNSCR 1701 ended the war in August 2006, and Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) deployed throughout the country for the first time in decades, charged with securing Lebanon's borders against weapons smuggling and maintaining a weapons-free zone in south Lebanon with the help of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The LAF in May-September 2007 battled Sunni extremist group Fatah al-Islam in the Nahr al-Barid Palestinian refugee camp, winning a decisive victory, but destroying the camp and displacing 30,000 Palestinian residents. Lebanese politicians in November 2007 were unable to agree on a successor to Emile LAHUD when he stepped down as president, creating a political vacuum until the election of Army Commander Michel SULAYMAN in May 2008 and the formation of a new unity government in July 2008. Lesotho Basutoland was renamed the Kingdom of Lesotho upon independence from the UK in 1966. The Basuto National Party ruled for the first two decades. King MOSHOESHOE was exiled in 1990, but returned to Lesotho in 1992 and was reinstated in 1995. Constitutional government was restored in 1993 after seven years of military rule. In 1998, violent protests and a military mutiny following a contentious election prompted a brief but bloody intervention by South African and Botswanan military forces under the aegis of the Southern African Development Community. Subsequent constitutional reforms restored relative political stability. Peaceful parliamentary elections were held in 2002, but the National Assembly elections of February 2007 were hotly contested and aggrieved parties continue to periodically demonstrate their distrust of the results. Liberia Settlement of freed slaves from the US in what is today Liberia began in 1822; by 1847, the Americo-Liberians were able to establish a republic. William TUBMAN, president from 1944-71, did much to promote foreign investment and to bridge the economic, social, and political gaps between the descendents of the original settlers and the inhabitants of the interior. In 1980, a military coup led by Samuel DOE ushered in a decade of authoritarian rule. In December 1989, Charles TAYLOR launched a rebellion against DOE's regime that led to a prolonged civil war in which DOE himself was killed. A period of relative peace in 1997 allowed for elections that brought TAYLOR to power, but major fighting resumed in 2000. An August 2003 peace agreement ended the war and prompted the resignation of former president Charles TAYLOR, who faces war crimes charges in The Hague related to his involvement in Sierra Leone's civil war. After two years of rule by a transitional government, democratic elections in late 2005 brought President Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF to power. The UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) maintains a strong presence throughout the country, but the security situation is still fragile and the process of rebuilding the social and economic structure of this war-torn country will take many years. Libya The Italians supplanted the Ottoman Turks in the area around Tripoli in 1911 and did not relinquish their hold until 1943 when defeated in World War II. Libya then passed to UN administration and achieved independence in 1951. Following a 1969 military coup, Col. Muammar Abu Minyar al-QADHAFI began to espouse his own political system, the Third Universal Theory. The system is a combination of socialism and Islam derived in part from tribal practices and is supposed to be implemented by the Libyan people themselves in a unique form of "direct democracy." QADHAFI has always seen himself as a revolutionary and visionary leader. He used oil funds during the 1970s and 1980s to promote his ideology outside Libya, supporting subversives and terrorists abroad to hasten the end of Marxism and capitalism. In addition, beginning in 1973, he engaged in military operations in northern Chad's Aozou Strip - to gain access to minerals and to use as a base of influence in Chadian politics - but was forced to retreat in 1987. UN sanctions in 1992 isolated QADHAFI politically following the downing of Pan AM Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. During the 1990s, QADHAFI began to rebuild his relationships with Europe. UN sanctions were suspended in April 1999 and finally lifted in September 2003 after Libya accepted responsibility for the Lockerbie bombing. In December 2003, Libya announced that it had agreed to reveal and end its programs to develop weapons of mass destruction and to renounce terrorism. QADHAFI has made significant strides in normalizing relations with Western nations since then. He has received various Western European leaders as well as many working-level and commercial delegations, and made his first trip to Western Europe in 15 years when he traveled to Brussels in April 2004. The US rescinded Libya's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism in June 2006. In January 2008, Libya assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2008-09 term. In August 2008, the US and Libya signed a bilateral comprehensive claims settlement agreement to compensate claimants in both countries who allege injury or death at the hands of the other country, including the Lockerbie bombing, the LaBelle disco bombing, and the UTA 772 bombing. In October 2008, the US Government received $1.5 billion pursuant to the agreement to distribute to US national claimants, and as a result effectively normalized its bilateral relationship with Libya. The two countries then exchanged ambassadors for the first time since 1973 in January 2009. Liechtenstein The Principality of Liechtenstein was established within the Holy Roman Empire in 1719. Occupied by both French and Russian troops during the Napoleanic wars, it became a sovereign state in 1806 and joined the Germanic Confederation in 1815. Liechtenstein became fully independent in 1866 when the Confederation dissolved. Until the end of World War I, it was closely tied to Austria, but the economic devastation caused by that conflict forced Liechtenstein to enter into a customs and monetary union with Switzerland. Since World War II (in which Liechtenstein remained neutral), the country's low taxes have spurred outstanding economic growth. In 2000, shortcomings in banking regulatory oversight resulted in concerns about the use of financial institutions for money laundering. However, Liechtenstein implemented anti-money-laundering legislation and a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty with the US that went into effect in 2003. Lithuania Lithuanian lands were united under MINDAUGAS in 1236; over the next century, through alliances and conquest, Lithuania extended its territory to include most of present-day Belarus and Ukraine. By the end of the 14th century Lithuania was the largest state in Europe. An alliance with Poland in 1386 led the two countries into a union through the person of a common ruler. In 1569, Lithuania and Poland formally united into a single dual state, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. This entity survived until 1795, when its remnants were partitioned by surrounding countries. Lithuania regained its independence following World War I but was annexed by the USSR in 1940 - an action never recognized by the US and many other countries. On 11 March 1990, Lithuania became the first of the Soviet republics to declare its independence, but Moscow did not recognize this proclamation until September of 1991 (following the abortive coup in Moscow). The last Russian troops withdrew in 1993. Lithuania subsequently restructured its economy for integration into Western European institutions; it joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004. Luxembourg Founded in 963, Luxembourg became a grand duchy in 1815 and an independent state under the Netherlands. It lost more than half of its territory to Belgium in 1839, but gained a larger measure of autonomy. Full independence was attained in 1867. Overrun by Germany in both World Wars, it ended its neutrality in 1948 when it entered into the Benelux Customs Union and when it joined NATO the following year. In 1957, Luxembourg became one of the six founding countries of the European Economic Community (later the European Union), and in 1999 it joined the euro currency area. Macau Colonized by the Portuguese in the 16th century, Macau was the first European settlement in the Far East. Pursuant to an agreement signed by China and Portugal on 13 April 1987, Macau became the Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China on 20 December 1999. In this agreement, China promised that, under its "one country, two systems" formula, China's socialist economic system would not be practiced in Macau, and that Macau would enjoy a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign and defense affairs for the next 50 years. Macedonia Macedonia gained its independence peacefully from Yugoslavia in 1991, but Greece's objection to the new state's use of what it considered a Hellenic name and symbols delayed international recognition, which occurred under the provisional designation of "the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia." In 1995, Greece lifted a 20-month trade embargo and the two countries agreed to normalize relations. The United States began referring to Macedonia by its constitutional name, Republic of Macedonia, in 2004 and negotiations continue between Greece and Macedonia to resolve the name issue. Some ethnic Albanians, angered by perceived political and economic inequities, launched an insurgency in 2001 that eventually won the support of the majority of Macedonia's Albanian population and led to the internationally-brokered Framework Agreement, which ended the fighting by establishing a set of new laws enhancing the rights of minorities. Fully implementing the Framework Agreement and stimulating economic growth and development continue to be challenges for Macedonia, although progress has been made on both fronts over the past several years. Madagascar Formerly an independent kingdom, Madagascar became a French colony in 1896 but regained independence in 1960. During 1992-93, free presidential and National Assembly elections were held ending 17 years of single-party rule. In 1997, in the second presidential race, Didier RATSIRAKA, the leader during the 1970s and 1980s, was returned to the presidency. The 2001 presidential election was contested between the followers of Didier RATSIRAKA and Marc RAVALOMANANA, nearly causing secession of half of the country. In April 2002, the High Constitutional Court announced RAVALOMANANA the winner. RAVALOMANANA achieved a second term following a landslide victory in the generally free and fair presidential elections of 2006. In early 2009, protests due to increasing restrictions on opposition press and activities resulted in RAVALOMANANA stepping down and the presidency was conferred to the mayor of Antananarivo, Andry RAJOELINA. Following negotiations in July and August of 2009, a power-sharing agreement with a 15-month transitional period was established. Elections are expected in the fall of 2010. Malawi Established in 1891, the British protectorate of Nyasaland became the independent nation of Malawi in 1964. After three decades of one-party rule under President Hastings Kamuzu BANDA the country held multiparty elections in 1994, under a provisional constitution that came into full effect the following year. Current President Bingu wa MUTHARIKA, elected in May 2004 after a failed attempt by the previous president to amend the constitution to permit another term, struggled to assert his authority against his predecessor and subsequently started his own party, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in 2005. As president, MUTHARIKA has overseen substantial economic improvement but because of political deadlock in the legislature, his minority party has been unable to pass significant legislation, and anti-corruption measures have stalled. Population growth, increasing pressure on agricultural lands, corruption, and the spread of HIV/AIDS pose major problems for Malawi. Malaysia During the late 18th and 19th centuries, Great Britain established colonies and protectorates in the area of current Malaysia; these were occupied by Japan from 1942 to 1945. In 1948, the British-ruled territories on the Malay Peninsula formed the Federation of Malaya, which became independent in 1957. Malaysia was formed in 1963 when the former British colonies of Singapore and the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak on the northern coast of Borneo joined the Federation. The first several years of the country's history were marred by a Communist insurgency, Indonesian confrontation with Malaysia, Philippine claims to Sabah, and Singapore's secession from the Federation in 1965. During the 22-year term of Prime Minister MAHATHIR bin Mohamad (1981-2003), Malaysia was successful in diversifying its economy from dependence on exports of raw materials to expansion in manufacturing, services, and tourism. Maldives The Maldives was long a sultanate, first under Dutch and then under British protection. It became a republic in 1968, three years after independence. President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM dominated the islands' political scene for 30 years, elected to six successive terms by single-party referendums. Following riots in the capital Male in August 2004, the president and his government pledged to embark upon democratic reforms including a more representative political system and expanded political freedoms. Progress was sluggish, however, and many promised reforms were slow to be realized. Nonetheless, political parties were legalized in 2005. In June 2008, a constituent assembly - termed the "Special Majlis" - finalized a new constitution, which was ratified by the president in August. The first-ever presidential elections under a multi-candidate, multi-party system were held in October 2008. GAYOOM was defeated in a runoff poll by Mohamed NASHEED, a political activist who had been jailed several years earlier by the former regime. Challenges facing the new president include strengthening democracy and combating poverty and drug abuse. Mali The Sudanese Republic and Senegal became independent of France in 1960 as the Mali Federation. When Senegal withdrew after only a few months, what formerly made up the Sudanese Republic was renamed Mali. Rule by dictatorship was brought to a close in 1991 by a military coup - led by the current president Amadou TOURE - enabling Mali's emergence as one of the strongest democracies on the continent. President Alpha KONARE won Mali's first democratic presidential election in 1992 and was reelected in 1997. In keeping with Mali's two-term constitutional limit, KONARE stepped down in 2002 and was succeeded by Amadou TOURE, who was subsequently elected to a second term in 2007. The elections were widely judged to be free and fair. Malta Great Britain formally acquired possession of Malta in 1814. The island staunchly supported the UK through both World Wars and remained in the Commonwealth when it became independent in 1964. A decade later Malta became a republic. Since about the mid-1980s, the island has transformed itself into a freight transshipment point, a financial center, and a tourist destination. Malta became an EU member in May 2004 and began using the euro as currency in 2008. Marshall Islands After almost four decades under US administration as the easternmost part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, the Marshall Islands attained independence in 1986 under a Compact of Free Association. Compensation claims continue as a result of US nuclear testing on some of the atolls between 1947 and 1962. The Marshall Islands hosts the US Army Kwajalein Atoll (USAKA) Reagan Missile Test Site, a key installation in the US missile defense network. Mauritania Independent from France in 1960, Mauritania annexed the southern third of the former Spanish Sahara (now Western Sahara) in 1976, but relinquished it after three years of raids by the Polisario guerrilla front seeking independence for the territory. Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA seized power in a coup in 1984 and ruled Mauritania with a heavy hand for more than two decades. A series of presidential elections that he held were widely seen as flawed. A bloodless coup in August 2005 deposed President TAYA and ushered in a military council that oversaw a transition to democratic rule. Independent candidate Sidi Ould Cheikh ABDALLAHI was inaugurated in April 2007 as Mauritania's first freely and fairly elected president. His term ended prematurely in August 2008 when a military junta deposed him and ushered in a military council government. Meanwhile, the country continues to experience ethnic tensions among its black population (Afro-Mauritanians) and White and Black Moor (Arab-Berber) communities. Mauritius Although known to Arab and Malay sailors as early as the 10th century, Mauritius was first explored by the Portuguese in the 16th century and subsequently settled by the Dutch - who named it in honor of Prince Maurits van NASSAU - in the 17th century. The French assumed control in 1715, developing the island into an important naval base overseeing Indian Ocean trade, and establishing a plantation economy of sugar cane. The British captured the island in 1810, during the Napoleonic Wars. Mauritius remained a strategically important British naval base, and later an air station, playing an important role during World War II for anti-submarine and convoy operations, as well as the collection of signals intelligence. Independence from the UK was attained in 1968. A stable democracy with regular free elections and a positive human rights record, the country has attracted considerable foreign investment and has earned one of Africa's highest per capita incomes. Recent poor weather, declining sugar prices, and declining textile and apparel production, have slowed economic growth, leading to some protests over standards of living in the Creole community. Mayotte Mayotte was ceded to France along with the other islands of the Comoros group in 1843. It was the only island in the archipelago that voted in 1974 to retain its link with France and forego independence. Mexico The site of advanced Amerindian civilizations, Mexico came under Spanish rule for three centuries before achieving independence early in the 19th century. A devaluation of the peso in late 1994 threw Mexico into economic turmoil, triggering the worst recession in over half a century. The nation had been making an impressive recovery until the global financial crisis hit in late 2008. Ongoing economic and social concerns include low real wages, underemployment for a large segment of the population, inequitable income distribution, and few advancement opportunities for the largely Amerindian population in the impoverished southern states. The elections held in 2000 marked the first time since the 1910 Mexican Revolution that an opposition candidate - Vicente FOX of the National Action Party (PAN) - defeated the party in government, the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). He was succeeded in 2006 by another PAN candidate Felipe CALDERON. In January 2009, Mexico assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2009-10 term. Micronesia, Federated States of In 1979 the Federated States of Micronesia, a UN Trust Territory under US administration, adopted a constitution. In 1986 independence was attained under a Compact of Free Association with the US, which was amended and renewed in 2004. Present concerns include large-scale unemployment, overfishing, and overdependence on US aid. Moldova Part of Romania during the interwar period, Moldova was incorporated into the Soviet Union at the close of World War II. Although independent from the USSR since 1991, Russian forces have remained on Moldovan territory east of the Dniester River supporting the Slavic majority population, mostly Ukrainians and Russians, who have proclaimed a "Transnistria" republic. One of the poorest nations in Europe, Moldova became the first former Soviet state to elect a Communist as its president in 2001. Monaco The Genoese built a fortress on the site of present-day Monaco in 1215. The current ruling Grimaldi family secured control in the late 13th century, and a principality was established in 1338. Economic development was spurred in the late 19th century with a railroad linkup to France and the opening of a casino. Since then, the principality's mild climate, splendid scenery, and gambling facilities have made Monaco world famous as a tourist and recreation center. Mongolia The Mongols gained fame in the 13th century when under Chinggis KHAN they established a huge Eurasian empire through conquest. After his death the empire was divided into several powerful Mongol states, but these broke apart in the 14th century. The Mongols eventually retired to their original steppe homelands and in the late 17th century came under Chinese rule. Mongolia won its independence in 1921 with Soviet backing and a Communist regime was installed in 1924. The modern country of Mongolia, however, represents only part of the Mongols' historical homeland; more Mongols live in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in the People's Republic of China than in Mongolia. Following a peaceful democratic revolution, the ex-Communist Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP) won elections in 1990 and 1992, but was defeated by the Democratic Union Coalition (DUC) in the 1996 parliamentary election. The MPRP won an overwhelming majority in the 2000 parliamentary election, but the party lost seats in the 2004 election and shared power with democratic coalition parties from 2004-08. The MPRP regained a solid majority in the 2008 parliamentary elections but nevertheless formed a coalition government with the Democratic Party. The prime minister and most cabinet members are MPRP members. Montenegro The use of the name Montenegro began in the 15th century when the Crnojevic dynasty began to rule the Serbian principality of Zeta; over subsequent centuries Montenegro was able to maintain its independence from the Ottoman Empire. From the 16th to 19th centuries, Montenegro became a theocracy ruled by a series of bishop princes; in 1852, it was transformed into a secular principality. After World War I, Montenegro was absorbed by the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, which became the Kingdom of Yugoslavia in 1929; at the conclusion of World War II, it became a constituent republic of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. When the latter dissolved in 1992, Montenegro federated with Serbia, first as the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and, after 2003, in a looser union of Serbia and Montenegro. In May 2006, Montenegro invoked its right under the Constitutional Charter of Serbia and Montenegro to hold a referendum on independence from the state union. The vote for severing ties with Serbia exceeded 55% - the threshold set by the EU - allowing Montenegro to formally declare its independence on 3 June 2006. Montserrat English and Irish colonists from St. Kitts first settled on Montserrat in 1632; the first African slaves arrived three decades later. The British and French fought for possession of the island for most of the 18th century, but it finally was confirmed as a British possession in 1783. The island's sugar plantation economy was converted to small farm landholdings in the mid 19th century. Much of this island was devastated and two-thirds of the population fled abroad because of the eruption of the Soufriere Hills Volcano that began on 18 July 1995. Montserrat has endured volcanic activity since, with the last eruption occurring in July 2003. Morocco In 788, about a century after the Arab conquest of North Africa, successive Moorish dynasties began to rule in Morocco. In the 16th century, the Sa'adi monarchy, particularly under Ahmad AL-MANSUR (1578-1603), repelled foreign invaders and inaugurated a golden age. In 1860, Spain occupied northern Morocco and ushered in a half century of trade rivalry among European powers that saw Morocco's sovereignty steadily erode; in 1912, the French imposed a protectorate over the country. A protracted independence struggle with France ended successfully in 1956. The internationalized city of Tangier and most Spanish possessions were turned over to the new country that same year. Morocco virtually annexed Western Sahara during the late 1970s, but final resolution on the status of the territory remains unresolved. Gradual political reforms in the 1990s resulted in the establishment of a bicameral legislature, which first met in 1997. The country has made improvements in human rights under King MOHAMMED VI and its press is moderately free. Despite the continuing reforms, ultimate authority remains in the hands of the monarch. Mozambique Almost five centuries as a Portuguese colony came to a close with independence in 1975. Large-scale emigration, economic dependence on South Africa, a severe drought, and a prolonged civil war hindered the country's development until the mid 1990's. The ruling Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO) party formally abandoned Marxism in 1989, and a new constitution the following year provided for multiparty elections and a free market economy. A UN-negotiated peace agreement between FRELIMO and rebel Mozambique National Resistance (RENAMO) forces ended the fighting in 1992. In December 2004, Mozambique underwent a delicate transition as Joaquim CHISSANO stepped down after 18 years in office. His elected successor, Armando Emilio GUEBUZA, promised to continue the sound economic policies that have encouraged foreign investment. Mozambique has seen very strong economic growth since the end of the civil war largely due to post-conflict reconstruction. Namibia South Africa occupied the German colony of South-West Africa during World War I and administered it as a mandate until after World War II, when it annexed the territory. In 1966 the Marxist South-West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) guerrilla group launched a war of independence for the area that became Namibia, but it was not until 1988 that South Africa agreed to end its administration in accordance with a UN peace plan for the entire region. Namibia has been governed by SWAPO since the country won independence in 1990. Hifikepunye POHAMBA was elected president in November 2004 in a landslide victory replacing Sam NUJOMA who led the country during its first 14 years of self rule. Nauru The exact origins of the Nauruans are unclear since their language does not resemble any other in the Pacific. The island was annexed by Germany in 1888. Its phosphate deposits began to be mined early in the 20th century by a German-British consortium. Nauru was occupied by Australian forces in World War I and subsequently became a League of Nations mandate. After the Second World War - and a brutal occupation by Japan - Nauru became a UN trust territory. It achieved independence in 1968 and joined the UN in 1999 as the world's smallest independent republic. Navassa Island This uninhabited island was claimed by the US in 1857 for its guano. Mining took place between 1865 and 1898. The lighthouse, built in 1917, was shut down in 1996 and administration of Navassa Island transferred from the Coast Guard to the Department of the Interior. A 1998 scientific expedition to the island described it as a unique preserve of Caribbean biodiversity; the following year it became a National Wildlife Refuge and annual scientific expeditions have continued. Nepal In 1951, the Nepalese monarch ended the century-old system of rule by hereditary premiers and instituted a cabinet system of government. Reforms in 1990 established a multiparty democracy within the framework of a constitutional monarchy. An insurgency led by Maoist extremists broke out in 1996. The ensuing ten-year civil war between insurgents and government forces witnessed the dissolution of the cabinet and parliament and assumption of absolute power by the king. Several weeks of mass protests in April 2006 were followed by several months of peace negotiations between the Maoists and government officials, and culminated in a November 2006 peace accord and the promulgation of an interim constitution. Following a nation-wide election in April 2008, the newly formed Constituent Assembly declared Nepal a federal democratic republic and abolished the monarchy at its first meeting the following month. The Constituent Assembly elected the country's first president in July. The Maoists, who received a plurality of votes in the Constituent Assembly election, formed a coalition government in August 2008. Netherlands The Dutch United Provinces declared their independence from Spain in 1579; during the 17th century, they became a leading seafaring and commercial power, with settlements and colonies around the world. After a 20-year French occupation, a Kingdom of the Netherlands was formed in 1815. In 1830 Belgium seceded and formed a separate kingdom. The Netherlands remained neutral in World War I, but suffered invasion and occupation by Germany in World War II. A modern, industrialized nation, the Netherlands is also a large exporter of agricultural products. The country was a founding member of NATO and the EEC (now the EU), and participated in the introduction of the euro in 1999. Netherlands Antilles Once the center of the Caribbean slave trade, the island of Curacao was hard hit by the abolition of slavery in 1863. Its prosperity (and that of neighboring Aruba) was restored in the early 20th century with the construction of oil refineries to service newly discovered Venezuelan oil fields. The island of Saint Martin is shared with France; its southern portion is named Sint Maarten and is part of the Netherlands Antilles; its northern portion, called Saint Martin, is an overseas collectivity of France. New Caledonia Settled by both Britain and France during the first half of the 19th century, the island was made a French possession in 1853. It served as a penal colony for four decades after 1864. Agitation for independence during the 1980s and early 1990s ended in the 1998 Noumea Accord, which over a period of 15 to 20 years will transfer an increasing amount of governing responsibility from France to New Caledonia. The agreement also commits France to conduct as many as three referenda between 2013 and 2018, to decide whether New Caledonia should assume full sovereignty and independence. New Zealand The Polynesian Maori reached New Zealand in about A.D. 800. In 1840, their chieftains entered into a compact with Britain, the Treaty of Waitangi, in which they ceded sovereignty to Queen Victoria while retaining territorial rights. In that same year, the British began the first organized colonial settlement. A series of land wars between 1843 and 1872 ended with the defeat of the native peoples. The British colony of New Zealand became an independent dominion in 1907 and supported the UK militarily in both World Wars. New Zealand's full participation in a number of defense alliances lapsed by the 1980s. In recent years, the government has sought to address longstanding Maori grievances. Nicaragua The Pacific coast of Nicaragua was settled as a Spanish colony from Panama in the early 16th century. Independence from Spain was declared in 1821 and the country became an independent republic in 1838. Britain occupied the Caribbean Coast in the first half of the 19th century, but gradually ceded control of the region in subsequent decades. Violent opposition to governmental manipulation and corruption spread to all classes by 1978 and resulted in a short-lived civil war that brought the Marxist Sandinista guerrillas to power in 1979. Nicaraguan aid to leftist rebels in El Salvador caused the US to sponsor anti-Sandinista contra guerrillas through much of the 1980s. Free elections in 1990, 1996, and 2001, saw the Sandinistas defeated, but voting in 2006 announced the return of former Sandinista President Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra. The 2008 municipal elections were characterized by widespread irregularities. Nicaragua's infrastructure and economy - hard hit by the earlier civil war and by Hurricane Mitch in 1998 - are slowly being rebuilt, but democratic institutions face new challenges under the ORTEGA administration. Niger Niger became independent from France in 1960 and experienced single-party and military rule until 1991, when Gen. Ali SAIBOU was forced by public pressure to allow multiparty elections, which resulted in a democratic government in 1993. Political infighting brought the government to a standstill and in 1996 led to a coup by Col. Ibrahim BARE. In 1999, BARE was killed in a coup by military officers who promptly restored democratic rule and held elections that brought Mamadou TANDJA to power in December of that year. TANDJA was reelected in 2004. Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world with minimal government services and insufficient funds to develop its resource base. The largely agrarian and subsistence-based economy is frequently disrupted by extended droughts common to the Sahel region of Africa. A predominately Tuareg ethnic group emerged in February 2007, the Nigerien Movement for Justice (MNJ), and attacked several military targets in Niger's northern region throughout 2007 and 2008. Events have since evolved into a fledging insurgency. Nigeria British influence and control over what would become Nigeria and Africa's most populous country grew through the 19th century. A series of constitutions after World War II granted Nigeria greater autonomy; independence came in 1960. Following nearly 16 years of military rule, a new constitution was adopted in 1999, and a peaceful transition to civilian government was completed. The government continues to face the daunting task of reforming a petroleum-based economy, whose revenues have been squandered through corruption and mismanagement, and institutionalizing democracy. In addition, Nigeria continues to experience longstanding ethnic and religious tensions. Although both the 2003 and 2007 presidential elections were marred by significant irregularities and violence, Nigeria is currently experiencing its longest period of civilian rule since independence. The general elections of April 2007 marked the first civilian-to-civilian transfer of power in the country's history. Niue Niue's remoteness, as well as cultural and linguistic differences between its Polynesian inhabitants and those of the rest of the Cook Islands, have caused it to be separately administered. The population of the island continues to drop (from a peak of 5,200 in 1966 to an estimated 1,398 in 2009) with substantial emigration to New Zealand 2,400 km to the southwest. Norfolk Island Two British attempts at establishing the island as a penal colony (1788-1814 and 1825-55) were ultimately abandoned. In 1856, the island was resettled by Pitcairn Islanders, descendants of the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian companions. Northern Mariana Islands Under US administration as part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific, the people of the Northern Mariana Islands decided in the 1970s not to seek independence but instead to forge closer links with the US. Negotiations for territorial status began in 1972. A covenant to establish a commonwealth in political union with the US was approved in 1975, and came into force on 24 March 1976. A new government and constitution went into effect in 1978. Norway Two centuries of Viking raids into Europe tapered off following the adoption of Christianity by King Olav TRYGGVASON in 994. Conversion of the Norwegian kingdom occurred over the next several decades. In 1397, Norway was absorbed into a union with Denmark that lasted more than four centuries. In 1814, Norwegians resisted the cession of their country to Sweden and adopted a new constitution. Sweden then invaded Norway but agreed to let Norway keep its constitution in return for accepting the union under a Swedish king. Rising nationalism throughout the 19th century led to a 1905 referendum granting Norway independence. Although Norway remained neutral in World War I, it suffered heavy losses to its shipping. Norway proclaimed its neutrality at the outset of World War II, but was nonetheless occupied for five years by Nazi Germany (1940-45). In 1949, neutrality was abandoned and Norway became a member of NATO. Discovery of oil and gas in adjacent waters in the late 1960s boosted Norway's economic fortunes. The current focus is on containing spending on the extensive welfare system and planning for the time when petroleum reserves are depleted. In referenda held in 1972 and 1994, Norway rejected joining the EU. Oman The inhabitants of the area of Oman have long prospered on Indian Ocean trade. In the late 18th century, a newly established sultanate in Muscat signed the first in a series of friendship treaties with Britain. Over time, Oman's dependence on British political and military advisors increased, but it never became a British colony. In 1970, QABOOS bin Said al-Said overthrew the restrictive rule of his father; he has ruled as sultan ever since. His extensive modernization program has opened the country to the outside world while preserving the longstanding close ties with the UK. Oman's moderate, independent foreign policy has sought to maintain good relations with all Middle Eastern countries. Pacific Ocean The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the world's five oceans (followed by the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, and Arctic Ocean). Strategically important access waterways include the La Perouse, Tsugaru, Tsushima, Taiwan, Singapore, and Torres Straits. The decision by the International Hydrographic Organization in the spring of 2000 to delimit a fifth ocean, the Southern Ocean, removed the portion of the Pacific Ocean south of 60 degrees south. Pakistan The Indus Valley civilization, one of the oldest in the world and dating back at least 5,000 years, spread over much of what is presently Pakistan. During the second millennium B.C., remnants of this culture fused with the migrating Indo-Aryan peoples. The area underwent successive invasions in subsequent centuries from the Persians, Greeks, Scythians, Arabs (who brought Islam), Afghans, and Turks. The Mughal Empire flourished in the 16th and 17th centuries; the British came to dominate the region in the 18th century. The separation in 1947 of British India into the Muslim state of Pakistan (with West and East sections) and largely Hindu India was never satisfactorily resolved, and India and Pakistan fought two wars - in 1947-48 and 1965 - over the disputed Kashmir territory. A third war between these countries in 1971 - in which India capitalized on Islamabad's marginalization of Bengalis in Pakistani politics - resulted in East Pakistan becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh. In response to Indian nuclear weapons testing, Pakistan conducted its own tests in 1998. The dispute over the state of Kashmir is ongoing, but discussions and confidence-building measures have led to decreased tensions since 2002. Mounting public dissatisfaction with President MUSHARRAF, coupled with the assassination of the prominent and popular political leader, Benazir BHUTTO, in late 2007, and MUSHARRAF's resignation in August 2008, led to the September presidential election of Asif ZARDARI, BHUTTO's widower. Pakistani government and military leaders are struggling to control Islamist militants, many of whom are located in the tribal areas adjacent to the border with Afghanistan. The November 2008 Mumbai attacks again inflamed Indo-Pakistan relations. The Pakistani Government is also faced with a deteriorating economy as foreign exchange reserves decline, the currency depreciates, and the current account deficit widens. Palau After three decades as part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific under US administration, this westernmost cluster of the Caroline Islands opted for independence in 1978 rather than join the Federated States of Micronesia. A Compact of Free Association with the US was approved in 1986 but not ratified until 1993. It entered into force the following year when the islands gained independence. Panama Explored and settled by the Spanish in the 16th century, Panama broke with Spain in 1821 and joined a union of Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela - named the Republic of Gran Colombia. When the latter dissolved in 1830, Panama remained part of Colombia. With US backing, Panama seceded from Colombia in 1903 and promptly signed a treaty with the US allowing for the construction of a canal and US sovereignty over a strip of land on either side of the structure (the Panama Canal Zone). The Panama Canal was built by the US Army Corps of Engineers between 1904 and 1914. In 1977, an agreement was signed for the complete transfer of the Canal from the US to Panama by the end of the century. Certain portions of the Zone and increasing responsibility over the Canal were turned over in the subsequent decades. With US help, dictator Manuel NORIEGA was deposed in 1989. The entire Panama Canal, the area supporting the Canal, and remaining US military bases were transferred to Panama by the end of 1999. In October 2006, Panamanians approved an ambitious plan to expand the Canal. The project, which began in 2007 and could double the Canal's capacity, is expected to be completed in 2014-15. Papua New Guinea The eastern half of the island of New Guinea - second largest in the world - was divided between Germany (north) and the UK (south) in 1885. The latter area was transferred to Australia in 1902, which occupied the northern portion during World War I and continued to administer the combined areas until independence in 1975. A nine-year secessionist revolt on the island of Bougainville ended in 1997 after claiming some 20,000 lives. Paracel Islands The Paracel Islands are surrounded by productive fishing grounds and by potential oil and gas reserves. In 1932, French Indochina annexed the islands and set up a weather station on Pattle Island; maintenance was continued by its successor, Vietnam. China has occupied the Paracel Islands since 1974, when its troops seized a South Vietnamese garrison occupying the western islands. China built a military installation on Mischief Reef in 1999. The islands are claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam. Paraguay Paraguay achieved its independence from Spain in 1811. In the disastrous War of the Triple Alliance (1865-70) - between Paraguay and Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay - Paraguay lost two-thirds of all adult males and much of its territory. The country stagnated economically for the next half century. Following the Chaco War of 1932-35 with Bolivia, Paraguay gained a large part of the Chaco lowland region. The 35-year military dictatorship of Alfredo STROESSNER ended in 1989, and, despite a marked increase in political infighting in recent years, Paraguay has held relatively free and regular presidential elections since then. Peru Ancient Peru was the seat of several prominent Andean civilizations, most notably that of the Incas whose empire was captured by the Spanish conquistadors in 1533. Peruvian independence was declared in 1821, and remaining Spanish forces defeated in 1824. After a dozen years of military rule, Peru returned to democratic leadership in 1980, but experienced economic problems and the growth of a violent insurgency. President Alberto FUJIMORI's election in 1990 ushered in a decade that saw a dramatic turnaround in the economy and significant progress in curtailing guerrilla activity. Nevertheless, the president's increasing reliance on authoritarian measures and an economic slump in the late 1990s generated mounting dissatisfaction with his regime, which led to his ouster in 2000. A caretaker government oversaw new elections in the spring of 2001, which ushered in Alejandro TOLEDO Manrique as the new head of government - Peru's first democratically elected president of Native American ethnicity. The presidential election of 2006 saw the return of Alan GARCIA Perez who, after a disappointing presidential term from 1985 to 1990, has overseen a robust macroeconomic performance. Philippines The Philippine Islands became a Spanish colony during the 16th century; they were ceded to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. In 1935 the Philippines became a self-governing commonwealth. Manuel QUEZON was elected president and was tasked with preparing the country for independence after a 10-year transition. In 1942 the islands fell under Japanese occupation during World War II, and US forces and Filipinos fought together during 1944-45 to regain control. On 4 July 1946 the Republic of the Philippines attained its independence. The 20-year rule of Ferdinand MARCOS ended in 1986, when a "people power" movement in Manila ("EDSA 1") forced him into exile and installed Corazon AQUINO as president. Her presidency was hampered by several coup attempts, which prevented a return to full political stability and economic development. Fidel RAMOS was elected president in 1992 and his administration was marked by greater stability and progress on economic reforms. In 1992, the US closed its last military bases on the islands. Joseph ESTRADA was elected president in 1998, but was succeeded by his vice-president, Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, in January 2001 after ESTRADA's stormy impeachment trial on corruption charges broke down and another "people power" movement ("EDSA 2") demanded his resignation. MACAPAGAL-ARROYO was elected to a six-year term as president in May 2004. The Philippine Government faces threats from three terrorist groups on the US Government's Foreign Terrorist Organization list, but in 2006 and 2007 scored some major successes in capturing or killing key wanted terrorists. Decades of Muslim insurgency in the southern Philippines have led to a peace accord with one group and on-again/off-again peace talks with another. Pitcairn Islands Pitcairn Island was discovered in 1767 by the British and settled in 1790 by the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian companions. Pitcairn was the first Pacific island to become a British colony (in 1838) and today remains the last vestige of that empire in the South Pacific. Outmigration, primarily to New Zealand, has thinned the population from a peak of 233 in 1937 to less than 50 today. Poland Poland is an ancient nation that was conceived near the middle of the 10th century. Its golden age occurred in the 16th century. During the following century, the strengthening of the gentry and internal disorders weakened the nation. In a series of agreements between 1772 and 1795, Russia, Prussia, and Austria partitioned Poland amongst themselves. Poland regained its independence in 1918 only to be overrun by Germany and the Soviet Union in World War II. It became a Soviet satellite state following the war, but its government was comparatively tolerant and progressive. Labor turmoil in 1980 led to the formation of the independent trade union "Solidarity" that over time became a political force and by 1990 had swept parliamentary elections and the presidency. A "shock therapy" program during the early 1990s enabled the country to transform its economy into one of the most robust in Central Europe, but Poland still faces the lingering challenges of high unemployment, underdeveloped and dilapidated infrastructure, and a poor rural underclass. Solidarity suffered a major defeat in the 2001 parliamentary elections when it failed to elect a single deputy to the lower house of Parliament, and the new leaders of the Solidarity Trade Union subsequently pledged to reduce the Trade Union's political role. Poland joined NATO in 1999 and the European Union in 2004. With its transformation to a democratic, market-oriented country largely completed, Poland is an increasingly active member of Euro-Atlantic organizations. Portugal Following its heyday as a global maritime power during the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal lost much of its wealth and status with the destruction of Lisbon in a 1755 earthquake, occupation during the Napoleonic Wars, and the independence of its wealthiest colony of Brazil in 1822. A 1910 revolution deposed the monarchy; for most of the next six decades, repressive governments ran the country. In 1974, a left-wing military coup installed broad democratic reforms. The following year, Portugal granted independence to all of its African colonies. Portugal is a founding member of NATO and entered the EC (now the EU) in 1986. Puerto Rico Populated for centuries by aboriginal peoples, the island was claimed by the Spanish Crown in 1493 following COLUMBUS' second voyage to the Americas. In 1898, after 400 years of colonial rule that saw the indigenous population nearly exterminated and African slave labor introduced, Puerto Rico was ceded to the US as a result of the Spanish-American War. Puerto Ricans were granted US citizenship in 1917. Popularly-elected governors have served since 1948. In 1952, a constitution was enacted providing for internal self government. In plebiscites held in 1967, 1993, and 1998, voters chose not to alter the existing political status. Qatar Ruled by the al-Thani family since the mid-1800s, Qatar transformed itself from a poor British protectorate noted mainly for pearling into an independent state with significant oil and natural gas revenues. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Qatari economy was crippled by a continuous siphoning off of petroleum revenues by the Amir, who had ruled the country since 1972. His son, the current Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa al-Thani, overthrew him in a bloodless coup in 1995. In 2001, Qatar resolved its longstanding border disputes with both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. As of 2007, oil and natural gas revenues had enabled Qatar to attain the second-highest per capita income in the world. Romania The principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia - for centuries under the suzerainty of the Turkish Ottoman Empire - secured their autonomy in 1856; they united in 1859 and a few years later adopted the new name of Romania. The country gained recognition of its independence in 1878. It joined the Allied Powers in World War I and acquired new territories - most notably Transylvania - following the conflict. In 1940, Romania allied with the Axis powers and participated in the 1941 German invasion of the USSR. Three years later, overrun by the Soviets, Romania signed an armistice. The post-war Soviet occupation led to the formation of a Communist "people's republic" in 1947 and the abdication of the king. The decades-long rule of dictator Nicolae CEAUSESCU, who took power in 1965, and his Securitate police state became increasingly oppressive and draconian through the 1980s. CEAUSESCU was overthrown and executed in late 1989. Former Communists dominated the government until 1996 when they were swept from power. Romania joined NATO in 2004 and the EU in 2007. Russia Founded in the 12th century, the Principality of Muscovy, was able to emerge from over 200 years of Mongol domination (13th-15th centuries) and to gradually conquer and absorb surrounding principalities. In the early 17th century, a new Romanov Dynasty continued this policy of expansion across Siberia to the Pacific. Under PETER I (ruled 1682-1725), hegemony was extended to the Baltic Sea and the country was renamed the Russian Empire. During the 19th century, more territorial acquisitions were made in Europe and Asia. Defeat in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-05 contributed to the Revolution of 1905, which resulted in the formation of a parliament and other reforms. Repeated devastating defeats of the Russian army in World War I led to widespread rioting in the major cities of the Russian Empire and to the overthrow in 1917 of the imperial household. The Communists under Vladimir LENIN seized power soon after and formed the USSR. The brutal rule of Iosif STALIN (1928-53) strengthened Communist rule and Russian dominance of the Soviet Union at a cost of tens of millions of lives. The Soviet economy and society stagnated in the following decades until General Secretary Mikhail GORBACHEV (1985-91) introduced glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) in an attempt to modernize Communism, but his initiatives inadvertently released forces that by December 1991 splintered the USSR into Russia and 14 other independent republics. Since then, Russia has shifted its post-Soviet democratic ambitions in favor of a centralized semi-authoritarian state whose legitimacy is buttressed, in part, by carefully managed national elections, former President PUTIN's genuine popularity, and the prudent management of Russia's windfall energy wealth. Russia has severely disabled a Chechen rebel movement, although violence still occurs throughout the North Caucasus. Rwanda In 1959, three years before independence from Belgium, the majority ethnic group, the Hutus, overthrew the ruling Tutsi king. Over the next several years, thousands of Tutsis were killed, and some 150,000 driven into exile in neighboring countries. The children of these exiles later formed a rebel group, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), and began a civil war in 1990. The war, along with several political and economic upheavals, exacerbated ethnic tensions, culminating in April 1994 in the genocide of roughly 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus. The Tutsi rebels defeated the Hutu regime and ended the killing in July 1994, but approximately 2 million Hutu refugees - many fearing Tutsi retribution - fled to neighboring Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zaire. Since then, most of the refugees have returned to Rwanda, but several thousand remained in the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC; the former Zaire) and formed an extremist insurgency bent on retaking Rwanda, much as the RPF tried in 1990. Despite substantial international assistance and political reforms - including Rwanda's first local elections in March 1999 and its first post-genocide presidential and legislative elections in August and September 2003 - the country continues to struggle to boost investment and agricultural output, and ethnic reconciliation is complicated by the real and perceived Tutsi political dominance. Kigali's increasing centralization and intolerance of dissent, the nagging Hutu extremist insurgency across the border, and Rwandan involvement in two wars in recent years in the neighboring DRC continue to hinder Rwanda's efforts to escape its bloody legacy. Saint Barthelemy Discovered in 1493 by Christopher COLUMBUS who named it for his brother Bartolomeo, St. Barthelemy was first settled by the French in 1648. In 1784, the French sold the island to Sweden, who renamed the largest town Gustavia, after the Swedish King GUSTAV III, and made it a free port; the island prospered as a trade and supply center during the colonial wars of the 18th century. France repurchased the island in 1878 and placed it under the administration of Guadeloupe. St. Barthelemy retained its free port status along with various Swedish appellations such as Swedish street and town names, and the three-crown symbol on the coat of arms. In 2003, the populace of the island voted to secede from Guadeloupe and in 2007, the island became a French overseas collectivity. Saint Helena Saint Helena is a British Overseas Territory consisting of Saint Helena and Ascension Islands, and the island group of Tristan da Cunha. Saint Helena: Uninhabited when first discovered by the Portuguese in 1502, Saint Helena was garrisoned by the British during the 17th century. It acquired fame as the place of Napoleon BONAPARTE's exile from 1815 until his death in 1821, but its importance as a port of call declined after the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869. During the Anglo-Boer War in South Africa, several thousand Boer prisoners were confined on the island between 1900 and 1903. Ascension Island: This barren and uninhabited island was discovered and named by the Portuguese in 1503. The British garrisoned the island in 1815 to prevent a rescue of Napoleon from Saint Helena. It served as a provisioning station for the Royal Navy's West Africa Squadron on anti-slavery patrol. The island remained under Admiralty control until 1922, when it became a dependency of Saint Helena. During World War II, the UK permitted the US to construct an airfield on Ascension in support of trans-Atlantic flights to Africa and anti-submarine operations in the South Atlantic. In the 1960s the island became an important space tracking station for the US. In 1982, Ascension was an essential staging area for British forces during the Falklands War. It remains a critical refueling point in the air-bridge from the UK to the South Atlantic. Tristan da Cunha: The island group consists of the islands of Tristan da Cunha, Nightingale, Inaccessible, and Gough. Tristan da Cunha is named after its Portuguese discoverer (1506); it was garrisoned by the British in 1816 to prevent any attempt to rescue Napoleon from Saint Helena. Gough and Inaccessible Islands have been designated World Heritage Sites. South Africa leases a site for a meteorological station on Gough Island. Saint Kitts and Nevis Carib Indians occupied the islands for hundreds of years before the British began settlement in 1623. The islands became an associated state of the UK with full internal autonomy in 1967. The island of Anguilla rebelled and was allowed to secede in 1971. Saint Kitts and Nevis achieved independence in 1983. In 1998, a vote in Nevis on a referendum to separate from Saint Kitts fell short of the two-thirds majority needed. Nevis continues in its efforts to separate from Saint Kitts. Saint Lucia The island, with its fine natural harbor at Castries, was contested between England and France throughout the 17th and early 18th centuries (changing possession 14 times); it was finally ceded to the UK in 1814. Even after the abolition of slavery on its plantations in 1834, Saint Lucia remained an agricultural island, dedicated to producing tropical commodity crops. Self-government was granted in 1967 and independence in 1979. Saint Martin Although sighted by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1493 and claimed for Spain, it was the Dutch who occupied the island in 1631 and set about exploiting its salt deposits. The Spanish retook the island in 1633, but continued to be harassed by the Dutch. The Spanish finally relinquished St. Martin to the French and Dutch, who divided it amongst themselves in 1648. The cultivation of sugar cane introduced slavery to the island in the late 18th century; the practice was not abolished until 1848. The island became a free port in 1939; the tourism industry was dramatically expanded during the 1970s and 1980s. In 2003, the populace of St. Martin voted to secede from Guadeloupe and in 2007, the northern portion of the island became a French overseas collectivity. Saint Pierre and Miquelon First settled by the French in the early 17th century, the islands represent the sole remaining vestige of France's once vast North American possessions. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Resistance by native Caribs prevented colonization on St. Vincent until 1719. Disputed between France and the United Kingdom for most of the 18th century, the island was ceded to the latter in 1783. Between 1960 and 1962, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines was a separate administrative unit of the Federation of the West Indies. Autonomy was granted in 1969 and independence in 1979. Samoa New Zealand occupied the German protectorate of Western Samoa at the outbreak of World War I in 1914. It continued to administer the islands as a mandate and then as a trust territory until 1962, when the islands became the first Polynesian nation to reestablish independence in the 20th century. The country dropped the "Western" from its name in 1997. San Marino The third smallest state in Europe (after the Holy See and Monaco), San Marino also claims to be the world's oldest republic. According to tradition, it was founded by a Christian stonemason named Marinus in A.D. 301. San Marino's foreign policy is aligned with that of Italy; social and political trends in the republic also track closely with those of its larger neighbor. Sao Tome and Principe Discovered and claimed by Portugal in the late 15th century, the islands' sugar-based economy gave way to coffee and cocoa in the 19th century - all grown with plantation slave labor, a form of which lingered into the 20th century. While independence was achieved in 1975, democratic reforms were not instituted until the late 1980s. The country held its first free elections in 1991, but frequent internal wrangling between the various political party's precipitated repeated changes in leadership and two failed coup attempts in 1995 and 2003. The recent discovery of oil in the Gulf of Guinea promises to attract increased attention to the small island nation. Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam and home to Islam's two holiest shrines in Mecca and Medina. The king's official title is the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. The modern Saudi state was founded in 1932 by ABD AL-AZIZ bin Abd al-Rahman AL SAUD (Ibn Saud) after a 30-year campaign to unify most of the Arabian Peninsula. A male descendent of Ibn Saud, his son ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz, rules the country today as required by the country's 1992 Basic Law. Following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990, Saudi Arabia accepted the Kuwaiti royal family and 400,000 refugees while allowing Western and Arab troops to deploy on its soil for the liberation of Kuwait the following year. The continuing presence of foreign troops on Saudi soil after the liberation of Kuwait became a source of tension between the royal family and the public until all operational US troops left the country in 2003. Major terrorist attacks in May and November 2003 spurred a strong on-going campaign against domestic terrorism and extremism. King ABDALLAH has continued the cautious reform program begun when he was crown prince. To promote increased political participation, the government held elections nationwide from February through April 2005 for half the members of 179 municipal councils. In December 2005, King ABDALLAH completed the process by appointing the remaining members of the advisory municipal councils. The king instituted an Inter-Faith Dialogue initiative in 2008 to encourage religious tolerance on a global level; in February 2009, he reshuffled the cabinet, which led to more moderates holding ministerial and judicial positions, and appointed the first female to the cabinet. The country remains a leading producer of oil and natural gas and holds more than 20% of the world's proven oil reserves. The government continues to pursue economic reform and diversification, particularly since Saudi Arabia's accession to the WTO in December 2005, and promotes foreign investment in the kingdom. A burgeoning population, aquifer depletion, and an economy largely dependent on petroleum output and prices are all ongoing governmental concerns. Senegal The French colonies of Senegal and the French Sudan were merged in 1959 and granted their independence as the Mali Federation in 1960. The union broke up after only a few months. Senegal joined with The Gambia to form the nominal confederation of Senegambia in 1982, but the envisaged integration of the two countries was never carried out, and the union was dissolved in 1989. The Movement of Democratic Forces in the Casamance (MFDC) has led a low-level separatist insurgency in southern Senegal since the 1980s, and several peace deals have failed to resolve the conflict. Nevertheless, Senegal remains one of the most stable democracies in Africa. Senegal was ruled by a Socialist Party for 40 years until current President Abdoulaye WADE was elected in 2000. He was reelected in February 2007, but complaints of fraud led opposition parties to boycott June 2007 legislative polls. Senegal has a long history of participating in international peacekeeping. Serbia The Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes was formed in 1918; its name was changed to Yugoslavia in 1929. Various paramilitary bands resisted Nazi Germany's occupation and division of Yugoslavia from 1941 to 1945, but fought each other and ethnic opponents as much as the invaders. The military and political movement headed by Josip TITO (Partisans) took full control of Yugoslavia when German and Croatian separatist forces were defeated in 1945. Although Communist, TITO's new government and his successors (he died in 1980) managed to steer their own path between the Warsaw Pact nations and the West for the next four and a half decades. In 1989, Slobodan MILOSEVIC became president of the Serbian Republic and his ultranationalist calls for Serbian domination led to the violent breakup of Yugoslavia along ethnic lines. In 1991, Croatia, Slovenia, and Macedonia declared independence, followed by Bosnia in 1992. The remaining republics of Serbia and Montenegro declared a new Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) in April 1992 and under MILOSEVIC's leadership, Serbia led various military campaigns to unite ethnic Serbs in neighboring republics into a "Greater Serbia." These actions led to Yugoslavia being ousted from the UN in 1992, but Serbia continued its - ultimately unsuccessful - campaign until signing the Dayton Peace Accords in 1995. MILOSEVIC kept tight control over Serbia and eventually became president of the FRY in 1997. In 1998, an ethnic Albanian insurgency in the formerly autonomous Serbian province of Kosovo provoked a Serbian counterinsurgency campaign that resulted in massacres and massive expulsions of ethnic Albanians living in Kosovo. The MILOSEVIC government's rejection of a proposed international settlement led to NATO's bombing of Serbia in the spring of 1999 and to the eventual withdrawal of Serbian military and police forces from Kosovo in June 1999. UNSC Resolution 1244 in June 1999 authorized the stationing of a NATO-led force (KFOR) in Kosovo to provide a safe and secure environment for the region's ethnic communities, created a UN interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) to foster self-governing institutions, and reserved the issue of Kosovo's final status for an unspecified date in the future. In 2001, UNMIK promulgated a constitutional framework that allowed Kosovo to establish institutions of self-government and led to Kosovo's first parliamentary election. FRY elections in September 2000 led to the ouster of MILOSEVIC and installed Vojislav KOSTUNICA as president. A broad coalition of democratic reformist parties known as DOS (the Democratic Opposition of Serbia) was subsequently elected to parliament in December 2000 and took control of the government. DOS arrested MILOSEVIC in 2001 and allowed for him to be tried in The Hague for crimes against humanity. (MILOSEVIC died in March 2006 before the completion of his trial.) In 2001, the country's suspension from the UN was lifted. In 2003, the FRY became Serbia and Montenegro, a loose federation of the two republics with a federal level parliament. Widespread violence predominantly targeting ethnic Serbs in Kosovo in March 2004 caused the international community to open negotiations on the future status of Kosovo in January 2006. In May 2006, Montenegro invoked its right to secede from the federation and - following a successful referendum - it declared itself an independent nation on 3 June 2006. Two days later, Serbia declared that it was the successor state to the union of Serbia and Montenegro. A new Serbian constitution was approved in October 2006 and adopted the following month. After 15 months of inconclusive negotiations mediated by the UN and four months of further inconclusive negotiations mediated by the US, EU, and Russia, on 17 February 2008, the UNMIK-administered province of Kosovo declared itself independent of Serbia. Seychelles A lengthy struggle between France and Great Britain for the islands ended in 1814, when they were ceded to the latter. Independence came in 1976. Socialist rule was brought to a close with a new constitution and free elections in 1993. President France-Albert RENE, who had served since 1977, was re-elected in 2001, but stepped down in 2004. Vice President James MICHEL took over the presidency and in July 2006 was elected to a new five-year term. Sierra Leone Democracy is slowly being reestablished after the civil war from 1991 to 2002 that resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and the displacement of more than 2 million people (about one-third of the population). The military, which took over full responsibility for security following the departure of UN peacekeepers at the end of 2005, is increasingly developing as a guarantor of the country's stability. The armed forces remained on the sideline during the 2007 presidential election, but still look to the UN Integrated Office in Sierra Leone (UNIOSIL) - a civilian UN mission - to support efforts to consolidate peace. The new government's priorities include furthering development, creating jobs, and stamping out endemic corruption. Singapore Singapore was founded as a British trading colony in 1819. It joined the Malaysian Federation in 1963 but separated two years later and became independent. Singapore subsequently became one of the world's most prosperous countries with strong international trading links (its port is one of the world's busiest in terms of tonnage handled) and with per capita GDP equal to that of the leading nations of Western Europe. Slovakia The dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the close of World War I allowed the Slovaks to join the closely related Czechs to form Czechoslovakia. Following the chaos of World War II, Czechoslovakia became a Communist nation within Soviet-dominated Eastern Europe. Soviet influence collapsed in 1989 and Czechoslovakia once more became free. The Slovaks and the Czechs agreed to separate peacefully on 1 January 1993. Slovakia joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004 and the euro area on 1 January 2009. Slovenia The Slovene lands were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until the latter's dissolution at the end of World War I. In 1918, the Slovenes joined the Serbs and Croats in forming a new multinational state, which was named Yugoslavia in 1929. After World War II, Slovenia became a republic of the renewed Yugoslavia, which though Communist, distanced itself from Moscow's rule. Dissatisfied with the exercise of power by the majority Serbs, the Slovenes succeeded in establishing their independence in 1991 after a short 10-day war. Historical ties to Western Europe, a strong economy, and a stable democracy have assisted in Slovenia's transformation to a modern state. Slovenia acceded to both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004. Solomon Islands The UK established a protectorate over the Solomon Islands in the 1890s. Some of the most bitter fighting of World War II occurred on this archipelago. Self-government was achieved in 1976 and independence two years later. Ethnic violence, government malfeasance, and endemic crime have undermined stability and civil society. In June 2003, then Prime Minister Sir Allan KEMAKEZA sought the assistance of Australia in reestablishing law and order; the following month, an Australian-led multinational force arrived to restore peace and disarm ethnic militias. The Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) has generally been effective in restoring law and order and rebuilding government institutions. Somalia Britain withdrew from British Somaliland in 1960 to allow its protectorate to join with Italian Somaliland and form the new nation of Somalia. In 1969, a coup headed by Mohamed SIAD Barre ushered in an authoritarian socialist rule that managed to impose a degree of stability in the country for a couple of decades. After the regime's collapse early in 1991, Somalia descended into turmoil, factional fighting, and anarchy. In May 1991, northern clans declared an independent Republic of Somaliland that now includes the administrative regions of Awdal, Woqooyi Galbeed, Togdheer, Sanaag, and Sool. Although not recognized by any government, this entity has maintained a stable existence and continues efforts to establish a constitutional democracy, including holding municipal, parliamentary, and presidential elections. The regions of Bari, Nugaal, and northern Mudug comprise a neighboring self-declared autonomous state of Puntland, which has been self-governing since 1998 but does not aim at independence; it has also made strides toward reconstructing a legitimate, representative government but has suffered some civil strife. Puntland disputes its border with Somaliland as it also claims portions of eastern Sool and Sanaag. Beginning in 1993, a two-year UN humanitarian effort (primarily in the south) was able to alleviate famine conditions, but when the UN withdrew in 1995, having suffered significant casualties, order still had not been restored. A two-year peace process, led by the Government of Kenya under the auspices of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), concluded in October 2004 with the election of Abdullahi YUSUF Ahmed as President of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia and the formation of an interim government, known as the Somalia Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs). The TFIs included a 275-member parliamentary body, known as the Transitional Federal Assembly (TFA). President YUSUF resigned late in 2008 while United Nations-sponsored talks between the TFG and the opposition Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia (ARS) were underway in Djibouti. In January 2009, following the creation of a TFG-ARS unity government, Ethiopian military forces, which had entered Somalia in December 2006 to support the TFG in the face of advances by the opposition Council of Islamic Courts (CIC), withdrew from the country. The TFA was increased to 550 seats with the addition of 275 ARS members of parliament. The expanded parliament elected Sheikh SHARIF Sheikh Ahmed, the former CIC and ARS chairman as president on 31 January 2009, in Djibouti. Subsequently, President SHARIF appointed Omar Abdirashid ali SHARMARKE, son of a former president of Somalia, as prime minister on 13 February 2009. The TFIs are based on the Transitional Federal Charter (TFC), which outlines a five-year mandate leading to the establishment of a new Somali constitution and a transition to a representative government following national elections. However, in January 2009 the TFA amended the TFC to extend TFG's mandate until 2011. While its institutions remain weak, the TFG continues to reach out to Somali stakeholders and work with international donors to help build the governance capacity of the TFIs and work toward national elections in 2011. South Africa Dutch traders landed at the southern tip of modern day South Africa in 1652 and established a stopover point on the spice route between the Netherlands and the East, founding the city of Cape Town. After the British seized the Cape of Good Hope area in 1806, many of the Dutch settlers (the Boers) trekked north to found their own republics. The discovery of diamonds (1867) and gold (1886) spurred wealth and immigration and intensified the subjugation of the native inhabitants. The Boers resisted British encroachments but were defeated in the Boer War (1899-1902); however, the British and the Afrikaners, as the Boers became known, ruled together under the Union of South Africa. In 1948, the National Party was voted into power and instituted a policy of apartheid - the separate development of the races. The first multi-racial elections in 1994 brought an end to apartheid and ushered in black majority rule under the African National Congress (ANC). ANC infighting, which has grown in recent years, came to a head in September 2008 after President Thabo MBEKI resigned. Kgalema MOTLANTHE, the party's General-Secretary, succeeded as interim president until general elections scheduled for 2009. South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands The islands, which have large bird and seal populations, lie approximately 1,000 km east of the Falkland Islands and have been under British administration since 1908 - except for a brief period in 1982 when Argentina occupied them. Grytviken, on South Georgia, was a 19th and early 20th century whaling station. Famed explorer Ernest SHACKLETON stopped there in 1914 en route to his ill-fated attempt to cross Antarctica on foot. He returned some 20 months later with a few companions in a small boat and arranged a successful rescue for the rest of his crew, stranded off the Antarctic Peninsula. He died in 1922 on a subsequent expedition and is buried in Grytviken. Today, the station houses scientists from the British Antarctic Survey. Recognizing the importance of preserving the marine stocks in adjacent waters, the UK, in 1993, extended the exclusive fishing zone from 12 nm to 200 nm around each island. Southern Ocean A large body of recent oceanographic research has shown that the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), an ocean current that flows from west to east around Antarctica, plays a crucial role in global ocean circulation. The region where the cold waters of the ACC meet and mingle with the warmer waters of the north defines a distinct border - the Antarctic Convergence - which fluctuates with the seasons, but which encompasses a discrete body of water and a unique ecologic region. The Convergence concentrates nutrients, which promotes marine plant life, and which in turn allows for a greater abundance of animal life. In the spring of 2000, the International Hydrographic Organization decided to delimit the waters within the Convergence as a fifth world ocean - the Southern Ocean - by combining the southern portions of the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and Pacific Ocean. The Southern Ocean extends from the coast of Antarctica north to 60 degrees south latitude, which coincides with the Antarctic Treaty Limit and which approximates the extent of the Antarctic Convergence. As such, the Southern Ocean is now the fourth largest of the world's five oceans (after the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, and Indian Ocean, but larger than the Arctic Ocean). It should be noted that inclusion of the Southern Ocean does not imply recognition of this feature as one of the world's primary oceans by the US Government. Spain Spain's powerful world empire of the 16th and 17th centuries ultimately yielded command of the seas to England. Subsequent failure to embrace the mercantile and industrial revolutions caused the country to fall behind Britain, France, and Germany in economic and political power. Spain remained neutral in World Wars I and II but suffered through a devastating civil war (1936-39). A peaceful transition to democracy following the death of dictator Francisco FRANCO in 1975, and rapid economic modernization (Spain joined the EU in 1986) gave Spain a dynamic and rapidly growing economy and made it a global champion of freedom and human rights. The government continues to battle the Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA) terrorist organization, but its major focus for the immediate future will be on measures to reverse the severe economic recession that started in mid-2008. Spratly Islands The Spratly Islands consist of more than 100 small islands or reefs. They are surrounded by rich fishing grounds and potentially by gas and oil deposits. They are claimed in their entirety by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam, while portions are claimed by Malaysia and the Philippines. About 45 islands are occupied by relatively small numbers of military forces from China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Brunei has established a fishing zone that overlaps a southern reef but has not made any formal claim. Sri Lanka The first Sinhalese arrived in Sri Lanka late in the 6th century B.C. probably from northern India. Buddhism was introduced in about the mid-third century B.C., and a great civilization developed at the cities of Anuradhapura (kingdom from circa 200 B.C. to circa A.D. 1000) and Polonnaruwa (from about 1070 to 1200). In the 14th century, a south Indian dynasty established a Tamil kingdom in northern Sri Lanka. The coastal areas of the island were controlled by the Portuguese in the 16th century and by the Dutch in the 17th century. The island was ceded to the British in 1796, became a crown colony in 1802, and was united under British rule by 1815. As Ceylon, it became independent in 1948; its name was changed to Sri Lanka in 1972. Tensions between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil separatists erupted into war in 1983. Tens of thousands have died in the ethnic conflict that continues to fester. After two decades of fighting, the government and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) formalized a cease-fire in February 2002 with Norway brokering peace negotiations. Violence between the LTTE and government forces intensified in 2006 and the government regained control of the Eastern Province in 2007. In May 2009, the government announced that its military had finally defeated the remnants of the LTTE and that its leader, Velupillai PRABHAKARAN, had been killed. Sudan Military regimes favoring Islamic-oriented governments have dominated national politics since independence from the UK in 1956. Sudan was embroiled in two prolonged civil wars during most of the remainder of the 20th century. These conflicts were rooted in northern economic, political, and social domination of largely non-Muslim, non-Arab southern Sudanese. The first civil war ended in 1972 but broke out again in 1983. The second war and famine-related effects resulted in more than four million people displaced and, according to rebel estimates, more than two million deaths over a period of two decades. Peace talks gained momentum in 2002-04 with the signing of several accords. The final North/South Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), signed in January 2005, granted the southern rebels autonomy for six years. After which, a referendum for independence is scheduled to be held. A separate conflict, which broke out in the western region of Darfur in 2003, has displaced nearly two million people and caused an estimated 200,000 to 400,000 deaths. The UN took command of the Darfur peacekeeping operation from the African Union on 31 December 2007. As of early 2009, peacekeeping troops were struggling to stabilize the situation, which has become increasingly regional in scope, and has brought instability to eastern Chad, and Sudanese incursions into the Central African Republic. Sudan also has faced large refugee influxes from neighboring countries, primarily Ethiopia and Chad. Armed conflict, poor transport infrastructure, and lack of government support have chronically obstructed the provision of humanitarian assistance to affected populations. Suriname First explored by the Spaniards in the 16th century and then settled by the English in the mid-17th century, Suriname became a Dutch colony in 1667. With the abolition of slavery in 1863, workers were brought in from India and Java. Independence from the Netherlands was granted in 1975. Five years later the civilian government was replaced by a military regime that soon declared a socialist republic. It continued to exert control through a succession of nominally civilian administrations until 1987, when international pressure finally forced a democratic election. In 1990, the military overthrew the civilian leadership, but a democratically elected government - a four-party New Front coalition - returned to power in 1991 and has ruled since; the coalition expanded to eight parties in 2005. Svalbard First discovered by the Norwegians in the 12th century, the islands served as an international whaling base during the 17th and 18th centuries. Norway's sovereignty was recognized in 1920; five years later it officially took over the territory. Swaziland Autonomy for the Swazis of southern Africa was guaranteed by the British in the late 19th century; independence was granted in 1968. Student and labor unrest during the 1990s pressured King MSWATI III, the world's last absolute monarch, to grudgingly allow political reform and greater democracy, although he has backslid on these promises in recent years. A constitution came into effect in 2006, but political parties remain banned. The African United Democratic Party tried unsuccessfully to register as an official political party in mid 2006. Talks over the constitution broke down between the government and progressive groups in 2007. Swaziland recently surpassed Botswana as the country with the world's highest known HIV/AIDS prevalence rate. Sweden A military power during the 17th century, Sweden has not participated in any war in almost two centuries. An armed neutrality was preserved in both World Wars. Sweden's long-successful economic formula of a capitalist system interlarded with substantial welfare elements was challenged in the 1990s by high unemployment and in 2000-02 by the global economic downturn, but fiscal discipline over the past several years has allowed the country to weather economic vagaries. Sweden joined the EU in 1995, but the public rejected the introduction of the euro in a 2003 referendum. Switzerland The Swiss Confederation was founded in 1291 as a defensive alliance among three cantons. In succeeding years, other localities joined the original three. The Swiss Confederation secured its independence from the Holy Roman Empire in 1499. A constitution of 1848, subsequently modified in 1874, replaced the confederation with a centralized federal government. Switzerland's sovereignty and neutrality have long been honored by the major European powers, and the country was not involved in either of the two World Wars. The political and economic integration of Europe over the past half century, as well as Switzerland's role in many UN and international organizations, has strengthened Switzerland's ties with its neighbors. However, the country did not officially become a UN member until 2002. Switzerland remains active in many UN and international organizations but retains a strong commitment to neutrality. Syria Following World War I, France acquired a mandate over the northern portion of the former Ottoman Empire province of Syria. The French administered the area as Syria until granting it independence in 1946. The new country lacked political stability, however, and experienced a series of military coups during its first decades. Syria united with Egypt in February 1958 to form the United Arab Republic. In September 1961, the two entities separated, and the Syrian Arab Republic was reestablished. In November 1970, Hafiz al-ASAD, a member of the Socialist Ba'th Party and the minority Alawite sect, seized power in a bloodless coup and brought political stability to the country. In the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, Syria lost the Golan Heights to Israel. During the 1990s, Syria and Israel held occasional peace talks over its return. Following the death of President al-ASAD, his son, Bashar al-ASAD, was approved as president by popular referendum in July 2000. Syrian troops - stationed in Lebanon since 1976 in an ostensible peacekeeping role - were withdrawn in April 2005. During the July-August 2006 conflict between Israel and Hizballah, Syria placed its military forces on alert but did not intervene directly on behalf of its ally Hizballah. Taiwan In 1895, military defeat forced China to cede Taiwan to Japan. Taiwan reverted to Chinese control after World War II. Following the Communist victory on the mainland in 1949, 2 million Nationalists fled to Taiwan and established a government using the 1946 constitution drawn up for all of China. Over the next five decades, the ruling authorities gradually democratized and incorporated the local population within the governing structure. In 2000, Taiwan underwent its first peaceful transfer of power from the Nationalist to the Democratic Progressive Party. Throughout this period, the island prospered and became one of East Asia's economic "Tigers." The dominant political issues continue to be the relationship between Taiwan and China - specifically the question of Taiwan's eventual status - as well as domestic political and economic reform. Tajikistan The Tajik people came under Russian rule in the 1860s and 1870s, but Russia's hold on Central Asia weakened following the Revolution of 1917. Bolshevik control of the area was fiercely contested and not fully reestablished until 1925. Much of present-day Sughd province was transferred from the Uzbek SSR to the newly formed Tajik SSR in 1929. Ethnic Uzbeks form a substantial minority in Sughd province. Tajikistan became independent in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union, and experienced a civil war between regional factions from 1992-97. There have been no major security incidents in recent years, although the country remains the poorest in the former Soviet sphere. Attention by the international community since the beginning of the NATO intervention in Afghanistan has brought increased economic development and security assistance, which could create jobs and strengthen stability in the long term. Tajikistan is in the early stages of seeking World Trade Organization membership and has joined NATO's Partnership for Peace. Tanzania Shortly after achieving independence from Britain in the early 1960s, Tanganyika and Zanzibar merged to form the nation of Tanzania in 1964. One-party rule came to an end in 1995 with the first democratic elections held in the country since the 1970s. Zanzibar's semi-autonomous status and popular opposition have led to two contentious elections since 1995, which the ruling party won despite international observers' claims of voting irregularities. Thailand A unified Thai kingdom was established in the mid-14th century. Known as Siam until 1939, Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country never to have been taken over by a European power. A bloodless revolution in 1932 led to a constitutional monarchy. In alliance with Japan during World War II, Thailand became a US treaty ally following the conflict. A military coup in September 2006 ousted then Prime Minister THAKSIN Chinnawat. The interim government held elections in December 2007 that saw the former pro-THAKSIN People's Power Party (PPP) emerge at the head of a coalition government. The anti-THAKSIN People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) in May 2008 began street demonstrations against the new government, eventually occupying the prime minister's office in August. Clashes in October 2008 between PAD protesters blocking parliament and police resulted in the death of at least two people. The PAD occupied Bangkok's international airports briefly, ending their protests in early December 2008 following a court ruling that dissolved the ruling PPP and two other coalition parties for election violations. The Democrat Party then formed a new coalition government with the support of some of THAKSIN's former political allies, and ABHISIT Wetchachiwa became prime minister. Since January 2004, thousands have been killed as separatists in Thailand's southern ethnic Malay-Muslim provinces increased the violence associated with their cause. Timor-Leste The Portuguese began to trade with the island of Timor in the early 16th century and colonized it in mid-century. Skirmishing with the Dutch in the region eventually resulted in an 1859 treaty in which Portugal ceded the western portion of the island. Imperial Japan occupied Portuguese Timor from 1942 to 1945, but Portugal resumed colonial authority after the Japanese defeat in World War II. East Timor declared itself independent from Portugal on 28 November 1975 and was invaded and occupied by Indonesian forces nine days later. It was incorporated into Indonesia in July 1976 as the province of Timor Timur (East Timor). An unsuccessful campaign of pacification followed over the next two decades, during which an estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals lost their lives. On 30 August 1999, in a UN-supervised popular referendum, an overwhelming majority of the people of Timor-Leste voted for independence from Indonesia. Between the referendum and the arrival of a multinational peacekeeping force in late September 1999, anti-independence Timorese militias - organized and supported by the Indonesian military - commenced a large-scale, scorched-earth campaign of retribution. The militias killed approximately 1,400 Timorese and forcibly pushed 300,000 people into western Timor as refugees. The majority of the country's infrastructure, including homes, irrigation systems, water supply systems, and schools, and nearly 100% of the country's electrical grid were destroyed. On 20 September 1999, the Australian-led peacekeeping troops of the International Force for East Timor (INTERFET) deployed to the country and brought the violence to an end. On 20 May 2002, Timor-Leste was internationally recognized as an independent state. In late April 2006, internal tensions threatened the new nation's security when a military strike led to violence and a near breakdown of law and order in Dili. At the request of the Government of Timor-Leste, an Australian-led International Stabilization Force (ISF) deployed to Timor-Leste in late May. In August, the UN Security Council established the UN Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT), which included an authorized police presence of over 1,600 personnel. The ISF and UNMIT restored stability, allowing the Government of Timor-Leste to hold presidential and parliamentary elections in April and June 2007 in a largely peaceful atmosphere. In February 2008, a rebel group staged an unsuccessful attack against the president and prime minister. The ringleader was killed in the attack and the majority of the rebels surrendered to the government in April 2008. Togo French Togoland became Togo in 1960. Gen. Gnassingbe EYADEMA, installed as military ruler in 1967, ruled Togo with a heavy hand for almost four decades. Despite the facade of multiparty elections instituted in the early 1990s, the government was largely dominated by President EYADEMA, whose Rally of the Togolese People (RPT) party has maintained power almost continually since 1967 and maintains a majority of seats in today's legislature. Upon EYADEMA's death in February 2005, the military installed the president's son, Faure GNASSINGBE, and then engineered his formal election two months later. Democratic gains since then allowed Togo to hold its first relatively free and fair legislative elections in October 2007. After years of political unrest and fire from international organizations for human rights abuses, Togo is finally being re-welcomed into the international community. Tokelau Originally settled by Polynesian emigrants from surrounding island groups, the Tokelau Islands were made a British protectorate in 1889. They were transferred to New Zealand administration in 1925. Referenda held in 2006 and 2007 to change the status of the islands from that of a New Zealand territory to one of free association with New Zealand did not meet the needed threshold for approval. Tonga Tonga - unique among Pacific nations - never completely lost its indigenous governance. The archipelagos of "The Friendly Islands" were united into a Polynesian kingdom in 1845. Tonga became a constitutional monarchy in 1875 and a British protectorate in 1900; it withdrew from the protectorate and joined the Commonwealth of Nations in 1970. Tonga remains the only monarchy in the Pacific. Trinidad and Tobago First colonized by the Spanish, the islands came under British control in the early 19th century. The islands' sugar industry was hurt by the emancipation of the slaves in 1834. Manpower was replaced with the importation of contract laborers from India between 1845 and 1917, which boosted sugar production as well as the cocoa industry. The discovery of oil on Trinidad in 1910 added another important export. Independence was attained in 1962. The country is one of the most prosperous in the Caribbean thanks largely to petroleum and natural gas production and processing. Tourism, mostly in Tobago, is targeted for expansion and is growing. The government is coping with a rise in violent crime. Tunisia Rivalry between French and Italian interests in Tunisia culminated in a French invasion in 1881 and the creation of a protectorate. Agitation for independence in the decades following World War I was finally successful in getting the French to recognize Tunisia as an independent state in 1956. The country's first president, Habib BOURGUIBA, established a strict one-party state. He dominated the country for 31 years, repressing Islamic fundamentalism and establishing rights for women unmatched by any other Arab nation. In November 1987, BOURGUIBA was removed from office and replaced by Zine el Abidine BEN ALI in a bloodless coup. BEN ALI is currently serving his fourth consecutive five-year term as president; the next elections are scheduled for October 2009. Tunisia has long taken a moderate, non-aligned stance in its foreign relations. Domestically, it has sought to defuse rising pressure for a more open political society. Turkey Modern Turkey was founded in 1923 from the Anatolian remnants of the defeated Ottoman Empire by national hero Mustafa KEMAL, who was later honored with the title Ataturk or "Father of the Turks." Under his authoritarian leadership, the country adopted wide-ranging social, legal, and political reforms. After a period of one-party rule, an experiment with multi-party politics led to the 1950 election victory of the opposition Democratic Party and the peaceful transfer of power. Since then, Turkish political parties have multiplied, but democracy has been fractured by periods of instability and intermittent military coups (1960, 1971, 1980), which in each case eventually resulted in a return of political power to civilians. In 1997, the military again helped engineer the ouster - popularly dubbed a "post-modern coup" - of the then Islamic-oriented government. Turkey intervened militarily on Cyprus in 1974 to prevent a Greek takeover of the island and has since acted as patron state to the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus," which only Turkey recognizes. A separatist insurgency begun in 1984 by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) - now known as the People's Congress of Kurdistan or Kongra-Gel (KGK) - has dominated the Turkish military's attention and claimed more than 30,000 lives. After the capture of the group's leader in 1999, the insurgents largely withdrew from Turkey mainly to northern Iraq. In 2004, KGK announced an end to its ceasefire and attacks attributed to the KGK increased. Turkey joined the UN in 1945 and in 1952 it became a member of NATO; it holds a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council from 2009-10. In 1964, Turkey became an associate member of the European Community. Over the past decade, it has undertaken many reforms to strengthen its democracy and economy; it began accession membership talks with the European Union in 2005. Turkmenistan Eastern Turkmenistan for centuries formed part of the Persian province of Khurasan; in medieval times Merv (today known as Mary) was one of the great cities of the Islamic world and an important stop on the Silk Road. Annexed by Russia between 1865 and 1885, Turkmenistan became a Soviet republic in 1924. It achieved independence upon the dissolution of the USSR in 1991. Extensive hydrocarbon/natural gas reserves could prove a boon to this underdeveloped country if extraction and delivery projects were to be expanded. The Turkmenistan Government is actively seeking to develop alternative petroleum transportation routes to break Russia's pipeline monopoly. President for Life Saparmurat NYYAZOW died in December 2006, and Turkmenistan held its first multi-candidate presidential electoral process in February 2007. Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOW, a vice premier under NYYAZOW, emerged as the country's new president. Turks and Caicos Islands The islands were part of the UK's Jamaican colony until 1962, when they assumed the status of a separate crown colony upon Jamaica's independence. The governor of The Bahamas oversaw affairs from 1965 to 1973. With Bahamian independence, the islands received a separate governor in 1973. Although independence was agreed upon for 1982, the policy was reversed and the islands remain a British overseas territory. Tuvalu In 1974, ethnic differences within the British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands caused the Polynesians of the Ellice Islands to vote for separation from the Micronesians of the Gilbert Islands. The following year, the Ellice Islands became the separate British colony of Tuvalu. Independence was granted in 1978. In 2000, Tuvalu negotiated a contract leasing its Internet domain name ".tv" for $50 million in royalties over a 12-year period. Uganda The colonial boundaries created by Britain to delimit Uganda grouped together a wide range of ethnic groups with different political systems and cultures. These differences prevented the establishment of a working political community after independence was achieved in 1962. The dictatorial regime of Idi AMIN (1971-79) was responsible for the deaths of some 300,000 opponents; guerrilla war and human rights abuses under Milton OBOTE (1980-85) claimed at least another 100,000 lives. The rule of Yoweri MUSEVENI since 1986 has brought relative stability and economic growth to Uganda. During the 1990s, the government promulgated non-party presidential and legislative elections. In January 2009, Uganda assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2009-10 term. Ukraine Ukraine was the center of the first eastern Slavic state, Kyivan Rus, which during the 10th and 11th centuries was the largest and most powerful state in Europe. Weakened by internecine quarrels and Mongol invasions, Kyivan Rus was incorporated into the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and eventually into the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The cultural and religious legacy of Kyivan Rus laid the foundation for Ukrainian nationalism through subsequent centuries. A new Ukrainian state, the Cossack Hetmanate, was established during the mid-17th century after an uprising against the Poles. Despite continuous Muscovite pressure, the Hetmanate managed to remain autonomous for well over 100 years. During the latter part of the 18th century, most Ukrainian ethnographic territory was absorbed by the Russian Empire. Following the collapse of czarist Russia in 1917, Ukraine was able to bring about a short-lived period of independence (1917-20), but was reconquered and forced to endure a brutal Soviet rule that engineered two artificial famines (1921-22 and 1932-33) in which over 8 million died. In World War II, German and Soviet armies were responsible for some 7 to 8 million more deaths. Although final independence for Ukraine was achieved in 1991 with the dissolution of the USSR, democracy remained elusive as the legacy of state control and endemic corruption stalled efforts at economic reform, privatization, and civil liberties. A peaceful mass protest "Orange Revolution" in the closing months of 2004 forced the authorities to overturn a rigged presidential election and to allow a new internationally monitored vote that swept into power a reformist slate under Viktor YUSHCHENKO. Subsequent internal squabbles in the YUSHCHENKO camp allowed his rival Viktor YANUKOVYCH to stage a comeback in parliamentary elections and become prime minister in August of 2006. An early legislative election, brought on by a political crisis in the spring of 2007, saw Yuliya TYMOSHENKO, as head of an "Orange" coalition, installed as a new prime minister in December 2007. United Arab Emirates The Trucial States of the Persian Gulf coast granted the UK control of their defense and foreign affairs in 19th century treaties. In 1971, six of these states - Abu Zaby, 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah, Dubayy, and Umm al Qaywayn - merged to form the United Arab Emirates (UAE). They were joined in 1972 by Ra's al Khaymah. The UAE's per capita GDP is on par with those of leading West European nations. Its generosity with oil revenues and its moderate foreign policy stance have allowed the UAE to play a vital role in the affairs of the region. United Kingdom As the dominant industrial and maritime power of the 19th century, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland played a leading role in developing parliamentary democracy and in advancing literature and science. At its zenith, the British Empire stretched over one-fourth of the earth's surface. The first half of the 20th century saw the UK's strength seriously depleted in two World Wars and the Irish republic withdraw from the union. The second half witnessed the dismantling of the Empire and the UK rebuilding itself into a modern and prosperous European nation. As one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council, a founding member of NATO, and of the Commonwealth, the UK pursues a global approach to foreign policy; it currently is weighing the degree of its integration with continental Europe. A member of the EU, it chose to remain outside the Economic and Monetary Union for the time being. Constitutional reform is also a significant issue in the UK. The Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales, and the Northern Ireland Assembly were established in 1999, but the latter was suspended until May 2007 due to wrangling over the peace process. United States Britain's American colonies broke with the mother country in 1776 and were recognized as the new nation of the United States of America following the Treaty of Paris in 1783. During the 19th and 20th centuries, 37 new states were added to the original 13 as the nation expanded across the North American continent and acquired a number of overseas possessions. The two most traumatic experiences in the nation's history were the Civil War (1861-65), in which a northern Union of states defeated a secessionist Confederacy of 11 southern slave states, and the Great Depression of the 1930s, an economic downturn during which about a quarter of the labor force lost its jobs. Buoyed by victories in World Wars I and II and the end of the Cold War in 1991, the US remains the world's most powerful nation state. The economy is marked by steady growth, low unemployment and inflation, and rapid advances in technology. United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges All of the following US Pacific island territories except Midway Atoll constitute the Pacific Remote Islands National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Complex and as such are managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior. Midway Atoll NWR has been included in a Refuge Complex with the Hawaiian Islands NWR and also designated as part of Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. These remote refuges are the most widespread collection of marine- and terrestrial-life protected areas on the planet under a single country's jurisdiction. They sustain many endemic species including corals, fish, shellfish, marine mammals, seabirds, water birds, land birds, insects, and vegetation not found elsewhere. Baker Island: The US took possession of the island in 1857. Its guano deposits were mined by US and British companies during the second half of the 19th century. In 1935, a short-lived attempt at colonization began on this island but was disrupted by World War II and thereafter abandoned. The island was established as a NWR in 1974. Howland Island: Discovered by the US early in the 19th century, the uninhabited atoll was officially claimed by the US in 1857. Both US and British companies mined for guano deposits until about 1890. In 1935, a short-lived attempt at colonization began on this island, similar to the effort on nearby Baker Island, but was disrupted by World War II and thereafter abandoned. The famed American aviatrix Amelia EARHART disappeared while seeking out Howland Island as a refueling stop during her 1937 round-the-world flight; Earhart Light, a day beacon near the middle of the west coast, was named in her memory. The island was established as a NWR in 1974. Jarvis Island: First discovered by the British in 1821, the uninhabited island was annexed by the US in 1858 but abandoned in 1879 after tons of guano had been removed. The UK annexed the island in 1889 but never carried out plans for further exploitation. The US occupied and reclaimed the island in 1935. It was abandoned in 1942 during World War II. The island was established as a NWR in 1974. Johnston Atoll: Both the US and the Kingdom of Hawaii annexed Johnston Atoll in 1858, but it was the US that mined the guano deposits until the late 1880s. Johnston and Sand Islands were designated wildlife refuges in 1926. The US Navy took over the atoll in 1934. Subsequently, the US Air Force assumed control in 1948. The site was used for high-altitude nuclear tests in the 1950s and 1960s. Until late in 2000 the atoll was maintained as a storage and disposal site for chemical weapons. Munitions destruction, cleanup, and closure of the facility were completed by May 2005. The Fish and Wildlife Service and the US Air Force are currently discussing future management options; in the interim, Johnston Atoll and the three-mile Naval Defensive Sea around it remain under the jurisdiction and administrative control of the US Air Force. Kingman Reef: The US annexed the reef in 1922. Its sheltered lagoon served as a way station for flying boats on Hawaii-to-American Samoa flights during the late 1930s. There are no terrestrial plants on the reef, which is frequently awash, but it does support abundant and diverse marine fauna and flora. In 2001, the waters surrounding the reef out to 12 nm were designated a US NWR. Midway Islands: The US took formal possession of the islands in 1867. The laying of the trans-Pacific cable, which passed through the islands, brought the first residents in 1903. Between 1935 and 1947, Midway was used as a refueling stop for trans-Pacific flights. The US naval victory over a Japanese fleet off Midway in 1942 was one of the turning points of World War II. The islands continued to serve as a naval station until closed in 1993. Today the islands are a NWR and are the site of the world's largest Laysan albatross colony. Palmyra Atoll: The Kingdom of Hawaii claimed the atoll in 1862, and the US included it among the Hawaiian Islands when it annexed the archipelago in 1898. The Hawaii Statehood Act of 1959 did not include Palmyra Atoll, which is now partly privately owned by the Nature Conservancy with the rest owned by the Federal government and managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. These organizations are managing the atoll as a wildlife refuge. The lagoons and surrounding waters within the 12 nm US territorial seas were transferred to the US Fish and Wildlife Service and designated as a NWR in January 2001. Uruguay Montevideo, founded by the Spanish in 1726 as a military stronghold, soon took advantage of its natural harbor to become an important commercial center. Claimed by Argentina but annexed by Brazil in 1821, Uruguay declared its independence four years later and secured its freedom in 1828 after a three-year struggle. The administrations of President Jose BATLLE in the early 20th century established widespread political, social, and economic reforms that established a statist tradition. A violent Marxist urban guerrilla movement named the Tupamaros, launched in the late 1960s, led Uruguay's president to cede control of the government to the military in 1973. By yearend, the rebels had been crushed, but the military continued to expand its hold over the government. Civilian rule was not restored until 1985. In 2004, the left-of-center Frente Amplio Coalition won national elections that effectively ended 170 years of political control previously held by the Colorado and Blanco parties. Uruguay's political and labor conditions are among the freest on the continent. Uzbekistan Russia conquered Uzbekistan in the late 19th century. Stiff resistance to the Red Army after World War I was eventually suppressed and a socialist republic set up in 1924. During the Soviet era, intensive production of "white gold" (cotton) and grain led to overuse of agrochemicals and the depletion of water supplies, which have left the land poisoned and the Aral Sea and certain rivers half dry. Independent since 1991, the country seeks to gradually lessen its dependence on agriculture while developing its mineral and petroleum reserves. Current concerns include terrorism by Islamic militants, economic stagnation, and the curtailment of human rights and democratization. Vanuatu Multiple waves of colonizers, each speaking a distinct language, migrated to the New Hebrides in the millennia preceding European exploration in the 18th century. This settlement pattern accounts for the complex linguistic diversity found on the archipelago to this day. The British and French, who settled the New Hebrides in the 19th century, agreed in 1906 to an Anglo-French Condominium, which administered the islands until independence in 1980, when the new name of Vanuatu was adopted. Venezuela Venezuela was one of three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Ecuador and New Granada, which became Colombia). For most of the first half of the 20th century, Venezuela was ruled by generally benevolent military strongmen, who promoted the oil industry and allowed for some social reforms. Democratically elected governments have held sway since 1959. Hugo CHAVEZ, president since 1999, seeks to implement his "21st Century Socialism," which purports to alleviate social ills while at the same time attacking globalization and undermining regional stability. Current concerns include: a weakening of democratic institutions, political polarization, a politicized military, drug-related violence along the Colombian border, increasing internal drug consumption, overdependence on the petroleum industry with its price fluctuations, and irresponsible mining operations that are endangering the rain forest and indigenous peoples. Vietnam The conquest of Vietnam by France began in 1858 and was completed by 1884. It became part of French Indochina in 1887. Vietnam declared independence after World War II, but France continued to rule until its 1954 defeat by Communist forces under Ho Chi MINH. Under the Geneva Accords of 1954, Vietnam was divided into the Communist North and anti-Communist South. US economic and military aid to South Vietnam grew through the 1960s in an attempt to bolster the government, but US armed forces were withdrawn following a cease-fire agreement in 1973. Two years later, North Vietnamese forces overran the South reuniting the country under Communist rule. Despite the return of peace, for over a decade the country experienced little economic growth because of conservative leadership policies, the persecution and mass exodus of individuals - many of them successful South Vietnamese merchants - and growing international isolation. However, since the enactment of Vietnam's "doi moi" (renovation) policy in 1986, Vietnamese authorities have committed to increased economic liberalization and enacted structural reforms needed to modernize the economy and to produce more competitive, export-driven industries. The country continues to experience small-scale protests from various groups, the vast majority connected to land-use issues and the lack of equitable mechanisms for resolving disputes. Various ethnic minorities, such as the Montagnards of the Central Highlands and the Khmer Krom in the southern delta region, have also held protests. In January 2008, Vietnam assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2008-09 term. Virgin Islands During the 17th century, the archipelago was divided into two territorial units, one English and the other Danish. Sugarcane, produced by slave labor, drove the islands' economy during the 18th and early 19th centuries. In 1917, the US purchased the Danish portion, which had been in economic decline since the abolition of slavery in 1848. Wake Island The US annexed Wake Island in 1899 for a cable station. An important air and naval base was constructed in 1940-41. In December 1941, the island was captured by the Japanese and held until the end of World War II. In subsequent years, Wake was developed as a stopover and refueling site for military and commercial aircraft transiting the Pacific. Since 1974, the island's airstrip has been used by the US military, as well as for emergency landings. All operations on the island were suspended and all personnel evacuated in August 2006 with the approach of super typhoon IOKE (category 5), which struck the island with sustained winds of 250 kph and a 6 m storm surge inflicting major damage. A US Air Force assessment and repair team returned to the island in September and restored limited function to the airfield and facilities. The future status of activities on the island will be determined upon completion of the survey and assessment. Wallis and Futuna The Futuna island group was discovered by the Dutch in 1616 and Wallis by the British in 1767, but it was the French who declared a protectorate over the islands in 1842. In 1959, the inhabitants of the islands voted to become a French overseas territory. West Bank The September 1993 Israel-PLO Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements provided for a transitional period of Palestinian self-rule in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Under a series of agreements signed between May 1994 and September 1999, Israel transferred to the Palestinian Authority (PA) security and civilian responsibility for Palestinian-populated areas of the West Bank and Gaza. Negotiations to determine the permanent status of the West Bank and Gaza stalled following the outbreak of an intifada in September 2000, as Israeli forces reoccupied most Palestinian-controlled areas. In April 2003, the Quartet (US, EU, UN, and Russia) presented a roadmap to a final settlement of the conflict by 2005 based on reciprocal steps by the two parties leading to two states, Israel and a democratic Palestine. The proposed date for a permanent status agreement was postponed indefinitely due to violence and accusations that both sides had not followed through on their commitments. Following Palestinian leader Yasir ARAFAT's death in late 2004, Mahmud ABBAS was elected PA president in January 2005. A month later, Israel and the PA agreed to the Sharm el-Sheikh Commitments in an effort to move the peace process forward. In September 2005, Israel unilaterally withdrew all its settlers and soldiers and dismantled its military facilities in the Gaza Strip and withdrew settlers and redeployed soldiers from four small northern West Bank settlements. Nonetheless, Israel controls maritime, airspace, and most access to the Gaza Strip. A November 2005 PA-Israeli agreement authorized the reopening of the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt under joint PA and Egyptian control. In January 2006, the Islamic Resistance Movement, HAMAS, won control of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC). The international community refused to accept the HAMAS-led government because it did not recognize Israel, would not renounce violence, and refused to honor previous peace agreements between Israel and the PA. HAMAS took control of the PA government in March 2006, but President ABBAS had little success negotiating with HAMAS to present a political platform acceptable to the international community so as to lift economic sanctions on Palestinians. The PLC was unable to convene throughout most of 2006 as a result of Israel's detention of many HAMAS PLC members and Israeli-imposed travel restrictions on other PLC members. Violent clashes took place between Fatah and HAMAS supporters in the Gaza Strip in 2006 and early 2007, resulting in numerous Palestinian deaths and injuries. ABBAS and HAMAS Political Bureau Chief MISHAL in February 2007 signed the Mecca Agreement in Saudi Arabia that resulted in the formation of a Palestinian National Unity Government (NUG) headed by HAMAS member Ismail HANIYA. However, fighting continued in the Gaza Strip, and in June 2007, HAMAS militants succeeded in a violent takeover of all military and governmental institutions in the Gaza Strip. ABBAS dismissed the NUG and through a series of presidential decrees formed a PA government in the West Bank led by independent Salam FAYYAD. HAMAS rejected the NUG's dismissal and has called for resuming talks with Fatah, but ABBAS has ruled out negotiations until HAMAS agrees to a return of PA control over the Gaza Strip and recognizes the FAYYAD-led government. FAYYAD and his PA government initiated a series of security and economic reforms to improve conditions in the West Bank. ABBAS participated in talks with Israel's Prime Minister OLMERT and secured the release of some Palestinian prisoners and previously withheld customs revenue. During a November 2007 international meeting in Annapolis Maryland, ABBAS and OLMERT agreed to resume peace negotiations with the goal of reaching a final peace settlement. Western Sahara Morocco virtually annexed the northern two-thirds of Western Sahara (formerly Spanish Sahara) in 1976, and claimed the rest of the territory in 1979, following Mauritania's withdrawal. A guerrilla war with the Polisario Front contesting Rabat's sovereignty ended in a 1991 UN-brokered cease-fire; a UN-organized referendum on the territory's final status has been repeatedly postponed. In April 2007, Morocco presented an autonomy plan for the territory to the UN, which the U.S. considers serious and credible. The Polisario also presented a plan to the UN in 2007 that called for independence. Representatives from the Government of Morocco and the Polisario Front have met four times since June 2007 to negotiate the status of Western Sahara, but talks have stalled since the UN envoy to the territory stated in April 2008 that independence is unrealistic. World Globally, the 20th century was marked by: (a) two devastating world wars; (b) the Great Depression of the 1930s; (c) the end of vast colonial empires; (d) rapid advances in science and technology, from the first airplane flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina (US) to the landing on the moon; (e) the Cold War between the Western alliance and the Warsaw Pact nations; (f) a sharp rise in living standards in North America, Europe, and Japan; (g) increased concerns about the environment, including loss of forests, shortages of energy and water, the decline in biological diversity, and air pollution; (h) the onset of the AIDS epidemic; and (i) the ultimate emergence of the US as the only world superpower. The planet's population continues to explode: from 1 billion in 1820, to 2 billion in 1930, 3 billion in 1960, 4 billion in 1974, 5 billion in 1988, and 6 billion in 2000. For the 21st century, the continued exponential growth in science and technology raises both hopes (e.g., advances in medicine) and fears (e.g., development of even more lethal weapons of war). Yemen North Yemen became independent of the Ottoman Empire in 1918. The British, who had set up a protectorate area around the southern port of Aden in the 19th century, withdrew in 1967 from what became South Yemen. Three years later, the southern government adopted a Marxist orientation. The massive exodus of hundreds of thousands of Yemenis from the south to the north contributed to two decades of hostility between the states. The two countries were formally unified as the Republic of Yemen in 1990. A southern secessionist movement in 1994 was quickly subdued. In 2000, Saudi Arabia and Yemen agreed to a delimitation of their border. Zambia The territory of Northern Rhodesia was administered by the [British] South Africa Company from 1891 until it was taken over by the UK in 1923. During the 1920s and 1930s, advances in mining spurred development and immigration. The name was changed to Zambia upon independence in 1964. In the 1980s and 1990s, declining copper prices and a prolonged drought hurt the economy. Elections in 1991 brought an end to one-party rule, but the subsequent vote in 1996 saw blatant harassment of opposition parties. The election in 2001 was marked by administrative problems with three parties filing a legal petition challenging the election of ruling party candidate Levy MWANAWASA. The new president launched an anticorruption investigation in 2002 to probe high-level corruption during the previous administration. In 2006-07, this task force successfully prosecuted four cases, including a landmark civil case in the UK in which former President CHILUBA and numerous others were found liable for USD 41 million. MWANAWASA was reelected in 2006 in an election that was deemed free and fair. Upon his abrupt death in August 2008, he was succeeded by his Vice-president Rupiah BANDA, who subsequently won a special presidential election in October 2008. Zimbabwe The UK annexed Southern Rhodesia from the [British] South Africa Company in 1923. A 1961 constitution was formulated that favored whites in power. In 1965 the government unilaterally declared its independence, but the UK did not recognize the act and demanded more complete voting rights for the black African majority in the country (then called Rhodesia). UN sanctions and a guerrilla uprising finally led to free elections in 1979 and independence (as Zimbabwe) in 1980. Robert MUGABE, the nation's first prime minister, has been the country's only ruler (as president since 1987) and has dominated the country's political system since independence. His chaotic land redistribution campaign, which began in 2000, caused an exodus of white farmers, crippled the economy, and ushered in widespread shortages of basic commodities. Ignoring international condemnation, MUGABE rigged the 2002 presidential election to ensure his reelection. The ruling ZANU-PF party used fraud and intimidation to win a two-thirds majority in the March 2005 parliamentary election, allowing it to amend the constitution at will and recreate the Senate, which had been abolished in the late 1980s. In April 2005, Harare embarked on Operation Restore Order, ostensibly an urban rationalization program, which resulted in the destruction of the homes or businesses of 700,000 mostly poor supporters of the opposition. President MUGABE in June 2007 instituted price controls on all basic commodities causing panic buying and leaving store shelves empty for months. General elections held in March 2008 contained irregularities but still amounted to a censure of the ZANU-PF-led government with significant gains in opposition seats in parliament. MDC opposition leader Morgan TSVANGIRAI won the presidential polls, and may have won an out right majority, but official results posted by the Zimbabwe Electoral Committee did not reflect this. In the lead up to a run-off election in late June 2008, considerable violence enacted against opposition party members led to the withdrawal of TSVANGIRAI from the ballot. Extensive evidence of vote tampering and ballot-box stuffing resulted in international condemnation of the process. Difficult negotiations over a power sharing agreement, allowing MUGABE to remain as president and creating the new position of prime minister for TSVANGIRAI, were finally settled in February 2009. ====================================================================== @2030 Field Listing :: Airports - with paved runways This entry gives the total number of airports with paved runways (concrete or asphalt surfaces) by length. For airports with more than one runway, only the longest runway is included according to the following five groups - (1) over 3,047 m (over 10,000 ft), (2) 2,438 to 3,047 m (8,000 to 10,000 ft), (3) 1,524 to 2,437 m (5,000 to 8,000 ft), (4) 914 to 1,523 m (3,000 to 5,000 ft), and (5) under 914 m (under 3,000 ft). Only airports with usable runways are included in this listing. Not all airports have facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control. The type aircraft capable of operating from a runway of a given length is dependent upon a number of factors including elevation of the runway, runway gradient, average maximum daily temperature at the airport, engine types, flap settings, and take-off weight of the aircraft. Country Airports - with paved runways Afghanistan total: 16 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Albania total: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Algeria total: 57 over 3,047 m: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 29 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 1 (2009) American Samoa total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Angola total: 30 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2009) Anguilla total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Antigua and Barbuda total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Argentina total: 156 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 26 1,524 to 2,437 m: 65 914 to 1,523 m: 51 under 914 m: 10 (2009) Armenia total: 10 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009) Aruba total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2009) Australia total: 325 over 3,047 m: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 13 1,524 to 2,437 m: 145 914 to 1,523 m: 142 under 914 m: 14 (2009) Austria total: 25 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 14 (2009) Azerbaijan total: 27 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Bahamas, The total: 23 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 6 (2009) Bahrain total: 3 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2009) Bangladesh total: 15 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 4 (2009) Barbados total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2009) Belarus total: 35 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 22 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 7 (2009) Belgium total: 27 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 9 (2009) Belize total: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Benin total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Bermuda total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2009) Bhutan total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Bolivia total: 16 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 5 (2009) Bosnia and Herzegovina total: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Botswana total: 9 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Brazil total: 721 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 27 1,524 to 2,437 m: 171 914 to 1,523 m: 460 under 914 m: 56 (2009) British Indian Ocean Territory total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2009) British Virgin Islands total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Brunei total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Bulgaria total: 132 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 18 1,524 to 2,437 m: 15 under 914 m: 97 (2009) Burkina Faso total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2009) Burma total: 37 over 3,047 m: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Burundi total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2009) Cambodia total: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Cameroon total: 11 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Canada total: 515 over 3,047 m: 19 2,438 to 3,047 m: 18 1,524 to 2,437 m: 148 914 to 1,523 m: 251 under 914 m: 79 (2009) Cape Verde total: 9 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Cayman Islands total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2009) Central African Republic total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Chad total: 8 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Chile total: 81 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 22 914 to 1,523 m: 24 under 914 m: 22 (2009) China total: 425 over 3,047 m: 63 2,438 to 3,047 m: 132 1,524 to 2,437 m: 133 914 to 1,523 m: 25 under 914 m: 72 (2009) Christmas Island total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Cocos (Keeling) Islands total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Colombia total: 116 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 40 914 to 1,523 m: 50 under 914 m: 15 (2009) Comoros total: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2009) Congo, Democratic Republic of the total: 26 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 17 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Congo, Republic of the total: 6 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2009) Cook Islands total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Costa Rica total: 38 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 22 under 914 m: 12 (2009) Cote d'Ivoire total: 7 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 (2009) Croatia total: 23 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 9 (2009) Cuba total: 65 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 17 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 27 (2009) Cyprus total: 13 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Czech Republic total: 44 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 18 (2009) Denmark total: 28 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 3 (2009) Djibouti total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Dominica total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009) Dominican Republic total: 16 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Ecuador total: 103 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 18 914 to 1,523 m: 25 under 914 m: 54 (2009) Egypt total: 72 over 3,047 m: 15 2,438 to 3,047 m: 35 1,524 to 2,437 m: 15 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 5 (2009) El Salvador total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009) Equatorial Guinea total: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Eritrea total: 4 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (2009) Estonia total: 13 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009) Ethiopia total: 17 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) European Union total: 1,995 over 3,047 m: 115 2,438 to 3,047 m: 341 1,524 to 2,437 m: 543 914 to 1,523 m: 421 under 914 m: 575 (2009) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Faroe Islands total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Fiji total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009) Finland total: 75 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 26 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 22 under 914 m: 14 (2009) France total: 297 over 3,047 m: 14 2,438 to 3,047 m: 27 1,524 to 2,437 m: 97 914 to 1,523 m: 82 under 914 m: 77 (2009) French Polynesia total: 47 over 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 34 under 914 m: 7 (2009) Gabon total: 13 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Gambia, The total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2009) Gaza Strip total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2009) Georgia total: 18 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Germany total: 330 over 3,047 m: 13 2,438 to 3,047 m: 52 1,524 to 2,437 m: 58 914 to 1,523 m: 72 under 914 m: 135 (2009) Ghana total: 7 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009) Gibraltar total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Greece total: 67 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 15 1,524 to 2,437 m: 20 914 to 1,523 m: 18 under 914 m: 9 (2009) Greenland total: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 6 (2009) Grenada total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Guam total: 4 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Guatemala total: 13 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 3 (2009) Guernsey total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Guinea total: 5 over 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2009) Guinea-Bissau total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Guyana total: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 7 (2009) Haiti total: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2009) Honduras total: 12 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 3 (2009) Hong Kong total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Hungary total: 20 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Iceland total: 6 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009) India total: 250 over 3,047 m: 20 2,438 to 3,047 m: 56 1,524 to 2,437 m: 76 914 to 1,523 m: 84 under 914 m: 14 (2009) Indonesia total: 164 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 18 1,524 to 2,437 m: 51 914 to 1,523 m: 56 under 914 m: 35 (2009) Iran total: 133 over 3,047 m: 40 2,438 to 3,047 m: 28 1,524 to 2,437 m: 25 914 to 1,523 m: 34 under 914 m: 6 (2009) Iraq total: 75 over 3,047 m: 19 2,438 to 3,047 m: 37 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 8 (2009) Ireland total: 17 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 6 (2009) Isle of Man total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Israel total: 30 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 6 (2009) Italy total: 101 over 3,047 m: 9 2,438 to 3,047 m: 30 1,524 to 2,437 m: 17 914 to 1,523 m: 32 under 914 m: 13 (2009) Jamaica total: 12 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 7 (2009) Japan total: 144 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 42 1,524 to 2,437 m: 40 914 to 1,523 m: 28 under 914 m: 27 (2009) Jersey total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Jordan total: 15 over 3,047 m: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Kazakhstan total: 67 over 3,047 m: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 26 1,524 to 2,437 m: 17 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 9 (2009) Kenya total: 16 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 6 (2009) Kiribati total: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 (2009) Korea, North total: 37 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 22 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 4 (2009) Korea, South total: 72 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 22 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 22 (2009) Kosovo total: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Kuwait total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Kyrgyzstan total: 18 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 under 914 m: 3 (2009) Laos total: 9 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2009) Latvia total: 20 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 8 (2009) Lebanon total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Lesotho total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Liberia total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Libya total: 59 over 3,047 m: 23 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 23 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Lithuania total: 32 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 19 (2009) Luxembourg total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2009) Macau total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2009) Macedonia total: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 under 914 m: 8 (2009) Madagascar total: 27 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Malawi total: 6 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2009) Malaysia total: 38 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 7 (2009) Maldives total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Mali total: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Malta total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2009) Marshall Islands total: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Mauritania total: 9 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 (2009) Mauritius total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Mayotte total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Mexico total: 246 over 3,047 m: 12 2,438 to 3,047 m: 29 1,524 to 2,437 m: 85 914 to 1,523 m: 82 under 914 m: 38 (2009) Micronesia, Federated States of total: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009) Moldova total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2009) Mongolia total: 14 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2009) Montenegro total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Montserrat total: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Morocco total: 32 over 3,047 m: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2009) Mozambique total: 23 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 5 (2009) Namibia total: 21 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2009) Nauru total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Nepal total: 11 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Netherlands total: 20 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Netherlands Antilles total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) New Caledonia total: 12 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 1 (2009) New Zealand total: 41 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 25 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Nicaragua total: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 3 (2009) Niger total: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Nigeria total: 38 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 12 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 3 (2009) Niue total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Norfolk Island total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Northern Mariana Islands total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Norway total: 67 2,438 to 3,047 m: 13 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 25 (2009) Oman total: 10 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Pakistan total: 98 over 3,047 m: 16 2,438 to 3,047 m: 19 1,524 to 2,437 m: 38 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 8 (2009) Palau total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Panama total: 54 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 30 (2009) Papua New Guinea total: 21 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Paracel Islands total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Paraguay total: 14 over 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 5 (2009) Peru total: 57 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 20 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 4 (2009) Philippines total: 85 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 28 914 to 1,523 m: 35 under 914 m: 10 (2009) Poland total: 84 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 30 1,524 to 2,437 m: 39 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 4 (2009) Portugal total: 43 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 11 (2009) Puerto Rico total: 17 over 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 5 (2009) Qatar total: 3 over 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Romania total: 25 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 (2009) Russia total: 595 over 3,047 m: 52 2,438 to 3,047 m: 198 1,524 to 2,437 m: 129 914 to 1,523 m: 99 under 914 m: 117 (2009) Rwanda total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Saint Barthelemy total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Saint Helena total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2009) Saint Kitts and Nevis total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Saint Lucia total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Saint Martin total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Saint Pierre and Miquelon total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines total: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Samoa total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Sao Tome and Principe total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Saudi Arabia total: 80 over 3,047 m: 31 2,438 to 3,047 m: 16 1,524 to 2,437 m: 27 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 4 (2009) Senegal total: 10 over 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Serbia total: 10 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009) Seychelles total: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Sierra Leone total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2009) Singapore total: 8 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Slovakia total: 20 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 10 (2009) Slovenia total: 6 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Solomon Islands total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Somalia total: 7 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) South Africa total: 148 over 3,047 m: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 52 914 to 1,523 m: 68 under 914 m: 12 (2009) Spain total: 95 over 3,047 m: 18 2,438 to 3,047 m: 12 1,524 to 2,437 m: 18 914 to 1,523 m: 24 under 914 m: 23 (2009) Spratly Islands total: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Sri Lanka total: 14 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 7 (2009) Sudan total: 19 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Suriname total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 4 (2009) Svalbard total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2009) Swaziland total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2009) Sweden total: 152 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 12 1,524 to 2,437 m: 76 914 to 1,523 m: 25 under 914 m: 36 (2009) Switzerland total: 43 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 17 (2009) Syria total: 29 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 16 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 5 (2009) Taiwan total: 38 over 3,047 m: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 4 (2009) Tajikistan total: 18 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 3 (2009) Tanzania total: 9 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Thailand total: 64 over 3,047 m: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 24 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 6 (2009) Timor-Leste total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Togo total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (2009) Tonga total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2009) Trinidad and Tobago total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Tunisia total: 16 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2009) Turkey total: 90 over 3,047 m: 16 2,438 to 3,047 m: 33 1,524 to 2,437 m: 20 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 4 (2009) Turkmenistan total: 22 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009) Turks and Caicos Islands total: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Uganda total: 5 over 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Ukraine total: 189 over 3,047 m: 12 2,438 to 3,047 m: 51 1,524 to 2,437 m: 24 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 96 (2009) United Arab Emirates total: 24 over 3,047 m: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 2 (2009) United Kingdom total: 307 over 3,047 m: 9 2,438 to 3,047 m: 32 1,524 to 2,437 m: 125 914 to 1,523 m: 77 under 914 m: 64 (2009) United States total: 5,174 over 3,047 m: 190 2,438 to 3,047 m: 229 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1,477 914 to 1,523 m: 2,309 under 914 m: 969 (2009) Uruguay total: 9 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Uzbekistan total: 33 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 13 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 4 (2009) Vanuatu total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Venezuela total: 131 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 35 914 to 1,523 m: 63 under 914 m: 19 (2009) Vietnam total: 37 over 3,047 m: 9 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 9 (2009) Virgin Islands total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Wake Island total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2009) Wallis and Futuna total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) West Bank total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Western Sahara total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 (2009) Yemen total: 18 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Zambia total: 9 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009) Zimbabwe total: 19 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 9 (2009) ====================================================================== @2031 Field Listing :: Airports - with unpaved runways This entry gives the total number of airports with unpaved runways (grass, dirt, sand, or gravel surfaces) by length. For airports with more than one runway, only the longest runway is included according to the following five groups - (1) over 3,047 m (over 10,000 ft), (2) 2,438 to 3,047 m (8,000 to 10,000 ft), (3) 1,524 to 2,437 m (5,000 to 8,000 ft), (4) 914 to 1,523 m (3,000 to 5,000 ft), and (5) under 914 m (under 3,000 ft). Only airports with usable runways are included in this listing. Not all airports have facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control. The type aircraft capable of operating from a runway of a given length is dependent upon a number of factors including elevation of the runway, runway gradient, average maximum daily temperature at the airport, engine types, flap settings, and take-off weight of the aircraft. Country Airports - with unpaved runways Afghanistan total: 35 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 9 (2009) Albania total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Algeria total: 86 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 19 914 to 1,523 m: 41 under 914 m: 23 (2009) Angola total: 162 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 32 914 to 1,523 m: 78 under 914 m: 46 (2009) Anguilla total: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Antarctica total: 25 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 6 (2009) Antigua and Barbuda total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Argentina total: 974 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 44 914 to 1,523 m: 522 under 914 m: 406 (2009) Armenia total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Australia total: 139 1,524 to 2,437 m: 17 914 to 1,523 m: 110 under 914 m: 12 (2009) Austria total: 30 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 26 (2009) Azerbaijan total: 7 under 914 m: 7 (2009) Bahamas, The total: 39 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 22 (2009) Bangladesh total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Belarus total: 30 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 25 (2009) Belgium total: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 15 (2009) Belize total: 40 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 27 (2009) Benin total: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009) Bhutan total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Bolivia total: 936 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 58 914 to 1,523 m: 186 under 914 m: 687 (2009) Bosnia and Herzegovina total: 18 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 10 (2009) Botswana total: 68 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 54 under 914 m: 10 (2009) Brazil total: 3,279 1,524 to 2,437 m: 87 914 to 1,523 m: 1,547 under 914 m: 1,645 (2009) British Virgin Islands total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009) Bulgaria total: 80 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 73 (2009) Burkina Faso total: 24 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 7 (2009) Burma total: 40 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 23 (2009) Burundi total: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 3 (2009) Cambodia total: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Cameroon total: 25 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 16 under 914 m: 6 (2009) Canada total: 873 1,524 to 2,437 m: 73 914 to 1,523 m: 373 under 914 m: 427 (2009) Cape Verde total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Cayman Islands total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Central African Republic total: 38 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 8 (2009) Chad total: 46 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 20 under 914 m: 11 (2009) Chile total: 276 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 50 under 914 m: 212 (2009) China total: 57 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 26 (2009) Colombia total: 876 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 35 914 to 1,523 m: 228 under 914 m: 612 (2009) Congo, Democratic Republic of the total: 168 1,524 to 2,437 m: 19 914 to 1,523 m: 90 under 914 m: 59 (2009) Congo, Republic of the total: 19 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Cook Islands total: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Costa Rica total: 113 914 to 1,523 m: 19 under 914 m: 94 (2009) Cote d'Ivoire total: 21 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 3 (2009) Croatia total: 45 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 37 (2009) Cuba total: 71 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 58 (2009) Cyprus total: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Czech Republic total: 78 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 27 under 914 m: 50 (2009) Denmark total: 64 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 61 (2009) Djibouti total: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 3 (2009) Dominican Republic total: 19 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 17 (2009) Ecuador total: 317 914 to 1,523 m: 38 under 914 m: 279 (2009) Egypt total: 13 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 4 (2009) El Salvador total: 61 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 47 (2009) Equatorial Guinea total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2009) Eritrea total: 10 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Estonia total: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 3 (2009) Ethiopia total: 46 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 23 under 914 m: 9 (2009) European Union total: 1,396 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 24 914 to 1,523 m: 257 under 914 m: 1,110 (2009) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) total: 4 under 914 m: 4 (2009) Fiji total: 24 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 19 (2009) Finland total: 73 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 70 (2009) France total: 178 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 70 under 914 m: 107 (2009) French Polynesia total: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 4 (2009) Gabon total: 31 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 14 (2009) Georgia total: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Germany total: 220 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 33 under 914 m: 184 (2009) Ghana total: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Greece total: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 12 (2009) Greenland total: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Guam total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Guatemala total: 358 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 84 under 914 m: 270 (2009) Guinea total: 12 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Guinea-Bissau total: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 3 (2009) Guyana total: 89 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 74 (2009) Haiti total: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 8 (2009) Honduras total: 94 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 77 (2009) Hungary total: 26 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 11 (2009) Iceland total: 93 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 27 under 914 m: 63 (2009) India total: 99 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 42 under 914 m: 47 (2009) Indonesia total: 519 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 25 under 914 m: 489 (2009) Iran total: 183 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 139 under 914 m: 33 (2009) Iraq total: 29 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 6 (2009) Ireland total: 22 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 20 (2009) Israel total: 17 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 14 (2009) Italy total: 31 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 19 (2009) Jamaica total: 15 under 914 m: 15 (2009) Jan Mayen total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Japan total: 32 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 28 (2009) Jordan total: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Kazakhstan total: 32 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 13 (2009) Kenya total: 165 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 105 under 914 m: 50 (2009) Kiribati total: 15 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 4 (2009) Korea, North total: 42 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 17 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 8 (2009) Korea, South total: 44 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 42 (2009) Kosovo total: 4 under 914 m: 4 (2009) Kuwait total: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Kyrgyzstan total: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 9 (2009) Laos total: 32 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 21 (2009) Latvia total: 23 under 914 m: 23 (2009) Lebanon total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009) Lesotho total: 23 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 18 (2009) Liberia total: 31 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 18 (2009) Libya total: 78 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 41 under 914 m: 17 (2009) Lithuania total: 55 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 51 (2009) Luxembourg total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Macedonia total: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 3 (2009) Madagascar total: 62 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 39 under 914 m: 21 (2009) Malawi total: 26 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 10 (2009) Malaysia total: 80 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 73 (2009) Maldives total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009) Mali total: 14 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 3 (2009) Marshall Islands total: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Mauritania total: 18 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Mauritius total: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Mexico total: 1,498 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 65 914 to 1,523 m: 426 under 914 m: 1,005 (2009) Moldova total: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 under 914 m: 3 (2009) Mongolia total: 31 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 24 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Montenegro total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Morocco total: 26 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 8 (2009) Mozambique total: 82 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 33 under 914 m: 39 (2009) Namibia total: 108 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 22 914 to 1,523 m: 73 under 914 m: 11 (2009) Nepal total: 36 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 30 (2009) Netherlands total: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 4 (2009) New Caledonia total: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 8 (2009) New Zealand total: 79 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 31 under 914 m: 45 (2009) Nicaragua total: 132 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 16 under 914 m: 115 (2009) Niger total: 18 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Nigeria total: 18 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 3 (2009) Northern Mariana Islands total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Norway total: 31 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 25 (2009) Oman total: 118 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 52 914 to 1,523 m: 33 under 914 m: 25 (2009) Pakistan total: 47 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 24 (2009) Palau total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2009) Panama total: 63 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 51 (2009) Papua New Guinea total: 539 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 63 under 914 m: 467 (2009) Paraguay total: 784 1,524 to 2,437 m: 25 914 to 1,523 m: 289 under 914 m: 470 (2009) Peru total: 144 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 24 914 to 1,523 m: 39 under 914 m: 79 (2009) Philippines total: 169 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 66 under 914 m: 99 (2009) Poland total: 41 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 20 (2009) Portugal total: 22 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 21 (2009) Puerto Rico total: 12 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 10 (2009) Qatar total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Romania total: 28 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 21 (2009) Russia total: 621 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 13 1,524 to 2,437 m: 68 914 to 1,523 m: 84 under 914 m: 453 (2009) Rwanda total: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 3 (2009) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Samoa total: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Saudi Arabia total: 137 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 72 914 to 1,523 m: 41 under 914 m: 16 (2009) Senegal total: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Serbia total: 18 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 8 (2009) Seychelles total: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 5 (2009) Sierra Leone total: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Slovakia total: 15 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 7 (2009) Slovenia total: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 5 (2009) Solomon Islands total: 34 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 25 (2009) Somalia total: 52 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 19 914 to 1,523 m: 23 under 914 m: 6 (2009) South Africa total: 459 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 34 914 to 1,523 m: 298 under 914 m: 125 (2009) Spain total: 58 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 39 (2009) Spratly Islands total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009) Sri Lanka total: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 3 (2009) Sudan total: 102 1,524 to 2,437 m: 18 914 to 1,523 m: 56 under 914 m: 28 (2009) Suriname total: 45 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 40 (2009) Svalbard total: 3 under 914 m: 3 (2009) Swaziland total: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 7 (2009) Sweden total: 97 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 92 (2009) Switzerland total: 23 under 914 m: 23 (2009) Syria total: 75 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 59 (2009) Taiwan total: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Tajikistan total: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 7 (2009) Tanzania total: 116 1,524 to 2,437 m: 19 914 to 1,523 m: 63 under 914 m: 34 (2009) Thailand total: 41 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 27 (2009) Timor-Leste total: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Togo total: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Tonga total: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Trinidad and Tobago total: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2009) Tunisia total: 16 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 7 (2009) Turkey total: 12 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 4 (2009) Turkmenistan total: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 under 914 m: 4 (2009) Turks and Caicos Islands total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Tuvalu total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009) Uganda total: 30 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 8 (2009) Ukraine total: 236 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 214 (2009) United Arab Emirates total: 17 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 5 (2009) United Kingdom total: 199 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 22 under 914 m: 173 (2009) United States total: 9,921 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 158 914 to 1,523 m: 1,757 under 914 m: 8,000 (2009) Uruguay total: 48 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 20 under 914 m: 25 (2009) Uzbekistan total: 21 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 under 914 m: 19 (2009) Vanuatu total: 28 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 23 (2009) Venezuela total: 275 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 103 under 914 m: 155 (2009) Vietnam total: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 3 (2009) Western Sahara total: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009) Yemen total: 37 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 9 (2009) Zambia total: 88 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 65 under 914 m: 18 (2009) Zimbabwe total: 196 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 119 under 914 m: 74 (2009) ====================================================================== @2032 Field Listing :: Environment - current issues This entry lists the most pressing and important environmental problems. The following terms and abbreviations are used throughout the entry: Acidification - the lowering of soil and water pH due to acid precipitation and deposition usually through precipitation; this process disrupts ecosystem nutrient flows and may kill freshwater fish and plants dependent on more neutral or alkaline conditions (see acid rain). Acid rain - characterized as containing harmful levels of sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxide; acid rain is damaging and potentially deadly to the earth's fragile ecosystems; acidity is measured using the pH scale where 7 is neutral, values greater than 7 are considered alkaline, and values below 5.6 are considered acid precipitation; note - a pH of 2.4 (the acidity of vinegar) has been measured in rainfall in New England. Aerosol - a collection of airborne particles dispersed in a gas, smoke, or fog. Afforestation - converting a bare or agricultural space by planting trees and plants; reforestation involves replanting trees on areas that have been cut or destroyed by fire. Asbestos - a naturally occurring soft fibrous mineral commonly used in fireproofing materials and considered to be highly carcinogenic in particulate form. Biodiversity - also biological diversity; the relative number of species, diverse in form and function, at the genetic, organism, community, and ecosystem level; loss of biodiversity reduces an ecosystem's ability to recover from natural or man-induced disruption. Bio-indicators - a plant or animal species whose presence, abundance, and health reveal the general condition of its habitat. Biomass - the total weight or volume of living matter in a given area or volume. Carbon cycle - the term used to describe the exchange of carbon (in various forms, e.g., as carbon dioxide) between the atmosphere, ocean, terrestrial biosphere, and geological deposits. Catchments - assemblages used to capture and retain rainwater and runoff; an important water management technique in areas with limited freshwater resources, such as Gibraltar. DDT (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloro-ethane) - a colorless, odorless insecticide that has toxic effects on most animals; the use of DDT was banned in the US in 1972. Defoliants - chemicals which cause plants to lose their leaves artificially; often used in agricultural practices for weed control, and may have detrimental impacts on human and ecosystem health. Deforestation - the destruction of vast areas of forest (e.g., unsustainable forestry practices, agricultural and range land clearing, and the over exploitation of wood products for use as fuel) without planting new growth. Desertification - the spread of desert-like conditions in arid or semi-arid areas, due to overgrazing, loss of agriculturally productive soils, or climate change. Dredging - the practice of deepening an existing waterway; also, a technique used for collecting bottom-dwelling marine organisms (e.g., shellfish) or harvesting coral, often causing significant destruction of reef and ocean-floor ecosystems. Drift-net fishing - done with a net, miles in extent, that is generally anchored to a boat and left to float with the tide; often results in an over harvesting and waste of large populations of non-commercial marine species (by-catch) by its effect of "sweeping the ocean clean." Ecosystems - ecological units comprised of complex communities of organisms and their specific environments. Effluents - waste materials, such as smoke, sewage, or industrial waste which are released into the environment, subsequently polluting it. Endangered species - a species that is threatened with extinction either by direct hunting or habitat destruction. Freshwater - water with very low soluble mineral content; sources include lakes, streams, rivers, glaciers, and underground aquifers. Greenhouse gas - a gas that "traps" infrared radiation in the lower atmosphere causing surface warming; water vapor, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, hydrofluorocarbons, and ozone are the primary greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere. Groundwater - water sources found below the surface of the earth often in naturally occurring reservoirs in permeable rock strata; the source for wells and natural springs. Highlands Water Project - a series of dams constructed jointly by Lesotho and South Africa to redirect Lesotho's abundant water supply into a rapidly growing area in South Africa; while it is the largest infrastructure project in southern Africa, it is also the most costly and controversial; objections to the project include claims that it forces people from their homes, submerges farmlands, and squanders economic resources. Inuit Circumpolar Conference (ICC) - represents the 145,000 Inuits of Russia, Alaska, Canada, and Greenland in international environmental issues; a General Assembly convenes every three years to determine the focus of the ICC; the most current concerns are long-range transport of pollutants, sustainable development, and climate change. Metallurgical plants - industries which specialize in the science, technology, and processing of metals; these plants produce highly concentrated and toxic wastes which can contribute to pollution of ground water and air when not properly disposed. Noxious substances - injurious, very harmful to living beings. Overgrazing - the grazing of animals on plant material faster than it can naturally regrow leading to the permanent loss of plant cover, a common effect of too many animals grazing limited range land. Ozone shield - a layer of the atmosphere composed of ozone gas (O3) that resides approximately 25 miles above the Earth's surface and absorbs solar ultraviolet radiation that can be harmful to living organisms. Poaching - the illegal killing of animals or fish, a great concern with respect to endangered or threatened species. Pollution - the contamination of a healthy environment by man-made waste. Potable water - water that is drinkable, safe to be consumed. Salination - the process through which fresh (drinkable) water becomes salt (undrinkable) water; hence, desalination is the reverse process; also involves the accumulation of salts in topsoil caused by evaporation of excessive irrigation water, a process that can eventually render soil incapable of supporting crops. Siltation - occurs when water channels and reservoirs become clotted with silt and mud, a side effect of deforestation and soil erosion. Slash-and-burn agriculture - a rotating cultivation technique in which trees are cut down and burned in order to clear land for temporary agriculture; the land is used until its productivity declines at which point a new plot is selected and the process repeats; this practice is sustainable while population levels are low and time is permitted for regrowth of natural vegetation; conversely, where these conditions do not exist, the practice can have disastrous consequences for the environment. Soil degradation - damage to the land's productive capacity because of poor agricultural practices such as the excessive use of pesticides or fertilizers, soil compaction from heavy equipment, or erosion of topsoil, eventually resulting in reduced ability to produce agricultural products. Soil erosion - the removal of soil by the action of water or wind, compounded by poor agricultural practices, deforestation, overgrazing, and desertification. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation - a portion of the electromagnetic energy emitted by the sun and naturally filtered in the upper atmosphere by the ozone layer; UV radiation can be harmful to living organisms and has been linked to increasing rates of skin cancer in humans. Waterborne diseases - those in which bacteria survive in, and are transmitted through, water; always a serious threat in areas with an untreated water supply. Country Environment - current issues Afghanistan limited natural fresh water resources; inadequate supplies of potable water; soil degradation; overgrazing; deforestation (much of the remaining forests are being cut down for fuel and building materials); desertification; air and water pollution Akrotiri hunting around the salt lake; note - breeding place for loggerhead and green turtles; only remaining colony of griffon vultures is on the base Albania deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution from industrial and domestic effluents Algeria 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 American Samoa 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 Andorra deforestation; overgrazing of mountain meadows contributes to soil erosion; air pollution; wastewater treatment and solid waste disposal Angola 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 Anguilla supplies of potable water sometimes cannot meet increasing demand largely because of poor distribution system Antarctica in 1998, NASA satellite data showed that the Antarctic ozone hole was the largest on record, covering 27 million square kilometers; researchers in 1997 found that increased ultraviolet light passing through the hole damages the DNA of icefish, an Antarctic fish lacking hemoglobin; ozone depletion earlier was shown to harm one-celled Antarctic marine plants; in 2002, significant areas of ice shelves disintegrated in response to regional warming Antigua and Barbuda 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 Arctic Ocean endangered marine species include walruses and whales; fragile ecosystem slow to change and slow to recover from disruptions or damage; thinning polar icepack Argentina environmental problems (urban and rural) typical of an industrializing economy such as deforestation, soil degradation, desertification, air pollution, and water pollution note: Argentina is a world leader in setting voluntary greenhouse gas targets Armenia soil pollution from toxic chemicals such as DDT; the energy crisis of the 1990s led to deforestation when citizens scavenged for firewood; pollution of Hrazdan (Razdan) and Aras Rivers; the draining of Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan), a result of its use as a source for hydropower, threatens drinking water supplies; restart of Metsamor nuclear power plant in spite of its location in a seismically active zone Aruba NA Ashmore and Cartier Islands illegal killing of protected wildlife by traditional Indonesian fisherman, as well as fishing by non-traditional Indonesian vessels, are ongoing problems Atlantic Ocean 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 Australia 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 Austria 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 Azerbaijan local scientists consider the Abseron Yasaqligi (Apsheron Peninsula) (including Baku and Sumqayit) and the Caspian Sea to be the ecologically most devastated area in the world because of severe air, soil, and water pollution; soil pollution results from oil spills, from the use of DDT pesticide, and from toxic defoliants used in the production of cotton Bahamas, The coral reef decay; solid waste disposal Bahrain desertification resulting from the degradation of limited arable land, periods of drought, and dust storms; coastal degradation (damage to coastlines, coral reefs, and sea vegetation) resulting from oil spills and other discharges from large tankers, oil refineries, and distribution stations; lack of freshwater resources (groundwater and seawater are the only sources for all water needs) Bangladesh many people are landless and forced to live on and cultivate flood-prone land; waterborne diseases prevalent in surface water; water pollution, especially of fishing areas, results from the use of commercial pesticides; ground water contaminated by naturally occurring arsenic; intermittent water shortages because of falling water tables in the northern and central parts of the country; soil degradation and erosion; deforestation; severe overpopulation Barbados pollution of coastal waters from waste disposal by ships; soil erosion; illegal solid waste disposal threatens contamination of aquifers Belarus soil pollution from pesticide use; southern part of the country contaminated with fallout from 1986 nuclear reactor accident at Chornobyl' in northern Ukraine Belgium the environment is exposed to intense pressures from human activities: urbanization, dense transportation network, industry, extensive animal breeding and crop cultivation; air and water pollution also have repercussions for neighboring countries; uncertainties regarding federal and regional responsibilities (now resolved) had slowed progress in tackling environmental challenges Belize deforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff; solid and sewage waste disposal Benin inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching threatens wildlife populations; deforestation; desertification Bermuda sustainable development Bhutan soil erosion; limited access to potable water Bolivia the clearing of land for agricultural purposes and the international demand for tropical timber are contributing to deforestation; soil erosion from overgrazing and poor cultivation methods (including slash-and-burn agriculture); desertification; loss of biodiversity; industrial pollution of water supplies used for drinking and irrigation Bosnia and Herzegovina air pollution from metallurgical plants; sites for disposing of urban waste are limited; water shortages and destruction of infrastructure because of the 1992-95 civil strife; deforestation Botswana overgrazing; desertification; limited fresh water resources Bouvet Island NA Brazil deforestation in Amazon Basin destroys the habitat and endangers a multitude of plant and animal species indigenous to the area; there is a lucrative illegal wildlife trade; air and water pollution in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and several other large cities; land degradation and water pollution caused by improper mining activities; wetland degradation; severe oil spills British Indian Ocean Territory NA British Virgin Islands limited natural fresh water resources (except for a few seasonal streams and springs on Tortola, most of the islands' water supply comes from wells and rainwater catchments) Brunei seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia Bulgaria air pollution from industrial emissions; rivers polluted from raw sewage, heavy metals, detergents; deforestation; forest damage from air pollution and resulting acid rain; soil contamination from heavy metals from metallurgical plants and industrial wastes Burkina Faso recent droughts and desertification severely affecting agricultural activities, population distribution, and the economy; overgrazing; soil degradation; deforestation Burma deforestation; industrial pollution of air, soil, and water; inadequate sanitation and water treatment contribute to disease Burundi soil erosion as a result of overgrazing and the expansion of agriculture into marginal lands; deforestation (little forested land remains because of uncontrolled cutting of trees for fuel); habitat loss threatens wildlife populations Cambodia illegal logging activities throughout the country and strip mining for gems in the western region along the border with Thailand have resulted in habitat loss and declining biodiversity (in particular, destruction of mangrove swamps threatens natural fisheries); soil erosion; in rural areas, most of the population does not have access to potable water; declining fish stocks because of illegal fishing and overfishing Cameroon waterborne diseases are prevalent; deforestation; overgrazing; desertification; poaching; overfishing Canada air pollution and resulting acid rain severely affecting lakes and damaging forests; metal smelting, coal-burning utilities, and vehicle emissions impacting on agricultural and forest productivity; ocean waters becoming contaminated due to agricultural, industrial, mining, and forestry activities Cape Verde soil erosion; deforestation due to demand for wood used as fuel; water shortages; desertification; environmental damage has threatened several species of birds and reptiles; illegal beach sand extraction; overfishing Cayman Islands no natural fresh water resources; drinking water supplies must be met by rainwater catchments Central African Republic tap water is not potable; poaching has diminished the country's reputation as one of the last great wildlife refuges; desertification; deforestation Chad inadequate supplies of potable water; improper waste disposal in rural areas contributes to soil and water pollution; desertification Chile widespread deforestation and mining threaten natural resources; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from raw sewage China air pollution (greenhouse gases, sulfur dioxide particulates) from reliance on coal produces acid rain; water shortages, particularly in the north; water pollution from untreated wastes; deforestation; estimated loss of one-fifth of agricultural land since 1949 to soil erosion and economic development; desertification; trade in endangered species Christmas Island loss of rainforest; impact of phosphate mining Clipperton Island NA Cocos (Keeling) Islands fresh water resources are limited to rainwater accumulations in natural underground reservoirs Colombia deforestation; soil and water quality damage from overuse of pesticides; air pollution, especially in Bogota, from vehicle emissions Comoros soil degradation and erosion results from crop cultivation on slopes without proper terracing; deforestation Congo, Democratic Republic of the poaching threatens wildlife populations; water pollution; deforestation; refugees responsible for significant deforestation, soil erosion, and wildlife poaching; mining of minerals (coltan - a mineral used in creating capacitors, diamonds, and gold) causing environmental damage Congo, Republic of the air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from the dumping of raw sewage; tap water is not potable; deforestation Cook Islands NA Coral Sea Islands no permanent fresh water resources Costa Rica deforestation and land use change, largely a result of the clearing of land for cattle ranching and agriculture; soil erosion; coastal marine pollution; fisheries protection; solid waste management; air pollution Cote d'Ivoire deforestation (most of the country's forests - once the largest in West Africa - have been heavily logged); water pollution from sewage and industrial and agricultural effluents Croatia air pollution (from metallurgical plants) and resulting acid rain is damaging the forests; coastal pollution from industrial and domestic waste; landmine removal and reconstruction of infrastructure consequent to 1992-95 civil strife Cuba air and water pollution; biodiversity loss; deforestation Cyprus water resource problems (no natural reservoir catchments, seasonal disparity in rainfall, sea water intrusion to island's largest aquifer, increased salination in the north); water pollution from sewage and industrial wastes; coastal degradation; loss of wildlife habitats from urbanization Czech Republic air and water pollution in areas of northwest Bohemia and in northern Moravia around Ostrava present health risks; acid rain damaging forests; efforts to bring industry up to EU code should improve domestic pollution Denmark air pollution, principally from vehicle and power plant emissions; nitrogen and phosphorus pollution of the North Sea; drinking and surface water becoming polluted from animal wastes and pesticides Dhekelia netting and trapping of small migrant songbirds in the spring and autumn Djibouti inadequate supplies of potable water; limited arable land; desertification; endangered species Dominica NA Dominican Republic water shortages; soil eroding into the sea damages coral reefs; deforestation Ecuador deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; water pollution; pollution from oil production wastes in ecologically sensitive areas of the Amazon Basin and Galapagos Islands Egypt agricultural land being lost to urbanization and windblown sands; increasing soil salination below Aswan High Dam; desertification; oil pollution threatening coral reefs, beaches, and marine habitats; other water pollution from agricultural pesticides, raw sewage, and industrial effluents; limited natural fresh water resources away from the Nile, which is the only perennial water source; rapid growth in population overstraining the Nile and natural resources El Salvador deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution; contamination of soils from disposal of toxic wastes Equatorial Guinea tap water is not potable; deforestation Eritrea deforestation; desertification; soil erosion; overgrazing; loss of infrastructure from civil warfare Estonia air polluted with sulfur dioxide from oil-shale burning power plants in northeast; however, the amount of pollutants emitted to the air have fallen steadily, the emissions of 2000 were 80% less than in 1980; the amount of unpurified wastewater discharged to water bodies in 2000 was one-20th the level of 1980; in connection with the start-up of new water purification plants, the pollution load of wastewater decreased; Estonia has more than 1,400 natural and manmade lakes, the smaller of which in agricultural areas need to be monitored; coastal seawater is polluted in certain locations Ethiopia deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; water shortages in some areas from water-intensive farming and poor management European Union NA Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) overfishing by unlicensed vessels is a problem; reindeer were introduced to the islands in 2001 for commercial reasons; this is the only commercial reindeer herd in the world unaffected by the 1986 Chornobyl disaster Faroe Islands NA Fiji deforestation; soil erosion Finland air pollution from manufacturing and power plants contributing to acid rain; water pollution from industrial wastes, agricultural chemicals; habitat loss threatens wildlife populations France some forest damage from acid rain; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from urban wastes, agricultural runoff French Polynesia NA French Southern and Antarctic Lands introduction of foreign species on Iles Crozet has caused severe damage to the original ecosystem; overfishing of Patagonian toothfish around Iles Crozet and Iles Kerguelen Gabon deforestation; poaching Gambia, The deforestation; desertification; water-borne diseases prevalent Gaza Strip desertification; salination of fresh water; sewage treatment; water-borne disease; soil degradation; depletion and contamination of underground water resources Georgia air pollution, particularly in Rust'avi; heavy pollution of Mtkvari River and the Black Sea; inadequate supplies of potable water; soil pollution from toxic chemicals Germany emissions from coal-burning utilities and industries contribute to air pollution; acid rain, resulting from sulfur dioxide emissions, is damaging forests; pollution in the Baltic Sea from raw sewage and industrial effluents from rivers in eastern Germany; hazardous waste disposal; government established a mechanism for ending the use of nuclear power over the next 15 years; government working to meet EU commitment to identify nature preservation areas in line with the EU's Flora, Fauna, and Habitat directive Ghana recurrent drought in north severely affects agricultural activities; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; poaching and habitat destruction threatens wildlife populations; water pollution; inadequate supplies of potable water Gibraltar limited natural freshwater resources: large concrete or natural rock water catchments collect rainwater (no longer used for drinking water) and adequate desalination plant Greece air pollution; water pollution Greenland protection of the arctic environment; preservation of the Inuit traditional way of life, including whaling and seal hunting Grenada NA Guam extirpation of native bird population by the rapid proliferation of the brown tree snake, an exotic, invasive species Guatemala deforestation in the Peten rainforest; soil erosion; water pollution Guernsey NA Guinea deforestation; inadequate supplies of potable water; desertification; soil contamination and erosion; overfishing, overpopulation in forest region; poor mining practices have led to environmental damage Guinea-Bissau deforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing; overfishing Guyana water pollution from sewage and agricultural and industrial chemicals; deforestation Haiti extensive deforestation (much of the remaining forested land is being cleared for agriculture and used as fuel); soil erosion; inadequate supplies of potable water Heard Island and McDonald Islands NA Holy See (Vatican City) NA Honduras urban population expanding; deforestation results from logging and the clearing of land for agricultural purposes; further land degradation and soil erosion hastened by uncontrolled development and improper land use practices such as farming of marginal lands; mining activities polluting Lago de Yojoa (the country's largest source of fresh water), as well as several rivers and streams, with heavy metals Hong Kong air and water pollution from rapid urbanization Hungary the upgrading of Hungary's standards in waste management, energy efficiency, and air, soil, and water pollution to meet EU requirements will require large investments Iceland water pollution from fertilizer runoff; inadequate wastewater treatment India deforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing; desertification; air pollution from industrial effluents and vehicle emissions; water pollution from raw sewage and runoff of agricultural pesticides; tap water is not potable throughout the country; huge and growing population is overstraining natural resources Indian Ocean endangered marine species include the dugong, seals, turtles, and whales; oil pollution in the Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf, and Red Sea Indonesia deforestation; water pollution from industrial wastes, sewage; air pollution in urban areas; smoke and haze from forest fires Iran air pollution, especially in urban areas, from vehicle emissions, refinery operations, and industrial effluents; deforestation; overgrazing; desertification; oil pollution in the Persian Gulf; wetland losses from drought; soil degradation (salination); inadequate supplies of potable water; water pollution from raw sewage and industrial waste; urbanization Iraq government water control projects have drained most of the inhabited marsh areas east of An Nasiriyah by drying up or diverting the feeder streams and rivers; a once sizable population of Marsh Arabs, who inhabited these areas for thousands of years, has been displaced; furthermore, the destruction of the natural habitat poses serious threats to the area's wildlife populations; inadequate supplies of potable water; development of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers system contingent upon agreements with upstream riparian Turkey; air and water pollution; soil degradation (salination) and erosion; desertification Ireland water pollution, especially of lakes, from agricultural runoff Isle of Man waste disposal (both household and industrial); transboundary air pollution Israel limited arable land and natural fresh water resources pose serious constraints; desertification; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; groundwater pollution from industrial and domestic waste, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides Italy air pollution from industrial emissions such as sulfur dioxide; coastal and inland rivers polluted from industrial and agricultural effluents; acid rain damaging lakes; inadequate industrial waste treatment and disposal facilities Jamaica heavy rates of deforestation; coastal waters polluted by industrial waste, sewage, and oil spills; damage to coral reefs; air pollution in Kingston results from vehicle emissions Jan Mayen NA Japan air pollution from power plant emissions results in acid rain; acidification of lakes and reservoirs degrading water quality and threatening aquatic life; Japan is one of the largest consumers of fish and tropical timber, contributing to the depletion of these resources in Asia and elsewhere Jersey NA Jordan limited natural fresh water resources; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification Kazakhstan radioactive or toxic chemical sites associated with former defense industries and test ranges scattered throughout the country pose health risks for humans and animals; industrial pollution is severe in some cities; because the two main rivers that flowed into the Aral Sea have been diverted for irrigation, it is drying up and leaving behind a harmful layer of chemical pesticides and natural salts; these substances are then picked up by the wind and blown into noxious dust storms; pollution in the Caspian Sea; soil pollution from overuse of agricultural chemicals and salination from poor infrastructure and wasteful irrigation practices Kenya water pollution from urban and industrial wastes; degradation of water quality from increased use of pesticides and fertilizers; water hyacinth infestation in Lake Victoria; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; poaching Kiribati heavy pollution in lagoon of south Tarawa atoll due to heavy migration mixed with traditional practices such as lagoon latrines and open-pit dumping; ground water at risk Korea, North water pollution; inadequate supplies of potable water; waterborne disease; deforestation; soil erosion and degradation Korea, South air pollution in large cities; acid rain; water pollution from the discharge of sewage and industrial effluents; drift net fishing Kuwait limited natural fresh water resources; some of world's largest and most sophisticated desalination facilities provide much of the water; air and water pollution; desertification Kyrgyzstan water pollution; many people get their water directly from contaminated streams and wells; as a result, water-borne diseases are prevalent; increasing soil salinity from faulty irrigation practices Laos unexploded ordnance; deforestation; soil erosion; most of the population does not have access to potable water Latvia Latvia's environment has benefited from a shift to service industries after the country regained independence; the main environmental priorities are improvement of drinking water quality and sewage system, household, and hazardous waste management, as well as reduction of air pollution; in 2001, Latvia closed the EU accession negotiation chapter on environment committing to full enforcement of EU environmental directives by 2010 Lebanon deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; air pollution in Beirut from vehicular traffic and the burning of industrial wastes; pollution of coastal waters from raw sewage and oil spills Lesotho population pressure forcing settlement in marginal areas results in overgrazing, severe soil erosion, and soil exhaustion; desertification; Highlands Water Project controls, stores, and redirects water to South Africa Liberia tropical rain forest deforestation; soil erosion; loss of biodiversity; pollution of coastal waters from oil residue and raw sewage Libya desertification; limited natural fresh water resources; the Great Manmade River Project, the largest water development scheme in the world, is being built to bring water from large aquifers under the Sahara to coastal cities Liechtenstein NA Lithuania contamination of soil and groundwater with petroleum products and chemicals at military bases Luxembourg air and water pollution in urban areas, soil pollution of farmland Macau NA Macedonia air pollution from metallurgical plants Madagascar soil erosion results from deforestation and overgrazing; desertification; surface water contaminated with raw sewage and other organic wastes; several endangered species of flora and fauna unique to the island Malawi deforestation; land degradation; water pollution from agricultural runoff, sewage, industrial wastes; siltation of spawning grounds endangers fish populations Malaysia air pollution from industrial and vehicular emissions; water pollution from raw sewage; deforestation; smoke/haze from Indonesian forest fires Maldives depletion of freshwater aquifers threatens water supplies; global warming and sea level rise; coral reef bleaching Mali deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching Malta limited natural fresh water resources; increasing reliance on desalination Marshall Islands inadequate supplies of potable water; pollution of Majuro lagoon from household waste and discharges from fishing vessels Mauritania overgrazing, deforestation, and soil erosion aggravated by drought are contributing to desertification; limited natural fresh water resources away from the Senegal, which is the only perennial river; locust infestation Mauritius water pollution, degradation of coral reefs Mayotte NA Mexico scarcity of hazardous waste disposal facilities; rural to urban migration; natural fresh water resources scarce and polluted in north, inaccessible and poor quality in center and extreme southeast; raw sewage and industrial effluents polluting rivers in urban areas; deforestation; widespread erosion; desertification; deteriorating agricultural lands; serious air and water pollution in the national capital and urban centers along US-Mexico border; land subsidence in Valley of Mexico caused by groundwater depletion note: the government considers the lack of clean water and deforestation national security issues Micronesia, Federated States of overfishing, climate change, pollution Moldova heavy use of agricultural chemicals, including banned pesticides such as DDT, has contaminated soil and groundwater; extensive soil erosion from poor farming methods Monaco NA Mongolia limited natural fresh water resources in some areas; the policies of former Communist regimes promoted rapid urbanization and industrial growth that had negative effects on the environment; the burning of soft coal in power plants and the lack of enforcement of environmental laws severely polluted the air in Ulaanbaatar; deforestation, overgrazing, and the converting of virgin land to agricultural production increased soil erosion from wind and rain; desertification and mining activities had a deleterious effect on the environment Montenegro pollution of coastal waters from sewage outlets, especially in tourist-related areas such as Kotor Montserrat land erosion occurs on slopes that have been cleared for cultivation Morocco land degradation/desertification (soil erosion resulting from farming of marginal areas, overgrazing, destruction of vegetation); water supplies contaminated by raw sewage; siltation of reservoirs; oil pollution of coastal waters Mozambique a long civil war and recurrent drought in the hinterlands have resulted in increased migration of the population to urban and coastal areas with adverse environmental consequences; desertification; pollution of surface and coastal waters; elephant poaching for ivory is a problem Namibia limited natural fresh water resources; desertification; wildlife poaching; land degradation has led to few conservation areas Nauru limited natural fresh water resources, roof storage tanks collect rainwater but mostly dependent on a single, aging desalination plant; intensive phosphate mining during the past 90 years - mainly by a UK, Australia, and NZ consortium - has left the central 90% of Nauru a wasteland and threatens limited remaining land resources Navassa Island NA Nepal deforestation (overuse of wood for fuel and lack of alternatives); contaminated water (with human and animal wastes, agricultural runoff, and industrial effluents); wildlife conservation; vehicular emissions Netherlands water pollution in the form of heavy metals, organic compounds, and nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates; air pollution from vehicles and refining activities; acid rain Netherlands Antilles NA New Caledonia erosion caused by mining exploitation and forest fires New Zealand deforestation; soil erosion; native flora and fauna hard-hit by invasive species Nicaragua deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution Niger overgrazing; soil erosion; deforestation; desertification; wildlife populations (such as elephant, hippopotamus, giraffe, and lion) threatened because of poaching and habitat destruction Nigeria soil degradation; rapid deforestation; urban air and water pollution; desertification; oil pollution - water, air, and soil; has suffered serious damage from oil spills; loss of arable land; rapid urbanization Niue increasing attention to conservationist practices to counter loss of soil fertility from traditional slash and burn agriculture Norfolk Island NA Northern Mariana Islands contamination of groundwater on Saipan may contribute to disease; clean-up of landfill; protection of endangered species conflicts with development Norway water pollution; acid rain damaging forests and adversely affecting lakes, threatening fish stocks; air pollution from vehicle emissions Oman rising soil salinity; beach pollution from oil spills; limited natural fresh water resources Pacific Ocean endangered marine species include the dugong, sea lion, sea otter, seals, turtles, and whales; oil pollution in Philippine Sea and South China Sea Pakistan water pollution from raw sewage, industrial wastes, and agricultural runoff; limited natural fresh water resources; most of the population does not have access to potable water; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification Palau inadequate facilities for disposal of solid waste; threats to the marine ecosystem from sand and coral dredging, illegal fishing practices, and overfishing Panama water pollution from agricultural runoff threatens fishery resources; deforestation of tropical rain forest; land degradation and soil erosion threatens siltation of Panama Canal; air pollution in urban areas; mining threatens natural resources Papua New Guinea rain forest subject to deforestation as a result of growing commercial demand for tropical timber; pollution from mining projects; severe drought Paracel Islands NA Paraguay deforestation; water pollution; inadequate means for waste disposal pose health risks for many urban residents; loss of wetlands Peru deforestation (some the result of illegal logging); overgrazing of the slopes of the costa and sierra leading to soil erosion; desertification; air pollution in Lima; pollution of rivers and coastal waters from municipal and mining wastes Philippines uncontrolled deforestation especially in watershed areas; soil erosion; air and water pollution in major urban centers; coral reef degradation; increasing pollution of coastal mangrove swamps that are important fish breeding grounds Pitcairn Islands deforestation (only a small portion of the original forest remains because of burning and clearing for settlement) Poland situation has improved since 1989 due to decline in heavy industry and increased environmental concern by post-Communist governments; air pollution nonetheless remains serious because of sulfur dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants, and the resulting acid rain has caused forest damage; water pollution from industrial and municipal sources is also a problem, as is disposal of hazardous wastes; pollution levels should continue to decrease as industrial establishments bring their facilities up to EU code, but at substantial cost to business and the government Portugal soil erosion; air pollution caused by industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution, especially in coastal areas Puerto Rico erosion; occasional drought causing water shortages Qatar limited natural fresh water resources are increasing dependence on large-scale desalination facilities Romania soil erosion and degradation; water pollution; air pollution in south from industrial effluents; contamination of Danube delta wetlands Russia air pollution from heavy industry, emissions of coal-fired electric plants, and transportation in major cities; industrial, municipal, and agricultural pollution of inland waterways and seacoasts; deforestation; soil erosion; soil contamination from improper application of agricultural chemicals; scattered areas of sometimes intense radioactive contamination; groundwater contamination from toxic waste; urban solid waste management; abandoned stocks of obsolete pesticides Rwanda deforestation results from uncontrolled cutting of trees for fuel; overgrazing; soil exhaustion; soil erosion; widespread poaching Saint Barthelemy with no natural rivers or streams, fresh water is in short supply, especially in summer, and provided by desalinization of sea water, collection of rain water, or imported via water tanker Saint Helena NA Saint Kitts and Nevis NA Saint Lucia deforestation; soil erosion, particularly in the northern region Saint Martin fresh water supply is dependent on desalinization of sea water Saint Pierre and Miquelon recent test drilling for oil in waters around Saint Pierre and Miquelon may bring future development that would impact the environment Saint Vincent and the Grenadines pollution of coastal waters and shorelines from discharges by pleasure yachts and other effluents; in some areas, pollution is severe enough to make swimming prohibitive Samoa soil erosion, deforestation, invasive species, overfishing San Marino NA Sao Tome and Principe deforestation; soil erosion and exhaustion Saudi Arabia desertification; depletion of underground water resources; the lack of perennial rivers or permanent water bodies has prompted the development of extensive seawater desalination facilities; coastal pollution from oil spills Senegal wildlife populations threatened by poaching; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; overfishing Serbia air pollution around Belgrade and other industrial cities; water pollution from industrial wastes dumped into the Sava which flows into the Danube Seychelles water supply depends on catchments to collect rainwater Sierra Leone rapid population growth pressuring the environment; overharvesting of timber, expansion of cattle grazing, and slash-and-burn agriculture have resulted in deforestation and soil exhaustion; civil war depleted natural resources; overfishing Singapore industrial pollution; limited natural fresh water resources; limited land availability presents waste disposal problems; seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia Slovakia air pollution from metallurgical plants presents human health risks; acid rain damaging forests Slovenia Sava River polluted with domestic and industrial waste; pollution of coastal waters with heavy metals and toxic chemicals; forest damage near Koper from air pollution (originating at metallurgical and chemical plants) and resulting acid rain Solomon Islands deforestation; soil erosion; many of the surrounding coral reefs are dead or dying Somalia famine; use of contaminated water contributes to human health problems; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification South Africa lack of important arterial rivers or lakes requires extensive water conservation and control measures; growth in water usage outpacing supply; pollution of rivers from agricultural runoff and urban discharge; air pollution resulting in acid rain; soil erosion; desertification South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands NA Southern Ocean increased solar ultraviolet radiation resulting from the Antarctic ozone hole in recent years, reducing marine primary productivity (phytoplankton) by as much as 15% and damaging the DNA of some fish; illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in recent years, especially the landing of an estimated five to six times more Patagonian toothfish than the regulated fishery, which is likely to affect the sustainability of the stock; large amount of incidental mortality of seabirds resulting from long-line fishing for toothfish note: the now-protected fur seal population is making a strong comeback after severe overexploitation in the 18th and 19th centuries Spain pollution of the Mediterranean Sea from raw sewage and effluents from the offshore production of oil and gas; water quality and quantity nationwide; air pollution; deforestation; desertification Spratly Islands NA Sri Lanka deforestation; soil erosion; wildlife populations threatened by poaching and urbanization; coastal degradation from mining activities and increased pollution; freshwater resources being polluted by industrial wastes and sewage runoff; waste disposal; air pollution in Colombo Sudan inadequate supplies of potable water; wildlife populations threatened by excessive hunting; soil erosion; desertification; periodic drought Suriname deforestation as timber is cut for export; pollution of inland waterways by small-scale mining activities Svalbard NA Swaziland limited supplies of potable water; wildlife populations being depleted because of excessive hunting; overgrazing; soil degradation; soil erosion Sweden acid rain damage to soils and lakes; pollution of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea Switzerland air pollution from vehicle emissions and open-air burning; acid rain; water pollution from increased use of agricultural fertilizers; loss of biodiversity Syria deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; water pollution from raw sewage and petroleum refining wastes; inadequate potable water Taiwan air pollution; water pollution from industrial emissions, raw sewage; contamination of drinking water supplies; trade in endangered species; low-level radioactive waste disposal Tajikistan inadequate sanitation facilities; increasing levels of soil salinity; industrial pollution; excessive pesticides Tanzania soil degradation; deforestation; desertification; destruction of coral reefs threatens marine habitats; recent droughts affected marginal agriculture; wildlife threatened by illegal hunting and trade, especially for ivory Thailand air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from organic and factory wastes; deforestation; soil erosion; wildlife populations threatened by illegal hunting Timor-Leste widespread use of slash and burn agriculture has led to deforestation and soil erosion Togo deforestation attributable to slash-and-burn agriculture and the use of wood for fuel; water pollution presents health hazards and hinders the fishing industry; air pollution increasing in urban areas Tokelau limited natural resources and overcrowding are contributing to emigration to New Zealand Tonga deforestation results as more and more land is being cleared for agriculture and settlement; some damage to coral reefs from starfish and indiscriminate coral and shell collectors; overhunting threatens native sea turtle populations Trinidad and Tobago water pollution from agricultural chemicals, industrial wastes, and raw sewage; oil pollution of beaches; deforestation; soil erosion Tunisia toxic and hazardous waste disposal is ineffective and poses health risks; water pollution from raw sewage; limited natural fresh water resources; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification Turkey water pollution from dumping of chemicals and detergents; air pollution, particularly in urban areas; deforestation; concern for oil spills from increasing Bosporus ship traffic Turkmenistan contamination of soil and groundwater with agricultural chemicals, pesticides; salination, water logging of soil due to poor irrigation methods; Caspian Sea pollution; diversion of a large share of the flow of the Amu Darya into irrigation contributes to that river's inability to replenish the Aral Sea; desertification Turks and Caicos Islands limited natural fresh water resources, private cisterns collect rainwater Tuvalu since there are no streams or rivers and groundwater is not potable, most water needs must be met by catchment systems with storage facilities (the Japanese Government has built one desalination plant and plans to build one other); beachhead erosion because of the use of sand for building materials; excessive clearance of forest undergrowth for use as fuel; damage to coral reefs from the spread of the Crown of Thorns starfish; Tuvalu is concerned about global increases in greenhouse gas emissions and their effect on rising sea levels, which threaten the country's underground water table; in 2000, the government appealed to Australia and New Zealand to take in Tuvaluans if rising sea levels should make evacuation necessary Uganda draining of wetlands for agricultural use; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; water hyacinth infestation in Lake Victoria; widespread poaching Ukraine inadequate supplies of potable water; air and water pollution; deforestation; radiation contamination in the northeast from 1986 accident at Chornobyl' Nuclear Power Plant United Arab Emirates lack of natural freshwater resources compensated by desalination plants; desertification; beach pollution from oil spills United Kingdom continues to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (has met Kyoto Protocol target of a 12.5% reduction from 1990 levels and intends to meet the legally binding target and move toward a domestic goal of a 20% cut in emissions by 2010); by 2005 the government reduced the amount of industrial and commercial waste disposed of in landfill sites to 85% of 1998 levels and recycled or composted at least 25% of household waste, increasing to 33% by 2015 United States air pollution resulting in acid rain in both the US and Canada; the US is the largest single emitter of carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels; water pollution from runoff of pesticides and fertilizers; limited natural fresh water resources in much of the western part of the country require careful management; desertification United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands, and Johnston Atoll: no natural fresh water resources Kingman Reef: none Midway Islands and Palmyra Atoll: NA Uruguay water pollution from meat packing/tannery industry; inadequate solid/hazardous waste disposal Uzbekistan shrinkage of the Aral Sea is resulting in growing concentrations of chemical pesticides and natural salts; these substances are then blown from the increasingly exposed lake bed and contribute to desertification; water pollution from industrial wastes and the heavy use of fertilizers and pesticides is the cause of many human health disorders; increasing soil salination; soil contamination from buried nuclear processing and agricultural chemicals, including DDT Vanuatu most of the population does not have access to a reliable supply of potable water; deforestation Venezuela sewage pollution of Lago de Valencia; oil and urban pollution of Lago de Maracaibo; deforestation; soil degradation; urban and industrial pollution, especially along the Caribbean coast; threat to the rainforest ecosystem from irresponsible mining operations Vietnam logging and slash-and-burn agricultural practices contribute to deforestation and soil degradation; water pollution and overfishing threaten marine life populations; groundwater contamination limits potable water supply; growing urban industrialization and population migration are rapidly degrading environment in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City Virgin Islands lack of natural freshwater resources Wake Island NA Wallis and Futuna deforestation (only small portions of the original forests remain) largely as a result of the continued use of wood as the main fuel source; as a consequence of cutting down the forests, the mountainous terrain of Futuna is particularly prone to erosion; there are no permanent settlements on Alofi because of the lack of natural fresh water resources West Bank adequacy of fresh water supply; sewage treatment Western Sahara sparse water and lack of arable land World large areas subject to overpopulation, industrial disasters, pollution (air, water, acid rain, toxic substances), loss of vegetation (overgrazing, deforestation, desertification), loss of wildlife, soil degradation, soil depletion, erosion; global warming becoming a greater concern Yemen limited natural fresh water resources; inadequate supplies of potable water; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification Zambia air pollution and resulting acid rain in the mineral extraction and refining region; chemical runoff into watersheds; poaching seriously threatens rhinoceros, elephant, antelope, and large cat populations; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; lack of adequate water treatment presents human health risks Zimbabwe deforestation; soil erosion; land degradation; air and water pollution; the black rhinoceros herd - once the largest concentration of the species in the world - has been significantly reduced by poaching; poor mining practices have led to toxic waste and heavy metal pollution ====================================================================== @2033 Field Listing :: Environment - international agreements This entry separates country participation in international environmental agreements into two levels - party to and signed, but not ratified. Agreements are listed in alphabetical order by the abbreviated form of the full name. Country Environment - international agreements Afghanistan party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation Albania party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Algeria party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Andorra party to: Biodiversity, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Angola party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Antigua and Barbuda party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Argentina party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation Armenia party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants Australia party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Austria party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Azerbaijan party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Bahamas, The party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Bahrain party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Bangladesh party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Barbados party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Belarus party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Belgium party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Belize party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Benin party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Bhutan party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Bolivia party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation Bosnia and Herzegovina party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Botswana party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Brazil party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Brunei party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Bulgaria party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Burkina Faso party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Burma party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Burundi party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Cambodia party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Cameroon party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Canada party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Marine Life Conservation Cape Verde party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Central African Republic party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Chad party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping Chile party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements China party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Colombia party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Comoros party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Congo, Democratic Republic of the party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification Congo, Republic of the party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Cook Islands party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection Costa Rica party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation Cote d'Ivoire party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Croatia party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Cuba party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation Cyprus party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Czech Republic party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Denmark party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Djibouti party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Dominica party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Dominican Republic party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Ecuador party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Egypt party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements El Salvador party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Equatorial Guinea party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Eritrea party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Estonia party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Ethiopia party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea European Union party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94 signed but not ratified: Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds Faroe Islands party to: Marine Dumping - associate member to the London Convention and Ship Pollution Fiji party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Finland party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements France party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Gabon party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Gambia, The party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Georgia party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Germany party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Ghana party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation Greece party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds Grenada party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Guatemala party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Guinea party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Guinea-Bissau party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Guyana party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Haiti party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Hazardous Wastes Holy See (Vatican City) party to: Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution, Environmental Modification Honduras party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Hong Kong party to: Marine Dumping (associate member), Ship Pollution (associate member) Hungary party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Iceland party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Transboundary Air Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation India party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Indonesia party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation Iran party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation Iraq party to: Biodiversity, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification Ireland party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Marine Life Conservation Israel party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation Italy party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Jamaica party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Japan party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Jordan party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Kazakhstan party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Kenya party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Kiribati party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Korea, North party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Korea, South party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Kuwait party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Marine Dumping Kyrgyzstan party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Laos party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Latvia party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Lebanon party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation Lesotho party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Liberia party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation Libya party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Liechtenstein party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Lithuania party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Luxembourg party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification Macau party to: Marine Dumping (associate member), Ship Pollution (associate member) Macedonia party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Madagascar party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Malawi party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Malaysia party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Maldives party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Mali party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Malta party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Marshall Islands party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Mauritania party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Mauritius party to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Mexico party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Micronesia, Federated States of party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Moldova party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Monaco party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Mongolia party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Montenegro party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Morocco party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification Mozambique party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Namibia party to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Nauru party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Nepal party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation Netherlands party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements New Zealand party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Antarctic Seals, Marine Life Conservation Nicaragua party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Niger party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Nigeria party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Niue party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection Norway party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Oman party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Pakistan party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation Palau party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Panama party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation Papua New Guinea party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Paraguay party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Peru party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Philippines party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants Poland party to: Air Pollution, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94 Portugal party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Environmental Modification Qatar party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Romania party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Russia party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Sulfur 94 Rwanda party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Saint Kitts and Nevis party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Saint Lucia party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Saint Vincent and the Grenadines party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Samoa party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements San Marino party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution Sao Tome and Principe party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Saudi Arabia party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Senegal party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Serbia party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Seychelles party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Sierra Leone party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification Singapore party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Slovakia party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Slovenia party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Solomon Islands party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Somalia party to: Biodiversity, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements South Africa party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Southern Ocean the Southern Ocean is subject to all international agreements regarding the world's oceans; in addition, it is subject to these agreements specific to the Antarctic region: International Whaling Commission (prohibits commercial whaling south of 40 degrees south [south of 60 degrees south between 50 degrees and 130 degrees west]); Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (limits sealing); Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (regulates fishing) note: many nations (including the US) prohibit mineral resource exploration and exploitation south of the fluctuating Polar Front (Antarctic Convergence), which is in the middle of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current and serves as the dividing line between the cold polar surface waters to the south and the warmer waters to the north Spain party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants Sri Lanka party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation Sudan party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Suriname party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Swaziland party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Sweden party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Switzerland party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Syria party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification Taiwan party to: none of the selected agreements because of Taiwan's international status Tajikistan party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Tanzania party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Thailand party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Timor-Leste party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Togo party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Tonga party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Trinidad and Tobago party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Tunisia party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation Turkey party to: Air Pollution, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification Turkmenistan party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Tuvalu party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Uganda party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification Ukraine party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds United Arab Emirates party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea United Kingdom party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements United States party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Hazardous Wastes Uruguay party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation Uzbekistan party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Vanuatu party to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Venezuela party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed but not ratified:: none of the selected agreements Vietnam party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Western Sahara party to: none of the selected agreements Yemen party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Zambia party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Zimbabwe party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements ====================================================================== @2034 Field Listing :: Military expenditures This entry gives spending on defense programs for the most recent year available as a percent of gross domestic product (GDP); the GDP is calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP). Country Comparison to the World Country Military expenditures(% of GDP) Afghanistan 1.9% of GDP (2006 est.) Albania 1.49% of GDP (2005 est.) Algeria 3.3% of GDP (2006) Angola 5.7% of GDP (2006) Antigua and Barbuda NA Argentina 1.3% of GDP (2005 est.) Armenia 6.5% of GDP (FY01) Australia 2.4% of GDP (2006) Austria 0.9% of GDP (2005 est.) Azerbaijan 2.6% of GDP (2005 est.) Bahamas, The 0.5% of GDP (2006) Bahrain 4.5% of GDP (2006) Bangladesh 1.5% of GDP (2006) Barbados 0.5% of GDP (2006 est.) Belarus 1.4% of GDP (2005 est.) Belgium 1.3% of GDP (2005 est.) Belize 1.4% of GDP (2006) Benin 1.7% of GDP (2006) Bermuda 0.11% of GDP (2005 est.) Bhutan 1% of GDP (2005 est.) Bolivia 1.9% of GDP (2006) Bosnia and Herzegovina 4.5% of GDP (2005 est.) Botswana 3.3% of GDP (2006) Brazil 2.6% of GDP (2006 est.) Brunei 4.5% of GDP (2006) Bulgaria 2.6% of GDP (2005 est.) Burkina Faso 1.2% of GDP (2006) Burma 2.1% of GDP (2005 est.) Burundi 5.9% of GDP (2006 est.) Cambodia 3% of GDP (2005 est.) Cameroon 1.3% of GDP (2006) Canada 1.1% of GDP (2005 est.) Cape Verde 0.7% of GDP (2005) Central African Republic 1.1% of GDP (2006 est.) Chad 4.2% of GDP (2006) Chile 2.7% of GDP (2006) China 4.3% of GDP (2006) Colombia 3.4% of GDP (2005 est.) Comoros 2.8% of GDP (2006) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 2.5% of GDP (2006) Congo, Republic of the 3.1% of GDP (2006) Costa Rica 0.4% of GDP (2006) Cote d'Ivoire 1.6% of GDP (2005 est.) Croatia 2.39% of GDP (2005 est.) Cuba 3.8% of GDP (2006 est.) Cyprus 3.8% of GDP (2005 est.) Czech Republic 1.46% of GDP (2007 est.) Denmark 1.3% of GDP (2007 est.) Djibouti 3.8% of GDP (2006) Dominica NA (2006) Dominican Republic 0.8% of GDP (2006) Ecuador 2.8% of GDP (2006) Egypt 3.4% of GDP (2005 est.) El Salvador 5% of GDP (2006) Equatorial Guinea 0.1% of GDP (2006 est.) Eritrea 6.3% of GDP (2006 est.) Estonia 2% of GDP (2005 est.) Ethiopia 3% of GDP (2006) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) NA Faroe Islands NA Fiji 2.2% of GDP (2005 est.) Finland 2% of GDP (2005 est.) France 2.6% of GDP (2005 est.) Gabon 3.4% of GDP (2005 est.) Gambia, The 0.5% of GDP (2006) Gaza Strip NA Georgia 0.59% of GDP (2005 est.) Germany 1.5% of GDP (2005 est.) Ghana 0.8% of GDP (2006 est.) Greece 4.3% of GDP (2005 est.) Grenada NA Guatemala 0.4% of GDP (2006) Guinea 1.7% of GDP (2006) Guinea-Bissau 3.1% of GDP (2005 est.) Guyana 1.8% of GDP (2006) Haiti 0.4% of GDP (2006) Honduras 0.6% of GDP (2006 est.) Hong Kong NA Hungary 1.75% of GDP (2005 est.) Iceland 0% of GDP (2005 est.) India 2.5% of GDP (2006) Indonesia 3% of GDP (2005 est.) Iran 2.5% of GDP (2006) Iraq 8.6% of GDP (2006) Ireland 0.9% of GDP (2005 est.) Israel 7.3% of GDP (2006) Italy 1.8% of GDP (2005 est.) Jamaica 0.6% of GDP (2006 est.) Japan 0.8% of GDP (2006) Jordan 8.6% of GDP (2006) Kazakhstan 0.9% of GDP (Ministry of Defense expenditures) (FY02) Kenya 2.8% of GDP (2006) Kiribati NA Korea, North NA Korea, South 2.7% of GDP (2006) Kuwait 5.3% of GDP (2006) Kyrgyzstan 1.4% of GDP (2005 est.) Laos 0.5% of GDP (2006) Latvia 1.2% of GDP (2005 est.) Lebanon 3.1% of GDP (2005 est.) Lesotho 2.6% of GDP (2006) Liberia 1.3% of GDP (2006 est.) Libya 3.9% of GDP (2005 est.) Lithuania 1.2% of GDP (2007 est.) Luxembourg 0.9% of GDP (2005 est.) Macedonia 6% of GDP (2005 est.) Madagascar 1% of GDP (2006) Malawi 1.3% of GDP (2006) Malaysia 2.03% of GDP (2005 est.) Maldives 5.5% of GDP (2005 est.) Mali 1.9% of GDP (2006) Malta 0.7% of GDP (2006 est.) Marshall Islands NA Mauritania 5.5% of GDP (2006) Mauritius 0.3% of GDP (2006 est.) Mexico 0.5% of GDP (2006 est.) Moldova 0.4% of GDP (2005 est.) Mongolia 1.4% of GDP (2006) Morocco 5% of GDP (2003 est.) Mozambique 0.8% of GDP (2006) Namibia 3.7% of GDP (2006) Nauru NA Nepal 1.6% of GDP (2006) Netherlands 1.6% of GDP (2005 est.) New Caledonia NA New Zealand 1% of GDP (2005 est.) Nicaragua 0.6% of GDP (2006) Niger 1.3% of GDP (2006) Nigeria 1.5% of GDP (2006) Norway 1.9% of GDP (2005 est.) Oman 11.4% of GDP (2005 est.) Pakistan 3% of GDP (2007 est.) Palau NA Panama 1% of GDP (2006) Papua New Guinea 1.4% of GDP (2005 est.) Paraguay 1% of GDP (2006 est.) Peru 1.5% of GDP (2006) Philippines 0.9% of GDP (2005 est.) Poland 1.71% of GDP (2005 est.) Portugal 2.3% of GDP (2005 est.) Qatar 10% of GDP (2005 est.) Romania 1.9% of GDP (2007 est.) Russia 3.9% of GDP (2005) Rwanda 2.9% of GDP (2006 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis NA Saint Lucia NA Saint Vincent and the Grenadines NA Samoa NA San Marino NA Sao Tome and Principe 0.8% of GDP (2006) Saudi Arabia 10% of GDP (2005 est.) Senegal 1.4% of GDP (2005 est.) Seychelles 2% of GDP (2006 est.) Sierra Leone 2.3% of GDP (2006) Singapore 4.9% of GDP (2005 est.) Slovakia 1.87% of GDP (2005 est.) Slovenia 1.7% of GDP (2005 est.) Solomon Islands 3% of GDP (2006) Somalia 0.9% of GDP (2005 est.) South Africa 1.7% of GDP (2006) Spain 1.2% of GDP (2005 est.) Sri Lanka 2.6% of GDP (2006) Sudan 3% of GDP (2005 est.) Suriname 0.6% of GDP (2006 est.) Swaziland 4.7% of GDP (2006) Sweden 1.5% of GDP (2005 est.) Switzerland 1% of GDP (2005 est.) Syria 5.9% of GDP (2005 est.) Taiwan 2.2% of GDP (2006) Tajikistan 3.9% of GDP (2005 est.) Tanzania 0.2% of GDP (2005 est.) Thailand 1.8% of GDP (2005 est.) Timor-Leste NA Togo 1.6% of GDP (2005 est.) Tonga 0.9% of GDP (2006 est.) Trinidad and Tobago 0.3% of GDP (2006) Tunisia 1.4% of GDP (2006) Turkey 5.3% of GDP (2005 est.) Turkmenistan 3.4% of GDP (2005 est.) Tuvalu NA Uganda 2.2% of GDP (2006) Ukraine 1.4% of GDP (2005 est.) United Arab Emirates 3.1% of GDP (2005 est.) United Kingdom 2.4% of GDP (2005 est.) United States 4.06% of GDP (2005 est.) Uruguay 1.6% of GDP (2006) Uzbekistan 2% of GDP (2005 est.) Vanuatu NA Venezuela 1.2% of GDP (2005 est.) Vietnam 2.5% of GDP (2005 est.) West Bank NA World roughly 2% of GDP of gross world product (2005 est.) Yemen 6.6% of GDP (2006) Zambia 1.8% of GDP (2005 est.) Zimbabwe 3.8% of GDP (2006) ====================================================================== @2038 Field Listing :: Electricity - production This entry is the annual electricity generated expressed in kilowatt-hours. The discrepancy between the amount of electricity generated and/or imported and the amount consumed and/or exported is accounted for as loss in transmission and distribution. Country Comparison to the World Country Electricity - production(kWh) Afghanistan 839 million kWh (2007 est.) Albania 2.888 billion kWh (2007 est.) Algeria 34.98 billion kWh (2007 est.) American Samoa 185 million kWh (2007 est.) Andorra NA kWh Angola 3.722 billion kWh (2007 est.) Anguilla NA kWh Antigua and Barbuda 110 million kWh (2007 est.) Argentina 109.5 billion kWh (2007 est.) Armenia 5.584 billion kWh (2007 est.) Aruba 850 million kWh (2007 est.) Australia 239.9 billion kWh (2007 est.) Austria 58.64 billion kWh (2007 est.) Azerbaijan 19.35 billion kWh (2007 est.) Bahamas, The 2.045 billion kWh (2007 est.) Bahrain 10.25 billion kWh (2007 est.) Bangladesh 22.99 billion kWh (2007 est.) Barbados 1.003 billion kWh (2007 est.) Belarus 29.92 billion kWh (2007 est.) Belgium 82.17 billion kWh (2007 est.) Belize 213.5 million kWh (2007 est.) Benin 124 million kWh (2007 est.) Bermuda 675.6 million kWh (2007 est.) Bhutan 4.475 billion kWh (2007 est.) Bolivia 5.495 billion kWh (2007 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina 11.32 billion kWh (2007 est.) Botswana 1.052 billion kWh (2007 est.) Brazil 438.8 billion kWh (2007 est.) British Indian Ocean Territory NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by the US military British Virgin Islands 45 million kWh (2007 est.) Brunei 3.091 billion kWh (2007 est.) Bulgaria 40.25 billion kWh (2007 est.) Burkina Faso 611.6 million kWh (2007 est.) Burma 6.286 billion kWh (2007 est.) Burundi 92 million kWh (2007 est.) Cambodia 1.273 billion kWh (2007 est.) Cameroon 5.601 billion kWh (2007 est.) Canada 620.7 billion kWh (2007 est.) Cape Verde 250 million kWh (2007 est.) Cayman Islands 546 million kWh (2007 est.) Central African Republic 115 million kWh (2007 est.) Chad 100 million kWh (2007 est.) Chile 60.6 billion kWh (2007 est.) China 3.041 trillion kWh (2007 est.) Colombia 50.58 billion kWh (2007 est.) Comoros 22 million kWh (2007 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 8.217 billion kWh (2007 est.) Congo, Republic of the 400 million kWh (2007 est.) Cook Islands 31 million kWh (2007 est.) Costa Rica 8.808 billion kWh (2007 est.) Cote d'Ivoire 5.275 billion kWh (2007 est.) Croatia 11.47 billion kWh (2007 est.) Cuba 16.89 billion kWh (2007 est.) Cyprus 4.502 billion kWh (2007 est.) Czech Republic 82.72 billion kWh (2007 est.) Denmark 36.92 billion kWh (2007 est.) Djibouti 280 million kWh (2007 est.) Dominica 85 million kWh (2007 est.) Dominican Republic 14.02 billion kWh (2007 est.) Ecuador 16.75 billion kWh (2007 est.) Egypt 118.4 billion kWh (2007 est.) El Salvador 5.559 billion kWh (2007 est.) Equatorial Guinea 28 million kWh (2007 est.) Eritrea 271 million kWh (2007 est.) Estonia 11.46 billion kWh (2007 est.) Ethiopia 3.46 billion kWh (2007 est.) European Union 3.044 trillion kWh (2007 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 16 million kWh (2007 est.) Faroe Islands 243.7 million kWh (2007 est.) Fiji 928 million kWh (2007 est.) Finland 77.24 billion kWh (2007 est.) France 535.7 billion kWh (2007 est.) French Polynesia 650 million kWh (2007 est.) Gabon 1.774 billion kWh (2007 est.) Gambia, The 160 million kWh (2007 est.) Gaza Strip 140,000 kWh (2005) Georgia 8.17 billion kWh (2007 est.) Germany 593.4 billion kWh (2007 est.) Ghana 6.746 billion kWh (2007 est.) Gibraltar 146 million kWh (2007 est.) Greece 58.79 billion kWh (2007 est.) Greenland 325 million kWh (2007 est.) Grenada 178.7 million kWh (2007 est.) Guam 1.767 billion kWh (2007 est.) Guatemala 8.425 billion kWh (2007 est.) Guernsey NA kWh Guinea 850 million kWh note: excludes electricity generated at interior mining sites (2007 est.) Guinea-Bissau 65 million kWh (2007 est.) Guyana 821 million kWh (2007 est.) Haiti 448 million kWh (2007 est.) Holy See (Vatican City) NA kWh Honduras 6.05 billion kWh (2007 est.) Hong Kong 38.4 billion kWh (2008 est.) Hungary 37.74 billion kWh (2007 est.) Iceland 11.71 billion kWh (2007 est.) India 761.7 billion kWh (2007 est.) Indonesia 134.4 billion kWh (2007 est.) Iran 192.6 billion kWh (2007 est.) Iraq 36.92 billion kWh (2008 est.) Ireland 26.06 billion kWh (2007 est.) Israel 50.41 billion kWh (2007 est.) Italy 289.7 billion kWh (2007 est.) Jamaica 7.324 billion kWh (2007 est.) Japan 1.058 trillion kWh (2007 est.) Jordan 12.21 billion kWh (2007 est.) Kazakhstan 72.41 billion kWh (2007 est.) Kenya 5.223 billion kWh (2008 est.) Kiribati 14 million kWh (2007 est.) Korea, North 20.9 billion kWh (2007 est.) Korea, South 440 billion kWh (2008 est.) Kosovo 832 million kWh (2006) Kuwait 45.83 billion kWh (2007 est.) Kyrgyzstan 15.96 billion kWh (2007 est.) Laos 3.075 billion kWh (2007 est.) Latvia 4.62 billion kWh (2007 est.) Lebanon 9.03 billion kWh (2007 est.) Lesotho 502 million kWh note: electricity supplied by South Africa (2007 est.) Liberia 350 million kWh (2007 est.) Libya 23.98 billion kWh (2007 est.) Lithuania 12.09 billion kWh (2007 est.) Luxembourg 2.696 billion kWh (2007 est.) Macau 1.106 billion kWh (2008 est.) Macedonia 6.376 billion kWh (2007 est.) Madagascar 1.045 billion kWh (2007 est.) Malawi 1.69 billion kWh (2007 est.) Malaysia 103.2 billion kWh (2007 est.) Maldives 205 million kWh (2007 est.) Mali 515 million kWh (2007 est.) Malta 2.146 billion kWh (2007 est.) Mauritania 415.3 million kWh (2007 est.) Mauritius 2.321 billion kWh (2007 est.) Mayotte NA kWh Mexico 245 billion kWh (2008 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of 192 million kWh (2002) Moldova 3.617 billion kWh (2007 est.) Mongolia 3.979 billion kWh (2008) Montenegro 2.864 billion kWh (2005 est.) Montserrat 22 million kWh (2007 est.) Morocco 21.56 billion kWh (2007 est.) Mozambique 15.91 billion kWh (2007 est.) Namibia 1.65 billion kWh (2007 est.) Nauru 31 million kWh (2007 est.) Nepal 2.781 billion kWh (2007 est.) Netherlands 97.19 billion kWh (2007 est.) Netherlands Antilles 1.22 billion kWh (2007 est.) New Caledonia 1.825 billion kWh (2007 est.) New Zealand 42.4 billion kWh (2007 est.) Nicaragua 3.286 billion kWh (2007 est.) Niger 150 million kWh (2007 est.) Nigeria 21.92 billion kWh (2007 est.) Niue 3 million kWh (2007 est.) Norfolk Island NA kWh Northern Mariana Islands 60,600 kWh (January 2009) Norway 142.7 billion kWh (2008 est.) Oman 13.58 billion kWh (2007 est.) Pakistan 90.8 billion kWh (2007 est.) Panama 6.322 billion kWh (2007 est.) Papua New Guinea 2.885 billion kWh (2007 est.) Paraguay 53.19 billion kWh (2007 est.) Peru 30.57 billion kWh (2008 est.) Philippines 56.57 billion kWh (2007 est.) Pitcairn Islands NA kWh; note - electric power is provided by a small diesel-powered generator Poland 149.1 billion kWh (2007 est.) Portugal 44.47 billion kWh (2007 est.) Puerto Rico 23.72 billion kWh (2007 est.) Qatar 15.11 billion kWh (2007 est.) Romania 58.28 billion kWh (2007 est.) Russia 958 billion kWh (2007 est.) Rwanda 120 million kWh (2007 est.) Saint Helena 8 million kWh (2007 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis 130 million kWh (2007 est.) Saint Lucia 325 million kWh (2007 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 53 million kWh (2007 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 133.8 million kWh (2007 est.) Samoa 109 million kWh (2007 est.) Sao Tome and Principe 19 million kWh (2007 est.) Saudi Arabia 179.1 billion kWh (2007 est.) Senegal 1.88 billion kWh (2007 est.) Serbia 33.87 billion kWh (2004) Seychelles 250 million kWh (2007 est.) Sierra Leone 80 million kWh (2007 est.) Singapore 38.67 billion kWh (2007 est.) Slovakia 26.53 billion kWh (2007 est.) Slovenia 14.14 billion kWh (2007 est.) Solomon Islands 71 million kWh (2007 est.) Somalia 280 million kWh (2007 est.) South Africa 240.3 billion kWh (2007 est.) Spain 283.2 billion kWh (2007 est.) Sri Lanka 9.507 billion kWh (2007 est.) Sudan 4.341 billion kWh (2007 est.) Suriname 1.605 billion kWh (2007 est.) Swaziland 441 million kWh (2007 est.) Sweden 144 billion kWh (2007 est.) Switzerland 63.93 billion kWh (2007 est.) Syria 36.5 billion kWh (2007 est.) Taiwan 225 billion kWh (2007 est.) Tajikistan 17.3 billion kWh (2007 est.) Tanzania 3.786 billion kWh (2007 est.) Thailand 135.2 billion kWh (2007 est.) Timor-Leste kWh NA Togo 230 million kWh (2007 est.) Tokelau NA kWh Tonga 43 million kWh (2007 est.) Trinidad and Tobago 7.202 billion kWh (2007 est.) Tunisia 13.79 billion kWh (2007 est.) Turkey 181.9 billion kWh (2007 est.) Turkmenistan 13.99 billion kWh (2007 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands 12 million kWh (2007 est.) Uganda 2.256 billion kWh (2007 est.) Ukraine 185.2 billion kWh (2007 est.) United Arab Emirates 71.54 billion kWh (2007 est.) United Kingdom 368.6 billion kWh (2007 est.) United States 4.11 trillion kWh (2008 est.) Uruguay 9.265 billion kWh (2007 est.) Uzbekistan 46.33 billion kWh (2007 est.) Vanuatu 42 million kWh (2007 est.) Venezuela 113.3 billion kWh (2007 est.) Vietnam 66.81 billion kWh (2007 est.) Virgin Islands 776.4 million kWh (2007 est.) Wake Island NA kWh Wallis and Futuna NA kWh West Bank 500 million kWh; note - most electricity imported from Israel; East Jerusalem Electric Company buys and distributes electricity to Palestinians in East Jerusalem and its concession in the West Bank; the Israel Electric Company directly supplies electricity to most Jewish residents and military facilities; some Palestinian municipalities, such as Nablus and Janin, generate their own electricity from small power plants Western Sahara 90 million kWh (2007 est.) World 18.83 trillion kWh (2007 est.) Yemen 5.665 billion kWh (2007 est.) Zambia 9.752 billion kWh (2007 est.) Zimbabwe 8.89 billion kWh (2007 est.) ====================================================================== @2042 Field Listing :: Electricity - consumption This entry consists of total electricity generated annually plus imports and minus exports, expressed in kilowatt-hours. The discrepancy between the amount of electricity generated and/or imported and the amount consumed and/or exported is accounted for as loss in transmission and distribution. Country Comparison to the World Country Electricity - consumption(kWh) Afghanistan 1.01 billion kWh (2007 est.) Albania 3.603 billion kWh (2007 est.) Algeria 28.34 billion kWh (2007 est.) American Samoa 172.1 million kWh (2007 est.) Andorra NA kWh Angola 3.173 billion kWh (2007 est.) Antigua and Barbuda 102.3 million kWh (2007 est.) Argentina 99.21 billion kWh (2007 est.) Armenia 4.776 billion kWh (2007 est.) Aruba 790.5 million kWh (2007 est.) Australia 222 billion kWh (2007 est.) Austria 61.89 billion kWh (2007 est.) Azerbaijan 15.68 billion kWh (2007 est.) Bahamas, The 1.902 billion kWh (2007 est.) Bahrain 10.1 billion kWh (2007 est.) Bangladesh 21.38 billion kWh (2007 est.) Barbados 939.9 million kWh (2007 est.) Belarus 30.54 billion kWh (2007 est.) Belgium 84.88 billion kWh (2007 est.) Belize 198.5 million kWh (2007 est.) Benin 597 million kWh (2007 est.) Bermuda 628.3 million kWh (2007 est.) Bhutan 528.8 million kWh (2007 est.) Bolivia 4.665 billion kWh (2007 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina 8.488 billion kWh (2007 est.) Botswana 2.648 billion kWh (2007 est.) Brazil 404.3 billion kWh (2007 est.) British Indian Ocean Territory NA kWh British Virgin Islands 41.85 million kWh (2007 est.) Brunei 2.926 billion kWh (2007 est.) Bulgaria 31.08 billion kWh (2007 est.) Burkina Faso 568.8 million kWh (2007 est.) Burma 4.403 billion kWh (2007 est.) Burundi 125.6 million kWh (2007 est.) Cambodia 1.272 billion kWh (2007 est.) Cameroon 4.801 billion kWh (2007 est.) Canada 536.1 billion kWh (2007 est.) Cape Verde 232.5 million kWh (2007 est.) Cayman Islands 507.8 million kWh (2007 est.) Central African Republic 107 million kWh (2007 est.) Chad 93 million kWh (2007 est.) Chile 57.29 billion kWh (2007 est.) China 2.835 trillion kWh (2007 est.) Colombia 38.59 billion kWh (2007 est.) Comoros 20.46 million kWh (2007 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 5.997 billion kWh (2007 est.) Congo, Republic of the 471 million kWh (2007 est.) Cook Islands 28.83 million kWh (2007 est.) Costa Rica 8.064 billion kWh (2007 est.) Cote d'Ivoire 3.231 billion kWh (2007 est.) Croatia 15.42 billion kWh (2007 est.) Cuba 13.93 billion kWh (2007 est.) Cyprus 4.277 billion kWh (2007 est.) Czech Republic 61.65 billion kWh (2007 est.) Denmark 35.79 billion kWh (2007 est.) Djibouti 260.4 million kWh (2007 est.) Dominica 79.05 million kWh (2007 est.) Dominican Republic 12.7 billion kWh (2007 est.) Ecuador 9.888 billion kWh (2007 est.) Egypt 104.1 billion kWh (2007 est.) El Salvador 4.676 billion kWh (2007 est.) Equatorial Guinea 26.04 million kWh (2007 est.) Eritrea 228 million kWh (2007 est.) Estonia 7.686 billion kWh (2007 est.) Ethiopia 3.13 billion kWh (2007 est.) European Union 2.884 trillion kWh (2007 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 14.88 million kWh (2007 est.) Faroe Islands 226.6 million kWh (2007 est.) Fiji 863 million kWh (2007 est.) Finland 86.9 billion kWh (2008) France 447.2 billion kWh (2007 est.) French Polynesia 604.5 million kWh (2007 est.) Gabon 1.446 billion kWh (2007 est.) Gambia, The 148.8 million kWh (2007 est.) Gaza Strip 230,000 kWh (2005) Georgia 6.902 billion kWh (2007 est.) Germany 547.3 billion kWh (2007 est.) Ghana 5.702 billion kWh (2007 est.) Gibraltar 146 million kWh (2007 est.) Greece 58.28 billion kWh (2007 est.) Greenland 302.3 million kWh (2007 est.) Grenada 155.7 million kWh (2007 est.) Guam 1.644 billion kWh (2007 est.) Guatemala 7.115 billion kWh (2007 est.) Guernsey NA kWh Guinea 790.5 million kWh (2007 est.) Guinea-Bissau 60.45 million kWh (2007 est.) Guyana 667 million kWh (2007 est.) Haiti 273 million kWh (2007 est.) Holy See (Vatican City) NA kWh Honduras 4.696 billion kWh (2007 est.) Hong Kong 44.6 billion kWh (2008 est.) Hungary 37.77 billion kWh (2007 est.) Iceland 11.22 billion kWh (2007 est.) India 568 billion kWh (2007 est.) Indonesia 119.3 billion kWh (2007 est.) Iran 153.8 billion kWh (2007 est.) Iraq 39.88 billion kWh (2008 est.) Ireland 25.12 billion kWh (2007 est.) Israel 46.15 billion kWh (2007 est.) Italy 315 billion kWh (2007 est.) Jamaica 6.345 billion kWh (2007 est.) Japan 1.007 trillion kWh (2007 est.) Jersey 630.1 million kWh (2004 est.) Jordan 10.4 billion kWh (2007 est.) Kazakhstan 64.69 billion kWh (2007 est.) Kenya 4.863 billion kWh (2008 est.) Kiribati 13.02 million kWh (2007 est.) Korea, North 17.49 billion kWh (2007 est.) Korea, South 385.1 billion kWh (2008 est.) Kosovo 4.281 billion kWh (2006) Kuwait 40.21 billion kWh (2007 est.) Kyrgyzstan 9 billion kWh (2007 est.) Laos 3.068 billion kWh (2007 est.) Latvia 6.822 billion kWh (2007 est.) Lebanon 8.42 billion kWh (2007 est.) Lesotho 516.9 million kWh (2007 est.) Liberia 325.5 million kWh (2007 est.) Libya 22.17 billion kWh (2007 est.) Lithuania 9.612 billion kWh (2007 est.) Luxembourg 6.525 billion kWh (2007 est.) Macau 3.311 billion kWh (2008 est.) Macedonia 7.358 billion kWh (2007 est.) Madagascar 971.4 million kWh (2007 est.) Malawi 1.572 billion kWh (2007 est.) Malaysia 99.25 billion kWh (2007 est.) Maldives 190.7 million kWh (2007 est.) Mali 479 million kWh (2007 est.) Malta 1.832 billion kWh (2007 est.) Mauritania 386.2 million kWh (2007 est.) Mauritius 2.158 billion kWh (2007 est.) Mayotte 139.2 million kWh (2005) Mexico 200.9 billion kWh (2007 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of 178.6 million kWh (2002) Moldova 4.37 billion kWh (2007 est.) Monaco NA kWh Mongolia 3.491 billion kWh (2008) Montenegro 18.6 million kWh (2005) Montserrat 20.46 million kWh (2007 est.) Morocco 20.78 billion kWh (2007 est.) Mozambique 10.16 billion kWh (2007 est.) Namibia 3.175 billion kWh (2007 est.) Nauru 28.83 million kWh (2007 est.) Nepal 2.243 billion kWh (2007 est.) Netherlands 110.2 billion kWh (2007 est.) Netherlands Antilles 1.013 billion kWh (2007 est.) New Caledonia 1.697 billion kWh (2007 est.) New Zealand 39.24 billion kWh (2007 est.) Nicaragua 2.569 billion kWh (2007 est.) Niger 589.5 million kWh (2007 est.) Nigeria 19.21 billion kWh (2007 est.) Niue 2.79 million kWh (2007 est.) Norfolk Island NA kWh Northern Mariana Islands 48,300 kWh (January 2009) Norway 128.8 billion kWh (2008 est.) Oman 11.36 billion kWh (2007 est.) Pakistan 72.2 billion kWh (2007 est.) Panama 5.17 billion kWh (2007 est.) Papua New Guinea 2.683 billion kWh (2007 est.) Paraguay 5.337 billion kWh (2007 est.) Peru 28.97 billion kWh (2008 est.) Philippines 48.96 billion kWh (2007 est.) Poland 129.3 billion kWh (2007 est.) Portugal 48.78 billion kWh (2007 est.) Puerto Rico 22.06 billion kWh (2007 est.) Qatar 13.73 billion kWh (2007 est.) Romania 49.44 billion kWh (2007 est.) Russia 840.4 billion kWh (2007 est.) Rwanda 231.6 million kWh (2007 est.) Saint Helena 7.44 million kWh (2007 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis 120.9 million kWh (2007 est.) Saint Lucia 302.2 million kWh (2007 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 49.29 million kWh (2007 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 124.4 million kWh (2007 est.) Samoa 101.4 million kWh (2007 est.) Sao Tome and Principe 17.67 million kWh (2007 est.) Saudi Arabia 165.1 billion kWh (2007 est.) Senegal 1.384 billion kWh (2007 est.) Serbia NA kWh Seychelles 232.5 million kWh (2007 est.) Sierra Leone 74.4 million kWh (2007 est.) Singapore 36.6 billion kWh (2007 est.) Slovakia 26.81 billion kWh (2007 est.) Slovenia 13.5 billion kWh (2007 est.) Solomon Islands 66.03 million kWh (2007 est.) Somalia 260.4 million kWh (2007 est.) South Africa 215.1 billion kWh (2007 est.) Spain 276.1 billion kWh (2008 est.) Sri Lanka 7.946 billion kWh (2007 est.) Sudan 3.438 billion kWh (2007 est.) Suriname 1.467 billion kWh (2007 est.) Swaziland 1.266 billion kWh (2007 est.) Sweden 134.5 billion kWh (2007 est.) Switzerland 57.62 billion kWh (2007 est.) Syria 27.35 billion kWh (2007 est.) Taiwan 233 billion kWh (2008 est.) Tajikistan 17.8 billion kWh (2008) Tanzania 3.182 billion kWh (2007 est.) Thailand 129.5 billion kWh (2007 est.) Timor-Leste kWh NA Togo 640 million kWh (2007 est.) Tokelau NA kWh Tonga 39.99 million kWh (2007 est.) Trinidad and Tobago 7.034 billion kWh (2007 est.) Tunisia 11.9 billion kWh (2007 est.) Turkey 153.7 billion kWh (2007 est.) Turkmenistan 10.45 billion kWh (2007 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands 11.16 million kWh (2007 est.) Uganda 2.068 billion kWh (2007 est.) Ukraine 153.1 billion kWh (2007 est.) United Arab Emirates 65.98 billion kWh (2007 est.) United Kingdom 345.8 billion kWh (2007 est.) United States 3.873 trillion kWh (2008 est.) Uruguay 7.14 billion kWh (2007 est.) Uzbekistan 41.94 billion kWh (2007 est.) Vanuatu 39.06 million kWh (2007 est.) Venezuela 83.02 billion kWh (2007 est.) Vietnam 59.3 billion kWh (2007 est.) Virgin Islands 722 million kWh (2007 est.) Wallis and Futuna NA kWh West Bank 3.265 billion kWh Western Sahara 83.7 million kWh (2007 est.) World 17.13 trillion kWh (2007 est.) Yemen 4.133 billion kWh (2007 est.) Zambia 8.838 billion kWh (2007 est.) Zimbabwe 10.89 billion kWh (2007 est.) ====================================================================== @2043 Field Listing :: Electricity - imports This entry is the total imported electricity in kilowatt-hours. Country Electricity - imports(kWh) Afghanistan 230 million kWh (2007 est.) Albania 2.475 billion kWh (2008 est.) Algeria 279 million kWh (2007 est.) American Samoa 0 kWh (2008 est.) Andorra NA kWh; note - most electricity supplied by Spain and France; Andorra generates a small amount of hydropower Angola 0 kWh (2008 est.) Antigua and Barbuda 0 kWh (2008 est.) Argentina 10.28 billion kWh (2007 est.) Armenia 418.7 million kWh; note - imports an unknown quantity from Iran (2007 est.) Aruba 0 kWh (2008 est.) Australia 0 kWh (2008 est.) Austria 19.8 billion kWh (2008 est.) Azerbaijan 548 million kWh (2007 est.) Bahamas, The 0 kWh (2008 est.) Bahrain 0 kWh (2008 est.) Bangladesh 0 kWh (2008 est.) Barbados 0 kWh (2008 est.) Belarus 9.406 billion kWh (2007 est.) Belgium 17.16 billion kWh (2008 est.) Belize 248.4 million kWh (2005) Benin 588 million kWh (2007 est.) Bermuda 0 kWh (2008 est.) Bhutan 11 million kWh (2007 est.) Bolivia 0 kWh (2008 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina 3.743 billion kWh (2007 est.) Botswana 2.181 billion kWh (2008 est.) Brazil 42.06 billion kWh; note - supplied by Paraguay (2008 est.) British Virgin Islands 0 kWh (2008 est.) Brunei 0 kWh (2008 est.) Bulgaria 3.097 billion kWh (2008 est.) Burkina Faso 0 kWh (2008 est.) Burma 0 kWh (2008 est.) Burundi 40 million kWh; note - supplied by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (2007 est.) Cambodia 167 million kWh (2007 est.) Cameroon 0 kWh (2008 est.) Canada 23.5 billion kWh (2008 est.) Cape Verde 0 kWh (2008 est.) Cayman Islands 0 kWh (2008 est.) Central African Republic 0 kWh (2008 est.) Chad 0 kWh (2008 est.) Chile 1.628 billion kWh (2007 est.) China 3.842 billion kWh (2008 est.) Colombia 39.4 million kWh (2007 est.) Comoros 0 kWh (2008 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 6 million kWh (2007 est.) Congo, Republic of the 449 million kWh (2007 est.) Cook Islands 0 kWh (2008 est.) Costa Rica 203.2 million kWh (2007 est.) Cote d'Ivoire 0 kWh (2008 est.) Croatia 8.249 billion kWh (2008 est.) Cuba 0 kWh (2008 est.) Cyprus 0 kWh (2008 est.) Czech Republic 8.52 billion kWh (2008 est.) Denmark 12.82 billion kWh (2008 est.) Djibouti 0 kWh (2008 est.) Dominica 0 kWh (2008 est.) Dominican Republic 0 kWh (2008 est.) Ecuador 861 million kWh (2007 est.) Egypt 251 million kWh (2007 est.) El Salvador 38 million kWh (2007 est.) Equatorial Guinea 0 kWh (2008 est.) Eritrea 0 kWh (2008 est.) Estonia 1.369 billion kWh (2008 est.) Ethiopia 0 kWh (2008 est.) European Union NA kWh Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 0 kWh (2008 est.) Faroe Islands 0 kWh (2008 est.) Fiji 0 kWh (2008 est.) Finland 16.11 billion kWh (2008 est.) France 10.68 billion kWh (2008 est.) French Polynesia 0 kWh (2008 est.) Gabon 0 kWh (2008 est.) Gambia, The 0 kWh (2008 est.) Gaza Strip 90,000 kWh; note - from Israeli Electric Company (2005) Georgia 430 million kWh (2007 est.) Germany 41.67 billion kWh (2008 est.) Ghana 435 million kWh (2007 est.) Gibraltar 0 kWh (2008 est.) Greece 7.575 billion kWh (2008 est.) Greenland 0 kWh (2008 est.) Grenada 0 kWh (2008 est.) Guam 0 kWh (2008 est.) Guatemala 8.11 million kWh (2007 est.) Guernsey 0 kWh (2002) Guinea 0 kWh (2008 est.) Guinea-Bissau 0 kWh (2008 est.) Guyana 0 kWh (2008 est.) Haiti 0 kWh (2008 est.) Holy See (Vatican City) NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by Italy; a small portion of electricity is self-produced from solar panels Honduras 11.8 million kWh (2007 est.) Hong Kong 11 billion kWh (2008 est.) Hungary 12.77 billion kWh (2008 est.) Iceland 0 kWh (2008 est.) India 4.96 billion kWh (2007 est.) Indonesia 0 kWh (2008 est.) Iran 1.842 billion kWh (2007 est.) Iraq 2.95 billion kWh (2008 est.) Ireland 753 million kWh (2008 est.) Israel 0 kWh (2008 est.) Italy 43 billion kWh (2008 est.) Jamaica 0 kWh (2008 est.) Japan 0 kWh (2008 est.) Jersey NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by France Jordan 200 million kWh (2007 est.) Kazakhstan 3.27 billion kWh (2007 est.) Kenya 22.5 million kWh (2007 est.) Kiribati 0 kWh (2008 est.) Korea, North 0 kWh (2008 est.) Korea, South 0 kWh (2008 est.) Kuwait 0 kWh (2008 est.) Kyrgyzstan 0 kWh (2008 est.) Laos 475.9 million kWh (2007 est.) Latvia 4.643 billion kWh (2008 est.) Lebanon 972 million kWh (2007 est.) Lesotho 50 million kWh; note - electricity supplied by South Africa (2008 est.) Liberia 0 kWh (2008 est.) Libya 77 million kWh (2007 est.) Lithuania 5.649 billion kWh (2008 est.) Luxembourg 6.83 billion kWh (2008 est.) Macau 2.215 billion kWh (2008 est.) Macedonia 2.491 billion kWh (2007 est.) Madagascar 0 kWh (2008 est.) Malawi 0 kWh (2008 est.) Malaysia 0 kWh (2008 est.) Maldives 0 kWh (2008 est.) Mali 0 kWh (2008 est.) Malta 0 kWh (2008 est.) Mauritania 0 kWh (2008 est.) Mauritius 0 kWh (2008 est.) Mexico 584 million kWh (2008 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of 0 kWh (2002) Moldova 2.931 billion kWh (2007 est.) Monaco NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by France Mongolia 197.5 million kWh (2008) Montenegro 0 kWh (2005) Montserrat 0 kWh (2008 est.) Morocco 3.455 billion kWh (2007 est.) Mozambique 8.278 billion kWh (2007 est.) Namibia 2.045 billion kWh; note - electricity supplied by South Africa (2007 est.) Nauru 0 kWh (2008 est.) Nepal 213 million kWh (2008 est.) Netherlands 25.01 billion kWh (2008 est.) Netherlands Antilles 0 kWh (2008 est.) New Caledonia 0 kWh (2008 est.) New Zealand 0 kWh (2008 est.) Nicaragua 63.95 million kWh (2007 est.) Niger 450 million kWh (2007 est.) Nigeria 0 kWh (2008 est.) Niue 0 kWh (2008 est.) Northern Mariana Islands 0 kWh (January 2009 est.) Norway 3.414 billion kWh (2008 est.) Oman 0 kWh (2008 est.) Pakistan 0 kWh (2008 est.) Panama 8.74 million kWh (2007 est.) Papua New Guinea 0 kWh (2008 est.) Paraguay 0 kWh (2008 est.) Peru 0 kWh (2008 est.) Philippines 0 kWh (2008 est.) Poland 8.48 billion kWh (2008 est.) Portugal 10.74 billion kWh (2008 est.) Puerto Rico 0 kWh (2008 est.) Qatar 0 kWh (2008 est.) Romania 921 million kWh (2008 est.) Russia 3.105 billion kWh (2008 est.) Rwanda 130 million kWh (2007 est.) Saint Helena 0 kWh (2008 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis 0 kWh (2008 est.) Saint Lucia 0 kWh (2008 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0 kWh (2008 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0 kWh (2008 est.) Samoa 0 kWh (2008 est.) Sao Tome and Principe 0 kWh (2008 est.) Saudi Arabia 0 kWh (2008 est.) Senegal 0 kWh (2008 est.) Serbia 11.23 billion kWh (2004) Seychelles 0 kWh (2008 est.) Sierra Leone 0 kWh (2008 est.) Singapore 0 kWh (2008 est.) Slovakia 9.412 billion kWh (2008 est.) Slovenia 6.218 billion kWh (2008 est.) Solomon Islands 0 kWh (2008 est.) Somalia 0 kWh (2008 est.) South Africa 10.57 billion kWh (2008 est.) Spain 5.88 billion kWh (2008 est.) Sri Lanka 0 kWh (2008 est.) Sudan 0 kWh (2008 est.) Suriname 0 kWh (2008 est.) Swaziland 770 million kWh; note - electricity supplied by South Africa (2008 est.) Sweden 12.75 billion kWh (2008 est.) Switzerland 31.6 billion kWh (2008 est.) Syria 1.4 billion kWh (2007) Taiwan 0 kWh (2008 est.) Tajikistan 4.361 billion kWh (2007 est.) Tanzania 200 million kWh (2007 est.) Thailand 2.784 billion kWh (2008 est.) Timor-Leste 0 kWh (2007 est.) Togo 514 million kWh; note - electricity supplied by Ghana (2007 est.) Tonga 0 kWh (2008 est.) Trinidad and Tobago 0 kWh (2008 est.) Tunisia 145 million kWh (2007 est.) Turkey 790 million kWh (2008 est.) Turkmenistan 0 kWh (2008 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands 0 kWh (2008 est.) Uganda 0 kWh (2008 est.) Ukraine 3.383 billion kWh (2007 est.) United Arab Emirates 0 kWh (2008 est.) United Kingdom 12.29 billion kWh (2008 est.) United States 57.02 billion kWh (2008 est.) Uruguay 789 million kWh (2007 est.) Uzbekistan 11.36 billion kWh (2007 est.) Vanuatu 0 kWh (2008 est.) Venezuela 1.651 billion kWh (2007 est.) Vietnam 0 kWh (2008 est.) Virgin Islands 0 kWh (2008 est.) Wallis and Futuna 0 kWh (2002) West Bank 2.8 billion kWh Western Sahara 0 kWh (2008 est.) World 623.2 billion kWh (2008 est.) Yemen 0 kWh (2008 est.) Zambia 222 million kWh (2008 est.) Zimbabwe 2.691 billion kWh (2007 est.) ====================================================================== @2044 Field Listing :: Electricity - exports This entry is the total exported electricity in kilowatt-hours. Country Electricity - exports(kWh) Afghanistan 0 kWh (2008 est.) Albania 0 kWh (2008 est.) Algeria 273 million kWh (2007 est.) American Samoa 0 kWh (2008 est.) Andorra NA kWh Angola 0 kWh (2008 est.) Antigua and Barbuda 0 kWh (2008 est.) Argentina 2.628 billion kWh (2007 est.) Armenia 451.3 million kWh; note - exports an unknown quantity to Georgia; includes exports to Nagorno-Karabakh region in Azerbaijan (2007 est.) Aruba 0 kWh (2008 est.) Australia 0 kWh (2008 est.) Austria 14.93 billion kWh (2008 est.) Azerbaijan 786 million kWh (2007 est.) Bahamas, The 0 kWh (2008 est.) Bahrain 0 kWh (2008 est.) Bangladesh 0 kWh (2008 est.) Barbados 0 kWh (2008 est.) Belarus 5.062 billion kWh (2007 est.) Belgium 6.561 billion kWh (2008 est.) Belize 0 kWh (2008 est.) Benin 0 kWh (2008 est.) Bermuda 0 kWh (2008 est.) Bhutan 3.644 billion kWh (2007 est.) Bolivia 0 kWh (2008 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina 4.344 billion kWh (2007 est.) Botswana 0 kWh (2008 est.) Brazil 2.034 billion kWh (2007 est.) British Virgin Islands 0 kWh (2008 est.) Brunei 0 kWh (2008 est.) Bulgaria 8.441 billion kWh (2008 est.) Burkina Faso 0 kWh (2008 est.) Burma 0 kWh (2008 est.) Burundi 0 kWh (2008 est.) Cambodia 0 kWh (2008 est.) Cameroon 0 kWh (2008 est.) Canada 55.73 billion kWh (2008 est.) Cape Verde 0 kWh (2008 est.) Cayman Islands 0 kWh (2008 est.) Central African Republic 0 kWh (2008 est.) Chad 0 kWh (2008 est.) Chile 0 kWh (2008 est.) China 16.64 billion kWh (2008 est.) Colombia 876.7 million kWh (2007 est.) Comoros 0 kWh (2008 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 1.916 billion kWh (2007 est.) Congo, Republic of the 0 kWh (2008 est.) Cook Islands 0 kWh (2008 est.) Costa Rica 77.16 million kWh (2008 est.) Cote d'Ivoire 772 million kWh (2007 est.) Croatia 2.14 billion kWh (2008 est.) Cuba 0 kWh (2008 est.) Cyprus 0 kWh (2008 est.) Czech Republic 19.99 billion kWh (2008 est.) Denmark 11.36 billion kWh (2008 est.) Djibouti 0 kWh (2008 est.) Dominica 0 kWh (2008 est.) Dominican Republic 0 kWh (2008 est.) Ecuador 38.53 million kWh (2007 est.) Egypt 814 million kWh (2007 est.) El Salvador 7 million kWh (2007 est.) Equatorial Guinea 0 kWh (2008 est.) Eritrea 0 kWh (2008 est.) Estonia 2.31 billion kWh (2008 est.) Ethiopia 0 kWh (2008 est.) European Union NA kWh Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 0 kWh (2008 est.) Faroe Islands 0 kWh (2008 est.) Fiji 0 kWh (2008 est.) Finland 3.335 billion kWh (2008 est.) France 58.69 billion kWh (2008 est.) French Polynesia 0 kWh (2008 est.) Gabon 0 kWh (2008 est.) Gambia, The 0 kWh (2008 est.) Gaza Strip 0 kWh (2008 est.) Georgia 628 million kWh (2007 est.) Germany 61.7 billion kWh (2008 est.) Ghana 249 million kWh (2007 est.) Gibraltar 0 kWh (2008 est.) Greece 1.962 billion kWh (2008 est.) Greenland 0 kWh (2008 est.) Grenada 0 kWh (2008 est.) Guam 0 kWh (2008 est.) Guatemala 131.9 million kWh (2007 est.) Guernsey 0 kWh (2002) Guinea 0 kWh (2008 est.) Guinea-Bissau 0 kWh (2008 est.) Guyana 0 kWh (2008 est.) Haiti 0 kWh (2008 est.) Honduras 0 kWh (2008 est.) Hong Kong 3.553 billion kWh (2008 est.) Hungary 8.871 billion kWh (2008 est.) Iceland 0 kWh (2008 est.) India 216 million kWh (2007 est.) Indonesia 0 kWh (2008 est.) Iran 2.52 billion kWh (2007 est.) Iraq 0 kWh (2008 est.) Ireland 303 million kWh (2008 est.) Israel 2.081 billion kWh (2007 est.) Italy 3.431 billion kWh (2008 est.) Jamaica 0 kWh (2008 est.) Japan 0 kWh (2008 est.) Jordan 176 million kWh (2007 est.) Kazakhstan 3.617 billion kWh (2007 est.) Kenya 58.3 million kWh (2007 est.) Kiribati 0 kWh (2008 est.) Korea, North 0 kWh (2008 est.) Korea, South 0 kWh (2008 est.) Kuwait 0 kWh (2008 est.) Kyrgyzstan 2.379 billion kWh (2007 est.) Laos 268 million kWh (2007 est.) Latvia 2.123 billion kWh (2008 est.) Lebanon 0 kWh (2008 est.) Lesotho 0 kWh (2008 est.) Liberia 0 kWh (2008 est.) Libya 104 million kWh (2007 est.) Lithuania 6.606 billion kWh (2008 est.) Luxembourg 2.483 billion kWh (2008 est.) Macau 0 kWh (2008 est.) Macedonia 0 kWh (2008 est.) Madagascar 0 kWh (2008 est.) Malawi 0 kWh (2008 est.) Malaysia 2.268 billion kWh (2007 est.) Maldives 0 kWh (2008 est.) Mali 0 kWh; note - recent hydropower developments may be providing electricity to Senegal and Mauritania (2008 est.) Malta 0 kWh (2008 est.) Mauritania 0 kWh (2008 est.) Mauritius 0 kWh (2008 est.) Mexico 1.288 billion kWh (2008 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of 0 kWh (2002) Moldova 240 million kWh (2007 est.) Mongolia 15.8 million kWh (2008) Montenegro 0 kWh (2005) Montserrat 0 kWh (2008 est.) Morocco 0 kWh (2008 est.) Mozambique 11.82 billion kWh (2007 est.) Namibia 40 million kWh (2007 est.) Nauru 0 kWh (2008 est.) Nepal 140 million kWh (2007 est.) Netherlands 9.28 billion kWh (2008 est.) Netherlands Antilles 0 kWh (2008 est.) New Caledonia 0 kWh (2008 est.) New Zealand 0 kWh (2008 est.) Nicaragua 0 kWh (2008 est.) Niger 0 kWh (2008 est.) Nigeria 0 kWh (2008 est.) Niue 0 kWh (2008 est.) Northern Mariana Islands 0 kWh (January 2009 est.) Norway 17.29 billion kWh (2008 est.) Oman 0 kWh (2008 est.) Pakistan 0 kWh (2008 est.) Panama 124.9 million kWh (2007 est.) Papua New Guinea 0 kWh (2008 est.) Paraguay 45.14 billion kWh (2007 est.) Peru 0 kWh (2008 est.) Philippines 0 kWh (2008 est.) Poland 9.703 billion kWh (2008) Portugal 1.313 billion kWh (2008 est.) Puerto Rico 0 kWh (2008 est.) Qatar 0 kWh (2008 est.) Romania 5.169 billion kWh (2008 est.) Russia 18.6 billion kWh (2008 est.) Rwanda 10 million kWh (2007 est.) Saint Helena 0 kWh (2008 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis 0 kWh (2008 est.) Saint Lucia 0 kWh (2008 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0 kWh (2008 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0 kWh (2008 est.) Samoa 0 kWh (2008 est.) Sao Tome and Principe 0 kWh (2008) Saudi Arabia 0 kWh (2008 est.) Senegal 0 kWh (2008 est.) Serbia 12.05 billion kWh (2004 est.) Seychelles 0 kWh (2008 est.) Sierra Leone 0 kWh (2008 est.) Singapore 0 kWh (2008 est.) Slovakia 8.891 billion kWh (2008 est.) Slovenia 7.82 billion kWh (2008 est.) Solomon Islands 0 kWh (2008 est.) Somalia 0 kWh (2008 est.) South Africa 14.16 billion kWh (2008 est.) Spain 16.92 billion kWh (2008 est.) Sri Lanka 0 kWh (2008 est.) Sudan 0 kWh (2008 est.) Suriname 0 kWh (2008 est.) Swaziland 0 kWh (2008) Sweden 14.71 billion kWh (2008 est.) Switzerland 32.74 billion kWh (2008 est.) Syria 0 kWh (2008 est.) Taiwan 0 kWh (2008 est.) Tajikistan 1 billion kWh (2008 est.) Tanzania 0 kWh (2008 est.) Thailand 773 million kWh (2008 est.) Timor-Leste 0 kWh (2007 est.) Togo 0 kWh (2008 est.) Tonga 0 kWh (2008) Trinidad and Tobago 0 kWh (2008 est.) Tunisia 130 million kWh (2007 est.) Turkey 1.063 billion kWh (2008 est.) Turkmenistan 1.46 billion kWh (2007 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands 0 kWh (2008 est.) Uganda 30 million kWh (2007) Ukraine 12.55 billion kWh (2007 est.) United Arab Emirates 0 kWh (2008 est.) United Kingdom 1.272 billion kWh (2008 est.) United States 24.08 billion kWh (2008 est.) Uruguay 996 million kWh (2007 est.) Uzbekistan 11.44 billion kWh (2007 est.) Vanuatu 0 kWh (2008 est.) Venezuela 540 million kWh (2007 est.) Vietnam 0 kWh (2008 est.) Virgin Islands 0 kWh (2008 est.) Wallis and Futuna 0 kWh (2002) Western Sahara 0 kWh (2008 est.) World 621.4 billion kWh (2008 est.) Yemen 0 kWh (2008 est.) Zambia 268 million kWh (2007) Zimbabwe 32 million kWh (2007 est.) ====================================================================== @2045 Field Listing :: Electricity - production by source Country Electricity - production by source(%) Afghanistan fossil fuel: 36.3% hydro: 63.7% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Albania fossil fuel: 2.9% hydro: 97.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Algeria fossil fuel: 99.7% hydro: 0.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) American Samoa fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Andorra NA Angola fossil fuel: 36.4% hydro: 63.6% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Anguilla fossil fuel: NA hydro: NA nuclear: NA other: NA Antigua and Barbuda fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Argentina fossil fuel: 52.2% hydro: 40.8% nuclear: 6.7% other: 0.2% (2001) Armenia fossil fuel: 42.3% hydro: 27% nuclear: 30.7% other: 0% (2001) Aruba fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Australia fossil fuel: 90.8% hydro: 8.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0.9% (2001) Austria fossil fuel: 29.3% hydro: 67.2% nuclear: 0% other: 3.5% (2001) Azerbaijan fossil fuel: 89.7% hydro: 10.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Bahamas, The fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Bahrain fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Bangladesh fossil fuel: 93.7% hydro: 6.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Barbados fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Belarus fossil fuel: 99.5% hydro: 0.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0.4% (2001) Belgium fossil fuel: 38.4% hydro: 0.6% nuclear: 59.3% other: 1.8% (2001) Belize fossil fuel: 59.9% hydro: 40.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Benin fossil fuel: 14.2% hydro: 85.8% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Bermuda fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Bhutan fossil fuel: 0.1% hydro: 99.9% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Bolivia fossil fuel: 44.4% hydro: 54% nuclear: 0% other: 1.5% (2001) Bosnia and Herzegovina fossil fuel: 53.5% hydro: 46.5% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Botswana fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Brazil fossil fuel: 8.3% hydro: 82.7% nuclear: 4.4% other: 4.6% (2001) British Virgin Islands fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Brunei fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Bulgaria fossil fuel: 47.8% hydro: 8.1% nuclear: 44.1% other: 0% (2001) Burkina Faso fossil fuel: 69.9% hydro: 30.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Burma fossil fuel: 44.5% hydro: 43.4% nuclear: 0% other: 12.1% (2002) Burundi fossil fuel: 0.6% hydro: 99.4% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Cambodia fossil fuel: 65% hydro: 35% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Cameroon fossil fuel: 2.7% hydro: 97.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Canada fossil fuel: 28% hydro: 57.9% nuclear: 12.9% other: 1.3% (2001) Cape Verde fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Cayman Islands fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Central African Republic fossil fuel: 19.8% hydro: 80.2% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Chad fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Chile fossil fuel: 47% hydro: 51.5% nuclear: 0% other: 1.4% (2001) China fossil fuel: 80.2% hydro: 18.5% nuclear: 1.2% other: 0.1% (2001) Christmas Island fossil fuel: NA hydro: NA nuclear: NA other: NA Cocos (Keeling) Islands fossil fuel: NA hydro: NA nuclear: NA other: NA Colombia fossil fuel: 26% hydro: 72.7% nuclear: 0% other: 1.3% (2001) Comoros fossil fuel: 90.6% hydro: 9.4% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Congo, Democratic Republic of the fossil fuel: 1.8% hydro: 98.2% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Congo, Republic of the fossil fuel: 0.3% hydro: 99.7% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Cook Islands fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Costa Rica fossil fuel: 1.5% hydro: 81.9% nuclear: 0% other: 16.6% (2001) Cote d'Ivoire fossil fuel: 61.9% hydro: 38.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Croatia fossil fuel: 33.6% hydro: 66% nuclear: 0% other: 0.4% (2001) Cuba fossil fuel: 93.9% hydro: 0.6% nuclear: 0% other: 5.4% (2001) Cyprus fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Czech Republic fossil fuel: 76.1% hydro: 2.9% nuclear: 20% other: 1% (2001) Denmark fossil fuel: 82.7% hydro: 0.1% nuclear: 0% other: 17.3% (2001) Djibouti fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Dominica fossil fuel: 47.1% hydro: 52.9% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Dominican Republic fossil fuel: 92% hydro: 7.6% nuclear: 0% other: 0.4% (2001) Ecuador fossil fuel: 81% hydro: 19% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Egypt fossil fuel: 81% hydro: 19% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) El Salvador fossil fuel: 44% hydro: 30.9% nuclear: 0% other: 25.1% (2001) Equatorial Guinea fossil fuel: 94.3% hydro: 5.7% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Eritrea fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Estonia fossil fuel: 99.8% hydro: 0.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0.2% (2001) Ethiopia fossil fuel: 1.3% hydro: 97.6% nuclear: 0% other: 1.2% (2001) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Faroe Islands fossil fuel: 62.4% hydro: 37.6% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Fiji fossil fuel: 18.5% hydro: 81.5% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Finland fossil fuel: 39% hydro: 18.7% nuclear: 30.4% other: 11.8% (2001) France fossil fuel: 8.2% hydro: 14% nuclear: 77.1% other: 0.7% (2001) French Polynesia fossil fuel: 60.7% hydro: 39.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Gabon fossil fuel: 34.5% hydro: 65.5% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Gambia, The fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Georgia fossil fuel: 19.7% hydro: 80.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Germany fossil fuel: 61.8% hydro: 4.2% nuclear: 29.9% other: 4.1% (2001) Ghana fossil fuel: 5% hydro: 95% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Gibraltar fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Greece fossil fuel: 94.5% hydro: 3.8% nuclear: 0% other: 1.7% (2001) Greenland fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% note: Greenland is shifting its electricity production from fossil fuel to hydropower production (2001) Grenada fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Guam fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Guatemala fossil fuel: 51.9% hydro: 35.2% nuclear: 0% other: 12.9% (2001) Guernsey fossil fuel: NA hydro: NA nuclear: NA other: NA Guinea fossil fuel: 45.5% hydro: 54.5% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Guinea-Bissau fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Guyana fossil fuel: 99.4% hydro: 0.6% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Haiti fossil fuel: 60.3% hydro: 39.7% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Honduras fossil fuel: 50.2% hydro: 49.8% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Hong Kong fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Hungary fossil fuel: 60.1% hydro: 0.5% nuclear: 39% other: 0.3% (2001) Iceland fossil fuel: 0.1% hydro: 82.5% nuclear: 0% other: 17.5% (geothermal) (2001) India fossil fuel: 81.7% hydro: 14.5% nuclear: 3.4% other: 0.3% (2001) Indonesia fossil fuel: 86.9% hydro: 10.5% nuclear: 0% other: 2.6% (2001) Iran fossil fuel: 97.1% hydro: 2.9% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Iraq fossil fuel: 98.4% hydro: 1.6% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Ireland fossil fuel: 95.9% hydro: 2.3% nuclear: 0% other: 1.7% (2001) Israel fossil fuel: 99.9% hydro: 0.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Italy fossil fuel: 78.6% hydro: 18.4% nuclear: 0% other: 3% (2001) Jamaica fossil fuel: 96.8% hydro: 1.8% nuclear: 0% other: 1.4% (2001) Japan fossil fuel: 60% hydro: 8.4% nuclear: 29.8% other: 1.8% (2001) Jordan fossil fuel: 99.4% hydro: 0.6% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Kazakhstan fossil fuel: 84.3% hydro: 15.7% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Kenya fossil fuel: 17.7% hydro: 71% nuclear: 0% other: 11.3% (2001) Kiribati fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Korea, North fossil fuel: 29% hydro: 71% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Korea, South fossil fuel: 62.4% hydro: 0.8% nuclear: 36.6% other: 0.2% (2001) Kuwait fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Kyrgyzstan fossil fuel: 7.6% hydro: 92.4% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Laos fossil fuel: 1.4% hydro: 98.6% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Latvia fossil fuel: 29.1% hydro: 70.9% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Lebanon fossil fuel: 97.2% hydro: 2.8% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Liberia fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Libya fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Lithuania fossil fuel: 16.5% hydro: 5.7% nuclear: 77.7% other: 0% (2001) Luxembourg fossil fuel: 57.3% hydro: 25.2% nuclear: 0% other: 17.5% (2001) Macau fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Macedonia fossil fuel: 83.7% hydro: 16.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Madagascar fossil fuel: 36.1% hydro: 63.9% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Malawi fossil fuel: 3.3% hydro: 96.7% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Malaysia fossil fuel: 89.5% hydro: 10.5% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Maldives fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Mali fossil fuel: 41.7% hydro: 58.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Malta fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Marshall Islands fossil fuel: 99% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 1% (solar) Mauritania fossil fuel: 85.9% hydro: 14.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Mauritius fossil fuel: 90.8% hydro: 9.2% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Mayotte fossil fuel: 0% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% Mexico fossil fuel: 78.7% hydro: 14.2% nuclear: 4.2% other: 2.9% (2001) Micronesia, Federated States of NA Moldova fossil fuel: 90.6% hydro: 9.4% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Mongolia fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Montserrat fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Morocco fossil fuel: 95.4% hydro: 4.6% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Mozambique fossil fuel: 2.9% hydro: 97.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Namibia NA Nauru fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Nepal fossil fuel: 8.5% hydro: 91.5% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Netherlands fossil fuel: 89.9% hydro: 0.1% nuclear: 4.3% other: 5.7% (2001) Netherlands Antilles fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) New Caledonia fossil fuel: 76.3% hydro: 23.7% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) New Zealand fossil fuel: 31.6% hydro: 57.8% nuclear: 0% other: 10.7% (2001) Nicaragua fossil fuel: 83.9% hydro: 7.7% nuclear: 0% other: 8.4% (2001) Niger fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Nigeria fossil fuel: 61.9% hydro: 38.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Niue fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Norfolk Island fossil fuel: 0% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2002) Norway fossil fuel: 0.4% hydro: 99.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0.4% (2001) Oman fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Pakistan fossil fuel: 68.8% hydro: 28.2% nuclear: 3% other: 0% (2001) Palau NA Panama fossil fuel: 37% hydro: 61.3% nuclear: 0% other: 1.7% (2001) Papua New Guinea fossil fuel: 54.1% hydro: 45.9% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Paraguay fossil fuel: 0% hydro: 99.9% nuclear: 0% other: 0.1% (2001) Peru fossil fuel: 14.5% hydro: 84.7% nuclear: 0% other: 0.8% (2001) Philippines fossil fuel: 55.6% hydro: 17.5% nuclear: 0% other: 26.9% (2001) Poland fossil fuel: 98.1% hydro: 1.5% nuclear: 0% other: 0.4% (2001) Portugal fossil fuel: 64.5% hydro: 31.3% nuclear: 0% other: 4.1% (2001) Puerto Rico fossil fuel: 99.2% hydro: 0.8% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Qatar fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Romania fossil fuel: 62.5% hydro: 27.6% nuclear: 9.9% other: 0% (2001) Russia fossil fuel: 66.3% hydro: 17.2% nuclear: 16.4% other: 0.1% (2003) Rwanda fossil fuel: 2.3% hydro: 97.7% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Saint Helena fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Saint Kitts and Nevis fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Saint Lucia fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Saint Pierre and Miquelon fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines fossil fuel: 69.3% hydro: 30.7% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Samoa fossil fuel: 58% hydro: 42% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Sao Tome and Principe fossil fuel: 41.2% hydro: 58.8% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Saudi Arabia fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Senegal fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Seychelles fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Sierra Leone fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Singapore fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Slovakia fossil fuel: 30.3% hydro: 16% nuclear: 53.6% other: 0% (2001) Slovenia fossil fuel: 35.2% hydro: 27.3% nuclear: 36.8% other: 0.7% (2001) Solomon Islands fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Somalia fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) South Africa fossil fuel: 93.5% hydro: 1.1% nuclear: 5.5% other: 0% (2001) Spain fossil fuel: 50.4% hydro: 18.2% nuclear: 27.2% other: 4.1% (2001) Sri Lanka fossil fuel: 51.7% hydro: 48.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Sudan fossil fuel: 52.1% hydro: 47.9% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Suriname fossil fuel: 25.2% hydro: 74.8% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Svalbard fossil fuel: 57.9984% hydro: 42.0016% nuclear: 0% other: 0% Swaziland fossil fuel: 58% hydro: 42% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Sweden fossil fuel: 4% hydro: 50.8% nuclear: 43% other: 2.3% (2001) Switzerland fossil fuel: 1.3% hydro: 59.5% nuclear: 37.1% other: 2% (2001) Syria fossil fuel: 57.6% hydro: 42.4% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Taiwan fossil fuel: 71.4% hydro: 6% nuclear: 22.6% other: 0% (2001) Tajikistan fossil fuel: 1.9% hydro: 98.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Tanzania fossil fuel: 18.9% hydro: 81.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Thailand fossil fuel: 91.3% hydro: 6.4% nuclear: 0% other: 2.4% (2001) Timor-Leste fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Togo fossil fuel: 98.7% hydro: 1.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Tokelau fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Tonga fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Trinidad and Tobago fossil fuel: 99.8% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0.2% (2001) Tunisia fossil fuel: 99.5% hydro: 0.5% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Turkey fossil fuel: 79.3% hydro: 20.4% nuclear: 0% other: 0.3% (2001) Turkmenistan fossil fuel: 99.9% hydro: 0.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Turks and Caicos Islands fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Tuvalu fossil fuel: NA hydro: NA nuclear: NA other: NA Uganda fossil fuel: 0.9% hydro: 99.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Ukraine fossil fuel: 48.6% hydro: 7.9% nuclear: 43.5% other: 0% (2001) United Arab Emirates fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) United Kingdom fossil fuel: 73.8% hydro: 0.9% nuclear: 23.7% other: 1.6% (2001) United States fossil fuel: 71.4% hydro: 5.6% nuclear: 20.7% other: 2.3% (2001) Uruguay fossil fuel: 0.7% hydro: 99.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0.3% (2001) Uzbekistan fossil fuel: 88.2% hydro: 11.8% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Vanuatu fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Venezuela fossil fuel: 31.7% hydro: 68.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Vietnam fossil fuel: 43.7% hydro: 56.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Virgin Islands fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Wallis and Futuna fossil fuel: 0% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% West Bank fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Western Sahara fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) World fossil fuel: NA hydro: NA nuclear: NA other: NA Yemen fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Zambia fossil fuel: 0.5% hydro: 99.5% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Zimbabwe fossil fuel: 47% hydro: 53% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) ====================================================================== @2046 Field Listing :: Population below poverty line Country Population below poverty line(%) Afghanistan 53% (2003) Albania 25% (2004 est.) Algeria 23% (2006 est.) American Samoa NA% Andorra NA% Angola 40.5% (2006 est.) Anguilla 23% (2002) Antigua and Barbuda NA% Argentina 23.4% (January-June 2007) Armenia 26.5% (2006 est.) Aruba NA% Australia NA% Austria 5.9% (2004) Azerbaijan 24% (2005 est.) Bahamas, The 9.3% (2004) Bahrain NA% Bangladesh 45% (2004 est.) Barbados NA% Belarus 27.1% (2003 est.) Belgium 15.2% (2007 est.) Belize 33.5% (2002 est.) Benin 37.4% (2007 est.) Bermuda 19% (2000) Bhutan 31.7% (2003) Bolivia 60% (2006 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina 25% (2004 est.) Botswana 30.3% (2003) Brazil 31% (2005) British Virgin Islands NA% Brunei NA% Bulgaria 14.1% (2003 est.) Burkina Faso 46.4% (2004) Burma 32.7% (2007 est.) Burundi 68% (2002 est.) Cambodia 35% (2004) Cameroon 48% (2000 est.) Canada 10.8%; note - this figure is the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO), a calculation that results in higher figures than found in many comparable economies; Canada does not have an official poverty line (2005) Cape Verde 30% (2000) Cayman Islands NA% Central African Republic NA% Chad 80% (2001 est.) Chile 18.2% (2005) China 8% note: 21.5 million rural population live below the official "absolute poverty" line (approximately $90 per year); and an additional 35.5 million rural population above that but below the official "low income" line (approximately $125 per year) (2006 est.) Colombia 49.2% (2005) Comoros 60% (2002 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the NA% Congo, Republic of the NA% Cook Islands NA% Costa Rica 16% (2006 est.) Cote d'Ivoire 42% (2006 est.) Croatia 11% (2003) Cuba NA% Cyprus NA% Czech Republic NA% Denmark NA% Djibouti 42% (2007 est.) Dominica 30% (2002 est.) Dominican Republic 42.2% (2004) Ecuador 38.3% (2006) Egypt 20% (2005 est.) El Salvador 30.7% (2006 est.) Equatorial Guinea NA% Eritrea 50% (2004 est.) Estonia 5% (2003) Ethiopia 38.7% (FY05/06 est.) European Union note - see individual country entries of member states Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) NA% Faroe Islands NA% Fiji 25.5% (FY90/91) Finland NA% France 6.2% (2004) French Polynesia NA% Gabon NA% Gambia, The NA% Gaza Strip 80% (2007 est.) Georgia 31% (2006) Germany 11% (2001 est.) Ghana 28.5% (2007 est.) Gibraltar NA% Greece NA% Greenland NA% Grenada 32% (2000) Guam 23% (2001 est.) Guatemala 56.2% (2004 est.) Guernsey NA% Guinea 47% (2006 est.) Guinea-Bissau NA% Guyana NA% Haiti 80% (2003 est.) Holy See (Vatican City) NA% Honduras 50.7% (2004) Hong Kong NA% Hungary 8.6% (1993 est.) Iceland NA% India 25% (2007 est.) Indonesia 17.8% (2006) Iran 18% (2007 est.) Iraq NA% Ireland 7% (2005 est.) Isle of Man NA% Israel 21.6% note: Israel's poverty line is $7.30 per person per day (2005) Italy NA% Jamaica 14.8% (2003 est.) Japan NA% Jersey NA% Jordan 14.2% (2002) Kazakhstan 13.8% (2007) Kenya 50% (2000 est.) Kiribati NA% Korea, North NA% Korea, South 15% (2003 est.) Kosovo 37% (2007 est.) Kuwait NA% Kyrgyzstan 40% (2004 est.) Laos 30.7% (2005 est.) Latvia NA% Lebanon 28% (1999 est.) Lesotho 49% (1999) Liberia 80% (2000 est.) Libya 7.4% (2005 est.) Liechtenstein NA% Lithuania 4% (2003) Luxembourg NA% Macau NA% Macedonia 29.8% (2006) Madagascar 50% (2004 est.) Malawi 53% (2004) Malaysia 5.1% (2002 est.) Maldives 21% (2004) Mali 36.1% (2005 est.) Malta NA% Marshall Islands NA% Mauritania 40% (2004 est.) Mauritius 8% (2006 est.) Mayotte NA% Mexico 13.8% using food-based definition of poverty; asset based poverty amounted to more than 40% (2006) Micronesia, Federated States of 26.7% (2000) Moldova 29.5% (2005) Monaco NA% Mongolia 36.1% (2004) Montenegro 7% (2007 est.) Montserrat NA% Morocco 15% (2007 est.) Mozambique 70% (2001 est.) Namibia the UNDP's 2005 Human Development Report indicated that 34.9% of the population live on $1 per day and 55.8% live on $2 per day Nauru NA% Nepal 30.9% (2004) Netherlands 10.5% (2005) Netherlands Antilles NA% New Caledonia NA% New Zealand NA% Nicaragua 48% (2005) Niger 63% (1993 est.) Nigeria 70% (2007 est.) Niue NA% Northern Mariana Islands NA% Norway NA% Oman NA% Pakistan 24% (FY05/06 est.) Palau NA% Panama 28.6% (2006 est.) Papua New Guinea 37% (2002 est.) Paraguay 32% (2005 est.) Peru 44.5% (2006) Philippines 30% (2003 est.) Poland 17% (2003 est.) Portugal 18% (2006) Puerto Rico NA% Qatar NA% Romania 25% (2005 est.) Russia 15.8% (November 2007) Rwanda 60% (2001 est.) Saint Helena NA% Saint Kitts and Nevis NA% Saint Lucia NA% Saint Pierre and Miquelon NA% Saint Vincent and the Grenadines NA% Samoa NA% San Marino NA% Sao Tome and Principe 54% (2004 est.) Saudi Arabia NA% Senegal 54% (2001 est.) Serbia 6.5% (2007 est.) Seychelles NA% Sierra Leone 70.2% (2004) Singapore NA% Slovakia 21% (2002) Slovenia 12.9% (2004) Solomon Islands NA% Somalia NA% South Africa 50% (2000 est.) Spain 19.8% (2005) Sri Lanka 22% (2002 est.) Sudan 40% (2004 est.) Suriname 70% (2002 est.) Swaziland 69% (2006) Sweden NA% Switzerland NA% Syria 11.9% (2006 est.) Taiwan 0.95% (2007 est.) Tajikistan 60% (2007 est.) Tanzania 36% (2002 est.) Thailand 10% (2004 est.) Timor-Leste 42% (2003 est.) Togo 32% (1989 est.) Tokelau NA% Tonga 24% (FY03/04) Trinidad and Tobago 17% (2007 est.) Tunisia 7.4% (2005 est.) Turkey 20% (2002) Turkmenistan 30% (2004 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands NA% Tuvalu NA% Uganda 35% (2001 est.) Ukraine 37.7% (2003) United Arab Emirates 19.5% (2003) United Kingdom 14% (2006 est.) United States 12% (2004 est.) Uruguay 27.4% of households (2006) Uzbekistan 33% (2004 est.) Vanuatu NA% Venezuela 37.9% (end 2005 est.) Vietnam 14.8% (2007 est.) Virgin Islands 28.9% (2002) Wallis and Futuna NA% West Bank 46% (2007 est.) Western Sahara NA% Yemen 45.2% (2003) Zambia 86% (1993) Zimbabwe 68% (2004) ====================================================================== @2047 Field Listing :: Household income or consumption by percentage share Data on household income or consumption come from household surveys, the results adjusted for household size. Nations use different standards and procedures in collecting and adjusting the data. Surveys based on income will normally show a more unequal distribution than surveys based on consumption. The quality of surveys is improving with time, yet caution is still necessary in making inter-country comparisons. Country Household income or consumption by percentage share(%) Afghanistan lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Albania lowest 10%: 3.2% highest 10%: 25.9% (2005) Algeria lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 26.8% (1995) American Samoa lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Andorra lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Angola lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Anguilla lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Antigua and Barbuda lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Argentina lowest 10%: 1% highest 10%: 35% (January-March 2007) Armenia lowest 10%: 1.6% highest 10%: 41.3% (2004) Aruba lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Australia lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 25.4% (1994) Austria lowest 10%: 3.3% highest 10%: 22.5% (2004) Azerbaijan lowest 10%: 6.1% highest 10%: 17.5% (2005) Bahamas, The lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: 27% (2000) Bahrain lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Bangladesh lowest 10%: 4.3% highest 10%: 26.6% (2005) Barbados lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Belarus lowest 10%: 3.6% highest 10%: 22% (2005) Belgium lowest 10%: 3.4% highest 10%: 28.4% (2000) Belize lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Benin lowest 10%: 3.1% highest 10%: 29% (2003) Bermuda lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Bhutan lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Bolivia lowest 10%: 0.5% highest 10%: 44.1% (2005) Bosnia and Herzegovina lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 27.4% (2004) Botswana lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Brazil lowest 10%: 1.1% highest 10%: 43% (2007) British Virgin Islands lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Brunei lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Bulgaria lowest 10%: 3% highest 10%: 25.5% (2007) Burkina Faso lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 32.2% (2004) Burma lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 32.4% (1998) Burundi lowest 10%: 4.1% highest 10%: 28% (2006) Cambodia lowest 10%: 3% highest 10%: 34.2% (2007) Cameroon lowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 35.4% (2001) Canada lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 24.8% (2000) Cape Verde lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Cayman Islands lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Central African Republic lowest 10%: 2.1% highest 10%: 33% (2003) Chad lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Chile lowest 10%: 1.6% highest 10%: 41.7% (2006) China lowest 10%: 2.4% highest 10%: 31.4% (2004) Colombia lowest 10%: 0.8% highest 10%: 45.9% (2006) Comoros lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Congo, Democratic Republic of the lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Congo, Republic of the lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Cook Islands lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Costa Rica lowest 10%: 1.5% highest 10%: 35.5% (2005) Cote d'Ivoire lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 34% (2002) Croatia lowest 10%: 3.6% highest 10%: 23.1% (2005 est.) Cuba lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Cyprus lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Czech Republic lowest 10%: 4.3% highest 10%: 22.4% (1996) Denmark lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 24% (2000 est.) Djibouti lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Dominica lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Dominican Republic lowest 10%: 1.5% highest 10%: 38.7% (2005) Ecuador lowest 10%: 1.2% highest 10%: 43.3% note: data for urban households only (2007) Egypt lowest 10%: 3.9% highest 10%: 27.6% (2005) El Salvador lowest 10%: 1% highest 10%: 37% (2005) Equatorial Guinea lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Eritrea lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Estonia lowest 10%: 2.7% highest 10%: 27.7% (2004) Ethiopia lowest 10%: 4.1% highest 10%: 25.6% (2005) European Union lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 25.2% (2001 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Faroe Islands lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Fiji lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Finland lowest 10%: 3.6% highest 10%: 24.7% (2007) France lowest 10%: 3% highest 10%: 24.8% (2004) French Polynesia lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Gabon lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Gambia, The lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 36.9% (2003) Gaza Strip lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Georgia lowest 10%: 2.4% highest 10%: 27% (2005) Germany lowest 10%: 3.2% highest 10%: 22.1% (2000) Ghana lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 32.8% (2006) Gibraltar lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Greece lowest 10%: 2.5% highest 10%: 26% (2000 est.) Greenland lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Grenada lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Guam lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Guatemala lowest 10%: 1.3% highest 10%: 42.4% (2006) Guernsey lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Guinea lowest 10%: 1.9% highest 10%: 41% (2006) Guinea-Bissau lowest 10%: 2.9% highest 10%: 28% (2002) Guyana lowest 10%: 1.3% highest 10%: 33.8% (1999) Haiti lowest 10%: 0.7% highest 10%: 47.7% (2001) Honduras lowest 10%: 0.7% highest 10%: 42.2% (2006) Hong Kong lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Hungary lowest 10%: 3.5% highest 10%: 24.1% (2004) Iceland lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% India lowest 10%: 3.6% highest 10%: 31.1% (2005) Indonesia lowest 10%: 3% highest 10%: 32.3% (2006) Iran lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 29.6% (2005) Iraq lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Ireland lowest 10%: 2.9% highest 10%: 27.2% (2000) Isle of Man lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Israel lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 24.2% (2007) Italy lowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 26.8% (2000) Jamaica lowest 10%: 2.1% highest 10%: 35.8% (2004) Japan lowest 10%: 4.8% highest 10%: 21.7% (1993) Jersey lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Jordan lowest 10%: 3% highest 10%: 30.7% (2006) Kazakhstan lowest 10%: 3.3% highest 10%: 26.5% (2004 est.) Kenya lowest 10%: 1.8% highest 10%: 37.8% (2005) Kiribati lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Korea, North lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Korea, South lowest 10%: 2.7% highest 10%: 24.2% (2007) Kuwait lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Kyrgyzstan lowest 10%: 3.6% highest 10%: 25.9% (2004) Laos lowest 10%: 3.4% highest 10%: 28.5% (2002) Latvia lowest 10%: 2.7% highest 10%: 27.4% (2004) Lebanon lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Lesotho lowest 10%: 1% highest 10%: 39.4% (2003) Liberia lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Libya lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Liechtenstein lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Lithuania lowest 10%: 2.7% highest 10%: 27.4% (2003) Luxembourg lowest 10%: 3.5% highest 10%: 23.8% (2000) Macau lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Macedonia lowest 10%: 2.4% highest 10%: 29.6% (2003) Madagascar lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 41.5% (2005) Malawi lowest 10%: 3% highest 10%: 31.9% (2004) Malaysia lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 28.5% (2004 est.) Maldives lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Mali lowest 10%: 2.7% highest 10%: 30.5% (2006) Malta lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Marshall Islands lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Mauritania lowest 10%: 2.5% highest 10%: 29.5% (2000) Mauritius lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Mayotte lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Mexico lowest 10%: 1.8% highest 10%: 37.9% (2006) Micronesia, Federated States of lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Moldova lowest 10%: 3% highest 10%: 28.2% (2004) Monaco lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Mongolia lowest 10%: 2.9% highest 10%: 24.9% (2005) Montserrat lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Morocco lowest 10%: 2.7% highest 10%: 33.2% (2007) Mozambique lowest 10%: 2.1% highest 10%: 39.2% (2003) Namibia lowest 10%: 0.5% highest 10%: 64.5% (2003) Nauru lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Nepal lowest 10%: 2.7% highest 10%: 40.6% (2006) Netherlands lowest 10%: 2.5% highest 10%: 22.9% (1999) Netherlands Antilles lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% New Caledonia lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% New Zealand lowest 10%: %NA highest 10%: %NA Nicaragua lowest 10%: 1.4% highest 10%: 41.8% (2005) Niger lowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 35.7% (2005) Nigeria lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 32.4% (2004) Niue lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Northern Mariana Islands lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Norway lowest 10%: 3.9% highest 10%: 23.4% (2000) Oman lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Pakistan lowest 10%: 3.9% highest 10%: 26.5% (2005) Palau lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Panama lowest 10%: 0.8% highest 10%: 41.4% (2006) Papua New Guinea lowest 10%: 1.7% highest 10%: 40.5% (1996) Paraguay lowest 10%: 1.1% highest 10%: 42.3% (2007) Peru lowest 10%: 1.5% highest 10%: 37.9% (2006) Philippines lowest 10%: 2.4% highest 10%: 31.2% (2006) Poland lowest 10%: 3% highest 10%: 27.2% (2005) Portugal lowest 10%: 3.1% highest 10%: 28.4% (1995 est.) Puerto Rico lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Qatar lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Romania lowest 10%: 1.2% highest 10%: 20.8% (2006) Russia lowest 10%: 1.9% highest 10%: 30.4% (September 2007) Rwanda lowest 10%: 2.1% highest 10%: 38.2% (2000) Saint Helena lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Saint Kitts and Nevis lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Saint Lucia lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Saint Pierre and Miquelon lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Saint Vincent and the Grenadines lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Samoa lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% San Marino lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Sao Tome and Principe lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Saudi Arabia lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Senegal lowest 10%: 2.5% highest 10%: 30.1% (2005) Seychelles lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Sierra Leone lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 33.6% (2003) Singapore lowest 10%: 4.4% highest 10%: 23.2% (2008) Slovakia lowest 10%: 3.1% highest 10%: 20.9% (1996) Slovenia lowest 10%: 3.4% highest 10%: 24.6% (2004) Solomon Islands lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Somalia lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% South Africa lowest 10%: 1.3% highest 10%: 44.7% (2000) Spain lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 26.6% (2000) Sri Lanka lowest 10%: 1.1% highest 10%: 39.7% (2004) Sudan lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Suriname lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Swaziland lowest 10%: 1.6% highest 10%: 40.7% (2001) Sweden lowest 10%: 3.6% highest 10%: 22.2% (2000) Switzerland lowest 10%: 2.9% highest 10%: 25.9% (2000) Syria lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Taiwan lowest 10%: 6.7% highest 10%: 41.1% (2002 est.) Tajikistan lowest 10%: 3.3% highest 10%: 25.6% (2007 est.) Tanzania lowest 10%: 2.9% highest 10%: 26.9% (2000) Thailand lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 33.7% (2004) Timor-Leste lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Togo lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Tonga lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Trinidad and Tobago lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Tunisia lowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 31.5% (2000) Turkey lowest 10%: 1.9% highest 10%: 33.2% (2005) Turkmenistan lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 31.7% (1998) Turks and Caicos Islands lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Tuvalu lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Uganda lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 34.1% (2005) Ukraine lowest 10%: 3.4% highest 10%: 25.7% (2006) United Arab Emirates lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% United Kingdom lowest 10%: 2.1% highest 10%: 28.5% (1999) United States lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 30% (2007 est.) Uruguay lowest 10%: 1.7% highest 10%: 34.8% (2006) Uzbekistan lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 29.6% (2003) Vanuatu lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Venezuela lowest 10%: 1.7% highest 10%: 32.7% (2006) Vietnam lowest 10%: 3.1% highest 10%: 29.8% (2006) Virgin Islands lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Wallis and Futuna lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% West Bank lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Western Sahara lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% World lowest 10%: 2.5% highest 10%: 29.4% (2003 est.) Yemen lowest 10%: 2.9% highest 10%: 30.8% (2005) Zambia lowest 10%: 1.2% highest 10%: 38.8% (2004) Zimbabwe lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 40.4% (1995) ====================================================================== @2048 Field Listing :: Labor force - by occupation This entry lists the percentage distribution of the labor force by occupation. The distribution will total less than 100 percent if the data are incomplete. Country Labor force - by occupation(%) Afghanistan agriculture: 80% industry: 10% services: 10% (2004 est.) Albania agriculture: 58% industry: 15% services: 27% (September 2006 est.) Algeria agriculture 14%, industry 13.4%, construction and public works 10%, trade 14.6%, government 32%, other 16% (2003 est.) American Samoa agriculture: 34% industry: 33% services: 33% (1990) Andorra agriculture: 0.3% industry: 20.8% services: 79% (2007) Angola agriculture: 85% industry and services: 15% (2003 est.) Anguilla agriculture/fishing/forestry/mining 4%, manufacturing 3%, construction 18%, transportation and utilities 10%, commerce 36%, services 29% (2000 est.) Antigua and Barbuda agriculture: 7% industry: 11% services: 82% (1983) Argentina agriculture: 1% industry: 23% services: 76% (2008 est.) Armenia agriculture: 46.2% industry: 15.6% services: 38.2% (2006 est.) Aruba agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% note: most employment is in wholesale and retail trade and repair, followed by hotels and restaurants; oil refining Australia agriculture: 3.6% industry: 21.1% services: 75% (2005 est.) Austria agriculture: 5.5% industry: 27.5% services: 67% (2005 est.) Azerbaijan agriculture: 39.3% industry: 12.1% services: 48.6% (2005) Bahamas, The agriculture 5%, industry 5%, tourism 50%, other services 40% (2005 est.) Bahrain agriculture: 1% industry: 79% services: 20% (1997 est.) Bangladesh agriculture: 63% industry: 11% services: 26% (FY95/96) Barbados agriculture: 10% industry: 15% services: 75% (1996 est.) Belarus agriculture: 14% industry: 34.7% services: 51.3% (2003 est.) Belgium agriculture: 2% industry: 25% services: 73% (2007 est.) Belize agriculture: 10.2% industry: 18.1% services: 71.7% (2007) Bermuda agriculture and fishing 3%, laborers 17%, clerical 19%, professional and technical 21%, administrative and managerial 15%, sales 7%, services 19% (2004 est.) Bhutan agriculture: 63% industry: 6% services: 31% (2004 est.) Bolivia agriculture: 40% industry: 17% services: 43% (2006 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina agriculture: 19.8% industry: 32.6% services: 47.6% (2007) Botswana agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Brazil agriculture: 20% industry: 14% services: 66% (2003 est.) British Virgin Islands agriculture: 0.6% industry: 40% services: 59.4% (2005) Brunei agriculture: 4.5% industry: 63.1% services: 32.4% (2003 est.) Bulgaria agriculture: 7.5% industry: 35.5% services: 57% (2007 est.) Burkina Faso agriculture: 90% industry and services: 10% (2000 est.) Burma agriculture: 70% industry: 7% services: 23% (2001) Burundi agriculture: 93.6% industry: 2.3% services: 4.1% (2002 est.) Cambodia agriculture: 75% industry: NA% services: NA% (2004 est.) Cameroon agriculture: 70% industry: 13% services: 17% (2001 est.) Canada agriculture 2%, manufacturing 13%, construction 6%, services 76%, other 3% (2006) Cayman Islands agriculture: 1.4% industry: 12.6% services: 86% (1995) Chad agriculture: 80% (subsistence farming, herding, and fishing) industry and services: 20% (2006 est.) Chile agriculture: 13.2% industry: 23% services: 63.9% (2005) China agriculture: 43% industry: 25% services: 32% (2006 est.) Cocos (Keeling) Islands note: the Cocos Islands Cooperative Society Ltd. employs construction workers, stevedores, and lighterage workers; tourism employs others Colombia agriculture: 22.4% industry: 18.8% services: 58.8% (2005 est.) Comoros agriculture: 80% industry and services: 20% (1996 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Cook Islands agriculture: 29% industry: 15% services: 56% (1995) Costa Rica agriculture: 14% industry: 22% services: 64% (2006 est.) Cote d'Ivoire agriculture: 68% industry and services: NA (2007 est.) Croatia agriculture: 5% industry: 31.3% services: 63.6% (2008) Cuba agriculture: 20% industry: 19.4% services: 60.6% (2005) Cyprus agriculture: 8.5% industry: 20.5% services: 71% (2006 est.) Czech Republic agriculture: 3.6% industry: 40.2% services: 56.2% (2007) Denmark agriculture: 2.9% industry: 23.8% services: 72.7% (2005 est.) Djibouti agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Dominica agriculture: 40% industry: 32% services: 28% (2000 est.) Dominican Republic agriculture: 14.6% industry: 22.3% services: 63.1% (2005) Ecuador agriculture: 8.3% industry: 21.2% services: 70.4% (2005) Egypt agriculture: 32% industry: 17% services: 51% (2001 est.) El Salvador agriculture: 19% industry: 23% services: 58% (2006 est.) Eritrea agriculture: 80% industry and services: 20% (2004 est.) Estonia agriculture: 4.7% industry: 33.7% services: 61.6% (2007) Ethiopia agriculture: 80.2% industry: 6.6% services: 13.2% (2005) European Union agriculture: 5.6% industry: 27.7% services: 66.7% (2007 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) agriculture: 95% (mostly sheepherding and fishing) industry and services: 5% (1996) Faroe Islands agriculture: 11.2% industry: 21.9% services: 66.9% (2007) Fiji agriculture: 70% industry and services: 30% (2001 est.) Finland agriculture and forestry 4.5%, industry 18.3%, construction 7.3%, commerce 16%, finance, insurance, and business services 14.5%, transport and communications 7%, public services 32.4% (2008) France agriculture: 3.8% industry: 24.3% services: 71.8% (2005) French Polynesia agriculture: 13% industry: 19% services: 68% (2002) Gabon agriculture: 60% industry: 15% services: 25% (2000 est.) Gambia, The agriculture: 75% industry: 19% services: 6% (1996) Gaza Strip agriculture: 12% industry: 5% services: 83% (June 2008) Georgia agriculture: 55.6% industry: 8.9% services: 35.5% (2006 est.) Germany agriculture: 2.4% industry: 29.7% services: 67.8% (2005) Ghana agriculture: 56% industry: 15% services: 29% (2005 est.) Gibraltar agriculture: negligible industry: 40% services: 60% (2001) Greece agriculture: 12.4% industry: 22.4% services: 65.1% (2005 est.) Grenada agriculture: 24% industry: 14% services: 62% (1999 est.) Guam agriculture: 26% industry: 10% services: 64% (2004 est.) Guatemala agriculture: 50% industry: 15% services: 35% (1999 est.) Guinea agriculture: 76% industry and services: 24% (2006 est.) Guinea-Bissau agriculture: 82% industry and services: 18% (2000 est.) Guyana agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Haiti agriculture: 66% industry: 9% services: 25% (1995) Holy See (Vatican City) note: essentially services with a small amount of industry; nearly all dignitaries, priests, nuns, guards, and the approximately 3,000 lay workers live outside the Vatican Honduras agriculture: 39.2% industry: 20.9% services: 39.8% (2005 est.) Hong Kong manufacturing 6.1%, construction 1.9%, wholesale and retail trade, restaurants, and hotels 42.9%, financing, insurance, and real estate 21.4%, transport and communications 7.9%, community and social services 19.7% note: above data exclude public sector (2008 est.) Hungary agriculture: 5% industry: 32.4% services: 62.6% (2005) Iceland agriculture: 3% industry: 19% services: 78% (2007) India agriculture: 60% industry: 12% services: 28% (2003) Indonesia agriculture: 42.1% industry: 18.6% services: 39.3% (2006 est.) Iran agriculture: 25% industry: 31% services: 45% (June 2007) Iraq agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Ireland agriculture: 6% industry: 27% services: 67% (2006 est.) Isle of Man agriculture, forestry, and fishing 3%, manufacturing 11%, construction 10%, transport and communication 8%, wholesale and retail distribution 11%, professional and scientific services 18%, public administration 6%, banking and finance 18%, tourism 2%, entertainment and catering 3%, miscellaneous services 10% (2001) Israel agriculture: 2% industry: 16% services: 82% (30 September 2008) Italy agriculture: 4.2% industry: 30.7% services: 65.1% (2005) Jamaica agriculture: 17% industry: 19% services: 64% (2006) Japan agriculture: 4.4% industry: 27.9% services: 66.4% (2005) Jordan agriculture: 2.7% industry: 20% services: 77.4% (2001 est.) Kazakhstan agriculture: 31.5% industry: 18.4% services: 50% (2006) Kenya agriculture: 75% industry and services: 25% (2003 est.) Kiribati agriculture: 2.7% industry: 32% services: 65.3% (2000) Korea, North agriculture: 37% industry and services: 63% (2004 est.) Korea, South agriculture: 7.2% industry: 25.1% services: 67.7% (2007) Kosovo agriculture: 16.5% industry: NA services: NA (2007 est.) Kuwait agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Kyrgyzstan agriculture: 48% industry: 12.5% services: 39.5% (2005 est.) Laos agriculture: 80% industry and services: 20% (2005 est.) Latvia agriculture: 12.1% industry: 25.8% services: 61.8% (2005 est.) Lebanon agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Lesotho agriculture: 86% of resident population engaged in subsistence agriculture; roughly 35% of the active male wage earners work in South Africa industry and services: 14% (2002 est.) Liberia agriculture: 70% industry: 8% services: 22% (2000 est.) Libya agriculture: 17% industry: 23% services: 59% (2004 est.) Liechtenstein agriculture: 1.7% industry: 43.5% services: 55.4% (31 December 2006) Lithuania agriculture: 14% industry: 29.1% services: 56.9% (2005) Luxembourg agriculture: 2.2% industry: 17.2% services: 80.6% (2007 est.) Macau manufacturing 7.4%, construction 12.6%, transport and communications 5%, wholesale and retail trade 12.5%, restaurants and hotels 12.7%, gambling 14%, public sector 6%, financial services 2.1%, other services and agriculture 27.7% (2008 est.) Macedonia agriculture: 19.6% industry: 30.4% services: 50% (September 2007) Malawi agriculture: 90% industry and services: 10% (2003 est.) Malaysia agriculture: 13% industry: 36% services: 51% (2005 est.) Maldives agriculture: 22% industry: 18% services: 60% (1995) Mali agriculture: 80% industry and services: 20% (2005 est.) Malta agriculture: 2.3% industry: 29.6% services: 68% (2005 est.) Marshall Islands agriculture: 21.4% industry: 20.9% services: 57.7% (2000) Mauritania agriculture: 50% industry: 10% services: 40% (2001 est.) Mauritius agriculture and fishing 9%, construction and industry 30%, transportation and communication 7%, trade, restaurants, hotels 22%, finance 6%, other services 25% (2007) Mexico agriculture: 15.1% industry: 25.7% services: 59% (2005) Micronesia, Federated States of agriculture: 0.9% industry: 34.4% services: 64.7% note: two-thirds are government employees (FY05 est.) Moldova agriculture: 40.6% industry: 16% services: 43.3% (2005) Mongolia agriculture: 34% industry: 5% services: 61% (2008) Montenegro agriculture: 2% industry: 30% services: 68% (2004 est.) Morocco agriculture: 44.6% industry: 19.8% services: 35.5% (2006 est.) Mozambique agriculture: 81% industry: 6% services: 13% (1997 est.) Namibia agriculture: 47% industry: 20% services: 33% (1999 est.) Nauru note: employed in mining phosphates, public administration, education, and transportation (1992) Nepal agriculture: 76% industry: 6% services: 18% (2004 est.) Netherlands agriculture: 2% industry: 18% services: 80% (2005 est.) Netherlands Antilles agriculture: 1% industry: 20% services: 79% (2005 est.) New Caledonia agriculture: 20% industry: 20% services: 60% (2002) New Zealand agriculture: 7% industry: 19% services: 74% (2006 est.) Nicaragua agriculture: 29% industry: 19% services: 52% (2006 est.) Niger agriculture: 90% industry: 6% services: 4% (1995) Nigeria agriculture: 70% industry: 10% services: 20% (1999 est.) Niue note: most work on family plantations; paid work exists only in government service, small industry, and the Niue Development Board Norfolk Island agriculture: 10% industry and services: 90% Northern Mariana Islands agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Norway agriculture: 2.9% industry: 21.1% services: 76% (2008) Oman agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Pakistan agriculture: 43% industry: 20.3% services: 36.6% (2005 est.) Palau agriculture: 20% industry: NA% services: NA% (1990) Panama agriculture: 15% industry: 18% services: 67% (2006) Papua New Guinea agriculture: 85% industry: NA% services: NA% (2005 est.) Paraguay agriculture: 31% industry: 17% services: 52% (2007) Peru agriculture: 0.7% industry: 23.8% services: 75.5% (2005) Philippines agriculture: 35% industry: 15% services: 50% (2008 est.) Pitcairn Islands note: no business community in the usual sense; some public works; subsistence farming and fishing Poland agriculture: 17.4% industry: 29.2% services: 53.4% (2005) Portugal agriculture: 10% industry: 30% services: 60% (2007 est.) Puerto Rico agriculture: 2.1% industry: 19% services: 79% (2005) Romania agriculture: 29.7% industry: 23.2% services: 47.1% (2006) Russia agriculture: 10.2% industry: 27.4% services: 62.4% (2007 est.) Rwanda agriculture: 90% industry and services: 10% (2000) Saint Helena agriculture: 6% industry: 48% services: 46% (1987 est.) Saint Lucia agriculture: 21.7% industry: 24.7% services: 53.6% (2002 est.) Saint Martin 85% directly or indirectly employed in tourist industry Saint Pierre and Miquelon agriculture: 18% industry: 41% services: 41% (1996 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines agriculture: 26% industry: 17% services: 57% (1980 est.) Samoa agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% San Marino agriculture: 0.1% industry: 37.7% services: 62.2% (2008 est.) Sao Tome and Principe note: population mainly engaged in subsistence agriculture and fishing; shortages of skilled workers Saudi Arabia agriculture: 6.7% industry: 21.4% services: 71.9% (2005 est.) Senegal agriculture: 77.5% industry and services: 22.5% (2007 est.) Serbia agriculture: 30% industry: 46% services: 24% (2002) Seychelles agriculture: 3% industry: 23% services: 74% (2006) Sierra Leone agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Singapore agriculture 0%, industry 22.6%, services 77.4% (2007) Slovakia agriculture 4%, industry 39%, services 56.9% (30 September 2008) Slovenia agriculture: 2.5% industry: 36% services: 61.5% (2007) Solomon Islands agriculture: 75% industry: 5% services: 20% (2000 est.) Somalia agriculture: 71% industry and services: 29% (1975) South Africa agriculture: 9% industry: 26% services: 65% (2007 est.) Spain agriculture: 4% industry: 26.4% services: 69.5% (2008 est.) Sri Lanka agriculture: 34.7% industry: 26.1% services: 39.2% (30 September 2008 est.) Sudan agriculture: 80% industry: 7% services: 13% (1998 est.) Suriname agriculture: 8% industry: 14% services: 78% (2004) Swaziland agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Sweden agriculture: 1.1% industry: 28.2% services: 70.7% (2008 est.) Switzerland agriculture: 3.9% industry: 22.8% services: 73.2% (2005) Syria agriculture: 19.2% industry: 14.5% services: 66.3% (2006 est.) Taiwan agriculture: 5.1% industry: 36.8% services: 58% (2008 est.) Tajikistan agriculture: 67.2% industry: 7.5% services: 25.3% (2000 est.) Tanzania agriculture: 80% industry and services: 20% (2002 est.) Thailand agriculture: 42.6% industry: 20.2% services: 37.1% (2005 est.) Timor-Leste agriculture: 90% industry: NA% services: NA% (2006 est.) Togo agriculture: 65% industry: 5% services: 30% (1998 est.) Tonga agriculture: 31.8% industry: 30.6% services: 37.6% (2003 est.) Trinidad and Tobago agriculture 3.8%, manufacturing, mining, and quarrying 12.8%, construction and utilities 20.4%, services 62.9% (2007 est.) Tunisia agriculture: 55% industry: 23% services: 22% (1995 est.) Turkey agriculture: 29.5% industry: 24.7% services: 45.8% (2005) Turkmenistan agriculture: 48.2% industry: 14% services: 37.8% (2004 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands note: about 33% in government and 20% in agriculture and fishing; significant numbers in tourism, financial, and other services Tuvalu note: people make a living mainly through exploitation of the sea, reefs, and atolls and from wages sent home by those abroad (mostly workers in the phosphate industry and sailors) Uganda agriculture: 82% industry: 5% services: 13% (1999 est.) Ukraine agriculture: 19.4% industry: 24.2% services: 56.4% (2005) United Arab Emirates agriculture: 7% industry: 15% services: 78% (2000 est.) United Kingdom agriculture: 1.4% industry: 18.2% services: 80.4% (2006 est.) United States farming, forestry, and fishing 0.6%, manufacturing, extraction, transportation, and crafts 22.6%, managerial, professional, and technical 35.5%, sales and office 24.8%, other services 16.5% note: figures exclude the unemployed (2007) Uruguay agriculture: 9% industry: 15% services: 76% (2007 est.) Uzbekistan agriculture: 44% industry: 20% services: 36% (1995) Vanuatu agriculture: 65% industry: 5% services: 30% (2000 est.) Venezuela agriculture: 13% industry: 23% services: 64% (1997 est.) Vietnam agriculture: 55.6% industry: 18.9% services: 25.5% (July 2005) Virgin Islands agriculture: 1% industry: 19% services: 80% (2003 est.) Wallis and Futuna agriculture: 80% industry: 4% services: 16% (2001 est.) West Bank agriculture: 17% industry: 15% services: 68% (June 2008) Western Sahara agriculture: 50% industry and services: 50% (2005 est.) World agriculture: 40.5% industry: 20.5% services: 39% (2007 est.) Yemen note: most people are employed in agriculture and herding; services, construction, industry, and commerce account for less than one-fourth of the labor force Zambia agriculture: 85% industry: 6% services: 9% (2004) Zimbabwe agriculture: 66% industry: 10% services: 24% (1996) ====================================================================== @2049 Field Listing :: Exports - commodities This entry provides a listing of the highest-valued exported products; it sometimes includes the percent of total dollar value. Country Exports - commodities(%) Afghanistan opium, fruits and nuts, handwoven carpets, wool, cotton, hides and pelts, precious and semi-precious gems Albania textiles and footwear; asphalt, metals and metallic ores, crude oil; vegetables, fruits, tobacco Algeria petroleum, natural gas, and petroleum products 97% American Samoa canned tuna 93% (2004 est.) Andorra tobacco products, furniture Angola crude oil, diamonds, refined petroleum products, coffee, sisal, fish and fish products, timber, cotton Anguilla lobster, fish, livestock, salt, concrete blocks, rum Antigua and Barbuda petroleum products, bedding, handicrafts, electronic components, transport equipment, food and live animals Argentina soybeans and derivatives, petroleum and gas, vehicles, corn, wheat Armenia pig iron, unwrought copper, nonferrous metals, diamonds, mineral products, foodstuffs, energy Aruba live animals and animal products, art and collectibles, machinery and electrical equipment, transport equipment Australia coal, iron ore, gold, meat, wool, alumina, wheat, machinery and transport equipment Austria machinery and equipment, motor vehicles and parts, paper and paperboard, metal goods, chemicals, iron and steel, textiles, foodstuffs Azerbaijan oil and gas 90%, machinery, cotton, foodstuffs Bahamas, The mineral products and salt, animal products, rum, chemicals, fruit and vegetables Bahrain petroleum and petroleum products, aluminum, textiles Bangladesh garments, jute and jute goods, leather, frozen fish and seafood Barbados manufactures, sugar and molasses, rum, other foods and beverages, chemicals, electrical components Belarus machinery and equipment, mineral products, chemicals, metals, textiles, foodstuffs Belgium machinery and equipment, chemicals, finished diamonds, metals and metal products, foodstuffs Belize sugar, bananas, citrus, clothing, fish products, molasses, wood, crude oil Benin cotton, cashews, shea butter, textiles, palm products, seafood Bermuda reexports of pharmaceuticals Bhutan electricity (to India), cardamom, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, precious stones, spices Bolivia natural gas, soybeans and soy products, crude petroleum, zinc ore, tin Bosnia and Herzegovina metals, clothing, wood products Botswana diamonds, copper, nickel, soda ash, meat, textiles Brazil transport equipment, iron ore, soybeans, footwear, coffee, autos British Virgin Islands rum, fresh fish, fruits, animals; gravel, sand Brunei crude oil, natural gas, garments Bulgaria clothing, footwear, iron and steel, machinery and equipment, fuels Burkina Faso cotton, livestock, gold Burma natural gas, wood products, pulses, beans, fish, rice, clothing, jade and gems Burundi coffee, tea, sugar, cotton, hides Cambodia clothing, timber, rubber, rice, fish, tobacco, footwear Cameroon crude oil and petroleum products, lumber, cocoa beans, aluminum, coffee, cotton Canada motor vehicles and parts, industrial machinery, aircraft, telecommunications equipment; chemicals, plastics, fertilizers; wood pulp, timber, crude petroleum, natural gas, electricity, aluminum Cape Verde fuel, shoes, garments, fish, hides Cayman Islands turtle products, manufactured consumer goods Central African Republic diamonds, timber, cotton, coffee, tobacco Chad oil, cattle, cotton, gum arabic Chile copper, fruit, fish products, paper and pulp, chemicals, wine China electrical and other machinery, including data processing equipment, apparel, textiles, iron and steel, optical and medical equipment Christmas Island phosphate Cocos (Keeling) Islands copra Colombia petroleum, coffee, coal, nickel, emeralds, apparel, bananas, cut flowers Comoros vanilla, ylang-ylang (perfume essence), cloves, copra Congo, Democratic Republic of the diamonds, gold, copper, cobalt, wood products, crude oil, coffee Congo, Republic of the petroleum, lumber, plywood, sugar, cocoa, coffee, diamonds Cook Islands copra, papayas, fresh and canned citrus fruit, coffee; fish; pearls and pearl shells; clothing Costa Rica bananas, pineapples, coffee, melons, ornamental plants, sugar; seafood; electronic components, medical equipment Cote d'Ivoire cocoa, coffee, timber, petroleum, cotton, bananas, pineapples, palm oil, fish Croatia transport equipment, machinery, textiles, chemicals, foodstuffs, fuels Cuba sugar, nickel, tobacco, fish, medical products, citrus, coffee Cyprus citrus, potatoes, pharmaceuticals, cement, and clothing Czech Republic machinery and transport equipment 52%, raw materials and fuel 9%, chemicals 5% (2003) Denmark machinery and instruments, meat and meat products, dairy products, fish, pharmaceuticals, furniture, windmills Djibouti reexports, hides and skins, coffee (in transit) Dominica bananas, soap, bay oil, vegetables, grapefruit, oranges Dominican Republic ferronickel, sugar, gold, silver, coffee, cocoa, tobacco, meats, consumer goods Ecuador petroleum, bananas, cut flowers, shrimp, cacao, coffee, hemp, wood, fish Egypt crude oil and petroleum products, cotton, textiles, metal products, chemicals El Salvador offshore assembly exports, coffee, sugar, textiles and apparel, gold, ethanol, chemicals, electricity, iron and steel manufactures Equatorial Guinea petroleum, methanol, timber, cocoa Eritrea livestock, sorghum, textiles, food, small manufactures Estonia machinery and equipment 29%, wood and paper 13%, metals 10%, food products 8%, textiles 5%, chemical products (2007) Ethiopia coffee, qat, gold, leather products, live animals, oilseeds European Union machinery, motor vehicles, aircraft, plastics, pharmaceuticals and other chemicals, fuels, iron and steel, nonferrous metals, wood pulp and paper products, textiles, meat, dairy products, fish, alcoholic beverages. Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) wool, hides, meat, fish, squid Faroe Islands fish and fish products 94%, stamps, ships (1999) Fiji sugar, garments, gold, timber, fish, molasses, coconut oil Finland electrical and optical equipment, machinery, transport equipment, paper and pulp, chemicals, basic metals; timber France machinery and transportation equipment, aircraft, plastics, chemicals, pharmaceutical products, iron and steel, beverages French Polynesia cultured pearls, coconut products, mother-of-pearl, vanilla, shark meat Gabon crude oil 70%, timber, manganese, uranium (2001) Gambia, The peanut products, fish, cotton lint, palm kernels, re-exports Gaza Strip citrus, flowers, textiles Georgia scrap metal, wine, mineral water, ores, vehicles, fruits and nuts Germany machinery, vehicles, chemicals, metals and manufactures, foodstuffs, textiles Ghana gold, cocoa, timber, tuna, bauxite, aluminum, manganese ore, diamonds, horticulture Gibraltar (principally reexports) petroleum 51%, manufactured goods 41%, other 8% Greece food and beverages, manufactured goods, petroleum products, chemicals, textiles Greenland fish and fish products 94% (prawns 63%) (2001 est.) Grenada bananas, cocoa, nutmeg, fruit and vegetables, clothing, mace Guam transshipments of refined petroleum products, construction materials, fish, food and beverage products Guatemala coffee, sugar, petroleum, apparel, bananas, fruits and vegetables, cardamom Guernsey tomatoes, flowers and ferns, sweet peppers, eggplant, other vegetables Guinea bauxite, alumina, gold, diamonds, coffee, fish, agricultural products Guinea-Bissau cashew nuts, shrimp, peanuts, palm kernels, sawn lumber Guyana sugar, gold, bauxite, alumina, rice, shrimp, molasses, rum, timber Haiti apparel, manufactures, oils, cocoa, mangoes, coffee Honduras coffee, shrimp, bananas, gold, palm oil, fruit, lobster, lumber Hong Kong electrical machinery and appliances, textiles, apparel, footwear, watches and clocks, toys, plastics, precious stones, printed material Hungary machinery and equipment 61.1%, other manufactures 28.7%, food products 6.5%, raw materials 2%, fuels and electricity 1.6% (2003) Iceland fish and fish products 70%, aluminum, animal products, ferrosilicon, diatomite India petroleum products, textile goods, gems and jewelry, engineering goods, chemicals, leather manufactures Indonesia oil and gas, electrical appliances, plywood, textiles, rubber Iran petroleum 80%, chemical and petrochemical products, fruits and nuts, carpets Iraq crude oil 84%, crude materials excluding fuels 8%, food and live animals 5% Ireland machinery and equipment, computers, chemicals, pharmaceuticals; live animals, animal products Isle of Man tweeds, herring, processed shellfish, beef, lamb Israel machinery and equipment, software, cut diamonds, agricultural products, chemicals, textiles and apparel Italy engineering products, textiles and clothing, production machinery, motor vehicles, transport equipment, chemicals; food, beverages and tobacco; minerals, and nonferrous metals Jamaica alumina, bauxite, sugar, rum, coffee, yams, beverages, chemicals, wearing apparel, mineral fuels Japan transport equipment, motor vehicles, semiconductors, electrical machinery, chemicals Jersey light industrial and electrical goods, dairy cattle, foodstuffs, textiles Jordan clothing, fertilizers, potash, phosphates, vegetables, pharmaceuticals Kazakhstan oil and oil products 59%, ferrous metals 19%, chemicals 5%, machinery 3%, grain, wool, meat, coal (2001) Kenya tea, horticultural products, coffee, petroleum products, fish, cement Kiribati copra 62%, coconuts, seaweed, fish Korea, North minerals, metallurgical products, manufactures (including armaments), textiles, agricultural and fishery products Korea, South semiconductors, wireless telecommunications equipment, motor vehicles, computers, steel, ships, petrochemicals Kosovo mining and processed metal products, scrap metals, leather products, machinery, appliances Kuwait oil and refined products, fertilizers Kyrgyzstan cotton, wool, meat, tobacco; gold, mercury, uranium, natural gas, hydropower; machinery; shoes Laos wood products, coffee, electricity, tin, copper, gold Latvia wood and wood products, machinery and equipment, metals, textiles, foodstuffs Lebanon jewelry, base metals, chemicals, miscellaneous consumer goods, fruit and vegetables, tobacco, construction minerals, electric power machinery and switchgear, textile fibers, paper Lesotho manufactures 75% (clothing, footwear, road vehicles), wool and mohair, food and live animals (2000) Liberia rubber, timber, iron, diamonds, cocoa, coffee Libya crude oil, refined petroleum products, natural gas, chemicals Liechtenstein small specialty machinery, connectors for audio and video, parts for motor vehicles, dental products, hardware, prepared foodstuffs, electronic equipment, optical products Lithuania mineral products 23%, textiles and clothing 16%, machinery and equipment 11%, chemicals 6%, wood and wood products 5%, foodstuffs 5% (2001) Luxembourg machinery and equipment, steel products, chemicals, rubber products, glass Macau clothing, textiles, footwear, toys, electronics, machinery and parts Macedonia food, beverages, tobacco; textiles, miscellaneous manufactures, iron and steel Madagascar coffee, vanilla, shellfish, sugar, cotton cloth, chromite, petroleum products Malawi tobacco 53%, tea, sugar, cotton, coffee, peanuts, wood products, apparel Malaysia electronic equipment, petroleum and liquefied natural gas, wood and wood products, palm oil, rubber, textiles, chemicals Maldives fish Mali cotton, gold, livestock Malta machinery and transport equipment, manufactures Marshall Islands copra cake, coconut oil, handicrafts, fish Mauritania iron ore, fish and fish products, gold, copper, petroleum Mauritius clothing and textiles, sugar, cut flowers, molasses, fish Mayotte ylang-ylang (perfume essence), vanilla, copra, coconuts, coffee, cinnamon Mexico manufactured goods, oil and oil products, silver, fruits, vegetables, coffee, cotton Micronesia, Federated States of fish, garments, bananas, black pepper, sakau (kava), betel nut Moldova foodstuffs, textiles, machinery Mongolia copper, apparel, livestock, animal products, cashmere, wool, hides, fluorspar, other nonferrous metals, coal Montserrat electronic components, plastic bags, apparel; hot peppers, limes, live plants; cattle Morocco clothing and textiles, electric components, inorganic chemicals, transistors, crude minerals, fertilizers (including phosphates), petroleum products, citrus fruits, vegetables, fish Mozambique aluminum, prawns, cashews, cotton, sugar, citrus, timber; bulk electricity Namibia diamonds, copper, gold, zinc, lead, uranium; cattle, processed fish, karakul skins Nauru phosphates Nepal clothing, carpets, leather goods, jute goods, pulses, grain Netherlands machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels; foodstuffs Netherlands Antilles petroleum products New Caledonia ferronickels, nickel ore, fish New Zealand dairy products, meat, wood and wood products, fish, machinery Nicaragua coffee, beef, shrimp and lobster, tobacco, sugar, gold, peanuts Niger uranium ore, livestock, cowpeas, onions Nigeria petroleum and petroleum products 95%, cocoa, rubber Niue canned coconut cream, copra, honey, vanilla, passion fruit products, pawpaws, root crops, limes, footballs, stamps, handicrafts Norfolk Island postage stamps, seeds of the Norfolk Island pine and Kentia palm, small quantities of avocados Northern Mariana Islands garments Norway petroleum and petroleum products, machinery and equipment, metals, chemicals, ships, fish Oman petroleum, reexports, fish, metals, textiles Pakistan textiles (garments, bed linen, cotton cloth, yarn), rice, leather goods, sports goods, chemicals, manufactures, carpets and rugs Palau shellfish, tuna, copra, garments Panama bananas, shrimp, sugar, coffee, clothing Papua New Guinea oil, gold, copper ore, logs, palm oil, coffee, cocoa, crayfish, prawns Paraguay soybeans, feed, cotton, meat, edible oils, electricity, wood, leather Peru copper, gold, zinc, crude petroleum and petroleum products, coffee, potatoes, asparagus, textiles, fishmeal Philippines semiconductors and electronic products, transport equipment, garments, copper products, petroleum products, coconut oil, fruits Pitcairn Islands fruits, vegetables, curios, stamps Poland machinery and transport equipment 37.8%, intermediate manufactured goods 23.7%, miscellaneous manufactured goods 17.1%, food and live animals 7.6% (2003) Portugal agricultural products, food products, oil products, chemical products, plastics and rubber, skins and leather, wood and cork, wood pulp and paper, textile materials, clothing, footwear, minerals and mineral products, base metals, machinery and tools, vehicles and other transport material, and optical and precision instruments Puerto Rico chemicals, electronics, apparel, canned tuna, rum, beverage concentrates, medical equipment Qatar liquefied natural gas (LNG), petroleum products, fertilizers, steel Romania machinery and equipment, textiles and footwear, metals and metal products, machinery and equipment, minerals and fuels, chemicals, agricultural products Russia petroleum and petroleum products, natural gas, wood and wood products, metals, chemicals, and a wide variety of civilian and military manufactures Rwanda coffee, tea, hides, tin ore Saint Helena fish (frozen, canned, and salt-dried skipjack, tuna), coffee, handicrafts Saint Kitts and Nevis machinery, food, electronics, beverages, tobacco Saint Lucia bananas 41%, clothing, cocoa, vegetables, fruits, coconut oil Saint Pierre and Miquelon fish and fish products, soybeans, animal feed, mollusks and crustaceans, fox and mink pelts Saint Vincent and the Grenadines bananas, eddoes and dasheen (taro), arrowroot starch; tennis racquets Samoa fish, coconut oil and cream, copra, taro, automotive parts, garments, beer San Marino building stone, lime, wood, chestnuts, wheat, wine, baked goods, hides, ceramics Sao Tome and Principe cocoa 80%, copra, coffee, palm oil Saudi Arabia petroleum and petroleum products 90% Senegal fish, groundnuts (peanuts), petroleum products, phosphates, cotton Serbia manufactured goods, food and live animals, machinery and transport equipment Seychelles canned tuna, frozen fish, cinnamon bark, copra, petroleum products (reexports) Sierra Leone diamonds, rutile, cocoa, coffee, fish Singapore machinery and equipment (including electronics), consumer goods, pharmaceuticals and other chemicals, mineral fuels Slovakia vehicles 25.9%, machinery and electrical equipment 21.3%, base metals 14.6%, chemicals and minerals 10.1%, plastics 5.4% (2004) Slovenia manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food Solomon Islands timber, fish, copra, palm oil, cocoa Somalia livestock, bananas, hides, fish, charcoal, scrap metal South Africa gold, diamonds, platinum, other metals and minerals, machinery and equipment Spain machinery, motor vehicles; foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals, medicines, other consumer goods Sri Lanka textiles and apparel, tea and spices; diamonds, emeralds, rubies; coconut products, rubber manufactures, fish Sudan oil and petroleum products; cotton, sesame, livestock, groundnuts, gum arabic, sugar Suriname alumina, gold, crude oil, lumber, shrimp and fish, rice, bananas Swaziland soft drink concentrates, sugar, wood pulp, cotton yarn, refrigerators, citrus and canned fruit Sweden machinery 35%, motor vehicles, paper products, pulp and wood, iron and steel products, chemicals Switzerland machinery, chemicals, metals, watches, agricultural products Syria crude oil, minerals, petroleum products, fruits and vegetables, cotton fiber, textiles, clothing, meat and live animals, wheat Taiwan electronics, flat panels, machinery, metals, textiles, plastics, chemicals, auto parts (2008) Tajikistan aluminum, electricity, cotton, fruits, vegetable oil, textiles Tanzania gold, coffee, cashew nuts, manufactures, cotton Thailand textiles and footwear, fishery products, rice, rubber, jewelry, automobiles, computers and electrical appliances Timor-Leste coffee, sandalwood, marble; note - potential for oil and vanilla exports Togo reexports, cotton, phosphates, coffee, cocoa Tokelau stamps, copra, handicrafts Tonga squash, fish, vanilla beans, root crops Trinidad and Tobago petroleum and petroleum products, liquefied natural gas (LNG), methanol, ammonia, urea, steel products, beverages, cereal and cereal products, sugar, cocoa, coffee, citrus fruit, vegetables, flowers Tunisia clothing, semi-finished goods and textiles, agricultural products, mechanical goods, phosphates and chemicals, hydrocarbons, electrical equipment Turkey apparel, foodstuffs, textiles, metal manufactures, transport equipment Turkmenistan gas, crude oil, petrochemicals, textiles, cotton fiber Turks and Caicos Islands lobster, dried and fresh conch, conch shells Tuvalu copra, fish Uganda coffee, fish and fish products, tea, cotton, flowers, horticultural products; gold Ukraine ferrous and nonferrous metals, fuel and petroleum products, chemicals, machinery and transport equipment, food products United Arab Emirates crude oil 45%, natural gas, reexports, dried fish, dates United Kingdom manufactured goods, fuels, chemicals; food, beverages, tobacco United States agricultural products (soybeans, fruit, corn) 9.2%, industrial supplies (organic chemicals) 26.8%, capital goods (transistors, aircraft, motor vehicle parts, computers, telecommunications equipment) 49.0%, consumer goods (automobiles, medicines) 15.0% (2003) Uruguay meat, rice, leather products, wool, fish, dairy products Uzbekistan cotton, gold, energy products, mineral fertilizers, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, textiles, food products, machinery, automobiles Vanuatu copra, beef, cocoa, timber, kava, coffee Venezuela petroleum, bauxite and aluminum, steel, chemicals, agricultural products, basic manufactures Vietnam crude oil, marine products, rice, coffee, rubber, tea, garments, shoes Virgin Islands refined petroleum products Wallis and Futuna copra, chemicals, construction materials West Bank olives, fruit, vegetables, limestone Western Sahara phosphates 62% World the whole range of industrial and agricultural goods and services top ten - share of world trade: electrical machinery, including computers 14.8%; mineral fuels, including oil, coal, gas, and refined products 14.4%; nuclear reactors, boilers, and parts 14.2%; cars, trucks, and buses 8.9%; scientific and precision instruments 3.5%; plastics 3.4%; iron and steel 2.7%; organic chemicals 2.6%; pharmaceutical products 2.6%; diamonds, pearls, and precious stones 1.9% (2006 est.) Yemen crude oil, coffee, dried and salted fish Zambia copper/cobalt 64%, cobalt, electricity; tobacco, flowers, cotton Zimbabwe platinum, cotton, tobacco, gold, ferroalloys, textiles/clothing ====================================================================== @2050 Field Listing :: Exports - partners This entry provides a rank ordering of trading partners starting with the most important; it sometimes includes the percent of total dollar value. Country Exports - partners(%) Afghanistan India 20.5%, Pakistan 18.5%, US 17.2%, Tajikistan 13.3%, Netherlands 7.2% (2008) Albania Italy 55.9%, Greece 11.6%, China 7.2% (2008) Algeria US 23.9%, Italy 15.5%, Spain 11.4%, France 8%, Netherlands 7.8%, Canada 6.8% (2008) Angola China 33%, US 28.7%, France 6%, South Africa 4.6%, Canada 4.1% (2008) Argentina Brazil 18.9%, China 9.1%, US 7.9%, Chile 6.7%, Netherlands 4.2% (2008) Armenia Russia 20.2%, Germany 17.2%, Netherlands 12.2%, Belgium 8.5%, Georgia 7.7%, Bulgaria 5.7%, US 4.9% (2008) Aruba Panama 22.3%, Colombia 19.5%, Venezuela 17.1%, US 13.8%, Netherlands Antilles 10.8%, Netherlands 7.3% (2008) Australia Japan 22.2%, China 14.6%, South Korea 8.2%, India 6.1%, US 5.5%, NZ 4.3%, UK 4.2% (2008) Austria Germany 29.5%, Italy 8.6%, US 4.3%, Switzerland 4.2% (2008) Azerbaijan Italy 40.2%, US 12.6%, Israel 7.6%, India 5.1%, France 4.9% (2008) Bahamas, The US 21.6%, Singapore 19%, Poland 18.2%, Germany 7.7%, Japan 7.5% (2008) Bahrain Saudi Arabia 3.4%, India 2.7%, UAE 2.2% (2008) Bangladesh US 21%, Germany 13.2%, UK 8.6%, France 6.3%, Netherlands 4.7% (2008) Barbados Trinidad and Tobago 15.6%, Jamaica 13.9%, Brazil 9.9%, US 8.7%, UK 7.8%, Saint Lucia 7.3%, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 4.5% (2008) Belarus Russia 32.2%, Netherlands 16.9%, Ukraine 8.5%, Latvia 6.6%, Poland 5.5%, UK 4.4% (2008) Belgium Germany 19.8%, France 17.4%, Netherlands 12.2%, UK 7.2%, US 4.8%, Italy 4.7% (2008) Belize US 35.6%, UK 21.5%, Cote d'Ivoire 5.3%, Italy 4.5%, Nigeria 4% (2008) Benin China 15.6%, India 12%, Japan 8.5%, Niger 4.9%, US 4.6%, Nigeria 4.3% (2008) Bermuda Brazil 24.7%, US 16.2%, Germany 12.2%, South Africa 8.9% (2008) Bhutan India 89%, Bangladesh 6.5%, Italy 1.2% (2008) Bolivia Brazil 60.1%, US 8.3%, Japan 4.1% (2008) Bosnia and Herzegovina Croatia 20.7%, Slovenia 16.7%, Italy 16.7%, Germany 13%, Austria 10.3%, Hungary 4.8% (2008) Brazil US 14.4%, China 12.4%, Argentina 8.4%, Netherlands 5%, Germany 4.5% (2008) Brunei Japan 40.8%, Indonesia 21.6%, South Korea 15.4%, Australia 10% (2008) Bulgaria Greece 9.9%, Germany 9.2%, Turkey 8.9%, Italy 8.5%, Romania 7.2%, Belgium 5.9%, France 4.1% (2008) Burkina Faso Singapore 17%, Belgium 12.9%, China 11.3%, Thailand 9.1%, Ghana 7%, Niger 5.2%, Denmark 4.9% (2008) Burma Thailand 52.3%, India 12.7%, China 8.9%, Japan 4.4% (2008) Burundi Switzerland 27.9%, UK 11%, Pakistan 9.5%, Belgium 5.1%, Rwanda 5%, Egypt 4.7% (2008) Cambodia US 54.4%, Germany 7.7%, Canada 5.9%, UK 5.5%, Vietnam 4.5% (2008) Cameroon Spain 19.8%, Italy 13.5%, US 10.6%, France 8.2%, Netherlands 8.1%, China 7.9%, Belgium 4% (2008) Canada US 77.7%, UK 2.7%, Japan 2.3% (2008) Cape Verde Japan 37.5%, Spain 28.5%, Portugal 17.5%, Morocco 4.8% (2008) Central African Republic Japan 40.4%, Belgium 9.8%, China 8.2%, Morocco 6%, Indonesia 5.6%, France 4.4%, Italy 4.1%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 4% (2008) Chad US 92.8%, Japan 2.2%, France 1.5% (2008) Chile China 14.2%, US 11.3%, Japan 10.4%, Brazil 5.9%, South Korea 5.7%, Netherlands 5.2%, Italy 4.4% (2008) China US 17.7%, Hong Kong 13.3%, Japan 8.1%, South Korea 5.2%, Germany 4.1% (2008) Colombia US 38%, Venezuela 16.2%, Ecuador 4% (2008) Comoros France 27.1%, Turkey 15.2%, India 9.5%, Greece 9.4%, Brazil 8.9%, Algeria 7%, Singapore 6.8%, Saudi Arabia 4.3% (2008) Congo, Democratic Republic of the China 48.4%, Belgium 15.8%, Finland 9.8%, US 8.3%, Zambia 4.5% (2008) Congo, Republic of the US 45.1%, China 32.3%, France 6% (2008) Costa Rica US 23.9%, Netherlands 13.3%, China 12.9%, UK 5%, Mexico 4.9% (2008) Cote d'Ivoire Germany 10.9%, US 10.1%, Netherlands 9.7%, Nigeria 9.3%, France 6.4%, Burkina Faso 4% (2008) Croatia Italy 18.9%, Bosnia and Herzegovina 15.3%, Germany 10.7%, Slovenia 7.7%, Austria 5.7% (2008) Cuba Canada 27.8%, China 26.6%, Spain 6.2%, Netherlands 5.5% (2008) Cyprus Greece 20.1%, UK 10.8%, Germany 6% (2008) Czech Republic Germany 30.6%, Slovakia 9.2%, Poland 6.5%, France 5.3%, UK 4.8%, Austria 4.7%, Italy 4.6% (2008) Denmark Germany 18%, Sweden 14.5%, UK 8.2%, Norway 5.7%, US 5.3%, France 4.8%, Netherlands 4.6% (2008) Djibouti Somalia 79.9%, UAE 4.1%, Yemen 4.1% (2008) Dominica Japan 33.5%, China 17.8%, Antigua and Barbuda 6.7%, Guyana 5.7%, Jamaica 4.7%, UK 4.7% (2008) Dominican Republic US 58.1%, Haiti 9.3%, Netherlands 2.9% (2008) Ecuador US 45.3%, Peru 9.2%, Chile 8.1%, Panama 4.8%, Colombia 4.2% (2008) Egypt Italy 9.4%, US 7.1%, India 6.2%, Spain 6.1%, Syria 4.7%, Saudi Arabia 4.6%, Japan 4.5%, Germany 4.5% (2008) El Salvador US 47.5%, Guatemala 14.2%, Honduras 11.5%, Nicaragua 4.6% (2008) Equatorial Guinea US 22.7%, Spain 18.2%, China 14.7%, France 7.9%, Italy 6%, South Korea 5.4% (2008) Eritrea Itlay 25.3%, Sudan 17.2%, China 15.8%, India 8.8%, France 6.7%, Saudi Arabia 6.5%, Russia 4.1% (2008) Estonia Finland 18.3%, Sweden 13.8%, Russia 10.3%, Latvia 10%, Lithuania 5.7%, Germany 5.1%, US 4.8% (2008) Ethiopia Germany 11.8%, Saudi Arabia 8.7%, Netherlands 8.6%, US 8.1%, Switzerland 7.7%, Italy 6.1%, China 6%, Sudan 5.5%, Japan 4.4% (2008) Faroe Islands Denmark 27.3%, UK 18.6%, Croatia 12%, Norway 11.7%, Nigeria 10%, Netherlands 5.5% (2008) Fiji US 15.2%, UK 11.6%, Australia 10.2%, Samoa 5.2%, Tonga 4.6%, Japan 4.1% (2008) Finland Russia 11.6%, Sweden 10%, Germany 10%, US 6.4%, UK 5.5%, Netherlands 5.1% (2008) France Germany 14.3%, Italy 8.7%, Spain 8.3%, UK 7.8%, Belgium 7.6%, US 5.8%, Netherlands 4.2% (2008) Gabon US 25.4%, China 19.1%, Japan 10.2%, France 5.4%, Spain 4% (2008) Gambia, The India 30.5%, Japan 25.6%, Belgium 6.3%, China 5.5%, UK 5.3%, Spain 4.1% (2008) Georgia Turkey 16.9%, Azerbaijan 12.4%, Ukraine 8.5%, Canada 8.4%, Bulgaria 8.2%, Armenia 7.7%, US 7.1%, UK 4.2% (2008) Germany France 9.7%, US 7.1%, UK 6.7%, Netherlands 6.6%, Italy 6.4%, Austria 5.4%, Belgium 5.2%, Spain 4.4%, Poland 4% (2008) Ghana Netherlands 13.5%, Ukraine 11.8%, UK 8%, France 5.7%, US 5.2% (2008) Greece Italy 11.5%, Germany 10.5%, Bulgaria 7%, Cyprus 6.2%, US 5%, UK 4.7%, Romania 4.4% (2008) Greenland Denmark 63.5%, Japan 11.1%, China 4.9%, Canada 4.8% (2008) Grenada Saint Lucia 16.4%, US 11.4%, UK 11.3%, Antigua and Barbuda 11.1%, Saint Kitts & Nevis 10%, Dominica 10%, France 6.4% (2008) Guatemala US 39.4%, El Salvador 12.6%, Honduras 9.5%, Mexico 6.6%, Nicaragua 4.2%, Costa Rica 4.1% (2008) Guinea India 28.9%, Spain 10%, Russia 9.5%, Germany 6.7%, US 5.8%, Ireland 4.2%, France 4.1% (2008) Guinea-Bissau India 56.8%, Nigeria 35.6%, Pakistan 1.2% (2008) Guyana Canada 20.8%, US 15.2%, UK 12.3%, Netherlands 7.2%, Portugal 4.7%, Trinidad and Tobago 4.7%, Jamaica 4.5%, Ukraine 4.3% (2008) Haiti US 70.7%, Dominican Republic 8.9%, Canada 3.1% (2008) Honduras US 62.1%, Guatemala 5.2%, El Salvador 5%, Mexico 4.1% (2008) Hong Kong China 48.5%, US 12.8%, Japan 4.3% (2008) Hungary Germany 26.5%, Italy 5.4%, Romania 5.3%, Austria 4.9%, Slovakia 4.7%, France 4.7%, UK 4.5%, Czech Republic 4% (2008) Iceland Netherlands 33.8%, UK 11.7%, Germany 11.5%, US 5.8%, Japan 4.9%, Norway 4.1% (2008) India US 12.3%, UAE 9.4%, China 9.3% (2008) Indonesia Japan 20.2%, US 9.5%, Singapore 9.4%, China 8.5%, South Korea 6.7%, India 5.2%, Malaysia 4.7% (2008) Iran China 15.3%, Japan 14.3%, India 10.4%, South Korea 6.4%, Turkey 6.4%, Italy 4.5% (2008) Iraq US 37.3%, India 13.8%, Italy 9.4%, South Korea 6.8% (2008) Ireland UK 18.6%, US 18.6%, Belgium 14.7%, Germany 7%, France 5.9%, Spain 4.2% (2008) Israel US 32.5%, Belgium 7.5%, Hong Kong 6.7% (2008) Italy Germany 12.8%, France 11.2%, Spain 6.6%, US 6.3%, UK 5.3% (2008) Jamaica US 40.3%, Canada 10.6%, UK 9.2%, Netherlands 7.9%, France 5.4%, Russia 5.2% (2008) Japan US 17.8%, China 16%, South Korea 7.6%, Hong Kong 5.1% (2008) Jordan India 16.2%, Iraq 16.1%, US 13.2%, Saudi Arabia 6.9%, UAE 4.6% (2008) Kazakhstan China 13.5%, Russia 12%, Germany 10.6%, Italy 6.9%, Romania 6.6%, France 5.7%, Ukraine 5.4%, Turkey 4.1% (2008) Kenya UK 10%, Netherlands 9.2%, Uganda 9%, Tanzania 8.7%, US 6.3%, Pakistan 5.6% (2008) Korea, North South Korea 45%, China 35%, India 5% (2007) Korea, South China 21.4%, US 10.9%, Japan 6.6%, Hong Kong 4.6% (2008) Kuwait Japan 18.4%, South Korea 14.6%, India 11.5%, US 8.9%, Singapore 7.9%, China 6.1% (2008) Kyrgyzstan Switzerland 27.2%, Russia 19.2%, Uzbekistan 14.3%, Kazakhstan 11.4%, France 6.7% (2008) Laos Thailand 35.5%, Vietnam 15.5%, China 8.5% (2008) Latvia Lithuania 15.5%, Russia 14.7%, Estonia 13.2%, Germany 7.7%, Sweden 6.2%, Denmark 4.3% (2008) Lebanon Syria 24.9%, UAE 12.9%, Switzerland 6.6%, Saudi Arabia 6.1%, Turkey 4.2% (2008) Lesotho US 58.9%, Belgium 37%, Madagascar 1.2% (2008) Liberia India 26.5%, US 17.9%, Poland 13.9%, Germany 10.1%, Belgium 6.8% (2008) Libya Italy 38%, Germany 12%, France 7.4%, Spain 6.9%, US 6.4%, Switzerland 4.6% (2008) Lithuania Russia 16%, Latvia 11.6%, Germany 7.2%, Poland 5.8%, Estonia 5.7%, France 4.9%, UK 4.7%, Denmark 4.7%, Belarus 4.5% (2008) Luxembourg Germany 21.8%, France 17.4%, Belgium 10%, Italy 6.9%, UK 6.5%, Netherlands 6%, Spain 4.9% (2008) Macau US 39.9%, Hong Kong 19.7%, China 12.3%, Germany 4% (2008) Macedonia Serbia and Montenegro 20.4%, Germany 15.4%, Greece 12.4%, Bulgaria 10.1%, Italy 8.8%, Croatia 6.5% (2008) Madagascar France 38.9%, US 20.3%, Germany 5% (2008) Malawi South Africa 14.2%, Egypt 9.8%, Zimbabwe 8.6%, US 7.4%, Netherlands 7%, Russia 5.7%, Germany 5.7% (2008) Malaysia Singapore 14.7%, US 12.5%, Japan 10.8%, China 9.5%, Thailand 4.8%, Hong Kong 4.3% (2008) Maldives Thailand 34.4%, UK 13.8%, France 12.2%, Italy 9%, Sri Lanka 8.5% (2008) Mali China 26.7%, Thailand 10.7%, Denmark 6.4%, Pakistan 5.2%, Morocco 5% (2008) Malta Germany 13.5%, Singapore 13%, France 12.2%, US 9.6%, UK 8.2%, Hong Kong 6.7%, Japan 6.4%, Italy 4.7% (2008) Mauritania China 41.4%, France 10.2%, Spain 7%, Italy 6.9%, Netherlands 5.4%, Belgium 4.7%, Cote d'Ivoire 4% (2008) Mauritius UK 30.8%, France 15.1%, US 8.6%, Italy 6.5%, Belgium 5.3%, UAE 5.1%, Madagascar 4.1% (2008) Mexico US 80.2%, Canada 2.4%, Germany 1.7% (2008) Moldova Morocco 48.3%, Russia 15.2%, Romania 8.1%, Italy 5% (2008) Mongolia China 74%, Canada 9.4%, Russia 3.3% (2008) Morocco Spain 19.2%, France 17.6%, Brazil 7.1%, US 4.5%, Belgium 4.5%, Italy 4.3% (2008) Mozambique Netherlands 55.5%, South Africa 9.2%, Zimbabwe 2.1% (2008) Nepal India 59.2%, US 8.7%, Bangladesh 8.3%, Germany 4.3% (2008) Netherlands Germany 25.5%, Belgium 13.8%, France 8.9%, UK 8.8%, Italy 5.2% (2008) Netherlands Antilles US 19%, Guatemala 10.6%, Dominican Republic 9.3%, Haiti 7.4%, Singapore 6.7%, Bahamas, The 5.9%, Italy 4.5%, Honduras 4.4%, Mexico 4.1% (2008) New Caledonia France 18.9%, Japan 18.3%, Spain 7.3%, China 6.5%, Belgium 5.4%, Australia 4.6% (2008) New Zealand Australia 23.1%, US 10.1%, Japan 8.4%, China 5.8% (2008) Nicaragua US 32.3%, El Salvador 14.6%, Costa Rica 6.9%, Honduras 6.8%, Mexico 5.3%, Canada 5%, Guatemala 5% (2008) Niger Japan 80.4%, Nigeria 8.5%, France 2.9% (2008) Nigeria US 41.4%, India 10.4%, Brazil 9.4%, Spain 7.2%, France 4.6% (2008) Norway UK 27%, Germany 12.8%, Netherlands 10.4%, France 9.4%, Sweden 6.5%, US 4.5% (2008) Oman China 31.7%, South Korea 17%, UAE 11.7%, Japan 11%, Thailand 7.1% (2008) Pakistan US 16%, UAE 11.7%, Afghanistan 8.6%, UK 4.5%, China 4.2% (2008) Panama US 39.2%, Netherlands 10.7%, Costa Rica 5.8%, Sweden 5.4%, UK 5.4%, Spain 5%, China 4.1% (2008) Papua New Guinea Australia 27.2%, Japan 9.2%, China 5.1% (2008) Paraguay Argentina 31.7%, Brazil 15.9%, Uruguay 11.7%, Chile 6.4%, Russia 5.7% (2008) Peru US 20%, China 15.2%, Canada 8.3%, Japan 7%, Chile 5.8%, Brazil 4.2% (2008) Philippines US 16.7%, Japan 15.7%, China 11.1%, Hong Kong 10.1%, Netherlands 7.5%, Singapore 5.3%, South Korea 5.1%, Germany 5% (2008) Poland Germany 24.9%, France 6.2%, Italy 6%, UK 5.7%, Czech Republic 5.6%, Russia 5.3% (2008) Portugal Spain 25.7%, Germany 12.7%, France 11.1%, Angola 5.9%, UK 5.3% (2008) Qatar Japan 38.5%, South Korea 20.9%, Singapore 11.1%, India 4.5%, Thailand 4.4% (2008) Romania Germany 16.5%, Italy 15.6%, France 7.4%, Turkey 6.6%, Hungary 5.1%, Bulgaria 4.2% (2008) Russia Netherlands 11.2%, Italy 8.1%, Germany 8%, Turkey 6%, Ukraine 5.1%, Poland 4.5%, China 4.3% (2008) Rwanda China 9.1%, Thailand 8.6%, Germany 7.3%, US 4.5%, Belgium 4.1% (2008) Saint Kitts and Nevis US 65.7%, Azerbaijan 7.5%, Canada 6% (2008) Saint Lucia UK 23.6%, US 19.3%, South Korea 16.6%, Antigua and Barbuda 5.9%, Dominica 5.8%, Barbados 5.2%, Trinidad and Tobago 4.8% (2008) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Greece 31.8%, France 18.9%, India 9.9%, China 8.3%, Italy 7.5% (2008) Samoa Australia 36.8%, American Samoa 35.3%, US 2.9% (2008) Sao Tome and Principe Japan 77.5%, Belgium 7.7%, Netherlands 6.4% (2008) Saudi Arabia US 17.1%, Japan 15.2%, South Korea 10.1%, China 9.3%, India 7%, Singapore 4.4% (2008) Senegal Mali 19.6%, India 7.2%, France 5.5%, Gambia, The 5.4%, Italy 4.9% (2008) Seychelles UK 21.1%, France 19.1%, Mauritius 10.1%, Japan 7.9%, Italy 7.8%, Netherlands 6% (2008) Sierra Leone Belgium 35.6%, US 20.1%, India 15.2%, France 4.9% (2008) Singapore Malaysia 12.1%, Indonesia 10.5%, Hong Kong 10.3%, China 9.2%, US 7.1%, Japan 4.9%, Australia 4.1% (2008) Slovakia Germany 20%, Czech Republic 13.1%, France 6.7%, Poland 6.6%, Hungary 6.3%, Austria 5.9%, Italy 5.8%, UK 4.7% (2008) Slovenia Germany 18.7%, Italy 11.7%, Croatia 8.3%, Austria 7.5%, France 5.7%, Russia 4.8% (2008) Solomon Islands China 47.7%, Thailand 6.7%, Spain 5.4%, South Korea 5.2%, Philippines 4.6% (2008) Somalia UAE 56.2%, Yemen 21%, Saudi Arabia 3.6% (2008) South Africa Japan 11.1%, US 11.1%, Germany 8%, UK 6.8%, China 6%, Netherlands 5.2% (2008) Spain France 18.4%, Germany 10.6%, Portugal 8.7%, Italy 8%, UK 6.7%, US 4.2% (2008) Sri Lanka US 21.6%, UK 11.9%, India 6.8%, Germany 5.1%, Belgium 4.8%, Italy 4.7% (2008) Sudan China 49.8%, Japan 33.4%, Indonesia 5.5% (2008) Suriname Canada 36.2%, Belgium 12.5%, Norway 12.4%, UAE 8.9%, US 7.7% (2008) Sweden Germany 10.4%, Norway 9.5%, Denmark 7.4%, UK 7.3%, US 6.6%, Finland 6.3%, Netherlands 5.1%, France 4.9%, Belgium 4.4% (2008) Switzerland Germany 19.8%, US 9.6%, Italy 8.7%, France 8.6%, UK 5.2% (2008) Syria Iraq 30.9%, Germany 9.8%, Lebanon 9.7%, Italy 6.4%, France 5.5%, Egypt 5.4%, Saudi Arabia 5.1% (2008) Taiwan China 29.2%, US 12%, Hong Kong 9.8%, Japan 6.9%, Singapore 4.6% (2008 est.) Tajikistan Netherlands 36.7%, Turkey 26.5%, Russia 8.6%, Iran 6.6%, China 5.7%, Uzbekistan 5.1% (2008) Tanzania India 8.1%, Japan 6.5%, China 6.3%, UAE 5.7%, Netherlands 5.6%, Germany 5.1% (2008) Thailand US 11.4%, Japan 11.4%, China 9.2%, Singapore 5.7%, Hong Kong 5.6%, Malaysia 5.6%, Australia 4.3% (2008) Togo Ghana 12.7%, Burkina Faso 11%, Germany 9.8%, South Africa 7.3%, Benin 6.9%, India 6.3%, Brazil 4.9%, Belgium 4.8%, Mali 4.4%, Netherlands 4.3% (2008) Tonga US 29.6%, Japan 12%, NZ 12%, Fiji 7.1%, Samoa 6%, Australia 4.8%, South Korea 4.4%, Hong Kong 4.3% (2008) Trinidad and Tobago US 44.5%, Spain 7.8%, Jamaica 6.9%, Netherlands 6.9%, Mexico 4.9% (2008) Tunisia France 28.3%, Italy 17.9%, Germany 9.6%, Libya 5.8%, Spain 5% (2008) Turkey Germany 9.8%, UK 6.2%, UAE 6%, Italy 5.9%, France 5%, Russia 4.9% (2008) Turkmenistan Ukraine 51.7%, Poland 10%, Hungary 8.1% (2008) Uganda Sudan 14.3%, Kenya 9.5%, Switzerland 9%, Rwanda 7.9%, UAE 7.4%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 7.3%, UK 6.9%, Netherlands 4.7%, Germany 4.4% (2008) Ukraine Russia 23.5%, Turkey 6.9%, Italy 4.4% (2008) United Arab Emirates Japan 23%, South Korea 9.4%, India 7.9%, Iran 6.5%, Thailand 5.3% (2008) United Kingdom US 13.8%, Germany 11.5%, Netherlands 7.8%, France 7.6%, Ireland 7.5%, Belgium 5.3%, Spain 4.1% (2008) United States Canada 20.1%, Mexico 11.7%, China 5.5%, Japan 5.1%, Germany 4.2%, UK 4.1% (2008) Uruguay Brazil 18.7%, China 8.5%, Argentina 7.3%, Germany 6.5%, Mexico 4.9%, Netherlands 4.5%, Russia 4.3% (2008) Uzbekistan Ukraine 27.3%, Russia 19.6%, Turkey 7.5%, Kazakhstan 5.9%, Bangladesh 5%, China 4.3%, Japan 4.1% (2008) Vanuatu Thailand 83%, Japan 5.9%, Belgium 1.8% (2008) Venezuela US 40.7%, Netherlands Antilles 7.8%, China 4.7% (2008) Vietnam US 18.9%, Japan 13.6%, China 7.2%, Australia 6.7%, Singapore 4.2% (2008) World US 12.7%, Germany 7.2%, China 6.4%, France 4.5%, Japan 4.3%, UK 4.2% (2008) Yemen China 28.4%, Thailand 23.6%, India 16.1%, South Africa 13.4%, Japan 4.7% (2008) Zambia China 14.2%, South Africa 8.5%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 8.1%, Saudi Arabia 7.9%, South Korea 7.9%, Egypt 7.7%, Italy 6.9%, Belgium 4.1% (2008) Zimbabwe South Africa 32.1%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 9.7%, Botswana 8.7%, China 5.6%, Zambia 4.8%, Japan 4.5%, Italy 4.4%, US 4.3% (2008) ====================================================================== @2051 Field Listing :: Administrative divisions This entry generally gives the numbers, designatory terms, and first-order administrative divisions as approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (BGN). Changes that have been reported but not yet acted on by the BGN are noted. Country Administrative divisions Afghanistan 34 provinces (welayat, singular - welayat); Badakhshan, Badghis, Baghlan, Balkh, Bamyan, Daykundi, Farah, Faryab, Ghazni, Ghor, Helmand, Herat, Jowzjan, Kabul, Kandahar, Kapisa, Khost, Kunar, Kunduz, Laghman, Logar, Nangarhar, Nimroz, Nuristan, Paktika, Paktiya, Panjshir, Parwan, Samangan, Sar-e Pul, Takhar, Uruzgan, Wardak, Zabul Albania 12 counties (qarqe, singular - qark); Berat, Diber, Durres, Elbasan, Fier, Gjirokaster, Korce, Kukes, Lezhe, Shkoder, Tirane, Vlore Algeria 48 provinces (wilayat, singular - wilaya); Adrar, Ain Defla, Ain Temouchent, Alger, Annaba, Batna, Bechar, Bejaia, Biskra, Blida, Bordj Bou Arreridj, Bouira, Boumerdes, Chlef, Constantine, Djelfa, El Bayadh, El Oued, El Tarf, Ghardaia, Guelma, Illizi, Jijel, Khenchela, Laghouat, Mascara, Medea, Mila, Mostaganem, M'Sila, Naama, Oran, Ouargla, Oum el Bouaghi, Relizane, Saida, Setif, Sidi Bel Abbes, Skikda, Souk Ahras, Tamanghasset, Tebessa, Tiaret, Tindouf, Tipaza, Tissemsilt, Tizi Ouzou, Tlemcen American Samoa none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three districts and two islands* at the second order; Eastern, Manu'a, Rose Island*, Swains Island*, Western Andorra 7 parishes (parroquies, singular - parroquia); Andorra la Vella, Canillo, Encamp, Escaldes-Engordany, La Massana, Ordino, Sant Julia de Loria Angola 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 Anguilla none (overseas territory of the UK) Antigua and Barbuda 6 parishes and 2 dependencies*; Barbuda*, Redonda*, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mary, Saint Paul, Saint Peter, Saint Philip Argentina 23 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 autonomous city* (distrito federal); Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires Capital Federal*, Catamarca, Chaco, Chubut, Cordoba, Corrientes, Entre Rios, Formosa, Jujuy, La Pampa, La Rioja, Mendoza, Misiones, Neuquen, Rio Negro, Salta, San Juan, San Luis, Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Santiago del Estero, Tierra del Fuego - Antartida e Islas del Atlantico Sur, Tucuman note: the US does not recognize any claims to Antarctica Armenia 11 provinces (marzer, singular - marz); Aragatsotn, Ararat, Armavir, Geghark'unik', Kotayk', Lorri, Shirak, Syunik', Tavush, Vayots' Dzor, Yerevan Aruba none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) Australia 6 states and 2 territories*; Australian Capital Territory*, New South Wales, Northern Territory*, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia Austria 9 states (Bundeslaender, singular - Bundesland); Burgenland, Kaernten (Carinthia), Niederoesterreich (Lower Austria), Oberoesterreich (Upper Austria), Salzburg, Steiermark (Styria), Tirol (Tyrol), Vorarlberg, Wien (Vienna) Azerbaijan 59 rayons (rayonlar; rayon - singular), 11 cities (saharlar; sahar - singular), 1 autonomous republic (muxtar respublika) rayons: Abseron Rayonu, Agcabadi Rayonu, Agdam Rayonu, Agdas Rayonu, Agstafa Rayonu, Agsu Rayonu, Astara Rayonu, Balakan Rayonu, Barda Rayonu, Beylaqan Rayonu, Bilasuvar Rayonu, Cabrayil Rayonu, Calilabad Rayonu, Daskasan Rayonu, Davaci Rayonu, Fuzuli Rayonu, Gadabay Rayonu, Goranboy Rayonu, Goycay Rayonu, Haciqabul Rayonu, Imisli Rayonu, Ismayilli Rayonu, Kalbacar Rayonu, Kurdamir Rayonu, Lacin Rayonu, Lankaran Rayonu, Lerik Rayonu, Masalli Rayonu, Neftcala Rayonu, Oguz Rayonu, Qabala Rayonu, Qax Rayonu, Qazax Rayonu, Qobustan Rayonu, Quba Rayonu, Qubadli Rayonu, Qusar Rayonu, Saatli Rayonu, Sabirabad Rayonu, Saki Rayonu, Salyan Rayonu, Samaxi Rayonu, Samkir Rayonu, Samux Rayonu, Siyazan Rayonu, Susa Rayonu, Tartar Rayonu, Tovuz Rayonu, Ucar Rayonu, Xacmaz Rayonu, Xanlar Rayonu, Xizi Rayonu, Xocali Rayonu, Xocavand Rayonu, Yardimli Rayonu, Yevlax Rayonu, Zangilan Rayonu, Zaqatala Rayonu, Zardab Rayonu cities: Ali Bayramli Sahari, Baki Sahari, Ganca Sahari, Lankaran Sahari, Mingacevir Sahari, Naftalan Sahari, Saki Sahari, Sumqayit Sahari, Susa Sahari, Xankandi Sahari, Yevlax Sahari autonomous republic: Naxcivan Muxtar Respublikasi (Nakhichevan) Bahamas, The 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, New Providence, Nichollstown and Berry Islands, Ragged Island, Rock Sound, Sandy Point, San Salvador, and Rum Cay Bahrain 5 governorates; Asamah, Janubiyah, Muharraq, Shamaliyah, Wasat note: each governorate administered by an appointed governor Bangladesh 6 divisions; Barisal, Chittagong, Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi, Sylhet Barbados 11 parishes and 1 city*; Bridgetown*, Christ Church, Saint Andrew, Saint George, Saint James, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Lucy, Saint Michael, Saint Peter, Saint Philip, Saint Thomas Belarus 6 provinces (voblastsi, singular - voblasts') and 1 municipality* (horad); Brest, Homyel', Horad Minsk*, Hrodna, Mahilyow, Minsk, Vitsyebsk note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers Belgium 3 regions (French: regions, singular - region; Dutch: gewesten, singular - gewest); Brussels-Capital Region, also known as Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest (Dutch), Region de Bruxelles-Capitale (French long form), Bruxelles-Capitale (French short form); Flemish Region (Flanders), also known as Vlaams Gewest (Dutch long form), Vlaanderen (Dutch short form), Region Flamande (French long form), Flandre (French short form); Walloon Region (Wallonia), also known as Region Wallone (French long form), Wallonie (French short form), Waals Gewest (Dutch long form), Wallonie (Dutch short form) note: as a result of the 1993 constitutional revision that furthered devolution into a federal state, there are now three levels of government (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with a complex division of responsibilities Belize 6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo Benin 12 departments; Alibori, Atakora, Atlantique, Borgou, Collines, Kouffo, Donga, Littoral, Mono, Oueme, Plateau, Zou Bermuda 9 parishes and 2 municipalities*; Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton*, Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*, Saint George's, Sandys, Smith's, Southampton, Warwick Bhutan 20 districts (dzongkhag, singular and plural); Bumthang, Chhukha, Chirang, Daga, Gasa, Geylegphug, Ha, Lhuntshi, Mongar, Paro, Pemagatsel, Punakha, Samchi, Samdrup Jongkhar, Shemgang, Tashigang, Tashi Yangtse, Thimphu, Tongsa, Wangdi Phodrang Bolivia 9 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Beni, Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, La Paz, Oruro, Pando, Potosi, Santa Cruz, Tarija Bosnia and Herzegovina 2 first-order administrative divisions and 1 internationally supervised district* - Brcko district (Brcko Distrikt)*, the Bosniak/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Federacija Bosna i Hercegovina) and the Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska; note - Brcko district is in northeastern Bosnia and is an administrative unit under the sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina; the district remains under international supervision Botswana 9 districts and 5 town councils*; Central, Francistown*, Gaborone*, Ghanzi, Jwaneng*, Kgalagadi, Kgatleng, Kweneng, Lobatse*, Northeast, Northwest, Selebi-Pikwe*, Southeast, Southern Brazil 26 states (estados, singular - estado) and 1 federal district* (distrito federal); Acre, Alagoas, Amapa, Amazonas, Bahia, Ceara, Distrito Federal*, Espirito Santo, Goias, Maranhao, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Para, Paraiba, Parana, Pernambuco, Piaui, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Norte, Rio Grande do Sul, Rondonia, Roraima, Santa Catarina, Sao Paulo, Sergipe, Tocantins British Virgin Islands none (overseas territory of the UK) Brunei 4 districts (daerah-daerah, singular - daerah); Belait, Brunei-Muara, Temburong, Tutong Bulgaria 28 provinces (oblasti, singular - oblast); Blagoevgrad, Burgas, Dobrich, Gabrovo, Khaskovo, Kurdzhali, Kyustendil, Lovech, Montana, Pazardzhik, Pernik, Pleven, Plovdiv, Razgrad, Ruse, Shumen, Silistra, Sliven, Smolyan, Sofiya, Sofiya-Grad, Stara Zagora, Turgovishte, Varna, Veliko Turnovo, Vidin, Vratsa, Yambol Burkina Faso 45 provinces; Bale, Bam, Banwa, Bazega, Bougouriba, Boulgou, Boulkiemde, Comoe, Ganzourgou, Gnagna, Gourma, Houet, Ioba, Kadiogo, Kenedougou, Komondjari, Kompienga, Kossi, Koulpelogo, Kouritenga, Kourweogo, Leraba, Loroum, Mouhoun, Nahouri, Namentenga, Nayala, Noumbiel, Oubritenga, Oudalan, Passore, Poni, Sanguie, Sanmatenga, Seno, Sissili, Soum, Sourou, Tapoa, Tuy, Yagha, Yatenga, Ziro, Zondoma, Zoundweogo Burma 7 divisions (taing-myar, singular - taing) and 7 states* (pyi ne-myar, singular - pyi ne) divisions: Ayeyarwady, Bago, Magway, Mandalay, Sagaing, Tanintharyi, Yangon states: Chin, Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Mon, Rakhine, Shan Burundi 17 provinces; Bubanza, Bujumbura Mairie, Bujumbura Rurale, Bururi, Cankuzo, Cibitoke, Gitega, Karuzi, Kayanza, Kirundo, Makamba, Muramvya, Muyinga, Mwaro, Ngozi, Rutana, Ruyigi Cambodia 23 provinces (khett, singular and plural) and 1 municipality (krong, singular and plural) provinces: Banteay Mean Cheay, Batdambang, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Spoe, Kampong Thum, Kampot, Kandal, Kaoh Kong, Keb, Krachen, Mondol Kiri, Otdar Mean Cheay, Pailin, Pouthisat, Preah Seihanu (Sihanoukville), Preah Vihear, Prey Veng, Rotanah Kiri, Siem Reab, Stoeng Treng, Svay Rieng, Takev municipalities: Phnum Penh (Phnom Penh) Cameroon 10 regions (regions, singular - region); Adamaoua, Centre, Est, Extreme-Nord, Littoral, Nord, North-West (Nord-Ouest), Ouest, Sud, South-West (Sud-Ouest) Canada 10 provinces and 3 territories*; Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories*, Nova Scotia, Nunavut*, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon Territory* Cape Verde 17 municipalities (concelhos, singular - concelho); Boa Vista, Brava, Maio, Mosteiros, Paul, Praia, Porto Novo, Ribeira Grande, Sal, Santa Catarina, Santa Cruz, Sao Domingos, Sao Filipe, Sao Miguel, Sao Nicolau, Sao Vicente, Tarrafal Cayman Islands 8 districts; Creek, Eastern, Midland, South Town, Spot Bay, Stake Bay, West End, Western Central African Republic 14 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture), 2 economic prefectures* (prefectures economiques, singular - prefecture economique), and 1 commune**; Bamingui-Bangoran, Bangui**, Basse-Kotto, Haute-Kotto, Haut-Mbomou, Kemo, Lobaye, Mambere-Kadei, Mbomou, Nana-Grebizi*, Nana-Mambere, Ombella-Mpoko, Ouaka, Ouham, Ouham-Pende, Sangha-Mbaere*, Vakaga Chad 18 regions (regions, singular - region); Batha, Borkou-Ennedi-Tibesti, Chari-Baguirmi, Guera, Hadjer-Lamis, Kanem, Lac, Logone Occidental, Logone Oriental, Mandoul, Mayo-Kebbi Est, Mayo-Kebbi Ouest, Moyen-Chari, Ouaddai, Salamat, Tandjile, Ville de N'Djamena, Wadi Fira Chile 15 regions (regiones, singular - region); Aisen del General Carlos Ibanez del Campo, Antofagasta, Araucania, Arica y Parinacota, Atacama, Biobio, Coquimbo, Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins, Los Lagos, Los Rios, Magallanes y de la Antartica Chilena, Maule, Region Metropolitana (Santiago), Tarapaca, Valparaiso note: the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica China 23 provinces (sheng, singular and plural), 5 autonomous regions (zizhiqu, singular and plural), and 4 municipalities (shi, singular and plural) provinces: Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Zhejiang; (see note on Taiwan) autonomous regions: Guangxi, Nei Mongol, Ningxia, Xinjiang Uygur, Xizang (Tibet) municipalities: Beijing, Chongqing, Shanghai, Tianjin note: China considers Taiwan its 23rd province; see separate entries for the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau Christmas Island none (territory of Australia) Cocos (Keeling) Islands none (territory of Australia) Colombia 32 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1 capital district* (distrito capital); Amazonas, Antioquia, Arauca, Atlantico, Bogota*, Bolivar, Boyaca, Caldas, Caqueta, Casanare, Cauca, Cesar, Choco, Cordoba, Cundinamarca, Guainia, Guaviare, Huila, La Guajira, Magdalena, Meta, Narino, Norte de Santander, Putumayo, Quindio, Risaralda, San Andres y Providencia, Santander, Sucre, Tolima, Valle del Cauca, Vaupes, Vichada Comoros 3 islands and 4 municipalities*; Grande Comore (N'gazidja), Anjouan (Ndzuwani), Domoni*, Fomboni*, Moheli (Mwali), Moroni*, Moutsamoudou* Congo, Democratic Republic of the 10 provinces (provinces, singular - province) and 1 city* (ville); Bandundu, Bas-Congo, Equateur, Kasai-Occidental, Kasai-Oriental, Katanga, Kinshasa*, Maniema, Nord-Kivu, Orientale, Sud-Kivu note: according to the Constitution adopted in December 2005, the current administrative divisions will be subdivided into 26 new provinces by 2009 Congo, Republic of the 10 regions (regions, singular - region) and 1 commune*; Bouenza, Brazzaville*, Cuvette, Cuvette-Ouest, Kouilou, Lekoumou, Likouala, Niari, Plateaux, Pool, Sangha Cook Islands none Costa Rica 7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose Cote d'Ivoire 19 regions; Agneby, Bafing, Bas-Sassandra, Denguele, Dix-Huit Montagnes, Fromager, Haut-Sassandra, Lacs, Lagunes, Marahoue, Moyen-Cavally, Moyen-Comoe, N'zi-Comoe, Savanes, Sud-Bandama, Sud-Comoe, Vallee du Bandama, Worodougou, Zanzan Croatia 20 counties (zupanije, zupanija - singular) and 1 city* (grad - singular); Bjelovarsko-Bilogorska, Brodsko-Posavska, Dubrovacko-Neretvanska (Dubrovnik-Neretva), Istarska (Istria), Karlovacka, Koprivnicko-Krizevacka, Krapinsko-Zagorska, Licko-Senjska (Lika-Senj), Medimurska, Osjecko-Baranjska, Pozesko-Slavonska (Pozega-Slavonia), Primorsko-Goranska, Sibensko-Kninska, Sisacko-Moslavacka, Splitsko-Dalmatinska (Split-Dalmatia), Varazdinska, Viroviticko-Podravska, Vukovarsko-Srijemska, Zadarska, Zagreb*, Zagrebacka Cuba 14 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 special municipality* (municipio especial); Camaguey, Ciego de Avila, Cienfuegos, Ciudad de La Habana, Granma, Guantanamo, Holguin, Isla de la Juventud*, La Habana, Las Tunas, Matanzas, Pinar del Rio, Sancti Spiritus, Santiago de Cuba, Villa Clara Cyprus 6 districts; Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Nicosia, Paphos; note - Turkish Cypriot area's administrative divisions include Kyrenia, all but a small part of Famagusta, and small parts of Nicosia (Lefkosia) Czech Republic 13 regions (kraje, singular - kraj) and 1 capital city* (hlavni mesto); Jihocesky (South Bohemia), Jihomoravsky (South Moravia), Karlovarsky, Kralovehradecky, Liberecky, Moravskoslezsky (Moravia-Silesia), Olomoucky, Pardubicky, Plzensky (Pilsen), Praha (Prague)*, Stredocesky (Central Bohemia), Ustecky, Vysocina, Zlinsky Denmark metropolitan Denmark - 5 regions (regioner, singular - region); Hovedstaden, Midtjylland, Nordjylland, Sjaelland, Syddanmark note: an extensive local government reform merged 271 municipalities into 98 and 13 counties into five regions, effective 1 January 2007 Djibouti 6 districts (cercles, singular - cercle); Ali Sabieh, Arta, Dikhil, Djibouti, Obock, Tadjourah Dominica 10 parishes; Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Luke, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick, Saint Paul, Saint Peter Dominican Republic 31 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 district* (distrito); Azua, Bahoruco, Barahona, Dajabon, Distrito Nacional*, Duarte, El Seibo, Elias Pina, Espaillat, Hato Mayor, Independencia, La Altagracia, La Romana, La Vega, Maria Trinidad Sanchez, Monsenor Nouel, Monte Cristi, Monte Plata, Pedernales, Peravia, Puerto Plata, Salcedo, Samana, San Cristobal, San Jose de Ocoa, San Juan, San Pedro de Macoris, Sanchez Ramirez, Santiago, Santiago Rodriguez, Santo Domingo, Valverde Ecuador 24 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Azuay, Bolivar, Canar, Carchi, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Galapagos, Guayas, Imbabura, Loja, Los Rios, Manabi, Morona-Santiago, Napo, Orellana, Pastaza, Pichincha, Santa Elena, Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas, Sucumbios, Tungurahua, Zamora-Chinchipe Egypt 26 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Ad Daqahliyah, Al Bahr al Ahmar (Red Sea), Al Buhayrah (El Beheira), Al Fayyum (El Faiyum), Al Gharbiyah, Al Iskandariyah (Alexandria), Al Isma'iliyah (Ismailia), Al Jizah (Giza), Al Minufiyah (El Monofia), Al Minya, Al Qahirah (Cairo), Al Qalyubiyah, Al Wadi al Jadid (New Valley), As Suways (Suez), Ash Sharqiyah, Aswan, Asyut, Bani Suwayf (Beni Suef), Bur Sa'id (Port Said), Dumyat (Damietta), Janub Sina' (South Sinai), Kafr ash Shaykh, Matruh (Western Desert), Qina (Qena), Shamal Sina' (North Sinai), Suhaj (Sohag) El Salvador 14 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Ahuachapan, Cabanas, Chalatenango, Cuscatlan, La Libertad, La Paz, La Union, Morazan, San Miguel, San Salvador, San Vicente, Santa Ana, Sonsonate, Usulutan Equatorial Guinea 7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Annobon, Bioko Norte, Bioko Sur, Centro Sur, Kie-Ntem, Litoral, Wele-Nzas Eritrea 6 regions (zobatat, singular - zoba); Anseba, Debub (Southern), Debubawi K'eyih Bahri (Southern Red Sea), Gash Barka, Ma'akel (Central), Semenawi Keyih Bahri (Northern Red Sea) Estonia 15 counties (maakonnad, singular - maakond); Harjumaa (Tallinn), Hiiumaa (Kardla), Ida-Virumaa (Johvi), Jarvamaa (Paide), Jogevamaa (Jogeva), Laanemaa (Haapsalu), Laane-Virumaa (Rakvere), Parnumaa (Parnu), Polvamaa (Polva), Raplamaa (Rapla), Saaremaa (Kuressaare), Tartumaa (Tartu), Valgamaa (Valga), Viljandimaa (Viljandi), Vorumaa (Voru) note: counties have the administrative center name following in parentheses Ethiopia 9 ethnically based states (kililoch, singular - kilil) and 2 self-governing administrations* (astedaderoch, singular - astedader); Adis Abeba* (Addis Ababa), Afar, Amara (Amhara), Binshangul Gumuz, Dire Dawa*, Gambela Hizboch (Gambela Peoples), Hareri Hizb (Harari People), Oromiya (Oromia), Sumale (Somali), Tigray, Ye Debub Biheroch Bihereseboch na Hizboch (Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) Faroe Islands none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 34 municipalities Fiji 4 divisions and 1 dependency*; Central, Eastern, Northern, Rotuma*, Western Finland 6 provinces (laanit, singular - laani); Ahvenanmaan Laani (Aland), Etela-Suomen Laani (Southern Finland), Ita-Suomen Laani (Eastern Finland), Lansi-Suomen Laani (Western Finland), Lapin Laani (Lapland), Oulun Laani France 26 regions (regions, singular - region); Alsace, Aquitaine, Auvergne, Basse-Normandie (Lower Normandy), Bourgogne (Burgundy), Bretagne (Brittany), Centre, Champagne-Ardenne, Corse (Corsica), Franche-Comte, Guadeloupe, Guyane (French Guiana), Haute-Normandie (Upper Normandy), Ile-de-France, Languedoc-Roussillon, Limousin, Lorraine, Martinique, Midi-Pyrenees, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Pays de la Loire, Picardie, Poitou-Charentes, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, Reunion, Rhone-Alpes note: France is divided into 22 metropolitan regions (including the "territorial collectivity" of Corse or Corsica) and 4 overseas regions (including French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Reunion) and is subdivided into 96 metropolitan departments and 4 overseas departments (which are the same as the overseas regions) French Polynesia none (overseas lands of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are five archipelagic divisions named Archipel des Marquises, Archipel des Tuamotu, Archipel des Tubuai, Iles du Vent, Iles Sous-le-Vent French Southern and Antarctic Lands none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are five administrative districts named Iles Crozet, Iles Eparses, Iles Kerguelen, Ile Saint-Paul et Ile Amsterdam; the fifth district is the "Adelie Land" claim in Antarctica that is not recognized by the US Gabon 9 provinces; Estuaire, Haut-Ogooue, Moyen-Ogooue, Ngounie, Nyanga, Ogooue-Ivindo, Ogooue-Lolo, Ogooue-Maritime, Woleu-Ntem Gambia, The 5 divisions and 1 city*; Banjul*, Central River, Lower River, North Bank, Upper River, Western Georgia 9 regions (mkharebi, singular - mkhare), 1 city (k'alak'i), and 2 autonomous republics (avtomnoy respubliki, singular - avtom respublika) regions: Guria, Imereti, Kakheti, Kvemo Kartli, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, Samegrelo and Zemo Svaneti, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Shida Kartli city: Tbilisi autonomous republics: Abkhazia or Ap'khazet'is Avtonomiuri Respublika (Sokhumi), Ajaria or Acharis Avtonomiuri Respublika (Bat'umi) note: the administrative centers of the two autonomous republics are shown in parentheses Germany 16 states (Laender, singular - Land); Baden-Wurttemberg, Bayern (Bavaria), Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hessen, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania), Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony), Nordrhein-Westfalen (North Rhine-Westphalia), Rheinland-Pfalz (Rhineland-Palatinate), Saarland, Sachsen (Saxony), Sachsen-Anhalt (Saxony-Anhalt), Schleswig-Holstein, Thuringen (Thuringia); note - Bayern, Sachsen, and Thuringen refer to themselves as free states (Freistaaten, singular - Freistaat) Ghana 10 regions; Ashanti, Brong-Ahafo, Central, Eastern, Greater Accra, Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Volta, Western Gibraltar none (overseas territory of the UK) Greece 51 prefectures (nomoi, singular - nomos) and 1 autonomous region*; Achaia, Agion Oros* (Mt. Athos), Aitolia kai Akarnania, Argolis, Arkadia, Arta, Attiki, Chalkidiki, Chanion, Chios, Dodekanisos, Drama, Evros, Evrytania, Evvoia, Florina, Fokidos, Fthiotis, Grevena, Ileia, Imathia, Ioannina, Irakleion, Karditsa, Kastoria, Kavala, Kefallinia, Kerkyra, Kilkis, Korinthia, Kozani, Kyklades, Lakonia, Larisa, Lasithi, Lefkas, Lesvos, Magnisia, Messinia, Pella, Pieria, Preveza, Rethynnis, Rodopi, Samos, Serrai, Thesprotia, Thessaloniki, Trikala, Voiotia, Xanthi, Zakynthos Greenland 3 districts (landsdele); Avannaa (Nordgronland), Tunu (Ostgronland), Kitaa (Vestgronland) note: there are 18 municipalities in Greenland Grenada 6 parishes and 1 dependency*; Carriacou and Petite Martinique*, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick Guam none (territory of the US) Guatemala 22 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, Chimaltenango, Chiquimula, El Progreso, Escuintla, Guatemala, Huehuetenango, Izabal, Jalapa, Jutiapa, Peten, Quetzaltenango, Quiche, Retalhuleu, Sacatepequez, San Marcos, Santa Rosa, Solola, Suchitepequez, Totonicapan, Zacapa Guernsey none (British crown dependency); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 10 parishes including Castel, Forest, Saint Andrew, Saint Martin, Saint Peter Port, Saint Pierre du Bois, Saint Sampson, Saint Saviour, Torteval, Vale Guinea 33 prefectures and 1 special zone (zone special)*; Beyla, Boffa, Boke, Conakry*, Coyah, Dabola, Dalaba, Dinguiraye, Dubreka, Faranah, Forecariah, Fria, Gaoual, Gueckedou, Kankan, Kerouane, Kindia, Kissidougou, Koubia, Koundara, Kouroussa, Labe, Lelouma, Lola, Macenta, Mali, Mamou, Mandiana, Nzerekore, Pita, Siguiri, Telimele, Tougue, Yomou Guinea-Bissau 9 regions (regioes, singular - regiao); Bafata, Biombo, Bissau, Bolama, Cacheu, Gabu, Oio, Quinara, Tombali; note - Bolama may have been renamed Bolama/Bijagos Guyana 10 regions; Barima-Waini, Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Demerara-Mahaica, East Berbice-Corentyne, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara, Mahaica-Berbice, Pomeroon-Supenaam, Potaro-Siparuni, Upper Demerara-Berbice, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo Haiti 10 departments (departements, singular - departement); Artibonite, Centre, Grand 'Anse, Nippes, Nord, Nord-Est, Nord-Ouest, Ouest, Sud, Sud-Est Holy See (Vatican City) none Honduras 18 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Atlantida, Choluteca, Colon, Comayagua, Copan, Cortes, El Paraiso, Francisco Morazan, Gracias a Dios, Intibuca, Islas de la Bahia, La Paz, Lempira, Ocotepeque, Olancho, Santa Barbara, Valle, Yoro Hong Kong none (special administrative region of China) Hungary 19 counties (megyek, singular - megye), 23 urban counties (singular - megyei varos), and 1 capital city (fovaros) counties: Bacs-Kiskun, Baranya, Bekes, Borsod-Abauj-Zemplen, Csongrad, Fejer, Gyor-Moson-Sopron, Hajdu-Bihar, Heves, Jasz-Nagykun-Szolnok, Komarom-Esztergom, Nograd, Pest, Somogy, Szabolcs-Szatmar-Bereg, Tolna, Vas, Veszprem, Zala urban counties: Bekescsaba, Debrecen, Dunaujvaros, Eger, Erd, Gyor, Hodmezovasarhely, Kaposvar, Kecskemet, Miskolc, Nagykanizsa, Nyiregyhaza, Pecs, Salgotarjan, Sopron, Szeged, Szekesfehervar, Szekszard, Szolnok, Szombathely, Tatabanya, Veszprem, Zalaegerszeg capital city: Budapest Iceland 8 regions; Austurland, Hofudhborgarsvaedhi, Nordhurland Eystra, Nordhurland Vestra, Sudhurland, Sudhurnes, Vestfirdhir, Vesturland India 28 states and 7 union territories*; Andaman and Nicobar Islands*, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chandigarh*, Chhattisgarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli*, Daman and Diu*, Delhi*, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep*, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Orissa, Puducherry*, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal Indonesia 30 provinces (provinsi-provinsi, singular - provinsi), 2 special regions* (daerah-daerah istimewa, singular - daerah istimewa), and 1 special capital city district** (daerah khusus ibukota); Aceh*, Bali, Banten, Bengkulu, Gorontalo, Jakarta Raya**, Jambi, Jawa Barat, Jawa Tengah, Jawa Timur, Kalimantan Barat, Kalimantan Selatan, Kalimantan Tengah, Kalimantan Timur, Kepulauan Bangka Belitung, Kepulauan Riau, Lampung, Maluku, Maluku Utara, Nusa Tenggara Barat, Nusa Tenggara Timur, Papua, Papua Barat, Riau, Sulawesi Barat, Sulawesi Selatan, Sulawesi Tengah, Sulawesi Tenggara, Sulawesi Utara, Sumatera Barat, Sumatera Selatan, Sumatera Utara, Yogyakarta* note: following the implementation of decentralization beginning on 1 January 2001, the 465 regencies and municipalities have become the key administrative units responsible for providing most government services Iran 30 provinces (ostanha, singular - ostan); Ardabil, Azarbayjan-e Gharbi, Azarbayjan-e Sharqi, Bushehr, Chahar Mahal va Bakhtiari, Esfahan, Fars, Gilan, Golestan, Hamadan, Hormozgan, Ilam, Kerman, Kermanshah, Khorasan-e Jonubi, Khorasan-e Razavi, Khorasan-e Shomali, Khuzestan, Kohgiluyeh va Bowyer Ahmad, Kordestan, Lorestan, Markazi, Mazandaran, Qazvin, Qom, Semnan, Sistan va Baluchestan, Tehran, Yazd, Zanjan Iraq 18 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah) and 1 region*; Al Anbar, Al Basrah, Al Muthanna, Al Qadisiyah, An Najaf, Arbil, As Sulaymaniyah, At Ta'mim, Babil, Baghdad, Dahuk, Dhi Qar, Diyala, Karbala', Kurdistan Regional Government*, Maysan, Ninawa, Salah ad Din, Wasit Ireland 29 counties and 5 cities*; Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Cork*, Donegal, Dublin*, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal, Galway, Galway*, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Limerick*, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, North Tipperary, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, South Dublin, South Tipperary, Waterford, Waterford*, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow Isle of Man none; there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 24 local authorities each with its own elections Israel 6 districts (mehozot, singular - mehoz); Central, Haifa, Jerusalem, Northern, Southern, Tel Aviv Italy 15 regions (regioni, singular - regione) and 5 autonomous regions (regioni autonome, singular - regione autonoma) regions: Abruzzo, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Emilia-Romagna, Lazio (Latium), Liguria, Lombardia, Marche, Molise, Piemonte (Piedmont), Puglia (Apulia), Toscana (Tuscany), Umbria, Veneto (Venetia) autonomous regions: Friuli-Venezia Giulia; Sardegna (Sardinia); Sicilia (Sicily); Trentino-South Tyrol, also known as Trentino-Alto Adige (Italian), Trentino-Suedtirol (German); Aosta Valley, also known as Valle d'Aosta (Italian), Vallee d'Aoste (French) Jamaica 14 parishes; Clarendon, Hanover, Kingston, Manchester, Portland, Saint Andrew, Saint Ann, Saint Catherine, Saint Elizabeth, Saint James, Saint Mary, Saint Thomas, Trelawny, Westmoreland note: for local government purposes, Kingston and Saint Andrew were amalgamated in 1923 into the present single corporate body known as the Kingston and Saint Andrew Corporation Japan 47 prefectures; Aichi, Akita, Aomori, Chiba, Ehime, Fukui, Fukuoka, Fukushima, Gifu, Gunma, Hiroshima, Hokkaido, Hyogo, Ibaraki, Ishikawa, Iwate, Kagawa, Kagoshima, Kanagawa, Kochi, Kumamoto, Kyoto, Mie, Miyagi, Miyazaki, Nagano, Nagasaki, Nara, Niigata, Oita, Okayama, Okinawa, Osaka, Saga, Saitama, Shiga, Shimane, Shizuoka, Tochigi, Tokushima, Tokyo, Tottori, Toyama, Wakayama, Yamagata, Yamaguchi, Yamanashi Jersey none (British crown dependency); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 12 parishes including Grouville, Saint Brelade, Saint Clement, Saint Helier, Saint John, Saint Lawrence, Saint Martin, Saint Mary, Saint Ouen, Saint Peter, Saint Saviour, and Trinity Jordan 12 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Ajlun, Al 'Aqabah, Al Balqa', Al Karak, Al Mafraq, 'Amman, At Tafilah, Az Zarqa', Irbid, Jarash, Ma'an, Madaba Kazakhstan 14 provinces (oblystar, singular - oblys) and 3 cities* (qalalar, singular - qala); Almaty Oblysy, Almaty Qalasy*, Aqmola Oblysy (Astana), Aqtobe Oblysy, Astana Qalasy*, Atyrau Oblysy, Batys Qazaqstan Oblysy (Oral), Bayqongyr Qalasy*, Mangghystau Oblysy (Aqtau), Ongtustik Qazaqstan Oblysy (Shymkent), Pavlodar Oblysy, Qaraghandy Oblysy, Qostanay Oblysy, Qyzylorda Oblysy, Shyghys Qazaqstan Oblysy (Oskemen), Soltustik Qazaqstan Oblysy (Petropavlovsk), Zhambyl Oblysy (Taraz) note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses); in 1995, the Governments of Kazakhstan and Russia entered into an agreement whereby Russia would lease for a period of 20 years an area of 6,000 sq km enclosing the Baykonur space launch facilities and the city of Bayqongyr (Baykonur, formerly Leninsk); in 2004, a new agreement extended the lease to 2050 Kenya 7 provinces and 1 area*; Central, Coast, Eastern, Nairobi Area*, North Eastern, Nyanza, Rift Valley, Western Kiribati 3 units; Gilbert Islands, Line Islands, Phoenix Islands; note - in addition, there are 6 districts (Banaba, Central Gilberts, Line Islands, Northern Gilberts, Southern Gilberts, Tarawa) and 21 island councils - one for each of the inhabited islands (Abaiang, Abemama, Aranuka, Arorae, Banaba, Beru, Butaritari, Kanton, Kiritimati, Kuria, Maiana, Makin, Marakei, Nikunau, Nonouti, Onotoa, Tabiteuea, Tabuaeran, Tamana, Tarawa, Teraina) Korea, North 9 provinces (do, singular and plural) and 2 municipalities (si, singular and plural) provinces: Chagang-do (Chagang), Hamgyong-bukto (North Hamgyong), Hamgyong-namdo (South Hamgyong), Hwanghae-bukto (North Hwanghae), Hwanghae-namdo (South Hwanghae), Kangwon-do (Kangwon), P'yongan-bukto (North P'yongan), P'yongan-namdo (South P'yongan), Yanggang-do (Yanggang) municipalities: Nason-si, P'yongyang-si Korea, South 9 provinces (do, singular and plural) and 7 metropolitan cities (gwangyoksi, singular and plural) provinces: Cheju-do, Cholla-bukto (North Cholla), Cholla-namdo (South Cholla), Ch'ungch'ong-bukto (North Ch'ungch'ong), Ch'ungch'ong-namdo (South Ch'ungch'ong), Kangwon-do, Kyonggi-do, Kyongsang-bukto (North Kyongsang), Kyongsang-namdo (South Kyongsang) metropolitan cities: Inch'on-gwangyoksi, Kwangju-gwangyoksi, Pusan-gwangyoksi, Soul-t'ukpyolsi, Taegu-gwangyoksi, Taejon-gwangyoksi, Ulsan-gwangyoksi Kosovo 30 municipalities (komunat, singular - komuna in Albanian; opstine, singular - opstina in Serbian); Decan (Decani), Dragash (Dragas), Ferizaj (Urosevac), Fushe Kosove (Kosovo Polje), Gjakove (Dakovica), Gjilan (Gnjilane), Gllogovc/Drenas (Glogovac), Istog (Istok), Kacanik, Kamenice/Dardana (Kamenica), Kline (Klina), Leposaviq (Leposavic), Lipjan (Lipljan), Malisheve (Malisevo), Mitrovice (Mitrovica), Novoberde (Novo Brdo), Obiliq (Obilic), Peje (Pec), Podujeve (Podujevo), Prishtine (Pristina), Prizren, Rahovec (Orahovac), Shterpce (Strpce), Shtime (Stimlje), Skenderaj (Srbica), Suhareke (Suva Reka), Viti (Vitina), Vushtrri (Vucitrn), Zubin Potok, Zvecan Kuwait 6 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Ahmadi, Al 'Asimah, Al Farwaniyah, Al Jahra', Hawalli, Mubarak al Kabir Kyrgyzstan 7 provinces (oblastlar, singular - oblasty) and 1 city* (shaar); Batken Oblasty, Bishkek Shaary*, Chuy Oblasty (Bishkek), Jalal-Abad Oblasty, Naryn Oblasty, Osh Oblasty, Talas Oblasty, Ysyk-Kol Oblasty (Karakol) note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses) Laos 16 provinces (khoueng, singular and plural) and 1 capital city* (nakhon luang, singular and plural); Attapu, Bokeo, Bolikhamxai, Champasak, Houaphan, Khammouan, Louangnamtha, Louangphrabang, Oudomxai, Phongsali, Salavan, Savannakhet, Viangchan (Vientiane)*, Viangchan, Xaignabouli, Xekong, Xiangkhoang Latvia 26 counties (singular - rajons) and 7 municipalities*: Aizkraukles Rajons, Aluksnes Rajons, Balvu Rajons, Bauskas Rajons, Cesu Rajons, Daugavpils*, Daugavpils Rajons, Dobeles Rajons, Gulbenes Rajons, Jekabpils Rajons, Jelgava*, Jelgavas Rajons, Jurmala*, Kraslavas Rajons, Kuldigas Rajons, Liepaja*, Liepajas Rajons, Limbazu Rajons, Ludzas Rajons, Madonas Rajons, Ogres Rajons, Preilu Rajons, Rezekne*, Rezeknes Rajons, Riga*, Rigas Rajons, Saldus Rajons, Talsu Rajons, Tukuma Rajons, Valkas Rajons, Valmieras Rajons, Ventspils*, Ventspils Rajons Lebanon 6 governorates (mohafazat, singular - mohafazah); Beqaa, Beyrouth (Beirut), Liban-Nord, Liban-Sud, Mont-Liban, Nabatiye note: two new governorates - Aakar and Baalbek-Hermel - have been legislated but not yet implemented Lesotho 10 districts; Berea, Butha-Buthe, Leribe, Mafeteng, Maseru, Mohale's Hoek, Mokhotlong, Qacha's Nek, Quthing, Thaba-Tseka Liberia 15 counties; Bomi, Bong, Gbarpolu, Grand Bassa, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Gedeh, Grand Kru, Lofa, Margibi, Maryland, Montserrado, Nimba, River Cess, River Gee, Sinoe Libya 25 municipalities (baladiyat, singular - baladiyah); Ajdabiya, Al 'Aziziyah, Al Fatih, Al Jabal al Akhdar, Al Jufrah, Al Khums, Al Kufrah, An Nuqat al Khams, Ash Shati', Awbari, Az Zawiyah, Banghazi, Darnah, Ghadamis, Gharyan, Misratah, Murzuq, Sabha, Sawfajjin, Surt, Tarabulus, Tarhunah, Tubruq, Yafran, Zlitan; note - the 25 municipalities may have been replaced by 13 regions Liechtenstein 11 communes (Gemeinden, singular - Gemeinde); Balzers, Eschen, Gamprin, Mauren, Planken, Ruggell, Schaan, Schellenberg, Triesen, Triesenberg, Vaduz Lithuania 10 counties (apskritys, singular - apskritis); Alytaus, Kauno, Klaipedos, Marijampoles, Panevezio, Siauliu, Taurages, Telsiu, Utenos, Vilniaus Luxembourg 3 districts; Diekirch, Grevenmacher, Luxembourg Macau none (special administrative region of the People's Republic of China) Macedonia 84 municipalities (opstini, singular - opstina); Aerodrom (Skopje), Aracinovo, Berovo, Bitola, Bogdanci, Bogovinje, Bosilovo, Brvenica, Butel (Skopje), Cair (Skopje), Caska, Centar (Skopje), Centar Zupa, Cesinovo, Cucer Sandevo, Debar, Debarca, Delcevo, Demir Hisar, Demir Kapija, Dojran, Dolneni, Dorce Petrov (Gjorce Petrov) (Skopje), Drugovo, Gazi Baba (Skopje), Gevgelija, Gostivar, Gradsko, Ilinden, Jegunovce, Karbinci, Karpos (Skopje), Kavadarci, Kicevo, Kisela Voda (Skopje), Kocani, Konce, Kratovo, Kriva Palanka, Krivogastani, Krusevo, Kumanovo, Lipkovo, Lozovo, Makedonska Kamenica, Makedonski Brod, Mavrovo i Rostusa, Mogila, Negotino, Novaci, Novo Selo, Ohrid, Oslomej, Pehcevo, Petrovec, Plasnica, Prilep, Probistip, Radovis, Rankovce, Resen, Rosoman, Saraj (Skopje), Sopiste, Staro Nagoricane, Stip, Struga, Strumica, Studenicani, Suto Orizari (Skopje), Sveti Nikole, Tearce, Tetovo, Valandovo, Vasilevo, Veles, Vevcani, Vinica, Vranestica, Vrapciste, Zajas, Zelenikovo, Zelino, Zrnovci note: the 10 municipalities followed by Skopje in parentheses collectively constitute the larger Skopje Municipality Madagascar 6 provinces (faritany); Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara Malawi 28 districts; Balaka, Blantyre, Chikwawa, Chiradzulu, Chitipa, Dedza, Dowa, Karonga, Kasungu, Likoma, Lilongwe, Machinga (Kasupe), Mangochi, Mchinji, Mulanje, Mwanza, Mzimba, Neno, Ntcheu, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Nsanje, Ntchisi, Phalombe, Rumphi, Salima, Thyolo, Zomba Malaysia 13 states (negeri-negeri, singular - negeri) Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Pulau Pinang, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, and Terengganu; and 1 federal territory (wilayah persekutuan) with three components, city of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, and Putrajaya Maldives 19 atolls (atholhu, singular and plural) and 1 capital city*; Alifu, Baa, Dhaalu, Faafu, Gaafu Alifu, Gaafu Dhaalu, Gnaviyani, Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, Kaafu, Laamu, Lhaviyani, Maale* (Male), Meemu, Noonu, Raa, Seenu, Shaviyani, Thaa, Vaavu Mali 8 regions (regions, singular - region); Gao, Kayes, Kidal, Koulikoro, Mopti, Segou, Sikasso, Tombouctou Malta none (administered directly from Valletta); note - local councils carry out administrative orders Marshall Islands 33 municipalities; Ailinginae, Ailinglaplap, Ailuk, Arno, Aur, Bikar, Bikini, Bokak, Ebon, Enewetak, Erikub, Jabat, Jaluit, Jemo, Kili, Kwajalein, Lae, Lib, Likiep, Majuro, Maloelap, Mejit, Mili, Namorik, Namu, Rongelap, Rongrik, Toke, Ujae, Ujelang, Utirik, Wotho, Wotje Mauritania 12 regions (regions, singular - region) and 1 capital district*; Adrar, Assaba, Brakna, Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh Ech Chargui, Hodh El Gharbi, Inchiri, Nouakchott*, Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, Trarza Mauritius 9 districts and 3 dependencies*; Agalega Islands*, Black River, Cargados Carajos Shoals*, Flacq, Grand Port, Moka, Pamplemousses, Plaines Wilhems, Port Louis, Riviere du Rempart, Rodrigues*, Savanne Mayotte none (territorial overseas collectivity of France) Mexico 31 states (estados, singular - estado) and 1 federal district* (distrito federal); Aguascalientes, Baja California, Baja California Sur, Campeche, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Coahuila de Zaragoza, Colima, Distrito Federal*, Durango, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Mexico, Michoacan de Ocampo, Morelos, Nayarit, Nuevo Leon, Oaxaca, Puebla, Queretaro de Arteaga, Quintana Roo, San Luis Potosi, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tabasco, Tamaulipas, Tlaxcala, Veracruz-Llave, Yucatan, Zacatecas Micronesia, Federated States of 4 states; Chuuk (Truk), Kosrae (Kosaie), Pohnpei (Ponape), Yap Moldova 32 raions (raioane, singular - raionul), 3 municipalities (municipiul), 1 autonomous territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala autonoma), and 1 territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala) raions: Anenii Noi, Basarabeasca, Briceni, Cahul, Cantemir, Calarasi, Causeni, Cimislia, Criuleni, Donduseni, Drochia, Dubasari, Edinet, Falesti, Floresti, Glodeni, Hincesti, Ialoveni, Leova, Nisporeni, Ocnita, Orhei, Rezina, Riscani, Singerei, Soldanesti, Soroca, Stefan-Voda, Straseni, Taraclia, Telenesti, Ungheni municipalities: Balti, Bender, Chisinau autonomous territorial unit: Gagauzia territorial unit: Stinga Nistrului (Transnistria) Monaco none; there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are four quarters (quartiers, singular - quartier); Fontvieille, La Condamine, Monaco-Ville, Monte-Carlo Mongolia 21 provinces (aymguud, singular - aymag) and 1 municipality* (singular - hot); Arhangay, Bayanhongor, Bayan-Olgiy, Bulgan, Darhan-Uul, Dornod, Dornogovi, Dundgovi, Dzavhan (Zavkhan), Govi-Altay, Govisumber, Hentiy, Hovd, Hovsgol, Omnogovi, Orhon, Ovorhangay, Selenge, Suhbaatar, Tov, Ulaanbaatar*, Uvs Montenegro 21 municipalities (opstine, singular - opstina); Andrijevica, Bar, Berane, Bijelo Polje, Budva, Cetinje, Danilovgrad, Herceg Novi, Kolasin, Kotor, Mojkovac, Niksic, Plav, Pljevlja, Pluzine, Podgorica, Rozaje, Savnik, Tivat, Ulcinj, Zabljak Montserrat 3 parishes; Saint Anthony, Saint Georges, Saint Peter Morocco 15 regions; Grand Casablanca, Chaouia-Ouardigha, Doukkala-Abda, Fes-Boulemane, Gharb-Chrarda-Beni Hssen, Guelmim-Es Smara, Laayoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra, Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz, Meknes-Tafilalet, Oriental, Rabat-Sale-Zemmour-Zaer, Souss-Massa-Draa, Tadla-Azilal, Tanger-Tetouan, Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate note: Morocco claims the territory of Western Sahara, the political status of which is considered undetermined by the US Government; portions of the regions Guelmim-Es Smara and Laayoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra as claimed by Morocco lie within Western Sahara; Morocco also claims Oued Eddahab-Lagouira, another region which falls entirely within Western Sahara Mozambique 10 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia), 1 city (cidade)*; Cabo Delgado, Gaza, Inhambane, Manica, Maputo, Cidade de Maputo*, Nampula, Niassa, Sofala, Tete, Zambezia Namibia 13 regions; Caprivi, Erongo, Hardap, Karas, Khomas, Kunene, Ohangwena, Okavango, Omaheke, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa Nauru 14 districts; Aiwo, Anabar, Anetan, Anibare, Baiti, Boe, Buada, Denigomodu, Ewa, Ijuw, Meneng, Nibok, Uaboe, Yaren Nepal 14 zones (anchal, singular and plural); Bagmati, Bheri, Dhawalagiri, Gandaki, Janakpur, Karnali, Kosi, Lumbini, Mahakali, Mechi, Narayani, Rapti, Sagarmatha, Seti Netherlands 12 provinces (provincies, singular - provincie); Drenthe, Flevoland, Friesland (Fryslan), Gelderland, Groningen, Limburg, Noord-Brabant (North Brabant), Noord-Holland (North Holland), Overijssel, Utrecht, Zeeland (Zealand), Zuid-Holland (South Holland) Netherlands Antilles none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) note: each island has its own government New Caledonia none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 3 provinces named Province des Iles, Province Nord, and Province Sud New Zealand 16 regions and 1 territory*; Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Canterbury, Chatham Islands*, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, Manawatu-Wanganui, Marlborough, Nelson, Northland, Otago, Southland, Taranaki, Tasman, Waikato, Wellington, West Coast Nicaragua 15 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 2 autonomous regions* (regiones autonomistas, singular - region autonoma); Atlantico Norte*, Atlantico Sur*, Boaco, Carazo, Chinandega, Chontales, Esteli, Granada, Jinotega, Leon, Madriz, Managua, Masaya, Matagalpa, Nueva Segovia, Rio San Juan, Rivas Niger 8 regions (regions, singular - region) includes 1 capital district* (communite urbaine); Agadez, Diffa, Dosso, Maradi, Niamey*, Tahoua, Tillaberi, Zinder Nigeria 36 states and 1 territory*; Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Federal Capital Territory*, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nassarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara Niue none; note - there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 14 villages at the second order Norfolk Island none (territory of Australia) Northern Mariana Islands none (commonwealth in political union with the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are four municipalities at the second order: Northern Islands, Rota, Saipan, Tinian Norway 19 counties (fylker, singular - fylke); Akershus, Aust-Agder, Buskerud, Finnmark, Hedmark, Hordaland, More og Romsdal, Nordland, Nord-Trondelag, Oppland, Oslo, Ostfold, Rogaland, Sogn og Fjordane, Sor-Trondelag, Telemark, Troms, Vest-Agder, Vestfold Oman 5 regions (manatiq, singular - mintaqat) and 4 governorates* (muhafazat, singular - muhafazat) Ad Dakhiliyah, Al Batinah, Al Buraymi*, Al Wusta, Ash Sharqiyah, Az Zahirah, Masqat (Muscat)*, Musandam*, Zufar (Dhofar)* Pakistan 4 provinces, 1 territory*, and 1 capital territory**; Balochistan, Federally Administered Tribal Areas*, Islamabad Capital Territory**, North-West Frontier Province, Punjab, Sindh note: the Pakistani-administered portion of the disputed Jammu and Kashmir region consists of two administrative entities: Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan Palau 16 states; Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Hatohobei, Kayangel, Koror, Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngarchelong, Ngardmau, Ngatpang, Ngchesar, Ngeremlengui, Ngiwal, Peleliu, Sonsorol Panama 11 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 territory* (comarca); Bocas del Toro, Comarca Kuna Yala, Comarca Ngobe-Bugle, Chiriqui, Cocle, Colon, Darien, Herrera, Los Santos, Panama, San Blas* (Kuna Yala), and Veraguas Papua New Guinea 20 provinces; Bougainville (autonomous region), Central, Chimbu, Eastern Highlands, East New Britain, East Sepik, Enga, Gulf, Madang, Manus, Milne Bay, Morobe, National Capital, New Ireland, Northern, Sandaun, Southern Highlands, Western, Western Highlands, West New Britain Paraguay 17 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1 capital city*; Alto Paraguay, Alto Parana, Amambay, Asuncion*, Boqueron, Caaguazu, Caazapa, Canindeyu, Central, Concepcion, Cordillera, Guaira, Itapua, Misiones, Neembucu, Paraguari, Presidente Hayes, San Pedro Peru 25 regions (regiones, singular - region) and 1 province* (provincia); Amazonas, Ancash, Apurimac, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Callao, Cusco, Huancavelica, Huanuco, Ica, Junin, La Libertad, Lambayeque, Lima, Lima*, Loreto, Madre de Dios, Moquegua, Pasco, Piura, Puno, San Martin, Tacna, Tumbes, Ucayali Philippines 80 provinces and 120 chartered cities provinces: Abra, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Aklan, Albay, Antique, Apayao, Aurora, Basilan, Bataan, Batanes, Batangas, Biliran, Benguet, Bohol, Bukidnon, Bulacan, Cagayan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Camiguin, Capiz, Catanduanes, Cavite, Cebu, Compostela, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Dinagat Islands, Eastern Samar, Guimaras, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Iloilo, Isabela, Kalinga, Laguna, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, La Union, Leyte, Maguindanao, Marinduque, Masbate, Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Mountain Province, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, North Cotabato, Northern Samar, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Palawan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Quezon, Quirino, Rizal, Romblon, Samar, Sarangani, Siquijor, Sorsogon, South Cotabato, Southern Leyte, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tarlac, Tawi-Tawi, Zambales, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay chartered cities: Alaminos, Angeles, Antipolo, Bacolod, Bago, Baguio, Bais, Balanga, Batac, Batangas, Bayawan, Bislig, Butuan, Cabadbaran, Cabanatuan, Cadiz, Cagayan de Oro, Calamba, Calapan, Calbayog, Candon, Canlaon, Cauayan, Cavite, Cebu, Cotabato, Dagupan, Danao, Dapitan, Davao, Digos, Dipolog, Dumaguete, Escalante, Gapan, General Santos, Gingoog, Himamaylan, Iligan, Iloilo, Isabela, Iriga, Kabankalan, Kalookan, Kidapawan, Koronadal, La Carlota, Laoag, Lapu-Lapu, Las Pinas, Legazpi, Ligao, Lipa, Lucena, Maasin, Makati, Malabon, Malaybalay, Malolos, Mandaluyong, Mandaue, Manila, Marawi, Marikina, Masbate, Mati, Meycauayan, Muntinlupa, Munoz, Naga, Navotas, Olongapo, Ormoc, Oroquieta, Ozamis, Pagadian, Palayan, Panabo, Paranaque, Pasay, Pasig, Passi, Puerto Princesa, Quezon, Roxas, Sagay, Samal, San Carlos (in Negros Occidental), San Carlos (in Pangasinan), San Fernando (in La Union), San Fernando (in Pampanga), San Jose, San Jose del Monte, San Juan, San Pablo, Santa Rosa, Santiago, Silay, Sipalay, Sorsogon, Surigao, Tabaco, Tacloban, Tacurong, Tagaytay, Tagbilaran, Taguig, Tagum, Talisay (in Cebu), Talisay (in Negros Occidental), Tanauan, Tangub, Tanjay, Tarlac, Toledo, Tuguegarao, Trece Martires, Urdaneta, Valencia, Valenzuela, Victorias, Vigan, Zamboanga (2009) Pitcairn Islands none (overseas territory of the UK) Poland 16 provinces (wojewodztwa, singular - wojewodztwo); Dolnoslaskie (Lower Silesia), Kujawsko-Pomorskie (Kuyavia-Pomerania), Lodzkie, Lubelskie (Lublin), Lubuskie (Lubusz), Malopolskie (Lesser Poland), Mazowieckie (Masovia), Opolskie, Podkarpackie (Subcarpathia), Podlaskie, Pomorskie (Pomerania), Slaskie (Silesia), Swietokrzyskie, Warminsko-Mazurskie (Warmia-Masuria), Wielkopolskie (Greater Poland), Zachodniopomorskie (West Pomerania) Portugal 18 districts (distritos, singular - distrito) and 2 autonomous regions* (regioes autonomas, singular - regiao autonoma); Aveiro, Acores (Azores)*, Beja, Braga, Braganca, Castelo Branco, Coimbra, Evora, Faro, Guarda, Leiria, Lisboa (Lisbon), Madeira*, Portalegre, Porto, Santarem, Setubal, Viana do Castelo, Vila Real, Viseu Puerto Rico none (territory of the US with commonwealth status); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 78 municipalities (municipios, singular - municipio) at the second order; Adjuntas, Aguada, Aguadilla, Aguas Buenas, Aibonito, Anasco, Arecibo, Arroyo, Barceloneta, Barranquitas, Bayamon, Cabo Rojo, Caguas, Camuy, Canovanas, Carolina, Catano, Cayey, Ceiba, Ciales, Cidra, Coamo, Comerio, Corozal, Culebra, Dorado, Fajardo, Florida, Guanica, Guayama, Guayanilla, Guaynabo, Gurabo, Hatillo, Hormigueros, Humacao, Isabela, Jayuya, Juana Diaz, Juncos, Lajas, Lares, Las Marias, Las Piedras, Loiza, Luquillo, Manati, Maricao, Maunabo, Mayaguez, Moca, Morovis, Naguabo, Naranjito, Orocovis, Patillas, Penuelas, Ponce, Quebradillas, Rincon, Rio Grande, Sabana Grande, Salinas, San German, San Juan, San Lorenzo, San Sebastian, Santa Isabel, Toa Alta, Toa Baja, Trujillo Alto, Utuado, Vega Alta, Vega Baja, Vieques, Villalba, Yabucoa, Yauco Qatar 10 municipalities (baladiyat, singular - baladiyah); Ad Dawhah, Al Ghuwayriyah, Al Jumayliyah, Al Khawr, Al Wakrah, Ar Rayyan, Jarayan al Batinah, Madinat ash Shamal, Umm Sa'id, Umm Salal Romania 41 counties (judete, singular - judet) and 1 municipality* (municipiu); Alba, Arad, Arges, Bacau, Bihor, Bistrita-Nasaud, Botosani, Braila, Brasov, Bucuresti (Bucharest)*, Buzau, Calarasi, Caras-Severin, Cluj, Constanta, Covasna, Dimbovita, Dolj, Galati, Gorj, Giurgiu, Harghita, Hunedoara, Ialomita, Iasi, Ilfov, Maramures, Mehedinti, Mures, Neamt, Olt, Prahova, Salaj, Satu Mare, Sibiu, Suceava, Teleorman, Timis, Tulcea, Vaslui, Vilcea, Vrancea Russia 46 oblasts (oblastey, singular - oblast), 21 republics (respublik, singular - respublika), 4 autonomous okrugs (avtonomnykh okrugov, singular - avtonomnyy okrug), 9 krays (krayev, singular - kray), 2 federal cities (goroda, singular - gorod), and 1 autonomous oblast (avtonomnaya oblast') oblasts: Amur (Blagoveshchensk), Arkhangel'sk, Astrakhan', Belgorod, Bryansk, Chelyabinsk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Kaliningrad, Kaluga, Kemerovo, Kirov, Kostroma, Kurgan, Kursk, Leningrad, Lipetsk, Magadan, Moscow, Murmansk, Nizhniy Novgorod, Novgorod, Novosibirsk, Omsk, Orenburg, Orel, Penza, Pskov, Rostov, Ryazan', Sakhalin (Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk), Samara, Saratov, Smolensk, Sverdlovsk (Yekaterinburg), Tambov, Tomsk, Tula, Tver', Tyumen', Ul'yanovsk, Vladimir, Volgograd, Vologda, Voronezh, Yaroslavl' republics: Adygeya (Maykop), Altay (Gorno-Altaysk), Bashkortostan (Ufa), Buryatiya (Ulan-Ude), Chechnya (Groznyy), Chuvashiya (Cheboksary), Dagestan (Makhachkala), Ingushetiya (Magas), Kabardino-Balkariya (Nal'chik), Kalmykiya (Elista), Karachayevo-Cherkesiya (Cherkessk), Kareliya (Petrozavodsk), Khakasiya (Abakan), Komi (Syktyvkar), Mariy-El (Yoshkar-Ola), Mordoviya (Saransk), North Ossetia (Vladikavkaz), Sakha [Yakutiya] (Yakutsk), Tatarstan (Kazan'), Tyva (Kyzyl), Udmurtiya (Izhevsk) autonomous okrugs: Chukotka (Anadyr'), Khanty-Mansi (Khanty-Mansiysk), Nenets (Nar'yan-Mar), Yamalo-Nenets (Salekhard) krays: Altay (Barnaul), Kamchatka (Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy), Khabarovsk, Krasnodar, Krasnoyarsk, Perm', Primorskiy [Maritime] (Vladivostok), Stavropol', Zabaykal'sk (Chita) federal cities: Moscow [Moskva], Saint Petersburg [Sankt-Peterburg] autonomous oblast: Yevrey [Jewish] (Birobidzhan) note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses) Rwanda 4 provinces (in French - provinces, singular - province; in Kinyarwanda - intara for singular and plural) and 1 city* (in French - ville; in Kinyarwanda - umujyi); Est (Eastern), Kigali*, Nord (Northern), Ouest (Western), Sud (Southern) Saint Helena 1 administrative area and 2 dependencies*; Ascension*, Saint Helena, Tristan da Cunha* Saint Kitts and Nevis 14 parishes; Christ Church Nichola Town, Saint Anne Sandy Point, Saint George Basseterre, Saint George Gingerland, Saint James Windward, Saint John Capesterre, Saint John Figtree, Saint Mary Cayon, Saint Paul Capesterre, Saint Paul Charlestown, Saint Peter Basseterre, Saint Thomas Lowland, Saint Thomas Middle Island, Trinity Palmetto Point Saint Lucia 11 quarters; Anse-la-Raye, Castries, Choiseul, Dauphin, Dennery, Gros-Islet, Laborie, Micoud, Praslin, Soufriere, Vieux-Fort Saint Pierre and Miquelon none (territorial overseas collectivity of France); note - there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are two communes - Saint Pierre, Miquelon at the second order Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 6 parishes; Charlotte, Grenadines, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint Patrick Samoa 11 districts; A'ana, Aiga-i-le-Tai, Atua, Fa'asaleleaga, Gaga'emauga, Gagaifomauga, Palauli, Satupa'itea, Tuamasaga, Va'a-o-Fonoti, Vaisigano San Marino 9 municipalities (castelli, singular - castello); Acquaviva, Borgo Maggiore, Chiesanuova, Domagnano, Faetano, Fiorentino, Montegiardino, San Marino Citta, Serravalle Sao Tome and Principe 2 provinces; Principe, Sao Tome note: Principe has had self government since 29 April 1995 Saudi Arabia 13 provinces (mintaqat, singular - mintaqah); Al Bahah, Al Hudud ash Shamaliyah (Northern Border), Al Jawf, Al Madinah, Al Qasim, Ar Riyad (Riyadh), Ash Sharqiyah (Eastern), 'Asir, Ha'il, Jizan, Makkah, Najran, Tabuk Senegal 14 regions (regions, singular - region); Dakar, Diourbel, Fatick, Kaffrine, Kaolack, Kedougou, Kolda, Louga, Matam, Saint-Louis, Sedhiou, Tambacounda, Thies, Ziguinchor Serbia 167 municipalities (opcstine, singular - opcstina) Serbia Proper: Belgrade City (Beograd): Barajevo, Cukarica, Grocka, Lazarevac, Mladenovac, Novi Beograd, Obrenovac, Palilula, Rakovica, Savski Venac, Sopot, Stari Grad, Surcin, Vozdovac, Vracar, Zemun, Zvezdara; Bor: Bor, Kladovo, Majdanpek, Negotin; Branicevo: Golubac, Kucevo, Malo Crnice, Petrovac, Pozarevac, Veliko Gradiste, Zabari, Zagubica; Grad Nis: Crveni Krst, Mediana, Niska Banja, Palilula, Pantelej Jablanica: Bojnik, Crna Trava, Lebane, Leskovac, Medveda, Vlasotince; Kolubara: Lajkovac, Ljig, Mionica, Osecina, Ub, Valjevo; Macva: Bogatic, Koceljeva, Krupanj, Ljubovija, Loznica, Mali Zvornik, Sabac, Vladimirci; Moravica: Cacak, Gornkji Milanovac, Ivanjica, Lucani; Nisava: Aleksinac, Doljevac, Gadzin Han, Merosina, Nis, Razanj, Svrljig; Pcinja: Bosilegrad, Bujanovac, Presevo, Surdulica, Trgoviste, Vladicin Han, Vranje; Pirot: Babusnica, Bela Palanka, Dimitrovgrad, Pirot; Podunavlje: Smederevo, Smederevskia Palanka, Velika Plana; Pomoravlje: Cuprija, Despotovac, Jagodina, Paracin, Rekovac, Svilajnac; Rasina: Aleksandrovac, Brus, Cicevac, Krusevac, Trstenik, Varvarin; Raska: Kraljevo, Novi Pazar, Raska, Tutin, Vrnjacka Banja; Sumadija: Arandelovac, Batocina, Knic, Kragujevac, Lapovo, Raca, Topola; Toplica: Blace, Kursumlija, Prokuplje, Zitorada; Zajecar: Boljevac, Knjazevac, Sokobanja, Zajecar; Zlatibor: Arilje, Bajina Basta, Cajetina, Kosjeric, Nova Varos, Pozega, Priboj, Prijepolje, Sjenica, Uzice Vojvodina Autonomous Province: South Backa: Bac, Backa Palanka, Backi Petrovac, Becej, Beocin, Novi Sad, Sremski Karlovci, Srobobran, Temerin, Titel, Vrbas, Zabalj; South Banat: Alibunar, Bela Crkva, Kovacica, Kovin, Opovo, Pancevo, Plandiste, Vrsac; North Backa: Backa Topola, Mali Idjos, Subotica; North Banat: Ada, Coka, Kanjiza, Kikinda, Novi Knezevac, Senta; Central Banat: Nova Crnja, Novi Becej, Secanj, Zitiste, Zrenjanin; Srem: Indija, Irig, Pecinci, Ruma, Sid, Sremska Mitrovica, Stara Pazova; West Backa: Apatin, Kula, Odzaci, Sombor Seychelles 23 administrative districts; Anse aux Pins, Anse Boileau, Anse Etoile, Anse Louis, Anse Royale, Baie Lazare, Baie Sainte Anne, Beau Vallon, Bel Air, Bel Ombre, Cascade, Glacis, Grand' Anse (on Mahe), Grand' Anse (on Praslin), La Digue, La Riviere Anglaise, Mont Buxton, Mont Fleuri, Plaisance, Pointe La Rue, Port Glaud, Saint Louis, Takamaka Sierra Leone 3 provinces and 1 area*; Eastern, Northern, Southern, Western* Singapore none Slovakia 8 regions (kraje, singular - kraj); Banskobystricky, Bratislavsky, Kosicky, Nitriansky, Presovsky, Trenciansky, Trnavsky, Zilinsky Slovenia 182 municipalities (obcine, singular - obcina) and 11 urban municipalities* (mestne obcine , singular - mestna obcina ) Ajdovscina, Beltinci, Benedikt, Bistrica ob Sotli, Bled, Bloke, Bohinj, Borovnica, Bovec, Braslovce, Brda, Brezice, Brezovica, Cankova, Celje*, Cerklje na Gorenjskem, Cerknica, Cerkno, Cerkvenjak, Crensovci, Crna na Koroskem, Crnomelj, Destrnik, Divaca, Dobje, Dobrepolje, Dobrna, Dobrova-Horjul-Polhov Gradec, Dobrovnik-Dobronak, Dolenjske Toplice, Dol pri Ljubljani, Domzale, Dornava, Dravograd, Duplek, Gorenja Vas-Poljane, Gorisnica, Gornja Radgona, Gornji Grad, Gornji Petrovci, Grad, Grosuplje, Hajdina, Hoce-Slivnica, Hodos-Hodos, Horjul, Hrastnik, Hrpelje-Kozina, Idrija, Ig, Ilirska Bistrica, Ivancna Gorica, Izola-Isola, Jesenice, Jezersko, Jursinci, Kamnik, Kanal, Kidricevo, Kobarid, Kobilje, Kocevje, Komen, Komenda, Koper-Capodistria*, Kostel, Kozje, Kranj*, Kranjska Gora, Krizevci, Krsko, Kungota, Kuzma, Lasko, Lenart, Lendava-Lendva, Litija, Ljubljana*, Ljubno, Ljutomer, Logatec, Loska Dolina, Loski Potok, Lovrenc na Pohorju, Luce, Lukovica, Majsperk, Maribor*, Markovci, Medvode, Menges, Metlika, Mezica, Miklavz na Dravskem Polju, Miren-Kostanjevica, Mirna Pec, Mislinja, Moravce, Moravske Toplice, Mozirje, Murska Sobota*, Muta, Naklo, Nazarje, Nova Gorica*, Novo Mesto*, Odranci, Oplotnica, Ormoz, Osilnica, Pesnica, Piran-Pirano, Pivka, Podcetrtek, Podlehnik, Podvelka, Polzela, Postojna, Prebold, Preddvor, Prevalje, Ptuj*, Puconci, Race-Fram, Radece, Radenci, Radlje ob Dravi, Radovljica, Ravne na Koroskem, Razkrizje, Ribnica, Ribnica na Pohorju, Rogasovci, Rogaska Slatina, Rogatec, Ruse, Salovci, Selnica ob Dravi, Semic, Sempeter-Vrtojba, Sencur, Sentilj, Sentjernej, Sentjur pri Celju, Sevnica, Sezana, Skocjan, Skofja Loka, Skofljica, Slovenj Gradec*, Slovenska Bistrica, Slovenske Konjice, Smarje pri Jelsah, Smartno ob Paki, Smartno pri Litiji, Sodrazica, Solcava, Sostanj, Starse, Store, Sveta Ana, Sveti Andraz v Slovenskih Goricah, Sveti Jurij, Tabor, Tisina, Tolmin, Trbovlje, Trebnje, Trnovska Vas, Trzic, Trzin, Turnisce, Velenje*, Velika Polana, Velike Lasce, Verzej, Videm, Vipava, Vitanje, Vodice, Vojnik, Vransko, Vrhnika, Vuzenica, Zagorje ob Savi, Zalec, Zavrc, Zelezniki, Zetale, Ziri, Zirovnica, Zuzemberk, Zrece note: the Government of Slovenia has reported 210 municipalities Solomon Islands 9 provinces and 1 capital territory*; Central, Choiseul, Guadalcanal, Honiara*, Isabel, Makira, Malaita, Rennell and Bellona, Temotu, Western Somalia 18 regions (plural - NA, singular - gobolka); Awdal, Bakool, Banaadir, Bari, Bay, Galguduud, Gedo, Hiiraan, Jubbada Dhexe, Jubbada Hoose, Mudug, Nugaal, Sanaag, Shabeellaha Dhexe, Shabeellaha Hoose, Sool, Togdheer, Woqooyi Galbeed South Africa 9 provinces; Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, North-West, Western Cape Spain 17 autonomous communities (comunidades autonomas, singular - comunidad autonoma) and 2 autonomous cities* (ciudades autonomas, singular - ciudad autonoma); Andalucia, Aragon, Asturias, Baleares (Balearic Islands), Ceuta*, Canarias (Canary Islands), Cantabria, Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y Leon, Cataluna (Catalonia), Comunidad Valenciana (Valencian Community), Extremadura, Galicia, La Rioja, Madrid, Melilla*, Murcia, Navarra, Pais Vasco (Basque Country) note: the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla plus three small islands of Islas Chafarinas, Penon de Alhucemas, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera, administered directly by the Spanish central government, are all along the coast of Morocco and are collectively referred to as Places of Sovereignty (Plazas de Soberania) Sri Lanka 8 provinces; Central, North Central, North Eastern, North Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva, Western note: in October 2006, a Sri Lankan Supreme Court ruling voided a presidential directive merging the North and Eastern Provinces; many have defended the merger as a prerequisite for a negotiated settlement to the ethnic conflict; a parliamentary decision on the issue is pending Sudan 25 states (wilayat, singular - wilayah); A'ali an Nil (Upper Nile), Al Bahr al Ahmar (Red Sea), Al Buhayrat (Lakes), Al Jazira (Gezira), Al Khartoum (Khartoum), Al Qadarif (Gedaref), Al Wahda (Unity), An Nil al Abyad (White Nile), An Nil al Azraq (Blue Nile), Ash Shimaliyya (Northern), Bahr al Jabal (Central Equatoria), Gharb al Istiwa'iyya (Western Equatoria), Gharb Bahr al Ghazal (Western Bahr el Ghazal), Gharb Darfur (Western Darfur), Janub Darfur (Southern Darfur), Janub Kurdufan (Southern Kordofan), Junqoley (Jonglei), Kassala (Kassala), Nahr an Nil (River Nile), Shimal Bahr al Ghazal (Northern Bahr el Ghazal), Shimal Darfur (Northern Darfur), Shimal Kurdufan (Northern Kordofan), Sharq al Istiwa'iyya (Eastern Equatoria), Sinnar (Sinnar), Warab (Warab) Suriname 10 districts (distrikten, singular - distrikt); Brokopondo, Commewijne, Coronie, Marowijne, Nickerie, Para, Paramaribo, Saramacca, Sipaliwini, Wanica Swaziland 4 districts; Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini, Shiselweni Sweden 21 counties (lan, singular and plural); Blekinge, Dalarna, Gavleborg, Gotland, Halland, Jamtland, Jonkoping, Kalmar, Kronoberg, Norrbotten, Orebro, Ostergotland, Skane, Sodermanland, Stockholm, Uppsala, Varmland, Vasterbotten, Vasternorrland, Vastmanland, Vastra Gotaland Switzerland 26 cantons, singular - canton in French; cantoni, singular - cantone in Italian; Kantone, singular - Kanton in German); Aargau, Appenzell Ausser-Rhoden, Appenzell Inner-Rhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Bern, Fribourg, Geneve, Glarus, Graubunden, Jura, Luzern, Neuchatel, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Sankt Gallen, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, Thurgau, Ticino, Uri, Valais, Vaud, Zug, Zurich note: 6 of the cantons - Appenzell Ausser-Rhoden, Appenzell-Inner-Rhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Nidwalden, Obwalden - are styled half cantons because they elect only one member to the Council of States and, in popular referendums where a majority of popular votes and a majority of cantonal votes are required, these six cantons only have a half vote Syria 14 provinces (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Hasakah, Al Ladhiqiyah (Latakia), Al Qunaytirah, Ar Raqqah, As Suwayda', Dar'a, Dayr az Zawr, Dimashq, Halab, Hamah, Hims, Idlib, Rif Dimashq (Damascus), Tartus Taiwan includes main island of Taiwan plus smaller islands nearby and off coast of China's Fujian Province; Taiwan is divided into 18 counties (hsien, singular and plural), 5 municipalities (shih, singular and plural), and 2 special municipalities (chih-hsia-shih, singular and plural) note: Taiwan uses a variety of romanization systems; while a modified Wade-Giles system still dominates, the city of Taipei has adopted a Pinyin romanization for street and place names within its boundaries; other local authorities use different romanization systems; names for administrative divisions that follow are taken from the Taiwan Yearbook 2007 published by the Government Information Office in Taipei. counties: Changhua, Chiayi [county], Hsinchu [county], Hualien, Kaohsiung [county], Kinmen, Lienchiang, Miaoli, Nantou, Penghu, Pingtung, Taichung [county], Tainan [county], Taipei [county], Taitung, Taoyuan, Yilan, and Yunlin municipalities: Chiayi [city], Hsinchu [city], Keelung, Taichung [city], Tainan [city] special municipalities: Kaohsiung [city], Taipei [city] Tajikistan 2 provinces (viloyatho, singular - viloyat) and 1 autonomous province* (viloyati mukhtor); Viloyati Khatlon (Qurghonteppa), Viloyati Mukhtori Kuhistoni Badakhshon* [Gorno-Badakhshan] (Khorugh), Viloyati Sughd (Khujand) note: the administrative center name follows in parentheses Tanzania 26 regions; Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Iringa, Kagera, Kigoma, Kilimanjaro, Lindi, Manyara, Mara, Mbeya, Morogoro, Mtwara, Mwanza, Pemba North, Pemba South, Pwani, Rukwa, Ruvuma, Shinyanga, Singida, Tabora, Tanga, Zanzibar Central/South, Zanzibar North, Zanzibar Urban/West Thailand 76 provinces (changwat, singular and plural); Amnat Charoen, Ang Thong, Buriram, Chachoengsao, Chai Nat, Chaiyaphum, Chanthaburi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chon Buri, Chumphon, Kalasin, Kamphaeng Phet, Kanchanaburi, Khon Kaen, Krabi, Krung Thep Mahanakhon (Bangkok), Lampang, Lamphun, Loei, Lop Buri, Mae Hong Son, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nan, Narathiwat, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Pattani, Phangnga, Phatthalung, Phayao, Phetchabun, Phetchaburi, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Phrae, Phuket, Prachin Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ranong, Ratchaburi, Rayong, Roi Et, Sa Kaeo, Sakon Nakhon, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Sara Buri, Satun, Sing Buri, Sisaket, Songkhla, Sukhothai, Suphan Buri, Surat Thani, Surin, Tak, Trang, Trat, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Uthai Thani, Uttaradit, Yala, Yasothon Timor-Leste 13 administrative districts; Aileu, Ainaro, Baucau, Bobonaro (Maliana), Cova-Lima (Suai), Dili, Ermera (Gleno), Lautem (Los Palos), Liquica, Manatuto, Manufahi (Same), Oecussi (Ambeno), Viqueque note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses) Togo 5 regions (regions, singular - region); Centrale, Kara, Maritime, Plateaux, Savanes Tokelau none (territory of New Zealand) Tonga 3 island groups; Ha'apai, Tongatapu, Vava'u Trinidad and Tobago 9 regional corporations, 2 city corporations, 3 borough corporations, 1 ward regional corporations: Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo, Diego Martin, Mayaro/Rio Claro, Penal/Debe, Princes Town, Sangre Grande, San Juan/Laventille, Siparia, Tunapuna/Piarco city corporations: Port-of-Spain, San Fernando borough corporations: Arima, Chaguanas, Point Fortin ward: Tobago Tunisia 24 governorates; Ariana (Aryanah), Beja (Bajah), Ben Arous (Bin 'Arus), Bizerte (Banzart), Gabes (Qabis), Gafsa (Qafsah), Jendouba (Jundubah), Kairouan (Al Qayrawan), Kasserine (Al Qasrayn), Kebili (Qibili), Kef (Al Kaf), Mahdia (Al Mahdiyah), Manouba (Manubah), Medenine (Madanin), Monastir (Al Munastir), Nabeul (Nabul), Sfax (Safaqis), Sidi Bou Zid (Sidi Bu Zayd), Siliana (Silyanah), Sousse (Susah), Tataouine (Tatawin), Tozeur (Tawzar), Tunis, Zaghouan (Zaghwan) Turkey 81 provinces (iller, singular - ili); Adana, Adiyaman, Afyonkarahisar, Agri, Aksaray, Amasya, Ankara, Antalya, Ardahan, Artvin, Aydin, Balikesir, Bartin, Batman, Bayburt, Bilecik, Bingol, Bitlis, Bolu, Burdur, Bursa, Canakkale, Cankiri, Corum, Denizli, Diyarbakir, Duzce, Edirne, Elazig, Erzincan, Erzurum, Eskisehir, Gaziantep, Giresun, Gumushane, Hakkari, Hatay, Igdir, Isparta, Istanbul, Izmir (Smyrna), Kahramanmaras, Karabuk, Karaman, Kars, Kastamonu, Kayseri, Kilis, Kirikkale, Kirklareli, Kirsehir, Kocaeli, Konya, Kutahya, Malatya, Manisa, Mardin, Mersin (Icel), Mugla, Mus, Nevsehir, Nigde, Ordu, Osmaniye, Rize, Sakarya, Samsun, Sanliurfa, Siirt, Sinop, Sirnak, Sivas, Tekirdag, Tokat, Trabzon (Trebizond), Tunceli, Usak, Van, Yalova, Yozgat, Zonguldak Turkmenistan 5 provinces (welayatlar, singular - welayat) and 1 independent city*: Ahal Welayaty (Anew), Ashgabat*, Balkan Welayaty (Balkanabat), Dashoguz Welayaty, Lebap Welayaty (Turkmenabat), Mary Welayaty note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses) Turks and Caicos Islands none (overseas territory of the UK) Tuvalu none Uganda 80 districts; Abim, Adjumani, Amolatar, Amuria, Amuru, Apac, Arua, Budaka, Bududa, Bugiri, Bukedea, Bukwa, Bulisa, Bundibugyo, Bushenyi, Busia, Butaleja, Dokolo, Gulu, Hoima, Ibanda, Iganga, Isingiro, Jinja, Kaabong, Kabale, Kabarole, Kaberamaido, Kalangala, Kaliro, Kampala, Kamuli, Kamwenge, Kanungu, Kapchorwa, Kasese, Katakwi, Kayunga, Kibale, Kiboga, Kiruhara, Kisoro, Kitgum, Koboko, Kotido, Kumi, Kyenjojo, Lira, Luwero, Lyantonde, Manafwa, Maracha, Masaka, Masindi, Mayuge, Mbale, Mbarara, Mityana, Moroto, Moyo, Mpigi, Mubende, Mukono, Nakapiripirit, Nakaseke, Nakasongola, Namutumba, Nebbi, Ntungamo, Oyam, Pader, Pallisa, Rakai, Rukungiri, Sembabule, Sironko, Soroti, Tororo, Wakiso, Yumbe Ukraine 24 provinces (oblasti, singular - oblast'), 1 autonomous republic* (avtonomna respublika), and 2 municipalities (mista, singular - misto) with oblast status**; Cherkasy, Chernihiv, Chernivtsi, Crimea or Avtonomna Respublika Krym* (Simferopol'), Dnipropetrovs'k, Donets'k, Ivano-Frankivs'k, Kharkiv, Kherson, Khmel'nyts'kyy, Kirovohrad, Kyiv**, Kyiv, Luhans'k, L'viv, Mykolayiv, Odesa, Poltava, Rivne, Sevastopol'**, Sumy, Ternopil', Vinnytsya, Volyn' (Luts'k), Zakarpattya (Uzhhorod), Zaporizhzhya, Zhytomyr note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses) United Arab Emirates 7 emirates (imarat, singular - imarah); Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi), 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah (Sharjah), Dubayy (Dubai), Ra's al Khaymah, Umm al Qaywayn (Quwayn) United Kingdom England: 34 two-tier counties, 32 London boroughs and 1 City of London or Greater London, 36 metropolitan counties, 46 unitary authorities two-tier counties: Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Cheshire, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Devon, Dorset, Durham, East Sussex, Essex, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, North Yorkshire, Northamptonshire, Northumberland, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Shropshire, Somerset, Staffordshire, Suffolk, Surrey, Warwickshire, West Sussex, Wiltshire, Worcestershire London boroughs and City of London or Greater London: Barking and Dagenham, Barnet, Bexley, Brent, Bromley, Camden, Croydon, Ealing, Enfield, Greenwich, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, Haringey, Harrow, Havering, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Kingston upon Thames, Lambeth, Lewisham, City of London, Merton, Newham, Redbridge, Richmond upon Thames, Southwark, Sutton, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, Wandsworth, Westminster metropolitan counties: Barnsley, Birmingham, Bolton, Bradford, Bury, Calderdale, Coventry, Doncaster, Dudley, Gateshead, Kirklees, Knowlsey, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside, Oldham, Rochdale, Rotherham, Salford, Sandwell, Sefton, Sheffield, Solihull, South Tyneside, St. Helens, Stockport, Sunderland, Tameside, Trafford, Wakefield, Walsall, Wigan, Wirral, Wolverhampton unitary authorities: Bath and North East Somerset, Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool, Bournemouth, Bracknell Forest, Brighton and Hove, City of Bristol, Darlington, Derby, East Riding of Yorkshire, Halton, Hartlepool, County of Herefordshire, Isle of Wight, City of Kingston upon Hull, Leicester, Luton, Medway, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes, North East Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire, North Somerset, Nottingham, Peterborough, Plymouth, Poole, Portsmouth, Reading, Redcar and Cleveland, Rutland, Slough, South Gloucestershire, Southampton, Southend-on-Sea, Stockton-on-Tees, Stoke-on-Trent, Swindon, Telford and Wrekin, Thurrock, Torbay, Warrington, West Berkshire, Windsor and Maidenhead, Wokingham, York Northern Ireland: 26 district council areas district council areas: Antrim, Ards, Armagh, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Banbridge, Belfast, Carrickfergus, Castlereagh, Coleraine, Cookstown, Craigavon, Derry, Down, Dungannon, Fermanagh, Larne, Limavady, Lisburn, Magherafelt, Moyle, Newry and Mourne, Newtownabbey, North Down, Omagh, Strabane Scotland: 32 unitary authorities unitary authorities: Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Argyll and Bute, Clackmannanshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Dundee City, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Lothian, East Renfrewshire, City of Edinburgh, Eilean Siar (Western Isles), Falkirk, Fife, Glasgow City, Highland, Inverclyde, Midlothian, Moray, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Orkney Islands, Perth and Kinross, Renfrewshire, Shetland Islands, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, Stirling, The Scottish Borders, West Dunbartonshire, West Lothian Wales: 22 unitary authorities unitary authorities: Blaenau Gwent; Bridgend; Caerphilly; Cardiff; Carmarthenshire; Ceredigion; Conwy; Denbighshire; Flintshire; Gwynedd; Isle of Anglesey; Merthyr Tydfil; Monmouthshire; Neath Port Talbot; Newport; Pembrokeshire; Powys; Rhondda, Cynon, Taff; Swansea; The Vale of Glamorgan; Torfaen; Wrexham United States 50 states and 1 district*; Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia*, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming Uruguay 19 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Artigas, Canelones, Cerro Largo, Colonia, Durazno, Flores, Florida, Lavalleja, Maldonado, Montevideo, Paysandu, Rio Negro, Rivera, Rocha, Salto, San Jose, Soriano, Tacuarembo, Treinta y Tres Uzbekistan 12 provinces (viloyatlar, singular - viloyat), 1 autonomous republic* (respublika), and 1 city** (shahar); Andijon Viloyati, Buxoro Viloyati, Farg'ona Viloyati, Jizzax Viloyati, Namangan Viloyati, Navoiy Viloyati, Qashqadaryo Viloyati (Qarshi), Qoraqalpog'iston Respublikasi [Karakalpakstan]* (Nukus), Samarqand Viloyati, Sirdaryo Viloyati (Guliston), Surxondaryo Viloyati (Termiz), Toshkent Shahri**, Toshkent Viloyati, Xorazm Viloyati (Urganch) note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses) Vanuatu 6 provinces; Malampa, Penama, Sanma, Shefa, Tafea, Torba Venezuela 23 states (estados, singular - estado), 1 capital district* (distrito capital), and 1 federal dependency** (dependencia federal); Amazonas, Anzoategui, Apure, Aragua, Barinas, Bolivar, Carabobo, Cojedes, Delta Amacuro, Dependencias Federales**, Distrito Federal*, Falcon, Guarico, Lara, Merida, Miranda, Monagas, Nueva Esparta, Portuguesa, Sucre, Tachira, Trujillo, Vargas, Yaracuy, Zulia note: the federal dependency consists of 11 federally controlled island groups with a total of 72 individual islands Vietnam 58 provinces (tinh, singular and plural) and 5 municipalities (thanh pho, singular and plural) provinces: An Giang, Bac Giang, Bac Kan, Bac Lieu, Bac Ninh, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Ben Tre, Binh Dinh, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Binh Thuan, Ca Mau, Cao Bang, Da Nang*, Dac Lak, Dac Nong, Dien Bien, Dong Nai, Dong Thap, Gia Lai, Ha Giang, Ha Nam, Ha Tinh, Hai Duong, Hau Giang, Hoa Binh, Hung Yen, Khanh Hoa, Kien Giang, Kon Tum, Lai Chau, Lam Dong, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Long An, Nam Dinh, Nghe An, Ninh Binh, Ninh Thuan, Phu Tho, Phu Yen, Quang Binh, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Quang Ninh, Quang Tri, Soc Trang, Son La, Tay Ninh, Thai Binh, Thai Nguyen, Thanh Hoa, Thua Thien-Hue, Tien Giang, Tra Vinh, Tuyen Quang, Vinh Long, Vinh Phuc, Yen Bai municipalities: Can Tho, Da Nang, Ha Noi, Hai Phong, Ho Chi Minh City Virgin Islands none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three islands at the second order; Saint Croix, Saint John, Saint Thomas Wallis and Futuna none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three kingdoms at the second order named Alo, Sigave, Wallis Western Sahara none (under de facto control of Morocco) World 265 nations, dependent areas, and other entities Yemen 21 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Abyan, 'Adan, Ad Dali', Al Bayda', Al Hudaydah, Al Jawf, Al Mahrah, Al Mahwit, Amanat al 'Asimah, 'Amran, Dhamar, Hadramawt, Hajjah, Ibb, Lahij, Ma'rib, Raymah, Sa'dah, San'a', Shabwah, Ta'izz Zambia 9 provinces; Central, Copperbelt, Eastern, Luapula, Lusaka, Northern, North-Western, Southern, Western Zimbabwe 8 provinces and 2 cities* with provincial status; Bulawayo*, Harare*, Manicaland, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Masvingo, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Midlands ====================================================================== @2052 Field Listing :: Agriculture - products This entry is an ordered listing of major crops and products starting with the most important. Country Agriculture - products Afghanistan opium, wheat, fruits, nuts; wool, mutton, sheepskins, lambskins Albania wheat, corn, potatoes, vegetables, fruits, sugar beets, grapes; meat, dairy products Algeria wheat, barley, oats, grapes, olives, citrus, fruits; sheep, cattle American Samoa bananas, coconuts, vegetables, taro, breadfruit, yams, copra, pineapples, papayas; dairy products, livestock Andorra small quantities of rye, wheat, barley, oats, vegetables; sheep Angola bananas, sugarcane, coffee, sisal, corn, cotton, manioc (tapioca), tobacco, vegetables, plantains; livestock; forest products; fish Anguilla small quantities of tobacco, vegetables; cattle raising Antigua and Barbuda cotton, fruits, vegetables, bananas, coconuts, cucumbers, mangoes, sugarcane; livestock Argentina sunflower seeds, lemons, soybeans, grapes, corn, tobacco, peanuts, tea, wheat; livestock Armenia fruit (especially grapes), vegetables; livestock Aruba aloes; livestock; fish Australia wheat, barley, sugarcane, fruits, cattle, sheep, poultry Austria grains, potatoes, sugar beets, wine, fruit; dairy products, cattle, pigs, poultry; lumber Azerbaijan cotton, grain, rice, grapes, fruit, vegetables, tea, tobacco; cattle, pigs, sheep, goats Bahamas, The citrus, vegetables; poultry Bahrain fruit, vegetables; poultry, dairy products; shrimp, fish Bangladesh rice, jute, tea, wheat, sugarcane, potatoes, tobacco, pulses, oilseeds, spices, fruit; beef, milk, poultry Barbados sugarcane, vegetables, cotton Belarus grain, potatoes, vegetables, sugar beets, flax; beef, milk Belgium sugar beets, fresh vegetables, fruits, grain, tobacco; beef, veal, pork, milk Belize bananas, cacao, citrus, sugar; fish, cultured shrimp; lumber; garments Benin cotton, corn, cassava (tapioca), yams, beans, palm oil, peanuts, cashews; livestock Bermuda bananas, vegetables, citrus, flowers; dairy products, honey Bhutan rice, corn, root crops, citrus, foodgrains; dairy products, eggs Bolivia soybeans, coffee, coca, cotton, corn, sugarcane, rice, potatoes; timber Bosnia and Herzegovina wheat, corn, fruits, vegetables; livestock Botswana livestock, sorghum, maize, millet, beans, sunflowers, groundnuts Brazil coffee, soybeans, wheat, rice, corn, sugarcane, cocoa, citrus; beef British Virgin Islands fruits, vegetables; livestock, poultry; fish Brunei rice, vegetables, fruits; chickens, water buffalo, cattle, goats, eggs Bulgaria vegetables, fruits, tobacco, wine, wheat, barley, sunflowers, sugar beets; livestock Burkina Faso cotton, peanuts, shea nuts, sesame, sorghum, millet, corn, rice; livestock Burma rice, pulses, beans, sesame, groundnuts, sugarcane; hardwood; fish and fish products Burundi coffee, cotton, tea, corn, sorghum, sweet potatoes, bananas, manioc (tapioca); beef, milk, hides Cambodia rice, rubber, corn, vegetables, cashews, tapioca, silk Cameroon coffee, cocoa, cotton, rubber, bananas, oilseed, grains, root starches; livestock; timber Canada wheat, barley, oilseed, tobacco, fruits, vegetables; dairy products; forest products; fish Cape Verde bananas, corn, beans, sweet potatoes, sugarcane, coffee, peanuts; fish Cayman Islands vegetables, fruit; livestock; turtle farming Central African Republic timber, cotton, coffee, tobacco, manioc (tapioca), yams, millet, corn, bananas; timber Chad cotton, sorghum, millet, peanuts, rice, potatoes, manioc (tapioca); cattle, sheep, goats, camels Chile grapes, apples, pears, onions, wheat, corn, oats, peaches, garlic, asparagus, beans; beef, poultry, wool; fish; timber China rice, wheat, potatoes, corn, peanuts, tea, millet, barley, apples, cotton, oilseed; pork; fish Christmas Island NA Cocos (Keeling) Islands vegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconuts Colombia coffee, cut flowers, bananas, rice, tobacco, corn, sugarcane, cocoa beans, oilseed, vegetables; forest products; shrimp Comoros vanilla, cloves, ylang-ylang, perfume essences, copra, coconuts, bananas, cassava (tapioca) Congo, Democratic Republic of the coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber, tea, quinine, cassava (tapioca), palm oil, bananas, root crops, corn, fruits; wood products Congo, Republic of the cassava (tapioca), sugar, rice, corn, peanuts, vegetables, coffee, cocoa; forest products Cook Islands copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, beans, pawpaws, bananas, yams, taro, coffee; pigs, poultry Costa Rica bananas, pineapples, coffee, melons, ornamental plants, sugar, corn, rice, beans, potatoes; beef, poultry, dairy; timber Cote d'Ivoire coffee, cocoa beans, bananas, palm kernels, corn, rice, manioc (tapioca), sweet potatoes, sugar, cotton, rubber; timber Croatia wheat, corn, sugar beets, sunflower seed, barley, alfalfa, clover, olives, citrus, grapes, soybeans, potatoes; livestock, dairy products Cuba sugar, tobacco, citrus, coffee, rice, potatoes, beans; livestock Cyprus citrus, vegetables, barley, grapes, olives, vegetables; poultry, pork, lamb; dairy, cheese Czech Republic wheat, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit; pigs, poultry Denmark barley, wheat, potatoes, sugar beets; pork, dairy products; fish Djibouti fruits, vegetables; goats, sheep, camels, animal hides Dominica bananas, citrus, mangoes, root crops, coconuts, cocoa; forest and fishery potential not exploited Dominican Republic sugarcane, coffee, cotton, cocoa, tobacco, rice, beans, potatoes, corn, bananas; cattle, pigs, dairy products, beef, eggs Ecuador bananas, coffee, cocoa, rice, potatoes, manioc (tapioca), plantains, sugarcane; cattle, sheep, pigs, beef, pork, dairy products; balsa wood; fish, shrimp Egypt cotton, rice, corn, wheat, beans, fruits, vegetables; cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats El Salvador coffee, sugar, corn, rice, beans, oilseed, cotton, sorghum; beef, dairy products Equatorial Guinea coffee, cocoa, rice, yams, cassava (tapioca), bananas, palm oil nuts; livestock; timber Eritrea sorghum, lentils, vegetables, corn, cotton, tobacco, sisal; livestock, goats; fish Estonia potatoes, vegetables; livestock and dairy products; fish Ethiopia cereals, pulses, coffee, oilseed, cotton, sugarcane, potatoes, qat, cut flowers; hides, cattle, sheep, goats; fish European Union wheat, barley, oilseeds, sugar beets, wine, grapes; dairy products, cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry; fish Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) fodder and vegetable crops; sheep, dairy products; fish, squid Faroe Islands milk, potatoes, vegetables; sheep; salmon, other fish Fiji sugarcane, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), rice, sweet potatoes, bananas; cattle, pigs, horses, goats; fish Finland barley, wheat, sugar beets, potatoes; dairy cattle; fish France wheat, cereals, sugar beets, potatoes, wine grapes; beef, dairy products; fish French Polynesia fish; coconuts, vanilla, vegetables, fruits, coffee; poultry, beef, dairy products Gabon cocoa, coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber; cattle; okoume (a tropical softwood); fish Gambia, The rice, millet, sorghum, peanuts, corn, sesame, cassava (tapioca), palm kernels; cattle, sheep, goats Gaza Strip olives, citrus fruit, vegetables, flowers, beef, dairy products Georgia citrus, grapes, tea, hazelnuts, vegetables; livestock Germany potatoes, wheat, barley, sugar beets, fruit, cabbages; cattle, pigs, poultry Ghana cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), peanuts, corn, shea nuts, bananas; timber Gibraltar none Greece wheat, corn, barley, sugar beets, olives, tomatoes, wine, tobacco, potatoes; beef, dairy products Greenland forage crops, garden and greenhouse vegetables; sheep, reindeer; fish Grenada bananas, cocoa, nutmeg, mace, citrus, avocados, root crops, sugarcane, corn, vegetables Guam fruits, copra, vegetables; eggs, pork, poultry, beef Guatemala sugarcane, corn, bananas, coffee, beans, cardamom; cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens Guernsey tomatoes, greenhouse flowers, sweet peppers, eggplant, fruit; Guernsey cattle Guinea rice, coffee, pineapples, palm kernels, cassava (tapioca), bananas, sweet potatoes; cattle, sheep, goats; timber Guinea-Bissau rice, corn, beans, cassava (tapioca), cashew nuts, peanuts, palm kernels, cotton; timber; fish Guyana sugarcane, rice, shrimp, fish, edible oils; beef, pork, poultry Haiti coffee, mangoes, sugarcane, rice, corn, sorghum; wood Honduras bananas, coffee, citrus; beef; timber; shrimp, tilapia, lobster; corn, African palm Hong Kong fresh vegetables; poultry, pork; fish Hungary wheat, corn, sunflower seed, potatoes, sugar beets; pigs, cattle, poultry, dairy products Iceland potatoes, green vegetables; mutton, dairy products; fish India rice, wheat, oilseed, cotton, jute, tea, sugarcane, potatoes; onions, dairy products, sheep, goats, poultry; fish Indonesia rice, cassava (tapioca), peanuts, rubber, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, copra; poultry, beef, pork, eggs Iran wheat, rice, other grains, sugar beets, sugar cane, fruits, nuts, cotton; dairy products, wool; caviar Iraq wheat, barley, rice, vegetables, dates, cotton; cattle, sheep, poultry Ireland turnips, barley, potatoes, sugar beets, wheat; beef, dairy products Isle of Man cereals, vegetables; cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry Israel citrus, vegetables, cotton; beef, poultry, dairy products Italy fruits, vegetables, grapes, potatoes, sugar beets, soybeans, grain, olives; beef, dairy products; fish Jamaica sugarcane, bananas, coffee, citrus, yams, ackees, vegetables; poultry, goats, milk; crustaceans, mollusks Japan rice, sugar beets, vegetables, fruit; pork, poultry, dairy products, eggs; fish Jersey potatoes, cauliflower, tomatoes; beef, dairy products Jordan citrus, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives; sheep, poultry, stone fruits, strawberries, dairy Kazakhstan grain (mostly spring wheat), cotton; livestock Kenya tea, coffee, corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruit, vegetables; dairy products, beef, pork, poultry, eggs Kiribati copra, taro, breadfruit, sweet potatoes, vegetables; fish Korea, North rice, corn, potatoes, soybeans, pulses; cattle, pigs, pork, eggs Korea, South rice, root crops, barley, vegetables, fruit; cattle, pigs, chickens, milk, eggs; fish Kosovo wheat, corn, berries, potatoes, peppers Kuwait practically no crops; fish Kyrgyzstan tobacco, cotton, potatoes, vegetables, grapes, fruits and berries; sheep, goats, cattle, wool Laos sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane, tobacco, cotton, tea, peanuts, rice; water buffalo, pigs, cattle, poultry Latvia grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables; beef, pork, milk, eggs; fish Lebanon citrus, grapes, tomatoes, apples, vegetables, potatoes, olives, tobacco; sheep, goats Lesotho corn, wheat, pulses, sorghum, barley; livestock Liberia rubber, coffee, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), palm oil, sugarcane, bananas; sheep, goats; timber Libya wheat, barley, olives, dates, citrus, vegetables, peanuts, soybeans; cattle Liechtenstein wheat, barley, corn, potatoes; livestock, dairy products Lithuania grain, potatoes, sugar beets, flax, vegetables; beef, milk, eggs; fish Luxembourg wine, grapes, barley, oats, potatoes, wheat, fruits; dairy products, livestock products Macau only 2% of land area is cultivated, mainly by vegetable growers; fishing, mostly for crustaceans, is important; some of the catch is exported to Hong Kong Macedonia grapes, wine, tobacco, vegetables, fruits; milk, eggs Madagascar coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), beans, bananas, peanuts; livestock products Malawi tobacco, sugarcane, cotton, tea, corn, potatoes, cassava (tapioca), sorghum, pulses, groundnuts, Macadamia nuts; cattle, goats Malaysia Peninsular Malaysia - rubber, palm oil, cocoa, rice; Sabah - subsistence crops, rubber, timber, coconuts, rice; Sarawak - rubber, pepper, timber Maldives coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; fish Mali cotton, millet, rice, corn, vegetables, peanuts; cattle, sheep, goats Malta potatoes, cauliflower, grapes, wheat, barley, tomatoes, citrus, cut flowers, green peppers; pork, milk, poultry, eggs Marshall Islands coconuts, tomatoes, melons, taro, breadfruit, fruits; pigs, chickens Mauritania dates, millet, sorghum, rice, corn; cattle, sheep Mauritius sugarcane, tea, corn, potatoes, bananas, pulses; cattle, goats; fish Mayotte vanilla, ylang-ylang (perfume essence), coffee, copra, fish, livestock Mexico corn, wheat, soybeans, rice, beans, cotton, coffee, fruit, tomatoes; beef, poultry, dairy products; wood products Micronesia, Federated States of black pepper, tropical fruits and vegetables, coconuts, bananas, cassava (tapioca), sakau (kava), betel nuts, sweet potatoes; pigs, chickens; fish; Kosraen citrus Moldova vegetables, fruits, wine, grain, sugar beets, sunflower seed, tobacco; beef, milk Monaco none Mongolia wheat, barley, vegetables, forage crops; sheep, goats, cattle, camels, horses Montenegro grains, tobacco, potatoes, citrus fruits, olives, grapes; sheepherding; commercial fishing negligible Montserrat cabbages, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, peppers; livestock products Morocco barley, wheat, citrus, wine, vegetables, olives; livestock Mozambique cotton, cashew nuts, sugarcane, tea, cassava (tapioca), corn, coconuts, sisal, citrus and tropical fruits, potatoes, sunflowers; beef, poultry Namibia millet, sorghum, peanuts, grapes; livestock; fish Nauru coconuts Nepal pulses, rice, corn, wheat, sugarcane, jute, root crops; milk, water buffalo meat Netherlands grains, potatoes, sugar beets, fruits, vegetables; livestock Netherlands Antilles aloes, sorghum, peanuts, vegetables, tropical fruit New Caledonia vegetables; beef, deer, other livestock products; fish New Zealand dairy products, lamb and mutton; wheat, barley, potatoes, pulses, fruits, vegetables; wool, beef; fish Nicaragua coffee, bananas, sugarcane, cotton, rice, corn, tobacco, sesame, soya, beans; beef, veal, pork, poultry, dairy products; shrimp, lobsters Niger cowpeas, cotton, peanuts, millet, sorghum, cassava (tapioca), rice; cattle, sheep, goats, camels, donkeys, horses, poultry Nigeria cocoa, peanuts, palm oil, corn, rice, sorghum, millet, cassava (tapioca), yams, rubber; cattle, sheep, goats, pigs; timber; fish Niue coconuts, passion fruit, honey, limes, taro, yams, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes; pigs, poultry, beef cattle Norfolk Island Norfolk Island pine seed, Kentia palm seed, cereals, vegetables, fruit; cattle, poultry Northern Mariana Islands vegetables and melons, fruits and nuts, ornamental plants, livestock, poultry and eggs, fish and aquaculture products Norway barley, wheat, potatoes; pork, beef, veal, milk; fish Oman dates, limes, bananas, alfalfa, vegetables; camels, cattle; fish Pakistan cotton, wheat, rice, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; milk, beef, mutton, eggs Palau coconuts, copra, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes; fish Panama bananas, rice, corn, coffee, sugarcane, vegetables; livestock; shrimp Papua New Guinea coffee, cocoa, copra, palm kernels, tea, sugar, rubber, sweet potatoes, fruit, vegetables, vanilla; shell fish, poultry, pork Paraguay cotton, sugarcane, soybeans, corn, wheat, tobacco, cassava (tapioca), fruits, vegetables; beef, pork, eggs, milk; timber Peru asparagus, coffee, cocoa, cotton, sugarcane, rice, potatoes, corn, plantains, grapes, oranges, pineapples, guavas, bananas, apples, lemons, pears, coca, tomatoes, mango, barley, medicinal plants, palm oil, marigold, onion, wheat, dry beans; poultry, beef, dairy products; fish, guinea pigs Philippines sugarcane, coconuts, rice, corn, bananas, cassavas, pineapples, mangoes; pork, eggs, beef; fish Pitcairn Islands honey; wide variety of fruits and vegetables; goats, chickens, fish Poland potatoes, fruits, vegetables, wheat; poultry, eggs, pork, dairy Portugal grain, potatoes, tomatoes, olives, grapes; sheep, cattle, goats, swine, poultry, dairy products; fish Puerto Rico sugarcane, coffee, pineapples, plantains, bananas; livestock products, chickens Qatar fruits, vegetables; poultry, dairy products, beef; fish Romania wheat, corn, barley, sugar beets, sunflower seed, potatoes, grapes; eggs, sheep Russia grain, sugar beets, sunflower seed, vegetables, fruits; beef, milk Rwanda coffee, tea, pyrethrum (insecticide made from chrysanthemums), bananas, beans, sorghum, potatoes; livestock Saint Helena coffee, corn, potatoes, vegetables; timber; fish, lobster (on Tristan da Cunha); livestock Saint Kitts and Nevis sugarcane, rice, yams, vegetables, bananas; fish Saint Lucia bananas, coconuts, vegetables, citrus, root crops, cocoa Saint Pierre and Miquelon vegetables; poultry, cattle, sheep, pigs; fish Saint Vincent and the Grenadines bananas, coconuts, sweet potatoes, spices; small numbers of cattle, sheep, pigs, goats; fish Samoa coconuts, bananas, taro, yams, coffee, cocoa San Marino wheat, grapes, corn, olives; cattle, pigs, horses, beef, cheese, hides Sao Tome and Principe cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, copra, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, bananas, papayas, beans; poultry; fish Saudi Arabia wheat, barley, tomatoes, melons, dates, citrus; mutton, chickens, eggs, milk Senegal peanuts, millet, corn, sorghum, rice, cotton, tomatoes, green vegetables; cattle, poultry, pigs; fish Serbia wheat, maize, sugar beets, sunflower, raspberries, beef, pork, milk Seychelles coconuts, cinnamon, vanilla, sweet potatoes, cassava (tapioca), bananas; poultry; tuna Sierra Leone rice, coffee, cocoa, palm kernels, palm oil, peanuts; poultry, cattle, sheep, pigs; fish Singapore orchids, vegetables; poultry, eggs; fish, ornamental fish Slovakia grains, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit; pigs, cattle, poultry; forest products Slovenia potatoes, hops, wheat, sugar beets, corn, grapes; cattle, sheep, poultry Solomon Islands cocoa beans, coconuts, palm kernels, rice, potatoes, vegetables, fruit; timber; cattle, pigs; fish Somalia bananas, sorghum, corn, coconuts, rice, sugarcane, mangoes, sesame seeds, beans; cattle, sheep, goats; fish South Africa corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; beef, poultry, mutton, wool, dairy products Spain grain, vegetables, olives, wine grapes, sugar beets, citrus; beef, pork, poultry, dairy products; fish Sri Lanka rice, sugarcane, grains, pulses, oilseed, spices, tea, rubber, coconuts; milk, eggs, hides, beef; fish Sudan cotton, groundnuts (peanuts), sorghum, millet, wheat, gum arabic, sugarcane, cassava (tapioca), mangos, papaya, bananas, sweet potatoes, sesame; sheep, livestock Suriname paddy rice, bananas, palm kernels, coconuts, plantains, peanuts; beef, chickens; shrimp; forest products Swaziland sugarcane, cotton, corn, tobacco, rice, citrus, pineapples, sorghum, peanuts; cattle, goats, sheep Sweden barley, wheat, sugar beets; meat, milk Switzerland grains, fruits, vegetables; meat, eggs Syria wheat, barley, cotton, lentils, chickpeas, olives, sugar beets; beef, mutton, eggs, poultry, milk Taiwan rice, corn, vegetables, fruit, tea; pigs, poultry, beef, milk; fish Tajikistan cotton, grain, fruits, grapes, vegetables; cattle, sheep, goats Tanzania coffee, sisal, tea, cotton, pyrethrum (insecticide made from chrysanthemums), cashew nuts, tobacco, cloves, corn, wheat, cassava (tapioca), bananas, fruits, vegetables; cattle, sheep, goats Thailand rice, cassava (tapioca), rubber, corn, sugarcane, coconuts, soybeans Timor-Leste coffee, rice, corn, cassava, sweet potatoes, soybeans, cabbage, mangoes, bananas, vanilla Togo coffee, cocoa, cotton, yams, cassava (tapioca), corn, beans, rice, millet, sorghum; livestock; fish Tokelau coconuts, copra, breadfruit, papayas, bananas; pigs, poultry, goats; fish Tonga squash, coconuts, copra, bananas, vanilla beans, cocoa, coffee, ginger, black pepper; fish Trinidad and Tobago cocoa, rice, citrus, coffee, vegetables; poultry Tunisia olives, olive oil, grain, tomatoes, citrus fruit, sugar beets, dates, almonds; beef, dairy products Turkey tobacco, cotton, grain, olives, sugar beets, hazelnuts, pulse, citrus; livestock Turkmenistan cotton, grain; livestock Turks and Caicos Islands corn, beans, cassava (tapioca), citrus fruits; fish Tuvalu coconuts; fish Uganda coffee, tea, cotton, tobacco, cassava (tapioca), potatoes, corn, millet, pulses, cut flowers; beef, goat meat, milk, poultry Ukraine grain, sugar beets, sunflower seeds, vegetables; beef, milk United Arab Emirates dates, vegetables, watermelons; poultry, eggs, dairy products; fish United Kingdom cereals, oilseed, potatoes, vegetables; cattle, sheep, poultry; fish United States wheat, corn, other grains, fruits, vegetables, cotton; beef, pork, poultry, dairy products; fish; forest products Uruguay rice, wheat, soybeans, barley; livestock, beef; fish; forestry Uzbekistan cotton, vegetables, fruits, grain; livestock Vanuatu copra, coconuts, cocoa, coffee, taro, yams, fruits, vegetables; beef; fish Venezuela corn, sorghum, sugarcane, rice, bananas, vegetables, coffee; beef, pork, milk, eggs; fish Vietnam paddy rice, coffee, rubber, cotton, tea, pepper, soybeans, cashews, sugar cane, peanuts, bananas; poultry; fish, seafood Virgin Islands fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle Wallis and Futuna breadfruit, yams, taro, bananas; pigs, goats; fish West Bank olives, citrus, vegetables; beef, dairy products Western Sahara fruits and vegetables (grown in the few oases); camels, sheep, goats (kept by nomads); fish Yemen grain, fruits, vegetables, pulses, qat, coffee, cotton; dairy products, livestock (sheep, goats, cattle, camels), poultry; fish Zambia corn, sorghum, rice, peanuts, sunflower seed, vegetables, flowers, tobacco, cotton, sugarcane, cassava (tapioca), coffee; cattle, goats, pigs, poultry, milk, eggs, hides Zimbabwe corn, cotton, tobacco, wheat, coffee, sugarcane, peanuts; sheep, goats, pigs ====================================================================== @2053 Field Listing :: Airports This entry gives the total number of airports or airfields recognizable from the air. The runway(s) may be paved (concrete or asphalt surfaces) or unpaved (grass, earth, sand, or gravel surfaces) and may include closed or abandoned installations. Airports or airfields that are no longer recognizable (overgrown, no facilities, etc.) are not included. Note that not all airports have accommodations for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control. Country Comparison to the World Country Airports Afghanistan 51 (2009) Albania 5 (2009) Algeria 143 (2009) American Samoa 3 (2009) Angola 192 (2009) Anguilla 3 (2009) Antarctica 25 (2009) Antigua and Barbuda 3 (2009) Argentina 1,130 (2009) Armenia 11 (2009) Aruba 1 (2009) Australia 464 (2009) Austria 55 (2009) Azerbaijan 34 (2009) Bahamas, The 62 (2009) Bahrain 3 (2009) Bangladesh 17 (2009) Barbados 1 (2009) Belarus 65 (2009) Belgium 43 (2009) Belize 44 (2009) Benin 5 (2009) Bermuda 1 (2009) Bhutan 2 (2009) Bolivia 952 (2009) Bosnia and Herzegovina 25 (2009) Botswana 77 (2009) Brazil 4,000 (2009) British Indian Ocean Territory 1 (2009) British Virgin Islands 4 (2009) Brunei 2 (2009) Bulgaria 212 (2009) Burkina Faso 26 (2009) Burma 77 (2009) Burundi 8 (2009) Cambodia 17 (2009) Cameroon 36 (2009) Canada 1,388 (2009) Cape Verde 10 (2009) Cayman Islands 3 (2009) Central African Republic 40 (2009) Chad 54 (2009) Chile 357 (2009) China 482 (2009) Christmas Island 1 (2009) Cocos (Keeling) Islands 1 (2009) Colombia 992 (2009) Comoros 4 (2009) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 194 (2009) Congo, Republic of the 25 (2009) Cook Islands 9 (2009) Costa Rica 151 (2009) Cote d'Ivoire 28 (2009) Croatia 68 (2009) Cuba 136 (2009) Cyprus 15 (2009) Czech Republic 122 (2009) Denmark 92 (2009) Djibouti 13 (2009) Dominica 2 (2009) Dominican Republic 35 (2009) Ecuador 420 (2009) Egypt 85 (2009) El Salvador 65 (2009) Equatorial Guinea 7 (2009) Eritrea 14 (2009) Estonia 19 (2009) Ethiopia 63 (2009) European Union 3,391 (2009) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 6 (2009) Faroe Islands 1 (2009) Fiji 28 (2009) Finland 148 (2009) France 475 (2009) French Polynesia 53 (2009) French Southern and Antarctic Lands 4 (note - one each on Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island in the Iles Eparses district) (2006) Gabon 44 (2009) Gambia, The 1 (2009) Gaza Strip 1 (2009) Georgia 22 (2009) Germany 550 (2009) Ghana 11 (2009) Gibraltar 1 (2009) Greece 81 (2009) Greenland 15 (2009) Grenada 3 (2009) Guam 5; note - 2 serviceable (2009) Guatemala 371 (2009) Guernsey 2 (2009) Guinea 17 (2009) Guinea-Bissau 9 (2009) Guyana 99 (2009) Haiti 14 (2009) Honduras 106 (2009) Hong Kong 2 (2009) Hungary 46 (2009) Iceland 99 (2009) India 349 (2009) Indonesia 683 (2009) Iran 316 (2009) Iraq 104 (2009) Ireland 39 (2009) Isle of Man 1 (2009) Israel 47 (2009) Italy 132 (2009) Jamaica 27 (2009) Jan Mayen 1 (2009) Japan 176 (2009) Jersey 1 (2009) Jordan 17 (2009) Kazakhstan 99 (2009) Kenya 181 (2009) Kiribati 19 (2009) Korea, North 79 (2009) Korea, South 116 (2009) Kosovo 8 (2009) Kuwait 7 (2009) Kyrgyzstan 29 (2009) Laos 41 (2009) Latvia 43 (2009) Lebanon 7 (2009) Lesotho 26 (2009) Liberia 33 (2009) Libya 137 (2009) Lithuania 87 (2009) Luxembourg 2 (2009) Macau 1 (2009) Macedonia 14 (2009) Madagascar 89 (2009) Malawi 32 (2009) Malaysia 118 (2009) Maldives 5 (2009) Mali 22 (2009) Malta 1 (2009) Marshall Islands 15 (2009) Mauritania 27 (2009) Mauritius 5 (2009) Mayotte 1 (2009) Mexico 1,744 (2009) Micronesia, Federated States of 6 (2009) Moldova 11 (2009) Mongolia 45 (2009) Montenegro 5 (2009) Montserrat 2 (2009) Morocco 58 (2009) Mozambique 105 (2009) Namibia 129 (2009) Nauru 1 (2009) Nepal 47 (2009) Netherlands 27 (2009) Netherlands Antilles 5 (2009) New Caledonia 25 (2009) New Zealand 120 (2009) Nicaragua 143 (2009) Niger 28 (2009) Nigeria 56 (2009) Niue 1 (2009) Norfolk Island 1 (2009) Northern Mariana Islands 5 (2009) Norway 98 (2009) Oman 128 (2009) Pakistan 145 (2009) Palau 3 (2009) Panama 117 (2009) Papua New Guinea 560 (2009) Paracel Islands 1 (2009) Paraguay 798 (2009) Peru 201 (2009) Philippines 254 (2009) Poland 125 (2009) Portugal 65 (2009) Puerto Rico 29 (2009) Qatar 5 (2009) Romania 53 (2009) Russia 1,216 (2009) Rwanda 9 (2009) Saint Barthelemy 1 (2009) Saint Helena 1 (2009) Saint Kitts and Nevis 2 (2009) Saint Lucia 2 (2009) Saint Martin 1 (2009) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 2 (2009) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 6 (2009) Samoa 4 (2009) Sao Tome and Principe 2 (2009) Saudi Arabia 217 (2009) Senegal 19 (2009) Serbia 28 (2009) Seychelles 14 (2009) Sierra Leone 9 (2009) Singapore 8 (2009) Slovakia 35 (2009) Slovenia 16 (2009) Solomon Islands 36 (2009) Somalia 59 (2009) South Africa 607 (2009) Spain 153 (2009) Spratly Islands 4 (2009) Sri Lanka 18 (2009) Sudan 121 (2009) Suriname 50 (2009) Svalbard 4 (2009) Swaziland 14 (2009) Sweden 249 (2009) Switzerland 66 (2009) Syria 104 (2009) Taiwan 42 (2009) Tajikistan 26 (2009) Tanzania 125 (2009) Thailand 105 (2009) Timor-Leste 6 (2009) Togo 8 (2009) Tonga 6 (2009) Trinidad and Tobago 6 (2009) Tunisia 32 (2009) Turkey 102 (2009) Turkmenistan 28 (2009) Turks and Caicos Islands 8 (2009) Tuvalu 1 (2009) Uganda 35 (2009) Ukraine 425 (2009) United Arab Emirates 41 (2009) United Kingdom 506 (2009) United States 15,095 (2009) United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges Baker Island: one abandoned World War II runway of 1,665 m covered with vegetation and unusable Howland Island: airstrip constructed in 1937 for scheduled refueling stop on the round-the-world flight of Amelia EARHART and Fred NOONAN; the aviators left Lae, New Guinea, for Howland Island but were never seen again; the airstrip is no longer serviceable Johnston Atoll: one closed and not maintained Kingman Reef: lagoon was used as a halfway station between Hawaii and American Samoa by Pan American Airways for flying boats in 1937 and 1938 Midway Islands: 3 - one operational (2,409 m paved); no fuel for sale except emergencies Palmyra Atoll: 1 - 1,846 m unpaved runway; privately owned (2008) Uruguay 57 (2009) Uzbekistan 54 (2009) Vanuatu 31 (2009) Venezuela 406 (2009) Vietnam 44 (2009) Virgin Islands 2 (2009) Wake Island 1 (2009) Wallis and Futuna 2 (2009) West Bank 2 (2009) Western Sahara 6 (2009) World total airports - 43,867 top ten by passengers: Atlanta (ATL) - 89,379,287; Chicago (ORD) - 76,177,855; London (LHR) - 68,068,304; Tokyo (HND) - 66,823,414; Los Angeles (LAX) - 61,896,075; Paris (CDG) - 59,922,177; Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) - 59,786,476; Frankfurt (FRA) - 54,161,856; Beijing (PEK) - 53,583,664; Madrid (MAD) - 52,122,702 top ten by cargo (metric tons): Memphis (MEM) - 3,840,491; Hong Kong (HKG) - 3,773,964; Anchorage (ANC) - 2,825,511; Shanghai (PVG) - 2,559,310; Inch'on (ICN) - 2,555,580; Paris (CDG) - 2,297,896; Tokyo (NRT) - 2,254,421; Frankfurt (FRA) - 2,127,646; Louisville (SDF) - 2,078,947; Miami (MIA) - 1,922,985 (2009) Yemen 55 (2009) Zambia 97 (2009) Zimbabwe 215 (2009) ====================================================================== @2054 Field Listing :: Birth rate This entry gives the average annual number of births during a year per 1,000 persons in the population at midyear; also known as crude birth rate. The birth rate is usually the dominant factor in determining the rate of population growth. It depends on both the level of fertility and the age structure of the population. Country Comparison to the World Country Birth rate(births/1,000 population) Afghanistan 45.46 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Albania 15.29 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Algeria 16.9 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) American Samoa 23.31 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Andorra 10.35 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Angola 43.69 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Anguilla 13.02 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Antigua and Barbuda 16.59 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Argentina 17.94 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Armenia 12.65 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Aruba 12.79 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Australia 12.47 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Austria 8.65 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Azerbaijan 17.62 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Bahamas, The 16.81 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Bahrain 17.02 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Bangladesh 24.68 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Barbados 12.55 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Belarus 9.71 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Belgium 10.15 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Belize 27.33 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Benin 39.22 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Bermuda 11.57 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Bhutan 20.07 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Bolivia 25.82 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina 8.85 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Botswana 22.89 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Brazil 18.43 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) British Virgin Islands 14.62 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Brunei 18.2 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Bulgaria 9.51 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Burkina Faso 44.33 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Burma 16.97 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Burundi 41.42 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Cambodia 25.73 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Cameroon 34.1 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Canada 10.28 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Cape Verde 23.5 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Cayman Islands 12.36 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Central African Republic 32.75 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Chad 40.86 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Chile 14.64 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) China 14 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Christmas Island NA Cocos (Keeling) Islands NA Colombia 19.57 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Comoros 35.23 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 42.63 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Congo, Republic of the 41.37 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Cook Islands 16.18 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Costa Rica 17.43 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Cote d'Ivoire 32.11 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Croatia 9.64 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Cuba 11.13 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Cyprus 12.57 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Czech Republic 8.83 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Denmark 10.54 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Djibouti 38.13 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Dominica 15.73 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Dominican Republic 22.39 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Ecuador 20.77 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Egypt 21.7 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) El Salvador 25.31 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Equatorial Guinea 36.52 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Eritrea 34.2 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Estonia 10.37 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Ethiopia 43.66 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) European Union 9.9 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) NA Faroe Islands 13.04 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Fiji 21.92 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Finland 10.38 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) France 12.57 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) French Polynesia 15.91 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Gabon 35.57 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Gambia, The 37.87 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Gaza Strip 36.93 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Georgia 10.66 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Germany 8.18 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Ghana 28.58 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Gibraltar 10.67 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Greece 9.45 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Greenland 14.76 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Grenada 21.32 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Guam 18.22 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Guatemala 27.98 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Guernsey 8.46 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Guinea 37.52 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Guinea-Bissau 35.97 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Guyana 17.56 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Haiti 29.1 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Honduras 26.27 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Hong Kong 7.42 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Hungary 9.51 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Iceland 13.43 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) India 21.76 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Indonesia 18.84 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Iran 17.17 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Iraq 30.1 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Ireland 14.23 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Isle of Man 10.77 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Israel 19.77 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Italy 8.18 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Jamaica 19.68 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Japan 7.64 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Jersey 8.63 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Jordan 19.55 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Kazakhstan 16.6 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Kenya 36.64 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Kiribati 30.2 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Korea, North 14.82 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Korea, South 8.93 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Kuwait 21.81 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Kyrgyzstan 23.44 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Laos 33.94 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Latvia 9.78 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Lebanon 17.1 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Lesotho 24.14 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Liberia 42.25 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Libya 25.15 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Liechtenstein 9.75 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Lithuania 9.11 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Luxembourg 11.73 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Macau 8.88 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Macedonia 11.97 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Madagascar 38.14 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Malawi 41.48 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Malaysia 22.24 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Maldives 14.55 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Mali 49.15 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Malta 10.36 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Marshall Islands 30.7 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Mauritania 34.11 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Mauritius 14.41 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Mayotte 39.26 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Mexico 19.71 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of 23.1 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Moldova 11.12 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Monaco 9.1 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Mongolia 21.05 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Montenegro 11.14 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Montserrat 12.36 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Morocco 20.96 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Mozambique 37.98 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Namibia 22.51 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Nauru 23.9 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Nepal 23.18 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Netherlands 10.4 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Netherlands Antilles 14.19 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) New Caledonia 17.04 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) New Zealand 13.94 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Nicaragua 23.25 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Niger 51.6 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Nigeria 36.65 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Niue NA Norfolk Island NA Northern Mariana Islands 18.77 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Norway 10.99 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Oman 34.79 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Pakistan 27.62 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Palau 11.2 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Panama 20.18 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Papua New Guinea 27.55 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Paraguay 28.17 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Peru 19.38 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Philippines 26.01 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Pitcairn Islands NA Poland 10.04 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Portugal 10.29 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Puerto Rico 12.12 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Qatar 15.61 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Romania 10.53 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Russia 11.1 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Rwanda 39.67 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Saint Helena 11.13 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis 17.67 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Saint Lucia 15.1 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 12.76 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 15.27 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Samoa 28.06 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) San Marino 9.63 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sao Tome and Principe 38.54 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Saudi Arabia 28.55 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Senegal 36.84 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Serbia 9.19 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Seychelles 15.87 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sierra Leone 44.73 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Singapore 8.82 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Slovakia 10.6 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Slovenia 8.97 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Solomon Islands 27.69 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Somalia 43.7 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) South Africa 19.93 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Spain 9.72 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sri Lanka 16.26 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sudan 33.74 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Suriname 16.8 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Svalbard NA Swaziland 26.25 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sweden 10.13 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Switzerland 9.59 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Syria 25.9 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Taiwan 8.99 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Tajikistan 26.9 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Tanzania 34.29 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Thailand 13.4 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Timor-Leste 26.25 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Togo 36.44 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Tokelau NA Tonga 19.84 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Trinidad and Tobago 14.36 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Tunisia 15.42 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Turkey 18.66 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Turkmenistan 19.69 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands 20.79 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Tuvalu 23.11 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Uganda 47.84 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Ukraine 9.6 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) United Arab Emirates 16.02 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) United Kingdom 10.65 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) United States 13.82 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Uruguay 13.91 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Uzbekistan 17.58 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Vanuatu 21.53 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Venezuela 20.61 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Vietnam 16.31 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Virgin Islands 11.95 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Wallis and Futuna NA West Bank 25.44 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Western Sahara 39.54 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) World 19.95 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Yemen 42.14 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Zambia 40.24 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) Zimbabwe 31.49 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) ====================================================================== @2055 Field Listing :: Military branches This entry lists the service branches subordinate to defense ministries or the equivalent (typically ground, naval, air, and marine forces). Country Military branches Afghanistan Afghan Armed Forces: Afghan National Army (ANA, includes Afghan National Army Air Corps) (2009) Albania Joint Force Command (includes Land, Naval, and Aviation Brigade Commands), Joint Support Command (includes Logistic Command), Training and Doctrine Command (2009) Algeria People's National Army (Armee Nationale Populaire, ANP), Land Forces (Forces Terrestres, FT), Navy of the Republic of Algeria (Marine de la Republique Algerienne, MRA), Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Jaza'eriya, QJJ), Territorial Air Defense Force (2009) Andorra no regular military forces, Police Service of Andorra (2008) Angola Angolan Armed Forces (FAA): Army, Navy (Marinha de Guerra Angola, MGA), Angolan National Air Force (Forca Aerea Nacional Angolana, FANA) (2009) Antigua and Barbuda Royal Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force (2009) Argentina Argentine Army (Ejercito Argentino), Navy of the Argentine Republic (Armada Republica; includes naval aviation and naval infantry), Argentine Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Argentina, FAA) (2009) Armenia Armed Forces: Ground Forces, Air Force and Air Defense, Nagorno-Karabakh Self Defense Force (NKSDF) (2009) Aruba no regular military forces; the Netherlands maintains a detachment of marines, a frigate, and an amphibious combat detachment in the neighboring Netherlands Antilles (2009) Australia Australian Defense Force (ADF): Australian Army, Royal Australian Navy, Royal Australian Air Force, Special Operations Command (2006) Austria Land Forces (KdoLdSK), Air Forces (KdoLuSK) Azerbaijan Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces (2008) Bahamas, The Royal Bahamian Defense Force: Land Force, Navy, Air Wing (2009) Bahrain Bahrain Defense Forces (BDF): Ground Force (includes Air Defense), Naval Force, Air Force, National Guard Bangladesh Bangladesh Defense Force: Bangladesh Army (Sena Bahini), Bangladesh Navy (Noh Bahini, BN), Bangladesh Air Force (Biman Bahini, BAF) (2009) Barbados Royal Barbados Defense Force: Troops Command, Barbados Coast Guard (2009) Belarus Belarus Armed Forces: Land Force, Air and Air Defense Force (2009) Belgium Belgian Armed Forces: Land Operations Command, Naval Operations Command, Air Operations Command (2009) Belize Belize Defense Force (BDF): Army, BDF Air Wing, BDF Volunteer Guard (2009) Benin Benin Armed Forces (FAB): Army (l'Arme de Terre), Benin Navy (Forces Navales Beninois, FNB), Benin People's Air Force (Force Aerienne Populaire de Benin, FAPB) (2008) Bermuda Bermuda Regiment (2008) Bhutan Royal Bhutan Army (includes Royal Bodyguard and Royal Bhutan Police) (2009) Bolivia Bolivian Armed Forces: Bolivian Army (Ejercito Boliviano, EB), Bolivian Navy (Fuerza Naval Boliviana, FNB; includes marines), Bolivian Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Boliviana, FAB) (2009) Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina Armed Forces (OSBiH): Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Air and Air Defense Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Zrakoplovstvo i Protuzracna Obrana, ZPO) (2009) Botswana Botswana Defense Force: Ground Forces (includes Air Arm) (2009) Brazil Brazilian Army (Exercito Brasileiro, EB), Brazilian Navy (Marinha do Brasil (MB), includes Naval Air and Marine Corps (Corpo de Fuzileiros Navais)), Brazilian Air Force (Forca Aerea Brasileira, FAB) (2009) British Indian Ocean Territory no regular military forces; Royal Overseas Police Officers (ROPOs) (2008) Brunei Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF): Royal Brunei Land Forces, Royal Brunei Navy, Royal Brunei Air Force (Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei) (2009) Bulgaria Bulgarian Armed Forces: Ground Forces, Naval Forces, Bulgarian Air Forces (Bulgarski Voennovazdyshni Sily, BVVS) (2009) Burkina Faso Army, Air Force of Burkina Faso (Force Aerienne de Burkina Faso, FABF), National Gendarmerie (2009) Burma Myanmar Armed Forces (Tatmadaw): Army, Navy, Air Force (Tatmadaw Lay) (2008) Burundi National Defense Force (Forces de Defense Nationale, FDN): Army (includes naval detachment and Air Wing), Gendarmerie (2009) Cambodia Royal Cambodian Armed Forces: Royal Cambodian Army, Royal Khmer Navy, Royal Cambodian Air Force (2009) Cameroon Cameroon Armed Forces (Forces Armees Camerounaises, FAC): Army (L'Armee de Terre), Navy (includes naval infantry), Air Force (Armee de l'Air du Cameroun, AAC) (2009) Canada Canadian Forces: Land Forces Command (LFC), Maritime Command (MARCOM), Air Command (AIRCOM), Canada Command (homeland security) (2009) Cape Verde People's Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARP): Army, Coast Guard (includes maritime air wing) (2007) Cayman Islands no regular military forces; Royal Cayman Islands Police Force (2008) Central African Republic Central African Armed Forces (Forces Armees Centrafricaines, FACA): Ground Forces, General Directorate of Gendarmerie Inspection (DGIG), Military Air Service, National Police (2008) Chad Armed Forces: Chadian National Army (Armee Nationale du Tchad, ANT), Chadian Air Force (Force Aerienne Tchadienne, FAT), Gendarmerie (2008) Chile Army of the Nation, Chilean Navy (Armada de Chile, includes naval air, marine corps, and Maritime Territory and Merchant Marine Directorate (Directemar)), Chilean Air Force (Fuerza Aerea de Chile, FACh), Carabineros Corps (Cuerpo de Carabineros) (2008) China People's Liberation Army (PLA): Ground Forces, Navy (includes marines and naval aviation), Air Force (includes airborne forces), and Second Artillery Corps (strategic missile force); People's Armed Police (PAP); PLA Reserve Force (2009) Colombia National Army (Ejercito Nacional), National Navy (Armada Nacional, includes Naval Aviation, Naval Infantry (Infanteria de Marina, IM), and Coast Guard), Colombian Air Force (Fuerza Aerea de Colombia, FAC) (2008) Comoros National Development Army (AND): Comoran Security Force; Comoran Federal Police (2008) Congo, Democratic Republic of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Forces d'Armees de la Republique Democratique du Congo, FARDC): Army, National Navy (La Marine Nationale), Congolese Air Force (Force Aerienne Congolaise, FAC) (2009) Congo, Republic of the Congolese Armed Forces (Forces Armees Congolaises, FAC): Army (Armee de Terre), Navy, Congolese Air Force (Armee de l'Air Congolaise), Gendarmerie, Special Presidential Security Guard (GSSP) (2009) Cook Islands no regular military forces; National Police Department (2009) Costa Rica no regular military forces; Ministry of Public Security, Government, and Police (2009) Cote d'Ivoire Cote d'Ivoire Defense and Security Forces (FDSCI): Army, Navy, Air Force (2006) Croatia Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia (Oruzane Snage Republike Hrvatske, OSRH), consists of five major commands directly subordinate to a General Staff: Ground Forces (Hrvatska Kopnena Vojska, HKoV), Naval Forces (Hrvatska Ratna Mornarica, HRM; includes coast guard), Air Force and Air Defense Command, Joint Education and Training Command, Logistics Command; Military Police Force supports each of the three Croatian military forces (2009) Cuba Revolutionary Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias, FAR): Revolutionary Army (ER; includes Territorial Militia Troops (Milicia de Tropas de Territoriales, MTT)), Revolutionary Navy (Marina de Guerra Revolucionaria, MGR; includes Marine Corps), Revolutionary Air and Air Defense Force (DAAFAR), Youth Labor Army (Ejercito Juvenil del Trabajo, EJT) (2009) Cyprus Republic of Cyprus: Greek Cypriot National Guard (Ethniki Forea, EF; includes naval and air elements); northern Cyprus: Turkish Cypriot Security Force (GKK) (2009) Czech Republic Army of the Czech Republic (ACR): Joint Forces Command (includes Land Forces and Air Forces), Support and Training Forces Command (2009) Denmark Defense Command: Army Operational Command, Admiral Danish Fleet, Island Command Greenland, Tactical Air Command, Home Guard (2008) Djibouti Djibouti National Army (includes Navy and Air Force) Dominica no regular military forces; Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (includes Coast Guard) (2008) Dominican Republic Army, Navy, Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Dominicana, FAD) (2009) Ecuador Army, Navy (includes Naval Infantry, Naval Aviation, Coast Guard), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Ecuatoriana, FAE) (2007) Egypt Army, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Command El Salvador Salvadoran Army (ES), Salvadoran Navy (FNES), Salvadoran Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Salvadorena, FAS) (2008) Equatorial Guinea National Guard (Guardia Nacional de Guinea Ecuatoria, GNGE (Army), with Coast Guard (Navy) and Air Wing) (2009) Eritrea Eritrean Armed Forces: Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force (2008) Estonia Estonian Defense Forces: Land Force, Navy, Air Force (Eesti Ohuvagi), Volunteer Defense League (Kaitseliit, KL) (2009) Ethiopia Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF): Ground Forces, Ethiopian Air Force (ETAF) (2008) note: Ethiopia is landlocked and has no navy; following the secession of Eritrea, Ethiopian naval facilities remained in Eritrean possession Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) no regular military forces Faroe Islands no regular military forces Fiji Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF): Land Forces, Naval Forces (2009) Finland Finnish Defense Forces (FDF): Army, Navy (includes Coastal Defense Forces), Air Force (Suomen Ilmavoimat) (2007) France Army (Armee de Terre; includes Marines, Foreign Legion, Army Light Aviation), Navy (Marine Nationale, includes Naval Air, Maritime Gendarmerie (Coast Guard)), Air Force (Armee de l'Air, includes Air Defense), National Gendarmerie (2009) French Polynesia no regular military forces (2009) Gabon Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Police Gambia, The Office of the Chief of Defense: Gambian National Army (National Guard, GNA), Gambian Navy (GN) (2009) Gaza Strip Palestinian Authority security forces have operated only in the West Bank, not in the Gaza Strip, since Hamas seized power in June 2007; law and order and other security functions are performed by Hamas security organizations (2008) Georgia Georgian Armed Forces: Land Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces note: naval forces have been incorporated into the coast guard (2009) Germany Federal Armed Forces (Bundeswehr): Army (Heer), Navy (Deutsche Marine, includes naval air arm), Air Force (Luftwaffe), Joint Support Services (Streitkraeftbasis), Central Medical Service (Zentraler Sanitaetsdienst) (2009) Ghana Ghanaian Army, Ghanaian Navy, Ghanaian Air Force (2008) Gibraltar Royal Gibraltar Regiment (2009) Greece Hellenic Army (Ellinikos Stratos, ES), Hellenic Navy (Ellinikos Polemiko Navtiko, EPN), Hellenic Air Force (Elliniki Polimiki Aeroporia, EPA) (2009) Greenland no regular military forces Grenada no regular military forces; Royal Grenada Police Force (includes Coast Guard) (2008) Guatemala Army, Navy (includes Marines), Air Force Guinea National Armed Forces: Army, Navy (Armee de Mer or Marine Guineenne, includes Marines), Air Force (2009) Guinea-Bissau People's Revolutionary Armed Force (FARP): Army, Navy, Air Force; paramilitary force Guyana Guyana Defense Force: Army (includes Coast Guard, Air Corps) (2008) Haiti no regular military forces - small Coast Guard; the regular Haitian Armed Forces (FAdH) - Army, Navy, and Air Force - have been demobilized but still exist on paper until or unless they are constitutionally abolished (2009) Holy See (Vatican City) Pontifical Swiss Guard Corps (Corpo della Guardia Svizzera Pontificia) (2009) Honduras Army, Navy (includes Naval Infantry), Honduran Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Hondurena, FAH) (2008) Hong Kong no regular indigenous military forces; Hong Kong garrison of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) includes elements of the PLA Ground Forces, PLA Navy, and PLA Air Force; these forces are under the direct leadership of the Central Military Commission in Beijing and under administrative control of the adjacent Guangzhou Military Region (2009) Hungary Ground Forces, Hungarian Air Force (Magyar Legiero, ML) (2009) Iceland no regular military forces; Icelandic National Police (2008) India Army, Navy (includes naval air arm), Air Force (Bharatiya Vayu Sena), Coast Guard (2009) Indonesia Indonesian Armed Forces (Tentara Nasional Indonesia, TNI): Army (TNI-Angkatan Darat (TNI-AD)), Navy (TNI-Angkatan Laut (TNI-AL); includes marines, naval air arm), Air Force (TNI-Angkatan Udara (TNI-AU)), National Air Defense Command (Kommando Pertahanan Udara Nasional (Kohanudnas)) (2009) Iran Islamic Republic of Iran Regular Forces (Artesh): Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force of the Military of the Islamic Republic of Iran (Niru-ye Hava'i-ye Artesh-e Jomhuri-ye Eslami-ye Iran, IRIAF; Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (Sepah-e Pasdaran-e Enqelab-e Eslami, IRGC): Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force, Qods Force (special operations), Basij Force (Popular Mobilization Army); Law Enforcement Forces (2008) Iraq Iraqi Armed Forces: Iraqi Army (includes Iraqi Special Operations Force, Iraqi Intervention Force), Iraqi Navy (former Iraqi Coastal Defense Force), Iraqi Air Force (former Iraqi Army Air Corps) (2005) Ireland Irish Defense Forces (Oglaigh na h-Eireann): Army (includes Naval Service and Air Corps (Aer-Chor na h-Eireann)) (2009) Israel Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Israel Naval Forces (INF), Israel Air Force (IAF) (2009) Italy Italian Army (Esercito Italiano, EI), Italian Navy (Marina Militare Italiana, MMI), Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare Italiana, AMI), Carabinieri Corps (Arma dei Carabinieri, CC) (2009) Jamaica Jamaica Defense Force: Ground Forces, Coast Guard, Air Wing (2009) Japan Japanese Ministry of Defense (MOD): Ground Self-Defense Force (Rikujou Jietai, GSDF), Maritime Self-Defense Force (Kaijou Jietai, MSDF), Air Self-Defense Force (Koku Jieitai, ASDF) (2009) Jordan Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF): Royal Jordanian Land Force (RJLF), Royal Jordanian Navy, Royal Jordanian Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Malakiya al-Urduniya, RJAF), Special Operations Command (Socom); Public Security Directorate (normally falls under Ministry of Interior, but comes under JAF in wartime or crisis) (2008) Kazakhstan Kazakh Armed Forces: Ground Forces, Navy, Air Mobile Forces, Air Defense Forces (2009) Kenya Kenyan Armed Forces: Kenyan Army, Kenyan Navy, Kenyan Air Force (2008) Kiribati no regular military forces (constitutionally prohibited); Police Force (2009) Korea, North North Korean People's Army: Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force; civil security forces (2005) Korea, South Republic of Korea Army, Navy (includes Marine Corps), Air Force (2009) Kuwait Kuwaiti Land Forces (KLF), Kuwaiti Navy, Kuwaiti Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Kuwaitiya), Kuwaiti National Guard (KNG) (2008) Kyrgyzstan Ground Forces, Air Force (includes Air Defense Forces), National Guard (2009) Laos Lao People's Armed Forces (LPAF): Lao People's Army (LPA; includes Riverine Force), Air Force (2009) Latvia National Armed Forces (Nacionalo Brunoto Speku): Ground Forces, Navy (Latvijas Juras Speki; includes Coast Guard (Latvijas Kara Flotes)), Latvian Air Force (Latvijas Gaisa Speki), Border Guard, Latvian Home Guard (Latvijas Zemessardze) (2009) Lebanon Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF): Army (includes Navy), Air Force (Al Quwwat al Jawwiya al Lubnaniya) (2009) Lesotho Lesotho Defense Force (LDF): Army (includes Air Wing) (2008) Liberia Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL): Army, Navy, Air Force Libya Armed Peoples on Duty (APOD, Army), Libyan Arab Navy, Libyan Arab Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Jamahiriya al-Arabia al-Libyya, LAAF), Libyan Coast Guard (2008) Liechtenstein no regular military forces (constitutionally prohibited); Principality of Liechtenstein National Police (Landespolizei, LP) (2008) Lithuania Ground Forces, Naval Forces, Air Forces (Karines Oro Pajegos, KOP), National Defense Volunteer Forces (2009) Luxembourg Army (2009) Macau no regular military forces; defense is the responsibility of China (2009) Macedonia Army of the Republic of Macedonia (ARM): Joint Operational Command, with subordinate Air Wing (Makedonsko Voeno Vozduhoplovstvo, MVV), Special Operations Regiment (2009) Madagascar People's Armed Forces: Intervention Force, Development Force, and Aeronaval Force (navy and air); National Gendarmerie Malawi Malawi Armed Forces: Army (includes Air Wing and Naval Detachment) (2009) Malaysia Malaysian Armed Forces (Angkatan Tentera Malaysia, ATM): Malaysian Army (Tentera Darat Malaysia), Royal Malaysian Navy (Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia, TLDM), Royal Malaysian Air Force (Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia, TUDM) (2009) Maldives Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF): Rapid Reaction Force, Security Protection Group, Coast Guard (2009) Mali Malian Armed Forces: Army, Republic of Mali Air Force (Force Aerienne de la Republique du Mali, FARM), National Guard (2008) Malta Armed Forces of Malta (AFM; includes air and maritime elements) (2007) Marshall Islands no regular military forces; under the 1983 Compact of Free Association, the US has full authority and responsibility for security and defense of the Marshall Islands; Marshall Islands Police (2009) Mauritania Mauritanian Armed Forces: Army, Mauritanian Navy (Marine Mauritanienne; includes naval infantry), Islamic Air Force of Mauritania (Force Aerienne Islamique de Mauritanie, FAIM) (2008) Mauritius no regular military forces; Mauritius Police Force, Special Mobile Force, National Coast Guard (2009) Mexico Secretariat of National Defense (Secretaria de Defensa Nacional, Sedena): Army (Ejercito, includes Mexican Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Mexicana, FAM)); Secretariat of the Navy (Secretaria de Marina, Semar): Mexican Navy (Armada de Mexico, ARM, includes Naval Air Force (FAN) and naval infantry) (2009) Micronesia, Federated States of no regular military forces; defense is the responsibility of the US (2009) Moldova National Army: Land Forces, Rapid Reaction Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces (2009) Monaco no regular military forces; the Palace Guard performs ceremonial duties Mongolia Mongolian Armed Forces: Mongolian Army, Mongolian Air Force; there is no navy (2009) Montenegro Armed Forces of the Republic of Montenegro: Army, Navy, Air Force (2009) Montserrat no regular military forces; Royal Montserrat Police Force (2008) Morocco Royal Armed Forces (Forces Armees Royales, FAR): Royal Moroccan Army (includes Air Defense), Navy (includes Marines), Royal Moroccan Air Force (Al Quwwat al Jawyiya al Malakiya Marakishiya; Force Aerienne Royale Marocaine) (2008) Mozambique Mozambique Armed Defense Forces (FADM): Mozambique Army, Mozambique Navy (Marinha Mocambique, MM), Mozambique Air Force (Forca Aerea de Mocambique, FAM) (2006) Namibia Namibian Defense Force: Army, Navy, Air Wing (2008) Nauru no regular military forces; Nauru Police Force (2009) Nepal Nepal Army (2009) Netherlands Royal Netherlands Army, Royal Netherlands Navy (includes Naval Air Service and Marine Corps), Royal Netherlands Air Force (Koninklijke Luchtmacht, KLu), Royal Military Police (2009) Netherlands Antilles no regular military forces; National Guard (2008) New Caledonia no regular military forces; French police and gendarmerie (2009) New Zealand New Zealand Defense Force (NZDF): New Zealand Army, Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal New Zealand Air Force (2009) Nicaragua National Army of Nicaragua (ENN; includes Navy, Air Force) (2008) Niger Nigerien Armed Forces (Forces Armees Nigeriennes, FAN): Army, Niger Air Force (Force Aerienne du Niger) (2009) Nigeria Nigerian Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force (2008) Niue no regular indigenous military forces; Police Force Norway Norwegian Army (Haeren), Royal Norwegian Navy (Kongelige Norske Sjoeforsvaret, RNoN; includes Coastal Rangers and Coast Guard (Kystvakt)), Royal Norwegian Air Force (Kongelige Norske Luftforsvaret, RNoAF), Home Guard (Heimevernet, HV) (2007) Oman Sultan's Armed Forces (SAF): Royal Army of Oman, Royal Navy of Oman, Royal Air Force of Oman (al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Sultanat) (2009) Pakistan Army (includes National Guard), Navy (includes Marines and Maritime Security Agency), Pakistan Air Force (Pakistan Fiza'ya) (2008) Palau no regular military forces; Palau National Police (2009) Panama no regular military forces; Panamanian public forces include: Panamanian National Police (PNP), National Air-Naval Service (SENAN), National Border Service (SENAFRONT) (2009) Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea Defense Force (PNGDF; includes Maritime Operations Element, Air Operations Element) (2009) Paraguay Army, National Navy (Armada Nacional, includes Naval Aviation, Marine Corps, General Naval Prefecture), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Paraguay, FAP) (2008) Peru Army of Peru (Ejercito Peruano), Navy of Peru (Marina de Guerra del Peru, MGP (includes naval air, naval infantry, and Coast Guard)), Air Force of Peru (Fuerza Aerea del Peru, FAP) (2008) Philippines Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP): Army, Navy (includes Marine Corps and Coast Guard), Air Force (2009) Poland Polish Armed Forces: Land Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Aviation Forces, Special Forces (2008) Portugal Portuguese Army (Exercito Portugues), Portuguese Navy (Marinha Portuguesa; includes Marine Corps), Portuguese Air Force (Forca Aerea Portuguesa, FAP) (2009) Puerto Rico no regular indigenous military forces; paramilitary National Guard, Police Force Qatar Qatari Amiri Land Force (QALF), Qatari Amiri Navy (QAN), Qatari Amiri Air Force (QAAF) (2009) Romania Land Forces, Naval Forces, Romanian Air Force (Fortele Aeriene Romane, FAR), Special Operations (2009) Russia Ground Forces (Sukhoputnyye Voyskia, SV), Navy (Voyenno-Morskoy Flot, VMF), Air Forces (Voyenno-Vozdushniye Sily, VVS); Airborne Troops (VDV), Strategic Rocket Forces (Raketnyye Voyska Strategicheskogo Naznacheniya, RVSN), and Space Troops (Kosmicheskiye Voyska, KV) are independent "combat arms," not subordinate to any of the three branches; Russian Ground Forces include the following combat arms: motorized-rifle troops, tank troops, missile and artillery troops, air defense of ground troops (2009) Rwanda Rwandan Defense Forces: Army, Air Force Saint Kitts and Nevis Royal Saint Kitts and Nevis Defense Force (includes Coast Guard), Royal Saint Kitts and Nevis Police Force (2009) Saint Lucia no regular military forces; Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (includes Special Service Unit and Coast Guard) (2008) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines no regular military forces; Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force, Coast Guard (2009) Samoa no regular military forces; Samoa Police Force (2008) San Marino no regular military forces; Voluntary Military Force (Corpi Militari Voluntar) performs ceremonial duties and limited police support functions (2008) Sao Tome and Principe Armed Forces of Sao Tome and Principe (FASTP): Army, Coast Guard of Sao Tome e Principe (Guarda Costeira de Sao Tome e Principe, GCSTP), Presidential Guard (2007) Saudi Arabia Ministry of Defense and Aviation Forces: Royal Saudi Land Forces, Royal Saudi Naval Forces (includes Marine Forces and Special Forces), Royal Saudi Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Malakiya as-Sa'udiya), Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces, Royal Saudi Strategic Rocket Forces, Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG) Senegal Army, Senegalese Navy (Marine Senegalaise), Senegalese Air Force (Armee de l'Air du Senegal) (2008) Serbia Serbian Armed Forces (Vojska Srbije, VS): Land Forces Command (includes Riverine Component, consisting of a river flotilla on the Danube), Joint Operations Command, Air and Air Defense Forces Command (2009) Seychelles Seychelles Defense Force: Army, Coast Guard (includes Naval Wing, Air Wing), National Guard (2005) Sierra Leone Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF): Army (includes Maritime Wing and Air Wing) (2008) Singapore Singapore Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force (includes Air Defense) (2009) Slovakia Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic (Ozbrojene Sily Slovenskej Republiky): Land Forces (Pozemne Sily), Air Forces (Vzdusne Sily) (2009) Slovenia Slovenian Army (includes air and naval forces) Solomon Islands no regular military forces; Solomon Islands Police Force (2009) Somalia no national-level armed forces (2008) South Africa South African National Defense Force (SANDF): South African Army, South African Navy (SAN), South African Air Force (SAAF), Joint Operations Command, Military Intelligence, South African Military Health Services (2009) Spain Spanish Armed Forces: Army (Ejercito de Tierra), Spanish Navy (Armada Espanola, AE; includes Marine Corps), Spanish Air Force (Ejercito del Aire Espanola, EdA) (2009) Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy, Sri Lanka Air Force (2009) Sudan Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF): Land Forces, Navy (includes Marines), Sudanese Air Force (Sikakh al-Jawwiya as-Sudaniya), Popular Defense Forces; Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA): Land Forces (2009) Suriname National Army (Nationaal Leger, NL; includes Naval Wing, Air Wing) (2007) Svalbard no regular military forces Swaziland Umbutfo Swaziland Defense Force (USDF): Ground Force (includes air wing) (2008) Sweden Swedish Armed Forces (Forsvarsmakten): Army (Armen), Royal Swedish Navy (Marinen), Swedish Air Force (Svenska Flygvapnet) (2008) Switzerland Swiss Armed Forces: Land Forces, Swiss Air Force (Schweizer Luftwaffe) (2009) Syria Syrian Armed Forces: Syrian Arab Army, Syrian Arab Navy, Syrian Arab Air and Air Defense Forces (includes Air Defense Command) (2008) Taiwan Army, Navy (includes Marine Corps), Air Force, Coast Guard Administration, Armed Forces Reserve Command, Combined Service Forces Command, Armed Forces Police Command Tajikistan Ground Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces, Mobile Forces (2008) Tanzania Tanzanian People's Defense Force (Jeshi la Wananchi la Tanzania, JWTZ): Army, Naval Wing (includes Coast Guard), Air Defense Command (includes Air Wing), National Service (2007) Thailand Royal Thai Army (Kongthap Bok Thai, RTA), Royal Thai Navy (Kongthap Ruea Thai, RTN, includes Royal Thai Marine Corps), Royal Thai Air Force (Kongtap Agard Thai, RTAF) (2009) Timor-Leste Timor-Leste Defense Force (Forcas de Defesa de Timor-L'este, Falintil (F-FDTL)): Army, Navy (Armada) (2009) Togo Togolese Armed Forces (Forces Armees Togolaise, FAT): Ground Forces, Togolese Navy (Marine du Togo), Togolese Air Force (Force Aerienne Togolaise, FAT), National Gendarmerie (2009) Tonga Tonga Defense Services (TDS): Land Force (Royal Guard), Naval Force (includes Royal Marines, Air Wing) (2009) Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force (TTDF): Trinidad and Tobago Army, Coast Guard, Air Guard, Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (2008) Tunisia Army, Navy, Republic of Tunisia Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Jamahiriyah At'tunisia) (2008) Turkey Turkish Armed Forces (TSK): Turkish Land Forces (Turk Kara Kuvvetleri), Turkish Naval Forces (Turk Deniz Kuvvetleri; includes naval air and naval infantry), Turkish Air Force (Turk Hava Kuvvetleri) (2009) Turkmenistan Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces (2009) Tuvalu no regular military forces; Tuvalu Police Force (2008) Uganda Uganda Peoples Defense Force (UPDF): Army (includes Marine Unit), Air Force (2007) Ukraine Ground Forces, Naval Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces (Viyskovo-Povitryani Syly, VPS) (2009) United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates Armed Forces: Army, Navy (includes Marines), Air Force and Air Defense, National Coast Guard (2008) United Kingdom Army, Royal Navy (includes Royal Marines), Royal Air Force (2009) United States United States Armed Forces: US Army, US Navy (includes Marine Corps), US Air Force, US Coast Guard; note - Coast Guard administered in peacetime by the Department of Homeland Security, but in wartime reports to the Department of the Navy (2009) Uruguay Uruguayan Armed Forces: Army (Ejercito), National Navy (Armada Nacional; includes naval air arm, Marine Corps (Cuerpo de Fusileros Navales, FUSNA), Maritime Prefecture in wartime), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Uruguaya, FAU) (2008) Uzbekistan Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, National Guard Vanuatu no regular military forces; Vanuatu Police Force (VPF), Vanuatu Mobile Force (VMF; includes Police Maritime Wing (PMW)) (2009) Venezuela National Bolivarian Armed Forces (Fuerza Armada Nacional Bolivariana, FANB): National Bolivarian Army (Ejercito Nacional Bolivariano, ENB), Bolivarian National Navy (Fuerza Armada Nacional Bolivariana (FANB); includes Naval Infantry, Coast Guard, Naval Aviation), Bolivarian National Military Aviation (Aviacion Militar Nacional Bolivariana, AMNB), Bolivarian National Guard (Guardia Nacional Bolivaria, GNB) (2009) Vietnam People's Armed Forces: People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) (includes People's Navy Command (with naval infantry, coast guard), Air and Air Defense Force (Kon Quan Nhan Dan), Border Defense Command), People's Public Security Forces, Militia Force, Self-Defense Forces (2005) Yemen Army (includes Republican Guard), Navy (includes Marines), Yemen Air Force (Al Quwwat al Jawwiya al Jamahiriya al Yemeniya; includes Air Defense Force) (2009) Zambia Zambian National Defense Force (ZNDF): Zambian Army, Zambian Air Force, National Service (2009) Zimbabwe Zimbabwe Defense Forces (ZDF): Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA), Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ), Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) (2009) ====================================================================== @2056 Field Listing :: Budget This entry includes revenues, expenditures, and capital expenditures. These figures are calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. Country Budget Afghanistan revenues: $890 million expenditures: $2.7 billion note: Afghanistan has also received $2.6 billion from the Reconstruction Trust Fund and $63 million from the Law and Order Trust Fund (2007 est.) Albania revenues: $3.458 billion expenditures: $4.175 billion (2008 est.) Algeria revenues: $70.06 billion expenditures: $56.04 billion (2008 est.) American Samoa revenues: $155.4 million (37% in local revenue and 63% in US grants) expenditures: $183.6 million (FY07) Andorra revenues: $496.9 million expenditures: $496.8 million (2007) Angola revenues: $28.99 billion expenditures: $21.44 billion (2008 est.) Anguilla revenues: $22.8 million expenditures: $22.5 million (2000 est.) Antigua and Barbuda revenues: $123.7 million expenditures: $145.9 million (2000 est.) Argentina revenues: $86.65 billion expenditures: $82.85 billion (2008 est.) Armenia revenues: $2.481 billion expenditures: $2.626 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2008 est.) Aruba revenues: $507.9 million expenditures: $577.9 million (2005 est.) Australia revenues: $350.3 billion expenditures: $332.4 billion (2008 est.) Austria revenues: $196.4 billion expenditures: $200.7 billion (2008 est.) Azerbaijan revenues: $12.69 billion expenditures: $15.67 billion (2008 est.) Bahamas, The revenues: $1.03 billion expenditures: $1.03 billion (FY04/05) Bahrain revenues: $6.934 billion expenditures: $5.612 billion (2008 est.) Bangladesh revenues: $8.825 billion expenditures: $12.54 billion (2008 est.) Barbados revenues: $847 million (including grants) expenditures: $886 million (2000 est.) Belarus revenues: $25.15 billion expenditures: $25.97 billion (2008 est.) Belgium revenues: $239.4 billion expenditures: $245.7 billion (2008 est.) Belize revenues: $347 million expenditures: $386.5 million (2008 est.) Benin revenues: $1.407 billion expenditures: $1.291 billion (2008 est.) Bermuda revenues: $738 million expenditures: $665 million (FY04/05) Bhutan revenues: $272 million expenditures: $350 million note: the government of India finances nearly three-fifths of Bhutan's budget expenditures (2005) Bolivia revenues: $8.039 billion expenditures: $7.5 billion (2008 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina revenues: $8.516 billion expenditures: $8.867 billion (2008 est.) Botswana revenues: $4.326 billion expenditures: $4.808 billion (2008 est.) Brazil revenues: NA expenditures: NA British Virgin Islands revenues: $204.7 million expenditures: $180.4 million (2004) Brunei revenues: $6.889 billion expenditures: $4 billion (2008 est.) Bulgaria revenues: $22.24 billion expenditures: $20.74 billion (2008 est.) Burkina Faso revenues: $1.409 billion expenditures: $1.786 billion (2008 est.) Burma revenues: $1 billion expenditures: $1.805 billion (2008 est.) Burundi revenues: $295.2 million expenditures: $355 million; including capital expenditures of $NA (2008 est.) Cambodia revenues: $1.274 billion expenditures: $1.592 billion (2008 est.) Cameroon revenues: $4.714 billion expenditures: $4.261 billion (2008 est.) Canada revenues: $594.1 billion expenditures: $573.7 billion (2008 est.) Cape Verde revenues: $508 million expenditures: $540.2 million (2008 est.) Cayman Islands revenues: $423.8 million expenditures: $392.6 million (2004) Central African Republic revenues: $250 million expenditures: $273 million (2007 est.) Chad revenues: $2.324 billion expenditures: $1.91 billion (2008 est.) Chile revenues: $44.79 billion expenditures: $35.09 billion (2008 est.) China revenues: $847.8 billion expenditures: $861.6 billion (2008 est.) Christmas Island revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA Cocos (Keeling) Islands revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA Colombia revenues: $83.22 billion expenditures: $82.92 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2008 est.) Comoros revenues: $27.6 million expenditures: $NA (2001 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the revenues: $700 million expenditures: $2 billion (2006 est.) Congo, Republic of the revenues: $4.515 billion expenditures: $2.721 billion (2008 est.) Cook Islands revenues: $70.95 million expenditures: $69.05 million (FY05/06) Costa Rica revenues: $4.6 billion expenditures: $4.531 billion (2008 est.) Cote d'Ivoire revenues: $4.823 billion expenditures: $4.915 billion (2008 est.) Croatia revenues: $26.86 billion expenditures: $28.54 billion (2008 est.) Cuba revenues: $45.42 billion expenditures: $49.96 billion (2008 est.) Cyprus revenues:: $11.19 billion expenditures:: $10.96 billion (2008 est.) Czech Republic revenues: $93.42 billion expenditures: $96.09 billion (2008 est.) Denmark revenues: $188.6 billion expenditures: $176.3 billion (2008 est.) Djibouti revenues: $135 million expenditures: $182 million (1999 est.) Dominica revenues: $73.9 million expenditures: $84.4 million (2001) Dominican Republic revenues: $7.46 billion expenditures: $9.027 billion (2008 est.) Ecuador revenues: $21.09 billion expenditures: planned $21.35 billion (2008 est.) Egypt revenues: $40.22 billion expenditures: $51.07 billion (2008 est.) El Salvador revenues: $4.016 billion expenditures: $4.242 billion (2008 est.) Equatorial Guinea revenues: $6.599 billion expenditures: $3.601 billion (2008 est.) Eritrea revenues: $234.6 million expenditures: $523.3 million (2008 est.) Estonia revenues: $8.798 billion expenditures: $9.488 billion (2008 est.) Ethiopia revenues: $4.517 billion expenditures: $5.34 billion (2008 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) revenues: $66.2 million expenditures: $67.9 million (FY98/99 est.) Faroe Islands revenues: $588 million expenditures: $623 million (2005) Fiji revenues: $1.363 billion expenditures: $1.376 billion (2006) Finland revenues: $143.8 billion expenditures: $132.3 billion (2008 est.) France revenues: $1.407 trillion expenditures: $1.506 trillion (2008 est.) French Polynesia revenues: $865 million expenditures: $644.1 million (1999) Gabon revenues: $4.511 billion expenditures: $2.932 billion (2008 est.) Gambia, The revenues: $155.6 million expenditures: $167.3 million (2008 est.) Gaza Strip revenues: $1.149 billion expenditures: $2.31 billion note: includes West Bank (2006) Georgia revenues: $4.596 billion expenditures: $5.345 billion (2008 est.) Germany revenues: $1.591 trillion expenditures: $1.591 trillion (2008 est.) Ghana revenues: $5.256 billion expenditures: $7.492 billion (2008 est.) Gibraltar revenues: $455.1 million expenditures: $423.6 million (2005 est.) Greece revenues: $126.5 billion expenditures: $144.4 billion (2008 est.) Greenland revenues: $1.36 billion expenditures: $1.27 billion (2005) Grenada revenues: $85.8 million expenditures: $102.1 million (1997) Guam revenues: $319.6 million expenditures: $427.8 million (2002 est.) Guatemala revenues: $4.693 billion expenditures: $5.338 billion (2008 est.) Guernsey revenues: $563.6 million expenditures: $530.9 million (2005) Guinea revenues: $769.7 million expenditures: $837.7 million (2008 est.) Guinea-Bissau revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA Guyana revenues: $488.7 million expenditures: $552.6 million (2008 est.) Haiti revenues: $967.5 million expenditures: $1.162 billion (2008 est.) Holy See (Vatican City) revenues: $374 million expenditures: $388 million (2007) Honduras revenues: $2.754 billion expenditures: $3.09 billion; including capital expenditures of $106 million (2008 est.) Hong Kong revenues: $39.04 billion expenditures: $39.76 billion (2008 est.) Hungary revenues: $67.7 billion expenditures: $73 billion (2008 est.) Iceland revenues: $6.657 billion expenditures: $6.856 billion (2008 est.) India revenues: $126.7 billion expenditures: $202.6 billion (2008 est.) Indonesia revenues: $92.62 billion expenditures: $98.88 billion (2008 est.) Iran revenues: $51 billion expenditures: $103 billion (FY09/10 est.) Iraq revenues: $42.4 billion expenditures: $49.9 billion (FY08 est.) Ireland revenues: $92.57 billion expenditures: $109.9 billion (2008 est.) Isle of Man revenues: $965 million expenditures: $943 million (FY05/06 est.) Israel revenues: $59.98 billion expenditures: $64.21 billion (2008 est.) Italy revenues: $1.068 trillion expenditures: $1.132 trillion (2008 est.) Jamaica revenues: $3.794 billion expenditures: $4.829 billion (2008 est.) Japan revenues: $1.72 trillion expenditures: $1.788 trillion (2008 est.) Jersey revenues: $829 million expenditures: $851 million (2005) Jordan revenues: $5.67 billion expenditures: $7.66 billion (2008 est.) Kazakhstan revenues: $33.47 billion expenditures: $36.23 billion (2008 est.) Kenya revenues: $6.648 billion expenditures: $8.167 billion (2008 est.) Kiribati revenues: $55.52 million expenditures: $59.71 million (FY05) Korea, North revenues: $2.88 billion expenditures: $2.98 billion (2005) Korea, South revenues: $227.5 billion expenditures: $216.7 billion (2008 est.) Kosovo revenues: $1.19 billion expenditures: $1.22 billion (2007 est.) Kuwait revenues: $105.2 billion expenditures: $58.08 billion (2008 est.) Kyrgyzstan revenues: $1.274 billion expenditures: $1.231 billion (2008 est.) Laos revenues: $811.6 million expenditures: $955.9 million (2008 est.) Latvia revenues: $12.06 billion expenditures: $13.41 billion (2008 est.) Lebanon revenues: $6.998 billion expenditures: $9.955 billion (2008 est.) Lesotho revenues: $825.1 million expenditures: $758.7 million (2008 est.) Liberia revenues: NA expenditures: NA Libya revenues: $58.04 billion expenditures: $35.22 billion (2008 est.) Liechtenstein revenues: $424.2 million expenditures: $414.1 million (1998 est.) Lithuania revenues: $15.15 billion expenditures: $16.66 billion (2008 est.) Luxembourg revenues: $22.42 billion expenditures: $21 billion (2008 est.) Macau revenues: $6.2 billion expenditures: $2.9 billion (2008) Macedonia revenues: $3.167 billion expenditures: $3.239 billion (2008 est.) Madagascar revenues: $1.612 billion expenditures: $2.05 billion (2008 est.) Malawi revenues: $1.254 billion expenditures: $1.351 billion (2008 est.) Malaysia revenues: $48.49 billion expenditures: $58.85 billion (2008 est.) Maldives revenues: $762 million (including foreign grants) expenditures: $884 million (2008 est.) Mali revenues: $1.5 billion expenditures: $1.8 billion (2006 est.) Malta revenues: $3.378 billion expenditures: $3.77 billion (2008 est.) Marshall Islands revenues: $123.3 million expenditures: $1.213 billion (2008) Mauritania revenues: $770 million expenditures: $770 million (2007 est.) Mauritius revenues: $1.871 billion expenditures: $2.163 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2008 est.) Mayotte revenues: $420 million expenditures: $394 million (2005) Mexico revenues: $257.1 billion expenditures: $258.1 billion (2008 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of revenues: $166 million ($69 million less grants) expenditures: $152.7 million (FY07 est.) Moldova revenues: $2.453 billion expenditures: $2.513 billion (2008 est.) Monaco revenues: $863 million expenditures: $920.6 million (2005 est.) Mongolia revenues: $1.71 billion expenditures: $1.95 billion (2008) Montenegro revenues: NA expenditures: NA Montserrat revenues: $31.4 million expenditures: $31.6 million (1997 est.) Morocco revenues: $26.16 billion expenditures: $27.93 billion (2008 est.) Mozambique revenues: $2.801 billion expenditures: $3.28 billion (2008 est.) Namibia revenues: $2.661 billion expenditures: $2.745 billion (2008 est.) Nauru revenues: $13.5 million expenditures: $13.5 million (2005) Nepal revenues: $1.7 billion expenditures: $2.3 billion (FY08) Netherlands revenues: $405.9 billion expenditures: $397.3 billion (2008 est.) Netherlands Antilles revenues: $757.9 million expenditures: $949.5 million (2004) New Caledonia revenues: $996 million expenditures: $1.072 billion (2001 est.) New Zealand revenues: $54.41 billion expenditures: $55.93 billion (2008 est.) Nicaragua revenues: $1.271 billion expenditures: $1.594 billion (2008 est.) Niger revenues: $320 million (includes $134 million from foreign sources) expenditures: $320 million (2002 est.) Nigeria revenues: $19.76 billion expenditures: $24.72 billion (2008 est.) Niue revenues: $15.07 million expenditures: $16.33 million (FY0405) Norfolk Island revenues: $4.6 million expenditures: $4.8 million (FY99/00) Northern Mariana Islands revenues: $193 million expenditures: $223 million (FY01/02 est.) Norway revenues: $266.2 billion expenditures: $178.1 billion (2008 est.) Oman revenues: $18.13 billion expenditures: $15.95 billion (2008 est.) Pakistan revenues: $22.3 billion expenditures: $32.35 billion (2008 est.) Palau revenues: $114.8 million expenditures: $99.5 million (2008 est.) Panama revenues: $6.02 billion expenditures: $5.923 billion (2008 est.) Papua New Guinea revenues: $2.62 billion expenditures: $2.797 billion (2008 est.) Paraguay revenues: $2.856 billion expenditures: $2.826 billion (2008 est.) Peru revenues: $38.01 billion expenditures: $35.29 billion (2008 est.) Philippines revenues: $27.05 billion expenditures: $28.58 billion (2008 est.) Pitcairn Islands revenues: $746,000 expenditures: $1.028 million (FY04/05) Poland revenues: $105.5 billion expenditures: $115.7 billion (2008 est.) Portugal revenues: $105.5 billion expenditures: $111.9 billion (2008 est.) Puerto Rico revenues: $6.7 billion expenditures: $9.6 billion (FY99/00) Qatar revenues: $36.59 billion expenditures: $27.14 billion (2008 est.) Romania revenues: $65.29 billion expenditures: $74.99 billion (2008 est.) Russia revenues: $364.6 billion expenditures: $304.6 billion (2008 est.) Rwanda revenues: $930.4 million expenditures: $1.023 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2008 est.) Saint Helena revenues: $12.33 million expenditures: $30.28 million note: revenue data reflect locally raised revenues only; the budget deficit is resolved by grant aid from the United Kingdom (FY06/07 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis revenues: $89.7 million expenditures: $128.2 million (2003 est.) Saint Lucia revenues: $141.2 million expenditures: $146.7 million (2000 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon revenues: $70 million expenditures: $60 million (1996 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines revenues: $94.6 million expenditures: $85.8 million (2000 est.) Samoa revenues: $171.3 million expenditures: $78.1 million (FY04/05 est.) San Marino revenues: $690.6 million expenditures: $652.9 million (2006) Sao Tome and Principe revenues: $47.65 million expenditures: $51.48 million (2008 est.) Saudi Arabia revenues: $293.7 billion expenditures: $136 billion (2008 est.) Senegal revenues: $3.077 billion expenditures: $3.802 billion (2008 est.) Serbia revenues: $9.6 billion expenditures: $9.8 billion (2007 est.) Seychelles revenues: $260.5 million expenditures: $291.2 million (2008 est.) Sierra Leone revenues: $96 million expenditures: $351 million (2000 est.) Singapore revenues: $29.25 billion expenditures: $26.48 billion (2008 est.) Slovakia revenues: $31.23 billion expenditures: $33.32 billion (2008 est.) Slovenia revenues: $22.55 billion expenditures: $22.7 billion (2008 est.) Solomon Islands revenues: $49.7 million expenditures: $75.1 million (2003) Somalia revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA South Africa revenues: $77.43 billion expenditures: $79.9 billion (2008 est.) Spain revenues: $598.1 billion expenditures: $659.1 billion (2008 est.) Sri Lanka revenues: $7.8 billion expenditures: $11 billion (2009 est.) Sudan revenues: $11.55 billion expenditures: $12.67 billion (2008 est.) Suriname revenues: $392.6 million expenditures: $425.9 million (2004) Svalbard revenues: $25.07 million expenditures: $NA (2004 est.) Swaziland revenues: $1.055 billion expenditures: $1.083 billion (2008 est.) Sweden revenues: $259.9 billion expenditures: $248.1 billion (2008 est.) Switzerland revenues: $189.8 billion expenditures: $185.2 billion (2008 est.) Syria revenues: $11.23 billion expenditures: $12.85 billion (2008 est.) Taiwan revenues: $73.02 billion expenditures: $77.96 billion (2008 est.) Tajikistan revenues: $996.8 million expenditures: $899.6 million (2008 est.) Tanzania revenues: $4.099 billion expenditures: $4.517 billion (2008 est.) Thailand revenues: $48.24 billion expenditures: $51.33 billion (2008 est.) Timor-Leste revenues: $733 million expenditures: $309 million note: the government in 2008 moved to a fiscal year calendar; it passed a supplementary spending package to cover the latter half of 2008 (FY06/07 est.) Togo revenues: $438.1 million expenditures: $519.9 million (2008 est.) Tokelau revenues: $430,800 expenditures: $2.8 million (1987 est.) Tonga revenues: $80.48 million expenditures: $109.8 million (FY07/08 est.) Trinidad and Tobago revenues: $7.421 billion expenditures: $7.141 billion (2008 est.) Tunisia revenues: $9.843 billion expenditures: $11.3 billion (2008 est.) Turkey revenues: $160.5 billion expenditures: $173.6 billion (2008 est.) Turkmenistan revenues: $1.667 billion expenditures: $1.407 billion (2008 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands revenues: $47 million expenditures: $33.6 million (1997-98 est.) Tuvalu revenues: $21.54 million expenditures: $23.05 million (2006) Uganda revenues: $2.621 billion expenditures: $2.939 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2008 est.) Ukraine revenues: $56.55 billion expenditures: $59.24 billion; note - this is the planned, consolidated budget (2008 est.) United Arab Emirates revenues: $78.74 billion expenditures: $48.31 billion (2008 est.) United Kingdom revenues: $1.056 trillion expenditures: $1.214 trillion (2008 est.) United States revenues: $2.524 trillion expenditures: $2.978 trillion (2008 est.) Uruguay revenues: $8.16 billion expenditures: $8.555 billion (2008 est.) Uzbekistan revenues: $8.884 billion expenditures: $8.474 billion (2008 est.) Vanuatu revenues: $78.7 million expenditures: $72.23 million (2005 est.) Venezuela revenues: $94.14 billion expenditures: $97.69 billion (2008 est.) Vietnam revenues: $24.27 billion expenditures: $28.85 billion (2008 est.) Virgin Islands revenues: $837 million expenditures: $837 million (FY08/09) Wallis and Futuna revenues: $29,730 expenditures: $31,330 (2004) West Bank revenues: $1.149 billion expenditures: $2.31 billion note: includes Gaza Strip (2006) Western Sahara revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA Yemen revenues: $9.243 billion expenditures: $10.36 billion (2008 est.) Zambia revenues: $3.291 billion expenditures: $3.578 billion (2008 est.) Zimbabwe revenues: $941,600 expenditures: $1.092 million (2008 est.) ====================================================================== @2057 Field Listing :: Capital This entry gives the name of the seat of government, its geographic coordinates, the time difference relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the time observed in Washington, DC, and, if applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those countries that have multiple time zones. Country Capital Afghanistan name: Kabul geographic coordinates: 34 31 N, 69 11 E time difference: UTC+4.5 (9.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Akrotiri name: Episkopi Cantonment (base administrative center for Akrotiri and Dhekelia) geographic coordinates: 34 40 N, 32 51 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Albania name: Tirana (Tirane) geographic coordinates: 41 19 N, 19 49 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Algeria name: Algiers geographic coordinates: 36 45 N, 3 03 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) American Samoa name: Pago Pago geographic coordinates: 14 16 S, 170 42 W time difference: UTC-11 (6 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) Andorra name: Andorra la Vella geographic coordinates: 42 30 N, 1 31 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Angola name: Luanda geographic coordinates: 8 50 S, 13 14 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Anguilla name: The Valley geographic coordinates: 18 13 N, 63 03 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Antigua and Barbuda name: Saint John's geographic coordinates: 17 07 N, 61 51 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Argentina name: Buenos Aires geographic coordinates: 34 36 S, 58 40 W time difference: UTC-3 (3 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in October; ends third Saturday in March; note - a new policy of daylight saving time was initiated by the government on 30 December 2007 Armenia name: Yerevan geographic coordinates: 40 10 N, 44 30 E time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Aruba name: Oranjestad geographic coordinates: 12 31 N, 70 02 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Australia name: Canberra geographic coordinates: 35 17 S, 149 13 E time difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in October; ends last Sunday in March note: Australia is divided into three time zones Austria name: Vienna geographic coordinates: 48 12 N, 16 22 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Azerbaijan name: Baku (Baki, Baky) geographic coordinates: 40 23 N, 49 52 E time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Bahamas, The name: Nassau geographic coordinates: 25 05 N, 77 21 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November Bahrain name: Manama geographic coordinates: 26 14 N, 50 34 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Bangladesh name: Dhaka geographic coordinates: 23 43 N, 90 24 E time difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Barbados name: Bridgetown geographic coordinates: 13 06 N, 59 37 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Belarus name: Minsk geographic coordinates: 53 54 N, 27 34 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Belgium name: Brussels geographic coordinates: 50 50 N, 4 20 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Belize name: Belmopan geographic coordinates: 17 15 N, 88 46 W time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) Benin name: Porto-Novo (official capital) geographic coordinates: 6 29 N, 2 37 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) note: Cotonou (seat of government) Bermuda name: Hamilton geographic coordinates: 32 17 N, 64 47 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November Bhutan name: Thimphu geographic coordinates: 27 29 N, 89 36 E time difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Bolivia name: La Paz (administrative capital) geographic coordinates: 16 30 S, 68 09 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) note: Sucre (constitutional capital) Bosnia and Herzegovina name: Sarajevo geographic coordinates: 43 52 N, 18 25 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Botswana name: Gaborone geographic coordinates: 24 45 S, 25 55 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Brazil name: Brasilia geographic coordinates: 15 47 S, 47 55 W time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins third Sunday in October; ends third Sunday in February note: Brazil is divided into four time zones, including one for the Fernando de Noronha Islands British Virgin Islands name: Road Town geographic coordinates: 18 27 N, 64 37 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Brunei name: Bandar Seri Begawan geographic coordinates: 4 53 N, 114 56 E time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Bulgaria name: Sofia geographic coordinates: 42 41 N, 23 19 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Burkina Faso name: Ouagadougou geographic coordinates: 12 22 N, 1 31 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Burma name: Rangoon (Yangon) geographic coordinates: 16 48 N, 96 09 E time difference: UTC+6.5 (11.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) note: Nay Pyi Taw is administrative capital Burundi name: Bujumbura geographic coordinates: 3 22 S, 29 21 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Cambodia name: Phnom Penh geographic coordinates: 11 33 N, 104 55 E time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Cameroon name: Yaounde geographic coordinates: 3 52 N, 11 31 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Canada name: Ottawa geographic coordinates: 45 25 N, 75 42 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November note: Canada is divided into six time zones Cape Verde name: Praia geographic coordinates: 14 55 N, 23 31 W time difference: UTC-1 (4 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Cayman Islands name: George Town (on Grand Cayman) geographic coordinates: 19 18 N, 81 23 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time) Central African Republic name: Bangui geographic coordinates: 4 22 N, 18 35 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Chad name: N'Djamena geographic coordinates: 12 06 N, 15 02 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Chile name: Santiago geographic coordinates: 33 27 S, 70 40 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in October; ends second Sunday in March China name: Beijing geographic coordinates: 39 55 N, 116 23 E time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) note: despite its size, all of China falls within one time zone; many people in Xinjiang Province observe an unofficial "Xinjiang timezone" of UTC+6, two hours behind Beijing Christmas Island name: The Settlement geographic coordinates: 10 25 S, 105 43 E time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Cocos (Keeling) Islands name: West Island geographic coordinates: 12 10 S, 96 50 E time difference: UTC+6.5 (11.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Colombia name: Bogota geographic coordinates: 4 36 N, 74 05 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time) Comoros name: Moroni geographic coordinates: 11 42 S, 43 14 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Congo, Democratic Republic of the name: Kinshasa geographic coordinates: 4 19 S, 15 18 E time difference: UTC+1 (six hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Congo, Republic of the name: Brazzaville geographic coordinates: 4 15 S, 15 17 E time difference: UTC+1 (six hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Cook Islands name: Avarua geographic coordinates: 21 12 S, 159 46 W time difference: UTC-10 (5 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) Costa Rica name: San Jose geographic coordinates: 9 56 N, 84 05 W time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) Cote d'Ivoire name: Yamoussoukro geographic coordinates: 6 49 N, 5 17 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) note: although Yamoussoukro has been the official capital since 1983, Abidjan remains the commercial and administrative center; the US, like other countries, maintains its Embassy in Abidjan Croatia name: Zagreb geographic coordinates: 45 48 N, 16 00 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Cuba name: Havana geographic coordinates: 23 07 N, 82 21 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Cyprus name: Nicosia (Lefkosia) geographic coordinates: 35 10 N, 33 22 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Czech Republic name: Prague geographic coordinates: 50 05 N, 14 28 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Denmark name: Copenhagen geographic coordinates: 55 40 N, 12 35 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October note: applies to continental Denmark only, not to its North Atlantic components Dhekelia name: Episkopi Cantonment (base administrative center for Akrotiri and Dhekelia); located in Akrotiri geographic coordinates: 34 40 N, 32 51 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Djibouti name: Djibouti geographic coordinates: 11 35 N, 43 09 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Dominica name: Roseau geographic coordinates: 15 18 N, 61 24 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Dominican Republic name: Santo Domingo geographic coordinates: 18 28 N, 69 54 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Ecuador name: Quito geographic coordinates: 0 13 S, 78 30 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time) Egypt name: Cairo geographic coordinates: 30 03 N, 31 15 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Friday in April; ends last Thursday in September El Salvador name: San Salvador geographic coordinates: 13 42 N, 89 12 W time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) Equatorial Guinea name: Malabo geographic coordinates: 3 45 N, 8 47 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Eritrea name: Asmara (Asmera) geographic coordinates: 15 20 N, 38 56 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Estonia name: Tallinn geographic coordinates: 59 26 N, 24 43 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Ethiopia name: Addis Ababa geographic coordinates: 9 02 N, 38 42 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) European Union name: Brussels (Belgium), Strasbourg (France), Luxembourg geographic coordinates: 50 50 N, 4 20 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October note: the Council of the European Union meets in Brussels, Belgium; the European Parliament meets in Brussels and Strasbourg, France; the Court of Justice of the European Communities meets in Luxembourg Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) name: Stanley geographic coordinates: 51 42 S, 57 51 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in September; ends third Sunday in April Faroe Islands name: Torshavn geographic coordinates: 62 01 N, 6 46 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Fiji name: Suva (on Viti Levu) geographic coordinates: 18 08 S, 178 25 E time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Finland name: Helsinki geographic coordinates: 60 10 N, 24 56 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October France name: Paris geographic coordinates: 48 52 N, 2 20 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October note: applies to metropolitan France only, not to its overseas departments, collectivities, or territories French Polynesia name: Papeete geographic coordinates: 17 32 S, 149 34 W time difference: UTC-10 (5 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) Gabon name: Libreville geographic coordinates: 0 23 N, 9 27 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Gambia, The name: Banjul geographic coordinates: 13 27 N, 16 34 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Georgia name: T'bilisi geographic coordinates: 41 43 N, 44 47 E time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Germany name: Berlin geographic coordinates: 52 31 N, 13 24 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Ghana name: Accra geographic coordinates: 5 33 N, 0 13 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Gibraltar name: Gibraltar geographic coordinates: 36 08 N, 5 21 W time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Greece name: Athens geographic coordinates: 37 59 N, 23 44 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Greenland name: Nuuk (Godthab) geographic coordinates: 64 11 N, 51 45 W time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October note: Greenland is divided into four time zones Grenada name: Saint George's geographic coordinates: 12 03 N, 61 45 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Guam name: Hagatna (Agana) geographic coordinates: 13 28 N, 144 44 E time difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Guatemala name: Guatemala City geographic coordinates: 14 37 N, 90 31 W time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in April; ends last Friday in September; note - there is no DST planned for 2007-2009 Guernsey name: Saint Peter Port geographic coordinates: 49 27 N, 2 32 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Guinea name: Conakry geographic coordinates: 9 33 N, 13 42 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Guinea-Bissau name: Bissau geographic coordinates: 11 51 N, 15 35 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Guyana name: Georgetown geographic coordinates: 6 48 N, 58 10 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Haiti name: Port-au-Prince geographic coordinates: 18 32 N, 72 20 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in April; ends last Sunday in October Holy See (Vatican City) name: Vatican City geographic coordinates: 41 54 N, 12 27 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Honduras name: Tegucigalpa geographic coordinates: 14 06 N, 87 13 W time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November Hungary name: Budapest geographic coordinates: 47 30 N, 19 05 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Iceland name: Reykjavik geographic coordinates: 64 09 N, 21 57 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) India name: New Delhi geographic coordinates: 28 36 N, 77 12 E time difference: UTC+5.5 (10.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Indonesia name: Jakarta geographic coordinates: 6 10 S, 106 49 E time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) note: Indonesia is divided into three time zones Iran name: Tehran geographic coordinates: 35 40 N, 51 25 E time difference: UTC+3.5 (8.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Iraq name: Baghdad geographic coordinates: 33 20 N, 44 23 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Ireland name: Dublin geographic coordinates: 53 19 N, 6 14 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Isle of Man name: Douglas geographic coordinates: 54 09 N, 4 29 W time difference: UTC 0 (five hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Israel name: Jerusalem geographic coordinates: 31 46 N, 35 14 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Friday in March; ends the Sunday between the holidays of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur note: Israel proclaimed Jerusalem as its capital in 1950, but the US, like nearly all other countries, maintains its Embassy in Tel Aviv Italy name: Rome geographic coordinates: 41 54 N, 12 29 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Jamaica name: Kingston geographic coordinates: 18 00 N, 76 48 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time) Japan name: Tokyo geographic coordinates: 35 41 N, 139 45 E time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Jersey name: Saint Helier geographic coordinates: 49 11 N, 2 06 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Jordan name: Amman geographic coordinates: 31 57 N, 35 56 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Thursday in March; ends last Friday in September Kazakhstan name: Astana geographic coordinates: 51 10 N, 71 25 E time difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) note: Kazakhstan is divided into two time zones Kenya name: Nairobi geographic coordinates: 1 17 S, 36 49 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Kiribati name: Tarawa geographic coordinates: 1 19 N, 172 58 E time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Korea, North name: Pyongyang geographic coordinates: 39 01 N, 125 45 E time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Korea, South name: Seoul geographic coordinates: 37 33 N, 126 59 E time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Kosovo name: Pristina (Prishtine, Prishtina) geographic coordinates: 42 40 N, 21 10 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Kuwait name: Kuwait City geographic coordinates: 29 22 N, 47 58 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Kyrgyzstan name: Bishkek geographic coordinates: 42 52 N, 74 36 E time difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Laos name: Vientiane (Viangchan) geographic coordinates: 17 58 N, 102 36 E time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Latvia name: Riga geographic coordinates: 56 57 N, 24 06 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Lebanon name: Beirut geographic coordinates: 33 52 N, 35 30 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Lesotho name: Maseru geographic coordinates: 29 19 S, 27 29 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Liberia name: Monrovia geographic coordinates: 6 18 N, 10 48 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Libya name: Tripoli (Tarabulus) geographic coordinates: 32 53 N, 13 10 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Liechtenstein name: Vaduz geographic coordinates: 47 08 N, 9 31 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Lithuania name: Vilnius geographic coordinates: 54 41 N, 25 19 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Luxembourg name: Luxembourg geographic coordinates: 49 36 N, 6 07 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Macedonia name: Skopje geographic coordinates: 42 00 N, 21 26 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Madagascar name: Antananarivo geographic coordinates: 18 55 S, 47 31 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Malawi name: Lilongwe geographic coordinates: 13 59 S, 33 47 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Malaysia name: Kuala Lumpur geographic coordinates: 3 10 N, 101 42 E time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) note: Putrajaya is referred to as administrative center not capital; Parliament meets in Kuala Lumpur Maldives name: Male geographic coordinates: 4 10 N, 73 30 E time difference: UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Mali name: Bamako geographic coordinates: 12 39 N, 8 00 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Malta name: Valletta geographic coordinates: 35 53 N, 14 30 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Marshall Islands name: Majuro geographic coordinates: 7 06 N, 171 23 E time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Mauritania name: Nouakchott geographic coordinates: 18 07 N, 16 02 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Mauritius name: Port Louis geographic coordinates: 20 09 S, 57 29 E time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Mayotte name: Mamoudzou geographic coordinates: 12 46 S, 45 13 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Mexico name: Mexico City (Distrito Federal) geographic coordinates: 19 26 N, 99 08 W time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in April; ends last Sunday in October note: Mexico is divided into three time zones Micronesia, Federated States of name: Palikir geographic coordinates: 6 55 N, 158 09 E time difference: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Moldova name: Chisinau (Kishinev) note: pronounced kee-shee-now geographic coordinates: 47 00 N, 28 51 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Monaco name: Monaco geographic coordinates: 43 44 N, 7 25 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Mongolia name: Ulaanbaatar geographic coordinates: 47 55 N, 106 55 E time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Montenegro name: Podgorica geographic coordinates: 42 26 N, 19 16 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1 hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Montserrat name: Plymouth geographic coordinates: 16 42 N, 62 13 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) note: Plymouth was abandoned in 1997 because of volcanic activity; interim government buildings have been built at Brades Estate in the Carr's Bay/Little Bay vicinity at the northwest end of Montserrat Morocco name: Rabat geographic coordinates: 34 01 N, 6 49 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Mozambique name: Maputo geographic coordinates: 25 57 S, 32 35 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Namibia name: Windhoek geographic coordinates: 22 34 S, 17 05 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in September; ends first Sunday in April Nauru no official capital; government offices in Yaren District time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Nepal name: Kathmandu geographic coordinates: 27 43 N, 85 19 E time difference: UTC+5.75 (10.75 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Netherlands name: Amsterdam geographic coordinates: 52 23 N, 4 54 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October note: The Hague is the seat of government; time descriptions apply to the continental Netherlands only, not to the Caribbean components Netherlands Antilles name: Willemstad (on Curacao) geographic coordinates: 12 06 N, 68 56 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) New Caledonia name: Noumea geographic coordinates: 22 16 S, 166 27 E time difference: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) New Zealand name: Wellington geographic coordinates: 41 28 S, 174 51 E time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in September; ends first Sunday in April note: New Zealand is divided into two time zones - New Zealand standard time (12 hours in advance of UTC), and Chatham Islands time (45 minutes in advance of New Zealand standard time) Nicaragua name: Managua geographic coordinates: 12 09 N, 86 17 W time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) Niger name: Niamey geographic coordinates: 13 31 N, 2 07 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Nigeria name: Abuja geographic coordinates: 9 05 N, 7 32 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Niue name: Alofi geographic coordinates: 19 01 S, 169 55 W time difference: UTC-11 (6 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) Norfolk Island name: Kingston geographic coordinates: 29 03 S, 167 58 E time difference: UTC+11.5 (16.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Northern Mariana Islands name: Saipan geographic coordinates: 15 12 N, 145 45 E time difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Norway name: Oslo geographic coordinates: 59 55 N, 10 45 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Oman name: Muscat geographic coordinates: 23 37 N, 58 35 E time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Pakistan name: Islamabad geographic coordinates: 33 42 N, 73 10 E time difference: UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, in 2009 - begins third Wednesday in April; ends first Sunday in November; note - a new policy of daylight saving time was initiated by the government in 2008; the specific date of the start of DST has varied over the last two years Palau name: Melekeok geographic coordinates: 7 29 N, 134 38 E time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Panama name: Panama City geographic coordinates: 8 58 N, 79 32 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time) Papua New Guinea name: Port Moresby geographic coordinates: 9 30 S, 147 10 E time difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Paraguay name: Asuncion geographic coordinates: 25 16 S, 57 40 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Peru name: Lima geographic coordinates: 12 03 S, 77 03 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time) Philippines name: Manila geographic coordinates: 14 35 N, 121 00 E time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Pitcairn Islands name: Adamstown geographic coordinates: 25 04 S, 130 05 W time difference: UTC-9 (4 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) Poland name: Warsaw geographic coordinates: 52 15 N, 21 00 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Portugal name: Lisbon geographic coordinates: 38 43 N, 9 08 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Puerto Rico name: San Juan geographic coordinates: 18 28 N, 66 07 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Qatar name: Doha geographic coordinates: 25 17 N, 51 32 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Romania name: Bucharest geographic coordinates: 44 26 N, 26 06 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Russia name: Moscow geographic coordinates: 55 45 N, 37 35 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October note: Russia is divided into 11 time zones Rwanda name: Kigali geographic coordinates: 1 57 S, 30 04 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Saint Barthelemy name: Gustavia geographic coordinates: 17 53 N, 62 51 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) Saint Helena name: Jamestown geographic coordinates: 15 56 S, 5 44 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Saint Kitts and Nevis name: Basseterre geographic coordinates: 17 18 N, 62 43 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Saint Lucia name: Castries geographic coordinates: 14 01 N, 61 00 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Saint Martin name: Marigot geographical coordinates: 18 04 N, 63 05 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time) daylight savings: +1 hour Saint Pierre and Miquelon name: Saint-Pierre geographic coordinates: 46 46 N, 56 11 W time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November Saint Vincent and the Grenadines name: Kingstown geographic coordinates: 13 09 N, 61 14 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Samoa name: Apia geographic coordinates: 13 50 S, 171 44 W time difference: UTC-11 (6 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) San Marino name: San Marino geographic coordinates: 43 56 N, 12 25 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Sao Tome and Principe name: Sao Tome geographic coordinates: 0 12 N, 6 39 E time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Saudi Arabia name: Riyadh geographic coordinates: 24 38 N, 46 43 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Senegal name: Dakar geographic coordinates: 14 40 N, 17 26 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Serbia name: Belgrade (Beograd) geographic coordinates: 44 50 N, 20 30 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Seychelles name: Victoria geographic coordinates: 4 38 S, 55 27 E time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Sierra Leone name: Freetown geographic coordinates: 8 30 N, 13 15 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Singapore name: Singapore geographic coordinates: 1 17 N, 103 51 E time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Slovakia name: Bratislava geographic coordinates: 48 09 N, 17 07 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Slovenia name: Ljubljana geographic coordinates: 46 03 N, 14 31 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Solomon Islands name: Honiara geographic coordinates: 9 26 S, 159 57 E time difference: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Somalia name: Mogadishu geographic coordinates: 2 04 N, 45 22 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) South Africa name: Pretoria (administrative capital) geographic coordinates: 25 42 S, 28 13 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) note: Cape Town (legislative capital); Bloemfontein (judicial capital) Spain name: Madrid geographic coordinates: 40 24 N, 3 41 W time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October note: Spain is divided into two time zones including the Canary Islands Sri Lanka name: Colombo geographic coordinates: 6 56 N, 79 51 E time difference: UTC+5.5 (10.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) note: Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte (legislative capital) Sudan name: Khartoum geographic coordinates: 15 36 N, 32 32 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Suriname name: Paramaribo geographic coordinates: 5 50 N, 55 10 W time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Svalbard name: Longyearbyen geographic coordinates: 78 13 N, 15 33 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Swaziland name: Mbabane geographic coordinates: 26 18 S, 31 06 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) note: Lobamba (royal and legislative capital) Sweden name: Stockholm geographic coordinates: 59 20 N, 18 03 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Switzerland name: Bern geographic coordinates: 46 57 N, 7 26 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Syria name: Damascus geographic coordinates: 33 30 N, 36 18 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins 1 April; ends 30 September Taiwan name: Taipei geographic coordinates: 25 03 N, 121 30 E time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Tajikistan name: Dushanbe geographic coordinates: 38 35 N, 68 48 E time difference: UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Tanzania name: Dar es Salaam geographic coordinates: 6 48 S, 39 17 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) note: legislative offices have been transferred to Dodoma, which is planned as the new national capital; the National Assembly now meets there on a regular basis Thailand name: Bangkok geographic coordinates: 13 45 N, 100 31 E time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Timor-Leste name: Dili geographic coordinates: 8 35 S, 125 36 E time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Togo name: Lome geographic coordinates: 6 08 N, 1 13 E time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Tokelau none; each atoll has its own administrative center time difference: UTC-11 (6 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) Tonga name: Nuku'alofa geographic coordinates: 21 08 S, 175 12 W time difference: UTC+13 (18 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Trinidad and Tobago name: Port-of-Spain geographic coordinates: 10 39 N, 61 31 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Tunisia name: Tunis geographic coordinates: 36 48 N, 10 11 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Turkey name: Ankara geographic coordinates: 39 56 N, 32 52 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Turkmenistan name: Ashgabat (Ashkhabad) geographic coordinates: 37 57 N, 58 23 E time difference: UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Turks and Caicos Islands name: Grand Turk (Cockburn Town) geographic coordinates: 21 28 N, 71 08 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in April; ends last Sunday in October Tuvalu name: Funafuti geographic coordinates: 8 30 S, 179 12 E time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) note: administrative offices are in Vaiaku Village on Fongafale Islet Uganda name: Kampala geographic coordinates: 0 19 N, 32 25 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Ukraine name: Kyiv (Kiev) geographic coordinates: 50 26 N, 30 31 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October United Arab Emirates name: Abu Dhabi geographic coordinates: 24 28 N, 54 22 E time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) United Kingdom name: London geographic coordinates: 51 30 N, 0 10 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October note: applies to the United Kingdom proper, not to its overseas dependencies or territories United States name: Washington, DC geographic coordinates: 38 53 N, 77 02 W time difference: UTC-5 (during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November note: the 50 United States cover six time zones Uruguay name: Montevideo geographic coordinates: 34 53 S, 56 11 W time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in October; ends second Sunday in March Uzbekistan name: Tashkent (Toshkent) geographic coordinates: 41 20 N, 69 18 E time difference: UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Vanuatu name: Port-Vila (on Efate) geographic coordinates: 17 44 S, 168 19 E time difference: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Venezuela name: Caracas geographic coordinates: 10 30 N, 66 56 W time difference: UTC-4.5 (half an hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Vietnam name: Hanoi (Ha Noi) geographic coordinates: 21 02 N, 105 51 E time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Virgin Islands name: Charlotte Amalie geographic coordinates: 18 21 N, 64 56 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Wallis and Futuna name: Mata-Utu (on Ile Uvea) geographic coordinates: 13 57 S, 171 56 W time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Western Sahara none time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Yemen name: Sanaa geographic coordinates: 15 21 N, 44 12 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Zambia name: Lusaka geographic coordinates: 15 25 S, 28 17 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Zimbabwe name: Harare geographic coordinates: 17 50 S, 31 03 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) ====================================================================== @2058 Field Listing :: Imports - commodities This entry provides a listing of the highest-valued imported products; it sometimes includes the percent of total dollar value. Country Imports - commodities(%) Afghanistan capital goods, food, textiles, petroleum products Albania machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, textiles, chemicals Algeria capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods American Samoa materials for canneries 56%, food 8%, petroleum products 7%, machinery and parts 6% (2004 est.) Andorra consumer goods, food, electricity Angola machinery and electrical equipment, vehicles and spare parts; medicines, food, textiles, military goods Anguilla fuels, foodstuffs, manufactures, chemicals, trucks, textiles Antigua and Barbuda food and live animals, machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, chemicals, oil Argentina machinery, motor vehicles, petroleum and natural gas, organic chemicals, plastics Armenia natural gas, petroleum, tobacco products, foodstuffs, diamonds Aruba machinery and electrical equipment, crude oil for refining and reexport, chemicals; foodstuffs Australia machinery and transport equipment, computers and office machines, telecommunication equipment and parts; crude oil and petroleum products Austria machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, metal goods, oil and oil products; foodstuffs Azerbaijan machinery and equipment, oil products, foodstuffs, metals, chemicals Bahamas, The machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, chemicals, mineral fuels; food and live animals Bahrain crude oil, machinery, chemicals Bangladesh machinery and equipment, chemicals, iron and steel, textiles, foodstuffs, petroleum products, cement Barbados consumer goods, machinery, foodstuffs, construction materials, chemicals, fuel, electrical components Belarus mineral products, machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs, metals Belgium raw materials, machinery and equipment, chemicals, raw diamonds, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, transportation equipment, oil products Belize machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods; fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals; food, beverages, tobacco Benin foodstuffs, capital goods, petroleum products Bermuda clothing, fuels, machinery and transport equipment, construction materials, chemicals, food and live animals Bhutan fuel and lubricants, grain, aircraft, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics, rice Bolivia petroleum products, plastics, paper, aircraft and aircraft parts, prepared foods, automobiles, insecticides, soybeans Bosnia and Herzegovina machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, foodstuffs Botswana foodstuffs, machinery, electrical goods, transport equipment, textiles, fuel and petroleum products, wood and paper products, metal and metal products Brazil machinery, electrical and transport equipment, chemical products, oil, automotive parts, electronics British Virgin Islands building materials, automobiles, foodstuffs, machinery Brunei machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, chemicals Bulgaria machinery and equipment; metals and ores; chemicals and plastics; fuels, minerals, and raw materials Burkina Faso capital goods, foodstuffs, petroleum Burma fabric, petroleum products, fertilizer, plastics, machinery, transport equipment; cement, construction materials, crude oil; food products, edible oil Burundi capital goods, petroleum products, foodstuffs Cambodia petroleum products, cigarettes, gold, construction materials, machinery, motor vehicles, pharmaceutical products Cameroon machinery, electrical equipment, transport equipment, fuel, food Canada machinery and equipment, motor vehicles and parts, crude oil, chemicals, electricity, durable consumer goods Cape Verde foodstuffs, industrial products, transport equipment, fuels Cayman Islands foodstuffs, manufactured goods Central African Republic food, textiles, petroleum products, machinery, electrical equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals Chad machinery and transportation equipment, industrial goods, foodstuffs, textiles Chile petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, electrical and telecommunications equipment, industrial machinery, vehicles, natural gas China electrical and other machinery, oil and mineral fuels, optical and medical equipment, metal ores, plastics, organic chemicals Christmas Island consumer goods Cocos (Keeling) Islands foodstuffs Colombia industrial equipment, transportation equipment, consumer goods, chemicals, paper products, fuels, electricity Comoros rice and other foodstuffs, consumer goods, petroleum products, cement, transport equipment Congo, Democratic Republic of the foodstuffs, mining and other machinery, transport equipment, fuels Congo, Republic of the capital equipment, construction materials, foodstuffs Cook Islands foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber, capital goods Costa Rica raw materials, consumer goods, capital equipment, petroleum, construction materials Cote d'Ivoire fuel, capital equipment, foodstuffs Croatia machinery, transport and electrical equipment; chemicals, fuels and lubricants; foodstuffs Cuba petroleum, food, machinery and equipment, chemicals Cyprus consumer goods, petroleum and lubricants, intermediate goods, machinery, transport equipment Czech Republic machinery and transport equipment 46%, raw materials and fuels 15%, chemicals 10% (2003) Denmark machinery and equipment, raw materials and semimanufactures for industry, chemicals, grain and foodstuffs, consumer goods Djibouti foods, beverages, transport equipment, chemicals, petroleum products Dominica manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, food, chemicals Dominican Republic foodstuffs, petroleum, cotton and fabrics, chemicals and pharmaceuticals Ecuador industrial materials, fuels and lubricants, nondurable consumer goods Egypt machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, wood products, fuels El Salvador raw materials, consumer goods, capital goods, fuels, foodstuffs, petroleum, electricity Equatorial Guinea petroleum sector equipment, other equipment Eritrea machinery, petroleum products, food, manufactured goods Estonia machinery and equipment 35%, textiles 19%, mineral fuels 19%, chemical products 9%, foodstuffs 6% (2001) Ethiopia food and live animals, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, machinery, motor vehicles, cereals, textiles European Union machinery, vehicles, aircraft, plastics, crude oil, chemicals, textiles, metals, foodstuffs, clothing Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) fuel, food and drink, building materials, clothing Faroe Islands consumer goods 36%, raw materials and semi-manufactures 32%, machinery and transport equipment 29%, fuels, fish, salt (1999) Fiji manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, petroleum products, food, chemicals Finland foodstuffs, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, transport equipment, iron and steel, machinery, textile yarn and fabrics, grains France machinery and equipment, vehicles, crude oil, aircraft, plastics, chemicals French Polynesia fuels, foodstuffs, machinery and equipment Gabon machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, construction materials Gambia, The foodstuffs, manufactures, fuel, machinery and transport equipment Gaza Strip food, consumer goods, construction materials Georgia fuels, vehicles, machinery and parts, grain and other foods, pharmaceuticals Germany machinery, vehicles, chemicals, foodstuffs, textiles, metals Ghana capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs Gibraltar fuels, manufactured goods, and foodstuffs Greece machinery, transport equipment, fuels, chemicals Greenland machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, petroleum products Grenada food, manufactured goods, machinery, chemicals, fuel Guam petroleum and petroleum products, food, manufactured goods Guatemala fuels, machinery and transport equipment, construction materials, grain, fertilizers, electricity Guernsey coal, gasoline, oil, machinery and equipment Guinea petroleum products, metals, machinery, transport equipment, textiles, grain and other foodstuffs Guinea-Bissau foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment, petroleum products Guyana manufactures, machinery, petroleum, food Haiti food, manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, raw materials Honduras machinery and transport equipment, industrial raw materials, chemical products, fuels, foodstuffs Hong Kong raw materials and semi-manufactures, consumer goods, capital goods, foodstuffs, fuel (most is re-exported) Hungary machinery and equipment 51.6%, other manufactures 35.7%, fuels and electricity 7.7%, food products 3.1%, raw materials 2.0% (2003) Iceland machinery and equipment, petroleum products, foodstuffs, textiles India crude oil, machinery, gems, fertilizer, chemicals Indonesia machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, foodstuffs Iran industrial raw materials and intermediate goods, capital goods, foodstuffs and other consumer goods, technical services Iraq food, medicine, manufactures Ireland data processing equipment, other machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum and petroleum products, textiles, clothing Isle of Man timber, fertilizers, fish Israel raw materials, military equipment, investment goods, rough diamonds, fuels, grain, consumer goods Italy engineering products, chemicals, transport equipment, energy products, minerals and nonferrous metals, textiles and clothing; food, beverages, and tobacco Jamaica food and other consumer goods, industrial supplies, fuel, parts and accessories of capital goods, machinery and transport equipment, construction materials Japan machinery and equipment, fuels, foodstuffs, chemicals, textiles, raw materials Jersey machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, foodstuffs, mineral fuels, chemicals Jordan crude oil, machinery, transport equipment, iron, cereals Kazakhstan machinery and equipment, metal products, foodstuffs Kenya machinery and transportation equipment, petroleum products, motor vehicles, iron and steel, resins and plastics Kiribati foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, miscellaneous manufactured goods, fuel Korea, North petroleum, coking coal, machinery and equipment, textiles, grain Korea, South machinery, electronics and electronic equipment, oil, steel, transport equipment, organic chemicals, plastics Kosovo foodstuffs, wood, petroleum, chemicals, machinery and electrical equipment Kuwait food, construction materials, vehicles and parts, clothing Kyrgyzstan oil and gas, machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs Laos machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, consumer goods Latvia machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, vehicles Lebanon petroleum products, cars, medicinal products, clothing, meat and live animals, consumer goods, paper, textile fabrics, tobacco, electrical machinery and equipment, chemicals Lesotho food; building materials, vehicles, machinery, medicines, petroleum products Liberia fuels, chemicals, machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured goods; foodstuffs Libya machinery, semi-finished goods, food, transport equipment, consumer products Liechtenstein agricultural products, raw materials, energy products, machinery, metal goods, textiles, foodstuffs, motor vehicles Lithuania mineral products, machinery and equipment, transport equipment, chemicals, textiles and clothing, metals Luxembourg minerals, metals, foodstuffs, quality consumer goods Macau raw materials and semi-manufactured goods, consumer goods (foodstuffs, beverages, tobacco), capital goods, mineral fuels and oils Macedonia machinery and equipment, automobiles, chemicals, fuels, food products Madagascar capital goods, petroleum, consumer goods, food Malawi food, petroleum products, semimanufactures, consumer goods, transportation equipment Malaysia electronics, machinery, petroleum products, plastics, vehicles, iron and steel products, chemicals Maldives petroleum products, ships, foodstuffs, clothing, intermediate and capital goods Mali petroleum, machinery and equipment, construction materials, foodstuffs, textiles Malta machinery and transport equipment, manufactured and semi-manufactured goods; food, drink, tobacco Marshall Islands foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels, beverages and tobacco Mauritania machinery and equipment, petroleum products, capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods Mauritius manufactured goods, capital equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals Mayotte food, machinery and equipment, transportation equipment, metals, chemicals Mexico metalworking machines, steel mill products, agricultural machinery, electrical equipment, car parts for assembly, repair parts for motor vehicles, aircraft, and aircraft parts Micronesia, Federated States of food, manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, beverages Moldova mineral products and fuel, machinery and equipment, chemicals, textiles Mongolia machinery and equipment, fuel, cars, food products, industrial consumer goods, chemicals, building materials, sugar, tea Montserrat machinery and transportation equipment, foodstuffs, manufactured goods, fuels, lubricants, and related materials Morocco crude petroleum, textile fabric, telecommunications equipment, wheat, gas and electricity, transistors, plastics Mozambique machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, chemicals, metal products, foodstuffs, textiles Namibia foodstuffs; petroleum products and fuel, machinery and equipment, chemicals Nauru food, fuel, manufactures, building materials, machinery Nepal petroleum products, machinery and equipment, electrical goods Netherlands machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, fuels, foodstuffs, clothing Netherlands Antilles crude petroleum, food, manufactures New Caledonia machinery and equipment, fuels, chemicals, foodstuffs New Zealand machinery and equipment, vehicles and aircraft, petroleum, electronics, textiles, plastics Nicaragua consumer goods, machinery and equipment, raw materials, petroleum products Niger foodstuffs, machinery, vehicles and parts, petroleum, cereals Nigeria machinery, chemicals, transport equipment, manufactured goods, food and live animals Niue food, live animals, manufactured goods, machinery, fuels, lubricants, chemicals, drugs Norfolk Island NA Northern Mariana Islands food, construction equipment and materials, petroleum products Norway machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals, foodstuffs Oman machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, livestock, lubricants Pakistan petroleum, petroleum products, machinery, plastics, transportation equipment, edible oils, paper and paperboard, iron and steel, tea Palau machinery and equipment, fuels, metals; foodstuffs Panama capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods, chemicals Papua New Guinea machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, fuels, chemicals Paraguay road vehicles, consumer goods, tobacco, petroleum products, electrical machinery, tractors, chemicals, vehicle parts Peru petroleum and petroleum products, plastics, machinery, vehicles, iron and steel, wheat, paper Philippines electronic products, mineral fuels, machinery and transport equipment, iron and steel, textile fabrics, grains, chemicals, plastic Pitcairn Islands fuel oil, machinery, building materials, flour, sugar, other foodstuffs Poland machinery and transport equipment 38%, intermediate manufactured goods 21%, chemicals 14.8%, minerals, fuels, lubricants, and related materials 9.1% (2003) Portugal agricultural products, food products, oil products, chemical products, plastics and rubber, skins and leather, wood and cork, wood pulp and paper, textile materials, clothing, footwear, minerals and mineral products, base metals, machinery and tools, vehicles and other transport material, and optical and precision instruments, computer accessories and parts, semi-conductors and related devices, household goods, passenger cars new and used, and wine products Puerto Rico chemicals, machinery and equipment, clothing, food, fish, petroleum products Qatar machinery and transport equipment, food, chemicals Romania machinery and equipment, fuels and minerals, chemicals, textile and products, metals, agricultural products Russia vehicles, machinery and equipment, plastics, medicines, iron and steel, consumer goods, meat, fruits and nuts, semifinished metal products Rwanda foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, steel, petroleum products, cement and construction material Saint Helena food, beverages, tobacco, fuel oils, animal feed, building materials, motor vehicles and parts, machinery and parts Saint Kitts and Nevis machinery, manufactures, food, fuels Saint Lucia food 23%, manufactured goods 21%, machinery and transportation equipment 19%, chemicals, fuels Saint Martin crude petroleum, food, manufactured items Saint Pierre and Miquelon meat, clothing, fuel, electrical equipment, machinery, building materials Saint Vincent and the Grenadines foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, chemicals and fertilizers, minerals and fuels Samoa machinery and equipment, industrial supplies, foodstuffs San Marino wide variety of consumer manufactures, food Sao Tome and Principe machinery and electrical equipment, food products, petroleum products Saudi Arabia machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, motor vehicles, textiles Senegal food and beverages, capital goods, fuels Seychelles machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals Sierra Leone foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels and lubricants, chemicals Singapore machinery and equipment, mineral fuels, chemicals, foodstuffs, consumer goods Slovakia machinery and transport equipment 41.1%, intermediate manufactured goods 19.3%, fuels 12.3%, chemicals 9.8%, miscellaneous manufactured goods 10.2% (2003) Slovenia machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, chemicals, fuels and lubricants, food Solomon Islands food, plant and equipment, manufactured goods, fuels, chemicals Somalia manufactures, petroleum products, foodstuffs, construction materials, qat South Africa machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum products, scientific instruments, foodstuffs Spain machinery and equipment, fuels, chemicals, semifinished goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods, measuring and medical control instruments Sri Lanka textile fabrics, mineral products, petroleum, foodstuffs, machinery and transportation equipment Sudan foodstuffs, manufactured goods, refinery and transport equipment, medicines and chemicals, textiles, wheat Suriname capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs, cotton, consumer goods Swaziland motor vehicles, machinery, transport equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals Sweden machinery, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, motor vehicles, iron and steel; foodstuffs, clothing Switzerland machinery, chemicals, vehicles, metals; agricultural products, textiles Syria machinery and transport equipment, electric power machinery, food and livestock, metal and metal products, chemicals and chemical products, plastics, yarn, paper Taiwan electronics, machinery, petroleum, precision instruments, organic chemicals, metals (2008) Tajikistan electricity, petroleum products, aluminum oxide, machinery and equipment, foodstuffs Tanzania consumer goods, machinery and transportation equipment, industrial raw materials, crude oil Thailand capital goods, intermediate goods and raw materials, consumer goods, fuels Timor-Leste food, gasoline, kerosene, machinery Togo machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products Tokelau foodstuffs, building materials, fuel Tonga foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, chemicals Trinidad and Tobago mineral fuels, lubricants, machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured goods, food, chemicals, live animals Tunisia textiles, machinery and equipment, hydrocarbons, chemicals, foodstuffs Turkey machinery, chemicals, semi-finished goods, fuels, transport equipment Turkmenistan machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs Turks and Caicos Islands food and beverages, tobacco, clothing, manufactures, construction materials Tuvalu food, animals, mineral fuels, machinery, manufactured goods Uganda capital equipment, vehicles, petroleum, medical supplies; cereals Ukraine energy, machinery and equipment, chemicals United Arab Emirates machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food United Kingdom manufactured goods, machinery, fuels; foodstuffs United States agricultural products 4.9%, industrial supplies 32.9% (crude oil 8.2%), capital goods 30.4% (computers, telecommunications equipment, motor vehicle parts, office machines, electric power machinery), consumer goods 31.8% (automobiles, clothing, medicines, furniture, toys) (2003) Uruguay crude petroleum and petroleum products, machinery, chemicals, road vehicles, paper, plastics Uzbekistan machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, ferrous and non-ferrous metals Vanuatu machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, fuels Venezuela raw materials, machinery and equipment, transport equipment, construction materials Vietnam machinery and equipment, petroleum products, fertilizer, steel products, raw cotton, grain, cement, motorcycles Virgin Islands crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials Wallis and Futuna chemicals, machinery, passenger ships, consumer goods West Bank food, consumer goods, construction materials Western Sahara fuel for fishing fleet, foodstuffs World the whole range of industrial and agricultural goods and services top ten - share of world trade: see listing for exports Yemen food and live animals, machinery and equipment, chemicals Zambia machinery, transportation equipment, petroleum products, electricity, fertilizer; foodstuffs, clothing Zimbabwe machinery and transport equipment, other manufactures, chemicals, fuels ====================================================================== @2059 Field Listing :: Climate This entry includes a brief description of typical weather regimes throughout the year. Country Climate Afghanistan arid to semiarid; cold winters and hot summers Akrotiri temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters Albania mild temperate; cool, cloudy, wet winters; hot, clear, dry summers; interior is cooler and wetter Algeria 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 American Samoa tropical marine, moderated by southeast trade winds; annual rainfall averages about 3 m; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May to October); little seasonal temperature variation Andorra temperate; snowy, cold winters and warm, dry summers Angola semiarid in south and along coast to Luanda; north has cool, dry season (May to October) and hot, rainy season (November to April) Anguilla tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds Antarctica 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 Antigua and Barbuda tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation Arctic Ocean 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 Argentina mostly temperate; arid in southeast; subantarctic in southwest Armenia highland continental, hot summers, cold winters Aruba tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation Ashmore and Cartier Islands tropical Atlantic Ocean 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 Australia generally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east; tropical in north Austria temperate; continental, cloudy; cold winters with frequent rain and some snow in lowlands and snow in mountains; moderate summers with occasional showers Azerbaijan dry, semiarid steppe Bahamas, The tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream Bahrain arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers Bangladesh tropical; mild winter (October to March); hot, humid summer (March to June); humid, warm rainy monsoon (June to October) Barbados tropical; rainy season (June to October) Belarus cold winters, cool and moist summers; transitional between continental and maritime Belgium temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy Belize tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May) Benin tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north Bermuda subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter Bhutan varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas Bolivia varies with altitude; humid and tropical to cold and semiarid Bosnia and Herzegovina hot summers and cold winters; areas of high elevation have short, cool summers and long, severe winters; mild, rainy winters along coast Botswana semiarid; warm winters and hot summers Bouvet Island antarctic Brazil mostly tropical, but temperate in south British Indian Ocean Territory tropical marine; hot, humid, moderated by trade winds British Virgin Islands subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds Brunei tropical; hot, humid, rainy Bulgaria temperate; cold, damp winters; hot, dry summers Burkina Faso tropical; warm, dry winters; hot, wet summers Burma tropical monsoon; cloudy, rainy, hot, humid summers (southwest monsoon, June to September); less cloudy, scant rainfall, mild temperatures, lower humidity during winter (northeast monsoon, December to April) Burundi equatorial; high plateau with considerable altitude variation (772 m to 2,670 m above sea level); average annual temperature varies with altitude from 23 to 17 degrees centigrade but is generally moderate as the average altitude is about 1,700 m; average annual rainfall is about 150 cm; two wet seasons (February to May and September to November), and two dry seasons (June to August and December to January) Cambodia tropical; rainy, monsoon season (May to November); dry season (December to April); little seasonal temperature variation Cameroon varies with terrain, from tropical along coast to semiarid and hot in north Canada varies from temperate in south to subarctic and arctic in north Cape Verde temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and very erratic Cayman Islands tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April) Central African Republic tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers Chad tropical in south, desert in north Chile temperate; desert in north; Mediterranean in central region; cool and damp in south China extremely diverse; tropical in south to subarctic in north Christmas Island tropical with a wet season (December to April) and dry season; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds Clipperton Island tropical; humid, average temperature 20-32 degrees C, wet season (May to October) Cocos (Keeling) Islands tropical with high humidity, moderated by the southeast trade winds for about nine months of the year Colombia tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands Comoros tropical marine; rainy season (November to May) Congo, Democratic Republic of the tropical; hot and humid in equatorial river basin; cooler and drier in southern highlands; cooler and wetter in eastern highlands; north of Equator - wet season (April to October), dry season (December to February); south of Equator - wet season (November to March), dry season (April to October) Congo, Republic of the tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to October); persistent high temperatures and humidity; particularly enervating climate astride the Equator Cook Islands tropical oceanic; moderated by trade winds; a dry season from April to November and a more humid season from December to March Coral Sea Islands tropical Costa Rica tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands Cote d'Ivoire tropical along coast, semiarid in far north; three seasons - warm and dry (November to March), hot and dry (March to May), hot and wet (June to October) Croatia Mediterranean and continental; continental climate predominant with hot summers and cold winters; mild winters, dry summers along coast Cuba tropical; moderated by trade winds; dry season (November to April); rainy season (May to October) Cyprus temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters Czech Republic temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters Denmark temperate; humid and overcast; mild, windy winters and cool summers Dhekelia temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters Djibouti desert; torrid, dry Dominica tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds; heavy rainfall Dominican Republic tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation; seasonal variation in rainfall Ecuador tropical along coast, becoming cooler inland at higher elevations; tropical in Amazonian jungle lowlands Egypt desert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters El Salvador tropical; rainy season (May to October); dry season (November to April); tropical on coast; temperate in uplands Equatorial Guinea tropical; always hot, humid Eritrea hot, dry desert strip along Red Sea coast; cooler and wetter in the central highlands (up to 61 cm of rainfall annually, heaviest June to September); semiarid in western hills and lowlands Estonia maritime; wet, moderate winters, cool summers Ethiopia tropical monsoon with wide topographic-induced variation European Union cold temperate; potentially subarctic in the north to temperate; mild wet winters; hot dry summers in the south Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) cold marine; strong westerly winds, cloudy, humid; rain occurs on more than half of days in year; average annual rainfall is 24 inches in Stanley; occasional snow all year, except in January and February, but does not accumulate Faroe Islands mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy Fiji tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation Finland cold temperate; potentially subarctic but comparatively mild because of moderating influence of the North Atlantic Current, Baltic Sea, and more than 60,000 lakes France metropolitan France: generally cool winters and mild summers, but mild winters and hot summers along the Mediterranean; occasional strong, cold, dry, north-to-northwesterly wind known as mistral French Guiana: tropical; hot, humid; little seasonal temperature variation Guadeloupe and Martinique: subtropical tempered by trade winds; moderately high humidity; rainy season (June to October); vulnerable to devastating cyclones (hurricanes) every eight years on average Reunion: tropical, but temperature moderates with elevation; cool and dry (May to November), hot and rainy (November to April) French Polynesia tropical, but moderate French Southern and Antarctic Lands Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul: oceanic with persistent westerly winds and high humidity Iles Crozet: windy, cold, wet, and cloudy Iles Kerguelen: oceanic, cold, overcast, windy Iles Eparses: tropical Gabon tropical; always hot, humid Gambia, The tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season (November to May) Gaza Strip temperate, mild winters, dry and warm to hot summers Georgia warm and pleasant; Mediterranean-like on Black Sea coast Germany temperate and marine; cool, cloudy, wet winters and summers; occasional warm mountain (foehn) wind Ghana tropical; warm and comparatively dry along southeast coast; hot and humid in southwest; hot and dry in north Gibraltar Mediterranean with mild winters and warm summers Greece temperate; mild, wet winters; hot, dry summers Greenland arctic to subarctic; cool summers, cold winters Grenada tropical; tempered by northeast trade winds Guam tropical marine; generally warm and humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season (January to June), rainy season (July to December); little seasonal temperature variation Guatemala tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands Guernsey temperate with mild winters and cool summers; about 50% of days are overcast Guinea generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds Guinea-Bissau tropical; generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds Guyana tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy seasons (May to August, November to January) Haiti tropical; semiarid where mountains in east cut off trade winds Heard Island and McDonald Islands antarctic Holy See (Vatican City) temperate; mild, rainy winters (September to May) with hot, dry summers (May to September) Honduras subtropical in lowlands, temperate in mountains Hong Kong subtropical monsoon; cool and humid in winter, hot and rainy from spring through summer, warm and sunny in fall Hungary temperate; cold, cloudy, humid winters; warm summers Iceland temperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild, windy winters; damp, cool summers India varies from tropical monsoon in south to temperate in north Indian Ocean northeast monsoon (December to April), southwest monsoon (June to October); tropical cyclones occur during May/June and October/November in the northern Indian Ocean and January/February in the southern Indian Ocean Indonesia tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands Iran mostly arid or semiarid, subtropical along Caspian coast Iraq mostly desert; mild to cool winters with dry, hot, cloudless summers; northern mountainous regions along Iranian and Turkish borders experience cold winters with occasionally heavy snows that melt in early spring, sometimes causing extensive flooding in central and southern Iraq Ireland temperate maritime; modified by North Atlantic Current; mild winters, cool summers; consistently humid; overcast about half the time Isle of Man temperate; cool summers and mild winters; overcast about a third of the time Israel temperate; hot and dry in southern and eastern desert areas Italy predominantly Mediterranean; Alpine in far north; hot, dry in south Jamaica tropical; hot, humid; temperate interior Jan Mayen arctic maritime with frequent storms and persistent fog Japan varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north Jersey temperate; mild winters and cool summers Jordan mostly arid desert; rainy season in west (November to April) Kazakhstan continental, cold winters and hot summers, arid and semiarid Kenya varies from tropical along coast to arid in interior Kiribati tropical; marine, hot and humid, moderated by trade winds Korea, North temperate with rainfall concentrated in summer Korea, South temperate, with rainfall heavier in summer than winter Kosovo influenced by continental air masses resulting in relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall and hot, dry summers and autumns; Mediterranean and alpine influences create regional variation; maximum rainfall between October and December Kuwait dry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool winters Kyrgyzstan dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan Mountains; subtropical in southwest (Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zone Laos tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to April) Latvia maritime; wet, moderate winters Lebanon Mediterranean; mild to cool, wet winters with hot, dry summers; Lebanon mountains experience heavy winter snows Lesotho temperate; cool to cold, dry winters; hot, wet summers Liberia tropical; hot, humid; dry winters with hot days and cool to cold nights; wet, cloudy summers with frequent heavy showers Libya Mediterranean along coast; dry, extreme desert interior Liechtenstein continental; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow or rain; cool to moderately warm, cloudy, humid summers Lithuania transitional, between maritime and continental; wet, moderate winters and summers Luxembourg modified continental with mild winters, cool summers Macau subtropical; marine with cool winters, warm summers Macedonia warm, dry summers and autumns; relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall Madagascar tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south Malawi sub-tropical; rainy season (November to May); dry season (May to November) Malaysia tropical; annual southwest (April to October) and northeast (October to February) monsoons Maldives tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August) Mali subtropical to arid; hot and dry (February to June); rainy, humid, and mild (June to November); cool and dry (November to February) Malta Mediterranean; mild, rainy winters; hot, dry summers Marshall Islands tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November; islands border typhoon belt Mauritania desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty Mauritius tropical, modified by southeast trade winds; warm, dry winter (May to November); hot, wet, humid summer (November to May) Mayotte tropical; marine; hot, humid, rainy season during northeastern monsoon (November to May); dry season is cooler (May to November) Mexico varies from tropical to desert Micronesia, Federated States of tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasionally severe damage Moldova moderate winters, warm summers Monaco Mediterranean with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers Mongolia desert; continental (large daily and seasonal temperature ranges) Montenegro Mediterranean climate, hot dry summers and autumns and relatively cold winters with heavy snowfalls inland Montserrat tropical; little daily or seasonal temperature variation Morocco Mediterranean, becoming more extreme in the interior Mozambique tropical to subtropical Namibia desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic Nauru tropical with a monsoonal pattern; rainy season (November to February) Navassa Island marine, tropical Nepal varies from cool summers and severe winters in north to subtropical summers and mild winters in south Netherlands temperate; marine; cool summers and mild winters Netherlands Antilles tropical; ameliorated by northeast trade winds New Caledonia tropical; modified by southeast trade winds; hot, humid New Zealand temperate with sharp regional contrasts Nicaragua tropical in lowlands, cooler in highlands Niger desert; mostly hot, dry, dusty; tropical in extreme south Nigeria varies; equatorial in south, tropical in center, arid in north Niue tropical; modified by southeast trade winds Norfolk Island subtropical; mild, little seasonal temperature variation Northern Mariana Islands tropical marine; moderated by northeast trade winds, little seasonal temperature variation; dry season December to June, rainy season July to October Norway temperate along coast, modified by North Atlantic Current; colder interior with increased precipitation and colder summers; rainy year-round on west coast Oman dry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strong southwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south Pacific Ocean planetary air pressure systems and resultant wind patterns exhibit remarkable uniformity in the south and east; trade winds and westerly winds are well-developed patterns, modified by seasonal fluctuations; tropical cyclones (hurricanes) may form south of Mexico from June to October and affect Mexico and Central America; continental influences cause climatic uniformity to be much less pronounced in the eastern and western regions at the same latitude in the North Pacific Ocean; the western Pacific is monsoonal - a rainy season occurs during the summer months, when moisture-laden winds blow from the ocean over the land, and a dry season during the winter months, when dry winds blow from the Asian landmass back to the ocean; tropical cyclones (typhoons) may strike southeast and east Asia from May to December Pakistan mostly hot, dry desert; temperate in northwest; arctic in north Palau tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November Panama tropical maritime; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season (May to January), short dry season (January to May) Papua New Guinea tropical; northwest monsoon (December to March), southeast monsoon (May to October); slight seasonal temperature variation Paracel Islands tropical Paraguay subtropical to temperate; substantial rainfall in the eastern portions, becoming semiarid in the far west Peru varies from tropical in east to dry desert in west; temperate to frigid in Andes Philippines tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October) Pitcairn Islands tropical; hot and humid; modified by southeast trade winds; rainy season (November to March) Poland temperate with cold, cloudy, moderately severe winters with frequent precipitation; mild summers with frequent showers and thundershowers Portugal maritime temperate; cool and rainy in north, warmer and drier in south Puerto Rico tropical marine, mild; little seasonal temperature variation Qatar arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers Romania temperate; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow and fog; sunny summers with frequent showers and thunderstorms Russia ranges from steppes in the south through humid continental in much of European Russia; subarctic in Siberia to tundra climate in the polar north; winters vary from cool along Black Sea coast to frigid in Siberia; summers vary from warm in the steppes to cool along Arctic coast Rwanda temperate; two rainy seasons (February to April, November to January); mild in mountains with frost and snow possible Saint Barthelemy tropical, with practically no variation in temperature; has two seasons (dry and humid) Saint Helena Saint Helena: tropical marine; mild, tempered by trade winds Ascension Island: tropical marine; mild, semi-arid Tristan da Cunha: temperate marine; mild, tempered by trade winds (tends to be cooler than Saint Helena) Saint Kitts and Nevis tropical, tempered by constant sea breezes; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November) Saint Lucia tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season January to April, rainy season May to August Saint Martin temperature averages 80-85 degrees all year long; low humidity, gentle trade winds, brief, intense rain showers; July-November is the hurricane season Saint Pierre and Miquelon cold and wet, with much mist and fog; spring and autumn are windy Saint Vincent and the Grenadines tropical; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November) Samoa tropical; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May to October) San Marino Mediterranean; mild to cool winters; warm, sunny summers Sao Tome and Principe tropical; hot, humid; one rainy season (October to May) Saudi Arabia harsh, dry desert with great temperature extremes Senegal tropical; hot, humid; rainy season (May to November) has strong southeast winds; dry season (December to April) dominated by hot, dry, harmattan wind Serbia in the north, continental climate (cold winters and hot, humid summers with well distributed rainfall); in other parts, continental and Mediterranean climate (relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall and hot, dry summers and autumns) Seychelles tropical marine; humid; cooler season during southeast monsoon (late May to September); warmer season during northwest monsoon (March to May) Sierra Leone tropical; hot, humid; summer rainy season (May to December); winter dry season (December to April) Singapore tropical; hot, humid, rainy; two distinct monsoon seasons - Northeastern monsoon (December to March) and Southwestern monsoon (June to September); inter-monsoon - frequent afternoon and early evening thunderstorms Slovakia temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters Slovenia Mediterranean climate on the coast, continental climate with mild to hot summers and cold winters in the plateaus and valleys to the east Solomon Islands tropical monsoon; few extremes of temperature and weather Somalia principally desert; northeast monsoon (December to February), moderate temperatures in north and hot in south; southwest monsoon (May to October), torrid in the north and hot in the south, irregular rainfall, hot and humid periods (tangambili) between monsoons South Africa mostly semiarid; subtropical along east coast; sunny days, cool nights South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands variable, with mostly westerly winds throughout the year interspersed with periods of calm; nearly all precipitation falls as snow Southern Ocean sea temperatures vary from about 10 degrees Celsius to -2 degrees Celsius; cyclonic storms travel eastward around the continent and frequently are intense because of the temperature contrast between ice and open ocean; the ocean area from about latitude 40 south to the Antarctic Circle has the strongest average winds found anywhere on Earth; in winter the ocean freezes outward to 65 degrees south latitude in the Pacific sector and 55 degrees south latitude in the Atlantic sector, lowering surface temperatures well below 0 degrees Celsius; at some coastal points intense persistent drainage winds from the interior keep the shoreline ice-free throughout the winter Spain temperate; clear, hot summers in interior, more moderate and cloudy along coast; cloudy, cold winters in interior, partly cloudy and cool along coast Spratly Islands tropical Sri Lanka tropical monsoon; northeast monsoon (December to March); southwest monsoon (June to October) Sudan tropical in south; arid desert in north; rainy season varies by region (April to November) Suriname tropical; moderated by trade winds Svalbard arctic, tempered by warm North Atlantic Current; cool summers, cold winters; North Atlantic Current flows along west and north coasts of Spitsbergen, keeping water open and navigable most of the year Swaziland varies from tropical to near temperate Sweden temperate in south with cold, cloudy winters and cool, partly cloudy summers; subarctic in north Switzerland temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers Syria mostly desert; hot, dry, sunny summers (June to August) and mild, rainy winters (December to February) along coast; cold weather with snow or sleet periodically in Damascus Taiwan tropical; marine; rainy season during southwest monsoon (June to August); cloudiness is persistent and extensive all year Tajikistan midlatitude continental, hot summers, mild winters; semiarid to polar in Pamir Mountains Tanzania varies from tropical along coast to temperate in highlands Thailand tropical; rainy, warm, cloudy southwest monsoon (mid-May to September); dry, cool northeast monsoon (November to mid-March); southern isthmus always hot and humid Timor-Leste tropical; hot, humid; distinct rainy and dry seasons Togo tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north Tokelau tropical; moderated by trade winds (April to November) Tonga tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December to May), cool season (May to December) Trinidad and Tobago tropical; rainy season (June to December) Tunisia temperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers; desert in south Turkey temperate; hot, dry summers with mild, wet winters; harsher in interior Turkmenistan subtropical desert Turks and Caicos Islands tropical; marine; moderated by trade winds; sunny and relatively dry Tuvalu tropical; moderated by easterly trade winds (March to November); westerly gales and heavy rain (November to March) Uganda tropical; generally rainy with two dry seasons (December to February, June to August); semiarid in northeast Ukraine temperate continental; Mediterranean only on the southern Crimean coast; precipitation disproportionately distributed, highest in west and north, lesser in east and southeast; winters vary from cool along the Black Sea to cold farther inland; summers are warm across the greater part of the country, hot in the south United Arab Emirates desert; cooler in eastern mountains United Kingdom temperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current; more than one-half of the days are overcast United States mostly temperate, but tropical in Hawaii and Florida, arctic in Alaska, semiarid in the great plains west of the Mississippi River, and arid in the Great Basin of the southwest; low winter temperatures in the northwest are ameliorated occasionally in January and February by warm chinook winds from the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands: equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun Johnston Atoll and Kingman Reef: tropical, but generally dry; consistent northeast trade winds with little seasonal temperature variation Midway Islands: subtropical with cool, moist winters (December to February) and warm, dry summers (May to October); moderated by prevailing easterly winds; most of the 1,067 mm (42 in) of annual rainfall occurs during the winter Palmyra Atoll: equatorial, hot; located within the low pressure area of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) where the northeast and southeast trade winds meet, it is extremely wet with between 4,000-5,000 mm (160-200 in) of rainfall each year Uruguay warm temperate; freezing temperatures almost unknown Uzbekistan mostly midlatitude desert, long, hot summers, mild winters; semiarid grassland in east Vanuatu tropical; moderated by southeast trade winds from May to October; moderate rainfall from November to April; may be affected by cyclones from December to April Venezuela tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands Vietnam tropical in south; monsoonal in north with hot, rainy season (May to September) and warm, dry season (October to March) Virgin Islands subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season September to November Wake Island tropical Wallis and Futuna tropical; hot, rainy season (November to April); cool, dry season (May to October); rains 2,500-3,000 mm per year (80% humidity); average temperature 26.6 degrees C West Bank temperate; temperature and precipitation vary with altitude, warm to hot summers, cool to mild winters Western Sahara hot, dry desert; rain is rare; cold offshore air currents produce fog and heavy dew World a wide equatorial band of hot and humid tropical climates - bordered north and south by subtropical temperate zones - that separate two large areas of cold and dry polar climates Yemen mostly desert; hot and humid along west coast; temperate in western mountains affected by seasonal monsoon; extraordinarily hot, dry, harsh desert in east Zambia tropical; modified by altitude; rainy season (October to April) Zimbabwe tropical; moderated by altitude; rainy season (November to March) ====================================================================== @2060 Field Listing :: Coastline This entry gives the total length of the boundary between the land area (including islands) and the sea. Country Coastline(km) Afghanistan 0 km (landlocked) Akrotiri 56.3 km Albania 362 km Algeria 998 km American Samoa 116 km Andorra 0 km (landlocked) Angola 1,600 km Anguilla 61 km Antarctica 17,968 km Antigua and Barbuda 153 km Arctic Ocean 45,389 km Argentina 4,989 km Armenia 0 km (landlocked) Aruba 68.5 km Ashmore and Cartier Islands 74.1 km Atlantic Ocean 111,866 km Australia 25,760 km Austria 0 km (landlocked) Azerbaijan 0 km (landlocked); note - Azerbaijan borders the Caspian Sea (713 km) Bahamas, The 3,542 km Bahrain 161 km Bangladesh 580 km Barbados 97 km Belarus 0 km (landlocked) Belgium 66.5 km Belize 386 km Benin 121 km Bermuda 103 km Bhutan 0 km (landlocked) Bolivia 0 km (landlocked) Bosnia and Herzegovina 20 km Botswana 0 km (landlocked) Bouvet Island 29.6 km Brazil 7,491 km British Indian Ocean Territory 698 km British Virgin Islands 80 km Brunei 161 km Bulgaria 354 km Burkina Faso 0 km (landlocked) Burma 1,930 km Burundi 0 km (landlocked) Cambodia 443 km Cameroon 402 km Canada 202,080 km Cape Verde 965 km Cayman Islands 160 km Central African Republic 0 km (landlocked) Chad 0 km (landlocked) Chile 6,435 km China 14,500 km Christmas Island 138.9 km Clipperton Island 11.1 km Cocos (Keeling) Islands 26 km Colombia 3,208 km (Caribbean Sea 1,760 km, North Pacific Ocean 1,448 km) Comoros 340 km Congo, Democratic Republic of the 37 km Congo, Republic of the 169 km Cook Islands 120 km Coral Sea Islands 3,095 km Costa Rica 1,290 km Cote d'Ivoire 515 km Croatia 5,835 km (mainland 1,777 km, islands 4,058 km) Cuba 3,735 km Cyprus 648 km Czech Republic 0 km (landlocked) Denmark 7,314 km Dhekelia 27.5 km Djibouti 314 km Dominica 148 km Dominican Republic 1,288 km Ecuador 2,237 km Egypt 2,450 km El Salvador 307 km Equatorial Guinea 296 km Eritrea 2,234 km (mainland on Red Sea 1,151 km, islands in Red Sea 1,083 km) Estonia 3,794 km Ethiopia 0 km (landlocked) European Union 65,992.9 km Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 1,288 km Faroe Islands 1,117 km Fiji 1,129 km Finland 1,250 km France total: 4,668 km metropolitan France: 3,427 km French Polynesia 2,525 km French Southern and Antarctic Lands Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): 28 km Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): Iles Kerguelen: 2,800 km Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): 35.2 km Europa Island (Iles Eparses): 22.2 km Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses): 35.2 km Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): 24.1 km Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): 3.7 km Gabon 885 km Gambia, The 80 km Gaza Strip 40 km Georgia 310 km Germany 2,389 km Ghana 539 km Gibraltar 12 km Greece 13,676 km Greenland 44,087 km Grenada 121 km Guam 125.5 km Guatemala 400 km Guernsey 50 km Guinea 320 km Guinea-Bissau 350 km Guyana 459 km Haiti 1,771 km Heard Island and McDonald Islands 101.9 km Holy See (Vatican City) 0 km (landlocked) Honduras 820 km Hong Kong 733 km Hungary 0 km (landlocked) Iceland 4,970 km India 7,000 km Indian Ocean 66,526 km Indonesia 54,716 km Iran 2,440 km; note - Iran also borders the Caspian Sea (740 km) Iraq 58 km Ireland 1,448 km Isle of Man 160 km Israel 273 km Italy 7,600 km Jamaica 1,022 km Jan Mayen 124.1 km Japan 29,751 km Jersey 70 km Jordan 26 km Kazakhstan 0 km (landlocked); note - Kazakhstan borders the Aral Sea, now split into two bodies of water (1,070 km), and the Caspian Sea (1,894 km) Kenya 536 km Kiribati 1,143 km Korea, North 2,495 km Korea, South 2,413 km Kosovo 0 km (landlocked) Kuwait 499 km Kyrgyzstan 0 km (landlocked) Laos 0 km (landlocked) Latvia 498 km Lebanon 225 km Lesotho 0 km (landlocked) Liberia 579 km Libya 1,770 km Liechtenstein 0 km (doubly landlocked) Lithuania 90 km Luxembourg 0 km (landlocked) Macau 41 km Macedonia 0 km (landlocked) Madagascar 4,828 km Malawi 0 km (landlocked) Malaysia 4,675 km (Peninsular Malaysia 2,068 km, East Malaysia 2,607 km) Maldives 644 km Mali 0 km (landlocked) Malta 196.8 km (excludes 56.01 km for the island of Gozo) Marshall Islands 370.4 km Mauritania 754 km Mauritius 177 km Mayotte 185.2 km Mexico 9,330 km Micronesia, Federated States of 6,112 km Moldova 0 km (landlocked) Monaco 4.1 km Mongolia 0 km (landlocked) Montenegro 293.5 km Montserrat 40 km Morocco 1,835 km Mozambique 2,470 km Namibia 1,572 km Nauru 30 km Navassa Island 8 km Nepal 0 km (landlocked) Netherlands 451 km Netherlands Antilles 364 km New Caledonia 2,254 km New Zealand 15,134 km Nicaragua 910 km Niger 0 km (landlocked) Nigeria 853 km Niue 64 km Norfolk Island 32 km Northern Mariana Islands 1,482 km Norway 25,148 km (includes mainland 2,650 km, as well as long fjords, numerous small islands, and minor indentations 22,498 km; length of island coastlines 58,133 km) Oman 2,092 km Pacific Ocean 135,663 km Pakistan 1,046 km Palau 1,519 km Panama 2,490 km Papua New Guinea 5,152 km Paracel Islands 518 km Paraguay 0 km (landlocked) Peru 2,414 km Philippines 36,289 km Pitcairn Islands 51 km Poland 440 km Portugal 1,793 km Puerto Rico 501 km Qatar 563 km Romania 225 km Russia 37,653 km Rwanda 0 km (landlocked) Saint Helena Saint Helena: 60 km Ascension Island: NA Tristan da Cunha: 40 km Saint Kitts and Nevis 135 km Saint Lucia 158 km Saint Martin 58.9 km (for entire island) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 120 km Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 84 km Samoa 403 km San Marino 0 km (landlocked) Sao Tome and Principe 209 km Saudi Arabia 2,640 km Senegal 531 km Serbia 0 km (landlocked) Seychelles 491 km Sierra Leone 402 km Singapore 193 km Slovakia 0 km (landlocked) Slovenia 46.6 km Solomon Islands 5,313 km Somalia 3,025 km South Africa 2,798 km South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands NA Southern Ocean 17,968 km Spain 4,964 km Spratly Islands 926 km Sri Lanka 1,340 km Sudan 853 km Suriname 386 km Svalbard 3,587 km Swaziland 0 km (landlocked) Sweden 3,218 km Switzerland 0 km (landlocked) Syria 193 km Taiwan 1,566.3 km Tajikistan 0 km (landlocked) Tanzania 1,424 km Thailand 3,219 km Timor-Leste 706 km Togo 56 km Tokelau 101 km Tonga 419 km Trinidad and Tobago 362 km Tunisia 1,148 km Turkey 7,200 km Turkmenistan 0 km; note - Turkmenistan borders the Caspian Sea (1,768 km) Turks and Caicos Islands 389 km Tuvalu 24 km Uganda 0 km (landlocked) Ukraine 2,782 km United Arab Emirates 1,318 km United Kingdom 12,429 km United States 19,924 km United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges Baker Island: 4.8 km Howland Island: 6.4 km Jarvis Island: 8 km Johnston Atoll: 34 km Kingman Reef: 3 km Midway Islands: 15 km Palmyra Atoll: 14.5 km Uruguay 660 km Uzbekistan 0 km (doubly landlocked); note - Uzbekistan includes the southern portion of the Aral Sea with a 420 km shoreline Vanuatu 2,528 km Venezuela 2,800 km Vietnam 3,444 km (excludes islands) Virgin Islands 188 km Wake Island 19.3 km Wallis and Futuna 129 km West Bank 0 km (landlocked) Western Sahara 1,110 km World 356,000 km note: 94 nations and other entities are islands that border no other countries, they include: American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Ashmore and Cartier Islands, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Baker Island, Barbados, Bermuda, Bouvet Island, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Christmas Island, Clipperton Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Comoros, Cook Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Cuba, Cyprus, Dominica, Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), Faroe Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Greenland, Grenada, Guam, Guernsey, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Howland Island, Iceland, Isle of Man, Jamaica, Jan Mayen, Japan, Jarvis Island, Jersey, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Kiribati, Madagascar, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Martinique, Mauritius, Mayotte, Federated States of Micronesia, Midway Islands, Montserrat, Nauru, Navassa Island, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Norfolk Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Palmyra Atoll, Paracel Islands, Philippines, Pitcairn Islands, Puerto Rico, Reunion, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Helena, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Spratly Islands, Sri Lanka, Svalbard, Tokelau, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Virgin Islands, Wake Island, Wallis and Futuna, Taiwan Yemen 1,906 km Zambia 0 km (landlocked) Zimbabwe 0 km (landlocked) ====================================================================== @2061 Field Listing :: Imports - partners This entry provides a rank ordering of trading partners starting with the most important; it sometimes includes the percent of total dollar value. Country Imports - partners(%) Afghanistan Pakistan 36.9%, US 9.5%, Germany 7.7%, India 5.2% (2008) Albania Italy 32.2%, Greece 13.1%, Turkey 7.2%, Germany 6.6%, China 4.5%, Russia 4.4% (2008) Algeria France 16.5%, Italy 11%, China 10.3%, Spain 7.4%, Germany 6.1%, US 5.5% (2008) Angola Portugal 17.6%, China 15.7%, US 11.3%, Brazil 7.6%, South Korea 6.8%, South Africa 4.8% (2008) Argentina Brazil 31.3%, China 12.4%, US 12.2%, Germany 4.4% (2008) Armenia Russia 19.3%, China 8.7%, Ukraine 7%, Turkey 6.1%, Germany 5.8%, US 4.9%, Iran 4.6% (2008) Aruba US 53.3%, Netherlands 11.8%, UK 4.6% (2008) Australia China 15.4%, US 12%, Japan 9.1%, Singapore 7%, Germany 5%, Thailand 4.5%, UK 4.3%, Malaysia 4.1% (2008) Austria Germany 44.5%, Italy 7.1%, Switzerland 5.2%, Netherlands 4.1% (2008) Azerbaijan Russia 18.8%, Turkey 11.3%, Germany 8.4%, Ukraine 7.9%, China 6.7%, UK 5.4% (2008) Bahamas, The US 25.1%, South Korea 18.8%, Japan 16.4%, Singapore 7.3%, Venezuela 5% (2008) Bahrain Saudi Arabia 26.7%, Japan 8.9%, US 7.8%, China 6.2%, Germany 4.8%, South Korea 4.7%, UK 4.5% (2008) Bangladesh China 14.7%, India 14.7%, Kuwait 7.5%, Singapore 7.1%, Japan 4.1% (2008) Barbados US 27.1%, Trinidad and Tobago 25.6%, Russia 7.1%, Colombia 6.4%, Germany 4.1% (2008) Belarus Russia 59.8%, Germany 7.1%, Ukraine 5.4% (2008) Belgium Netherlands 19.4%, Germany 17.2%, France 11%, UK 5.7%, US 5.6%, China 4.2% (2008) Belize US 37.4%, Mexico 12.9%, Cuba 7.7%, Guatemala 6.1%, Russia 5%, China 4.2% (2008) Benin China 35.9%, US 13.2%, Thailand 6.5%, France 6.5%, Malaysia 6.2%, India 4.4% (2008) Bermuda Italy 26.3%, US 18%, South Korea 17.3%, UK 8.3%, Singapore 5.3%, France 5.1%, Norway 4.4% (2008) Bhutan India 59.5%, Japan 13.4%, China 5.6% (2008) Bolivia Brazil 26.7%, Argentina 16.3%, US 10.5%, Chile 9.5%, Peru 7.1%, China 4.8% (2008) Bosnia and Herzegovina Croatia 24.6%, Slovenia 12.7%, Germany 12.3%, Italy 10.5%, Hungary 6.6%, Turkey 6.5%, Austria 6.3% (2008) Brazil US 14.9%, China 11.6%, Argentina 7.9%, Germany 7% (2008) Brunei Singapore 36.5%, Malaysia 19%, Japan 7.7%, China 5.5%, Thailand 5%, US 4.7%, UK 4.7% (2008) Bulgaria Russia 14.6%, Germany 11.8%, Italy 7.9%, Ukraine 7.3%, Romania 5.6%, Turkey 5.5%, Greece 5.4%, Austria 4.1% (2008) Burkina Faso Cote d'Ivoire 26.7%, France 18.4%, Togo 7.4%, Libya 4.2% (2008) Burma China 31.9%, Thailand 21.2%, Singapore 20.7%, Malaysia 5.1%, Indonesia 4% (2008) Burundi Saudi Arabia 20.7%, Belgium 12.6%, Uganda 8.4%, Kenya 7.4%, China 5.9%, France 5.4%, Germany 4.9%, India 4.1%, Tanzania 4.1%, Japan 4% (2008) Cambodia Thailand 26.8%, Vietnam 19%, China 14.5%, Hong Kong 8.1%, Singapore 6.9% (2008) Cameroon France 21.1%, Nigeria 13.8%, China 9.5%, Belgium 6.1% (2008) Canada US 52.4%, China 9.8%, Mexico 4.1% (2008) Cape Verde Portugal 40.3%, Netherlands 11.8%, Spain 6.7%, UK 6.5%, Cote d'Ivoire 4.6%, Brazil 4.1% (2008) Central African Republic South Korea 20.2%, France 13.6%, Cameroon 7.7%, Netherlands 5.8%, US 5.3% (2008) Chad France 17.5%, Cameroon 14.8%, China 9.8%, Ukraine 9.5%, US 7.7%, Germany 5.6%, Saudi Arabia 4.7%, Netherlands 4% (2008) Chile US 19.1%, China 11.9%, Brazil 9.3%, Argentina 8.8%, South Korea 5.6%, Japan 4.6% (2008) China Japan 13.3%, South Korea 9.9%, US 7.2%, Germany 4.9% (2008) Colombia US 29.2%, China 11.5%, Mexico 7.9%, Brazil 5.9% (2008) Comoros Brazil 13.4%, France 13.1%, China 11.5%, UAE 9.1%, India 5.8%, Italy 5.3%, Pakistan 5.3%, Singapore 4.2%, Kenya 4.2% (2008) Congo, Democratic Republic of the South Africa 28.7%, Belgium 10%, Zambia 7.2%, Zimbabwe 6%, China 5.9%, Kenya 5.1%, France 4.7% (2008) Congo, Republic of the France 22.1%, China 18.7%, US 5.6%, Italy 5.2%, India 5.1%, Belgium 4.4% (2008) Costa Rica US 42.9%, Mexico 6.9%, Venezuela 6.3%, Japan 5.4%, China 4.7%, Brazil 4.2% (2008) Cote d'Ivoire Nigeria 31.5%, France 14.9%, China 7.2% (2008) Croatia Italy 17.1%, Germany 13.4%, Russia 10.5%, China 6.1%, Slovenia 5.6%, Austria 4.9% (2008) Cuba Venezuela 30%, China 11.9%, Spain 10.1%, Canada 6.4%, US 6.3% (2008) Cyprus Greece 16.9%, Italy 10.7%, UK 8.7%, Germany 8.3%, Israel 8.2%, China 5.3%, Netherlands 4.1%, France 4% (2008) Czech Republic Germany 30.3%, Slovakia 6.6%, Poland 6.4%, Russia 6.2%, Netherlands 5.6%, Austria 5.2%, China 4.9%, Italy 4.1% (2008) Denmark Germany 20.9%, Sweden 14%, Netherlands 6.7%, Norway 6.3%, China 5.7%, UK 5.1% (2008) Djibouti Saudi Arabia 20.5%, India 20.5%, China 10.6%, US 6%, Malaysia 6% (2008) Dominica Japan 43.2%, US 17%, China 12.1%, Trinidad and Tobago 8.4% (2008) Dominican Republic US 39.2%, Venezuela 7.7%, Mexico 5.4%, Colombia 4.9% (2008) Ecuador US 19.1%, Venezuela 13.8%, Colombia 9.9%, China 8.4%, Brazil 4.8%, Japan 4.1% (2008) Egypt US 10.3%, China 9.9%, Italy 7.3%, Germany 6.8%, Saudi Arabia 4.9% (2008) El Salvador US 29.9%, Guatemala 11.8%, Mexico 9.7%, China 4.5%, France 4.4% (2008) Equatorial Guinea China 17.7%, Spain 13.3%, US 11.8%, France 10.9%, Cote d'Ivoire 10.4%, Italy 5.5%, UK 5.1% (2008) Eritrea India 28.5%, Saudi Arabia 17.8%, Italy 10.9%, China 8.5%, US 4.4%, Germany 4% (2008) Estonia Finland 14.2%, Germany 13.3%, Sweden 10%, Lithuania 8.9%, Latvia 8.9%, Russia 7.4%, Poland 4.6% (2008) Ethiopia China 16.3%, Saudi Arabia 12%, India 8.7%, Italy 6%, Japan 4.9%, US 4.5% (2008) Faroe Islands Denmark 50.4%, Norway 20.2%, Sweden 6.4%, UK 4.2%, Iceland 4.1% (2008) Fiji Singapore 30.5%, Australia 20.5%, NZ 15.5%, China 5.4% (2008) Finland Russia 16.3%, Germany 15.7%, Sweden 13.6%, Netherlands 6.3%, China 5.1%, UK 4.2% (2008) France Germany 17.9%, Belgium 11.7%, Italy 8.3%, Spain 6.9%, Netherlands 6.8%, UK 5.1%, US 4.3% (2008) Gabon France 32.2%, US 11.1%, China 5.4%, Belgium 4.7%, Cameroon 4.4%, Netherlands 4.2% (2008) Gambia, The China 20.6%, Senegal 12.1%, Cote d'Ivoire 8.7%, Brazil 7.7%, Netherlands 5% (2008) Georgia Turkey 14.9%, Ukraine 10.4%, Azerbaijan 9.6%, Germany 7.9%, Russia 6.8%, US 5.7%, China 4.7%, UAE 4.4% (2008) Germany Netherlands 12.5%, France 8.3%, Belgium 7.5%, China 6.2%, Italy 5.7%, UK 5.4%, Austria 4.3%, Russia 4.2%, US 4.2% (2008) Ghana China 15.6%, Nigeria 14.7%, India 7.4%, US 5.5%, France 4.4%, UK 4.4% (2008) Greece Germany 13.3%, Italy 12.8%, China 6.2%, France 5.6%, Netherlands 5.1%, Russia 4.7% (2008) Greenland Denmark 59.1%, Sweden 20.9%, Norway 4.7%, UK 4.4% (2008) Grenada Trinidad and Tobago 39.6%, US 22.5%, Barbados 3.3% (2008) Guatemala US 36.7%, Mexico 9.7%, China 5.8%, El Salvador 4.8% (2008) Guinea China 9.6%, France 7.8%, Netherlands 7.6% (2008) Guinea-Bissau Portugal 24.5%, Senegal 17.2%, Pakistan 4.8%, France 4.6% (2008) Guyana US 23.4%, Trinidad and Tobago 22.3%, Finland 7.7%, Cuba 6.1%, China 5.7% (2008) Haiti US 34%, Dominican Republic 23.1%, Netherlands Antilles 10.6%, China 4.5% (2008) Honduras US 50%, Guatemala 7.6%, El Salvador 5.3%, Mexico 4.7%, Costa Rica 4.2% (2008) Hong Kong China 46.6%, Japan 9.8%, Singapore 6.4%, US 5% (2008) Hungary Germany 25.4%, Russia 9%, China 7.6%, Austria 6.1%, Netherlands 4.4%, France 4.4%, Italy 4.3% (2008) Iceland Norway 10.9%, Germany 10.4%, Sweden 9%, US 8%, Denmark 7.4%, China 6.8%, Netherlands 6%, UK 4.4%, Japan 4% (2008) India China 11.1%, Saudi Arabia 7.5%, US 6.6%, UAE 5.1%, Iran 4.2%, Singapore 4.2%, Germany 4.2% (2008) Indonesia Singapore 16.9%, China 11.8%, Japan 11.7%, Malaysia 6.9%, US 6.1%, South Korea 5.4%, Thailand 4.9% (2008) Iran UAE 19.3%, China 13%, Germany 9.2%, South Korea 7%, Italy 5.1%, France 4.3%, Russia 4.2% (2008) Iraq Syria 26.4%, Turkey 19.7%, US 10.7%, Jordan 6.5%, China 6% (2008) Ireland UK 37.7%, US 11.6%, Germany 8.7%, Netherlands 5.6% (2008) Israel US 12.3%, Belgium 6.5%, China 6.5%, Switzerland 6.1%, Germany 6% (2008) Italy Germany 16%, France 8.6%, China 6.2%, Netherlands 5.3%, Libya 4.6%, Russia 4.3% (2008) Jamaica US 39.4%, Trinidad and Tobago 17.5%, Venezuela 11.6% (2008) Japan China 18.9%, US 10.4%, Saudi Arabia 6.7%, Australia 6.2%, UAE 6.1%, Indonesia 4.3% (2008) Jordan Saudi Arabia 21.2%, China 10.4%, Germany 6%, US 4.6%, Egypt 4.5%, Ukraine 4.3% (2008) Kazakhstan Russia 35.9%, China 24.3%, Germany 6%, Ukraine 4.5% (2008) Kenya India 14.1%, UAE 11.5%, China 10%, Saudi Arabia 8%, South Africa 5.7%, Japan 5.1% (2008) Korea, North China 46%, South Korea 34%, Thailand 6%, Russia 4% (2007) Korea, South China 17.7%, Japan 14%, US 8.9%, Saudi Arabia 7.8%, UAE 4.4%, Australia 4.1% (2008) Kuwait US 11.9%, Japan 9.2%, Germany 8.1%, China 7.6%, Saudi Arabia 7%, Italy 4.8%, UK 4.2% (2008) Kyrgyzstan Russia 36.6%, China 17.9%, Kazakhstan 9.2%, Germany 8.2% (2008) Laos Thailand 68.5%, China 10.5%, Vietnam 5.8% (2008) Latvia Lithuania 16.1%, Germany 12.9%, Russia 10.7%, Poland 7%, Estonia 7%, Sweden 4.4%, Finland 4.3% (2008) Lebanon Syria 10.5%, France 9.5%, US 9.3%, Italy 7.3%, China 6.8%, Germany 4.9%, Saudi Arabia 4.8%, Turkey 4.2% (2008) Lesotho China 35.5%, Hong Kong 22.1%, South Korea 19.1%, Germany 5.9%, Pakistan 4.6% (2008) Liberia South Korea 27.2%, Singapore 25.5%, Japan 11.8%, China 11% (2008) Libya Italy 22.2%, China 9.3%, Germany 8.6%, Turkey 6.1%, Tunisia 5.8%, South Korea 4.7%, US 4.1%, France 4.1% (2008) Lithuania Russia 30.1%, Germany 11.8%, Poland 10%, Latvia 5.2% (2008) Luxembourg Belgium 28%, Germany 24%, China 18.9%, France 10%, Netherlands 4.8% (2008) Macau China 39.3%, Hong Kong 10.1%, Japan 8.5%, US 5.5%, France 5.3%, Switzerland 4.7% (2008) Macedonia Germany 13.3%, Greece 12.4%, Bulgaria 9.9%, Serbia and Montenegro 6.9%, Italy 6.3%, Turkey 5.6%, Slovenia 5.3%, Poland 4.4% (2008) Madagascar China 20.1%, Bahrain 8.7%, France 6.3%, South Africa 5.7%, US 4.9%, India 4.4% (2008) Malawi South Africa 41.5%, China 7.3%, India 6.1%, Tanzania 5.4%, US 4.1% (2008) Malaysia China 12.8%, Japan 12.5%, Singapore 11%, US 10.8%, Thailand 5.6%, South Korea 4.6%, Indonesia 4.6%, Germany 4.3% (2008) Maldives Singapore 27.2%, UAE 16.9%, Malaysia 9.7%, India 7.7%, Thailand 4.9%, Sri Lanka 4.6%, Germany 4.1% (2008) Mali Senegal 13.1%, France 11.4%, Cote d'Ivoire 11.2%, China 5.9% (2008) Malta Italy 28.1%, UK 13.5%, France 8.2%, Germany 7.4%, Singapore 6.4% (2008) Mauritania France 16.7%, China 8.8%, Netherlands 6.4%, Spain 6%, Belgium 5.4%, US 5.1%, Brazil 4.5% (2008) Mauritius India 21.1%, France 11.8%, South Africa 9.9%, China 8.2% (2008) Mexico US 49%, China 11.2%, Japan 5.3%, South Korea 4.4%, Germany 4.1% (2008) Moldova Ukraine 20.6%, Russia 19.5%, Romania 14.6%, Germany 8.1%, Italy 5.1%, Belarus 4.3% (2008) Mongolia Russia 34.1%, China 29.1%, South Korea 7.6%, Japan 7.4% (2008) Morocco France 16.1%, Spain 13.5%, Italy 6.5%, China 6%, Germany 5.6%, Saudi Arabia 5.4%, Moldova 5% (2008) Mozambique South Africa 27.4%, Netherlands 15.7%, China 4.3% (2008) Nepal India 55.4%, China 13.3%, Singapore 2% (2008) Netherlands Germany 16.6%, China 10.1%, Belgium 8.7%, US 7.5%, UK 5.8%, Russia 5.4%, France 4.4% (2008) Netherlands Antilles Venezuela 58.8%, US 19%, Brazil 5.9% (2008) New Caledonia France 36.6%, Singapore 17.7%, Australia 11.5%, NZ 4.7% (2008) New Zealand Australia 18.1%, China 13.2%, US 9.5%, Japan 8.3%, Singapore 4.7%, Malaysia 4.4%, Germany 4.3% (2008) Nicaragua US 21%, Venezuela 14.3%, Mexico 8.4%, Costa Rica 8%, China 7.8%, Guatemala 6.1%, El Salvador 5.2% (2008) Niger France 16.6%, China 10.9%, Algeria 9.6%, Nigeria 7.4%, French Polynesia 6.5%, Belgium 4.2%, Cote d'Ivoire 4.2% (2008) Nigeria China 13.8%, Netherlands 9.6%, US 8.4%, UK 5.3%, South Korea 5.2%, France 4.3% (2008) Norway Sweden 14.4%, Germany 13.4%, Denmark 6.9%, China 6.4%, UK 5.9%, US 5.4%, Netherlands 4.2% (2008) Oman UAE 27.2%, Japan 15.6%, US 5.7%, China 4.6%, India 4.5%, South Korea 4.2%, Germany 4.2% (2008) Pakistan China 14.1%, Saudi Arabia 12%, UAE 11.2%, Kuwait 5.4%, India 4.8%, US 4.7%, Malaysia 4.1% (2008) Panama US 29.6%, Costa Rica 5%, China 5%, Japan 4.2% (2008) Papua New Guinea Australia 42.6%, Singapore 15.6%, China 11%, Japan 5.8%, Malaysia 4.3% (2008) Paraguay Brazil 27.2%, US 22.1%, Argentina 14.9%, China 10.4% (2008) Peru US 23.7%, China 10.6%, Brazil 7.5%, Ecuador 6.5%, Chile 5.1%, Argentina 5%, Mexico 4.5% (2008) Philippines US 12.8%, Japan 11.8%, Singapore 10.3%, Saudi Arabia 8.5%, China 7.5%, South Korea 5.2%, Thailand 5%, Malaysia 4.3% (2008) Poland Germany 28.3%, Russia 9.9%, Italy 6.2%, Netherlands 5.4%, France 4.8%, China 4.5%, Czech Republic 4% (2008) Portugal Spain 28.9%, Germany 11.6%, France 8%, Italy 4.9%, Netherlands 4.4% (2008) Qatar US 12.1%, Germany 9%, Italy 8.9%, Japan 8%, South Korea 7.5%, France 6.2%, UAE 5.5%, UK 4.9%, Saudi Arabia 4.6%, Turkey 4.2%, China 4.2% (2008) Romania Germany 16.3%, Italy 11.4%, Hungary 7.4%, Russia 6%, France 5.7%, Turkey 4.9%, Austria 4.9%, Kazakhstan 4.6%, China 4.2% (2008) Russia Germany 13.5%, China 13.2%, Japan 6.5%, Ukraine 6%, US 4.5%, Italy 4.3% (2008) Rwanda Kenya 15.2%, Uganda 13.3%, China 6.3%, Belgium 5.3%, Germany 4.5% (2008) Saint Kitts and Nevis US 46.8%, Trinidad and Tobago 14.8%, UK 4.1% (2008) Saint Lucia Brazil 68%, US 11.7%, Trinidad and Tobago 7.4% (2008) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Singapore 27.1%, Trinidad and Tobago 13.2%, US 12.1%, China 8.5%, Italy 7.1%, Norway 5.1% (2008) Samoa NZ 20.1%, Fiji 18.2%, Singapore 18.1%, China 8.7%, Australia 6.4% (2008) Sao Tome and Principe Portugal 55.8%, Belgium 9.6%, Japan 9.3% (2008) Saudi Arabia US 12.2%, China 10.5%, Japan 7.7%, Germany 7.4%, South Korea 5.1%, Italy 4.8%, India 4.2%, UK 4.1% (2008) Senegal France 19.7%, UK 15.2%, China 6.7%, Belgium 4.6%, Thailand 4.4%, Netherlands 4.1% (2008) Seychelles Saudi Arabia 17.5%, Singapore 12.4%, France 10.3%, Spain 8.1%, Germany 7%, India 5.4%, South Africa 4.7% (2008) Sierra Leone China 10.3%, Cote d'Ivoire 8.8%, US 7.8%, Belgium 6.6%, UK 6.6%, Thailand 5.2%, India 4.2% (2008) Singapore Malaysia 11.9%, US 11.8%, China 10.5%, Japan 8.1%, South Korea 5.6%, Indonesia 5.5%, Saudi Arabia 4.6% (2008) Slovakia Germany 20%, Czech Republic 17.7%, Russia 10.6%, Hungary 6.9%, South Korea 5.2%, Austria 5%, Poland 4.9%, China 4.1% (2008) Slovenia Germany 17.2%, Italy 16.6%, Austria 11.2%, France 4.7%, Croatia 4.1% (2008) Solomon Islands Singapore 26.7%, Australia 18.1%, India 7.5%, Fiji 4.4%, Malaysia 4.4%, Papua New Guinea 4.3%, NZ 4% (2008) Somalia Djibouti 29.2%, India 11.9%, Kenya 7.6%, US 6%, Oman 5.6%, UAE 5.5%, Yemen 4.7% (2008) South Africa Germany 11.2%, China 11.1%, US 7.9%, Saudi Arabia 6.2%, Japan 5.5%, UK 4% (2008) Spain Germany 14.5%, France 11.1%, Italy 7.4%, China 6.3%, UK 4.6%, Netherlands 4.4% (2008) Sri Lanka India 20.3%, China 12.2%, Iran 7.6%, Singapore 7.4%, South Korea 4.7% (2008) Sudan China 20%, Saudi Arabia 8.4%, UAE 6.2%, India 6.1%, Egypt 5.5%, Italy 4.1% (2008) Suriname US 31.2%, Netherlands 15.5%, Trinidad and Tobago 14.2%, China 7.7%, Japan 6.4% (2008) Sweden Germany 17.5%, Denmark 9.4%, Norway 8.6%, UK 6.2%, Finland 5.7%, Netherlands 5.6%, France 5%, Russia 4.4%, China 4.2% (2008) Switzerland Germany 33.3%, Italy 11%, France 9.4%, US 5.8%, Netherlands 4.6%, Austria 4% (2008) Syria Saudi Arabia 11.7%, China 8.7%, Russia 6.4%, Italy 5.9%, Egypt 5.8%, UAE 5.8%, Turkey 4.3%, Iran 4.2% (2008) Taiwan Japan 19.3%, China 13%, US 10.9%, Saudi Arabia 6.3%, South Korea 5.5% (2008 est.) Tajikistan Russia 32.3%, China 11.9%, Kazakhstan 8.8%, Uzbekistan 4.7% (2008) Tanzania China 14.4%, India 9%, South Africa 7.7%, Kenya 6.9%, UAE 5.9% (2008) Thailand Japan 18.8%, China 11.2%, US 6.4%, UAE 6%, Malaysia 5.5%, Saudi Arabia 4.1%, Singapore 4% (2008) Togo China 34.2%, Netherlands 7.5%, France 6.8%, India 6.5%, Thailand 4.9% (2008) Tonga Fiji 36.8%, NZ 23.9%, US 9.3%, Australia 8.8%, China 4.9% (2008) Trinidad and Tobago US 26.8%, Brazil 9.8%, Venezuela 7.9%, Colombia 6.2%, China 4.1%, Gabon 4% (2008) Tunisia France 21.5%, Italy 19.3%, Germany 9%, Libya 4.6%, Spain 4.5% (2008) Turkey Russia 15.5%, Germany 9.3%, China 7.8%, US 5.9%, Italy 5.5%, France 4.5%, Iran 4.1% (2008) Turkmenistan China 16.9%, Russia 15.9%, Turkey 14%, UAE 10.3%, Ukraine 7.9%, Germany 5.6%, Iran 5.1% (2008) Uganda UAE 11.4%, Kenya 11.3%, India 10.4%, China 8.1%, South Africa 6.7%, Japan 5.9% (2008) Ukraine Russia 22.7%, Germany 8.4%, Turkmenistan 6.6%, China 6.5%, Poland 5% (2008) United Arab Emirates China 13.2%, India 10.4%, US 8.8%, Germany 6.5%, Japan 6.1%, Turkey 4.5%, Italy 4.3% (2008) United Kingdom Germany 13.1%, US 8.7%, China 7.5%, Netherlands 7.4%, France 6.8%, Norway 6%, Belgium 4.7%, Italy 4.1% (2008) United States China 16.5%, Canada 15.7%, Mexico 10.1%, Japan 6.6%, Germany 4.6% (2008) Uruguay Argentina 19.9%, Brazil 16.5%, China 11.2%, US 9.9%, Paraguay 6.6%, Nigeria 4.6% (2008) Uzbekistan Russia 24.7%, China 15.4%, South Korea 13.6%, Ukraine 7.2%, Germany 5.5%, Kazakhstan 4.9%, Turkey 4.1% (2008) Vanuatu Australia 17.6%, US 15.9%, Japan 12%, Singapore 10.8%, China 8.5%, NZ 7.5%, Fiji 6.7% (2008) Venezuela US 26.3%, Colombia 12.7%, Brazil 10.3%, China 7%, Mexico 4.8% (2008) Vietnam China 19.4%, Singapore 11.6%, South Korea 8.8%, Thailand 6.1% (2008) World China 10.3%, Germany 8.7%, US 8%, Japan 5% (2008) Yemen UAE 14.7%, India 11.7%, China 11.3%, Saudi Arabia 6.9%, Kuwait 5.2% (2008) Zambia South Africa 51.7%, UAE 8%, China 6.8%, India 4.5% (2008) Zimbabwe South Africa 60.1%, China 4.2%, Botswana 3.7% (2008) ====================================================================== @2062 Field Listing :: Economic aid - donor Country Economic aid - donor Australia ODA, $2.123 billion (2006) Austria ODA, $1.498 billion (2006) Belgium ODA, $1.978 billion (2006) Canada ODA, $3.9 billion (2007) Cyprus $25.9 million (2006) Denmark ODA, $2.236 billion (2006) Finland ODA, $1.023 billion (2007) France ODA, $10.6 billion (2006) Germany ODA, $10.44 billion (2006) Greece $424 million (2006) Iceland $6.7 million (2004) Ireland ODA, $1.022 billion (2006) Italy ODA, $3.641 billion (2006) Japan ODA, $11.19 billion (2006) Korea, South ODA, $455.3 million (2006) Luxembourg ODA, $291 million (2006) Netherlands ODA, $5.452 billion (2006) New Zealand ODA, $259 million (2006) Norway ODA, $2.954 billion (2006) Portugal ODA, $396 million (2006) Saudi Arabia since 2002, Saudi Arabia has provided more than $480 million in budgetary support to the Palestinian Authority, supported Palestinian refugees through contributions to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), provided more than $250 million to Arab League funds for the Palestinians, and pledged $500 million in assistance over the next three years at the Donors Conference in Dec 2007; pledged $230 million to development in Afghanistan; pledged $1 billion in export guarantees and soft loans to Iraq; pledged $133 million in direct grant aid, $187 million in concessional loans, and $153 million in export credits for Pakistan earthquake relief; pledged a total of $1.59 billion to Lebanon in assistance and deposits to the Central Bank of Lebanon in 2006 and pledged an additional $1.1 billion in early 2007 Spain ODA, $3.814 billion (2006) Sweden ODA, $3.955 billion (2006) Switzerland ODA, $1.646 billion (2006) United Arab Emirates since its founding in 1971, the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development has given about $5.2 billion in aid to 56 countries (2004) United Kingdom ODA, $12.46 billion (2006) United States ODA, $23.53 billion (2006) ====================================================================== @2063 Field Listing :: Constitution This entry includes the dates of adoption, revisions, and major amendments. Country Constitution Afghanistan new constitution drafted 14 December 2003-4 January 2004; signed 16 January 2004; ratified 26 January 2004 Akrotiri Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia Order in Council 1960, effective 16 August 1960, functions as a basic legal document Albania approved by parliament on 21 October 1998; adopted by popular referendum on 22 November 1998; promulgated 28 November 1998 Algeria 8 September 1963; revised 19 November 1976; effective 22 November 1976; revised 3 November 1988, 23 February 1989, 28 November 1996, 10 April 2002, and 12 November 2008 American Samoa ratified 2 June 1966; effective 1 July 1967 Andorra Andorra's first written constitution was drafted in 1991; approved by referendum 14 March 1993; effective 28 April 1993 Angola adopted by People's Assembly 25 August 1992 Anguilla Anguilla Constitutional Order 1 April 1982; amended 1990 Antigua and Barbuda 1 November 1981 Argentina 1 May 1853; amended many times starting in 1860 Armenia adopted by nationwide referendum 5 July 1995; amendments adopted through a nationwide referendum 27 November 2005 Aruba 1 January 1986 Australia 9 July 1900; effective 1 January 1901 Austria 1920; revised 1929; reinstated 1 May 1945; note - during the period 1 May 1934-1 May 1945 there was a fascist (corporative) constitution in place Azerbaijan adopted 12 November 1995; modified by referendum 24 August 2002 Bahamas, The 10 July 1973 Bahrain adopted 14 February 2002 Bangladesh 4 November 1972; effective 16 December 1972; suspended following coup of 24 March 1982; restored 10 November 1986; amended many times Barbados 30 November 1966 Belarus 15 March 1994; revised by national referendum of 24 November 1996 giving the presidency greatly expanded powers and became effective 27 November 1996; revised again 17 October 2004 removing presidential term limits Belgium 7 February 1831; amended many times; revised 14 July 1993 to create a federal state Belize 21 September 1981 Benin adopted by referendum 2 December 1990 Bermuda 8 June 1968; amended 1989 and 2003 Bhutan ratified 18 July 2008 Bolivia 2 February 1967; revised in August 1994; voters approved a new constitution on 25 January 2009 Bosnia and Herzegovina the Dayton Peace Accords, signed 14 December 1995 in Paris, included a new constitution now in force; note - each of the entities also has its own constitution Botswana March 1965; effective 30 September 1966 Brazil 5 October 1988 British Virgin Islands 13 June 2007 Brunei 29 September 1959 (some provisions suspended under a State of Emergency since December 1962, others since independence on 1 January 1984) Bulgaria adopted 12 July 1991 Burkina Faso approved by referendum 2 June 1991; formally adopted 11 June 1991; last amended January 2002 Burma 3 January 1974; suspended since 18 September 1988; a new constitution was approved on 10 May 2008; note - new constitution will take effect when a new parliament is convened following elections scheduled for 2010 Burundi ratified by popular referendum 28 February 2005 Cambodia promulgated 21 September 1993 Cameroon approved by referendum 20 May 1972; adopted 2 June 1972; revised January 1996 Canada made up of unwritten and written acts, customs, judicial decisions, and traditions; the written part of the constitution consists of the Constitution Act of 29 March 1867, which created a federation of four provinces, and the Constitution Act of 17 April 1982, which transferred formal control over the constitution from Britain to Canada, and added a Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms as well as procedures for constitutional amendments Cape Verde 25 September 1992; a major revision on 23 November 1995 substantially increased the powers of the president; a 1999 revision created the position of national ombudsman (Provedor de Justica) Cayman Islands The Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009, 6 November 2009 Central African Republic ratified by popular referendum 5 December 2004; effective 27 December 2004 Chad passed by referendum 31 March 1996; a June 2005 referendum removed constitutional term limits Chile 11 September 1980, effective 11 March 1981; amended 1989, 1991, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2003, and 2005 China most recent promulgation 4 December 1982 with amendments in 1988 and 1993 Christmas Island Christmas Island Act of 1958-59 (1 October 1958) as amended by the Territories Law Reform Act of 1992 Cocos (Keeling) Islands Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act of 1955 (23 November 1955) as amended by the Territories Law Reform Act of 1992 Colombia 5 July 1991; amended many times Comoros 23 December 2001 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 18 February 2006 Congo, Republic of the approved by referendum 20 January 2002 Cook Islands 4 August 1965 Costa Rica 7 November 1949 Cote d'Ivoire approved by referendum 23 July 2000 Croatia adopted on 22 December 1990; revised 2000, 2001 Cuba 24 February 1976; amended July 1992 and June 2002 Cyprus 16 August 1960 note: from December 1963, the Turkish Cypriots no longer participated in the government; negotiations to create the basis for a new or revised constitution to govern the island and for better relations between Greek and Turkish Cypriots have been held intermittently since the mid-1960s; in 1975, following the 1974 Turkish intervention, Turkish Cypriots created their own constitution and governing bodies within the "Turkish Federated State of Cyprus," which became the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC)" when the Turkish Cypriots declared their independence in 1983; a new constitution for the "TRNC" passed by referendum on 5 May 1985, although the "TRNC" remains unrecognized by any country other than Turkey Czech Republic ratified 16 December 1992, effective 1 January 1993; amended 1997, 2000, 2001 (twice), 2002 Denmark 5 June 1953; note - constitution allowed for a unicameral legislature and a female chief of state Dhekelia Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia Order in Council 1960, effective 16 August 1960, functions as a basic legal document Djibouti approved by referendum 4 September 1992; note - constitution allows for multiparties Dominica 3 November 1978 Dominican Republic 28 November 1966; amended 25 July 2002 Ecuador 20 October 2008 Egypt 11 September 1971; amended 22 May 1980, 25 May 2005, and 26 March 2007 El Salvador 20 December 1983 Equatorial Guinea approved by national referendum 17 November 1991; amended January 1995 Eritrea adopted on 23 May 1997, but has not yet been fully implemented Estonia adopted 28 June 1992 Ethiopia ratified 8 December 1994, effective 22 August 1995 European Union none note: based on a series of treaties: the Treaty of Paris, which set up the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) in 1951; the Treaties of Rome, which set up the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) in 1957; the Single European Act in 1986; the Treaty on European Union (Maastricht) in 1992; the Treaty of Amsterdam in 1997; and the Treaty of Nice in 2003; note - a new draft Constitutional Treaty, signed on 29 October 2004 in Rome, gave member states two years for ratification either by parliamentary vote or national referendum before it was scheduled to take effect on 1 November 2006; defeat in French and Dutch referenda in May-June 2005 dealt a severe setback to the ratification process; in June 2007, the European Council agreed on a clear and concise mandate for an Intergovernmental Conference to form a political agreement and put it into legal form; this agreement, known as the Reform Treaty, would have served as a constitution and was presented to the European Council in October 2007 for individual country ratification; it was rejected by Irish voters in June 2008, again stalling the ratification process; the Reform Treaty, more recently known as the Treaty of Lisbon, was again circulated for ratification, and by November 2009 was approved by all 27 countries; it is scheduled to come into effect on 1 December 2009 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 3 October 1985; amended 1997 and 1998 Faroe Islands 5 June 1953 (Danish constitution) Fiji enacted 25 July 1997; effective 28 July 1998; note - it encourages multiculturalism and makes multiparty government mandatory Finland 1 March 2000 France adopted by referendum 28 September 1958; effective 4 October 1958; amended many times note: amended concerning election of president in 1962; amended to comply with provisions of 1992 EC Maastricht Treaty, 1997 Amsterdam Treaty, 2003 Treaty of Nice; amended to tighten immigration laws in 1993; amended in 2000 to change the seven-year presidential term to a five-year term; amended in 2005 to make the EU constitutional treaty compatible with the Constitution of France and to ensure that the decision to ratify EU accession treaties would be made by referendum French Polynesia 4 October 1958 (French Constitution) Gabon adopted 14 March 1991 Gambia, The approved by national referendum 8 August 1996; effective 16 January 1997 Georgia adopted 24 August 1995 Germany 23 May 1949, known as Basic Law; became constitution of the united Germany 3 October 1990 Ghana approved 28 April 1992 Gibraltar 5 June 2006; came into force 2 January 2007 Greece 11 June 1975; amended March 1986 and April 2001 Greenland (November 2008) Act on Greenland Self Government Grenada 19 December 1973 Guam Organic Act of Guam, 1 August 1950 Guatemala 31 May 1985, effective 14 January 1986; suspended 25 May 1993; reinstated 5 June 1993; amended November 1993 Guernsey unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice Guinea 23 December 1990 (Loi Fundamentale) Guinea-Bissau 16 May 1984; amended 4 May 1991, 4 December 1991, 26 February 1993, 9 June 1993, and in 1996 Guyana 6 October 1980 Haiti approved March 1987 note: suspended June 1988 with most articles reinstated March 1989; constitutional government ousted in a military coup in September 1991, although in October 1991 military government claimed to be observing the constitution; returned to constitutional rule in October 1994; constitution, while technically in force between 2004-2006, was not enforced; returned to constitutional rule in May 2006 Holy See (Vatican City) Fundamental Law promulgated by Pope JOHN PAUL II on 26 November 2000, effective 22 February 2001 (replaced the first Fundamental Law of 1929) Honduras 11 January 1982, effective 20 January 1982; amended many times Hong Kong Basic Law, approved in March 1990 by China's National People's Congress, is Hong Kong's "mini-constitution" Hungary 18 August 1949, effective 20 August 1949; revised 19 April 1972; 18 October 1989; and 1997 note: 18 October 1989 revision ensured legal rights for individuals and constitutional checks on the authority of the prime minister and also established the principle of parliamentary oversight; 1997 amendment streamlined the judicial system Iceland 16 June 1944, effective 17 June 1944; amended many times India 26 January 1950; amended many times Indonesia August 1945; abrogated by Federal Constitution of 1949 and Provisional Constitution of 1950, restored 5 July 1959; series of amendments concluded in 2002 Iran 2-3 December 1979; revised in 1989 note: the revision in 1989 expanded powers of the presidency and eliminated the prime ministership Iraq ratified on 15 October 2005 (subject to review by the Constitutional Review Committee and a possible public referendum ) Ireland adopted 1 July 1937 by plebiscite; effective 29 December 1937 Isle of Man unwritten; note - The Isle of Man Constitution Act of 1961 does not embody the unwritten Manx Constitution Israel no formal constitution; some of the functions of a constitution are filled by the Declaration of Establishment (1948), the Basic Laws of the parliament (Knesset), and the Israeli citizenship law; note - since May 2003 the Constitution, Law, and Justice Committee of the Knesset has been working on a draft constitution Italy passed 11 December 1947, effective 1 January 1948; amended many times Jamaica 6 August 1962 Japan 3 May 1947 Jersey unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice Jordan 1 January 1952; amended many times Kazakhstan first post-independence constitution adopted 28 January 1993; new constitution adopted by national referendum 30 August 1995 Kenya 12 December 1963; amended as a republic 1964; reissued with amendments 1979, 1982, 1986, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1997, 2001; note - a new draft constitution was defeated by popular referendum in 2005 Kiribati 12 July 1979 Korea, North adopted 1948; revised several times Korea, South 17 July 1948; note - amended or rewritten nine times; current constitution approved on 29 October 1987 Kosovo adopted by the Kosovo Assembly on 9 April 2008; effective 15 June 2008 Kuwait approved and promulgated 11 November 1962 Kyrgyzstan approved by referendum in November 2006 note: under the old constitution adopted on 5 May 1993, an amendment proposed by President Askar AKAEV and passed in a national referendum on 2 February 2003 significantly expanded the powers of the president at the expense of the legislature; during large-scale demonstrations in November 2006, President BAKIEV and the opposition negotiated a new constitution granting greater powers to the parliament and the government; amendments added on 30 December 2006 redistributed some power back to the president, but both November and December 2006 versions were annulled in September 2007, and a new version was approved by referendum on 21 October 2007; the BAKIEV-initiated referendum was criticized by Western observers for voting irregularities, particularly ballot stuffing Laos promulgated 14 August 1991 Latvia 15 February 1922; restored to force by the Constitutional Law of the Republic of Latvia adopted by the Supreme Council on 21 August 1991; multiple amendments since Lebanon 23 May 1926; amended a number of times, most recently Charter of Lebanese National Reconciliation (Ta'if Accord) of October 1989 Lesotho 2 April 1993 Liberia 6 January 1986 Libya none; note - following the September 1969 military overthrow of the Libyan government, the Revolutionary Command Council replaced the existing constitution with the Constitutional Proclamation in December 1969; in March 1977, Libya adopted the Declaration of the Establishment of the People's Authority Liechtenstein 5 October 1921; amended 15 September 2003 Lithuania adopted 25 October 1992; last amended 13 July 2004 Luxembourg 17 October 1868; occasional revisions Macau Basic Law, approved on 31 March 1993 by China's National People's Congress, is Macau's "mini-constitution" Macedonia adopted 17 November 1991, effective 20 November 1991; amended November 2001 and in 2005 note: amended November 2001 by a series of new constitutional amendments strengthening minority rights and in 2005 with amendments related to the judiciary Madagascar passed by referendum 19 August 1992 Malawi 18 May 1994 Malaysia 31 August 1957; amended many times, the latest in 2007 Maldives new constitution ratified 7 August 2008 Mali adopted 12 January 1992 Malta 1964; amended many times Marshall Islands 1 May 1979 Mauritania 12 July 1991 Mauritius 12 March 1968; amended 12 March 1992 Mayotte 4 October 1958 (French Constitution) Mexico 5 February 1917 Micronesia, Federated States of 10 May 1979 Moldova adopted 29 July 1994; effective 27 August 1994; note - replaced 1979 Soviet constitution Monaco 17 December 1962; modified 2 April 2002 Mongolia 13 January 1992 Montenegro approved 19 October 2007 (by the Assembly) Montserrat effective 19 December 1989 Morocco 10 March 1972; revised 4 September 1992, amended September 1996 note: the amendment of September 1996 was to create a bicameral legislature Mozambique 30 November 1990 Namibia ratified 9 February 1990, effective 12 March 1990 Nauru 29 January 1968; amended 17 May 1968 Nepal 15 January 2007 (interim Constitution); note - in April 2008, a Constituent Assembly was elected to draft and promulgate a new constitution by May 2010 Netherlands adopted 1815; amended many times, most recently in 2002 Netherlands Antilles 29 December 1954, Statute of the Realm of the Netherlands, as amended New Caledonia 4 October 1958 (French Constitution) New Zealand consists of a series of legal documents, including certain acts of the UK and New Zealand parliaments, as well as The Constitution Act 1986, which is the principal formal charter; adopted 1 January 1987, effective 1 January 1987 Nicaragua 9 January 1987; revised in 1995, 2000, and 2005 Niger adopted 18 July 1999 Nigeria adopted 5 May 1999; effective 29 May 1999 Niue 19 October 1974 (Niue Constitution Act) Norfolk Island Norfolk Island Act of 1979 as amended in 2005 Northern Mariana Islands Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands effective 1 January 1978; Covenant Agreement fully effective 4 November 1986 Norway 17 May 1814; amended many times Oman none; note - on 6 November 1996, Sultan QABOOS issued a royal decree promulgating a basic law considered by the government to be a constitution which, among other things, clarifies the royal succession, provides for a prime minister, bars ministers from holding interests in companies doing business with the government, establishes a bicameral legislature, and guarantees basic civil liberties for Omani citizens Pakistan 12 April 1973; suspended 5 July 1977, restored 30 December 1985; suspended 15 October 1999, restored in stages in 2002; amended 31 December 2003; suspended 3 November 2007; restored on 15 December 2007 Palau 1 January 1981 Panama 11 October 1972; revised in 1978, 1983, 1994, and 2004 Papua New Guinea 16 September 1975 Paraguay promulgated 20 June 1992 Peru 29 December 1993 Philippines 2 February 1987, effective 11 February 1987 Pitcairn Islands 30 November 1838; reformed 1904 with additional reforms in 1940; further refined by the Local Government Ordinance of 1964 Poland adopted by the National Assembly 2 April 1997; passed by national referendum 25 May 1997; effective 17 October 1997 Portugal adopted 2 April 1976; subsequently revised note: the revisions placed the military under strict civilian control, trimmed the powers of the president, and laid the groundwork for a stable, pluralistic liberal democracy; and they allowed for the privatization of nationalized firms and the government-owned communications media Puerto Rico ratified 3 March 1952; approved by US Congress 3 July 1952; effective 25 July 1952 Qatar ratified by public referendum on 29 April 2003, endorsed by the Amir on 8 June 2004, effective on 9 June 2005 Romania 8 December 1991; revised 29 October 2003 Russia adopted 12 December 1993 Rwanda new constitution passed by referendum 26 May 2003 Saint Barthelemy 4 October 1958 (French Constitution) Saint Helena 1 January 1989 Saint Kitts and Nevis 19 September 1983 Saint Lucia 22 February 1979 Saint Martin 4 October 1958 (French Constitution) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 4 October 1958 (French Constitution) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 27 October 1979 Samoa 1 January 1962 San Marino 8 October 1600; electoral law of 1926 serves some of the functions of a constitution Sao Tome and Principe approved March 1990, effective 10 September 1990 Saudi Arabia governed according to Islamic law; the Basic Law that articulates the government's rights and responsibilities was promulgated by royal decree in 1992 Senegal adopted 7 January 2001 Serbia adopted 8 November 2006; effective 10 November 2006 Seychelles 18 June 1993 Sierra Leone 1 October 1991; amended several times Singapore 3 June 1959; amended 1965 (based on pre-independence State of Singapore Constitution) Slovakia ratified 1 September 1992, effective 1 January 1993; changed in September 1998; amended February 2001 note: the change in September 1998 allowed direct election of the president; the amendment of February 2001 allowed Slovakia to apply for NATO and EU membership Slovenia adopted 23 December 1991, amended 14 July 1997 and 25 July 2000 Solomon Islands 7 July 1978 Somalia 25 August 1979, presidential approval 23 September 1979 note: the formation of transitional governing institutions, known as the Transitional Federal Government, is currently ongoing South Africa 10 December 1996; note - certified by the Constitutional Court on 4 December 1996; was signed by then President MANDELA on 10 December 1996; and entered into effect on 4 February 1997 Spain approved by legislature 31 October 1978; passed by referendum 6 December 1978; signed by the king 27 December 1978 Sri Lanka adopted 16 August 1978, certified 31 August 1978; amended 20 December 2000 Sudan Interim National Constitution ratified 5 July 2005 note: under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the Interim National Constitution was ratified 5 July 2005; Constitution of Southern Sudan was signed December 2005 Suriname ratified 30 September 1987; effective 30 October 1987 Swaziland signed by the King in July 2005 went into effect on 8 February 2006 Sweden 1 January 1975 Switzerland revision of Constitution of 1874 approved by the Federal Parliament 18 December 1998, adopted by referendum 18 April 1999, officially entered into force 1 January 2000 Syria 13 March 1973 Taiwan adopted on 25 December 1946; effective 25 December 1947; amended in 1991, 1992, 1994, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2005 Tajikistan 6 November 1994 Tanzania 25 April 1977; major revisions October 1984 Thailand 24 August 2007 Timor-Leste 22 March 2002 (based on the Portuguese model) Togo adopted by public referendum 27 September 1992 Tokelau administered under the Tokelau Islands Act of 1948; amended in 1970 Tonga 4 November 1875; revised 1 January 1967 Trinidad and Tobago 1 August 1976 Tunisia 1 June 1959; amended 1988, 2002 Turkey 7 November 1982; amended 17 May 1987, 1995, 2001, and 2007; note - amendment passed by referendum concerning presidential elections on 21 October 2007 Turkmenistan adopted 18 May 1992 Turks and Caicos Islands Turks and Caicos Islands Constitution (Interim Amendment) Order 2009, S.I. 2009/701 - effective 14 August 2009 - suspended Ministerial government, the House of Assembly, and the constitutional right to trial by jury, and imposed direct British rule Tuvalu 1 October 1978 Uganda 8 October 1995; amended in 2005 note: the amendments in 2005 removed presidential term limits and legalized a multiparty political system Ukraine adopted 28 June 1996 United Arab Emirates 2 December 1971; made permanent in 1996 United Kingdom unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice United States 17 September 1787, effective 4 March 1789 Uruguay 27 November 1966; effective 15 February 1967; suspended 27 June 1973; revised 26 November 1989 and 7 January 1997 Uzbekistan adopted 8 December 1992 Vanuatu 30 July 1980 Venezuela 30 December 1999 Vietnam 15 April 1992 Virgin Islands Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954 Wallis and Futuna 4 October 1958 (French Constitution) Yemen 16 May 1991; amended 29 September 1994 and February 2001 Zambia 24 August 1991; amended in 1996 to establish presidential term limits Zimbabwe 21 December 1979 ====================================================================== @2064 Field Listing :: Economic aid - recipient Country Economic aid - recipient Afghanistan $2.775 billion (2005) Albania ODA: $318.7 million note: top donors were Italy, EU, Germany (2005 est.) Algeria $370.6 million (2005 est.) American Samoa important financial support from the US, more than $40 million in 1994 Andorra $0 Angola $441.8 million (2005) Anguilla $9 million (2004 est.) Antigua and Barbuda $7.23 million (2005) Argentina $99.66 million (2005) Armenia ODA, $180 million (2007) Aruba $11.3 million (2004) Azerbaijan ODA, $223.4 million (2005 est.) Bahamas, The $4.78 million (2004) Bahrain $103.9 million (2004) Bangladesh $1.321 billion (2005) Barbados $2.07 million (2005) Belarus $53.76 million (2005) Belize $12.91 million (2005) Benin $374.7 million (2006) Bermuda $90,000 (2004) Bhutan $941.2 million; note - substantial aid from India (2006) Bolivia $582.9 million (2005 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina $546.1 million (2005 est.) Botswana $70.89 million (2005) Brazil $191.9 million (2005) British Virgin Islands $NA Brunei $770,000 (2004) Bulgaria $742 million (2005-06 est.) Burkina Faso $659.6 million (2005) Burma $144.7 million (2005 est.) Burundi $365 million (2005) Cambodia $698.2 million pledged in grants and concession loans for 2007 by international donors (2007) Cameroon $413.8 million (2005) Cape Verde $160.6 million (2005) Cayman Islands $390,000 (2004) Central African Republic ODA, $95.29 million; note - traditional budget subsidies from France (2005 est.) Chad ODA, $379.8 million (2005) Chile $0 (2006) China $1.641 billion (FY07) Christmas Island $NA Cocos (Keeling) Islands $NA Colombia $511.1 million (2005) Comoros $25.23 million (2005 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the $1.828 billion (2005) Congo, Republic of the $1.449 billion (2005) Cook Islands $13.1 million; note - New Zealand continues to furnish the greater part (1995) Costa Rica $29.51 million (2005) Cote d'Ivoire ODA, $60 million (2007 est.) Croatia ODA, $125.4 million (2005) Cuba $87.8 million (2005 est.) Cyprus $15 million (2006) Czech Republic $278.7 million in available EU structural adjustment and cohesion funds (2004) Djibouti $78.6 million (2005) Dominica $15.17 million (2005 est.) Dominican Republic $76.99 million (2005) Ecuador $209.5 million (2005) Egypt ODA, $925.9 million (2005) El Salvador $267.6 million of which $55 million from US (2005) Equatorial Guinea $39 million (2005) Eritrea $355.2 million (2005) Estonia $135.5 million (2004) Ethiopia $1.6 billion (FY05/06) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) $0 (1997 est.) Faroe Islands $105 million; note - annual subsidy from Denmark (2005) Fiji $63.96 million (2005) French Polynesia $579.8 million (2004) Gabon $53.87 million (2005) Gambia, The $58.15 million (2005) Gaza Strip $1.4 billion; (includes West Bank) (2006 est.) Georgia ODA, $309.8 million (2005 est.) Ghana $1.316 billion in loans and grants (2007) Gibraltar $NA Greece $8 billion annually from EU (2000-06); Greece will receive about $3.8 billion per year between 2007-13 under the EU's Community Support Funds IV Greenland $512 million; note - subsidy from Denmark (2005) Grenada $44.87 million (2005) Guam Guam receives large transfer payments from the US Federal Treasury into which Guamanians pay no income or excise taxes; under the provisions of a special law of Congress, the Guam Treasury, rather than the US Treasury, receives federal income taxes paid by military and civilian Federal employees stationed in Guam (2001 est.) Guatemala $253.6 million (2005 est.) Guernsey $NA Guinea $182.1 million (2005) Guinea-Bissau $79.12 million (2005) Guyana $136.8 million (2005) Haiti $515 million (2005 est.) Honduras $680.8 million (2005) Hong Kong $6.95 million (2004) Hungary $302.6 million (2004) India $1.724 billion (2005) Indonesia ODA, $2.524 billion (2006 est.) note: Indonesia ended 2006 with $67 billion in official foreign debt (about 25% of GDP), with Japan ($25 billion), the World Bank ($8.5 billion) and the Asian Development Bank ($8.4 billion) as the largest creditors; about $6 billion in grant assistance was pledged to rebuild Aceh after the December 2004 tsunami; President YUDHOYONO disbanded the Consultative Group on Indonesia (CGI) donor forum in January 2007 Iran $104 million (2005 est.) Iraq $21.65 billion (2005) Isle of Man $NA Israel $240 million from US (FY06) Jamaica $35.74 million (2005) Jordan ODA, $752 million (2005 est.) Kazakhstan $229.2 million (2005) Kenya $768.3 million (2005) Kiribati $27.84 million largely from UK and Japan (2005) Korea, North $372 million note: approximately 65,000 metric tons in food aid through the World Food Program appeals in 2007, plus additional aid from bilateral donors and non-governmental organizations (2007 est.) Korea, South $68.07 million (2004) Kosovo $324 million (2007) Kuwait $2.6 million (2004) Kyrgyzstan $268.5 million from the US (2005) Laos $379 million (2006 est.) Latvia $162 million (2004) Lebanon of the $7.6 billion in grants and loans pledged to Lebanon at the Paris III conference in January 2007, Beirut as of mid-December 2007 had signed agreements for $3 billion, including $1 billion in project financing, $750 million in direct budget support, $750 million in private sector credit, and $285 million in in-kind aid; about $500 million of the $1.7 billion pledged for direct budget support has been disbursed to Lebanon; donors in August 2006 also pledged nearly $1.8 billion in aid to help Lebanon recover from the 2006 Israel-Hizballah war; during the conflict, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait provided $1.5 billion in concessional loans to the Lebanese central bank to maintain confidence in the Lebanese currency. (2005) Lesotho $68.82 million (2005) Liberia $236.2 million (2005) Libya ODA, $24.44 million (2005 est.) Lithuania $249.7 million (2004) Macau $13.7 million (2004) Macedonia $230.3 million (2005) Madagascar $929.2 million (2005) Malawi $575.3 million (2005) Malaysia $31.6 million (2005) Maldives $66.83 million (2005) Mali $691.5 million (2005) Malta $6.19 million (2004) Marshall Islands $56.56 million (2005) Mauritania $190.4 million (2005) Mauritius $31.93 million (2005) Mayotte $201.3 million; note - extensive French financial assistance (2005) Mexico $189.4 million (2005) Micronesia, Federated States of $106.4 million (2005) Moldova $191.8 million (2005) Monaco $NA Mongolia $159.5 million (2006) Montenegro $NA Montserrat Country Policy Plan (2001) is a three-year program for spending $122.8 million in British budgetary assistance (2002 est.) Morocco ODA, $651.8 million (2005) Mozambique $1.286 billion (2005) Namibia ODA, $123.4 million (2005 est.) Nauru $20 million mostly from Australia (2005) Nepal $427.9 million (2005) Netherlands Antilles $21.32 million (2004) New Caledonia $524.3 million annual subsidy from France (2004) Nicaragua $471 million (2006 est.) Niger $515.4 million (2005) Nigeria $6.437 billion (2005) Niue $2.6 million from New Zealand (2002) Norfolk Island $NA Northern Mariana Islands extensive funding from US Oman $30.68 million (2005) Pakistan $1.666 billion (2005) Palau $23.46 million (2005) Panama $19.54 million (2005) Papua New Guinea $266.1 million (2005) Paraguay $51.09 million (2005) Peru $397.8 million (2005) Philippines ODA, $451.4 million in commitments (2006) Pitcairn Islands $3.465 million (2004) Poland $1.524 billion in available EU structural adjustment and cohesion funds (2004) Puerto Rico $NA Qatar $2.18 million (2004) Romania $914.3 million (2004) Russia $982.7 million in FY06 from US, including $847 million in non-proliferation subsidies Rwanda $576 million (2005) Saint Helena $27.84 million obtained in a grant from the United Kingdom (FY06/07) Saint Kitts and Nevis $3.52 million (2005) Saint Lucia $11.06 million (2005) Saint Pierre and Miquelon approximately $60 million in annual grants from France Saint Vincent and the Grenadines $4.89 million (1995); note - EU $34.5 million (2005) Samoa $43.95 million (2005) San Marino $NA Sao Tome and Principe $31.9 million in December 2000 under the Heavily Indebted Poor Country Initiative (HIPC) program (2005) Saudi Arabia $26.29 million (2005) Senegal $477 million (2007 est.) Serbia $2 billion pledged in 2001 to Serbia and Montenegro (disbursements to follow over several years; some aid pledged by EU and US has been placed on hold because of lack of cooperation by Serbia in handing over General Ratko MLADIC to the criminal court in The Hague) Seychelles $18.81 million (2005) Sierra Leone $343.4 million (2005 est.) Singapore $0 (2007) Slovakia $235 million in available EU structural adjustment and cohesion funds (2004) Slovenia ODA, $484 million (2004-06) Solomon Islands $198.2 million annually, mainly from Australia (2005 est.) Somalia $236.4 million (2005 est.) South Africa $700 million (2005) Sri Lanka $1.189 billion (2005) Sudan $1.829 billion (2005) Suriname $43.97 million (2005) Svalbard $8.2 million from Norway (1998) Swaziland $46.03 million (2005) Syria $213 million (2008 est.) Tajikistan $241.4 million from US (2005) Tanzania $1.505 billion (2005) Thailand $171.1 million (2005) Timor-Leste $184.7 million (2005 est.) Togo ODA, $86.71 million (2005 est.) Tonga $31.75 million (2005) Trinidad and Tobago $200,000 (2007 est.) Tunisia $376.5 million (2005) Turkey ODA, $464 million (2005) Turkmenistan $28.25 million from the US (2005) Turks and Caicos Islands $4.1 million (1997) Tuvalu $10.49 million note: includes distributions from the Tuvalu Trust Fund (2006) Uganda $1.198 billion (2005) Ukraine $409.6 million (1995); IMF Extended Funds Facility $2.2 billion (2005) United Arab Emirates $5.36 million (2004) Uruguay $14.62 million (2005) Uzbekistan $172.3 million from the US (2005) Vanuatu $39.48 million (2005) Venezuela $48.66 million (2005) Vietnam $5.4 billion in credits and grants pledged by the 2007 Consultative Group meeting in Hanoi (2007) Virgin Islands $NA Wallis and Futuna assistance from France, $NA West Bank $1.4 billion; (includes Gaza Strip) (2006 est.) Western Sahara $NA World ODA, $106.4 billion (2005) Yemen $2.3 billion (2003-07 disbursements) Zambia $504 million (2007) Zimbabwe $367.7 million (2005 est.) ====================================================================== @2065 Field Listing :: Currency (code) Country Currency (code) Afghanistan afghani (AFA) Akrotiri euro (EUR) adopted 1 January 2008; note - the Cypriot pound (CYP) formerly used Albania lek (ALL) note: the plural of lek is leke Algeria Algerian dinar (DZD) American Samoa US dollar (USD) Andorra euro (EUR) Angola kwanza (AOA) Anguilla East Caribbean dollar (XCD) Antigua and Barbuda East Caribbean dollar (XCD) Argentina Argentine peso (ARS) Armenia dram (AMD) Aruba Aruban guilder/florin (AWG) Australia Australian dollar (AUD) Austria euro (EUR) Azerbaijan Azerbaijani manat (AZN) Bahamas, The Bahamian dollar (BSD) Bahrain Bahraini dinar (BHD) Bangladesh taka (BDT) Barbados Barbadian dollar (BBD) Belarus Belarusian ruble (BYB/BYR) Belgium euro (EUR) Belize Belizean dollar (BZD) Benin Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States Bermuda Bermudian dollar (BMD) Bhutan ngultrum (BTN); Indian rupee (INR) Bolivia boliviano (BOB) Bosnia and Herzegovina konvertibilna marka (convertible mark) (BAM) Botswana pula (BWP) Brazil real (BRL) British Indian Ocean Territory US Dollar (USD) British Virgin Islands US dollar (USD) Brunei Bruneian dollar (BND) Bulgaria lev (BGN) Burkina Faso Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States Burma kyat (MMK) Burundi Burundi franc (BIF) Cambodia riel (KHR) Cameroon Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States Canada Canadian dollar (CAD) Cape Verde Cape Verdean escudo (CVE) Cayman Islands Caymanian dollar (KYD) Central African Republic Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States Chad Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States Chile Chilean peso (CLP) China Renminbi (RMB); note - also referred to by the unit yuan (CNY) Christmas Island Australian dollar (AUD) Cocos (Keeling) Islands Australian dollar (AUD) Colombia Colombian peso (COP) Comoros Comoran franc (KMF) Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congolese franc (CDF) Congo, Republic of the Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States Cook Islands NZ dollar (NZD) Costa Rica Costa Rican colon (CRC) Cote d'Ivoire Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States Croatia kuna (HRK) Cuba Cuban peso (CUP) and Convertible peso (CUC) Cyprus Cypriot pound (CYP); euro (EUR) after 1 January 2008 Czech Republic Czech koruna (CZK) Denmark Danish krone (DKK) Dhekelia euro (EUR) adopted 1 January 2008; note - the Cypriot pound (CYP) formerly used Djibouti Djiboutian franc (DJF) Dominica East Caribbean dollar (XCD) Dominican Republic Dominican peso (DOP) Ecuador US dollar (USD) Egypt Egyptian pound (EGP) El Salvador US dollar (USD) Equatorial Guinea Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States Eritrea nakfa (ERN) Estonia Estonian kroon (EEK) Ethiopia birr (ETB) European Union euro, British pound, Bulgarian lev, Czech koruna, Danish krone, Estonian kroon, Hungarian forint, Latvian lat, Lithuanian litas, Polish zloty, Romanian leu, Slovak koruna, Swedish krona Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Falkland pound (FKP) Faroe Islands Danish krone (DKK) Fiji Fijian dollar (FJD) Finland euro (EUR) France euro (EUR) French Polynesia Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (XPF) Gabon Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States Gambia, The dalasi (GMD) Gaza Strip new Israeli shekel (ILS) Georgia lari (GEL) Germany euro (EUR) Ghana Ghana cedi (GHC) Gibraltar Gibraltar pound (GIP) Greece euro (EUR) Greenland Danish krone (DKK) Grenada East Caribbean dollar (XCD) Guam US dollar (USD) Guatemala quetzal (GTQ), US dollar (USD), others allowed Guernsey Guernsey pound note: the British pound is also legal tender Guinea Guinean franc (GNF) Guinea-Bissau Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States Guyana Guyanese dollar (GYD) Haiti gourde (HTG) Holy See (Vatican City) euro (EUR) Honduras lempira (HNL) Hong Kong Hong Kong dollar (HKD) Hungary forint (HUF) Iceland Icelandic krona (ISK) India Indian rupee (INR) Indonesia Indonesian rupiah (IDR) Iran Iranian rial (IRR) Iraq New Iraqi dinar (NID) as of 22 January 2004 Ireland euro (EUR) Isle of Man Isle of Man pound (IMP), also known as the Manx pound note: the British pound is also legal tender, but change is given in IMP Israel new Israeli shekel (ILS); note - NIS is the currency abbreviation; ILS is the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) code for the NIS Italy euro (EUR) Jamaica Jamaican dollar (JMD) Japan yen (JPY) Jersey Jersey pound note: the British pound is also legal tender Jordan Jordanian dinar (JOD) Kazakhstan tenge (KZT) Kenya Kenyan shilling (KES) Kiribati Australian dollar (AUD) Korea, North North Korean won (KPW) Korea, South South Korean won (KRW) Kosovo euro (EUR); Serbian Dinar (RSD) is also in circulation Kuwait Kuwaiti dinar (KD) Kyrgyzstan som (KGS) Laos kip (LAK) Latvia lat (LVL) Lebanon Lebanese pound (LBP) Lesotho loti (LSL); South African rand (ZAR) Liberia Liberian dollar (LRD) Libya Libyan dinar (LYD) Liechtenstein Swiss franc (CHF) Lithuania litas (LTL) Luxembourg euro (EUR) Macau pataca (MOP) Macedonia Macedonian denar (MKD) Madagascar ariary (MGA) Malawi Malawian kwacha (MWK) Malaysia ringgit (MYR) Maldives rufiyaa (MVR) Mali Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States Malta euro (EUR) as of 1 January 2008; Maltese lira (MTL) before then Marshall Islands US dollar (USD) Mauritania ouguiya (MRO) Mauritius Mauritian rupee (MUR) Mayotte euro (EUR) Mexico Mexican peso (MXN) Micronesia, Federated States of US dollar (USD) Moldova Moldovan leu (MDL) Monaco euro (EUR) Mongolia togrog/tugrik (MNT) Montenegro euro (EUR) Montserrat East Caribbean dollar (XCD) Morocco Moroccan dirham (MAD) Mozambique metical (MZM) Namibia Namibian dollar (NAD); South African rand (ZAR) Nauru Australian dollar (AUD) Nepal Nepalese rupee (NPR) Netherlands euro (EUR) Netherlands Antilles Netherlands Antillean guilder (ANG) New Caledonia Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (XPF) New Zealand New Zealand dollar (NZD) Nicaragua gold cordoba (NIO) Niger Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States Nigeria naira (NGN) Niue New Zealand dollar (NZD) Norfolk Island Australian dollar (AUD) Northern Mariana Islands US dollar (USD) Norway Norwegian krone (NOK) Oman Omani rial (OMR) Pakistan Pakistani rupee (PKR) Palau US dollar (USD) Panama balboa (PAB); US dollar (USD) Papua New Guinea kina (PGK) Paraguay guarani (PYG) Peru nuevo sol (PEN) Philippines Philippine peso (PHP) Pitcairn Islands New Zealand dollar (NZD) Poland zloty (PLN) Portugal euro (EUR) Puerto Rico US dollar (USD) Qatar Qatari rial (QAR) Romania "new" leu (RON) was introduced in 2005; "old" leu (ROL) was phased out in 2006; note - because of currency revaluation, 10,000 ROL = 1 RON Russia Russian ruble (RUB) Rwanda Rwandan franc (RWF) Saint Barthelemy euro (EUR); note - US dollar (USD) widely used Saint Helena Saint Helenian pound (SHP) Saint Kitts and Nevis East Caribbean dollar (XCD) Saint Lucia East Caribbean dollar (XCD) Saint Martin euro (EUR); note - US dollar (USD) widely used Saint Pierre and Miquelon euro (EUR) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines East Caribbean dollar (XCD) Samoa tala (SAT) San Marino euro (EUR) Sao Tome and Principe dobra (STD) Saudi Arabia Saudi riyal (SAR) Senegal Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States Serbia Serbian dinar (RSD) Seychelles Seychelles rupee (SCR) Sierra Leone leone (SLL) Singapore Singapore dollar (SGD) Slovakia Slovak koruna (SKK) Slovenia euro (EUR) note: on 1 January 2007, the euro became Slovenia's currency; both the tolar and the euro were in circulation from 1 January until 15 January 2007 Solomon Islands Solomon Islands dollar (SBD) Somalia Somali shilling (SOS) South Africa rand (ZAR) Spain euro (EUR) Sri Lanka Sri Lankan rupee (LKR) Sudan Sudanese pounds (SDG) Suriname Surinam dollar (SRD) Svalbard Norwegian krone (NOK) Swaziland lilangeni (SZL) Sweden Swedish krona (SEK) Switzerland Swiss franc (CHF) Syria Syrian pound (SYP) Taiwan New Taiwan dollar (TWD) Tajikistan somoni (TJS) Tanzania Tanzanian shilling (TZS) Thailand baht (THB) Timor-Leste US dollar (USD) Togo Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States Tokelau New Zealand dollar (NZD) Tonga pa'anga (TOP) Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TTD) Tunisia Tunisian dinar (TND) Turkey Turkish lira (TRY); old Turkish lira (TRL) before 1 January 2005 Turkmenistan Turkmen manat (TMM) Turks and Caicos Islands US dollar (USD) Tuvalu Australian dollar (AUD); note - there is also a Tuvaluan dollar Uganda Ugandan shilling (UGX) Ukraine hryvnia (UAH) United Arab Emirates Emirati dirham (AED) United Kingdom British pound (GBP) United States US dollar (USD) Uruguay Uruguayan peso (UYU) Uzbekistan soum (UZS) Vanuatu vatu (VUV) Venezuela bolivar (VEB) Vietnam dong (VND) Virgin Islands US dollar (USD) Wallis and Futuna Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (XPF) West Bank new Israeli shekel (ILS); Jordanian dinar (JOD) Western Sahara Moroccan dirham (MAD) Yemen Yemeni rial (YER) Zambia Zambian kwacha (ZMK) Zimbabwe Zimbabwean dollar (ZWD) ====================================================================== @2066 Field Listing :: Death rate This entry gives the average annual number of deaths during a year per 1,000 population at midyear; also known as crude death rate. The death rate, while only a rough indicator of the mortality situation in a country, accurately indicates the current mortality impact on population growth. This indicator is significantly affected by age distribution, and most countries will eventually show a rise in the overall death rate, in spite of continued decline in mortality at all ages, as declining fertility results in an aging population. Country Comparison to the World Country Death rate(deaths/1,000 population) Afghanistan 19.18 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Albania 5.55 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Algeria 4.64 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) American Samoa 4.1 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Andorra 5.89 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Angola 24.08 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Anguilla 4.36 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Antigua and Barbuda 5.94 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Argentina 7.41 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Armenia 8.39 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Aruba 7.71 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Australia 6.74 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Austria 9.98 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Azerbaijan 8.3 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Bahamas, The 9.32 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Bahrain 4.37 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Bangladesh 9.23 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Barbados 8.41 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Belarus 13.86 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Belgium 10.44 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Belize 5.8 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Benin 9.45 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Bermuda 7.3 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Bhutan 7.39 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Bolivia 7.05 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina 8.63 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Botswana 8.52 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Brazil 6.35 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) British Virgin Islands 4.37 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Brunei 3.29 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Bulgaria 14.31 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Burkina Faso 13.3 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Burma 9.14 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Burundi 12.67 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Cambodia 8.08 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Cameroon 12.2 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Canada 7.74 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Cape Verde 6.22 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Cayman Islands 4.89 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Central African Republic 17.84 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Chad 16.09 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Chile 5.84 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) China 7.06 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Christmas Island NA Cocos (Keeling) Islands NA Colombia 5.54 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Comoros 7.57 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 11.63 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Congo, Republic of the 12.01 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Cook Islands NA Costa Rica 4.34 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Cote d'Ivoire 10.78 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Croatia 11.75 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Cuba 7.24 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Cyprus 7.8 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Czech Republic 10.74 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Denmark 10.22 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Djibouti 19.1 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Dominica 8.2 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Dominican Republic 5.28 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Ecuador 4.99 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Egypt 5.08 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) El Salvador 5.47 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Equatorial Guinea 9.49 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Eritrea 8.43 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Estonia 13.42 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Ethiopia 11.55 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) European Union 10.28 deaths/1,000 population (2009 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) NA Faroe Islands 8.66 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Fiji 5.66 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Finland 10.07 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) France 8.56 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) French Polynesia 4.73 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Gabon 12.76 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Gambia, The 11.49 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Gaza Strip 3.44 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Georgia 9.65 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Germany 10.9 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Ghana 9.24 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Gibraltar 9.56 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Greece 10.51 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Greenland 8.14 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Grenada 6.09 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Guam 4.57 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Guatemala 5.11 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Guernsey 10.16 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Guinea 11 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Guinea-Bissau 15.79 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Guyana 8.31 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Haiti 8.65 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Honduras 5.41 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Hong Kong 6.76 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Hungary 12.94 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Iceland 6.85 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) India 6.23 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Indonesia 6.25 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Iran 5.72 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Iraq 5.03 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Ireland 7.75 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Isle of Man 10.76 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Israel 5.43 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Italy 10.72 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Jamaica 6.43 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Japan 9.54 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Jersey 9.26 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Jordan 2.75 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Kazakhstan 9.39 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Kenya 9.72 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Kiribati 7.85 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Korea, North 10.52 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Korea, South 5.94 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Kuwait 2.35 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Kyrgyzstan 6.91 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Laos 10.78 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Latvia 13.62 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Lebanon 6.03 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Lesotho 22.2 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Liberia 20.73 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Libya 3.45 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Liechtenstein 7.39 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Lithuania 11.18 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Luxembourg 8.44 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Macau 3.5 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Macedonia 8.83 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Madagascar 8.14 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Malawi 17.6 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Malaysia 5.02 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Maldives 3.65 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Mali 15.82 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Malta 8.38 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Marshall Islands 4.49 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Mauritania 9.16 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Mauritius 6.59 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Mayotte 7.2 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Mexico 4.8 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of 4.46 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Moldova 10.78 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Monaco 12.74 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Mongolia 6.12 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Montenegro 8.63 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Montserrat 8.44 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Morocco 5.45 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Mozambique 20.07 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Namibia 13.3 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Nauru 6.42 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Nepal 6.97 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Netherlands 8.74 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Netherlands Antilles 6.48 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) New Caledonia 5.68 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) New Zealand 7.05 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Nicaragua 4.3 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Niger 14.83 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Nigeria 16.56 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Niue NA Norfolk Island NA Northern Mariana Islands 2.32 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Norway 9.29 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Oman 3.65 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Pakistan 7.68 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Palau 7.89 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Panama 4.66 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Papua New Guinea 6.86 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Paraguay 4.46 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Peru 6.14 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Philippines 5.1 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Pitcairn Islands NA Poland 10.05 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Portugal 10.68 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Puerto Rico 7.75 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Qatar 2.46 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Romania 11.88 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Russia 16.06 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Rwanda 14.02 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Saint Helena 6.68 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis 8.05 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Saint Lucia 6.8 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 6.95 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 6.91 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Samoa 5.79 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) San Marino 8.48 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Sao Tome and Principe 5.8 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Saudi Arabia 2.47 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Senegal 9.75 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Serbia 13.86 deaths/1,000 population (2009 est.) Seychelles 6.93 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Sierra Leone 21.91 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Singapore 4.66 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Slovakia 9.53 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Slovenia 10.62 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Solomon Islands 3.77 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Somalia 15.55 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) South Africa 16.99 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Spain 9.99 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Sri Lanka 6.13 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Sudan 12.94 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Suriname 5.51 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Svalbard NA Swaziland 30.83 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Sweden 10.21 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Switzerland 8.59 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Syria 4.61 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Taiwan 6.76 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Tajikistan 6.83 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Tanzania 12.59 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Thailand 7.25 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Timor-Leste 5.98 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Togo 9.33 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Tokelau NA Tonga 5.02 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Trinidad and Tobago 8.11 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Tunisia 5.2 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Turkey 6.1 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Turkmenistan 6.31 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands 4.18 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Tuvalu 6.95 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Uganda 12.09 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Ukraine 15.81 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) United Arab Emirates 2.11 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) United Kingdom 10.02 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) United States 8.38 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Uruguay 9.09 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Uzbekistan 5.29 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Vanuatu 7.55 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Venezuela 5.12 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Vietnam 6.17 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Virgin Islands 6.75 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Wallis and Futuna NA West Bank 3.66 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Western Sahara 11.49 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) World 8.2 deaths/1,000 population (2009 est.) Yemen 7.61 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Zambia 21.34 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) Zimbabwe 16.19 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) ====================================================================== @2068 Field Listing :: Dependent areas This entry contains an alphabetical listing of all nonindependent entities associated in some way with a particular independent state. Country Dependent areas Australia Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Macquarie Island, Norfolk Island France Clipperton Island, French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Mayotte, New Caledonia, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Martin, Wallis and Futuna note: the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica; New Caledonia has been considered a "sui generis" collectivity of France since 1998, a unique status falling between that of an independent country and a French overseas department Netherlands Aruba, Netherlands Antilles New Zealand Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau Norway Bouvet Island, Jan Mayen, Svalbard United Kingdom Anguilla, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Pitcairn Islands, Saint Helena, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands United States American Samoa, Baker Island, Guam, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Navassa Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Palmyra Atoll, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Wake Island note: from 18 July 1947 until 1 October 1994, the US administered the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands; it entered into a political relationship with all four political units: the Northern Mariana Islands is a commonwealth in political union with the US (effective 3 November 1986); the Republic of the Marshall Islands signed a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective 21 October 1986); the Federated States of Micronesia signed a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective 3 November 1986); Palau concluded a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective 1 October 1994) ====================================================================== @2070 Field Listing :: Disputes - international This entry includes a wide variety of situations that range from traditional bilateral boundary disputes to unilateral claims of one sort or another. Information regarding disputes over international terrestrial and maritime boundaries has been reviewed by the US Department of State. References to other situations involving borders or frontiers may also be included, such as resource disputes, geopolitical questions, or irredentist issues; however, inclusion does not necessarily constitute official acceptance or recognition by the US Government. Country Disputes - international Afghanistan Pakistan has built fences in some portions of its border with Afghanistan which remains open in some areas to foreign terrorists and other illegal activities Albania the Albanian Government calls for the protection of the rights of ethnic Albanians in neighboring countries, and the peaceful resolution of interethnic disputes; some ethnic Albanian groups in neighboring countries advocate for a "greater Albania," but the idea has little appeal among Albanian nationals; the mass emigration of unemployed Albanians remains a problem for developed countries, chiefly Greece and Italy Algeria Algeria, and many other states, rejects Moroccan administration of Western Sahara; the Polisario Front, exiled in Algeria, represents the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic; Algeria's border with Morocco remains an irritant to bilateral relations, each nation accusing the other of harboring militants and arms smuggling; Algeria remains concerned about armed bandits operating throughout the Sahel who sometimes destabilize southern Algerian towns; dormant disputes include Libyan claims of about 32,000 sq km still reflected on its maps of southeastern Algeria and the FLN's assertions of a claim to Chirac Pastures in southeastern Morocco American Samoa Tokelau periodically asserts claims to American Samoa's Swains Island (Olohega), such as in its 2006 draft independence constitution Andorra none Angola Cabindan separatists continue to return to the Angolan exclave from exile in neighboring states and Europe since the 2006 ceasefire and peace agreement Anguilla none Antarctica the Antarctic Treaty freezes, and most states do not recognize, the land and maritime territorial claims made by Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom (some overlapping) for three-fourths of the continent; the US and Russia reserve the right to make claims; no claims have been made in the sector between 90 degrees west and 150 degrees west; the International Whaling Commission created a sanctuary around the entire continent to deter catches by countries claiming to conduct scientific whaling; Australia has established a similar preserve in the waters around its territorial claim Antigua and Barbuda none Arctic Ocean the littoral states are engaged in various stages of demonstrating the limits of their continental shelves beyond 200 nautical miles from their declared baselines in accordance with Article 76, paragraph 8, of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea; record summer melting of sea ice in the Arctic has restimulated interest in maritime shipping lanes and sea floor exploration Argentina Argentina continues to assert its claims to the UK-administered Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia, and the South Sandwich Islands in its constitution, forcibly occupying the Falklands in 1982, but in 1995 agreed no longer to seek settlement by force; territorial claim in Antarctica partially overlaps UK and Chilean claims; unruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay borders is locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and illegal narcotics trafficking, and fundraising for extremist organizations; uncontested dispute between Brazil and Uruguay over Braziliera/Brasiliera Island in the Quarai/Cuareim River leaves the tripoint with Argentina in question; in 2006, Argentina went to the ICJ to protest, on environmental grounds, the construction of two pulp mills in Uruguay on the Uruguay River, which forms the boundary; both parties presented their pleadings in 2007 with Argentina's reply in January and Uruguay's rejoinder in July 2008; the joint boundary commission, established by Chile and Argentina in 2001 has yet to map and demarcate the delimited boundary in the inhospitable Andean Southern Ice Field (Campo de Hielo Sur) Armenia Armenia supports ethnic Armenian secessionists in Nagorno-Karabakh and since the early 1990s, has militarily occupied 16% of Azerbaijan - Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) continues to mediate dispute; over 800,000 mostly ethnic Azerbaijanis were driven from the occupied lands and Armenia; about 230,000 ethnic Armenians were driven from their homes in Azerbaijan into Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh; Azerbaijan seeks transit route through Armenia to connect to Naxcivan exclave; border with Turkey remains closed over Nagorno-Karabakh dispute; ethnic Armenian groups in Javakheti region of Georgia seek greater autonomy; Armenians continue to emigrate, primarily to Russia, seeking employment Aruba none Ashmore and Cartier Islands as the closest Australian territory to Indonesia, these islands became the target of human traffickers for the landing of illegal immigrants; in 2001, the Australian government removed these islands from the Australian Migration Zone making illegal arrivals ineligible for temporary visas and entry into Australia Atlantic Ocean some maritime disputes (see littoral states) Australia Timor-Leste and Australia agreed in 2005 to defer the disputed portion of the boundary for 50 years and to split hydrocarbon revenues evenly outside the Joint Petroleum Development Area covered by the 2002 Timor Sea Treaty; dispute with Timor-Leste hampers creation of a revised maritime boundary with Indonesia in the Timor Sea; regional states continue to express concern over Australia's 2004 declaration of a 1,000-nautical mile-wide maritime identification zone; Australia asserts land and maritime claims to Antarctica; in 2004 Australia submitted its claims to Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) to extend its continental margins covering over 3.37 million square kilometers, expanding its seabed roughly 30 percent more than its claimed exclusive economic zone; since 2003, Australia has led the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) to maintain civil and political order and reinforce regional security Austria while threats of international legal action never materialized in 2007, 915,220 Austrians, with the support of the newly elected Freedom Party, signed a petition in January 2008, demanding that Austria block the Czech Republic's accession to the EU unless Prague closed its nuclear power plant in Temelin, bordering Austria Azerbaijan Armenia supports ethnic Armenian secessionists in Nagorno-Karabakh and since the early 1990s has militarily occupied 16% of Azerbaijan; over 800,000 mostly ethnic Azerbaijanis were driven from the occupied lands and Armenia; about 230,000 ethnic Armenians were driven from their homes in Azerbaijan into Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh; Azerbaijan seeks transit route through Armenia to connect to Naxcivan exclave; Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) continues to mediate dispute; Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia have ratified Caspian seabed delimitation treaties based on equidistance, while Iran continues to insist on an even one-fifth allocation and challenges Azerbaijan's hydrocarbon exploration in disputed waters; bilateral talks continue with Turkmenistan on dividing the seabed and contested oilfields in the middle of the Caspian; Azerbaijan and Georgia continue to discuss the alignment of their boundary at certain crossing areas Bahamas, The disagrees with the US on the alignment the northern axis of a potential maritime boundary; continues to monitor and interdict drug dealers and Haitian and Cuban refugees in Bahamian waters Bahrain none Bangladesh discussions with India remain stalled to delimit a small section of river boundary, exchange territory for 51 small Bangladeshi exclaves in India and 111 small Indian exclaves in Bangladesh, allocate divided villages, and stop illegal cross-border trade, migration, violence, and transit of terrorists through the porous border; Bangladesh protests India's fencing and walling off high-traffic sections of the porous boundary; a joint Bangladesh-India boundary commission resurveyed and reconstructed 92 missing pillars in 2007; dispute with India over New Moore/South Talpatty/Purbasha Island in the Bay of Bengal deters maritime boundary delimitation; after 21 years, Bangladesh resumes talks with Burma on delimiting a maritime boundary Barbados Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago abide by the April 2006 Permanent Court of Arbitration decision delimiting a maritime boundary and limiting catches of flying fish in Trinidad and Tobago's exclusive economic zone; joins other Caribbean states to counter Venezuela's claim that Aves Island sustains human habitation, a criterion under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which permits Venezuela to extend its EEZ/continental shelf over a large portion of the eastern Caribbean Sea Belarus Boundary demarcated with Latvia and Lithuania in 2006; 1997 boundary delimitation treaty with Ukraine remains unratified over unresolved financial claims, preventing demarcation and diminishing border security Belgium none Belize OAS-initiated Agreement on the Framework for Negotiations and Confidence Building Measures saw cooperation in repatriation of Guatemalan squatters and other areas, but Guatemalan land and maritime claims in Belize and the Caribbean Sea remain unresolved; the Line of Adjacency created under the 2002 Differendum serves in lieu of the contiguous international boundary to control squatting in the sparsely inhabited rain forests of Belize's border region; Honduras claims Belizean-administered Sapodilla Cays in its constitution but agreed to a joint ecological park under the Differendum Benin in September 2007, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) intervened to attempt to resolve the dispute over two villages along the Benin-Burkina Faso border that remain from 2005 ICJ decision; much of Benin-Niger boundary, including tripoint with Nigeria, remains undemarcated; in 2005, Nigeria ceded thirteen villages to Benin, but border relations remain strained by rival cross-border gang clashes; talks continue between Benin and Togo on funding the Adjrala hydroelectric dam on the Mona River Bermuda none Bhutan Bhutan cooperates with India to expel Indian Nagaland separatists; lacking any treaty describing the boundary, Bhutan and China continue negotiations to establish a common boundary alignment to resolve territorial disputes arising from substantial cartographic discrepancies, the largest of which lie in Bhutan's northwest and along the Chumbi salient Bolivia Chile and Peru rebuff Bolivia's reactivated claim to restore the Atacama corridor, ceded to Chile in 1884, but Chile offers instead unrestricted but not sovereign maritime access through Chile for Bolivian natural gas and other commodities; an accord placed the long-disputed Isla Suarez/Ilha de Guajara-Mirim, a fluvial island on the Rio Mamore, under Bolivian administration in 1958, but sovereignty remains in dispute Bosnia and Herzegovina sections along the Drina River remain in dispute between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia; discussions continue with Croatia on several small disputed sections of the boundary related to maritime access that hinder final ratification of the 1999 border agreement Botswana Botswana still struggles to seal its border from thousands of Zimbabweans who flee economic collapse and political persecution; Namibia has long supported, and in 2004 Zimbabwe dropped objections to, plans between Botswana and Zambia to build a bridge over the Zambezi River at Kazungula crossing, thereby de facto recognizing the short, but not clearly delimited, Botswana-Zambia boundary Bouvet Island none Brazil unruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay borders is locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and illegal narcotics trafficking, and fundraising for extremist organizations; uncontested boundary dispute with Uruguay over Isla Brasilera at the confluence of the Quarai/Cuareim and Invernada rivers, that form a tripoint with Argentina; the Itaipu Dam reservoir covers over a once contested section of Brazil-Paraguay boundary west of Guaira Falls on the Rio Parana; an accord placed the long-disputed Isla Suarez/Ilha de Guajara-Mirim, a fluvial island on the Rio Mamore, under Bolivian administration in 1958, but sovereignty remains in dispute British Indian Ocean Territory Mauritius claims the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia; in 2001, the former inhabitants of the Chagos Archipelago, evicted in 1967 and 1973 and now residing chiefly in Mauritius, were granted UK citizenship and the right to repatriation; in May 2007, the UK Court of Appeals upheld the May 2006 High Court of London judgment reversing the UK government's 2004 Orders of Council that banned habitation on the islands; a small group of Chagossians visited Diego Garcia in April 2006; repatriation is complicated by the exclusive US military lease of Diego Garcia that restricts access to the largest viable island in the chain British Virgin Islands none Brunei Brunei and Malaysia agreed in September 2008 to resolve their offshore and deepwater seabed dispute, resume hydrocarbon exploration, and renounce any territorial claims on land; Brunei established an exclusive economic fishing zone encompassing Louisa Reef in the southern Spratly Islands in 1984, but makes no public territorial claim to the offshore reefs; the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" has eased tensions in the Spratly Islands but falls short of a legally binding "code of conduct" desired by several of the disputants Bulgaria none Burkina Faso in September 2007, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) intervened to attempt to resolve the dispute over two villages along the Benin-Burkina Faso border that remain from a 2005 ICJ decision; in recent years citizens and rogue security forces rob and harass local populations on both sides of the poorly defined Burkina Faso-Niger border; despite the presence of more than 9,000 UN forces (UNOCI) in Cote d'Ivoire since 2004, ethnic conflict continues to spread into neighboring states who can no longer send their migrant workers to work in Ivorian cocoa plantations Burma over half of Burma's population consists of diverse ethnic groups who have substantial numbers of kin in neighboring countries; Thailand must deal with Karen and other ethnic refugees, asylum seekers, and rebels, as well as illegal cross-border activities from Burma; Thailand is studying the feasibility of jointly constructing the Hatgyi Dam on the Salween River near the border with Burma; citing environmental, cultural, and social concerns, China is reconsidering construction of 13 dams on the Salween River but energy-starved Burma with backing from Thailand remains intent on building five hydro-electric dams downstream, despite identical regional and international protests; India seeks cooperation from Burma to keep Indian Nagaland separatists, such as the United Liberation Front of Assam, from hiding in remote Burmese Uplands; after 21 years, Bangladesh resumes talks with Burma on delimiting a maritime boundary in January 2008 Burundi Burundi and Rwanda dispute sections of border on the Akanyaru/Kanyaru and the Kagera/Nyabarongo rivers, which have changed course since the 1960s, when the boundary was delimited; cross-border conflicts among Tutsi, Hutu, other ethnic groups, associated political rebels, armed gangs, and various government forces persist in the Great Lakes region Cambodia Cambodia and Thailand dispute sections of boundary with missing boundary markers and claims of Thai encroachments into Cambodian territory; maritime boundary with Vietnam is hampered by unresolved dispute over sovereignty of offshore islands; Thailand accuses Cambodia of obstructing inclusion of Thai areas near Preah Vihear temple ruins, awarded to Cambodia by ICJ decision in 1962, as part of a planned UN World Heritage site Cameroon Joint Border Commission with Nigeria reviewed 2002 ICJ ruling on the entire boundary and bilaterally resolved differences, including June 2006 Greentree Agreement that immediately ceded sovereignty of the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon with a full phase-out of Nigerian control and patriation of residents in 2008; Cameroon and Nigeria agree on maritime delimitation in March 2008; sovereignty dispute between Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon over an island at the mouth of the Ntem River; only Nigeria and Cameroon have heeded the Lake Chad Commission's admonition to ratify the delimitation treaty, which also includes the Chad-Niger and Niger-Nigeria boundaries Canada managed maritime boundary disputes with the US at Dixon Entrance, Beaufort Sea, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the Gulf of Maine including the disputed Machias Seal Island and North Rock; Canada, the US, and other countries dispute the status of the Northwest Passage; US works closely with Canada to intensify security measures for monitoring and controlling legal and illegal movement of people, transport, and commodities across the international border; sovereignty dispute with Denmark over Hans Island in the Kennedy Channel between Ellesmere Island and Greenland; commencing the collection of technical evidence for submission to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf in support of claims for continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles from its declared baselines in the Arctic, as stipulated in Article 76, paragraph 8, of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea Cape Verde none Cayman Islands none Central African Republic periodic skirmishes over water and grazing rights among related pastoral populations along the border with southern Sudan persist Chad since 2003, Janjawid armed militia and the Sudanese military have driven hundreds of thousands of Darfur residents into Chad; Chad remains an important mediator in the Sudanese civil conflict, reducing tensions with Sudan arising from cross-border banditry; Chadian Aozou rebels reside in southern Libya; only Nigeria and Cameroon have heeded the Lake Chad Commission's admonition to ratify the delimitation treaty, which also includes the Chad-Niger and Niger-Nigeria boundaries Chile Chile and Peru rebuff Bolivia's reinvigorated claim to restore the Atacama corridor, ceded to Chile in 1884, but Chile has offered instead unrestricted but not sovereign maritime access through Chile to Bolivian gas and other commodities; Chile rejects Peru's unilateral legislation to change its latitudinal maritime boundary with Chile to an equidistance line with a southwestern axis favoring Peru, in October 2007, Peru took its maritime complaint with Chile to the ICJ; territorial claim in Antarctica (Chilean Antarctic Territory) partially overlaps Argentine and British claims; the joint boundary commission, established by Chile and Argentina in 2001, has yet to map and demarcate the delimited boundary in the inhospitable Andean Southern Ice Field (Campo de Hielo Sur) China continuing talks and confidence-building measures work toward reducing tensions over Kashmir that nonetheless remains militarized with portions under the de facto administration of China (Aksai Chin), India (Jammu and Kashmir), and Pakistan (Azad Kashmir and Northern Areas); India does not recognize Pakistan's ceding historic Kashmir lands to China in 1964; China and India continue their security and foreign policy dialogue started in 2005 related to the dispute over most of their rugged, militarized boundary, regional nuclear proliferation, and other matters; China claims most of India's Arunachal Pradesh to the base of the Himalayas; lacking any treaty describing the boundary, Bhutan and China continue negotiations to establish a common boundary alignment to resolve territorial disputes due to cartographic discrepancies; Chinese maps show an international boundary symbol off the coasts of the littoral states of the South China Seas, where China has interrupted Vietnamese hydrocarbon exploration; China asserts sovereignty over the Spratly Islands together with Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" eased tensions in the Spratly's but is not the legally binding "code of conduct" sought by some parties; Vietnam and China continue to expand construction of facilities in the Spratly's and in March 2005, the national oil companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam signed a joint accord on marine seismic activities in the Spratly Islands; China occupies some of the Paracel Islands also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan; China and Taiwan continue to reject both Japan's claims to the uninhabited islands of Senkaku-shoto (Diaoyu Tai) and Japan's unilaterally declared equidistance line in the East China Sea, the site of intensive hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation; certain islands in the Yalu and Tumen rivers are in dispute with North Korea; North Korea and China seek to stem illegal migration to China by North Koreans, fleeing privations and oppression, by building a fence along portions of the border and imprisoning North Koreans deported by China; China and Russia have demarcated the once disputed islands at the Amur and Ussuri confluence and in the Argun River in accordance with their 2004 Agreement; China and Tajikistan have begun demarcating the revised boundary agreed to in the delimitation of 2002; the decade-long demarcation of the China-Vietnam land boundary is expected to be completed by the end of 2008, while the maritime boundary delimitation and fisheries agreements in the Gulf of Tonkin, ratified in June 2004, have been implemented; citing environmental, cultural, and social concerns, China has reconsidered construction of 13 dams on the Salween River, but energy-starved Burma, with backing from Thailand, remains intent on building five hydro-electric dams downstream despite regional and international protests; Chinese and Hong Kong authorities met in March 2008 to resolve ownership and use of lands recovered in Shenzhen River channelization, including 96-hectare Lok Ma Chau Loop; Hong Kong developing plans to reduce 2,000 out of 2,800 hectares of its restricted Closed Area by 2010 Christmas Island none Clipperton Island none Cocos (Keeling) Islands none Colombia in December 2007, ICJ allocates San Andres, Providencia, and Santa Catalina islands to Colombia under 1928 Treaty but does not rule on 82 degrees W meridian as maritime boundary with Nicaragua; managed dispute with Venezuela over maritime boundary and Venezuelan-administered Los Monjes Islands near the Gulf of Venezuela; Colombian-organized illegal narcotics, guerrilla, and paramilitary activities penetrate all neighboring borders and have caused Colombian citizens to flee mostly into neighboring countries; Colombia, Honduras, Nicaragua, Jamaica, and the US assert various claims to Bajo Nuevo and Serranilla Bank Comoros claims French-administered Mayotte and challenges France's and Madagascar's claims to Banc du Geyser, a drying reef in the Mozambique Channel; in May 2008, African Union forces are called in to assist the Comoros military recapture Anjouan Island from rebels who seized it in 2001 Congo, Democratic Republic of the heads of the Great Lakes states and UN pledged in 2004 to abate tribal, rebel, and militia fighting in the region, including northeast Congo, where the UN Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), organized in 1999, maintains over 16,500 uniformed peacekeepers; members of Uganda's Lords Resistance Army forces continue to seek refuge in Congo's Garamba National Park as peace talks with the Uganda government evolve; the location of the boundary in the broad Congo River with the Republic of the Congo is indefinite except in the Pool Malebo/Stanley Pool area; Uganda and DROC dispute Rukwanzi island in Lake Albert and other areas on the Semliki River with hydrocarbon potential; boundary commission continues discussions over Congolese-administered triangle of land on the right bank of the Lunkinda river claimed by Zambia near the DROC village of Pweto Congo, Republic of the the location of the boundary in the broad Congo River with the Democratic Republic of the Congo is indefinite except in the Pool Malebo/Stanley Pool area Cook Islands none Coral Sea Islands none Costa Rica the ICJ has given Costa Rica until January 2008 to reply and Nicaragua until July 2008 to rejoin before rendering its decision on the navigation, security, and commercial rights of Costa Rican vessels on the Rio San Juan over which Nicaragua retains sovereignty Cote d'Ivoire despite the presence of over 9,000 UN forces (UNOCI) in Cote d'Ivoire since 2004, ethnic conflict still leaves displaced hundreds of thousands of Ivorians in and out of the country as well as driven out migrants from neighboring states who worked in Ivorian cocoa plantations; the March 2007 peace deal between Ivorian rebels and the government brought significant numbers of rebels out of hiding in neighboring states Croatia dispute remains with Bosnia and Herzegovina over several small sections of the boundary related to maritime access that hinders ratification of the 1999 border agreement; the Croatia-Slovenia land and maritime boundary agreement, which would have ceded most of Pirin Bay and maritime access to Slovenia and several villages to Croatia, remains unratified and in dispute; Slovenia also protests Croatia's 2003 claim to an exclusive economic zone in the Adriatic; as a European Union peripheral state, Slovenia imposed a hard border Schengen regime with non-member Croatia in December 2007 Cuba US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay is leased to US and only mutual agreement or US abandonment of the facility can terminate the lease Cyprus hostilities in 1974 divided the island into two de facto autonomous entities, the internationally recognized Cypriot Government and a Turkish-Cypriot community (north Cyprus); the 1,000-strong UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) has served in Cyprus since 1964 and maintains the buffer zone between north and south; on 1 May 2004, Cyprus entered the European Union still divided, with the EU's body of legislation and standards (acquis communitaire) suspended in the north; Turkey protests Cypriot Government creating hydrocarbon blocks and maritime boundary with Lebanon in March 2007 Czech Republic while threats of international legal action never materialized in 2007, 915,220 Austrians, with the support of the popular Freedom Party, signed a petition in January 2008, demanding that Austria block the Czech Republic's accession to the EU unless Prague closes its controversial Soviet-style nuclear plant in Temelin, bordering Austria Denmark Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm; Faroese continue to study proposals for full independence; sovereignty dispute with Canada over Hans Island in the Kennedy Channel between Ellesmere Island and Greenland Djibouti Djibouti maintains economic ties and border accords with "Somaliland" leadership while maintaining some political ties to various factions in Somalia; Kuwait is chief investor in the 2008 restoration and upgrade of the Ethiopian-Djibouti rail link Dominica Dominica is the only Caribbean state to challenge Venezuela's sovereignty claim over Aves Island and joins the other island nations in challenging whether the feature sustains human habitation, a criterion under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which permits Venezuela to extend its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf claims over a large portion of the eastern Caribbean Sea Dominican Republic Haitian migrants cross the porous border into the Dominican Republic to find work; illegal migrants from the Dominican Republic cross the Mona Passage each year to Puerto Rico to find better work Ecuador organized illegal narcotics operations in Colombia penetrate across Ecuador's shared border, which thousands of Colombians also cross to escape the violence in their home country Egypt while Sudan retains claim to the Hala'ib Triangle north of the 1899 Treaty boundary along the 22nd Parallel, both states withdrew their military presence in the 1990s and Egypt has invested in and effectively administers the area; Egypt no longer shows its administration of the Bir Tawil trapezoid in Sudan on its maps; Gazan breaches in the security wall with Egypt in January 2008 highlight difficulties in monitoring the Sinai border El Salvador International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled on the delimitation of "bolsones" (disputed areas) along the El Salvador-Honduras boundary, in 1992, with final agreement by the parties in 2006 after an Organization of American States (OAS) survey and a further ICJ ruling in 2003; the 1992 ICJ ruling advised a tripartite resolution to a maritime boundary in the Gulf of Fonseca advocating Honduran access to the Pacific; El Salvador continues to claim tiny Conejo Island, not identified in the ICJ decision, off Honduras in the Gulf of Fonseca Equatorial Guinea in 2002, ICJ ruled on an equidistance settlement of Cameroon-Equatorial Guinea-Nigeria maritime boundary in the Gulf of Guinea, but a dispute between Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon over an island at the mouth of the Ntem River and imprecisely defined maritime coordinates in the ICJ decision delay final delimitation; UN urges Equatorial Guinea and Gabon to resolve the sovereignty dispute over Gabon-occupied Mbane and lesser islands and to create a maritime boundary in the hydrocarbon-rich Corisco Bay Eritrea Eritrea and Ethiopia agreed to abide by 2002 Ethiopia-Eritrea Boundary Commission's (EEBC) delimitation decision but, neither party responded to the revised line detailed in the November 2006 EEBC Demarcation Statement; UN Peacekeeping Mission to Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE), which has monitored the 25-km-wide Temporary Security Zone in Eritrea since 2000, is extended for six months in 2007 despite Eritrean restrictions on its operations and reduced force of 17,000; Sudan accuses Eritrea of supporting eastern Sudanese rebel groups Estonia Russia recalled its signature to the 1996 technical border agreement with Estonia in 2005, rather than concede to Estonia's appending prepared a unilateral declaration referencing Soviet occupation and territorial losses; Russia demands better accommodation of Russian-speaking population in Estonia; Estonian citizen groups continue to press for realignment of the boundary based on the 1920 Tartu Peace Treaty that would bring the now divided ethnic Setu people and parts of the Narva region within Estonia; as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Estonia must implement the strict Schengen border rules with Russia Ethiopia Eritrea and Ethiopia agreed to abide by the 2002 Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission's (EEBC) delimitation decision, but neither party responded to the revised line detailed in the November 2006 EEBC Demarcation Statement; UN Peacekeeping Mission to Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE), which has monitored the 25-km-wide Temporary Security Zone in Eritrea since 2000, is extended for six months in 2007 despite Eritrean restrictions on its operations and reduced force of 17,000; the undemarcated former British administrative line has little meaning as a political separation to rival clans within Ethiopia's Ogaden and southern Somalia's Oromo region; Ethiopian forces invaded southern Somalia and routed Islamist Courts from Mogadishu in January 2007; "Somaliland" secessionists provide port facilities in Berbera and trade ties to landlocked Ethiopia; civil unrest in eastern Sudan has hampered efforts to demarcate the porous boundary with Ethiopia European Union as a political union, the EU has no border disputes with neighboring countries, but Estonia has no land boundary agreements with Russia, Slovenia disputes its land and maritime boundaries with Croatia, and Spain has territorial and maritime disputes with Morocco and with the UK over Gibraltar; the EU has set up a Schengen area - consisting of 22 EU member states that have signed the convention implementing the Schengen agreements or "acquis" (1985 and 1990) on the free movement of persons and the harmonization of border controls in Europe; these agreements became incorporated into EU law with the implementation of the 1997 Treaty of Amsterdam on 1 May 1999; in addition, non-EU states Iceland and Norway (as part of the Nordic Union) have been included in the Schengen area since 1996 (full members in 2001), and Switzerland since 2008 bringing the total current membership to 25; the UK (since 2000) and Ireland (since 2002) take part in only some aspects of the Schengen area, especially with respect to police and criminal matters; nine of the 12 new member states that joined the EU since 2004 joined Schengen on 21 December 2007; of the three remaining EU states, Cyprus is expected to join by 2009, while Romania and Bulgaria continue to enhance their border security systems Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Argentina, which claims the islands in its constitution and briefly occupied them by force in 1982, agreed in 1995 to no longer seek settlement by force; UK continues to reject Argentine requests for sovereignty talks Faroe Islands because anticipated offshore hydrocarbon resources have not been realized, earlier Faroese proposals for full independence have been deferred; Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm Fiji none Finland various groups in Finland advocate restoration of Karelia and other areas ceded to the Soviet Union, but the Finnish Government asserts no territorial demands France Madagascar claims the French territories of Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, and Juan de Nova Island; Comoros claims Mayotte; Mauritius claims Tromelin Island; territorial dispute between Suriname and the French overseas department of French Guiana; France asserts a territorial claim in Antarctica (Adelie Land); France and Vanuatu claim Matthew and Hunter Islands, east of New Caledonia French Polynesia none French Southern and Antarctic Lands French claim to "Adelie Land" in Antarctica is not recognized by the US Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): claimed by Madagascar Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): claimed by Mauritius Gabon UN urges Equatorial Guinea and Gabon to resolve the sovereignty dispute over Gabon-occupied Mbane Island and lesser islands and to establish a maritime boundary in hydrocarbon-rich Corisco Bay Gambia, The attempts to stem refugees, cross-border raids, arms smuggling, and other illegal activities by separatists from southern Senegal's Casamance region, as well as from conflicts in other west African states Gaza Strip West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation; Israel removed settlers and military personnel from the Gaza Strip in August 2005 Georgia Russia and Georgia agree on delimiting 80% of their common border, leaving certain small, strategic segments and the maritime boundary unresolved; OSCE observers monitor volatile areas such as the Pankisi Gorge in the Akhmeti region and the Argun Gorge in Abkhazia; UN Observer Mission in Georgia has maintained a peacekeeping force in Georgia since 1993; Meshkheti Turks scattered throughout the former Soviet Union seek to return to Georgia; boundary with Armenia remains undemarcated; ethnic Armenian groups in Javakheti region of Georgia seek greater autonomy from the Georgian government; Azerbaijan and Georgia continue to discuss the alignment of their boundary at certain crossing areas Germany none Ghana Ghana struggles to accommodate returning nationals who worked in the cocoa plantations and escaped fighting in Cote d'Ivoire Gibraltar in 2002, Gibraltar residents voted overwhelmingly by referendum to reject any "shared sovereignty" arrangement; the government of Gibraltar insists on equal participation in talks between the UK and Spain; Spain disapproves of UK plans to grant Gibraltar even greater autonomy Greece Greece and Turkey continue discussions to resolve their complex maritime, air, territorial, and boundary disputes in the Aegean Sea; Cyprus question with Turkey; Greece rejects the use of the name Macedonia or Republic of Macedonia; the mass migration of unemployed Albanians still remains a problem for developed countries, chiefly Greece and Italy Greenland managed dispute between Canada and Denmark over Hans Island in the Kennedy Channel between Canada's Ellesmere Island and Greenland Grenada none Guam none Guatemala annual ministerial meetings under the OAS-initiated Agreement on the Framework for Negotiations and Confidence Building Measures continue to address Guatemalan land and maritime claims in Belize and the Caribbean Sea; the Line of Adjacency created under the 2002 Differendum serves in lieu of the contiguous international boundary to control squatting in the sparsely inhabited rain forests of Belize's border region; Mexico must deal with thousands of impoverished Guatemalans and other Central Americans who cross the porous border looking for work in Mexico and the United States Guernsey none Guinea conflicts among rebel groups, warlords, and youth gangs in neighboring states have spilled over into Guinea, resulting in domestic instability; Sierra Leone considers Guinea's definition of the flood plain limits to define the left bank boundary of the Makona and Moa rivers excessive and protests Guinea's continued occupation of these lands, including the hamlet of Yenga, occupied since 1998 Guinea-Bissau in 2006, political instability within Senegal's Casamance region resulted in thousands of Senegalese refugees, cross-border raids, and arms smuggling into Guinea-Bissau Guyana all of the area west of the Essequibo River is claimed by Venezuela preventing any discussion of a maritime boundary; Guyana has expressed its intention to join Barbados in asserting claims before UNCLOS that Trinidad and Tobago's maritime boundary with Venezuela extends into their waters; Suriname claims a triangle of land between the New and Kutari/Koetari rivers in a historic dispute over the headwaters of the Courantyne; Guyana seeks arbitration under provisions of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to resolve the long-standing dispute with Suriname over the axis of the territorial sea boundary in potentially oil-rich waters Haiti since 2004, about 8,000 peacekeepers from the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) maintain civil order in Haiti; despite efforts to control illegal migration, Haitians cross into the Dominican Republic and sail to neighboring countries; Haiti claims US-administered Navassa Island Heard Island and McDonald Islands none Holy See (Vatican City) none Honduras International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled on the delimitation of "bolsones" (disputed areas) along the El Salvador-Honduras border in 1992 with final settlement by the parties in 2006 after an Organization of American States (OAS) survey and a further ICJ ruling in 2003; the 1992 ICJ ruling advised a tripartite resolution to a maritime boundary in the Gulf of Fonseca with consideration of Honduran access to the Pacific; El Salvador continues to claim tiny Conejo Island, not mentioned in the ICJ ruling, off Honduras in the Gulf of Fonseca; Honduras claims the Belizean-administered Sapodilla Cays off the coast of Belize in its constitution, but agreed to a joint ecological park around the cays should Guatemala consent to a maritime corridor in the Caribbean under the OAS-sponsored 2002 Belize-Guatemala Differendum; memorials and countermemorials were filed by the parties in Nicaragua's 1999 and 2001 proceedings against Honduras and Colombia at the ICJ over the maritime boundary and territorial claims in the western Caribbean Sea - final public hearings are scheduled for 2007 Hong Kong none Hungary bilateral government, legal, technical and economic working group negotiations continue in 2006 with Slovakia over Hungary's failure to complete its portion of the Gabcikovo-Nagymaros hydroelectric dam project along the Danube; as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Hungary has implemented the strict Schengen border rules Iceland Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm India since China and India launched a security and foreign policy dialogue in 2005, consolidated discussions related to the dispute over most of their rugged, militarized boundary, regional nuclear proliferation, Indian claims that China transferred missiles to Pakistan, and other matters continue; various talks and confidence-building measures have cautiously begun to defuse tensions over Kashmir, particularly since the October 2005 earthquake in the region; Kashmir nevertheless remains the site of the world's largest and most militarized territorial dispute with portions under the de facto administration of China (Aksai Chin), India (Jammu and Kashmir), and Pakistan (Azad Kashmir and Northern Areas); India and Pakistan have maintained the 2004 cease fire in Kashmir and initiated discussions on defusing the armed stand-off in the Siachen glacier region; Pakistan protests India's fencing the highly militarized Line of Control and construction of the Baglihar Dam on the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir, which is part of the larger dispute on water sharing of the Indus River and its tributaries; UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) has maintained a small group of peacekeepers since 1949; India does not recognize Pakistan's ceding historic Kashmir lands to China in 1964; to defuse tensions and prepare for discussions on a maritime boundary, India and Pakistan seek technical resolution of the disputed boundary in Sir Creek estuary at the mouth of the Rann of Kutch in the Arabian Sea; Pakistani maps continue to show its Junagadh claim in Indian Gujarat State; discussions with Bangladesh remain stalled to delimit a small section of river boundary, to exchange territory for 51 Bangladeshi exclaves in India and 111 Indian exclaves in Bangladesh, to allocate divided villages, and to stop illegal cross-border trade, migration, violence, and transit of terrorists through the porous border; Bangladesh protests India's attempts to fence off high-traffic sections of the border; dispute with Bangladesh over New Moore/South Talpatty/Purbasha Island in the Bay of Bengal deters maritime boundary delimitation; India seeks cooperation from Bhutan and Burma to keep Indian Nagaland and Assam separatists from hiding in remote areas along the borders; Joint Border Committee with Nepal continues to examine contested boundary sections, including the 400 square kilometer dispute over the source of the Kalapani River; India maintains a strict border regime to keep out Maoist insurgents and control illegal cross-border activities from Nepal Indian Ocean some maritime disputes (see littoral states) Indonesia Indonesia has a stated foreign policy objective of establishing stable fixed land and maritime boundaries with all of its neighbors; Timor-Leste-Indonesia Boundary Committee has resolved all but a small portion of the land boundary, but discussions on maritime boundaries are stalemated over sovereignty of the uninhabited coral island of Pulau Batek/Fatu Sinai in the north and alignment with Australian claims in the south; many refugees from Timor-Leste who left in 2003 still reside in Indonesia and refuse repatriation; a 1997 treaty between Indonesia and Australia settled some parts of their maritime boundary but outstanding issues remain; ICJ's award of Sipadan and Ligitan islands to Malaysia in 2002 left the sovereignty of Unarang rock and the maritime boundary in the Ambalat oil block in the Celebes Sea in dispute; the ICJ decision has prompted Indonesia to assert claims to and to establish a presence on its smaller outer islands; Indonesia and Singapore continue to work on finalization of their 1973 maritime boundary agreement by defining unresolved areas north of Indonesia's Batam Island; Indonesian secessionists, squatters, and illegal migrants create repatriation problems for Papua New Guinea; piracy remains a problem in the Malacca Strait; maritime delimitation talks continue with Palau; Indonesian groups challenge Australia's claim to Ashmore Reef; Australia has closed parts of the Ashmore and Cartier Reserve to Indonesian traditional fishing and placed restrictions on certain catches Iran Iran protests Afghanistan's limiting flow of dammed tributaries to the Helmand River in periods of drought; Iraq's lack of a maritime boundary with Iran prompts jurisdiction disputes beyond the mouth of the Shatt al Arab in the Persian Gulf; Iran and UAE dispute Tunb Islands and Abu Musa Island, which are occupied by Iran; Iran stands alone among littoral states in insisting upon a division of the Caspian Sea into five equal sectors Iraq coalition forces assist Iraqis in monitoring internal and cross-border security; approximately two million Iraqis have fled the conflict in Iraq, with the majority taking refuge in Syria and Jordan, and lesser numbers to Egypt, Lebanon, Iran, and Turkey; Iraq's lack of a maritime boundary with Iran prompts jurisdiction disputes beyond the mouth of the Shatt al Arab in the Persian Gulf; Turkey has expressed concern over the autonomous status of Kurds in Iraq Ireland Ireland, Iceland, and the UK dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm Isle of Man none Israel West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation; Israel continues construction of a "seam line" separation barrier along parts of the Green Line and within the West Bank; Israel withdrew its settlers and military from the Gaza Strip and from four settlements in the West Bank in August 2005; Golan Heights is Israeli-occupied (Lebanon claims the Shab'a Farms area of Golan Heights); since 1948, about 350 peacekeepers from the UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) headquartered in Jerusalem monitor ceasefires, supervise armistice agreements, prevent isolated incidents from escalating, and assist other UN personnel in the region Italy Italy's long coastline and developed economy entices tens of thousands of illegal immigrants from southeastern Europe and northern Africa Jamaica none Jan Mayen none Japan the sovereignty dispute over the islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri, and Shikotan, and the Habomai group, known in Japan as the "Northern Territories" and in Russia as the "Southern Kuril Islands," occupied by the Soviet Union in 1945, now administered by Russia and claimed by Japan, remains the primary sticking point to signing a peace treaty formally ending World War II hostilities; Japan and South Korea claim Liancourt Rocks (Take-shima/Dokdo) occupied by South Korea since 1954; China and Taiwan dispute both Japan's claims to the uninhabited islands of the Senkaku-shoto (Diaoyu Tai) and Japan's unilaterally declared exclusive economic zone in the East China Sea, the site of intensive hydrocarbon prospecting Jersey none Jordan approximately two million Iraqis have fled the conflict in Iraq, with the majority taking refuge in Syria and Jordan; 2004 Agreement settles border dispute with Syria pending demarcation Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan has yet to ratify the 2001 boundary delimitation with Kazakhstan; field demarcation of the boundaries with Turkmenistan commenced in 2005, and with Uzbekistan in 2004; demarcation is scheduled to get underway with Russia in 2007; demarcation with China was completed in 2002; creation of a seabed boundary with Turkmenistan in the Caspian Sea remains under discussion; equidistant seabed treaties have been ratified with Azerbaijan and Russia in the Caspian Sea, but no resolution has been made on dividing the water column among any of the littoral states Kenya Kenya served as an important mediator in brokering Sudan's north-south separation in February 2005; Kenya provides shelter to almost a quarter of a million refugees, including Ugandans who flee across the border periodically to seek protection from Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebels; Kenya works hard to prevent the clan and militia fighting in Somalia from spreading across the border, which has long been open to nomadic pastoralists; the boundary that separates Kenya's and Sudan's sovereignty is unclear in the "Ilemi Triangle," which Kenya has administered since colonial times Kiribati none Korea, North risking arrest, imprisonment, and deportation, tens of thousands of North Koreans cross into China to escape famine, economic privation, and political oppression; North Korea and China dispute the sovereignty of certain islands in Yalu and Tumen rivers; Military Demarcation Line within the 4-km wide Demilitarized Zone has separated North from South Korea since 1953; periodic incidents in the Yellow Sea with South Korea which claims the Northern Limiting Line as a maritime boundary; North Korea supports South Korea in rejecting Japan's claim to Liancourt Rocks (Tok-do/Take-shima) Korea, South Military Demarcation Line within the 4-km wide Demilitarized Zone has separated North from South Korea since 1953; periodic incidents with North Korea in the Yellow Sea over the Northern Limiting Line, which South Korea claims as a maritime boundary; South Korea and Japan claim Liancourt Rocks (Tok-do/Take-shima), occupied by South Korea since 1954 Kosovo Serbia with several other states protest the US and other states' recognition of Kosovo's declaring itself as a sovereign and independent state in February 2008; ethnic Serbian municipalities along Kosovo's northern border challenge final status of Kosovo-Serbia boundary; several thousand NATO-led KFOR peacekeepers under UNMIK authority continue to keep the peace within Kosovo between the ethnic Albanian majority and the Serb minority in Kosovo; Kosovo and Macedonia completed demarcation of their boundary in September 2008 Kuwait Kuwait and Saudi Arabia continue negotiating a joint maritime boundary with Iran; no maritime boundary exists with Iraq in the Persian Gulf Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan has yet to ratify the 2001 boundary delimitation with Kazakhstan; disputes in Isfara Valley delay completion of delimitation with Tajikistan; delimitation of 130 km of border with Uzbekistan is hampered by serious disputes around enclaves and other areas Laos Southeast Asian states have enhanced border surveillance to check the spread of avian flu; talks continue on completion of demarcation with Thailand but disputes remain over islands in the Mekong River; concern among Mekong Commission members that China's construction of dams on the Mekong River will affect water levels Latvia Russia demands better Latvian treatment of ethnic Russians in Latvia; as of January 2007, ground demarcation of the boundary with Belarus was complete and mapped with final ratification documentation in preparation; the Latvian parliament has not ratified its 1998 maritime boundary treaty with Lithuania, primarily due to concerns over oil exploration rights; as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Latvia has implemented the strict Schengen border rules with Russia Lebanon lacking a treaty or other documentation describing the boundary, portions of the Lebanon-Syria boundary are unclear with several sections in dispute; since 2000, Lebanon has claimed Shab'a Farms area in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights; the roughly 2,000-strong UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has been in place since 1978 Lesotho none Liberia although civil unrest continues to abate with the assistance of 18,000 UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) peacekeepers, as of January 2007, Liberian refugees still remain in Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire, Sierra Leone, and Ghana; Liberia, in turn, shelters refugees fleeing turmoil in Cote d'Ivoire; despite the presence of over 9,000 UN forces (UNOCI) in Cote d'Ivoire since 2004, ethnic conflict continues to spread into neighboring states who can no longer send their migrant workers to Ivorian cocoa plantations; UN sanctions ban Liberia from exporting diamonds and timber Libya Libya has claimed more than 32,000 sq km in southeastern Algeria and about 25,000 sq km in the Tommo region of Niger in a currently dormant dispute; various Chadian rebels from the Aozou region reside in southern Libya Liechtenstein none Lithuania Lithuania and Russia committed to demarcating their boundary in 2006 in accordance with the land and maritime treaty ratified by Russia in May 2003 and by Lithuania in 1999; Lithuania operates a simplified transit regime for Russian nationals traveling from the Kaliningrad coastal exclave into Russia, while still conforming, as a EU member state having an external border with a non-EU member, to strict Schengen border rules; the Latvian parliament has not ratified its 1998 maritime boundary treaty with Lithuania, primarily due to concerns over potential hydrocarbons; as of January 2007, ground demarcation of the boundary with Belarus was complete and mapped with final ratification documents in preparation Luxembourg none Macau none Macedonia Kosovo and Macedonia completed demarcation of their boundary in September 2008; Greece continues to reject the use of the name Macedonia or Republic of Macedonia Madagascar claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, and Juan de Nova Island (all administered by France) Malawi disputes with Tanzania over the boundary in Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) and the meandering Songwe River remain dormant Malaysia Malaysia has asserted sovereignty over the Spratly Islands together with China, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; while the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" has eased tensions over the Spratly Islands, it is not the legally binding "code of conduct" sought by some parties; Malaysia was not party to the March 2005 joint accord among the national oil companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam on conducting marine seismic activities in the Spratly Islands; disputes continue over deliveries of fresh water to Singapore, Singapore's land reclamation, bridge construction, and maritime boundaries in the Johor and Singapore Straits; in November 2007, the ICJ will hold public hearings in response to the memorials and countermemorials filed by the parties in 2003 and 2005 over sovereignty of Pedra Branca Island/Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge; ICJ awarded Ligitan and Sipadan islands, also claimed by Indonesia and Philippines, to Malaysia but left maritime boundary and sovereignty of Unarang rock in the hydrocarbon-rich Celebes Sea in dispute; separatist violence in Thailand's predominantly Muslim southern provinces prompts measures to close and monitor border with Malaysia to stem terrorist activities; Philippines retains a dormant claim to Malaysia's Sabah State in northern Borneo; Brunei and Malaysia agreed in September 2008 to resolve their offshore and deepwater seabed dispute, resume hydrocarbon exploration and renounce any territorial claims on land; piracy remains a problem in the Malacca Strait Maldives none Mali none Malta none Marshall Islands claims US territory of Wake Island Mauritania Mauritanian claims to Western Sahara remain dormant Mauritius Mauritius claims the Chagos Archipelago (UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory), and its former inhabitants, who reside chiefly in Mauritius; claims French-administered Tromelin Island Mayotte claimed by Comoros Mexico abundant rainfall in recent years along much of the Mexico-US border region has ameliorated periodically strained water-sharing arrangements; the US has intensified security measures to monitor and control legal and illegal personnel, transport, and commodities across its border with Mexico; Mexico must deal with thousands of impoverished Guatemalans and other Central Americans who cross the porous border looking for work in Mexico and the United States Micronesia, Federated States of none Moldova Moldova and Ukraine operate joint customs posts to monitor the transit of people and commodities through Moldova's break-away Transnistria region, which remains under OSCE supervision Monaco none Mongolia none Montenegro none Montserrat none Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara whose sovereignty remains unresolved - UN-administered cease-fire has remained in effect since September 1991, but attempts to hold a referendum have failed and parties thus far have rejected all brokered proposals; Morocco protests Spain's control over the coastal enclaves of Ceuta, Melilla, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera, the islands of Penon de Alhucemas and Islas Chafarinas, and surrounding waters; discussions have not progressed on a comprehensive maritime delimitation, setting limits on resource exploration and refugee interdiction, since Morocco's 2002 rejection of Spain's unilateral designation of a median line from the Canary Islands; Morocco serves as one of the primary launching areas of illegal migration into Spain from North Africa Mozambique none Namibia concerns from international experts and local populations over the Okavango Delta ecology in Botswana and human displacement scuttled Namibian plans to construct a hydroelectric dam on Popa Falls along the Angola-Namibia border; managed dispute with South Africa over the location of the boundary in the Orange River; Namibia has supported, and in 2004 Zimbabwe dropped objections to, plans between Botswana and Zambia to build a bridge over the Zambezi River, thereby de facto recognizing a short, but not clearly delimited, Botswana-Zambia boundary in the river Nauru none Navassa Island claimed by Haiti, source of subsistence fishing Nepal joint border commission continues to work on contested sections of boundary with India, including the 400 square kilometer dispute over the source of the Kalapani River; India has instituted a stricter border regime to restrict transit of Maoist insurgents and illegal cross-border activities; approximately 106,000 Bhutanese Lhotshampas (Hindus) have been confined in refugee camps in southeastern Nepal since 1990 Netherlands none Netherlands Antilles none New Caledonia Matthew and Hunter Islands east of New Caledonia claimed by France and Vanuatu New Zealand asserts a territorial claim in Antarctica (Ross Dependency) Nicaragua memorials and countermemorials were filed by the parties in Nicaragua's 1999 and 2001 proceedings against Honduras and Colombia at the ICJ over the maritime boundary and territorial claims in the western Caribbean Sea, final public hearings are scheduled for 2007; the 1992 ICJ ruling for El Salvador and Honduras advised a tripartite resolution to establish a maritime boundary in the Gulf of Fonseca, which considers Honduran access to the Pacific; legal dispute over navigational rights of San Juan River on border with Costa Rica Niger Libya claims about 25,000 sq km in a currently dormant dispute in the Tommo region; much of Benin-Niger boundary, including tripoint with Nigeria, remains undemarcated; only Nigeria and Cameroon have heeded the Lake Chad Commission's admonition to ratify the delimitation treaty which also includes the Chad-Niger and Niger-Nigeria boundaries Nigeria Joint Border Commission with Cameroon reviewed 2002 ICJ ruling on the entire boundary and bilaterally resolved differences, including June 2006 Greentree Agreement that immediately cedes sovereignty of the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon with a phase-out of Nigerian control within two years while resolving patriation issues; the ICJ ruled on an equidistance settlement of Cameroon-Equatorial Guinea-Nigeria maritime boundary in the Gulf of Guinea, but imprecisely defined coordinates in the ICJ decision and a sovereignty dispute between Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon over an island at the mouth of the Ntem River all contribute to the delay in implementation; only Nigeria and Cameroon have heeded the Lake Chad Commission's admonition to ratify the delimitation treaty which also includes the Chad-Niger and Niger-Nigeria boundaries Niue none Norfolk Island none Northern Mariana Islands none Norway Norway asserts a territorial claim in Antarctica (Queen Maud Land and its continental shelf); despite dialogue, Russia and Norway continue to dispute their maritime limits in the Barents Sea and Russia's fishing rights beyond Svalbard's territorial limits within the Svalbard Treaty zone Oman boundary agreement reportedly signed and ratified with UAE in 2003 for entire border, including Oman's Musandam Peninsula and Al Madhah exclave, but details of the alignment have not been made public Pacific Ocean some maritime disputes (see littoral states) Pakistan various talks and confidence-building measures cautiously have begun to defuse tensions over Kashmir, particularly since the October 2005 earthquake in the region; Kashmir nevertheless remains the site of the world's largest and most militarized territorial dispute with portions under the de facto administration of China (Aksai Chin), India (Jammu and Kashmir), and Pakistan (Azad Kashmir and Northern Areas); UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) has maintained a small group of peacekeepers since 1949; India does not recognize Pakistan's ceding historic Kashmir lands to China in 1964; India and Pakistan have maintained their 2004 cease fire in Kashmir and initiated discussions on defusing the armed stand-off in the Siachen glacier region; Pakistan protests India's fencing the highly militarized Line of Control and construction of the Baglihar Dam on the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir, which is part of the larger dispute on water sharing of the Indus River and its tributaries; to defuse tensions and prepare for discussions on a maritime boundary, India and Pakistan seek technical resolution of the disputed boundary in Sir Creek estuary at the mouth of the Rann of Kutch in the Arabian Sea; Pakistani maps continue to show the Junagadh claim in India's Gujarat State; by 2005, Pakistan, with UN assistance, repatriated 2.3 million Afghan refugees leaving slightly more than a million, many of whom remain at their own choosing; Pakistan has proposed and Afghanistan protests construction of a fence and laying of mines along portions of their porous border; Pakistan has sent troops into remote tribal areas to monitor and control the border with Afghanistan and to stem terrorist or other illegal activities Palau maritime delineation negotiations continue with Philippines, Indonesia Panama organized illegal narcotics operations in Colombia operate within the remote border region with Panama Papua New Guinea relies on assistance from Australia to keep out illegal cross-border activities from primarily Indonesia, including goods smuggling, illegal narcotics trafficking, and squatters and secessionists Paracel Islands occupied by China, also claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam Paraguay unruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay borders is locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and illegal narcotics trafficking, and fundraising for extremist organizations Peru Chile and Ecuador rejected Peru's November 2005 unilateral legislation to shift the axis of their joint treaty-defined maritime boundaries along the parallels of latitude to equidistance lines which favor Peru; organized illegal narcotics operations in Colombia have penetrated Peru's shared border; Peru rejects Bolivia's claim to restore maritime access through a sovereign corridor through Chile along the Peruvian border Philippines Philippines claims sovereignty over certain of the Spratly Islands, known locally as the Kalayaan (Freedom) Islands, also claimed by China, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam; the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea," has eased tensions in the Spratly Islands but falls short of a legally binding "code of conduct" desired by several of the disputants; in March 2005, the national oil companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam signed a joint accord to conduct marine seismic activities in the Spratly Islands; Philippines retains a dormant claim to Malaysia's Sabah State in northern Borneo based on the Sultanate of Sulu's granting the Philippines Government power of attorney to pursue a sovereignty claim on his behalf; maritime delimitation negotiations continue with Palau Pitcairn Islands none Poland as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Poland has implemented the strict Schengen border rules to restrict illegal immigration and trade along its eastern borders with Belarus and Ukraine Portugal Portugal does not recognize Spanish sovereignty over the territory of Olivenza based on a difference of interpretation of the 1815 Congress of Vienna and the 1801 Treaty of Badajoz Puerto Rico increasing numbers of illegal migrants from the Dominican Republic cross the Mona Passage to Puerto Rico each year looking for work Qatar none Romania the ICJ gave Ukraine until December 2006 to reply, and Romania until June 2007 to issue a rejoinder, in their dispute submitted in 2004 over Ukrainian-administered Zmiyinyy/Serpilor (Snake) Island and Black Sea maritime boundary delimitation; Romania also opposes Ukraine's reopening of a navigation canal from the Danube border through Ukraine to the Black Sea Russia China and Russia have demarcated the once disputed islands at the Amur and Ussuri confluence and in the Argun River in accordance with the 2004 Agreement, ending their centuries-long border disputes; the sovereignty dispute over the islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri, Shikotan, and the Habomai group, known in Japan as the "Northern Territories" and in Russia as the "Southern Kurils," occupied by the Soviet Union in 1945, now administered by Russia, and claimed by Japan, remains the primary sticking point to signing a peace treaty formally ending World War II hostilities; Russia and Georgia agree on delimiting all but small, strategic segments of the land boundary and the maritime boundary; OSCE observers monitor volatile areas such as the Pankisi Gorge in the Akhmeti region and the Kodori Gorge in Abkhazia; Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia signed equidistance boundaries in the Caspian seabed but the littoral states have no consensus on dividing the water column; Russia and Norway dispute their maritime limits in the Barents Sea and Russia's fishing rights beyond Svalbard's territorial limits within the Svalbard Treaty zone; various groups in Finland advocate restoration of Karelia (Kareliya) and other areas ceded to the Soviet Union following the Second World War but the Finnish Government asserts no territorial demands; in May 2005, Russia recalled its signatures to the 1996 border agreements with Estonia (1996) and Latvia (1997), when the two Baltic states announced issuance of unilateral declarations referencing Soviet occupation and ensuing territorial losses; Russia demands better treatment of ethnic Russians in Estonia and Latvia; Estonian citizen groups continue to press for realignment of the boundary based on the 1920 Tartu Peace Treaty that would bring the now divided ethnic Setu people and parts of the Narva region within Estonia; Lithuania and Russia committed to demarcating their boundary in 2006 in accordance with the land and maritime treaty ratified by Russia in May 2003 and by Lithuania in 1999; Lithuania operates a simplified transit regime for Russian nationals traveling from the Kaliningrad coastal exclave into Russia, while still conforming, as an EU member state with an EU external border, where strict Schengen border rules apply; preparations for the demarcation delimitation of land boundary with Ukraine have commenced; the dispute over the boundary between Russia and Ukraine through the Kerch Strait and Sea of Azov remains unresolved despite a December 2003 framework agreement and on-going expert-level discussions; Kazakhstan and Russia boundary delimitation was ratified on November 2005 and field demarcation should commence in 2007; Russian Duma has not yet ratified 1990 Bering Sea Maritime Boundary Agreement with the US Rwanda fighting among ethnic groups - loosely associated political rebels, armed gangs, and various government forces in Great Lakes region transcending the boundaries of Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda - abated substantially from a decade ago due largely to UN peacekeeping, international mediation, and efforts by local governments to create civil societies; nonetheless, 57,000 Rwandan refugees still reside in 21 African states, including Zambia, Gabon, and 20,000 who fled to Burundi in 2005 and 2006 to escape drought and recriminations from traditional courts investigating the 1994 massacres; the 2005 DROC and Rwanda border verification mechanism to stem rebel actions on both sides of the border remains in place Saint Helena none Saint Kitts and Nevis joins other Caribbean states to counter Venezuela's claim that Aves Island sustains human habitation, a criterion under UNCLOS, which permits Venezuela to extend its EEZ/continental shelf over a large portion of the eastern Caribbean Sea Saint Lucia joins other Caribbean states to counter Venezuela's claim that Aves Island sustains human habitation, a criterion under UNCLOS, which permits Venezuela to extend its EEZ/continental shelf over a large portion of the eastern Caribbean Sea Saint Pierre and Miquelon none Saint Vincent and the Grenadines joins other Caribbean states to counter Venezuela's claim that Aves Island sustains human habitation, a criterion under UNCLOS, which permits Venezuela to extend its EEZ/continental shelf over a large portion of the eastern Caribbean Sea Samoa none San Marino none Sao Tome and Principe none Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia has reinforced its concrete-filled security barrier along sections of the now fully demarcated border with Yemen to stem illegal cross-border activities; Kuwait and Saudi Arabia continue discussions on a maritime boundary with Iran Senegal The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau attempt to stem separatist violence, cross border raids, and arms smuggling into their countries from Senegal's Casamance region, and in 2006, respectively accepted 6,000 and 10,000 Casamance residents fleeing the conflict; 2,500 Guinea-Bissau residents fled into Senegal in 2006 to escape armed confrontations along the border Serbia Serbia with several other states protest the U.S. and other states' recognition of Kosovo's declaring itself as a sovereign and independent state in February 2008; ethnic Serbian municipalities along Kosovo's northern border challenge final status of Kosovo-Serbia boundary; several thousand NATO-led KFOR peacekeepers under UNMIK authority continue to keep the peace within Kosovo between the ethnic Albanian majority and the Serb minority in Kosovo; Serbia delimited about half of the boundary with Bosnia and Herzegovina, but sections along the Drina River remain in dispute Seychelles together with Mauritius, Seychelles claims the Chagos Archipelago (UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory) Sierra Leone as domestic fighting among disparate ethnic groups, rebel groups, warlords, and youth gangs in Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone gradually abate, the number of refugees in border areas has begun to slowly dwindle; Sierra Leone considers excessive Guinea's definition of the flood plain limits to define the left bank boundary of the Makona and Moa rivers and protests Guinea's continued occupation of these lands including the hamlet of Yenga occupied since 1998 Singapore disputes persist with Malaysia over deliveries of fresh water to Singapore, Singapore's extensive land reclamation works, bridge construction, and maritime boundaries in the Johor and Singapore Straits; in November 2007, the ICJ will hold public hearings as a consequence of the Memorials and Countermemorials filed by the parties in 2003 and 2005 over sovereignty of Pedra Branca Island/Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge; Indonesia and Singapore continue to work on finalization of their 1973 maritime boundary agreement by defining unresolved areas north of Indonesia's Batam Island; piracy remains a problem in the Malacca Strait Slovakia bilateral government, legal, technical and economic working group negotiations continued in 2006 between Slovakia and Hungary over Hungary's completion of its portion of the Gabcikovo-Nagymaros hydroelectric dam project along the Danube; as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Slovakia has implemented the strict Schengen border rules Slovenia the Croatia-Slovenia land and maritime boundary agreement, which would have ceded most of Piran Bay and maritime access to Slovenia and several villages to Croatia, remains unratified and in dispute; Slovenia also protests Croatia's 2003 claim to an exclusive economic zone in the Adriatic; as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Slovenia has implemented the strict Schengen border rules to curb illegal migration and commerce through southeastern Europe while encouraging close cross-border ties with Croatia Solomon Islands since 2003, RAMSI, consisting of police, military, and civilian advisors drawn from 15 countries, has assisted in reestablishing and maintaining civil and political order while reinforcing regional stability and security Somalia Ethiopian forces invaded southern Somalia and routed Islamist Courts from Mogadishu in January 2007; "Somaliland" secessionists provide port facilities in Berbera to landlocked Ethiopia and have established commercial ties with other regional states; "Puntland" and "Somaliland" "governments" seek international support in their secessionist aspirations and overlapping border claims; the undemarcated former British administrative line has little meaning as a political separation to rival clans within Ethiopia's Ogaden and southern Somalia's Oromo region; Kenya works hard to prevent the clan and militia fighting in Somalia from spreading south across the border, which has long been open to nomadic pastoralists South Africa South Africa has placed military along the border to apprehend the thousands of Zimbabweans fleeing economic dysfunction and political persecution; as of January 2007, South Africa also supports large numbers of refugees and asylum seekers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (33,000), Somalia (20,000), Burundi (6,500), and other states in Africa (26,000); managed dispute with Namibia over the location of the boundary in the Orange River; in 2006, Swazi king advocates resort to ICJ to claim parts of Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal from South Africa South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands Argentina, which claims the islands in its constitution and briefly occupied them by force in 1982, agreed in 1995 to no longer seek settlement by force Southern Ocean Antarctic Treaty defers claims (see Antarctica entry), but Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, NZ, Norway, and UK assert claims (some overlapping), including the continental shelf in the Southern Ocean; several states have expressed an interest in extending those continental shelf claims under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to include undersea ridges; the US and most other states do not recognize the land or maritime claims of other states and have made no claims themselves (the US and Russia have reserved the right to do so); no formal claims exist in the waters in the sector between 90 degrees west and 150 degrees west Spain in 2002, Gibraltar residents voted overwhelmingly by referendum to remain a British colony and against a "total shared sovereignty" arrangement while demanding participation in talks between the UK and Spain; Spain disapproves of UK plans to grant Gibraltar greater autonomy; Morocco protests Spain's control over the coastal enclaves of Ceuta, Melilla, and the islands of Penon de Velez de la Gomera, Penon de Alhucemas, and Islas Chafarinas, and surrounding waters; Morocco serves as the primary launching site of illegal migration into Spain from North Africa; Portugal does not recognize Spanish sovereignty over the territory of Olivenza based on a difference of interpretation of the 1815 Congress of Vienna and the 1801 Treaty of Badajoz Spratly Islands all of the Spratly Islands are claimed by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam; parts of them are claimed by Malaysia and the Philippines; in 1984, Brunei established an exclusive fishing zone that encompasses Louisa Reef in the southern Spratly Islands but has not publicly claimed the reef; claimants in November 2002 signed the "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea," which has eased tensions but falls short of a legally binding "code of conduct"; in March 2005, the national oil companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam signed a joint accord to conduct marine seismic activities in the Spratly Islands Sri Lanka none Sudan the effects of Sudan's almost constant ethnic and rebel militia fighting since the mid-20th century have penetrated all of the neighboring states; as of 2006, Chad, Ethiopia, Kenya, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Uganda provided shelter for over half a million Sudanese refugees, which includes 240,000 Darfur residents driven from their homes by Janjawid armed militia and the Sudanese military forces; Sudan, in turn, hosted about 116,000 Eritreans, 20,000 Chadians, and smaller numbers of Ethiopians, Ugandans, Central Africans, and Congolese as refugees; in February 2006, Sudan and DROC signed an agreement to repatriate 13,300 Sudanese and 6,800 Congolese; Sudan accuses Eritrea of supporting Sudanese rebel groups; efforts to demarcate the porous boundary with Ethiopia proceed slowly due to civil and ethnic fighting in eastern Sudan; the boundary that separates Kenya and Sudan's sovereignty is unclear in the "Ilemi Triangle," which Kenya has administered since colonial times; Sudan claims to administer the Hala'ib Triangle north of the 1899 Treaty boundary with Egypt along the 22nd Parallel; both states withdrew their military presence in the 1990s, but Egypt has invested in and effectively administers the area; periodic violent skirmishes with Sudanese residents over water and grazing rights persist among related pastoral populations along the border with the Central African Republic Suriname area claimed by French Guiana between Riviere Litani and Riviere Marouini (both headwaters of the Lawa); Suriname claims a triangle of land between the New and Kutari/Koetari rivers in a historic dispute over the headwaters of the Courantyne; Guyana seeks United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) arbitration to resolve the long-standing dispute with Suriname over the axis of the territorial sea boundary in potentially oil-rich waters Svalbard despite recent discussions, Russia and Norway dispute their maritime limits in the Barents Sea and Russia's fishing rights beyond Svalbard's territorial limits within the Svalbard Treaty zone Swaziland in 2006, Swazi king advocates resort to ICJ to claim parts of Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal from South Africa Sweden none Switzerland none Syria Golan Heights is Israeli-occupied with the almost 1,000-strong UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) patrolling a buffer zone since 1964; lacking a treaty or other documentation describing the boundary, portions of the Lebanon-Syria boundary are unclear with several sections in dispute; since 2000, Lebanon has claimed Shabaa farms in the Golan Heights; 2004 Agreement and pending demarcation settles border dispute with Jordan; approximately two million Iraqis have fled the conflict in Iraq with the majority taking refuge in Syria and Jordan Taiwan involved in complex dispute with China, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei over the Spratly Islands; the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" has eased tensions but falls short of a legally binding "code of conduct" desired by several of the disputants; Paracel Islands are occupied by China, but claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam; in 2003, China and Taiwan became more vocal in rejecting both Japan's claims to the uninhabited islands of the Senkaku-shoto (Diaoyu Tai) and Japan's unilaterally declared exclusive economic zone in the East China Sea where all parties engage in hydrocarbon prospecting Tajikistan in 2006, China and Tajikistan pledged to commence demarcation of the revised boundary agreed to in the delimitation of 2002; talks continue with Uzbekistan to delimit border and remove minefields; disputes in Isfara Valley delay delimitation with Kyrgyzstan Tanzania Tanzania still hosts more than a half-million refugees, more than any other African country, mainly from Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, despite the international community's efforts at repatriation; disputes with Malawi over the boundary in Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) and the meandering Songwe River remain dormant Thailand separatist violence in Thailand's predominantly Muslim southern provinces prompt border closures and controls with Malaysia to stem terrorist activities; Southeast Asian states have enhanced border surveillance to check the spread of avian flu; talks continue on completion of demarcation with Laos but disputes remain over several islands in the Mekong River; despite continuing border committee talks, Thailand must deal with Karen and other ethnic rebels, refugees, and illegal cross-border activities, and as of 2006, over 116,000 Karen, Hmong, and other refugees and asylum seekers from Burma; Cambodia and Thailand dispute sections of historic boundary with missing boundary markers; Cambodia claims Thai encroachments into Cambodian territory and obstructing access to Preah Vihear temple ruins awarded to Cambodia by ICJ decision in 1962; Thailand is studying the feasibility of jointly constructing the Hatgyi Dam on the Salween river near the border with Burma; in 2004, international environmentalist pressure prompted China to halt construction of 13 dams on the Salween River that flows through China, Burma, and Thailand Timor-Leste Timor-Leste-Indonesia Boundary Committee has resolved all but a small portion of the land boundary, but discussions on maritime boundaries are stalemated over sovereignty of the uninhabited coral island of Pulau Batek/Fatu Sinai in the north and alignment with Australian claims in the south; many refugees who left Timor-Leste in 2003 still reside in Indonesia and refuse repatriation; Australia and Timor-Leste agreed in 2005 to defer the disputed portion of the boundary for 50 years and to split hydrocarbon revenues evenly outside the Joint Petroleum Development Area covered by the 2002 Timor Sea Treaty Togo in 2001, Benin claimed Togo moved boundary monuments - joint commission continues to resurvey the boundary; in 2006, 14,000 Togolese refugees remain in Benin and Ghana out of the 40,000 who fled there in 2005 Tokelau Tokelau included American Samoa's Swains Island (Olohega) in its 2006 draft constitution Tonga none Trinidad and Tobago in April 2006, the Permanent Court of Arbitration issued a decision that delimited a maritime boundary with Trinidad and Tobago and compelled Barbados to enter a fishing agreement that limited Barbadian fishermen's catches of flying fish in Trinidad and Tobago's exclusive economic zone; in 2005, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago agreed to compulsory international arbitration under UNCLOS challenging whether the northern limit of Trinidad and Tobago's and Venezuela's maritime boundary extends into Barbadian waters; Guyana has also expressed its intention to include itself in the arbitration as the Trinidad and Tobago-Venezuela maritime boundary may extend into its waters as well Tunisia none Turkey complex maritime, air, and territorial disputes with Greece in the Aegean Sea; status of north Cyprus question remains; Syria and Iraq protest Turkish hydrological projects to control upper Euphrates waters; Turkey has expressed concern over the status of Kurds in Iraq; border with Armenia remains closed over Nagorno-Karabakh Turkmenistan cotton monoculture in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan creates water-sharing difficulties for Amu Darya river states; field demarcation of the boundaries with Kazakhstan commenced in 2005, but Caspian seabed delimitation remains stalled with Azerbaijan, Iran, and Kazakhstan due to Turkmenistan's indecision over how to allocate the sea's waters and seabed Turks and Caicos Islands have received Haitians fleeing economic and civil disorder Tuvalu none Uganda Uganda is subject to armed fighting among hostile ethnic groups, rebels, armed gangs, militias, and various government forces that extend across its borders; Uganda hosts 209,860 Sudanese, 27,560 Congolese, and 19,710 Rwandan refugees, while Ugandan refugees as well as members of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) seek shelter in southern Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo's Garamba National Park; LRA forces have also attacked Kenyan villages across the border Ukraine 1997 boundary delimitation treaty with Belarus remains un-ratified due to unresolved financial claims, stalling demarcation and reducing border security; delimitation of land boundary with Russia is complete with preparations for demarcation underway; the dispute over the boundary between Russia and Ukraine through the Kerch Strait and Sea of Azov remains unresolved despite a December 2003 framework agreement and ongoing expert-level discussions; Moldova and Ukraine operate joint customs posts to monitor transit of people and commodities through Moldova's break-away Transnistria Region, which remains under OSCE supervision; the ICJ gave Ukraine until December 2006 to reply, and Romania until June 2007 to rejoin, in their dispute submitted in 2004 over Ukrainian-administered Zmiyinyy/Serpilor (Snake) Island and Black Sea maritime boundary; Romania opposes Ukraine's reopening of a navigation canal from the Danube border through Ukraine to the Black Sea United Arab Emirates boundary agreement was signed and ratified with Oman in 2003 for entire border, including Oman's Musandam Peninsula and Al Madhah enclaves, but contents of the agreement and detailed maps showing the alignment have not been published; Iran and UAE dispute Tunb Islands and Abu Musa Island, which Iran occupies United Kingdom in 2002, Gibraltar residents voted overwhelmingly by referendum to reject any "shared sovereignty" arrangement between the UK and Spain; the Government of Gibraltar insists on equal participation in talks between the two countries; Spain disapproves of UK plans to grant Gibraltar greater autonomy; Mauritius and Seychelles claim the Chagos Archipelago (British Indian Ocean Territory), and its former inhabitants since their eviction in 1965; most Chagossians reside in Mauritius, and in 2001 were granted UK citizenship, where some have since resettled; in May 2006, the High Court of London reversed the UK Government's 2004 orders of council that banned habitation on the islands; UK rejects sovereignty talks requested by Argentina, which still claims the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands; territorial claim in Antarctica (British Antarctic Territory) overlaps Argentine claim and partially overlaps Chilean claim; Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm United States the U.S. has intensified domestic security measures and is collaborating closely with its neighbors, Canada and Mexico, to monitor and control legal and illegal personnel, transport, and commodities across the international borders; abundant rainfall in recent years along much of the Mexico-US border region has ameliorated periodically strained water-sharing arrangements; 1990 Maritime Boundary Agreement in the Bering Sea still awaits Russian Duma ratification; managed maritime boundary disputes with Canada at Dixon Entrance, Beaufort Sea, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and around the disputed Machias Seal Island and North Rock; The Bahamas and US have not been able to agree on a maritime boundary; US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay is leased from Cuba and only mutual agreement or US abandonment of the area can terminate the lease; Haiti claims US-administered Navassa Island; US has made no territorial claim in Antarctica (but has reserved the right to do so) and does not recognize the claims of any other states; Marshall Islands claims Wake Island; Tokelau included American Samoa's Swains Island among the islands listed in its 2006 draft constitution United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges none Uruguay in Jan 2007, ICJ provisionally ruled Uruguay may begin construction of two paper mills on the Uruguay River, which forms the border with Argentina, while the court examines further whether Argentina has the legal right to stop such construction with potential environmental implications to both countries; uncontested dispute with Brazil over certain islands in the Quarai/Cuareim and Invernada streams and the resulting tripoint with Argentina Uzbekistan prolonged drought and cotton monoculture in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan creates water-sharing difficulties for Amu Darya river states; field demarcation of the boundaries with Kazakhstan commenced in 2004; border delimitation of 130 km of border with Kyrgyzstan is hampered by serious disputes around enclaves and other areas Vanuatu Matthew and Hunter Islands east of New Caledonia claimed by Vanuatu and France Venezuela claims all of the area west of the Essequibo River in Guyana, preventing any discussion of a maritime boundary; Guyana has expressed its intention to join Barbados in asserting claims before the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) that Trinidad and Tobago's maritime boundary with Venezuela extends into their waters; dispute with Colombia over maritime boundary and Venezuelan-administered Los Monjes islands near the Gulf of Venezuela; Colombian-organized illegal narcotics and paramilitary activities penetrate Venezuela's shared border region; in 2006, an estimated 139,000 Colombians sought protection in 150 communities along the border in Venezuela; US, France, and the Netherlands recognize Venezuela's granting full effect to Aves Island, thereby claiming a Venezuelan EEZ/continental shelf extending over a large portion of the eastern Caribbean Sea; Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines protest Venezuela's full effect claim Vietnam southeast Asian states have enhanced border surveillance to check the spread of avian flu; Cambodia and Laos protest Vietnamese squatters and armed encroachments along border; an estimated 300,000 Vietnamese refugees reside in China; establishment of a maritime boundary with Cambodia is hampered by unresolved dispute over the sovereignty of offshore islands; demarcation of the China-Vietnam boundary proceeds slowly and although the maritime boundary delimitation and fisheries agreements were ratified in June 2004, implementation has been delayed; China occupies the Paracel Islands also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan; involved in complex dispute with China, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, and possibly Brunei over the Spratly Islands; the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" has eased tensions but falls short of a legally binding "code of conduct" desired by several of the disputants; Vietnam continues to expand construction of facilities in the Spratly Islands; in March 2005, the national oil companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam signed a joint accord to conduct marine seismic activities in the Spratly Islands Virgin Islands none Wake Island claimed by Marshall Islands Wallis and Futuna none West Bank West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation; Israel continues construction of a "seam line" separation barrier along parts of the Green Line and within the West Bank; Israel withdrew from four settlements in the northern West Bank in August 2005; since 1948, about 350 peacekeepers from the UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO), headquartered in Jerusalem, monitor ceasefires, supervise armistice agreements, prevent isolated incidents from escalating, and assist other UN personnel in the region Western Sahara Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, whose sovereignty remains unresolved; UN-administered cease-fire has remained in effect since September 1991, administered by the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), but attempts to hold a referendum have failed and parties thus far have rejected all brokered proposals; several states have extended diplomatic relations to the "Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic" represented by the Polisario Front in exile in Algeria, while others recognize Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara; most of the approximately 102,000 Sahrawi refugees are sheltered in camps in Tindouf, Algeria World stretching over 250,000 km, the world's 322 international land boundaries separate 194 independent states and 71 dependencies, areas of special sovereignty, and other miscellaneous entities; ethnicity, culture, race, religion, and language have divided states into separate political entities as much as history, physical terrain, political fiat, or conquest, resulting in sometimes arbitrary and imposed boundaries; most maritime states have claimed limits that include territorial seas and exclusive economic zones; overlapping limits due to adjacent or opposite coasts create the potential for 430 bilateral maritime boundaries of which 209 have agreements that include contiguous and non-contiguous segments; boundary, borderland/resource, and territorial disputes vary in intensity from managed or dormant to violent or militarized; undemarcated, indefinite, porous, and unmanaged boundaries tend to encourage illegal cross-border activities, uncontrolled migration, and confrontation; territorial disputes may evolve from historical and/or cultural claims, or they may be brought on by resource competition; ethnic and cultural clashes continue to be responsible for much of the territorial fragmentation and internal displacement of the estimated 6.6 million people and cross-border displacements of 8.6 million refugees around the world as of early 2006; just over one million refugees were repatriated in the same period; other sources of contention include access to water and mineral (especially hydrocarbon) resources, fisheries, and arable land; armed conflict prevails not so much between the uniformed armed forces of independent states as between stateless armed entities that detract from the sustenance and welfare of local populations, leaving the community of nations to cope with resultant refugees, hunger, disease, impoverishment, and environmental degradation Yemen Saudi Arabia has reinforced its concrete-filled security barrier along sections of the fully demarcated border with Yemen to stem illegal cross-border activities Zambia in 2004, Zimbabwe dropped objections to plans between Botswana and Zambia to build a bridge over the Zambezi River, thereby de facto recognizing a short, but not clearly delimited, Botswana-Zambia boundary in the river Zimbabwe Botswana built electric fences and South Africa has placed military along the border to stem the flow of thousands of Zimbabweans fleeing to find work and escape political persecution; Namibia has supported, and in 2004 Zimbabwe dropped objections to, plans between Botswana and Zambia to build a bridge over the Zambezi River, thereby de facto recognizing a short, but not clearly delimited, Botswana-Zambia boundary in the river ====================================================================== @2075 Field Listing :: Ethnic groups This entry provides an ordered listing of ethnic groups starting with the largest and normally includes the percent of total population. Country Ethnic groups(%) Afghanistan Pashtun 42%, Tajik 27%, Hazara 9%, Uzbek 9%, Aimak 4%, Turkmen 3%, Baloch 2%, other 4% Albania Albanian 95%, Greek 3%, other 2% (Vlach, Roma (Gypsy), Serb, Macedonian, Bulgarian) (1989 est.) note: in 1989, other estimates of the Greek population ranged from 1% (official Albanian statistics) to 12% (from a Greek organization) Algeria Arab-Berber 99%, European less than 1% note: almost all Algerians are Berber in origin, not Arab; the minority who identify themselves as Berber live mostly in the mountainous region of Kabylie east of Algiers; the Berbers are also Muslim but identify with their Berber rather than Arab cultural heritage; Berbers have long agitated, sometimes violently, for autonomy; the government is unlikely to grant autonomy but has offered to begin sponsoring teaching Berber language in schools American Samoa native Pacific islander 91.6%, Asian 2.8%, white 1.1%, mixed 4.2%, other 0.3% (2000 census) Andorra Spanish 43%, Andorran 33%, Portuguese 11%, French 7%, other 6% (1998) Angola Ovimbundu 37%, Kimbundu 25%, Bakongo 13%, mestico (mixed European and native African) 2%, European 1%, other 22% Anguilla black (predominant) 90.1%, mixed, mulatto 4.6%, white 3.7%, other 1.5% (2001 census) Antigua and Barbuda black 91%, mixed 4.4%, white 1.7%, other 2.9% (2001 census) Argentina white (mostly Spanish and Italian) 97%, mestizo (mixed white and Amerindian ancestry), Amerindian, or other non-white groups 3% Armenia Armenian 97.9%, Yezidi (Kurd) 1.3%, Russian 0.5%, other 0.3% (2001 census) Aruba mixed white/Caribbean Amerindian 80%, other 20% Australia white 92%, Asian 7%, aboriginal and other 1% Austria Austrians 91.1%, former Yugoslavs 4% (includes Croatians, Slovenes, Serbs, and Bosniaks), Turks 1.6%, German 0.9%, other or unspecified 2.4% (2001 census) Azerbaijan Azeri 90.6%, Dagestani 2.2%, Russian 1.8%, Armenian 1.5%, other 3.9% (1999 census) note: almost all Armenians live in the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region Bahamas, The black 85%, white 12%, Asian and Hispanic 3% Bahrain Bahraini 62.4%, non-Bahraini 37.6% (2001 census) Bangladesh Bengali 98%, other 2% (includes tribal groups, non-Bengali Muslims) (1998) Barbados black 90%, white 4%, Asian and mixed 6% Belarus Belarusian 81.2%, Russian 11.4%, Polish 3.9%, Ukrainian 2.4%, other 1.1% (1999 census) Belgium Fleming 58%, Walloon 31%, mixed or other 11% Belize mestizo 48.7%, Creole 24.9%, Maya 10.6%, Garifuna 6.1%, other 9.7% (2000 census) Benin Fon and related 39.2%, Adja and related 15.2%, Yoruba and related 12.3%, Bariba and related 9.2%, Peulh and related 7%, Ottamari and related 6.1%, Yoa-Lokpa and related 4%, Dendi and related 2.5%, other 1.6% (includes Europeans), unspecified 2.9% (2002 census) Bermuda black 54.8%, white 34.1%, mixed 6.4%, other races 4.3%, unspecified 0.4% (2000 census) Bhutan Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35% (includes Lhotsampas - one of several Nepalese ethnic groups), indigenous or migrant tribes 15% Bolivia Quechua 30%, mestizo (mixed white and Amerindian ancestry) 30%, Aymara 25%, white 15% Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosniak 48%, Serb 37.1%, Croat 14.3%, other 0.6% (2000) note: Bosniak has replaced Muslim as an ethnic term in part to avoid confusion with the religious term Muslim - an adherent of Islam Botswana Tswana (or Setswana) 79%, Kalanga 11%, Basarwa 3%, other, including Kgalagadi and white 7% Brazil white 53.7%, mulatto (mixed white and black) 38.5%, black 6.2%, other (includes Japanese, Arab, Amerindian) 0.9%, unspecified 0.7% (2000 census) British Virgin Islands black 83.4%, white 7%, other 9.6% (includes Indian and mixed) (2004 Census) Brunei Malay 66.3%, Chinese 11.2%, indigenous 3.4%, other 19.1% (2004 est.) Bulgaria Bulgarian 83.9%, Turk 9.4%, Roma 4.7%, other 2% (including Macedonian, Armenian, Tatar, Circassian) (2001 census) Burkina Faso Mossi over 40%, other approximately 60% (includes Gurunsi, Senufo, Lobi, Bobo, Mande, and Fulani) Burma Burman 68%, Shan 9%, Karen 7%, Rakhine 4%, Chinese 3%, Indian 2%, Mon 2%, other 5% Burundi Hutu (Bantu) 85%, Tutsi (Hamitic) 14%, Twa (Pygmy) 1%, Europeans 3,000, South Asians 2,000 Cambodia Khmer 90%, Vietnamese 5%, Chinese 1%, other 4% Cameroon Cameroon Highlanders 31%, Equatorial Bantu 19%, Kirdi 11%, Fulani 10%, Northwestern Bantu 8%, Eastern Nigritic 7%, other African 13%, non-African less than 1% Canada British Isles origin 28%, French origin 23%, other European 15%, Amerindian 2%, other, mostly Asian, African, Arab 6%, mixed background 26% Cape Verde Creole (mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1% Cayman Islands mixed 40%, white 20%, black 20%, expatriates of various ethnic groups 20% Central African Republic Baya 33%, Banda 27%, Mandjia 13%, Sara 10%, Mboum 7%, M'Baka 4%, Yakoma 4%, other 2% Chad Sara 27.7%, Arab 12.3%, Mayo-Kebbi 11.5%, Kanem-Bornou 9%, Ouaddai 8.7%, Hadjarai 6.7%, Tandjile 6.5%, Gorane 6.3%, Fitri-Batha 4.7%, other 6.4%, unknown 0.3% (1993 census) Chile white and white-Amerindian 95.4%, Mapuche 4%, other indigenous groups 0.6% (2002 census) China Han Chinese 91.5%, Zhuang, Manchu, Hui, Miao, Uyghur, Tujia, Yi, Mongol, Tibetan, Buyi, Dong, Yao, Korean, and other nationalities 8.5% (2000 census) Christmas Island Chinese 70%, European 20%, Malay 10% note: no indigenous population (2001) Cocos (Keeling) Islands Europeans, Cocos Malays Colombia mestizo 58%, white 20%, mulatto 14%, black 4%, mixed black-Amerindian 3%, Amerindian 1% Comoros Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava Congo, Democratic Republic of the over 200 African ethnic groups of which the majority are Bantu; the four largest tribes - Mongo, Luba, Kongo (all Bantu), and the Mangbetu-Azande (Hamitic) make up about 45% of the population Congo, Republic of the Kongo 48%, Sangha 20%, M'Bochi 12%, Teke 17%, Europeans and other 3% Cook Islands Cook Island Maori (Polynesian) 87.7%, part Cook Island Maori 5.8%, other 6.5% (2001 census) Costa Rica white (including mestizo) 94%, black 3%, Amerindian 1%, Chinese 1%, other 1% Cote d'Ivoire Akan 42.1%, Voltaiques or Gur 17.6%, Northern Mandes 16.5%, Krous 11%, Southern Mandes 10%, other 2.8% (includes 130,000 Lebanese and 14,000 French) (1998) Croatia Croat 89.6%, Serb 4.5%, other 5.9% (including Bosniak, Hungarian, Slovene, Czech, and Roma) (2001 census) Cuba white 65.1%, mulatto and mestizo 24.8%, black 10.1% (2002 census) Cyprus Greek 77%, Turkish 18%, other 5% (2001) Czech Republic Czech 90.4%, Moravian 3.7%, Slovak 1.9%, other 4% (2001 census) Denmark Scandinavian, Inuit, Faroese, German, Turkish, Iranian, Somali Djibouti Somali 60%, Afar 35%, other 5% (includes French, Arab, Ethiopian, and Italian) Dominica black 86.8%, mixed 8.9%, Carib Amerindian 2.9%, white 0.8%, other 0.7% (2001 census) Dominican Republic mixed 73%, white 16%, black 11% Ecuador mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 65%, Amerindian 25%, Spanish and others 7%, black 3% Egypt Egyptian 99.6%, other 0.4% (2006 census) El Salvador mestizo 90%, white 9%, Amerindian 1% Equatorial Guinea Fang 85.7%, Bubi 6.5%, Mdowe 3.6%, Annobon 1.6%, Bujeba 1.1%, other 1.4% (1994 census) Eritrea Tigrinya 50%, Tigre and Kunama 40%, Afar 4%, Saho (Red Sea coast dwellers) 3%, other 3% Estonia Estonian 67.9%, Russian 25.6%, Ukrainian 2.1%, Belarusian 1.3%, Finn 0.9%, other 2.2% (2000 census) Ethiopia Oromo 32.1%, Amara 30.1%, Tigraway 6.2%, Somalie 5.9%, Guragie 4.3%, Sidama 3.5%, Welaita 2.4%, other 15.4% (1994 census) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) British Faroe Islands Scandinavian Fiji Fijian 57.3% (predominantly Melanesian with a Polynesian admixture), Indian 37.6%, Rotuman 1.2%, other 3.9% (European, other Pacific Islanders, Chinese) (2007 census) Finland Finn 93.4%, Swede 5.6%, Russian 0.5%, Estonian 0.3%, Roma (Gypsy) 0.1%, Sami 0.1% (2006) France Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African, Indochinese, Basque minorities overseas departments: black, white, mulatto, East Indian, Chinese, Amerindian French Polynesia Polynesian 78%, Chinese 12%, local French 6%, metropolitan French 4% Gabon Bantu tribes, including four major tribal groupings (Fang, Bapounou, Nzebi, Obamba); other Africans and Europeans, 154,000, including 10,700 French and 11,000 persons of dual nationality Gambia, The African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%), non-African 1% (2003 census) Gaza Strip Palestinian Arab Georgia Georgian 83.8%, Azeri 6.5%, Armenian 5.7%, Russian 1.5%, other 2.5% (2002 census) Germany German 91.5%, Turkish 2.4%, other 6.1% (made up largely of Greek, Italian, Polish, Russian, Serbo-Croatian, Spanish) Ghana Akan 45.3%, Mole-Dagbon 15.2%, Ewe 11.7%, Ga-Dangme 7.3%, Guan 4%, Gurma 3.6%, Grusi 2.6%, Mande-Busanga 1%, other tribes 1.4%, other 7.8% (2000 census) Gibraltar Spanish, Italian, English, Maltese, Portuguese, German, North Africans Greece population: Greek 93%, other (foreign citizens) 7% (2001 census) note: percents represent citizenship, since Greece does not collect data on ethnicity Greenland Greenlander 88% (Inuit and Greenland-born whites), Danish and others 12% (2000) Grenada black 82%, mixed black and European 13%, European and East Indian 5%, and trace of Arawak/Carib Amerindian Guam Chamorro 37.1%, Filipino 26.3%, other Pacific islander 11.3%, white 6.9%, other Asian 6.3%, other ethnic origin or race 2.3%, mixed 9.8% (2000 census) Guatemala Mestizo (mixed Amerindian-Spanish - in local Spanish called Ladino) and European 59.4%, K'iche 9.1%, Kaqchikel 8.4%, Mam 7.9%, Q'eqchi 6.3%, other Mayan 8.6%, indigenous non-Mayan 0.2%, other 0.1% (2001 census) Guernsey UK and Norman-French descent with small percentages from other European countries Guinea Peuhl 40%, Malinke 30%, Soussou 20%, smaller ethnic groups 10% Guinea-Bissau African 99% (includes Balanta 30%, Fula 20%, Manjaca 14%, Mandinga 13%, Papel 7%), European and mulatto less than 1% Guyana East Indian 43.5%, black (African) 30.2%, mixed 16.7%, Amerindian 9.1%, other 0.5% (2002 census) Haiti black 95%, mulatto and white 5% Holy See (Vatican City) Italians, Swiss, other Honduras mestizo (mixed Amerindian and European) 90%, Amerindian 7%, black 2%, white 1% Hong Kong Chinese 95%, Filipino 1.6%, Indonesian 1.3%, other 2.1% (2006 census) Hungary Hungarian 92.3%, Roma 1.9%, other or unknown 5.8% (2001 census) Iceland homogeneous mixture of descendants of Norse and Celts 94%, population of foreign origin 6% India Indo-Aryan 72%, Dravidian 25%, Mongoloid and other 3% (2000) Indonesia Javanese 40.6%, Sundanese 15%, Madurese 3.3%, Minangkabau 2.7%, Betawi 2.4%, Bugis 2.4%, Banten 2%, Banjar 1.7%, other or unspecified 29.9% (2000 census) Iran Persian 51%, Azeri 24%, Gilaki and Mazandarani 8%, Kurd 7%, Arab 3%, Lur 2%, Baloch 2%, Turkmen 2%, other 1% Iraq Arab 75%-80%, Kurdish 15%-20%, Turkoman, Assyrian, or other 5% Ireland Irish 87.4%, other white 7.5%, Asian 1.3%, black 1.1%, mixed 1.1%, unspecified 1.6% (2006 census) Isle of Man Manx (Norse-Celtic descent), Britons Israel Jewish 76.4% (of which Israel-born 67.1%, Europe/America-born 22.6%, Africa-born 5.9%, Asia-born 4.2%), non-Jewish 23.6% (mostly Arab) (2004) Italy Italian (includes small clusters of German-, French-, and Slovene-Italians in the north and Albanian-Italians and Greek-Italians in the south) Jamaica black 91.2%, mixed 6.2%, other or unknown 2.6% (2001 census) Japan Japanese 98.5%, Koreans 0.5%, Chinese 0.4%, other 0.6% note: up to 230,000 Brazilians of Japanese origin migrated to Japan in the 1990s to work in industries; some have returned to Brazil (2004) Jersey Jersey 51.1%, Britons 34.8%, Irish, French, and other white 6.6%, Portuguese/Madeiran 6.4%, other 1.1% (2001 census) Jordan Arab 98%, Circassian 1%, Armenian 1% Kazakhstan Kazakh (Qazaq) 53.4%, Russian 30%, Ukrainian 3.7%, Uzbek 2.5%, German 2.4%, Tatar 1.7%, Uygur 1.4%, other 4.9% (1999 census) Kenya Kikuyu 22%, Luhya 14%, Luo 13%, Kalenjin 12%, Kamba 11%, Kisii 6%, Meru 6%, other African 15%, non-African (Asian, European, and Arab) 1% Kiribati Micronesian 98.8%, other 1.2% (2000 census) Korea, North racially homogeneous; there is a small Chinese community and a few ethnic Japanese Korea, South homogeneous (except for about 20,000 Chinese) Kosovo Albanians 88%, Serbs 7%, other 5% (Bosniak, Gorani, Roma, Turk, Ashkali, Egyptian) Kuwait Kuwaiti 45%, other Arab 35%, South Asian 9%, Iranian 4%, other 7% Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyz 64.9%, Uzbek 13.8%, Russian 12.5%, Dungan 1.1%, Ukrainian 1%, Uygur 1%, other 5.7% (1999 census) Laos Lao 55%, Khmou 11%, Hmong 8%, other (over 100 minor ethnic groups) 26% (2005 census) Latvia Latvian 57.7%, Russian 29.6%, Belarusian 4.1%, Ukrainian 2.7%, Polish 2.5%, Lithuanian 1.4%, other 2% (2002) Lebanon Arab 95%, Armenian 4%, other 1% note: many Christian Lebanese do not identify themselves as Arab but rather as descendents of the ancient Canaanites and prefer to be called Phoenicians Lesotho Sotho 99.7%, Europeans, Asians, and other 0.3%, Liberia indigenous African 95% (including Kpelle, Bassa, Gio, Kru, Grebo, Mano, Krahn, Gola, Gbandi, Loma, Kissi, Vai, Dei, Bella, Mandingo, and Mende), Americo-Liberians 2.5% (descendants of immigrants from the US who had been slaves), Congo People 2.5% (descendants of immigrants from the Caribbean who had been slaves) Libya Berber and Arab 97%, other 3% (includes Greeks, Maltese, Italians, Egyptians, Pakistanis, Turks, Indians, and Tunisians) Liechtenstein Liechtensteiner 65.6%, other 34.4% (2000 census) Lithuania Lithuanian 83.4%, Polish 6.7%, Russian 6.3%, other or unspecified 3.6% (2001 census) Luxembourg Luxembourger 63.1%, Portuguese 13.3%, French 4.5%, Italian 4.3%, German 2.3%, other EU 7.3%, other 5.2% (2000 census) Macau Chinese 94.3%, other 5.7% (includes Macanese - mixed Portuguese and Asian ancestry) (2006 census) Macedonia Macedonian 64.2%, Albanian 25.2%, Turkish 3.9%, Roma (Gypsy) 2.7%, Serb 1.8%, other 2.2% (2002 census) Madagascar Malayo-Indonesian (Merina and related Betsileo), Cotiers (mixed African, Malayo-Indonesian, and Arab ancestry - Betsimisaraka, Tsimihety, Antaisaka, Sakalava), French, Indian, Creole, Comoran Malawi Chewa, Nyanja, Tumbuka, Yao, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga, Ngoni, Ngonde, Asian, European Malaysia Malay 50.4%, Chinese 23.7%, indigenous 11%, Indian 7.1%, others 7.8% (2004 est.) Maldives South Indians, Sinhalese, Arabs Mali Mande 50% (Bambara, Malinke, Soninke), Peul 17%, Voltaic 12%, Songhai 6%, Tuareg and Moor 10%, other 5% Malta Maltese (descendants of ancient Carthaginians and Phoenicians with strong elements of Italian and other Mediterranean stock) Marshall Islands Marshallese 92.1%, mixed Marshallese 5.9%, other 2% (2006) Mauritania mixed Moor/black 40%, Moor 30%, black 30% Mauritius Indo-Mauritian 68%, Creole 27%, Sino-Mauritian 3%, Franco-Mauritian 2% Mayotte NA Mexico mestizo (Amerindian-Spanish) 60%, Amerindian or predominantly Amerindian 30%, white 9%, other 1% Micronesia, Federated States of Chuukese 48.8%, Pohnpeian 24.2%, Kosraean 6.2%, Yapese 5.2%, Yap outer islands 4.5%, Asian 1.8%, Polynesian 1.5%, other 6.4%, unknown 1.4% (2000 census) Moldova Moldovan/Romanian 78.2%, Ukrainian 8.4%, Russian 5.8%, Gagauz 4.4%, Bulgarian 1.9%, other 1.3% (2004 census) note: internal disputes with ethnic Slavs in the Transnistrian region Monaco French 47%, Monegasque 16%, Italian 16%, other 21% Mongolia Mongol (mostly Khalkha) 94.9%, Turkic (mostly Kazakh) 5%, other (including Chinese and Russian) 0.1% (2000) Montenegro Montenegrin 43%, Serbian 32%, Bosniak 8%, Albanian 5%, other (Muslims, Croats, Roma (Gypsy)) 12% (2003 census) Montserrat black, white Morocco Arab-Berber 99.1%, other 0.7%, Jewish 0.2% Mozambique African 99.66% (Makhuwa, Tsonga, Lomwe, Sena, and others), Europeans 0.06%, Euro-Africans 0.2%, Indians 0.08% Namibia black 87.5%, white 6%, mixed 6.5% note: about 50% of the population belong to the Ovambo tribe and 9% to the Kavangos tribe; other ethnic groups include Herero 7%, Damara 7%, Nama 5%, Caprivian 4%, Bushmen 3%, Baster 2%, Tswana 0.5% Nauru Nauruan 58%, other Pacific Islander 26%, Chinese 8%, European 8% Nepal Chhettri 15.5%, Brahman-Hill 12.5%, Magar 7%, Tharu 6.6%, Tamang 5.5%, Newar 5.4%, Muslim 4.2%, Kami 3.9%, Yadav 3.9%, other 32.7%, unspecified 2.8% (2001 census) Netherlands Dutch 80.7%, EU 5%, Indonesian 2.4%, Turkish 2.2%, Surinamese 2%, Moroccan 2%, Netherlands Antilles & Aruba 0.8%, other 4.8% (2008 est.) Netherlands Antilles mixed black 85%, other 15% (includes Carib Amerindian, white, East Asian) New Caledonia Melanesian 44.1%, European 34.1%, Wallisian & Futunian 9%, Tahitian 2.6%, Indonesian 2.5%, Vietnamese 1.4%, Ni-Vanuatu 1.1%, other 5.2% (1996 census) New Zealand European 69.8%, Maori 7.9%, Asian 5.7%, Pacific islander 4.4%, other 0.5%, mixed 7.8%, unspecified 3.8% (2001 census) Nicaragua mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 69%, white 17%, black 9%, Amerindian 5% Niger Haoussa 55.4%, Djerma Sonrai 21%, Tuareg 9.3%, Peuhl 8.5%, Kanouri Manga 4.7%, other 1.2% (2001 census) Nigeria Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, is composed of more than 250 ethnic groups; the following are the most populous and politically influential: Hausa and Fulani 29%, Yoruba 21%, Igbo (Ibo) 18%, Ijaw 10%, Kanuri 4%, Ibibio 3.5%, Tiv 2.5% Niue Niuen 78.2%, Pacific islander 10.2%, European 4.5%, mixed 3.9%, Asian 0.2%, unspecified 3% (2001 census) Norfolk Island descendants of the Bounty mutineers, Australian, New Zealander, Polynesian Northern Mariana Islands Asian 56.3%, Pacific islander 36.3%, Caucasian 1.8%, other 0.8%, mixed 4.8% (2000 census) Norway Norwegian 94.4% (includes Sami, about 60,000), other European 3.6%, other 2% (2007 estimate) Oman Arab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi), African Pakistan Punjabi 44.68%, Pashtun (Pathan) 15.42%, Sindhi 14.1%, Sariaki 8.38%, Muhagirs 7.57%, Balochi 3.57%, other 6.28% Palau Palauan (Micronesian with Malayan and Melanesian admixtures) 69.9%, Filipino 15.3%, Chinese 4.9%, other Asian 2.4%, white 1.9%, Carolinian 1.4%, other Micronesian 1.1%, other or unspecified 3.2% (2000 census) Panama mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 70%, Amerindian and mixed (West Indian) 14%, white 10%, Amerindian 6% Papua New Guinea Melanesian, Papuan, Negrito, Micronesian, Polynesian Paraguay mestizo (mixed Spanish and Amerindian) 95%, other 5% Peru Amerindian 45%, mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 37%, white 15%, black, Japanese, Chinese, and other 3% Philippines Tagalog 28.1%, Cebuano 13.1%, Ilocano 9%, Bisaya/Binisaya 7.6%, Hiligaynon Ilonggo 7.5%, Bikol 6%, Waray 3.4%, other 25.3% (2000 census) Pitcairn Islands descendants of the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian wives Poland Polish 96.7%, German 0.4%, Belarusian 0.1%, Ukrainian 0.1%, other and unspecified 2.7% (2002 census) Portugal homogeneous Mediterranean stock; citizens of black African descent who immigrated to mainland during decolonization number less than 100,000; since 1990 East Europeans have entered Portugal Puerto Rico white (mostly Spanish origin) 76.2%, black 6.9%, Asian 0.3%, Amerindian 0.2%, mixed 4.4%, other 12% (2007) Qatar Arab 40%, Indian 18%, Pakistani 18%, Iranian 10%, other 14% Romania Romanian 89.5%, Hungarian 6.6%, Roma 2.5%, Ukrainian 0.3%, German 0.3%, Russian 0.2%, Turkish 0.2%, other 0.4% (2002 census) Russia Russian 79.8%, Tatar 3.8%, Ukrainian 2%, Bashkir 1.2%, Chuvash 1.1%, other or unspecified 12.1% (2002 census) Rwanda Hutu (Bantu) 84%, Tutsi (Hamitic) 15%, Twa (Pygmy) 1% Saint Barthelemy white, Creole (mulatto), black, Guadeloupe Mestizo (French-East Asia) Saint Helena African descent 50%, white 25%, Chinese 25% Saint Kitts and Nevis predominantly black; some British, Portuguese, and Lebanese Saint Lucia black 82.5%, mixed 11.9%, East Indian 2.4%, other or unspecified 3.1% (2001 census) Saint Martin creole (mulatto), black, Guadeloupe Mestizo (French-East Asia), white, East Indian Saint Pierre and Miquelon Basques and Bretons (French fishermen) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines black 66%, mixed 19%, East Indian 6%, European 4%, Carib Amerindian 2%, other 3% Samoa Samoan 92.6%, Euronesians (persons of European and Polynesian blood) 7%, Europeans 0.4% (2001 census) San Marino Sammarinese, Italian Sao Tome and Principe mestico, angolares (descendants of Angolan slaves), forros (descendants of freed slaves), servicais (contract laborers from Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde), tongas (children of servicais born on the islands), Europeans (primarily Portuguese) Saudi Arabia Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10% Senegal Wolof 43.3%, Pular 23.8%, Serer 14.7%, Jola 3.7%, Mandinka 3%, Soninke 1.1%, European and Lebanese 1%, other 9.4% Serbia Serb 82.9%, Hungarian 3.9%, Romany (Gypsy) 1.4%, Yugoslavs 1.1%, Bosniaks 1.8%, Montenegrin 0.9%, other 8% (2002 census) Seychelles mixed French, African, Indian, Chinese, and Arab Sierra Leone 20 African ethnic groups 90% (Temne 30%, Mende 30%, other 30%), Creole (Krio) 10% (descendants of freed Jamaican slaves who were settled in the Freetown area in the late-18th century), refugees from Liberia's recent civil war, small numbers of Europeans, Lebanese, Pakistanis, and Indians Singapore Chinese 76.8%, Malay 13.9%, Indian 7.9%, other 1.4% (2000 census) Slovakia Slovak 85.8%, Hungarian 9.7%, Roma 1.7%, Ruthenian/Ukrainian 1%, other and unspecified 1.8% (2001 census) Slovenia Slovene 83.1%, Serb 2%, Croat 1.8%, Bosniak 1.1%, other or unspecified 12% (2002 census) Solomon Islands Melanesian 94.5%, Polynesian 3%, Micronesian 1.2%, other 1.1%, unspecified 0.2% (1999 census) Somalia Somali 85%, Bantu and other non-Somali 15% (including Arabs 30,000) South Africa black African 79%, white 9.6%, colored 8.9%, Indian/Asian 2.5% (2001 census) Spain composite of Mediterranean and Nordic types Sri Lanka Sinhalese 73.8%, Sri Lankan Moors 7.2%, Indian Tamil 4.6%, Sri Lankan Tamil 3.9%, other 0.5%, unspecified 10% (2001 census provisional data) Sudan black 52%, Arab 39%, Beja 6%, foreigners 2%, other 1% Suriname Hindustani (also known locally as "East Indians"; their ancestors emigrated from northern India in the latter part of the 19th century) 37%, Creole (mixed white and black) 31%, Javanese 15%, "Maroons" (their African ancestors were brought to the country in the 17th and 18th centuries as slaves and escaped to the interior) 10%, Amerindian 2%, Chinese 2%, white 1%, other 2% Svalbard Norwegian 55.4%, Russian and Ukrainian 44.3%, other 0.3% (1998) Swaziland African 97%, European 3% Sweden indigenous population: Swedes with Finnish and Sami minorities; foreign-born or first-generation immigrants: Finns, Yugoslavs, Danes, Norwegians, Greeks, Turks Switzerland German 65%, French 18%, Italian 10%, Romansch 1%, other 6% Syria Arab 90.3%, Kurds, Armenians, and other 9.7% Taiwan Taiwanese (including Hakka) 84%, mainland Chinese 14%, indigenous 2% Tajikistan Tajik 79.9%, Uzbek 15.3%, Russian 1.1%, Kyrgyz 1.1%, other 2.6% (2000 census) Tanzania mainland - African 99% (of which 95% are Bantu consisting of more than 130 tribes), other 1% (consisting of Asian, European, and Arab); Zanzibar - Arab, African, mixed Arab and African Thailand Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, other 11% Timor-Leste Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian), Papuan, small Chinese minority Togo African (37 tribes; largest and most important are Ewe, Mina, and Kabre) 99%, European and Syrian-Lebanese less than 1% Tokelau Polynesian Tonga Polynesian, Europeans Trinidad and Tobago Indian (South Asian) 40%, African 37.5%, mixed 20.5%, other 1.2%, unspecified 0.8% (2000 census) Tunisia Arab 98%, European 1%, Jewish and other 1% Turkey Turkish 70-75%, Kurdish 18%, other minorities 7-12% (2008 est.) Turkmenistan Turkmen 85%, Uzbek 5%, Russian 4%, other 6% (2003) Turks and Caicos Islands black 90%, mixed, European, or North American 10% Tuvalu Polynesian 96%, Micronesian 4% Uganda Baganda 16.9%, Banyakole 9.5%, Basoga 8.4%, Bakiga 6.9%, Iteso 6.4%, Langi 6.1%, Acholi 4.7%, Bagisu 4.6%, Lugbara 4.2%, Bunyoro 2.7%, other 29.6% (2002 census) Ukraine Ukrainian 77.8%, Russian 17.3%, Belarusian 0.6%, Moldovan 0.5%, Crimean Tatar 0.5%, Bulgarian 0.4%, Hungarian 0.3%, Romanian 0.3%, Polish 0.3%, Jewish 0.2%, other 1.8% (2001 census) United Arab Emirates Emirati 19%, other Arab and Iranian 23%, South Asian 50%, other expatriates (includes Westerners and East Asians) 8% (1982) note: less than 20% are UAE citizens (1982) United Kingdom white (of which English 83.6%, Scottish 8.6%, Welsh 4.9%, Northern Irish 2.9%) 92.1%, black 2%, Indian 1.8%, Pakistani 1.3%, mixed 1.2%, other 1.6% (2001 census) United States white 79.96%, black 12.85%, Asian 4.43%, Amerindian and Alaska native 0.97%, native Hawaiian and other Pacific islander 0.18%, two or more races 1.61% (July 2007 estimate) note: a separate listing for Hispanic is not included because the US Census Bureau considers Hispanic to mean persons of Spanish/Hispanic/Latino origin including those of Mexican, Cuban, Puerto Rican, Dominican Republic, Spanish, and Central or South American origin living in the US who may be of any race or ethnic group (white, black, Asian, etc.); about 15.1% of the total US population is Hispanic Uruguay white 88%, mestizo 8%, black 4%, Amerindian (practically nonexistent) Uzbekistan Uzbek 80%, Russian 5.5%, Tajik 5%, Kazakh 3%, Karakalpak 2.5%, Tatar 1.5%, other 2.5% (1996 est.) Vanuatu Ni-Vanuatu 98.5%, other 1.5% (1999 Census) Venezuela Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Arab, German, African, indigenous people Vietnam Kinh (Viet) 86.2%, Tay 1.9%, Thai 1.7%, Muong 1.5%, Khome 1.4%, Hoa 1.1%, Nun 1.1%, Hmong 1%, others 4.1% (1999 census) Virgin Islands black 76.2%, white 13.1%, Asian 1.1%, other 6.1%, mixed 3.5% (2000 census) Wallis and Futuna Polynesian West Bank Palestinian Arab and other 83%, Jewish 17% Western Sahara Arab, Berber Yemen predominantly Arab; but also Afro-Arab, South Asians, Europeans Zambia African 99.5% (includes Bemba, Tonga, Chewa, Lozi, Nsenga, Tumbuka, Ngoni, Lala, Kaonde, Lunda, and other African groups), other 0.5% (includes Europeans, Asians, and Americans) (2000 Census) Zimbabwe African 98% (Shona 82%, Ndebele 14%, other 2%), mixed and Asian 1%, white less than 1% ====================================================================== @2076 Field Listing :: Exchange rates This entry provides the official value of a country's monetary unit at a given date or over a given period of time, as expressed in units of local currency per US dollar and as determined by international market forces or official fiat. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 4217 alphabetic currency code for the national medium of exchange is presented in parenthesis. Country Exchange rates Afghanistan afghanis (AFA) per US dollar - 50 (2007), 46 (2006), 47.7 (2005), 48 (2004), 49 (2003) Akrotiri euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 note: on 1 January 2008 Akrotiri and Dhekelia adopted the euro along with the rest of Cyprus Albania leke (ALL) per US dollar - 79.546 (2008 est.), 92.668 (2007), 98.384 (2006), 102.649 (2005), 102.78 (2004) Algeria Algerian dinars (DZD) per US dollar - 63.25 (2008 est.), 69.9 (2007), 72.647 (2006), 73.276 (2005), 72.061 (2004) American Samoa the US dollar is used Andorra euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7306 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Angola kwanza (AOA) per US dollar - 75.023 (2008 est.), 76.6 (2007), 80.4 (2006), 88.6 (2005), 83.541 (2004) Anguilla East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2007), 2.7 (2006), 2.7 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003) note: fixed rate since 1976 Antigua and Barbuda East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2007), 2.7 (2006), 2.7 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003) note: fixed rate since 1976 Argentina Argentine pesos (ARS) per US dollar - 3.1636 (2008 est.), 3.1105 (2007), 3.0543 (2006), 2.9037 (2005), 2.9233 (2004) Armenia drams (AMD) per US dollar - 303.93 (2008 est.), 344.06 (2007), 414.69 (2006), 457.69 (2005), 533.45 (2004) Aruba Aruban guilders/florins (AWG) per US dollar - NA (2007), 1.79 (2006), 1.79 (2005), 1.79 (2004), 1.79 (2003) Australia Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.2059 (2008 est.), 1.2137 (2007), 1.3285 (2006), 1.3095 (2005), 1.3598 (2004) Austria euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Azerbaijan Azerbaijani manats (AZN) per US dollar - 0.8219 (2008 est.), 0.8581 (2007), 0.8934 (2006), 4,727.1 (2005), 4,913.48 (2004) note: on 1 January 2006 Azerbaijan revalued its currency, with 5,000 old manats equal to 1 new manat Bahamas, The Bahamian dollars (BSD) per US dollar - 1 (2008 est.), 1 (2007), 1 (2006), 1 (2005), 1 (2004) Bahrain Bahraini dinars (BHD) per US dollar - 0.376 (2008 est.), 0.376 (2007), 0.376 (2006), 0.376 (2005), 0.376 (2004) Bangladesh taka (BDT) per US dollar - 68.554 (2008 est.), 69.893 (2007), 69.031 (2006), 64.328 (2005), 59.513 (2004) Barbados Barbadian dollars (BBD) per US dollar - NA (2007), 2 (2006), 2 (2005), 2 (2004), 2 (2003) Belarus Belarusian rubles (BYB/BYR) per US dollar - 2,130 (2008 est.), 2,145 (2007), 2,144.6 (2006), 2,150 (2005), 2,160.26 (2004) Belgium euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Belize Belizean dollars (BZD) per US dollar - 2 (2008), 2 (2007), 2 (2006), 2 (2005), 2 (2004) Benin Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 447.81 (2008 est.), 493.51 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004) note: since 1 January 1999, the West African CFA franc (XOF) has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro; West African CFA franc (XOF) coins and banknotes are not accepted in countries using Central African CFA francs (XAF), and vice versa, even though the two currencies trade at par Bermuda Bermudian dollars (BMD) per US dollar - 1.0000 (fixed rate pegged to the US dollar) Bhutan ngultrum (BTN) per US dollar - 41.487 (2007), 45.279 (2006), 44.101 (2005), 45.317 (2004), 46.583 (2003) note: the ngultrum is pegged to the Indian rupee Bolivia bolivianos (BOB) per US dollar - 7.253 (2008 est.), 7.8616 (2007), 8.0159 (2006), 8.0661 (2005), 7.9363 (2004) Bosnia and Herzegovina konvertibilna markas (BAM) per US dollar - 1.3083 (2008 est.), 1.4419 (2007), 1.5576 (2006), 1.5727 (2005), 1.5752 (2004) note: the convertible mark is pegged to the euro Botswana pulas (BWP) per US dollar - 6.7907 (2008 est.), 6.2035 (2007), 5.8447 (2006), 5.1104 (2005), 4.6929 (2004) Brazil reals (BRL) per US dollar - 1.8644 (2008 est.), 1.85 (2007 est.), 2.1761 (2006), 2.4344 (2005), 2.9251 (2004) British Indian Ocean Territory the US dollar is used British Virgin Islands the US dollar is used Brunei Bruneian dollars (BND) per US dollar - NA (2007), 1.5886 (2006), 1.6644 (2005), 1.6902 (2004), 1.7422 (2003) Bulgaria leva (BGN) per US dollar - 1.3171 (2008 est.), 1.4366 (2007), 1.5576 (2006), 1.5741 (2005), 1.5751 (2004) Burkina Faso Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 447.81 (2008 est.), 493.51 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004) note: since 1 January 1999, the West African CFA franc (XOF) has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro; West African CFA franc (XOF) coins and banknotes are not accepted in countries using Central African CFA francs (XAF), and vice versa, even though the two currencies trade at par Burma kyats (MMK) per US dollar - 1,205 (2008 est.), 1,296 (2007), 1,280 (2006), 5.761 (2005), 5.7459 (2004) note: unofficial exchange rates ranged in 2004 from 815 kyat/US dollar to nearly 970 kyat/US dollar, and by yearend 2005, the unofficial exchange rate was 1,075 kyat/US dollar; data shown for 2003-05 are official exchange rates Burundi Burundi francs (BIF) per US dollar - 1,198 (2008 est.), 1,065 (2007), 1,030 (2006), 1,138 (2005), 1,100.91 (2004) Cambodia riels (KHR) per US dollar - 4,070.94 (2008 est.), 4,006 (2007), 4,103 (2006), 4,092.5 (2005), 4,016.25 (2004) Cameroon Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar - 447.81 (2008 est.), 493.51 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004) note: since 1 January 1999, the Central African CFA franc (XAF) has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro; Central African CFA franc (XAF) coins and banknotes are not accepted in countries using West African CFA francs (XOF), and vice versa, even though the two currencies trade at par Canada Canadian dollars (CAD) per US dollar - 1.0364 (2008 est.), 1.0724 (2007), 1.1334 (2006), 1.2118 (2005), 1.301 (2004) Cape Verde Cape Verdean escudos (CVE) per US dollar - 73.84 (2008 est.), 81.235 (2007), 87.946 (2006), 88.67 (2005), 88.808 (2004) Cayman Islands Caymanian dollars (KYD) per US dollar - NA (2007), 0.8496 (2006) Central African Republic Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar - 447.81 (2008 est.), 481.8 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004) note: since 1 January 1999, the Central African CFA franc (XAF) has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro; Central African CFA franc (XAF) coins and banknotes are not accepted in countries using West African CFA francs (XOF), and vice versa, even though the two currencies trade at par Chad Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar - 447.81 (2008 est.), 480.1 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004) note: since 1 January 1999, the Central African CFA franc (XAF) has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro; Central African CFA franc (XAF) coins and banknotes are not accepted in countries using West African CFA francs (XOF), and vice versa, even though the two currencies trade at par Chile Chilean pesos (CLP) per US dollar - 509.02 (2008 est.), 526.25 (2007), 530.29 (2006), 560.09 (2005), 609.37 (2004) China Renminbi yuan (RMB) per US dollar - 6.9385 (2008 est.), 7.61 (2007), 7.97 (2006), 8.1943 (2005), 8.2768 (2004) Christmas Island Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.2059 (2008 est.), 1.2137 (2007), 1.3285 (2006), 1.3095 (2005), 1.3598 (2004) Cocos (Keeling) Islands Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.2059 (2008 est.), 1.2137 (2007), 1.3285 (2006), 1.3095 (2005), 1.3598 (2004) Colombia Colombian pesos (COP) per US dollar - 2,243.6 (2008), 2,013.8 (2007), 2,358.6 (2006), 2,320.75 (2005), 2,628.61 (2004) Comoros Comoran francs (KMF) per US dollar - 361.4 (2007), 391.8 (2006), 395.6 (2005), 396.21 (2004), 435.9 (2003) note: the Comoran franc is pegged to the euro at a rate of 491.9677 Comoran francs per euro Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congolese francs (CDF) per US dollar - NA (2007), 464.69 (2006), 437.86 (2005), 401.04 (2004), 405.34 (2003) Congo, Republic of the Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar - 447.81 (2008 est.), 483.6 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004) note: since 1 January 1999, the Central African CFA franc (XAF) has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro; Central African CFA franc (XAF) coins and banknotes are not accepted in countries using West African CFA francs (XOF), and vice versa, even though the two currencies trade at par Cook Islands NZ dollars (NZD) per US dollar - 1.4151 (2008 est.), 1.3811 (2007), 1.5408 (2006), 1.4203 (2005), 1.5087 (2004) Costa Rica Costa Rican colones (CRC) per US dollar - 530.41 (2008 est.), 519.53 (2007), 511.3 (2006), 477.79 (2005), 437.91 (2004) Cote d'Ivoire Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 447.81 (2008 est.), 481.83 (2007), 522.89 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004) note: since 1 January 1999, the West African CFA franc (XOF) has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro; West African CFA franc (XOF) coins and banknotes are not accepted in countries using Central African CFA francs (XAF), and vice versa, even though the two currencies trade at par Croatia kuna (HRK) per US dollar - 4.98 (2008 est.), 5.3735 (2007), 5.8625 (2006), 5.9473 (2005), 6.0358 (2004) Cuba Cuban pesos (CUP) per US dollar - 0.9259 (2008 est.), 0.9259 (2007), 0.9231 (2006) note: Cuba has two currencies in circulation: the Cuban peso (CUP) and the convertible peso (CUC); in April 2005 the official exchange rate changed from $1 per CUC to $1.08 per CUC (0.93 CUC per $1) both for individuals and enterprises; individuals can buy 24 Cuban pesos (CUP) for each CUC sold or sell 25 Cuban pesos for each CUC bought; enterprises, however, must exchange CUP and CUC at a 1:1 ratio. Cyprus euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), Cypriot pounds (CYP) per US dollar - 0.4286 (2007), 0.4586 (2006), 0.4641 (2005), 0.4686 (2004) Czech Republic koruny (CZK) per US dollar - 17.064 (2008), 20.53 (2007), 22.596 (2006), 23.957 (2005), 25.7 (2004) Denmark Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar - 5.0236 (2008 est.), 5.4797 (2007), 5.9468 (2006), 5.9969 (2005), 5.9911 (2004) Dhekelia euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008) note: on 1 January 2008, Dhekelia and Akrotiri adopted the euro along with the rest of Cyprus Djibouti Djiboutian francs (DJF) per US dollar - 177.71 (2007), 174.75 (2006), 177.72 (2005), 177.72 (2004), 177.72 (2003) Dominica East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2007), 2.7 (2006), 2.7 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003) Dominican Republic Dominican pesos (DOP) per US dollar - 34.775 (2008 est.), 33.113 (2007), 33.406 (2006), 30.409 (2005), 42.12 (2004) Ecuador the US dollar is used; the sucre was eliminated in 2000 Egypt Egyptian pounds (EGP) per US dollar - 5.4 (2008 est.), 5.67 (2007), 5.725 (2006), 5.78 (2005), 6.1962 (2004) El Salvador the US dollar became El Salvador's currency in 2001 Equatorial Guinea Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar - 447.81 (2008 est.), 481.83 (2007), 522.4 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004) note: since 1 January 1999, the Central African CFA franc (XAF) has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro; Central African CFA franc (XAF) coins and banknotes are not accepted in countries using West African CFA francs (XOF), and vice versa, even though the two currencies trade at par Eritrea nakfa (ERN) per US dollar - 15.38 (2008 est.), 15.5 (2007), 15.4 (2006), 14.5 (2005), 13.788 (2004) note: the official exchange rate is 15 nakfa to the dollar Estonia krooni (EEK) per US dollar - 10.7 (2008), 11.535 (2007), 12.473 (2006), 12.584 (2005), 12.596 (2004) note: the krooni is pegged to the euro Ethiopia birr (ETB) per US dollar - 9.57 (2008 est.), 8.96 (2007), 8.69 (2006), 8.68 (2005), 8.6356 (2004) note: since 24 October 2001, exchange rates are determined on a daily basis via interbank transactions regulated by the Central Bank European Union euros per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Falkland pounds (FKP) per US dollar - 0.5302 (2008), 0.4993 (2007), 0.5418 (2006), 0.5493 (2005), 0.5462 (2004) note: the Falkland pound is at par with the British pound Faroe Islands Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar - 5.0236 (2008 est.), 5.4797 (2007), 5.9468 (2006), 5.9969 (2005), 5.9911 (2004) Fiji Fijian dollars (FJD) per US dollar - NA (2007), 1.7313 (2006), 1.691 (2005), 1.7331 (2004), 1.8958 (2003) Finland euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) France euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) French Polynesia Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - 87.59 (2007), 94.97 (2006), 95.89 (2005), 96.04 (2004), 105.66 (2003) note: pegged at the rate of 119.25 XPF to the euro Gabon Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar - 447.81 (2008 est.), 481.83 (2007), 522.89 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004) note: since 1 January 1999, the Central African CFA franc (XAF) has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro; Central African CFA franc (XAF) coins and banknotes are not accepted in countries using West African CFA francs (XOF), and vice versa, even though the two currencies trade at par Gambia, The dalasis (GMD) per US dollar - 22.75 (2008 est.), 27.79 (2007), 28.066 (2006), 28.575 (2005), 30.03 (2004) Gaza Strip new Israeli shekels (ILS) per US dollar - 3.56 (2008 est.), 4.14 (2007), 4.4565 (2006), 4.4877 (2005), 4.482 (2004) Georgia laris (GEL) per US dollar - 1.47 (2008 est.), 1.7 (2007), 1.78 (2006), 1.8127 (2005), 1.9167 (2004) Germany euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Ghana cedis (GHC) per US dollar - 1.1 (2008 est.), 0.95 (2007), 9,174.8 (2006), 9,072.5 (2005), 9,004.6 (2004) note: in 2007 Ghana revalued its currency with 10,000 old cedis equal to 1 new cedis Gibraltar Gibraltar pounds (GIP) per US dollar - 0.4993 (2007), 0.5434 (2006), 0.5504 (2005), 0.5462 (2004), 0.6125 (2003) note: the Gibraltar pound is at par with the British pound Greece euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Greenland Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar - 5.0236 (2008 est.), 5.4797 (2007), 5.9468 (2006), 5.9969 (2005), 5.9911 (2004) Grenada East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2007), 2.7 (2006), 2.7 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003) Guam the US dollar is used Guatemala quetzales (GTQ) per US dollar - 7.5895 (2008 est.), 7.6833 (2007), 7.6026 (2006), 7.6339 (2005), 7.9465 (2004) Guernsey Guernsey pound 0.5302 (2008 est.), 0.4993 (2007), 0.5418 (2006), 0.5493 (2005), 0.5462 (2004) note: the Guernsey pound is at par with the British pound Guinea Guinean francs (GNF) per US dollar - 5,500 (2008 est.), 4,122.8 (2007), 5,350 (2006), 3,644.3 (2005), 2,225 (2004) Guinea-Bissau Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 447.81 (2008 est.), 493.51 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004) note: since 1 January 1999, the West African CFA franc (XOF) has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro; West African CFA franc (XOF) coins and banknotes are not accepted in countries using Central African CFA francs (XAF), and vice versa, even though the two currencies trade at par Guyana Guyanese dollars (GYD) per US dollar - 203.86 (2008 est.), 201.89 (2007), 200.28 (2006), 200.79 (2005), 198.31 (2004) Haiti gourdes (HTG) per US dollar - 39.216 (2008 est.), 37.138 (2007), 40.232 (2006), 40.449 (2005), 38.352 (2004) Holy See (Vatican City) euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Honduras lempiras (HNL) per US dollar - 18.983 (2008 est.), 18.9 (2007), 18.895 (2006), 18.92 (2005), 18.206 (2004) Hong Kong Hong Kong dollars (HKD) per US dollar - 7.751 (2008), 7.802 (2007), 7.7678 (2006), 7.7773 (2005), 7.788 (2004) Hungary forints (HUF) per US dollar - 171.8 (2008), 183.83 (2007), 210.39 (2006), 199.58 (2005), 202.75 (2004) Iceland Icelandic kronur (ISK) per US dollar - 85.619 (2008 est.), 63.391 (2007), 70.195 (2006), 62.982 (2005), 70.192 (2004) India Indian rupees (INR) per US dollar - 43.319 (2008 est.), 41.487 (2007), 45.3 (2006), 44.101 (2005), 45.317 (2004) Indonesia Indonesian rupiah (IDR) per US dollar - 9,698.9 (2008), 9,143 (2007), 9,159.3 (2006), 9,704.7 (2005), 8,938.9 (2004) Iran Iranian rials (IRR) per US dollar - 9,142.8 (2008 est.), 9,407.5 (2007), 9,227.1 (2006), 8,964 (2005), 8,614 (2004) note: Iran has been using a managed floating exchange rate regime since unifying multiple exchange rates in March 2002 Iraq New Iraqi dinars (NID) per US dollar - 1,176 (2008), 1,255 (2007), 1,466 (2006), 1,475 (2005), 1,890 (second half, 2003) Ireland euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Isle of Man Manx pounds (IMP) per US dollar - 0.5302 (2008 est.), 0.4993 (2007), 0.5418 (2006), 0.5493 (2005), 0.5462 (2004) note: the Manx pound is at par with the British pound Israel new Israeli shekels (ILS) per US dollar - 3.56 (2008 est.), 4.14 (2007), 4.4565 (2006), 4.4877 (2005), 4.482 (2004) Italy euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Jamaica Jamaican dollars (JMD) per US dollar - 72.236 (2008 est.), 69.034 (2007), 65.768 (2006), 62.51 (2005), 61.197 (2004) Japan yen (JPY) per US dollar - 103.58 (2008 est.), 117.99 (2007), 116.18 (2006), 110.22 (2005), 108.19 (2004) Jersey Jersey pounds per US dollar 0.5302 (2008 est.), 0.4993 (2007), 0.5418 (2006), 0.5493 (2005), 0.5462 (2004) note: the Jersey pound is at par with the British pound Jordan Jordanian dinars (JOD) per US dollar - 0.709 (2008 est.), 0.709 (2007), 0.709 (2006), 0.709 (2005), 0.709 (2004) Kazakhstan tenge (KZT) per US dollar - 120.25 (2008 est.), 122.55 (2007), 126.09 (2006), 132.88 (2005), 136.04 (2004) Kenya Kenyan shillings (KES) per US dollar - 68.358 (2008 est.), 68.309 (2007), 72.101 (2006), 75.554 (2005), 79.174 (2004) Kiribati Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.2059 (2008 est.), 1.2137 (2007), 1.3285 (2006), 1.3095 (2005), 1.3598 (2004) Korea, North North Korean won (KPW) per US dollar - 140 (2007), 141 (2006), 170 (December 2004), market rate: North Korean won per US dollar - 3,400 (October 2008) Korea, South South Korean won (KRW) per US dollar - 1,101.7 (2008 est.), 929.2 (2007), 954.8 (2006), 1,024.1 (2005), 1,145.3 (2004) Kosovo euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008), 0.7345 (2007) Kuwait Kuwaiti dinars (KD) per US dollar - 0.2679 (2008 est.), 0.2844 (2007), 0.29 (2006), 0.292 (2005), 0.2947 (2004) Kyrgyzstan soms (KGS) per US dollar - 36.108 (2008 est.), 37.746 (2007), 40.149 (2006), 41.012 (2005), 42.65 (2004) Laos kips (LAK) per US dollar - 8,760.69 (2008 est.), 9,658 (2007), 10,235 (2006), 10,820 (2005), 10,585.5 (2004) Latvia lati (LVL) per US dollar - 0.4701 (2008 est.), 0.5162 (2007), 0.5597 (2006), 0.5647 (2005), 0.5402 (2004) Lebanon Lebanese pounds (LBP) per US dollar - 1,507.5 (2008 est.), 1,507.5 (2007), 1,507.5 (2006), 1,507.5 (2005), 1,507.5 (2004) Lesotho maloti (LSL) per US dollar - 7.75 (2008 est.), 7.25 (2007), 6.85 (2006), 6.3593 (2005), 6.4597 (2004) Liberia Liberian dollars (LRD) per US dollar - NA (2007), 59.43 (2006), 53.098 (2005), 54.906 (2004), 59.379 (2003) Libya Libyan dinars (LYD) per US dollar - 1.2112 (2008 est.), 1.2604 (2007), 1.3108 (2006), 1.3084 (2005), 1.305 (2004) Liechtenstein Swiss francs (CHF) per US dollar - 1.0774 (2008 est.), 1.1973 (2007), 1.2539 (2006), 1.2452 (2005), 1.2435 (2004) Lithuania litai (LTL) per US dollar - 2.3251 (2008 est.), 2.5362 (2007), 2.7498 (2006), 2.774 (2005), 2.7806 (2004) Luxembourg euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Macau patacas (MOP) per US dollar - 8.011 (2007), 8.0015 (2006), 8.011 (2005), 8.022 (2004), 8.021 (2003) Macedonia Macedonian denars (MKD) per US dollar - 41.414 (2008 est.), 44.732 (2007), 48.978 (2006), 48.92 (2005), 49.41 (2004) Madagascar Malagasy ariary (MGA) per US dollar - 1,654.78 (2008 est.), 1,880 (2007), 2,161.4 (2006), 2,003 (2005), 1,868.9 (2004) Malawi Malawian kwachas (MWK) per US dollar - 142.41 (2008 est.), 141.12 (2007), 135.96 (2006), 108.894 (2005), 108.898 (2004) Malaysia ringgits (MYR) per US dollar - 3.33 (2008 est.), 3.46 (2007), 3.6683 (2006), 3.8 (2005), 3.8 (2004) Maldives rufiyaa (MVR) per US dollar - 12.8 (2008), 12.8 (2007), 12.8 (2006), 12.8 (2005), 12.8 (2004) Mali Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 447.81 (2008 est.), 493.51 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004) note: since 1 January 1999, the West African CFA franc (XOF) has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro; West African CFA franc (XOF) coins and banknotes are not accepted in countries using Central African CFA francs (XAF), and vice versa, even though the two currencies trade at par Malta euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), Maltese liri per US dollar - 0.3106 (2007), 0.37 (2006), 0.34578 (2005), 0.34466 (2004), 0.37723 (2003) Marshall Islands the US dollar is used Mauritania ouguiyas (MRO) per US dollar - NA (2007), 271.3 (2006), 267.04 (2005), 265.8 (2004), 263.03 (2003) Mauritius Mauritian rupees (MUR) per US dollar - 27.973 (2008 est.), 31.798 (2007), 31.656 (2006), 29.496 (2005), 27.499 (2004) Mayotte euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6734 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Mexico Mexican pesos (MXN) per US dollar - 11.016 (2008 est.), 10.8 (2007), 10.899 (2006), 10.898 (2005), 11.286 (2004) Micronesia, Federated States of the US dollar is used Moldova Moldovan lei (MDL) per US dollar - 10.326 (2008 est.), 12.177 (2007), 13.131 (2006), 12.6 (2005), 12.33 (2004) Monaco euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Mongolia togrog/tugriks (MNT) per US dollar - 1,267.51 (2008), 1,170 (2007), 1,165 (2006), 1,205 (2005), 1,185.3 (2004) Montenegro euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Montserrat East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2007), 2.7 (2006), 2.7 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003) note: fixed rate since 1976 Morocco Moroccan dirhams (MAD) per US dollar - 7.526 (2008 est.), 8.3563 (2007), 8.7722 (2006), 8.865 (2005), 8.868 (2004) Mozambique meticais (MZM) per US dollar - 24.125 (2008 est.), 26.264 (2007), 25.4 (2006), 23,061 (2005), 22,581 (2004) note: in 2006 Mozambique revalued its currency, with 1000 old meticais equal to 1 new meticais Namibia Namibian dollars (NAD) per US dollar - 7.75 (2008 est.), 7.18 (2007), 6.7649 (2006), 6.3593 (2005), 6.4597 (2004) Nauru Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.2059 (2008 est.), 1.2137 (2007), 1.3285 (2006), 1.3095 (2005), 1.3598 (2004) Nepal Nepalese rupees (NPR) per US dollar - 65.21 (2008), 70.35 (2007), 72.446 (2006), 72.16 (2005), 73.674 (2004) Netherlands euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Netherlands Antilles Netherlands Antillean guilders (ANG) per US dollar - NA (2007), 1.79 (2006), 1.79 (2005), 1.79 (2004), 1.79 (2003) New Caledonia Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - 87.59 (2007), 94.97 (2006), 95.89 (2005), 96.04 (2004), 105.66 (2003) New Zealand New Zealand dollars (NZD) per US dollar - 1.4151 (2008 est.), 1.3811 (2007), 1.5408 (2006), 1.4203 (2005), 1.5087 (2004) Nicaragua cordobas (NIO) per US dollar - 19.374 (2008 est.), 18.457 (2007), 17.582 (2006), 16.733 (2005), 15.937 (2004) Niger Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 447.81 (2008 est.), 493.51 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004) note: since 1 January 1999, the West African CFA franc (XOF) has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro; West African CFA franc (XOF) coins and banknotes are not accepted in countries using Central African CFA francs (XAF), and vice versa, even though the two currencies trade at par Nigeria nairas (NGN) per US dollar - 117.8 (2008 est.), 127.46 (2007), 127.38 (2006), 132.59 (2005), 132.89 (2004) Niue New Zealand dollars (NZD) per US dollar - 1.4151 (2008 est.), 1.3811 (2007), 1.5408 (2006), 1.4203 (2005), 1.5087 (2004) Norfolk Island Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.2059 (2008 est.), 1.2137 (2007), 1.3285 (2006), 1.3095 (2005), 1.3598 (2004) Northern Mariana Islands the US dollar is used Norway Norwegian kroner (NOK) per US dollar - 5.6361 (2008), 5.86 (2007), 6.418 (2006), 6.445 (2005), 6.7327 (2004) Oman Omani rials (OMR) per US dollar - 0.3845 (2008 est.), 0.3845 (2007), 0.3845 (2006), 0.3845 (2005), 0.3845 (2004) Pakistan Pakistani rupees (PKR) per US dollar - 70.64 (2008 est.), 60.6295 (2007), 60.35 (2006), 59.515 (2005), 58.258 (2004) Palau the US dollar is used Panama balboas (PAB) per US dollar - 1 (2008 est.), 1 (2007), 1 (2006), 1 (2005), 1 (2004) note: the US dollar is the legal currency Papua New Guinea kina (PGK) per US dollar - 2.6956 (2008 est.), 3.03 (2007), 3.0643 (2006), 3.08 (2005), 3.2225 (2004) Paraguay guarani (PYG) per US dollar - 4,337.7 (2008 est.), 5,031 (2007), 5,672.8 (2006), 6,178 (2005), 5,974.6 (2004) Peru nuevo sol (PEN) per US dollar - 2.91 (2008 est.), 3.1731 (2007), 3.2742 (2006), 3.2958 (2005), 3.4132 (2004) Philippines Philippine pesos (PHP) per US dollar - 44.439 (2008 est.), 46.148 (2007), 51.246 (2006), 55.086 (2005), 56.04 (2004) Pitcairn Islands New Zealand dollars (NZD) per US dollar - 1.4151 (2008 est.), 1.3811 (2007), 1.5408 (2006), 1.4203 (2005), 1.5087 (2004) Poland zlotych (PLN) per US dollar - 2.3 (2008 est.), 2.81 (2007), 3.1032 (2006), 3.2355 (2005), 3.6576 (2004) note: zlotych is the plural form of zloty Portugal euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Puerto Rico the US dollar is used Qatar Qatari rials (QAR) per US dollar - 3.64 (2008 est.), 3.64 (2007), 3.64 (2006), 3.64 (2005), 3.64 (2004) Romania lei (RON) per US dollar - 2.5 (2008 est.), 2.43 (2007), 2.809 (2006), 3 (2005), 3 (2004) Russia Russian rubles (RUB) per US dollar - 24.3 (2008 est.), 25.659 (2007), 27.19 (2006), 28.284 (2005), 28.814 (2004) Rwanda Rwandan francs (RWF) per US dollar - 550 (2008 est.), 585 (2007), 560 (2006), 610 (2005), 574.62 (2004) Saint Barthelemy euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003) Saint Helena Saint Helenian pounds (SHP) per US dollar - 0.5302 (2008), 0.4993 (2007), 0.5418 (2006), 0.5493 (2005), 0.5462 (2004) note: the Saint Helenian pound is on par with the British pound Saint Kitts and Nevis East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2007), 2.7 (2006), 2.7 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003) Saint Lucia East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2007), 2.7 (2006), 2.7 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003) Saint Martin euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Saint Pierre and Miquelon euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6734 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2007), 2.7 (2006), 2.7 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003) Samoa tala (SAT) per US dollar - NA (2007), 2.7594 (2006), 2.7103 (2005), 2.7807 (2004), 2.9732 (2003) San Marino euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6734 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Sao Tome and Principe dobras (STD) per US dollar - 14,900 (2008 est.), 13,700 (2007), 12,050 (2006), 9,900.4 (2005), 9,902.3 (2004) Saudi Arabia Saudi riyals (SAR) per US dollar - 3.75 (2008 est.), 3.745 (2007), 3.745 (2006), 3.747 (2005), 3.75 (2004) Senegal Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 447.81 (2008 est.), 481.83 (2007), 522.89 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004) note: since 1 January 1999, the West African CFA franc (XOF) has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro; West African CFA franc (XOF) coins and banknotes are not accepted in countries using Central African CFA francs (XAF), and vice versa, even though the two currencies trade at par Serbia Serbian dinars (RSD) per US dollar - 54.5 (2007), 59.98 (2006) Seychelles Seychelles rupees (SCR) per US dollar - 8 (2008 est.), 6.5 (2007), 5.5 (2006), 5.5 (2005), 5.5 (2004) Sierra Leone leones (SLL) per US dollar - NA (2007), 2,961.7 (2006), 2,889.6 (2005), 2,701.3 (2004), 2,347.9 (2003) Singapore Singapore dollars (SGD) per US dollar - 1.415 (2008 est.), 1.507 (2007), 1.5889 (2006), 1.6644 (2005), 1.6902 (2004) Slovakia Slovak koruny (SKK) per US dollar - 21.05 (2008 est.), 24.919 (2007), 29.611 (2006), 31.018 (2005), 32.257 (2004) note: on 1 January 2009 Slovakia adopted the euro as legal tender Slovenia euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007) note: Slovenia adopted the euro as its currency on 1 January 2007 Solomon Islands Solomon Islands dollars (SBD) per US dollar - NA (2007), 7.3447 (2006), 7.5299 (2005), 7.4847 (2004), 7.5059 (2003) Somalia Somali shillings (SOS) per US dollar - NA (2007-08), 1,438.3 (2006) official rate; the unofficial black market rate was about 23,000 shillings per dollar as of February 2007 note: the Republic of Somaliland, a self-declared independent country not recognized by any foreign government, issues its own currency, the Somaliland shilling South Africa rand (ZAR) per US dollar - 7.9576 (2008 est.), 7.05 (2007), 6.7649 (2006), 6.3593 (2005), 6.4597 (2004) Spain euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Sri Lanka Sri Lankan rupees (LKR) per US dollar - 108.33 (2008), 110.78 (2007), 103.99 (2006), 100.498 (2005), 101.194 (2004) Sudan Sudanese pounds (SDG) per US dollar - 2.1 (2008 est.), 2.06 (2007), 2.172 (2006), 2.4361 (2005), 2.5791 (2004) note: in October 2007 Sudan redenominated its currency by transforming 100 units of Sudanese dinar into one unit of Sudanese pound Suriname Surinamese dollars (SRD) per US dollar - 2.745 (2007), 2.745 (2006), 2.7317 (2005), 2.7336 (2004), 2.6013 (2003) note: in January 2004, the government replaced the guilder with the Surinamese dollar, tied to a US dollar-dominated currency basket Svalbard Norwegian kroner (NOK) per US dollar - 5.6361 (2008), 5.86 (2007), 6.418 (2006), 6.445 (2005), 6.7327 (2004) Swaziland emalangeni per US dollar - 7.75 (2008 est.), 7.4 (2007), 6.85 (2006), 6.3593 (2005), 6.4597 (2004) Sweden Swedish kronor (SEK) per US dollar - 6.4074 (2008 est.), 6.7629 (2007), 7.3731 (2006), 7.4731 (2005), 7.3489 (2004) Switzerland Swiss francs (CHF) per US dollar - 1.0774 (2008 est.), 1.1973 (2007), 1.2539 (2006), 1.2452 (2005), 1.2435 (2004) Syria Syrian pounds (SYP) per US dollar - 46.5281 (2008 est.), 50.0085 (2007), 51.689 (2006), 50 (2005), 48.5 (2004) note: data for 2004-06 are the public sector rate; data for 2002-03 are the parallel market rate in 'Amman and Beirut; the official rate for repaying loans was 11.25 Syrian pounds per US dollars during 2004-06, Taiwan New Taiwan dollars (TWD) per US dollar - 31.53 (2008 est.), 32.84 (2007), 32.534 (2006), 31.71 (2005), 34.418 (2004) Tajikistan Tajikistani somoni (TJS) per US dollar - 3.4563 (2008 est.), 3.4418 (2007), 3.3 (2006), 3.1166 (2005), 2.9705 (2004) Tanzania Tanzanian shillings (TZS) per US dollar - 1,178.1 (2008 est.), 1,255 (2007), 1,251.9 (2006), 1,128.93 (2005), 1,089.33 (2004) Thailand baht per US dollar - 33.37 (2008 est.), 34.52 (2007), 37.882 (2006), 40.22 (2005), 40.222 (2004) Timor-Leste the US dollar is used Togo Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 447.81 (2008 est.), 482.71 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004) note: since 1 January 1999, the West African CFA franc (XOF) has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro; West African CFA franc (XOF) coins and banknotes are not accepted in countries using Central African CFA francs (XAF), and vice versa, even though the two currencies trade at par Tokelau New Zealand dollars (NZD) per US dollar - 1.4151 (2008 est.), 1.3811 (2007), 1.5408 (2006), 1.4203 (2005), 1.5087 (2004) Tonga pa'anga (TOP) per US dollar - NA (2007), 2.0277 (2006), 1.96 (2005), 1.9716 (2004), 2.142 (2003) Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago dollars (TTD) per US dollar - 6.2896 (2008 est.), 6.3275 (2007), 6.3107 (2006), 6.2842 (2005), 6.299 (2004) Tunisia Tunisian dinars (TND) per US dollar - 1.211 (2008 est.), 1.2776 (2007), 1.331 (2006), 1.2974 (2005), 1.2455 (2004) Turkey Turkish liras (TRY) per US dollar - 1.3179 (2008 est.), 1.319 (2007), 1.4286 (2006), 1.3436 (2005), 1.4255 (2004) note: on 1 January 2005, the old Turkish lira (TRL) was converted to new Turkish lira (TRY) at a rate of 1,000,000 old to 1 new Turkish lira; on 1 January 2009, the Turkish government dropped the word "new" and the currency is now called simply the Turkish lira Turkmenistan Turkmen manat (TMM) per US dollar - 14,250 (as of 1 May 2008 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands the US dollar is used Tuvalu Tuvaluan dollars or Australian dollars (AUD) per U 1.2059 (2008 est.), 1.2137 (2007), 1.3285 (2006), 1.3095 (2005), 1.3598 (2004) Uganda Ugandan shillings (UGX) per US dollar - 1,658.1 (2008 est.), 1,685.8 (2007), 1,834.9 (2006), 1,780.7 (2005), 1,810.3 (2004) Ukraine hryvnia (UAH) per US dollar - 4.9523 (2008 est.), 5.05 (2007), 5.05 (2006), 5.1247 (2005), 5.3192 (2004) United Arab Emirates Emirati dirhams (AED) per US dollar - 3.6725 (2008 est.), 3.6725 (2007), 3.6725 (2006), 3.6725 (2005), 3.6725 (2004) note: officially pegged to the US dollar since February 2002 United Kingdom British pounds (GBP) per US dollar - 0.5302 (2008 est.), 0.4993 (2007), 0.5418 (2006), 0.5493 (2005), 0.5462 (2004) United States British pounds per US dollar: 0.5302 (2008), 0.4993 (2007), 0.5418 (2006), 0.5493 (2005), 0.5462 (2004) Canadian dollars per US dollar: 1.0364 (2008), 1.0724 (2007), 1.1334 (2006), 1.2118 (2005), 1.3010 (2004) Chinese yuan per US dollar: 6.9385 (2008), 7.61 (2007), 7.97 (2006), 8.1943 (2005), 8.2768 (2004) euros per US dollar: 0.6827 (2008), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Japanese yen per US dollar: 103.58 (2008), 117.99 (2007), 116.18 (2006) 110.22 (2005), 108.19 (2004) Uruguay Uruguayan pesos (UYU) per US dollar - 20.936 (2008 est.), 23.947 (2007), 24.048 (2006), 24.479 (2005), 28.704 (2004) Uzbekistan Uzbekistani soum (UZS) per US dollar - 1,317 (2008 est.), 1,263.8 (2007), 1,219.8 (2006), 1,020 (2005), 971.265 (2004) Vanuatu vatu (VUV) per US dollar - NA (2007), 111.93 (2006), NA (2005), 111.79 (2004), 122.19 (2003) Venezuela bolivars (VEB) per US dollar - 2.147 (2008 est.), 2,147 (2007), 2,147 (2006), 2,089.8 (2005), 1,891.3 (2004) note: on 1 January 2008 Venezuela revalued its currency with 1000 old bolivares equal to 1 new bolivar Vietnam dong (VND) per US dollar - 16,548.3 (2008 est.), 16,119 (2007), 15,983 (2006), 15,746 (2005), NA (2004) Virgin Islands the US dollar is used Wallis and Futuna Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - 87.59 (2007), 94.97 (2006), 95.89 (2005), 96.04 (2004), 105.66 (2003) West Bank new Israeli shekels (ILS) per US dollar - 3.56 (2008 est.), 4.14 (2007), 4.4565 (2006), 4.4877 (2005), 4.482 (2004) Western Sahara Moroccan dirhams (MAD) per US dollar - 7.526 (2008 est.), 8.3563 (2007), 8.7722 (2006), 8.865 (2005), 8.868 (2004) Yemen Yemeni rials (YER) per US dollar - 199.76 (2008 est.), 199.14 (2007), 197.18 (2006), 192.67 (2005), 184.78 (2004) Zambia Zambian kwacha (ZMK) per US dollar - 3,512.9 (2008 est.), 3,990.2 (2007), 3,601.5 (2006), 4,463.5 (2005), 4,778.9 (2004) Zimbabwe Zimbabwean dollars (ZWD) per US dollar - NA (2008 est.), 30,000 (2007), 162.07 (2006), 77.965 (2005), 5.729 (2004) note: these are official exchange rates; non-official rates vary significantly ====================================================================== @2077 Field Listing :: Executive branch This entry includes several subfields. Chief of state includes the name and title of the titular leader of the country who represents the state at official and ceremonial functions but may not be involved with the day-to-day activities of the government. Head of government includes the name and title of the top administrative leader who is designated to manage the day-to-day activities of the government. For example, in the UK, the monarch is the chief of state, and the prime minister is the head of government. In the US, the president is both the chief of state and the head of government. Cabinet includes the official name for this body of high-ranking advisers and the method for selection of members. Elections includes the nature of election process or accession to power, date of the last election, and date of the next election. Election results includes the percent of vote for each candidate in the last election. Country Executive branch Afghanistan chief of state: President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Hamid KARZAI (since 7 December 2004); First Vice President Ahmad Zia MASOOD; Second Vice President Abdul Karim KHALILI (since 7 December 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government; former King ZAHIR Shah held the honorific, "Father of the Country," and presided symbolically over certain occasions but lacked any governing authority; the honorific is not hereditary; King ZAHIR Shah died on 23 July 2007 head of government: President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Hamid KARZAI (since 7 December 2004); First Vice President Ahmad Zia MASOOD; Second Vice President Abdul Karim KHALILI (since 7 December 2004) cabinet: 25 ministers; note - under the new constitution, ministers are appointed by the president and approved by the National Assembly elections: the president and two vice presidents are elected by direct vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); if no candidate receives 50% or more of the vote in the first round of voting, the two candidates with the most votes will participate in a second round; a president can only be elected for two terms; election last held 20 August 2009 (next to be held in 2014) election results: Hamid KARZAI reelected president; percent of vote - Hamid KARZAI 54.6%, Abdullah ABDULLAH 27.8%, Ramazan BASHARDOST 9.2%, Ashraf GHANI 2.7% (as reported by the Independent Election Commission of Afghanistan on 16 September 2009) note: on 2 November 2009, following the cancellation of the planned 7 November election runoff, the UN-backed Electoral Complaints Commission officially declared Hamid KARZAI the winner of the 20 August presidential election Akrotiri chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Administrator Major General Jamie GORDON (since October 2008); note - reports to the British Ministry of Defense elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the administrator is appointed by the monarch Albania chief of state: President of the Republic Bamir TOPI (since 24 July 2007) head of government: Prime Minister Sali BERISHA (since 10 September 2005) cabinet: Council of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, nominated by the president, and approved by parliament elections: president elected by the Assembly for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); four election rounds held between 8 and 20 July 2007 (next election to be held in 2012); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Bamir TOPI elected president; Assembly vote, fourth round (three-fifths majority (84 votes) required): Bamir TOPI 85 votes, Neritan CEKA 5 votes Algeria chief of state: President Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA (since 28 April 1999) head of government: Prime Minister Ahmed OUYAHIA (since 23 June 2008) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; note - a November 2008 constitutional amendment abolished presidential term limits; election last held 9 April 2009 (next to be held in April 2014); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA reelected president for third term; percent of vote - Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA 90.2%, Louisa HANOUNE 4.2%, Moussa TOUATI 2.3%, Djahid YOUNSI 1.4%, Ali Fawzi REBIANE less than 1%, Mohamed SAID less than 1% American Samoa chief of state: President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009) head of government: Governor Togiola TULAFONO (since 7 April 2003) cabinet: Cabinet made up of 12 department directors elections: under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as American Samoa, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, they may vote in Democratic and Republican presidential primary elections; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 4 and 18 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012) election results: Togiola TULAFONO reelected governor; percent of vote - Togiola TULAFONO 56.5%, Afoa Moega LUTU 43.5% Andorra chief of state: French Coprince Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007); represented by Philippe MASSONI (since 26 July 2002) and Spanish Coprince Bishop Joan-Enric VIVES i SICILIA (since 12 May 2003); represented by Nemesi MARQUES i OSTE (since 30 July 2003) head of government: Executive Council President Jaume BARTUMEU Cassany (since 5 June 2009) cabinet: Executive Council or Govern designated by the Executive Council president elections: Executive Council president elected by the General Council and formally appointed by the coprinces for a four-year term; election last held 26 April 2009 (next to be held in April-May 2013) election results: Jaume BARTUMEU CASSANY elected executive council president; percent of General Council vote - NA Angola chief of state: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21 September 1979); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21 September 1979); Antonio Paulo KASSOMA was named prime minister by MPLA on 26 September 2008 cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by universal ballot for a five-year term (eligible for a second consecutive or discontinuous term) under the 1992 constitution; President DOS SANTOS was selected by the party to take over after the death of former President Augustino NETO(1979) under a one-party system and stood for reelection in Angola's first multiparty elections 29-30 September 1992 (next were to be held in September 2009 but have been postponed) election results: Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS 49.6%, Jonas SAVIMBI 40.1%, making a run-off election necessary; the run-off was never held leaving DOS SANTOS in his current position as the president Anguilla chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Alistair HARRISON (since 21 April 2009) head of government: Chief Minister Osbourne FLEMING (since 3 March 2000) cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from among the elected members of the House of Assembly elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed chief minister by the governor Antigua and Barbuda chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Louisse LAKE-TACK (since 17 July 2007) head of government: Prime Minister Winston Baldwin SPENCER (since 24 March 2004) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general chosen by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general Argentina chief of state: President Cristina FERNANDEZ DE KIRCHNER (since 10 December 2007); Vice President Julio COBOS (since 10 December 2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Cristina FERNANDEZ DE KIRCHNER (since 10 December 2007); Vice President Julio COBOS (since 10 December 2007) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 28 October 2007 (next election to be held in 2011) election results: Cristina FERNANDEZ DE KIRCHNER elected president; percent of vote - Cristina FERNANDEZ DE KIRCHNER 45%, Elisa CARRIO 23%, Roberto LAVAGNA 17%, Alberto Rodriguez SAA 8% Armenia chief of state: President Serzh SARGSIAN (since 9 April 2008) head of government: Prime Minister Tigran SARGSIAN (since 9 April 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 19 February 2008 (next to be held February 2013); prime minister appointed by the president based on majority or plurality support in parliament; the prime minister and Council of Ministers must resign if the National Assembly refuses to accept their program election results: Serzh SARGSIAN elected president; percent of vote - Serzh SARGSIAN 52.9%, Levon TER-PETROSSIAN 21.5%, Artur BAGHDASARIAN 16.7% Aruba chief of state: Queen BEATRIX of the Netherlands (since 30 April 1980); represented by Governor General Fredis REFUNJOL (since 11 May 2004) head of government: Prime Minister Mike EMAN (since 30 October 2009) cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the Staten elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed for a six-year term by the monarch; prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by the Staten for four-year terms; election last held in 2005 (next to be held by 2009) election results: Nelson O. ODUBER elected prime minister; percent of legislative vote - NA Australia chief of state: Queen of Australia ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Quentin BRYCE (since 5 September 2008) head of government: Prime Minister Kevin RUDD (since 3 December 2007); Deputy Prime Minister Julia GILLARD (since 3 December 2007) cabinet: prime minister nominates, from among members of Parliament, candidates who are subsequently sworn in by the governor general to serve as government ministers elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is sworn in as prime minister by the governor general Austria chief of state: President Heinz FISCHER (SPOe) (since 8 July 2004) head of government: Chancellor Werner FAYMANN (SPOe) (since 2 December 2008); Vice Chancellor Josef PROELL (OeVP) (since 2 December 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers chosen by the president on the advice of the chancellor elections: president elected by direct popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for a second term); presidential election last held 25 April 2004 (next to be held in April 2010); chancellor formally chosen by the president but determined by the coalition parties forming a parliamentary majority; vice chancellor chosen by the president on the advice of the chancellor election results: Heinz FISCHER elected president; percent of vote - Heinz FISCHER 52.4%, Benita FERRERO-WALDNER 47.6% note: government coalition - SPOe and OeVP Azerbaijan chief of state: President Ilham ALIYEV (since 31 October 2003) head of government: Prime Minister Artur RASIZADE (since 4 November 2003); First Deputy Prime Minister Yaqub EYYUBOV (since June 2006) 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 (eligible for a second term); election last held 15 October 2008 (next to be held in October 2013); prime minister and first deputy prime minister appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly election results: Ilham ALIYEV reelected president; percent of vote - Ilham ALIYEV 89%, Igbal AGHAZADE 2.9%, five other candidates with smaller percentages note: several political parties boycotted the election due to unfair conditions; OSCE observers concluded that the election did not meet international standards Bahamas, The chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Arthur D. HANNA (since 1 February 2006) head of government: Prime Minister Hubert A. INGRAHAM (since 4 May 2007) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the prime minister's recommendation elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; the prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister Bahrain chief of state: King HAMAD bin Isa Al-Khalifa (since 6 March 1999); Heir Apparent Crown Prince SALMAN bin Hamad (son of the monarch, born 21 October 1969) head of government: Prime Minister KHALIFA bin Salman Al-Khalifa (since 1971); Deputy Prime Ministers ALI bin Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa, MUHAMMAD bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa, Jawad al-ARAIDH cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch elections: the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch Bangladesh chief of state: President Zillur RAHMAN (since 12 February 2009) head of government: Prime Minister Sheikh HASINA Wajed (since 6 January 2009) cabinet: Cabinet selected by the prime minister and appointed by the president elections: president elected by National Parliament for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); last election held on 11 February 2009 (next scheduled election to be held in 2014) election results: Zillur RAHMAN declared president-elect by the Election Commission on 11 February 2009 (sworn in on 12 February); he ran unopposed as president; percent of National Parliament vote - NA Barbados chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Sir Clifford Straughn HUSBANDS (since 1 June 1996) head of government: Prime Minister David THOMPSON (since 16 January 2008) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; the prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister Belarus chief of state: President Aleksandr LUKASHENKO (since 20 July 1994) head of government: Prime Minister Sergey SIDORSKIY (since 19 December 2003); First Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir SEMASHKO (since December 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; first election took place 23 June and 10 July 1994; according to the 1994 constitution, the next election should have been held in 1999, however, Aleksandr LUKASHENKO extended his term to 2001 via a November 1996 referendum; subsequent election held 9 September 2001; an October 2004 referendum ended presidential term limits and allowed the president to run in a third election, which was held on 19 March 2006; prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president election results: Aleksandr LUKASHENKO reelected president; percent of vote - Aleksandr LUKASHENKO 82.6%, Aleksandr MILINKEVICH 6%, Aleksandr KOZULIN 2.3%; note - election marred by electoral fraud Belgium chief of state: King ALBERT II (since 9 August 1993); Heir Apparent Prince PHILIPPE, son of the monarch head of government: Prime Minister Herman VAN ROMPUY (30 December 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers are formally appointed by the monarch elections: the monarchy is hereditary and constitutional; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch and then approved by parliament Belize chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Sir Colville YOUNG, Sr. (since 17 November 1993) head of government: Prime Minister Dean Oliver BARROW (since 8 February 2008); Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar VEGA (since 12 February 2008) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister Benin chief of state: President Thomas YAYI Boni (since 6 April 2006); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Thomas YAYI Boni (since 6 April 2006) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); runoff election held 19 March 2006 (next to be held in March 2011) election results: Thomas YAYI Boni elected president; percent of vote - Thomas YAYI Boni 74.5%, Adrien HOUNGBEDJI 25.5% Bermuda chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Sir Richard GOZNEY (since 12 December 2007) head of government: Premier Ewart BROWN (since 30 October 2006); Deputy Premier Paula COX cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the premier, appointed by the governor elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed premier by the governor Bhutan chief of state: King Jigme Khesar Namgyel WANGCHUCK (since 14 December 2006); note - King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK abdicated the throne on 14 December 2006 and his son immediately succeeded him; the nearly two-year delay between the former King's abdication and his son's coronation on 6 November 2008 was to ensure an astrologically auspicious coronation date and to give the new King-who had limited experience-deeper administrative expertise under the guidance of this father head of government: Prime Minister Jigme THINLEY (since 9 April 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers (Lhengye Shungtsog) nominated by the monarch, approved by the National Assembly; members serve fixed, five-year terms; note - there is also a Royal Advisory Council (Lodoi Tsokde), members nominated by the monarch elections: the monarch is hereditary, but democratic reforms in July 1998 grant the National Assembly authority to remove the monarch with two-thirds vote; election of a new National Assembly occurred in March 2008; the leader of the majority party is nominated as the prime minister Bolivia chief of state: President Juan Evo MORALES Ayma (since 22 January 2006); Vice President Alvaro GARCIA Linera (since 22 January 2006); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Juan Evo MORALES Ayma (since 22 January 2006); Vice President Alvaro GARCIA Linera (since 22 January 2006) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single five-year term; election last held 18 December 2005 (next to be held in December 2009) election results: Juan Evo MORALES Ayma elected president; percent of vote - Juan Evo MORALES Ayma 53.7%; Jorge Fernando QUIROGA Ramirez 28.6%; Samuel DORIA MEDINA Arana 7.8%; Michiaki NAGATANI Morishit 6.5%; Felipe QUISPE Huanca 2.2%; Guildo ANGULA Cabrera 0.7% Bosnia and Herzegovina chief of state: Chairman of the Presidency Zeljko KOMSIC (chairman since 6 July 2009; presidency member since 1 October 2006 - Croat); other members of the three-member presidency rotating (every eight months): Haris SILAJDZIC (presidency member since 1 October 2006 - Bosniak); and Nebojsa RADMANOVIC (presidency member since 1 October 2006 - Serb) head of government: Chairman of the Council of Ministers Nikola SPIRIC (since 11 January 2007) cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the council chairman; approved by the National House of Representatives elections: the three members of the presidency (one Bosniak, one Croat, one Serb) are elected by popular vote for a four-year term (eligible for a second term, but then ineligible for four years); the chairmanship rotates every eight months and resumes where it left off following each national election; election last held 1 October 2006 (next to be held in 2010); the chairman of the Council of Ministers is appointed by the presidency and confirmed by the National House of Representatives election results: percent of vote - Nebojsa RADMANOVIC with 53.3% of the votes for the Serb seat; Zeljko KOMSIC with 39.6% of the votes for the Croat seat; Haris SILAJDZIC with 62.8% of the votes for the Bosniak seat note: President of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Borjana KRISTO (since 21 February 2007); Vice Presidents Spomenka MICIC (since NA 2007) and Mirsad KEBO (since NA 2007); President of the Republika Srpska: Rajko KUSMANOVIC (since 28 December 2007) Botswana chief of state: President Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA (since 1 April 2008); Vice President Mompati MERAFHE (since 1 April 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA (since 1 April 2008); Vice President Mompati MERAFHE (since 1 April 2008) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president indirectly elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 20 October 2004 (next to be held on 9 October 2009); vice president appointed by the president election results: Festus G. MOGAE elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - 52%: note - MOGAE stepped down on 1 April 2008 and designated KHAMA to serve out the remainder of his term Brazil chief of state: President Luiz Inacio LULA da Silva (since 1 January 2003); Vice President Jose ALENCAR (since 1 January 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Luiz Inacio LULA da Silva (since 1 January 2003); Vice President Jose ALENCAR (since 1 January 2003) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single four-year term; election last held 1 October 2006 with runoff 29 October 2006 (next to be held 3 October 2010 and, if necessary, 31 October 2010) election results: Luiz Inacio LULA da Silva (PT) reelected president - 60.83%, Geraldo ALCKMIN (PSDB) 39.17% British Indian Ocean Territory chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Commissioner Colin ROBERTS (since July 2008); Administrator Joanne YEADON (since December 2007); note - both reside in the UK and are represented by the officer commanding British Forces on Diego Garcia cabinet: NA elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; commissioner and administrator appointed by the monarch British Virgin Islands chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor David PEAREY (since 18 April 2006) head of government: Premier Ralph T. O'NEAL (since 23 August 2007) cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from members of the House of Assembly elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed premier by the governor Brunei chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967) cabinet: Council of Cabinet Ministers appointed and presided over by the monarch; deals with executive matters; note - there is also a Religious Council (members appointed by the monarch) that advises on religious matters, a Privy Council (members appointed by the monarch) that deals with constitutional matters, and the Council of Succession (members appointed by the monarch) that determines the succession to the throne if the need arises elections: none; the monarch is hereditary Bulgaria chief of state: President Georgi PARVANOV (since 22 January 2002); Vice President Angel MARIN (since 22 January 2002) head of government: Prime Minister Boyko BORISSOV (since 27 July 2009); Deputy Prime Ministers Simeon DJANKOV and Tsvetan TSVETANOV (since 27 July 2009); cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and elected by the National Assembly elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 22 and 29 October 2006 (next to be held in 2011); chairman of the Council of Ministers (prime minister) elected by the National Assembly; deputy prime ministers nominated by the prime minister and elected by the National Assembly election results: Georgi PARVANOV reelected president; percent of vote - Georgi PARVANOV 77.3%, Volen SIDEROV 22.7%; Sergei STANISHEV elected prime minister, result of legislative vote - 168 to 67 Burkina Faso chief of state: President Blaise COMPAORE (since 15 October 1987) head of government: Prime Minister Tertius ZONGO (since 4 June 2007) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 13 November 2005 (next to be held in 2010); in April 2000, the constitution was amended reducing the presidential term from seven to five years, enforceable as of 2005; prime minister appointed by the president with the consent of the legislature election results: Blaise COMPAORE reelected president; percent of popular vote - Blaise COMPAORE 80.3%, Benewende Stanislas SANKARA 4.9% Burma chief of state: Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) Sr. Gen. THAN SHWE (since 23 April 1992) head of government: Prime Minister, Lt. Gen THEIN SEIN (since 24 October 2007) cabinet: Cabinet is overseen by SPDC; military junta assumed power 18 September 1988 under name State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) elections: none Burundi chief of state: President Pierre NKURUNZIZA (since 26 August 2005); First Vice President Yves SAVINGUVU - Tutsi (since 9 November 2007); Second Vice President Gabriel NTISEZERANA - Hutu (since 9 February 2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Pierre NKURUNZIZA (since 26 August 2005); First Vice President Yves SAVINGUVU - Tutsi (since 9 November 2007); Second Vice President Gabriel NTISEZERANA - Hutu (since 9 February 2007) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by president elections: the president is elected by popular vote to a five-year term (eligible for a second term); note - the constitution adopted in February 2005 permits the post-transition president to be elected by a two-thirds majority of the parliament; next elections to be held in August 2010; vice presidents nominated by the president, endorsed by parliament election results: Pierre NKURUNZIZA was elected president by the parliament by a vote of 151 to 9; note - the constitution adopted in February 2005 permits the post-transition president to be elected by a two-thirds majority of the legislature Cambodia chief of state: King Norodom SIHAMONI (since 29 October 2004) head of government: Prime Minister HUN SEN (since 14 January 1985) [co-prime minister from 1993 to 1997]; Permanent Deputy Prime Minister MEN SAM AN (since 25 September 2008); Deputy Prime Ministers SAR KHENG (since 3 February 1992); SOK AN, TEA BANH, HOR NAMHONG, NHEK BUNCHHAY (since 16 July 2004); BIN CHHIN (since 5 September 2007); KEAT CHHON, YIM CHHAI LY (since 24 September 2008); KE KIMYAN (since 12 March 2009) cabinet: Council of Ministers named by the prime minister and appointed by the monarch elections: the king is chosen by a Royal Throne Council from among all eligible males of royal descent; following legislative elections, a member of the majority party or majority coalition is named prime minister by the Chairman of the National Assembly and appointed by the king Cameroon chief of state: President Paul BIYA (since 6 November 1982) head of government: Prime Minister Philemon YANG (since 30 June 2009) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from proposals submitted by the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 11 October 2004 (next to be held by October 2011); prime minister appointed by the president election results: President Paul BIYA reelected; percent of vote - Paul BIYA 70.9%, John FRU NDI 17.4%, Adamou Ndam NJOYA 4.5%, Garga Haman ADJI 3.7% Canada head of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Michaelle JEAN (since 27 September 2005) head of government: Prime Minister Stephen HARPER (since 6 February 2006) cabinet: Federal Ministry chosen by the prime minister usually from among the members of his own party sitting in Parliament elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister for a five-year term; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition in the House of Commons is automatically designated prime minister by the governor general Cape Verde chief of state: President Pedro Verona Rodriques PIRES (since 22 March 2001) head of government: Prime Minister Jose Maria Pereira NEVES (since 1 February 2001) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 12 February 2006 (next to be held in February 2011); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly and appointed by the president election results: Pedro PIRES reelected president; percent of vote - Pedro PIRES (PAICV) 51.2%, Carlos VIEGA (MPD) 48.8% Cayman Islands chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Stuart JACK (since 23 November 2005) head of government: Premier McKeeva BUSH (since 6 November 2009) cabinet: The Cabinet (six members appointed by the governor on the advice of the premier, selected from among the elected members of the Legislative Assembly) elections: the monarch is hereditary; the governor is appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or coalition is appointed by the governor as premier Central African Republic chief of state: President Francois BOZIZE (since 15 March 2003 coup) head of government: Prime Minister Faustin-Archange TOUADERA (since 22 January 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers elections: under the new constitution, the president elected to a five-year term (eligible for a second term); elections last held 13 March and 8 May 2005 (next to be held in 2010); prime minister appointed by the political party with a parliamentary majority election results: Francois BOZIZE elected president; percent of second round balloting - Francois BOZIZE (KNK) 64.6%, Martin ZIGUELE (MLPC) 35.4% Chad chief of state: President Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY Itno (since 4 December 1990) head of government: Prime Minister Youssof Saleh ABBAS (since 16 April 2008) cabinet: Council of State, members appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote to serve five-year term; if no candidate receives at least 50% of the total vote, the two candidates receiving the most votes must stand for a second round of voting; last held 3 May 2006 (next to be held by May 2011); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY Itno reelected president; percent of vote - Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY 64.7%, Delwa Kassire KOUMAKOYE 15.1%, Albert Pahimi PADACKE 7.8%, Mahamat ABDOULAYE 7.1%, Brahim KOULAMALLAH 5.3%; note - a June 2005 national referendum altered the constitution removing presidential term limits and permitting Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY Itno to run for reelection Chile chief of state: President Michelle BACHELET Jeria (since 11 March 2006); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Michelle BACHELET Jeria (since 11 March 2006) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a single four-year term; election last held 11 December 2005, with runoff election held 15 January 2006 (next to be held in December 2009) election results: Michelle BACHELET Jeria elected president; percent of vote - Michelle BACHELET Jeria 53.5%; Sebastian PINERA Echenique 46.5% China chief of state: President HU Jintao (since 15 March 2003); Vice President XI Jinping (since 15 March 2008) head of government: Premier WEN Jiabao (since 16 March 2003); Executive Vice Premier LI Keqiang (17 March 2008), Vice Premier HUI Liangyu (since 17 March 2003), Vice Premier ZHANG Deijiang (since 17 March 2008), and Vice Premier WANG Qishan (since 17 March 2008) cabinet: State Council appointed by National People's Congress elections: president and vice president elected by National People's Congress for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); elections last held 15-17 March 2008 (next to be held in mid-March 2013); premier nominated by president, confirmed by National People's Congress election results: HU Jintao elected president by National People's Congress with a total of 2,963 votes; XI Jinping elected vice president with a total of 2,919 votes Christmas Island chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) represented by the Australian governor general head of government: Administrator Brian LACY (since 5 October 2009) elections: the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia Cocos (Keeling) Islands chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by the Australian governor general head of government: Administrator (nonresident) Brian LACY (since 5 October 2009) cabinet: NA elections: the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia Colombia chief of state: President Alvaro URIBE Velez (since 7 August 2002); Vice President Francisco SANTOS Calderon (since 7 August 2002); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Alvaro URIBE Velez (since 7 August 2002); Vice President Francisco SANTOS Calderon (since 7 August 2002) cabinet: Cabinet consists of a coalition of the three largest parties that supported President URIBE's reelection - the PSUN, PC, and CR - and independents elections: president and vice president elected by popular vote for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 28 May 2006 (next to be held in May 2010) election results: President Alvaro URIBE Velez reelected president; percent of vote - Alvaro URIBE Velez 62%, Carlos GAVIRIA Diaz 22%, Horacio SERPA Uribe 12%, other 4% Comoros chief of state: President Ahmed Abdallah SAMBI (since 26 May 2006) head of government: President Ahmed Abdallah SAMBI (since 26 May 2006) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: as defined by the 2001 constitution, the presidency rotates every four years among the elected presidents from the three main islands in the Union; election last held 14 May 2006 (next to be held in 2011) election results: Ahmed Abdallah SAMBI elected president; percent of vote - Ahmed Abdallah SAMBI 58.0%, Ibrahim HALIDI 28.3%, Mohamed DJAANFAMI 13.7% Congo, Democratic Republic of the chief of state: President Joseph KABILA (since 17 January 2001); note - following the assassination of his father, Joseph KABILA succeeded to the presidency which he retained through the 2003-06 transition; he was subsequently elected president in October 2006 head of government: Prime Minister Adolphe MUZITO (since 10 October 2008) cabinet: Ministers of State appointed by the president elections: under the new constitution the president is elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); elections last held 30 July 2006 and 29 October 2006 (next to be held in October 2011); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Joseph KABILA elected president; percent of vote (second round) - Joseph KABILA 58%, Jean-Pierre BEMBA Gombo 42% note: Joseph KABILA succeeded his father, Laurent Desire KABILA, following the latter's assassination in January 2001; negotiations with rebel leaders led to the establishment of a transitional government in July 2003 with free elections held on 30 July 2006 and a run-off on 29 October 2006 confirming Joseph KABILA as president Congo, Republic of the chief of state: President Denis SASSOU-Nguesso (since 25 October 1997, following the civil war in which he toppled elected president Pascal LISSOUBA); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Denis SASSOU-Nguesso (since 25 October 1997); note - the position of Prime Minister was abolished in September 2009 cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 12 July 2009 (next to be held in 2016) election results: Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO reelected president; percent of vote - Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO 78.6%, Joseph Kignoumbi Kia MBOUNGOU 7.5%, Nicephore Fylla de SAINT-EUDES 7% Cook Islands chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) represented by Sir Frederick GOODWIN (since 9 February 2001); New Zealand High Commissioner Tia BARRETT (since December 2008), representative of New Zealand head of government: Prime Minister Jim MARURAI (since 14 December 2004); Deputy Prime Minister Terepai MAOATE (since 9 August 2005) cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister; collectively responsible to Parliament elections: the monarch is hereditary; the UK representative is appointed by the monarch; the New Zealand high commissioner is appointed by the New Zealand Government; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually becomes prime minister Coral Sea Islands administered from Canberra by the Australian Attorney-General's Department Costa Rica chief of state: President Oscar ARIAS Sanchez (since 8 May 2006); First Vice President (vacant); Second Vice President (vacant); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Oscar ARIAS Sanchez (since 8 May 2006); First Vice President (vacant); Second Vice President (vacant) cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president elections: president and vice presidents elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single four-year term; election last held 5 February 2006 (next to be held in February 2010) election results: Oscar ARIAS Sanchez elected president; percent of vote - Oscar ARIAS Sanchez (PLN) 40.9%; Otton SOLIS (PAC) 39.8%, Otto GUEVARA Guth (PML) 8%, Ricardo TOLEDO (PUSC) 3% Cote d'Ivoire chief of state: President Laurent GBAGBO (since 26 October 2000) head of government: Prime Minister Guillaume SORO (since 4 April 2007) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president; note - under the current power-sharing agreement the prime minister and the president share the authority to appoint ministers elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (no term limits); election last held 26 October 2000 (next to be held 29 November 2009 after being repeatedly postponed by the government; the UN Security Council has extended the government's mandate); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Laurent GBAGBO elected president; percent of vote - Laurent GBAGBO 59.4%, Robert GUEI 32.7%, Francis WODIE 5.7%, other 2.2% Croatia chief of state: President Stjepan (Stipe) MESIC (since 18 February 2000) head of government: Prime Minister Jadranka KOSOR (since 6 July 2009); Deputy Prime Ministers Bozidar PANKRETIC (since 6 July 2009), Damir POLANCEC (since 15 February 2005), Djurdja ADLESIC (since 12 January 2008), Slobodan UZELAC (since 12 January 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers named by the prime minister and approved by the parliamentary assembly elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 16 January 2005 (next to be held in January 2010); the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president and then approved by the assembly election results: Stjepan MESIC reelected president; percent of vote in the second round - Stjepan MESIC 66%, Jadranka KOSOR 34% Cuba chief of state: President of the Council of State and President of the Council of Ministers Gen. Raul CASTRO Ruz (president since 24 February 2008); First Vice President of the Council of State and First Vice President of the Council of Ministers Gen. Jose Ramon MACHADO Ventura (since 24 February 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President of the Council of State and President of the Council of Ministers Gen. Raul CASTRO Ruz (president since 24 February 2008); First Vice President of the Council of State and First Vice President of the Council of Ministers Gen. Jose Ramon MACHADO Ventura (since 24 February 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers proposed by the president of the Council of State and appointed by the National Assembly or the 31-member Council of State, elected by the assembly to act on its behalf when it is not in session elections: president and vice presidents elected by the National Assembly for a term of five years; election last held 24 February 2008 (next to be held in 2013) election results: Gen. Raul CASTRO Ruz elected president; percent of legislative vote - 100%; Gen. Jose Ramon MACHADO Ventura elected vice president; percent of legislative vote - 100% Cyprus chief of state: President Demetris CHRISTOFIAS (since 28 February 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government; post of vice president is currently vacant; under the 1960 constitution, the post is reserved for a Turkish Cypriot head of government: President Demetris CHRISTOFIAS (since 28 February 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed jointly by the president and vice president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 17 and 24 February 2008 (next to be held in February 2013) election results: Demetris CHRISTOFIAS elected president; percent of vote (first round) - Ioannis KASOULIDES 33.5%, Demetris CHRISTOFIAS 33.3%, Tassos PAPADOPOULOS 31.8%; (second round) Demetris CHRISTOFIAS 53.4%, Ioannis KASOULIDES 46.6% note: Mehmet Ali TALAT became "president" of the "TRNC", 24 April 2005, after "presidential" elections on 17 April 2005; results - Mehmet Ali TALAT 55.6%, Dervis EROGLU 22.7%; Ferdi Sabit SOYER is "TRNC prime minister" and heads the Council of Ministers (cabinet) in coalition with "Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister" Turgay AVCI Czech Republic chief of state: President Vaclav KLAUS (since 7 March 2003) head of government: Prime Minister Jan FISCHER (since 9 April 2009); Deputy Prime Ministers Petr NECAS (since 9 January 2007), Martin BURSIK (since 9 January 2007), and Vlasta PARKANOVA (since 23 January 2008) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president elected by Parliament for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); last successful election held 15 February 2008 (after earlier elections held 8 and 9 February 2008 were inconclusive; next election to be held in 2013); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Vaclav KLAUS reelected president on 15 February 2008; Vaclav KLAUS 141 votes, Jan SVEJNAR 111 votes (third round; combined votes of both chambers of parliament) Denmark chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II (since 14 January 1972); Heir Apparent Crown Prince FREDERIK, elder son of the monarch (born 26 May 1968) head of government: Prime Minister Lars Lokke RASMUSSEN (since 5 April 2009) cabinet: Council of State appointed by the monarch elections: the monarch is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch Dhekelia chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Administrator Major General Jamie GORDON (since October 2008); note - reports to the British Ministry of Defense elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the administrator is appointed by the monarch Djibouti chief of state: President Ismail Omar GUELLEH (since 8 May 1999) head of government: Prime Minister Mohamed Dileita DILEITA (since 4 March 2001) cabinet: Council of Ministers responsible to the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 8 April 2005 (next to be held by April 2011); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Ismail Omar GUELLEH reelected president; percent of vote - Ismail Omar GUELLEH 100% Dominica chief of state: President Nicholas J. O. LIVERPOOL (since October 2003) head of government: Prime Minister Roosevelt SKERRIT (since 8 January 2004) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister elections: president elected by the House of Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 1 October 2003 (next to be held in 2013); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Nicholas LIVERPOOL consented to a second term in 2008 at the request of the prime minister and leader of the opposition Dominican Republic chief of state: President Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna (since 16 August 2004); Vice President Rafael ALBURQUERQUE de Castro (since 16 August 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna (since 16 August 2004); Vice President Rafael ALBURQUERQUE de Castro (since 16 August 2004) cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second consecutive term); election last held 16 May 2008 (next to be held in May 2012) election results: Leonel FERNANDEZ reelected president; percent of vote - Leonel FERNANDEZ 53.6%, Miguel VARGAS 41%, Amable ARISTY less than 5% Ecuador chief of state: President Rafael CORREA Delgado (since 15 January 2007); Vice President Lenin MORENO Garces (since 15 January 2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Rafael CORREA Delgado (since 15 January 2007); Vice President Lenin MORENO Garces (since 15 January 2007) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: the president and vice president are elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a four-year term and can be re-elected for another consecutive term; election last held 26 April 2009 (next to be held 2013) election results: President Rafael CORREA Delgado reelected president; percent of vote - Rafael CORREA Delgado 51.7%; Lucio GUTIERREZ 28%; Alvaro NOBOA 11.6%; other 8.7%; note - official results pending Egypt chief of state: President Mohamed Hosni MUBARAK (since 14 October 1981) head of government: Prime Minister Ahmed Mohamed NAZIF (since 9 July 2004) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for six-year term (no term limits); note - a national referendum in May 2005 approved a constitutional amendment that changed the presidential election to a multicandidate popular vote; previously the president was nominated by the People's Assembly and the nomination was validated by a national, popular referendum; last referendum held 26 September 1999; first election under terms of constitutional amendment held 7 September 2005; next election scheduled for 2011 election results: Hosni MUBARAK reelected president; percent of vote - Hosni MUBARAK 88.6%, Ayman NOUR 7.6%, Noman GOMAA 2.9% El Salvador chief of state: President Mauricio FUNES Cartagena (since 1 June 2009); Vice President Salvador SANCHEZ CEREN (since 1 June 2009); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Mauricio FUNES Cartagena (since 1 June 2009); Vice President Salvador SANCHEZ CEREN (since 1 June 2009) cabinet: Council of Ministers selected by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single five-year term; election last held 15 March 2009 (next to be held in March 2014) election results: Mauricio FUNES Cartagena elected president; percent of vote - Mauricio FUNES Cartagena 51.3%, Rodrigo AVILA 48.7% Equatorial Guinea chief of state: President Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO (since 3 August 1979 when he seized power in a military coup) head of government: Prime Minister Ignacio Milan TANG (since 8 July 2008); cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (no term limits); election last held 15 December 2002 (next to be held in 2010); prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president election results: Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO reelected president; percent of vote - Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO 97.1%, Celestino Bonifacio BACALE 2.2%; elections marred by widespread fraud Eritrea chief of state: President ISAIAS Afworki (since 8 June 1993); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government and is head of the State Council and National Assembly head of government: President ISAIAS Afworki (since 8 June 1993) cabinet: State Council is the collective executive authority; members appointed by the president elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); the most recent and only election held 8 June 1993 (next election date uncertain as the National Assembly did not hold a presidential election in December 2001 as anticipated) election results: ISAIAS Afworki elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - ISAIAS Afworki 95%, other 5% Estonia chief of state: President Toomas Hendrik ILVES (since 9 October 2006) head of government: Prime Minister Andrus ANSIP (since 12 April 2005) cabinet: Ministers appointed by the prime minister, approved by Parliament elections: president elected by Parliament for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); if a candidate does not secure two-thirds of the votes after three rounds of balloting in the Parliament, then an electoral assembly (made up of Parliament plus members of local councils) elects the president, choosing between the two candidates with the largest number of votes; election last held 23 September 2006 (next to be held in the fall of 2011); prime minister nominated by the president and approved by Parliament election results: Toomas Hendrik ILVES elected president on 23 September 2006 by a 345-member electoral assembly; ILVES received 174 votes to incumbent Arnold RUUTEL's 162; remaining 9 ballots left blank or invalid Ethiopia chief of state: President GIRMA Woldegiorgis (since 8 October 2001) head of government: Prime Minister MELES Zenawi (since August 1995) cabinet: Council of Ministers as provided for in the December 1994 constitution; ministers are selected by the prime minister and approved by the House of People's Representatives elections: president elected by the House of People's Representatives for a six-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 9 October 2007 (next to be held in October 2013); prime minister designated by the party in power following legislative elections election results: GIRMA Woldegiorgis elected president; percent of vote by the House of People's Representatives - 79% European Union chief of union: President of the European Commission Jose Manuel DURAO BARROSO (since 22 November 2004) cabinet: European Commission (composed of 27 members, one from each member country; each commissioner responsible for one or more policy areas) elections: the president of the European Commission is designated by member governments and is confirmed by the European Parliament; working from member state recommendations, the Commission president then assembles a "college" of Commission members; the European Parliament confirms the entire Commission for a five-year term; the last confirmation process was held 16 September 2009 (next to be held in 2014) election results: European Parliament approved the European Commission by a vote of 382 to 219 with 117 abstentions note: the European Council brings together heads of state and government and the president of the European Commission and meets at least four times a year; its aim is to provide the impetus for the major political issues relating to European integration and to issue general policy guidelines Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Governor Alan HUCKLE (since 25 August 2006); Chief Executive Dr. Tim THOROGOOD (since 3 January 2008) cabinet: Executive Council; three members elected by the Legislative Council, two ex officio members (chief executive and the financial secretary), and the governor elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch Faroe Islands chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Birgit KLEIS, chief administrative officer (since 1 November 2001) head of government: Prime Minister Kaj Leo JOHANNESSEN (since 26 September 2008) cabinet: Landsstyri appointed by the prime minister elections: the monarch is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by the Faroese Parliament; election last held 19 January 2008 (next to be held no later than January 2012) election results: Joannes EIDESGAARD elected prime minister; governing coalition collapses in September 2008, Kaj Leo JOHANNESSEN becomes Prime Minister Fiji chief of state: President Ratu Epeli NAILATIKAU (since 30 July 2009) head of government: Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE (since 10 September 2000); note - although QARASE is still the legal prime minister, he has been confined to his home island; former President ILOILOVATU appointed Commodore Voreqe BAINIMARAMA interim prime minister under the military regime cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among the members of Parliament and is responsible to Parliament; note - coup leader Commodore Voreqe BAINIMARAMA has appointed an interim cabinet elections: under the constitution, president elected by the Great Council of Chiefs for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); in 2007 the Great Council of Chiefs was suspended from its role in electing the president; prime minister appointed by the president election results: Ratu Epeli NAILATIKAU was appointed by Chief Justice Anthony GATES Finland chief of state: President Tarja HALONEN (since 1 March 2000) head of government: Prime Minister Matti VANHANEN (since 24 June 2003); Deputy Prime Minister Jyrki KATAINEN (since 19 April 2007) cabinet: Council of State or Valtioneuvosto appointed by the president, responsible to parliament elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 15 January 2006 (next to be held in January 2012); the president appoints the prime minister and deputy prime minister from the majority party or the majority coalition after parliamentary elections and the parliament must approve the appointment; Prime Minister VANHANEN reelected 17 April 2007 election results: percent of vote - Tarja HALONEN (SDP) 46.3%, Sauli NIINISTO (Kok) 24.1%, Matti VANHANEN (Kesk) 18.6%, Heidi HAUTALA (VIHR) 3.5%; a runoff election between HALONEN and NIINISTO was held 29 January 2006 - HALONEN 51.8%, NIINISTO 48.2%; Matti VANHANEN reelected prime minister; election results 121-71 note: government coalition - Kesk, KOK, VIHR, and SFP France chief of state: President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007) head of government: Prime Minister Francois FILLON (since 17 May 2007) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president at the suggestion of the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (changed from seven-year term in October 2000); election last held 22 April and 6 May 2007 (next to be held spring 2012); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Nicolas SARKOZY wins the election; first round: percent of vote - Nicolas SARKOZY 31.18%, Segolene ROYAL 25.87%, Francois BAYROU 18.57%, Jean-Marie LE PEN 10.44%, others 13.94%; second round: SARKOZY 53.1% and ROYAL 46.9% French Polynesia chief of state: President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007), represented by High Commissioner of the Republic Adolphe COLRAT (since 7 July 2008) head of government: President of French Polynesia Oscar TEMARU (since 7 February 2009); President of the Territorial Assembly Eduoard FRITCH (since 12 February 2009) cabinet: Council of Ministers; president submits a list of members of the Territorial Assembly for approval by them to serve as ministers elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; high commissioner appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the territorial government and the president of the Territorial Assembly are elected by the members of the assembly for five-year terms (no term limits) French Southern and Antarctic Lands chief of state: President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007), represented by Senior Administrator Rollon MOUCHEL-BLAISOT (16 October 2008) Gabon chief of state: President Ali BONGO Ondimba (since 16 October 2009) head of government: Prime Minister Paul BIYOGHE MBA (since 15 July 2009) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister in consultation with the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (no term limits); election last held 30 August 2009 (next to be held in 2016); prime minister appointed by the president election results: President Ali BONGO Ondimba elected; percent of vote - Ali BONGO Ondimba 41.7%, Andre MBA OBAME 25.9%, Pierre MAMBOUNDOU 25.2%, Zacharie MYBOTO 3.9%, other 3.3% note: President BONGO died on 8 June 2009 after serving as president for 32 years, in accordance with the constitution he was replaced on an interim basis by the president of the Senate, Rose Francine ROGOMBE on 10 June 2009, new elections where held on 30 August 2009 and the son of the former president, Ali BONGO Ondimba, was elected president Gambia, The chief of state: President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since 18 October 1996); note - from 1994 to 1996 he was chairman of the Junta; Vice President Isatou NJIE-SAIDY (since 20 March 1997); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since 18 October 1996); Vice President Isatou NJIE-SAIDY (since 20 March 1997) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (no term limits); election last held 22 September 2006 (next to be held in 2011) election results: Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH reelected president; percent of vote - Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH 67.3%, Ousainou DARBOE 26.6%, Halifa SALLAH 6.0% Georgia chief of state: President Mikheil SAAKASHVILI (since 25 January 2004); the president is both the chief of state and head of government for the power ministries: state security (includes interior) and defense head of government: President Mikheil SAAKASHVILI (since 25 January 2004); Prime Minister Nikoloz GILAURI (since 6 February 2009); the president is both the chief of state and head of government for the power ministries: state security (includes interior) and defense; the prime minister is head of the remaining ministries of government cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 5 January 2008 (next to be held January 2013) election results: Mikheil SAAKASHVILI reelected president; percent of vote - Mikheil SAAKASHVILI 53.5%, Levan GACHECHILADZE 25.7%, Badri PATARKATSISHVILI 7.1% Germany chief of state: President Horst KOEHLER (since 1 July 2004) head of government: Chancellor Angela MERKEL (since 22 November 2005) cabinet: Cabinet or Bundesminister (Federal Ministers) appointed by the president on the recommendation of the chancellor elections: president elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term) by a Federal Convention, including all members of the Federal Assembly and an equal number of delegates elected by the state parliaments; election last held 23 May 2004 (next scheduled for 23 May 2009); chancellor elected by an absolute majority of the Federal Assembly for a four-year term; Bundestag vote for Chancellor last held 22 November 2005 (next will follow the national elections to be held by 27 September 2009) election results: Horst KOEHLER elected president; received 604 votes of the Federal Convention against 589 for Gesine SCHWAN; Angela MERKEL elected chancellor; vote by Federal Assembly 397 to 202 with 12 abstentions Ghana chief of state: President John Evans Atta MILLS (since 7 January 2009); Vice President John Dramani MAHAMA (since 7 January 2009); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President John Evans Atta MILLS (since 7 January 2009); Vice President John Dramani MAHAMA (since 7 January 2009) cabinet: Council of Ministers; president nominates members subject to approval by Parliament elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 7 December 2008 with a second round held 28 December 2008 (next to be held 7 December 2012) election results: John Evans Atta MILLS elected president in run-off election; percent of vote - John Evans Atta MILLS 50.23%, Nana Addo Dankwa AKUFO-ADDO 49.77% Gibraltar chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Sir Robert FULTON (since 27 October 2006) head of government: Chief Minister Peter CARUANA (since 17 May 1996) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed from among the 17 elected members of the Parliament by the governor in consultation with the chief minister elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed chief minister by the governor Greece chief of state: President Karolos PAPOULIAS (since 12 March 2005) head of government: Prime Minister Yeoryios PAPANDREOU (since 6 October 2009) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president elected by parliament for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 8 February 2005 (next to be held by February 2010); president appoints leader of the party securing plurality of vote in election to become prime minister and form a government election results: Karolos PAPOULIAS elected president; number of parliamentary votes, 279 out of 300 Greenland chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Soren MOLLER (since April 2005) head of government: Prime Minister Kuupik KLEIST (since 12 June 2009) cabinet: Home Rule Government is elected by the Parliament (Landsting) on the basis of the strength of parties elections: the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; prime minister is elected by parliament (usually the leader of the majority party) election results: Kuupik KLEIST elected prime minister Grenada chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Carlyle Arnold GLEAN (since 27 November 2008) head of government: Prime Minister Tillman THOMAS (since 9 July 2008) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general Guam chief of state: President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009) head of government: Governor Felix P. CAMACHO (since 6 January 2003); Lieutenant Governor Dr. Michael W. CRUZ (since 1 January 2007) cabinet: heads of executive departments; appointed by the governor with the consent of the Guam legislature elections: under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as Guam, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, they may vote in Democratic and Republican presidential primary elections; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year term (can serve two consecutive terms, then must wait a full term before running again); election last held 7 November 2006 (next to be held in November 2010) election results: Felix P. CAMACHO reelected governor; Dr. Michael W. CRUZ elected lieutenant governor; percent of vote - NA Guatemala chief of state: President Alvaro COLOM Caballeros (since 14 January 2008); Vice President Jose Rafael ESPADA (since 14 January 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Alvaro COLOM Caballeros (since 14 January 2008); Vice President Jose Rafael ESPADA (since 14 January 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term (may not serve consecutive terms); election last held 9 September 2007; runoff held 4 November 2007 (next to be held September 2011) election results: Alvaro COLOM Caballeros elected president; percent of vote - Alvaro COLOM Caballeros 52.8%, Otto PEREZ Molina 47.2% Guernsey chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Lieutenant Governor Sir Fabian MALBON (since 28 October 2005) head of government: Chief Minister Lyndon TROTT (since 1 May 2008) cabinet: Policy Council elected by the States of Deliberation elections: the monarch is hereditary; lieutenant governor appointed by the monarch; chief minister is elected by States of Deliberation election results: Lyndon TROTT elected chief minister, percent of vote of the States of Deliberation NA Guinea chief of state: Capt. Moussa Dadis CAMARA, President of the National Council for Democracy and Development, who led a military coup following the death of President Lansana CONTE on 22 December 2008 head of government: Prime Minister Kabine KOMARA (since 30 December 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (no term limits); candidate must receive a majority of the votes cast to be elected president; election last held 21 December 2003 (ad hoc election scheduled for 31 January 2010); the prime minister is appointed by the president election results: Lansana CONTE reelected president; percent of vote - Lansana CONTE 95.3%, Mamadou Bhoye BARRY 4.6% Guinea-Bissau chief of state: President Malam Bacai SANHA (since 8 September 2009) head of government: Prime Minister Carlos GOMES Junior (since 25 December 2008) cabinet: NA elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (no term limits); election last held 28 June 2009 with a runoff between the two leading candidates held on 26 July 2009 (next to be held by 2014); prime minister appointed by the president after consultation with party leaders in the legislature election results: Malam Bacai SANHA elected president; percent of vote, second ballot - Malam Bacai SANHA 63.5%, Kumba YALA 36.5% Guyana chief of state: President Bharrat JAGDEO (since 11 August 1999); note - assumed presidency after resignation of President Janet JAGAN and was reelected in 2001, and again in 2006 head of government: Prime Minister Samuel HINDS (since October 1992, except for a period as chief of state after the death of President Cheddi JAGAN on 6 March 1997) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president, responsible to the legislature elections: president elected by popular vote as leader of a party list in parliamentary elections, which must be held at least every five years (no term limits); elections last held 28 August 2006 (next to be held by August 2011); prime minister appointed by the president election results: President Bharrat JAGDEO reelected; percent of vote 54.6% Haiti chief of state: President Rene PREVAL (since 14 May 2006) head of government: Prime Minister Jean-Max BELLERIVE (since 7 November 2009) cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation with the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (may not serve consecutive terms); election last held 7 February 2006 (next to be held in 2011); prime minister appointed by the president, ratified by the National Assembly election results: Rene PREVAL elected president; percent of vote - Rene PREVAL 51% Holy See (Vatican City) chief of state: Pope BENEDICT XVI (since 19 April 2005) head of government: Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio BERTONE (since 15 September 2006) cabinet: Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City appointed by the pope elections: pope elected for life by the College of Cardinals; election last held 19 April 2005 (next to be held after the death of the current pope); secretary of state appointed by the pope election results: Joseph RATZINGER elected Pope BENEDICT XVI Honduras chief of state: President Jose Manuel ZELAYA Rosales (since 27 January 2006); Vice President Commissioner Aristides MEJIA Carranza (since 1 February 2009); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government; because the president and vice president are elected on the same ticket, the position of "vice president commissioner" was created after Vice President Elvin SANTOS resigned in late 2008 to run for president in the November 2009 election head of government: President Jose Manuel ZELAYA Rosales (since 27 January 2006); Vice President Commissioner Aristides MEJIA Carranza (since 1 February 2009) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by president elections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 27 November 2005 (next to be held in November 2009) election results: Jose Manuel ZELAYA Rosales elected president - 49.8%, Porfirio "Pepe" LOBO Sosa 46.1%, other 4.1% Hong Kong chief of state: President of China HU Jintao (since 15 March 2003) head of government: Chief Executive Donald TSANG Yam-kuen (since 24 June 2005) cabinet: Executive Council or ExCo consists of 15 official members and 14 non-official members elections: chief executive elected for five-year term by 800-member electoral committee; last held on 25 March 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: Donald TSANG elected chief executive receiving 84.1% of the vote of the election committee; Alan LEONG Kah-kit received 15.9% Hungary chief of state: President Laszlo SOLYOM (since 5 August 2005) head of government: Prime Minister Gordon BAJNAI (since 20 April 2009) cabinet: Council of Ministers prime minister elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president; other ministers proposed by the prime minister and appointed and relieved of their duties by the president elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 6-7 June 2005 (next to be held by June 2010); prime minister elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president; election last held 14 April 2009 election results: Laszlo SOLYOM elected president by a simple majority in the third round of voting, 185 to 182; Gordon BAJNAI elected prime minister; result of legislative vote - 204 to 0 note: to be elected, the president must win two-thirds of legislative vote in the first two rounds or a simple majority in the third round Iceland chief of state: President Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON (since 1 August 1996) head of government: Prime Minister Johanna SIGURDARDOTTIR (since 1 February 2009); cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister elections: president, a largely ceremonial post, is elected by popular vote for a four-year term (no term limits); election last held 28 June 2004 (next to be held in June 2012); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually the prime minister note: the presidential election of 28 June 2008 was never held because Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON had no challengers; he was sworn in on 1 August 2008 2004 election results: Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON elected president; percent of vote - Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON 85.6%, Baldur AGUSTSSON 12.5%, Astthor MAGNUSSON 1.9%; India chief of state: President Pratibha PATIL (since 25 July 2007); Vice President Hamid ANSARI (since 11 August 2007) head of government: Prime Minister Manmohan SINGH (since 22 May 2004) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president elected by an electoral college consisting of elected members of both houses of Parliament and the legislatures of the states for a five-year term (no term limits); election last held in July 2007 (next to be held in July 2012); vice president elected by both houses of Parliament for a five-year term; election last held in August 2007 (next to be held August 2012); prime minister chosen by parliamentary members of the majority party following legislative elections; election last held April - May 2004 (next to be held no later than May 2009) election results: Pratibha PATIL elected president; percent of vote - Pratibha PATIL 65.8%, Bhairon Singh SHEKHAWAT - 34.2% Indonesia chief of state: President Susilo Bambang YUDHOYONO (since 20 October 2004); Vice President BOEDIONO (since 20 October 2009); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Susilo Bambang YUDHOYONO (since 20 October 2004); Vice President Muhammad Yusuf KALLA (since 20 October 2004) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president and vice president are elected for five-year terms (eligible for a second term) by direct vote of the citizenry; last held on 8 July 2009 (next to be held in July 2014) election results: Susilo Bambang YUDHOYONO elected president; percent of vote - Susilo Bambang YUDHOYONO 60.8%, MEGAWATI Sukarnoputri 26.8%, Jusuf KALLA 12.4% Iran chief of state: Supreme Leader Ali Hoseini-KHAMENEI (since 4 June 1989) head of government: President Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD (since 3 August 2005); First Vice President Mohammad Reza RAHIMI (since 13 September 2009) cabinet: Council of Ministers selected by the president with legislative approval; the Supreme Leader has some control over appointments to the more sensitive ministries note: also considered part of the Executive branch of government are three oversight bodies: 1) Assembly of Experts (Majles-Khebregan), a popularly elected body charged with determining the succession of the Supreme Leader, reviewing his performance, and deposing him if deemed necessary; 2) Expediency Council or the Council for the Discernment of Expediency (Majma-e-Tashkise-Maslahat-e-Nezam) exerts supervisory authority over the executive, judicial, and legislative branches and resolves legislative issues on which the Majles and the Council of Guardians disagree and since 1989 has been used to advise national religious leaders on matters of national policy; in 2005 the Council's powers were expanded to act as a supervisory body for the government; 3) Council of Guardians of the Constitution or Council of Guardians or Guardians Council (Shora-ye Negaban-e Qanun-e Assassi) determines whether proposed legislation is both constitutional and faithful to Islamic law, vets candidates for suitability, and supervises national elections elections: Supreme Leader is appointed for life by the Assembly of Experts; president is elected by popular vote for a four-year term (eligible for a second term and third nonconsecutive term); last held 12 June 2009;(next presidential election slated for June 2013) election results: Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD reelected president; percent of vote - Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD 62.6%, Mir-Hosein MUSAVI-Khamenei 33.8%, other 3.6%; voter turnout 85% Iraq chief of state: President Jalal TALABANI (since 6 April 2005); Vice Presidents Adil ABD AL-MAHDI and Tariq al-HASHIMI (since 22 April 2006); note - the president and vice presidents comprise the Presidency Council) head of government: Prime Minister Nuri al-MALIKI (since 20 May 2006); Rafi al-ISSAWI (since 19 July 2008) cabinet: 36 ministers appointed by the Presidency Council, plus Prime Minister Nuri al-MALIKI and Deputy Prime Ministers Barham SALIH and Rafi al-ISSAWI elections: held 15 December 2005 to elect a 275-member Council of Representatives Ireland chief of state: President Mary MCALEESE (since 11 November 1997) head of government: Prime Minister Brian COWEN (since 7 May 2008) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with previous nomination by the prime minister and approval of the House of Representatives elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 31 October 1997 (next scheduled for October 2011); note - Mary MCALEESE appointed to a second term when no other candidate qualified for the 2004 presidential election; prime minister (taoiseach) nominated by the House of Representatives and appointed by the president election results: Mary MCALEESE elected president; percent of vote - Mary MCALEESE 44.8%, Mary BANOTTI 29.6% note: government coalition - Fianna Fail, the Green Party, the Progressive Democrats (disbanding), and independent members of Parliament Isle of Man chief of state: Lord of Mann Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Lieutenant Governor Sir Paul K. HADDACKS (since 17 October 2005) head of government: Chief Minister Tony BROWN (since 14 December 2006) cabinet: Council of Ministers elections: the monarch is hereditary; lieutenant governor appointed by the monarch; the chief minister is elected by the Tynwald for a five-year term; election last held 14 December 2006 (next to be held in December 2011) election results: House of Keys speaker Tony BROWN elected chief minister by the Tynwald Israel chief of state: President Shimon PERES (since 15 July 2007) head of government: Prime Minister Binjamin NETANYAHU (since 31 March 2009); Vice Prime Minister Silvan SHALOM (since 31 March 2009); Vice Prime Minister Moshe YAALON (since 31 March 2009) cabinet: Cabinet selected by prime minister and approved by the Knesset elections: president is largely a ceremonial role and is elected by the Knesset for a seven-year term (one-term limit); election last held 13 June 2007 (next to be held in 2014 but can be called earlier); following legislative elections, the president assigns a Knesset member - traditionally the leader of the largest party - the task of forming a governing coalition election results: Shimon PERES elected president; number of votes in first round - Shimon PERES 58, Reuven RIVLIN 37, Colette AVITAL 21; PERES elected president in second round with 86 votes (unopposed) Italy chief of state: President Giorgio NAPOLITANO (since 15 May 2006) head of government: Prime Minister Silvio BERLUSCONI (since 8 May 2008) note - in Italy the prime minister is referred to as the president of the Council of Ministers cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and approved by the president elections: president elected by an electoral college consisting of both houses of parliament and 58 regional representatives for a seven-year term (no term limits); election last held 10 May 2006 (next to be held in May 2013); prime minister appointed by the president and confirmed by parliament election results: Giorgio NAPOLITANO elected president on the fourth round of voting; electoral college vote - 543 Jamaica chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Dr. Patrick L. ALLEN (since 26 February 2009) head of government: Prime Minister Bruce GOLDING (since 11 September 2007) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition in the House of Representatives is appointed prime minister by the governor general; the deputy prime minister is recommended by the prime minister Japan chief of state: Emperor AKIHITO (since 7 January 1989) head of government: Prime Minister Yukio HATOYAMA (since 16 September 2009); Deputy Prime Minister Naoto KAN (since 16 September 2009) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister elections: Diet designates prime minister; constitution requires that prime minister commands parliamentary majority; following legislative elections, leader of majority party or leader of majority coalition in House of Representatives usually becomes prime minister; monarch is hereditary Jersey chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Lieutenant Governor Andrew RIDGEWAY (since 14 June 2006) head of government: Chief Minister Terry LE SUEUR (12 December 2008); Bailiff Philip Martin BAILHACHE (since February 1995) cabinet: Cabinet (since December 2005) elections: ministers of the Cabinet including the chief minister are elected by the Assembly of States; the monarch is hereditary; lieutenant governor and bailiff appointed by the monarch Jordan chief of state: King ABDALLAH II (since 7 February 1999); Crown Prince HUSSEIN (born 28 June 1994), eldest son of King ABDALLAH II head of government: Prime Minister Nader al-DAHABI (since 25 November 2007) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister in consultation with the monarch elections: the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch Kazakhstan chief of state: President Nursultan A. NAZARBAYEV (chairman of the Supreme Soviet from 22 February 1990, elected president 1 December 1991) head of government: Prime Minister Karim MASIMOV (since 10 January 2007); First Deputy Prime Minister Umirzak SHUKEYEV (since 3 March 2009) and Deputy Prime Ministers Yerbol ORYNBAYEV (since 29 October 2007) and Serik AKHMETOV (since 3 March 2009) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 4 December 2005 (next to be held in 2012); prime minister and first deputy prime minister appointed by the president, with Mazhilis approval; note - constitutional amendments of May 2007 shortened the presidential term from seven years to five years and established a two-consecutive-term limit; changes will take effect after NAZARBAYEV's term ends; he, and only he, is allowed to run for president indefinitely election results: Nursultan A. NAZARBAYEV reelected president; percent of vote - Nursultan A. NAZARBAYEV 91.1%, Zharmakhan A. TUYAKBAI 6.6%, Alikhan M. BAIMENOV 1.6% Kenya chief of state: President Mwai KIBAKI (since 30 December 2002); Vice President Stephene Kalonzo MUSYOKA (since 10 January 2008); head of government: President Mwai KIBAKI (since 30 December 2002); Vice President Stephene Kalonzo MUSYOKA (since 10 January 2008); note - the roles of the president and prime minister are not well defined at this juncture; constitutionally, the president remains chief of state and head of government, but the prime minister is charged with coordinating government business cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president and headed by the prime minister, who is the leader of the largest party in parliament elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); in addition to receiving the largest number of votes in absolute terms, the presidential candidate must also win 25% or more of the vote in at least five of Kenya's seven provinces and one area to avoid a runoff; election last held 27 December 2007 (next to be held in December 2012); vice president appointed by the president election results: President Mwai KIBAKI reelected; percent of vote - Mwai KIBAKI 46%, Raila ODINGA 44%, Kalonzo MUSYOKA 9% Kiribati chief of state: President Anote TONG (since 10 July 2003); Vice President Teima ONORIO; note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Anote TONG (since 10 July 2003); Vice President Teima ONORIO cabinet: 12-member cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the House of Parliament elections: the House of Parliament chooses the presidential candidates from among its members and then those candidates compete in a general election; president is elected by popular vote for a four-year term (eligible for two more terms); election last held 17 October 2007 (next to be held in 2011); vice president appointed by the president election results: Anote TONG 63.7%, Nabuti MWEMWENIKARAWA 32.9% Korea, North chief of state: KIM Jong Il (since July 1994); note - on 9 April 2009, rubberstamp Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) reelected KIM Jong Il chairman of the National Defense Commission, a position accorded nation's "highest administrative authority"; SPA reelected KIM Yong Nam in 2003 president of its Presidium also with responsibility of representing state and receiving diplomatic credentials head of government: Premier KIM Yong Il (since 11 April 2007); Vice Premier KWAK Pom Gi (since 5 September 1998), Vice Premier O Su Yong (since 13 April 2009), Vice Premier PAK Su Gil (since 18 September 2009), Vice Premier PAK Myong Su (since 4 September 2009), Vice Premier RO Tu Chol (since 3 September 2003) cabinet: Naegak (cabinet) members, except for Minister of People's Armed Forces, are appointed by SPA elections: last held in September 2003; date of next election NA election results: KIM Jong Il and KIM Yong Nam were only nominees for positions and ran unopposed Korea, South chief of state: President LEE Myung-bak (since 25 February 2008) head of government: Prime Minister CHUNG Un-chan (since 30 September 2009) cabinet: State Council appointed by the president on the prime minister's recommendation elections: president elected by popular vote for a single five-year term; election last held 19 December 2007 (next to be held in December 2012); prime minister appointed by president with consent of National Assembly election results: LEE Myung-bak elected president on 19 December 2007; percent of vote - LEE Myung-bak (GNP) 48.7%; CHUNG Dong-young (UNDP) 26.1%); LEE Hoi-chang (independent) 15.1; others 10.1% Kosovo chief of state: President Fatmir SEJDIU (since 10 February 2006) head of government: Prime Minister Hashim THACI (since 9 January 2008) cabinet: ministers; elected by the Kosovo Assembly elections: the president is elected for a five-year term by the Kosovo Assembly; election last held 9 January 2008 (next to be held by in 2013); the prime minister is elected by the Kosovo Assembly election results: Fatmir SEJDIU reelected president after three rounds; Hashim THACI elected prime minister by the Assembly Kuwait chief of state: Amir SABAH al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah (since 29 January 2006); Crown Prince NAWAF al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah head of government: Prime Minister NASIR AL-MUHAMMAD al-Ahmad al-Sabah (since 3 April 2007); First Deputy Prime Minister JABIR AL-MUBAREK al-Hamad al-Sabah (since 9 February 2006); Deputy Prime Minister MUHAMMAD AL-SABAH al-Salim al-Sabah (since 9 February 2006) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister and approved by the amir elections: none; the amir is hereditary; the amir appoints the prime minister and deputy prime ministers Kyrgyzstan chief of state: President Kurmanbek BAKIEV (since 14 August 2005) head of government: Prime Minister Daniyar USENOV (since 21 October 2009); First Deputy Prime Minister Akylbek JAPAROV (since 22 October 2009) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, appointed by the president; ministers in charge of defense and security, appointed solely by the president elections: Kurmanbek BAKIEV reelected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 23 July 2009 (next scheduled for 2014); prime minister nominated by the parliamentary party holding more than 50% of the seats; if no such party exists, the president selects the party that will nominate a prime minister election results: Kurmanbek BAKIEV elected president; percent of vote - Kurmanbek BAKIEV 76.1%, Almaz ATAMBAYEV 8.4%, Temir SARIYEV 6.7%, other candidates 8.8% Laos chief of state: President Lt. Gen. CHOUMMALI Saignason (since 8 June 2006); Vice President BOUN-GNANG Volachit (since 8 June 2006) head of government: Prime Minister BOUASONE Bouphavanh (since 8 June 2006); Deputy Prime Ministers Maj. Gen. ASANG Laoli (since May 2002), Maj. Gen. DOUANGCHAI Phichit (since 8 June 2006), SOMSAVAT Lengsavat (since 26 February 1998), and THONGLOUN Sisoulit (since 27 March 2001) cabinet: Ministers appointed by president, approved by National Assembly elections: president and vice president elected by National Assembly for five-year terms; election last held 8 June 2006 (next to be held in 2011); prime minister nominated by president and elected by National Assembly for five-year term election results: CHOUMMALI Saignason elected president; BOUN-GNANG Volachit elected vice president; percent of National Assembly vote - 100%; BOUASONE Bouphavanh elected prime minister; percent of National Assembly vote - 97% Latvia chief of state: President Valdis ZATLERS (since 8 July 2007) head of government: Prime Minister Valdis DOMBROVSKIS (since 12 March 2009) cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and appointed by Parliament elections: president elected by Parliament for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 31 May 2007 (next to be held in 2011); prime minister appointed by the president, confirmed by Parliament election results: Valdis ZATLERS elected president; parliamentary vote - Valdis ZATLERS 58, Aivars ENDZINS 39 Lebanon chief of state: President Michel SULAYMAN (since 25 May 2008) head of government: Prime Minister Sa'ad AL-HARIRI (since 9 November 2009);Deputy Prime Minister Elias MURR (since 9 November 2009) cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation with the president and members of the National Assembly elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a six-year term (may not serve consecutive terms); election last held 25 May 2008 (next to be held in 2014); the prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president in consultation with the National Assembly election results: Michel SULAYMAN elected president; National Assembly vote - 118 for, 6 abstentions, 3 invalidated Lesotho chief of state: King LETSIE III (since 7 February 1996); note - King LETSIE III formerly occupied the throne from November 1990 to February 1995 while his father was in exile head of government: Prime Minister Pakalitha MOSISILI (since 23 May 1998) cabinet: Cabinet elections: according to the constitution, the leader of the majority party in the Assembly automatically becomes prime minister; the monarch is hereditary, but, under the terms of the constitution that came into effect after the March 1993 election, the monarch is a "living symbol of national unity" with no executive or legislative powers; under traditional law the college of chiefs has the power to depose the monarch, determine who is next in the line of succession, or who shall serve as regent in the event that the successor is not of mature age Liberia chief of state: President Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF (since 16 January 2006); note - the President is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF (since 16 January 2006) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 8 November 2005 (next to be held in October 2011) election results: Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF elected president; percent of vote, second round - Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF 59.6%, George WEAH 40.4% Libya chief of state: Revolutionary Leader Col. Muammar Abu Minyar al-QADHAFI (since 1 September 1969); note - holds no official title, but is de facto chief of state head of government: Secretary of the General People's Committee (Prime Minister) al-Baghdadi Ali al-MAHMUDI (since 5 March 2006) cabinet: General People's Committee established by the General People's Congress elections: national elections are indirect through a hierarchy of people's committees; head of government elected by the General People's Congress; election last held March 2006 (next to be held March 2009) election results: NA Liechtenstein chief of state: Prince HANS ADAM II (since 13 November 1989, assumed executive powers 26 August 1984); Heir Apparent Prince ALOIS, son of the monarch (born 11 June 1968); note - on 15 August 2004, HANS ADAM transferred the official duties of the ruling prince to ALOIS, but HANS ADAM retains status of chief of state head of government: Head of Government Klaus TSCHUTSCHER (since 25 March 2009) cabinet: Cabinet elected by the Parliament, confirmed by the monarch elections: the monarch is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party in the Landtag is usually appointed the head of government by the monarch and the leader of the largest minority party in the Landtag is usually appointed the deputy head of government by the monarch if there is a coalition government Lithuania chief of state: President Dalia GRYBAUSKAITE (since 12 July 2009) head of government: Prime Minister Andrius KUBILIUS (since 27 November 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the nomination of the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 17 May 2009 (next to be held in May 2014); prime minister appointed by the president on the approval of the Parliament election results: Dalia GRYBAUSKAITE elected president; percent of vote - Dalia GRYBAUSKAITE 69.1%, Algirdas BUTKEVICIUS 11.8%, Valentinas MAZURONIS 6.2%, others 12.9%; Andrius KUBILIUS' government approved by Parliament 83-40 with 5 abstentions Luxembourg chief of state: Grand Duke HENRI (since 7 October 2000); Heir Apparent Prince GUILLAUME (son of the monarch, born 11 November 1981) head of government: Prime Minister Jean-Claude JUNCKER (since 20 January 1995); Deputy Prime Minister Jean ASSELBORN (since 31 July 2004) cabinet: Council of Ministers recommended by the prime minister and appointed by the monarch elections: the monarch is hereditary; following popular elections to the Chamber of Deputies, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch; the deputy prime minister is appointed by the monarch; they are responsible to the Chamber of Deputies note: government coalition - CSV and LSAP Macau chief of state: President of China HU Jintao (since 15 March 2003) head of government: Chief Executive Edmund HO Hau-wah (since 20 December 1999) cabinet: Executive Council consists of 1 government secretary, 3 legislators, 4 businessmen, 1 pro-Beijing unionist, and 1 pro-Beijing educator elections: chief executive chosen by a 300-member Election Committee for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 26 July 2009 (next to be held on in July 2014) election results: Edmund HO Hau-wah reelected with 296 votes in 2004 election; Fernando CHUI Sai-on elected in 2009 with 282 votes, takes office on 20 December 2009 Macedonia chief of state: President Gjorge IVANOV (since 12 May 2009) head of government: Prime Minister Nikola GRUEVSKI (since 26 August 2006) cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the majority vote of all the deputies in the Assembly; note - current cabinet formed by the government coalition parties VMRO/DPMNE, BDI/DUI, and several small parties elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); two-round election: first round held 22 March 2009, second round held 5 April 2009 (next to be held in March 2014); prime minister elected by the Assembly following legislative elections election results: Gjorge IVANOV elected president on second-round ballot; percent of vote - Gjorge IVANOV 63.14%, Ljubomir FRCKOSKI 36.86% Madagascar chief of state: President Andry RAJOELINA (since 18 March 2009) head of government: Prime Minister Monja Roindefo ZAFITSIMIVALO (since 18 March 2009) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 3 December 2006 (next to be held in October 2011); prime minister appointed by the president election results: percent of vote - Marc RAVALOMANANA 54.8%, Jean LAHINIRIKO 11.7%, Roland RATSIRAKA 10.1%, Herizo RAZAFIMAHALEO 9.1%, Norbert RATSIRAHONANA 4.2%, Ny Hasina ANDRIAMANJATO 4.2%, Elia RAVELOMANANTSOA 2.6%, Pety RAKOTONIAINA 1.7%, other 1.6%; note - RAVALOMANANA stepped down on 17 March 2009 note:: on 17 March 2009, democratically elected President Marc RAVALOMANANA stepped down handing the government over to the military, which in turn conferred the presidency on opposition leader and Antananarivo mayor Andry RAJOELINA, who will head the High Transition Authority; a power-sharing agreement reached in August 2009 established a 15-month transition period, concluding in general elections Malawi chief of state: President Bingu wa MUTHARIKA (since 24 May 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Bingu wa MUTHARIKA (since 24 May 2004) cabinet: 46-member Cabinet named by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 19 May 2009 (next to be held in May 2014) election results: Bingu wa MUTHARIKA elected president; percent of vote - Bingu wa MUTHARIKA 66%, John TEMBO 30.7%, other 3.3% Malaysia chief of state: King - Sultan MIZAN Zainal Abidin (since 13 December 2006); (the position of the king is primarily ceremonial) head of government: Prime Minister Mohamed NAJIB bin Abdul Razak (since 3 April 2009); Deputy Prime Minister MUHYIDDIN bin Mohamed Yassin (since 9 April 2009) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among the members of Parliament with consent of the king elections: kings are elected by and from the hereditary rulers of nine of the states for five-year terms; election last held on 3 November 2006 (next to be held in 2011); prime minister designated from among the members of the House of Representatives; following legislative elections, the leader who commands the support of the majority of members in the House becomes prime minister (since independence this has been the leader of the UMNO party) election results: Sultan MIZAN Zainal Abidin elected king; in practice, selection is based on principle of rotation among rulers of states Maldives chief of state: President Mohamed "Anni" NASHEED (since 11 November 2008); Vice President Mohamed WAHEED Hassan Maniku (since 11 November 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Mohamed "Anni" NASHEED (since 11 November 2008); Vice President Mohamed WAHEED Hassan Maniku (since 11 November 2008) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president elections: under the new constitution, the president is elected by direct vote; president elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 8 and 28 October 2008 (next to be held in 2013) election results: Mohamed NASHEED elected president; percent of vote - NASHEED 54.25%, Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM 45.75% Mali chief of state: President Amadou Toumani TOURE (since 8 June 2002) head of government: Prime Minister Modibo SIDIBE (since 28 September 2007) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 29 April 2007 (next to be held in April 2012); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Amadou Toumani TOURE reelected president; percent of vote - Amadou Toumani TOURE 71.2%, Ibrahim Boubacar KEITA 19.2%, other 9.6% Malta chief of state: President George ABELA (since 4 April 2009) head of government: Prime Minister Lawrence GONZI (since 23 March 2004) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister elections: president elected by the House of Representatives for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 12 January 2009 (next to be held by April 2014); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president for a five-year term; the deputy prime minister is appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister election results: George ABELA elected president by the House of Representatives Marshall Islands chief of state: President Jurelang ZEDKAIA (since 2 November 2009); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Jurelang ZEDKAIA (since 2 November 2009) cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president from among the members of the legislature elections: president elected by Nitijela (legislature) from among its members for a four-year term; election last held 7 January 2008 (next to be held in 2012) election results: Litokwa TOMEING removed as president by no confidence vote on 21 October 2009; legislature elects ZEDKAIA president on 26 October 2009 Mauritania chief of state: President Mohamed Ould Abdel AZIZ (since 5 August 2009) note - AZIZ, who deposed democratically elected President Sidi Ould Cheikh ABDELLAHI in a coup and installed himself as President of Military High Council of State on 6 August 2008, was elected president in an election held 18 July 2009 head of government: Prime Minister Moulaye Ould Mohamed LAGHDAF (since 14 August 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers elections: following the August 2008 coup, the Military High Council of State pledged to hold a new presidential election which was subsequently scheduled and held on 18 July 2009; under Mauritania's constitution, the president is elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held on 18 July 2009 (next to be held by 2014) election results: percent of vote - Mohamed Ould Abdel AZIZ 52.6%, Messaoud Ould BOULKHEIR 16.3%, Ahmed Ould DADDAH 13.7%, Other 17.4% Mauritius chief of state: President Sir Anerood JUGNAUTH (since 7 October 2003); Vice President Abdool Raouf BUNDHUN (since 25 February 2002) head of government: Prime Minister Navinchandra RAMGOOLAM (since 5 July 2005) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president and vice president elected by the National Assembly for five-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 19 September 2008 (next to be held in 2013); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president, responsible to the National Assembly election results: Sir Anerood JUGNAUTH reelected president by unanimous vote; percent of vote by the National Assembly - NA% Mayotte chief of state: President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007); represented by Prefect Hubert DERACHE (since 22 July 2009) head of government: President of the General Council Ahmed Attoumani DOUCHINA (since March 2008) cabinet: NA elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of the Interior; president of the General Council elected by the members of the General Council for a six-year term; next election to be held in 2010 Mexico chief of state: President Felipe de Jesus CALDERON Hinojosa (since 1 December 2006); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Felipe de Jesus CALDERON Hinojosa (since 1 December 2006) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president; note - appointment of attorney general requires consent of the Senate elections: president elected by popular vote for a single six-year term; election last held on 2 July 2006 (next to be held 1 July 2012) election results: Felipe CALDERON elected president; percent of vote - Felipe CALDERON 35.89%, Andres Manuel LOPEZ OBRADOR 35.31%, Roberto MADRAZO 22.26%, other 6.54% Micronesia, Federated States of chief of state: President Emanuel MORI (since 11 May 2007); Vice President Alik L. ALIK (since 11 May 2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Emanuel MORI (since 11 May 2007); Vice President Alik L. ALIK (since 11 May 2007) cabinet: Cabinet includes the vice president and the heads of the 8 executive departments elections: president and vice president elected by Congress from among the four senators at large for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 11 May 2007 (next to be held May 2011); note - a proposed constitutional amendment to establish popular elections for president and vice president failed election results: Emanuel MORI elected president; percent of Congress vote - NA; Alik L. ALIK elected vice president; percent of Congress vote - NA Moldova chief of state: Acting President Mihai GHIMPU (since 11 September 2009) note: Vladimir VORONIN, president since 4 April 2001, resigned on 11 September 2009; Mihai GHIMPU, the Parliamentary Speaker, replaced him until new elections can be held head of government: Prime Minister Vladimir FILAT (since 25 September 2009); Deputy Prime Minister Iurie LEANCA (since 25 September 2009) cabinet: Cabinet selected by president, subject to approval of Parliament elections: president elected by Parliament for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 4 April 2005 (next to have been held 5 April 2009); note - prime minister designated by the president upon consultation with Parliament; within 15 days from designation, the prime minister-designate must request a vote of confidence from the Parliament regarding his/her work program and entire cabinet; prime minister designated 17 September 2009; cabinet received a vote of confidence 25 September 2009 election results: Vladimir VORONIN reelected president; parliamentary votes - Vladimir VORONIN 75, Gheorghe DUCA 1; Vladimir FILAT designated prime minister; parliamentary votes of confidence - 53 of 101 Monaco chief of state: Prince ALBERT II (since 6 April 2005) head of government: Minister of State Jean-Paul PROUST (since 1 June 2005) cabinet: Council of Government is under the authority of the monarch elections: the monarchy is hereditary; minister of state appointed by the monarch from a list of three French national candidates presented by the French Government Mongolia chief of state: President Tsakhia ELBEGDORJ (since 18 June 2009) head of government: Prime Minister Sukhbaatar BATBOLD (since 29 October 2009); First Deputy Prime Minister (Norov ALTANKHUYAG (since 20 September 2008); Vice Prime Minister Miegombyn ENKHBOLD (since 6 December 2007) cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the prime minister in consultation with the president and confirmed by the State Great Hural (parliament) elections: presidential candidates nominated by political parties represented in State Great Hural and elected by popular vote for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 24 May 2009 (next to be held in May 2013); following legislative elections, leader of majority party or majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by State Great Hural election results: in elections in May 2009, Tsakhia ELBEGDORJ elected president; percent of vote - Tsakhia ELBEGDORJ 51.24%, Nambaryn ENKHBAYAR 47.44%, others 1.32% Montenegro chief of state: President Filip VUJANOVIC (since 6 April 2008) head of government: Prime Minister Milo DJUKANOVIC (since 29 February 2008) cabinet: Ministries act as cabinet elections: president elected by direct vote for five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 6 April 2008 (next to be held in 2013); prime minister proposed by president, accepted by Assembly election results: Filip VUJANOVIC reelected president; Filip VUJANOVIC 51.89%, Andrija MANDIC 19.55%, Nebojsa MEDOJEVIC 16.64%, Srdan MILIC 11.92% Montserrat chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Peter A. WATERWORTH (since 27 July 2007) head of government: Chief Minister Rueben MEADE (since 10 September 2009) cabinet: Executive Council consists of the governor, the chief minister, 3 other ministers, the attorney general, and the finance secretary elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party usually becomes chief minister Morocco chief of state: King MOHAMMED VI (since 30 July 1999) head of government: Prime Minister Abbas EL FASSI (since 19 September 2007) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch elections: the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch following legislative elections Mozambique chief of state: President Armando GUEBUZA (since 2 February 2005) head of government: Prime Minister Luisa DIOGO (since 17 February 2004) cabinet: Cabinet elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 28 October 2009 (next to be held in 2014); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Armando GUEBUZA relected president; percent of vote - Armando GUEBUZA 76.3%, Afonso DHLAKAMA 14.9%, Daviz SIMANGO 8.8% Namibia chief of state: President Hifikepunye POHAMBA (since 21 March 2005) head of government: Prime Minister Nahas ANGULA (since 21 March 2005) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 15 November 2004 (next to be held in November 2009) election results: Hifikepunye POHAMBA elected president; percent of vote - Hifikepunye POHAMBA 76.4%, Den ULENGA 7.3%, Katuutire KAURA 5.1%, Kuaima RIRUAKO 4.2%, Justus GAROEB 3.8%, other 3.2% Nauru chief of state: President Marcus STEPHEN (since 19 December 2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Marcus STEPHEN (since 19 December 2007); note - President Ludwig SCOTTY defeated in a no confidence vote in parliament on 19 December 2007 cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of parliament elections: president elected by parliament for a three-year term; election last held 19 December 2007 (next to be held in 2010) election results: NA Nepal chief of state: President Ram Baran YADAV (as of 23 July 2008); Vice President Paramananda JHA (as of 23 July 2008) head of government: Prime Minister Madhav Kumar NEPAL (as of 25 May 2009); Deputy Prime Minister Bijay Kumar GACHHEDAR cabinet: cabinet formed in August 2008 by a majority coalition made up of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), Communist Party of Nepal-United Marxist-Leninist, Madhesi People's Rights Forum, and several smaller parties elections: president elected by Parliament; term extends until the new constitution is promulgated; election last held 21 July 2008; date of next election NA election results: Ram Baran YADAV elected president by the Constituent Assembly in a second round of voting on 21 July 2008; Ram Baran YADAV 308, Ram Jaja Prasad SINGH 282 Netherlands chief of state: Queen BEATRIX (since 30 April 1980); Heir Apparent WILLEM-ALEXANDER (born 27 April 1967), son of the monarch head of government: Prime Minister Jan Peter BALKENENDE (since 22 July 2002); Deputy Prime Ministers Wouter BOS (since 22 February 2007) and Andre ROUVOET (since 22 February 2007) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch elections: the monarchy is hereditary; following Second Chamber elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch; deputy prime ministers appointed by the monarch note: there is also a Council of State composed of the monarch, heir apparent, and councilors that provides consultations to the cabinet on legislative and administrative policy Netherlands Antilles chief of state: Queen BEATRIX of the Netherlands (since 30 April 1980); represented by Governor General Frits GOEDGEDRAG (since 1 July 2002) head of government: Prime Minister Emily de JONGH-ELHAGE (since 26 March 2006) cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the Staten (legislature) elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch for a six-year term; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is usually elected prime minister by the Staten; election last held 27 January 2006 (next to be held by 2010) note: government coalition - PAR, PNP, DP-St. M, UPB, WIPM Saba, DP-St. E New Caledonia chief of state: President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007); represented by High Commissioner Yves DASSONVILLE (since 9 November 2007) head of government: President of the Government Philippe GOMES (since 5 June 2009) cabinet: Cabinet consisting of 11 members elected from and by the Territorial Congress elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; high commissioner appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the government elected by the members of the Territorial Congress for a five-year term (no term limits); note - last election held 7 August 2007 when Harold MARTIN was elected following the resignation of Marie-Noelle THEMEREAU as president on 24 July 2007 (next to be held in 2012) New Zealand chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Anand SATYANAND (since 23 August 2006) head of government: Prime Minister John KEY (since 19 November 2008); Deputy Prime Minister Bill ENGLISH (since 19 November 2008) cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general Nicaragua chief of state: President Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (since 10 January 2007); Vice President Jaime MORALES Carazo (since 10 January 2007); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (since 10 January 2007); Vice President Jaime MORALES Carazo (since 10 January 2007) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term so long as it is not consecutive); election last held 5 November 2006 (next to be held by November 2011) election results: Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra elected president - 38.07%, Eduardo MONTEALEGRE 29%, Jose RIZO 26.21%, Edmundo JARQUIN 6.44% Niger chief of state: President Mamadou TANDJA (since 22 December 1999) head of government: Prime Minister Ali Badjo GAMATIE (since 2 October 2009); appointed by the president and shares some executive responsibilities with the president cabinet: 26-member Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); second round of election last held 4 December 2004 (next to be held December 2009) election results: Mamadou TANDJA reelected president; percent of vote - Mamadou TANDJA 65.5%, Mahamadou ISSOUFOU 34.5% Nigeria chief of state: President Umaru Musa YAR'ADUA (since 29 May 2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Umaru Musa YAR'ADUA (since 29 May 2007) cabinet: Federal Executive Council elections: president is elected by popular vote for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 21 April 2007 (next to be held in April 2011) election results: Umaru Musa YAR'ADUA elected president; percent of vote - Umaru Musa YAR'ADUA 69.8%, Muhammadu BUHARI 18.7%, Atiku ABUBAKAR 7.5%, Orji Uzor KALU 1.7%, other 2.3% Niue chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General of New Zealand Anand SATYANAND (since 23 August 2006); the UK and New Zealand are represented by New Zealand High Commissioner John BRYAN (since May 2000) head of government: Premier Toke TALAGI (since 18 June 2008) cabinet: Cabinet consists of the premier and 3 ministers elections: the monarch is hereditary; premier elected by the Legislative Assembly for a three-year term; election last held 18 June 2008 (next to be held in 2011) election results: Toke TALAGI defeats incumbent Young VIVIAN in Legislative Assembly vote; Toke TALAGI - 14, Young VIVIAN - 5 Norfolk Island chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by the Australian governor general head of government: Acting Administrator Owen WALSH (since October 2007) cabinet: Executive Council is made up of 4 of the 9 members of the Legislative Assembly; the council devises government policy and acts as an advisor to the administrator elections: the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia Northern Mariana Islands chief of state: President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009) head of government: Governor Benigno R. FITIAL (since 9 January 2006); Lieutenant Governor Eloy S. INOS (since 1 May 2009) cabinet: the cabinet consists of the heads of the 10 principal departments under the executive branch who are appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Senate; other members include Special Assistants to the governor and office heads appointed by and reporting directly to the governor elections: under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, they may vote in the Democratic and Republican party presidential primary elections; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 7 November 2009 (run-off election to be held on 23 November 2009) election results: percent of vote - Benigno R. FITIAL 36%, Heinz HOFSCHNEIDER 36%, Juan GUERRERO 20%, Ramon Deleon GUERRERO 8%; a run-off election between FITIAL and HOFSCHNEIDER will held on 23 November 2009 Norway chief of state: King HARALD V (since 17 January 1991); Heir Apparent Crown Prince HAAKON MAGNUS, son of the monarch (born 20 July 1973) head of government: Prime Minister Jens STOLTENBERG (since 17 October 2005) cabinet: State Council appointed by the monarch with the approval of parliament elections: the monarch is hereditary; following parliamentary elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch with the approval of the parliament Oman chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said al-Said (sultan since 23 July 1970 and prime minister since 23 July 1972); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said al-Said (sultan since 23 July 1970 and prime minister since 23 July 1972) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch elections: the monarch is hereditary Pakistan chief of state: President Asif Ali ZARDARI (since 9 September 2008) note: following President Pervez MUSHARRAF's resignation on 18 August 2008, elections were held on 6 September in which Asif Ali ZARDARI won a clear majority; ZARDARI'S inauguration as president of Pakistan on 9 September solidified the country's return to civilian government after more than eight years of military rule head of government: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza GILANI (since 25 March 2008) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president upon the advice of the prime minister elections: the president is elected by secret ballot through an Electoral College comprising the members of the Senate, National Assembly, and the provincial assemblies for a five-year term; election last held on 6 September 2008 (next to be held not later than 2013); note - any person who is a Muslim and not less than 45 years of age and is qualified to be elected as a member of the National Assembly can contest the presidential election; the prime minister is selected by the National Assembly; election last held on 24 March 2008 election results: Asif Ali ZARDARI elected president; ZARDARI 481 votes, SIDDIQUE 153 votes, SYED 44 votes; Syed Yousuf Raza GILANI elected prime minister; GILANI 264 votes, Pervaiz ELAHI 42 votes; several abstentions Palau chief of state: President Johnson TORIBIONG (since 15 January 2009); Vice President Kerai MARIUR (since 15 January 2009); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Johnson TORIBIONG (since 15 January 2009); Vice President Kerai MARIUR (since 15 January 2009) cabinet: NA elections: president and vice president elected on separate tickets by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012) election results: Johnson TORIBIONG (51%) defeats Elias Camsek CHIN (49%) for president; Kerai MARIUR elected vice president Panama chief of state: President Ricardo MARTINELLI Berrocal (since 1 July 2009); Vice President Juan Carlos VARELA (since 1 July 2009); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Ricardo MARTINELLI Berrocal (since 1 July 2009); Vice President Juan Carlos VARELA (since 1 July 2009) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms (not eligible for immediate reelection; president and vice president must sit out two additional terms (10 years) before becoming eligible for reelection); election last held 3 May 2009 (next to be held in 2014) election results: Ricardo MARTINELLI Berrocal elected president; percent of vote - Ricardo MARTINELLI Berrocal 60%, Balbina HERRERA 38%, Guillermo ENDARA Galimany 2% note: government coalition - PRD (Democratic Revolutionary Party), PP (Popular Party) Papua New Guinea chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by governor general Sir Paulius MATANE (since 29 June 2004) head of government: Prime Minister Sir Michael SOMARE (since 2 August 2002); Deputy Prime Minister Puka TEMU (since 29 August 2007) cabinet: National Executive Council appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: the monarch is hereditary; the governor general is nominated by parliament and appointed by the chief of state; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of the majority coalition usually is appointed prime minister by the governor general acting in accordance with a decision of the parliament Paraguay chief of state: President Fernando Armindo LUGO Mendez (since 15 August 2008); Vice President Federico FRANCO (since 15 August 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Fernando Armindo LUGO Mendez (since 15 August 2008); Vice President Federico FRANCO (since 15 August 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single five-year term; election last held 20 April 2008 (next to be held April 2013) election results: Fernando Armindo LUGO Mendez elected president; percent of vote - Fernando Armindo LUGO Mendez 40.8%, Blanca OVELAR 30.6%, Lino OVIEDO 21.9%, Pedro FADUL 2.4%, other 4.3% Peru chief of state: President Alan GARCIA Perez (since 28 July 2006); First Vice President Luis GIAMPIETRI Rojas (since 28 July 2006); Second Vice President Lourdes MENDOZA del Solar (since 28 July 2006); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Alan GARCIA Perez (since 28 July 2006); First Vice President Luis GIAMPIETRI Rojas (since 28 July 2006); Second Vice President Lourdes MENDOZA del Solar (since 28 July 2006) note: Prime Minister Javier VELASQUEZ Quesquen (since 12 July 2009) does not exercise executive power; this power is in the hands of the president cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a nonconsecutive reelection); presidential and congressional elections held 9 April 2006 with runoff election held 4 June 2006; next to be held in April 2011 election results: Alan GARCIA Perez elected president in runoff election; percent of vote - Alan GARCIA Perez 52.5%, Ollanta HUMALA Tasso 47.5% Philippines chief of state: President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 20 January 2001); Vice President (Manuel "Noli" DE CASTRO (since 10 May 2004); note - president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 20 January 2001) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with consent of Commission of Appointments elections: president and vice president elected on separate tickets by popular vote for a single six-year term; election last held on 10 May 2004 (next to be held in May 2010) election results: Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO elected president; percent of vote - Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO 40%, Fernando POE 37%, three others 23% Pitcairn Islands chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by UK High Commissioner to New Zealand and Governor (nonresident) of the Pitcairn Islands George FERGUSSON (since April 2006); Commissioner (nonresident) Leslie JAQUES (since September 2003) serves as liaison between the governor and the Island Council head of government: Governor George FERGUSSON (since April 2006); Mayor and Chairman of the Island Council Mike WARREN (since 1 January 2008) cabinet: NA elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor and commissioner appointed by the monarch; island mayor elected by popular vote for a three-year term; election last held December 2007 (next to be held in December 2010) election results: Mike WARREN elected mayor and chairman of the Island Council Poland chief of state: President Lech KACZYNSKI (since 23 December 2005) head of government: Prime Minister Donald TUSK (since 16 November 2007); Deputy Prime Minister Waldemar PAWLAK (since 16 November 2007) cabinet: Council of Ministers responsible to the prime minister and the Sejm; the prime minister proposes, the president appoints, and the Sejm approves the Council of Ministers elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 9 and 23 October 2005 (next to be held in the fall 2010); prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the Sejm election results: Lech KACZYNSKI elected president; percent of popular vote - Lech KACZYNSKI 54%, Donald Tusk 46% Portugal chief of state: President Anibal CAVACO SILVA (since 9 March 2006) head of government: Prime Minister Jose SOCRATES Carvalho Pinto de Sousa (since 12 March 2005) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister note: there is also a Council of State that acts as a consultative body to the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 22 January 2006 (next to be held in January 2011); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president election results: Anibal CAVACO SILVA elected president; percent of vote - Anibal CAVACO SILVA 50.6%, Manuel ALEGRE 20.7%, Mario Alberto Nobre Lopes SOARES 14.3%, Jeronimo DE SOUSA 8.5%, Franciso LOUCA 5.3% Puerto Rico chief of state: President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009) head of government: Governor Luis FORTUNO (since 2 January 2009) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor with the consent of the legislature elections: under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as Puerto Rico, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, they may vote in Democratic and Republican party presidential primary elections; governor elected by popular vote for a four-year term (no term limits); election last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012) election results: Luis FORTUNO elected governor with 52.8% of the vote Qatar chief of state: Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa al-Thani (since 27 June 1995 when, as heir apparent, he ousted his father, Amir KHALIFA bin Hamad al-Thani, in a bloodless coup); Heir Apparent TAMIM bin Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, fourth son of the monarch (selected Heir Apparent by the monarch on 5 August 2003); note - Amir HAMAD also holds the positions of Minister of Defense and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces head of government: Prime Minister HAMAD bin Jasim bin Jabir al-Thani (since 3 April 2007); Deputy Prime Minister Abdallah bin Hamad al-ATIYAH (since 3 April 2007) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch elections: the monarch is hereditary note: in April 2007, Qatar held nationwide elections for a 29-member Central Municipal Council (CMC), which has limited consultative powers aimed at improving the provision of municipal services; the first election for the CMC was held in March 1999 Romania chief of state: President Traian BASESCU (since 20 December 2004); note - President Traian BASESCU was suspended by vote of parliament on 19 April 2007, but resumed his duties on 23 May 2007 after a popular referendum confirmed that his impeachment should not stand head of government: Prime Minister Emil BOC (since 22 December 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 28 November 2004 with runoff between the top two candidates held 12 December 2004 (next to be held in November-December 2009); prime minister appointed by the president with the consent of the Parliament election results: percent of vote - Traian BASESCU 51.23%, Adrian NASTASE 48.77% Russia chief of state: President Dmitriy Anatolyevich MEDVEDEV (since 7 May 2008) head of government: Premier Vladimir Vladimirovich PUTIN (since 8 May 2008); First Deputy Premiers Igor Ivanovich SHUVALOV and Viktor Alekseyevich ZUBKOV (since 12 May 2008); Deputy Premiers Sergey Borisovich IVANOV (since 12 May 2008), Dmitriy Nikolayevich KOZAK (since 14 October 2008), Aleksey Leonidovich KUDRIN (since 24 September 2007), Igor Ivanovich SECHIN (since 12 May 2008), Sergey Semenovich SOBYANIN (since 12 May 2008), Aleksandr Dmitriyevich ZHUKOV (since 9 March 2004), and Dmitry Nikolayevich KOZAK (since 14 October 2008) cabinet: Ministries of the Government or "Government" composed of the premier and his deputies, ministers, and selected other individuals; all are appointed by the president note: there is also a Presidential Administration (PA) that provides staff and policy support to the president, drafts presidential decrees, and coordinates policy among government agencies; a Security Council also reports directly to the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 2 March 2008 (next to be held in March 2012); note - no vice president; if the president dies in office, cannot exercise his powers because of ill health, is impeached, or resigns, the premier serves as acting president until a new presidential election is held, which must be within three months; premier appointed by the president with the approval of the Duma election results: Dmitriy MEDVEDEV elected president; percent of vote - Dmitry MEDVEDEV 70.2%, Gennady ZYUGANOV 17.7%, Vladimir ZHIRINOVSKY 9.4%, Andrey BOGDANOV 1.3% Rwanda chief of state: President Paul KAGAME (since 22 April 2000) head of government: Prime Minister Bernard MAKUZA (since 8 March 2000) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: President elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (eligible for a second term); elections last held 25 August 2003 (next to be held in September 2010) election results: Paul KAGAME elected president in first direct popular vote; Paul KAGAME 95.05%, Faustin TWAGIRAMUNGU 3.62%, Jean-Nepomuscene NAYINZIRA 1.33% Saint Barthelemy chief of state: President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007), represented by Prefect Dominique LACROIX (since 21 March 2007) head of government: President of the Territorial Council Bruno MAGRAS (since 16 July 2007) cabinet: Executive Council; note - there is also an advisory, economic, social, and cultural council elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the Territorial Council is elected by the members of the Council for a five-year term election results: Bruno MAGRAS unanimously elected president by the Territorial Council on 16 July 2007 Saint Helena chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Governor and Commander in Chief Andrew GURR (since 11 November 2007) cabinet: Executive Council consists of the governor, 3 ex-officio officers, and 5 elected members of the Legislative Council elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor is appointed by the monarch Saint Kitts and Nevis chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Cuthbert Montraville SEBASTIAN (since 1 January 1996) head of government: Prime Minister Dr. Denzil DOUGLAS (since 6 July 1995); Deputy Prime Minister Sam CONDOR (since 6 July 1995) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general in consultation with the prime minister elections: the monarch is hereditary; the governor general is appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general Saint Lucia chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Dame Pearlette LOUISY (since September 1997) head of government: Prime Minister Stephenson KING (since 9 September 2007); note - Sir John COMPTON died in office 7 September 2007 cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: the monarch is hereditary; the governor general is appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general Saint Martin chief of state: President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007), represented by Prefect Dominique LACROIX (since 21 March 2007) head of government: President of the Territorial Council Frantz GUMBS (since 5 May 2009) cabinet: Executive Council; note - there is also an advisory economic, social, and cultural council election: French president elected by popular vote to a five-year term; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the Territorial Council is elected by the members of the Council for a five-year term election results: Frantz GUMBS elected president by the Territorial Council on 7 August 2008 but election was declared invalid on 10 April 2009 Saint Pierre and Miquelon chief of state: President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007); represented by Prefect Jean-Pierre BERCOT (since 28 July 2008) head of government: President of the Territorial Council Stephane ARTANO (since 21 February 2007) cabinet: NA elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 6 May 2007 (next to be held in 2012); prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the Territorial Council is elected by the members of the council Saint Vincent and the Grenadines chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Sir Fredrick Nathaniel BALLANTYNE (since 2 September 2002) head of government: Prime Minister Ralph E. GONSALVES (since 29 March 2001) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: the monarch is hereditary; the governor general is appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister Samoa chief of state: TUIATUA Tupua Tamasese Efi (since 20 June 2007) head of government: Prime Minister Sailele Malielegaoi TUILA'EPA (since 1998); Deputy Prime Minister MISA Telefoni (since 2001) cabinet: Cabinet consists of 12 members appointed by the chief of state on the prime minister's advice elections: chief of state is elected by the Legislative Assembly to serve a five-year term (no term limits); election last held 15 June 2007 (next to be held in 2012); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is usually appointed prime minister by the chief of state with the approval of the Legislative Assembly election results: TUIATUA Tupua Tamasese Efi unanimously elected by the Legislative Assembly San Marino chief of state: Co-chiefs of State Captain Regent Francesco MUSSONI and Captain Regent Stefano PALMIERI (for the period 1 October 2009-31 March 2010) head of government: Secretary of State for Foreign and Political Affairs Antonella MULARONI (since 3 December 2008) cabinet: Congress of State elected by the Great and General Council for a five-year term elections: co-chiefs of state (captains regent) elected by the Great and General Council for a six-month term; election last held in September 2009 (next to be held in March 2010); secretary of state for foreign and political affairs elected by the Great and General Council for a five-year term; election last held 9 November 2008 (next to be held by 2013) election results: Francesco MUSSONI and Stefano PALMIERI elected captains regent; percent of legislative vote - NA; Antonella MULARONI elected secretary of state for foreign and political affairs; percent of legislative vote - NA note: the popularly elected parliament (Grand and General Council) selects two of its members to serve as the Captains Regent (co-chiefs of state) for a six-month period; they preside over meetings of the Grand and General Council and its cabinet (Congress of State), which has 10 other members, all selected by the Grand and General Council; assisting the captains regent are 10 secretaries of state; the secretary of state for Foreign Affairs has assumed some prime ministerial roles Sao Tome and Principe chief of state: President Fradique Bandiera Melo DE MENEZES (since 3 September 2001) head of government: Prime Minister Joachim Rafael BRANCO (since 22 June 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the proposal of the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 30 July 2006 (next to be held July 2011); prime minister chosen by the National Assembly and approved by the president election results: Fradique DE MENEZES elected president; percent of vote - Fradique DE MENEZES 60%, Patrice TROVOADA 38.5% Saudi Arabia chief of state: King and Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 1 August 2005); Heir Apparent Crown Prince SULTAN bin Abd al- Aziz Al Saud (half brother of the monarch); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: King and Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 1 August 2005); Deputy Prime Minister SULTAN bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud; Second Deputy Prime Minister NAYIF bin Abd Al-Aziz Al Saud cabinet: Council of Ministers is appointed by the monarch every four years and includes many royal family members elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; note - a new Allegiance Commission created by royal decree in October 2006 established a committee of Saudi princes that will play a role in selecting future Saudi kings, but the new system will not take effect until after Crown Prince Sultan becomes king Senegal chief of state: President Abdoulaye WADE (since 1 April 2000) head of government: Prime Minister Soulayemane Ndene NDIAYE (since 1 May 2009) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister in consultation with the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term) under new constitution; election last held on 25 February 2007 (next to be held in 2012); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Abdoulaye WADE reelected president; percent of vote - Abdoulaye WADE 55.9%, Idrissa SECK 14.9%, Ousmane Tanor DIENG 13.6%, Moustapha NIASSE 5.9%, other 9.7% Serbia chief of state: President Boris TADIC (since 11 July 2004) head of government: Prime Minister Mirko CVETKOVIC (since 7 July 2008) cabinet: Federal Ministries act as cabinet elections: president elected by direct vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 3 February 2008 (next to be held in 2013); prime minister elected by the National Assembly election results: Boris TADIC elected president in the second round of voting; Boris TADIC received 51.2% of the vote and Tomislav NIKOLIC 48.8% Seychelles chief of state: President James Alix MICHEL (since 14 April 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President James MICHEL (since 14 April 2004) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for two more terms); election last held 28-30 July 2006 (next to be held in 2011) election results: President James MICHEL elected president; percent of vote - James MICHEL 53.73%, Wavel RAMKALAWAN 45.71%, Philippe BOULLE 0.56%; note - this was the first election in which President James MICHEL participated; he was originally sworn in as president after former president France Albert RENE stepped down in April 2004 Sierra Leone chief of state: President Ernest Bai KOROMA (since 17 September 2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Ernest Bai KOROMA (since 17 September 2007) cabinet: Ministers of State appointed by the president with the approval of the House of Representatives; the cabinet is responsible to the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 11 August 2007 and 8 September 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: second round results; percent of vote - Ernest Bai KOROMA 54.6%, Solomon BEREWA 45.4% Singapore chief of state: President S R NATHAN (since 1 September 1999) note: uses S R NATHAN but his full name and the one used in formal communications is Sellapan RAMANATHAN head of government: Prime Minister LEE Hsien Loong (since 12 August 2004); Senior Minister GOH Chok Tong (since 12 August 2004); Senior Minister Shunmugam JAYAKUMAR (since 1 April 2009); Minister Mentor LEE Kuan Yew (since 12 August 2004); Deputy Prime Minister TEO Chee Huan (since 1 April 2009) and Deputy Prime Minister WONG Kan Seng (since 1 September 2005) cabinet: appointed by president, responsible to parliament elections: president elected by popular vote for six-year term; appointed on 17 August 2005 (next election to be held by August 2011); following legislative elections, leader of majority party or leader of majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by president; deputy prime ministers appointed by president election results: Sellapan Rama (S R) NATHAN appointed president in August 2005 after Presidential Elections Committee disqualified three other would-be candidates; scheduled election not held Slovakia chief of state: President Ivan GASPAROVIC (since 15 June 2004) head of government: Prime Minister Robert FICO (since 4 July 2006); Deputy Prime Ministers Dusan CAPLOVIC, Robert KALINAK, Stefan HARABIN, Jan MIKOLAJ (since 4 July 2006) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 21 March and 4 April 2009 (next to be held no later than April 2014); following National Council elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president election results: Ivan GASPAROVIC reelected president in runoff; percent of vote - Ivan GASPAROVIC 55.5%, Iveta RADICOVA 44.5% Slovenia chief of state: President Danilo TURK (since 22 December 2007) head of government: Prime Minister Borut PAHOR (since 7 November 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and elected by the National Assembly elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 21 October and 11 November 2007 (next to be held in the 8 October 2012); following National Assembly elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually nominated to become prime minister by the president and elected by the National Assembly; election last held on 21 September 2008 (next National Assembly elections to be held in 8 October 2012) election results: Danilo TURK elected president; percent of vote - Danilo TURK 68.2%, Alojze PETERLE 31.8%; Borut PAHOR elected prime minister by National Assembly vote Solomon Islands chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Frank KABUI (since 7 July 2009) head of government: Prime Minister Derek SIKUA (since 20 December 2007); note - Prime Minister Manasseh SOGAVARE defeated in a no confidence vote in parliament on 13 December 2007; SIKUA elected on 20 December 2007 cabinet: Cabinet consists of 20 members appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister from among the members of Parliament elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the advice of parliament for up to five years (eligible for a second term); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by parliament; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister from among the members of parliament Somalia chief of state: Transitional Federal President Sheikh SHARIF Sheikh Ahmed (since 31 January 2009); note - a transitional governing entity with a five-year mandate, known as the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs), was established in October 2004; the TFIs relocated to Somalia in June 2004 head of government: Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali SHARMARKE (since 13 February 2009) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister and approved by the Transitional Federal Assembly election results: Sheikh SHARIF Sheikh Ahmed was elected president by the expanded Transitional Federal Assembly in Djibouti South Africa chief of state: President Jacob ZUMA (since 9 May 2009); Executive Deputy President Kgalema MOTLANTHE (since 11 May 2009); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Jacob ZUMA (since 9 May 2009); Executive Deputy President Kgalema MOTLANTHE (since 11 May 2009) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 6 May 2009 (next to be held in 2014) election results: Jacob ZUMA elected president; National Assembly vote - Jacob ZUMA 277, Mvume DANDALA 47, other 76 Spain chief of state: King JUAN CARLOS I (since 22 November 1975); Heir Apparent Prince FELIPE, son of the monarch, born 30 January 1968 head of government: President of the Government (Prime Minister equivalent) Jose Luis Rodriguez ZAPATERO (since 17 April 2004); First Vice President (and Minister of the Presidency) Maria Teresa FERNANDEZ DE LA VEGA (since 18 April 2004), Second Vice President (and Minister of Economy and Finance) Elena SALGADO Mendez (since 8 April 2009), and Third Vice President (and Minister of Regional Affairs) Manuel CHAVES Gonzalez (since 8 April 2009) cabinet: Council of Ministers designated by the president note: there is also a Council of State that is the supreme consultative organ of the government, but its recommendations are non-binding elections: the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually proposed president by the monarch and elected by the National Assembly; election last held on 9 and 11 April 2008 (next to be held in March 2012); vice presidents appointed by the monarch on the proposal of the president election results: Jose Luis Rodriguez ZAPATERO reelected President of the Government; percent of National Assembly vote - 46.94% Sri Lanka chief of state: President Mahinda Percy RAJAPAKSA (since 19 November 2005); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government; Ratnasiri WICKREMANAYAKE (since 21 November 2005) holds the largely ceremonial title of prime minister head of government: President Mahinda Percy RAJAPAKSA (since 19 November 2005) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president in consultation with the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 17 November 2005 (next to be held in 2011) election results: Mahinda RAJAPAKSA elected president; percent of vote - Mahinda RAJAPAKSA 50.3%, Ranil WICKREMESINGHE 48.4%, other 1.3% Sudan chief of state: President Umar Hassan Ahmad al-BASHIR (since 16 October 1993); First Vice President Salva KIIR (since 4 August 2005), Vice President Ali Osman TAHA (since 20 September 2005); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Umar Hassan Ahmad al-BASHIR (since 16 October 1993); First Vice President Salva KIIR (since 4 August 2005), Vice President Ali Osman TAHA (since 20 September 2005) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president; note - the National Congress Party or NCP (formerly the National Islamic Front or NIF) dominates al-BASHIR's cabinet elections: election last held 13-23 December 2000; next to be held February 2010 election results: Umar Hassan Ahmad al-BASHIR reelected president; percent of vote - Umar Hassan Ahmad al-BASHIR 86.5%, Ja'afar Muhammed NUMAYRI 9.6%, three other candidates received a combined vote of 3.9%; election widely viewed as rigged; all popular opposition parties boycotted elections because of a lack of guarantees for a free and fair election note: al-BASHIR assumed power as chairman of Sudan's Revolutionary Command Council for National Salvation (RCC) in June 1989 and served concurrently as chief of state, chairman of the RCC, prime minister, and minister of defense until mid-October 1993 when he was appointed president by the RCC; he was elected president by popular vote for the first time in March 1996 Suriname chief of state: President Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN (since 12 August 2000); Vice President Ramdien SARDJOE (since 3 August 2005); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN (since 12 August 2000); Vice President Ram SARDJOE (since 3 August 2005) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president and vice president elected by the National Assembly or, if no presidential or vice presidential candidate receives a two-thirds constitutional majority in the National Assembly after two votes, by a simple majority in the larger United People's Assembly (893 representatives from the national, local, and regional councils), for five-year terms (no term limits); election last held on 25 May 2005 (next to be held in 2010) election results: Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN reelected president; percent of vote - Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN 62.9%, Rabin PARMESSAR 35.4%, other 1.7%; note - after two votes in the parliament failed to secure a two-thirds majority for a candidate, the vote then went to a special session of the United People's Assembly on 3 August 2005 Svalbard chief of state: King HARALD V of Norway (since 17 January 1991) head of government: Governor Per SEFLAND (since 1 October 2005); Assistant Governor Rune Baard HANSEN (since 2003) elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor and assistant governor responsible to the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice Swaziland chief of state: King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986) head of government: Prime Minister Barnabas Sibusiso DLAMINI (since 16 October 2008) cabinet: Cabinet recommended by the prime minister and confirmed by the monarch elections: the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch from among the elected members of the House of Assembly Sweden chief of state: King CARL XVI GUSTAF (since 19 September 1973); Heir Apparent Princess VICTORIA Ingrid Alice Desiree, daughter of the monarch (born 14 July 1977) head of government: Prime Minister Fredrik REINFELDT (since 5 October 2006) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister elections: the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the prime minister is elected by the parliament; election last held on 17 September 2006 (next to be held in September 2010) election results: Center-right coalition of Moderate, Center, Liberal, and Christian Democrats parties win 175 out of 349 votes; Fredrik REINFELDT becomes prime minister Switzerland chief of state: President Hans-Rudolf MERZ (since 1 January 2009); Vice President Doris LEUTHARD (since 1 January 2009); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government representing the Federal Council; the Federal Council is the formal chief of state and head of government whose council members, rotating in one-year terms as federal president, represent the Council head of government: President Hans-Rudolf MERZ (since 1 January 2009); Vice President Doris LEUTHARD (since 1 January 2009); cabinet: Federal Council or Bundesrat (in German), Conseil Federal (in French), Consiglio Federale (in Italian) elected by the Federal Assembly usually from among its members for a four-year term elections: president and vice president elected by the Federal Assembly from among the members of the Federal Council for a one-year term (they may not serve consecutive terms); election last held on 10 December 2008 (next to be held in December 2009) election results: Hans-Rudolf MERZ elected president; percent of Federal Assembly vote - 88.5%; Doris LEUTHARD elected vice president; percent of Federal Assembly vote - 87.4% Syria chief of state: President Bashar al-ASAD (since 17 July 2000); Vice President Farouk al-SHARA (since 11 February 2006) oversees foreign policy; Vice President Najah al-ATTAR (since 23 March 2006) oversees cultural policy head of government: Prime Minister Muhammad Naji al-UTRI (since 10 September 2003); Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Abdallah al-DARDARI (since 14 June 2005) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president approved by popular referendum for a second seven-year term (no term limits); referendum last held on 27 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2014); the president appoints the vice presidents, prime minister, and deputy prime ministers election results: Bashar al-ASAD approved as president; percent of vote - Bashar al-ASAD 97.6% Taiwan chief of state: President MA Ying-jeou (since 20 May 2008); Vice President Vincent SIEW (since 20 May 2008) head of government: Premier (President of the Executive Yuan) WU Den-yih (since 10 September 2009); Vice Premier (Vice President of Executive Yuan) Eric Liluan CHU (since 10 September 2009) cabinet: Executive Yuan - (ministers appointed by president on recommendation of premier) elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 22 March 2008 (next to be held in March 2012); premier appointed by the president; vice premiers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the premier election results: MA Ying-jeou elected president; percent of vote - MA Ying-jeou 58.45%, Frank HSIEH 41.55% Tajikistan chief of state: President Emomali RAHMON (since 6 November 1994; head of state and Supreme Assembly chairman since 19 November 1992) head of government: Prime Minister Oqil OQILOV (since 20 January 1999) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by the Supreme Assembly elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 6 November 2006 (next to be held in November 2013); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Emomali RAHMON reelected president; percent of vote - Emomali RAHMON 79.3%, Olimjon BOBOEV 6.2%, other 14.5% Tanzania chief of state: President Jakaya KIKWETE (since 21 December 2005); Vice President Dr. Ali Mohammed SHEIN (since 5 July 2001); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Jakaya KIKWETE (since 21 December 2005); Vice President Dr. Ali Mohammed SHEIN (since 5 July 2001) note: Zanzibar elects a president who is head of government for matters internal to Zanzibar; Amani Abeid KARUME was reelected to that office on 30 October 2005 cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly elections: president and vice president elected on the same ballot by popular vote for five-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 14 December 2005 (next to be held in December 2010); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Jakaya KIKWETE elected president; percent of vote - Jakaya KIKWETE 80.3%, Ibrahim LIPUMBA 11.7%, Freeman MBOWE 5.9% Thailand chief of state: King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet, also spelled BHUMIBOL Adulyadej (since 9 June 1946) head of government: Prime Minister ABHISIT Wetchachiwa, also spelled ABHISIT Vejjajiva (since 17 December 2008); Deputy Prime Minister KORBSAK Saphawasu, also spelled KORBSAK Sabhavasu (since 22 December 2008); Deputy Prime Minister SANAN Kachornprasat, also spelled SANAN Kachornparsart (since 7 February 2008); Deputy Prime Minister SUTHEP Thueaksuban, also spelled SUTHEP Thaugsuban (since 22 December 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers note: there is also a Privy Council advising the king elections: monarch is hereditary; according to 2007 constitution, prime minister is elected from among members of House of Representatives; following national elections for House of Representatives, leader of party that could organize a majority coalition usually was appointed prime minister by king; prime minister is limited to two 4-year terms Timor-Leste chief of state: President Jose RAMOS-HORTA (since 20 May 2007); note - the president plays a largely symbolic role but is able to veto legislation, dissolve parliament, and call national elections head of government: Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana GUSMAO (since 8 August 2007), note - he formerly used the name Jose Alexandre GUSMAO; Vice Prime Minister Mario Viegas CARRASCALAO (since 5 March 2009); Vice Prime Minister Jose Luis GUTERRES (since 8 August 2007) cabinet: Council of Ministers elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 9 April 2007 with run-off on 8 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2012); following elections, president appoints leader of majority party or majority coalition as prime minister election results: Jose RAMOS-HORTA elected president; percent of vote - Jose RAMOS-HORTA 69.2%, Francisco GUTTERES 30.8% Togo chief of state: President Faure GNASSINGBE (since 4 May 2005); note - Gnassingbe EYADEMA died on 5 February 2005 and was succeeded by his son, Faure GNASSINGBE, with the support of the military; following international condemnation for the unconstitutional move he then stepped aside pending elections, and Abass BONFOH served as interim president; Faure GNASSINGBE later won popular elections in April 2005 head of government: Prime Minister Gilbert HOUNGBO (since 7 September 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president and the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (no term limits); election last held 24 April 2005 (next to be held in April 2010); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Faure GNASSINGBE elected president; percent of vote - Faure GNASSINGBE 60.2%, Emmanuel Akitani BOB 38.3%, Nicolas LAWSON 1%, Harry OLYMPIO 0.5% Tokelau chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General of New Zealand Anand SATYANAND (since 23 August 2006); New Zealand is represented by Administrator David PAYTON (since 17 October 2006) head of government: Foua TOLOA (since 21 February 2009); note - position rotates annually among the 3 Faipule (village leaders) cabinet: the Council for the Ongoing Government of Tokelau, consisting of 3 Faipule (village leaders) and 3 Pulenuku (village mayors), functions as a cabinet elections: the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade in New Zealand; the head of government is chosen from the Council of Faipule and serves a one-year term Tonga chief of state: King George TUPOU V (since 11 September 2006) head of government: Prime Minister Dr. Feleti SEVELE (since 11 February 2006); Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Viliami TANGI (since 16 May 2006) cabinet: Cabinet consists of 14 members, 10 appointed by the monarch for life; 4 appointed from among the elected members of the Legislative Assembly, including 2 each from the nobles' and peoples' representatives serving three-year terms note: there is also a Privy Council that consists of the monarch, the cabinet, and 2 governors elections: the monarch is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the monarch Trinidad and Tobago chief of state: President George Maxwell RICHARDS (since 17 March 2003) head of government: Prime Minister Patrick MANNING (since 24 December 2001) cabinet: Cabinet appointed from among the members of Parliament elections: president elected by an electoral college, which consists of the members of the Senate and House of Representatives, for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 11 February 2008 (next to be held by February 2013); the president usually appoints as prime minister the leader of the majority party in the House of Representatives election results: George Maxwell RICHARDS reelected president; percent of electoral college vote - NA Tunisia chief of state: President Zine el Abidine BEN ALI (since 7 November 1987) head of government: Prime Minister Mohamed GHANNOUCHI (since 17 November 1999) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (no term limits); election last held on 25 October 2009 (next to be held in October 2014); prime minister appointed by the president election results: President Zine El Abidine BEN ALI reelected for a fifth term; percent of vote - Zine El Abidine BEN ALI 89.6%, Mohamed BOUCHIHA 5%, Ahmed INOUBLI 3.8%, Ahmed BRAHIM 1.6%; voter turnout 89.4% Turkey chief of state: President Abdullah GUL (since 28 August 2007) head of government: Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN (since 14 March 2003); Deputy Prime Minister Cemil CICEK (since 29 August 2007); Deputy Prime Minister Ali BABACAN (since 1 May 2009); Deputy Prime Minister Bulent ARINC (since 1 May 2009) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the nomination of the prime minister elections: president elected directly for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister appointed by the president from among members of parliament election results: on 28 August 2007 the National Assembly elected Abdullah GUL president on the third ballot; National Assembly vote - 339 note: in October 2007 Turkish voters approved a referendum package of constitutional amendments including a provision for direct presidential elections Turkmenistan chief of state: President Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOW (since 14 February 2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOW (since 14 February 2007) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held on 11 February 2007 (next to be held in February 2012) election results: Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOW elected president; percent of vote - Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOW 89.2%, Amanyaz ATAJYKOW 3.2%, other candidates 7.6% Turks and Caicos Islands chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Gordon WETHERELL (since 5 August 2008) head of government: Governor Gordon WETHERELL (since 14 August 2009); note - the office of premier is suspended by the Order in Council, effective 14 August 2009 cabinet: under provisions of the Order in Council, the cabinet is suspended effective 14 August 2009 and replaced by an Advisory Council appointed by the governor elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch note: following an investigation into allegations of widespread corruption and misconduct within the Turks and Caicos Government, the UK foreign minister directed the governor to bring into effect on 14 August 2009 an Order in Council suspending Ministerial government and the House of Assembly, and imposing direct rule for a period of up to two years Tuvalu chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Filoimea TELITO (since 15 April 2005) head of government: Prime Minister Apisai IELEMIA (since 14 August 2006) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by and from the members of parliament; election last held 14 August 2006 (next to be held following parliamentary elections in 2010) election results: Apisai IELEMIA elected prime minister in a parliamentary election on 14 August 2006 Uganda chief of state: President Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI (since seizing power 26 January 1986); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI (since seizing power 26 January 1986); Prime Minister Apolo NSIBAMBI (since 5 April 1999); note - the prime minister assists the president in the supervision of the cabinet cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among elected legislators elections: president reelected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 23 February 2006 (next to be held in February 2011) election results: Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI elected president; percent of vote - Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI 59.3%, Kizza BESIGYE 37.4%, other 3.3% Ukraine chief of state: President Viktor A. YUSHCHENKO (since 23 January 2005) head of government: Prime Minister Yuliya TYMOSHENKO (since 18 December 2007); First Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr TURCHYNOV (since 18 December 2007); Deputy Prime Ministers Hryhoriy NEMYRYA and Ivan VASYUNYK (since 18 December 2007) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers selected by the prime minister; the only exceptions are the foreign and defense ministers, who are chosen by the president note: there is also a National Security and Defense Council or NSDC originally created in 1992 as the National Security Council; the NSDC staff is tasked with developing national security policy on domestic and international matters and advising the president; a Presidential Secretariat helps draft presidential edicts and provides policy support to the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); note - a special repeat runoff presidential election between Viktor YUSHCHENKO and Viktor YANUKOVYCH took place on 26 December 2004 after the earlier 21 November 2004 contest - won by YANUKOVYCH - was invalidated by the Ukrainian Supreme Court because of widespread and significant violations; under constitutional reforms that went into effect 1 January 2006, the majority in parliament takes the lead in naming the prime minister election results: Viktor YUSHCHENKO elected president; percent of vote - Viktor YUSHCHENKO 52%, Viktor YANUKOVYCH 44.2% United Arab Emirates chief of state: President KHALIFA bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan (since 3 November 2004), ruler of Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) (since 4 November 2004); Vice President and Prime Minister MUHAMMAD BIN RASHID al-Maktum (since 5 January 2006) head of government: Prime Minister and Vice President MUHAMMAD bin Rashid al-Maktum (since 5 January 2006); Deputy Prime Ministers SULTAN bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan (since 20 November 1990) and HAMDAN bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan (since 20 October 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president note: there is also a Federal Supreme Council (FSC) composed of the seven emirate rulers; the FSC is the highest constitutional authority in the UAE; establishes general policies and sanctions federal legislation; meets four times a year; Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) and Dubayy (Dubai) rulers have effective veto power elections: president and vice president elected by the FSC for five-year terms (no term limits) from among the seven FSC members; election last held 3 November 2004 upon the death of the UAE's Founding Father and first President ZAYID bin Sultan al Nuhayyan (next to be held in 2009); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president election results: KHALIFA bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan elected president by a unanimous vote of the FSC; MUHAMMAD bin Rashid al-Maktum unanimously affirmed vice president after the 2006 death of his brother Sheikh Maktum bin Rashid al-Maktum United Kingdom chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Heir Apparent Prince CHARLES (son of the queen, born 14 November 1948) head of government: Prime Minister James Gordon BROWN (since 27 June 2007) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the prime minister elections: the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually the prime minister United States chief of state: President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph BIDEN (since 20 January 2009) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with Senate approval elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by a college of representatives who are elected directly from each state; president and vice president serve four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held on 6 November 2012) election results: Barack H. OBAMA elected president; percent of popular vote - Barack H. OBAMA 52.4%, John MCCAIN 46.3%, other 1.3%; Uruguay chief of state: President Tabare VAZQUEZ Rosas (since 1 March 2005); Vice President Rodolfo NIN NOVOA (since 1 March 2005); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Tabare VAZQUEZ Rosas (since 1 March 2005); Vice President Rodolfo NIN NOVOA (since 1 March 2005) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president with parliamentary approval elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms (may not serve consecutive terms); election last held 25 October 2009, with a runoff election scheduled for 29 November 2009 (next to be held in October 2014) election results: Jose MUJICA wins first round; percent of vote - Jose MUJICA 48.5%, Luis Alberto LACALLE 29.2%, Pedro BORDABERRY 17%; other 5.3%; note - a runoff election will be held on 29 November 2009 Uzbekistan chief of state: President Islom KARIMOV (since 24 March 1990, when he was elected president by the then Supreme Soviet) head of government: Prime Minister Shavkat MIRZIYOYEV (since 11 December 2003); First Deputy Prime Minister Rustam AZIMOV (since 2 January 2008) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president with approval of the Supreme Assembly elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (eligible for a second term; previously was a five-year term, extended by constitutional amendment in 2002); election last held 23 December 2007 (next to be held in 2014); prime minister, ministers, and deputy ministers appointed by the president election results: Islom KARIMOV reelected president; percent of vote - Islom KARIMOV 88.1%, Asliddin RUSTAMOV 3.2%, Dilorom T0SHMUHAMEDOVA 2.9%, Akmal SAIDOV 2.6% Vanuatu chief of state: President Iolu Johnson ABIL (since 3 September 2009) head of government: Prime Minister Edward NATAPEI (since 22 September 2008); Deputy Prime Minister Ham LINI (since 22 September 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister, responsible to parliament elections: president elected for a five-year term by an electoral college consisting of parliament and the presidents of the regional councils; election for president last held 2 September 2009 (next to be held in 2014); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by parliament from among its members; election for prime minister last held 22 September 2008 (next to be held following general elections in 2012) election results: Iolu Johnson ABIL elected president, with 41 votes out of 58, on the third ballot on 2 September 2009 Venezuela chief of state: President Hugo CHAVEZ Frias (since 3 February 1999); Executive Vice President Ramon Alonzo CARRIZALEZ Rengifo (since 4 January 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Hugo CHAVEZ Frias (since 3 February 1999); Executive Vice President Ramon Alonzo CARRIZALEZ Rengifo (since 4 January 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 3 December 2006 (next to be held in December 2012) note: in 1999, a National Constituent Assembly drafted a new constitution that increased the presidential term to six years; an election was subsequently held on 30 July 2000 under the terms of this constitution election results: Hugo CHAVEZ Frias reelected president; percent of vote - Hugo CHAVEZ Frias 62.9%, Manuel ROSALES 36.9% Vietnam chief of state: President Nguyen Minh TRIET (since 27 June 2006); Vice President Nguyen Thi DOAN (since 25 July 2007) head of government: Prime Minister Nguyen Tan DUNG (since 27 June 2006); Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh HUNG (since 28 June 2006), Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung HAI (since 2 August 2007), Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien NHAN (since 2 August 2007), Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia KHIEM (since 28 June 2006), and Deputy Prime Minister Truong Vinh TRONG (since 28 June 2006) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by president based on proposal of prime minister and confirmed by National Assembly elections: president elected by the National Assembly from among its members for five-year term; last held 27 June 2006 (next to be held in 2011); prime minister appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly; deputy prime ministers appointed by the prime minister; appointment of prime minister and deputy prime ministers confirmed by National Assembly election results: Nguyen Minh TRIET elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - 94%; Nguyen Tan DUNG elected prime minister; percent of National Assembly vote - 92% Virgin Islands chief of state: President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009) head of government: Governor John DeJONGH (since 1 January 2007) cabinet: NA elections: under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as the Virgin Islands, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, they may vote in the Democratic and Republican presidential primary elections; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 7 and 21 November 2006 (next to be held November 2010) election results: John DeJONGH elected governor; percent of vote - John DeJONGH 57.3%, Kenneth MAPP 42.7% Wallis and Futuna chief of state: President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007); represented by High Administrator Philippe PAOLANTONI (since 28 July 2008) head of government: President of the Territorial Assembly Pesamino TAPUTAI (since 11 April 2007) cabinet: Council of the Territory consists of 3 kings and 3 members appointed by the high administrator on the advice of the Territorial Assembly note: there are 3 traditional kings with limited powers elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; high administrator appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of the Interior; the presidents of the Territorial Government and the Territorial Assembly are elected by the members of the assembly Western Sahara none Yemen chief of state: President Ali Abdallah SALIH (since 22 May 1990, the former president of North Yemen, assumed office upon the merger of North and South Yemen); Vice President Maj. Gen. Abd al-Rab Mansur al-HADI (since 3 October 1994) head of government: Prime Minister Ali Muhammad MUJAWWAR (since 31 March 2007) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; election last held 20 September 2006 (next to be held in September 2013); vice president appointed by the president; prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president election results: Ali Abdallah SALIH elected president; percent of vote - Ali Abdallah SALIH 77.2%, Faysal BIN SHAMLAN 21.8% Zambia chief of state: President Rupiah BANDA (since 19 August 2008); Vice President George KUNDA (since 14 November 2008); note - President BANDA was acting president since the illness and eventual death of President Levy MWANAWASA on 18 August 2008, he was then elected president on 30 October 2008 to serve out the remainder of MWANAWASA's term; the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Rupiah BANDA (since 19 August 2008); Vice President George KUNDA (since 14 November 2008) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 30 October 2008 (next to be held in 2011); vice president appointed by the president; note - due to the death of former President Levy MWANAWASA, early elections were held to identify a replacement to serve out the remainder of his term election results: Rupiah BANDA elected president; percent of vote - Rupiah BANDA 40.1%, Michael SATA 38.1%, Hakainde HICHILEMA 19.7%, Godfrey MIYANDA 0.8%, other 1.3% Zimbabwe chief of state: Executive President Robert Gabriel MUGABE (since 31 December 1987); Vice President Joseph MSIKA (since December 1999) and Vice President Joyce MUJURU (since 6 December 2004) head of government: Prime Minister Morgan TSVANGIRAI (since 11 February 2009); Deputy Prime Minister Arthur MUTAMBARA cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president; responsible to the House of Assembly elections: presidential candidates nominated with a nomination paper signed by at least 10 registered voters (at least one from each province) and elected by popular vote for a five-year term (no term limits); elections last held 28 March 2008 followed by a run-off on 27 June 2008 (next to be held in 2013); co-vice presidents appointed by the president election results: Robert Gabriel MUGABE reelected president; percent of vote - Robert Gabriel MUGABE 85.5%, Morgan TSVANGIRAI 9.3%, other 5.2%; note - first round voting results - Morgan TSVANGIRAI 47.9%, Robert Gabriel MUGABE 43.2%, Simba MAKONI 8.3%, other 0.6%; first-round round polls were deemed to be flawed suppressing TSVANGIRAI's results; the 27 June 2008 run-off between MUGABE and TSVANGIRAI were severely flawed and internationally condemned ====================================================================== @2078 Field Listing :: Exports This entry provides the total US dollar amount of merchandise exports on an f.o.b. (free on board) basis. These figures are calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. Country Comparison to the World Country Exports Afghanistan $327 million (2007) $274 million (2006); note - not including illicit exports or reexports Albania $1.345 billion (2008 est.) $1.076 billion (2007 est.) Algeria $78.23 billion (2008 est.) $60.6 billion (2007 est.) American Samoa $445.6 million (FY04 est.) Andorra $117.1 million (2007) $148.7 million (2005) Angola $66.3 billion (2008 est.) $44.4 billion (2007 est.) Anguilla $13 million (2006) Antigua and Barbuda $84.3 million (2007 est.) Argentina $70.02 billion (2008 est.) $55.78 billion (2007 est.) Armenia $1.124 billion (2008 est.) $1.197 billion (2007 est.) Aruba $124 million (2006); note - includes oil reexports Australia $189.9 billion (2008 est.) $142.4 billion (2007 est.) Austria $179.1 billion (2008 est.) $162.1 billion (2007 est.) Azerbaijan $30.59 billion (2008 est.) $21.27 billion (2007 est.) Bahamas, The $674 million (2006) Bahrain $17.49 billion (2008 est.) $13.79 billion (2007 est.) Bangladesh $15.44 billion (2008 est.) $12.47 billion (2007 est.) Barbados $385 million (2006) Belarus $33.04 billion (2008 est.) $24.33 billion (2007 est.) Belgium $371.5 billion (2008 est.) $323.4 billion (2007 est.) Belize $464.7 million (2008 est.) $425.6 million (2007 est.) Benin $1.127 billion (2008 est.) $819 million (2007 est.) Bermuda $763 million (2006) Bhutan $350 million (2006) Bolivia $6.448 billion (2008 est.) $4.49 billion (2007 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina $5.194 billion (2008 est.) $4.243 billion (2007 est.) Botswana $4.707 billion (2008 est.) $5.158 billion (2007 est.) Brazil $197.9 billion (2008 est.) $160.6 billion (2007 est.) British Virgin Islands $25.3 million (2002) $25.3 million (2002) Brunei $8.25 billion (2007) $6.767 billion (2006) Bulgaria $22.71 billion (2008 est.) $18.58 billion (2007 est.) Burkina Faso $544 million (2008 est.) $618 million (2007 est.) Burma $6.677 billion (2008 est.) $6.17 billion (2007 est.) note: official export figures are grossly underestimated due to the value of timber, gems, narcotics, rice, and other products smuggled to Thailand, China, and Bangladesh Burundi $79 million (2008 est.) $52.9 million (2007 est.) Cambodia $4.708 billion (2008 est.) $4.089 billion (2007 est.) Cameroon $4.707 billion (2008 est.) $4.345 billion (2007 est.) Canada $459.1 billion (2008 est.) $431.2 billion (2007 est.) Cape Verde $105 million (2008 est.) $76.5 million (2007 est.) Cayman Islands $2.52 million (2004) Central African Republic $146.7 million (2007 est.) Chad $4.342 billion (2008 est.) $3.674 billion (2007 est.) Chile $66.46 billion (2008 est.) $67.67 billion (2007 est.) China $1.435 trillion (2008 est.) $1.22 trillion (2007 est.) Christmas Island $NA Cocos (Keeling) Islands $NA Colombia $38.53 billion (2008 est.) $30.58 billion (2007 est.) Comoros $32 million (2006) Congo, Democratic Republic of the $6.1 billion (2007) $1.587 billion (2006) Congo, Republic of the $10.85 billion (2008 est.) $5.808 billion (2007 est.) Cook Islands $5.222 million (2005) Costa Rica $9.738 billion (2008 est.) $9.266 billion (2007 est.) Cote d'Ivoire $10.09 billion (2008 est.) $8.476 billion (2007 est.) Croatia $14.36 billion (2008 est.) $12.62 billion (2007 est.) Cuba $3.68 billion (2008 est.) $3.701 billion (2007 est.) Cyprus $1.906 billion (2008 est.) $1.483 billion (2007 est.) Czech Republic $145.7 billion (2008 est.) $122.7 billion (2007 est.) Denmark $114.9 billion (2008 est.) $100.5 billion (2007 est.) Djibouti $340 million (2006) Dominica $94 million (2006) Dominican Republic $6.95 billion (2008 est.) $7.16 billion (2007 est.) Ecuador $19.15 billion (2008 est.) $14.87 billion (2007 est.) Egypt $29.85 billion (2008 est.) $24.45 billion (2007 est.) El Salvador $4.611 billion (2008 est.) $4.035 billion (2007 est.) Equatorial Guinea $13.03 billion (2008 est.) $10.25 billion (2007 est.) Eritrea $13 million (2008 est.) $12 million (2007 est.) Estonia $12.63 billion (2008 est.) $11.08 billion (2007 est.) Ethiopia $1.555 billion (2008 est.) $1.285 billion (2007 est.) European Union $1.952 trillion (2007) $1.33 trillion (2005) note: external exports, excluding intra-EU trade Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) $125 million (2004 est.) Faroe Islands $634 million (2006) Fiji $1.202 billion (2006) Finland $96.62 billion (2008 est.) $90.2 billion (2007 est.) France $601.9 billion (2008 est.) $546 billion (2007 est.) French Polynesia $211 million (2005 est.) Gabon $9.333 billion (2008 est.) $7.046 billion (2007 est.) Gambia, The $85 million (2008 est.) $91.4 million (2007 est.) Gaza Strip $339 million (2006) Georgia $2.428 billion (2008 est.) $2.088 billion (2007 est.) Germany $1.498 trillion (2008 est.) $1.35 trillion (2007 est.) Ghana $5.275 billion (2008 est.) $4.172 billion (2007 est.) Gibraltar $271 million (2004 est.) Greece $29.14 billion (2008 est.) $23.91 billion (2007 est.) Greenland $480 million (2006) Grenada $38 million (2006) Guam $45 million (2004 est.) Guatemala $7.848 billion (2008 est.) $7.012 billion (2007 est.) Guernsey $NA Guinea $1.392 billion (2008 est.) $1.203 billion (2007 est.) Guinea-Bissau $133 million (2006) Guyana $797 million (2008 est.) $674.9 million (2007 est.) Haiti $490 million (2008 est.) $522 million (2007 est.) Honduras $6.046 billion (2008 est.) $5.642 billion (2007 est.) Hong Kong $365.2 billion (2008 est.) $345.9 billion (2007 est.) Hungary $106.6 billion (2008 est.) $93.86 billion (2007 est.) Iceland $5.399 billion (2008 est.) $4.793 billion (2007 est.) India $187.9 billion (2008 est.) $150.7 billion (2007 est.) Indonesia $139.3 billion (2008 est.) $118 billion (2007 est.) Iran $98.42 billion (2008 est.) $97.4 billion (2007 est.) Iraq $58.81 billion (2008 est.) $36.08 billion (2007 est.) Ireland $119.8 billion (2008 est.) $115.5 billion (2007 est.) Isle of Man $NA Israel $57.16 billion (2008 est.) $50.07 billion (2007 est.) Italy $546.9 billion (2008 est.) $502.4 billion (2007 est.) Jamaica $2.602 billion (2008 est.) $2.226 billion (2007 est.) Japan $746.5 billion (2008 est.) $678.1 billion (2007 est.) Jersey $NA Jordan $7.782 billion (2008 est.) $5.7 billion (2007 est.) Kazakhstan $71.97 billion (2008 est.) $48.35 billion (2007 est.) Kenya $5.04 billion (2008 est.) $4.123 billion (2007 est.) Kiribati $17 million (2004 est.) Korea, North $1.684 billion (2007) Korea, South $433.5 billion (2008 est.) $379 billion (2007 est.) Kosovo $527 million Kuwait $86.94 billion (2008 est.) $63.68 billion (2007 est.) Kyrgyzstan $1.847 billion (2008 est.) $1.337 billion (2007 est.) Laos $1.163 billion (2008 est.) $922.7 million (2007 est.) Latvia $9.634 billion (2008 est.) $8.227 billion (2007 est.) Lebanon $5.023 billion (2008 est.) $4.077 billion (2007 est.) Lesotho $956 million (2008 est.) $805 million (2007 est.) Liberia $1.197 billion (2006) Libya $64.5 billion (2008 est.) $46.97 billion (2007 est.) Liechtenstein $2.47 billion Lithuania $23.74 billion (2008 est.) $17.16 billion (2007 est.) Luxembourg $21.43 billion (2008 est.) $18.26 billion (2007 est.) Macau $2 billion (2008 est.) $2.557 billion (2006 est.); note - includes reexports Macedonia $3.971 billion (2008 est.) $3.35 billion (2007 est.) Madagascar $1.254 billion (2008 est.) $1.095 billion (2007 est.) Malawi $830 million (2008 est.) $721 million (2007 est.) Malaysia $198.7 billion (2008 est.) $176.4 billion (2007 est.) Maldives $113 million (2008 est.) $167 million (2006 est.) Mali $294 million (2006) Malta $3.06 billion (2008 est.) $3.305 billion (2007 est.) Marshall Islands $19.4 million (2008 est.) $9.1 million (2000 est.) Mauritania $1.395 billion (2006) Mauritius $2.4 billion (2008 est.) $2.231 billion (2007 est.) Mayotte $6.5 million (2005) Mexico $291.3 billion (2008 est.) $271.9 billion (2007 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of $14 million (2004 est.) Moldova $1.641 billion (2008 est.) $1.368 billion (2007 est.) Monaco $716.3 million (2005) note: full customs integration with France, which collects and rebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates in EU market system through customs union with France Mongolia $2.539 billion (2008) $1.889 billion (2007) Montenegro $171.3 million (2003) Montserrat $700,000 (2001) Morocco $20.17 billion (2008 est.) $15.15 billion (2007 est.) Mozambique $2.653 billion (2008 est.) $2.412 billion (2007 est.) Namibia $3.167 billion (2008 est.) $2.922 billion (2007 est.) Nauru $64,000 (2005 est.) Nepal $868 million (2008) $830 million (2006) Netherlands $531.7 billion (2008 est.) $461 billion (2007 est.) Netherlands Antilles $3.71 billion (2006) New Caledonia $1.341 billion (2006) New Zealand $31.19 billion (2008 est.) $27.29 billion (2007 est.) Nicaragua $2.675 billion (2008 est.) $2.313 billion (2007 est.) Niger $428 million (2006) $428 million (2006) Nigeria $76.03 billion (2008 est.) $61.82 billion (2007 est.) Niue $201,400 (2004) Norfolk Island $1.5 million (FY91/92) Northern Mariana Islands $98.2 million (2008) Norway $173.6 billion (2008 est.) $137.3 billion (2007 est.) Oman $37.72 billion (2008 est.) $24.72 billion (2007 est.) Pakistan $21.09 billion (2008 est.) $18.12 billion (2007 est.) Palau $5.882 million (2004 est.) Panama $10.29 billion (2008 est.) $9.338 billion (2007 est.) note: includes the Colon Free Zone Papua New Guinea $5.719 billion (2008 est.) $4.748 billion (2007 est.) Paraguay $7.769 billion (2008 est.) $5.463 billion (2007 est.) Peru $31.53 billion (2008 est.) $27.88 billion (2007 est.) Philippines $48.2 billion (2008 est.) $49.51 billion (2007 est.) Pitcairn Islands $NA Poland $178.4 billion (2008 est.) $145.3 billion (2007 est.) Portugal $56.42 billion (2008 est.) $51.81 billion (2007 est.) Puerto Rico $46.9 billion (2001) Qatar $55.73 billion (2008 est.) $42.02 billion (2007 est.) Romania $49.41 billion (2008 est.) $40.32 billion (2007 est.) Russia $471.6 billion (2008 est.) $354.4 billion (2007 est.) Rwanda $210 million (2008 est.) $184 million (2007 est.) Saint Helena $19 million (2004 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis $84 million (2006) Saint Lucia $288 million (2006) Saint Pierre and Miquelon $5.5 million (2005 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines $193 million (2006) Samoa $131 million (2006) San Marino $4.628 billion (2007) $1.291 billion (2004) Sao Tome and Principe $8 million (2008 est.) $7 million (2007 est.) Saudi Arabia $313.4 billion (2008 est.) $234.1 billion (2007 est.) Senegal $2.053 billion (2008 est.) $1.65 billion (2007 est.) Serbia $8.824 billion (2007 est.) Seychelles $495 million (2008 est.) $391.7 million (2007 est.) Sierra Leone $216 million (2006) Singapore $342.7 billion (2008 est.) $303.1 billion (2007 est.) Slovakia $72.57 billion (2008 est.) $64.5 billion (2007 est.) Slovenia $29.61 billion (2008 est.) $27.09 billion (2007 est.) Solomon Islands $237 million (2006) Somalia $300 million (2006) South Africa $86.12 billion (2008 est.) $75.92 billion (2007 est.) Spain $285.9 billion (2008 est.) $256.7 billion (2007 est.) Sri Lanka $8.137 billion (2008 est.) $7.741 billion (2007 est.) Sudan $11.67 billion (2008 est.) $8.879 billion (2007 est.) Suriname $1.391 billion (2006 est.) Svalbard $197.6 million Swaziland $1.756 billion (2008 est.) $1.95 billion (2007 est.) Sweden $185.9 billion (2008 est.) $170.5 billion (2007 est.) Switzerland $241.3 billion (2008 est.) $200.5 billion (2007 est.) Syria $13.97 billion (2008 est.) $11.75 billion (2007 est.) Taiwan $254.9 billion (2008 est.) $246.5 billion (2007 est.) Tajikistan $1.575 billion (2008 est.) $1.557 billion (2007 est.) Tanzania $2.413 billion (2008 est.) $2.227 billion (2007 est.) Thailand $175.3 billion (2008 est.) $150 billion (2007 est.) Timor-Leste $10 million (2005 est.); note - excludes oil Togo $777 million (2008 est.) $702 million (2007 est.) Tokelau $0 (2002) Tonga $22 million (2006) Trinidad and Tobago $15.85 billion (2008 est.) $13.39 billion (2007 est.) Tunisia $19.22 billion (2008 est.) $15.15 billion (2007 est.) Turkey $140.7 billion (2008 est.) $115.4 billion (2007 est.) Turkmenistan $11.92 billion (2008 est.) $7.919 billion (2007 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands $169.2 million (2000) Tuvalu $1 million (2004 est.) Uganda $2.688 billion (2008 est.) $1.686 billion (2007 est.) Ukraine $67.72 billion (2008 est.) $49.84 billion (2007 est.) United Arab Emirates $239.2 billion (2008 est.) $170.4 billion (2007 est.) United Kingdom $466.3 billion (2008 est.) $442 billion (2007 est.) United States $1.277 trillion (2008 est.) $1.148 trillion (2007 est.) Uruguay $7.084 billion (2008 est.) $5.043 billion (2007 est.) Uzbekistan $10.37 billion (2008 est.) $8.026 billion (2007 est.) Vanuatu $40 million (2006) Venezuela $93.54 billion (2008 est.) $69.17 billion (2007 est.) Vietnam $62.69 billion (2008 est.) $48.56 billion (2007 est.) Virgin Islands $4.234 billion (2001) Wallis and Futuna $47,450 (2004) West Bank $339 million (2006) $301 million (2005) note: includes Gaza Strip Western Sahara $NA World $16.04 trillion (2008 est.) $13.89 trillion (2007 est.) Yemen $8.977 billion (2008 est.) $7.05 billion (2007 est.) Zambia $4.818 billion (2008 est.) $4.594 billion (2007 est.) Zimbabwe $1.396 billion (2008 est.) $1.467 billion (2007 est.) ====================================================================== @2079 Field Listing :: Debt - external This entry gives the total public and private debt owed to nonresidents repayable in foreign currency, goods, or services. These figures are calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. Country Comparison to the World Country Debt - external Afghanistan $8 billion (2004) Albania $1.55 billion (2004) Algeria $3.753 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $3.957 billion (31 December 2007 est.) American Samoa $NA Andorra $NA Angola $14.09 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $8.357 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Anguilla $8.8 million (1998) Antigua and Barbuda $359.8 million (June 2006) Argentina $128.2 billion (31 December 2008) $124 billion (31 December 2007) Armenia $3.449 billion (31 December 2008) $2.909 billion (31 December 2007) Aruba $478.6 million (2005 est.) Australia $799.8 billion (31 December 2008) $820.4 billion (31 December 2007) Austria $832.8 billion (31 December 2008) $801.4 billion (31 December 2007) Azerbaijan $2.635 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $2.439 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Bahamas, The $342.6 million (2004 est.) Bahrain $10.33 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $7.858 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Bangladesh $22.83 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $21.23 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Barbados $668 million (2003) Belarus $15.15 billion (31 December 2008) $12.49 billion (31 December 2007) Belgium $1.354 trillion (31 December 2008) $1.539 trillion (31 December 2007) Belize $954.1 million (2008 est.) $1.2 billion (June 2005 est.) Benin $1.2 billion (2007) Bermuda $160 million (FY99/00) Bhutan $713.3 million (2006) Bolivia $5.931 billion (31 December 2008) $5.385 billion (31 December 2007) Bosnia and Herzegovina $7.388 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $6.734 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Botswana $409 million (31 December 2008 est.) $408 million (31 December 2007 est.) Brazil $262.9 billion (31 December 2008) $240.5 billion (31 December 2007) British Virgin Islands $36.1 million (1997) Brunei $0 (2005) Bulgaria $51.46 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $42.62 billion (31 December 2007) Burkina Faso $1.665 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $1.33 billion (2007) Burma $7.946 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $7.022 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Burundi $1.2 billion (2003) Cambodia $4.127 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $3.89 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Cameroon $3.066 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $2.554 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Canada $781.1 billion (31 December 2008) $806.9 billion (31 December 2007) Cape Verde $325 million (2002) Cayman Islands $70 million (1996) Central African Republic $1.153 billion (2007 est.) Chad $1.6 billion (2005 est.) Chile $64.77 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $55.67 billion (31 December 2007 est.) China $400.6 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $363 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Colombia $46.38 billion (31 December 2008) $44.55 billion (31 December 2007) Comoros $232 million (2000 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the $10 billion (2007 est.) $10 billion (2006 est.) Congo, Republic of the $5 billion (2000 est.) Cook Islands $141 million (1996 est.) Costa Rica $9.249 billion (31 December 2008) $8.416 billion (31 December 2007) Cote d'Ivoire $14.05 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $13.79 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Croatia $54.79 billion (31 December 2008) $48.93 billion (31 December 2007) Cuba $19.04 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $16.79 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Cyprus $32.86 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $26.97 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Czech Republic $80.43 billion (31 December 2008) $76.04 billion (31 December 2007) Denmark $588.8 billion (31 December 2008) $567.4 billion (31 December 2007) Djibouti $428 million (2006) Dominica $213 million (2004) Dominican Republic $11.42 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $10.21 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Ecuador $18.11 billion (31 December 2008) $NA (31 December 2007) Egypt $32.12 billion (31 December 2008) $32.84 billion (31 December 2007) El Salvador $10.69 billion (31 December 2008) $9.808 billion (31 December 2007) Equatorial Guinea $190 million (31 December 2008 est.) $338 million (31 December 2007 est.) Eritrea $311 million (2000 est.) Estonia $26.84 billion (31 December 2008) $25.25 billion (31 December 2007) Ethiopia $3.155 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $2.621 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) $NA Faroe Islands $64 million (1999) Fiji $127 million (2004 est.) Finland $339.5 billion (31 December 2008) $314.1 billion (31 December 2007) France $4.935 trillion (31 December 2008) $4.88 trillion (31 December 2007) French Polynesia $NA Gabon $2.986 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $4.895 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Gambia, The $628.8 million (2003 est.) Gaza Strip $1.3 billion (2007 est.) Georgia $7.711 billion (31 December 2008) $5.343 billion (31 December 2007) Germany $5.158 trillion (31 December 2008) $5.155 trillion (31 December 2007) Ghana $5.055 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $4.891 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Gibraltar $NA Greece $504.6 billion (31 December 2008) $454.2 billion (31 December 2007) Greenland $25 million (1999) Grenada $347 million (2004) Guam $NA Guatemala $6.5 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $5.908 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Guernsey $NA Guinea $3.222 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $3.351 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Guinea-Bissau $941.5 million (2000 est.) Guyana $804.3 million (30 September 2008) $1.2 billion (2002) Haiti $1.817 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $1.475 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Honduras $3.209 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $3.411 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Hong Kong $659.9 billion (31 December 2008) $711.1 billion (31 December 2007) Hungary $212.1 billion (31 December 2008) $167.7 billion (31 December 2007) Iceland $3.073 billion (2002) India $229.3 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $206 billion (31 December 2007) Indonesia $155.1 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $141.2 billion (31 December 2007) Iran $21.06 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $20.68 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Iraq $67.74 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $100.9 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Ireland $2.356 trillion (31 December 2008) $2.263 trillion (31 December 2007) Isle of Man $NA Israel $86.08 billion (31 December 2008) $89.58 billion (31 December 2007) Italy $2.328 trillion (31 December 2008) $2.5 trillion (31 December 2007) Jamaica $10.65 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $9.657 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Japan $2.231 trillion (31 December 2008) $1.768 trillion (31 December 2007) Jersey $NA Jordan $6.794 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $8.133 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Kazakhstan $107.8 billion (31 December 2008) $96.91 billion (31 December 2007) Kenya $7.855 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $6.713 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Kiribati $10 million (1999 est.) Korea, North $12.5 billion (2001 est.) Korea, South $381.1 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $383.2 billion (31 December 2007) Kosovo $NA Kuwait $36.89 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $33.62 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Kyrgyzstan $3.467 billion (31 December 2008) $3.162 billion (31 December 2007) Laos $3.179 billion (2006) Latvia $42.26 billion (31 December 2008) $38.95 billion (31 December 2007) Lebanon $33.28 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $31.6 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Lesotho $619 million (31 December 2008 est.) $689 million (31 December 2007 est.) Liberia $3.2 billion (2005 est.) Libya $6.223 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $4.837 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Liechtenstein $0 (2001) Lithuania $32.47 billion (31 December 2008) $30.1 billion (31 December 2007) Luxembourg $2.02 trillion (31 December 2008) $NA (31 December 2007) Macau $0 (2006) Macedonia $4.667 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $3.967 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Madagascar $2.023 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $4.6 billion (2002) Malawi $1.005 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $894 million (31 December 2007 est.) Malaysia $75.33 billion (31 December 2008) $62.33 billion (31 December 2007) Maldives $477 million (2008 est.) $482 million (2006 est.) Mali $2.8 billion (2002) Malta $188.8 million (2005) Marshall Islands $87 million (2008 est.) $86.5 million (FY99/00 est.) Mauritania $NA Mauritius $5.077 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $2.149 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Mayotte $NA Mexico $200.4 billion (31 December 2008) $193.1 billion (31 December 2007) Micronesia, Federated States of $60.8 million (FY05 est.) Moldova $4.125 billion (31 December 2008) $3.326 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Monaco $18 billion (2000 est.) Mongolia $1.6 billion (2008) $1.438 billion (2007) Montenegro $650 million (2006) Montserrat $8.9 million (1997) Morocco $20.12 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $19.91 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Mozambique $3.826 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $4.189 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Namibia $807.3 million (31 December 2008 est.) $1.003 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Nauru $33.3 million Nepal $3.285 billion (2008) $3.07 billion (March 2006) Netherlands $2.461 trillion (31 December 2008) $2.59 trillion (31 December 2007) Netherlands Antilles $2.68 billion (2004) New Caledonia $79 million (1998 est.) New Zealand $59.08 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $51.44 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Nicaragua $4.596 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $3.341 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Niger $2.1 billion (2003 est.) Nigeria $9.996 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $8.007 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Niue $418,000 (2002 est.) Norfolk Island $NA Northern Mariana Islands $NA Norway $475.9 billion (31 December 2008) $540.3 billion (31 December 2007) note: Norway is a net external creditor Oman $7.68 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $5.297 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Pakistan $46.39 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $38.8 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Palau $0 (FY99/00) Panama $11.26 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $10.45 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Papua New Guinea $2.511 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $1.646 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Paraguay $3.507 billion (31 December 2008) $3.096 billion (31 December 2007) Peru $34.59 billion (31 December 2008) $32.57 billion (31 December 2007) Philippines $66.27 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $61.78 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Poland $243.5 billion (31 December 2008) $233.1 billion (31 December 2007) Portugal $484.7 billion (31 December 2008) $483.9 billion (31 December 2007) Puerto Rico $NA Qatar $57.37 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $33.09 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Romania $102.2 billion (31 December 2008) $NA (31 December 2007 est.) Russia $483.5 billion (31 December 2008) $471 billion (31 December 2007) Rwanda $1.4 billion (2004 est.) Saint Helena $NA Saint Kitts and Nevis $314 million (2004) Saint Lucia $257 million (2004) Saint Pierre and Miquelon $NA Saint Vincent and the Grenadines $223 million (2004) Samoa $177 million (2004) San Marino $NA Sao Tome and Principe $318 million (2002) Saudi Arabia $82.13 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $58.6 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Senegal $2.627 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $2.19 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Serbia $26.24 billion (2007 est.) Seychelles $1.422 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $1.059 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Sierra Leone $1.61 billion (2003 est.) Singapore $25.52 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $25.59 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Slovakia $52.53 billion (31 December 2008) $44.31 billion (31 December 2007) Slovenia $54.61 billion (31 December 2008) $50.58 billion (31 December 2007) Solomon Islands $166 million (2004) Somalia $3 billion (2001 est.) South Africa $71.81 billion (31 December 2008) $75.28 billion (31 December 2007) Spain $2.317 trillion (31 December 2008) $2.299 trillion (31 December 2007) Sri Lanka $16.78 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $12.2 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Sudan $33.72 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $29.42 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Suriname $504.3 million (2005 est.) Swaziland $554 million (31 December 2008 est.) $524 million (31 December 2007 est.) Sweden $617.3 billion (31 December 2008) $598.2 billion (30 June 2006) Switzerland $1.305 trillion (31 December 2008) $1.565 trillion (31 December 2007) Syria $7.167 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $6.633 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Taiwan $93.02 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $97.85 billion (31 December 2007) Tajikistan $1.503 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $1.56 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Tanzania $6.195 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $4.382 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Thailand $65.09 billion (31 December 2008) $61.74 billion (31 December 2007) Togo $2 billion (2005) Tonga $80.7 million (2004) Trinidad and Tobago $3.289 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $2.869 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Tunisia $20.81 billion (31 December 2008) $20.4 billion (31 December 2007) Turkey $278.1 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $249.4 billion (31 December 2007) Turkmenistan $1.4 billion (2004 est.) note: some estimates put this figure as high as $5 billion Turks and Caicos Islands $NA Tuvalu $NA Uganda $1.835 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $1.498 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Ukraine $101.7 billion (31 December 2008) $79.96 billion (31 December 2007) United Arab Emirates $134.7 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $61.68 billion (31 December 2007 est.) United Kingdom $9.041 trillion (31 December 2008) $11.26 trillion (31 December 2007) United States $13.75 trillion (31 December 2008) $13.43 trillion (31 December 2007) Uruguay $10.73 billion (31 December 2008) $11.07 billion (31 December 2007) Uzbekistan $4.022 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $3.927 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Vanuatu $81.2 million (2004) Venezuela $47.03 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $43.33 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Vietnam $25.89 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $21.83 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Virgin Islands $NA Wallis and Futuna $3.67 million (2004) West Bank $1.3 billion (2007 est.) Western Sahara $NA World $60.96 trillion (31 December 2008 est.) $60.26 trillion (31 December 2007 est.) note: this figure is the sum total of all countries' external debt, both public and private Yemen $5.977 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $6.044 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Zambia $3.095 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $2.596 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Zimbabwe $5.669 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $5.155 billion (31 December 2007 est.) ====================================================================== @2080 Field Listing :: Fiscal year Country Fiscal year Afghanistan 21 March - 20 March Albania calendar year Algeria calendar year American Samoa 1 October - 30 September Andorra calendar year Angola calendar year Anguilla 1 April - 31 March Antigua and Barbuda 1 April - 31 March Argentina calendar year Armenia calendar year Aruba calendar year Australia 1 July - 30 June Austria calendar year Azerbaijan calendar year Bahamas, The 1 July - 30 June Bahrain calendar year Bangladesh 1 July - 30 June Barbados 1 April - 31 March Belarus calendar year Belgium calendar year Belize 1 April - 31 March Benin calendar year Bermuda 1 April - 31 March Bhutan 1 July - 30 June Bolivia calendar year Bosnia and Herzegovina calendar year Botswana 1 April - 31 March Brazil calendar year British Virgin Islands 1 April - 31 March Brunei 1 April - 31 March Bulgaria calendar year Burkina Faso calendar year Burma 1 April - 31 March Burundi calendar year Cambodia calendar year Cameroon 1 July - 30 June Canada 1 April - 31 March Cape Verde calendar year Cayman Islands 1 April - 31 March Central African Republic calendar year Chad calendar year Chile calendar year China calendar year Christmas Island 1 July - 30 June Cocos (Keeling) Islands 1 July - 30 June Colombia calendar year Comoros calendar year Congo, Democratic Republic of the calendar year Congo, Republic of the calendar year Cook Islands 1 April - 31 March Costa Rica calendar year Cote d'Ivoire calendar year Croatia calendar year Cuba calendar year Cyprus calendar year Czech Republic calendar year Denmark calendar year Djibouti calendar year Dominica 1 July - 30 June Dominican Republic calendar year Ecuador calendar year Egypt 1 July - 30 June El Salvador calendar year Equatorial Guinea calendar year Eritrea calendar year Estonia calendar year Ethiopia 8 July - 7 July European Union NA Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 1 April - 31 March Faroe Islands calendar year Fiji calendar year Finland calendar year France calendar year French Polynesia calendar year Gabon calendar year Gambia, The calendar year Gaza Strip calendar year Georgia calendar year Germany calendar year Ghana calendar year Gibraltar 1 July - 30 June Greece calendar year Greenland calendar year Grenada calendar year Guam 1 October - 30 September Guatemala calendar year Guernsey calendar year Guinea calendar year Guinea-Bissau calendar year Guyana calendar year Haiti 1 October - 30 September Holy See (Vatican City) calendar year Honduras calendar year Hong Kong 1 April - 31 March Hungary calendar year Iceland calendar year India 1 April - 31 March Indonesia calendar year Iran 21 March - 20 March Iraq calendar year Ireland calendar year Isle of Man 1 April - 31 March Israel calendar year Italy calendar year Jamaica 1 April - 31 March Japan 1 April - 31 March Jersey 1 April - 31 March Jordan calendar year Kazakhstan calendar year Kenya 1 July - 30 June Kiribati NA Korea, North calendar year Korea, South calendar year Kuwait 1 April - 31 March Kyrgyzstan calendar year Laos 1 October - 30 September Latvia calendar year Lebanon calendar year Lesotho 1 April - 31 March Liberia calendar year Libya calendar year Liechtenstein calendar year Lithuania calendar year Luxembourg calendar year Macau calendar year Macedonia calendar year Madagascar calendar year Malawi 1 July - 30 June Malaysia calendar year Maldives calendar year Mali calendar year Malta calendar year Marshall Islands 1 October - 30 September Mauritania calendar year Mauritius 1 July - 30 June Mayotte calendar year Mexico calendar year Micronesia, Federated States of 1 October - 30 September Moldova calendar year Monaco calendar year Mongolia calendar year Montenegro calendar year Montserrat 1 April - 31 March Morocco calendar year Mozambique calendar year Namibia 1 April - 31 March Nauru 1 July - 30 June Nepal 16 July - 15 July Netherlands calendar year Netherlands Antilles calendar year New Caledonia calendar year New Zealand 1 April - 31 March note: this is the fiscal year for tax purposes Nicaragua calendar year Niger calendar year Nigeria calendar year Niue 1 April - 31 March Norfolk Island 1 July - 30 June Northern Mariana Islands 1 October - 30 September Norway calendar year Oman calendar year Pakistan 1 July - 30 June Palau 1 October - 30 September Panama calendar year Papua New Guinea calendar year Paraguay calendar year Peru calendar year Philippines calendar year Pitcairn Islands 1 April - 31 March Poland calendar year Portugal calendar year Puerto Rico 1 July - 30 June Qatar 1 April - 31 March Romania calendar year Russia calendar year Rwanda calendar year Saint Helena 1 April - 31 March Saint Kitts and Nevis calendar year Saint Lucia 1 April - 31 March Saint Pierre and Miquelon calendar year Saint Vincent and the Grenadines calendar year Samoa June 1 - May 31 San Marino calendar year Sao Tome and Principe calendar year Saudi Arabia calendar year Senegal calendar year Seychelles calendar year Sierra Leone calendar year Singapore 1 April - 31 March Slovakia calendar year Slovenia calendar year Solomon Islands calendar year Somalia NA South Africa 1 April - 31 March Spain calendar year Sri Lanka calendar year Sudan calendar year Suriname calendar year Swaziland 1 April - 31 March Sweden calendar year Switzerland calendar year Syria calendar year Taiwan calendar year Tajikistan calendar year Tanzania 1 July - 30 June Thailand 1 October - 30 September Timor-Leste calendar year Togo calendar year Tokelau 1 April - 31 March Tonga 1 July - 30 June Trinidad and Tobago 1 October - 30 September Tunisia calendar year Turkey calendar year Turkmenistan calendar year Turks and Caicos Islands calendar year Tuvalu calendar year Uganda 1 July - 30 June Ukraine calendar year United Arab Emirates calendar year United Kingdom 6 April - 5 April United States 1 October - 30 September Uruguay calendar year Uzbekistan calendar year Vanuatu calendar year Venezuela calendar year Vietnam calendar year Virgin Islands 1 October - 30 September Wallis and Futuna calendar year West Bank calendar year Western Sahara calendar year Yemen calendar year Zambia calendar year Zimbabwe calendar year ====================================================================== @2081 Field Listing :: Flag description This entry provides a written flag description produced from actual flags or the best information available at the time the entry was written. The flags of independent states are used by their dependencies unless there is an officially recognized local flag. Some disputed and other areas do not have flags. Country Flag description Afghanistan three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), red, and green, with the national emblem in white centered on the red band and slightly overlapping the other two bands; the center of the emblem features a mosque with pulpit and flags on either side, below the mosque are numerals for the solar year 1298 (1919 in the Gregorian calendar, the year of Afghan independence from the UK); this central image is circled by a border consisting of sheaves of wheat on the left and right, in the upper-center is an Arabic inscription of the Shahada (Muslim creed) below which are rays of the rising sun over the Takbir (Arabic expression meaning "God is great"), and at bottom center is a scroll bearing the name Afghanistan Akrotiri the flag of the UK is used Albania red with a black two-headed eagle in the center; the design is claimed to be that of 15th-century hero George Castriota SKANDERBERG, who led a successful uprising against the Turks that resulted in a short-lived independence for some Albanian regions (1443-1478) Algeria two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and white; a red, five-pointed star within a red crescent centered over the two-color boundary; the colors represent Islam (green), purity and peace (white), and liberty (red); the crescent and star are also Islamic symbols, but the crescent is more closed than those of other Muslim countries because the Algerians believe the long crescent horns bring happiness American Samoa blue, with a white triangle edged in red that is based on the fly side and extends to the hoist side; a brown and white American bald eagle flying toward the hoist side is carrying two traditional Samoan symbols of authority, a war club known as a "Fa'alaufa'i" (upper; left talon), and a coconut fiber fly whisk known as a "Fue" (lower; right talon); the combination of symbols broadly mimics that seen on the US Great Seal and reflects the relationship between the United States and American Samoa Andorra 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; the flag combines the blue and red French colors with the red and yellow of Spain to show Franco-Spanish protection note: similar to the flags of Chad and Romania, which do not have a national coat of arms in the center, and the flag of Moldova, which does bear a national emblem Angola 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); red represents liberty, black the African continent, the symbols characterize workers and peasants Anguilla 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 Antigua and Barbuda red, with an inverted isosceles triangle based on the top edge of the flag; the triangle contains three horizontal bands of black (top), light blue, and white, with a yellow rising sun in the black band; the sun symbolizes the dawn of a new era, black represents the African heritage of most of the population, blue is for hope, and red is for the dynamism of the people; the "V" stands for victory; the successive yellow, blue, and white coloring is also meant to evoke the country's tourist attractions of sun, sea, and sand Argentina 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; the colors represent the clear skies and snow of the Andes; the sun symbol commemorates the appearance of the sun through cloudy skies on 25 May 1810 during the first mass demonstration in favor of independence; the sun features are those of Inti, the Inca god of the sun Armenia three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, and orange; the color red recalls the blood shed for liberty, blue the Armenian skies as well as hope, and orange the land and the courage of the workers who farm it Aruba blue, with two narrow, horizontal, yellow stripes across the lower portion and a red, four-pointed star outlined in white in the upper hoist-side corner; the star represents Aruba and its red soil and white beaches, its four points the four major languages (Papiamento, Dutch, Spanish, English) as well as the four points of a compass, to indicate that its inhabitants come from all over the world; the blue symbolizes Caribbean waters and skies; the stripes represent the island's two main "industries": the flow of tourists to the sun-drenched beaches and the flow of minerals from the earth Ashmore and Cartier Islands the flag of Australia is used Australia blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large seven-pointed star in the lower hoist-side quadrant known as the Commonwealth or Federation Star, representing the federation of the colonies of Australia in 1901; the star depicts one point for each of the six original states and one representing all of Australia's internal and external territories; on the fly half is a representation of the Southern Cross constellation in white with one small five-pointed star and four larger, seven-pointed stars Austria three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and red; the flag design is certainly one of the oldest - if not the oldest - national banners in the world; according to tradition, following a fierce battle in the Third Crusade, Duke Leopold V of Austria's white tunic became completely blood-spattered; upon removal of his wide belt or sash, a white band was revealed; the red-white-red color combination was subsequently adopted as his banner Azerbaijan three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), red, and green; a crescent and eight-pointed star in white are centered in red band Bahamas, The three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top), gold, and aquamarine, with a black equilateral triangle based on the hoist side; the band colors represent the golden beaches of the islands surrounded by the aquamarine sea; black represents the vigor and force of a united people, while the pointing triangle indicates the enterprise and determination of the Bahamian people to develop the rich resources of land and sea Bahrain red, the traditional color for flags of Persian Gulf states, with a white serrated band (five white points) on the hoist side; the five points represent the five pillars of Islam Bangladesh green field with a large red disk shifted slightly to the hoist side of center; the red disk represents the rising sun and the sacrifice to achieve independence; the green field symbolizes the lush vegetation of Bangladesh Barbados three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold, and blue with the head of a black trident centered on the gold band; the band colors represent the blue of the sea and sky and the gold of the beaches; the trident head represents independence and a break with the past (the colonial coat of arms contained a complete trident) Belarus red horizontal band (top) and green horizontal band one-half the width of the red band; a white vertical stripe on the hoist side bears Belarusian national ornamentation in red; the red band color recalls past struggles from oppression, the green band represents hope and the many forests of the country Belgium three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow, and red; the vertical design was based on the flag of France; the colors are those of the arms of the duchy of Brabant (yellow lion with red claws and tongue on a black field) Belize blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottom edges; centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of arms; the coat of arms features a shield flanked by two workers in front of a mahogany tree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in the Shade) on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a green garland Benin two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red (bottom) with a vertical green band on the hoist side Bermuda red, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Bermudian coat of arms (white and green shield with a red lion holding a scrolled shield showing the sinking of the ship Sea Venture off Bermuda in 1609) centered on the outer half of the flag Bhutan divided diagonally from the lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle is yellow and the lower triangle is orange; centered along the dividing line is a large black and white dragon facing away from the hoist side Bolivia three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green with the coat of arms centered on the yellow band note: similar to the flag of Ghana, which has a large black five-pointed star centered in the yellow band; in 2009, a presidential decree made it mandatory for a so-called wiphala - a square, multi-colored flag representing the country's indigenous peoples - to be used alongside the traditional flag Bosnia and Herzegovina a wide medium blue vertical band on the fly side with a yellow isosceles triangle abutting the band and the top of the flag; the remainder of the flag is medium blue with seven full five-pointed white stars and two half stars top and bottom along the hypotenuse of the triangle Botswana light blue with a horizontal white-edged black stripe in the center Bouvet Island the flag of Norway is used Brazil green with a large yellow diamond in the center bearing a blue celestial globe with 27 white five-pointed stars (one for each state and the Federal District) arranged in the same pattern as the night sky over Brazil; the globe has a white equatorial band with the motto ORDEM E PROGRESSO (Order and Progress) British Indian Ocean Territory white with six blue wavy horizontal stripes; the flag of the UK is in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the striped section bears a palm tree and yellow crown centered on the outer half of the flag British Virgin Islands blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Virgin Islander coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts a woman flanked on either side by a vertical column of six oil lamps above a scroll bearing the Latin word VIGILATE (Be Watchful) Brunei yellow with two diagonal bands of white (top, almost double width) and black starting from the upper hoist side; the national emblem in red is superimposed at the center; the emblem includes a swallow-tailed flag on top of a winged column within an upturned crescent above a scroll and flanked by two upraised hands Bulgaria three equal horizontal bands of white (top), green, and red note: the national emblem, formerly on the hoist side of the white stripe, has been removed Burkina Faso two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a yellow five-pointed star in the center note: uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Burma red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing 14, white, five-pointed stars encircling a cogwheel containing a stalk of rice; the 14 stars represent the seven administrative divisions and seven states Burundi divided by a white diagonal cross into red panels (top and bottom) and green panels (hoist side and fly side) with a white disk superimposed at the center bearing three red six-pointed stars outlined in green arranged in a triangular design (one star above, two stars below) Cambodia three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (double width), and blue with a white three-towered temple representing Angkor Wat outlined in black in the center of the red band note: only national flag to incorporate an actual building in its design Cameroon three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), red, and yellow, with a yellow five-pointed star centered in the red band note: uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Canada two vertical bands of red (hoist and fly side, half width) with white square between them; an 11-pointed red maple leaf is centered in the white square; the official colors of Canada are red and white Cape Verde five unequal horizontal bands; the top-most band of blue - equal to one half the width of the flag - is followed by three bands of white, red, and white, each equal to 1/12 of the width, and a bottom stripe of blue equal to one quarter of the flag width; a circle of 10, yellow, five-pointed stars, each representing one of the islands, is centered on the red stripe and positioned 3/8 of the length of the flag from the hoist side Cayman Islands a blue field, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms includes a crest with a pineapple, representing the connection with Jamaica, and a turtle, representing Cayman's seafaring tradition, above a shield bearing a golden lion, symbolizing Great Britain, below which are three green stars (representing the three islands) surmounting white and blue wavy lines representing the sea and a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS Central African Republic four equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, green, and yellow with a vertical red band in center; a yellow five-pointed star to the hoist side of the blue band Chad three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red note: similar to the flag of Romania; also similar to the flags of Andorra and Moldova, both of which have a national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; design was based on the flag of France Chile two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; a blue square the same height as the white band at the hoist-side end of the white band; the square bears a white five-pointed star in the center representing a guide to progress and honor; blue symbolizes the sky, white is for the snow-covered Andes, and red represents the blood spilled to achieve independence note: design was influenced by the US flag China red with a large yellow five-pointed star and four smaller yellow five-pointed stars (arranged in a vertical arc toward the middle of the flag) in the upper hoist-side corner Christmas Island territorial flag; divided diagonally from upper hoist to lower fly; the upper triangle is green with a yellow image of the Golden Bosun Bird superimposed, the lower triangle is blue with the Southern Cross constellation, representing Australia, superimposed; a centered yellow disk displays a green map of the island note: the flag of Australia is used for official purposes Clipperton Island the flag of France is used Cocos (Keeling) Islands the flag of Australia is used Colombia three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue, and red note: similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is longer and bears the Ecuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the center Comoros four equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), white, red, and blue, with a green isosceles triangle based on the hoist; centered within the triangle is a white crescent with the convex side facing the hoist and four white, five-pointed stars placed vertically in a line between the points of the crescent; the horizontal bands and the four stars represent the four main islands of the archipelago - Mwali, N'gazidja, Nzwani, and Mahore (Mayotte - territorial collectivity of France, but claimed by Comoros) note: the crescent, stars, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam Congo, Democratic Republic of the sky blue field divided diagonally from the lower hoist corner to upper fly corner by a red stripe bordered by two narrow yellow stripes; a yellow, five-pointed star appears in the upper hoist corner Congo, Republic of the divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a yellow band; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is red note: uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Cook Islands blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for every island) centered in the outer half of the flag Coral Sea Islands the flag of Australia is used Costa Rica five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white elliptical disk on the hoist side of the red band; above the coat of arms a light blue ribbon contains the words, AMERICA CENTRAL, and just below it near the top of the coat of arms is a white ribbon with the words, REPUBLICA COSTA RICA Cote d'Ivoire three equal vertical bands of orange (hoist side), white, and green note: similar to the flag of Ireland, which is longer and has the colors reversed - green (hoist side), white, and orange; also similar to the flag of Italy, which is green (hoist side), white, and red; design was based on the flag of France Croatia three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue, superimposed by the Croatian coat of arms (red and white checkered) Cuba five equal horizontal bands of blue (top, center, and bottom) alternating with white; a red equilateral triangle based on the hoist side bears a white, five-pointed star in the center Cyprus white with a copper-colored silhouette of the island (the name Cyprus is derived from the Greek word for copper) above two green crossed olive branches in the center of the flag; the branches symbolize the hope for peace and reconciliation between the Greek and Turkish communities note: the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" flag has a white field with narrow horizontal red stripes positioned a small distance from the top and bottom edges between which is centered a red crescent and a red five-pointed star Czech Republic two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side note: identical to the flag of the former Czechoslovakia Denmark red with a white cross that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side; the banner is referred to as the Dannebrog (Danish flag) and is one of the oldest national flags in the world; traditions as to the origin of the flag design vary, but the best known is a legend that the banner fell from the sky during an early-13th century battle; caught up by the Danish king before it ever touched the earth, this heavenly talisman inspired the royal army to victory note: the shifted design element was subsequently adopted by the other Nordic countries of Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden Dhekelia the flag of the UK is used Djibouti two equal horizontal bands of light blue (top) and light green with a white isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bearing a red five-pointed star in the center Dominica green, with a centered cross of three equal bands - the vertical part is yellow (hoist side), black, and white and the horizontal part is yellow (top), black, and white; superimposed in the center of the cross is a red disk bearing a sisserou parrot encircled by 10 green, five-pointed stars edged in yellow; the 10 stars represent the 10 administrative divisions (parishes) Dominican Republic a centered white cross that extends to the edges divides the flag into four rectangles - the top ones are blue (hoist side) and red, and the bottom ones are red (hoist side) and blue; a small coat of arms featuring a shield supported by an olive branch (left) and a palm branch (right) is at the center of the cross; above the shield a blue ribbon displays the motto, DIOS, PATRIA, LIBERTAD (God, Fatherland, Liberty), and below the shield, REPUBLICA DOMINICANA appears on a red ribbon Ecuador three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double width), blue, and red with the coat of arms superimposed at the center of the flag; similar to the flag of Colombia, which is shorter and does not bear a coat of arms Egypt three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black; the national emblem (a gold Eagle of Saladin facing the hoist side with a shield superimposed on its chest above a scroll bearing the name of the country in Arabic) centered in the white band; design is based on the Arab Liberation flag and similar to the flag of Syria, which has two green stars in the white band, Iraq, which has an Arabic inscription centered in the white band, and Yemen, which has a plain white band El Salvador three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL; similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which has a different coat of arms centered in the white band - it features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; also similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band Equatorial Guinea three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red, with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side and the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms has six yellow six-pointed stars (representing the mainland and five offshore islands) above a gray shield bearing a silk-cotton tree and below which is a scroll with the motto UNIDAD, PAZ, JUSTICIA (Unity, Peace, Justice) Eritrea red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) dividing the flag into two right triangles; the upper triangle is green, the lower one is blue; a gold wreath encircling a gold olive branch is centered on the hoist side of the red triangle Estonia pre-1940 flag restored by Supreme Soviet in May 1990 - three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), black, and white Ethiopia three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and red, with a yellow pentagram and single yellow rays emanating from the angles between the points on a light blue disk centered on the three bands; Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in Africa, and the three main colors of her flag were so often adopted by other African countries upon independence that they became known as the pan-African colors European Union blue field with 12 five-pointed gold stars arranged in a circle in the center, representing the union of the peoples of Europe; the number of stars is fixed Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Falkland Island coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a white ram (sheep raising was once the major economic activity) above the sailing ship Desire (whose crew discovered the islands) with a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto DESIRE THE RIGHT Faroe Islands white with a red cross outlined in blue extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted toward the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag); the flag resembles those of neighboring Iceland and Norway, and uses the same three colors - but in a different sequence Fiji light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Fijian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield depicts a yellow lion above a white field quartered by the cross of Saint George featuring stalks of sugarcane, a palm tree, bananas, and a white dove Finland white with a blue cross extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag); the blue represents the thousands of lakes scattered across the country, while the white is for the snow that covers the land in winter France three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), white, and red; known as the "Le drapeau tricolore" (French Tricolor), the origin of the flag dates to 1790 and the French Revolution; the design and/or colors are similar to a number of other flags, including those of Belgium, Chad, Ireland, Cote d'Ivoire, Luxembourg, and Netherlands; the official flag for all French dependent areas French Polynesia two narrow red horizontal bands encase a wide white band; centered on the white band is a disk with a blue and white wave pattern on the lower half and a gold and white ray pattern on the upper half; a stylized red, blue, and white ship rides on the wave pattern note: the flag of France is used for official occasions French Southern and Antarctic Lands the flag of France is used Gabon three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and blue Gambia, The three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue with white edges, and green Georgia white rectangle, in its central portion a red cross connecting all four sides of the flag; in each of the four corners is a small red bolnur-katskhuri cross; the five-cross flag appears to date back to the 14th century Germany three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and gold; these colors have played an important role in German history and can be traced back to the medieval banner of the Holy Roman Emperor - a black eagle with red claws and beak on a gold field Ghana three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green, with a large black five-pointed star centered in the yellow band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the flag of Bolivia, which has a coat of arms centered in the yellow band Gibraltar two horizontal bands of white (top, double width) and red with a three-towered red castle in the center of the white band; hanging from the castle gate is a gold key centered in the red band Greece nine equal horizontal stripes of blue alternating with white; there is a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white cross; the cross symbolizes Greek Orthodoxy, the established religion of the country Greenland two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a large disk slightly to the hoist side of center - the top half of the disk is red, the bottom half is white; the design represents the sun reflecting off a field of ice; the colors are the same as those of the Danish flag and symbolize Greenland's links to the Kingdom of Denmark Grenada a rectangle divided diagonally into yellow triangles (top and bottom) and green triangles (hoist side and outer side), with a red border around the flag; there are seven yellow, five-pointed stars with three centered in the top red border, three centered in the bottom red border, and one on a red disk superimposed at the center of the flag; there is also a symbolic nutmeg pod on the hoist-side triangle (Grenada is the world's second-largest producer of nutmeg, after Indonesia); the seven stars represent the seven administrative divisions Guam territorial flag is dark blue with a narrow red border on all four sides; centered is a red-bordered, pointed, vertical ellipse containing a beach scene, outrigger canoe with sail, and a palm tree with the word GUAM superimposed in bold red letters; US flag is the national flag Guatemala three equal vertical bands of light blue (hoist side), white, and light blue, with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms includes a green and red quetzal (the national bird) and a scroll bearing the inscription LIBERTAD 15 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 1821 (the original date of independence from Spain) all superimposed on a pair of crossed rifles and a pair of crossed swords and framed by a wreath Guernsey white with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England) extending to the edges of the flag and a yellow equal-armed cross of William the Conqueror superimposed on the Saint George cross Guinea three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, and green; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Guinea-Bissau two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and green with a vertical red band on the hoist side; there is a black five-pointed star centered in the red band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Guyana green, with a red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) superimposed on a long, yellow arrowhead; there is a narrow, black border between the red and yellow, and a narrow, white border between the yellow and the green Haiti two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a centered white rectangle bearing the coat of arms, which contains a palm tree flanked by flags and two cannons above a scroll bearing the motto L'UNION FAIT LA FORCE (Union Makes Strength); the colors are taken from the French Tricolor and represent the union of blacks and mulattoes Heard Island and McDonald Islands the flag of Australia is used Holy See (Vatican City) two vertical bands of yellow (hoist side) and white with the arms of the Holy See, consisting of the crossed keys of Saint Peter surmounted by the three-tiered papal tiara, centered in the white band Honduras three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue, with five blue, five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band; the stars represent the members of the former Federal Republic of Central America - Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua; similar to the flag of El Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which features a triangle encircled by the word REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom, centered in the white band Hong Kong red with a stylized, white, five-petal bauhinia flower in the center Hungary three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and green Iceland blue with a red cross outlined in white extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag); the colors represent three of the elements that make up the island: red is for the island's volcanic fires, white recalls the snow and ice fields of the island, and blue is for the surrounding ocean India three equal horizontal bands of saffron (subdued orange) (top), white, and green, with a blue chakra (24-spoked wheel) centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Niger, which has a small orange disk centered in the white band Indonesia two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; similar to the flag of Monaco, which is shorter; also similar to the flag of Poland, which is white (top) and red Iran three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red; the national emblem (a stylized representation of the word Allah in the shape of a tulip, a symbol of martyrdom) in red is centered in the white band; ALLAH AKBAR (God is Great) in white Arabic script is repeated 11 times along the bottom edge of the green band and 11 times along the top edge of the red band Iraq three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black; the Takbir (Arabic expression meaning "God is great") in green Arabic script is centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Syria, which has two stars but no script, Yemen, which has a plain white band, and that of Egypt, which has a gold Eagle of Saladin centered in the white band; design is based upon the Arab Liberation colors; Council of Representatives approved this flag as a compromise temporary replacement for Ba'athist Saddam-era flag Ireland three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and orange; similar to the flag of Cote d'Ivoire, which is shorter and has the colors reversed - orange (hoist side), white, and green; also similar to the flag of Italy, which is shorter and has colors of green (hoist side), white, and red Isle of Man red with the Three Legs of Man emblem (Trinacria), in the center; the three legs are joined at the thigh and bent at the knee; in order to have the toes pointing clockwise on both sides of the flag, a two-sided emblem is used Israel white with a blue hexagram (six-pointed linear star) known as the Magen David (Shield of David) centered between two equal horizontal blue bands near the top and bottom edges of the flag Italy three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and red; similar to the flag of Ireland, which is longer and is green (hoist side), white, and orange; also similar to the flag of the Cote d'Ivoire, which has the colors reversed - orange (hoist side), white, and green; inspired by the French flag brought to Italy by Napoleon in 1797 Jamaica diagonal yellow cross divides the flag into four triangles - green (top and bottom) and black (hoist side and outer side); green represents hope, vegetation, and agriculture, black reflects hardships overcome and to be faced, and yellow recalls golden sunshine and the island's natural resources Jan Mayen the flag of Norway is used Japan white with a large red disk (representing the sun without rays) in the center Jersey white with a diagonal red cross extending to the corners of the flag; in the upper quadrant, surmounted by a yellow crown, a red shield with the three lions of England in yellow Jordan three equal horizontal bands of black (top), representing the Abbassid Caliphate, white, representing the Ummayyad Caliphate, and green, representing the Fatimid Caliphate; a red isosceles triangle on the hoist side, representing the Great Arab Revolt of 1916, and bearing a small white seven-pointed star symbolizing the seven verses of the opening Sura (Al-Fatiha) of the Holy Koran; the seven points on the star represent faith in One God, humanity, national spirit, humility, social justice, virtue, and aspirations; design is based on the Arab Revolt flag of World War I Kazakhstan sky blue background representing the endless sky and a gold sun with 32 rays above a soaring golden steppe eagle in the center; on the hoist side is a "national ornamentation" in gold Kenya three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green; the red band is edged in white; a large warrior's shield covering crossed spears is superimposed at the center Kiribati the upper half is red with a yellow frigate bird flying over a yellow rising sun, and the lower half is blue with three horizontal wavy white stripes to represent the ocean Korea, North three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue; the red band is edged in white; on the hoist side of the red band is a white disk with a red five-pointed star Korea, South white with a red (top) and blue yin-yang symbol in the center; there is a different black trigram from the ancient I Ching (Book of Changes) in each corner of the white field Kosovo centered on a dark blue field is the geographical shape of Kosovo in a gold color surmounted by six white, five-pointed stars - each representing one of the major ethnic groups of Kosovo - arrayed in a slight arc Kuwait three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with a black trapezoid based on the hoist side; design, which dates to 1961, based on the Arab revolt flag of World War I Kyrgyzstan red field with a yellow sun in the center having 40 rays representing the 40 Kyrgyz tribes; on the obverse side the rays run counterclockwise, on the reverse, clockwise; in the center of the sun is a red ring crossed by two sets of three lines, a stylized representation of the roof of the traditional Kyrgyz yurt Laos three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double width), and red with a large white disk centered in the blue band Latvia three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width), and maroon Lebanon three horizontal bands consisting of red (top), white (middle, double width), and red (bottom) with a green cedar tree centered in the white band Lesotho three horizontal stripes of blue (top), white, and green in the proportions of 3:4:3; the colors represent rain, peace, and prosperity respectively; centered in the white stripe is a black Basotho hat representing the indigenous people; the flag was unfurled in October 2006 to celebrate 40 years of independence Liberia 11 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; there is a white five-pointed star on a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner; the design was based on the US flag Libya plain green; green is the traditional color of Islam (the state religion) Liechtenstein two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a gold crown on the hoist side of the blue band; the colors may derive from the blue and red livery design used in the principality's household in the 18th century; the prince's crown was introduced in 1937 to distinguish the flag from that of Haiti Lithuania three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green, and red Luxembourg three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and light blue; similar to the flag of the Netherlands, which uses a darker blue and is shorter; the coloring is derived from the Grand Duke's coat of arms (a red lion on a white and blue striped field) Macau light green with a lotus flower above a stylized bridge and water in white, beneath an arc of five gold, five-pointed stars: one large in the center of the arc and two smaller on either side; the lotus is the floral emblem of Macau, the three petals represent the peninsula and two islands that make up Macau; the five stars echo those on the flag of China Macedonia a yellow sun with eight broadening rays extending to the edges of the red field Madagascar two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a vertical white band of the same width on hoist side Malawi three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green with a radiant, rising, red sun centered in the black band Malaysia 14 equal horizontal stripes of red (top) alternating with white (bottom); there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a yellow crescent and a yellow 14-pointed star; the crescent and the star are traditional symbols of Islam; the design was based on the flag of the US Maldives red with a large green rectangle in the center bearing a vertical white crescent; the closed side of the crescent is on the hoist side of the flag Mali three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Malta two equal vertical bands of white (hoist side) and red; in the upper hoist-side corner is a representation of the George Cross, edged in red Marshall Islands blue with two stripes radiating from the lower hoist-side corner - orange (top) and white; there is a white star with four large rays and 20 small rays on the hoist side above the two stripes Mauritania green with a yellow five-pointed star above a yellow, horizontal crescent; the closed side of the crescent is down; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam Mauritius four equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, yellow, and green Mayotte unofficial, local flag with the coat of arms of Mayotte centered on a white field, above which the name of the island appears in red capital letters; the main elements of the coat of arms, flanked on either side by a seahorse, appear above a scroll with the motto RA HACHIRI (We are Vigilant) note: the flag of France used for official occasions Mexico three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and red; the coat of arms (an eagle with a snake in its beak perched on a cactus) is centered in the white band Micronesia, Federated States of light blue with four white five-pointed stars centered; the stars are arranged in a diamond pattern Moldova three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; emblem in center of flag is of a Roman eagle of gold outlined in black with a red beak and talons carrying a yellow cross in its beak and a green olive branch in its right talons and a yellow scepter in its left talons; on its breast is a shield divided horizontally red over blue with a stylized ox head, star, rose, and crescent all in black-outlined yellow; same color scheme as Romania Monaco two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; similar to the flag of Indonesia which is longer and the flag of Poland which is white (top) and red Mongolia three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), blue, and red; centered on the hoist-side red band in yellow is the national emblem ("soyombo" - a columnar arrangement of abstract and geometric representation for fire, sun, moon, earth, water, and the yin-yang symbol) Montenegro a red field bordered by a narrow golden-yellow stripe with the Montenegrin coat of arms centered Montserrat blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Montserratian coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms features a woman standing beside a yellow harp with her arm around a black cross Morocco red with a green pentacle (five-pointed, linear star) known as Sulayman's (Solomon's) seal in the center of the flag; red and green are traditional colors in Arab flags, although the use of red is more commonly associated with the Arab states of the Persian gulf; design dates to 1912 Mozambique three equal horizontal bands of green (top), black, and yellow with a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; the black band is edged in white; centered in the triangle is a yellow five-pointed star bearing a crossed rifle and hoe in black superimposed on an open white book Namibia a wide red stripe edged by narrow white stripes divides the flag diagonally from lower hoist corner to upper fly corner; the upper hoist-side triangle is blue and charged with a yellow, 12-rayed sunburst; the lower fly-side triangle is green Nauru blue with a narrow, horizontal, yellow stripe across the center and a large white 12-pointed star below the stripe on the hoist side; the star indicates the country's location in relation to the Equator (the yellow stripe) and the 12 points symbolize the 12 original tribes of Nauru Navassa Island the flag of the US is used Nepal red with a blue border around the unique shape of two overlapping right triangles; the smaller, upper triangle bears a white stylized moon and the larger, lower triangle bears a white 12-pointed sun Netherlands three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue; similar to the flag of Luxembourg, which uses a lighter blue and is longer; the colors were those of WILLIAM I, Prince of Orange, who led the Dutch Revolt against Spanish sovereignty in the latter half of the 16th century; originally the upper band was orange, but because it tended to fade to red over time, the red shade was eventually made the permanent color; the banner is perhaps the oldest tricolor in continuous use Netherlands Antilles white, with a horizontal blue stripe in the center superimposed on a vertical red band, also centered; five white, five-pointed stars are arranged in an oval pattern in the center of the blue band; the five stars represent the five main islands of Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten New Caledonia the flag of France is used New Zealand blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant with four red five-pointed stars edged in white centered in the outer half of the flag; the stars represent the Southern Cross constellation Nicaragua three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on the top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; similar to the flag of El Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band Niger three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and green with a small orange disk (representing the sun) centered in the white band; similar to the flag of India, which has a blue spoked wheel centered in the white band Nigeria three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green Niue yellow with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the flag of the UK bears five yellow five-pointed stars - a large star on a blue disk in the center and a smaller star on each arm of the bold red cross Norfolk Island three vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green with a large green Norfolk Island pine tree centered in the slightly wider white band Northern Mariana Islands blue, with a white, five-pointed star superimposed on the gray silhouette of a latte stone (a traditional foundation stone used in building) in the center, surrounded by a wreath Norway red with a blue cross outlined in white that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag); the colors recall Norway's past political unions with Denmark (red and white) and Sweden (blue) Oman three horizontal bands of white, red, and green of equal width with a broad, vertical, red band on the hoist side; the national emblem (a khanjar dagger in its sheath superimposed on two crossed swords in scabbards) in white is centered near the top of the vertical band Pakistan green with a vertical white band (symbolizing the role of religious minorities) on the hoist side; a large white crescent and star are centered in the green field; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam Palau light blue with a large yellow disk (representing the moon) shifted slightly to the hoist side Panama divided into four, equal rectangles; the top quadrants are white (hoist side) with a blue five-pointed star in the center and plain red; the bottom quadrants are plain blue (hoist side) and white with a red five-pointed star in the center Papua New Guinea divided diagonally from upper hoist-side corner; the upper triangle is red with a soaring yellow bird of paradise centered; the lower triangle is black with five, white, five-pointed stars of the Southern Cross constellation centered Paraguay three equal, horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue with an emblem centered in the white band; unusual flag in that the emblem is different on each side; the obverse (hoist side at the left) bears the national coat of arms (a yellow five-pointed star within a green wreath capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles); the reverse (hoist side at the right) bears the seal of the treasury (a yellow lion below a red Cap of Liberty and the words Paz y Justicia (Peace and Justice) capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles) Peru three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), white, and red with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a shield bearing a vicuna, cinchona tree (the source of quinine), and a yellow cornucopia spilling out gold coins, all framed by a green wreath Philippines two equal horizontal bands of blue (top; representing peace and justice) and red (representing courage); a white equilateral triangle based on the hoist side represents equality; the center of the triangle displays a yellow sun with eight primary rays, each representing one of the first eight provinces that sought independence from Spain; each corner of the triangle contains a small, yellow, five-pointed star representing the three major geographical divisions of the country: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao; the design of the flag dates to 1897; in wartime the flag is flown upside down with the red band at the top Pitcairn Islands blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Pitcairn Islander coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms is yellow, green, and light blue with a shield featuring a yellow anchor Poland two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; similar to the flags of Indonesia and Monaco which are red (top) and white Portugal two vertical bands of green (hoist side, two-fifths) and red (three-fifths) with the Portuguese coat of arms centered on the dividing line Puerto Rico five equal horizontal bands of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bears a large, white, five-pointed star in the center; design initially influenced by the US flag, but similar to the Cuban flag, with the colors of the bands and triangle reversed Qatar maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points) on the hoist side Romania three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; the national coat of arms that used to be centered in the yellow band has been removed; now similar to the flag of Chad, also resembles the flags of Andorra and Moldova Russia three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red Rwanda three horizontal bands of sky blue (top, double width), yellow, and green, with a golden sun with 24 rays near the fly end of the blue band Saint Barthelemy the flag of France is used Saint Helena blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Saint Helenian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield features a rocky coastline and three-masted sailing ship Saint Kitts and Nevis divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a broad black band bearing two white, five-pointed stars; the black band is edged in yellow; the upper triangle is green, the lower triangle is red Saint Lucia blue, with a gold isosceles triangle below a black arrowhead; the upper edges of the arrowhead have a white border Saint Martin the flag of France is used Saint Pierre and Miquelon a yellow three-masted sailing ship facing the hoist side rides on a blue background with scattered, white, wavy lines under the ship; a continuous black-over-white wavy line divides the ship from the white wavy lines; on the hoist side, a vertical band is divided into three parts: the top part (called ikkurina) is red with a green diagonal cross extending to the corners overlaid by a white cross dividing the rectangle into four sections; the middle part has a white background with an ermine pattern; the third part has a red background with two stylized yellow lions outlined in black, one above the other; these three heraldic arms represent settlement by colonists from the Basque Country (top), Brittany, and Normandy note: the flag of France used for official occasions Saint Vincent and the Grenadines three vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold (double width), and green; the gold band bears three green diamonds arranged in a V pattern Samoa red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side quadrant bearing five white five-pointed stars representing the Southern Cross constellation San Marino two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and light blue with the national coat of arms superimposed in the center; the coat of arms has a shield (featuring three towers on three peaks) flanked by a wreath, below a crown and above a scroll bearing the word LIBERTAS (Liberty) Sao Tome and Principe three horizontal bands of green (top), yellow (double width), and green with two black five-pointed stars placed side by side in the center of the yellow band and a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Saudi Arabia green, a traditional color in Islamic flags, with the Shahada or Muslim creed in large white Arabic script (translated as "There is no god but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of God") above a white horizontal saber (the tip points to the hoist side); design dates to the early twentieth century and is closely associated with the Al Saud family which established the kingdom in 1932 Senegal three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red with a small green five-pointed star centered in the yellow band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Serbia three equal horizontal stripes of red (top), blue, and white; charged with the coat of arms of Serbia shifted slightly to the hoist side Seychelles five oblique bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, red, white, and green (bottom) radiating from the bottom of the hoist side Sierra Leone three equal horizontal bands of light green (top), white, and light blue Singapore two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; near the hoist side of the red band, there is a vertical, white crescent (closed portion is toward the hoist side) partially enclosing five white five-pointed stars arranged in a circle Slovakia three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red superimposed with the coat of arms of Slovakia (consisting of a red shield bordered in white and bearing a white Cross of Lorraine surmounting three blue hills); the coat of arms is centered vertically and offset slightly to the hoist side Slovenia three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red, with the Slovenian seal (a shield with the image of Triglav, Slovenia's highest peak, in white against a blue background at the center; beneath it are two wavy blue lines depicting seas and rivers, and above it are three six-pointed stars arranged in an inverted triangle, which are taken from the coat of arms of the Counts of Celje, the great Slovene dynastic house of the late 14th and early 15th centuries); the seal is in the upper hoist side of the flag centered on the white and blue bands Solomon Islands divided diagonally by a thin yellow stripe from the lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is blue with five white five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern; the lower triangle is green Somalia light blue with a large white five-pointed star in the center; blue field influenced by the flag of the UN South Africa two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue separated by a central green band that splits into a horizontal Y, the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist side; the Y embraces a black isosceles triangle from which the arms are separated by narrow yellow bands; the red and blue bands are separated from the green band and its arms by narrow white stripes South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms features a shield with a golden lion centered; the shield is supported by a fur seal on the left and a penguin on the right; a reindeer appears above the shield, and below it on a scroll is the motto LEO TERRAM PROPRIAM PROTEGAT (Let the Lion Protect its Own Land) Spain three horizontal bands of red (top), yellow (double width), and red with the national coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band; the coat of arms is quartered to display the emblems of the traditional kingdoms of Spain (clockwise from upper left, Castile, Leon, Navarre, and Aragon) while Granada is represented by the stylized pomegranate at the bottom of the shield; the arms are framed by two columns representing the Pillars of Hercules, which are the two promontories (Gibraltar and Ceuta) on either side of the eastern end of the Strait of Gibraltar; the red scroll across the two columns bears the imperial motto of "Plus Ultra" (further beyond) referring to Spanish lands beyond Europe Sri Lanka yellow with two panels; the smaller hoist-side panel has two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and orange; the other panel is a large dark red rectangle with a yellow lion holding a sword, and there is a yellow bo leaf in each corner; the yellow field appears as a border around the entire flag and extends between the two panels Sudan three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black with a green isosceles triangle based on the hoist side Suriname five horizontal bands of green (top, double width), white, red (quadruple width), white, and green (double width); there is a large, yellow, five-pointed star centered in the red band Svalbard the flag of Norway is used Swaziland three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue; the red band is edged in yellow; centered in the red band is a large black and white shield covering two spears and a staff decorated with feather tassels, all placed horizontally Sweden blue with a golden yellow cross extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag); the colors reflect those of the Swedish coat of arms - three gold crowns on a blue field Switzerland red square with a bold, equilateral white cross in the center that does not extend to the edges of the flag; various medieval legends purport to describe the origin of the flag; a white cross used as identification for troops of the Swiss Confederation is first attested at the Battle of Laupen (1339) Syria three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black, colors associated with the Arab Liberation flag; two small, green, five-pointed stars in a horizontal line centered in the white band; former flag of the United Arab Republic where the two stars represented the constituent states of Syria and Egypt; similar to the flag of Yemen, which has a plain white band, Iraq, which has an Arabic inscription centered in the white band, and that of Egypt, which has a gold Eagle of Saladin centered in the white band; the current design dates to 1980 Taiwan red field with a dark blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white sun with 12 triangular rays Tajikistan three horizontal stripes of red (top), a wider stripe of white, and green; a gold crown surmounted by seven gold, five-pointed stars is located in the center of the white stripe Tanzania divided diagonally by a yellow-edged black band from the lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is blue Thailand five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue (double width), white, and red Timor-Leste red, with a black isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) superimposed on a slightly longer yellow arrowhead that extends to the center of the flag; a white star is in the center of the black triangle Togo five equal horizontal bands of green (top and bottom) alternating with yellow; a white five-pointed star on a red square is in the upper hoist-side corner; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Tokelau a yellow stylized Tokelauan canoe on a dark blue field sails toward the manu - the Southern Cross constellation of four, white, five-pointed stars at the hoist side; the Southern Cross represents the role of Christianity in Tokelauan culture and symbolizes the country's navigating into the future, the color yellow indicates happiness and peace, and the blue field represents the ocean on which the community relies Tonga red with a bold red cross on a white rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner Trinidad and Tobago red with a white-edged black diagonal band from the upper hoist side to the lower fly side Tunisia red with a white disk in the center bearing a red crescent nearly encircling a red five-pointed star; the crescent and star are traditional symbols of Islam Turkey red with a vertical white crescent (the closed portion is toward the hoist side) and white five-pointed star centered just outside the crescent opening Turkmenistan green field with a vertical red stripe near the hoist side, containing five tribal guls (designs used in producing carpets) stacked above two crossed olive branches; a white crescent moon representing Islam with five white stars representing the regions or welayats of Turkmenistan appear in the upper corner of the field just to the fly side of the red stripe Turks and Caicos Islands blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the colonial shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield is yellow and contains a conch shell, lobster, and cactus Tuvalu light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the outer half of the flag represents a map of the country with nine yellow five-pointed stars symbolizing the nine islands Uganda six equal horizontal bands of black (top), yellow, red, black, yellow, and red; a white disk is superimposed at the center and depicts a red-crested crane (the national symbol) facing the hoist side Ukraine two equal horizontal bands of azure (top) and golden yellow represent grain fields under a blue sky United Arab Emirates three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and black with a wider vertical red band on the hoist side United Kingdom blue field with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England) edged in white superimposed on the diagonal red cross of Saint Patrick (patron saint of Ireland), which is superimposed on the diagonal white cross of Saint Andrew (patron saint of Scotland); properly known as the Union Flag, but commonly called the Union Jack; the design and colors (especially the Blue Ensign) have been the basis for a number of other flags including other Commonwealth countries and their constituent states or provinces, and British overseas territories United States 13 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing 50 small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars (top and bottom) alternating with rows of five stars; the 50 stars represent the 50 states, the 13 stripes represent the 13 original colonies; known as Old Glory; the design and colors have been the basis for a number of other flags, including Chile, Liberia, Malaysia, and Puerto Rico United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges the flag of the US is used Uruguay nine equal horizontal stripes of white (top and bottom) alternating with blue; a white square in the upper hoist-side corner with a yellow sun bearing a human face known as the Sun of May with 16 rays that alternate between triangular and wavy Uzbekistan three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and green separated by red fimbriations with a white crescent moon and 12 white stars in the upper hoist-side quadrant Vanuatu two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a black isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) all separated by a black-edged yellow stripe in the shape of a horizontal Y (the two points of the Y face the hoist side and enclose the triangle); centered in the triangle is a boar's tusk encircling two crossed namele leaves, all in yellow Venezuela three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), blue, and red with the coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band and an arc of eight white five-pointed stars centered in the blue band Vietnam red field with a large yellow five-pointed star in the center Virgin Islands white field with a modified US coat of arms in the center between the large blue initials V and I; the coat of arms shows a yellow eagle holding an olive branch in one talon and three arrows in the other with a superimposed shield of vertical red and white stripes below a blue panel Wake Island the flag of the US is used Wallis and Futuna unofficial, local flag has a red field with four white isosceles triangles in the middle, representing the three native kings of the islands and the French administrator; the apexes of the triangles are oriented inward and at right angles to each other; the flag of France, outlined in white on two sides, is in the upper hoist quadrant note: the flag of France used for official occasions Yemen three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black; similar to the flag of Syria, which has two green stars in the white band, and of Iraq, which has an Arabic inscription centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Egypt, which has a heraldic eagle centered in the white band Zambia green field with a panel of three vertical bands of red (hoist side), black, and orange below a soaring orange eagle, on the outer edge of the flag Zimbabwe seven equal horizontal bands of green, yellow, red, black, red, yellow, and green with a white isosceles triangle edged in black with its base on the hoist side; a yellow Zimbabwe bird representing the long history of the country is superimposed on a red five-pointed star in the center of the triangle, which symbolizes peace; green symbolizes agriculture, yellow - mineral wealth, red - blood shed to achieve independence, and black stands for the native people ====================================================================== @2085 Field Listing :: Roadways This entry gives the total length of the road network and includes the length of the paved and unpaved portions. Country Comparison to the World Country Roadways(km) Afghanistan total: 42,150 km paved: 12,350 km unpaved: 29,800 km (2006) Albania total: 18,000 km paved: 7,020 km unpaved: 10,980 km (2002) Algeria total: 108,302 km paved: 76,028 km (includes 645 km of expressways) unpaved: 32,274 km (2004) American Samoa total: 221 km (2007) Andorra total: 270 km (1994) Angola total: 51,429 km paved: 5,349 km unpaved: 46,080 km (2001) Anguilla total: 175 km paved: 82 km unpaved: 93 km (2004) Antigua and Barbuda total: 1,165 km paved: 384 km unpaved: 781 km (2002) Argentina total: 231,374 km paved: 69,412 km (includes 734 km of expressways) unpaved: 161,962 km (2004) Armenia total: 7,700 km paved: 7,700 km (includes 1,561 km of expressways) (2006) Australia total: 812,972 km paved: 341,448 km unpaved: 471,524 km (2004) Austria total: 107,262 km paved: 107,262 km (includes 1,677 km of expressways) (2006) Azerbaijan total: 59,141 km paved: 29,210 km unpaved: 29,931 km (2004) Bahamas, The total: 2,717 km paved: 1,560 km unpaved: 1,157 km (2002) Bahrain total: 3,498 km paved: 2,768 km unpaved: 730 km (2003) Bangladesh total: 239,226 km paved: 22,726 km unpaved: 216,500 km (2003) Barbados total: 1,600 km paved: 1,600 km (2004) Belarus total: 94,797 km paved: 84,028 km unpaved: 10,769 km (2005) Belgium total: 152,256 km paved: 119,079 km (includes 1,763 km of expressways) unpaved: 33,177 km (2006) Belize total: 3,007 km paved: 575 km unpaved: 2,432 km (2006) Benin total: 16,000 km paved: 1,400 km unpaved: 14,600 km (2006) Bermuda total: 447 km paved: 447 km note: public roads - 225 km; private roads - 222 km (2007) Bhutan total: 8,050 km paved: 4,991 km unpaved: 3,059 km (2003) Bolivia total: 62,479 km paved: 3,749 km unpaved: 58,730 km (2004) Bosnia and Herzegovina total: 21,846 km paved: 11,425 km (4,714 km of interurban roads) unpaved: 10,421 km (2006) Botswana total: 25,798 km paved: 8,410 km unpaved: 17,388 km (2005) Brazil total: 1,751,868 km paved: 96,353 km unpaved: 1,655,515 km (2004) British Indian Ocean Territory note: short section of paved road between port and airfield on Diego Garcia British Virgin Islands total: 200 km paved: 200 km (2007) Brunei total: 3,650 km paved: 2,819 km unpaved: 831 km (2005) Bulgaria total: 40,231 km paved: 39,587 km (includes 331 km of expressways) unpaved: 644 km (2005) Burkina Faso total: 92,495 km paved: 3,857 km unpaved: 88,638 km (2004) Burma total: 27,000 km paved: 3,200 km unpaved: 23,800 km (2006) Burundi total: 12,322 km paved: 1,286 km unpaved: 11,036 km (2004) Cambodia total: 38,093 km paved: 2,977 km unpaved: 35,116 km (2007) Cameroon total: 50,000 km paved: 5,000 km unpaved: 45,000 km (2004) Canada total: 1,042,300 km paved: 415,600 km (includes 17,000 km of expressways) unpaved: 626,700 km (2006) Cape Verde total: 1,350 km paved: 932 km unpaved: 418 km (2000) Cayman Islands total: 785 km paved: 785 km (2007) Central African Republic total: 24,307 km (2000) Chad total: 33,400 km paved: 267 km unpaved: 33,133 km (2002) Chile total: 80,505 km paved: 16,745 km (includes 2,414 km of expressways) unpaved: 63,760 km (2004) China total: 1,930,544 km paved: 1,575,571 km (includes 41,005 km of expressways) unpaved: 354,973 km (2005) Christmas Island total: 140 km paved: 30 km unpaved: 110 km (2007) Cocos (Keeling) Islands total: 22 km paved: 10 km unpaved: 12 km (2006) Colombia total: 164,257 km (2005) Comoros total: 880 km paved: 673 km unpaved: 207 km (2002) Congo, Democratic Republic of the total: 153,497 km paved: 2,794 km unpaved: 150,703 km (2004) Congo, Republic of the total: 17,289 km paved: 864 km unpaved: 16,425 km (2004) Cook Islands total: 320 km paved: 33 km unpaved: 287 km (2003) Costa Rica total: 35,330 km paved: 8,621 km unpaved: 26,709 km (2004) Cote d'Ivoire total: 80,000 km paved: 6,500 km unpaved: 73,500 km note: includes intercity and urban roads; another 20,000 km of dirt roads are in poor condition and 150,000 km of dirt roads are impassable (2006) Croatia total: 28,788 km (includes 877 km of expressways) (2006) Cuba total: 60,858 km paved: 29,820 km (includes 638 km of expressway) unpaved: 31,038 km (2000) Cyprus total: 14,630 km (area under government control: 12,280 km; area administered by Turkish Cypriots: 2,350 km) paved: area under government control: 7,979 km (includes 257 km of expressways); area administered by Turkish Cypriots: 1,370 km unpaved: area under government control: 4,301 km; area administered by Turkish Cypriots: 980 km (2006) Czech Republic total: 128,512 km paved: 128,512 km (includes 657 km of expressways) (2007) Denmark total: 72,362 km paved: 72,362 km (includes 1,032 km of expressways) (2006) Djibouti total: 3,065 km paved: 1,226 km unpaved: 1,839 km (2000) Dominica total: 780 km paved: 393 km unpaved: 387 km (2000) Dominican Republic total: 19,705 km paved: 9,872 km unpaved: 9,833 km (2002) Ecuador total: 43,670 km paved: 6,472 km unpaved: 37,198 km (2006) Egypt total: 92,370 km paved: 74,820 km unpaved: 17,550 km (2004) El Salvador total: 10,886 km paved: 2,827 km (includes 327 km of expressways) unpaved: 8,059 km (2000) Equatorial Guinea total: 2,880 km (2000) Eritrea total: 4,010 km paved: 874 km unpaved: 3,136 km (2000) Estonia total: 57,016 km paved: 12,926 km (includes 99 km of expressways) unpaved: 44,090 km (2005) Ethiopia total: 36,469 km paved: 6,980 km unpaved: 29,489 km (2004) European Union total: 5,454,446 km (2008) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) total: 440 km paved: 50 km unpaved: 390 km (2008) Faroe Islands total: 463 km (2006) Fiji total: 3,440 km paved: 1,692 km unpaved: 1,748 km (2000) Finland total: 78,141 km paved: 50,914 km (includes 700 km of expressways) unpaved: 27,227 km (2009) France total: 951,500 km paved: 951,500 km (metropolitan France; includes 10,950 km of expressways) note: there are another 5,100 km of roadways in overseas departments (2006) French Polynesia total: 2,590 km paved: 1,735 km unpaved: 855 km (1999) Gabon total: 9,170 km paved: 937 km unpaved: 8,233 km (2004) Gambia, The total: 3,742 km paved: 723 km unpaved: 3,019 km (2004) Gaza Strip note: see entry for West Bank Georgia total: 20,329 km paved: 7,854 km (includes 13 km of expressways) unpaved: 12,475 km (2006) Germany total: 644,480 km paved: 644,480 km (includes 12,400 km of expressways) note: includes local roads (2006) Ghana total: 62,221 km paved: 9,955 km unpaved: 52,266 km (2006) Gibraltar total: 29 km paved: 29 km (2007) Greece total: 117,533 km paved: 107,895 km (includes 880 km of expressways) unpaved: 9,638 km (2005) Greenland note: although there are short roads in towns, there are no roads between towns; inter-urban transport takes place either by sea or air (2005) Grenada total: 1,127 km paved: 687 km unpaved: 440 km (2000) Guam total: 1,045 km (2007) Guatemala total: 14,095 km paved: 4,863 km (includes 75 km of expressways) unpaved: 9,232 km (2000) Guinea total: 44,348 km paved: 4,342 km unpaved: 40,006 km (2003) Guinea-Bissau total: 3,455 km paved: 965 km unpaved: 2,490 km (2002) Guyana total: 7,970 km paved: 590 km unpaved: 7,380 km (2000) Haiti total: 4,160 km paved: 1,011 km unpaved: 3,149 km (2000) Honduras total: 13,600 km paved: 2,775 km unpaved: 10,825 km (2000) Hong Kong total: 2,040 km paved: 2,040 km (2008) Hungary total: 159,568 km paved: 70,050 km (30,874 km of interurban roads including 626 km of expressways) unpaved: 89,518 km (2005) Iceland total: 13,058 km paved/oiled gravel: 4,397 km (does not include urban roads) unpaved: 8,661 km (2007) India total: 3,316,452 km (includes 200 km of expressways) (2006) Indonesia total: 391,009 km paved: 216,714 km unpaved: 174,295 km (2005) Iran total: 172,927 km paved: 125,908 km (includes 1,429 km of expressways) unpaved: 47,019 km (2006) Iraq total: 44,900 km paved: 37,851 km unpaved: 7,049 km (2002) Ireland total: 96,602 km paved: 96,602 km (includes 200 km of expressways) (2003) Isle of Man total: 500 km (2008) Israel total: 17,870 km paved: 17,870 km (includes 146 km of expressways) (2007) Italy total: 487,700 km paved: 487,700 km (includes 6,700 km of expressways) (2005) Jamaica total: 21,552 km paved: 15,937 km (includes 33 km of expressways) unpaved: 5,615 km (2005) Japan total: 1,196,999 km paved: 949,101 km (includes 7,383 km of expressways) unpaved: 247,898 km (2006) Jersey total: 358 km (2002) Jordan total: 8,002 km paved: 8,002 km (2007) Kazakhstan total: 91,563 km paved: 83,717 km unpaved: 7,846 km (2006) Kenya total: 63,574 km (interurban roads) paved: 9,273 km unpaved: 54,301 km note: there also are 114,226 km of unclassified roads, 2,000 km paved and 112,226 unpaved, for a national total of 177,800 km (2008) Kiribati total: 670 km (2000) Korea, North total: 25,554 km paved: 724 km unpaved: 24,830 km (2006) Korea, South total: 103,029 km paved: 80,642 km (includes 3,367 km of expressways) unpaved: 22,387 km (2008) Kosovo total: 1,924 km paved: 1,666 km unpaved: 258 km (2006) Kuwait total: 5,749 km paved: 4,887 km unpaved: 862 km (2004) Kyrgyzstan total: 18,500 km paved: 16,909 km (includes 140 km of expressways) unpaved: 1,591 km (2003) Laos total: 29,811 km paved: 4,010 km unpaved: 25,801 km (2006) Latvia total: 69,675 km paved: 69,675 km (2006) Lebanon total: 6,970 km (includes 170 km of expressways) (2005) Lesotho total: 7,091 km paved: 1,404 km unpaved: 5,687 km (2003) Liberia total: 10,600 km paved: 657 km unpaved: 9,943 km (2000) Libya total: 100,024 km paved: 57,214 km unpaved: 42,810 km (2003) Liechtenstein total: 380 km paved: 380 km (2007) Lithuania total: 80,715 km paved: 71,301 km (includes 309 km of expressways) unpaved: 9,414 km (2007) Luxembourg total: 5,227 km paved: 5,227 km (includes 147 km of expressways) (2004) Macau total: 404 km paved: 404 km (2008) Macedonia total: 13,182 km (includes 208 km of expressways) (2002) Madagascar total: 65,663 km paved: 7,617 km unpaved: 58,046 km (2003) Malawi total: 15,451 km paved: 6,956 km unpaved: 8,495 km (2003) Malaysia total: 98,721 km paved: 80,280 km (includes 1,821 km of expressways) unpaved: 18,441 km (2004) Maldives total: 88 km paved roads: 88 km - 60 km in Male; 14 km on Addu Atolis; 14 km on Laamu note: village roads are mainly compacted coral (2006) Mali total: 18,709 km paved: 3,368 km unpaved: 15,341 km (2004) Malta total: 2,227 km paved: 2,014 km unpaved: 213 km (2005) Marshall Islands total: 2,028 km (includes 75 km of expressways) (2007) Mauritania total: 11,066 km paved: 2,966 km unpaved: 8,100 km (2006) Mauritius total: 2,028 km paved: 2,028 km (includes 75 km of expressways) (2007) Mexico total: 356,945 km paved: 178,473 km (includes 6,279 km of expressways) unpaved: 178,472 km (2006) Micronesia, Federated States of total: 240 km paved: 42 km unpaved: 198 km (2000) Moldova total: 12,666 km paved: 12,117 km unpaved: 549 km (2007) Monaco total: 50 km paved: 50 km (2007) Mongolia total: 49,249 km paved: 2,671 km unpaved: 46,578 km (2008) Montenegro total: 7,368 km paved: 4,742 km unpaved: 2,626 km (2006) Montserrat note: volcanic eruptions that began in 1995 destroyed most of the 227 km road system; a new road infrastructure has been built in the north end of the island (2008) Morocco total: 57,625 km paved: 35,664 km (includes 639 km of expressways) unpaved: 21,961 km (2006) Mozambique total: 30,400 km paved: 5,685 km unpaved: 24,715 km (2000) Namibia total: 42,237 km paved: 5,406 km unpaved: 36,831 km (2002) Nauru total: 24 km paved: 24 km (2002) Nepal total: 17,282 km paved: 10,142 km unpaved: 7,140 km (2007) Netherlands total: 135,470 km (includes 2,582 km of expressways) (2007) Netherlands Antilles total: 845 New Caledonia total: 5,622 km (2006) New Zealand total: 93,576 km paved: 61,564 km (includes 172 km of expressways) unpaved: 32,012 km (2006) Nicaragua total: 19,036 km paved: 2,299 km unpaved: 16,737 km (2005) Niger total: 18,550 km paved: 3,803 km unpaved: 14,747 km (2006) Nigeria total: 193,200 km paved: 28,980 km unpaved: 164,220 km (2004) Niue total: 120 km paved: 120 km (2008) Norfolk Island total: 80 km paved: 53 km unpaved: 27 km (2008) Northern Mariana Islands total: 536 km (2007) Norway total: 92,946 km paved: 72,033 km (includes 664 km of expressways) unpaved: 20,913 km (2007) Oman total: 42,300 km paved: 16,500 km (includes 550 km of expressways) unpaved: 25,800 km (2005) Pakistan total: 259,197 km paved: 172,827 km (includes 711 km of expressways) unpaved: 86,370 km (2007) Palau note: estimated to have 60 km of roads as of 1996 Panama total: 11,978 km paved: 4,300 km unpaved: 7,678 km (2002) Papua New Guinea total: 19,600 km paved: 686 km unpaved: 18,914 km (2000) Paraguay total: 29,500 km paved: 14,986 km unpaved: 14,514 km (2000) Peru total: 78,829 km paved: 11,351 km (includes 276 km of expressways) unpaved: 67,478 km (2004) Philippines total: 201,910 km paved: 21,677 km unpaved: 180,233 km (2008) Poland total: 423,997 km paved: 295,356 km (includes 662 km of expressways) unpaved: 128,641 km (2006) Portugal total: 82,900 km paved: 71,294 km (includes 2,300 km of expressways) unpaved: 11,606 km (2005) Puerto Rico total: 26,186 km paved: 24,877 km (includes 427 km of expressways) unpaved: 1,309 km (2007) Qatar total: 7,790 km (2006) Romania total: 198,817 km paved: 60,043 km (includes 228 km of expressways) unpaved: 138,774 km (2004) Russia total: 933,000 km paved: 754,984 km (includes 30,000 km of expressways) unpaved: 178,016 km note: includes public, local, and departmental roads (2006) Rwanda total: 14,008 km paved: 2,662 km unpaved: 11,346 km (2004) Saint Helena total: 198 km (Saint Helena 138 km, Ascension 40 km, Tristan da Cunha 20 km) paved: 168 km (Saint Helena 118 km, Ascension 40 km, Tristan da Cunha 10 km) unpaved: 30 km (Saint Helena 20 km, Ascension 0 km, Tristan da Cunha 10 km) (2002) Saint Kitts and Nevis total: 383 km paved: 163 km unpaved: 220 km (2002) Saint Lucia total: 1,210 km (2002) Saint Pierre and Miquelon total: 117 km paved: 80 km unpaved: 37 km (2000) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines total: 829 km paved: 580 km unpaved: 249 km (2003) Samoa total: 2,337 km paved: 332 km unpaved: 2,005 km (2001) San Marino total: 292 km paved: 292 km (2006) Sao Tome and Principe total: 320 km paved: 218 km unpaved: 102 km (2000) Saudi Arabia total: 221,372 km paved: 47,529 km (includes 3,891 km of expressways) unpaved: 173,843 km (2006) Senegal total: 13,576 km paved: 3,972 km (includes 7 km of expressways) unpaved: 9,604 km (2003) Serbia total: 36,875 km paved: 31,392 km unpaved: 5,483 km (2006) Seychelles total: 458 km paved: 440 km unpaved: 18 km (2003) Sierra Leone total: 11,300 km paved: 904 km unpaved: 10,396 km (2002) Singapore total: 3,297 km paved: 3,297 km (includes 150 km of expressways) (2007) Slovakia total: 43,761 km paved: 38,085 km (includes 316 km of expressways) unpaved: 5,676 km (2006) Slovenia total: 38,709 km paved: 38,709 km (includes 579 km of expressways) (2007) Solomon Islands total: 1,360 km paved: 33 km unpaved: 1,327 km note: includes 800 km of private plantation roads (2002) Somalia total: 22,100 km paved: 2,608 km unpaved: 19,492 km (2000) South Africa total: 362,099 km paved: 73,506 km (includes 239 km of expressways) unpaved: 288,593 km (2002) Spain total: 681,224 km paved: 681,224 km (includes 13,872 km of expressways) (2006) Sri Lanka total: 97,286 km paved: 78,802 km unpaved: 18,484 km (2003) Sudan total: 11,900 km paved: 4,320 km unpaved: 7,580 km (2000) Suriname total: 4,304 km paved: 1,130 km unpaved: 3,174 km (2003) Swaziland total: 3,594 km paved: 1,078 km unpaved: 2,516 km (2002) Sweden total: 425,300 km paved: 139,300 km (includes 1,740 km of expressways) unpaved: 286,000 km (2008) Switzerland total: 71,298 km paved: 71,298 km (includes 1,758 of expressways) (2006) Syria total: 97,401 km paved: 19,490 km (includes 1,103 km of expressways) unpaved: 77,911 km (2006) Taiwan total: 40,262 km paved: 38,171 km (includes 976 km of expressways) unpaved: 2,091 km (2007) Tajikistan total: 27,767 km (2000) Tanzania total: 78,891 km paved: 6,808 km unpaved: 72,083 km (2003) Thailand total: 180,053 km (includes 450 km of expressways) (2006) Timor-Leste total: 6,040 km paved: 2,600 km unpaved: 3,440 km (2005) Togo total: 7,520 km paved: 2,376 km unpaved: 5,144 km (2000) Tonga total: 680 km paved: 184 km unpaved: 496 km (2000) Trinidad and Tobago total: 8,320 km paved: 4,252 km unpaved: 4,068 km (2000) Tunisia total: 19,232 km paved: 12,655 km (includes 262 km of expressways) unpaved: 6,577 km (2004) Turkey total: 426,951 km (includes 1,987 km of expressways) (2006) Turkmenistan total: 58,592 km paved: 47,577 km unpaved: 11,015 km (2002) Turks and Caicos Islands total: 121 km paved: 24 km unpaved: 97 km (2003) Tuvalu total: 8 km paved: 8 km (2002) Uganda total: 70,746 km paved: 16,272 km unpaved: 54,474 km (2003) Ukraine total: 169,422 km paved: 165,611 km (includes 15 km of expressways) unpaved: 3,811 km (2007) United Arab Emirates total: 4,080 km paved: 4,080 km (includes 253 km of expressways) (2008) United Kingdom total: 398,366 km paved: 398,366 km (includes 3,520 km of expressways) (2006) United States total: 6,465,799 km paved: 4,209,835 km (includes 75,040 km of expressways) unpaved: 2,255,964 km (2007) Uruguay total: 77,732 km paved: 7,743 km unpaved: 69,989 km (2004) Uzbekistan total: 86,496 km paved: 75,511 km unpaved: 10,985 km (2000) Vanuatu total: 1,070 km paved: 256 km unpaved: 814 km (1999) Venezuela total: 96,155 km paved: 32,308 km unpaved: 63,847 km (2002) Vietnam total: 222,179 km paved: 42,167 km unpaved: 180,012 km (2004) Virgin Islands total: 1,257 km (2007) West Bank total: 5,147 km paved: 5,147 km note: includes Gaza Strip (2006) World total: 68,937,575 km (2008) Yemen total: 71,300 km paved: 6,200 km unpaved: 65,100 km (2005) Zambia total: 91,440 km paved: 20,117 km unpaved: 71,323 km (2001) Zimbabwe total: 97,267 km paved: 18,481 km unpaved: 78,786 km (2002) ====================================================================== @2086 Field Listing :: Illicit drugs This entry gives information on the five categories of illicit drugs - narcotics, stimulants, depressants (sedatives), hallucinogens, and cannabis. These categories include many drugs legally produced and prescribed by doctors as well as those illegally produced and sold outside of medical channels. Cannabis (Cannabis sativa) is the common hemp plant, which provides hallucinogens with some sedative properties, and includes marijuana (pot, Acapulco gold, grass, reefer), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, Marinol), hashish (hash), and hashish oil (hash oil). Coca (mostly Erythroxylum coca) is a bush with leaves that contain the stimulant used to make cocaine. Coca is not to be confused with cocoa, which comes from cacao seeds and is used in making chocolate, cocoa, and cocoa butter. Cocaine is a stimulant derived from the leaves of the coca bush. Depressants (sedatives) are drugs that reduce tension and anxiety and include chloral hydrate, barbiturates (Amytal, Nembutal, Seconal, phenobarbital), benzodiazepines (Librium, Valium), methaqualone (Quaalude), glutethimide (Doriden), and others (Equanil, Placidyl, Valmid). Drugs are any chemical substances that effect a physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral change in an individual. Drug abuse is the use of any licit or illicit chemical substance that results in physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral impairment in an individual. Hallucinogens are drugs that affect sensation, thinking, self-awareness, and emotion. Hallucinogens include LSD (acid, microdot), mescaline and peyote (mexc, buttons, cactus), amphetamine variants (PMA, STP, DOB), phencyclidine (PCP, angel dust, hog), phencyclidine analogues (PCE, PCPy, TCP), and others (psilocybin, psilocyn). Hashish is the resinous exudate of the cannabis or hemp plant (Cannabis sativa). Heroin is a semisynthetic derivative of morphine. Mandrax is a trade name for methaqualone, a pharmaceutical depressant. Marijuana is the dried leaf of the cannabis or hemp plant (Cannabis sativa). Methaqualone is a pharmaceutical depressant, referred to as mandrax in Southwest Asia and Africa. Narcotics are drugs that relieve pain, often induce sleep, and refer to opium, opium derivatives, and synthetic substitutes. Natural narcotics include opium (paregoric, parepectolin), morphine (MS-Contin, Roxanol), codeine (Tylenol with codeine, Empirin with codeine, Robitussin AC), and thebaine. Semisynthetic narcotics include heroin (horse, smack), and hydromorphone (Dilaudid). Synthetic narcotics include meperidine or Pethidine (Demerol, Mepergan), methadone (Dolophine, Methadose), and others (Darvon, Lomotil). Opium is the brown, gummy exudate of the incised, unripe seedpod of the opium poppy. Opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) is the source for the natural and semisynthetic narcotics. Poppy straw is the entire cut and dried opium poppy-plant material, other than the seeds. Opium is extracted from poppy straw in commercial operations that produce the drug for medical use. Qat (kat, khat) is a stimulant from the buds or leaves of Catha edulis that is chewed or drunk as tea. Quaaludes is the North American slang term for methaqualone, a pharmaceutical depressant. Stimulants are drugs that relieve mild depression, increase energy and activity, and include cocaine (coke, snow, crack), amphetamines (Desoxyn, Dexedrine), ephedrine, ecstasy (clarity, essence, doctor, Adam), phenmetrazine (Preludin), methylphenidate (Ritalin), and others (Cylert, Sanorex, Tenuate). Country Illicit drugs Afghanistan world's largest producer of opium; poppy cultivation decreased 22% to 157,000 hectares in 2008 but remains at a historically high level; less favorable growing conditions in 2008 reduced potential opium production to 5,500 metric tons, down 31 percent from 2007; if the entire opium crop were processed, 648 metric tons of pure heroin potentially could be produced; the Taliban and other antigovernment groups participate in and profit from the opiate trade, which is a key source of revenue for the Taliban inside Afghanistan; widespread corruption and instability impede counterdrug efforts; most of the heroin consumed in Europe and Eurasia is derived from Afghan opium; vulnerable to drug money laundering through informal financial networks; regional source of hashish (2008) Albania increasingly active transshipment point for Southwest Asian opiates, hashish, and cannabis transiting the Balkan route and - to a lesser extent - cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe; limited opium and expanding cannabis production; ethnic Albanian narcotrafficking organizations active and expanding in Europe; vulnerable to money laundering associated with regional trafficking in narcotics, arms, contraband, and illegal aliens Angola used as a transshipment point for cocaine destined for Western Europe and other African states, particularly South Africa Anguilla transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe Antigua and Barbuda considered a minor transshipment point for narcotics bound for the US and Europe; more significant as an offshore financial center Argentina a transshipment country for cocaine headed for Europe, heroin headed for the US, and ephedrine and pseudoephedrine headed for Mexico; some money-laundering activity, especially in the Tri-Border Area; law enforcement corruption; a source for precursor chemicals; increasing domestic consumption of drugs in urban centers, especially cocaine base and synthetic drugs (2008) Armenia illicit cultivation of small amount of cannabis for domestic consumption; minor transit point for illicit drugs - mostly opium and hashish - moving from Southwest Asia to Russia and to a lesser extent the rest of Europe Aruba transit point for US- and Europe-bound narcotics with some accompanying money-laundering activity; relatively high percentage of population consumes cocaine Australia Tasmania is one of the world's major suppliers of licit opiate products; government maintains strict controls over areas of opium poppy cultivation and output of poppy straw concentrate; major consumer of cocaine and amphetamines Austria transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and South American cocaine destined for Western Europe; increasing consumption of European-produced synthetic drugs Azerbaijan limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for CIS consumption; small government eradication program; transit point for Southwest Asian opiates bound for Russia and to a lesser extent the rest of Europe Bahamas, The transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for US and Europe; offshore financial center Bangladesh transit country for illegal drugs produced in neighboring countries Barbados one of many Caribbean transshipment points for narcotics bound for Europe and the US; offshore financial center Belarus limited cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis, mostly for the domestic market; transshipment point for illicit drugs to and via Russia, and to the Baltics and Western Europe; a small and lightly regulated financial center; anti-money-laundering legislation does not meet international standards and was weakened further when know-your-customer requirements were curtailed in 2008; few investigations or prosecutions of money-laundering activities (2008) Belgium growing producer of synthetic drugs and cannabis; transit point for US-bound ecstasy; source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaine processors; transshipment point for cocaine, heroin, hashish, and marijuana entering Western Europe; despite a strengthening of legislation, the country remains vulnerable to money laundering related to narcotics, automobiles, alcohol, and tobacco; significant domestic consumption of ecstasy Belize transshipment point for cocaine; small-scale illicit producer of cannabis, primarily for local consumption; offshore sector money-laundering activity related to narcotics trafficking and other crimes (2008) Benin transshipment point used by traffickers for cocaine destined for Western Europe; vulnerable to money laundering due to poorly enforced financial regulations (2008) Bolivia world's third-largest cultivator of coca (after Colombia and Peru) with an estimated 29,500 hectares under cultivation in 2007, increased slightly when compared to 2006; third largest producer of cocaine, estimated at 120 metric tons potential pure cocaine in 2007; transit country for Peruvian and Colombian cocaine destined for Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Europe; cultivation generally increasing since 2000, despite eradication and alternative crop programs; weak border controls; some money-laundering activity related to narcotics trade; major cocaine consumption (2008) Bosnia and Herzegovina increasingly a transit point for heroin being trafficked to Western Europe; minor transit point for marijuana; remains highly vulnerable to money-laundering activity given a primarily cash-based and unregulated economy, weak law enforcement, and instances of corruption Brazil second-largest consumer of cocaine in the world; illicit producer of cannabis; trace amounts of coca cultivation in the Amazon region, used for domestic consumption; government has a large-scale eradication program to control cannabis; important transshipment country for Bolivian, Colombian, and Peruvian cocaine headed for Europe; also used by traffickers as a way station for narcotics air transshipments between Peru and Colombia; upsurge in drug-related violence and weapons smuggling; important market for Colombian, Bolivian, and Peruvian cocaine; illicit narcotics proceeds are often laundered through the financial system; significant illicit financial activity in the Tri-Border Area (2008) British Virgin Islands transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe; large offshore financial center makes it vulnerable to money laundering Brunei drug trafficking and illegally importing controlled substances are serious offenses in Brunei and carry a mandatory death penalty Bulgaria major European transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and, to a lesser degree, South American cocaine for the European market; limited producer of precursor chemicals; vulnerable to money laundering because of corruption, organized crime; some money laundering of drug-related proceeds through financial institutions (2008) Burma remains world's second largest producer of illicit opium with an estimated production in 2008 of 340 metric tons, an increase of 26%, and poppy cultivation in 2008 totaled 22,500 hectares, a 4% increase from 2007; production in the United Wa State Army's areas of greatest control remains low; Shan state is the source of 94% of Burma's poppy cultivation; lack of government will to take on major narcotrafficking groups and lack of serious commitment against money laundering continues to hinder the overall antidrug effort; major source of methamphetamine and heroin for regional consumption (2008) Cambodia narcotics-related corruption reportedly involving some in the government, military, and police; limited methamphetamine production; vulnerable to money laundering due to its cash-based economy and porous borders Canada illicit producer of cannabis for the domestic drug market and export to US; use of hydroponics technology permits growers to plant large quantities of high-quality marijuana indoors; increasing ecstasy production, some of which is destined for the US; vulnerable to narcotics money laundering because of its mature financial services sector Cape Verde used as a transshipment point for Latin American cocaine destined for Western Europe, particularly because of Lusophone links to Brazil, Portugal, and Guinea-Bissau; has taken steps to deter drug money laundering, including a 2002 anti-money laundering reform that criminalizes laundering the proceeds of narcotics trafficking and other crimes and the establishment in 2008 of a Financial Intelligence Unit (2008) Cayman Islands major offshore financial center; vulnerable to drug transshipment to the US and Europe (2008) Chile transshipment country for cocaine destined for Europe and the region; some money laundering activity, especially through the Iquique Free Trade Zone; imported precursors passed on to Bolivia; domestic cocaine consumption is rising, making Chile a significant consumer of cocaine (2008) China major transshipment point for heroin produced in the Golden Triangle region of Southeast Asia; growing domestic consumption of synthetic drugs, and heroin from Southeast and Southwest Asia; source country for methamphetamine and heroin chemical precursors, despite new regulations on its large chemical industry (2008) Colombia illicit producer of coca, opium poppy, and cannabis; world's leading coca cultivator with 167,000 hectares in coca cultivation in 2007, a 6% increase over 2006, producing a potential of 535 mt of pure cocaine; the world's largest producer of coca derivatives; supplies cocaine to nearly all of the US market and the great majority of other international drug markets; in 2005, aerial eradication dispensed herbicide to treat over 130,000 hectares but aggressive replanting on the part of coca growers means Colombia remains a key producer; a significant portion of narcotics proceeds are either laundered or invested in Colombia through the black market peso exchange; important supplier of heroin to the US market; opium poppy cultivation is estimated to have fallen 25% between 2006 and 2007; most Colombian heroin is destined for the US market (2008) Congo, Democratic Republic of the one of Africa's biggest producers of cannabis, but mostly for domestic consumption; traffickers exploit lax shipping controls to transit pseudoephedrine through the capital; while rampant corruption and inadequate supervision leaves the banking system vulnerable to money laundering, the lack of a well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a money-laundering center (2008) Costa Rica transshipment country for cocaine and heroin from South America; illicit production of cannabis in remote areas; domestic cocaine consumption, particularly crack cocaine, is rising; significant consumption of amphetamines; seizures of smuggled cash in Costa Rica and at the main border crossing to enter Costa Rica from Nicaragua have risen in recent years (2008) Cote d'Ivoire illicit producer of cannabis, mostly for local consumption; utility as a narcotic transshipment point to Europe reduced by ongoing political instability; while rampant corruption and inadequate supervision leave the banking system vulnerable to money laundering, the lack of a developed financial system limits the country's utility as a major money-laundering center (2008) Croatia transit point along the Balkan route for Southwest Asian heroin to Western Europe; has been used as a transit point for maritime shipments of South American cocaine bound for Western Europe (2008) Cuba territorial waters and air space serve as transshipment zone for US- and European-bound drugs; established the death penalty for certain drug-related crimes in 1999 (2008) Cyprus minor transit point for heroin and hashish via air routes and container traffic to Europe, especially from Lebanon and Turkey; some cocaine transits as well; despite a strengthening of anti-money-laundering legislation, remains vulnerable to money laundering; reporting of suspicious transactions in offshore sector remains weak (2008) Czech Republic transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and minor transit point for Latin American cocaine to Western Europe; producer of synthetic drugs for local and regional markets; susceptible to money laundering related to drug trafficking, organized crime; significant consumer of ecstasy (2008) Dominica transshipment point for narcotics bound for the US and Europe; minor cannabis producer (2008) Dominican Republic transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe; has become a transshipment point for ecstasy from the Netherlands and Belgium destined for US and Canada; substantial money laundering activity in particular by Colombian narcotics traffickers; significant amphetamine consumption (2008) Ecuador significant transit country for cocaine originating in Colombia and Peru, with much of the US-bound cocaine passing through Ecuadorian Pacific waters; importer of precursor chemicals used in production of illicit narcotics; attractive location for cash-placement by drug traffickers laundering money because of dollarization and weak anti-money-laundering regime; increased activity on the northern frontier by trafficking groups and Colombian insurgents (2008) Egypt transit point for cannabis, heroin, and opium moving to Europe, Israel, and North Africa; transit stop for Nigerian drug couriers; concern as money laundering site due to lax enforcement of financial regulations El Salvador transshipment point for cocaine; small amounts of marijuana produced for local consumption; significant use of cocaine Estonia growing producer of synthetic drugs; increasingly important transshipment zone for cannabis, cocaine, opiates, and synthetic drugs since joining the European Union and the Schengen Accord; potential money laundering related to organized crime and drug trafficking is a concern, as is possible use of the gambling sector to launder funds; major use of opiates and ecstasy Ethiopia transit hub for heroin originating in Southwest and Southeast Asia and destined for Europe, as well as cocaine destined for markets in southern Africa; cultivates qat (khat) for local use and regional export, principally to Djibouti and Somalia (legal in all three countries); the lack of a well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a money laundering center France metropolitan France: transshipment point for South American cocaine, Southwest Asian heroin, and European synthetics French Guiana: small amount of marijuana grown for local consumption; minor transshipment point to Europe Martinique: transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for the US and Europe Georgia limited cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for domestic consumption; used as transshipment point for opiates via Central Asia to Western Europe and Russia Germany source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaine processors; transshipment point for and consumer of Southwest Asian heroin, Latin American cocaine, and European-produced synthetic drugs; major financial center Ghana illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; major transit hub for Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin and, to a lesser extent, South American cocaine destined for Europe and the US; widespread crime and money laundering problem, but the lack of a well developed financial infrastructure limits the country's utility as a money laundering center; significant domestic cocaine and cannabis use Greece a gateway to Europe for traffickers smuggling cannabis and heroin from the Middle East and Southwest Asia to the West and precursor chemicals to the East; some South American cocaine transits or is consumed in Greece; money laundering related to drug trafficking and organized crime Grenada small-scale cannabis cultivation; lesser transshipment point for marijuana and cocaine to US Guatemala major transit country for cocaine and heroin; in 2005, cultivated 100 hectares of opium poppy after reemerging as a potential source of opium in 2004; potential production of less than 1 metric ton of pure heroin; marijuana cultivation for mostly domestic consumption; proximity to Mexico makes Guatemala a major staging area for drugs (particularly for cocaine); money laundering is a serious problem; corruption is a major problem Guinea-Bissau increasingly important transit country for South American cocaine enroute to Europe; enabling environment for trafficker operations thanks to pervasive corruption; archipelago-like geography around the capital facilitates drug smuggling Guyana transshipment point for narcotics from South America - primarily Venezuela - to Europe and the US; producer of cannabis; rising money laundering related to drug trafficking and human smuggling Haiti Caribbean transshipment point for cocaine en route to the US and Europe; substantial bulk cash smuggling activity; Colombian narcotics traffickers favor Haiti for illicit financial transactions; pervasive corruption; significant consumer of cannabis Honduras transshipment point for drugs and narcotics; illicit producer of cannabis, cultivated on small plots and used principally for local consumption; corruption is a major problem; some money-laundering activity Hong Kong despite strenuous law enforcement efforts, faces difficult challenges in controlling transit of heroin and methamphetamine to regional and world markets; modern banking system provides conduit for money laundering; rising indigenous use of synthetic drugs, especially among young people Hungary transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and cannabis and for South American cocaine destined for Western Europe; limited producer of precursor chemicals, particularly for amphetamine and methamphetamine; efforts to counter money laundering, related to organized crime and drug trafficking, are improving, but remain vulnerable; significant consumer of ecstasy India world's largest producer of licit opium for the pharmaceutical trade, but an undetermined quantity of opium is diverted to illicit international drug markets; transit point for illicit narcotics produced in neighboring countries and throughout Southwest Asia; illicit producer of methaqualone; vulnerable to narcotics money laundering through the hawala system; licit ketamine and precursor production Indonesia illicit producer of cannabis largely for domestic use; producer of methamphetamine and ecstasy Iran despite substantial interdiction efforts and considerable control measures along the border with Afghanistan, Iran remains one of the primary transshipment routes for Southwest Asian heroin to Europe; suffers one of the highest opiate addiction rates in the world, and has an increasing problem with synthetic drugs; lacks anti-money laundering laws; has reached out to neighboring countries to share counter-drug intelligence Ireland transshipment point for and consumer of hashish from North Africa to the UK and Netherlands and of European-produced synthetic drugs; increasing consumption of South American cocaine; minor transshipment point for heroin and cocaine destined for Western Europe; despite recent legislation, narcotics-related money laundering - using bureaux de change, trusts, and shell companies involving the offshore financial community - remains a concern Israel increasingly concerned about ecstasy, cocaine, and heroin abuse; drugs arrive in country from Lebanon and, increasingly, from Jordan; money-laundering center Italy important gateway for and consumer of Latin American cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin entering the European market; money laundering by organized crime and from smuggling Jamaica transshipment point for cocaine from South America to North America and Europe; illicit cultivation and consumption of cannabis; government has an active manual cannabis eradication program; corruption is a major concern; substantial money-laundering activity; Colombian narcotics traffickers favor Jamaica for illicit financial transactions Kazakhstan significant illicit cultivation of cannabis for CIS markets, as well as limited cultivation of opium poppy and ephedra (for the drug ephedrine); limited government eradication of illicit crops; transit point for Southwest Asian narcotics bound for Russia and the rest of Europe; significant consumer of opiates Kenya widespread harvesting of small plots of marijuana; transit country for South Asian heroin destined for Europe and North America; Indian methaqualone also transits on way to South Africa; significant potential for money-laundering activity given the country's status as a regional financial center; massive corruption, and relatively high levels of narcotics-associated activities Korea, North for years, from the 1970s into the 2000s, citizens of the Democratic People's Republic of (North) Korea (DPRK), many of them diplomatic employees of the government, were apprehended abroad while trafficking in narcotics, including two in Turkey in December 2004; police investigations in Taiwan and Japan in recent years have linked North Korea to large illicit shipments of heroin and methamphetamine, including an attempt by the North Korean merchant ship Pong Su to deliver 150 kg of heroin to Australia in April 2003 Kyrgyzstan limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy for CIS markets; limited government eradication of illicit crops; transit point for Southwest Asian narcotics bound for Russia and the rest of Europe; major consumer of opiates Laos estimated opium poppy cultivation in 2008 was 1,900 hectares, about a 73% increase from 2007; estimated potential opium production in 2008 more than tripled to 17 metric tons; unsubstantiated reports of domestic methamphetamine production; growing domestic methamphetamine problem (2007) Latvia transshipment and destination point for cocaine, synthetic drugs, opiates, and cannabis from Southwest Asia, Western Europe, Latin America, and neighboring Balkan countries; despite improved legislation, vulnerable to money laundering due to nascent enforcement capabilities and comparatively weak regulation of offshore companies and the gaming industry; CIS organized crime (including counterfeiting, corruption, extortion, stolen cars, and prostitution) accounts for most laundered proceeds Lebanon cannabis cultivation dramatically reduced to 2,500 hectares in 2002 despite continued significant cannabis consumption; opium poppy cultivation minimal; small amounts of Latin American cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin transit country on way to European markets and for Middle Eastern consumption; money laundering of drug proceeds fuels concern that extremists are benefiting from drug trafficking Liberia transshipment point for Southeast and Southwest Asian heroin and South American cocaine for the European and US markets; corruption, criminal activity, arms-dealing, and diamond trade provide significant potential for money laundering, but the lack of well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a major money-laundering center Liechtenstein has strengthened money laundering controls, but money laundering remains a concern due to Liechtenstein's sophisticated offshore financial services sector Lithuania transshipment and destination point for cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy, and opiates from Southwest Asia, Latin America, Western Europe, and neighboring Baltic countries; growing production of high-quality amphetamines, but limited production of cannabis, methamphetamines; susceptible to money laundering despite changes to banking legislation Macau transshipment point for drugs going into mainland China; consumer of opiates and amphetamines Macedonia major transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and hashish; minor transit point for South American cocaine destined for Europe; although not a financial center and most criminal activity is thought to be domestic, money laundering is a problem due to a mostly cash-based economy and weak enforcement Madagascar illicit producer of cannabis (cultivated and wild varieties) used mostly for domestic consumption; transshipment point for heroin Malaysia drug trafficking prosecuted vigorously and carries severe penalties; heroin still primary drug of abuse, but synthetic drug demand remains strong; continued ecstasy and methamphetamine producer for domestic users and, to a lesser extent, the regional drug market Malta minor transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Western Europe Mauritius consumer and transshipment point for heroin from South Asia; small amounts of cannabis produced and consumed locally; significant offshore financial industry creates potential for money laundering, but corruption levels are relatively low and the government appears generally to be committed to regulating its banking industry Mexico major drug-producing nation; cultivation of opium poppy in 2007 rose to 6,900 hectares yielding a potential production of 18 metric tons of pure heroin, or 50 metric tons of "black tar" heroin, the dominant form of Mexican heroin in the western United States; marijuana cultivation increased to 8,900 hectares in 2007 and yielded a potential production of 15,800 metric tons; government conducts the largest independent illicit-crop eradication program in the world; continues as the primary transshipment country for US-bound cocaine from South America, with an estimated 90% of annual cocaine movements toward the US stopping in Mexico; major drug syndicates control the majority of drug trafficking throughout the country; producer and distributor of ecstasy; significant money-laundering center; major supplier of heroin and largest foreign supplier of marijuana and methamphetamine to the US market (2007) Micronesia, Federated States of major consumer of cannabis Moldova limited cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis, mostly for CIS consumption; transshipment point for illicit drugs from Southwest Asia via Central Asia to Russia, Western Europe, and possibly the US; widespread crime and underground economic activity Montserrat transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe Morocco one of the world's largest producers of illicit hashish; shipments of hashish mostly directed to Western Europe; transit point for cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe; significant consumer of cannabis Mozambique southern African transit point for South Asian hashish and heroin, and South American cocaine probably destined for the European and South African markets; producer of cannabis (for local consumption) and methaqualone (for export to South Africa); corruption and poor regulatory capability makes the banking system vulnerable to money laundering, but the lack of a well-developed financial infrastructure limits the country's utility as a money-laundering center Nepal illicit producer of cannabis and hashish for the domestic and international drug markets; transit point for opiates from Southeast Asia to the West Netherlands major European producer of synthetic drugs, including ecstasy, and cannabis cultivator; important gateway for cocaine, heroin, and hashish entering Europe; major source of US-bound ecstasy; large financial sector vulnerable to money laundering; significant consumer of ecstasy Netherlands Antilles transshipment point for South American drugs bound for the US and Europe; money-laundering center New Zealand significant consumer of amphetamines Nicaragua transshipment point for cocaine destined for the US and transshipment point for arms-for-drugs dealing Nigeria a transit point for heroin and cocaine intended for European, East Asian, and North American markets; consumer of amphetamines; safe haven for Nigerian narcotraffickers operating worldwide; major money-laundering center; massive corruption and criminal activity; Nigeria has improved some anti-money-laundering controls, resulting in its removal from the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF's) Noncooperative Countries and Territories List in June 2006; Nigeria's anti-money-laundering regime continues to be monitored by FATF Pakistan significant transit area for Afghan drugs, including heroin, opium, morphine, and hashish, bound for Iran, Western markets, the Gulf States, Africa, and Asia; financial crimes related to drug trafficking, terrorism, corruption, and smuggling remain problems; opium poppy cultivation estimated to be 2,300 hectares in 2007 with 600 of those hectares eradicated; federal and provincial authorities continue to conduct anti-poppy campaigns that utilizes forced eradication, fines, and arrests Panama major cocaine transshipment point and primary money-laundering center for narcotics revenue; money-laundering activity is especially heavy in the Colon Free Zone; offshore financial center; negligible signs of coca cultivation; monitoring of financial transactions is improving; official corruption remains a major problem Papua New Guinea major consumer of cannabis Paraguay major illicit producer of cannabis, most or all of which is consumed in Brazil, Argentina, and Chile; transshipment country for Andean cocaine headed for Brazil, other Southern Cone markets, and Europe; weak border controls, extensive corruption and money-laundering activity, especially in the Tri-Border Area; weak anti-money-laundering laws and enforcement Peru until 1996 the world's largest coca leaf producer, Peru is now the world's second largest producer of coca leaf, though it lags far behind Colombia; cultivation of coca in Peru declined to 36,000 hectares in 2007; second largest producer of cocaine, estimated at 210 metric tons of potential pure cocaine in 2007; finished cocaine is shipped out from Pacific ports to the international drug market; increasing amounts of base and finished cocaine, however, are being moved to Brazil, Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia for use in the Southern Cone or transshipment to Europe and Africa; increasing domestic drug consumption Philippines domestic methamphetamine production has been a growing problem in recent years despite government crackdowns; major consumer of amphetamines; longstanding marijuana producer mainly in rural areas where Manila's control is limited Poland despite diligent counternarcotics measures and international information sharing on cross-border crimes, a major illicit producer of synthetic drugs for the international market; minor transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and Latin American cocaine to Western Europe Portugal seizing record amounts of Latin American cocaine destined for Europe; a European gateway for Southwest Asian heroin; transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Europe; consumer of Southwest Asian heroin Romania major transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin transiting the Balkan route and small amounts of Latin American cocaine bound for Western Europe; although not a significant financial center, role as a narcotics conduit leaves it vulnerable to laundering, which occurs via the banking system, currency exchange houses, and casinos Russia limited cultivation of illicit cannabis and opium poppy and producer of methamphetamine, mostly for domestic consumption; government has active illicit crop eradication program; used as transshipment point for Asian opiates, cannabis, and Latin American cocaine bound for growing domestic markets, to a lesser extent Western and Central Europe, and occasionally to the US; major source of heroin precursor chemicals; corruption and organized crime are key concerns; major consumer of opiates Saint Kitts and Nevis transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe; some money-laundering activity Saint Lucia transit point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe Saint Vincent and the Grenadines transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe; small-scale cannabis cultivation Saudi Arabia death penalty for traffickers; improving anti-money-laundering legislation and enforcement Senegal transshipment point for Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin and South American cocaine moving to Europe and North America; illicit cultivator of cannabis Serbia transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin moving to Western Europe on the Balkan route; economy vulnerable to money laundering Singapore drug abuse limited because of aggressive law enforcement efforts; as a transportation and financial services hub, Singapore is vulnerable, despite strict laws and enforcement, as a venue for money laundering Slovakia transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin bound for Western Europe; producer of synthetic drugs for regional market; consumer of ecstasy Slovenia minor transit point for cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin bound for Western Europe, and for precursor chemicals South Africa transshipment center for heroin, hashish, and cocaine, as well as a major cultivator of marijuana in its own right; cocaine and heroin consumption on the rise; world's largest market for illicit methaqualone, usually imported illegally from India through various east African countries, but increasingly producing its own synthetic drugs for domestic consumption; attractive venue for money launderers given the increasing level of organized criminal and narcotics activity in the region and the size of the South African economy Spain despite rigorous law enforcement efforts, North African, Latin American, Galician, and other European traffickers take advantage of Spain's long coastline to land large shipments of cocaine and hashish for distribution to the European market; consumer for Latin American cocaine and North African hashish; destination and minor transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin; money-laundering site for Colombian narcotics trafficking organizations and organized crime Suriname growing transshipment point for South American drugs destined for Europe via the Netherlands and Brazil; transshipment point for arms-for-drugs dealing Switzerland a major international financial center vulnerable to the layering and integration stages of money laundering; despite significant legislation and reporting requirements, secrecy rules persist and nonresidents are permitted to conduct business through offshore entities and various intermediaries; transit country for and consumer of South American cocaine, Southwest Asian heroin, and Western European synthetics; domestic cannabis cultivation and limited ecstasy production Syria a transit point for opiates, hashish, and cocaine bound for regional and Western markets; weak anti-money-laundering controls and bank privatization may leave it vulnerable to money laundering Taiwan regional transit point for heroin, methamphetamine, and precursor chemicals; transshipment point for drugs to Japan; major problem with domestic consumption of methamphetamine and heroin; rising problems with use of ketamine and club drugs Tajikistan major transit country for Afghan narcotics bound for Russian and, to a lesser extent, Western European markets; limited illicit cultivation of opium poppy for domestic consumption; Tajikistan seizes roughly 80% of all drugs captured in Central Asia and stands third worldwide in seizures of opiates (heroin and raw opium); significant consumer of opiates Tanzania targeted by traffickers moving hashish, Afghan heroin, and South American cocaine transported down the East African coastline, through airports, or overland through Central Africa; Zanzibar likely used by traffickers for drug smuggling; traffickers in the past have recruited Tanzanian couriers to move drugs through Iran into East Asia. Thailand a minor producer of opium, heroin, and marijuana; transit point for illicit heroin en route to the international drug market from Burma and Laos; eradication efforts have reduced the area of cannabis cultivation and shifted some production to neighboring countries; opium poppy cultivation has been reduced by eradication efforts; also a drug money-laundering center; minor role in methamphetamine production for regional consumption; major consumer of methamphetamine since the 1990s despite a series of government crackdowns Timor-Leste NA Togo transit hub for Nigerian heroin and cocaine traffickers; money laundering not a significant problem Trinidad and Tobago transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe; producer of cannabis Turkey key transit route for Southwest Asian heroin to Western Europe and, to a lesser extent, the US - via air, land, and sea routes; major Turkish and other international trafficking organizations operate out of Istanbul; laboratories to convert imported morphine base into heroin exist in remote regions of Turkey and near Istanbul; government maintains strict controls over areas of legal opium poppy cultivation and over output of poppy straw concentrate; lax enforcement of money-laundering controls Turkmenistan transit country for Afghan narcotics bound for Russian and Western European markets; transit point for heroin precursor chemicals bound for Afghanistan Turks and Caicos Islands transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe Ukraine limited cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for CIS consumption; some synthetic drug production for export to the West; limited government eradication program; used as transshipment point for opiates and other illicit drugs from Africa, Latin America, and Turkey to Europe and Russia; Ukraine has improved anti-money-laundering controls, resulting in its removal from the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF's) Noncooperative Countries and Territories List in February 2004; Ukraine's anti-money-laundering regime continues to be monitored by FATF United Arab Emirates the UAE is a drug transshipment point for traffickers given its proximity to Southwest Asian drug-producing countries; the UAE's position as a major financial center makes it vulnerable to money laundering; anti-money-laundering controls improving, but informal banking remains unregulated United Kingdom producer of limited amounts of synthetic drugs and synthetic precursor chemicals; major consumer of Southwest Asian heroin, Latin American cocaine, and synthetic drugs; money-laundering center United States world's largest consumer of cocaine (shipped from Colombia through Mexico and the Caribbean), Colombian heroin, and Mexican heroin and marijuana; major consumer of ecstasy and Mexican methamphetamine; minor consumer of high-quality Southeast Asian heroin; illicit producer of cannabis, marijuana, depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, and methamphetamine; money-laundering center Uruguay small-scale transit country for drugs mainly bound for Europe, often through sea-borne containers; law enforcement corruption; money laundering because of strict banking secrecy laws; weak border control along Brazilian frontier; increasing consumption of cocaine base and synthetic drugs Uzbekistan transit country for Afghan narcotics bound for Russian and, to a lesser extent, Western European markets; limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and small amounts of opium poppy for domestic consumption; poppy cultivation almost wiped out by government crop eradication program; transit point for heroin precursor chemicals bound for Afghanistan Venezuela small-scale illicit producer of opium and coca for the processing of opiates and coca derivatives; however, large quantities of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana transit the country from Colombia bound for US and Europe; significant narcotics-related money-laundering activity, especially along the border with Colombia and on Margarita Island; active eradication program primarily targeting opium; increasing signs of drug-related activities by Colombian insurgents on border Vietnam minor producer of opium poppy; probable minor transit point for Southeast Asian heroin; government continues to face domestic opium/heroin/methamphetamine addiction problems despite longstanding crackdowns World cocaine: worldwide coca leaf cultivation in 2007 amounted to 232,500 hectares; Colombia produced slightly more than two-thirds of the worldwide crop, followed by Peru and Bolivia; potential pure cocaine production decreased 7% to 865 metric tons in 2007; Colombia conducts an aggressive coca eradication campaign, but both Peruvian and Bolivian Governments are hesitant to eradicate coca in key growing areas; 551 metric tons of export-quality cocaine (85% pure) is documented to have been seized or destroyed in 2005; US consumption of export quality cocaine is estimated to have been in excess of 380 metric tons opiates: worldwide illicit opium poppy cultivation continued to increase in 2007, with a potential opium production of 8,400 metric tons, reaching the highest levels recorded since estimates began in mid-1980s; Afghanistan is world's primary opium producer, accounting for 95% of the global supply; Southeast Asia - responsible for 9% of global opium - saw marginal increases in production; Latin America produced 1% of global opium, but most was refined into heroin destined for the US market; if all potential opium was processed into pure heroin, the potential global production would be 1,000 metric tons of heroin in 2007 Zambia transshipment point for moderate amounts of methaqualone, small amounts of heroin, and cocaine bound for southern Africa and possibly Europe; a poorly developed financial infrastructure coupled with a government commitment to combating money laundering make it an unattractive venue for money launderers; major consumer of cannabis Zimbabwe transit point for cannabis and South Asian heroin, mandrax, and methamphetamines en route to South Africa ====================================================================== @2087 Field Listing :: Imports This entry provides the total US dollar amount of merchandise imports on a c.i.f. (cost, insurance, and freight) or f.o.b. (free on board) basis. These figures are calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. Country Comparison to the World Country Imports Afghanistan $4.85 billion (2007) $3.823 billion (2006) Albania $4.898 billion (2008 est.) $3.999 billion (2007 est.) Algeria $39.16 billion (2008 est.) $26.4 billion (2007 est.) American Samoa $308.8 million (FY04 est.) Andorra $1.789 billion (2007) $1.879 billion (2005) Angola $17.08 billion (2008 est.) $13.66 billion (2007 est.) Anguilla $143 million (2006) Antigua and Barbuda $522.8 million (2007 est.) Argentina $54.56 billion (2008 est.) $42.53 billion (2007 est.) Armenia $3.763 billion (2008 est.) $2.797 billion (2007 est.) Aruba $1.054 billion (2006) Australia $194.2 billion (2008 est.) $160.2 billion (2007 est.) Austria $179.2 billion (2008 est.) $160.3 billion (2007 est.) Azerbaijan $7.575 billion (2008 est.) $6.045 billion (2007 est.) Bahamas, The $2.401 billion (2006) Bahrain $14.25 billion (2008 est.) $10.93 billion (2007 est.) Bangladesh $21.51 billion (2008 est.) $16.67 billion (2007 est.) Barbados $1.586 billion (2006) Belarus $39.16 billion (2008 est.) $28.4 billion (2007 est.) Belgium $387.7 billion (2008 est.) $320.9 billion (2007 est.) Belize $788.1 million (2008 est.) $642 million (2007 est.) Benin $1.843 billion (2008 est.) $1.194 billion (2007 est.) Bermuda $1.162 billion (2006) Bhutan $320 million (2006) Bolivia $4.641 billion (2008 est.) $3.24 billion (2007 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina $12.29 billion (2008 est.) $9.947 billion (2007 est.) Botswana $4.486 billion (2008 est.) $3.447 billion (2007 est.) Brazil $173.1 billion (2008 est.) $120.6 billion (2007 est.) British Virgin Islands $187 million f.o.b. Brunei $2.055 billion (2007 est.) $2 billion (2006 est.) Bulgaria $35.64 billion (2008 est.) $28.65 billion (2007 est.) Burkina Faso $1.343 billion (2008 est.) $1.221 billion (2007 est.) Burma $3.388 billion (2008 est.) $2.964 billion (2007 est.) note: import figures are grossly underestimated due to the value of consumer goods, diesel fuel, and other products smuggled in from Thailand, China, Malaysia, and India Burundi $350 million (2008 est.) $257.6 million (2007 est.) Cambodia $6.534 billion (2008 est.) $5.424 billion (2007 est.) Cameroon $4.303 billion (2008 est.) $4.05 billion (2007 est.) Canada $415.2 billion (2008 est.) $386.6 billion (2007 est.) Cape Verde $864 million (2008 est.) $743.6 million (2007 est.) Cayman Islands $866.9 million (2004) Central African Republic $237.3 million (2007 est.) Chad $1.927 billion (2008 est.) $1.541 billion (2007 est.) Chile $57.61 billion (2008 est.) $44.03 billion (2007 est.) China $1.074 trillion (2008 est.) $904.6 billion (2007 est.) Christmas Island $NA Cocos (Keeling) Islands $NA Colombia $37.56 billion (2008 est.) $31.17 billion (2007 est.) Comoros $143 million (2006) Congo, Democratic Republic of the $5.2 billion (2007) $2.263 billion (2006) Congo, Republic of the $3.105 billion (2008 est.) $2.858 billion (2007 est.) Cook Islands $81.04 million (2005) Costa Rica $14.55 billion (2008 est.) $12.29 billion (2007 est.) Cote d'Ivoire $6.76 billion (2008 est.) $5.932 billion (2007 est.) Croatia $30.42 billion (2008 est.) $25.56 billion (2007 est.) Cuba $14.25 billion (2008 est.) $10.08 billion (2007 est.) Cyprus $10.54 billion (2008 est.) $7.957 billion (2007 est.) Czech Republic $139.4 billion (2008 est.) $116.8 billion (2007 est.) Denmark $116.4 billion (2008 est.) $100.8 billion (2007 est.) Djibouti $1.555 billion (2006) Dominica $296 million (2006) Dominican Republic $16.1 billion (2008 est.) $13.6 billion (2007 est.) Ecuador $17.79 billion (2008 est.) $13.05 billion (2007 est.) Egypt $56.62 billion (2008 est.) $44.95 billion (2007 est.) El Salvador $9.003 billion (2008 est.) $8.108 billion (2007 est.) Equatorial Guinea $3.114 billion (2008 est.) $2.365 billion (2007 est.) Eritrea $601 million (2008 est.) $580 million (2007 est.) Estonia $15.35 billion (2008 est.) $14.75 billion (2007 est.) Ethiopia $7.206 billion (2008 est.) $5.156 billion (2007 est.) European Union $1.69 trillion (2007) $1.466 trillion (2005) note: external imports, excluding intra-EU trade Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) $90 million (2004 est.) Faroe Islands $751 million (2006) Fiji $3.12 billion (2006) Finland $87.51 billion (2008 est.) $78.22 billion (2007 est.) France $692 billion (2008 est.) $600.9 billion (2007 est.) French Polynesia $1.706 billion (2005 est.) Gabon $2.577 billion (2008 est.) $2.2 billion (2007 est.) Gambia, The $299 million (2008 est.) $262.9 million (2007 est.) Gaza Strip $2.84 billion (2006) $2.44 billion (2005) Georgia $6.261 billion (2008 est.) $4.984 billion (2007 est.) Germany $1.232 trillion (2008 est.) $1.079 trillion (2007 est.) Ghana $10.26 billion (2008 est.) $8.066 billion (2007 est.) Gibraltar $2.967 billion (2004 est.) Greece $93.91 billion (2008 est.) $80.79 billion (2007 est.) Greenland $712 million (2006) Grenada $343 million (2006) Guam $701 million (2004 est.) Guatemala $13.42 billion (2008 est.) $12.48 billion (2007 est.) Guernsey $NA Guinea $1.389 billion (2008 est.) $1.218 billion (2007 est.) Guinea-Bissau $200 million (2006) Guyana $1.294 billion (2008 est.) $982.9 million (2007 est.) Haiti $2.107 billion (2008 est.) $1.618 billion (2007 est.) Honduras $10.39 billion (2008 est.) $8.82 billion (2007 est.) Hong Kong $388.4 billion (2008 est.) $365.6 billion (2007 est.) Hungary $106.5 billion (2008 est.) $93.4 billion (2007 est.) Iceland $5.699 billion (2008 est.) $6.181 billion (2007 est.) India $315.1 billion (2008 est.) $231.6 billion (2007 est.) Indonesia $116 billion (2008 est.) $85.26 billion (2007 est.) Iran $67.25 billion (2008 est.) $56.58 billion (2007 est.) Iraq $37.22 billion (2008 est.) $25.67 billion (2007 est.) Ireland $84.82 billion (2008 est.) $84.76 billion (2007 est.) Isle of Man $NA Israel $64.4 billion (2008 est.) $55.93 billion (2007 est.) Italy $546.9 billion (2008 est.) $498.1 billion (2007 est.) Jamaica $7.185 billion (2008 est.) $5.789 billion (2007 est.) Japan $708.3 billion (2008 est.) $573.3 billion (2007 est.) Jersey $NA Jordan $14.99 billion (2008 est.) $12.02 billion (2007 est.) Kazakhstan $38.45 billion (2008 est.) $33.26 billion (2007 est.) Kenya $10.69 billion (2008 est.) $8.381 billion (2007 est.) Kiribati $62 million (2004 est.) Korea, North $3.055 billion (2007) $2.879 billion (2006) Korea, South $427.4 billion (2008 est.) $349.6 billion (2007 est.) Kosovo $2.6 billion f.o.b. Kuwait $22.94 billion (2008 est.) $20.63 billion (2007 est.) Kyrgyzstan $3.754 billion (2008 est.) $2.636 billion (2007 est.) Laos $1.384 billion (2008 est.) $1.065 billion (2007 est.) Latvia $15.65 billion (2008 est.) $15.13 billion (2007 est.) Lebanon $16.25 billion (2008 est.) $11.93 billion (2007 est.) Lesotho $1.88 billion (2008 est.) $1.604 billion (2007 est.) Liberia $7.143 billion (2006) Libya $26.55 billion (2008 est.) $17.7 billion (2007 est.) Liechtenstein $917.3 million Lithuania $29.3 billion (2008 est.) $23.04 billion (2007 est.) Luxembourg $27.73 billion (2008 est.) $23.09 billion (2007 est.) Macau $5.4 billion (2008 est.) $4.559 billion (2006 est.) Macedonia $6.523 billion (2008 est.) $4.976 billion (2007 est.) Madagascar $2.419 billion (2008 est.) $1.944 billion (2007 est.) Malawi $1.587 billion (2008 est.) $1.323 billion (2007 est.) Malaysia $154.7 billion (2008 est.) $139.1 billion (2007 est.) Maldives $1.276 billion (2008 est.) $930 million (2006 est.) Mali $2.358 billion (2006) Malta $4.792 billion (2008 est.) $4.655 billion (2007 est.) Marshall Islands $79.4 million (2008 est.) $54.7 million (2000 est.) Mauritania $1.475 billion (2006) Mauritius $4.399 billion (2008 est.) $3.656 billion (2007 est.) Mayotte $341 million (2005) Mexico $308.6 billion (2008 est.) $281.9 billion (2007 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of $132.7 million (2004) Moldova $4.87 billion (2008 est.) $3.676 billion (2007 est.) Monaco $916.1 million (2005) note: full customs integration with France, which collects and rebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates in EU market system through customs union with France Mongolia $3.615 billion (2008) $2.117 billion (2007) Montenegro $601.7 million (2003) Montserrat $17 million Morocco $39.35 billion (2008 est.) $29.32 billion (2007 est.) Mozambique $3.458 billion (2008 est.) $2.811 billion (2007 est.) Namibia $3.849 billion (2008 est.) $3.102 billion (2007 est.) Nauru $20 million (2004 est.) Nepal $3.229 billion (2008) $2.398 billion (2006) Netherlands $474.8 billion (2008 est.) $406.2 billion (2007 est.) Netherlands Antilles $15.74 billion (2006) New Caledonia $1.998 billion (2006) New Zealand $32.76 billion (2008 est.) $29.05 billion (2007 est.) Nicaragua $4.848 billion (2008 est.) $4.117 billion (2007 est.) Niger $800 million (2006) Nigeria $46.3 billion (2008 est.) $38.8 billion (2007 est.) Niue $9.038 million (2004) Norfolk Island $17.9 million c.i.f. Northern Mariana Islands $214.4 million (2001) Norway $85.95 billion (2008 est.) $77.03 billion (2007 est.) Oman $20.71 billion (2008 est.) $14.34 billion (2007 est.) Pakistan $38.19 billion (2008 est.) $28.76 billion (2007 est.) Palau $107.3 million (2004 est.) Panama $15 billion (2008 est.) $12.52 billion (2007 est.) note: includes the Colon Free Zone Papua New Guinea $3.124 billion (2008 est.) $2.629 billion (2007 est.) Paraguay $8.809 billion (2008 est.) $6.008 billion (2007 est.) Peru $28.44 billion (2008 est.) $19.6 billion (2007 est.) Philippines $60.78 billion (2008 est.) $57.9 billion (2007 est.) Pitcairn Islands $NA Poland $204.4 billion (2008 est.) $162.4 billion (2007 est.) Portugal $87.83 billion (2008 est.) $75.98 billion (2007 est.) Puerto Rico $29.1 billion c.i.f. Qatar $25.11 billion (2008 est.) $19.82 billion (2007 est.) Romania $76.17 billion (2008 est.) $64.54 billion (2007 est.) Russia $291.9 billion (2008 est.) $223.5 billion (2007 est.) Rwanda $834 million (2008 est.) $637 million (2007 est.) Saint Helena $45 million (2004 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis $383 million (2006) Saint Lucia $791 million (2006) Saint Pierre and Miquelon $68.2 million (2005 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines $578 million (2006) Samoa $324 million (2006) San Marino $3.744 billion (2007) $2.035 billion (2004) Sao Tome and Principe $87 million (2008 est.) $65 million (2007 est.) Saudi Arabia $108.3 billion (2008 est.) $82.6 billion (2007 est.) Senegal $4.263 billion (2008 est.) $3.732 billion (2007 est.) Serbia $18.35 billion (2007 est.) Seychelles $1.018 billion (2008 est.) $804 million (2007 est.) Sierra Leone $560 million (2006) Singapore $309.6 billion (2008 est.) $254 billion (2007 est.) Slovakia $73.62 billion (2008 est.) $65.47 billion (2007 est.) Slovenia $33.49 billion (2008 est.) $29.42 billion (2007 est.) Solomon Islands $256 million (2006) Somalia $798 million (2006) South Africa $90.57 billion (2008 est.) $81.66 billion (2007 est.) Spain $415.5 billion (2008 est.) $380.2 billion (2007 est.) Sri Lanka $12.61 billion (2008 est.) $10.17 billion (2007 est.) Sudan $8.229 billion (2008 est.) $7.722 billion (2007 est.) Suriname $1.297 billion (2006 est.) Svalbard $NA Swaziland $1.855 billion (2008 est.) $1.926 billion (2007 est.) Sweden $167.8 billion (2008 est.) $152.2 billion (2007 est.) Switzerland $227.4 billion (2008 est.) $187.7 billion (2007 est.) Syria $15.97 billion (2008 est.) $12.27 billion (2007 est.) Taiwan $236.7 billion (2008 est.) $216.1 billion (2007 est.) Tajikistan $3.699 billion (2008 est.) $3.115 billion (2007 est.) Tanzania $7.08 billion (2008 est.) $4.861 billion (2007 est.) Thailand $157.3 billion (2008 est.) $124.5 billion (2007 est.) Timor-Leste $202 million (2004 est.) Togo $1.541 billion (2008 est.) $1.264 billion (2007 est.) Tokelau $969,200 (2002) Tonga $139 million (2006) Trinidad and Tobago $9.788 billion (2008 est.) $7.67 billion (2007 est.) Tunisia $23.23 billion (2008 est.) $18.02 billion (2007 est.) Turkey $193.9 billion (2008 est.) $162 billion (2007 est.) Turkmenistan $5.654 billion (2008 est.) $3.615 billion (2007 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands $175.6 million Tuvalu $12.91 million (2005) Uganda $3.98 billion (2008 est.) $2.983 billion (2007 est.) Ukraine $83.81 billion (2008 est.) $60.41 billion (2007 est.) United Arab Emirates $176.3 billion (2008 est.) $116.6 billion (2007 est.) United Kingdom $639.3 billion (2008 est.) $620.7 billion (2007 est.) United States $2.117 trillion (2008 est.) $1.968 trillion (2007 est.) Uruguay $8.799 billion (2008 est.) $5.598 billion (2007 est.) Uzbekistan $7.07 billion (2008 est.) $5.73 billion (2007 est.) Vanuatu $156 million (2006) Venezuela $48.1 billion (2008 est.) $45.46 billion (2007 est.) Vietnam $75.47 billion (2008 est.) $58.92 billion (2007 est.) Virgin Islands $4.609 billion (2001) Wallis and Futuna $61.17 million (2004) West Bank $1.3 billion (2006) $2.44 billion (2005) Western Sahara $NA World $15.97 trillion (2008 est.) $13.74 trillion (2007 est.) Yemen $8.829 billion (2008 est.) $7.49 billion (2007 est.) Zambia $4.694 billion (2008 est.) $3.611 billion (2007 est.) Zimbabwe $1.915 billion (2008 est.) $1.975 billion (2007 est.) ====================================================================== @2088 Field Listing :: Independence For most countries, this entry gives the date that sovereignty was achieved and from which nation, empire, or trusteeship. For the other countries, the date given may not represent "independence" in the strict sense, but rather some significant nationhood event such as the traditional founding date or the date of unification, federation, confederation, establishment, fundamental change in the form of government, or state succession. Dependent areas include the notation "none" followed by the nature of their dependency status. Also see the Terminology note. Country Independence Afghanistan 19 August 1919 (from UK control over Afghan foreign affairs) Albania 28 November 1912 (from the Ottoman Empire) Algeria 5 July 1962 (from France) American Samoa none (territory of the US) Andorra 1278 (formed under the joint suzerainty of the French Count of Foix and the Spanish Bishop of Urgel) Angola 11 November 1975 (from Portugal) Anguilla none (overseas territory of the UK) Antigua and Barbuda 1 November 1981 (from the UK) Argentina 9 July 1816 (from Spain) Armenia 21 September 1991 (from the Soviet Union) Aruba none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) Australia 1 January 1901 (federation of UK colonies) Austria 976 (Margravate of Austria established); 17 September 1156 (Duchy of Austria founded); 11 August 1804 (Austrian Empire proclaimed); 12 November 1918 (republic proclaimed) Azerbaijan 30 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union) Bahamas, The 10 July 1973 (from the UK) Bahrain 15 August 1971 (from the UK) Bangladesh 16 December 1971 (from West Pakistan); note - 26 March 1971 is the date of independence from West Pakistan, 16 December 1971 is known as Victory Day and commemorates the official creation of the state of Bangladesh Barbados 30 November 1966 (from the UK) Belarus 25 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union) Belgium 4 October 1830 (a provisional government declared independence from the Netherlands); 21 July 1831 (King LEOPOLD I ascended to the throne) Belize 21 September 1981 (from the UK) Benin 1 August 1960 (from France) Bermuda none (overseas territory of the UK) Bhutan 1907 (became a unified kingdom under its first hereditary king) Bolivia 6 August 1825 (from Spain) Bosnia and Herzegovina 1 March 1992 (from Yugoslavia; referendum for independence completed 1 March 1992; independence declared 3 March 1992) Botswana 30 September 1966 (from the UK) Brazil 7 September 1822 (from Portugal) British Virgin Islands none (overseas territory of the UK) Brunei 1 January 1984 (from the UK) Bulgaria 3 March 1878 (as an autonomous principality within the Ottoman Empire); 22 September 1908 (complete independence from the Ottoman Empire) Burkina Faso 5 August 1960 (from France) Burma 4 January 1948 (from the UK) Burundi 1 July 1962 (from UN trusteeship under Belgian administration) Cambodia 9 November 1953 (from France) Cameroon 1 January 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship) Canada 1 July 1867 (union of British North American colonies); 11 December 1931 (recognized by UK) Cape Verde 5 July 1975 (from Portugal) Cayman Islands none (overseas territory of the UK) Central African Republic 13 August 1960 (from France) Chad 11 August 1960 (from France) Chile 18 September 1810 (from Spain) China 221 BC (unification under the Qin or Ch'in Dynasty); 1 January 1912 (Qing or Ch'ing Dynasty replaced by the Republic of China); 1 October 1949 (People's Republic of China established) Christmas Island none (territory of Australia) Cocos (Keeling) Islands none (territory of Australia) Colombia 20 July 1810 (from Spain) Comoros 6 July 1975 (from France) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 30 June 1960 (from Belgium) Congo, Republic of the 15 August 1960 (from France) Cook Islands none (became self-governing in free association with New Zealand on 4 August 1965 and has the right at any time to move to full independence by unilateral action) Costa Rica 15 September 1821 (from Spain) Cote d'Ivoire 7 August 1960 (from France) Croatia 25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia) Cuba 20 May 1902 (from Spain 10 December 1898; administered by the US from 1898 to 1902); not acknowledged by the Cuban Government as a day of independence Cyprus 16 August 1960 (from the UK); note - Turkish Cypriots proclaimed self-rule on 13 February 1975 and independence in 1983, but these proclamations are only recognized by Turkey Czech Republic 1 January 1993 (Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia) Denmark first organized as a unified state in 10th century; in 1849 became a constitutional monarchy Djibouti 27 June 1977 (from France) Dominica 3 November 1978 (from the UK) Dominican Republic 27 February 1844 (from Haiti) Ecuador 24 May 1822 (from Spain) Egypt 28 February 1922 (from the UK) El Salvador 15 September 1821 (from Spain) Equatorial Guinea 12 October 1968 (from Spain) Eritrea 24 May 1993 (from Ethiopia) Estonia 20 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union) Ethiopia oldest independent country in Africa and one of the oldest in the world - at least 2,000 years European Union 7 February 1992 (Maastricht Treaty signed establishing the EU); 1 November 1993 (Maastricht Treaty entered into force) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) Faroe Islands none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) Fiji 10 October 1970 (from the UK) Finland 6 December 1917 (from Russia) France 486 (Frankish tribes unified); 843 (Western Francia established from the division of the Carolingian Empire) French Polynesia none (overseas lands of France) Gabon 17 August 1960 (from France) Gambia, The 18 February 1965 (from the UK) Georgia 9 April 1991 (from the Soviet Union) Germany 18 January 1871 (German Empire unification); divided into four zones of occupation (UK, US, USSR, and later, France) in 1945 following World War II; Federal Republic of Germany (FRG or West Germany) proclaimed 23 May 1949 and included the former UK, US, and French zones; German Democratic Republic (GDR or East Germany) proclaimed 7 October 1949 and included the former USSR zone; West Germany and East Germany unified 3 October 1990; all four powers formally relinquished rights 15 March 1991 Ghana 6 March 1957 (from the UK) Gibraltar none (overseas territory of the UK) Greece 1829 (from the Ottoman Empire) Greenland none (extensive self-rule as part of the Kingdom of Denmark; foreign affairs is the responsibility of Denmark, but Greenland actively participates in international agreements relating to Greenland) Grenada 7 February 1974 (from the UK) Guam none (territory of the US) Guatemala 15 September 1821 (from Spain) Guernsey none (British crown dependency) Guinea 2 October 1958 (from France) Guinea-Bissau 24 September 1973 (declared); 10 September 1974 (from Portugal) Guyana 26 May 1966 (from the UK) Haiti 1 January 1804 (from France) Holy See (Vatican City) 11 February 1929 (from Italy); note - the three treaties signed with Italy on 11 February 1929 acknowledged, among other things, the full sovereignty of the Vatican and established its territorial extent; however, the origin of the Papal States, which over the years have varied considerably in extent, may be traced back to the 8th century Honduras 15 September 1821 (from Spain) Hong Kong none (special administrative region of China) Hungary 25 December 1000 (crowning of King STEPHEN I, traditional founding date) Iceland 1 December 1918 (became a sovereign state under the Danish Crown); 17 June 1944 (from Denmark) India 15 August 1947 (from the UK) Indonesia 17 August 1945 (declared); 27 December 1949 (by the Netherlands) note: in August 2005, the Netherlands announced it recognized de facto Indonesian independence on 17 August 1945 Iran 1 April 1979 (Islamic Republic of Iran proclaimed) Iraq 3 October 1932 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration); note - on 28 June 2004 the Coalition Provisional Authority transferred sovereignty to the Iraqi-controlled Government Ireland 6 December 1921 (from the UK by treaty) Isle of Man none (British crown dependency) Israel 14 May 1948 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration) Italy 17 March 1861 (Kingdom of Italy proclaimed; Italy was not finally unified until 1870) Jamaica 6 August 1962 (from the UK) Japan 660 B.C. (traditional date of the founding of the nation by Emperor JIMMU; first recognized by Emperor Meiji in 1873) Jersey none (British crown dependency) Jordan 25 May 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration) Kazakhstan 16 December 1991 (from the Soviet Union) Kenya 12 December 1963 (from the UK) Kiribati 12 July 1979 (from the UK) Korea, North 15 August 1945 (from Japan) Korea, South 15 August 1945 (from Japan) Kosovo 17 February 2008 (from Serbia) Kuwait 19 June 1961 (from the UK) Kyrgyzstan 31 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union) Laos 19 July 1949 (from France) Latvia 18 November 1918 (from the Soviet Russia) Lebanon 22 November 1943 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration) Lesotho 4 October 1966 (from the UK) Liberia 26 July 1847 Libya 24 December 1951 (from UN trusteeship) Liechtenstein 23 January 1719 (Principality of Liechtenstein established); 12 July 1806 (independence from the Holy Roman Empire) Lithuania 11 March 1990 (declared); 6 September 1991 (recognized by the Soviet Union) Luxembourg 1839 (from the Netherlands) Macau none (special administrative region of China) Macedonia 8 September 1991 (referendum by registered voters endorsed independence from Yugoslavia) Madagascar 26 June 1960 (from France) Malawi 6 July 1964 (from the UK) Malaysia 31 August 1957 (from the UK) Maldives 26 July 1965 (from the UK) Mali 22 September 1960 (from France) Malta 21 September 1964 (from the UK) Marshall Islands 21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship) Mauritania 28 November 1960 (from France) Mauritius 12 March 1968 (from the UK) Mayotte none (territorial overseas collectivity of France) Mexico 16 September 1810 (declared); 27 September 1821 (recognized by Spain) Micronesia, Federated States of 3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship) Moldova 27 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union) Monaco 1419 (beginning of rule by the House of Grimaldi) Mongolia 11 July 1921 (from China) Montenegro 3 June 2006 (from Serbia and Montenegro) Montserrat none (overseas territory of the UK) Morocco 2 March 1956 (from France) Mozambique 25 June 1975 (from Portugal) Namibia 21 March 1990 (from South African mandate) Nauru 31 January 1968 (from the Australia-, NZ-, and UK-administered UN trusteeship) Nepal 1768 (unified by Prithvi Narayan SHAH) Netherlands 23 January 1579 (the northern provinces of the Low Countries conclude the Union of Utrecht breaking with Spain; on 26 July 1581 they formally declared their independence with an Act of Abjuration; however, it was not until 30 January 1648 and the Peace of Westphalia that Spain recognized this independence) Netherlands Antilles none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) New Caledonia none (overseas territory of France); note - a referendum on independence was held in 1998 but did not pass; a new referendum is scheduled for 2014 New Zealand 26 September 1907 (from the UK) Nicaragua 15 September 1821 (from Spain) Niger 3 August 1960 (from France) Nigeria 1 October 1960 (from the UK) Niue on 19 October 1974, Niue became a self-governing parliamentary government in free association with New Zealand Norfolk Island none (territory of Australia) Northern Mariana Islands none (commonwealth in political union with the US) Norway 7 June 1905 (Norway declared the union with Sweden dissolved); 26 October 1905 (Sweden agreed to the repeal of the union) Oman 1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese) Pakistan 14 August 1947 (from British India) Palau 1 October 1994 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship) Panama 3 November 1903 (from Colombia; became independent from Spain 28 November 1821) Papua New Guinea 16 September 1975 (from the Australian-administered UN trusteeship) Paraguay 14 May 1811 (from Spain) Peru 28 July 1821 (from Spain) Philippines 12 June 1898 (independence proclaimed from Spain); 4 July 1946 (from the US) Pitcairn Islands none (overseas territory of the UK) Poland 11 November 1918 (republic proclaimed) Portugal 1143 (Kingdom of Portugal recognized); 5 October 1910 (republic proclaimed) Puerto Rico none (territory of the US with commonwealth status) Qatar 3 September 1971 (from the UK) Romania 9 May 1877 (independence proclaimed from the Ottoman Empire; independence recognized 13 July 1878 by the Treaty of Berlin); 26 March 1881 (kingdom proclaimed); 30 December 1947 (republic proclaimed) Russia 24 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union) Rwanda 1 July 1962 (from Belgium-administered UN trusteeship) Saint Barthelemy none (overseas collectivity of France) Saint Helena none (overseas territory of the UK) Saint Kitts and Nevis 19 September 1983 (from the UK) Saint Lucia 22 February 1979 (from the UK) Saint Martin none (overseas collectivity of France) Saint Pierre and Miquelon none (territorial collectivity of France; has been under French control since 1763) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 27 October 1979 (from the UK) Samoa 1 January 1962 (from New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship) San Marino 3 September 301 Sao Tome and Principe 12 July 1975 (from Portugal) Saudi Arabia 23 September 1932 (unification of the kingdom) Senegal 4 April 1960 (from France); note - complete independence achieved upon dissolution of federation with Mali on 20 August 1960 Serbia 5 June 2006 (from Serbia and Montenegro) Seychelles 29 June 1976 (from the UK) Sierra Leone 27 April 1961 (from the UK) Singapore 9 August 1965 (from Malaysian Federation) Slovakia 1 January 1993 (Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia) Slovenia 25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia) Solomon Islands 7 July 1978 (from the UK) Somalia 1 July 1960 (from a merger of British Somaliland, which became independent from the UK on 26 June 1960, and Italian Somaliland, which became independent from the Italian-administered UN trusteeship on 1 July 1960, to form the Somali Republic) South Africa 31 May 1910 (Union of South Africa formed from four British colonies: Cape Colony, Natal, Transvaal, and Orange Free State); 31 May 1961 (republic declared) 27 April 1994 (majority rule) Spain 1492; the Iberian peninsula was characterized by a variety of independent kingdoms prior to the Muslim occupation that began in the early 8th century A.D. and lasted nearly seven centuries; the small Christian redoubts of the north began the reconquest almost immediately, culminating in the seizure of Granada in 1492; this event completed the unification of several kingdoms and is traditionally considered the forging of present-day Spain Sri Lanka 4 February 1948 (from the UK) Sudan 1 January 1956 (from Egypt and the UK) Suriname 25 November 1975 (from the Netherlands) Svalbard none (territory of Norway) Swaziland 6 September 1968 (from the UK) Sweden 6 June 1523 (Gustav VASA elected king) Switzerland 1 August 1291 (founding of the Swiss Confederation) Syria 17 April 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration) Tajikistan 9 September 1991 (from the Soviet Union) Tanzania 26 April 1964; Tanganyika became independent 9 December 1961 (from UK-administered UN trusteeship); Zanzibar became independent 19 December 1963 (from UK); Tanganyika united with Zanzibar 26 April 1964 to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar; renamed United Republic of Tanzania 29 October 1964 Thailand 1238 (traditional founding date; never colonized) Timor-Leste 28 November 1975 (independence proclaimed from Portugal); note - 20 May 2002 is the official date of international recognition of Timor-Leste's independence from Indonesia Togo 27 April 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship) Tokelau none (territory of New Zealand) Tonga 4 June 1970 (from UK protectorate) Trinidad and Tobago 31 August 1962 (from the UK) Tunisia 20 March 1956 (from France) Turkey 29 October 1923 (successor state to the Ottoman Empire) Turkmenistan 27 October 1991 (from the Soviet Union) Turks and Caicos Islands none (overseas territory of the UK) Tuvalu 1 October 1978 (from the UK) Uganda 9 October 1962 (from the UK) Ukraine 24 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union) United Arab Emirates 2 December 1971 (from the UK) United Kingdom 1927; England has existed as a unified entity since the 10th century; the union between England and Wales, begun in 1284 with the Statute of Rhuddlan, was not formalized until 1536 with an Act of Union; in another Act of Union in 1707, England and Scotland agreed to permanently join as Great Britain; the legislative union of Great Britain and Ireland was implemented in 1801, with the adoption of the name the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland; the Anglo-Irish treaty of 1921 formalized a partition of Ireland; six northern Irish counties remained part of the United Kingdom as Northern Ireland and the current name of the country, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, was adopted in 1927 United States 4 July 1776 (from Great Britain) Uruguay 25 August 1825 (from Brazil) Uzbekistan 1 September 1991 (from the Soviet Union) Vanuatu 30 July 1980 (from France and the UK) Venezuela 5 July 1811 (from Spain) Vietnam 2 September 1945 (from France) Virgin Islands none (territory of the US) Wallis and Futuna none (overseas territory of France) Yemen 22 May 1990 (Republic of Yemen was established with the merger of the Yemen Arab Republic [Yemen (Sanaa) or North Yemen] and the Marxist-dominated People's Democratic Republic of Yemen [Yemen (Aden) or South Yemen]); note - previously North Yemen became independent in November 1918 (from the Ottoman Empire) and became a republic with the overthrow of the theocratic Imamate in 1962; South Yemen became independent on 30 November 1967 (from the UK) Zambia 24 October 1964 (from the UK) Zimbabwe 18 April 1980 (from the UK) ====================================================================== @2089 Field Listing :: Industrial production growth rate This entry gives the annual percentage increase in industrial production (includes manufacturing, mining, and construction). Country Comparison to the World Country Industrial production growth rate(%) Afghanistan NA% Albania 3% (2008 est.) Algeria 3.2% (2008 est.) American Samoa NA% Andorra NA% Angola 14.3% (2008 est.) Anguilla NA Antigua and Barbuda NA% Argentina 4.3% (2008 est.) Armenia 2.4% (2008 est.) Aruba NA% Australia 3% (2008 est.) Austria 2.4% (2008 est.) Azerbaijan 6% (2008 est.) Bahamas, The NA% Bahrain 6.3% (2008 est.) Bangladesh 6.9% (2008 est.) Barbados -3.2% (2000 est.) Belarus 12% (2008 est.) Belgium 2% (2008 est.) Belize 1.8% (2008 est.) Benin 3.5% (2008 est.) Bermuda NA% Bhutan NA Bolivia 10.6% (2008 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina 11.6% (2008 est.) Botswana -2.4% (2008 est.) Brazil 4.3% (2008 est.) British Virgin Islands NA% Brunei 1.8% (2006 est.) Bulgaria 1.5% (2008 est.) Burkina Faso 4.5% (2008 est.) Burma 7.8% (2008 est.) Burundi 5% (2008 est.) Cambodia 8% (2008 est.) Cameroon 4.2% (2008 est.) Canada -2.8% (2008 est.) Cape Verde 5% (2008 est.) Cayman Islands NA% Central African Republic 3% (2002) Chad 2% (2008 est.) Chile 0.7% (2008 est.) China 9.3% (2008 est.) Colombia 0.8% (2008 est.) Comoros -2% (1999 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the NA% Congo, Republic of the 7% (2008 est.) Cook Islands 1% (2002) Costa Rica -1.1% (2008 est.) Cote d'Ivoire 3% (2008 est.) Croatia 1.7% (2008 est.) Cuba 1.9% (2008 est.) Cyprus 4.1% (2008 est.) Czech Republic 3.8% (2008 est.) Denmark -3% (2008 est.) Dominica NA Dominican Republic 1.3% (2008 est.) Ecuador 5.5% (2008 est.) Egypt 6.1% (2008 est.) El Salvador 1.5% (2008 est.) Equatorial Guinea 11.3% (2008 est.) Eritrea 2% (2008 est.) Estonia -4.8% (2008 est.) Ethiopia 10.4% (2008 est.) European Union -0.6% (2008 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) NA% Faroe Islands 8% (1999 est.) Fiji NA% Finland 0.4% (2008 est.) France -1.8% (2008 est.) French Polynesia NA% Gabon 1% (2008 est.) Gambia, The 0.3% (2008 est.) Gaza Strip 2.4% (includes West Bank) (2005) Georgia -1% (2008 est.) Germany 0.1% (2008 est.) Ghana 8.1% (2008 est.) Gibraltar NA% Greece 3.2% (2008 est.) Greenland NA% Guam NA% Guatemala 1.4% (2008 est.) Guernsey NA% Guinea 7% (2008 est.) Guinea-Bissau 4.7% (2003 est.) Guyana 2.4% (2008 est.) Haiti 0% (2008 est.) Honduras 4.4% (2008 est.) Hong Kong -1.2% (2008 est.) Hungary -1% (2008 est.) Iceland 0% (2008 est.) India 4.8% (2008 est.) Indonesia 3.7% (2008 est.) Iran 4.5% excluding oil (2008 est.) Iraq 10.5% (2008 est.) Ireland 5% (2007 est.) Israel 3.5% (2008 est.) Italy -2.8% (2008 est.) Jamaica -0.5% (2008 est.) Japan -2% (2008 est.) Jersey NA% Jordan 5.7% (2008 est.) Kazakhstan 2.4% (2008 est.) Kenya 4.8% (2008 est.) Kiribati NA Korea, North NA% Korea, South 2.2% (2008 est.) Kuwait 8% (2008 est.) Kyrgyzstan 10.7% (2008 est.) Laos 11% (2008 est.) Latvia -4.5% (2008 est.) Lebanon NA% Lesotho 10% (2008 est.) Liberia NA% Libya 6.2% (2008 est.) Liechtenstein NA% Lithuania 1.5% (2008 est.) Luxembourg 1.7% (2007 est.) Macau NA Macedonia 4% (2008 est.) Madagascar 3% (2008 est.) Malawi 4% (2008 est.) Malaysia 1% (2008 est.) Maldives -0.9% (2004 est.) Mali NA% Malta NA% Marshall Islands NA% Mauritania 2% (2000 est.) Mauritius 5% (2008 est.) Mayotte NA% Mexico -0.7% (2008 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of NA% Moldova -1% (2008 est.) Monaco NA% Mongolia 3% (2006 est.) Montserrat NA% Morocco 4.7% (2008 est.) Mozambique 9% (2008 est.) Namibia 0.8% (2008 est.) Nauru NA% Nepal 1.8% (FY08) Netherlands 2.9% (2008 est.) Netherlands Antilles NA% New Zealand -2.2% (2008 est.) Nicaragua 3% (2008 est.) Niger 5.1% (2003 est.) Nigeria 2.8% (2008 est.) Niue NA% Northern Mariana Islands NA% Norway -0.2% (2008 est.) Oman 3.5% (2008 est.) Pakistan 4.6% (2008 est.) Palau NA% Panama 14.2% (2008 est.) Papua New Guinea 5.6% (2008 est.) Paraguay 4% (2008 est.) Peru 8% (2008 est.) Philippines 5% (2008 est.) Poland 4.8% (2008 est.) Portugal -2.2% (2008 est.) Puerto Rico NA% Qatar 13% (2008 est.) Romania 7.1% (2008 est.) Russia 3.5% (2008 est.) Rwanda 7.5% (2008 est.) Saint Helena NA% Saint Kitts and Nevis NA% Saint Lucia NA Saint Pierre and Miquelon NA% Samoa 2.8% (2000) San Marino 3.1% (2007) Sao Tome and Principe 9.5% (2008 est.) Saudi Arabia 2.4% (2008 est.) Senegal 4.5% (2008 est.) Serbia 1.8% (2007 est.) Seychelles 2% (2008 est.) Sierra Leone NA% Singapore -0.8% (2008 est.) Slovakia -3.7% (2008 est.) Slovenia 1.7% (2008 est.) Solomon Islands NA% Somalia NA% South Africa 1% (2008 est.) Spain -2.3% (2008 est.) Sri Lanka 5.9% (2008 est.) Sudan 0.1% (2008 est.) Suriname 6.5% (1994 est.) Swaziland 1.1% (2008 est.) Sweden -1.8% (2008 est.) Switzerland 6.5% (2006 est.) Syria 2.3% (2008 est.) Taiwan -1.2% (2008 est.) Tajikistan -4% (2008 est.) Tanzania 9.1% (2008 est.) Thailand 3.4% (2008 est.) Timor-Leste 8.5% (2004 est.) Togo 3% (2008 est.) Tonga 1% (2003 est.) Trinidad and Tobago 4.1% (2008 est.) Tunisia 2.7% (2008 est.) Turkey -0.6% (2008 est.) Turkmenistan -1.5% (2008 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands NA% Tuvalu NA% Uganda 7% (2008 est.) Ukraine -5% (2008 est.) United Arab Emirates 6.7% (2008 est.) United Kingdom -2% (2008 est.) United States -2% (2008 est.) Uruguay 8% (2008 est.) Uzbekistan 12.7% (2008 est.) Venezuela 2.5% (2008 est.) Vietnam 6.3% (2008 est.) Virgin Islands NA% Wallis and Futuna NA% West Bank 2.4% (includes Gaza Strip) (2005) Western Sahara NA% World 3.2% (2008 est.) Yemen 2.8% (2008 est.) Zambia 6% (2008 est.) Zimbabwe -14.7% (2008 est.) ====================================================================== @2090 Field Listing :: Industries This entry provides a rank ordering of industries starting with the largest by value of annual output. Country Industries Afghanistan small-scale production of textiles, soap, furniture, shoes, fertilizer, cement; handwoven carpets; natural gas, coal, copper Albania food processing, textiles and clothing; lumber, oil, cement, chemicals, mining, basic metals, hydropower Algeria petroleum, natural gas, light industries, mining, electrical, petrochemical, food processing American Samoa tuna canneries (largely supplied by foreign fishing vessels), handicrafts Andorra tourism (particularly skiing), cattle raising, timber, banking, tobacco, furniture Angola petroleum; diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, feldspar, bauxite, uranium, and gold; cement; basic metal products; fish processing; food processing, brewing, tobacco products, sugar; textiles; ship repair Anguilla tourism, boat building, offshore financial services Antigua and Barbuda tourism, construction, light manufacturing (clothing, alcohol, household appliances) Argentina food processing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, textiles, chemicals and petrochemicals, printing, metallurgy, steel Armenia diamond-processing, metal-cutting machine tools, forging-pressing machines, electric motors, tires, knitted wear, hosiery, shoes, silk fabric, chemicals, trucks, instruments, microelectronics, jewelry manufacturing, software development, food processing, brandy Aruba tourism, transshipment facilities, oil refining Australia mining, industrial and transportation equipment, food processing, chemicals, steel Austria construction, machinery, vehicles and parts, food, metals, chemicals, lumber and wood processing, paper and paperboard, communications equipment, tourism Azerbaijan petroleum and natural gas, petroleum products, oilfield equipment; steel, iron ore; cement; chemicals and petrochemicals; textiles Bahamas, The tourism, banking, cement, oil transshipment, salt, rum, aragonite, pharmaceuticals, spiral-welded steel pipe Bahrain petroleum processing and refining, aluminum smelting, iron pelletization, fertilizers, Islamic and offshore banking, insurance, ship repairing, tourism Bangladesh cotton textiles, jute, garments, tea processing, paper newsprint, cement, chemical fertilizer, light engineering, sugar Barbados tourism, sugar, light manufacturing, component assembly for export Belarus metal-cutting machine tools, tractors, trucks, earthmovers, motorcycles, televisions, synthetic fibers, fertilizer, textiles, radios, refrigerators Belgium engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, transportation equipment, scientific instruments, processed food and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum Belize garment production, food processing, tourism, construction, oil Benin textiles, food processing, construction materials, cement Bermuda international business, tourism, light manufacturing Bhutan cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide, tourism Bolivia mining, smelting, petroleum, food and beverages, tobacco, handicrafts, clothing Bosnia and Herzegovina steel, coal, iron ore, lead, zinc, manganese, bauxite, vehicle assembly, textiles, tobacco products, wooden furniture, tank and aircraft assembly, domestic appliances, oil refining Botswana diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash; livestock processing; textiles Brazil textiles, shoes, chemicals, cement, lumber, iron ore, tin, steel, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, other machinery and equipment British Virgin Islands tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete block, offshore financial center Brunei petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas, construction Bulgaria electricity, gas, water; food, beverages, tobacco; machinery and equipment, base metals, chemical products, coke, refined petroleum, nuclear fuel Burkina Faso cotton lint, beverages, agricultural processing, soap, cigarettes, textiles, gold Burma agricultural processing; wood and wood products; copper, tin, tungsten, iron; cement, construction materials; pharmaceuticals; fertilizer; oil and natural gas; garments, jade and gems Burundi light consumer goods such as blankets, shoes, soap; assembly of imported components; public works construction; food processing Cambodia tourism, garments, construction, rice milling, fishing, wood and wood products, rubber, cement, gem mining, textiles Cameroon petroleum production and refining, aluminum production, food processing, light consumer goods, textiles, lumber, ship repair Canada transportation equipment, chemicals, processed and unprocessed minerals, food products, wood and paper products, fish products, petroleum and natural gas Cape Verde food and beverages, fish processing, shoes and garments, salt mining, ship repair Cayman Islands tourism, banking, insurance and finance, construction, construction materials, furniture Central African Republic gold and diamond mining, logging, brewing, textiles, footwear, assembly of bicycles and motorcycles Chad oil, cotton textiles, meatpacking, brewing, natron (sodium carbonate), soap, cigarettes, construction materials Chile copper, other minerals, foodstuffs, fish processing, iron and steel, wood and wood products, transport equipment, cement, textiles China mining and ore processing, iron, steel, aluminum, and other metals, coal; machine building; armaments; textiles and apparel; petroleum; cement; chemicals; fertilizers; consumer products, including footwear, toys, and electronics; food processing; transportation equipment, including automobiles, rail cars and locomotives, ships, and aircraft; telecommunications equipment, commercial space launch vehicles, satellites Christmas Island tourism, phosphate extraction (near depletion) Cocos (Keeling) Islands copra products and tourism Colombia textiles, food processing, oil, clothing and footwear, beverages, chemicals, cement; gold, coal, emeralds Comoros fishing, tourism, perfume distillation Congo, Democratic Republic of the mining (diamonds, gold, copper, cobalt, coltan, zinc), mineral processing, consumer products (including textiles, footwear, cigarettes, processed foods and beverages), cement, commercial ship repair Congo, Republic of the petroleum extraction, cement, lumber, brewing, sugar, palm oil, soap, flour, cigarettes Cook Islands fruit processing, tourism, fishing, clothing, handicrafts Costa Rica microprocessors, food processing, medical equipment, textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products Cote d'Ivoire foodstuffs, beverages; wood products, oil refining, truck and bus assembly, textiles, fertilizer, building materials, electricity, ship construction and repair Croatia chemicals and plastics, machine tools, fabricated metal, electronics, pig iron and rolled steel products, aluminum, paper, wood products, construction materials, textiles, shipbuilding, petroleum and petroleum refining, food and beverages, tourism Cuba sugar, petroleum, tobacco, construction, nickel, steel, cement, agricultural machinery, pharmaceuticals Cyprus tourism, food and beverage processing, cement and gypsum production, ship repair and refurbishment, textiles, light chemicals, metal products, wood, paper, stone, and clay products Czech Republic motor vehicles, metallurgy, machinery and equipment, glass, armaments Denmark iron, steel, nonferrous metals, chemicals, food processing, machinery and transportation equipment, textiles and clothing, electronics, construction, furniture and other wood products, shipbuilding and refurbishment, windmills, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment Dhekelia none Djibouti construction, agricultural processing Dominica soap, coconut oil, tourism, copra, furniture, cement blocks, shoes Dominican Republic tourism, sugar processing, ferronickel and gold mining, textiles, cement, tobacco Ecuador petroleum, food processing, textiles, wood products, chemicals Egypt textiles, food processing, tourism, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, hydrocarbons, construction, cement, metals, light manufactures El Salvador food processing, beverages, petroleum, chemicals, fertilizer, textiles, furniture, light metals Equatorial Guinea petroleum, fishing, sawmilling, natural gas Eritrea food processing, beverages, clothing and textiles, light manufacturing, salt, cement Estonia engineering, electronics, wood and wood products, textiles; information technology, telecommunications Ethiopia food processing, beverages, textiles, leather, chemicals, metals processing, cement European Union among the world's largest and most technologically advanced, the EU industrial base includes: ferrous and non-ferrous metal production and processing, metal products, petroleum, coal, cement, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, aerospace, rail transportation equipment, passenger and commercial vehicles, construction equipment, industrial equipment, shipbuilding, electrical power equipment, machine tools and automated manufacturing systems, electronics and telecommunications equipment, fishing, food and beverage processing, furniture, paper, textiles, tourism Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) fish and wool processing; tourism Faroe Islands fishing, fish processing, small ship repair and refurbishment, handicrafts Fiji tourism, sugar, clothing, copra, gold, silver, lumber, small cottage industries Finland metals and metal products, electronics, machinery and scientific instruments, shipbuilding, pulp and paper, foodstuffs, chemicals, textiles, clothing France machinery, chemicals, automobiles, metallurgy, aircraft, electronics; textiles, food processing; tourism French Polynesia tourism, pearls, agricultural processing, handicrafts, phosphates Gabon petroleum extraction and refining; manganese, gold; chemicals, ship repair, food and beverages, textiles, lumbering and plywood, cement Gambia, The processing peanuts, fish, and hides; tourism, beverages, agricultural machinery assembly, woodworking, metalworking, clothing Gaza Strip textiles, food processing Georgia steel, aircraft, machine tools, electrical appliances, mining (manganese and copper), chemicals, wood products, wine Germany among the world's largest and most technologically advanced producers of iron, steel, coal, cement, chemicals, machinery, vehicles, machine tools, electronics, food and beverages, shipbuilding, textiles Ghana mining, lumbering, light manufacturing, aluminum smelting, food processing, cement, small commercial ship building Gibraltar tourism, banking and finance, ship repairing, tobacco Greece tourism, food and tobacco processing, textiles, chemicals, metal products; mining, petroleum Greenland fish processing (mainly shrimp and Greenland halibut); gold, niobium, tantalite, uranium, iron and diamond mining; handicrafts, hides and skins, small shipyards Grenada food and beverages, textiles, light assembly operations, tourism, construction Guam US military, tourism, construction, transshipment services, concrete products, printing and publishing, food processing, textiles Guatemala sugar, textiles and clothing, furniture, chemicals, petroleum, metals, rubber, tourism Guernsey tourism, banking Guinea bauxite, gold, diamonds, iron; alumina refining; light manufacturing, and agricultural processing Guinea-Bissau agricultural products processing, beer, soft drinks Guyana bauxite, sugar, rice milling, timber, textiles, gold mining Haiti sugar refining, flour milling, textiles, cement, light assembly based on imported parts Holy See (Vatican City) printing; production of coins, medals, postage stamps; mosaics and staff uniforms; worldwide banking and financial activities Honduras sugar, coffee, textiles, clothing, wood products Hong Kong textiles, clothing, tourism, banking, shipping, electronics, plastics, toys, watches, clocks Hungary mining, metallurgy, construction materials, processed foods, textiles, chemicals (especially pharmaceuticals), motor vehicles Iceland fish processing; aluminum smelting, ferrosilicon production; geothermal power, tourism India textiles, chemicals, food processing, steel, transportation equipment, cement, mining, petroleum, machinery, software Indonesia petroleum and natural gas, textiles, apparel, footwear, mining, cement, chemical fertilizers, plywood, rubber, food, tourism Iran petroleum, petrochemicals, fertilizers, caustic soda, textiles, cement and other construction materials, food processing (particularly sugar refining and vegetable oil production), ferrous and non-ferrous metal fabrication, armaments Iraq petroleum, chemicals, textiles, leather, construction materials, food processing, fertilizer, metal fabrication/processing Ireland steel, lead, zinc, silver, aluminum, barite, and gypsum mining processing; food products, brewing, textiles, clothing; chemicals, pharmaceuticals; machinery, rail transportation equipment; glass and crystal; software, tourism Isle of Man financial services, light manufacturing, tourism Israel high-technology projects (including aviation, communications, computer-aided design and manufactures, medical electronics, fiber optics), wood and paper products, potash and phosphates, food, beverages, and tobacco, caustic soda, cement, construction, metals products, chemical products, plastics, diamond cutting, textiles, footwear Italy tourism, machinery, iron and steel, chemicals, food processing, textiles, motor vehicles, clothing, footwear, ceramics Jamaica tourism, bauxite/alumina, agro processing, light manufactures, rum, cement, metal, paper, chemical products, telecommunications Japan among world's largest and technologically advanced producers of motor vehicles, electronic equipment, machine tools, steel and nonferrous metals, ships, chemicals, textiles, processed foods Jersey tourism, banking and finance, dairy, electronics Jordan clothing, fertilizers, potash, phosphate mining, pharmaceuticals, petroleum refining, cement, inorganic chemicals, light manufacturing, tourism Kazakhstan oil, coal, iron ore, manganese, chromite, lead, zinc, copper, titanium, bauxite, gold, silver, phosphates, sulfur, iron and steel; tractors and other agricultural machinery, electric motors, construction materials Kenya small-scale consumer goods (plastic, furniture, batteries, textiles, clothing, soap, cigarettes, flour), agricultural products, horticulture, oil refining; aluminum, steel, lead; cement, commercial ship repair, tourism Kiribati fishing, handicrafts Korea, North military products; machine building, electric power, chemicals; mining (coal, iron ore, limestone, magnesite, graphite, copper, zinc, lead, and precious metals), metallurgy; textiles, food processing; tourism Korea, South electronics, telecommunications, automobile production, chemicals, shipbuilding, steel Kosovo mineral mining, construction materials, base metals, leather, machinery, appliances Kuwait petroleum, petrochemicals, cement, shipbuilding and repair, water desalination, food processing, construction materials Kyrgyzstan small machinery, textiles, food processing, cement, shoes, sawn logs, refrigerators, furniture, electric motors, gold, rare earth metals Laos copper, tin, gold, and gypsum mining; timber, electric power, agricultural processing, construction, garments, cement, tourism Latvia buses, vans, street and railroad cars; synthetic fibers, agricultural machinery, fertilizers, washing machines, radios, electronics, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, textiles; note - dependent on imports for energy and raw materials Lebanon banking, tourism, food processing, wine, jewelry, cement, textiles, mineral and chemical products, wood and furniture products, oil refining, metal fabricating Lesotho food, beverages, textiles, apparel assembly, handicrafts, construction, tourism Liberia rubber processing, palm oil processing, timber, diamonds Libya petroleum, iron and steel, food processing, textiles, handicrafts, cement Liechtenstein electronics, metal manufacturing, dental products, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, food products, precision instruments, tourism, optical instruments Lithuania metal-cutting machine tools, electric motors, television sets, refrigerators and freezers, petroleum refining, shipbuilding (small ships), furniture making, textiles, food processing, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, optical equipment, electronic components, computers, amber jewelry Luxembourg banking and financial services, iron and steel, information technology, telecommunications, cargo transportation, food processing, chemicals, metal products, engineering, tires, glass, aluminum, tourism Macau tourism, gambling, clothing, textiles, electronics, footwear, toys Macedonia food processing, beverages, textiles, chemicals, iron, steel, cement, energy, pharmaceuticals Madagascar meat processing, seafood, soap, breweries, tanneries, sugar, textiles, glassware, cement, automobile assembly plant, paper, petroleum, tourism Malawi tobacco, tea, sugar, sawmill products, cement, consumer goods Malaysia Peninsular Malaysia - rubber and oil palm processing and manufacturing, light manufacturing, electronics, tin mining and smelting, logging, timber processing; Sabah - logging, petroleum production; Sarawak - agriculture processing, petroleum production and refining, logging Maldives tourism, fish processing, shipping, boat building, coconut processing, garments, woven mats, rope, handicrafts, coral and sand mining Mali food processing; construction; phosphate and gold mining Malta tourism, electronics, ship building and repair, construction, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, footwear, clothing, tobacco Marshall Islands copra, tuna processing, tourism, craft items (from seashells, wood, and pearls) Mauritania fish processing, oil production, mining of iron ore, gold, and copper; gypsum deposits have never been exploited Mauritius food processing (largely sugar milling), textiles, clothing, mining, chemicals, metal products, transport equipment, nonelectrical machinery, tourism Mayotte newly created lobster and shrimp industry, construction Mexico food and beverages, tobacco, chemicals, iron and steel, petroleum, mining, textiles, clothing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, tourism Micronesia, Federated States of tourism, construction; fish processing, specialized aquaculture; craft items (from shell, wood, and pearls) Moldova sugar, vegetable oil, food processing, agricultural machinery; foundry equipment, refrigerators and freezers, washing machines; hosiery, shoes, textiles Monaco tourism, construction, small-scale industrial and consumer products Mongolia construction and construction materials; mining (coal, copper, molybdenum, fluorspar, tin, tungsten, and gold); oil; food and beverages; processing of animal products, cashmere and natural fiber manufacturing Montenegro steelmaking, aluminum, agricultural processing, consumer goods, tourism Montserrat tourism, rum, textiles, electronic appliances Morocco phosphate rock mining and processing, food processing, leather goods, textiles, construction, tourism Mozambique food, beverages, chemicals (fertilizer, soap, paints), aluminum, petroleum products, textiles, cement, glass, asbestos, tobacco Namibia meatpacking, fish processing, dairy products; mining (diamonds, lead, zinc, tin, silver, tungsten, uranium, copper) Nauru phosphate mining, offshore banking, coconut products Nepal tourism, carpets, textiles; small rice, jute, sugar, and oilseed mills; cigarettes, cement and brick production Netherlands agroindustries, metal and engineering products, electrical machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum, construction, microelectronics, fishing Netherlands Antilles tourism (Curacao, Sint Maarten, and Bonaire), petroleum refining (Curacao), petroleum transshipment facilities (Curacao and Bonaire), light manufacturing (Curacao) New Caledonia nickel mining and smelting New Zealand food processing, wood and paper products, textiles, machinery, transportation equipment, banking and insurance, tourism, mining Nicaragua food processing, chemicals, machinery and metal products, textiles, clothing, petroleum refining and distribution, beverages, footwear, wood Niger uranium mining, cement, brick, soap, textiles, food processing, chemicals, slaughterhouses Nigeria crude oil, coal, tin, columbite; palm oil, peanuts, cotton, rubber, wood; hides and skins, textiles, cement and other construction materials, food products, footwear, chemicals, fertilizer, printing, ceramics, steel, small commercial ship construction and repair Niue tourism, handicrafts, food processing Norfolk Island tourism, light industry, ready mixed concrete Northern Mariana Islands banking, construction, fishing, garment, tourism, handicrafts Norway petroleum and gas, food processing, shipbuilding, pulp and paper products, metals, chemicals, timber, mining, textiles, fishing Oman crude oil production and refining, natural and liquefied natural gas (LNG) production; construction, cement, copper, steel, chemicals, optic fiber Pakistan textiles and apparel, food processing, pharmaceuticals, construction materials, paper products, fertilizer, shrimp Palau tourism, craft items (from shell, wood, pearls), construction, garment making Panama construction, brewing, cement and other construction materials, sugar milling Papua New Guinea copra crushing, palm oil processing, plywood production, wood chip production; mining of gold, silver, and copper; crude oil production, petroleum refining; construction, tourism Paraguay sugar, cement, textiles, beverages, wood products, steel, metallurgic, electric power Peru mining and refining of minerals; steel, metal fabrication; petroleum extraction and refining, natural gas; fishing and fish processing, textiles, clothing, food processing Philippines electronics assembly, garments, footwear, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, wood products, food processing, petroleum refining, fishing Pitcairn Islands postage stamps, handicrafts, beekeeping, honey Poland machine building, iron and steel, coal mining, chemicals, shipbuilding, food processing, glass, beverages, textiles Portugal textiles, clothing, footwear, wood and cork, paper, chemicals, auto-parts manufacturing, base metals, diary products, wine and other foods, porcelain and ceramics, glassware, technology, telecommunications; ship construction and refurbishment; tourism Puerto Rico pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, food products, tourism Qatar crude oil production and refining, ammonia, fertilizers, petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement, commercial ship repair Romania electric machinery and equipment, textiles and footwear, light machinery and auto assembly, mining, timber, construction materials, metallurgy, chemicals, food processing, petroleum refining Russia complete range of mining and extractive industries producing coal, oil, gas, chemicals, and metals; all forms of machine building from rolling mills to high-performance aircraft and space vehicles; defense industries including radar, missile production, and advanced electronic components, shipbuilding; road and rail transportation equipment; communications equipment; agricultural machinery, tractors, and construction equipment; electric power generating and transmitting equipment; medical and scientific instruments; consumer durables, textiles, foodstuffs, handicrafts Rwanda cement, agricultural products, small-scale beverages, soap, furniture, shoes, plastic goods, textiles, cigarettes Saint Helena construction, crafts (furniture, lacework, fancy woodwork), fishing, philatelic sales Saint Kitts and Nevis tourism, cotton, salt, copra, clothing, footwear, beverages Saint Lucia clothing, assembly of electronic components, beverages, corrugated cardboard boxes, tourism; lime processing, coconut processing Saint Martin tourism, light industry and manufacturing, heavy industry Saint Pierre and Miquelon fish processing and supply base for fishing fleets; tourism Saint Vincent and the Grenadines food processing, cement, furniture, clothing, starch Samoa food processing, building materials, auto parts San Marino tourism, banking, textiles, electronics, ceramics, cement, wine Sao Tome and Principe light construction, textiles, soap, beer, fish processing, timber Saudi Arabia crude oil production, petroleum refining, basic petrochemicals, ammonia, industrial gases, sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), cement, fertilizer, plastics, metals, commercial ship repair, commercial aircraft repair, construction Senegal agricultural and fish processing, phosphate mining, fertilizer production, petroleum refining; iron ore, zircon, and gold mining, construction materials, ship construction and repair Serbia sugar, agricultural machinery, electrical and communication equipment, paper and pulp, lead, transportation equipment Seychelles fishing, tourism, processing of coconuts and vanilla, coir (coconut fiber) rope, boat building, printing, furniture; beverages Sierra Leone diamond mining; small-scale manufacturing (beverages, textiles, cigarettes, footwear); petroleum refining, small commercial ship repair Singapore electronics, chemicals, financial services, oil drilling equipment, petroleum refining, rubber processing and rubber products, processed food and beverages, ship repair, offshore platform construction, life sciences, entrepot trade Slovakia metal and metal products; food and beverages; electricity, gas, coke, oil, nuclear fuel; chemicals and manmade fibers; machinery; paper and printing; earthenware and ceramics; transport vehicles; textiles; electrical and optical apparatus; rubber products Slovenia ferrous metallurgy and aluminum products, lead and zinc smelting; electronics (including military electronics), trucks, automobiles, electric power equipment, wood products, textiles, chemicals, machine tools Solomon Islands fish (tuna), mining, timber Somalia a few light industries, including sugar refining, textiles, wireless communication South Africa mining (world's largest producer of platinum, gold, chromium), automobile assembly, metalworking, machinery, textiles, iron and steel, chemicals, fertilizer, foodstuffs, commercial ship repair Spain textiles and apparel (including footwear), food and beverages, metals and metal manufactures, chemicals, shipbuilding, automobiles, machine tools, tourism, clay and refractory products, footwear, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment Sri Lanka processing of rubber, tea, coconuts, tobacco and other agricultural commodities; telecommunications, insurance, banking; clothing, textiles; cement, petroleum refining, information technology services Sudan oil, cotton ginning, textiles, cement, edible oils, sugar, soap distilling, shoes, petroleum refining, pharmaceuticals, armaments, automobile/light truck assembly Suriname bauxite and gold mining, alumina production; oil, lumbering, food processing, fishing Swaziland coal, wood pulp, sugar, soft drink concentrates, textiles and apparel Sweden iron and steel, precision equipment (bearings, radio and telephone parts, armaments), wood pulp and paper products, processed foods, motor vehicles Switzerland machinery, chemicals, watches, textiles, precision instruments, tourism, banking, and insurance Syria petroleum, textiles, food processing, beverages, tobacco, phosphate rock mining, cement, oil seeds crushing, car assembly Taiwan electronics, petroleum refining, armaments, chemicals, textiles, iron and steel, machinery, cement, food processing, vehicles, consumer products, pharmaceuticals Tajikistan aluminum, zinc, lead; chemicals and fertilizers, cement, vegetable oil, metal-cutting machine tools, refrigerators and freezers Tanzania agricultural processing (sugar, beer, cigarettes, sisal twine); diamond, gold, and iron mining, salt, soda ash; cement, oil refining, shoes, apparel, wood products, fertilizer Thailand tourism, textiles and garments, agricultural processing, beverages, tobacco, cement, light manufacturing such as jewelry and electric appliances, computers and parts, integrated circuits, furniture, plastics, automobiles and automotive parts; world's second-largest tungsten producer and third-largest tin producer Timor-Leste printing, soap manufacturing, handicrafts, woven cloth Togo phosphate mining, agricultural processing, cement, handicrafts, textiles, beverages Tokelau small-scale enterprises for copra production, woodworking, plaited craft goods; stamps, coins; fishing Tonga tourism, construction, fishing Trinidad and Tobago petroleum, chemicals, tourism, food processing, cement, beverage, cotton textiles Tunisia petroleum, mining (particularly phosphate and iron ore), tourism, textiles, footwear, agribusiness, beverages Turkey textiles, food processing, autos, electronics, mining (coal, chromite, copper, boron), steel, petroleum, construction, lumber, paper Turkmenistan natural gas, oil, petroleum products, textiles, food processing Turks and Caicos Islands tourism, offshore financial services Tuvalu fishing, tourism, copra Uganda sugar, brewing, tobacco, cotton textiles; cement, steel production Ukraine coal, electric power, ferrous and nonferrous metals, machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food processing (especially sugar) United Arab Emirates petroleum and petrochemicals; fishing, aluminum, cement, fertilizers, commercial ship repair, construction materials, some boat building, handicrafts, textiles United Kingdom machine tools, electric power equipment, automation equipment, railroad equipment, shipbuilding, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, electronics and communications equipment, metals, chemicals, coal, petroleum, paper and paper products, food processing, textiles, clothing, other consumer goods United States leading industrial power in the world, highly diversified and technologically advanced; petroleum, steel, motor vehicles, aerospace, telecommunications, chemicals, electronics, food processing, consumer goods, lumber, mining Uruguay food processing, electrical machinery, transportation equipment, petroleum products, textiles, chemicals, beverages Uzbekistan textiles, food processing, machine building, metallurgy, gold, petroleum, natural gas, chemicals Vanuatu food and fish freezing, wood processing, meat canning Venezuela petroleum, construction materials, food processing, textiles; iron ore mining, steel, aluminum; motor vehicle assembly Vietnam food processing, garments, shoes, machine-building; mining, coal, steel; cement, chemical fertilizer, glass, tires, oil, paper Virgin Islands tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics Wallis and Futuna copra, handicrafts, fishing, lumber West Bank cement, quarrying, textiles, soap, olive-wood carvings, and mother-of-pearl souvenirs; the Israelis have established some small-scale, modern industries in the settlements and industrial centers Western Sahara phosphate mining, handicrafts World dominated by the onrush of technology, especially in computers, robotics, telecommunications, and medicines and medical equipment; most of these advances take place in OECD nations; only a small portion of non-OECD countries have succeeded in rapidly adjusting to these technological forces; the accelerated development of new industrial (and agricultural) technology is complicating already grim environmental problems Yemen crude oil production and petroleum refining; small-scale production of cotton textiles and leather goods; food processing; handicrafts; small aluminum products factory; cement; commercial ship repair Zambia copper mining and processing, construction, foodstuffs, beverages, chemicals, textiles, fertilizer, horticulture Zimbabwe mining (coal, gold, platinum, copper, nickel, tin, clay, numerous metallic and nonmetallic ores), steel; wood products, cement, chemicals, fertilizer, clothing and footwear, foodstuffs, beverages ====================================================================== @2091 Field Listing :: Infant mortality rate This entry gives the number of deaths of infants under one year old in a given year per 1,000 live births in the same year; included is the total death rate, and deaths by sex, male and female. This rate is often used as an indicator of the level of health in a country. Country Comparison to the World Country Infant mortality rate(deaths/1,000 live births) Afghanistan total: 151.95 deaths/1,000 live births male: 156.01 deaths/1,000 live births female: 147.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Albania total: 18.62 deaths/1,000 live births male: 19.05 deaths/1,000 live births female: 18.15 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Algeria total: 27.73 deaths/1,000 live births male: 30.86 deaths/1,000 live births female: 24.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) American Samoa total: 10.18 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.3 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Andorra total: 3.76 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.78 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.74 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Angola total: 180.21 deaths/1,000 live births male: 192.24 deaths/1,000 live births female: 167.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Anguilla total: 3.52 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.97 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.05 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Antigua and Barbuda total: 16.25 deaths/1,000 live births male: 18.76 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.62 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Argentina total: 11.44 deaths/1,000 live births male: 12.76 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Armenia total: 20.21 deaths/1,000 live births male: 24.97 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Aruba total: 13.79 deaths/1,000 live births male: 18.28 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.22 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Australia total: 4.75 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.08 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Austria total: 4.42 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.39 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.41 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Azerbaijan total: 54.6 deaths/1,000 live births male: 60.2 deaths/1,000 live births female: 48.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Bahamas, The total: 23.17 deaths/1,000 live births male: 28.21 deaths/1,000 live births female: 18.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Bahrain total: 15.25 deaths/1,000 live births male: 17.81 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Bangladesh total: 59.02 deaths/1,000 live births male: 66.12 deaths/1,000 live births female: 51.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Barbados total: 12.29 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.89 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.67 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Belarus total: 6.43 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.45 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.36 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Belgium total: 4.44 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.99 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.87 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Belize total: 23.07 deaths/1,000 live births male: 26 deaths/1,000 live births female: 19.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Benin total: 64.64 deaths/1,000 live births male: 68.07 deaths/1,000 live births female: 61.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Bermuda total: 2.46 deaths/1,000 live births male: 2.57 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.35 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Bhutan total: 49.36 deaths/1,000 live births male: 50.38 deaths/1,000 live births female: 48.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Bolivia total: 44.66 deaths/1,000 live births male: 48.56 deaths/1,000 live births female: 40.57 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina total: 9.1 deaths/1,000 live births male: 10.44 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.67 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Botswana total: 12.59 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.43 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Brazil total: 22.58 deaths/1,000 live births male: 26.16 deaths/1,000 live births female: 18.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) British Virgin Islands total: 14.65 deaths/1,000 live births male: 16.61 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Brunei total: 12.27 deaths/1,000 live births male: 14.68 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.75 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Bulgaria total: 17.87 deaths/1,000 live births male: 21.28 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Burkina Faso total: 84.49 deaths/1,000 live births male: 92.09 deaths/1,000 live births female: 76.66 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Burma total: 47.61 deaths/1,000 live births male: 53.78 deaths/1,000 live births female: 41.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Burundi total: 59.64 deaths/1,000 live births male: 66.32 deaths/1,000 live births female: 52.76 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Cambodia total: 54.79 deaths/1,000 live births male: 61.84 deaths/1,000 live births female: 47.42 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Cameroon total: 63.34 deaths/1,000 live births male: 68.08 deaths/1,000 live births female: 58.47 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Canada total: 5.04 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.37 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Cape Verde total: 41.35 deaths/1,000 live births male: 47.39 deaths/1,000 live births female: 35.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Cayman Islands total: 6.94 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.96 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Central African Republic total: 80.62 deaths/1,000 live births male: 87.22 deaths/1,000 live births female: 73.82 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Chad total: 98.69 deaths/1,000 live births male: 104.72 deaths/1,000 live births female: 92.42 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Chile total: 7.71 deaths/1,000 live births male: 8.49 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) China total: 20.25 deaths/1,000 live births male: 18.87 deaths/1,000 live births female: 21.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Christmas Island total: NA male: NA female: NA Cocos (Keeling) Islands total: NA male: NA female: NA Colombia total: 18.9 deaths/1,000 live births male: 22.53 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.14 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Comoros total: 66.57 deaths/1,000 live births male: 74.5 deaths/1,000 live births female: 58.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the total: 81.21 deaths/1,000 live births male: 89.11 deaths/1,000 live births female: 73.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Congo, Republic of the total: 79.78 deaths/1,000 live births male: 85.29 deaths/1,000 live births female: 74.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Cook Islands total: 16.9 deaths/1,000 live births male: 20.57 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Costa Rica total: 8.77 deaths/1,000 live births male: 9.66 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Cote d'Ivoire total: 68.06 deaths/1,000 live births male: 75.17 deaths/1,000 live births female: 60.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Croatia total: 6.37 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.42 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.33 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Cuba total: 5.82 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.51 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Cyprus total: 6.6 deaths/1,000 live births male: 8.14 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Czech Republic total: 3.79 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.13 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.43 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Denmark total: 4.34 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.39 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Djibouti total: 97.51 deaths/1,000 live births male: 104.98 deaths/1,000 live births female: 89.82 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Dominica total: 13.65 deaths/1,000 live births male: 18.34 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Dominican Republic total: 25.96 deaths/1,000 live births male: 28 deaths/1,000 live births female: 23.84 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Ecuador total: 20.9 deaths/1,000 live births male: 24.4 deaths/1,000 live births female: 17.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Egypt total: 27.26 deaths/1,000 live births male: 28.93 deaths/1,000 live births female: 25.51 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) El Salvador total: 21.52 deaths/1,000 live births male: 24.38 deaths/1,000 live births female: 18.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Equatorial Guinea total: 81.58 deaths/1,000 live births male: 82.68 deaths/1,000 live births female: 80.46 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Eritrea total: 43.33 deaths/1,000 live births male: 48.97 deaths/1,000 live births female: 37.51 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Estonia total: 7.32 deaths/1,000 live births male: 8.48 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Ethiopia total: 80.8 deaths/1,000 live births male: 92.06 deaths/1,000 live births female: 69.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) European Union total: 5.72 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.38 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) total: NA male: NA female: NA (2008 est.) Faroe Islands total: 6.32 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.56 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Fiji total: 11.58 deaths/1,000 live births male: 12.74 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.35 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Finland total: 3.47 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.78 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.15 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) France total: 3.33 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.66 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) French Polynesia total: 7.55 deaths/1,000 live births male: 8.67 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Gabon total: 51.78 deaths/1,000 live births male: 60.17 deaths/1,000 live births female: 43.15 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Gambia, The total: 67.33 deaths/1,000 live births male: 73.56 deaths/1,000 live births female: 60.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Gaza Strip total: 18.35 deaths/1,000 live births male: 19.53 deaths/1,000 live births female: 17.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Georgia total: 16.22 deaths/1,000 live births male: 18.21 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.97 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Germany total: 3.99 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.41 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Ghana total: 51.09 deaths/1,000 live births male: 55.32 deaths/1,000 live births female: 46.74 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Gibraltar total: 4.83 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.37 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Greece total: 5.16 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.68 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.62 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Greenland total: 10.72 deaths/1,000 live births male: 12.26 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Grenada total: 13.23 deaths/1,000 live births male: 12.95 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Guam total: 6.05 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.47 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Guatemala total: 27.84 deaths/1,000 live births male: 30.2 deaths/1,000 live births female: 25.35 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Guernsey total: 4.47 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.98 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Guinea total: 65.22 deaths/1,000 live births male: 68.7 deaths/1,000 live births female: 61.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Guinea-Bissau total: 99.82 deaths/1,000 live births male: 109.89 deaths/1,000 live births female: 89.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Guyana total: 29.65 deaths/1,000 live births male: 33.02 deaths/1,000 live births female: 26.11 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Haiti total: 59.69 deaths/1,000 live births male: 66.18 deaths/1,000 live births female: 53.01 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Honduras total: 24.03 deaths/1,000 live births male: 26.97 deaths/1,000 live births female: 20.94 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Hong Kong total: 2.92 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.1 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Hungary total: 7.86 deaths/1,000 live births male: 8.57 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Iceland total: 3.23 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.38 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) India total: 30.15 deaths/1,000 live births male: 34.61 deaths/1,000 live births female: 25.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Indonesia total: 29.97 deaths/1,000 live births male: 34.93 deaths/1,000 live births female: 24.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Iran total: 35.78 deaths/1,000 live births male: 35.98 deaths/1,000 live births female: 35.56 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Iraq total: 43.82 deaths/1,000 live births male: 49.38 deaths/1,000 live births female: 37.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Ireland total: 5.05 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.53 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Isle of Man total: 5.37 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.11 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Israel total: 4.22 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.39 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.05 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Italy total: 5.51 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.07 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Jamaica total: 15.22 deaths/1,000 live births male: 15.81 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Japan total: 2.79 deaths/1,000 live births male: 2.99 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Jersey total: 4.73 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.09 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Jordan total: 14.97 deaths/1,000 live births male: 17.91 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.86 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Kazakhstan total: 25.73 deaths/1,000 live births male: 30.15 deaths/1,000 live births female: 21.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Kenya total: 54.7 deaths/1,000 live births male: 57.56 deaths/1,000 live births female: 51.78 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Kiribati total: 43.48 deaths/1,000 live births male: 48.35 deaths/1,000 live births female: 38.36 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Korea, North total: 51.34 deaths/1,000 live births male: 58.64 deaths/1,000 live births female: 43.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Korea, South total: 4.26 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.49 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Kuwait total: 8.96 deaths/1,000 live births male: 9.94 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.95 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Kyrgyzstan total: 31.26 deaths/1,000 live births male: 36.19 deaths/1,000 live births female: 26.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Laos total: 77.82 deaths/1,000 live births male: 86.94 deaths/1,000 live births female: 68.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Latvia total: 8.77 deaths/1,000 live births male: 10.63 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.82 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Lebanon total: 21.82 deaths/1,000 live births male: 24.26 deaths/1,000 live births female: 19.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Lesotho total: 77.4 deaths/1,000 live births male: 81.75 deaths/1,000 live births female: 72.92 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Liberia total: 138.24 deaths/1,000 live births male: 153.55 deaths/1,000 live births female: 122.46 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Libya total: 21.05 deaths/1,000 live births male: 23.21 deaths/1,000 live births female: 18.78 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Liechtenstein total: 4.25 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.54 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.95 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Lithuania total: 6.47 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.73 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.13 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Luxembourg total: 4.56 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.56 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Macau total: 3.22 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.37 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.05 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Macedonia total: 9.01 deaths/1,000 live births male: 9.21 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Madagascar total: 54.2 deaths/1,000 live births male: 59.12 deaths/1,000 live births female: 49.13 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Malawi total: 89.05 deaths/1,000 live births male: 93.15 deaths/1,000 live births female: 84.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Malaysia total: 15.87 deaths/1,000 live births male: 18.32 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Maldives total: 29.53 deaths/1,000 live births male: 32.04 deaths/1,000 live births female: 26.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Mali total: 102.05 deaths/1,000 live births male: 111.56 deaths/1,000 live births female: 92.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Malta total: 3.75 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.2 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Marshall Islands total: 25.45 deaths/1,000 live births male: 28.58 deaths/1,000 live births female: 22.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Mauritania total: 63.42 deaths/1,000 live births male: 68.65 deaths/1,000 live births female: 58.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Mauritius total: 12.2 deaths/1,000 live births male: 14.51 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Mayotte total: 56.29 deaths/1,000 live births male: 61.89 deaths/1,000 live births female: 50.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Mexico total: 18.42 deaths/1,000 live births male: 20.3 deaths/1,000 live births female: 16.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of total: 26.1 deaths/1,000 live births male: 28.79 deaths/1,000 live births female: 23.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Moldova total: 13.13 deaths/1,000 live births male: 14.57 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Monaco total: 5 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.77 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Mongolia total: 39.88 deaths/1,000 live births male: 42.99 deaths/1,000 live births female: 36.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Montserrat total: 16.08 deaths/1,000 live births male: 12.01 deaths/1,000 live births female: 20.36 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Morocco total: 36.88 deaths/1,000 live births male: 40.35 deaths/1,000 live births female: 33.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Mozambique total: 105.8 deaths/1,000 live births male: 108.57 deaths/1,000 live births female: 103 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Namibia total: 45.51 deaths/1,000 live births male: 48.98 deaths/1,000 live births female: 41.94 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Nauru total: 9.25 deaths/1,000 live births male: 11.58 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Nepal total: 47.46 deaths/1,000 live births male: 47.4 deaths/1,000 live births female: 47.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Netherlands total: 4.73 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.25 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Netherlands Antilles total: 9.09 deaths/1,000 live births male: 9.76 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.39 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) New Caledonia total: 7.05 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.7 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.36 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) New Zealand total: 4.92 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.53 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Nicaragua total: 25.02 deaths/1,000 live births male: 28.09 deaths/1,000 live births female: 21.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Niger total: 116.66 deaths/1,000 live births male: 121.72 deaths/1,000 live births female: 111.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Nigeria total: 94.35 deaths/1,000 live births male: 100.38 deaths/1,000 live births female: 87.97 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Niue total: NA male: NA female: NA (2008 est.) Norfolk Island total: NA male: NA female: NA (2008 est.) Northern Mariana Islands total: 6.59 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.56 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Norway total: 3.58 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.92 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.22 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Oman total: 16.88 deaths/1,000 live births male: 19.29 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.35 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Pakistan total: 65.14 deaths/1,000 live births male: 65.24 deaths/1,000 live births female: 65.05 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Palau total: 13.14 deaths/1,000 live births male: 14.83 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.36 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Panama total: 12.67 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.53 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Papua New Guinea total: 45.23 deaths/1,000 live births male: 49.17 deaths/1,000 live births female: 41.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Paraguay total: 24.68 deaths/1,000 live births male: 28.77 deaths/1,000 live births female: 20.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Peru total: 28.62 deaths/1,000 live births male: 31.07 deaths/1,000 live births female: 26.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Philippines total: 20.56 deaths/1,000 live births male: 23.17 deaths/1,000 live births female: 17.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Pitcairn Islands total: NA male: NA female: NA (2008 est.) Poland total: 6.8 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.52 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Portugal total: 4.78 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.24 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Puerto Rico total: 8.42 deaths/1,000 live births male: 9.69 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Qatar total: 12.66 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.51 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Romania total: 22.9 deaths/1,000 live births male: 25.94 deaths/1,000 live births female: 19.66 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Russia total: 10.56 deaths/1,000 live births male: 12.08 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.94 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Rwanda total: 81.61 deaths/1,000 live births male: 86.68 deaths/1,000 live births female: 76.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Saint Helena total: 17.63 deaths/1,000 live births male: 20.71 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis total: 13.94 deaths/1,000 live births male: 15.66 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.11 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Saint Lucia total: 13.43 deaths/1,000 live births male: 12.47 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon total: 6.87 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.86 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.82 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines total: 15.14 deaths/1,000 live births male: 16.48 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.76 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Samoa total: 24.22 deaths/1,000 live births male: 28.61 deaths/1,000 live births female: 19.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) San Marino total: 5.34 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.76 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Sao Tome and Principe total: 37.12 deaths/1,000 live births male: 38.84 deaths/1,000 live births female: 35.35 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Saudi Arabia total: 11.57 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.15 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Senegal total: 58.94 deaths/1,000 live births male: 65.7 deaths/1,000 live births female: 51.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Serbia total: 6.75 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.79 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Seychelles total: 12.3 deaths/1,000 live births male: 15.44 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Sierra Leone total: 154.43 deaths/1,000 live births male: 171.57 deaths/1,000 live births female: 136.78 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Singapore total: 2.31 deaths/1,000 live births male: 2.51 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Slovakia total: 6.84 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.99 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Slovenia total: 4.25 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.82 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.65 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Solomon Islands total: 19.03 deaths/1,000 live births male: 21.65 deaths/1,000 live births female: 16.28 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Somalia total: 109.19 deaths/1,000 live births male: 118.31 deaths/1,000 live births female: 99.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) South Africa total: 44.42 deaths/1,000 live births male: 48.66 deaths/1,000 live births female: 40.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Spain total: 4.21 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.59 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Sri Lanka total: 18.57 deaths/1,000 live births male: 20.33 deaths/1,000 live births female: 16.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Sudan total: 82.43 deaths/1,000 live births male: 82.48 deaths/1,000 live births female: 82.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Suriname total: 18.81 deaths/1,000 live births male: 22.21 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.18 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Svalbard total: NA male: NA female: NA (2008 est.) Swaziland total: 68.63 deaths/1,000 live births male: 71.87 deaths/1,000 live births female: 65.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Sweden total: 2.75 deaths/1,000 live births male: 2.91 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Switzerland total: 4.18 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.64 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.68 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Syria total: 25.87 deaths/1,000 live births male: 26.13 deaths/1,000 live births female: 25.59 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Taiwan total: 5.35 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.64 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Tajikistan total: 41.03 deaths/1,000 live births male: 45.9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 35.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Tanzania total: 69.28 deaths/1,000 live births male: 76.24 deaths/1,000 live births female: 62.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Thailand total: 17.63 deaths/1,000 live births male: 18.9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 16.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Timor-Leste total: 40.65 deaths/1,000 live births male: 46.72 deaths/1,000 live births female: 34.28 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Togo total: 56.24 deaths/1,000 live births male: 63.5 deaths/1,000 live births female: 48.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Tokelau total: NA male: NA female: NA (2008 est.) Tonga total: 11.58 deaths/1,000 live births male: 12.74 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.35 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Trinidad and Tobago total: 29.93 deaths/1,000 live births male: 31.14 deaths/1,000 live births female: 28.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Tunisia total: 22.57 deaths/1,000 live births male: 24.81 deaths/1,000 live births female: 20.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Turkey total: 25.78 deaths/1,000 live births male: 26.84 deaths/1,000 live births female: 24.67 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Turkmenistan total: 45.36 deaths/1,000 live births male: 53.85 deaths/1,000 live births female: 36.46 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands total: 13.89 deaths/1,000 live births male: 16.02 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Tuvalu total: 18.43 deaths/1,000 live births male: 20.95 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Uganda total: 64.82 deaths/1,000 live births male: 68.46 deaths/1,000 live births female: 61.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Ukraine total: 8.98 deaths/1,000 live births male: 11.2 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) United Arab Emirates total: 12.7 deaths/1,000 live births male: 14.86 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) United Kingdom total: 4.85 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.4 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.28 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) United States total: 6.26 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.94 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Uruguay total: 11.32 deaths/1,000 live births male: 12.73 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.87 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Uzbekistan total: 23.43 deaths/1,000 live births male: 27.7 deaths/1,000 live births female: 18.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Vanuatu total: 49.45 deaths/1,000 live births male: 51.97 deaths/1,000 live births female: 46.81 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Venezuela total: 21.54 deaths/1,000 live births male: 25.1 deaths/1,000 live births female: 17.81 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Vietnam total: 22.88 deaths/1,000 live births male: 23.27 deaths/1,000 live births female: 22.46 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Virgin Islands total: 7.56 deaths/1,000 live births male: 8.28 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Wallis and Futuna total: 5.02 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.27 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.75 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) West Bank total: 15.96 deaths/1,000 live births male: 17.87 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Western Sahara total: 69.66 deaths/1,000 live births male: 69.84 deaths/1,000 live births female: 69.47 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) World total: 40.85 deaths/1,000 live births male: 43.85 deaths/1,000 live births female: 37.67 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Yemen total: 54.7 deaths/1,000 live births male: 59.12 deaths/1,000 live births female: 50.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Zambia total: 101.2 deaths/1,000 live births male: 105.97 deaths/1,000 live births female: 96.28 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Zimbabwe total: 32.31 deaths/1,000 live births male: 34.9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 29.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) ====================================================================== @2092 Field Listing :: Inflation rate (consumer prices) This entry furnishes the annual percent change in consumer prices compared with the previous year's consumer prices. Country Comparison to the World Country Inflation rate (consumer prices)(%) Afghanistan 13% (2007 est.) Albania 3.4% (2008 est.) 2.9% (2007 est.) Algeria 4.4% (2008 est.) 3.5% (2007 est.) American Samoa NA% Andorra 3.9% (2007) 3.2% (2005) Angola 12.5% (2008 est.) 12.2% (2007 est.) Anguilla 5.3% (2006 est.) Antigua and Barbuda 1.5% (2007 est.) Argentina 8.6% (2008 est.) 8.8% (2007 est.) note: based on official estimates, which lack credibility; non-official estimates put inflation at 22% in 2008 Armenia 9% (2008 est.) 4.4% (2007 est.) Aruba 3.4% (2005) Australia 4.4% (2008 est.) 2.3% (2007 est.) Austria 3.2% (2008 est.) 2.2% (2007 est.) Azerbaijan 20.8% (2008 est.) 16.7% (2007 est.) Bahamas, The 2.4% (2007 est.) Bahrain 7% (2008 est.) 3.3% (2007 est.) Bangladesh 8.9% (2008 est.) 9.1% (2007 est.) Barbados 5.5% (2007 est.) Belarus 14.8% (2008 est.) 8.4% (2007 est.) Belgium 4.5% (2008 est.) 1.8% (2007 est.) Belize 6.4% (2008 est.) 2.3% (2007 est.) Benin 7.9% (2008 est.) 1.3% (2007 est.) Bermuda 2.8% (November 2005) Bhutan 4.9% (2007 est.) Bolivia 14% (2008 est.) 8.7% (2007 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina 7.3% (2008 est.) 1.6% (2007 est.) Botswana 12.6% (2008 est.) 7.1% (2007 est.) Brazil 5.7% (2008 est.) 3.6% (2007 est.) British Virgin Islands 2% (2005) Brunei 0.3% (2007 est.) Bulgaria 12.3% (2008 est.) 9.8% (2007 est.) Burkina Faso 10.7% (2008 est.) -0.2% (2007 est.) Burma 26.8% (2008 est.) 35% (2007 est.) Burundi 24.1% (2008 est.) 8.3% (2007 est.) Cambodia 25% (2008 est.) 5.9% (2007 est.) Cameroon 5.3% (2008 est.) 1.1% (2007 est.) Canada 2.4% (2008 est.) 2.1% (2007 est.) Cape Verde 6.8% (2008 est.) 4.4% (2007 est.) Cayman Islands 4.4% (2004) Central African Republic 0.9% (2007 est.) Chad 10.3% (2008 est.) 4% (2007 est.) Chile 8.7% (2008 est.) 4.4% (2007 est.) China 5.9% (2008 est.) 4.8% (2007 est.) Colombia 7% (2008 est.) 5.5% (2007 est.) Comoros 3% (2007 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 16.7% (2007 est.) Congo, Republic of the 7.3% (2008 est.) 2.7% (2007 est.) Cook Islands 2.1% (2005 est.) Costa Rica 13.4% (2008 est.) 9.4% (2007 est.) Cote d'Ivoire 6.3% (2008 est.) 1.9% (2007 est.) Croatia 6.1% (2008 est.) 4.5% (2007 est.) Cuba 3.4% (2008 est.) 3.1% (2007 est.) Cyprus 4.7% (2008 est.) 2.4% (2007 est.) Czech Republic 6.3% (2008 est.) 2.9% (2007 est.) Denmark 3.4% (2008 est.) 1.7% (2007 est.) Djibouti 5% (2007 est.) Dominica 2.7% (2007 est.) Dominican Republic 10.6% (2008 est.) 6.1% (2007 est.) Ecuador 8.3% (2008 est.) 2.3% (2007 est.) Egypt 18.3% (2008 est.) 9.5% (2007 est.) El Salvador 7.3% (2008 est.) 4.6% (2007 est.) Equatorial Guinea 7.5% (2008 est.) 6% (2007 est.) Eritrea 18% (2008 est.) 17% (2007 est.) Estonia 10.4% (2008 est.) 6.6% (2007 est.) Ethiopia 44.4% (2008 est.) 17.2% (2007 est.) European Union 3.5% (2008 est.) 1.8% (2006 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 3.6% (1998) Faroe Islands 1.8% (2005) Fiji 4.8% (2007) Finland 4.1% (2008 est.) 2.5% (2007 est.) France 2.8% (2008 est.) 1.5% (2007 est.) French Polynesia 1.1% (2007) 1.1% (2006 est.) Gabon 5.3% (2008 est.) 5% (2007 est.) Gambia, The 4.5% (2008 est.) 5.1% (2007 est.) Gaza Strip 11.5% (2008) 3.6% (2006) note: includes West Bank Georgia 10% (2008 est.) 9.3% (2007 est.) Germany 2.7% (2008 est.) 2.3% (2007 est.) Ghana 16.5% (2008 est.) 10.7% (2007 est.) Gibraltar 2.9% (2005) Greece 4.1% (2008 est.) 2.9% (2007 est.) Greenland 1% (2005 est.) Grenada 3.7% (2007 est.) Guam 2.5% (2005 est.) Guatemala 11.4% (2008 est.) 6.8% (2007 est.) Guernsey 3.4% (June 2006) Guinea 15% (2008 est.) 23.4% (2007 est.) Guinea-Bissau 3.8% (2007 est.) Guyana 8.3% (2008 est.) 12.3% (2007 est.) Haiti 15.5% (2008 est.) 8.5% (2007 est.) Honduras 11.4% (2008 est.) 6.9% (2007 est.) Hong Kong 4.3% (2008 est.) 2% (2007 est.) Hungary 6.1% (2008 est.) 8% (2007 est.) Iceland 12.7% (2008 est.) 5.1% (2007 est.) India 8.3% (2008 est.) 6.4% (2007 est.) Indonesia 9.9% (2008 est.) 6.3% (2007 est.) Iran 25.6% (2008 est.) 17.1% (2007 est.) note: official Iranian estimate Iraq 2.8% (2008 est.) 4.7% (2007 est.) Ireland 4.1% (2008 est.) 4.9% (2007 est.) Isle of Man 3.1% (December 2006 est.) Israel 4.6% (2008 est.) 0.5% (2007 est.) Italy 3.4% (2008 est.) 1.8% (2007 est.) Jamaica 22% (2008 est.) 9.5% (2007 est.) Japan 1.4% (2008 est.) 0.1% (2007 est.) Jersey 3.7% (December 2006) Jordan 14.9% (2008 est.) 5.4% (2007 est.) Kazakhstan 17% (2008 est.) 10.8% (2007 est.) Kenya 26.2% (2008 est.) 9.7% (2007 est.) Kiribati 0.2% (2007 est.) Korea, North NA% Korea, South 4.7% (2008 est.) 2.5% (2007 est.) Kosovo 5.3% (2007 est.) Kuwait 10.6% (2008 est.) 5.5% (2007 est.) Kyrgyzstan 24.5% (2008 est.) 10.2% (2007 est.) Laos 8.6% (2008 est.) 4.5% (2007 est.) Latvia 15.4% (2008 est.) 10.1% (2007 est.) Lebanon 10% (2008 est.) 4.2% (2007 est.) Lesotho 10.7% (2008 est.) 8% (2007 est.) Liberia 11.2% (2007 est.) Libya 10.4% (2008 est.) 6.3% (2007 est.) Liechtenstein 1% (2001) Lithuania 10.9% (2008 est.) 5.7% (2007 est.) Luxembourg 3.4% (2008 est.) 2.3% (2007 est.) Macau 6.2% (December 2008) 7.2% (2006) Macedonia 8.3% (2008 est.) 2.3% (2007 est.) Madagascar 9.2% (2008 est.) 10.3% (2007 est.) Malawi 8.7% (2008 est.) 7.9% (2007 est.) Malaysia 5.4% (2008 est.) 2% (2007 est.) note: approximately 30% of goods are price-controlled Maldives 12.8% (October 2008 est.) 5% (2007 est.) Mali 2.5% (2007 est.) Malta 4.3% (2008 est.) 1.3% (2007 est.) Marshall Islands 12.9% (2008 est.) 3% (2005 est.) Mauritania 7.3% (2007 est.) Mauritius 9.7% (2008 est.) 8.8% (2007 est.) Mayotte 1.7% (2005) Mexico 5.1% (2008 est.) 4% (2007 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of 2.2% (2005) Moldova 12.8% (2008 est.) 12.3% (2007 est.) Monaco 1.9% (2000) Mongolia 28% (2008 est.) 9% (2007 est.) Montenegro 3.4% (2007) Montserrat 2.6% (2002 est.) Morocco 3.8% (2008 est.) 2% (2007 est.) Mozambique 10.3% (2008 est.) 8.2% (2007 est.) Namibia 10.3% (2008 est.) 6.7% (2007 est.) Nauru NA% Nepal 7.7% (2008 est.) 6.4% (2007 est.) Netherlands 2.5% (2008 est.) 1.6% (2007 est.) Netherlands Antilles 2.1% (2003 est.) New Caledonia 1.4% (2000 est.) New Zealand 4% (2008 est.) 2.4% (2007 est.) Nicaragua 19.8% (2008 est.) 11.1% (2007 est.) Niger 0.1% (2007 est.) Nigeria 11.6% (2008 est.) 5.4% (2007 est.) Niue 4% (2005) Northern Mariana Islands -0.8% (2000) Norway 3.8% (2008 est.) 0.8% (2007 est.) Oman 12.5% (2008 est.) 5.9% (2007 est.) Pakistan 20.3% (2008 est.) 7.6% (2007 est.) Palau 2.7% (2005 est.) Panama 8.8% (2008 est.) 4.2% (2007 est.) Papua New Guinea 10.7% (2008 est.) 0.9% (2007 est.) Paraguay 10.2% (2008 est.) 8.1% (2007 est.) Peru 5.8% (2008 est.) 1.8% (2007 est.) Philippines 9.3% (2008 est.) 2.8% (2007 est.) Poland 4.2% (2008 est.) 2.5% (2007 est.) Portugal 2.6% (2008 est.) 2.4% (2007 est.) Puerto Rico 6.5% (2003 est.) Qatar 15.2% (2008 est.) 13.7% (2007 est.) Romania 7.8% (2008 est.) 4.8% (2007 est.) Russia 14.1% (2008 est.) 9% (2007 est.) Rwanda 15.4% (2008 est.) 9.1% (2007 est.) Saint Helena 3.2% (1997 est.) 3.2% (1997 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis 4.5% (2007 est.) Saint Lucia 1.9% (2007 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 8.1% (2005) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 6.1% (2007 est.) Samoa 6% (2007 est.) San Marino -3.5% (2008) -1.5% (2006) Sao Tome and Principe 26% (2008 est.) 18% (2007 est.) Saudi Arabia 9.9% (2008 est.) 4.1% (2007 est.) Senegal 5.8% (2008 est.) 5.9% (2007 est.) Serbia 6.8% (2007) Seychelles 37% (2008 est.) 5.3% (2007 est.) Sierra Leone 11.7% (2007 est.) Singapore 6.5% (2008 est.) 2.1% (2007 est.) Slovakia 4.6% (2008 est.) 2.8% (2007 est.) Slovenia 5.7% (2008 est.) 3.6% (2007 est.) Solomon Islands 6.3% (2007 est.) Somalia NA% note: businesses print their own money, so inflation rates cannot be easily determined South Africa 11.3% (2008 est.) 6.5% (2007 est.) Spain 4.1% (2008 est.) 2.8% (2007 est.) Sri Lanka 22.6% (2008 est.) 15.8% (2007 est.) Sudan 14.3% (2008 est.) 8% (2007 est.) Suriname 6.4% (2007 est.) Swaziland 13.4% (2008 est.) 8.1% (2007 est.) Sweden 3.5% (2008 est.) 2.2% (2007 est.) Switzerland 2.4% (2008 est.) 0.7% (2007 est.) Syria 15.7% (2008 est.) 12.2% (2007 est.) Taiwan 3.5% (2008 est.) 1.8% (2007 est.) Tajikistan 20.5% (2008 est.) 13.1% (2007 est.) Tanzania 10.3% (2008 est.) 7% (2007 est.) Thailand 5.5% (2008 est.) 2.2% (2007 est.) Timor-Leste 7.8% (2007 est.) Togo 8.7% (2008 est.) 1% (2007 est.) Tokelau NA% Tonga 5.9% (2007 est.) Trinidad and Tobago 12% (2008 est.) 7.9% (2007 est.) Tunisia 5% (2008 est.) 3.1% (2007 est.) Turkey 10.4% (2008 est.) 8.7% (2007 est.) Turkmenistan 13% (2008 est.) 11.3% (2007 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands 4% (1995) Tuvalu 3.8% (2006 est.) Uganda 12.1% (2008 est.) 6.1% (2007 est.) Ukraine 25.2% (2008 est.) 12.8% (2007 est.) United Arab Emirates 15.8% (2008 est.) 14% (2007 est.) United Kingdom 3.6% (2008 est.) 2.3% (2007 est.) United States 3.8% (2008 est.) 2.9% (2007 est.) Uruguay 7.9% (2008 est.) 8.1% (2007 est.) Uzbekistan 14% (2008 est.) 12% (2007 est.) note: official data; based on independent analysis of consumer prices, inflation reached 38% in 2008 Vanuatu 3.9% (2007 est.) Venezuela 30.4% (2008 est.) 18.7% (2007 est.) Vietnam 23.1% (2008 est.) 8.3% (2007 est.) Virgin Islands 2.2% (2003) Wallis and Futuna 2.8% (2005) West Bank 11.5% (2008) 3.6% (2006) note: data in include Gaza Strip Western Sahara NA% World developed countries 1% to 4% typically; developing countries 5% to 20% typically; national inflation rates vary widely in individual cases, from declining prices in Japan to hyperinflation in one Third World country (Zimbabwe); inflation rates have declined for most countries for the last several years, held in check by increasing international competition from several low wage countries Yemen 19% (2008 est.) 10% (2007 est.) Zambia 12.4% (2008 est.) 10.6% (2007 est.) Zimbabwe 14.93 billion% (2008 est.) 12,563% (2007 est.) ====================================================================== @2093 Field Listing :: Waterways This entry gives the total length of navigable rivers, canals, and other inland bodies of water. Country Comparison to the World Country Waterways(km) Afghanistan 1,200 km (chiefly Amu Darya, which handles vessels up to 500 DWT) (2008) Albania 43 km (2008) Angola 1,300 km (2008) Argentina 11,000 km (2007) Australia 2,000 km (mainly used for recreation on Murray and Murray-Darling river systems) (2006) Austria 358 km (2007) Bangladesh 8,370 km note: includes up to 3,060 km main cargo routes; network reduced to 5,200 km in dry season (2007) Belarus 2,500 km (use limited by location on perimeter of country and by shallowness) (2003) Belgium 2,043 km (1,528 km in regular commercial use) (2008) Belize 825 km (navigable only by small craft) (2008) Benin 150 km (on River Niger along northern border) (2007) Bolivia 10,000 km (commercially navigable) (2007) Bosnia and Herzegovina Sava River (northern border) open to shipping but use limited (2008) Brazil 50,000 km (most in areas remote from industry and population) (2008) Brunei 209 km (navigable by craft drawing less than 1.2 m) (2008) Bulgaria 470 km (2008) Burma 12,800 km (2008) Burundi mainly on Lake Tanganyika (2008) Cambodia 2,400 km (mainly on Mekong River) (2008) Cameroon navigation mainly on Benue River; limited during rainy season (2008) Canada 636 km note: Saint Lawrence Seaway of 3,769 km, including the Saint Lawrence River of 3,058 km, shared with United States (2008) Central African Republic 2,800 km (primarily on the Oubangui and Sangha rivers) (2007) Chad Chari and Legone rivers are navigable only in wet season (2008) China 110,000 km navigable (2008) Colombia 18,000 km (2008) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 15,000 km (2008) Congo, Republic of the 1,120 km (commercially navigable on Congo and Oubanqui rivers) (2008) Costa Rica 730 km (seasonally navigable by small craft) (2008) Cote d'Ivoire 980 km (navigable rivers, canals, and numerous coastal lagoons) (2008) Croatia 785 km (2008) Cuba 240 km (2008) Czech Republic 664 km (principally on Elbe, Vltava, Oder, and other navigable rivers, lakes, and canals) (2008) Denmark 400 km (2008) Ecuador 1,500 km (most inaccessible) (2008) Egypt 3,500 km note: includes Nile River, Lake Nasser, Alexandria-Cairo Waterway, and numerous smaller canals in delta; Suez Canal (193.5 km including approaches) navigable by oceangoing vessels drawing up to 17.68 m (2007) El Salvador Rio Lempa partially navigable for small craft (2008) Estonia 320 km (2008) European Union 52,332 km (2006) Fiji 203 km note: 122 km navigable by motorized craft and 200-metric-ton barges (2008) Finland 7,842 km note: includes Saimaa Canal system of 3,577 km; southern part leased from Russia (2008) France metropolitan France: 8,501 km (1,621 km accessible to craft of 3,000 metric tons) French Guiana: 3,760 km (460 km navigable by small oceangoing vessels and coastal and river steamers, 3,300 km by native craft) (2008) Gabon 1,600 km (310 km on Ogooue River) (2008) Gambia, The 390 km (on River Gambia; small ocean-going vessels can reach 190 km) (2008) Germany 7,467 km note: Rhine River carries most goods; Main-Danube Canal links North Sea and Black Sea (2008) Ghana 1,293 km note: 168 km for launches and lighters on Volta, Ankobra, and Tano rivers; 1,125 km of arterial and feeder waterways on Lake Volta (2008) Greece 6 km note: Corinth Canal (6 km) crosses the Isthmus of Corinth; shortens sea voyage by 325 km (2008) Guatemala 990 km note: 260 km navigable year round; additional 730 km navigable during high-water season (2007) Guinea 1,300 km (navigable by shallow-draft native craft) (2008) Guinea-Bissau rivers are navigable for some distance; many inlets and creeks give shallow-water access to much of interior (2008) Guyana 330 km note: Berbice, Demerara, and Essequibo rivers are navigable by oceangoing vessels for 150 km, 100 km, and 80 km respectively (2008) Honduras 465 km (most navigable only by small craft) (2008) Hungary 1,622 km (most on Danube River) (2008) India 14,500 km note: 5,200 km on major rivers and 485 km on canals suitable for mechanized vessels (2008) Indonesia 21,579 km (2008) Iran 850 km (on Karun River; additional service on Lake Urmia) (2008) Iraq 5,279 km note: Euphrates River (2,815 km), Tigris River (1,899 km), and Third River (565 km) are principal waterways (2008) Ireland 956 km (pleasure craft only) (2008) Italy 2,400 km note: used for commercial traffic; of limited overall value compared to road and rail (2008) Japan 1,770 km (seagoing vessels use inland seas) (2007) Kazakhstan 4,000 km (on the Ertis ((Irtysh)) River (80%) and Syr Darya ((Syrdariya)) River) (2008) Kenya part of Lake Victoria system is within boundaries of Kenya (2007) Kiribati 5 km (small network of canals in Line Islands) (2007) Korea, North 2,250 km (most navigable only by small craft) (2008) Korea, South 1,608 km (most navigable only by small craft) (2008) Kyrgyzstan 600 km (2008) Laos 4,600 km note: primarily Mekong and tributaries; 2,900 additional km are intermittently navigable by craft drawing less than 0.5 m (2008) Latvia 300 km (2007) Liechtenstein 28 km (2008) Lithuania 441 km (2007) Luxembourg 37 km (on Moselle River) (2008) Madagascar 600 km note: 432 km navigable (2008) Malawi 700 km (on Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) and Shire River) (2008) Malaysia 7,200 km note: Peninsular Malaysia 3,200 km; Sabah 1,500 km; Sarawak 2,500 km (2008) Mali 1,800 km (2008) Mauritania some navigation possible on Senegal River Mexico 2,900 km (navigable rivers and coastal canals) (2008) Moldova 424 km (on Dniester and Prut rivers) (2008) Mongolia 580 km note: only waterway in operation is Lake Hovsgol (135 km); Selenge River (270 km) and Orhon River (175 km) are navigable but carry little traffic; lakes and rivers freeze in winter, are open from May to September (2007) Mozambique 460 km (Zambezi River navigable to Tete and along Cahora Bassa Lake) (2008) Netherlands 6,215 km (navigable for ships of 50 tons) (2007) Nicaragua 2,220 km (including lakes Managua and Nicaragua) (2008) Niger 300 km (the Niger, the only major river, is navigable to Gaya between September and March) (2008) Nigeria 8,600 km (Niger and Benue rivers and smaller rivers and creeks) (2008) Norway 1,577 km (2008) Panama 800 km (includes 82 km Panama Canal) (2008) Papua New Guinea 11,000 km (2006) Paraguay 3,100 km (2008) Peru 8,808 km note: 8,600 km of navigable tributaries of Amazon system and 208 km of Lago Titicaca (2008) Philippines 3,219 km (limited to vessels with draft less than 1.5 m) (2008) Poland 3,997 km (navigable rivers and canals) (2007) Portugal 210 km (on Douro River from Porto) (2008) Romania 1,731 km note: includes 1,075 km on Danube River, 524 km on secondary branches, and 132 km on canals (2006) Russia 102,000 km (including 33,000 km with guaranteed depth) note: 72,000 km system in European Russia links Baltic Sea, White Sea, Caspian Sea, Sea of Azov, and Black Sea (2007) Rwanda Lac Kivu navigable by shallow-draft barges and native craft (2008) Senegal 1,000 km (primarily on Senegal, Saloum, and Casamance rivers) (2008) Serbia 587 km (primarily on Danube and Sava rivers) (2008) Sierra Leone 800 km (600 km year round) (2007) Slovakia 172 km (on Danube River) (2008) Slovenia some transport on Danube River (2008) Spain 1,000 km (2008) Sri Lanka 160 km (primarily on rivers in southwest) (2008) Sudan 4,068 km (1,723 km open year round on White and Blue Nile rivers) (2008) Suriname 1,200 km (most navigable by ships with drafts up to 7 m) (2008) Sweden 2,052 km (2007) Switzerland 65 km (Rhine River between Basel-Rheinfelden and Schaffhausen-Bodensee) (2008) Syria 900 km (not economically significant) (2008) Tajikistan 200 km (along Vakhsh River) (2008) Tanzania Lake Tanganyika, Lake Victoria, and Lake Nyasa principal avenues of commerce with neighboring countries; rivers not navigable (2007) Thailand 4,000 km note: 3,701 km navigable by boats with drafts up to 0.9 m (2008) Togo 50 km (seasonally on Mono River depending on rainfall) (2008) Turkey 1,200 km (2008) Turkmenistan 1,300 km (Amu Darya and Kara Kum canal are important inland waterways) (2008) Uganda on Lake Victoria, 200 km on Lake Albert, Lake Kyoga, and parts of Albert Nile (2008) Ukraine 2,176 km (most on Dnieper River) (2007) United Kingdom 3,200 km (620 km used for commerce) (2008) United States 41,009 km (19,312 km used for commerce) note: Saint Lawrence Seaway of 3,769 km, including the Saint Lawrence River of 3,058 km, shared with Canada (2008) Uruguay 1,600 km (2008) Uzbekistan 1,100 km (2008) Venezuela 7,100 km note: Orinoco River (400 km) and Lake de Maracaibo navigable by oceangoing vessels (2008) Vietnam 17,702 km (5,000 km navigable by vessels up to 1.8 m draft) (2008) World 671,886 km (2004) Zambia 2,250 km (includes Lake Tanganyika and the Zambezi and Luapula rivers) (2008) Zimbabwe on Lake Kariba (2008) ====================================================================== @2094 Field Listing :: Judicial branch This entry contains the name(s) of the highest court(s) and a brief description of the selection process for members. Country Judicial branch Afghanistan the constitution establishes a nine-member Stera Mahkama or Supreme Court (its nine justices are appointed for 10-year terms by the president with approval of the Wolesi Jirga) and subordinate High Courts and Appeals Courts; there is also a minister of justice; a separate Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission established by the Bonn Agreement is charged with investigating human rights abuses and war crimes Albania Constitutional Court, Supreme Court (chairman is elected by the People's Assembly for a four-year term) and multiple appeals and district courts Algeria Supreme Court American Samoa High Court (chief justice and associate justices are appointed by the US Secretary of the Interior) Andorra Tribunal of Judges or Tribunal de Batlles; Tribunal of the Courts or Tribunal de Corts; Supreme Court of Justice of Andorra or Tribunal Superior de Justicia d'Andorra; Supreme Council of Justice or Consell Superior de la Justicia; Fiscal Ministry or Ministeri Fiscal; Constitutional Tribunal or Tribunal Constitucional Angola Supreme Court and separate provincial courts (judges are appointed by the president) Anguilla High Court (judge provided by Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court) Antigua and Barbuda Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court consisting of a High Court of Justice and a Court of Appeal (based in Saint Lucia; two judges of the Supreme Court are residents of the islands and preside over the Court of Summary Jurisdiction); Magistrates' Courts; member of the Caribbean Court of Justice Argentina Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (the Supreme Court judges are appointed by the president with approval of the Senate) note: the Supreme Court has seven judges; the Argentine Congress in 2006 passed a bill to gradually reduce the number of Supreme Court judges to five Armenia Constitutional Court; Court of Cassation (Appeals Court) Aruba Common Court of Justice of Aruba (judges are appointed by the monarch) Australia High Court (the chief justice and six other justices are appointed by the governor general) Austria Supreme Judicial Court or Oberster Gerichtshof; Administrative Court or Verwaltungsgerichtshof; Constitutional Court or Verfassungsgerichtshof Azerbaijan Supreme Court Bahamas, The Privy Council in London; Courts of Appeal; Supreme (lower) Court; Magistrates' Courts Bahrain High Civil Appeals Court Bangladesh Supreme Court (the chief justices and other judges are appointed by the president) Barbados Supreme Court of Judicature consists of a High Court and a Court of Appeal (judges are appointed by the Service Commissions for the Judicial and Legal Services); Caribbean Court of Justice or CCJ is the highest court of appeal; based in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago Belarus Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president); Constitutional Court (half of the judges appointed by the president and half appointed by the Chamber of Representatives) Belgium Supreme Court of Justice or Hof van Cassatie (in Dutch) or Cour de Cassation (in French) (judges are appointed for life by the government; candidacies have to be submitted by the High Justice Council) Belize Summary Jurisdiction Courts (criminal) and District Courts (civil jurisdiction); Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister); Court of Appeal; Privy Council in the UK; member of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Benin Constitutional Court or Cour Constitutionnelle; Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; High Court of Justice Bermuda Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; Magistrate Courts Bhutan Supreme Court of Appeal (the monarch); High Court (judges appointed by the monarch); note - the draft constitution establishes a Supreme Court that will serve as chief court of appeal Bolivia Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges appointed for 10-year terms by National Congress); District Courts (one in each department); provincial and local courts (to try minor cases); Constitutional Tribunal (five primary or titulares and five alternate or suplente magistrates appointed by Congress; to rule on constitutional issues); National Electoral Court (six members elected by Congress, Supreme Court, the president, and the political party with the highest vote in the last election for four-year terms); note - under the 2009 Constitution, all Constitutional and Supreme Court judges will be elected by popular vote Bosnia and Herzegovina BH Constitutional Court (consists of nine members: four members are selected by the Bosniak/Croat Federation's House of Representatives, two members by the Republika Srpska's National Assembly, and three non-Bosnian members by the president of the European Court of Human Rights); BH State Court (consists of nine judges and three divisions - Administrative, Appellate and Criminal - having jurisdiction over cases related to state-level law and appellate jurisdiction over cases initiated in the entities); a War Crimes Chamber opened in March 2005 note: the entities each have a Supreme Court; each entity also has a number of lower courts; there are 10 cantonal courts in the Federation, plus a number of municipal courts; the Republika Srpska has five municipal courts Botswana High Court; Court of Appeal; Magistrates' Courts (one in each district) Brazil Supreme Federal Tribunal or STF (11 ministers are appointed for life by the president and confirmed by the Senate); Higher Tribunal of Justice; Regional Federal Tribunals (judges are appointed for life); note - though appointed "for life," judges, like all federal employees, have a mandatory retirement age of 70 British Virgin Islands Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consisting of the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal (one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the High Court); Magistrate's Court; Juvenile Court; Court of Summary Jurisdiction Brunei Supreme Court - chief justice and judges are sworn in by monarch for three-year terms; Judicial Committee of Privy Council in London is final court of appeal for civil cases; Sharia courts deal with Islamic laws (2006) Bulgaria independent judiciary comprised of judges, prosecutors and investigating magistrates who are appointed, promoted, demoted, and dismissed by a 25-member Supreme Judicial Council (consists of the chairmen of the two Supreme Courts, the Chief Prosecutor, and 22 members, half of whom are elected by the National Assembly and the other half by the bodies of the judiciary for a 5-year term in office); three levels of case review; 182 courts of which two Supreme Courts act as the last instance on civil and criminal cases (the Supreme Court of Cassation) and appeals of government decisions (the Supreme Administrative Court) Burkina Faso Supreme Court; Appeals Court Burma remnants of the British-era legal system are in place, but there is no guarantee of a fair public trial; the judiciary is not independent of the executive Burundi Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Constitutional Court; High Court of Justice (composed of the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court) Cambodia Supreme Council of the Magistracy (provided for in the constitution and formed in December 1997); Supreme Court (and lower courts) exercises judicial authority Cameroon Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president); High Court of Justice (consists of nine judges and six substitute judges; elected by the National Assembly) Canada Supreme Court of Canada (judges are appointed by the prime minister through the governor general); Federal Court of Canada; Federal Court of Appeal; Provincial Courts (these are named variously Court of Appeal, Court of Queens Bench, Superior Court, Supreme Court, and Court of Justice) Cape Verde Supreme Tribunal of Justice or Supremo Tribunal de Justia Cayman Islands Grand Court; Cayman Islands Court of Appeal; Summary Court Central African Republic Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Constitutional Court (three judges appointed by the president, three by the president of the National Assembly, and three by fellow judges); Court of Appeal; Criminal Courts; Inferior Courts Chad Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; Criminal Courts; Magistrate Courts Chile Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges are appointed by the president and ratified by the Senate from lists of candidates provided by the court itself; the president of the Supreme Court is elected every three years by the 20-member court); Constitutional Tribunal (eight-members - two each from the Senate, Chamber of Deputies, Supreme Court, and National Security Council - review the constitutionality of laws approved by Congress) China Supreme People's Court (judges appointed by the National People's Congress); Local People's Courts (comprise higher, intermediate, and basic courts); Special People's Courts (primarily military, maritime, railway transportation, and forestry courts) Christmas Island Supreme Court; District Court; Magistrate's Court Cocos (Keeling) Islands Supreme Court; Magistrate's Court Colombia four roughly coequal, supreme judicial organs; Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (highest court of criminal law; judges are selected by their peers from the nominees of the Superior Judicial Council for eight-year terms); Council of State (highest court of administrative law; judges are selected from the nominees of the Superior Judicial Council for eight-year terms); Constitutional Court (guards integrity and supremacy of the constitution; rules on constitutionality of laws, amendments to the constitution, and international treaties); Superior Judicial Council (administers and disciplines the civilian judiciary; resolves jurisdictional conflicts arising between other courts; members are elected by three sister courts and Congress for eight-year terms) Comoros Supreme Court or Cour Supremes (two members appointed by the president, two members elected by the Federal Assembly, one elected by the Council of each island, and others are former presidents of the republic) Congo, Democratic Republic of the Constitutional Court; Appeals Court or Cour de Cassation; Council of State; High Military Court; plus civil and military courts and tribunals Congo, Republic of the Supreme Court or Cour Supreme Cook Islands High Court Costa Rica Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (22 justices are elected for renewable eight-year terms by the Legislative Assembly) Cote d'Ivoire Supreme Court or Cour Supreme consists of four chambers: Judicial Chamber for criminal cases, Audit Chamber for financial cases, Constitutional Chamber for judicial review cases, and Administrative Chamber for civil cases; there is no legal limit to the number of members Croatia Supreme Court; Constitutional Court; judges for both courts are appointed for eight-year terms by the Judicial Council of the Republic, which is elected by the Assembly Cuba People's Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo Popular (president, vice president, and other judges are elected by the National Assembly) Cyprus Supreme Court (judges are appointed jointly by the president and vice president) note: there is also a Supreme Court in the area administered by Turkish Cypriots Czech Republic Supreme Court; Constitutional Court; chairman and deputy chairmen are appointed by the president for a 10-year term Denmark Supreme Court (judges are appointed for life by the monarch) Djibouti Supreme Court or Cour Supreme Dominica Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consisting of the Court of Appeal and the High Court (located in Saint Lucia; one of the six judges must reside in Dominica and preside over the Court of Summary Jurisdiction) Dominican Republic Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges are appointed by the National Judicial Council comprised of the president, the leaders of both chambers of congress, the president of the Supreme Court, and an additional non-governing party congressional representative) Ecuador Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (according to the Constitution, new justices are elected by the full Supreme Court; in December 2004, however, Congress successfully replaced the entire court by a simple majority resolution) Egypt Supreme Constitutional Court El Salvador Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (15 judges are selected by the Legislative Assembly; the 15 judges are assigned to four Supreme Court chambers - constitutional, civil, penal, and administrative conflict) Equatorial Guinea Supreme Tribunal Eritrea High Court - regional, subregional, and village courts; also have military and special courts Estonia Supreme Court (chairman appointed for life by Parliament) Ethiopia Federal Supreme Court (the president and vice president of the Federal Supreme Court are recommended by the prime minister and appointed by the House of People's Representatives; for other federal judges, the prime minister submits to the House of People's Representatives for appointment candidates selected by the Federal Judicial Administrative Council) European Union Court of Justice of the European Communities (ensures that the treaties are interpreted and applied uniformly throughout the EU; resolve constitutional issues among the EU institutions) - 27 justices (one from each member state) appointed for a six-year term; note - for the sake of efficiency, the court can sit with 13 justices known as the "Grand Chamber"; Court of First Instance - 27 justices appointed for a six-year term Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Supreme Court (chief justice is a nonresident); Magistrates Court (senior magistrate presides over civil and criminal divisions); Court of Summary Jurisdiction Faroe Islands none Fiji Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president); Court of Appeal; High Court; Magistrates' Courts Finland Supreme Court or Korkein Oikeus (judges appointed by the president) France Supreme Court of Appeals or Cour de Cassation (judges are appointed by the president from nominations of the High Council of the Judiciary); Constitutional Council or Conseil Constitutionnel (three members appointed by the president, three appointed by the president of the National Assembly, and three appointed by the president of the Senate); Council of State or Conseil d'Etat French Polynesia Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Court of the First Instance or Tribunal de Premiere Instance; Court of Administrative Law or Tribunal Administratif Gabon Supreme Court or Cour Supreme consisting of three chambers - Judicial, Administrative, and Accounts; Constitutional Court; Courts of Appeal; Court of State Security; County Courts Gambia, The Supreme Court Georgia Supreme Court (judges elected by the Supreme Council on the president's or chairman of the Supreme Court's recommendation); Constitutional Court; first and second instance courts Germany Federal Constitutional Court or Bundesverfassungsgericht (half the judges are elected by the Bundestag and half by the Bundesrat) Ghana Supreme Court Gibraltar Supreme Court; Court of Appeal Greece Supreme Judicial Court; Special Supreme Tribunal; all judges are appointed for life by the president after consultation with a judicial council Greenland High Court or Landsret (appeals can be made to the Ostre Landsret or Eastern Division of the High Court or Supreme Court in Copenhagen) Grenada Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consisting of a court of Appeal and a High Court of Justice (two High Court judges are assigned to and reside in Grenada); Itinerant Court of Appeal three judges; member of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Guam Federal District Court (judge is appointed by the president); Territorial Superior Court (judges appointed for eight-year terms by the governor) Guatemala Constitutional Court or Corte de Constitucionalidad is Guatemala's highest court (five judges are elected for concurrent five-year terms); Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (13 members serve concurrent five-year terms and elect a president of the Court each year from among their number; the president of the Supreme Court of Justice also supervises trial judges around the country, who are named to five-year terms) Guernsey Royal Court (judges elected by an electoral college and the bailiff) Guinea Court of First Instance or Tribunal de Premiere Instance; Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Supreme Court or Cour Supreme Guinea-Bissau Supreme Court or Supremo Tribunal da Justica (consists of nine justices appointed by the president and serve at his pleasure; final court of appeals in criminal and civil cases); Regional Courts (one in each of nine regions; first court of appeals for Sectoral Court decisions; hear all felony cases and civil cases valued at more than $1,000); 24 Sectoral Courts (judges are not necessarily trained lawyers; they hear civil cases valued at less than $1,000 and misdemeanor criminal cases) Guyana Supreme Court of Judicature, consisting of the High Court and the Court of Appeal, with right of final appeal to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Haiti Supreme Court or Cour de Cassation Holy See (Vatican City) there are three tribunals responsible for civil and criminal matters within Vatican City; three other tribunals rule on issues pertaining to the Holy See note: judicial duties were established by the Motu Proprio of Pope PIUS XII on 1 May 1946 Honduras Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (15 judges are elected for seven-year terms by the National Congress) Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Hungary Constitutional Court (judges are elected by the National Assembly for nine-year terms) Iceland Supreme Court or Haestirettur (justices are appointed for life by the Minister of Justice); eight district courts (justices are appointed for life by the Minister of Justice) India Supreme Court (one chief justice and 25 associate justices are appointed by the president and remain in office until they reach the age of 65 or are removed for "proved misbehavior") Indonesia Supreme Court or Mahkamah Agung is the final court of appeal but does not have the power of judicial review (justices are appointed by the president from a list of candidates selected by the legislature); in March 2004 the Supreme Court assumed administrative and financial responsibility for the lower court system from the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights; Constitutional Court or Mahkamah Konstitusi (invested by the president on 16 August 2003) has the power of judicial review, jurisdiction over the results of a general election, and reviews actions to dismiss a president from office; Labor Court under supervision of Supreme Court began functioning in January 2006; the Anti-Corruption Court has jurisdiction over corruption cases brought by the independent Corruption Eradication Commission; in 2006, the Constitutional Court declared the mechanism by which the Anti-Corruption Court was established unconstitutional and gave the parliament until the end of 2009 to pass Anti-Corruption Court legislation Iran The Supreme Court (Qeveh Qazaieh) and the four-member High Council of the Judiciary have a single head and overlapping responsibilities; together they supervise the enforcement of all laws and establish judicial and legal policies; lower courts include a special clerical court, a revolutionary court, and a special administrative court Iraq the Iraq Constitution calls for the federal judicial power to be comprised of the Higher Judicial Council, Federal Supreme Court, Federal Court of Cassation, Public Prosecution Department, Judiciary Oversight Commission and other federal courts that are regulated in accordance with the law Ireland Supreme Court (judges appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister and cabinet) Isle of Man High Court of Justice (justices are appointed by the Lord Chancellor of England on the nomination of the lieutenant governor) Israel Supreme Court (justices appointed by Judicial Selection Committee - made up of all three branches of the government; mandatory retirement age is 70) Italy Constitutional Court or Corte Costituzionale (composed of 15 judges: one-third appointed by the president, one-third elected by parliament, one-third elected by the ordinary and administrative Supreme Courts) Jamaica Supreme Court (judges appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister); Court of Appeal; Privy Council in UK; member of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Japan Supreme Court (chief justice is appointed by the monarch after designation by the cabinet; all other justices are appointed by the cabinet) Jersey Royal Court (judges elected by an electoral college and the bailiff) Jordan Court of Cassation (Supreme Court) Kazakhstan Supreme Court (44 members); Constitutional Council (seven members) Kenya Court of Appeal (chief justice is appointed by the president); High Court Kiribati Court of Appeal; High Court; 26 Magistrates' courts; judges at all levels are appointed by the president Korea, North Central Court (judges are elected by the Supreme People's Assembly) Korea, South Supreme Court (justices appointed by the president with consent of National Assembly); Constitutional Court (justices appointed by the president based partly on nominations by National Assembly and Chief Justice of the court) Kosovo Supreme Court; district courts; municipal courts note: the Kosovo Constitution dictates that the Supreme Court of Kosovo is the highest judicial authority, and provides for a Kosovo Judicial Council (KJC) that proposes to the president candidates for appointment or reappointment as judges and prosecutors; the KJC is also responsible for decisions on the promotion and transfer of judges and disciplinary proceedings against judges; at least 15 percent of Supreme Court and district court judges shall be from non-majority communities Kuwait High Court of Appeal Kyrgyzstan Supreme Court; Constitutional Court (judges of both the Supreme and Constitutional Courts are appointed for 10-year terms by the Jorgorku Kengesh on the recommendation of the president; their mandatory retirement age is 70 years); Higher Court of Arbitration; Local Courts (judges appointed by the president on the recommendation of the National Council on Legal Affairs for a probationary period of five years, then 10 years) Laos People's Supreme Court (the president of the People's Supreme Court is elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the National Assembly Standing Committee; the vice president of the People's Supreme Court and the judges are appointed by the National Assembly Standing Committee) Latvia Supreme Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by parliament); Constitutional Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by parliament) Lebanon four Courts of Cassation (three courts for civil and commercial cases and one court for criminal cases); Constitutional Council (called for in Ta'if Accord - rules on constitutionality of laws); Supreme Council (hears charges against the president and prime minister as needed) Lesotho High Court (chief justice appointed by the monarch acting on the advice of the prime minister); Court of Appeal; Magistrate Courts; customary or traditional court Liberia Supreme Court Libya Supreme Court Liechtenstein Supreme Court or Oberster Gerichtshof; Court of Appeal or Obergericht Lithuania Constitutional Court; Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; judges for all courts appointed by the president Luxembourg judicial courts and tribunals (three Justices of the Peace, two district courts, and one Supreme Court of Appeals); administrative courts and tribunals (State Prosecutor's Office, administrative courts and tribunals, and the Constitutional Court); judges for all courts are appointed for life by the monarch Macau Court of Final Appeal in Macau Special Administrative Region Macedonia Supreme Court; Constitutional Court; Republican Judicial Council note: the Assembly appoints the judges Madagascar Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; High Constitutional Court or Haute Cour Constitutionnelle Malawi Supreme Court of Appeal; High Court (chief justice appointed by the president, puisne judges appointed on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission); magistrate's courts Malaysia Civil Courts include Federal Court, Court of Appeal, High Court of Malaya on peninsula Malaysia, and High Court of Sabah and Sarawak in states of Borneo (judges are appointed by the king on the advice of the prime minister); Sharia Courts include Sharia Appeal Court, Sharia High Court, and Sharia Subordinate Courts at state-level and deal with religious and family matters such as custody, divorce, and inheritance only for Muslims; decisions of Sharia courts cannot be appealed to civil courts Maldives Supreme Court; Supreme Court judges are appointed by the president with approval of voting members of the People's Council; High Court; Trial Courts; all lower court judges are appointed by the Judicial Service Commission Mali Supreme Court or Cour Supreme Malta Constitutional Court; Court of Appeal; judges for both courts are appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister Marshall Islands Supreme Court; High Court; Traditional Rights Court Mauritania Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Court of Appeals; lower courts Mauritius Supreme Court Mayotte Supreme Court or Tribunal Superieur d'Appel Mexico Supreme Court of Justice or Suprema Corte de Justicia de la Nacion (justices or ministros are appointed by the president with consent of the Senate) Micronesia, Federated States of Supreme Court Moldova Supreme Court; Constitutional Court (the sole authority for constitutional judicature) Monaco Supreme Court or Tribunal Supreme (judges appointed by the monarch on the basis of nominations by the National Council) Mongolia Supreme Court (serves as appeals court for people's and provincial courts but rarely overturns verdicts of lower courts; judges are nominated by the General Council of Courts and approved by the president) Montenegro Constitutional Court (five judges with nine-year terms); Supreme Court (judges have life tenure) Montserrat Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based in Saint Lucia, one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the High Court) Morocco Supreme Court (judges are appointed on the recommendation of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary, presided over by the monarch) Mozambique Supreme Court (the court of final appeal; some of its professional judges are appointed by the president, and some are elected by the Assembly); other courts include an Administrative Court, Constitutional Court, customs courts, maritime courts, courts marshal, labor courts Namibia Supreme Court (judges appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission) Nauru Supreme Court Nepal Supreme Court or Sarbochha Adalat (the president appoints the chief justice is appointed by the monarch on recommendation of the Constitutional Council; the chief justice appoints other judges on the recommendation of the Judicial Council) Netherlands Supreme Court or Hoge Raad (justices are nominated for life by the monarch) Netherlands Antilles Joint High Court of Justice (judges appointed by the monarch) New Caledonia Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; County Courts; Joint Commerce Tribunal Court; Children's Court New Zealand Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; High Court; note - judges appointed by the governor general Nicaragua Supreme Court or Corte Suprema de Justicia (16 judges elected for five-year terms by the National Assembly) Niger State Court or Cour d'Etat; Court of Appeals or Cour d'Appel Nigeria Supreme Court (judges recommended by the National Judicial Council and appointed by the president); Federal Court of Appeal (judges are appointed by the federal government from a pool of judges recommended by the National Judicial Council) Niue Supreme Court of New Zealand; High Court of Niue Norfolk Island Supreme Court; Court of Petty Sessions Northern Mariana Islands Commonwealth Supreme Court; Superior Court; Federal District Court Norway Supreme Court or Hoyesterett (justices appointed by the monarch) Oman Supreme Court note: the nascent civil court system, administered by region, has judges who practice secular and Sharia law Pakistan Supreme Court (justices appointed by the president); Federal Islamic or Sharia Court Palau Supreme Court; Court of Common Pleas; Land Court Panama Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (nine judges appointed for 10-year terms); five superior courts; three courts of appeal Papua New Guinea Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the proposal of the National Executive Council after consultation with the minister responsible for justice; other judges are appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission) Paraguay Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (nine judges appointed on the proposal of the Council of Magistrates or Consejo de la Magistratura) Peru Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (judges are appointed by the National Council of the Judiciary) Philippines Supreme Court (15 justices are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial and Bar Council and serve until 70 years of age); Court of Appeals; Sandigan-bayan (special court for hearing corruption cases of government officials) Pitcairn Islands Magistrate's Court; Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; judicial officers are appointed by the governor Poland Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the National Council of the Judiciary for an indefinite period); Constitutional Tribunal (judges are chosen by the Sejm for nine-year terms) Portugal Supreme Court (Supremo Tribunal de Justica); judges appointed for life by the Conselho Superior da Magistratura Puerto Rico Supreme Court; Appellate Court; Court of First Instance composed of two sections: a Superior Court and a Municipal Court (justices for all these courts appointed by the governor with the consent of the Senate) Qatar Courts of First Instance, Appeal, and Cassation; an Administrative Court and a Constitutional Court were established in 2007; note - all judges are appointed by Amiri Decree based on the recommendation of the Supreme Judiciary Council for renewable three-year terms Romania Supreme Court of Justice (comprised of 11 judges appointed for three-year terms by the president in consultation with the Superior Council of Magistrates, which is comprised of the minister of justice, the prosecutor general, two civil society representatives appointed by the Senate, and 14 judges and prosecutors elected by their peers); a separate body, the Constitutional Court, validates elections and makes decisions regarding the constitutionality of laws, treaties, ordinances, and internal rules of the Parliament; it is comprised of nine members serving nine-year terms, with three members each appointed by the president, the Senate, and the Chamber of Deputies Russia Constitutional Court; Supreme Court; Supreme Arbitration Court; judges for all courts are appointed for life by the Federation Council on the recommendation of the president Rwanda Supreme Court; High Courts of the Republic; Provincial Courts; District Courts; mediation committees Saint Helena Magistrate's Court; Supreme Court; Court of Appeal Saint Kitts and Nevis Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (consisting of a Court of Appeal and a High Court; based on Saint Lucia; two judges of the Supreme Court reside in Saint Kitts and Nevis); member of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Saint Lucia Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (consists of a High Court and a Court of Appeals; based on Saint Lucia; three judges of the Supreme Court reside in Saint Lucia); member of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Saint Pierre and Miquelon Superior Tribunal of Appeals or Tribunal Superieur d'Appel Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (consisting of a High Court and Court of Appeals; based on Saint Lucia; two judges of the Supreme Court reside in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) Samoa Court of Appeal; Supreme Court; District Court; Land and Titles Court San Marino Council of Twelve or Consiglio dei XII Sao Tome and Principe Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the National Assembly) Saudi Arabia Supreme Council of Justice Senegal Constitutional Court; Council of State; Court of Final Appeals or Cour de Cassation; Court of Appeals Serbia Constitutional Court, Supreme Court (to become court of cassation under new constitution), appellate courts, district courts, municipal courts Seychelles Court of Appeal; Supreme Court; judges for both courts are appointed by the president Sierra Leone Supreme Court; Appeals Court; High Court Singapore Supreme Court (chief justice is appointed by the president with the advice of the prime minister, other judges are appointed by the president with the advice of the chief justice); Court of Appeals Slovakia Supreme Court (judges are elected by the National Council); Constitutional Court (judges appointed by president from group of nominees approved by the National Council); Special Court (judges elected by a council of judges and appointed by president) Slovenia Supreme Court (judges are elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the Judicial Council); Constitutional Court (judges elected for nine-year terms by the National Assembly and nominated by the president) Solomon Islands Court of Appeal Somalia following the breakdown of the central government, most regions have reverted to local forms of conflict resolution, either secular, traditional Somali customary law, or Sharia (Islamic) law with a provision for appeal of all sentences South Africa Constitutional Court; Supreme Court of Appeals; High Courts; Magistrate Courts Spain Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo Sri Lanka Supreme Court; Court of Appeals; judges for both courts are appointed by the president Sudan Constitutional Court of nine justices; National Supreme Court; National Courts of Appeal; other national courts; National Judicial Service Commission will undertake overall management of the National Judiciary Suriname Cantonal Courts and a Court of Justice as an appellate court (justices are nominated for life); member of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Swaziland High Court; Supreme Court; judges for both courts are appointed by the monarch Sweden Supreme Court or Hogsta Domstolen (judges are appointed by the prime minister and the cabinet) Switzerland Federal Supreme Court (judges elected for six-year terms by the Federal Assembly) Syria Supreme Judicial Council (appoints and dismisses judges; headed by the president); national level - Supreme Constitutional Court (adjudicates electoral disputes and rules on constitutionality of laws and decrees; justices appointed for four-year terms by the president); Court of Cassation; Appeals Courts (Appeals Courts represent an intermediate level between the Court of Cassation and local level courts); local level - Magistrate Courts; Courts of First Instance; Juvenile Courts; Customs Courts; specialized courts - Economic Security Courts (hear cases related to economic crimes); Supreme State Security Court (hear cases related to national security); Personal Status Courts (religious; hear cases related to marriage and divorce) Taiwan Judicial Yuan (justices appointed by the president with consent of the Legislative Yuan) Tajikistan Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president) Tanzania Permanent Commission of Enquiry (official ombudsman); Court of Appeal (consists of a chief justice and four judges); High Court (consists of a Jaji Kiongozi and 29 judges appointed by the president; holds regular sessions in all regions); District Courts; Primary Courts (limited jurisdiction and appeals can be made to the higher courts) Thailand Supreme Court or Sandika (judges appointed by the monarch) Timor-Leste Supreme Court of Justice - constitution calls for one judge to be appointed by National Parliament and rest appointed by Superior Council for Judiciary; note - until Supreme Court is established, Court of Appeals is highest court Togo Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Supreme Court or Cour Supreme Tokelau Supreme Court in New Zealand exercises civil and criminal jurisdiction in Tokelau Tonga Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the monarch); Court of Appeal (Chief Justice and high court justices from overseas chosen and approved by Privy Council) Trinidad and Tobago Supreme Court of Judicature (comprised of the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeals; the chief justice is appointed by the president after consultation with the prime minister and the leader of the opposition; other justices are appointed by the president on the advice of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission); the highest court of appeal is the Privy Council in London; member of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Tunisia Court of Cassation or Cour de Cassation Turkey Constitutional Court; High Court of Appeals (Yargitay); Council of State (Danistay); Court of Accounts (Sayistay); Military High Court of Appeals; Military High Administrative Court Turkmenistan Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president) Turks and Caicos Islands Supreme Court; Court of Appeal Tuvalu High Court (a chief justice visits twice a year to preside over its sessions; its rulings can be appealed to the Court of Appeal in Fiji); eight Island Courts (with limited jurisdiction) Uganda Court of Appeal (judges are appointed by the president and approved by the legislature); High Court (judges are appointed by the president) Ukraine Supreme Court; Constitutional Court United Arab Emirates Union Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president) United Kingdom House of Lords (highest court of appeal; several Lords of Appeal in Ordinary are appointed by the monarch for life); Supreme Courts of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (comprising the Courts of Appeal, the High Courts of Justice, and the Crown Courts); Scotland's Court of Session and Court of the Justiciary United States Supreme Court (nine justices; nominated by the president and confirmed with the advice and consent of the Senate; appointed to serve for life); United States Courts of Appeal; United States District Courts; State and County Courts Uruguay Supreme Court (judges are nominated by the president and elected for 10-year terms by the General Assembly) Uzbekistan Supreme Court (judges are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Supreme Assembly) Vanuatu Supreme Court (chief justice is appointed by the president after consultation with the prime minister and the leader of the opposition, three other justices are appointed by the president on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission) Venezuela Supreme Tribunal of Justice or Tribuna Suprema de Justicia (magistrates are elected by the National Assembly for a single 12-year term) Vietnam Supreme People's Court (chief justice is elected for a five-year term by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president) Virgin Islands US District Court of the Virgin Islands (under Third Circuit jurisdiction); Superior Court of the Virgin Islands (judges appointed by the governor for 10-year terms) Wallis and Futuna justice generally administered under French law by the high administrator, but the three traditional kings administer customary law and there is a magistrate in Mata-Utu; a court of appeal is located in Noumea, New Caledonia Yemen Supreme Court Zambia Supreme Court (the final court of appeal; justices are appointed by the president); High Court (has unlimited jurisdiction to hear civil and criminal cases) Zimbabwe Supreme Court; High Court ====================================================================== @2095 Field Listing :: Labor force This entry contains the total labor force figure. Country Comparison to the World Country Labor force Afghanistan 15 million (2004 est.) Albania 1.103 million (not including 352,000 emigrant workers) (2007 est.) Algeria 9.464 million (2008 est.) American Samoa 17,630 (2005) Andorra 42,230 (2007) Angola 7.569 million (2008 est.) Anguilla 6,049 (2001) Antigua and Barbuda 30,000 (1991) Argentina 16.27 million note: urban areas only (2008 est.) Armenia 1.481 million (2007 est.) Aruba 41,500 (2004 est.) Australia 11.25 million (2008 est.) Austria 3.633 million (2008 est.) Azerbaijan 5.782 million (2008 est.) Bahamas, The 175,500 (2007) Bahrain 557,000 note: 44% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (2008 est.) Bangladesh 70.86 million note: extensive export of labor to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Oman, Qatar, and Malaysia; workers' remittances estimated at $4.8 billion in 2005-06. (2008 est.) Barbados 175,000 (2007 est.) Belarus 4.869 million (2007) Belgium 4.99 million (2008) Belize 122,300 note: shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel (2008 est.) Benin 3.662 million (2007 est.) Bermuda 38,360 (2004) Bhutan NA note: major shortage of skilled labor Bolivia 4.454 million (2008 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina 1.863 million (2007) Botswana 685,300 formal sector employees (2007) Brazil 93.65 million (2008 est.) British Virgin Islands 12,770 (2004) Brunei 188,800 (2008 est.) Bulgaria 2.67 million (2008 est.) Burkina Faso 6.668 million note: a large part of the male labor force migrates annually to neighboring countries for seasonal employment (2007) Burma 30.04 million (2008 est.) Burundi 4.245 million (2007) Cambodia 8.6 million (2008 est.) Cameroon 6.759 million (2008 est.) Canada 18.22 million (2008 est.) Cape Verde 196,100 (2007) Cayman Islands 23,450 (2004) Central African Republic 1.926 million (2007) Chad 4.293 million (2007) Chile 7.267 million (2008 est.) China 807.3 million (2008 est.) Christmas Island NA Cocos (Keeling) Islands NA Colombia 21.3 million (2008 est.) Comoros 268,500 (2007 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 23.53 million (2007 est.) Congo, Republic of the NA Cook Islands 6,820 (2001) Costa Rica 2.06 million note: this official estimate excludes Nicaraguans living in Costa Rica (2008 est.) Cote d'Ivoire 7.346 million (68% agricultural) (2008 est.) Croatia 1.731 million (2008 est.) Cuba 4.962 million note: state sector 78%, non-state sector 22% (2008 est.) Cyprus 397,000 (2008 est.) Czech Republic 5.36 million (2008 est.) Denmark 2.88 million (2008 est.) Djibouti 351,700 (2007) Dominica 25,000 (2000 est.) Dominican Republic 4.119 million (2008 est.) Ecuador 4.64 million (urban) (2008 est.) Egypt 24.6 million (2008 est.) El Salvador 2.947 million (2008 est.) Equatorial Guinea NA Eritrea NA Estonia 693,000 (2008 est.) Ethiopia 37.9 million (2007) European Union 224.4 million (2008 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 1,724 (est.) (1996) Faroe Islands 24,250 (October 2000) Fiji 335,000 (2007 est.) Finland 2.703 million (2008 est.) France 27.97 million (2008 est.) French Polynesia 116,000 (2007) Gabon 581,000 (2008 est.) Gambia, The 777,100 (2007) Gaza Strip 267,000 (2006) Georgia 2.317 million (2007 est.) Germany 43.6 million (2008 est.) Ghana 10.12 million (2008 est.) Gibraltar 12,690 (including non-Gibraltar laborers) (2001) Greece 4.96 million (2008 est.) Greenland 32,120 (2004) Grenada 42,300 (1996) Guam 82,950 (2007 est.) Guatemala 4.056 million (2008 est.) Guernsey 31,470 (March 2006) Guinea 4.392 million (2007 est.) Guinea-Bissau 632,700 (2007) Guyana 333,900 (2007 est.) Haiti 3.643 million note: shortage of skilled labor, unskilled labor abundant (2007) Holy See (Vatican City) NA Honduras 2.991 million (2008 est.) Hong Kong 3.66 million (2008 est.) Hungary 4.2 million (2008 est.) Iceland 184,000 (2008 est.) India 523.5 million (2008 est.) Indonesia 112 million (2008 est.) Iran 24.35 million note: shortage of skilled labor (2008 est.) Iraq 7.74 million (2008 est.) Ireland 2.241 million (2008 est.) Isle of Man 39,690 (2001) Israel 2.957 million (2008 est.) Italy 25.11 million (2008 est.) Jamaica 1.304 million (2008 est.) Japan 66.5 million (2008 est.) Jersey 53,560 (June 2006) Jordan 1.615 million (2008 est.) Kazakhstan 8.412 million (2008 est.) Kenya 17.37 million (2007 est.) Kiribati 7,870 economically active, not including subsistence farmers (2001 est.) Korea, North 20 million note: estimates vary widely (2004 est.) Korea, South 24.35 million (2008 est.) Kosovo 550,000 (2007 est.) Kuwait 2.088 million note: non-Kuwaitis represent about 60% of the labor force (2008 est.) Kyrgyzstan 2.344 million (2007) Laos 2.1 million (2006 est.) Latvia 1.193 million (2008 est.) Lebanon 1.481 million note: in addition, there are as many as 1 million foreign workers (2007 est.) Lesotho 854,600 (2007 est.) Libya 1.64 million (2008 est.) Liechtenstein 32,440 of whom 13,900 commute from Austria, Switzerland, and Germany to work each day (2007) Lithuania 1.614 million (2008 est.) Luxembourg 206,000 of whom 125,400 are foreign cross-border workers commuting primarily from France, Belgium, and Germany (2008 est.) Macau 337,400 (2008 est.) Macedonia 925,000 (2008 est.) Madagascar 9.504 million (2007) Malawi 5.747 million (2007 est.) Malaysia 11.09 million (2008 est.) Maldives 136,100 (2007) Mali 3.241 million (2007 est.) Malta 173,000 (2008) Marshall Islands 14,680 (2000) Mauritania 1.318 million (2007) Mauritius 584,000 (2008 est.) Mayotte 44,560 (2002) Mexico 45.32 million (2008 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of 16,360 (2008) Moldova 1.327 million (2008 est.) Monaco 44,000 note: includes workers from all foreign countries (2005 est.) Mongolia 1.068 million (2008) Montenegro 259,100 (2004) Montserrat NA Morocco 11.29 million (2008 est.) Mozambique 9.65 million (2008 est.) Namibia 686,000 (2008 est.) Nepal 14.6 million note: severe lack of skilled labor (2008 est.) Netherlands 7.715 million (2008 est.) Netherlands Antilles 91,470 (2007) New Caledonia 102,600 (2007) New Zealand 2.25 million (2008 est.) Nicaragua 2.322 million (2008 est.) Niger 4.688 million (2007) Nigeria 51.04 million (2008 est.) Niue 663 (2001) Norfolk Island NA Northern Mariana Islands 38,450 total indigenous labor force; 2,699 unemployed; 28,717 foreign workers (2005 est.) Norway 2.591 million (2008 est.) Oman 968,800 note: about 60% of the labor force is non-national (2007) Pakistan 50.58 million note: extensive export of labor, mostly to the Middle East, and use of child labor (2008 est.) Palau 9,777 (2005) Panama 1.392 million note: shortage of skilled labor, but an oversupply of unskilled labor (2008 est.) Papua New Guinea 3.639 million (2008 est.) Paraguay 2.839 million (2008 est.) Peru 10.2 million (2008 est.) Philippines 36.81 million (2008 est.) Pitcairn Islands 15 able-bodied men (2004) Poland 17.01 million (2008 est.) Portugal 5.625 million (2008 est.) Puerto Rico 1.479 million (2007) Qatar 1.119 million (2008 est.) Romania 9.32 million (2008 est.) Russia 75.7 million (2008 est.) Rwanda 4.446 million (2007) Saint Helena 2,486 note: 1,200 work offshore (1998 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis 18,170 (June 1995) Saint Lucia 79,700 (2007) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 3,450 (2005) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 57,520 (2007 est.) Samoa 66,270 (2007 est.) San Marino 22,660 (2008) Sao Tome and Principe 52,490 (2007) Saudi Arabia 6.74 million note: about 80% of the labor force is non-national (2008 est.) Senegal 4.973 million (2008 est.) Serbia 2.961 million (2002 est.) Seychelles 39,560 (2006) Sierra Leone 2.207 million (2007 est.) Singapore 2.94 million (2008 est.) Slovakia 2.254 million (2008 est.) Slovenia 940,000 (2008 est.) Solomon Islands 202,500 (2007) Somalia 3.447 million (few skilled laborers) (2007) South Africa 17.79 million economically active (2008 est.) Spain 22.85 million (2008 est.) Sri Lanka 7.569 million note: excludes northern and eastern provinces (2008 est.) Sudan 11.92 million (2007 est.) Suriname 165,600 (2007) Svalbard NA Swaziland 457,900 (2007) Sweden 4.897 million (2008 est.) Switzerland 4.053 million (2008 est.) Syria 5.593 million (2008 est.) Taiwan 10.85 million (2008 est.) Tajikistan 2.1 million (2008) Tanzania 21.06 million (2008 est.) Thailand 37.78 million (2008 est.) Timor-Leste NA Togo 2.595 million (2007) Tokelau 440 (2001) Tonga 39,960 (2007) Trinidad and Tobago 620,800 (2008 est.) Tunisia 3.66 million (2008 est.) Turkey 24.06 million note: about 1.2 million Turks work abroad (2008 est.) Turkmenistan 13.51 million (2007 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands 4,848 (1990 est.) Tuvalu 3,615 (2004 est.) Uganda 14.54 million (2008 est.) Ukraine 21.57 million (2008 est.) United Arab Emirates 3.266 million note: expatriates account for about 85% of the work force (2008 est.) United Kingdom 31.23 million (2008 est.) United States 154.3 million (includes unemployed) (2008 est.) Uruguay 1.641 million (2008 est.) Uzbekistan 15.37 million (2008 est.) Vanuatu 115,900 (2007) Venezuela 12.59 million (2008 est.) Vietnam 47.41 million (2008 est.) Virgin Islands 49,820 (2007 est.) Wallis and Futuna 3,104 (2003) West Bank 605,000 (2006) Western Sahara 12,000 (2005 est.) World 3.232 billion (2008 est.) Yemen 6.454 million (2008 est.) Zambia 5.235 million (2008 est.) Zimbabwe 4.039 million (2008 est.) ====================================================================== @2096 Field Listing :: Land boundaries This entry contains the total length of all land boundaries and the individual lengths for each of the contiguous border countries. When available, official lengths published by national statistical agencies are used. Because surveying methods may differ, country border lengths reported by contiguous countries may differ. Country Land boundaries(km) Afghanistan 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 Akrotiri total: 47.4 km border countries: Cyprus 47.4 km Albania total: 717 km border countries: Greece 282 km, Macedonia 151 km, Montenegro 172 km, Kosovo 112 km Algeria 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 American Samoa 0 km Andorra total: 120.3 km border countries: France 56.6 km, Spain 63.7 km Angola total: 5,198 km border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,511 km (of which 225 km is the boundary of discontiguous Cabinda Province), Republic of the Congo 201 km, Namibia 1,376 km, Zambia 1,110 km Anguilla 0 km Antarctica 0 km note: see entry on Disputes - international Antigua and Barbuda 0 km Argentina total: 9,861 km border countries: Bolivia 832 km, Brazil 1,261 km, Chile 5,308 km, Paraguay 1,880 km, Uruguay 580 km Armenia total: 1,254 km border countries: Azerbaijan-proper 566 km, Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave 221 km, Georgia 164 km, Iran 35 km, Turkey 268 km Aruba 0 km Ashmore and Cartier Islands 0 km Australia 0 km Austria 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 Azerbaijan 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 Bahamas, The 0 km Bahrain 0 km Bangladesh total: 4,246 km border countries: Burma 193 km, India 4,053 km Barbados 0 km Belarus total: 3,306 km border countries: Latvia 171 km, Lithuania 680 km, Poland 605 km, Russia 959 km, Ukraine 891 km Belgium total: 1,385 km border countries: France 620 km, Germany 167 km, Luxembourg 148 km, Netherlands 450 km Belize total: 516 km border countries: Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 250 km Benin total: 1,989 km border countries: Burkina Faso 306 km, Niger 266 km, Nigeria 773 km, Togo 644 km Bermuda 0 km Bhutan total: 1,075 km border countries: China 470 km, India 605 km Bolivia total: 6,940 km border countries: Argentina 832 km, Brazil 3,423 km, Chile 860 km, Paraguay 750 km, Peru 1,075 km Bosnia and Herzegovina total: 1,538 km border countries: Croatia 932 km, Montenegro 249 km, Serbia 357 km Botswana total: 4,013 km border countries: Namibia 1,360 km, South Africa 1,840 km, Zimbabwe 813 km Bouvet Island 0 km Brazil total: 16,885 km border countries: Argentina 1,261 km, Bolivia 3,423 km, Colombia 1,644 km, French Guiana 730 km, Guyana 1,606 km, Paraguay 1,365 km, Peru 2,995 km, Suriname 593 km, Uruguay 1,068 km, Venezuela 2,200 km British Indian Ocean Territory 0 km British Virgin Islands 0 km Brunei total: 381 km border countries: Malaysia 381 km Bulgaria total: 1,808 km border countries: Greece 494 km, Macedonia 148 km, Romania 608 km, Serbia 318 km, Turkey 240 km Burkina Faso total: 3,193 km border countries: Benin 306 km, Cote d'Ivoire 584 km, Ghana 549 km, Mali 1,000 km, Niger 628 km, Togo 126 km Burma total: 5,876 km border countries: Bangladesh 193 km, China 2,185 km, India 1,463 km, Laos 235 km, Thailand 1,800 km Burundi total: 974 km border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 233 km, Rwanda 290 km, Tanzania 451 km Cambodia total: 2,572 km border countries: Laos 541 km, Thailand 803 km, Vietnam 1,228 km Cameroon total: 4,591 km border countries: Central African Republic 797 km, Chad 1,094 km, Republic of the Congo 523 km, Equatorial Guinea 189 km, Gabon 298 km, Nigeria 1,690 km Canada total: 8,893 km border countries: US 8,893 km (includes 2,477 km with Alaska) Cape Verde 0 km Cayman Islands 0 km Central African Republic total: 5,203 km border countries: Cameroon 797 km, Chad 1,197 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 467 km, Sudan 1,165 km Chad total: 5,968 km border countries: Cameroon 1,094 km, Central African Republic 1,197 km, Libya 1,055 km, Niger 1,175 km, Nigeria 87 km, Sudan 1,360 km Chile total: 6,339 km border countries: Argentina 5,308 km, Bolivia 860 km, Peru 171 km China total: 22,117 km border countries: Afghanistan 76 km, Bhutan 470 km, Burma 2,185 km, India 3,380 km, Kazakhstan 1,533 km, North Korea 1,416 km, Kyrgyzstan 858 km, Laos 423 km, Mongolia 4,677 km, Nepal 1,236 km, Pakistan 523 km, Russia (northeast) 3,605 km, Russia (northwest) 40 km, Tajikistan 414 km, Vietnam 1,281 km regional borders: Hong Kong 30 km, Macau 0.34 km Christmas Island 0 km Clipperton Island 0 km Cocos (Keeling) Islands 0 km Colombia total: 6,309 km border countries: Brazil 1,644 km, Ecuador 590 km, Panama 225 km, Peru 1,800 km, Venezuela 2,050 km Comoros 0 km Congo, Democratic Republic of the total: 10,730 km border countries: Angola 2,511 km (of which 225 km is the boundary of Angola's discontiguous Cabinda Province), Burundi 233 km, Central African Republic 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 2,410 km, Rwanda 217 km, Sudan 628 km, Tanzania 459 km, Uganda 765 km, Zambia 1,930 km Congo, Republic of the total: 5,504 km border countries: Angola 201 km, Cameroon 523 km, Central African Republic 467 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,410 km, Gabon 1,903 km Cook Islands 0 km Coral Sea Islands 0 km Costa Rica total: 639 km border countries: Nicaragua 309 km, Panama 330 km Cote d'Ivoire total: 3,110 km border countries: Burkina Faso 584 km, Ghana 668 km, Guinea 610 km, Liberia 716 km, Mali 532 km Croatia total: 1,982 km border countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina 932 km, Hungary 329 km, Serbia 241 km, Montenegro 25 km, Slovenia 455 km Cuba total: 29 km border countries: US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay 29 km note: Guantanamo Naval Base is leased by the US and remains part of Cuba Cyprus total: 150.4 km (approximately) border sovereign base areas: Akrotiri 47.4 km, Dhekelia 103 km (approximately) Czech Republic total: 1,989 km border countries: Austria 362 km, Germany 815 km, Poland 615 km, Slovakia 197 km Denmark total: 68 km border countries: Germany 68 km Dhekelia total: 103 km (approximately) border countries: Cyprus 103 km (approximately) Djibouti total: 516 km border countries: Eritrea 109 km, Ethiopia 349 km, Somalia 58 km Dominica 0 km Dominican Republic total: 360 km border countries: Haiti 360 km Ecuador total: 2,010 km border countries: Colombia 590 km, Peru 1,420 km Egypt total: 2,665 km border countries: Gaza Strip 11 km, Israel 266 km, Libya 1,115 km, Sudan 1,273 km El Salvador total: 545 km border countries: Guatemala 203 km, Honduras 342 km Equatorial Guinea total: 539 km border countries: Cameroon 189 km, Gabon 350 km Eritrea total: 1,626 km border countries: Djibouti 109 km, Ethiopia 912 km, Sudan 605 km Estonia total: 633 km border countries: Latvia 343 km, Russia 290 km Ethiopia total: 5,328 km border countries: Djibouti 349 km, Eritrea 912 km, Kenya 861 km, Somalia 1,600 km, Sudan 1,606 km European Union total: 12,440.8 km border countries: Albania 282 km, Andorra 120.3 km, Belarus 1,050 km, Croatia 999 km, Holy See 3.2 km, Liechtenstein 34.9 km, Macedonia 394 km, Moldova 450 km, Monaco 4.4 km, Norway 2,348 km, Russia 2,257 km, San Marino 39 km, Serbia 945 km, Switzerland 1,811 km, Turkey 446 km, Ukraine 1,257 km note: data for European Continent only Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 0 km Faroe Islands 0 km Fiji 0 km Finland total: 2,654 km border countries: Norway 727 km, Sweden 614 km, Russia 1,313 km France metropolitan France - total: 2,889 km border countries: Andorra 56.6 km, Belgium 620 km, Germany 451 km, Italy 488 km, Luxembourg 73 km, Monaco 4.4 km, Spain 623 km, Switzerland 573 km French Guiana - total: 1,183 km border countries: Brazil 673 km, Suriname 510 km French Polynesia 0 km French Southern and Antarctic Lands 0 km Gabon total: 2,551 km border countries: Cameroon 298 km, Republic of the Congo 1,903 km, Equatorial Guinea 350 km Gambia, The total: 740 km border countries: Senegal 740 km Gaza Strip total: 62 km border countries: Egypt 11 km, Israel 51 km Georgia total: 1,461 km border countries: Armenia 164 km, Azerbaijan 322 km, Russia 723 km, Turkey 252 km Germany total: 3,621 km border countries: Austria 784 km, Belgium 167 km, Czech Republic 646 km, Denmark 68 km, France 451 km, Luxembourg 138 km, Netherlands 577 km, Poland 456 km, Switzerland 334 km Ghana total: 2,094 km border countries: Burkina Faso 549 km, Cote d'Ivoire 668 km, Togo 877 km Gibraltar total: 1.2 km border countries: Spain 1.2 km Greece total: 1,228 km border countries: Albania 282 km, Bulgaria 494 km, Turkey 206 km, Macedonia 246 km Greenland 0 km Grenada 0 km Guam 0 km Guatemala total: 1,687 km border countries: Belize 266 km, El Salvador 203 km, Honduras 256 km, Mexico 962 km Guernsey 0 km Guinea total: 3,399 km border countries: Cote d'Ivoire 610 km, Guinea-Bissau 386 km, Liberia 563 km, Mali 858 km, Senegal 330 km, Sierra Leone 652 km Guinea-Bissau total: 724 km border countries: Guinea 386 km, Senegal 338 km Guyana total: 2,949 km border countries: Brazil 1,606 km, Suriname 600 km, Venezuela 743 km Haiti total: 360 km border countries: Dominican Republic 360 km Heard Island and McDonald Islands 0 km Holy See (Vatican City) total: 3.2 km border countries: Italy 3.2 km Honduras total: 1,520 km border countries: Guatemala 256 km, El Salvador 342 km, Nicaragua 922 km Hong Kong total: 30 km regional border: China 30 km Hungary total: 2,185 km border countries: Austria 366 km, Croatia 329 km, Romania 443 km, Serbia 166 km, Slovakia 676 km, Slovenia 102 km, Ukraine 103 km Iceland 0 km India total: 14,103 km border countries: Bangladesh 4,053 km, Bhutan 605 km, Burma 1,463 km, China 3,380 km, Nepal 1,690 km, Pakistan 2,912 km Indonesia total: 2,830 km border countries: Timor-Leste 228 km, Malaysia 1,782 km, Papua New Guinea 820 km Iran total: 5,440 km border countries: Afghanistan 936 km, Armenia 35 km, Azerbaijan-proper 432 km, Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave 179 km, Iraq 1,458 km, Pakistan 909 km, Turkey 499 km, Turkmenistan 992 km Iraq total: 3,650 km border countries: Iran 1,458 km, Jordan 181 km, Kuwait 240 km, Saudi Arabia 814 km, Syria 605 km, Turkey 352 km Ireland total: 360 km border countries: UK 360 km Isle of Man 0 km Israel total: 1,017 km border countries: Egypt 266 km, Gaza Strip 51 km, Jordan 238 km, Lebanon 79 km, Syria 76 km, West Bank 307 km Italy total: 1,899.2 km border countries: Austria 430 km, France 488 km, Holy See (Vatican City) 3.2 km, San Marino 39 km, Slovenia 199 km, Switzerland 740 km Jamaica 0 km Jan Mayen 0 km Japan 0 km Jersey 0 km Jordan total: 1,635 km border countries: Iraq 181 km, Israel 238 km, Saudi Arabia 744 km, Syria 375 km, West Bank 97 km Kazakhstan total: 12,185 km border countries: China 1,533 km, Kyrgyzstan 1,224 km, Russia 6,846 km, Turkmenistan 379 km, Uzbekistan 2,203 km Kenya total: 3,477 km border countries: Ethiopia 861 km, Somalia 682 km, Sudan 232 km, Tanzania 769 km, Uganda 933 km Kiribati 0 km Korea, North total: 1,673 km border countries: China 1,416 km, South Korea 238 km, Russia 19 km Korea, South total: 238 km border countries: North Korea 238 km Kosovo total: 702 km border countries: Albania 112 km, Macedonia 159 km, Montenegro 79 km, Serbia 352 km Kuwait total: 462 km border countries: Iraq 240 km, Saudi Arabia 222 km Kyrgyzstan total: 3,051 km border countries: China 858 km, Kazakhstan 1,224 km, Tajikistan 870 km, Uzbekistan 1,099 km Laos total: 5,083 km border countries: Burma 235 km, Cambodia 541 km, China 423 km, Thailand 1,754 km, Vietnam 2,130 km Latvia total: 1,382 km border countries: Belarus 171 km, Estonia 343 km, Lithuania 576 km, Russia 292 km Lebanon total: 454 km border countries: Israel 79 km, Syria 375 km Lesotho total: 909 km border countries: South Africa 909 km Liberia total: 1,585 km border countries: Guinea 563 km, Cote d'Ivoire 716 km, Sierra Leone 306 km Libya total: 4,348 km border countries: Algeria 982 km, Chad 1,055 km, Egypt 1,115 km, Niger 354 km, Sudan 383 km, Tunisia 459 km Liechtenstein total: 76 km border countries: Austria 34.9 km, Switzerland 41.1 km Lithuania total: 1,574 km border countries: Belarus 680 km, Latvia 576 km, Poland 91 km, Russia (Kaliningrad) 227 km Luxembourg total: 359 km border countries: Belgium 148 km, France 73 km, Germany 138 km Macau total: 0.34 km regional border: China 0.34 km Macedonia total: 766 km border countries: Albania 151 km, Bulgaria 148 km, Greece 246 km, Kosovo 159 km, Serbia 62 km Madagascar 0 km Malawi total: 2,881 km border countries: Mozambique 1,569 km, Tanzania 475 km, Zambia 837 km Malaysia total: 2,669 km border countries: Brunei 381 km, Indonesia 1,782 km, Thailand 506 km Maldives 0 km Mali total: 7,243 km border countries: Algeria 1,376 km, Burkina Faso 1,000 km, Guinea 858 km, Cote d'Ivoire 532 km, Mauritania 2,237 km, Niger 821 km, Senegal 419 km Malta 0 km Marshall Islands 0 km Mauritania total: 5,074 km border countries: Algeria 463 km, Mali 2,237 km, Senegal 813 km, Western Sahara 1,561 km Mauritius 0 km Mayotte 0 km Mexico total: 4,353 km border countries: Belize 250 km, Guatemala 962 km, US 3,141 km Micronesia, Federated States of 0 km Moldova total: 1,390 km border countries: Romania 450 km, Ukraine 940 km Monaco total: 4.4 km border countries: France 4.4 km Mongolia total: 8,220 km border countries: China 4,677 km, Russia 3,543 km Montenegro total: 625 km border countries: Albania 172 km, Bosnia and Herzegovina 225 km, Croatia 25 km, Kosovo 79 km, Serbia 124 km Montserrat 0 km Morocco total: 2,017.9 km border countries: Algeria 1,559 km, Western Sahara 443 km, Spain (Ceuta) 6.3 km, Spain (Melilla) 9.6 km Mozambique total: 4,571 km border countries: Malawi 1,569 km, South Africa 491 km, Swaziland 105 km, Tanzania 756 km, Zambia 419 km, Zimbabwe 1,231 km Namibia total: 3,936 km border countries: Angola 1,376 km, Botswana 1,360 km, South Africa 967 km, Zambia 233 km Nauru 0 km Navassa Island 0 km Nepal total: 2,926 km border countries: China 1,236 km, India 1,690 km Netherlands total: 1,027 km border countries: Belgium 450 km, Germany 577 km Netherlands Antilles total: 15 km border countries: Saint Martin 15 km New Caledonia 0 km New Zealand 0 km Nicaragua total: 1,231 km border countries: Costa Rica 309 km, Honduras 922 km Niger total: 5,697 km border countries: Algeria 956 km, Benin 266 km, Burkina Faso 628 km, Chad 1,175 km, Libya 354 km, Mali 821 km, Nigeria 1,497 km Nigeria total: 4,047 km border countries: Benin 773 km, Cameroon 1,690 km, Chad 87 km, Niger 1,497 km Niue 0 km Norfolk Island 0 km Northern Mariana Islands 0 km Norway total: 2,542 km border countries: Finland 727 km, Sweden 1,619 km, Russia 196 km Oman total: 1,374 km border countries: Saudi Arabia 676 km, UAE 410 km, Yemen 288 km Pakistan total: 6,774 km border countries: Afghanistan 2,430 km, China 523 km, India 2,912 km, Iran 909 km Palau 0 km Panama total: 555 km border countries: Colombia 225 km, Costa Rica 330 km Papua New Guinea total: 820 km border countries: Indonesia 820 km Paracel Islands 0 km Paraguay total: 3,995 km border countries: Argentina 1,880 km, Bolivia 750 km, Brazil 1,365 km Peru total: 7,461 km border countries: Bolivia 1,075 km, Brazil 2,995 km, Chile 171 km, Colombia 1,800 km, Ecuador 1,420 km Philippines 0 km Pitcairn Islands 0 km Poland total: 3,047 km border countries: Belarus 605 km, Czech Republic 615 km, Germany 456 km, Lithuania 91 km, Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) 432 km, Slovakia 420 km, Ukraine 428 km Portugal total: 1,214 km border countries: Spain 1,214 km Puerto Rico 0 km Qatar total: 60 km border countries: Saudi Arabia 60 km Romania total: 2,508 km border countries: Bulgaria 608 km, Hungary 443 km, Moldova 450 km, Serbia 476 km, Ukraine (north) 362 km, Ukraine (east) 169 km Russia total: 20,241.5 km border countries: Azerbaijan 284 km, Belarus 959 km, China (southeast) 3,605 km, China (south) 40 km, Estonia 290 km, Finland 1,313 km, Georgia 723 km, Kazakhstan 6,846 km, North Korea 17.5 km, Latvia 292 km, Lithuania (Kaliningrad Oblast) 227 km, Mongolia 3,441 km, Norway 196 km, Poland (Kaliningrad Oblast) 432 km, Ukraine 1,576 km Rwanda total: 893 km border countries: Burundi 290 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 217 km, Tanzania 217 km, Uganda 169 km Saint Barthelemy 0 km Saint Helena 0 km Saint Kitts and Nevis 0 km Saint Lucia 0 km Saint Martin total: 15 km border countries: Netherlands Antilles (Sint Maarten) 15 km Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0 km Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0 km Samoa 0 km San Marino total: 39 km border countries: Italy 39 km Sao Tome and Principe 0 km Saudi Arabia total: 4,431 km border countries: Iraq 814 km, Jordan 744 km, Kuwait 222 km, Oman 676 km, Qatar 60 km, UAE 457 km, Yemen 1,458 km Senegal total: 2,640 km border countries: The Gambia 740 km, Guinea 330 km, Guinea-Bissau 338 km, Mali 419 km, Mauritania 813 km Serbia total: 2,026 km border countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina 302 km, Bulgaria 318 km, Croatia 241 km, Hungary 151 km, Kosovo 352 km, Macedonia 62 km, Montenegro 124 km, Romania 476 km Seychelles 0 km Sierra Leone total: 958 km border countries: Guinea 652 km, Liberia 306 km Singapore 0 km Slovakia total: 1,474 km border countries: Austria 91 km, Czech Republic 197 km, Hungary 676 km, Poland 420 km, Ukraine 90 km Slovenia total: 1,086 km border countries: Austria 330 km, Croatia 455 km, Hungary 102 km, Italy 199 km Solomon Islands 0 km Somalia total: 2,340 km border countries: Djibouti 58 km, Ethiopia 1,600 km, Kenya 682 km South Africa total: 4,862 km border countries: Botswana 1,840 km, Lesotho 909 km, Mozambique 491 km, Namibia 967 km, Swaziland 430 km, Zimbabwe 225 km South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands 0 km Spain total: 1,917.8 km border countries: Andorra 63.7 km, France 623 km, Gibraltar 1.2 km, Portugal 1,214 km, Morocco (Ceuta) 6.3 km, Morocco (Melilla) 9.6 km Spratly Islands 0 km Sri Lanka 0 km Sudan total: 7,687 km border countries: Central African Republic 1,165 km, Chad 1,360 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 628 km, Egypt 1,273 km, Eritrea 605 km, Ethiopia 1,606 km, Kenya 232 km, Libya 383 km, Uganda 435 km Suriname total: 1,703 km border countries: Brazil 593 km, French Guiana 510 km, Guyana 600 km Svalbard 0 km Swaziland total: 535 km border countries: Mozambique 105 km, South Africa 430 km Sweden total: 2,233 km border countries: Finland 614 km, Norway 1,619 km Switzerland total: 1,852 km border countries: Austria 164 km, France 573 km, Italy 740 km, Liechtenstein 41 km, Germany 334 km Syria total: 2,253 km border countries: Iraq 605 km, Israel 76 km, Jordan 375 km, Lebanon 375 km, Turkey 822 km Taiwan 0 km Tajikistan total: 3,651 km border countries: Afghanistan 1,206 km, China 414 km, Kyrgyzstan 870 km, Uzbekistan 1,161 km Tanzania total: 3,861 km border countries: Burundi 451 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 459 km, Kenya 769 km, Malawi 475 km, Mozambique 756 km, Rwanda 217 km, Uganda 396 km, Zambia 338 km Thailand total: 4,863 km border countries: Burma 1,800 km, Cambodia 803 km, Laos 1,754 km, Malaysia 506 km Timor-Leste total: 228 km border countries: Indonesia 228 km Togo total: 1,647 km border countries: Benin 644 km, Burkina Faso 126 km, Ghana 877 km Tokelau 0 km Tonga 0 km Trinidad and Tobago 0 km Tunisia total: 1,424 km border countries: Algeria 965 km, Libya 459 km Turkey total: 2,648 km border countries: Armenia 268 km, Azerbaijan 9 km, Bulgaria 240 km, Georgia 252 km, Greece 206 km, Iran 499 km, Iraq 352 km, Syria 822 km Turkmenistan total: 3,736 km border countries: Afghanistan 744 km, Iran 992 km, Kazakhstan 379 km, Uzbekistan 1,621 km Turks and Caicos Islands 0 km Tuvalu 0 km Uganda total: 2,698 km border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 765 km, Kenya 933 km, Rwanda 169 km, Sudan 435 km, Tanzania 396 km Ukraine total: 4,566 km border countries: Belarus 891 km, Hungary 103 km, Moldova 940 km, Poland 428 km, Romania (south) 176 km, Romania (southwest) 362 km, Russia 1,576 km, Slovakia 90 km United Arab Emirates total: 867 km border countries: Oman 410 km, Saudi Arabia 457 km United Kingdom total: 360 km border countries: Ireland 360 km United States total: 12,034 km border countries: Canada 8,893 km (including 2,477 km with Alaska), Mexico 3,141 km note: US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba is leased by the US and is part of Cuba; the base boundary is 28 km United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges none Uruguay total: 1,648 km border countries: Argentina 580 km, Brazil 1,068 km Uzbekistan total: 6,221 km border countries: Afghanistan 137 km, Kazakhstan 2,203 km, Kyrgyzstan 1,099 km, Tajikistan 1,161 km, Turkmenistan 1,621 km Vanuatu 0 km Venezuela total: 4,993 km border countries: Brazil 2,200 km, Colombia 2,050 km, Guyana 743 km Vietnam total: 4,639 km border countries: Cambodia 1,228 km, China 1,281 km, Laos 2,130 km Virgin Islands 0 km Wake Island 0 km Wallis and Futuna 0 km West Bank total: 404 km border countries: Israel 307 km, Jordan 97 km Western Sahara total: 2,046 km border countries: Algeria 42 km, Mauritania 1,561 km, Morocco 443 km World the land boundaries in the world total 251,060 km (not counting shared boundaries twice); two nations, China and Russia, each border 14 other countries note: 45 nations and other areas are landlocked, these include: Afghanistan, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Czech Republic, Ethiopia, Holy See (Vatican City), Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malawi, Mali, Moldova, Mongolia, Nepal, Niger, Paraguay, Rwanda, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Swaziland, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Uzbekistan, West Bank, Zambia, Zimbabwe; two of these, Liechtenstein and Uzbekistan, are doubly landlocked Yemen total: 1,746 km border countries: Oman 288 km, Saudi Arabia 1,458 km Zambia total: 5,664 km border countries: Angola 1,110 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,930 km, Malawi 837 km, Mozambique 419 km, Namibia 233 km, Tanzania 338 km, Zimbabwe 797 km Zimbabwe total: 3,066 km border countries: Botswana 813 km, Mozambique 1,231 km, South Africa 225 km, Zambia 797 km ====================================================================== @2097 Field Listing :: Land use This entry contains the percentage shares of total land area for three different types of land use: arable land - land cultivated for crops like wheat, maize, and rice that are replanted after each harvest; permanent crops - land cultivated for crops like citrus, coffee, and rubber that are not replanted after each harvest; includes land under flowering shrubs, fruit trees, nut trees, and vines, but excludes land under trees grown for wood or timber; other - any land not arable or under permanent crops; includes permanent meadows and pastures, forests and woodlands, built-on areas, roads, barren land, etc. Country Land use(%) Afghanistan arable land: 12.13% permanent crops: 0.21% other: 87.66% (2005) Albania arable land: 20.1% permanent crops: 4.21% other: 75.69% (2005) Algeria arable land: 3.17% permanent crops: 0.28% other: 96.55% (2005) American Samoa arable land: 10% permanent crops: 15% other: 75% (2005) Andorra arable land: 2.13% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.87% (2005) Angola arable land: 2.65% permanent crops: 0.23% other: 97.12% (2005) Anguilla arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (mostly rock with sparse scrub oak, few trees, some commercial salt ponds) (2005) Antarctica arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (ice 98%, barren rock 2%) (2005) Antigua and Barbuda arable land: 18.18% permanent crops: 4.55% other: 77.27% (2005) Argentina arable land: 10.03% permanent crops: 0.36% other: 89.61% (2005) Armenia arable land: 16.78% permanent crops: 2.01% other: 81.21% (2005) Aruba arable land: 10.53% permanent crops: 0% other: 89.47% (2005) Ashmore and Cartier Islands arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all grass and sand) (2005) Australia arable land: 6.15% (includes about 27 million hectares of cultivated grassland) permanent crops: 0.04% other: 93.81% (2005) Austria arable land: 16.59% permanent crops: 0.85% other: 82.56% (2005) Azerbaijan arable land: 20.62% permanent crops: 2.61% other: 76.77% (2005) Bahamas, The arable land: 0.58% permanent crops: 0.29% other: 99.13% (2005) Bahrain arable land: 2.82% permanent crops: 5.63% other: 91.55% (2005) Bangladesh arable land: 55.39% permanent crops: 3.08% other: 41.53% (2005) Barbados arable land: 37.21% permanent crops: 2.33% other: 60.46% (2005) Belarus arable land: 26.77% permanent crops: 0.6% other: 72.63% (2005) Belgium arable land: 27.42% permanent crops: 0.69% other: 71.89% note: includes Luxembourg (2005) Belize arable land: 3.05% permanent crops: 1.39% other: 95.56% (2005) Benin arable land: 23.53% permanent crops: 2.37% other: 74.1% (2005) Bermuda arable land: 20% permanent crops: 0% other: 80% (55% developed, 45% rural/open space) (2005) Bhutan arable land: 2.3% permanent crops: 0.43% other: 97.27% (2005) Bolivia arable land: 2.78% permanent crops: 0.19% other: 97.03% (2005) Bosnia and Herzegovina arable land: 19.61% permanent crops: 1.89% other: 78.5% (2005) Botswana arable land: 0.65% permanent crops: 0.01% other: 99.34% (2005) Bouvet Island arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (93% ice) (2005) Brazil arable land: 6.93% permanent crops: 0.89% other: 92.18% (2005) British Indian Ocean Territory arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) British Virgin Islands arable land: 20% permanent crops: 6.67% other: 73.33% (2005) Brunei arable land: 2.08% permanent crops: 0.87% other: 97.05% (2005) Bulgaria arable land: 29.94% permanent crops: 1.9% other: 68.16% (2005) Burkina Faso arable land: 17.66% permanent crops: 0.22% other: 82.12% (2005) Burma arable land: 14.92% permanent crops: 1.31% other: 83.77% (2005) Burundi arable land: 35.57% permanent crops: 13.12% other: 51.31% (2005) Cambodia arable land: 20.44% permanent crops: 0.59% other: 78.97% (2005) Cameroon arable land: 12.54% permanent crops: 2.52% other: 84.94% (2005) Canada arable land: 4.57% permanent crops: 0.65% other: 94.78% (2005) Cape Verde arable land: 11.41% permanent crops: 0.74% other: 87.85% (2005) Cayman Islands arable land: 3.85% permanent crops: 0% other: 96.15% (2005) Central African Republic arable land: 3.1% permanent crops: 0.15% other: 96.75% (2005) Chad arable land: 2.8% permanent crops: 0.02% other: 97.18% (2005) Chile arable land: 2.62% permanent crops: 0.43% other: 96.95% (2005) China arable land: 14.86% permanent crops: 1.27% other: 83.87% (2005) Christmas Island arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (mainly tropical rainforest; 63% of the island is a national park) (2005) Clipperton Island arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all coral) (2005) Cocos (Keeling) Islands arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) Colombia arable land: 2.01% permanent crops: 1.37% other: 96.62% (2005) Comoros arable land: 35.87% permanent crops: 23.32% other: 40.81% (2005) Congo, Democratic Republic of the arable land: 2.86% permanent crops: 0.47% other: 96.67% (2005) Congo, Republic of the arable land: 1.45% permanent crops: 0.15% other: 98.4% (2005) Cook Islands arable land: 16.67% permanent crops: 8.33% other: 75% (2005) Coral Sea Islands arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (mostly grass or scrub cover) (2005) Costa Rica arable land: 4.4% permanent crops: 5.87% other: 89.73% (2005) Cote d'Ivoire arable land: 10.23% permanent crops: 11.16% other: 78.61% (2005) Croatia arable land: 25.82% permanent crops: 2.19% other: 71.99% (2005) Cuba arable land: 27.63% permanent crops: 6.54% other: 65.83% (2005) Cyprus arable land: 10.81% permanent crops: 4.32% other: 84.87% (2005) Czech Republic arable land: 38.82% permanent crops: 3% other: 58.18% (2005) Denmark arable land: 52.59% permanent crops: 0.19% other: 47.22% (2005) Djibouti arable land: 0.04% permanent crops: 0% other: 99.96% (2005) Dominica arable land: 6.67% permanent crops: 21.33% other: 72% (2005) Dominican Republic arable land: 22.49% permanent crops: 10.26% other: 67.25% (2005) Ecuador arable land: 5.71% permanent crops: 4.81% other: 89.48% (2005) Egypt arable land: 2.92% permanent crops: 0.5% other: 96.58% (2005) El Salvador arable land: 31.37% permanent crops: 11.88% other: 56.75% (2005) Equatorial Guinea arable land: 4.63% permanent crops: 3.57% other: 91.8% (2005) Eritrea arable land: 4.78% permanent crops: 0.03% other: 95.19% (2005) Estonia arable land: 12.05% permanent crops: 0.35% other: 87.6% (2005) Ethiopia arable land: 10.01% permanent crops: 0.65% other: 89.34% (2005) European Union arable land: NA permanent crops: NA other: NA Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (99% permanent pastures, 1% other) (2005) Faroe Islands arable land: 2.14% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.86% (2005) Fiji arable land: 10.95% permanent crops: 4.65% other: 84.4% (2005) Finland arable land: 6.54% permanent crops: 0.02% other: 93.44% (2005) France arable land: 33.46% permanent crops: 2.03% other: 64.51% note: French Guiana - arable land 0.13%, permanent crops 0.04%, other 99.83% (90% forest, 10% other); Guadeloupe - arable land 11.70%, permanent crops 2.92%, other 85.38%; Martinique - arable land 9.09%, permanent crops 10.0%, other 80.91%; Reunion - arable land 13.94%, permanent crops 1.59%, other 84.47% (2005) French Polynesia arable land: 0.75% permanent crops: 5.5% other: 93.75% (2005) French Southern and Antarctic Lands Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul) - 100% trees, grasses, ferns, and moss; Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul) - 100% grass, ferns, and moss; Iles Crozet - 100% tossock grass, heath, and fern; Iles Kerguelen - 100% tossock grass and Kerguelen cabbage; Bassas da India (Iles Eparses) - 100% rock, coral reef, and sand; Europa Island (Iles Eparses) - 100% mangrove swamp and dry woodlands; Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses) - 100% lush vegetation and coconut palms; Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses) - 90% forest, 10% other; Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses) - 100% grasses and scattered brush (2005) Gabon arable land: 1.21% permanent crops: 0.64% other: 98.15% (2005) Gambia, The arable land: 27.88% permanent crops: 0.44% other: 71.68% (2005) Gaza Strip arable land: 29% permanent crops: 21% other: 50% (2002) Georgia arable land: 11.51% permanent crops: 3.79% other: 84.7% (2005) Germany arable land: 33.13% permanent crops: 0.6% other: 66.27% (2005) Ghana arable land: 17.54% permanent crops: 9.22% other: 73.24% (2005) Gibraltar arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) Greece arable land: 20.45% permanent crops: 8.59% other: 70.96% (2005) Greenland arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) Grenada arable land: 5.88% permanent crops: 29.41% other: 64.71% (2005) Guam arable land: 3.64% permanent crops: 18.18% other: 78.18% (2005) Guatemala arable land: 13.22% permanent crops: 5.6% other: 81.18% (2005) Guernsey arable land: NA permanent crops: NA other: NA Guinea arable land: 4.47% permanent crops: 2.64% other: 92.89% (2005) Guinea-Bissau arable land: 8.31% permanent crops: 6.92% other: 84.77% (2005) Guyana arable land: 2.23% permanent crops: 0.14% other: 97.63% (2005) Haiti arable land: 28.11% permanent crops: 11.53% other: 60.36% (2005) Heard Island and McDonald Islands arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) Holy See (Vatican City) arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (urban area) (2005) Honduras arable land: 9.53% permanent crops: 3.21% other: 87.26% (2005) Hong Kong arable land: 5.05% permanent crops: 1.01% other: 93.94% (2001) Hungary arable land: 49.58% permanent crops: 2.06% other: 48.36% (2005) Iceland arable land: 0.07% permanent crops: 0% other: 99.93% (2005) India arable land: 48.83% permanent crops: 2.8% other: 48.37% (2005) Indonesia arable land: 11.03% permanent crops: 7.04% other: 81.93% (2005) Iran arable land: 9.78% permanent crops: 1.29% other: 88.93% (2005) Iraq arable land: 13.12% permanent crops: 0.61% other: 86.27% (2005) Ireland arable land: 16.82% permanent crops: 0.03% other: 83.15% (2005) Isle of Man arable land: 9% permanent crops: 0% other: 91% (permanent pastures, forests, mountain, and heathland) (2002) Israel arable land: 15.45% permanent crops: 3.88% other: 80.67% (2005) Italy arable land: 26.41% permanent crops: 9.09% other: 64.5% (2005) Jamaica arable land: 15.83% permanent crops: 10.01% other: 74.16% (2005) Jan Mayen arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) Japan arable land: 11.64% permanent crops: 0.9% other: 87.46% (2005) Jersey arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) Jordan arable land: 3.32% permanent crops: 1.18% other: 95.5% (2005) Kazakhstan arable land: 8.28% permanent crops: 0.05% other: 91.67% (2005) Kenya arable land: 8.01% permanent crops: 0.97% other: 91.02% (2005) Kiribati arable land: 2.74% permanent crops: 47.95% other: 49.31% (2005) Korea, North arable land: 22.4% permanent crops: 1.66% other: 75.94% (2005) Korea, South arable land: 16.58% permanent crops: 2.01% other: 81.41% (2005) Kuwait arable land: 0.84% permanent crops: 0.17% other: 98.99% (2005) Kyrgyzstan arable land: 6.55% permanent crops: 0.28% other: 93.17% note: Kyrgyzstan has the world's largest natural-growth walnut forest (2005) Laos arable land: 4.01% permanent crops: 0.34% other: 95.65% (2005) Latvia arable land: 28.19% permanent crops: 0.45% other: 71.36% (2005) Lebanon arable land: 16.35% permanent crops: 13.75% other: 69.9% (2005) Lesotho arable land: 10.87% permanent crops: 0.13% other: 89% (2005) Liberia arable land: 3.43% permanent crops: 1.98% other: 94.59% (2005) Libya arable land: 1.03% permanent crops: 0.19% other: 98.78% (2005) Liechtenstein arable land: 25% permanent crops: 0% other: 75% (2005) Lithuania arable land: 44.81% permanent crops: 0.9% other: 54.29% (2005) Luxembourg arable land: 27.42% permanent crops: 0.69% other: 71.89% (includes Belgium) (2005) Macau arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) Macedonia arable land: 22.01% permanent crops: 1.79% other: 76.2% (2005) Madagascar arable land: 5.03% permanent crops: 1.02% other: 93.95% (2005) Malawi arable land: 20.68% permanent crops: 1.18% other: 78.14% (2005) Malaysia arable land: 5.46% permanent crops: 17.54% other: 77% (2005) Maldives arable land: 13.33% permanent crops: 30% other: 56.67% (2005) Mali arable land: 3.76% permanent crops: 0.03% other: 96.21% (2005) Malta arable land: 31.25% permanent crops: 3.13% other: 65.62% (2005) Marshall Islands arable land: 11.11% permanent crops: 44.44% other: 44.45% (2005) Mauritania arable land: 0.2% permanent crops: 0.01% other: 99.79% (2005) Mauritius arable land: 49.02% permanent crops: 2.94% other: 48.04% (2005) Mayotte arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% other: NA% Mexico arable land: 12.66% permanent crops: 1.28% other: 86.06% (2005) Micronesia, Federated States of arable land: 5.71% permanent crops: 45.71% other: 48.58% (2005) Moldova arable land: 54.52% permanent crops: 8.81% other: 36.67% (2005) Monaco arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (urban area) (2005) Mongolia arable land: 0.76% permanent crops: 0% other: 99.24% (2005) Montenegro arable land: 13.7% permanent crops: 1% other: 85.3% Montserrat arable land: 20% permanent crops: 0% other: 80% (2005) Morocco arable land: 19% permanent crops: 2% other: 79% (2005) Mozambique arable land: 5.43% permanent crops: 0.29% other: 94.28% (2005) Namibia arable land: 0.99% permanent crops: 0.01% other: 99% (2005) Nauru arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) Navassa Island arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) Nepal arable land: 16.07% permanent crops: 0.85% other: 83.08% (2005) Netherlands arable land: 21.96% permanent crops: 0.77% other: 77.27% (2005) Netherlands Antilles arable land: 10% permanent crops: 0% other: 90% (2005) New Caledonia arable land: 0.32% permanent crops: 0.22% other: 99.46% (2005) New Zealand arable land: 5.54% permanent crops: 6.92% other: 87.54% (2005) Nicaragua arable land: 14.81% permanent crops: 1.82% other: 83.37% (2005) Niger arable land: 11.43% permanent crops: 0.01% other: 88.56% (2005) Nigeria arable land: 33.02% permanent crops: 3.14% other: 63.84% (2005) Niue arable land: 11.54% permanent crops: 15.38% other: 73.08% (2005) Norfolk Island arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) Northern Mariana Islands arable land: 13.04% permanent crops: 4.35% other: 82.61% (2005) Norway arable land: 2.7% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.3% (2005) Oman arable land: 0.12% permanent crops: 0.14% other: 99.74% (2005) Pakistan arable land: 24.44% permanent crops: 0.84% other: 74.72% (2005) Palau arable land: 8.7% permanent crops: 4.35% other: 86.95% (2005) Panama arable land: 7.26% permanent crops: 1.95% other: 90.79% (2005) Papua New Guinea arable land: 0.49% permanent crops: 1.4% other: 98.11% (2005) Paracel Islands arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) Paraguay arable land: 7.47% permanent crops: 0.24% other: 92.29% (2005) Peru arable land: 2.88% permanent crops: 0.47% other: 96.65% (2005) Philippines arable land: 19% permanent crops: 16.67% other: 64.33% (2005) Pitcairn Islands arable land: NA permanent crops: NA other: NA Poland arable land: 40.25% permanent crops: 1% other: 58.75% (2005) Portugal arable land: 17.29% permanent crops: 7.84% other: 74.87% (2005) Puerto Rico arable land: 3.69% permanent crops: 5.59% other: 90.72% (2005) Qatar arable land: 1.64% permanent crops: 0.27% other: 98.09% (2005) Romania arable land: 39.49% permanent crops: 1.92% other: 58.59% (2005) Russia arable land: 7.17% permanent crops: 0.11% other: 92.72% (2005) Rwanda arable land: 45.56% permanent crops: 10.25% other: 44.19% (2005) Saint Helena arable land: 12.9% permanent crops: 0% other: 87.1% (2005) Saint Kitts and Nevis arable land: 19.44% permanent crops: 2.78% other: 77.78% (2005) Saint Lucia arable land: 6.45% permanent crops: 22.58% other: 70.97% (2005) Saint Pierre and Miquelon arable land: 12.5% permanent crops: 0% other: 87.5% (2005) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines arable land: 17.95% permanent crops: 17.95% other: 64.1% (2005) Samoa arable land: 21.13% permanent crops: 24.3% other: 54.57% (2005) San Marino arable land: 16.67% permanent crops: 0% other: 83.33% (2005) Sao Tome and Principe arable land: 8.33% permanent crops: 48.96% other: 42.71% (2005) Saudi Arabia arable land: 1.67% permanent crops: 0.09% other: 98.24% (2005) Senegal arable land: 12.51% permanent crops: 0.24% other: 87.25% (2005) Serbia arable land: NA permanent crops: NA other: NA Seychelles arable land: 2.17% permanent crops: 13.04% other: 84.79% (2005) Sierra Leone arable land: 7.95% permanent crops: 1.05% other: 91% (2005) Singapore arable land: 1.47% permanent crops: 1.47% other: 97.06% (2005) Slovakia arable land: 29.23% permanent crops: 2.67% other: 68.1% (2005) Slovenia arable land: 8.53% permanent crops: 1.43% other: 90.04% (2005) Solomon Islands arable land: 0.62% permanent crops: 2.04% other: 97.34% (2005) Somalia arable land: 1.64% permanent crops: 0.04% other: 98.32% (2005) South Africa arable land: 12.1% permanent crops: 0.79% other: 87.11% (2005) South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (largely covered by permanent ice and snow with some sparse vegetation consisting of grass, moss, and lichen) (2005) Spain arable land: 27.18% permanent crops: 9.85% other: 62.97% (2005) Spratly Islands arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) Sri Lanka arable land: 13.96% permanent crops: 15.24% other: 70.8% (2005) Sudan arable land: 6.78% permanent crops: 0.17% other: 93.05% (2005) Suriname arable land: 0.36% permanent crops: 0.06% other: 99.58% (2005) Svalbard arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (no trees; the only bushes are crowberry and cloudberry) (2005) Swaziland arable land: 10.25% permanent crops: 0.81% other: 88.94% (2005) Sweden arable land: 5.93% permanent crops: 0.01% other: 94.06% (2005) Switzerland arable land: 9.91% permanent crops: 0.58% other: 89.51% (2005) Syria arable land: 24.8% permanent crops: 4.47% other: 70.73% (2005) Taiwan arable land: 24% permanent crops: 1% other: 75% (2001) Tajikistan arable land: 6.52% permanent crops: 0.89% other: 92.59% (2005) Tanzania arable land: 4.23% permanent crops: 1.16% other: 94.61% (2005) Thailand arable land: 27.54% permanent crops: 6.93% other: 65.53% (2005) Timor-Leste arable land: 8.2% permanent crops: 4.57% other: 87.23% (2005) Togo arable land: 44.2% permanent crops: 2.11% other: 53.69% (2005) Tokelau arable land: 0% (soil is thin and infertile) permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) Tonga arable land: 20% permanent crops: 14.67% other: 65.33% (2005) Trinidad and Tobago arable land: 14.62% permanent crops: 9.16% other: 76.22% (2005) Tunisia arable land: 17.05% permanent crops: 13.08% other: 69.87% (2005) Turkey arable land: 29.81% permanent crops: 3.39% other: 66.8% (2005) Turkmenistan arable land: 4.51% permanent crops: 0.14% other: 95.35% (2005) Turks and Caicos Islands arable land: 2.33% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.67% (2005) Tuvalu arable land: 0% permanent crops: 66.67% other: 33.33% (2005) Uganda arable land: 21.57% permanent crops: 8.92% other: 69.51% (2005) Ukraine arable land: 53.8% permanent crops: 1.5% other: 44.7% (2005) United Arab Emirates arable land: 0.77% permanent crops: 2.27% other: 96.96% (2005) United Kingdom arable land: 23.23% permanent crops: 0.2% other: 76.57% (2005) United States arable land: 18.01% permanent crops: 0.21% other: 81.78% (2005) United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2008) Uruguay arable land: 7.77% permanent crops: 0.24% other: 91.99% (2005) Uzbekistan arable land: 10.51% permanent crops: 0.76% other: 88.73% (2005) Vanuatu arable land: 1.64% permanent crops: 6.97% other: 91.39% (2005) Venezuela arable land: 2.85% permanent crops: 0.88% other: 96.27% (2005) Vietnam arable land: 20.14% permanent crops: 6.93% other: 72.93% (2005) Virgin Islands arable land: 5.71% permanent crops: 2.86% other: 91.43% (2005) Wake Island arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) Wallis and Futuna arable land: 7.14% permanent crops: 35.71% other: 57.15% (2005) West Bank arable land: 16.9% permanent crops: 18.97% other: 64.13% (2001) Western Sahara arable land: 0.02% permanent crops: 0% other: 99.98% (2005) World arable land: 10.57% permanent crops: 1.04% other: 88.38% (2005) Yemen arable land: 2.91% permanent crops: 0.25% other: 96.84% (2005) Zambia arable land: 6.99% permanent crops: 0.04% other: 92.97% (2005) Zimbabwe arable land: 8.24% permanent crops: 0.33% other: 91.43% (2005) ====================================================================== @2098 Field Listing :: Languages This entry provides a rank ordering of languages starting with the largest and sometimes includes the percent of total population speaking that language. Country Languages(%) Afghanistan Afghan Persian or Dari (official) 50%, Pashto (official) 35%, Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%, 30 minor languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai) 4%, much bilingualism Akrotiri English, Greek Albania Albanian (official - derived from Tosk dialect), Greek, Vlach, Romani, Slavic dialects Algeria Arabic (official), French, Berber dialects American Samoa Samoan 90.6% (closely related to Hawaiian and other Polynesian languages), English 2.9%, Tongan 2.4%, other Pacific islander 2.1%, other 2% note: most people are bilingual (2000 census) Andorra Catalan (official), French, Castilian, Portuguese Angola Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages Anguilla English (official) Antigua and Barbuda English (official), local dialects Argentina Spanish (official), Italian, English, German, French Armenia Armenian 97.7%, Yezidi 1%, Russian 0.9%, other 0.4% (2001 census) Aruba Papiamento (a Spanish-Portuguese-Dutch-English dialect) 66.3%, Spanish 12.6%, English (widely spoken) 7.7%, Dutch (official) 5.8%, other 2.2%, unspecified or unknown 5.3% (2000 census) Australia English 78.5%, Chinese 2.5%, Italian 1.6%, Greek 1.3%, Arabic 1.2%, Vietnamese 1%, other 8.2%, unspecified 5.7% (2006 Census) Austria German (official nationwide) 88.6%, Turkish 2.3%, Serbian 2.2%, Croatian (official in Burgenland) 1.6%, other (includes Slovene, official in Carinthia, and Hungarian, official in Burgenland) 5.3% (2001 census) Azerbaijan Azerbaijani (Azeri) 90.3%, Lezgi 2.2%, Russian 1.8%, Armenian 1.5%, other 3.3%, unspecified 1% (1999 census) Bahamas, The English (official), Creole (among Haitian immigrants) Bahrain Arabic, English, Farsi, Urdu Bangladesh Bangla (official, also known as Bengali), English Barbados English Belarus Belarusian, Russian, other Belgium Dutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German (official) less than 1%, legally bilingual (Dutch and French) Belize Spanish 46%, Creole 32.9%, Mayan dialects 8.9%, English 3.9% (official), Garifuna 3.4% (Carib), German 3.3%, other 1.4%, unknown 0.2% (2000 census) Benin French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north) Bermuda English (official), Portuguese Bhutan Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects Bolivia Spanish 60.7% (official), Quechua 21.2% (official), Aymara 14.6% (official), foreign languages 2.4%, other 1.2% (2001 census) Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian Botswana Setswana 78.2%, Kalanga 7.9%, Sekgalagadi 2.8%, English 2.1% (official), other 8.6%, unspecified 0.4% (2001 census) Brazil Portuguese (official and most widely spoken language); note - less common languages include Spanish (border areas and schools), German, Italian, Japanese, English, and a large number of minor Amerindian languages British Virgin Islands English (official) Brunei Malay (official), English, Chinese Bulgaria Bulgarian 84.5%, Turkish 9.6%, Roma 4.1%, other and unspecified 1.8% (2001 census) Burkina Faso French (official), native African languages belonging to Sudanic family spoken by 90% of the population Burma Burmese, minority ethnic groups have their own languages Burundi Kirundi (official), French (official), Swahili (along Lake Tanganyika and in the Bujumbura area) Cambodia Khmer (official) 95%, French, English Cameroon 24 major African language groups, English (official), French (official) Canada English (official) 58.8%, French (official) 21.6%, other 19.6% (2006 Census) Cape Verde Portuguese, Crioulo (a blend of Portuguese and West African words) Cayman Islands English 95%, Spanish 3.2%, other 1.8% (1999 census) Central African Republic French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national language), tribal languages Chad French (official), Arabic (official), Sara (in south), more than 120 different languages and dialects Chile Spanish (official), Mapudungun, German, English China Standard Chinese or Mandarin (Putonghua, based on the Beijing dialect), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghainese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects, minority languages (see Ethnic groups entry) Christmas Island English (official), Chinese, Malay Cocos (Keeling) Islands Malay (Cocos dialect), English Colombia Spanish Comoros Arabic (official), French (official), Shikomoro (a blend of Swahili and Arabic) Congo, Democratic Republic of the French (official), Lingala (a lingua franca trade language), Kingwana (a dialect of Kiswahili or Swahili), Kikongo, Tshiluba Congo, Republic of the French (official), Lingala and Monokutuba (lingua franca trade languages), many local languages and dialects (of which Kikongo is the most widespread) Cook Islands English (official), Maori Costa Rica Spanish (official), English Cote d'Ivoire French (official), 60 native dialects with Dioula the most widely spoken Croatia Croatian 96.1%, Serbian 1%, other and undesignated 2.9% (including Italian, Hungarian, Czech, Slovak, and German) (2001 census) Cuba Spanish Cyprus Greek, Turkish, English Czech Republic Czech 94.9%, Slovak 2%, other 2.3%, unidentified 0.8% (2001 census) Denmark Danish, Faroese, Greenlandic (an Inuit dialect), German (small minority) note: English is the predominant second language Dhekelia English, Greek Djibouti French (official), Arabic (official), Somali, Afar Dominica English (official), French patois Dominican Republic Spanish Ecuador Spanish (official), Amerindian languages (especially Quechua) Egypt Arabic (official), English and French widely understood by educated classes El Salvador Spanish, Nahua (among some Amerindians) Equatorial Guinea Spanish 67.6% (official), other 32.4% (includes French (official), Fang, Bubi) (1994 census) Eritrea Afar, Arabic, Tigre and Kunama, Tigrinya, other Cushitic languages Estonia Estonian (official) 67.3%, Russian 29.7%, other 2.3%, unknown 0.7% (2000 census) Ethiopia Amarigna 32.7%, Oromigna 31.6%, Tigrigna 6.1%, Somaligna 6%, Guaragigna 3.5%, Sidamigna 3.5%, Hadiyigna 1.7%, other 14.8%, English (major foreign language taught in schools) (1994 census) European Union Bulgarian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, Gaelic, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Slovene, Spanish, Swedish note: only official languages are listed; German, the major language of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, is the most widely spoken mother tongue - over 19% of the EU population; English is the most widely spoken language - about 49% of the EU population is conversant with it (2007) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) English Faroe Islands Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish Fiji English (official), Fijian (official), Hindustani Finland Finnish 91.2% (official), Swedish 5.5% (official), other 3.3% (small Sami- and Russian-speaking minorities) (2007) France French 100%, rapidly declining regional dialects and languages (Provencal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish) overseas departments: French, Creole patois French Polynesia French 61.1% (official), Polynesian 31.4% (official), Asian languages 1.2%, other 0.3%, unspecified 6% (2002 census) Gabon French (official), Fang, Myene, Nzebi, Bapounou/Eschira, Bandjabi Gambia, The English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars Gaza Strip Arabic, Hebrew (spoken by many Palestinians), English (widely understood) Georgia Georgian 71% (official), Russian 9%, Armenian 7%, Azeri 6%, other 7% note: Abkhaz is the official language in Abkhazia Germany German Ghana Asante 14.8%, Ewe 12.7%, Fante 9.9%, Boron (Brong) 4.6%, Dagomba 4.3%, Dangme 4.3%, Dagarte (Dagaba) 3.7%, Akyem 3.4%, Ga 3.4%, Akuapem 2.9%, other 36.1% (includes English (official)) (2000 census) Gibraltar English (used in schools and for official purposes), Spanish, Italian, Portuguese Greece Greek 99% (official), other 1% (includes English and French) Greenland Greenlandic (East Inuit) (official), Danish, English Grenada English (official), French patois Guam English 38.3%, Chamorro 22.2%, Philippine languages 22.2%, other Pacific island languages 6.8%, Asian languages 7%, other languages 3.5% (2000 census) Guatemala Spanish 60%, Amerindian languages 40% (23 officially recognized Amerindian languages, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Mam, Garifuna, and Xinca) Guernsey English, French, Norman-French dialect spoken in country districts Guinea French (official); note - each ethnic group has its own language Guinea-Bissau Portuguese (official), Crioulo, African languages Guyana English, Amerindian dialects, Creole, Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Urdu Haiti French (official), Creole (official) Holy See (Vatican City) Italian, Latin, French, various other languages Honduras Spanish, Amerindian dialects Hong Kong Chinese (Cantonese) 89.2% (official), other Chinese dialects 6.4%, English 3.2% (official), other 1.2% (2001 census) Hungary Hungarian 93.6%, other or unspecified 6.4% (2001 census) Iceland Icelandic, English, Nordic languages, German widely spoken India Hindi 41%, Bengali 8.1%, Telugu 7.2%, Marathi 7%, Tamil 5.9%, Urdu 5%, Gujarati 4.5%, Kannada 3.7%, Malayalam 3.2%, Oriya 3.2%, Punjabi 2.8%, Assamese 1.3%, Maithili 1.2%, other 5.9% note: English enjoys associate status but is the most important language for national, political, and commercial communication; Hindi is the most widely spoken language and primary tongue of 41% of the people; there are 14 other official languages: Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, Urdu, Gujarati, Malayalam, Kannada, Oriya, Punjabi, Assamese, Kashmiri, Sindhi, and Sanskrit; Hindustani is a popular variant of Hindi/Urdu spoken widely throughout northern India but is not an official language (2001 census) Indonesia Bahasa Indonesia (official, modified form of Malay), English, Dutch, local dialects (the most widely spoken of which is Javanese) Iran Persian and Persian dialects 58%, Turkic and Turkic dialects 26%, Kurdish 9%, Luri 2%, Balochi 1%, Arabic 1%, Turkish 1%, other 2% Iraq Arabic, Kurdish (official in Kurdish regions), Turkoman (a Turkish dialect), Assyrian (Neo-Aramaic), Armenian Ireland English (official) is the language generally used, Irish (Gaelic or Gaeilge) (official) spoken mainly in areas along the western coast Isle of Man English, Manx Gaelic Israel Hebrew (official), Arabic used officially for Arab minority, English most commonly used foreign language Italy Italian (official), German (parts of Trentino-Alto Adige region are predominantly German speaking), French (small French-speaking minority in Valle d'Aosta region), Slovene (Slovene-speaking minority in the Trieste-Gorizia area) Jamaica English, English patois Japan Japanese Jersey English 94.5% (official), Portuguese 4.6%, other 0.9% (2001 census) Jordan Arabic (official), English widely understood among upper and middle classes Kazakhstan Kazakh (Qazaq, state language) 64.4%, Russian (official, used in everyday business, designated the "language of interethnic communication") 95% (2001 est.) Kenya English (official), Kiswahili (official), numerous indigenous languages Kiribati I-Kiribati, English (official) Korea, North Korean Korea, South Korean, English widely taught in junior high and high school Kosovo Albanian (official), Serbian (official), Bosnian, Turkish, Roma Kuwait Arabic (official), English widely spoken Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyz 64.7% (official), Uzbek 13.6%, Russian 12.5% (official), Dungun 1%, other 8.2% (1999 census) Laos Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic languages Latvia Latvian (official) 58.2%, Russian 37.5%, Lithuanian and other 4.3% (2000 census) Lebanon Arabic (official), French, English, Armenian Lesotho Sesotho (southern Sotho), English (official), Zulu, Xhosa Liberia English 20% (official), some 20 ethnic group languages few of which can be written or used in correspondence Libya Arabic, Italian, English, all are widely understood in the major cities Liechtenstein German (official), Alemannic dialect Lithuania Lithuanian (official) 82%, Russian 8%, Polish 5.6%, other and unspecified 4.4% (2001 census) Luxembourg Luxembourgish (national language), German (administrative language), French (administrative language) Macau Cantonese 85.7%, Hokkien 4%, Mandarin 3.2%, other Chinese dialects 2.7%, English 1.5%, Tagalog 1.3%, other 1.6% (2001 census) Macedonia Macedonian 66.5%, Albanian 25.1%, Turkish 3.5%, Roma 1.9%, Serbian 1.2%, other 1.8% (2002 census) Madagascar English (official), French (official), Malagasy (official) Malawi Chichewa 57.2% (official), Chinyanja 12.8%, Chiyao 10.1%, Chitumbuka 9.5%, Chisena 2.7%, Chilomwe 2.4%, Chitonga 1.7%, other 3.6% (1998 census) Malaysia Bahasa Malaysia (official), English, Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainan, Foochow), Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Panjabi, Thai note: in East Malaysia there are several indigenous languages; most widely spoken are Iban and Kadazan Maldives Maldivian Dhivehi (dialect of Sinhala, script derived from Arabic), English spoken by most government officials Mali French (official), Bambara 80%, numerous African languages Malta Maltese (official) 90.2%, English (official) 6%, multilingual 3%, other 0.8% (2005 census) Marshall Islands Marshallese (official) 98.2%, other languages 1.8% (1999 census) note: English (official), widely spoken as a second language Mauritania Arabic (official and national), Pulaar, Soninke, Wolof (all national languages), French, Hassaniya Mauritius Creole 80.5%, Bhojpuri 12.1%, French 3.4%, English (official; spoken by less than 1% of the population), other 3.7%, unspecified 0.3% (2000 census) Mayotte Mahorian (a Swahili dialect), French (official language) spoken by 35% of the population Mexico Spanish only 92.7%, Spanish and indigenous languages 5.7%, indigenous only 0.8%, unspecified 0.8%; note - indigenous languages include various Mayan, Nahuatl, and other regional languages (2005) Micronesia, Federated States of English (official and common language), Chuukese, Kosrean, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi Moldova Moldovan (official, virtually the same as the Romanian language), Russian, Gagauz (a Turkish dialect) Monaco French (official), English, Italian, Monegasque Mongolia Khalkha Mongol 90%, Turkic, Russian (1999) Montenegro Serbian 63.6%, Montenegrin (official) 22%, Bosnian 5.5%, Albanian 5.3%, unspecified 3.7% (2003 census) Montserrat English Morocco Arabic (official), Berber dialects, French often the language of business, government, and diplomacy Mozambique Emakhuwa 26.1%, Xichangana 11.3%, Portuguese 8.8% (official; spoken by 27% of population as a second language), Elomwe 7.6%, Cisena 6.8%, Echuwabo 5.8%, other Mozambican languages 32%, other foreign languages 0.3%, unspecified 1.3% (1997 census) Namibia English 7% (official), Afrikaans common language of most of the population and about 60% of the white population, German 32%, indigenous languages 1% (includes Oshivambo, Herero, Nama) Nauru Nauruan (official; a distinct Pacific Island language), English widely understood, spoken, and used for most government and commercial purposes Nepal Nepali 47.8%, Maithali 12.1%, Bhojpuri 7.4%, Tharu (Dagaura/Rana) 5.8%, Tamang 5.1%, Newar 3.6%, Magar 3.3%, Awadhi 2.4%, other 10%, unspecified 2.5% (2001 census) note: many in government and business also speak English (2001 est.) Netherlands Dutch (official), Frisian (official) Netherlands Antilles Papiamento 65.4% (a Spanish-Portuguese-Dutch-English dialect), English 15.9% (widely spoken), Dutch 7.3% (official), Spanish 6.1%, Creole 1.6%, other 1.9%, unspecified 1.8% (2001 census) New Caledonia French (official), 33 Melanesian-Polynesian dialects New Zealand English (official), Maori (official), Sign Language (official) Nicaragua Spanish 97.5% (official), Miskito 1.7%, other 0.8% (1995 census) note: English and indigenous languages on Atlantic coast Niger French (official), Hausa, Djerma Nigeria English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo (Ibo), Fulani Niue Niuean, a Polynesian language closely related to Tongan and Samoan; English Norfolk Island English (official), Norfolk - a mixture of 18th century English and ancient Tahitian Northern Mariana Islands Philippine languages 24.4%, Chinese 23.4%, Chamorro 22.4%, English 10.8%, other Pacific island languages 9.5%, other 9.6% (2000 census) Norway Bokmal Norwegian (official), Nynorsk Norwegian (official), small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities; note - Sami is official in six municipalities Oman Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects Pakistan Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Siraiki (a Punjabi variant) 10%, Pashtu 8%, Urdu (official) 8%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2%, Brahui 1%, English (official; lingua franca of Pakistani elite and most government ministries), Burushaski, and other 8% Palau Palauan 64.7% official in all islands except Sonsoral (Sonsoralese and English are official), Tobi (Tobi and English are official), and Angaur (Angaur, Japanese, and English are official), Filipino 13.5%, English 9.4%, Chinese 5.7%, Carolinian 1.5%, Japanese 1.5%, other Asian 2.3%, other languages 1.5% (2000 census) Panama Spanish (official), English 14%; note - many Panamanians bilingual Papua New Guinea Tok Pisin, English, and Hiri Motu are official languages; some 860 indigenous languages spoken (over one-tenth of the world's total) note: Tok Pisin, a creole language, is widely used and understood; English is spoken by 1%-2%; Hiri Motu is spoken by less than 2% Paraguay Spanish (official), Guarani (official) Peru Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara, and a large number of minor Amazonian languages Philippines Filipino (official; based on Tagalog) and English (official); eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan Pitcairn Islands English (official), Pitkern (mixture of an 18th century English dialect and a Tahitian dialect) Poland Polish 97.8%, other and unspecified 2.2% (2002 census) Portugal Portuguese (official), Mirandese (official - but locally used) Puerto Rico Spanish, English Qatar Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language Romania Romanian 91% (official), Hungarian 6.7%, Romany (Gypsy) 1.1%, other 1.2% Russia Russian, many minority languages Rwanda Kinyarwanda (official) universal Bantu vernacular, French (official), English (official), Kiswahili (Swahili) used in commercial centers Saint Barthelemy French (primary), English Saint Helena English Saint Kitts and Nevis English Saint Lucia English (official), French patois Saint Martin French (official language), English, Dutch, French Patois, Spanish, Papiamento (dialect of Netherlands Antilles) Saint Pierre and Miquelon French (official) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines English, French patois Samoa Samoan (Polynesian), English San Marino Italian Sao Tome and Principe Portuguese (official) Saudi Arabia Arabic Senegal French (official), Wolof, Pulaar, Jola, Mandinka Serbia Serbian 88.3% (official), Hungarian 3.8%, Bosniak 1.8%, Romany (Gypsy) 1.1%, other 4.1%, unknown 0.9% (2002 census) note: Romanian, Hungarian, Slovak, Ukrainian, and Croatian all official in Vojvodina Seychelles Creole 91.8%, English 4.9% (official), other 3.1%, unspecified 0.2% (2002 census) Sierra Leone English (official, regular use limited to literate minority), Mende (principal vernacular in the south), Temne (principal vernacular in the north), Krio (English-based Creole, spoken by the descendants of freed Jamaican slaves who were settled in the Freetown area, a lingua franca and a first language for 10% of the population but understood by 95%) Singapore Mandarin 35%, English 23%, Malay 14.1%, Hokkien 11.4%, Cantonese 5.7%, Teochew 4.9%, Tamil 3.2%, other Chinese dialects 1.8%, other 0.9% (2000 census) Slovakia Slovak (official) 83.9%, Hungarian 10.7%, Roma 1.8%, Ukrainian 1%, other or unspecified 2.6% (2001 census) Slovenia Slovenian 91.1%, Serbo-Croatian 4.5%, other or unspecified 4.4% (2002 census) Solomon Islands Melanesian pidgin in much of the country is lingua franca; English (official but spoken by only 1%-2% of the population); 120 indigenous languages Somalia Somali (official), Arabic, Italian, English South Africa IsiZulu 23.8%, IsiXhosa 17.6%, Afrikaans 13.3%, Sepedi 9.4%, English 8.2%, Setswana 8.2%, Sesotho 7.9%, Xitsonga 4.4%, other 7.2% (2001 census) Spain Castilian Spanish (official) 74%, Catalan 17%, Galician 7%, Basque 2%, are official regionally Sri Lanka Sinhala (official and national language) 74%, Tamil (national language) 18%, other 8% note: English is commonly used in government and is spoken competently by about 10% of the population Sudan Arabic (official), English (official), Nubian, Ta Bedawie, diverse dialects of Nilotic, Nilo-Hamitic, Sudanic languages note: program of "Arabization" in process Suriname Dutch (official), English (widely spoken), Sranang Tongo (Surinamese, sometimes called Taki-Taki, is native language of Creoles and much of the younger population and is lingua franca among others), Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Javanese Svalbard Norwegian, Russian Swaziland English (official, government business conducted in English), siSwati (official) Sweden Swedish, small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities Switzerland German (official) 63.7%, French (official) 20.4%, Italian (official) 6.5%, Serbo-Croatian 1.5%, Albanian 1.3%, Portuguese 1.2%, Spanish 1.1%, English 1%, Romansch (official) 0.5%, other 2.8% (2000 census) note: German, French, Italian, and Romansch are all national and official languages Syria Arabic (official); Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, Circassian widely understood; French, English somewhat understood Taiwan Mandarin Chinese (official), Taiwanese (Min), Hakka dialects Tajikistan Tajik (official), Russian widely used in government and business Tanzania Kiswahili or Swahili (official), Kiunguja (name for Swahili in Zanzibar), English (official, primary language of commerce, administration, and higher education), Arabic (widely spoken in Zanzibar), many local languages note: Kiswahili (Swahili) is the mother tongue of the Bantu people living in Zanzibar and nearby coastal Tanzania; although Kiswahili is Bantu in structure and origin, its vocabulary draws on a variety of sources including Arabic and English; it has become the lingua franca of central and eastern Africa; the first language of most people is one of the local languages Thailand Thai, English (secondary language of the elite), ethnic and regional dialects Timor-Leste Tetum (official), Portuguese (official), Indonesian, English note: there are about 16 indigenous languages; Tetum, Galole, Mambae, and Kemak are spoken by significant numbers of people Togo French (official and the language of commerce), Ewe and Mina (the two major African languages in the south), Kabye (sometimes spelled Kabiye) and Dagomba (the two major African languages in the north) Tokelau Tokelauan (a Polynesian language), English Tonga Tongan, English Trinidad and Tobago English (official), Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), French, Spanish, Chinese Tunisia Arabic (official and one of the languages of commerce), French (commerce) Turkey Turkish (official), Kurdish, other minority languages Turkmenistan Turkmen 72%, Russian 12%, Uzbek 9%, other 7% Turks and Caicos Islands English (official) Tuvalu Tuvaluan, English, Samoan, Kiribati (on the island of Nui) Uganda English (official national language, taught in grade schools, used in courts of law and by most newspapers and some radio broadcasts), Ganda or Luganda (most widely used of the Niger-Congo languages, preferred for native language publications in the capital and may be taught in school), other Niger-Congo languages, Nilo-Saharan languages, Swahili, Arabic Ukraine Ukrainian (official) 67%, Russian 24%, other 9% (includes small Romanian-, Polish-, and Hungarian-speaking minorities) United Arab Emirates Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu United Kingdom English, Welsh (about 26% of the population of Wales), Scottish form of Gaelic (about 60,000 in Scotland) United States English 82.1%, Spanish 10.7%, other Indo-European 3.8%, Asian and Pacific island 2.7%, other 0.7% (2000 census) note: Hawaiian is an official language in the state of Hawaii Uruguay Spanish, Portunol, or Brazilero (Portuguese-Spanish mix on the Brazilian frontier) Uzbekistan Uzbek 74.3%, Russian 14.2%, Tajik 4.4%, other 7.1% Vanuatu local languages (more than 100) 72.6%, pidgin (known as Bislama or Bichelama) 23.1%, English 1.9%, French 1.4%, other 0.3%, unspecified 0.7% (1999 Census) Venezuela Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects Vietnam Vietnamese (official), English (increasingly favored as a second language), some French, Chinese, and Khmer; mountain area languages (Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian) Virgin Islands English 74.7%, Spanish or Spanish Creole 16.8%, French or French Creole 6.6%, other 1.9% (2000 census) Wallis and Futuna Wallisian 58.9% (indigenous Polynesian language), Futunian 30.1%, French 10.8%, other 0.2% (2003 census) West Bank Arabic, Hebrew (spoken by Israeli settlers and many Palestinians), English (widely understood) Western Sahara Hassaniya Arabic, Moroccan Arabic World Mandarin Chinese 13.22%, Spanish 4.88%, English 4.68%, Arabic 3.12%, Hindi 2.74%, Portuguese 2.69%, Bengali 2.59%, Russian 2.2%, Japanese 1.85%, Standard German 1.44%, French 1.2% (2005 est.) note: percents are for "first language" speakers only Yemen Arabic Zambia Bemba 30.1% (official), Nyanja 10.7% (official), Tonga 10.6% (official), Lozi 5.7% (official), Chewa 4.9%, Nsenga 3.4%, Tumbuka 2.5%, Lunda 2.2% (official), Kaonde 2% (official), Lala 2%, Luvale 1.7% (official), English 1.7% (official), other 22.5% (2000 Census) Zimbabwe English (official), Shona, Sindebele (the language of the Ndebele, sometimes called Ndebele), numerous but minor tribal dialects ====================================================================== @2100 Field Listing :: Legal system This entry contains a brief description of the legal system's historical roots, role in government, and acceptance of International Court of Justice (ICJ) jurisdiction. Country Legal system Afghanistan based on mixed civil and Sharia law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Akrotiri the Sovereign Base Area Administration has its own court system to deal with civil and criminal matters; laws applicable to the Cypriot population are, as far as possible, the same as the laws of the Republic of Cyprus Albania has a civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; has accepted jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court for its citizens Algeria 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 American Samoa NA Andorra based on French and Spanish civil codes; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Angola based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law; modified to accommodate political pluralism and increased use of free markets; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Anguilla based on English common law Antarctica Antarctica is administered through meetings of the consultative member nations; decisions from these meetings are carried out by these member nations (with respect to their own nationals and operations) in accordance with their own national laws; more generally, access to the Antarctic Treaty area, that is to all areas between 60 and 90 degrees south latitude, is subject to a number of relevant legal instruments and authorization procedures adopted by the states party to the Antarctic Treaty; note - US law, including certain criminal offenses by or against US nationals, such as murder, may apply extraterritorially; some US laws directly apply to Antarctica; for example, the Antarctic Conservation Act, 16 U.S.C. section 2401 et seq., provides civil and criminal penalties for the following activities unless authorized by regulation of statute: the taking of native mammals or birds; the introduction of nonindigenous plants and animals; entry into specially protected areas; the discharge or disposal of pollutants; and the importation into the US of certain items from Antarctica; violation of the Antarctic Conservation Act carries penalties of up to $10,000 in fines and one year in prison; the National Science Foundation and Department of Justice share enforcement responsibilities; Public Law 95-541, the US Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978, as amended in 1996, requires expeditions from the US to Antarctica to notify, in advance, the Office of Oceans, Room 5805, Department of State, Washington, DC 20520, which reports such plans to other nations as required by the Antarctic Treaty; for more information, contact Permit Office, Office of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, Arlington, Virginia 22230; telephone: (703) 292-8030, or visit its website at www.nsf.gov Antigua and Barbuda based on English common law Argentina mixture of US and West European legal systems; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Armenia based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Aruba based on Dutch civil law system, with some English common law influence Ashmore and Cartier Islands the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia and the laws of the Northern Territory of Australia, where applicable, apply Australia based on English common law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Austria civil law system with Roman law origin; judicial review of legislative acts by the Constitutional Court; separate administrative and civil/penal supreme courts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Azerbaijan based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Bahamas, The based on English common law Bahrain based on Islamic law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Bangladesh based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Barbados English common law; no judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Belarus based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Belgium based on civil law system influenced by English constitutional theory; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Belize English law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Benin based on French civil law and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Bermuda English law Bhutan based on Indian law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Bolivia based on Spanish law and Napoleonic Code; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; the 2009 Constitution incorporates indigenous community justice into Bolivia's judicial system Bosnia and Herzegovina based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Botswana based on Roman-Dutch law and local customary law; judicial review limited to matters of interpretation; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Bouvet Island the laws of Norway, where applicable, apply Brazil based on Roman codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction British Indian Ocean Territory the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply British Virgin Islands English law Brunei based on English common law; for Muslims, Islamic Sharia law supersedes civil law in a number of areas; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Bulgaria civil and criminal law based on Roman law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Burkina Faso based on French civil law system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Burma based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Burundi based on German and Belgian civil codes and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Cambodia primarily a civil law mixture of French-influenced codes from the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) period, royal decrees, and acts of the legislature, with influences of customary law and remnants of communist legal theory; increasing influence of common law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Cameroon based on French civil law system, with common law influence; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Canada based on English common law, except in Quebec, where civil law system based on French law prevails; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Cape Verde based on the legal system of Portugal; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Cayman Islands British common law and local statutes Central African Republic based on French law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Chad based on French civil law system and Chadian customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Chile based on Code of 1857 derived from Spanish law and subsequent codes influenced by French and Austrian law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; note - in June 2005, Chile completed overhaul of its criminal justice system to a new, US-style adversarial system China based on civil law system; derived from Soviet and continental civil code legal principles; legislature retains power to interpret statutes; constitution ambiguous on judicial review of legislation; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Christmas Island under the authority of the governor general of Australia and Australian law Clipperton Island the laws of France, where applicable, apply Cocos (Keeling) Islands based upon the laws of Australia and local laws Colombia based on Spanish law; a new criminal code modeled after US procedures was enacted into law in 2004 and reached full implementation in January 2008; judicial review of executive and legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Comoros French and Islamic law in a new consolidated code; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Congo, Democratic Republic of the civil law based on Belgian law with Napleonic Civil Code influence; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Congo, Republic of the based on French civil law system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Cook Islands based on New Zealand law and English common law Coral Sea Islands the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply Costa Rica based on Spanish civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Cote d'Ivoire based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review in the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Croatia based on Austro-Hungarian law system with Communist law influences; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Cuba based on Spanish civil law and influenced by American legal concepts with large elements of Communist legal theory; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Cyprus based on English common law, with civil law modifications; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Czech Republic civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes; legal code modified to bring it in line with Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) obligations and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legal theory Denmark civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Dhekelia the Sovereign Base Area Administration has its own court system to deal with civil and criminal matters; laws applicable to the Cypriot population are, as far as possible, the same as the laws of the Republic of Cyprus Djibouti based on French civil law system, traditional practices, and Islamic law; accepts ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Dominica based on English common law; accepts ICJ jurisdiction Dominican Republic based on French civil codes; Criminal Procedures Code modified in 2004 to include important elements of an accusatory system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Ecuador based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Egypt based on Islamic and civil law (particularly Napoleonic codes); judicial review by Supreme Court and Council of State (oversees validity of administrative decisions); accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations El Salvador based on civil and Roman law with traces of common law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Equatorial Guinea partly based on Spanish civil law and tribal custom; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Eritrea primary basis is the Ethiopian legal code of 1957 with revisions; new civil, commercial, and penal codes have not yet been promulgated; government also issues unilateral proclamations setting laws and policies; also relies on customary and post-independence-enacted laws and, for civil cases involving Muslims, Islamic law; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Estonia based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Ethiopia based on civil law; currently transitional mix of national and regional courts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction European Union comparable to the legal systems of member states; first supranational law system Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) English common law Faroe Islands the laws of Denmark, where applicable, apply Fiji based on British system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Finland civil law system based on Swedish law; the president may request the Supreme Court to review laws; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations France civil law system with indigenous concepts; review of administrative but not legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction French Polynesia the laws of France, where applicable, apply French Southern and Antarctic Lands the laws of France, where applicable, apply Gabon based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Gambia, The based on a composite of English common law, Islamic law, and customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Georgia based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Germany civil law system with indigenous concepts; judicial review of legislative acts in the Federal Constitutional Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Ghana based on English common law and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Gibraltar the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply Greece based on codified Roman law; judiciary divided into civil, criminal, and administrative courts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Greenland the laws of Denmark, where applicable, apply Grenada based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Guam modeled on US; US federal laws apply Guatemala civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Guernsey the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply; justice is administered by the Royal Court Guinea based on French civil law system, customary law, and decree; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Guinea-Bissau based on French civil law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Guyana based on English common law with certain admixtures of Roman-Dutch law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Haiti based on Roman civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Heard Island and McDonald Islands the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply Holy See (Vatican City) based on Code of Canon Law and revisions to it Honduras rooted in Roman and Spanish civil law with increasing influence of English common law; recent judicial reforms include abandoning Napoleonic legal codes in favor of the oral adversarial system; accepts ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Hong Kong based on English common law Hungary based on the German-Austrian legal system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Iceland civil law system based on Danish law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction India based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; separate personal law codes apply to Muslims, Christians, and Hindus Indonesia based on Roman-Dutch law, substantially modified by indigenous concepts and by new criminal procedures and election codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Iran based on Sharia law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Iraq based on European civil and Islamic law under the framework outlined in the Iraqi Constitution; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Ireland based on English common law substantially modified by indigenous concepts; judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Isle of Man the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply and Manx statutes Israel mixture of English common law, British Mandate regulations, and, in personal matters, Jewish, Christian, and Muslim legal systems; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Italy based on civil law system; appeals treated as new trials; judicial review under certain conditions in Constitutional Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Jamaica based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Jan Mayen the laws of Norway, where applicable, apply Japan modeled after German civil law system with English-American influence; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Jersey the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply and local statutes; justice is administered by the Royal Court Jordan based on Islamic law and French codes; judicial review of legislative acts in a specially provided High Tribunal; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Kazakhstan based on Islamic law and Roman law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Kenya based on Kenyan statutory law, Kenyan and English common law, tribal law, and Islamic law; judicial review in High Court; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; constitutional amendment of 1982 making Kenya a de jure one-party state repealed in 1991 Kiribati English common law supplemented by local, customary law Korea, North based on Prussian civil law system with Japanese influences and Communist legal theory; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Korea, South combines elements of continental European civil law systems, Anglo-American law, and Chinese classical thought; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Kosovo evolving legal system based on terms of UN Special Envoy Martti AHTISAARI's Plan for Kosovo's supervised independence Kuwait civil law system with Islamic law significant in personal matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Kyrgyzstan based on French and Russian laws; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Laos based on traditional customs, French legal norms and procedures, and socialist practice; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Latvia based on civil law system with traces of Socialist legal traditions and practices; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Lebanon mixture of Ottoman law, canon law, Napoleonic code, and civil law; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Lesotho based on English common law and Roman-Dutch law; judicial review of legislative acts in High Court and Court of Appeal; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Liberia dual system of statutory law based on Anglo-American common law for the modern sector and customary law based on unwritten tribal practices for indigenous sector; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Libya based on Italian and French civil law systems and Islamic law; separate religious courts; no constitutional provision for judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Liechtenstein local civil and penal codes based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Lithuania based on civil law system; legislative acts can be appealed to the constitutional court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Luxembourg based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Macau based on Portuguese civil law system Macedonia based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Madagascar based on French civil law system and traditional Malagasy law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Malawi based on English common law and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Appeal; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Malaysia based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court at request of supreme head of the federation; Islamic law is applied to Muslims in matters of family law and religion; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Maldives based on Islamic law with admixtures of English common law primarily in commercial matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Mali based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Malta based on English common law and Roman civil law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Marshall Islands based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Mauritania a combination of Islamic law and French civil law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Mauritius based on French civil law system with elements of English common law in certain areas; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Mayotte the laws of France, where applicable, apply Mexico mixture of US constitutional theory and civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Micronesia, Federated States of based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Moldova based on civil law system; Constitutional Court reviews legality of legislative acts and governmental decisions of resolution; accepts many UN and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) documents; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Monaco based on French law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Mongolia blend of Soviet and German systems that employ "continental" or "civil" code; case-precedent may be used to inform judges, but all decisions must refer to the law as written; constitution ambiguous on judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Montenegro based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Montserrat English common law and statutory law Morocco based on Islamic law and French and Spanish civil law systems; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Chamber of Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Mozambique based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Namibia based on Roman-Dutch law and 1990 constitution; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Nauru acts of the Nauru Parliament and British common law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Navassa Island the laws of the US, where applicable, apply Nepal based on Hindu legal concepts and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Netherlands based on civil law system incorporating French penal theory; constitution does not permit judicial review of acts of the States General; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Netherlands Antilles based on Dutch civil law system with some English common law influence New Caledonia based on French civil law; the 1988 Matignon Accords grant substantial autonomy to the islands New Zealand based on English law, with special land legislation and land courts for the Maori; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Nicaragua civil law system; Supreme Court may review administrative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Niger based on French civil law system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Nigeria based on English common law, Islamic law (in 12 northern states), and traditional law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Niue English common law; note - Niue is self-governing with the power to make its laws Norfolk Island based on the laws of Australia, local ordinances and acts; English common law applies in matters not covered by either Australian or Norfolk Island law Northern Mariana Islands based on US system, except for customs, wages, immigration laws, and taxation Norway mixture of customary law, civil law system, and common law traditions; Supreme Court renders advisory opinions to legislature when asked; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Oman based on English common law and Islamic law; ultimate appeal to the monarch; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Pakistan based on English common law with provisions to accommodate Pakistan's status as an Islamic state; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Palau based on Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Panama based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Justice; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Papua New Guinea based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Paraguay based on Argentine codes, Roman law, and French codes; judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court of Justice; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Peru based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Philippines based on Spanish and Anglo-American law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Pitcairn Islands local island by-laws Poland based on a mixture of Continental (Napoleonic) civil law and holdover Communist legal theory; changes being gradually introduced as part of broader democratization process; limited judicial review of legislative acts, but rulings of the Constitutional Tribunal are final; court decisions can be appealed to the European Court of Justice in Strasbourg; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Portugal based on civil law system; the Constitutional Tribunal reviews the constitutionality of legislation; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Puerto Rico based on Spanish civil code and within the US Federal system of justice Qatar based on Islamic and civil law codes; discretionary system of law controlled by the Amir, although civil codes are being implemented; Islamic law dominates family and personal matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Romania based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Russia based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Rwanda based on German and Belgian civil law systems and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Saint Barthelemy the laws of France, where applicable, apply Saint Helena English common law and statutes supplemented by local statutes Saint Kitts and Nevis based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Saint Lucia based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Saint Martin the laws of France, where applicable, apply Saint Pierre and Miquelon the laws of France, where applicable, apply Saint Vincent and the Grenadines based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Samoa based on English common law and local customs; judicial review of legislative acts with respect to fundamental rights of the citizen; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction San Marino based on civil law system with Italian law influences; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Sao Tome and Principe based on Portuguese legal system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Saudi Arabia based on Sharia law, several secular codes have been introduced; commercial disputes handled by special committees; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Senegal based on French civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Court; the Council of State audits the government's accounting office; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Serbia based on civil law system Seychelles based on English common law, French civil law, and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Sierra Leone based on English law and customary laws indigenous to local tribes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Singapore based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Slovakia civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; legal code modified to comply with the obligations of Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legal theory Slovenia based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Solomon Islands English common law, which is widely disregarded; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Somalia no national system; a mixture of English common law, Italian law, Islamic Sharia, and Somali customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations South Africa based on Roman-Dutch law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply; the senior magistrate from the Falkland Islands presides over the Magistrates Court Spain civil law system, with regional applications; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Sri Lanka a highly complex mixture of English common law, Roman-Dutch, Kandyan, and Jaffna Tamil law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Sudan based on English common law and Islamic law; as of 20 January 1991, the now defunct Revolutionary Command Council imposed Islamic law in the northern states; Islamic law applies to all residents of the northern states regardless of their religion; however, the CPA establishes some protections for non-Muslims in Khartoum; some separate religious courts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; the southern legal system is still developing under the CPA following the civil war; Islamic law will not apply to the southern states Suriname based on Dutch legal system incorporating French penal theory; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Svalbard the laws of Norway, where applicable, apply Swaziland based on South African Roman-Dutch law in statutory courts and Swazi traditional law and custom in traditional courts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Sweden civil law system influenced by customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Switzerland civil law system influenced by customary law; judicial review of legislative acts, except with respect to federal decrees of general obligatory character; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Syria based on a combination of French and Ottoman civil law; Islamic law is used in the family court system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Taiwan based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Tajikistan based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Tanzania based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts limited to matters of interpretation; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Thailand based on civil law system with influences of common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Timor-Leste UN-drafted legal system based on Indonesian law remains in place but is to be replaced by civil and penal codes based on Portuguese law; these have passed but have not been promulgated; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Togo French-based court system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Tokelau New Zealand and local statutes Tonga based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Trinidad and Tobago based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Tunisia based on French civil law system and Islamic law; some judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court in joint session; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Turkey civil law system derived from various European continental legal systems; note - member of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), although Turkey claims limited derogations on the ratified European Convention on Human Rights; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Turkmenistan based on civil law system and Islamic law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Turks and Caicos Islands based on laws of England and Wales with a few adopted from Jamaica and The Bahamas Tuvalu English common law supplemented by local customary law Uganda in 1995, the government restored the legal system to one based on English common law and customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Ukraine based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction United Arab Emirates based on a dual system of Sharia and civil courts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction United Kingdom based on common law tradition with early Roman and modern continental influences; has nonbinding judicial review of Acts of Parliament under the Human Rights Act of 1998; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations United States federal court system based on English common law; each state has its own unique legal system, of which all but one (Louisiana, which is still influenced by the Napoleonic Code) is based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges the laws of the US, where applicable, apply Uruguay based on Spanish civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Uzbekistan based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Vanuatu unified system being created from former dual French and British systems; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Venezuela open, adversarial court system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Vietnam based on communist legal theory and French civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Virgin Islands based on US laws Wake Island the laws of the US, where applicable, apply Wallis and Futuna the laws of France, where applicable, apply World all members of the UN are parties to the statute that established the International Court of Justice (ICJ) or World Court Yemen based on Islamic law, Turkish law, English common law, and local tribal customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Zambia based on English common law and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in an ad hoc constitutional council; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Zimbabwe mixture of Roman-Dutch and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction ====================================================================== @2101 Field Listing :: Legislative branch This entry contains information on the structure (unicameral, bicameral, tricameral), formal name, number of seats, and term of office. Elections includes the nature of the election process or accession to power, date of the last election, and date of the next election. Election results includes the percent of vote and/or number of seats held by each party in the last election. Country Legislative branch Afghanistan the bicameral National Assembly consists of the Meshrano Jirga or House of Elders (102 seats, one-third elected from provincial councils for four-year terms, one-third elected from local district councils for three-year terms, and one-third nominated by the president for five-year terms) and the Wolesi Jirga or House of People (no more than 249 seats), directly elected for five-year terms note: on rare occasions the government may convene a Loya Jirga (Grand Council) on issues of independence, national sovereignty, and territorial integrity; it can amend the provisions of the constitution and prosecute the president; it is made up of members of the National Assembly and chairpersons of the provincial and district councils elections: last held 18 September 2005 (next election expected in 2010) election results: the single non-transferable vote (SNTV) system used in the election did not make use of political party slates; most candidates ran as independents Albania unicameral Assembly or Kuvendi (140 seats; 100 members elected by direct popular vote and 40 by proportional vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 3 July 2005 (next to be held in 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PD 56, PS 42, PR 11, PSD 7, LSI 5, other 19 note: Parliament in November 2008 approved an electoral reform package that will transform the electoral system from a majority system to a regional proportional system; the code will also establish an electoral threshold limiting smaller party representation Algeria bicameral Parliament consists of the Council of Nations (Senate) (144 seats; one-third of the members appointed by the president, two-thirds elected by indirect vote to serve six-year terms; the constitution requires half the council to be renewed every three years) and the National People's Assembly or Al-Majlis Al-Shabi Al-Watani (389 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: National People's Assembly - last held 17 May 2007 (next to be held in 2012); Council of Nations (Senate) - last held 28 December 2006 (next to be held in 2009) election results: National People's Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FLN 136, RND 61, MSP 52, PT 26, RCD 19, FNA 13, other 49, independents 33; Council of Nations - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FLN 29, RND 12, MSP 3, RCD 1, independents 3, presidential appointees (unknown affiliation) 24; note - Council seating reflects the number of replaced council members rather than the whole Council American Samoa bicameral Fono or Legislative Assembly consists of the Senate (18 seats; members are elected from local chiefs to serve four-year terms)and the House of Representatives (21 seats; 20 members are elected by popular vote and 1 is an appointed, nonvoting delegate from Swains Island; members serve two-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2010); Senate - last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012) 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 - independents 18 note: American Samoa elects one nonvoting representative to the US House of Representatives; election last held on 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2010); results - Eni F. H. FALEOMAVAEGA reelected as delegate Andorra unicameral General Council of the Valleys or Consell General de las Valls (28 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote, 14 from a single national constituency and 14 to represent each of the seven parishes; to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 26 April 2009 (next to be held in March-April 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - PS 45.03%, Reformist Coaliton 32.34%, Andorra for Change 18.86%, other 3.77%; seats by party - PS 14, Reformist Coalition 11, Andorra for Change 3 Angola unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (220 seats; members elected by proportional vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 5-6 September 2008 (next to be held in September 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - MPLA 81.6%, UNITA 10.4%, PRS 3.2%, ND 1.2%, FNLA 1.1%, other 2.5%; seats by party - MPLA 191, UNITA 16, PRS 8, FNLA 3, ND 2 Anguilla unicameral House of Assembly (11 seats; 7 members elected by direct popular vote, 2 ex officio members, and 2 appointed; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 21 February 2005 (next to be held in 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - AUF 38.9%, AUM 19.4%, ANSA 19.2%, APP 9.5%, independents 13%; seats by party - AUF 4, ANSA 2, AUM 1 Antigua and Barbuda bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (17 seats; members appointed by the governor general) and the House of Representatives (17 seats; members are elected by proportional representation to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held 12 March 2009 (next to be held in 2014) election results: percent of vote by party - UPP 50.9%, ALP 47.2%, BPM 1.1%; seats by party - UPP 9, ALP 7, BPM 1 Argentina bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate (72 seats; members are elected by direct vote; presently one-third of the members elected every two years to serve six-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies (257 seats; members are elected by direct vote; one-half of the members elected every two years to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 28 October 2007 (next to be held in 2009); Chamber of Deputies - last held last held 28 October 2007 (next to be held in 2009) election results: Senate - percent of vote by bloc or party - NA; seats by bloc or party - FpV 12, UCR 4, CC 4, other 4; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by bloc or party - NA; seats by bloc or party - FpV 5, UCR 10, PJ 10, PRO 6, CC 16, FJ 2, other 31; note - as of 1 January 2009, the composition of the entire legislature is as follows: Senate - seats by bloc or party - FpV 42, UCR 8, CC 2, other 20; Chamber of Deputies - seats by bloc or party - FpV 119, UCR 24, CC 18, PS 10, PRO 9, other 77 Armenia unicameral National Assembly (Parliament) or Azgayin Zhoghov (131 seats; members elected by popular vote, 90 members elected by party list and 41 by direct vote; to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 12 May 2007 (next to be held in the spring of 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - HHK 33.9%, Prosperous Armenia 15.1%, ARF (Dashnak) 13.2%, Rule of Law 7.1%, Heritage Party 6%, other 24.7%; seats by party - HHK 64, Prosperous Armenia 18, ARF (Dashnak) 16, Rule of Law 9, Heritage Party 7, independent 17 Aruba unicameral Legislature or Staten (21 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 25 September 2009 (next to be held in 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - AVP 48%, MEP 35.9%, PDR 5.7%; seats by party - AVP 12, MEP 8, PDR 1 Australia bicameral Federal Parliament consists of the Senate (76 seats; 12 members from each of the six states and 2 from each of the two mainland territories; one-half of state members are elected every three years by popular vote to serve six-year terms while all territory members are elected every three years) and the House of Representatives (150 seats; members elected by popular preferential vote to serve terms of up to three-years; no state can have fewer than 5 representatives) elections: Senate - last held 24 November 2007 (next to be held no later than 2010); House of Representatives - last held 24 November 2007 (next to be called no later than 2010) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Liberal Party-National Party coalition 37, Australian Labor Party 32, Australian Greens 5, Family First Party 1, independent 1; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Australian Labor Party 83, Liberal Party 55, National Party 10, independents 2 Austria bicameral Federal Assembly or Bundesversammlung consists of Federal Council or Bundesrat (62 seats; members chosen by state parliaments with each state receiving 3 to 12 members in proportion to its population; members serve five- or six-year terms) and the National Council or Nationalrat (183 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: National Council - last held 28 September 2008 (next to be held by September 2013) election results: National Council - percent of vote by party - SPOe 29.3%, OeVP 26%, FPOe 17.5%, BZOe 10.7%, Greens 10.4%, other 6.1%; seats by party - SPOe 57, OeVP 51, FPOe 34, BZOe 21, Greens 20 Azerbaijan unicameral National Assembly or Milli Mejlis (125 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 6 November 2005 (next to be held in November 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Yeni 58, Azadliq coalition 8, CSP 2, Motherland 2, other parties with single seats 9, independents 42, undetermined 4 Bahamas, The bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (16 seats; members appointed by the governor general upon the advice of the prime minister and the opposition leader to serve five-year terms) and the House of Assembly (41 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms); the government may dissolve the parliament and call elections at any time elections: last held 2 May 2007 (next to be held by May 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - FNM 49.86%, PLP 47.02%; seats by party - FNM 23, PLP 18 Bahrain bicameral legislature consists of the Consultative Council (40 members appointed by the King) and the Council of Representatives or Chamber of Deputies (40 seats; members directly elected to serve four-year terms) elections: Council of Representatives - last held November-December 2006 (next election to be held in 2010) election results: Council of Representatives - percent of vote by society - NA; seats by society - al Wifaq (Shia) 17, al Asala (Sunni Salafi) 5, al Minbar (Sunni Muslim Brotherhood) 7, independents 11; note - seats by society as of February 2007 - al Wifaq 17, al Asala 8, al Minbar 7, al Mustaqbal (Moderate Sunni pro-government) 4, unassociated independents (all Sunni) 3, independent affiliated with al Wifaq (Sunni oppositionist) 1 Bangladesh unicameral National Parliament or Jatiya Sangsad; 300 seats elected by popular vote from single territorial constituencies; members serve five-year terms elections: last held 29 December 2008 (next to be held in 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - AL 49%, BNP 33.2%, JP 7%, JIB 4.6%, other 6.2%; seats by party - AL 230, BNP 30, JP 27, JIB 2, other 11 Barbados bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (21 seats; members appointed by the governor general - 12 on the advice of the Prime Minister, 2 on the advice of the opposition leader, and 7 at his discretion) and the House of Assembly (30 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Assembly - last held 15 January 2008 (next to be called in 2013) election results: House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - DLP 52.5%, BLP 47.3%; seats by party - DLP 20, BLP 10 Belarus bicameral National Assembly or Natsionalnoye Sobranie consists of the Council of the Republic or Soviet Respubliki (64 seats; 56 members elected by regional councils and eight members appointed by the president, to serve four-year terms) and the Chamber of Representatives or Palata Predstaviteley (110 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Palata Predstaviteley - last held 28 September and 3 October 2008 (next to be held fall of 2012); international observers determined that despite minor improvements the election ultimately fell short of democratic standards; pro-LUKASHENKO candidates won every seat election results: Soviet Respubliki - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; Palata Predstaviteley - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA Belgium bicameral Parliament consists of a Senate or Senaat in Dutch, Senat in French (71 seats; 40 members are directly elected by popular vote, 31 are indirectly elected; members serve four-year terms) and a Chamber of Deputies or Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordigers in Dutch, Chambre des Representants in French (150 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate and Chamber of Deputies - last held 10 June 2007 (next to be held no later than June 2011) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - CDV/N-VA 19.4%, Open VLD 12.4%, MR 12.3%, VB 11.9%, PS 10.2%, SP.A-Spirit 10%, CDH 5.9%, Ecolo 5.8%, Groen! 3.6%, Dedecker List 3.4%, FN 2.3%, other 2.8%; seats by party - CDV 12, MR 11, Open VLD 9, VB 8, PS 7, SP.A 6, CDH 5, Ecolo 5, Groen! 2, LDD 1, FN 1, independents 4; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - CDV/N-VA 18.5%, MR 12.5%, VB 12%, Open VLD 11.8%, PS 10.9%, SP.A-Spirit 10.3%, CDH 6.1%, Ecolo 5.1%, Dedecker List 4%, Groen! 4%, FN 2%, other 2.8%; seats by party - CDV 23, N-VA 7, MR 23, VB 17, Open VLD 18, PS 20, SP.A 14, CDH 10, Ecolo 8, Dedecker List 5, Groen! 4, FN 1 note: as a result of the 1993 constitutional revision that furthered devolution into a federal state, there are now three levels of government (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with a complex division of responsibilities; this reality leaves six governments, each with its own legislative assembly Belize bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (12 seats; members appointed by the governor general - 6 on the advice of the prime minister, 3 on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and 1 each on the advice of the Belize Council of Churches and Evangelical Association of Churches, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Belize Better Business Bureau, and the National Trade Union Congress and the Civil Society Steering Committee; to serve five-year terms) and the House of Representatives (31 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held 6 February 2008 (next to be held in 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - UDP 56.3%, PUP 40.9%; seats by party - UDP 25, PUP 6 Benin unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (83 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 31 March 2007 (next to be held by March 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FCBE 35, ADD 20, PRD 10, other and independents 18 Bermuda bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (11 seats; members appointed by the governor, the premier, and the opposition) and the House of Assembly (36 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve up to five-year terms) elections: last general election held 18 December 2007 (next to be held not later than 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - PLP 52.5%, UBP 47.3%; seats by party - PLP 22, UBP 14 Bhutan bicameral Parliament consists of the non-partisan National Council (25 seats; 20 members elected by each of the 20 electoral districts (dzongkhags) for four-year terms and 5 members nominated by the King); and the National Assembly (47 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote for five-year terms) elections: National Council elections last held on 31 December 2007 and 29 January 2008 (next to be held by December 2012); National Assembly elections last held on 24 March 2008 (next to be held by March 2013) election results: National Council - NA; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - DPT 67%, PDP 33%; seats by party - DPT 45, PDP 2 Bolivia bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (27 seats; members are elected by proportional representation from party lists to serve five-year terms) and Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (130 seats; 70 members are directly elected from their districts and 60 are elected by proportional representation from party lists to serve five-year terms); note - under representational rules established by the 2009 Constitution, the National Congress will become the Plurinational Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa Plurinacional; the number of Deputies will remain at 130, but the number of Senators will rise to 36 elections: Chamber of Senators and Chamber of Deputies - last held 18 December 2005 (next to be held in December 2009) election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PODEMOS 13, MAS 12, UN 1, MNR 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MAS 73, PODEMOS 43, UN 8, MNR 6 Bosnia and Herzegovina bicameral Parliamentary Assembly or Skupstina consists of the House of Peoples or Dom Naroda (15 seats, 5 Bosniak, 5 Croat, 5 Serb; members elected by the Bosniak/Croat Federation's House of Representatives and the Republika Srpska's National Assembly to serve four-year terms); and the national House of Representatives or Predstavnicki Dom (42 seats, 28 seats allocated for the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and 14 seats for the Republika Srpska; members elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation, to serve four-year terms); note - Bosnia's election law specifies four-year terms for the state and first-order administrative division entity legislatures elections: House of Peoples - last constituted in January 2003 (next to be constituted in 2007); national House of Representatives - elections last held 1 October 2006 (next to be held in 2010) election results: House of Peoples - percent of vote by party/coalition - NA; seats by party/coalition - NA; national House of Representatives - percent of vote by party/coalition - NA; seats by party/coalition - SDA 9, SBiH 8, SNSD 7, SDP 5, SDS 3, HDZ-BH 3, HDZ1990 2, other 5 note: the Bosniak/Croat Federation has a bicameral legislature that consists of a House of Peoples (58 seats - 17 Bosniak, 17 Croat, 17 Serb, 7 other); last constituted December 2002; and a House of Representatives (98 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms); elections last held 1 October 2006 (next to be held in October 2010); percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party/coalition - SDA 28, SBiH 24, SDP 17, HDZ-BH 8, HDZ1990 7, other 14; the Republika Srpska has a National Assembly (83 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms); elections last held 1 October 2006 (next to be held in the fall of 2010); percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party/coalition - SNSD 41, SDS 17, PDP 8, DNS 4, SBiH 4, SPRS 3, SDA 3, other 3; as a result of the 2002 constitutional reform process, a 28-member Republika Srpska Council of Peoples (COP) was established in the Republika Srpska National Assembly including eight Croats, eight Bosniaks, eight Serbs, and four members of the smaller communities Botswana bicameral Parliament consists of the House of Chiefs (a largely advisory 15-member body with 8 ex-officio members consisting of the chiefs of the principal tribes, and 7 non-permanent members serving 5-year terms, consisting of 4 elected subchiefs and 3 members selected by the other 12 members) and the National Assembly (63 seats, 57 members are directly elected by popular vote, 4 are appointed by the majority party, and 2, the President and Attorney-General, serve as ex-officio members; members serve five-year terms) elections: National Assembly elections last held 16 October 2009 (next to be held in 2014) election results: percent of vote by party - BDP 53.3%, BNF 21.9%, BCP 19.2%, 2.3%, other 4.3%; seats by party - BDP 45, BNF 6, BCP 4, BAM 1, other 1 Brazil bicameral National Congress or Congresso Nacional consists of the Federal Senate or Senado Federal (81 seats; 3 members from each state and federal district elected according to the principle of majority to serve eight-year terms; one-third and two-thirds elected every four years, alternately) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara dos Deputados (513 seats; members are elected by proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: Federal Senate - last held 1 October 2006 for one-third of the Senate (next to be held in October 2010 for two-thirds of the Senate); Chamber of Deputies - last held 1 October 2006 (next to be held in October 2010) election results: Federal Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PFL 6, PSDB 5, PMDB 4, PTB 3, PT 2, PDT 1, PSB 1, PL 1, PPS 1, PRTB 1, PP 1, PCdoB 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PMDB 89, PT 83, PFL 65, PSDB 65, PP 42, PSB 27, PDT 24, PL 23, PTB 22, PPS 21, PCdoB 13, PV 13, PSC 9, other 17; note - as of 1 January 2009, the composition of the entire legislature is as follows: Federal Senate - seats by party - PMDB 21, DEM (formerly PFL) 12, PSDB 13, PT 12, PTB 7, PDT 5, PR 4, PSB 2, PCdoB 1, PRB 1, PP 1, PSC 1, PSOL 1; Chamber of Deputies - seats by party - PMDB 95, PT 79, PSDB 59, DEM (formerly PFL) 53, PR 44, PP 40, PSB 29, PDT 25, PTB 19, PPS 14, PV 14, PCdoB 13, PSC 11, PMN 5, PRB 4, PHS 3, PSOL 3, PTC 1, PTdoB 1 British Virgin Islands unicameral House of Assembly (13 elected seats and 1 non-voting ex officio member in the attorney general; members are elected by direct popular vote, 1 member from each of nine electoral districts, 4 at-large members; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 20 August 2007 (next to be held in 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - VIP 45.2%, NDP 39.6%, independent 15.2%; seats by party - VIP 10, NDP 2, independent 1 Brunei The Sultan appointed a council with 29 members as of 2 September 2005; the council has met in March of each year since then elections: last held in March 1962 (date of next election NA) note: The Legislative Council met on 25 September 2004 for first time in 20 years with 21 members appointed by the Sultan; it passed constitutional amendments calling for a 45-seat council with 15 elected members Bulgaria unicameral National Assembly or Narodno Sabranie (240 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 5 July 2009 (next to be held mid-2013) election results: percent of vote by party - GERB 39.7%, BSP 17.7%, MRF 14.4%, ATAKA 9.4%, Blue Coalition 6.8%, RZS 4.1%, other 7.9%; seats by party - GERB 116, BSP 40, MRF 38, ATAKA 21, Blue Coalition 15, RZS 10 Burkina Faso unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (111 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: National Assembly election last held 6 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CDP 73, ADF-RDA 14, UPR 5, UNIR-MS 4, CFD-B 3, UPS 2, PDP-PS 2, RDB 2, PDS 2, PAREN 1, PAI 1, RPC 1, UDPS 1 Burma a unicameral People's Assembly or Pyithu Hluttaw consisting of 485 seats with members elected by popular vote was elected in 1990 but was never seated; according to the terms of the constitution approved on 10 May 2008, a bicameral Pyidaungsu Hluttaw consisting of an upper house with a maximum of 224 seats and a lower house with a maximum of 440 seats will be selected in elections in 2010 elections: last held 27 May 1990, but Assembly never allowed by junta to convene (junta has announced plans to hold elections in 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NLD 392 (opposition), SNLD 23 (opposition), NUP 10 (pro-government), other 60 Burundi bicameral Parliament or Parlement, consists of a Senate (54 seats; 34 members elected by indirect vote to serve five-year terms, with remaining seats assigned to ethnic groups and former chiefs of state) and a National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (minimum 100 seats, 60% Hutu and 40% Tutsi with at least 30% being women; additional seats appointed by a National Independent Electoral Commission to ensure ethnic representation; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 29 July 2005 (next to be held in July 2010); National Assembly - last held 4 July 2005 (next to be held in July 2010) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CNDD-FDD 30, FRODEBU 3, CNDD 1; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - CNDD-FDD 58.6%, FRODEBU 21.7%, UPRONA 7.2%, CNDD 4.1%, MRC-Rurenzangemero 2.1%, others 6.2%; seats by party - CNDD-FDD 59, FRODEBU 25, UPRONA 10, CNDD 4, MRC-Rurenzangemero 2 Cambodia bicameral, consists of the Senate (61 seats; 2 members appointed by the monarch, 2 elected by the National Assembly, and 57 elected by parliamentarians and commune councils; members serve five-year terms) and the National Assembly (123 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 22 January 2006 (next to be held in January 2011); National Assembly - last held 27 July 2008 (next to be held in July 2013) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - CPP 69%, FUNCINPEC 21%, SRP 10%; seats by party - CPP 45, FUNCINPEC 10, SRP 2; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - CPP 58%, SRP 22%, HRP 7%; NRP 6%; FUNCINPEC 5%; others 2%; seats by party - CPP 90, SRP 26, HRP 3, FUNCINPEC 2, NRP 2 Cameroon unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (180 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms); note - the president can either lengthen or shorten the term of the legislature elections: last held 22 July 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPDM 140, SDF 14, UDC 4, UNDP 4, MP 1, vacant 17 note: the constitution calls for an upper chamber for the legislature, to be called a Senate, but it has yet to be established Canada bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of the Senate or Senat (105 seats; members appointed by the governor general with the advice of the prime minister and serve until reaching 75 years of age) and the House of Commons or Chambre des Communes (308 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote to serve a maximum of five-year terms starting in 2009 elections) elections: House of Commons - last held 14 October 2008 (next to be held no later than 19 October 2012) election results: House of Commons - percent of vote by party - Conservative Party 37.6%, Liberal Party 26.2%, New Democratic Party 18.2%, Bloc Quebecois 10%, Greens 6.8%, other 1%; seats by party - Conservative Party 143, Liberal Party 77, New Democratic Party 37, Bloc Quebecois 49, other 2 Cape Verde unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (72 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 22 January 2006 (next to be held in January 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - PAICV 52.3%, MPD 44%, UCID 2.7%; seats by party - PAICV 41, MPD 29, UCID 2 Cayman Islands unicameral Legislative Assembly (20 seats; 18 elected by popular vote and 2 ex officio members from The Cabinet; to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 20 May 2009 (next to be held not later than May 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UDP 9, PPM 5, independent 1 Central African Republic unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (105 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 13 March 2005 and 8 May 2005 (next to be held in 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - KNK 42, MLPC 11, RDC 8, PSD 4, FPP 2, ADP 2, LONDO 1, independents 34, other 1 Chad unicameral National Assembly (155 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms); note - the 1996 constitution called for a Senate that has never been formed elections: National Assembly - last held 21 April 2002 (next to be held by 2009); note - legislative elections, originally scheduled for 2006, were first delayed by National Assembly action and subsequently by an accord, signed in August 2007, between government and opposition parties election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MPS 110, RDP 12, FAR 9, RNDP 5, UNDR 5, URD 3, other 11 Chile bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate or Senado (38 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve eight-year terms; one-half elected every four years) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (120 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 11 December 2005 (next to be held in December 2009); Chamber of Deputies - last held 11 December 2005 (next to be held in December 2009) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPD 20 (PDC 6, PS 8, PPD 3, PRSD 3), APC 17 (UDI 9, RN 8), independent 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPD 65 (PDC 21, PPD 22, PS 15, PRSD 7), APC 54 (UDI 34, RN 20), independent 1; note - as of 8 January 2008: Senate - seats by party - CPD 18, (PDC 5, PS 8, PPD 2, PRSD 3), APC 16 (UDI 9, RN 7), independent 4; Chamber of Deputies - seats by party - CPD 57 (PDC 16, PPD 19, PS 15, PRSD 7), APC 53 (UDI 33, RN 20), independent 10. China unicameral National People's Congress or Quanguo Renmin Daibiao Dahui (2,987 seats; members elected by municipal, regional, and provincial people's congresses, and People's Liberation Army to serve five-year terms) elections: last held December 2007-February 2008; date of next election - late 2012 to early 2013 election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - 2,987 note: only members of the CCP, its eight allied parties, and sympathetic independent candidates are elected Christmas Island unicameral Christmas Island Shire Council (9 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: held every two years with half the members standing for election; last held 20 October 2007 (next to be held in 2009) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 9 Cocos (Keeling) Islands unicameral Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire Council (7 seats) elections: held every two years with half the members standing for election; last held in May 2007 (next to be held in May 2009) Colombia bicameral Congress or Congreso consists of the Senate or Senado (102 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (166 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 12 March 2006 (next to be held in March 2010); House of Representatives - last held 12 March 2006 (next to be held in March 2010) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PSUN 20, PC 18, PL 18, CR 15, PDI 10, other parties 21; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PL 35, PSUN 33, PC 29, CR 20, PDA 8, other parties 41 Comoros unicameral Assembly of the Union (33 seats; 15 deputies are selected by the individual islands' local assemblies and 18 by universal suffrage; to serve for five years); elections: last held 18 and 25 April 2004 (next to be held on 2 August 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CdIA 12, CRC 6; note - 15 additional seats are filled by deputies from local island assemblies Congo, Democratic Republic of the bicameral legislature consists of a Senate (108 seats; members elected by provincial assemblies to serve five-year terms) and a National Assembly (500 seats; 61 members elected by majority vote in single-member constituencies, 439 members elected by open list proportional-representation in multi-member constituencies; to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 19 January 2007 (next to be held by 2012); National Assembly - last held 30 July 2006 (next to be held in July 2011) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PPRD 22, MLC 14, FR 7, RCD 7, PDC 6, CDC 3, MSR 3, PALU 2, independents 26, others 18 (political parties that won a single seat); National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PPRD 111, MLC 64, PALU 34, MSR 27, FR 26, RCD 15, independents 63, others 160 (includes 63 political parties that won 10 or fewer seats) Congo, Republic of the bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (72 seats; members are elected by indirect vote to serve five-year terms) and the National Assembly (137 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 5 August 2008 (next to be held in 2013); National Assembly - last held 24 June and 5 August 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - RMP 33, FDU 23, UPADS 2, independents 7, other 7; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PCT 46, MCDDI 11, UPADS 11, MAR 5, MSD 5, independents 37, other 22 Cook Islands bicameral Parliament consisting of a House of Ariki (or upper house) made up of traditional leaders and a Legislative Assembly (or lower house) (24 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) note: the House of Ariki advises on traditional matters and maintains considerable influence but has no legislative powers elections: last held 26 September 2006 (next to be held by 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - Demo 51.9%, CIP 45.5%, independent 2.7%; seats by party - Demo 15, CIP 8, independent 1 Costa Rica unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (57 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 5 February 2006 (next to be held in February 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PLN 25, PAC 17, PML 6, PUSC 5, PASE 1, PFA 1, PRN 1, PUN 1; note - as of 1 January 2009: seats by party - PLN 25, PAC 16, PML 5, PUSC 5, PASE 1, PFA 1, PRN 1, independent 3 Cote d'Ivoire unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (225 seats; members are elected in single- and multi-district elections by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: elections last held 10 December 2000 with by-elections on 14 January 2001 (elections originally scheduled for 2005 have been repeatedly postponed by the government) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FPI 96, PDCI-RDA 94, RDR 5, PIT 4, other 2, independents 22, vacant 2 note: a Senate was scheduled to be created in October 2006 elections that never took place Croatia unicameral Assembly or Sabor (153 seats; members elected from party lists by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 25 November 2007 (next to be held in November 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; number of seats by party - HDZ 66, SDP 57, HNS 6, HSS 6, HDSSB 3, IDS 3, SDSS 3, other 9 Cuba unicameral National Assembly of People's Power or Asemblea Nacional del Poder Popular (number of seats in the National Assembly is based on population; 614 seats; members elected directly from slates approved by special candidacy commissions to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 20 January 2008 (next to be held in January 2013) election results: Cuba's Communist Party is the only legal party, and officially sanctioned candidates run unopposed Cyprus unicameral - area under government control: House of Representatives or Vouli Antiprosopon (80 seats; 56 assigned to the Greek Cypriots, 24 to Turkish Cypriots; note - only those assigned to Greek Cypriots are filled; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); area administered by Turkish Cypriots: Assembly of the Republic or Cumhuriyet Meclisi (50 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: area under government control: last held 21 May 2006 (next to be held in 2010); area administered by Turkish Cypriots: last held 19 April 2009 (next to be held in 2014) election results: area under government control: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - AKEL 31.1%, DISY 30.3%, DIKO 17.9%, EDEK 8.9%, EURO.KO 5.8%, Greens 2.0%; seats by party - AKEL 18, DISY 18, DIKO 11, EDEK 4, EURO.KO 4, Greens 1; area administered by Turkish Cypriots: Assembly of the Republic - percent of vote by party - UBP 44.1%, CTP 29.3%, DP 10.6%, other 16%; seats by party - UBP 26, CTP 15, DP 5, other 4 Czech Republic bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Senate or Senat (81 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms; one-third elected every two years) and the Chamber of Deputies or Poslanecka Snemovna (200 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held in two rounds 17-18 and 24-25 October 2008 (next to be held by October 2010); Chamber of Deputies - last held 2-3 June 2006 (next to be held by June 2010) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ODS 36, CSSD 29, KDU-CSL 7, Open Democracy Club 6, others 3; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - ODS 35.4%, CSSD 32.3%, KSCM 12.8%, KDU-CSL 7.2%, Greens 6.3%, other 6%; seats by party - ODS 81, CSSD 74, KSCM 26, KDU-CSL 13, Greens 6; note - seats by party as of December 2008 - ODS 79, CSSD 71, KSCM 26, KDU-CSL 13, Greens 4, unaffiliated 7 (former CSSD, ODS, and Green Party members) Denmark unicameral People's Assembly or Folketing (179 seats, including 2 from Greenland and 2 from the Faroe Islands; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms unless the Folketing is dissolved earlier) elections: last held 13 November 2007 (next to be held in 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - Liberal Party 26.2%, Social Democrats 25.5%, Danish People's Party 13.9%, Socialist People's Party 13.0%, Conservative People's Party 10.4%, Social Liberal Party 5.1%, New Alliance 2.8%, Red-Green Unity List 2.2%, other 0.9%; seats by party - Liberal Party 46, Social Democrats 45, Danish People's Party 25, Socialist People's Party 23, Conservative People's Party 18, Social Liberal Party 9, New Alliance 5, Red-Green Alliance 4; note - does not include the two seats from Greenland and the two seats from the Faroe Islands Djibouti unicameral Chamber of Deputies or Chambre des Deputes (65 seats; members elected by popular vote for five-year terms) elections: last held 8 February 2008 (next to be held 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats - UMP (coalition of parties associated with President Ismail Omar GUELLAH) 65 Dominica unicameral House of Assembly (30 seats; 9 members appointed, 21 elected by popular vote; to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 5 May 2005 (next to be held by 5 August 2010); note - tradition dictates that the election will be held within five years of the last election, but technically it is five years from the first seating of parliament (12 May 2005) plus a 90-day grace period election results: percent of vote by party - DLP 52.1%, UWP 43.6%, DFP 3.2%, other 1.1%; seats by party - DLP 12, UWP 8, independent 1 Dominican Republic bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate or Senado (32 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Camara de Diputados (178 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 16 May 2006 (next to be held in May 2010); House of Representatives - last held 16 May 2006 (next to be held in May 2010) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PLD 22, PRD 6, PRSC 4; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PLD 96, PRD 60, PRSC 22 Ecuador unicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional (100 seats; members are elected through a party-list proportional representation system to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 15 October 2006 (next to be held 26 April 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PRIAN 28; PSP 24; PSC 13; ID 7; PRE 6; MUPP-NP 6; RED 5; UDC 5; other 6; note - defections by members of National Congress are commonplace, resulting in frequent changes in the numbers of seats held by the various parties note: when a Constituent Assembly was convened to draft a new constitution, the National Congress was placed on indefinite recess and replaced by a legislative committee; the legislative committee will continue to function until a new National Assembly is elected in April 2009 Egypt bicameral system consists of the Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura (Shura Council) that traditionally functions only in a consultative role but 2007 constitutional amendments could grant the Council new powers (264 seats; 176 elected by popular vote, 88 appointed by the president; members serve six-year terms; mid-term elections for half of the elected members) and the People's Assembly or Majlis al-Sha'b (454 seats; 444 elected by popular vote, 10 appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms) elections: Advisory Council - last held June 2007 (next to be held May-June 2010); People's Assembly - three-phase voting - last held 7 and 20 November, 1 December 2005; (next to be held November-December 2010) election results: Advisory Council - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NDP 84, Tagammu 1, independents 3; People's Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NDP 311, NWP 6, Tagammu 2, Tomorrow Party 1, independents 112 (12 seats to be determined by rerun elections, 10 seats appointed by President) El Salvador unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (84 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve three-year terms) elections: last held 18 January 2009 (next to be held in March 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FMLN 35, ARENA 32, PCN 11, PDC 5, CD 1 Equatorial Guinea unicameral House of People's Representatives or Camara de Representantes del Pueblo (100 seats; members directly elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 4 May 2008 (next to be held in 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDGE 89, EC 10, CPDS 1 note: Parliament has little power since the constitution vests all executive authority in the president Eritrea unicameral National Assembly (150 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: in May 1997, following the adoption of the new constitution, 75 members of the PFDJ Central Committee (the old Central Committee of the EPLF), 60 members of the 527-member Constituent Assembly, which had been established in 1997 to discuss and ratify the new constitution, and 15 representatives of Eritreans living abroad were formed into a Transitional National Assembly to serve as the country's legislative body until countrywide elections to a National Assembly were held; although only 75 of 150 members of the Transitional National Assembly were elected, the constitution stipulates that once past the transition stage, all members of the National Assembly will be elected by secret ballot of all eligible voters; National Assembly elections scheduled for December 2001 were postponed indefinitely Estonia unicameral Parliament or Riigikogu (101 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 4 March 2007 (next to be held in March 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - Estonian Reform Party 27.8%, Center Party of Estonia 26.1%, Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica 17.9%, Social Democratic Party 10.6%, Estonian Greens 7.1%, Estonian People's Union 7.1%, other 5%; seats by party - Estonian Reform Party 31, Center Party 29, Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica 19, Social Democratic Party 10, Estonian Greens 6, Estonian People's Union 6 Ethiopia bicameral Parliament consists of the House of Federation (or upper chamber responsible for interpreting the constitution and federal-regional issues) (108 seats; members are chosen by state assemblies to serve five-year terms) and the House of People's Representatives (or lower chamber responsible for passing legislation) (547 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote from single-member districts to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 15 May 2005 (next to be held in 2010) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats by party - EPRDF 327, CUD 109, UEDF 52, SPDP 23, OFDM 11, BGPDUF 8, ANDP 8, independent 1, others 6, undeclared 2 note: some seats still remain vacant as detained opposition MPs did not take their seats European Union two legislative bodies consisting of the Council of the European Union (27 member-state ministers having 345 votes; the number of votes is roughly proportional to member-states' population; note - the Council is the main decision-making body of the EU) and the European Parliament (736 seats; seats allocated among member states in proportion to population; members elected by direct universal suffrage for a five-year term) elections: last held 4-7 June 2009 (next to be held in June 2014) election results: percent of vote - EPP 35.9%, PES 21.9%, ALDE 10.9%, Greens/EFA 7.2%, UEN 4.8%, GUE/NGL 4.3%, IND/DEM 2.4%, others 12.6%; seats by party - EPP 266, PES 161, ALDE 80, Greens/EFA 53, UEN 35, GUE/NGL 32, IND/DEM 18, others 93 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) unicameral Legislative Council (10 seats; 2 members are ex officio and 8 are elected by popular vote; to serve four-year terms); presided over by the governor elections: last held 17 November 2005 (next to be held in November 2009) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 8 Faroe Islands unicameral Faroese Parliament or Logting (33 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis from the seven constituencies to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 19 January 2008 (next to be held no later than January 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - Union Party 21%, Social Democratic Party 19.4%, Republican Party 23.3%, People's Party 20.1%, Center Party 8.4%, Self-Government Party 7.2%, other 0.6%; seats by party - Republican Party 8, Union Party 7, Social Democratic Party 6, People's Party 7, Center Party 3, Independence Party 2 note: election of two seats to the Danish Parliament was last held on 13 November 2007 (next to be held no later than November 2011); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican Party 1, Union Party 1 Fiji bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (32 seats; 14 appointed by the president on the advice of the Great Council of Chiefs, 9 appointed by the president on the advice of the Prime Minister, 8 on the advice of the opposition leader, and 1 appointed on the advice of the council of Rotuma) and the House of Representatives (71 seats; 23 reserved for ethnic Fijians, 19 reserved for ethnic Indians, 3 reserved for other ethnic groups, 1 reserved for the council of Rotuma constituency encompassing the whole of Fiji, and 25 open seats; members serve five-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held 6-13 May 2006 (next to be held in 2011) election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - SDL 44.6%, FLP 39.2%, UPP 0.8%, independents 4.9%, other 10.5%; seats by party - SDL 36, FLP 31, UPP 2, independents 2 Finland unicameral Parliament or Eduskunta (200 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 18 March 2007 (next to be held March 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - Kesk 23.1%, Kok 22.3%, SDP 21.4%, VAS 8.8%, VIHR 8.5%, KD 4.9%, SFP 4.5%, True Finns 4.1%, other 3.4%; seats by party - Kesk 51, Kok 50, SDP 45, VAS 17, VIHR 15, SFP 9, KD 7, True Finns 5, other 1 France bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of the Senate or Senat (343 seats, 321 for metropolitan France and overseas departments, 2 for New Caledonia, 2 for Mayotte, 1 for Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, 1 for Saint-Barthelemy, 1 for Saint-Martin, 3 for overseas territories, and 12 for French nationals abroad; members are indirectly elected by an electoral college to serve six-year terms; one third elected every three years); note - between 2006 and 2011, 15 new seats will be added to the Senate for a total of 348 seats - 326 for metropolitan France and overseas departments, 2 for New Caledonia, 2 for Mayotte, 1 for Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, 1 for Saint-Barthelemy, 1 for Saint-Martin, 3 for overseas territories, and 12 for French nationals abroad; starting in 2008, members will be indirectly elected by an electoral college to serve six-year terms with one-half elected every three years; and the National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (577 seats, 555 for metropolitan France, 15 for overseas departments, 7 for dependencies; members are elected by popular vote under a single-member majority system to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 21 September 2008 (next to be held in September 2014); National Assembly - last held 10 and 17 June 2007 (next to be held in June 2012) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 151, PS 116, UC-UDF 29, CRC 23, RDSE 17, other 7; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - UMP 46.37%, PS 42.25%, miscellaneous left wing parties 2.47%, PCF 2.28%, NC 2.12%, PRG 1.65%, miscellaneous right wing parties 1.17%, the Greens 0.45%, other 1.24%; seats by party - UMP 313, PS 186, NC 22, miscellaneous left wing parties 15, PCF 15, miscellaneous right wing parties 9, PRG 7, the Greens 4, other 6 French Polynesia unicameral Territorial Assembly or Assemblee Territoriale (57 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 27 January 2008 (first round) and 10 February 2008 (second round) (next to be held in 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - Our Home alliance 45.2%, Union for Democracy alliance 37.2%, Popular Rally (Tahoeraa Huiraatira) 17.2% other 0.5%; seats by party - Our Home alliance 27, Union for Democracy alliance 20, Popular Rally 10 note: one seat was elected to the French Senate on 21 September 2008 (next to be held in September 2014); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PS 1, independent 1; two seats were elected to the French National Assembly on 10-17 June 2007 (next to be held in 2012); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 2 Gabon bicameral legislature consists of the Senate (102 seats; members elected by members of municipal councils and departmental assemblies to serve six-year terms) and the National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (120 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 18 January 2009 (next to be held in January 2015); National Assembly - last held 17 and 24 December 2006 (next to be held in December 2011) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDG 75, GPR 6, UGDD 3, CLR 2, PGCI 2, UPG 2, ADERE 1, independents 9; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDG 82, RPG 8, UPG 8, UGDD 4, ADERE 3, CLR 2, PGP-Ndaot 2, PSD 2, independents 4, others 5 Gambia, The unicameral National Assembly (53 seats; 48 members elected by popular vote, 5 appointed by the president; to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 25 January 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - APRC 47, UDP 4, NADD 1, independent 1 Georgia unicameral Parliament or Parlamenti (also known as Supreme Council or Umaghlesi Sabcho) (150 seats; 75 members elected by proportional representation, 75 from single-seat constituencies; to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 21 May 2008 (next to be held in spring 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - United National Movement 59.2%, National Council-New Rights 17.7%, Christian Democratic Movement 8.8%, Labor Party 7.4%, Republican Party 3.8%; seats by party - United National Movement 120, National Council-New Rights 16, Christian Democratic Movement 6, Labor Party 6, Republican Party 2 Germany bicameral legislature consists of the Federal Council or Bundesrat (69 votes; state governments sit in the Council; each has three to six votes in proportion to population and are required to vote as a block)and the Federal Assembly or Bundestag (622 seats; members elected by popular vote for a four-year term under a system of personalized proportional representation; a party must win 5% of the national vote or three direct mandates to gain proportional representation and caucus recognition) elections: Bundestag - last held on 27 September 2009 (next to be held no later than autumn 2013); note - there are no elections for the Bundesrat; composition is determined by the composition of the state-level governments; the composition of the Bundesrat has the potential to change any time one of the 16 states holds an election election results: Bundestag - percent of vote by party - CDU/CSU 33.8%, SPD 23%, FDP 14.6%, Left 11.9%, Greens 10.7%, other 6%; seats by party - CDU/CSU 239, SPD 146, FDP 93, Left 76, Greens 68 Ghana unicameral Parliament (230 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 7 December 2008 (next to be held 7 December 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NDC 114, NPP 107, PNC 2, CPP 1, independent 4, other 2 Gibraltar unicameral Parliament (18 seats: 17 members elected by popular vote, 1 for the Speaker appointed by Parliament; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 11 October 2007 (next to be held not later than October 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - GSD 49.3%, GSLP 31.8%, Gibraltar Liberal Party 13.6%; seats by party - GSD 10, GSLP 4, Gibraltar Liberal Party 3 Greece unicameral Parliament or Vouli ton Ellinon (300 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 4 October 2009 (next to be held by 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - PASOK 43.9%, ND 33.5%, KKE 7.5%, LAOS 5.6%, SYRIZA 4.6%, other 4.9%; seats by party - PASOK 160, ND 91, KKE 21, LAOS 15, SYRIZA 13 Greenland unicameral Parliament or Landsting (31 seats; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 2 June 2009 (next to be held by 2014) election results: percent of vote by party - Inuit Ataqatigiit 43.7%, Siumut 26.5%, Demokratiit 12.7%, Atassut 10.9%; Kattusseqatigiit 3.8%, other 2.4%; seats by party - IA 14, Siumut 9, Demokraatiit 4, Atassut 3, Kattusseqatigiit 1 note: two representatives were elected to the Danish Parliament or Folketing on 13 November 2007 (next to be held in November 2011); percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Siumut 1, Inuit Ataqatigiit 1 Grenada bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (13 seats, 10 appointed by the government and 3 by the leader of the opposition) and the House of Representatives (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 8 July 2008 (next to be held in 2013) election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NDC 11, NNP 4 Guam unicameral Legislature (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms) elections: last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 10, Republican Party 5 note: Guam elects one nonvoting delegate to the US House of Representatives; election last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2010); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 1 Guatemala unicameral Congress of the Republic or Congreso de la Republica (158 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 9 September 2007 (next to be held in September 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - UNE 30.4%, GANA 23.4%, PP 18.9%, FRG 9.5%, PU 5.1%, other 12.7%; seats by party - UNE 48, GANA 37, PP 30, FRG 15, PU 8, CASA 5, EG 4, PAN 4, UCN 4, URNG 2, UD 1 Guernsey unicameral States of Deliberation (45 seats; members are elected by popular vote for four years); note - Alderney and Sark have parliaments elections: last held 23 April 2008 (next to be held in 2012) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - all independents Guinea unicameral People's National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale Populaire (114 seats; members are elected by a mixed system of direct popular vote and proportional party lists) elections: last held 30 June 2002 (legislative elections due in 2007 were first rescheduled for 2008 and subsequently rescheduled for 26 March 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - PUP 61.6%, UPR 26.6%, other 11.8%; seats by party - PUP 85, UPR 20, other 9 Guinea-Bissau unicameral National People's Assembly or Assembleia Nacional Popular (100 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 16 November 2008 (next to be held 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - PAIGC 49.8%, PRS 25.3%, PRID 7.5%, PND 2.4%, AD 1.4%, other parties 13.6%; seats by party - PAIGC 67, PRS 28, PRID 3, PND 1, AD 1 Guyana unicameral National Assembly (65 seats; members elected by popular vote, also not more than 4 non-elected non-voting ministers and 2 non-elected non-voting parliamentary secretaries appointed by the president; to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 28 August 2006 (next to be held by August 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - PPP/C 54.6%, PNC/R 34%, AFC 8.1%, other 3.3%; seats by party - PPP/C 36, PNC/R 22, AFC 5, other 2 Haiti bicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale consists of the Senate (30 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms; one-third elected every two years) and the Chamber of Deputies (99 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms); note - in reestablishing the Senate, the candidate in each department receiving the most votes in the last election serves six years, the candidate with the second most votes serves four years, and the candidate with the third most votes serves two years elections: Senate - last held 21 April 2006 with run-off elections on 3 December 2006 (next regular election, for one third of seats, to be held in 2008); Chamber of Deputies - last held 21 April 2006 with run-off elections on 3 December 2006 and 29 April 2007 (next regular election to be held in 2010) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - L'ESPWA 11, FUSION 5, OPL 4, FL 3, LAAA 2, UNCRH 2, PONT 2, ALYANS 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - L'ESPWA 23, FUSION 17, FRN 12, OPL 10, ALYANS 10, LAAA 5, MPH 3, MOCHRENA 3, other 10; results for six other seats contested on 3 December 2006 remain unknown Holy See (Vatican City) unicameral Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State Honduras unicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional (128 seats; members are elected proportionally by department to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 27 November 2005 (next to be held in November 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PL 62, PN 55, PUD 5, PDC 4, PINU 2 Hong Kong unicameral Legislative Council or LegCo (60 seats; 30 seats indirectly elected by functional constituencies, 30 elected by popular vote; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 7 September 2008 (next to be held in September 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - pro-democracy 57%; pro-Beijing 40%, independent 3%; seats by parties - (pro-Beijing 35) DAB 13, Liberal Party 7, FTU 1, others 14; (pro-democracy 23) Democratic Party 8, Civic Party 5, CTU 3, League of Social Democrats 3, ADPL 2, The Frontier 1, NWSC 1; others 11; independents and non-voting LegCo president 2 Hungary unicameral National Assembly or Orszaggyules (386 seats; members are elected by popular vote under a system of proportional and direct representation to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 9 and 23 April 2006 (next to be held in April 2010) election results: percent of vote by party (5% or more of the vote required for parliamentary representation in the first round) - MSzP 43.2%, Fidesz-KDNP 42%, SzDSz 6.5%, MDF 5%, other 3.3%; seats by party - MSzP 190, Fidesz-KDNP 164, SzDSz 20, MDF 11, independent 1; seats by party as of January 2009 - MSzP 190, Fidesz-KDNP 161, SzDSz 19, MDF 10, independent 5, vacant 1 Iceland unicameral Parliament or Althing (63 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 25 April 2009 (next to be held in 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - Social Democratic Alliance 29.8%, Independence Party 23.7%, Left-Green Movement 21.7%, Progressive Party 14.8%, Citizens' Movement 7.2%, other 2.8%; seats by party - Social Democratic Alliance 20, Independence Party 16, Left-Green Alliance 14, Progressive Party 9, Citizens' Movement 4 India bicameral Parliament or Sansad consists of the Council of States or Rajya Sabha (a body consisting of not more than 250 members up to 12 of whom are appointed by the president, the remainder are chosen by the elected members of the state and territorial assemblies; members serve six-year terms) and the People's Assembly or Lok Sabha (545 seats; 543 elected by popular vote, 2 appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms) elections: People's Assembly - last held in five phases 16, 22-23, 30 April and 7, 13 May 2009 (next must be held by May 2014) election results: People's Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - INC 206, BJP 116, SP 23, BSP 21, JD (U) 20, AITC 19, DMK 18, CPI-M 16, BJD 14, SS 11, AIADMK 9, NCP 9, other 61, vacant 2 Indonesia People's Consultative Assembly (Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat or MPR) is the upper house, consists of members of DPR and DPD, has role in inaugurating and impeaching the president and in amending the constitution, does not formulate national policy; House of Representatives or Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat (DPR) (550 seats, members elected to serve five-year terms), formulates and passes legislation at the national level; House of Regional Representatives (Dewan Perwakilan Daerah or DPD), constitutionally mandated role includes providing legislative input to DPR on issues affecting regions elections: last held 9 April 2009 (next to be held in 2014) election results: percent of vote by party - PD 20.9%, GOLKAR 14.5%, PDI-P 14.0%, PKS 7.9%, PAN 6.0%, PPP 5.3%, PKB 4.9%, GERINDRA 4.5%, HANURA 3.8%, others 18.2%; seats by party - PD 148, GOLKAR 108, PDI-P 93, PKS 59, PAN 42, PPP 39, PKB 26, GERINDRA 30, HANURA 15 note: 29 other parties received less than 2.5% of the vote so did not obtain any seats; because of election rules, the number of seats won does not always follow the percentage of votes received by parties Iran unicameral Islamic Consultative Assembly or Majles-e-Shura-ye-Eslami or Majles (290 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 14 March 2008 with a runoff held 25 April 2008 (next to be held in 2012) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats by party - conservatives/Islamists 167, reformers 39, independents 74, religious minorities 5, other 5 Iraq unicameral Council of Representatives (consisting of 275 members elected by a closed-list, proportional representation system) elections: last held 15 December 2005 to elect a 275-member Council of Representatives (next to be held on 18 January 2010); the Council of Representatives elected the Presidency Council and approved the prime minister and two deputy prime ministers election results: Council of Representatives - percent of vote by party - Unified Iraqi Alliance 41%, Kurdistan Alliance 22%, Tawafuq Coalition 15%, Iraqi National List 8%, Iraqi Front for National Dialogue 4%, other 10%; number of seats by party (as of November 2007) - Unified Iraqi Alliance (including the Sadrist bloc with 30 and Fadilah with 15) 130, Kurdistan Alliance 53, Tawafuq Front 44, Iraqi National List 25, Fadilah 15, Iraqi Front for National Dialogue 11, other 12 Ireland bicameral Parliament or Oireachtas consists of the Senate or Seanad Eireann (60 seats; 49 members elected by the universities and from candidates put forward by five vocational panels, 11 are nominated by the prime minister; members serve five-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Dail Eireann (166 seats; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held in July 2007 (next to be held by July 2012); House of Representatives - last held 24 May 2007 (next to be held by May 2012) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Fianna Fail 28, Fine Gael 14, Labor Party 6, Progressive Democrats 2, Green Party 2, Sein Fein 1, independents 7; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - Fianna Fail 41.6%, Fine Gael 27.3%, Labor Party 10.1%, Sinn Fein 6.9%, Green Party 4.7%, Progressive Democrats 2.7%, other 6.7%; seats by party - Fianna Fail 78, Fine Gael 51, Labor Party 20, Sinn Fein 4, Green Party 6, Progressive Democrats 2, independents 4, Speaker of the Dail 1 note: on 8 November 2008, delegates voted to disband the party, but as of January 2009, the party was still operating Isle of Man bicameral Tynwald consists of the Legislative Council (11 seats; members composed of the President of Tynwald, the Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man, a nonvoting attorney general, and 8 others named by the House of Keys) and the House of Keys (24 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Keys - last held 23 November 2006 (next to be held in November 2011) election results: House of Keys - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Liberal Vannin Party 2, Man Labor Party 1, independents 21 Israel unicameral Knesset (120 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 10 February 2009 (next scheduled election to be held in 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - Kadima 23.2%, Likud-Ahi 22.3%, YB 12.1%, Labor 10.2%, SHAS 8.8%, United Torah Judaism 4.5%, United Arab List 3.5%, NU 3.4%, Hadash 3.4%, The Jewish Home 3%, The New Movement-Meretz 3%, Balad 2.6%; seats by party - Kadima 28, Likud-Ahi 27, YB 15, Labor 13, SHAS 11, United Torah Judaism 5, United Arab List 4, NU 4, HADASH 4, The Jewish Home 3, The New Movement-Meretz 3, Balad 3 Italy bicameral Parliament or Parlamento consists of the Senate or Senato della Repubblica (315 seats; members elected by proportional vote with the winning coalition in each region receiving 55% of seats from that region; to serve five-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camera dei Deputati (630 seats; members elected by popular vote with the winning national coalition receiving 54% of chamber seats; to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 13-14 April 2008 (next to be held April 2013); Chamber of Deputies - last held 13-14 April 2008 (next to be held April 2013) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - S. BERLUSCONI coalition 174 (PdL 147, LN 25, MpA 2), W. VELTRONI coalition 132 (PD 118, IdV 3), UdC 3, other 6; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - S. BERLUSCONI coalition 344 (PdL 276, LN 60, MpA 8), W. VELTRONI coalition 246 (PD 217, IdV 29), UdC 36, other 4 Jamaica bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (a 21-member body appointed by the governor general on the recommendations of the prime minister and the leader of the opposition; ruling party is allocated 13 seats, and the opposition is allocated 8 seats) and the House of Representatives (60 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 3 September 2007 (next to be held no later than October 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - JLP 50.1%, PNP 49.8%; seats by party - JLP 33, PNP 27 Japan bicameral Diet or Kokkai consists of the House of Councillors or Sangi-in (242 seats - members elected for fixed six-year terms; half reelected every three years; 146 members in multi-seat constituencies and 96 by proportional representation) and the House of Representatives or Shugi-in (480 seats - members elected for maximum four-year terms; 300 in single-seat constituencies; 180 members by proportional representation in 11 regional blocs); the prime minister has the right to dissolve the House of Representatives at any time with the concurrence of the cabinet. elections: House of Councillors - last held 29 July 2007 (next to be held in July 2010); House of Representatives - last held 30 August 2009 (next to be held by August 2013) election results: House of Councillors - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - DPJ 109, LDP 83, Komeito 20, JCP 7, SDP 5, others 18 House of Representatives - percent of vote by party (in single-seat constituencies) - DPJ 42.4%, LDP 26.7%, Komeito 11.5%, JCP 7.0%, SDP 4.3%, others 8.1%; seats by party - DPJ 308, LDP 119, Komeito 21, JCP 9, SDP 7, others 16 (2009) Jersey unicameral Assembly of the States of Jersey (58 seats; 55 are voting members, of which 12 are senators elected for six-year terms, 12 are constables or heads of parishes elected for three-year terms, 29 are deputies elected for three-year terms, the bailiff and the deputy bailiff, and 3 non-voting members includes the Dean of Jersey, the Attorney General, and the Solicitor General appointed by the monarch) elections: last held 15 October 2008 for senators and 26 November 2008 for deputies (next to be held in 2011) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 55 Jordan bicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-'Umma consists of the Senate, also called the House of Notables or Majlis al-Ayan (55 seats; members appointed by the monarch to serve four-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies, also called the House of Representatives or Majlis al-Nuwaab (110 seats; members elected using a single, non-transferable vote system in multi-member districts to serve four-year terms); note - six seats are reserved for women, nine seats are reserved for Christian candidates, nine seats are reserved for Bedouin candidates, and three seats are reserved for Jordanians of Chechen or Circassian descent elections: Chamber of Deputies - last held 20 November 2007 (next scheduled to be held in 2011) election results: Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - IAF 6, independents and other 104; note - seven women serve in the Assembly, six of whom filled women's quota seats and one was directly elected Kazakhstan bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (47 seats; 15 members are appointed by the president; other members are elected by local assemblies; members serve six-year terms, but elections are staggered with half of the members up for re-election every three years) and the Mazhilis (107 seats; 9 out of the 107 Mazhilis members are elected by the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, a presidentially appointed advisory body designed to represent the country's ethnic minorities; non-appointed members are popularly elected to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - (indirect) last held October 2008; next to be held in 2011; Mazhilis - last held 18 August 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Nur Otan 16; Mazhilis - percent of vote by party - Nur-Otan 88.1%, NSDP 4.6%, Ak Zhol 3.3%, Auyl 1.6%, Communist People's Party 1.3%, Patriots Party .8% Ruhaniyat .4%; seats by party - Nur-Otan 98; note - parties must achieve a threshold of 7% of the electorate to qualify for seats in the Mazhilis Kenya unicameral National Assembly or Bunge usually referred to as Parliament (224 seats; 210 members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms, 12 nominated members who are appointed by the president but selected by the parties in proportion to their parliamentary vote totals, 2 ex-officio members) elections: last held 27 December 2007 (next to be held in December 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ODM 99, PNU 46, ODM-K 16, KANU 14 other 35; ex-officio 2; seats appointed by the president - ODM 6, PNU 3, ODM-K 2, KANU 1 Kiribati unicameral House of Parliament or Maneaba Ni Maungatabu (46 seats; 44 members elected by popular vote, 1 ex officio member - the attorney general, 1 nominated by the Rabi Council of Leaders (representing Banaba Island); serve four-year terms) elections: legislative elections were held in two rounds - the first round on 22 August 2007 and the second round on 30 August 2007 (next to be held in 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA, other 2 (includes attorney general) Korea, North unicameral Supreme People's Assembly or Ch'oego Inmin Hoeui (687 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 8 March 2009 (next due to be held in March 2014) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; ruling party approves a list of candidates who are elected without opposition; a token number of seats are reserved for minor parties Korea, South unicameral National Assembly or Kukhoe (299 seats; 243 members elected in single-seat constituencies, 56 elected by proportional representation; to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 9 April 2008 (next to be held in April 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - GNP 172, UDP 83, LFP 20, Pro-Park Alliance 8, DLP 5, CKP 1, independents 9 Kosovo unicameral national Assembly (120 seats; 100 seats directly elected, 10 seats guaranteed for ethnic Serbs, 10 seats guaranteed for other ethnic minorities; to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 17 November 2007 (next to be held in 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - PDK 34.3%, LDK 22.6%, AKR 12.3%, LDD 10.0%, AAK 9.6%, other 11.2%; seats by party - PDK 37, LDK 25, AKR 13, LDD 11, AAK 10, other 4 Kuwait unicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-Umma (50 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms; all cabinet ministers are also ex officio voting members of the National Assembly) elections: last held 16 May 2009 (next election to be held in 2013) election results: percent of vote by bloc - NA; seats by bloc - Sunni Muslim groups 11, liberals 7, Shiite Muslim groups 6, Popular Action Bloc 3, unaffiliated tribal groups 23 Kyrgyzstan unicameral Supreme Council or Jorgorku Kengesh (90 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 16 December 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: Supreme Council - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Ak Jol 71, Social Democratic Party 11, KCP 8 Laos unicameral National Assembly (115 seats; members elected by popular vote from a list of candidates selected by the Lao People's Revolutionary Party to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 30 April 2006 (next to be held in 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LPRP 113, independents 2 Latvia unicameral Parliament or Saeima (100 seats; members are elected by proportional representation from party lists by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 7 October 2006 (next to be held in October 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - TP 19.5%, ZZS 16.7%, JL 16.4%, SC 14.4%; LPP/LC 8.6%; TB/LNNK 6.9%; PCTVL 6%; seats by party - TP 23, ZZS 18, JL 18, SC 17, LPP/LC 10, TB/LNNK 8, PCTVL 6; note - seats by party as of January 2009 - TP 21, SC 18, ZZS 17, JL 14, LPP/LC 10, Civic Union 7, TB/LNNK 5, PCTVL 5, independents 3 Lebanon unicameral National Assembly or Majlis Alnuwab (Arabic) or Assemblee Nationale (French) (128 seats; members elected by popular vote on the basis of sectarian proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 7 June 2009 (next to be held in 2013) election results: percent of vote by group - March 8 Coalition 54.7%, March 14 Coalition 45.3%; seats by group - March 14 Coalition 71; March 8 Coalition 57 Lesotho bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (33 members - 22 principal chiefs and 11 other members appointed by the ruling party) and the Assembly (120 seats, 80 by popular vote and 40 by proportional vote; members elected by popular vote for five-year terms) elections: last held 17 February 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LCD 61, NIP 21, ABC 17, LWP 10, ACP 4, BNP 3, other 4 Liberia bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (30 seats; note - number of seats changed in 11 October 2005 elections; members elected by popular vote to serve nine-year terms) and the House of Representatives (64 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 11 October 2005 (next to be held in October 2011); House of Representatives - last held 11 October 2005 (next to be held in October 2011) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - COTOL 7, NPP 4, CDC 3, LP 3, UP 3, APD 3, other 7; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CDC 15, LP 9, COTOL 8, UP 8, APD 5, NPP 4, other 15 note: junior senators - those who received the second most votes in each county in the 11 October 2005 election - will only serve a six-year first term because the Liberian constitution mandates staggered Senate elections to ensure continuity of government; all senators will be eligible for nine-year terms thereafter Libya unicameral General People's Congress (760 seats; members elected indirectly through a hierarchy of people's committees) Liechtenstein unicameral Parliament or Landtag (25 seats; members are elected by popular vote under proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 8 February 2009 (next to be held February 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - VU 47.6%, FBP 43.5%, FL 8.9%; seats by party - VU 13, FBP 11, FL 1 Lithuania unicameral Parliament or Seimas (141 seats; 71 members are elected by popular vote, 70 are elected by proportional representation; serve four-year terms) elections: last held 12 and 26 October 2008 (next to be held October 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - TS-LKD 19.7%, TPP 15.1%, TT 12.7%, LSDP 11.7%, KDP+J 9%, LRLS 5.7%, LCS 5.3%, LLRA 4.8%, LVLS 3.7%, NS 3.6%, other 8.7%; seats by faction - TS-LKD 44, LSDP 26, TPP 16, TT 15, LRLS 11, KDP+J 10, LCS 8, LLRA 3, LVLS 3, NS 1, independent 4 Luxembourg unicameral Chamber of Deputies or Chambre des Deputes (60 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 7 June 2009 (next to be held by June 2014) election results: percent of vote by party - CSV 38%, LSAP 21.6%, DP 15%, Green Party 11.7%, ADR 8.1%, The Left 3.3%, other 2.3%; seats by party - CSV 26, LSAP 13, DP 9, Green Party 7, ADR 4, The Left 1 note: there is also a Council of State that serves as an advisory body to the Chamber of Deputies; the Council of State has 21 members appointed by the Grand Duke on the advice of the prime minister Macau unicameral Legislative Assembly (29 seats; 12 members elected by popular vote, 10 by indirect vote, and 7 appointed by the chief executive; serve four-year terms) elections: last held 25 September 2005 (next to be held on 20 September 2009) election results: percent of vote - New Democratic Macau Association 18.8%, Macau United Citizens' Association 16.6%, Union for Development 13.3%, Union for Promoting Progress 9.6%, Macau Development Alliance 9.3%, others 32.4%; seats by political group - New Democratic Macau Association 2, Macau United Citizens' Association 2, Union for Development 2, Union for Promoting Progress 2, Macau Development Alliance 1, New Hope 1, Convergence for Development 1, General Union for the Good of Macau 1; 10 seats filled by professional and business groups; seven members appointed by chief executive Macedonia unicameral Assembly or Sobranie (120 seats; members elected by popular vote from party lists based on the percentage of the overall vote the parties gain in each of six electoral districts; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 1 June and 15 June 2008 (next to be held by July 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - VMRO-DPMNE-led block 49%, SDSM-led block 24%, BDI/DUI 13%, PDSh/DPA 8%, other 6%; seats by party - VMRO-DPMNE-led block 63, SDSM-led block 27, BDI/DUI 18, PDSh/DPA 11, PEI 1 Madagascar bicameral legislature consists of a Senate or Senat (100 seats; two-thirds of the seats filled by regional assemblies; the remaining one-third of seats appointed by the president; to serve four-year terms) and a National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (127 seats - reduced from 160 seats by an April 2007 national referendum; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: National Assembly - last held 23 September 2007 (next to be held in late 2010); note - a power-sharing agreement in the summer of 2009 established a 15-month transition, concluding in general elections election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - TIM 106, LEADER/Fanilo 1, independents 20 Malawi unicameral National Assembly (193 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 19 May 2009 (next to be held in May 2014) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - DPP 114, MCP 26, UDF 17, independents 32, other 4 Malaysia bicameral Parliament or Parlimen consists of Senate or Dewan Negara (70 seats; 44 appointed by the king, 26 elected by 13 state legislatures; serve three-year terms with limit of two terms) and House of Representatives or Dewan Rakyat (222 seats; members elected by popular vote; serve up to five-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held on 8 March 2008 (next to be held by June 2013) election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote - BN coalition 50.3%, opposition parties 46.8%, others 2.9%; seats - BN coalition 140, opposition parties 82 Maldives unicameral People's Council or People's Majlis (77 seats; members elected by direct vote to serve five-year terms); note - the Majlis in February 2009 passed legislation that incresed the number of seats to 77 from 50 elections: last held 9 May 2009 (next to be held in 2014) election results: percent of vote - DRP 36.8%, MDP 32.9 %, PA 9.2%, DQP 2.6% AP 1.3%, independents 17.1%; seats by party - DRP 28, MDP 25, PA 7, DQP 2, AP 1, independents 13; note - one seat unfilled Mali unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (147 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 1 and 22 July 2007 (next to be held in July 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ADP coalition 113 (including ADEMA 51, URD 34, MPR 8, CNID 7, UDD 3, and other 10), FDR coalition 15 (including RPM 11, PARENA 4), SADI 4, independent 15 Malta unicameral House of Representatives (normally 65 seats; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve five-year terms; note - the current Parliament is composed of 69 seats; when the political party winning the plurality of votes does not win a majority of seats, the constitution provides that a sufficient number of seats will be added to Parliament to ensure that the party that won the elections has a majority in Parliament) elections: last held on 8 March 2008 (next to be held by March 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - PN 49.3%, MLP 48.9%, other 1.8%; seats by party - PN 35, MLP 34 Marshall Islands unicameral legislature or Nitijela (33 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 19 November 2007 (next to be held by November 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - independents 4 note: the Council of Chiefs or Ironij is a 12-member body comprised of tribal chiefs that advises on matters affecting customary law and practice Mauritania bicameral legislature consists of the Senate or Majlis al-Shuyukh (56 seats; 53 members elected by municipal leaders and 3 members elected by Mauritanians abroad to serve six-year terms; a portion of seats up for election every two years) and the National Assembly or Majlis al-Watani (95 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 21 January and 4 February 2007 (next to be held in 2009); National Assembly - last held 19 November and 3 December 2006 (next to be held in 2011); note - it is unclear when the Senate elections originally scheduled for 2009 will be held election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Mithaq (coalition of independents and parties associated with the former regime) 37, CFCD (coalition of political parties) 15, representatives of the diaspora 3, undecided 1; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Mithaq 51 (independents 37, PRDR 7, UDP 3, RDU 3, Alternative (El-Badil) 1), CFCD 41 (RFD 16, UFP 9, APP 6, Centrist Reformists 4, HATEM-PMUC 3, RD 2, PUDS 1), RNDLE 1, UCD 1, FP 1 Mauritius unicameral National Assembly (70 seats; 62 members elected by popular vote, 8 appointed by the election commission to give representation to various ethnic minorities; to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 3 July 2005 (next to be held in July 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - AS 38, MSM/MMM 22, OPR 2; appointed seats - AS 4, MSM/MMM 2, OPR 2 Mayotte unicameral General Council or Conseil General (19 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms) elections: last held 9 and 16 March 2008 (next to be held in 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 8, Diverse Right 4, independents 4, Citizens and Republic Movement 1, Democratic Movement 1, Diverse Left 1; note - political parties are the same as parties in France note: Mayotte elects two members of the French Senate; elections last held 21 September 2008 (next to be held in September 2014); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UC-UDF 1, UMP 1; Mayotte also elects one member to the French National Assembly; elections last held 10-17 June 2007 (next to be held in 2012); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - independent 1 Mexico bicameral National Congress or Congreso de la Union consists of the Senate or Camara de Senadores (128 seats; 96 members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms, and 32 seats are allocated on the basis of each party's popular vote) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (500 seats; 300 members are elected by popular vote; remaining 200 members are allocated on the basis of each party's popular vote; to serve three-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 2 July 2006 for all of the seats (next to be held 1 July 2012); Chamber of Deputies - last held 2 July 2006 (next to be held 5 July 2009) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PAN 52, PRI 33, PRD 26, PVEM 6, CD 5, PT 5, independent 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PAN 207, PRD 127, PRI 106, PVEM 17, CD 17, PT 11, other 15 Micronesia, Federated States of unicameral Congress (14 seats; 4 - one elected from each state to serve four-year terms and 10 - elected from single-member districts delineated by population to serve two-year terms; members elected by popular vote) elections: last held 3 March 2009 (next to be held in March 2011) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 14 Moldova unicameral Parliament or Parlamentul (101 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 29 July 2009 (next to be held in 2013); note - this was the second parliamentary election in less than four months; the earlier parliament (elected 5 April 2009) could not agree on a presidential candidate election results: percent of vote by party - PCRM 44.7%, PLDM 16.6%, PL 14.7%, PD 12.5%, AMN 7.4%; seats by party - PCRM 48, PLDM 18, PL 15, PD 13, AMN 7 Monaco unicameral National Council or Conseil National (24 seats; 16 members elected by list majority system, 8 by proportional representation; to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 3 February 2008 (next to be held in February 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - UPM 52.2%, REM 40.5%, Monaco Together 7.3%; seats by party - UPM 21, REM 3 Mongolia unicameral State Great Hural 76 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms elections: last held 29 June 2008 (next to be held in June 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MPRP 45, DP 27, others 4; note - 1 seat disputed and unfilled Montenegro unicameral Assembly (81 seats; members elected by direct vote for four-year terms; changed from 74 seats in 2006) elections: last held 29 March 2009 (next to be held in 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - Coalition for European Montenegro 51.94%, SNP 16.83%, NSD 9.22%, PZP 6.03%, other (including Albanian minority parties) 15.98%; seats by party - Coalition for European Montenegro 48, SNP 16, NSD 8, PZP 5, Albanian minority parties 4 Montserrat unicameral Legislative Council (11 seats, 9 popularly elected; members serve five-year terms) note: expanded in 2001 from 7 to 9 elected members with attorney general and financial secretary sitting as ex-officio members elections: last held 8 September 2009 (next to be held by 2014) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MCAP 6, independents 3 note: in 2001, the Elections Commission instituted a single constituency/voter-at-large system whereby all eligible voters cast ballots for all nine seats of the Legislative Council Morocco bicameral Parliament consists of a Chamber of Counselors (or upper house) (270 seats; members elected indirectly by local councils, professional organizations, and labor syndicates for nine-year terms; one-third of the members are elected every three years) and Chamber of Representatives (or lower house) (325 seats; 295 members elected by multi-seat constituencies and 30 from national lists of women; members elected by popular vote for five-year terms) elections: Chamber of Counselors - last held 8 September 2006 (next to be held in 2009); Chamber of Representatives - last held 7 September 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: Chamber of Counselors - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PI 17, MP 14, RNI 13, USFP 11, UC 6, PND 4, PPS 4, Al Ahd 4, other 17; Chamber of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PI 52, PJD 46, MP 41, RNI 39, USFP 38, UC 27, PPS 17, FFD 9, MDS 9, Al Ahd 8, other 39 Mozambique unicameral Assembly of the Republic or Assembleia da Republica (250 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 1-2 December 2004 (next to be held on 28 October 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - FRELIMO 62%, RENAMO 29.7%, other 8.3%; seats by party - FRELIMO 160, RENAMO 90 Namibia bicameral legislature consists of the National Council (26 seats; two members are chosen from each regional council to serve six-year terms) and the National Assembly (72 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: National Council - elections for regional councils to determine members of the National Council held 29-30 November 2004 (next to be held in November 2010); National Assembly - last held 15-16 November 2004 (next to be held in November 2009) election results: National Council - percent of vote by party - SWAPO 89.7%, UDF 4.7%, NUDO 2.8%, DTA 1.9%, other 0.9%; seats by party - SWAPO 24, UDF 1, DTA 1; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - SWAPO 76.1%, COD 7.3%, DTA 5.1%, NUDO 4.2%, UDF 3.6%, RP 1.9%, MAG 0.8%, other 1.0%; seats by party - SWAPO 55, COD 5, DTA 4, NUDO 3, UDF 3, RP 1, MAG 1 note: the National Council is primarily an advisory body Nauru unicameral parliament (18 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms) elections: last held 26 April 2008 (next to be held in 2011) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 18; note - President Marcus STEPHEN called a snap election to break a parliamentary stalemate blocking legislative action Nepal unicameral Constituent Assembly (601 seats; 240 seats decided by direct popular vote; 335 seats by proportional representation; 26 appointed by the Cabinet (Council of Ministers)) elections: last held 10 April 2008 (next to be held NA) election results: percent of vote by party - CPN-M 38%, NC 19%, CPN-UML 19%,Madhesi People's Right Forum 9%, Terai-Madhes Democratic Party and Sadbhavana Party 5%, other 10%; seats by party - CPN-M 220, NC 110, CPN-UML 103, Madhesi People's Rights Forum 52, Terai-Madhes Democratic Party 20, Sadbhawana Party 9, other smaller parties 61; note - 26 seats filled by the new Cabinet Netherlands bicameral States General or Staten Generaal consists of the First Chamber or Eerste Kamer (75 seats; members indirectly elected by the country's 12 provincial councils to serve four-year terms) and the Second Chamber or Tweede Kamer (150 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: First Chamber - last held 29 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2011); Second Chamber - last held 22 November 2006 (next to be held by early 2011) election results: First Chamber - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CDA 21, PvdA 14, VVD 14, Socialist Party 11, Christian Union 4, Green Left Party 4, D66 2, other 5; Second Chamber - percent of vote by party - CDA 26.5%, PvdA 21.2%, Socialist Party 16.6%, VVD 14.6%, Party for Freedom 5.9%, Green Party 4.6%, Christian Union 4.0%, other 6.6%; seats by party - CDA 41, PvdA 33, Socialist Party 25, VVD 22, Party for Freedom 9, Green Party 7, Christian Union 6, other 7 Netherlands Antilles unicameral States or Staten (22 seats, Curacao 14, Bonaire 3, St. Maarten 3, St. Eustatius 1, Saba 1; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 27 January 2006 (next to be held in 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PAR 5, MAN 3, FOL 2, Forsa Korsou 2, National Alliance 2, PNP 2, UPB 2, DP-St. E 1, DP-St. M 1, PDB 1, WIPM 1 note: the government is a coalition of several parties New Caledonia elections: unicameral Territorial Congress or Congres du territoire (54 seats; members belong to the three Provincial Assemblies or Assemblees Provinciales elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held 9 May 2009 (next to be held in 10 May 2014) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 13, Caledonia Together 10, UC 8, UNI 8, AE 6, FLNKS 3, Labor Party 3, other 3 note: New Caledonia holds two seats in the French Senate; elections last held 21 September 2008 (next to be held not later than September 2014); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 2; New Caledonia also elects two seats to the French National Assembly; elections last held 10 and 17 June 2007 (next to be held on June 2012); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 2 New Zealand unicameral House of Representatives - commonly called Parliament (usually 120 seats; 69 members elected by popular vote in single-member constituencies including 7 Maori constituencies, and 51 proportional seats chosen from party lists; serve three-year terms) elections: last held 8 November 2008 (next to be held not later than 27 November 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - NP 44.9%, NZLP 34%, Green Party 6.7%, NZ First 4%, ACT New Zealand 3.7%, Maori 2.4%, Progressive 0.9%, UF 0.9%, other 6.6%; seats by party - NP 58, NZLP 43, Green Party 9, ACT New Zealand 5, Maori 5, Progressive 1, UF 1 note: results of 2008 election saw the total number of seats increase to 122 Nicaragua unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (92 seats; 90 members are elected by proportional representation and party lists to serve five-year terms; 1 seat for the previous president, 1 seat for the runner-up in previous presidential election) elections: last held 5 November 2006 (next to be held by November 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FSLN 38, PLC 25, ALN 23 (22 plus one for presidential candidate Eduardo MONTEALEGRE, runner-up in the 2006 presidential election), MRS 5, APRE 1 (outgoing President Enrique BOLANOS); note - as of 1 January 2009: seats by party - FSLN 38, PLC 25, BDN 15, ALN 6, MRS 3, APRE 1, Independent 4 Niger unicameral National Assembly (113 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 20 October 2009 (next to be held in 2014) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MNSD 76, RSD 15, RDP 7, PNA-Alouma 1, Alkalami 1, Nigerien Party of the Masses for Labor 1, independents 12 Nigeria bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (109 seats, 3 from each state plus 1 from Abuja; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and House of Representatives (360 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 21 April 2007 (next to be held in April 2011); House of Representatives - last held 21 April 2007 (next to be held in April 2011) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - PDP 53.7%, ANPP 27.9%, AD 9.7%, other 8.7%; seats by party - PDP 76, ANPP 27, AD 6; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - PDP 54.5%, ANPP 27.4%, AD 8.8%, UNPP 2.8%, NPD 1.9%, APGA 1.6%, PRP 0.8%; seats by party - PDP 76, ANPP 27, AD 6, UNPP 2, APGA 2, NPD 1, PRP 1, vacant 1 Niue unicameral Legislative Assembly (20 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms; six elected from a common roll and 14 are village representatives) elections: last held 7 June 2008 (next to be held in 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - 20 independents Norfolk Island unicameral Legislative Assembly (9 seats; members elected by electors who have nine equal votes each but only four votes can be given to any one candidate; to serve three-year terms) elections: last held 21 March 2007 (next to be held by 28 March 2010) election results: seats - independents 9 (note - no political parties) Northern Mariana Islands bicameral legislature consists of the Senate (9 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year staggered terms) and the House of Representatives (20 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 3 November 2007 (next to be held in November 2009); House of Representatives - last held 3 November 2007 (next to be held in November 2009) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Covenant Party 3, Republican Party 3, Democratic Party 1, independents 2; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican Party 12, Covenant Party 4, Democratic Party 1, independents 3 note: the Northern Mariana Islands elects one nonvoting delegate to the US House of Representatives; election last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2010); seats by party - independent 1 Norway modified unicameral Parliament or Storting (169 seats; members are elected by popular vote by proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 14 September 2009 (next to be held in September 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - Labor Party 35.4%, Progress Party 22.9%, Conservative Party 17.2%, Socialist Left Party 6.2%, Center Party 6.2%, Christian People's Party 5.5%, Liberal Party 3.9%, other 2.7%; seats by party - Labor Party 64, Progress Party 41, Conservative Party 30, Socialist Left Party 11, Center Party 11, Christian People's Party 10, Liberal Party 2 note: for certain purposes, the parliament divides itself into two chambers and elects one-fourth of its membership in the Lagting and three-fourths of its membership in the Odelsting Oman bicameral Majlis Oman consists of Majlis al-Dawla or upper chamber (71 seats; members appointed by the monarch; has advisory powers only) and Majlis al-Shura or lower chamber (84 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms; body has only advisory powers) elections: last held 27 October 2007 (next to be held in 2011) election results: new candidates won 46 seats and 38 members of the outgoing Majlis kept their positions; none of the 20 female candidates were elected Pakistan bicameral parliament or Majlis-e-Shoora consists of the Senate (100 seats; members indirectly elected by provincial assemblies and the territories' representatives in the National Assembly to serve six-year terms; one half are elected every three years) and the National Assembly (342 seats; 272 members elected by popular vote; 60 seats reserved for women; 10 seats reserved for non-Muslims; serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 3 March 2009 (next to be held in March 2012); National Assembly - last held on 18 February 2008 with by-elections on 26 June 2008 (next to be held in 2013) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PPPP 27, PML-Q 21, MMA 9, PML-N 7, ANP 6, MQM 6, JUI-F 4, BNP-A 2, JWP 1, NPP 1, PKMAP 1, PML-F 1, PPP 1, independents 13; National Assembly - percent of votes by party - NA; seats by party - PPPP 124, PML-N 91, PML 54, MQM 25, ANP 13, MMA 7, PML-F 5, BNP-A 1, NPP 1, PPP-S 1, independents 17; note - 3 seats remain unfilled Palau bicameral National Congress or Olbiil Era Kelulau (OEK) consists of the Senate (9 seats; members elected by popular vote on a population basis to serve four-year terms) and the House of Delegates (16 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012); House of Delegates - last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012) election results: Senate - percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 9; House of Delegates - percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 16 Panama unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (71 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 3 May 2009 (next to be held May 2014) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PRD 26, Panamenista 22, CD 14, PU 4, Independent 2, MOLIRENA 2, PP 1 note: legislators from outlying rural districts are chosen on a plurality basis while districts located in more populous towns and cities elect multiple legislators by means of a proportion-based formula Papua New Guinea unicameral National Parliament (109 seats, 89 filled from open electorates and 20 from provinces and national capital district; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); constitution allows up to 126 seats elections: last held from 30 June to 10 July 2007; next to be held in June 2012 election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - National Alliance 27, PNGP 8, PAP 6, URP 6, PANGU 5, PDM 5, independents 19, others 33; note - election to 1 seat was nullified note: 15 other parties won 4 or fewer seats; association with political parties is fluid Paraguay bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (45 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (80 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Chamber of Senators - last held 20 April 2008 (next to be held in April 2013); Chamber of Deputies - last held 20 April 2008 (next to be held in April 2013) election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ANR 15, PLRA 14, UNACE 9, PPQ 4, other 3; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ANR 30, PLRA 27, UNACE 15, PPQ 3, APC 2, other 3 Peru unicameral Congress of the Republic of Peru or Congreso de la Republica del Peru (120 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 9 April 2006 (next to be held in April 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - UPP 21.2%, PAP 20.6%, UN 15.3%, AF 13.1%, FC 7.1%, PP 4.1%, RN 4.0%, other 14.6%; seats by party - UPP 45, PAP 36, UN 17, AF 13, FC 5, PP 2, RN 2 Philippines bicameral Congress or Kongreso consists of the Senate or Senado (24 seats - one-half elected every three years; members elected at large by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Kapulungan Ng Nga Kinatawan (as a result of May 2007 election it has 240 seats including 218 members representing districts and 22 sectoral party-list members representing special minorities elected on the basis of 1 seat for every 2% of the total vote but limited to 3 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms; note - the Constitution prohibits the House of Representatives from having more than 250 members) elections: Senate - last held on 14 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2010); House of Representatives - elections last held on 14 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2010) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Lakas 4, LP 4, Nacionalista 3, NPC 2, PDP-Laban 2, PMP 2, Kampi 1, LDP 1, PRP 1, independents 3; note - there are 23 rather than 24 sitting senators because one senator was elected mayor of Manila; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Lakas 92, Kampi 54, NPC 25, LP 21, Party-list 22, independents 3, others 26; there are 238 rather than 240 sitting representatives because two died in office Pitcairn Islands unicameral Island Council (10 seats; 5 members elected by popular vote, 1 nominated by the 5 elected members, 2 appointed by the governor including 1 seat for the Island Secretary, the Island Mayor, and a commissioner liaising between the governor and council; elected members serve one-year terms) elections: last held 24 December 2008 (next to be held in 24 December 2009) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - all independents Poland bicameral legislature consists of an upper house, the Senate or Senat (100 seats; members are elected by a majority vote on a provincial basis to serve four-year terms), and a lower house, the Sejm (460 seats; members are elected under a complex system of proportional representation to serve four-year terms); the designation of National Assembly or Zgromadzenie Narodowe is only used on those rare occasions when the two houses meet jointly elections: Senate - last held 21 October 2007 (next to be held by October 2011); Sejm elections last held 21 October 2007 (next to be held by October 2011) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PO 60, PiS 39, independents 1; Sejm - percent of vote by party - PO 41.5%, PiS 32.1%, LiD 13.2%, PSL 8.9%, other 4.3%; seats by party - PO 209, PiS 166, LiD 53, PSL 31, German minorities 1; note - seats by parliamentary grouping as of February 2009 - PO 208, PiS 156, Left 42, PSL 31, SDPL-New Left 5, Polska XXI 6, Democratic Caucus 3, German minorities 1, nonaffiliated 8 note: one seat is assigned to ethnic minority parties in the Sejm only Portugal unicameral Assembly of the Republic or Assembleia da Republica (230 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 27 September 2009 (next to be held in fall 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - PS 37.7%, PSD 30%, CDS/PP 10.8%, BE 10.2%, CDU 8.1%, other 3.2%; seats by party - PS 96, PSD 78, CDS/PP 21, BE 16, CDU 15 Puerto Rico bicameral Legislative Assembly consists of the Senate (at least 27 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives (51 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held November 2012); House of Representatives - last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - PNP 81.5%, PPD 18.5%; seats by party - PNP 22, PPD 5; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - PNP 72.5%, PPD 27.5%; seats by party - PNP 37, PPD 14 note: Puerto Rico elects, by popular vote, a resident commissioner to serve a four-year term as a nonvoting representative in the US House of Representatives; aside from not voting on the House floor, he enjoys all the rights of a member of Congress; elections last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PNP 1 Qatar unicameral Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura (35 seats; members appointed) note: no legislative elections have been held since 1970 when there were partial elections to the body; Council members have had their terms extended every year since the new constitution came into force on 9 June 2005; the constitution provides for a new 45-member Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura; the public would elect two-thirds of the Majlis al-Shura; the Amir would appoint the remaining members; preparations are underway to conduct elections to the Majlis al-Shura Romania bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Senate or Senat (137 seats; members are elected by popular vote in a mixed electoral system to serve four-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camera Deputatilor (334 seats; members are elected by popular vote in a mixed electoral system to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 30 November 2008 (next expected to be held in November 2012); Chamber of Deputies - last held 30 November 2008 (next expected to be held November 2012) election results: Senate - percent of vote by alliance/party - PSD-PC 34.2%, PDL 33.6%, PNL 18.7%, UDMR 6.4%, other 7.1%; seats by alliance/party - PSD-PC 49, PDL 51, PNL 28, UDMR 9; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by alliance/party - PSD-PC 33.1%, PDL 32.4%, PNL 18.6%, UDMR 6.2%, ethnic minorities 3.6%, other 6.1%; seats by alliance/party - PSD-PC 114, PDL 115, PNL 65, UDMR 22, ethnic minorities 18 Russia bicameral Federal Assembly or Federalnoye Sobraniye consists of an upper house, the Federation Council or Sovet Federatsii (168 seats; as of July 2000, members appointed by the top executive and legislative officials in each of the 84 federal administrative units - oblasts, krays, republics, autonomous okrugs and oblasts, and the federal cities of Moscow and Saint Petersburg; serve four-year terms) and a lower house, the State Duma or Gosudarstvennaya Duma (450 seats; as of 2007, all members elected by proportional representation from party lists winning at least 7% of the vote; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: State Duma - last held 2 December 2007 (next to be held in December 2011) election results: State Duma - United Russia 64.3%, CPRF 11.5%, LDPR 8.1%, Just Russia 7.7%, other 8.4%; total seats by party - United Russia 315, CPRF 57, LDPR 40, Just Russia 38 Rwanda bicameral Parliament consists of Senate (26 seats; 12 members elected by local councils, 8 appointed by the president, 4 by the Political Organizations Forum, 2 represent institutions of higher learning; to serve eight-year terms) and Chamber of Deputies (80 seats; 53 members elected by popular vote, 24 women elected by local bodies, 3 selected by youth and disability organizations; serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - members appointed as part of the transitional government (next to be held in 2011); Chamber of Deputies - last held 15 September 2008 (next to be held September 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - RPF 78.8%, PSD 13.1%, PL 7.5%; seats by party - RPF 42, PSD 7, PL 4, additional 27 members indirectly elected Saint Barthelemy unicameral Territorial Council (19 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 1 and 8 July 2007 (next to be held in July 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - SBA 72.2%, Action-Equilibre-Transparence 9.9%, Ensemble pour Saint-Barthelemy 7.9%, Tous Unis pour Saint-Barthelemy 9.9%; seats by party - SBA 16, Action-Equilibre-Transparence 1, Ensemble pour Saint-Barthelemy 1, Tous Unis pour Saint-Barthelemy 1 note: Saint Barthelemy elects one seat to the French Senate; elections last held 21 September 2008 (next to be held in September 2014); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 1 Saint Helena unicameral Legislative Council (16 seats, including the speaker, three ex officio and 12 elected members; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 31 August 2005 (next to be held in November 2009) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 12 Saint Kitts and Nevis unicameral National Assembly (14 seats, 3 appointed and 11 popularly elected from single-member constituencies; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 25 October 2004 (next to be held by 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - SKNLP 7, CCM 2, NRP 1, PAM 1 Saint Lucia bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (11 seats; six members appointed on the advice of the prime minister, three on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and two after consultation with religious, economic, and social groups) and the House of Assembly (17 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Assembly - last held 11 December 2006 (next to be held in December 2011) election results: House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - UWP 50%, SLP 46.9%, other 3.1%; seats by party - UWP 11, SLP 6 Saint Martin unicameral Territorial Council (23 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 1 and 8 July 2007 (next to be held in July 2012) election results: percent of seats by party - UPP 49%, RRR 42.2%, Reussir Saint-Martin 8.9%; seats by party - UPP 16, RRR 6, Reussir Saint-Martin 1 note: Saint Martin elects one seat to the French Senate; election last held 21 September 2008 (next to be held in September 2014); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 1 Saint Pierre and Miquelon unicameral Territorial Council or Conseil Territorial (19 seats, 15 from Saint Pierre and four from Miquelon; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) elections: elections last held 19 and 26 in March 2006 (next to be held in March 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - AD 16, Cap sur l'Avenir 2, SPM 2000/AM 1 note: Saint Pierre and Miquelon elect one seat to the French Senate; elections last held 21 September 2008 (next to be held in September 2014); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 1; Saint Pierre and Miquelon also elects one seat to the French National Assembly; elections last held, first round - 10 June 2007, second round - 17 June 2007 (next to be held in 2012); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Left Radical Party 1 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines unicameral House of Assembly (21 seats, 15 elected representatives and six appointed senators; representatives are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 7 December 2005 (next to be held in 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - ULP 55.3%, NDP 44.7%; seats by party - ULP 12, NDP 3 Samoa unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fono (49 seats, 47 elected by voters affiliated with traditional village-based electoral districts, 2 elected by independent, mostly non-Samoan or part-Samoan, voters who cannot, (or choose not to) establish a village affiliation; only chiefs (matai) may stand for election to the Fono from the 47 village-based electorates; members serve five-year terms) elections: election last held 31 March 2006 (next election to be held not later than March 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - HRPP 35, SDUP 10, independents 4 San Marino unicameral Grand and General Council or Consiglio Grande e Generale (60 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 9 November 2008 (next to be held by June 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - Pact for San Marino coalition 54.2%: PDCS 31.9%, AP 11.5%, Freedom List 6.3%, San Marino Union of Moderates 4.2%; Reforms and Freedom coalition 45.8%: Party of Socialists and Democrats 32%, United Left 8.6%, Democrats of the Center 4.9%; seats by party - Pact for San Marino coalition 35: PDCS 22, AP 7, the Freedom List 4, San Marino Union of Moderates 2; Reforms and Freedom coalition 25: Party of Socialists and Democrats 18, United Left 5, Democrats of the Center 2 Sao Tome and Principe unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (55 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 26 March 2006 (next to be held in March 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - MDFM-PCD 37.2%, MLSTP 28.9%, ADI 20.0%, NR 4.7%, others 9.2%; seats by party - MDFM-PCD 23, MLSTP 19, ADI 12, NR 1 Saudi Arabia Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura (150 members and a chairman appointed by the monarch for four-year terms); note - though the Council of Ministers announced in October 2003 its intent to introduce elections for half of the members of local and provincial assemblies and a third of the members of the national Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura incrementally over a period of four to five years, to date no such elections have been held or announced Senegal bicameral Parliament consisting of the Senate, reinstituted in 2007, (100 seats; 35 indirectly elected with the remaining 65 members to be appointed by the president) and the National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (150 seats; 90 members elected by direct popular vote with the remaining members elected by proportional representation from party lists to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 19 August 2007 (next to be held - NA); National Assembly - last held on 3 June 2007 (next to be held 2012); note - the National Assembly in December 2005 voted to postpone legislative elections originally scheduled for 2006; legislative elections were first rescheduled to coincide with the 25 February 2007 presidential elections and later rescheduled for 3 June 2007; the June election was boycotted by 12 opposition parties, including the former ruling Socialist Party, which resulted in a record-low 35% voter turnout election results: Senate results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDS 34, AJ/PADS 1, 65 appointed by the president; National Assembly results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - SOPI Coalition 131, other 19 Serbia unicameral National Assembly (250 seats; deputies elected according to party lists to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 11 May 2008 (next to be held in May 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - For a European Serbia coalition 38.4%, SRS 29.5%, DSS-NS 11.6%, SPS-led coalition 7.6%, LPD 5.2%, other 7.7%; seats by party - For a European Serbia coalition 102, SRS 77, DSS-NS 30, SNS 21, SPS-led coalition 20, LDP 13, other 7; note - the seat allocation for the SNS and SRS is uncertain because of an ongoing dispute with the SRS Seychelles unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (34 seats; 25 members elected by popular vote, 9 allocated on a proportional basis to parties winning at least 10% of the vote; to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 10-12 May 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - SPPF 56.2%, SNP 43.8%; seats by party - SPPF 23, SNP 11 Sierra Leone unicameral Parliament (124 seats; 112 members elected by popular vote, 12 filled by paramount chiefs elected in separate elections; serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 11 August 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - APC 59, SLPP 43, PMDC 10 Singapore unicameral Parliament (84 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); note - in addition, there are up to nine nominated members; up to three losing opposition candidates who came closest to winning seats may be appointed as "nonconstituency" members elections: last held on 6 May 2006 (next to be held by 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - PAP 66.6%, WP 16.3%, SDA 13%, SDP 4.1%; seats by party - PAP 82, WP 1, SDA 1 Slovakia unicameral National Council of the Slovak Republic or Narodna Rada Slovenskej Republiky (150 seats; members are elected on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 17 June 2006 (next to be held in 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - Smer 29.1%, SDKU 18.4%, SMK 11.7%, SNS 11.7%, LS-HZDS 8.8%, KDH 8.3%, other 12%; seats by party - Smer 50, SDKU-DS 31, SMK 20, SNS 19, LS-HZDS 16, KDH 14; note - seats by party as of December 2008 - Smer 50, SDKU-DS 28, SMK 20, SNS 19, LS-HZDS 15, KDH 9, nonaffiliated 9 Slovenia bicameral Parliament consists of a National Council or Drzavni Svet (40 seats; members indirectly elected by an electoral college to serve five-year terms; note - this is primarily an advisory body with limited legislative powers; it may propose laws, ask to review any National Assembly decision, and call national referenda) and the National Assembly or Drzavni Zbor (90 seats; 40 members are directly elected and 50 are elected on a proportional basis; note - the number of directly elected and proportionally elected seats varies with each election; the constitution mandates 1 seat each for Slovenia's Hungarian and Italian minorities; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: National Assembly - last held 21 September 2008 (next to be held 8 October 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - SD 30.5%, SDS 29.3%, ZARES 9.4%, DeSUS 7.5%, SNS 5.5%, SLS+SMS 5.2%, LDS 5.2%, other 7.4%; seats by party - SD 29, SDS 28, ZARES 9, DeSUS 7, SNS 5, SLS+SMS 5, LDS 5, Hungarian minority 1, Italian minority 1 Solomon Islands unicameral National Parliament (50 seats; members elected from single-member constituencies by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 5 April 2006 (next to be held in 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - National Party 6.9%, PAP 6.3%, SIPRA 6.3%, Liberal 5%, Democratic 4.9%, SOCRED 4.3%, LAFARI 2.8%, independents 60.3%; seats by party - National Party 4, SIPRA 4, Democratic 3, PAP 3, LAFARI 2, Liberal 2, SOCRED 2, independents 30 Somalia unicameral National Assembly note: unicameral Transitional Federal Assembly (TFA) (550 seats; 475 members appointed according to the 4.5 clan formula, with the remaining 75 seats reserved for civil society and business persons) South Africa bicameral Parliament consisting of the National Council of Provinces (90 seats, 10 members elected by each of the nine provincial legislatures for five-year terms; has special powers to protect regional interests, including the safeguarding of cultural and linguistic traditions among ethnic minorities) and the National Assembly (400 seats; members are elected by popular vote under a system of proportional representation to serve five-year terms); note - following the implementation of the new constitution on 4 February 1997, the former Senate was disbanded and replaced by the National Council of Provinces with essentially no change in membership and party affiliations, although the new institution's responsibilities have been changed somewhat by the new constitution elections: National Assembly and National Council of Provinces - last held on 22 April 2009 (next to be held in April 2014) election results: National Council of Provinces - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - ANC 65.9%, DA 16.7%, COPE 7.4%, IFP 4.6%, other 5.4%; seats by party - ANC 264, DA 67, COPE 30, IFP 18, other 21 Spain bicameral; General Courts or Las Cortes Generales (National Assembly) consists of the Senate or Senado (264 seats as of 2008; 208 members directly elected by popular vote and the other 56 - as of 2008 - appointed by the regional legislatures; to serve four-year terms) and the Congress of Deputies or Congreso de los Diputados (350 seats; each of the 50 electoral provinces fills a minimum of two seats and the North African enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla fill one seat each with members serving a four-year term; the other 248 members are determined by proportional representation based on popular vote on block lists who serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 9 March 2008 (next to be held not later than March 2012); Congress of Deputies - last held on 9 March 2008 (next to be held not later than March 2012) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PP 101, PSOE 88, Entesa Catalona de Progress 12, CiU 4, PNV 2, CC 1, members appointed by regional legislatures 56; Congress of Deputies - percent of vote by party - PSOE 43.6%, PP 40.1%, CiU 3.1%, PNV 1.2%, ERC 1.2%, other 10.8%; seats by party - PSOE 169, PP 154, CiU 10, PNV 6, ERC 3, other 8 Sri Lanka unicameral Parliament (225 seats; members elected by popular vote on the basis of an open-list, proportional representation system by electoral district to serve six-year terms) elections: last held on 2 April 2004 (next to be held by 2010) election results: percent of vote by party or electoral alliance - SLFP and JVP (no longer in United People's Freedom Alliance) 45.6%, UNP 37.8%, TNA 6.8%, JHU 6%, SLMC 2%, UPF 0.5%, EPDP 0.3%, other 1%; seats by party - UNP 68, SLFP 57, JVP 39, TNA 22, CWC 8, JHU 7, SLMC 6, SLMC dissidents 4, Communist Party 2, JHU dissidents 2, LSSP 2, MEP 2, NUA 2, UPF 2, EPDP 1, UNP dissident 1 Sudan bicameral National Legislature consists of a Council of States (50 seats; members indirectly elected by state legislatures to serve six-year terms) and a National Assembly (450 seats; members presently appointed, but in the future 60% from geographic constituencies, 25% from a women's list, and 15% from party lists; to serve six-year terms) elections: last held 13-22 December 2000 (next to be held February 2010) election results: NCP 355, others 5; note - replaced by appointments under the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement Suriname unicameral National Assembly or Nationale Assemblee (51 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 25 May 2005 (next to be held in 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - NF 39.7%, NDP 22.2%, VVV 13.8%, A-Com 7.2%, A-1 5.9%, other 11.2%; seats by party - NF 23, NDP 15, VVV 5, A-Com 5, A-1 3 Swaziland bicameral Parliament or Libandla consists of the Senate (30 seats; 10 members appointed by the House of Assembly and 20 appointed by the monarch; to serve five-year terms) and the House of Assembly (65 seats; 10 members appointed by the monarch and 55 elected by popular vote; serve five-year terms) elections: House of Assembly - last held 19 September 2008 (next to be held in 2013) election results: House of Assembly - balloting is done on a nonparty basis; candidates for election are nominated by the local council of each constituency and for each constituency the three candidates with the most votes in the first round of voting are narrowed to a single winner by a second round Sweden unicameral Parliament or Riksdag (349 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional representation basis to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 17 September 2006 (next to be held in September 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - Social Democrats 37.2%, Moderates 27.8%, Center Party 8.3%, Liberal People's Party 8.0%, Christian Democrats 6.9%, Left Party 6.3%, Greens 5.4%; seats by party - Social Democrats 130, Moderates 97, Center Party 29, Liberal People's Party 28, Christian Democrats 24, Left Party 22, Greens 19 Switzerland bicameral Federal Assembly or Bundesversammlung (in German), Assemblee Federale (in French), Assemblea Federale (in Italian) consists of the Council of States or Standerat (in German), Conseil des Etats (in French), Consiglio degli Stati (in Italian) (46 seats; membership consists of 2 representatives from each canton and 1 from each half canton; to serve four-year terms) and the National Council or Nationalrat (in German), Conseil National (in French), Consiglio Nazionale (in Italian) (200 seats; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: Council of States - last held in most cantons in October 2007 (each canton determines when the next election will be held); National Council - last held on 21 October 2007 (next to be held in October 2011) election results: Council of States - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CVP 15, FDP 12, SVP 7, SPS 9, other 3; National Council - percent of vote by party - SVP 29%, SPS 19.5%, FDP 15.6%, CVP 14.6%, Greens 9.6%, other 11.7%; seats by party - SVP 62, SPS 43, FDP 31, CVP 31, Green Party 20, other small parties 13 Syria unicameral People's Council or Majlis al-Shaab (250 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 22-23 April 2007 (next to be held in 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NPF 172, independents 78 Taiwan unicameral Legislative Yuan (113 seats - 73 district members elected by popular vote, 34 at-large members elected on basis of proportion of islandwide votes received by participating political parties, 6 elected by popular vote among aboriginal populations; to serve four-year terms); parties must receive 5% of vote to qualify for at-large seats elections: Legislative Yuan - last held 12 January 2008 (next to be held in December 2011 or January 2012) election results: Legislative Yuan - percent of vote by party - KMT 53.5%, DPP 38.2%, NPSU 2.4%, PFP 0.3%, others 1.6%, independents 4%; seats by party - KMT 81, DPP 27, NPSU 3, PFP 1, independent 1 Tajikistan bicameral Supreme Assembly or Majlisi Oli consists of the National Assembly (upper chamber) or Majlisi Milliy (34 seats; 25 members selected by local deputies, 8 appointed by the president; 1 seat reserved for the former president; to serve five-year terms) and the Assembly of Representatives (lower chamber) or Majlisi Namoyandagon (63 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: National Assembly - last held 25 March 2005 (next to be held in February 2010); Assembly of Representatives 27 February and 13 March 2005 (next to be held in February 2010) election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDPT 29, CPT 2, independents 3; Assembly of Representatives - percent of vote by party - PDPT 74.9%, CPT 13.6%, Islamic Revival Party 8.9%, other 2.5%; seats by party - PDPT 51, CPT 5, Islamic Revival Party 2, independents 5 Tanzania unicameral National Assembly or Bunge (274 seats; 232 members elected by popular vote, 37 allocated to women nominated by the president, 5 to members of the Zanzibar House of Representatives; to serve five-year terms); note - in addition to enacting laws that apply to the entire United Republic of Tanzania, the Assembly enacts laws that apply only to the mainland; Zanzibar has its own House of Representatives to make laws especially for Zanzibar (the Zanzibar House of Representatives has 50 seats elected by universal suffrage to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 14 December 2005 (next to be held in December 2010) election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CCM 206, CUF 19, CHADEMA 5, other 2, women appointed by the president 37, Zanzibar representatives 5 Zanzibar House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CCM 30, CUF 19; 1 seat was nullified with a rerun to take place soon Thailand bicameral National Assembly or Rathasapha consisted of the Senate or Wuthisapha (150 seats; 76 members elected by popular vote representing 76 provinces, 74 appointed by judges and independent government bodies; all serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Sapha Phuthaen Ratsadon (480 seats; 400 members elected from 157 multi-seat constituencies and 80 elected on proportional party-list basis of 10 per eight zones or groupings of provinces; all serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 2 March 2008 (next to be held in March 2014); House of Representatives - last election held on 23 December 2007 (next to be held by December 2011) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PPP 233, DP 164, TNP 34, Motherland 24, Middle Way 11, Unity 9, Royalist People's 5 note: 74 senators were appointed on 19 February 2008 by a seven-member committee headed by the chief of the Constitutional Court; 76 senators were elected on 2 March 2008; elections to the Senate are non-partisan; registered political party members are disqualified from being senators Timor-Leste unicameral National Parliament (number of seats can vary from 52 to 65; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 30 June 2007 (next elections due by June 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - FRETILIN 29%, CNRT 24.1%, ASDT-PSD 15.8%, PD 11.3%, PUN 4.5%, KOTA-PPT (Democratic Alliance) 3.2%, UNDERTIM 3.2%, others 8.9%; seats by party - FRETILIN 21, CNRT 18, ASDT-PSD 11, PD 8, PUN 3, KOTA-PPT 2, UNDERTIM 2 Togo unicameral National Assembly (81 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 14 October 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - RPT 39.4%, UFC 37.0%, CAR 8.2%, independents 2.5%, other 12.9%; seats by party - RPT 50, UFC 27, CAR 4 Tokelau unicameral General Fono (20 seats; based upon proportional representation from the three islands elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms; Atafu has seven seats, Fakaofo has seven seats, Nukunonu has six seats); note - the Tokelau Amendment Act of 1996 confers limited legislative power to the General Fono elections: last held 17-19 January 2008 (next to be held in 2011) election results: independents 20 Tonga unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fale Alea (32 seats - 14 reserved for cabinet ministers sitting ex officio, 9 for nobles selected by the country's 33 nobles, and 9 elected by popular vote; members serve three-year terms) elections: last held on 23-24 April 2008 (next to be held in 2011) election results: Peoples Representatives: percent of vote - independents 54%, THRDM 28%, PDP 14%; seats - THRDM 4, independents 3, PDP 2 Trinidad and Tobago bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (31 seats; 16 members appointed by the ruling party, 9 by the President, 6 by the opposition party to serve a maximum term of five years) and the House of Representatives (41 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held on 5 November 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote - PNM 46%, UNC 29.7%; seats by party - PNM 26, UNC 15 note: Tobago has a unicameral House of Assembly with 12 members serving four-year terms; last election held in January 2005; seats by party - PNM 11, DAC 1 Tunisia bicameral system consists of the Chamber of Advisors (126 seats; 85 members elected by municipal counselors, deputies, mayors, and professional associations and trade unions; 41 members are presidential appointees; members serve six-year terms); and the Chamber of Deputies or Majlis al-Nuwaab (214 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Chamber of Advisors - last held on 3 July 2005 (next to be held in July 2011); Chamber of Deputies - last held on 25 October 2009 (next to be held in October 2014); election results: Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - RCD 161, MDS 16, PUP 12, UDU 9, PSL 8, PVP 6, Et-Tajdid 2; voter turnout 89.4% Turkey unicameral Grand National Assembly of Turkey or Turkiye Buyuk Millet Meclisi (550 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 22 July 2007 (next to be held in November 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - AKP 46.7%, CHP 20.8%, MHP 14.3%, independents 5.2%, and other 13.0%; seats by party - AKP 341, CHP 112, MHP 71, independents 26; note - seats by party as of 31 January 2009 - AKP 340, CHP 97, MHP 70, DTP 21, DSP 13, ODP 1, BBP 1, independents 5, vacant 2 (DTP entered parliament as independents; DSP entered parliament on CHP's party list); only parties surpassing the 10% threshold are entitled to parliamentary seats Turkmenistan unicameral parliament known as the National Assembly (Mejlis) (125 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 14 December 2008 (next to be held December 2013) election results: 100% of elected officials are members of either the Democratic Party of Turkmenistan or its pseudo-civil society parent organization, the Revival Movement, and are preapproved by the president note: in autumn 2008, the constitution of Turkmenistan was revised to abolish the 2,507-member legislative body known as the People's Council and to expand the number of deputies in the National Assembly from 65 to 125; the powers formerly held by the People's Council were divided up between the president and the National Assembly Turks and Caicos Islands under provisions of the Order in Council, the unicameral House of Assembly is dissolved and all seats vacated for a period of up to two years; in the interim, a Consultative Forum, appointed by the governor, will be established elections: last held 9 February 2007 (next to be held by July 2011) election results: under provisions of the Order in Council, all seats in the House of Assembly are vacated Tuvalu unicameral Parliament or Fale I Fono, also called House of Assembly (15 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 3 August 2006 (next to be held in 2010) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 15 Uganda unicameral National Assembly (332 seats; 215 members elected by popular vote, 104 nominated by legally established special interest groups [women 79, army 10, disabled 5, youth 5, labor 5], 13 ex officio members; serve five-year terms) elections: last held 23 February 2006 (next to be held in February 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NRM 191, FDC 37, UPC 9, DP 8, CP 1, JEEMA 1, independents 36, other 49 Ukraine unicameral Supreme Council or Verkhovna Rada (450 seats; members allocated on a proportional basis to those parties that gain 3% or more of the national electoral vote; serve five-year terms) elections: last held 30 September 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: percent of vote by party/bloc - Party of Regions 34.4%, Yuliya Tymoshenko Bloc 30.7%, Our Ukraine-People's Self Defense 14.2%, CPU 5.4%, Lytvyn bloc 4%, other parties 11.3%; seats by party/bloc - Party of Regions 175, Yuliya Tymoshenko Bloc 156, Our Ukraine-People's Self Defense 72, CPU 27, Lytvyn bloc 20 United Arab Emirates unicameral Federal National Council (FNC) or Majlis al-Ittihad al-Watani (40 seats; 20 members appointed by the rulers of the constituent states, 20 members elected to serve two-year terms) elections: elections for one half of the FNC (the other half remains appointed) held in the UAE on 18-20 December 2006; the new electoral college - a body of 6,689 Emiratis (including 1,189 women) appointed by the rulers of the seven emirates - were the only eligible voters and candidates; 456 candidates including 65 women ran for 20 contested FNC seats; one female from the Emirate of Abu Dhabi won a seat and 8 women were among the 20 appointed members note: reviews legislation but cannot change or veto United Kingdom bicameral Parliament consists of House of Lords (618 seats; consisting of approximately 500 life peers, 92 hereditary peers, and 26 clergy) and House of Commons (646 seats since 2005 elections; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms unless the House is dissolved earlier) elections: House of Lords - no elections (note - in 1999, as provided by the House of Lords Act, elections were held in the House of Lords to determine the 92 hereditary peers who would remain there; elections are held only as vacancies in the hereditary peerage arise); House of Commons - last held 5 May 2005 (next to be held by June 2010) election results: House of Commons - percent of vote by party - Labor 35.2%, Conservative 32.3%, Liberal Democrats 22%, other 10.5%; seats by party - Labor 355, Conservative 198, Liberal Democrat 62, other 31; seats by party in the House of Commons as of 21 November 2008 - Labor 350, Conservative 192, Liberal Democrat 63, Scottish National Party/Plaid Cymru 10, Democratic Unionist 9, Sinn Fein 5, other 17 note: in 1998 elections were held for a Northern Ireland Assembly (because of unresolved disputes among existing parties, the transfer of power from London to Northern Ireland came only at the end of 1999 and has been suspended four times, the latest occurring in October 2002 and lasting until 8 May 2007); in 1999, the UK held the first elections for a Scottish Parliament and a Welsh Assembly, the most recent of which were held in May 2007 United States bicameral Congress consists of the Senate (100 seats, 2 members are elected from each state by popular vote to serve six-year terms; one-third are elected every two years) and the House of Representatives (435 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held November 2010); House of Representatives - last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2010) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 57, Republican Party 41, independent 2; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 257, Republican Party 178 Uruguay bicameral General Assembly or Asamblea General consists of Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (30 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; vice president has one vote in the Senate) and Chamber of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (99 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Chamber of Senators - last held 25 October 2009 (next to be held in October 2014); Chamber of Representatives - last held 25 October 2009 (next to be held in October 2014) election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Frente Amplio 16, Blanco 9, Colorado Party 5; Chamber of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Frente Amplio 50, Blanco 30, Colorado Party 17, Independent Party 2 Uzbekistan bicameral Supreme Assembly or Oliy Majlis consists of an upper house or Senate (100 seats; 84 members are elected by regional governing councils and 16 appointed by the president; to serve five-year terms) and a lower house or Legislative Chamber (120 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 26 December 2004 and 9 January 2005 (next to be held in December 2009) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; Legislative Chamber - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LDPU 41, NDP 32, Fidokorlar 17, MTP 11, Adolat 9, unaffiliated 10 note: all parties in the Supreme Assembly support President KARIMOV Vanuatu unicameral Parliament (52 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 2 September 2008 (next to be held in 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - VP 11, NUP 8, UMP 7, VRP 7, PPP 4, GC 2, MPP 1, NA 1, NAG 1, PAP 1, Shepherds Alliance 1, VFFP 1, VLP 1, VNP 1, VPRFP 1, and independent 4; note - political party associations are fluid note: the National Council of Chiefs advises on matters of culture and language Venezuela unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (167 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; three seats reserved for the indigenous peoples of Venezuela) elections: last held 4 December 2005 (next to be held in 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - pro-government 167 (MVR 114, PODEMOS 15, PPT 11, indigenous 2, other 25), opposition 0; total seats by party as of 1 January 2008 - pro-government 152 (PSUV 114, PPT 11, indigenous 2, other 25), PODEMOS 15 Vietnam unicameral National Assembly or Quoc Hoi (500 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 20 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPV 450, non-party CPV-approved 42, self-nominated 1; note - 493 candidates were elected; CPV and non-party CPV-approved delegates were members of the Vietnamese Fatherland Front Virgin Islands unicameral Senate (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms) elections: last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 10, ICM 2, independent 3 note: the Virgin Islands elects one non-voting representative to the US House of Representatives; election last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2010) Wallis and Futuna unicameral Territorial Assembly or Assemblee Territoriale (20 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 1 April 2007 (next to be held April 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 13, other 7 note: Wallis and Futuna elects one senator to the French Senate and one deputy to the French National Assembly; French Senate - elections last held 21 September 2008 (next to be held by September 2014); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats - UMP 1; French National Assembly - elections last held 17 June 2007 (next to be held by 2012); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats - PS 1 Yemen a bicameral legislature consisting of a Shura Council (111 seats; members appointed by the president) and a House of Representatives (301 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) elections: last held on 27 April 2003 (scheduled April 2009 election postponed for two years) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - GPC 228, Islah 47, YSP 7, Nasserite Unionist Party 3, National Arab Socialist Ba'th Party 2, independents 14 Zambia unicameral National Assembly (158 seats; 150 members are elected by popular vote, 8 members are appointed by the president, to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 28 September 2006 (next to be held in October 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MMD 72, PF 44, UDA 27, ULP 2, NDF 1, independents 2; seats not determined 2 Zimbabwe bicameral Parliament consists of a Senate (93 seats - 60 elected by popular vote for a five-year term, 10 provincial governors nominated by the president, 16 traditional chiefs elected by the Council of Chiefs, 2 held by the president and deputy president of the Council of Chiefs, and 5 appointed by the president) and a House of Assembly (210 seats - all elected by popular vote for five-year terms) elections: last held 28 March 2008 (next to be held in 2013) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - MDC 51.6%, ZANU-PF 45.8%, other 2.6%; seats by party - MDC 30, ZANU-PF 30; House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - MDC 51.3%, ZANU-PF 45.8%, other 2.9%; seats by party - MDC 109, ZANU-PF 97, other 4 ====================================================================== @2102 Field Listing :: Life expectancy at birth This entry contains the average number of years to be lived by a group of people born in the same year, if mortality at each age remains constant in the future. The entry includes total population as well as the male and female components. Life expectancy at birth is also a measure of overall quality of life in a country and summarizes the mortality at all ages. It can also be thought of as indicating the potential return on investment in human capital and is necessary for the calculation of various actuarial measures. Country Comparison to the World Country Life expectancy at birth(years) Afghanistan total population: 44.64 years male: 44.47 years female: 44.81 years (2009 est.) Albania total population: 77.96 years male: 75.28 years female: 80.89 years (2009 est.) Algeria total population: 74.02 years male: 72.35 years female: 75.77 years (2009 est.) American Samoa total population: 73.72 years male: 70.8 years female: 76.82 years (2009 est.) Andorra total population: 82.51 years male: 80.33 years female: 84.84 years (2009 est.) Angola total population: 38.2 years male: 37.24 years female: 39.22 years (2009 est.) Anguilla total population: 80.65 years male: 78.11 years female: 83.26 years (2009 est.) Antigua and Barbuda total population: 74.76 years male: 72.81 years female: 76.81 years (2009 est.) Argentina total population: 76.56 years male: 73.32 years female: 79.97 years (2009 est.) Armenia total population: 72.68 years male: 69.06 years female: 76.81 years (2009 est.) Aruba total population: 75.28 years male: 72.25 years female: 78.38 years (2009 est.) Australia total population: 81.63 years male: 79.25 years female: 84.14 years (2009 est.) Austria total population: 79.5 years male: 76.6 years female: 82.56 years (2009 est.) Azerbaijan total population: 66.66 years male: 62.53 years female: 71.34 years (2009 est.) Bahamas, The total population: 65.78 years male: 62.63 years female: 68.98 years (2009 est.) Bahrain total population: 75.16 years male: 72.64 years female: 77.76 years (2009 est.) Bangladesh total population: 60.25 years male: 57.57 years female: 63.03 years (2009 est.) Barbados total population: 73.94 years male: 71.65 years female: 76.26 years (2009 est.) Belarus total population: 70.63 years male: 64.95 years female: 76.67 years (2009 est.) Belgium total population: 79.22 years male: 76.06 years female: 82.53 years (2009 est.) Belize total population: 68.2 years male: 66.44 years female: 70.05 years (2009 est.) Benin total population: 59 years male: 57.83 years female: 60.23 years (2009 est.) Bermuda total population: 80.43 years male: 77.2 years female: 83.72 years (2009 est.) Bhutan total population: 66.13 years male: 65.33 years female: 66.97 years (2009 est.) Bolivia total population: 66.89 years male: 64.2 years female: 69.72 years (2009 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina total population: 78.5 years male: 74.92 years female: 82.34 years (2009 est.) Botswana total population: 61.85 years male: 61.72 years female: 61.99 years (2009 est.) Brazil total population: 71.99 years male: 68.43 years female: 75.73 years (2009 est.) British Virgin Islands total population: 77.26 years male: 76.03 years female: 78.55 years (2009 est.) Brunei total population: 75.74 years male: 73.52 years female: 78.07 years (2009 est.) Bulgaria total population: 73.09 years male: 69.48 years female: 76.91 years (2009 est.) Burkina Faso total population: 52.95 years male: 51.04 years female: 54.91 years (2009 est.) Burma total population: 63.39 years male: 61.17 years female: 65.74 years (2009 est.) Burundi total population: 52.09 years male: 51.2 years female: 53.01 years (2009 est.) Cambodia total population: 62.1 years male: 60.03 years female: 64.27 years (2009 est.) Cameroon total population: 53.69 years male: 52.89 years female: 54.52 years (2009 est.) Canada total population: 81.23 years male: 78.69 years female: 83.91 years (2009 est.) Cape Verde total population: 71.61 years male: 68.27 years female: 75.05 years (2009 est.) Cayman Islands total population: 80.44 years male: 77.8 years female: 83.14 years (2009 est.) Central African Republic total population: 44.47 years male: 44.4 years female: 44.54 years (2009 est.) Chad total population: 47.7 years male: 46.67 years female: 48.77 years (2009 est.) Chile total population: 77.34 years male: 74.07 years female: 80.77 years (2009 est.) China total population: 73.47 years male: 71.61 years female: 75.52 years (2009 est.) Christmas Island total population: NA male: NA female: NA Cocos (Keeling) Islands total population: NA male: NA female: NA Colombia total population: 72.81 years male: 68.98 years female: 76.76 years (2009 est.) Comoros total population: 63.47 years male: 61.07 years female: 65.94 years (2009 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the total population: 54.36 years male: 52.58 years female: 56.2 years (2009 est.) Congo, Republic of the total population: 54.15 years male: 52.9 years female: 55.43 years (2009 est.) Cook Islands total population: 74.22 years male: 71.46 years female: 77.13 years (2009 est.) Costa Rica total population: 77.58 years male: 74.96 years female: 80.34 years (2009 est.) Cote d'Ivoire total population: 55.45 years male: 54.64 years female: 56.28 years (2009 est.) Croatia total population: 75.35 years male: 71.72 years female: 79.18 years (2009 est.) Cuba total population: 77.45 years male: 75.19 years female: 79.85 years (2009 est.) Cyprus total population: 78.33 years male: 75.91 years female: 80.86 years (2009 est.) Czech Republic total population: 76.81 years male: 73.54 years female: 80.28 years (2009 est.) Denmark total population: 78.3 years male: 75.96 years female: 80.78 years (2009 est.) Djibouti total population: 43.37 years male: 41.89 years female: 44.89 years (2009 est.) Dominica total population: 75.55 years male: 72.61 years female: 78.64 years (2009 est.) Dominican Republic total population: 73.7 years male: 71.88 years female: 75.6 years (2009 est.) Ecuador total population: 75.3 years male: 72.37 years female: 78.37 years (2009 est.) Egypt total population: 72.12 years male: 69.56 years female: 74.81 years (2009 est.) El Salvador total population: 72.33 years male: 68.72 years female: 76.11 years (2009 est.) Equatorial Guinea total population: 61.61 years male: 60.71 years female: 62.54 years (2009 est.) Eritrea total population: 61.78 years male: 59.71 years female: 63.9 years (2009 est.) Estonia total population: 72.82 years male: 67.45 years female: 78.53 years (2009 est.) Ethiopia total population: 55.41 years male: 52.92 years female: 57.97 years (2009 est.) European Union total population: 78.67 years male: 75.54 years female: 81.97 years (2009 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) total population: NA male: NA female: NA Faroe Islands total population: 79.44 years male: 77 years female: 82.05 years (2009 est.) Fiji total population: 70.73 years male: 68.18 years female: 73.41 years (2009 est.) Finland total population: 78.97 years male: 75.48 years female: 82.61 years (2009 est.) France total population: 80.98 years male: 77.79 years female: 84.33 years (2009 est.) French Polynesia total population: 76.71 years male: 74.26 years female: 79.29 years (2009 est.) Gabon total population: 53.11 years male: 52.19 years female: 54.05 years (2009 est.) Gambia, The total population: 55.35 years male: 53.43 years female: 57.34 years (2009 est.) Gaza Strip total population: 73.42 years male: 71.82 years female: 75.12 years (2009 est.) Georgia total population: 76.72 years male: 73.41 years female: 80.45 years (2009 est.) Germany total population: 79.26 years male: 76.26 years female: 82.42 years (2009 est.) Ghana total population: 59.85 years male: 58.98 years female: 60.75 years (2009 est.) Gibraltar total population: 80.19 years male: 77.3 years female: 83.22 years (2009 est.) Greece total population: 79.66 years male: 77.11 years female: 82.37 years (2009 est.) Greenland total population: 70.07 years male: 67.44 years female: 72.85 years (2009 est.) Grenada total population: 65.95 years male: 64.06 years female: 67.85 years (2009 est.) Guam total population: 78.01 years male: 74.97 years female: 81.23 years (2009 est.) Guatemala total population: 70.29 years male: 68.49 years female: 72.19 years (2009 est.) Guernsey total population: 80.77 years male: 77.76 years female: 83.88 years (2009 est.) Guinea total population: 57.09 years male: 55.63 years female: 58.6 years (2009 est.) Guinea-Bissau total population: 47.9 years male: 46.07 years female: 49.79 years (2009 est.) Guyana total population: 66.68 years male: 64.09 years female: 69.4 years (2009 est.) Haiti total population: 60.78 years male: 59.13 years female: 62.48 years (2009 est.) Honduras total population: 69.4 years male: 67.86 years female: 71.02 years (2009 est.) Hong Kong total population: 81.86 years male: 79.16 years female: 84.79 years (2009 est.) Hungary total population: 73.44 years male: 69.27 years female: 77.87 years (2009 est.) Iceland total population: 80.67 years male: 78.53 years female: 82.9 years (2009 est.) India total population: 69.89 years male: 67.46 years female: 72.61 years (2009 est.) Indonesia total population: 70.76 years male: 68.26 years female: 73.38 years (2009 est.) Iran total population: 71.14 years male: 69.65 years female: 72.72 years (2009 est.) Iraq total population: 69.94 years male: 68.6 years female: 71.34 years (2009 est.) Ireland total population: 78.24 years male: 75.6 years female: 81.06 years (2009 est.) Isle of Man total population: 78.82 years male: 75.86 years female: 81.93 years (2009 est.) Israel total population: 80.73 years male: 78.62 years female: 82.95 years (2009 est.) Italy total population: 80.2 years male: 77.26 years female: 83.33 years (2009 est.) Jamaica total population: 73.53 years male: 71.83 years female: 75.3 years (2009 est.) Japan total population: 82.12 years male: 78.8 years female: 85.62 years (2009 est.) Jersey total population: 79.75 years male: 77.23 years female: 82.46 years (2009 est.) Jordan total population: 78.87 years male: 76.34 years female: 81.56 years (2009 est.) Kazakhstan total population: 67.87 years male: 62.58 years female: 73.47 years (2009 est.) Kenya total population: 57.86 years male: 57.49 years female: 58.24 years (2009 est.) Kiribati total population: 63.22 years male: 60.14 years female: 66.45 years (2009 est.) Korea, North total population: 63.81 years male: 61.23 years female: 66.53 years (2009 est.) Korea, South total population: 78.72 years male: 75.45 years female: 82.22 years (2009 est.) Kuwait total population: 77.71 years male: 76.51 years female: 78.95 years (2009 est.) Kyrgyzstan total population: 69.43 years male: 65.43 years female: 73.64 years (2009 est.) Laos total population: 56.68 years male: 54.56 years female: 58.9 years (2009 est.) Latvia total population: 72.15 years male: 66.98 years female: 77.59 years (2009 est.) Lebanon total population: 73.66 years male: 71.15 years female: 76.31 years (2009 est.) Lesotho total population: 40.38 years male: 41.18 years female: 39.54 years (2009 est.) Liberia total population: 41.84 years male: 40.71 years female: 43 years (2009 est.) Libya total population: 77.26 years male: 74.98 years female: 79.65 years (2009 est.) Liechtenstein total population: 80.06 years male: 76.59 years female: 83.53 years (2009 est.) Lithuania total population: 74.9 years male: 69.98 years female: 80.1 years (2009 est.) Luxembourg total population: 79.33 years male: 76.07 years female: 82.81 years (2009 est.) Macau total population: 84.36 years male: 81.39 years female: 87.47 years (2009 est.) Macedonia total population: 74.68 years male: 72.18 years female: 77.38 years (2009 est.) Madagascar total population: 62.89 years male: 60.93 years female: 64.91 years (2009 est.) Malawi total population: 43.82 years male: 44.07 years female: 43.57 years (2009 est.) Malaysia total population: 73.29 years male: 70.56 years female: 76.21 years (2009 est.) Maldives total population: 73.97 years male: 71.78 years female: 76.28 years (2009 est.) Mali total population: 50.35 years male: 48.38 years female: 52.38 years (2009 est.) Malta total population: 79.44 years male: 77.21 years female: 81.8 years (2009 est.) Marshall Islands total population: 71.19 years male: 69.15 years female: 73.34 years (2009 est.) Mauritania total population: 60.37 years male: 58.22 years female: 62.59 years (2009 est.) Mauritius total population: 74 years male: 70.53 years female: 77.65 years (2009 est.) Mayotte total population: 62.91 years male: 60.65 years female: 65.24 years (2009 est.) Mexico total population: 76.06 years male: 73.25 years female: 79 years (2009 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of total population: 70.94 years male: 69.06 years female: 72.93 years (2009 est.) Moldova total population: 70.8 years male: 67.1 years female: 74.71 years (2009 est.) Monaco total population: 80.09 years male: 76.3 years female: 84.09 years (2009 est.) Mongolia total population: 67.65 years male: 65.23 years female: 70.19 years (2009 est.) Montserrat total population: 72.76 years male: 74.74 years female: 70.68 years (2009 est.) Morocco total population: 71.8 years male: 69.42 years female: 74.3 years (2009 est.) Mozambique total population: 41.18 years male: 41.83 years female: 40.53 years (2009 est.) Namibia total population: 51.24 years male: 51.61 years female: 50.86 years (2009 est.) Nauru total population: 64.2 years male: 60.58 years female: 68.01 years (2009 est.) Nepal total population: 65.46 years male: 64.3 years female: 66.67 years (2009 est.) Netherlands total population: 79.4 years male: 76.8 years female: 82.14 years (2009 est.) Netherlands Antilles total population: 76.65 years male: 74.33 years female: 79.09 years (2009 est.) New Caledonia total population: 74.98 years male: 71.99 years female: 78.12 years (2009 est.) New Zealand total population: 80.36 years male: 78.43 years female: 82.39 years (2009 est.) Nicaragua total population: 71.5 years male: 69.35 years female: 73.75 years (2009 est.) Niger total population: 52.6 years male: 51.39 years female: 53.85 years (2009 est.) Nigeria total population: 46.94 years male: 46.16 years female: 47.76 years (2009 est.) Niue total population: NA male: NA female: NA Norfolk Island total population: NA male: NA female: NA Northern Mariana Islands total population: 76.7 years male: 74.08 years female: 79.47 years (2009 est.) Norway total population: 79.95 years male: 77.29 years female: 82.74 years (2009 est.) Oman total population: 74.16 years male: 71.87 years female: 76.55 years (2009 est.) Pakistan total population: 64.49 years male: 63.4 years female: 65.64 years (2009 est.) Palau total population: 71.22 years male: 68.08 years female: 74.54 years (2009 est.) Panama total population: 77.25 years male: 74.47 years female: 80.16 years (2009 est.) Papua New Guinea total population: 66.34 years male: 64.08 years female: 68.72 years (2009 est.) Paraguay total population: 75.77 years male: 73.19 years female: 78.49 years (2009 est.) Peru total population: 70.74 years male: 68.88 years female: 72.69 years (2009 est.) Philippines total population: 71.09 years male: 68.17 years female: 74.15 years (2009 est.) Pitcairn Islands total population: NA male: NA female: NA Poland total population: 75.63 years male: 71.65 years female: 79.85 years (2009 est.) Portugal total population: 78.21 years male: 74.95 years female: 81.69 years (2009 est.) Puerto Rico total population: 78.53 years male: 74.85 years female: 82.39 years (2009 est.) Qatar total population: 75.35 years male: 73.66 years female: 77.14 years (2009 est.) Romania total population: 72.45 years male: 68.95 years female: 76.16 years (2009 est.) Russia total population: 66.03 years male: 59.33 years female: 73.14 years (2009 est.) Rwanda total population: 50.52 years male: 49.25 years female: 51.83 years (2009 est.) Saint Helena total population: 78.44 years male: 75.52 years female: 81.5 years (2009 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis total population: 73.2 years male: 70.33 years female: 76.25 years (2009 est.) Saint Lucia total population: 76.45 years male: 73.78 years female: 79.27 years (2009 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon total population: 79.07 years male: 76.69 years female: 81.57 years (2009 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines total population: 73.65 years male: 71.82 years female: 75.54 years (2009 est.) Samoa total population: 71.86 years male: 69.03 years female: 74.84 years (2009 est.) San Marino total population: 81.97 years male: 78.53 years female: 85.72 years (2009 est.) Sao Tome and Principe total population: 68.32 years male: 66.65 years female: 70.04 years (2009 est.) Saudi Arabia total population: 76.3 years male: 74.23 years female: 78.48 years (2009 est.) Senegal total population: 59 years male: 57.12 years female: 60.93 years (2009 est.) Serbia total population: 73.9 years male: 71.09 years female: 76.89 years (2009 est.) Seychelles total population: 73.02 years male: 68.33 years female: 77.85 years (2009 est.) Sierra Leone total population: 41.24 years male: 38.92 years female: 43.64 years (2009 est.) Singapore total population: 81.98 years male: 79.37 years female: 84.78 years (2009 est.) Slovakia total population: 75.4 years male: 71.47 years female: 79.53 years (2009 est.) Slovenia total population: 76.92 years male: 73.25 years female: 80.84 years (2009 est.) Solomon Islands total population: 73.69 years male: 71.14 years female: 76.37 years (2009 est.) Somalia total population: 49.63 years male: 47.78 years female: 51.53 years (2009 est.) South Africa total population: 48.98 years male: 49.81 years female: 48.13 years (2009 est.) Spain total population: 80.05 years male: 76.74 years female: 83.57 years (2009 est.) Sri Lanka total population: 75.14 years male: 73.08 years female: 77.28 years (2009 est.) Sudan total population: 51.42 years male: 50.49 years female: 52.4 years (2009 est.) Suriname total population: 73.73 years male: 71 years female: 76.65 years (2009 est.) Svalbard total population: NA male: NA female: NA Swaziland total population: 31.99 years male: 31.69 years female: 32.3 years (2009 est.) Sweden total population: 80.86 years male: 78.59 years female: 83.26 years (2009 est.) Switzerland total population: 80.85 years male: 78.03 years female: 83.83 years (2009 est.) Syria total population: 71.19 years male: 69.8 years female: 72.68 years (2009 est.) Taiwan total population: 77.96 years male: 75.12 years female: 81.05 years (2009 est.) Tajikistan total population: 65.33 years male: 62.29 years female: 68.52 years (2009 est.) Tanzania total population: 52.01 years male: 50.56 years female: 53.51 years (2009 est.) Thailand total population: 73.1 years male: 70.77 years female: 75.55 years (2009 est.) Timor-Leste total population: 67.27 years male: 64.92 years female: 69.75 years (2009 est.) Togo total population: 58.69 years male: 56.56 years female: 60.88 years (2009 est.) Tokelau total population: NA male: NA female: NA Tonga total population: 70.73 years male: 68.18 years female: 73.41 years (2009 est.) Trinidad and Tobago total population: 70.86 years male: 67.98 years female: 73.82 years (2009 est.) Tunisia total population: 75.78 years male: 73.98 years female: 77.7 years (2009 est.) Turkey total population: 71.96 years male: 70.12 years female: 73.89 years (2009 est.) Turkmenistan total population: 67.87 years male: 64.94 years female: 70.95 years (2009 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands total population: 75.42 years male: 73.12 years female: 77.83 years (2009 est.) Tuvalu total population: 69.29 years male: 66.99 years female: 71.7 years (2009 est.) Uganda total population: 52.72 years male: 51.66 years female: 53.81 years (2009 est.) Ukraine total population: 68.25 years male: 62.37 years female: 74.5 years (2009 est.) United Arab Emirates total population: 76.11 years male: 73.56 years female: 78.78 years (2009 est.) United Kingdom total population: 79.01 years male: 76.52 years female: 81.63 years (2009 est.) United States total population: 78.11 years male: 75.65 years female: 80.69 years (2009 est.) Uruguay total population: 76.35 years male: 73.1 years female: 79.72 years (2009 est.) Uzbekistan total population: 71.96 years male: 68.95 years female: 75.15 years (2009 est.) Vanuatu total population: 63.98 years male: 62.37 years female: 65.66 years (2009 est.) Venezuela total population: 73.61 years male: 70.54 years female: 76.83 years (2009 est.) Vietnam total population: 71.58 years male: 68.78 years female: 74.57 years (2009 est.) Virgin Islands total population: 79.05 years male: 76.02 years female: 82.26 years (2009 est.) Wallis and Futuna total population: 78.2 years male: 75.22 years female: 81.32 years (2009 est.) West Bank total population: 74.54 years male: 72.54 years female: 76.65 years (2009 est.) Western Sahara total population: 54.32 years male: 52 years female: 56.73 years (2009 est.) World total population: 66.57 years male: 64.52 years female: 68.76 years (2009 est.) Yemen total population: 63.27 years male: 61.3 years female: 65.33 years (2009 est.) Zambia total population: 38.63 years male: 38.53 years female: 38.73 years (2009 est.) Zimbabwe total population: 45.77 years male: 46.36 years female: 45.16 years (2009 est.) ====================================================================== @2103 Field Listing :: Literacy This entry includes a definition of literacy and Census Bureau percentages for the total population, males, and females. There are no universal definitions and standards of literacy. Unless otherwise specified, all rates are based on the most common definition - the ability to read and write at a specified age. Detailing the standards that individual countries use to assess the ability to read and write is beyond the scope of the Factbook. Information on literacy, while not a perfect measure of educational results, is probably the most easily available and valid for international comparisons. Low levels of literacy, and education in general, can impede the economic development of a country in the current rapidly changing, technology-driven world. Country Literacy(%) Afghanistan definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 28.1% male: 43.1% female: 12.6% (2000 est.) Albania definition: age 9 and over can read and write total population: 98.7% male: 99.2% female: 98.3% (2001 census) Algeria definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 69.9% male: 79.6% female: 60.1% (2002 est.) American Samoa definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97% male: 98% female: 97% (1980 est.) Andorra definition: NA total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% Angola definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 67.4% male: 82.9% female: 54.2% (2001 est.) Anguilla definition: age 12 and over can read and write total population: 95% male: 95% female: 95% (1984 est.) Antigua and Barbuda definition: age 15 and over has completed five or more years of schooling total population: 85.8% male: NA female: NA (2003 est.) Argentina definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.2% male: 97.2% female: 97.2% (2001 census) Armenia definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.4% male: 99.7% female: 99.2% (2001 census) Aruba definition: NA total population: 97.3% male: 97.5% female: 97.1% (2000 census) Australia definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) Austria definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: NA female: NA Azerbaijan definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.8% male: 99.5% female: 98.2% (1999 census) Bahamas, The definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 95.6% male: 94.7% female: 96.5% (2003 est.) Bahrain definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 86.5% male: 88.6% female: 83.6% (2001 census) Bangladesh definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 47.9% male: 54% female: 41.4% (2001 Census) Barbados definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 99.7% male: 99.7% female: 99.7% (2002 est.) Belarus definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.6% male: 99.8% female: 99.4% (1999 census) Belgium definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) Belize definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 76.9% male: 76.7% female: 77.1% (2000 census) Benin definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 34.7% male: 47.9% female: 23.3% (2002 census) Bermuda definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: 98% female: 99% (2005 est.) Bhutan definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 47% male: 60% female: 34% (2003 est.) Bolivia definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 86.7% male: 93.1% female: 80.7% (2001 census) Bosnia and Herzegovina definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96.7% male: 99% female: 94.4% (2000 est.) Botswana definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 81.2% male: 80.4% female: 81.8% (2003 est.) Brazil definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 88.6% male: 88.4% female: 88.8% (2004 est.) British Virgin Islands definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.8% (1991 est.) male: NA female: NA Brunei definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.7% male: 95.2% female: 90.2% (2001 census) Bulgaria definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.2% male: 98.7% female: 97.7% (2001 census) Burkina Faso definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 21.8% male: 29.4% female: 15.2% (2003 est.) Burma definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 89.9% male: 93.9% female: 86.4% (2006 est.) Burundi definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 59.3% male: 67.3% female: 52.2% (2000 est.) Cambodia definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 73.6% male: 84.7% female: 64.1% (2004 est.) Cameroon definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 67.9% male: 77% female: 59.8% (2001 est.) Canada definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) Cape Verde definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 76.6% male: 85.8% female: 69.2% (2003 est.) Cayman Islands definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 98% male: 98% female: 98% (1970 est.) Central African Republic definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 48.6% male: 64.8% female: 33.5% (2000 est.) Chad definition: age 15 and over can read and write French or Arabic total population: 25.7% male: 40.8% female: 12.8% (2000 est.) Chile definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 95.7% male: 95.8% female: 95.6% (2002 census) China definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 90.9% male: 95.1% female: 86.5% (2000 census) Christmas Island NA Cocos (Keeling) Islands NA Colombia definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 90.4% male: 90.1% female: 90.7% (2005 census) Comoros definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 56.5% male: 63.6% female: 49.3% (2003 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the definition: age 15 and over can read and write French, Lingala, Kingwana, or Tshiluba total population: 67.2% male: 80.9% female: 54.1% (2001 est.) Congo, Republic of the definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 83.8% male: 89.6% female: 78.4% (2003 est.) Cook Islands definition: NA total population: 95% male: NA female: NA Costa Rica definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 94.9% male: 94.7% female: 95.1% (2000 census) Cote d'Ivoire definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 48.7% male: 60.8% female: 38.6% (2000 est.) Croatia definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.1% male: 99.3% female: 97.1% (2001 census) Cuba definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.8% male: 99.8% female: 99.8% (2002 census) Cyprus definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.6% male: 98.9% female: 96.3% (2001 census) Czech Republic definition: NA total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) Denmark definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) Djibouti definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 67.9% male: 78% female: 58.4% (2003 est.) Dominica definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 94% male: 94% female: 94% (2003 est.) Dominican Republic definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 87% male: 86.8% female: 87.2% (2002 census) Ecuador definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 91% male: 92.3% female: 89.7% (2001 census) Egypt definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 71.4% male: 83% female: 59.4% (2005 est.) El Salvador definition: age 10 and over can read and write total population: 80.2% male: 82.8% female: 77.7% (2003 est.) Equatorial Guinea definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 87% male: 93.4% female: 80.5% (2000 est.) Eritrea definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 58.6% male: 69.9% female: 47.6% (2003 est.) Estonia definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.8% male: 99.8% female: 99.8% (2000 census) Ethiopia definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 42.7% male: 50.3% female: 35.1% (2003 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) NA Faroe Islands NA; note - probably 99%, the same as Denmark proper Fiji definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93.7% male: 95.5% female: 91.9% (2003 est.) Finland definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% (2000 est.) France definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) French Polynesia definition: age 14 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: 98% female: 98% (1977 est.) Gabon definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 63.2% male: 73.7% female: 53.3% (1995 est.) Gambia, The definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 40.1% male: 47.8% female: 32.8% (2003 est.) Gaza Strip definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.4% male: 96.7% female: 88% (2004 est.) Georgia definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% (2004 est.) Germany definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) Ghana definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 57.9% male: 66.4% female: 49.8% (2000 census) Gibraltar definition: NA total population: above 80% male: NA female: NA Greece definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96% male: 97.8% female: 94.2% (2001 census) Greenland definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% (2001 est.) Grenada definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96% male: NA female: NA (2003 est.) Guam definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (1990 est.) Guatemala definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 69.1% male: 75.4% female: 63.3% (2002 census) Guernsey NA Guinea definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 29.5% male: 42.6% female: 18.1% (2003 est.) Guinea-Bissau definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 42.4% male: 58.1% female: 27.4% (2003 est.) Guyana definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 98.8% male: 99.1% female: 98.5% (2003 est.) Haiti definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 52.9% male: 54.8% female: 51.2% (2003 est.) Holy See (Vatican City) definition: NA total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% Honduras definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 80% male: 79.8% female: 80.2% (2001 census) Hong Kong definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 93.5% male: 96.9% female: 89.6% (2002) Hungary definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.4% male: 99.5% female: 99.3% (2003 est.) Iceland definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) India definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 61% male: 73.4% female: 47.8% (2001 census) Indonesia definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 90.4% male: 94% female: 86.8% (2004 est.) Iran definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 77% male: 83.5% female: 70.4% (2002 est.) Iraq definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 74.1% male: 84.1% female: 64.2% (2000 est.) Ireland definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) Isle of Man NA Israel definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.1% male: 98.5% female: 95.9% (2004 est.) Italy definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.4% male: 98.8% female: 98% (2001 census) Jamaica definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 87.9% male: 84.1% female: 91.6% (2003 est.) Japan definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2002) Jersey NA Jordan definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 89.9% male: 95.1% female: 84.7% (2003 est.) Kazakhstan definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.5% male: 99.8% female: 99.3% (1999 est.) Kenya definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 85.1% male: 90.6% female: 79.7% (2003 est.) Kiribati NA Korea, North definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% Korea, South definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.9% male: 99.2% female: 96.6% (2002) Kosovo definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 91.9% male: 96.6% female: 87.5% (2007 Census) Kuwait definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93.3% male: 94.4% female: 91% (2005 census) Kyrgyzstan definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.7% male: 99.3% female: 98.1% (1999 census) Laos definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 68.7% male: 77% female: 60.9% (2001 est.) Latvia definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.7% male: 99.8% female: 99.7% (2000 census) Lebanon definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 87.4% male: 93.1% female: 82.2% (2003 est.) Lesotho definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 84.8% male: 74.5% female: 94.5% (2003 est.) Liberia definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 57.5% male: 73.3% female: 41.6% (2003 est.) Libya definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 82.6% male: 92.4% female: 72% (2003 est.) Liechtenstein definition: age 10 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% Lithuania definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.6% male: 99.6% female: 99.6% (2001 census) Luxembourg definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% (2000 est.) Macau definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 91.3% male: 95.3% female: 87.8% (2001 census) Macedonia definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96.1% male: 98.2% female: 94.1% (2002 census) Madagascar definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 68.9% male: 75.5% female: 62.5% (2003 est.) Malawi definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 62.7% male: 76.1% female: 49.8% (2003 est.) Malaysia definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 88.7% male: 92% female: 85.4% (2000 census) Maldives definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96.3% male: 96.2% female: 96.4% (2000 census) Mali definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 46.4% male: 53.5% female: 39.6% (2003 est.) Malta definition: age 10 and over can read and write total population: 92.8% male: 92% female: 93.6% (2003 est.) Marshall Islands definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93.7% male: 93.6% female: 93.7% (1999) Mauritania definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 51.2% male: 59.5% female: 43.4% (2000 census) Mauritius definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 84.4% male: 88.4% female: 80.5% (2000 census) Mayotte NA Mexico definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 91% male: 92.4% female: 89.6% (2004 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 89% male: 91% female: 88% (1980 est.) Moldova definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.1% male: 99.7% female: 98.6% (2005 est.) Monaco definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) Mongolia definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.8% male: 98% female: 97.5% (2000 census) Montserrat definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 97% male: 97% female: 97% (1970 est.) Morocco definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 52.3% male: 65.7% female: 39.6% (2004 census) Mozambique definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 47.8% male: 63.5% female: 32.7% (2003 est.) Namibia definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 85% male: 86.8% female: 83.5% (2001 census) Nauru NA Nepal definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 48.6% male: 62.7% female: 34.9% (2001 census) Netherlands definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) Netherlands Antilles definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96.7% male: 96.7% female: 96.8% (2003 est.) New Caledonia definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96.2% male: 96.8% female: 95.5% (1996 census) New Zealand definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) Nicaragua definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 67.5% male: 67.2% female: 67.8% (2003 est.) Niger definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 28.7% male: 42.9% female: 15.1% (2005 est.) Nigeria definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 68% male: 75.7% female: 60.6% (2003 est.) Niue definition: NA total population: 95% male: NA female: NA Norfolk Island NA Northern Mariana Islands definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97% male: 97% female: 96% (1980 est.) Norway definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% Oman definition: NA total population: 81.4% male: 86.8% female: 73.5% (2003 census) Pakistan definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 49.9% male: 63% female: 36% (2005 est.) Palau definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92% male: 93% female: 90% (1980 est.) Panama definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 91.9% male: 92.5% female: 91.2% (2000 census) Papua New Guinea definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 57.3% male: 63.4% female: 50.9% (2000 census) Paraguay definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 94% male: 94.9% female: 93% (2003 est.) Peru definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.9% male: 96.4% female: 89.4% (2007 Census) Philippines definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.6% male: 92.5% female: 92.7% (2000 census) Pitcairn Islands NA Poland definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.8% male: 99.8% female: 99.7% (2003 est.) Portugal definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93.3% male: 95.5% female: 91.3% (2003 est.) Puerto Rico definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 94.1% male: 93.9% female: 94.4% (2002 est.) Qatar definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 89% male: 89.1% female: 88.6% (2004 census) Romania definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.3% male: 98.4% female: 96.3% (2002 census) Russia definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.4% male: 99.7% female: 99.2% (2002 census) Rwanda definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 70.4% male: 76.3% female: 64.7% (2003 est.) Saint Helena definition: age 20 and over can read and write total population: 97% male: 97% female: 98% (1987 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 97.8% male: NA female: NA (2003 est.) Saint Lucia definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 90.1% male: 89.5% female: 90.6% (2001 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (1982 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 96% male: 96% female: 96% (1970 est.) Samoa definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.7% male: 99.6% female: 99.7% (2003 est.) San Marino definition: age 10 and over can read and write total population: 96% male: 97% female: 95% Sao Tome and Principe definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 84.9% male: 92.2% female: 77.9% (2001 census) Saudi Arabia definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 78.8% male: 84.7% female: 70.8% (2003 est.) Senegal definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 39.3% male: 51.1% female: 29.2% (2002 est.) Serbia definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96.4% male: 98.9% female: 94.1% (2003 census) note: includes Montenegro Seychelles definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 91.8% male: 91.4% female: 92.3% (2002 census) Sierra Leone definition: age 15 and over can read and write English, Mende, Temne, or Arabic total population: 35.1% male: 46.9% female: 24.4% (2004 est.) Singapore definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.5% male: 96.6% female: 88.6% (2000 census) Slovakia definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.6% male: 99.7% female: 99.6% (2004) Slovenia definition: NA total population: 99.7% male: 99.7% female: 99.6% Solomon Islands NA Somalia definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 37.8% male: 49.7% female: 25.8% (2001 est.) South Africa definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 86.4% male: 87% female: 85.7% (2003 est.) Spain definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.9% male: 98.7% female: 97.2% (2003 est.) Sri Lanka definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 90.7% male: 92.3% female: 89.1% (2001 census) Sudan definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 61.1% male: 71.8% female: 50.5% (2003 est.) Suriname definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 89.6% male: 92% female: 87.2% (2004 census) Svalbard NA Swaziland definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 81.6% male: 82.6% female: 80.8% (2003 est.) Sweden definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) Switzerland definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) Syria definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 79.6% male: 86% female: 73.6% (2004 census) Taiwan definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96.1% male: NA female: NA (2003) Tajikistan definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.5% male: 99.7% female: 99.2% (2000 census) Tanzania definition: age 15 and over can read and write Kiswahili (Swahili), English, or Arabic total population: 69.4% male: 77.5% female: 62.2% (2002 census) Thailand definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.6% male: 94.9% female: 90.5% (2000 census) Timor-Leste definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 58.6% male: NA female: NA (2002) Togo definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 60.9% male: 75.4% female: 46.9% (2003 est.) Tokelau NA Tonga definition: can read and write Tongan and/or English total population: 98.9% male: 98.8% female: 99% (1999 est.) Trinidad and Tobago definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.6% male: 99.1% female: 98% (2003 est.) Tunisia definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 74.3% male: 83.4% female: 65.3% (2004 census) Turkey definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 87.4% male: 95.3% female: 79.6% (2004 est.) Turkmenistan definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.8% male: 99.3% female: 98.3% (1999 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 98% male: 99% female: 98% (1970 est.) Tuvalu NA Uganda definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 66.8% male: 76.8% female: 57.7% (2002 census) Ukraine definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.4% male: 99.7% female: 99.2% (2001 census) United Arab Emirates definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 77.9% male: 76.1% female: 81.7% (2003 est.) United Kingdom definition: age 15 and over has completed five or more years of schooling total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) United States definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) Uruguay definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: 97.6% female: 98.4% (2003 est.) Uzbekistan definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.3% male: 99.6% female: 99% (2003 est.) Vanuatu definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 74% male: NA female: NA (1999 census) Venezuela definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93% male: 93.3% female: 92.7% (2001 census) Vietnam definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 90.3% male: 93.9% female: 86.9% (2002 est.) Virgin Islands definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 90-95% est. male: NA female: NA (2005 est.) Wallis and Futuna definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 50% male: 50% female: 50% (1969 est.) West Bank definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.4% male: 96.7% female: 88% (2004 est.) Western Sahara NA World definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 82% male: 87% female: 77% note: over two-thirds of the world's 785 million illiterate adults are found in only eight countries (Bangladesh, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Pakistan); of all the illiterate adults in the world, two-thirds are women; extremely low literacy rates are concentrated in three regions, the Arab states, South and West Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa, where around one-third of the men and half of all women are illiterate (2005 est.) Yemen definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 50.2% male: 70.5% female: 30% (2003 est.) Zambia definition: age 15 and over can read and write English total population: 80.6% male: 86.8% female: 74.8% (2003 est.) Zimbabwe definition: age 15 and over can read and write English total population: 90.7% male: 94.2% female: 87.2% (2003 est.) ====================================================================== @2105 Field Listing :: Manpower available for military service This entry gives the number of males and females falling in the military age range for a country (defined as being ages 16-49) and assumes that every individual is fit to serve. Country Manpower available for military service Afghanistan males age 16-49: 7,431,147 females age 16-49: 7,004,819 (2008 est.) Albania males age 16-49: 944,592 females age 16-49: 908,527 (2008 est.) Algeria males age 16-49: 9,736,757 females age 16-49: 9,590,978 (2008 est.) Andorra males age 16-49: 18,685 (2008 est.) Angola males age 16-49: 2,856,492 females age 16-49: 2,755,864 (2008 est.) Anguilla males age 16-49: 3,538 (2008 est.) Antigua and Barbuda males age 16-49: 19,560 females age 16-49: 18,977 (2008 est.) Argentina males age 16-49: 10,029,488 females age 16-49: 9,889,002 (2008 est.) Armenia males age 16-49: 809,576 females age 16-49: 870,864 (2008 est.) Aruba males age 16-49: 24,585 females age 16-49: 25,742 (2008 est.) Australia males age 16-49: 4,999,988 females age 16-49: 4,870,043 (2008 est.) Austria males age 16-49: 1,986,411 females age 16-49: 1,944,834 (2008 est.) Azerbaijan males age 16-49: 2,278,888 females age 16-49: 2,291,770 (2008 est.) Bahamas, The males age 16-49: 80,200 (2008 est.) Bahrain males age 16-49: 210,938 females age 16-49: 170,471 (2008 est.) Bangladesh males age 16-49: 41,199,340 (2008 est.) Barbados males age 16-49: 75,265 females age 16-49: 75,389 (2008 est.) Belarus males age 16-49: 2,491,643 females age 16-49: 2,528,779 (2008 est.) Belgium males age 16-49: 2,407,128 females age 16-49: 2,340,039 (2008 est.) Belize males age 16-49: 74,605 females age 16-49: 72,926 (2008 est.) Benin males age 16-49: 1,908,457 females age 16-49: 1,882,421 (2008 est.) Bermuda males age 16-49: 15,623 (2008 est.) Bhutan males age 16-49: 190,104 females age 16-49: 167,289 (2008 est.) Bolivia males age 16-49: 2,295,746 females age 16-49: 2,366,828 (2008 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina males age 16-49: 1,212,007 females age 16-49: 1,170,645 (2008 est.) Botswana males age 16-49: 487,853 females age 16-49: 464,278 (2008 est.) Brazil males age 16-49: 52,449,957 females age 16-49: 52,375,921 (2008 est.) British Virgin Islands males age 16-49: 7,101 (2008 est.) Brunei males age 16-49: 108,356 females age 16-49: 110,153 (2008 est.) Bulgaria males age 16-49: 1,701,979 females age 16-49: 1,691,092 (2008 est.) Burkina Faso males age 16-49: 3,364,288 (2008 est.) Burma males age 16-49: 13,402,788 females age 16-49: 13,437,042 (2008 est.) Burundi males age 16-49: 1,878,544 females age 16-49: 1,851,676 (2008 est.) Cambodia males age 16-49: 3,759,034 females age 16-49: 3,784,333 (2008 est.) Cameroon males age 16-49: 4,321,175 females age 16-49: 4,228,625 (2008 est.) Canada males age 16-49: 8,072,010 females age 16-49: 7,813,462 (2008 est.) Cape Verde males age 16-49: 103,650 females age 16-49: 103,553 (2008 est.) Cayman Islands males age 16-49: 11,790 (2008 est.) Central African Republic males age 16-49: 1,032,828 females age 16-49: 999,330 (2008 est.) Chad males age 16-49: 1,906,545 females age 16-49: 2,258,758 (2008 est.) Chile males age 16-49: 4,242,912 females age 16-49: 4,182,509 (2008 est.) China males age 16-49: 375,009,345 females age 16-49: 354,314,328 (2008 est.) Colombia males age 16-49: 11,478,109 females age 16-49: 11,809,279 (2008 est.) Comoros males age 16-49: 167,850 females age 16-49: 167,362 (2008 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the males age 16-49: 14,101,263 (2008 est.) Congo, Republic of the males age 16-49: 842,771 females age 16-49: 833,624 (2008 est.) Costa Rica males age 16-49: 1,134,205 females age 16-49: 1,095,763 (2008 est.) Cote d'Ivoire males age 16-49: 4,369,735 females age 16-49: 4,287,042 (2008 est.) Croatia males age 16-49: 1,035,712 females age 16-49: 1,037,896 (2008 est.) Cuba males age 16-49: 3,094,388 females age 16-49: 3,024,876 (2008 est.) Cyprus Greek Cypriot National Guard (GCNG): males age 16-49: 199,767 females age 16-49: 190,665 (2008 est.) Czech Republic males age 16-49: 2,522,383 females age 16-49: 2,425,095 (2008 est.) Denmark males age 16-49: 1,235,067 females age 16-49: 1,215,418 (2008 est.) Djibouti males age 16-49: 111,274 females age 16-49: 105,168 (2008 est.) Dominica males age 16-49: 18,584 (2008 est.) Dominican Republic males age 16-49: 2,440,203 females age 16-49: 2,326,694 (2008 est.) Ecuador males age 16-49: 3,536,602 females age 16-49: 3,559,188 (2008 est.) Egypt males age 16-49: 21,247,777 females age 16-49: 20,406,408 (2008 est.) El Salvador males age 16-49: 1,634,816 females age 16-49: 1,775,474 (2008 est.) Equatorial Guinea males age 16-49: 136,725 females age 16-49: 138,018 (2008 est.) Eritrea males age 16-49: 1,108,836 females age 16-49: 1,096,120 (2008 est.) Estonia males age 16-49: 306,273 females age 16-49: 317,852 (2008 est.) Ethiopia males age 16-49: 17,666,967 females age 16-49: 17,530,211 (2008 est.) Faroe Islands males age 16-49: 11,725 (2008 est.) Fiji males age 16-49: 242,567 females age 16-49: 238,556 (2008 est.) Finland males age 16-49: 1,169,910 females age 16-49: 1,121,187 (2008 est.) France males age 16-49: 14,646,427 females age 16-49: 14,379,630 (2008 est.) French Polynesia males age 16-49: 79,540 (2008 est.) Gabon males age 16-49: 331,181 females age 16-49: 332,498 (2008 est.) Gambia, The males age 16-49: 379,668 females age 16-49: 384,438 (2008 est.) Gaza Strip males age 16-49: 337,670 (2008 est.) Georgia males age 16-49: 1,113,251 females age 16-49: 1,168,021 (2008 est.) Germany males age 16-49: 19,594,118 females age 16-49: 18,543,955 (2008 est.) Ghana males age 16-49: 5,802,096 females age 16-49: 5,729,939 (2008 est.) Gibraltar males age 16-49: 6,308 (2008 est.) Greece males age 16-49: 2,535,174 females age 16-49: 2,517,273 (2008 est.) Greenland males age 16-49: 15,221 (2008 est.) Grenada males age 16-49: 27,309 (2008 est.) Guatemala males age 16-49: 2,861,696 females age 16-49: 3,062,967 (2008 est.) Guinea males age 16-49: 2,230,049 females age 16-49: 2,193,236 (2008 est.) Guinea-Bissau males age 16-49: 344,087 females age 16-49: 347,886 (2008 est.) Guyana males age 16-49: 220,797 (2008 est.) Haiti males age 16-49: 2,047,083 females age 16-49: 2,047,953 (2008 est.) Honduras males age 16-49: 1,868,940 females age 16-49: 1,825,770 (2008 est.) Hong Kong males age 16-49: 1,772,820 females age 16-49: 1,941,448 (2008 est.) Hungary males age 16-49: 2,391,400 females age 16-49: 2,337,240 (2008 est.) Iceland males age 16-49: 74,896 (2008 est.) India males age 16-49: 301,094,084 females age 16-49: 283,047,141 (2008 est.) Indonesia males age 16-49: 63,800,825 females age 16-49: 61,729,717 (2008 est.) Iran males age 16-49: 20,212,275 females age 16-49: 19,638,751 (2008 est.) Iraq males age 16-49: 7,086,200 females age 16-49: 6,808,954 (2008 est.) Ireland males age 16-49: 1,024,635 females age 16-49: 1,024,276 (2008 est.) Israel males age 16-49: 1,717,362 females age 16-49: 1,636,574 (2008 est.) Italy males age 16-49: 13,884,079 females age 16-49: 13,158,378 (2008 est.) Jamaica males age 16-49: 688,480 females age 16-49: 709,548 (2008 est.) Japan males age 16-49: 27,819,804 females age 16-49: 26,863,794 (2008 est.) Jordan males age 16-49: 1,812,551 females age 16-49: 1,559,155 (2008 est.) Kazakhstan males age 16-49: 4,176,731 females age 16-49: 4,219,636 (2008 est.) Kenya males age 16-49: 9,044,685 females age 16-49: 8,805,736 (2008 est.) Kiribati males age 16-49: 26,377 (2008 est.) Korea, North males age 16-49: 6,225,747 females age 16-49: 6,188,270 (2008 est.) Korea, South males age 16-49: 13,691,809 females age 16-49: 13,029,859 (2008 est.) Kuwait males age 16-49: 1,032,408 females age 16-49: 568,657 (2008 est.) Kyrgyzstan males age 16-49: 1,398,878 females age 16-49: 1,419,374 (2008 est.) Laos males age 16-49: 1,549,774 females age 16-49: 1,570,702 (2008 est.) Latvia males age 16-49: 568,683 females age 16-49: 565,826 (2008 est.) Lebanon males age 16-49: 1,106,879 females age 16-49: 1,122,595 (2008 est.) Lesotho males age 16-49: 525,203 females age 16-49: 522,485 (2008 est.) Liberia males age 16-49: 729,813 females age 16-49: 741,223 (2008 est.) Libya males age 16-49: 1,682,183 females age 16-49: 1,611,001 (2008 est.) Liechtenstein males age 16-49: 8,102 (2008 est.) Lithuania males age 16-49: 915,187 females age 16-49: 906,097 (2008 est.) Luxembourg males age 16-49: 116,305 females age 16-49: 114,566 (2008 est.) Macau males age 16-49: 121,825 (2008 est.) Macedonia males age 16-49: 532,856 females age 16-49: 513,684 (2008 est.) Madagascar males age 16-49: 4,443,341 females age 16-49: 4,441,124 (2008 est.) Malawi males age 16-49: 3,050,444 (2008 est.) Malaysia males age 16-49: 6,440,338 females age 16-49: 6,280,826 (2008 est.) Maldives males age 16-49: 89,505 females age 16-49: 85,745 (2008 est.) Mali males age 16-49: 2,603,700 females age 16-49: 2,441,776 (2008 est.) Malta males age 16-49: 96,309 females age 16-49: 92,242 (2008 est.) Marshall Islands males age 16-49: 15,708 (2008 est.) Mauritania males age 16-49: 740,675 females age 16-49: 744,709 (2008 est.) Mauritius males age 16-49: 341,018 (2008 est.) Mexico males age 16-49: 27,774,688 females age 16-49: 29,376,791 (2008 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of males age 16-49: 26,686 (2008 est.) Moldova males age 16-49: 1,161,924 females age 16-49: 1,187,771 (2008 est.) Monaco males age 16-49: 6,687 (2008 est.) Mongolia males age 16-49: 865,425 females age 16-49: 860,669 (2008 est.) Montserrat males age 16-49: 2,528 (2008 est.) Morocco males age 16-49: 9,152,580 females age 16-49: 9,080,830 (2008 est.) Mozambique males age 16-49: 4,545,975 (2008 est.) Namibia males age 16-49: 527,948 (2008 est.) Nauru males age 16-49: 3,470 (2008 est.) Nepal males age 16-49: 7,322,965 females age 16-49: 6,859,064 (2008 est.) Netherlands males age 16-49: 3,950,825 females age 16-49: 3,850,800 (2008 est.) Netherlands Antilles males age 16-49: 55,365 females age 16-49: 57,060 (2008 est.) New Caledonia males age 16-49: 57,738 (2008 est.) New Zealand males age 16-49: 1,009,298 females age 16-49: 997,134 (2008 est.) Nicaragua males age 16-49: 1,513,312 females age 16-49: 1,507,999 (2008 est.) Niger males age 16-49: 2,871,868 females age 16-49: 2,696,966 (2008 est.) Nigeria males age 16-49: 31,929,204 females age 16-49: 30,638,979 (2008 est.) Norway males age 16-49: 1,078,181 females age 16-49: 1,046,550 (2008 est.) Oman males age 16-49: 802,455 females age 16-49: 626,841 (2008 est.) Pakistan males age 16-49: 42,633,765 females age 16-49: 40,114,017 (2008 est.) Palau males age 16-49: 5,973 (2008 est.) Panama males age 16-49: 851,044 (2008 est.) Papua New Guinea males age 16-49: 1,481,417 females age 16-49: 1,385,040 (2008 est.) Paraguay males age 16-49: 1,589,873 females age 16-49: 1,585,573 (2008 est.) Peru males age 16-49: 7,653,898 females age 16-49: 7,531,329 (2008 est.) Philippines males age 16-49: 23,547,252 females age 16-49: 23,177,487 (2008 est.) Poland males age 16-49: 9,741,508 females age 16-49: 9,514,843 (2008 est.) Portugal males age 16-49: 2,573,913 females age 16-49: 2,498,262 (2008 est.) Qatar males age 16-49: 320,383 females age 16-49: 167,475 (2008 est.) Romania males age 16-49: 5,682,299 females age 16-49: 5,557,098 (2008 est.) Russia males age 16-49: 36,219,908 females age 16-49: 37,019,853 (2008 est.) Rwanda males age 16-49: 2,430,469 females age 16-49: 2,392,933 (2008 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis males age 16-49: 10,095 females age 16-49: 10,081 (2008 est.) Saint Lucia males age 16-49: 48,358 (2008 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines males age 16-49: 34,373 (2008 est.) Samoa males age 16-49: 53,417 (2008 est.) San Marino males age 16-49: 6,613 (2008 est.) Sao Tome and Principe males age 16-49: 42,340 females age 16-49: 43,781 (2008 est.) Saudi Arabia males age 16-49: 8,547,441 females age 16-49: 6,381,098 (2008 est.) Senegal males age 16-49: 2,943,619 females age 16-49: 2,955,179 (2008 est.) Seychelles males age 16-49: 23,598 females age 16-49: 24,424 (2008 est.) Sierra Leone males age 16-49: 1,315,561 (2008 est.) Singapore males age 16-49: 1,277,862 (2008 est.) Slovakia males age 16-49: 1,420,966 females age 16-49: 1,386,259 (2008 est.) Slovenia males age 16-49: 494,496 females age 16-49: 481,180 (2008 est.) Solomon Islands males age 16-49: 141,051 (2008 est.) Somalia males age 16-49: 2,181,050 females age 16-49: 2,125,558 (2008 est.) South Africa males age 16-49: 11,622,507 females age 16-49: 11,501,537 (2008 est.) Spain males age 16-49: 10,033,069 females age 16-49: 9,764,937 (2008 est.) Sri Lanka males age 16-49: 5,458,720 females age 16-49: 5,594,006 (2008 est.) Sudan males age 16-49: 9,639,923 females age 16-49: 9,321,106 (2008 est.) Suriname males age 16-49: 130,534 females age 16-49: 130,243 (2008 est.) Swaziland males age 16-49: 266,311 (2008 est.) Sweden males age 16-49: 2,052,890 females age 16-49: 1,980,550 (2008 est.) Switzerland males age 16-49: 1,852,580 females age 16-49: 1,807,667 (2008 est.) Syria males age 16-49: 5,251,875 females age 16-49: 4,966,367 (2008 est.) Taiwan males age 16-49: 6,283,134 females age 16-49: 6,098,599 (2008 est.) Tajikistan males age 16-49: 1,897,356 females age 16-49: 1,911,594 (2008 est.) Tanzania males age 16-49: 9,108,177 (2008 est.) Thailand males age 16-49: 17,553,410 females age 16-49: 17,751,268 (2008 est.) Timor-Leste males age 16-49: 284,903 females age 16-49: 272,212 (2008 est.) Togo males age 16-49: 1,365,505 females age 16-49: 1,374,993 (2008 est.) Tonga males age 16-49: 32,053 females age 16-49: 30,981 (2008 est.) Trinidad and Tobago males age 16-49: 301,561 females age 16-49: 264,225 (2008 est.) Tunisia males age 16-49: 2,992,249 females age 16-49: 2,912,819 (2008 est.) Turkey males age 16-49: 20,213,205 females age 16-49: 19,432,688 (2008 est.) Turkmenistan males age 16-49: 1,316,698 females age 16-49: 1,331,005 (2008 est.) Uganda males age 16-49: 6,532,894 females age 16-49: 6,352,416 (2008 est.) Ukraine males age 16-49: 11,457,562 females age 16-49: 11,767,357 (2008 est.) United Arab Emirates males age 16-49: 2,405,884 (includes non-nationals) females age 16-49: 884,853 (2008 est.) United Kingdom males age 16-49: 14,729,500 females age 16-49: 14,125,600 (2008 est.) United States males age 16-49: 72,715,332 females age 16-49: 71,638,785 (2008 est.) Uruguay males age 16-49: 837,252 females age 16-49: 824,096 (2008 est.) Uzbekistan males age 16-49: 7,480,484 females age 16-49: 7,542,017 (2008 est.) Vanuatu males age 16-49: 58,900 (2008 est.) Venezuela males age 16-49: 6,647,124 females age 16-49: 6,801,133 (2008 est.) Vietnam males age 16-49: 24,586,328 females age 16-49: 24,335,132 (2008 est.) Yemen males age 16-49: 5,080,038 females age 16-49: 4,852,555 (2008 est.) Zambia males age 16-49: 2,678,668 females age 16-49: 2,567,433 (2008 est.) Zimbabwe males age 16-49: 3,264,258 females age 16-49: 3,048,049 (2008 est.) ====================================================================== @2106 Field Listing :: Maritime claims This entry includes the following claims, the definitions of which are excerpted from the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which alone contains the full and definitive descriptions: territorial sea - the sovereignty of a coastal state extends beyond its land territory and internal waters to an adjacent belt of sea, described as the territorial sea in the UNCLOS (Part II); this sovereignty extends to the air space over the territorial sea as well as its underlying seabed and subsoil; every state has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles; the normal baseline for measuring the breadth of the territorial sea is the mean low-water line along the coast as marked on large-scale charts officially recognized by the coastal state; the UNCLOS describes specific rules for archipelagic states. contiguous zone - according to the UNCLOS (Article 33), this is a zone contiguous to a coastal state's territorial sea, over which it may exercise the control necessary to: prevent infringement of its customs, fiscal, immigration, or sanitary laws and regulations within its territory or territorial sea; punish infringement of the above laws and regulations committed within its territory or territorial sea; the contiguous zone may not extend beyond 24 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured (e.g. the US has claimed a 12-nautical mile contiguous zone in addition to its 12-nautical mile territorial sea). exclusive economic zone (EEZ) - the UNCLOS (Part V) defines the EEZ as a zone beyond and adjacent to the territorial sea in which a coastal state has: sovereign rights for the purpose of exploring and exploiting, conserving and managing the natural resources, whether living or non-living, of the waters superjacent to the seabed and of the seabed and its subsoil, and with regard to other activities for the economic exploitation and exploration of the zone, such as the production of energy from the water, currents, and winds; jurisdiction with regard to the establishment and use of artificial islands, installations, and structures; marine scientific research; the protection and preservation of the marine environment; the outer limit of the exclusive economic zone shall not exceed 200 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured. continental shelf - the UNCLOS (Article 76) defines the continental shelf of a coastal state as comprising the seabed and subsoil of the submarine areas that extend beyond its territorial sea throughout the natural prolongation of its land territory to the outer edge of the continental margin, or to a distance of 200 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured where the outer edge of the continental margin does not extend up to that distance; the continental margin comprises the submerged prolongation of the landmass of the coastal state, and consists of the seabed and subsoil of the shelf, the slope and the rise; wherever the continental margin extends beyond 200 nautical miles from the baseline, coastal states may extend their claim to a distance not to exceed 350 nautical miles from the baseline or 100 nautical miles from the 2500 meter isobath; it does not include the deep ocean floor with its oceanic ridges or the subsoil thereof. exclusive fishing zone - while this term is not used in the UNCLOS, some states (e.g., the United Kingdom) have chosen not to claim an EEZ, but rather to claim jurisdiction over the living resources off their coast; in such cases, the term exclusive fishing zone is often used; the breadth of this zone is normally the same as the EEZ or 200 nautical miles. Country Maritime claims Afghanistan none (landlocked) Albania territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Algeria territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 32-52 nm American Samoa territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Andorra none (landlocked) Angola territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Anguilla territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Antarctica Australia, Chile, and Argentina claim Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) rights or similar over 200 nm extensions seaward from their continental claims, but like the claims themselves, these zones are not accepted by other countries; 21 of 28 Antarctic consultative nations have made no claims to Antarctic territory (although Russia and the US have reserved the right to do so) and do not recognize the claims of the other nations; also see the Disputes - international entry Antigua and Barbuda territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Argentina territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Armenia none (landlocked) Aruba territorial sea: 12 nm Ashmore and Cartier Islands territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Australia territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Austria none (landlocked) Azerbaijan none (landlocked) Bahamas, The territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Bahrain territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: extending to boundaries to be determined Bangladesh territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 18 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: up to the outer limits of the continental margin Barbados territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Belarus none (landlocked) Belgium territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: geographic coordinates define outer limit continental shelf: median line with neighbors Belize territorial sea: 12 nm in the north, 3 nm in the south; note - from the mouth of the Sarstoon River to Ranguana Cay, Belize's territorial sea is 3 nm; according to Belize's Maritime Areas Act, 1992, the purpose of this limitation is to provide a framework for negotiating a definitive agreement on territorial differences with Guatemala exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Benin territorial sea: 200 nm Bermuda territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Bhutan none (landlocked) Bolivia none (landlocked) Bosnia and Herzegovina no data available Botswana none (landlocked) Bouvet Island territorial sea: 4 nm Brazil territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to edge of the continental margin British Indian Ocean Territory territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm British Virgin Islands territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Brunei territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or to median line Bulgaria territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Burkina Faso none (landlocked) Burma territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Burundi none (landlocked) Cambodia territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm Cameroon territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm Canada territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Cape Verde measured from claimed archipelagic baselines territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Cayman Islands territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Central African Republic none (landlocked) Chad none (landlocked) Chile territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200/350 nm China territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Christmas Island territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Clipperton Island territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Cocos (Keeling) Islands territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Colombia territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Comoros territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Congo, Democratic Republic of the territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: boundaries with neighbors Congo, Republic of the territorial sea: 200 nm Cook Islands territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Coral Sea Islands territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Costa Rica territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm Cote d'Ivoire territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm Croatia territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Cuba territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Cyprus territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Czech Republic none (landlocked) Denmark territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Djibouti territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Dominica territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Dominican Republic measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines territorial sea: 6 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Ecuador territorial sea: 200 nm continental shelf: 100 nm from 2,500-m isobath Egypt territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation El Salvador territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Equatorial Guinea territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Eritrea territorial sea: 12 nm Estonia territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: limits fixed in coordination with neighboring states Ethiopia none (landlocked) European Union NA Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Faroe Islands territorial sea: 3 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line Fiji measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation; rectilinear shelf claim added Finland territorial sea: 12 nm (in the Gulf of Finland - 3 nm) contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm; extends to continental shelf boundary with Sweden continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation France territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm (does not apply to the Mediterranean) continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation French Polynesia territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm French Southern and Antarctic Lands territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm from Iles Kerguelen and Iles Eparses (does not include the rest of French Southern and Antarctic Lands); Juan de Nova Island and Tromelin Island claim a continental shelf of 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Gabon territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Gambia, The territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 18 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm continental shelf: extent not specified Gaza Strip Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation Georgia territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Germany territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Ghana territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm Gibraltar territorial sea: 3 nm Greece territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Greenland territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line continental shelf: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line Grenada territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Guam territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Guatemala territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Guernsey territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm Guinea territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Guinea-Bissau territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Guyana territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the outer edge of the continental margin Haiti territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: to depth of exploitation Heard Island and McDonald Islands territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Holy See (Vatican City) none (landlocked) Honduras territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: natural extension of territory or to 200 nm Hong Kong territorial sea: 3 nm Hungary none (landlocked) Iceland territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin India territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Indonesia measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Iran territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: bilateral agreements or median lines in the Persian Gulf continental shelf: natural prolongation Iraq territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: not specified Ireland territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Isle of Man territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm Israel territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: to depth of exploitation Italy territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Jamaica measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to edge of the continental margin Jan Mayen territorial sea: 4 nm contiguous zone: 10 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Japan territorial sea: 12 nm; between 3 nm and 12 nm in the international straits - La Perouse or Soya, Tsugaru, Osumi, and Eastern and Western Channels of the Korea or Tsushima Strait contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Jersey territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm Jordan territorial sea: 3 nm Kazakhstan none (landlocked) Kenya territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Kiribati territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Korea, North territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm note: military boundary line 50 nm in the Sea of Japan and the exclusive economic zone limit in the Yellow Sea where all foreign vessels and aircraft without permission are banned Korea, South territorial sea: 12 nm; between 3 nm and 12 nm in the Korea Strait contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: not specified Kosovo none (landlocked) Kuwait territorial sea: 12 nm Kyrgyzstan none (landlocked) Laos none (landlocked) Latvia territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Lebanon territorial sea: 12 nm Lesotho none (landlocked) Liberia territorial sea: 200 nm Libya territorial sea: 12 nm note: Gulf of Sidra closing line - 32 degrees, 30 minutes north exclusive fishing zone: 62 nm Liechtenstein none (landlocked) Lithuania territorial sea: 12 nm Luxembourg none (landlocked) Macau not specified Macedonia none (landlocked) Madagascar territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or 100 nm from the 2,500-m isobath Malawi none (landlocked) Malaysia territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation; specified boundary in the South China Sea Maldives measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Mali none (landlocked) Malta territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 25 nm Marshall Islands territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Mauritania territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Mauritius measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Mayotte territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Mexico territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Micronesia, Federated States of territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Moldova none (landlocked) Monaco territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 12 nm Mongolia none (landlocked) Montenegro territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: defined by treaty Montserrat territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Morocco territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Mozambique territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Namibia territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Nauru territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Navassa Island territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Nepal none (landlocked) Netherlands territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Netherlands Antilles territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm New Caledonia territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm New Zealand territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Nicaragua territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: natural prolongation Niger none (landlocked) Nigeria territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Niue territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Norfolk Island territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Northern Mariana Islands territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Norway territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 10 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm Oman territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Pakistan territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Palau territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Panama territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or edge of continental margin Papua New Guinea measured from claimed archipelagic baselines territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Paracel Islands NA Paraguay none (landlocked) Peru territorial sea: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm Philippines territorial sea: irregular polygon extending up to 100 nm from coastline as defined by 1898 treaty; since late 1970s has also claimed polygonal-shaped area in South China Sea up to 285 nm in breadth exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: to depth of exploitation Pitcairn Islands territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Poland territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: defined by international treaties Portugal territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Puerto Rico territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Qatar territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: as determined by bilateral agreements or the median line Romania territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Russia territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Rwanda none (landlocked) Saint Helena territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Saint Kitts and Nevis territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Saint Lucia territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Saint Pierre and Miquelon territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Saint Vincent and the Grenadines territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm Samoa territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm San Marino none (landlocked) Sao Tome and Principe measured from claimed archipelagic baselines territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Saudi Arabia territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 18 nm continental shelf: not specified Senegal territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Serbia none (landlocked) Seychelles territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Sierra Leone territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm Singapore territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: within and beyond territorial sea, as defined in treaties and practice Slovakia none (landlocked) Slovenia territorial sea: 12 nm Solomon Islands measured from claimed archipelagic baselines territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm Somalia territorial sea: 200 nm South Africa territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to edge of the continental margin South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Spain territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm (applies only to the Atlantic Ocean) Spratly Islands NA Sri Lanka territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Sudan territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 18 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Suriname territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Svalbard territorial sea: 4 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm unilaterally claimed by Norway but not recognized by Russia Swaziland none (landlocked) Sweden territorial sea: 12 nm (adjustments made to return a portion of straits to high seas) exclusive economic zone: agreed boundaries or midlines continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Switzerland none (landlocked) Syria territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm Taiwan territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Tajikistan none (landlocked) Tanzania territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Thailand territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Timor-Leste territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Togo territorial sea: 30 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Tokelau territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Tonga territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Trinidad and Tobago measured from claimed archipelagic baselines territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the outer edge of the continental margin Tunisia territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 12 nm Turkey territorial sea: 6 nm in the Aegean Sea; 12 nm in Black Sea and in Mediterranean Sea exclusive economic zone: in Black Sea only: to the maritime boundary agreed upon with the former USSR Turkmenistan none (landlocked) Turks and Caicos Islands territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Tuvalu territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Uganda none (landlocked) Ukraine territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m or to the depth of exploitation United Arab Emirates territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin United Kingdom territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm continental shelf: as defined in continental shelf orders or in accordance with agreed upon boundaries United States territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: not specified United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Uruguay territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or edge of continental margin Uzbekistan none (doubly landlocked) Vanuatu measured from claimed archipelagic baselines territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Venezuela territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 15 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Vietnam territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Virgin Islands territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Wake Island territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Wallis and Futuna territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm West Bank none (landlocked) Western Sahara contingent upon resolution of sovereignty issue World a variety of situations exist, but in general, most countries make the following claims measured from the mean low-tide baseline as described in the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea: territorial sea - 12 nm, contiguous zone - 24 nm, and exclusive economic zone - 200 nm; additional zones provide for exploitation of continental shelf resources and an exclusive fishing zone; boundary situations with neighboring states prevent many countries from extending their fishing or economic zones to a full 200 nm Yemen territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Zambia none (landlocked) Zimbabwe none (landlocked) ====================================================================== @2107 Field Listing :: International organization participation This entry lists in alphabetical order by abbreviation those international organizations in which the subject country is a member or participates in some other way. Country International organization participation Afghanistan ADB, CP, ECO, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE (partner), SAARC, SACEP, SCO (guest), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Albania BSEC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO, OIC, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Algeria ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, BIS, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, OSCE (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) American Samoa Interpol (subbureau), IOC, SPC, UPU Andorra CE, FAO, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, Union Latina, UNWTO, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WTO (observer) Angola ACP, AfDB, AU, CPLP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OPEC, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Anguilla Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), OECS, UPU, WFTU Antigua and Barbuda ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Argentina AfDB (nonregional members), Australia Group, BCIE, BIS, CAN (associate), FAO, G-15, G-20, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, NSG, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, SICA (observer), UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina (observer), UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Armenia ACCT (observer), ADB, BSEC, CE, CIS, CSTO, EAEC (observer), EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS (observer), OIF (associate member), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Aruba Caricom (observer), ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITUC, UNESCO (associate), UNWTO (associate), UPU, WCL, WFTU, WMO Australia ADB, ANZUS, APEC, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, C, CP, EAS, EBRD, FAO, G-20, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OECD, OPCW, Paris Club, PCA, PIF, SAARC (observer), Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Austria ACCT (observer), ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G-9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Azerbaijan ADB, BSEC, CE, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, GCTU, GUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Bahamas, The ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITSO, ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Bahrain ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Bangladesh ADB, ARF, BIMSTEC, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Barbados ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Belarus BSEC (observer), CEI, CIS, CSTO, EAEC, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, NSG, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Belgium ACCT, ADB (nonregional members), AfDB (nonregional members), Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G-9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIS, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCL, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Belize ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, ITUC, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Benin ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Bermuda Caricom (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, ITUC, UPU, WCO, WFTU Bhutan ADB, BIMSTEC, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, NAM, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Bolivia CAN, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, MINURCAT, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Bosnia and Herzegovina BIS, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NAM (observer), OAS (observer), OIC (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Botswana ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Brazil AfDB (nonregional member), BIS, CAN (associate), CPLP, FAO, G-15, G-20, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURCAT, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, SICA (observer), UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO British Virgin Islands Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, OECS, UNESCO (associate), UPU, WFTU Brunei ADB, APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN, C, EAS, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDB, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Bulgaria ACCT, Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU, FAO, G- 9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM (guest), NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate affiliate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Burkina Faso ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Burma ADB, APT, ARF, ASEAN, BIMSTEC, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OPCW (signatory), SAARC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Burundi ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, CEPGL, COMESA, EAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (subscriber), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Cambodia ACCT, ADB, APT, ARF, ASEAN, EAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (subscriber), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Cameroon ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, C, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Canada ACCT, ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), APEC, Arctic Council, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, C, CDB, CE (observer), EAPC, EBRD, ESA (cooperating state), FAO, G-20, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAFTA, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), SECI (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNMIS, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Cape Verde ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, CPLP, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Cayman Islands Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UNESCO (associate), UPU, WFTU Central African Republic ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIC (observer), OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Chad ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Chile APEC, BIS, CAN (associate), FAO, G-15, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS, OECD (accession state), OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, SICA (observer), UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO China ADB, AfDB (nonregional member), APEC, APT, Arctic Council (observer), ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), BIS, CDB, EAS, FAO, G-20, G-24 (observer), G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), SCO, SICA (observer), UN, UN Security Council, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNOCI, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Christmas Island none Cocos (Keeling) Islands none Colombia BCIE, CAN, Caricom (observer), CDB, FAO, G-3, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Comoros ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AMF, AU, COMESA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Congo, Democratic Republic of the ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, CEPGL, COMESA, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (suspended), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Congo, Republic of the ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Cook Islands ACP, ADB, FAO, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IMSO, IOC, ITUC, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO Costa Rica BCIE, CACM, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Cote d'Ivoire ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Croatia ACCT (observer), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, NAM (observer), NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Cuba ACP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS (excluded from formal participation since 1962), OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Cyprus Australia Group, C, CE, EBRD, EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM (guest), NSG, OAS (observer), OIF (associate member), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Czech Republic ACCT (observer), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA (cooperating state), EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Denmark ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, G-9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMOGIP, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Djibouti ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Dominica ACCT, ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OIF, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Dominican Republic ACP, BCIE, Caricom (observer), FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (suspended), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW (signatory), PCA, RG, SICA (associated member), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Ecuador CAN, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, MINURCAT, MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Egypt ABEDA, ACCT, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, BSEC (observer), CAEU, COMESA, EBRD, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, MINURCAT, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO El Salvador BCIE, CACM, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Equatorial Guinea ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, CPLP (associate), FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WTO (observer) Eritrea ACP, AfDB, AU, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (observer), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC, LAS (observer), MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Estonia Australia Group, BA, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD (accession state), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNITAR, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Ethiopia ACP, AfDB, AU, COMESA, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) European Union European Union: ARF (dialogue member), ASEAN (dialogue member), IDA, OAS (observer), PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), UN (observer) European Community: Australian Group, CBSS, CERN, FAO, EBRD, G-10, LAIA, NSG (observer), OECD, UNRWA, WCO, WTO, ZC (observer) European Central Bank: BIS European Investment Bank: EBRD, WADB (nonregional member) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) UPU Faroe Islands Arctic Council, FAO, IMO (associate), NC, NIB, UPU Fiji ACP, ADB, C (suspended), CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, OPCW, PCA, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Finland ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G-9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC France ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, BDEAC, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS (observer), CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FZ, G-20, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), Schengen Convention, SECI (observer), SPC, UN, UN Security Council, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCL, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC French Polynesia FZ, ITUC, PIF (associate member), SPC, UPU, WMO French Southern and Antarctic Lands UPU Gabon ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Gambia, The ABEDA, ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Georgia ACCT (observer), ADB, BSEC, CE, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GCTU, GUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Germany ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS, CDB, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G-20, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, SECI (observer), SICA (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Ghana ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OIF (associate member), OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Gibraltar Interpol (subbureau), UPU Greece Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIS, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Greenland Arctic Council, NC, NIB, UPU Grenada ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WTO Guam IOC, SPC, UPU Guatemala BCIE, CACM, FAO, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Guernsey UPU Guinea ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Guinea-Bissau ACP, AfDB, AU, CPLP, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Guyana ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (subscriber), ITU, ITUC, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OIC, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Haiti ACP, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OIF, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Holy See (Vatican City) CE (observer), IAEA, Interpol, IOM (observer), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, NAM (guest), OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, UN (observer), UNCTAD, UNHCR, Union Latina (observer), UNWTO (observer), UPU, WFTU, WIPO, WTO (observer) Honduras BCIE, CACM, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (subscriber), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Hong Kong ADB, APEC, BIS, ICC, IHO, IMF, IMO (associate), IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITUC, UNWTO (associate), UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WMO, WTO Hungary Australia Group, BIS, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA (cooperating state), EU, FAO, G-9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Iceland Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EFTA, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO India ADB, AfDB (nonregional member), ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), BIMSTEC, BIS, C, CERN (observer), CP, EAS, FAO, G-15, G-20, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS (observer), MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC, SACEP, SCO (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNITAR, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Indonesia ADB, APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN, BIS, CP, EAS, FAO, G-15, G-20, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PIF (partner), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, 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IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Kyrgyzstan ADB, CIS, CSTO, EAEC, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, MIGA, MINURCAT, NAM (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Laos ADB, APT, ARF, ASEAN, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO (subscriber), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Latvia Australia Group, BA, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, 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WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Libya ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, CAEU, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Liechtenstein CE, EBRD, EFTA, IAEA, ICCt, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITSO, ITU, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WCL, WIPO, WTO Lithuania Australia Group, BA, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO, NIB, NSG, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Luxembourg ADB (nonregional member), Australia Group, Benelux, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNRWA, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Macau IHO, IMF, IMO (associate), ISO (correspondent), UNESCO (associate), UNWTO (associate), UPU, WCO, WFTU, WMO, WTO Macedonia BIS, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Madagascar ACP, AfDB, AU, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Malawi ACP, AfDB, AU, C, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Malaysia ADB, APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN, BIS, C, CP, EAS, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OPCW, PCA, PIF (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Maldives ADB, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Mali ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Malta Australia Group, C, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NSG, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Marshall Islands ACP, ADB, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, IDA, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO Mauritania ABEDA, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, CAEU, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Mauritius ACP, AfDB, AU, C, COMESA, CPLP (associate), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, SAARC (observer), SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Mayotte InOC, UPU, WFTU Mexico APEC, BCIE, BIS, CAN (observer), Caricom (observer), CDB, CE (observer), CSN (observer), EBRD, FAO, G-20, G-3, G-15, G-24, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, MIGA, NAFTA, NAM (observer), NEA, OAS, OECD, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, SICA (observer), UN, UNASUR (observer), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Micronesia, Federated States of ACP, ADB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO, WMO Moldova BSEC, CE, CEI, CIS, EAEC (observer), EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GCTU, GUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Monaco CE, FAO, IAEA, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IFRCS, IHO, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITSO, ITU, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Mongolia ADB, ARF, CP, EBRD, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OPCW, OSCE (partner), SCO (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Montenegro CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SECI, UN, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Montserrat Caricom, CDB, Interpol (subbureau), OECS, UPU, WFTU Morocco ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, EBRD, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Mozambique ACP, AfDB, AU, C, CPLP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OIF (observer), OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Namibia ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Nauru ACP, ADB, C, FAO, ICAO, ICCt, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO Nepal ADB, BIMSTEC, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Netherlands ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CBSS (observer), CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Netherlands Antilles Caricom (observer), ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, UNESCO (associate), UNWTO (associate), UPU, WCL, WCO, WMO New Caledonia ITUC, PIF (associate member), SPC, UPU, WFTU, WMO New Zealand ADB, ANZUS (US suspended security obligations to NZ on 11 August 1986), APEC, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, C, CP, EAS, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, NAM (guest), NSG, OECD, OPCW, PCA, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Nicaragua BCIE, CACM, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Niger ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Nigeria ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Niue ACP, FAO, IFAD, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO Norfolk Island UPU Northern Mariana Islands SPC, UPU Norway ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EFTA, ESA, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM (guest), NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNITAR, UNMIS, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Oman ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Pakistan ADB, ARF, C, CP, ECO, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, PCA, SAARC, SACEP, SCO (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Palau ACP, ADB, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC, IPU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO Panama BCIE, CAN (observer), CSN (observer), FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, SICA, UN, UNASUR (observer), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Papua New Guinea ACP, ADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN (observer), C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Paraguay CAN (associate), FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Peru APEC, CAN, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Philippines ADB, APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN, BIS, CP, EAS, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, PIF (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Pitcairn Islands SPC, UPU Poland Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA (cooperating state), EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Portugal ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BIS, CE, CERN, CPLP, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURCAT, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNMIT, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Puerto Rico Caricom (observer), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, ITUC, UNWTO (associate), UPU, WCL, WFTU Qatar ABEDA, ACC, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Romania Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA (cooperating state), EU, FAO, G-9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Russia APEC, Arctic Council, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), BIS, BSEC, CBSS, CE, CERN (observer), CIS, CSTO, EAEC, EAPC, EBRD, G-20, G-8, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM (guest), NSG, OAS (observer), OECD (accession state), OIC (observer), OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, SCO, UN, UN Security Council, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer), ZC Rwanda ACP, AfDB, AU, CEPGL, COMESA, EAC, EADB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Saint Barthelemy UPU, WFTU Saint Helena UPU, WFTU Saint Kitts and Nevis ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WTO Saint Lucia ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OIF, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Saint Martin UPU, WFTU Saint Pierre and Miquelon UPU, WFTU Saint Vincent and the Grenadines ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WTO Samoa ACP, ADB, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, IPU, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) San Marino CE, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ITU, ITUC, OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO Sao Tome and Principe ACP, AfDB, AU, CPLP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ITU, ITUC, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Saudi Arabia ABEDA, AfDB (nonregional member), AFESD, AMF, BIS, FAO, G-20, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Senegal ACP, AfDB, AU, CPLP (associate), ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Serbia BSEC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, G-9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD (suspended), IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NAM (observer), OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Seychelles ACP, AfDB, AU, C, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Sierra Leone ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIT, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Singapore ADB, APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN, BIS, C, CP, EAS, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNMIT, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Slovakia Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS (observer), CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Slovenia Australia Group, BIS, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (guest), NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD (accession state), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Solomon Islands ACP, ADB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WTO Somalia ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, CAEU, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, LAS, NAM, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO South Africa ACP, AfDB, AU, BIS, C, FAO, G-20, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, NSG, OPCW, PCA, SACU, SADC, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Spain ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, BCIE, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURCAT, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, SECI (observer), SICA (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Sri Lanka ADB, BIMSTEC, C, CP, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, PCA, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Sudan ABEDA, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, CAEU, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Suriname ACP, Caricom, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDB, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO (suspended), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO (subscriber), ITU, ITUC, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OIC, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Svalbard none Swaziland ACP, AfDB, AU, C, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Sweden ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, G-9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, MONUC, NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMOGIP, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Switzerland ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EFTA, ESA, FAO, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MONUC, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Syria ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Taiwan ADB, APEC, BCIE, ICC, IOC, ITUC, WCL, WFTU, WTO Tajikistan ADB, CIS, CSTO, EAEC, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, MIGA, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Tanzania ACP, AfDB, AU, C, EAC, EADB, FAO, G-6, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Thailand ADB, APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN, BIMSTEC, BIS, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, PIF (partner), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Timor-Leste ACP, ADB, ARF, CPLP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PIF (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO Togo ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Tokelau PIF (observer), SPC, UNESCO (associate), UPU Tonga ACP, ADB, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, ITUC, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Trinidad and Tobago ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-24, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Tunisia ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, BSEC (observer), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OAPEC (suspended), OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, OSCE (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Turkey ADB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CE, CERN (observer), EAPC, EBRD, ECO, EU (applicant), FAO, G-20, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Turkmenistan ADB, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SCO (guest), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Turks and Caicos Islands Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), UPU Tuvalu ACP, ADB, C, FAO, IFRCS (observer), IMO, IOC, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO Uganda ACP, AfDB, AU, C, COMESA, EAC, EADB, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, NAM, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Ukraine Australia Group, BSEC, CBSS (observer), CE, CEI, CIS, EAEC (observer), EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GCTU, GUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MONUC, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC United Arab Emirates ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO United Kingdom ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, BIS, C, CBSS (observer), CDB, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, G-20, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), SECI (observer), UN, UN Security Council, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC United States ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), ANZUS, APEC, Arctic Council, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS (observer), CE (observer), CERN (observer), CP, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, G-20, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAFTA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), SECI (observer), SPC, UN, UN Security Council, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Uruguay CAN (associate), FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIS, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Uzbekistan ADB, CIS, CSTO, EAEC, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Vanuatu ACCT, ACP, ADB, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WTO (observer) Venezuela Caricom (observer), CDB, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, LAS (observer), Mercosur (associate), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Vietnam ADB, APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Virgin Islands IOC, UPU, WFTU Wallis and Futuna PIF (observer), SPC, UPU, WFTU Western Sahara WFTU Yemen AFESD, AMF, CAEU, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, MINURCAT, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Zambia ACP, AfDB, AU, C, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, MONUC, NAM, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Zimbabwe ACP, AfDB, AU, COMESA, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO ====================================================================== @2108 Field Listing :: Merchant marine Merchant marine may be defined as all ships engaged in the carriage of goods; or all commercial vessels (as opposed to all nonmilitary ships), which excludes tugs, fishing vessels, offshore oil rigs, etc. This entry contains information in four fields - total, ships by type, foreign-owned, and registered in other countries. Total includes the number of ships (1,000 GRT or over), total DWT for those ships, and total GRT for those ships. DWT or dead weight tonnage is the total weight of cargo, plus bunkers, stores, etc., that a ship can carry when immersed to the appropriate load line. GRT or gross register tonnage is a figure obtained by measuring the entire sheltered volume of a ship available for cargo and passengers and converting it to tons on the basis of 100 cubic feet per ton; there is no stable relationship between GRT and DWT. Ships by type includes a listing of barge carriers, bulk cargo ships, cargo ships, chemical tankers, combination bulk carriers, combination ore/oil carriers, container ships, liquefied gas tankers, livestock carriers, multifunctional large-load carriers, petroleum tankers, passenger ships, passenger/cargo ships, railcar carriers, refrigerated cargo ships, roll-on/roll-off cargo ships, short-sea passenger ships, specialized tankers, and vehicle carriers. Foreign-owned are ships that fly the flag of one country but belong to owners in another. Registered in other countries are ships that belong to owners in one country but fly the flag of another. Country Comparison to the World Country Merchant marine Albania total: 24 by type: cargo 22, roll on/roll off 2 foreign-owned: 1 (Turkey 1) registered in other countries: 2 (Panama 2) (2008) Algeria total: 33 by type: bulk carrier 6, cargo 8, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas 9, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 4, roll on/roll off 2 foreign-owned: 18 (Jordan 7, UK 11) (2008) Angola total: 6 by type: cargo 1, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: 1 (Spain 1) registered in other countries: 6 (Bahamas 6) (2008) Antigua and Barbuda total: 1,146 by type: barge carrier 2, bulk carrier 50, cargo 651, carrier 4, chemical tanker 5, container 392, liquefied gas 12, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 9, roll on/roll off 20 foreign-owned: 1,113 (Australia 1, Colombia 2, Cyprus 18, Denmark 19, Estonia 23, France 1, Germany 941, Greece 3, Iceland 12, Italy 1, Latvia 13, Lithuania 5, Netherlands 20, NZ 2, Norway 8, Poland 2, Russia 4, Slovenia 6, Sweden 1, Switzerland 8, Turkey 6, UK 9, US 8) (2008) Argentina total: 46 by type: bulk carrier 3, cargo 9, chemical tanker 2, container 1, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 24, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: 14 (Brazil 1, Chile 7, Spain 2, UK 4) registered in other countries: 19 (Liberia 3, Panama 8, Paraguay 5, Uruguay 3) (2008) Australia total: 50 by type: bulk carrier 12, cargo 5, chemical tanker 1, container 1, liquefied gas 4, passenger 7, passenger/cargo 7, petroleum tanker 8, roll on/roll off 5 foreign-owned: 24 (Canada 9, France 1, Germany 2, Japan 1, Netherlands 2, Norway 1, Singapore 1, UK 5, US 2) registered in other countries: 28 (Antigua and Barbuda 1, Belize 1, Bermuda 1, Dominica 2, Fiji 1, Marshall Islands 1, NZ 1, Panama 4, Singapore 12, Tonga 1, US 1, Vanuatu 2) (2008) Austria total: 4 by type: cargo 2, container 2 foreign-owned: 2 (Netherlands 2) registered in other countries: 4 (Cyprus 1, Malta 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2) (2008) Azerbaijan total: 89 by type: cargo 26, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 9, petroleum tanker 46, roll on/roll off 3, specialized tanker 3 registered in other countries: 3 (Malta 2, Panama 1) (2008) Bahamas, The total: 1,223 by type: barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 210, cargo 226, carrier 2, chemical tanker 88, combination ore/oil 12, container 65, liquefied gas 77, passenger 109, passenger/cargo 35, petroleum tanker 209, refrigerated cargo 119, roll on/roll off 16, specialized tanker 3, vehicle carrier 51 foreign-owned: 1,150 (Angola 6, Belgium 15, Bermuda 12, Brazil 2, Canada 84, China 10, Croatia 1, Cuba 1, Cyprus 25, Denmark 67, Finland 9, France 30, Germany 44, Greece 209, Hong Kong 30, Iceland 1, Indonesia 2, Ireland 2, Isle of Man 1, Italy 4, Japan 87, Jordan 2, Kenya 1, Malaysia 13, Monaco 15, Montenegro 2, Netherlands 9, Nigeria 2, Norway 189, Poland 17, Russia 4, Saudi Arabia 16, Singapore 17, Slovenia 1, South Africa 1, Spain 14, Sweden 4, Switzerland 1, Thailand 5, Trinidad and Tobago 1, Turkey 8, UAE 23, UK 56, US 106, Venezuela 1) registered in other countries: 12 (Bolivia 1, Panama 9, Peru 1, Portugal 1) (2008) Bahrain total: 9 by type: bulk carrier 4, container 4, petroleum tanker 1 foreign-owned: 6 (Kuwait 5, UAE 1) (2008) Bangladesh total: 40 by type: bulk carrier 3, cargo 27, container 5, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 4 foreign-owned: 1 (China 1) registered in other countries: 10 (Comoros 2, Honduras 1, Malta 2, Panama 2, Singapore 2, Togo 1) (2008) Barbados total: 85 by type: bulk carrier 15, cargo 50, chemical tanker 7, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 3, refrigerated cargo 6, roll on/roll off 2 foreign-owned: 80 (Canada 9, Greece 12, India 1, Iran 2, Lebanon 1, Norway 38, Sweden 7, Syria 1, UK 9) registered in other countries: 1 (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2008) Belgium total: 79 by type: bulk carrier 20, cargo 9, chemical tanker 1, container 6, liquefied gas 20, passenger 2, petroleum tanker 11, roll on/roll off 10 foreign-owned: 6 (Denmark 4, France 2) registered in other countries: 111 (Bahamas 15, Cyprus 2, France 6, Gibraltar 2, Greece 16, Hong Kong 3, Liberia 4, Luxembourg 7, Malta 15, Mozambique 2, Netherlands 2, Netherlands Antilles 1, Panama 2, Portugal 8, Russia 4, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 8, Sierra Leone 1, Singapore 8, Vanuatu 4) (2008) Belize total: 216 by type: barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 32, cargo 152, chemical tanker 2, container 1, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 9, refrigerated cargo 12, roll on/roll off 5, specialized tanker 1 foreign-owned: 178 (Australia 1, China 71, Croatia 2, Cyprus 1, Estonia 6, Greece 1, Iceland 2, Italy 3, Japan 8, South Korea 1, Latvia 12, Norway 3, Peru 1, Russia 31, Singapore 2, Spain 1, Turkey 15, Ukraine 7, UAE 5, UK 5) (2008) Bermuda total: 137 by type: bulk carrier 23, chemical tanker 3, container 22, liquefied gas 33, passenger 24, passenger/cargo 5, petroleum tanker 18, refrigerated cargo 9 foreign-owned: 115 (Australia 1, China 10, France 1, Germany 22, Greece 9, Hong Kong 4, Ireland 1, Israel 3, Japan 2, Nigeria 11, Norway 5, Sweden 20, UK 3, US 23) registered in other countries: 50 (Bahamas 12, Marshall Islands 4, Philippines 34) (2008) Bolivia total: 23 by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 11, carrier 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 7, refrigerated cargo 1, specialized tanker 1 foreign-owned: 7 (Bahamas 1, China 1, Iran 1, Singapore 1, Syria 2, Taiwan 1) (2008) Brazil total: 136 by type: bulk carrier 19, cargo 22, carrier 1, chemical tanker 7, container 11, liquefied gas 12, passenger/cargo 12, petroleum tanker 45, roll on/roll off 7 foreign-owned: 25 (Chile 1, Denmark 2, Germany 6, Greece 1, Mexico 1, Norway 5, Spain 9) registered in other countries: 8 (Argentina 1, Bahamas 2, Ghana 1, Liberia 3, Marshall Islands 1) (2008) British Virgin Islands registered in other countries: 1 (Panama 1) (2008) Brunei total: 8 by type: liquefied gas 8 foreign-owned: 1 (UK 1) (2008) Bulgaria total: 74 by type: bulk carrier 37, cargo 14, chemical tanker 5, container 6, liquefied gas 2, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll off 4, specialized tanker 1 foreign-owned: 65 (Germany 63, Ireland 1, Russia 1) registered in other countries: 31 (Comoros 2, Malta 5, Panama 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 15, Slovakia 6) (2008) Burma total: 24 by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 17, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 3, specialized tanker 1 foreign-owned: 3 (Cyprus 1, Germany 1, Japan 1) registered in other countries: 1 (Panama 1) (2008) Cambodia total: 626 by type: bulk carrier 41, cargo 530, carrier 3, chemical tanker 10, container 8, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 11, refrigerated cargo 15, roll on/roll off 1, vehicle carrier 1 foreign-owned: 467 (Canada 2, China 193, Cyprus 7, Egypt 13, Gabon 1, Greece 3, Hong Kong 8, Indonesia 2, Japan 1, South Korea 22, Latvia 1, Lebanon 8, Netherlands 1, Romania 1, Russia 83, Singapore 4, Syria 48, Taiwan 1, Turkey 26, Ukraine 34, UAE 2, US 6) (2008) Canada total: 175 by type: bulk carrier 60, cargo 13, carrier 1, chemical tanker 10, combination ore/oil 1, container 2, passenger 6, passenger/cargo 64, petroleum tanker 12, roll on/roll off 6 foreign-owned: 17 (Germany 3, Netherlands 1, Norway 3, US 10) registered in other countries: 206 (Australia 9, Bahamas 84, Barbados 9, Cambodia 2, Cyprus 2, Denmark 1, Honduras 1, Hong Kong 44, Liberia 7, Malta 1, Marshall Islands 6, Norway 10, Panama 18, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Spain 4, Taiwan 2, Vanuatu 5) (2008) Cape Verde total: 8 by type: cargo 2, chemical tanker 1, passenger/cargo 5 foreign-owned: 2 (Spain 1, UK 1) (2008) Cayman Islands total: 109 by type: bulk carrier 30, cargo 2, chemical tanker 42, petroleum tanker 15, refrigerated cargo 10, roll on/roll off 3, vehicle carrier 7 foreign-owned: 107 (Denmark 3, Germany 15, Greece 16, Italy 4, Japan 13, Norway 1, Singapore 10, UK 3, US 42) (2008) Chile total: 44 by type: bulk carrier 9, cargo 7, chemical tanker 8, container 1, liquefied gas 2, passenger 4, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 7, roll on/roll off 1, vehicle carrier 3 registered in other countries: 40 (Argentina 7, Brazil 1, Cyprus 1, Isle of Man 6, Marshall Islands 4, Norway 2, Panama 12, Singapore 6, Venezuela 1) (2008) China total: 1,826 by type: barge carrier 4, bulk carrier 451, cargo 689, carrier 2, chemical tanker 69, combination ore/oil 1, container 162, liquefied gas 44, passenger 8, passenger/cargo 83, petroleum tanker 244, refrigerated cargo 33, roll on/roll off 10, specialized tanker 9, vehicle carrier 17 foreign-owned: 20 (Ecuador 1, Greece 2, Hong Kong 12, Indonesia 1, Japan 2, South Korea 1, Norway 1) registered in other countries: 1,441 (Bahamas 10, Bangladesh 1, Belize 71, Bermuda 10, Bolivia 1, Cambodia 193, Cyprus 10, France 5, Georgia 10, Germany 2, Honduras 3, Hong Kong 324, India 1, Indonesia 2, Kiribati 15, South Korea 1, Liberia 11, Malta 12, Marshall Islands 7, Mongolia 1, Norway 36, Panama 532, Philippines 4, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 94, Sierra Leone 15, Singapore 14, Thailand 1, Tuvalu 16, unknown 39) (2008) Colombia total: 17 by type: cargo 13, petroleum tanker 3, specialized tanker 1 registered in other countries: 6 (Antigua and Barbuda 2, Panama 4) (2008) Comoros total: 136 by type: bulk carrier 15, cargo 87, carrier 2, chemical tanker 5, container 2, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 9, refrigerated cargo 5, roll on/roll off 8, specialized tanker 1 foreign-owned: 68 (Bangladesh 2, Bulgaria 2, Cyprus 1, Greece 6, India 2, Kenya 1, Kuwait 1, Lebanon 4, Norway 1, Pakistan 4, Philippines 1, Russia 12, Saudi Arabia 1, Singapore 1, Syria 4, Turkey 8, Ukraine 8, UAE 7, US 2) (2008) Congo, Democratic Republic of the total: 1 by type: petroleum tanker 1 foreign-owned: 1 (Congo, Republic of the 1) (2008) Congo, Republic of the registered in other countries: 1 (Congo, Democratic Republic of the 1) (2008) Cook Islands total: 26 by type: cargo 14, chemical tanker 1, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 8, roll on/roll off 2 foreign-owned: 17 (Latvia 1, Lithuania 1, NZ 1, Nigeria 1, Norway 5, Sweden 8) (2008) Costa Rica total: 1 by type: passenger/cargo 1 (2008) Croatia total: 80 by type: bulk carrier 25, cargo 11, chemical tanker 3, passenger/cargo 30, petroleum tanker 8, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 2 registered in other countries: 30 (Bahamas 1, Belize 2, Liberia 2, Malta 9, Marshall Islands 6, Panama 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 7) (2008) Cuba total: 11 by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 3, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 3, refrigerated cargo 2 foreign-owned: 1 (Spain 1) registered in other countries: 13 (Bahamas 1, Cyprus 1, Netherlands Antilles 1, Panama 10) (2008) Cyprus total: 858 by type: bulk carrier 295, cargo 182, chemical tanker 63, container 193, liquefied gas 10, passenger 5, passenger/cargo 24, petroleum tanker 58, refrigerated cargo 10, roll on/roll off 12, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 5 foreign-owned: 690 (Austria 1, Belgium 2, Canada 2, Chile 1, China 10, Cuba 1, Denmark 4, Estonia 5, Germany 189, Greece 259, Hong Kong 2, India 2, Iran 10, Ireland 3, Israel 4, Italy 7, Japan 21, South Korea 1, Latvia 1, Lebanon 1, Netherlands 22, Norway 18, Philippines 1, Poland 18, Portugal 1, Russia 50, Singapore 3, Slovenia 4, Spain 6, Sweden 2, Syria 2, Ukraine 4, UAE 9, UK 19, US 5) registered in other countries: 256 (Antigua and Barbuda 18, Bahamas 25, Belize 1, Burma 1, Cambodia 7, Comoros 1, Georgia 1, Germany 2, Gibraltar 1, Greece 7, Liberia 63, Malta 31, Marshall Islands 37, Netherlands 8, Netherlands Antilles 21, Panama 19, Poland 1, Russia 2, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Samoa 1, Singapore 1, Tonga 1, Turkey 2, UK 2, unknown 1) (2008) Czech Republic registered in other countries: 1 (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2008) Denmark total: 327 by type: bulk carrier 8, cargo 63, carrier 2, chemical tanker 78, container 84, liquefied gas 2, passenger/cargo 42, petroleum tanker 29, refrigerated cargo 7, roll on/roll off 8, specialized tanker 4 foreign-owned: 26 (Canada 1, Germany 1, Germany 9, Greece 4, Iceland 2, Norway 3, Sweden 6) registered in other countries: 534 (Antigua and Barbuda 19, Bahamas 67, Belgium 4, Brazil 2, Cayman Islands 3, Cyprus 4, Egypt 1, Estonia 1, France 2, Germany 1, Gibraltar 7, Hong Kong 24, Isle of Man 29, Italy 3, Jamaica 2, Liberia 12, Lithuania 5, Luxembourg 1, Malta 30, Marshall Islands 10, Mexico 2, Netherlands 29, Netherlands Antilles 2, Norway 25, Panama 40, Portugal 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 16, Singapore 87, South Africa 1, Spain 2, Sweden 4, Togo 1, UAE 1, UK 62, US 31, Venezuela 1) (2008) Dominica total: 53 by type: bulk carrier 14, cargo 27, chemical tanker 3, petroleum tanker 5, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 1, vehicle carrier 1 foreign-owned: 47 (Australia 2, Estonia 7, Greece 10, India 2, Latvia 1, Norway 1, Russia 3, Saudi Arabia 2, Singapore 7, Syria 2, Turkey 5, Ukraine 4, UAE 1) (2008) Dominican Republic total: 1 by type: cargo 1 registered in other countries: 1 (Panama 1) (2008) Ecuador total: 37 by type: cargo 1, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas 1, passenger 8, petroleum tanker 24, refrigerated cargo 1, specialized tanker 1 foreign-owned: 1 (US 1) registered in other countries: 5 (China 1, Panama 4) (2008) Egypt total: 67 by type: bulk carrier 11, cargo 28, container 2, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 13, roll on/roll off 9 foreign-owned: 10 (Denmark 1, Greece 8, Lebanon 1) registered in other countries: 58 (Cambodia 13, Georgia 12, Honduras 3, North Korea 1, Malta 1, Moldova 1, Panama 17, Saint Kitts and Nevis 2, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3, Saudi Arabia 1, Sierra Leone 3, Togo 1) (2008) Equatorial Guinea total: 1 by type: cargo 1 (2008) Eritrea total: 5 by type: cargo 2, liquefied gas 1, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1 (2008) Estonia total: 29 by type: cargo 5, passenger/cargo 21, petroleum tanker 2, chemical tanker 1 foreign-owned: 4 (Denmark 1, Germany 1, Norway 2) registered in other countries: 85 (Antigua and Barbuda 23, Belize 6, Cyprus 5, Dominica 7, Finland 2, Latvia 2, Liberia 1, Malta 11, Norway 1, Panama 5, Saint Kitts and Nevis 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 16, Sweden 2, Vanuatu 1) (2008) Ethiopia total: 9 by type: cargo 8, roll on/roll off 1 (2008) Faroe Islands total: 12 by type: cargo 9, passenger/cargo 3 foreign-owned: 5 (Iceland 1, Norway 4) (2008) Fiji total: 9 by type: passenger 3, passenger/cargo 4, roll on/roll off 2 foreign-owned: 1 (Australia 1) (2008) Finland total: 98 by type: bulk carrier 3, cargo 28, carrier 1, chemical tanker 6, container 3, passenger 5, passenger/cargo 18, petroleum tanker 5, roll on/roll off 27, vehicle carrier 2 foreign-owned: 8 (Estonia 2, Germany 1, Norway 3, Sweden 2) registered in other countries: 47 (Bahamas 9, Germany 4, Gibraltar 3, Netherlands 14, Norway 1, Panama 2, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Sweden 12, UK 1) (2008) France total: 138 by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 1, chemical tanker 32, container 25, liquefied gas 12, passenger 3, passenger/cargo 33, petroleum tanker 23, roll on/roll off 7 foreign-owned: 38 (Belgium 6, China 5, Denmark 2, Germany 1, Italy 2, Japan 1, NZ 1, Norway 5, Saudi Arabia 1, Singapore 2, Sweden 9, Switzerland 3) registered in other countries: 127 (Antigua and Barbuda 1, Australia 1, Bahamas 30, Belgium 2, Bermuda 1, Hong Kong 1, Indonesia 1, Isle of Man 1, Italy 2, Liberia 5, Luxembourg 17, Malta 5, Morocco 14, Netherlands 1, Norway 3, Panama 5, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 6, Singapore 1, Taiwan 1, UK 23, Wallis and Futuna 6) (2008) French Polynesia total: 15 by type: cargo 6, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 5, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 1 registered in other countries: 2 (Wallis and Futuna 2) (2008) Gabon registered in other countries: 2 (Cambodia 1, Panama 1) (2008) Gambia, The total: 5 by type: passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 1 (2008) Georgia total: 191 by type: bulk carrier 18, cargo 148, carrier 2, chemical tanker 1, container 4, liquefied gas 1, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 4, refrigerated cargo 5, roll on/roll off 4, vehicle carrier 2 foreign-owned: 153 (China 10, Cyprus 1, Egypt 12, Germany 2, Greece 5, Hong Kong 2, Israel 2, Lebanon 4, Monaco 4, Nigeria 1, Romania 16, Russia 12, Syria 49, Turkey 14, Ukraine 18, UAE 1) (2008) Germany total: 393 by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 43, chemical tanker 13, container 284, liquefied gas 5, passenger 5, passenger/cargo 27, petroleum tanker 11, roll on/roll off 3 foreign-owned: 11 (China 2, Cyprus 2, Denmark 1, Finland 4, Netherlands 1, Sweden 1) registered in other countries: 2,998 (Antigua and Barbuda 941, Australia 2, Bahamas 44, Bermuda 22, Brazil 6, Bulgaria 63, Burma 1, Canada 3, Cayman Islands 15, Cyprus 189, Denmark 9, Denmark 1, Estonia 1, Finland 1, France 1, Georgia 2, Gibraltar 129, Hong Kong 6, India 2, Indonesia 1, Isle of Man 56, Jamaica 4, Liberia 849, Luxembourg 5, Malaysia 1, Malta 91, Marshall Islands 235, Mongolia 4, Morocco 2, Netherlands 75, Netherlands Antilles 43, Norway 1, NZ 1, Panama 44, Portugal 20, Russia 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3, Singapore 24, Slovakia 3, Spain 5, Sri Lanka 5, Sweden 5, Turkey 1, UK 76, US 5) (2008) Ghana total: 4 by type: petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 3 foreign-owned: 1 (Brazil 1) (2008) Gibraltar total: 240 by type: bulk carrier 5, cargo 125, chemical tanker 51, container 43, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 10, roll on/roll off 5 foreign-owned: 225 (Belgium 2, Cyprus 1, Denmark 7, Finland 3, Germany 129, Greece 6, Iceland 1, Morocco 4, Netherlands 21, Norway 33, Sweden 13, UAE 3, UK 2) registered in other countries: 7 (Liberia 5, Panama 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2008) Greece total: 869 by type: bulk carrier 260, cargo 66, carrier 1, chemical tanker 66, combination ore/oil 2, container 45, liquefied gas 10, passenger 13, passenger/cargo 115, petroleum tanker 274, roll on/roll off 15, specialized tanker 2 foreign-owned: 64 (Belgium 16, Cyprus 7, Turkey 1, UK 32, US 8) registered in other countries: 2,357 (Antigua and Barbuda 3, Bahamas 209, Barbados 12, Belize 1, Bermuda 9, Brazil 1, Cambodia 3, Cayman Islands 16, China 2, Comoros 6, Cyprus 259, Denmark 4, Dominica 10, Egypt 8, Georgia 5, Gibraltar 6, Honduras 4, Hong Kong 22, Isle of Man 50, Italy 6, Jamaica 6, North Korea 1, Lebanon 2, Liberia 358, Maldives 1, Malta 452, Marshall Islands 269, Norway 3, Panama 510, Philippines 4, Portugal 4, Russia 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 71, Sao Tome and Principe 1, Saudi Arabia 3, Sierra Leone 1, Singapore 15, Slovakia 2, Turkey 1, UAE 3, Uruguay 1, Vanuatu 1, Venezuela 3, unknown 5) (2008) Greenland total: 2 by type: cargo 1, passenger 1 (2008) Guyana total: 8 by type: cargo 6, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 1 registered in other countries: 3 (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2, unknown 1) (2008) Honduras total: 123 by type: bulk carrier 10, cargo 57, chemical tanker 6, container 1, liquefied gas 1, passenger 4, passenger/cargo 7, petroleum tanker 25, refrigerated cargo 7, roll on/roll off 4, specialized tanker 1 foreign-owned: 42 (Bangladesh 1, Canada 1, China 3, Egypt 3, Greece 4, Hong Kong 1, Israel 1, Japan 4, South Korea 6, Lebanon 1, Mexico 1, Singapore 12, Taiwan 2, Tanzania 1, Vietnam 1) (2008) Hong Kong total: 1,114 by type: barge carrier 2, bulk carrier 525, cargo 142, carrier 3, chemical tanker 68, combination ore/oil 2, container 205, liquefied gas 22, passenger 6, passenger/cargo 5, petroleum tanker 114, roll on/roll off 4, specialized tanker 9, vehicle carrier 7 foreign-owned: 703 (Belgium 3, Canada 44, China 324, Denmark 24, France 1, Germany 6, Greece 22, Indonesia 7, Iran 15, Japan 111, South Korea 3, Norway 40, Philippines 1, Portugal 1, Russia 2, Singapore 18, Syria 1, Taiwan 11, UAE 1, UK 39, US 29) registered in other countries: 357 (Bahamas 30, Bermuda 4, Cambodia 8, China 12, Cyprus 2, Georgia 2, Honduras 1, India 1, Jamaica 1, Kiribati 4, Liberia 44, Malaysia 14, Malta 1, Marshall Islands 4, Mexico 1, Netherlands Antilles 2, Norway 20, Panama 130, Philippines 1, Portugal 2, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 6, Seychelles 1, Sierra Leone 1, Singapore 47, Tuvalu 7, UK 2, Vietnam 1, unknown 8) (2008) Iceland total: 2 by type: passenger/cargo 2 registered in other countries: 37 (Antigua and Barbuda 12, Bahamas 1, Belize 2, Denmark 2, Faroe Islands 1, Gibraltar 1, Malta 5, Marshall Islands 3, Norway 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 7) (2008) India total: 501 by type: bulk carrier 102, cargo 241, carrier 1, chemical tanker 19, container 13, liquefied gas 18, passenger 3, passenger/cargo 11, petroleum tanker 92, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: 12 (China 1, Germany 2, Hong Kong 1, UAE 6, UK 2) registered in other countries: 61 (Barbados 1, Comoros 2, Cyprus 2, Dominica 2, Liberia 2, Malta 2, Marshall Islands 1, Panama 27, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 7, Singapore 13, unknown 1) (2008) Indonesia total: 971 by type: bulk carrier 54, cargo 514, chemical tanker 35, container 80, liquefied gas 7, passenger 44, passenger/cargo 68, petroleum tanker 143, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 10, specialized tanker 10, vehicle carrier 4 foreign-owned: 43 (China 2, France 1, Germany 1, Japan 6, Norway 1, Philippines 1, Singapore 27, Taiwan 2, UAE 2) registered in other countries: 114 (Bahamas 2, Cambodia 2, China 1, Hong Kong 7, Liberia 2, Mongolia 1, Panama 31, Singapore 66, unknown 2) (2008) Iran total: 74 by type: bulk carrier 18, cargo 34, chemical tanker 4, container 6, liquefied gas 1, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 2, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 3 foreign-owned: 1 (UAE 1) registered in other countries: 115 (Barbados 2, Bolivia 1, Cyprus 10, Hong Kong 15, Malta 79, Panama 7, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2008) Iraq total: 14 by type: cargo 10, petroleum tanker 4 (2008) Ireland total: 29 by type: cargo 25, chemical tanker 2, container 1, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: 2 (US 2) registered in other countries: 21 (Bahamas 2, Bermuda 1, Bulgaria 1, Cyprus 3, Isle of Man 1, Marshall Islands 1, Netherlands 10, Slovakia 1, UK 1) (2008) Isle of Man total: 273 by type: bulk carrier 31, cargo 50, chemical tanker 48, container 12, liquefied gas 41, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 73, refrigerated cargo 4, roll on/roll off 8, vehicle carrier 5 foreign-owned: 181 (Chile 6, Denmark 29, France 1, Germany 56, Greece 50, Ireland 1, Japan 6, Monaco 3, Netherlands 1, Norway 20, Singapore 1, Sweden 1, Turkey 2, US 4) registered in other countries: 7 (Bahamas 1, Liberia 5, Marshall Islands 1) (2008) Israel total: 11 by type: cargo 2, container 9 registered in other countries: 60 (Bermuda 3, Cyprus 4, Georgia 2, Honduras 1, Liberia 23, Malta 18, Panama 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2, Slovakia 4) (2008) Italy total: 609 by type: bulk carrier 60, cargo 47, carrier 2, chemical tanker 159, combination ore/oil 1, container 25, liquefied gas 27, passenger 22, passenger/cargo 154, petroleum tanker 35, refrigerated cargo 4, roll on/roll off 33, specialized tanker 13, vehicle carrier 27 foreign-owned: 64 (Denmark 3, France 2, Greece 6, Japan 1, Lebanon 1, Nigeria 1, Norway 2, Portugal 1, Sweden 1, Switzerland 8, Taiwan 13, Turkey 1, UK 7, US 17) registered in other countries: 208 (Antigua and Barbuda 1, Bahamas 4, Belize 3, Cayman Islands 4, Cyprus 7, France 2, Liberia 41, Malta 50, Marshall Islands 3, Netherlands 1, Norway 4, Panama 28, Portugal 12, Russia 4, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 17, Singapore 5, Slovakia 2, Spain 2, Sweden 9, Turkey 3, UK 5) (2008) Jamaica total: 20 by type: bulk carrier 6, cargo 6, carrier 1, container 4, roll on/roll off 3 foreign-owned: 17 (Denmark 2, Germany 4, Greece 6, Hong Kong 1, Latvia 1, Russia 3) (2008) Japan total: 683 by type: bulk carrier 136, cargo 30, carrier 3, chemical tanker 27, container 11, liquefied gas 59, passenger 12, passenger/cargo 135, petroleum tanker 156, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 51, vehicle carrier 61 registered in other countries: 3,074 (Australia 1, Bahamas 87, Belize 8, Bermuda 2, Burma 1, Cambodia 1, Cayman Islands 13, China 2, Cyprus 21, France 1, Honduras 4, Hong Kong 111, Indonesia 6, Isle of Man 6, Italy 1, South Korea 20, Liberia 116, Malaysia 4, Malta 8, Marshall Islands 17, Nigeria 1, Norway 29, Panama 2335, Philippines 81, Portugal 15, Saint Kitts and Nevis 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3, Singapore 131, Thailand 4, UK 4, US 7, Vanuatu 29, Vietnam 1, unknown 1) (2008) Jordan total: 21 by type: cargo 8, container 1, passenger/cargo 7, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 3 foreign-owned: 13 (UAE 13) registered in other countries: 24 (Algeria 7, Bahamas 2, Panama 13, Syria 2) (2008) Kazakhstan total: 5 by type: petroleum tanker 4, refrigerated cargo 1 (2008) Kenya total: 1 by type: petroleum tanker 1 registered in other countries: 6 (Bahamas 1, Comoros 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2, Tuvalu 1, unknown 1) (2008) Kiribati total: 43 by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 18, chemical tanker 3, petroleum tanker 6, refrigerated cargo 14 foreign-owned: 31 (China 15, Hong Kong 4, South Korea 2, Singapore 4, Taiwan 5, Turkey 1) (2008) Korea, North total: 167 by type: bulk carrier 11, cargo 121, carrier 1, chemical tanker 4, container 3, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 19, refrigerated cargo 4, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: 19 (Egypt 1, Greece 1, Lebanon 1, Lithuania 1, Romania 4, Syria 1, UAE 8, Yemen 2) registered in other countries: 2 (Mongolia 1, Panama 1) (2008) Korea, South total: 812 by type: bulk carrier 212, cargo 226, carrier 2, chemical tanker 133, container 80, liquefied gas 33, passenger 5, passenger/cargo 26, petroleum tanker 61, refrigerated cargo 16, roll on/roll off 9, specialized tanker 4, vehicle carrier 5 foreign-owned: 31 (China 1, Japan 20, Norway 2, UK 1, US 7) registered in other countries: 363 (Belize 1, Cambodia 22, China 1, Cyprus 1, Honduras 6, Hong Kong 3, Kiribati 2, Liberia 3, Malta 2, Marshall Islands 10, Mongolia 1, Netherlands 1, Panama 303, Russia 1, Singapore 3, Tuvalu 1, unknown 2) (2008) Kuwait total: 38 by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 1, carrier 3, container 6, liquefied gas 4, petroleum tanker 22 registered in other countries: 34 (Bahrain 5, Comoros 1, Libya 1, Panama 2, Qatar 7, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saudi Arabia 7, UAE 10) (2008) Laos total: 1 ship (1000 GRT or over) 2,370 GRT/3,110 DWT by type: cargo 1 (2008) Latvia total: 22 by type: cargo 8, chemical tanker 3, liquefied gas 2, passenger/cargo 5, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 2 foreign-owned: 2 (Estonia 2) registered in other countries: 118 (Antigua and Barbuda 13, Belize 12, Cambodia 1, Cook Islands 1, Cyprus 1, Dominica 1, Jamaica 1, Liberia 21, Malta 19, Marshall Islands 16, Panama 8, Russia 2, Saint Kitts and Nevis 5, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 17) (2008) Lebanon total: 33 by type: bulk carrier 3, cargo 13, carrier 11, passenger/cargo 1, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 2, vehicle carrier 2 foreign-owned: 4 (Greece 2, Syria 2) registered in other countries: 55 (Barbados 1, Cambodia 8, Comoros 4, Cyprus 1, Egypt 1, Georgia 4, Honduras 1, Italy 1, North Korea 1, Liberia 2, Malta 11, Mongolia 2, Panama 5, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 6, Sierra Leone 1, Syria 3, Togo 1, unknown 2) (2008) Liberia total: 2,204 by type: barge carrier 3, bulk carrier 390, cargo 107, chemical tanker 241, combination ore/oil 7, container 750, liquefied gas 84, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 460, refrigerated cargo 103, roll on/roll off 7, specialized tanker 12, vehicle carrier 36 foreign-owned: 2,109 (Argentina 3, Belgium 4, Brazil 3, Canada 7, China 11, Croatia 2, Cyprus 63, Denmark 12, Estonia 1, France 5, Germany 849, Gibraltar 5, Greece 358, Hong Kong 44, India 2, Indonesia 2, Isle of Man 5, Israel 23, Italy 41, Japan 116, South Korea 3, Latvia 21, Lebanon 2, Mexico 2, Monaco 8, Netherlands 6, Nigeria 2, Norway 40, Poland 13, Qatar 4, Romania 2, Russia 94, Saudi Arabia 27, Singapore 32, Slovenia 3, Sweden 10, Switzerland 13, Taiwan 91, Turkey 7, Ukraine 25, UAE 23, UK 20, US 98, Uruguay 3, Vietnam 4) (2008) Libya total: 17 by type: cargo 9, liquefied gas 3, petroleum tanker 4, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: 4 (Kuwait 1, Norway 1, Syria 2) registered in other countries: 3 (Malta 3) (2008) Lithuania total: 45 by type: cargo 23, container 2, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 13 foreign-owned: 6 (Denmark 5, Ukraine 1) registered in other countries: 28 (Antigua and Barbuda 5, Cook Islands 1, North Korea 1, Malta 1, Norway 1, Panama 7, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 9, unknown 3) (2008) Luxembourg total: 45 by type: bulk carrier 6, cargo 3, chemical tanker 15, container 4, liquefied gas 1, passenger 3, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll off 9 foreign-owned: 44 (Belgium 7, Denmark 1, France 17, Germany 5, Netherlands 2, UK 8, US 4) registered in other countries: 1 (Ukraine 1) (2008) Madagascar total: 8 by type: cargo 4, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 2 (2008) Malaysia total: 306 by type: bulk carrier 12, cargo 97, carrier 1, chemical tanker 34, container 46, liquefied gas 33, passenger/cargo 5, petroleum tanker 71, roll on/roll off 3, vehicle carrier 4 foreign-owned: 40 (Germany 1, Hong Kong 14, Japan 4, Russia 2, Singapore 16, Sweden 3) registered in other countries: 68 (Bahamas 13, Marshall Islands 3, Norway 1, Panama 12, Philippines 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Singapore 27, Thailand 3, Tuvalu 1, US 2, unknown 4) (2008) Maldives total: 29 by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 23, petroleum tanker 3, refrigerated cargo 2 foreign-owned: 1 (Greece 1) registered in other countries: 2 (Panama 1, Tuvalu 1) (2008) Malta total: 1,438 by type: bulk carrier 459, cargo 411, carrier 2, chemical tanker 171, container 80, liquefied gas 25, passenger 29, passenger/cargo 15, petroleum tanker 159, refrigerated cargo 32, roll on/roll off 37, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 17 foreign-owned: 1,343 (Austria 1, Azerbaijan 2, Bangladesh 2, Belgium 15, Bulgaria 5, Canada 1, China 12, Croatia 9, Cyprus 31, Denmark 30, Egypt 1, Estonia 11, France 5, Germany 91, Greece 452, Hong Kong 1, Iceland 5, India 2, Iran 79, Israel 18, Italy 50, Japan 8, South Korea 2, Latvia 19, Lebanon 11, Libya 3, Lithuania 1, Norway 93, Pakistan 2, Poland 24, Portugal 3, Romania 8, Russia 58, Slovenia 4, Spain 3, Sweden 2, Switzerland 20, Syria 6, Turkey 176, Ukraine 30, UAE 5, UK 19, US 23) registered in other countries: 3 (Panama 3) (2008) Marshall Islands total: 1,049 by type: barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 284, cargo 71, carrier 1, chemical tanker 191, combination ore/oil 4, container 188, liquefied gas 47, passenger 5, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 221, refrigerated cargo 13, roll on/roll off 14, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 6 foreign-owned: 990 (Australia 1, Bermuda 4, Brazil 1, Canada 6, Chile 4, China 7, Croatia 6, Cyprus 37, Denmark 10, Germany 235, Greece 269, Hong Kong 4, Iceland 3, India 1, Ireland 1, Isle of Man 1, Italy 3, Japan 17, South Korea 10, Latvia 16, Malaysia 3, Mexico 4, Monaco 13, Netherlands 8, Norway 66, Pakistan 1, Panama 1, Romania 1, Russia 9, Saudi Arabia 5, Singapore 18, Slovenia 4, Spain 1, Sweden 1, Switzerland 12, Taiwan 1, Turkey 50, UAE 15, UK 10, US 123) (2008) Mauritius total: 3 by type: passenger/cargo 2, refrigerated cargo 1 (2008) Mexico total: 55 by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 7, chemical tanker 5, liquefied gas 4, passenger/cargo 11, petroleum tanker 23, roll on/roll off 3 foreign-owned: 4 (Denmark 2, Hong Kong 1, UAE 1) registered in other countries: 20 (Brazil 1, Honduras 1, Liberia 2, Marshall Islands 4, Panama 2, Portugal 1, Spain 3, Venezuela 5, unknown 1) (2008) Micronesia, Federated States of total: 3 by type: cargo 1, passenger/cargo 2 (2008) Moldova total: 39 by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 32, chemical tanker 2, combination ore/oil 2, petroleum tanker 1 foreign-owned: 17 (Egypt 1, Romania 3, Russia 3, Syria 1, Turkey 3, Ukraine 5, Yemen 1) (2008) Monaco registered in other countries: 70 (Bahamas 15, Georgia 4, Isle of Man 3, Liberia 8, Marshall Islands 13, Norway 5, Panama 16, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 5, Vanuatu 1) (2008) Mongolia total: 77 by type: bulk carrier 20, cargo 44, chemical tanker 2, liquefied gas 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 6, vehicle carrier 1 foreign-owned: 53 (China 1, Germany 4, Indonesia 1, North Korea 1, South Korea 1, Lebanon 2, Russia 9, Singapore 9, Thailand 1, Ukraine 1, Vietnam 23) (2008) Montenegro total: 6 by type: cargo 5, passenger/cargo 1 registered in other countries: 3 (Bahamas 2, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2008) Morocco total: 35 by type: cargo 3, chemical tanker 6, container 8, passenger/cargo 13, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 4 foreign-owned: 16 (France 14, Germany 2) registered in other countries: 4 (Gibraltar 4) (2008) Mozambique total: 2 by type: cargo 2 foreign-owned: 2 (Belgium 2) (2008) Namibia total: 1 by type: cargo 1 registered in other countries: 1 (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2008) Netherlands total: 622 by type: bulk carrier 9, cargo 381, carrier 19, chemical tanker 44, container 76, liquefied gas 15, passenger 16, passenger/cargo 15, petroleum tanker 11, refrigerated cargo 10, roll on/roll off 23, specialized tanker 3 foreign-owned: 203 (Belgium 2, Cyprus 8, Denmark 29, Finland 14, France 1, Germany 75, Ireland 10, Italy 1, South Korea 1, Norway 12, Sweden 28, Turkey 1, UAE 5, UK 2, US 14) registered in other countries: 178 (Antigua and Barbuda 20, Australia 2, Austria 2, Bahamas 9, Cambodia 1, Canada 1, Cyprus 22, Germany 1, Gibraltar 21, Isle of Man 1, Liberia 6, Luxembourg 2, Marshall Islands 8, Netherlands Antilles 38, Panama 14, Paraguay 1, Philippines 23, Portugal 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3, US 1, unknown 1) (2008) Netherlands Antilles total: 147 by type: barge carrier 2, bulk carrier 2, cargo 72, carrier 19, chemical tanker 2, container 8, liquefied gas 1, passenger 2, petroleum tanker 3, refrigerated cargo 27, roll on/roll off 6, specialized tanker 3 foreign-owned: 123 (Belgium 1, Cuba 1, Cyprus 21, Denmark 2, Germany 43, Hong Kong 2, Netherlands 38, Norway 3, Sweden 1, Turkey 10, US 1) (2008) New Caledonia total: 2 by type: cargo 1, passenger/cargo 1 (2008) New Zealand total: 13 by type: bulk carrier 3, cargo 2, chemical tanker 1, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 2 foreign-owned: 3 (Australia 1, Germany 1, South Africa 1) registered in other countries: 5 (Antigua and Barbuda 2, Cook Islands 1, France 1, UK 1) (2008) Nigeria total: 68 by type: cargo 4, chemical tanker 12, combination ore/oil 1, liquefied gas 2, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 46, specialized tanker 2 foreign-owned: 3 (Japan 1, South Africa 1, Spain 1) registered in other countries: 34 (Bahamas 2, Bermuda 11, Cook Islands 1, Georgia 1, Italy 1, Liberia 2, Panama 10, Poland 1, Seychelles 1, Sierra Leone 1, unknown 3) (2008) Norway total: 688 by type: bulk carrier 46, cargo 141, carrier 3, chemical tanker 137, combination ore/oil 12, container 4, liquefied gas 65, passenger/cargo 117, petroleum tanker 85, refrigerated cargo 14, roll on/roll off 13, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 50 foreign-owned: 199 (Canada 10, Chile 2, China 36, Denmark 25, Estonia 1, Finland 1, France 3, Germany 1, Greece 3, Hong Kong 20, Iceland 3, Italy 4, Japan 29, Lithuania 1, Malaysia 1, Monaco 5, Poland 3, Saudi Arabia 3, Singapore 1, Sweden 34, UK 5, US 8) registered in other countries: 923 (Antigua and Barbuda 8, Australia 1, Bahamas 189, Barbados 38, Belize 3, Bermuda 5, Brazil 5, Canada 3, Cayman Islands 1, China 1, Comoros 1, Cook Islands 5, Cyprus 18, Denmark 3, Dominica 1, Estonia 2, Faroe Islands 4, Finland 3, France 5, Gibraltar 33, Hong Kong 40, Indonesia 1, Isle of Man 20, Italy 2, South Korea 2, Liberia 40, Libya 1, Malta 93, Marshall Islands 66, Netherlands 12, Netherlands Antilles 3, Panama 89, Philippines 10, Russia 2, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 13, Singapore 143, Spain 5, Sweden 7, Tuvalu 1, UK 31, US 9, unknown 4) (2008) Oman total: 3 by type: chemical tanker 1, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 1 registered in other countries: 2 (Panama 2) (2008) Pakistan total: 15 by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 10, petroleum tanker 4 registered in other countries: 19 (Comoros 4, Malta 2, Marshall Islands 1, Panama 9, Saint Kitts and Nevis 3) (2008) Panama total: 6,323 by type: barge carrier 2, bulk carrier 2,143, cargo 1,208, carrier 13, chemical tanker 565, combination ore/oil 6, container 790, liquefied gas 189, passenger 44, passenger/cargo 71, petroleum tanker 557, refrigerated cargo 265, roll on/roll off 128, specialized tanker 29, vehicle carrier 313 foreign-owned: 5,394 (Albania 2, Argentina 8, Australia 4, Azerbaijan 1, Bahamas 9, Bangladesh 2, Belgium 2, British Virgin Islands 1, Bulgaria 3, Burma 1, Canada 18, Chile 12, China 532, Colombia 4, Croatia 3, Cuba 10, Cyprus 19, Denmark 40, Dominican Republic 1, Ecuador 4, Egypt 17, Estonia 5, Finland 2, France 5, Gabon 1, Germany 44, Gibraltar 1, Greece 510, Hong Kong 130, India 27, Indonesia 31, Iran 7, Israel 3, Italy 28, Japan 2,335, Jordan 13, North Korea 1, South Korea 303, Kuwait 2, Latvia 8, Lebanon 5, Lithuania 7, Malaysia 12, Maldives 1, Malta 3, Mexico 2, Monaco 16, Netherlands 14, Nigeria 10, Norway 89, Oman 2, Pakistan 9, Peru 16, Philippines 7, Poland 11, Portugal 9, Qatar 1, Romania 7, Russia 18, Saudi Arabia 16, Singapore 100, Spain 50, Sri Lanka 1, Sweden 6, Switzerland 25, Syria 32, Taiwan 320, Thailand 10, Tunisia 1, Turkey 94, Turks and Caicos Islands 1, Ukraine 10, UAE 109, UK 59, US 126, Venezuela 10, Vietnam 30, Yemen 6) registered in other countries: 3 (Marshall Islands 1, Sierra Leone 1, Venezuela 1) (2008) Papua New Guinea total: 21 by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 17, petroleum tanker 2 foreign-owned: 6 (UAE 6) (2008) Paraguay total: 23 by type: cargo 18, carrier 1, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: 6 (Argentina 5, Netherlands 1) (2008) Peru total: 8 by type: cargo 3, chemical tanker 1, petroleum tanker 4 foreign-owned: 1 (Bahamas 1) registered in other countries: 17 (Belize 1, Panama 16) (2008) Philippines total: 391 by type: bulk carrier 75, cargo 125, carrier 16, chemical tanker 17, container 6, liquefied gas 5, passenger 6, passenger/cargo 68, petroleum tanker 36, refrigerated cargo 15, roll on/roll off 11, vehicle carrier 11 foreign-owned: 161 (Bermuda 34, China 4, Greece 4, Hong Kong 1, Japan 81, Malaysia 1, Netherlands 23, Norway 10, Singapore 1, Taiwan 1, UAE 1) registered in other countries: 11 (Comoros 1, Cyprus 1, Hong Kong 1, Indonesia 1, Panama 7) (2008) Poland total: 15 by type: cargo 8, chemical tanker 4, passenger/cargo 1, roll on/roll off 1, vehicle carrier 1 foreign-owned: 2 (Cyprus 1, Nigeria 1) registered in other countries: 98 (Antigua and Barbuda 2, Bahamas 17, Cyprus 18, Liberia 13, Malta 24, Norway 3, Panama 11, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Slovakia 2, Vanuatu 7) (2008) Portugal total: 117 by type: bulk carrier 10, cargo 36, carrier 1, chemical tanker 15, container 6, liquefied gas 9, passenger 10, passenger/cargo 9, petroleum tanker 4, roll on/roll off 1, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 15 foreign-owned: 84 (Bahamas 1, Belgium 8, Denmark 3, Germany 20, Greece 4, Hong Kong 2, Italy 12, Japan 15, Mexico 1, Netherlands 1, Spain 11, Sweden 3, Switzerland 2, US 1) registered in other countries: 15 (Cyprus 1, Hong Kong 1, Italy 1, Malta 3, Panama 9) (2008) Puerto Rico total: 3 by type: roll on/roll off 3 foreign-owned: 3 (US 3) registered in other countries: 1 (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2008) Qatar total: 22 by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 2, chemical tanker 2, container 8, liquefied gas 4, petroleum tanker 4 foreign-owned: 7 (Kuwait 7) registered in other countries: 5 (Liberia 4, Panama 1) (2008) Romania total: 17 by type: cargo 11, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 1 registered in other countries: 49 (Cambodia 1, Georgia 16, North Korea 4, Liberia 2, Malta 8, Marshall Islands 1, Moldova 3, Panama 7, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Sierra Leone 3, Syria 2) (2008) Russia total: 1,074 by type: bulk carrier 25, cargo 663, carrier 2, chemical tanker 27, combination ore/oil 34, container 11, passenger 14, passenger/cargo 7, petroleum tanker 217, refrigerated cargo 59, roll on/roll off 10, specialized tanker 5 foreign-owned: 112 (Belgium 4, Cyprus 2, Germany 1, Greece 1, Italy 4, South Korea 1, Latvia 2, Norway 2, Switzerland 3, Turkey 80, Ukraine 11, US 1) registered in other countries: 486 (Antigua and Barbuda 4, Bahamas 4, Belize 31, Bulgaria 1, Cambodia 83, Comoros 12, Cyprus 50, Dominica 3, Georgia 12, Hong Kong 2, Jamaica 3, Liberia 94, Malaysia 2, Malta 58, Marshall Islands 9, Moldova 3, Mongolia 9, Panama 18, Saint Kitts and Nevis 19, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 21, Sierra Leone 11, Slovakia 1, Tuvalu 2, Ukraine 1, Vanuatu 2, unknown 31) (2008) Saint Kitts and Nevis total: 159 by type: bulk carrier 10, cargo 109, chemical tanker 7, container 1, liquefied gas 1, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 19, refrigerated cargo 7, roll on/roll off 1, specialized tanker 1 foreign-owned: 121 (Belgium 1, Cyprus 1, Egypt 2, Estonia 3, Finland 1, Greece 3, India 1, Italy 1, Japan 3, Kuwait 1, Latvia 5, Malaysia 1, Pakistan 3, Romania 1, Russia 19, Singapore 1, Spain 1, Syria 7, Turkey 35, Ukraine 9, UAE 18, UK 3, Yemen 1) (2008) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines total: 525 by type: barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 83, cargo 315, carrier 20, chemical tanker 2, liquefied gas 6, passenger 3, passenger/cargo 17, petroleum tanker 17, refrigerated cargo 20, roll on/roll off 18, specialized tanker 2, container 21 foreign-owned: 476 (Austria 2, Barbados 1, Belgium 8, Bulgaria 15, Canada 1, China 94, Croatia 7, Cyprus 1, Czech Republic 1, Denmark 16, Egypt 3, Estonia 16, France 6, Germany 3, Gibraltar 1, Greece 71, Guyana 2, Hong Kong 6, Iceland 7, India 7, Iran 1, Israel 2, Italy 17, Japan 3, Kenya 2, Latvia 17, Lebanon 6, Lithuania 9, Monaco 5, Montenegro 1, Namibia 1, Netherlands 3, Norway 13, Poland 1, Puerto Rico 1, Romania 1, Russia 21, Singapore 4, Slovenia 5, South Africa 1, Sweden 2, Switzerland 6, Syria 13, Turkey 20, Ukraine 11, UAE 9, UK 14, US 18, Venezuela 1) (2008) Samoa total: 1 by type: cargo 1 foreign-owned: 1 (Cyprus 1) (2008) Sao Tome and Principe total: 6 by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 5 foreign-owned: 1 (Greece 1) (2008) Saudi Arabia total: 62 by type: cargo 5, chemical tanker 13, container 5, passenger/cargo 8, petroleum tanker 20, refrigerated cargo 3, roll on/roll off 8 foreign-owned: 12 (Egypt 1, Greece 3, Kuwait 7, UAE 1) registered in other countries: 71 (Bahamas 16, Comoros 1, Dominica 2, France 1, Liberia 27, Marshall Islands 5, Norway 3, Panama 16) (2008) Seychelles total: 8 by type: cargo 1, carrier 1, chemical tanker 6 foreign-owned: 3 (Hong Kong 1, Nigeria 1, South Africa 1) (2008) Sierra Leone total: 182 by type: bulk carrier 4, cargo 143, carrier 2, chemical tanker 3, container 6, liquefied gas 2, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 10, roll on/roll off 3, specialized tanker 2 foreign-owned: 95 (Belgium 1, China 15, Egypt 3, Greece 1, Hong Kong 1, Lebanon 1, Nigeria 1, Panama 1, Romania 3, Russia 11, Syria 18, Taiwan 1, Turkey 15, Ukraine 10, UAE 8, UK 2, US 1, Yemen 2) (2008) Singapore total: 1,292 by type: bulk carrier 167, cargo 87, carrier 5, chemical tanker 209, container 273, liquefied gas 96, petroleum tanker 386, refrigerated cargo 5, roll on/roll off 4, specialized tanker 7, vehicle carrier 53 foreign-owned: 774 (Australia 12, Bangladesh 2, Belgium 8, Chile 6, China 14, Cyprus 1, Denmark 87, France 1, Germany 24, Greece 15, Hong Kong 47, India 13, Indonesia 66, Italy 5, Japan 131, South Korea 3, Malaysia 27, Norway 143, Slovenia 1, Sweden 20, Switzerland 2, Taiwan 72, Thailand 23, UAE 12, UK 17, US 22) registered in other countries: 331 (Australia 1, Bahamas 17, Belize 2, Bolivia 1, Cambodia 4, Cayman Islands 10, Comoros 1, Cyprus 3, Dominica 7, France 2, Honduras 12, Hong Kong 18, Indonesia 27, Isle of Man 1, Kiribati 4, Liberia 32, Malaysia 16, Marshall Islands 18, Mongolia 9, Norway 1, Panama 100, Philippines 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 4, Thailand 2, Tuvalu 23, US 12, unknown 2) (2008) Slovakia total: 51 by type: bulk carrier 5, cargo 42, refrigerated cargo 4 foreign-owned: 47 (Bulgaria 6, Germany 3, Greece 2, Ireland 1, Israel 4, Italy 2, Poland 2, Russia 1, Slovenia 1, Syria 2, Turkey 10, Ukraine 12, UK 1) (2008) Slovenia registered in other countries: 29 (Antigua and Barbuda 6, Bahamas 1, Cyprus 4, Liberia 3, Malta 4, Marshall Islands 4, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 5, Singapore 1, Slovakia 1) (2008) Somalia total: 1 by type: cargo 1 foreign-owned: 1 (UAE 1) (2008) South Africa total: 3 by type: container 1, petroleum tanker 2 foreign-owned: 1 (Denmark 1) registered in other countries: 8 (Bahamas 1, Nigeria 1, NZ 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Seychelles 1, UK 3) (2008) Spain total: 158 by type: bulk carrier 9, cargo 14, chemical tanker 11, container 22, liquefied gas 11, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 47, petroleum tanker 16, refrigerated cargo 5, roll on/roll off 15, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 5 foreign-owned: 26 (Canada 4, Denmark 2, Germany 5, Italy 2, Mexico 3, Norway 5, UK 5) registered in other countries: 110 (Angola 1, Argentina 2, Bahamas 14, Belize 1, Brazil 9, Cape Verde 1, Cuba 1, Cyprus 6, Malta 3, Marshall Islands 1, Nigeria 1, Panama 50, Portugal 11, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, UK 1, Uruguay 6, Venezuela 1) (2008) Sri Lanka total: 26 by type: bulk carrier 4, cargo 18, chemical tanker 1, container 1, petroleum tanker 2 foreign-owned: 5 (Germany 5) registered in other countries: 1 (Panama 1) (2008) Sudan total: 3 by type: cargo 2, carrier 1 (2008) Suriname total: 1 by type: cargo 1 (2008) Sweden total: 195 by type: bulk carrier 6, cargo 23, carrier 1, chemical tanker 45, passenger 4, passenger/cargo 36, petroleum tanker 15, roll on/roll off 37, specialized tanker 3, vehicle carrier 25 foreign-owned: 41 (Denmark 4, Estonia 2, Finland 12, Germany 5, Italy 9, Norway 7, UK 2) registered in other countries: 207 (Antigua and Barbuda 1, Bahamas 4, Barbados 7, Bermuda 20, Cook Islands 8, Cyprus 2, Denmark 6, Finland 2, France 9, Germany 1, Gibraltar 13, Isle of Man 1, Italy 1, Liberia 10, Malaysia 3, Malta 2, Marshall Islands 1, Netherlands 28, Netherlands Antilles 1, Norway 34, Panama 6, Portugal 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2, Singapore 20, UK 17, US 5) (2008) Switzerland total: 35 by type: bulk carrier 13, cargo 9, chemical tanker 6, container 6, specialized tanker 1 registered in other countries: 106 (Antigua and Barbuda 8, Bahamas 1, France 3, Italy 8, Liberia 13, Malta 20, Marshall Islands 12, Panama 25, Portugal 2, Russia 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 6, Singapore 2, Tonga 1, UK 1, Vanuatu 1) (2008) Syria total: 77 by type: bulk carrier 5, cargo 65, carrier 4, container 1, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: 7 (Jordan 2, Lebanon 3, Romania 2) registered in other countries: 196 (Barbados 1, Bolivia 2, Cambodia 48, Comoros 4, Cyprus 2, Dominica 2, Georgia 49, Hong Kong 1, North Korea 1, Lebanon 2, Libya 2, Malta 6, Moldova 1, Panama 32, Saint Kitts and Nevis 7, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 13, Sierra Leone 18, Slovakia 2, Togo 2, unknown 1) (2008) Taiwan total: 102 by type: bulk carrier 32, cargo 19, chemical tanker 1, container 24, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 14, refrigerated cargo 7, roll on/roll off 2 foreign-owned: 3 (Canada 2, France 1) registered in other countries: 536 (Bolivia 1, Cambodia 1, Honduras 2, Hong Kong 11, Indonesia 2, Italy 13, Kiribati 5, Liberia 91, Marshall Islands 1, Panama 320, Philippines 1, Sierra Leone 1, Singapore 72, Thailand 1, UK 11, unknown 3) (2008) Tanzania total: 9 by type: cargo 1, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 4 registered in other countries: 1 (Honduras 1) (2008) Thailand total: 398 by type: bulk carrier 53, cargo 135, chemical tanker 15, container 22, liquefied gas 28, passenger/cargo 10, petroleum tanker 100, refrigerated cargo 32, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 1 foreign-owned: 16 (China 1, Japan 4, Malaysia 3, Singapore 2, Taiwan 1, UK 5) registered in other countries: 40 (Bahamas 5, Mongolia 1, Panama 10, Singapore 23, Tuvalu 1) (2008) Timor-Leste total: 1 by type: passenger/cargo 1 (2008) Togo total: 10 by type: cargo 9, refrigerated cargo 1 foreign-owned: 6 (Bangladesh 1, Denmark 1, Egypt 1, Lebanon 1, Syria 2) (2008) Tonga total: 13 by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 8, carrier 1, liquefied gas 1, passenger/cargo 1, refrigerated cargo 1 foreign-owned: 4 (Australia 1, Cyprus 1, Switzerland 1, UK 1) (2008) Trinidad and Tobago total: 9 by type: passenger 2, passenger/cargo 5, petroleum tanker 2 foreign-owned: 1 (US 1) registered in other countries: 2 (Bahamas 1, unknown 1) (2008) Tunisia total: 7 by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 1, chemical tanker 1, passenger/cargo 4 registered in other countries: 1 (Panama 1) (2008) Turkey total: 612 by type: bulk carrier 101, cargo 281, chemical tanker 70, combination ore/oil 1, container 35, liquefied gas 7, passenger 4, passenger/cargo 51, petroleum tanker 31, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 28, specialized tanker 2 foreign-owned: 8 (Cyprus 2, Germany 1, Greece 1, Italy 3, UAE 1) registered in other countries: 595 (Albania 1, Antigua and Barbuda 6, Bahamas 8, Belize 15, Cambodia 26, Comoros 8, Dominica 5, Georgia 14, Greece 1, Isle of Man 2, Italy 1, Kiribati 1, Liberia 7, Malta 176, Marshall Islands 50, Moldova 3, Netherlands 1, Netherlands Antilles 10, Panama 94, Russia 80, Saint Kitts and Nevis 35, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 20, Sierra Leone 15, Slovakia 10, Tuvalu 2, UK 2, unknown 2) (2008) Turkmenistan total: 7 by type: cargo 4, petroleum tanker 2, refrigerated cargo 1 (2008) Turks and Caicos Islands registered in other countries: 1 (Panama 1) (2008) Tuvalu total: 80 by type: bulk carrier 7, cargo 30, chemical tanker 14, container 2, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 22, refrigerated cargo 1, specialized tanker 1 foreign-owned: 63 (China 16, Hong Kong 7, Kenya 1, South Korea 1, Malaysia 1, Maldives 1, Norway 1, Russia 2, Singapore 23, Thailand 1, Turkey 2, Ukraine 1, US 1, Vietnam 5) (2008) Ukraine total: 189 by type: bulk carrier 6, cargo 141, chemical tanker 1, container 3, passenger 6, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 9, refrigerated cargo 11, roll on/roll off 7, specialized tanker 2 foreign-owned: 2 (Luxembourg 1, Russia 1) registered in other countries: 204 (Belize 7, Cambodia 34, Comoros 8, Cyprus 4, Dominica 4, Georgia 18, Liberia 25, Lithuania 1, Malta 30, Moldova 5, Mongolia 1, Panama 10, Russia 11, Saint Kitts and Nevis 9, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 11, Sierra Leone 10, Slovakia 12, Tuvalu 1, unknown 3) (2008) United Arab Emirates total: 58 by type: bulk carrier 6, cargo 9, chemical tanker 4, container 8, liquefied gas 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 24, roll on/roll off 4, specialized tanker 1 foreign-owned: 14 (Denmark 1, Greece 3, Kuwait 10) registered in other countries: 313 (Bahamas 23, Bahrain 1, Belize 5, Cambodia 2, Comoros 7, Cyprus 9, Dominica 1, Georgia 1, Gibraltar 3, Hong Kong 1, India 6, Indonesia 2, Iran 1, Jordan 13, North Korea 8, Liberia 23, Malta 5, Marshall Islands 15, Mexico 1, Netherlands 5, Panama 109, Papua New Guinea 6, Philippines 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis 18, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 9, Saudi Arabia 1, Sierra Leone 8, Singapore 12, Somalia 1, Turkey 1, UK 9, unknown 6) (2008) United Kingdom total: 518 by type: bulk carrier 33, cargo 67, carrier 5, chemical tanker 61, container 180, liquefied gas 18, passenger 10, passenger/cargo 67, petroleum tanker 23, refrigerated cargo 12, roll on/roll off 24, vehicle carrier 18 foreign-owned: 264 (Cyprus 2, Denmark 62, Finland 1, France 23, Germany 76, Hong Kong 2, Ireland 1, Italy 5, Japan 4, NZ 1, Norway 31, South Africa 3, Spain 1, Sweden 17, Switzerland 1, Taiwan 11, Turkey 2, UAE 9, US 12) registered in other countries: 391 (Algeria 11, Antigua and Barbuda 9, Argentina 4, Australia 5, Bahamas 56, Barbados 9, Belize 5, Bermuda 3, Brunei 1, Cape Verde 1, Cayman Islands 3, Cyprus 19, Gibraltar 2, Greece 32, Hong Kong 39, India 2, Italy 7, South Korea 1, Liberia 20, Luxembourg 8, Malta 19, Marshall Islands 18, Netherlands 2, Norway 5, Panama 59, Saint Kitts and Nevis 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 14, Sierra Leone 2, Singapore 17, Slovakia 1, Spain 5, Sweden 2, Thailand 5, Tonga 1, US 1) (2008) United States total: 422 by type: barge carrier 6, bulk carrier 61, cargo 69, carrier 2, chemical tanker 22, container 81, passenger 19, passenger/cargo 59, petroleum tanker 53, refrigerated cargo 3, roll on/roll off 25, vehicle carrier 22 foreign-owned: 74 (Australia 1, Denmark 31, Germany 5, Japan 7, Malaysia 2, Netherlands 1, Norway 9, Singapore 12, Sweden 5, UK 1) registered in other countries: 732 (Antigua and Barbuda 8, Australia 2, Bahamas 106, Bermuda 23, Cambodia 6, Canada 10, Cayman Islands 42, Comoros 2, Cyprus 5, Ecuador 1, Greece 8, Hong Kong 29, Ireland 2, Isle of Man 4, Italy 17, South Korea 7, Liberia 98, Luxembourg 4, Malta 23, Marshall Islands 123, Netherlands 14, Netherlands Antilles 1, Norway 8, Panama 126, Portugal 1, Puerto Rico 3, Russia 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 18, Sierra Leone 1, Singapore 22, Trinidad and Tobago 1, Tuvalu 1, UK 12, Vanuatu 1, unknown 2) (2008) Uruguay total: 17 by type: cargo 3, chemical tanker 2, passenger/cargo 9, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: 10 (Argentina 3, Greece 1, Spain 6) registered in other countries: 3 (Liberia 3) (2008) Vanuatu total: 54 by type: bulk carrier 32, cargo 8, container 1, liquefied gas 2, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 4, vehicle carrier 5 foreign-owned: 54 (Australia 2, Belgium 4, Canada 5, Estonia 1, Greece 1, Japan 29, Monaco 1, Poland 7, Russia 2, Switzerland 1, US 1) (2008) Venezuela total: 62 by type: bulk carrier 9, cargo 16, chemical tanker 3, liquefied gas 5, passenger/cargo 10, petroleum tanker 17, refrigerated cargo 2 foreign-owned: 12 (Chile 1, Denmark 1, Greece 3, Mexico 5, Panama 1, Spain 1) registered in other countries: 12 (Bahamas 1, Panama 10, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2008) Vietnam total: 387 by type: barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 36, cargo 280, chemical tanker 12, container 14, liquefied gas 6, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 32, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 1, specialized tanker 1 foreign-owned: 2 (Hong Kong 1, Japan 1) registered in other countries: 64 (Honduras 1, Liberia 4, Mongolia 23, Panama 30, Tuvalu 5, unknown 1) (2008) Wallis and Futuna total: 8 by type: chemical tanker 2, passenger 6 foreign-owned: 8 (France 6, French Polynesia 2) (2008) Yemen total: 4 by type: cargo 1, chemical tanker 1, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1 registered in other countries: 13 (North Korea 2, Moldova 1, Panama 6, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Sierra Leone 2, unknown 1) (2008) ====================================================================== @2109 Field Listing :: National holiday This entry gives the primary national day of celebration - usually independence day. Country National holiday Afghanistan Independence Day, 19 August (1919) Albania Independence Day, 28 November (1912) Algeria Revolution Day, 1 November (1954) American Samoa Flag Day, 17 April (1900) Andorra Our Lady of Meritxell Day, 8 September (1278) Angola Independence Day, 11 November (1975) Anguilla Anguilla Day, 30 May (1967) Antigua and Barbuda Independence Day (National Day), 1 November (1981) Argentina Revolution Day, 25 May (1810) Armenia Independence Day, 21 September (1991) Aruba Flag Day, 18 March (1976) Australia Australia Day, 26 January (1788); ANZAC Day (commemorated as the anniversary of the landing of troops of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps during World War I at Gallipoli, Turkey), 25 April (1915) Austria National Day, 26 October (1955); note - commemorates the passage of the law on permanent neutrality Azerbaijan Founding of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan, 28 May (1918) Bahamas, The Independence Day, 10 July (1973) Bahrain National Day, 16 December (1971); note - 15 August 1971 was the date of independence from the UK, 16 December 1971 was the date of independence from British protection Bangladesh Independence Day, 26 March (1971); note - 26 March 1971 is the date of independence from West Pakistan, 16 December 1971 is Victory Day and commemorates the official creation of the state of Bangladesh Barbados Independence Day, 30 November (1966) Belarus Independence Day, 3 July (1944); note - 3 July 1944 was the date Minsk was liberated from German troops, 25 August 1991 was the date of independence from the Soviet Union Belgium 21 July (1831) ascension to the Throne of King LEOPOLD I Belize Independence Day, 21 September (1981) Benin National Day, 1 August (1960) Bermuda Bermuda Day, 24 May Bhutan National Day (Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king), 17 December (1907) Bolivia Independence Day, 6 August (1825) Bosnia and Herzegovina National Day, 25 November (1943) Botswana Independence Day (Botswana Day), 30 September (1966) Brazil Independence Day, 7 September (1822) British Virgin Islands Territory Day, 1 July (1956) Brunei National Day, 23 February (1984); note - 1 January 1984 was the date of independence from the UK, 23 February 1984 was the date of independence from British protection Bulgaria Liberation Day, 3 March (1878) Burkina Faso Republic Day, 11 December (1958) Burma Independence Day, 4 January (1948); Union Day, 12 February (1947) Burundi Independence Day, 1 July (1962) Cambodia Independence Day, 9 November (1953) Cameroon Republic Day (National Day), 20 May (1972) Canada Canada Day, 1 July (1867) Cape Verde Independence Day, 5 July (1975) Cayman Islands Constitution Day, first Monday in July Central African Republic Republic Day, 1 December (1958) Chad Independence Day, 11 August (1960) Chile Independence Day, 18 September (1810) China Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China, 1 October (1949) Christmas Island Australia Day, 26 January (1788) Cocos (Keeling) Islands Australia Day, 26 January (1788) Colombia Independence Day, 20 July (1810) Comoros Independence Day, 6 July (1975) Congo, Democratic Republic of the Independence Day, 30 June (1960) Congo, Republic of the Independence Day, 15 August (1960) Cook Islands Constitution Day, first Monday in August (1965) Costa Rica Independence Day, 15 September (1821) Cote d'Ivoire Independence Day, 7 August (1960) Croatia Independence Day, 8 October (1991); note - 25 June 1991 was the day the Croatian parliament voted for independence; following a three-month moratorium to allow the European Community to solve the Yugoslav crisis peacefully, Parliament adopted a decision on 8 October 1991 to sever constitutional relations with Yugoslavia Cuba Triumph of the Revolution, 1 January (1959) Cyprus Independence Day, 1 October (1960); note - Turkish Cypriots celebrate 15 November (1983) as Independence Day Czech Republic Czech Founding Day, 28 October (1918) Denmark none designated; Constitution Day, 5 June (1849) is generally viewed as the National Day Djibouti Independence Day, 27 June (1977) Dominica Independence Day, 3 November (1978) Dominican Republic Independence Day, 27 February (1844) Ecuador Independence Day (independence of Quito), 10 August (1809) Egypt Revolution Day, 23 July (1952) El Salvador Independence Day, 15 September (1821) Equatorial Guinea Independence Day, 12 October (1968) Eritrea Independence Day, 24 May (1993) Estonia Independence Day, 24 February (1918); note - 24 February 1918 was the date Estonia declared its independence from Soviet Russia; 20 August 1991 was the date it declared its independence from the Soviet Union Ethiopia National Day (defeat of MENGISTU regime), 28 May (1991) European Union Europe Day 9 May (1950); note - a Union-wide holiday, the day that Robert SCHUMAN proposed the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community to achieve an organized Europe Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Liberation Day, 14 June (1982) Faroe Islands Olaifest (Olavasoka), 29 July Fiji Independence Day, second Monday of October (1970) Finland Independence Day, 6 December (1917) France Fete de la Federation, 14 July (1790); note - although often incorrectly referred to as Bastille Day, the celebration actually commemorates the holiday held on the first anniversary of the storming of the Bastille (on 14 July 1789) and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy; other names for the holiday are Fete Nationale (National Holiday) and quatorze juillet (14th of July) French Polynesia Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) Gabon Independence Day, 17 August (1960) Gambia, The Independence Day, 18 February (1965) Georgia Independence Day, 26 May (1918); note - 26 May 1918 was the date of independence from Soviet Russia, 9 April 1991 was the date of independence from the Soviet Union Germany Unity Day, 3 October (1990) Ghana Independence Day, 6 March (1957) Gibraltar National Day, 10 September (1967); note - day of the national referendum to decide whether to remain with the UK or go with Spain Greece Independence Day, 25 March (1821) Greenland June 21 (longest day) Grenada Independence Day, 7 February (1974) Guam Discovery Day, first Monday in March (1521) Guatemala Independence Day, 15 September (1821) Guernsey Liberation Day, 9 May (1945) Guinea Independence Day, 2 October (1958) Guinea-Bissau Independence Day, 24 September (1973) Guyana Republic Day, 23 February (1970) Haiti Independence Day, 1 January (1804) Holy See (Vatican City) Election Day of Pope BENEDICT XVI, 19 April (2005) Honduras Independence Day, 15 September (1821) Hong Kong National Day (Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China), 1 October (1949); note - 1 July 1997 is celebrated as Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day Hungary Saint Stephen's Day, 20 August Iceland Independence Day, 17 June (1944) India Republic Day, 26 January (1950) Indonesia Independence Day, 17 August (1945) Iran Republic Day, 1 April (1979) Iraq Republic Day, July 14 (1958); note - the Government of Iraq has yet to declare an official national holiday but still observes Republic Day Ireland Saint Patrick's Day, 17 March Isle of Man Tynwald Day, 5 July Israel Independence Day, 14 May (1948); note - Israel declared independence on 14 May 1948, but the Jewish calendar is lunar and the holiday may occur in April or May Italy Republic Day, 2 June (1946) Jamaica Independence Day, 6 August (1962) Japan Birthday of Emperor AKIHITO, 23 December (1933) Jersey Liberation Day, 9 May (1945) Jordan Independence Day, 25 May (1946) Kazakhstan Independence Day, 16 December (1991) Kenya Independence Day, 12 December (1963) Kiribati Independence Day, 12 July (1979) Korea, North Founding of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), 9 September (1948) Korea, South Liberation Day, 15 August (1945) Kosovo Independence Day, 17 February (2008) Kuwait National Day, 25 February (1950) Kyrgyzstan Independence Day, 31 August (1991) Laos Republic Day, 2 December (1975) Latvia Independence Day, 18 November (1918); note - 18 November 1918 was the date Latvia declared itself independent from Soviet Russia; 4 May 1990 is when it declared the renewal of independence; 21 August 1991 was the date of de facto independence from the Soviet Union Lebanon Independence Day, 22 November (1943) Lesotho Independence Day, 4 October (1966) Liberia Independence Day, 26 July (1847) Libya Revolution Day, 1 September (1969) Liechtenstein Assumption Day, 15 August Lithuania Independence Day, 16 February (1918); note - 16 February 1918 was the date Lithuania declared its independence from Soviet Russia and established its statehood; 11 March 1990 was the date it declared its independence from the Soviet Union Luxembourg National Day (Birthday of Grand Duchess Charlotte) 23 June; note - the actual date of birth was 23 January 1896, but the festivities were shifted by five months to allow observance during a more favorable time of year Macau National Day (Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China), 1 October (1949); note - 20 December 1999 is celebrated as Macau Special Administrative Region Establishment Day Macedonia Ilinden Uprising Day, 2 August (1903); note - also known as Saint Elijah's Day Madagascar Independence Day, 26 June (1960) Malawi Independence Day (Republic Day), 6 July (1964) Malaysia Independence Day/Malaysia Day, 31 August (1957) Maldives Independence Day, 26 July (1965) Mali Independence Day, 22 September (1960) Malta Independence Day, 21 September (1964) Marshall Islands Constitution Day, 1 May (1979) Mauritania Independence Day, 28 November (1960) Mauritius Independence Day, 12 March (1968) Mayotte Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) Mexico Independence Day, 16 September (1810) Micronesia, Federated States of Constitution Day, 10 May (1979) Moldova Independence Day, 27 August (1991) Monaco National Day (Saint Rainier's Day), 19 November (1857) Mongolia Independence Day/Revolution Day, 11 July (1921) Montenegro National Day, 13 July (1878) Montserrat Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926) Morocco Throne Day (accession of King MOHAMMED VI to the throne), 30 July (1999) Mozambique Independence Day, 25 June (1975) Namibia Independence Day, 21 March (1990) Nauru Independence Day, 31 January (1968) Nepal Republic Day, 29 May; Democracy Day, 24 April Netherlands Queen's Day (Birthday of Queen-Mother JULIANA and accession to the throne of her oldest daughter BEATRIX), 30 April (1909 and 1980) Netherlands Antilles Queen's Day (Birthday of Queen-Mother JULIANA and accession to the throne of her oldest daughter BEATRIX), 30 April (1909 and 1980) New Caledonia Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) New Zealand Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840); ANZAC Day (commemorated as the anniversary of the landing of troops of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps during World War I at Gallipoli, Turkey), 25 April (1915) Nicaragua Independence Day, 15 September (1821) Niger Republic Day, 18 December (1958) Nigeria Independence Day (National Day), 1 October (1960) Niue Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840) Norfolk Island Bounty Day (commemorates the arrival of Pitcairn Islanders), 8 June (1856) Northern Mariana Islands Commonwealth Day, 8 January (1978) Norway Constitution Day, 17 May (1814) Oman Birthday of Sultan QABOOS, 18 November (1940) Pakistan Republic Day, 23 March (1956) Palau Constitution Day, 9 July (1979) Panama Independence Day, 3 November (1903) Papua New Guinea Independence Day, 16 September (1975) Paraguay Independence Day, 14 May 1811 (observed 15 May) Peru Independence Day, 28 July (1821) Philippines Independence Day, 12 June (1898); note - 12 June 1898 was date of declaration of independence from Spain; 4 July 1946 was date of independence from US Pitcairn Islands Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926) Poland Constitution Day, 3 May (1791) Portugal Portugal Day (Dia de Portugal), 10 June (1580); note - also called Camoes Day, the day that revered national poet Luis de Camoes (1524-80) died Puerto Rico US Independence Day, 4 July (1776); Puerto Rico Constitution Day, 25 July (1952) Qatar Independence Day, 3 September (1971); also observed is National Day, 18 December Romania Unification Day (of Romania and Transylvania), 1 December (1918) Russia Russia Day, 12 June (1990) Rwanda Independence Day, 1 July (1962) Saint Barthelemy Bastille Day, 14 July (1789); note - local holiday is St. Barthelemy Day, 24 August Saint Helena Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926) Saint Kitts and Nevis Independence Day, 19 September (1983) Saint Lucia Independence Day, 22 February (1979) Saint Martin Bastille Day, 14 July (1789); note - local holiday is Schoalcher Day (Slavery Abolition Day) 12 July (1848) Saint Pierre and Miquelon Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Independence Day, 27 October (1979) Samoa Independence Day Celebration, 1 June (1962); note - 1 January 1962 is the date of independence from the New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship; it is observed in June San Marino Founding of the Republic, 3 September (AD 301) Sao Tome and Principe Independence Day, 12 July (1975) Saudi Arabia Unification of the Kingdom, 23 September (1932) Senegal Independence Day, 4 April (1960) Serbia National Day, 15 February Seychelles Constitution Day (National Day), 18 June (1993) Sierra Leone Independence Day, 27 April (1961) Singapore National Day, 9 August (1965) Slovakia Constitution Day, 1 September (1992) Slovenia Independence Day/Statehood Day, 25 June (1991) Solomon Islands Independence Day, 7 July (1978) Somalia Foundation of the Somali Republic, 1 July (1960); note - 26 June (1960) in Somaliland South Africa Freedom Day, 27 April (1994) Spain National Day, 12 October (1492); year when Columbus first set foot in the Americas Sri Lanka Independence Day, 4 February (1948) Sudan Independence Day, 1 January (1956) Suriname Independence Day, 25 November (1975) Swaziland Independence Day, 6 September (1968) Sweden Swedish Flag Day, 6 June (1916); National Day, 6 June (1983) Switzerland Founding of the Swiss Confederation, 1 August (1291) Syria Independence Day, 17 April (1946) Taiwan Republic Day (Anniversary of the Chinese Revolution), 10 October (1911) Tajikistan Independence Day (or National Day), 9 September (1991) Tanzania Union Day (Tanganyika and Zanzibar), 26 April (1964) Thailand Birthday of King PHUMIPHON (BHUMIBOL), 5 December (1927) Timor-Leste Independence Day, 28 November (1975) Togo Independence Day, 27 April (1960) Tokelau Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840) Tonga Emancipation Day, 4 June (1970) Trinidad and Tobago Independence Day, 31 August (1962) Tunisia Independence Day, 20 March (1956); also the anniversary of BEN ALI's assumption of the presidency, 7 November (1987) Turkey Republic Day, 29 October (1923) Turkmenistan Independence Day, 27 October (1991) Turks and Caicos Islands Constitution Day, 30 August (1976) Tuvalu Independence Day, 1 October (1978) Uganda Independence Day, 9 October (1962) Ukraine Independence Day, 24 August (1991); note - 22 January 1918, the day Ukraine first declared its independence (from Soviet Russia) and the day the short-lived Western and Central Ukrainian republics united (1919), is now celebrated as Unity Day United Arab Emirates Independence Day, 2 December (1971) United Kingdom the UK does not celebrate one particular national holiday United States Independence Day, 4 July (1776) Uruguay Independence Day, 25 August (1825) Uzbekistan Independence Day, 1 September (1991) Vanuatu Independence Day, 30 July (1980) Venezuela Independence Day, 5 July (1811) Vietnam Independence Day, 2 September (1945) Virgin Islands Transfer Day (from Denmark to the US), 31 March (1917) Wallis and Futuna Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) Yemen Unification Day, 22 May (1990) Zambia Independence Day, 24 October (1964) Zimbabwe Independence Day, 18 April (1980) ====================================================================== @2110 Field Listing :: Nationality This entry provides the identifying terms for citizens - noun and adjective. Country Nationality Afghanistan noun: Afghan(s) adjective: Afghan Albania noun: Albanian(s) adjective: Albanian Algeria noun: Algerian(s) adjective: Algerian American Samoa noun: American Samoan(s) (US nationals) adjective: American Samoan Andorra noun: Andorran(s) adjective: Andorran Angola noun: Angolan(s) adjective: Angolan Anguilla noun: Anguillan(s) adjective: Anguillan Antigua and Barbuda noun: Antiguan(s), Barbudan(s) adjective: Antiguan, Barbudan Argentina noun: Argentine(s) adjective: Argentine Armenia noun: Armenian(s) adjective: Armenian Aruba noun: Aruban(s) adjective: Aruban; Dutch Australia noun: Australian(s) adjective: Australian Austria noun: Austrian(s) adjective: Austrian Azerbaijan noun: Azerbaijani(s) adjective: Azerbaijani Bahamas, The noun: Bahamian(s) adjective: Bahamian Bahrain noun: Bahraini(s) adjective: Bahraini Bangladesh noun: Bangladeshi(s) adjective: Bangladeshi Barbados noun: Barbadian(s) or Bajan (colloquial) adjective: Barbadian or Bajan (colloquial) Belarus noun: Belarusian(s) adjective: Belarusian Belgium noun: Belgian(s) adjective: Belgian Belize noun: Belizean(s) adjective: Belizean Benin noun: Beninese (singular and plural) adjective: Beninese Bermuda noun: Bermudian(s) adjective: Bermudian Bhutan noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural) adjective: Bhutanese Bolivia noun: Bolivian(s) adjective: Bolivian Bosnia and Herzegovina noun: Bosnian(s), Herzegovinian(s) adjective: Bosnian, Herzegovinian Botswana noun: Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural) adjective: Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural) Brazil noun: Brazilian(s) adjective: Brazilian British Virgin Islands noun: British Virgin Islander(s) adjective: British Virgin Islander Brunei noun: Bruneian(s) adjective: Bruneian Bulgaria noun: Bulgarian(s) adjective: Bulgarian Burkina Faso noun: Burkinabe (singular and plural) adjective: Burkinabe Burma noun: Burmese (singular and plural) adjective: Burmese Burundi noun: Burundian(s) adjective: Burundian Cambodia noun: Cambodian(s) adjective: Cambodian Cameroon noun: Cameroonian(s) adjective: Cameroonian Canada noun: Canadian(s) adjective: Canadian Cape Verde noun: Cape Verdean(s) adjective: Cape Verdean Cayman Islands noun: Caymanian(s) adjective: Caymanian Central African Republic noun: Central African(s) adjective: Central African Chad noun: Chadian(s) adjective: Chadian Chile noun: Chilean(s) adjective: Chilean China noun: Chinese (singular and plural) adjective: Chinese Christmas Island noun: Christmas Islander(s) adjective: Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands noun: Cocos Islander(s) adjective: Cocos Islander Colombia noun: Colombian(s) adjective: Colombian Comoros noun: Comoran(s) adjective: Comoran Congo, Democratic Republic of the noun: Congolese (singular and plural) adjective: Congolese or Congo Congo, Republic of the noun: Congolese (singular and plural) adjective: Congolese or Congo Cook Islands noun: Cook Islander(s) adjective: Cook Islander Costa Rica noun: Costa Rican(s) adjective: Costa Rican Cote d'Ivoire noun: Ivoirian(s) adjective: Ivoirian Croatia noun: Croat(s), Croatian(s) adjective: Croatian Cuba noun: Cuban(s) adjective: Cuban Cyprus noun: Cypriot(s) adjective: Cypriot Czech Republic noun: Czech(s) adjective: Czech Denmark noun: Dane(s) adjective: Danish Djibouti noun: Djiboutian(s) adjective: Djiboutian Dominica noun: Dominican(s) adjective: Dominican Dominican Republic noun: Dominican(s) adjective: Dominican Ecuador noun: Ecuadorian(s) adjective: Ecuadorian Egypt noun: Egyptian(s) adjective: Egyptian El Salvador noun: Salvadoran(s) adjective: Salvadoran Equatorial Guinea noun: Equatorial Guinean(s) or Equatoguinean(s) adjective: Equatorial Guinean or Equatoguinean Eritrea noun: Eritrean(s) adjective: Eritrean Estonia noun: Estonian(s) adjective: Estonian Ethiopia noun: Ethiopian(s) adjective: Ethiopian Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) noun: Falkland Islander(s) adjective: Falkland Island Faroe Islands noun: Faroese (singular and plural) adjective: Faroese Fiji noun: Fijian(s) adjective: Fijian Finland noun: Finn(s) adjective: Finnish France noun: Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women) adjective: French French Polynesia noun: French Polynesian(s) adjective: French Polynesian Gabon noun: Gabonese (singular and plural) adjective: Gabonese Gambia, The noun: Gambian(s) adjective: Gambian Gaza Strip noun: NA adjective: NA Georgia noun: Georgian(s) adjective: Georgian Germany noun: German(s) adjective: German Ghana noun: Ghanaian(s) adjective: Ghanaian Gibraltar noun: Gibraltarian(s) adjective: Gibraltar Greece noun: Greek(s) adjective: Greek Greenland noun: Greenlander(s) adjective: Greenlandic Grenada noun: Grenadian(s) adjective: Grenadian Guam noun: Guamanian(s) (US citizens) adjective: Guamanian Guatemala noun: Guatemalan(s) adjective: Guatemalan Guernsey noun: Channel Islander(s) adjective: Channel Islander Guinea noun: Guinean(s) adjective: Guinean Guinea-Bissau noun: Guinean(s) adjective: Guinean Guyana noun: Guyanese (singular and plural) adjective: Guyanese Haiti noun: Haitian(s) adjective: Haitian Holy See (Vatican City) noun: none adjective: none Honduras noun: Honduran(s) adjective: Honduran Hong Kong noun: Chinese/Hong Konger adjective: Chinese/Hong Kong Hungary noun: Hungarian(s) adjective: Hungarian Iceland noun: Icelander(s) adjective: Icelandic India noun: Indian(s) adjective: Indian Indonesia noun: Indonesian(s) adjective: Indonesian Iran noun: Iranian(s) adjective: Iranian Iraq noun: Iraqi(s) adjective: Iraqi Ireland noun: Irishman(men), Irishwoman(women), Irish (collective plural) adjective: Irish Isle of Man noun: Manxman (men), Manxwoman (women) adjective: Manx Israel noun: Israeli(s) adjective: Israeli Italy noun: Italian(s) adjective: Italian Jamaica noun: Jamaican(s) adjective: Jamaican Japan noun: Japanese (singular and plural) adjective: Japanese Jersey noun: Channel Islander(s) adjective: Channel Islander Jordan noun: Jordanian(s) adjective: Jordanian Kazakhstan noun: Kazakhstani(s) adjective: Kazakhstani Kenya noun: Kenyan(s) adjective: Kenyan Kiribati noun: I-Kiribati (singular and plural) adjective: I-Kiribati Korea, North noun: Korean(s) adjective: Korean Korea, South noun: Korean(s) adjective: Korean Kosovo noun: Kosovar (Albanian), Kosovac (Serbian) adjective: Kosovar (Albanian), Kosovski (Serbian) note: Kosovan, a neutral term, is sometimes also used as a noun or adjective Kuwait noun: Kuwaiti(s) adjective: Kuwaiti Kyrgyzstan noun: Kyrgyzstani(s) adjective: Kyrgyzstani Laos noun: Lao(s) or Laotian(s) adjective: Lao or Laotian Latvia noun: Latvian(s) adjective: Latvian Lebanon noun: Lebanese (singular and plural) adjective: Lebanese Lesotho noun: Mosotho (singular), Basotho (plural) adjective: Basotho Liberia noun: Liberian(s) adjective: Liberian Libya noun: Libyan(s) adjective: Libyan Liechtenstein noun: Liechtensteiner(s) adjective: Liechtenstein Lithuania noun: Lithuanian(s) adjective: Lithuanian Luxembourg noun: Luxembourger(s) adjective: Luxembourg Macau noun: Chinese adjective: Chinese Macedonia noun: Macedonian(s) adjective: Macedonian Madagascar noun: Malagasy (singular and plural) adjective: Malagasy Malawi noun: Malawian(s) adjective: Malawian Malaysia noun: Malaysian(s) adjective: Malaysian Maldives noun: Maldivian(s) adjective: Maldivian Mali noun: Malian(s) adjective: Malian Malta noun: Maltese (singular and plural) adjective: Maltese Marshall Islands noun: Marshallese (singular and plural) adjective: Marshallese Mauritania noun: Mauritanian(s) adjective: Mauritanian Mauritius noun: Mauritian(s) adjective: Mauritian Mayotte noun: Mahorais (singular and plural) adjective: Mahoran Mexico noun: Mexican(s) adjective: Mexican Micronesia, Federated States of noun: Micronesian(s) adjective: Micronesian; Chuukese, Kosraen(s), Pohnpeian(s), Yapese Moldova noun: Moldovan(s) adjective: Moldovan Monaco noun: Monegasque(s) or Monacan(s) adjective: Monegasque or Monacan Mongolia noun: Mongolian(s) adjective: Mongolian Montenegro noun: Montenegrin(s) adjective: Montenegrin Montserrat noun: Montserratian(s) adjective: Montserratian Morocco noun: Moroccan(s) adjective: Moroccan Mozambique noun: Mozambican(s) adjective: Mozambican Namibia noun: Namibian(s) adjective: Namibian Nauru noun: Nauruan(s) adjective: Nauruan Nepal noun: Nepalese (singular and plural) adjective: Nepalese Netherlands noun: Dutchman(men), Dutchwoman(women) adjective: Dutch Netherlands Antilles noun: Dutch Antillean(s) adjective: Dutch Antillean New Caledonia noun: New Caledonian(s) adjective: New Caledonian New Zealand noun: New Zealander(s) adjective: New Zealand Nicaragua noun: Nicaraguan(s) adjective: Nicaraguan Niger noun: Nigerien(s) adjective: Nigerien Nigeria noun: Nigerian(s) adjective: Nigerian Niue noun: Niuean(s) adjective: Niuean Norfolk Island noun: Norfolk Islander(s) adjective: Norfolk Islander(s) Northern Mariana Islands noun: NA (US citizens) adjective: NA Norway noun: Norwegian(s) adjective: Norwegian Oman noun: Omani(s) adjective: Omani Pakistan noun: Pakistani(s) adjective: Pakistani Palau noun: Palauan(s) adjective: Palauan Panama noun: Panamanian(s) adjective: Panamanian Papua New Guinea noun: Papua New Guinean(s) adjective: Papua New Guinean Paraguay noun: Paraguayan(s) adjective: Paraguayan Peru noun: Peruvian(s) adjective: Peruvian Philippines noun: Filipino(s) adjective: Philippine Pitcairn Islands noun: Pitcairn Islander(s) adjective: Pitcairn Islander Poland noun: Pole(s) adjective: Polish Portugal noun: Portuguese (singular and plural) adjective: Portuguese Puerto Rico noun: Puerto Rican(s) (US citizens) adjective: Puerto Rican Qatar noun: Qatari(s) adjective: Qatari Romania noun: Romanian(s) adjective: Romanian Russia noun: Russian(s) adjective: Russian Rwanda noun: Rwandan(s) adjective: Rwandan Saint Helena noun: Saint Helenian(s) adjective: Saint Helenian note: referred to locally as "Saints" Saint Kitts and Nevis noun: Kittitian(s), Nevisian(s) adjective: Kittitian, Nevisian Saint Lucia noun: Saint Lucian(s) adjective: Saint Lucian Saint Pierre and Miquelon noun: Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women) adjective: French Saint Vincent and the Grenadines noun: Saint Vincentian(s) or Vincentian(s) adjective: Saint Vincentian or Vincentian Samoa noun: Samoan(s) adjective: Samoan San Marino noun: Sammarinese (singular and plural) adjective: Sammarinese Sao Tome and Principe noun: Sao Tomean(s) adjective: Sao Tomean Saudi Arabia noun: Saudi(s) adjective: Saudi or Saudi Arabian Senegal noun: Senegalese (singular and plural) adjective: Senegalese Serbia noun: Serb(s) adjective: Serbian Seychelles noun: Seychellois (singular and plural) adjective: Seychellois Sierra Leone noun: Sierra Leonean(s) adjective: Sierra Leonean Singapore noun: Singaporean(s) adjective: Singapore Slovakia noun: Slovak(s) adjective: Slovak Slovenia noun: Slovene(s) adjective: Slovenian Solomon Islands noun: Solomon Islander(s) adjective: Solomon Islander Somalia noun: Somali(s) adjective: Somali South Africa noun: South African(s) adjective: South African Spain noun: Spaniard(s) adjective: Spanish Sri Lanka noun: Sri Lankan(s) adjective: Sri Lankan Sudan noun: Sudanese (singular and plural) adjective: Sudanese Suriname noun: Surinamer(s) adjective: Surinamese Swaziland noun: Swazi(s) adjective: Swazi Sweden noun: Swede(s) adjective: Swedish Switzerland noun: Swiss (singular and plural) adjective: Swiss Syria noun: Syrian(s) adjective: Syrian Taiwan noun: Taiwan (singular and plural) note: example - he or she is from Taiwan; they are from Taiwan adjective: Taiwan Tajikistan noun: Tajikistani(s) adjective: Tajikistani Tanzania noun: Tanzanian(s) adjective: Tanzanian Thailand noun: Thai (singular and plural) adjective: Thai Timor-Leste noun: Timorese adjective: Timorese Togo noun: Togolese (singular and plural) adjective: Togolese Tokelau noun: Tokelauan(s) adjective: Tokelauan Tonga noun: Tongan(s) adjective: Tongan Trinidad and Tobago noun: Trinidadian(s), Tobagonian(s) adjective: Trinidadian, Tobagonian Tunisia noun: Tunisian(s) adjective: Tunisian Turkey noun: Turk(s) adjective: Turkish Turkmenistan noun: Turkmen(s) adjective: Turkmen Turks and Caicos Islands noun: none adjective: none Tuvalu noun: Tuvaluan(s) adjective: Tuvaluan Uganda noun: Ugandan(s) adjective: Ugandan Ukraine noun: Ukrainian(s) adjective: Ukrainian United Arab Emirates noun: Emirati(s) adjective: Emirati United Kingdom noun: Briton(s), British (collective plural) adjective: British United States noun: American(s) adjective: American Uruguay noun: Uruguayan(s) adjective: Uruguayan Uzbekistan noun: Uzbekistani adjective: Uzbekistani Vanuatu noun: Ni-Vanuatu (singular and plural) adjective: Ni-Vanuatu Venezuela noun: Venezuelan(s) adjective: Venezuelan Vietnam noun: Vietnamese (singular and plural) adjective: Vietnamese Virgin Islands noun: Virgin Islander(s) (US citizens) adjective: Virgin Islander Wallis and Futuna noun: Wallisian(s), Futunan(s), or Wallis and Futuna Islanders adjective: Wallisian, Futunan, or Wallis and Futuna Islander West Bank noun: NA adjective: NA Western Sahara noun: Sahrawi(s), Sahraoui(s) adjective: Sahrawi, Sahrawian, Sahraouian Yemen noun: Yemeni(s) adjective: Yemeni Zambia noun: Zambian(s) adjective: Zambian Zimbabwe noun: Zimbabwean(s) adjective: Zimbabwean ====================================================================== @2111 Field Listing :: Natural resources This entry lists a country's mineral, petroleum, hydropower, and other resources of commercial importance. Country Natural resources Afghanistan natural gas, petroleum, coal, copper, chromite, talc, barites, sulfur, lead, zinc, iron ore, salt, precious and semiprecious stones Albania petroleum, natural gas, coal, bauxite, chromite, copper, iron ore, nickel, salt, timber, hydropower Algeria petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, uranium, lead, zinc American Samoa pumice, pumicite Andorra hydropower, mineral water, timber, iron ore, lead Angola petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar, gold, bauxite, uranium Anguilla salt, fish, lobster Antarctica iron ore, chromium, copper, gold, nickel, platinum and other minerals, and coal and hydrocarbons have been found in small uncommercial quantities; none presently exploited; krill, finfish, and crab have been taken by commercial fisheries Antigua and Barbuda NEGL; pleasant climate fosters tourism Arctic Ocean sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic nodules, oil and gas fields, fish, marine mammals (seals and whales) Argentina fertile plains of the pampas, lead, zinc, tin, copper, iron ore, manganese, petroleum, uranium Armenia small deposits of gold, copper, molybdenum, zinc, bauxite Aruba NEGL; white sandy beaches Ashmore and Cartier Islands fish Atlantic Ocean oil and gas fields, fish, marine mammals (seals and whales), sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic nodules, precious stones Australia bauxite, coal, iron ore, copper, tin, gold, silver, uranium, nickel, tungsten, mineral sands, lead, zinc, diamonds, natural gas, petroleum note: Australia is the world's largest net exporter of coal accounting for 29% of global coal exports Austria oil, coal, lignite, timber, iron ore, copper, zinc, antimony, magnesite, tungsten, graphite, salt, hydropower Azerbaijan petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, nonferrous metals, bauxite Bahamas, The salt, aragonite, timber, arable land Bahrain oil, associated and nonassociated natural gas, fish, pearls Bangladesh natural gas, arable land, timber, coal Barbados petroleum, fish, natural gas Belarus forests, peat deposits, small quantities of oil and natural gas, granite, dolomitic limestone, marl, chalk, sand, gravel, clay Belgium construction materials, silica sand, carbonates Belize arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower Benin small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber Bermuda limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism Bhutan timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbonate Bolivia tin, natural gas, petroleum, zinc, tungsten, antimony, silver, iron, lead, gold, timber, hydropower Bosnia and Herzegovina coal, iron ore, bauxite, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, cobalt, manganese, nickel, clay, gypsum, salt, sand, forests, hydropower Botswana diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver Bouvet Island none Brazil bauxite, gold, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, platinum, tin, uranium, petroleum, hydropower, timber British Indian Ocean Territory coconuts, fish, sugarcane British Virgin Islands NEGL Brunei petroleum, natural gas, timber Bulgaria bauxite, copper, lead, zinc, coal, timber, arable land Burkina Faso manganese, limestone, marble; small deposits of gold, phosphates, pumice, salt Burma petroleum, timber, tin, antimony, zinc, copper, tungsten, lead, coal, marble, limestone, precious stones, natural gas, hydropower Burundi nickel, uranium, rare earth oxides, peat, cobalt, copper, platinum, vanadium, arable land, hydropower, niobium, tantalum, gold, tin, tungsten, kaolin, limestone Cambodia oil and gas, timber, gemstones, iron ore, manganese, phosphates, hydropower potential Cameroon petroleum, bauxite, iron ore, timber, hydropower Canada iron ore, nickel, zinc, copper, gold, lead, molybdenum, potash, diamonds, silver, fish, timber, wildlife, coal, petroleum, natural gas, hydropower Cape Verde salt, basalt rock, limestone, kaolin, fish, clay, gypsum Cayman Islands fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism Central African Republic diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil, hydropower Chad petroleum, uranium, natron, kaolin, fish (Lake Chad), gold, limestone, sand and gravel, salt Chile copper, timber, iron ore, nitrates, precious metals, molybdenum, hydropower China coal, iron ore, petroleum, natural gas, mercury, tin, tungsten, antimony, manganese, molybdenum, vanadium, magnetite, aluminum, lead, zinc, uranium, hydropower potential (world's largest) Christmas Island phosphate, beaches Clipperton Island fish Cocos (Keeling) Islands fish Colombia petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold, copper, emeralds, hydropower Comoros NEGL Congo, Democratic Republic of the cobalt, copper, niobium, tantalum, petroleum, industrial and gem diamonds, gold, silver, zinc, manganese, tin, uranium, coal, hydropower, timber Congo, Republic of the petroleum, timber, potash, lead, zinc, uranium, copper, phosphates, gold, magnesium, natural gas, hydropower Cook Islands NEGL Coral Sea Islands NEGL Costa Rica hydropower Cote d'Ivoire petroleum, natural gas, diamonds, manganese, iron ore, cobalt, bauxite, copper, gold, nickel, tantalum, silica sand, clay, cocoa beans, coffee, palm oil, hydropower Croatia oil, some coal, bauxite, low-grade iron ore, calcium, gypsum, natural asphalt, silica, mica, clays, salt, hydropower Cuba cobalt, nickel, iron ore, chromium, copper, salt, timber, silica, petroleum, arable land Cyprus copper, pyrites, asbestos, gypsum, timber, salt, marble, clay earth pigment Czech Republic hard coal, soft coal, kaolin, clay, graphite, timber Denmark petroleum, natural gas, fish, salt, limestone, chalk, stone, gravel and sand Djibouti geothermal areas, gold, clay, granite, limestone, marble, salt, diatomite, gypsum, pumice, petroleum Dominica timber, hydropower, arable land Dominican Republic nickel, bauxite, gold, silver Ecuador petroleum, fish, timber, hydropower Egypt petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, manganese, limestone, gypsum, talc, asbestos, lead, zinc El Salvador hydropower, geothermal power, petroleum, arable land Equatorial Guinea petroleum, natural gas, timber, gold, bauxite, diamonds, tantalum, sand and gravel, clay Eritrea gold, potash, zinc, copper, salt, possibly oil and natural gas, fish Estonia oil shale, peat, phosphorite, clay, limestone, sand, dolomite, arable land, sea mud Ethiopia small reserves of gold, platinum, copper, potash, natural gas, hydropower European Union iron ore, natural gas, petroleum, coal, copper, lead, zinc, bauxite, uranium, potash, salt, hydropower, arable land, timber, fish Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) fish, squid, wildlife, calcified seaweed, sphagnum moss Faroe Islands fish, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas Fiji timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil potential, hydropower Finland timber, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, nickel, gold, silver, limestone France metropolitan France: coal, iron ore, bauxite, zinc, uranium, antimony, arsenic, potash, feldspar, fluorspar, gypsum, timber, fish French Guiana: gold deposits, petroleum, kaolin, niobium, tantalum, clay French Polynesia timber, fish, cobalt, hydropower French Southern and Antarctic Lands fish, crayfish note: Glorioso Islands and Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses) have guano, phosphates, and coconuts Gabon petroleum, natural gas, diamond, niobium, manganese, uranium, gold, timber, iron ore, hydropower Gambia, The fish, titanium (rutile and ilmenite), tin, zircon, silica sand, clay, petroleum Gaza Strip arable land, natural gas Georgia forests, hydropower, manganese deposits, iron ore, copper, minor coal and oil deposits; coastal climate and soils allow for important tea and citrus growth Germany coal, lignite, natural gas, iron ore, copper, nickel, uranium, potash, salt, construction materials, timber, arable land Ghana gold, timber, industrial diamonds, bauxite, manganese, fish, rubber, hydropower, petroleum, silver, salt, limestone Gibraltar none Greece lignite, petroleum, iron ore, bauxite, lead, zinc, nickel, magnesite, marble, salt, hydropower potential Greenland coal, iron ore, lead, zinc, molybdenum, diamonds, gold, platinum, niobium, tantalite, uranium, fish, seals, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas Grenada timber, tropical fruit, deepwater harbors Guam aquatic wildlife (supporting tourism), fishing (largely undeveloped) Guatemala petroleum, nickel, rare woods, fish, chicle, hydropower Guernsey cropland Guinea bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold, uranium, hydropower, fish, salt Guinea-Bissau fish, timber, phosphates, bauxite, clay, granite, limestone, unexploited deposits of petroleum Guyana bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp, fish Haiti bauxite, copper, calcium carbonate, gold, marble, hydropower Heard Island and McDonald Islands fish Holy See (Vatican City) none Honduras timber, gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, iron ore, antimony, coal, fish, hydropower Hong Kong outstanding deepwater harbor, feldspar Hungary bauxite, coal, natural gas, fertile soils, arable land Iceland fish, hydropower, geothermal power, diatomite India coal (fourth-largest reserves in the world), iron ore, manganese, mica, bauxite, titanium ore, chromite, natural gas, diamonds, petroleum, limestone, arable land Indian Ocean oil and gas fields, fish, shrimp, sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic nodules Indonesia petroleum, tin, natural gas, nickel, timber, bauxite, copper, fertile soils, coal, gold, silver Iran petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, iron ore, lead, manganese, zinc, sulfur Iraq petroleum, natural gas, phosphates, sulfur Ireland natural gas, peat, copper, lead, zinc, silver, barite, gypsum, limestone, dolomite Isle of Man none Israel timber, potash, copper ore, natural gas, phosphate rock, magnesium bromide, clays, sand Italy coal, mercury, zinc, potash, marble, barite, asbestos, pumice, fluorspar, feldspar, pyrite (sulfur), natural gas and crude oil reserves, fish, arable land Jamaica bauxite, gypsum, limestone Jan Mayen none Japan negligible mineral resources, fish note: with virtually no energy natural resources, Japan is the world's largest importer of coal and liquefied natural gas as well as the second largest importer of oil Jersey arable land Jordan phosphates, potash, shale oil Kazakhstan major deposits of petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, manganese, chrome ore, nickel, cobalt, copper, molybdenum, lead, zinc, bauxite, gold, uranium Kenya limestone, soda ash, salt, gemstones, fluorspar, zinc, diatomite, gypsum, wildlife, hydropower Kiribati phosphate (production discontinued in 1979) Korea, North coal, lead, tungsten, zinc, graphite, magnesite, iron ore, copper, gold, pyrites, salt, fluorspar, hydropower Korea, South coal, tungsten, graphite, molybdenum, lead, hydropower potential Kosovo nickel, lead, zinc, magnesium, lignite, kaolin, chrome, bauxite Kuwait petroleum, fish, shrimp, natural gas Kyrgyzstan abundant hydropower; significant deposits of gold and rare earth metals; locally exploitable coal, oil, and natural gas; other deposits of nepheline, mercury, bismuth, lead, and zinc Laos timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones Latvia peat, limestone, dolomite, amber, hydropower, wood, arable land Lebanon limestone, iron ore, salt, water-surplus state in a water-deficit region, arable land Lesotho water, agricultural and grazing land, diamonds, sand, clay, building stone Liberia iron ore, timber, diamonds, gold, hydropower Libya petroleum, natural gas, gypsum Liechtenstein hydroelectric potential, arable land Lithuania peat, arable land, amber Luxembourg iron ore (no longer exploited), arable land Macau NEGL Macedonia low-grade iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, manganese, nickel, tungsten, gold, silver, asbestos, gypsum, timber, arable land Madagascar graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, salt, quartz, tar sands, semiprecious stones, mica, fish, hydropower Malawi limestone, arable land, hydropower, unexploited deposits of uranium, coal, and bauxite Malaysia tin, petroleum, timber, copper, iron ore, natural gas, bauxite Maldives fish Mali gold, phosphates, kaolin, salt, limestone, uranium, gypsum, granite, hydropower note: bauxite, iron ore, manganese, tin, and copper deposits are known but not exploited Malta limestone, salt, arable land Marshall Islands coconut products, marine products, deep seabed minerals Mauritania iron ore, gypsum, copper, phosphate, diamonds, gold, oil, fish Mauritius arable land, fish Mayotte NEGL Mexico petroleum, silver, copper, gold, lead, zinc, natural gas, timber Micronesia, Federated States of forests, marine products, deep-seabed minerals, phosphate Moldova lignite, phosphorites, gypsum, arable land, limestone Monaco none Mongolia oil, coal, copper, molybdenum, tungsten, phosphates, tin, nickel, zinc, fluorspar, gold, silver, iron Montenegro bauxite, hydroelectricity Montserrat NEGL Morocco phosphates, iron ore, manganese, lead, zinc, fish, salt Mozambique coal, titanium, natural gas, hydropower, tantalum, graphite Namibia diamonds, copper, uranium, gold, silver, lead, tin, lithium, cadmium, tungsten, zinc, salt, hydropower, fish note: suspected deposits of oil, coal, and iron ore Nauru phosphates, fish Navassa Island guano Nepal quartz, water, timber, hydropower, scenic beauty, small deposits of lignite, copper, cobalt, iron ore Netherlands natural gas, petroleum, peat, limestone, salt, sand and gravel, arable land Netherlands Antilles phosphates (Curacao only), salt (Bonaire only) New Caledonia nickel, chrome, iron, cobalt, manganese, silver, gold, lead, copper New Zealand natural gas, iron ore, sand, coal, timber, hydropower, gold, limestone Nicaragua gold, silver, copper, tungsten, lead, zinc, timber, fish Niger uranium, coal, iron ore, tin, phosphates, gold, molybdenum, gypsum, salt, petroleum Nigeria natural gas, petroleum, tin, iron ore, coal, limestone, niobium, lead, zinc, arable land Niue fish, arable land Norfolk Island fish Northern Mariana Islands arable land, fish Norway petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, titanium, pyrites, nickel, fish, timber, hydropower Oman petroleum, copper, asbestos, some marble, limestone, chromium, gypsum, natural gas Pacific Ocean oil and gas fields, polymetallic nodules, sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, fish Pakistan land, extensive natural gas reserves, limited petroleum, poor quality coal, iron ore, copper, salt, limestone Palau forests, minerals (especially gold), marine products, deep-seabed minerals Panama copper, mahogany forests, shrimp, hydropower Papua New Guinea gold, copper, silver, natural gas, timber, oil, fisheries Paracel Islands none Paraguay hydropower, timber, iron ore, manganese, limestone Peru copper, silver, gold, petroleum, timber, fish, iron ore, coal, phosphate, potash, hydropower, natural gas Philippines timber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, salt, copper Pitcairn Islands miro trees (used for handicrafts), fish note: manganese, iron, copper, gold, silver, and zinc have been discovered offshore Poland coal, sulfur, copper, natural gas, silver, lead, salt, amber, arable land Portugal fish, forests (cork), iron ore, copper, zinc, tin, tungsten, silver, gold, uranium, marble, clay, gypsum, salt, arable land, hydropower Puerto Rico some copper and nickel; potential for onshore and offshore oil Qatar petroleum, natural gas, fish Romania petroleum (reserves declining), timber, natural gas, coal, iron ore, salt, arable land, hydropower Russia wide natural resource base including major deposits of oil, natural gas, coal, and many strategic minerals, timber note: formidable obstacles of climate, terrain, and distance hinder exploitation of natural resources Rwanda gold, cassiterite (tin ore), wolframite (tungsten ore), methane, hydropower, arable land Saint Barthelemy has few natural resources, its beaches being the most important Saint Helena fish, lobster Saint Kitts and Nevis arable land Saint Lucia forests, sandy beaches, minerals (pumice), mineral springs, geothermal potential Saint Martin salt Saint Pierre and Miquelon fish, deepwater ports Saint Vincent and the Grenadines hydropower, cropland Samoa hardwood forests, fish, hydropower San Marino building stone Sao Tome and Principe fish, hydropower Saudi Arabia petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper Senegal fish, phosphates, iron ore Serbia oil, gas, coal, iron ore, copper, zinc, antimony, chromite, gold, silver, magnesium, pyrite, limestone, marble, salt, arable land Seychelles fish, copra, cinnamon trees Sierra Leone diamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore, gold, chromite Singapore fish, deepwater ports Slovakia brown coal and lignite; small amounts of iron ore, copper and manganese ore; salt; arable land Slovenia lignite coal, lead, zinc, building stone, hydropower, forests Solomon Islands fish, forests, gold, bauxite, phosphates, lead, zinc, nickel Somalia uranium and largely unexploited reserves of iron ore, tin, gypsum, bauxite, copper, salt, natural gas, likely oil reserves South Africa gold, chromium, antimony, coal, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, tin, uranium, gem diamonds, platinum, copper, vanadium, salt, natural gas South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands fish Southern Ocean probable large and possible giant oil and gas fields on the continental margin; manganese nodules, possible placer deposits, sand and gravel, fresh water as icebergs; squid, whales, and seals - none exploited; krill, fish Spain coal, lignite, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, uranium, tungsten, mercury, pyrites, magnesite, fluorspar, gypsum, sepiolite, kaolin, potash, hydropower, arable land Spratly Islands fish, guano, undetermined oil and natural gas potential Sri Lanka limestone, graphite, mineral sands, gems, phosphates, clay, hydropower Sudan petroleum; small reserves of iron ore, copper, chromium ore, zinc, tungsten, mica, silver, gold, hydropower Suriname timber, hydropower, fish, kaolin, shrimp, bauxite, gold, and small amounts of nickel, copper, platinum, iron ore Svalbard coal, iron ore, copper, zinc, phosphate, wildlife, fish Swaziland asbestos, coal, clay, cassiterite, hydropower, forests, small gold and diamond deposits, quarry stone, and talc Sweden iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, gold, silver, tungsten, uranium, arsenic, feldspar, timber, hydropower Switzerland hydropower potential, timber, salt Syria petroleum, phosphates, chrome and manganese ores, asphalt, iron ore, rock salt, marble, gypsum, hydropower Taiwan small deposits of coal, natural gas, limestone, marble, and asbestos Tajikistan hydropower, some petroleum, uranium, mercury, brown coal, lead, zinc, antimony, tungsten, silver, gold Tanzania hydropower, tin, phosphates, iron ore, coal, diamonds, gemstones, gold, natural gas, nickel Thailand tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber, lead, fish, gypsum, lignite, fluorite, arable land Timor-Leste gold, petroleum, natural gas, manganese, marble Togo phosphates, limestone, marble, arable land Tokelau NEGL Tonga fish, fertile soil Trinidad and Tobago petroleum, natural gas, asphalt Tunisia petroleum, phosphates, iron ore, lead, zinc, salt Turkey coal, iron ore, copper, chromium, antimony, mercury, gold, barite, borate, celestite (strontium), emery, feldspar, limestone, magnesite, marble, perlite, pumice, pyrites (sulfur), clay, arable land, hydropower Turkmenistan petroleum, natural gas, sulfur, salt Turks and Caicos Islands spiny lobster, conch Tuvalu fish Uganda copper, cobalt, hydropower, limestone, salt, arable land, gold Ukraine iron ore, coal, manganese, natural gas, oil, salt, sulfur, graphite, titanium, magnesium, kaolin, nickel, mercury, timber, arable land United Arab Emirates petroleum, natural gas United Kingdom coal, petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, lead, zinc, gold, tin, limestone, salt, clay, chalk, gypsum, potash, silica sand, slate, arable land United States coal, copper, lead, molybdenum, phosphates, uranium, bauxite, gold, iron, mercury, nickel, potash, silver, tungsten, zinc, petroleum, natural gas, timber note: the US has the world's largest coal reserves with 491 billion short tons accounting for 27% of the world's total United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges terrestrial and aquatic wildlife Uruguay arable land, hydropower, minor minerals, fisheries Uzbekistan natural gas, petroleum, coal, gold, uranium, silver, copper, lead and zinc, tungsten, molybdenum Vanuatu manganese, hardwood forests, fish Venezuela petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, bauxite, other minerals, hydropower, diamonds Vietnam phosphates, coal, manganese, bauxite, chromate, offshore oil and gas deposits, forests, hydropower Virgin Islands sun, sand, sea, surf Wake Island none Wallis and Futuna NEGL West Bank arable land Western Sahara phosphates, iron ore World the rapid depletion of nonrenewable mineral resources, the depletion of forest areas and wetlands, the extinction of animal and plant species, and the deterioration in air and water quality (especially in some countries of Eastern Europe, the former USSR, and China) pose serious long-term problems that governments and peoples are only beginning to address Yemen petroleum, fish, rock salt, marble; small deposits of coal, gold, lead, nickel, and copper; fertile soil in west Zambia copper, cobalt, zinc, lead, coal, emeralds, gold, silver, uranium, hydropower Zimbabwe coal, chromium ore, asbestos, gold, nickel, copper, iron ore, vanadium, lithium, tin, platinum group metals ====================================================================== @2112 Field Listing :: Net migration rate This entry includes the figure for the difference between the number of persons entering and leaving a country during the year per 1,000 persons (based on midyear population). An excess of persons entering the country is referred to as net immigration (e.g., 3.56 migrants/1,000 population); an excess of persons leaving the country as net emigration (e.g., -9.26 migrants/1,000 population). The net migration rate indicates the contribution of migration to the overall level of population change. High levels of migration can cause problems such as increasing unemployment and potential ethnic strife (if people are coming in) or a reduction in the labor force, perhaps in certain key sectors (if people are leaving). Country Comparison to the World Country Net migration rate(migrant(s)/1,000 population) Afghanistan 21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Albania -4.28 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Algeria -0.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) American Samoa -6.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Andorra 6.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Angola 1.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Anguilla 14.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Antigua and Barbuda 2.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Argentina 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Armenia -4.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Aruba 9.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Australia 6.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Austria 1.85 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Azerbaijan -1.69 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Bahamas, The -2.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Bahrain 0.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Bangladesh -2.53 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Barbados -0.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Belarus 0.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Belgium 1.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Belize NA (2009 est.) Benin 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Bermuda 2.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Bhutan NA Bolivia -1.05 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina 3.17 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Botswana 5 migrant(s)/1,000 population note: there is an increasing flow of Zimbabweans into South Africa and Botswana in search of better economic opportunities (2009 est.) Brazil -0.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) British Virgin Islands 8.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Brunei 2.69 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Bulgaria -3.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Burkina Faso NA Burma NA Burundi 4.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Cambodia NA Cameroon NA (2009 est.) Canada 5.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Cape Verde -11.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Cayman Islands 16.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population note: major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US (2009 est.) Central African Republic NA (2009 est.) Chad -4.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Chile NA (2009 est.) China -0.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Christmas Island NA Cocos (Keeling) Islands NA Colombia -0.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Comoros NA (2009 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 1.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Congo, Republic of the -1.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Costa Rica 0.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Cote d'Ivoire NA (2009 est.) Croatia 1.59 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Cuba -1.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Cyprus 0.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Czech Republic 0.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Denmark 2.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Djibouti NA (2009 est.) Dominica -5.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Dominican Republic -2.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Ecuador -0.81 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Egypt -0.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) El Salvador -3.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Equatorial Guinea NA Eritrea NA Estonia -3.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Ethiopia -0.02 migrant(s)/1,000 population note: repatriation of Ethiopian refugees residing in Sudan is expected to continue for several years; some Sudanese, Somali, and Eritrean refugees, who fled to Ethiopia from the fighting or famine in their own countries, continue to return to their homes (2009 est.) European Union 1.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) NA Faroe Islands -0.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Fiji -2.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Finland 0.68 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) France 1.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) French Polynesia 2.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Gabon -3.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Gambia, The 0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Gaza Strip 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Georgia -4.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Germany 2.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Ghana -0.53 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Gibraltar 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Greece 2.33 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Greenland -5.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Grenada -10.55 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Guam NA Guatemala -2.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Guernsey 3.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Guinea -0.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Guinea-Bissau 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Guyana -7.44 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Haiti -2.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Honduras -1.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Hong Kong 4.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Hungary 0.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Iceland 0.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) India -0.05 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Indonesia -1.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Iran -2.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Iraq NA (2009 est.) Ireland 4.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Isle of Man 5.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Israel 2.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Italy 2.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Jamaica -5.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Japan NA (2009 est.) Jersey 2.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Jordan 5.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Kazakhstan -3.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Kenya 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Kiribati NA (2009 est.) Korea, North -0.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Korea, South -0.33 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Kuwait 16.02 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Kyrgyzstan -2.57 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Laos NA (2009 est.) Latvia -2.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Lebanon NA (2009 est.) Lesotho -0.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Liberia 5.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Libya NA (2009 est.) Liechtenstein 4.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Lithuania -0.72 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Luxembourg 8.44 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Macau 14.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Macedonia -0.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Madagascar NA (2009 est.) Malawi NA (2009 est.) Malaysia NA note: does not reflect net flow of an unknown number of illegal immigrants from other countries in the region (2009 est.) Maldives -12.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Mali -5.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Malta 2.02 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Marshall Islands -5.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Mauritania -0.96 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Mauritius -0.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Mayotte 1.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Mexico -3.61 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of -21.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Moldova -1.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Monaco 7.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Mongolia NA (2009 est.) Montserrat NA Morocco -0.72 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Mozambique NA (2009 est.) Namibia 0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Nauru NA (2009 est.) Nepal -3.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Netherlands 2.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Netherlands Antilles -0.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) New Caledonia NA note: there has been steady emigration from Wallis and Futuna to New Caledonia (2009 est.) New Zealand 2.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Nicaragua -1.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Niger -0.57 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Nigeria -0.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Niue NA (2009 est.) Norfolk Island NA (2009 est.) Northern Mariana Islands 6.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Norway 1.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Oman 0.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Pakistan -0.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Palau 0.96 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Panama -0.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Papua New Guinea NA (2009 est.) Paraguay -0.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Peru -0.95 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Philippines -1.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Pitcairn Islands NA (2009 est.) Poland -0.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Portugal 3.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Puerto Rico -0.96 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Qatar -3.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Romania -0.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Russia 0.28 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Rwanda 2.17 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Saint Helena NA (2009 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis -1.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Saint Lucia -4.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon -4.96 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines -11.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Samoa -8.81 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) San Marino 10.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sao Tome and Principe -1.81 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Saudi Arabia -7.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Senegal 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Serbia 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) Seychelles 1.05 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sierra Leone 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population note: refugees currently in surrounding countries are slowly returning (2009 est.) Singapore 5.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Slovakia 0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Slovenia 0.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Solomon Islands NA (2009 est.) Somalia 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) South Africa -0.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population note: there is an increasing flow of Zimbabweans into South Africa and Botswana in search of better economic opportunities (2009 est.) Spain 0.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sri Lanka -1.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sudan 0.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Suriname -0.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Svalbard NA (2009 est.) Swaziland NA (2009 est.) Sweden 1.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Switzerland 1.76 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Syria NA (2009 est.) Taiwan 0.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Tajikistan -1.28 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Tanzania -1.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Thailand NA (2009 est.) Timor-Leste NA (2009 est.) Togo NA (2009 est.) Tokelau NA (2009 est.) Tonga NA (2009 est.) Trinidad and Tobago -7.28 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Tunisia -0.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Turkey 0.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Turkmenistan -1.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands 9.02 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Tuvalu NA (2009 est.) Uganda -8.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Ukraine -0.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) United Arab Emirates 22.98 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) United Kingdom 2.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) United States 4.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Uruguay -0.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Uzbekistan -2.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Vanuatu NA (2009 est.) Venezuela -0.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Vietnam -0.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Virgin Islands -5.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Wallis and Futuna -6.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population note: there has been steady emigration from Wallis and Futuna to New Caledonia (2009 est.) West Bank 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Yemen NA (2009 est.) Zambia -2.59 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Zimbabwe NA note: there is an increasing flow of Zimbabweans into South Africa and Botswana in search of better economic opportunities (2009 est.) ====================================================================== @2113 Field Listing :: Geography - note This entry includes miscellaneous geographic information of significance not included elsewhere. Country Geography - note Afghanistan landlocked; the Hindu Kush mountains that run northeast to southwest divide the northern provinces from the rest of the country; the highest peaks are in the northern Vakhan (Wakhan Corridor) Akrotiri British extraterritorial rights also extended to several small off-post sites scattered across Cyprus; of the Sovereign Base Area (SBA) land, 60% is privately owned and farmed, 20% is owned by the Ministry of Defense, and 20% is SBA Crown land Albania strategic location along Strait of Otranto (links Adriatic Sea to Ionian Sea and Mediterranean Sea) Algeria second-largest country in Africa (after Sudan) American Samoa 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 Andorra landlocked; straddles a number of important crossroads in the Pyrenees Angola the province of Cabinda is an exclave, separated from the rest of the country by the Democratic Republic of the Congo Anguilla the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles Antarctica the coldest, windiest, highest (on average), and driest continent; during summer, more solar radiation reaches the surface at the South Pole than is received at the Equator in an equivalent period; mostly uninhabitable Antigua and Barbuda Antigua has a deeply indented shoreline with many natural harbors and beaches; Barbuda has a large western harbor Arctic Ocean 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 Argentina second-largest country in South America (after Brazil); strategic location relative to sea lanes between the South Atlantic and the South Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage); diverse geophysical landscapes range from tropical climates in the north to tundra in the far south; Cerro Aconcagua is the Western Hemisphere's tallest mountain, while Laguna del Carbon is the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere Armenia landlocked in the Lesser Caucasus Mountains; Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan) is the largest lake in this mountain range Aruba a flat, riverless island renowned for its white sand beaches; its tropical climate is moderated by constant trade winds from the Atlantic Ocean; the temperature is almost constant at about 27 degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit) Ashmore and Cartier Islands Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983; Cartier Island Marine Reserve established in 2000 Atlantic Ocean 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 Australia world's smallest continent but sixth-largest country; population concentrated along the eastern and southeastern coasts; the invigorating sea breeze known as the "Fremantle Doctor" affects the city of Perth on the west coast and is one of the most consistent winds in the world Austria 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 Azerbaijan both the main area of the country and the Naxcivan exclave are landlocked Bahamas, The strategic location adjacent to US and Cuba; extensive island chain of which 30 are inhabited Bahrain close to primary Middle Eastern petroleum sources; strategic location in Persian Gulf, through which much of the Western world's petroleum must transit to reach open ocean Bangladesh most of the country is situated on deltas of large rivers flowing from the Himalayas: the Ganges unites with the Jamuna (main channel of the Brahmaputra) and later joins the Meghna to eventually empty into the Bay of Bengal Barbados easternmost Caribbean island Belarus landlocked; glacial scouring accounts for the flatness of Belarusian terrain and for its 11,000 lakes Belgium crossroads of Western Europe; most West European capitals within 1,000 km of Brussels, the seat of both the European Union and NATO Belize only country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean Benin sandbanks create difficult access to a coast with no natural harbors, river mouths, or islands Bermuda consists of about 138 coral islands and islets with ample rainfall, but no rivers or freshwater lakes; some land was leased by US Government from 1941 to 1995 Bhutan landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls several key Himalayan mountain passes Bolivia landlocked; shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake (elevation 3,805 m), with Peru Bosnia and Herzegovina within Bosnia and Herzegovina's recognized borders, the country is divided into a joint Bosniak/Croat Federation (about 51% of the territory) and the Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska or RS (about 49% of the territory); the region called Herzegovina is contiguous to Croatia and Montenegro, and traditionally has been settled by an ethnic Croat majority in the west and an ethnic Serb majority in the east Botswana landlocked; population concentrated in eastern part of the country Bouvet Island covered by glacial ice; declared a nature reserve by Norway Brazil largest country in South America; shares common boundaries with every South American country except Chile and Ecuador British Indian Ocean Territory archipelago of 55 islands; Diego Garcia, largest and southernmost island, occupies strategic location in central Indian Ocean; island is site of joint US-UK military facility British Virgin Islands strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico Brunei close to vital sea lanes through South China Sea linking Indian and Pacific Oceans; two parts physically separated by Malaysia; almost an enclave within Malaysia Bulgaria strategic location near Turkish Straits; controls key land routes from Europe to Middle East and Asia Burkina Faso landlocked savanna cut by the three principal rivers of the Black, Red, and White Voltas Burma strategic location near major Indian Ocean shipping lanes Burundi landlocked; straddles crest of the Nile-Congo watershed; the Kagera, which drains into Lake Victoria, is the most remote headstream of the White Nile Cambodia a land of paddies and forests dominated by the Mekong River and Tonle Sap Cameroon sometimes referred to as the hinge of Africa; throughout the country there are areas of thermal springs and indications of current or prior volcanic activity; Mount Cameroon, the highest mountain in Sub-Saharan west Africa, is an active volcano Canada second-largest country in world (after Russia); strategic location between Russia and US via north polar route; approximately 90% of the population is concentrated within 160 km of the US border Cape Verde strategic location 500 km from west coast of Africa near major north-south sea routes; important communications station; important sea and air refueling site Cayman Islands important location between Cuba and Central America Central African Republic landlocked; almost the precise center of Africa Chad landlocked; Lake Chad is the most significant water body in the Sahel Chile strategic location relative to sea lanes between Atlantic and Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage); Atacama Desert is one of world's driest regions China world's fourth largest country (after Russia, Canada, and US); Mount Everest on the border with Nepal is the world's tallest peak Christmas Island located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean Clipperton Island reef 12 km in circumference Cocos (Keeling) Islands islands are thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation; site of a World War I naval battle in November 1914 between the Australian light cruiser HMAS Sydney and the German raider SMS Emden; after being heavily damaged in the engagement, the Emden was beached by her captain on North Keeling Island Colombia only South American country with coastlines on both the North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea Comoros important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel Congo, Democratic Republic of the straddles equator; has narrow strip of land that controls the lower Congo River and is only outlet to South Atlantic Ocean; dense tropical rain forest in central river basin and eastern highlands Congo, Republic of the about 70% of the population lives in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, or along the railroad between them Cook Islands the northern Cook Islands are seven low-lying, sparsely populated, coral atolls; the southern Cook Islands, where most of the population lives, consist of eight elevated, fertile, volcanic isles, including the largest, Rarotonga, at 67 sq km Coral Sea Islands important nesting area for birds and turtles Costa Rica four volcanoes, two of them active, rise near the capital of San Jose in the center of the country; one of the volcanoes, Irazu, erupted destructively in 1963-65 Cote d'Ivoire most of the inhabitants live along the sandy coastal region; apart from the capital area, the forested interior is sparsely populated Croatia controls most land routes from Western Europe to Aegean Sea and Turkish Straits; most Adriatic Sea islands lie off the coast of Croatia - some 1,200 islands, islets, ridges, and rocks Cuba largest country in Caribbean and westernmost island of the Greater Antilles Cyprus the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (after Sicily and Sardinia) Czech Republic landlocked; strategically located astride some of oldest and most significant land routes in Europe; Moravian Gate is a traditional military corridor between the North European Plain and the Danube in central Europe Denmark controls Danish Straits (Skagerrak and Kattegat) linking Baltic and North Seas; about one-quarter of the population lives in greater Copenhagen Dhekelia British extraterritorial rights also extended to several small off-post sites scattered across Cyprus; of the Sovereign Base Area land 60% is privately owned and farmed, 20% is owned by the Ministry of Defense, and 20% is SBA Crown land Djibouti strategic location near world's busiest shipping lanes and close to Arabian oilfields; terminus of rail traffic into Ethiopia; mostly wasteland; Lac Assal (Lake Assal) is the lowest point in Africa Dominica known as "The Nature Island of the Caribbean" due to its spectacular, lush, and varied flora and fauna, which are protected by an extensive natural park system; the most mountainous of the Lesser Antilles, its volcanic peaks are cones of lava craters and include Boiling Lake, the second-largest, thermally active lake in the world Dominican Republic shares island of Hispaniola with Haiti Ecuador Cotopaxi in Andes is highest active volcano in world Egypt controls Sinai Peninsula, only land bridge between Africa and remainder of Eastern Hemisphere; controls Suez Canal, a sea link between Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea; size, and juxtaposition to Israel, establish its major role in Middle Eastern geopolitics; dependence on upstream neighbors; dominance of Nile basin issues; prone to influxes of refugees El Salvador smallest Central American country and only one without a coastline on Caribbean Sea Equatorial Guinea insular and continental regions widely separated Eritrea strategic geopolitical position along world's busiest shipping lanes; Eritrea retained the entire coastline of Ethiopia along the Red Sea upon de jure independence from Ethiopia on 24 May 1993 Estonia the mainland terrain is flat, boggy, and partly wooded; offshore lie more than 1,500 islands Ethiopia landlocked - entire coastline along the Red Sea was lost with the de jure independence of Eritrea on 24 May 1993; the Blue Nile, the chief headstream of the Nile by water volume, rises in T'ana Hayk (Lake Tana) in northwest Ethiopia; three major crops are believed to have originated in Ethiopia: coffee, grain sorghum, and castor bean Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors; short growing season Faroe Islands archipelago of 17 inhabited islands and one uninhabited island, and a few uninhabited islets; strategically located along important sea lanes in northeastern Atlantic; precipitous terrain limits habitation to small coastal lowlands Fiji includes 332 islands; approximately 110 are inhabited Finland long boundary with Russia; Helsinki is northernmost national capital on European continent; population concentrated on small southwestern coastal plain France largest West European nation French Polynesia includes five archipelagoes (four volcanic, one coral); Makatea in French Polynesia is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and Nauru French Southern and Antarctic Lands islands component is widely scattered across remote locations in the southern Indian Ocean Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): the atoll is a circular reef that sits atop a long-extinct, submerged volcano Europa Island and Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): wildlife sanctuary for seabirds and sea turtles Glorioso Island (Iles Eparses): the islands and rocks are surrounded by an extensive reef system Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): climatologically important location for forecasting cyclones in the western Indian Ocean; wildlife sanctuary (seabirds, tortoises) Gabon a small population and oil and mineral reserves have helped Gabon become one of Africa's wealthier countries; in general, these circumstances have allowed the country to maintain and conserve its pristine rain forest and rich biodiversity Gambia, The almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the continent of Africa Gaza Strip strategic strip of land along Mideast-North African trade routes has experienced an incredibly turbulent history; the town of Gaza itself has been besieged countless times in its history Georgia strategically located east of the Black Sea; Georgia controls much of the Caucasus Mountains and the routes through them Germany strategic location on North European Plain and along the entrance to the Baltic Sea Ghana Lake Volta is the world's largest artificial lake Gibraltar strategic location on Strait of Gibraltar that links the North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea Greece strategic location dominating the Aegean Sea and southern approach to Turkish Straits; a peninsular country, possessing an archipelago of about 2,000 islands Greenland dominates North Atlantic Ocean between North America and Europe; sparse population confined to small settlements along coast; close to one-quarter of the population lives in the capital, Nuuk; world's second largest ice cap Grenada the administration of the islands of the Grenadines group is divided between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada Guam largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands archipelago; strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean Guatemala no natural harbors on west coast Guernsey large, deepwater harbor at Saint Peter Port Guinea the Niger and its important tributary the Milo have their sources in the Guinean highlands Guinea-Bissau this small country is swampy along its western coast and low-lying inland Guyana the third-smallest country in South America after Suriname and Uruguay; substantial portions of its western and eastern territories are claimed by Venezuela and Suriname respectively Haiti shares island of Hispaniola with Dominican Republic (western one-third is Haiti, eastern two-thirds is the Dominican Republic) Heard Island and McDonald Islands Mawson Peak on Heard Island is the highest Australian mountain (at 2,745 meters, it is taller than Mt. Kosciuszko in Australia proper), and one of only two active volcanoes located in Australian territory, the other being McDonald Island; in 1992, McDonald Island broke its dormancy and began erupting; it has erupted several times since, the most recent being in 2005 Holy See (Vatican City) landlocked; enclave in Rome, Italy; world's smallest state; beyond the territorial boundary of Vatican City, the Lateran Treaty of 1929 grants the Holy See extraterritorial authority over 23 sites in Rome and five outside of Rome, including the Pontifical Palace at Castel Gandolfo (the Pope's summer residence) Honduras has only a short Pacific coast but a long Caribbean shoreline, including the virtually uninhabited eastern Mosquito Coast Hong Kong more than 200 islands Hungary landlocked; strategic location astride main land routes between Western Europe and Balkan Peninsula as well as between Ukraine and Mediterranean basin; the north-south flowing Duna (Danube) and Tisza Rivers divide the country into three large regions Iceland strategic location between Greenland and Europe; westernmost European country; Reykjavik is the northernmost national capital in the world; more land covered by glaciers than in all of continental Europe India dominates South Asian subcontinent; near important Indian Ocean trade routes; Kanchenjunga, third tallest mountain in the world, lies on the border with Nepal Indian Ocean major chokepoints include Bab el Mandeb, Strait of Hormuz, Strait of Malacca, southern access to the Suez Canal, and the Lombok Strait Indonesia archipelago of 17,508 islands (6,000 inhabited); straddles equator; strategic location astride or along major sea lanes from Indian Ocean to Pacific Ocean Iran strategic location on the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, which are vital maritime pathways for crude oil transport Iraq strategic location on Shatt al Arab waterway and at the head of the Persian Gulf Ireland strategic location on major air and sea routes between North America and northern Europe; over 40% of the population resides within 100 km of Dublin Isle of Man one small islet, the Calf of Man, lies to the southwest and is a bird sanctuary Israel there are about 340 Israeli civilian sites - including 100 small outpost communities in the West Bank - as well as 42 sites in the Golan Heights, 0 in the Gaza Strip, and 29 in East Jerusalem (July 2008 est.); Lake Tiberias (Sea of Galilee) is an important freshwater source Italy strategic location dominating central Mediterranean as well as southern sea and air approaches to Western Europe Jamaica strategic location between Cayman Trench and Jamaica Channel, the main sea lanes for the Panama Canal Jan Mayen barren volcanic island with some moss and grass Japan strategic location in northeast Asia Jersey largest and southernmost of Channel Islands; about 30% of population concentrated in Saint Helier Jordan strategic location at the head of the Gulf of Aqaba and as the Arab country that shares the longest border with Israel and the occupied West Bank Kazakhstan landlocked; Russia leases approximately 6,000 sq km of territory enclosing the Baykonur Cosmodrome; in January 2004, Kazakhstan and Russia extended the lease to 2050 Kenya the Kenyan Highlands comprise one of the most successful agricultural production regions in Africa; glaciers are found on Mount Kenya, Africa's second highest peak; unique physiography supports abundant and varied wildlife of scientific and economic value Kiribati 21 of the 33 islands are inhabited; Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Makatea in French Polynesia, and Nauru Korea, North strategic location bordering China, South Korea, and Russia; mountainous interior is isolated and sparsely populated Korea, South strategic location on Korea Strait Kuwait strategic location at head of Persian Gulf Kyrgyzstan landlocked; entirely mountainous, dominated by the Tien Shan range; 94% of the country is 1,000 m above sea level, with an average elevation of 2,750 m; many tall peaks, glaciers, and high-altitude lakes Laos landlocked; most of the country is mountainous and thickly forested; the Mekong River forms a large part of the western boundary with Thailand Latvia most of the country is composed of fertile, low-lying plains, with some hills in the east Lebanon Nahr el Litani is the only major river in Near East not crossing an international boundary; rugged terrain historically helped isolate, protect, and develop numerous factional groups based on religion, clan, and ethnicity Lesotho landlocked, completely surrounded by South Africa; mountainous, more than 80% of the country is 1,800 m above sea level Liberia facing the Atlantic Ocean, the coastline is characterized by lagoons, mangrove swamps, and river-deposited sandbars; the inland grassy plateau supports limited agriculture Libya more than 90% of the country is desert or semidesert Liechtenstein along with Uzbekistan, one of only two doubly landlocked countries in the world; variety of microclimatic variations based on elevation Lithuania fertile central plains are separated by hilly uplands that are ancient glacial deposits Luxembourg landlocked; the only Grand Duchy in the world Macau essentially urban; an area of land reclaimed from the sea measuring 5.2 sq km and known as Cotai now connects the islands of Coloane and Taipa; the island area is connected to the mainland peninsula by three bridges Macedonia landlocked; major transportation corridor from Western and Central Europe to Aegean Sea and Southern Europe to Western Europe Madagascar world's fourth-largest island; strategic location along Mozambique Channel Malawi landlocked; Lake Nyasa, some 580 km long, is the country's most prominent physical feature Malaysia strategic location along Strait of Malacca and southern South China Sea Maldives 1,190 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls (200 inhabited islands, plus 80 islands with tourist resorts); archipelago with strategic location astride and along major sea lanes in Indian Ocean Mali landlocked; divided into three natural zones: the southern, cultivated Sudanese; the central, semiarid Sahelian; and the northern, arid Saharan Malta the country comprises an archipelago, with only the three largest islands (Malta, Ghawdex or Gozo, and Kemmuna or Comino) being inhabited; numerous bays provide good harbors; Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration Marshall Islands the islands of Bikini and Enewetak are former US nuclear test sites; Kwajalein atoll, famous as a World War II battleground, surrounds the world's largest lagoon and is used as a US missile test range; the island city of Ebeye is the second largest settlement in the Marshall Islands, after the capital of Majuro, and one of the most densely populated locations in the Pacific Mauritania most of the population concentrated in the cities of Nouakchott and Nouadhibou and along the Senegal River in the southern part of the country Mauritius the main island, from which the country derives its name, is of volcanic origin and is almost entirely surrounded by coral reefs; home of the dodo, a large flightless bird related to pigeons, driven to extinction by the end of the 17th century through a combination of hunting and the introduction of predatory species Mayotte part of Comoro Archipelago (18 islands) Mexico strategic location on southern border of US; corn (maize), one of the world's major grain crops, is thought to have originated in Mexico Micronesia, Federated States of four major island groups totaling 607 islands Moldova landlocked; well endowed with various sedimentary rocks and minerals including sand, gravel, gypsum, and limestone Monaco second-smallest independent state in the world (after Holy See); almost entirely urban Mongolia landlocked; strategic location between China and Russia Montenegro strategic location along the Adriatic coast Montserrat the island is entirely volcanic in origin and comprised of three major volcanic centers of differing ages Morocco strategic location along Strait of Gibraltar Mozambique the Zambezi flows through the north-central and most fertile part of the country Namibia first country in the world to incorporate the protection of the environment into its constitution; some 14% of the land is protected, including virtually the entire Namib Desert coastal strip Nauru Nauru is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and Makatea in French Polynesia; only 53 km south of Equator Navassa Island strategic location 160 km south of the US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; mostly exposed rock with numerous solution holes but with enough grassland to support goat herds; dense stands of fig trees, scattered cactus Nepal landlocked; strategic location between China and India; contains eight of world's 10 highest peaks, including Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga - the world's tallest and third tallest - on the borders with China and India respectively Netherlands located at mouths of three major European rivers (Rhine, Maas or Meuse, and Schelde) Netherlands Antilles the five islands of the Netherlands Antilles are divided geographically into the Leeward Islands (northern) group (Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten) and the Windward Islands (southern) group (Bonaire and Curacao); the island of Saint Martin is the smallest landmass in the world shared by two independent states, the French territory of Saint Martin and the Dutch territory of Sint Maarten New Caledonia consists of the main island of New Caledonia (one of the largest in the Pacific Ocean), the archipelago of Iles Loyaute, and numerous small, sparsely populated islands and atolls New Zealand almost 90% of the population lives in cities; Wellington is the southernmost national capital in the world Nicaragua largest country in Central America; contains the largest freshwater body in Central America, Lago de Nicaragua Niger landlocked; one of the hottest countries in the world; northern four-fifths is desert, southern one-fifth is savanna, suitable for livestock and limited agriculture Nigeria the Niger enters the country in the northwest and flows southward through tropical rain forests and swamps to its delta in the Gulf of Guinea Niue one of world's largest coral islands Norfolk Island most of the 32 km coastline consists of almost inaccessible cliffs, but the land slopes down to the sea in one small southern area on Sydney Bay, where the capital of Kingston is situated Northern Mariana Islands strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean Norway about two-thirds mountains; some 50,000 islands off its much-indented coastline; strategic location adjacent to sea lanes and air routes in North Atlantic; one of the most rugged and longest coastlines in the world Oman strategic location on Musandam Peninsula adjacent to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil Pacific Ocean the major chokepoints are the Bering Strait, Panama Canal, Luzon Strait, and the Singapore Strait; the Equator divides the Pacific Ocean into the North Pacific Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean; dotted with low coral islands and rugged volcanic islands in the southwestern Pacific Ocean Pakistan controls Khyber Pass and Bolan Pass, traditional invasion routes between Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent Palau westernmost archipelago in the Caroline chain, consists of six island groups totaling more than 300 islands; includes World War II battleground of Beliliou (Peleliu) and world-famous rock islands Panama strategic location on eastern end of isthmus forming land bridge connecting North and South America; controls Panama Canal that links North Atlantic Ocean via Caribbean Sea with North Pacific Ocean Papua New Guinea shares island of New Guinea with Indonesia; one of world's largest swamps along southwest coast Paracel Islands composed of 130 small coral islands and reefs divided into the northeast Amphitrite Group and the western Crescent Group Paraguay landlocked; lies between Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil; population concentrated in southern part of country Peru shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake, with Bolivia; a remote slope of Nevado Mismi, a 5,316 m peak, is the ultimate source of the Amazon River Philippines the Philippine archipelago is made up of 7,107 islands; favorably located in relation to many of Southeast Asia's main water bodies: the South China Sea, Philippine Sea, Sulu Sea, Celebes Sea, and Luzon Strait Pitcairn Islands Britain's most isolated dependency; only the larger island of Pitcairn is inhabited but it has no port or natural harbor; supplies must be transported by rowed longboat from larger ships stationed offshore Poland historically, an area of conflict because of flat terrain and the lack of natural barriers on the North European Plain Portugal Azores and Madeira Islands occupy strategic locations along western sea approaches to Strait of Gibraltar Puerto Rico important location along the Mona Passage - a key shipping lane to the Panama Canal; San Juan is one of the biggest and best natural harbors in the Caribbean; many small rivers and high central mountains ensure land is well watered; south coast relatively dry; fertile coastal plain belt in north Qatar strategic location in central Persian Gulf near major petroleum deposits Romania controls most easily traversable land route between the Balkans, Moldova, and Ukraine Russia largest country in the world in terms of area but unfavorably located in relation to major sea lanes of the world; despite its size, much of the country lacks proper soils and climates (either too cold or too dry) for agriculture; Mount El'brus is Europe's tallest peak Rwanda landlocked; most of the country is savanna grassland with the population predominantly rural Saint Helena Saint Helena harbors at least 40 species of plants unknown anywhere else in the world; Ascension is a breeding ground for sea turtles and sooty terns; Queen Mary's Peak on Tristan da Cunha is the highest island mountain in the South Atlantic and a prominent landmark on the sea lanes around southern Africa Saint Kitts and Nevis with coastlines in the shape of a baseball bat and ball, the two volcanic islands are separated by a 3-km-wide channel called The Narrows; on the southern tip of long, baseball bat-shaped Saint Kitts lies the Great Salt Pond; Nevis Peak sits in the center of its almost circular namesake island and its ball shape complements that of its sister island Saint Lucia the twin Pitons (Gros Piton and Petit Piton), striking cone-shaped peaks south of Soufriere, are one of the scenic natural highlights of the Caribbean Saint Martin the island of Saint Martin is the smallest landmass in the world shared by two independent states, the French territory of Saint Martin and the Dutch territory of Sint Maarten Saint Pierre and Miquelon vegetation scanty Saint Vincent and the Grenadines the administration of the islands of the Grenadines group is divided between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is comprised of 32 islands and cays Samoa occupies an almost central position within Polynesia San Marino landlocked; smallest independent state in Europe after the Holy See and Monaco; dominated by the Apennines Sao Tome and Principe the smallest country in Africa; the two main islands form part of a chain of extinct volcanoes and both are mountainous Saudi Arabia extensive coastlines on Persian Gulf and Red Sea provide great leverage on shipping (especially crude oil) through Persian Gulf and Suez Canal Senegal westernmost country on the African continent; The Gambia is almost an enclave within Senegal Serbia controls one of the major land routes from Western Europe to Turkey and the Near East Seychelles 41 granitic and about 75 coralline islands Sierra Leone rainfall along the coast can reach 495 cm (195 inches) a year, making it one of the wettest places along coastal, western Africa Singapore focal point for Southeast Asian sea routes Slovakia landlocked; most of the country is rugged and mountainous; the Tatra Mountains in the north are interspersed with many scenic lakes and valleys Slovenia despite its small size, this eastern Alpine country controls some of Europe's major transit routes Solomon Islands strategic location on sea routes between the South Pacific Ocean, the Solomon Sea, and the Coral Sea; on 2 April 2007 an undersea earthquake measuring 8.1 on the Richter scale occurred 345 km WNW of the capital Honiara; the resulting tsunami devastated coastal areas of Western and Choiseul provinces with dozens of deaths and thousands dislocated; the provincial capital of Gizo was especially hard hit Somalia strategic location on Horn of Africa along southern approaches to Bab el Mandeb and route through Red Sea and Suez Canal South Africa South Africa completely surrounds Lesotho and almost completely surrounds Swaziland South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands the north coast of South Georgia has several large bays, which provide good anchorage; reindeer, introduced early in the 20th century, live on South Georgia Southern Ocean the major chokepoint is the Drake Passage between South America and Antarctica; the Polar Front (Antarctic Convergence) is the best natural definition of the northern extent of the Southern Ocean; it is a distinct region at the middle of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current that separates the cold polar surface waters to the south from the warmer waters to the north; the Front and the Current extend entirely around Antarctica, reaching south of 60 degrees south near New Zealand and near 48 degrees south in the far South Atlantic coinciding with the path of the maximum westerly winds Spain strategic location along approaches to Strait of Gibraltar; Spain controls a number of territories in northern Morocco including the enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, and the islands of Penon de Velez de la Gomera, Penon de Alhucemas, and Islas Chafarinas Spratly Islands strategically located near several primary shipping lanes in the central South China Sea; includes numerous small islands, atolls, shoals, and coral reefs Sri Lanka strategic location near major Indian Ocean sea lanes Sudan largest country in Africa; dominated by the Nile and its tributaries Suriname smallest independent country on South American continent; mostly tropical rain forest; great diversity of flora and fauna that, for the most part, is increasingly threatened by new development; relatively small population, mostly along the coast Svalbard northernmost part of the Kingdom of Norway; consists of nine main islands; glaciers and snowfields cover 60% of the total area; Spitsbergen Island is the site of the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, a seed repository established by the Global Crop Diversity Trust and the Norwegian Government Swaziland landlocked; almost completely surrounded by South Africa Sweden strategic location along Danish Straits linking Baltic and North Seas Switzerland landlocked; crossroads of northern and southern Europe; along with southeastern France, northern Italy, and southwestern Austria, has the highest elevations in the Alps Syria there are 42 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights (August 2005 est.) Taiwan strategic location adjacent to both the Taiwan Strait and the Luzon Strait Tajikistan landlocked; mountainous region dominated by the Trans-Alay Range in the north and the Pamirs in the southeast; highest point, Qullai Ismoili Somoni (formerly Communism Peak), was the tallest mountain in the former USSR Tanzania Kilimanjaro is highest point in Africa; bordered by three of the largest lakes on the continent: Lake Victoria (the world's second-largest freshwater lake) in the north, Lake Tanganyika (the world's second deepest) in the west, and Lake Nyasa in the southwest Thailand controls only land route from Asia to Malaysia and Singapore Timor-Leste Timor comes from the Malay word for "East"; the island of Timor is part of the Malay Archipelago and is the largest and easternmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands Togo the country's length allows it to stretch through six distinct geographic regions; climate varies from tropical to savanna Tokelau consists of three atolls (Atafu, Fakaofo, Nukunonu), each with a lagoon surrounded by a number of reef-bound islets of varying length and rising to over 3 m above sea level Tonga archipelago of 169 islands (36 inhabited) Trinidad and Tobago Pitch Lake, on Trinidad's southwestern coast, is the world's largest natural reservoir of asphalt Tunisia strategic location in central Mediterranean; Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration Turkey strategic location controlling the Turkish Straits (Bosporus, Sea of Marmara, Dardanelles) that link Black and Aegean Seas; Mount Ararat, the legendary landing place of Noah's ark, is in the far eastern portion of the country Turkmenistan landlocked; the western and central low-lying desolate portions of the country make up the great Garagum (Kara-Kum) desert, which occupies over 80% of the country; eastern part is plateau Turks and Caicos Islands about 40 islands (eight inhabited) Tuvalu one of the smallest and most remote countries on Earth; six of the nine coral atolls - Nanumea, Nui, Vaitupu, Nukufetau, Funafuti, and Nukulaelae - have lagoons open to the ocean; Nanumaya and Niutao have landlocked lagoons; Niulakita does not have a lagoon Uganda landlocked; fertile, well-watered country with many lakes and rivers Ukraine strategic position at the crossroads between Europe and Asia; second-largest country in Europe United Arab Emirates strategic location along southern approaches to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil United Kingdom lies near vital North Atlantic sea lanes; only 35 km from France and linked by tunnel under the English Channel; because of heavily indented coastline, no location is more than 125 km from tidal waters United States world's third-largest country by size (after Russia and Canada) and by population (after China and India); Mt. McKinley is highest point in North America and Death Valley the lowest point on the continent United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands: scattered vegetation consisting of grasses, prostrate vines, and low growing shrubs; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife; closed to the public Johnston Atoll: Johnston Island and Sand Island are natural islands, which have been expanded by coral dredging; North Island (Akau) and East Island (Hikina) are manmade islands formed from coral dredging; the egg-shaped reef is 34 km in circumference; closed to the public Kingman Reef: barren coral atoll with deep interior lagoon; closed to the public Midway Islands: a coral atoll managed as a NWR and open to the public for wildlife-related recreation in the form of wildlife observation and photography Palmyra Atoll: the high rainfall and resulting lush vegetation make the environment of this atoll unique among the US Pacific Island territories; supports a large undisturbed stand of Pisonia beach forest Uruguay second-smallest South American country (after Suriname); most of the low-lying landscape (three-quarters of the country) is grassland, ideal for cattle and sheep raising Uzbekistan along with Liechtenstein, one of the only two doubly landlocked countries in the world Vanuatu a Y-shaped chain of four main islands and 80 smaller islands; several of the islands have active volcanoes Venezuela on major sea and air routes linking North and South America; Angel Falls in the Guiana Highlands is the world's highest waterfall Vietnam extending 1,650 km north to south, the country is only 50 km across at its narrowest point Virgin Islands important location along the Anegada Passage - a key shipping lane for the Panama Canal; Saint Thomas has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the Caribbean Wake Island strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean; emergency landing location for transpacific flights Wallis and Futuna both island groups have fringing reefs West Bank landlocked; highlands are main recharge area for Israel's coastal aquifers; there are about 340 Israeli civilian sites - including 100 small outpost communities in the West Bank and 29 sites in East Jerusalem (July 2008 est.) Western Sahara the waters off the coast are particularly rich fishing areas World the world is now thought to be about 4.55 billion years old, just about one-third of the 13.7-billion-year age estimated for the universe Yemen strategic location on Bab el Mandeb, the strait linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, one of world's most active shipping lanes Zambia landlocked; the Zambezi forms a natural riverine boundary with Zimbabwe Zimbabwe landlocked; the Zambezi forms a natural riverine boundary with Zambia; in full flood (February-April) the massive Victoria Falls on the river forms the world's largest curtain of falling water ====================================================================== @2115 Field Listing :: Political pressure groups and leaders This entry includes a listing of a country's political, social, labor, or religious organizations that are involved in politics, or that exert political pressure, but whose leaders do not stand for legislative election. International movements or organizations are generally not listed. Country Political pressure groups and leaders Afghanistan other: religious groups; tribal leaders; ethnically based groups Albania Citizens Advocacy Office [Kreshnik SPAHIU]; Confederation of Trade Unions of Albania or KSSH [Kastriot MUCO]; Front for Albanian National Unification or FBKSH [Gafur ADILI]; Mjaft Movement; Omonia [Jani JANI]; Union of Independent Trade Unions of Albania or BSPSH [Gezim KALAJA] Algeria The Algerian Human Rights League or LADDH [Hocine ZEHOUANE]; SOS Disparus [Nacera DUTOUR] American Samoa Population Pressure LAS (addresses the growing population pressures) Andorra NA Angola Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda or FLEC [N'zita Henriques TIAGO, Antonio Bento BEMBE] note: FLEC's small-scale armed struggle for the independence of Cabinda Province persists despite the signing of a peace accord with the government in August 2006 Anguilla NA Antigua and Barbuda Antigua Trades and Labor Union or ATLU [William ROBINSON]; People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Hugh MARSHALL] Argentina Argentine Association of Pharmaceutical Labs (CILFA); Argentine Industrial Union (manufacturers' association); Argentine Rural Confederation or CRA (small to medium landowners' association); Argentine Rural Society (large landowners' association); Central of Argentine Workers or CTA (a radical union for employed and unemployed workers); General Confederation of Labor or CGT (Peronist-leaning umbrella labor organization); White and Blue CGT (dissident CGT labor confederation); Roman Catholic Church other: business organizations; Peronist-dominated labor movement; Piquetero groups (popular protest organizations that can be either pro or anti-government); students Armenia Aylentrank (Impeachment) [Nikol PASHINIAN]; Yerkrapah Union [Manvel GRIGORIAN] Aruba other: environmental groups Australia other: business groups; environmental groups; social groups; trade unions Austria Austrian Trade Union Federation or OeGB (nominally independent but primarily Social Democratic); Federal Economic Chamber; OeVP-oriented Association of Austrian Industrialists or IV; Roman Catholic Church, including its chief lay organization, Catholic Action other: three composite leagues of the Austrian People's Party or OeVP representing business, labor, farmers, and other nongovernment organizations in the areas of environment and human rights Azerbaijan Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (self-proclaimed); Karabakh Liberation Organization; Sadval, Lezgin movement; Talysh independence movement; Union of Pro-Azerbaijani Forces or UPAF Bahamas, The Friends of the Environment other: trade unions Bahrain Shia activists; Sunni Islamist legislators other: several small leftist and other groups are active Bangladesh Advocacy to End Gender-based Violence through the MoWCA (Ministry of Women's and Children's Affairs) other: environmentalists; Islamist groups; religious leaders; teachers; union leaders Barbados Barbados Secondary Teachers' Union or BSTU [Patrick FROST]; Barbados Union of Teachers or BUT [Herbert GITTENS]; Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados or CTUSAB, (includes the BWU, NUPW, BUT, and BSTU) [Leroy TROTMAN]; Barbados Workers Union or BWU [Leroy TROTMAN]; Clement Payne Labor Union [David COMISSIONG]; National Union of Public Workers [Joseph GODDARD] Belarus Assembly of Pro-Democratic NGOs [Sergey MATSKEVICH]; Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions [Aleksandr YAROSHUK]; Belarusian Helsinki Committee [Tatiana PROTKO]; Belarusian Organization of Working Women [Irina ZHIKHAR]; BPF-Youth [Franak VYACHORKA]; Charter 97 [Andrey SANNIKOV]; For Freedom [Aleksandr MILINKEVICH]; Lenin Communist Union of Youth (youth wing of the Belarusian Party of Communists or PKB); National Strike Committee of Entrepreneurs [Aleksandr VASILYEV, Valery LEVONEVSKY]; Partnership NGO [Nikolay ASTREYKA]; Perspektiva kiosk watchdog NGO [Anatol SHUMCHENKO]; Vyasna [Ales BYALATSKY]; Women's Independent Democratic Movement [Ludmila PETINA]; Young Belarus (Malady Belarus) [Artur FINKEVICH]; Youth Front (Malady Front) [Dmitriy DASHKEVICH]; Zubr youth group [Vladimir KOBETS] Belgium Christian, Socialist, and Liberal Trade Unions; Federation of Belgian Industries other: numerous other associations representing bankers, manufacturers, middle-class artisans, and the legal and medical professions; various organizations represent the cultural interests of Flanders and Wallonia; various peace groups such as Pax Christi and groups representing immigrants Belize Society for the Promotion of Education and Research or SPEAR [Gustavo PERERA]; Association of Concerned Belizeans or ACB [David VASQUEZ]; National Trade Union Congress of Belize or NTUC/B [Rene GOMEZ] Benin other: economic groups; environmentalists; political groups; teachers' unions and other educational groups Bermuda Bermuda Employer's Union [Eddie SAINTS]; Bermuda Industrial Union or BIU [Derrick BURGESS]; Bermuda Public Services Union or BPSU [Ed BALL]; Bermuda Union of Teachers [Michael CHARLES] Bhutan United Front for Democracy (exiled); Druk National Congress (exiled) other: Buddhist clergy; ethnic Nepalese organizations leading militant antigovernment campaign; Indian merchant community Bolivia Sole Confederation of Campesino Workers of Bolivia or CSUTCB other: Cocalero groups; indigenous organizations; labor unions Bosnia and Herzegovina other: displaced persons associations; student councils; war veterans Botswana First People of the Kalahari (Bushman organization); Pitso Ya Ba Tswana; Society for the Promotion of Ikalanga Language (Kalanga elites) other: diamond mining companies Brazil Landless Workers' Movement or MST other: labor unions and federations; large farmers' associations; religious groups including evangelical Christian churches and the Catholic Church British Virgin Islands The Family Support Network; The Women's Desk other: environmentalists Brunei NA Bulgaria Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bulgaria or CITUB; Podkrepa Labor Confederation other: numerous regional, ethnic, and national interest groups with various agendas Burkina Faso Burkinabe General Confederation of Labor or CGTB [Tole SAGNON]; Burkinabe Movement for Human Rights or MBDHP [Chrysigone ZOUGMORE]; Group of 14 February [Benewende STANISLAS]; National Confederation of Burkinabe Workers or CNTB [Laurent OUEDRAOGO]; National Organization of Free Unions or ONSL [Paul KABORE] other: watchdog/political action groups throughout the country in both organizations and communities Burma Ethnic Nationalities Council or ENC (based in Thailand); Federation of Trade Unions-Burma or FTUB (exile trade union and labor advocates); National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma or NCGUB (self-proclaimed government in exile) ["Prime Minister" Dr. SEIN WIN] consists of individuals, some legitimately elected to the People's Assembly in 1990 (the group fled to a border area and joined insurgents in December 1990 to form parallel government in exile); Kachin Independence Organization or KIO; Karen National Union or KNU; Karenni National People's Party or KNPP; National Council-Union of Burma or NCUB (exile coalition of opposition groups); United Wa State Army or UWSA; Union Solidarity and Development Association or USDA (pro-regime, a social and political mass-member organization) [HTAY OO, general secretary]; 88 Generation Students (pro-democracy movement) [TOE KYAW HLAING] other: several Shan factions Burundi Observatoire de lutte contre la corruption et les malversations economiques or OLUCOME [Gabriel RUFYIRI] (anti-corruption pressure group) other: Hutu and Tutsi militias (loosely organized) Cambodia Cambodian Freedom Fighters or CFF; Partnership for Transparency Fund or PTF (anti-corruption organization); Students Movement for Democracy; The Committee for Free and Fair Elections or Comfrel other: human rights organizations; vendors Cameroon Human Rights Defense Group [Albert MUKONG, president]; Southern Cameroon National Council [Ayamba Ette OTUN] Canada other: agricultural sector; automobile industry; business groups; chemical industry; commercial banks; communications sector; energy industry; environmentalists; public administration groups; steel industry; trade unions Cape Verde other: environmentalists; political pressure groups Cayman Islands National Trust other: environmentalists Central African Republic Monam (combating gender-base violence) Chad rebel groups Chile Roman Catholic Church, particularly conservative groups such as Opus Dei; United Labor Central or CUT includes trade unionists from the country's five largest labor confederations other: revitalized university student federations at all major universities China the China Democracy Party; the Falungong spiritual movement note: no substantial political opposition groups exist, although the government has identified the organizations listed above as subversive groups Christmas Island none Cocos (Keeling) Islands The Cocos Islands Youth Support Centre Colombia National Liberation Army or ELN; Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia or FARC note: two largest insurgent groups active in Colombia Comoros other: environmentalists Congo, Democratic Republic of the MONUC - UN organization working with the government; FARDC (Forces Armees de la Republique Democratique du Congo) - Army of the Democratic Republic of the Congo which commits atrocities on citizens; FDLA (Forces Democratiques de Liberation du Rwanda) - Rwandan militia group Congo, Republic of the Congolese Trade Union Congress or CSC; General Union of Congolese Pupils and Students or UGEEC; Revolutionary Union of Congolese Women or URFC; Union of Congolese Socialist Youth or UJSC Cook Islands Reform Conference (lobby for political system changes) other: various groups lobbying for political change Costa Rica Authentic Confederation of Democratic Workers or CATD (Communist Party affiliate); Chamber of Coffee Growers; Confederated Union of Workers or CUT (Communist Party affiliate); Costa Rican Confederation of Democratic Workers or CCTD (Liberation Party affiliate); Costa Rican Exporter's Chamber or CADEXCO; Costa Rican Solidarity Movement; Costa Rican Union of Private Sector Enterprises or UCCAEP [Rafael CARRILLO]; Federation of Public Service Workers or FTSP; National Association for Economic Development or ANFE; National Association of Educators or ANDE; National Association of Public and Private Employees or ANEP [Albino VARGAS]; Rerum Novarum or CTRN (PLN affiliate) [Gilbert BROWN] Cote d'Ivoire Federation of University and High School Students of Cote d'Ivoire or FESCI [Serges KOFFI]; Rally of Houphouetists for Democracy and Peace or RHDP [Alphonse DJEDJE MADY]; Young Patriots [Charles BLE GOUDE] Croatia other: human rights groups Cuba Human Rights Watch; National Association of Small Farmers Cyprus Confederation of Cypriot Workers or SEK (pro-West); Confederation of Revolutionary Labor Unions or Dev-Is; Federation of Turkish Cypriot Labor Unions or Turk-Sen; Pan-Cyprian Labor Federation or PEO (Communist controlled) Czech Republic Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions or CMKOS [Milan STECH] Denmark Danish Free Press Society (freedom of speech); Danish National Socialist Movement or DNSB [Jonni HANSEN] (neo-Nazi organization) other: human rights groups Djibouti Union for Presidential Majority UMP (coalition includes RPP, FRUD, PPSD and PND); Union for Democratic Changeover or UAD (opposition coalition includes ARD, MRDD, and UDJ) Dominica Dominica Liberation Movement or DLM (a small leftist party) Dominican Republic Citizen Participation Group (Participacion Ciudadania); Collective of Popular Organizations or COP; Foundation for Institution-Building and Justice (FINJUS) Ecuador Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador or CONAIE [Marlon SANTI, president]; Coordinator of Social Movements or CMS [F. Napoleon SANTOS]; Federation of Indigenous Evangelists of Ecuador or FEINE [Marco MURILLO, president]; National Federation of Indigenous Afro-Ecuatorianos and Peasants or FENOCIN [Pedro DE LA CRUZ, president] Egypt Muslim Brotherhood (technically illegal) note: despite a constitutional ban against religious-based parties and political activity, the technically illegal Muslim Brotherhood constitutes Hosni MUBARAK's potentially most significant political opposition; MUBARAK has alternated between tolerating limited political activity by the Brotherhood (its members, who ran as independents, hold 88 seats in the People's Assembly) and blocking its influence; civic society groups are sanctioned, but constrained in practical terms; only trade unions and professional associations affiliated with the government are officially sanctioned; Internet social networking groups and bloggers El Salvador labor organizations - Electrical Industry Union of El Salvador or SIES; Federation of the Construction Industry, Similar Transport and other activities, or FESINCONTRANS; National Confederation of Salvadoran Workers or CNTS; National Union of Salvadoran Workers or UNTS; Port Industry Union of El Salvador or SIPES; Salvadoran Union of Ex-Petrolleros and Peasant Workers or USEPOC; Salvadoran Workers Central or CTS; Workers Union of Electrical Corporation or STCEL; business organizations - National Association of Small Enterprise or ANEP; Salvadoran Assembly Industry Association or ASIC; Salvadoran Industrial Association or ASI Equatorial Guinea ASODEGUE (Madrid-based pressure group for democratic reform); Global Witness (anti-corruption) Eritrea Eritrean Democratic Party (EDP) [HAGOS, Mesfin]; Eritrean Islamic Jihad or EIJ (includes Eritrean Islamic Jihad Movement or EIJM also known as the Abu Sihel Movement); Eritrean Islamic Salvation or EIS (also known as the Arafa Movement); Eritrean Liberation Front or ELF [ABDULLAH Muhammed]; Eritrean National Alliance or ENA (a coalition including EIJ, EIS, ELF, and a number of ELF factions) [HERUY Tedla Biru]; Eritrean Public Forum or EPF [ARADOM Iyob] Estonia Nochnoy Dozor/Night Watch anti-fascist movement (leader Alexander KOROBOV) Ethiopia Ethiopian People's Patriotic Front or EPPF; Ogaden National Liberation Front or ONLF; Oromo Liberation Front or OLF [DAOUD Ibsa] Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Falkland Islands Association (supports freedom of the people from external causes) Faroe Islands Sea Shepard [Paul WATSON] (preservation of small whales) other: conservationists Fiji Group Against Racial Discrimination or GARD [Dr. Anirudk SINGH] (for restoration of a democratic government); Viti Landowners Association France Confederation Francaise Democratique du Travail or CFDT, left-leaning labor union with approximately 803,000 members; Confederation Generale des Cadres or CGC, independent white-collar union with 196,000 members; Confederation Generale du Travail or CGT, historically communist labor union with approximately 700,000 members; Confederation Generale du Travail - Force Ouvriere or FO, independent labor union with an estimated 300,000 members; Mouvement des Entreprises de France or MEDEF, employers' union with 750,000 companies as members (claimed) French Guiana: conservationists; gold mining pressure groups; hunting pressure groups Guadeloupe: Christian Movement for the Liberation of Guadeloupe or KLPG; General Federation of Guadeloupe Workers or CGT-G; General Union of Guadeloupe Workers or UGTG; Movement for an Independent Guadeloupe or MPGI; The Socialist Renewal Movement Martinique: Caribbean Revolutionary Alliance or ARC; Central Union for Martinique Workers or CSTM; Frantz Fanon Circle; League of Workers and Peasants; Proletarian Action Group or GAP Reunion: NA French Polynesia NA Gabon NA Gambia, The National Environment Agency or NEA; West African Peace Building Network-Gambian Chapter or WANEB-GAMBIA; Youth Employment Network Gambia or YENGambia other: special needs group advocates; teachers and principals Georgia separatists in the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia Germany other: business associations and employers' organizations; religious, trade unions, immigrant, expellee, and veterans groups Ghana Christian Aid (water rights); Committee for Joint Action or CJA (education reform); National Coalition Against the Privatization of Water or CAP (water rights); Oxfam (water rights); Public Citizen (water rights); Students Coalition Against EPA [Kwabena Ososukene OKAI] (education reform); Third World Network (education reform) Gibraltar Chamber of Commerce; Gibraltar Representatives Organization; Women's Association Greece Civil Servants Confederation or ADEDY [Spyros PAPASPYROS]; Federation of Greek Industries or SEV [Dimitris DASKALOPOULOS]; General Confederation of Greek Workers or GSEE [Ioannis PANAGOPOULOS] Greenland other: conservationists; environmentalists Grenada Committee for Human Rights in Grenada or CHRG; New Jewel Movement Support Group; The British Grenada Friendship Society; The New Jewel 19 Committee Guam Guam Federation of Teachers' Union; Guam Waterworks Authority Workers other: activists; indigenous groups Guatemala Agrarian Owners Group or UNAGRO; Alliance Against Impunity or AAI; Committee for Campesino Unity or CUC; Coordinating Committee of Agricultural, Commercial, Industrial, and Financial Associations or CACIF; Mutual Support Group or GAM Guernsey Stop Traffic Endangering Pedestrian Safety or STEPS; No More Masts [Colin FALLAIZE] Guinea National Confederation of Guinean Workers-Labor Union of Guinean Workers or CNTG-USTG Alliance (includes National Confederation of Guinean Workers or CNTG [Rabiatou Sarah DIALLO] and Labor Union of Guinean Workers or USTG [Dr. Ibrahima FOFANA]); National Council of Civil Society Organizations of Guinea or CNOSCG [Ben Sekou SYLLA]; Syndicate of Guinean Teachers and Researchers or SLECG [Dr. Louis M'Bemba SOUMAH] Guinea-Bissau NA Guyana Amerindian People's Association; Guyana Bar Association; Guyana Citizens Initiative; Guyana Human Rights Association; Guyana Public Service Union or GPSU; Private Sector Commission; Trades Union Congress Haiti Autonomous Organizations of Haitian Workers or CATH [Fignole ST-CYR]; Confederation of Haitian Workers or CTH; Federation of Workers Trade Unions or FOS; General Organization of Independent Haitian Workers [Patrick NUMAS]; Grand-Anse Resistance Committee, or KOREGA; National Popular Assembly or APN; Papaye Peasants Movement or MPP [Chavannes JEAN-BAPTISTE]; Popular Organizations Gathering Power or PROP; Protestant Federation of Haiti; Roman Catholic Church Holy See (Vatican City) none (exclusive of influence exercised by church officers) Honduras Committee for the Defense of Human Rights in Honduras or CODEH; Confederation of Honduran Workers or CTH; Coordinating Committee of Popular Organizations or CCOP; General Workers Confederation or CGT; Honduran Council of Private Enterprise or COHEP; National Association of Honduran Campesinos or ANACH; National Union of Campesinos or UNC; Popular Bloc or BP; United Confederation of Honduran Workers or CUTH Hong Kong Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (pro-China); Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong; Confederation of Trade Unions or CTU (pro-democracy) [LAU Chin-shek, president; LEE Cheuk-yan, general secretary]; Federation of Hong Kong Industries; Federation of Trade Unions or FTU (pro-China) [CHENG Yiu-tong, executive councilor]; Hong Kong Alliance in Support of the Patriotic Democratic Movement in China [Szeto WAH, chairman]; Hong Kong and Kowloon Trade Union Council (pro-Taiwan); Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce; Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union [CHEUNG Man-kwong, president]; Neighborhood and Workers' Service Center or NWSC [LEUNG Yiu-chung, LegCo member] (pro-democracy); Civic Act-up [Cyd HO Sau-lan, LegCo member] (pro-democracy) Hungary Air Work Group (works to reduce air pollution in towns and cities); Company For Freedom Rights (Tarsasag a Szabadsagjogokert) or TASZ (personal data protection); Danube Circle (protests the building of the Gabchikovo-Nagymaros dam); Green Future (protests the impact of lead contamination of local factory on health of the people); environmentalists: Hungarian Ornithological and Nature Conservation Society (Magyar Madartani Egyesulet)or MME; Green Alternative (Zold Alternativa) Iceland People's Voices [Hordur TORFARSON]; New Times; Civic Action Association [Gunnar SIGURDSSON]; The Association of Military Opponents [Stefan PALSSON] India All Parties Hurriyat Conference in the Kashmir Valley (separatist group); Bajrang Dal (religious organization); National Socialist Council of Nagaland in the northeast (separatist group); Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (religious organization); Vishwa Hindu Parishad (religious organization other: numerous religious or militant/chauvinistic organizations; various separatist groups seeking greater communal and/or regional autonomy Indonesia Indonesian Women's Coalition (Koalisi Perempuan - human rights group); Islamic Defenders Front or FPI; National Alliance for Freedom of Religion and Faith; Oil Palm Watch (environmental) Iran groups that generally support the Islamic Republic: Ansar-e Hizballah-Islamic Coalition Party (Motalefeh); Followers of the Line of the Imam and the Leader; Islamic Engineers Society; Tehran Militant Clergy Association (Ruhaniyat); active pro-reform student group: Office of Strengthening Unity (OSU); opposition groups: Baluchistan People's Party (BPP); Freedom Movement of Iran; Marz-e Por Gohar; National Front; and various ethnic and Monarchist organizations; armed political groups that have been repressed by the government: Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (KDPI); Jundallah; Komala; Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization (MEK or MKO); People's Fedayeen; People's Free Life Party of Kurdistan (PJAK) Iraq Sunni militias; Shia militias, some associated with political parties Ireland Families Acting for Innocent Relatives or FAIR [Brian McCONNELL] (seek compensation for victims of violence); Families Against Intimidation and Terror or FAIT (oppose terrorism); Gaeltacht Civil Rights Campaign (Coiste Cearta Sibhialta na Gaeilge) or CCSG (encourages the use of the Irish language and campaigns for greater civil rights in Irish speaking areas); Irish Republican Army or IRA (terrorist group); Keep Ireland Open (environmental group); Midland Railway Action Group or MRAG [Willie ALLEN] (transportation promoters); Rail Users Ireland (formerly the Platform 11 - transportation promoters); 32 Country Sovereignty Movement or 32CSM (supports a fully sovereign Ireland); Ulster Defence Association or UDA (terrorist group) Isle of Man Alliance for Progressive Government or APG (a government watchdog); Mec Vannin (political party advocating a sovereign state and environment policies); note - has only had one member elected to the Tynwald Israel B'Tselem [Jessica MONTELL, Executive Director] monitors human rights abuses; Peace Now [Yariv OPPENHEIMER, Secretary General] supports territorial concessions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip; YESHA Council of Settlements [Danny DAYAN, Chairman] promotes settler interests and opposes territorial compromise Italy manufacturers and merchants associations - Confcommercio; Confindustria; organized farm groups - Confcoltivatori; Confagricoltura; Roman Catholic Church; three major trade union confederations - Confederazione Generale Italiana del Lavoro or CGIL [Guglielmo EPIFANI] which is left wing; Confederazione Italiana dei Sindacati Lavoratori or CISL [Raffaele BONANNO], which is Roman Catholic centrist; Unione Italiana del Lavoro or UIL [Luigi ANGELETTI] which is lay centrist) Jamaica New Beginnings Movement or NBM; Rastafarians (black religious/racial cultists, pan-Africanists) Japan other: business groups; trade unions Jersey Institute of Directors, Jersey branch (provides business support); Jersey Hospitality Association [Robert JONES] (trade association); Jersey Rights Association [David ROTHERHAM] (human rights); La Societe Jersiaise (education and conservation group); Progress Jersey [Darius J. PEARCE, Daren O'TOOLE, Gino RISOLI] (human rights); Royal Jersey Agriculture and Horticultural Society or RJA&HS (development and management of the Jersey breed of cattle); Save Jersey's Heritage (protects heritage through building preservation) Jordan Anti-Normalization Committee [Ali Abu SUKKAR, president vice chairman]; Jordan Bar Association [Saleh al-ARMUTI, chairman]; Jordanian Press Association [Sayf al-SHARIF, president]; Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood [Dr. Hamam SAID, controller general] Kazakhstan Adil-Soz [Tamara KALEYEVA]; Almaty Helsinki Group [Ninel FOKINA]; Confederation of Free Trade Unions [Sergei BELKIN]; For Fair Elections [Yevgeniy ZHOVTIS, Sabit ZHUSUPOV, Sergey DUVANOV, Ibrash NUSUPBAYEV]; Kazakhstan International Bureau on Human Rights [Yevgeniy ZHOVTIS, executive director]; Pan-National Social Democratic Party of Kazakhstan [Zharmakhan TUYAKBAI]; Pensioners Movement or Pokoleniye [Irina SAVOSTINA, chairwoman]; Republican Network of International Monitors [Dos KUSHIM]; Transparency International [Sergei ZLOTNIKOV] Kenya Council of Islamic Preachers of Kenya or CIPK [Sheikh Idris MOHAMMED]; Kenya Human Rights Commission [L. Muthoni WANYEKI]; Muslim Human Rights Forum [Ali-Amin KIMATHI]; National Convention Executive Council or NCEC, a proreform coalition of political parties and nongovernment organizations [Ndung'u WAINANA]; National Muslim Leaders Forum or NAMLEF [Abdullahi ABDI]; Protestant National Council of Churches of Kenya or NCCK [Canon Peter Karanja MWANGI]; Roman Catholic and other Christian churches; Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims or SUPKEM [Shaykh Abdul Gafur al-BUSAIDY] other: labor unions Kiribati NA Korea, North none Korea, South Federation of Korean Industries; Federation of Korean Trade Unions; Korean Confederation of Trade Unions; Korean National Council of Churches; Korean Traders Association; Korean Veterans' Association; National Council of Labor Unions; National Democratic Alliance of Korea; National Federation of Farmers' Associations; National Federation of Student Associations Kosovo Council for the Defense of Human Rights and Freedom (human rights); Humanitarian Law Centre (human rights); Movement for Self-Determination; Serb National Council (SNV) Kuwait other: Islamists; merchants; political groups; secular liberals and pro-governmental deputies; Shia activists; tribal groups Kyrgyzstan Adilet Legal Clinic [Cholpon JAKUPOVA]; Coalition for Democracy and Civil Society [Dinara OSHURAKHUNOVA]; Interbilim [Asiya SASYKBAEVA] Laos NA Latvia Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia [Peteris KRIGERS], Employers' Confederation of Latvia [Elina EGLE], Farmers' Parliament [Juris LAZDINS] Lebanon Hizballah military wing other: Palestinian militias; Maronite Christians; Sunnis and their militias; Shias and their militias Lesotho Media Institute of Southern Africa, Lesotho chapter [Thabang MATJAMA] (pushes for media freedom) Liberia other: demobilized former military officers Libya other: Arab nationalist movements; anti-QADHAFI Libyan exile Movement; Islamic elements Liechtenstein NA Lithuania Europe House (promotes the EU); European Movement (promotes the EU); Lithuanian Future Forum (promotes the EU) Luxembourg ABBL (bankers' association); ALEBA (financial sector trade union); Centrale Paysanne (federation of agricultural producers); CEP (professional sector chamber); CGFP (trade union representing civil service); Chambre de Commerce (Chamber of Commerce); Chambre des Metiers (Chamber of Artisans); FEDIL (federation of industrialists); Greenpeace (environment protection); LCGP (center-right trade union); Mouvement Ecologique (protection of ecology); OGBL (center-left trade union) Macau Civic Power [Agnes LAM Lok-fong]; Macau Society of Tourism and Entertainment or STDM [Stanley HO]; Macau Worker's Union [HO Heng-kuok]; Roman Catholic Church; Union for Democracy Development [Antonio NG Kuok-cheong] Macedonia Federation of Free Trade Unions [Svetlana PETROVIC]; Federation of Trade Unions [Vanco MURATOVSKI]; Trade Union of Education, Science and Culture [Dojcin CVETANOSKI]; World Macedonian Congress [Todor PETROV] Madagascar Committee for the Defense of Truth and Justice or KMMR; Committee for National Reconciliation or CRN [Albert Zafy]; National Council of Christian Churches or FFKM Malawi Agri-Ecology Media (agriculture and environmental group); Council for NGOs in Malawi or CONGOMA (human rights, democracy, and development); Human Rights Consultative Committee or HRCC (human rights); Malawi Law Society (human rights and law reform); Malawi Movement for the Restoration of Democracy or MMRD (acts to restore and maintain democracy); Public Affairs Committee or PAC (promotes democracy, development, peace and unity) Malaysia Bar Council BERSIH (electoral reform coalition); PEMBELA (Muslim NGO coalition) other: religious groups; women's groups; youth groups Maldives other: various unregistered political parties Mali other: the army; Islamic authorities; rebels in the northern region; state-run cotton company CMDT; tuaregs Malta Alleanza Liberal-Demokratika Maltra or ALDM (for divorce, abortion, gay marriage, the rights existent in other EU member states); Alleanza Nazzionali Repubblikana or ANR (for traditional values, anti-immigration); Alternattiva Demokratika (pro-environment); Azzjoni Nazzjonali or AN (freedom to participate in democratic government); Flimkien Ghal-Ambjent Ahjar (pro-environment); Ghazdatal-Konsumaturi (consumer rights) other: environmentalists Marshall Islands NA Mauritania General Confederation of Mauritanian Workers or CGTM [Abdallahi Ould MOHAMED, secretary general]; Independent Confederation of Mauritanian Workers or CLTM [Samory Ould BEYE]; Mauritanian Workers Union or UTM [Mohamed Ely Ould BRAHIM, secretary general] other: Arab nationalists; Ba'thists; Islamists Mauritius other: various labor unions Mayotte NA Mexico Broad Progressive Front or FAP; Businessmen's Coordinating Council or CCE; Confederation of Employers of the Mexican Republic or COPARMEX; Confederation of Industrial Chambers or CONCAMIN; Confederation of Mexican Workers or CTM; Confederation of National Chambers of Commerce or CONCANACO; Coordinator for Foreign Trade Business Organizations or COECE; Federation of Unions Providing Goods and Services or FESEBES; National Chamber of Transformation Industries or CANACINTRA; National Peasant Confederation or CNC; National Small Business Chamber or CANACOPE; National Syndicate of Education Workers or SNTE; National Union of Workers or UNT; Popular Assembly of the People of Oaxaca or APPO; Roman Catholic Church Micronesia, Federated States of NA Moldova NA Monaco NA Mongolia other: human rights groups; women's groups Montserrat NA Morocco Democratic Confederation of Labor or CDT [Noubir AMAOUI]; General Union of Moroccan Workers or UGTM [Abderrazzak AFILAL]; Moroccan Employers Association or CGEM [Hassan CHAMI]; National Labor Union of Morocco or UNMT [Abdelslam MAATI]; Union of Moroccan Workers or UMT [Mahjoub BENSEDDIK] Mozambique Mozambican League of Human Rights (Liga Mocambicana dos Direitos Humanos) or LDH [Alice MABOTE, president] Namibia Earthlife Namibia [Berthchen KOHRS] (environmentalist group); National Society for Human Rights or NSHR; The World Information Services of Energy or WISE (group against nuclear power) Nauru Woman Information and News Agency (women's issues) Nepal other: several small armed Madhesi groups along the southern border with India; a variety of groups advocating regional autonomy for individual ethnic groups Netherlands Christian Trade Union Federation or CNV [Rene PAAS]; Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers or VNO-NCW [Bernard WIENTJES]; Federation for Small and Medium-sized businesses or MKB [Loek HERMANS]; Netherlands Trade Union Federation or FNV [Agnes JONGERIUS]; Social Economic Council or SER [Alexander RINNOOY KAN]; Trade Union Federation of Middle and High Personnel or MHP [Ad VERHOEVEN] Netherlands Antilles Employers Association (VBC); Unions (AVBO) New Caledonia NA New Zealand Women's Electoral Lobby or WEL other: apartheid groups; civil rights groups; farmers groups; Maori; nuclear weapons groups; women's rights groups Nicaragua National Workers Front or FNT (a Sandinista umbrella group of eight labor unions including: Farm Workers Association or ATC, Health Workers Federation or FETASALUD, Heroes and Martyrs Confederation of Professional Associations or CONAPRO, National Association of Educators of Nicaragua or ANDEN, National Union of Employees or UNE, National Union of Farmers and Ranchers or UNAG, Sandinista Workers Central or CST, and Union of Journalists of Nicaragua or UPN); Permanent Congress of Workers or CPT (an umbrella group of four non-Sandinista labor unions including: Autonomous Nicaraguan Workers Central or CTN-A, Confederation of Labor Unification or CUS, Independent General Confederation of Labor or CGT-I, and Labor Action and Unity Central or CAUS); Nicaraguan Workers' Central or CTN (an independent labor union); Superior Council of Private Enterprise or COSEP (a confederation of business groups) Niger The Nigerien Movement for Justice or MNJ, a predominantly Tuareg rebel group Nigeria Academic Staff Union for Universities or ASUU; Campaign for Democracy or CD; Civil Liberties Organization or CLO; Committee for the Defense of Human Rights or CDHR; Constitutional Right Project or CRP; Human Right Africa; National Association of Democratic Lawyers or NADL; National Association of Nigerian Students or NANS; Nigerian Bar Association or NBA; Nigerian Labor Congress or NLC; Nigerian Medical Association or NMA; the Press; Universal Defenders of Democracy or UDD Niue NA Norfolk Island none Northern Mariana Islands NA Norway Norwegian Aid Committee or NORWAC; Norwegian Association of the Disabled; Pure Salmon Campaign; The Consumer Council (consumer advocacy group) other: environmental groups; media; reform movements Oman none Pakistan other: military (most important political force); ulema (clergy); landowners; industrialists; small merchants Palau NA Panama Chamber of Commerce; National Civic Crusade; National Council of Organized Workers or CONATO; National Council of Private Enterprise or CONEP; National Union of Construction and Similar Workers (SUNTRACS); Panamanian Association of Business Executives or APEDE; Panamanian Industrialists Society or SIP; Workers Confederation of the Republic of Panama or CTRP Papua New Guinea Ahora [Andrew MAMOKO] (represents local tribes); Centre for Environment Law and Community Rights or Celcor [Damien ASE]; Community Coalition Against Corruption Paraguay Ahorristas Estafados or AE; National Coordinating Board of Campesino Organizations or MCNOC [Luis AGUAYO]; National Federation of Campesinos or FNC [Odilon ESPINOLA]; National Workers Central or CNT [Secretary General Juan TORRALES]; Paraguayan Workers Confederation or CPT; Roman Catholic Church; Unitary Workers Central or CUT [Jorge Guzman ALVARENGA Malgarejo] Peru General Workers Confederation of Peru (Confederacion General de Trabajadores del Peru) or CGTP [Mario HUAMAN]; Shining Path (Sendero Luminoso) or SL [Abimael GUZMAN Reynoso (imprisoned), Victor QUISPE Palomino (top leader at-large)] (leftist guerrilla group) Philippines ABONO [Robert ESTRELLA]; AKBAYAN [Anna Theresia BARAQUIEL]; An Waray [Florencio NOEL]; Anak Mindanao [Mujiv HATAMIN]; ANAKPAWIS [Rafael MARIANO]; ARC [Narciso SANTIAGO III]; Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives (APEC) [Ernesto PABLO and Edgar VALDEZ]; A TEACHER [Mariano PIAMONTE]; Bayan Muna [Satur OCAMPO and Teodoro CASINO, Jr.]; Black and White Movement [Vicente ROMANO]; BUHAY [Rene VELARDE, Carissa COSCOLLUELLA, and William TIENG]; BUTIL [Leonila CHAVEZ]; CIBAC [Emmanuel Joel VILLANUEVA]; COOP-NATCO [Jose PING-AY]; GABRIELA [Liza MAZA and Luzviminda ILAGAN]; Kilosbayan [Jovito SALONGA]; YACAP [Carol LOPEZ] Pitcairn Islands none Poland All Poland Trade Union Alliance or OPZZ (trade union) [Jan GUZ]; Roman Catholic Church [Cardinal Stanislaw DZIWISZ, Archbishop Jozef MICHALIK]; Solidarity Trade Union [Janusz SNIADEK] Portugal the media; labor unions Puerto Rico Boricua Popular Army or EPB (a revolutionary group also known as Los Macheteros); note - the following radical groups are considered dormant by Federal law enforcement: Armed Forces for National Liberation or FALN, Armed Forces of Popular Resistance, Volunteers of the Puerto Rican Revolution Qatar none Romania other: various human rights and professional associations Russia All-Russian Confederation of Labor; Baikal Environmental Wave; Federation of Independent Labor Unions of Russia; Freedom of Choice Interregional Organization of Automobilists; Glasnost Defense Foundation; Golos Association in Defense of Voters' Rights; Greenpeace Russia; Human Rights Watch (Russian chapter); Institute for Collective Action; Memorial (human rights group); Movement Against Illegal Migration; Pamjat (preservation of historical monuments and recording of history); Russian Orthodox Church; Russian-Chechen Friendship Society; SOVA Analytical-Information Center; Union of the Committees of Soldiers' Mothers; World Wildlife Fund (Russian chapter) Rwanda IBUKA (association of genocide survivors) Saint Barthelemy The Marine Reserve (protection of fish); Rotary Club Saint Helena other: private sector; unions Saint Kitts and Nevis NA Saint Lucia NA Saint Martin NA Saint Pierre and Miquelon NA Saint Vincent and the Grenadines NA Samoa NA San Marino NA Sao Tome and Principe Association of Sao Tome and Principe NGOs or FONG other: the media Saudi Arabia Ansar Al Marah (supports women's rights) other: gas companies; religious groups Senegal other: labor; students; Sufi brotherhoods, including the Mourides and Tidjanes; teachers Serbia NA Seychelles Roman Catholic Church other: trade unions Sierra Leone other: student unions; trade unions Singapore none Slovakia Association of Towns and Villages or ZMOS; Confederation of Trade Unions or KOZ; Entrepreneurs Association of Slovakia or ZPS; Federation of Employers' Associations of the Slovak Republic; National Union of Employers or RUZ; Slovak Chamber of Commerce and Industry or SOPK; The Business Alliance of Slovakia or PAS Slovenia Democratic Party of Slovenian Pensioners or DeSUS (protecting the rights of the older generation); Slovenian Roma Association [Jozek Horvat MUC] other: Catholic Church Solomon Islands Isatabu Freedom Movement (IFM); Malaita Eagle Force (MEF); note - these rival armed ethnic factions crippled the Solomon Islands in a wave of violence from 1999 to 2003 Somalia other: numerous clan and sub-clan factions exist both in support and in opposition to the transitional government South Africa Congress of South African Trade Unions or COSATU [Zwelinzima VAVI, general secretary]; South African Communist Party or SACP [Blade NZIMANDE, general secretary]; South African National Civics Organization or SANCO [Mlungisi HLONGWANE, national president] note: note - COSATU and SACP are in a formal alliance with the ANC Spain Association for Victims of Terrorism or AVT (grassroots organization devoted primarily to opposing ETA terrorist attacks and supporting its victims); Basta Ya (Spanish for "Enough is Enough"; grassroots organization devoted primarily to opposing ETA terrorist attacks and supporting its victims); Nunca Mais (Galician for "Never Again"; formed in response to the oil Tanker Prestige oil spill); Socialist General Union of Workers or UGT and the smaller independent Workers Syndical Union or USO; Trade Union Confederation of Workers' Commissions or CC.OO. other: business and landowning interests; Catholic Church; free labor unions (authorized in April 1977); university students Sri Lanka Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam or LTTE [Velupillai PRABHAKARAN](insurgent group fighting for a separate state); Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) or Karuna Faction [Vinayagamurthi MURALITHARAN] (paramilitary breakaway from LTTE and fighting LTTE) other: Buddhist clergy; labor unions; radical chauvinist Sinhalese groups such as the National Movement Against Terrorism; Sinhalese Buddhist lay groups Sudan Umma Party [SADIQ Siddiq al-Mahdi]; Popular Congress Party or PCP [Hassan al-TURABI]; Darfur rebel groups including the Justice and Equality Movement or JEM [Khalil IBRAHIM] and the Sudan Liberation Movement or SLM [various factional leaders] Suriname Association of Indigenous Village Chiefs [Ricardo PANE]; Association of Saramaccan Authorities or Maroon [Head Captain WASE]; Women's Parliament Forum or PVF [Iris GILLIAD] Svalbard NA Swaziland Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions; Swaziland and Solidarity Network or SSN Sweden Children's Rights in Society; Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees or TCO; Swedish Federation of Trade Unions or LO other: media Switzerland NA Syria Damascus Declaration National Council [Riyad SEIF, secretary general] (a broad alliance of opposition groups and individuals including: Committee for Revival of Civil Society [Michel KILO, Riyad SEIF]; Communist Action Party [Fateh JAMOUS]; Kurdish Democratic Alliance; Kurdish Democratic Front; Liberal Nationalists' Movement; National Democratic Rally; and Syrian Human Rights Society or HRAS [Fawed FAWUZ]); National Salvation Front (alliance between former Vice President Abd al-Halim KHADDAM, the SMB, and other small opposition groups); Syrian Muslim Brotherhood or SMB [Sadr al-Din al-BAYANUNI] (operates in exile in London; endorsed the Damascus Declaration, but is not an official member) Taiwan Organization for Taiwan Nation Building; World United Formosans for Independence other: environmental groups; independence movement; various business groups note: debate on Taiwan independence has become acceptable within the mainstream of domestic politics on Taiwan; political liberalization and the increased representation of opposition parties in Taiwan's legislature have opened public debate on the island's national identity; a broad public consensus has developed that the government enjoys popular sovereignty and - whatever the ultimate outcome regarding unification or independence - that Taiwan's people must have the deciding voice; public opinion polls consistently show a substantial majority of Taiwan people supports maintaining Taiwan's status quo for the foreseeable future; advocates of Taiwan independence oppose the stand that the island will eventually unify with mainland China; goals of the Taiwan independence movement include establishing a sovereign nation on Taiwan and entering the UN; advocates of eventual unification predicate their goal on the democratic transformation of the mainland Tajikistan splinter parties recognized by the government but not by the base of the party: Democratic Party or DPT [Masud SOBIROV] (splintered from ISKANDAROV's DPT); Socialist Party or SPT [Abduhalim GHAFFOROV] (splintered from NARZIEV's SPT) unregistered political parties: Agrarian Party [Hikmatullo NASREDDINOV]; Progressive Party [Sulton QUVVATOV]; Unity Party [Hikmatullo SAIDOV] Tanzania Economic and Social Research Foundation or ESRF; Free Zanzibar; Tanzania Media Women's Association or TAMWA Thailand People's Alliance for Democracy or PAD; United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship Timor-Leste NA Togo NA Tokelau none Tonga Human Rights and Democracy Movement Tonga or HRDMT [Rev. Simote VEA, chairman]; Public Servant's Association [Finau TUTONE] Trinidad and Tobago Jamaat-al Muslimeen [Yasin BAKR] Tunisia 18 October Group [collective leadership]; Tunisian League for Human Rights or LTDH [Mokhtar TRIFI] Turkey Confederation of Public Sector Unions or KESK [Sami EVREN]; Confederation of Revolutionary Workers Unions or DISK [Suleyman CELEBI]; Independent Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association or MUSIAD [Omer Cihad VARDAN]; Moral Rights Workers Union or Hak-Is [Salim USLU]; Turkish Confederation of Employers' Unions or TISK [Tugurl KUDATGOBILIK]; Turkish Confederation of Labor or Turk-Is [Mustafa KUMLU]; Turkish Confederation of Tradesmen and Craftsmen or TESK [Dervis GUNDAY]; Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association or TUSIAD [Arzuhan Dogan YALCINDAG]; Turkish Union of Chambers of Commerce and Commodity Exchanges or TOBB [M. Rifat HISARCIKLIOGLU] Turkmenistan NA Turks and Caicos Islands NA Tuvalu none Uganda Lord's Resistance Army or LRA [Joseph KONY]; Young Parliamentary Association [Henry BANYENZAKI]; Parliamentary Advocacy Forum or PAFO; National Association of Women Organizations in Uganda or NAWOU [Florence NEKYON]; The Ugandan Coalition for Political Accountability to Women or COPAW Ukraine Committee of Voters of Ukraine [Ihor POPOV] United Arab Emirates NA United Kingdom Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament; Confederation of British Industry; National Farmers' Union; Trades Union Congress United States environmentalists; business groups; labor unions; churches; ethnic groups; political action committees or PAC; health groups; education groups; civic groups; youth groups; transportation groups; agricultural groups; veterans groups; women's groups; reform lobbies Uruguay Architect's Society of Uruguay (professional organization); Chamber of Uruguayan Industries (manufacturer's association); Chemist and Pharmaceutical Association (professional organization); PIT/CNT (powerful federation of Uruguayan Unions - umbrella labor organization); Rural Association of Uruguay (rancher's association); Uruguayan Construction League; Uruguayan Network of Political Women other: Catholic Church; students Uzbekistan Agrarian and Entrepreneurs' Party [Marat ZAHIDOV]; Birlik (Unity) Movement [Abdurahim POLAT, chairman]; Committee for the Protection of Human Rights [Marat ZAHIDOV]; Erk (Freedom) Democratic Party [Muhammad SOLIH, chairman] (was banned 9 December 1992); Ezgulik Human Rights Society [Vasila INOYATOVA]; Free Farmers' Party or Ozod Dehqonlar [Nigora HIDOYATOVA]; Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan [Talib YAKUBOV, chairman]; Independent Human Rights Organization of Uzbekistan [Mikhail ARDZINOV, chairman]; Mazlum; Sunshine Coalition [Sanjar UMAROV, chairman] Vanuatu NA Venezuela FEDECAMARAS, a conservative business group; VECINOS groups; Venezuelan Confederation of Workers or CTV (labor organization dominated by the Democratic Action) Vietnam 8406 Bloc; Democratic Party of Vietnam or DPV; People's Democratic Party Vietnam or PDP-VN; Alliance for Democracy note: these groups advocate democracy but are not recognized by the government Virgin Islands NA Wallis and Futuna NA Western Sahara none Yemen Muslim Brotherhood; Women National Committee other: conservative tribal groups Zambia NA Zimbabwe Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition [Xolani ZITHA]; National Constitutional Assembly or NCA [Lovemore MADHUKU]; Women of Zimbabwe Arise or WOZA [Jenny WILLIAMS]; Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions or ZCTU [Wellington CHIBEBE] ====================================================================== @2116 Field Listing :: Economy - overview This entry briefly describes the type of economy, including the degree of market orientation, the level of economic development, the most important natural resources, and the unique areas of specialization. It also characterizes major economic events and policy changes in the most recent 12 months and may include a statement about one or two key future macroeconomic trends. Country Economy - overview Afghanistan Afghanistan's economy is recovering from decades of conflict. The economy has improved significantly since the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001 largely because of the infusion of international assistance, the recovery of the agricultural sector, and service sector growth. Real GDP growth fell from the 10% level in 2006-07 to a little more than 3% in 2008. Despite the progress of the past few years, Afghanistan is extremely poor, landlocked, and highly dependent on foreign aid, agriculture, and trade with neighboring countries. Much of the population continues to suffer from shortages of housing, clean water, electricity, medical care, and jobs. Criminality, insecurity, and the Afghan Government's inability to extend rule of law to all parts of the country pose challenges to future economic growth. It will probably take the remainder of the decade and continuing donor aid and attention to significantly raise Afghanistan's living standards from its current level, among the lowest in the world. International pledges made by more than 60 countries and international financial institutions at the Berlin Donors Conference for Afghan reconstruction in March 2004 reached $8.9 billion for 2004-09. While the international community remains committed to Afghanistan's development, pledging over $57 billion at three donors' conferences since 2002, Kabul will need to overcome a number of challenges. Expanding poppy cultivation and a growing opium trade generate roughly $3 billion in illicit economic activity and looms as one of Kabul's most serious policy concerns. Other long-term challenges include: budget sustainability, job creation, corruption, government capacity, and rebuilding war torn infrastructure. Akrotiri Economic activity is limited to providing services to the military and their families located in Akrotiri. All food and manufactured goods must be imported. Albania Lagging behind its Balkan neighbors, Albania is making the difficult transition to a more modern open-market economy. Macroeconomic growth has averaged around 5% over the last five years and inflation is low and stable. The government has taken measures to curb violent crime, and recently adopted a fiscal reform package aimed at reducing the large gray economy and attracting foreign investment. The economy is bolstered by annual remittances from abroad representing about 15% of GDP, mostly from Albanians residing in Greece and Italy; this helps offset the towering trade deficit. The agricultural sector, which accounts for over half of employment but only about one-fifth of GDP, is limited primarily to small family operations and subsistence farming because of lack of modern equipment, unclear property rights, and the prevalence of small, inefficient plots of land. Energy shortages because of a reliance on hydropower, and antiquated and inadequate infrastructure contribute to Albania's poor business environment and lack of success in attracting new foreign investment. The completion of a new thermal power plant near Vlore has helped diversify generation capacity, and plans to upgrade transmission lines between Albania and Montenegro and Kosovo would help relieve the energy shortages. Also, with help from EU funds, the government is taking steps to improve the poor national road and rail network, a long-standing barrier to sustained economic growth. Algeria The hydrocarbons sector is the backbone of the economy, accounting for roughly 60% of budget revenues, 30% of GDP, and over 95% of export earnings. Algeria has the eighth-largest reserves of natural gas in the world and is the fourth-largest gas exporter; it ranks 15th in oil reserves. Sustained high oil prices in recent years have helped improve Algeria's financial and macroeconomic indicators. Algeria is running substantial trade surpluses and building up record foreign exchange reserves. Algeria has decreased its external debt to less than 5% of GDP after repaying its Paris Club and London Club debt in 2006. Real GDP has risen due to higher oil output and increased government spending. The government's continued efforts to diversify the economy by attracting foreign and domestic investment outside the energy sector, however, has had little success in reducing high unemployment and improving living standards. Structural reform within the economy, such as development of the banking sector and the construction of infrastructure, moves ahead slowly hampered by corruption and bureaucratic resistance. American Samoa American Samoa has a traditional Polynesian economy in which more than 90% of the land is communally owned. Economic activity is strongly linked to the US with which American Samoa conducts most of its commerce. Tuna fishing and tuna processing plants are the backbone of the private sector, with canned tuna the primary export. Transfers from the US Government add substantially to American Samoa's economic well being. Attempts by the government to develop a larger and broader economy are restrained by Samoa's remote location, its limited transportation, and its devastating hurricanes. Tourism is a promising developing sector. Andorra Tourism, the mainstay of Andorra's tiny, well-to-do economy, accounts for more than 80% of GDP. An estimated 11.6 million tourists visit annually, attracted by Andorra's duty-free status and by its summer and winter resorts. Andorra's comparative advantage has recently eroded as the economies of neighboring France and Spain have been opened up, providing broader availability of goods and lower tariffs. The banking sector, with its partial "tax haven" status, also contributes substantially to the economy. Agricultural production is limited - only 2% of the land is arable - and most food has to be imported. The principal livestock activity is sheep raising. Manufacturing output consists mainly of cigarettes, cigars, and furniture. Andorra is a member of the EU Customs Union and is treated as an EU member for trade in manufactured goods (no tariffs) and as a non-EU member for agricultural products. Angola Angola's high growth rate is driven by its oil sector, which has taken advantage of high international oil prices. Oil production and its supporting activities contribute about 85% of GDP. Increased oil production supported growth averaging more than 15% per year from 2004 to 2007. A postwar reconstruction boom and resettlement of displaced persons has led to high rates of growth in construction and agriculture as well. Much of the country's infrastructure is still damaged or undeveloped from the 27-year-long civil war. Remnants of the conflict such as widespread land mines still mar the countryside even though an apparently durable peace was established after the death of rebel leader Jonas SAVIMBI in February 2002. Subsistence agriculture provides the main livelihood for most of the people, but half of the country's food must still be imported. In 2005, the government started using a $2 billion line of credit, since increased to $7 billion, from China to rebuild Angola's public infrastructure, and several large-scale projects were completed in 2006. Angola also has large credit lines from Brazil, Portugal, Germany, Spain, and the EU. The central bank in 2003 implemented an exchange rate stabilization program using foreign exchange reserves to buy kwanzas out of circulation. This policy became more sustainable in 2005 because of strong oil export earnings; it has significantly reduced inflation. Although consumer inflation declined from 325% in 2000 to under 13% in 2008, the stabilization policy has put pressure on international net liquidity. Angola became a member of OPEC in late 2006 and in late 2007 was assigned a production quota of 1.9 million barrels a day, somewhat less than the 2-2.5 million bbl Angola's government had wanted. To fully take advantage of its rich national resources - gold, diamonds, extensive forests, Atlantic fisheries, and large oil deposits - Angola will need to implement government reforms, increase transparency, and reduce corruption. The government has rejected a formal IMF monitored program, although it continues Article IV consultations and ad hoc cooperation. Corruption, especially in the extractive sectors, and the negative effects of large inflows of foreign exchange, are major challenges facing Angola. Anguilla Anguilla has few natural resources, and the economy depends heavily on luxury tourism, offshore banking, lobster fishing, and remittances from emigrants. Increased activity in the tourism industry has spurred the growth of the construction sector contributing to economic growth. Anguillan officials have put substantial effort into developing the offshore financial sector, which is small but growing. In the medium term, prospects for the economy will depend largely on the tourism sector and, therefore, on revived income growth in the industrialized nations as well as on favorable weather conditions. Antarctica Fishing off the coast and tourism, both based abroad, account for Antarctica's limited economic activity. Antarctic fisheries in 2006-07 (1 July-30 June) reported landing 126,976 metric tons (estimated fishing from the area covered by the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), which extends slightly beyond the Antarctic Treaty area). Unregulated fishing, particularly of Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides - also known as Chilean sea bass), is a serious problem. The CCAMLR determines the recommended catch limits for marine species. A total of 45,652 tourists visited the Antarctic Treaty area in the 2007-08 Antarctic summer, up from the 36,460 visitors in 2006-2007, and the 30,877 visitors in 2005-2006 (estimates provided to the Antarctic Treaty by the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO); this does not include passengers on overflights). Nearly all of them were passengers on commercial (nongovernmental) ships and several yachts that make trips during the summer. Most tourist trips last approximately two weeks. Antigua and Barbuda Antigua has a relatively high GDP per capita in comparison to most other Caribbean nations. The economy experienced solid growth from 2003 to 2007, reaching over 12% in 2006 driven by a construction boom in hotels and housing associated with the Cricket World Cup. Growth dropped off in 2008 with the end of the boom. Tourism continues to dominate the economy, accounting for nearly 60% of GDP and 40% of investment. The dual-island nation's agricultural production is focused on the domestic market and constrained by a limited water supply and a labor shortage stemming from the lure of higher wages in tourism and construction. Manufacturing comprises enclave-type assembly for export with major products being bedding, handicrafts, and electronic components. Prospects for economic growth in the medium term will continue to depend on tourist arrivals from the US, Canada, and Europe and potential damages from natural disasters. Since taking office in 2004, the SPENCER government has adopted an ambitious fiscal reform program, and has been successful in reducing its public debt-to-GDP ratio from 120% to about 90%. Arctic Ocean Economic activity is limited to the exploitation of natural resources, including petroleum, natural gas, fish, and seals. Argentina Argentina benefits from rich natural resources, a highly literate population, an export-oriented agricultural sector, and a diversified industrial base. Although one of the world's wealthiest countries 100 years ago, Argentina suffered during most of the 20th century from recurring economic crises, persistent fiscal and current account deficits, high inflation, mounting external debt, and capital flight. A severe depression, growing public and external indebtedness, and a bank run culminated in 2001 in the most serious economic, social, and political crisis in the country's turbulent history. Interim President Adolfo RODRIGUEZ SAA declared a default - the largest in history - on the government's foreign debt in December of that year, and abruptly resigned only a few days after taking office. His successor, Eduardo DUHALDE, announced an end to the peso's decade-long 1-to-1 peg to the US dollar in early 2002. The economy bottomed out that year, with real GDP 18% smaller than in 1998 and almost 60% of Argentines under the poverty line. Real GDP rebounded to grow by an average 9% annually over the subsequent five years, taking advantage of previously idled industrial capacity and labor, an audacious debt restructuring and reduced debt burden, excellent international financial conditions, and expansionary monetary and fiscal policies. Inflation also increased, however, during the administration of President Nestor KIRCHNER, which responded with price restraints on businesses, as well as export taxes and restraints, and beginning in early 2007, with understating inflation data. Cristina FERNANDEZ DE KIRCHNER succeeded her husband as President in late 2007, but was stymied in her efforts to hike export taxes still further by protesting farmers. Her government nationalized private pension funds in late 2008, which bolstered government coffers, but failed to assuage investors' concerns about the direction of economic policy. Armenia Since the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, Armenia has made progress in implementing many economic reforms including privatization, price reforms, and prudent fiscal policies. The conflict with Azerbaijan over the ethnic Armenian-dominated region of Nagorno-Karabakh contributed to a severe economic decline in the early 1990s. By 1994, however, the Armenian Government launched an ambitious IMF-sponsored economic liberalization program that resulted in positive growth rates. Economic growth has averaged over 10% in recent years. However, with the global economic downturn, Armenia's growth rate dropped to 6.8% in 2008. Armenia has managed to reduce poverty, slash inflation, stabilize its currency, and privatize most small- and medium-sized enterprises. Under the old Soviet central planning system, Armenia developed a modern industrial sector, supplying machine tools, textiles, and other manufactured goods to sister republics, in exchange for raw materials and energy. Armenia has since switched to small-scale agriculture and away from the large agroindustrial complexes of the Soviet era. Nuclear power plants built at Metsamor in the 1970s were closed following the 1988 Spitak Earthquake, though they sustained no damage. One of the two reactors was re-opened in 1995, but the Armenian government is under international pressure to close it due to concerns that the Soviet era design lacks important safeguards. Metsamor provides 40 percent of the country's electricity - hydropower accounts for about one-fourth. Economic ties with Russia remain close, especially in the energy sector. The electricity distribution system was privatized in 2002 and bought by Russia's RAO-UES in 2005. Construction of a pipeline to deliver natural gas from Iran to Armenia was completed in December 2008 and after testing is expected to be operational in Spring 2009, though it is unlikely significant quantities of gas will flow through it until the Yerevan Thermal Power Plant renovation is completed in 2010. Armenia has some mineral deposits (copper, gold, bauxite). Pig iron, unwrought copper, and other nonferrous metals are Armenia's highest valued exports. Armenia's severe trade imbalance has been offset somewhat by international aid, remittances from Armenians working abroad, and foreign direct investment. Armenia joined the WTO in January 2003. The government made some improvements in tax and customs administration in recent years, but anti-corruption measures will be more difficult to implement. Despite strong economic growth, Armenia's unemployment rate remains high. Armenia will need to pursue additional economic reforms in order to improve its economic competitiveness and to build on recent improvements in poverty and unemployment, especially given its economic isolation from two of its nearest neighbors, Turkey and Azerbaijan. The disruption of rail transit into Armenia during the Georgia-Russia conflict in August 2008 highlighted how vulnerable Armenia's supply chains for key goods - such as gasoline - are to instances of regional instability. Aruba Tourism is the mainstay of the small open Aruban economy with offshore banking and oil refining and storage also important. The rapid growth of the tourism sector over the last decade has resulted in a substantial expansion of other activities. Over 1.5 million tourists per year visit Aruba with 75% of those from the US. Construction continues to boom with hotel capacity five times the 1985 level. In addition, the country's oil refinery reopened in 1993 providing a major source of employment, foreign exchange earnings, and growth. Tourist arrivals have rebounded strongly following a dip after the 11 September 2001 attacks. The island experiences only a brief low season. Hotel occupancy in 2004 averaged 80% compared to 68% throughout the rest of the Caribbean. The government has made cutting the budget and trade deficits a high priority. Ashmore and Cartier Islands no economic activity Atlantic Ocean The Atlantic Ocean provides some of the world's most heavily trafficked sea routes, between and within the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. Other economic activity includes the exploitation of natural resources, e.g., fishing, dredging of aragonite sands (The Bahamas), and production of crude oil and natural gas (Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and North Sea). Australia Australia has an enviable, strong economy with a per capita GDP on par with the four dominant West European economies. Emphasis on reforms, low inflation, a housing market boom, and growing ties with China have been key factors over the course of the economy's 17 solid years of expansion. Robust business and consumer confidence and high export prices for raw materials and agricultural products fueled the economy in recent years, particularly in mining states. Drought, robust import demand, and a strong currency pushed the trade deficit up however, while infrastructure bottlenecks and a tight labor market constrained growth in export volumes and stoked inflation through mid-2008. The unwinding of the yen-based carry trade in late 2008 has contributed to a weakening of the Australian dollar. Tight global liquidity has challenged Australia's banking sector, which relies heavily on international wholesale markets for funding. The economy remains relatively healthy despite falling export commodity prices. The government plans to counter slowing growth in 2009 with fiscal stimulus efforts. Austria Austria, with its well-developed market economy and high standard of living, is closely tied to other EU economies, especially Germany's. Its economy features a large service sector, a sound industrial sector, and a small, but highly developed agricultural sector. Following several years of solid foreign demand for Austrian exports and record employment growth, the global economic downturn in 2008 led to a recession that is likely to persist through 2009. The government's stabilization measures could increase the budget deficit to about 2.8% of GDP in 2009 and above 3% in 2010, from about 0.6% in 2008. The Austrian economy has benefited greatly in the past from strong commercial relations, especially in the banking and insurance sectors, with central, eastern, and southeastern Europe, but these sectors have been vulnerable to recent international financial instabilities, and some of Austria's largest banks have required government support. Even after the global economic outlook improves, Austria will need to continue restructuring, emphasizing knowledge-based sectors of the economy, and encouraging greater labor flexibility and greater labor participation to offset its aging population and exceedingly low fertility rate. Azerbaijan Azerbaijan's high economic growth during 2006-08 is attributable to large and growing oil exports, but the non-energy sector also featured double-digit growth in 2008, spurred by growth in the construction, banking, and real estate sectors. However, the current global economic slowdown presents some challenges for the Azerbaijani economy as oil prices have plummeted since mid-2008 and local banks face a more uncertain international financial environment. Azerbaijan's oil production declined through 1997, but has registered an increase every year since. Negotiation of production-sharing arrangements (PSAs) with foreign firms, which have committed $60 billion to long-term oilfield development, should generate the funds needed to spur future industrial development. Oil production under the first of these PSAs, with the Azerbaijan International Operating Company, began in November 1997. A consortium of Western oil companies built a $4 billion pipeline from Baku to Turkey's Mediterranean port of Ceyhan which will pump 1.2 million barrels a day from a large offshore field when at full capacity. Azerbaijan shares all the formidable problems of the former Soviet republics in making the transition from a command to a market economy, but its considerable energy resources brighten its medium-term prospects. Baku has only recently begun making progress on economic reform, and old economic ties and structures are slowly being replaced. Several other obstacles impede Azerbaijan's economic progress: the need for stepped up foreign investment in the non-energy sector, the continuing conflict with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, pervasive corruption, and potential for a sharp downturn in the construction and real estate sectors. Trade with Russia and the other former Soviet republics is declining in importance, while trade is building with Turkey and the nations of Europe. Long-term prospects will depend on world oil prices, the location of new oil and gas pipelines in the region, and Azerbaijan's ability to manage its energy wealth to promote sustainable growth in non-energy sectors of the economy and spur employment. Bahamas, The The Bahamas is one of the wealthiest Caribbean countries with an economy heavily dependent on tourism and offshore banking. Tourism together with tourism-driven construction and manufacturing accounts for approximately 60% of GDP and directly or indirectly employs half of the archipelago's labor force. Steady growth in tourism receipts and a boom in construction of new hotels, resorts, and residences had led to solid GDP growth in recent years, but tourist arrivals have been on the decline since 2006 and will likely drop even further in 2009. Tourism, in turn, depends on growth in the US, the source of more than 80% of the visitors. To help offset the effect of the global economic downturn, particularly on employment, the INGRAHAM administration plans to engage in infrastructure projects. Financial services constitute the second-most important sector of the Bahamian economy and, when combined with business services, account for about 36% of GDP. However, since December 2000, when the government enacted new regulations on the financial sector, many international businesses have left The Bahamas. Manufacturing and agriculture combined contribute approximately a tenth of GDP and show little growth, despite government incentives aimed at those sectors. Overall growth prospects in the short run rest heavily on the fortunes of the tourism sector. Bahrain With its highly developed communication and transport facilities, Bahrain is home to numerous multinational firms with business in the Gulf. Petroleum production and refining account for over 60% of Bahrain's export receipts, over 70% of government revenues, and 11% of GDP (exclusive of allied industries), underpinning Bahrain's strong economic growth in recent years. Aluminum is Bahrain's second major export after oil. Other major segments of Bahrain's economy are the financial and construction sectors. Bahrain is focused on Islamic banking and is competing on an international scale with Malaysia as a worldwide banking center. Bahrain is actively pursuing the diversification and privatization of its economy to reduce the country's dependence on oil. As part of this effort, in August 2006 Bahrain and the US implemented a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the first FTA between the US and a Gulf state. Continued strong growth hinges on Bahrain's ability to acquire new natural gas supplies as feedstock to support its expanding petrochemical and aluminum industries. Unemployment, especially among the young, and the depletion of oil and underground water resources are long-term economic problems. The global financial crisis is likely to result in slower economic growth for Bahrain during 2009 as tight international credit and a slowing global economy cause funding for many non-oil projects to dry up. Lower oil prices may also cause Bahrain's budget to slip back into deficit. Bangladesh The economy has grown 5-6% per year since 1996 despite inefficient state-owned enterprises, delays in exploiting natural gas resources, insufficient power supplies, and slow implementation of economic reforms. Bangladesh remains a poor, overpopulated, and inefficiently-governed nation. Although more than half of GDP is generated through the service sector, nearly two-thirds of Bangladeshis are employed in the agriculture sector, with rice as the single-most-important product. Garment exports and remittances from Bangladeshis working overseas, mainly in the Middle East and East Asia, fuel economic growth. In 2008 Bangladesh pursued a monetary policy aimed at maintaining high employment, but created higher inflation in the process. Barbados Historically, the Barbadian economy was dependent on sugarcane cultivation and related activities. However, in recent years the economy has diversified into light industry and tourism with about three-quarters of GDP and 80% of exports being attributed to services. Growth has rebounded since 2003, bolstered by increases in construction projects and tourism revenues, reflecting its success in the higher-end segment, but the sector will likely face declining revenues with the global economic downturn. The country enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in the region. Offshore finance and information services are important foreign exchange earners and thrive from having the same time zone as eastern US financial centers and a relatively highly educated workforce. The government continues its efforts to reduce unemployment, to encourage direct foreign investment, and to privatize remaining state-owned enterprises. The public debt-to-GDP ratio of about 80% will likely widen as the THOMPSON administration engages in a more expansionary fiscal policy. Belarus Belarus has seen little structural reform since 1995, when President LUKASHENKO launched the country on the path of "market socialism." In keeping with this policy, LUKASHENKO reimposed administrative controls over prices and currency exchange rates and expanded the state's right to intervene in the management of private enterprises. Since 2005, the government has re-nationalized a number of private companies. In addition, businesses have been subject to pressure by central and local governments, e.g., arbitrary changes in regulations, numerous rigorous inspections, retroactive application of new business regulations, and arrests of "disruptive" businessmen and factory owners. A wide range of redistributive policies has helped those at the bottom of the ladder; the Gini coefficient is among the lowest in the world. Because of these restrictive economic policies, Belarus has had trouble attracting foreign investment. Nevertheless, government statistics indicate GDP growth has been strong in recent years, reaching 10% in 2008, despite the roadblocks of a tough, centrally directed economy with a high rate of inflation. Belarus receives discounted oil and natural gas from Russia and much of Belarus' growth can be attributed to the re-export of Russian oil at market prices. Trade with Russia - by far its largest single trade partner - decreased in 2007-08, largely as a result of a change in the way the Value Added Tax (VAT) on trade was collected. Russia has introduced an export duty on oil shipped to Belarus, which will increase gradually through 2009, and a requirement that Belarusian duties on re-exported Russian oil be shared with Russia - 80% was slated to go to Russia in 2008, and 85% in 2009. Russia also increased Belarusian natural gas prices from $47 per thousand cubic meters (tcm)in 2006 to $100 per tcm in 2007, and to $128 per tcm in 2008, and plans to increase prices gradually to world levels by 2011. Russia's recent policy of bringing energy prices for Belarus to world market levels may result in a slowdown in economic growth in Belarus over the next few years. Some policy measures, including improving energy efficiency and diversifying exports, have been introduced, but external borrowing has been the main mechanism used to manage the growing pressures on the economy. Belarus felt the effects of the global financial crisis in late 2008 and reached agreement with Russia in November for a $2 billion stabilization loan and with the IMF for a $2.5 billion stand-by agreement in January 2009. In line with IMF conditionality, Belarus devalued the ruble approximately 20% in January 2009 and has tightened some fiscal and monetary policies. Belarus's economic growth is likely to slow in 2009 as it faces decreasing demand for its exports, and will find it difficult to increase external borrowing if the credit markets continue to tighten. Belgium This modern, private-enterprise economy has capitalized on its central geographic location, highly developed transport network, and diversified industrial and commercial base. Industry is concentrated mainly in the populous Flemish area in the north. With few natural resources, Belgium must import substantial quantities of raw materials and export a large volume of manufactures, making its economy unusually dependent on the state of world markets. Roughly three-quarters of its trade is with other EU countries. Public debt is more than 80% of GDP. On the positive side, the government succeeded in balancing its budget during the 2000-2008 period, and income distribution is relatively equal. Belgium began circulating the euro currency in January 2002. Economic growth and foreign direct investment dropped in 2008. In 2009 Belgium is likely to have negative growth, growing unemployment, and a 3% budget deficit, stemming from the worldwide banking crisis. Belize In this small, essentially private-enterprise economy, tourism is the number one foreign exchange earner followed by exports of marine products, citrus, cane sugar, bananas, and garments. The government's expansionary monetary and fiscal policies, initiated in September 1998, led to sturdy GDP growth averaging nearly 4% in 1999-2007, though growth slipped to 3.8% in 2008 as a result of the global slowdown, natural disasters, and the drop in the price of oil. Oil discoveries in 2006 bolstered the economic growth. Exploration efforts continue and a small increase in production is expected in 2009. Major concerns continue to be the sizable trade deficit and unsustainable foreign debt equivalent to nearly 70% of GDP. In February 2007, the government restructured nearly all of its public external commercial debt, which helped reduce interest payments and relieve some of the country's liquidity concerns. A key short-term objective remains the reduction of poverty with the help of international donors. Benin The economy of Benin remains underdeveloped and dependent on subsistence agriculture, cotton production, and regional trade. Growth in real output has averaged around 5% in the past seven years, but rapid population growth has offset much of this increase. Inflation has subsided over the past several years. In order to raise growth still further, Benin plans to attract more foreign investment, place more emphasis on tourism, facilitate the development of new food processing systems and agricultural products, and encourage new information and communication technology. Specific projects to improve the business climate by reforms to the land tenure system, the commercial justice system, and the financial sector were included in Benin's $307 million Millennium Challenge Account grant signed in February 2006. The 2001 privatization policy continues in telecommunications, water, electricity, and agriculture though the government annulled the privatization of Benin's state cotton company in November 2007 after the discovery of irregularities in the bidding process. The Paris Club and bilateral creditors have eased the external debt situation, with Benin benefiting from a G8 debt reduction announced in July 2005, while pressing for more rapid structural reforms. An insufficient electrical supply continues to adversely affect Benin's economic growth though the government recently has taken steps to increase domestic power production. Bermuda Bermuda enjoys the third highest per capita income in the world more than 50% higher than that of the US. Its economy is primarily based on providing financial services for international business and luxury facilities for tourists. A number of reinsurance companies relocated to the island following the 11 September 2001 attacks and again after Hurricane Katrina in August 2005 contributing to the expansion of an already robust international business sector. Bermuda's tourism industry - which derives over 80% of its visitors from the US - continues to struggle but remains the island's number two industry. Most capital equipment and food must be imported. Bermuda's industrial sector is small, although construction continues to be important; the average cost of a house in June 2003 had risen to $976,000. Agriculture is limited with only 20% of the land being arable. Bhutan The economy, one of the world's smallest and least developed, is based on agriculture and forestry, which provide the main livelihood for more than 60% of the population. Agriculture consists largely of subsistence farming and animal husbandry. Rugged mountains dominate the terrain and make the building of roads and other infrastructure difficult and expensive. The economy is closely aligned with India's through strong trade and monetary links and dependence on India's financial assistance. The industrial sector is technologically backward, with most production of the cottage industry type. Most development projects, such as road construction, rely on Indian migrant labor. Model education, social, and environment programs are underway with support from multilateral development organizations. Each economic program takes into account the government's desire to protect the country's environment and cultural traditions. For example, the government, in its cautious expansion of the tourist sector, encourages visits by upscale, environmentally conscientious tourists. Detailed controls and uncertain policies in areas such as industrial licensing, trade, labor, and finance continue to hamper foreign investment. Hydropower exports to India have boosted Bhutan's overall growth, even though GDP fell in 2008 as a result of a slowdown in India, its predominant export market. New hydropower projects will be the driving force behind Bhutan's ability to create employment and sustain growth in the coming years. Bolivia Bolivia is one of the poorest and least developed countries in Latin America. Following a disastrous economic crisis during the early 1980s, reforms spurred private investment, stimulated economic growth, and cut poverty rates in the 1990s. The period 2003-05 was characterized by political instability, racial tensions, and violent protests against plans - subsequently abandoned - to export Bolivia's newly discovered natural gas reserves to large northern hemisphere markets. In 2005, the government passed a controversial hydrocarbons law that imposed significantly higher royalties and required foreign firms then operating under risk-sharing contracts to surrender all production to the state energy company. In early 2008, higher earnings for mining and hydrocarbons exports pushed the current account surplus to 9.4% of GDP and the government's higher tax take produced a fiscal surplus after years of large deficits. Private investment as a share of GDP, however, remains among the lowest in Latin America, and inflation remained at double-digit levels in 2008. The decline in commodity prices in late 2008, the lack of foreign investment in the mining and hydrocarbon sectors, and the suspension of trade benefits with the United States will pose challenges for the Bolivian economy in 2009. Bosnia and Herzegovina The interethnic warfare in Bosnia and Herzegovina caused production to plummet by 80% from 1992 to 1995 and unemployment to soar. With an uneasy peace in place, output recovered in 1996-99 at high percentage rates from a low base; but output growth slowed in 2000-02. Part of the lag in output was made up in 2003-08 when GDP growth exceeded 5% per year. Banking reform accelerated in 2001 as all the Communist-era payments bureaus were shut down; foreign banks, primarily from Western Europe, now control most of the banking sector. The konvertibilna marka (convertible mark or BAM)- the national currency introduced in 1998 - is pegged to the euro, and confidence in the currency and the banking sector has increased. Bosnia's private sector is growing and foreign investment is slowly increasing, but government spending, at nearly 40% of adjusted GDP, remains high because of redundant government offices at the state, entity and municipal level. Implementing privatization, however, has been slow, particularly in the Federation where political division between ethnically-based political parties makes agreement on economic policy more difficult. A sizeable current account deficit and high unemployment rate remain the two most serious macroeconomic problems. Successful implementation of a value-added tax in 2006 provided a predictable source of revenue for the government and helped rein in gray market activity. National-level statistics have also improved over time but a large share of economic activity remains unofficial and unrecorded. Bosnia and Herzegovina became a full member of the Central European Free Trade Agreement in September 2007. Bosnia's economy has been largely sheltered from the global financial downtown although key economic indicators have worsened. Key exporters in the metal, automobile and wood processing industries have reported a worsening performance and have announced layoffs and output reductions. Botswana Botswana has maintained one of the world's highest economic growth rates since independence in 1966, though growth fell below 5% in 2007-08. Through fiscal discipline and sound management, Botswana has transformed itself from one of the poorest countries in the world to a middle-income country with a per capita GDP of $13,300 in 2008. Two major investment services rank Botswana as the best credit risk in Africa. Diamond mining has fueled much of the expansion and currently accounts for more than one-third of GDP and for 70-80% of export earnings. Tourism, financial services, subsistence farming, and cattle raising are other key sectors. On the downside, the government must deal with high rates of unemployment and poverty. Unemployment officially was 23.8% in 2004, but unofficial estimates place it closer to 40%. HIV/AIDS infection rates are the second highest in the world and threaten Botswana's impressive economic gains. An expected leveling off in diamond mining production overshadows long-term prospects. Bouvet Island no economic activity; declared a nature reserve Brazil Characterized by large and well-developed agricultural, mining, manufacturing, and service sectors, Brazil's economy outweighs that of all other South American countries and Brazil is expanding its presence in world markets. From 2003 to 2007, Brazil ran record trade surpluses and recorded its first current account surpluses since 1992. Productivity gains coupled with high commodity prices contributed to the surge in exports. Brazil improved its debt profile in 2006 by shifting its debt burden toward real denominated and domestically held instruments. LULA da Silva restated his commitment to fiscal responsibility by maintaining the country's primary surplus during the 2006 election. Following his second inauguration in October of that year, LULA da Silva announced a package of further economic reforms to reduce taxes and increase investment in infrastructure. Brazil's debt achieved investment grade status early in 2008, but the government's attempt to achieve strong growth while reducing the debt burden created inflationary pressures. For most of 2008, the Central Bank embarked on a restrictive monetary policy to stem these pressures. Since the onset of the global financial crisis in September, Brazil's currency and its stock market - Bovespa - have significantly lost value, -41% for Bovespa for the year ending 30 December 2008. Brazil incurred another current account deficit in 2008, as world demand and prices for commodities dropped in the second-half of the year. British Indian Ocean Territory All economic activity is concentrated on the largest island of Diego Garcia, where a joint UK-US military facility is located. Construction projects and various services needed to support the military installation are performed by military and contract employees from the UK, Mauritius, the Philippines, and the US. There are no industrial or agricultural activities on the islands. The territory earns foreign exchange by selling fishing licenses and postage stamps. British Virgin Islands The economy, one of the most stable and prosperous in the Caribbean, is highly dependent on tourism generating an estimated 45% of the national income. An estimated 820,000 tourists, mainly from the US, visited the islands in 2005. In the mid-1980s, the government began offering offshore registration to companies wishing to incorporate in the islands, and incorporation fees now generate substantial revenues. Roughly 400,000 companies were on the offshore registry by yearend 2000. The adoption of a comprehensive insurance law in late 1994, which provides a blanket of confidentiality with regulated statutory gateways for investigation of criminal offenses, made the British Virgin Islands even more attractive to international business. Livestock raising is the most important agricultural activity; poor soils limit the islands' ability to meet domestic food requirements. Because of traditionally close links with the US Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands has used the US dollar as its currency since 1959. Brunei Brunei has a small well-to-do economy that encompasses a mixture of foreign and domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation, welfare measures, and village tradition. Crude oil and natural gas production account for just over half of GDP and more than 90% of exports. Per capita GDP is among the highest in Asia, and substantial income from overseas investment supplements income from domestic production. The government provides for all medical services and free education through the university level and subsidizes rice and housing. Brunei's leaders are concerned that steadily increased integration into the world economy will undermine internal social cohesion. Plans for the future include upgrading the labor force, reducing unemployment, strengthening the banking and tourist sectors, increasing agricultural production, and, in general, further widening the economic base beyond oil and gas. Bulgaria Bulgaria, a former Communist country that entered the EU on 1 January 2007, has experienced strong growth since a major economic downturn in 1996. Successive governments have demonstrated a commitment to economic reforms and responsible fiscal planning, but have failed so far to rein in rising inflation and large current account deficits. Bulgaria has averaged more than 6% growth since 2004, attracting significant amounts of foreign direct investment, but corruption in the public administration, a weak judiciary, and the presence of organized crime remain significant challenges. Burkina Faso One of the poorest countries in the world, landlocked Burkina Faso has few natural resources and a weak industrial base. About 90% of the population is engaged in subsistence agriculture, which is vulnerable to periodic drought. Cotton is the main cash crop and the government has joined with three other cotton producing countries in the region - Mali, Niger, and Chad - to lobby in the World Trade Organization for fewer subsidies to producers in other competing countries. Since 1998, Burkina Faso has embarked upon a gradual but successful privatization of state-owned enterprises. Having revised its investment code in 2004, Burkina Faso hopes to attract foreign investors. Thanks to this new code and other legislation favoring the mining sector, the country has seen an upswing in gold exploration and production. While the bitter internal crisis in neighboring Cote d'Ivoire is beginning to be resolved, it is still having a negative effect on Burkina Faso's trade and employment. Burkina Faso received a Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) threshold grant to improve girls' education at the primary school level, and signed an MCC compact that focuses on the areas of infrastructure, agriculture, and land reform in July 2008. Burma Burma, a resource-rich country, suffers from pervasive government controls, inefficient economic policies, and rural poverty. Despite Burma's increasing oil and gas revenue, socio-economic conditions have deteriorated because of the regime's mismanagement of the economy. The economy suffers from serious macroeconomic imbalances - including rising inflation, fiscal deficits, multiple official exchange rates that overvalue the Burmese kyat, a distorted interest rate regime, unreliable statistics, and an inability to reconcile national accounts to determine a realistic GDP figure. Most overseas development assistance ceased after the junta began to suppress the democracy movement in 1988 and subsequently refused to honor the results of the 1990 legislative elections. In response to the government of Burma's attack in May 2003 on AUNG SAN SUU KYI and her convoy, the US imposed new economic sanctions in August 2003 including a ban on imports of Burmese products and a ban on provision of financial services by US persons. Further, a poor investment climate hampers the inflow of foreign investment. Foreign investors have shied away from nearly every sector except for natural gas and power generation. The business climate is widely perceived as opaque, corrupt, and highly inefficient. The most productive sectors will continue to be in extractive industries - especially oil and gas, mining, and timber - with the latter causing significant environmental degradation. Other areas, such as manufacturing and services, are struggling with inadequate infrastructure, unpredictable import/export policies, deteriorating health and education systems, and endemic corruption. A major banking crisis in 2003 shuttered 20 private banks and disrupted the economy. As of 2008, the largest private banks operated under tight restrictions, limiting the private sector's access to formal credit. The September 2007 crackdown on prodemocracy demonstrators, including thousands of monks, strained the economy as the tourism industry, which directly employs about 500,000 people, suffered dramatic declines in foreign visitor levels. In November 2007, the European Union announced new sanctions banning investment and trade in Burmese gems, timber, and precious stones, while the United States expanded its sanctions list to include more Burmese government and military officials and their family members, as well as prominent regime business cronies, their family members, and associated companies. Official statistics are inaccurate. In July 2008 the President signed into law the Tom LANTOS JADE (Junta's Anti-Democratic Efforts) Act of 2008, imposing new targeted sanctions on the regime. Published statistics on foreign trade are greatly understated because of the size of the black market and unofficial border trade - often estimated to be as large as the official economy. Though the Burmese government has good economic relations with its neighbors, better investment and business climates and an improved political situation are needed to promote serious foreign investment, exports, and tourism. Burundi Burundi is a landlocked, resource-poor country with an underdeveloped manufacturing sector. The economy is predominantly agricultural with more than 90% of the population dependent on subsistence agriculture. Economic growth depends on coffee and tea exports, which account for 90% of foreign exchange earnings. The ability to pay for imports rests primarily on weather conditions and international coffee and tea prices. The Tutsi minority, 14% of the population, dominates the coffee trade. An ethnic-based war that lasted for over a decade resulted in more than 200,000 deaths, forced more than 48,000 refugees into Tanzania, and displaced 140,000 others internally. Only one in two children go to school, and approximately one in 15 adults has HIV/AIDS. Food, medicine, and electricity remain in short supply. Burundi's GDP grew around 4% annually in 2006-08. Political stability and the end of the civil war have improved aid flows and economic activity has increased, but underlying weaknesses - a high poverty rate, poor education rates, a weak legal system, and low administrative capacity - risk undermining planned economic reforms. Burundi will continue to remain heavily dependent on aid from bilateral and multilateral donors; the delay of funds after a corruption scandal cut off bilateral aid in 2007 reduced government's revenues and its ability to pay salaries. Cambodia From 2004 to 2007, the economy grew about 10% per year, driven largely by an expansion in the garment sector, construction, agriculture, and tourism. Growth dropped to below 7% in 2008 as a result of the global economic slowdown. With the January 2005 expiration of a WTO Agreement on Textiles and Clothing, Cambodian textile producers were forced to compete directly with lower-priced countries such as China, India, Vietnam, and Bangladesh. The garment industry currently employs more than 320,000 people and contributes more than 85% of Cambodia's exports. In 2005, exploitable oil deposits were found beneath Cambodia's territorial waters, representing a new revenue stream for the government if commercial extraction begins. Mining also is attracting significant investor interest, particularly in the northern parts of the country. The government has said opportunities exist for mining bauxite, gold, iron and gems. In 2006, a US-Cambodia bilateral Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) was signed, and several rounds of discussions have been held since 2007. The tourism industry has continued to grow rapidly, with foreign arrivals exceeding 2 million per year in 2007-08, however, economic troubles abroad will dampen growth in 2009. Rubber exports declined more than 15% in 2008 due to falling world market prices. The global financial crisis is weakening demand for Cambodian exports, and construction is declining due to a shortage of credit. The long-term development of the economy remains a daunting challenge. The Cambodian government is working with bilateral and multilateral donors, including the World Bank and IMF, to address the country's many pressing needs. The major economic challenge for Cambodia over the next decade will be fashioning an economic environment in which the private sector can create enough jobs to handle Cambodia's demographic imbalance. More than 50% of the population is less than 21 years old. The population lacks education and productive skills, particularly in the poverty-ridden countryside, which suffers from an almost total lack of basic infrastructure. Cameroon Because of its modest oil resources and favorable agricultural conditions, Cameroon has one of the best-endowed primary commodity economies in sub-Saharan Africa. Still, it faces many of the serious problems facing other underdeveloped countries, such as stagnating per capita income, a relatively inequitable distribution of income, a top-heavy civil service, and a generally unfavorable climate for business enterprise. International oil and cocoa prices have a significant impact on the economy. Since 1990, the government has embarked on various IMF and World Bank programs designed to spur business investment, increase efficiency in agriculture, improve trade, and recapitalize the nation's banks. The IMF is pressing for more reforms, including increased budget transparency, privatization, and poverty reduction programs. Canada As an affluent, high-tech industrial society in the trillion-dollar class, Canada resembles the US in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and affluent living standards. Since World War II, the impressive growth of the manufacturing, mining, and service sectors has transformed the nation from a largely rural economy into one primarily industrial and urban. The 1989 US-Canada Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) (which includes Mexico) touched off a dramatic increase in trade and economic integration with the US, its principle trading partner. Canada enjoys a substantial trade surplus with the US, which absorbs nearly 80% of Canadian exports each year. Canada is the US's largest foreign supplier of energy, including oil, gas, uranium, and electric power. Given its great natural resources, skilled labor force, and modern capital plant, Canada has enjoyed solid economic growth, and prudent fiscal management has produced consecutive balanced budgets from 1997 to 2007. In 2008, growth slowed sharply as a result of the global economic downturn, US housing slump, plunging auto sector demand, and a drop in world commodity prices. Public finances, too, are set to deteriorate for the first time in a decade. Tight global credit conditions have further restrained business and housing investment, despite the conservative lending practices and strong capitalization that made Canada's major banks among the most stable in the world. Cape Verde This island economy suffers from a poor natural resource base, including serious water shortages exacerbated by cycles of long-term drought. The economy is service-oriented, with commerce, transport, tourism, and public services accounting for about three-fourths of GDP. Although nearly 70% of the population lives in rural areas, the share of food production in GDP is low. About 82% of food must be imported. The fishing potential, mostly lobster and tuna, is not fully exploited. Cape Verde annually runs a high trade deficit, financed by foreign aid and remittances from emigrants; remittances supplement GDP by more than 20%. Economic reforms are aimed at developing the private sector and attracting foreign investment to diversify the economy. Future prospects depend heavily on the maintenance of aid flows, the encouragement of tourism, remittances, and the momentum of the government's development program. Cape Verde became a member of the WTO in July 2008. Cayman Islands With no direct taxation, the islands are a thriving offshore financial center. More than 68,000 companies were registered in the Cayman Islands as of 2003, including almost 500 banks, 800 insurers, and 5,000 mutual funds. A stock exchange was opened in 1997. Tourism is also a mainstay, accounting for about 70% of GDP and 75% of foreign currency earnings. The tourist industry is aimed at the luxury market and caters mainly to visitors from North America. Total tourist arrivals exceeded 2.1 million in 2003, with about half from the US. About 90% of the islands' food and consumer goods must be imported. The Caymanians enjoy one of the highest outputs per capita and one of the highest standards of living in the world. Central African Republic Subsistence agriculture, together with forestry, remains the backbone of the economy of the Central African Republic (CAR), with more than 70% of the population living in outlying areas. The agricultural sector generates more than half of GDP. Timber has accounted for about 16% of export earnings and the diamond industry, for 40%. Important constraints to economic development include the CAR's landlocked position, a poor transportation system, a largely unskilled work force, and a legacy of misdirected macroeconomic policies. Factional fighting between the government and its opponents remains a drag on economic revitalization. Distribution of income is extraordinarily unequal. Grants from France and the international community can only partially meet humanitarian needs. Chad Chad's primarily agricultural economy will continue to be boosted by major foreign direct investment projects in the oil sector that began in 2000. At least 80% of Chad's population relies on subsistence farming and livestock raising for its livelihood. Chad's economy has long been handicapped by its landlocked position, high energy costs, and a history of instability. Chad relies on foreign assistance and foreign capital for most public and private sector investment projects. A consortium led by two US companies has been investing $3.7 billion to develop oil reserves - estimated at 1 billion barrels - in southern Chad. Chinese companies are also expanding exploration efforts and plan to build a refinery. The nation's total oil reserves are estimated at 1.5 billion barrels. Oil production came on stream in late 2003. Chad began to export oil in 2004. Cotton, cattle, and gum arabic provide the bulk of Chad's non-oil export earnings. Chile Chile has a market-oriented economy characterized by a high level of foreign trade and a reputation for strong financial institutions and sound policy that have given it the strongest sovereign bond rating in South America. Exports account for 40% of GDP, with commodities making up some three-quarters of total exports. Copper alone provides one-third of government revenue. During the early 1990s, Chile's reputation as a role model for economic reform was strengthened when the democratic government of Patricio AYLWIN - which took over from the military in 1990 - deepened the economic reform initiated by the military government. Growth in real GDP averaged 8% during 1991-97, but fell to half that level in 1998 because of tight monetary policies implemented to keep the current account deficit in check and because of lower export earnings - the latter a product of the global financial crisis. A severe drought exacerbated the situation in 1999, reducing crop yields and causing hydroelectric shortfalls and electricity rationing, and Chile experienced negative economic growth for the first time in more than 15 years. In the years since then, growth has averaged 4% per year. Chile deepened its longstanding commitment to trade liberalization with the signing of a free trade agreement with the US, which took effect on 1 January 2004. Chile claims to have more bilateral or regional trade agreements than any other country. It has 57 such agreements (not all of them full free trade agreements), including with the European Union, Mercosur, China, India, South Korea, and Mexico. Over the past five years, foreign direct investment inflows have quadrupled to some $17 billion in 2008. The Chilean government conducts a rule-based countercyclical fiscal policy, accumulating surpluses in sovereign wealth funds during periods of high copper prices and economic growth, and allowing deficit spending only during periods of low copper prices and growth. As of September 2008, those sovereign wealth funds - kept mostly outside the country and separate from Central Bank reserves - amounted to more than $20 billion. China China's economy during the past 30 years has changed from a centrally planned system that was largely closed to international trade to a more market-oriented economy that has a rapidly growing private sector and is a major player in the global economy. Reforms started in the late 1970s with the phasing out of collectivized agriculture, and expanded to include the gradual liberalization of prices, fiscal decentralization, increased autonomy for state enterprises, the foundation of a diversified banking system, the development of stock markets, the rapid growth of the non-state sector, and the opening to foreign trade and investment. Annual inflows of foreign direct investment rose to nearly $84 billion in 2007. China has generally implemented reforms in a gradualist or piecemeal fashion. In recent years, China has re-invigorated its support for leading state-owned enterprises in sectors it considers important to "economic security," explicitly looking to foster globally competitive national champions. After keeping its currency tightly linked to the US dollar for years, China in July 2005 revalued its currency by 2.1% against the US dollar and moved to an exchange rate system that references a basket of currencies. Cumulative appreciation of the renminbi against the US dollar since the end of the dollar peg was more than 20% by late 2008, but the exchange rate has changed little since the onset of the global financial crisis. The restructuring of the economy and resulting efficiency gains have contributed to a more than tenfold increase in GDP since 1978. Measured on a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis that adjusts for price differences, China in 2008 stood as the second-largest economy in the world after the US, although in per capita terms the country is still lower middle-income. The Chinese government faces numerous economic development challenges, including: (a) strengthening its social safety net, including pension and health system reform, to counteract a high domestic savings rate and correspondingly low domestic demand; (b) sustaining adequate job growth for tens of millions of migrants, new entrants to the work force, and workers laid off from state-owned enterprises deemed not worth saving; (c) reducing corruption and other economic crimes; and (d) containing environmental damage and social strife related to the economy's rapid transformation. Economic development has been more rapid in coastal provinces than in the interior, and approximately 200 million rural laborers and their dependents have relocated to urban areas to find work - in recent years many have returned to their villages. One demographic consequence of the "one child" policy is that China is now one of the most rapidly aging countries in the world. Deterioration in the environment - notably air pollution, soil erosion, and the steady fall of the water table, especially in the north - is another long-term problem. China continues to lose arable land because of erosion and economic development. In 2007 China intensified government efforts to improve environmental conditions, tying the evaluation of local officials to environmental targets, publishing a national climate change policy, and establishing a high level leading group on climate change, headed by Premier WEN Jiabao. The Chinese government seeks to add energy production capacity from sources other than coal and oil. In late 2008, as China commemorated the 30th anniversary of its historic economic reforms, the global economic downturn began to slow foreign demand for Chinese exports for the first time in many years. The government vowed to continue reforming the economy and emphasized the need to increase domestic consumption in order to make China less dependent on foreign exports for GDP growth in the future. Christmas Island Phosphate mining had been the only significant economic activity, but in December 1987 the Australian government closed the mine. In 1991, the mine was reopened. With the support of the government, a $34 million casino opened in 1993, but closed in 1998. The Australian government in 2001 agreed to support the creation of a commercial space-launching site on the island expected to begin operations in the near future. Clipperton Island Although 115 species of fish have been identified in the territorial waters of Clipperton Island, the only economic activity is tuna fishing. Cocos (Keeling) Islands Grown throughout the islands, coconuts are the sole cash crop. Small local gardens and fishing contribute to the food supply, but additional food and most other necessities must be imported from Australia. There is a small tourist industry. Colombia Colombia has experienced accelerating growth between 2002 and 2007, with expansion above 7% in 2007, chiefly due to advancements in domestic security, to rising commodity prices, and to President URIBE's promarket economic policies. Colombia's sustained growth helped reduce poverty by 20% and cut unemployment by 25% since 2002. Additionally, investor friendly reforms to Colombia's hydrocarbon sector and the US-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (CTPA) negotiations have attracted record levels of foreign investment. Inequality, underemployment,and narcotrafficking remain significant challenges, and Colombia's infrastructure requires significant updating in order to sustain expansion. Economic growth slipped in 2008 as a result of the global financial crisis and weakening demand for Colombia's exports. In response, URIBE's administration has cut capital controls, arranged for emergency credit lines from multilateral institutions, and promoted investment incentives such as Colombia's modernized free trade zone mechanism, legal stability contracts, and new bilateral investment treaties and trade agreements. The government has also encouraged exporters to diversify their customer base away from the United States and Venezuela, Colombia's largest trading partners. Nevertheless, the business sector continues to be concerned about the impact of a global recession on Colombia's exports, as well as the approval of the CTPA, which is stalled in the US Congress. Comoros One of the world's poorest countries, Comoros is made up of three islands that have inadequate transportation links, a young and rapidly increasing population, and few natural resources. The low educational level of the labor force contributes to a subsistence level of economic activity, high unemployment, and a heavy dependence on foreign grants and technical assistance. Agriculture, including fishing, hunting, and forestry, contributes 40% to GDP, employs 80% of the labor force, and provides most of the exports. The country is not self-sufficient in food production; rice, the main staple, accounts for the bulk of imports. The government - which is hampered by internal political disputes - is struggling to upgrade education and technical training, privatize commercial and industrial enterprises, improve health services, diversify exports, promote tourism, and reduce the high population growth rate. The political problems have inhibited growth, which has averaged only about 1% in 2006-08. Remittances from 150,000 Comorans abroad help supplement GDP. Congo, Democratic Republic of the The economy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo - a nation endowed with vast potential wealth - is slowly recovering from two decades of decline. Conflict that began in August 1998 has dramatically reduced national output and government revenue, increased external debt, and resulted in the deaths of more than 5 million people from violence, famine, and disease. Foreign businesses curtailed operations due to uncertainty about the outcome of the conflict, lack of infrastructure, and the difficult operating environment. Conditions began to improve in late 2002 with the withdrawal of a large portion of the invading foreign troops. The transitional government reopened relations with international financial institutions and international donors, and President KABILA began implementing reforms, although progress has been slow and the International Monetary Fund curtailed their program for the DRC at the end of March 2006 because of fiscal overruns. Much economic activity still occurs in the informal sector, and is not reflected in GDP data. Renewed activity in the mining sector, the source of most export income, boosted Kinshasa's fiscal position and GDP growth from 2006-2008, however, renewed strife in the second half of 2008, combined with a fall in world market prices for the DRC's key mineral exports inflicted major damage on the economy and halted growth. Government reforms may lead to increased government revenues, outside budget assistance, and foreign direct investment, although an uncertain legal framework, corruption, a lack of transparency in government policy are long-term problems. The DRC government has applied to the IMF for an Exogenous Shock Facility in the amount of $200 million to help it deal with its deteriorating financial situation, and the World Bank will consider a separate $100 million in emergency funding. The global recession probably will cut economic growth in 2009 to half its 2008 level. Congo, Republic of the The economy is a mixture of subsistence agriculture, an industrial sector based largely on oil, and support services, and a government characterized by budget problems and overstaffing. Oil has supplanted forestry as the mainstay of the economy, providing a major share of government revenues and exports. In the early 1980s, rapidly rising oil revenues enabled the government to finance large-scale development projects with GDP growth averaging 5% annually, one of the highest rates in Africa. The government has mortgaged a substantial portion of its oil earnings through oil-backed loans that have contributed to a growing debt burden and chronic revenue shortfalls. Economic reform efforts have been undertaken with the support of international organizations, notably the World Bank and the IMF. However, the reform program came to a halt in June 1997 when civil war erupted. Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO, who returned to power when the war ended in October 1997, publicly expressed interest in moving forward on economic reforms and privatization and in renewing cooperation with international financial institutions. Economic progress was badly hurt by slumping oil prices and the resumption of armed conflict in December 1998, which worsened the republic's budget deficit. The current administration presides over an uneasy internal peace and faces difficult economic challenges of stimulating recovery and reducing poverty. Recovery of oil prices has boosted the economy's GDP and near-term prospects. In March 2006, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) treatment for Congo. Cook Islands Like many other South Pacific island nations, the Cook Islands' economic development is hindered by the isolation of the country from foreign markets, the limited size of domestic markets, lack of natural resources, periodic devastation from natural disasters, and inadequate infrastructure. Agriculture, employing more than one-quarter of the working population, provides the economic base with major exports made up of copra and citrus fruit. Black pearls are the Cook Islands' leading export. Manufacturing activities are limited to fruit processing, clothing, and handicrafts. Trade deficits are offset by remittances from emigrants and by foreign aid overwhelmingly from New Zealand. In the 1980s and 1990s, the country lived beyond its means, maintaining a bloated public service and accumulating a large foreign debt. Subsequent reforms, including the sale of state assets, the strengthening of economic management, the encouragement of tourism, and a debt restructuring agreement, have rekindled investment and growth. Coral Sea Islands no economic activity Costa Rica Costa Rica's basically stable economy depends on tourism, agriculture, and electronics exports. Exports have become more diversified in the past 10 years due to the growth of the high-tech manufacturing sector, which is dominated by the microprocessor industry and the production of medical devices. Tourism continues to bring in foreign exchange, as Costa Rica's impressive biodiversity makes it a key destination for ecotourism. Foreign investors remain attracted by the country's political stability and relatively high education levels, as well as the fiscal incentives offered in the free-trade zones. Costa Rica has attracted one of the highest levels of foreign direct investment per capita in Latin America. Poverty has remained around 20% for nearly 20 years, and the strong social safety net that had been put into place by the government has eroded due to increased financial constraints on government expenditures. Immigration from Nicaragua has increasingly become a concern for the government. The estimated 300,000-500,000 Nicaraguans in Costa Rica legally and illegally are an important source of - mostly unskilled - labor, but also place heavy demands on the social welfare system. Under the ARIAS administration, the government has made strides in reducing internal and external debt - in 2007, Costa Rica had its first budget surplus in 50 years. Reducing inflation remains a difficult problem because of rising commodity import prices and labor market rigidities, though lower oil prices will decrease upward pressures. The Central Bank is moving towards a more flexible exchange rate system to focus on inflation targeting by 2010. The US-Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) entered into force on 1 January 2009, after significant delays within the Costa Rican legislature. Nevertheless, economic growth has slowed in 2009 as the global downturn reduced export demand and invesment inflows. Cote d'Ivoire Cote d'Ivoire is the world's largest producer and exporter of cocoa beans and a significant producer and exporter of coffee and palm oil. Consequently, the economy is highly sensitive to fluctuations in international prices for these products, and, to a lesser extent, in climatic conditions. Despite government attempts to diversify the economy, it is still heavily dependent on agriculture and related activities, engaging roughly 68% of the population. Since 2006, oil and gas production have become more important engines of economic activity than cocoa. According to IMF statistics, earnings from oil and refined products were $1.3 billion in 2006, while cocoa-related revenues were $1 billion during the same period. Cote d'Ivoire's offshore oil and gas production has resulted in substantial crude oil exports and provides sufficient natural gas to fuel electricity exports to Ghana, Togo, Benin, Mali and Burkina Faso. Oil exploration by a number of consortiums of private companies continues offshore, and President GBAGBO has expressed hope that daily crude output could reach 200,000 barrels per day (b/d) by the end of the decade. Since the end of the civil war in 2003, political turmoil has continued to damage the economy, resulting in the loss of foreign investment and slow economic growth. GDP grew by nearly 2% in 2007 and 3% in 2008. Per capita income has declined by 15% since 1999. Croatia Once one of the wealthiest of the Yugoslav republics, Croatia's economy suffered badly during the 1991-95 war as output collapsed and the country missed the early waves of investment in Central and Eastern Europe that followed the fall of the Berlin Wall. Between 2000 and 2007, however, Croatia's economic fortunes began to improve slowly, with moderate but steady GDP growth between 4% and 6% led by a rebound in tourism and credit-driven consumer spending. Inflation over the same period has remained tame and the currency, the kuna, stable. Nevertheless, difficult problems still remain, including a stubbornly high unemployment rate, a growing trade deficit and uneven regional development. The state retains a large role in the economy, as privatization efforts often meet stiff public and political resistance. While macroeconomic stabilization has largely been achieved, structural reforms lag because of deep resistance on the part of the public and lack of strong support from politicians. The EU accession process should accelerate fiscal and structural reform. While long term growth prospects for the economy remain strong, Croatia will face significant pressure as a result of the global financial crisis. Croatia's high foreign debt, anemic export sector, strained state budget, and over-reliance on tourism revenue will result in higher risk to economic stability over the medium term. Cuba The government continues to balance the need for economic loosening against a desire for firm political control. It has rolled back limited reforms undertaken in the 1990s to increase enterprise efficiency and alleviate serious shortages of food, consumer goods, and services. The average Cuban's standard of living remains at a lower level than before the downturn of the 1990s, which was caused by the loss of Soviet aid and domestic inefficiencies. Since late 2000, Venezuela has been providing oil on preferential terms, and it currently supplies about 100,000 barrels per day of petroleum products. Cuba has been paying for the oil, in part, with the services of Cuban personnel in Venezuela including some 30,000 medical professionals. Cyprus The area of the Republic of Cyprus under government control has a market economy dominated by the service sector, which accounts for 78% of GDP. Tourism, financial services, and real estate are the most important sectors. Erratic growth rates over the past decade reflect the economy's reliance on tourism, which often fluctuates with political instability in the region and economic conditions in Western Europe. Nevertheless, the economy in the area under government control has grown at a rate well above the EU average since 2000. Cyprus joined the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM2) in May 2005 and adopted the euro as its national currency on 1 January 2008. An aggressive austerity program in the preceding years, aimed at paving the way for the euro, helped turn a soaring fiscal deficit (6.3% in 2003) into a surplus of 1.2% in 2008, and reduced inflation to 5.1%. This prosperity will come under pressure in 2009, as construction and tourism slow in the face of reduced foreign demand triggered by the ongoing global financial crisis. Growth is expected to slow to less than 2%, which would be its lowest level since 2003. As in the area administered by Turkish Cypriots, water shortages are a perennial problem; a few desalination plants have been added to existing plants over the last year and are now on line. After 10 years of drought, the country received substantial rainfall from 2001-04. Since then, rainfall has been well below average, making water rationing a necessity. Czech Republic The Czech Republic is one of the most stable and prosperous of the post-Communist states of Central and Eastern Europe. Maintaining an open investment climate has been a key element of the Czech Republic's transition from a communist, centrally planned economy to a functioning market economy. As a member of the European Union, with an advantageous location in the center of Europe, a relatively low cost structure, and a well-qualified labor force, the Czech Republic is an attractive destination for foreign investment. Prior to its EU accession in 2004, the Czech government harmonized its laws and regulations with those of the European Union. The government plans to meet the criteria for joining the euro area around 2012. The small, open, export-driven Czech economy grew by over 6% annually from 2005-2007 and strong growth continued throughout the first three quarters of 2008. Despite the global financial crisis, the conservative Czech financial system has remained relatively healthy. The rate of Czech economic growth, however, fell in the fourth quarter of 2008, mainly due to a significant drop in demand for Czech exports in Western Europe. This trend is expected to continue, with many analysts predicting the Czech economy to contract slightly in 2009. Denmark This thoroughly modern market economy features high-tech agriculture, up-to-date small-scale and corporate industry, extensive government welfare measures, an equitable distribution of income, comfortable living standards, a stable currency, a stable political system, and high dependence on foreign trade. Unemployment is low and capacity constraints limit growth potential. Denmark is a net exporter of food and energy and enjoys a comfortable balance of payments surplus. The government has been successful in meeting, and even exceeding, the economic convergence criteria for participating in the third phase (a common European currency) of the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), but so far Denmark has decided not to join 16 other EU members in the euro. Nonetheless, the Danish krone remains pegged to the euro. Denmark's fiscal position is among the strongest in the EU. Economic growth gained momentum in 2004 and the upturn continued through 2006. After a long consumption-driven upswing, Denmark's economy began slowing in early 2007 with the end of a housing boom. This cyclical slowdown has been exacerbated by the global financial crisis through increased borrowing costs and lower export demand, consumer confidence, and investment. The slowing global economy cut GDP by 1.2% in 2008. A major long-term issue will be the sharp decline in the ratio of workers to retirees. Dhekelia Economic activity is limited to providing services to the military and their families located in Dhekelia. All food and manufactured goods must be imported. Djibouti The economy is based on service activities connected with the country's strategic location and status as a free trade zone in the Horn of Africa. Two-thirds of Djibouti's inhabitants live in the capital city; the remainder are mostly nomadic herders. Scanty rainfall limits crop production to fruits and vegetables, and most food must be imported. Djibouti provides services as both a transit port for the region and an international transshipment and refueling center. Imports and exports from landlocked neighbor Ethiopia represent 85% of port activity at Djibouti's container terminal. Djibouti has few natural resources and little industry. The nation is, therefore, heavily dependent on foreign assistance to help support its balance of payments and to finance development projects. An unemployment rate of nearly 60% in urban areas continues to be a major problem. While inflation is not a concern, due to the fixed tie of the Djiboutian franc to the US dollar, the artificially high value of the Djiboutian franc adversely affects Djibouti's balance of payments. Per capita consumption dropped an estimated 35% between 1999 and 2006 because of recession, civil war, and a high population growth rate (including immigrants and refugees). Faced with a multitude of economic difficulties, the government has fallen in arrears on long-term external debt and has been struggling to meet the stipulations of foreign aid donors. Dominica The Dominican economy depends on agriculture, primarily bananas, and remains highly vulnerable to climatic conditions and international economic developments. Tourism has increased as the government seeks to promote Dominica as an "ecotourism" destination and has developed a new tourism development plan with assistance from the EU. Hurricane Dean struck the island in August 2007 causing damages equivalent to 20% of GDP. In 2003, the government began a comprehensive restructuring of the economy - including elimination of price controls, privatization of the state banana company, and tax increases - to address Dominica's economic and financial crisis of 2001-02 and to meet IMF targets. This restructuring paved the way for the current economic recovery - real growth for 2006 reached a two-decade high - and will help to reduce the debt burden, which remains at about 100% of GDP. In order to diversify the island's production base, the government is attempting to develop an offshore financial sector and has signed an agreement with the EU to develop geothermal energy resources. Dominican Republic The Dominican Republic has enjoyed strong GDP growth since 2005 and continued to post sound gains through mid-2008. The global recession, however, had a significant impact on GDP growth in the latter half of the year as tourism and remittances, two of the Dominican Republic's most important economic contributors, showed signs of slowing. The economy is highly dependent upon the US, the destination for about two-thirds of exports. Remittances from the US amount to about a tenth of GDP, equivalent to almost half of exports and three-quarters of tourism receipts. The country has long been viewed primarily as an exporter of sugar, coffee, and tobacco but in recent years the service sector has overtaken agriculture as the economy's largest employer due to growth in tourism and free trade zones. Although 2007 saw inflation around 6%, the rate grew to over 12% in 2008. High food prices, driven by the effects of consecutive tropical storms on agricultural products, and education prices were significant contributors to the jump. The effects of the global financial crisis and the US recession are projected to negatively affect GDP growth in 2009 with a rebound expected in 2010. Although the economy is growing at a respectable rate, high unemployment and underemployment remains an important challenge. The country suffers from marked income inequality; the poorest half of the population receives less than one-fifth of GNP, while the richest 10% enjoys nearly 40% of national income. The Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) came into force in March 2007, which should boost investment and exports and reduce losses to the Asian garment industry. Ecuador Ecuador is substantially dependent on its petroleum resources, which have accounted for more than half of the country's export earnings and one-fourth of public sector revenues in recent years. In 1999/2000, Ecuador suffered a severe economic crisis, with GDP contracting by more than 6%. Poverty increased significantly, the banking system collapsed, and Ecuador defaulted on its external debt later that year. In March 2000, Congress approved a series of structural reforms that also provided for the adoption of the US dollar as legal tender. Dollarization stabilized the economy, and positive growth returned in the years that followed, helped by high oil prices, remittances, and increased non-traditional exports. From 2002-06 the economy grew 5.5%, the highest five-year average in 25 years. The poverty rate declined but remained high at 38% in 2006. In 2006 the government imposed a windfall revenue tax on foreign oil companies, leading to the suspension of free trade negotiations with the US. These measures led to a drop in petroleum production in 2007. President Rafael CORREA raised the specter of debt default and followed through on those threats in December 2008 by defaulting on some commercial bond obligations. He also decreed a higher windfall revenue tax on private oil companies, then renegotiated their contracts to overcome the debilitating effect of the tax. This generated economic uncertainty; private investment has dropped and economic growth has slowed. Egypt Occupying the northeast corner of the African continent, Egypt is bisected by the highly fertile Nile valley, where most economic activity takes place. Egypt's economy was highly centralized during the rule of former President Gamal Abdel NASSER but has opened up considerably under former President Anwar EL-SADAT and current President Mohamed Hosni MUBARAK. Cairo has aggressively pursued economic reforms to encourage inflows of foreign investment and facilitate GDP growth. In 2005, Prime Minister Ahmed NAZIF's government reduced personal and corporate tax rates, reduced energy subsidies, and privatized several enterprises. The stock market boomed, and GDP grew about 7% each year since 2006. Despite these achievements, the government has failed to raise living standards for the average Egyptian, and has had to continue providing subsidies for basic necessities. The subsidies have contributed to a sizeable budget deficit - roughly 7% of GDP in 2007-08 - and represent a significant drain on the economy. Foreign direct investment has increased significantly in the past two years, but the NAZIF government will need to continue its aggressive pursuit of reforms in order to sustain the spike in investment and growth and begin to improve economic conditions for the broader population. Egypt's export sectors - particularly natural gas - have bright prospects. El Salvador The smallest country in Central America, El Salvador has the third largest economy, but growth has been modest in recent years. Economic growth will decelerate in 2009 due to the global slowdown and to El Salvador's dependence on exports to the US and remittances from the US. El Salvador leads the region in remittances per capita with inflows equivalent to nearly all export income. In 2006 El Salvador was the first country to ratify the Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). CAFTA has bolstered the export of processed foods, sugar, and ethanol, and supported investment in the maquila sector. The SACA administration has sought to diversify the economy, focusing on regional transportation and tourism. El Salvador has promoted an open trade and investment environment, and has embarked on a wave of privatizations extending to telecom, electricity distribution, banking, and pension funds. In late 2006, the government and the Millennium Challenge Corporation signed a five-year, $461 million compact to stimulate economic growth and reduce poverty in the country's northern region through investments in education, public services, enterprise development, and transportation infrastructure. With the adoption of the US dollar as its currency in 2001, El Salvador lost control over monetary policy and must concentrate on maintaining a disciplined fiscal policy. Equatorial Guinea The discovery and exploitation of large oil reserves have contributed to dramatic economic growth in recent years. Forestry, farming, and fishing are also major components of GDP. Subsistence farming predominates. Although pre-independence Equatorial Guinea counted on cocoa production for hard currency earnings, the neglect of the rural economy under successive regimes has diminished potential for agriculture-led growth (the government has stated its intention to reinvest some oil revenue into agriculture). A number of aid programs sponsored by the World Bank and the IMF have been cut off since 1993, because of corruption and mismanagement. No longer eligible for concessional financing because of large oil revenues, the government has been trying to agree on a "shadow" fiscal management program with the World Bank and IMF. Government officials and their family members own most businesses. Undeveloped natural resources include titanium, iron ore, manganese, uranium, and alluvial gold. Growth remained strong in 2008, led by oil. Eritrea Since independence from Ethiopia in 1993, Eritrea has faced the economic problems of a small, desperately poor country, accentuated by the recent implementation of restrictive economic policies. Eritrea has a command economy under the control of the sole political party, the People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ). Like the economies of many African nations, the economy is largely based on subsistence agriculture, with 80% of the population involved in farming and herding. The Ethiopian-Eritrea war in 1998-2000 severely hurt Eritrea's economy. GDP growth fell to zero in 1999 and to -12.1% in 2000. The May 2000 Ethiopian offensive into northern Eritrea caused some $600 million in property damage and loss, including losses of $225 million in livestock and 55,000 homes. The attack prevented planting of crops in Eritrea's most productive region, causing food production to drop by 62%. Despite the fighting, Eritrea developed its transportation infrastructure, asphalting new roads, improving its ports, and repairing war-damaged roads and bridges. Since the war's conclusion, the government has maintained a firm grip on the economy, expanding the use of the military and party-owned businesses to complete Eritrea's development agenda. The government strictly controls the use of foreign currency by limiting access and availability. Few private enterprises remain in Eritrea. Eritrea's economy depends heavily on taxes paid by members of the diaspora. Erratic rainfall and the delayed demobilization of agriculturalists from the military continue to interfere with agricultural production, and Eritrea's recent harvests have been unable to meet the food needs of the country. The Government continues to place its hope for additional revenue on the development of several international mining projects. Despite difficulties for international companies in working with the Eritrean Government, a Canadian mining company signed a contract with the Government in 2007 and plans to begin mineral extraction in 2010. Eritrea also opened a free trade zone at the port of Massawa in 2008. Eritrea's economic future depends upon its ability to master social problems such as illiteracy, unemployment, and low skills, and more importantly, on the government's willingness to support a true market economy. Estonia Estonia, a 2004 European Union entrant, has a modern market-based economy and one of the highest per capita income levels in Central Europe. Estonia's successive governments have pursued a free market, pro-business economic agenda and have wavered little in their commitment to pro-market reforms. Tallinn's priority has been to sustain high growth rates - on average 8% per year from 2003 to 2007. The economy benefits from strong electronics and telecommunications sectors and strong trade ties with Finland, Sweden, and Germany. The current government has pursued relatively sound fiscal policies, resulting in balanced budgets and low public debt. Rapid growth, however, has made it difficult to keep inflation and large current-account deficits from soaring, putting downward pressure on the country's currency. The government has not given up on adopting the euro, but has repeatedly postponed its target date. Estonia's economy slowed down markedly and fell sharply into recession in mid-2008, primarily as a result of an investment and consumption slump following the bursting of the real estate market bubble. Ethiopia Ethiopia's poverty-stricken economy is based on agriculture, accounting for almost half of GDP, 60% of exports, and 80% of total employment. The agricultural sector suffers from frequent drought and poor cultivation practices. Coffee is critical to the Ethiopian economy with exports of some $350 million in 2006, but historically low prices have seen many farmers switching to qat to supplement income. The war with Eritrea in 1998-2000 and recurrent drought have buffeted the economy, in particular coffee production. In November 2001, Ethiopia qualified for debt relief from the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative, and in December 2005 the IMF forgave Ethiopia's debt. Under Ethiopia's constitution, the state owns all land and provides long-term leases to the tenants; the system continues to hamper growth in the industrial sector as entrepreneurs are unable to use land as collateral for loans. Drought struck again late in 2002, leading to a 3.3% decline in GDP in 2003. Normal weather patterns helped agricultural and GDP growth recover during 2004-08. European Union Internally, the EU is attempting to lower trade barriers, adopt a common currency, and move toward convergence of living standards. Internationally, the EU aims to bolster Europe's trade position and its political and economic power. Because of the great differences in per capita income among member states (from $7,000 to $69,000) and historic national animosities, the EU faces difficulties in devising and enforcing common policies. For example, since 2003 Germany and France have flouted the member states' treaty obligation to prevent their national budgets from running more than a 3% deficit. Between 2004 and 2007, the EU admitted 12 countries that are, in general, less advanced technologically and economically than the other 15. Eleven established EU member states introduced the euro as their common currency on 1 January 1999 (Greece did so two years later), but the UK, Sweden, and Denmark chose not to participate. Of the 12 most recent member states, only Slovenia (1 January 2007) and Cyprus and Malta (1 January 2008) have adopted the euro; the remaining nine are legally required to adopt the currency upon meeting EU's fiscal and monetary convergence criteria. Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) The economy was formerly based on agriculture, mainly sheep farming, but today fishing contributes the bulk of economic activity. In 1987, the government began selling fishing licenses to foreign trawlers operating within the Falkland Islands' exclusive fishing zone. These license fees total more than $40 million per year, which help support the island's health, education, and welfare system. Squid accounts for 75% of the fish taken. Dairy farming supports domestic consumption; crops furnish winter fodder. Exports feature shipments of high-grade wool to the UK and the sale of postage stamps and coins. The islands are now self-financing except for defense. The British Geological Survey announced a 200-mile oil exploration zone around the islands in 1993, and early seismic surveys suggest substantial reserves capable of producing 500,000 barrels per day; to date, no exploitable site has been identified. An agreement between Argentina and the UK in 1995 seeks to defuse licensing and sovereignty conflicts that would dampen foreign interest in exploiting potential oil reserves. Tourism, especially eco-tourism, is increasing rapidly, with about 30,000 visitors in 2001. Another large source of income is interest paid on money the government has in the bank. The British military presence also provides a sizeable economic boost. Faroe Islands The Faroese economy is dependent on fishing, which makes the economy vulnerable to price swings. The sector accounts for 95% of exports and nearly half of GDP. Since 2003 the Faroese economy has picked up as a result of higher prices for fish and for housing. Unemployment is minimal and government finances are relatively sound. Oil finds close to the Islands give hope for economically recoverable deposits, which could eventually lay the basis for a more diversified economy and lessen dependence on Danish economic assistance. Aided by a substantial annual subsidy (about 15% of GDP) from Denmark, the Faroese have a standard of living not far below the Danes and other Scandinavians. Fiji Fiji, endowed with forest, mineral, and fish resources, is one of the most developed of the Pacific island economies though still with a large subsistence sector. Sugar exports, remittances from Fijians working abroad, and a growing tourist industry - with 400,000 to 500,000 tourists annually - are the major sources of foreign exchange. Fiji's sugar has special access to European Union markets but will be harmed by the EU's decision to cut sugar subsidies. Sugar processing makes up one-third of industrial activity but is not efficient. Fiji's tourism industry was damaged by the December 2006 coup and is facing an uncertain recovery time. In 2007 tourist arrivals were down almost 6%, with substantial job losses in the service sector, and GDP dipped nearly 7%. The coup has created a difficult business climate. The EU has suspended all aid until the interim government takes steps toward new elections. Long-term problems include low investment, uncertain land ownership rights, and the government's inability to manage its budget. Overseas remittances from Fijians working in Kuwait and Iraq have decreased significantly. Fiji's current account deficit reached 23% of GDP in 2006. Finland Finland has a highly industrialized, largely free-market economy with per capita output roughly that of the UK, France, Germany, and Italy. Its key economic sector is manufacturing - principally the wood, metals, engineering, telecommunications, and electronics industries. Trade is important; Finland's ratio of exports to GDP has risen from a quarter to 37% over the past 15 years. Finland excels in high-tech exports such as mobile phones. Except for timber and several minerals, Finland depends on imports of raw materials, energy, and some components for manufactured goods. Because of the climate, agricultural development is limited to maintaining self-sufficiency in basic products. Forestry, an important export earner, provides a secondary occupation for the rural population. Although Finland has been one of the best performing economies within the EU in recent years and its banks and financial markets have avoided the worst of global financial crisis, the world slowdown has hit export growth and domestic demand and will serve as a brake on economic growth in 2009 and 2010. The slowdown of construction, other investment, and exports will cause unemployment to rise. During 2009, unemployment will climb to over 8% of the labor force. Long-term challenges include the need to address a rapidly aging population and decreasing productivity that threaten competitiveness, fiscal sustainability, and economic growth. France France is in the midst of transition from a well-to-do modern economy that has featured extensive government ownership and intervention to one that relies more on market mechanisms. The government has partially or fully privatized many large companies, banks, and insurers, and has ceded stakes in such leading firms as Air France, France Telecom, Renault, and Thales. It maintains a strong presence in some sectors, particularly power, public transport, and defense industries. The telecommunications sector is gradually being opened to competition. France's leaders remain committed to a capitalism in which they maintain social equity by means of laws, tax policies, and social spending that reduce income disparity and the impact of free markets on public health and welfare. Widespread opposition to labor reform has in recent years hampered the government's ability to revitalize the economy. During 2007-08, the government implemented several important labor reforms, including a de facto extension of the 35-hour workweek by allowing employees to work longer overtime hours. During 2009, the government is expected to delay or even renounce other reform efforts due to the on-going financial crisis. GDP growth dropped to 0.3% in 2008; the French government plans to increase public investment and continue injecting capital into the banking sector to alleviate the negative effects of the crisis during 2009. As a result of lower fiscal revenues and increased expenditures the general government deficit is expected to exceed the euro-zone ceiling 3% of GDP. France's tax burden remains one of the highest in Europe - at nearly 50% of GDP in 2005. With at least 75 million foreign tourists per year, France is the most visited country in the world and maintains the third largest income in the world from tourism. French Polynesia Since 1962, when France stationed military personnel in the region, French Polynesia has changed from a subsistence agricultural economy to one in which a high proportion of the work force is either employed by the military or supports the tourist industry. With the halt of French nuclear testing in 1996, the military contribution to the economy fell sharply. Tourism accounts for about one-fourth of GDP and is a primary source of hard currency earnings. Other sources of income are pearl farming and deep-sea commercial fishing. The small manufacturing sector primarily processes agricultural products. The territory benefits substantially from development agreements with France aimed principally at creating new businesses and strengthening social services. French Southern and Antarctic Lands Economic activity is limited to servicing meteorological and geophysical research stations, military bases, and French and other fishing fleets. The fish catches landed on Iles Kerguelen by foreign ships are exported to France and Reunion. Gabon Gabon enjoys a per capita income four times that of most sub-Saharan African nations, but because of high income inequality, a large proportion of the population remains poor. Gabon depended on timber and manganese until oil was discovered offshore in the early 1970s. The oil sector now accounts for more than 50% of GDP. Gabon continues to face fluctuating prices for its oil, timber, and manganese exports. Despite the abundance of natural wealth, poor fiscal management hobbles the economy. In 1997, an IMF mission to Gabon criticized the government for overspending on off-budget items, overborrowing from the central bank, and slipping on its schedule for privatization and administrative reform. The rebound of oil prices since 1999 have helped growth, but drops in production have hampered Gabon from fully realizing potential gains, and will continue to temper the gains for most of this decade. In December 2000, Gabon signed a new agreement with the Paris Club to reschedule its official debt. A follow-up bilateral repayment agreement with the US was signed in December 2001. Gabon signed a 14-month Stand-By Arrangement with the IMF in May 2007, and received Paris Club debt rescheduling later that year. Gambia, The The Gambia has no confirmed mineral or natural resource deposits and has a limited agricultural base. About 75% of the population depends on crops and livestock for its livelihood. Small-scale manufacturing activity features the processing of peanuts, fish, and hides. Reexport trade normally constitutes a major segment of economic activity, but a 1999 government-imposed preshipment inspection plan, and instability of the Gambian dalasi (currency) have drawn some of the reexport trade away from The Gambia. The Gambia's natural beauty and proximity to Europe has made it one of the larger markets for tourism in West Africa. The government's 1998 seizure of the private peanut firm Alimenta eliminated the largest purchaser of Gambian groundnuts. Despite an announced program to begin privatizing key parastatals, no plans have been made public that would indicate that the government intends to follow through on its promises. Unemployment and underemployment rates remain extremely high; short-run economic progress depends on sustained bilateral and multilateral aid, on responsible government economic management, on continued technical assistance from the IMF and bilateral donors, and on expected growth in the construction sector. Gaza Strip High population density, limited land access, and strict internal and external security controls have kept economic conditions in the Gaza Strip - the smaller of the two areas under the Palestinian Authority (PA) - even more degraded than in the West Bank. The beginning of the second intifada in September 2000 sparked an economic downturn, largely the result of Israeli closure policies; these policies, which were imposed to address security concerns in Israel, disrupted labor and trade access to and from the Gaza Strip. In 2001, and even more severely in 2003, Israeli military measures in PA areas resulted in the destruction of capital, the disruption of administrative structures, and widespread business closures. The Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in September 2005 offered some medium-term opportunities for economic growth, but Israeli-imposed crossings closures, which became more restrictive after HAMAS violently took over the territory in June 2007, have resulted in widespread private sector layoffs and shortages of most goods. The status of the crossings, which are closed to all but the most basic goods, has not changed following Israel's military offensive into the Gaza Strip in early 2009. Georgia Georgia's economy sustained GDP growth of close to 10% in 2006 and 12% in 2007, based on strong inflows of foreign investment and robust government spending. However, growth slowed to less than 3% in 2008 and is expected to slow further in 2009. Georgia's main economic activities include the cultivation of agricultural products such as grapes, citrus fruits, and hazelnuts; mining of manganese and copper; and output of a small industrial sector producing alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, metals, machinery, aircraft and chemicals. Areas of recent improvement include growth in the construction, banking services, and mining sectors, but reduced availability of external investment and the slowing regional economy are emerging risks. The country imports nearly all its needed supplies of natural gas and oil products. It has sizeable hydropower capacity, a growing component of its energy supplies. Georgia has overcome the chronic energy shortages of the past by renovating hydropower plants and by bringing in newly available supplies from Azerbaijan. It also has an increased ability to pay for more expensive gas imports from Russia. The construction on the Baku-T'bilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, the Baku-T'bilisi-Erzerum gas pipeline, and the Kars-Akhalkalaki Railroad are part of a strategy to capitalize on Georgia's strategic location between Europe and Asia and develop its role as a transit point for gas, oil and other goods. Georgia has historically suffered from a chronic failure to collect tax revenues; however, the government has made great progress and has reformed the tax code, improved tax administration, increased tax enforcement, and cracked down on corruption since coming to power in 2004. Government revenues have increased nearly four fold since 2003. Due to improvements in customs and tax enforcement, smuggling is a declining problem. The country is pinning its hopes for long-term growth on a determined effort to reduce regulation, taxes, and corruption in order to attract foreign investment, but the economy faces a more difficult investment climate both domestically and internationally. Germany The German economy - the fifth largest economy in the world in PPP terms and Europe's largest - began to contract in the second quarter of 2008 as the strong euro, high oil prices, tighter credit markets, and slowing growth abroad took their toll on Germany's export-dependent economy. At just 1% in 2008, GDP growth is expected to be negative in 2009. Recent stimulus and lender relief efforts will make demands on Germany's federal budget and undercut plans to balance its budget by 2011. The reforms launched by the former government of Chancellor Gerhard SCHOEDER, deemed necessary due to chronically high unemployment and low average growth, led to strong growth in 2007, while unemployment in 2008 fell below 8%, a new post-reunification low. Germany's aging population, combined with high chronic unemployment, has pushed social security outlays to a level exceeding contributions, but higher government revenues from the cyclical upturn in 2006-07 and a 3% rise in the value-added tax cut Germany's budget deficit to within the EU's 3% debt limit in 2007. The current government of Chancellor Angela MERKEL has initiated other reform measures, such as a gradual increase in the mandatory retirement age from 65 to 67 and measures to increase female participation in the labor market. The modernization and integration of the eastern German economy - where unemployment still exceeds 30% in some municipalities - continues to be a costly long-term process, with annual transfers from west to east amounting to roughly $80 billion. While corporate restructuring and growing capital markets have set strong foundations to help Germany meet the longer-term challenges of European economic integration and globalization, Germany's export-oriented economy has proved a disadvantage in the context of weak global demand. Ghana Well endowed with natural resources, Ghana has roughly twice the per capita output of the poorest countries in West Africa. Even so, Ghana remains heavily dependent on international financial and technical assistance. Gold and cocoa production, and individual remittances, are major sources of foreign exchange. The domestic economy continues to revolve around agriculture, which accounts for about 35% of GDP and employs about 55% of the work force, mainly small landholders. Ghana signed a Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact in 2006, which aims to assist in transforming Ghana's agricultural sector. Ghana opted for debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) program in 2002, and is also benefiting from the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative that took effect in 2006. Thematic priorities under its current Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy, which also provides the framework for development partner assistance, are: macroeconomic stability; private sector competitiveness; human resource development; and good governance and civic responsibility. Sound macro-economic management along with high prices for gold and cocoa helped sustain GDP growth in 2008. Gibraltar Self-sufficient Gibraltar benefits from an extensive shipping trade, offshore banking, and its position as an international conference center. The British military presence has been sharply reduced and now contributes about 7% to the local economy, compared with 60% in 1984. The financial sector, tourism (almost 5 million visitors in 1998), shipping services fees, and duties on consumer goods also generate revenue. The financial sector, the shipping sector, and tourism each contribute 25%-30% of GDP. Telecommunications accounts for another 10%. In recent years, Gibraltar has seen major structural change from a public to a private sector economy, but changes in government spending still have a major impact on the level of employment. Greece Greece has a capitalist economy with the public sector accounting for about 40% of GDP and with per capita GDP about two-thirds that of the leading euro-zone economies. Tourism provides 15% of GDP. Immigrants make up nearly one-fifth of the work force, mainly in agricultural and unskilled jobs. Greece is a major beneficiary of EU aid, equal to about 3.3% of annual GDP. The Greek economy grew by nearly 4.0% per year between 2003 and 2007, due partly to infrastructural spending related to the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, and in part to an increased availability of credit, which has sustained record levels of consumer spending. But growth dropped to 2.9% in 2008, as a result of the world financial crisis and tightening credit conditions. Greece violated the EU's Growth and Stability Pact budget deficit criteria of no more than 3% of GDP from 2001 to 2006, but finally met that criteria in 2007-08. Public debt, inflation, and unemployment are above the euro-zone average, but are falling. The Greek Government continues to grapple with cutting government spending, reducing the size of the public sector, and reforming the labor and pension systems, in the face of often vocal opposition from the country's powerful labor unions and the general public. The economy remains an important domestic political issue in Greece and, while the ruling New Democracy government has had some success in improving economic growth and reducing the budget deficit, Athens faces long-term challenges in its effort to continue its economic reforms, especially social security reform and privatization. Greenland The economy remains critically dependent on exports of shrimp and fish and on a substantial subsidy - about $700 million in 2008-09 - from the Danish Government, which supplies about 60% of government revenues. The public sector, including publicly-owned enterprises and the municipalities, plays the dominant role in the economy. Several interesting hydrocarbon and mineral exploration activities are ongoing and in 2007 a US firm signed an agreement with the Greenland Home Rule government to study the feasibility of building a multi-billion dollar aluminum smelter and hydropower plant. Denmark plans to reduce its subsidies to Greenland as revenues from oil exports come onstream. Grenada Grenada relies on tourism as its main source of foreign exchange especially since the construction of an international airport in 1985. Hurricanes Ivan (2004) and Emily (2005) severely damaged the agricultural sector - particularly nutmeg and cocoa cultivation - which had been a key driver of economic growth. Grenada has rebounded from the devastating effects of the hurricanes but is now saddled with the debt burden from the rebuilding process. Public debt-to-GDP is nearly 110%, leaving the THOMAS administration limited room to engage in public investments and social spending. Strong performances in construction and manufacturing, together with the development of tourism and an offshore financial industry, have also contributed to growth in national output; however, economic growth will likely slow in 2009 because of the global economic slowdown's effects on tourism and remittances. Guam The economy depends largely on US military spending and tourism. Total US grants, wage payments, and procurement outlays amounted to $1.3 billion in 2004. Over the past 30 years, the tourist industry has grown to become the largest income source following national defense. The Guam economy continues to experience expansion in both its tourism and military sectors. Guatemala Guatemala is the most populous of the Central American countries with a GDP per capita roughly one-half that of Argentina, Brazil, and Chile. The agricultural sector accounts for about one-tenth of GDP, two-fifths of exports, and half of the labor force. Coffee, sugar, and bananas are the main products, with sugar exports benefiting from increased global demand for ethanol. The 1996 signing of peace accords, which ended 36 years of civil war, removed a major obstacle to foreign investment, and Guatemala since then has pursued important reforms and macroeconomic stabilization. The Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) entered into force in July 2006 and has since spurred increased investment in the export sector, but concerns over security, the lack of skilled workers and poor infrastructure continued to hamper foreign participation. The distribution of income remains highly unequal with more than half of the population below the national poverty line. Other ongoing challenges include increasing government revenues, negotiating further assistance from international donors, curtailing drug trafficking and rampant crime, and narrowing the trade deficit. Given Guatemala's large expatriate community in the United States, it is the top remittance recipient in Central America, with inflows serving as a primary source of foreign income equivalent to nearly two-thirds of exports. Economic growth will slow in 2009 as export demand from US and other Central American markets drop and foreign investment slows amid the global slowdown. Guernsey Financial services - banking, fund management, insurance - account for about 23% of employment and about 55% of total income in this tiny, prosperous Channel Island economy. Tourism, manufacturing, and horticulture, mainly tomatoes and cut flowers, have been declining. Financial services, construction, retail, and the public sector have been growing. Light tax and death duties make Guernsey a popular tax haven. The evolving economic integration of the EU nations is changing the environment under which Guernsey operates. Guinea Guinea possesses major mineral, hydropower, and agricultural resources, yet remains an underdeveloped nation. The country has almost half of the world's bauxite reserves. The mining sector accounts for more than 70% of exports. Long-run improvements in government fiscal arrangements, literacy, and the legal framework are needed if the country is to move out of poverty. Investor confidence has been sapped by rampant corruption, a lack of electricity and other infrastructure, a lack of skilled workers, and the political uncertainty because of the death of President Lansana CONTE in December 2008. Guinea is trying to reengage with the IMF and World Bank, which cut off most assistance in 2003, and is working closely with technical advisors from the U.S. Treasury Department, the World Bank and IMF, seeking to return to a fully funded program. Growth rose slightly in 2006-08, primarily due to increases in global demand and commodity prices on world markets, but the standard of living fell. The Guinea franc depreciated sharply as the prices for basic necessities like food and fuel rose beyond the reach of most Guineans. Dissatisfaction with economic conditions prompted nationwide strikes in February and June 2006. Guinea-Bissau One of the five poorest countries in the world, Guinea-Bissau depends mainly on farming and fishing. Cashew crops have increased remarkably in recent years, and the country now ranks fifth in cashew production. Guinea-Bissau exports fish and seafood along with small amounts of peanuts, palm kernels, and timber. Rice is the major crop and staple food. However, intermittent fighting between Senegalese-backed government troops and a military junta destroyed much of the country's infrastructure and caused widespread damage to the economy in 1998; the civil war led to a 28% drop in GDP that year, with partial recovery in 1999-2002. Before the war, trade reform and price liberalization were the most successful part of the country's structural adjustment program under IMF sponsorship. The tightening of monetary policy and the development of the private sector had also begun to reinvigorate the economy. Because of high costs, the development of petroleum, phosphate, and other mineral resources is not a near-term prospect. Offshore oil prospecting is underway in several sectors but has not yet led to commercially viable crude deposits. The inequality of income distribution is one of the most extreme in the world. The government and international donors continue to work out plans to forward economic development from a lamentably low base. In December 2003, the World Bank, IMF, and UNDP were forced to step in to provide emergency budgetary support in the amount of $107 million for 2004, representing over 80% of the total national budget. Government drift and indecision, however, resulted in continued low growth in 2002-06. Higher raw material prices boosted growth in 2007 and 2008. Guyana The Guyanese economy exhibited moderate economic growth in recent years and is based largely on agriculture and extractive industries. The economy is heavily dependent upon the export of six commodities - sugar, gold, bauxite, shrimp, timber, and rice - which represent nearly 60% of the country's GDP and are highly susceptible to adverse weather conditions and fluctuations in commodity prices. Economic recovery since the 2005 flood-related contraction has been buoyed by increases in remittances and foreign direct investment in the sugar and rice industries as well as the mining sector. The bauxite mining sector should benefit in the near term from restructuring and partial privatization, and the state-owned sugar industry will conduct efficiency increasing modernizations. Export earnings from agriculture and mining have remained flat as rising commodity prices have offset declining production, while the import bill has risen, driven by higher energy costs. Chronic problems include a shortage of skilled labor and a deficient infrastructure. The government is juggling a sizable external debt against the urgent need for expanded public investment. In March 2007, the Inter-American Development Bank, Guyana's principal donor, canceled Guyana's nearly $470 million debt, equivalent to nearly 48% of GDP, which along with other Highly Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) debt forgiveness brought the debt-to-GDP ratio down from 183% in 2006 to 120% in 2007. Guyana became heavily indebted as a result of the inward-looking, state-led development model pursued in the 1970s and 1980s. Guyana's entrance into the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) in January 2006 has broadened the country's export market, primarily in the raw materials sector. Haiti Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere with 80% of the population living under the poverty line and 54% in abject poverty. Two-thirds of all Haitians depend on the agricultural sector, mainly small-scale subsistence farming, and remain vulnerable to damage from frequent natural disasters, exacerbated by the country's widespread deforestation. While the economy has recovered in recent years, registering positive growth since 2005, four tropical storms in 2008 severely damaged the transportation infrastructure and agricultural sector. US economic engagement under the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement (HOPE) Act, passed in December 2006, has boosted apparel exports and investment by providing tariff-free access to the US. HOPE II, passed in October 2008, has further improved the export environment for the apparel sector by extending preferences to 2018; the apparel sector accounts for two-thirds of Haitian exports and nearly one-tenth of GDP. Remittances are the primary source of foreign exchange, equaling nearly a quarter of GDP and more than twice the earnings from exports. Haiti suffers from high inflation, a lack of investment because of insecurity and limited infrastructure, and a severe trade deficit. In 2005, Haiti paid its arrears to the World Bank, paving the way for reengagement with the Bank. Haiti is expected to receive debt forgiveness for about $525 million of its debt through the Highly-Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) initiative by mid-2009. The government relies on formal international economic assistance for fiscal sustainability. Heard Island and McDonald Islands The islands have no indigenous economic activity, but the Australian Government allows limited fishing in the surrounding waters. Holy See (Vatican City) The Holy See is supported financially by a variety of sources, including investments, real estate income, and donations from Catholic individuals, dioceses, and institutions; these help fund the Roman Curia (Vatican bureaucracy), diplomatic missions, and media outlets. The separate Vatican City State budget includes the Vatican museums and post office and is supported financially by the sale of stamps, coins, medals, and tourist mementos; by fees for admission to museums; and by publications sales. Moreover, an annual collection taken up in dioceses and direct donations go to a non-budgetary fund known as Peter's Pence, which is used directly by the Pope for charity, disaster relief, and aid to churches in developing nations. The incomes and living standards of lay workers are comparable to those of counterparts who work in the city of Rome. Honduras Honduras, the second poorest country in Central America, has an extraordinarily unequal distribution of income and high unemployment. The economy relies heavily on a narrow range of exports, notably bananas and coffee, making it vulnerable to natural disasters and shifts in commodity prices; however, investments in the maquila and non-traditional export sectors are slowly diversifying the economy. Economic growth remains dependent on the US economy its largest trading partner, and will decline in 2009 as a result of reduction in export demand and tightening global credit markets. Remittances represent over a quarter of GDP or nearly three-quarters of exports. The US-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) came into force in 2006 and has helped foster investment. Despite improvements in tax collections, the government's fiscal deficit is growing due to increases in current expenditures and financial losses from the state energy and telephone companies. Hong Kong Hong Kong has a free market economy highly dependent on international trade and finance, which has left it heavily exposed to the global economic slowdown that began in 2008. The total value of goods and services trade, including the sizable share of reexports, was equivalent to 404% of GDP in 2007. The territory has become increasingly integrated with mainland China over the past few years through trade, tourism, and financial links. The mainland has long been Hong Kong's largest trading partner, accounting for nearly 49% of Hong Kong's exports trade by value in 2008. As a result of China's easing of travel restrictions, the number of mainland tourists to the territory has surged from 4.5 million in 2001 to 16.9 million in 2008, when they outnumbered visitors from all other countries combined. Hong Kong has also established itself as the premier stock market for Chinese firms seeking to list abroad. More than one-third of the firms listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange are now mainland Chinese companies. They account for 60% of the Exchange's market capitalization. During the past decade, as Hong Kong's manufacturing industry moved to the mainland, its service industry has grown rapidly and now accounts for more than 90% of the territory's GDP. Hong Kong's natural resources are limited, and food and raw materials must be imported. GDP growth averaged a strong 5% from 1989 to 2007, but the global financial crisis caused a sharp slowdown in the second half of 2008, pushing the territory into recession. Hong Kong continues to link its currency closely to the US dollar, maintaining an arrangement established in 1983. Hungary Hungary has made the transition from a centrally planned to a market economy, with a per capita income nearly two-thirds that of the EU-25 average. The private sector accounts for more than 80% of GDP. Foreign ownership of and investment in Hungarian firms is widespread, with cumulative foreign direct investment totaling more than $200 billion since 1989. The government's IMF-mandated austerity measures, imposed since late 2006, have reduced the budget deficit from over 9% of GDP in 2006 to 3.3% in 2008. Hungary's impending inability to service its short-term debt - brought on by the global credit crunch in late 2008 - led Budapest to seek and receive an IMF-arranged financial assistance package worth over $25 billion. The global financial crisis, declining exports, and low domestic consumption and fixed asset accumulation, dampened by government austerity measures, will result in a negative growth rate of about -1.5% to -2.5% in 2009. Iceland Iceland's Scandinavian-type social-market economy combines a capitalist structure and free-market principles with an extensive welfare system, including generous housing subsidies. Prior to the 2008 crisis, Iceland had achieved high growth, low unemployment, and a remarkably even distribution of income. Government economic priorities have included stabilizing the krona, reducing the current account deficit, containing inflation, restructuring the financial sector, and diversifying the economy. The economy depends heavily on the fishing industry, which provides 40% of export earnings, more than 12% of GDP, and employs 7% of the work force. It remains sensitive to declining fish stocks as well as to fluctuations in world prices for its main exports: fish and fish products, aluminum, and ferrosilicon. Iceland's economy has been diversifying into manufacturing and service industries in the last decade, with new developments in software production, biotechnology, and tourism. Abundant geothermal sources have attracted substantial foreign investment in the aluminum and hydropower sectors and boosted economic growth, although the financial crisis has put several investment projects on hold. Much of Iceland's economic growth in recent years came as the result of a boom in domestic demand following the rapid expansion of the country's financial sector. Domestic banks expanded aggressively in foreign markets, and consumers and businesses borrowed heavily in foreign-currency loans, following the privatization of the sector in the early 2000s. Worsening global financial conditions throughout 2008 resulted in a sharp depreciation of the krona vis-a-vis other major currencies. The foreign exposure of Icelandic banks, whose loans and other assets totaled more than 10 times the country's GDP, became unsustainable. Iceland's three largest banks collapsed in late 2008. The country negotiated over $10 billion in loans from the IMF and other countries to stabilize its currency and financial sector, and to guarantee foreign deposits in Icelandic banks. A protracted recession is expected in 2009 and 2010 with GDP likely to contract and unemployment likely to surpass 10%. The collapse of the financial system has led to a major shift in opinion in favor of joining the EU and adopting the euro. Previous opposition to this move stemmed from Icelanders' concern about losing control of their fishing resources. Iceland's coalition government collapsed in January 2009 following protests over growing joblessness and losses to personal savings. India India's diverse economy encompasses traditional village farming, modern agriculture, handicrafts, a wide range of modern industries, and a multitude of services. Services are the major source of economic growth, accounting for more than half of India's output with less than one third of its labor force. Slightly more than half of the work force is in agriculture, leading the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government to articulate a rural economic development program that includes creating basic infrastructure to improve the lives of the rural poor and boost economic performance. The government has reduced controls on foreign trade and investment. Higher limits on foreign direct investment were permitted in a few key sectors, such as telecommunications. However, tariff spikes in sensitive categories, including agriculture, and incremental progress on economic reforms still hinder foreign access to India's vast and growing market. Privatization of government-owned industries remains stalled and continues to generate political debate; populist pressure from within the UPA government had restrained needed initiatives. The economy has posted an average growth rate of more than 7% in the decade since 1997, reducing poverty by about 10 percentage points. India achieved 9.6% GDP growth in 2006, 9.0% in 2007, and 6.6% in 2008, significantly expanding manufactures through late 2008. India also is capitalizing on its large numbers of well-educated people skilled in the English language to become a major exporter of software services and software workers. Strong growth combined with easy consumer credit, a real estate boom, and fast-rising commodity prices fueled inflation concerns from mid-2006 to August 2008. Rising tax revenues from better tax administration and economic expansion helped New Delhi make progress in reducing its fiscal deficit for three straight years before skyrocketing global commodity prices more than doubled the cost of government energy and fertilizer subsidies. The ballooning subsidies, amidst slowing growth, brought the return of a large fiscal deficit in 2008. In the long run, the huge and growing population is the fundamental social, economic, and environmental problem. Indian Ocean The Indian Ocean provides major sea routes connecting the Middle East, Africa, and East Asia with Europe and the Americas. It carries a particularly heavy traffic of petroleum and petroleum products from the oilfields of the Persian Gulf and Indonesia. Its fish are of great and growing importance to the bordering countries for domestic consumption and export. Fishing fleets from Russia, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan also exploit the Indian Ocean, mainly for shrimp and tuna. Large reserves of hydrocarbons are being tapped in the offshore areas of Saudi Arabia, Iran, India, and western Australia. An estimated 40% of the world's offshore oil production comes from the Indian Ocean. Beach sands rich in heavy minerals and offshore placer deposits are actively exploited by bordering countries, particularly India, South Africa, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Indonesia Indonesia, a vast polyglot nation, has made significant economic advances under the administration of President YUDHOYONO but faces challenges stemming from the global financial crisis and world economic downturn. Indonesia's debt-to-GDP ratio in recent years has declined steadily because of increasingly robust GDP growth and sound fiscal stewardship. The government has introduced significant reforms in the financial sector, including in the areas of tax and customs, the use of Treasury bills, and capital market supervision. Indonesia's investment law, passed in March 2007, seeks to address some of the concerns of foreign and domestic investors. Indonesia still struggles with poverty and unemployment, inadequate infrastructure, corruption, a complex regulatory environment, and unequal resource distribution among regions. The non-bank financial sector, including pension funds and insurance, remains weak. Despite efforts to broaden and deepen capital markets, they remain underdeveloped. Economic difficulties in early 2008 centered on high global food and oil prices and their impact on Indonesia's poor and on the budget. The onset of the global financial crisis dampened inflationary pressures, but increased risk aversion for emerging market assets resulted in large losses in the stock market, significant depreciation of the rupiah, and a difficult environment for bond issuance. As global demand has slowed and prices for Indonesia's commodity exports have fallen, Indonesia faces the prospect of growth significantly below the 6-plus percent recorded in 2007 and 2008. Iran Iran's economy is marked by an inefficient state sector, reliance on the oil sector, which provides the majority of government revenues, and statist policies, which create major distortions throughout the system. Most economic activity is controlled by the state. Private sector activity is typically limited to small-scale workshops, farming, and services. Price controls, subsidies, and other rigidities weigh down the economy, undermining the potential for private-sector-led growth. Significant informal market activity flourishes. Corruption and shortages of goods are widespread. President Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD has proposed reforms to Iran's system of price controls and subsidies, particularly on food and energy. However, previous government-led efforts at reform - such as fuel rationing in July 2007 and the imposition of the Value-Added Tax (VAT) in October 2008 - were met with stiff resistance and violent protests. High oil prices in recent years allowed Iran to greatly increase its export earnings and amass nearly $100 billion in foreign exchange reserves. But with oil prices currently below $40 per barrel, the Iranian government is facing difficulties. Tehran has formulated a 2009 budget that anticipates lower oil prices. The government has drawn down the country's Oil Stabilization Fund, and may be dipping into foreign exchange reserves. Iran continues to suffer from double-digit unemployment and inflation - inflation climbed to a 28% annual rate in 2008. Underemployment among Iran's educated youth has convinced many to seek jobs overseas, resulting in a significant "brain drain." Iraq Decreasing insurgent attacks and an improving security environment in many parts of the country are helping to spur economic activity. Iraq's economy is dominated by the oil sector, which has traditionally provided over 90% of foreign exchange earnings. Oil exports are around levels seen before Operation Iraqi Freedom. Total government revenues have benefited from high oil prices in recent years; however, revenues have declined significantly since the oil price drop in fall 2008. Iraq is making some progress in building the institutions needed to implement economic policy. In March 2009 Iraq concluded a Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) with the IMF that details economic reforms. The SBA allows an 80% reduction of the debt owed to Paris Club creditor nations. The International Compact with Iraq was established in May 2007 to integrate Iraq into the regional and global economy, and the Iraqi government is seeking to pass laws to strengthen its economy. This legislation includes a hydrocarbon law to establish a modern legal framework to allow Iraq to develop its resources and a revenue sharing law to equitably divide oil revenues within the nation, although both are still under contentious political negotiation. Some foreign entities have expressed interest in reinvigorating Iraq's industrial sector. The government of Iraq is pursuing a strategy to gain foreign participation in joint ventures with State-owned enterprises. Provincial Councils are also using their own budgets to promote and facilitate investment at the local level. The Central Bank has been successful in controlling inflation through appreciation of the dinar against the US dollar. However, Iraq's challenge will be to use macroeconomic gains to improve the lives of ordinary Iraqis. Reducing corruption and implementing structural reforms, such as bank restructuring and developing the private sector, will be key to Iraq's economic success. Ireland Ireland is a small, modern, trade-dependent economy. GDP growth averaged 6% in 1995-2007, but economic activity dropped sharply in 2008 and Ireland entered into a recession for the first time in more than a decade with the onset of the world financial crisis and subsequent severe slowdown in the property and construction markets. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry and services. Although the export sector, dominated by foreign multinationals, remains a key component of Ireland's economy, construction most recently fueled economic growth along with strong consumer spending and business investment. Property prices rose more rapidly in Ireland in the decade up to 2006 than in any other developed world economy. Per capita GDP also surged during Ireland's high-growth years, and in 2007 surpassed that of the United States. The Irish Government has implemented a series of national economic programs designed to curb price and wage inflation, invest in infrastructure, increase labor force skills, and promote foreign investment. In 2008 the COWEN government moved to guarantee all bank deposits, recapitalize the banking system, and establish partly-public venture capital funds in response to the country's economic downturn. Ireland joined in circulating the euro on 1 January 2002 along with 11 other EU nations. Isle of Man Offshore banking, manufacturing, and tourism are key sectors of the economy. The government offers incentives to high-technology companies and financial institutions to locate on the island; this has paid off in expanding employment opportunities in high-income industries. As a result, agriculture and fishing, once the mainstays of the economy, have declined in their contributions to GDP. The Isle of Man also attracts online gambling sites and the film industry. Trade is mostly with the UK. The Isle of Man enjoys free access to EU markets. Israel Israel has a technologically advanced market economy with substantial, though diminishing, government participation. It depends on imports of crude oil, grains, raw materials, and military equipment. Despite limited natural resources, Israel has intensively developed its agricultural and industrial sectors over the past 20 years. Israel imports substantial quantities of grain but is largely self-sufficient in other agricultural products. Cut diamonds, high-technology equipment, and agricultural products (fruits and vegetables) are the leading exports. Israel usually posts sizable trade deficits, which are covered by large transfer payments from abroad and by foreign loans. Roughly half of the government's external debt is owed to the US, its major source of economic and military aid. Israel's GDP, after contracting slightly in 2001 and 2002 due to the Palestinian conflict and troubles in the high-technology sector, has grown by about 5% per year since 2003. The economy grew an estimated 3.9% in 2008, slowed by the global financial crisis. The government's prudent fiscal policy and structural reforms over the past few years have helped to induce strong foreign investment, tax revenues, and private consumption, setting the economy on a solid growth path. Italy Italy has a diversified industrial economy, which is divided into a developed industrial north, dominated by private companies, and a less-developed, welfare-dependent, agricultural south, with high unemployment. The Italian economy is driven in large part by the manufacture of high-quality consumer goods produced by small and medium-sized enterprises. Italy also has a sizable underground economy, which by some estimates accounts for as much as 15% of GDP. These activities are most common within the agriculture, construction, and service sectors. Italy has moved slowly on implementing needed structural reforms, such as lightening the high tax burden and overhauling Italy's rigid labor market and over-generous pension system and these conditions will be exacerbated by the recent global financial crisis. The Italian government is seeking to rein in government spending, but the leadership faces a severe economic constraint: Italy's official debt remains above 100% of GDP, and the fiscal deficit - 1.5% of GDP in 2007 - could approach 3% in 2009 as political pressure to stimulate the economy and the costs of servicing Italy's debt rise. The economy will continue to contract through 2009 as the global demand for exports drop. Jamaica The Jamaican economy is heavily dependent on services, which now account for more than 60% of GDP. The country continues to derive most of its foreign exchange from tourism, remittances, and bauxite/alumina. Remittances account for nearly 20% of GDP and are equivalent to tourism revenues. Jamaica's economy, already saddled with the lowest economic growth in Latin America, will face increasing difficulties as the global economy slows. The economy faces serious long-term problems: a sizable merchandise trade deficit, large-scale unemployment and underemployment, and a debt-to-GDP ratio of almost 130%. Jamaica's onerous debt burden - the fourth highest per capita - is the result of government bailouts to ailing sectors of the economy, most notably the financial sector in the mid-to-late 1990s. It hinders government spending on infrastructure and social programs as debt servicing accounts for nearly half of government expenditures. Inflation rose sharply in 2008 as a result of high prices for imported food and oil and should fall in 2009 with the decline in international oil prices. High unemployment exacerbates the serious crime problem, including gang violence that is fueled by the drug trade. The GOLDING administration faces the difficult prospect of having to achieve fiscal discipline in order to maintain debt payments while simultaneously attacking a serious and growing crime problem that is hampering economic growth. Jan Mayen Jan Mayen is a volcanic island with no exploitable natural resources. Economic activity is limited to providing services for employees of Norway's radio and meteorological stations on the island. Japan In the years following World War II, government-industry cooperation, a strong work ethic, mastery of high technology, and a comparatively small defense allocation (1% of GDP) helped Japan advance with extraordinary speed to the rank of second most technologically powerful economy in the world after the US. Today, measured on a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis, Japan is the third-largest economy in the world after the US and China. Two notable characteristic of the post-war economy were the close interlocking structures of manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors, known as keiretsu, and the guarantee of lifetime employment for a substantial portion of the urban labor force. Both features are now eroding under the dual pressures of global competition and domestic demographic change. Japan's industrial sector is heavily dependent on imported raw materials and fuels. A tiny agricultural sector is highly subsidized and protected, with crop yields among the highest in the world. Usually self sufficient in rice, Japan imports about 60% of its food on a caloric basis. Japan maintains one of the world's largest fishing fleets and accounts for nearly 15% of the global catch. For three decades, overall real economic growth had been spectacular - a 10% average in the 1960s, a 5% average in the 1970s, and a 4% average in the 1980s. Growth slowed markedly in the 1990s, averaging just 1.7%, largely because of the after effects of inefficient investment and an asset price bubble in the late 1980s that required a protracted period of time for firms to reduce excess debt, capital, and labor. In October 2007 Japan's longest post-war period of economic expansion ended after 69 months and Japan entered into recession in 2008, with 2009 marking a return to near 0% interest rates. The 10-year privatization of Japan Post, which has functioned not only as the national postal delivery system but also, through its banking and insurance facilities as Japan's largest financial institution, was completed in October 2007, marking a major milestone in the process of structural reform. The Japanese financial sector was not heavily exposed to sub-prime mortgages or their derivative instruments and weathered the initial effect of the global credit crunch, but a sharp downturn in business investment and global demand for Japan's exports in late 2008 pushed Japan further into a recession. Japan's huge government debt, which totals 170% of GDP, and the aging of the population are two major long-run problems. Debate continues on the role of and effects of reform in restructuring the economy. Jersey Jersey's economy is based on international financial services, agriculture, and tourism. In 2005 the finance sector accounted for about 50% of the island's output. Potatoes, cauliflower, tomatoes, and especially flowers are important export crops, shipped mostly to the UK. The Jersey breed of dairy cattle is known worldwide and represents an important export income earner. Milk products go to the UK and other EU countries. Tourism accounts for one-quarter of GDP. In recent years, the government has encouraged light industry to locate in Jersey, with the result that an electronics industry has developed, displacing more traditional industries. All raw material and energy requirements are imported, as well as a large share of Jersey's food needs. Light taxes and death duties make the island a popular tax haven. Living standards come close to those of the UK. Jordan Jordan is a small Arab country with insufficient supplies of water, oil, and other natural resources. Poverty, unemployment, and inflation are fundamental problems, but King ABDALLAH II, since assuming the throne in 1999, has undertaken some broad economic reforms in a long-term effort to improve living standards. Since Jordan's graduation from its most recent IMF program in 2002, Amman has continued to follow IMF guidelines, practicing careful monetary policy, making substantial headway with privatization, and opening the trade regime. Jordan's exports have significantly increased under the free trade accord with the US and Jordanian Qualifying Industrial Zones (QIZ), which allow Jordan to export goods with some Israeli content duty free to the US. In 2006 and 2008, Jordan used privatization proceeds to significantly reduce its debt-to-GDP ratio. These measures have helped improve productivity and have made Jordan more attractive for foreign investment. The government ended subsidies for petroleum and other consumer goods in 2008 in an effort to control the budget. The main challenges facing Jordan are reducing dependence on foreign grants, reducing the growing budget deficit, attracting investments, and creating jobs. Jordan is currently exploring nuclear power generation to forestall energy shortfalls. Jordan's conservative banking sector has been largely protected from the worldwide financial crisis, but many businesses, particularly in the tourism and real estate sector, are predicting a slow-down in 2009. Kazakhstan Kazakhstan, the largest of the former Soviet republics in territory, excluding Russia, possesses enormous fossil fuel reserves and plentiful supplies of other minerals and metals. It also has a large agricultural sector featuring livestock and grain. Kazakhstan's industrial sector rests on the extraction and processing of these natural resources. Kazakhstan enjoyed double-digit growth in 2000-01 and 8% or more per year in 2002-07 - thanks largely to its booming energy sector, but also to economic reform, good harvests, and increased foreign investment; growth slowed to 2.4% in 2008, however, as a result of declining oil prices and a softening world economy. Inflation reached 10% in 2007 and 17% in 2008. In the energy sector, the opening of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium in 2001, from western Kazakhstan's Tengiz oilfield to the Black Sea, substantially raised export capacity. In 2006, Kazakhstan completed the Atasu-Alashankou portion of an oil pipeline to China that is planned in future construction to extend from the country's Caspian coast eastward to the Chinese border. The country has embarked upon an industrial policy designed to diversify the economy away from overdependence on the oil sector by developing its manufacturing potential. The policy changed the corporate tax code to favor domestic industry as a means to reduce the influence of foreign investment and foreign personnel. The government has engaged in several disputes with foreign oil companies over the terms of production agreements, most recently, with regard to the Kashagan project in 2007-08. Since 2007, Astana has provided financial support to the banking sector which has been struggling with poor asset quality and large foreign loans. Kenya The regional hub for trade and finance in East Africa, Kenya has been hampered by corruption and by reliance upon several primary goods whose prices have remained low. In 1997, the IMF suspended Kenya's Enhanced Structural Adjustment Program due to the government's failure to maintain reforms and curb corruption. A severe drought from 1999 to 2000 compounded Kenya's problems, causing water and energy rationing and reducing agricultural output. As a result, GDP contracted by 0.2% in 2000. The IMF, which had resumed loans in 2000 to help Kenya through the drought, again halted lending in 2001 when the government failed to institute several anticorruption measures. Despite the return of strong rains in 2001, weak commodity prices, endemic corruption, and low investment limited Kenya's economic growth to 1.2%. Growth lagged at 1.1% in 2002 because of erratic rains, low investor confidence, meager donor support, and political infighting up to the elections. In the key December 2002 elections, Daniel Arap MOI's 24-year-old reign ended, and a new opposition government took on the formidable economic problems facing the nation. After some early progress in rooting out corruption and encouraging donor support, the KIBAKI government was rocked by high-level graft scandals in 2005 and 2006. In 2006, the World Bank and IMF delayed loans pending action by the government on corruption. The international financial institutions and donors have since resumed lending, despite little action on the government's part to deal with corruption. Post-election violence in early 2008, coupled with the effects of the global financial crisis on remittance and exports, reduced GDP growth to 2.2% in 2008, down from 7% the previous year. Kiribati A remote country of 33 scattered coral atolls, Kiribati has few natural resources and is one of the least developed Pacific Islands. Commercially viable phosphate deposits were exhausted at the time of independence from the UK in 1979. Copra and fish now represent the bulk of production and exports. The economy has fluctuated widely in recent years. Economic development is constrained by a shortage of skilled workers, weak infrastructure, and remoteness from international markets. Tourism provides more than one-fifth of GDP. Private sector initiatives and a financial sector are in the early stages of development. Foreign financial aid from the EU, UK, US, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, UN agencies, and Taiwan accounts for 20-25% of GDP. Remittances from seamen on merchant ships abroad account for more than $5 million each year. Kiribati receives around $15 million annually for the government budget from an Australian trust fund. Korea, North North Korea, one of the world's most centrally directed and least open economies, faces chronic economic problems. Industrial capital stock is nearly beyond repair as a result of years of underinvestment and shortages of spare parts. Large-scale military spending draws off resources needed for investment and civilian consumption. Industrial and power output have declined in parallel from pre-1990 levels. Severe flooding in the summer of 2007 aggravated chronic food shortages caused by on-going systemic problems including a lack of arable land, collective farming practices, and persistent shortages of tractors and fuel. Large-scale international food aid deliveries have allowed the people of North Korea to escape widespread starvation since famine threatened in 1995, but the population continues to suffer from prolonged malnutrition and poor living conditions. Since 2002, the government has allowed private "farmers' markets" to begin selling a wider range of goods. It also permitted some private farming - on an experimental basis - in an effort to boost agricultural output. In October 2005, the government tried to reverse some of these policies by forbidding private sales of grains and reinstituting a centralized food rationing system. By December 2005, the government terminated most international humanitarian assistance operations in North Korea (calling instead for developmental assistance only) and restricted the activities of remaining international and non-governmental aid organizations such as the World Food Program. External food aid now comes primarily from China and South Korea in the form of grants and long-term concessional loans. In May 2008, the US agreed to give 500,000 metric tons of food to North Korea via the World Food Program and US nongovernmental organizations; Pyongyang began receiving these shipments in mid-2008. During the October 2007 summit, South Korea also agreed to develop some of North Korea's infrastructure, natural resources, and light industry, but inter-Korean economic cooperation slowed in 2008 as Pyongyang restricted tourism and manufacturing joint ventures in the North, and food aid from South Korea was suspended. Firm political control remains the Communist government's overriding concern, which will likely inhibit the loosening of economic regulations. Korea, South Since the 1960s, South Korea has achieved an incredible record of growth and integration into the high-tech modern world economy. Four decades ago, GDP per capita was comparable with levels in the poorer countries of Africa and Asia. In 2004, South Korea joined the trillion dollar club of world economies. In 2008, its GDP per capita was roughly the same as that of the Czech Republic and New Zealand. Initially, this success was achieved by a system of close government/business ties including directed credit, import restrictions, sponsorship of specific industries, and a strong labor effort. The government promoted the import of raw materials and technology at the expense of consumer goods and encouraged savings and investment over consumption. The Asian financial crisis of 1997-98 exposed longstanding weaknesses in South Korea's development model including high debt/equity ratios, massive foreign borrowing, and an undisciplined financial sector. GDP plunged by 6.9% in 1998, then recovered by 9% in 1999-2000. Korea adopted numerous economic reforms following the crisis, including greater openness to foreign investment and imports. Growth fell back to 3.3% in 2001 because of the slowing global economy, falling exports, and the perception that much-needed corporate and financial reforms had stalled. Led by consumer spending and exports, growth in 2002 was an impressive 7% despite anemic global growth. Between 2003 and 2007, growth moderated to about 4-5% annually. A downturn in consumer spending was offset by rapid export growth. In 2008, inflation increased in the face of rising oil and food prices before easing in the fourth quarter. Korea was hit hard by the global financial turmoil that began in September 2008. Stock prices fell by more than 40% for the year and the value of the won fell by approximately 26%. Korean GDP shrank in the fourth quarter and GDP growth for the year was just 2.2%. The Korean government adopted several measures to combat the credit crunch and stimulate the economy. Kosovo Over the past few years Kosovo's economy has shown significant progress in transitioning to a market-based system and maintaining macroeconomic stability, but it is still highly dependent on the international community and the diaspora for financial and technical assistance. Remittances from the diaspora - located mainly in Germany and Switzerland - are estimated to account for about 15% of GDP, and donor-financed activities and aid for another 15%. Kosovo's citizens are the poorest in Europe with an average annual per capita income of only $2,300. Unemployment, around 40% of the population, is a significant problem that encourages outward migration and black market activity. Most of Kosovo's population lives in rural towns outside of the capital, Pristina. Inefficient, near-subsistence farming is common - the result of small plots, limited mechanization, and lack of technical expertise. With international assistance, Kosovo has been able to privatize 50% of its state-owned enterprises (SOEs) by number, and over 90% of SOEs by value. Minerals and metals - including lignite, lead, zinc, nickel, chrome, aluminum, magnesium, and a wide variety of construction materials - once formed the backbone of industry, but output has declined because of ageing equipment and insufficient investment. A limited and unreliable electricity supply due to technical and financial problems is a major impediment to economic development. Kosovo's Ministry of Energy and Mining has solicited expressions of interest from private investors to develop a new power plant in order to address Kosovo and the region's unmet and growing demands for power. The official currency of Kosovo is the euro, but the Serbian dinar is also used in Serb enclaves. Kosovo's tie to the euro has helped keep core inflation low. Kosovo has one of the most open economies in the region, and continues to work with the international community on measures to improve the business environment and attract foreign investment. Kuwait Kuwait is a small, rich, relatively open economy with self-reported crude oil reserves of about 104 billion barrels - 8% of world reserves. Petroleum accounts for nearly half of GDP, 95% of export revenues, and 80% of government income. Kuwait experienced rapid economic growth over the last several years on the back of high oil prices and in 2008 posted its tenth consecutive budget surplus. As a result of this positive fiscal situation, the need for economic reforms was less urgent and the government did not push through new initiatives. The drop in oil prices in late 2008 will reduce Kuwait's fiscal surplus in 2009. The global financial crisis may slow the pace of investment and development projects, but Kuwait has vowed to use its considerable financial resources to stabilize the economy if necessary. Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan is a poor, mountainous country with a predominantly agricultural economy. Cotton, tobacco, wool, and meat are the main agricultural products, although only tobacco and cotton are exported in any quantity. Industrial exports include gold, mercury, uranium, natural gas, and electricity. Following independence, Kyrgyzstan was progressive in carrying out market reforms such as an improved regulatory system and land reform. Kyrgyzstan was the first Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) country to be accepted into the World Trade Organization. Much of the government's stock in enterprises has been sold. Drops in production had been severe after the breakup of the Soviet Union in December 1991, but by mid-1995, production began to recover and exports began to increase. The economy is heavily weighted toward gold export and a drop in output at the main Kumtor gold mine sparked a 0.5% decline in GDP in 2002 and a 0.6% decline in 2005. The government made steady strides in controlling its substantial fiscal deficit, nearly closing the gap between revenues and expenditures in 2006, before boosting expenditures more than 20% in 2007-08. The government and international financial institutions have been engaged in a comprehensive medium-term poverty reduction and economic growth strategy. In 2005, Bishkek agreed to pursue much-needed tax reform and, in 2006, became eligible for the heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC) initiative. Progress fighting corruption, further restructuring of domestic industry, and success in attracting foreign investment are keys to future growth. GDP grew more than 6% annually in 2007-08, partly due to higher gold prices internationally, but growth is likely to decline from that level in 2009, due to declining demand and lower commodity prices in the wake of the international financial crisis. Laos The government of Laos, one of the few remaining one-party Communist states, began decentralizing control and encouraging private enterprise in 1986. The results, starting from an extremely low base, were striking - growth averaged 6% per year from 1988-2008 except during the short-lived drop caused by the Asian financial crisis that began in 1997. Despite this high growth rate, Laos remains a country with an underdeveloped infrastructure, particularly in rural areas. It has no railroads, a rudimentary road system, and limited external and internal telecommunications, though the government is sponsoring major improvements in the road system with support from Japan and China. Electricity is available in urban areas and in many rural districts. Subsistence agriculture, dominated by rice, accounts for about 40% of GDP and provides 80% of total employment. The government depends upon aid from international donors for over 80% of its capital investment. The economy has until recently benefited from high foreign investment in hydropower, mining, and construction. The fiscal crisis of late 2008, and the rapid drop in commodity prices - especially copper - has slowed these investments. Several policy changes since 2004 may help spur growth. Laos, which gained Normal Trade Relations status with the US in 2004, is taking steps to join the World Trade Organization. Related trade policy reforms will improve the business environment. On the fiscal side, a value-added tax (VAT) regime, which began with a few large businesses in early 2009, should slowly help streamline the government's inefficient tax system. Economic prospects will improve gradually as the administration continues to simplify investment procedures and as a more competitive banking sector extends credit to small farmers and small entrepreneurs. The government appears committed to raising the country's profile among investors. Foreign donors have praised the Lao government for its efforts to improve the investment regime. The World Bank has declared that Laos' goal of graduating from the UN Development Program's list of least-developed countries by 2020 could be achievable. Latvia Latvia's economy experienced GDP growth of more than 10% per year during 2006-07; but entered a severe recession in 2008 as a result of an unsustainable current account deficit and large debt exposure amid the softening world economy. The IMF, EU, and other donors provided assistance to Latvia as part of an agreement to defend the currency's peg to the euro and reduce the fiscal deficit to about 5% of GDP. The majority of companies, banks, and real estate have been privatized, although the state still holds sizable stakes in a few large enterprises. Latvia officially joined the World Trade Organization in February 1999. EU membership, a top foreign policy goal, came in May 2004. The current account deficit and inflation remain major concerns. Lebanon Lebanon has a free-market economy and a strong laissez-faire commercial tradition. The government does not restrict foreign investment; however, the investment climate suffers from red tape, corruption, arbitrary licensing decisions, high taxes, tariffs, and fees, archaic legislation, and weak intellectual property rights. The Lebanese economy is service-oriented; main growth sectors include banking and tourism. The 1975-90 civil war seriously damaged Lebanon's economic infrastructure, cut national output by half, and all but ended Lebanon's position as a Middle Eastern entrepot and banking hub. In the years since, Lebanon has rebuilt much of its war-torn physical and financial infrastructure by borrowing heavily - mostly from domestic banks. In an attempt to reduce the ballooning national debt, the Rafiq HARIRI government in 2000 began an austerity program, reining in government expenditures, increasing revenue collection, and passing legislation to privatize state enterprises, but economic and financial reform initiatives stalled and public debt continued to grow despite receipt of more than $2 billion in bilateral assistance at the 2002 Paris II Donors Conference. The Israeli-Hizballah conflict in July-August 2006 caused an estimated $3.6 billion in infrastructure damage, and prompted international donors to pledge nearly $1 billion in recovery and reconstruction assistance. Donors met again in January 2007 at the Paris III Donor Conference and pledged more than $7.5 billion to Lebanon for development projects and budget support, conditioned on progress on Beirut's fiscal reform and privatization program. An 18-month political stalemate and sporadic sectarian and political violence hampered economic activity, particularly tourism, retail sales, and investment, until the new government was formed in July 2008. Political stability since the Doha Accord of May 2008 has helped to boost investment and tourism, but economic growth is likely to slow in 2009 as a result of the global economic recession. Lesotho Small, landlocked, and mountainous, Lesotho relies on remittances from miners employed in South Africa and customs duties from the Southern Africa Customs Union for the majority of government revenue. However, the government has recently strengthened its tax system to reduce dependency on customs duties. Completion of a major hydropower facility in January 1998 permitted the sale of water to South Africa and generated royalties for Lesotho. Lesotho produces about 90% of its own electrical power needs. As the number of mineworkers has declined steadily over the past several years, a small manufacturing base has developed based on farm products that support the milling, canning, leather, and jute industries, as well as a rapidly expanding apparel-assembly sector. The latter has grown significantly mainly due to Lesotho qualifying for the trade benefits contained in the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act. The economy is still primarily based on subsistence agriculture, especially livestock, although drought has decreased agricultural activity. The extreme inequality in the distribution of income remains a major drawback. Lesotho has signed an Interim Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility with the IMF. In July 2007, Lesotho signed a Millennium Challenge Account Compact with the US worth $362.5 million. Liberia Civil war and government mismanagement destroyed much of Liberia's economy, especially the infrastructure in and around the capital, Monrovia. Many businesses fled the country, taking capital and expertise with them, but with the conclusion of fighting and the installation of a democratically-elected government in 2006, some have returned. Richly endowed with water, mineral resources, forests, and a climate favorable to agriculture, Liberia had been a producer and exporter of basic products - primarily raw timber and rubber. Local manufacturing, mainly foreign owned, had been small in scope. President JOHNSON SIRLEAF, a Harvard-trained banker and administrator, has taken steps to reduce corruption, build support from international donors, and encourage private investment. Embargos on timber and diamond exports have been lifted, opening new sources of revenue for the government. The reconstruction of infrastructure and the raising of incomes in this ravaged economy will largely depend on generous financial and technical assistance from donor countries and foreign investment in key sectors, such as infrastructure and power generation. Libya The Libyan economy depends primarily upon revenues from the oil sector, which contribute about 95% of export earnings, about one-quarter of GDP, and 60% of public sector wages. The expected weakness in world hydrocarbon prices throughout 2009 will reduce Libyan government tax income and constrain Libyan economic growth in 2009. Substantial revenues from the energy sector coupled with a small population give Libya one of the highest per capita GDPs in Africa, but little of this income flows down to the lower orders of society. Libyan officials in the past five years have made progress on economic reforms as part of a broader campaign to reintegrate the country into the international fold. This effort picked up steam after UN sanctions were lifted in September 2003 and as Libya announced in December 2003 that it would abandon programs to build weapons of mass destruction. UN Sanctions against Libya were lifted in September 2003. The process of lifting US unilateral sanctions began in the spring of 2004; all sanctions were removed by June 2006, helping Libya attract greater foreign direct investment, especially in the energy sector. Libyan oil and gas licensing rounds continue to draw high international interest; the National Oil Company set a goal of nearly doubling oil production to 3 million bbl/day by 2012. Libya faces a long road ahead in liberalizing the socialist-oriented economy, but initial steps - including applying for WTO membership, reducing some subsidies, and announcing plans for privatization - are laying the groundwork for a transition to a more market-based economy. The non-oil manufacturing and construction sectors, which account for more than 20% of GDP, have expanded from processing mostly agricultural products to include the production of petrochemicals, iron, steel, and aluminum. Climatic conditions and poor soils severely limit agricultural output, and Libya imports about 75% of its food. Libya's primary agricultural water source remains the Great Manmade River Project, but significant resources are being invested in desalinization research to meet growing water demands. Liechtenstein Despite its small size and limited natural resources, Liechtenstein has developed into a prosperous, highly industrialized, free-enterprise economy with a vital financial service sector and the highest per capita income in the world. The Liechtenstein economy is widely diversified with a large number of small businesses. Low business taxes - the maximum tax rate is 20% - and easy incorporation rules have induced many holding companies to establish nominal offices in Liechtenstein, providing 30% of state revenues. The country participates in a customs union with Switzerland and uses the Swiss franc as its national currency. It imports more than 90% of its energy requirements. Liechtenstein has been a member of the European Economic Area (an organization serving as a bridge between the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the EU) since May 1995. The government is working to harmonize its economic policies with those of an integrated Europe. In 2008 Liechtenstein came under renewed international pressure - particularly from Germany - to improve transparency in its banking and tax systems. Lithuania Lithuania's economy grew on average 8% per year for the four years prior to 2008, driven by exports and domestic consumer demand. Unemployment stood at 4.8% in 2008, while wages grew at double digit rates. The current account deficit rose to roughly 15% of GDP in 2007-08. Lithuania has gained membership in the World Trade Organization and joined the EU in May 2004. Despite Lithuania's EU accession, Lithuania's trade with its Central and Eastern European neighbors, and Russia in particular, accounts for a growing percentage of total trade. Privatization of the large, state-owned utilities is nearly complete. Foreign government and business support have helped in the transition from the old command economy to a market economy. Luxembourg This stable, high-income economy - benefiting from its proximity to France, Belgium, and Germany - has historically featured solid growth, low inflation, and low unemployment. The industrial sector, initially dominated by steel, has become increasingly diversified to include chemicals, rubber, and other products. Growth in the financial sector, which now accounts for about 28% of GDP, has more than compensated for the decline in steel. Most banks are foreign owned and have extensive foreign dealings. Agriculture is based on small family-owned farms. The economy depends on foreign and cross-border workers for about 60% of its labor force. Although Luxembourg, like all EU members, suffered from the global economic slump in the early part of this decade, the country continues to enjoy an extraordinarily high standard of living - GDP per capita ranks third in the world, after Liechtenstein and Qatar. After two years of strong economic growth in 2006-07, turmoil in the world financial markets trimmed Luxembourg's economy in 2008. Macau Macau's economy has enjoyed strong growth in recent years on the back of its expanding tourism and gaming sectors. After opening up its locally-controlled casino industry to foreign competition in 2001, the territory attracted tens of billions of dollars in foreign investment, transforming Macao into the world's largest gaming center. By 2006, Macau's gaming revenue surpassed that of the Las Vegas strip, and gaming-related taxes accounted for 75% of total government revenue. In 2008, government revenue from gaming was set to double 2006 collections. The expanding casino sector, and China's decision beginning in 2002 to relax travel restrictions, reenergized Macau's tourism industry. This city of just over 500,000 hosted more than 30 million visitors in 2008. Almost 60% came from mainland China despite increasing restrictions on travel to the SAR. Macau's traditional manufacturing industry has been in a slow decline since the termination of the Multi-Fiber Agreement in 2005. In 2008, exports of textiles and garments generated only $1.1 billion, compared to $13.7 billion in gross gaming receipts. The Closer Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Macau and mainland China that came into effect on 1 January 2004 offers many Macau-made products tariff-free access to the mainland. Macau's currency, the Pataca, is closely tied to the Hong Kong dollar, which is also freely accepted in the territory. Macedonia Having a small, open economy makes Macedonia vulnerable to economic developments in Europe and dependent on regional integration and progress toward EU membership for continued economic growth. At independence in September 1991, Macedonia was the least developed of the Yugoslav republics, producing a mere 5% of the total federal output of goods and services. The collapse of Yugoslavia ended transfer payments from the central government and eliminated advantages from inclusion in a de facto free trade area. An absence of infrastructure, UN sanctions on the downsized Yugoslavia, and a Greek economic embargo over a dispute about the country's constitutional name and flag hindered economic growth until 1996. GDP subsequently rose each year through 2000. In 2001, during a civil conflict, the economy shrank 4.5% because of decreased trade, intermittent border closures, increased deficit spending on security needs, and investor uncertainty. Growth averaged 4% per year during 2003-06 and more than 5% per year during 2007-08. Macedonia has maintained macroeconomic stability with low inflation, but it has so far lagged the region in attracting foreign investment and creating jobs, despite making extensive fiscal and business sector reforms. Official unemployment remains high at nearly 35%, but may be overstated based on the existence of an extensive gray market, estimated to be more than 20% of GDP, that is not captured by official statistics. In the wake of the global economic downturn, Macedonia has experienced decreased foreign direct investment, lowered credit, and a slowdown of export growth. The Government of Macedonia now predicts growth in 2009 to be no more than 3%. Madagascar Having discarded past socialist economic policies, Madagascar has since the mid 1990s followed a World Bank- and IMF-led policy of privatization and liberalization. This strategy placed the country on a slow and steady growth path from an extremely low level. Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is a mainstay of the economy, accounting for more than one-fourth of GDP and employing 80% of the population. Exports of apparel have boomed in recent years primarily due to duty-free access to the US. Deforestation and erosion, aggravated by the use of firewood as the primary source of fuel, are serious concerns. President RAVALOMANANA has worked aggressively to revive the economy following the 2002 political crisis, which triggered a 12% drop in GDP that year. Poverty reduction and combating corruption will be the centerpieces of economic policy for the next few years. Malawi Landlocked Malawi ranks among the world's most densely populated and least developed countries. The economy is predominately agricultural with about 85% of the population living in rural areas. Agriculture accounts for more than one-third of GDP and 90% of export revenues. The performance of the tobacco sector is key to short-term growth as tobacco accounts for more than half of exports. The economy depends on substantial inflows of economic assistance from the IMF, the World Bank, and individual donor nations. In December 2007, the US granted Malawi eligibility status to receive financial support within the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) initiative. Malawi will now begin a consultative process to develop a five-year program before funding can begin. In 2006, Malawi was approved for relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) program. The government faces many challenges including developing a market economy, improving educational facilities, facing up to environmental problems, dealing with the rapidly growing problem of HIV/AIDS, and satisfying foreign donors that fiscal discipline is being tightened. In 2005, President MUTHARIKA championed an anticorruption campaign. Since 2005 President MUTHARIKA'S government has exhibited improved financial discipline under the guidance of Finance Minister Goodall GONDWE and signed a three year Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility worth $56 million with the IMF. Improved relations with the IMF lead other international donors to resume aid as well. Malaysia Malaysia, a middle-income country, has transformed itself since the 1970s from a producer of raw materials into an emerging multi-sector economy. After coming to office in 2003, former Prime Minister ABDULLAH tried to move the economy farther up the value-added production chain by attracting investments in high technology industries, medical technology, and pharmaceuticals. The Government of Malaysia is continuing efforts to boost domestic demand to wean the economy off of its dependence on exports. Nevertheless, exports - particularly of electronics - remain a significant driver of the economy. As an oil and gas exporter, Malaysia has profited from higher world energy prices, although the rising cost of domestic gasoline and diesel fuel forced Kuala Lumpur to reduce government subsidies. Malaysia "unpegged" the ringgit from the US dollar in 2005 and the currency appreciated 6% per year against the dollar in 2006-08. Although this has helped to hold down the price of imports, inflationary pressures began to build in 2007 - in 2008 inflation stood at nearly 6%, year-over-year. The government presented its five-year national development agenda in April 2006 through the Ninth Malaysia Plan, a comprehensive blueprint for the allocation of the national budget from 2006-10. ABDULLAH unveiled a series of ambitious development schemes for several regions that have had trouble attracting business investment. Real GDP growth averaged about 6% per year under ABDULLAH, but regions outside of Kuala Lumpur and the manufacturing hub Penang did not fare as well. The central bank maintains healthy foreign exchange reserves and the regulatory regime has limited Malaysia's exposure to riskier financial instruments and the global financial crisis. Decreasing worldwide demand for consumer goods is expected to hurt economic growth in 2009 and beyond, however. Maldives Tourism, Maldives' largest industry, accounts for 28% of GDP and more than 60% of foreign exchange receipts. Over 90% of government tax revenue comes from import duties and tourism-related taxes. Fishing is the second leading sector. Agriculture and manufacturing continue to play a lesser role in the economy, constrained by the limited availability of cultivable land and the shortage of domestic labor. Most staple foods must be imported. Industry, which consists mainly of garment production, boat building, and handicrafts, accounts for about 7% of GDP. The Maldivian Government began an economic reform program in 1989 initially by lifting import quotas and opening some exports to the private sector. Subsequently, it has liberalized regulations to allow more foreign investment. Real GDP growth averaged over 7.5% per year for more than a decade. In late December 2004, a major tsunami left more than 100 dead, 12,000 displaced, and property damage exceeding $300 million. As a result of the tsunami, the GDP contracted by about 4.6% in 2005. A rebound in tourism, post-tsunami reconstruction, and development of new resorts helped the economy recover quickly, with GDP growth registering 18% in 2006. Growth slowed in 2007-08, but remained above 5% per year. The trade deficit expanded sharply as a result of high oil prices and imports of construction material. Government spending on social needs, subsidies, and civil servant salaries have created a large budget deficit and inflation has picked up sharply, reaching nearly 13% in October 2008 due to high oil and food prices. Diversifying beyond tourism and fishing, reforming public finance, and increasing employment are the major challenges facing the government. Over the longer term Maldivian authorities worry about the impact of erosion and possible global warming on their low-lying country; 80% of the area is 1 meter or less above sea level. Mali Mali is among the 25 poorest countries in the world, with 65% of its land area desert or semidesert and with a highly unequal distribution of income. Economic activity is largely confined to the riverine area irrigated by the Niger. About 10% of the population is nomadic and some 80% of the labor force is engaged in farming and fishing. Industrial activity is concentrated on processing farm commodities. Mali is heavily dependent on foreign aid and vulnerable to fluctuations in world prices for gold and cotton, its main exports. The government has continued its successful implementation of an IMF-recommended structural adjustment program that is helping the economy grow, diversify, and attract foreign investment. Mali has invested in tourism and a tractor assembly factory. Mali's adherence to economic reform and the 50% devaluation of the CFA franc in January 1994 have pushed up economic growth to a 5% average in 1996-2008. Worker remittances and external trade routes for the landlocked country have been jeopardized by continued unrest in neighboring Cote d'Ivoire, however, Mali is building a road network that will connect it to all adjacent countries and it has a railway line to Senegal. Malta Malta produces only about 20% of its food needs, has limited fresh water supplies, and has few domestic energy sources. Malta's geographic position between the EU and Africa makes it a recipient of illegal immigration, which has strained Malta's political and economic resources. The financial services industry has grown in recent years, but is not fully modernized. Malta's economy is dependent on foreign trade, manufacturing - especially electronics and pharmaceuticals - and tourism all of which have been negatively affected by the global economic downturn. Malta adopted the euro on 1 January 2008. The Maltese government in 2009 will be challenged to contain the budget deficit, which ballooned in 2008 to about 4.1% of GDP, placing it above the euro zone's 3% maximum. Marshall Islands US Government assistance is the mainstay of this tiny island economy. The Marshall Islands received more than $1 billion in aid from the US from 1986-2002. Agricultural production, primarily subsistence, is concentrated on small farms; the most important commercial crops are coconuts and breadfruit. Small-scale industry is limited to handicrafts, tuna processing, and copra. The tourist industry, now a small source of foreign exchange employing less than 10% of the labor force, remains the best hope for future added income. The islands have few natural resources, and imports far exceed exports. Under the terms of the Amended Compact of Free Association, the US will provide millions of dollars per year to the Marshall Islands (RMI) through 2023, at which time a Trust Fund made up of US and RMI contributions will begin perpetual annual payouts. Government downsizing, drought, a drop in construction, the decline in tourism, and less income from the renewal of fishing vessel licenses have held GDP growth to an average of 1% over the past decade. Mauritania Half the population still depends on agriculture and livestock for a livelihood, even though many of the nomads and subsistence farmers were forced into the cities by recurrent droughts in the 1970s and 1980s. Mauritania has extensive deposits of iron ore, which account for nearly 40% of total exports. The nation's coastal waters are among the richest fishing areas in the world, but overexploitation by foreigners threatens this key source of revenue. The country's first deepwater port opened near Nouakchott in 1986. Before 2000, drought and economic mismanagement resulted in a buildup of foreign debt. In February 2000, Mauritania qualified for debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative and nearly all of its foreign debt has since been forgiven. In December 2007 donors pledged $2.1 billion at a triennial Consultative Group review. A new investment code approved in December 2001 improved the opportunities for direct foreign investment. Mauritania and the IMF agreed to a three-year Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) arrangement in 2006 and Mauritania made satisfactory progress, but IMF and World Bank suspended their programs in Mauritania following the August 2008 coup; following the July 2009 Presidential elections, the IMF and World Bank agreed to meet with the Goverment to discuss a resumption. Oil prospects, while initially promising, have largely failed to materialize. The Government continues to emphasize reduction of poverty, improvement of health and education, and privatization of the economy. Mauritius Since independence in 1968, Mauritius has developed from a low-income, agriculturally based economy to a middle-income diversified economy with growing industrial, financial, and tourist sectors. For most of the period, annual growth has been in the order of 5% to 6%. This remarkable achievement has been reflected in more equitable income distribution, increased life expectancy, lowered infant mortality, and a much-improved infrastructure. The economy rests on sugar, tourism, textiles and apparel, and financial services, and is expanding into fish processing, information and communications technology, and hospitality and property development. Sugarcane is grown on about 90% of the cultivated land area and accounts for 15% of export earnings. The government's development strategy centers on creating vertical and horizontal clusters of development in these sectors. Mauritius has attracted more than 32,000 offshore entities, many aimed at commerce in India, South Africa, and China. Investment in the banking sector alone has reached over $1 billion. Mauritius, with its strong textile sector, has been well poised to take advantage of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). Mayotte Economic activity is based primarily on the agricultural sector, including fishing and livestock raising. Mayotte is not self-sufficient and must import a large portion of its food requirements, mainly from France. The economy and future development of the island are heavily dependent on French financial assistance, an important supplement to GDP. Mayotte's remote location is an obstacle to the development of tourism. Mexico Mexico has a free market economy in the trillion dollar class. It contains a mixture of modern and outmoded industry and agriculture, increasingly dominated by the private sector. Recent administrations have expanded competition in seaports, railroads, telecommunications, electricity generation, natural gas distribution, and airports. Per capita income is roughly one-third that of the US; income distribution remains highly unequal. Trade with the US and Canada has nearly tripled since the implementation of NAFTA in 1994. Mexico has 12 free trade agreements with over 40 countries including, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, the European Free Trade Area, and Japan, putting more than 90% of trade under free trade agreements. In 2007, during its first year in office, the Felipe CALDERON administration was able to garner support from the opposition to successfully pass a pension and a fiscal reform. The administration continues to face many economic challenges including the need to upgrade infrastructure, modernize labor laws, and allow private investment in the energy sector. CALDERON has stated that his top economic priorities remain reducing poverty and creating jobs. Micronesia, Federated States of Economic activity consists primarily of subsistence farming and fishing. The islands have few mineral deposits worth exploiting, except for high-grade phosphate. The potential for a tourist industry exists, but the remote location, a lack of adequate facilities, and limited air connections hinder development. Under the original terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US provided $1.3 billion in grant aid during the period 1986-2001; the level of aid has been subsequently reduced. The Amended Compact of Free Association with the US guarantees the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) millions of dollars in annual aid through 2023, and establishes a Trust Fund into which the US and the FSM make annual contributions in order to provide annual payouts to the FSM in perpetuity after 2023. The country's medium-term economic outlook appears fragile due not only to the reduction in US assistance but also to the current slow growth of the private sector. Moldova Moldova remains one of the poorest countries in Europe despite recent progress from its small economic base. It enjoys a favorable climate and good farmland but has no major mineral deposits. As a result, the economy depends heavily on agriculture, featuring fruits, vegetables, wine, and tobacco. Moldova must import almost all of its energy supplies. Moldova's dependence on Russian energy was underscored at the end of 2005, when a Russian-owned electrical station in Moldova's separatist Transnistria region cut off power to Moldova and Russia's Gazprom cut off natural gas in disputes over pricing, and again in January 2009, during a similar dispute. Russia's decision to ban Moldovan wine and agricultural products, coupled with its decision to double the price Moldova paid for Russian natural gas, slowed GDP growth in 2006-07. However, in 2008 growth exceeded the 6% level Moldova had achieved in 2000-05, boosted by Russia's partial removal of the bans, solid fixed capital investment, and strong domestic demand driven by remittances from abroad. Economic reforms have been slow because of corruption and strong political forces backing government controls. Nevertheless, the government's primary goal of EU integration has resulted in some market-oriented progress. The granting of EU trade preferences and increased exports to Russia will encourage higher growth rates, but the agreements are unlikely to serve as a panacea, given the extent to which export success depends on higher quality standards and other factors. The economy remains vulnerable to higher fuel prices, poor agricultural weather, and the skepticism of foreign investors. Also, the presence of an illegal separatist regime in Moldova's Transnistria region continues to be a drag on the Moldovan economy. The deteriorating global economic crisis did not seriously effect the Moldovan economy in 2008 due to its low exposure to the international financial system, but a global economic slowdown, particularly in the EU and Russia, could hurt the economy in 2009 as Moldova relies heavily on remittances from Moldovans abroad. Monaco Monaco, bordering France on the Mediterranean coast, is a popular resort, attracting tourists to its casino and pleasant climate. The principality also is a major banking center and has successfully sought to diversify into services and small, high-value-added, nonpolluting industries. The state has no income tax and low business taxes and thrives as a tax haven both for individuals who have established residence and for foreign companies that have set up businesses and offices. The state retains monopolies in a number of sectors, including tobacco, the telephone network, and the postal service. Living standards are high, roughly comparable to those in prosperous French metropolitan areas. Mongolia Economic activity in Mongolia has traditionally been based on herding and agriculture. Mongolia has extensive mineral deposits. Copper, coal, gold, molybdenum, fluorspar, uranium, tin, and tungsten account for a large part of industrial production and foreign direct investment. Soviet assistance, at its height one-third of GDP, disappeared almost overnight in 1990 and 1991 at the time of the dismantlement of the USSR. The following decade saw Mongolia endure both deep recession because of political inaction and natural disasters, as well as economic growth because of reform-embracing, free-market economics and extensive privatization of the formerly state-run economy. Severe winters and summer droughts in 2000-02 resulted in massive livestock die-off and zero or negative GDP growth. This was compounded by falling prices for Mongolia's primary sector exports and widespread opposition to privatization. Growth averaged nearly 9% per year in 2004-08 largely because of high copper prices and new gold production. Until late 2008 Mongolia experienced a soaring inflation rate with year-to-year inflation reaching nearly 40% - the highest inflation rate in over a decade. In late 2008 falling commodity prices in this import-reliant country helped lower inflation but by that time, the country had begun to feel the effects of the global financial crisis. Falling prices for copper and other mineral exports have reduced government revenues and are forcing cuts in spending. The global credit crisis has stalled growth in key sectors, especially those that had been fueled by foreign investment. Mongolia's economy continues to be heavily influenced by its neighbors. Mongolia purchases 95% of its petroleum products and a substantial amount of electric power from Russia, leaving it vulnerable to price increases. Trade with China represents more than half of Mongolia's total external trade - China receives about 70% of Mongolia's exports. Remittances from Mongolians working abroad both legally and illegally are sizable but have fallen due to the economic crisis; money laundering is a growing concern. Mongolia settled its $11 billion debt with Russia at the end of 2003 on favorable terms. Mongolia, which joined the World Trade Organization in 1997, seeks to expand its participation and integration into Asian regional economic and trade regimes. Montenegro Montenegro severed its economy from federal control and from Serbia during the MILOSEVIC era and maintained its own central bank, adopted the Deutchmark, then the euro - rather than the Yugoslav dinar - as official currency, collected customs tariffs, and managed its own budget. The dissolution of the loose political union between Serbia and Montenegro in 2006 led to separate membership in several international financial institutions, such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. On 18 January 2007, Montenegro joined the World Bank and IMF. Montenegro is pursuing its own membership in the World Trade Organization and signed a Stabilization and Association agreement with the European Union in October 2007. On December 15, 2008, Montenegro submitted an EU membership application. Unemployment and regional disparities in development are key political and economic problems. Montenegro has privatized its large aluminum complex - the dominant industry - as well as most of its financial sector, and has begun to attract foreign direct investment in the tourism sector. The global financial crisis is likely to have a significant negative impact on the economy. Montserrat Severe volcanic activity, which began in July 1995, has put a damper on this small, open economy. A catastrophic eruption in June 1997 closed the airports and seaports, causing further economic and social dislocation. Two-thirds of the 12,000 inhabitants fled the island. Some began to return in 1998 but lack of housing limited the number. The agriculture sector continued to be affected by the lack of suitable land for farming and the destruction of crops. Prospects for the economy depend largely on developments in relation to the volcanic activity and on public sector construction activity. The UK has launched a three-year $122.8 million aid program to help reconstruct the economy. Half of the island is expected to remain uninhabitable for another decade. Morocco Moroccan economic policies brought macroeconomic stability to the country in the early 1990s but have not spurred growth sufficient to reduce unemployment - nearing 20% in urban areas - despite the Moroccan Government's ongoing efforts to diversify the economy. Morocco's GDP growth rose to 5.9% in 2008, with the economy recovering from a drought in 2007 that severely reduced agricultural output and necessitated wheat imports at rising world prices. Moroccan authorities understand that reducing poverty and providing jobs are key to domestic security and development. In 2005, Morocco launched the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH), a $2 billion social development plan to address poverty and unemployment and to improve the living conditions of the country's urban slums. Moroccan authorities are implementing reform efforts to open the economy to international investors. Despite structural adjustment programs supported by the IMF, the World Bank, and the Paris Club, the dirham is only fully convertible for current account transactions. In 2000, Morocco entered an Association Agreement with the EU and, in 2006, entered a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US. Long-term challenges include improving education and job prospects for Morocco's youth, and closing the income gap between the rich and the poor, which the government hopes to achieve by increasing tourist arrivals and boosting competitiveness in textiles. Mozambique At independence in 1975, Mozambique was one of the world's poorest countries. Socialist mismanagement and a brutal civil war from 1977-92 exacerbated the situation. In 1987, the government embarked on a series of macroeconomic reforms designed to stabilize the economy. These steps, combined with donor assistance and with political stability since the multi-party elections in 1994, have led to dramatic improvements in the country's growth rate. Inflation was reduced to single digits during the late 1990s, and although it returned to double digits in 2000-06, in 2007 inflation had slowed to 8%, while GDP growth reached 7.5%. Fiscal reforms, including the introduction of a value-added tax and reform of the customs service, have improved the government's revenue collection abilities. In spite of these gains, Mozambique remains dependent upon foreign assistance for much of its annual budget, and the majority of the population remains below the poverty line. Subsistence agriculture continues to employ the vast majority of the country's work force. A substantial trade imbalance persists although the opening of the Mozal aluminum smelter, the country's largest foreign investment project to date, has increased export earnings. At the end of 2007, and after years of negotiations, the government took over Portugal's majority share of the Cahora Bassa Hydroelectricity (HCB) company, a dam that was not transferred to Mozambique at independence because of the ensuing civil war and unpaid debts. More power is needed for additional investment projects in titanium extraction and processing and garment manufacturing that could further close the import/export gap. Mozambique's once substantial foreign debt has been reduced through forgiveness and rescheduling under the IMF's Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) and Enhanced HIPC initiatives, and is now at a manageable level. In July 2007 the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) signed a Compact with Mozambique; the Compact entered into force in September 2008 and will continue for five years. Compact projects will focus on improving sanitation, roads, agriculture, and the business regulation environment in an effort to spur economic growth in the four northern provinces of the country. Namibia The economy is heavily dependent on the extraction and processing of minerals for export. Mining accounts for 8% of GDP, but provides more than 50% of foreign exchange earnings. Rich alluvial diamond deposits make Namibia a primary source for gem-quality diamonds. Namibia is the fourth-largest exporter of nonfuel minerals in Africa, the world's fifth-largest producer of uranium, and the producer of large quantities of lead, zinc, tin, silver, and tungsten. The mining sector employs only about 3% of the population while about half of the population depends on subsistence agriculture for its livelihood. Namibia normally imports about 50% of its cereal requirements; in drought years food shortages are a major problem in rural areas. A high per capita GDP, relative to the region, hides one of the world's most unequal income distributions. The Namibian economy is closely linked to South Africa with the Namibian dollar pegged one-to-one to the South African rand. Increased payments from the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) put Namibia's budget into surplus in 2007 for the first time since independence, but SACU payments will decline after 2008 as part of a new revenue sharing formula. Increased fish production and mining of zinc, copper, uranium, and silver spurred growth in 2003-07, but growth in recent years was undercut by poor fish catches and high costs for metal inputs. Nauru Revenues of this tiny island have traditionally come from exports of phosphates now significantly depleted. An Australian company in 2005 entered into an agreement intended to exploit remaining supplies. Few other resources exist with most necessities being imported, mainly from Australia its former occupier and later major source of support. The rehabilitation of mined land and the replacement of income from phosphates are serious long-term problems. Reserves of phosphates may only last until 2010 at current mining rates. In anticipation of the exhaustion of Nauru's phosphate deposits, substantial amounts of phosphate income were invested in trust funds to help cushion the transition and provide for Nauru's economic future. As a result of heavy spending from the trust funds, the government faces virtual bankruptcy. To cut costs the government has frozen wages and reduced overstaffed public service departments. Nauru lost further revenue in 2008 with the closure of Australia's refugee processing center, making it almost totally dependent on food imports and foreign aid. Housing, hospitals, and other capital plant is deteriorating. The cost to Australia of keeping the government and economy afloat continues to climb. Few comprehensive statistics on the Nauru economy exist with estimates of Nauru's GDP varying widely. Navassa Island Subsistence fishing and commercial trawling occur within refuge waters. Nepal Nepal is among the poorest and least developed countries in the world with almost one-third of its population living below the poverty line. Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy, providing a livelihood for three-fourths of the population and accounting for about one-third of GDP. Industrial activity mainly involves the processing of agricultural products, including pulses, jute, sugarcane, tobacco, and grain. Bumper crops, better security, improved transportation, and increased tourism pushed growth past 5% in 2008, after growth had hovered around 3% - barely above the rate of population growth - for the previous three years. The deteriorating world economy in 2009 will challenge tourism and remittance growth, a key source of foreign exchange. Nepal has considerable scope for exploiting its potential in hydropower and tourism, areas of recent foreign investment interest. Prospects for foreign trade or investment in other sectors will remain poor, however, because of the small size of the economy, its technological backwardness, its remoteness and landlocked geographic location, its civil strife and labor unrest, and its susceptibility to natural disaster. Netherlands The Netherlands has a prosperous and open economy, which depends heavily on foreign trade. The economy is noted for stable industrial relations, moderate unemployment and inflation, a sizable current account surplus, and an important role as a European transportation hub. Industrial activity is predominantly in food processing, chemicals, petroleum refining, and electrical machinery. A highly mechanized agricultural sector employs no more than 3% of the labor force but provides large surpluses for the food-processing industry and for exports. The Netherlands, along with 11 of its EU partners, began circulating the euro currency on 1 January 2002. The country has been one of the leading European nations for attracting foreign direct investment and is one of the four largest investors in the US. The pace of job growth reached 10-year highs in 2007, but economic growth fell sharply in 2008 as fallout from the world financial crisis constricted demand and raised the specter of a recession in 2009. Netherlands Antilles Tourism, petroleum refining, and offshore finance are the mainstays of this small economy, which is closely tied to the outside world. Although GDP has declined or grown slightly in each of the past eight years, the islands enjoy a high per capita income and a well-developed infrastructure compared with other countries in the region. Most of the oil Netherlands Antilles imports for its refineries come from Venezuela. Almost all consumer and capital goods are imported, the US, Italy, and Mexico being the major suppliers. Poor soils and inadequate water supplies hamper the development of agriculture. Budgetary problems hamper reform of the health and pension systems of an aging population. The Netherlands provides financial aid to support the economy. New Caledonia New Caledonia has about 25% of the world's known nickel resources. Only a small amount of the land is suitable for cultivation, and food accounts for about 20% of imports. In addition to nickel, substantial financial support from France - equal to more than 15% of GDP - and tourism are keys to the health of the economy. Substantial new investment in the nickel industry, combined with the recovery of global nickel prices, brightens the economic outlook for the next several years. New Zealand Over the past 20 years the government has transformed New Zealand from an agrarian economy dependent on concessionary British market access to a more industrialized, free market economy that can compete globally. This dynamic growth has boosted real incomes - but left behind some at the bottom of the ladder - and broadened and deepened the technological capabilities of the industrial sector. Per capita income has risen for nine consecutive years and reached $27,900 in 2008 in purchasing power parity terms. Debt-driven consumer spending drove robust growth in the first half of the decade, helping fuel a large balance of payments deficit that posed a challenge for economic managers. Inflationary pressures caused the central bank to raise its key rate steadily from January 2004 until it was among the highest in the OECD in 2007-08; international capital inflows attracted to the high rates further strengthened the currency and housing market, however, aggravating the current account deficit. The economy fell into recession in 2008. In line with global peers, the central bank has cut interest rates aggressively; the new government is responding with plans to raise productivity growth and develop infrastructure. Nicaragua Nicaragua has widespread underemployment and the second lowest per capita income in the Western Hemisphere. The US-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) has been in effect since April 2006 and has expanded export opportunities for many agricultural and manufactured goods. Textiles and apparel account for nearly 60% of Nicaragua's exports, but recent increases in the minimum wage will likely erode its comparative advantage in this industry. Nicaragua relies on international economic assistance to meet internal- and external-debt financing obligations. In early 2004, Nicaragua secured some $4.5 billion in foreign debt reduction under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative, and in October 2007, the IMF approved a new poverty reduction and growth facility (PRGF) program. However, severe budget shortfalls resulting from the suspension of large amounts of direct budget support from foreign donors concerned with recent political developments has caused a slowdown in PRGF disbursements. Similarly, private sector concerns surrounding ORTEGA's handling of economic issues have dampened investment. Economic growth has slowed in 2009, due to decreased export demand from the US and Central American markets, lower commodity prices for key agricultural exports, and low remittance growth - remittances are equivalent to almost 15% of GDP. Niger Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world, ranking near last on the United Nations Development Fund index of human development. It is a landlocked, Sub-Saharan nation, whose economy centers on subsistence crops, livestock, and some of the world's largest uranium deposits. Drought cycles, desertification, and strong population growth have undercut the economy. Niger shares a common currency, the CFA franc, and a common central bank, the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO), with seven other members of the West African Monetary Union. In December 2000, Niger qualified for enhanced debt relief under the International Monetary Fund program for Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) and concluded an agreement with the Fund on a Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF). Debt relief provided under the enhanced HIPC initiative significantly reduces Niger's annual debt service obligations, freeing funds for expenditures on basic health care, primary education, HIV/AIDS prevention, rural infrastructure, and other programs geared at poverty reduction. In December 2005, Niger received 100% multilateral debt relief from the IMF, which translates into the forgiveness of approximately US $86 million in debts to the IMF, excluding the remaining assistance under HIPC. Nearly half of the government's budget is derived from foreign donor resources. Future growth may be sustained by exploitation of oil, gold, coal, and other mineral resources. Uranium prices have increased sharply in the last few years. A drought and locust infestation in 2005 led to food shortages for as many as 2.5 million Nigeriens. Nigeria Oil-rich Nigeria, long hobbled by political instability, corruption, inadequate infrastructure, and poor macroeconomic management, has undertaken several reforms over the past decade. Nigeria's former military rulers failed to diversify the economy away from its overdependence on the capital-intensive oil sector, which provides 95% of foreign exchange earnings and about 80% of budgetary revenues. Following the signing of an IMF stand-by agreement in August 2000, Nigeria received a debt-restructuring deal from the Paris Club and a $1 billion credit from the IMF, both contingent on economic reforms. Nigeria pulled out of its IMF program in April 2002, after failing to meet spending and exchange rate targets, making it ineligible for additional debt forgiveness from the Paris Club. Since 2008 the government has begun showing the political will to implement the market-oriented reforms urged by the IMF, such as to modernize the banking system, to curb inflation by blocking excessive wage demands, and to resolve regional disputes over the distribution of earnings from the oil industry. In 2003, the government began deregulating fuel prices, announced the privatization of the country's four oil refineries, and instituted the National Economic Empowerment Development Strategy, a domestically designed and run program modeled on the IMF's Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility for fiscal and monetary management. In November 2005, Abuja won Paris Club approval for a debt-relief deal that eliminated $18 billion of debt in exchange for $12 billion in payments - a total package worth $30 billion of Nigeria's total $37 billion external debt. The deal requires Nigeria to be subject to stringent IMF reviews. Based largely on increased oil exports and high global crude prices, GDP rose strongly in 2007 and 2008. President YAR'ADUA has pledged to continue the economic reforms of his predecessor with emphasis on infrastructure improvements. Infrastructure is the main impediment to growth. The government is working toward developing stronger public-private partnerships for electricity and roads. Niue The economy suffers from the typical Pacific island problems of geographic isolation, few resources, and a small population. Government expenditures regularly exceed revenues, and the shortfall is made up by critically needed grants from New Zealand that are used to pay wages to public employees. Niue has cut government expenditures by reducing the public service by almost half. The agricultural sector consists mainly of subsistence gardening, although some cash crops are grown for export. Industry consists primarily of small factories to process passion fruit, lime oil, honey, and coconut cream. The sale of postage stamps to foreign collectors is an important source of revenue. The island in recent years has suffered a serious loss of population because of emigration to New Zealand. Efforts to increase GDP include the promotion of tourism and a financial services industry, although the International Banking Repeal Act of 2002 resulted in the termination of all offshore banking licenses. Economic aid from New Zealand in 2002 was US$2.6 million. Niue suffered a devastating typhoon in January 2004, which decimated nascent economic programs. While in the process of rebuilding, Niue has been dependent on foreign aid. Norfolk Island Tourism, the primary economic activity, has steadily increased over the years and has brought a level of prosperity unusual among inhabitants of the Pacific islands. The agricultural sector has become self sufficient in the production of beef, poultry, and eggs. Northern Mariana Islands The economy benefits substantially from financial assistance from the US. The rate of funding has declined as locally generated government revenues have grown. The key tourist industry employs about 50% of the work force and accounts for roughly one-fourth of GDP. Japanese tourists predominate. Annual tourist entries have exceeded one-half million in recent years, but financial difficulties in Japan have caused a temporary slowdown. The agricultural sector is made up of cattle ranches and small farms producing coconuts, breadfruit, tomatoes, and melons. Garment production is by far the most important industry with the employment of 17,500 mostly Chinese workers and sizable shipments to the US under duty and quota exemptions. Norway The Norwegian economy is a prosperous bastion of welfare capitalism, featuring a combination of free market activity and government intervention. The government controls key areas, such as the vital petroleum sector, through large-scale state enterprises. The country is richly endowed with natural resources - petroleum, hydropower, fish, forests, and minerals - and is highly dependent on the petroleum sector, which accounts for nearly half of exports and over 30% of state revenue. Norway is the world's third-largest gas exporter; its position as an oil exporter has slipped to seventh-largest as production has begun to decline. Norway opted to stay out of the EU during a referendum in November 1994; nonetheless, as a member of the European Economic Area, it contributes sizably to the EU budget. In anticipation of eventual declines in oil and gas production, Norway saves almost all state revenue from the petroleum sector in a sovereign wealth fund. After lackluster growth of less than 1.5% in 2002-03, GDP growth picked up to 2.5-6.2% in 2004-07, partly due to higher oil prices. Growth fell to 2.6% in 2008 as a result of the slowing world economy and the drop in oil prices. Oman Oman is a middle-income economy that is heavily dependent on dwindling oil resources, but sustained high oil prices in recent years have helped build Oman's budget and trade surpluses and foreign reserves. As a result of its dwindling oil resources, Oman is actively pursuing a development plan that focuses on diversification, industrialization, and privatization, with the objective of reducing the oil sector's contribution to GDP to 9% by 2020. Some of these projects may be in jeopardy, however, because Muscat overestimated its ability to produce or secure the natural gas needed to power them. Oman actively seeks private foreign investors, especially in the industrial, information technology, tourism, and higher education fields. Industrial development plans focus on gas resources, metal manufacturing, petrochemicals, and international transshipment ports. The drop in oil prices and the global financial crisis in 2008 will affect Oman's fiscal position and it may post a deficit in 2009 if oil prices stay low. In addition, the global credit crisis is slowing the pace of investment and development projects - a trend that probably will continue into 2009. Pacific Ocean The Pacific Ocean is a major contributor to the world economy and particularly to those nations its waters directly touch. It provides low-cost sea transportation between East and West, extensive fishing grounds, offshore oil and gas fields, minerals, and sand and gravel for the construction industry. In 1996, over 60% of the world's fish catch came from the Pacific Ocean. Exploitation of offshore oil and gas reserves is playing an ever-increasing role in the energy supplies of the US, Australia, NZ, China, and Peru. The high cost of recovering offshore oil and gas, combined with the wide swings in world prices for oil since 1985, has led to fluctuations in new drillings. Pakistan Pakistan, an impoverished and underdeveloped country, has suffered from decades of internal political disputes, low levels of foreign investment, and declining exports of manufactures. Faced with untenable budgetary deficits, high inflation, and hemorrhaging foreign exchange reserves, the government agreed to an International Monetary Fund Standby Arrangement in November 2008. Between 2004-07, GDP growth in the 6-8% range was spurred by gains in the industrial and service sectors, despite severe electricity shortfalls. Poverty levels decreased by 10% since 2001, and Islamabad steadily raised development spending in recent years. In 2008 the fiscal deficit - a result of chronically low tax collection and increased spending - exceeded Islamabad's target of 4% of GDP. Inflation remains the top concern among the public, jumping from 7.7% in 2007 to 20.8% in 2008, primarily because of rising world fuel and commodity prices. In addition, the Pakistani rupee has depreciated significantly as a result of political and economic instability. Palau The economy consists primarily of tourism, subsistence agriculture, and fishing. The government is the major employer of the work force relying heavily on financial assistance from the US. The Compact of Free Association with the US, entered into after the end of the UN trusteeship on 1 October 1994, provided Palau with up to $700 million in US aid for the following 15 years in return for furnishing military facilities. Business and tourist arrivals numbered 85,000 in 2007. The population enjoys a per capita income roughly 50% higher than that of the Philippines and much of Micronesia. Long-run prospects for the key tourist sector have been greatly bolstered by the expansion of air travel in the Pacific, the rising prosperity of leading East Asian countries, and the willingness of foreigners to finance infrastructure development. Panama Panama's dollarized economy rests primarily on a well-developed services sector that accounts for 80% of GDP. Services include operating the Panama Canal, banking, the Colon Free Zone, insurance, container ports, flagship registry, and tourism. Economic growth will be bolstered by the Panama Canal expansion project that began in 2007 and is scheduled to be completed by 2014 at a cost of $5.3 billion - about 25% of current GDP. The expansion project will more than double the Canal's capacity, enabling it to accommodate ships that are now too large to transverse the transoceanic crossway, and should help to reduce the high unemployment rate. Strong economic performance has reduced the national poverty level to 29% in 2008; however, Panama has the second most unequal income distribution in Latin America. The government has implemented tax reforms, as well as social security reforms, and backs regional trade agreements and development of tourism. Not a CAFTA signatory, Panama in December 2006 independently negotiated a free trade agreement with the US, which, when implemented, will help promote the country's economic growth. Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea is richly endowed with natural resources, but exploitation has been hampered by rugged terrain and the high cost of developing infrastructure. Agriculture provides a subsistence livelihood for 75% of the population. Mineral deposits, including copper, gold, and oil, account for nearly two-thirds of export earnings. The government of Prime Minister SOMARE has expended much of its energy remaining in power. He was the first prime minister ever to serve a full five-year term. The government also brought stability to the national budget, largely through expenditure control; however, it relaxed spending constraints in 2006 and 2007 as elections approached. Numerous challenges still face the government including regaining investor confidence, restoring integrity to state institutions, promoting economic efficiency by privatizing moribund state institutions, and balancing relations with Australia, its former colonial ruler. Other socio-cultural challenges could upend the economy including a worsening HIV/AIDS epidemic, currently the highest rate in all of East Asia and the Pacific, and chronic law and order and land tenure issues. Australia supplied more than $300 million in aid in FY07/08, which accounts for nearly 20% of the national budget. A consortium led by a major American oil company hopes to begin the commercialization of the country's estimated 227 billion cubic meters of natural gas reserves through the construction of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) production facility by 2010. The project has the potential to double the GDP of Papua New Guinea. Paracel Islands The islands have the potential for oil and gas development. Waters around the islands support commercial fishing, but the islands themselves are not populated on a permanent basis. China announced plans in 1997 to open the islands for tourism. Paraguay Landlocked Paraguay has a market economy marked by a large informal sector, featuring reexport of imported consumer goods to neighboring countries, as well as the activities of thousands of microenterprises and urban street vendors. A large percentage of the population, especially in rural areas, derives its living from agricultural activity, often on a subsistence basis. Because of the importance of the informal sector, accurate economic measures are difficult to obtain. On a per capita basis, real income has stagnated at 1980 levels. Most observers attribute Paraguay's poor economic performance to political uncertainty, corruption, limited progress on structural reform, and deficient infrastructure. The economy rebounded between 2003 and 2008, however, as growing world demand for commodities combined with high prices and favorable weather to support Paraguay's commodity-based export expansion. Paraguay is the sixth largest soy producer in the world. Peru Peru's economy reflects its varied geography - an arid coastal region, the Andes further inland, and tropical lands bordering Colombia and Brazil. Abundant mineral resources are found in the mountainous areas, and Peru's coastal waters provide excellent fishing grounds. The Peruvian economy grew by more than 4% per year during the period 2002-06, with a stable exchange rate and low inflation. Growth jumped to 9% per year in 2007 and 2008, driven by higher world prices for minerals and metals and the government's aggressive trade liberalization strategies. Peru's rapid expansion has helped to reduce the national poverty rate by about 15% since 2002, though underemployment and inflation remain high. Despite Peru's strong macroeconomic performance, overdependence on minerals and metals subjects the economy to fluctuations in world prices, and poor infrastructure precludes the spread of growth to Peru's non-coastal areas. Not all Peruvians therefore have shared in the benefits of growth. President GARCIA's pursuit of sound trade and macroeconomic policies has cost him political support since his election. Nevertheless, he remains committed to Peru's free-trade path. The United States and Peru completed negotiations on the implementation of the US-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (PTPA), and the agreement entered into force February 1, 2009, opening the way to greater trade and investment between the two economies. Philippines Economic growth has averaged 5% since President MACAPAGAL-ARROYO took office in 2001. MACAPAGAL-ARROYO averted a fiscal crisis by pushing for new revenue measures and, until recently, tightening expenditures. Declining fiscal deficits, tapering debt and debt service ratios, and increased spending on infrastructure and social services bolstered optimism over Philippine economic prospects. Although the general macroeconomic outlook improved significantly in recent years, the economy still faces several long term challenges. The Philippines must maintain the reform momentum in order to catch up with regional competitors, improve employment opportunities, and alleviate poverty. The Philippines will need still higher, sustained growth to make progress in alleviating poverty, given its high population growth and unequal distribution of income. The Philippine economy grew at its fastest pace in three decades in 2007 with real GDP growth exceeding 7%, but growth slowed to 3.8% in 2008 as a result of the world financial crisis. High government spending, a relatively small trade sector, a resilient service sector, and large remittances from the four- to five-million Filipinos who work abroad have helped cushion the economy from the current financial crisis. Pitcairn Islands The inhabitants of this tiny isolated economy exist on fishing, subsistence farming, handicrafts, and postage stamps. The fertile soil of the valleys produces a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, including citrus, sugarcane, watermelons, bananas, yams, and beans. Bartering is an important part of the economy. The major sources of revenue are the sale of postage stamps to collectors and the sale of handicrafts to passing ships. In October 2004, more than one-quarter of Pitcairn's small labor force was arrested, putting the economy in a bind, since their services were required as lighter crew to load or unload passing ships. Poland Poland has pursued a policy of economic liberalization since 1990 and today stands out as a success story among transition economies. In 2008, GDP grew an estimated 4.8%, based on rising private consumption, a jump in corporate investment, and EU funds inflows. GDP per capita is still much below the EU average, but is similar to that of the three Baltic states. Since 2004, EU membership and access to EU structural funds have provided a major boost to the economy. Unemployment is falling rapidly, though at roughly 9.7% in 2008, it remains above the EU average. In 2008 inflation reached 4.3%, more than the upper limit of the National Bank of Poland's target range, but has been falling due to global economic slowdown. Poland's economic performance could improve further if the country addresses some of the remaining deficiencies in its business environment. An inefficient commercial court system, a rigid labor code, bureaucratic red tape, and persistent low-level corruption keep the private sector from performing up to its full potential. Rising demands to fund health care, education, and the state pension system present a challenge to the Polish Government's effort to hold the consolidated public sector budget deficit under 3.0% of GDP, a target which was achieved in 2007-08. The PO/PSL coalition government which came to power in November 2007 plans to further reduce the budget deficit with the aim of eventually adopting the euro by 2012. The new government has also announced its intention to enact business-friendly reforms, reduce public sector spending growth, lower taxes, and accelerate privatization. The government, however, has moved slowly on major reforms. Pension and health-care bills passed through the legislature, but the legislature failed to overturn a presidential veto. Portugal Portugal has become a diversified and increasingly service-based economy since joining the European Community in 1986. Over the past two decades, successive governments have privatized many state-controlled firms and liberalized key areas of the economy, including the financial and telecommunications sectors. The country qualified for the European Monetary Union (EMU) in 1998 and began circulating the euro on 1 January 2002 along with 11 other EU member economies. Economic growth had been above the EU average for much of the 1990s, but fell back in 2001-08. GDP per capita stands at roughly two-thirds of the EU-27 average. A poor educational system, in particular, has been an obstacle to greater productivity and growth. Portugal has been increasingly overshadowed by lower-cost producers in Central Europe and Asia as a target for foreign direct investment. The budget deficit surged to an all-time high of 6% of GDP in 2005, but the government reduced the deficit to 2.6% in 2007 - a year ahead of Portugal's targeted schedule. Nonetheless, the government faces tough choices in its attempts to boost the economy, which declined 0.1% in 2008, while keeping the budget deficit within the euro-zone 3%-of-GDP ceiling. Puerto Rico Puerto Rico has one of the most dynamic economies in the Caribbean region. A diverse industrial sector has far surpassed agriculture as the primary locus of economic activity and income. Encouraged by duty-free access to the US and by tax incentives, US firms have invested heavily in Puerto Rico since the 1950s. US minimum wage laws apply. Sugar production has lost out to dairy production and other livestock products as the main source of income in the agricultural sector. Tourism has traditionally been an important source of income with estimated arrivals of nearly 5 million tourists in 2004. Growth fell off in 2001-03, largely due to the slowdown in the US economy, recovered in 2004-05, but declined again in 2006-07. Qatar Qatar has experienced rapid economic growth over the last several years on the back of high oil prices, and in 2008 posted its eighth consecutive budget surplus. Economic policy is focused on developing Qatar's nonassociated natural gas reserves and increasing private and foreign investment in non-energy sectors, but oil and gas still account for more than 50% of GDP, roughly 85% of export earnings, and 70% of government revenues. Oil and gas have made Qatar the second highest per-capita income country - following Liechtenstein - and one of the world's fastest growing. Proved oil reserves of 15 billion barrels should enable continued output at current levels for 37 years. Qatar's proved reserves of natural gas are nearly 26 trillion cubic meters, about 14% of the world total and third largest in the world. The drop in oil prices in late 2008 and the global financial crisis will reduce Qatar's budget surplus and may slow the pace of investment and development projects in 2009. Romania Romania, which joined the European Union on 1 January 2007, began the transition from Communism in 1989 with a largely obsolete industrial base and a pattern of output unsuited to the country's needs. The country emerged in 2000 from a punishing three-year recession thanks to strong demand in EU export markets. Domestic consumption and investment have fueled strong GDP growth in recent years, but have led to large current account imbalances. Romania's macroeconomic gains have only recently started to spur creation of a middle class and address Romania's widespread poverty. Corruption and red tape continue to handicap its business environment. Inflation rose in 2007-08, driven in part by strong consumer demand and high wage growth, rising energy costs, a nation-wide drought affecting food prices, and a relaxation of fiscal discipline. Romania's strong GDP growth moderated markedly in the last quarter of 2008 as the country began to feel the effects of a global downturn in financial markets and trade, and growth is expected to be much weaker in 2009. Romania hopes to adopt the euro by 2014. Russia Russia ended 2008 with GDP growth of 5.6%, following 10 straight years of growth averaging 7% annually since the financial crisis of 1998. Over the last six years, fixed capital investment growth and personal income growth have averaged above 10%, but both grew at slower rates in 2008. Growth in 2008 was driven largely by non-tradable services and domestic manufacturing, rather than exports. During the past decade, poverty and unemployment declined steadily and the middle class continued to expand. Russia also improved its international financial position, running balance of payments surpluses since 2000. Foreign exchange reserves grew from $12 billion in 1999 to almost $600 billion by end July 2008, which include $200 billion in two sovereign wealth funds: a reserve fund to support budgetary expenditures in case of a fall in the price of oil and a national welfare fund to help fund pensions and infrastructure development. Total foreign debt is almost one-third of GDP. The state component of foreign debt has declined, but commercial short-term debt to foreigners has risen strongly. These positive trends began to reverse in the second half of 2008. Investor concerns over the Russia-Georgia conflict, corporate governance issues, and the global credit crunch in September caused the Russian stock market to fall by roughly 70%, primarily due to margin calls that were difficult for many Russian companies to meet. The global crisis also affected Russia's banking system, which faced liquidity problems. Moscow responded quickly in early October 2008, initiating a rescue plan of over $200 billion that was designed to increase liquidity in the financial sector, to help firms refinance foreign debt, and to support the stock market. The government also unveiled a $20 billion tax cut plan and other safety nets for society and industry. Meanwhile, a 70% drop in the price of oil since mid-July further exacerbated imbalances in external accounts and the federal budget. In mid-November, mini-devaluations of the currency by the Central Bank caused increased capital flight and froze domestic credit markets, resulting in growing unemployment, wage arrears, and a severe drop in production. Foreign exchange reserves dropped to around $435 billion by end 2008, as the Central Bank defended an overvalued ruble. In the first year of his term, President MEDVEDEV outlined a number of economic priorities for Russia including improving infrastructure, innovation, investment, and institutions; reducing the state's role in the economy; reforming the tax system and banking sector; developing one of the biggest financial centers in the world, combating corruption, and improving the judiciary. The Russian government needs to diversify the economy further, as energy and other raw materials still dominate Russian export earnings and federal budget receipts. Russia's infrastructure requires large investments and must be replaced or modernized if the country is to achieve broad-based economic growth. Corruption, lack of trust in institutions, and more recently, exchange rate uncertainty and the global economic crisis continue to dampen domestic and foreign investor sentiment. Russia has made some progress in building the rule of law, the bedrock of a modern market economy, but much work remains on judicial reform. Moscow continues to seek accession to the WTO and has made some progress, but its timeline for entry into the organization continues to slip, and the negotiating atmosphere has soured in the wake of the Georgia and global economic crises. Rwanda Rwanda is a poor rural country with about 90% of the population engaged in (mainly subsistence) agriculture. It is the most densely populated country in Africa and is landlocked with few natural resources and minimal industry. Primary foreign exchange earners are coffee and tea. The 1994 genocide decimated Rwanda's fragile economic base, severely impoverished the population, particularly women, and eroded the country's ability to attract private and external investment. However, Rwanda has made substantial progress in stabilizing and rehabilitating its economy to pre-1994 levels, although poverty levels are higher now. GDP has rebounded and inflation has been curbed. Despite Rwanda's fertile ecosystem, food production often does not keep pace with population growth, requiring food imports. Rwanda continues to receive substantial aid money and obtained IMF-World Bank Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) initiative debt relief in 2005-06. Rwanda also received Millennium Challenge Account Threshold status in 2006. The government has embraced an expansionary fiscal policy to reduce poverty by improving education, infrastructure, and foreign and domestic investment and pursuing market-oriented reforms, although energy shortages, instability in neighboring states, and lack of adequate transportation linkages to other countries continue to handicap growth. Saint Barthelemy The economy of Saint Barthelemy is based upon high-end tourism and duty-free luxury commerce, serving visitors primarily from North America. The luxury hotels and villas host 70,000 visitors each year with another 130,000 arriving by boat. The relative isolation and high cost of living inhibits mass tourism. The construction and public sectors also enjoy significant investment in support of tourism. With limited fresh water resources, all food must be imported, as must all energy resources and most manufactured goods. Employment is strong and attracts labor from Brazil and Portugal. Saint Helena The economy depends largely on financial assistance from the UK, which amounted to about $27 million in FY06/07 or more than twice the level of annual budgetary revenues. The local population earns income from fishing, raising livestock, and sales of handicrafts. Because there are few jobs, 25% of the work force has left to seek employment on Ascension Island, on the Falklands, and in the UK. Saint Kitts and Nevis The economy of Saint Kitts and Nevis is heavily dependent upon tourism revenues, which has replaced sugar, the traditional mainstay of the economy until the 1970s. Following the 2005 harvest, the government closed the sugar industry after decades of losses of 3-4% of GDP annually. To compensate for employment losses, the government has embarked on a program to diversify the agricultural sector and to stimulate other sectors of the economy, such as tourism, export-oriented manufacturing, and offshore banking. Economic growth was above average for Latin America from 2004 to 2006, but has since slowed. Like other tourist destinations in the Caribbean, the St. Kitts and Nevis is vulnerable to damage from natural disasters and shifts in tourism demand. The current government is constrained by a high public debt burden equivalent to nearly 185% of GDP by the end of 2006, largely attributable to public enterprise losses. Saint Lucia The island nation has been able to attract foreign business and investment, especially in its offshore banking and tourism industries, with a surge in foreign direct investment in 2006, attributed to the construction of several tourism projects. Although crops such as bananas, mangos, and avocados continue to be grown for export, tourism provides Saint Lucia's main source of income and the industry is the island's biggest employer. The tourism sector is likely to face declining revenues with the global economic downturn as US and European travel declines. The manufacturing sector is the most diverse in the Eastern Caribbean area, and the government is trying to revitalize the banana industry, although recent hurricanes have caused exports to contract. Saint Lucia is vulnerable to a variety of external shocks including volatile tourism receipts, natural disasters, and dependence on foreign oil. The public debt-to-GDP ratio is about 70% and high debt servicing obligations constrain the KING administration's ability to respond to adverse external shocks. Economic fundamentals remain solid, even though unemployment needs to be reduced. Saint Martin The economy of Saint Martin centers around tourism with 85% of the labor force engaged in this sector. Over one million visitors come to the island each year with most arriving through the Princess Juliana International Airport in Sint Maarten. No significant agriculture and limited local fishing means that almost all food must be imported. Energy resources and manufactured goods are also imported, primarily from Mexico and the United States. Saint Martin is reported to have the highest per capita income in the Caribbean. Saint Pierre and Miquelon The inhabitants have traditionally earned their livelihood by fishing and by servicing fishing fleets operating off the coast of Newfoundland. The economy has been declining, however, because of disputes with Canada over fishing quotas and a steady decline in the number of ships stopping at Saint Pierre. In 1992, an arbitration panel awarded the islands an exclusive economic zone of 12,348 sq km to settle a longstanding territorial dispute with Canada, although it represents only 25% of what France had sought. France heavily subsidizes the islands to the great betterment of living standards. The government hopes an expansion of tourism will boost economic prospects. Fish farming, crab fishing, and agriculture are being developed to diversify the local economy. Recent test drilling for oil may pave the way for development of the energy sector. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Economic growth slowed in 2008 after reaching a 10-year high of nearly 7% in 2006, and will likely slow in 2009 with the global economic downturn, though it will be above average for Latin America. Success of the economy hinges upon seasonal variations in agriculture, tourism, and construction activity as well as remittance inflows. Much of the workforce is employed in banana production and tourism, but persistent high unemployment has prompted many to leave the islands. This lower-middle-income country is vulnerable to natural disasters - tropical storms wiped out substantial portions of crops in 1994, 1995, and 2002. In 2007, the islands had more than 200,000 tourist arrivals, mostly to the Grenadines. Saint Vincent is home to a small offshore banking sector and has moved to adopt international regulatory standards. The government's ability to invest in social programs and respond to external shocks is constrained by its high debt burden - 25% of current revenues are directed towards debt servicing. An agreement with Italy to write-off debt reduced the public debt-to-GDP ratio to about 70%. The GONSALVES administration is directing government resources to infrastructure projects, including a new international airport that is expected to be completed in 2011. Samoa The economy of Samoa has traditionally been dependent on development aid, family remittances from overseas, agriculture, and fishing. The country is vulnerable to devastating storms. Agriculture employs two-thirds of the labor force and furnishes 90% of exports, featuring coconut cream, coconut oil, and copra. The fish catch declined during the El Nino of 2002-03 but returned to normal by mid-2005. The manufacturing sector mainly processes agricultural products. One factory in the Foreign Trade Zone employs 3,000 people to make automobile electrical harnesses for an assembly plant in Australia. Tourism is an expanding sector accounting for 25% of GDP; 122,000 tourists visited the islands in 2007. The Samoan Government has called for deregulation of the financial sector, encouragement of investment, and continued fiscal discipline, while at the same time protecting the environment. Observers point to the flexibility of the labor market as a basic strength for future economic advances. Foreign reserves are in a relatively healthy state, the external debt is stable, and inflation is low. San Marino San Marino's economy relies heavily on its tourism and banking industries, as well as from the manufacture and export of ceramics, clothing, fabrics, furniture, paints, spirits, tiles, and wine. The economy also benefits from foreign investment due to its relatively low corporate taxes and low taxes on interest earnings. The San Marino government, sworn in on 3 December 2008, will continue to work towards an economic cooperation agreement with Italy - a longstanding priority - as well as harmonizing its fiscal laws with EU members. The per capita level of output and standard of living are comparable to those of the most prosperous regions of Italy, which supplies much of its food. Sao Tome and Principe This small, poor island economy has become increasingly dependent on cocoa since independence in 1975. Cocoa production has substantially declined in recent years because of drought and mismanagement. Sao Tome has to import all fuels, most manufactured goods, consumer goods, and a substantial amount of food. Over the years, it has had difficulty servicing its external debt and has relied heavily on concessional aid and debt rescheduling. Sao Tome benefited from $200 million in debt relief in December 2000 under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) program, which helped bring down the country's $300 million debt burden. In August 2005, Sao Tome signed on to a new 3-year IMF Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) program worth $4.3 million. Considerable potential exists for development of a tourist industry, and the government has taken steps to expand facilities in recent years. The government also has attempted to reduce price controls and subsidies. Potential exists for the development of petroleum resources in Sao Tome's territorial waters in the oil-rich Gulf of Guinea, which are being jointly developed in a 60-40 split with Nigeria, but any actual production is at least several years off. The first production licenses were sold in 2004, though a dispute over licensing with Nigeria delayed Sao Tome's receipt of more than $20 million in signing bonuses for almost a year. Real GDP growth averaged about 6% in 2006-08, as a result of increases in public expenditures and oil-related capital investment. Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia has an oil-based economy with strong government controls over major economic activities. It possesses more than 20% of the world's proven petroleum reserves, ranks as the largest exporter of petroleum, and plays a leading role in OPEC. The petroleum sector accounts for roughly 80% of budget revenues, 45% of GDP, and 90% of export earnings. About 40% of GDP comes from the private sector. Roughly 6.4 million foreign workers play an important role in the Saudi economy, particularly in the oil and service sectors. High oil prices through mid-2008 have boosted growth, government revenues, and Saudi ownership of foreign assets, while enabling Riyadh to pay down domestic debt. The government is encouraging private sector growth - especially in power generation, telecommunications, natural gas exploration, and petrochemicals - to lessen the kingdom's dependence on oil exports and to increase employment opportunities for the swelling Saudi population, nearly 40% of which are youths under 15 years old. Unemployment is high, and the large youth population generally lacks the education and technical skills the private sector needs. Riyadh has substantially boosted spending on job training and education, infrastructure development, and government salaries. As part of its effort to attract foreign investment and diversify the economy, Saudi Arabia acceded to the WTO in December 2005 after many years of negotiations. The government has announced plans to establish six "economic cities" in different regions of the country to promote development and diversification. The last five years of high oil prices have given the Kingdom ample financial reserves to manage the impact of the global financial crisis, but tight international credit, falling oil prices, and the global economic slowdown will reduce Saudi economic growth in 2009. Senegal In January 1994, Senegal undertook a bold and ambitious economic reform program with the support of the international donor community. This reform began with a 50% devaluation of Senegal's currency, the CFA franc, which was linked at a fixed rate to the French franc. Government price controls and subsidies have been steadily dismantled. After seeing its economy contract by 2.1% in 1993, Senegal made an important turnaround, thanks to the reform program, with real growth in GDP averaging over 5% annually during 1995-2008. Annual inflation had been pushed down to the single digits. As a member of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), Senegal is working toward greater regional integration with a unified external tariff and a more stable monetary policy. High unemployment, however, continues to prompt illegal migrants to flee Senegal in search of better job opportunities in Europe. Senegal was also beset by an energy crisis that caused widespread blackouts in 2006 and 2007. The phosphate industry has struggled for two years to secure capital, and reduced output has directly impacted GDP. In 2007, Senegal signed agreements for major new mining concessions for iron, zircon, and gold with foreign companies. Firms from Dubai have agreed to manage and modernize Dakar's maritime port, and create a new special economic zone. Senegal still relies heavily upon outside donor assistance. Under the IMF's Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) debt relief program, Senegal has benefited from eradication of two-thirds of its bilateral, multilateral, and private-sector debt. In 2007, Senegal and the IMF agreed to a new, non-disbursing, Policy Support Initiative program. Serbia MILOSEVIC-era mismanagement of the economy, an extended period of international economic sanctions, and the damage to Yugoslavia's infrastructure and industry during the NATO airstrikes in 1999 left the economy only half the size it was in 1990. After the ousting of former Federal Yugoslav President MILOSEVIC in September 2000, the Democratic Opposition of Serbia (DOS) coalition government implemented stabilization measures and embarked on a market reform program. After renewing its membership in the IMF in December 2000, Yugoslavia continued to reintegrate into the international community by rejoining the World Bank (IBRD) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). A World Bank-European Commission sponsored Donors' Conference held in June 2001 raised $1.3 billion for economic restructuring. In November 2001, the Paris Club agreed to reschedule the country's $4.5 billion public debt and wrote off 66% of the debt. In July 2004, the London Club of private creditors forgave $1.7 billion of debt just over half the total owed. Belgrade has made progress in trade liberalization and enterprise restructuring and privatization, including telecommunications and small- and medium-size firms. It has made halting progress towards EU membership despite signing a Stabilization and Association Agreement with Brussels in May 2008. Serbia is also pursuing membership in the World Trade Organization. Unemployment and the large current account deficit remain ongoing political and economic problems. Seychelles Since independence in 1976, per capita output in this Indian Ocean archipelago has expanded to roughly seven times the pre-independence, near-subsistence level, moving the island into the upper-middle income group of countries. Growth has been led by the tourist sector, which employs about 30% of the labor force and provides more than 70% of hard currency earnings, and by tuna fishing. In recent years, the government has encouraged foreign investment to upgrade hotels and other services. At the same time, the government has moved to reduce the dependence on tourism by promoting the development of farming, fishing, and small-scale manufacturing. GDP grew about 7-8% per year in 2006-07, driven by tourism and a boom in tourism-related construction. The Seychelles rupee was allowed to depreciate in 2006 after being overvalued for years and fell by 10% in the first 9 months of 2007. Despite these actions, the Seychelles economy has struggled to maintain its gains and in 2008 suffered from food and oil price shocks, a foreign exchange shortage, high inflation and large financing gaps, with GDP growth reduced to about 3% in 2008. In July 2008 the government defaulted on a Euro amortizing note worth roughly US$80 million, leading to a downgrading of Seychelles credit rating. Seychelles requested an IMF Stand-By Agreement in December 2008. Sierra Leone Sierra Leone is an extremely poor nation with tremendous inequality in income distribution. While it possesses substantial mineral, agricultural, and fishery resources, its physical and social infrastructure is not well developed, and serious social disorders continue to hamper economic development. Nearly half of the working-age population engages in subsistence agriculture. Manufacturing consists mainly of the processing of raw materials and of light manufacturing for the domestic market. Alluvial diamond mining remains the major source of hard currency earnings accounting for nearly half of Sierra Leone's exports. The fate of the economy depends upon the maintenance of domestic peace and the continued receipt of substantial aid from abroad, which is essential to offset the severe trade imbalance and supplement government revenues. The IMF has completed a Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility program that helped stabilize economic growth and reduce inflation. A recent increase in political stability has led to a revival of economic activity such as the rehabilitation of bauxite and rutile mining. Singapore Singapore has a highly developed and successful free-market economy. It enjoys a remarkably open and corruption-free environment, stable prices, and a per capita GDP higher than that of most developed countries. The economy depends heavily on exports, particularly in consumer electronics, information technology products, pharmaceuticals, and on a growing service sector. Real GDP growth averaged 7% between 2004 and 2007, but dropped to 1.1% in 2008 as a result of the global financial crisis. The economy contracted in the last three quarters of 2008. Prime Minister LEE and other senior officials have dampened expectations for a quick rebound in 2009. Over the longer term, the government hopes to establish a new growth path that will be less vulnerable to global demand cycles especially for information technology products. It has attracted major investments in pharmaceuticals and medical technology production and will continue efforts to establish Singapore as Southeast Asia's financial and high-tech hub. Slovakia Slovakia has made significant economic reforms since its separation from the Czech Republic in 1993. Reforms to the taxation, healthcare, pension, and social welfare systems helped Slovakia to consolidate its budget and get on track to join the EU in 2004 and to adopt the euro in January 2009. Major privatizations are nearly complete, the banking sector is almost entirely in foreign hands, and the government has helped facilitate a foreign investment boom with business friendly policies such as labor market liberalization and a 19% flat tax. Foreign investment in the automotive and electronic sectors has been strong. Slovakia's economic growth exceeded expectations in 2001-08 despite the general European slowdown. Unemployment, at an unacceptable 18% in 2003-04, dropped to 8.4% in 2008 but remains the economy's Achilles heel. Despite its 2006 pre-election promises to loosen fiscal policy and reverse the previous DZURINDA government's pro-market reforms, FICO's cabinet has thus far been careful to keep a lid on spending in order to meet euro adoption criteria and has focused on regulating energy and food prices instead. The OECD expects Slovakia's GDP growth to be positive in 2009. Slovenia Slovenia, which on 1 January 2007 became the first 2004 European Union entrant to adopt the euro, is a model of economic success and stability for the region. With the highest per capita GDP in Central Europe, Slovenia has excellent infrastructure, a well-educated work force, and a strategic location between the Balkans and Western Europe. Privatization has lagged since 2002, and the economy has one of highest levels of state control in the EU. Structural reforms to improve the business environment have allowed for somewhat greater foreign participation in Slovenia's economy and have helped to lower unemployment. In March 2004, Slovenia became the first transition country to graduate from borrower status to donor partner at the World Bank. In December 2007, Slovenia was invited to begin the accession process for joining the OECD. Despite its economic success, foreign direct investment (FDI) in Slovenia has lagged behind the region average, and taxes remain relatively high. Furthermore, the labor market is often seen as inflexible, and legacy industries are losing sales to more competitive firms in China, India, and elsewhere. Solomon Islands The bulk of the population depends on agriculture, fishing, and forestry for at least part of its livelihood. Most manufactured goods and petroleum products must be imported. The islands are rich in undeveloped mineral resources such as lead, zinc, nickel, and gold. Prior to the arrival of RAMSI, severe ethnic violence, the closing of key businesses, and an empty government treasury culminated in economic collapse. RAMSI's efforts to restore law and order and economic stability have led to modest growth as the economy rebuilds. Somalia Despite the lack of effective national governance, Somalia has maintained a healthy informal economy, largely based on livestock, remittance/money transfer companies, and telecommunications. Agriculture is the most important sector, with livestock normally accounting for about 40% of GDP and about 65% of export earnings. Nomads and semi-pastoralists, who are dependent upon livestock for their livelihood, make up a large portion of the population. Livestock, hides, fish, charcoal, and bananas are Somalia's principal exports, while sugar, sorghum, corn, qat, and machined goods are the principal imports. Somalia's small industrial sector, based on the processing of agricultural products, has largely been looted and sold as scrap metal. Somalia's service sector also has grown. Telecommunication firms provide wireless services in most major cities and offer the lowest international call rates on the continent. In the absence of a formal banking sector, money transfer/remittance services have sprouted throughout the country, handling roughly $2 billion in remittances annually. Mogadishu's main market offers a variety of goods from food to the newest electronic gadgets. Hotels continue to operate and are supported with private-security militias. Somalia's arrears to the IMF continued to grow in 2008. Statistics on Somalia's GDP, growth, per capita income, and inflation should be viewed skeptically. South Africa South Africa is a middle-income, emerging market with an abundant supply of natural resources; well-developed financial, legal, communications, energy, and transport sectors; a stock exchange that is 17th largest in the world; and modern infrastructure supporting an efficient distribution of goods to major urban centers throughout the region. Growth was robust from 2004 to 2008 as South Africa reaped the benefits of macroeconomic stability and a global commodities boom, but began to slow in the second half of 2008 due to the global financial crisis' impact on commodity prices and demand. However, unemployment remains high and outdated infrastructure has constrained growth. At the end of 2007, South Africa began to experience an electricity crisis because state power supplier Eskom suffered supply problems with aged plants, necessitating "load-shedding" cuts to residents and businesses in the major cities. Daunting economic problems remain from the apartheid era - especially poverty, lack of economic empowerment among the disadvantaged groups, and a shortage of public transportation. South African economic policy is fiscally conservative but pragmatic, focusing on controlling inflation, maintaining a budget surplus, and using state-owned enterprises to deliver basic services to low-income areas as a means to increase job growth and household income. South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands Some fishing takes place in adjacent waters. There is a potential source of income from harvesting finfish and krill. The islands receive income from postage stamps produced in the UK, sale of fishing licenses, and harbor and landing fees from tourist vessels. Tourism from specialized cruise ships is increasing rapidly. Southern Ocean Fisheries in 2006-07 landed 126,976 metric tons, of which 82% (104,586 tons) was krill (Euphausia superba) and 9.5% (12,027 tons) Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides - also known as Chilean sea bass), compared to 127,910 tons in 2005-06 of which 83% (106,591 tons) was krill and 9.7% (12,396 tons) Patagonian toothfish (estimated fishing from the area covered by the Convention of the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), which extends slightly beyond the Southern Ocean area). International agreements were adopted in late 1999 to reduce illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, which in the 2000-01 season landed, by one estimate, 8,376 metric tons of Patagonian and Antarctic toothfish. In the 2007-08 Antarctic summer, 45,213 tourists visited the Southern Ocean, compared to 35,552 in 2006-2007, and 29,799 in 2005-2006 (estimates provided to the Antarctic Treaty by the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), and does not include passengers on overflights and those flying directly in and out of Antarctica). Spain The Spanish economy grew every year from 1994 through 2008 before entering a recession that started in the third quarter of 2008. Spain's mixed capitalist economy supports a GDP that on a per capita basis is approaching that of the largest West European economies. The Socialist president, Jose Luis Rodriguez ZAPATERO, in office since 2004, has made mixed progress in carrying out key structural reforms. The economy was greatly affected, especially after Zapatero's second term began in April 2008, by the bursting of the housing bubble and construction boom that had fueled much of the economic growth between 2001 and 2007. The global financial crisis exacerbated the economic downturn. GDP growth in 2008 was 1.2%, well below the 3% or higher growth the country enjoyed from 1997 through 2007. The Spanish banking system is considered solid, thanks in part to conservative oversight by the European Central Bank, and government intervention to rescue banks on the scale seen elsewhere in Europe in 2008 was not necessary. After considerable success since the mid-1990s in reducing unemployment to a 2007 low of 8%, Spain suffered a major spike in unemployment in the last few months of 2008, finishing the year with an unemployment rate over 13%. Spratly Islands Economic activity is limited to commercial fishing. The proximity to nearby oil- and gas-producing sedimentary basins suggests the potential for oil and gas deposits, but the region is largely unexplored. There are no reliable estimates of potential reserves. Commercial exploitation has yet to be developed. Sri Lanka In 1977, Colombo abandoned statist economic policies and its import substitution trade policy for more market-oriented policies, export-oriented trade, and encouragement of foreign investment. Recent changes in government, however, have brought some policy reversals. Currently, the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party has a more statist economic approach, which seeks to reduce poverty by steering investment to disadvantaged areas, developing small and medium enterprises, promoting agriculture, and expanding the already enormous civil service. The government has halted privatizations. Although suffering a brutal civil war that began in 1983, Sri Lanka saw GDP growth average 4.5% in the last 10 years with the exception of a recession in 2001. In late December 2004, a major tsunami took about 31,000 lives, left more than 6,300 missing and 443,000 displaced, and destroyed an estimated $1.5 billion worth of property. Government spending on development and fighting the LTTE drove GDP growth to about 7% per year in 2006-07 before the global recession slow growth in 2008, but high government spending and high oil and commodity prices also raised inflation to around 15% in 2008. Sri Lanka's most dynamic sectors now are food processing, textiles and apparel, food and beverages, port construction, telecommunications, and insurance and banking. In 2008, plantation crops made up only about 20% of exports (compared with more than 90% in 1970), while textiles and garments accounted for more than 40%. About 1.5 million Sri Lankans work abroad, 90% of them in the Middle East. They send home more than $2.5 billion a year. The 25-year civil conflict between LTTE and the government of Sri Lanka has been a serious impediment to economic activities. By mid February 2009, the LTTE remained in control of small and shrinking area in the North. The conflict continues to cast a shadow over the economy. Sudan Until the second half of 2008, Sudan's economy boomed on the back of increases in oil production, high oil prices, and large inflows of foreign direct investment. GDP growth registered more than 10% per year in 2006 and 2007. From 1997 to date, Sudan has been working with the IMF to implement macroeconomic reforms, including a managed float of the exchange rate. Sudan began exporting crude oil in the last quarter of 1999. Agricultural production remains important, because it employs 80% of the work force and contributes a third of GDP. The Darfur conflict, the aftermath of two decades of civil war in the south, the lack of basic infrastructure in large areas, and a reliance by much of the population on subsistence agriculture ensure much of the population will remain at or below the poverty line for years despite rapid rises in average per capita income. In January 2007, the government introduced a new currency, the Sudanese Pound, at an initial exchange rate of $1.00 equals 2 Sudanese Pounds. Suriname The economy is dominated by the mining industry, with exports of alumina, gold, and oil accounting for about 85% of exports and 25% of government revenues, making the economy highly vulnerable to mineral price volatility. Prospects for local onshore oil production are good, and a drilling program is underway. Offshore oil drilling was given a boost in 2004 when the State Oil Company (Staatsolie) signed exploration agreements with several Western oil companies. Bidding on these new offshore blocks was completed in July 2006. The short-term economic outlook depends on the government's ability to control inflation and on the development of projects in the bauxite and gold mining sectors, though investment in these projects may slow with the tightening of global credit markets. Suriname has received aid for these projects from Netherlands, Belgium, and the European Development Fund. Suriname's economic prospects for the medium term will depend on continued commitment to responsible monetary and fiscal policies and to the introduction of structural reforms to liberalize markets and promote competition. In 2000, the government of Ronald VENETIAAN, returned to office and inherited an economy with inflation of over 100% and a growing fiscal deficit. He quickly implemented an austerity program, raised taxes, attempted to control spending, and tamed inflation. The VENETIAAN administration also has created a stabilization fund to insulate future revenue from commodity shocks. These economic policies are likely to remain in effect during VENETIAAN's third term. Svalbard Coal mining is the major economic activity on Svalbard. The treaty of 9 February 1920 gave the 41 signatories equal rights to exploit mineral deposits, subject to Norwegian regulation. Although US, UK, Dutch, and Swedish coal companies have mined in the past, the only companies still mining are Norwegian and Russian. The settlements on Svalbard are essentially company towns. The Norwegian state-owned coal company employs nearly 60% of the Norwegian population on the island, runs many of the local services, and provides most of the local infrastructure. There is also some hunting of seal, reindeer, and fox. Swaziland In this small, landlocked economy, subsistence agriculture occupies approximately 70% of the population. The manufacturing sector has diversified since the mid-1980s. Sugar and wood pulp remain important foreign exchange earners. In 2007, the sugar industry increased efficiency and diversification efforts, in response to a 17% decline in EU sugar prices. Mining has declined in importance in recent years with only coal and quarry stone mines remaining active. Surrounded by South Africa, except for a short border with Mozambique, Swaziland is heavily dependent on South Africa from which it receives more than nine-tenths of its imports and to which it sends 60% of its exports. Swaziland's currency is pegged to the South African rand, subsuming Swaziland's monetary policy to South Africa. Customs duties from the Southern African Customs Union, which may equal as much as 70% of government revenue this year, and worker remittances from South Africa substantially supplement domestically earned income. Swaziland is not poor enough to merit an IMF program; however, the country is struggling to reduce the size of the civil service and control costs at public enterprises. The government is trying to improve the atmosphere for foreign investment. With an estimated 40% unemployment rate, Swaziland's need to increase the number and size of small and medium enterprises and attract foreign direct investment is acute. Overgrazing, soil depletion, drought, and sometimes floods persist as problems for the future. More than one-fourth of the population needed emergency food aid in 2006-07 because of drought, and nearly two-fifths of the adult population has been infected by HIV/AIDS. Sweden Aided by peace and neutrality for the whole of the 20th century, Sweden has achieved an enviable standard of living under a mixed system of high-tech capitalism and extensive welfare benefits. It has a modern distribution system, excellent internal and external communications, and a skilled labor force. In September 2003, Swedish voters turned down entry into the euro system concerned about the impact on the economy and sovereignty. Timber, hydropower, and iron ore constitute the resource base of an economy heavily oriented toward foreign trade. Privately owned firms account for about 90% of industrial output, of which the engineering sector accounts for 50% of output and exports. Agriculture accounts for only 1% of GDP and of employment. Until 2008, Sweden was in the midst of a sustained economic upswing, boosted by increased domestic demand and strong exports. This and robust finances offered the center-right government considerable scope to implement its reform program aimed at increasing employment, reducing welfare dependence, and streamlining the state's role in the economy. Despite strong finances and underlying fundamentals, the Swedish economy slid into recession in the third quarter of 2008 and growth continued downward in the fourth as deteriorating global conditions reduced export demand and consumption. On 3 February 2009, the Swedish Government announced a $6 billon rescue package for the banking sector. Switzerland Switzerland is a peaceful, prosperous, and stable modern market economy with low unemployment, a highly skilled labor force, and a per capita GDP among the highest in the world. Switzerland's economy benefits from a highly developed service sector led by financial services and a manufacturing industry that specializes in high-technology, knowledge-based production. The Swiss in recent years have brought their economic practices largely into conformity with the EU's to enhance their international competitiveness, but some trade protectionism remains, particularly for its small agricultural sector. Switzerland remains a safehaven for investors, because it has maintained a degree of bank secrecy and has kept up the franc's long-term external value. The global financial crisis and resulting economic downturn could, however, put Switzerland in a recession in 2009, particularly as global export demand stalls. Switzerland's largest banks suffered significant losses in 2008 and the country's largest bank accepted a government rescue deal in late 2008. The Swiss National Bank, beginning in October 2008, cut interest rates on several consecutive occasions, effectively instituting a zero-rate policy in a bid to boost the economy. Syria The Syrian economy grew by an estimated 2.4% in real terms in 2008 led by the petroleum and agricultural sectors, which together account for about one-half of GDP. Higher crude oil prices countered declining oil production and led to higher budgetary and export receipts. Damascus has implemented modest economic reforms in the past few years, including cutting lending interest rates, opening private banks, consolidating all of the multiple exchange rates, raising prices on some subsidized items, most notably gasoline and cement, and establishing the Damascus Stock Exchange - which is set to begin operations in 2009. In October 2007, for example, Damascus raised the price of subsidized gasoline by 20%, then instituted a rationing system in 2008. In addition, President ASAD signed legislative decrees to encourage corporate ownership reform, and to allow the Central Bank to issue Treasury bills and bonds for government debt. Nevertheless, the economy remains highly controlled by the government. Long-run economic constraints include declining oil production, high unemployment and inflation, rising budget deficits, and increasing pressure on water supplies caused by heavy use in agriculture, rapid population growth, industrial expansion, and water pollution. Taiwan Taiwan has a dynamic capitalist economy with gradually decreasing government guidance of investment and foreign trade. In keeping with this trend, some large, state-owned banks and industrial firms have been privatized. Exports have provided the primary impetus for industrialization. The island runs a large trade surplus, and its foreign reserves are among the world's largest. Recently opened cross-strait travel, transportation, and tourism links are likely to increase Taiwan and China's economic interdependence. In 2008 China overtook the US to become Taiwan's second-largest source of imports, after Japan. China is also the island's number one destination for foreign direct investment. Growth fell to 0.1% in 2008 because of the global slowdown. Tajikistan Tajikistan has one of the lowest per capita GDPs among the 15 former Soviet republics. Because of a lack of employment opportunities in Tajikistan, nearly half of the labor force works abroad, primarily in Russia, supporting families in Tajikistan through remittances. The exact number of labor migrants is unknown, but estimated at around 1 million. Less than 7% of the land area is arable. Cotton is the most important crop, but this sector is burdened with debt and obsolete infrastructure. Mineral resources include silver, gold, uranium, and tungsten. Industry consists only of a large aluminum plant, hydropower facilities, and small obsolete factories mostly in light industry and food processing. The civil war (1992-97) severely damaged the already weak economic infrastructure and caused a sharp decline in industrial and agricultural production. Tajikistan's economic situation remains fragile due to uneven implementation of structural reforms, corruption, weak governance, widespread unemployment, seasonal power shortages, and the external debt burden. A debt restructuring agreement was reached with Russia in December 2002 including a $250 million write-off of Tajikistan's $300 million debt. Completion of the Sangtuda I hydropower dam - built with Russian investment - and the Sangtuda II and Rogun dams will add substantially to electricity output. If finished according to Tajik plans, Rogun will be the world's tallest dam. Tajikistan has also received substantial infrastructure development loans from the Chinese government to improve roads and an electricity transmission network. To help increase north-south trade, the US funded a $36 million bridge which opened in August 2007 and links Tajikistan and Afghanistan. While, Tajikistan has experienced steady economic growth since 1997, nearly two-thirds of the population continues to live in poverty. Economic growth reached 10.6% in 2004, but dropped below 8% in 2005-08, as the effects of higher oil prices and then the international financial crisis began to register - mainly in the form of lower prices for key commodities and lower remittances from Tajiks working in Russia, due to the declining economic conditions in that country. Tanzania Tanzania is in the bottom ten percent of the world's economies in terms of per capita income. The economy depends heavily on agriculture, which accounts for more than 40% of GDP, provides 85% of exports, and employs 80% of the work force. Topography and climatic conditions, however, limit cultivated crops to only 4% of the land area. Industry traditionally featured the processing of agricultural products and light consumer goods. The World Bank, the IMF, and bilateral donors have provided funds to rehabilitate Tanzania's out-of-date economic infrastructure and to alleviate poverty. Long-term growth through 2005 featured a pickup in industrial production and a substantial increase in output of minerals led by gold. Recent banking reforms have helped increase private-sector growth and investment. Continued donor assistance and solid macroeconomic policies supported real GDP growth of 7.1% in 2008. Thailand With a well-developed infrastructure, a free-enterprise economy, and generally pro-investment policies, Thailand was one of East Asia's best performers from 2002-04, averaging more than 6% annual real GDP growth. However, overall economic growth has fallen sharply - averaging 4.9% from 2005 to 2007 - as persistent political crisis stalled infrastructure mega-projects, eroded investor and consumer confidence, and damaged the country's international image. The growth rate fell to 2.6% in 2008. Exports were the key economic driver as foreign investment and consumer demand stalled. Export growth from January 2005 to November 2008 averaged 17.5% annually. Business uncertainty escalated, however, following the September 2006 coup when the military-installed government imposed capital controls and considered far-reaching changes to foreign investment rules and other business legislation. Although controversial capital controls have since been lifted and business rules largely remain unchanged, investor sentiment has not recovered. Moreover, the 2008 global financial crisis further darkened Thailand's economic horizon. Continued political uncertainty will hamper resumption of infrastructure mega-projects. Timor-Leste In late 1999, about 70% of the economic infrastructure of Timor-Leste was laid waste by Indonesian troops and anti-independence militias. Three hundred thousand people fled westward. Over the next three years a massive international program, manned by 5,000 peacekeepers (8,000 at peak) and 1,300 police officers, led to substantial reconstruction in both urban and rural areas. By the end of 2005, refugees had returned or had settled in Indonesia. The country continues to face great challenges in rebuilding its infrastructure, strengthening the civil administration, and generating jobs for young people entering the work force. The development of oil and gas resources in offshore waters has begun to supplement government revenues ahead of schedule and above expectations. The technology-intensive industry, however, has done little to create jobs for the unemployed because there are no production facilities in Timor. Gas is piped to Australia. In June 2005, the National Parliament unanimously approved the creation of a Petroleum Fund to serve as a repository for all petroleum revenues and preserve the value of Timor-Leste's petroleum wealth for future generations. The Fund held assets of US$3.9 billion as of October 2008. The economy is recovering from the mid-2006 outbreak of violence and civil unrest, which disrupted both private and public sector economic activity. The government in 2008 resettled tens of thousands of an estimated 100,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) and planned for all IDPs to return home by early 2009. The underlying economic policy challenge the country faces remains how best to use oil-and-gas wealth to lift the non-oil economy onto a higher growth path and to reduce poverty. Togo This small, sub-Saharan economy is heavily dependent on both commercial and subsistence agriculture, which provides employment for 65% of the labor force. Some basic foodstuffs must still be imported. Cocoa, coffee, and cotton generate about 40% of export earnings with cotton being the most important cash crop. Togo is the world's fourth-largest producer of phosphate. The government's decade-long effort, supported by the World Bank and the IMF, to implement economic reform measures, encourage foreign investment, and bring revenues in line with expenditures has moved slowly. Progress depends on follow through on privatization, increased openness in government financial operations, progress toward legislative elections, and continued support from foreign donors. Togo is working with donors to write a Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) that could eventually lead to a debt reduction plan. Economic growth remains marginal due to declining cotton production, underinvestment in phosphate mining, and strained relations with donors. Tokelau Tokelau's small size (three villages), isolation, and lack of resources greatly restrain economic development and confine agriculture to the subsistence level. The people rely heavily on aid from New Zealand - about $4 million annually - to maintain public services with annual aid being substantially greater than GDP. The principal sources of revenue come from sales of copra, postage stamps, souvenir coins, and handicrafts. Money is also remitted to families from relatives in New Zealand. Tonga Tonga has a small, open, South Pacific island economy. It has a narrow export base in agricultural goods. Squash, vanilla beans, and yams are the main crops. Agricultural exports, including fish, make up two-thirds of total exports. The country must import a high proportion of its food, mainly from New Zealand. The country remains dependent on external aid and remittances from Tongan communities overseas to offset its trade deficit. Tourism is the second-largest source of hard currency earnings following remittances. Tonga had 41,000 visitors in 2004. The government is emphasizing the development of the private sector, especially the encouragement of investment, and is committing increased funds for health and education. Tonga has a reasonably sound basic infrastructure and well developed social services. High unemployment among the young, a continuing upturn in inflation, pressures for democratic reform, and rising civil service expenditures are major issues facing the government. Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago has earned a reputation as an excellent investment site for international businesses and has one of the highest growth rates and per capita incomes in Latin America. Economic growth for the past seven years has averaged slightly over 8%, significantly above the regional average of about 3.7% for that same period; however, it has slowed down this year to about 5% and is expected to slow further with the global downturn. Growth has been fueled by investments in liquefied natural gas (LNG), petrochemicals, and steel. Additional petrochemical, aluminum, and plastics projects are in various stages of planning. Trinidad and Tobago is the leading Caribbean producer of oil and gas, and its economy is heavily dependent upon these resources but it also supplies manufactured goods, notably food and beverages, as well as cement to the Caribbean region. Oil and gas account for about 40% of GDP and 80% of exports, but only 5% of employment. The country is also a regional financial center, and tourism is a growing sector, although it is not proportionately as important as in many other Caribbean islands. The economy benefits from a growing trade surplus. The MANNING administration has benefited from fiscal surpluses fueled by the dynamic export sector; however, declines in oil and gas prices have reduced government revenues which will challenge his government's commitment to maintaining high levels of public investment. Tunisia Tunisia has a diverse economy, with important agricultural, mining, tourism, and manufacturing sectors. Governmental control of economic affairs while still heavy has gradually lessened over the past decade with increasing privatization, simplification of the tax structure, and a prudent approach to debt. Progressive social policies also have helped raise living conditions in Tunisia relative to the region. Real growth, which averaged almost 5% over the past decade, declined to 4.7% in 2008 and probably will decline further in 2009 because of economic contraction and slowing of import demand in Europe - Tunisia's largest export market. However, development of non-textile manufacturing, a recovery in agricultural production, and strong growth in the services sector somewhat mitigated the economic effect of slowing exports. Tunisia will need to reach even higher growth levels to create sufficient employment opportunities for an already large number of unemployed as well as the growing population of university graduates. The challenges ahead include: privatizing industry, liberalizing the investment code to increase foreign investment, improving government efficiency, reducing the trade deficit, and reducing socioeconomic disparities in the impoverished south and west. Turkey Turkey's dynamic economy is a complex mix of modern industry and commerce along with a traditional agriculture sector that still accounts for about 30% of employment. It has a strong and rapidly growing private sector, yet the state remains a major participant in basic industry, banking, transport, and communication. The largest industrial sector is textiles and clothing, which accounts for one-third of industrial employment; it faces stiff competition in international markets with the end of the global quota system. However, other sectors, notably the automotive and electronics industries, are rising in importance within Turkey's export mix. Real GDP growth has exceeded 6% in many years, but this strong expansion has been interrupted by sharp declines in output in 1994, 1999, and 2001. Due to global contractions, annual growth is estimated to have fallen to 1.1% in 2008. Inflation fell to 7.7% in 2005 - a 30-year low - but climbed to over 10% in 2008. Despite the strong economic gains from 2002-07, which were largely due to renewed investor interest in emerging markets, IMF backing, and tighter fiscal policy, the economy is still burdened by a high current account deficit and high external debt. Further economic and judicial reforms and prospective EU membership are expected to boost foreign direct investment. The stock value of FDI stood at nearly $130 billion at year-end 2008. Privatization sales are currently approaching $21 billion. Oil began to flow through the Baku-Tblisi-Ceyhan pipeline in May 2006, marking a major milestone that will bring up to 1 million barrels per day from the Caspian to market. In 2007 and 2008, Turkish financial markets weathered significant domestic political turmoil, including turbulence sparked by controversy over the selection of former Foreign Minister Abdullah GUL as Turkey's 11th president and the possible closure of the Justice and Development Party (AKP). Economic fundamentals are sound, marked by moderate economic growth and foreign direct investment. Nevertheless, the Turkish economy may be faced with more negative economic indicators in 2009 as a result of the global economic slowdown. In addition, Turkey's high current account deficit leaves the economy vulnerable to destabilizing shifts in investor confidence. Turkmenistan Turkmenistan is largely a desert country with intensive agriculture in irrigated oases and sizeable gas and oil resources. One-half of its irrigated land is planted in cotton; formerly it was the world's 10th-largest producer. Poor harvests in recent years have led to an almost 50% decline in cotton exports. With an authoritarian ex-Communist regime in power and a tribally based social structure, Turkmenistan has taken a cautious approach to economic reform, hoping to use gas and cotton sales to sustain its inefficient economy. Privatization goals remain limited. From 1998-2005, Turkmenistan suffered from the continued lack of adequate export routes for natural gas and from obligations on extensive short-term external debt. At the same time, however, total exports rose by an average of roughly 15% per year from 2003-08, largely because of higher international oil and gas prices. A new pipeline to China, set to come online in late 2009 or early 2010, will give Turkmenistan an additional export route for its gas. Overall prospects in the near future are discouraging because of widespread internal poverty, a poor educational system, government misuse of oil and gas revenues, and Ashgabat's reluctance to adopt market-oriented reforms. In the past, Turkmenistan's economic statistics were state secrets. The new government has established a State Agency for Statistics, but GDP numbers and other figures are subject to wide margins of error. In particular, the rate of GDP growth is uncertain. Since his election, President BERDIMUHAMEDOW has sought to improve the health and education systems, unified the country's dual currency exchange rate, ordered the redenomination of the manat, reduced state subsidies for gasoline, increased Internet access both in schools and Internet cafes, ordered an independent audit of Turkmenistan's gas resources, and created a special tourism zone on the Caspian Sea. Although foreign investment is encouraged, numerous bureaucratic obstacles from the NYYZOW-era remain. Turks and Caicos Islands The Turks and Caicos economy is based on tourism, offshore financial services, and fishing. Most capital goods and food for domestic consumption are imported. The US is the leading source of tourists, accounting for more than three-quarters of the 175,000 visitors that arrived in 2004. Major sources of government revenue also include fees from offshore financial activities and customs receipts. Tuvalu Tuvalu consists of a densely populated, scattered group of nine coral atolls with poor soil. The country has no known mineral resources and few exports and is almost entirely dependent upon imported food and fuel. Subsistence farming and fishing are the primary economic activities. Fewer than 1,000 tourists, on average, visit Tuvalu annually. Job opportunities are scarce and public sector workers make up most of those employed. About 15% of the adult male population work as seamen on merchant ships abroad, and remittances are a vital source of income contributing around $4 million in 2006. Substantial income is received annually from the Tuvalu Trust Fund (TTF) an international trust fund established in 1987 by Australia, NZ, and the UK and supported also by Japan and South Korea. Thanks to wise investments and conservative withdrawals, this fund grew from an initial $17 million to an estimated value of $77 million in 2006. The TFF contributed nearly $9 million towards the government budget in 2006 and is an important cushion for meeting shortfalls in the government's budget. The US Government is also a major revenue source for Tuvalu because of payments from a 1988 treaty on fisheries. In an effort to ensure financial stability and sustainability, the government is pursuing public sector reforms, including privatization of some government functions and personnel cuts. Tuvalu also derives royalties from the lease of its ".tv" Internet domain name with revenue of more than $2 million in 2006. A minor source of government revenue comes from the sale of stamps and coins. With merchandise exports only a fraction of merchandise imports, continued reliance must be placed on fishing and telecommunications license fees, remittances from overseas workers, official transfers, and income from overseas investments. Growing income disparities and the vulnerability of the country to climatic change are among leading concerns for the nation. Uganda Uganda has substantial natural resources, including fertile soils, regular rainfall, sizable mineral deposits of copper, cobalt, gold, and other minerals, and recently discovered oil. Agriculture is the most important sector of the economy, employing over 80% of the work force. Coffee accounts for the bulk of export revenues. Since 1986, the government - with the support of foreign countries and international agencies - has acted to rehabilitate and stabilize the economy by undertaking currency reform, raising producer prices on export crops, increasing prices of petroleum products, and improving civil service wages. The policy changes are especially aimed at dampening inflation and boosting production and export earnings. During 1990-2001, the economy turned in a solid performance based on continued investment in the rehabilitation of infrastructure, improved incentives for production and exports, reduced inflation, gradually improved domestic security, and the return of exiled Indian-Ugandan entrepreneurs. Growth continues to be solid, despite variability in the price of coffee, Uganda's principal export, and a consistent upturn in Uganda's export markets. In 2000, Uganda qualified for enhanced Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) debt relief worth $1.3 billion and Paris Club debt relief worth $145 million. These amounts combined with the original HIPC debt relief added up to about $2 billion. Ukraine After Russia, the Ukrainian republic was far and away the most important economic component of the former Soviet Union, producing about four times the output of the next-ranking republic. Its fertile black soil generated more than one-fourth of Soviet agricultural output, and its farms provided substantial quantities of meat, milk, grain, and vegetables to other republics. Likewise, its diversified heavy industry supplied the unique equipment (for example, large diameter pipes) and raw materials to industrial and mining sites (vertical drilling apparatus) in other regions of the former USSR. Shortly after independence was ratified in December 1991, the Ukrainian Government liberalized most prices and erected a legal framework for privatization, but widespread resistance to reform within the government and the legislature soon stalled reform efforts and led to some backtracking. Output by 1999 had fallen to less than 40% of the 1991 level. Ukraine's dependence on Russia for energy supplies and the lack of significant structural reform have made the Ukrainian economy vulnerable to external shocks. Ukraine depends on imports to meet about three-fourths of its annual oil and natural gas requirements. Ukraine concluded a deal with Russia in January 2006 that almost doubled the price Ukraine pays for Russian gas. Disputes with Russia over pricing have led to periodic gas cut-offs. Outside institutions - particularly the IMF - have encouraged Ukraine to quicken the pace and scope of reforms. Ukrainian Government officials eliminated most tax and customs privileges in a March 2005 budget law, bringing more economic activity out of Ukraine's large shadow economy, but more improvements are needed, including fighting corruption, developing capital markets, and improving the legislative framework. Ukraine's economy was buoyant despite political turmoil between the prime minister and president until mid-2008. Real GDP growth exceeded 7% in 2006-07, fueled by high global prices for steel - Ukraine's top export - and by strong domestic consumption, spurred by rising pensions and wages. The drop in steel prices and Ukraine's exposure to the global financial crisis due to aggressive foreign borrowing has lowered growth in 2008 and the economy probably will contract in 2009. Ukraine reached an agreement with the IMF for a $16.5 billion standby arrangement in November 2008 to deal with the economic crisis. However, political turmoil in Ukraine as well as deteriorating external conditions are likely to hamper efforts for economic recovery. United Arab Emirates The UAE has an open economy with a high per capita income and a sizable annual trade surplus. Successful efforts at economic diversification have reduced the portion of GDP based on oil and gas output to 25%. Since the discovery of oil in the UAE more than 30 years ago, the UAE has undergone a profound transformation from an impoverished region of small desert principalities to a modern state with a high standard of living. The government has increased spending on job creation and infrastructure expansion and is opening up utilities to greater private sector involvement. In April 2004, the UAE signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement with Washington and in November 2004 agreed to undertake negotiations toward a Free Trade Agreement with the US. The country's Free Trade Zones - offering 100% foreign ownership and zero taxes - are helping to attract foreign investors. Higher oil revenue, strong liquidity, housing shortages, and cheap credit in 2005-07 led to a surge in asset prices (shares and real estate) and consumer inflation. The global financial crisis and the resulting tight international credit market and falling oil prices have already begun to deflate asset prices and will result in slower economic growth for 2009. Dependence on oil and a large expatriate workforce are significant long-term challenges. The UAE's strategic plan for the next few years focuses on diversification and creating more opportunities for nationals through improved education and increased private sector employment. United Kingdom The UK, a leading trading power and financial center, is one of the quintet of trillion dollar economies of Western Europe. Over the past two decades, the government has greatly reduced public ownership and contained the growth of social welfare programs. Agriculture is intensive, highly mechanized, and efficient by European standards, producing about 60% of food needs with less than 2% of the labor force. The UK has large coal, natural gas, and oil resources, but its oil and natural gas reserves are declining and the UK became a net importer of energy in 2005; energy industries now contribute about 4% to GDP. Services, particularly banking, insurance, and business services, account by far for the largest proportion of GDP while industry continues to decline in importance. Since emerging from recession in 1992, Britain's economy enjoyed the longest period of expansion on record during which time growth outpaced most of Western Europe. The global economic slowdown, tight credit, and falling home prices, however, pushed Britain back into recession in the latter half of 2008 and prompted the BROWN government to implement a number of new measures to stimulate the economy and stabilize the financial markets; these include part-nationalizing the banking system, cutting taxes, suspending public sector borrowing rules, and bringing forward public spending on capital projects. The Bank of England periodically coordinates interest rate moves with the European Central Bank, but Britain remains outside the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), and opinion polls show a majority of Britons oppose joining the euro. United States The US has the largest and most technologically powerful economy in the world, with a per capita GDP of $46,900. In this market-oriented economy, private individuals and business firms make most of the decisions, and the federal and state governments buy needed goods and services predominantly in the private marketplace. US business firms enjoy greater flexibility than their counterparts in Western Europe and Japan in decisions to expand capital plant, to lay off surplus workers, and to develop new products. At the same time, they face higher barriers to enter their rivals' home markets than foreign firms face entering US markets. US firms are at or near the forefront in technological advances, especially in computers and in medical, aerospace, and military equipment; their advantage has narrowed since the end of World War II. The onrush of technology largely explains the gradual development of a "two-tier labor market" in which those at the bottom lack the education and the professional/technical skills of those at the top and, more and more, fail to get comparable pay raises, health insurance coverage, and other benefits. Since 1975, practically all the gains in household income have gone to the top 20% of households. The war in March-April 2003 between a US-led coalition and Iraq, and the subsequent occupation of Iraq, required major shifts in national resources to the military. Hurricane Katrina caused extensive damage in the Gulf Coast region in August 2005, but had a small impact on overall GDP growth for the year. Soaring oil prices between 2005 and the first half of 2008 threatened inflation and unemployment, as higher gasoline prices ate into consumers' budgets. Imported oil accounts for about two-thirds of US consumption. Long-term problems include inadequate investment in economic infrastructure, rapidly rising medical and pension costs of an aging population, sizable trade and budget deficits, and stagnation of family income in the lower economic groups. The merchandise trade deficit reached a record $819 billion in 2007 and $821 billion in 2008. The global economic downturn, the sub-prime mortgage crisis, investment bank failures, falling home prices, and tight credit pushed the United States into a recession by mid-2008. To help stabilize financial markets, the US Congress established a $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) in October 2008. The government used some of these funds to purchase equity in US banks and other industrial corporations. In January 2009 the US Congress passed and President Barack OBAMA signed a bill providing an additional $787 billion fiscal stimulus - two-thirds on additional spending and one-third on tax cuts - to create jobs and to help the economy recover. United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges no economic activity Uruguay Uruguay's economy is characterized by an export-oriented agricultural sector, a well-educated work force, and high levels of social spending. After averaging growth of 5% annually during 1996-98, in 1999-2002 the economy suffered a major downturn, stemming largely from the spillover effects of the economic problems of its large neighbors, Argentina and Brazil. In 2001-02, Argentine citizens made massive withdrawals of dollars deposited in Uruguayan banks after bank deposits in Argentina were frozen, which led to a plunge in the Uruguayan peso, a banking crisis, and a sharp economic contraction. Real GDP fell in four years by nearly 20%, with 2002 the worst year. The unemployment rate rose, inflation surged, and the burden of external debt doubled. Financial assistance from the IMF helped stem the damage. Uruguay restructured its external debt in 2003 without asking creditors to accept a reduction on the principal. Economic growth for Uruguay resumed, and averaged 8% annually during the period 2004-08. Uzbekistan Uzbekistan is a dry, landlocked country of which 11% consists of intensely cultivated, irrigated river valleys. More than 60% of its population lives in densely populated rural communities. Uzbekistan is now the world's second-largest cotton exporter and fifth largest producer; it relies heavily on cotton production as the major source of export earnings and has come under increasing international criticism for the use of child labor in its annual cotton harvest. Other major export earners include gold, natural gas, and oil. Following independence in September 1991, the government sought to prop up its Soviet-style command economy with subsidies and tight controls on production and prices. While aware of the need to improve the investment climate, the government still sponsors measures that often increase, not decrease, its control over business decisions. A sharp increase in the inequality of income distribution has hurt the lower ranks of society since independence. In 2003, the government accepted Article VIII obligations under the IMF, providing for full currency convertibility. However, strict currency controls and tightening of borders have lessened the effects of convertibility and have also led to some shortages that have further stifled economic activity. The Central Bank often delays or restricts convertibility, especially for consumer goods. Potential investment by Russia and China in Uzbekistan's gas and oil industry, as well as increased cooperation with South Korea in the realm of civil aviation, may boost growth prospects. In November 2005, Russian President Vladimir PUTIN and Uzbekistan President KARIMOV signed an "alliance," which included provisions for economic and business cooperation. Russian businesses have shown increased interest in Uzbekistan, especially in mining, telecom, and oil and gas. In 2006, Uzbekistan took steps to rejoin the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and the Eurasian Economic Community (EurASEC), which it subsequently left in 2008, both organizations dominated by Russia. Uzbek authorities have accused US and other foreign companies operating in Uzbekistan of violating Uzbek tax laws and have frozen their assets. Vanuatu This South Pacific island economy is based primarily on small-scale agriculture, which provides a living for over 70% of the population. Fishing, offshore financial services, and tourism, with more than 167,000 visitors in 2007 are other mainstays of the economy. Mineral deposits are negligible; the country has no known petroleum deposits. A small light industry sector caters to the local market. Tax revenues come mainly from import duties. Economic development is hindered by dependence on relatively few commodity exports, vulnerability to natural disasters, and long distances from main markets and between constituent islands. In response to foreign concerns, the government has promised to tighten regulation of its offshore financial center. In mid-2002, the government stepped up efforts to boost tourism through improved air connections, resort development, and cruise ship facilities. Agriculture, especially livestock farming, is a second target for growth. Australia and New Zealand are the main suppliers of tourists and foreign aid. Venezuela Venezuela remains highly dependent on oil revenues, which account for roughly 90% of export earnings, about 50% of the federal budget revenues, and around 30% of GDP. A nationwide strike between December 2002 and February 2003 had far-reaching economic consequences - real GDP declined by around 9% in 2002 and 8% in 2003 - but economic output since then has recovered strongly. Fueled by high oil prices, record government spending helped to boost GDP by about 10% in 2006, 8% in 2007, and nearly 5% in 2008. This spending, combined with recent minimum wage hikes and improved access to domestic credit, has created a consumption boom but has come at the cost of higher inflation - roughly 20% in 2007 and more than 30% in 2008. Imports also have jumped significantly. Declining oil prices in the latter part of 2008 are expected to undermine the govenment's ability to continue the high rate of spending. President Hugo CHAVEZ in 2008 continued efforts to increase the government's contol of the economy by nationalizing firms in the cement and steel sectors. In 2007, he nationalized firms in the petroleum, communications, and electricity sectors. In July 2008, CHAVEZ implemented by decree a number of laws that further consolidate and centralize authority over the economy through his plan for "21st Century Socialism." Vietnam Vietnam is a densely-populated developing country that in the last 30 years has had to recover from the ravages of war, the loss of financial support from the old Soviet Bloc, and the rigidities of a centrally-planned economy. Since 2001, Vietnamese authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to economic liberalization and international integration. They have moved to implement the structural reforms needed to modernize the economy and to produce more competitive export-driven industries. Vietnam's membership in the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) and entry into force of the US-Vietnam Bilateral Trade Agreement in December 2001 have led to even more rapid changes in Vietnam's trade and economic regime. Vietnam's exports to the US increased 900% from 2001 to 2007. Vietnam joined the WTO in January 2007 following over a decade long negotiation process. WTO membership has provided Vietnam an anchor to the global market and reinforced the domestic economic reform process. Among other benefits, accession allows Vietnam to take advantage of the phase-out of the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing, which eliminated quotas on textiles and clothing for WTO partners on 1 January 2005. Agriculture's share of economic output has continued to shrink from about 25% in 2000 to less than 20% in 2008. Deep poverty has declined significantly and is now smaller than that of China, India, and the Philippines. Vietnam is working to create jobs to meet the challenge of a labor force that is growing by more than one-and-a-half million people every year. The global financial crisis, however, will constrain Vietnam's ability to create jobs and further reduce poverty. As global growth sharply drops in 2009, Vietnam's export-oriented economy - exports were 68% of GDP in 2007 - will suffer from lower exports, higher unemployment and corporate bankruptcies, and decreased foreign investment. Virgin Islands Tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting for 80% of GDP and employment. The islands hosted 2.6 million visitors in 2005. The manufacturing sector consists of petroleum refining, rum distilling, textiles, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and watch assembly. One of the world's largest petroleum refineries is at Saint Croix. The agricultural sector is small, with most food being imported. International business and financial services are small but growing components of the economy. The islands are vulnerable to substantial damage from storms. The government is working to improve fiscal discipline, to support construction projects in the private sector, to expand tourist facilities, to reduce crime, and to protect the environment. Wake Island Economic activity is limited to providing services to military personnel and contractors located on the island. All food and manufactured goods must be imported. Wallis and Futuna The economy is limited to traditional subsistence agriculture, with about 80% of labor force earnings from agriculture (coconuts and vegetables), livestock (mostly pigs), and fishing. About 4% of the population is employed in government. Revenues come from French Government subsidies, licensing of fishing rights to Japan and South Korea, import taxes, and remittances from expatriate workers in New Caledonia. West Bank The West Bank - the larger of the two areas comprising the Palestinian Authority (PA) - has experienced a general decline in economic conditions since the second intifada began in September 2000. The downturn has been largely a result of Israeli closure policies - the imposition of closures and access restrictions in response to security concerns in Israel - which disrupted labor and trading relationships. In 2001, and even more severely in 2002, Israeli military measures in PA areas resulted in the destruction of capital, the disruption of administrative structures, and widespread business closures. International aid of at least $1.14 billion to the West Bank and Gaza Strip in 2004 prevented the complete collapse of the economy and allowed some reforms in the government's financial operations. In 2005, high unemployment and limited trade opportunities - due to continued closures both within the West Bank and externally - stymied growth. Israel's and the international community's financial embargo of the PA when HAMAS ran the PA during March 2006 - June 2007 interrupted the provision of PA social services and the payment of PA salaries. Since then the FAYYAD government in the West Bank has restarted salary payments and the provision of services but would be unable to operate absent high levels of international assistance. Western Sahara Western Sahara depends on pastoral nomadism, fishing, and phosphate mining as the principal sources of income for the population. The territory lacks sufficient rainfall for sustainable agricultural production, and most of the food for the urban population must be imported. Incomes in Western Sahara are substantially below the Moroccan level. The Moroccan Government controls all trade and other economic activities in Western Sahara. Morocco and the EU signed a four-year agreement in July 2006 allowing European vessels to fish off the coast of Morocco, including the disputed waters off the coast of Western Sahara. Moroccan energy interests in 2001 signed contracts to explore for oil off the coast of Western Sahara, which has angered the Polisario. However, in 2006 the Polisario awarded similar exploration licenses in the disputed territory, which would come into force if Morocco and the Polisario resolve their dispute over Western Sahara. World Global output rose by 3.8% in 2008, down from 5.2% in 2007. Among major economies, growth was led by China (9.8%), Russia (7.4%), and India (7.3%). Worldwide, nations varied widely in their growth results, with Macau (15%), Azerbaijan (13.2%), and Angola (11.6%), registering the highest. Growth rates slowed in all the major industrial countries and most developing countries, because of uncertainties in the financial markets and lowered consumer confidence. Externally, the nation-state, as a bedrock economic-political institution, is steadily losing control over international flows of people, goods, funds, and technology. Internally, the central government often finds its control over resources slipping as separatist regional movements - typically based on ethnicity - gain momentum, e.g., in many of the successor states of the former Soviet Union, in the former Yugoslavia, in India, in Iraq, in Indonesia, and in Canada. Externally, the central government is losing decisionmaking powers to international bodies, notably the EU. In Western Europe, governments face the difficult political problem of channeling resources away from welfare programs in order to increase investment and strengthen incentives to seek employment. The addition of 80 million people each year to an already overcrowded globe is exacerbating the problems of pollution, desertification, underemployment, epidemics, and famine. Because of their own internal problems and priorities, the industrialized countries devote insufficient resources to deal effectively with the poorer areas of the world, which, at least from an economic point of view, are becoming further marginalized. The introduction of the euro as the common currency of much of Western Europe in January 1999, while paving the way for an integrated economic powerhouse, poses economic risks because of varying levels of income and cultural and political differences among the participating nations. The terrorist attacks on the US on 11 September 2001 accentuated a growing risk to global prosperity, illustrated, for example, by the reallocation of resources away from investment to anti-terrorist programs. The opening of war in March 2003 between a US-led coalition and Iraq added new uncertainties to global economic prospects. The complex political difficulties and the high economic cost of establishing domestic order in Iraq became major global problems that continued through 2008. Yemen Yemen, one of the poorest countries in the Arab world, reported average annual growth in the range of 3-4% from 2000 through 2007. In 2008, growth declined slightly as the price of oil dropped and the slowing global economy reduced demand for oil. Yemen's economic fortunes depend mostly on declining oil resources, but the country is trying to diversify its earnings. In 2006, Yemen began an economic reform program designed to bolster non-oil sectors of the economy and foreign investment. As a result of the program, international donors pledged about $5 billion for development projects. A liquefied natural gas facility is scheduled to open in 2009. Yemen has limited exposure to the international financial system and no capital markets, however, the global financial crisis probably will reduce international aid in 2009. Zambia Zambia's economy has experienced strong growth in recent years, with real GDP growth in 2005-08 about 6% per year. Privatization of government-owned copper mines in the 1990s relieved the government from covering mammoth losses generated by the industry and greatly improved the chances for copper mining to return to profitability and spur economic growth. Copper output has increased steadily since 2004, due to higher copper prices and foreign investment. In 2005, Zambia qualified for debt relief under the Highly Indebted Poor Country Initiative, consisting of approximately USD 6 billion in debt relief. Zambia experienced a bumper harvest in 2007, which helped to boost GDP and agricultural exports and contain inflation. Although poverty continues to be significant problem in Zambia, its economy has strengthened, featuring single-digit inflation, a relatively stable currency, decreasing interest rates, and increasing levels of trade. The decline in world commodity prices and demand will hurt GDP growth in 2009, and elections and campaign promises are likely to weaken Zambia's improved fiscal stance. Zimbabwe The government of Zimbabwe faces a wide variety of difficult economic problems as it struggles with an unsustainable fiscal deficit, an overvalued official exchange rate, hyperinflation, and bare store shelves. Its 1998-2002 involvement in the war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo drained hundreds of millions of dollars from the economy. The government's land reform program, characterized by chaos and violence, has badly damaged the commercial farming sector, the traditional source of exports and foreign exchange and the provider of 400,000 jobs, turning Zimbabwe into a net importer of food products. The EU and the US provide food aid on humanitarian grounds. Badly needed support from the IMF has been suspended because of the government's arrears on past loans and the government's unwillingness to enact reforms that would stabilize the economy. The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe routinely prints money to fund the budget deficit, causing the official annual inflation rate to rise from 32% in 1998, to 133% in 2004, 585% in 2005, past 1,000% in 2006, and 26,000% in November 2007, and to 11.2 million percent in 2008. Meanwhile, the official exchange rate fell from approximately 1 (revalued) Zimbabwean dollar per US dollar in 2003 to 30,000 per US dollar in September 2007. ====================================================================== @2117 Field Listing :: Pipelines This entry gives the lengths and types of pipelines for transporting products like natural gas, crude oil, or petroleum products. Country Pipelines(km) Afghanistan gas 466 km (2008) Albania gas 339 km; oil 207 km (2008) Algeria condensate 1,937 km; gas 14,648 km; liquid petroleum gas 2,933 km; oil 7,579 km (2008) Angola gas 2 km; oil 87 km (2008) Argentina gas 28,138 km; liquid petroleum gas 41 km; oil 5,939 km; refined products 3,629 km (2008) Armenia gas 2,233 km (2008) Australia gas 27,105 km; liquid petroleum gas 240 km; oil 3,258 km; oil/gas/water 1 km (2008) Austria gas 2,721 km; oil 663 km; refined products 157 km (2008) Azerbaijan condensate 1 km; gas 3,361 km; oil 1,424 km (2008) Bahrain gas 20 km; oil 32 km (2008) Bangladesh gas 2,597 km (2008) Belarus gas 5,250 km; oil 1,528 km; refined products 1,730 km (2008) Belgium gas 1,330 km; oil 158 km; refined products 535 km (2008) Bolivia gas 4,883 km; liquid petroleum gas 47 km; oil 2,475 km; refined products 1,589 km (2008) Brazil condensate/gas 62 km; gas 9,892 km; liquid petroleum gas 353 km; oil 4,517 km; refined products 4,465 km (2008) Brunei gas 37 km; oil 18 km (2008) Bulgaria gas 2,926 km; oil 339 km; refined products 156 km (2008) Burma gas 2,228 km; oil 558 km (2008) Cameroon oil 889 km (2008) Canada crude and refined oil 23,564 km; liquid petroleum gas 74,980 km (2006) Chad oil 250 km (2008) Chile gas 2,676 km; liquid petroleum gas 519 km; oil 892 km; refined products 769 km (2008) China gas 28,132 km; oil 20,204 km; refined products 9,746 km (2008) Colombia gas 4,560 km; oil 6,094 km; refined products 3,383 km (2008) Congo, Democratic Republic of the gas 37 km; oil 39 km; refined products 756 km (2008) Congo, Republic of the gas 7 km; oil 207 km (2008) Costa Rica refined products 796 km (2008) Cote d'Ivoire condensate 86 km; gas 180 km; oil 92 km (2008) Croatia gas 1,327 km; oil 583 km (2008) Cuba gas 41 km; oil 230 km (2008) Czech Republic gas 7,010 km; oil 547 km; refined products 94 km (2008) Denmark gas 2,858 km; oil 107 km (2008) Ecuador extra heavy crude 435 km; gas 5 km; oil 1,374 km; refined products 1,301 km (2008) Egypt condensate 320 km; condensate/gas 13 km; gas 5,586 km; liquid petroleum gas 956 km; oil 4,314 km; oil/gas/water 3 km; refined products 895 km; unknown 59 km; water 9 km (2008) Equatorial Guinea gas 38 km (2008) Estonia gas 859 km (2008) Finland gas 694 km (2008) France gas 14,688 km; oil 3,036 km; refined products 5,080 km (2008) Gabon gas 240 km; oil 723 km (2008) Georgia gas 1,591 km; oil 1,253 km (2008) Germany gas 24,364 km; oil 3,379 km; refined products 3,843 km (2008) Ghana oil 5 km; refined products 309 km (2008) Greece gas 1,197 km; oil 75 km (2008) Guatemala oil 480 km (2008) Hungary gas 4,407 km; oil 987 km; refined products 335 km (2008) India condensate/gas 2 km; gas 6,061 km; liquid petroleum gas 2,156 km; oil 7,678 km; refined products 6,876 km (2008) Indonesia condensate 735 km; condensate/gas 73 km; gas 5,797 km; oil 5,721 km; oil/gas/water 12 km; refined products 1,370 km; water 44 km (2008) Iran condensate 7 km; condensate/gas 12 km; gas 19,246 km; liquid petroleum gas 570 km; oil 7,018 km; refined products 7,936 km (2008) Iraq gas 2,501 km; liquid petroleum gas 918 km; oil 5,418 km; refined products 1,637 km (2008) Ireland gas 1,550 km (2008) Israel gas 176 km; oil 442 km; refined products 261 km (2008) Italy gas 17,544 km; oil 1,241 km (2008) Japan gas 3,862 km; oil 167 km; oil/gas/water 53 km (2008) Jordan gas 439 km; oil 49 km (2008) Kazakhstan condensate 658 km; gas 11,146 km; oil 10,376 km; refined products 1,095 km; water 1,465 km (2008) Kenya oil 4 km; refined products 928 km (2008) Korea, North oil 154 km (2008) Korea, South gas 1,423 km; refined products 827 km (2008) Kuwait gas 269 km; oil 540 km; refined products 57 km (2008) Kyrgyzstan gas 254 km; oil 16 km (2008) Laos refined products 540 km (2008) Latvia gas 948 km; refined products 415 km (2008) Lebanon gas 43 km (2008) Libya condensate 776 km; gas 2,860 km; oil 6,987 km (2008) Liechtenstein gas 20 km (2008) Lithuania gas 1,695 km; refined products 114 km (2008) Luxembourg gas 155 km (2008) Macedonia gas 268 km; oil 120 km (2008) Malaysia condensate 3 km; gas 1,965 km; oil 31 km; refined products 114 km (2008) Mexico gas 22,705 km; liquid petroleum gas 1,875 km; oil 8,688 km; oil/gas/water 228 km; refined products 6,520 km (2006) Moldova gas 1,906 km (2008) Morocco gas 830 km; oil 439 km (2008) Mozambique gas 918 km; refined products 278 km (2008) Netherlands gas 3,816 km; oil 365 km; refined products 716 km (2008) New Zealand condensate 331 km; gas 1,838 km; liquid petroleum gas 172 km; oil 288 km; refined products 198 km (2008) Nicaragua oil 54 km (2008) Nigeria condensate 21 km; gas 2,560 km; liquid petroleum gas 97 km; oil 3,396 km; refined products 4,090 km (2008) Norway condensate 31 km; gas 64 km (2008) Oman gas 4,126 km; oil 3,558 km; refined products 263 km (2008) Pakistan gas 10,402 km; oil 2,076 km; refined products 792 km (2008) Papua New Guinea oil 195 km (2008) Peru extra heavy crude 533 km; gas 1,078 km; liquid petroleum gas 654 km; oil 1,018 km; refined products 15 km (2008) Philippines oil 107 km; refined products 112 km (2008) Poland gas 13,631 km; oil 1,384 km; refined products 777 km (2008) Portugal gas 1,098 km; oil 11 km; refined products 188 km (2008) Qatar condensate 145 km; condensate/gas 132 km; gas 978 km; liquid petroleum gas 90 km; oil 382 km (2008) Romania gas 3,588 km; oil 2,424 km (2008) Russia condensate 122 km; gas 158,767 km; liquid petroleum gas 127 km; oil 74,285 km; refined products 13,658 km; water 23 km (2008) Saudi Arabia condensate 212 km; gas 1,880 km; liquid petroleum gas 1,183 km; oil 4,239 km; refined products 1,148 km (2008) Senegal gas 43 km; refined products 8 km (2008) Serbia gas 1,921 km; oil 323 km (2008) Singapore gas 106 km (2008) Slovakia gas 6,769 km; oil 416 km (2008) Slovenia gas 840 km; oil 11 km (2008) South Africa condensate 11 km; gas 908 km; oil 980 km; refined products 1,379 km (2008) Spain gas 7,738 km; oil 560 km; refined products 3,445 km (2008) Sudan gas 156 km; oil 4,070 km; refined products 1,613 km (2008) Suriname oil 50 km (2008) Sweden gas 786 km (2008) Switzerland gas 1,662 km; oil 94 km; refined products 7 km (2008) Syria gas 2,900 km; oil 2,000 km (2008) Taiwan gas 406 km (2008) Tajikistan gas 549 km; oil 38 km (2008) Tanzania gas 253 km; oil 888 km; refined products 8 km (2008) Thailand gas 1,348 km; refined products 323 km (2008) Trinidad and Tobago gas 659 km; oil 336 km (2008) Tunisia gas 2,102 km; oil 1,195 km; refined products 372 km (2008) Turkey gas 7,555 km; oil 3,636 km (2008) Turkmenistan gas 6,417 km; oil 1,457 km (2008) Ukraine gas 33,327 km; oil 4,514 km; refined products 4,211 km (2008) United Arab Emirates condensate 458 km; gas 2,129 km; liquid petroleum gas 220 km; oil 1,310 km; refined products 212 km; water 90 km (2008) United Kingdom condensate 43 km; gas 7,541 km; liquid petroleum gas 59 km; oil 699 km; refined products 4,417 km (2008) United States petroleum products 244,620 km; natural gas 548,665 km (2006) Uruguay gas 226 km; oil 155 km (2008) Uzbekistan gas 9,706 km; oil 868 km (2008) Venezuela extra heavy crude 980 km; gas 5,036 km; oil 6,695 km; refined products 1,484 km; unknown 141 km (2008) Vietnam condensate/gas 42 km; gas 66 km; refined products 206 km (2008) Yemen gas 96 km; liquid petroleum gas 22 km; oil 1,367 km (2008) Zambia oil 771 km (2008) Zimbabwe refined products 270 km (2008) ====================================================================== @2118 Field Listing :: Political parties and leaders This entry includes a listing of significant political organizations and their leaders. Country Political parties and leaders Afghanistan Afghanistan Peoples' Treaty Party [Sayyed Amir TAHSEEN]; Afghanistan's Islamic Mission Organization [Abdul Rasoul SAYYAF]; Afghanistan's Islamic Nation Party [Toran Noor Aqa Ahmad ZAI]; Afghanistan's National Islamic Party [Rohullah LOUDIN]; Afghanistan's Welfare Party [Meer Asef ZAEEFI]; Afghan Social Democratic Party [Anwarul Haq AHADI]; Afghan Society for the Call to the Koran and Sunna [Mawlawee Samiullah NAJEEBEE]; Comprehensive Movement of Democracy and Development of Afghanistan Party [Sher Mohammad BAZGAR]; Democratic Party of Afghanistan [Tawos ARAB]; Democratic Party of Afghanistan [Abdul Kabir RANJBAR]; Elites People of Afghanistan Party [Abdul Hamid JAWAD]; Freedom and Democracy Movement of Afghanistan [Abdul Raqib Jawid KOHISTANEE]; Freedom Party of Afghanistan [Ilaj Abdul MALEK]; Freedom Party of Afghanistan [Dr. Ghulam Farooq NEJRABEE]; Hizullah-e-Afghanistan [Qari Ahmad ALI]; Human Rights Protection and Development Party of Afghanistan [Baryalai NASRATI]; Islamic Justice Party of Afghanistan [Mohammad Kabir MARZBAN]; Islamic Movement of Afghanistan [Mohammad Ali JAWID]; Islamic Movement of Afghanistan Party [Mohammad Mukhtar MUFLEH]; Islamic Party of Afghanistan [Mohammad Khalid FAROOQI, Abdul Hadi ARGHANDIWAL]; Islamic Party of the Afghan Land [Mohammad Hassan FEROZKHEL]; Islamic People's Movement of Afghanistan [Ilhaj Said Hussain ANWARY]; Islamic Society of Afghanistan [Ustad RABBANI]; Islamic Unity of the Nation of Afghanistan Party [Qurban Ali URFANI]; Islamic Unity Party of Afghanistan [Mohammad Karim KHALILI]; Islamic Unity Party of the People of Afghanistan [Ustad Mohammad MOHAQQEQ]; Labor and Progress of Afghanistan Party [Zulfiqar OMID]; Muslim People of Afghanistan Party [Besmellah JOYAN]; Muslim Unity Movement Party of Afghanistan [Wazir Mohammad WAHDAT]; National and Islamic Sovereignty Movement Party of Afghanistan [Ahmad Shah AHMADZAI]; National Congress Party of Afghanistan [Abdul Latif PEDRAM]; National Country Party [Ghulam MOHAMMAD]; National Development Party of Afghanistan [Dr. Aref BAKTASH]; National Freedom Seekers Party [Abdul Hadi DABEER]; National Independence Party of Afghanistan [Taj Mohammad WARDAK]; National Islamic Fighters Party of Afghanistan [Amanat NINGARHAREE]; National Islamic Front of Afghanistan [Pir Sayed Ahmad GAILANEE]; National Islamic Moderation Party of Afghanistan [Qara Bik Eized YAAR]; National Islamic Movement of Afghanistan [Sayed NOORULLAH] National Islamic Unity Party of Afghanistan [Mohammad AKBAREE]; National Movement of Afghanistan [Ahmad Wali MASOOUD]; National Party of Afghanistan [Abdul Rashid ARYAN]; National Patch of Afghanistan Party [Sayed Kamal SADAT]; National Peace Islamic Party of Afghanistan [Shah Mohammood Popal ZAI]; National Peace & Islamic Party of the Tribes of Afghanistan [Abdul Qaher SHARIATEE]; National Peace & Unity Party of Afghanistan [Abdul Qader IMAMI]; National Prosperity and Islamic Party of Afghanistan [Mohammad Osman SALEKZADA]; National Prosperity Party [Mohammad Hassan JAHFAREE]; National Solidarity Movement of Afghanistan [Pir Sayed Eshaq GAILANEE]; National Solidarity Party of Afghanistan [Sayed Mansoor NADREEI]; National Sovereignty Party [Sayed Mustafa KAZEMI]; National Stability Party [Mohammad Same KHAROTI]; National Stance Party [Habibullah JANEBDAR]; National Tribal Unity Islamic Party of Afghanistan [Mohammad Shah KHOGYANI]; National United Front [Burhanuddin RABBANI] (a coalition); National Unity Movement [Sultan Mohammad GHAZI]; National Unity Movement of Afghanistan [Mohammad Nadir AATASH]; National Unity Party of Afghanistan [Abdul Rashid JALILI]; New Afghanistan Party [Mohammad Yunis QANUNI]; Peace and National Welfare Activists Society [Shamsul Haq Noor SHAMS]; Peace Movement [Shahnawaz TANAI]; People's Aspirations Party of Afghanistan [Ilhaj Saraj-u-din ZAFAREE]; People's Freedom Seekers Party of Afghanistan [Feda Mohammad EHSAS]; People's Liberal Freedom Seekers Party of Afghanistan [Ajmal SUHAIL]; People's Message Party of Afghanistan [Noor Aqa WAINEE]; People's Movement of the National Unity of Afghanistan [Abdul Hakim NOORZAI]; People's Party of Afghanistan [Ahmad Shah ASAR]; People's Prosperity Party of Afghanistan [Ustad Mohammad ZAREEF]; People's Sovereignty Movement of Afghanistan [Hayatullah SUBHANEE]; People's Uprising Party of Afghanistan [Sayed Zahir Qayed Omul BELADI]; People's Welfare Party of Afghanistan [Mia Gul WASIQ]; People's Welfare Party of Afghanistan [Mohammad Zubair PAIROZ]; Progressive Democratic Party of Afghanistan [Wali ARYA]; Republican Party [Sebghatullah SANJAR]; Solidarity Party of Afghanistan [Abdul Khaleq NEMAT]; The Afghanistan's Mujahid Nation's Islamic Unity Movement [Saeedullah SAEED]; The People of Afghanistan's Democratic Movement [Sharif NAZARI]; Tribes Solidarity Party of Afghanistan [Mohammad Zarif NASERI]; Understanding and Democracy Party of Afghanistan [Ahamad SHAHEEN] United Afghanistan Party [Mohammad Wasil RAHIMEE]; United Islamic Party of Afghanistan [Wahidullah SABAWOON]; Young Afghanistan's Islamic Organization [Sayed Jawad HUSSINEE]; Youth Solidarity Party of Afghanistan [Mohammad Jamil KARZAI]; note - includes only political parties approved by the Ministry of Justice Albania Agrarian Environmentalist Party or PAA [Lufter XHUVELI]; Christian Democratic Party or PDK [Nard NDOKA]; Communist Party of Albania or PKSH [Hysni MILLOSHI]; Democratic Alliance Party or AD [Neritan CEKA]; Democratic Party or PD [Sali BERISHA]; G99 Political Movement [Erion VELIAJ]; Liberal Union Party or BLD [Arjan STAROVA]; National Front Party (Balli Kombetar) or PBK [Artur ROSHI]; New Democratic Party or PDR [Genc POLLO]; Republican Party or PR [Fatmir MEDIU]; Social Democracy Party of Albania or PDSSh [Paskal MILO]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Skender GJINUSHI]; Socialist Movement for Integration or LSI [Ilir META]; Socialist Party or PS [Edi RAMA]; Socialist Party 1991 [Petro KOCI]; Union for Human Rights Party or PBDNj [Vangjel DULE] Algeria Ahd 54 [Ali Fauzi REBAINE]; Algerian National Front or FNA [Moussa TOUATI]; National Democratic Rally (Rassemblement National Democratique) or RND [Ahmed OUYAHIA]; National Liberation Front or FLN [Abdelaziz BELKHADEM, secretary general]; National Reform Movement or Islah (formerly MRN) [Ahmed ABDESLAM]; Rally for Culture and Democracy or RCD [Said SADI]; Renaissance Movement or EnNahda Movement [Fatah RABEI]; Socialist Forces Front or FFS [Hocine Ait AHMED]; Society of Peace Movement or MSP [Boudjerra SOLTANI]; Workers Party or PT [Louisa HANOUNE] note: a law banning political parties based on religion was enacted in March 1997 American Samoa Democratic Party [Oreta M. TOGAFAU]; Republican Party [Tautai A. F. FAALEVAO] Andorra Andorra for Change [Juan Eusebio NOMEN CALVET]; New Center [Vicenc MATEU] (formerly Andorran Democratic Center Party); Liberal Party of Andorra or PLA [Joan Gabriel i ESTANY] (formerly Liberal Union or UL); Reformist Coalition (includes the Liberal Party and New Center) [Joan Gabriel i ESTANY]; Social Democratic Party or PS [Jaume BARTUMEU CASSANY] (formerly part of National Democratic Group or AND) Angola National Front for the Liberation of Angola or FNLA [Ngola KABANGU]; National Union for the Total Independence of Angola or UNITA (largest opposition party) [Isaias SAMAKUVA]; Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola or MPLA (ruling party in power since 1975) [Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS]; Social Renewal Party or PRS [Eduardo KUANGANA] note: nine other parties participated in the legislative election in September but won no seats Anguilla Anguilla United Front or AUF [Osbourne FLEMING, Victor BANKS] (a coalition of the Anguilla Democratic Party or ADP and the Anguilla National Alliance or ANA); Anguilla United Movement or AUM [Hubert HUGHES]; Anguilla Progressive Party or APP [Roy ROGERS]; Anguilla Strategic Alternative or ANSA [Edison BAIRD] Antigua and Barbuda Antigua Labor Party or ALP [Lester Bryant BIRD]; Barbudans for a Better Barbuda [Ordrick SAMUEL]; Barbuda People's Movement or BPM [Thomas H. FRANK]; Barbuda People's Movement for Change [Arthur NIBBS]; United Progressive Party or UPP [Baldwin SPENCER] (a coalition of three parties - Antigua Caribbean Liberation Movement or ACLM, Progressive Labor Movement or PLM, United National Democratic Party or UNDP) Argentina Coalicion Civica (a broad coalition loosely affiliated with Elisa CARRIO); Front for Victory or FpV (a broad coalition, including elements of the UCR and numerous provincial parties) [Nestor KIRCHNER]; Interbloque Federal or IF (a broad coalition of approximately 12 parties including PRO); Justicialist Party or PJ [Nestor KIRCHNER]; Radical Civic Union or UCR [Gerardo MORALES]; Republican Proposal or PRO [Mauricio MACRI] (including Federal Recreate Movement or RECREAR [Esteban BULLRICH]; Socialist Party or PS [Ruben GIUSTINIANI]; Union For All [Patricia BULLRICH]; several provincial parties Armenia Armenian National Congress or ANC [Levon TER-PETROSSIAN]; Armenian National Movement or ANM [Ararat ZURABIAN]; Armenian People's Party [Tigran KARAPETIAN]; Armenian Ramkavar Azadagan Party Alliance or HRAK (includes former Dashink Party, National Revival Party, and Ramkavar Liberal Party); Armenian Revolutionary Federation ("Dashnak" Party) or ARF [Hrant MARKARIAN]; Heritage Party [Raffi HOVHANNISIAN]; National Democratic Party [Shavarsh KOCHARIAN]; National Democratic Union or NDU [Vazgen MANUKIAN]; National Unity Party [Artashes GEGHAMIAN]; People's Party of Armenia [Stepan DEMIRCHIAN]; Prosperous Armenia [Gagik TSAROUKIAN]; Republic Party [Aram SARKISIAN]; Republican Party of Armenia or HHK [Serzh SARGSIAN]; Rule of Law Party (Orinats Yerkir) [Artur BAGHDASARIAN]; Union of Constitutional Rights [Hrant KHACHATURIAN]; United Labor Party [Gurgen ARSENIAN] Aruba Aliansa/Aruban Social Movement or MSA [Robert WEVER]; Aruban Liberal Organization or OLA [Glenbert CROES]; Aruban Patriotic Movement or MPA [Monica ARENDS-KOCK]; Aruban Patriotic Party or PPA [Benny NISBET]; Aruban People's Party or AVP [Mike EMAN]; People's Electoral Movement Party or MEP [Nelson O. ODUBER]; Real Democracy or PDR [Andin BIKKER]; RED [Rudy LAMPE]; Workers Political Platform or PTT [Gregorio WOLFF] Australia Australian Democrats [Lyn ALLISON]; Australian Greens [Bob BROWN]; Australian Labor Party [Kevin RUDD]; Country Liberal Party [Terry MILLS]; Family First Party [Steve FIELDING]; Liberal Party [Malcolm TURNBULL]; The Nationals [Warren TRUSS] Austria Alliance for the Future of Austria or BZOe [Josef BUCHER]; Austrian People's Party or OeVP [Josef PROELL]; Freedom Party of Austria or FPOe [Heinz Christian STRACHE]; Social Democratic Party of Austria or SPOe [Werner FAYMANN]; The Greens [Eva GLAWISCHNIG] Azerbaijan Azadliq (Freedom) coalition (Popular Front Party, Liberal Party, Citizens' Development Party); Azerbaijan Democratic Party or ADP [Sardar JALALOGLU]; Azerbaijan Democratic Reforms Party (ADRP) Youth Movement [Ramin HAJILI]; Azerbaijan Popular Front or APF, now split in two [Ali KARIMLI, leader of "Reform" APF party; Mirmahmud MIRALI-OGLU, leader of "Classic" APF party]; Azerbaijan Public Forum [Eldar NAMAZOV]; Citizens' Development Party [Ali ALIYEV]; Civil Solidarity Party or CSP [Sabir RUSTAMKHANLY]; Dalga Youth Movement [Vafa JAFAROVA]; Green Party [Mais GULALIYEV and Tarana MAMMADOVA]; Hope (Umid) Party [Iqbal AGAZADE]; Ireli Youth Movement [Jeyhun OSMANLI, Roya TALIBOVA, Farhad MAMMADOV, Elnara GARIBOVA, Elnur MAMMADOV, Ziya ALIYEV]; Justice Party [Ilyas ISMAILOV]; Liberal Party of Azerbaijan [Lala Shovkat HACIYEVA]; Magam Youth Movement [Emin HUSEYNOV]; Motherland Party [Fazail AGAMALI]; Musavat (Equality) [Isa GAMBAR, chairman]; Musavat Party Youth Movement [Elnur MAMMADLI]; National Democratic Party or Grey Wolves (Nationalist, Pan-Turkic) [Iskender HAMIDOV]; Open Society Party [Rasul GULIYEV, in exile in the US]; Party for National Independence of Azerbaijan or PNIA [Ayaz RUSTAMOV]; Popular Front Party Youth Movement [Seymur KHAZIYEV]; Social Democratic Party of Azerbaijan or SDP [Araz ALIZADE and Ayaz MUTALIBOV (in exile)]; Turkish Nationalist Party [Vugar BAYTURAN]; United Azerbaijan Party [Karrar ABILOV]; United Azerbaijan National Unity Party [Hajibaba AZIMOV]; United Party [Tahir KARIMLI]; Yeni (New) Azerbaijan Party [President Ilham ALIYEV]; Yeni Azerbaijan Party Youth Movement [Ramil HASANOV]; Yox (No) Youth Movement [Ali ISMAYILOV] note: opposition parties regularly factionalize and form new parties; Bahamas, The Free National Movement or FNM [Hubert INGRAHAM]; Progressive Liberal Party or PLP [Perry CHRISTIE] Bahrain political parties prohibited but political societies were legalized per a July 2005 law Bangladesh Awami League or AL [Sheikh HASINA]; Bangladesh Communist Party or BCP [Manjurul A. KHAN]; Bangladesh Nationalist Party or BNP [Khaleda ZIA]; Islami Oikya Jote or IOJ [Mufti Fazlul Haq AMINI]; Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh or JIB [Matiur Rahman NIZAMI]; Jatiya Party or JP (Ershad faction) [Hussain Mohammad ERSHAD]; Jatiya Party (Manzur faction) [Naziur Rahman MANZUR]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Badrudozza CHOWDHURY and Oli AHMED] Barbados Barbados Labor Party or BLP [Mia MOTTLEY]; Democratic Labor Party or DLP [David THOMPSON]; People's Empowerment Party or PEP [David COMISSIONG] Belarus pro-government parties: Agrarian Party or AP [Mikhail SHIMANSKY]; Communist Party of Belarus or KPB; Belarusian Patriotic Movement (Belarusian Patriotic Party) or BPR [Nikolay ULAKHOVICH, chairman]; Liberal Democratic Party [Sergey GAYDUKEVICH]; Republican Party of Labor and Justice [Viktor SOKOLOV]; Social-Sports Party [Vladimir ALEXANDROVICH] opposition parties: Belarusian Christian Democracy Party (unregistered) [Pavel SEVERINETS]; Belarusian Party of Communists or PKB [Sergey KALYAKIN]; Belarusian Party of Labor (unregistered) [Aleksandr BUKHVOSTOV, Leonid LEMESHONAK]; Belarusian Popular Front or BPF [Levon BARSHCHEVSKIY]; Belarusian Social-Democratic Gramada [Stanislav SHUSHKEVICH]; Belarusian Social Democratic Party Hramada (People's Assembly) or BSDPH [Anatoliy LEVKOVICH]; European Coalition [Nikolay STATKEVICH]; Green Party [Oleg GROMYKO]; Party of Freedom and Progress (unregistered) [Vladimir NOVOSYAD]; United Civic Party or UCP [Anatoliy LEBEDKO]; Women's Party Hope (Nadezhda) [Valentina MATUSEVICH, chairperson] other opposition includes: Christian Conservative BPF [Zyanon PAZNIAK]; Ecological Party of Greens [Mikhail KARTASH]; Party of Popular Accord [Sergey YERMAKK]; Republican Party [Vladimir BELAZOR] Belgium Flemish parties: Christian Democratic and Flemish or CDV [Marianne THYSSEN]; Dedecker List [Jean-Marie DEDECKER]; Flemish Liberals and Democrats or Open VLD [Bart SOMERS]; Groen! [Mieke VOGELS] (formerly AGALEV, Flemish Greens); New Flemish Alliance or N-VA [Bart DE WEVER]; Social Liberal Party or SLP [Geert LAMBERT]; note - prior to 19 April 2008, known as Spirit; Social Progressive Alternative or SP.A [Caroline GENNEZ]; Vlaams Belang (Flemish Interest) or VB [Bruno VALKENIERS] Francophone parties: Ecolo (Francophone Greens) [Jean-Michel JAVAUX, Isabelle DURANT]; Humanist and Democratic Center or CDH [Joelle MILQUET]; National Front or FN [Daniel HUYGENS]; Reform Movement or MR [Didier REYNDERS]; Socialist Party or PS [Elio DI RUPO]; other minor parties Belize National Alliance for Belizean Rights or NABR; National Reform Party or NRP [Cornelius DUECK]; People's National Party or PNP [Wil MAHEIA]; People's United Party or PUP [John BRICENO]; United Democratic Party or UDP [Dean BARROW]; Vision Inspired by the People or VIP [Paul MORGAN]; We the People Reform Movement or WTP [Hipolito BAUTISTA] Benin Alliance for Dynamic Democracy or ADD; Alliance of Progress Forces or AFP; African Movement for Democracy and Progress or MADEP [Sefou FAGBOHOUN]; Benin Renaissance or RB [Rosine SOGLO]; Democratic Renewal Party or PRD [Adrien HOUNGBEDJI]; Force Cowrie for an Emerging Benin or FCBE; Impulse for Progress and Democracy or IPD [Theophile NATA]; Key Force or FC [Lazare SEHOUETO]; Movement for the People's Alternative or MAP [Olivier CAPO-CHICHI]; Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Dominique HOUNGNINOU]; Social Democrat Party or PSD [Bruno AMOUSSOU]; Union for the Relief or UPR [Issa SALIFOU]; Union for Democracy and National Solidarity or UDS [Sacca LAFIA] note: approximately 20 additional minor parties Bermuda Progressive Labor Party or PLP [Ewart BROWN]; United Bermuda Party or UBP [Kim SWAN] Bhutan Bhutan Peace and Prosperity Party (Druk Phuensum Tshogpa) or DPT [Jigme THINLEY]; People's Democratic Party or PDP [Tshering TOBGAY] Bolivia Free Bolivia Movement or MBL [Franz BARRIOS]; Movement Toward Socialism or MAS [Juan Evo MORALES Ayma]; Movement Without Fear or MSM [Juan DEL GRANADO]; National Revolutionary Movement or MNR [Mirta QUEVEDO]; National Unity [Samuel DORIA MEDINA Arana]; Poder Democratico Nacional or PODEMOS [Jorge Fernando QUIROGA Ramirez]; Social Alliance [Rene JOAQUINO] Bosnia and Herzegovina Alliance of Independent Social Democrats or SNSD [Milorad DODIK]; Bosnian Party or BOSS [Mirnes AJANOVIC]; Bosnian Patriotic Party of BPS [Sefer HALILOVIC]; Civic Democratic Party or GDS [Ibrahim SPAHIC]; Croat Christian Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina or HKDU [Marin TOPIC]; Croat Party of Rights or HSP [Zvonko JURISIC]; Croat Peasants Party or HSS [Marko TADIC]; Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina or HDZ-BH [Dragan COVIC]; Croatian Democratic Union 1990 or HDZ1990 [Bozo LJUBIC]; Croatian Peoples Union [Milenko BRKIC]; Democratic National Union or DNZ [Rifet DOLIC]; Democratic Party of DP [Dragan CAVIC]; Democratic Peoples Alliance or DNS [Marko PAVIC]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDS [Rasim KADIC]; Nasa Stranka or NS [Bojan BAJIC]; New Croat Initiative or NHI [Kresimir ZUBAK]; Party for Bosnia and Herzegovina or SBiH [Haris SILAJDZIC]; Party for Democratic Action or SDA [Sulejman TIHIC]; Party for Work and Progress or RzB [Mladen IVANKOVIC-LIJANOVIC]; Party of Democratic Progress or PDP [Mladen IVANIC]; Serb Democratic Party or SDS [Mladen BOSIC]; Serb Radical Party of the Republika Srpska or SRS-RS [Milanko MIHAJLICA]; Serb Radical Party-Dr. Vojislav Seselj or SRS-VS [Radislav KANJERIC]; Social Democratic Party of BIH or SDP [Zlatko LAGUMDZIJA]; Social Democratic Union or SDU [Sejfudin TOKIC]; Socialist Party of Republika Srpska or SPRS [Petar DJOKIC] Botswana Botswana Alliance Movement or BAM [Ephraim Lepetu SETSHWAELO]; Botswana Congress Party or BCP [Gilson SALESHANDO]; Botswana Democratic Party or BDP [Daniel KWELAGOBE]; Botswana National Front or BNF [Otswoletse MOUPO]; Botswana Peoples Party or BPP [Bernard BALIKANI]; MELS Movement of Botswana or MELS [Themba JOINA]; New Democratic Front or NDF [Dick BAYFORD] note: a number of minor parties joined forces in 1999 to form the BAM but did not capture any parliamentary seats - includes the United Action Party [Ephraim Lepetu SETSHWAELO]; the Independence Freedom Party or IFP [Motsamai MPHO]; the Botswana Progressive Union [D. K. KWELE] Brazil Brazilian Democratic Movement Party or PMDB [Federal Deputy Michel TEMER]; Brazilian Labor Party or PTB [Roberto JEFFERSON]; Brazilian Renewal Labor Party or PRTB [Jose Levy FIDELIX da Cruz]; Brazilian Republican Party or PRB [Vitor Paulo Araujo DOS SANTOS]; Brazilian Social Democracy Party or PSDB [Senator Sergio GUERRA]; Brazilian Socialist Party or PSB [Governor Eduardo Henrique Accioly CAMPOS]; Christian Labor Party or PTC [Daniel TOURINHO]; Communist Party of Brazil or PCdoB [Jose Renato RABELO]; Democratic Labor Party or PDT [Carlos Roberto LUPI]; the Democrats or DEM (formerly Liberal Front Party or PFL) [Federal Deputy Rodrigo MAIA]; Freedom and Socialism Party or PSOL [Heloisa HELENA]; Green Party or PV [Jose Luiz de Franca PENNA]; Humanist Party of Solidarity or PHS [Paulo Roberto MATOS]; Labor Party of Brazil or PTdoB [Luis Henrique de Oliveira RESENDE]; Liberal Front Party or PFL (now known as the Democrats or DEM); National Mobilization Party or PMN [Oscar Noronha FILHO]; Party of the Republic or PR [Sergio TAMER]; Popular Socialist Party or PPS [Federal Deputy Fernando CORUJA]; Progressive Party or PP [Francisco DORNELLES]; Social Christian Party or PSC [Vitor Jorge Abdala NOSSEIS]; Workers' Party or PT [Ricardo Jose Ribeiro BERZOINI] British Virgin Islands Concerned Citizens Movement or CCM [Ethlyn SMITH]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Orlando SMITH]; United Party or UP [Gregory MADURO]; Virgin Islands Party or VIP [Ralph T. O'NEAL] Brunei National Development Party or NDP [YASSIN Affendi] note: Brunei National Solidarity Party or PPKB [Abdul LATIF bin Chuchu] and People's Awareness Party or PAKAR [Awang Haji MAIDIN bin Haji Ahmad] were deregistered; parties are small and have limited activity Bulgaria ATAKA (Attack Coalition) (coalition of parties headed by the Attack National Union); Attack National Union [Volen SIDEROV]; Agrarian National Union or ANU [Stefan LICHEV]; Blue Coalition (a coalition of center-right parties dominated by UDF and DSB); Bulgarian New Democracy [Borislav RALCHEV]; Bulgarian Socialist Party or BSP [Sergei STANISHEV]; Citizens for the European Development of Bulgaria or GERB [Tsvetan TSVETANOV]; Coalition for Bulgaria or CfB (coalition of parties dominated by BSP) [Sergei STANISHEV]; Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria or DSB [Ivan KOSTOV]; Gergyovden [Petar STOYANOVICH]; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization or IMRO [Krasimir KARAKACHANOV]; Liberal Initiative for Democratic European Development or LIDER [Khristo KOVACHKI]; Movement for Rights and Freedoms or MRF [Ahmed DOGAN]; Movement Forward (LIDER, IMRO, ANU, Gergyovden); National Movement for Stability and Progress or NDSV [Simeon SAXE-COBURG-GOTHA] (formerly National Movement Simeon II or NMS2); New Time [Emil KOSHLUKOV]; Order, Law, Justice or RZS [Yane YANEV]; Union of Democratic Forces or UDF [Martin DIMITROV]; Union of Free Democrats or UFD [Stefan SOFIYANSKI]; United Agrarians [Anastasia MOZER] Burkina Faso African Democratic Rally-Alliance for Democracy and Federation or ADF-RDA [Gilbert OUEDRAOGO]; Citizen's Popular Rally or RPC [Antoine QUARE]; Coalition of Democratic Forces of Burkina or CFD-B [Amadou Diemdioda DICKO]; Congress for Democracy and Progress or CDP [Roch Marc-Christian KABORE]; Democratic and Popular Rally or RDP [Nana THIBAUT]; Movement for Tolerance and Progress or MTP [Nayabtigungou Congo KABORE]; Party for African Independence or PAI [Soumane TOURE]; Party for Democracy and Progress-Socialist Party or PDP-PS [Ali LANKOANDE]; Party for Democracy and Socialism or PDS [Felix SOUBEIGA]; Party for National Rebirth or PAREN [Jeanne TRAORE]; Rally for the Development of Burkina or RDB [Antoine KARGOUGOU]; Rally of Ecologists of Burkina Faso or RDEB [Ram OUEDRAGO]; Republican Party for Integration and Solidarity or PARIS; Union for Democracy and Social Progress or UDPS [Fidele HIEN]; Union for Rebirth - Sankarist Movement or UNIR-MS [Benewende STANISLAS]; Union for the Republic or UPR [Toussaint Abel COULIBALY]; Union of Sankarist Parties or UPS [Ernest Nongma OUEDRAOGO] Burma National League for Democracy or NLD [AUNG SHWE, AUNG SAN SUU KYI]; National Unity Party or NUP (pro-regime) [TUN YE]; Shan Nationalities League for Democracy or SNLD [HKUN HTUN OO]; and numerous other smaller parties Burundi governing parties: Burundi Democratic Front or FRODEBU [Leonce NGENDAKUMANA]; National Council for the Defense of Democracy - Front for the Defense of Democracy or CNDD-FDD [Jeremie NGENDAKUMANA]; Unity for National Progress or UPRONA [Aloys RUBUKA] note: a multiparty system was introduced after 1998, included are: National Council for the Defense of Democracy or CNDD [Leonard NYANGOMA]; National Resistance Movement for the Rehabilitation of the Citizen or MRC-Rurenzangemero [Epitace BANYAGANAKANDI]; Party for National Redress or PARENA [Jean-Baptiste BAGAZA] Cambodia Cambodian People's Party or CPP [CHEA SIM]; Human Rights Party or HRP [KHEM SOKHA, also spelled KEM SOKHA]; National United Front for an Independent, Neutral, Peaceful, and Cooperative Cambodia or FUNCINPEC [KEV PUT REAKSMEI]; Norodom Ranariddh Party or NRP [CHHIM SEAK LENG]; Sam Rangsi Party or SRP [SAM RANGSI, also spelled SAM RAINSY] Cameroon Cameroonian Democratic Union or UDC [Adamou Ndam NJOYA]; Cameroon People's Democratic Movement or CPDM [Paul BIYA]; Movement for the Defense of the Republic or MDR [Dakole DAISSALA]; Movement for the Liberation and Development of Cameroon or MLDC [Marcel YONDO]; National Union for Democracy and Progress or UNDP [Maigari BELLO BOUBA]; Progressive Movement or MP; Social Democratic Front or SDF [John FRU NDI]; Union of Peoples of Cameroon or UPC [Augustin Frederic KODOCK] Canada Bloc Quebecois [Gilles DUCEPPE]; Conservative Party of Canada [Stephen HARPER] (a merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party); Green Party [Elizabeth MAY]; Liberal Party [Michael IGNATIEFF]; New Democratic Party [Jack LAYTON] Cape Verde African Party for Independence of Cape Verde or PAICV [Jose Maria Pereira NEVES, chairman]; Democratic Christian Party or PDC [Manuel RODRIGUES]; Democratic Renovation Party or PRD [Victor FIDALGO]; Democratic and Independent Cape Verdean Union or UCID [Antonio MONTEIRO]; Movement for Democracy or MPD [Jorge SANTOS]; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Dr. Eurico MONTEIRO]; Party of Work and Solidarity or PTS [Isaias RODRIGUES]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Joao ALEM] Cayman Islands United Democratic Party or UDP [McKeeva BUSH]; People's Progressive Movement or PPM [Kurt TIBBETTS] Central African Republic Alliance for Democracy and Progress or ADP [Jacques MBOLIEDAS]; Central African Democratic Rally or RDC [Andre KOLINGBA]; Civic Forum or FC [Gen. Timothee MALENDOMA]; Democratic Forum for Modernity or FODEM [Charles MASSI]; Liberal Democratic Party or PLD [Nestor KOMBO-NAGUEMON]; Londo Association or LONDO; Movement for Democracy and Development or MDD [David DACKO]; Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People or MLPC [Ange-Felix PATASSE] (the party of deposed president); National Convergence or KNK; Patriotic Front for Progress or FPP [Abel GOUMBA]; People's Union for the Republic or UPR [Pierre Sammy MAKFOY]; National Unity Party or PUN [Jean-Paul NGOUPANDE]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Enoch LAKOUE] Chad Federation Action for the Republic or FAR [Ngarledjy YORONGAR]; National Rally for Development and Progress or RNDP [Delwa Kassire KOUMAKOYE]; National Union for Democracy and Renewal or UNDR [Saleh KEBZABO]; Party for Liberty and Development or PLD [Ibni Oumar Mahamat SALEH]; Patriotic Salvation Movement or MPS [Mahamat Saleh AHMAT, chairman]; Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Lol Mahamat CHOUA]; Union for Renewal and Democracy or URD [Gen. Wadal Abdelkader KAMOUGUE] Chile Alliance for Chile (Alianza) or APC (including National Renewal or RN [Carlos LARRAIN Pena] and Independent Democratic Union or UDI [Juan Antonio COLOMA Correa]); Coalition of Parties for Democracy (Concertacion) or CPD (including Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Juan Carlos LATORRE Carmona], Socialist Party or PS [Camilo ESCALONA Medina], Party for Democracy or PPD [Pepe AUTH Stewart], and Radical Social Democratic Party or PRSD [Jose Antonio GOMEZ Urrutia]); Communist Party or PC [Guillermo TEILLIER del Valle]; Humanist Party [Marilen CABRERA Olmos] China Chinese Communist Party or CCP [HU Jintao]; eight registered small parties controlled by CCP Christmas Island none Cocos (Keeling) Islands none Colombia Colombian Conservative Party or PC [Efrain Jose CEPEDA Sarabia]; Alternative Democratic Pole or PDA [Carlos GAVIRIA Diaz]; Liberal Party or PL [Cesar GAVIRIA Trujillo]; Radical Change or CR [German VARGAS Lleras]; Social National Unity Party or U Party [Carlos FERRO Solanilla] note: Colombia has 15 formally recognized political parties, and numerous unofficial parties that did not meet the vote threshold in the March 2006 legislative elections required for recognition Comoros Convention for the Renewal of the Comoros or CRC [AZALI Assowmani]; Camp of the Autonomous Islands or CdIA (a coalition of parties organized by the islands' presidents in opposition to the Union President); Front National pour la Justice or FNJ [Ahmed RACHID] (Islamic party in opposition); Mouvement pour la Democratie et le Progress or MDP-NGDC [Abbas DJOUSSOUF]; Parti Comorien pour la Democratie et le Progress or PCDP [Ali MROUDJAE]; Rassemblement National pour le Development or RND [Omar TAMOU, Abdoulhamid AFFRAITANE] Congo, Democratic Republic of the Christian Democrat Party or PDC [Jose ENDUNDO]; Congolese Rally for Democracy or RCD [Azarias RUBERWA]; Convention of Christian Democrats or CDC; Forces of Renewal or FR [Mbusa NYAMWISI]; Movement for the Liberation of the Congo or MLC [Jean-Pierre BEMBA]; People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy or PPRD [Joseph KABILA]; Social Movement for Renewal or MSR [Pierre LUMBI]; Unified Lumumbist Party or PALU [Antoine GIZENGA]; Union for Democracy and Social Progress or UDPS [Etienne TSHISEKEDI]; Union of Mobutuist Democrats or UDEMO [MOBUTU Nzanga] Congo, Republic of the Action Movement for Renewal or MAR; Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development or MCDDI [Michel MAMPOUYA]; Congolese Labour Party or PCT; Movement for Solidarity and Development or MSD; Pan-African Union for Social Development or UPADS [Martin MBERI]; Rally of the Presidential Majority or RMP; Rally for Democracy and Social Progress or RDPS [Jean-Pierre Thystere TCHICAYA, president]; Rally for Democracy and the Republic or RDR [Raymond Damasge NGOLLO]; Union for Democracy and Republic or UDR; United Democratic Forces or FDU [Sebastian EBAO]; many less important parties Cook Islands Cook Islands Party or CIP [Henry PUNA]; Democratic Party or Demo [Dr. Terepai MAOATE] Costa Rica Authentic Member from Heredia [Jose SALAS]; Citizen Action Party or PAC [Epsy CAMPBELL Barr]; Costa Rican Renovation Party or PRC [Gerardo Justo OROZCO Alvarez]; Democratic Force Party or PFD [Marco NUNEZ Gonzalez]; General Union Party or PUGEN [Carlos Alberto FERNANDEZ Vega]; Homeland First or PP [Juan Jose VARGAS Fallas]; Independent Worker Party or PIO [Jose Alberto CUBERO Carmona]; Libertarian Movement Party or PML [Otto GUEVARA Guth]; National Christian Alliance Party or ANC [Juan Carlos CHAVEZ Mora]; National Integration Party or PIN [Walter MUNOZ Cespedes]; National Liberation Party or PLN [Francisco Antonio PACHECO Fernandez]; National Patriotic Party or PPN [Daniel Enrique REYNOLDS Vargas]; National Restoration Party or PRN [Fabio Enrique DELGADO Hernandez]; National Union Party or PUN [Arturo ACOSTA Mora]; Nationalist Democratic Alliance or ADN [Jose Miguel VILLALOBOS Umana]; Patriotic Union or UP [Jose Miguel CORRALES Bolanos]; Social Christian Unity Party or PUSC [Luis FISHMAN Zonzinski]; Union for Change Party or UPC [Antonio ALVAREZ Desanti]; United Leftist Coalition or IU [Humberto VARGAS Carbonel] Cote d'Ivoire Citizen's Democratic Union or UDCY [Theodore MEL EG]; Democratic Party of Cote d'Ivoire or PDCI [Henri Konan BEDIE]; Ivorian Popular Front or FPI [Pascale Affi N'GUESSAN]; Ivorian Worker's Party or PIT [Francis WODIE]; Opposition Movement of the Future or MFA [Innocent Augustin ANAKY]; Rally of the Republicans or RDR [Alassane OUATTARA]; Union for Democracy and Peace in Cote d'Ivoire or UDPCI [Toikeuse MABRI]; over 144 smaller registered parties Croatia Croatian Democratic Congress of Slavonia and Baranja or HDSSB [Vladimir SISLJAGIC]; Croatian Democratic Union or HDZ [Ivo SANADER]; Croatian Party of the Right or HSP [Anto DJAPIC]; Croatian Peasant Party or HSS [Josip FRISCIC]; Croatian Pensioner Party or HSU [Silvano HRELJA]; Croatian People's Party or HNS [Radimir CACIC]; Croatian Social Liberal Party or HSLS [Djurdja ADLESIC]; Independent Democratic Serb Party or SDSS [Vojislav STANIMIROVIC]; Istrian Democratic Assembly or IDS [Ivan JAKOVCIC]; Social Democratic Party of Croatia or SDP [Zoran MILANOVIC] Cuba Cuban Communist Party or PCC [Fidel CASTRO Ruz, first secretary] Cyprus area under government control: Democratic Party or DIKO [Marios KAROYIAN]; Democratic Rally or DISY [Nikos ANASTASIADES]; European Party or EURO.KO [Demetris SYLLOURIS]; Fighting Democratic Movement or ADIK [Dinos MIKHAILIDES]; Green Party of Cyprus [George PERDIKIS]; Movement for Social Democrats or EDEK [Yiannakis OMIROU]; Progressive Party of the Working People or AKEL (Communist Party) [Andros KYPRIANOU]; United Democrats or EDI [Michalis PAPAPETROU] area administered by Turkish Cypriots: Centrist Party or HP [Rasit PERTEV]; Communal Democracy Party or TDP [Mehmet CAKICIL]; Cyprus Socialist Party or KSP [Yusuf ALKIM]; Democratic Party or DP [Serder DENKTASH]; Freedom and Reform Party or ORP [Turgay AVCI]; National Unity Party or UBP [Dervis EROGLU]; Nationalist Justice Party or MAP [Ata TEPE]; New Cyprus Party or YKP [Murat KANATLI]; Politics for the People Party or HIS [Ahmet YONLUER]; Republican Turkish Party or CTP [Ferdi Sabit SOYER]; United Cyprus Party or BKP [Izzet IZCAN] Czech Republic Association of Independent Candidates-European Democrats or SNK-ED [Helmut DOHNALEK]; Christian Democratic Union-Czechoslovak People's Party or KDU-CSL [Jiri CUNEK]; Civic Democratic Party or ODS [Mirek TOPOLANEK]; Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia or KSCM [Vojtech FILIP]; Czech Social Democratic Party or CSSD [Jiri PAROUBEK]; Free Citizens' Party or SSO [Petr MACH]; Green Party [Martin BURSIK]; Independent Democrats (NEZDEM) [Vladimir ZELEZNY]; Party of Open Society (SOS) [Pavel NOVACEK]; Path of Change [Jiri LOBKOWITZ]; Union of Freedom-Democratic Union or US-DEU [Jan CERNY] Denmark Christian Democrats [Bjarne Hartung KIRKEGAARD] (was Christian People's Party); Conservative Party [Lene ESPERSEN] (sometimes known as Conservative People's Party); Danish People's Party [Pia KJAERSGAARD]; Liberal Party [Anders Fogh RASMUSSEN]; Liberal Alliance [Naser KHADER](formerly known as New Alliance); Red-Green Unity List (Alliance) [collective leadership] (bloc includes Left Socialist Party, Communist Party of Denmark, Socialist Workers' Party); Social Democratic Party [Helle THORNING-SCHMIDT]; Social Liberal Party [Margrethe VESTAGER]; Socialist People's Party [Villy SOEVNDAL] Djibouti Democratic National Party or PND [ADEN Robleh Awaleh]; Democratic Renewal Party or PRD [Abdillahi HAMARITEH]; Djibouti Development Party or PDD [Mohamed Daoud CHEHEM]; Front pour la Restauration de l'Unite Democratique or FRUD [Ali Mohamed DAOUD]; People's Progress Assembly or RPP [Ismail Omar GUELLEH] (governing party); Peoples Social Democratic Party or PPSD [Moumin Bahdon FARAH]; Republican Alliance for Democracy or ARD [Ahmed YOUSSOUF]; Union for a Presidential Majority or UMP (a coalition of parties including RPP, FRUD, PND, and PPSD) [Mohamed Dileita DILEITA]; Union for Democracy and Justice or UDJ Dominica Dominica Freedom Party or DFP [Charles SAVARIN]; Dominica Labor Party or DLP [Roosevelt SKERRIT]; Dominica United Workers Party or UWP [Earl WILLIAMS] Dominican Republic Dominican Liberation Party or PLD [Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna]; Dominican Revolutionary Party or PRD [Ramon ALBURQUERQUE]; National Progressive Front [Vincent CASTILLO, Pelegrin CASTILLO]; Social Christian Reformist Party or PRSC [Enrique ANTUN] Ecuador Alianza PAIS Movement [Rafael Vicente CORREA Delgado]; Christian Democratic Union or UDC [Diego ORDONEZ Guerrero]; Democratic Left or ID [Andres PAEZ Benalcazar]; Ethical and Democratic Network or RED [Leon ROLDOS]; Institutional Renewal and National Action Party or PRIAN [Alvaro NOBOA]; Pachakutik Plurinational Unity Movement - New Country or MUPP-NP [Jorge GUAMAN]; Patriotic Society Party or PSP [Lucio GUTIERREZ Borbua]; Popular Democratic Movement or MPD [Ciro GUZMAN Aldaz]; Roldosist Party or PRE [Abdala BUCARAM Ortiz, director]; Social Christian Party or PSC [Pascual DEL CIOPPO]; Socialist Party - Broad Front or PS-FA [Gustavo AYALA Cruz] Egypt National Democratic Party or NDP (governing party) [Mohamed Hosni MUBARAK]; National Progressive Unionist Grouping or Tagammu [Rifaat EL-SAID]; New Wafd Party or NWP [Mahmoud ABAZA]; Tomorrow Party [Moussa Mustafa MOUSSA] note: formation of political parties must be approved by the government; only parties with representation in elected bodies are listed El Salvador Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Rodolfo PARKER]; Democratic Convergence or CD [Hector DADA HIREZI] (formerly United Democratic Center or CDU); Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front or FMLN [Medardo GONZALEZ]; National Conciliation Party or PCN [Ciro CRUZ ZEPEDA]; Nationalist Republican Alliance or ARENA [Rodrigo AVILA]; Popular Social Christian Party or PPSC [Rene AGUILUZ]; Revolutionary Democratic Front or FDR [Julio Cesar HERNANDEZ Carcamo] Equatorial Guinea Convergence Party for Social Democracy or CPDS [Placido MICO Abogo]; Democratic Party for Equatorial Guinea or PDGE (ruling party) [Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO]; Electoral Coalition or EC; Party for Progress of Equatorial Guinea or PPGE [Severo MOTO]; Popular Action of Equatorial Guinea or APGE [Avelino MOCACHE]; Popular Union or UP Eritrea People's Front for Democracy and Justice or PFDJ [ISAIAS Afworki] (the only party recognized by the government); note - a National Assembly committee drafted a law on political parties in January 2001, but the full National Assembly has yet to debate or vote on it Estonia Center Party of Estonia (Keskerakond) [Edgar SAVISAAR]; Estonian Greens (Rohelised) [Marek STRANDBERG]; Estonian People's Union (Rahvaliit) [Villu REILJAN]; Estonian Reform Party (Reformierakond) [Andrus ANSIP]; Social Democratic Party (formerly People's Party Moodukad or Moderates) [Ivari PADAR]; Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica (Isamaa je Res Publica Liit) [Mart LAAR] Ethiopia Afar National Democratic Party or ANDP [Mohammed Kedir]; Benishangul Gumuz People's Democratic Unity Front or BGPDUF [Mulualem BESSE]; Coalition for Unity and Democratic Party or CUDP; Gurage Nationalities' Democratic Movement or GNDM; Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement or OFDM [BULCHA Demeksa]; Omoro People's Congress or OPC [IMERERA Gudina]; Somali People's Democratic Party or SPDP; United Ethiopian Democratic Forces or UEDF [BEYENE Petros] European Union Confederal Group of the European United Left-Nordic Green Left or GUE/NGL [Francis WURTZ]; European People's Party-European Democrats or EPP-ED [Joseph DAUL]; Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe or ALDE [Graham R. WATSON]; Group of Greens/European Free Alliance or Greens/EFA [Monica FRASSONI and Daniel Marc COHN-BENDIT]; Identity, Tradition, Sovereignty Group or ITS [Bruno GOLLNISCH]; Independence/Democracy Group or IND/DEM [Hanne DAHL and Nigel FARAGE]; Socialist Group in the European Parliament or PES [Martin SCHULZ]; Union for Europe of the Nations Group or UEN [Brian CROWLEY and Cristiana MUSCARDINI] Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) none; all independents Faroe Islands Center Party [Jenis A. RANA]; Independence Party [Kari P. HOJGAARD]; People's Party [Jorgen NICLASEN]; Republican Party [Hogni HOYDAL]; Social Democratic Party [Joannes EIDESGAARD]; Self-Government Party [Kari P. HOJGAARD]; Union Party [Kaj Leo JOHANNESEN] Fiji Dodonu Ni Taukei Party or DNT [Fereti S. DEWA]; Fiji Democratic Party or FDP [Filipe BOLE] (a merger of the Christian Democrat Alliance or VLV [Poesci Waqalevu BUNE], Fijian Association Party or FAP, Fijian Political Party or SVT (primarily Fijian) [Sitiveni RABUKA], and New Labor Unity Party or NLUP [Ofa SWANN]); Fiji Labor Party or FLP [Mahendra CHAUDHRY]; General Voters Party or GVP (became part of United General Party); Girmit Heritage Party or GHP; Justice and Freedom Party or AIM; Lio 'On Famor Rotuma Party or LFR; National Federation Party or NFP (primarily Indian) [Pramond RAE]; Nationalist Vanua Takolavo Party or NVTLP [Saula TELAWA]; Party of National Unity or PANU [Ponipate LESAVUA]; Party of the Truth or POTT; United Fiji Party/Sogosogo Duavata ni Lewenivanua or SDL [Laisenia QARASE]; United Peoples Party or UPP [Millis Mick BEDDOES] Finland Center Party or Kesk [Matti VANHANEN]; Christian Democrats or KD [Paivi RASANEN]; Green Party or VIHR [Tarja CRONBERG]; Left Alliance or VAS [Martti KORHONEN] (composed of People's Democratic League and Democratic Alternative); National Coalition Party (conservative) or Kok [Jyrki KATAINEN]; Social Democratic Party or SDP [Jutta URPILAINEN]; Swedish People's Party or SFP [Stefan WALLIN]; True Finns [Timo SOINI] France Communist, Republican and Citizen or CRC; Democratic Movement or MoDem [Francois BAYROU] (previously Union for French Democracy or UDF); Democratic and Social European Rally or RDSE [Yvon COLLIN] (mainly Radical Republican and Socialist Parties, and PRG); French Communist Party or PCF [Marie-George BUFFET]; Greens [Cecile DUFLOT]; Left Radical Party or PRG [Jean-Michel BAYLET] (previously Radical Socialist Party or PRS and the Left Radical Movement or MRG); Movement for France or MPF [Philippe DE VILLIERS]; National Front or FN [Jean-Marie LE PEN]; New Center or NC [Herve MORIN]; Radical Party [Jean-Louis BORLOO]; Rally for France or RPF [Charles PASQUA]; Republican and Citizen Movement or MRC [Jean Pierre CHEVENEMENT and Georges SARRE]; Socialist Party or PS [Martine AUBRY]; Union Centrist-UDF or UC-UDF [Michel MERCIER]; Union for a Popular Movement or UMP [Xavier BERTRAND] French Polynesia Alliance for a New Democracy or ADN [Nicole BOUTEAU and Philip SCHYLE](includes the parties The New Star and This Country is Yours); Independent Front for the Liberation of Polynesia (Tavini Huiraatira) [Oscar TEMARU]; New Fatherland Party (Ai'a Api) [Emile VERNAUDON]; Our Home alliance; Popular Rally (Tahoeraa Huiraatira) [Gaston FLOSSE]; Union for Democracy alliance or UPD [Oscar TEMARU] Gabon Circle of Liberal Reformers or CLR [General Jean Boniface ASSELE]; Congress for Democracy and Justice or CDJ [Jules Aristide Bourdes OGOULIGUENDE]; Democratic and Republican Alliance or ADERE [Divungui-di-Ndinge DIDJOB]; Gabonese Democratic Party or PDG (former sole party) [Simplice Nguedet MANZELA]; Gabonese Party for Progress or PGP [Benoit Mouity NZAMBA]; Gabonese Union for Democracy and Development or UGDD [Zacherie MYBOTO]; National Rally of Woodcutters or RNB; National Rally of Woodcutters-Rally for Gabon or RNB-RPG (Bucherons) [Fr. Paul M'BA-ABESSOLE]; Party of Development and Social Solidarity or PDS [Seraphin Ndoat REMBOGO]; People's Unity Party or PUP [Louis Gaston MAYILA]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Pierre Claver MAGANGA-MOUSSAVOU]; Union for Democracy and Social Integration or UDIS; Union of Gabonese Patriots or UPG [Pierre MAMBOUNDOU] Gambia, The Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction or APRC (the ruling party) [Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH]; Gambia People's Democratic Party or GPDP [Henry GOMEZ]; National Alliance for Democracy and Development or NADD [Halifa SALLAH]; National Convention Party or NCP [Sheriff DIBBA]; National Reconciliation Party or NRP [Hamat N. K. BAH]; People's Democratic Organization for Independence and Socialism or PDOIS [Halifa SALLAH]; United Democratic Party or UDP [Ousainou DARBOE] Georgia Christian Democratic Movement [Giorgi TARGAMADZE]; Democratic Movement United Georgia [Nino BURJANADZE]; Georgian People's Front [Nodar NATADZE]; Georgian United Communist Party or UCPG [Panteleimon GIORGADZE]; Georgia's Way Party [Salome ZOURABICHVILI]; Greens [Giorgi GACHECHILADZE]; Industry Will Save Georgia (Industrialists) or IWSG [Georgi TOPADZE]; Labor Party [Shalva NATELASHVILI]; National Council-New Rights (bloc forming joint opposition) [Levan GACHECHILADZE]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Bachuki KARDAVA]; United National Movement [Mikheil SAAKASHVILI]; New Rights [David GAMKRELIDZE]; Republican Party [David USUPASHVILI]; Socialist Party or SPG [Irakli MINDELI]; Traditionalists [Akaki ASATIANI]; Union of National Forces-Conservatives [Koba DAVITASHVILI and Zviad DZIDZIGURI] Germany Alliance '90/Greens [Claudia ROTH and Cem OZDEMIR]; Christian Democratic Union or CDU [Angela MERKEL]; Christian Social Union or CSU [Horst SEEHOFER]; Free Democratic Party or FDP [Guido WESTERWELLE]; Left Party or Die Linke [Lothar BISKY and Oskar LAFONTAINE]; Social Democratic Party or SPD [Franz MUENTEFERING] Ghana Convention People's Party or CPP [Ladi NYLANDER]; Democratic Freedom Party or DFP [Alhaji Abudu Rahman ISSAKAH]; Every Ghanaian Living Everywhere or EGLE; Great Consolidated Popular Party or GCPP [Dan LARTEY]; National Democratic Congress or NDC [Dr. Kwabena ADJEI]; New Patriotic Party or NPP [Peter MAC-MANU]; People's National Convention or PNC [Alhaji Amed RAMADAN]; Reform Party [Kyeretwie OPUKU]; United Renaissance Party or URP [Charles WAYO] Gibraltar Gibraltar Liberal Party [Joseph GARCIA]; Gibraltar Social Democrats or GSD [Peter CARUANA]; Gibraltar Socialist Labor Party or GSLP [Joseph John BOSSANO] Greece Coalition of the Radical Left or SYRIZA [Alekos ALAVANOS]; Communist Party (Marxist-Leninist) [Gr. KONSTANTOPOULOS]; Communist Party of Greece or KKE [Aleka PAPARIGA]; Democratic Revival [Stelios PAPATHEMELIS]; Democratic Universal Hellas [Stergio KRIKELISI]; Ecologist Greens [Ioanna KONTOULI]; Fighting Socialist Party [Nikos KARGOPOULOS]; Greek Ecologists [Dimosthenis VERGIS]; Liberal Alliance [Foris PERIKOS]; Liberal Party [Manolis KALIGIANNIS]; Light-Truth-Justice [Konstantinos MELISSOURGOS]; New Democracy or ND [Konstandinos KARAMANLIS]; Organization for the Reconstruction of the Communist Party of Greece [Ilias ZAFIROPOULOS]; Panhellenic Socialist Movement or PASOK [Yiorgos PAPANDREOU]; Popular Orthodox Rally or LAOS [Yeoryios KARATZAFERIS]; Radical Left Front [D. DESILLAS]; Regional Urban Development [Nikolaos KOLITIS]; Salvation Party Christian Democracy [Alkiviadis STOILIS]; Union of Centrists [Vassilis LEVENTIS]; United Anti-Capitalist Left [Konstantinos PAPDAKIS] Greenland Atassut Party (Solidarity) [Finn KARLSEN] (a conservative party favoring continuing close relations with Denmark); Demokratiit [Per BERTHELSEN]; Inuit Ataqatigiit or IA (Eskimo Brotherhood) [Josef MOTZFELDT] (a leftist party favoring complete independence from Denmark rather than home rule); Kattusseqatigiit (Candidate List) (an independent right-of-center party with no official platform); Siumut (Forward Party) [Hans ENOKSEN] (a social democratic party advocating more distinct Greenlandic identity and greater autonomy from Denmark) Grenada Grenada United Labor Party or GULP [Gloria Payne BANFIELD]; National Democratic Congress or NDC [Tillman THOMAS]; New National Party or NNP [Keith MITCHELL] Guam Democratic Party [leader Michael PHILLIPS]; Republican Party [Philip J. FLORES] (controls the legislature) Guatemala Center of Social Action or CASA [Eduardo SUGER]; Democracy Front or FRENTE [Alfonso CABRERA]; Democratic Union or UD [Manuel CONDE Orellana]; Encounter for Guatemala or EG [Nineth MONTENGRO]; Grand National Alliance or GANA [Alfredo VILLA]; Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity or URNG [Hector NUILA]; Guatemalan Republican Front or FRG [Efrain RIOS Montt]; National Advancement Party or PAN [Juan Guillermo GUTIERREZ]; National Unity for Hope or UNE [Juan Jose ALFARO Lemus]; Nationalist Change Union or UCN [Mario ESTRADA]; Patriot Party or PP [Ret. Gen. Otto PEREZ Molina]; Unionista Party or PU [Fritz GARCIA-GALLONT] Guernsey none; all independents Guinea National Union for Progress or UPN [Mamadou Bhoye BARRY]; Party for Unity and Progress or PUP (the governing party) [Sekou KONATE]; People's Party of Guinea or PPG [Charles Pascal TOLNO]; Rally for the Guinean People or RPG [Alpha CONDE]; Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea or UFDG [Cellou Dalein DIALLO]; Union of Republican Forces or UFR [Sidya TOURE]; Union for Progress of Guinea or UPG [Jean-Marie DORE, secretary-general]; Union for Progress and Renewal or UPR [Ousmane BAH] Guinea-Bissau African Party for the Independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde or PAIGC [Carlos GOMES Junior]; Party for Social Renewal or PRS [Kumba YALA]; Democratic Alliance or AD [Victor MANDINGA]; Democratic Social Front or FDS [Rafael BARBOSA]; Electoral Union or UE [Joaquim BALDE]; Guinea-Bissau Civic Forum/Social Democracy or FCGSD [Antonieta Rosa GOMES]; Guinea-Bissau Democratic Party or PDG; Guinea-Bissau Socialist Democratic Party or PDSG [Serifo BALDE]; Labor and Solidarity Party or PST [Iancuba INDJAI]; New Democracy Party or PND; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Victor MANDINGA]; Party for Renewal and Progress or PRP; Progress Party or PP; Republican Party for Independence and Development or PRID [Aristides GOMES]; Union for Change or UM [Amine SAAD]; Union of Guinean Patriots or UPG [Francisca VAZ]; United Platform or UP (coalition formed by PCD, FDS, FLING, and RGB-MB); United Popular Alliance or APU; United Social Democratic Party or PUSD [Frnacisco FADUL] Guyana Alliance for Change or AFC [Raphael TROTMAN and Khemraj RAMJATTAN]; Guyana Action Party or GAP [Paul HARDY]; Justice for All Party [C.N. SHARMA]; People's National Congress/Reform or PNC/R [Robert Herman Orlando CORBIN]; People's Progressive Party/Civic or PPP/C [Bharrat JAGDEO]; Rise, Organize, and Rebuild or ROAR [Ravi DEV]; The United Force or TUF [Manzoor NADIR]; The Unity Party [Joey JAGAN]; Vision Guyana [Peter RAMSAROOP]; Working People's Alliance or WPA [Rupert ROOPNARAINE] Haiti Artibonite in Action or LAAA [Youri LATORTUE]; Assembly of Progressive National Democrats or RDNP [Leslie MANIGAT]; Convention for Democratic Unity or KID [Evans PAUL]; Cooperative Action to Build Haiti or KONBA [Evans LESCOUFALIR]; Democratic Alliance or ALYANS [Evans PAUL] (coalition composed of KID and PPRH); Effort and Solidarity to Create an Alternative for the People or ESKAMP [Joseph JASME]; For Us All or PONT [Jean-Marie CHERESTAL]; Front for Hope or L'ESPWA [Rene PREVAL] (alliance of ESKAMP, PLB, and grass-roots organizations Grand-Anse Resistance Committee, the Central Plateau Peasants' Group, and Kombit Sudest); Haitian Christian Democratic Party or PDCH [Osner FEVRY and Marie-Denise CLAUDE]; Haitian Democratic and Reform Movement or MODEREH [Dany TOUSSAINT and Pierre Soncon PRINCE]; Heads Together or Tet-Ansanm [Dr. Gerard BLOT]; Independent Movement for National Reconciliation or MIRN [Luc FLEURINORD]; Justice for Peace and National Development or JPDN [Rigaud DUPLAN]; Fanmi Lavalas or FL [Rudy HERIVEAUX]; Liberal Party of Haiti or PLH [Gehy MICHEL]; Merging of Haitian Social Democratic Parties or FUSION or FPSDH [Serge GILLES] (coalition of Ayiti Capable, Haitian National Revolutionary Party, and National Congress of Democratic Movements); Mobilization for Haiti's Development or MPH [Samir MOURRA]; Mobilization for National Development or MDN [Hubert de RONCERAY]; Movement for National Reconstruction or MRN [Jean Henold BUTEAU]; Movement for the Installation of Democracy in Haiti or MIDH [Marc BAZIN]; National Christian Union for the Reconstruction of Haiti or UNCRH [Marie Claude GERMAIN]; National Front for the Reconstruction of Haiti or FRN [Guy PHILIPPE]; New Christian Movement for a New Haiti or MOCHRENA [Luc MESADIEU]; Open the Gate Party or PLB [Anes LUBIN]; Popular Party for the Renewal of Haiti or PPRH [Claude ROMAIN]; Struggling People's Organization or OPL [Edgard LEBLANC]; Union of Nationalist and Progressive Haitians or UNITE [Edouard FRANCISQUE] Holy See (Vatican City) none Honduras Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Felicito AVILA]; Democratic Unification Party or PUD [Cesar HAM]; Liberal Party or PL [Patricia RODAS]; National Innovation and Unity Party or PINU [Jorge AQUILAR Paredes]; National Party of Honduras or PN [Porfirio LOBO] Hong Kong Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood or ADPL [Frederick FUNG Kin-kee]; Civic Party [KUAN Hsin-chi]; Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong or DAB [TAM Yiu Cheng]; Democratic Party [Albert HO Chun-yan]; League of Social Democrats [Raymond WONG Yuk-man]; Liberal Party [Miriam LAU Kin-yee] note: political blocs include: pro-democracy - ADPL, Civic Party; Democratic Party, League of Social Democrats; pro-Beijing - DAB, Liberal Party, The Professional Forum (an informal group of three generally pro-government and pro-business LegCo members from functional constituencies and one independent elected from a geographic constituency); there is no political party ordinance, so there are no registered political parties; politically active groups register as societies or companies Hungary Alliance of Free Democrats or SzDSz [Gabor FODOR]; Christian Democratic People's Party or KDNP [Zsolt SEMJEN]; Hungarian Civic Alliance or Fidesz [Viktor ORBAN, chairman]; Hungarian Democratic Forum or MDF [Ibolya DAVID]; Hungarian Socialist Party or MSzP [Ildiko LENDVAI] Iceland Citizens' Movement; Independence Party or IP [Bjarni BENEDIKTSSON, Jr.]; Left-Green Movement or LGM [Steingrimur SIGFUSSON]; Liberal Party or LP [Gudjon KRISTJANSSON]; Progressive Party or PP [Sigmundur David GUNNLAUGSSON; Social Democratic Alliance or SDA [Johanna SIGUROARDOTTIR] (includes People's Alliance or PA, Social Democratic Party or SDP, Women's List) India All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam or AIADMK [J. JAYALALITHAA]; All India Trinamool Congress or AITC [Mamata BANERJEE]; Bahujan Samaj Party or BSP [Kumari MAYAWATI]; Bharatiya Janata Party or BJP [Rajnath SINGH]; Biju Janata Dal or BJD [Naveen PATNAIK]; Communist Party of India or CPI [Ardhendu Bhushan BARDHAN]; Communist Party of India-Marxist or CPI-M [Prakash KARAT]; Dravida Munnetra Kazagham or DMK [M. KARUNANIDHI]; Indian National Congress or INC [Sonia GANDHI]; Janata Dal (United) or JD(U) [Sharad YADAV]; Jharkhand Mukti Morcha or JMM [Shibu SOREN]; Left Front (an alliance of Indian leftist parties); Lok Jan Shakti Party or LJSP [Ram Vilas PASWAN]; Nationalist Congress Party or NCP [Sharad PAWAR]; Pattali Makkal Katchi or PMK [S. RAMADOSS]; Rashtriya Janata Dal or RJD [Laloo Prasad YADAV]; Samajwadi Party or SP [Mulayam Singh YADAV]; Shiromani Akali Dal or SAD [Parkash Singh BADAL]; Shiv Sena or SS [Bal THACKERAY]; note - India has dozens of national and regional political parties; only parties or coalitions with four or more seats in the People's Assembly are listed Indonesia Democrat Party or PD [Hadi UTOMO]; Functional Groups Party or GOLKAR [Aburizal BAKRIE]; Great Indonesia Movement Party or GERINDRA [WIRANTO]; Indonesia Democratic Party-Struggle or PDI-P [MEGAWATI Sukarnoputri]; National Awakening Party or PKB [Muhaiman ISKANDAR]; National Mandate Party or PAN [Sutrisno BACHIR]; People's Conscience Party or HANURA [SUHARDI]; Prosperous Justice Party or PKS [Tifatul SEMBIRING]; United Development Party or PPP [Suryadharma ALI] Iran formal political parties are a relatively new phenomenon in Iran and most conservatives still prefer to work through political pressure groups rather than parties; often political parties or coalitions are formed prior to elections and disbanded soon thereafter; a loose pro-reform coalition called the 2nd Khordad Front, which includes political parties as well as less formal groups and organizations, achieved considerable success in elections for the sixth Majles in early 2000; groups in the coalition included the Islamic Iran Participation Front (IIPF), Executives of Construction Party (Kargozaran), Solidarity Party, Islamic Labor Party, Mardom Salari, Mojahedin of the Islamic Revolution Organization (MIRO), and Militant Clerics Society (Ruhaniyun); the coalition participated in the seventh Majles elections in early 2004; following his defeat in the 2005 presidential elections, former MCS Secretary General and sixth Majles Speaker Mehdi KARUBI formed the National Trust Party; a new conservative group, Islamic Iran Developers Coalition (Abadgaran), took a leading position in the new Majles after winning a majority of the seats in February 2004; following the 2004 Majles elections, traditional and hardline conservatives have attempted to close ranks under the United Front of Principlists and the Broad Popular Coalition of Principlists; several reformist groups, such as the Islamic Revolution, came together as a reformist coalition in advance of the 2008 Majles elections; the IIPF has repeatedly complained that the overwhelming majority of its candidates have been unfairly disqualified from the 2008 elections Iraq Assyrian Democratic Movement [Yunadim KANNA]; Badr Organization [Hadi al-AMIRI]; Constitutional Monarchy Movement or CMM [Sharif Ali Bin al-HUSAYN]; Da'wa al-Islamiya Party [Nuri al-MALIKI]; General Conference of Iraqi People [Adnan al-DULAYMI]; Independent Iraqi Alliance or IIA [Falah al-NAQIB]; Iraqi Communist Party [Hamid MAJID]; Iraqi Front for National Dialogue [Salih al-MUTLAQ]; Iraqi Hizballah [Karim Mahmud al-MUHAMMADAWI]; Iraqi Independent Democrats or IID [Adnan PACHACHI, Mahdi al-HAFIZ]; Iraqi Islamic Party or IIP [Tariq al-HASHIMI]; Iraqi National Accord or INA [Ayad ALLAWI]; Iraqi National Congress or INC [Ahmad CHALABI]; Iraqi National Council for Dialogue or INCD [Khalaf Ulayan al-Khalifawi al-DULAYMI]; Iraqi National Unity Movement or INUM [Ahmad al-KUBAYSI]; Islamic Action Organization or IAO [Ayatollah Muhammad al-MUDARRISI]; Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq or ISCI [Abd al-Aziz al-HAKIM]; Jama'at al Fadilah or JAF [Muhammad Ali al-YAQUBI]; Kurdistan Democratic Party or KDP [Masud BARZANI]; Kurdistan Islamic Union [Salah ad-Din Muhammad BAHA al-DIN]; Patriotic Union of Kurdistan or PUK [Jalal TALABANI]; Sadrist Trend [Muqtada al-SADR] (not an organized political party, but it fields independent candidates affiliated with Muqtada al-SADR); Sahawa al-Iraq [Ahmad al-RISHAWI] note: the Kurdistan Alliance, Iraqi National List, Tawafuq Front, Iraqi Front for National Dialogue, and Unified Iraqi Alliance were only electoral slates consisting of the representatives from the various Iraqi political parties Ireland Fianna Fail [Brian COWEN]; Fine Gael [Enda KENNY]; Green Party [John GORMLEY]; Labor Party [Eamon GILMORE]; Progressive Democrats [Ciaran CANNON] (disbanding); Sinn Fein [Gerry ADAMS]; Socialist Party [Joe HIGGINS]; The Workers' Party [Mick FINNEGAN] Isle of Man Alliance for Progressive Government; Liberal Vannin Party [Peter KARRAN]; Man Labor Party; Man Nationalist Party (Mec Vannin) [Bernard MOFFATT] note: most members sit as independents Israel Balad [Azmi BISHARA]; Democratic Front for Peace and Equality (HADASH) [Muhammad BARAKEH]; Kadima [Tzipora "Tzipi" LIVNI]; Labor Party [Ehud BARAK]; Likud [Binyamin NETANYAHU]; National Union [Yaakov KATZ]; The Jewish Home (HaBayit HaYehudi) [Daniel HERSCHKOWITZ]; SHAS [Eliyahu YISHAI]; The New Movement-Meretz [Haim ORON]; United Arab List-Ta'al [Ibrahim SARSUR]; United Torah Judaism or UTJ [Yaakov LITZMAN]; Yisrael Beiteinu or YB [Avigdor LIEBERMAN] Italy Silvio BERLUSCONI coalition: People of Freedom or PdL [Silvio BERLUSCONI]; Lega Nord or LN [Umberto BOSSI]; Movement for Autonomy or MpA [Raffaele LOMBARDO] Walter VELTRONI coalition: Democratic Party or PD [Walter VELTRONI]; Italy of Values or IdV [Antonio DI PIETRO] other non-allied parties: Union of the Center or UdC [Savino PEZZOTTA] Jamaica Jamaica Labor Party or JLP [Bruce GOLDING]; People's National Party or PNP [Portia SIMPSON-MILLER]; National Democratic Movement or NDM [Michael WILLIAMS] Japan Democratic Party of Japan or DPJ [Yukio HATOYAMA]; Japan Communist Party or JCP [Kazuo SHII]; Komeito [Natsuo YAMAGUCHI]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Sadakazu TANIGAKI]; Social Democratic Party or SDP [Mizuho FUKUSHIMA] Jersey two declared parties: Centre Party; Jersey Democratic Alliance note: all senators and deputies elected in 2008 were independents Jordan Arab Ba'ath Socialist Party [Fuad DABBOUR]; Ba'ath Arab Progressive Party [Tayseer al-HAMSI]; Call Party [Mohammed Abu BAKR]; Democratic People's Party [Ahmad Yusuf 'ALIYA]; Democratic Popular Unity Party [Sa'ed DIAB]; Islamic Action Front or IAF [Ishaq al-FARHAN]; Islamic Center Party [Marwan al-FA'OURI; Jordanian Communist Party [Munir HAMARNEH]; Jordanian National Party [Mona Abu BAKR]; Jordanian United Front [Amjad al-MAJALI]; Life Party [Thaher 'AMROU]; Message Party [Hazem QASHOU]; National Constitution Party [Ahmed al-SHUNAQ]; National Movement for Direct Democracy [Mohammed al-QAQ]; Kazakhstan Adilet (Justice) [Maksut NARIKBAYEV, Zeynulla ALSHIMBAYEV, Serik ABDRAHMANOV, Bakhytbek AKHMETZHAN, Yerkin ONGARBAYEV, Tolegan SYDYKOV] (formerly Democratic Party of Kazakhstan); Agrarian and Industrial Union of Workers Block or AIST (Agrarian Party and Civic Party); Ak Zhol Party (Bright Path) [Alikhan BAIMENOV]; Alga [Vladimir KOZLOV] (unregistered); Auyl (Village) [Gani KALIYEV]; Azat Party (formerly True Ak Zhol Party) [Bolat ABILOV]; Communist Party of Kazakhstan or KPK [Serikbolsyn ABDILDIN]; Communist People's Party of Kazakhstan [Vladislav KOSAREV]; National Social Democratic Party (NSDP)[Zharmakhan TUYAKBAY]; Nur-Otan [Bakhytzhan ZHUMAGULOV] (the Agrarian, Asar, and Civic parties merged with Otan); Patriots' Party [Gani KASYMOV]; Rukhaniyat (Spirituality) [Altynshash ZHAGANOVA] Kenya Forum for the Restoration of Democracy-Kenya or FORD-Kenya [Musikari KOMBO]; Forum for the Restoration of Democracy-People or FORD-People [Reuben OYONDI]; Kenya African National Union or KANU [Uhuru KENYATTA]; National Rainbow Coalition-Kenya or NARC-Kenya [Martha KARUA]; Orange Democratic Movement or ODM [Raila ODINGA]; Orange Democratic Movement-Kenya or ODM-K [Kalonzo MUSYOKA]; Party of National Unity or PNU [Mwai KIBAKI]; Shirikisho Party of Kenya or SPK [Chirau Ali MWAKWERE] Kiribati Boutokaan Te Koaua Party or BTK [Taberannang TIMEON]; Maneaban Te Mauri Party or MTM [Teburoro TITO]; Maurin Kiribati Pati or MKP; National Progressive Party or NPP [Dr. Harry TONG] note: there is no tradition of formally organized political parties in Kiribati; they more closely resemble factions or interest groups because they have no party headquarters, formal platforms, or party structures Korea, North major party - Korean Workers' Party or KWP [KIM Jong Il]; minor parties - Chondoist Chongu Party [RYU Mi Yong] (under KWP control), Social Democratic Party [KIM Yong Dae] (under KWP control) Korea, South Democratic Party or DP [CHUNG Sye-kyun] (formerly the United Democratic Party or UDP); Democratic Labor Party or DLP [KANG Ki-kabi]; Grand National Party or GNP [CHUNG Mong-joon]; Liberty Forward Party or LFP [LEE Hoi-chang]; Pro-Park Alliance or PPA [SUH Choung-won]; Renewal Korea Party or RKP [MOON Kook-hyun] Kosovo Albanian Christian Democratic Party of Kosovo or PShDK [Tome MARKU]; Alliance for the Future of Kosovo or AAK [Ramush HARADINAJ]; Alliance for a New Kosovo or AKR [Behgjet PACOLLI]; Alliance of Independent Social Democrats of Kosovo and Metohija or SDSKIM [Slavisa PETKOVIC]; Autonomous Liberal Party of SLS [Slobodan PETROVIC]; Bosniak Vakat Coalition [Dzezair MURATI]; Citizens' Initiative of Gora or GIG [Murselj HALJILJI]; Council of Independent Social Democrats of Kosovo or SNSDKIM [Ljubisa ZIVIC]; Democratic Action Party or SDA [Numan BALIC]; Democratic Ashkali Party of Kosovo or PDAK; Democratic League of Dardania or LDD [Nexhat DACI]; Democratic League of Kosovo or LDK [Fatmir SEJDIU]; Democratic Party of Ashkali of Kosovo or PDAK [Sabit RAHMANI]; Democratic Party of Kosovo or PDK [Hashim THACI]; Democratic Party Vatan [Sadik IDRIZI]; Democratic Union of Ashkalis or BDA [Sabit RRAHMANI]; Justice Party or PD [Sylejman QERKEZI]; Kosovo Democratic Turkish Party of KDTP [Mahir YAGCILAR]; Liberal Party of Kosovo or PLK [Gjergi DEDAJ]; New Democratic Initiative of Kosovo or IRDK [Xhevdet NEZIRAJ]; New Democratic Party or ND [Branislav GRBIC]; New Kosovo Alliance or AKR [Behxhet PACOLLI]; Popular Movement of Kosovo or LPK [Emrush XHEMAJLI]; Reform Party Ora [Teuta SAHATCIA]; Serb National Party or SNS [Mihailo SCEPANOVIC]; Serbian Kosovo and Metohija Party or SKMS [Dragisa MIRIC]; Serbian List for Kosovo and Metohija [Oliver IVANOVIC]; Social Democratic Party of Kosovo or PSDK [Agim CEKU]; United Roma Party of Kosovo or PREBK [Haxhi Zylfi MERXHA] Kuwait none; formation of political parties is in practice illegal but is not forbidden by law Kyrgyzstan Ak Jol (Good Luck) [Avtandil ARABAEV, Elmira IBRAIMOVA, Vladimir NIFADYEV, co-chairs]; Ak Shumkar (Gerfalcon) [Temir SARIYEV]; Ar-Namys (Dignity) Party [Emil ALIEV]; Asaba (Banner National Revival Party) [Sovetbek JAMALDINOV]]; Ata-Meken (Fatherland) [Omurbek TEKEBAEV]; Democratic Movement of Kyrgyzstan or DDK [Viktor TCHETRNOMORETS]; Erkindik (Freedom) Party [Topchubek TURGUNALIEV]; For Justice Movement [Alikbek JEKSHENKULOV]; Green Party [Erkin BULEKBAEV]; Moya Strana (My Country Party of Action) [Medet SADYRKULOV]; Party of Communists of Kyrgyzstan or KCP [Iskhak MASALIEV]; Party of Justice and Progress [Muratbek IMANALIEV]; Party of Peasants [Esengul ISAKOV]; Republican Party of Labor and Unity [Tabaldy OROZALIEV]; Revolutionary Committee [Azimbek BEKNAZAROV]; Sanjira (Tree of Life) [Ednan KARABAEV]; Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan [Almaz ATAMBAEV]; Svoboda Vybora (Free Choice) Party [Vyacheslav LISOVSKIY]; Turan Party [Kanybek IMANALIYEV]; Uluu Birimdik (Solidarity) Party [Emilbek KAPTAGAEV]; Union of Democratic Forces [Osmon ARTYKBAEV]; United Kyrgyzstan [Amangeldi MURALIEV] Laos Lao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP [CHOUMMALI Saignason]; other parties proscribed Latvia Civic Union [Sandra KALNIETE, Girts Valdis KRISTOVSKIS]; First Party of Latvia/Latvia's Way or LPP/LC [Ainars SLESERS, Ivars GODMANIS]; For Human Rights in a United Latvia or PCTVL [Jakovs PLINERS, Tatjana ZDANOKA]; For the Fatherland and Freedom/Latvian National Independence Movement or TB/LNNK [Roberts ZILE, Maris GRINBLATS]; Harmony Center or SC [Nils USAKOVS, Janis URBANOVICS]; New Era Party or JL [Solvita ABOLTINA, Dzintars ZAKIS]; People's Party or TP [Mareks SEGLINS]; Society for Different Politics or SCP [Aigars STOKENBERGS; Artis PABRIKS]; The Union of Latvian Greens and Farmers Party or ZZS [Augusts BRIGMANIS] Lebanon 14 March Coalition: Democratic Gathering Bloc [Walid JUNBLATT, leader of Progressive Socialist Party]; Democratic Left [Ilyas ATALLAH]; Democratic Renewal Movement [Nassib LAHUD]; Future Movement Bloc [Sa'ad al-HARIRI]; Kataeb Party [Amine GEMAYEL]; Lebanese Forces [Samir JA'JA]; Tripoli Independent Bloc 8 March Coalition: Development and Resistance Bloc [Nabih BERRI, leader of Amal Movement]; Free Patriotic Movement [Michel AWN]; Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc [Mohammad RA'AD] (includes Hizballah Party [Hassan NASRALLAH]); Nasserite Popular Movement [Ussama SAAD]; Popular Bloc [Elias SKAFF]; Syrian Ba'th Party [Sayez SHUKR]; Syrian Social Nationalist Party [Ali QANSO] Independent: Metn Bloc [Michel MURR]; Tashnaq Lesotho Alliance of Congress Parties or ACP including the Lesotho People's Congress or LCP [Kelebone MAOPE], the Basotholand African Congress or BAC [Khauhelo RALITAPOLE], and a faction of the Basotho Congress Party or BCP [Ntsukunyane MPHANYA]; All Basotho Convention or ABC [Thomas THABANE]; Basotho Batho Democratic Party or BBDP; Basotho Congress Party or BCP; Basotho Democratic National Party or BDNP [Thabang NYEOE]; Basotho National Party or BNP [Maj. Gen. Justin Metsing LEKHANYA]; Basotholand African National Congress or BANC; Christian Democratic Party or CDP [Enerst RAMOKOENA]; Lesotho Congress for Democracy or LCD (the governing party) [Pakalitha MOSISILI]; Lesotho Workers Party or LWP [Macaefa BILLY]; National Independent Party or NIP [Anthony MANYELI] Liberia Alliance for Peace and Democracy or APD [Togba-na TIPOTEH]; Coalition for the Transformation of Liberia or COTOL [H. Varney SHERMAN]; Congress for Democratic Change or CDC [George WEAH]; Liberty Party or LP [Charles BRUMSKINE]; National Patriotic Party or NPP [Roland MASSAQUOI]; Unity Party or UP [Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF] Libya none Liechtenstein Die Freie Liste (The Free List) or FL [Claudia HEEB-FLECK and Egon MATT]; Fortschrittliche Buergerpartei (Progressive Citizens' Party) or FBP [Marcus VOGT]; Vaterlaendische Union (Fatherland Union) or VU [Adolf HEEB] Lithuania Civil Democracy Party or PDP [Viktor MUNTIANAS]; Coalition of Labor Party and Youth or KDP+J [Viktor USPASKICH]; Electoral Action of Lithuanian Poles or LLRA [Valdemar TOMASZEVSKI]; Homeland Union - Lithuanian Christian Democrats or TS-LKD [Andrius KUBILIUS]; Lithuanian Peasant Popular Union or LVLS [Kazimiera PRUNSKIENE]; Liberal and Center Union or LCS [Arturas ZUOKAS]; Liberal Movement or LRLS [Eligijus MASIULIS]; National Revival or TPP [Arunas VALINSKAS]; New Union (Social Liberal) or NS [Arturas PAULAUSKAS]; Order and Justice Party or TT [Rolandas PAKSAS]; Social Democratic Party or LSDP [Gediminas KIRKILAS]; Young Lithuania and New Nationalists [Stanislovas BUSKEVICIUS] Luxembourg Alternative Democratic Reform Party or ADR [Robert MEHLEN]; Christian Social People's Party or CSV [Francois BILTGEN]; Democratic Party or DP [Claude MEISCH]; Green Party [Francois BAUSCH]; dei Lenk/la Gauche (the Left); Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party or LSAP [Alex BODRY]; other minor parties Macau New Hope [Jose Maria Pereira COUTINHO]; Development Union [KWAN Tsui-hang]; Macau Development Alliance [Angela LEONG On-kei]; Macau United Citizens' Association [CHAN Meng-kam]; New Democratic Macau Association [Antonio NG Kuok-cheong]; Union for Promoting Progress [LEONG Heng-teng] note: there is no political party ordinance, so there are no registered political parties; politically active groups register as societies or companies Macedonia Democratic Alliance [Pavle TRAJANOV]; Democratic League of Bosniaks [Rafet MUMINOVIC]; Democratic Party of Albanians or PDSh/DPA [Menduh THACI]; Democratic Party of Serbs [Ivan STOILJKOVIC]; Democratic Party of Turks [Kenan HASIPI]; Democratic Renewal of Macedonia [Liljana POPOVSKA]; Democratic Union of Albanians or BDSh [Bardyl MAHMUTI]; Democratic Union of Vlachs for Macedonia [Mitko KOSTOV]; Democratic Union for Integration or BDI/DUI [Ali AHMETI]; For a Better Macedonia coalition [Nikola GRUEVSKI] (includes VMRO-DPMNE, SP, Democratic Union, Democratic Renewal of Macedonia, Democratic Party of Turks, Democratic Party of Serbs, SR, and smaller parties); Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization-Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity or VMRO-DPMNE [Nikola GRUEVSKI]; League for Democracy [Gjorgi MARJANOVIC]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Jovan MANSIEVSKI]; Liberal Party [Stojan ANDOV]; National Alternative [Harun ALIU]; National Democratic Union or BDK [Hysni SHAQIR]; New Democracy of DR/ND [Imer SELMANI]; New Social Democratic Party or NSDP [Tito PETKOVSKI]; Party for Democratic Prosperity or PPD/PDP [Sefedin HARUNI]; Party for European Future or PEI [Fijat CANOSKI]; Party of Free Democrats or PSD [Ljubco JORDANOVSKI]; Social Democratic Alliance of Macedonia or SDSM [Zoran ZAEV]; Socialist Party of Macedonia or SP [Ljubisav IVANOV-ZINGO]; Sun-Coalition for Europe [Radmila SKERINSKA] (includes SDSM, NSDP, LDP, Liberal Party and smaller parties); Union of Romas or SR [Shaban SALIU]; United Party for Emancipation or OPE [Nezdet MUSTAFA] Madagascar Association for the Rebirth of Madagascar or AREMA [Pierrot RAJAONARIVELO]; Democratic Party for Union in Madagascar or PSDUM [Jean LAHINIRIKO]; Economic Liberalism and Democratic Action for National Recovery or LEADER/Fanilo [Herizo RAZAFIMAHALEO]; Fihaonana Party or FP [Guy-Willy RAZANAMASY]; I Love Madagascar or TIM [Marc RAVALOMANANA]; Renewal of the Social Democratic Party or RPSD [Evariste MARSON] Malawi Alliance for Democracy or AFORD [Dindi NYASULU]; Congress of Democrats or CODE [Ralph KASAMBARA]; Democratic Progressive Party or DPP [Bingu wa MUTHARIKA]; Malawi Congress Party or MCP [John TEMBO]; Malawi Democratic Party or MDP [Kampelo KALUA]; Malawi Forum for Unity and Development or MAFUNDE [George MNESA]; Maravi People's Party [Uladi MUSSA]; National Unity Party or NUP [Harry CHIUME]; New Rainbow Coalition Party [Beatrice MWALE]; New Republican Party [Gwanda CHAKUWAMBA]; People's Progressive Movement or PPM [Aleke BANDA]; People's Transformation Movement or PETRA [Kamuzu CHIBAMBO]; Republican Party or RP [Stanley MASAULI]; United Democratic Front or UDF [Bakili MULUZI]; United Democratic Party [Kenedy KALAMBO] Malaysia National Front (Barisan Nasional) or BN (ruling coalition) consists of the following parties: Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia Party or PGRM [KOH Tsu Koon]; Liberal Democratic Party (Parti Liberal Demokratik - Sabah) or LDP [LIEW Vui Keong]; Malaysian Chinese Association (Persatuan China Malaysia) or MCA [ONG Tee Keat]; Malaysian Indian Congress (Kongres India Malaysia) or MIC [S. Samy VELLU]; Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah or PBRS [Joseph KURUP]; Parti Bersatu Sabah or PBS [Joseph PAIRIN Kitingan]; Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu or PBB [Abdul TAIB Mahmud]; Parti Rakyat Sarawak or PRS [James MASING]; Sarawak United People's Party (Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sarawak) or SUPP [George CHAN Hong Nam]; United Malays National Organization or UMNO [NAJIB bin Abdul Razak]; United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organization (Pertubuhan Pasko Momogun Kadazan Dusun Bersatu) or UPKO [Bernard DOMPOK]; People's Progressive Party (Parti Progresif Penduduk Malaysia) or PPP [M.Kayveas]; Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party or SPDP [William MAWAN]) People's Alliance (Pakatan Rakyat) or PR (opposition coalition) consists of the following parties: Democratic Action Party (Parti Tindakan Demokratik) or DAP [KARPAL Singh]; Islamic Party of Malaysia (Parti Islam se Malaysia) or PAS [Abdul HADI Awang]; People's Justice Party (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) or PKR [WAN AZIZAH Wan Ismail]; Sarawak National Party or SNAP [Edwin DUNDANG] independent party: Sabah Progressive Party (Parti Progresif Saban) or SAPP [YONG Teck Lee] Maldives Adhaalath (Justice) Party or AP [Abdul Majeed Abdul BARI]; Dhivehi Quamee Party or DQP [Hassan SAEED]; Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (Maldivian People's Party) or DRP [Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM]; Islamic Democratic Party or IDP [Omar NASEER]; Maldivian Democratic Party or MDP [Mohamed NASHEED]; People's Alliance or PA [Abdullah YAMEEN]; Republican (Jumhooree) Party [Gasim IBRAHIM]; Social Liberal Party or SLP [Ibrahim ISMAIL] Mali Alliance for Democratic Change (political group comprised mainly of Tuareg from Mali's northern region); African Solidarity for Democracy and Independence or SADI [Oumar MARIKO, secretary general]; Alliance for Democracy and Progress or ADP (a coalition of political parties including ADEMA and URD formed in December 2006 to support the presidential candidacy of Amadou TOURE); Alliance for Democracy or ADEMA [Diounconda TRAORE]; Convergence 2007 [Soumeylou Boubeye MAIGA]; Front for Democracy and the Republic or FDR (a coalition of political parties including RPM and PARENA formed to oppose the presidential candidacy of Amadou TOURE); National Congress for Democratic Initiative or CNID [Mountaga TALL]; Party for Democracy and Progress or PDP [Mady KONATE]; Party for National Renewal or PARENA [Tiebile DRAME]; Patriotic Movement for Renewal or MPR [Choguel MAIGA]; Rally for Democracy and Labor or RDT [Amadou Ali NIANGADOU]; Rally for Mali or RPM [Ibrahim Boubacar KEITA]; Sudanese Union/African Democratic Rally or US/RDA [Mamadou Basir GOLOGO]; Union for Democracy and Development or UDD [Moussa Balla COULIBALY]; Union for Republic and Democracy or URD [Soumaila CISSE] Malta Alternativa Demokratika/Alliance for Social Justice or AD [Arnold CASSOLA]; Azzjoni Nazzjonaili or AN [Josi MUSCAT]; Malta Labor Party or MLP [Joseph MUSCAT]; Nationalist Party or PN [Lawrence GONZI] Marshall Islands traditionally there have been no formally organized political parties; what has existed more closely resembles factions or interest groups because they do not have party headquarters, formal platforms, or party structures; the following two "groupings" have competed in legislative balloting in recent years - Aelon Kein Ad Party [Michael KABUA] and United Democratic Party or UDP [Litokwa TOMEING] Mauritania Alternative or El-Badil [Mohamed Yahdhi Ould MOCTAR HACEN]; Centrist Reformists (independent moderate Islamists) [Mohamed Jamil MANSOUR]; Coalition for Forces for Democratic Change or CFCD (coalition of political parties including APP, Centrist Reformists (independent moderate Islamists), HATEM-PMUC, PUDS, RD, RFD, UFP); Democratic Renewal or RD [Moustapha Ould ABDEIDARRAHMANE]; Mauritanian Party for Unity and Change or HATEM-PMUC [Saleh Ould HANENA]; Mithaq (coalition of independents and parties associated with the former regime including Alternative or El-Badil, PRDR, UDP, RDU); National Pact for Democracy and Development or PNDD-ADIL (independents supporting President Abdellahi) [Yahya Ould Ahmed Ould WAGHEF]; National Rally for Freedom, Democracy and Equality or RNDLE; National Rally for Reform and Development or Tawassoul (moderate Islamists) [Mohamed Jemil Ould MANSOUR]; Popular Front or FP [Ch'bih Ould CHEIKH MALAININE]; Popular Progressive Alliance or APP [Messoud Ould BOULKHEIR]; Rally of Democratic Forces or RFD [Ahmed Ould DADDAH]; Rally for Democracy and Unity or RDU [Ahmed Ould SIDI BABA]; Republican Party for Democracy and Renewal or PRDR [Boullah Ould MOGUEYA]; Socialist and Democratic Unity Party or PUDS; Union for Democracy and Progress or UDP [Naha Mint MOUKNASS]; Union of Democratic Center or UCD [Cheikh Sid'Ahmed Ould BABA]; Union of the Forces for Progress or UFP [Mohamed Ould MAOULOUD]; Mauritius Alliance Sociale or AS [Navinchandra RAMGOOLAM] (governing coalition - includes MLD, MMSM, MR, MSD, PMXD); Mauritian Labor Party or MLP [Navinchandra RAMGOOLAM]; Mauritian Militant Movement or MMM [Paul BERENGER]; Mauritian Socialist Militant Movement or MMSM [Madan DULLOO]; Militant Socialist Movement or MSM [Pravind JUGNAUTH]; Mouvement Republicain or MR [Jayarama VALAYDEN]; Parti Mauricien Xavier Duval or PMXD [Xavier Luc DUVAL]; Rodrigues Movement or MR [Joseph (Nicholas) Von MALLY]; Rodrigues Peoples Organization or OPR [Serge CLAIR] Mayotte Democratic Front or FD [Youssouf MOUSSA]; Mahoran Popular Movement or MPM [Ahmed MADI]; Federation of Mahorans or UMP-RPR [Mansour KAMARDINE]; Force of the Rally and the Alliance for Democracy or FRAP; Movement for Department Status Mayotte or MDM [Mouhoutar SALIM]; Renewed Communist Party of Mayotte or MRC [Omar SIMBA]; Socialist Party or PS [Ibrahim ABUBACAR] (local branch of French Parti Socialiste); Union for French Democracy or UDF [Henri JEAN-BAPTISTE] Mexico Convergence for Democracy or CD [Luis MALDONADO Venegas]; Institutional Revolutionary Party or PRI [Beatriz PAREDES]; Labor Party or PT [Alberto ANAYA Gutierrez]; Mexican Green Ecological Party or PVEM [Jorge Emilio GONZALEZ Martinez]; National Action Party (Partido Accion Nacional) or PAN [German MARTINEZ Cazares]; New Alliance Party (Partido Nueva Alianza) or PNA [Jorge Antonio KAHWAGI Macari]; Party of the Democratic Revolution (Partido de la Revolucion Democratica) or PRD [Leonel COTA Montano]; Social Democratic and Peasant Alternative Party (Partido Alternativa Socialdemocrata y Campesina) or Alternativa [Alberto BEGNE Guerra] Micronesia, Federated States of no formal parties Moldova Centrist Union or UCM [Vasile TARLEV]; Christian Democratic People's Party or PPCD [Iurie ROSCA]; Communist Party of the Republic of Moldova or PCRM [Vladimir VORONIN]; Democratic Party or PD [Dumitru DIACOV]; Liberal Democratic Party or PLDM [Vladmir FILAT]; Liberal Party or PL [Mihai GHIMPU]; National Liberal Party or PNL [Vitalia PAVLICENKO]; Our Moldova Alliance or AMN [Serafim URECHEAN]; Party for Social Democracy or PDSM [Dumitru BRAGHIS] Monaco Union for Monaco or UPM (including National Union for the Future of Monaco or UNAM); Rally and Issues for Monaco or REM; Monaco Together Mongolia Democratic Party or DP [Norov ALTANHUYAG]; Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party or MPRP [Sanjaa BAYAR] Montenegro Albanian Alternative or AA [Vesel SINISHTAJ]; Coalition for European Montenegro or DPS-SDP (bloc) [Milo DJUKANOVIC] (includes Democratic Party of Socialists or DPS [Milo DJUKANOVIC] and Social Democratic Party or SDP [Ranko KRIVOKAPIC]); Coalition SNP-NS-DSS (bloc) (includes Socialist People's Party or SNP [Srdjan MILIC], People's Party of Montenegro or NS [Predrag POPOVIC], and Democratic Serbian Party of Montenegro or DSS [Ranko KADIC]); Democratic League-Party of Democratic Prosperity or SPP [Mehmet BARDHIJ]; Democratic Union of Albanians or DUA [Ferhat DINOSA]; Liberals and the Bosniak Party (bloc) [Miodrag ZIVKOVIC] (includes Liberal Party of Montenegro or LP [Miodrag ZIVKOVIC] and Bosniak Party or BS [Rafet HUSOVIC]); Movement for Changes or PZP [Nebojsa MEDOJEVIC]; New Serb Democracy or NSD [Andrija MANDIC]; Serbian List (bloc) [Andrija MANDIC] (includes Party of Serb Radicals or SSR [Dusko SEKULIC], People's Socialist Party or NSS [Emilo LABUDOVIC], and Serbian People's Party of Montenegro or SNS [Andrija MANDIC]); Socialist People's Party of Montenegro or SNP [Srdjan MILIC] Montserrat Montserrat Democratic Party or MDP [Lowell LEWIS]; Movement for Change and Prosperity or MCAP [Roselyn CASSELL-SEALY]; New People's Liberation Movement or NPLM [John A. OSBORNE] Morocco Action Party or PA [Mohammed EL IDRISSI]; Al Ahd (The Covenant) Party [Najib EL OUAZZANI]; Alliance des Libert'es (Alliance of Liberty) or ADL [Ali BELHAJ]; An-Nahj Ad-Dimocrati or An-Nahj [Abdellah EL HARIF]; Authenticity and Modernity Party or PAM [Mohamed Cheikh BIADILLAH, Secretary General]; Choura et Istiqlal (Consultation and Independence) Party or PCI [Abdelwahed MAACH]; Citizens' Forces or FC [Abderrahman LAHJOUJI]; Citizenship and Development Initiative or ICD [Mohamed BENHAMOU]; Constitutional Union Party or UC [Mohammed ABIED]; Democratic and Social Movement or MDS [Mahmoud ARCHANE]; Democratic Forces Front or FFD [Touhami EL KHIARI]; Democratic Socialist Vanguard Party or PADS [Ahmed BENJELLOUN]; Democratic Society Party or PSD [Zhor CHEKKAFI]; Democratic Union or UD [Bouazza IKKEN]; Environment and Development Party or PED [Ahmed EL ALAMI]; Istiqlal (Independence) Party or PI [Abbas EL FASSI]; Justice and Development Party or PJD [Abdelilah BENKIRANE]; Labor Party or PT [Abdelkrim BENATIK]; Moroccan Liberal Party or PML [Mohamed ZIANE]; National Democratic Party or PND [Abdallah KADIRI]; National Ittihadi Congress Party or CNI [Abdelmajid BOUZOUBAA]; National Popular Movement or MNP [Mahjoubi AHERDANE]; National Rally of Independents or RNI [Mustapha EL MANSOURI]; National Union of Popular Forces or UNFP [Abdellah IBRAHIM]; Popular Movement or MP [Mohamed LAENSER]; Progress and Socialism Party or PPS [Ismail ALAOUI]; Reform and Development Party or PRD [Abderrahmane EL KOUHEN]; Renaissance and Virtue Party or PRV [Mohamed KHALIDI]; Renewal and Equity Party or PRE [Chakir ACHABAR]; Social Center Party or PSC [Lahcen MADIH]; Socialist Democratic Party or PSD [Aissa OUARDIGHI]; Socialist Union of Popular Forces or USFP [Abdelwahed RADI]; Unified Socialist Left Party or PGSU [Mohamed Ben Said AIT IDDER] Mozambique Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frente de Liberatacao de Mocambique) or FRELIMO [Armando Emilio GUEBUZA]; Mozambique National Resistance (Resistencia Nacional Mocambicana) or RENAMO [Afonso DHLAKAMA] Namibia All People's Party or APP [Ignatius SHIXWAMENI]; Congress of Democrats or COD [Ben ULENGA]; Democratic Turnhalle Alliance of Namibia or DTA [Katuutire KAURA]; Monitor Action Group or MAG [Jurie VILJOEN]; National Democratic Movement for Change or NamDMC; National Unity Democratic Organization or NUDO [Kuaima RIRUAKO]; Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Hidipo HAMUTENYA]; Republican Party or RP [Henk MUDGE]; South West Africa National Union or SWANU [Usutuaije MAAMBERUA]; South West Africa People's Organization or SWAPO [Hifikepunye POHAMBA]; United Democratic Front or UDF [Justus GAROEB] Nauru Democratic Party [Kennan ADEANG]; Nauru Party (informal); Nauru First (Naoero Amo) Party; note - loose multiparty system Nepal Chure Bhawar Rastriya Ekata Party [Keshav Prasad MAINALI]; Communist Party of Nepal (ML) [C.P. MAINALI]; Communist Party of Nepal (Unified) [Raj Singh SHRIS]; Communist Party of Nepal (United) [Ganesh SHAH]; Communist Party of Nepal/United Marxist-Leninist or CPN/UML [Jhalanath KHANAL]; Dalit Janajati Party [Vishwendraman PASHWAN]; Madhesi People's Rights Forum [Upendra YADAV]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Pashupati Shumsher RANA] (also called Rastriya Prajatantra Party or RPP); Nepal Loktantrik Samajbadi Dal [Upendra GACHCHHADAR]; Nepal Pariwar Dal [Vinod DANGI]; Nepal Rastriya Party [Khushilal YADAV]; Nepal Sadbhavana Party (Anandi Devi) [Shyam Sundar GUPTA]; Nepal Workers and Peasants Party or NWPP [Narayan Man BIJUKCHHE]; Nepali Congress or NC [Girija Prasad KOIRALA]; Nepali Janata Dal [Bharat Prasad MAHATO]; Rastriya Janamorcha [Chitra BAHADUR K.C.]; Rastriya Janamukti Party [Malwar Singh THAPA]; Rastriya Janashakti Party or RJP [Surya Bahadur THAPA]; Rastriya Prajatantra Party Nepal [Kamal THAPA]; Sadbhavana Party (Mahato) [Rajendra MAHATO]; Samajbadi Prajatantrik Janata Party Nepal [Prem Bahadur SINGH]; Sanghiya Loktantrik Rastriya Manch [Kamal CHHARAHANG]; Terai-Madhes Democratic Party [Mahantha THAKUR]; United Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) [Pushpa Kamal DAHAL, also known as PRACHANDA, chairman] Netherlands Christian Democratic Appeal or CDA [Pieter VAN GEEL]; Christian Union Party [Arie SLOB]; Democrats 66 or D66 [Alexander PECHTOLD]; Green Left Party [Femke HALSEMA]; Labor Party or PvdA [Mariette HAMER]; Party for Freedom or PVV [Geert WILDERS]; Party for the Animals or PvdD [Marianne THIEME]; People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (Liberal) or VVD [Mark RUTTE]; Reformed Political Party of SGP [Bas VAN DER VLIES]; Socialist Party [Agnes KANT]; plus a few minor parties Netherlands Antilles Bonaire: Democratic Party of Bonaire or PDB [Jopi ABRAHAM]; Patriotic Union of Bonaire or UPB [Ramonsito BOOI] Curacao: Ban Vota [Norbert GEORGE]; C-93 [Stanley BROWN]; Democratic Party of Curacao or DP [Errol HERNANDEZ]; E Mayoria [Aurelio PEDRO]; Forsa Korsou [Nelson NAVARRO]; Liste Ni'un Paso Atras [Nelson PIERRE]; Movemiento Patriotiko Korsou [Reginald LAK]; New Antilles Movement or MAN [Charles COOPER]; Partido Akshon Pa Prosperidat I Seguridat [Sonja BERKEMEYER]; Partido Laboral Krusada Popular or PLKP [Errol COVA]; Party for the Restructured Antilles or PAR [Emily de JONGH-ELHAGE]; People's National Party or PNP [Ersilia DE LANNOOY]; Pidjin [Jasmin PINEDO]; Pueblo Soberano [Herman WIELS]; Workers' Liberation Front or FOL [Anthony GODETT] Saba: Saba Labor Party [Akilah LEVENSTONE]; Windward Islands People's Movement or WIPM [Ray HASSELL] Sint Eustatius: Democratic Party of Sint Eustatius or DP-St. E [Julian WOODLEY]; Progressive Labor Party [Clyde VAN PUTTEN]; St. Eustatius Alliance [Ingrid HOUTMAN-WHITFIELD] Sint Maarten: Democratic Party of Sint Maarten or DP-St. M [Sarah WESCOTT-WILLIAMS]; Freedom Slate of National Democratic Party [Theophilus PRIEST]; National Alliance or NA [William MARLIN]; People's Progressive Alliance or PPA [Gracita ARRINDELL]; St. Maarten People's Party [Johan LEONARD]; United People's Labor Party [Bienvenido RICHARDSON] note: political parties are indigenous to each island New Caledonia Alliance pour la Caledonie or APLC [Didier LE ROUX]; Caledonia Together [Philippe GOMES]; Caledonian Union or UC [Charles PIDJOT]; Federation des Comites de Coordination des Independantistes or FCCI [Francois BURCK]; Front National or FN [Jean-Marie LE PEN]; Front Uni de Liberation Kanak or FULK [Ernest UNE]; Labor Party or PT [Louis Kora UREGEI]; Kanak Socialist Front for National Liberation or FLNKS (includes PALIKA, UNI, UC, and UPM); Parti de Liberation Kanak or PALIKA [Paul NEAOUTYINE]; Rally for Caledonia or RPC [Jacques LAFLEUR]; The Future Together or AE [Didier LEROUX]; The Rally or UMP [Pierre FROGIER]; Union Nationale pour l'Independance or UNI; Union Progressiste Melanesienne or UPM [Victor TUTUGORO] New Zealand ACT New Zealand [Rodney HIDE]; Green Party [Jeanette FITZSIMONS]; Maori Party [Tariana TURIA and Pita SHARPLES]; National Party or NP [John KEY]; New Zealand First Party or NZ First [Winston PETERS]; New Zealand Labor Party or NZLP [Phil GOFF]; Progressive Party [James (Jim) ANDERTON]; United Future or UF [Peter DUNNE] Nicaragua Conservative Party or PC [Azalia AVILES Salmeron]; Liberal Constitutionalist Party or PLC [Jorge CASTILLO Quant]; Nicaraguan Democratic Bloc or BDN [Eduardo MONTEALEGRE]; Nicaraguan Liberal Alliance or ALN [Eliseo NUNEZ Sr.]; Sandinista National Liberation Front or FSLN [Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra]; Sandinista Renovation Movement or MRS [Enrique SAENZ Navarrete] Niger Alkalama; Democratic and Social Convention-Rahama or CDS-Rahama [Mahamane OUSMANE]; National Movement for a Developing Society-Nassara or MNSD-Nassara [Hama AMADOU]; Niger Social Democratic Party or PSDN; Nigerien Alliance for Democracy and Social Progress-Zaman Lahiya or ANDP-Zaman Lahiya [Moumouni DJERMAKOYE]; Nigerien Party for Autonomy or PNA-Alouma [Sanousi JACKOU]; Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism or PNDS-Tarrayya [Issifou MAHAMADOU]; Nigerien Party of the Masses for Labor; Nigerien Progressive Party or PPN-RDA; Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP-jama'a [Hamid ALGABID]; Social and Democratic Rally or RSD-Gaskiyya [Cheiffou AMADOU] Nigeria Accord Party [Ikra Aliyu BILBIS]; Action Congress or AC [Hassan ZUMI]; Alliance for Democracy or AD [Mojisoluwa AKINFENWA]; All Nigeria Peoples' Party or ANPP [Edwin UME-EZEOKE]; All Progressives Grand Alliance or APGA [Victor C. UMEH]; Democratic People's Party or DPP [Jeremiah USENI]; Fresh Democratic Party [Chris OKOTIE]; Labor Party [Dan NWANYANWU]; Movement for the Restoration and Defense of Democracy or MRDD [Mohammed Gambo JIMETA]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Aliyu Habu FARI]; Peoples Democratic Party or PDP [Vincent OGBULAFOR]; Peoples Progressive Alliance [Clement EBRI]; Peoples Redemption Party or PRP [Abdulkadir Balarabe MUSA]; Peoples Salvation Party or PSP [Lawal MAITURARE]; United Nigeria Peoples Party or UNPP [Mallam Selah JAMBO] Niue Alliance of Independents or AI; Niue People's Action Party or NPP [Young VIVIAN] Norfolk Island none Northern Mariana Islands Covenant Party [Benigno R. FITIAL]; Democratic Party [Dr. Carlos S. CAMACHO]; Republican Party [Juan S. REYES] Norway Center Party [Liv Signe NAVARSETE]; Christian People's Party [Dagfinn HOYBRATEN]; Conservative Party [Erna SOLBERG]; Labor Party [Jens STOLTENBERG]; Liberal Party [Lars SPONHEIM]; Progress Party [Siv JENSEN]; Socialist Left Party [Kristin HALVORSEN] Oman none Pakistan Awami National Party or ANP [Asfandyar Wali KHAN]; Balochistan National Party-Hayee Group or BNP-H [Dr. Hayee BALOCH]; Balochistan National Party-Awami or BNP-A [Moheem Khan BALOCH]; Balochistan National Party-Mengal or BNP-M [Sardar Ataullah MENGAL]; Jamhoori Watan Party or JWP; Jamiat Ahle Hadith or JAH [Sajid MIR]; Jamaat-i Islami or JI [Qazi Hussain AHMED]; Jamiat Ulema-i Islam Fazlur Rehman or JUI-F [Fazlur REHMAN]; Jamiat Ulema-i Islam Sami-ul HAQ or JUI-S [Sami ul-HAQ]; Jamiat Ulema-i Pakistan or JUP [Shah Faridul HAQ]; Muttahida Majlis-e Amal or MMA [Qazi Hussain AHMED]; Muttahida Qaumi Movement or MQM [Altaf HUSSAIN]; National Alliance or NA [Ghulam Mustapha JATOI] (merged with PML); National Peoples Party or NPP; Pakhtun Khwa Milli Awami Party or PKMAP [Mahmood Khan ACHAKZAI]; Pakistan Awami Tehrik or PAT [Tahir ul QADRI]; Pakistan Muslim League-Functional or PML-F [Pir PAGARO]; Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Sharif or PML-N [Nawaz SHARIF]; Pakistan Muslim League or PML [Chaudhry Shujaat HUSSAIN]; Pakistan Peoples Party-SHERPAO or PPP-S [Aftab Ahmed Khan SHERPAO]; Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians or PPPP [Bilawal Bhutto ZARDARI, chairman; Asif Ali ZARDARI, co-chairman]; Pakistan Tehrik-e Insaaf or PTI [Imran KHAN]; Tehrik-i Islami [Allama Sajid NAQVI] note: political alliances in Pakistan can shift frequently Palau none Panama Democratic Change or CD [Ricardo MARTINELLI]; Democratic Revolutionary Party or PRD [Martin TORRIJOS Espino]; Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement or MOLIRENA [Sergio GONZALEZ-Ruiz]; Panamenista Party [Juan Carlos VARELA] (formerly the Arnulfista Party); Patriotic Union Party or UP (combination of the Liberal National Party or PLN and the Solidarity Party or PS)[Guillermo "Billy" FORD and Anibal GALINDO]; Popular Party or PP [Rene ORILLAC] (formerly Christian Democratic Party or PDC) Papua New Guinea National Alliance Party or NA [Michael SOMARE]; Papua and Niugini Union Party or PANGU PATI [Andrew KUMBAKOR]; Papua New Guinea Party or PNGP [Sir Mekere MORAUTA]; People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Michael OGIO]; People's Action Party or PAP [Gabriel KAPRIS]; United Resources Party or URP [William DUMA] (2007) Paraguay Alianza Patriotica por el Cambio (Patriotic Alliance for Change) or APC [Fernando LUGO]; Asociacion Nacional Republicana - Colorado Party or ANR [Lilian SAMANIEGO]; Movimiento Union Nacional de Ciudadanos Eticos or UNACE [Lino Cesar OVIEDO Silva]; Patria Querida (Beloved Fatherland Party) or PPQ [Pedro Nicolas Maraa FADUL Niella]; Partido del Movimiento al Socialismo or P-MAS; Partido Encuentro Nacional or PEN [Emilio CAMACHO Paredes]; Partido Liberal Radical Autentico or PLRA [Gustavo CARDOZO]; Partido Pais Solidario or PPS [Carlos Alberto FILIZZOLA Pallares] Peru Alliance For Progress (Alianza Para El Progreso) [Cesar ACUNA Peralta]; Alliance For The Future (Alianza Por El Futuro) or AF (a coalition of pro-FUJIMORI parties including Cambio 90, Nueva Mayoria, and Si Cumple); Central Front (Frente Del Centro) or FC (a coalition of Accion Popular, Somos Peru, and Coordinadora Nacional de Independientes) [Victor Andres GARCIA Belaunde]; National Renovation Party (Partido Renovacion Nacional) [Rafael REY]; National Restoration Party (Restauracion Nacional) or RN [Humberto LAY Sun]; National Solidarity Party (Partido Solidaridad Nacional) or SN [Luis CASTANEDA Lossio]; Peru Possible (Peru Posible) or PP [Alejandro TOLEDO Manrique]; Peruvian Aprista Party (Partido Aprista Peruano) or PAP [Alan GARCIA Perez] (also referred to by its original name Alianza Popular Revolucionaria Americana or APRA); Peruvian Nationalist Party (Partido Nacionalista Peruano) or PNP [Ollanta HUMALA Tasso]; Popular Christian Party (Partido Popular Cristiano) or PPC [Lourdes FLORES Nano]; Union for Peru (Union por el Peru) or UPP [Aldo ESTRADA Choque] Philippines Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino or Kampi [Luis VILLAFUERTE]; Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (Struggle of Filipino Democrats) or LDP [Edgardo ANGARA]; Lakas ng EDSA-Christian Muslim Democrats or Lakas-CMD [Prospero NOGRALES]; Liberal Party or LP [Manuel ROXAS]; Nacionalista Party or NP [Manuel VILLAR]; Nationalist People's Coalition or NPC [Frisco SAN JUAN]; PDP-Laban [Aquilino PIMENTEL]; People's Reform Party [Miriam Defensor SANTIAGO]; Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino (Force of the Philippine Masses) or PMP [Joseph ESTRADA]; United Opposition or UNO [Jejomar BINAY] note: Lakas-CMD and Kampi merged on 29 May 2009 to form Lakas-Kampi CMD Pitcairn Islands none Poland Civic Platform or PO [chairman Donald TUSK; parliamentary caucus leader Grzegorz SCHETYNA]; Democratic Caucus of the Democratic Party (SD) or DKP SD [parliamentary caucus leader Bogdan LIS]; Democratic Left Alliance or SLD [chairman Grzegorz NAPIERALSKI]; Democratic Party or PD [chairwoman Brygida KUZNIAK]; Democratic Party or SD [chairman Pawel PISKORSKI]; German Minority of Lower Silesia or MNSO [representative Henryk KROLL]; Law and Justice or PiS [chairman Jaroslaw KACZYNSKI; parliamentary caucus leader Przemyslaw GOSIEWSKI]; League of Polish Families or LPR [acting chairman Arnold MASIN]; Left (Democratic Left Alliance and independents) [parliamentary caucus leader Grzegorz NAPIERALSKI]; Polish People's Party or PSL [chairman Waldemar PAWLAK; parliamentary caucus leader Stanislaw ZELICHOWSKI]; Polska XXI (political grouping of former PiS members; not officially registered) [chairman Jaroslaw SELLIN; parliamentary caucus leader Kazimierz Michal UJAZDOWSKI]; Samoobrona or SO [chairman Andrzej LEPPER]; Social Democratic Party of Poland or SDPL [chairman Wojciech FILEMONOWICZ]; Social Democratic Party of Poland-New Left (SDPL-New Left) [parliamentary caucus leader Marek BOROWSKI]; Union of Labor or UP [chairman Waldemar WITKOWSKI] Portugal Democratic and Social Center/Popular Party or CDS/PP [Paulo PORTAS]; Green Ecologist Party (The Greens) or PEV [leadership commission elected by members]; Portuguese Communist Party or PCP [Jeronimo DE SOUSA]; Portuguese Socialist Party or PS [Jose SOCRATES Carvalho Pinto de Sousa]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Manuela FERREIRA LEITE]; The Left Bloc or BE [Franciso Anacleto LOUCA]; Unitarian Democratic Coalition or CDU [Jeronimo DE SOUSA] (includes PCP and PEV) Puerto Rico National Democratic Party [Roberto PRATS]; National Republican Party of Puerto Rico [Dr. Tiody FERRE]; New Progressive Party or PNP [Pedro ROSSELLO] (pro-US statehood); Popular Democratic Party or PPD [Anibal ACEVEDO-VILA] (pro-commonwealth); Puerto Rican Independence Party or PIP [Ruben BERRIOS Martinez] (pro-independence) Qatar none Romania Conservative Party or PC [Daniela POPA] (formerly Humanist Party or PUR); Democratic Liberal Party or PDL [Emil BOC]; Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania or UDMR [Bela MARKO]; National Liberal Party or PNL [Calin Popescu-TARICEANU]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Mircea Dan GEOANA] (formerly Party of Social Democracy in Romania or PDSR) Russia A Just Russia [Sergey MIRONOV]; Communist Party of the Russian Federation or CPRF [Gennadiy Andreyevich ZYUGANOV]; Liberal Democratic Party of Russia or LDPR [Vladimir Volfovich ZHIRINOVSKIY]; Patriots of Russia [Gennadiy SEMIGIN]; People's Union [Sergey BABURIN]; Right Cause [Leonid Yakovlevich GOZMAN, Boris Yuriyevich TITOV, and Georgiy Georgiyevich BOVT] (registration pending; formed from merger of Union of Right Forces, Democratic Party of Russia, and Civic Force); United Russia [Vladimir Vladimirovich PUTIN]; Yabloko Party [Sergey Sergeyevich MITROKHIN] Rwanda Centrist Democratic Party or PDC [Alfred MUKEZAMFURA]; Democratic Popular Union of Rwanda or UDPR [Adrien RANGIRA]; Democratic Republican Movement or MDR [Celestin KABANDA] (officially banned); Islamic Democratic Party or PDI [Andre BUMAYA]; Liberal Party or PL [Protais MITALI]; Party for Democratic Renewal (officially banned); Rwandan Patriotic Front or RPF [Paul KAGAME]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Vincent BIRUTA] Saint Barthelemy Action-Equilibre-Transparence [Maxime DESOUCHES]; Ensemble pour Saint-Barthelemy [Benoit CHAUVIN]; Saint-Barth d'Abord! or SBA [Bruno MAGRAS]; Tous Unis pour Saint-Barthelemy [Karine MIOT-RICHARD] Saint Helena none Saint Kitts and Nevis Concerned Citizens Movement or CCM [Vance AMORY]; Nevis Reformation Party or NRP [Joseph PARRY]; People's Action Movement or PAM [Lindsay GRANT]; Saint Kitts and Nevis Labor Party or SKNLP [Dr. Denzil DOUGLAS] Saint Lucia National Alliance or NA [George ODLUM]; Saint Lucia Freedom Party or SFP [Martinus FRANCOIS]; Saint Lucia Labor Party or SLP [Kenneth ANTHONY]; Sou Tout Apwe Fete Fini or STAFF [Christopher HUNTE]; United Workers Party or UWP [Stephenson KING] Saint Martin Union Pour le Progres or UPP [Louis-Constant FLEMING]; Rassemblement Responsabilite Reussite or RRR [Alain RICHARDSON]; Reussir Saint-Martin [Jean-Luc HAMLET] Saint Pierre and Miquelon Archipelago Tomorrow or AD affiliated with UDF/RPR list; Cap sur l'Avenir affiliated with PRG; Left Radical Party or PRG; Rassemblement pour la Republique or RPR (now UMP); Saint Pierre and Miquelon 2000/Avenir Miquelon or SPM 2000/AM; Socialist Party or PS; Union pour la Democratie Francaise or UDF Saint Vincent and the Grenadines New Democratic Party or NDP [Arnhim EUSTACE]; Unity Labor Party or ULP [Ralph GONSALVES] (formed by the coalition of Saint Vincent Labor Party or SVLP and the Movement for National Unity or MNU) Samoa Human Rights Protection Party or HRPP [Sailele Malielegaoi TUILA'EPA]; Samoa Christian Party or TCP [Tuala Tiresa MALIETOA]; Samoa Democratic United Party or SDUP [LE MAMEA Ropati]; Samoa Party or SP [Su'a Rimoni Ah CHONG]; Samoa Progressive Political Party or SPPP [Toeolesulusulu SIUEVA] San Marino Christian Democrats or PDCS [Pasquale VALENTINI]; Communist Refoundation or RC [Ivan FOSHI]; Democrats of the Center or DdC [Giovanni LONGERNINI]; Freedom List (including NPS and We Sammarinesi or NS [Gabriele GATTEI]; New Socialist Party or NPS [Augusto CASALI]; Party of Socialists and Democrats or PDS [Paride ANDREOLI]; Popular Alliance or AP [Carlo FRANCIOSI]; Union of Moderates (including National Alliance or ANS [Glcuco SANSOVINI] and San Marino Populars or pop [Romeo MORRI and Angela VENTURINI]; United Left of SU [Alessandro ROSSI] Sao Tome and Principe Force for Change Democratic Movement or MDFM [Tome Soares da VERA CRUZ]; Independent Democratic Action or ADI [[Patrice TROVOADA]; Movement for the Liberation of Sao Tome and Principe-Social Democratic Party or MLSTP-PSD [Rafael BRANCO]; New Way Movement or NR; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Delfim NEVES]; Ue-Kedadji coalition; other small parties Saudi Arabia none Senegal African Party of Independence [Majhemout DIOP]; Alliance for the Republic-Yakaar [Macky Sall]; And-Jef/African Party for Democracy and Socialism or AJ/PADS [Landing SAVANE]; Alliance of Forces of Progress or AFP [Moustapha NIASSE]; Democratic League-Labor Party Movement or LD-MPT [Dr. Abdoulaye BATHILY]; Front for Socialism and Democracy/Benno Jubel or FSD/BJ [Cheikh Abdoulaye Bamba DIEYE]; Gainde Centrist Bloc or BGC [Jean-Paul DIAS]; Independence and Labor Party or PIT [Amath DANSOKHO]; Jef-Jel [Talla SYLLA]; National Democratic Rally or RND [Madior DIOUF]; People's Labor Party or PTP [El Hadji DIOUF]; Reform Party or PR [Abdourahim AGNE]; Rewmi Party [Idrissa Seck]; Senegalese Democratic Party or PDS [Abdoulaye WADE]; Socialist Party or PS [Ousmane Tanor DIENG]; SOPI Coalition [Abdoulaye WADE] (a coalition led by the PDS); Union for Democratic Renewal or URD [Djibo Leyti KA] Serbia Coalition of Albanians of the Presevo Valley or KAPD [Riza HALIMI]; Coalition for Sandzak or KZS [Sulejman UGLJANIN]; Democratic Party of Albanians or PDSh [Ragmi MUSTAFA]; Democratic Party of Serbia or DSS [Vojislav KOSTUNICA]; Democratic Party or DS [Boris TADIC]; Democratic Union of the Valley or BDL [Skender DESTANI]; For a European Serbia [Boris TADIC]; Force of Serbia Movement or PSS [Bogoljub KARIC]; G17 Plus [Mladjan DINKIC]; League of Vojvodina Hungarians or SVM [Istvan PASTOR]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Cedomir JOVANOVIC]; Movement for Democratic Progress or LPD [Jonuz MUSLIU]; New Serbia or NS [Velimir ILIC]; Party of Democratic Action or PVD [Riza HALIMI]; People's Party or NS [Maja GOJKOVIC]; Roma Party or RP [Srdjan SAJN]; Serbian Progressive Party or SNS [Tomislav NIKOLIC]; Serbian Radical Party or SRS [Vojislav SESELJ (currently on trial at The Hague), with Dragan TODOROVIC as acting leader]; Socialist Party of Serbia or SPS [Ivica DACIC]; Union of Roma of Serbia or URS [Rajko DJURIC] Seychelles Democratic Party or DP [James MANCHAM, Paul CHOW]; Seychelles National Party or SNP [Wavel RAMKALAWAN] (formerly the United Opposition or UO); People's Party (Parti Lepep) or PL [France Albert RENE, James MICHEL] (the governing party) Sierra Leone All People's Congress or APC [Ernest Bai KOROMA]; Peace and Liberation Party or PLP [Darlington MORRISON]; People's Movement for Democratic Change or PMDC [Charles MARGAI]; Sierra Leone People's Party or SLPP [Solomon BEREWA]; numerous others Singapore People's Action Party or PAP [LEE Hsien Loong]; Reform Party [NG Teck Siong]; Singapore Democratic Alliance or SDA [CHIAM See Tong]; Singapore Democratic Party or SDP [CHEE Soon Juan]; Workers' Party or WP [Sylvia LIM Swee Lian] note: SDA includes Singapore Justice Party or SJP, Singapore National Malay Organization or PKMS, Singapore People's Party or SPP Slovakia parties in the Parliament:: Christian Democratic Movement or KDH [Pavol HRUSOVSKY]; Direction-Social Democracy or Smer-SD [Robert FICO]; Party of the Hungarian Coalition or SMK [Pal CSAKY]; People's Party - Movement for a Democratic Slovakia or LS-HZDS [Vladimir MECIAR]; Slovak Democratic and Christian Union-Democratic Party or SDKU-DS [Mikulas DZURINDA]; Slovak National Party or SNS [Jan SLOTA] selected parties outside the Parliament:: Agrarian Party of the Provinces or ASV [Vladimir GOZORA]; Alliance of the New Citizen or ANO [Pavol RUSKO]; Civic Conservative Party or OKS [Peter ZAJAC]; Free Forum [Zuzana MARTINAKOVA]; Mission 21 - New Christian Democracy or MISIA 21 [Ivan SIMKO]; Movement for Democracy or HZD [Jozef GRAPA]; Party of the Democratic Left or SDL [Ladislav KOZMON]; Prosperita Slovenska or PS [Frantisek A. ZVRSKOVEC]; Slovak Communist Party or KSS [Jozef HRDLICKA]; Slovak People's Party or SLS [Jozef SASIK]; Union of the Workers of Slovakia or ZRS [Jan LUPTAK] Slovenia Liberal Democracy of Slovenia or LDS [Katarina KRESAL]; New Slovenia or NSi [Ljudmila NOVAK (acting)]; Slovenian Democratic Party or SDS [Janez JANSA]; Democratic Party of Pensioners of Slovenia or DeSUS [Karl ERJAVEC]; Slovene National Party or SNS [Zmago JELINCIC]; Slovene People's Party or SLS [Bojan SROT]; Slovene Youth Party or SMS [Darko KRANJC]; Social Democrats or SD [Borut PAHOR] (formerly ZLSD); ZARES [Gregor Golobic] Solomon Islands Association of Independent Members or AIM [Thomas CHAN]; Christian Alliance Solomon Islands or CASI [Edward RONIA]; LAFARI Party [John GARO]; National Party [Francis HILLY]; People's Alliance Party or PAP [Sir Allan KEMAKEZA]; Social Credit Party or SOCRED [Manasseh Damukana SOGAVARE]; Solomon First Party [David QUAN]; Solomon Islands Democratic Party [Gabriel SURI]; Solomon Islands Labor Party or SILP [Joses TUHANUKU]; Solomon Islands Liberal Party [Bartholomew ULUFA'ALU]; Solomon Islands Party for Rural Advancement or SIPRA [Job D. TAUSINGA]; United Party [Sir Peter KENILOREA] note: in general, Solomon Islands politics is characterized by fluid coalitions Somalia none South Africa African Christian Democratic Party or ACDP [Kenneth MESHOE]; African National Congress or ANC [Jacob ZUMA]; Congress of the People or COPE [Mosiuoa LEKOTA]; Democratic Alliance or DA [Helen ZILLE]; Freedom Front Plus or FF+ [Pieter MULDER]; Independent Democrats or ID [Patricia DE LILLE]; Inkatha Freedom Party or IFP [Mangosuthu BUTHELEZI]; Pan-Africanist Congress or PAC [Motsoko PHEKO]; United Christian Democratic Party or UCDP [Lucas MANGOPE]; United Democratic Movement or UDM [Bantu HOLOMISA] Spain Aragonese Party or CHA [Bizen FUSTER]; Basque Nationalist Party or PNV or EAJ [Inigo URKULLU]; Basque Solidarity or EA [Begona ERRAZTI]; Canarian Coalition or CC [Jose Torres STINGA] (a coalition of five parties); Convergence and Union or CiU [Artur MAS i Gavarro] (a coalition of the Democratic Convergence of Catalonia or CDC [Artur MAS i Gavarro] and the Democratic Union of Catalonia or UDC [Josep Antoni DURAN i LLEIDA]); Entesa Catalonia de Progress (a Senate coalition grouping four Catalan parties - PSC, ERC, ICV, EUA); Galician Nationalist Bloc or BNG [Anxo Manuel QUINTANA Gonzalez]; Initiative for Catalonia Greens or ICV [Joan SAURA i Laporta]; Navarra yes or Na Bai [Uxue BARKOS Berruezo] (a coalition of four Navarran parties); Popular Party or PP [Mariano RAJOY Brey]; Republican Left of Catalonia or ERC [Joan RIDAO]; Spanish Socialist Workers Party or PSOE [Jose Luis Rodriguez ZAPATERO]; United Left or IU [Cayo LARA] (a coalition of parties including the Communist Party of Spain or PCE and other small parties) Sri Lanka All Ceylon Tamil Congress or ACTC [G.PONNAMBALAM]; Ceylon Workers Congress or CWC [Arumugam THONDAMAN]; Communist Party or CP [D. GUNASEKERA]; Eelam People's Democratic Party or EPDP [Douglas DEVANANDA]; Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front or EPRLF [Suresh PREMACHANDRAN]; Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna or JVP [Somawansa AMARASINGHE]; Lanka Sama Samaja Party or LSSP [Tissa VITHARANA]; Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (People's United Front) or MEP [D. GUNAWARDENE]; National Heritage Party or JHU [Ellawala METHANANDA]; National Unity Alliance or NUA [Ferial ASHRAFF]; People's Liberation Organization of Tamil Eelam or PLOTE [D. SIDHARTHAN]; Sri Lanka Freedom Party or SLFP [Mahinda RAJAPAKSA]; Sri Lanka Muslim Congress or SLMC [Rauff HAKEEM]; Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization or TELO [Selvam ADAIKALANATHAN]; Tamil National Alliance or TNA [R. SAMPANTHAN]; Tamil United Liberation Front or TULF [V. ANANDASANGAREE]; United National Party or UNP [Ranil WICKREMASINGHE]; Up-country People's Front or UPF [P. CHANDRASEKARAN] Sudan National Congress Party or NCP [Umar Hassan al-BASHIR]; Sudan People's Liberation Movement or SPLM [Salva KIIR]; and elements of the National Democratic Alliance or NDA including factions of the Democratic Union Party [Muhammad Uthman al-MIRGHANI] and Umma Party; Popular Congress Party or PCP [Hassan al-TURABI] Suriname Alternative-1 or A-1 (a coalition of Amazone Party of Suriname or APS [Kenneth VAN GENDEREN], Democrats of the 21st Century or D-21 [Soewarto MOESTADJA], Nieuw Suriname or NS [Radjen Nanan PANDAY], Political Wing of the FAL or PVF [Jiwan SITAL], Trefpunt 2000 or T-2000 [Arti JESSURUN]); General Interior Development Party or ABOP [Ronnie BRUNSWIJK]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Desire BOUTERSE]; New Front for Democracy and Development or NF (a coalition that includes A-Combination or A-Com, Democratic Alternative 1991 or DA-91, an independent, business-oriented party [Winston JESSURUN], National Party Suriname or NPS [Ronald VENETIAAN], United Reform Party or VHP [Ramdien SARDJOE], Pertjaja Luhur or PL [Salam Paul SOMOHARDJO], Surinamese Labor Party or SPA [Siegfried GILDS]); Party for Democracy and Development in Unity or DOE [Marten SCHALKWIJK]; People's Alliance for Progress or VVV (a coalition of Democratic National Platform 2000 or DNP-2000 [Jules WIJDENBOSCH], Grassroots Party for Renewal and Democracy or BVD [Tjan GOBARDHAN], Party for National Unity and Solidarity of the Highest Order or KTPI [Willy SOEMITA], Party for Progression, Justice, and Perseverance or PPRS [Renee KAIMAN], Pendawalima or PL [Raymond SAPOEN]); Progressive Laborers and Farmers Union or PALU [Jim HOK]; Progressive Political Party or PPP [Surinder MUNGRA]; Seeka [Paul ABENA]; Union of Progressive Surinamers or UPS [Sheoradj PANDAY] Swaziland the status of political parties, previously banned, is unclear under the new (2006) Constitution and currently being debated - the following are considered political associations; African United Democratic Party or AUDP [Stanley MAUNDZISA, president]; Imbokodvo National Movement or INM; Ngwane National Liberatory Congress or NNLC [Obed DLAMINI, president]; People's United Democratic Movement or PUDEMO [Mario MASUKU, president] Sweden Center Party [Maud OLOFSSON]; Christian Democratic Party [Goran HAGGLUND]; Environment Party the Greens [no formal leader but party spokespersons are Maria WETTERSTRAND and Peter ERIKSSON]; Left Party or V (formerly Communist) [Lars OHLY]; Liberal People's Party [Jan BJORKLUND]; Moderate Party (conservative) [Fredrik REINFELDT]; Social Democratic Party [Mona SAHLIN] Switzerland Green Party (Gruene Partei der Schweiz or Gruene, Parti Ecologiste Suisse or Les Verts, Partito Ecologista Svizzero or I Verdi, Partida Ecologica Svizra or La Verda) [Ueli LEUENBERGER]; Christian Democratic People's Party (Christlichdemokratische Volkspartei der Schweiz or CVP, Parti Democrate-Chretien Suisse or PDC, Partito Democratico-Cristiano Popolare Svizzero or PDC, Partida Cristiandemocratica dalla Svizra or PCD) [Christophe DARBELLAY]; Radical Free Democratic Party (Freisinnig-Demokratische Partei der Schweiz or FDP, Parti Radical-Democratique Suisse or PRD, Partitio Liberal-Radicale Svizzero or PLR) [Fulvio PELLI]; Social Democratic Party (Sozialdemokratische Partei der Schweiz or SPS, Parti Socialist Suisse or PSS, Partito Socialista Svizzero or PSS, Partida Socialdemocratica de la Svizra or PSS) [Christian LEVRAT]; Swiss People's Party (Schweizerische Volkspartei or SVP, Union Democratique du Centre or UDC, Unione Democratica de Centro or UDC, Uniun Democratica dal Center or UDC) [Toni BRUNNER]; and other minor parties Syria legal parties: National Progressive Front or NPF [President Bashar al-ASAD, Dr. Suleiman QADDAH] (includes Arab Socialist Renaissance (Ba'th) Party [President Bashar al-ASAD]; Socialist Unionist Democratic Party [Fadlallah Nasr Al-DIN]; Syrian Arab Socialist Union or ASU [Safwan QUDSI]; Syrian Communist Party (two branches) [Wissal Farha BAKDASH, Yusuf Rashid FAYSAL]; Syrian Social Nationalist Party [Ali QANSU]; Unionist Socialist Party [Fayez ISMAIL]) opposition parties not legally recognized: Arab Democratic Socialist Union Party [Hasan Abdul AZIM]; Arab Socialist Movement; Democratic Ba'th Party [Ibrahim MAHKOS]; National Democratic Front [Hasan Abdul AZIM, spokesman] (includes five parties - Arab Democratic Socialist Union Party [Hasan Abdul AZIM], Arab Socialist Movement, Democratic Ba'th Party [Ibrahim MAHKOS], People's Democratic Party [Riad al TURK], Revolutionary Workers' Party [Abdul Hafeez al HAFEZ]); People's Democratic Party; Revolutionary Workers' Party [Abdul Hafeez al HAFEZ] Kurdish parties (considered illegal): Azadi Party [Kheirudin MURAD]; Future Party [Masha'l TAMMO]; Kurdish Democratic Alliance (includes four parties); Kurdish Democratic Front (includes three parties); Yekiti Party [Hasan SALEH, Fu'ad ALEYKO] other parties: Nahda Party [Abdul Aziz al MISLET]; Syrian Democratic Party [Mustafa QALAAJI] Taiwan Democratic Progressive Party or DPP [TSAI Ing-wen]; Kuomintang or KMT (Nationalist Party) [WU Po-hsiung], MA Ying-jeou elected in July 2009, takes office on 12 September 2009; Non-Partisan Solidarity Union or NPSU [LIN Pin-kuan]; People First Party or PFP [James SOONG] Tajikistan Agrarian Party of Tajikistan or APT [Amir QARAQULOV]; Democratic Party or DPT [Mahmadruzi ISKANDAROV (imprisoned October 2005); Rahmatullo VALIYEV, deputy]; Islamic Revival Party [Muhiddin KABIRI]; Party of Economic Reform or PER [Olimjon BOBOEV]; People's Democratic Party of Tajikistan or PDPT [Emomali RAHMON]; Social Democratic Party or SDPT [Rahmatullo ZOYIROV]; Socialist Party or SPT [Mirhuseyn NARZIEV]; Tajik Communist Party or CPT [Shodi SHABDOLOV] Tanzania Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Party of Democracy and Development) or CHADEMA [Bob MAKANI]; Chama Cha Mapinduzi or CCM (Revolutionary Party) [Jakaya Mrisho KIKWETE]; Civic United Front or CUF [Ibrahim LIPUMBA]; Democratic Party [Christopher MTIKLA] (unregistered); Tanzania Labor Party or TLP [Augustine Lyatonga MREME]; United Democratic Party or UDP [John CHEYO] Thailand Chat Thai Phattana Party or CP (Thai Nation Development Party) [CHUMPON Silpa-archa]; Democrat Party or DP (Prachathipat Party) [ABHISIT Wetchachiwa, also spelled ABHISIT Vejjajiva]; Motherland Party (Phuea Phaendin Party) [CHANCHAI Chairungrueang]; Phuea Thai Party (For Thais Party) or PTP [CHAVALIT Yongchaiyudh]; Phumchai (Bhumjai) Thai Party or PCT (Thai Pride) [CHAVARAT Charnvirakul]; Royalist People's Party (Pracharaj) [SANOH Thienthong]; Ruam Jai Thai Party (Thai Unity Party) [WANNARAT Channukul] Timor-Leste Democratic Party or PD [Fernando de ARAUJO]; National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction or CNRT [Xanana GUSMAO]; National Democratic Union of Timorese Resistance or UNDERTIM [Cornelio DA Conceicao GAMA]; National Unity Party or PUN [Fernanda BORGES]; People's Party of Timor or PPT [Jacob XAVIER]; Revolutionary Front of Independent Timor-Leste or FRETILIN [Mari ALKATIRI]; Social Democratic Association of Timor or ASDT [Francisco Xavier do AMARAL]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Zacarias Albano da COSTA]; Sons of the Mountain Warriors or KOTA [Manuel TILMAN] (also known as Association of Timorese Heroes) Togo Action Committee for Renewal or CAR [Yawovi AGBOYIBO]; Democratic Convention of African Peoples or CDPA; Democratic Party for Renewal or PDR; Juvento [Monsilia DJATO]; Movement of the Believers of Peace and Equality or MOCEP; Pan-African Patriotic Convergence or CPP; Rally for the Support for Development and Democracy or RSDD [Harry OLYMPIO]; Rally of the Togolese People or RPT [Faure GNASSINGBE]; Socialist Pact for Renewal or PSR; Union for Democracy and Social Progress or UDPS [Gagou KOKOU]; Union of Forces for a Change or UFC [Gilchrist OLYMPIO] Tokelau none Tonga Tonga Human Rights and Democracy Movement or THRDM [Uliti UATA]; People's Democratic Party or PDP [Tesina FUKO] Trinidad and Tobago Congress of the People [Winston DOOKERAN]; Democratic Action Congress or DAC [Hochoy CHARLES] (only active in Tobago); Democratic National Alliance or DNA [Gerald YETMING] (coalition of NAR, DDPT, MND); Movement for National Development or MND [Garvin NICHOLAS]; National Alliance for Reconstruction or NAR [Dr. Carson CHARLES]; People's National Movement or PNM [Patrick MANNING]; United National Congress or UNC [Basdeo PANDAY] Tunisia Al-Tajdid Movement [Ahmed IBRAHIM]; Constitutional Democratic Rally Party (Rassemblement Constitutionnel Democratique) or RCD (official ruling party) [President Zine El Abidine BEN ALI]; Democratic Forum for Labor and Liberties or FDTL [Mustapha Ben JAFAAR]; Green Party for Progress or PVP [Mongi KHAMASSI]; Liberal Social Party or PSL [Mondher THABET]; Movement of Socialist Democrats or MDS [Ismail BOULAHYA]; Popular Unity Party or PUP [Mohamed BOUCHIHA]; Progressive Democratic Party [Maya JERIBI]; Unionist Democratic Union or UDU [Ahmed INOUBLI]; note - the Islamist party, Al Nahda (Renaissance), is outlawed Turkey Anavatan Partisi (Motherland Party) or Anavatan [Erkan MUMCU]; note - True Path Party or DYP has merged with the Motherland Party; Democratic Party or DP [Husamettin CINDORUK]; Democratic Left Party or DSP [Masum TURKER]; Democratic Society Party or DTP [Ahmet TURK]; Felicity Party or SP [Numan KURTULMUS] (sometimes translated as Contentment Party); Freedom and Solidarity Party or ODP [Hayri KOZANOGLU]; Grand Unity Party or BBP; note - Mushin YAZICIOGLU, former leader of the Grand Unity Party was killed in an March 2009 helicopter crash; Justice and Development Party or AKP [Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN]; Nationalist Movement Party or MHP [Devlet BAHCELI] (sometimes translated as Nationalist Action Party); People's Rise Party (Halkin Yukselisi Partisi) or HYP [Yasar Nuri OZTURK]; Republican People's Party or CHP [Deniz BAYKAL]; Social Democratic People's Party or SHP [Ugur CILASUN (acting)]; Young Party or GP [Cem Cengiz UZAN] note: the parties listed above are some of the more significant of the 49 parties that Turkey had as of 31 January 2009 Turkmenistan Democratic Party of Turkmenistan or DPT [Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOW] note: formal opposition parties are outlawed; unofficial, small opposition movements exist abroad; the three most prominent opposition groups-in-exile are the National Democratic Movement of Turkmenistan (NDMT), the Republican Party of Turkmenistan, and the Watan (Fatherland) Party; the NDMT was led by former Foreign Minister Boris SHIKHMURADOV until his arrest and imprisonment in the wake of the 25 November 2002 attack on President NYYAZOW's motorcade Turks and Caicos Islands People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Floyd SEYMOUR]; Progressive National Party or PNP [Michael Eugene MISICK] Tuvalu there are no political parties but members of parliament usually align themselves in informal groupings Uganda Conservative Party or CP [Ken LUKYAMUZI]; Democratic Party or DP [Kizito SSEBAANA]; Forum for Democratic Change or FDC [Kizza BESIGYE]; Justice Forum or JEEMA [Muhammad Kibirige MAYANJA]; National Resistance Movement or NRM [Yoweri MUSEVENI]; Peoples Progressive Party or PPP [Bidandi SSALI]; Ugandan People's Congress or UPC [Miria OBOTE] note: a national referendum in July 2005 opened the way for Uganda's transition to a multi-party political system Ukraine Christian Democratic Union [Volodymyr STRETOVYCH]; Communist Party of Ukraine or CPU [Petro SYMONENKO]; European Party of Ukraine [Mykola KATERYNCHUK]; Fatherland Party (Batkivshchyna) [Yuliya TYMOSHENKO]; Forward Ukraine! [Viktor MUSIYAKA]; Labor Party of Ukraine [Mykola SYROTA]; Our Ukraine [Viktor YUSHCHENKO]; Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs [Anatoliy KINAKH]; Party of the Defenders of the Fatherland [Yuriy Karmazin]; People's Movement of Ukraine (Rukh) [Borys TARASYUK]; People's Party [Volodymyr LYTVYN]; Peoples' Self-Defense [Yuriy LUTSENKO]; PORA! (It's Time!) party [Vladyslav KASKIV]; Progressive Socialist Party [Natalya VITRENKO]; Reforms and Order Party [Viktor PYNZENYK]; Party of Regions [Viktor YANUKOVYCH]; Sobor [Anatoliy MATVIYENKO]; Social Democratic Party [Yevhen KORNICHUK]; Social Democratic Party (United) or SDPU(o) [Yuriy ZAHORODNIY]; Socialist Party of Ukraine or SPU [Oleksandr MOROZ]; Ukrainian People's Party [Yuriy KOSTENKO]; United Center [Ihor Krill]; Viche [Inna BOHOSLOVSKA] United Arab Emirates none; political parties are not allowed United Kingdom Conservative [David CAMERON]; Democratic Unionist Party or DUP (Northern Ireland) [Peter ROBINSON]; Labor Party [Gordon BROWN]; Liberal Democrats (Lib Dems) [Nick CLEGG]; Party of Wales (Plaid Cymru) [Ieuan Wyn JONES]; Scottish National Party or SNP [Alex SALMOND]; Sinn Fein (Northern Ireland) [Gerry ADAMS]; Social Democratic and Labor Party or SDLP (Northern Ireland) [Mark DURKAN]; Ulster Unionist Party (Northern Ireland) [Sir Reg EMPEY] United States Democratic Party [Timothy KAINE]; Green Party; Libertarian Party [William (Bill) REDPATH]; Republican Party [Michael STEELE] Uruguay Broad Front (Frente Amplio) - formerly known as the Progressive Encounter/Broad Front Coalition or EP-FA [Jorge BROVETTO] (a broad governing coalition that includes Movement of the Popular Participation or MPP [Jose MUJICA], New Space Party (Nuevo Espacio) [Rafael MICHELINI], Progressive Alliance (Alianza Progresista) [Rodolfo NIN NOVOA], Socialist Party [Eduardo FERNANDEZ], the Communist Party [Marina ARISMENDI], Uruguayan Assembly (Asamblea Uruguay) [Danilo ASTORI], and Vertiente Artiguista [Mariano ARANA]); Colorado Party (Foro Batllista) [Julio Maria SANGUINETTI]; National Party or Blanco [Luis Alberto LACALLE and Jorge LARRANAGA] Uzbekistan Adolat (Justice) Social Democratic Party [Dilorom TOSHMUHAMEDOVA]; Democratic National Rebirth Party (Milliy Tiklanish) or MTP [Hurshid DOSMUHAMMEDOV]; Fidokorlar National Democratic Party (Self-Sacrificers) [Ahtam TURSUNOV]; Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan or LDPU [Adham SHADMANOV; People's Democratic Party or NDP (formerly Communist Party) [Asliddin RUSTAMOV] Vanuatu Greens Confederation or GC [Moana CARCASSES]; Jon Frum Movement or JF [Song KEASPAI]; Melanesian Progressive Party or MPP [Barak SOPE]; Nagriamel movement or NAG [Havo MOLI]; Namangi Aute or NA [Paul TELUKLUK]; National United Party or NUP [Ham LINI]; People's Action Party or PAP [Peter VUTA]; People's Progressive Party or PPP [Sato KILMAN]; Shepherds Alliance Party [leader NA]; Union of Moderate Parties or UMP [Serge VOHOR]; Vanuatu Family First Party or VFFP [Eta RORI]; Vanuatu Labor Party or VLP [Joshua KALSAKAU]; Vanuatu National Party or VNP [Issac HAMARILIU]; Vanua'aku Pati (Our Land Party) or VP [Edward NATAPEI]; Vanuatu Republican Party or VRP [Maxime Carlot KORMAN]; Vanuatu Republican Farmers Party or VPRFP [Jean RAVOU] Venezuela A New Time or UNT [Manuel ROSALES]; Christian Democrats or COPEI [Cesar PEREZ Vivas]; Communist Party of Venezuela or PCV [Jeronimo CARRERA]; Democratic Action or AD [Henry RAMOS Allup]; Fatherland for All or PPT [Jose ALBORNOZ]; Justice First [Julio BORGES]; Movement Toward Socialism or MAS [Hector MUJICA]; United Socialist Party of Venezuela or PSUV [Hugo CHAVEZ]; Venezuela Project or PV [Henrique SALAS Romer]; We Can or PODEMOS [Ismael GARCIA] Vietnam Communist Party of Vietnam or CPV [Nong Duc MANH]; other parties proscribed Virgin Islands Democratic Party [Arturo WATLINGTON]; Independent Citizens' Movement or ICM [Usie RICHARDS]; Republican Party [Gary SPRAUVE] Wallis and Futuna Lua Kae Tahi (Giscardians); Mouvement des Radicaux de Gauche or MRG; Rally for the Republic or RPR (UMP) [Clovis LOGOLOGOFOLAU]; Socialist Party or PS; Taumu'a Lelei [Soane Muni UHILA]; Union Populaire Locale or UPL [Falakiko GATA]; Union Pour la Democratie Francaise or UDF Yemen General People's Congress or GPC [Abdul-Kader BAJAMMAL]; Islamic Reform Grouping or Islah [Mohammed Abdullah AL-YADOUMI (acting)]; Nasserite Unionist Party [Abdal Malik al-MAKHLAFI]; National Arab Socialist Ba'th Party [Dr. Qasim SALAM]; Yemeni Socialist Party or YSP [Ali Salih MUQBIL]; note - there are at least seven more active political parties Zambia Forum for Democracy and Development or FDD [Edith NAWAKWI]; Heritage Party or HP [Godfrey MIYANDA]; Movement for Multiparty Democracy or MMD [vacant]; Patriotic Front or PF [Michael SATA]; Party of Unity for Democracy and Development or PUDD [Dan PULE]; Reform Party [Nevers MUMBA]; United Democratic Alliance or UDA (a coalition of RP, ZADECO, PUDD, and ZRP); United Liberal Party or ULP [Sakwiba SIKOTA]; United National Independence Party or UNIP [Tilyenji KAUNDA]; United Party for National Development or UPND [Hakainde HICHILEMA]; Zambia Democratic Congress or ZADECO [Langton SICHONE]; Zambian Republican Party or ZRP [Benjamin MWILA] Zimbabwe African National Party or ANP [Egypt DZINEMUNHENZVA]; Movement for Democratic Change or MDC [Morgan TSVANGIRAI]; Movement for Democratic Change - Mutambara or MDC-M [splinter faction under Arthur MUTAMBARA]; Peace Action is Freedom for All or PAFA; United Parties [Abel MUZOREWA]; United People's Party or UPP [Daniel SHUMBA]; Zimbabwe African National Union-Ndonga or ZANU-Ndonga [Wilson KUMBULA]; Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front or ZANU-PF [Robert Gabriel MUGABE]; Zimbabwe African Peoples Union or ZAPU [Agrippa MADLELA]; Zimbabwe Youth in Alliance or ZIYA ====================================================================== @2119 Field Listing :: Population This entry gives an estimate from the US Bureau of the Census based on statistics from population censuses, vital statistics registration systems, or sample surveys pertaining to the recent past and on assumptions about future trends. The total population presents one overall measure of the potential impact of the country on the world and within its region. Note: Starting with the 1993 Factbook, demographic estimates for some countries (mostly African) have explicitly taken into account the effects of the growing impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. These countries are currently: The Bahamas, Benin, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Country Comparison to the World Country Population Afghanistan 28.396 million (July 2009 est.) note: this is a significantly revised figure; the previous estimate of 33,609,937 was extrapolated from the last Afghan census held in 1979, which was never completed because of the Soviet invasion; a new Afghan census is scheduled to take place in 2010 Akrotiri approximately 15,700 live on the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia including 7,700 Cypriots, 3,600 Service and UK-based contract personnel, and 4,400 dependents Albania 3,639,453 (July 2009 est.) Algeria 34,178,188 (July 2009 est.) American Samoa 65,628 (July 2009 est.) Andorra 83,888 (July 2009 est.) Angola 12,799,293 (July 2009 est.) Anguilla 14,436 (July 2009 est.) Antarctica no indigenous inhabitants, but there are both permanent and summer-only staffed research stations note: 29 nations, all signatory to the Antarctic Treaty, operate through their National Antarctic Program a number of seasonal-only (summer) and year-round research stations on the continent and its nearby islands south of 60 degrees south latitude (the region covered by the Antarctic Treaty); the population doing and supporting science or engaged in the management and protection of the Antarctic region varies from approximately 4,400 in summer to 1,100 in winter; in addition, approximately 1,000 personnel, including ship's crew and scientists doing onboard research, are present in the waters of the treaty region; peak summer (December-February) population - 4,490 total; Argentina 667, Australia 200, Australia and Romania jointly 13, Belgium 20, Brazil 40, Bulgaria 18, Chile 359, China 90, Czech Republic 20, Ecuador 26, Finland 20, France 125, France and Italy jointly 60, Germany 90, India 65, Italy 102, Japan 125, South Korea 70, NZ 85, Norway 44, Peru 28, Poland 40, Russia 429, South Africa 80, Spain 50, Sweden 20, Ukraine 24, UK 217, US 1,293, Uruguay 70 (2008-2009); winter (June-August) station population - 1,106 total; Argentina 176, Australia 62, Brazil 12, Chile 114, China 29, France 26, France and Italy jointly 13, Germany 9, India 25, Japan 40, South Korea 18, NZ 10, Norway 7, Poland 12, Russia 148, South Africa 10, Ukraine 12, UK 37, US 337, Uruguay 9 (2009); research stations operated within the Antarctic Treaty area (south of 60 degrees south latitude) by National Antarctic Programs: year-round stations - 40 total; Argentina 6, Australia 3, Brazil 1, Chile 6, China 2, France 1, France and Italy jointly 1, Germany 1, India 1, Japan 1, South Korea 1, NZ 1, Norway 1, Poland 1, Russia 5, South Africa 1, Ukraine 1, UK 2, US 3, Uruguay 1 (2009); a range of seasonal-only (summer) stations, camps, and refuges - Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Brazil, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Poland, Romania (with Australia), Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, UK, US, and Uruguay (2008-2009); in addition, during the austral summer some nations have numerous occupied locations such as tent camps, summer-long temporary facilities, and mobile traverses in support of research (May 2009 est.) Antigua and Barbuda 85,632 (July 2009 est.) Argentina 40,913,584 (July 2009 est.) Armenia 2,967,004 (July 2009 est.) Aruba 103,065 note: estimate based on a revision of the base population, fertility, and mortality numbers, as well as a revision of 1985-99 migration estimates from outmigration to inmigration, which is assumed to continue into the future; the new results are consistent with the 2000 census (July 2009 est.) Ashmore and Cartier Islands no indigenous inhabitants note: Indonesian fishermen are allowed access to the lagoon and fresh water at Ashmore Reef's West Island; access to East and Middle Islands is by permit only Australia 21,262,641 (July 2009 est.) Austria 8,210,281 (July 2009 est.) Azerbaijan 8,238,672 (July 2009 est.) Bahamas, The 309,156 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Bahrain 727,785 note: includes 235,108 non-nationals (July 2009 est.) Bangladesh 156,050,883 (July 2009 est.) Barbados 284,589 (July 2009 est.) Belarus 9,648,533 (July 2009 est.) Belgium 10,414,336 (July 2009 est.) Belize 307,899 (July 2009 est.) Benin 8,791,832 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Bermuda 67,837 (July 2009 est.) Bhutan 691,141 note: the Factbook population estimate is consistent with the first modern census of Bhutan, conducted in 2005; previous Factbook population estimates for this country, which were on the order of three times the total population reported here, were based on Bhutanese government publications that did not include the census (July 2009 est.) Bolivia 9,775,246 (July 2009 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina 4,613,414 (July 2009 est.) Botswana 1,990,876 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Bouvet Island uninhabited Brazil 198,739,269 note: Brazil conducted a census in August 2000, which reported a population of 169,872,855; that figure was about 3.8% lower than projections by the US Census Bureau, and is close to the implied underenumeration of 4.6% for the 1991 census (July 2009 est.) British Indian Ocean Territory no indigenous inhabitants note: approximately 1,200 former agricultural workers resident in the Chagos Archipelago, often referred to as Chagossians or Ilois, were relocated to Mauritius and the Seychelles in the 1960s and 1970s; in November 2004, approximately 4,000 UK and US military personnel and civilian contractors were living on the island of Diego Garcia British Virgin Islands 24,491 (July 2009 est.) Brunei 388,190 (July 2009 est.) Bulgaria 7,204,687 (July 2009 est.) Burkina Faso 15,746,232 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Burma 48,137,741 note: estimates for this country take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Burundi 8,988,091 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Cambodia 14,494,293 note: estimates for this country take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Cameroon 18,879,301 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Canada 33,487,208 (July 2009 est.) Cape Verde 429,474 (July 2009 est.) Cayman Islands 49,035 note: most of the population lives on Grand Cayman (July 2009 est.) Central African Republic 4,511,488 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Chad 10,329,208 (July 2009 est.) Chile 16,601,707 (July 2009 est.) China 1,338,612,968 (July 2009 est.) Christmas Island 1,402 (July 2009 est.) Clipperton Island uninhabited Cocos (Keeling) Islands 596 (July 2009 est.) Colombia 45,644,023 (July 2009 est.) Comoros 752,438 (July 2009 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 68,692,542 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Congo, Republic of the 4,012,809 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Cook Islands 11,870 (July 2009 est.) Coral Sea Islands no indigenous inhabitants note: there is a staff of three to four at the meteorological station on Willis Island (July 2007 est.) Costa Rica 4,253,877 (July 2009 est.) Cote d'Ivoire 20,617,068 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Croatia 4,489,409 (July 2009 est.) Cuba 11,451,652 (July 2009 est.) Cyprus 796,740 (July 2009 est.) Czech Republic 10,211,904 (July 2009 est.) Denmark 5,500,510 (July 2009 est.) Dhekelia approximately 15,700 live on the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia including 7,700 Cypriots, 3,600 Service and UK Based Contract personnel, and 4,400 dependents Djibouti 516,055 (July 2009 est.) Dominica 72,660 (July 2009 est.) Dominican Republic 9,650,054 (July 2009 est.) Ecuador 14,573,101 (July 2009 est.) Egypt 83,082,869 (July 2009 est.) El Salvador 7,185,218 (July 2009 est.) Equatorial Guinea 633,441 (July 2009 est.) Eritrea 5,647,168 (July 2009 est.) Estonia 1,299,371 (July 2009 est.) Ethiopia 85,237,338 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) European Union 491,582,852 (July 2009 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 3,140 (July 2008 est.) Faroe Islands 48,856 (July 2009 est.) Fiji 944,720 (July 2009 est.) Finland 5,250,275 (July 2009 est.) France total: 64,057,792 note: 62,150,775 in metropolitan France (July 2009 est.) French Polynesia 287,032 (July 2009 est.) French Southern and Antarctic Lands no indigenous inhabitants Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): has no permanent residents but has a meteorological station Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): is uninhabited but is frequently visited by fishermen and has a scientific research cabin for short stays Iles Crozet: are uninhabited except for 18 to 30 people staffing the Alfred Faure research station on Ile del la Possession Iles Kerguelen: 50 to 100 scientists are located at the main base at Port-aux-Francais on Ile Kerguelen Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): uninhabitable Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): a small French military garrison and a few meteorologists on each possession; visited by scientists Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): uninhabited, except for visits by scientists Gabon 1,514,993 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Gambia, The 1,782,893 (July 2009 est.) Gaza Strip 1,551,859 (July 2009 est.) Georgia 4,615,807 (July 2009 est.) Germany 82,329,758 (July 2009 est.) Ghana 23,832,495 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Gibraltar 28,034 (July 2009 est.) Greece 10,737,428 (July 2009 est.) Greenland 57,600 (July 2009 est.) Grenada 90,739 (July 2009 est.) Guam 178,430 (July 2009 est.) Guatemala 13,276,517 (July 2009 est.) Guernsey 65,870 (July 2009 est.) Guinea 10,057,975 (July 2009 est.) Guinea-Bissau 1,533,964 (July 2009 est.) Guyana 772,298 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Haiti 9,035,536 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Heard Island and McDonald Islands uninhabited Holy See (Vatican City) 826 (July 2009 est.) Honduras 7,792,854 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Hong Kong 7,055,071 (July 2009 est.) Hungary 9,905,596 (July 2009 est.) Iceland 306,694 (July 2009 est.) India 1,166,079,217 (July 2009 est.) Indonesia 240,271,522 (July 2009 est.) Iran 66,429,284 (July 2009 est.) Iraq 28,945,657 (July 2009 est.) Ireland 4,203,200 (July 2009 est.) Isle of Man 76,512 (July 2009 est.) Israel 7,233,701 note: includes about 187,000 Israeli settlers in the West Bank, about 20,000 in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, and fewer than 177,000 in East Jerusalem (July 2009 est.) Italy 58,126,212 (July 2009 est.) Jamaica 2,825,928 (July 2009 est.) Jan Mayen no indigenous inhabitants note: personnel operate the Long Range Navigation (Loran-C) base and the weather and coastal services radio station Japan 127,078,679 (July 2009 est.) Jersey 91,626 (July 2009 est.) Jordan 6,342,948 (July 2009 est.) Kazakhstan 15,399,437 (July 2009 est.) Kenya 39,002,772 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Kiribati 112,850 (July 2009 est.) Korea, North 22,665,345 (July 2009 est.) Korea, South 48,508,972 (July 2009 est.) Kosovo 1,804,838 (July 2009 est.) Kuwait 2,691,158 note: includes 1,291,354 non-nationals (July 2009 est.) Kyrgyzstan 5,431,747 (July 2009 est.) Laos 6,834,942 (July 2009 est.) Latvia 2,231,503 (July 2009 est.) Lebanon 4,017,095 (July 2009 est.) Lesotho 2,130,819 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Liberia 3,441,790 (July 2009 est.) Libya 6,310,434 note: includes 166,510 non-nationals (July 2009 est.) Liechtenstein 34,761 (July 2009 est.) Lithuania 3,555,179 (July 2009 est.) Luxembourg 491,775 (July 2009 est.) Macau 559,846 (July 2009 est.) Macedonia 2,066,718 (July 2009 est.) Madagascar 20,653,556 (July 2009 est.) Malawi 14,268,711 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Malaysia 25,715,819 (July 2009 est.) Maldives 396,334 (July 2009 est.) Mali 12,666,987 (July 2009 est.) Malta 405,165 (July 2009 est.) Marshall Islands 64,522 (July 2009 est.) Mauritania 3,129,486 (July 2009 est.) Mauritius 1,284,264 (July 2009 est.) Mayotte 223,765 (July 2009 est.) Mexico 111,211,789 (July 2009 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of 107,434 (July 2009 est.) Moldova 4,320,748 (July 2009 est.) Monaco 32,965 (July 2009 est.) Mongolia 3,041,142 (July 2009 est.) Montenegro 672,180 (July 2009 est.) Montserrat 5,097 note: an estimated 8,000 refugees left the island following the resumption of volcanic activity in July 1995; some have returned (July 2009 est.) Morocco 34,859,364 (July 2009 est.) Mozambique 21,669,278 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected; the 1997 Mozambican census reported a population of 16,099,246 (July 2009 est.) Namibia 2,108,665 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Nauru 14,019 (July 2009 est.) Navassa Island uninhabited note: transient Haitian fishermen and others camp on the island Nepal 28,563,377 (July 2009 est.) Netherlands 16,715,999 (July 2009 est.) Netherlands Antilles 227,049 (July 2009 est.) New Caledonia 227,436 (July 2009 est.) New Zealand 4,213,418 (July 2009 est.) Nicaragua 5,891,199 (July 2009 est.) Niger 15,306,252 (July 2009 est.) Nigeria 149,229,090 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Niue 1,398 (July 2009 est.) Norfolk Island 2,141 (July 2009 est.) Northern Mariana Islands 88,662 (July 2009 est.) Norway 4,660,539 (July 2009 est.) Oman 3,418,085 note: includes 577,293 non-nationals (July 2009 est.) Pakistan 176,242,949 (July 2009 est.) Palau 20,796 (July 2009 est.) Panama 3,360,474 (July 2009 est.) Papua New Guinea 6,057,263 (July 2009 est.) Paracel Islands no indigenous inhabitants note: there are scattered Chinese garrisons Paraguay 6,995,655 (July 2009 est.) Peru 29,546,963 (July 2009 est.) Philippines 97,976,603 (July 2009 est.) Pitcairn Islands 48 (July 2009 est.) Poland 38,482,919 (July 2009 est.) Portugal 10,707,924 (July 2009 est.) Puerto Rico 3,971,020 (July 2009 est.) Qatar 833,285 (July 2009 est.) Romania 22,215,421 (July 2009 est.) Russia 140,041,247 (July 2009 est.) Rwanda 10,473,282 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Saint Barthelemy 7,448 (July 2009 est.) Saint Helena 7,637 note: only Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha islands are inhabited (July 2009 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis 40,131 (July 2009 est.) Saint Lucia 160,267 (July 2009 est.) Saint Martin 29,820 (July 2009 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 7,051 (July 2009 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 104,574 (July 2009 est.) Samoa 219,998 note: prior estimates used official net migration data by sex, but a highly unusual pattern for 1993 lead to a significant imbalance in the sex ratios (more men and fewer women) and a seeming reduction in the female population; the revised total was calculated using a 1993 number that was an average of the 1992 and 1994 migration figures (July 2009 est.) San Marino 30,324 (July 2009 est.) Sao Tome and Principe 212,679 (July 2009 est.) Saudi Arabia 28,686,633 note: includes 5,576,076 non-nationals (July 2009 est.) Senegal 13,711,597 (July 2009 est.) Serbia 7,379,339 note: does not include the population of Kosovo (July 2009 est.) Seychelles 87,476 (July 2009 est.) Sierra Leone 6,440,053 (July 2009 est.) Singapore 4,657,542 (July 2009 est.) Slovakia 5,463,046 (July 2009 est.) Slovenia 2,005,692 (July 2009 est.) Solomon Islands 595,613 (July 2009 est.) Somalia 9,832,017 note: this estimate was derived from an official census taken in 1975 by the Somali Government; population counting in Somalia is complicated by the large number of nomads and by refugee movements in response to famine and clan warfare (July 2009 est.) South Africa 49,052,489 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands no indigenous inhabitants note: the small military garrison on South Georgia withdrew in March 2001 replaced by a permanent group of scientists of the British Antarctic Survey, which also has a biological station on Bird Island; the South Sandwich Islands are uninhabited Spain 40,525,002 (July 2009 est.) Spratly Islands no indigenous inhabitants note: there are scattered garrisons occupied by personnel of several claimant states Sri Lanka 21,324,791 note: since the outbreak of hostilities between the government and armed Tamil separatists in the mid-1980s, several hundred thousand Tamil civilians have fled the island and more than 200,000 Tamils have sought refuge in the West (July 2009 est.) Sudan 41,087,825 (July 2009 est.) Suriname 481,267 (July 2009 est.) Svalbard 2,116 (July 2009 est.) Swaziland 1,123,913 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Sweden 9,059,651 (July 2009 est.) Switzerland 7,604,467 (July 2009 est.) Syria 20,178,485 note: in addition, about 40,000 people live in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights - 20,000 Arabs (18,000 Druze and 2,000 Alawites) and about 20,000 Israeli settlers (July 2009 est.) Taiwan 22,974,347 (July 2009 est.) Tajikistan 7,349,145 (July 2009 est.) Tanzania 41,048,532 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Thailand 65,905,410 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Timor-Leste 1,131,612 note: other estimates range as low as 800,000 (July 2009 est.) Togo 6,019,877 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Tokelau 1,416 (July 2009 est.) Tonga 120,898 (July 2009 est.) Trinidad and Tobago 1,229,953 (July 2009 est.) Tunisia 10,486,339 (July 2009 est.) Turkey 76,805,524 (July 2009 est.) Turkmenistan 4,884,887 (July 2009 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands 22,942 (July 2009 est.) Tuvalu 12,373 (July 2009 est.) Uganda 32,369,558 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Ukraine 45,700,395 (July 2009 est.) United Arab Emirates 4,798,491 note: estimate is based on the results of the 2005 census that included a significantly higher estimate of net inmigration of non-citizens than previous estimates (July 2009 est.) United Kingdom 61,113,205 (July 2009 est.) United States 307,212,123 (July 2009 est.) United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges no indigenous inhabitants note: public entry is by special-use permit from US Fish and Wildlife Service only and generally restricted to scientists and educators; visited annually by US Fish and Wildlife Service Johnston Atoll: in previous years, an average of 1,100 US military and civilian contractor personnel were present; as of May 2005, all US government personnel had left the island Midway Islands: approximately 40 people make up the staff of US Fish and Wildlife Service and their services contractor living at the atoll Palmyra Atoll: four to 20 Nature Conservancy, US Fish and Wildlife staff, and researchers Uruguay 3,494,382 (July 2009 est.) Uzbekistan 27,606,007 (July 2009 est.) Vanuatu 218,519 (July 2009 est.) Venezuela 26,814,843 (July 2009 est.) Vietnam 86,967,524 (July 2009 est.) Virgin Islands 109,825 (July 2009 est.) Wake Island no indigenous inhabitants note: since super typhoon IOKE, a small military contingent along with 75 contractor personnel have returned to the island to conduct clean-up and restore basic operations on the island (July 2008 est.) Wallis and Futuna 15,289 (July 2009 est.) West Bank 2,461,267 note: in addition, there are about 187,000 Israeli settlers in the West Bank and fewer than 177,000 in East Jerusalem (July 2009 est.) Western Sahara 405,210 note: estimate is based on projections by age, sex, fertility, mortality, and migration; fertility and mortality are based on data from neighboring countries (July 2009 est.) World 6,790,062,216 (July 2009 est.) Yemen 23,822,783 (July 2009 est.) Zambia 11,862,740 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Zimbabwe 11,392,629 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) ====================================================================== @2120 Field Listing :: Ports and terminals This entry lists major ports and terminals primarily on the basis of the amount of cargo tonnage shipped through the facilities on an annual basis. In some instances, the number of containers handled or ship visits were also considered. Country Ports and terminals Afghanistan Kheyrabad, Shir Khan Albania Durres, Sarande, Shengjin, Vlore Algeria Algiers, Annaba, Arzew, Bejaia, Djendjene, Jijel, Mostaganem, Oran, Skikda American Samoa Pago Pago Angola Cabinda, Lobito, Luanda, Namibe Anguilla Blowing Point, Road Bay Antarctica there are no developed ports and harbors in Antarctica; most coastal stations have sparse and intermittent offshore anchorages; a few stations have basic wharf facilities Antigua and Barbuda Saint John's Arctic Ocean Churchill (Canada), Murmansk (Russia), Prudhoe Bay (US) Argentina Arroyo Seco, Bahia Blanca, Buenos Aires, La Plata, Punta Colorada, Rosario, San Lorenzo-San Martin Aruba Barcadera, Oranjestad, Sint Nicolaas Ashmore and Cartier Islands none; offshore anchorage only Atlantic Ocean Alexandria (Egypt), Algiers (Algeria), Antwerp (Belgium), Barcelona (Spain), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Casablanca (Morocco), Colon (Panama), Copenhagen (Denmark), Dakar (Senegal), Gdansk (Poland), Hamburg (Germany), Helsinki (Finland), Las Palmas (Canary Islands, Spain), Le Havre (France), Lisbon (Portugal), London (UK), Marseille (France), Montevideo (Uruguay), Montreal (Canada), Naples (Italy), New Orleans (US), New York (US), Oran (Algeria), Oslo (Norway), Peiraiefs or Piraeus (Greece), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Rotterdam (Netherlands), Saint Petersburg (Russia), Stockholm (Sweden) Australia Brisbane, Dampier, Fremantle, Gladstone, Hay Point, Melbourne, Newcastle, Port Hedland, Port Kembla, Port Walcott, Sydney Austria Enns, Krems, Linz, Vienna Azerbaijan Baku (Baki) Bahamas, The Freeport, Nassau, South Riding Point Bahrain Mina' Salman, Sitrah Bangladesh Chittagong, Mongla Port Barbados Bridgetown Belarus Mazyr Belgium Antwerp, Gent, Liege, Zeebrugge Belize Belize City, Big Creek Benin Cotonou Bermuda Hamilton, Saint George Bolivia Puerto Aguirre (inland port on the Paraguay/Parana waterway at the Bolivia/Brazil border); Bolivia has free port privileges in maritime ports in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Paraguay Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosanska Gradiska, Bosanski Brod, Bosanski Samac, and Brcko (all inland waterway ports on the Sava River), Orasje Bouvet Island none; offshore anchorage only Brazil Guaiba, Ilha Grande, Paranagua, Rio Grande, Santos, Sao Sebastiao, Tubarao British Indian Ocean Territory Diego Garcia British Virgin Islands Road Town Brunei Lumut, Muara, Seria Bulgaria Burgas, Varna Burma Moulmein, Rangoon, Sittwe Burundi Bujumbura Cambodia Phnom Penh, Kampong Saom (Sihanoukville) Cameroon Douala, Limboh Terminal Canada Fraser River Port, Halifax, Hamilton, Montreal, Port-Cartier, Quebec City, Saint John (New Brunswick), Sept-Isles, Vancouver Cape Verde Porto Grande Cayman Islands Cayman Brac, George Town Central African Republic Bangui, Nola, Salo, Nzinga Chile Coronel, Huasco, Lirquen, Puerto Ventanas, San Antonio, San Vicente, Valparaiso China Dalian, Guangzhou, Ningbo, Qingdao, Qinhuangdao, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Tianjin Christmas Island Flying Fish Cove Clipperton Island none; offshore anchorage only Cocos (Keeling) Islands Port Refuge Colombia Barranquilla, Buenaventura, Cartagena, Santa Marta, Turbo Comoros Mayotte, Mutsamudu Congo, Democratic Republic of the Banana, Boma, Bukavu, Bumba, Goma, Kalemie, Kindu, Kinshasa, Kisangani, Matadi, Mbandaka Congo, Republic of the Brazzaville, Djeno, Impfondo, Ouesso, Oyo, Pointe-Noire Cook Islands Avatiu Coral Sea Islands none; offshore anchorage only Costa Rica Caldera, Puerto Limon Cote d'Ivoire Abidjan, Espoir, San-Pedro Croatia Omisalj, Ploce, Rijeka, Sibenik, Vukovar (on Danube River) Cuba Cienfuegos, Havana, Matanzas Cyprus area under government control: Larnaca, Limassol, Vasilikos;; area administered by Turkish Cypriots: Famagusta, Kyrenia Czech Republic Decin, Prague, Usti nad Labem Denmark Aalborg, Aarhus, Copenhagen, Ensted, Esbjerg, Fredericia, Kalundborg Djibouti Djibouti Dominica Portsmouth, Roseau Dominican Republic Boca Chica, Caucedo, Puerto Plata, Rio Haina, Santo Domingo Ecuador Esmeraldas, Guayaquil, Manta, Puerto Bolivar Egypt Ayn Sukhnah, Alexandria, Damietta, El Dekheila, Sidi Kurayr, Suez El Salvador Acajutla, Puerto Cutuco Equatorial Guinea Bata, Malabo Eritrea Assab, Massawa Estonia Kuivastu, Kunda, Muuga, Tallinn, Virtsu Ethiopia Ethiopia is landlocked and uses ports of Djibouti in Djibouti and Berbera in Somalia European Union Antwerp (Belgium), Barcelona (Spain), Braila (Romania), Bremen (Germany), Burgas (Bulgaria), Constanta (Romania), Copenhagen (Denmark), Galati (Romania), Gdansk (Poland), Hamburg (Germany), Helsinki (Finland), Las Palmas (Canary Islands, Spain), Le Havre (France), Lisbon (Portugal), London (UK), Marseille (France), Naples (Italy), Peiraiefs or Piraeus (Greece), Riga (Latvia), Rotterdam (Netherlands), Stockholm (Sweden), Talinn (Estonia), Tulcea (Romania), Varna (Bulgaria) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Stanley Faroe Islands Torshavn, Vagur Fiji Lautoka, Suva Finland Hamina, Helsinki, Kokkola, Kotka, Naantali, Pori, Raahe, Rauma, Turku France Bordeaux, Calais, Dunkerque, Le Havre, Marseille, Nantes, Paris, Rouen, Strasbourg French Polynesia Papeete French Southern and Antarctic Lands none; offshore anchorage only Gabon Gamba, Libreville, Lucinda, Port-Gentil Gambia, The Banjul Gaza Strip Gaza Georgia Bat'umi, P'ot'i Germany Bremen, Bremerhaven, Duisburg, Hamburg, Karlsruhe, Lubeck, Rostock, Wilhemshaven Ghana Tema Gibraltar Gibraltar Greece Agioitheodoroi, Aspropyrgos, Pachi, Piraeus, Thessaloniki Greenland Sisimiut Grenada Saint George's Guam Apra Harbor Guatemala Puerto Quetzal, Santo Tomas de Castilla Guernsey Saint Peter Port, Saint Sampson Guinea Conakry, Kamsar Guinea-Bissau Bissau, Buba, Cacheu, Farim Guyana Georgetown Haiti Cap-Haitien Heard Island and McDonald Islands none; offshore anchorage only Honduras La Ceiba, Puerto Cortes, San Lorenzo, Tela Hong Kong Hong Kong Hungary Budapest, Dunaujvaros, Gyor-Gonyu, Csepel, Baja, Mohacs Iceland Grundartangi, Hafnarfjordur, Reykjavik India Chennai, Haldia, Jawaharal Nehru, Kandla, Kolkata (Calcutta), Mormugao, Mumbai (Bombay), New Mangalore, Vishakhapatnam Indian Ocean Chennai (Madras; India), Colombo (Sri Lanka), Durban (South Africa), Jakarta (Indonesia), Kolkata (Calcutta; India) Melbourne (Australia), Mumbai (Bombay; India), Richards Bay (South Africa) Indonesia Banjarmasin, Belawan, Ciwandan, Kotabaru, Krueg Geukueh, Palembang, Panjang, Sungai Pakning, Tanjung Perak, Tanjung Priok Iran Assaluyeh, Bandar Abbas, Bandar-e-Eman Khomeyni Iraq Al Basrah, Khawr az Zubayr, Umm Qasr Ireland Cork, Dublin, Shannon Foynes Isle of Man Douglas, Ramsey Israel Ashdod, Elat (Eilat), Hadera, Haifa Italy Augusta, Genoa, Livorno, Ravenna, Sarroch, Taranto, Trieste, Venice Jamaica Kingston, Port Esquivel, Port Kaiser, Port Rhoades, Rocky Point Jan Mayen none; offshore anchorage only Japan Chiba, Kawasaki, Kobe, Mizushima, Moji, Nagoya, Osaka, Tokyo, Tomakomai, Yohohama Jersey Gorey, Saint Aubin, Saint Helier Jordan Al 'Aqabah Kazakhstan Aqtau (Shevchenko), Atyrau (Gur'yev), Oskemen (Ust-Kamenogorsk), Pavlodar, Semey (Semipalatinsk) Kenya Mombasa Kiribati Betio Korea, North Ch'ongjin, Haeju, Hungnam (Hamhung), Kimch'aek, Kosong, Najin, Namp'o, Sinuiju, Songnim, Sonbong (formerly Unggi), Ungsang, Wonsan Korea, South Inch'on, P'ohang, Pusan, Ulsan Kuwait Ash Shu'aybah, Ash Shuwaykh, Az Zawr (Mina' Sa'ud), Mina' 'Abd Allah, Mina' al Ahmadi Kyrgyzstan Balykchy (Ysyk-Kol or Rybach'ye) Latvia Riga, Ventspils Lebanon Beirut, Tripoli Liberia Buchanan, Monrovia Libya As Sidrah, Az Zuwaytinah, Marsa al Burayqah, Ra's Lanuf, Tripoli, Zawiyah Lithuania Klaipeda Luxembourg Mertert Macau Macau Madagascar Antsiranana, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara Malawi Chipoka, Monkey Bay, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Chilumba Malaysia Bintulu, Johor Bahru, Kuantan, Labuan, George Town (Penang), Port Kelang, Tanjung Pelepas Maldives Male Mali Koulikoro Malta Marsaxlokk (Malta Freeport), Valletta Marshall Islands Majuro Mauritania Nouadhibou, Nouakchott Mauritius Port Louis Mayotte Dzaoudzi Mexico Altamira, Coatzacoalcos, Manzanillo, Morro Redondo, Salina Cruz, Tampico, Veracruz Micronesia, Federated States of Tomil Harbor Monaco Monaco Montenegro Bar Montserrat Little Bay, Plymouth Morocco Agadir, Casablanca, Mohammedia, Safi Mozambique Beira, Maputo, Nacala Namibia Luderitz, Walvis Bay Nauru Nauru Navassa Island none; offshore anchorage only Netherlands Amsterdam, IJmuiden, Rotterdam, Terneuzen, Vlissingen Netherlands Antilles Bopec Terminal, Willemstad New Caledonia Noumea New Zealand Auckland, Lyttelton, Marsden Point, Tauranga, Wellington, Whangarei Nicaragua Bluefields, Corinto, El Bluff Nigeria Bonny Inshore Terminal, Calabar, Lagos Niue none; offshore anchorage only Norfolk Island none; loading jetties at Kingston and Cascade Northern Mariana Islands Saipan, Tinian Norway Bergen, Borg Havn, Haugesund, Maaloy, Mongstad, Narvik, Oslo, Sture Oman Mina' Qabus, Salalah Pacific Ocean Bangkok (Thailand), Hong Kong (China), Kao-hsiung (Taiwan), Los Angeles (US), Manila (Philippines), Pusan (South Korea), San Francisco (US), Seattle (US), Shanghai (China), Singapore, Sydney (Australia), Vladivostok (Russia), Wellington (NZ), Yokohama (Japan) Pakistan Karachi, Port Muhammad Bin Qasim Palau Koror Panama Balboa, Colon, Cristobal Papua New Guinea Kimbe, Lae, Madang, Rabaul, Wewak Paracel Islands small Chinese port facilities on Woody Island and Duncan Island being expanded Paraguay Asuncion, Villeta, San Antonio, Encarnacion Peru Callao, Iquitos, Matarani, Paita, Pucallpa, Yurimaguas; note - Iquitos, Pucallpa, and Yurimaguas are on the upper reaches of the Amazon and its tributaries Philippines Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Liman, Manila, Nasipit Harbor Pitcairn Islands Adamstown (on Bounty Bay) Poland Gdansk, Gdynia, Swinoujscie, Szczecin Portugal Leixoes, Lisbon, Setubal, Sines Puerto Rico Guayanilla, Mayaguez, San Juan Qatar Doha, Ra's Laffan Romania Braila, Constanta, Galati, Tulcea Russia Azov, Kaliningrad, Kavkaz, Nakhodka, Novorossiysk, Primorsk, Saint Petersburg, Vostochnyy Rwanda Cyangugu, Gisenyi, Kibuye Saint Helena Saint Helena: Jamestown Ascension Island: Georgetown Tristan da Cunha: Calshot Harbor Saint Kitts and Nevis Basseterre Saint Lucia Castries, Cul-de-Sac, Vieux-Fort Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint-Pierre Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Kingstown Samoa Apia Sao Tome and Principe Sao Tome Saudi Arabia Ad Dammam, Al Jubayl, Jiddah, Yanbu' al Sinaiyah Senegal Dakar Seychelles Victoria Sierra Leone Freetown, Pepel, Sherbro Islands Singapore Singapore Slovakia Bratislava, Komarno Slovenia Koper Solomon Islands Honiara, Malloco Bay, Viru Harbor Somalia Berbera, Kismaayo South Africa Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Richards Bay, Saldanha Bay South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands Grytviken Southern Ocean McMurdo, Palmer, and offshore anchorages in Antarctica note: few ports or harbors exist on southern side of Southern Ocean; ice conditions limit use of most to short periods in midsummer; even then some cannot be entered without icebreaker escort; most Antarctic ports are operated by government research stations and, except in an emergency, are not open to commercial or private vessels (2007) Spain Algeciras, Barcelona, Bilbao, Cartagena, Huelva, Tarragona, Valencia Spratly Islands none; offshore anchorage only Sri Lanka Colombo Sudan Port Sudan Suriname Paramaribo, Wageningen Svalbard Barentsburg, Longyearbyen, Ny-Alesund, Pyramiden Sweden Brofjorden, Goteborg, Helsingborg, Lulea, Malmo, Stenungsund, Stockholm, Trelleborg, Visby Switzerland Basel Syria Latakia, Tartus Taiwan Chilung (Keelung), Kaohsiung, Taichung Tanzania Dar es Salaam Thailand Bangkok, Laem Chabang, Prachuap Port, Si Racha Timor-Leste Dili Togo Kpeme, Lome Tokelau none; offshore anchorage only Tonga Nuku'alofa Trinidad and Tobago Point Fortin, Point Lisas, Port-of-Spain Tunisia Bizerte, Gabes, La Goulette, Rades, Sfax, Skhira Turkey Aliaga, Diliskelesi, Izmir, Kocaeli (Izmit), Mercin Limani, Nemrut Limani Turkmenistan Turkmenbasy Turks and Caicos Islands Grand Turk, Providenciales Tuvalu Funafuti Uganda Entebbe, Jinja, Port Bell Ukraine Feodosiya, Kerch, Kherson, Mariupol', Mykolayiv, Odesa, Yuzhnyy United Arab Emirates Mina' Zayid (Abu Dhabi), Al Fujayrah, Mina' Jabal 'Ali (Dubai), Mina' Rashid (Dubai), Mina' Saqr (Ra's al Khaymah), Khawr Fakkan (Sharjah) United Kingdom Dover, Felixstowe, Immingham, Liverpool, London, Southampton, Teesport (England); Forth Ports, Hound Point (Scotland); Milford Haven (Wales) United States Corpus Christi, Duluth, Hampton Roads, Houston, Long Beach, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, Tampa, Texas City United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands, and Kingman Reef: none; offshore anchorage only Johnston Atoll: Johnston Island Midway Islands: Sand Island Palmyra Atoll: West Lagoon Uruguay Montevideo Uzbekistan Termiz (Amu Darya) Vanuatu Forari, Port-Vila, Santo (Espiritu Santo) Venezuela La Guaira, Maracaibo, Puerto Cabello, Punta Cardon Vietnam Da Nang, Hai Phong, Ho Chi Minh City Virgin Islands Charlotte Amalie, Limetree Bay Wake Island none; two offshore anchorages for large ships Wallis and Futuna Leava, Mata-Utu Western Sahara Ad Dakhla, Cabo Bojador, Laayoune (El Aaiun) World top ten container ports as measured by Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs): Singapore - 27,935,500; Shanghai - 26,150,000; Hong Kong - 23,999,000; Shenzhen (China) - 21,099,100; Pusan (South Korea) - 13,254,703; - Rotterdam - 10,790,604; Dubai (UAE) - 10,650,000; Kaohsiung (Taiwan) - 10,256,829; Hamburg - 9,917,180; Qingdao (China) - 9,462,000 (2007) Yemen Aden, Al Hudaydah, Al Mukalla Zambia Mpulungu Zimbabwe Binga, Kariba ====================================================================== @2121 Field Listing :: Railways This entry states the total route length of the railway network and of its component parts by gauge: broad, standard, narrow, and dual. Other gauges are listed under note. Country Comparison to the World Country Railways(km) Albania total: 896 km standard gauge: 896 km 1.435-m gauge (2008) Algeria total: 3,973 km standard gauge: 2,888 km 1.435-m gauge (283 km electrified) narrow gauge: 1,085 km 1.055-m gauge (2008) Angola total: 2,764 km narrow gauge: 2,641 km 1.067-m gauge; 123 km 0.600-m gauge (2008) Argentina total: 31,409 km broad gauge: 27,301 km 1.676-m gauge (94 km electrified) standard gauge: 2,780 km 1.435-m gauge (26 km electrified) narrow gauge: 1,328 km 1.000-m gauge (2008) Armenia total: 845 km broad gauge: 845 km 1.520-m gauge (818 km electrified) note: some lines are out of service (2008) Australia total: 37,855 km broad gauge: 142 km 1.600-m gauge standard gauge: 24,409 km 1.435-m gauge (1,094 km electrified) narrow gauge: 13,304 km 1.067-m gauge (1,193 km electrified) (2008) Austria total: 6,399 km standard gauge: 5,927 km 1.435-m gauge (3,688 km electrified) narrow gauge: 384 km 1.000-m gauge (15 km electrified); 88 km 0.760-m gauge (10 km electrified) (2008) Azerbaijan total: 2,122 km broad gauge: 2,122 km 1.520-m gauge (1,278 km electrified) (2008) Bangladesh total: 2,768 km broad gauge: 946 km 1.676-m gauge narrow gauge: 1,822 km 1.000-m gauge (2008) Belarus total: 5,538 km broad gauge: 5,512 km 1.520-m gauge (874 km electrified) standard gauge: 25 km 1.435-m gauge (2008) Belgium total: 3,233 km standard gauge: 3,233 km 1.435-m gauge (2,950 km electrified) (2008) Benin total: 578 km narrow gauge: 578 km 1.000-m gauge (2008) Bolivia total: 3,504 km narrow gauge: 3,504 km 1.000-m gauge (2008) Bosnia and Herzegovina total: 1,000 km standard gauge: 1,000 km 1.435-m gauge (590 km electrified) (2008) Botswana total: 888 km narrow gauge: 888 km 1.067-m gauge (2008) Brazil total: 28,857 km broad gauge: 5,709 km 1.600-m gauge (459 km electrified) standard gauge: 194 km 1.440-m gauge narrow gauge: 22,954 km 1.000-m gauge (2008) Bulgaria total: 4,294 km standard gauge: 4,049 km 1.435-m gauge (2,880 km electrified) narrow gauge: 245 km 0.760-m gauge (2008) Burkina Faso total: 622 km narrow gauge: 622 km 1.000-m gauge note: another 660 km of this railway extends into Cote d'Ivoire (2008) Burma total: 3,955 km narrow gauge: 3,955 km 1.000-m gauge (2008) Cambodia total: 602 km narrow gauge: 602 km 1.000-m gauge (2008) Cameroon total: 987 km narrow gauge: 987 km 1.000-m gauge (2008) Canada total: 46,688 km standard gauge: 46,688 km 1.435-m gauge (2008) Chile total: 5,481 km broad gauge: 1,706 km 1.676-m gauge (850 km electrified) narrow gauge: 3,777 km 1.000-m gauge (2008) China total: 77,834 km standard gauge: 77,084 km 1.435-m gauge (24,433 km electrified) narrow gauge: 750 km 0.750-m gauge (2008) Colombia total: 3,802 km standard gauge: 150 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 3,652 km 0.914-m gauge (2008) Congo, Democratic Republic of the total: 4,007 km narrow gauge: 3,882 km 1.067-m gauge (858 km electrified); 125 km 1.000-m gauge (2008) Congo, Republic of the total: 795 km narrow gauge: 795 km 1.067-m gauge (2008) Costa Rica total: 278 km narrow gauge: 278 km 1.067-m gauge note: none of the railway network is in use (2008) Cote d'Ivoire total: 660 km narrow gauge: 660 km 1.000 meter gauge note: an additional 622 km of this railroad extends into Burkina Faso (2008) Croatia total: 2,722 km standard gauge: 2,722 km 1.435-m gauge (980 km electrified) (2008) Cuba total: 8,598 km standard gauge: 8,322 km 1.435-m gauge (176 km electrified) narrow gauge: 276 km 1.000-gauge note: 4,533 km of the track is used by sugar plantations; 4,257 km is standard gauge; 276 km is narrow gauge (2006) Czech Republic total: 9,620 km standard gauge: 9,521 km 1.435-m gauge (3,013 km electrified) narrow gauge: 99 km 0.750-m gauge (2008) Denmark total: 2,667 km standard gauge: 2,667 km 1.435-m gauge (640 km electrified) (2008) Djibouti total: 100 km (Djibouti segment of the 781 km Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway) narrow gauge: 100 km 1.000-m gauge note: railway is under joint control of Djibouti and Ethiopia but is largely inoperable (2008) Dominican Republic total: 1,784 km standard gauge: 375 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 1,368 km 1.076-m, 0.889-m, and 0.762-m gauges note: 1,226 km operated by sugar companies in 1.076 m, 0.889 m, and 0.762-m gauges (2008) Ecuador total: 965 km narrow gauge: 965 km 1.067-m gauge (2008) Egypt total: 5,063 km standard gauge: 5,063 km 1.435-m gauge (62 km electrified) (2008) El Salvador total: 283 km narrow gauge: 283 km 0.914-m gauge note: railways have been inoperable since 2005 because of disuse and high costs that led to a lack of maintenance (2008) Eritrea total: 306 km narrow gauge: 306 km 0.950-m gauge (2008) Estonia total: 919 km broad gauge: 919 km 1.520 m/1.524-m gauge (131 km electrified) (2008) Ethiopia total: 681 km (Ethiopian segment of the 781 km Addis Ababa-Djibouti railroad) narrow gauge: 681 km 1.000-m gauge note: railway is under joint control of Djibouti and Ethiopia but is largely inoperable (2008) European Union total: 229,450 km (2008) Fiji total: 597 km narrow gauge: 597 km 0.600-m gauge note: belongs to the government-owned Fiji Sugar Corporation; used to haul sugarcane during the harvest season, which runs from May to December (2008) Finland total: 5,794 km broad gauge: 5,794 km 1.524-m gauge (3,047 km electrified) (2008) France total: 29,213 km standard gauge: 29,046 km 1.435-m gauge (15,164 km electrified) narrow gauge: 167 km 1.000-m gauge (2008) Gabon total: 814 km standard gauge: 814 km 1.435-m gauge (2008) Georgia total: 1,612 km broad gauge: 1,575 km 1.520-m gauge (1,575 electrified) narrow gauge: 37 km 0.912-m gauge (37 electrified) (2008) Germany total: 41,896 km standard gauge: 41,641 km 1.435-m gauge (20,053 km electrified) narrow gauge: 75 km 1.000-m gauge (75 km electrified); 24 km 0.750-m gauge (24 km electrified) (2008) Ghana total: 947 km narrow gauge: 947 km 1.067-m gauge (2008) Greece total: 2,548 km standard gauge: 1,565 km 1.435-m gauge (764 km electrified) narrow gauge: 961 km 1.000-m gauge; 22 km 0.750-m gauge (2008) Guatemala total: 332 km narrow gauge: 332 km 0.914-m gauge (2008) Guinea total: 1,185 km standard gauge: 238 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 947 km 1.000-m gauge (2008) Honduras total: 699 km narrow gauge: 279 km 1.067-m gauge; 420 km 0.914-m gauge (2008) Hungary total: 8,057 km broad gauge: 36 km 1.524-m gauge standard gauge: 7,802 km 1.435-m gauge (2,628 km electrified) narrow gauge: 219 km 0.760-m gauge (2008) India total: 63,327 km broad gauge: 49,820 km 1.676-m gauge (17,786 km electrified) narrow gauge: 10,621 km 1.000-m gauge (135 km electrified); 2,886 km 0.762-m gauge and 0.610-m gauge (2007) Indonesia total: 8,529 km narrow gauge: 8,529 km 1.067-m gauge (565 km electrified) (2008) Iran total: 8,442 km broad gauge: 94 km 1.676-m gauge standard gauge: 8,348 km 1.435-m gauge (148 km electrified) (2008) Iraq total: 2,272 km standard gauge: 2,272 km 1.435-m gauge (2008) Ireland total: 3,237 km broad gauge: 1,872 km 1.600-m gauge (37 km electrified) narrow gauge: 1,365 km 0.914-m gauge (operated by the Irish Peat Board to transport peat to power stations and briquetting plants) (2008) Isle of Man total: 63 km narrow gauge: 6 km 1.076-m gauge (6 km electrified); 57 km 0.914-m gauge (29 km electrified) note: primarily summer tourist attractions (2008) Israel total: 913 km standard gauge: 913 km 1.435-m gauge (2008) Italy total: 19,729 km standard gauge: 18,317 km 1.435-m gauge (12,458 km electrified) narrow gauge: 123 km 1.000-m gauge (123 km electrified); 1,058 km 0.950-m gauge (151 km electrified); 231 km 0.850-m gauge (2008) Japan total: 23,506 km standard gauge: 3,437 km 1.435-m gauge (3,319 km electrified) narrow gauge: 20,059 km 1.067-m gauge (11,842 km electrified); 11 km 0.762-m gauge (11 km electrified) (2008) Jordan total: 507 km narrow gauge: 507 km 1.050-m gauge (2008) Kazakhstan total: 13,700 km broad gauge: 13,700 km 1.520-m gauge (3,700 km electrified) (2008) Kenya total: 2,778 km narrow gauge: 2,778 km 1.000-m gauge (2008) Korea, North total: 5,235 km standard gauge: 5,235 km 1.435-m gauge (3,500 km electrified) (2006) Korea, South total: 3,381 km standard gauge: 3,381 km 1.435-m gauge (1,843 km electrified) (2008) Kosovo total: 430 km standard gauge: 430 km 1.435-m gauge (2007) Kyrgyzstan total: 470 km broad gauge: 470 km 1.520-m gauge (2008) Latvia total: 2,298 km broad gauge: 2,265 km 1.520-m gauge narrow gauge: 33 km 0.750-m gauge (2008) Lebanon total: 401 km standard gauge: 319 km 1.435 m narrow gauge: 82 km 1.050 m note: rail system unusable because of the damage done during fighting in the 1980s and in 2006 (2008) Liberia total: 429 km standard gauge: 345 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 84 km 1.067-m gauge note: most sections of the railway are inoperable because of damage suffered during the civil wars from 1980 to 2003 (2008) Liechtenstein 9 km 1.435-m gauge (electrified) note: belongs to the Austrian Railway System connecting Austria and Switzerland (2008) Lithuania total: 1,765 km broad gauge: 1,743 km 1.524-m gauge (122 km electrified) standard gauge: 22 km 1.435-m gauge (2008) Luxembourg total: 275 km standard gauge: 275 km 1.435-m gauge (243 km electrified) (2008) Macedonia total: 699 km standard gauge: 699 km 1.435-m gauge (223 km electrified) (2008) Madagascar total: 854 km narrow gauge: 854 km 1.000-m gauge (2008) Malawi total: 797 km narrow gauge: 797 km 1.067-m gauge (2008) Malaysia total: 1,849 km standard gauge: 57 km 1.435-m gauge (57 km electrified) narrow gauge: 1,792 km 1.000-m gauge (150 km electrified) (2008) Mali total: 593 km narrow gauge: 593 km 1.000-m gauge (2008) Mauritania 728 km standard gauge: 728 km 1.435-m gauge (2008) Mexico total: 17,516 km standard gauge: 17,516 km 1.435-m gauge (2008) Moldova total: 1,138 km broad gauge: 1,124 km 1.520-m gauge standard gauge: 14 km 1.435-m gauge (2008) Mongolia total: 1,810 km broad gauge: 1,810 km 1.520-m gauge (2008) Montenegro total: 250 km standard gauge: 250 km 1.435-m gauge (electrified 169 km) (2007) Morocco total: 1,907 km standard gauge: 1,907 km 1.435-m gauge (1,022 km electrified) (2008) Mozambique total: 4,787 km narrow gauge: 4,787 km 1.067-m gauge (2008) Namibia total: 2,629 km narrow gauge: 2,629 km 1.067-m gauge (2008) Nepal total: 59 km narrow gauge: 59 km 0.762-m gauge (2008) Netherlands total: 2,811 km standard gauge: 2,811 km 1.435-m gauge (2,064 km electrified) (2008) New Zealand total: 4,128 km narrow gauge: 4,128 km 1.067-m gauge (506 km electrified) (2008) Nigeria total: 3,505 km narrow gauge: 3,505 km 1.067-m gauge (2008) Norway total: 4,114 km standard gauge: 4,114 km 1.435-m gauge (2,552 km electrified) (2009) Pakistan total: 7,791 km broad gauge: 7,479 km 1.676-m gauge (293 km electrified) narrow gauge: 312 km 1.000-m gauge (2007) Panama total: 76 km standard gauge: 76 km 1.435-m gauge (2008) Paraguay total: 36 km standard gauge: 36 km 1.435-m gauge (2008) Peru total: 1,989 km standard gauge: 1,726 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 263 km 0.914-m gauge (2008) Philippines total: 897 km narrow gauge: 897 km 1.067-m gauge (492 km are in operation) (2008) Poland total: 22,314 km broad gauge: 633 km 1.524-m gauge standard gauge: 21,681 km 1.435-m gauge (11,769 km electrified) (2007) Portugal total: 2,786 km broad gauge: 2,603 km 1.668-m gauge (1,351 km electrified) narrow gauge: 183 km 1.000-m gauge (2008) Romania total: 10,788 km broad gauge: 57 km 1.524-m gauge standard gauge: 10,731 km 1.435-m gauge (3,965 km electrified) (2008) Russia total: 87,157 km broad gauge: 86,200 km 1.520-m gauge (40,300 km electrified) narrow gauge: 957 km 1.067-m gauge (on Sakhalin Island) note: an additional 30,000 km of non-common carrier lines serve industries (2006) Saint Kitts and Nevis total: 50 km narrow gauge: 50 km 0.762-m gauge on Saint Kitts for tourists (2008) Saudi Arabia total: 1,392 km standard gauge: 1,392 km 1.435-m gauge (with branch lines and sidings) (2008) Senegal total: 906 km narrow gauge: 906 km 1.000 meter gauge (2008) Serbia total: 3,379 km standard gauge: 3,379 km 1.435-m gauge (electrified 1,254 km) (2006) Slovakia total: 3,622 km broad gauge: 99 km 1.520-m gauge standard gauge: 3,473 km 1.435-m gauge (1,577 km electrified) narrow gauge: 50 km (1.000-m or 0.750-m gauge) (2008) Slovenia total: 1,228 km standard gauge: 1,228 km 1.435-m gauge (503 km electrified) (2007) South Africa total: 20,872 km narrow gauge: 20,436 km 1.065-m gauge (8,271 km electrified); 436 km 0.610-m gauge (2008) Spain total: 15,288 km broad gauge: 11,919 km 1.668-m gauge (6,950 km electrified) standard gauge: 1,392 km 1.435-m gauge (1,054 km electrified) narrow gauge: 1,949 km 1.000-m gauge (815 km electrified); 28 km 0.914-m gauge (28 km electrified) (2008) Sri Lanka total: 1,449 km broad gauge: 1,449 km 1.676-m gauge (2007) Sudan total: 5,978 km narrow gauge: 4,578 km 1.067-m gauge; 1,400 km 0.600-m gauge for cotton plantations (2008) Swaziland total: 301 km narrow gauge: 301 km 1.067-m gauge (2008) Sweden total: 11,633 km standard gauge: 11,528 km 1.435-m gauge (7,531 km electrified) narrow gauge: 65 km 1.000-m gauge (65 km electrified) (2008) Switzerland total: 4,888 km standard gauge: 3,397 km 1.435-m gauge (3,142 km electrified) narrow gauge: 1,481 km 1.000-m gauge (1,378 km electrified); 10 km 0.800-m gauge (10 km electrified) (2008) Syria total: 2,052 km standard gauge: 1,801 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 251 km 1.050-m gauge (2008) Taiwan total: 1,588 km standard gauge: 345 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 1,093 km 1.067-m gauge; 150 km .762-m gauge note: the 150 km of .762 gauge track belongs primarily to Taiwan Sugar Corporation and Taiwan Forestry Bureau; some to other entities (2007) Tajikistan total: 680 km broad gauge: 680 km 1.520-m gauge (2008) Tanzania total: 3,689 km narrow gauge: 969 km 1.067-m gauge; 2,720 km 1.000-m gauge (2008) Thailand total: 4,071 km standard gauge: 29 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 4,042 km 1.000-m gauge (2008) Togo total: 532 km narrow gauge: 532 km 1.000-m gauge (2008) Tunisia total: 2,159 km standard gauge: 471 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 1,688 km 1.000-m gauge (65 km electrified) (2008) Turkey total: 8,697 km standard gauge: 8,697 km 1.435-m gauge (1,920 km electrified) (2008) Turkmenistan total: 2,980 km broad gauge: 2,980 km 1.520-m gauge (2008) Uganda total: 1,244 km narrow gauge: 1,244 km 1.000-m gauge (2008) Ukraine total: 21,655 km broad gauge: 21,655 km 1.524-m gauge (9,729 km electrified) (2008) United Kingdom total: 16,454 km broad gauge: 303 km 1.600-m gauge (in Northern Ireland) standard gauge: 16,151 km 1.435-m gauge (5,248 km electrified) (2008) United States total: 226,427 km standard gauge: 226,427 km 1.435-m gauge (2007) Uruguay total: 1,641 km standard gauge: 1,641 km 1.435-m gauge (2008) Uzbekistan total: 3,645 km broad gauge: 3,645 km 1.520-m gauge (620 km electrified) (2008) Venezuela total: 806 km standard gauge: 806 km 1.435-m gauge (2008) Vietnam total: 2,347 km standard gauge: 178 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 2,169 km 1.000-m gauge (2008) World total: 1,134,429 km (2008) Zambia total: 2,157 km narrow gauge: 2,157 km 1.067-m gauge note: includes 891 km of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) (2008) Zimbabwe total: 3,077 km narrow gauge: 3,077 km 1.067-m gauge (313 km electrified) (2008) ====================================================================== @2122 Field Listing :: Religions This entry is an ordered listing of religions by adherents starting with the largest group and sometimes includes the percent of total population. The core characteristics and beliefs of the world's major religions are described below. Baha'i - Founded by Mirza Husayn-Ali (known as Baha'u'llah) in Iran in 1852, Baha'i faith emphasizes monotheism and believes in one eternal transcendent God. Its guiding focus is to encourage the unity of all peoples on the earth so that justice and peace may be achieved on earth. Baha'i revelation contends the prophets of major world religions reflect some truth or element of the divine, believes all were manifestations of God given to specific communities in specific times, and that Baha'u'llah is an additional prophet meant to call all humankind. Bahais are an open community, located worldwide, with the greatest concentration of believers in South Asia. Buddhism - Religion or philosophy inspired by the 5th century B.C. teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (also known as Gautama Buddha "the enlightened one"). Buddhism focuses on the goal of spiritual enlightenment centered on an understanding of Gautama Buddha's Four Noble Truths on the nature of suffering, and on the Eightfold Path of spiritual and moral practice, to break the cycle of suffering of which we are a part. Buddhism ascribes to a karmic system of rebirth. Several schools and sects of Buddhism exist, differing often on the nature of the Buddha, the extent to which enlightenment can be achieved - for one or for all, and by whom - religious orders or laity. Basic Groupings Theravada Buddhism: The oldest Buddhist school, Theravada is practiced mostly in Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos, Burma, and Thailand, with minority representation elsewhere in Asia and the West. Theravadans follow the Pali Canon of Buddha's teachings, and believe that one may escape the cycle of rebirth, worldly attachment, and suffering for oneself; this process may take one or several lifetimes. Mahayana Buddhism, including subsets Zen and Tibetan Buddhism: Forms of Mahayana Buddhism are common in East Asia and Tibet, and parts of the West. Mahayanas have additional scriptures beyond the Pali Canon and believe the Buddha is eternal and still teaching. Unlike Theravada Buddhism, Mahayana schools maintain the Buddha-nature is present in all beings and all will ultimately achieve enlightenment. Christianity - Descending from Judaism, Christianity's central belief maintains Jesus of Nazareth is the promised messiah of the Hebrew Scriptures, and that his life, death, and resurrection are salvific for the world. Christianity is one of the three monotheistic Abrahamic faiths, along with Islam and Judaism, which traces its spiritual lineage to Abraham of the Hebrew Scriptures. Its sacred texts include the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament (or the Christian Gospels). Basic Groupings Catholicism (or Roman Catholicism): This is the oldest established western Christian church and the world's largest single religious body. It is supranational, and recognizes a hierarchical structure with the Pope, or Bishop of Rome, as its head, located at the Vatican. Catholics believe the Pope is the divinely ordered head of the Church from a direct spiritual legacy of Jesus' apostle Peter. Catholicism is comprised of 23 particular Churches, or Rites - one Western (Latin-Rite) and 22 Eastern. The Latin Rite is by far the largest, making up about 98% of Catholic membership. Eastern-Rite Churches, such as the Maronite Church and the Ukrainian Catholic Church, are in communion with Rome although they preserve their own worship traditions and their immediate hierarchy consists of clergy within their own rite. The Catholic Church has a comprehensive theological and moral doctrine specified for believers in its catechism, which makes it unique among most forms of Christianity. Mormonism (including the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints): Originating in 1830 in the United States under Joseph Smith, Mormonism is not characterized as a form of Protestant Christianity because it claims additional revealed Christian scriptures after the Hebrew Bible and New Testament. The Book of Mormon maintains there was an appearance of Jesus in the New World following the Christian account of his resurrection, and that the Americas are uniquely blessed continents. Mormonism believes earlier Christian traditions, such as the Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant reform faiths, are apostasies and that Joseph Smith's revelation of the Book of Mormon is a restoration of true Christianity. Mormons have a hierarchical religious leadership structure, and actively proselytize their faith; they are located primarily in the Americas and in a number of other Western countries. Orthodox Christianity: The oldest established eastern form of Christianity, the Holy Orthodox Church, has a ceremonial head in the Bishop of Constantinople (Istanbul), also known as a Patriarch, but its various regional forms (e.g., Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, Serbian Orthodox, Ukrainian Orthodox) are autocephalous (independent of Constantinople's authority, and have their own Patriarchs). Orthodox churches are highly nationalist and ethnic. The Orthodox Christian faith shares many theological tenets with the Roman Catholic Church, but diverges on some key premises and does not recognize the governing authority of the Pope. Protestant Christianity: Protestant Christianity originated in the 16th century as an attempt to reform Roman Catholicism's practices, dogma, and theology. It encompasses several forms or denominations which are extremely varied in structure, beliefs, relationship to state, clergy, and governance. Many protestant theologies emphasize the primary role of scripture in their faith, advocating individual interpretation of Christian texts without the mediation of a final religious authority such as the Roman Pope. The oldest Protestant Christianities include Lutheranism, Calvinism (Presbyterians), and Anglican Christianity (Episcopalians), which have established liturgies, governing structure, and formal clergy. Other variants on Protestant Christianity, including Pentecostal movements and independent churches, may lack one or more of these elements, and their leadership and beliefs are individualized and dynamic. Hinduism - Originating in the Vedic civilization of India (second and first millennium B.C.), Hinduism is an extremely diverse set of beliefs and practices with no single founder or religious authority. Hinduism has many scriptures; the Vedas, the Upanishads, and the Bhagavad-Gita are among some of the most important. Hindus may worship one or many deities, usually with prayer rituals within their own home. The most common figures of devotion are the gods Vishnu, Shiva, and a mother goddess, Devi. Most Hindus believe the soul, or atman, is eternal, and goes through a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara) determined by one's positive or negative karma, or the consequences of one's actions. The goal of religious life is to learn to act so as to finally achieve liberation (moksha) of one's soul, escaping the rebirth cycle. Islam - The third of the monotheistic Abrahamic faiths, Islam originated with the teachings of Muhammad in the 7th century. Muslims believe Muhammad is the final of all religious prophets (beginning with Abraham) and that the Qu'ran, which is the Islamic scripture, was revealed to him by God. Islam derives from the word submission, and obedience to God is a primary theme in this religion. In order to live an Islamic life, believers must follow the five pillars, or tenets, of Islam, which are the testimony of faith (shahada), daily prayer (salah), giving alms (zakah), fasting during Ramadan (sawm), and the pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj). Basic Groupings The two primary branches of Islam are Sunni and Shia, which split from each other over a religio-political leadership dispute about the rightful successor to Muhammad. The Shia believe Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law, Ali, was the only divinely ordained Imam (religious leader), while the Sunni maintain the first three caliphs after Muhammad were also legitimate authorities. In modern Islam, Sunnis and Shia continue to have different views of acceptable schools of Islamic jurisprudence, and who is a proper Islamic religious authority. Islam also has an active mystical branch, Sufism, with various Sunni and Shia subsets. Sunni Islam accounts for over 75% of the world's Muslim population. It recognizes the Abu Bakr as the first caliph after Muhammad. Sunni has four schools of Islamic doctrine and law - Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali - which uniquely interpret the Hadith, or recorded oral traditions of Muhammad. A Sunni Muslim may elect to follow any one of these schools, as all are considered equally valid. Shia Islam represents 10-20% of Muslims worldwide, and its distinguishing feature is its reverence for Ali as an infallible, divinely inspired leader, and as the first Imam of the Muslim community after Muhammad. A majority of Shia are known as "Twelvers," because they believe that the 11 familial successor imams after Muhammad culminate in a 12th Imam (al-Mahdi) who is hidden in the world and will reappear at its end to redeem the righteous. Variants Ismaili faith: A sect of Shia Islam, its adherents are also known as "Seveners," because they believe that the rightful seventh Imam in Islamic leadership was Isma'il, the elder son of Imam Jafar al-Sadiq. Ismaili tradition awaits the return of the seventh Imam as the Mahdi, or Islamic messianic figure. Ismailis are located in various parts of the world, particularly South Asia and the Levant. Alawi faith: Another Shia sect of Islam, the name reflects followers' devotion to the religious authority of Ali. Alawites are a closed, secretive religious group who assert they are Shia Muslims, although outside scholars speculate their beliefs may have a syncretic mix with other faiths originating in the Middle East. Alawis live mostly in Syria, Lebanon, and Turkey. Druze faith: A highly secretive tradition and a closed community that derives from the Ismaili sect of Islam; its core beliefs are thought to emphasize a combination of Gnostic principles believing that the Fatimid caliph, al-Hakin, is the one who embodies the key aspects of goodness of the universe, which are, the intellect, the word, the soul, the preceder, and the follower. The Druze have a key presence in Syria, Lebanon, and Israel. Jainism - Originating in India, Jain spiritual philosophy believes in an eternal human soul, the eternal universe, and a principle of "the own nature of things." It emphasizes compassion for all living things, seeks liberation of the human soul from reincarnation through enlightenment, and values personal responsibility due to the belief in the immediate consequences of one's behavior. Jain philosophy teaches non-violence and prescribes vegetarianism for monks and laity alike; its adherents are a highly influential religious minority in Indian society. Judaism - One of the first known monotheistic religions, likely dating to between 2000-1500 B.C., Judaism is the native faith of the Jewish people, based upon the belief in a covenant of responsibility between a sole omnipotent creator God and Abraham, the patriarch of Judaism's Hebrew Bible, or Tanakh. Divine revelation of principles and prohibitions in the Hebrew Scriptures form the basis of Jewish law, or halakhah, which is a key component of the faith. While there are extensive traditions of Jewish halakhic and theological discourse, there is no final dogmatic authority in the tradition. Local communities have their own religious leadership. Modern Judaism has three basic categories of faith: Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform/Liberal. These differ in their views and observance of Jewish law, with the Orthodox representing the most traditional practice, and Reform/Liberal communities the most accommodating of individualized interpretations of Jewish identity and faith. Shintoism - A native animist tradition of Japan, Shinto practice is based upon the premise that every being and object has its own spirit or kami. Shinto practitioners worship several particular kamis, including the kamis of nature, and families often have shrines to their ancestors' kamis. Shintoism has no fixed tradition of prayers or prescribed dogma, but is characterized by individual ritual. Respect for the kamis in nature is a key Shinto value. Prior to the end of World War II, Shinto was the state religion of Japan, and bolstered the cult of the Japanese emperor. Sikhism - Founded by the Guru Nanak (born 1469), Sikhism believes in a non-anthropomorphic, supreme, eternal, creator God; centering one's devotion to God is seen as a means of escaping the cycle of rebirth. Sikhs follow the teachings of Nanak and nine subsequent gurus. Their scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib - also known as the Adi Granth - is considered the living Guru, or final authority of Sikh faith and theology. Sikhism emphasizes equality of humankind and disavows caste, class, or gender discrimination. Taoism - Chinese philosophy or religion based upon Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching, which centers on belief in the Tao, or the way, as the flow of the universe and the nature of things. Taoism encourages a principle of non-force, or wu-wei, as the means to live harmoniously with the Tao. Taoists believe the esoteric world is made up of a perfect harmonious balance and nature, while in the manifest world - particularly in the body - balance is distorted. The Three Jewels of the Tao - compassion, simplicity, and humility - serve as the basis for Taoist ethics. Zoroastrianism - Originating from the teachings of Zoroaster in about the 9th or 10th century B.C., Zoroastrianism may be the oldest continuing creedal religion. Its key beliefs center on a transcendent creator God, Ahura Mazda, and the concept of free will. The key ethical tenets of Zoroastrianism expressed in its scripture, the Avesta, are based on a dualistic worldview where one may prevent chaos if one chooses to serve God and exercises good thoughts, good words, and good deeds. Zoroastrianism is generally a closed religion and members are almost always born to Zoroastrian parents. Prior to the spread of Islam, Zoroastrianism dominated greater Iran. Today, though a minority, Zoroastrians remain primarily in Iran, India, and Pakistan. Country Religions(%) Afghanistan Sunni Muslim 80%, Shia Muslim 19%, other 1% Albania Muslim 70%, Albanian Orthodox 20%, Roman Catholic 10% note: percentages are estimates; there are no available current statistics on religious affiliation; all mosques and churches were closed in 1967 and religious observances prohibited; in November 1990, Albania began allowing private religious practice Algeria Sunni Muslim (state religion) 99%, Christian and Jewish 1% American Samoa Christian Congregationalist 50%, Roman Catholic 20%, Protestant and other 30% Andorra Roman Catholic (predominant) Angola indigenous beliefs 47%, Roman Catholic 38%, Protestant 15% (1998 est.) Anguilla Anglican 29%, Methodist 23.9%, other Protestant 30.2%, Roman Catholic 5.7%, other Christian 1.7%, other 5.2%, none or unspecified 4.3% (2001 census) Antigua and Barbuda Anglican 25.7%, Seventh Day Adventist 12.3%, Pentecostal 10.6%, Moravian 10.5%, Roman Catholic 10.4%, Methodist 7.9%, Baptist 4.9%, Church of God 4.5%, other Christian 5.4%, other 2%, none or unspecified 5.8% (2001 census) Argentina nominally Roman Catholic 92% (less than 20% practicing), Protestant 2%, Jewish 2%, other 4% Armenia Armenian Apostolic 94.7%, other Christian 4%, Yezidi (monotheist with elements of nature worship) 1.3% Aruba Roman Catholic 80.8%, Evangelist 4.1%, Protestant 2.5%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.5%, Methodist 1.2%, Jewish 0.2%, other 5.1%, none or unspecified 4.6% Australia Catholic 25.8%, Anglican 18.7%, Uniting Church 5.7%, Presbyterian and Reformed 3%, Eastern Orthodox 2.7%, other Christian 7.9%, Buddhist 2.1%, Muslim 1.7%, other 2.4%, unspecified 11.3%, none 18.7% (2006 Census) Austria Roman Catholic 73.6%, Protestant 4.7%, Muslim 4.2%, other 3.5%, unspecified 2%, none 12% (2001 census) Azerbaijan Muslim 93.4%, Russian Orthodox 2.5%, Armenian Orthodox 2.3%, other 1.8% (1995 est.) note: religious affiliation is still nominal in Azerbaijan; percentages for actual practicing adherents are much lower Bahamas, The Baptist 35.4%, Anglican 15.1%, Roman Catholic 13.5%, Pentecostal 8.1%, Church of God 4.8%, Methodist 4.2%, other Christian 15.2%, none or unspecified 2.9%, other 0.8% (2000 census) Bahrain Muslim (Shia and Sunni) 81.2%, Christian 9%, other 9.8% (2001 census) Bangladesh Muslim 83%, Hindu 16%, other 1% (1998) Barbados Protestant 63.4% (Anglican 28.3%, Pentecostal 18.7%, Methodist 5.1%, other 11.3%), Roman Catholic 4.2%, other Christian 7%, other 4.8%, none or unspecified 20.6% (2008 est.) Belarus Eastern Orthodox 80%, other (including Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim) 20% (1997 est.) Belgium Roman Catholic 75%, other (includes Protestant) 25% Belize Roman Catholic 49.6%, Protestant 27% (Pentecostal 7.4%, Anglican 5.3%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5.2%, Mennonite 4.1%, Methodist 3.5%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.5%), other 14%, none 9.4% (2000) Benin Christian 42.8% (Catholic 27.1%, Celestial 5%, Methodist 3.2%, other Protestant 2.2%, other 5.3%), Muslim 24.4%, Vodoun 17.3%, other 15.5% (2002 census) Bermuda Anglican 23%, Roman Catholic 15%, African Methodist Episcopal 11%, other Protestant 18%, other 12%, unaffiliated 6%, unspecified 1%, none 14% (2000 census) Bhutan Lamaistic Buddhist 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25% Bolivia Roman Catholic 95%, Protestant (Evangelical Methodist) 5% Bosnia and Herzegovina Muslim 40%, Orthodox 31%, Roman Catholic 15%, other 14% Botswana Christian 71.6%, Badimo 6%, other 1.4%, unspecified 0.4%, none 20.6% (2001 census) Brazil Roman Catholic (nominal) 73.6%, Protestant 15.4%, Spiritualist 1.3%, Bantu/voodoo 0.3%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.2%, none 7.4% (2000 census) British Virgin Islands Protestant 86% (Methodist 33%, Anglican 17%, Church of God 9%, Seventh-Day Adventist 6%, Baptist 4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 2%, other 15%), Roman Catholic 10%, other 2%, none 2% (1991) Brunei Muslim (official) 67%, Buddhist 13%, Christian 10%, other (includes indigenous beliefs) 10% Bulgaria Bulgarian Orthodox 82.6%, Muslim 12.2%, other Christian 1.2%, other 4% (2001 census) Burkina Faso Muslim 50%, indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian (mainly Roman Catholic) 10% Burma Buddhist 89%, Christian 4% (Baptist 3%, Roman Catholic 1%), Muslim 4%, animist 1%, other 2% Burundi Christian 67% (Roman Catholic 62%, Protestant 5%), indigenous beliefs 23%, Muslim 10% Cambodia Buddhist 96.4%, Muslim 2.1%, other 1.3%, unspecified 0.2% (1998 census) Cameroon indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 40%, Muslim 20% Canada Roman Catholic 42.6%, Protestant 23.3% (including United Church 9.5%, Anglican 6.8%, Baptist 2.4%, Lutheran 2%), other Christian 4.4%, Muslim 1.9%, other and unspecified 11.8%, none 16% (2001 census) Cape Verde Roman Catholic (infused with indigenous beliefs), Protestant (mostly Church of the Nazarene) Cayman Islands Church of God 26%, United Church 11.8% (Presbyterian and Congregational), Roman Catholic 11%, Baptist 8.7%, Seventh Day Adventist 8.2%, Anglican 5.7%, Pentecostal 5.3%, other Christian 2.7%, non-denominational 5.8%, other 3.8%, none 9.8%, unspecified 1.1% (1999 census) Central African Republic indigenous beliefs 35%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15% note: animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the Christian majority Chad Muslim 53.1%, Catholic 20.1%, Protestant 14.2%, animist 7.3%, other 0.5%, unknown 1.7%, atheist 3.1% (1993 census) Chile Roman Catholic 70%, Evangelical 15.1%, Jehovah's Witness 1.1%, other Christian 1%, other 4.6%, none 8.3% (2002 census) China Daoist (Taoist), Buddhist, Christian 3%-4%, Muslim 1%-2% note: officially atheist (2002 est.) Christmas Island Buddhist 36%, Muslim 25%, Christian 18%, other 21% (1997) Cocos (Keeling) Islands Sunni Muslim 80%, other 20% (2002 est.) Colombia Roman Catholic 90%, other 10% Comoros Sunni Muslim 98%, Roman Catholic 2% Congo, Democratic Republic of the Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 20%, Kimbanguist 10%, Muslim 10%, other (includes syncretic sects and indigenous beliefs) 10% Congo, Republic of the Christian 50%, animist 48%, Muslim 2% Cook Islands Cook Islands Christian Church 55.9%, Roman Catholic 16.8%, Seventh-Day Adventists 7.9%, Church of Latter Day Saints 3.8%, other Protestant 5.8%, other 4.2%, unspecified 2.6%, none 3% (2001 census) Costa Rica Roman Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.3%, other Protestant 0.7%, other 4.8%, none 3.2% Cote d'Ivoire Muslim 38.6%, Christian 32.8%, indigenous 11.9%, none 16.7% (2008 est.) note: the majority of foreigners (migratory workers) are Muslim (70%) and Christian (20%) Croatia Roman Catholic 87.8%, Orthodox 4.4%, other Christian 0.4%, Muslim 1.3%, other and unspecified 0.9%, none 5.2% (2001 census) Cuba nominally 85% Roman Catholic prior to CASTRO assuming power; Protestants, Jehovah's Witnesses, Jews, and Santeria are also represented Cyprus Greek Orthodox 78%, Muslim 18%, other (includes Maronite and Armenian Apostolic) 4% Czech Republic Roman Catholic 26.8%, Protestant 2.1%, other 3.3%, unspecified 8.8%, unaffiliated 59% (2001 census) Denmark Evangelical Lutheran 95%, other Christian (includes Protestant and Roman Catholic) 3%, Muslim 2% Djibouti Muslim 94%, Christian 6% Dominica Roman Catholic 61.4%, Seventh Day Adventist 6%, Pentecostal 5.6%, Baptist 4.1%, Methodist 3.7%, Church of God 1.2%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.2%, other Christian 7.7%, Rastafarian 1.3%, other or unspecified 1.6%, none 6.1% (2001 census) Dominican Republic Roman Catholic 95%, other 5% Ecuador Roman Catholic 95%, other 5% Egypt Muslim (mostly Sunni) 90%, Coptic 9%, other Christian 1% El Salvador Roman Catholic 57.1%, Protestant 21.2%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.9%, Mormon 0.7%, other religions 2.3%, none 16.8% (2003 est.) Equatorial Guinea nominally Christian and predominantly Roman Catholic, pagan practices Eritrea Muslim, Coptic Christian, Roman Catholic, Protestant Estonia Evangelical Lutheran 13.6%, Orthodox 12.8%, other Christian (including Methodist, Seventh-Day Adventist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal) 1.4%, unaffiliated 34.1%, other and unspecified 32%, none 6.1% (2000 census) Ethiopia Christian 60.8% (Orthodox 50.6%, Protestant 10.2%), Muslim 32.8%, traditional 4.6%, other 1.8% (1994 census) European Union Roman Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, Muslim, Jewish Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Christian 67.2%, none 31.5%, other 1.3% (2006 census) Faroe Islands Evangelical Lutheran 83.8%, other and unspecified 16.2% (2006 administrative data) Fiji Christian 64.5% (Methodist 34.6%, Roman Catholic 9.1%, Assembly of God 5.7%, Seventh Day Adventist 3.9%, Anglican 0.8%, other 10.4%), Hindu 27.9%, Muslim 6.3%, Sikh 0.3%, other or unspecified 0.3%, none 0.7% (2007 census) Finland Lutheran Church of Finland 82.5%, Orthodox Church 1.1%, other Christian 1.1%, other 0.1%, none 15.1% (2006) France Roman Catholic 83%-88%, Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim 5%-10%, unaffiliated 4% overseas departments: Roman Catholic, Protestant, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, pagan French Polynesia Protestant 54%, Roman Catholic 30%, other 10%, no religion 6% Gabon Christian 55%-75%, animist, Muslim less than 1% Gambia, The Muslim 90%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 2% Gaza Strip Muslim (predominantly Sunni) 99.3%, Christian 0.7% Georgia Orthodox Christian 83.9%, Muslim 9.9%, Armenian-Gregorian 3.9%, Catholic 0.8%, other 0.8%, none 0.7% (2002 census) Germany Protestant 34%, Roman Catholic 34%, Muslim 3.7%, unaffiliated or other 28.3% Ghana Christian 68.8% (Pentecostal/Charismatic 24.1%, Protestant 18.6%, Catholic 15.1%, other 11%), Muslim 15.9%, traditional 8.5%, other 0.7%, none 6.1% (2000 census) Gibraltar Roman Catholic 78.1%, Church of England 7%, other Christian 3.2%, Muslim 4%, Jewish 2.1%, Hindu 1.8%, other or unspecified 0.9%, none 2.9% (2001 census) Greece Greek Orthodox 98%, Muslim 1.3%, other 0.7% Greenland Evangelical Lutheran Grenada Roman Catholic 53%, Anglican 13.8%, other Protestant 33.2% Guam Roman Catholic 85%, other 15% (1999 est.) Guatemala Roman Catholic, Protestant, indigenous Mayan beliefs Guernsey Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist, Congregational, Methodist Guinea Muslim 85%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 7% Guinea-Bissau Muslim 50%, indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 10% Guyana Hindu 28.4%, Pentecostal 16.9%, Roman Catholic 8.1%, Anglican 6.9%, Seventh Day Adventist 5%, Methodist 1.7%, Jehovah Witness 1.1%, other Christian 17.7%, Muslim 7.2%, other 4.3%, none 4.3% (2002 census) Haiti Roman Catholic 80%, Protestant 16% (Baptist 10%, Pentecostal 4%, Adventist 1%, other 1%), none 1%, other 3% note: roughly half of the population practices voodoo Holy See (Vatican City) Roman Catholic Honduras Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant 3% Hong Kong eclectic mixture of local religions 90%, Christian 10% Hungary Roman Catholic 51.9%, Calvinist 15.9%, Lutheran 3%, Greek Catholic 2.6%, other Christian 1%, other or unspecified 11.1%, unaffiliated 14.5% (2001 census) Iceland Lutheran Church of Iceland 80.7%, Roman Catholic Church 2.5%, Reykjavik Free Church 2.4%, Hafnarfjorour Free Church 1.6%, other religions 3.6%, unaffiliated 3%, other or unspecified 6.2% (2006 est.) India Hindu 80.5%, Muslim 13.4%, Christian 2.3%, Sikh 1.9%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.1% (2001 census) Indonesia Muslim 86.1%, Protestant 5.7%, Roman Catholic 3%, Hindu 1.8%, other or unspecified 3.4% (2000 census) Iran Muslim 98% (Shia 89%, Sunni 9%), other (includes Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian, and Baha'i) 2% Iraq Muslim 97% (Shia 60%-65%, Sunni 32%-37%), Christian or other 3% Ireland Roman Catholic 87.4%, Church of Ireland 2.9%, other Christian 1.9%, other 2.1%, unspecified 1.5%, none 4.2% (2006 census) Isle of Man Anglican, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Society of Friends Israel Jewish 76.4%, Muslim 16%, Arab Christians 1.7%, other Christian 0.4%, Druze 1.6%, unspecified 3.9% (2004) Italy Roman Catholic 90% (approximately; about one-third practicing), other 10% (includes mature Protestant and Jewish communities and a growing Muslim immigrant community) Jamaica Protestant 62.5% (Seventh-Day Adventist 10.8%, Pentecostal 9.5%, Other Church of God 8.3%, Baptist 7.2%, New Testament Church of God 6.3%, Church of God in Jamaica 4.8%, Church of God of Prophecy 4.3%, Anglican 3.6%, other Christian 7.7%), Roman Catholic 2.6%, other or unspecified 14.2%, none 20.9%, (2001 census) Japan Shintoism 83.9%, Buddhism 71.4%, Christianity 2%, other 7.8% note: total adherents exceeds 100% because many people belong to both Shintoism and Buddhism (2005) Jersey Anglican, Roman Catholic, Baptist, Congregational New Church, Methodist, Presbyterian Jordan Sunni Muslim 92%, Christian 6% (majority Greek Orthodox, but some Greek and Roman Catholics, Syrian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, and Protestant denominations), other 2% (several small Shia Muslim and Druze populations) (2001 est.) Kazakhstan Muslim 47%, Russian Orthodox 44%, Protestant 2%, other 7% Kenya Protestant 45%, Roman Catholic 33%, Muslim 10%, indigenous beliefs 10%, other 2% note: a large majority of Kenyans are Christian, but estimates for the percentage of the population that adheres to Islam or indigenous beliefs vary widely Kiribati Roman Catholic 52%, Protestant (Congregational) 40%, other (includes Seventh-Day Adventist, Muslim, Baha'i, Latter-day Saints, Church of God) 8% (1999) Korea, North traditionally Buddhist and Confucianist, some Christian and syncretic Chondogyo (Religion of the Heavenly Way) note: autonomous religious activities now almost nonexistent; government-sponsored religious groups exist to provide illusion of religious freedom Korea, South Christian 26.3% (Protestant 19.7%, Roman Catholic 6.6%), Buddhist 23.2%, other or unknown 1.3%, none 49.3% (1995 census) Kosovo Muslim, Serbian Orthodox, Roman Catholic Kuwait Muslim 85% (Sunni 70%, Shia 30%), other (includes Christian, Hindu, Parsi) 15% Kyrgyzstan Muslim 75%, Russian Orthodox 20%, other 5% Laos Buddhist 67%, Christian 1.5%, other and unspecified 31.5% (2005 census) Latvia Lutheran 19.6%, Orthodox 15.3%, other Christian 1%, other 0.4%, unspecified 63.7% (2006) Lebanon Muslim 59.7% (Shia, Sunni, Druze, Isma'ilite, Alawite or Nusayri), Christian 39% (Maronite Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Melkite Catholic, Armenian Orthodox, Syrian Catholic, Armenian Catholic, Syrian Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Chaldean, Assyrian, Copt, Protestant), other 1.3% note: 17 religious sects recognized Lesotho Christian 80%, indigenous beliefs 20% Liberia Christian 40%, Muslim 20%, indigenous beliefs 40% Libya Sunni Muslim 97%, other 3% Liechtenstein Roman Catholic 76.2%, Protestant 7%, unknown 10.6%, other 6.2% (June 2002) Lithuania Roman Catholic 79%, Russian Orthodox 4.1%, Protestant (including Lutheran and Evangelical Christian Baptist) 1.9%, other or unspecified 5.5%, none 9.5% (2001 census) Luxembourg Roman Catholic 87%, other (includes Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim) 13% (2000) Macau Buddhist 50%, Roman Catholic 15%, none or other 35% (1997 est.) Macedonia Macedonian Orthodox 64.7%, Muslim 33.3%, other Christian 0.37%, other and unspecified 1.63% (2002 census) Madagascar indigenous beliefs 52%, Christian 41%, Muslim 7% Malawi Christian 79.9%, Muslim 12.8%, other 3%, none 4.3% (1998 census) Malaysia Muslim 60.4%, Buddhist 19.2%, Christian 9.1%, Hindu 6.3%, Confucianism, Taoism, other traditional Chinese religions 2.6%, other or unknown 1.5%, none 0.8% (2000 census) Maldives Sunni Muslim Mali Muslim 90%, Christian 1%, indigenous beliefs 9% Malta Roman Catholic 98% Marshall Islands Protestant 54.8%, Assembly of God 25.8%, Roman Catholic 8.4%, Bukot nan Jesus 2.8%, Mormon 2.1%, other Christian 3.6%, other 1%, none 1.5% (1999 census) Mauritania Muslim 100% Mauritius Hindu 48%, Roman Catholic 23.6%, Muslim 16.6%, other Christian 8.6%, other 2.5%, unspecified 0.3%, none 0.4% (2000 census) Mayotte Muslim 97%, Christian (mostly Roman Catholic) 3% Mexico Roman Catholic 76.5%, Protestant 6.3% (Pentecostal 1.4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.1%, other 3.8%), other 0.3%, unspecified 13.8%, none 3.1% (2000 census) Micronesia, Federated States of Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 47%, other 3% Moldova Eastern Orthodox 98%, Jewish 1.5%, Baptist and other 0.5% (2000) Monaco Roman Catholic 90%, other 10% Mongolia Buddhist Lamaist 50%, Shamanist and Christian 6%, Muslim 4%, none 40% (2004) Montenegro Orthodox 74.2%, Muslim 17.7%, Catholic 3.5%, other 0.6%, unspecified 3%, atheist 1% (2003 census) Montserrat Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Seventh-Day Adventist, other Christian denominations Morocco Muslim 98.7%, Christian 1.1%, Jewish 0.2% Mozambique Catholic 23.8%, Muslim 17.8%, Zionist Christian 17.5%, other 17.8%, none 23.1% (1997 census) Namibia Christian 80% to 90% (Lutheran 50% at least), indigenous beliefs 10% to 20% Nauru Nauru Congregational 35.4%, Roman Catholic 33.2%, Nauru Independent Church 10.4%, other 14.1%, none 4.5%, unspecified 2.4% (2002 census) Nepal Hindu 80.6%, Buddhist 10.7%, Muslim 4.2%, Kirant 3.6%, other 0.9% (2001 census) note: only official Hindu state in the world Netherlands Roman Catholic 30%, Dutch Reformed 11%, Calvinist 6%, other Protestant 3%, Muslim 5.8%, other 2.2%, none 42% (2006) Netherlands Antilles Roman Catholic 72%, Pentecostal 4.9%, Protestant 3.5%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3.1%, Methodist 2.9%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.7%, other Christian 4.2%, Jewish 1.3%, other or unspecified 1.2%, none 5.2% (2001 census) New Caledonia Roman Catholic 60%, Protestant 30%, other 10% New Zealand Anglican 14.9%, Roman Catholic 12.4%, Presbyterian 10.9%, Methodist 2.9%, Pentecostal 1.7%, Baptist 1.3%, other Christian 9.4%, other 3.3%, unspecified 17.2%, none 26% (2001 census) Nicaragua Roman Catholic 58.5%, Evangelical 21.6%, Moravian 1.6%, Jehovah's Witness 0.9%, other 1.7%, none 15.7% (2005 census) Niger Muslim 80%, other (includes indigenous beliefs and Christian) 20% Nigeria Muslim 50%, Christian 40%, indigenous beliefs 10% Niue Ekalesia Niue (Niuean Church - a Protestant church closely related to the London Missionary Society) 61.1%, Latter-Day Saints 8.8%, Roman Catholic 7.2%, Jehovah's Witnesses 2.4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1.4%, other 8.4%, unspecified 8.7%, none 1.9% (2001 census) Norfolk Island Anglican 31.8%, Roman Catholic 11.5%, Uniting Church in Australia 10.6%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3.2%, other Christian 5.6%, none 19.9%, unspecified 16.6% (2006 census) Northern Mariana Islands Christian (Roman Catholic majority, although traditional beliefs and taboos may still be found) Norway Church of Norway 85.7%, Pentecostal 1%, Roman Catholic 1%, other Christian 2.4%, Muslim 1.8%, other 8.1% (2004) Oman Ibadhi Muslim 75%, other (includes Sunni Muslim, Shia Muslim, Hindu) 25% Pakistan Muslim 95% (Sunni 75%, Shia 20%), other (includes Christian and Hindu) 5% Palau Roman Catholic 41.6%, Protestant 23.3%, Modekngei 8.8% (indigenous to Palau), Seventh-Day Adventist 5.3%, Jehovah's Witness 0.9%, Latter-Day Saints 0.6%, other 3.1%, unspecified or none 16.4% (2000 census) Panama Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 15% Papua New Guinea Roman Catholic 27%, Evangelical Lutheran 19.5%, United Church 11.5%, Seventh-Day Adventist 10%, Pentecostal 8.6%, Evangelical Alliance 5.2%, Anglican 3.2%, Baptist 2.5%, other Protestant 8.9%, Bahai 0.3%, indigenous beliefs and other 3.3% (2000 census) Paraguay Roman Catholic 89.6%, Protestant 6.2%, other Christian 1.1%, other or unspecified 1.9%, none 1.1% (2002 census) Peru Roman Catholic 81.3%, Evangelical 12.5%, other 3.3%, unspecified or none 2.9% (2007 Census) Philippines Roman Catholic 80.9%, Muslim 5%, Evangelical 2.8%, Iglesia ni Kristo 2.3%, Aglipayan 2%, other Christian 4.5%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.6%, none 0.1% (2000 census) Pitcairn Islands Seventh-Day Adventist 100% Poland Roman Catholic 89.8% (about 75% practicing), Eastern Orthodox 1.3%, Protestant 0.3%, other 0.3%, unspecified 8.3% (2002) Portugal Roman Catholic 84.5%, other Christian 2.2%, other 0.3%, unknown 9%, none 3.9% (2001 census) Puerto Rico Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant and other 15% Qatar Muslim 77.5%, Christian 8.5%, other 14% (2004 census) Romania Eastern Orthodox (including all sub-denominations) 86.8%, Protestant (various denominations including Reformate and Pentecostal) 7.5%, Roman Catholic 4.7%, other (mostly Muslim) and unspecified 0.9%, none 0.1% (2002 census) Russia Russian Orthodox 15-20%, Muslim 10-15%, other Christian 2% (2006 est.) note: estimates are of practicing worshipers; Russia has large populations of non-practicing believers and non-believers, a legacy of over seven decades of Soviet rule Rwanda Roman Catholic 56.5%, Protestant 26%, Adventist 11.1%, Muslim 4.6%, indigenous beliefs 0.1%, none 1.7% (2001) Saint Barthelemy Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jehovah's Witness Saint Helena Anglican (majority), Baptist, Seventh-Day Adventist, Roman Catholic Saint Kitts and Nevis Anglican, other Protestant, Roman Catholic Saint Lucia Roman Catholic 67.5%, Seventh Day Adventist 8.5%, Pentecostal 5.7%, Rastafarian 2.1%, Anglican 2%, Evangelical 2%, other Christian 5.1%, other 1.1%, unspecified 1.5%, none 4.5% (2001 census) Saint Martin Roman Catholic, Jehovah's Witness, Protestant, Hindu Saint Pierre and Miquelon Roman Catholic 99%, other 1% Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Anglican 47%, Methodist 28%, Roman Catholic 13%, other (includes Hindu, Seventh-Day Adventist, other Protestant) 12% Samoa Congregationalist 34.8%, Roman Catholic 19.6%, Methodist 15%, Latter-Day Saints 12.7%, Assembly of God 6.6%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3.5%, Worship Centre 1.3%, other Christian 4.5%, other 1.9%, unspecified 0.1% (2001 census) San Marino Roman Catholic Sao Tome and Principe Catholic 70.3%, Evangelical 3.4%, New Apostolic 2%, Adventist 1.8%, other 3.1%, none 19.4% (2001 census) Saudi Arabia Muslim 100% Senegal Muslim 94%, Christian 5% (mostly Roman Catholic), indigenous beliefs 1% Serbia Serbian Orthodox 85%, Catholic 5.5%, Protestant 1.1%, Muslim 3.2%, unspecified 2.6%, other, unknown, or atheist 2.6% (2002 census) Seychelles Roman Catholic 82.3%, Anglican 6.4%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.1%, other Christian 3.4%, Hindu 2.1%, Muslim 1.1%, other non-Christian 1.5%, unspecified 1.5%, none 0.6% (2002 census) Sierra Leone Muslim 60%, Christian 10%, indigenous beliefs 30% Singapore Buddhist 42.5%, Muslim 14.9%, Taoist 8.5%, Hindu 4%, Catholic 4.8%, other Christian 9.8%, other 0.7%, none 14.8% (2000 census) Slovakia Roman Catholic 68.9%, Protestant 10.8%, Greek Catholic 4.1%, other or unspecified 3.2%, none 13% (2001 census) Slovenia Catholic 57.8%, Muslim 2.4%, Orthodox 2.3%, other Christian 0.9%, unaffiliated 3.5%, other or unspecified 23%, none 10.1% (2002 census) Solomon Islands Church of Melanesia 32.8%, Roman Catholic 19%, South Seas Evangelical 17%, Seventh-Day Adventist 11.2%, United Church 10.3%, Christian Fellowship Church 2.4%, other Christian 4.4%, other 2.4%, unspecified 0.3%, none 0.2% (1999 census) Somalia Sunni Muslim South Africa Zion Christian 11.1%, Pentecostal/Charismatic 8.2%, Catholic 7.1%, Methodist 6.8%, Dutch Reformed 6.7%, Anglican 3.8%, Muslim 1.5%, other Christian 36%, other 2.3%, unspecified 1.4%, none 15.1% (2001 census) Spain Roman Catholic 94%, other 6% Sri Lanka Buddhist 69.1%, Muslim 7.6%, Hindu 7.1%, Christian 6.2%, unspecified 10% (2001 census provisional data) Sudan Sunni Muslim 70% (in north), Christian 5% (mostly in south and Khartoum), indigenous beliefs 25% Suriname Hindu 27.4%, Protestant 25.2% (predominantly Moravian), Roman Catholic 22.8%, Muslim 19.6%, indigenous beliefs 5% Swaziland Zionist 40% (a blend of Christianity and indigenous ancestral worship), Roman Catholic 20%, Muslim 10%, other (includes Anglican, Bahai, Methodist, Mormon, Jewish) 30% Sweden Lutheran 87%, other (includes Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish, and Buddhist) 13% Switzerland Roman Catholic 41.8%, Protestant 35.3%, Muslim 4.3%, Orthodox 1.8%, other Christian 0.4%, other 1%, unspecified 4.3%, none 11.1% (2000 census) Syria Sunni Muslim 74%, other Muslim (includes Alawite, Druze) 16%, Christian (various denominations) 10%, Jewish (tiny communities in Damascus, Al Qamishli, and Aleppo) Taiwan mixture of Buddhist and Taoist 93%, Christian 4.5%, other 2.5% Tajikistan Sunni Muslim 85%, Shia Muslim 5%, other 10% (2003 est.) Tanzania mainland - Christian 30%, Muslim 35%, indigenous beliefs 35%; Zanzibar - more than 99% Muslim Thailand Buddhist 94.6%, Muslim 4.6%, Christian 0.7%, other 0.1% (2000 census) Timor-Leste Roman Catholic 98%, Muslim 1%, Protestant 1% (2005) Togo Christian 29%, Muslim 20%, indigenous beliefs 51% Tokelau Congregational Christian Church 70%, Roman Catholic 28%, other 2% note: on Atafu, all Congregational Christian Church of Samoa; on Nukunonu, all Roman Catholic; on Fakaofo, both denominations, with the Congregational Christian Church predominant Tonga Christian (Free Wesleyan Church claims over 30,000 adherents) Trinidad and Tobago Roman Catholic 26%, Hindu 22.5%, Anglican 7.8%, Baptist 7.2%, Pentecostal 6.8%, Muslim 5.8%, Seventh Day Adventist 4%, other Christian 5.8%, other 10.8%, unspecified 1.4%, none 1.9% (2000 census) Tunisia Muslim 98%, Christian 1%, Jewish and other 1% Turkey Muslim 99.8% (mostly Sunni), other 0.2% (mostly Christians and Jews) Turkmenistan Muslim 89%, Eastern Orthodox 9%, unknown 2% Turks and Caicos Islands Baptist 40%, Anglican 18%, Methodist 16%, Church of God 12%, other 14% (1990) Tuvalu Church of Tuvalu (Congregationalist) 97%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1.4%, Baha'i 1%, other 0.6% Uganda Roman Catholic 41.9%, Protestant 42% (Anglican 35.9%, Pentecostal 4.6%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.5%), Muslim 12.1%, other 3.1%, none 0.9% (2002 census) Ukraine Ukrainian Orthodox - Kyiv Patriarchate 50.4%, Ukrainian Orthodox - Moscow Patriarchate 26.1%, Ukrainian Greek Catholic 8%, Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox 7.2%, Roman Catholic 2.2%, Protestant 2.2%, Jewish 0.6%, other 3.2% (2006 est.) United Arab Emirates Muslim 96% (Shia 16%), other (includes Christian, Hindu) 4% United Kingdom Christian (Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist) 71.6%, Muslim 2.7%, Hindu 1%, other 1.6%, unspecified or none 23.1% (2001 census) United States Protestant 51.3%, Roman Catholic 23.9%, Mormon 1.7%, other Christian 1.6%, Jewish 1.7%, Buddhist 0.7%, Muslim 0.6%, other or unspecified 2.5%, unaffiliated 12.1%, none 4% (2007 est.) Uruguay Roman Catholic 47.1%, non-Catholic Christians 11.1%, nondenominational 23.2%, Jewish 0.3%, atheist or agnostic 17.2%, other 1.1% (2006) Uzbekistan Muslim 88% (mostly Sunnis), Eastern Orthodox 9%, other 3% Vanuatu Presbyterian 31.4%, Anglican 13.4%, Roman Catholic 13.1%, Seventh-Day Adventist 10.8%, other Christian 13.8%, indigenous beliefs 5.6% (including Jon Frum cargo cult), other 9.6%, none 1%, unspecified 1.3% (1999 Census) Venezuela nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, other 2% Vietnam Buddhist 9.3%, Catholic 6.7%, Hoa Hao 1.5%, Cao Dai 1.1%, Protestant 0.5%, Muslim 0.1%, none 80.8% (1999 census) Virgin Islands Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7% Wallis and Futuna Roman Catholic 99%, other 1% West Bank Muslim 75% (predominantly Sunni), Jewish 17%, Christian and other 8% Western Sahara Muslim World Christians 33.32% (of which Roman Catholics 16.99%, Protestants 5.78%, Orthodox 3.53%, Anglicans 1.25%), Muslims 21.01%, Hindus 13.26%, Buddhists 5.84%, Sikhs 0.35%, Jews 0.23%, Baha'is 0.12%, other religions 11.78%, non-religious 11.77%, atheists 2.32% (2007 est.) Yemen Muslim including Shaf'i (Sunni) and Zaydi (Shia), small numbers of Jewish, Christian, and Hindu Zambia Christian 50%-75%, Muslim and Hindu 24%-49%, indigenous beliefs 1% Zimbabwe syncretic (part Christian, part indigenous beliefs) 50%, Christian 25%, indigenous beliefs 24%, Muslim and other 1% ====================================================================== @2123 Field Listing :: Suffrage This entry gives the age at enfranchisement and whether the right to vote is universal or restricted. Country Suffrage Afghanistan 18 years of age; universal Albania 18 years of age; universal Algeria 18 years of age; universal American Samoa 18 years of age; universal Andorra 18 years of age; universal Angola 18 years of age; universal Anguilla 18 years of age; universal Antigua and Barbuda 18 years of age; universal Argentina 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Armenia 18 years of age; universal Aruba 18 years of age; universal Australia 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Austria 16 years of age; universal; note - reduced from 18 years of age in 2007 Azerbaijan 18 years of age; universal Bahamas, The 18 years of age; universal Bahrain 20 years of age; universal Bangladesh 18 years of age; universal Barbados 18 years of age; universal Belarus 18 years of age; universal Belgium 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Belize 18 years of age; universal Benin 18 years of age; universal Bermuda 18 years of age; universal Bhutan 18 years of age; universal Bolivia 18 years of age, universal and compulsory (married); 21 years of age, universal and compulsory (single) Bosnia and Herzegovina 18 years of age, 16 if employed; universal Botswana 18 years of age; universal Brazil voluntary between 16 and 18 years of age and over 70; compulsory over 18 and under 70 years of age; note - military conscripts do not vote British Virgin Islands 18 years of age; universal Brunei 18 years of age for village elections; universal Bulgaria 18 years of age; universal Burkina Faso 18 years of age; universal Burma 18 years of age; universal Burundi 18 years of age; universal (adult) Cambodia 18 years of age; universal Cameroon 20 years of age; universal Canada 18 years of age; universal Cape Verde 18 years of age; universal Cayman Islands 18 years of age; universal Central African Republic 21 years of age; universal Chad 18 years of age; universal Chile 18 years of age; universal and compulsory China 18 years of age; universal Christmas Island 18 years of age Cocos (Keeling) Islands 18 years of age Colombia 18 years of age; universal Comoros 18 years of age; universal Congo, Democratic Republic of the 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Congo, Republic of the 18 years of age; universal Cook Islands 18 years of age; universal (adult) Costa Rica 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Cote d'Ivoire 18 years of age; universal Croatia 18 years of age; universal (16 years of age, if employed) Cuba 16 years of age; universal Cyprus 18 years of age; universal Czech Republic 18 years of age; universal Denmark 18 years of age; universal Djibouti 18 years of age; universal Dominica 18 years of age; universal Dominican Republic 18 years of age, universal and compulsory; married persons regardless of age; note - members of the armed forces and national police cannot vote Ecuador 18 years of age; universal, compulsory for literate persons ages 18-65, optional for other eligible voters Egypt 18 years of age; universal and compulsory El Salvador 18 years of age; universal Equatorial Guinea 18 years of age; universal Eritrea 18 years of age; universal Estonia 18 years of age; universal for all Estonian citizens Ethiopia 18 years of age; universal European Union 18 years of age; universal Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 18 years of age; universal Faroe Islands 18 years of age; universal Fiji 21 years of age; universal Finland 18 years of age; universal France 18 years of age; universal French Polynesia 18 years of age; universal Gabon 21 years of age; universal Gambia, The 18 years of age; universal Georgia 18 years of age; universal Germany 18 years of age; universal Ghana 18 years of age; universal Gibraltar 18 years of age; universal; and British citizens who have been residents six months or more Greece 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Greenland 18 years of age; universal Grenada 18 years of age; universal Guam 18 years of age; universal; US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections Guatemala 18 years of age; universal; note - active duty members of the armed forces may not vote and are restricted to their barracks on election day Guernsey 16 years of age; universal Guinea 18 years of age; universal Guinea-Bissau 18 years of age; universal Guyana 18 years of age; universal Haiti 18 years of age; universal Holy See (Vatican City) limited to cardinals less than 80 years old Honduras 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Hong Kong direct election - 18 years of age for half the legislature and a majority of seats in 18 district councils; universal for permanent residents living in the territory of Hong Kong for the past seven years; indirect election - limited to about 220,000 members of functional constituencies and an 800-member election committee drawn from broad regional groupings, central government bodies, and municipal organizations Hungary 18 years of age; universal Iceland 18 years of age; universal India 18 years of age; universal Indonesia 17 years of age; universal and married persons regardless of age Iran 18 years of age; universal Iraq 18 years of age; universal Ireland 18 years of age; universal Isle of Man 16 years of age; universal Israel 18 years of age; universal Italy 18 years of age; universal (except in senatorial elections, where minimum age is 25) Jamaica 18 years of age; universal Japan 20 years of age; universal Jersey 16 years of age; universal Jordan 18 years of age; universal Kazakhstan 18 years of age; universal Kenya 18 years of age; universal Kiribati 18 years of age; universal Korea, North 17 years of age; universal Korea, South 19 years of age; universal Kosovo 18 years of age; universal Kuwait 21 years of age; universal (adult); note - males in the military or police are not allowed to vote; adult females were allowed to vote as of 16 May 2005; all voters must have been citizens for 20 years Kyrgyzstan 18 years of age; universal Laos 18 years of age; universal Latvia 18 years of age; universal for Latvian citizens Lebanon 21 years of age; compulsory for all males; authorized for women at age 21 with elementary education; excludes military personnel Lesotho 18 years of age; universal Liberia 18 years of age; universal Libya 18 years of age; universal and technically compulsory Liechtenstein 18 years of age; universal Lithuania 18 years of age; universal Luxembourg 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Macau direct election 18 years of age for some non-executive positions, universal for permanent residents living in Macau for the past seven years; indirect election limited to organizations registered as "corporate voters" (257 are currently registered) and a 300-member Election Committee drawn from broad regional groupings, municipal organizations, and central government bodies Macedonia 18 years of age; universal Madagascar 18 years of age; universal Malawi 18 years of age; universal Malaysia 21 years of age; universal Maldives 21 years of age; universal Mali 18 years of age; universal Malta 18 years of age; universal Marshall Islands 18 years of age; universal Mauritania 18 years of age; universal Mauritius 18 years of age; universal Mayotte 18 years of age; universal Mexico 18 years of age; universal and compulsory (but not enforced) Micronesia, Federated States of 18 years of age; universal Moldova 18 years of age; universal Monaco 18 years of age; universal Mongolia 18 years of age; universal Montenegro 18 years of age; universal Montserrat 18 years of age; universal Morocco 18 years of age; universal (as of January 2003) Mozambique 18 years of age; universal Namibia 18 years of age; universal Nauru 20 years of age; universal and compulsory Nepal 18 years of age; universal Netherlands 18 years of age; universal Netherlands Antilles 18 years of age; universal New Caledonia 18 years of age; universal New Zealand 18 years of age; universal Nicaragua 16 years of age; universal Niger 18 years of age; universal Nigeria 18 years of age; universal Niue 18 years of age; universal Norfolk Island 18 years of age; universal Northern Mariana Islands 18 years of age; universal; indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections Norway 18 years of age; universal Oman 21 years of age; universal; note - members of the military and security forces are not allowed to vote Pakistan 18 years of age; universal; joint electorates and reserved parliamentary seats for women and non-Muslims Palau 18 years of age; universal Panama 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Papua New Guinea 18 years of age; universal Paraguay 18 years of age; universal and compulsory up to age 75 Peru 18 years of age; universal and compulsory until the age of 70; note - for the first time in recent elections, members of the military and national police were eligible to vote in the 2006 elections Philippines 18 years of age; universal Pitcairn Islands 18 years of age; universal with three years residency Poland 18 years of age; universal Portugal 18 years of age; universal Puerto Rico 18 years of age; universal; island residents are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections Qatar 18 years of age; universal Romania 18 years of age; universal Russia 18 years of age; universal Rwanda 18 years of age; universal Saint Barthelemy 18 years of age, universal Saint Helena NA Saint Kitts and Nevis 18 years of age; universal Saint Lucia 18 years of age; universal Saint Martin 18 years of age, universal Saint Pierre and Miquelon 18 years of age; universal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 18 years of age; universal Samoa 21 years of age; universal San Marino 18 years of age; universal Sao Tome and Principe 18 years of age; universal Saudi Arabia 21 years of age; male Senegal 18 years of age; universal Serbia 18 years of age; universal Seychelles 17 years of age; universal Sierra Leone 18 years of age; universal Singapore 21 years of age; universal and compulsory Slovakia 18 years of age; universal Slovenia 18 years of age; universal (16 years of age, if employed) Solomon Islands 21 years of age; universal Somalia 18 years of age; universal South Africa 18 years of age; universal Spain 18 years of age; universal Sri Lanka 18 years of age; universal Sudan 17 years of age; universal Suriname 18 years of age; universal Swaziland 18 years of age Sweden 18 years of age; universal Switzerland 18 years of age; universal Syria 18 years of age; universal Taiwan 20 years of age; universal Tajikistan 18 years of age; universal Tanzania 18 years of age; universal Thailand 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Timor-Leste 17 years of age; universal Togo 18 years of age; universal (adult) Tokelau 21 years of age; universal Tonga 21 years of age; universal Trinidad and Tobago 18 years of age; universal Tunisia 18 years of age; universal except for active government security forces (including the police and the military), people with mental disabilities, people who have served more than three months in prison (criminal cases only), and people given a suspended sentence of more than six months Turkey 18 years of age; universal Turkmenistan 18 years of age; universal Turks and Caicos Islands 18 years of age; universal Tuvalu 18 years of age; universal Uganda 18 years of age; universal Ukraine 18 years of age; universal United Arab Emirates none United Kingdom 18 years of age; universal United States 18 years of age; universal Uruguay 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Uzbekistan 18 years of age; universal Vanuatu 18 years of age; universal Venezuela 18 years of age; universal Vietnam 18 years of age; universal Virgin Islands 18 years of age; universal; island residents are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections Wallis and Futuna 18 years of age; universal Western Sahara none; a UN-sponsored voter identification campaign not yet completed Yemen 18 years of age; universal Zambia 18 years of age; universal Zimbabwe 18 years of age; universal ====================================================================== @2124 Field Listing :: Telephone system This entry includes a brief general assessment of the system with details on the domestic and international components. The following terms and abbreviations are used throughout the entry: Arabsat - Arab Satellite Communications Organization (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia). Autodin - Automatic Digital Network (US Department of Defense). CB - citizen's band mobile radio communications. Cellular telephone system - the telephones in this system are radio transceivers, with each instrument having its own private radio frequency and sufficient radiated power to reach the booster station in its area (cell), from which the telephone signal is fed to a telephone exchange. Central American Microwave System - a trunk microwave radio relay system that links the countries of Central America and Mexico with each other. Coaxial cable - a multichannel communication cable consisting of a central conducting wire, surrounded by and insulated from a cylindrical conducting shell; a large number of telephone channels can be made available within the insulated space by the use of a large number of carrier frequencies. Comsat - Communications Satellite Corporation (US). DSN - Defense Switched Network (formerly Automatic Voice Network or Autovon); basic general-purpose, switched voice network of the Defense Communications System (US Department of Defense). Eutelsat - European Telecommunications Satellite Organization (Paris). Fiber-optic cable - a multichannel communications cable using a thread of optical glass fibers as a transmission medium in which the signal (voice, video, etc.) is in the form of a coded pulse of light. GSM - a global system for mobile (cellular) communications devised by the Groupe Special Mobile of the pan-European standardization organization, Conference Europeanne des Posts et Telecommunications (CEPT) in 1982. HF - high frequency; any radio frequency in the 3,000- to 30,000-kHz range. Inmarsat - International Maritime Satellite Organization (London); provider of global mobile satellite communications for commercial, distress, and safety applications at sea, in the air, and on land. Intelsat - International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (Washington, DC). Intersputnik - International Organization of Space Communications (Moscow); first established in the former Soviet Union and the East European countries, it is now marketing its services worldwide with earth stations in North America, Africa, and East Asia. Landline - communication wire or cable of any sort that is installed on poles or buried in the ground. Marecs - Maritime European Communications Satellite used in the Inmarsat system on lease from the European Space Agency. Marisat - satellites of the Comsat Corporation that participate in the Inmarsat system. Medarabtel - the Middle East Telecommunications Project of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) providing a modern telecommunications network, primarily by microwave radio relay, linking Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen; it was initially started in Morocco in 1970 by the Arab Telecommunications Union (ATU) and was known at that time as the Middle East Mediterranean Telecommunications Network. Microwave radio relay - transmission of long distance telephone calls and television programs by highly directional radio microwaves that are received and sent on from one booster station to another on an optical path. NMT - Nordic Mobile Telephone; an analog cellular telephone system that was developed jointly by the national telecommunications authorities of the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden). Orbita - a Russian television service; also the trade name of a packet-switched digital telephone network. Radiotelephone communications - the two-way transmission and reception of sounds by broadcast radio on authorized frequencies using telephone handsets. PanAmSat - PanAmSat Corporation (Greenwich, CT). SAFE - South African Far East Cable Satellite communication system - a communication system consisting of two or more earth stations and at least one satellite that provide long distance transmission of voice, data, and television; the system usually serves as a trunk connection between telephone exchanges; if the earth stations are in the same country, it is a domestic system. Satellite earth station - a communications facility with a microwave radio transmitting and receiving antenna and required receiving and transmitting equipment for communicating with satellites. Satellite link - a radio connection between a satellite and an earth station permitting communication between them, either one-way (down link from satellite to earth station - television receive-only transmission) or two-way (telephone channels). SHF - super high frequency; any radio frequency in the 3,000- to 30,000-MHz range. Shortwave - radio frequencies (from 1.605 to 30 MHz) that fall above the commercial broadcast band and are used for communication over long distances. Solidaridad - geosynchronous satellites in Mexico's system of international telecommunications in the Western Hemisphere. Statsionar - Russia's geostationary system for satellite telecommunications. Submarine cable - a cable designed for service under water. TAT - Trans-Atlantic Telephone; any of a number of high-capacity submarine coaxial telephone cables linking Europe with North America. Telefax - facsimile service between subscriber stations via the public switched telephone network or the international Datel network. Telegraph - a telecommunications system designed for unmodulated electric impulse transmission. Telex - a communication service involving teletypewriters connected by wire through automatic exchanges. Tropospheric scatter - a form of microwave radio transmission in which the troposphere is used to scatter and reflect a fraction of the incident radio waves back to earth; powerful, highly directional antennas are used to transmit and receive the microwave signals; reliable over-the-horizon communications are realized for distances up to 600 miles in a single hop; additional hops can extend the range of this system for very long distances. Trunk network - a network of switching centers, connected by multichannel trunk lines. UHF - ultra high frequency; any radio frequency in the 300- to 3,000-MHz range. VHF - very high frequency; any radio frequency in the 30- to 300-MHz range. Country Telephone system Afghanistan general assessment: limited landline telephone service; an increasing number of Afghans utilize mobile-cellular phone networks in major cities domestic: aided by the presence of multiple providers, mobile-cellular telephone service is improving rapidly international: country code - 93; five VSAT's installed in Kabul, Herat, Mazar-e-Sharif, Kandahar, and Jalalabad provide international and domestic voice and data connectivity (2007) Albania general assessment: despite new investment in fixed lines, the density of main lines remains low with roughly 10 lines per 100 people; cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective; combined fixed line and mobile telephone density is approaching 100 telephones per 100 persons domestic: offsetting the shortage of fixed line capacity, mobile phone service has been available since 1996; by 2003, two companies were providing mobile services at a greater density than some of Albania's neighbors; Internet broadband services initiated in 2005; Internet cafes are popular in Tirana and have started to spread outside the capital international: country code - 355; submarine cable provides connectivity to Italy, Croatia, and Greece; the Trans-Balkan Line, a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system, provides additional connectivity to Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey; international traffic carried by fiber-optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2008) Algeria general assessment: a weak network of fixed-main lines, which remains at roughly 10 telephones per 100 persons, is offset by the rapid increase in mobile cellular subscribership; in 2008, combined fixed-line and mobile telephone density surpassed 100 telephones per 100 persons domestic: privatization of Algeria's telecommunications sector began in 2000; three mobile cellular licenses have been issued and, in 2005, a consortium led by Egypt's Orascom Telecom won a 15-year license to build and operate a fixed-line network in Algeria; the license will allow Orascom to develop high-speed data and other specialized services and contribute to meeting the large unfulfilled demand for basic residential telephony; Internet broadband services began in 2003 international: country code - 213; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-4 fiber-optic submarine cable system that provides links to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia; microwave radio relay to Italy, France, Spain, Morocco, and Tunisia; coaxial cable to Morocco and Tunisia; participant in Medarabtel; satellite earth stations - 51 (Intelsat, Intersputnik, and Arabsat) (2008) American Samoa general assessment: NA domestic: good telex, telegraph, facsimile, and cellular telephone services; domestic satellite system with 1 Comsat earth station international: country code - 1-684; satellite earth station - 1 (Intelsat-Pacific Ocean) Andorra general assessment: NA domestic: modern system with microwave radio relay connections between exchanges international: country code - 376; landline circuits to France and Spain Angola general assessment: system inadequate; fewer than one fixed-line per 100 persons; combined fixed line and mobile telephone density exceeded 50 telephones per 100 persons in 2008 domestic: state-owned telecom had monopoly for fixed-lines until 2005; demand outstripped capacity, prices were high, and services poor; Telecom Namibia, through an Angolan company, became the first private licensed operator in Angola's fixed-line telephone network; Angola Telecom established mobile-cellular service in Luanda in 1993 and the network has been extended to larger towns; a privately-owned, mobile-cellular service provider began operations in 2001 international: country code - 244; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and Asia; satellite earth stations - 29 (2008) Anguilla general assessment: NA domestic: modern internal telephone system international: country code - 1-264; landing point for the East Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS) submarine cable with links to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad; microwave radio relay to island of Saint Martin (Guadeloupe and Netherlands Antilles) (2007) Antarctica general assessment: local systems at some research stations domestic: commercial cellular networks operating in a small number of locations international: country code - none allocated; via satellite (including mobile Inmarsat and Iridium systems) to and from all research stations, ships, aircraft, and most field parties (2007) Antigua and Barbuda general assessment: NA domestic: good automatic telephone system international: country code - 1-268; landing point for the East Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS) submarine cable with links to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad; satellite earth stations - 2; tropospheric scatter to Saba (Netherlands Antilles) and Guadeloupe (2007) Argentina general assessment: by opening the telecommunications market to competition and foreign investment with the "Telecommunications Liberalization Plan of 1998," Argentina encouraged the growth of modern telecommunications technology; fiber-optic cable trunk lines are being installed between all major cities; major networks are entirely digital and the availability of telephone service is improving; fixed-line telephone density is gradually increasing reaching nearly 25 lines per 100 people in 2008; mobile telephone subscribership has been increasing rapidly and has reached a level of 115 telephones per 100 persons domestic: microwave radio relay, fiber-optic cable, and a domestic satellite system with 40 earth stations serve the trunk network; mobile telephone use is rapidly expanding; broadband services are gaining ground international: country code - 54; landing point for the Atlantis-2, UNISUR, and South America-1 optical submarine cable systems that provide links to Europe, Africa, South and Central America, and US; satellite earth stations - 112; 2 international gateways near Buenos Aires (2008) Armenia general assessment: telecommunications investments have made major inroads in modernizing and upgrading the outdated telecommunications network inherited from the Soviet era; now 100% privately owned and undergoing modernization and expansion; mobile-cellular services monopoly terminated in late 2004 and a second provider began operations in mid-2005 domestic: reliable modern landline and mobile-cellular services are available across Yerevan in major cities and towns; significant but ever-shrinking gaps remain in mobile-cellular coverage in rural areas international: country code - 374; Yerevan is connected to the Trans-Asia-Europe fiber-optic cable through Iran; additional international service is available by microwave radio relay and landline connections to the other countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States, through the Moscow international switch, and by satellite to the rest of the world; satellite earth stations - 3 (2007) Aruba general assessment: modern fully automatic telecommunications system domestic: increased competition through privatization; 3 wireless service providers are now licensed international: country code - 297; landing site for the PAN-AM submarine telecommunications cable system that extends from the US Virgin Islands through Aruba to Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, and the west coast of South America; extensive interisland microwave radio relay links (2007) Australia general assessment: excellent domestic and international service domestic: domestic satellite system; significant use of radiotelephone in areas of low population density; rapid growth of mobile cellular telephones international: country code - 61; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 optical telecommunications submarine cable with links to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; the Southern Cross fiber optic submarine cable provides links to New Zealand and the United States; satellite earth stations - 19 (10 Intelsat - 4 Indian Ocean and 6 Pacific Ocean, 2 Inmarsat - Indian and Pacific Ocean regions, 2 Globalstar, 5 other) (2007) Austria general assessment: highly developed and efficient domestic: fixed-line subscribership has been in decline since the mid-1990s with mobile-cellular subscribership eclipsing it by the late 1990s; the fiber-optic net is very extensive; all telephone applications and Internet services are available international: country code - 43; satellite earth stations - 15; in addition, there are about 600 VSATs (very small aperture terminals) (2007) Azerbaijan general assessment: inadequate; requires considerable expansion and modernization; teledensity of 15 main lines per 100 persons is low; mobile-cellular penetration has increased rapidly and is currently about 80 telephones per 100 persons domestic: fixed-line telephony and a broad range of other telecom services are controlled by a state-owned telecommunications monopoly and growth has been stagnant; more competition exists in the mobile-cellular market with three providers in 2006; satellite service connects Baku to a modern switch in its exclave of Naxcivan international: country code - 994; the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic link transits Azerbaijan providing international connectivity to neighboring countries; the old Soviet system of cable and microwave is still serviceable; satellite earth stations - 2 (2008) Bahamas, The general assessment: modern facilities domestic: totally automatic system; highly developed; the Bahamas Domestic Submarine Network links 14 of the islands and is designed to satisfy increasing demand for voice and broadband internet services international: country code - 1-242; landing point for the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) fiber-optic submarine cable that provides links to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 (2007) Bahrain general assessment: modern system domestic: modern fiber-optic integrated services; digital network with rapidly growing use of mobile-cellular telephones international: country code - 973; landing point for the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) submarine cable network that provides links to Asia, Middle East, Europe, and US; tropospheric scatter to Qatar and UAE; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; satellite earth station - 1 (2007) Bangladesh general assessment: inadequate for a modern country; fixed-line telephone density remains less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone subscribership has been increasing rapidly and has reached 30 per 100 persons domestic: modernizing; introducing digital systems; trunk systems include VHF and UHF microwave radio relay links, and some fiber-optic cable in cities international: country code - 880; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-4 fiber-optic submarine cable system that provides links to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia; satellite earth stations - 6; international radiotelephone communications and landline service to neighboring countries (2008) Barbados general assessment: fixed-line teledensity of roughly 50 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone density approaching 150 per 100 persons domestic: island-wide automatic telephone system international: country code - 1-246; landing point for the East Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS) submarine cable with links to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad; satellite earth stations - 1 (Intelsat -Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Trinidad and Saint Lucia (2008) Belarus general assessment: Belarus lags behind its neighbors in upgrading telecommunications infrastructure; state-owned Beltelcom is the sole provider of fixed-line local and long distance service; fixed-line teledensity of roughly 35 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone density of about 90 per 100 persons; modernization of the network progressing with roughly two-thirds of switching equipment now digital domestic: fixed-line penetration is improving although rural areas continue to be underserved; 3 GSM wireless networks are experiencing rapid growth; strict government controls on telecommunications technologies international: country code - 375; Belarus is a member of the Trans-European Line (TEL), Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line, and has access to the Trans-Siberia Line (TSL); 3 fiber-optic segments provide connectivity to Latvia, Poland, Russia, and Ukraine; worldwide service is available to Belarus through this infrastructure; additional analog lines to Russia; Intelsat, Eutelsat, and Intersputnik earth stations (2008) Belgium general assessment: highly developed, technologically advanced, and completely automated domestic and international telephone and telegraph facilities domestic: nationwide cellular telephone system; extensive cable network; limited microwave radio relay network international: country code - 32; landing point for a number of submarine cables that provide links to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia; satellite earth stations - 7 (Intelsat - 3) (2007) Belize general assessment: above-average system; fixed-line teledensity of 10 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone density roughly 55 per 100 persons domestic: trunk network depends primarily on microwave radio relay international: country code - 501; landing point for the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) fiber-optic telecommunications submarine cable that provides links to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth station - 8 (Intelsat - 2, unknown - 6) (2008) Benin general assessment: inadequate; fixed-line network characterized by aging, deteriorating equipment with fixed-line teledensity only about 2 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone subscribership has been increasing rapidly domestic: system of open-wire, microwave radio relay, and cellular connections; multiple mobile-cellular providers international: country code - 229; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and Asia; satellite earth stations - 7 (Intelsat-Atlantic Ocean) (2008) Bermuda general assessment: good domestic: fully automatic digital telephone system; fiber optic trunk lines international: country code - 1-441; landing point for the Atlantica-1 telecommunications submarine cable that extends from the US to Brazil; satellite earth stations - 3 (2007) Bhutan general assessment: urban towns and district headquarters have telecommunications services domestic: low teledensity; domestic service is very poor especially in rural areas; wireless service available since 2003 international: country code - 975; international telephone and telegraph service via landline and microwave relay through India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (2008) Bolivia general assessment: privatization begun in 1995; reliability has steadily improved; new subscribers face bureaucratic difficulties; most telephones are concentrated in La Paz and other cities; mobile-cellular telephone use expanding rapidly; fixed-line teledensity of 7 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone density slighly exceeds 50 per 100 persons domestic: primary trunk system, which is being expanded, employs digital microwave radio relay; some areas are served by fiber-optic cable; mobile cellular systems are being expanded international: country code - 591; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008) Bosnia and Herzegovina general assessment: post-war reconstruction of the telecommunications network, aided by a internationally sponsored program under ERBD, resulted in sharp increases in the number of main telephone lines available; mobile cellular subscribership has been increasing rapidly domestic: fixed-line teledensity roughly 22 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone density has reached 70 per 100 persons international: country code - 387; no satellite earth stations (2008) Botswana general assessment: the system is expanding with the growth of mobile-cellular service and participation in regional development; system is fully digital with fiber-optic cables linking the major population centers in the east; fixed-line connections declined in recent years and now stand at roughly 8 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone density currently is about 80 per 100 persons domestic: small system of open-wire lines, microwave radio relay links, and a few radiotelephone communication stations; mobile-cellular service is growing fast international: country code - 267; international calls are made via satellite, using international direct dialing; 2 international exchanges; digital microwave radio relay links to Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2008) Brazil general assessment: good working system; fixed-line connections have remained relatively stable in recent years and stand at about 20 per 100 persons; less expensive mobile cellular technology is a major driver in expanding telephone service to the low-income segment of the population with mobile-cellular telephone density reaching 80 per 100 persons domestic: extensive microwave radio relay system and a domestic satellite system with 64 earth stations; mobile-cellular usage has more than tripled in the past 5 years international: country code - 55; landing point for a number of submarine cables, including Atlantis 2, that provide direct links to South and Central America, the Caribbean, the US, Africa, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region east), connected by microwave relay system to Mercosur Brazilsat B3 satellite earth station (2008) British Indian Ocean Territory general assessment: separate facilities for military and public needs are available domestic: all commercial telephone services are available, including connection to the Internet international: country code (Diego Garcia) - 246; international telephone service is carried by satellite (2000) British Virgin Islands general assessment: worldwide telephone service domestic: fixed line connections exceed 75 per 100 persons and mobile cellular subscribership is approaching 100 per 100 persons international: country code - 1-284; connected via submarine cable to Bermuda; the East Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS) submarine cable provides connectivity to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean (2008) Brunei general assessment: service throughout the country is excellent; international service is good to Southeast Asia, Middle East, Western Europe, and the US domestic: every service available international: country code - 673; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 optical telecommunications submarine cable that provides links to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; the Asia-America Gateway submarine cable network, scheduled for completion by late 2008, will provide new links to Asia and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) (2007) Bulgaria general assessment: an extensive but antiquated telecommunications network inherited from the Soviet era; quality has improved; the Bulgaria Telecommunications Company's fixed-line monopoly terminated in 2005 when alternative fixed-line operators were given access to its network; a drop in fixed-line connections in recent years has been more than offset by a sharp increase in mobile-cellular telephone use fostered by multiple service providers; the number of cellular telephone subscriptions now greatly exceeds the population domestic: a fairly modern digital cable trunk line now connects switching centers in most of the regions; the others are connected by digital microwave radio relay international: country code - 359; submarine cable provides connectivity to Ukraine and Russia; a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system provides connectivity to Italy, Albania, and Macedonia; satellite earth stations - 3 (1 Intersputnik in the Atlantic Ocean region, 2 Intelsat in the Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions) (2008) Burkina Faso general assessment: services only fair; in 2006 the government sold a 51 percent stake in the national telephone company and ultimately plans to retain only a 23 percent stake in the company; fixed-line connections stand at less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage, fostered by multiple providers, is increasing rapidly from a low base domestic: microwave radio relay, open-wire, and radiotelephone communication stations international: country code - 226; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008) Burma general assessment: meets minimum requirements for local and intercity service for business and government domestic: system barely capable of providing basic service; cellular phone system is grossly underdeveloped with a subscribership base of less than 1 per 100 persons international: country code - 95; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 optical telecommunications submarine cable that provides links to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2, Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and ShinSat (2008) Burundi general assessment: primitive system; telephone density one of the lowest in the world; fixed-line connections stand at well less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage is increasing but remains at a meager 5 per 100 persons domestic: sparse system of open-wire, radiotelephone communications, and low-capacity microwave radio relay international: country code - 257; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2008) Cambodia general assessment: mobile-phone systems are widely used in urban areas to bypass deficiencies in the fixed-line network; fixed-line connections stand at well less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage, aided by increasing competition among service providers, is increasing and stands at 30 per 100 persons domestic: adequate landline and/or cellular service in Phnom Penh and other provincial cities; mobile-phone coverage is rapidly expanding in rural areas international: country code - 855; adequate but expensive landline and cellular service available to all countries from Phnom Penh and major provincial cities; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region) (2008) Cameroon general assessment: fixed-line connections stand at less than 1 per 100 persons; equipment is old and outdated, and connections with many parts of the country are unreliable; mobile-cellular usage, in part a reflection of the poor condition and general inadequacy of the fixed-line network, has increased sharply, reaching a subscribership base of 33 per 100 persons domestic: cable, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter international: country code - 237; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and Asia; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008) Canada general assessment: excellent service provided by modern technology domestic: domestic satellite system with about 300 earth stations international: country code - 1; submarine cables provide links to the US and Europe; satellite earth stations - 7 (5 Intelsat - 4 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean, and 2 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region) (2007) Cape Verde general assessment: effective system, extensive modernization from 1996-2000 following partial privatization in 1995 domestic: major service provider is Cabo Verde Telecom (CVT); fiber-optic ring, completed in 2001, links all islands providing Internet access and ISDN services; cellular service introduced in 1998; broadband services launched in 2004 international: country code - 238; landing point for the Atlantis-2 fiber-optic transatlantic telephone cable that provides links to South America, Senegal, and Europe; HF radiotelephone to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2007) Cayman Islands general assessment: reasonably good system domestic: liberalization of telecom market in 2003; introduction of competition in the mobile-cellular market in 2004 international: country code - 1-345; landing point for the MAYA-1 submarine telephone cable network that provides links to the US and parts of Central and South America; submarine cable provides connectivity to Jamaica; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2007) Central African Republic general assessment: limited telephone service; fixed-line connections for well less than 1 per 100 persons coupled with mobile-cellular usage of only about 3 per 100 persons; most fixed-line and cellular telephone services are concentrated in Bangui domestic: network consists principally of microwave radio relay and low-capacity, low-powered radiotelephone communication international: country code - 236; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008) Chad general assessment: primitive system with high costs and low telephone density; fixed-line connections for only about 1 per 1000 persons coupled with mobile-cellular subscribership base of less than 20 per 100 persons domestic: fair system of radiotelephone communication stations international: country code - 235; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008) Chile general assessment: privatization begun in 1988; most advanced telecommunications infrastructure in South America; modern system based on extensive microwave radio relay facilities; fixed-line connections have dropped in recent years as mobile-cellular usage continues to increase, reaching a level of 90 telephones per 100 persons domestic: extensive microwave radio relay links; domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations international: country code - 56; submarine cables provide links to the US and to Central and South America; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008) China general assessment: domestic and international services are increasingly available for private use; unevenly distributed domestic system serves principal cities, industrial centers, and many towns; China continues to develop its telecommunications infrastructure, and is partnering with foreign providers to expand its global reach; China in the summer of 2008 began a major restructuring of its telecommunications industry, resulting in the consolidation of its six telecom service operators to three, China Telecom, China Mobile and China Unicom, each providing both fixed-line and mobile services domestic: interprovincial fiber-optic trunk lines and cellular telephone systems have been installed; mobile-cellular subscribership is increasing rapidly; the number of Internet users exceeded 250 million by summer 2008; a domestic satellite system with 55 earth stations is in place international: country code - 86; a number of submarine cables provide connectivity to Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the US; satellite earth stations - 7 (5 Intelsat - 4 Pacific Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean; 1 Intersputnik - Indian Ocean region; and 1 Inmarsat - Pacific and Indian Ocean regions) (2008) Christmas Island general assessment: service provided by the Australian network domestic: GSM mobile telephone service replaced older analog system in February 2005 international: country code - 61-8; satellite earth station - 1 (Intelsat provides telephone and telex service) (2005) Cocos (Keeling) Islands general assessment: connected within Australia's telecommunication system; a local mobile-cellular network is in operation domestic: NA international: country code - 61; telephone, telex, and facsimile communications with Australia and elsewhere via satellite; satellite earth station - 1 (Intelsat) (2001) Colombia general assessment: modern system in many respects; telecommunications sector liberalized during the 1990s; multiple providers of both fixed-line and mobile-cellular services; fixed-line connections stand at about 15 per 100 persons; mobile cellular telephone subscribership is about 90 per 100 persons; competition among cellular service providers is resulting in falling local and international calling rates and contributing to the steep decline in the market share of fixed line services domestic: nationwide microwave radio relay system; domestic satellite system with 41 earth stations; fiber-optic network linking 50 cities international: country code - 57; submarine cables provide links to the US, parts of the Caribbean, and Central and South America; satellite earth stations - 10 (6 Intelsat, 1 Inmarsat, 3 fully digitalized international switching centers) (2008) Comoros general assessment: sparse system of microwave radio relay and HF radiotelephone communication stations; fixed-line connections only about 3 per 100 persons; mobile cellular usage about 5 per 100 persons domestic: HF radiotelephone communications and microwave radio relay international: country code - 269; HF radiotelephone communications to Madagascar and Reunion Congo, Democratic Republic of the general assessment: fixed line infrastructure inadequate with the state-owned operator providing less than 1 connection per 1000 persons; given the backdrop of a wholly inadequate fixed-line infrastructure, the use of cellular services has surged and subscribership in 2008 approached 9.3 million - roughly 15 per 100 persons domestic: barely adequate wire and microwave radio relay service in and between urban areas; domestic satellite system with 14 earth stations international: country code - 243; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008) Congo, Republic of the general assessment: services barely adequate for government use; key exchanges are in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, and Loubomo; intercity lines frequently out of order; fixed-line infrastructure inadequate providing less than 1 connection per 100 persons; in the absence of an adequate fixed line infrastructure, mobile-cellular subscribership has surged and is approaching 50 per 100 persons domestic: primary network consists of microwave radio relay and coaxial cable international: country code - 242; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008) Cook Islands general assessment: Telecom Cook Islands offers international direct dialing, Internet, email, fax, and Telex domestic: individual islands are connected by a combination of satellite earth stations, microwave systems, and VHF and HF radiotelephone; within the islands, service is provided by small exchanges connected to subscribers by open-wire, cable, and fiber-optic cable international: country code - 682; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) Costa Rica general assessment: good domestic telephone service in terms of breadth of coverage; restricted cellular telephone service; state-run monopoly provider is struggling with the demand for new lines, resulting in long waiting times domestic: point-to-point and point-to-multi-point microwave, fiber-optic, and coaxial cable link rural areas; Internet service is available international: country code - 506; landing point for the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) fiber-optic telecommunications submarine cable and the MAYA-1 submarine cable that provide links to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; connected to Central American Microwave System; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2007) Cote d'Ivoire general assessment: well developed by African standards; telecommunications sector privatized in late 1990s and operational fixed-lines have more than quadrupled since that time; with multiple cellular service providers competing in the market, cellular usage has increased sharply to roughly 55 per 100 persons domestic: open-wire lines and microwave radio relay; 90% digitalized international: country code - 225; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and Asia; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) (2008) Croatia general assessment: the telecommunications network has improved steadily since the mid-1990s; the number of fixed telephone lines holding steady at about 40 per 100 persons; the number of cellular telephone subscriptions exceeds the population domestic: more than 90 percent of local lines are digital international: country code - 385; digital international service is provided through the main switch in Zagreb; Croatia participates in the Trans-Asia-Europe (TEL) fiber-optic project, which consists of 2 fiber-optic trunk connections with Slovenia and a fiber-optic trunk line from Rijeka to Split and Dubrovnik; the ADRIA-1 submarine cable provides connectivity to Albania and Greece (2008) Cuba general assessment: greater investment beginning in 1994 and the establishment of a new Ministry of Information Technology and Communications in 2000 has resulted in improvements in the system; wireless service is expensive and must be paid in convertible pesos, which effectively limits mobile cellular subscribership domestic: national fiber-optic system under development; 95% of switches digitized by end of 2006; fixed telephone line density remains low at less than 10 per 100 inhabitants; domestic cellular service expanding but remains at only about 3 per 100 persons international: country code - 53; fiber-optic cable laid to but not linked to US network; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region) (2008) Cyprus general assessment: excellent in both area under government control and area administered by Turkish Cypriots domestic: open-wire, fiber-optic cable, and microwave radio relay international: country code - 357 (area administered by Turkish Cypriots uses the country code of Turkey - 90); a number of submarine cables, including the SEA-ME-WE-3, combine to provide connectivity to Western Europe, the Middle East, and Asia; tropospheric scatter; satellite earth stations - 8 (3 Intelsat - 1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean, 2 Eutelsat, 2 Intersputnik, and 1 Arabsat) Czech Republic general assessment: privatization and modernization of the Czech telecommunication system got a late start but is advancing steadily; access to the fixed-line telephone network expanded throughout the 1990s but the number of fixed line connections has been dropping since then; mobile telephone usage increased sharply beginning in the mid-1990s and the number of cellular telephone subscriptions now greatly exceeds the population domestic: virtually all exchanges now digital; existing copper subscriber systems enhanced with Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) equipment to accommodate Internet and other digital signals; trunk systems include fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay international: country code - 420; satellite earth stations - 6 (2 Intersputnik - Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions, 1 Intelsat, 1 Eutelsat, 1 Inmarsat, 1 Globalstar) (2008) Denmark general assessment: excellent telephone and telegraph services domestic: buried and submarine cables and microwave radio relay form trunk network, multiple cellular mobile communications systems international: country code - 45; a series of fiber-optic submarine cables link Denmark with Canada, Faroe Islands, Germany, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Sweden, and UK; satellite earth stations - 18 (6 Intelsat, 10 Eutelsat, 1 Orion, 1 Inmarsat (Blaavand-Atlantic-East)); note - the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) share the Danish earth station and the Eik, Norway, station for worldwide Inmarsat access (2008) Djibouti general assessment: telephone facilities in the city of Djibouti are adequate, as are the microwave radio relay connections to outlying areas of the country domestic: microwave radio relay network; mobile cellular coverage is primarily limited to the area in and around Djibouti city international: country code - 253; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 optical telecommunications submarine cable with links to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean and 1 Arabsat); Medarabtel regional microwave radio relay telephone network (2007) Dominica general assessment: NA domestic: fully automatic network international: country code - 1-767; landing point for the East Caribbean Fiber Optic System (ECFS) submarine cable with links to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad; microwave radio relay and SHF radiotelephone links to Martinique and Guadeloupe; VHF and UHF radiotelephone links to Saint Lucia Dominican Republic general assessment: relatively efficient system based on island-wide microwave radio relay network domestic: fixed telephone line density is about 10 per 100 persons; multiple providers of mobile cellular service with a subscribership of roughly 75 per 100 persons international: country code - 1-809; landing point for the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) fiber-optic telecommunications submarine cable that provides links to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and US; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008) Ecuador general assessment: generally elementary but being expanded domestic: fixed-line services provided by three state-owned enterprises; plans to transfer the state-owned operators to private ownership have repeatedly failed; fixed-line density stands at about 14 per 100 persons; mobile cellular use has surged and has a subscribership of nearly 85 per 100 persons international: country code - 593; landing point for the PAN-AM submarine telecommunications cable that provides links to the west coast of South America, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, and extending onward to Aruba and the US Virgin Islands in the Caribbean; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008) Egypt general assessment: large system; underwent extensive upgrading during 1990s and is reasonably modern; Telecom Egypt, the landline monopoly, has been increasing service availability and in 2008 fixed-line density stood at 15 per 100 persons; as of 2008 there were three mobile-cellular networks with a total of more than 41 million subscribers, roughly 50 per 100 persons domestic: principal centers at Alexandria, Cairo, Al Mansurah, Ismailia, Suez, and Tanta are connected by coaxial cable and microwave radio relay international: country code - 20; landing point for both the SEA-ME-WE-3 and SEA-ME-WE-4 submarine cable networks; linked to the international submarine cable FLAG (Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe); satellite earth stations - 4 (2 Intelsat - Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean, 1 Arabsat, and 1 Inmarsat); tropospheric scatter to Sudan; microwave radio relay to Israel; a participant in Medarabtel (2008) El Salvador general assessment: multiple mobile-cellular service providers are expanding services rapidly and in 2008 mobile-cellular density stood at nearly 100 per 100 persons; growth in fixed-line services has slowed in the face of mobile-cellular competition domestic: nationwide microwave radio relay system international: country code - 503; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to Central American Microwave System (2008) Equatorial Guinea general assessment: digital fixed-line network in most major urban areas and good mobile coverage domestic: fixed-line density is about 2 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership has been increasing and in 2008 stood at about 55 percent of the population international: country code - 240; international communications from Bata and Malabo to African and European countries; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2008) Eritrea general assessment: inadequate; combined fixed-line and mobile cellular subscribership is only about 3 per 100 persons (2008) domestic: inadequate; most telephones are in Asmara; government is seeking international tenders to improve the system (2002) international: country code - 291; note - international connections exist Estonia general assessment: foreign investment in the form of joint business ventures greatly improved telephone service; substantial fiber-optic cable systems carry telephone, TV, and radio traffic in the digital mode; Internet services are widely available; schools and libraries are connected to the Internet, a large percentage of the population files income-tax returns online, and online voting was used for the first time in the 2005 local elections domestic: a wide range of high quality voice, data, and Internet services is available throughout the country international: country code - 372; fiber-optic cables to Finland, Sweden, Latvia, and Russia provide worldwide packet-switched service; 2 international switches are located in Tallinn (2008) Ethiopia general assessment: inadequate telephone system; the number of fixed lines and mobile telephones is increasing from a very small base; combined fixed and mobile-cellular teledensity is only about 5 per 100 persons domestic: open-wire; microwave radio relay; radio communication in the HF, VHF, and UHF frequencies; 2 domestic satellites provide the national trunk service international: country code - 251; open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti; microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean) (2008) European Union note - see individual country entries of member states Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) general assessment: NA domestic: government-operated radiotelephone and private VHF/CB radiotelephone networks provide effective service to almost all points on both islands international: country code - 500; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) with links through London to other countries Faroe Islands general assessment: good international communications; good domestic facilities domestic: digitalization was completed in 1998; both NMT (analog) and GSM (digital) mobile telephone systems are installed international: country code - 298; satellite earth stations - 1 Orion; 1 fiber-optic submarine cable to the Shetland Islands, linking the Faroe Islands with Denmark and Iceland; fiber-optic submarine cable connection to Canada-Europe cable Fiji general assessment: modern local, interisland, and international (wire/radio integrated) public and special-purpose telephone, telegraph, and teleprinter facilities; regional radio communications center domestic: telephone or radio telephone links to almost all inhabited islands; most towns and large villages have automatic telephone exchanges and direct dialing; combined fixed and mobile-cellular density is about 80 per 100 persons international: country code - 679; access to important cable links between US and Canada as well as between NZ and Australia; satellite earth stations - 2 Inmarsat (Pacific Ocean) (2008) Finland general assessment: modern system with excellent service domestic: digital fiber-optic fixed-line network and an extensive cellular network provide domestic needs international: country code - 358; submarine cables provide links to Estonia and Sweden; satellite earth stations - access to Intelsat transmission service via a Swedish satellite earth station, 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Finland shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) France general assessment: highly developed domestic: extensive cable and microwave radio relay; extensive use of fiber-optic cable; domestic satellite system international: country code - 33; numerous submarine cables provide links throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and US; satellite earth stations - more than 3 (2 Intelsat (with total of 5 antennas - 2 for Indian Ocean and 3 for Atlantic Ocean), NA Eutelsat, 1 Inmarsat - Atlantic Ocean region); HF radiotelephone communications with more than 20 countries overseas departments: country codes: French Guiana - 594; Guadeloupe - 590; Martinique - 596; Reunion - 262 French Polynesia general assessment: NA domestic: combined fixed and mobile-cellular density is roughly 85 per 100 persons international: country code - 689; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2008) Gabon general assessment: adequate service by African standards and improving with the help of a growing mobile cell network system with multiple providers; mobile-cellular subscribership reached nearly 90 per 100 persons in 2008 domestic: adequate system of cable, microwave radio relay, tropospheric scatter, radiotelephone communication stations, and a domestic satellite system with 12 earth stations international: country code - 241; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and Asia; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008) Gambia, The general assessment: adequate; a packet switched data network is available; state-owned Gambia Telecommunications partially privatized in 2007 domestic: adequate network of microwave radio relay and open-wire; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity reached 70 telephones per 100 persons in 2008 international: country code - 220; microwave radio relay links to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008) Gaza Strip general assessment: NA domestic: Israeli company BEZEK and the Palestinian company PALTEL are responsible for fixed line services; the Palestinian JAWAL company provides cellular services international: country code - 970 (2004) Georgia general assessment: fixed-line telecommunications network has only limited coverage outside Tbilisi; long list of people waiting for fixed line connections; multiple mobile-cellular providers provide services to an increasing subscribership throughout the country domestic: cellular telephone networks now cover the entire country; mobile-cellular teledensity approaching 75 per 100 people; urban fixed-line telephone density is about 20 per 100 people; rural telephone density is about 4 per 100 people; intercity facilities include a fiber-optic line between T'bilisi and K'ut'aisi; nationwide pager service is available international: country code - 995; the Georgia-Russia fiber optic submarine cable provides connectivity to Russia; international service is available by microwave, landline, and satellite through the Moscow switch; international electronic mail and telex service are available Germany general assessment: Germany has one of the world's most technologically advanced telecommunications systems; as a result of intensive capital expenditures since reunification, the formerly backward system of the eastern part of the country, dating back to World War II, has been modernized and integrated with that of the western part domestic: Germany is served by an extensive system of automatic telephone exchanges connected by modern networks of fiber-optic cable, coaxial cable, microwave radio relay, and a domestic satellite system; cellular telephone service is widely available, expanding rapidly, and includes roaming service to many foreign countries international: country code - 49; Germany's international service is excellent worldwide, consisting of extensive land and undersea cable facilities as well as earth stations in the Inmarsat, Intelsat, Eutelsat, and Intersputnik satellite systems (2001) Ghana general assessment: outdated and unreliable fixed-line infrastructure heavily concentrated in Accra; competition among multiple mobile-cellular providers has spurred growth with a subscribership of 50 per 100 persons and rising domestic: primarily microwave radio relay; wireless local loop has been installed international: country code - 233; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and Asia; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); microwave radio relay link to Panaftel system connects Ghana to its neighbors (2008) Gibraltar general assessment: adequate, automatic domestic system and adequate international facilities domestic: automatic exchange facilities international: country code - 350; radiotelephone; microwave radio relay; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Greece general assessment: adequate, modern networks reach all areas; good mobile telephone and international service domestic: microwave radio relay trunk system; extensive open-wire connections; submarine cable to offshore islands international: country code - 30; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 optical telecommunications submarine cable that provides links to Europe, Middle East, and Asia; a number of smaller submarine cables provide connectivity to various parts of Europe, the Middle East, and Cyprus; tropospheric scatter; satellite earth stations - 4 (2 Intelsat - 1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean, 1 Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat - Indian Ocean region) Greenland general assessment: adequate domestic and international service provided by satellite, cables and microwave radio relay; totally digitalized in 1995 domestic: microwave radio relay and satellite international: country code - 299; satellite earth stations - 15 (12 Intelsat, 1 Eutelsat, 2 Americom GE-2 (all Atlantic Ocean)) (2000) Grenada general assessment: automatic, islandwide telephone system domestic: interisland VHF and UHF radiotelephone links international: country code - 1-473; landing point for the East Caribbean Fiber Optic System (ECFS) submarine cable with links to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad; SHF radiotelephone links to Trinidad and Tobago and Saint Vincent; VHF and UHF radio links to Trinidad Guam general assessment: modern system, integrated with US facilities for direct dialing, including free use of 800 numbers domestic: modern digital system, including cellular mobile service and local access to the Internet international: country code - 1-671; major landing point for submarine cables between Asia and the US (Guam is a trans-Pacific communications hub for major carriers linking the US and Asia); satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) Guatemala general assessment: fairly modern network centered in the city of Guatemala domestic: state-owned telecommunications company privatized in the late 1990s opening the way for competition; fixed-line teledensity 11 per 100 persons; fixed-line investments are being concentrated on improving rural connectivity; mobile-cellular teledensity exceeds 100 per 100 persons international: country code - 502; landing point for both the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) and the SAM-1 fiber optic submarine cable system that together provide connectivity to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; connected to Central American Microwave System; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008) Guernsey general assessment: NA domestic: fixed-line and mobile-cellular services widely available; combined fixed and mobile-cellular density exceeds 100 per 100 persons international: 1 submarine cable Guinea general assessment: inadequate system of open-wire lines, small radiotelephone communication stations, and new microwave radio relay system domestic: Conakry reasonably well served; coverage elsewhere remains inadequate and large companies tend to rely on their own systems for nationwide links; fixed-line density less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership is expanding and is roughly 25 per 100 persons international: country code - 224; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Guinea-Bissau general assessment: small system domestic: combination of microwave radio relay, open-wire lines, radiotelephone, and cellular communications; fixed-line teledensity less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity approached 35 per 100 in 2008 international: country code - 245 (2008) Guyana general assessment: fair system for long-distance service domestic: microwave radio relay network for trunk lines; fixed-line teledensity is about 15 per 100 persons; many areas still lack fixed-line telephone services; mobile-cellular teledensity reached 37 per 100 persons in 2005 international: country code - 592; tropospheric scatter to Trinidad; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Haiti general assessment: telecommunications infrastructure is among the least developed in Latin America and the Caribbean; domestic facilities barely adequate; international facilities slightly better; mobile-cellular telephone services are expanding rapidly due, in part, to the introduction of low-cost GSM phones in 2006 domestic: coaxial cable and microwave radio relay trunk service international: country code - 509; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Holy See (Vatican City) general assessment: automatic digital exchange domestic: connected via fiber optic cable to Telecom Italia network international: country code - 39; uses Italian system Honduras general assessment: the number of fixed-line connections are increasing but still limited; competition among multiple providers of mobile-cellular services is contributing to a sharp increase in the number of subscribers domestic: beginning in 2003, private sub-operators allowed to provide fixed-lines in order to expand telephone coverage contributing to an increase in fixed-line teledensity to roughly 10 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership exceeded 80 per 100 persons in 2008 international: country code - 504; landing point for both the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) and the MAYA-1 fiber optic submarine cable system that together provide connectivity to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to Central American Microwave System Hong Kong general assessment: modern facilities provide excellent domestic and international services domestic: microwave radio relay links and extensive fiber-optic network international: country code - 852; multiple international submarine cables provide connections to Asia, US, Australia, the Middle East, and Western Europe; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Pacific Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean); coaxial cable to Guangzhou, China Hungary general assessment: the telephone system has been modernized and is capable of satisfying all requests for telecommunication service domestic: the system is digitalized and highly automated; trunk services are carried by fiber-optic cable and digital microwave radio relay; a program for fiber-optic subscriber connections was initiated in 1996; competition among mobile-cellular service providers has led to a sharp increase in the use of mobile cellular phones since 2000 and a decrease in the number of fixed-line connections international: country code - 36; Hungary has fiber-optic cable connections with all neighboring countries; the international switch is in Budapest; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean regions), 1 Inmarsat, 1 very small aperture terminal (VSAT) system of ground terminals Iceland general assessment: telecommunications infrastructure is modern and fully digitized, with satellite-earth stations, fiber-optic cables, and an extensive broadband network domestic: liberalization of the telecommunications sector beginning in the late 1990s has led to increased competition especially in the mobile services segment of the market international: country code - 354; the CANTAT-3 and FARICE-1 submarine cable systems provide connectivity to Canada, the Faroe Islands, UK, Denmark, and Germany; a planned new section of the Hibernia-Atlantic submarine cable will provide additional connectivity to Canada, US, and Ireland; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Iceland shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden) India general assessment: recent deregulation and liberalization of telecommunications laws and policies have prompted rapid growth; local and long distance service provided throughout all regions of the country, with services primarily concentrated in the urban areas; steady improvement is taking place with the recent admission of private and private-public investors, but combined fixed and mobile telephone density remains low at about 40 for each 100 persons nationwide and much lower for persons in rural areas; extremely rapid growth in cellular service with modest declines in fixed lines domestic: mobile cellular service introduced in 1994 and organized nationwide into four metropolitan areas and 19 telecom circles each with multiple private service providers and one or more state-owned service providers; in recent years significant trunk capacity added in the form of fiber-optic cable and one of the world's largest domestic satellite systems, the Indian National Satellite system (INSAT), with 6 satellites supporting 33,000 very small aperture terminals (VSAT) international: country code - 91; a number of major international submarine cable systems, including Sea-Me-We-3 with landing sites at Cochin and Mumbai (Bombay), Sea-Me-We-4 with a landing site at Chennai, Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) with a landing site at Mumbai (Bombay), South Africa - Far East (SAFE) with a landing site at Cochin, the i2i cable network linking to Singapore with landing sites at Mumbai (Bombay) and Chennai (Madras), and Tata Indicom linking Singapore and Chennai (Madras), provide a significant increase in the bandwidth available for both voice and data traffic; satellite earth stations - 8 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean region); 9 gateway exchanges operating from Mumbai (Bombay), New Delhi, Kolkata (Calcutta), Chennai (Madras), Jalandhar, Kanpur, Gandhinagar, Hyderabad, and Ernakulam (2008) Indonesia general assessment: domestic service fair, international service good domestic: interisland microwave system and HF radio police net; domestic satellite communications system; coverage provided by existing network has been expanded by use of over 200,000 telephone kiosks many located in remote areas; mobile cellular subscribership growing rapidly international: country code - 62; landing point for both the SEA-ME-WE-3 and SEA-ME-WE-4 submarine cable networks that provide links throughout Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) Iran general assessment: currently being modernized and expanded with the goal of not only improving the efficiency and increasing the volume of the urban service but also bringing telephone service to several thousand villages, not presently connected domestic: the addition of new fiber cables and modern switching and exchange systems installed by Iran's state-owned telecom company have improved and expanded the main line network greatly; main line availability has more than doubled to nearly 25 million lines since 2000; additionally, mobile service has increased dramatically serving 43 million subscribers in 2008; combined fixed and mobile-cellular subscribership now exceeds 100 per 100 persons international: country code - 98; submarine fiber-optic cable to UAE with access to Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG); Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line runs from Azerbaijan through the northern portion of Iran to Turkmenistan with expansion to Georgia and Azerbaijan; HF radio and microwave radio relay to Turkey, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Syria, Kuwait, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan; satellite earth stations - 13 (9 Intelsat and 4 Inmarsat) (2007) Iraq general assessment: the 2003 liberation of Iraq severely disrupted telecommunications throughout Iraq including international connections; widespread government efforts to rebuild domestic and international communications through fiber optic links are in progress; the mobile cellular market has expanded rapidly and its subscribership base approached 18 million in 2008 domestic: repairs to switches and lines destroyed during 2003 continue; additional switching capacity is improving access; cellular service is available and centered on 3 GSM networks which are being expanded beyond their regional roots, improving country-wide connectivity; wireless local loop licenses have been issued with the hope of overcoming the lack of fixed-line infrastructure international: country code - 964; satellite earth stations - 4 (2 Intelsat - 1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region, and 1 Arabsat (inoperative)); local microwave radio relay connects border regions to Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey; planned international fiber-optic connections to Iran (terrestrial) with a link to the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) submarine fiber-optic cable (2008) Ireland general assessment: modern digital system using cable and microwave radio relay domestic: system privatized but dominated by former state monopoly operator; increasing levels of broadband access international: country code - 353; landing point for the Hibernia-Atlantic submarine cable with links to the US, Canada, and UK; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Isle of Man general assessment: NA domestic: landline, telefax, mobile cellular telephone system international: fiber-optic cable, microwave radio relay, satellite earth station, submarine cable Israel general assessment: most highly developed system in the Middle East although not the largest domestic: good system of coaxial cable and microwave radio relay; all systems are digital; four privately-owned mobile-cellular service providers with countrywide coverage international: country code - 972; submarine cables provide links to Europe, Cyprus, and parts of the Middle East; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) (2008) Italy general assessment: modern, well developed, fast; fully automated telephone, telex, and data services domestic: high-capacity cable and microwave radio relay trunks international: country code - 39; a series of submarine cables provide links to Asia, Middle East, Europe, North Africa, and US; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (with a total of 5 antennas - 3 for Atlantic Ocean and 2 for Indian Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region), and NA Eutelsat Jamaica general assessment: fully automatic domestic telephone network domestic: the 1999 agreement to open the market for telecommunications services resulted in rapid growth in mobile-cellular telephone usage while the number of fixed-lines in use has declined; combined mobile-cellular teledensity now roughly 100 per 100 persons international: country code - 1-876; the Fibralink submarine cable network provides enhanced delivery of business and broadband traffic and is linked to the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) submarine cable in the Dominican Republic; the link to ARCOS-1 provides seamless connectivity to US, parts of the Caribbean, Central America, and South America; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008) Japan general assessment: excellent domestic and international service domestic: high level of modern technology and excellent service of every kind international: country code - 81; numerous submarine cables provide links throughout Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, and US; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (4 Pacific Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region), and 1 Inmarsat (Pacific and Indian Ocean regions Jersey general assessment: state owned, partially-competitive market; increasingly modern, with some broadband access domestic: digital telephone system launch announced in 2006 and currently being implemented; fixed-line and mobile-cellular services widely available; combined fixed and mobile-cellular density exceeds 100 per 100 persons international: submarine cable connectivity to Guernsey, the UK, and France (2008) Jordan general assessment: service has improved recently with increased use of digital switching equipment; microwave radio relay transmission and coaxial and fiber-optic cable are employed on trunk lines; growing mobile-cellular usage in both urban and rural areas is reducing use of fixed-line services; Internet penetration remains modest and slow-growing domestic: 1995 telecommunications law opened all non-fixed-line services to private competition; in 2005, monopoly over fixed-line services terminated and the entire telecommunications sector was opened to competition; mobile-cellular usage has increased and teledensity reached 85 per 100 persons in 2008 international: country code - 962; landing point for the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) submarine cable network that provides links to Asia, Middle East, Europe; satellite earth stations - 33 (3 Intelsat, 1 Arabsat, and 29 land and maritime Inmarsat terminals); fiber-optic cable to Saudi Arabia and microwave radio relay link with Egypt and Syria; participant in Medarabtel (2008) Kazakhstan general assessment: inherited an outdated telecommunications network from the Soviet era requiring modernization domestic: intercity by landline and microwave radio relay; number of fixed-line connections is gradually increasing and fixed-line teledensity now exceeds 20 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage is increasing rapidly and the subscriber base now is roughly 100 per 100 persons international: country code - 7; international traffic with other former Soviet republics and China carried by landline and microwave radio relay and with other countries by satellite and by the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic cable; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (2008) Kenya general assessment: inadequate; fixed-line telephone system is small and inefficient; trunks are primarily microwave radio relay; business data commonly transferred by a very small aperture terminal (VSAT) system domestic: no recent growth in fixed-line infrastructure and the sole provider, Telkom Kenya, is slated for privatization; multiple providers in the mobile-cellular segment of the market fostering a boom in mobile-cellular telephone usage international: country code - 254; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat Kiribati general assessment: generally good quality national and international service domestic: wire line service available on Tarawa and Kiritimati (Christmas Island); connections to outer islands by HF/VHF radiotelephone; wireless service available in Tarawa since 1999 international: country code - 686; Kiribati is being linked to the Pacific Ocean Cooperative Telecommunications Network, which should improve telephone service; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) Korea, North general assessment: inadequate system; currently mobile cellular telephone services are available in Pyongyang only domestic: fiber-optic links installed between cities; telephone directories unavailable; mobile cellular service, initiated in 2002, suspended in 2004; Orascom Telecom, an Egyptian company, launched mobile service on December 15, 2008 for the Pyongyang area only international: country code - 850; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Russian - Indian Ocean region); other international connections through Moscow and Beijing (2008) Korea, South general assessment: excellent domestic and international services featuring rapid incorporation of new technologies domestic: fixed-line and mobile-cellular services wide available with a combined telephone subscribership of roughly 140 per 100 persons; rapid assimilation of a full range of telecommunications technologies leading to a boom in e-commerce international: country code - 82; numerous submarine cables provide links throughout Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, and US; satellite earth stations - 66 Kuwait general assessment: the quality of service is excellent domestic: new telephone exchanges provide a large capacity for new subscribers; trunk traffic is carried by microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, and open-wire and fiber-optic cable; a cellular telephone system operates throughout Kuwait, and the country is well supplied with pay telephones international: country code - 965; linked to international submarine cable Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG); linked to Bahrain, Qatar, UAE via the Fiber-Optic Gulf (FOG) cable; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; satellite earth stations - 6 (3 Intelsat - 1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean, 1 Inmarsat - Atlantic Ocean, and 2 Arabsat) Kyrgyzstan general assessment: telecommunications infrastructure is being upgraded; loans from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) are being used to install a digital network, digital radio-relay stations, and fiber-optic links domestic: fixed line penetration remains low and concentrated in urban areas; multiple mobile cellular service providers with growing coverage; mobile cellular subscribership exceeded 60 per 100 persons in 2008 international: country code - 996; connections with other CIS countries by landline or microwave radio relay and with other countries by leased connections with Moscow international gateway switch and by satellite; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intersputnik, 1 Intelsat); connected internationally by the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line (2008) Laos general assessment: service to general public is poor but improving; the government relies on a radiotelephone network to communicate with remote areas domestic: multiple service providers; mobile cellular usage growing rapidly; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership approaching 30 per 100 persons international: country code - 856; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region) (2008) Latvia general assessment: recent efforts focused on bringing competition to the telecommunications sector; the number of fixed lines is decreasing as wireless telephone service expands domestic: number of telecommunications operators has grown rapidly since the fixed-line market opened to competition in 2003; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership exceeds 125 per 100 persons international: country code - 371; the Latvian network is now connected via fiber optic cable to Estonia, Finland, and Sweden (2008) Lebanon general assessment: repair of the telecommunications system, severely damaged during the civil war, now complete domestic: two wireless networks provide good service; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership exceeds 50 per 100 persons international: country code - 961; submarine cable links to Cyprus, Egypt, and Syria; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean); coaxial cable to Syria (2008) Lesotho general assessment: rudimentary system consisting of a modest but growing number of landlines, a small microwave radio relay system, and a small radiotelephone communication system; mobile-cellular telephone system is expanding domestic: privatized in 2001, Telecom Lesotho tasked with providing an additional 50,000 fixed-line connections within five years, a target not met; mobile-cellular service is expanding with a subscribership exceeding 25 per 100 persons; rural services are scant international: country code - 266; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008) Liberia general assessment: the limited services available are found almost exclusively in the capital Monrovia; coverage extended to a number of other towns and rural areas by four mobile-cellular network operators domestic: fixed line service stagnant and extremely limited; mobile-cellular subscription base growing and teledensity exceeding 20 per 100 persons international: country code - 231; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008) Libya general assessment: telecommunications system is state-owned and service is poor, but investment is being made to upgrade; state retains monopoly in fixed-line services; mobile cellular telephone system became operational in 1996; multiple providers for a mobile telephone system that is growing rapidly; combined fixed line and mobile telephone density is approaching 100 telephones per 100 persons domestic: microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, cellular, tropospheric scatter, and a domestic satellite system with 14 earth stations international: country code - 218; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat, NA Arabsat, and NA Intersputnik; submarine cables to France and Italy; microwave radio relay to Tunisia and Egypt; tropospheric scatter to Greece; participant in Medarabtel (2008) Liechtenstein general assessment: automatic telephone system domestic: fixed line and mobile-cellular services widely available; combined telephone service subscribership exceeds 150 per 100 persons international: country code - 423; linked to Swiss networks by cable and microwave radio relay (2008) Lithuania general assessment: adequate; being modernized to provide improved international capability and better residential access domestic: rapid expansion of mobile-cellular services has resulted in a steady decline in the number of main line subscriptions; mobile-cellular teledensity has increased to about 140 per 100 persons while fixed-line teledensity has dropped to 22 per 100 persons international: country code - 370; major international connections to Denmark, Sweden, and Norway by submarine cable for further transmission by satellite; landline connections to Latvia and Poland (2008) Luxembourg general assessment: highly developed, completely automated and efficient system, mainly buried cables domestic: fixed line teledensity over 50 per 100 persons; nationwide cellular telephone system with market for mobile-cellular phones virtually saturated international: country code - 352 (2008) Macau general assessment: fairly modern communication facilities maintained for domestic and international services domestic: termination of monopoly over mobile-cellular telephone services in 2001 spurred sharp increase in subscriptions with mobile-cellular teledensity approaching 180 per 100 persons in 2008; fixed-line subscribership appears to have peaked and is now in decline international: country code - 853; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 submarine cable network that provides links to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; HF radiotelephone communication facility; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2009) Macedonia general assessment: competition from the mobile-cellular segment of the telecommunications market has led to a drop in fixed-line telephone subscriptions domestic: combined fixed line and mobile telephone subscribership approaching 150 per 100 persons international: country code - 389 (2008) Madagascar general assessment: system is above average for the region; Antananarivo's main telephone exchange modernized in the late 1990s, but the rest of the analogue-based telephone system is poorly developed; have added new fixed lines since 2005 domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile telephone density about 25 per 100 persons international: country code - 261; submarine cable to Bahrain; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region) (2008) Malawi general assessment: rudimentary domestic: fixed-line subscribership about 2 per 100 persons; privatization of Malawi Telecommunications (MTL), a necessary step in bringing improvement to telecommunications services, completed in 2006; mobile-cellular services are expanding but cellular network coverage is limited and is based around the main urban areas; mobile cellular subscribership approaching 15 per 100 persons international: country code - 265; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean, 1 Atlantic Ocean) (2008) Malaysia general assessment: modern system; international service excellent domestic: good intercity service provided on Peninsular Malaysia mainly by microwave radio relay; adequate intercity microwave radio relay network between Sabah and Sarawak via Brunei; domestic satellite system with 2 earth stations; combined fixed-line and mobile cellular teledensity 125 per 100 persons international: country code - 60; landing point for several major international submarine cable networks that provide connectivity to Asia, Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean, 1 Pacific Ocean) (2008) Maldives general assessment: telephone services have improved; each island now has at least 1 public telephone, and there are mobile cellular networks with a rapidly expanding subscribership that exceeds 100 per 100 persons domestic: interatoll communication through microwave links; all inhabited islands and resorts are connected with telephone and fax service international: country code - 960; linked to international submarine cable Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG); satellite earth station - 3 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2009) Mali general assessment: domestic system unreliable but improving; provides only minimal service domestic: fixed-line subscribership remains less than 1 per 100 persons; increasing use of local radio loops to extend network coverage to remote areas; mobile-cellular subscribership has increased sharply to about 25 per 100 persons international: country code - 223; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean, 1 Indian Ocean) (2008) Malta general assessment: automatic system is adequate; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership exceeds 150 per 100 persons domestic: submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands international: country code - 356; submarine cable connects to Italy; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008) Marshall Islands general assessment: digital switching equipment; modern services include telex, cellular, Internet, international calling, caller ID, and leased data circuits domestic: Majuro Atoll and Ebeye and Kwajalein islands have regular, seven-digit, direct-dial telephones; other islands interconnected by high frequency radiotelephone (used mostly for government purposes) and mini-satellite telephones international: country code - 692; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); US Government satellite communications system on Kwajalein (2005) Mauritania general assessment: limited system of cable and open-wire lines, minor microwave radio relay links, and radiotelephone communications stations; mobile-cellular services expanding rapidly domestic: Mauritel, the national telecommunications company, was privatized in 2001 but remains the monopoly provider of fixed-line services; fixed-line teledensity 2 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular network coverage extends mainly to urban areas with a teledensity of 60 per 100 persons; mostly cable and open-wire lines; a domestic satellite telecommunications system links Nouakchott with regional capitals international: country code - 222; satellite earth stations - 3 (1 Intelsat - Atlantic Ocean, 2 Arabsat) (2008) Mauritius general assessment: small system with good service domestic: monopoly over fixed-line services terminated in 2005; fixed-line teledensity roughly 30 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular services launched in 1989 with teledensity in 2008 reaching 80 per 100 persons international: country code - 230; landing point for the SAFE submarine cable that provides links to Asia and South Africa where it connects to the SAT-3/WASC submarine cable that provides further links to parts of East Africa, and Europe; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean); new microwave link to Reunion; HF radiotelephone links to several countries (2008) Mayotte general assessment: small system administered by French Department of Posts and Telecommunications domestic: NA international: country code - 262; microwave radio relay and HF radiotelephone communications to Comoros Mexico general assessment: adequate telephone service for business and government, but the population is poorly served; mobile subscribers far outnumber fixed-line subscribers; domestic satellite system with 120 earth stations; extensive microwave radio relay network; considerable use of fiber-optic cable and coaxial cable domestic: low telephone density with about 19 fixed lines per 100 persons; privatized in December 1990; despite the opening to competition in January 1997, Telmex remains dominant; legal challenges to Telmex's alleged anti-competitive behavior in the mobile and fixed-line markets culminated in a World Trade Organization ruling in 2004 against Mexico prompting some strengthening of the powers granted Mexico's telecom regulator; mobile cellular teledensity approaching 70 per 100 persons international: country code - 52; Columbus-2 fiber-optic submarine cable with access to the US, Virgin Islands, Canary Islands, Spain, and Italy; the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) and the MAYA-1 submarine cable system together provide access to Central America, parts of South America and the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth stations - 120 (32 Intelsat, 2 Solidaridad (giving Mexico improved access to South America, Central America, and much of the US as well as enhancing domestic communications), 1 Panamsat, numerous Inmarsat mobile earth stations); linked to Central American Microwave System of trunk connections (2008) Micronesia, Federated States of general assessment: adequate system domestic: islands interconnected by shortwave radiotelephone (used mostly for government purposes), satellite (Intelsat) ground stations, and some coaxial and fiber-optic cable; cellular service available on Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap international: country code - 691; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2002) Moldova general assessment: inadequate, outmoded, poor service outside Chisinau; some modernization is under way domestic: depending on location, new subscribers may face long wait for service; multiple private operators of GSM mobile-cellular telephone service are operating; GPRS system is being introduced; a CDMA mobile telephone network began operations in 2007; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity 85 per 100 persons international: country code - 373; service through Romania and Russia via landline; satellite earth stations - at least 3 (Intelsat, Eutelsat, and Intersputnik) (2008) Monaco general assessment: modern automatic telephone system; the country's sole fixed line operator offers a full range of services to residential and business customers domestic: combined fixed line and mobile telephone density exceeds 100% international: country code - 377; no satellite earth stations; connected by cable into the French communications system Mongolia general assessment: network is improving with international direct dialing available in many areas domestic: very low fixed-line density; there are multiple mobile cellular service providers and subscribership is increasing rapidly; a fiber-optic network has been installed that is improving broadband and communication services between major urban centers with multiple companies providing inter-city fiber-optic cable services international: country code - 976; satellite earth stations - 7 Montenegro general assessment: modern telecommunications system with access to European satellites domestic: GSM wireless service, available through 3 providers with national coverage, is growing international: country code - 382; 2 international switches connect the national system Montserrat general assessment: modern and fully digitalized domestic: fixed-line and mobile-cellular telephone systems available international: country code - 1-664; landing point for the East Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS) optic submarine cable with links to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad Morocco general assessment: modern system with all important capabilities; however, density is low with only 9 fixed lines available for each 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership reached 65 per 100 persons in 2008 domestic: good system composed of open-wire lines, cables, and microwave radio relay links; Internet available but expensive; principal switching centers are Casablanca and Rabat; national network nearly 100% digital using fiber-optic links; improved rural service employs microwave radio relay international: country code - 212; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 optical telecommunications submarine cable that provides connectivity to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; microwave radio relay to Gibraltar, Spain, and Western Sahara; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Algeria; participant in Medarabtel; fiber-optic cable link from Agadir to Algeria and Tunisia (2008) Mozambique general assessment: fair system with an extremely low density of less than 1 fixed line per 100 persons domestic: the telecommunications sector is shackled with a heavy state presence, lack of competition, and high operating costs and charges; stagnation in the fixed-line network contrasts with rapid growth in the mobile-cellular network; mobile-cellular coverage now includes all the main cities and key roads, including those from Maputo to the South African and Swaziland borders, the national highway through Gaza and Inhambane provinces, the Beira corridor, and from Nampula to Nacala international: country code - 258; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 3 Indian Ocean) Namibia general assessment: good system with a combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity of about 55 per 100 persons domestic: core fiber-optic network links most centers and connections are now digital; Namibia's first mobile-cellular network, launched in 1994, provides coverage to 86 percent of Namibia by area international: country code - 264; fiber-optic cable to South Africa, microwave radio relay link to Botswana, direct links to other neighboring countries; connected to the South African Far East (SAFE) submarine cable through South Africa; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2008) Nauru general assessment: adequate local and international radiotelephone communication provided via Australian facilities domestic: NA international: country code - 674; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) Nepal general assessment: poor telephone and telegraph service; fair radiotelephone communication service and mobile-cellular telephone network domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular telephone service subscribership base only about 15 per 100 persons international: country code - 977; radiotelephone communications; microwave landline to India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2008) Netherlands general assessment: highly developed and well maintained domestic: extensive fixed-line fiber-optic network; large cellular telephone system with 5 major operators utilizing the third generation of the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) technology; one in five households now use Voice over the Internet Protocol (VoIP) services international: country code - 31; submarine cables provide links to the US and Europe; satellite earth stations - 5 (3 Intelsat - 1 Indian Ocean and 2 Atlantic Ocean, 1 Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat (2007) Netherlands Antilles general assessment: generally adequate facilities domestic: extensive interisland microwave radio relay links international: country code - 599; the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) and the Americas-2 submarine cable systems provide connectivity to Central America, parts of South America and the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) New Caledonia general assessment: a submarine cable network connection between New Caledonia and Australia, completed in 2007, is expected to significantly increase network capacity and improve high-speed connectivity and access to international networks domestic: combined fixed and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership exceeds 100 per 100 persons international: country code - 687; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2008) New Zealand general assessment: excellent domestic and international systems domestic: combined fixed and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership exceeds 150 per 100 persons international: country code - 64; the Southern Cross submarine cable system provides links to Australia, Fiji, and the US; satellite earth stations - 8 (1 Inmarsat - Pacific Ocean, 7 other) Nicaragua general assessment: system being upgraded by foreign investment; nearly all installed telecommunications capacity now uses digital technology, owing to investments since privatization of the formerly state-owned telecommunications company domestic: since privatization, access to fixed-line and mobile-cellular services has improved but teledensity still lags behind other Central American countries; fixed-line teledensity roughly 5 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone subscribership increasing and now exceeds 50 per 100 persons; connected to Central American Microwave System international: country code - 505; the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) fiber optic submarine cable provides connectivity to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth stations - 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region) and 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008) Niger general assessment: inadequate; small system of wire, radio telephone communications, and microwave radio relay links concentrated in the southwestern area of Niger domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity only 13 per 100 persons with cellular subscribership increasing rapidly from a small base; domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations and 1 planned international: country code - 227; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) (2008) Nigeria general assessment: further expansion and modernization of the fixed-line telephone network is needed domestic: the addition of a second fixed-line provider in 2002 resulted in faster growth but subscribership remains only about 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular services growing rapidly, in part responding to the shortcomings of the fixed-line network; multiple cellular service providers operate nationally with subscribership reaching 45 per 100 persons in 2008 international: country code - 234; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and Asia; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) (2008) Niue domestic: single-line telephone system connects all villages on island international: country code - 683 (2001) Norfolk Island general assessment: adequate domestic: free local calls international: country code - 672; undersea coaxial cable links with Australia and New Zealand; satellite earth station - 1 Northern Mariana Islands general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: country code - 1-670; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) Norway general assessment: modern in all respects; one of the most advanced telecommunications networks in Europe domestic: Norway has a domestic satellite system; moreover, the prevalence of rural areas encourages the wide use of cellular-mobile systems instead of fixed-wire systems international: country code - 47; 2 buried coaxial cable systems; submarine cables provide links to other Nordic countries and Europe; satellite earth stations - NA Eutelsat, NA Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), and 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Norway shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Sweden) (1999) Oman general assessment: modern system consisting of open-wire, microwave, and radiotelephone communication stations; limited coaxial cable domestic: fixed-line phone service gradually being introduced to remote villages using wireless local loop systems; fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership both increasing; open-wire, microwave, radiotelephone communications, and a domestic satellite system with 8 earth stations international: country code - 968; the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) and the SEA-ME-WE-3 submarine cable provide connectivity to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean), 1 Arabsat (2007) Pakistan general assessment: the telecommunications infrastructure is improving dramatically with foreign and domestic investments in fixed-line and mobile networks; mobile-cellular subscribership has skyrocketed, reaching some 91 million in 2009, up from only about 300,000 in 2000; fiber systems are being constructed throughout the country to aid in network growth; main line availability has risen only marginally over the same period and there are still difficulties getting main line service to rural areas domestic: microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, fiber-optic cable, cellular, and satellite networks international: country code - 92; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 and SEA-ME-WE-4 submarine cable systems that provide links to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean); 3 operational international gateway exchanges (1 at Karachi and 2 at Islamabad); microwave radio relay to neighboring countries (2009) Palau general assessment: NA domestic: fixed-line and mobile-cellular services available with a combined subscribership of more than 90 per 100 persons international: country code - 680; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2008) Panama general assessment: domestic and international facilities well developed domestic: mobile-cellular telephone subscribership has increased rapidly with combined fixed and mobile-cellular teledensity reaching 130 per 100 persons in 2008 international: country code - 507; landing point for the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1), the MAYA-1, and PAN-AM submarine cable systems that together provide links to the US and parts of the Caribbean, Central America, and South America; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to the Central American Microwave System (2008) Papua New Guinea general assessment: services are minimal; facilities provide radiotelephone and telegraph, coastal radio, aeronautical radio, and international radio communication services domestic: access to telephone services is not widely available; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is 11 per 100 persons international: country code - 675; submarine cables to Australia and Guam; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); international radio communication service (2008) Paraguay general assessment: meager telephone service; principal switching center is in Asuncion domestic: the fixed-line market is a state monopoly; deficiencies in provision of fixed-line service have resulted in a rapid expansion of mobile-cellular services fostered by competition among multiple providers international: country code - 595; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008) Peru general assessment: adequate for most requirements domestic: fixed-line teledensity is only about 10 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity, spurred by competition among multiple providers, has increased to more than 70 telephones per 100 persons; nationwide microwave radio relay system and a domestic satellite system with 12 earth stations international: country code - 51; the South America-1 (SAM-1) and Pan American (PAN-AM) submarine cable systems provide links to parts of Central and South America, the Caribbean, and US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008) Philippines general assessment: good international radiotelephone and submarine cable services; domestic and interisland service adequate domestic: domestic satellite system with 11 earth stations; cellular communications now dominate the industry; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular telephone density about 80 telephones per 100 persons international: country code - 63; a series of submarine cables together provide connectivity to Asia, US, the Middle East, and Europe; multiple international gateways (2008) Pitcairn Islands general assessment: satellite phone services domestic: domestic communication via radio (CB) international: country code - 872; satellite earth station - 1 (Inmarsat) Poland general assessment: modernization of the telecommunications network has accelerated with market based competition finalized in 2003; fixed-line service, dominated by the former state-owned company, is dwarfed by the growth in wireless telephony domestic: mobile-cellular service available since 1993 and provided by three nation-wide networks with a fourth provider beginning operations in late 2006; cellular coverage is generally good with some gaps in the east; fixed-line service is growing slowly and still lags in rural areas international: country code - 48; international direct dialing with automated exchanges; satellite earth station - 1 with access to Intelsat, Eutelsat, Inmarsat, and Intersputnik (2007) Portugal general assessment: Portugal's telephone system has a state-of-the-art network with broadband, high-speed capabilities domestic: integrated network of coaxial cables, open-wire, microwave radio relay, and domestic satellite earth stations international: country code - 351; a combination of submarine cables provide connectivity to Europe, North and East Africa, South Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and the US; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), NA Eutelsat; tropospheric scatter to Azores (2008) Puerto Rico general assessment: modern system integrated with that of the US by high-capacity submarine cable and Intelsat with high-speed data capability domestic: digital telephone system; cellular telephone service international: country code - 1-787, 939; submarine cables provide connectivity to the US, Caribbean, Central and South America; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat Qatar general assessment: modern system centered in Doha domestic: combined fixed and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership exceeds 200 telephones per 100 persons international: country code - 974; landing point for the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) submarine cable network that provides links to Asia, Middle East, Europe, and the US; tropospheric scatter to Bahrain; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia and the UAE; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat (2008) Romania general assessment: the telecommunications sector is being expanded and modernized; domestic and international service improving rapidly, especially mobile-cellular services domestic: more than 90 percent of telephone network is automatic; fixed-line teledensity exceeds 20 telephones per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity, expanding rapidly, roughly 110 telephones per 100 persons international: country code - 40; the Black Sea Fiber Optic System provides connectivity to Bulgaria and Turkey; satellite earth stations - 10; digital, international, direct-dial exchanges operate in Bucharest (2008) Russia general assessment: the telephone system is experiencing significant changes; there are more than 1,000 companies licensed to offer communication services; access to digital lines has improved, particularly in urban centers; Internet and e-mail services are improving; Russia has made progress toward building the telecommunications infrastructure necessary for a market economy; the estimated number of mobile subscribers jumped from fewer than 1 million in 1998 to nearly 188 million in 2008; a large demand for main line service remains unsatisfied domestic: cross-country digital trunk lines run from Saint Petersburg to Khabarovsk, and from Moscow to Novorossiysk; the telephone systems in 60 regional capitals have modern digital infrastructures; cellular services, both analog and digital, are available in many areas; in rural areas, the telephone services are still outdated, inadequate, and low density international: country code - 7; Russia is connected internationally by undersea fiber optic cables; digital switches in several cities provide more than 50,000 lines for international calls; satellite earth stations provide access to Intelsat, Intersputnik, Eutelsat, Inmarsat, and Orbita systems (2008) Rwanda general assessment: small, inadequate telephone system primarily serves business and government domestic: the capital, Kigali, is connected to the centers of the provinces by microwave radio relay and, recently, by cellular telephone service; much of the network depends on wire and HF radiotelephone; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular telephone density is only about 13 telephones per 100 persons international: country code - 250; international connections employ microwave radio relay to neighboring countries and satellite communications to more distant countries; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) in Kigali (includes telex and telefax service) Saint Barthelemy general assessment: fully integrated access domestic: direct dial capability with both fixed and wireless systems international: country code - 590; undersea fiber-optic cable provides voice and data connectivity to Puerto Rico and Guadeloupe Saint Helena general assessment: can communicate worldwide domestic: automatic digital network international: country code (Saint Helena) - 290, (Ascension Island) - 247; international direct dialing; satellite voice and data communications; satellite earth stations - 5 (Ascension Island - 4, Saint Helena - 1) Saint Kitts and Nevis general assessment: good interisland and international connections domestic: interisland links via Eastern Caribbean Fiber Optic cable; construction of enhanced wireless infrastructure launched in November 2004 international: country code - 1-869; connected internationally by the East Caribbean Fiber Optic System (ECFS) and Southern Caribbean fiber optic system (SCF) submarine cables Saint Lucia general assessment: adequate system domestic: system is automatically switched international: country code - 1-758; the East Caribbean Fiber Optic System (ECFS) and Southern Caribbean fiber optic system (SCF) submarine cables, along with Intelsat from Martinique, carry calls internationally; direct microwave radio relay link with Martinique and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; tropospheric scatter to Barbados Saint Martin general assessment: fully integrated access domestic: direct dial capability with both fixed and wireless systems international: country code - 590; undersea fiber-optic cable provides voice and data connectivity to Puerto Rico and Guadeloupe Saint Pierre and Miquelon general assessment: adequate domestic: NA international: country code - 508; radiotelephone communication with most countries in the world; satellite earth station - 1 in French domestic satellite system Saint Vincent and the Grenadines general assessment: adequate system domestic: islandwide, fully automatic telephone system; VHF/UHF radiotelephone from Saint Vincent to the other islands of the Grenadines; mobile-cellular teledensity exceeds 100 telephones per 100 persons international: country code - 1-784; the East Caribbean Fiber Optic System (ECFS) and Southern Caribbean fiber optic system (SCF) submarine cables carry international calls; connectivity also provided by VHF/UHF radiotelephone from Saint Vincent to Barbados; SHF radiotelephone to Grenada and Saint Lucia; access to Intelsat earth station in Martinique through Saint Lucia Samoa general assessment: adequate domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 70 telephones per 100 persons; coverage extended to roughly 95 percent of the country international: country code - 685; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) San Marino general assessment: adequate connections domestic: automatic telephone system completely integrated into Italian system; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity 130 telephones per 100 persons international: country code - 378; connected to Italian international network (2008) Sao Tome and Principe general assessment: local telephone network of adequate quality with most lines connected to digital switches domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity approaching 30 telephones per 100 persons international: country code - 239; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008) Saudi Arabia general assessment: modern system domestic: extensive microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, and fiber-optic cable systems; mobile-cellular subscribership has been increasing rapidly international: country code - 966; landing point for the international submarine cable Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) and for both the SEA-ME-WE-3 and SEA-ME-WE-4 submarine cable networks providing connectivity to Asia, Middle East, Europe, and US; microwave radio relay to Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Yemen, and Sudan; coaxial cable to Kuwait and Jordan; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (3 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean), 1 Arabsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean region) (2008) Senegal general assessment: good system domestic: above-average urban system with a fiber-optic network; nearly two-thirds of all fixed-line connections are in Dakar where a call-center industry is emerging; expansion of fixed-line services in rural areas needed; mobile-cellular service is expanding rapidly; microwave radio relay, coaxial cable and fiber-optic cable in trunk system international: country code - 221; the SAT-3/WASC fiber optic cable provides connectivity to Europe and Asia while Atlantis-2 provides connectivity to South America; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2007) Serbia general assessment: modernization of the telecommunications network has been slow as a result of damage stemming from the 1999 war and transition to a competitive market-based system; network was 90% digitalized in 2006 domestic: teledensity remains below the average for neighboring states; GSM wireless service, available through multiple providers with national coverage, is growing very rapidly; best telecommunications service centered in urban centers international: country code - 381 Seychelles general assessment: effective system domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is 130 telephones per 100 persons; radiotelephone communications between islands in the archipelago international: country code - 248; direct radiotelephone communications with adjacent island countries and African coastal countries; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) Sierra Leone general assessment: marginal telephone service domestic: the national microwave radio relay trunk system connects Freetown to Bo and Kenema; mobile-cellular service is growing rapidly from a small base international: country code - 232; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008) Singapore general assessment: excellent service domestic: excellent domestic facilities; launched 3G wireless service in February 2005; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is nearly 175 telephones per 100 persons international: country code - 65; numerous submarine cables provide links throughout Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, and US; satellite earth stations -4; supplemented by VSAT coverage (2008) Slovakia general assessment: Slovakia has a modern telecommunications system that has expanded dramatically in recent years with the growth in cellular services domestic: analog system is now receiving digital equipment and is being enlarged with fiber-optic cable, especially in the larger cities; 3 companies provide nationwide cellular services international: country code - 421; 3 international exchanges (1 in Bratislava and 2 in Banska Bystrica) are available; Slovakia is participating in several international telecommunications projects that will increase the availability of external services Slovenia general assessment: well-developed telecommunications infrastructure domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 150 telephones per 100 persons international: country code - 386 Solomon Islands general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: country code - 677; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) Somalia general assessment: the public telecommunications system was almost completely destroyed or dismantled during the civil war; private companies offer limited local fixed-line service and private wireless companies offer service in most major cities while charging the lowest international rates on the continent domestic: local cellular telephone systems have been established in Mogadishu and in several other population centers international: country code - 252; international connections are available from Mogadishu by satellite (2001) South Africa general assessment: the system is the best developed and most modern in Africa domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity exceeds 110 telephones per 100 persons; consists of carrier-equipped open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay links, fiber-optic cable, radiotelephone communication stations, and wireless local loops; key centers are Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, and Pretoria international: country code - 27; the SAT-3/WASC and SAFE fiber optic cable systems connect South Africa to Europe and Asia; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Atlantic Ocean) South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: coastal radiotelephone station at Grytviken Spain general assessment: well developed, modern facilities; fixed-line teledensity is roughly 50 per 100 persons domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is nearly 175 telephones per 100 persons international: country code - 34; submarine cables provide connectivity to Europe, Middle East, Asia, and US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), NA Eutelsat; tropospheric scatter to adjacent countries Sri Lanka general assessment: telephone services have improved significantly and are available in most parts of the country domestic: national trunk network consists mostly of digital microwave radio relay; fiber-optic links now in use in Colombo area and fixed wireless local loops have been installed; competition is strong in mobile cellular systems and mobile cellular subscribership is increasing international: country code - 94; the SEA-ME-WE-3 and SEA-ME-WE-4 submarine cables provide connectivity to Asia, Australia, Middle East, Europe, US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) Sudan general assessment: well-equipped system by regional standards and being upgraded; cellular communications started in 1996 and have expanded substantially with wide coverage of most major cities domestic: consists of microwave radio relay, cable, fiber optic, radiotelephone communications, tropospheric scatter, and a domestic satellite system with 14 earth stations international: country code - 249; linked to international submarine cable Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG); satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Arabsat (2000) Suriname general assessment: international facilities are good domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity exceed 100 telephones per 100 persons; microwave radio relay network international: country code - 597; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Svalbard general assessment: probably adequate domestic: local telephone service international: country code - 47-790; satellite earth station - 1 of unknown type (for communication with Norwegian mainland only) Swaziland general assessment: a somewhat modern but not an advanced system domestic: mobile-cellular subscribership is increasing; combined fixed-line and mobile cellular teledensity approaching 45 telephones per 100 persons; telephone system consists of carrier-equipped, open-wire lines and low-capacity, microwave radio relay international: country code - 268; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2007) Sweden general assessment: highly developed telecommunications infrastructure; ranked among leading countries for fixed-line, mobile-cellular, Internet and broadband penetration domestic: coaxial and multiconductor cables carry most of the voice traffic; parallel microwave radio relay systems carry some additional telephone channels international: country code - 46; submarine cables provide links to other Nordic countries and Europe; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Sweden shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Norway) Switzerland general assessment: highly developed telecommunications infrastructure with excellent domestic and international services domestic: ranked among leading countries for fixed-line teledensity and infrastructure; mobile-cellular subscribership roughly 115 per 100 persons; extensive cable and microwave radio relay networks international: country code - 41; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean) Syria general assessment: fair system currently undergoing significant improvement and digital upgrades, including fiber-optic technology domestic: the number of fixed-line connections has increased markedly since 2000; mobile-cellular service growing with telephone subscribership reaching 40 per 100 persons in 2008; international: country code - 963; submarine cable connection to Egypt, Lebanon, and Cyprus; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region); coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey; participant in Medarabtel Taiwan general assessment: provides telecommunications service for every business and private need domestic: thoroughly modern; completely digitalized international: country code - 886; numerous submarine cables provide links throughout Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 Tajikistan general assessment: foreign investment in the telephone system has resulted in major improvements domestic: the domestic telecommunications network has historically been under funded and poorly maintained; main line availability has not changed significantly since 1998; mobile cellular use, aided by competition among multiple operators, has expanded rapidly; coverage now extends to all major cities and towns international: country code - 992; linked by cable and microwave radio relay to other CIS republics and by leased connections to the Moscow international gateway switch; Dushanbe linked by Intelsat to international gateway switch in Ankara (Turkey); satellite earth stations - 3 (2 Intelsat and 1 Orbita) (2008) Tanzania general assessment: telecommunications services are inadequate; system operating below capacity and being modernized for better service; small aperture terminal (VSAT) system under construction domestic: fixed-line telephone network inadequate with less than 1 connection per 100 persons; mobile-cellular service, aided by multiple providers, is increasing rapidly; trunk service provided by open-wire, microwave radio relay, tropospheric scatter, and fiber-optic cable; some links being made digital international: country code - 255; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean, 1 Atlantic Ocean) Thailand general assessment: high quality system, especially in urban areas like Bangkok domestic: fixed line system provided by both a government owned and commercial provider; wireless service expanding rapidly and outpacing fixed lines international: country code - 66; connected to major submarine cable systems providing links throughout Asia, Australia, Middle East, Europe, and US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean, 1 Pacific Ocean) Timor-Leste general assessment: rudimentary service limited to urban areas domestic: system suffered significant damage during the violence associated with independence; extremely limited fixed-line services; mobile-cellular services and coverage limited primarily to urban areas international: country code - 670; international service is available in major urban centers Togo general assessment: fair system based on a network of microwave radio relay routes supplemented by open-wire lines and a mobile-cellular system domestic: microwave radio relay and open-wire lines for conventional system; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 30 telephones per 100 persons international: country code - 228; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Symphonie Tokelau general assessment: modern satellite-based communications system domestic: radiotelephone service between islands international: country code - 690; radiotelephone service to Samoa; government-regulated telephone service (TeleTok); satellite earth stations - 3 Tonga general assessment: competition between Tonga Telecommunications Corporation (TCC) and Shoreline Communications Tonga (SCT) is accelerating expansion of telecommunications; SCT granted approval to introduce high-speed digital service for telephone, Internet, and television while TCC has exclusive rights to operate the mobile-phone network; international telecom services are provided by government-owned Tonga Telecommunications International (TTI) domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity exceeds 60 telephones per 100 persons; fully automatic switched network international: country code - 676; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2007) Trinidad and Tobago general assessment: excellent international service; good local service domestic: mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 175 telephones per 100 persons international: country code - 1-868; submarine cable systems provide connectivity to US and parts of the Caribbean and South America; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Barbados and Guyana Tunisia general assessment: above the African average and continuing to be upgraded; key centers are Sfax, Sousse, Bizerte, and Tunis; Internet access available domestic: in an effort jumpstart expansion of the fixed-line network, the government has awarded a concession to build and operate a VSAT network with international connectivity; competition between the two mobile-cellular service providers has resulted in lower activation and usage charges and a strong surge in subscribership; expansion of mobile-cellular services to include multimedia messaging and e-mail and Internet to mobile phone services also leading to a surge in subscribership; overall fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is about 95 telephones per 100 persons international: country code - 216; a landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-4 submarine cable system that provides links to Europe, Middle East, and Asia; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Algeria and Libya; participant in Medarabtel; 2 international gateway digital switches Turkey general assessment: comprehensive telecommunications network undergoing rapid modernization and expansion especially in mobile-cellular services domestic: additional digital exchanges are permitting a rapid increase in subscribers; the construction of a network of technologically advanced intercity trunk lines, using both fiber-optic cable and digital microwave radio relay, is facilitating communication between urban centers; remote areas are reached by a domestic satellite system; the number of subscribers to mobile-cellular telephone service is growing rapidly international: country code - 90; international service is provided by the SEA-ME-WE-3 submarine cable and by submarine fiber-optic cables in the Mediterranean and Black Seas that link Turkey with Italy, Greece, Israel, Bulgaria, Romania, and Russia; satellite earth stations - 12 Intelsat; mobile satellite terminals - 328 in the Inmarsat and Eutelsat systems (2002) Turkmenistan general assessment: telecommunications network remains underdeveloped and progress toward improvement is slow; strict government control and censorship inhibits liberalization and modernization domestic: Turkmentelekom, in cooperation with foreign partners, has installed high speed fiber-optic lines and has upgraded most of the country's telephone exchanges and switching centers with new digital technology; mobile telephone usage is expanding with Russia's Mobile Telesystems (MTS) the primary service provider international: country code - 993; linked by fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay to other CIS republics and to other countries by leased connections to the Moscow international gateway switch; an exchange in Ashgabat switches international traffic through Turkey via Intelsat; satellite earth stations - 1 Orbita and 1 Intelsat (2008) Turks and Caicos Islands general assessment: fully digital system with international direct dialing domestic: full range of services available; GSM wireless service available international: country code - 1-649; the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) fiber optic telecommunications submarine cable provides connectivity to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Tuvalu general assessment: serves particular needs for internal communications domestic: radiotelephone communications between islands international: country code - 688; international calls can be made by satellite Uganda general assessment: seriously inadequate; mobile cellular service is increasing rapidly, but the number of main lines is still deficient; e-mail and Internet services are available domestic: intercity traffic by wire, microwave radio relay, and radiotelephone communication stations, fixed and mobile-cellular systems for short-range traffic international: country code - 256; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Inmarsat; analog links to Kenya and Tanzania Ukraine general assessment: Ukraine's telecommunication development plan emphasizes improving domestic trunk lines, international connections, and the mobile-cellular system domestic: at independence in December 1991, Ukraine inherited a telephone system that was antiquated, inefficient, and in disrepair; more than 3.5 million applications for telephones could not be satisfied; telephone density is rising and the domestic trunk system is being improved; about one-third of Ukraine's networks are digital and a majority of regional centers now have digital switching stations; improvements in local networks and local exchanges continue to lag; the mobile-cellular telephone system's expansion has slowed, largely due to saturation of the market which had reached 120 mobile phones per 100 people by 2008 international: country code - 380; 2 new domestic trunk lines are a part of the fiber-optic Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) system and 3 Ukrainian links have been installed in the fiber-optic Trans-European Lines (TEL) project that connects 18 countries; additional international service is provided by the Italy-Turkey-Ukraine-Russia (ITUR) fiber-optic submarine cable and by an unknown number of earth stations in the Intelsat, Inmarsat, and Intersputnik satellite systems United Arab Emirates general assessment: modern fiber-optic integrated services; digital network with rapidly growing use of mobile-cellular telephones; key centers are Abu Dhabi and Dubai domestic: microwave radio relay, fiber optic and coaxial cable international: country code - 971; linked to the international submarine cable FLAG (Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe); landing point for both the SEA-ME-WE-3 and SEA-ME-WE-4 submarine cable networks; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; tropospheric scatter to Bahrain; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia United Kingdom general assessment: technologically advanced domestic and international system domestic: equal mix of buried cables, microwave radio relay, and fiber-optic systems international: country code - 44; numerous submarine cables provide links throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and US; satellite earth stations - 10 Intelsat (7 Atlantic Ocean and 3 Indian Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region), and 1 Eutelsat; at least 8 large international switching centers United States general assessment: a large, technologically advanced, multipurpose communications system domestic: a large system of fiber-optic cable, microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, and domestic satellites carries every form of telephone traffic; a rapidly growing cellular system carries mobile telephone traffic throughout the country international: country code - 1; multiple ocean cable systems provide international connectivity; satellite earth stations - 61 Intelsat (45 Atlantic Ocean and 16 Pacific Ocean), 5 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region), and 4 Inmarsat (Pacific and Atlantic Ocean regions) (2000) Uruguay general assessment: fully digitalized domestic: most modern facilities concentrated in Montevideo; new nationwide microwave radio relay network; overall fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is 130 telephones per 100 persons international: country code - 598; the UNISOR submarine cable system provides direct connectivity to Brazil and Argentina; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2002) Uzbekistan general assessment: antiquated and inadequate; in serious need of modernization domestic: the main line telecommunications system is dilapidated and telephone density is low; the state-owned telecommunications company, Uzbektelecom, is using loans from the Japanese government and the China Development Bank to improve mainline services; completion of conversion to digital exchanges planned for 2010; mobile services are growing rapidly, with the subscriber base reaching 12.7 million in 2008 international: country code - 998; linked by fiber-optic cable or microwave radio relay with CIS member states and to other countries by leased connection via the Moscow international gateway switch; after the completion of the Uzbek link to the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic cable, Uzbekistan plans to establish a fiber-optic connection to Afghanistan (2008) Vanuatu general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: country code - 678; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) Venezuela general assessment: modern and expanding domestic: domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations; recent substantial improvement in telephone service in rural areas; substantial increase in digitalization of exchanges and trunk lines; installation of a national interurban fiber-optic network capable of digital multimedia services; combined fixed and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership 125 per 100 persons international: country code - 58; submarine cable systems provide connectivity to the Caribbean, Central and South America, and US; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 PanAmSat; participating with Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia in the construction of an international fiber-optic network (2007) Vietnam general assessment: Vietnam is putting considerable effort into modernization and expansion of its telecommunication system domestic: all provincial exchanges are digitalized and connected to Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City by fiber-optic cable or microwave radio relay networks; main lines have been substantially increased, and the use of mobile telephones is growing rapidly international: country code - 84; a landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3, the C2C, and Thailand-Vietnam-Hong Kong submarine cable systems; the Asia-America Gateway submarine cable system, scheduled for completion by the end of 2008, will provide new access links to Asia and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region) Virgin Islands general assessment: modern system with total digital switching, uses fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay domestic: full range of services available international: country code - 1-340; submarine cable connections to US, the Caribbean, Central and South America; satellite earth stations - NA Wake Island general assessment: satellite communications; 2 DSN circuits off the Overseas Telephone System (OTS) domestic: NA international: NA Wallis and Futuna general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: country code - 681 West Bank general assessment: NA domestic: Israeli company BEZEK and the Palestinian company PALTEL are responsible for fixed line services; the Palestinian JAWAL company provides cellular services international: country code - 970 (2004) Western Sahara general assessment: sparse and limited system domestic: NA international: country code - 212; tied into Morocco's system by microwave radio relay, tropospheric scatter, and satellite; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) linked to Rabat, Morocco World general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: NA Yemen general assessment: since unification in 1990, efforts have been made to create a national telecommunications network domestic: the national network consists of microwave radio relay, cable, tropospheric scatter, GSM and CDMA mobile-cellular telephone systems; fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity remains low by regional standards international: country code - 967; landing point for the international submarine cable Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG); satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region), and 2 Arabsat; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia and Djibouti Zambia general assessment: facilities are aging but still among the best in Sub-Saharan Africa domestic: high-capacity microwave radio relay connects most larger towns and cities; several cellular telephone services in operation and network coverage is improving; Internet service is widely available; very small aperture terminal (VSAT) networks are operated by private firms international: country code - 260; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean) Zimbabwe general assessment: system was once one of the best in Africa, but now suffers from poor maintenance; more than 100,000 outstanding requests for connection despite an equally large number of installed but unused main lines domestic: consists of microwave radio relay links, open-wire lines, radiotelephone communication stations, fixed wireless local loop installations, and a substantial mobile-cellular network; Internet connection is available in Harare and planned for all major towns and for some of the smaller ones international: country code - 263; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat; 2 international digital gateway exchanges (in Harare and Gweru) ====================================================================== @2125 Field Listing :: Terrain This entry contains a brief description of the topography. Country Terrain Afghanistan mostly rugged mountains; plains in north and southwest Albania mostly mountains and hills; small plains along coast Algeria mostly high plateau and desert; some mountains; narrow, discontinuous coastal plain American Samoa five volcanic islands with rugged peaks and limited coastal plains, two coral atolls (Rose Island, Swains Island) Andorra rugged mountains dissected by narrow valleys Angola narrow coastal plain rises abruptly to vast interior plateau Anguilla flat and low-lying island of coral and limestone Antarctica about 98% thick continental ice sheet and 2% barren rock, with average elevations between 2,000 and 4,000 meters; mountain ranges up to nearly 5,000 meters; ice-free coastal areas include parts of southern Victoria Land, Wilkes Land, the Antarctic Peninsula area, and parts of Ross Island on McMurdo Sound; glaciers form ice shelves along about half of the coastline, and floating ice shelves constitute 11% of the area of the continent Antigua and Barbuda mostly low-lying limestone and coral islands, with some higher volcanic areas Arctic Ocean central surface covered by a perennial drifting polar icepack that, on average, is about 3 meters thick, although pressure ridges may be three times that thickness; clockwise drift pattern in the Beaufort Gyral Stream, but nearly straight-line movement from the New Siberian Islands (Russia) to Denmark Strait (between Greenland and Iceland); the icepack is surrounded by open seas during the summer, but more than doubles in size during the winter and extends to the encircling landmasses; the ocean floor is about 50% continental shelf (highest percentage of any ocean) with the remainder a central basin interrupted by three submarine ridges (Alpha Cordillera, Nansen Cordillera, and Lomonosov Ridge) Argentina rich plains of the Pampas in northern half, flat to rolling plateau of Patagonia in south, rugged Andes along western border Armenia Armenian Highland with mountains; little forest land; fast flowing rivers; good soil in Aras River valley Aruba flat with a few hills; scant vegetation Ashmore and Cartier Islands low with sand and coral Atlantic Ocean surface usually covered with sea ice in Labrador Sea, Denmark Strait, and coastal portions of the Baltic Sea from October to June; clockwise warm-water gyre (broad, circular system of currents) in the northern Atlantic, counterclockwise warm-water gyre in the southern Atlantic; the ocean floor is dominated by the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a rugged north-south centerline for the entire Atlantic basin Australia mostly low plateau with deserts; fertile plain in southeast Austria in the west and south mostly mountains (Alps); along the eastern and northern margins mostly flat or gently sloping Azerbaijan large, flat Kur-Araz Ovaligi (Kura-Araks Lowland) (much of it below sea level) with Great Caucasus Mountains to the north, Qarabag Yaylasi (Karabakh Upland) in west; Baku lies on Abseron Yasaqligi (Apsheron Peninsula) that juts into Caspian Sea Bahamas, The long, flat coral formations with some low rounded hills Bahrain mostly low desert plain rising gently to low central escarpment Bangladesh mostly flat alluvial plain; hilly in southeast Barbados relatively flat; rises gently to central highland region Belarus generally flat and contains much marshland Belgium flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast Belize flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south Benin mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains Bermuda low hills separated by fertile depressions Bhutan mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna Bolivia rugged Andes Mountains with a highland plateau (Altiplano), hills, lowland plains of the Amazon Basin Bosnia and Herzegovina mountains and valleys Botswana predominantly flat to gently rolling tableland; Kalahari Desert in southwest Bouvet Island volcanic; coast is mostly inaccessible Brazil mostly flat to rolling lowlands in north; some plains, hills, mountains, and narrow coastal belt British Indian Ocean Territory flat and low (most areas do not exceed two meters in elevation) British Virgin Islands coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly Brunei flat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly lowland in west Bulgaria mostly mountains with lowlands in north and southeast Burkina Faso mostly flat to dissected, undulating plains; hills in west and southeast Burma central lowlands ringed by steep, rugged highlands Burundi hilly and mountainous, dropping to a plateau in east, some plains Cambodia mostly low, flat plains; mountains in southwest and north Cameroon diverse, with coastal plain in southwest, dissected plateau in center, mountains in west, plains in north Canada mostly plains with mountains in west and lowlands in southeast Cape Verde steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic Cayman Islands low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs Central African Republic vast, flat to rolling, monotonous plateau; scattered hills in northeast and southwest Chad broad, arid plains in center, desert in north, mountains in northwest, lowlands in south Chile low coastal mountains; fertile central valley; rugged Andes in east China mostly mountains, high plateaus, deserts in west; plains, deltas, and hills in east Christmas Island steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau Clipperton Island coral atoll Cocos (Keeling) Islands flat, low-lying coral atolls Colombia flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains, eastern lowland plains Comoros volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills Congo, Democratic Republic of the vast central basin is a low-lying plateau; mountains in east Congo, Republic of the coastal plain, southern basin, central plateau, northern basin Cook Islands low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south Coral Sea Islands sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays) Costa Rica coastal plains separated by rugged mountains including over 100 volcanic cones, of which several are major volcanoes Cote d'Ivoire mostly flat to undulating plains; mountains in northwest Croatia geographically diverse; flat plains along Hungarian border, low mountains and highlands near Adriatic coastline and islands Cuba mostly flat to rolling plains, with rugged hills and mountains in the southeast Cyprus central plain with mountains to north and south; scattered but significant plains along southern coast Czech Republic Bohemia in the west consists of rolling plains, hills, and plateaus surrounded by low mountains; Moravia in the east consists of very hilly country Denmark low and flat to gently rolling plains Djibouti coastal plain and plateau separated by central mountains Dominica rugged mountains of volcanic origin Dominican Republic rugged highlands and mountains with fertile valleys interspersed Ecuador coastal plain (costa), inter-Andean central highlands (sierra), and flat to rolling eastern jungle (oriente) Egypt vast desert plateau interrupted by Nile valley and delta El Salvador mostly mountains with narrow coastal belt and central plateau Equatorial Guinea coastal plains rise to interior hills; islands are volcanic Eritrea dominated by extension of Ethiopian north-south trending highlands, descending on the east to a coastal desert plain, on the northwest to hilly terrain and on the southwest to flat-to-rolling plains Estonia marshy, lowlands; flat in the north, hilly in the south Ethiopia high plateau with central mountain range divided by Great Rift Valley European Union fairly flat along the Baltic and Atlantic coast; mountainous in the central and southern areas Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating plains Faroe Islands rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast Fiji mostly mountains of volcanic origin Finland mostly low, flat to rolling plains interspersed with lakes and low hills France metropolitan France: mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills in north and west; remainder is mountainous, especially Pyrenees in south, Alps in east French Guiana: low-lying coastal plains rising to hills and small mountains Guadeloupe: Basse-Terre is volcanic in origin with interior mountains; Grande-Terre is low limestone formation; most of the seven other islands are volcanic in origin Martinique: mountainous with indented coastline; dormant volcano Reunion: mostly rugged and mountainous; fertile lowlands along coast French Polynesia mixture of rugged high islands and low islands with reefs French Southern and Antarctic Lands Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): a volcanic island with steep coastal cliffs; the center floor of the volcano is a large plateau Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): triangular in shape, the island is the top of a volcano, rocky with steep cliffs on the eastern side; has active thermal springs Iles Crozet: a large archipelago formed from the Crozet Plateau is divided into two groups of islands Iles Kerguelen: the interior of the large island of Ile Kerguelen is composed of rugged terrain of high mountains, hills, valleys, and plains with a number of peninsulas stretching off its coasts Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): atoll, awash at high tide; shallow (15 m) lagoon Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island: low, flat, and sandy Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): low, flat, sandy; likely volcanic seamount Gabon narrow coastal plain; hilly interior; savanna in east and south Gambia, The flood plain of the Gambia River flanked by some low hills Gaza Strip flat to rolling, sand- and dune-covered coastal plain Georgia largely mountainous with Great Caucasus Mountains in the north and Lesser Caucasus Mountains in the south; Kolkhet'is Dablobi (Kolkhida Lowland) opens to the Black Sea in the west; Mtkvari River Basin in the east; good soils in river valley flood plains, foothills of Kolkhida Lowland Germany lowlands in north, uplands in center, Bavarian Alps in south Ghana mostly low plains with dissected plateau in south-central area Gibraltar a narrow coastal lowland borders the Rock of Gibraltar Greece mostly mountains with ranges extending into the sea as peninsulas or chains of islands Greenland flat to gradually sloping icecap covers all but a narrow, mountainous, barren, rocky coast Grenada volcanic in origin with central mountains Guam volcanic origin, surrounded by coral reefs; relatively flat coralline limestone plateau (source of most fresh water), with steep coastal cliffs and narrow coastal plains in north, low hills in center, mountains in south Guatemala mostly mountains with narrow coastal plains and rolling limestone plateau Guernsey mostly level with low hills in southwest Guinea generally flat coastal plain, hilly to mountainous interior Guinea-Bissau mostly low coastal plain rising to savanna in east Guyana mostly rolling highlands; low coastal plain; savanna in south Haiti mostly rough and mountainous Heard Island and McDonald Islands Heard Island - 80% ice-covered, bleak and mountainous, dominated by a large massif (Big Ben) and an active volcano (Mawson Peak); McDonald Islands - small and rocky Holy See (Vatican City) urban; low hill Honduras mostly mountains in interior, narrow coastal plains Hong Kong hilly to mountainous with steep slopes; lowlands in north Hungary mostly flat to rolling plains; hills and low mountains on the Slovakian border Iceland mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks, icefields; coast deeply indented by bays and fiords India upland plain (Deccan Plateau) in south, flat to rolling plain along the Ganges, deserts in west, Himalayas in north Indian Ocean surface dominated by counterclockwise gyre (broad, circular system of currents) in the southern Indian Ocean; unique reversal of surface currents in the northern Indian Ocean; low atmospheric pressure over southwest Asia from hot, rising, summer air results in the southwest monsoon and southwest-to-northeast winds and currents, while high pressure over northern Asia from cold, falling, winter air results in the northeast monsoon and northeast-to-southwest winds and currents; ocean floor is dominated by the Mid-Indian Ocean Ridge and subdivided by the Southeast Indian Ocean Ridge, Southwest Indian Ocean Ridge, and Ninetyeast Ridge Indonesia mostly coastal lowlands; larger islands have interior mountains Iran rugged, mountainous rim; high, central basin with deserts, mountains; small, discontinuous plains along both coasts Iraq mostly broad plains; reedy marshes along Iranian border in south with large flooded areas; mountains along borders with Iran and Turkey Ireland mostly level to rolling interior plain surrounded by rugged hills and low mountains; sea cliffs on west coast Isle of Man hills in north and south bisected by central valley Israel Negev desert in the south; low coastal plain; central mountains; Jordan Rift Valley Italy mostly rugged and mountainous; some plains, coastal lowlands Jamaica mostly mountains, with narrow, discontinuous coastal plain Jan Mayen volcanic island, partly covered by glaciers Japan mostly rugged and mountainous Jersey gently rolling plain with low, rugged hills along north coast Jordan mostly desert plateau in east, highland area in west; Great Rift Valley separates East and West Banks of the Jordan River Kazakhstan vast flat steppe extending from the Volga in the west to the Altai Mountains in the east and from the plains of western Siberia in the north to oases and deserts of Central Asia in the south Kenya low plains rise to central highlands bisected by Great Rift Valley; fertile plateau in west Kiribati mostly low-lying coral atolls surrounded by extensive reefs Korea, North mostly hills and mountains separated by deep, narrow valleys; coastal plains wide in west, discontinuous in east Korea, South mostly hills and mountains; wide coastal plains in west and south Kosovo flat fluvial basin with an elevation of 400-700 m above sea level surrounded by several high mountain ranges with elevations of 2,000 to 2,500 m Kuwait flat to slightly undulating desert plain Kyrgyzstan peaks of Tien Shan and associated valleys and basins encompass entire nation Laos mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus Latvia low plain Lebanon narrow coastal plain; El Beqaa (Bekaa Valley) separates Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon Mountains Lesotho mostly highland with plateaus, hills, and mountains Liberia mostly flat to rolling coastal plains rising to rolling plateau and low mountains in northeast Libya mostly barren, flat to undulating plains, plateaus, depressions Liechtenstein mostly mountainous (Alps) with Rhine Valley in western third Lithuania lowland, many scattered small lakes, fertile soil Luxembourg mostly gently rolling uplands with broad, shallow valleys; uplands to slightly mountainous in the north; steep slope down to Moselle flood plain in the southeast Macau generally flat Macedonia mountainous territory covered with deep basins and valleys; three large lakes, each divided by a frontier line; country bisected by the Vardar River Madagascar narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center Malawi narrow elongated plateau with rolling plains, rounded hills, some mountains Malaysia coastal plains rising to hills and mountains Maldives flat, with white sandy beaches Mali mostly flat to rolling northern plains covered by sand; savanna in south, rugged hills in northeast Malta mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs Marshall Islands low coral limestone and sand islands Mauritania mostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara; some central hills Mauritius small coastal plain rising to discontinuous mountains encircling central plateau Mayotte generally undulating, with deep ravines and ancient volcanic peaks Mexico high, rugged mountains; low coastal plains; high plateaus; desert Micronesia, Federated States of islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to low, coral atolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Chuuk Moldova rolling steppe, gradual slope south to Black Sea Monaco hilly, rugged, rocky Mongolia vast semidesert and desert plains, grassy steppe, mountains in west and southwest; Gobi Desert in south-central Montenegro highly indented coastline with narrow coastal plain backed by rugged high limestone mountains and plateaus Montserrat volcanic island, mostly mountainous, with small coastal lowland Morocco northern coast and interior are mountainous with large areas of bordering plateaus, intermontane valleys, and rich coastal plains Mozambique mostly coastal lowlands, uplands in center, high plateaus in northwest, mountains in west Namibia mostly high plateau; Namib Desert along coast; Kalahari Desert in east Nauru sandy beach rises to fertile ring around raised coral reefs with phosphate plateau in center Navassa Island raised coral and limestone plateau, flat to undulating; ringed by vertical white cliffs (9 to 15 m high) Nepal Tarai or flat river plain of the Ganges in south, central hill region, rugged Himalayas in north Netherlands mostly coastal lowland and reclaimed land (polders); some hills in southeast Netherlands Antilles generally hilly, volcanic interiors New Caledonia coastal plains with interior mountains New Zealand predominately mountainous with some large coastal plains Nicaragua extensive Atlantic coastal plains rising to central interior mountains; narrow Pacific coastal plain interrupted by volcanoes Niger predominately desert plains and sand dunes; flat to rolling plains in south; hills in north Nigeria southern lowlands merge into central hills and plateaus; mountains in southeast, plains in north Niue steep limestone cliffs along coast, central plateau Norfolk Island volcanic formation with mostly rolling plains Northern Mariana Islands southern islands are limestone with level terraces and fringing coral reefs; northern islands are volcanic Norway glaciated; mostly high plateaus and rugged mountains broken by fertile valleys; small, scattered plains; coastline deeply indented by fjords; arctic tundra in north Oman central desert plain, rugged mountains in north and south Pacific Ocean surface currents in the northern Pacific are dominated by a clockwise, warm-water gyre (broad circular system of currents) and in the southern Pacific by a counterclockwise, cool-water gyre; in the northern Pacific, sea ice forms in the Bering Sea and Sea of Okhotsk in winter; in the southern Pacific, sea ice from Antarctica reaches its northernmost extent in October; the ocean floor in the eastern Pacific is dominated by the East Pacific Rise, while the western Pacific is dissected by deep trenches, including the Mariana Trench, which is the world's deepest Pakistan flat Indus plain in east; mountains in north and northwest; Balochistan plateau in west Palau varying geologically from the high, mountainous main island of Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrier reefs Panama interior mostly steep, rugged mountains and dissected, upland plains; coastal areas largely plains and rolling hills Papua New Guinea mostly mountains with coastal lowlands and rolling foothills Paracel Islands mostly low and flat Paraguay grassy plains and wooded hills east of Rio Paraguay; Gran Chaco region west of Rio Paraguay mostly low, marshy plain near the river, and dry forest and thorny scrub elsewhere Peru western coastal plain (costa), high and rugged Andes in center (sierra), eastern lowland jungle of Amazon Basin (selva) Philippines mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands Pitcairn Islands rugged volcanic formation; rocky coastline with cliffs Poland mostly flat plain; mountains along southern border Portugal mountainous north of the Tagus River, rolling plains in south Puerto Rico mostly mountains with coastal plain belt in north; mountains precipitous to sea on west coast; sandy beaches along most coastal areas Qatar mostly flat and barren desert covered with loose sand and gravel Romania central Transylvanian Basin is separated from the Moldavian Plateau on the east by the Eastern Carpathian Mountains and separated from the Walachian Plain on the south by the Transylvanian Alps Russia broad plain with low hills west of Urals; vast coniferous forest and tundra in Siberia; uplands and mountains along southern border regions Rwanda mostly grassy uplands and hills; relief is mountainous with altitude declining from west to east Saint Barthelemy hilly, almost completely surrounded by shallow-water reefs, with 20 beaches Saint Helena the islands of this group result from volcanic activity associated with the Atlantic Mid-Ocean Ridge Saint Helena: rugged, volcanic; small scattered plateaus and plains Ascension: surface covered by lava flows and cinder cones of 44 dormant volcanoes; ground rises to the east Tristan da Cunha: sheer cliffs line the coastline of the nearly circular island; the flanks of the central volcanic peak are deeply dissected; narrow coastal plain lies between The Peak and the coastal cliffs Saint Kitts and Nevis volcanic with mountainous interiors Saint Lucia volcanic and mountainous with some broad, fertile valleys Saint Pierre and Miquelon mostly barren rock Saint Vincent and the Grenadines volcanic, mountainous Samoa two main islands (Savaii, Upolu) and several smaller islands and uninhabited islets; narrow coastal plain with volcanic, rocky, rugged mountains in interior San Marino rugged mountains Sao Tome and Principe volcanic, mountainous Saudi Arabia mostly uninhabited, sandy desert Senegal generally low, rolling, plains rising to foothills in southeast Serbia extremely varied; to the north, rich fertile plains; to the east, limestone ranges and basins; to the southeast, ancient mountains and hills Seychelles Mahe Group is granitic, narrow coastal strip, rocky, hilly; others are coral, flat, elevated reefs Sierra Leone coastal belt of mangrove swamps, wooded hill country, upland plateau, mountains in east Singapore lowland; gently undulating central plateau contains water catchment area and nature preserve Slovakia rugged mountains in the central and northern part and lowlands in the south Slovenia a short coastal strip on the Adriatic, an alpine mountain region adjacent to Italy and Austria, mixed mountains and valleys with numerous rivers to the east Solomon Islands mostly rugged mountains with some low coral atolls Somalia mostly flat to undulating plateau rising to hills in north South Africa vast interior plateau rimmed by rugged hills and narrow coastal plain South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands most of the islands, rising steeply from the sea, are rugged and mountainous; South Georgia is largely barren and has steep, glacier-covered mountains; the South Sandwich Islands are of volcanic origin with some active volcanoes Southern Ocean the Southern Ocean is deep, 4,000 to 5,000 m over most of its extent with only limited areas of shallow water; the Antarctic continental shelf is generally narrow and unusually deep, its edge lying at depths of 400 to 800 m (the global mean is 133 m); the Antarctic icepack grows from an average minimum of 2.6 million sq km in March to about 18.8 million sq km in September, better than a sixfold increase in area; the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (21,000 km in length) moves perpetually eastward; it is the world's largest ocean current, transporting 130 million cubic meters of water per second - 100 times the flow of all the world's rivers Spain large, flat to dissected plateau surrounded by rugged hills; Pyrenees in north Spratly Islands flat Sri Lanka mostly low, flat to rolling plain; mountains in south-central interior Sudan generally flat, featureless plain; mountains in far south, northeast and west; desert dominates the north Suriname mostly rolling hills; narrow coastal plain with swamps Svalbard wild, rugged mountains; much of high land ice covered; west coast clear of ice about one-half of the year; fjords along west and north coasts Swaziland mostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping plains Sweden mostly flat or gently rolling lowlands; mountains in west Switzerland mostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes Syria primarily semiarid and desert plateau; narrow coastal plain; mountains in west Taiwan eastern two-thirds mostly rugged mountains; flat to gently rolling plains in west Tajikistan Pamir and Alay Mountains dominate landscape; western Fergana Valley in north, Kofarnihon and Vakhsh Valleys in southwest Tanzania plains along coast; central plateau; highlands in north, south Thailand central plain; Khorat Plateau in the east; mountains elsewhere Timor-Leste mountainous Togo gently rolling savanna in north; central hills; southern plateau; low coastal plain with extensive lagoons and marshes Tokelau low-lying coral atolls enclosing large lagoons Tonga most islands have limestone base formed from uplifted coral formation; others have limestone overlying volcanic base Trinidad and Tobago mostly plains with some hills and low mountains Tunisia mountains in north; hot, dry central plain; semiarid south merges into the Sahara Turkey high central plateau (Anatolia); narrow coastal plain; several mountain ranges Turkmenistan flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes rising to mountains in the south; low mountains along border with Iran; borders Caspian Sea in west Turks and Caicos Islands low, flat limestone; extensive marshes and mangrove swamps Tuvalu low-lying and narrow coral atolls Uganda mostly plateau with rim of mountains Ukraine most of Ukraine consists of fertile plains (steppes) and plateaus, mountains being found only in the west (the Carpathians), and in the Crimean Peninsula in the extreme south United Arab Emirates flat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand dunes of vast desert wasteland; mountains in east United Kingdom mostly rugged hills and low mountains; level to rolling plains in east and southeast United States vast central plain, mountains in west, hills and low mountains in east; rugged mountains and broad river valleys in Alaska; rugged, volcanic topography in Hawaii United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges low and nearly level sandy coral islands with narrow fringing reefs that have developed at the top of submerged volcanic mountains, which in most cases rise steeply from the ocean floor Uruguay mostly rolling plains and low hills; fertile coastal lowland Uzbekistan mostly flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes; broad, flat intensely irrigated river valleys along course of Amu Darya, Syr Darya (Sirdaryo), and Zarafshon; Fergana Valley in east surrounded by mountainous Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan; shrinking Aral Sea in west Vanuatu mostly mountainous islands of volcanic origin; narrow coastal plains Venezuela Andes Mountains and Maracaibo Lowlands in northwest; central plains (llanos); Guiana Highlands in southeast Vietnam low, flat delta in south and north; central highlands; hilly, mountainous in far north and northwest Virgin Islands mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level land Wake Island atoll of three low coral islands, Peale, Wake, and Wilkes, built up on an underwater volcano; central lagoon is former crater, islands are part of the rim Wallis and Futuna volcanic origin; low hills West Bank mostly rugged dissected upland, some vegetation in west, but barren in east Western Sahara mostly low, flat desert with large areas of rocky or sandy surfaces rising to small mountains in south and northeast World the greatest ocean depth is the Mariana Trench at 10,924 m in the Pacific Ocean Yemen narrow coastal plain backed by flat-topped hills and rugged mountains; dissected upland desert plains in center slope into the desert interior of the Arabian Peninsula Zambia mostly high plateau with some hills and mountains Zimbabwe mostly high plateau with higher central plateau (high veld); mountains in east ====================================================================== @2127 Field Listing :: Total fertility rate This entry gives a figure for the average number of children that would be born per woman if all women lived to the end of their childbearing years and bore children according to a given fertility rate at each age. The total fertility rate (TFR) is a more direct measure of the level of fertility than the crude birth rate, since it refers to births per woman. This indicator shows the potential for population change in the country. A rate of two children per woman is considered the replacement rate for a population, resulting in relative stability in terms of total numbers. Rates above two children indicate populations growing in size and whose median age is declining. Higher rates may also indicate difficulties for families, in some situations, to feed and educate their children and for women to enter the labor force. Rates below two children indicate populations decreasing in size and growing older. Global fertility rates are in general decline and this trend is most pronounced in industrialized countries, especially Western Europe, where populations are projected to decline dramatically over the next 50 years. Country Comparison to the World Country Total fertility rate(children born/woman) Afghanistan 6.53 children born/woman (2009 est.) Albania 2.01 children born/woman (2009 est.) Algeria 1.79 children born/woman (2009 est.) American Samoa 3.29 children born/woman (2009 est.) Andorra 1.33 children born/woman (2009 est.) Angola 6.12 children born/woman (2009 est.) Anguilla 1.75 children born/woman (2009 est.) Antigua and Barbuda 2.07 children born/woman (2009 est.) Argentina 2.35 children born/woman (2009 est.) Armenia 1.36 children born/woman (2009 est.) Aruba 1.85 children born/woman (2009 est.) Australia 1.78 children born/woman (2009 est.) Austria 1.39 children born/woman (2009 est.) Azerbaijan 2.04 children born/woman (2009 est.) Bahamas, The 2.1 children born/woman (2009 est.) Bahrain 2.5 children born/woman (2009 est.) Bangladesh 2.74 children born/woman (2009 est.) Barbados 1.68 children born/woman (2009 est.) Belarus 1.24 children born/woman (2009 est.) Belgium 1.65 children born/woman (2009 est.) Belize 3.36 children born/woman (2009 est.) Benin 5.49 children born/woman (2009 est.) Bermuda 1.99 children born/woman (2009 est.) Bhutan 2.38 children born/woman (2009 est.) Bolivia 3.17 children born/woman (2009 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina 1.25 children born/woman (2009 est.) Botswana 2.6 children born/woman (2009 est.) Brazil 2.21 children born/woman (2009 est.) British Virgin Islands 1.71 children born/woman (2009 est.) Brunei 1.91 children born/woman (2009 est.) Bulgaria 1.41 children born/woman (2009 est.) Burkina Faso 6.28 children born/woman (2009 est.) Burma 1.89 children born/woman (2009 est.) Burundi 6.33 children born/woman (2009 est.) Cambodia 3.04 children born/woman (2009 est.) Cameroon 4.33 children born/woman (2009 est.) Canada 1.58 children born/woman (2009 est.) Cape Verde 3.07 children born/woman (2009 est.) Cayman Islands 1.88 children born/woman (2009 est.) Central African Republic 4.14 children born/woman (2009 est.) Chad 5.31 children born/woman (2009 est.) Chile 1.92 children born/woman (2009 est.) China 1.79 children born/woman (2009 est.) Christmas Island NA Cocos (Keeling) Islands NA Colombia 2.46 children born/woman (2009 est.) Comoros 4.84 children born/woman (2009 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 6.2 children born/woman (2009 est.) Congo, Republic of the 5.84 children born/woman (2009 est.) Cook Islands 2.49 children born/woman (2009 est.) Costa Rica 2.14 children born/woman (2009 est.) Cote d'Ivoire 4.12 children born/woman (2009 est.) Croatia 1.42 children born/woman (2009 est.) Cuba 1.61 children born/woman (2009 est.) Cyprus 1.77 children born/woman (2009 est.) Czech Republic 1.24 children born/woman (2009 est.) Denmark 1.74 children born/woman (2009 est.) Djibouti 5.06 children born/woman (2009 est.) Dominica 2.09 children born/woman (2009 est.) Dominican Republic 2.76 children born/woman (2009 est.) Ecuador 2.51 children born/woman (2009 est.) Egypt 2.66 children born/woman (2009 est.) El Salvador 3 children born/woman (2009 est.) Equatorial Guinea 5.08 children born/woman (2009 est.) Eritrea 4.72 children born/woman (2009 est.) Estonia 1.42 children born/woman (2009 est.) Ethiopia 6.12 children born/woman (2009 est.) European Union 1.51 children born/woman (2009 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) NA Faroe Islands 2.44 children born/woman (2009 est.) Fiji 2.65 children born/woman (2009 est.) Finland 1.73 children born/woman (2009 est.) France 1.98 children born/woman (2009 est.) French Polynesia 1.92 children born/woman (2009 est.) Gabon 4.65 children born/woman (2009 est.) Gambia, The 5.04 children born/woman (2009 est.) Gaza Strip 5.03 children born/woman (2009 est.) Georgia 1.44 children born/woman (2009 est.) Germany 1.41 children born/woman (2009 est.) Ghana 3.68 children born/woman (2009 est.) Gibraltar 1.65 children born/woman (2009 est.) Greece 1.37 children born/woman (2009 est.) Greenland 2.19 children born/woman (2009 est.) Grenada 2.23 children born/woman (2009 est.) Guam 2.54 children born/woman (2009 est.) Guatemala 3.47 children born/woman (2009 est.) Guernsey 1.41 children born/woman (2009 est.) Guinea 5.2 children born/woman (2009 est.) Guinea-Bissau 4.65 children born/woman (2009 est.) Guyana 2.03 children born/woman (2009 est.) Haiti 3.81 children born/woman (2009 est.) Honduras 3.27 children born/woman (2009 est.) Hong Kong 1.02 children born/woman (2009 est.) Hungary 1.35 children born/woman (2009 est.) Iceland 1.9 children born/woman (2009 est.) India 2.72 children born/woman (2009 est.) Indonesia 2.31 children born/woman (2009 est.) Iran 1.71 children born/woman (2009 est.) Iraq 3.86 children born/woman (2009 est.) Ireland 1.85 children born/woman (2009 est.) Isle of Man 1.65 children born/woman (2009 est.) Israel 2.75 children born/woman (2009 est.) Italy 1.31 children born/woman (2009 est.) Jamaica 2.25 children born/woman (2009 est.) Japan 1.21 children born/woman (2009 est.) Jersey 1.57 children born/woman (2009 est.) Jordan 2.39 children born/woman (2009 est.) Kazakhstan 1.88 children born/woman (2009 est.) Kenya 4.56 children born/woman (2009 est.) Kiribati 4.04 children born/woman (2009 est.) Korea, North 1.96 children born/woman (2009 est.) Korea, South 1.21 children born/woman (2009 est.) Kuwait 2.76 children born/woman (2009 est.) Kyrgyzstan 2.65 children born/woman (2009 est.) Laos 4.41 children born/woman (2009 est.) Latvia 1.3 children born/woman (2009 est.) Lebanon 1.85 children born/woman (2009 est.) Lesotho 3.06 children born/woman (2009 est.) Liberia 5.79 children born/woman (2009 est.) Libya 3.08 children born/woman (2009 est.) Liechtenstein 1.52 children born/woman (2009 est.) Lithuania 1.23 children born/woman (2009 est.) Luxembourg 1.78 children born/woman (2009 est.) Macau 0.91 children born/woman (2009 est.) Macedonia 1.58 children born/woman (2009 est.) Madagascar 5.14 children born/woman (2009 est.) Malawi 5.59 children born/woman (2009 est.) Malaysia 2.95 children born/woman (2009 est.) Maldives 1.9 children born/woman (2009 est.) Mali 7.29 children born/woman (2009 est.) Malta 1.51 children born/woman (2009 est.) Marshall Islands 3.59 children born/woman (2009 est.) Mauritania 4.45 children born/woman (2009 est.) Mauritius 1.81 children born/woman (2009 est.) Mayotte 5.5 children born/woman (2009 est.) Mexico 2.34 children born/woman (2009 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of 2.89 children born/woman (2009 est.) Moldova 1.27 children born/woman (2009 est.) Monaco 1.75 children born/woman (2009 est.) Mongolia 2.23 children born/woman (2009 est.) Montserrat 1.23 children born/woman (2009 est.) Morocco 2.51 children born/woman (2009 est.) Mozambique 5.18 children born/woman (2009 est.) Namibia 2.69 children born/woman (2009 est.) Nauru 2.85 children born/woman (2009 est.) Nepal 2.64 children born/woman (2009 est.) Netherlands 1.66 children born/woman (2009 est.) Netherlands Antilles 1.97 children born/woman (2009 est.) New Caledonia 2.18 children born/woman (2009 est.) New Zealand 2.1 children born/woman (2009 est.) Nicaragua 2.57 children born/woman (2009 est.) Niger 7.75 children born/woman (2009 est.) Nigeria 4.91 children born/woman (2009 est.) Niue NA (2008 est.) Norfolk Island NA Northern Mariana Islands 1.15 children born/woman (2009 est.) Norway 1.78 children born/woman (2009 est.) Oman 5.53 children born/woman (2009 est.) Pakistan 3.6 children born/woman (2009 est.) Palau 1.82 children born/woman (2009 est.) Panama 2.53 children born/woman (2009 est.) Papua New Guinea 3.62 children born/woman (2009 est.) Paraguay 3.75 children born/woman (2009 est.) Peru 2.37 children born/woman (2009 est.) Philippines 3.27 children born/woman (2009 est.) Pitcairn Islands NA (2008 est.) Poland 1.28 children born/woman (2009 est.) Portugal 1.49 children born/woman (2009 est.) Puerto Rico 1.71 children born/woman (2009 est.) Qatar 2.45 children born/woman (2009 est.) Romania 1.39 children born/woman (2009 est.) Russia 1.41 children born/woman (2009 est.) Rwanda 5.25 children born/woman (2009 est.) Saint Helena 1.56 children born/woman (2009 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis 2.26 children born/woman (2009 est.) Saint Lucia 1.84 children born/woman (2009 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 1.97 children born/woman (2009 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1.98 children born/woman (2009 est.) Samoa 4.16 children born/woman (2009 est.) San Marino 1.36 children born/woman (2009 est.) Sao Tome and Principe 5.33 children born/woman (2009 est.) Saudi Arabia 3.83 children born/woman (2009 est.) Senegal 4.95 children born/woman (2009 est.) Serbia 1.38 children born/woman (2009 est.) Seychelles 1.93 children born/woman (2009 est.) Sierra Leone 5.88 children born/woman (2009 est.) Singapore 1.09 children born/woman (2009 est.) Slovakia 1.35 children born/woman (2009 est.) Slovenia 1.28 children born/woman (2009 est.) Solomon Islands 3.52 children born/woman (2009 est.) Somalia 6.52 children born/woman (2009 est.) South Africa 2.38 children born/woman (2009 est.) Spain 1.31 children born/woman (2009 est.) Sri Lanka 1.99 children born/woman (2009 est.) Sudan 4.48 children born/woman (2009 est.) Suriname 1.99 children born/woman (2009 est.) Svalbard NA (2008 est.) Swaziland 3.24 children born/woman (2009 est.) Sweden 1.67 children born/woman (2009 est.) Switzerland 1.45 children born/woman (2009 est.) Syria 3.12 children born/woman (2009 est.) Taiwan 1.14 children born/woman (2009 est.) Tajikistan 2.99 children born/woman (2009 est.) Tanzania 4.46 children born/woman (2009 est.) Thailand 1.65 children born/woman (2009 est.) Timor-Leste 3.28 children born/woman (2009 est.) Togo 4.79 children born/woman (2009 est.) Tokelau NA (2008 est.) Tonga 2.25 children born/woman (2009 est.) Trinidad and Tobago 1.72 children born/woman (2009 est.) Tunisia 1.72 children born/woman (2009 est.) Turkey 2.21 children born/woman (2009 est.) Turkmenistan 2.22 children born/woman (2009 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands 2.95 children born/woman (2009 est.) Tuvalu 2.91 children born/woman (2009 est.) Uganda 6.77 children born/woman (2009 est.) Ukraine 1.26 children born/woman (2009 est.) United Arab Emirates 2.42 children born/woman (2009 est.) United Kingdom 1.66 children born/woman (2009 est.) United States 2.05 children born/woman (2009 est.) Uruguay 1.92 children born/woman (2009 est.) Uzbekistan 1.95 children born/woman (2009 est.) Vanuatu 2.5 children born/woman (2009 est.) Venezuela 2.48 children born/woman (2009 est.) Vietnam 1.83 children born/woman (2009 est.) Virgin Islands 1.85 children born/woman (2009 est.) Wallis and Futuna 1.87 children born/woman (2009 est.) West Bank 3.22 children born/woman (2009 est.) Western Sahara NA 5.61 children born/woman (2009 est.) World 2.58 children born/woman (2009 est.) Yemen 6.32 children born/woman (2009 est.) Zambia 5.15 children born/woman (2009 est.) Zimbabwe 3.69 children born/woman (2009 est.) ====================================================================== @2128 Field Listing :: Government type This entry gives the basic form of government. Definitions of the major governmental terms are as follows. (Note that for some countries more than one definition applies.): Absolute monarchy - a form of government where the monarch rules unhindered, i.e., without any laws, constitution, or legally organized opposition. Anarchy - a condition of lawlessness or political disorder brought about by the absence of governmental authority. Authoritarian - a form of government in which state authority is imposed onto many aspects of citizens' lives. Commonwealth - a nation, state, or other political entity founded on law and united by a compact of the people for the common good. Communist - a system of government in which the state plans and controls the economy and a single - often authoritarian - party holds power; state controls are imposed with the elimination of private ownership of property or capital while claiming to make progress toward a higher social order in which all goods are equally shared by the people (i.e., a classless society). Confederacy (Confederation) - a union by compact or treaty between states, provinces, or territories, that creates a central government with limited powers; the constituent entities retain supreme authority over all matters except those delegated to the central government. Constitutional - a government by or operating under an authoritative document (constitution) that sets forth the system of fundamental laws and principles that determines the nature, functions, and limits of that government. Constitutional democracy - a form of government in which the sovereign power of the people is spelled out in a governing constitution. Constitutional monarchy - a system of government in which a monarch is guided by a constitution whereby his/her rights, duties, and responsibilities are spelled out in written law or by custom. Democracy - a form of government in which the supreme power is retained by the people, but which is usually exercised indirectly through a system of representation and delegated authority periodically renewed. Democratic republic - a state in which the supreme power rests in the body of citizens entitled to vote for officers and representatives responsible to them. Dictatorship - a form of government in which a ruler or small clique wield absolute power (not restricted by a constitution or laws). Ecclesiastical - a government administrated by a church. Emirate - similar to a monarchy or sultanate, but a government in which the supreme power is in the hands of an emir (the ruler of a Muslim state); the emir may be an absolute overlord or a sovereign with constitutionally limited authority. Federal (Federation) - a form of government in which sovereign power is formally divided - usually by means of a constitution - between a central authority and a number of constituent regions (states, colonies, or provinces) so that each region retains some management of its internal affairs; differs from a confederacy in that the central government exerts influence directly upon both individuals as well as upon the regional units. Federal republic - a state in which the powers of the central government are restricted and in which the component parts (states, colonies, or provinces) retain a degree of self-government; ultimate sovereign power rests with the voters who chose their governmental representatives. Islamic republic - a particular form of government adopted by some Muslim states; although such a state is, in theory, a theocracy, it remains a republic, but its laws are required to be compatible with the laws of Islam. Maoism - the theory and practice of Marxism-Leninism developed in China by Mao Zedong (Mao Tse-tung), which states that a continuous revolution is necessary if the leaders of a communist state are to keep in touch with the people. Marxism - the political, economic, and social principles espoused by 19th century economist Karl Marx; he viewed the struggle of workers as a progression of historical forces that would proceed from a class struggle of the proletariat (workers) exploited by capitalists (business owners), to a socialist "dictatorship of the proletariat," to, finally, a classless society - Communism. Marxism-Leninism - an expanded form of communism developed by Lenin from doctrines of Karl Marx; Lenin saw imperialism as the final stage of capitalism and shifted the focus of workers' struggle from developed to underdeveloped countries. Monarchy - a government in which the supreme power is lodged in the hands of a monarch who reigns over a state or territory, usually for life and by hereditary right; the monarch may be either a sole absolute ruler or a sovereign - such as a king, queen, or prince - with constitutionally limited authority. Oligarchy - a government in which control is exercised by a small group of individuals whose authority generally is based on wealth or power. Parliamentary democracy - a political system in which the legislature (parliament) selects the government - a prime minister, premier, or chancellor along with the cabinet ministers - according to party strength as expressed in elections; by this system, the government acquires a dual responsibility: to the people as well as to the parliament. Parliamentary government (Cabinet-Parliamentary government) - a government in which members of an executive branch (the cabinet and its leader - a prime minister, premier, or chancellor) are nominated to their positions by a legislature or parliament, and are directly responsible to it; this type of government can be dissolved at will by the parliament (legislature) by means of a no confidence vote or the leader of the cabinet may dissolve the parliament if it can no longer function. Parliamentary monarchy - a state headed by a monarch who is not actively involved in policy formation or implementation (i.e., the exercise of sovereign powers by a monarch in a ceremonial capacity); true governmental leadership is carried out by a cabinet and its head - a prime minister, premier, or chancellor - who are drawn from a legislature (parliament). Presidential - a system of government where the executive branch exists separately from a legislature (to which it is generally not accountable). Republic - a representative democracy in which the people's elected deputies (representatives), not the people themselves, vote on legislation. Socialism - a government in which the means of planning, producing, and distributing goods is controlled by a central government that theoretically seeks a more just and equitable distribution of property and labor; in actuality, most socialist governments have ended up being no more than dictatorships over workers by a ruling elite. Sultanate - similar to a monarchy, but a government in which the supreme power is in the hands of a sultan (the head of a Muslim state); the sultan may be an absolute ruler or a sovereign with constitutionally limited authority. Theocracy - a form of government in which a Deity is recognized as the supreme civil ruler, but the Deity's laws are interpreted by ecclesiastical authorities (bishops, mullahs, etc.); a government subject to religious authority. Totalitarian - a government that seeks to subordinate the individual to the state by controlling not only all political and economic matters, but also the attitudes, values, and beliefs of its population. Country Government type Afghanistan Islamic republic Albania emerging democracy Algeria republic American Samoa NA Andorra parliamentary democracy (since March 1993) that retains as its chiefs of state a coprincipality; the two princes are the president of France and bishop of Seo de Urgel, Spain, who are represented locally by coprinces' representatives Angola republic; multiparty presidential regime Anguilla NA Antarctica Antarctic Treaty Summary - the Antarctic Treaty, signed on 1 December 1959 and entered into force on 23 June 1961, establishes the legal framework for the management of Antarctica; the 32nd Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting was held in Baltimore, MD, USA in April 2009; at these periodic meetings, decisions are made by consensus (not by vote) of all consultative member nations; by May 2009, there were 47 treaty member nations: 28 consultative and 19 non-consultative; consultative (decision-making) members include the seven nations that claim portions of Antarctica as national territory (some claims overlap) and 21 non-claimant nations; the US and Russia have reserved the right to make claims; the US does not recognize the claims of others; Antarctica is administered through meetings of the consultative member nations; decisions from these meetings are carried out by these member nations (with respect to their own nationals and operations) in accordance with their own national laws; the years in parentheses indicate when a consultative member-nation acceded to the Treaty and when it was accepted as a consultative member, while no date indicates the country was an original 1959 treaty signatory; claimant nations are - Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, NZ, Norway, and the UK. Nonclaimant consultative nations are - Belgium, Brazil (1975/1983), Bulgaria (1978/1998) China (1983/1985), Ecuador (1987/1990), Finland (1984/1989), Germany (1979/1981), India (1983/1983), Italy (1981/1987), Japan, South Korea (1986/1989), Netherlands (1967/1990), Peru (1981/1989), Poland (1961/1977), Russia, South Africa, Spain (1982/1988), Sweden (1984/1988), Ukraine (1992/2004), Uruguay (1980/1985), and the US; non-consultative members, with year of accession in parentheses, are - Austria (1987), Belarus (2006), Canada (1988), Colombia (1989), Cuba (1984), Czech Republic (1962/1993), Denmark (1965), Estonia (2001), Greece (1987), Guatemala (1991), Hungary (1984), North Korea (1987), Monaco (2008), Papua New Guinea (1981), Romania (1971), Slovakia (1962/1993), Switzerland (1990), Turkey (1996), and Venezuela (1999); note - Czechoslovakia acceded to the Treaty in 1962 and separated into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993; Article 1 - area to be used for peaceful purposes only; military activity, such as weapons testing, is prohibited, but military personnel and equipment may be used for scientific research or any other peaceful purpose; Article 2 - freedom of scientific investigation and cooperation shall continue; Article 3 - free exchange of information and personnel, cooperation with the UN and other international agencies; Article 4 - does not recognize, dispute, or establish territorial claims and no new claims shall be asserted while the treaty is in force; Article 5 - prohibits nuclear explosions or disposal of radioactive wastes; Article 6 - includes under the treaty all land and ice shelves south of 60 degrees 00 minutes south and reserves high seas rights; Article 7 - treaty-state observers have free access, including aerial observation, to any area and may inspect all stations, installations, and equipment; advance notice of all expeditions and of the introduction of military personnel must be given; Article 8 - allows for jurisdiction over observers and scientists by their own states; Article 9 - frequent consultative meetings take place among member nations; Article 10 - treaty states will discourage activities by any country in Antarctica that are contrary to the treaty; Article 11 - disputes to be settled peacefully by the parties concerned or, ultimately, by the ICJ; Articles 12, 13, 14 - deal with upholding, interpreting, and amending the treaty among involved nations; other agreements - some 200 recommendations adopted at treaty consultative meetings and ratified by governments include - Agreed Measures for Fauna and Flora (1964) which were later incorporated into the Environmental Protocol; Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (1972); Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (1980); a mineral resources agreement was signed in 1988 but remains unratified; the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty was signed 4 October 1991 and entered into force 14 January 1998; this agreement provides for the protection of the Antarctic environment through six specific annexes: 1) environmental impact assessment, 2) conservation of Antarctic fauna and flora, 3) waste disposal and waste management, 4) prevention of marine pollution, 5) area protection and management and 6) liability arising from environmental emergencies; it prohibits all activities relating to mineral resources except scientific research; a permanent Antarctic Treaty Secretariat was established in 2004 in Buenos Aires, Argentina Antigua and Barbuda constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government and a Commonwealth realm Argentina republic Armenia republic Aruba parliamentary democracy Australia federal parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm Austria federal republic Azerbaijan republic Bahamas, The constitutional parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm Bahrain constitutional monarchy Bangladesh parliamentary democracy Barbados parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm Belarus republic in name, although in fact a dictatorship Belgium federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy Belize parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm Benin republic Bermuda parliamentary; self-governing territory Bhutan constitutional monarchy Bolivia republic; note - the new constitution defines Bolivia as a "Social Unitarian State" Bosnia and Herzegovina emerging federal democratic republic Botswana parliamentary republic Brazil federal republic British Virgin Islands NA Brunei constitutional sultanate Bulgaria parliamentary democracy Burkina Faso parliamentary republic Burma military junta Burundi republic Cambodia multiparty democracy under a constitutional monarchy Cameroon republic; multiparty presidential regime Canada a parliamentary democracy, a federation, and a Commonwealth realm Cape Verde republic Cayman Islands parliamentary democracy Central African Republic republic Chad republic Chile republic China Communist state Christmas Island NA Cocos (Keeling) Islands NA Colombia republic; executive branch dominates government structure Comoros republic Congo, Democratic Republic of the republic Congo, Republic of the republic Cook Islands self-governing parliamentary democracy Costa Rica democratic republic Cote d'Ivoire republic; multiparty presidential regime established 1960 note: the government is currently operating under a power-sharing agreement mandated by international mediators Croatia presidential/parliamentary democracy Cuba Communist state Cyprus republic note: a separation of the two ethnic communities inhabiting the island began following the outbreak of communal strife in 1963; this separation was further solidified after the Turkish intervention in July 1974 that followed a Greek junta-supported coup attempt gave the Turkish Cypriots de facto control in the north; Greek Cypriots control the only internationally recognized government; on 15 November 1983 Turkish Cypriot "President" Rauf DENKTASH declared independence and the formation of a "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" ("TRNC"), which is recognized only by Turkey Czech Republic parliamentary democracy Denmark constitutional monarchy Djibouti republic Dominica parliamentary democracy Dominican Republic democratic republic Ecuador republic Egypt republic El Salvador republic Equatorial Guinea republic Eritrea transitional government note: following a successful referendum on independence for the Autonomous Region of Eritrea on 23-25 April 1993, a National Assembly, composed entirely of the People's Front for Democracy and Justice or PFDJ, was established as a transitional legislature; a Constitutional Commission was also established to draft a constitution; ISAIAS Afworki was elected president by the transitional legislature; the constitution, ratified in May 1997, did not enter into effect, pending parliamentary and presidential elections; parliamentary elections were scheduled in December 2001, but were postponed indefinitely; currently the sole legal party is the People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ) Estonia parliamentary republic Ethiopia federal republic Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) NA Faroe Islands NA Fiji republic Finland republic France republic French Polynesia NA Gabon republic; multiparty presidential regime Gambia, The republic Georgia republic Germany federal republic Ghana constitutional democracy Gibraltar NA Greece parliamentary republic Greenland parliamentary democracy within a constitutional monarchy Grenada parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm Guam NA Guatemala constitutional democratic republic Guernsey parliamentary democracy Guinea republic Guinea-Bissau republic Guyana republic Haiti republic Holy See (Vatican City) ecclesiastical Honduras democratic constitutional republic Hong Kong limited democracy Hungary parliamentary democracy Iceland constitutional republic India federal republic Indonesia republic Iran theocratic republic Iraq parliamentary democracy Ireland republic, parliamentary democracy Isle of Man parliamentary democracy Israel parliamentary democracy Italy republic Jamaica constitutional parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm Japan a parliamentary government with a constitutional monarchy Jersey parliamentary democracy Jordan constitutional monarchy Kazakhstan republic; authoritarian presidential rule, with little power outside the executive branch Kenya republic Kiribati republic Korea, North Communist state one-man dictatorship Korea, South republic Kosovo republic Kuwait constitutional emirate Kyrgyzstan republic Laos Communist state Latvia parliamentary democracy Lebanon republic Lesotho parliamentary constitutional monarchy Liberia republic Libya Jamahiriya (a state of the masses) in theory, governed by the populace through local councils; in practice, an authoritarian state Liechtenstein constitutional monarchy Lithuania parliamentary democracy Luxembourg constitutional monarchy Macau limited democracy Macedonia parliamentary democracy Madagascar republic Malawi multiparty democracy Malaysia constitutional monarchy note: nominally headed by paramount ruler (commonly referred to as the King) and a bicameral Parliament consisting of a nonelected upper house and an elected lower house; all Peninsular Malaysian states have hereditary rulers (commonly referred to as sultans) except Melaka and Pulau Pinang (Penang); those two states along with Sabah and Sarawak in East Malaysia have governors appointed by government; powers of state governments are limited by federal constitution; under terms of federation, Sabah and Sarawak retain certain constitutional prerogatives (e.g., right to maintain their own immigration controls) Maldives republic Mali republic Malta republic Marshall Islands constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 21 October 1986 and the Amended Compact entered into force in May 2004 Mauritania military junta Mauritius parliamentary democracy Mayotte NA Mexico federal republic Micronesia, Federated States of constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 3 November 1986 and the Amended Compact entered into force May 2004 Moldova republic Monaco constitutional monarchy Mongolia parliamentary Montenegro republic Montserrat NA Morocco constitutional monarchy Mozambique republic Namibia republic Nauru republic Nepal federal democratic republic Netherlands constitutional monarchy Netherlands Antilles parliamentary New Caledonia NA New Zealand parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm Nicaragua republic Niger republic Nigeria federal republic Niue self-governing parliamentary democracy Norfolk Island NA Northern Mariana Islands commonwealth; self-governing with locally elected governor, lieutenant governor, and legislature Norway constitutional monarchy Oman monarchy Pakistan federal republic Palau constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 1 October 1994 Panama constitutional democracy Papua New Guinea constitutional parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm Paraguay constitutional republic Peru constitutional republic Philippines republic Pitcairn Islands NA Poland republic Portugal republic; parliamentary democracy Puerto Rico commonwealth Qatar emirate Romania republic Russia federation Rwanda republic; presidential, multiparty system Saint Helena NA Saint Kitts and Nevis parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm Saint Lucia parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm Saint Pierre and Miquelon NA Saint Vincent and the Grenadines parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm Samoa parliamentary democracy San Marino republic Sao Tome and Principe republic Saudi Arabia monarchy Senegal republic Serbia republic Seychelles republic Sierra Leone constitutional democracy Singapore parliamentary republic Slovakia parliamentary democracy Slovenia parliamentary republic Solomon Islands parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm Somalia no permanent national government; transitional, parliamentary federal government South Africa republic Spain parliamentary monarchy Sri Lanka republic Sudan Government of National Unity (GNU) - the National Congress Party (NCP) and Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) formed a power-sharing government under the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA); the NCP, which came to power by military coup in 1989, is the majority partner; the agreement stipulates national elections in 2009 Suriname constitutional democracy Svalbard NA Swaziland monarchy Sweden constitutional monarchy Switzerland formally a confederation but similar in structure to a federal republic Syria republic under an authoritarian military-dominated regime Taiwan multiparty democracy Tajikistan republic Tanzania republic Thailand constitutional monarchy Timor-Leste republic Togo republic under transition to multiparty democratic rule Tokelau NA Tonga constitutional monarchy Trinidad and Tobago parliamentary democracy Tunisia republic Turkey republican parliamentary democracy Turkmenistan republic; authoritarian presidential rule, with little power outside the executive branch Turks and Caicos Islands NA Tuvalu a parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm Uganda republic Ukraine republic United Arab Emirates federation with specified powers delegated to the UAE federal government and other powers reserved to member emirates United Kingdom constitutional monarchy and Commonwealth realm United States Constitution-based federal republic; strong democratic tradition Uruguay constitutional republic Uzbekistan republic; authoritarian presidential rule, with little power outside the executive branch Vanuatu parliamentary republic Venezuela federal republic Vietnam Communist state Virgin Islands NA Wallis and Futuna NA Western Sahara legal status of territory and issue of sovereignty unresolved; territory contested by Morocco and Polisario Front (Popular Front for the Liberation of the Saguia el Hamra and Rio de Oro), which in February 1976 formally proclaimed a government-in-exile of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), led by President Mohamed ABDELAZIZ; territory partitioned between Morocco and Mauritania in April 1976 when Spain withdrew, with Morocco acquiring northern two-thirds; Mauritania, under pressure from Polisario guerrillas, abandoned all claims to its portion in August 1979; Morocco moved to occupy that sector shortly thereafter and has since asserted administrative control; the Polisario's government-in-exile was seated as an Organization of African Unity (OAU) member in 1984; guerrilla activities continued sporadically until a UN-monitored cease-fire was implemented on 6 September 1991 (Security Council Resolution 690) by the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara or MINURSO Yemen republic Zambia republic Zimbabwe parliamentary democracy ====================================================================== @2129 Field Listing :: Unemployment rate This entry contains the percent of the labor force that is without jobs. Substantial underemployment might be noted. Country Comparison to the World Country Unemployment rate(%) Afghanistan 40% (2008 est.) 40% (2005 est.) Albania 12.5% (2008 est.) 13.2% (2007 est.) note: these are official rates, but actual rates may exceed 30% due to preponderance of near-subsistence farming Algeria 12.8% (2008 est.) 11.8% (2007 est.) American Samoa 29.8% (2005) Andorra 0% (2007) 0% (2006) Angola NA Anguilla 8% (2002) Antigua and Barbuda 11% (2001 est.) Argentina 7.9% (2008 est.) 8.5% (2007 est.) Armenia 7.1% (2007 est.) Aruba 6.9% (2005 est.) Australia 4.2% (2008 est.) 4.4% (2007 est.) Austria 3.9% (2008 est.) 4.4% (2007 est.) Azerbaijan 0.9% (2008 est.) 1% (2007 est.) Bahamas, The 7.6% (2006 est.) Bahrain 15% (2005 est.) Bangladesh 2.5% (2008 est.) 2.5% (2007 est.) Barbados 10.7% (2003 est.) Belarus 1.6% (2005) note: officially registered unemployed; large number of underemployed workers Belgium 7% (2008 est.) 7.5% (2007 est.) Belize 8.1% (2008) 9.4% (2006) Benin NA% Bermuda 2.1% (2004 est.) Bhutan 2.5% (2004) Bolivia 7.5% (2008 est.) 7.5% (2007 est.) note: data are for urban areas; widespread underemployment Bosnia and Herzegovina 29% (2007 est.) 45.5% (31 December 2004 est.) note: official rate; gray economy may reduce actual unemployment to 25-30% Botswana 7.5% (2007 est.) Brazil 7.9% (2008 est.) 9.3% (2007 est.) British Virgin Islands 3.6% (1997) Brunei 3.7% (2008) 4% (2006) Bulgaria 6.3% (2008 est.) 7.7% (2007 est.) Burkina Faso 77% (2004) Burma 5% (2008 est.) 5.2% (2007 est.) Burundi NA% Cambodia 3.5% (2007 est.) 2.5% (2000 est.) Cameroon 30% (2001 est.) Canada 6.2% (2008 est.) 6% (2007 est.) Cape Verde 21% (2000 est.) Cayman Islands 4.4% (2004) Central African Republic 8% (2001 est.) note: 23% unemployment for Bangui Chad NA% Chile 7.8% (2008 est.) 7% (2007 est.) China 4% (2008 est.) 4% (2007 est.) note: official data for urban areas only; including migrants may boost total unemployment to 9%; substantial unemployment and underemployment in rural areas Cocos (Keeling) Islands 60% (2000 est.) Colombia 11.3% (2008 est.) 11.2% (2007 est.) Comoros 20% (1996 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the NA% Congo, Republic of the NA% Cook Islands 13.1% (2005) Costa Rica 4.9% (2008 est.) 4.6% (2007 est.) Cote d'Ivoire note: unemployment may have climbed to 40-50% as a result of the civil war Croatia 13.7% (2008 est.) 11.8% (2007 est.) Cuba 1.6% (2008 est.) 1.8% (2007 est.) Cyprus 3.6% (2008 est.) 3.9% (2007 est.) Czech Republic 5.4% (2008 est.) 6.6% (2007 est.) Denmark 1.8% (2008 est.) 2.8% (2007 est.) Djibouti 59% (2007 est.) note: data are for urban areas, 83% in rural areas Dominica 23% (2000 est.) Dominican Republic 14.1% (2008 est.) 15.6% (2007 est.) Ecuador 7.3% (2008 est.) 8.8% (2007 est.) Egypt 8.7% (2008 est.) 9.1% (2007 est.) El Salvador 6.9% (2008 est.) 6.2% (2007 est.) note: data are official rates; but the economy has much underemployment Equatorial Guinea 30% (1998 est.) Eritrea NA% Estonia 5.7% (2008 est.) 4.7% (2007 est.) Ethiopia NA% European Union 7.2% (2008 est.) 8.5% (2006 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Faroe Islands 1.4% (2007) 2.1% (2006) Fiji 7.6% (1999) Finland 6.4% (2008 est.) 6.9% (2007 est.) France 7.4% (2008 est.) 7.9% (2007 est.) French Polynesia 11.7% (2005) Gabon 21% (2006 est.) Gambia, The NA% Gaza Strip 41.3% (June 2008) 34.8% (2006) Georgia 13.6% (2006 est.) Germany 7.8% (2008 est.) 9% (2007 est.) note: this is the International Labor Organization's estimated rate for international comparisons; Germany's Federal Employment Office estimated a seasonally adjusted rate of 10.8% Ghana 11% (2000 est.) Gibraltar 3% (2005 est.) Greece 7.7% (2008 est.) 8.3% (2007 est.) Greenland 9.3% (2005 est.) Grenada 12.5% (2000) Guam 11.4% (2002 est.) Guatemala 3.2% (2005 est.) Guernsey 0.9% (March 2006 est.) Guinea NA% Guinea-Bissau NA% Guyana 11% (2007) Haiti NA% note: widespread unemployment and underemployment; more than two-thirds of the labor force do not have formal jobs Honduras 3.5% (2008 est.) note: high level of underemployment with up to a third of the labor force seeking more work. Hong Kong 3.5% (2008 est.) 4% (2007 est.) Hungary 7.8% (2008 est.) 7.3% (2007 est.) Iceland 1.6% (2008 est.) 1% (2007 est.) note: this figure climbed to 9.4% as of February 2009 India 9.1% (2008 est.) 7.2% (2007 est.) Indonesia 8.4% (2008 est.) 9.1% (2007 est.) Iran 12.5% (2008 est.) 12% (2007 est.) note: data are according to the Iranian Government Iraq 18.2% (2008 est.) 18% (2006 est.) note: official data; unofficial estimates as high as 30% Ireland 6.3% (2008 est.) 4.6% (2007 est.) Isle of Man 1.5% (December 2006 est.) Israel 6.1% (2008 est.) 7.3% (2007 est.) Italy 6.8% (2008 est.) 6.2% (2007 est.) Jamaica 11% (2008 est.) 9.9% (2007 est.) Japan 4% (2008 est.) 3.8% (2007 est.) Jersey 2.2% (2006 est.) Jordan 12.6% (2008 est.) 13.5% (2007 est.) note: official rate; unofficial rate is approximately 30% Kazakhstan 6.6% (2008 est.) 7.3% (2007 est.) Kenya 40% (2008 est.) 40% (2001 est.) Kiribati 2% (1992 est.) Korea, North NA% Korea, South 3.2% (2008 est.) 3.3% (2007 est.) Kosovo 40% (2007 est.) Kuwait 2.2% (2004 est.) Kyrgyzstan 18% (2004 est.) Laos 2.4% (2005 est.) Latvia 7.5% (2008 est.) 5.7% (2007 est.) Lebanon 9.2% (2007 est.) Lesotho 45% (2002) Liberia 85% (2003 est.) Libya 30% (2004 est.) Liechtenstein 1.5% (31 December 2007) 1.3% (September 2002) Lithuania 5.8% (2008 est.) 3.5% (2007 est.) note: based on survey data, official registered unemployment of 5.7% Luxembourg 4.4% (2008 est.) 4.4% (2007 est.) Macau 3% (2008) 3.1% (2006) Macedonia 33.8% (2008 est.) 34.9% (2007 est.) Malawi NA% Malaysia 3.3% (2008 est.) 3.2% (2007 est.) Maldives 14.4% (2006 est.) Mali 30% (2004 est.) Malta 6% (2008 est.) Marshall Islands 36% (2006 est.) 30.9% (2000 est.) Mauritania 30% (2008 est.) 20% (2004 est.) Mauritius 7.2% (2008 est.) 8.8% (2007 est.) Mayotte 25.4% (2005) Mexico 4% (2008 est.) 3.7% (2007 est.) note: underemployment is perhaps 25% Micronesia, Federated States of 22% (2000 est.) Moldova 1.5% (2008 est.) Monaco 0% (2005) Mongolia 2.8% (2008) 3% (2007) Montenegro 14.7% (2007 est.) Montserrat 6% (1998 est.) Morocco 9.5% (2008 est.) 9.8% (2007 est.) Mozambique 21% (1997 est.) Namibia 5% (2008 est.) Nauru 90% (2004 est.) Nepal 46% (2008 est.) 42% (2004 est.) Netherlands 4% (2008 est.) 4.6% (2007 est.) Netherlands Antilles 15.5% (2002 est.) New Caledonia 17.1% (2004) New Zealand 4.2% (2008 est.) 3.6% (2007 est.) Nicaragua 5.6% (2008 est.) 4.9% (2007 est.) note: underemployment was 46.5% in 2008 Niger NA% Nigeria 4.9% (2007 est.) Niue 12% (2001) Northern Mariana Islands 8% (2005 est.) 3.9% (2001) Norway 2.6% (2008 est.) 2.5% (2007 est.) Oman 15% (2004 est.) Pakistan 13.6% (2008 est.) 5.6% (2007 est.) note: substantial underemployment exists Palau 4.2% (2005 est.) Panama 5.6% (2008 est.) 6.4% (2007 est.) Papua New Guinea 1.9% (2004) Paraguay 5.4% (2008 est.) 5.6% (2007 est.) Peru 8.1% (2008 est.) 6.9% (2007 est.) note: data are for metropolitan Lima; widespread underemployment Philippines 7.4% (2008 est.) 7.3% (2007 est.) Poland 9.8% (2008 est.) 12.8% (2007 est.) Portugal 7.6% (2008 est.) 8% (2007 est.) Puerto Rico 12% (2002) Qatar 0.4% (2008 est.) 0.7% (2007 est.) Romania 4.4% (2008 est.) 4.1% (2007 est.) Russia 6.4% (2008 est.) 6.2% (2007 est.) Rwanda NA% Saint Helena 14% (1998 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis 4.5% (1997) Saint Lucia 20% (2003 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 10.3% (1999) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 15% (2001 est.) Samoa NA% San Marino 3.1% (2008) Sao Tome and Principe NA% Saudi Arabia 11.8% (2008 est.) 13% (2004 est.) note: data are for Saudi males only (local bank estimates; some estimates range as high as 25%) Senegal 48% (2007 est.) Serbia 18.8% (2007 est.) Seychelles 2% (2006 est.) Sierra Leone NA% Singapore 2.2% (2008 est.) 2.1% (2007 est.) Slovakia 7.7% (2008 est.) 8.4% (2007 est.) Slovenia 6.7% (2008 est.) 7.7% (2007 est.) Solomon Islands NA% Somalia NA% South Africa 22.9% (2008 est.) 24.3% (2007 est.) Spain 11.3% (2008 est.) 8.3% (2007 est.) Sri Lanka 5.2% (2008 est.) 6% (2007 est.) Sudan 18.7% (2002 est.) Suriname 9.5% (2004) Swaziland 40% (2006 est.) Sweden 6.2% (2008 est.) 6.1% (2007 est.) Switzerland 2.6% (2008 est.) 2.8% (2007 est.) Syria 8.6% (2008 est.) 9% (2007 est.) Taiwan 4.1% (2008 est.) 3.9% (2007 est.) Tajikistan 2.3% (2008 est.) 2.4% (2007 est.) note: official rates; actual unemployment is higher Tanzania NA% Thailand 1.4% (2008 est.) 1.4% (2007 est.) Timor-Leste 20% (2006 est.) note: data are for rural areas, unemployment rises to more than 40% among urban youth Togo NA% Tokelau NA% Tonga 13% (FY03/04 est.) Trinidad and Tobago 4.6% (2008 est.) 4.5% (2007 est.) Tunisia 14.1% (2008 est.) 14.1% (2007 est.) Turkey 11% (2008 est.) 9.9% (2007 est.) note: underemployment amounted to 4% in 2008 Turkmenistan 60% (2004 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands 10% (1997 est.) Tuvalu NA% Uganda NA% Ukraine 3% (2008 est.) 2.3% (2007 est.) note: officially registered; large number of unregistered or underemployed workers United Arab Emirates 2.4% (2001) United Kingdom 5.6% (2008 est.) 5.3% (2007 est.) United States 5.8% (2008 est.) 4.6% (2007 est.) Uruguay 7.6% (2008 est.) 9.2% (2007 est.) Uzbekistan 1% (2008 est.) 0.8% (2007 est.) note: officially measured by the Ministry of Labor, plus another 20% underemployed Vanuatu 1.7% (1999) Venezuela 7.4% (2008 est.) 8.5% (2007 est.) Vietnam 4.7% (2008 est.) 4.3% (2007 est.) Virgin Islands 6.2% (2004) Wallis and Futuna 15.2% (2003) West Bank 16.3% (2008 est.) 18.6% (2006) Western Sahara NA% World 30% (2007 est.) note: combined unemployment and underemployment in many non-industrialized countries; developed countries typically 4%-12% unemployment Yemen 35% (2003 est.) Zambia 50% (2000 est.) Zimbabwe 80% (2005 est.) ====================================================================== @2137 Field Listing :: Military - note This entry includes miscellaneous military information of significance not included elsewhere. Country Military - note Akrotiri Akrotiri has a full RAF base, Headquarters for British Forces Cyprus, and Episkopi Support Unit American Samoa defense is the responsibility of the US Andorra defense is the responsibility of France and Spain Anguilla defense is the responsibility of the UK Antarctica 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 Argentina the Argentine military is a well-organized force constrained by the country's prolonged economic hardship; the country has recently experienced a strong recovery, and the military is implementing a modernization plan aimed at making the ground forces lighter and more responsive (2008) Aruba defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Ashmore and Cartier Islands defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force Barbados the Royal Barbados Defense Force includes a land-based Troop Command and a small Coast Guard; the primary role of the land element is to defend the island against external aggression; the Command consists of a single, part-time battalion with a small regular cadre that is deployed throughout the island; it increasingly supports the police in patrolling the coastline to prevent smuggling and other illicit activities (2007) Bermuda defense is the responsibility of the UK Bouvet Island defense is the responsibility of Norway British Indian Ocean Territory defense is the responsibility of the UK; the US lease on Diego Garcia expires in 2016 British Virgin Islands defense is the responsibility of the UK Cayman Islands defense is the responsibility of the UK Christmas Island defense is the responsibility of Australia Clipperton Island defense is the responsibility of France Cocos (Keeling) Islands defense is the responsibility of Australia; the territory has a five-person police force Cook Islands defense is the responsibility of New Zealand in consultation with the Cook Islands and at its request Coral Sea Islands defense is the responsibility of Australia Cuba the collapse of the Soviet Union deprived the Cuban Army of its major economic and logistic support and had a significant impact on equipment numbers and serviceability; the army remains well trained and professional in nature; while the lack of replacement parts for its existing equipment and the current severe shortage of fuel have increasingly affected operational capabilities, Cuba remains able to offer considerable resistance to any regional power (2008) Dhekelia includes Dhekelia Garrison and Ayios Nikolaos Station connected by a roadway European Union the five-nation Eurocorps - created in 1992 by France, Germany, Belgium, Spain, and Luxembourg - has deployed troops and police on peacekeeping missions to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo and assumed command of the ISAF in Afghanistan in August 2004; Eurocorps directly commands the 5,000-man Franco-German Brigade, the Multinational Command Support Brigade, and EUFOR in Bosnia and Herzegovina; in November 2004, the EU Council of Ministers formally committed to creating 13 1,500-man battle groups by the end of 2007, to respond to international crises on a rotating basis; 22 of the EU's 27 nations have agreed to supply troops; France, Italy, and the UK formed the first of three battle groups in 2005; Norway, Sweden, Estonia, and Finland established the Nordic Battle Group effective 1 January 2008; nine other groups are to be formed; a rapid-reaction naval EU Maritime Task Group was stood up in March 2007 (2007) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) defense is the responsibility of the UK Faroe Islands defense is the responsibility of Denmark French Polynesia defense is the responsibility of France French Southern and Antarctic Lands defense is the responsibility of France Georgia a CIS peacekeeping force of Russian troops is deployed in the Abkhazia region of Georgia together with a UN military observer group; a Russian peacekeeping battalion is deployed in South Ossetia Gibraltar defense is the responsibility of the UK; the Royal Gibraltar Regiment replaced the last British regular infantry forces in 1992 Greenland defense is the responsibility of Denmark Guam defense is the responsibility of the US Guernsey defense is the responsibility of the UK Heard Island and McDonald Islands defense is the responsibility of Australia; Australia conducts fisheries patrols Holy See (Vatican City) defense is the responsibility of Italy; ceremonial and limited security duties performed by Pontifical Swiss Guard Hong Kong defense is the responsibility of China Iceland Iceland has no standing military force; under a 1951 bilateral agreement - still valid - its defense was provided by the US-manned Icelandic Defense Force (IDF) headquartered at Keflavik; however, all US military forces in Iceland were withdrawn as of October 2006; although wartime defense of Iceland remains a NATO commitment, in April 2007, Iceland and Norway signed a bilateral agreement providing for Norwegian aerial surveillance and defense of Icelandic airspace (2008) Isle of Man defense is the responsibility of the UK Jan Mayen defense is the responsibility of Norway Jersey defense is the responsibility of the UK Kiribati Kiribati does not have military forces; defense assistance is provided by Australia and NZ Laos serving one of the world's least developed countries, the Lao People's Armed Forces (LPAF) is small, poorly funded, and ineffectively resourced; its mission focus is border and internal security, primarily in countering ethnic Hmong insurgent groups; together with the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and the government, the Lao People's Army (LPA) is the third pillar of state machinery, and as such is expected to suppress political and civil unrest and similar national emergencies, but the LPA also has upgraded skills to respond to avian influenza outbreaks; there is no perceived external threat to the state and the LPA maintains strong ties with the neighboring Vietnamese military (2008) Lesotho Lesotho's declared policy is maintenance of its independent sovereignty and preservation of internal security; in practice, external security is guaranteed by South Africa; restructuring of the Lesotho Defense Force (LDF) and Ministry of Defense and Public Service over the past five years has focused on subordinating the defense apparatus to civilian control and restoring the LDF's cohesion; the restructuring has considerably improved capabilities and professionalism, but the LDF is disproportionately large for a small, poor country; the government has outlined a reduction to a planned 1,500-man strength, but these plans have met with vociferous resistance from the political opposition and from inside the LDF (2008) Liechtenstein Liechtenstein has no military forces, but is interested in European security policy and is an active member of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Macau defense is the responsibility of China Maldives the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF), with its small size and with little serviceable equipment, is inadequate to prevent external aggression and is primarily tasked to reinforce the Maldives Police Service (MPS) and ensure security in the exclusive economic zone (2008) Marshall Islands defense is the responsibility of the US Mayotte defense is the responsibility of France; a small contingent of French forces is stationed on the island Micronesia, Federated States of defense is the responsibility of the US Monaco defense is the responsibility of France Montenegro Montenegrin plans call for the establishment of a fully professional armed forces Montserrat defense is the responsibility of the UK Nauru Nauru maintains no defense forces; under an informal agreement, defense is the responsibility of Australia Navassa Island defense is the responsibility of the US Netherlands Antilles defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands New Caledonia defense is the responsibility of France Niue defense is the responsibility of New Zealand Norfolk Island defense is the responsibility of Australia Northern Mariana Islands defense is the responsibility of the US Palau defense is the responsibility of the US; under a Compact of Free Association between Palau and the US, the US military is granted access to the islands for 50 years, but it has not stationed any military forces there (2008) Panama on 10 February 1990, the government of then President ENDARA abolished Panama's military and reformed the security apparatus by creating the Panamanian Public Forces; in October 1994, Panama's Legislative Assembly approved a constitutional amendment prohibiting the creation of a standing military force but allowing the temporary establishment of special police units to counter acts of "external aggression" Paracel Islands occupied by China Pitcairn Islands defense is the responsibility of the UK Puerto Rico defense is the responsibility of the US Saint Barthelemy defense is the responsibility of France Saint Helena defense is the responsibility of the UK Saint Martin defense is the responsibility of France Saint Pierre and Miquelon defense is the responsibility of France Samoa Samoa has no formal defense structure or regular armed forces; informal defense ties exist with NZ, which is required to consider any Samoan request for assistance under the 1962 Treaty of Friendship San Marino defense is the responsibility of Italy Sao Tome and Principe Sao Tome and Principe's army is a tiny force with almost no resources at its disposal and would be wholly ineffective operating unilaterally; infantry equipment is considered simple to operate and maintain but may require refurbishment or replacement after 25 years in tropical climates; poor pay, working conditions, and alleged nepotism in the promotion of officers have been problems in the past, as reflected in the 1995 and 2003 coups; these issues are being addressed with foreign assistance aimed at improving the army and its focus on realistic security concerns; command is exercised from the president, through the Minister of Defense, to the Chief of the Armed Forces staff (2005) South Africa with the end of apartheid and the establishment of majority rule, former military, black homelands forces, and ex-opposition forces were integrated into the South African National Defense Force (SANDF); as of 2003 the integration process was considered complete South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands defense is the responsibility of the UK Spratly Islands Spratly Islands consist of more than 100 small islands or reefs of which about 45 are claimed and occupied by China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam Svalbard Svalbard is a territory of Norway, demilitarized by treaty on 9 February 1920 Tokelau defense is the responsibility of New Zealand Turkey a "National Security Policy Document" adopted in October 2005 increases the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) role in internal security, augmenting the General Directorate of Security and Gendarmerie General Command (Jandarma); the TSK leadership continues to play a key role in politics and considers itself guardian of Turkey's secular state; in April 2007, it warned the ruling party about any pro-Islamic appointments; despite on-going negotiations on EU accession since October 2005, progress has been limited in establishing required civilian supremacy over the military; primary domestic threats are listed as fundamentalism (with the definition in some dispute with the civilian government), separatism (the Kurdish problem), and the extreme left wing; Ankara strongly opposed establishment of an autonomous Kurdish region; an overhaul of the Turkish Land Forces Command (TLFC) taking place under the "Force 2014" program is to produce 20-30% smaller, more highly trained forces characterized by greater mobility and firepower and capable of joint and combined operations; the TLFC has taken on increasing international peacekeeping responsibilities, and took charge of a NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) command in Afghanistan in April 2007; the Turkish Navy is a regional naval power that wants to develop the capability to project power beyond Turkey's coastal waters; the Navy is heavily involved in NATO, multinational, and UN operations; its roles include control of territorial waters and security for sea lines of communications; the Turkish Air Force adopted an "Aerospace and Missile Defense Concept" in 2002 and has initiated project work on an integrated missile defense system; Air Force priorities include attaining a modern deployable, survivable, and sustainable force structure, and establishing a sustainable command and control system (2008) Turks and Caicos Islands defense is the responsibility of the UK United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges defense is the responsibility of the US Virgin Islands defense is the responsibility of the US Wake Island defense is the responsibility of the US; the US Air Force is responsible for overall administration and operation of the island; the launch support facility is administered by the US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Wallis and Futuna defense is the responsibility of France Yemen a Coast Guard was established in 2002 ====================================================================== @2138 Field Listing :: Communications - note This entry includes miscellaneous communications information of significance not included elsewhere. Country Communications - note Afghanistan Internet access is growing through Internet cafes as well as public "telekiosks" in Kabul (2005) Bouvet Island automatic meteorological station Coral Sea Islands there are automatic weather stations on many of the isles and reefs relaying data to the mainland French Southern and Antarctic Lands one or more meteorological stations on each possession; note - meteorological station on Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses) is important for forecasting cyclones Saint Helena South Africa maintains a meteorological station on Gough Island ====================================================================== @2140 Field Listing :: Government - note This entry includes miscellaneous government information of significance not included elsewhere. Country Government - note French Polynesia under certain acts of France, French Polynesia has acquired autonomy in all areas except those relating to police and justice, monetary policy, tertiary education, immigration, and defense and foreign affairs; the duties of its president are fashioned after those of the French prime minister Malawi no party has a majority in the fractured legislature New Zealand while not an official symbol, the Kiwi, a small native flightless bird, represents New Zealand Solomon Islands by the end of 2007, the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) - originally made up of police and troops from Australia, NZ, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Tonga - had been scaled back to 303 police officers, 197 civilian technical advisers, and 72 military advisers from 15 countries across the region Somalia although an interim government was created in 2004, other regional and local governing bodies continue to exist and control various regions of the country, including the self-declared Republic of Somaliland in northwestern Somalia and the semi-autonomous State of Puntland in northeastern Somalia ====================================================================== @2141 Field Listing :: Group Country Group Afghanistan All, NESA, Near East/South Asia, South Asia Akrotiri All, Europe, Europe/French Dependencies, Europe Albania All, OREA, Europe/French Dependencies, Europe Algeria All, NESA, Near East/South Asia, Africa American Samoa All, APLAA, Caribbean/Oceania, Australia - Oceania Andorra All, OREA, Europe/French Dependencies, Europe Angola All, APLAA, Sub-Saharan Africa, Africa Anguilla All, APLAA, North America/Caribbean, Central America Antarctica All, APLAA, South America/Global, Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda All, APLAA, North America/Caribbean, Central America Arctic Ocean All, APLAA, South America/Global, Oceans Argentina All, APLAA, South America/Global, South America Armenia All, OREA, Russia/Eurasia, Middle East Aruba All, APLAA, North America/Caribbean, Central America Ashmore and Cartier Islands All, APLAA, Caribbean/Oceania, Australia - Oceania Atlantic Ocean All, APLAA, South America/Global, Oceans Australia All, APLAA, Caribbean/Oceania, Australia - Oceania Austria All, OREA, Europe/French Dependencies, European Union, Europe Azerbaijan All, OREA, Russia/Eurasia, Middle East Bahamas, The All, APLAA, North America/Caribbean, Central America Bahrain All, NESA, Near East/South Asia, Middle East Bangladesh All, NESA, Near East/South Asia, South Asia Barbados All, APLAA, North America/Caribbean, Central America Belarus All, OREA, Russia/Eurasia, Europe Belgium All, OREA, Europe/French Dependencies, European Union, Europe Belize All, APLAA, South America/Meso America, Central America Benin All, APLAA, Sub-Saharan Africa, Africa Bermuda All, APLAA, North America/Caribbean, North America Bhutan All, NESA, Near East/South Asia, South Asia Bolivia All, APLAA, South America/Global, South America Bosnia and Herzegovina All, OREA, Europe/French Dependencies, Europe Botswana All, APLAA, Sub-Saharan Africa, Africa Bouvet Island All, OREA, Europe/French Dependencies, Antarctica Brazil All, APLAA, South America/Global, South America British Indian Ocean Territory All, APLAA, Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia British Virgin Islands All, APLAA, North America/Caribbean, Central America Brunei All, APLAA, East Asia/Southeast Asia, Southeast Asia Bulgaria All, OREA, Russia/Eurasia, European Union, Europe Burkina Faso All, APLAA, Sahel Region Africa, Africa Burma All, APLAA, East Asia/Southeast Asia, Southeast Asia Burundi All, APLAA, Sub-Saharan Africa, Africa Cambodia All, APLAA, East Asia/Southeast Asia, Southeast Asia Cameroon All, APLAA, Sub-Saharan Africa, Africa Canada All, APLAA, Eurasia/North America, North America Cape Verde All, APLAA, Sahel Region Africa, Africa Cayman Islands All, APLAA, North America/Caribbean, Central America Central African Republic All, APLAA, Sub-Saharan Africa, Africa Chad All, APLAA, Sahel Region Africa, Africa Chile All, APLAA, South America/Global, South America China All, APLAA, East Asia/Southeast Asia, Southeast Asia Christmas Island All, APLAA, Caribbean/Oceania, Australia - Oceania Clipperton Island All, OREA, Europe/French Dependencies, North America Cocos (Keeling) Islands All, APLAA, Caribbean/Oceania, Australia - Oceania Colombia All, APLAA, South America/Global, South America Comoros All, APLAA, Sub-Saharan Africa, Africa Congo, Democratic Republic of the All, APLAA, Sub-Saharan Africa, Africa Congo, Republic of the All, APLAA, Sub-Saharan Africa, Africa Cook Islands All, APLAA, Caribbean/Oceania, Australia - Oceania Coral Sea Islands All, APLAA, Caribbean/Oceania, Australia - Oceania Costa Rica All, APLAA, South America/Meso America, Central America Cote d'Ivoire All, APLAA, Sub-Saharan Africa, Africa Croatia All, OREA, Europe/French Dependencies, Europe Cuba All, APLAA, North America/Caribbean, Central America Cyprus All, OREA, Europe/French Dependencies, European Union, Europe Czech Republic All, OREA, Russia/Eurasia, European Union, Europe Denmark All, OREA, Europe/French Dependencies, European Union, Europe Dhekelia All, Europe, Europe/French Dependencies, Europe Djibouti All, APLAA, Sahel Region Africa, Africa Dominica All, APLAA, North America/Caribbean, Central America Dominican Republic All, APLAA, North America/Caribbean, Central America Ecuador All, APLAA, South America/Global, South America Egypt All, NESA, Near East/South Asia, Africa El Salvador All, APLAA, North America/Caribbean, Central America Equatorial Guinea All, APLAA, Sub-Saharan Africa, Africa Eritrea All, APLAA, Sahel Region Africa, Africa Estonia All, OREA, Russia/Eurasia, European Union, Europe Ethiopia All, APLAA, Sahel Region Africa, Africa European Union All, Europe, Europe Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) All, APLAA, South America/Global, South America Faroe Islands All, OREA, Europe/French Dependencies, Europe Fiji All, APLAA, Caribbean/Oceania, Australia - Oceania Finland All, OREA, Europe/French Dependencies, European Union, Europe France All, OREA, Europe/French Dependencies, European Union, Europe French Polynesia All, OREA, Europe/French Dependencies, Australia - Oceania French Southern and Antarctic Lands All, OREA, Europe/French Dependencies, Antarctica Gabon All, APLAA, Sub-Saharan Africa, Africa Gambia, The All, APLAA, Sahel Region Africa, Africa Gaza Strip All, NESA, Near East/South Asia, Middle East Georgia All, OREA, Russia/Eurasia, Middle East Germany All, OREA, Europe/French Dependencies, European Union, Europe Ghana All, APLAA, Sub-Saharan Africa, Africa Gibraltar All, OREA, Europe/French Dependencies, Europe Greece All, OREA, Europe/French Dependencies, European Union, Europe Greenland All, OREA, Europe/French Dependencies, North America Grenada All, APLAA, North America/Caribbean, Central America Guam All, APLAA, Caribbean/Oceania, Australia - Oceania Guatemala All, APLAA, South America/Meso America, Central America Guernsey All, OREA, Europe/French Dependencies, Europe Guinea All, APLAA, Sahel Region Africa, Africa Guinea-Bissau All, APLAA, Sahel Region Africa, Africa Guyana All, APLAA, South America/Global, South America Haiti All, APLAA, North America/Caribbean, Central America Heard Island and McDonald Islands All, APLAA, Caribbean/Oceania, Antarctica Holy See (Vatican City) All, OREA, Europe/French Dependencies, Europe Honduras All, APLAA, North America/Caribbean, Central America Hong Kong All, APLAA, East Asia/Southeast Asia, Southeast Asia Hungary All, OREA, Russia/Eurasia, European Union, Europe Iceland All, OREA, Europe/French Dependencies, Europe India All, NESA, Near East/South Asia, South Asia Indian Ocean All, APLAA, South America/Global, Oceans Indonesia All, APLAA, East Asia/Southeast Asia, Southeast Asia Iran All, NESA, Near East/South Asia, Middle East Iraq All, NESA, Near East/South Asia, Middle East Ireland All, OREA, Europe/French Dependencies, European Union, Europe Isle of Man All, OREA, Europe/French Dependencies, Europe Israel All, NESA, Near East/South Asia, Middle East Italy All, OREA, Europe/French Dependencies, European Union, Europe Jamaica All, APLAA, North America/Caribbean, Central America Jan Mayen All, OREA, Europe/French Dependencies, Europe Japan All, APLAA, East Asia/Southeast Asia, Southeast Asia Jersey All, OREA, Europe/French Dependencies, Europe Jordan All, NESA, Near East/South Asia, Middle East Kazakhstan All, OREA, Russia/Eurasia, Central Asia Kenya All, APLAA, Sub-Saharan Africa, Africa Kiribati All, APLAA, Caribbean/Oceania, Australia - Oceania Korea, North All, APLAA, East Asia/Southeast Asia, Southeast Asia Korea, South All, APLAA, East Asia/Southeast Asia, Southeast Asia Kosovo All, Europe Kuwait All, NESA, Near East/South Asia, Middle East Kyrgyzstan All, OREA, Russia/Eurasia, Central Asia Laos All, APLAA, East Asia/Southeast Asia, Southeast Asia Latvia All, OREA, Russia/Eurasia, European Union, Europe Lebanon All, NESA, Near East/South Asia, Middle East Lesotho All, APLAA, Sub-Saharan Africa, Africa Liberia All, APLAA, Sub-Saharan Africa, Africa Libya All, NESA, Near East/South Asia, Africa Liechtenstein All, OREA, Europe/French Dependencies, Europe Lithuania All, OREA, Russia/Eurasia, European Union, Europe Luxembourg All, OREA, Europe/French Dependencies, European Union, Europe Macau All, APLAA, East Asia/Southeast Asia, Southeast Asia Macedonia All, OREA, Europe/French Dependencies, Europe Madagascar All, APLAA, Sub-Saharan Africa, Africa Malawi All, APLAA, Sub-Saharan Africa, Africa Malaysia All, APLAA, East Asia/Southeast Asia, Southeast Asia Maldives All, NESA, Near East/South Asia, South Asia Mali All, APLAA, Sub-Saharan Africa, Africa Malta All, OREA, Europe/French Dependencies, European Union, Europe Marshall Islands All, APLAA, Caribbean/Oceania, Australia - Oceania Mauritania All, NESA, Sahel Region Africa, Africa Mauritius All, APLAA, Sub-Saharan Africa, Africa Mayotte All, OREA, Europe/French Dependencies, Africa Mexico All, APLAA, South America/Meso America, North America Micronesia, Federated States of All, APLAA, Caribbean/Oceania, Australia - Oceania Moldova All, OREA, Russia/Eurasia, Europe Monaco All, OREA, Europe/French Dependencies, Europe Mongolia All, APLAA, East Asia/Southeast Asia, Southeast Asia Montenegro All, Europe/French Dependencies, Europe Montserrat All, APLAA, North America/Caribbean, Central America Morocco All, NESA, Near East/South Asia, Africa Mozambique All, APLAA, Sub-Saharan Africa, Africa Namibia All, APLAA, Sub-Saharan Africa, Africa Nauru All, APLAA, Caribbean/Oceania, Australia - Oceania Navassa Island All, APLAA, North America/Caribbean, Central America Nepal All, NESA, Near East/South Asia, South Asia Netherlands All, OREA, Europe/French Dependencies, European Union, Europe Netherlands Antilles All, APLAA, North America/Caribbean, Central America New Caledonia All, OREA, Europe/French Dependencies, Australia - Oceania New Zealand All, APLAA, Caribbean/Oceania, Australia - Oceania Nicaragua All, APLAA, South America/Meso America, Central America Niger All, APLAA, Sahel Region Africa, Africa Nigeria All, APLAA, Sub-Saharan Africa, Africa Niue All, APLAA, Caribbean/Oceania, Australia - Oceania Norfolk Island All, APLAA, Caribbean/Oceania, Australia - Oceania Northern Mariana Islands All, APLAA, Caribbean/Oceania, Australia - Oceania Norway All, OREA, Europe/French Dependencies, Europe Oman All, NESA, Near East/South Asia, Middle East Pacific Ocean All, APLAA, South America/Global, Oceans Pakistan All, NESA, Near East/South Asia, South Asia Palau All, APLAA, Caribbean/Oceania, Australia - Oceania Panama All, APLAA, South America/Meso America, Central America Papua New Guinea All, APLAA, East Asia/Southeast Asia, Southeast Asia Paracel Islands All, APLAA, East Asia/Southeast Asia, Southeast Asia Paraguay All, APLAA, South America/Global, South America Peru All, APLAA, South America/Global, South America Philippines All, APLAA, East Asia/Southeast Asia, Southeast Asia Pitcairn Islands All, APLAA, Caribbean/Oceania, Australia - Oceania Poland All, OREA, Russia/Eurasia, European Union, Europe Portugal All, OREA, Europe/French Dependencies, European Union, Europe Puerto Rico All, APLAA, North America/Caribbean, Central America Qatar All, NESA, Near East/South Asia, Middle East Romania All, OREA, Russia/Eurasia, European Union, Europe Russia All, OREA, Russia/Eurasia, Central Asia Rwanda All, APLAA, Sub-Saharan Africa, Africa Saint Barthelemy All, Central America Saint Helena All, APLAA, Sub-Saharan Africa, Africa Saint Kitts and Nevis All, APLAA, North America/Caribbean, Central America Saint Lucia All, APLAA, North America/Caribbean, Central America Saint Martin All, Central America Saint Pierre and Miquelon All, OREA, Europe/French Dependencies, North America Saint Vincent and the Grenadines All, APLAA, North America/Caribbean, Central America Samoa All, APLAA, Caribbean/Oceania, Australia - Oceania San Marino All, OREA, Europe/French Dependencies, Europe Sao Tome and Principe All, APLAA, Sub-Saharan Africa, Africa Saudi Arabia All, NESA, Near East/South Asia, Middle East Senegal All, APLAA, Sahel Region Africa, Africa Serbia All, Europe/French Dependencies, Europe Seychelles All, APLAA, Sub-Saharan Africa, Africa Sierra Leone All, APLAA, Sub-Saharan Africa, Africa Singapore All, APLAA, East Asia/Southeast Asia, Southeast Asia Slovakia All, OREA, Russia/Eurasia, European Union, Europe Slovenia All, OREA, Russia/Eurasia, European Union, Europe Solomon Islands All, APLAA, Caribbean/Oceania, Australia - Oceania Somalia All, APLAA, Sahel Region Africa, Africa South Africa All, APLAA, Sub-Saharan Africa, Africa South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands All, APLAA, South America/Global Southern Ocean All, APLAA, South America/Global, Oceans Spain All, OREA, Europe/French Dependencies, European Union, Europe Spratly Islands All, APLAA, East Asia/Southeast Asia, Southeast Asia Sri Lanka All, NESA, Near East/South Asia, South Asia Sudan All, NESA, Sahel Region Africa, Africa Suriname All, APLAA, South America/Global, South America Svalbard All, OREA, Europe/French Dependencies, Europe Swaziland All, APLAA, Sub-Saharan Africa, Africa Sweden All, OREA, Europe/French Dependencies, European Union, Europe Switzerland All, OREA, Europe/French Dependencies, Europe Syria All, NESA, Near East/South Asia, Middle East Taiwan All, APLAA, East Asia/Southeast Asia, Southeast Asia Tajikistan All, OREA, Russia/Eurasia, Central Asia Tanzania All, APLAA, Sub-Saharan Africa, Africa Thailand All, APLAA, East Asia/Southeast Asia, Southeast Asia Timor-Leste All, APLAA, East Asia/Southeast Asia, Southeast Asia Togo All, APLAA, Sub-Saharan Africa, Africa Tokelau All, APLAA, Caribbean/Oceania, Australia - Oceania Tonga All, APLAA, Caribbean/Oceania, Australia - Oceania Trinidad and Tobago All, APLAA, North America/Caribbean, Central America Tunisia All, NESA, Near East/South Asia, Africa Turkey All, OREA, Europe/French Dependencies, Middle East Turkmenistan All, OREA, Russia/Eurasia, Central Asia Turks and Caicos Islands All, APLAA, North America/Caribbean, Central America Tuvalu All, APLAA, Caribbean/Oceania, Australia - Oceania Uganda All, APLAA, Sub-Saharan Africa, Africa Ukraine All, OREA, Russia/Eurasia, Europe United Arab Emirates All, NESA, Near East/South Asia, Middle East United Kingdom All, OREA, Europe/French Dependencies, European Union, Europe United States All, APLAA, Eurasia/North America, North America United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges All, Australia - Oceania Uruguay All, APLAA, South America/Global, South America Uzbekistan All, OREA, Russia/Eurasia, Central Asia Vanuatu All, APLAA, Caribbean/Oceania, Australia - Oceania Venezuela All, APLAA, South America/Global, South America Vietnam All, APLAA, East Asia/Southeast Asia, Southeast Asia Virgin Islands All, APLAA, North America/Caribbean, Central America Wake Island All, APLAA, Caribbean/Oceania, Australia - Oceania Wallis and Futuna All, OREA, Europe/French Dependencies, Australia - Oceania West Bank All, NESA, Near East/South Asia, Middle East Western Sahara All, NESA, Near East/South Asia, Africa World All, APLAA, South America/Global, Oceans Yemen All, NESA, Near East/South Asia, Middle East Zambia All, APLAA, Sub-Saharan Africa, Africa Zimbabwe All, APLAA, Sub-Saharan Africa, Africa ====================================================================== @2142 Field Listing :: Country name This entry includes all forms of the country's name approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (Italy is used as an example): conventional long form (Italian Republic), conventional short form (Italy), local long form (Repubblica Italiana), local short form (Italia), former (Kingdom of Italy), as well as the abbreviation. Also see the Terminology note. Country Country name Afghanistan conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Afghanistan conventional short form: Afghanistan local long form: Jomhuri-ye Eslami-ye Afghanestan local short form: Afghanestan former: Republic of Afghanistan Akrotiri conventional long form: Akrotiri Sovereign Base Area conventional short form: Akrotiri Albania 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 Algeria conventional long form: People's Democratic Republic of Algeria conventional short form: Algeria local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Jaza'iriyah ad Dimuqratiyah ash Sha'biyah local short form: Al Jaza'ir American Samoa conventional long form: Territory of American Samoa conventional short form: American Samoa abbreviation: AS Andorra conventional long form: Principality of Andorra conventional short form: Andorra local long form: Principat d'Andorra local short form: Andorra Angola 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 Anguilla conventional long form: none conventional short form: Anguilla Antarctica conventional long form: none conventional short form: Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda conventional long form: none conventional short form: Antigua and Barbuda Argentina conventional long form: Argentine Republic conventional short form: Argentina local long form: Republica Argentina local short form: Argentina Armenia 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 Aruba conventional long form: none conventional short form: Aruba Ashmore and Cartier Islands conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands Australia conventional long form: Commonwealth of Australia conventional short form: Australia Austria conventional long form: Republic of Austria conventional short form: Austria local long form: Republik Oesterreich local short form: Oesterreich Azerbaijan conventional long form: Republic of Azerbaijan conventional short form: Azerbaijan local long form: Azarbaycan Respublikasi local short form: Azarbaycan former: Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic Bahamas, The conventional long form: Commonwealth of The Bahamas conventional short form: The Bahamas Bahrain conventional long form: Kingdom of Bahrain conventional short form: Bahrain local long form: Mamlakat al Bahrayn local short form: Al Bahrayn former: Dilmun Bangladesh conventional long form: People's Republic of Bangladesh conventional short form: Bangladesh local long form: Gana Prajatantri Banladesh local short form: Banladesh former: East Bengal, East Pakistan Barbados conventional long form: none conventional short form: Barbados Belarus conventional long form: Republic of Belarus conventional short form: Belarus local long form: Respublika Byelarus' local short form: Byelarus' former: Belorussian (Byelorussian) Soviet Socialist Republic Belgium conventional long form: Kingdom of Belgium conventional short form: Belgium local long form: Royaume de Belgique/Koninkrijk Belgie local short form: Belgique/Belgie Belize conventional long form: none conventional short form: Belize former: British Honduras Benin conventional long form: Republic of Benin conventional short form: Benin local long form: Republique du Benin local short form: Benin former: Dahomey Bermuda conventional long form: none conventional short form: Bermuda former: Somers Islands Bhutan conventional long form: Kingdom of Bhutan conventional short form: Bhutan local long form: Druk Gyalkhap local short form: Druk Yul Bolivia conventional long form: Plurinational State of Bolivia conventional short form: Bolivia local long form: Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia local short form: Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina conventional long form: none conventional short form: Bosnia and Herzegovina local long form: none local short form: Bosna i Hercegovina former: People's Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana conventional long form: Republic of Botswana conventional short form: Botswana local long form: Republic of Botswana local short form: Botswana former: Bechuanaland Bouvet Island conventional long form: none conventional short form: Bouvet Island Brazil conventional long form: Federative Republic of Brazil conventional short form: Brazil local long form: Republica Federativa do Brasil local short form: Brasil British Indian Ocean Territory conventional long form: British Indian Ocean Territory conventional short form: none abbreviation: BIOT British Virgin Islands conventional long form: none conventional short form: British Virgin Islands abbreviation: BVI Brunei conventional long form: Brunei Darussalam conventional short form: Brunei local long form: Negara Brunei Darussalam local short form: Brunei Bulgaria conventional long form: Republic of Bulgaria conventional short form: Bulgaria local long form: Republika Balgariya local short form: Balgariya Burkina Faso conventional long form: none conventional short form: Burkina Faso local long form: none local short form: Burkina Faso former: Upper Volta, Republic of Upper Volta Burma conventional long form: Union of Burma conventional short form: Burma local long form: Pyidaungzu Myanma Naingngandaw (translated by the US Government as Union of Myanma and by the Burmese as Union of Myanmar) local short form: Myanma Naingngandaw former: Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma note: since 1989 the military authorities in Burma have promoted the name Myanmar as a conventional name for their state; this decision was not approved by any sitting legislature in Burma, and the US Government did not adopt the name, which is a derivative of the Burmese short-form name Myanma Naingngandaw Burundi conventional long form: Republic of Burundi conventional short form: Burundi local long form: Republique du Burundi/Republika y'u Burundi local short form: Burundi former: Urundi Cambodia conventional long form: Kingdom of Cambodia conventional short form: Cambodia local long form: Preahreacheanachakr Kampuchea (phonetic pronunciation) local short form: Kampuchea former: Khmer Republic, Democratic Kampuchea, People's Republic of Kampuchea, State of Cambodia Cameroon conventional long form: Republic of Cameroon conventional short form: Cameroon local long form: Republique du Cameroun/Republic of Cameroon local short form: Cameroun/Cameroon former: French Cameroon, British Cameroon, Federal Republic of Cameroon, United Republic of Cameroon Canada conventional long form: none conventional short form: Canada Cape Verde conventional long form: Republic of Cape Verde conventional short form: Cape Verde local long form: Republica de Cabo Verde local short form: Cabo Verde Cayman Islands conventional long form: none conventional short form: Cayman Islands Central African Republic conventional long form: Central African Republic conventional short form: none local long form: Republique Centrafricaine local short form: none former: Ubangi-Shari, Central African Empire abbreviation: CAR Chad conventional long form: Republic of Chad conventional short form: Chad local long form: Republique du Tchad/Jumhuriyat Tshad local short form: Tchad/Tshad Chile conventional long form: Republic of Chile conventional short form: Chile local long form: Republica de Chile local short form: Chile China conventional long form: People's Republic of China conventional short form: China local long form: Zhonghua Renmin Gongheguo local short form: Zhongguo abbreviation: PRC Christmas Island conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Island conventional short form: Christmas Island Clipperton Island conventional long form: none conventional short form: Clipperton Island local long form: none local short form: Ile Clipperton former: sometimes called Ile de la Passion Cocos (Keeling) Islands conventional long form: Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands conventional short form: Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia conventional long form: Republic of Colombia conventional short form: Colombia local long form: Republica de Colombia local short form: Colombia Comoros conventional long form: Union of the Comoros conventional short form: Comoros local long form: Udzima wa Komori (Comorian); Union des Comores (French); Jumhuriyat al Qamar al Muttahidah (Arabic) local short form: Komori (Comorian); Comores (French); Juzur al Qamar (Arabic) Congo, Democratic Republic of the conventional long form: Democratic Republic of the Congo conventional short form: DRC local long form: Republique Democratique du Congo local short form: RDC former: Congo Free State, Belgian Congo, Congo/Leopoldville, Congo/Kinshasa, Zaire abbreviation: DRC Congo, Republic of the conventional long form: Republic of the Congo conventional short form: Congo (Brazzaville) local long form: Republique du Congo local short form: none former: Middle Congo, Congo/Brazzaville, Congo Cook Islands conventional long form: none conventional short form: Cook Islands former: Harvey Islands Coral Sea Islands conventional long form: Coral Sea Islands Territory conventional short form: Coral Sea Islands Costa Rica conventional long form: Republic of Costa Rica conventional short form: Costa Rica local long form: Republica de Costa Rica local short form: Costa Rica Cote d'Ivoire conventional long form: Republic of Cote d'Ivoire conventional short form: Cote d'Ivoire local long form: Republique de Cote d'Ivoire local short form: Cote d'Ivoire note: pronounced coat-div-whar former: Ivory Coast Croatia conventional long form: Republic of Croatia conventional short form: Croatia local long form: Republika Hrvatska local short form: Hrvatska former: People's Republic of Croatia, Socialist Republic of Croatia Cuba conventional long form: Republic of Cuba conventional short form: Cuba local long form: Republica de Cuba local short form: Cuba Cyprus conventional long form: Republic of Cyprus conventional short form: Cyprus local long form: Kypriaki Dimokratia/Kibris Cumhuriyeti local short form: Kypros/Kibris note: the Turkish Cypriot community, which administers the northern part of the island, refers to itself as the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" ("TRNC") Czech Republic conventional long form: Czech Republic conventional short form: Czech Republic local long form: Ceska Republika local short form: Cesko Denmark conventional long form: Kingdom of Denmark conventional short form: Denmark local long form: Kongeriget Danmark local short form: Danmark Dhekelia conventional long form: Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area conventional short form: Dhekelia Djibouti conventional long form: Republic of Djibouti conventional short form: Djibouti local long form: Republique de Djibouti/Jumhuriyat Jibuti local short form: Djibouti/Jibuti former: French Territory of the Afars and Issas, French Somaliland Dominica conventional long form: Commonwealth of Dominica conventional short form: Dominica Dominican Republic conventional long form: Dominican Republic conventional short form: The Dominican local long form: Republica Dominicana local short form: La Dominicana Ecuador conventional long form: Republic of Ecuador conventional short form: Ecuador local long form: Republica del Ecuador local short form: Ecuador Egypt conventional long form: Arab Republic of Egypt conventional short form: Egypt local long form: Jumhuriyat Misr al-Arabiyah local short form: Misr former: United Arab Republic (with Syria) El Salvador conventional long form: Republic of El Salvador conventional short form: El Salvador local long form: Republica de El Salvador local short form: El Salvador Equatorial Guinea conventional long form: Republic of Equatorial Guinea conventional short form: Equatorial Guinea local long form: Republica de Guinea Ecuatorial/Republique de Guinee equatoriale local short form: Guinea Ecuatorial/Guinee equatoriale former: Spanish Guinea Eritrea conventional long form: State of Eritrea conventional short form: Eritrea local long form: Hagere Ertra local short form: Ertra former: Eritrea Autonomous Region in Ethiopia Estonia conventional long form: Republic of Estonia conventional short form: Estonia local long form: Eesti Vabariik local short form: Eesti former: Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic Ethiopia conventional long form: Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia conventional short form: Ethiopia local long form: Ityop'iya Federalawi Demokrasiyawi Ripeblik local short form: Ityop'iya former: Abyssinia, Italian East Africa abbreviation: FDRE Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) conventional long form: none conventional short form: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Faroe Islands conventional long form: none conventional short form: Faroe Islands local long form: none local short form: Foroyar Fiji conventional long form: Republic of the Fiji Islands conventional short form: Fiji local long form: Republic of the Fiji Islands/Matanitu ko Viti local short form: Fiji/Viti Finland conventional long form: Republic of Finland conventional short form: Finland local long form: Suomen tasavalta/Republiken Finland local short form: Suomi/Finland France conventional long form: French Republic conventional short form: France local long form: Republique francaise local short form: France French Polynesia conventional long form: Overseas Lands of French Polynesia conventional short form: French Polynesia local long form: Pays d'outre-mer de la Polynesie Francaise local short form: Polynesie Francaise former: French Colony of Oceania French Southern and Antarctic Lands conventional long form: Territory of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands conventional short form: French Southern and Antarctic Lands local long form: Territoire des Terres Australes et Antarctiques Francaises local short form: Terres Australes et Antarctiques Francaises abbreviation: TAAF Gabon conventional long form: Gabonese Republic conventional short form: Gabon local long form: Republique Gabonaise local short form: Gabon Gambia, The conventional long form: Republic of The Gambia conventional short form: The Gambia Gaza Strip conventional long form: none conventional short form: Gaza Strip local long form: none local short form: Qita Ghazzah Georgia conventional long form: none conventional short form: Georgia local long form: none local short form: Sak'art'velo former: Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic Germany conventional long form: Federal Republic of Germany conventional short form: Germany local long form: Bundesrepublik Deutschland local short form: Deutschland former: German Empire, German Republic, German Reich Ghana conventional long form: Republic of Ghana conventional short form: Ghana former: Gold Coast Gibraltar conventional long form: none conventional short form: Gibraltar Greece conventional long form: Hellenic Republic conventional short form: Greece local long form: Elliniki Dhimokratia local short form: Ellas or Ellada former: Kingdom of Greece Greenland conventional long form: none conventional short form: Greenland local long form: none local short form: Kalaallit Nunaat Grenada conventional long form: none conventional short form: Grenada Guam conventional long form: Territory of Guam conventional short form: Guam local long form: Guahan local short form: Guahan Guatemala conventional long form: Republic of Guatemala conventional short form: Guatemala local long form: Republica de Guatemala local short form: Guatemala Guernsey conventional long form: Bailiwick of Guernsey conventional short form: Guernsey Guinea conventional long form: Republic of Guinea conventional short form: Guinea local long form: Republique de Guinee local short form: Guinee former: French Guinea Guinea-Bissau conventional long form: Republic of Guinea-Bissau conventional short form: Guinea-Bissau local long form: Republica da Guine-Bissau local short form: Guine-Bissau former: Portuguese Guinea Guyana conventional long form: Cooperative Republic of Guyana conventional short form: Guyana former: British Guiana Haiti conventional long form: Republic of Haiti conventional short form: Haiti local long form: Republique d'Haiti/Repiblik d' Ayiti local short form: Haiti/Ayiti Heard Island and McDonald Islands conventional long form: Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands conventional short form: Heard Island and McDonald Islands abbreviation: HIMI Holy See (Vatican City) conventional long form: The Holy See (State of the Vatican City) conventional short form: Holy See (Vatican City) local long form: Santa Sede (Stato della Citta del Vaticano) local short form: Santa Sede (Citta del Vaticano) Honduras conventional long form: Republic of Honduras conventional short form: Honduras local long form: Republica de Honduras local short form: Honduras Hong Kong conventional long form: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region conventional short form: Hong Kong local long form: Xianggang Tebie Xingzhengqu local short form: Xianggang abbreviation: HK Hungary conventional long form: Republic of Hungary conventional short form: Hungary local long form: Magyar Koztarsasag local short form: Magyarorszag Iceland conventional long form: Republic of Iceland conventional short form: Iceland local long form: Lydveldid Island local short form: Island India conventional long form: Republic of India conventional short form: India local long form: Republic of India/Bharatiya Ganarajya local short form: India/Bharat Indonesia conventional long form: Republic of Indonesia conventional short form: Indonesia local long form: Republik Indonesia local short form: Indonesia former: Netherlands East Indies, Dutch East Indies Iran conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Iran conventional short form: Iran local long form: Jomhuri-ye Eslami-ye Iran local short form: Iran former: Persia Iraq conventional long form: Republic of Iraq conventional short form: Iraq local long form: Jumhuriyat al-Iraq local short form: Al Iraq Ireland conventional long form: none conventional short form: Ireland local long form: none local short form: Eire Isle of Man conventional long form: none conventional short form: Isle of Man abbreviation: I.O.M. Israel conventional long form: State of Israel conventional short form: Israel local long form: Medinat Yisra'el local short form: Yisra'el Italy conventional long form: Italian Republic conventional short form: Italy local long form: Repubblica Italiana local short form: Italia former: Kingdom of Italy Jamaica conventional long form: none conventional short form: Jamaica Jan Mayen conventional long form: none conventional short form: Jan Mayen Japan conventional long form: none conventional short form: Japan local long form: Nihon-koku/Nippon-koku local short form: Nihon/Nippon Jersey conventional long form: Bailiwick of Jersey conventional short form: Jersey Jordan conventional long form: Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan conventional short form: Jordan local long form: Al Mamlakah al Urduniyah al Hashimiyah local short form: Al Urdun former: Transjordan Kazakhstan conventional long form: Republic of Kazakhstan conventional short form: Kazakhstan local long form: Qazaqstan Respublikasy local short form: Qazaqstan former: Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic Kenya conventional long form: Republic of Kenya conventional short form: Kenya local long form: Republic of Kenya/Jamhuri ya Kenya local short form: Kenya former: British East Africa Kiribati conventional long form: Republic of Kiribati conventional short form: Kiribati local long form: Republic of Kiribati local short form: Kiribati note: pronounced keer-ree-bahss former: Gilbert Islands Korea, North conventional long form: Democratic People's Republic of Korea conventional short form: North Korea local long form: Choson-minjujuui-inmin-konghwaguk local short form: Choson abbreviation: DPRK Korea, South conventional long form: Republic of Korea conventional short form: South Korea local long form: Taehan-min'guk local short form: Han'guk abbreviation: ROK Kosovo conventional long form: Republic of Kosovo conventional short form: Kosovo local long form: Republika e Kosoves (Republika Kosovo) local short form: Kosova (Kosovo) Kuwait conventional long form: State of Kuwait conventional short form: Kuwait local long form: Dawlat al Kuwayt local short form: Al Kuwayt Kyrgyzstan conventional long form: Kyrgyz Republic conventional short form: Kyrgyzstan local long form: Kyrgyz Respublikasy local short form: Kyrgyzstan former: Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic Laos conventional long form: Lao People's Democratic Republic conventional short form: Laos local long form: Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao local short form: Pathet Lao (unofficial) Latvia conventional long form: Republic of Latvia conventional short form: Latvia local long form: Latvijas Republika local short form: Latvija former: Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic Lebanon conventional long form: Lebanese Republic conventional short form: Lebanon local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Lubnaniyah local short form: Lubnan former: Greater Lebanon Lesotho conventional long form: Kingdom of Lesotho conventional short form: Lesotho local long form: Kingdom of Lesotho local short form: Lesotho former: Basutoland Liberia conventional long form: Republic of Liberia conventional short form: Liberia Libya conventional long form: Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya conventional short form: Libya local long form: Al Jamahiriyah al Arabiyah al Libiyah ash Shabiyah al Ishtirakiyah al Uthma local short form: none Liechtenstein conventional long form: Principality of Liechtenstein conventional short form: Liechtenstein local long form: Fuerstentum Liechtenstein local short form: Liechtenstein Lithuania conventional long form: Republic of Lithuania conventional short form: Lithuania local long form: Lietuvos Respublika local short form: Lietuva former: Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic Luxembourg conventional long form: Grand Duchy of Luxembourg conventional short form: Luxembourg local long form: Grand Duche de Luxembourg local short form: Luxembourg Macau conventional long form: Macau Special Administrative Region conventional short form: Macau local long form: Aomen Tebie Xingzhengqu (Chinese); Regiao Administrativa Especial de Macau (Portuguese) local short form: Aomen (Chinese); Macau (Portuguese) Macedonia conventional long form: Republic of Macedonia conventional short form: Macedonia local long form: Republika Makedonija local short form: Makedonija note: the provisional designation used by the UN, EU, and NATO is the "former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" (FYROM) former: People's Republic of Macedonia, Socialist Republic of Macedonia Madagascar conventional long form: Republic of Madagascar conventional short form: Madagascar local long form: Republique de Madagascar/Repoblikan'i Madagasikara local short form: Madagascar/Madagasikara former: Malagasy Republic Malawi conventional long form: Republic of Malawi conventional short form: Malawi local long form: Dziko la Malawi local short form: Malawi former: British Central African Protectorate, Nyasaland Protectorate, Nyasaland Malaysia conventional long form: none conventional short form: Malaysia local long form: none local short form: Malaysia former: Federation of Malaya Maldives conventional long form: Republic of Maldives conventional short form: Maldives local long form: Dhivehi Raajjeyge Jumhooriyyaa local short form: Dhivehi Raajje Mali conventional long form: Republic of Mali conventional short form: Mali local long form: Republique de Mali local short form: Mali former: French Sudan and Sudanese Republic Malta conventional long form: Republic of Malta conventional short form: Malta local long form: Repubblika ta' Malta local short form: Malta Marshall Islands conventional long form: Republic of the Marshall Islands conventional short form: Marshall Islands local long form: Republic of the Marshall Islands local short form: Marshall Islands abbreviation: RMI former: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Marshall Islands District Mauritania conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Mauritania conventional short form: Mauritania local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Islamiyah al Muritaniyah local short form: Muritaniyah Mauritius conventional long form: Republic of Mauritius conventional short form: Mauritius local long form: Republic of Mauritius local short form: Mauritius Mayotte conventional long form: Territorial Collectivity of Mayotte conventional short form: Mayotte Mexico conventional long form: United Mexican States conventional short form: Mexico local long form: Estados Unidos Mexicanos local short form: Mexico Micronesia, Federated States of conventional long form: Federated States of Micronesia conventional short form: none local long form: Federated States of Micronesia local short form: none former: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Ponape, Truk, and Yap Districts abbreviation: FSM Moldova conventional long form: Republic of Moldova conventional short form: Moldova local long form: Republica Moldova local short form: Moldova former: Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic, Moldovan Soviet Socialist Republic Monaco conventional long form: Principality of Monaco conventional short form: Monaco local long form: Principaute de Monaco local short form: Monaco Mongolia conventional long form: none conventional short form: Mongolia local long form: none local short form: Mongol Uls former: Outer Mongolia Montenegro conventional long form: none conventional short form: Montenegro local long form: none local short form: Crna Gora former: People's Republic of Montenegro, Socialist Republic of Montenegro, Republic of Montenegro Montserrat conventional long form: none conventional short form: Montserrat Morocco conventional long form: Kingdom of Morocco conventional short form: Morocco local long form: Al Mamlakah al Maghribiyah local short form: Al Maghrib Mozambique conventional long form: Republic of Mozambique conventional short form: Mozambique local long form: Republica de Mocambique local short form: Mocambique former: Portuguese East Africa Namibia conventional long form: Republic of Namibia conventional short form: Namibia local long form: Republic of Namibia local short form: Namibia former: German Southwest Africa, South-West Africa Nauru conventional long form: Republic of Nauru conventional short form: Nauru local long form: Republic of Nauru local short form: Nauru former: Pleasant Island Navassa Island conventional long form: none conventional short form: Navassa Island Nepal conventional long form: Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal conventional short form: Nepal local long form: Sanghiya Loktantrik Ganatantra Nepal local short form: Nepal Netherlands conventional long form: Kingdom of the Netherlands conventional short form: Netherlands local long form: Koninkrijk der Nederlanden local short form: Nederland Netherlands Antilles conventional long form: none conventional short form: Netherlands Antilles local long form: none local short form: Nederlandse Antillen former: Curacao and Dependencies New Caledonia conventional long form: Territory of New Caledonia and Dependencies conventional short form: New Caledonia local long form: Territoire des Nouvelle-Caledonie et Dependances local short form: Nouvelle-Caledonie New Zealand conventional long form: none conventional short form: New Zealand abbreviation: NZ Nicaragua conventional long form: Republic of Nicaragua conventional short form: Nicaragua local long form: Republica de Nicaragua local short form: Nicaragua Niger conventional long form: Republic of Niger conventional short form: Niger local long form: Republique du Niger local short form: Niger Nigeria conventional long form: Federal Republic of Nigeria conventional short form: Nigeria Niue conventional long form: none conventional short form: Niue note: pronunciation falls between nyu-way and new-way, but not like new-wee former: Savage Island Norfolk Island conventional long form: Territory of Norfolk Island conventional short form: Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands conventional long form: Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands conventional short form: Northern Mariana Islands abbreviation: CNMI former: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Mariana Islands District Norway conventional long form: Kingdom of Norway conventional short form: Norway local long form: Kongeriket Norge local short form: Norge Oman conventional long form: Sultanate of Oman conventional short form: Oman local long form: Saltanat Uman local short form: Uman former: Muscat and Oman Pakistan conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Pakistan conventional short form: Pakistan local long form: Jamhuryat Islami Pakistan local short form: Pakistan former: West Pakistan Palau conventional long form: Republic of Palau conventional short form: Palau local long form: Beluu er a Belau local short form: Belau former: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Palau District Panama conventional long form: Republic of Panama conventional short form: Panama local long form: Republica de Panama local short form: Panama Papua New Guinea conventional long form: Independent State of Papua New Guinea conventional short form: Papua New Guinea local short form: Papuaniugini former: Territory of Papua and New Guinea abbreviation: PNG Paracel Islands conventional long form: none conventional short form: Paracel Islands Paraguay conventional long form: Republic of Paraguay conventional short form: Paraguay local long form: Republica del Paraguay local short form: Paraguay Peru conventional long form: Republic of Peru conventional short form: Peru local long form: Republica del Peru local short form: Peru Philippines conventional long form: Republic of the Philippines conventional short form: Philippines local long form: Republika ng Pilipinas local short form: Pilipinas Pitcairn Islands conventional long form: Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno Islands conventional short form: Pitcairn Islands Poland conventional long form: Republic of Poland conventional short form: Poland local long form: Rzeczpospolita Polska local short form: Polska Portugal conventional long form: Portuguese Republic conventional short form: Portugal local long form: Republica Portuguesa local short form: Portugal Puerto Rico conventional long form: Commonwealth of Puerto Rico conventional short form: Puerto Rico Qatar conventional long form: State of Qatar conventional short form: Qatar local long form: Dawlat Qatar local short form: Qatar note: closest approximation of the native pronunciation falls between cutter and gutter, but not like guitar Romania conventional long form: none conventional short form: Romania local long form: none local short form: Romania Russia conventional long form: Russian Federation conventional short form: Russia local long form: Rossiyskaya Federatsiya local short form: Rossiya former: Russian Empire, Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic Rwanda conventional long form: Republic of Rwanda conventional short form: Rwanda local long form: Republika y'u Rwanda local short form: Rwanda former: Ruanda, German East Africa Saint Barthelemy conventional long form: Overseas Collectivity of Saint Barthelemy conventional short form: Saint Barthelemy local long form: Collectivite d'outre mer de Saint-Barthelemy local short form: Saint-Barthelemy Saint Helena conventional long form: none conventional short form: Saint Helena Saint Kitts and Nevis conventional long form: Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis conventional short form: Saint Kitts and Nevis former: Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis Saint Lucia conventional long form: none conventional short form: Saint Lucia Saint Martin conventional long form: Overseas Collectivity of Saint Martin conventional short form: Saint Martin local long form: Collectivity d'outre mer de Saint-Martin local short form: Saint-Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon conventional long form: Territorial Collectivity of Saint Pierre and Miquelon conventional short form: Saint Pierre and Miquelon local long form: Departement de Saint-Pierre et Miquelon local short form: Saint-Pierre et Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines conventional long form: none conventional short form: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa conventional long form: Independent State of Samoa conventional short form: Samoa local long form: Malo Sa'oloto Tuto'atasi o Samoa local short form: Samoa former: Western Samoa San Marino conventional long form: Republic of San Marino conventional short form: San Marino local long form: Repubblica di San Marino local short form: San Marino Sao Tome and Principe conventional long form: Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe conventional short form: Sao Tome and Principe local long form: Republica Democratica de Sao Tome e Principe local short form: Sao Tome e Principe Saudi Arabia conventional long form: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia conventional short form: Saudi Arabia local long form: Al Mamlakah al Arabiyah as Suudiyah local short form: Al Arabiyah as Suudiyah Senegal conventional long form: Republic of Senegal conventional short form: Senegal local long form: Republique du Senegal local short form: Senegal former: Senegambia (along with The Gambia), Mali Federation Serbia conventional long form: Republic of Serbia conventional short form: Serbia local long form: Republika Srbija local short form: Srbija former: People's Republic of Serbia, Socialist Republic of Serbia Seychelles conventional long form: Republic of Seychelles conventional short form: Seychelles local long form: Republic of Seychelles local short form: Seychelles Sierra Leone conventional long form: Republic of Sierra Leone conventional short form: Sierra Leone local long form: Republic of Sierra Leone local short form: Sierra Leone Singapore conventional long form: Republic of Singapore conventional short form: Singapore local long form: Republic of Singapore local short form: Singapore Slovakia conventional long form: Slovak Republic conventional short form: Slovakia local long form: Slovenska Republika local short form: Slovensko Slovenia conventional long form: Republic of Slovenia conventional short form: Slovenia local long form: Republika Slovenija local short form: Slovenija former: People's Republic of Slovenia, Socialist Republic of Slovenia Solomon Islands conventional long form: none conventional short form: Solomon Islands local long form: none local short form: Solomon Islands former: British Solomon Islands Somalia conventional long form: none conventional short form: Somalia local long form: Jamhuuriyada Demuqraadiga Soomaaliyeed local short form: Soomaaliya former: Somali Republic, Somali Democratic Republic South Africa conventional long form: Republic of South Africa conventional short form: South Africa former: Union of South Africa abbreviation: RSA South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands conventional long form: South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands conventional short form: South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands abbreviation: SGSSI Spain conventional long form: Kingdom of Spain conventional short form: Spain local long form: Reino de Espana local short form: Espana Spratly Islands conventional long form: none conventional short form: Spratly Islands Sri Lanka conventional long form: Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka conventional short form: Sri Lanka local long form: Shri Lamka Prajatantrika Samajaya di Janarajaya/Ilankai Jananayaka Choshalichak Kutiyarachu local short form: Shri Lamka/Ilankai former: Serendib, Ceylon Sudan conventional long form: Republic of the Sudan conventional short form: Sudan local long form: Jumhuriyat as-Sudan local short form: As-Sudan former: Anglo-Egyptian Sudan Suriname conventional long form: Republic of Suriname conventional short form: Suriname local long form: Republiek Suriname local short form: Suriname former: Netherlands Guiana, Dutch Guiana Svalbard conventional long form: none conventional short form: Svalbard (sometimes referred to as Spitzbergen) Swaziland conventional long form: Kingdom of Swaziland conventional short form: Swaziland local long form: Umbuso weSwatini local short form: eSwatini Sweden conventional long form: Kingdom of Sweden conventional short form: Sweden local long form: Konungariket Sverige local short form: Sverige Switzerland conventional long form: Swiss Confederation conventional short form: Switzerland local long form: Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft (German); Confederation Suisse (French); Confederazione Svizzera (Italian); Confederaziun Svizra (Romansh) local short form: Schweiz (German); Suisse (French); Svizzera (Italian); Svizra (Romansh) Syria conventional long form: Syrian Arab Republic conventional short form: Syria local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Arabiyah as Suriyah local short form: Suriyah former: United Arab Republic (with Egypt) Taiwan conventional long form: none conventional short form: Taiwan local long form: none local short form: T'ai-wan former: Formosa Tajikistan conventional long form: Republic of Tajikistan conventional short form: Tajikistan local long form: Jumhurii Tojikiston local short form: Tojikiston former: Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic Tanzania conventional long form: United Republic of Tanzania conventional short form: Tanzania local long form: Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania local short form: Tanzania former: United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar Thailand conventional long form: Kingdom of Thailand conventional short form: Thailand local long form: Ratcha Anachak Thai local short form: Prathet Thai former: Siam Timor-Leste conventional long form: Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (pronounced TEE-mor LESS-tay) conventional short form: Timor-Leste local long form: Republika Demokratika Timor Lorosa'e [Tetum]; Republica Democratica de Timor-Leste [Portuguese] local short form: Timor Lorosa'e [Tetum]; Timor-Leste [Portuguese] former: East Timor, Portuguese Timor Togo conventional long form: Togolese Republic conventional short form: Togo local long form: Republique togolaise local short form: none former: French Togoland Tokelau conventional long form: none conventional short form: Tokelau Tonga conventional long form: Kingdom of Tonga conventional short form: Tonga local long form: Pule'anga Tonga local short form: Tonga former: Friendly Islands Trinidad and Tobago conventional long form: Republic of Trinidad and Tobago conventional short form: Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia conventional long form: Tunisian Republic conventional short form: Tunisia local long form: Al Jumhuriyah at Tunisiyah local short form: Tunis Turkey conventional long form: Republic of Turkey conventional short form: Turkey local long form: Turkiye Cumhuriyeti local short form: Turkiye Turkmenistan conventional long form: none conventional short form: Turkmenistan local long form: none local short form: Turkmenistan former: Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic Turks and Caicos Islands conventional long form: none conventional short form: Turks and Caicos Islands abbreviation: TCI Tuvalu conventional long form: none conventional short form: Tuvalu local long form: none local short form: Tuvalu former: Ellice Islands note: "Tuvalu" means "group of eight" referring to the country's eight traditionally inhabited islands Uganda conventional long form: Republic of Uganda conventional short form: Uganda Ukraine conventional long form: none conventional short form: Ukraine local long form: none local short form: Ukrayina former: Ukrainian National Republic, Ukrainian State, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic United Arab Emirates conventional long form: United Arab Emirates conventional short form: none local long form: Al Imarat al Arabiyah al Muttahidah local short form: none former: Trucial Oman, Trucial States abbreviation: UAE United Kingdom conventional long form: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; note - Great Britain includes England, Scotland, and Wales conventional short form: United Kingdom abbreviation: UK United States conventional long form: United States of America conventional short form: United States abbreviation: US or USA United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges conventional long form: none conventional short form: Baker Island; Howland Island; Jarvis Island; Johnston Atoll; Kingman Reef; Midway Islands; Palmyra Atoll Uruguay conventional long form: Oriental Republic of Uruguay conventional short form: Uruguay local long form: Republica Oriental del Uruguay local short form: Uruguay former: Banda Oriental, Cisplatine Province Uzbekistan conventional long form: Republic of Uzbekistan conventional short form: Uzbekistan local long form: Ozbekiston Respublikasi local short form: Ozbekiston former: Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic Vanuatu conventional long form: Republic of Vanuatu conventional short form: Vanuatu local long form: Ripablik blong Vanuatu local short form: Vanuatu former: New Hebrides Venezuela conventional long form: Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela conventional short form: Venezuela local long form: Republica Bolivariana de Venezuela local short form: Venezuela Vietnam conventional long form: Socialist Republic of Vietnam conventional short form: Vietnam local long form: Cong Hoa Xa Hoi Chu Nghia Viet Nam local short form: Viet Nam abbreviation: SRV Virgin Islands conventional long form: United States Virgin Islands conventional short form: Virgin Islands former: Danish West Indies abbreviation: USVI Wake Island conventional long form: none conventional short form: Wake Island Wallis and Futuna conventional long form: Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands conventional short form: Wallis and Futuna local long form: Territoire des Iles Wallis et Futuna local short form: Wallis et Futuna West Bank conventional long form: none conventional short form: West Bank Western Sahara conventional long form: none conventional short form: Western Sahara former: Spanish Sahara Yemen conventional long form: Republic of Yemen conventional short form: Yemen local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Yamaniyah local short form: Al Yaman former: Yemen Arab Republic [Yemen (Sanaa) or North Yemen] and People's Democratic Republic of Yemen [Yemen (Aden) or South Yemen] Zambia conventional long form: Republic of Zambia conventional short form: Zambia former: Northern Rhodesia Zimbabwe conventional long form: Republic of Zimbabwe conventional short form: Zimbabwe former: Southern Rhodesia, Rhodesia ====================================================================== @2144 Field Listing :: Location This entry identifies the country's regional location, neighboring countries, and adjacent bodies of water. Country Location Afghanistan Southern Asia, north and west of Pakistan, east of Iran Akrotiri Eastern Mediterranean, peninsula on the southwest coast of Cyprus Albania Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea, between Greece in the south and Montenegro and Kosovo to the north Algeria Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Morocco and Tunisia American Samoa Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and New Zealand Andorra Southwestern Europe, between France and Spain Angola Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Namibia and Democratic Republic of the Congo Anguilla Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico Antarctica continent mostly south of the Antarctic Circle Antigua and Barbuda Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east-southeast of Puerto Rico Arctic Ocean body of water between Europe, Asia, and North America, mostly north of the Arctic Circle Argentina Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Chile and Uruguay Armenia Southwestern Asia, east of Turkey Aruba Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela Ashmore and Cartier Islands Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, midway between northwestern Australia and Timor island Atlantic Ocean body of water between Africa, Europe, the Southern Ocean, and the Western Hemisphere Australia Oceania, continent between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean Austria Central Europe, north of Italy and Slovenia Azerbaijan Southwestern Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Russia, with a small European portion north of the Caucasus range Bahamas, The Caribbean, chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida, northeast of Cuba Bahrain Middle East, archipelago in the Persian Gulf, east of Saudi Arabia Bangladesh Southern Asia, bordering the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and India Barbados Caribbean, island in the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela Belarus Eastern Europe, east of Poland Belgium Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands Belize Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico Benin Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Nigeria and Togo Bermuda North America, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, east of South Carolina (US) Bhutan Southern Asia, between China and India Bolivia Central South America, southwest of Brazil Bosnia and Herzegovina Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Croatia Botswana Southern Africa, north of South Africa Bouvet Island island in the South Atlantic Ocean, southwest of the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) Brazil Eastern South America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean British Indian Ocean Territory archipelago in the Indian Ocean, south of India, about halfway between Africa and Indonesia British Virgin Islands Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico Brunei Southeastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia Bulgaria Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Romania and Turkey Burkina Faso Western Africa, north of Ghana Burma Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Bangladesh and Thailand Burundi Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo Cambodia Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, between Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos Cameroon Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria Canada Northern North America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean on the east, North Pacific Ocean on the west, and the Arctic Ocean on the north, north of the conterminous US Cape Verde Western Africa, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal Cayman Islands Caribbean, three-island group (Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, Little Cayman) in Caribbean Sea, 240 km south of Cuba and 268 km northwest of Jamaica Central African Republic Central Africa, north of Democratic Republic of the Congo Chad Central Africa, south of Libya Chile Southern South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina and Peru China Eastern Asia, bordering the East China Sea, Korea Bay, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea, between North Korea and Vietnam Christmas Island Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia Clipperton Island Middle America, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, 1,120 km southwest of Mexico Cocos (Keeling) Islands Southeastern Asia, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Indonesia, about halfway from Australia to Sri Lanka Colombia Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama Comoros Southern Africa, group of islands at the northern mouth of the Mozambique Channel, about two-thirds of the way between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique Congo, Democratic Republic of the Central Africa, northeast of Angola Congo, Republic of the Western Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and Gabon Cook Islands Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and New Zealand Coral Sea Islands Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia Costa Rica Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama Cote d'Ivoire Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Ghana and Liberia Croatia Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea, between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia Cuba Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, 150 km south of Key West, Florida Cyprus Middle East, island in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey Czech Republic Central Europe, between Germany, Poland, Slovikia, and Austria Denmark Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, on a peninsula north of Germany (Jutland); also includes two major islands (Sjaelland and Fyn) Dhekelia Eastern Mediterranean, on the southeast coast of Cyprus near Famagusta Djibouti Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, between Eritrea and Somalia Dominica Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about half way between Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago Dominican Republic Caribbean, eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Haiti Ecuador Western South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at the Equator, between Colombia and Peru Egypt Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Libya and the Gaza Strip, and the Red Sea north of Sudan, and includes the Asian Sinai Peninsula El Salvador Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Guatemala and Honduras Equatorial Guinea Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Cameroon and Gabon Eritrea Eastern Africa, bordering the Red Sea, between Djibouti and Sudan Estonia Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Finland, between Latvia and Russia Ethiopia Eastern Africa, west of Somalia European Union Europe between the North Atlantic Ocean in the west and Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine to the east Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of southern Argentina Faroe Islands Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about half way between Iceland and Norway Fiji Oceania, island group in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand Finland Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, and Gulf of Finland, between Sweden and Russia France metropolitan France: Western Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay and English Channel, between Belgium and Spain, southeast of the UK; bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Italy and Spain French Guiana: Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Brazil and Suriname Guadeloupe: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Puerto Rico Martinique: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago Reunion: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar French Polynesia Oceania, archipelagoes in the South Pacific Ocean about half way between South America and Australia French Southern and Antarctic Lands southeast and east of Africa, islands in the southern Indian Ocean, some near Madagascar and others about equidistant between Africa, Antarctica, and Australia; note - French Southern and Antarctic Lands include Ile Amsterdam, Ile Saint-Paul, Iles Crozet, Iles Kerguelen, Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island in the southern Indian Ocean, along with the French-claimed sector of Antarctica, "Adelie Land"; the US does not recognize the French claim to "Adelie Land" Gabon Western Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean at the Equator, between Republic of the Congo and Equatorial Guinea Gambia, The Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal Gaza Strip Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Israel Georgia Southwestern Asia, bordering the Black Sea, between Turkey and Russia Germany Central Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, between the Netherlands and Poland, south of Denmark Ghana Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Cote d'Ivoire and Togo Gibraltar Southwestern Europe, bordering the Strait of Gibraltar, which links the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, on the southern coast of Spain Greece Southern Europe, bordering the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea, between Albania and Turkey Greenland Northern North America, island between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Canada Grenada Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago Guam Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines Guatemala Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Mexico, and bordering the Gulf of Honduras (Caribbean Sea) between Honduras and Belize Guernsey Western Europe, islands in the English Channel, northwest of France Guinea Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone Guinea-Bissau Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Senegal Guyana Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Suriname and Venezuela Haiti Caribbean, western one-third of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of the Dominican Republic Heard Island and McDonald Islands islands in the Indian Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Madagascar to Antarctica Holy See (Vatican City) Southern Europe, an enclave of Rome (Italy) Honduras Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Nicaragua and bordering the Gulf of Fonseca (North Pacific Ocean), between El Salvador and Nicaragua Hong Kong Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China Hungary Central Europe, northwest of Romania Iceland Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northwest of the United Kingdom India Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and Pakistan Indian Ocean body of water between Africa, the Southern Ocean, Asia, and Australia Indonesia Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean Iran Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, and the Caspian Sea, between Iraq and Pakistan Iraq Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iran and Kuwait Ireland Western Europe, occupying five-sixths of the island of Ireland in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Great Britain Isle of Man Western Europe, island in the Irish Sea, between Great Britain and Ireland Israel Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Lebanon Italy Southern Europe, a peninsula extending into the central Mediterranean Sea, northeast of Tunisia Jamaica Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba Jan Mayen Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the Norwegian Sea, northeast of Iceland Japan Eastern Asia, island chain between the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan, east of the Korean Peninsula Jersey Western Europe, island in the English Channel, northwest of France Jordan Middle East, northwest of Saudi Arabia Kazakhstan Central Asia, northwest of China; a small portion west of the Ural (Zhayyq) River in eastern-most Europe Kenya Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania Kiribati Oceania, group of 33 coral atolls in the Pacific Ocean, straddling the Equator; the capital Tarawa is about half way between Hawaii and Australia; note - on 1 January 1995, Kiribati proclaimed that all of its territory was in the same time zone as its Gilbert Islands group (UTC +12) even though the Phoenix Islands and the Line Islands under its jurisdiction were on the other side of the International Date Line Korea, North Eastern Asia, northern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Korea Bay and the Sea of Japan, between China and South Korea Korea, South Eastern Asia, southern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea Kosovo Southeast Europe, between Serbia and Macedonia Kuwait Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iraq and Saudi Arabia Kyrgyzstan Central Asia, west of China Laos Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam Latvia Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania Lebanon Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Israel and Syria Lesotho Southern Africa, an enclave of South Africa Liberia Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone Libya Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Tunisia Liechtenstein Central Europe, between Austria and Switzerland Lithuania Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Latvia and Russia Luxembourg Western Europe, between France and Germany Macau Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China Macedonia Southeastern Europe, north of Greece Madagascar Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique Malawi Southern Africa, east of Zambia Malaysia Southeastern Asia, peninsula bordering Thailand and northern one-third of the island of Borneo, bordering Indonesia, Brunei, and the South China Sea, south of Vietnam Maldives Southern Asia, group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India Mali Western Africa, southwest of Algeria Malta Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy) Marshall Islands Oceania, two archipelagic island chains of 29 atolls, each made up of many small islets, and five single islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and Australia Mauritania Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Senegal and Western Sahara Mauritius Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar Mayotte Southern Indian Ocean, island in the Mozambique Channel, about half way between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique Mexico Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, between Belize and the United States and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Guatemala and the United States Micronesia, Federated States of Oceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia Moldova Eastern Europe, northeast of Romania Monaco Western Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea on the southern coast of France, near the border with Italy Mongolia Northern Asia, between China and Russia Montenegro Southeastern Europe, between the Adriatic Sea and Serbia Montserrat Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, southeast of Puerto Rico Morocco Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Western Sahara Mozambique Southeastern Africa, bordering the Mozambique Channel, between South Africa and Tanzania Namibia Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and South Africa Nauru Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, south of the Marshall Islands Navassa Island Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, 35 miles west of Tiburon Peninsula of Haiti Nepal Southern Asia, between China and India Netherlands Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between Belgium and Germany Netherlands Antilles Caribbean, two island groups in the Caribbean Sea - composed of five islands, Curacao and Bonaire located off the coast of Venezuela, and Sint Maarten, Saba, and Sint Eustatius lie east of the US Virgin Islands New Caledonia Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia New Zealand Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of Australia Nicaragua Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Costa Rica and Honduras Niger Western Africa, southeast of Algeria Nigeria Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Benin and Cameroon Niue Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Tonga Norfolk Island Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia Northern Mariana Islands Oceania, islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines Norway Northern Europe, bordering the North Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Sweden Oman Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian Gulf, between Yemen and UAE Pacific Ocean body of water between the Southern Ocean, Asia, Australia, and the Western Hemisphere Pakistan Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea, between India on the east and Iran and Afghanistan on the west and China in the north Palau Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean, southeast of the Philippines Panama Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica Papua New Guinea Oceania, group of islands including the eastern half of the island of New Guinea between the Coral Sea and the South Pacific Ocean, east of Indonesia Paracel Islands Southeastern Asia, group of small islands and reefs in the South China Sea, about one-third of the way from central Vietnam to the northern Philippines Paraguay Central South America, northeast of Argentina Peru Western South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Chile and Ecuador Philippines Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam Pitcairn Islands Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about midway between Peru and New Zealand Poland Central Europe, east of Germany Portugal Southwestern Europe, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Spain Puerto Rico Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic Qatar Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia Romania Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Ukraine Russia Northern Asia (the area west of the Urals is considered part of Europe), bordering the Arctic Ocean, between Europe and the North Pacific Ocean Rwanda Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo Saint Barthelemy located approximately 125 miles northwest of Guadeloupe Saint Helena islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, about midway between South America and Africa; Ascension Island lies 700 nm northwest of Saint Helena; Tristan da Cunha lies 2,300 nm southwest of Saint Helena Saint Kitts and Nevis Caribbean, islands in the Caribbean Sea, about one-third of the way from Puerto Rico to Trinidad and Tobago Saint Lucia Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago Saint Martin island 300 km southeast of Puerto Rico Saint Pierre and Miquelon Northern North America, islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, south of Newfoundland (Canada) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago Samoa Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and New Zealand San Marino Southern Europe, an enclave in central Italy Sao Tome and Principe Western Africa, islands in the Gulf of Guinea, straddling the Equator, west of Gabon Saudi Arabia Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, north of Yemen Senegal Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania Serbia Southeastern Europe, between Macedonia and Hungary Seychelles archipelago in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar Sierra Leone Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Liberia Singapore Southeastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia Slovakia Central Europe, south of Poland Slovenia Central Europe, eastern Alps bordering the Adriatic Sea, between Austria and Croatia Solomon Islands Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Papua New Guinea Somalia Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, east of Ethiopia South Africa Southern Africa, at the southern tip of the continent of Africa South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of the tip of South America Southern Ocean body of water between 60 degrees south latitude and Antarctica Spain Southwestern Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay, Mediterranean Sea, North Atlantic Ocean, and Pyrenees Mountains, southwest of France Spratly Islands Southeastern Asia, group of reefs and islands in the South China Sea, about two-thirds of the way from southern Vietnam to the southern Philippines Sri Lanka Southern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of India Sudan Northern Africa, bordering the Red Sea, between Egypt and Eritrea Suriname Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between French Guiana and Guyana Svalbard Northern Europe, islands between the Arctic Ocean, Barents Sea, Greenland Sea, and Norwegian Sea, north of Norway Swaziland Southern Africa, between Mozambique and South Africa Sweden Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, Kattegat, and Skagerrak, between Finland and Norway Switzerland Central Europe, east of France, north of Italy Syria Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Lebanon and Turkey Taiwan Eastern Asia, islands bordering the East China Sea, Philippine Sea, South China Sea, and Taiwan Strait, north of the Philippines, off the southeastern coast of China Tajikistan Central Asia, west of China Tanzania Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Kenya and Mozambique Thailand Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, southeast of Burma Timor-Leste Southeastern Asia, northwest of Australia in the Lesser Sunda Islands at the eastern end of the Indonesian archipelago; note - Timor-Leste includes the eastern half of the island of Timor, the Oecussi (Ambeno) region on the northwest portion of the island of Timor, and the islands of Pulau Atauro and Pulau Jaco Togo Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Benin and Ghana Tokelau Oceania, group of three atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand Tonga Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand Trinidad and Tobago Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela Tunisia Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Libya Turkey Southeastern Europe and Southwestern Asia (that portion of Turkey west of the Bosporus is geographically part of Europe), bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Georgia, and bordering the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, between Greece and Syria Turkmenistan Central Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Kazakhstan Turks and Caicos Islands Caribbean, two island groups in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of The Bahamas, north of Haiti Tuvalu Oceania, island group consisting of nine coral atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia Uganda Eastern Africa, west of Kenya Ukraine Eastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Poland, Romania, and Moldova in the west and Russia in the east United Arab Emirates Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia United Kingdom Western Europe, islands including the northern one-sixth of the island of Ireland between the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea, northwest of France United States North America, bordering both the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Pacific Ocean, between Canada and Mexico United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges Oceania Baker Island: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 1,830 nm (3,389 km) southwest of Honolulu, about half way between Hawaii and Australia Howland Island: island in the North Pacific Ocean 1,815 nm (3,361 km) southwest of Honolulu, about half way between Hawaii and Australia Jarvis Island: island in the South Pacific Ocean 1,305 nm (2,417 km) south of Honolulu, about half way between Hawaii and Cook Islands Johnston Atoll: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 717 nm (1,328 km) southwest of Honolulu, about one-third of the way from Hawaii to the Marshall Islands Kingman Reef: reef in the North Pacific Ocean 930 nm (1,722 km) south of Honolulu, about half way between Hawaii and American Samoa Midway Islands: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 1,260 nm (2,334 km) northwest of Honolulu near the end of the Hawaiian Archipelago, about one-third of the way from Honolulu to Tokyo Palmyra Atoll: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 960 nm (1,778 km) south of Honolulu, about half way between Hawaii and American Samoa Uruguay Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Argentina and Brazil Uzbekistan Central Asia, north of Afghanistan Vanuatu Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Australia Venezuela Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana Vietnam Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, Gulf of Tonkin, and South China Sea, alongside China, Laos, and Cambodia Virgin Islands Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico Wake Island Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to the Northern Mariana Islands Wallis and Futuna Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand West Bank Middle East, west of Jordan Western Sahara Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Mauritania and Morocco Yemen Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Red Sea, between Oman and Saudi Arabia Zambia Southern Africa, east of Angola Zimbabwe Southern Africa, between South Africa and Zambia ====================================================================== @2145 Field Listing :: Map references This entry includes the name of the Factbook reference map on which a country may be found. Note that boundary representations on these maps are not necessarily authoritative. The entry on Geographic coordinates may be helpful in finding some smaller countries. Country Map references Afghanistan Asia Akrotiri Middle East Albania Europe Algeria Africa American Samoa Oceania Andorra Europe Angola Africa Anguilla Central America and the Caribbean Antarctica Antarctic Region Antigua and Barbuda Central America and the Caribbean Arctic Ocean Arctic Region Argentina South America Armenia Asia Aruba Central America and the Caribbean Ashmore and Cartier Islands Southeast Asia Atlantic Ocean Political Map of the World Australia Oceania Austria Europe Azerbaijan Asia Bahamas, The Central America and the Caribbean Bahrain Middle East Bangladesh Asia Barbados Central America and the Caribbean Belarus Europe Belgium Europe Belize Central America and the Caribbean Benin Africa Bermuda North America Bhutan Asia Bolivia South America Bosnia and Herzegovina Europe Botswana Africa Bouvet Island Antarctic Region Brazil South America British Indian Ocean Territory Political Map of the World British Virgin Islands Central America and the Caribbean Brunei Southeast Asia Bulgaria Europe Burkina Faso Africa Burma Southeast Asia Burundi Africa Cambodia Southeast Asia Cameroon Africa Canada North America Cape Verde Political Map of the World Cayman Islands Central America and the Caribbean Central African Republic Africa Chad Africa Chile South America China Asia Christmas Island Southeast Asia Clipperton Island Political Map of the World Cocos (Keeling) Islands Southeast Asia Colombia South America Comoros Africa Congo, Democratic Republic of the Africa Congo, Republic of the Africa Cook Islands Oceania Coral Sea Islands Oceania Costa Rica Central America and the Caribbean Cote d'Ivoire Africa Croatia Europe Cuba Central America and the Caribbean Cyprus Middle East Czech Republic Europe Denmark Europe Dhekelia Middle East Djibouti Africa Dominica Central America and the Caribbean Dominican Republic Central America and the Caribbean Ecuador South America Egypt Africa El Salvador Central America and the Caribbean Equatorial Guinea Africa Eritrea Africa Estonia Europe Ethiopia Africa European Union Europe Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) South America Faroe Islands Europe Fiji Oceania Finland Europe France metropolitan France: Europe French Guiana: South America Guadeloupe: Central America and the Caribbean Martinique: Central America and the Caribbean Reunion: World French Polynesia Oceania French Southern and Antarctic Lands Antarctic Region, Africa Gabon Africa Gambia, The Africa Gaza Strip Middle East Georgia Asia Germany Europe Ghana Africa Gibraltar Europe Greece Europe Greenland Arctic Region Grenada Central America and the Caribbean Guam Oceania Guatemala Central America and the Caribbean Guernsey Europe Guinea Africa Guinea-Bissau Africa Guyana South America Haiti Central America and the Caribbean Heard Island and McDonald Islands Antarctic Region Holy See (Vatican City) Europe Honduras Central America and the Caribbean Hong Kong Southeast Asia Hungary Europe Iceland Arctic Region India Asia Indian Ocean Political Map of the World Indonesia Southeast Asia Iran Middle East Iraq Middle East Ireland Europe Isle of Man Europe Israel Middle East Italy Europe Jamaica Central America and the Caribbean Jan Mayen Arctic Region Japan Asia Jersey Europe Jordan Middle East Kazakhstan Asia Kenya Africa Kiribati Oceania Korea, North Asia Korea, South Asia Kosovo Europe Kuwait Middle East Kyrgyzstan Asia Laos Southeast Asia Latvia Europe Lebanon Middle East Lesotho Africa Liberia Africa Libya Africa Liechtenstein Europe Lithuania Europe Luxembourg Europe Macau Southeast Asia Macedonia Europe Madagascar Africa Malawi Africa Malaysia Southeast Asia Maldives Asia Mali Africa Malta Europe Marshall Islands Oceania Mauritania Africa Mauritius Political Map of the World Mayotte Africa Mexico North America Micronesia, Federated States of Oceania Moldova Europe Monaco Europe Mongolia Asia Montenegro Europe Montserrat Central America and the Caribbean Morocco Africa Mozambique Africa Namibia Africa Nauru Oceania Navassa Island Central America and the Caribbean Nepal Asia Netherlands Europe Netherlands Antilles Central America and the Caribbean New Caledonia Oceania New Zealand Oceania Nicaragua Central America and the Caribbean Niger Africa Nigeria Africa Niue Oceania Norfolk Island Oceania Northern Mariana Islands Oceania Norway Europe Oman Middle East Pacific Ocean Political Map of the World Pakistan Asia Palau Oceania Panama Central America and the Caribbean Papua New Guinea Oceania Paracel Islands Southeast Asia Paraguay South America Peru South America Philippines Southeast Asia Pitcairn Islands Oceania Poland Europe Portugal Europe Puerto Rico Central America and the Caribbean Qatar Middle East Romania Europe Russia Asia Rwanda Africa Saint Barthelemy Central America and the Caribbean Saint Helena Africa Saint Kitts and Nevis Central America and the Caribbean Saint Lucia Central America and the Caribbean Saint Martin Central America and the Caribbean Saint Pierre and Miquelon North America Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Central America and the Caribbean Samoa Oceania San Marino Europe Sao Tome and Principe Africa Saudi Arabia Middle East Senegal Africa Serbia Europe Seychelles Africa Sierra Leone Africa Singapore Southeast Asia Slovakia Europe Slovenia Europe Solomon Islands Oceania Somalia Africa South Africa Africa South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands Antarctic Region Southern Ocean Antarctic Region Spain Europe Spratly Islands Southeast Asia Sri Lanka Asia Sudan Africa Suriname South America Svalbard Arctic Region Swaziland Africa Sweden Europe Switzerland Europe Syria Middle East Taiwan Southeast Asia Tajikistan Asia Tanzania Africa Thailand Southeast Asia Timor-Leste Southeast Asia Togo Africa Tokelau Oceania Tonga Oceania Trinidad and Tobago Central America and the Caribbean Tunisia Africa Turkey Middle East Turkmenistan Asia Turks and Caicos Islands Central America and the Caribbean Tuvalu Oceania Uganda Africa Ukraine Asia, Europe United Arab Emirates Middle East United Kingdom Europe United States North America United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges Oceania Uruguay South America Uzbekistan Asia Vanuatu Oceania Venezuela South America Vietnam Southeast Asia Virgin Islands Central America and the Caribbean Wake Island Oceania Wallis and Futuna Oceania West Bank Middle East Western Sahara Africa World Physical Map of the World, Political Map of the World, Standard Time Zones of the World Yemen Middle East Zambia Africa Zimbabwe Africa ====================================================================== @2146 Field Listing :: Irrigated land This entry gives the number of square kilometers of land area that is artificially supplied with water. Country Irrigated land(sq km) Afghanistan 27,200 sq km (2003) Albania 3,530 sq km (2003) Algeria 5,690 sq km (2003) American Samoa NA Andorra NA Angola 800 sq km (2003) Anguilla NA Antigua and Barbuda NA Argentina 15,500 sq km (2003) Armenia 2,860 sq km (2003) Aruba 0.01 sq km (1998 est.) Ashmore and Cartier Islands 0 sq km Australia 25,450 sq km (2003) Austria 40 sq km (2003) Azerbaijan 14,550 sq km (2003) Bahamas, The 10 sq km (2003) Bahrain 40 sq km (2003) Bangladesh 47,250 sq km (2003) Barbados 50 sq km (2003) Belarus 1,310 sq km (2003) Belgium 400 sq km (2003) Belize 30 sq km (2003) Benin 120 sq km (2003) Bermuda NA Bhutan 400 sq km (2003) Bolivia 1,320 sq km (2003) Bosnia and Herzegovina 30 sq km (2003) Botswana 10 sq km (2003) Bouvet Island 0 sq km Brazil 29,200 sq km (2003) British Indian Ocean Territory 0 sq km British Virgin Islands NA Brunei 10 sq km (2003) Bulgaria 5,880 sq km (2003) Burkina Faso 250 sq km (2003) Burma 18,700 sq km (2003) Burundi 210 sq km (2003) Cambodia 2,700 sq km (2003) Cameroon 260 sq km (2003) Canada 7,850 sq km (2003) Cape Verde 30 sq km (2003) Cayman Islands NA Central African Republic 20 sq km (2003) Chad 300 sq km (2003) Chile 19,000 sq km (2003) China 545,960 sq km (2003) Christmas Island NA Clipperton Island 0 sq km Cocos (Keeling) Islands NA Colombia 9,000 sq km (2003) Comoros NA Congo, Democratic Republic of the 110 sq km (2003) Congo, Republic of the 20 sq km (2003) Cook Islands NA Coral Sea Islands 0 sq km Costa Rica 1,080 sq km (2003) Cote d'Ivoire 730 sq km (2003) Croatia 110 sq km (2003) Cuba 8,700 sq km (2003) Cyprus 400 sq km (2003) Czech Republic 240 sq km (2003) Denmark 4,490 sq km (2003) Djibouti 10 sq km (2003) Dominica NA Dominican Republic 2,750 sq km (2003) Ecuador 8,650 sq km (2003) Egypt 34,220 sq km (2003) El Salvador 450 sq km (2003) Equatorial Guinea NA Eritrea 210 sq km (2003) Estonia 40 sq km (2003) Ethiopia 2,900 sq km (2003) European Union 168,050 sq km (2003 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) NA Faroe Islands 0 sq km Fiji 30 sq km (2003) Finland 640 sq km (2003) France total: 26,190 sq km; metropolitan France: 26,000 sq km (2003) French Polynesia 10 sq km (2003) French Southern and Antarctic Lands 0 sq km Gabon 70 sq km (2003) Gambia, The 20 sq km (2003) Gaza Strip 155 sq km; (note - includes West Bank) (2003) Georgia 4,690 sq km (2003) Germany 4,850 sq km (2003) Ghana 310 sq km (2003) Gibraltar NA Greece 14,530 sq km (2003) Greenland NA Grenada NA Guam NA Guatemala 1,300 sq km (2003) Guernsey NA Guinea 950 sq km (2003) Guinea-Bissau 250 sq km (2003) Guyana 1,500 sq km (2003) Haiti 920 sq km (2003) Heard Island and McDonald Islands 0 sq km Holy See (Vatican City) 0 sq km Honduras 800 sq km (2003) Hong Kong 20 sq km (1998 est.) Hungary 2,300 sq km (2003) Iceland NA India 558,080 sq km (2003) Indonesia 45,000 sq km (2003) Iran 76,500 sq km (2003) Iraq 35,250 sq km (2003) Ireland NA Isle of Man 0 sq km Israel 1,940 sq km (2003) Italy 27,500 sq km (2003) Jamaica 250 sq km (2002) Jan Mayen 0 sq km Japan 25,920 sq km (2003) Jersey NA Jordan 750 sq km (2003) Kazakhstan 35,560 sq km (2003) Kenya 1,030 sq km (2003) Kiribati NA Korea, North 14,600 sq km (2003) Korea, South 8,780 sq km (2003) Kuwait 130 sq km (2003) Kyrgyzstan 10,720 sq km (2003) Laos 1,750 sq km (2003) Latvia 200 sq km note: land in Latvia is often too wet and in need of drainage not irrigation; approximately 16,000 sq km or 85% of agricultural land has been improved by drainage (2003) Lebanon 1,040 sq km (2003) Lesotho 30 sq km (2003) Liberia 30 sq km (2003) Libya 4,700 sq km (2003) Liechtenstein NA Lithuania 70 sq km (2003) Luxembourg NA Macau NA Macedonia 550 sq km (2003) Madagascar 10,860 sq km (2003) Malawi 560 sq km (2003) Malaysia 3,650 sq km (2003) Maldives NA Mali 2,360 sq km (2003) Malta 20 sq km (2003) Marshall Islands 0 sq km Mauritania 490 sq km (2002) Mauritius 220 sq km (2003) Mayotte NA Mexico 63,200 sq km (2003) Micronesia, Federated States of NA Moldova 3,000 sq km (2003) Monaco NA Mongolia 840 sq km (2003) Montenegro NA Montserrat NA Morocco 14,450 sq km (2003) Mozambique 1,180 sq km (2003) Namibia 80 sq km (2003) Nauru NA Nepal 11,700 sq km (2003) Netherlands 5,650 sq km (2003) Netherlands Antilles NA New Caledonia 100 sq km (2003) New Zealand 2,850 sq km (2003) Nicaragua 610 sq km (2003) Niger 730 sq km (2003) Nigeria 2,820 sq km (2003) Niue NA Norfolk Island NA Northern Mariana Islands NA Norway 1,270 sq km (2003) Oman 720 sq km (2003) Pakistan 182,300 sq km (2003) Palau NA Panama 430 sq km (2003) Papua New Guinea NA Paracel Islands 0 sq km Paraguay 670 sq km (2003) Peru 12,000 sq km (2003) Philippines 15,500 sq km (2003) Pitcairn Islands NA Poland 1,000 sq km (2003) Portugal 6,500 sq km (2003) Puerto Rico 400 sq km (2003) Qatar 130 sq km (2002) Romania 30,770 sq km (2003) Russia 46,000 sq km (2003) Rwanda 90 sq km (2003) Saint Helena NA Saint Kitts and Nevis NA Saint Lucia 30 sq km (2003) Saint Pierre and Miquelon NA Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 10 sq km (2003) Samoa NA San Marino NA Sao Tome and Principe 100 sq km (2003) Saudi Arabia 16,200 sq km (2003) Senegal 1,200 sq km (2003) Serbia NA Seychelles NA Sierra Leone 300 sq km (2003) Singapore NA Slovakia 1,830 sq km (2003) Slovenia 30 sq km (2003) Solomon Islands NA Somalia 2,000 sq km (2003) South Africa 14,980 sq km (2003) South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands 0 sq km Spain 37,800 sq km (2003) Spratly Islands 0 sq km Sri Lanka 7,430 sq km (2003) Sudan 18,630 sq km (2003) Suriname 510 sq km (2003) Svalbard NA Swaziland 500 sq km (2003) Sweden 1,150 sq km (2003) Switzerland 250 sq km (2003) Syria 13,330 sq km (2003) Taiwan NA Tajikistan 7,220 sq km (2003) Tanzania 1,840 sq km (2003) Thailand 49,860 sq km (2003) Timor-Leste 1,065 sq km (2003) Togo 70 sq km (2003) Tokelau NA Tonga NA Trinidad and Tobago 40 sq km (2003) Tunisia 3,940 sq km (2003) Turkey 52,150 sq km (2003) Turkmenistan 18,000 sq km (2003) Turks and Caicos Islands NA Tuvalu NA Uganda 90 sq km (2003) Ukraine 22,080 sq km (2003) United Arab Emirates 760 sq km (2003) United Kingdom 1,700 sq km (2003) United States 223,850 sq km (2003) Uruguay 2,100 sq km (2003) Uzbekistan 42,810 sq km (2003) Vanuatu NA Venezuela 5,750 sq km (2003) Vietnam 30,000 sq km (2003) Virgin Islands NA Wake Island 0 sq km Wallis and Futuna NA West Bank 150 sq km; note - includes Gaza Strip (2003) Western Sahara NA World 2,770,980 sq km (2003) Yemen 5,500 sq km (2003) Zambia 1,560 sq km (2003) Zimbabwe 1,740 sq km (2003) ====================================================================== @2147 Field Listing :: Area This entry includes three subfields. Total area is the sum of all land and water areas delimited by international boundaries and/or coastlines. Land area is the aggregate of all surfaces delimited by international boundaries and/or coastlines, excluding inland water bodies (lakes, reservoirs, rivers). Water area is the sum of the surfaces of all inland water bodies, such as lakes, reservoirs, or rivers, as delimited by international boundaries and/or coastlines. Country Comparison to the World Country Area(sq km) Afghanistan total: 652,230 sq km land: 652,230 sq km water: 0 sq km Akrotiri total: 123 sq km note: includes a salt lake and wetlands Albania total: 28,748 sq km land: 27,398 sq km water: 1,350 sq km Algeria total: 2,381,741 sq km land: 2,381,741 sq km water: 0 sq km American Samoa total: 199 sq km land: 199 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Rose Island and Swains Island Andorra total: 468 sq km land: 468 sq km water: 0 sq km Angola total: 1,246,700 sq km land: 1,246,700 sq km water: 0 sq km Anguilla total: 91 sq km land: 91 sq km water: 0 sq km Antarctica 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: fifth-largest continent, following Asia, Africa, North America, and South America, but larger than Australia and the subcontinent of Europe Antigua and Barbuda total: 442.6 sq km (Antigua 280 sq km; Barbuda 161 sq km) land: 442.6 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Redonda, 1.6 sq km Arctic Ocean 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 Argentina total: 2,780,400 sq km land: 2,736,690 sq km water: 43,710 sq km Armenia total: 29,743 sq km land: 28,203 sq km water: 1,540 sq km Aruba total: 180 sq km land: 180 sq km water: 0 sq km Ashmore and Cartier Islands total: 5 sq km land: 5 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island Atlantic Ocean total: 76.762 million sq km note: includes Baltic Sea, Black Sea, Caribbean Sea, Davis Strait, Denmark Strait, part of the Drake Passage, Gulf of Mexico, Labrador Sea, Mediterranean Sea, North Sea, Norwegian Sea, almost all of the Scotia Sea, and other tributary water bodies Australia total: 7,741,220 sq km land: 7,682,300 sq km water: 58,920 sq km note: includes Lord Howe Island and Macquarie Island Austria total: 83,871 sq km land: 82,445 sq km water: 1,426 sq km Azerbaijan total: 86,600 sq km land: 82,629 sq km water: 3,971 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 Bahamas, The total: 13,880 sq km land: 10,010 sq km water: 3,870 sq km Bahrain total: 741 sq km land: 741 sq km water: 0 sq km Bangladesh total: 143,998 sq km land: 130,168 sq km water: 13,830 sq km Barbados total: 430 sq km land: 430 sq km water: 0 sq km Belarus total: 207,600 sq km land: 202,900 sq km water: 4,700 sq km Belgium total: 30,528 sq km land: 30,278 sq km water: 250 sq km Belize total: 22,966 sq km land: 22,806 sq km water: 160 sq km Benin total: 112,622 sq km land: 110,622 sq km water: 2,000 sq km Bermuda total: 54 sq km land: 54 sq km water: 0 sq km Bhutan total: 38,394 sq km land: 38,394 sq km water: 0 sq km Bolivia total: 1,098,581 sq km land: 1,083,301 sq km water: 15,280 sq km Bosnia and Herzegovina total: 51,197 sq km land: 51,187 sq km water: 10 sq km Botswana total: 581,730 sq km land: 566,730 sq km water: 15,000 sq km Bouvet Island total: 49 sq km land: 49 sq km water: 0 sq km Brazil total: 8,514,877 sq km land: 8,459,417 sq km water: 55,460 sq km note: includes Arquipelago de Fernando de Noronha, Atol das Rocas, Ilha da Trindade, Ilhas Martin Vaz, and Penedos de Sao Pedro e Sao Paulo British Indian Ocean Territory total: 54,400 sq km land: 60 sq km; Diego Garcia 44 sq km water: 54,340 sq km note: includes the entire Chagos Archipelago of 55 islands British Virgin Islands total: 151 sq km land: 151 sq km water: 0 sq km note: comprised of 16 inhabited and more than 20 uninhabited islands; includes the islands of Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda, Jost van Dyke Brunei total: 5,765 sq km land: 5,265 sq km water: 500 sq km Bulgaria total: 110,879 sq km land: 108,489 sq km water: 2,390 sq km Burkina Faso total: 274,200 sq km land: 273,800 sq km water: 400 sq km Burma total: 676,578 sq km land: 653,508 sq km water: 23,070 sq km Burundi total: 27,830 sq km land: 25,680 sq km water: 2,150 sq km Cambodia total: 181,035 sq km land: 176,515 sq km water: 4,520 sq km Cameroon total: 475,440 sq km land: 472,710 sq km water: 2,730 sq km Canada total: 9,984,670 sq km land: 9,093,507 sq km water: 891,163 sq km Cape Verde total: 4,033 sq km land: 4,033 sq km water: 0 sq km Cayman Islands total: 264 sq km land: 264 sq km water: 0 sq km Central African Republic total: 622,984 sq km land: 622,984 sq km water: 0 sq km Chad total: 1.284 million sq km land: 1,259,200 sq km water: 24,800 sq km Chile total: 756,102 sq km land: 743,812 sq km water: 12,290 sq km note: includes Easter Island (Isla de Pascua) and Isla Sala y Gomez China total: 9,596,961 sq km land: 9,569,901 sq km water: 27,060 sq km Christmas Island total: 135 sq km land: 135 sq km water: 0 sq km Clipperton Island total: 6 sq km land: 6 sq km water: 0 sq km Cocos (Keeling) Islands total: 14 sq km land: 14 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes the two main islands of West Island and Home Island Colombia total: 1,138,914 sq km land: 1,109,104 sq km water: 100,210 sq km note: includes Isla de Malpelo, Roncador Cay, and Serrana Bank Comoros total: 2,235 sq km land: 2,235 sq km water: 0 sq km Congo, Democratic Republic of the total: 2,344,858 sq km land: 2,267,048 sq km water: 77,810 sq km Congo, Republic of the total: 342,000 sq km land: 341,500 sq km water: 500 sq km Cook Islands total: 236 sq km land: 236 sq km water: 0 sq km Coral Sea Islands total: less than 3 sq km land: less than 3 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes numerous small islands and reefs scattered over a sea area of about 780,000 sq km with the Willis Islets the most important Costa Rica total: 51,100 sq km land: 51,060 sq km water: 40 sq km note: includes Isla del Coco Cote d'Ivoire total: 322,463 sq km land: 318,003 sq km water: 4,460 sq km Croatia total: 56,594 sq km land: 55,974 sq km water: 620 sq km Cuba total: 110,860 sq km land: 109,820 sq km water: 1,040 sq km Cyprus total: 9,251 sq km (of which 3,355 sq km are in north Cyprus) land: 9,241 sq km water: 10 sq km Czech Republic total: 78,867 sq km land: 77,247 sq km water: 1,620 sq km Denmark total: 43,094 sq km land: 42,434 sq km water: 660 sq km note: includes the island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea and the rest of metropolitan Denmark (the Jutland Peninsula, and the major islands of Sjaelland and Fyn), but excludes the Faroe Islands and Greenland Dhekelia total: 130.8 sq km note: area surrounds three Cypriot enclaves Djibouti total: 23,200 sq km land: 23,180 sq km water: 20 sq km Dominica total: 751 sq km land: 751 sq km water: 0 sq km Dominican Republic total: 48,670 sq km land: 48,320 sq km water: 350 sq km Ecuador total: 283,561 sq km land: 276,841 sq km water: 6,720 sq km note: includes Galapagos Islands Egypt total: 1,001,450 sq km land: 995,450 sq km water: 6,000 sq km El Salvador total: 21,041 sq km land: 20,721 sq km water: 320 sq km Equatorial Guinea total: 28,051 sq km land: 28,051 sq km water: 0 sq km Eritrea total: 117,600 sq km land: 101,000 sq km water: 16,600 sq km Estonia total: 45,228 sq km land: 42,388 sq km water: 2,840 sq km note: includes 1,520 islands in the Baltic Sea Ethiopia total: 1,104,300 sq km land: 1 million sq km water: 104,300 sq km European Union total: 4,324,782 sq km Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) total: 12,173 sq km land: 12,173 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes the two main islands of East and West Falkland and about 200 small islands Faroe Islands total: 1,393 sq km land: 1,393 sq km water: 0 sq km (some lakes and streams) Fiji total: 18,274 sq km land: 18,274 sq km water: 0 sq km Finland total: 338,145 sq km land: 303,815 sq km water: 34,330 sq km France total: 643,427 sq km; 551,500 sq km (metropolitan France) land: 640,053 sq km; 549,970 sq km (metropolitan France) water: 3,374 sq km; 1,530 sq km (metropolitan France) note: the first numbers include the overseas regions of French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Reunion French Polynesia total: 4,167 sq km (118 islands and atolls) land: 3,827 sq km water: 340 sq km French Southern and Antarctic Lands Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): total - 55 sq km; land - 55 sq km; water - 0 sq km Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): total - 7 sq km; land - 7 sq km; water - 0 sq km Iles Crozet: total - 352 sq km; land - 352 sq km; water - 0 sq km Iles Kerguelen: total - 7,215 sq km; land - 7,215 sq km; water - 0 sq km Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): total - 80 sq km; land - 0.2 sq km; water - 79.8 sq km (lagoon) Europa Island (Iles Eparses): total - 28 sq km; land - 28 sq km; water - 0 sq km Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses): total - 5 sq km; land - 5 sq km; water - 0 sq km Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): total - 4.4 sq km; land - 4.4 sq km; water - 0 sq km Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): total - 1 sq km; land - 1 sq km; water - 0 sq km note: excludes "Adelie Land" claim of about 500,000 sq km in Antarctica that is not recognized by the US Gabon total: 267,667 sq km land: 257,667 sq km water: 10,000 sq km Gambia, The total: 11,295 sq km land: 10,000 sq km water: 1,295 sq km Gaza Strip total: 360 sq km land: 360 sq km water: 0 sq km Georgia total: 69,700 sq km land: 69,700 sq km water: 0 sq km Germany total: 357,022 sq km land: 348,672 sq km water: 8,350 sq km Ghana total: 238,533 sq km land: 227,533 sq km water: 11,000 sq km Gibraltar total: 6.5 sq km land: 6.5 sq km water: 0 sq km Greece total: 131,957 sq km land: 130,647 sq km water: 1,310 sq km Greenland total: 2,166,086 sq km land: 2,166,086 sq km (410,449 sq km ice-free, 1,755,637 sq km ice-covered) Grenada total: 344 sq km land: 344 sq km water: 0 sq km Guam total: 544 sq km land: 544 sq km water: 0 sq km Guatemala total: 108,889 sq km land: 107,159 sq km water: 1,730 sq km Guernsey total: 78 sq km land: 78 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Alderney, Guernsey, Herm, Sark, and some other smaller islands Guinea total: 245,857 sq km land: 245,717 sq km water: 140 sq km Guinea-Bissau total: 36,125 sq km land: 28,120 sq km water: 8,005 sq km Guyana total: 214,969 sq km land: 196,849 sq km water: 18,120 sq km Haiti total: 27,750 sq km land: 27,560 sq km water: 190 sq km Heard Island and McDonald Islands total: 412 sq km land: 412 sq km water: 0 sq km Holy See (Vatican City) total: 0.44 sq km land: 0.44 sq km water: 0 sq km Honduras total: 112,090 sq km land: 111,890 sq km water: 200 sq km Hong Kong total: 1,104 sq km land: 1,054 sq km water: 50 sq km Hungary total: 93,028 sq km land: 89,608 sq km water: 3,420 sq km Iceland total: 103,000 sq km land: 100,250 sq km water: 2,750 sq km India total: 3,287,263 sq km land: 2,973,193 sq km water: 314,070 sq km Indian Ocean total: 68.556 million sq km note: includes Andaman Sea, Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, Flores Sea, Great Australian Bight, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Java Sea, Mozambique Channel, Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Savu Sea, Strait of Malacca, Timor Sea, and other tributary water bodies Indonesia total: 1,904,569 sq km land: 1,811,569 sq km water: 93,000 sq km Iran total: 1,648,195 sq km land: 1,531,595 sq km water: 116,600 sq km Iraq total: 438,317 sq km land: 437,367 sq km water: 950 sq km Ireland total: 70,273 sq km land: 68,883 sq km water: 1,390 sq km Isle of Man total: 572 sq km land: 572 sq km water: 0 sq km Israel total: 22,072 sq km land: 21,642 sq km water: 430 sq km Italy total: 301,340 sq km land: 294,140 sq km water: 7,200 sq km note: includes Sardinia and Sicily Jamaica total: 10,991 sq km land: 10,831 sq km water: 160 sq km Jan Mayen total: 377 sq km land: 377 sq km water: 0 sq km Japan total: 377,915 sq km land: 364,485 sq km water: 13,430 sq km note: includes Bonin Islands (Ogasawara-gunto), Daito-shoto, Minami-jima, Okino-tori-shima, Ryukyu Islands (Nansei-shoto), and Volcano Islands (Kazan-retto) Jersey total: 116 sq km land: 116 sq km water: 0 sq km Jordan total: 89,342 sq km land: 88,802 sq km water: 540 sq km Kazakhstan total: 2,724,900 sq km land: 2,699,700 sq km water: 25,200 sq km Kenya total: 580,367 sq km land: 569,140 sq km water: 11,227 sq km Kiribati total: 811 sq km land: 811 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes three island groups - Gilbert Islands, Line Islands, Phoenix Islands Korea, North total: 120,538 sq km land: 120,408 sq km water: 130 sq km Korea, South total: 99,720 sq km land: 96,920 sq km water: 2,800 sq km Kosovo total: 10,887 sq km land: 10,887 sq km water: 0 sq km Kuwait total: 17,818 sq km land: 17,818 sq km water: 0 sq km Kyrgyzstan total: 199,951 sq km land: 191,801 sq km water: 8,150 sq km Laos total: 236,800 sq km land: 230,800 sq km water: 6,000 sq km Latvia total: 64,589 sq km land: 62,249 sq km water: 2,340 sq km Lebanon total: 10,400 sq km land: 10,230 sq km water: 170 sq km Lesotho total: 30,355 sq km land: 30,355 sq km water: 0 sq km Liberia total: 111,369 sq km land: 96,320 sq km water: 15,049 sq km Libya total: 1,759,540 sq km land: 1,759,540 sq km water: 0 sq km Liechtenstein total: 160 sq km land: 160 sq km water: 0 sq km Lithuania total: 65,300 sq km land: 62,680 sq km water: 2,620 sq km Luxembourg total: 2,586 sq km land: 2,586 sq km water: 0 sq km Macau total: 28.2 sq km land: 28.2 sq km water: 0 sq km Macedonia total: 25,713 sq km land: 25,433 sq km water: 280 sq km Madagascar total: 587,041 sq km land: 581,540 sq km water: 5,501 sq km Malawi total: 118,484 sq km land: 94,080 sq km water: 24,404 sq km Malaysia total: 329,847 sq km land: 328,657 sq km water: 1,190 sq km Maldives total: 298 sq km land: 298 sq km water: 0 sq km Mali total: 1,240,192 sq km land: 1,220,190 sq km water: 20,002 sq km Malta total: 316 sq km land: 316 sq km water: 0 sq km Marshall Islands total: 181 sq km land: 181 sq km water: 0 sq km note: the archipelago includes 11,673 sq km of lagoon waters and includes the atolls of Bikini, Enewetak, Kwajalein, Majuro, Rongelap, and Utirik Mauritania total: 1,030,700 sq km land: 1,030,700 sq km water: 0 sq km Mauritius total: 2,040 sq km land: 2,030 sq km water: 10 sq km note: includes Agalega Islands, Cargados Carajos Shoals (Saint Brandon), and Rodrigues Mayotte total: 374 sq km land: 374 sq km water: 0 sq km Mexico total: 1,964,375 sq km land: 1,943,945 sq km water: 20,430 sq km Micronesia, Federated States of total: 702 sq km land: 702 sq km water: 0 sq km (fresh water only) note: includes Pohnpei (Ponape), Chuuk (Truk) Islands, Yap Islands, and Kosrae (Kosaie) Moldova total: 33,851 sq km land: 32,891 sq km water: 960 sq km Monaco total: 2 sq km land: 2 sq km water: 0 sq km Mongolia total: 1,564,116 sq km land: 1,553,556 sq km water: 10,560 sq km Montenegro total: 13,812 sq km land: 13,452 sq km water: 360 sq km Montserrat total: 102 sq km land: 102 sq km water: 0 sq km Morocco total: 446,550 sq km land: 446,300 sq km water: 250 sq km Mozambique total: 799,380 sq km land: 786,380 sq km water: 13,000 sq km Namibia total: 824,292 sq km land: 823,290 sq km water: 1,002 sq km Nauru total: 21 sq km land: 21 sq km water: 0 sq km Navassa Island total: 5.4 sq km land: 5.4 sq km water: 0 sq km Nepal total: 147,181 sq km land: 143,351 sq km water: 3,830 sq km Netherlands total: 41,543 sq km land: 33,893 sq km water: 7,650 sq km Netherlands Antilles total: 800 sq km land: 800 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten (Dutch part of the island of Saint Martin) New Caledonia total: 18,575 sq km land: 18,275 sq km water: 300 sq km New Zealand total: 267,710 sq km land: 267,710 sq km water: NA note: includes Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Bounty Islands, Campbell Island, Chatham Islands, and Kermadec Islands Nicaragua total: 130,370 sq km land: 119,990 sq km water: 10,380 sq km Niger total: 1.267 million sq km land: 1,266,700 sq km water: 300 sq km Nigeria total: 923,768 sq km land: 910,768 sq km water: 13,000 sq km Niue total: 260 sq km land: 260 sq km water: 0 sq km Norfolk Island total: 36 sq km land: 36 sq km water: 0 sq km Northern Mariana Islands total: 464 sq km land: 464 sq km water: 0 sq km note: consists of 14 islands including Saipan, Rota, and Tinian Norway total: 323,802 sq km land: 304,282 sq km water: 19,520 sq km Oman total: 309,500 sq km land: 309,500 sq km water: 0 sq km Pacific Ocean total: 155.557 million sq km note: includes Bali Sea, Bering Sea, Bering Strait, Coral Sea, East China Sea, Gulf of Alaska, Gulf of Tonkin, Philippine Sea, Sea of Japan, Sea of Okhotsk, South China Sea, Tasman Sea, and other tributary water bodies Pakistan total: 796,095 sq km land: 770,875 sq km water: 25,220 sq km Palau total: 459 sq km land: 459 sq km water: 0 sq km Panama total: 75,420 sq km land: 74,340 sq km water: 1,080 sq km Papua New Guinea total: 462,840 sq km land: 452,860 sq km water: 9,980 sq km Paracel Islands total: NA sq km land: NA sq km water: 0 sq km Paraguay total: 406,752 sq km land: 397,302 sq km water: 9,450 sq km Peru total: 1,285,216 sq km land: 1,279,996 sq km water: 5,220 sq km Philippines total: 300,000 sq km land: 298,170 sq km water: 1,830 sq km Pitcairn Islands total: 47 sq km land: 47 sq km water: 0 sq km Poland total: 312,685 sq km land: 304,255 sq km water: 8,430 sq km Portugal total: 92,090 sq km land: 91,470 sq km water: 620 sq km note: includes Azores and Madeira Islands Puerto Rico total: 13,790 sq km land: 8,870 sq km water: 4,921 sq km Qatar total: 11,586 sq km land: 11,586 sq km water: 0 sq km Romania total: 238,391 sq km land: 229,891 sq km water: 8,500 sq km Russia total: 17,098,242 sq km land: 16,377,742 sq km water: 720,500 sq km Rwanda total: 26,338 sq km land: 24,668 sq km water: 1,670 sq km Saint Barthelemy 21 sq km Saint Helena total: 308 sq km land: Saint Helena Island 122 sq km; Ascension Island 88 sq km; Tristan da Cunha island group 98 sq km water: 0 sq km Saint Kitts and Nevis total: 261 sq km (Saint Kitts 168 sq km; Nevis 93 sq km) land: 261 sq km water: 0 sq km Saint Lucia total: 616 sq km land: 606 sq km water: 10 sq km Saint Martin total: 54.4 sq km land: 54.4 sq km water: NEGL Saint Pierre and Miquelon total: 242 sq km land: 242 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes eight small islands in the Saint Pierre and the Miquelon groups Saint Vincent and the Grenadines total: 389 sq km (Saint Vincent 344 sq km) land: 389 sq km water: 0 sq km Samoa total: 2,831 sq km land: 2,821 sq km water: 10 sq km San Marino total: 61 sq km land: 61 sq km water: 0 sq km Sao Tome and Principe total: 964 sq km land: 964 sq km water: 0 sq km Saudi Arabia total: 2,149,690 sq km land: 2,149,690 sq km water: 0 sq km Senegal total: 196,722 sq km land: 192,530 sq km water: 4,192 sq km Serbia total: 77,474 sq km land: 77,474 sq km water: 0 sq km Seychelles total: 455 sq km land: 455 sq km water: 0 sq km Sierra Leone total: 71,740 sq km land: 71,620 sq km water: 120 sq km Singapore total: 697 sq km land: 687 sq km water: 10 sq km Slovakia total: 49,035 sq km land: 48,105 sq km water: 930 sq km Slovenia total: 20,273 sq km land: 20,151 sq km water: 122 sq km Solomon Islands total: 28,896 sq km land: 27,986 sq km water: 910 sq km Somalia total: 637,657 sq km land: 627,337 sq km water: 10,320 sq km South Africa total: 1,219,090 sq km land: 1,214,470 sq km water: 4,620 sq km note: includes Prince Edward Islands (Marion Island and Prince Edward Island) South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands total: 3,903 sq km land: 3,903 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Shag Rocks, Black Rock, Clerke Rocks, South Georgia Island, Bird Island, and the South Sandwich Islands, which consist of 11 islands Southern Ocean total: 20.327 million sq km note: includes Amundsen Sea, Bellingshausen Sea, part of the Drake Passage, Ross Sea, a small part of the Scotia Sea, Weddell Sea, and other tributary water bodies Spain total: 505,370 sq km land: 498,980 sq km water: 6,390 sq km note: there are two autonomous cities - Ceuta and Melilla - and 17 autonomous communities including Balearic Islands and Canary Islands, and three small Spanish possessions off the coast of Morocco - Islas Chafarinas, Penon de Alhucemas, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera Spratly Islands total: less than 5 sq km land: less than 5 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes 100 or so islets, coral reefs, and sea mounts scattered over an area of nearly 410,000 sq km of the central South China Sea Sri Lanka total: 65,610 sq km land: 64,630 sq km water: 980 sq km Sudan total: 2,505,813 sq km land: 2.376 million sq km water: 129,813 sq km Suriname total: 163,820 sq km land: 156,000 sq km water: 7,820 sq km Svalbard total: 62,045 sq km land: 62,045 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Spitsbergen and Bjornoya (Bear Island) Swaziland total: 17,364 sq km land: 17,204 sq km water: 160 sq km Sweden total: 450,295 sq km land: 410,335 sq km water: 39,960 sq km Switzerland total: 41,277 sq km land: 39,997 sq km water: 1,280 sq km Syria total: 185,180 sq km land: 183,630 sq km water: 1,550 sq km note: includes 1,295 sq km of Israeli-occupied territory Taiwan total: 35,980 sq km land: 32,260 sq km water: 3,720 sq km note: includes the Pescadores, Matsu, and Quemoy islands Tajikistan total: 143,100 sq km land: 141,510 sq km water: 2,590 sq km Tanzania total: 947,300 sq km land: 885,800 sq km water: 61,500 sq km note: includes the islands of Mafia, Pemba, and Zanzibar Thailand total: 513,120 sq km land: 510,890 sq km water: 2,230 sq km Timor-Leste total: 14,874 sq km land: 14,874 sq km water: 0 sq km Togo total: 56,785 sq km land: 54,385 sq km water: 2,400 sq km Tokelau total: 12 sq km land: 12 sq km water: 0 sq km Tonga total: 747 sq km land: 717 sq km water: 30 sq km Trinidad and Tobago total: 5,128 sq km land: 5,128 sq km water: 0 sq km Tunisia total: 163,610 sq km land: 155,360 sq km water: 8,250 sq km Turkey total: 783,562 sq km land: 769,632 sq km water: 13,930 sq km Turkmenistan total: 488,100 sq km land: 469,930 sq km water: 18,170 sq km Turks and Caicos Islands total: 948 sq km land: 948 sq km water: 0 sq km Tuvalu total: 26 sq km land: 26 sq km water: 0 sq km Uganda total: 241,038 sq km land: 197,100 sq km water: 43,938 sq km Ukraine total: 603,550 sq km land: 579,330 sq km water: 24,220 sq km United Arab Emirates total: 83,600 sq km land: 83,600 sq km water: 0 sq km United Kingdom total: 243,610 sq km land: 241,930 sq km water: 1,680 sq km note: includes Rockall and Shetland Islands United States total: 9,826,675 sq km land: 9,161,966 sq km water: 664,709 sq km note: includes only the 50 states and District of Columbia United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges total - 6,959.41 sq km; emergent land - 22.41 sq km; submerged - 6,937 sq km Baker Island: total - 129.1 sq km; emergent land - 2.1 sq km; submerged - 127 sq km Howland Island: total - 138.6 sq km; emergent land - 2.6 sq km; submerged - 136 sq km Jarvis Island: total - 152 sq km; emergent land - 5 sq km; submerged - 147 sq km Johnston Atoll: total - 276.6 sq km; emergent land - 2.6 sq km; submerged - 274 sq km Kingman Reef: total - 1,958.01 sq km; emergent land - 0.01 sq km; submerged - 1,958 sq km Midway Islands: total - 2,355.2 sq km; emergent land - 6.2 sq km; submerged - 2,349 sq km Palmyra Atoll: total - 1,949.9 sq km; emergent land - 3.9 sq km; submerged - 1,946 sq km Uruguay total: 176,215 sq km land: 175,015 sq km water: 1,200 sq km Uzbekistan total: 447,400 sq km land: 425,400 sq km water: 22,000 sq km Vanuatu total: 12,189 sq km land: 12,189 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes more than 80 islands, about 65 of which are inhabited Venezuela total: 912,050 sq km land: 882,050 sq km water: 30,000 sq km Vietnam total: 331,210 sq km land: 310,070 sq km water: 21,140 sq km Virgin Islands total: 1,910 sq km land: 346 sq km water: 1,564 sq km Wake Island total: 6.5 sq km land: 6.5 sq km water: 0 sq km Wallis and Futuna total: 142 sq km land: 142 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Ile Uvea (Wallis Island), Ile Futuna (Futuna Island), Ile Alofi, and 20 islets West Bank total: 5,860 sq km land: 5,640 sq km water: 220 sq km note: includes West Bank, Latrun Salient, and the northwest quarter of the Dead Sea, but excludes Mt. Scopus; East Jerusalem and Jerusalem No Man's Land are also included only as a means of depicting the entire area occupied by Israel in 1967 Western Sahara total: 266,000 sq km land: 266,000 sq km water: 0 sq km World total: 510.072 million sq km land: 148.94 million sq km water: 361.132 million sq km note: 70.9% of the world's surface is water, 29.1% is land Yemen total: 527,968 sq km land: 527,968 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Perim, Socotra, the former Yemen Arab Republic (YAR or North Yemen), and the former People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (PDRY or South Yemen) Zambia total: 752,618 sq km land: 743,398 sq km water: 9,220 sq km Zimbabwe total: 390,757 sq km land: 386,847 sq km water: 3,910 sq km ====================================================================== @2149 Field Listing :: Diplomatic representation in the US This entry includes the chief of mission, chancery, telephone, FAX, consulate general locations, and consulate locations. Country Diplomatic representation in the US Afghanistan chief of mission: Ambassador Said Tayeb JAWAD chancery: 2341 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-6410 FAX: [1] (202) 483-6488 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York Akrotiri none (overseas territory of the UK) Albania chief of mission: Ambassador Aleksander SALLABANDA chancery: 2100 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 223-4942 FAX: [1] (202) 628-7342 consulate(s) general: New York Algeria chief of mission: Ambassador Abdallah BAALI chancery: 2118 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-2800 FAX: [1] (202) 667-2174 American Samoa none (territory of the US) Andorra chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Narcis CASAL FONSDEVIELA chancery: 2 United Nations Plaza, 25th Floor, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 750-8064 FAX: [1] (212) 750-6630 Angola chief of mission: Ambassador Josefina Perpetua Pitra DIAKITE chancery: 2108 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 785-1156 FAX: [1] (202) 785-1258 consulate(s) general: Houston, New York Anguilla none (overseas territory of the UK) Antigua and Barbuda chief of mission: Ambassador Deborah Mae LOVELL chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 362-5122 FAX: [1] (202) 362-5225 consulate(s) general: Miami, New York Argentina chief of mission: Ambassador Hector Marcos TIMERMAN chancery: 1600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 238-6400 FAX: [1] (202) 332-3171 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York Armenia chief of mission: Ambassador Tatoul MARKARIAN chancery: 2225 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 319-1976 FAX: [1] (202) 319-2982 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles Aruba none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands); note - Mr. Henry BAARH, Minister Plenipotentiary for Aruba at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Ashmore and Cartier Islands none (territory of Australia) Australia chief of mission: Ambassador Dennis J. RICHARDSON chancery: 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 797-3000 FAX: [1] (202) 797-3168 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco Austria chief of mission: Ambassador Christian PROSL 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, New York Azerbaijan chief of mission: Ambassador Yashar ALIYEV chancery: 2741 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 337-3500 FAX: [1] (202) 337-5911 Consulate(s) general: Los Angeles Bahamas, The chief of mission: Ambassador Cornelius A. SMITH chancery: 2220 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 319-2660 FAX: [1] (202) 319-2668 consulate(s) general: Miami, New York Bahrain chief of mission: Ambassador Houda Ibrahim Ezra NUNU chancery: 3502 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 342-1111 FAX: [1] (202) 362-2192 consulate(s) general: New York Bangladesh chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant) chancery: 3510 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 244-0183 FAX: [1] (202) 244-7830/2771 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York Barbados chief of mission: Ambassador John BEALE chancery: 2144 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 939-9200 FAX: [1] (202) 332-7467 consulate(s) general: Miami, New York consulate(s): Los Angeles Belarus chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge D'Affaires Oleg KRAVCHENKO chancery: 1619 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 986-1604 FAX: [1] (202) 986-1805 consulate(s) general: New York Belgium chief of mission: Ambassador Jan MATTHYSEN chancery: 3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 333-6900 FAX: [1] (202) 333-3079 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York Belize chief of mission: Ambassador Nestor MENDEZ chancery: 2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-9636 FAX: [1] (202) 332-6888 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles Benin chief of mission: Ambassador Cyrille Segbe OGUIN chancery: 2124 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 232-6656 FAX: [1] (202) 265-1996 Bermuda none (overseas territory of the UK) Bhutan none; note - the Permanent Mission to the UN for Bhutan has consular jurisdiction in the US; address: 763 First Avenue, New York, NY 10017; telephone [1] (212) 682-2268; FAX [1] (212) 661-0551 consulate(s) general: New York Bolivia chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Erika Angela DUENAS Loayza chancery: 3014 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-4410 FAX: [1] (202) 328-3712 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco note: as of September 2008, the US has expelled the Bolivian ambassador to the US Bosnia and Herzegovina chief of mission: Ambassador Mitar KUJUNDZIC chancery: 2109 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 337-1500 FAX: [1] (202) 337-1502 consulate(s) general: Chicago, New York Botswana chief of mission: Ambassador Lapologang Caesar LEKOA chancery: 1531-1533 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 244-4990 FAX: [1] (202) 244-4164 Brazil chief of mission: Ambassador Antonio de Aguiar PATRIOTA chancery: 3006 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 238-2805 FAX: [1] (202) 238-2827 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco British Indian Ocean Territory none (overseas territory of the UK) British Virgin Islands none (overseas territory of the UK) Brunei chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Angela SHIM chancery: 3520 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 237-1838 FAX: [1] (202) 885-0560 Bulgaria chief of mission: Ambassador Latchezar PETKOV chancery: 1621 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 387-0174 FAX: [1] (202) 234-7973 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York Burkina Faso chief of mission: Ambassador Paramanga Ernest YONLI chancery: 2340 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-5577 FAX: [1] (202) 667-1882 Burma chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires MYINT LWIN chancery: 2300 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-3344 FAX: [1] (202) 332-4351 consulate(s) general: New York Burundi chief of mission: Ambassador Celestin NIYONGABO chancery: Suite 212, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 342-2574 FAX: [1] (202) 342-2578 Cambodia chief of mission: Ambassador HENG HEM chancery: 4530 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 telephone: [1] (202) 726-7742 FAX: [1] (202) 726-8381 Cameroon chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph FOE-ATANGANA chancery: 2349 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-8790 FAX: [1] (202) 387-3826 Canada chief of mission: Ambassador Gary DOER chancery: 501 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001 telephone: [1] (202) 682-1740 FAX: [1] (202) 682-7701 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Tucson consulate(s): Anchorage, Houston, Philadelphia, Princeton (New Jersey), Raleigh, San Jose (California), Tucson Cape Verde chief of mission: Ambassador Fatima Lima VEIGA chancery: 3415 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 965-6820 FAX: [1] (202) 965-1207 consulate(s) general: Boston Cayman Islands none (overseas territory of the UK) Central African Republic chief of mission: Ambassador Emmanuel TOUABOY chancery: 1618 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-7800 FAX: [1] (202) 332-9893 Chad chief of mission: Ambassador Mahamat Adam BECHIR chancery: 2002 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 462-4009 FAX: [1] (202) 265-1937 Chile chief of mission: Ambassador Jose Maria GONI Carrasco chancery: 1732 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 785-1746 FAX: [1] (202) 887-5579 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico) China chief of mission: Ambassador ZHOU Wenzhong chancery: 12 International Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 328-2500 FAX: [1] (202) 328-2582 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco Christmas Island none (territory of Australia) Cocos (Keeling) Islands none (territory of Australia) Colombia chief of mission: Ambassador Carolina BARCO Isakson chancery: 2118 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 387-8338 FAX: [1] (202) 232-8643 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Washington, DC Comoros chief of mission: Representative to the UN and Ambassador to the US Mohamed TOIHIRI chancery: Mission to the US, 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 418, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 750-1637 Congo, Democratic Republic of the chief of mission: Ambassador Faida MITIFU chancery: Suite 601, 1726 M Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 234-7690 through 7691 FAX: [1] (202) 234-2609 Congo, Republic of the chief of mission: Ambassador Serge MOMBOULI chancery: 4891 Colorado Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20011 telephone: [1] (202) 726-5500 FAX: [1] (202) 726-1860 Cook Islands none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand) Coral Sea Islands none (territory of Australia) Costa Rica chief of mission: Ambassador Luis DIEGO Escalante chancery: 2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 234-2945 or 2946 FAX: [1] (202) 265-4795 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico) Cote d'Ivoire chief of mission: Ambassador Yao Charles KOFFI chancery: 2424 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 797-0300 FAX: [1] (202) 244-3088 Croatia chief of mission: Ambassador Kolinda GRABAR-KITAROVIC chancery: Suite F13, 2343 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 588-5899 FAX: [1] (202) 588-8936 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York Cuba none; note - Cuba has an Interests Section in the Swiss Embassy, headed by Principal Officer Jorge BOLANOS Suarez; address: Cuban Interests Section, Swiss Embassy, 2630 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009; telephone: [1] (202) 797-8518; FAX: [1] (202) 797-8521 Cyprus chief of mission: Ambassador Andreas KAKOURIS chancery: 2211 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 462-5772, 462-0873 FAX: [1] (202) 483-6710 consulate(s) general: New York note: representative of the Turkish Cypriot community in the US is Hilmi AKIL; office at 1667 K Street NW, Washington, DC; telephone [1] (202) 887-6198 Czech Republic chief of mission: Ambassador Petr KOLAR chancery: 3900 Spring of Freedom Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 274-9100 FAX: [1] (202) 966-8540 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York Denmark chief of mission: Ambassador Friis Arne PETERSEN chancery: 3200 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 234-4300 FAX: [1] (202) 328-1470 consulate(s) general: Chicago, New York Dhekelia none (overseas territory of the UK) Djibouti chief of mission: Ambassador Roble OLHAYE Oudine chancery: Suite 515, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 telephone: [1] (202) 331-0270 FAX: [1] (202) 331-0302 Dominica chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Judith Ann ROLLE chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 364-6781 FAX: [1] (202) 364-6791 consulate(s) general: New York Dominican Republic chief of mission: Ambassador Roberto SALADIN chancery: 1715 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-6280 FAX: [1] (202) 265-8057 consulate(s) general: Anchorage, Boston, Chicago, Mayaguez (Puerto Rico), Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Sun Valley (California) Ecuador chief of mission: Ambassador Luis Benigno GALLEGOS Chiriboga chancery: 2535 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 234-7200 FAX: [1] (202) 667-3482 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Newark (New Jersey), San Francisco Egypt chief of mission: Ambassador Sameh Hassan SHOUKRY chancery: 3521 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 895-5400 FAX: [1] (202) 244-4319 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, New York, San Francisco El Salvador chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Francisco ALTSCHUL Fuentes chancery: Suite 100, 1400 16th Street, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 265-9671 FAX: [1] (202) 234-3763 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Dallas, Duluth (Georgia), Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York (2), Nogales (Arizona), Santa Ana (California), San Francisco, Washington (DC), Woodbridge (Virginia) consulate(s): Boston, Elizabeth (New Jersey) Equatorial Guinea chief of mission: Ambassador Purificacion ANGUE ONDO chancery: 2020 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 518-5700 FAX: [1] (202) 518-5252 Eritrea chief of mission: Ambassador GHIRMAI Ghebremariam chancery: 1708 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 319-1991 FAX: [1] (202) 319-1304 consulate(s) general: Oakland (California) Estonia chief of mission: Ambassador Vaino REINART chancery: 2131 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 588-0101 FAX: [1] (202) 588-0108 consulate(s) general: New York Ethiopia chief of mission: Ambassador Samuel ASSEFA chancery: 3506 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 364-1200 FAX: [1] (202) 587-0195 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles consulate(s): New York European Union chief of mission: Ambassador John BRUTON chancery: 2300 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 862-9500 FAX: [1] (202) 429-1766 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) Faroe Islands none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) Fiji chief of mission: Ambassador Winston THOMPSON chancery: 2000 M Street, NW, Suite 710, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 466-8320 FAX: [1] (202) 466-8325 Finland chief of mission: Ambassador Pekka LINTU chancery: 3301 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 298-5800 FAX: [1] (202) 298-6030 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York France chief of mission: Ambassador Pierre VIMONT chancery: 4101 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 944-6000 FAX: [1] (202) 944-6166 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco French Polynesia none (overseas lands of France) French Southern and Antarctic Lands none (overseas territory of France) Gabon chief of mission: Ambassador Carlos BOUNGOU chancery: Suite 200, 2034 20th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 797-1000 FAX: [1] (202) 332-0668 consulate(s): New York Gambia, The chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant) chancery: Suite 600, 1424 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 telephone: [1] (202) 785-1379, 1399, 1425 FAX: [1] (202) 785-1430 Georgia chief of mission: Ambassador Batu KUTELIA chancery: 2209 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 387-2390 FAX: [1] (202) 393-4537 consulate(s) general: New York Germany chief of mission: Ambassador Klaus SCHARIOTH chancery: 4645 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 298-4000 FAX: [1] (202) 298-4249 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco Ghana chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Adolphus K. ARTHUR chancery: 3512 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 686-4520 FAX: [1] (202) 686-4527 consulate(s) general: New York Gibraltar none (overseas territory of the UK) Greece chief of mission: Ambassador Vassilis KASKARELIS chancery: 2217 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 939-1300 FAX: [1] (202) 939-1324 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Tampa consulate(s): Atlanta, Houston, New Orleans Greenland none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) Grenada chief of mission: Ambassador Gillian M.S. BRISTOL chancery: 1701 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 265-2561 FAX: [1] (202) 265-2468 consulate(s) general: New York Guam none (territory of the US) Guatemala chief of mission: Ambassador Francisco VILLAGRAN de Leon chancery: 2220 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 745-4952 FAX: [1] (202) 745-1908 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Phoenix, Providence, San Francisco Guernsey none (British crown dependency) Guinea chief of mission: Ambassador Mory Karamoko KABA chancery: 2112 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 986-4300 FAX: [1] (202) 483-8688 Guinea-Bissau chief of mission: none; note - Guinea-Bissau does not have official representation in Washington, DC Guyana chief of mission: Ambassador Bayney KARRAN chancery: 2490 Tracy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-6900 FAX: [1] (202) 232-1297 consulate(s) general: New York Haiti chief of mission: Ambassador Raymond JOSEPH chancery: 2311 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-4090 FAX: [1] (202) 745-7215 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Miami, New York, San Juan (Puerto Rico) consulate(s): Orlando (Florida) Heard Island and McDonald Islands none (territory of Australia) Holy See (Vatican City) chief of mission: Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Pietro SAMBI chancery: 3339 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 333-7121 FAX: [1] (202) 337-4036 Honduras chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Eduardo Enrique REINA Garcia chancery: Suite 4-M, 3007 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 966-2604 FAX: [1] (202) 966-9751 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Phoenix, San Francisco honorary consulate(s): Jacksonville Hong Kong none (special administrative region of China); Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Washington, New York, and San Francisco carries out normal liaison and communication with the US Government and other US entities Hungary chief of mission: Ambassador Bela SZOMBATI chancery: 3910 Shoemaker Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 362-6730 FAX: [1] (202) 966-8135 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York Iceland chief of mission: Ambassador Hjalmar W. HANNESSON chancery: House of Sweden, 2900 K Street NW #509, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 265-6653 FAX: [1] (202) 265-6656 consulate(s) general: New York India chief of mission: Ambassador Meera SHANKAR chancery: 2107 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; note - Consular Wing located at 2536 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 939-7000 FAX: [1] (202) 265-4351 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, New York, San Francisco Indonesia chief of mission: Ambassador SUDJADNAN Parnohadiningrat chancery: 2020 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 775-5200 FAX: [1] (202) 775-5365 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco Iran none; note - Iran has an Interests Section in the Pakistani Embassy; address: Iranian Interests Section, Pakistani Embassy, 2209 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007; telephone: [1] (202) 965-4990; FAX [1] (202) 965-1073 Iraq chief of mission: Ambassador Samir Shakir al-SUMAYDI chancery: 3421 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 742-1600 FAX: [1] (202) 333-1129 Ireland chief of mission: Ambassador Michael COLLINS chancery: 2234 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 462-3939 FAX: [1] (202) 232-5993 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, New York, San Francisco Isle of Man none (British crown dependency) Israel chief of mission: Ambassador Michael OREN chancery: 3514 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 364-5500 FAX: [1] (202) 364-5607 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco Italy chief of mission: Ambassador Giulio TERZI di Sant'Agata chancery: 3000 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 612-4400 FAX: [1] (202) 518-2151 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Francisco consulate(s): Detroit Jamaica chief of mission: Ambassador Anthony JOHNSON chancery: 1520 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 452-0660 FAX: [1] (202) 452-0081 consulate(s) general: Miami, New York Japan chief of mission: Ambassador Ichiro FUJISAKI chancery: 2520 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 238-6700 FAX: [1] (202) 328-2187 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Agana (Guam), Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Portland (Oregon), San Francisco, Seattle consulate(s): Anchorage, Nashville Jersey none (British crown dependency) Jordan chief of mission: Ambassador ZEID Ra'ad Zeid al-Hussein, Prince chancery: 3504 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 966-2664 FAX: [1] (202) 966-3110 Kazakhstan chief of mission: Ambassador Yerlan IDRISOV chancery: 1401 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 232-5488 FAX: [1] (202) 232-5845 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles consulate(s): New York Kenya chief of mission: Ambassador Peter Rateng Oginga OGEGO chancery: 2249 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 387-6101 FAX: [1] (202) 462-3829 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles consulate(s): New York Kiribati Kiribati does not have an embassy in the US; there is an honorary consulate in Honolulu Korea, North none; North Korea has a Permanent Mission to the UN in New York Korea, South chief of mission: Ambassador HAN Duck-soo chancery: 2450 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 939-5600 FAX: [1] (202) 387-0205 consulate(s) general: Agana (Guam), Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle Kosovo chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Avni SPAHIU chancery: 900 19th Street, NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 2006 telephone: 202-436-3581 Kuwait chief of mission: Ambassador SALIM al-Abdallah al-Jabir al-Sabah chancery: 2940 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 966-0702 FAX: [1] (202) 364-2868 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles Kyrgyzstan chief of mission: Ambassador Zamira SYDYKOVA chancery: 2360 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 449-9822 FAX: [1] (202) 386-7550 consulate(s): New York Laos chief of mission: Ambassador PHIANE Philakone chancery: 2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-6416 FAX: [1] (202) 332-4923 Latvia chief of mission: Ambassador Andrejs PILDEGOVICS chancery: 2306 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 328-2840 FAX: [1] (202) 328-2860 Lebanon chief of mission: Ambassador Antoine CHEDID chancery: 2560 28th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 939-6300 FAX: [1] (202) 939-6324 consulate(s) general: Detroit, New York, Los Angeles Lesotho chief of mission: Ambassador David Mohlomi RANTEKOA chancery: 2511 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 797-5533 through 5536 FAX: [1] (202) 234-6815 Liberia chief of mission: Ambassador Milton Nathaniel BARNES chancery: 5201 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 telephone: [1] (202) 723-0437 FAX: [1] (202) 723-0436 consulate(s) general: New York Libya chief of mission: Ambassador Ali Suleiman AUJALI chancery: 2600 Virginia Avenue NW, Suite 705, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 944-9601 FAX: [1] (202) 944-9060 Liechtenstein chief of mission: Ambassador Claudia FRITSCHE chancery: 2900 K Street, NW, Suite 602B, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 331-0590 FAX: [1] (202) 331-3221 Lithuania chief of mission: Ambassador Audrius BRUZGA chancery: 2622 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 234-5860 FAX: [1] (202) 328-0466 consulate(s) general: Chicago, New York Luxembourg chief of mission: Ambassador Jean-Paul SENNINGER chancery: 2200 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-4171 through 72 FAX: [1] (202) 328-8270 consulate(s) general: New York, San Francisco Macau none (special administrative region of China) Macedonia chief of mission: Ambassador Zoran JOLEVSKI chancery: 2129 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 667-0501 FAX: [1] (202) 667-2131 consulate(s) general: Southfield (Michigan) Madagascar chief of mission: Ambassador Jocelyn Bertin RADIFERA chancery: 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-5525 through 5526 FAX: [1] (202) 265-3034 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York Malawi chief of mission: Ambassador Hawa NDILOWE chancery: 1029 Vermont Avenue, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20005 telephone: [1] (202) 721-0270 FAX: [1] (202) 721-0288 Malaysia chief of mission: Ambassador JAMALUDDIN Jarjis chancery: 3516 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 572-9700 FAX: [1] (202) 572-9882 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York Maldives chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge D'Affaires Abdul Ghafoor MOHAMED chancery: 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400E, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 599-6195 FAX: [1] (212) 661-6405 Mali chief of mission: Ambassador Abdoulaye DIOP chancery: 2130 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-2249, 939-8950 FAX: [1] (202) 332-6603 Malta chief of mission: Ambassador Mark MICELI-FARRUGIA chancery: 2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 462-3611 through 3612 FAX: [1] (202) 387-5470 consulate(s): New York Marshall Islands chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Charles A. PAUL chancery: 2433 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 234-5414 FAX: [1] (202) 232-3236 consulate(s) general: Honolulu Mauritania chief of mission: Ambassador Ibrahima DIA chancery: 2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 232-5700 through 5701 FAX: [1] (202) 319-2623 Mauritius chief of mission: Ambassador Keerteecoomar RUHEE chancery: 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 441, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 244-1491 through 1492 FAX: [1] (202) 966-0983 Mayotte none (territorial overseas collectivity of France) Mexico chief of mission: Ambassador Arturo SARUKHAN Casamitjana chancery: 1911 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20006 telephone: [1] (202) 728-1600 FAX: [1] (202) 728-1698 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, El Paso, Houston, Laredo (Texas), Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Nogales (Arizona), Phoenix, Sacramento, Saint Paul (Minnesota), San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, San Juan (Puerto Rico) consulate(s): Albuquerque, Brownsville (Texas), Calexico (California), Del Rio (Texas), Detroit, Douglas (Arizona), Eagle Pass (Texas), Fresno (California), Indianapolis (Indiana), Kansas City (Missouri), Laredo (Texas), Las Vegas, Little Rock (Arkansas), McAllen (Texas), New Orleans, Omaha, Orlando, Oxnard (California), Philadelphia, Portland (Oregon), Presidio (Texas), Raleigh, Salt Lake City, San Bernardino, Santa Ana (California), Seattle, Tucson, Yuma (Arizona) Micronesia, Federated States of chief of mission: Ambassador Yosiwo GEORGE chancery: 1725 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 223-4383 FAX: [1] (202) 223-4391 consulate(s) general: Honolulu, Tamuning (Guam) Moldova chief of mission: Ambassador Nicolae CHIRTOACA chancery: 2101 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 667-1130 FAX: [1] (202) 667-1204 Monaco chief of mission: Ambassador to the US and Representative to the UN Gilles NOGHES chancery: 3400 International Drive NW, Suite 2K-100, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 234-1530 FAX: (202) 552-5778 consulate(s) general: New York Mongolia chief of mission: Ambassador Khasbazaryn BEKHBAT chancery: 2833 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 333-7117 FAX: [1] (202) 298-9227 consulate(s) general: New York Montenegro chief of mission: Ambassador Miodrag VLAHOVIC chancery: 1610 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 234-6108 FAX: [1] (202) 234-6109 consulate(s) general: New York Montserrat none (overseas territory of the UK) Morocco chief of mission: Ambassador Aziz MEKOUAR chancery: 1601 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 462-7979 FAX: [1] (202) 265-0161 consulate(s) general: New York Mozambique chief of mission: Ambassador Armando PANGUENE chancery: 1525 New Hampshire Avenue, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 293-7146 FAX: [1] (202) 835-0245 Namibia chief of mission: Ambassador Patrick NANDAGO chancery: 1605 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 986-0540 FAX: [1] (202) 986-0443 Nauru chief of mission: Ambassador Marlene I. MOSES chancery: 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400 D, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 937-0074 FAX: [1] (212) 937-0079 consulate(s): Agana (Guam) Nepal chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Kali POKHREL chancery: 2131 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 667-4550 FAX: [1] (202) 667-5534 consulate(s) general: New York Netherlands chief of mission: Ambassador Regina "Renee" JONES-BOS chancery: 4200 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 244-5300, [1] 877-388-2443 FAX: [1] (202) 362-3430 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York consulate(s): Boston Netherlands Antilles none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands); note - Mr. Jeffrey CORRION, Minister Plenipotentiary for Aruba at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands New Caledonia none (overseas territory of France) New Zealand chief of mission: Ambassador Roy N. FERGUSON chancery: 37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 328-4800 FAX: [1] (202) 667-5227 consulate(s) general: New York, Santa Monica Nicaragua chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charges d'Affaires Alcides J. MONTIEL Barillas chancery: 1627 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 939-6570, 6573 FAX: [1] (202) 939-6545 consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco Niger chief of mission: Ambassador Aminata Djibrilla Maiga TOURE chancery: 2204 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-4224 through 4227 FAX: [1] (202)483-3169 Nigeria chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Baba Gana WIKIL chancery: 3519 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 986-8400 FAX: [1] (202) 775-1385 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, New York Niue none (self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand) Norfolk Island none (territory of Australia) Norway chief of mission: Ambassador Wegger C. STROMMEN chancery: 2720 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 333-6000 FAX: [1] (202) 337-0870 consulate(s) general: Houston, Minneapolis, New York, San Francisco Oman chief of mission: Ambassador Hunaina bint Sultan bin Ahmad al-MUGHAIRI chancery: 2535 Belmont Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 387-1980 FAX: [1] (202) 745-4933 Pakistan chief of mission: Ambassador Husain HAQQANI chancery: 3517 International Court, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 243-6500 FAX: [1] (202) 686-1544 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York, Sunnyvale (California) consulate(s): Chicago, Houston Palau chief of mission: Ambassador Hersey KYOTA chancery: 1701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20006 telephone: [1] (202) 452-6814 FAX: [1] (202) 452-6281 consulate(s): Tamuning (Guam) Panama chief of mission: Ambassador Jaime Eduardo ALEMAN Healy chancery: 2862 McGill Terrace NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-1407 FAX: [1] (202) 483-8416 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco, Tampa Papua New Guinea chief of mission: Ambassador Evan Jeremy PAKI chancery: 1779 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 805, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 745-3680 FAX: [1] (202) 745-3679 Paraguay chief of mission: Ambassador James SPALDING Hellmers chancery: 2400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-6960 through 6962 FAX: [1] (202) 234-4508 consulate(s) general: Kansas City (Kansas), Los Angeles, Miami, New York Peru chief of mission: Ambassador Luis VALDIVIESO Montano chancery: 1700 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 833-9860 through 9869 FAX: [1] (202) 659-8124 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Hartford, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Paterson (New Jersey), San Francisco Philippines chief of mission: Ambassador Willy C. GAA chancery: 1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 467-9300 FAX: [1] (202) 467-9417 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands), San Francisco, Tamuning (Guam) Pitcairn Islands none (overseas territory of the UK) Poland chief of mission: Ambassador Robert KUPIECKI chancery: 2640 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 234-3800 through 3802 FAX: [1] (202) 328-6271 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York Portugal chief of mission: Ambassador Joao DE VALLERA chancery: 2012 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 328-8610 FAX: [1] (202) 462-3726 consulate(s) general: Boston, New York, Newark (New Jersey), San Francisco consulate(s): New Bedford (Massachusetts), Providence (Rhode Island) Puerto Rico none (territory of the US with commonwealth status) Qatar chief of mission: Ambassador Ali Fahad al-Shahwany al-HAJRI chancery: 2555 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 274-1600 and 274-1603 FAX: [1] (202) 237-0061 consulate(s) general: Houston Romania chief of mission: Ambassador Adrian Cosmin VIERITA chancery: 1607 23rd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-4846, 4848, 4851, 4852 FAX: [1] (202) 232-4748 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York Russia chief of mission: Ambassador Sergey Ivanovich KISLYAK chancery: 2650 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 298-5700, 5701, 5704, 5708 FAX: [1] (202) 298-5735 consulate(s) general: Houston, New York, San Francisco, Seattle Rwanda chief of mission: Ambassador James KOMONYO chancery: 1714 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 232-2882 FAX: [1] (202) 232-4544 Saint Barthelemy none (overseas collectivity of France) Saint Helena none (overseas territory of the UK) Saint Kitts and Nevis chief of mission: Ambassador Izben Cordinal WILLIAMS chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 686-2636 FAX: [1] (202) 686-5740 consulate(s) general: New York Saint Lucia chief of mission: Ambassador Michael LOUIS chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 364-6792 through 6795 FAX: [1] (202) 364-6723 consulate(s) general: Miami, New York Saint Martin none (overseas collectivity of France) Saint Pierre and Miquelon none (territorial overseas collectivity of France) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines chief of mission: Ambassador La Celia A. PRINCE chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 364-6730 FAX: [1] (202) 364-6736 consulate(s) general: New York Samoa chief of mission: Ambassador Aliioaiga Feturi ELISAIA chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400J, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 599-6196 through 6197 FAX: [1] (212) 599-0797 consulate(s) general: Pago Pago (American Samoa) San Marino chief of mission: Ambassador Paolo RONDELLI chancery: 888 27th Street NW, Suite 900, Washington, DC 20006 telephone: 202-337-2260 Sao Tome and Principe chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant) chancery: 400 Park Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10022 telephone: [1] (212) 317-0580 FAX: [1] (212) 935-7348 Saudi Arabia chief of mission: Ambassador Adil al-Ahmad al-JUBAYR chancery: 601 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 342-3800 FAX: [1] (202) 944-3113 consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, New York Senegal chief of mission: Ambassador Amadou Lamine BA chancery: 2112 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 234-0540 FAX: [1] (202) 332-6315 consulate(s) general: Houston, New York Serbia chief of mission: Ambassador Vladimir PETROVIC chancery: 2134 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-0333 FAX: [1] (202) 332-3933 consulate(s) general: Chicago, New York Seychelles chief of mission: Ambassador Jean Ronald JUMEAU chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400C, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 972-1785 FAX: [1] (212) 972-1786 Sierra Leone chief of mission: Ambassador Bockari Kortu STEVENS chancery: 1701 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 939-9261 through 9263 FAX: [1] (202) 483-1793 Singapore chief of mission: Ambassador CHAN Heng Chee chancery: 3501 International Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 537-3100 FAX: [1] (202) 537-0876 consulate(s) general: San Francisco consulate(s): New York Slovakia chief of mission: Ambassador Peter BURIAN chancery: 3523 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 237-1054 FAX: [1] (202) 237-6438 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York Slovenia chief of mission: Ambassador Roman KIRN chancery: 2410 California Street N.W., Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 386-6601 FAX: [1] (202) 386-6633 consulate(s) general: Cleveland, New York Solomon Islands chief of mission: Ambassador Collin David BECK chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400L, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 599-6192, 6193 FAX: [1] (212) 661-8925 Somalia Somalia does not have an embassy in the US (ceased operations on 8 May 1991); note - the Transitional Federal Government is represented in the United States through its Permanent Mission to the United Nations South Africa chief of mission: Ambassador Welile Augustine NHLAPO chancery: 3051 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 232-4400 FAX: [1] (202) 265-1607 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands none (overseas territory of the UK, also claimed by Argentina) Spain chief of mission: Ambassador Jorge DEZCALLAR de Mazarredo chancery: 2375 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 452-0100, 728-2340 FAX: [1] (202) 833-5670 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico) Sri Lanka chief of mission: Ambassador Jaliya Chitran WICKRAMASURIYA chancery: 2148 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-4025 through 4028 FAX: [1] (202) 232-7181 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles consulate(s): New York Sudan chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Akec Khoc ACIEW Khoc chancery: 2210 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 338-8565 FAX: [1] (202) 667-2406 Suriname chief of mission: Ambassador Jacques Ruben Constantijn KROSS chancery: Suite 460, 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 244-7488 FAX: [1] (202) 244-5878 consulate(s) general: Miami Swaziland chief of mission: Ambassador Ephraim Mandla HLOPHE chancery: 1712 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 234-5002 FAX: [1] (202) 234-8254 Sweden chief of mission: Ambassador Jonas HAFSTROM chancery: The House of Sweden, 2900 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 467-2600 FAX: [1] (202) 467-2699 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York Switzerland chief of mission: Ambassador Urs ZISWILER chancery: 2900 Cathedral Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 745-7900 FAX: [1] (202) 387-2564 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco consulate(s): Boston Syria chief of mission: Ambassador Imad MOUSTAPHA chancery: 2215 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 232-6313 FAX: [1] (202) 265-4585 Taiwan none; commercial and cultural relations with the people in the United States are maintained through an unofficial instrumentality, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO), a private nonprofit corporation that performs citizen and consular services similar to those at diplomatic posts representative: Jason C. YUAN office: 4201 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] 202 895-1800 Taipei Economic and Cultural Offices (branch offices): Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Guam, Houston, Honolulu, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Seattle Tajikistan chief of mission: Ambassador Abdujabbor SHIRINOV chancery: 1005 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 223-6090 FAX: [1] (202) 223-6091 Tanzania chief of mission: Ambassador Ombeni Yohana SEFUE chancery: 2139 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 939-6125 FAX: [1] (202) 797-7408 Thailand chief of mission: Ambassador DON Pramudwinai chancery: 1024 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 401, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 944-3600 FAX: [1] (202) 944-3611 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York Timor-Leste chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Jorge Trindade NEVES de Camoes chancery: 4201 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 504,Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 966-3202 FAX: [1] (202) 966-3205 Togo chief of mission: Ambassador Kadangha Limbiya BARIKI chancery: 2208 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 234-4212 FAX: [1] (202) 232-3190 Tokelau none (territory of New Zealand) Tonga chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Viliami MALOLO chancery: 250 East 51st Street, New York, NY 10022 telephone: [1] (917) 369-1025 FAX: [1] (917) 369-1024 consulate(s) general: San Francisco Trinidad and Tobago chief of mission: Ambassador Glenda MOREAN-PHILLIP chancery: 1708 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 467-6490 FAX: [1] (202) 785-3130 consulate(s) general: Miami, New York Tunisia chief of mission: Ambassador Habib MANSOUR chancery: 1515 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005 telephone: [1] (202) 862-1850 FAX: [1] (202) 862-1858 Turkey chief of mission: Ambassador Nabi SENSOY chancery: 2525 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 612-6700 FAX: [1] (202) 612-6744 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York Turkmenistan chief of mission: Ambassador Meret Bairamovich ORAZOW chancery: 2207 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 588-1500 FAX: [1] (202) 588-0697 Turks and Caicos Islands none (overseas territory of the UK) Tuvalu Tuvalu does not have an embassy in the US - the country's only diplomatic post is in Fiji - Tuvalu does, however, have a UN office located at 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400D, New York, NY 10017, telephone: [1] (212) 490-0534 Uganda chief of mission: Ambassador Perezi Karukubiro KAMUNANWIRE chancery: 5911 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 telephone: [1] (202) 726-7100 through 7102, 0416 FAX: [1] (202) 726-1727 Ukraine chief of mission: Ambassador Oleh V. SHAMSHUR chancery: 3350 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 333-0606 FAX: [1] (202) 333-0817 consulate(s) general: Chicago, New York, San Francisco United Arab Emirates chief of mission: Ambassador Yousef bin Mani Saeed al-OTAIBA chancery: 3522 International Court NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 243-2400 FAX: [1] (202) 243-2432 United Kingdom chief of mission: Ambassador Sir Nigel E. SHEINWALD chancery: 3100 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 588-6500 FAX: [1] (202) 588-7870 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco consulate(s): Dallas, Denver, Orlando Uruguay chief of mission: Ambassador Carlos Alberto GIANELLI Derois chancery: 1913 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20006 telephone: [1] (202) 331-1313 through 1316 FAX: [1] (202) 331-8142 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York consulate(s): San Juan (Puerto Rico) Uzbekistan chief of mission: Ambassador Abdulaziz KAMILOV chancery: 1746 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 887-5300 FAX: [1] (202) 293-6804 consulate(s) general: New York Vanuatu Vanuatu does not have an embassy in the US; it does, however, have a Permanent Mission to the UN Venezuela chief of mission: Ambassador Bernardo ALVAREZ Herrera chancery: 1099 30th Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 342-2214 FAX: [1] (202) 342-6820 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico) Vietnam chief of mission: Ambassador Le Cong PHUNG chancery: 1233 20th Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 861-0737 FAX: [1] (202) 861-0917 consulate(s) general: San Francisco Virgin Islands none (territory of the US) Wallis and Futuna none (overseas territory of France) Western Sahara none Yemen chief of mission: Ambassador Abd al-Wahab Abdallah al-HAJRI chancery: 2319 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 965-4760 FAX: [1] (202) 337-2017 Zambia chief of mission: Ambassador Inonge MBIKUSITA-LEWANIKA chancery: 2419 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-9717 through 9719 FAX: [1] (202) 332-0826 Zimbabwe chief of mission: Ambassador Machivenyika MAPURANGA chancery: 1608 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 332-7100 FAX: [1] (202) 483-9326 ====================================================================== @2150 Field Listing :: Telephones - main lines in use This entry gives the total number of main telephone lines in use. Country Comparison to the World Country Telephones - main lines in use Afghanistan 460,000 (2008) Albania 316,400 (2008) Algeria 3.314 million (2008) American Samoa 10,400 (2008) Andorra 37,400 (2008) Angola 114,300 (2008) Anguilla 5,800 (2008) Antarctica 0; note - information for US bases only (2001) Antigua and Barbuda 38,000 (2008) Argentina 9.631 million (2008) Armenia 650,000 (2008) Aruba 38,500 (2008) Australia 9.37 million (2008) Austria 3.285 million (2008) Azerbaijan 1.311 million (2008) Bahamas, The 133,000 (2008) Bahrain 220,000 (2008) Bangladesh 1.39 million (2009) Barbados 150,000 (2008) Belarus 3.718 million (2008) Belgium 4.457 million (2008) Belize 31,100 (2008) Benin 159,000 (2008) Bermuda 57,600 (2008) Bhutan 27,500 (2008) Bolivia 690,000 (2008) Bosnia and Herzegovina 1.031 million (2008) Botswana 142,300 (2008) Brazil 41.141 million (2008) British Indian Ocean Territory NA British Virgin Islands 18,900 (2008) Brunei 76,600 (2008) Bulgaria 2.258 million (2008) Burkina Faso 144,000 (2008) Burma 829,000 (2008) Burundi 30,400 (2008) Cambodia 45,100 (2008) Cameroon 198,300 (2008) Canada 18.25 million (2008) Cape Verde 72,000 (2008) Cayman Islands 38,000 (2008) Central African Republic 12,000 (2008) Chad 13,000 (2008) Chile 3.526 million (2008) China 365.6 million (2007) Christmas Island NA Cocos (Keeling) Islands 287 (1992) Colombia 6.82 million (2008) Comoros 23,300 (2008) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 37,300 (2008) Congo, Republic of the 22,200 (2008) Cook Islands 6,700 (2008) Costa Rica 1.438 million (2008) Cote d'Ivoire 356,500 (2008) Croatia 1.851 million (2008) Cuba 1.104 million (2008) Cyprus area under government control: 413,300 (2008); area administered by Turkish Cypriots: 86,228 (2002) Czech Republic 2.278 million (2008) Denmark 2.487 million (2008) Djibouti 10,800 (2008) Dominica 17,500 (2008) Dominican Republic 985,700 (2008) Ecuador 1.91 million (2008) Egypt 12.011 million (2008) El Salvador 1.077 million (2008) Equatorial Guinea 10,000 (2008) Eritrea 40,400 (2008) Estonia 498,100 (2008) Ethiopia 908,900 (2008) European Union 238 million (2005) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 2,300 (2008) Faroe Islands 21,800 (2008) Fiji 129,100 (2008) Finland 1.65 million (2008) France 35.909 million; 35.0 million (metropolitan France) (2008) French Polynesia 54,600 (2008) Gabon 26,500 (2008) Gambia, The 48,900 (2008) Gaza Strip 348,000 (includes West Bank) (2008) Georgia 618,000 (2008) Germany 51.5 million (2008) Ghana 143,900 (2008) Gibraltar 24,000 (2008) Greece 5.975 million (2008) Greenland 22,800 (2008) Grenada 28,600 (2008) Guam 65,500 (2008) Guatemala 1.449 million (2008) Guernsey 45,100 (2008) Guinea 50,000 (2008) Guinea-Bissau 4,600 (2008) Guyana 125,000 (2008) Haiti 108,000 (2008) Holy See (Vatican City) 5,120 (2005) Honduras 825,800 (2008) Hong Kong 4.108 million (2008) Hungary 3.094 million (2008) Iceland 187,000 (2008) India 37.54 million (2009) Indonesia 30.378 million (2008) Iran 24.8 million (2008) Iraq 1.082 million (2008) Ireland 2.202 million (2008) Isle of Man 51,000 (1999) Israel 2.9 million (2008) Italy 20.031 million (2008) Jamaica 316,600 (2008) Japan 47.579 million (2008) Jersey 74,000 (2008) Jordan 519,000 (2008) Kazakhstan 3.41 million (2008) Kenya 252,300 (2008) Kiribati 4,000 (2008) Korea, North 1.18 million (2008) Korea, South 21.325 million (2008) Kosovo 106,300 (2006) Kuwait 541,000 (2008) Kyrgyzstan 494,500 (2008) Laos 97,600 (2008) Latvia 644,000 (2008) Lebanon 714,000 (2008) Lesotho 65,200 (2008) Liberia 2,000 (2008) Libya 1.033 million (2008) Liechtenstein 19,600 (2008) Lithuania 784,900 (2008) Luxembourg 260,600 (2008) Macau 173,533 (2009) Macedonia 457,100 (2008) Madagascar 164,900 (2008) Malawi 236,000 (2008) Malaysia 4.292 million (2008) Maldives 50,396 (2009) Mali 82,800 (2008) Malta 241,100 (2008) Marshall Islands 4,400 (2008) Mauritania 76,400 (2008) Mauritius 364,500 (2008) Mayotte 10,000 (2008) Mexico 20.539 million (2008) Micronesia, Federated States of 8,700 (2008) Moldova 1.115 million (2008) Monaco 35,000 (2008) Mongolia 165,000 (2008) Montenegro 362,000 (2008) Montserrat 2,800 (2008) Morocco 2.991 million (2008) Mozambique 78,300 (2008) Namibia 140,000 (2008) Nauru 1,800 (2008) Nepal 805,100 (2008) Netherlands 7.324 million (2008) Netherlands Antilles 88,000 (2008) New Caledonia 63,000 (2008) New Zealand 1.75 million (2008) Nicaragua 312,000 (2008) Niger 24,000 (2008) Nigeria 1.308 million (2008) Niue 1,000 (2008) Norfolk Island 2,532; note - a mix of analog (2,500) and digital (32) circuits (2004) Northern Mariana Islands 24,700 (2008) Norway 1.928 million (2008) Oman 274,200 (2008) Pakistan 4.546 million (2008) Palau 7,500 (2008) Panama 495,800 (2008) Papua New Guinea 60,000 (2008) Paraguay 363,000 (2008) Peru 2.878 million (2008) Philippines 3.905 million (2008) Pitcairn Islands 1 (there are 17 telephones on one party line); (2004) Poland 10.336 million (2008) Portugal 4.121 million (2008) Puerto Rico 1.038 million (2008) Qatar 263,400 (2008) Romania 5.036 million (2007) Russia 44.2 million (2008) Rwanda 16,800 (2008) Saint Helena 2,300 (2008) Saint Kitts and Nevis 20,400 (2008) Saint Lucia 40,900 (2008) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 4,800 (2008) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 22,800 (2008) Samoa 28,800 (2008) San Marino 21,300 (2008) Sao Tome and Principe 7,700 (2008) Saudi Arabia 4.1 million (2008) Senegal 237,800 (2008) Serbia 3.085 million (2008) Seychelles 23,200 (2008) Sierra Leone 31,500 (2008) Singapore 1.857 million (2008) Slovakia 1.098 million (2008) Slovenia 1.01 million (2008) Solomon Islands 8,000 (2008) Somalia 100,000 (2008) South Africa 4.425 million (2008) Spain 20.2 million (2008) Sri Lanka 3.446 million (2008) Sudan 356,100 (2008) Suriname 81,500 (2008) Svalbard NA Swaziland 44,000 (2008) Sweden 5.323 million (2008) Switzerland 4.82 million (2008) Syria 3.633 million (2008) Taiwan 14.273 million (2008) Tajikistan 360,000 (2008) Tanzania 179,849 (2009) Thailand 7.024 million (2008) Timor-Leste 2,400 (2008) Togo 140,900 (2008) Tokelau 300 (2008) Tonga 25,500 (2008) Trinidad and Tobago 307,000 (2008) Tunisia 1.239 million (2008) Turkey 17.502 million (2008) Turkmenistan 495,000 (2008) Turks and Caicos Islands 3,700 (2008) Tuvalu 1,500 (2008) Uganda 168,500 (2008) Ukraine 13.177 million (2008) United Arab Emirates 1.508 million (2008) United Kingdom 33.209 million (2008) United States 150 million (2008) Uruguay 959,300 (2008) Uzbekistan 1.85 million (2008) Vanuatu 10,400 (2008) Venezuela 6.304 million (2008) Vietnam 29.591 million (2008) Virgin Islands 74,200 (2008) Wallis and Futuna 2,700 (2008) West Bank 348,000 (includes Gaza Strip) (2008) Western Sahara about 2,000 (1999 est.) World 1.268 billion (2008) Yemen 1.117 million (2008) Zambia 90,600 (2008) Zimbabwe 354,000 (2008) ====================================================================== @2151 Field Listing :: Telephones - mobile cellular This entry gives the total number of mobile cellular telephone subscribers. Country Comparison to the World Country Telephones - mobile cellular Afghanistan 8.45 million (2008) Albania 3.141 million (2008) Algeria 31.871 million (2008) American Samoa 2,200 (2004) Andorra 64,200 (2008) Angola 6.773 million (2008) Anguilla 13,100 (2005) Antigua and Barbuda 136,600 (2008) Argentina 46.509 million (2008) Armenia 2.336 million (2008) Aruba 127,100 (2008) Australia 22.12 million (2008) Austria 10.816 million (2008) Azerbaijan 6.548 million (2008) Bahamas, The 358,000 (2008) Bahrain 1.4 million (2008) Bangladesh 45.75 million (2009) Barbados 406,000 (2008) Belarus 8.693 million (2008) Belgium 11.822 million (2008) Belize 160,000 (2008) Benin 3.435 million (2008) Bermuda 79,000 (2008) Bhutan 251,000 (2008) Bolivia 4.83 million (2008) Bosnia and Herzegovina 3.179 million (2008) Botswana 1.486 million (2008) Brazil 150.641 million (2008) British Virgin Islands 23,000 (2008) Brunei 376,000 (2008) Bulgaria 10.633 million (2008) Burkina Faso 2.553 million (2008) Burma 375,800 (2008) Burundi 480,600 (2008) Cambodia 4.237 million (2008) Cameroon 6.161 million (2008) Canada 21.455 million (2008) Cape Verde 277,700 (2008) Cayman Islands 33,800 (2004) Central African Republic 154,000 (2008) Chad 1.809 million (2008) Chile 14.797 million (2008) China 634 million (2008) Colombia 41.365 million (2008) Comoros 42,000 (2008) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 9.263 million (2008) Congo, Republic of the 1.807 million (2008) Cook Islands 6,700 (2008) Costa Rica 1.887 million (2008) Cote d'Ivoire 10.449 million (2008) Croatia 5.924 million (2008) Cuba 331,700 (2008) Cyprus area under government control: 1.017 million (2008); area administered by Turkish Cypriots: 147,522 (2002) Czech Republic 13.78 million (2008) Denmark 6.551 million (2008) Djibouti 44,100 (2005) Dominica 100,000 (2008) Dominican Republic 7.21 million (2008) Ecuador 11.595 million (2008) Egypt 41.272 million (2008) El Salvador 6.951 million (2008) Equatorial Guinea 346,000 (2008) Eritrea 108,600 (2008) Estonia 2.525 million (2008) Ethiopia 3.168 million (2008) European Union 466 million (2005) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 3,000 (2008) Faroe Islands 54,900 (2008) Fiji 600,000 (2008) Finland 6.83 million (2008) France 59.259 million; 57.972 million (metropolitan France) (2008) French Polynesia 187,100 (2008) Gabon 1.3 million (2008) Gambia, The 1.166 million (2008) Gaza Strip 1.153 million (includes West Bank) (2008) Georgia 2.755 million (2008) Germany 107.245 million (2008) Ghana 11.57 million (2008) Gibraltar 18,400 (2004) Greece 13.799 million (2008) Greenland 55,800 (2008) Grenada 60,000 (2008) Guam 98,000 (2004) Guatemala 14.949 million (2008) Guernsey 43,800 (2004) Guinea 2.6 million (2008) Guinea-Bissau 500,200 (2008) Guyana 281,400 (2005) Haiti 3.2 million (2008) Honduras 6.211 million (2008) Hong Kong 11.374 million (2008) Hungary 12.224 million (2008) Iceland 342,000 (2008) India 427.3 million (2009) Indonesia 140.578 million (2008) Iran 43 million (2008) Iraq 17.529 million (2008) Ireland 5.048 million (2008) Israel 8.902 million (2008) Italy 88.58 million (2008) Jamaica 2.723 million (2008) Japan 110.395 million (2008) Jersey 83,900 (2004) Jordan 5.314 million (2008) Kazakhstan 14.911 million (2008) Kenya 16.234 million (2008) Kiribati 1,000 (2008) Korea, South 45.607 million (2008) Kosovo 562,000 (2007) Kuwait 2.907 million (2008) Kyrgyzstan 3.394 million (2008) Laos 1.822 million (2008) Latvia 2.234 million (2008) Lebanon 1.43 million (2008) Lesotho 581,000 (2008) Liberia 732,000 (2008) Libya 4.828 million (2008) Liechtenstein 34,000 (2008) Lithuania 5.023 million (2008) Luxembourg 707,000 (2008) Macau 993,545 (2009) Macedonia 2.502 million (2008) Madagascar 4.835 million (2008) Malawi 1.781 million (2008) Malaysia 27.125 million (2008) Maldives 450,500 (2009) Mali 3.267 million (2008) Malta 385,600 (2008) Marshall Islands 1,000 (2008) Mauritania 2.092 million (2008) Mauritius 1.033 million (2008) Mayotte 48,100 (2005) Mexico 75.304 million (2008) Micronesia, Federated States of 34,000 (2008) Moldova 2.423 million (2008) Monaco 22,000 (2008) Mongolia 1.796 million (2008) Montenegro 735,000 (2008) Montserrat 3,000 (2008) Morocco 22.816 million (2008) Mozambique 4.405 million (2008) Namibia 1.052 million (2008) Nauru 1,500 (2002) Nepal 4.2 million (2008) Netherlands 19.927 million (2008) Netherlands Antilles 200,000 (2004) New Caledonia 196,500 (2008) New Zealand 4.62 million (2008) Nicaragua 3.039 million (2008) Niger 1.677 million (2008) Nigeria 62.988 million (2008) Niue 600 (2004) Norfolk Island 0; note - proposed cellular service disallowed in August 2002 island referendum (2002) Northern Mariana Islands 20,500 (2004) Norway 5.287 million (2008) Oman 3.219 million (2008) Pakistan 91.44 million (2009) Palau 12,000 (2008) Panama 3.805 million (2008) Papua New Guinea 600,000 (2008) Paraguay 5.791 million (2008) Peru 20.952 million (2008) Philippines 68.102 million (2008) Poland 44.004 million (2008) Portugal 14.91 million (2008) Puerto Rico 3.354 million (2005) Qatar 1.683 million (2008) Romania 24.467 million (2008) Russia 187.5 million (2008) Rwanda 1.323 million (2008) Saint Kitts and Nevis 80,000 (2008) Saint Lucia 169,600 (2008) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 130,100 (2008) Samoa 124,000 (2008) San Marino 17,700 (2008) Sao Tome and Principe 49,000 (2008) Saudi Arabia 36 million (2008) Senegal 5.389 million (2008) Serbia 9.619 million (2008) Seychelles 85,300 (2008) Sierra Leone 1.009 million (2008) Singapore 6.375 million (2008) Slovakia 5.52 million (2008) Slovenia 2.055 million (2008) Solomon Islands 14,000 (2008) Somalia 627,000 (2008) South Africa 45 million (2008) Spain 49.682 million (2008) Sri Lanka 11.082 million (2008) Sudan 11.186 million (2008) Suriname 416,000 (2008) Swaziland 457,000 (2008) Sweden 10.988 million (2008) Switzerland 8.78 million (2008) Syria 7.056 million (2008) Taiwan 25.412 million (2008) Tajikistan 3.5 million (2009) Tanzania 14.723 million (2009) Thailand 62 million (2008) Timor-Leste 101,000 (2008) Togo 1.547 million (2008) Tonga 50,500 (2008) Trinidad and Tobago 1.505 million (2008) Tunisia 8.569 million (2008) Turkey 65.824 million (2008) Turkmenistan 810,000 (2008) Turks and Caicos Islands 25,100 (2004) Tuvalu 2,000 (2008) Uganda 8.555 million (2008) Ukraine 55.695 million (2008) United Arab Emirates 9.358 million (2008) United Kingdom 75.565 million (2008) United States 270 million (2008) Uruguay 3.508 million (2008) Uzbekistan 12.734 million (2008) Vanuatu 36,000 (2008) Venezuela 27.084 million (2008) Vietnam 70 million (2008) Virgin Islands 80,300 (2005) Wallis and Futuna NA West Bank 1.153 million (includes Gaza Strip) (2008) Western Sahara 0 (1999) World 4,017.294 million (2008) Yemen 3.7 million (2008) Zambia 3.539 million (2008) Zimbabwe 1.655 million (2008) ====================================================================== @2152 Field Listing :: Internet Service Providers (ISPs) Country Internet Service Providers (ISPs) Afghanistan 1 (2000) Albania 10 (2001) Algeria 2 (2000) American Samoa 1 (2000) Andorra 1 (2000) Angola 1 (2000) Anguilla 16 (2000) Antarctica NA Antigua and Barbuda 16 (2000) Argentina 33 (2000) Armenia 9 (2001) Aruba NA Australia 571 (2002) Austria 37 (2000) Azerbaijan 2 (2000) Bahamas, The 19 (2000) Bahrain 1 (2000) Bangladesh 10 (2000) Barbados 19 (2000) Belarus 23 (2002) Belgium 61 (2000) Belize 2 (2000) Benin 4 (2002) Bermuda 20 (2000) Bhutan NA Bolivia 9 (2000) Bosnia and Herzegovina 3 (2000) Botswana 11 (2001) Brazil 50 (2000) British Indian Ocean Territory 1 (2000) British Virgin Islands 16 (2000) Brunei 2 (2000) Bulgaria 200 (2001) Burkina Faso 1 (2002) Burma 1 note: as of September 2000, Internet connections were legal only for the government, tourist offices, and a few large businesses (2000) Burundi 1 (2000) Cambodia 2 (2000) Cameroon 1 (2002) Canada 760 (2000 est.) Cape Verde 1 (2002) Cayman Islands 16 (2000) Central African Republic 1 (2002) Chad 1 (2002) Chile 7 (2000) China 3 (2000) Christmas Island 2 (2000) Cocos (Keeling) Islands 2 (2000) Colombia 18 (2000) Comoros 1 (2000) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 1 (2001) Congo, Republic of the 1 (2000) Cook Islands 3 (2000) Costa Rica 3 (of which only one is legal) (2000) Cote d'Ivoire 5 (2001) Croatia 9 (2000) Cuba 5 (2001) Cyprus 6 (2000) Czech Republic more than 300 (2000) Denmark 13 (2000) Djibouti 1 (2000) Dominica 16 (2000) Dominican Republic 24 (2000) Ecuador 31 (2001) Egypt 50 (2000) El Salvador 4 (2000) Equatorial Guinea 1 (2002) Eritrea 5 (2001) Estonia 38 (2001) Ethiopia 1 (2002) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 2 (2000) Faroe Islands 2 (2000) Fiji 2 (2000) Finland 3 (2002) France 62 (2000) French Polynesia 2 (2000) Gabon 1 (2001) Gambia, The 2 (2001) Gaza Strip 3 (1999) Georgia 6 (2000) Germany 200 (2001) Ghana 12 (2000) Gibraltar 2 (2000) Greece 27 (2000) Greenland 1 (2000) Grenada 14 (2000) Guam 20 (2000) Guatemala 5 (2000) Guernsey NA Guinea 4 (2001) Guinea-Bissau 2 (2002) Guyana 3 (2000) Haiti 3 (2000) Holy See (Vatican City) NA Honduras 8 (2000) Hong Kong 17 (2000) Hungary 16 (2000) Iceland 20 (2001) India 43 (2000) Indonesia 24 (2000) Iran 100 (2002) Iraq 1 (2000) Ireland 22 (2000) Isle of Man NA Israel 21 (2000) Italy 93 (Italy and Holy See) (2000) Jamaica 21 (2000) Jan Mayen 13 (Jan Mayen and Svalbard) (2000) Japan 73 (2000) Jersey NA Jordan 5 (2000) Kazakhstan 10 (with their own international channels) (2001) Kenya 65 (2001) Kiribati 1 (2000) Korea, North 1 (2000) Korea, South 11 (2000) Kuwait 3 (2000) Kyrgyzstan NA Laos 1 (2000) Latvia 41 (2001) Lebanon 22 (2000) Lesotho 1 (2000) Liberia 2 (2001) Libya 1 (2002) Liechtenstein 44 (Liechtenstein and Switzerland) (2000) Lithuania 32 (2001) Luxembourg 8 (2000) Macau 1 (2000) Macedonia 6 (2000) Madagascar 2 (2000) Malawi 3 (2002) Malaysia 7 (2000) Maldives 1 (2000) Mali 13 (2001) Malta 6 (2002) Marshall Islands 1 (2002) Mauritania 5 (2001) Mauritius 2 (2000) Mayotte NA Mexico 51 (2000) Micronesia, Federated States of 1 (2000) Moldova 2 (1999) Monaco 2 (2000) Mongolia 5 (2001) Montserrat 17 (2000) Morocco 8 (2000) Mozambique 11 (2002) Namibia 2 (2000) Nauru 1 (2000) Nepal 6 (2000) Netherlands 52 (2000) Netherlands Antilles 6 New Caledonia 1 (2000) New Zealand 36 (2000) Nicaragua 3 (2000) Niger 1 (2002) Nigeria 11 (2000) Niue 1 (2000) Norfolk Island 2 (2000) Northern Mariana Islands 1 (2001) Norway 13 (2000) Oman 1 (2000) Pakistan 30 (2000) Palau 1 (2002) Panama 6 (2000) Papua New Guinea 3 (2000) Paraguay 4 (2000) Peru 10 (2000) Philippines 33 (2000) Pitcairn Islands NA Poland 19 (2000) Portugal 16 (2000) Puerto Rico 76 (2000) Qatar 1 (2000) Romania 38 (2000) Russia 300 (June 2000) Rwanda 2 (2002) Saint Helena 1 (2000) Saint Kitts and Nevis 16 (2000) Saint Lucia 15 (2000) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 1 (2000) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 15 (2000) Samoa 2 (2000) San Marino 2 (2000) Sao Tome and Principe 1 (2002) Saudi Arabia 22 (2003) Senegal 1 (2002) Seychelles 1 (2000) Sierra Leone 1 (2001) Singapore 9 (2000) Slovakia 6 (2000) Slovenia 11 (2000) Solomon Islands 1 (2000) Somalia 3 (one each in Boosaaso, Hargeisa, and Mogadishu) (2000) South Africa 150 (2001) Spain 56 (2000) Sri Lanka 5 (2000) Sudan 2 (2002) Suriname 2 (2000) Svalbard 13 (Svalbard and Jan Mayen) (2000) Swaziland 5 (2002) Sweden 29 (2000) Switzerland 44 (Switzerland and Liechtenstein) (2000) Syria 1 (2000) Taiwan 8 (2000) Tajikistan 4 (2002) Tanzania 6 (2000) Thailand 15 (2000) Timor-Leste NA Togo 3 (2001) Tokelau 1 (2000) Tonga 2 (2000) Trinidad and Tobago 17 (2000) Tunisia 1 (2000) Turkey 50 (2001) Turkmenistan 1 Turks and Caicos Islands 14 (2000) Tuvalu 1 (2000) Uganda 2 (2000) Ukraine 260 (2001) United Arab Emirates 1 (2000) United Kingdom more than 400 (2000) United States 7,000 (2002 est.) Uruguay 14 (2001) Uzbekistan 42 (2000) Vanuatu 1 (2000) Venezuela 16 (2000) Vietnam 5 (2000) Virgin Islands 50 (2000) Wallis and Futuna 1 (2000) West Bank 8 (1999) Western Sahara 1 (2000) World 10,350 (2000 est.) Yemen 1 (2000) Zambia 5 (2001) Zimbabwe 6 (2000) ====================================================================== @2153 Field Listing :: Internet users This entry gives the number of users within a country that access the Internet. Statistics vary from country to country and may include users who access the Internet at least several times a week to those who access it only once within a period of several months. Country Comparison to the World Country Internet users Afghanistan 500,000 (2008) Albania 471,000 (2008) Algeria 4.1 million (2008) American Samoa NA Andorra 59,100 (2008) Angola 550,000 (2008) Anguilla 4,500 (2008) Antigua and Barbuda 65,000 (2008) Argentina 11.212 million (2008) Armenia 191,000 (2008) Aruba 24,000 (2008) Australia 15.17 million (2008) Austria 5.937 million (2008) Azerbaijan 1.485 million (2008) Bahamas, The 106,500 (2008) Bahrain 402,900 (2008) Bangladesh 556,000 (2008) Barbados 188,000 (2008) Belarus 3.107 million (2008) Belgium 7.292 million (2008) Belize 34,000 (2008) Benin 160,000 (2008) Bermuda 51,000 (2008) Bhutan 40,000 (2008) Bolivia 1 million (2008) Bosnia and Herzegovina 1.308 million (2008) Botswana 120,000 (2008) Brazil 64.948 million (2008) British Virgin Islands 4,000 (2002) Brunei 217,000 (2008) Bulgaria 2.647 million (2008) Burkina Faso 140,000 (2008) Burma 108,900 (2008) Burundi 65,000 (2008) Cambodia 74,000 (2008) Cameroon 725,000 (2008) Canada 25.086 million (2008) Cape Verde 102,800 (2008) Cayman Islands 23,000 (2008) Central African Republic 19,000 (2008) Chad 130,000 (2008) Chile 5.456 million (2008) China 298 million (2008) Christmas Island 464 (2001) Colombia 17.117 million (2008) Comoros 23,000 (2008) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 290,000 (2008) Congo, Republic of the 155,000 (2008) Cook Islands 5,000 (2008) Costa Rica 1.46 million (2008) Cote d'Ivoire 660,000 (2008) Croatia 1.88 million (2008) Cuba 1.45 million note: private citizens are prohibited from buying computers or accessing the Internet without special authorization; foreigners may access the Internet in large hotels but are subject to firewalls; some Cubans buy illegal passwords on the black market or take advantage of public outlets to access limited email and the government-controlled "intranet" (2008) Cyprus 334,400 (2008) Czech Republic 6.028 million (2008) Denmark 4.579 million (2008) Djibouti 13,000 (2008) Dominica 27,500 (2008) Dominican Republic 2.147 million (2008) Ecuador 1.31 million (2008) Egypt 11.414 million (2008) El Salvador 826,000 (2008) Equatorial Guinea 12,000 (2008) Eritrea 200,000 (2008) Estonia 888,100 (2008) Ethiopia 360,000 (2008) European Union 247 million (2006) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 2,800 (2008) Faroe Islands 37,500 (2008) Fiji 103,000 (2008) Finland 4.383 million (2008) France 42.912 million; 42.315 million (metropolitan France) (2008) French Polynesia 90,000 (2008) Gabon 90,000 (2008) Gambia, The 114,200 (2008) Gaza Strip 356,000 (includes West Bank) (2008) Georgia 1.024 million (2008) Germany 61.973 million (2008) Ghana 997,000 (2008) Gibraltar 6,500 (2008) Greece 4.253 million (2008) Greenland 36,000 (2008) Grenada 24,000 (2008) Guam 85,000 (2008) Guatemala 1.96 million (2008) Guernsey 46,100 (2008) Guinea 90,000 (2008) Guinea-Bissau 37,100 (2008) Guyana 205,000 (2008) Haiti 1 million (2008) Honduras 658,500 (2008) Hong Kong 4.124 million (2008) Hungary 5.873 million (2008) Iceland 250,000 (2008) India 81 million (2008) Indonesia 30 million (2008) Iran 23 million (2008) Iraq 300,000 (2008) Ireland 2.83 million (2008) Israel 2.106 million (2008) Italy 24.992 million (2008) Jamaica 1.54 million (2008) Japan 90.91 million (2008) Jersey 29,000 (2008) Jordan 1.5 million (2008) Kazakhstan 2.3 million (2008) Kenya 3.36 million (2008) Kiribati 2,000 (2008) Korea, South 37.476 million (2008) Kuwait 1 million (2008) Kyrgyzstan 850,000 (2008) Laos 130,000 (2008) Latvia 1.254 million (2008) Lebanon 2.19 million (2008) Lesotho 73,300 (2008) Liberia 20,000 (2008) Libya 323,000 (2008) Liechtenstein 23,000 (2008) Lithuania 1.777 million (2008) Luxembourg 387,000 (2008) Macau 259,000 (2008) Macedonia 847,900 (2008) Madagascar 316,100 (2008) Malawi 316,100 (2008) Malaysia 16.903 million (2008) Maldives 71,700 (2008) Mali 200,000 (2008) Malta 198,800 (2008) Marshall Islands 2,200 (2008) Mauritania 45,000 (2008) Mauritius 380,000 (2008) Mexico 23.26 million (2008) Micronesia, Federated States of 16,000 (2008) Moldova 850,000 (2008) Monaco 22,000 (2008) Mongolia 330,000 (2008) Montenegro 294,000 (2008) Montserrat 1,200 (2008) Morocco 10.3 million (2008) Mozambique 350,000 (2008) Namibia 113,500 (2008) Nepal 499,000 (2008) Netherlands 14.273 million (2008) New Caledonia 85,000 (2008) New Zealand 3.047 million (2008) Nicaragua 185,000 (2008) Niger 80,000 (2008) Nigeria 11 million (2008) Niue 1,000 (2008) Norway 3.935 million (2008) Oman 465,000 (2008) Pakistan 18.5 million (2008) Panama 934,500 (2008) Papua New Guinea 120,000 (2008) Paraguay 894,200 (2008) Peru 7.128 million (2008) Philippines 5.618 million (2008) Poland 18.679 million (2008) Portugal 4.476 million (2008) Puerto Rico 1 million (2008) Qatar 436,000 (2008) Romania 6.132 million (2008) Russia 45.25 million (2008) Rwanda 300,000 (2008) Saint Helena 1,100; note - includes Ascension Island (2008) Saint Kitts and Nevis 16,000 (2008) Saint Lucia 100,000 (2008) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 66,000 (2008) Samoa 9,000 (2008) San Marino 17,000 (2008) Sao Tome and Principe 24,800 (2008) Saudi Arabia 7.7 million (2008) Senegal 1.02 million (2008) Serbia 2.936 million (2008) Seychelles 32,000 (2008) Sierra Leone 13,900 (2008) Singapore 3.37 million (2008) Slovakia 3.566 million (2008) Slovenia 1.126 million (2008) Solomon Islands 10,000 (2008) Somalia 102,000 (2008) South Africa 4.187 million (2008) Spain 25.24 million (2008) Sri Lanka 1.164 million (2008) Sudan 4.2 million (2008) Suriname 50,000 (2008) Swaziland 48,200 (2008) Sweden 8.1 million (2008) Switzerland 5.739 million (2008) Syria 3.565 million (2008) Taiwan 15.143 million (2008) Tajikistan 600,000 (2008) Tanzania 520,000 (2008) Thailand 16.1 million (2008) Timor-Leste 1,800 (2008) Togo 350,000 (2008) Tokelau 800 (2008) Tonga 8,400 (2008) Trinidad and Tobago 227,000 (2008) Tunisia 2.8 million (2008) Turkey 24.483 million (2008) Turkmenistan 75,000 (2008) Tuvalu 4,200 (2008) Uganda 2.5 million (2008) Ukraine 10.354 million (2008) United Arab Emirates 2.922 million (2008) United Kingdom 48.755 million (2008) United States 231 million (2008) Uruguay 1.34 million (2008) Uzbekistan 2.469 million (2008) Vanuatu 17,000 (2008) Venezuela 7.167 million (2008) Vietnam 20.834 million (2008) Virgin Islands 30,000 (2008) Wallis and Futuna 1,200 (2008) West Bank 356,000 (includes Gaza Strip) (2008) World 1.604 billion (2008) Yemen 370,000 (2008) Zambia 700,000 (2008) Zimbabwe 1.421 million (2008) ====================================================================== @2154 Field Listing :: Internet country code This entry includes the two-letter codes maintained by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in the ISO 3166 Alpha-2 list and used by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) to establish country-coded top-level domains (ccTLDs). Country Internet country code Afghanistan .af Albania .al Algeria .dz American Samoa .as Andorra .ad Angola .ao Anguilla .ai Antarctica .aq Antigua and Barbuda .ag Argentina .ar Armenia .am Aruba .aw Australia .au Austria .at Azerbaijan .az Bahamas, The .bs Bahrain .bh Bangladesh .bd Barbados .bb Belarus .by Belgium .be Belize .bz Benin .bj Bermuda .bm Bhutan .bt Bolivia .bo Bosnia and Herzegovina .ba Botswana .bw Bouvet Island .bv Brazil .br British Indian Ocean Territory .io British Virgin Islands .vg Brunei .bn Bulgaria .bg Burkina Faso .bf Burma .mm Burundi .bi Cambodia .kh Cameroon .cm Canada .ca Cape Verde .cv Cayman Islands .ky Central African Republic .cf Chad .td Chile .cl China .cn Christmas Island .cx Cocos (Keeling) Islands .cc Colombia .co Comoros .km Congo, Democratic Republic of the .cd Congo, Republic of the .cg Cook Islands .ck Costa Rica .cr Cote d'Ivoire .ci Croatia .hr Cuba .cu Cyprus .cy Czech Republic .cz Denmark .dk Djibouti .dj Dominica .dm Dominican Republic .do Ecuador .ec Egypt .eg El Salvador .sv Equatorial Guinea .gq Eritrea .er Estonia .ee Ethiopia .et European Union .eu; note - see country entries of member states for individual country codes Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) .fk Faroe Islands .fo Fiji .fj Finland .fi; note - Aland Islands assigned .ax France metropolitan France - .fr; French Guiana - .gf; Guadeloupe - .gp; Martinique - .mq; Reunion - .re French Polynesia .pf French Southern and Antarctic Lands .tf Gabon .ga Gambia, The .gm Gaza Strip .ps; note - same as West Bank Georgia .ge Germany .de Ghana .gh Gibraltar .gi Greece .gr Greenland .gl Grenada .gd Guam .gu Guatemala .gt Guernsey .gg Guinea .gn Guinea-Bissau .gw Guyana .gy Haiti .ht Heard Island and McDonald Islands .hm Holy See (Vatican City) .va Honduras .hn Hong Kong .hk Hungary .hu Iceland .is India .in Indonesia .id Iran .ir Iraq .iq Ireland .ie Isle of Man .im Israel .il Italy .it Jamaica .jm Japan .jp Jersey .je Jordan .jo Kazakhstan .kz Kenya .ke Kiribati .ki Korea, North .kp Korea, South .kr Kuwait .kw Kyrgyzstan .kg Laos .la Latvia .lv Lebanon .lb Lesotho .ls Liberia .lr Libya .ly Liechtenstein .li Lithuania .lt Luxembourg .lu Macau .mo Macedonia .mk Madagascar .mg Malawi .mw Malaysia .my Maldives .mv Mali .ml Malta .mt Marshall Islands .mh Mauritania .mr Mauritius .mu Mayotte .yt Mexico .mx Micronesia, Federated States of .fm Moldova .md Monaco .mc Mongolia .mn Montenegro .me Montserrat .ms Morocco .ma Mozambique .mz Namibia .na Nauru .nr Nepal .np Netherlands .nl Netherlands Antilles .an New Caledonia .nc New Zealand .nz Nicaragua .ni Niger .ne Nigeria .ng Niue .nu Norfolk Island .nf Northern Mariana Islands .mp Norway .no Oman .om Pakistan .pk Palau .pw Panama .pa Papua New Guinea .pg Paraguay .py Peru .pe Philippines .ph Pitcairn Islands .pn Poland .pl Portugal .pt Puerto Rico .pr Qatar .qa Romania .ro Russia .ru; note - Russia also has responsibility for a legacy domain ".su" that was allocated to the Soviet Union and is being phased out Rwanda .rw Saint Barthelemy .bl; note - .gp, the internet country code for Guadeloupe, and .fr, the internet country code for France, might also be encountered Saint Helena .sh; note - Ascension Island assigned .ac Saint Kitts and Nevis .kn Saint Lucia .lc Saint Martin .mf; note - .gp, the internet country code for Guadeloupe, and .fr, the internet country code for France, might also be encountered Saint Pierre and Miquelon .pm Saint Vincent and the Grenadines .vc Samoa .ws San Marino .sm Sao Tome and Principe .st Saudi Arabia .sa Senegal .sn Serbia .rs Seychelles .sc Sierra Leone .sl Singapore .sg Slovakia .sk Slovenia .si Solomon Islands .sb Somalia .so South Africa .za South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands .gs Spain .es Sri Lanka .lk Sudan .sd Suriname .sr Svalbard .sj Swaziland .sz Sweden .se Switzerland .ch Syria .sy Taiwan .tw Tajikistan .tj Tanzania .tz Thailand .th Timor-Leste .tl Togo .tg Tokelau .tk Tonga .to Trinidad and Tobago .tt Tunisia .tn Turkey .tr Turkmenistan .tm Turks and Caicos Islands .tc Tuvalu .tv Uganda .ug Ukraine .ua United Arab Emirates .ae United Kingdom .uk United States .us Uruguay .uy Uzbekistan .uz Vanuatu .vu Venezuela .ve Vietnam .vn Virgin Islands .vi Wallis and Futuna .wf West Bank .ps; note - same as Gaza Strip Western Sahara .eh Yemen .ye Zambia .zm Zimbabwe .zw ====================================================================== @2155 Field Listing :: HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate This entry gives an estimate of the percentage of adults (aged 15-49) living with HIV/AIDS. The adult prevalence rate is calculated by dividing the estimated number of adults living with HIV/AIDS at yearend by the total adult population at yearend. Country Comparison to the World Country HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate(%) Afghanistan 0.01% (2001 est.) Albania NA Algeria 0.1%; note - no country specific models provided (2007 est.) American Samoa NA Andorra NA Angola 2.1% (2007 est.) Anguilla NA Antigua and Barbuda NA Argentina 0.5% (2007 est.) Armenia 0.1% (2007 est.) Aruba NA Australia 0.2% (2007 est.) Austria 0.2% (2007 est.) Azerbaijan less than 0.2% (2007 est.) Bahamas, The 3% (2007 est.) Bahrain 0.2% (2001 est.) Bangladesh less than 0.1% (2001 est.) Barbados 1.2% (2007 est.) Belarus 0.2% (2007 est.) Belgium 0.2% (2007 est.) Belize 2.1% (2007 est.) Benin 1.2% (2007 est.) Bermuda 0.297% (2005) Bhutan less than 0.1% (2007 est.) Bolivia 0.2% (2007 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina less than 0.1% (2007 est.) Botswana 23.9% (2007 est.) Brazil 0.6% (2007 est.) British Virgin Islands NA Brunei less than 0.1% (2003 est.) Bulgaria less than 0.1% (2001 est.) Burkina Faso 1.6% (2007 est.) Burma 0.7% (2007 est.) Burundi 2% (2007 est.) Cambodia 0.8% (2007 est.) Cameroon 5.1% (2007 est.) Canada 0.4% (2007 est.) Cape Verde 0.035% (2001 est.) Cayman Islands NA Central African Republic 6.3% (2007 est.) Chad 3.5% (2007 est.) Chile 0.3% (2007 est.) China 0.1% (2007 est.) Christmas Island NA Cocos (Keeling) Islands NA Colombia 0.6% (2007 est.) Comoros less than 0.1% (2007 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 4.2% (2003 est.) Congo, Republic of the 3.5% (2007 est.) Cook Islands NA Costa Rica 0.4% (2007 est.) Cote d'Ivoire 3.9% (2007 est.) Croatia less than 0.1% (2007 est.) Cuba less than 0.1% (2007 est.) Cyprus 0.1% (2003 est.) Czech Republic less than 0.1% (2001 est.) Denmark 0.2% (2007 est.) Djibouti 3.1% (2007 est.) Dominica NA Dominican Republic 1.1% (2007 est.) Ecuador 0.3% (2007 est.) Egypt less than 0.1% (2001 est.) El Salvador 0.8% (2007 est.) Equatorial Guinea 3.4% (2007 est.) Eritrea 1.3% (2007 est.) Estonia 1.3% (2007 est.) Ethiopia 2.1% (2007 est.) European Union note - see individual country entries of member states Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) NA Faroe Islands NA Fiji 0.1% (2007 est.) Finland less than 0.1% (2007 est.) France 0.4% (2007 est.) French Polynesia NA Gabon 5.9% (2007 est.) Gambia, The 0.9% (2007 est.) Gaza Strip NA Georgia less than 0.1% (2007 est.) Germany 0.1% (2007 est.) Ghana 1.9% (2007 est.) Gibraltar NA Greece 0.2% (2007 est.) Greenland NA Grenada NA Guam NA Guatemala 0.8% (2007 est.) Guernsey NA Guinea 1.6% (2007 est.) Guinea-Bissau 1.8% (2007 est.) Guyana 2.5% (2007 est.) Haiti 2.2% (2007 est.) Holy See (Vatican City) NA Honduras 0.7% (2007 est.) Hong Kong 0.1% (2003 est.) Hungary 0.1% (2007 est.) Iceland 0.2% (2007 est.) India 0.3% (2007 est.) Indonesia 0.2% (2007 est.) Iran 0.2% (2007 est.) Iraq less than 0.1% (2001 est.) Ireland 0.2% (2007 est.) Isle of Man NA Israel 0.1% (2007 est.) Italy 0.4% (2007 est.) Jamaica 1.6% (2007 est.) Japan less than 0.1% (2003 est.) Jersey NA Jordan less than 0.1% (2001 est.) Kazakhstan 0.1% (2007 est.) Kenya 6.7% (2003 est.) Kiribati NA Korea, North NA Korea, South less than 0.1% (2007 est.) Kuwait 0.12% (2001 est.) Kyrgyzstan less than 0.1% (2007 est.) Laos 0.2% (2007 est.) Latvia 0.8% (2007 est.) Lebanon 0.1% (2007 est.) Lesotho 23.2% (2007 est.) Liberia 1.7% (2007 est.) Libya 0.3% (2001 est.) Liechtenstein NA Lithuania 0.1% (2007 est.) Luxembourg 0.2% (2007 est.) Macau NA Macedonia less than 0.1% (2007 est.) Madagascar 0.1% (2007 est.) Malawi 11.9% (2007 est.) Malaysia 0.5% (2007 est.) Maldives 0.1% (2001 est.) Mali 1.5% (2007 est.) Malta 0.1% (2007 est.) Marshall Islands NA Mauritania 0.8% (2007 est.) Mauritius 1.7% (2007 est.) Mayotte NA Mexico 0.3% (2007 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of NA Moldova 0.4% (2007 est.) Monaco NA Mongolia less than 0.1% (2007 est.) Montserrat NA Morocco 0.1% (2007 est.) Mozambique 12.5% (2007 est.) Namibia 15.3% (2007 est.) Nauru NA Nepal 0.5% (2007 est.) Netherlands 0.2% (2007 est.) Netherlands Antilles NA New Caledonia NA New Zealand 0.1% (2007 est.) Nicaragua 0.2% (2007 est.) Niger 0.8% (2007 est.) Nigeria 3.1% (2007 est.) Niue NA Norfolk Island NA Northern Mariana Islands NA Norway 0.1% (2007 est.) Oman 0.1% (2001 est.) Pakistan 0.1% (2007 est.) Palau NA Panama 1% (2007 est.) Papua New Guinea 1.5% (2007 est.) Paraguay 0.6% (2007 est.) Peru 0.5% (2007 est.) Philippines less than 0.1% (2003 est.) Pitcairn Islands NA Poland 0.1%; note - no country specific models provided (2007 est.) Portugal 0.5% (2007 est.) Puerto Rico NA Qatar 0.09% (2001 est.) Romania less than 0.1% (2007 est.) Russia 1.1% (2007 est.) Rwanda 2.8% (2007 est.) Saint Helena NA Saint Kitts and Nevis NA Saint Lucia NA Saint Pierre and Miquelon NA Saint Vincent and the Grenadines NA Samoa NA San Marino NA Sao Tome and Principe NA Saudi Arabia 0.01% (2001 est.) Senegal 1% (2007 est.) Serbia 0.1% (2009 est.) Seychelles NA Sierra Leone 1.7% (2007 est.) Singapore 0.2% (2007 est.) Slovakia less than 0.1% (2007 est.) Slovenia less than 0.1% (2007 est.) Solomon Islands NA Somalia 0.5% (2007 est.) South Africa 18.1% (2007 est.) Spain 0.5% (2007 est.) Sri Lanka less than 0.1% (2001 est.) Sudan 1.4% (2007 est.) Suriname 2.4% (2007 est.) Svalbard 0% (2001) Swaziland 26.1% (2007 est.) Sweden 0.1% (2007 est.) Switzerland 0.6% (2007 est.) Syria less than 0.1% (2001 est.) Taiwan NA Tajikistan less than 0.3% (2007 est.) Tanzania 6.2% (2007 est.) Thailand 1.4% (2007 est.) Timor-Leste NA Togo 3.3% (2007 est.) Tokelau NA Tonga NA Trinidad and Tobago 1.5% (2007 est.) Tunisia less than 0.1% (2007 est.) Turkey less than 0.1%; note - no country specific models provided (2001 est.) Turkmenistan less than 0.1% (2007 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands NA Tuvalu NA Uganda 5.4% (2007 est.) Ukraine 1.6% (2007 est.) United Arab Emirates 0.18% (2001 est.) United Kingdom 0.2% (2007 est.) United States 0.6% (2007 est.) Uruguay 0.6% (2007 est.) Uzbekistan less than 0.1% (2007 est.) Vanuatu NA Venezuela 0.7%; note - no country specific models provided (2001 est.) Vietnam 0.5% (2007 est.) Virgin Islands NA Wallis and Futuna NA West Bank NA Western Sahara NA World 0.8% (2007 est.) Yemen 0.1% (2001 est.) Zambia 15.2% (2007 est.) Zimbabwe 15.3% (2007 est.) ====================================================================== @2156 Field Listing :: HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS This entry gives an estimate of all people (adults and children) alive at yearend with HIV infection, whether or not they have developed symptoms of AIDS. Country Comparison to the World Country HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS Afghanistan NA Albania NA Algeria 21,000 (2007 est.) American Samoa NA Andorra NA Angola 190,000 (2007 est.) Anguilla NA Antigua and Barbuda NA Argentina 120,000 (2007 est.) Armenia 2,400 (2007 est.) Aruba NA Australia 18,000 (2007 est.) Austria 9,800 (2007 est.) Azerbaijan 7,800 (2007 est.) Bahamas, The 6,200 (2007 est.) Bahrain fewer than 600 (2007 est.) Bangladesh 12,000 (2007 est.) Barbados 2,200 (2007 est.) Belarus 13,000 (2007 est.) Belgium 15,000 (2007 est.) Belize 3,600 (2007 est.) Benin 64,000 (2007 est.) Bermuda 163 (2005) Bhutan fewer than 100 (2007 est.) Bolivia 8,100 (2007 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina 900 (2007 est.) Botswana 300,000 (2007 est.) Brazil 730,000 (2007 est.) British Virgin Islands NA Brunei fewer than 200 (2003 est.) Bulgaria 346 (2001 est.) Burkina Faso 130,000 (2007 est.) Burma 240,000 (2007 est.) Burundi 110,000 (2007 est.) Cambodia 75,000 (2007 est.) Cameroon 540,000 (2007 est.) Canada 73,000 (2007 est.) Cape Verde 775 (2001) Cayman Islands NA Central African Republic 160,000 (2007 est.) Chad 200,000 (2007 est.) Chile 31,000 (2007 est.) China 700,000 (2007 est.) Christmas Island NA Cocos (Keeling) Islands NA Colombia 170,000 (2007 est.) Comoros NA (2007 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 1.1 million (2003 est.) Congo, Republic of the 79,000 (2007 est.) Cook Islands NA Costa Rica 9,700 (2007 est.) Cote d'Ivoire 480,000 (2007 est.) Croatia 200 (2007 est.) Cuba 6,200 (2007 est.) Cyprus fewer than 1,000 (2007 est.) Czech Republic 1,500 (2007 est.) Denmark 4,800 (2007 est.) Djibouti 16,000 (2007 est.) Dominica NA Dominican Republic 62,000 (2007 est.) Ecuador 26,000 (2007 est.) Egypt 9,200 (2007 est.) El Salvador 35,000 (2007 est.) Equatorial Guinea 11,000 (2007 est.) Eritrea 38,000 (2007 est.) Estonia 9,900 (2007 est.) Ethiopia 980,000 (2007 est.) European Union note - see individual country entries of member states Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) NA Faroe Islands NA Fiji 600 (2003 est.) Finland 2,400 (2007 est.) France 140,000 (2007 est.) French Polynesia NA Gabon 49,000 (2007 est.) Gambia, The 8,200 (2007 est.) Gaza Strip NA Georgia 2,700 (2007 est.) Germany 53,000 (2007 est.) Ghana 260,000 (2007 est.) Gibraltar NA Greece 11,000 (2007 est.) Greenland 100 (1999) Grenada NA Guam NA Guatemala 59,000 (2007 est.) Guernsey NA Guinea 87,000 (2007 est.) Guinea-Bissau 16,000 (2007 est.) Guyana 13,000 (2007 est.) Haiti 120,000 (2007 est.) Holy See (Vatican City) NA Honduras 28,000 (2007 est.) Hong Kong 2,600 (2003 est.) Hungary 3,300 (2007 est.) Iceland 220 (2007 est.) India 2.4 million (2007 est.) Indonesia 270,000 (2007 est.) Iran 86,000 (2007 est.) Iraq fewer than 500 (2003 est.) Ireland 5,500 (2007 est.) Isle of Man NA Israel 5,100 (2007 est.) Italy 150,000 (2007 est.) Jamaica 27,000 (2007 est.) Japan 9,600 (2007 est.) Jersey NA Jordan 600 (2007 est.) Kazakhstan 12,000 (2007 est.) Kenya 1.2 million (2003 est.) Kiribati NA Korea, North NA Korea, South 13,000 (2007 est.) Kuwait NA (2007 est.) Kyrgyzstan 4,200 (2007 est.) Laos 5,500 (2007 est.) Latvia 10,000 (2007 est.) Lebanon 3,000 (2007 est.) Lesotho 270,000 (2007 est.) Liberia 35,000 (2007 est.) Libya 10,000 (2001 est.) Liechtenstein NA Lithuania 2,200 (2007 est.) Luxembourg fewer than 500 (2003 est.) Macau NA Macedonia fewer than 200 (2007 est.) Madagascar 14,000 (2007 est.) Malawi 930,000 (2007 est.) Malaysia 80,000 (2007 est.) Maldives fewer than 100 (2001 est.) Mali 100,000 (2007 est.) Malta fewer than 500 (2007 est.) Marshall Islands NA Mauritania 14,000 (2007 est.) Mauritius 13,000 (2007 est.) Mayotte NA Mexico 200,000 (2007 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of NA Moldova 8,900 (2007 est.) Monaco NA Mongolia fewer than 500 (2007 est.) Montserrat NA Morocco 21,000 (2007 est.) Mozambique 1.5 million (2007 est.) Namibia 200,000 (2007 est.) Nauru NA Nepal 70,000 (2007 est.) Netherlands 18,000 (2007 est.) Netherlands Antilles NA New Caledonia NA New Zealand 1,400 (2007 est.) Nicaragua 7,700 (2007 est.) Niger 60,000 (2007 est.) Nigeria 2.6 million (2007 est.) Niue NA Norfolk Island NA Northern Mariana Islands NA Norway 3,000 (2007 est.) Oman 1,300 (2001 est.) Pakistan 96,000 (2007 est.) Palau NA Panama 20,000 (2007 est.) Papua New Guinea 54,000 (2007 est.) Paraguay 21,000 (2007 est.) Peru 76,000 (2007 est.) Philippines 8,300 (2007 est.) Pitcairn Islands NA Poland 20,000 (2007 est.) Portugal 34,000 (2007 est.) Puerto Rico 7,397 (1997) Qatar NA Romania 15,000 (2007 est.) Russia 940,000 (2007 est.) Rwanda 150,000 (2007 est.) Saint Helena NA Saint Kitts and Nevis NA Saint Lucia NA Saint Pierre and Miquelon NA Saint Vincent and the Grenadines NA Samoa NA San Marino NA Sao Tome and Principe NA Saudi Arabia NA Senegal 67,000 (2007 est.) Serbia 6,400 (2009 est.) Seychelles NA Sierra Leone 55,000 (2007 est.) Singapore 4,200 (2007 est.) Slovakia fewer than 200 (2007 est.) Slovenia 280 (2007 est.) Solomon Islands NA Somalia 24,000 (2007 est.) South Africa 5.7 million (2007 est.) Spain 140,000 (2007 est.) Sri Lanka 3,800 (2007 est.) Sudan 320,000 (2007 est.) Suriname 6,800 (2007 est.) Svalbard 0 (2001) Swaziland 190,000 (2007 est.) Sweden 6,200 (2007 est.) Switzerland 25,000 (2007 est.) Syria fewer than 500 (2003 est.) Taiwan NA Tajikistan 10,000 (2007 est.) Tanzania 1.4 million (2007 est.) Thailand 610,000 (2007 est.) Timor-Leste NA Togo 130,000 (2007 est.) Tokelau NA Tonga NA Trinidad and Tobago 14,000 (2007 est.) Tunisia 3,700 (2007 est.) Turkey NA (2007 est.) Turkmenistan fewer than 200 (2007 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands NA Tuvalu NA Uganda 940,000 (2007 est.) Ukraine 440,000 (2007 est.) United Arab Emirates NA United Kingdom 77,000 (2007 est.) United States 1.2 million (2007 est.) Uruguay 10,000 (2007 est.) Uzbekistan 16,000 (2007 est.) Vanuatu NA Venezuela 110,000 (1999 est.) Vietnam 290,000 (2007 est.) Virgin Islands NA Wallis and Futuna NA West Bank NA Western Sahara NA World 33 million (2007 est.) Yemen 12,000 (2001 est.) Zambia 1.1 million (2007 est.) Zimbabwe 1.3 million (2007 est.) ====================================================================== @2157 Field Listing :: HIV/AIDS - deaths This entry gives an estimate of the number of adults and children who died of AIDS during a given calendar year. Country Comparison to the World Country HIV/AIDS - deaths Afghanistan NA Albania NA Algeria fewer than 1,000 (2007 est.) American Samoa NA Andorra NA Angola 11,000 (2007 est.) Anguilla NA Antigua and Barbuda NA Argentina 7,000 (2007 est.) Armenia fewer than 200 (2007 est.) Aruba NA Australia fewer than 100 200 (2007 est.) Austria fewer than 100 (2003 est.) Azerbaijan fewer than 100 (2007 est.) Bahamas, The fewer than 200 (2007 est.) Bahrain fewer than 200 (2003 est.) Bangladesh fewer than 500 (2007 est.) Barbados fewer than 100 (2007 est.) Belarus 1,100 (2007 est.) Belgium fewer than 100 (2007 est.) Belize fewer than 200 (2007 est.) Benin 3,300 (2007 est.) Bermuda 392 (2005) Bhutan NA Bolivia fewer than 500 (2007 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina 100 (2001 est.) Botswana 11,000 (2007 est.) Brazil 15,000 (2007 est.) British Virgin Islands NA Brunei fewer than 200 (2003 est.) Bulgaria 100 (2001 est.) Burkina Faso 9,200 (2007 est.) Burma 25,000 (2007 est.) Burundi 11,000 (2007 est.) Cambodia 6,900 (2007 est.) Cameroon 39,000 (2007 est.) Canada fewer than 500 (2007 est.) Cape Verde 225 (as of 2001) Cayman Islands NA Central African Republic 11,000 (2007 est.) Chad 14,000 (2007 est.) Chile 1,100 (2007 est.) China 39,000 (2007 est.) Christmas Island NA Cocos (Keeling) Islands NA Colombia 9,800 (2007 est.) Comoros NA Congo, Democratic Republic of the 100,000 (2003 est.) Congo, Republic of the 6,400 (2007 est.) Cook Islands NA Costa Rica fewer than 200 (2007 est.) Cote d'Ivoire 38,000 (2007 est.) Croatia fewer than 10 (2001 est.) Cuba fewer than 100 (2007 est.) Cyprus NA Czech Republic fewer than 10 (2001 est.) Denmark fewer than 100 (2003 est.) Djibouti 1,100 (2007 est.) Dominica NA Dominican Republic 4,100 (2007 est.) Ecuador 1,400 (2007 est.) Egypt fewer than 500 (2007 est.) El Salvador 1,700 (2007 est.) Equatorial Guinea 370 (2001 est.) Eritrea 2,600 (2007 est.) Estonia fewer than 500 (2007 est.) Ethiopia 67,000 (2007 est.) European Union note - see individual country entries of member states Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) NA Faroe Islands NA Fiji fewer than 200 (2003 est.) Finland fewer than 100 (2003 est.) France 1,600 (2007 est.) French Polynesia NA Gabon 2,300 (2007 est.) Gambia, The 600 (2003 est.) Gaza Strip NA Georgia fewer than 200 (2003 est.) Germany fewer than 500 (2007 est.) Ghana 21,000 (2007 est.) Gibraltar NA Greece fewer than 100 (2007 est.) Greenland NA Grenada NA Guam NA Guatemala 3,900 (2007 est.) Guernsey NA Guinea 4,500 (2007 est.) Guinea-Bissau 1,100 (2007 est.) Guyana fewer than 1,000 (2007 est.) Haiti 7,200 (2007 est.) Holy See (Vatican City) NA Honduras 1,900 (2007 est.) Hong Kong fewer than 200 (2003 est.) Hungary fewer than 100 (2001 est.) Iceland fewer than 100 (2003 est.) India 310,000 (2001 est.) Indonesia 8,700 (2007 est.) Iran 4,300 (2007 est.) Iraq NA Ireland fewer than 100 (2007 est.) Isle of Man NA Israel fewer than 200 (2007 est.) Italy 1,900 (2007 est.) Jamaica 1,500 (2007 est.) Japan fewer than 100 (2007 est.) Jersey NA Jordan fewer than 500 (2003 est.) Kazakhstan fewer than 500 (2007 est.) Kenya 150,000 (2003 est.) Kiribati NA Korea, North NA Korea, South fewer than 500 (2007 est.) Kuwait NA Kyrgyzstan fewer than 200 (2007 est.) Laos fewer than 100 (2007 est.) Latvia fewer than 500 (2007 est.) Lebanon fewer than 200 (2007 est.) Lesotho 18,000 (2007 est.) Liberia 2,300 (2007 est.) Libya NA Liechtenstein NA Lithuania fewer than 200 (2007 est.) Luxembourg fewer than 100 (2003 est.) Macau NA Macedonia fewer than 100 (2003 est.) Madagascar fewer than 1,000 (2007 est.) Malawi 68,000 (2007 est.) Malaysia 3,900 (2007 est.) Maldives NA Mali 5,800 (2007 est.) Malta fewer than 100 (2003 est.) Marshall Islands NA Mauritania fewer than 1,000 (2007 est.) Mauritius fewer than 100 (2001 est.) Mayotte NA Mexico 11,000 (2007 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of NA Moldova fewer than 100 (2007 est.) Monaco NA Mongolia fewer than 200 (2003 est.) Montserrat NA Morocco fewer than 1,000 (2007 est.) Mozambique 81,000 (2007 est.) Namibia 5,100 (2007 est.) Nauru NA Nepal 5,000 (2007 est.) Netherlands fewer than 200 (2007 est.) Netherlands Antilles NA New Caledonia NA New Zealand fewer than 200 (2003 est.) Nicaragua fewer than 500 (2007 est.) Niger 4,000 (2007 est.) Nigeria 170,000 (2007 est.) Niue NA Norfolk Island NA Northern Mariana Islands NA Norway fewer than 100 (2003 est.) Oman fewer than 200 (2003 est.) Pakistan 5,100 (2007 est.) Palau NA Panama fewer than 1,000 (2007 est.) Papua New Guinea fewer than 1,000 (2007 est.) Paraguay fewer than 1,000 (2007 est.) Peru 3,300 (2007 est.) Philippines fewer than 200 (2007 est.) Pitcairn Islands NA Poland fewer than 200 (2007 est.) Portugal fewer than 500 (2007 est.) Puerto Rico NA Qatar NA Romania 350 (2001 est.) Russia 40,000 (2007 est.) Rwanda 7,800 (2007 est.) Saint Helena NA Saint Kitts and Nevis NA Saint Lucia NA Saint Pierre and Miquelon NA Saint Vincent and the Grenadines NA Samoa NA San Marino NA Sao Tome and Principe NA Saudi Arabia NA Senegal 1,800 (2007 est.) Serbia fewer than 100 (2009 est.) Seychelles NA Sierra Leone 3,300 (2007 est.) Singapore fewer than 200 (2007 est.) Slovakia fewer than 100 (2001 est.) Slovenia fewer than 100 (2007 est.) Solomon Islands NA Somalia 1,600 (2007 est.) South Africa 350,000 (2007 est.) Spain 2,300 (2007 est.) Sri Lanka fewer than 200 (2003 est.) Sudan 25,000 (2007 est.) Suriname fewer than 500 (2003 est.) Svalbard 0 (2001) Swaziland 10,000 (2007 est.) Sweden fewer than 100 (2007 est.) Switzerland fewer than 500 (2007 est.) Syria fewer than 200 (2003 est.) Taiwan NA Tajikistan fewer than 500 (2007 est.) Tanzania 96,000 (2007 est.) Thailand 30,000 (2007 est.) Timor-Leste NA Togo 9,100 (2007 est.) Tokelau NA Tonga NA Trinidad and Tobago 1,900 (2003 est.) Tunisia fewer than 200 (2007 est.) Turkey NA Turkmenistan fewer than 100 (2004 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands NA Tuvalu NA Uganda 77,000 (2007 est.) Ukraine 19,000 (2007 est.) United Arab Emirates NA United Kingdom fewer than 500 (2007 est.) United States 22,000 (2007 est.) Uruguay fewer than 500 (2007 est.) Uzbekistan fewer than 500 (2007 est.) Vanuatu NA Venezuela 4,100 (2003 est.) Vietnam 24,000 (2007 est.) Virgin Islands NA Wallis and Futuna NA West Bank NA Western Sahara NA World 2 million (2007 est.) Yemen NA Zambia 56,000 (2007 est.) Zimbabwe 140,000 (2007 est.) ====================================================================== @2158 Field Listing :: Currency code Country Currency code Afghanistan AFA Albania ALL Algeria DZD American Samoa USD Andorra EUR Angola AOA Anguilla XCD Antigua and Barbuda XCD Argentina ARS Armenia AMD Aruba AWG Australia AUD Austria EUR Azerbaijan AZM Bahamas, The BSD Bahrain BHD Bangladesh BDT Barbados BBD Belarus BYB/BYR Belgium EUR Belize BZD Benin XOF Bermuda BMD Bhutan BTN; INR Bolivia BOB Bosnia and Herzegovina BAM Botswana BWP Brazil BRL British Virgin Islands USD Brunei BND Bulgaria BGN Burkina Faso XOF Burma MMK Burundi BIF Cambodia KHR Cameroon XAF Canada CAD Cape Verde CVE Cayman Islands KYD Central African Republic XAF Chad XAF Chile CLP China CNY Christmas Island AUD Cocos (Keeling) Islands AUD Colombia COP Comoros KMF Congo, Democratic Republic of the CDF Congo, Republic of the XAF Cook Islands NZD Costa Rica CRC Cote d'Ivoire XOF Croatia HRK Cuba CUP (nonconvertible Cuban peso) and CUC (convertible Cuban peso) Cyprus CYP; TRL Czech Republic CZK Denmark DKK Djibouti DJF Dominica XCD Dominican Republic DOP Ecuador USD Egypt EGP El Salvador USD Equatorial Guinea XAF Eritrea ERN Estonia EEK Ethiopia ETB European Union EUR Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) FKP Faroe Islands DKK Fiji FJD Finland EUR France EUR French Polynesia XPF Gabon XAF Gambia, The GMD Gaza Strip ILS Georgia GEL Germany EUR Ghana GHC Gibraltar GIP Greece EUR Greenland DKK Grenada XCD Guam USD Guatemala GTQ; USD Guernsey GBP Guinea GNF Guinea-Bissau XOF; GWP Guyana GYD Haiti HTG Holy See (Vatican City) EUR Honduras HNL Hong Kong HKD Hungary HUF Iceland ISK India INR Indonesia IDR Iran IRR Iraq NID, IQD prior to 22 January 2004 Ireland EUR Isle of Man GBP Israel ILS Italy EUR Jamaica JMD Japan JPY Jersey GBP Jordan JOD Kazakhstan KZT Kenya KES Kiribati AUD Korea, North KPW Korea, South KRW Kuwait KWD Kyrgyzstan KGS Laos LAK Latvia LVL Lebanon LBP Lesotho LSL; ZAR Liberia LRD Libya LYD Liechtenstein CHF Lithuania LTL Luxembourg EUR Macau MOP Macedonia MKD Madagascar MGF Malawi MWK Malaysia MYR Maldives MVR Mali XOF Malta MTL Marshall Islands USD Mauritania MRO Mauritius MUR Mayotte EUR Mexico MXN Micronesia, Federated States of USD Moldova MDL Monaco EUR Mongolia MNT Montserrat XCD Morocco MAD Mozambique MZM Namibia NAD; ZAR Nauru AUD Nepal NPR Netherlands EUR Netherlands Antilles ANG New Caledonia XPF New Zealand NZD Nicaragua NIO Niger XOF Nigeria NGN Niue NZD Norfolk Island AUD Northern Mariana Islands USD Norway NOK Oman OMR Pakistan PKR Palau USD Panama PAB; USD Papua New Guinea PGK Paraguay PYG Peru PEN Philippines PHP Pitcairn Islands NZD Poland PLN Portugal EUR Puerto Rico USD Qatar QAR Romania ROL Russia RUR Rwanda RWF Saint Helena SHP Saint Kitts and Nevis XCD Saint Lucia XCD Saint Pierre and Miquelon EUR Saint Vincent and the Grenadines XCD Samoa SAT (former WST code is still in wide use) San Marino EUR Sao Tome and Principe STD Saudi Arabia SAR Senegal XOF Seychelles SCR Sierra Leone SLL Singapore SGD Slovakia SKK Slovenia SIT Solomon Islands SBD Somalia SOS South Africa ZAR Spain EUR Sri Lanka LKR Sudan SDD Suriname SRG Svalbard NOK Swaziland SZL Sweden SEK Switzerland CHF Syria SYP Taiwan TWD Tajikistan TJS Tanzania TZS Thailand THB Timor-Leste USD Togo XOF Tokelau NZD Tonga TOP Trinidad and Tobago TTD Tunisia TND Turkey TRL, YTL Turkmenistan TMM Turks and Caicos Islands USD Tuvalu AUD Uganda UGX Ukraine UAH United Arab Emirates AED United Kingdom GBP United States USD Uruguay UYU Uzbekistan UZS Vanuatu VUV Venezuela VEB Vietnam VND Virgin Islands USD Wallis and Futuna XPF West Bank ILS; JOD Western Sahara MAD Yemen YER Zambia ZMK Zimbabwe ZWD ====================================================================== @2172 Field Listing :: Distribution of family income - Gini index This index measures the degree of inequality in the distribution of family income in a country. The index is calculated from the Lorenz curve, in which cumulative family income is plotted against the number of families arranged from the poorest to the richest. The index is the ratio of (a) the area between a country's Lorenz curve and the 45 degree helping line to (b) the entire triangular area under the 45 degree line. The more nearly equal a country's income distribution, the closer its Lorenz curve to the 45 degree line and the lower its Gini index, e.g., a Scandinavian country with an index of 25. The more unequal a country's income distribution, the farther its Lorenz curve from the 45 degree line and the higher its Gini index, e.g., a Sub-Saharan country with an index of 50. If income were distributed with perfect equality, the Lorenz curve would coincide with the 45 degree line and the index would be zero; if income were distributed with perfect inequality, the Lorenz curve would coincide with the horizontal axis and the right vertical axis and the index would be 100. Country Comparison to the World Country Distribution of family income - Gini index Albania 26.7 (2005) Algeria 35.3 (1995) Argentina 49 (January-March 2007) Armenia 37 (2006) 44.4 (1996) Australia 30.5 (2006) 35.2 (1994) Austria 26 (2007) 31 (1995) Azerbaijan 36.5 (2001) 36 (1995) Bangladesh 33.2 (2005) 33.6 (1996) Belarus 27.9 (2005) 21.7 (1998) Belgium 28 (2005) 28.7 (1996) Benin 36.5 (2003) Bolivia 59.2 (2006) 44.7 (1999) Bosnia and Herzegovina 56.2 (2007) Botswana 63 (1993) Brazil 56.7 (2005) 60.7 (1998) Bulgaria 30.7 (2007) 26.4 (2001) Burkina Faso 39.5 (2007) 48.2 (1994) Burundi 42.4 (1998) Cambodia 43 (2007 est.) 40 (2004 est.) Cameroon 44.6 (2001) 47.7 (1996) Canada 32.1 (2005) 31.5 (1994) Central African Republic 61.3 (1993) Chile 54.9 (2003) 57.1 (2000) China 47 (2007) 40 (2001) Colombia 53.8 (2005) 57.1 (1996) Costa Rica 48 (2008) 45.9 (1997) Cote d'Ivoire 44.6 (2002) 36.7 (1995) Croatia 29 (2008) 29 (1998) Cyprus 29 (2005) Czech Republic 26 (2005) 25.4 (1996) Denmark 24 (2005) 24.7 (1992) Dominican Republic 49.9 (2005) 47.4 (1998) Ecuador 46 (2006) 43.7 (1995) note: data are for urban households Egypt 34.4 (2001) El Salvador 52.4 (2002) 52.5 (2001) Estonia 34 (2008) 37 (1999) Ethiopia 30 (2000) 40 (1995) European Union 31 (2005 est.) 31.2 (2003 est.) Finland 29.5 (2007) 25.6 (1991) France 32.7 (2008) 32.7 (1995) Gambia, The 50.2 (1998) Georgia 40.8 (2005) 37.1 (1996) Germany 27 (2006) 30 (1994) Ghana 39.4 (2005-06) 40.7 (1999) Greece 33 (2005) 35.4 (1998) Guatemala 55.1 (2007) 55.8 (1998) Guinea 38.1 (2006) 40.3 (1994) Guyana 43.2 (1999) Haiti 59.2 (2001) Honduras 53.8 (2003) 56.3 (1998) Hong Kong 53.3 (2007) Hungary 28 (2005) 24.4 (1998) Iceland 25 (2005) India 36.8 (2004) 37.8 (1997) Indonesia 39.4 (2005) 37 (2001) Iran 44.5 (2006) Ireland 32 (2005) 35.9 (1987) Israel 38.6 (2005) 35.5 (2001) Italy 32 (2006) 27.3 (1995) Jamaica 45.5 (2004) 37.9 (2000) Japan 38.1 (2002) 24.9 (1993) Jordan 39.7 (2007) 36.4 (1997) Kazakhstan 30.4 (2005) 31.5 (2003) Kenya 42.5 (2008 est.) 44.9 (1997) Korea, South 31.3 (2007) 35.8 (2000) Kosovo 30 (FY05/06) Kyrgyzstan 30.3 (2003) 29 (2001) Laos 34.6 (2002) 37 (1997) Latvia 36 (2005) 32 (1999) Lesotho 63.2 (1995) 56 (1986-87) Lithuania 36 (2005) 34 (1999) Luxembourg 26 (2005) Macedonia 39 (2003) Madagascar 47.5 (2001) 38.1 (1999) Malawi 39 (2004) Malaysia 46.1 (2002) 49.2 (1997) Mali 40.1 (2001) 50.5 (1994) Malta 26 (2007) Mauritania 39 (2000) 37.3 (1995) Mauritius 39 (2006 est.) 37 (1987 est.) Mexico 47.9 (2006) 53.1 (1998) Moldova 33.2 (2003) 40.6 (1997) Mongolia 32.8 (2002) 44 (1998) Montenegro 30 (2003) Morocco 40 (2005 est.) 39.5 (1999 est.) Mozambique 47.3 (2002) 39.6 (1997) Namibia 70.7 (2003) Nepal 47.2 (2008) 36.7 (1996) Netherlands 30.9 (2007) 32.6 (1994) New Zealand 36.2 (1997) Nicaragua 43.1 (2001) 60.3 (1998) Niger 50.5 (1995) Nigeria 43.7 (2003) 50.6 (1997) Norway 25 (2008) 25.8 (1995) Pakistan 30.6 (FY07/08) 41 (FY98/99) Panama 56.1 (2003) 48.5 (1997) Papua New Guinea 50.9 (1996) Paraguay 56.8 (2008) 57.7 (1998) Peru 49.8 (2005) 46.2 (1996) Philippines 45.8 (2006) 46.6 (2003) Poland 34.9 (2005) 31.6 (1998) Portugal 38.5 (2007) 35.6 (1995) Romania 32 (2008) 28.8 (2003) Russia 41.5 (September 2008) 39.9 (2001) Rwanda 46.8 (2000) 28.9 (1985) Senegal 41.3 (2001) 41.3 (1995) Serbia 30 (2003) Sierra Leone 62.9 (1989) Singapore 48.1 (2008) Slovakia 26 (2005) 26.3 (1996) Slovenia 24 (2005) 28.4 (1998) South Africa 65 (2005) 59.3 (1994) Spain 32 (2005) 32.5 (1990) Sri Lanka 49 (2004) 34.4 (1995) Swaziland 50.4 (2001) Sweden 23 (2005) 25 (1992) Switzerland 33.7 (2008) 33.1 (1992) Tajikistan 32.6 (2006) 34.7 (1998) Tanzania 34.6 (2000) 38.2 (1993) Thailand 42 (2002) Timor-Leste 38 Tunisia 40 (2005 est.) 41.7 (1995 est.) Turkey 43.6 (2003) Turkmenistan 40.8 (1998) Uganda 45.7 (2002) 37.4 (1996) Ukraine 31 (2006) 29 (1999) United Kingdom 34 (2005) 36.8 (1999) United States 45 (2007) 40.8 (1997) Uruguay 45.2 (2006) 44.8 (1999) Uzbekistan 36.8 (2003) 44.7 (1998) Venezuela 48.2 (2003) 49.5 (1998) Vietnam 37 (2004) 36.1 (1998) Yemen 37.7 (2005) 33.4 (1998) Zambia 50.8 (2004) 52.6 (1998) Zimbabwe 50.1 (2006) 50.1 (1995) ====================================================================== @2173 Field Listing :: Oil - production This entry is the total oil produced in barrels per day (bbl/day). The discrepancy between the amount of oil produced and/or imported and the amount consumed and/or exported is due to the omission of stock changes, refinery gains, and other complicating factors. Country Comparison to the World Country Oil - production(bbl/day) Afghanistan 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Albania 5,985 bbl/day (2008 est.) Algeria 2.18 million bbl/day (2008 est.) American Samoa 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Angola 2.015 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Antigua and Barbuda 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Argentina 792,300 bbl/day (2008 est.) Armenia 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Aruba 2,351 bbl/day (2008 est.) Australia 586,400 bbl/day (2008 est.) Austria 24,850 bbl/day (2008 est.) Azerbaijan 875,200 bbl/day (2008 est.) Bahamas, The 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Bahrain 48,520 bbl/day (2008 est.) Bangladesh 6,426 bbl/day (2008 est.) Barbados 1,100 bbl/day (2008 est.) Belarus 32,950 bbl/day (2008 est.) Belgium 11,220 bbl/day (2008 est.) Belize 3,511 bbl/day (2008 est.) Benin 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Bermuda 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Bhutan 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Bolivia 51,360 bbl/day (2008 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Botswana 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Brazil 2.422 million bbl/day (2008 est.) British Virgin Islands 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Brunei 157,400 bbl/day (2008 est.) Bulgaria 3,357 bbl/day (2008 est.) Burkina Faso 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Burma 22,120 bbl/day (2008 est.) Burundi 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Cambodia 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Cameroon 81,720 bbl/day (2008 est.) Canada 3.35 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Cape Verde 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Cayman Islands 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Central African Republic 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Chad 127,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Chile 11,190 bbl/day (2008 est.) China 3.973 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Colombia 600,600 bbl/day (2008 est.) Comoros 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 19,960 bbl/day (2008 est.) Congo, Republic of the 239,900 bbl/day (2008 est.) Cook Islands 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Costa Rica 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Cote d'Ivoire 60,100 bbl/day (2008 est.) Croatia 22,200 bbl/day (2008 est.) Cuba 52,630 bbl/day (2008 est.) Cyprus 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Czech Republic 16,080 bbl/day (2008 est.) Denmark 288,800 bbl/day (2008 est.) Djibouti 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Dominica 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Dominican Republic 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Ecuador 505,100 bbl/day (2008 est.) Egypt 630,600 bbl/day (2008 est.) El Salvador 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Equatorial Guinea 359,200 bbl/day (2008 est.) Eritrea 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Estonia 7,600 bbl/day (2008 est.) Ethiopia 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) European Union 2.538 million bbl/day (2007 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Faroe Islands 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Fiji 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Finland 9,789 bbl/day (2008 est.) France 70,800 bbl/day (2008 est.) French Polynesia 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Gabon 247,800 bbl/day (2008 est.) Gambia, The 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Georgia 977.4 bbl/day (2008 est.) Germany 150,800 bbl/day (2008 est.) Ghana 7,399 bbl/day (2008 est.) Gibraltar 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Greece 4,891 bbl/day (2008 est.) Greenland 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Grenada 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Guam 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Guatemala 15,550 bbl/day (2008 est.) Guinea 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Guinea-Bissau 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Guyana 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Haiti 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Honduras 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Hong Kong 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Hungary 37,830 bbl/day (2008 est.) Iceland 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) India 883,500 bbl/day (2008 est.) Indonesia 1.051 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Iran 4.174 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Iraq 2.385 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Ireland 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Israel 5,246 bbl/day (2008 est.) Italy 162,200 bbl/day (2008 est.) Jamaica 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Japan 133,100 bbl/day (2008 est.) Jordan 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Kazakhstan 1.429 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Kenya 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Kiribati 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Korea, North 120.7 bbl/day (2008 est.) Korea, South 30,440 bbl/day (2008 est.) Kosovo 0 bbl/day (2007) Kuwait 2.741 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Kyrgyzstan 958.4 bbl/day (2008 est.) Laos 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Latvia 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Lebanon 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Lesotho 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Liberia 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Libya 1.875 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Lithuania 8,247 bbl/day (2008 est.) Luxembourg 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Macau 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Macedonia 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Madagascar 84.57 bbl/day (2008 est.) Malawi 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Malaysia 727,200 bbl/day (2008 est.) Maldives 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Mali 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Malta 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Mauritania 12,830 bbl/day (2008 est.) Mauritius 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Mexico 3.186 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Moldova 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Mongolia 3,216 bbl/day (2008) Montenegro 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Montserrat 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Morocco 4,310 bbl/day (2008 est.) Mozambique 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Namibia 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Nauru 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Nepal 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Netherlands 72,090 bbl/day (2008 est.) Netherlands Antilles 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) New Caledonia 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) New Zealand 65,400 bbl/day (2008 est.) Nicaragua 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Niger 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Nigeria 2.169 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Niue 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Norway 2.466 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Oman 761,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Pakistan 61,870 bbl/day (2008 est.) Panama 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Papua New Guinea 38,100 bbl/day (2008 est.) Paraguay 26.97 bbl/day (2008 est.) Peru 120,200 bbl/day (2008 est.) Philippines 25,120 bbl/day (2008 est.) Poland 35,560 bbl/day (2008 est.) Portugal 7,861 bbl/day (2008 est.) Puerto Rico 1,354 bbl/day (2008 est.) Qatar 1.208 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Romania 115,200 bbl/day (2008 est.) Russia 9.79 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Rwanda 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Saint Helena 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Saint Lucia 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Samoa 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Sao Tome and Principe 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Saudi Arabia 10.78 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Senegal 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Serbia 11,420 bbl/day (2008 est.) Seychelles 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Sierra Leone 2.99 bbl/day (2008 est.) Singapore 8,553 bbl/day (2008 est.) Slovakia 14,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Slovenia 5 bbl/day (2008 est.) Solomon Islands 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Somalia 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) South Africa 195,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Spain 28,130 bbl/day (2008 est.) Sri Lanka 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Sudan 480,200 bbl/day (2008 est.) Suriname 15,280 bbl/day (2008 est.) Swaziland 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Sweden 3,572 bbl/day (2008 est.) Switzerland 3,244 bbl/day (2008 est.) Syria 426,100 bbl/day (2008 est.) Taiwan 12,310 bbl/day (2008 est.) Tajikistan 238 bbl/day (2008 est.) Tanzania 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Thailand 361,300 bbl/day (2008 est.) Timor-Leste 100,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Togo 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Tonga 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Trinidad and Tobago 163,300 bbl/day (2008 est.) Tunisia 86,930 bbl/day (2008 est.) Turkey 46,120 bbl/day (2008 est.) Turkmenistan 189,400 bbl/day (2008 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Uganda bbl/day NA Ukraine 101,300 bbl/day (2008 est.) United Arab Emirates 3.046 million bbl/day (2008 est.) United Kingdom 1.584 million bbl/day (2008 est.) United States 8.514 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Uruguay 946.1 bbl/day (2008 est.) Uzbekistan 83,820 bbl/day (2008 est.) Vanuatu 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Venezuela 2.643 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Vietnam 313,600 bbl/day (2008 est.) Virgin Islands 17,620 bbl/day (2008 est.) Western Sahara 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) World 85.43 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Yemen 300,100 bbl/day (2008 est.) Zambia 159.3 bbl/day (2008 est.) Zimbabwe 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) ====================================================================== @2174 Field Listing :: Oil - consumption This entry is the total oil consumed in barrels per day (bbl/day). The discrepancy between the amount of oil produced and/or imported and the amount consumed and/or exported is due to the omission of stock changes, refinery gains, and other complicating factors. Country Comparison to the World Country Oil - consumption(bbl/day) Afghanistan 5,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Albania 34,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Algeria 299,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) American Samoa 4,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Angola 64,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Antigua and Barbuda 5,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Argentina 610,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Armenia 48,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Aruba 8,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Australia 953,700 bbl/day (2008 est.) Austria 285,400 bbl/day (2008 est.) Azerbaijan 126,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Bahamas, The 34,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Bahrain 38,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Bangladesh 95,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Barbados 9,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Belarus 184,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Belgium 716,800 bbl/day (2008 est.) Belize 7,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Benin 21,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Bermuda 5,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Bhutan 1,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Bolivia 60,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina 29,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Botswana 15,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Brazil 2.52 million bbl/day (2008 est.) British Virgin Islands 1,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Brunei 15,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Bulgaria 124,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Burkina Faso 9,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Burma 41,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Burundi 3,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Cambodia 4,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Cameroon 26,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Canada 2.26 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Cape Verde 2,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Cayman Islands 3,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Central African Republic 2,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Chad 1,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Chile 277,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) China 7.85 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Colombia 291,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Comoros 1,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 11,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Congo, Republic of the 9,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Cook Islands 1,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Costa Rica 45,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Cote d'Ivoire 25,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Croatia 105,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Cuba 176,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Cyprus 59,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Czech Republic 212,800 bbl/day (2008 est.) Denmark 181,100 bbl/day (2008 est.) Djibouti 13,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Dominica 1,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Dominican Republic 119,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Ecuador 178,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Egypt 697,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) El Salvador 45,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Equatorial Guinea 1,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Eritrea 5,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Estonia 29,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Ethiopia 37,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) European Union 14.44 million bbl/day (2007 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Faroe Islands 5,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Fiji 10,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Finland 215,600 bbl/day (2008 est.) France 1.986 million bbl/day (2008 est.) French Polynesia 7,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Gabon 14,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Gambia, The 2,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Georgia 14,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Germany 2.569 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Ghana 56,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Gibraltar 24,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Greece 434,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Greenland 4,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Grenada 3,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Guam 9,227 bbl/day (2008 est.) Guatemala 76,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Guinea 9,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Guinea-Bissau 3,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Guyana 11,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Haiti 12,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Honduras 52,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Hong Kong 366,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Hungary 162,100 bbl/day (2008 est.) Iceland 19,880 bbl/day (2008 est.) India 2.94 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Indonesia 1.564 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Iran 1.755 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Iraq 638,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Ireland 188,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Israel 235,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Italy 1.639 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Jamaica 78,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Japan 4.785 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Jordan 108,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Kazakhstan 239,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Kenya 75,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Kiribati 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Korea, North 16,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Korea, South 2.175 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Kosovo NA bbl/day Kuwait 325,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Kyrgyzstan 15,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Laos 3,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Latvia 39,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Lebanon 92,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Lesotho 2,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Liberia 4,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Libya 273,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Lithuania 73,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Luxembourg 59,140 bbl/day (2008 est.) Macau 16,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Macedonia 21,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Madagascar 20,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Malawi 8,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Malaysia 547,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Maldives 6,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Mali 5,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Malta 19,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Mauritania 21,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Mauritius 23,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Mexico 2.128 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Moldova 17,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Mongolia 15,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Montenegro bbl/day NA Montserrat 1,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Morocco 187,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Mozambique 16,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Namibia 21,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Nauru 1,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Nepal 18,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Netherlands 962,900 bbl/day (2008 est.) Netherlands Antilles 71,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) New Caledonia 13,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) New Zealand 154,100 bbl/day (2008 est.) Nicaragua 29,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Niger 6,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Nigeria 286,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Niue 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Norway 220,200 bbl/day (2008 est.) Oman 81,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Pakistan 383,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Panama 94,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Papua New Guinea 33,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Paraguay 28,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Peru 160,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Philippines 320,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Poland 544,800 bbl/day (2008 est.) Portugal 291,700 bbl/day (2008 est.) Puerto Rico 185,300 bbl/day (2008 est.) Qatar 129,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Romania 219,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Russia 2.9 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Rwanda 6,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Saint Helena 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis 1,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Saint Lucia 3,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 1,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Samoa 1,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Sao Tome and Principe 1,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Saudi Arabia 2.38 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Senegal 38,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Serbia NA bbl/day Seychelles 7,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Sierra Leone 9,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Singapore 896,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Slovakia 84,990 bbl/day (2008 est.) Slovenia 61,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Solomon Islands 2,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Somalia 5,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) South Africa 583,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Spain 1.562 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Sri Lanka 89,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Sudan 86,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Suriname 14,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Swaziland 4,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Sweden 351,800 bbl/day (2008 est.) Switzerland 275,600 bbl/day (2008 est.) Syria 256,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Taiwan 959,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Tajikistan 36,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Tanzania 32,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Thailand 942,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Timor-Leste NA bbl/day Togo 20,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Tonga 1,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Trinidad and Tobago 41,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Tunisia 90,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Turkey 675,500 bbl/day (2008 est.) Turkmenistan 112,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Uganda 13,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Ukraine 353,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) United Arab Emirates 463,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) United Kingdom 1.71 million bbl/day (2008 est.) United States 19.5 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Uruguay 41,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Uzbekistan 148,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Vanuatu 1,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Venezuela 760,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Vietnam 288,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Virgin Islands 72,860 bbl/day (2008 est.) Western Sahara 2,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) World 85.98 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Yemen 149,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Zambia 16,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Zimbabwe 13,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) ====================================================================== @2175 Field Listing :: Oil - imports This entry is the total oil imported in barrels per day (bbl/day), including both crude oil and oil products. Country Comparison to the World Country Oil - imports(bbl/day) Afghanistan 4,404 bbl/day (2007 est.) Albania 24,080 bbl/day (2007 est.) Algeria 14,320 bbl/day (2007 est.) American Samoa 4,140 bbl/day (2007 est.) Angola 28,090 bbl/day (2007 est.) Antigua and Barbuda 4,690 bbl/day (2007 est.) Argentina 52,290 bbl/day (2007 est.) Armenia 45,200 bbl/day (2007 est.) Aruba 236,400 bbl/day (2007 est.) Australia 687,200 bbl/day (2008 est.) Austria 305,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Azerbaijan 2,848 bbl/day (2007 est.) Bahamas, The 72,420 bbl/day (2007 est.) Bahrain 228,400 bbl/day (2007 est.) Bangladesh 87,660 bbl/day (2007 est.) Barbados 10,390 bbl/day (2007 est.) Belarus 444,800 bbl/day (2007 est.) Belgium 1.076 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Belize 7,204 bbl/day (2007 est.) Benin 28,900 bbl/day (2007 est.) Bermuda 4,500 bbl/day (2007 est.) Bhutan 1,168 bbl/day (2007 est.) Bolivia 6,172 bbl/day (2007 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina 25,990 bbl/day (2007 est.) Botswana 15,180 bbl/day (2007 est.) Brazil 632,900 bbl/day (2007 est.) British Virgin Islands 691.4 bbl/day (2007 est.) Brunei 237.6 bbl/day (2007 est.) Bulgaria 189,000 bbl/day (2007 est.) Burkina Faso 8,283 bbl/day (2007 est.) Burma 18,250 bbl/day (2007 est.) Burundi 2,495 bbl/day (2007 est.) Cambodia 30,970 bbl/day (2007 est.) Cameroon 45,520 bbl/day (2007 est.) Canada 1.165 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Cape Verde 1,619 bbl/day (2007 est.) Cayman Islands 3,294 bbl/day (2007 est.) Central African Republic 2,203 bbl/day (2007 est.) Chad 1,571 bbl/day (2007 est.) Chile 311,200 bbl/day (2007 est.) China 4.21 million bbl/day (2007) Colombia 16,540 bbl/day (2007 est.) Comoros 766.2 bbl/day (2007 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 11,350 bbl/day (2007 est.) Congo, Republic of the 2,136 bbl/day (2007 est.) Cook Islands 495 bbl/day (2007 est.) Costa Rica 47,860 bbl/day (2007 est.) Cote d'Ivoire 80,960 bbl/day (2007 est.) Croatia 122,100 bbl/day (2007 est.) Cuba 104,800 bbl/day (2007 est.) Cyprus 58,930 bbl/day (2007 est.) Czech Republic 213,900 bbl/day (2008 est.) Denmark 153,800 bbl/day (2008 est.) Djibouti 8,476 bbl/day (2007 est.) Dominica 838.2 bbl/day (2007 est.) Dominican Republic 116,200 bbl/day (2007 est.) Ecuador 54,190 bbl/day (2007 est.) Egypt 146,200 bbl/day (2007 est.) El Salvador 46,310 bbl/day (2007 est.) Equatorial Guinea 1,114 bbl/day (2007 est.) Eritrea 4,790 bbl/day (2007 est.) Estonia 30,590 bbl/day (2007 est.) Ethiopia 33,590 bbl/day (2007 est.) European Union 8.613 million bbl/day (2007 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 270.9 bbl/day (2007 est.) Faroe Islands 4,922 bbl/day (2007 est.) Fiji 20,340 bbl/day (2007 est.) Finland 347,400 bbl/day (2008 est.) France 2.346 million bbl/day (2008 est.) French Polynesia 6,701 bbl/day (2007 est.) Gabon 4,185 bbl/day (2007 est.) Gambia, The 2,266 bbl/day (2007 est.) Georgia 16,590 bbl/day (2007 est.) Germany 2.777 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Ghana 45,380 bbl/day (2007 est.) Gibraltar 25,610 bbl/day (2007 est.) Greece 553,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Greenland 4,172 bbl/day (2007 est.) Grenada 1,923 bbl/day (2007 est.) Guam 14,230 bbl/day (2007 est.) Guatemala 72,440 bbl/day (2007 est.) Guinea 8,674 bbl/day (2007 est.) Guinea-Bissau 2,545 bbl/day (2007 est.) Guyana 10,550 bbl/day (2007 est.) Haiti 12,280 bbl/day (2007 est.) Honduras 46,130 bbl/day (2007 est.) Hong Kong 334,900 bbl/day (2008) Hungary 195,400 bbl/day (2008 est.) Iceland 17,510 bbl/day (2008 est.) India 2.518 million bbl/day (2007 est.) Indonesia 671,000 bbl/day (2007 est.) Iran 212,200 bbl/day (2007 est.) Iraq 116,900 bbl/day (2007 est.) Ireland 190,800 bbl/day (2008 est.) Israel 318,900 bbl/day (2007 est.) Italy 2.205 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Jamaica 77,720 bbl/day (2007 est.) Japan 5.263 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Jordan 108,200 bbl/day (2007 est.) Kazakhstan 164,000 bbl/day (2007 est.) Kenya 80,530 bbl/day (2007 est.) Kiribati 260.8 bbl/day (2007 est.) Korea, North 13,890 bbl/day (2007 est.) Korea, South 2.982 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Kuwait 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Kyrgyzstan 12,850 bbl/day (2007 est.) Laos 3,080 bbl/day (2007 est.) Latvia 43,400 bbl/day (2007 est.) Lebanon 86,750 bbl/day (2007 est.) Lesotho 1,553 bbl/day (2007 est.) Liberia 4,263 bbl/day (2007 est.) Libya 575.3 bbl/day (2007 est.) Lithuania 204,000 bbl/day (2007 est.) Luxembourg 60,030 bbl/day (2008 est.) Macau 5,027 bbl/day (2008 est.) Macedonia 26,730 bbl/day (2007 est.) Madagascar 16,940 bbl/day (2007 est.) Malawi 6,960 bbl/day (2007 est.) Malaysia 314,600 bbl/day (2007 est.) Maldives 5,406 bbl/day (2007 est.) Mali 4,402 bbl/day (2007 est.) Malta 17,910 bbl/day (2007 est.) Mauritania 20,610 bbl/day (2007 est.) Mauritius 22,200 bbl/day (2007 est.) Mexico 479,600 bbl/day (2008 est.) Moldova 14,230 bbl/day (2007 est.) Mongolia 17,680 bbl/day (2008) Montenegro 6,093 bbl/day (2005) Montserrat 520.6 bbl/day (2007 est.) Morocco 195,800 bbl/day (2007 est.) Mozambique 13,760 bbl/day (2007 est.) Namibia 19,120 bbl/day (2007 est.) Nauru 1,026 bbl/day (2007 est.) Nepal 16,920 bbl/day (2007 est.) Netherlands 2.678 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Netherlands Antilles 298,500 bbl/day (2007 est.) New Caledonia 14,430 bbl/day (2007 est.) New Zealand 147,600 bbl/day (2008 est.) Nicaragua 29,570 bbl/day (2007 est.) Niger 5,367 bbl/day (2007 est.) Nigeria 170,000 bbl/day (2007 est.) Niue 30.66 bbl/day (2007 est.) Norway 104,400 bbl/day (2008 est.) Oman 17,290 bbl/day (2007 est.) Pakistan 319,500 bbl/day (2007 est.) Panama 87,100 bbl/day (2007 est.) Papua New Guinea 14,380 bbl/day (2007 est.) Paraguay 25,100 bbl/day (2007 est.) Peru 133,100 bbl/day (2007 est.) Philippines 342,200 bbl/day (2007 est.) Poland 595,400 bbl/day (2008 est.) Portugal 351,100 bbl/day (2008 est.) Puerto Rico 225,000 bbl/day (2007 est.) Qatar 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Romania 217,000 bbl/day (2007 est.) Russia 47,360 bbl/day (2007 est.) Rwanda 5,623 bbl/day (2007 est.) Saint Helena 79.73 bbl/day (2007 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis 1,225 bbl/day (2007 est.) Saint Lucia 2,747 bbl/day (2007 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 563.6 bbl/day (2007 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1,451 bbl/day (2007 est.) Samoa 1,105 bbl/day (2007 est.) Sao Tome and Principe 725.5 bbl/day (2007 est.) Saudi Arabia 79,250 bbl/day (2007 est.) Senegal 42,850 bbl/day (2007 est.) Serbia 70,760 bbl/day (2005 est.) Seychelles 7,653 bbl/day (2007 est.) Sierra Leone 8,316 bbl/day (2007 est.) Singapore 2.109 million bbl/day (2007 est.) Slovakia 148,600 bbl/day (2008 est.) Slovenia 63,080 bbl/day (2007 est.) Solomon Islands 1,323 bbl/day (2007 est.) Somalia 6,387 bbl/day (2007 est.) South Africa 490,500 bbl/day (2007 est.) Spain 1.813 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Sri Lanka 87,690 bbl/day (2007 est.) Sudan 11,400 bbl/day (2007 est.) Suriname 6,296 bbl/day (2007 est.) Swaziland 4,100 bbl/day (2007 est.) Sweden 542,100 bbl/day (2008 est.) Switzerland 247,200 bbl/day (2008 est.) Syria 58,710 bbl/day (2007 est.) Taiwan 1.251 million bbl/day (2007 est.) Tajikistan 10,100 bbl/day (2008) Tanzania 28,070 bbl/day (2007 est.) Thailand 826,000 bbl/day (2007 est.) Togo 15,270 bbl/day (2007 est.) Tonga 1,173 bbl/day (2007 est.) Trinidad and Tobago 92,480 bbl/day (2007 est.) Tunisia 87,300 bbl/day (2007 est.) Turkey 783,800 bbl/day (2008 est.) Turkmenistan 2,542 bbl/day (2007 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands 80 bbl/day (2007 est.) Uganda 13,090 bbl/day (2007 est.) Ukraine 354,100 bbl/day (2007 est.) United Arab Emirates 192,900 bbl/day (2007 est.) United Kingdom 1.651 million bbl/day (2008 est.) United States 13.47 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Uruguay 52,730 bbl/day (2007 est.) Uzbekistan 35,810 bbl/day (2007 est.) Vanuatu 653.6 bbl/day (2007 est.) Venezuela 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Vietnam 254,000 bbl/day (2007 est.) Virgin Islands 480,600 bbl/day (2007 est.) Western Sahara 1,702 bbl/day (2007 est.) World 66.68 million bbl/day (2007 est.) Yemen 65,860 bbl/day (2007 est.) Zambia 14,730 bbl/day (2007 est.) Zimbabwe 13,830 bbl/day (2007 est.) ====================================================================== @2176 Field Listing :: Oil - exports This entry is the total oil exported in barrels per day (bbl/day), including both crude oil and oil products. Country Comparison to the World Country Oil - exports(bbl/day) Afghanistan 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Albania 748.9 bbl/day (2005 est.) Algeria 1.891 million bbl/day (2007 est.) American Samoa 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Angola 1.407 million bbl/day (2007 est.) Antigua and Barbuda 219 bbl/day (2007 est.) Argentina 314,400 bbl/day (2007 est.) Armenia 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Aruba 231,100 bbl/day (2007 est.) Australia 332,400 bbl/day (2008 est.) Austria 45,580 bbl/day (2008 est.) Azerbaijan 528,900 bbl/day (2007 est.) Bahamas, The transshipments of 41,570 bbl/day (2007 est.) Bahrain 238,300 bbl/day (2007 est.) Bangladesh 2,612 bbl/day (2007 est.) Barbados 1,750 bbl/day (2007 est.) Belarus 303,900 bbl/day (2007 est.) Belgium 507,500 bbl/day (2008 est.) Belize 2,260 bbl/day (2007 est.) Benin 8,770 bbl/day (2007 est.) Bermuda 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Bhutan 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Bolivia 10,950 bbl/day (2007 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina 191.8 bbl/day (2007 est.) Botswana 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Brazil 570,100 bbl/day (2007 est.) British Virgin Islands 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Brunei 207,500 bbl/day (2007 est.) Bulgaria 76,570 bbl/day (2007 est.) Burkina Faso 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Burma 2,200 bbl/day (2007 est.) Burundi 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Cambodia 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Cameroon 107,100 bbl/day (2007 est.) Canada 2.421 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Cape Verde 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Cayman Islands 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Central African Republic 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Chad 157,900 bbl/day (2007 est.) Chile 49,250 bbl/day (2007 est.) China 419,200 bbl/day (2007 est.) Colombia 294,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Comoros 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 20,090 bbl/day (2007 est.) Congo, Republic of the 241,100 bbl/day (2007 est.) Cook Islands 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Costa Rica 2,117 bbl/day (2007 est.) Cote d'Ivoire 115,700 bbl/day (2007 est.) Croatia 43,750 bbl/day (2007 est.) Cuba 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Cyprus 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Czech Republic 22,560 bbl/day (2008 est.) Denmark 287,100 bbl/day (2008 est.) Djibouti 19.18 bbl/day (2007 est.) Dominica 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Dominican Republic 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Ecuador 417,000 bbl/day (2007 est.) Egypt 155,200 bbl/day (2007 est.) El Salvador 1,927 bbl/day (2007 est.) Equatorial Guinea 362,900 bbl/day (2007 est.) Eritrea 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Estonia 7,280 bbl/day (2007 est.) Ethiopia 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) European Union 2.196 million bbl/day (2007 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Faroe Islands 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Fiji 2,455 bbl/day (2007 est.) Finland 133,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) France 554,100 bbl/day (2008 est.) French Polynesia 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Gabon 227,300 bbl/day (2007 est.) Gambia, The 41.62 bbl/day (2007 est.) Georgia 1,486 bbl/day (2007 est.) Germany 582,900 bbl/day (2008 est.) Ghana 4,843 bbl/day (2007 est.) Gibraltar 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Greece 151,300 bbl/day (2008 est.) Greenland 149.5 bbl/day (2007 est.) Grenada 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Guam 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Guatemala 21,850 bbl/day (2007 est.) Guinea 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Guinea-Bissau 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Guyana 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Haiti 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Honduras 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Hong Kong 19,480 bbl/day (2008) Hungary 72,050 bbl/day (2008 est.) Iceland 2,975 bbl/day (2008 est.) India 671,200 bbl/day (2007 est.) Indonesia 85,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Iran 2.719 million bbl/day (2007 est.) Iraq 1.83 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Ireland 22,710 bbl/day (2008 est.) Israel 69,580 bbl/day (2007 est.) Italy 667,100 bbl/day (2008 est.) Jamaica 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Japan 268,300 bbl/day (2008 est.) Jordan 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Kazakhstan 1.313 million bbl/day (2007 est.) Kenya 7,270 bbl/day (2007 est.) Kiribati 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Korea, North 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Korea, South 800,000 bbl/day note: exports consist of oil derivatives (gasoline, light oil, and diesel), not crude oil (2008 est.) Kuwait 2.349 million bbl/day (2007 est.) Kyrgyzstan 1,890 bbl/day (2007 est.) Laos 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Latvia 5,873 bbl/day (2007 est.) Lebanon 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Lesotho 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Liberia 23.37 bbl/day (2007 est.) Libya 1.542 million bbl/day (2007 est.) Lithuania 137,200 bbl/day (2007 est.) Luxembourg 168 bbl/day (2008 est.) Macau 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Macedonia 7,410 bbl/day (2007 est.) Madagascar 364.9 bbl/day (2007 est.) Malawi 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Malaysia 511,900 bbl/day (2007 est.) Maldives 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Mali 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Malta 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Mauritania 30,620 bbl/day (2007 est.) Mauritius 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Mexico 1.986 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Moldova 36.49 bbl/day (2007 est.) Mongolia 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Montenegro 313.6 bbl/day (2005) Montserrat 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Morocco 17,420 bbl/day (2007 est.) Mozambique 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Namibia 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Nauru 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Nepal 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Netherlands 1.647 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Netherlands Antilles 224,600 bbl/day (2007 est.) New Caledonia 645.3 bbl/day (2007 est.) New Zealand 34,260 bbl/day (2008 est.) Nicaragua 212.5 bbl/day (2007 est.) Niger 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Nigeria 2.327 million bbl/day (2007 est.) Niue 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Norway 2.383 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Oman 593,700 bbl/day (2008 est.) Pakistan 30,090 bbl/day (2007 est.) Panama 4,803 bbl/day (2007 est.) Papua New Guinea 32,490 bbl/day (2007 est.) Paraguay 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Peru 68,640 bbl/day (2007 est.) Philippines 36,720 bbl/day (2007 est.) Poland 67,340 bbl/day (2008 est.) Portugal 53,260 bbl/day (2008 est.) Puerto Rico 16,520 bbl/day (2007 est.) Qatar 1.043 million bbl/day (2007 est.) Romania 115,600 bbl/day (2007 est.) Russia 6.845 million bbl/day (2007 est.) Rwanda 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Saint Helena 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Saint Lucia 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Samoa 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Sao Tome and Principe 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Saudi Arabia 8.728 million bbl/day (2007 est.) Senegal 5,653 bbl/day (2007 est.) Serbia 3,641 bbl/day (2005) Seychelles 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Sierra Leone 502.4 bbl/day (2007 est.) Singapore 1.289 million bbl/day (2007 est.) Slovakia 74,070 bbl/day (2008 est.) Slovenia 8,450 bbl/day (2007 est.) Solomon Islands 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Somalia 1,475 bbl/day (2007 est.) South Africa 128,500 bbl/day (2007 est.) Spain 226,900 bbl/day (2008 est.) Sri Lanka 968.4 bbl/day (2007 est.) Sudan 303,800 bbl/day (2007 est.) Suriname 4,308 bbl/day (2007 est.) Swaziland 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Sweden 219,300 bbl/day (2008 est.) Switzerland 10,310 bbl/day (2008 est.) Syria 155,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Taiwan 303,500 bbl/day (2007 est.) Tajikistan 348.9 bbl/day Tanzania 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Thailand 216,400 bbl/day (2007 est.) Togo 1,547 bbl/day (2005) Tonga 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Trinidad and Tobago 248,300 bbl/day (2007 est.) Tunisia 77,130 bbl/day (2007 est.) Turkey 141,700 bbl/day (2008 est.) Turkmenistan 84,770 bbl/day (2007 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Uganda 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Ukraine 97,200 bbl/day (2007 est.) United Arab Emirates 2.7 million bbl/day (2007 est.) United Kingdom 1.602 million bbl/day (2008 est.) United States 1.433 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Uruguay 7,100 bbl/day (2007 est.) Uzbekistan 6,104 bbl/day (2007 est.) Vanuatu 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Venezuela 2.182 million bbl/day (2007 est.) Vietnam 347,400 bbl/day (2007 est.) Virgin Islands 388,000 bbl/day (2007 est.) Western Sahara 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) World 66.13 million bbl/day (2007 est.) Yemen 274,400 bbl/day (2007 est.) Zambia 275.3 bbl/day (2007 est.) Zimbabwe 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) ====================================================================== @2177 Field Listing :: Median age This entry is the age that divides a population into two numerically equal groups; that is, half the people are younger than this age and half are older. It is a single index that summarizes the age distribution of a population. Currently, the median age ranges from a low of about 15 in Uganda and Gaza Strip to 40 or more in several European countries and Japan. See the entry for "Age structure" for the importance of a young versus an older age structure and, by implication, a low versus a higher median age. Country Median age(years) Afghanistan total: 17.6 years male: 17.6 years female: 17.6 years (2009 est.) Albania total: 29.9 years male: 29.3 years female: 30.6 years (2009 est.) Algeria total: 26.6 years male: 26.3 years female: 26.8 years (2009 est.) American Samoa total: 23.1 years male: 23 years female: 23.3 years (2009 est.) Andorra total: 39.4 years male: 39.7 years female: 39.1 years (2009 est.) Angola total: 18 years male: 18 years female: 18 years (2009 est.) Anguilla total: 32.6 years male: 31.5 years female: 33.8 years (2009 est.) Antigua and Barbuda total: 29.7 years male: 28.2 years female: 31.1 years (2009 est.) Argentina total: 30 years male: 29 years female: 31 years (2009 est.) Armenia total: 31.5 years male: 28.8 years female: 34.4 years (2009 est.) Aruba total: 37.8 years male: 36 years female: 39.5 years (2009 est.) Australia total: 37.3 years male: 36.6 years female: 38.1 years (2009 est.) Austria total: 42.2 years male: 41.1 years female: 43.2 years (2009 est.) Azerbaijan total: 28.2 years male: 26.6 years female: 30 years (2009 est.) Bahamas, The total: 28.7 years male: 27.9 years female: 29.5 years (2009 est.) Bahrain total: 30.1 years male: 33.2 years female: 26.7 years (2009 est.) Bangladesh total: 23.3 years male: 22.9 years female: 23.5 years (2009 est.) Barbados total: 35.8 years male: 34.7 years female: 36.9 years (2009 est.) Belarus total: 38.6 years male: 35.6 years female: 41.6 years (2009 est.) Belgium total: 41.7 years male: 40.4 years female: 43 years (2009 est.) Belize total: 20.4 years male: 20.3 years female: 20.6 years (2009 est.) Benin total: 17.2 years male: 16.8 years female: 17.7 years (2009 est.) Bermuda total: 41.3 years male: 39.9 years female: 42.7 years (2009 est.) Bhutan total: 23.9 years male: 24.5 years female: 23.3 years (2009 est.) Bolivia total: 21.9 years male: 21.3 years female: 22.6 years (2009 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina total: 39.8 years male: 38.7 years female: 41 years (2009 est.) Botswana total: 21.7 years male: 21.5 years female: 21.9 years (2009 est.) Brazil total: 28.6 years male: 27.8 years female: 29.3 years (2009 est.) British Virgin Islands total: 32.3 years male: 32.4 years female: 32.2 years (2009 est.) Brunei total: 27.8 years male: 27.7 years female: 27.8 years (2009 est.) Bulgaria total: 41.4 years male: 39.2 years female: 43.6 years (2009 est.) Burkina Faso total: 16.8 years male: 16.6 years female: 17 years (2009 est.) Burma total: 28.2 years male: 27.7 years female: 28.8 years (2009 est.) Burundi total: 16.7 years male: 16.5 years female: 17 years (2009 est.) Cambodia total: 22.1 years male: 21.4 years female: 22.8 years (2009 est.) Cameroon total: 19.2 years male: 19 years female: 19.3 years (2009 est.) Canada total: 40.4 years male: 39.3 years female: 41.5 years (2009 est.) Cape Verde total: 21.1 years male: 20.4 years female: 21.9 years (2009 est.) Cayman Islands total: 38.1 years male: 37.7 years female: 38.6 years (2009 est.) Central African Republic total: 18.8 years male: 18.5 years female: 19.1 years (2009 est.) Chad total: 16.5 years male: 15.3 years female: 17.7 years (2009 est.) Chile total: 31.4 years male: 30.4 years female: 32.4 years (2009 est.) China total: 34.1 years male: 33.5 years female: 34.7 years (2009 est.) Colombia total: 27.1 years male: 26.1 years female: 28 years (2009 est.) Comoros total: 18.8 years male: 18.5 years female: 19.1 years (2009 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the total: 16.4 years male: 16.2 years female: 16.6 years (2009 est.) Congo, Republic of the total: 16.8 years male: 16.6 years female: 17.1 years (2009 est.) Cook Islands total: 30.5 years male: 29.8 years female: 31.1 years (2009 est.) Costa Rica total: 27.5 years male: 27.1 years female: 28 years (2009 est.) Cote d'Ivoire total: 19.2 years male: 19.4 years female: 19.1 years (2009 est.) Croatia total: 41 years male: 39.1 years female: 42.8 years (2009 est.) Cuba total: 37.3 years male: 36.6 years female: 38 years (2009 est.) Cyprus total: 35.5 years male: 34.5 years female: 36.6 years (2009 est.) Czech Republic total: 40.1 years male: 38.6 years female: 41.9 years (2009 est.) Denmark total: 40.5 years male: 39.6 years female: 41.3 years (2009 est.) Djibouti total: 18.1 years male: 18.5 years female: 17.8 years (2009 est.) Dominica total: 29.8 years male: 29.4 years female: 30.2 years (2009 est.) Dominican Republic total: 24.9 years male: 24.8 years female: 25.1 years (2009 est.) Ecuador total: 25 years male: 24.4 years female: 25.6 years (2009 est.) Egypt total: 24.8 years male: 24.4 years female: 25.2 years (2009 est.) El Salvador total: 22.5 years male: 21.3 years female: 23.6 years (2009 est.) Equatorial Guinea total: 18.9 years male: 18.3 years female: 19.6 years (2009 est.) Eritrea total: 18.4 years male: 18 years female: 18.8 years (2009 est.) Estonia total: 39.9 years male: 36.5 years female: 43.5 years (2009 est.) Ethiopia total: 16.9 years male: 16.6 years female: 17.2 years (2009 est.) European Union note - see individual country entries of member states (2009 est.) Faroe Islands total: 36.9 years male: 36.3 years female: 37.7 years (2009 est.) Fiji total: 25.5 years male: 25 years female: 26 years (2009 est.) Finland total: 42.1 years male: 40.5 years female: 43.7 years (2009 est.) France total: 39.4 years male: 38 years female: 40.9 years (2009 est.) French Polynesia total: 29.1 years male: 29.4 years female: 28.8 years (2009 est.) Gabon total: 18.6 years male: 18.4 years female: 18.9 years (2009 est.) Gambia, The total: 17.9 years male: 17.8 years female: 18.1 years (2009 est.) Gaza Strip total: 17.4 years male: 17.2 years female: 17.5 years (2009 est.) Georgia total: 38.6 years male: 36.1 years female: 41 years (2009 est.) Germany total: 43.8 years male: 42.6 years female: 45.2 years (2009 est.) Ghana total: 20.7 years male: 20.5 years female: 21 years (2009 est.) Gibraltar total: 40.5 years male: 39.9 years female: 41 years (2009 est.) Greece total: 41.8 years male: 40.7 years female: 42.9 years (2009 est.) Greenland total: 33.5 years male: 34.9 years female: 31.9 years (2009 est.) Grenada total: 22.8 years male: 23.3 years female: 22.3 years (2009 est.) Guam total: 29.1 years male: 28.8 years female: 29.4 years (2009 est.) Guatemala total: 19.4 years male: 18.9 years female: 20 years (2009 est.) Guernsey total: 42.5 years male: 41.4 years female: 43.4 years (2009 est.) Guinea total: 18.5 years male: 18.2 years female: 18.7 years (2009 est.) Guinea-Bissau total: 19.3 years male: 18.7 years female: 19.8 years (2009 est.) Guyana total: 28.7 years male: 28.2 years female: 29.2 years (2009 est.) Haiti total: 20.2 years male: 19.8 years female: 20.7 years (2009 est.) Honduras total: 20.3 years male: 20 years female: 20.7 years (2009 est.) Hong Kong total: 42.3 years male: 41.9 years female: 42.6 years (2009 est.) Hungary total: 39.4 years male: 37.1 years female: 42 years (2009 est.) Iceland total: 35.1 years male: 34.6 years female: 35.6 years (2009 est.) India total: 25.3 years male: 24.9 years female: 25.8 years (2009 est.) Indonesia total: 27.6 years male: 27.1 years female: 28.1 years (2009 est.) Iran total: 27 years male: 26.8 years female: 27.2 years (2009 est.) Iraq total: 20.4 years male: 20.3 years female: 20.5 years (2009 est.) Ireland total: 35 years male: 34.2 years female: 35.7 years (2009 est.) Isle of Man total: 40.2 years male: 39 years female: 41.4 years (2009 est.) Israel total: 29.1 years male: 28.4 years female: 29.8 years (2009 est.) Italy total: 43.3 years male: 41.8 years female: 44.8 years (2009 est.) Jamaica total: 23.7 years male: 23.1 years female: 24.2 years (2009 est.) Japan total: 44.2 years male: 42.4 years female: 46.1 years (2009 est.) Jersey total: 42.9 years male: 42.1 years female: 43.6 years (2009 est.) Jordan total: 24.3 years male: 25 years female: 23.6 years (2009 est.) Kazakhstan total: 29.6 years male: 28.1 years female: 31.3 years (2009 est.) Kenya total: 18.7 years male: 18.6 years female: 18.8 years (2009 est.) Kiribati total: 20.8 years male: 20.3 years female: 21.3 years (2009 est.) Korea, North total: 33.5 years male: 32.1 years female: 34.9 years (2009 est.) Korea, South total: 37.3 years male: 36 years female: 38.5 years (2009 est.) Kosovo total: 25.9 years male: 25.4 years female: 26.4 years (2009 est.) Kuwait total: 26.2 years male: 28.1 years female: 22.7 years (2009 est.) Kyrgyzstan total: 24.4 years male: 23.6 years female: 25.3 years (2009 est.) Laos total: 19.3 years male: 19 years female: 19.6 years (2009 est.) Latvia total: 40.1 years male: 37.1 years female: 43.3 years (2009 est.) Lebanon total: 29.3 years male: 28 years female: 30.5 years (2009 est.) Lesotho total: 21.4 years male: 20.9 years female: 22 years (2009 est.) Liberia total: 18 years male: 17.9 years female: 18.2 years (2009 est.) Libya total: 23.9 years male: 24 years female: 23.8 years (2009 est.) Liechtenstein total: 41 years male: 40.4 years female: 41.5 years (2009 est.) Lithuania total: 39.3 years male: 36.8 years female: 41.9 years (2009 est.) Luxembourg total: 39.2 years male: 38.2 years female: 40.2 years (2009 est.) Macau total: 35.2 years male: 35.9 years female: 34.6 years (2009 est.) Macedonia total: 35.1 years male: 34.1 years female: 36.2 years (2009 est.) Madagascar total: 18 years male: 17.8 years female: 18.2 years (2009 est.) Malawi total: 16.8 years male: 16.8 years female: 16.9 years (2009 est.) Malaysia total: 24.9 years male: 24.3 years female: 25.6 years (2009 est.) Maldives total: 25.7 years male: 26.5 years female: 24.3 years (2009 est.) Mali total: 15.8 years male: 15.5 years female: 16.2 years (2009 est.) Malta total: 39.5 years male: 38.1 years female: 40.9 years (2009 est.) Marshall Islands total: 21.2 years male: 21.3 years female: 21.2 years (2009 est.) Mauritania total: 19.2 years male: 18.3 years female: 20 years (2009 est.) Mauritius total: 31.9 years male: 31 years female: 32.7 years (2009 est.) Mayotte total: 17.2 years male: 18.1 years female: 16.4 years (2009 est.) Mexico total: 26.3 years male: 25.3 years female: 27.3 years (2009 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of total: 22 years male: 21.5 years female: 22.5 years (2009 est.) Moldova total: 34.6 years male: 32.7 years female: 36.7 years (2009 est.) Monaco total: 45.7 years male: 43.6 years female: 47.7 years (2009 est.) Mongolia total: 25.3 years male: 24.9 years female: 25.7 years (2009 est.) Montenegro total: 36.7 years male: 35.2 years female: 38.4 years (2009 est.) Montserrat total: 28.5 years male: 28.2 years female: 28.7 years (2009 est.) Morocco total: 25 years male: 24.5 years female: 25.6 years (2009 est.) Mozambique total: 17.4 years male: 17 years female: 17.8 years (2009 est.) Namibia total: 21 years male: 20.9 years female: 21.1 years (2009 est.) Nauru total: 21.6 years male: 21 years female: 22.2 years (2009 est.) Nepal total: 20.8 years male: 19.8 years female: 21.7 years (2009 est.) Netherlands total: 40.4 years male: 39.6 years female: 41.2 years (2009 est.) Netherlands Antilles total: 33.7 years male: 31.9 years female: 35.5 years (2009 est.) New Caledonia total: 28.7 years male: 28.2 years female: 29.2 years (2009 est.) New Zealand total: 36.6 years male: 35.8 years female: 37.4 years (2009 est.) Nicaragua total: 22.1 years male: 21.7 years female: 22.5 years (2009 est.) Niger total: 15.2 years male: 14.9 years female: 15.4 years (2009 est.) Nigeria total: 19 years male: 18.9 years female: 19.1 years (2009 est.) Northern Mariana Islands total: 30.1 years male: 32.1 years female: 29.2 years (2009 est.) Norway total: 39.4 years male: 38.5 years female: 40.2 years (2009 est.) Oman total: 18.8 years male: 21.1 years female: 16.7 years (2009 est.) Pakistan total: 20.8 years male: 20.6 years female: 21 years (2009 est.) Palau total: 32.2 years male: 32 years female: 32.7 years (2009 est.) Panama total: 27 years male: 26.6 years female: 27.3 years (2009 est.) Papua New Guinea total: 21.7 years male: 21.8 years female: 21.6 years (2009 est.) Paraguay total: 21.9 years male: 21.6 years female: 22.2 years (2009 est.) Peru total: 26.1 years male: 25.8 years female: 26.4 years (2009 est.) Philippines total: 22.5 years male: 22 years female: 23 years (2009 est.) Poland total: 37.9 years male: 36.1 years female: 39.7 years (2009 est.) Portugal total: 39.4 years male: 37.3 years female: 41.6 years (2009 est.) Puerto Rico total: 36.2 years male: 34.5 years female: 37.9 years (2009 est.) Qatar total: 30.8 years male: 32.8 years female: 25.4 years (2009 est.) Romania total: 37.7 years male: 36.3 years female: 39.2 years (2009 est.) Russia total: 38.4 years male: 35.2 years female: 41.6 years (2009 est.) Rwanda total: 18.7 years male: 18.5 years female: 18.9 years (2009 est.) Saint Barthelemy total: 39.1 years male: 39.3 years female: 38.9 years (2009 est.) Saint Helena total: 37.6 years male: 37.7 years female: 37.5 years (2009 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis total: 28.6 years male: 27.9 years female: 29.3 years (2009 est.) Saint Lucia total: 29.8 years male: 28.7 years female: 30.8 years (2009 est.) Saint Martin total: 30.5 years male: 29.5 years female: 31.3 years (2009 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon total: 35.2 years male: 34.6 years female: 35.7 years (2009 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines total: 28.9 years male: 29 years female: 28.9 years (2009 est.) Samoa total: 20.8 years male: 21 years female: 20.5 years (2009 est.) San Marino total: 41.5 years male: 41.1 years female: 41.9 years (2009 est.) Sao Tome and Principe total: 16.4 years male: 15.9 years female: 17 years (2009 est.) Saudi Arabia total: 21.6 years male: 22.9 years female: 19.9 years (2009 est.) Senegal total: 18.6 years male: 18.4 years female: 18.8 years (2009 est.) Serbia total: 41 years male: 39.3 years female: 42.7 years (2009 est.) Seychelles total: 31.4 years male: 30.9 years female: 32 years (2009 est.) Sierra Leone total: 17.5 years male: 17.2 years female: 17.8 years (2009 est.) Singapore total: 39 years male: 38.5 years female: 39.4 years (2009 est.) Slovakia total: 36.9 years male: 35.2 years female: 38.6 years (2009 est.) Slovenia total: 41.7 years male: 40.1 years female: 43.3 years (2009 est.) Solomon Islands total: 19.7 years male: 19.5 years female: 19.8 years (2009 est.) Somalia total: 17.5 years male: 17.4 years female: 17.6 years (2009 est.) South Africa total: 24.4 years male: 24.1 years female: 24.8 years (2009 est.) Spain total: 41.1 years male: 39.7 years female: 42.5 years (2009 est.) Sri Lanka total: 30.9 years male: 29.9 years female: 31.8 years (2009 est.) Sudan total: 19.1 years male: 18.9 years female: 19.2 years (2009 est.) Suriname total: 27.9 years male: 27.5 years female: 28.3 years (2009 est.) Swaziland total: 18.8 years male: 18.2 years female: 19.5 years (2009 est.) Sweden total: 41.5 years male: 40.4 years female: 42.6 years (2009 est.) Switzerland total: 41 years male: 40 years female: 42 years (2009 est.) Syria total: 21.7 years male: 21.6 years female: 21.9 years (2009 est.) Taiwan total: 36.5 years male: 35.9 years female: 37.1 years (2009 est.) Tajikistan total: 21.9 years male: 21.5 years female: 22.4 years (2009 est.) Tanzania total: 18 years male: 17.8 years female: 18.3 years (2009 est.) Thailand total: 33.3 years male: 32.4 years female: 34.2 years (2009 est.) Timor-Leste total: 21.8 years male: 21.8 years female: 21.8 years (2009 est.) Togo total: 18.7 years male: 18.3 years female: 19.2 years (2009 est.) Tonga total: 22.3 years male: 21.8 years female: 22.8 years (2009 est.) Trinidad and Tobago total: 32.1 years male: 31.6 years female: 32.7 years (2009 est.) Tunisia total: 29.2 years male: 28.7 years female: 29.8 years (2009 est.) Turkey total: 27.7 years male: 27.4 years female: 28.1 years (2009 est.) Turkmenistan total: 24.4 years male: 24.1 years female: 24.8 years (2009 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands total: 27.9 years male: 28.7 years female: 27.2 years (2009 est.) Tuvalu total: 25.4 years male: 24.4 years female: 26.6 years (2009 est.) Uganda total: 15 years male: 14.9 years female: 15.1 years (2009 est.) Ukraine total: 39.5 years male: 36.3 years female: 42.7 years (2009 est.) United Arab Emirates total: 30.1 years male: 32 years female: 24.7 years (2009 est.) United Kingdom total: 40.2 years male: 39.1 years female: 41.3 years (2009 est.) United States total: 36.7 years male: 35.4 years female: 38 years (2009 est.) Uruguay total: 33.4 years male: 32 years female: 34.8 years (2009 est.) Uzbekistan total: 24.7 years male: 24.2 years female: 25.2 years (2009 est.) Vanuatu total: 24.2 years male: 24.2 years female: 24.2 years (2009 est.) Venezuela total: 25.5 years male: 24.8 years female: 26.2 years (2009 est.) Vietnam total: 27.4 years male: 26.4 years female: 28.5 years (2009 est.) Virgin Islands total: 39.1 years male: 38.6 years female: 39.6 years (2009 est.) Wallis and Futuna total: 27.2 years male: 26.1 years female: 28.5 years (2009 est.) West Bank total: 20.5 years male: 20.4 years female: 20.8 years (2009 est.) Western Sahara total: 17.3 years male: 16.8 years female: 17.8 years (2009 est.) World total: 28.4 years male: 27.7 years female: 29 years (2009 est.) Yemen total: 16.8 years male: 16.7 years female: 16.8 years (2009 est.) Zambia total: 17 years male: 16.9 years female: 17.2 years (2009 est.) Zimbabwe total: 17.6 years male: 16.3 years female: 18.8 years (2009 est.) ====================================================================== @2178 Field Listing :: Oil - proved reserves This entry is the stock of proved reserves of crude oil in barrels (bbl). Proved reserves are those quantities of petroleum which, by analysis of geological and engineering data, can be estimated with a high degree of confidence to be commercially recoverable from a given date forward, from known reservoirs and under current economic conditions. Country Comparison to the World Country Oil - proved reserves(bbl) Afghanistan 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Albania 199.1 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Algeria 12.2 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) American Samoa 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Angola 9.04 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Antigua and Barbuda 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Argentina 2.616 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Armenia 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Aruba 0 bbl Australia 1.5 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Austria 50 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Azerbaijan 7 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Bahamas, The 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Bahrain 124.6 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Bangladesh 28 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Barbados 2.17 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Belarus 198 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Belgium 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Belize 6.7 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Benin 8 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Bermuda 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Bhutan 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Bolivia 465 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Botswana 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Brazil 12.62 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) British Virgin Islands 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Brunei 1.1 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Bulgaria 15 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Burkina Faso 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Burma 50 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Burundi 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Cambodia 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Cameroon 200 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Canada 178.1 billion bbl note: includes oil sands (1 January 2009 est.) Cape Verde 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Cayman Islands 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Central African Republic 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Chad 1.5 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Chile 150 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) China 16 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Colombia 1.355 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Comoros 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 180 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Congo, Republic of the 1.6 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Cook Islands 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Costa Rica 0 bbl Cote d'Ivoire 100 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Croatia 79.3 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Cuba 124 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Cyprus 0 bbl Czech Republic 15 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Denmark 1.06 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Djibouti 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Dominica 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Dominican Republic 0 bbl Ecuador 4.66 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Egypt 3.7 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) El Salvador 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Equatorial Guinea 1.1 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Eritrea 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Estonia 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Ethiopia 430,000 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) European Union 5.718 billion bbl (1 January 2008) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Faroe Islands 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Fiji 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Finland 0 bbl France 103.3 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) French Polynesia 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Gabon 2 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Gambia, The 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Gaza Strip NA bbl Georgia 35 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Germany 276 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Ghana 15 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Gibraltar 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Greece 10 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Greenland 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Grenada 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Guam 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Guatemala 83.07 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Guinea 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Guinea-Bissau 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Guyana 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Haiti 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Honduras 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Hong Kong 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Hungary 20.18 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Iceland 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) India 5.625 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Indonesia 3.99 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Iran 136.2 billion bbl based on Iranian claims (1 January 2009 est.) Iraq 115 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Ireland 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Israel 1.94 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Italy 406.5 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Jamaica 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Japan 44.12 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Jordan 1 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Kazakhstan 30 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Kenya 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Kiribati 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Korea, North 0 bbl Korea, South 0 bbl Kosovo NA bbl Kuwait 104 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Kyrgyzstan 40 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Laos 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Latvia 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Lebanon 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Lesotho 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Liberia 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Libya 43.66 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Lithuania 12 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Luxembourg 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Macau 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Macedonia 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Madagascar 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Malawi 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Malaysia 4 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Maldives 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Mali 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Malta 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Mauritania 100 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Mauritius 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Mexico 10.5 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Moldova 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Mongolia 0 bbl Montenegro 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Montserrat 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Morocco 750,000 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Mozambique 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Namibia 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Nauru 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Nepal 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Netherlands 100 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Netherlands Antilles 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) New Caledonia 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) New Zealand 60 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Nicaragua 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Niger 0 bbl Nigeria 36.22 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Niue 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Norway 6.68 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Oman 5.5 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Pakistan 339 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Panama 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Papua New Guinea 88 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Paraguay 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Peru 415.8 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Philippines 138.5 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Poland 96.38 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Portugal 0 bbl Puerto Rico 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Qatar 15.21 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Romania 600 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Russia 60 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Rwanda 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Saint Helena 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Saint Lucia 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Samoa 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Sao Tome and Principe 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Saudi Arabia 266.7 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Senegal 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Serbia 77.5 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Seychelles 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Sierra Leone 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Singapore 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Slovakia 9 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Slovenia 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Solomon Islands 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Somalia 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) South Africa 15 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Spain 150 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Sri Lanka 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Sudan 5 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Suriname 79.6 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Swaziland 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Sweden 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Switzerland 0 bbl Syria 2.5 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Taiwan 2.38 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Tajikistan 12 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Tanzania 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Thailand 441 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Timor-Leste 553.8 million bbl (1 January 2008) Togo 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Tonga 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Trinidad and Tobago 728.3 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Tunisia 425 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Turkey 300 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Turkmenistan 600 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Uganda 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Ukraine 395 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) United Arab Emirates 97.8 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) United Kingdom 3.41 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) United States 21.32 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Uruguay 0 bbl Uzbekistan 594 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Vanuatu 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Venezuela 99.38 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Vietnam 600 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Virgin Islands 0 bbl West Bank NA bbl Western Sahara 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) World 1.343 trillion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Yemen 3 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Zambia 0 bbl Zimbabwe 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) ====================================================================== @2179 Field Listing :: Natural gas - proved reserves This entry is the stock of proved reserves of natural gas in cubic meters (cu m). Proved reserves are those quantities of natural gas, which, by analysis of geological and engineering data, can be estimated with a high degree of confidence to be commercially recoverable from a given date forward, from known reservoirs and under current economic conditions. Country Comparison to the World Country Natural gas - proved reserves(cu m) Afghanistan 49.55 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Albania 849.5 million cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Algeria 4.502 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) American Samoa 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Angola 269.8 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Antigua and Barbuda 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Argentina 441.7 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Armenia 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Aruba 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Australia 849.5 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Austria 16.14 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Azerbaijan 849.5 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Bahamas, The 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Bahrain 92.03 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Bangladesh 141.6 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Barbados 141.6 million cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Belarus 2.832 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Belgium 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Belize 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Benin 1.133 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Bermuda 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Bhutan 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Bolivia 750.4 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Botswana 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Brazil 365 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) British Virgin Islands 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Brunei 390.8 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Bulgaria 5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Burkina Faso 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Burma 283.2 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Burundi 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Cambodia 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Cameroon 135.1 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Canada 1.64 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Cape Verde 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Cayman Islands 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Central African Republic 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Chad 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Chile 97.97 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) China 2.265 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Colombia 105.9 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Comoros 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 991.1 million cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Congo, Republic of the 90.61 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Cook Islands 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Costa Rica 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Cote d'Ivoire 28.32 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Croatia 30.58 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Cuba 70.79 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Cyprus 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Czech Republic 3.964 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Denmark 61.3 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Djibouti 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Dominica 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Dominican Republic 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Ecuador 8.919 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Egypt 1.656 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) El Salvador 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Equatorial Guinea 36.81 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Eritrea 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Estonia 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Ethiopia 24.92 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) European Union 2.318 trillion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Faroe Islands 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Fiji 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Finland 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) France 6.937 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) French Polynesia 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Gabon 28.32 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Gambia, The 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Georgia 8.495 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Germany 175.6 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Ghana 22.65 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Gibraltar 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Greece 1.982 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Greenland 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Grenada 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Guam 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Guatemala 2.96 billion cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Guinea 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Guinea-Bissau 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Guyana 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Haiti 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Honduras 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Hong Kong 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Hungary 8.098 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Iceland 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) India 1.075 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Indonesia 3.001 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Iran 28.08 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Iraq 3.17 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Ireland 9.911 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Israel 30.44 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Italy 94.15 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Jamaica 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Japan 20.9 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Jordan 6.031 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Kazakhstan 2.407 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Kenya 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Kiribati 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Korea, North 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Korea, South 50 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Kosovo NA cu m Kuwait 1.794 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Kyrgyzstan 5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Laos 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Lebanon 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Lesotho 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Liberia 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Libya 1.54 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Lithuania 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Luxembourg 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Macau 300,000 cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Macedonia 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Madagascar 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Malawi 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Malaysia 2.35 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Maldives 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Mali 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Malta 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Mauritania 28.32 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Mauritius 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Mexico 372.7 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Moldova 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Mongolia 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Montserrat 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Morocco 1.501 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Mozambique 127.4 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Namibia 62.29 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Nauru 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Nepal 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Netherlands 1.416 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Netherlands Antilles 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) New Caledonia 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) New Zealand 33.98 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Nicaragua 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Niger 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Nigeria 5.215 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Niue 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Norway 2.313 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Oman 849.5 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Pakistan 885.3 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Panama 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Papua New Guinea 226.5 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Paraguay 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Peru 335.3 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Philippines 98.54 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Poland 164.8 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Portugal 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Puerto Rico 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Qatar 25.26 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Romania 63 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Russia 47.57 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Rwanda 56.63 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Saint Helena 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Saint Lucia 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Samoa 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Sao Tome and Principe 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Saudi Arabia 7.319 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Senegal 0 cu m Serbia 48.14 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Seychelles 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Sierra Leone 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Singapore 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Slovakia 14.16 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Slovenia 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Solomon Islands 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Somalia 5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) South Africa 27.16 million cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Spain 2.548 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Sri Lanka 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Sudan 84.95 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Suriname 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Swaziland 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Sweden 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Switzerland 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Syria 240.7 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Taiwan 6.229 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Tajikistan 5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Tanzania 6.513 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Thailand 317.1 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Timor-Leste 200 billion cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Togo 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Tonga 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Trinidad and Tobago 531.5 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Tunisia 65.13 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Turkey 8.495 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Turkmenistan 2.662 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Uganda 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Ukraine 1.104 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) United Arab Emirates 6.071 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) United Kingdom 342.9 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) United States 6.731 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Uruguay 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Uzbekistan 1.841 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Vanuatu 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Venezuela 4.84 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Vietnam 192.5 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Virgin Islands 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Western Sahara 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) World 177.4 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Yemen 478.5 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Zambia 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Zimbabwe 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) ====================================================================== @2180 Field Listing :: Natural gas - production This entry is the total natural gas produced in cubic meters (cu m). The discrepancy between the amount of natural gas produced and/or imported and the amount consumed and/or exported is due to the omission of stock changes and other complicating factors. Country Comparison to the World Country Natural gas - production(cu m) Afghanistan 30 million cu m (2008 est.) Albania 30 million cu m (2008 est.) Algeria 86.5 billion cu m (2008 est.) American Samoa 0 cu m (2008 est.) Angola 680 million cu m (2008 est.) Antigua and Barbuda 0 cu m (2008 est.) Argentina 44.06 billion cu m (2008 est.) Armenia 0 cu m (2008 est.) Aruba 0 cu m (2008 est.) Australia 45.22 billion cu m (2008 est.) Austria 1.532 billion cu m (2008 est.) Azerbaijan 16.2 billion cu m (2008 est.) Bahamas, The 0 cu m (2008 est.) Bahrain 12.64 billion cu m (2008 est.) Bangladesh 17.9 billion cu m (2008 est.) Barbados 29.17 million cu m (2008 est.) Belarus 152 million cu m (2008 est.) Belgium 0 cu m (2008 est.) Belize 0 cu m (2008 est.) Benin 0 cu m (2008 est.) Bermuda 0 cu m (2008 est.) Bhutan 0 cu m (2008 est.) Bolivia 14.2 billion cu m (2008 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina 0 cu m (2008 est.) Botswana 0 cu m (2008 est.) Brazil 12.62 billion cu m (2008 est.) British Virgin Islands 0 cu m (2008 est.) Brunei 13.4 billion cu m (2008 est.) Bulgaria 300 million cu m (2008 est.) Burkina Faso 0 cu m (2008 est.) Burma 12.4 billion cu m (2008 est.) Burundi 0 cu m (2008 est.) Cambodia 0 cu m (2008 est.) Cameroon 20 million cu m (2008 est.) Canada 170.9 billion cu m (2008 est.) Cape Verde 0 cu m (2008 est.) Cayman Islands 0 cu m (2008 est.) Central African Republic 0 cu m (2008 est.) Chad 0 cu m (2008 est.) Chile 1.65 billion cu m (2008 est.) China 76.04 billion cu m (2008 est.) Colombia 9 billion cu m (2008 est.) Comoros 0 cu m (2008 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 0 cu m (2008 est.) Congo, Republic of the 180 million cu m (2008 est.) Cook Islands 0 cu m (2008 est.) Costa Rica 0 cu m (2008 est.) Cote d'Ivoire 1.3 billion cu m (2008 est.) Croatia 1.58 billion cu m (2008 est.) Cuba 400 million cu m (2008 est.) Cyprus 0 cu m (2008 est.) Czech Republic 192 million cu m (2008 est.) Denmark 10.09 billion cu m (2008 est.) Djibouti 0 cu m (2008 est.) Dominica 0 cu m (2008 est.) Dominican Republic 0 cu m (2008 est.) Ecuador 260 million cu m (2008 est.) Egypt 48.3 billion cu m (2008 est.) El Salvador 0 cu m (2008 est.) Equatorial Guinea 6.67 billion cu m (2008 est.) Eritrea 0 cu m (2008 est.) Estonia 0 cu m (2008 est.) Ethiopia 0 cu m (2008 est.) European Union 201.9 billion cu m (2007 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 0 cu m (2008 est.) Faroe Islands 0 cu m (2008 est.) Fiji 0 cu m (2008 est.) Finland 0 cu m (2008 est.) France 920 million cu m (2008 est.) French Polynesia 0 cu m (2008 est.) Gabon 90 million cu m (2008 est.) Gambia, The 0 cu m (2008 est.) Georgia 8 million cu m (2008 est.) Germany 16.36 billion cu m (2008 est.) Ghana 0 cu m (2008 est.) Gibraltar 0 cu m (2008 est.) Greece 14 million cu m (2008 est.) Greenland 0 cu m (2008 est.) Grenada 0 cu m (2008 est.) Guam 0 cu m (2008 est.) Guatemala 0 cu m (2008 est.) Guinea 0 cu m (2008 est.) Guinea-Bissau 0 cu m (2008 est.) Guyana 0 cu m (2008 est.) Haiti 0 cu m (2008 est.) Honduras 0 cu m (2008 est.) Hong Kong 0 cu m (2008 est.) Hungary 2.643 billion cu m (2008 est.) Iceland 0 cu m (2008 est.) India 32.2 billion cu m (2008 est.) Indonesia 70 billion cu m (2008 est.) Iran 116.3 billion cu m (2008 est.) Iraq 1.88 billion cu m (2008 est.) Ireland 438 million cu m (2008 est.) Israel 1.19 billion cu m (2008 est.) Italy 9.255 billion cu m (2008 est.) Jamaica 0 cu m (2008 est.) Japan 5.36 billion cu m (2008 est.) Jordan 250 million cu m (2008 est.) Kazakhstan 33.38 billion cu m (2008 est.) Kenya 0 cu m (2008 est.) Kiribati 0 cu m (2008 est.) Korea, North 0 cu m (2008 est.) Korea, South 443 million cu m (2008 est.) Kosovo 0 cu m (2007) Kuwait 12.7 billion cu m (2008 est.) Kyrgyzstan 30 million cu m (2008 est.) Laos 0 cu m (2008 est.) Latvia 0 cu m (2008 est.) Lebanon 0 cu m (2008 est.) Lesotho 0 cu m (2008 est.) Liberia 0 cu m (2008 est.) Libya 15.9 billion cu m (2008 est.) Lithuania 0 cu m (2008 est.) Luxembourg 0 cu m (2008 est.) Macau 0 cu m (2008 est.) Macedonia 0 cu m (2008 est.) Madagascar 0 cu m (2008 est.) Malawi 0 cu m (2008 est.) Malaysia 57.3 billion cu m (2008 est.) Maldives 0 cu m (2008 est.) Mali 0 cu m (2008 est.) Malta 0 cu m (2008 est.) Mauritania 0 cu m (2008 est.) Mauritius 0 cu m (2008 est.) Mexico 52.15 billion cu m (2008 est.) Moldova 50 million cu m (2007 est.) Mongolia 0 cu m (2008 est.) Montserrat 0 cu m (2008 est.) Morocco 60 million cu m (2008 est.) Mozambique 3.3 billion cu m (2008 est.) Namibia 0 cu m (2008 est.) Nauru 0 cu m (2008 est.) Nepal 0 cu m (2008 est.) Netherlands 84.69 billion cu m (2008 est.) Netherlands Antilles 0 cu m (2008 est.) New Caledonia 0 cu m (2008 est.) New Zealand 4.275 billion cu m (2008 est.) Nicaragua 0 cu m (2008 est.) Niger 0 cu m (2008 est.) Nigeria 32.82 billion cu m (2008 est.) Niue 0 cu m (2008 est.) Norway 99.2 billion cu m (2008 est.) Oman 24 billion cu m (2008 est.) Pakistan 37.5 billion cu m (2008 est.) Panama 0 cu m (2008 est.) Papua New Guinea 100 million cu m (2008 est.) Paraguay 0 cu m (2008 est.) Peru 3.39 billion cu m (2008 est.) Philippines 2.94 billion cu m (2008 est.) Poland 5.719 billion cu m (2008 est.) Portugal 0 cu m (2008 est.) Puerto Rico 0 cu m (2008 est.) Qatar 76.98 billion cu m (2008 est.) Romania 11.42 billion cu m (2008 est.) Russia 662.2 billion cu m (2008 est.) Rwanda 0 cu m (2008 est.) Saint Helena 0 cu m (2008 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis 0 cu m (2008 est.) Saint Lucia 0 cu m (2008 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0 cu m (2008 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0 cu m (2008 est.) Samoa 0 cu m (2008 est.) Sao Tome and Principe 0 cu m (2008 est.) Saudi Arabia 80.44 billion cu m (2008 est.) Senegal 50 million cu m (2008 est.) Serbia 650 million cu m (2005 est.) Seychelles 0 cu m (2008 est.) Sierra Leone 0 cu m (2008 est.) Singapore 0 cu m (2008 est.) Slovakia 102 million cu m (2008 est.) Slovenia 0 cu m (2008 est.) Solomon Islands 0 cu m (2008 est.) Somalia 0 cu m (2008 est.) South Africa 3.25 billion cu m (2008 est.) Spain 17 million cu m (2008 est.) Sri Lanka 0 cu m (2008 est.) Sudan 0 cu m (2008 est.) Suriname 0 cu m (2008 est.) Swaziland 0 cu m (2008 est.) Sweden 0 cu m (2008 est.) Switzerland 0 cu m (2008 est.) Syria 6.04 billion cu m (2008 est.) Taiwan 360 million cu m (2008 est.) Tajikistan 15.3 million cu m (2008 est.) Tanzania 560.7 million cu m (2008 est.) Thailand 28.76 billion cu m (2008 est.) Timor-Leste 0 cu m (2008 est.) Togo 0 cu m (2008 est.) Tonga 0 cu m (2008 est.) Trinidad and Tobago 39.3 billion cu m (2008 est.) Tunisia 2.97 billion cu m (2008 est.) Turkey 1.013 billion cu m (2008 est.) Turkmenistan 70.5 billion cu m (2008 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands 0 cu m (2008 est.) Uganda 0 cu m (2008 est.) Ukraine 19.8 billion cu m (2008 est.) United Arab Emirates 50.24 billion cu m (2008 est.) United Kingdom 69.9 billion cu m (2008 est.) United States 582.2 billion cu m (2008 est.) Uruguay 0 cu m (2008 est.) Uzbekistan 67.6 billion cu m (2008 est.) Vanuatu 0 cu m (2008 est.) Venezuela 24.01 billion cu m (2008 est.) Vietnam 6.6 billion cu m (2008 est.) Virgin Islands 0 cu m (2008 est.) Western Sahara 0 cu m (2008 est.) World 3.137 trillion cu m (2008 est.) Yemen 0 cu m (2008 est.) Zambia 0 cu m (2008 est.) Zimbabwe 0 cu m (2008 est.) ====================================================================== @2181 Field Listing :: Natural gas - consumption This entry is the total natural gas consumed in cubic meters (cu m). The discrepancy between the amount of natural gas produced and/or imported and the amount consumed and/or exported is due to the omission of stock changes and other complicating factors. Country Comparison to the World Country Natural gas - consumption(cu m) Afghanistan 30 million cu m (2008 est.) Albania 30 million cu m (2008 est.) Algeria 26.83 billion cu m (2008 est.) American Samoa 0 cu m (2008 est.) Angola 680 million cu m (2008 est.) Antigua and Barbuda 0 cu m (2008 est.) Argentina 44.47 billion cu m (2008 est.) Armenia 1.93 billion cu m (2008 est.) Aruba 0 cu m (2008 est.) Australia 34.2 billion cu m (2008 est.) Austria 8.65 billion cu m (2008 est.) Azerbaijan 10.64 billion cu m (2008 est.) Bahamas, The 0 cu m (2008 est.) Bahrain 12.64 billion cu m (2008 est.) Bangladesh 17.9 billion cu m (2008 est.) Barbados 29.17 million cu m (2008 est.) Belarus 21.75 billion cu m (2008 est.) Belgium 17.33 billion cu m (2008 est.) Belize 0 cu m (2008 est.) Benin 0 cu m (2008 est.) Bermuda 0 cu m (2008 est.) Bhutan 0 cu m (2008 est.) Bolivia 2.41 billion cu m (2008 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina 310 million cu m (2008 est.) Botswana 0 cu m (2008 est.) Brazil 23.65 billion cu m (2008 est.) British Virgin Islands 0 cu m (2008 est.) Brunei 4.2 billion cu m (2008 est.) Bulgaria 3.4 billion cu m (2008 est.) Burkina Faso 0 cu m (2008 est.) Burma 3.85 billion cu m (2008 est.) Burundi 0 cu m (2008 est.) Cambodia 0 cu m (2008 est.) Cameroon 20 million cu m (2008 est.) Canada 82.93 billion cu m (2008 est.) Cape Verde 0 cu m (2008 est.) Cayman Islands 0 cu m (2008 est.) Central African Republic 0 cu m (2008 est.) Chad 0 cu m (2008 est.) Chile 2.34 billion cu m (2008 est.) China 77.18 billion cu m (2008 est.) Colombia 8.1 billion cu m (2008 est.) Comoros 0 cu m (2008 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 0 cu m (2008 est.) Congo, Republic of the 180 million cu m (2008 est.) Cook Islands 0 cu m (2008 est.) Costa Rica 0 cu m (2008 est.) Cote d'Ivoire 1.3 billion cu m (2008 est.) Croatia 2.84 billion cu m (2008 est.) Cuba 400 million cu m (2008 est.) Cyprus 0 cu m (2008 est.) Czech Republic 8.719 billion cu m (2008 est.) Denmark 4.59 billion cu m (2008 est.) Djibouti 0 cu m (2008 est.) Dominica 0 cu m (2008 est.) Dominican Republic 470 million cu m (2008 est.) Ecuador 260 million cu m (2008 est.) Egypt 31.38 billion cu m (2008 est.) El Salvador 0 cu m (2008 est.) Equatorial Guinea 1.5 billion cu m (2008 est.) Eritrea 0 cu m (2008 est.) Estonia 1.51 billion cu m (2008 est.) Ethiopia 0 cu m (2008 est.) European Union 516.9 billion cu m (2007 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 0 cu m (2008 est.) Faroe Islands 0 cu m (2008 est.) Fiji 0 cu m (2008 est.) Finland 4.735 billion cu m (2008 est.) France 49.27 billion cu m (2008 est.) French Polynesia 0 cu m (2008 est.) Gabon 90 million cu m (2008 est.) Gambia, The 0 cu m (2008 est.) Georgia 1.73 billion cu m (2008 est.) Germany 95.79 billion cu m (2008 est.) Ghana 0 cu m (2008 est.) Gibraltar 0 cu m (2008 est.) Greece 4.206 billion cu m (2008 est.) Greenland 0 cu m (2008 est.) Grenada 0 cu m (2008 est.) Guam 0 cu m (2008 est.) Guatemala 0 cu m (2008 est.) Guinea 0 cu m (2008 est.) Guinea-Bissau 0 cu m (2008 est.) Guyana 0 cu m (2008 est.) Haiti 0 cu m (2008 est.) Honduras 0 cu m (2008 est.) Hong Kong 3.36 billion cu m (2008 est.) Hungary 13.17 billion cu m (2008 est.) Iceland 0 cu m (2008 est.) India 42.99 billion cu m (2008 est.) Indonesia 36.5 billion cu m (2008 est.) Iran 119 billion cu m (2008 est.) Iraq 9.454 billion cu m note: 1.48 billion cu m were flared (2008 est.) Ireland 5.217 billion cu m (2008 est.) Israel 1.19 billion cu m (2008 est.) Italy 84.88 billion cu m (2008 est.) Jamaica 0 cu m (2008 est.) Japan 101.1 billion cu m (2008 est.) Jordan 2.97 billion cu m (2008 est.) Kazakhstan 33.68 billion cu m (2008 est.) Kenya 0 cu m (2008 est.) Kiribati 0 cu m (2008 est.) Korea, North 0 cu m (2008 est.) Korea, South 34.76 billion cu m (2008 est.) Kosovo 0 cu m (2007) Kuwait 12.7 billion cu m (2008 est.) Kyrgyzstan 750 million cu m (2008 est.) Laos 0 cu m (2008 est.) Latvia 2.05 billion cu m (2008 est.) Lebanon 0 cu m (2008 est.) Lesotho 0 cu m (2008 est.) Liberia 0 cu m (2008 est.) Libya 5.5 billion cu m (2008 est.) Lithuania 3.53 billion cu m (2008 est.) Luxembourg 1.255 billion cu m (2008 est.) Macau 81.6 million cu m (2008 est.) Macedonia 70 million cu m (2008 est.) Madagascar 0 cu m (2008 est.) Malawi 0 cu m (2008 est.) Malaysia 26.27 billion cu m (2008 est.) Maldives 0 cu m (2008 est.) Mali 0 cu m (2008 est.) Malta 0 cu m (2008 est.) Mauritania 0 cu m (2008 est.) Mauritius 0 cu m (2008 est.) Mexico 66.88 billion cu m (2008 est.) Moldova 2.52 billion cu m (2008 est.) Mongolia 0 cu m (2008 est.) Montenegro NA cu m Montserrat 0 cu m (2008 est.) Morocco 560 million cu m (2008 est.) Mozambique 100 million cu m (2008 est.) Namibia 0 cu m (2008 est.) Nauru 0 cu m (2008 est.) Nepal 0 cu m (2008 est.) Netherlands 48.34 billion cu m (2008 est.) Netherlands Antilles 0 cu m (2008 est.) New Caledonia 0 cu m (2008 est.) New Zealand 4.276 billion cu m (2008 est.) Nicaragua 0 cu m (2008 est.) Niger 0 cu m (2008 est.) Nigeria 12.28 billion cu m (2008 est.) Niue 0 cu m (2008 est.) Norway 3.97 billion cu m (2008 est.) Oman 13.46 billion cu m (2008 est.) Pakistan 37.5 billion cu m (2008 est.) Panama 0 cu m (2008 est.) Papua New Guinea 100 million cu m (2008 est.) Paraguay 0 cu m (2008 est.) Peru 3.39 billion cu m (2008 est.) Philippines 2.94 billion cu m (2008 est.) Poland 16.55 billion cu m (2008 est.) Portugal 4.754 billion cu m (2008 est.) Puerto Rico 806.6 million cu m (2008 est.) Qatar 20.2 billion cu m (2008 est.) Romania 16.92 billion cu m (2008 est.) Russia 475.7 billion cu m (2008 est.) Rwanda 0 cu m (2008 est.) Saint Helena 0 cu m (2008 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis 0 cu m (2008 est.) Saint Lucia 0 cu m (2008 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0 cu m (2008 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0 cu m (2008 est.) Samoa 0 cu m (2008 est.) Sao Tome and Principe 0 cu m (2008 est.) Saudi Arabia 80.44 billion cu m (2008 est.) Senegal 50 million cu m (2008 est.) Serbia 2.55 billion cu m (2005 est.) Seychelles 0 cu m (2008 est.) Sierra Leone 0 cu m (2008 est.) Singapore 8.27 billion cu m (2008 est.) Slovakia 6.308 billion cu m (2008 est.) Slovenia 1 billion cu m (2008 est.) Solomon Islands 0 cu m (2008 est.) Somalia 0 cu m (2008 est.) South Africa 6.45 billion cu m (2008 est.) Spain 38.18 billion cu m (2008 est.) Sri Lanka 0 cu m (2008 est.) Sudan 0 cu m (2008 est.) Suriname 0 cu m (2008 est.) Swaziland 0 cu m (2008 est.) Sweden 913 million cu m (2008 est.) Switzerland 3.429 billion cu m (2008 est.) Syria 6.18 billion cu m (2008 est.) Taiwan 12.44 billion cu m (2008 est.) Tajikistan 515.3 million cu m (2008 est.) Tanzania 560.7 million cu m (2008 est.) Thailand 37.31 billion cu m (2008 est.) Timor-Leste 0 cu m (2008 est.) Togo 0 cu m (2008 est.) Tonga 0 cu m (2008 est.) Trinidad and Tobago 21.94 billion cu m (2008 est.) Tunisia 4.22 billion cu m (2008 est.) Turkey 37.18 billion cu m (2008 est.) Turkmenistan 21 billion cu m (2008 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands 0 cu m (2008 est.) Uganda 0 cu m (2008 est.) Ukraine 84 billion cu m (2008 est.) United Arab Emirates 59.42 billion cu m (2008 est.) United Kingdom 95.94 billion cu m (2008 est.) United States 657.2 billion cu m (2008 est.) Uruguay 70 million cu m (2008 est.) Uzbekistan 52.6 billion cu m (2008 est.) Vanuatu 0 cu m (2008 est.) Venezuela 25.51 billion cu m (2008 est.) Vietnam 6.6 billion cu m (2008 est.) Virgin Islands 0 cu m (2008 est.) Western Sahara 0 cu m (2008 est.) World 3.159 trillion cu m (2008 est.) Yemen 0 cu m (2008 est.) Zambia 0 cu m (2008 est.) Zimbabwe 0 cu m (2008 est.) ====================================================================== @2182 Field Listing :: Natural gas - imports This entry is the total natural gas imported in cubic meters (cu m). Country Comparison to the World Country Natural gas - imports(cu m) Afghanistan 0 cu m (2008 est.) Albania 0 cu m (2008 est.) Algeria 0 cu m (2008 est.) American Samoa 0 cu m (2008 est.) Angola 0 cu m (2008 est.) Antigua and Barbuda 0 cu m (2008 est.) Argentina 1.3 billion cu m (2008 est.) Armenia 1.93 billion cu m (2008 est.) Aruba 0 cu m (2008 est.) Australia 5.377 billion cu m (2008 est.) Austria 10.05 billion cu m (2008 est.) Azerbaijan 0 cu m (2008 est.) Bahamas, The 0 cu m (2008 est.) Bahrain 0 cu m (2008 est.) Bangladesh 0 cu m (2008 est.) Barbados 0 cu m (2008 est.) Belarus 21.6 billion cu m (2008 est.) Belgium 17.42 billion cu m (2008 est.) Belize 0 cu m (2008 est.) Benin 0 cu m (2008 est.) Bermuda 0 cu m (2008 est.) Bhutan 0 cu m (2008 est.) Bolivia 0 cu m (2008 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina 310 million cu m Botswana 0 cu m (2008 est.) Brazil 11.03 billion cu m (2008 est.) British Virgin Islands 0 cu m (2008 est.) Brunei 0 cu m (2008 est.) Bulgaria 3.1 billion cu m (2008 est.) Burkina Faso 0 cu m (2008 est.) Burma 0 cu m (2008 est.) Burundi 0 cu m (2008 est.) Cambodia 0 cu m (2008 est.) Cameroon 0 cu m (2008 est.) Canada 14.84 billion cu m (2008 est.) Cape Verde 0 cu m (2008 est.) Cayman Islands 0 cu m (2008 est.) Central African Republic 0 cu m (2008 est.) Chad 0 cu m (2008 est.) Chile 690 million cu m (2008 est.) China 4.5 billion cu m (2008 est.) Colombia 0 cu m (2008 est.) Comoros 0 cu m (2008 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 0 cu m (2008 est.) Congo, Republic of the 0 cu m (2008 est.) Cook Islands 0 cu m (2008 est.) Costa Rica 0 cu m (2008 est.) Cote d'Ivoire 0 cu m (2008 est.) Croatia 1.26 billion cu m (2008 est.) Cuba 0 cu m (2008 est.) Cyprus 0 cu m (2008 est.) Czech Republic 9.573 billion cu m (2008 est.) Denmark 0 cu m (2008 est.) Djibouti 0 cu m (2008 est.) Dominica 0 cu m (2008 est.) Dominican Republic 470 million cu m (2008 est.) Ecuador 0 cu m (2008 est.) Egypt 0 cu m (2008 est.) El Salvador 0 cu m (2008 est.) Equatorial Guinea 0 cu m (2008 est.) Eritrea 0 cu m (2008 est.) Estonia 1.51 billion cu m (2008 est.) Ethiopia 0 cu m (2008 est.) European Union NA cu m Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 0 cu m (2008 est.) Faroe Islands 0 cu m (2008 est.) Fiji 0 cu m (2008 est.) Finland 4.739 billion cu m (2008 est.) France 49.35 billion cu m (2008 est.) French Polynesia 0 cu m (2008 est.) Gabon 0 cu m (2008 est.) Gambia, The 0 cu m (2008 est.) Georgia 1.72 billion cu m (2008 est.) Germany 91.99 billion cu m (2008 est.) Ghana 0 cu m (2008 est.) Gibraltar 0 cu m (2008 est.) Greece 4.205 billion cu m (2008 est.) Greenland 0 cu m (2008 est.) Grenada 0 cu m (2008 est.) Guam 0 cu m (2008 est.) Guatemala 0 cu m (2008 est.) Guinea 0 cu m (2008 est.) Guinea-Bissau 0 cu m (2008 est.) Guyana 0 cu m (2008 est.) Haiti 0 cu m (2008 est.) Honduras 0 cu m (2008 est.) Hong Kong 3.36 billion cu m (2008 est.) Hungary 11.47 billion cu m (2008 est.) Iceland 0 cu m (2008 est.) India 10.79 billion cu m (2008 est.) Indonesia 0 cu m (2008 est.) Iran 6.9 billion cu m (2008 est.) Iraq 0 cu m (2008 est.) Ireland 4.798 billion cu m (2008 est.) Israel 0 cu m (2008 est.) Italy 76.86 billion cu m (2008 est.) Jamaica 0 cu m (2008 est.) Japan 95.39 billion cu m (2008 est.) Jordan 2.72 billion cu m (2008 est.) Kazakhstan 9.517 billion cu m (2008 est.) Kenya 0 cu m (2008 est.) Kiribati 0 cu m (2008 est.) Korea, North 0 cu m (2008 est.) Korea, South 36.21 billion cu m (2008 est.) Kuwait 0 cu m (2008 est.) Kyrgyzstan 720 million cu m (2008 est.) Laos 0 cu m (2008 est.) Latvia 2.05 billion cu m (2008 est.) Lebanon 0 cu m (2008 est.) Lesotho 0 cu m (2008 est.) Liberia 0 cu m (2008 est.) Libya 0 cu m (2008 est.) Lithuania 3.53 billion cu m (2008 est.) Luxembourg 1.255 billion cu m (2008 est.) Macau 81.9 million cu m (2008 est.) Macedonia 70 million cu m (2008 est.) Madagascar 0 cu m (2008 est.) Malawi 0 cu m (2008 est.) Malaysia 0 cu m (2008 est.) Maldives 0 cu m (2008 est.) Mali 0 cu m (2008 est.) Malta 0 cu m (2008 est.) Mauritania 0 cu m (2008 est.) Mauritius 0 cu m (2008 est.) Mexico 12.61 billion cu m (2008 est.) Moldova 2.52 billion cu m (2008 est.) Mongolia 0 cu m (2008 est.) Montserrat 0 cu m (2008 est.) Morocco 500 million cu m (2008 est.) Mozambique 0 cu m (2008 est.) Namibia 0 cu m (2008 est.) Nauru 0 cu m (2008 est.) Nepal 0 cu m (2008 est.) Netherlands 25.34 billion cu m (2008 est.) Netherlands Antilles 0 cu m (2008 est.) New Caledonia 0 cu m (2008 est.) New Zealand 0 cu m (2008 est.) Nicaragua 0 cu m (2008 est.) Niger 0 cu m (2008 est.) Nigeria 0 cu m (2008 est.) Niue 0 cu m (2008 est.) Norway 0 cu m (2008 est.) Oman 350 million cu m (2008 est.) Pakistan 0 cu m (2008 est.) Panama 0 cu m (2008 est.) Papua New Guinea 0 cu m (2008 est.) Paraguay 0 cu m (2008 est.) Peru 0 cu m (2008 est.) Philippines 0 cu m (2008 est.) Poland 11.2 billion cu m (2008 est.) Portugal 4.763 billion cu m (2008 est.) Puerto Rico 806.6 million cu m (2008 est.) Qatar 0 cu m (2008 est.) Romania 5.5 billion cu m (2008 est.) Russia 56.9 billion cu m (2008 est.) Rwanda 0 cu m (2008 est.) Saint Helena 0 cu m (2008 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis 0 cu m (2008 est.) Saint Lucia 0 cu m (2008 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0 cu m (2008 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0 cu m (2008 est.) Samoa 0 cu m (2008 est.) Sao Tome and Principe 0 cu m (2008 est.) Saudi Arabia 0 cu m (2008 est.) Senegal 0 cu m (2008 est.) Serbia 2.1 billion cu m (2004 est.) Seychelles 0 cu m (2008 est.) Sierra Leone 0 cu m (2008 est.) Singapore 8.27 billion cu m note: from Indonesia and Malaysia (2008 est.) Slovakia 6.266 billion cu m (2008 est.) Slovenia 1 billion cu m (2008 est.) Solomon Islands 0 cu m (2008 est.) Somalia 0 cu m (2008 est.) South Africa 3.2 billion cu m (2008 est.) Spain 38.59 billion cu m (2008 est.) Sudan 0 cu m (2008 est.) Suriname 0 cu m (2008 est.) Swaziland 0 cu m (2008 est.) Sweden 913 million cu m (2008 est.) Switzerland 3.429 billion cu m (2008 est.) Syria 140 million cu m (2008 est.) Taiwan 12.08 billion cu m (2008 est.) Tajikistan 500 million cu m (2008 est.) Tanzania 0 cu m (2008 est.) Thailand 8.55 billion cu m (2008 est.) Timor-Leste 0 cu m (2008 est.) Togo 0 cu m (2008 est.) Tonga 0 cu m (2008 est.) Trinidad and Tobago 0 cu m (2008 est.) Tunisia 1.25 billion cu m (2008 est.) Turkey 36.72 billion cu m (2008 est.) Turkmenistan 0 cu m (2008 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands 0 cu m (2008 est.) Uganda 0 cu m (2008 est.) Ukraine 64.2 billion cu m (2008 est.) United Arab Emirates 16.75 billion cu m (2008 est.) United Kingdom 36.54 billion cu m (2008 est.) United States 112.7 billion cu m (2008 est.) Uruguay 70 million cu m (2008 est.) Uzbekistan 0 cu m (2008 est.) Vanuatu 0 cu m (2008 est.) Venezuela 1.5 billion cu m (2008 est.) Vietnam 0 cu m (2008 est.) Virgin Islands 0 cu m (2008 est.) Western Sahara 0 cu m (2008 est.) World 995.9 billion cu m (2008 est.) Yemen 0 cu m (2008 est.) Zambia 0 cu m (2008 est.) Zimbabwe 0 cu m (2008 est.) ====================================================================== @2183 Field Listing :: Natural gas - exports This entry is the total natural gas exported in cubic meters (cu m). Country Comparison to the World Country Natural gas - exports(cu m) Afghanistan 0 cu m (2008) Albania 0 cu m (2008) Algeria 59.67 billion cu m (2008) American Samoa 0 cu m (2008) Angola 0 cu m (2008) Antigua and Barbuda 0 cu m (2008) Argentina 890 million cu m (2008) Armenia 0 cu m (2008) Aruba 0 cu m (2008) Australia 19.48 billion cu m (2008) Austria 2.788 billion cu m (2008) Azerbaijan 5.564 billion cu m (2008) Bahamas, The 0 cu m (2008) Bahrain 0 cu m (2008) Bangladesh 0 cu m (2008) Barbados 0 cu m (2008) Belarus 0 cu m (2008) Belgium 0 cu m (2008) Belize 0 cu m (2008) Benin 0 cu m (2008) Bermuda 0 cu m (2008) Bhutan 0 cu m (2008) Bolivia 11.79 billion cu m (2008) Bosnia and Herzegovina 0 cu m (2008) Botswana 0 cu m (2008) Brazil 0 cu m (2008) British Virgin Islands 0 cu m (2008) Brunei 9.2 billion cu m (2008) Bulgaria 0 cu m (2008) Burkina Faso 0 cu m (2008) Burma 8.55 billion cu m (2008) Burundi 0 cu m (2008) Cambodia 0 cu m (2008) Cameroon 0 cu m (2008) Canada 102.8 billion cu m (2008) Cape Verde 0 cu m (2008) Cayman Islands 0 cu m (2008) Central African Republic 0 cu m (2008) Chad 0 cu m (2008) Chile 0 cu m (2008) China 3.36 billion cu m (2008) Colombia 900 million cu m (2008) Comoros 0 cu m (2008) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 0 cu m (2008) Congo, Republic of the 0 cu m (2008) Cook Islands 0 cu m (2008) Costa Rica 0 cu m (2008) Cote d'Ivoire 0 cu m (2008) Croatia 310 million cu m (2007) Cuba 0 cu m (2008) Cyprus 0 cu m (2008) Czech Republic 968 million cu m (2008) Denmark 5.516 billion cu m (2008) Djibouti 0 cu m (2008) Dominica 0 cu m (2008) Dominican Republic 0 cu m (2008) Ecuador 0 cu m (2008) Egypt 16.92 billion cu m (2008) El Salvador 0 cu m (2008) Equatorial Guinea 5.17 billion cu m (2008) Eritrea 0 cu m (2008) Estonia 0 cu m (2008) Ethiopia 0 cu m (2008) European Union NA cu m Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 0 cu m (2008) Faroe Islands 0 cu m (2008) Fiji 0 cu m (2008) Finland 0 cu m (2008) France 1 billion cu m (2008) French Polynesia 0 cu m (2008) Gabon 0 cu m (2008) Gambia, The 0 cu m (2008) Georgia 0 cu m (2008) Germany 12.68 billion cu m (2008) Ghana 0 cu m (2008) Gibraltar 0 cu m (2008) Greece 0 cu m (2008) Greenland 0 cu m (2008) Grenada 0 cu m (2008) Guam 0 cu m (2008) Guatemala 0 cu m (2008) Guinea 0 cu m (2008) Guinea-Bissau 0 cu m (2008) Guyana 0 cu m (2008) Haiti 0 cu m (2008) Honduras 0 cu m (2008) Hong Kong 0 cu m (2008) Hungary 21 million cu m (2008) Iceland 0 cu m (2008) India 0 cu m (2008) Indonesia 33.5 billion cu m (2008) Iran 4.246 billion cu m (2008) Iraq 0 cu m (2008) Ireland 0 cu m (2008) Israel 0 cu m (2008) Italy 210 million cu m (2008) Jamaica 0 cu m (2008) Japan 0 cu m (2008) Jordan 0 cu m (2008) Kazakhstan 9.221 billion cu m (2008) Kenya 0 cu m (2008) Kiribati 0 cu m (2008) Korea, North 0 cu m (2008) Korea, South 0 cu m (2008) Kuwait 0 cu m (2008) Kyrgyzstan 0 cu m (2008) Laos 0 cu m (2008) Latvia 0 cu m (2008) Lebanon 0 cu m (2008) Lesotho 0 cu m (2008) Liberia 0 cu m (2008) Libya 10.4 billion cu m (2008) Lithuania 0 cu m (2008) Luxembourg 0 cu m (2008) Macau 0 cu m (2008) Macedonia 0 cu m (2008) Madagascar 0 cu m (2008) Malawi 0 cu m (2008) Malaysia 31.03 billion cu m (2008) Maldives 0 cu m (2008) Mali 0 cu m (2008) Malta 0 cu m (2008) Mauritania 0 cu m (2008) Mauritius 0 cu m (2008) Mexico 1.136 billion cu m (2008) Moldova 0 cu m (2008) Mongolia 0 cu m (2008) Montserrat 0 cu m (2008) Morocco 0 cu m (2008) Mozambique 3.2 billion cu m (2008) Namibia 0 cu m (2008) Nauru 0 cu m (2008) Nepal 0 cu m (2008) Netherlands 61.72 billion cu m (2008) Netherlands Antilles 0 cu m (2008) New Caledonia 0 cu m (2008) New Zealand 0 cu m (2008) Nicaragua 0 cu m (2008) Niger 0 cu m (2008) Nigeria 20.55 billion cu m (2008) Niue 0 cu m (2008) Norway 95.23 billion cu m (2008) Oman 10.89 billion cu m (2008) Pakistan 0 cu m (2008) Panama 0 cu m (2008) Papua New Guinea 0 cu m (2008) Paraguay 0 cu m (2008) Peru 0 cu m (2008) Philippines 0 cu m (2008) Poland 39 million cu m (2008) Portugal 0 cu m (2008) Puerto Rico 0 cu m (2008) Qatar 56.78 billion cu m (2008) Romania 0 cu m (2008) Russia 243.4 billion cu m (2008) Rwanda 0 cu m (2008) Saint Helena 0 cu m (2008) Saint Kitts and Nevis 0 cu m (2008) Saint Lucia 0 cu m (2008) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0 cu m (2008) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0 cu m (2008) Samoa 0 cu m (2008) Sao Tome and Principe 0 cu m (2008) Saudi Arabia 0 cu m (2008) Senegal 0 cu m (2008) Serbia 0 cu m (2005) Seychelles 0 cu m (2008) Sierra Leone 0 cu m (2008) Singapore 0 cu m (2008) Slovakia 186 million cu m (2008) Slovenia 0 cu m (2008) Solomon Islands 0 cu m (2008) Somalia 0 cu m (2008) South Africa 0 cu m (2008) Spain 0 cu m (2008) Sri Lanka 0 cu m (2008) Sudan 0 cu m (2008) Suriname 0 cu m (2008) Swaziland 0 cu m (2008) Sweden 0 cu m (2008) Switzerland 0 cu m (2008) Syria 0 cu m Taiwan 0 cu m (2008) Tajikistan 0 cu m (2008) Tanzania 0 cu m (2008) Thailand 0 cu m (2008) Timor-Leste 0 cu m (2008) Togo 0 cu m (2008) Tonga 0 cu m (2008) Trinidad and Tobago 17.36 billion cu m (2008) Tunisia 0 cu m (2008) Turkey 435 million cu m (2008) Turkmenistan 48.5 billion cu m (2008) Turks and Caicos Islands 0 cu m (2008) Uganda 0 cu m (2008) Ukraine 3.2 billion cu m (2007) United Arab Emirates 7.567 billion cu m (2008) United Kingdom 10.5 billion cu m (2008) United States 28.49 billion cu m (2008) Uruguay 0 cu m (2008) Uzbekistan 15 billion cu m (2008) Vanuatu 0 cu m (2008) Venezuela 0 cu m (2008) Vietnam 0 cu m (2008) Virgin Islands 0 cu m (2008) Western Sahara 0 cu m (2008) World 980.4 billion cu m (2008) Yemen 0 cu m (2008) Zambia 0 cu m (2008) Zimbabwe 0 cu m (2008) ====================================================================== @2184 Field Listing :: Internet hosts This entry lists the number of Internet hosts available within a country. An Internet host is a computer connected directly to the Internet; normally an Internet Service Provider's (ISP) computer is a host. Internet users may use either a hard-wired terminal, at an institution with a mainframe computer connected directly to the Internet, or may connect remotely by way of a modem via telephone line, cable, or satellite to the Internet Service Provider's host computer. The number of hosts is one indicator of the extent of Internet connectivity. Country Comparison to the World Country Internet hosts Afghanistan 47 (2009) Albania 14,245 (2009) Algeria 510 (2009) American Samoa 1,606 (2009) Andorra 23,421 (2009) Angola 3,508 (2009) Anguilla 258 (2009) Antarctica 7,758 (2009) Antigua and Barbuda 7,421 (2009) Argentina 4.906 million (2009) Armenia 36,354 (2009) Aruba 25,051 (2009) Australia 11.756 million (2009) Austria 2.992 million (2009) Azerbaijan 7,045 (2009) Bahamas, The 8,325 (2009) Bahrain 51,489 (2009) Bangladesh 4,209 (2009) Barbados 235 (2009) Belarus 113,115 (2009) Belgium 4.367 million (2009) Belize 3,017 (2009) Benin 1,155 (2009) Bermuda 15,548 (2009) Bhutan 9,096 (2009) Bolivia 105,031 (2009) Bosnia and Herzegovina 69,370 (2009) Botswana 7,341 (2009) Bouvet Island 0 (2009) Brazil 15.929 million (2009) British Indian Ocean Territory 160 (2009) British Virgin Islands 581 (2009) Brunei 14,978 (2009) Bulgaria 706,648 (2009) Burkina Faso 1,951 (2009) Burma 128 (2009) Burundi 191 (2009) Cambodia 2,480 (2009) Cameroon 70 (2009) Canada 7.193 million (2009) Cape Verde 24 (2009) Cayman Islands 21,428 (2009) Central African Republic 21 (2009) Chad 5 (2009) Chile 877,817 (2009) China 14.156 million (2009) Christmas Island 2,598 (2009) Colombia 2.217 million (2009) Comoros 7 (2009) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 3,015 (2009) Congo, Republic of the 18 (2009) Cook Islands 2,480 (2009) Costa Rica 34,066 (2009) Cote d'Ivoire 9,822 (2009) Croatia 1.23 million (2009) Cuba 3,637 (2009) Cyprus 185,451 (2009) Czech Republic 3.233 million (2009) Denmark 3.991 million (2009) Djibouti 199 (2009) Dominica 485 (2009) Dominican Republic 280,457 (2009) Ecuador 57,785 (2009) Egypt 177,443 (2009) El Salvador 8,177 (2009) Equatorial Guinea 9 (2009) Eritrea 1,307 (2009) Estonia 706,449 (2009) Ethiopia 136 (2009) European Union 118,760; note - this sum reflects the number of internet hosts assigned the .eu internet country code (2009) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 90 (2009) Faroe Islands 8,833 (2009) Fiji 12,747 (2009) Finland 4.205 million (2009) France 14.327 million; 14,341,000 (metropolitan France) (2009) French Polynesia 13,796 (2009) French Southern and Antarctic Lands 44 (2009) Gabon 91 (2009) Gambia, The 895 (2009) Georgia 104,243 (2009) Germany 23.796 million (2009) Ghana 23,850 (2009) Gibraltar 1,955 (2009) Greece 2.342 million (2009) Greenland 14,134 (2009) Grenada 42 (2009) Guam 23 (2009) Guatemala 132,049 (2009) Guernsey 174 (2009) Guinea 14 (2009) Guinea-Bissau 82 (2009) Guyana 7,116 (2009) Haiti 9 (2009) Holy See (Vatican City) 63 (2009) Honduras 15,691 (2009) Hong Kong 813,980 (2009) Hungary 2.261 million (2009) Iceland 272,201 (2009) India 3.611 million (2009) Indonesia 865,309 (2009) Iran 45,678 (2009) Iraq 11 (2009) Ireland 1.303 million (2009) Isle of Man 478 (2009) Israel 1.544 million (2009) Italy 22.152 million (2009) Jamaica 3,961 (2009) Japan 47.249 million (2009) Jersey 219 (2009) Jordan 28,896 (2009) Kazakhstan 48,873 (2009) Kenya 32,913 (2009) Kiribati 41 (2009) Korea, North 3 (2009) Korea, South 301,270 (2009) Kuwait 2,305 (2009) Kyrgyzstan 82,496 (2009) Laos 1,661 (2009) Latvia 257,414 (2009) Lebanon 45,352 (2009) Lesotho 127 (2009) Liberia 5 (2009) Libya 11,751 (2009) Liechtenstein 9,287 (2009) Lithuania 885,064 (2009) Luxembourg 220,107 (2009) Macau 244 (2009) Macedonia 57,763 (2009) Madagascar 27,807 (2009) Malawi 741 (2009) Malaysia 362,968 (2009) Maldives 1,732 (2009) Mali 519 (2009) Malta 25,139 (2009) Marshall Islands 6 (2009) Mauritania 15 (2009) Mauritius 22,813 (2009) Mayotte 1 (2009) Mexico 12.716 million (2009) Micronesia, Federated States of 1,050 (2009) Moldova 367,150 (2009) Monaco 22,608 (2009) Mongolia 524 (2009) Montenegro 3,245 (2009) Montserrat 688 (2009) Morocco 276,521 (2009) Mozambique 21,388 (2009) Namibia 17,840 (2009) Nauru 47 (2009) Nepal 43,411 (2009) Netherlands 12.388 million (2009) Netherlands Antilles 71,671 (2009) New Caledonia 22,448 (2009) New Zealand 2.007 million (2009) Nicaragua 88,742 (2009) Niger 253 (2009) Nigeria 1,098 (2009) Niue 396,370 (2009) Norfolk Island 89 (2009) Northern Mariana Islands 9 (2009) Norway 3.198 million (2009) Oman 6,346 (2009) Pakistan 226,236 (2009) Palau 2 (2009) Panama 8,067 (2009) Papua New Guinea 3,432 (2009) Paraguay 71,487 (2009) Peru 274,592 (2009) Philippines 283,607 (2009) Pitcairn Islands 26 (2009) Poland 8.906 million (2009) Portugal 1.967 million (2009) Puerto Rico 700 (2009) Qatar 722 (2009) Romania 2.188 million (2009) Russia 7.663 million (2009) Rwanda 81 (2009) Saint Helena 343 (2009) Saint Kitts and Nevis 53 (2009) Saint Lucia 103 (2009) Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0 (2009) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 181 (2009) Samoa 13,985 (2009) San Marino 6,734 (2009) Sao Tome and Principe 1,345 (2009) Saudi Arabia 471,217 (2009) Senegal 227 (2009) Serbia 181,313 (2009) Seychelles 324 (2009) Sierra Leone 273 (2009) Singapore 864,943 (2009) Slovakia 867,615 (2009) Slovenia 88,567 (2009) Solomon Islands 4,067 (2009) Somalia 0 (2009) South Africa 1.73 million (2009) South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands 363 (2009) Spain 3.537 million (2009) Sri Lanka 6,090 (2009) Sudan 48 (2009) Suriname 162 (2009) Swaziland 2,609 (2009) Sweden 3.886 million (2009) Switzerland 3.697 million (2009) Syria 7,879 (2009) Taiwan 5.704 million (2009) Tajikistan 987 (2009) Tanzania 24,724 (2009) Thailand 1.231 million (2009) Timor-Leste 169 (2009) Togo 784 (2009) Tokelau 360 (2009) Tonga 20,107 (2009) Trinidad and Tobago 162,849 (2009) Tunisia 406 (2009) Turkey 2.961 million (2009) Turkmenistan 755 (2009) Turks and Caicos Islands 9,445 (2009) Tuvalu 103,041 (2009) Uganda 6,757 (2009) Ukraine 706,485 (2009) United Arab Emirates 379,106 (2009) United Kingdom 9.322 million (2009) United States 383 million (2009); note - the US Internet total host count includes the following top level domain host addresses: .us, .com, .edu, .gov, .mil, .net, and .org Uruguay 498,232 (2009) Uzbekistan 50,228 (2009) Vanuatu 1,023 (2009) Venezuela 155,139 (2009) Vietnam 170,689 (2009) Virgin Islands 8,726 (2009) Wallis and Futuna 1,480 (2009) Yemen 242 (2009) Zambia 14,951 (2009) Zimbabwe 29,094 (2009) ====================================================================== @2185 Field Listing :: Investment (gross fixed) This entry records total business spending on fixed assets, such as factories, machinery, equipment, dwellings, and inventories of raw materials, which provide the basis for future production. It is measured gross of the depreciation of the assets, i.e., it includes investment that merely replaces worn-out or scrapped capital. Country Comparison to the World Country Investment (gross fixed)(% of GDP) Albania 23.1% of GDP (2008 est.) Algeria 26.1% of GDP (2008 est.) Angola 9% of GDP (2008 est.) Argentina 23.2% of GDP (2008 est.) Armenia 39% of GDP (2008 est.) Australia 28.7% of GDP (2008 est.) Austria 22.4% of GDP (2008 est.) Azerbaijan 21.2% of GDP (2008 est.) Bahrain 26.6% of GDP (2008 est.) Bangladesh 24.3% of GDP (2008 est.) Belarus 31.9% of GDP (2008 est.) Belgium 22.7% of GDP (2008 est.) Belize 27.8% of GDP (2008 est.) Benin 19.2% of GDP (2008 est.) Bolivia 18% of GDP (2008 est.) Botswana 23.4% of GDP (2008 est.) Brazil 19% of GDP (2008 est.) Bulgaria 33.4% of GDP (2008 est.) Burkina Faso 19.6% of GDP (2008 est.) Burma 14.1% of GDP (2008 est.) Burundi 12.5% of GDP (2008 est.) Cambodia 22.4% of GDP (2008 est.) Cameroon 17.7% of GDP (2008 est.) Canada 22.6% of GDP (2008 est.) Cape Verde 41.6% of GDP (2008 est.) Chad 13.7% of GDP (2008 est.) Chile 24% of GDP (2008 est.) China 40.5% of GDP (2008 est.) Colombia 24.3% of GDP (2008 est.) Congo, Republic of the 34.5% of GDP (2008 est.) Costa Rica 24.3% of GDP (2008 est.) Cote d'Ivoire 9.5% of GDP (2008 est.) Croatia 31.1% of GDP (2008 est.) Cuba 10.5% of GDP (2008 est.) Cyprus 23.3% of GDP (2008 est.) Czech Republic 24% of GDP (2008 est.) Denmark 21.6% of GDP (2008 est.) Dominican Republic 19.4% of GDP (2008 est.) Ecuador 22.1% of GDP (2008 est.) Egypt 19.1% of GDP (2008 est.) El Salvador 14.9% of GDP (2008 est.) Equatorial Guinea 31.8% of GDP (2008 est.) Eritrea 20.2% of GDP (2008 est.) Estonia 28.4% of GDP (2008 est.) Ethiopia 25.2% of GDP (2008 est.) European Union 21.1% of GDP (2008 est.) Finland 20.6% of GDP (2008 est.) France 21.9% of GDP (2008 est.) Gabon 27.3% of GDP (2008 est.) Gambia, The 28% of GDP (2008 est.) Georgia 22.5% of GDP (2008 est.) Germany 19.2% of GDP (2008 est.) Ghana 32.1% of GDP (2008 est.) Greece 20.7% of GDP (2008 est.) Guatemala 18.6% of GDP (2008 est.) Guinea 12.3% of GDP (2008 est.) Guyana 35.3% of GDP (2008 est.) Haiti 28.9% of GDP (2008 est.) Honduras 33.4% of GDP (2008 est.) Hong Kong 19.7% of GDP (2008 est.) Hungary 20.2% of GDP (2008 est.) Iceland 23.9% of GDP (2008 est.) India 39% of GDP (2008 est.) Indonesia 23.6% of GDP (2008) Iran 26.3% of GDP (2008 est.) Ireland 21.2% of GDP (2008 est.) Israel 18.1% of GDP (2008 est.) Italy 20.9% of GDP (2008 est.) Jamaica 26.5% of GDP (2008 est.) Japan 23% of GDP (2008 est.) Jordan 32.3% of GDP (2008 est.) Kazakhstan 27.8% of GDP (2008 est.) Kenya 21.3% of GDP (2008 est.) Korea, South 27.1% of GDP (2008 est.) Kosovo 30% of GDP (2007 est.) Kuwait 18.3% of GDP (2008 est.) Kyrgyzstan 23.2% of GDP (2008 est.) Latvia 30.2% of GDP (2008 est.) Lebanon 22.4% of GDP (2008 est.) Lesotho 40.8% of GDP (2008 est.) Libya 9.3% of GDP (2008 est.) Lithuania 24.8% of GDP (2008 est.) Luxembourg 20.2% of GDP (2008 est.) Macedonia 20.6% of GDP (2008 est.) Madagascar 26.6% of GDP (2008 est.) Malawi 8.4% of GDP (2008 est.) Malaysia 19.7% of GDP (2008 est.) Malta 16.2% of GDP (2008 est.) Mauritius 25.4% of GDP (2008 est.) Mexico 22.1% of GDP (2008 est.) Moldova 32.5% of GDP (2008 est.) Montenegro 30.5% of GDP (2006 est.) Morocco 32.1% of GDP (2008 est.) Mozambique 24.9% of GDP (2008 est.) Namibia 23.4% of GDP (2008 est.) Netherlands 20.5% of GDP (2008 est.) New Zealand 22.4% of GDP (2008 est.) Nicaragua 34.5% of GDP (2008 est.) Nigeria 21.7% of GDP (2008 est.) Norway 20.8% of GDP (2008 est.) Oman 27.2% of GDP (2008 est.) Pakistan 20% of GDP (2008 est.) Panama 25.7% of GDP (2008 est.) Papua New Guinea 19.4% of GDP (2008 est.) Paraguay 19.6% of GDP (2008 est.) Peru 25.9% of GDP (2008 est.) Philippines 14.8% of GDP (2008 est.) Poland 22% of GDP (2008 est.) Portugal 21.7% of GDP (2008 est.) Qatar 32.1% of GDP (2008 est.) Romania 33.3% of GDP (2008 est.) Russia 22.1% of GDP (2008 est.) Rwanda 22% of GDP (2008 est.) Sao Tome and Principe 38.8% of GDP (2008 est.) Saudi Arabia 19.4% of GDP (2008 est.) Senegal 25.3% of GDP (2008 est.) Serbia 20.1% of GDP (2007 est.) Seychelles 13.7% of GDP (2008 est.) Singapore 28.5% of GDP (2008 est.) Slovakia 25.9% of GDP (2008 est.) Slovenia 28% of GDP (2008 est.) South Africa 23.2% of GDP (2008 est.) Spain 29.4% of GDP (2008 est.) Sri Lanka 24.5% of GDP (2008 est.) Sudan 18.1% of GDP (2008 est.) Swaziland 18.8% of GDP (2008 est.) Sweden 19.5% of GDP (2008 est.) Switzerland 21.2% of GDP (2008 est.) Syria 21.7% of GDP (2008 est.) Taiwan 20.6% of GDP (2008 est.) Tajikistan 12% of GDP (2008 est.) Tanzania 22.6% of GDP (2008 est.) Thailand 27.3% of GDP (2008 est.) Togo 20.2% of GDP (2008 est.) Trinidad and Tobago 16.7% of GDP (2008 est.) Tunisia 21.8% of GDP (2008 est.) Turkey 20.3% of GDP (2008 est.) Turkmenistan 1.2% of GDP (2008 est.) Uganda 23.2% of GDP (2008 est.) Ukraine 27.2% of GDP (2008 est.) United Arab Emirates 22.8% of GDP (2008 est.) United Kingdom 16.7% of GDP (2008 est.) United States 14.3% of GDP (2008 est.) Uruguay 18.7% of GDP (2008 est.) Venezuela 19.7% of GDP (2008 est.) Vietnam 41.9% of GDP (2008 est.) World 21.8% of GDP (2008 est.) Yemen 25.9% of GDP (2008 est.) Zambia 25.5% of GDP (2008 est.) Zimbabwe 17.7% of GDP (2008 est.) ====================================================================== @2186 Field Listing :: Public debt This entry records the cumulative total of all government borrowings less repayments that are denominated in a country's home currency. Public debt should not be confused with external debt, which reflects the foreign currency liabilities of both the private and public sector and must be financed out of foreign exchange earnings. Country Comparison to the World Country Public debt(% of GDP) Albania 51.9% of GDP (2008 est.) 51.4% of GDP (2007 est.) Algeria 8.4% of GDP (2008 est.) 37.4% of GDP (2004 est.) Angola 15.5% of GDP (2008 est.) 12% of GDP (2007 est.) Argentina 48.6% of GDP (2008 est.) 118% of GDP (June 2004 est.) Aruba 46.3% of GDP (2005) Australia 14.7% of GDP (2008 est.) 17.4% of GDP (2004 est.) note: the Commonwealth government eliminated its net debt in 2006, but continues a gross debt issue to support the market for risk-free securities Austria 62.6% of GDP (2008 est.) 64.2% of GDP (2004 est.) Azerbaijan 4.1% of GDP (2008 est.) 18.9% of GDP (2004 est.) Bahrain 28.7% of GDP (2008 est.) 63.8% of GDP (2004 est.) Bangladesh 39.4% of GDP (2008 est.) 43% of GDP (2004 est.) Belgium 89.6% of GDP (2008 est.) 96.2% of GDP (2004 est.) Bhutan 81.4% of GDP (2004) 81.4% of GDP (2004) Bolivia 45.2% of GDP (2008 est.) 46.3% of GDP (2007 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina 40% of GDP (2008 est.) 34% of GDP (2007 est.) Botswana 5.9% of GDP (2008 est.) 8.6% of GDP (2004 est.) Brazil 38.8% of GDP (2008 est.) 52% of GDP (2004 est.) Bulgaria 14.1% of GDP (2008 est.) 41.9% of GDP (2004 est.) Cameroon 13.5% of GDP (2008 est.) 69.1% of GDP (2004 est.) Canada 63.8% of GDP (2008 est.) 64.2% of GDP (2004 est.) Chile 5.2% of GDP (2008 est.) 12.8% of GDP (2004 est.) China 15.6% of GDP (2008 est.) 31.4% of GDP (2004 est.) Colombia 42.6% of GDP (2008 est.) 51.8% of GDP (2004 est.) Costa Rica 42.2% of GDP (2008 est.) 58% of GDP (2004 est.) Cote d'Ivoire 66.4% of GDP (2008 est.) 74.8% of GDP (2004 est.) Croatia 42.7% of GDP (2008 est.) 41.7% of GDP (2004 est.) Cuba 34.8% of GDP (2008 est.) 36.8% of GDP (2007 est.) Cyprus 49.1% of GDP (2008 est.) 74.9% of GDP (2004 est.) Czech Republic 26.8% of GDP (2008 est.) 33.5% of GDP (2004 est.) Denmark 33.5% of GDP (2008 est.) 42.5% of GDP (2004 est.) Dominican Republic 37.4% of GDP (2008 est.) 61.1% of GDP (2004 est.) Ecuador 25.1% of GDP (2008 est.) Egypt 86.5% of GDP (2008 est.) 102.7% of GDP (2004 est.) El Salvador 44.7% of GDP (2008 est.) 41.7% of GDP (2004 est.) Equatorial Guinea 0.9% of GDP (2008 est.) 1.6% of GDP (2007 est.) Estonia 4.8% of GDP (2008 est.) 5.4% of GDP (2004 est.) Ethiopia 32% of GDP (2008 est.) 44.5% of GDP (2007 est.) Finland 33.7% of GDP (2008 est.) 46.8% of GDP (2004 est.) France 68.1% of GDP (2008 est.) 67.7% of GDP (2004 est.) Gabon 24.7% of GDP (2008 est.) 29.3% of GDP (2004 est.) Germany 66% of GDP (2008 est.) 65.8% of GDP (2004 est.) Ghana 53.8% of GDP (2008 est.) 58.5% of GDP (2007 est.) Gibraltar 15.7% of GDP (2005 est.) Greece 97.4% of GDP (2008 est.) 112% of GDP (2004 est.) Guatemala 25.7% of GDP (2008 est.) 32% of GDP (2004 est.) Honduras 20.4% of GDP (2008 est.) 74.1% of GDP (2004 est.) Hong Kong 13.9% of GDP (2008 est.) 2.1% of GDP (2004 est.) Hungary 67.7% of GDP (2008 est.) 58.3% of GDP (2004 est.) Iceland 56.5% of GDP (2008 est.) 35.9% of GDP (2004 est.) India 56.4% of GDP (2008 est.) 59.7% of GDP (2004 est.) Indonesia 29.3% of GDP (2008 est.) 56.2% of GDP (2004 est.) Iran 19.4% of GDP (2008 est.) 27% of GDP (2004 est.) Ireland 44.2% of GDP (2008 est.) 31.2% of GDP (2004 est.) Israel 76.8% of GDP (2008 est.) 104.5% of GDP (2004 est.) Italy 105.8% of GDP (2008 est.) 105.6% of GDP (2004 est.) Jamaica 116.3% of GDP (2008 est.) 146.1% of GDP (2004 est.) Japan 172.1% of GDP (2008 est.) 164.3% of GDP (2004 est.) Jordan 62.2% of GDP (2008 est.) 85.8% of GDP (2004 est.) Kazakhstan 8.6% of GDP (2008 est.) 13.7% of GDP (2004 est.) Kenya 60.1% of GDP (2008 est.) 74.3% of GDP (2004 est.) Korea, South 24.4% of GDP (2008 est.) 21.3% of GDP (2004 est.) Kosovo NA Kuwait 7.6% of GDP (2008 est.) 29.6% of GDP (2004 est.) Latvia 19.5% of GDP (2008 est.) 11.8% of GDP (2004 est.) Lebanon 160.3% of GDP (2008 est.) 177.9% of GDP (2004 est.) Libya 4% of GDP (2008 est.) 8.8% of GDP (2004 est.) Lithuania 15.6% of GDP (2008 est.) 25.2% of GDP (2004 est.) Luxembourg 10.2% of GDP (2008 est.) 6.4% of GDP (2007 est.) Macedonia 20.8% of GDP (2008 est.) 20% of GDP (2004 est.) Malawi 49.1% of GDP (2008 est.) 228.3% of GDP (2004 est.) Malaysia 40% of GDP (2008 est.) 45.4% of GDP (2004 est.) Mauritius 56.5% of GDP (2008 est.) 29.2% of GDP (2004 est.) Mexico 35.8% of GDP (2008 est.) 23.5% of GDP (2004 est.) Moldova 22.3% of GDP (2008 est.) 63.4% of GDP (2004 est.) Montenegro 38% of GDP (2006) Morocco 55.6% of GDP (2008 est.) 70.2% of GDP (2004 est.) Mozambique 21.4% of GDP (2008 est.) 22.2% of GDP (2007 est.) Namibia 20% of GDP (2008 est.) 38.5% of GDP (2004 est.) Netherlands 58.2% of GDP (2008 est.) 55.8% of GDP (2004 est.) New Zealand 24.4% of GDP (2008 est.) 22.1% of GDP (2004 est.) Nicaragua 74.8% of GDP (2008 est.) 69.5% of GDP (2004 est.) Nigeria 13.4% of GDP (2008 est.) 20% of GDP (2004 est.) Norway 55.7% of GDP (2008 est.) 33.1% of GDP (2004 est.) Oman 2.8% of GDP (2008 est.) 10.3% of GDP (2004 est.) Pakistan 51.2% of GDP (2008 est.) 71.4% of GDP (2004 est.) Panama 45% of GDP (2008 est.) 69.2% of GDP (2004 est.) Papua New Guinea 32.2% of GDP (2008 est.) 59.3% of GDP (2004 est.) Paraguay 19.9% of GDP (2008 est.) 39.2% of GDP (2004 est.) Peru 24% of GDP (2008 est.) 44.1% of GDP (2004 est.) Philippines 56.9% of GDP (2008 est.) 74.2% of GDP (September 2004 est.) Poland 45.2% of GDP (2008 est.) 49.9% of GDP (2004 est.) Portugal 66.4% of GDP (2008 est.) 61.5% of GDP (2004 est.) Qatar 5.1% of GDP (2008 est.) 11% of GDP (2007 est.) Romania 14.7% of GDP (2008 est.) 23.6% of GDP (2004 est.) Russia 6.5% of GDP (2008 est.) 28.2% of GDP (2004 est.) Saudi Arabia 18.9% of GDP (2008 est.) 75% of GDP (2004 est.) Senegal 21.4% of GDP (2008 est.) 55.2% of GDP (2004 est.) Serbia 37% of GDP (2007 est.) Seychelles 74.2% of GDP (2008 est.) 122.8% of GDP (2004 est.) Singapore 99.2% of GDP (2008 est.) 102.5% of GDP (2004 est.) Slovakia 28.7% of GDP (2008 est.) 46.6% of GDP (2004 est.) Slovenia 23% of GDP (2008 est.) 31.5% of GDP (2004 est.) South Africa 31.6% of GDP (2008 est.) 45.9% of GDP (2004 est.) Spain 40.7% of GDP (2008 est.) 53.2% of GDP (2004 est.) Sri Lanka 76.7% of GDP (2008 est.) 104.3% of GDP (2004 est.) Sudan 100% of GDP (2008 est.) 79.7% of GDP (2004 est.) Sweden 36.7% of GDP (2008 est.) 51.6% of GDP (2004 est.) Switzerland 40.2% of GDP (2008 est.) 57.2% of GDP (2004 est.) Syria 25.4% of GDP (2008 est.) 32% of GDP (2004 est.) Taiwan 29.4% of GDP (2008 est.) 32.4% of GDP (2004 est.) Tanzania 23.2% of GDP (2008 est.) 5% of GDP (2004 est.) Thailand 37.9% of GDP (2008 est.) 47.6% of GDP (November 2004 est.) Trinidad and Tobago 26.6% of GDP (2008 est.) 54.4% of GDP (2004 est.) Tunisia 48.4% of GDP (2008 est.) 59.2% of GDP (2004 est.) Turkey 40% of GDP (2008 est.) 74.3% of GDP (2004 est.) Uganda 18.8% of GDP (2008 est.) 73.9% of GDP (2004 est.) Ukraine 10.3% of GDP (2008 est.) 24.7% of GDP (2004 est.) United Arab Emirates 40.7% of GDP (2008 est.) 17.6% of GDP (2004 est.) United Kingdom 51.8% of GDP (2008 est.) 39.6% of GDP (2004 est.) United States 37.5% of GDP (2008 est.) 65% of GDP (2004 est.) Uruguay 59.8% of GDP (2008 est.) 64.8% of GDP (2007 est.) Uzbekistan 10.4% of GDP (2008 est.) 41.5% of GDP (2004 est.) Venezuela 13.8% of GDP (2008 est.) 43.1% of GDP (2004 est.) Vietnam 48.8% of GDP (2008 est.) 65.9% of GDP (2004 est.) Wallis and Futuna 5.6% of GDP (2004 est.) Yemen 28.1% of GDP (2008 est.) 46.4% of GDP (2004 est.) Zambia 29.5% of GDP (2008 est.) 127.5% of GDP (2004 est.) Zimbabwe 265.6% of GDP (2008 est.) 52.3% of GDP (2004 est.) ====================================================================== @2187 Field Listing :: Current account balance This entry records a country's net trade in goods and services, plus net earnings from rents, interest, profits, and dividends, and net transfer payments (such as pension funds and worker remittances) to and from the rest of the world during the period specified. These figures are calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. Country Comparison to the World Country Current account balance Afghanistan -$67 million (2007 est.) Albania -$1.906 billion (2008 est.) -$1.202 billion (2007 est.) Algeria $35.27 billion (2008 est.) $30.6 billion (2007 est.) Angola $17.11 billion (2008 est.) $9.402 billion (2007 est.) Anguilla -$42.87 million (2003 est.) Antigua and Barbuda -$211 million (2007 est.) Argentina $7.077 billion (2008 est.) $7.103 billion (2007 est.) Armenia -$1.355 billion (2008 est.) -$589.6 million (2007 est.) Australia -$44.04 billion (2008 est.) -$57.68 billion (2007 est.) Austria $14.27 billion (2008 est.) $12.03 billion (2007 est.) Azerbaijan $16.45 billion (2008 est.) $9.019 billion (2007 est.) Bahamas, The -$1.442 billion (2007 est.) Bahrain $2.257 billion (2008 est.) $2.907 billion (2007 est.) Bangladesh $1.032 billion (2008 est.) $856.8 million (2007 est.) Barbados -$254 million (2007 est.) Belarus -$5.063 billion (2008 est.) -$3.042 billion (2007 est.) Belgium -$12.88 billion (2008 est.) $7.751 billion (2007 est.) Belize -$153.7 million (2008 est.) -$51.1 million (2007 est.) Benin -$735 million (2008 est.) -$407 million (2007 est.) Bhutan $116 million (2007 est.) Bolivia $2.015 billion (2008 est.) $1.984 billion (2007 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina -$2.764 billion (2008 est.) -$1.931 billion (2007 est.) Botswana $750.3 million (2008 est.) $2.434 billion (2007 est.) Brazil -$28.19 billion (2008 est.) $1.551 billion (2007 est.) British Virgin Islands $134.3 million (1999) Brunei $7.101 billion (2007 est.) Bulgaria -$12.65 billion (2008 est.) -$8.716 billion (2007 est.) Burkina Faso -$931 million (2008 est.) -$564 million (2007 est.) Burma $1.281 billion (2008 est.) $1.285 billion (2007 est.) Burundi -$182 million (2008 est.) -$116.8 million (2007 est.) Cambodia -$1.06 billion (2008 est.) -$506.3 million (2007 est.) Cameroon -$96 million (2008 est.) -$547 million (2007 est.) Canada $7.61 billion (2008 est.) $14.53 billion (2007 est.) Cape Verde -$259 million (2008 est.) -$132.6 million (2007 est.) Central African Republic -$77 million (2007 est.) Chad -$1.019 billion (2008 est.) -$737.8 million (2007 est.) Chile -$3.44 billion (2008 est.) $7.189 billion (2007 est.) China $426.1 billion (2008 est.) $371.8 billion (2007 est.) Colombia -$6.712 billion (2008 est.) -$5.838 billion (2007 est.) Comoros $8 million (2007 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the -$402 million (2007 est.) Congo, Republic of the $848 million (2008 est.) -$2.181 billion (2007 est.) Cook Islands $26.67 million (2005) Costa Rica -$2.648 billion (2008 est.) -$1.578 billion (2007 est.) Cote d'Ivoire $488 million (2008 est.) -$146 million (2007 est.) Croatia -$6.397 billion (2008 est.) -$4.447 billion (2007 est.) Cuba -$2.58 billion (2008 est.) $412 million (2007 est.) Cyprus -$4.479 billion (2008 est.) -$2.595 billion (2007 est.) Czech Republic -$6.642 billion (2008 est.) -$5.655 billion (2007 est.) Denmark $6.938 billion (2008 est.) $2.378 billion (2007 est.) Djibouti -$212 million (2007 est.) Dominica -$72 million (2007 est.) Dominican Republic -$4.436 billion (2008 est.) -$2.068 billion (2007 est.) Ecuador $1.194 billion (2008 est.) $1.65 billion (2007 est.) Egypt -$1.331 billion (2008 est.) $500.9 million (2007 est.) El Salvador -$1.595 billion (2008 est.) -$1.119 billion (2007 est.) Equatorial Guinea $1.42 billion (2008 est.) $540.9 million (2007 est.) Eritrea -$229 million (2008 est.) -$203 million (2007 est.) Estonia -$2.192 billion (2008 est.) -$3.771 billion (2007 est.) Ethiopia -$1.806 billion (2008 est.) -$827.9 million (2007 est.) European Union $51.4 billion (2008 est.) Fiji -$507 million (2007 est.) Finland $5.518 billion (2008 est.) $10.12 billion (2007 est.) France -$52.91 billion (2008 est.) -$31.25 billion (2007 est.) Gabon $2.727 billion (2008 est.) $1.549 billion (2007 est.) Gambia, The -$127 million (2008 est.) -$80.3 million (2007 est.) Georgia -$2.915 billion (2008 est.) -$2.119 billion (2007 est.) Germany $243.6 billion (2008 est.) $263.1 billion (2007 est.) Ghana -$3.471 billion (2008 est.) -$1.717 billion (2007 est.) Greece -$51.53 billion (2008 est.) -$44.4 billion (2007 est.) Grenada -$138 million (2007 est.) Guatemala -$1.932 billion (2008 est.) -$1.754 billion (2007 est.) Guinea -$489 million (2008 est.) -$463 million (2007 est.) Guinea-Bissau -$6 million (2007 est.) Guyana -$362 million (2008 est.) -$165.7 million (2007 est.) Haiti -$611 million (2008 est.) -$407 million (2007 est.) Honduras -$1.977 billion (2008 est.) -$1.274 billion (2007 est.) Hong Kong $30.52 billion (2008 est.) $25.53 billion (2007 est.) Hungary -$12.98 billion (2008 est.) -$8.922 billion (2007 est.) Iceland -$6.606 billion (2008 est.) -$3.178 billion (2007 est.) India -$36.09 billion (2008 est.) -$10.88 billion (2007 est.) Indonesia $604 million (2008 est.) $10.49 billion (2007 est.) Iran $20.19 billion (2008 est.) $34.08 billion (2007 est.) Iraq $14.05 billion (2008 est.) $4.909 billion (2007 est.) Ireland -$13.88 billion (2008 est.) -$14.12 billion (2007 est.) Israel $2.213 billion (2008 est.) $4.185 billion (2007 est.) Italy -$78.03 billion (2008 est.) -$51.03 billion (2007 est.) Jamaica -$2.745 billion (2008 est.) -$1.744 billion (2007 est.) Japan $156.6 billion (2008 est.) $210.5 billion (2007 est.) Jordan -$2.39 billion (2008 est.) -$2.767 billion (2007 est.) Kazakhstan $6.978 billion (2008 est.) -$8.226 billion (2007 est.) Kenya -$1.978 billion (2008 est.) -$1.102 billion (2007 est.) Kiribati -$21 million (2007 est.) Korea, South -$6.349 billion (2008 est.) $5.954 billion (2007 est.) Kosovo -$964 million Kuwait $64.78 billion (2008 est.) $47.48 billion (2007 est.) Kyrgyzstan -$680 million (2008 est.) -$267.9 million (2007 est.) Laos -$52 million (2008 est.) $107.3 million (2007 est.) Latvia -$4.492 billion (2008 est.) -$6.485 billion (2007 est.) Lebanon -$2.987 billion (2008 est.) -$1.395 billion (2007 est.) Lesotho $121 million (2008 est.) $211.8 million (2007 est.) Liberia -$224 million (2007) Libya $37.39 billion (2008 est.) $28.45 billion (2007 est.) Lithuania -$5.629 billion (2008 est.) -$5.692 billion (2007 est.) Luxembourg $2.979 billion (2008 est.) $4.928 billion (2007 est.) Macedonia -$1.21 billion (2008 est.) -$247 million (2007 est.) Madagascar -$1.03 billion (2008 est.) -$807 million (2007 est.) Malawi -$241 million (2008 est.) -$75 million (2007 est.) Malaysia $33.76 billion (2008 est.) $28.93 billion (2007 est.) Maldives -$638 million (2008 est.) -$472 million (2007 est.) Mali -$446 million (2007 est.) Malta -$445 million (2008 est.) -$468 million (2007 est.) Mauritania -$184 million (2007 est.) Mauritius -$972.8 million (2008 est.) -$408.3 million (2007 est.) Mexico -$15.81 billion (2008 est.) -$8.331 billion (2007 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of -$34.3 million (FY05 est.) Moldova -$1.015 billion (2008 est.) -$695.5 million (2007 est.) Mongolia -$1 billion (2008 est.) -$23 million (2007 est.) Montenegro -$1.102 billion (2007 est.) Morocco -$5.836 billion (2008 est.) -$224 million (2007 est.) Mozambique -$975.3 million (2008 est.) -$785.3 million (2007 est.) Namibia $239.8 million (2008 est.) $693.2 million (2007 est.) Nepal $241 million (2008) $58 million (2007) Netherlands $41.93 billion (2008 est.) $59.51 billion (2007 est.) New Zealand -$11.34 billion (2008 est.) -$10.63 billion (2007 est.) Nicaragua -$1.475 billion (2008 est.) -$1.048 billion (2007 est.) Niger -$321 million (2007 est.) -$321 million (2007 est.) Nigeria $3.877 billion (2008 est.) $2.203 billion (2007 est.) Norway $88.34 billion (2008 est.) $60.46 billion (2007 est.) Oman $5.523 billion (2008 est.) $1.933 billion (2007 est.) Pakistan -$15.68 billion (2008 est.) -$8.297 billion (2007 est.) Palau $15.09 million (FY03/04) Panama -$2.792 billion (2008 est.) -$1.422 billion (2007 est.) Papua New Guinea $710 million (2008 est.) $193.6 million (2007 est.) Paraguay -$345 million (2008 est.) $126.1 million (2007 est.) Peru -$4.18 billion (2008 est.) $1.22 billion (2007 est.) Philippines $4.227 billion (2008 est.) $7.119 billion (2007 est.) Poland -$26.91 billion (2008 est.) -$20.12 billion (2007 est.) Portugal -$29.6 billion (2008 est.) -$21.18 billion (2007 est.) Qatar $15.07 billion (2008 est.) $10.45 billion (2007 est.) Romania -$24.81 billion (2008 est.) -$23.02 billion (2007 est.) Russia $102.4 billion (2008 est.) $77.01 billion (2007 est.) Rwanda -$292 million (2008 est.) -$147 million (2007 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis -$163 million (2007 est.) Saint Lucia -$199 million (2007 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines -$149 million (2007 est.) Samoa -$24 million (2007 est.) Sao Tome and Principe -$67 million (2008 est.) -$44 million (2007 est.) Saudi Arabia $132.6 billion (2008 est.) $96.77 billion (2007 est.) Senegal -$975 million (2008 est.) -$1.18 billion (2007 est.) Serbia -$6.889 billion (2007 est.) Seychelles -$430 million (2008 est.) -$274.8 million (2007 est.) Sierra Leone -$63 million (2007 est.) Singapore $25.78 billion (2008 est.) $39.11 billion (2007 est.) Slovakia -$6.43 billion (2008 est.) -$4.482 billion (2007 est.) Slovenia -$3.323 billion (2008 est.) -$1.982 billion (2007 est.) Solomon Islands -$143 million (2007 est.) South Africa -$20.98 billion (2008 est.) -$20.78 billion (2007 est.) Spain -$154.1 billion (2008 est.) -$145.4 billion (2007 est.) Sri Lanka -$3.876 billion (2008 est.) -$1.464 billion (2007 est.) Sudan -$1.314 billion (2008 est.) -$3.447 billion (2007 est.) Suriname $24 million (2007 est.) Swaziland -$33 million (2008 est.) $4 million (2007 est.) Sweden $40.32 billion (2008 est.) $38.42 billion (2007 est.) Switzerland $41.21 billion (2008 est.) $43.95 billion (2007 est.) Syria -$791 million (2008 est.) $402 million (2007 est.) Taiwan $24.89 billion (2008 est.) $32.98 billion (2007 est.) Tajikistan $47.6 million (2008 est.) -$495.1 million (2007 est.) Tanzania -$3.536 billion (2008 est.) -$1.856 billion (2007 est.) Thailand -$113 million (2008 est.) $15.76 billion (2007 est.) Timor-Leste $1.161 billion (2007 est.) Togo -$272 million (2008 est.) -$154 million (2007 est.) Tonga -$23 million (2007 est.) Trinidad and Tobago $5.401 billion (2008 est.) $5.364 billion (2007 est.) Tunisia -$1.667 billion (2008 est.) -$904 million (2007 est.) Turkey -$41.69 billion (2008 est.) -$37.7 billion (2007 est.) Turkmenistan $4.669 billion (2008 est.) $3.285 billion (2007 est.) Tuvalu -$11.68 million (2003) Uganda -$1.088 billion (2008 est.) -$744.7 million (2007 est.) Ukraine -$12.76 billion (2008 est.) -$5.918 billion (2007 est.) United Arab Emirates $22.31 billion (2008 est.) $25.84 billion (2007 est.) United Kingdom -$45.68 billion (2008 est.) -$78.78 billion (2007 est.) United States -$706.1 billion (2008 est.) -$731.2 billion (2007 est.) Uruguay -$1.484 billion (2008 est.) -$82.7 million (2007 est.) Uzbekistan $6.257 billion (2008 est.) $4.267 billion (2007 est.) Vanuatu -$60 million (2007 est.) Venezuela $39.21 billion (2008 est.) $20 billion (2007 est.) Vietnam -$10.71 billion (2008 est.) -$6.993 billion (2007 est.) Yemen -$1.113 billion (2008 est.) -$1.547 billion (2007 est.) Zambia -$977 million (2008 est.) -$198 million (2007 est.) Zimbabwe -$584.6 million (2008 est.) -$494.8 million (2007 est.) ====================================================================== @2188 Field Listing :: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold This entry gives the dollar value for the stock of all financial assets that are available to the central monetary authority for use in meeting a country's balance of payments needs as of the end-date of the period specified. This category includes not only foreign currency and gold, but also a country's holdings of Special Drawing Rights in the International Monetary Fund, and its reserve position in the Fund. Country Comparison to the World Country Reserves of foreign exchange and gold Albania $2.364 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $2.162 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Algeria $143.5 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $110.6 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Angola $18.36 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $11.2 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Argentina $46.37 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $46.12 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Armenia $1.407 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $1.659 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Australia $32.92 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $26.91 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Austria $16.7 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $18.22 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Azerbaijan $6.519 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $4.273 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Bahrain $3.803 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $4.101 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Bangladesh $5.789 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $5.278 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Barbados $620 million (2007) $620 million (2007) Belarus $2.687 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $3.952 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Belgium $15.65 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $16.51 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Belize $166.2 million (31 December 2008 est.) $108.5 million (31 December 2007 est.) Benin $1.261 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $1.209 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Bolivia $7.722 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $5.318 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina $3.516 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $4.525 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Botswana $9.119 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $9.79 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Brazil $193.8 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $180.3 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Bulgaria $17.93 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $17.54 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Burkina Faso $926.3 million (31 December 2008 est.) $1.029 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Burma $3.412 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $2.312 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Burundi $266.7 million (31 December 2008 est.) $177.1 million (31 December 2007 est.) Cambodia $2.641 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $2.143 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Cameroon $3.091 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $2.932 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Canada $43.87 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $41.08 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Cape Verde $258 million (31 December 2008 est.) $281 million (31 December 2007 est.) Chad $1.347 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $964.4 million (31 December 2007 est.) Chile $23.08 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $16.84 billion (31 December 2007 est.) China $1.955 trillion (31 December 2008 est.) $1.534 trillion (31 December 2007 est.) Colombia $23.67 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $20.95 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Congo, Republic of the $3.873 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $2.184 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Costa Rica $3.799 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $4.114 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Cote d'Ivoire $2.252 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $2.519 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Croatia $12.96 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $13.67 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Cuba $4.047 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $4.747 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Cyprus $1.003 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $6.507 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Czech Republic $36.68 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $34.59 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Denmark $42.32 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $34.32 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Dominican Republic $2.288 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $2.562 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Ecuador $4.473 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $3.521 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Egypt $33.85 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $31.37 billion (31 December 2007 est.) El Salvador $2.545 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $2.199 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Equatorial Guinea $4.431 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $3.846 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Eritrea $24 million (31 December 2008 est.) $34 million (31 December 2007 est.) Estonia $3.972 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $3.27 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Ethiopia $870.5 million (31 December 2008 est.) $1.29 billion (31 December 2007 est.) European Union $NA Finland $8.346 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $8.385 billion (31 December 2007 est.) France $102.9 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $115.7 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Gabon $1.925 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $1.238 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Gambia, The $140 million (31 December 2008 est.) $142.8 million (31 December 2007 est.) Georgia $1.48 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $1.361 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Germany $138 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $136.2 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Ghana $2.028 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $2.831 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Greece $3.473 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $3.658 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Guatemala $4.471 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $4.139 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Guinea $93 million (31 December 2008 est.) $86 million (31 December 2007 est.) Guyana $355.9 million (31 December 2008 est.) $313 million (31 December 2007 est.) Haiti $708 million (31 December 2008 est.) $555 million (31 December 2007 est.) Honduras $2.492 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $2.546 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Hong Kong $182.5 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $152.7 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Hungary $33.87 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $24.05 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Iceland $2.5 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $2.436 billion (31 December 2007 est.) India $254 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $273.9 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Indonesia $51.64 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $56.92 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Iran $96.56 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $82.06 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Iraq $49.8 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $30.66 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Ireland $1.023 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $926.2 million (31 December 2007 est.) Israel $42.51 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $28.52 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Italy $105.3 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $94.33 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Jamaica $1.767 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $1.879 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Japan $1.011 trillion (31 December 2008 est.) $954.1 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Jordan $8.918 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $7.929 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Kazakhstan $19.87 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $17.63 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Kenya $2.879 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $3.355 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Korea, South $201.2 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $262.2 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Kosovo $NA Kuwait $17.23 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $16.78 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Kyrgyzstan $1.225 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $1.177 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Laos $803 million (31 December 2008 est.) $540 million (31 December 2007 est.) Latvia $5.248 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $5.758 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Lebanon $28.28 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $20.55 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Lesotho $993 million (31 December 2008 est.) $874 million (31 December 2007 est.) Libya $92.51 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $79.6 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Lithuania $6.441 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $7.721 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Luxembourg $397.8 million (31 December 2008 est.) $205.5 million (31 December 2007 est.) Macedonia $2.109 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $2.265 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Madagascar $982.3 million (31 December 2008 est.) $846.7 million (31 December 2007 est.) Malawi $185 million (31 December 2008 est.) $217.2 million (31 December 2007 est.) Malaysia $91.21 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $101.1 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Malta $373.4 million (31 December 2008 est.) $3.798 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Mauritius $1.785 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $1.822 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Mexico $95.3 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $87.19 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Moldova $1.672 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $1.334 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Montenegro $NA Morocco $22.72 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $24.72 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Mozambique $1.578 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $1.445 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Namibia $1.293 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $896 million (31 December 2007 est.) Netherlands $28.51 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $26.98 billion (31 December 2007 est.) New Zealand $11.15 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $17.25 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Nicaragua $1.141 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $1.103 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Nigeria $53 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $51.33 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Norway $50.95 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $60.84 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Oman $11.58 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $9.524 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Pakistan $8.903 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $15.69 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Panama $2.693 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $1.935 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Papua New Guinea $1.987 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $2.087 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Paraguay $2.863 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $2.462 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Peru $31.25 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $27.78 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Philippines $37.55 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $33.75 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Poland $62.18 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $65.75 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Portugal $11.95 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $11.55 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Qatar $9.998 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $9.752 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Romania $39.47 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $39.96 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Russia $427.1 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $476.4 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Rwanda $596 million (31 December 2008 est.) $552.8 million (31 December 2007 est.) Samoa $70.15 million (FY03/04) Sao Tome and Principe $43 million (31 December 2008 est.) $39 million (31 December 2007 est.) Saudi Arabia $30.59 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $34.01 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Senegal $1.601 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $1.66 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Serbia $14.22 billion (2007 est.) $14.22 billion (2007 est.) Seychelles $64 million (31 December 2008 est.) $40.8 million (31 December 2007 est.) Singapore $174.2 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $163 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Slovakia $18.78 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $18.96 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Slovenia $7.57 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $5.682 billion (31 December 2007 est.) South Africa $34.07 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $32.94 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Spain $20.25 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $19.05 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Sri Lanka $2.655 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $3.644 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Sudan $1.399 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $1.378 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Suriname $263.3 million (2006) Swaziland $752 million (31 December 2008 est.) $774.2 million (31 December 2007 est.) Sweden $29.72 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $31.04 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Switzerland $74.07 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $75.37 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Syria $6.765 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $6.507 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Taiwan $296.4 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $275 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Tajikistan $195 million (31 December 2008 est.) $328 million (31 December 2007 est.) Tanzania $2.869 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $2.91 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Thailand $111 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $87.46 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Togo $580 million (31 December 2008 est.) $438 million (31 December 2007 est.) Tonga $40.83 million (yearend, FY04/05) Trinidad and Tobago $9.496 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $6.745 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Tunisia $8.853 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $7.854 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Turkey $73.66 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $76.51 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Turkmenistan $13.88 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $13.19 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Uganda $2.301 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $2.56 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Ukraine $31.54 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $32.48 billion (31 December 2007 est.) United Arab Emirates $31.69 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $77.24 billion (31 December 2007 est.) United Kingdom $52.98 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $57.3 billion (31 December 2007 est.) United States $77.65 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $70.57 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Uruguay $6.36 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $4.121 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Uzbekistan $10.15 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $7.413 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Vanuatu $40.54 million (2003) Venezuela $42.3 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $33.48 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Vietnam $24.18 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $23.75 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Yemen $8.157 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $7.759 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Zambia $1.096 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $1.09 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Zimbabwe $96 million (31 December 2008 est.) $117 million (31 December 2007 est.) ====================================================================== @2189 Field Listing :: Union name Country Union name European Union conventional long form: European Union abbreviation: EU ====================================================================== @2190 Field Listing :: Political structure Country Political structure European Union a hybrid intergovernmental and supranational organization ====================================================================== @2191 Field Listing :: Member states Country Member states European Union 27 countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, UK; note - Canary Islands (Spain), Azores and Madeira (Portugal), French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Reunion (France) are sometimes listed separately even though they are legally a part of Spain, Portugal, and France; candidate countries: Croatia, Macedonia, Turkey ====================================================================== @2192 Field Listing :: Preliminary statement Country Preliminary statement European Union The evolution of the European Union (EU) from a regional economic agreement among six neighboring states in 1951 to today's supranational organization of 27 countries across the European continent stands as an unprecedented phenomenon in the annals of history. Dynastic unions for territorial consolidation were long the norm in Europe. On a few occasions even country-level unions were arranged - the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the Austro-Hungarian Empire were examples - but for such a large number of nation-states to cede some of their sovereignty to an overarching entity is truly unique. Although the EU is not a federation in the strict sense, it is far more than a free-trade association such as ASEAN, NAFTA, or Mercosur, and it has many of the attributes associated with independent nations: its own flag, anthem, founding date, and currency, as well as an incipient common foreign and security policy in its dealings with other nations. In the future, many of these nation-like characteristics are likely to be expanded. Thus, inclusion of basic intelligence on the EU has been deemed appropriate as a new, separate entity in The World Factbook. However, because of the EU's special status, this description is placed after the regular country entries. ====================================================================== @2193 Field Listing :: Major infectious diseases This entry lists major infectious diseases likely to be encountered in countries where the risk of such diseases is assessed to be very high as compared to the United States. These infectious diseases represent risks to US government personnel traveling to the specified country for a period of less than three years. The degree of risk is assessed by considering the foreign nature of these infectious diseases, their severity, and the probability of being affected by the diseases present. The diseases listed do not necessarily represent the total disease burden experienced by the local population. The risk to an individual traveler varies considerably by the specific location, visit duration, type of activities, type of accommodations, time of year, and other factors. Consultation with a travel medicine physician is needed to evaluate individual risk and recommend appropriate preventive measures such as vaccines. Diseases are organized into the following six exposure categories shown in italics and listed in typical descending order of risk. Note: The sequence of exposure categories listed in individual country entries may vary according to local conditions. food or waterborne diseases acquired through eating or drinking on the local economy: Hepatitis A - viral disease that interferes with the functioning of the liver; spread through consumption of food or water contaminated with fecal matter, principally in areas of poor sanitation; victims exhibit fever, jaundice, and diarrhea; 15% of victims will experience prolonged symptoms over 6-9 months; vaccine available. Hepatitis E - water-borne viral disease that interferes with the functioning of the liver; most commonly spread through fecal contamination of drinking water; victims exhibit jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain, and dark colored urine. Typhoid fever - bacterial disease spread through contact with food or water contaminated by fecal matter or sewage; victims exhibit sustained high fevers; left untreated, mortality rates can reach 20%. vectorborne diseases acquired through the bite of an infected arthropod: Malaria - caused by single-cell parasitic protozoa Plasmodium; transmitted to humans via the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito; parasites multiply in the liver attacking red blood cells resulting in cycles of fever, chills, and sweats accompanied by anemia; death due to damage to vital organs and interruption of blood supply to the brain; endemic in 100, mostly tropical, countries with 90% of cases and the majority of 1.5-2.5 million estimated annual deaths occurring in sub-Saharan Africa. Dengue fever - mosquito-borne (Aedes aegypti) viral disease associated with urban environments; manifests as sudden onset of fever and severe headache; occasionally produces shock and hemorrhage leading to death in 5% of cases. Yellow fever - mosquito-borne viral disease; severity ranges from influenza-like symptoms to severe hepatitis and hemorrhagic fever; occurs only in tropical South America and sub-Saharan Africa, where most cases are reported; fatality rate is less than 20%. Japanese Encephalitis - mosquito-borne (Culex tritaeniorhynchus) viral disease associated with rural areas in Asia; acute encephalitis can progress to paralysis, coma, and death; fatality rates 30%. African Trypanosomiasis - caused by the parasitic protozoa Trypanosoma; transmitted to humans via the bite of bloodsucking Tsetse flies; infection leads to malaise and irregular fevers and, in advanced cases when the parasites invade the central nervous system, coma and death; endemic in 36 countries of sub-Saharan Africa; cattle and wild animals act as reservoir hosts for the parasites. Cutaneous Leishmaniasis - caused by the parasitic protozoa leishmania; transmitted to humans via the bite of sandflies; results in skin lesions that may become chronic; endemic in 88 countries; 90% of cases occur in Iran, Afghanistan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, and Peru; wild and domesticated animals as well as humans can act as reservoirs of infection. Plague - bacterial disease transmitted by fleas normally associated with rats; person-to-person airborne transmission also possible; recent plague epidemics occurred in areas of Asia, Africa, and South America associated with rural areas or small towns and villages; manifests as fever, headache, and painfully swollen lymph nodes; disease progresses rapidly and without antibiotic treatment leads to pneumonic form with a death rate in excess of 50%. Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever - tick-borne viral disease; infection may also result from exposure to infected animal blood or tissue; geographic distribution includes Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe; sudden onset of fever, headache, and muscle aches followed by hemorrhaging in the bowels, urine, nose, and gums; mortality rate is approximately 30%. Rift Valley fever - viral disease affecting domesticated animals and humans; transmission is by mosquito and other biting insects; infection may also occur through handling of infected meat or contact with blood; geographic distribution includes eastern and southern Africa where cattle and sheep are raised; symptoms are generally mild with fever and some liver abnormalities, but the disease may progress to hemorrhagic fever, encephalitis, or ocular disease; fatality rates are low at about 1% of cases. Chikungunya - mosquito-borne (Aedes aegypti) viral disease associated with urban environments, similar to Dengue Fever; characterized by sudden onset of fever, rash, and severe joint pain usually lasting 3-7 days, some cases result in persistent arthritis. water contact diseases acquired through swimming or wading in freshwater lakes, streams, and rivers: Leptospirosis - bacterial disease that affects animals and humans; infection occurs through contact with water, food, or soil contaminated by animal urine; symptoms include high fever, severe headache, vomiting, jaundice, and diarrhea; untreated, the disease can result in kidney damage, liver failure, meningitis, or respiratory distress; fatality rates are low but left untreated recovery can take months. Schistosomiasis - caused by parasitic trematode flatworm Schistosoma; fresh water snails act as intermediate host and release larval form of parasite that penetrates the skin of people exposed to contaminated water; worms mature and reproduce in the blood vessels, liver, kidneys, and intestines releasing eggs, which become trapped in tissues triggering an immune response; may manifest as either urinary or intestinal disease resulting in decreased work or learning capacity; mortality, while generally low, may occur in advanced cases usually due to bladder cancer; endemic in 74 developing countries with 80% of infected people living in sub-Saharan Africa; humans act as the reservoir for this parasite. aerosolized dust or soil contact disease acquired through inhalation of aerosols contaminated with rodent urine: Lassa fever - viral disease carried by rats of the genus Mastomys; endemic in portions of West Africa; infection occurs through direct contact with or consumption of food contaminated by rodent urine or fecal matter containing virus particles; fatality rate can reach 50% in epidemic outbreaks. respiratory disease acquired through close contact with an infectious person: Meningococcal meningitis - bacterial disease causing an inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord; one of the most important bacterial pathogens is Neisseria meningitidis because of its potential to cause epidemics; symptoms include stiff neck, high fever, headaches, and vomiting; bacteria are transmitted from person to person by respiratory droplets and facilitated by close and prolonged contact resulting from crowded living conditions, often with a seasonal distribution; death occurs in 5-15% of cases, typically within 24-48 hours of onset of symptoms; highest burden of meningococcal disease occurs in the hyperendemic region of sub-Saharan Africa known as the "Meningitis Belt" which stretches from Senegal east to Ethiopia. animal contact disease acquired through direct contact with local animals: Rabies - viral disease of mammals usually transmitted through the bite of an infected animal, most commonly dogs; virus affects the central nervous system causing brain alteration and death; symptoms initially are non-specific fever and headache progressing to neurological symptoms; death occurs within days of the onset of symptoms. Country Major infectious diseases Afghanistan degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria animal contact disease: rabies note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Angola degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria, African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2009) Argentina degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009) Bangladesh degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria are high risks in some locations water contact disease: leptospirosis animal contact disease: rabies note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Belize degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009) Benin degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis animal contact disease: rabies (2009) Bhutan degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009) Bolivia degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and yellow fever water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009) Botswana degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria (2009) Burkina Faso degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria and yellow fever water contact disease: schistosomiasis respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis animal contact disease: rabies note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Burma degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria water contact disease: leptospirosis animal contact disease: rabies note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Burundi degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria water contact disease: schistosomiasis animal contact disease: rabies (2009) Cambodia degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, and malaria note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Cameroon degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever water contact disease: schistosomiasis respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis animal contact disease: rabies (2009) Central African Republic degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis water contact disease: schistosomiasis animal contact disease: rabies (2009) Chad degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria water contact disease: schistosomiasis respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis animal contact disease: rabies (2009) China degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: Japanese encephalitis and dengue fever soil contact disease: hantaviral hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) animal contact disease: rabies note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Colombia degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and yellow fever water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009) Congo, Democratic Republic of the degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria, plague, and African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) water contact disease: schistosomiasis animal contact disease: rabies (2009) Congo, Republic of the degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria and African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) animal contact disease: rabies water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2009) Costa Rica degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne diseases: dengue fever (2009) Cote d'Ivoire degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever water contact: schistosomiasis animal contact disease: rabies note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Croatia degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne diseases: tickborne encephalitis note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Cuba degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A vectorborne diseases: dengue fever (2009) Djibouti degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Dominican Republic degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009) Ecuador degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009) Egypt degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: Rift Valley fever water contact disease: schistosomiasis note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) El Salvador degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009) Equatorial Guinea degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria and yellow fever animal contact disease: rabies (2009) Eritrea degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria (2009) Estonia degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne disease: tickborne encephalitis (2009) Ethiopia degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis animal contact disease: rabies water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2009) Gabon degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria and chikungunya water contact disease: schistosomiasis animal contact disease: rabies (2009) Gambia, The degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria water contact disease: schistosomiasis respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis animal contact disease: rabies (2009) Ghana degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria water contact disease: schistosomiasis respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis animal contact disease: rabies note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Guatemala degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: dengue fever and malaria water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009) Guinea degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever water contact disease: schistosomiasis animal contact disease: rabies aerosolized dust or soil contact disease: Lassa fever (2009) Guinea-Bissau degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever water contact disease: schistosomiasis animal contact disease: rabies (2009) Guyana degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009) Haiti degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009) Honduras degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009) Hungary degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A vectorborne diseases: tickborne encephalitis (2009) India degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: chikungunya, dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, and malaria animal contact disease: rabies water contact disease: leptospirosis note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Indonesia degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: chikungunya, dengue fever, and malaria note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Iran degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne diseases: Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever and malaria note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Iraq degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Kenya degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria and Rift Valley fever water contact disease: schistosomiasis animal contact disease: rabies (2009) Laos degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2008) (2009) Latvia degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne diseases: tickborne encephalitis (2009) Liberia degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever water contact disease: schistosomiasis aerosolized dust or soil contact disease: Lassa fever animal contact disease: rabies (2009) Lithuania degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne diseases: tickborne encephalitis (2009) Madagascar degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: chikungunya, malaria, and plague water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2009) Malawi degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and plague water contact disease: schistosomiasis animal contact disease: rabies (2009) Malaysia degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Mali degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria water contact disease: schistosomiasis respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2009) Mauritania degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and Rift Valley fever respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis animal contact disease: rabies (2009) Mexico degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: dengue fever water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009) Montenegro degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne disease: Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever (2009) Mozambique degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and plague water contact disease: schistosomiasis animal contact disease: rabies (2009) Namibia degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2009) Nepal degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: Japanese encephalitis, malaria, and dengue fever (2009) Nicaragua degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: dengue fever and malaria water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009) Niger degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria water contact disease: schistosomiasis animal contact disease: rabies respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Nigeria degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria and yellow fever respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis aerosolized dust or soil contact disease: one of the most highly endemic areas for Lassa fever water contact disease: leptospirosis and shistosomiasis animal contact disease: rabies note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Pakistan degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria animal contact disease: rabies note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Panama degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne disease: dengue fever and malaria (2009) Papua New Guinea degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria (2009) Paraguay degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: dengue fever and malaria (2009) Peru degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: dengue fever, malaria, and yellow fever water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009) Philippines degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and Japanese encephalitis water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009) Poland degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne disease: tickborne encephalitis note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Russia degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne disease: tickborne encephalitis note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Rwanda degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria animal contact disease: rabies (2009) Sao Tome and Principe degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria animal contact disease: rabies (2009) Senegal degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, dengue fever, malaria, Rift Valley fever, and yellow fever water contact disease: schistosomiasis respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis animal contact disease: rabies (2009) Serbia degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne disease: Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Sierra Leone degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever water contact disease: schistosomiasis aerosolized dust or soil contact disease: Lassa fever (2009) Somalia degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and Rift Valley fever water contact disease: schistosomiasis animal contact disease: rabies (2009) South Africa degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2009) Sri Lanka degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A vectorborne disease: dengue fever and chikungunya water contact disease: leptospirosis animal contact disease: rabies (2009) Sudan degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) water contact disease: schistosomiasis respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis animal contact disease: rabies note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Suriname degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: dengue fever, Mayaro virus, and malaria water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009) Swaziland degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2009) Tajikistan degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria (2009) Tanzania degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and plague water contact disease: schistosomiasis animal contact disease: rabies (2009) Thailand degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, and malaria animal contact disease: rabies water contact disease: leptospirosis note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Timor-Leste degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: chikungunya, dengue fever and malaria (2009) Togo degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever water contact disease: schistosomiasis respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis animal contact disease: rabies note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Uganda degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria, plague, and African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) water contact disease: schistosomiasis animal contact disease: rabies (2009) Venezuela degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne disease: dengue fever and malaria (2009) Vietnam degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, Japanese encephalitis, and plague water contact disease: leptospirosis note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) Yemen degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2009) Zambia degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and plague are high risks in some locations water contact disease: schistosomiasis animal contact disease: rabies (2009) Zimbabwe degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria water contact disease: schistosomiasis animal contact disease: rabies (2009) ====================================================================== @2194 Field Listing :: Refugees and internally displaced persons This entry includes those persons residing in a country as refugees or internally displaced persons (IDPs). The definition of a refugee according to a United Nations Convention is "a person who is outside his/her country of nationality or habitual residence; has a well-founded fear of persecution because of his/her race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion; and is unable or unwilling to avail himself/herself of the protection of that country, or to return there, for fear of persecution." The UN established the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 1950 to handle refugee matters worldwide. The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has a different operational definition for a Palestinian refugee: "a person whose normal place of residence was Palestine during the period 1 June 1946 to 15 May 1948 and who lost both home and means of livelihood as a result of the 1948 conflict." However, UNHCR also assists some 400,000 Palestinian refugees not covered under the UNRWA definition. The term "internally displaced person" is not specifically covered in the UN Convention; it is used to describe people who have fled their homes for reasons similar to refugees, but who remain within their own national territory and are subject to the laws of that state. Country Refugees and internally displaced persons Afghanistan IDPs: 132,246 (mostly Pashtuns and Kuchis displaced in south and west due to drought and instability) (2007) Algeria refugees (country of origin): 90,000 (Western Saharan Sahrawi, mostly living in Algerian-sponsored camps in the southwestern Algerian town of Tindouf) IDPs: undetermined (civil war during 1990s) (2007) Angola refugees (country of origin): 12,615 (Democratic Republic of Congo) IDPs: 61,700 (27-year civil war ending in 2002; 4 million IDPs already have returned) (2007) Armenia refugees (country of origin): 113,295 (Azerbaijan) IDPs: 8,400 (conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, majority have returned home since 1994 ceasefire) (2007) Azerbaijan refugees (country of origin): 2,400 (Russia) IDPs: 580,000-690,000 (conflict with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh) (2007) Bangladesh refugees (country of origin): 26,268 (Burma) IDPs: 65,000 (land conflicts, religious persecution) (2007) Benin refugees (country of origin): 9,444 (Togo) (2007) Bosnia and Herzegovina refugees (country of origin): 7,269 (Croatia) IDPs: 131,600 (Bosnian Croats, Serbs, and Bosniaks displaced in 1992-95 war) (2007) Burma IDPs: 503,000 (government offensives against ethnic insurgent groups near the eastern borders; most IDPs are ethnic Karen, Karenni, Shan, Tavoyan, and Mon) (2007) Burundi refugees (country of origin): 9,849 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) IDPs: 100,000 (armed conflict between government and rebels; most IDPs in northern and western Burundi) (2007) Cameroon refugees (country of origin): 20,000-30,000 (Chad); 3,000 (Nigeria); 24,000 (Central African Republic) (2007) Central African Republic refugees (country of origin): 7,900 (Sudan); 3,700 (Democratic Republic of the Congo); note - UNHCR resumed repatriation of Southern Sudanese refugees in 2006 IDPs: 197,000 (ongoing unrest following coup in 2003) (2007) Chad refugees (country of origin): 234,000 (Sudan); 54,200 (Central African Republic) IDPs: 178,918 (2007) China refugees (country of origin): 300,897 (Vietnam); estimated 30,000-50,000 (North Korea) IDPs: 90,000 (2007) Colombia IDPs: 1.8-3.5 million (conflict between government and illegal armed groups and drug traffickers) (2007) Congo, Democratic Republic of the refugees (country of origin): 132,295 (Angola); 37,313 (Rwanda); 17,777 (Burundi); 13,904 (Uganda); 6,181 (Sudan); 5,243 (Republic of Congo) IDPs: 1.4 million (fighting between government forces and rebels since mid-1990s; most IDPs are in eastern provinces) (2007) Congo, Republic of the refugees (country of origin): 46,341 (Democratic Republic of Congo); 6,564 (Rwanda) IDPs: 48,000 (multiple civil wars since 1992; most IDPs are ethnic Lari) (2007) Costa Rica refugees (country of origin): 9,699-11,500 (Colombia) (2007) Cote d'Ivoire refugees (country of origin): 25,615 (Liberia) IDPs: 709,000 (2002 coup; most IDPs are in western regions) (2007) Croatia IDPs: 2,900-7,000 (Croats and Serbs displaced in 1992-95 war) (2007) Cyprus IDPs: 210,000 (both Turkish and Greek Cypriots; many displaced for over 30 years) (2007) Djibouti refugees (country of origin): 8,642 (Somalia) (2007) Ecuador refugees (country of origin): 11,526 (Colombia); note - UNHCR estimates as many as 250,000 Columbians are seeking asylum in Ecuador, many of whom do not register as refugees for fear of deportation (2007) Egypt refugees (country of origin): 60,000 - 80,000 (Iraq); 70,198 (Palestinian Territories); 12,157 (Sudan) (2007) Eritrea IDPs: 32,000 (border war with Ethiopia from 1998-2000; most IDPs are near the central border region) (2007) Ethiopia refugees (country of origin): 66,980 (Sudan); 16,576 (Somalia); 13,078 (Eritrea) IDPs: 200,000 (border war with Eritrea from 1998-2000, ethnic clashes in Gambela, and ongoing Ethiopian military counterinsurgency in Somali region; most IDPs are in Tigray and Gambela Provinces) (2007) Gabon refugees (country of origin): 7,178 (Republic of Congo) (2007) Gambia, The refugees (country of origin): 5,955 (Sierra Leone) (2007) Gaza Strip refugees (country of origin): 1.017 million (Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA)) (2007) Georgia refugees (country of origin): 1,100 (Russia) IDPs: 220,000-240,000 (displaced from Abkhazia and South Ossetia) (2007) Ghana refugees (country of origin): 35,653 (Liberia); 8,517 (Togo) (2007) Guatemala IDPs: undetermined (the UN does not estimate there are any IDPs, although some NGOs estimate over 200,000 IDPs as a result of over three decades of internal conflict that ended in 1996) (2007) Guinea refugees (country of origin): 21,856 (Liberia); 5,259 (Sierra Leone); 3,900 (Cote d'Ivoire) IDPs: 19,000 (cross-border incursions from Cote d'Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone) (2007) Guinea-Bissau refugees (country of origin): 7,454 (Senegal) (2007) India refugees (country of origin): 77,200 (Tibet/China); 69,609 (Sri Lanka); 9,472 (Afghanistan) IDPs: at least 600,000 (about half are Kashmiri Pandits from Jammu and Kashmir) (2007) Indonesia IDPs: 200,000-350,000 (government offensives against rebels in Aceh; most IDPs in Aceh, Central Kalimantan, Central Sulawesi Provinces, and Maluku) (2007) Iran refugees (country of origin): 914,268 (Afghanistan); 54,024 (Iraq) (2007) Iraq refugees (country of origin): 10,000-15,000 (Palestinian Territories); 11,773 (Iran); 16,832 (Turkey) IDPs: 2.4 million (ongoing US-led war and ethno-sectarian violence) (2007) Israel IDPs: 150,000-420,000 (Arab villagers displaced from homes in northern Israel) (2007) Jordan refugees (country of origin): 1,835,704 (Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA)); 500,000 (Iraq) IDPs: 160,000 (1967 Arab-Israeli War) (2007) Kazakhstan refugees (country of origin): 3,700 (Russia); 508 (Afghanistan) (2007) Kenya refugees (country of origin): 173,702 (Somalia); 73,004 (Sudan); 16,428 (Ethiopia) IDPs: 250,000-400,000 (2007 post-election violence; KANU attacks on opposition tribal groups in 1990s) (2007) Korea, North IDPs: undetermined (flooding in mid-2007 and famine during mid-1990s) (2007) Kosovo IDP's: 21,000 (2007) Lebanon refugees (country of origin): 405,425 (Palestinian refugees (UNRWA)); 50,000-60,000 (Iraq) IDPs: 17,000 (1975-90 civil war, Israeli invasions); 200,000 (July-August 2006 war) (2007) Liberia refugees (country of origin): 12,600 (Cote d'Ivoire) IDPs: 13,000 (civil war from 1990-2004; IDP resettlement began in November 2004) (2007) Libya refugees (country of origin): 8,000 (Palestinian Territories) (2007) Macedonia IDPs: fewer than 1,000 (ethnic conflict in 2001) (2007) Malaysia refugees (country of origin): 15,174 (Indonesia); 21,544 (Burma) (2007) Maldives IDPs: 1,000-10,000 (December 2004 tsunami victims) (2007) Mali refugees (country of origin): 6,300 (Mauritania) (2007) Mexico IDPs: 5,500-10,000 (government's quashing of Zapatista uprising in 1994 in eastern Chiapas Region) (2007) Montenegro refugees (country of origin): 7,000 (Kosovo); note - mostly ethnic Serbs and Roma who fled Kosovo in 1999 IDPs: 16,192 (ethnic conflict in 1999 and riots in 2004) (2007) Namibia refugees (country of origin): 4,700 (Angola) (2007) Nepal refugees (country of origin): 107,803 (Bhutan); 20,153 (Tibet/China) IDPs: 50,000-70,000 (remaining from ten-year Maoist insurgency that officially ended in 2006; displacement spread across the country) (2007) Nigeria refugees (country of origin): 5,778 (Liberia) IDPs: undetermined (communal violence between Christians and Muslims since President OBASANJO's election in 1999; displacement is mostly short-term) (2007) Pakistan refugees (country of origin): 1,043,984 (Afghanistan) IDPs: undetermined (government strikes on Islamic militants in South Waziristan); 34,000 (October 2005 earthquake; most of those displaced returned to their home villages in the spring of 2006) (2007) Papua New Guinea refugees (country of origin): 10,177 (Indonesia) (2007) Peru IDPs: 60,000-150,000 (civil war from 1980-2000; most IDPs are indigenous peasants in Andean and Amazonian regions) (2007) Philippines IDPs: 300,000 (fighting between government troops and MILF and Abu Sayyaf groups) (2007) Russia IDPs: 18,000-160,000 (displacement from Chechnya and North Ossetia) (2007) Rwanda refugees (country of origin): 46,272 (Democratic Republic of the Congo); 4,400 (Burundi) (2007) Saudi Arabia refugees (country of origin): 240,015 (Palestinian Territories) (2007) Senegal refugees (country of origin): 19,630 (Mauritania) IDPs: 22,400 (approximately 65% of the IDP population returned in 2005, but new displacement is occurring due to clashes between government troops and separatists in Casamance region) (2007) Serbia refugees (country of origin): 71,111 (Croatia); 27,414 (Bosnia and Herzegovina); 206,000 (Kosovo), note - mostly ethnic Serbs and Roma who fled Kosovo in 1999 (2007) Sierra Leone refugees (country of origin): 27,311 (Liberia) (2007) Solomon Islands IDPs: 5,400 (displaced by tsunami on 2 April 2007) (2007) Somalia IDPs: 1.1 million (civil war since 1988, clan-based competition for resources) (2007) South Africa refugees (country of origin): 10,772 (Democratic Republic of Congo); 7,818 (Somalia); 5,759 (Angola) (2007) Sri Lanka IDPs: 460,000 (both Tamils and non-Tamils displaced due to long-term civil war between the government and the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)) (2007) Sudan refugees (country of origin): 157,220 (Eritrea); 25,023 (Chad); 11,009 (Ethiopia); 7,895 (Uganda); 5,023 (Central African Republic) IDPs: 5.3 - 6.2 million (civil war 1983-2005; ongoing conflict in Darfur region) (2007) Syria refugees (country of origin): 1-1.4 million (Iraq); 522,100 (Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA)) IDPs: 305,000 (most displaced from Golan Heights during 1967 Arab-Israeli War) (2007) Tanzania refugees (country of origin): 352,640 (Burundi); 127,973 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (2007) Thailand refugees (country of origin): 132,241 (Burma) (2007) Timor-Leste IDPs: 100,000 (2007) Togo refugees (country of origin): 5,000 (Ghana) IDPs: 1,500 (2007) Turkey IDPs: 1-1.2 million (fighting 1984-99 between Kurdish PKK and Turkish military; most IDPs in southeastern provinces) (2007) Turkmenistan refugees (country of origin): 11,173 (Tajikistan); less than 1,000 (Afghanistan) (2007) Uganda refugees (country of origin): 215,700 (Sudan); 28,880 (Democratic Republic of Congo); 24,900 (Rwanda) IDPs: 1.27 million (350,000 IDPs returned in 2006 following ongoing peace talks between the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) and the Government of Uganda) (2007) United States refugees (country of origin): the US admitted 62,643 refugees during FY04/05 including; 10,586 (Somalia); 8,549 (Laos); 6,666 (Russia); 6,479 (Cuba); 3,100 (Haiti); 2,136 (Iran) (2006) Uzbekistan refugees (country of origin): 39,202 (Tajikistan); 1,060 (Afghanistan) IDPs: 3,400 (forced population transfers by government from villages near Tajikistan border) (2007) West Bank refugees (country of origin): 722,000 (Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA)) (2007) World the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimated that in December 2006 there was a global population of 8.8 million registered refugees and as many as 24.5 million IDPs in more than 50 countries; the actual global population of refugees is probably closer to 10 million given the estimated 1.5 million Iraqi refugees displaced throughout the Middle East (2007) Yemen refugees (country of origin): 91,587 (Somalia) (2007) Zambia refugees (country of origin): 42,565 (Angola); 60,874 (Democratic Republic of the Congo); 4,100 (Rwanda) (2007) Zimbabwe refugees (country of origin): 2,500 (Democratic Republic of Congo) IDPs: 569,685 (MUGABE-led political violence, human rights violations, land reform, and economic collapse) (2007) ====================================================================== @2195 Field Listing :: GDP (official exchange rate) This entry gives the gross domestic product (GDP) or value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year. A nation's GDP at official exchange rates (OER) is the home-currency-denominated annual GDP figure divided by the bilateral average US exchange rate with that country in that year. The measure is simple to compute and gives a precise measure of the value of output. Many economists prefer this measure when gauging the economic power an economy maintains vis-a-vis its neighbors, judging that an exchange rate captures the purchasing power a nation enjoys in the international marketplace. Official exchange rates, however, can be artificially fixed and/or subject to manipulation - resulting in claims of the country having an under- or over-valued currency - and are not necessarily the equivalent of a market-determined exchange rate. Moreover, even if the official exchange rate is market-determined, market exchange rates are frequently established by a relatively small set of goods and services (the ones the country trades) and may not capture the value of the larger set of goods the country produces. Furthermore, OER-converted GDP is not well suited to comparing domestic GDP over time, since appreciation/depreciation from one year to the next will make the OER GDP value rise/fall regardless of whether home-currency-denominated GDP changed. Country GDP (official exchange rate) Afghanistan $11.71 billion (2008 est.) Albania $12.96 billion (2008 est.) Algeria $159.7 billion (2008 est.) American Samoa $462.2 million (2005) Andorra $NA Angola $84.95 billion (2008 est.) Anguilla $108.9 million (2004 est.) Antigua and Barbuda $1.224 billion (2008 est.) Argentina $324.8 billion (2008 est.) Armenia $11.92 billion (2008 est.) Aruba $2.258 billion (2005 est.) Australia $1.013 trillion (2008 est.) Austria $414.8 billion (2008 est.) Azerbaijan $46.38 billion (2008 est.) Bahamas, The $7.564 billion (2008 est.) Bahrain $21.24 billion (2008 est.) Bangladesh $84.2 billion (2008 est.) Barbados $3.67 billion (2008 est.) Belarus $60.3 billion (2008 est.) Belgium $506.2 billion (2008) Belize $1.359 billion (2008 est.) Benin $6.712 billion (2008 est.) Bermuda $NA Bhutan $1.389 billion (2008 est.) Bolivia $16.6 billion (2008 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina $18.47 billion (2008 est.) Botswana $13.46 billion (2008 est.) Brazil $1.573 trillion (2008 est.) British Virgin Islands $839.7 million (2003) Brunei $14.55 billion (2008 est.) Bulgaria $49.9 billion (2008) Burkina Faso $8.116 billion (2008 est.) Burma $26.21 billion (2008 est.) Burundi $1.097 billion (2008 est.) Cambodia $11.25 billion (2008 est.) Cameroon $23.73 billion (2008 est.) Canada $1.5 trillion (2008 est.) Cape Verde $1.744 billion (2008 est.) Cayman Islands $NA Central African Republic $1.997 billion (2008 est.) Chad $8.4 billion (2008 est.) Chile $169.5 billion (2008 est.) China $4.327 trillion (2008 est.) Colombia $240.8 billion (2008 est.) Comoros $532 million (2008 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the $11.63 billion (2008 est.) Congo, Republic of the $10.77 billion (2008 est.) Cook Islands $183.2 million (2005 est.) Costa Rica $29.66 billion (2008 est.) Cote d'Ivoire $23.51 billion (2008 est.) Croatia $69.36 billion (2008 est.) Cuba $54.71 billion (2008 est.) Cyprus $24.92 billion (2008 est.) Czech Republic $216.4 billion (2008 est.) Denmark $340 billion (2008 est.) Djibouti $982 million (2008 est.) Dominica $364 million (2008 est.) Dominican Republic $44.44 billion (2008 est.) Ecuador $54.69 billion (2008 est.) Egypt $162.6 billion (2008 est.) El Salvador $22.12 billion (2008 est.) Equatorial Guinea $18.53 billion (2008 est.) Eritrea $1.479 billion (2008 est.) Estonia $23.55 billion (2008 est.) Ethiopia $26.39 billion (2008 est.) European Union $18.14 trillion (2008 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) $105.1 million (2002 est.) Faroe Islands $1.7 billion (2005 est.) Fiji $3.589 billion (2008 est.) Finland $271.9 billion (2008 est.) France $2.867 trillion (2008 est.) French Polynesia $6.1 billion (2004) Gabon $14.54 billion (2008 est.) Gambia, The $810 million (2008 est.) Gaza Strip $6.641 billion (2008 est.) (2008 est.) Georgia $12.86 billion (2008 est.) Germany $3.673 trillion (2008 est.) Ghana $16.65 billion (2008 est.) Gibraltar $1.066 billion (2005 est.) Greece $357.5 billion (2008 est.) Greenland $1.7 billion (2005) Grenada $678 million (2008 est.) Guam $2.773 billion (2001) Guatemala $38.98 billion (2008 est.) Guernsey $2.742 billion (2005) Guinea $4.517 billion (2008 est.) Guinea-Bissau $461 million (2008 est.) Guyana $1.154 billion (2008 est.) Haiti $6.943 billion (2008 est.) Honduras $14 billion (2008 est.) Hong Kong $215.4 billion (2008 est.) Hungary $155.9 billion (2008 est.) Iceland $16.79 billion (2008 est.) India $1.207 trillion (2008 est.) Indonesia $511.8 billion (2008 est.) Iran $335.2 billion (2008 est.) Iraq $91.45 billion (2008 est.) Ireland $267.6 billion (2008 est.) Isle of Man $2.719 billion (2005 est.) Israel $202.1 billion (2008 est.) Italy $2.314 trillion (2008 est.) Jamaica $14.03 billion (2008 est.) Japan $4.911 trillion (2008 est.) Jersey $5.1 billion (2005 est.) Jordan $21.23 billion (2008 est.) Kazakhstan $135.6 billion (2008 est.) Kenya $29.56 billion (2008 est.) Kiribati $137 million (2008 est.) Korea, North $26.2 billion (2008 est.) Korea, South $929.1 billion (2008 est.) Kosovo $3.237 billion (2007 est.) Kuwait $158.1 billion (2008 est.) Kyrgyzstan $5.05 billion (2008 est.) Laos $5.374 billion (2008 est.) Latvia $33.98 billion (2008 est.) Lebanon $29.35 billion (2008 est.) Lesotho $1.618 billion (2008 est.) Liberia $850 million (2008 est.) Libya $89.92 billion (2008 est.) Liechtenstein $4.993 billion (2007) Lithuania $47.3 billion (2008 est.) Luxembourg $54.97 billion (2008 est.) Macau $22.04 billion (2008 est.) Macedonia $9.569 billion (2008 est.) Madagascar $9.463 billion (2008 est.) Malawi $4.268 billion (2008 est.) Malaysia $221.6 billion (2008 est.) Maldives $1.261 billion (2008 est.) Mali $8.774 billion (2008 est.) Malta $8.37 billion (2008 est.) Marshall Islands $161.7 million (2008 est.) Mauritania $3.161 billion (2008 est.) Mauritius $8.738 billion (2008 est.) Mayotte $NA Mexico $1.088 trillion (2008 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of $238.1 million (2008) Moldova $6.047 billion (2008 est.) Monaco $NA Mongolia $5.243 billion (2008 est.) Montenegro $4.848 billion (2008 est.) Montserrat $NA Morocco $88.88 billion (2008 est.) Mozambique $9.897 billion (2008 est.) Namibia $8.835 billion (2008 est.) Nauru $NA Nepal $12.28 billion (2008 est.) Netherlands $877 billion (2008 est.) Netherlands Antilles $NA New Caledonia $3.3 billion (2003 est.) New Zealand $128.4 billion (2008 est.) Nicaragua $6.365 billion (2008 est.) Niger $5.382 billion (2008 est.) Nigeria $207.1 billion (2008 est.) Niue $10.01 million (2003) Northern Mariana Islands $633.4 million (2000) Norway $451.8 billion (2008 est.) Oman $59.95 billion (2008 est.) Pakistan $164.6 billion (2008 est.) Palau $164 million (2008) Panama $23.09 billion (2008 est.) Papua New Guinea $8.092 billion (2008 est.) Paraguay $16.01 billion (2008 est.) Peru $127.5 billion (2008 est.) Philippines $166.9 billion (2008 est.) Poland $527.9 billion (2008 est.) Portugal $244.6 billion (2008 est.) Puerto Rico $88 billion (2008 est.) Qatar $102.3 billion (2008 est.) Romania $200.1 billion (2008 est.) Russia $1.677 trillion (2008 est.) Rwanda $4.459 billion (2008 est.) Saint Helena $NA Saint Kitts and Nevis $546 million (2008 est.) Saint Lucia $987 million (2008 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon $NA Saint Vincent and the Grenadines $601 million (2008 est.) Samoa $500 million (2008 est.) San Marino $1.048 billion (2004) Sao Tome and Principe $175 million (2008 est.) Saudi Arabia $469.4 billion (2008 est.) Senegal $13.35 billion (2008 est.) Serbia $50.06 billion (2008 est.) Seychelles $822 million (2008 est.) Sierra Leone $1.953 billion (2008 est.) Singapore $181.9 billion (2008 est.) Slovakia $95.4 billion (2008 est.) Slovenia $54.64 billion (2008 est.) Solomon Islands $642 million (2008 est.) Somalia $2.6 billion (2008 est.) South Africa $276.8 billion (2008 est.) Spain $1.602 trillion (2008 est.) Sri Lanka $39.6 billion (2008 est.) Sudan $58.03 billion (2008 est.) Suriname $2.933 billion (2008 est.) Swaziland $2.84 billion (2008 est.) Sweden $479 billion (2008 est.) Switzerland $500.3 billion (2008 est.) Syria $55.02 billion (2008 est.) Taiwan $391.4 billion (2008 est.) Tajikistan $5.135 billion (2008 est.) Tanzania $20.67 billion (2008 est.) Thailand $273.3 billion (2008 est.) Timor-Leste $499 million (2008 est.) Togo $2.89 billion (2008 est.) Tokelau $NA Tonga $258 million (2008 est.) Trinidad and Tobago $25.93 billion (2008 est.) Tunisia $40.84 billion (2008 est.) Turkey $730 billion (2008 est.) Turkmenistan $29.16 billion (2008 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands $NA Tuvalu $14.94 million (2002) Uganda $14.57 billion (2008 est.) Ukraine $179.6 billion (2008 est.) United Arab Emirates $262.2 billion (2008 est.) United Kingdom $2.68 trillion (2008 est.) United States $14.44 trillion (2008 est.) Uruguay $32.19 billion (2008 est.) Uzbekistan $27.92 billion (2008 est.) Vanuatu $573 million (2008 est.) Venezuela $319.4 billion (2008 est.) Vietnam $89.83 billion (2008 est.) Virgin Islands $NA Wallis and Futuna $NA West Bank $6.641 billion (2008 est.) (2008 est.) Western Sahara $NA World GWP (gross world product): $61.22 trillion (2008 est.) Yemen $26.91 billion (2008 est.) Zambia $14.65 billion (2008 est.) Zimbabwe $10.58 billion note: hyperinflation and the plunging value of the Zimbabwean dollar makes Zimbabwe's GDP at the official exchange rate a highly inaccurate statistic (2008 est.) ====================================================================== @2196 Field Listing :: Trafficking in persons Trafficking in persons is modern-day slavery, involving victims who are forced, defrauded, or coerced into labor or sexual exploitation. The International Labor Organization (ILO), the UN agency charged with addressing labor standards, employment, and social protection issues, estimates that 12.3 million people worldwide are enslaved in forced labor, bonded labor, forced child labor, sexual servitude, and involuntary servitude at any given time. Human trafficking is a multi-dimensional threat, depriving people of their human rights and freedoms, risking global health, promoting social breakdown, inhibiting development by depriving countries of their human capital, and helping fuel the growth of organized crime. In 2000, the US Congress passed the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), reauthorized in 2003 and 2005, which provides tools for the US to combat trafficking in persons, both domestically and abroad. One of the law's key components is the creation of the US Department of State's annual Trafficking in Persons Report, which assesses the government response (i.e., the current situation) in some 150 countries with a significant number of victims trafficked across their borders who are recruited, harbored, transported, provided, or obtained for forced labor or sexual exploitation. Countries in the annual report are rated in three tiers, based on government efforts to combat trafficking. The countries identified in this entry are those listed in the 2008 Trafficking in Persons Report as Tier 2 Watch List or Tier 3 based on the following tier rating definitions: Tier 2 Watch List countries do not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but are making significant efforts to do so, and meet one of the following criteria: 1. they display high or significantly increasing number of victims, 2. they have failed to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in persons, or, 3. they have committed to take action over the next year. Tier 3 countries neither satisfy the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking nor demonstrate a significant effort to do so. Countries in this tier are subject to potential non-humanitarian and non-trade sanctions. Country Trafficking in persons Albania current situation: Albania is a source country for women and girls trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor; it is no longer considered a major country of transit; Albanian victims are trafficked to Greece, Italy, Macedonia, and Kosovo, with many trafficked onward to Western European countries; children were also trafficked to Greece for begging and other forms of child labor; approximately half of all Albanian trafficking victims are under age 18; internal sex trafficking of women and children is on the rise tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Albania is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in persons in 2007, particularly in the area of victim protection; the government did not appropriately identify trafficking victims during 2007, and has not demonstrated that it is vigorously investigating or prosecuting complicit officials (2008) Algeria current situation: Algeria is a transit country for men and women trafficked from sub-Saharan Africa to Europe for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and involuntary servitude; Algerian children are trafficked internally for the purpose of domestic servitude or street vending tier rating: Tier 3 - Algeria did not report any serious law enforcement actions to punish traffickers who force women into commercial sexual exploitation or men into involuntary servitude in 2007; the government again reported no investigations of trafficking of children for domestic servitude or improvements in protection services available to victims of trafficking; Algeria still lacks victim protection services, and its failure to distinguish between trafficking and illegal migration may result in the punishment of victims of trafficking (2008) Argentina current situation: Argentina is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor; most victims are trafficked within the country, from rural to urban areas; child sex tourism is a problem; foreign women and children, primarily from Paraguay, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic, are trafficked to Argentina for commercial sexual exploitation; Argentine women and girls are also trafficked to neighboring countries, Mexico, and Western Europe for sexual exploitation; a significant number of Bolivians, Peruvians, and Paraguayans are trafficked into the country for forced labor in sweatshops, agriculture, and as domestic servants tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - despite some progress, Argentina remains on the Tier 2 Watch List for the third consecutive year for its failure to show evidence of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking, particularly in terms of providing adequate assistance to victims and curbing official complicity with trafficking activity, especially on the provincial and local levels; the Argentine Congress has demonstrated progress by enacting much-needed and first-ever federal anti-trafficking legislation (2009) Armenia current situation: Armenia is primarily a source country for women and girls trafficked to the UAE and Turkey for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation; Armenian men and women are trafficked to Turkey and Russia for the purpose of forced labor tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Armenia is placed on the Tier 2 Watch List for a fourth consecutive year; its efforts to increase compliance with the minimum standards were assessed based on its commitments to undertake future actions, particularly in the areas of improving victim protection and assistance; while the government elevated anti-trafficking responsibilities to the ministerial level, adopted a new National Action Plan, and drafted a National Referral Mechanism, it has yet to show tangible progress in identifying and protecting victims or in tackling trafficking complicity of government officials; the Armenian Government made some notable improvements in its anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts, but it failed to demonstrate evidence of investigations, prosecutions, convictions, and sentences of officials complicit in trafficking (2008) Azerbaijan current situation: Azerbaijan is primarily a source and transit country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor; women and some children from Azerbaijan are trafficked to Turkey and the UAE for the purpose of sexual exploitation; men and boys are trafficked to Russia for the purpose of forced labor; Azerbaijan serves as a transit country for victims from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Moldova trafficked to Turkey and the UAE for sexual exploitation tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Azerbaijan is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in persons, particularly efforts to investigate, prosecute, and punish traffickers; to address complicity among law enforcement personnel; and to adequately identify and protect victims in Azerbaijan; the government has yet to develop a much-needed mechanism to identify potential trafficking victims and refer them to safety and care; poor treatment of trafficking victims in courtrooms continues to be a problem (2008) Bahrain current situation: Bahrain is a destination country for men and women trafficked for the purposes of involuntary servitude and commercial sexual exploitation; men and women from Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia migrate voluntarily to Bahrain to work as laborers or domestic servants where some face conditions of involuntary servitude such as unlawful withholding of passports, restrictions on movements, non-payment of wages, threats, and physical or sexual abuse; women from Thailand, Morocco, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia are trafficked to Bahrain for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Bahrain is on the Tier 2 Watch List for failing to show evidence of increased efforts to combat human trafficking, particularly efforts that enforce laws against trafficking in persons, and that prevent the punishment of victims of trafficking; during 2007, Bahrain passed a comprehensive law prohibiting all forms of trafficking in persons; the government also established a specialized anti-trafficking unit within the Ministry of Interior to investigate trafficking crimes; however, the government did not report any prosecutions or convictions for trafficking offenses during 2007, despite reports of a substantial problem of involuntary servitude and sex trafficking (2008) Burma current situation: Burma is a source country for women, children, and men trafficked for the purpose of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation; Burmese women and children are trafficked to East and Southeast Asia for commercial sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, and forced labor; Burmese children are subjected to conditions of forced labor in Thailand as hawkers, beggars, and for work in shops, agriculture, fish processing, and small-scale industries; women are trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation to Malaysia and China; some trafficking victims transit Burma from Bangladesh to Malaysia and from China to Thailand; internal trafficking occurs primarily from villages to urban centers and economic hubs for labor in industrial zones, agricultural estates, and commercial sexual exploitation; military and civilian officials continue to use a significant amount of forced labor; ethnic insurgent groups also used compulsory labor of adults and unlawful recruitment of children; the military junta's gross economic mismanagement, human rights abuses, and its policy of using forced labor are the top causal factors for Burma's significant trafficking problem tier rating: Tier 3 - Burma does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; military and civilian officials remain directly involved in significant acts of forced labor and unlawful conscription of child soldiers (2008) Burundi current situation: Burundi is a source country for children trafficked for the purposes of child soldiering, domestic servitude, and commercial sexual exploitation; a small number of Burundian children may be trafficked internally for domestic servitude or commercial sexual exploitation; in early 2008, Burundian children were allegedly trafficked to Uganda, via Rwanda, for agricultural labor and commercial sexual exploitation tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Burundi is on the Tier 2 Watch List for the second consecutive year for its failure to provide sufficient evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in persons in 2007; the government's inability to provide adequate protective services to children accused of association with armed groups and to conduct anti-trafficking law enforcement activities continue to be causes for concern; Burundi has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008) Cameroon current situation: Cameroon is a source, transit, and destination country for women and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation; most victims are children trafficked within country, with girls primarily trafficked for domestic servitude and sexual exploitation; both boys and girls are also trafficked within Cameroon for forced labor in sweatshops, bars, restaurants, and on tea and cocoa plantations; children are trafficked into Cameroon from neighboring states for forced labor in agriculture, fishing, street vending, and spare-parts shops; Cameroon is a transit country for children trafficked between Gabon and Nigeria, and from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia; it is a source country for women transported by sex-trafficking rings to Europe tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Cameroon is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking in 2007, particularly in terms of efforts to prosecute and convict trafficking offenders; while Cameroon reported some arrests of traffickers, none of them were prosecuted or punished; the government does not identify trafficking victims among vulnerable populations nor does it monitor the number of victims it intercepts (2008) Central African Republic current situation: Central African Republic is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and sexual exploitation; the majority of victims are children trafficked within the country for sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, street vending, and forced agricultural, mine, market and restaurant labor; to a lesser extent, children are trafficked from the Central African Republic to Cameroon, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo; rebels conscript children into armed forces within the country tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Central African Republic is on the Tier 2 Watch List for the third consecutive year for its failure to show evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in 2007; efforts to address trafficking through vigorous law enforcement measures and victim protection efforts were minimal, though awareness about trafficking appeared to be increasing in the country; the government does not actively investigate cases, work to identify trafficking victims among vulnerable populations, or rescue and provide care to victims; the government has not taken measures to reduce demand for commercial sex acts (2008) Chad current situation: Chad is a source, transit, and destination country for children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation; the majority of children are trafficked within Chad for involuntary domestic servitude, forced cattle herding, forced begging, forced labor in petty commerce or the fishing industry, or for commercial sexual exploitation; to a lesser extent, Chadian children are also trafficked to Cameroon, the Central African Republic, and Nigeria for cattle herding; children may also be trafficked from Cameroon and the Central African Republic to Chad's oil producing regions for sexual exploitation tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Chad is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking in 2007; Chad was destabilized during 2007 by civil conflict leading to a declared state of emergency in February 2008, and a steady influx of refugees fleeing Sudan and the Central African Republic; the government demonstrated insufficient overall efforts to combat trafficking; Chad has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008) China current situation: China is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor; the majority of trafficking in China occurs within the country's borders, but there is also considerable international trafficking of Chinese citizens to Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and North America; Chinese women are lured abroad through false promises of legitimate employment, only to be forced into commercial sexual exploitation, largely in Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan; women and children are trafficked to China from Mongolia, Burma, North Korea, Russia, and Vietnam for forced labor, marriage, and prostitution; some North Korean women and children seeking to leave their country voluntarily cross the border into China and are then sold into prostitution, marriage, or forced labor tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - China is on the Tier 2 Watch List for the fourth consecutive year for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking, particularly in terms of punishment of trafficking crimes and the protection of Chinese and foreign victims of trafficking; victims are sometimes punished for unlawful acts that were committed as a direct result of their being trafficked, such as violations of prostitution or immigration/emigration controls; the Chinese Government continued to treat North Korean victims of trafficking solely as economic migrants, routinely deporting them back to horrendous conditions in North Korea; additional challenges facing the Chinese Government include the enormous size of its trafficking problem and the significant level of corruption and complicity in trafficking by some local government officials (2008) Congo, Democratic Republic of the current situation: Democratic Republic of the Congo is a source and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and sexual exploitation; much of this trafficking occurs within the country's unstable eastern provinces and is perpetrated by armed groups outside government control tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Democratic Republic of the Congo is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in persons in 2007; while some significant initial advances were noted, the government's capacity to apprehend, convict, or imprison traffickers remained weak; the government lacks sufficient financial, technical, and human resources to effectively address not only trafficking crimes, but also to provide basic levels of security in some parts of the country (2008) Congo, Republic of the current situation: Republic of the Congo is a source and destination country for children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation; girls are trafficked from rural areas within the country for commercial sexual exploitation, forced street vending, and domestic servitude; children are trafficked from other African countries for domestic servitude, forced market vending, and forced labor in the fishing industry tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Republic of the Congo is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to show evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in persons in 2007; struggling to recover from six years of civil conflict that ended in 2003, the Republic of the Congo's capacity to address trafficking is handicapped; the government neither monitors its borders for trafficking activity nor provides specialized anti-trafficking training for law enforcement officials; the government does not encourage victims to assist in trafficking investigations or prosecutions, and has not taken measures to reduce demand for commercial sex acts in the Republic of the Congo (2008) Costa Rica current situation: Costa Rica is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor; women and girls from neighboring states, Russia, Uzbekistan, and the Philippines are trafficked into the country for sexual exploitation; Costa Rica also serves as a transit point for victims trafficked to North America and Europe; the government identifies child sex tourism as a serious problem; men, women, and children are also trafficked within the country for forced labor in fishing and construction, and as domestic servants tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Costa Rica is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking, particularly in terms of its failure to improve its inadequate assistance to victims; while Costa Rican officials recognize human trafficking as a serious problem, the lack of a stronger response by the government is of concern (2008) Cote d'Ivoire Cote d'Ivoire is a source, transit, and destination country for women and children trafficked for forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation; trafficking within the country is more prevalent than international trafficking and the majority of victims are children; women and girls are trafficked from northern areas to southern cities for domestic servitude, restaurant labor, and sexual exploitation; boys are trafficked internally for agricultural and service labor and transnationally for forced labor in agriculture, mining, construction, and in the fishing industry; women and girls are trafficked to and from other West and Central African countries for domestic servitude and forced street vending tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Cote d'Ivoire is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking in 2007, particularly with regard to its law enforcement efforts and protection of sex trafficking victims; in addition, Ivoirian law does not prohibit all forms of trafficking, and Cote d'Ivoire has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008) Cuba current situation: Cuba is principally a source country for women and children trafficked within the country for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation and possibly for forced labor; the country is a destination for sex tourism including child sex tourism, which is a problem in many areas of the country; some Cuban nationals willingly migrate to the United States but are subsequently exploited for forced labor by their smugglers; Cuba is also a transit point for the smuggling of migrants from China, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Lebanon, and other nations to the United States and Canada tier rating: Tier 3 - Cuba does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; exact information about trafficking in Cuba is difficult to obtain because the government does not acknowledge or condemn human trafficking as a problem in Cuba; tangible efforts to prosecute offenders, protect victims, or prevent human trafficking activity do not appear to have been made during 2007; Cuba has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008) Cyprus current situation: Cyprus is primarily a destination country for a large number of women trafficked from Eastern and Central Europe, the Philippines, and the Dominican Republic for the purpose of sexual exploitation; traffickers continued to fraudulently recruit victims for work as dancers in cabarets and nightclubs on short-term "artiste" visas, for work in pubs and bars on employment visas, or for illegal work on tourist or student visas tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Cyprus is on the Tier 2 Watch List for a third consecutive year for failure to show evidence of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking during 2007; although Cyprus passed a new trafficking law and opened a government trafficking shelter, these efforts are outweighed by its failure to show tangible and critically needed progress in the areas of law enforcement, victim protection, and the prevention of trafficking (2008) Dominican Republic current situation: the Dominican Republic is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor; a large number of Dominican women are trafficked into prostitution and sexual exploitation in Western Europe, Australia, Central and South America, and Caribbean destinations; a significant number of women, boys, and girls are trafficked within the country for sexual exploitation and domestic servitude tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - for a second consecutive year, the Dominican Republic is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to show evidence of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking, particularly in terms of not adequately investigating and prosecuting public officials who may be complicit with trafficking activity, and inadequate government efforts to protect trafficking victims; the government has taken measures to reduce demand for commercial sex acts with children through criminal prosecutions (2008) Egypt current situation: Egypt is a transit country for women trafficked from Eastern European countries to Israel for sexual exploitation, and is a source for children trafficked within the country for commercial sexual exploitation and domestic servitude, although the extent to which children are trafficked internally is unknown; children were also recruited for domestic and agricultural work; some of these children face conditions of involuntary servitude, such as restrictions on movement, non-payment of wages, threats, and physical or sexual abuse tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Egypt is on the Tier 2 Watch List for the third year in a row because it did not provide evidence of increasing efforts to investigate and prosecute traffickers; however, in July 2007, the government established the "National Coordinating Committee to Combat and Prevent Trafficking in Persons," which improved inter-governmental coordination on anti-trafficking initiatives; Egypt made no discernible efforts to punish trafficking crimes in 2007 and the Egyptian penal code does not prohibit all forms of trafficking; Egypt did not increase its services to trafficking victims during the reporting period (2008) Equatorial Guinea current situation: Equatorial Guinea is primarily a destination country for children trafficked for the purpose of forced labor and possibly for the purpose of sexual exploitation; children have been trafficked from nearby countries for domestic servitude, market labor, ambulant vending, and possibly sexual exploitation; women may also be trafficked to Equatorial Guinea from Cameroon, Benin, other neighboring countries, and China for sexual exploitation tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Equatorial Guinea is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking, particularly in the areas of prosecuting and convicting trafficking offenders and failing to formalize mechanisms to provide assistance to victims; although the government made some effort to enforce laws against child labor exploitation, it failed to report any trafficking prosecutions or convictions in 2007; the government continued to lack shelters or formal procedures for providing care to victims (2008) Fiji current situation: Fiji is a source country for children trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation and a destination country for a small number of women from China and India trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation tier rating: Tier 3 - Fiji does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government has demonstrated no action to investigate or prosecute traffickers, assist victims, take steps to reduce the demand for commercial sex acts, or support any anti-trafficking information or education campaigns; Fiji has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008) Gabon current situation: Gabon is predominantly a destination country for children trafficked from other African countries for the purpose of forced labor; girls are primarily trafficked for domestic servitude, forced market vending, forced restaurant labor, and sexual exploitation, while boys are trafficked for forced street hawking and forced labor in small workshops tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Gabon is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking in 2007, particularly in terms of efforts to convict and punish trafficking offenders; the government has not reported the convictions or sentences of any trafficking offenders; the government did not take steps to reduce demand for commercial sex acts (2008) Gambia, The current situation: The Gambia is a source, transit, and destination country for children and women trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation; women and girls, and to a lesser extent boys, are trafficked for sexual exploitation - in particular to meet the demand for European sex tourism - and for domestic servitude; boys are trafficked within the country for forced begging and street vending; Gambian women and children may be trafficked to Europe through trafficking schemes disguised as migrant smuggling tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - for a second consecutive year, The Gambia is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking; The Gambia failed to report any trafficking arrests, prosecutions, or convictions in 2007, and the government demonstrated weak victim protection efforts during the reporting period (2008) Guatemala current situation: Guatemala is a source, transit, and destination country for Guatemalans and Central Americans trafficked for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor; human trafficking is a significant and growing problem in the country; Guatemalan women and children are trafficked within the country for commercial sexual exploitation, primarily to Mexico and the United States; Guatemalan men, women, and children are also trafficked within the country, and to Mexico and the United States, for forced labor tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - for a second consecutive year, Guatemala is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in persons, particularly with respect to ensuring that trafficking offenders are appropriately prosecuted for their crimes; while prosecutors initiated trafficking prosecutions, they continued to face problems in court with application of Guatemala's comprehensive anti-trafficking law; the government made modest improvements to its protection efforts, but assistance remained inadequate overall in 2007 (2008) Guinea current situation: Guinea is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and sexual exploitation; the majority of victims are children, and internal trafficking is more prevalent than transnational trafficking; within the country, girls are trafficked primarily for domestic servitude and sexual exploitation, while boys are trafficked for forced agricultural labor, and as forced beggars, street vendors, shoe shiners, and laborers in gold and diamond mines; some Guinean men are also trafficked for agricultural labor within Guinea; transnationally, girls are trafficked into Guinea for domestic servitude and likely also for sexual exploitation tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Guinea is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking over 2006; Guinea demonstrated minimal law enforcement efforts for a second year in a row, while protection efforts diminished over efforts in 2006; the government did not report any trafficking convictions in 2007; due to a lack of resources, the government does not provide shelter services for trafficking victims; the government took no measures to reduce the demand for commercial sexual exploitation (2008) Guinea-Bissau current situation: Guinea-Bissau is a source country for children trafficked primarily for forced begging and forced agricultural labor to other West African countries tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - for the second year in a row, Guinea-Bissau is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to combat severe forms of trafficking in persons, as evidenced by the continued failure to pass an anti-trafficking law and inadequate efforts to investigate or prosecute trafficking crimes or convict and punish trafficking offenders (2008) Guyana current situation: Guyana is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor; most trafficking appears to take place in remote mining camps in the country's interior; some women and girls are trafficked from northern Brazil; reporting from other nations suggests Guyanese women and girls are trafficked for sexual exploitation to neighboring countries and Guyanese men and boys are subject to labor exploitation in construction and agriculture; trafficking victims from Suriname, Brazil, and Venezuela transit Guyana en route to Caribbean destinations tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - for a second consecutive year, Guyana is on the Tier 2 Watch List for failing to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking, particularly in the area of law enforcement actions against trafficking offenders; the government has yet to produce an anti-trafficking conviction under the comprehensive Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act, which became law in 2005; the government operates no shelters for trafficking victims, but did include limited funding for anti-trafficking NGOs in its 2008 budget; the government did not make any effort to reduce demand for commercial sex acts during 2007 (2008) India current situation: India is a source, destination, and transit country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation; internal forced labor may constitute India's largest trafficking problem; men, women, and children are held in debt bondage and face forced labor working in brick kilns, rice mills, agriculture, and embroidery factories; women and girls are trafficked within the country for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced marriage; children are subjected to forced labor as factory workers, domestic servants, beggars, and agriculture workers, and have been used as armed combatants by some terrorist and insurgent groups; India is also a destination for women and girls from Nepal and Bangladesh trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation; Indian women are trafficked to the Middle East for commercial sexual exploitation; men and women from Bangladesh and Nepal are trafficked through India for forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation in the Middle East tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - India is on the Tier 2 Watch List for a fifth consecutive year for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking in 2007; despite the reported extent of the trafficking crisis in India, government authorities made uneven efforts to prosecute traffickers and protect trafficking victims; government authorities continued to rescue victims of commercial sexual exploitation and forced child labor and child armed combatants, and began to show progress in law enforcement against these forms of trafficking; a critical challenge overall is the lack of punishment for traffickers, effectively resulting in impunity for acts of human trafficking; India has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008) Iran current situation: Iran is a source, transit, and destination country for women trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation and involuntary servitude; Iranian women are trafficked internally for the purpose of forced prostitution and for forced marriages to settle debts; Iranian children are trafficked internally and Afghan children are trafficked into Iran for the purpose of forced marriages, commercial sexual exploitation, and involuntary servitude as beggars or laborers tier rating: Tier 3 - Iran did not provide evidence of law enforcement activities against trafficking, and credible reports indicate that Iranian authorities punish victims of trafficking with beatings, imprisonment, and execution; Iran has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008) Jordan current situation: Jordan is a destination and transit country for women and men from South and Southeast Asia trafficked for the purpose of forced labor; Jordan is also a destination for women from Eastern Europe and Morocco for prostitution; women from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and the Philippines migrate willingly to work as domestic servants, but some are subjected to conditions of forced labor, including unlawful withholding of passports, restrictions on movement, non-payment of wages, threats, and physical or sexual abuse tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Jordan is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in persons in 2007, particularly in the area of law enforcement against trafficking for forced labor; the government made minimal efforts to investigate or prosecute numerous allegations related to exploitation of foreign domestic workers; Jordan failed for a second year to criminally prosecute and punish those who committed acts of forced labor; Jordan also continues to lack victim protection services; Jordan has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008) Korea, North current situation: North Korea is a source country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation; the most common form of trafficking involves North Korean women and girls who cross the border into China voluntarily; additionally, North Korean women and girls are lured out of North Korea to escape poor social and economic conditions by the promise of food, jobs, and freedom, only to be forced into prostitution, marriage, or exploitative labor arrangements once in China tier rating: Tier 3 - North Korea does not fully comply with minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government does not acknowledge the existence of human rights abuses in the country or recognize trafficking, either within the country or transnationally; North Korea has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008) Kuwait current situation: Kuwait is a destination country for men and women who migrate legally from South and Southeast Asia for domestic or low-skilled labor, but are subjected to conditions of involuntary servitude by employers in Kuwait including conditions of physical and sexual abuse, non-payment of wages, confinement to the home, and withholding of passports to restrict their freedom of movement; Kuwait is reportedly a transit point for South and East Asian workers recruited for low-skilled work in Iraq; some of these workers are deceived as to the true location and nature of this work, and others are subjected to conditions of involuntary servitude in Iraq tier rating: Tier 3 - insufficient efforts in 2007 to prosecute and punish abusive employers and those who traffic women for sexual exploitation; the government failed for the fourth year in a row to live up to promises to provide shelter and protective services for victims of involuntary domestic servitude and other forms of trafficking (2008) Libya current situation: Libya is a transit and destination country for men and women from sub-Saharan Africa and Asia trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Libya is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to address trafficking in persons in 2007 when compared to 2006, particularly in the area of investigating and prosecuting trafficking offenses; Libya did not publicly release any data on investigations or punishment of any trafficking offenses (2008) Malaysia current situation: Malaysia is a destination and, to a lesser extent, a source and transit country for women and children trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation, and men, women, and children for forced labor; Malaysia is mainly a destination country for men, women, and children who migrate willingly from South and Southeast Asia to work, some of whom are subjected to conditions of involuntary servitude by Malaysian employers in the domestic, agricultural, construction, plantation, and industrial sectors; to a lesser extent, some Malaysian women, primarily of Chinese ethnicity, are trafficked abroad for commercial sexual exploitation tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Malaysia improved from Tier 3 to the Tier 2 Watch List for 2008 when it enacted comprehensive anti-trafficking legislation in July 2007; however, it did not take action against exploitative employers or labor traffickers in 2007; the government has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008) Moldova current situation: Moldova is a major source and, to a lesser extent, a transit country for women and girls trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation; Moldovan women are trafficked to the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Western Europe; girls and young women are trafficked within the country from rural areas to Chisinau; children are also trafficked to neighboring countries for forced labor and begging; labor trafficking of men to work in the construction, agriculture, and service sectors of Russia is increasingly a problem tier rating: Tier 3 - Moldova does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government failed to follow-up on allegations of officials complicit in trafficking cited in the 2007 Report, and it did not demonstrate proactive efforts to identify trafficking victims (2008) Montenegro current situation: Montenegro is primarily a transit country for the trafficking of women and girls to Western Europe for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation; women and girls from the Balkans and Eastern Europe are trafficked across Montenegro to Western European countries tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Montenegro is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in persons in 2007; public attention to the issue of trafficking has diminished considerably in Montenegro in recent years (2008) Mozambique current situation: Mozambique is a source and, to a much lesser extent, a destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and sexual exploitation; the use of forced and bonded child laborers is a common practice in Mozambique's rural areas; women and girls are trafficked from rural to urban areas of Mozambique, as well as to South Africa, for domestic servitude and commercial sexual exploitation; young men and boys are trafficked to South Africa for farm work and mining tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - for the second consecutive year, Mozambique is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking in 2007; while the government conducted investigations into cases of human trafficking, there were no prosecutions or convictions of traffickers; government efforts to protect victims of trafficking continued to suffer from limited resources and a lack of political commitment (2008) Niger current situation: Niger is a source, transit, and destination country for children and women trafficked for forced labor and sexual exploitation; caste-based slavery practices, rooted in ancestral master-slave relationships, continue in isolated areas of the country - an estimated 8,800 to 43,000 Nigeriens live under conditions of traditional slavery; children are trafficked within Niger for forced begging, forced labor in gold mines, domestic servitude, sexual exploitation, and possibly for forced labor in agriculture and stone quarries; women and children from neighboring states are trafficked to and through Niger for domestic servitude, sexual exploitation, forced labor in mines and on farms, and as mechanics and welders tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Niger is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking in 2007; in particular, measures to combat and eliminate traditional slavery practices were weak; the government's overall law enforcement efforts have stalled from 2006; while efforts to protect child trafficking victims were steady, the government failed to provide services to or rescue adult victims subjected to traditional slavery practices, and made poor efforts to educate the public about traditional slavery practices in general (2008) Oman current situation: Oman is a destination country for men and women primarily from Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan who migrate willingly, but some of whom become victims of trafficking when subjected to conditions of involuntary servitude as domestic workers and laborers; mistreatment includes non-payment of wages, restrictions on movement and withholding of passports, threats, and physical or sexual abuse; Oman may also be a destination country for women from Asia, Eastern Europe, and North Africa for commercial sexual exploitation tier rating: Tier 3 - Oman was rated as Tier 3 for the second consecutive year because it did not report any law enforcement efforts to prosecute and punish trafficking offenses in 2007 and continues to lack victim protection services or a systematic procedure to identify victims of trafficking (2008) Panama current situation: Panama is a source, transit, and destination country for women and children trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation; the majority of victims are Panamanian women and children trafficked within the country into the sex trade; rural children in Panama may be trafficked internally to urban areas for labor exploitation tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Panama is on the Tier 2 Watch List for failing to show evidence of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking, particularly with respect to prosecuting, convicting, and sentencing human traffickers for their crimes, and for failing to provide adequate victim assistance (2008) Papua New Guinea current situation: Papua New Guinea is a country of destination for women and children from Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and China trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation; internal trafficking of women and children for the purposes of sexual exploitation and involuntary domestic servitude occurs as well tier rating: Tier 3 - Papua New Guinea does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the current legal framework does not contain elements of crimes that characterize trafficking; the government lacks victim protection services or a systematic procedure to identify victims of trafficking; the government did not prosecute anyone in 2007 for trafficking; Papua New Guinea has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008) Qatar current situation: Qatar is a destination country for men and women from South and Southeast Asia who migrate willingly, but are subsequently trafficked into involuntary servitude as domestic workers and laborers, and, to a lesser extent, commercial sexual exploitation; the most common offense was forcing workers to accept worse contract terms than those under which they were recruited; other conditions include bonded labor, withholding of pay, restrictions on movement, arbitrary detention, and physical, mental, and sexual abuse tier rating: Tier 3 - Qatar failed, for the second consecutive year, to enforce criminal laws against traffickers, or to provide an effective mechanism to identify and protect victims; it continues to detain and deport victims rather than providing them protection; the government made little progress to increase prosecutions for trafficking in a meaningful way in 2007; workers complaining of working conditions or non-payment of wages were sometimes penalized (2008) Russia current situation: Russia is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for various purposes; it remains a significant source of women trafficked to over 50 countries for commercial sexual exploitation; Russia is also a transit and destination country for men and women trafficked from Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and North Korea to Central and Western Europe and the Middle East for purposes of forced labor and sexual exploitation; internal trafficking remains a problem in Russia with women trafficked from rural areas to urban centers for commercial sexual exploitation, and men trafficked internally and from Central Asia for forced labor in the construction and agricultural industries; debt bondage is common among trafficking victims, and child sex tourism remains a concern tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Russia is on the Tier 2 Watch List for a fifth consecutive year for its failure to show evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking over the previous year, particularly in providing assistance to victims of trafficking; comprehensive trafficking victim assistance legislation, which would address key deficiencies, has been pending before the Duma since 2003 and was neither passed nor enacted in 2007 (2008) Saudi Arabia current situation: Saudi Arabia is a destination country for workers from South and Southeast Asia who are subjected to conditions that constitute involuntary servitude including being subjected to physical and sexual abuse, non-payment of wages, confinement, and withholding of passports as a restriction on their movement; domestic workers are particularly vulnerable because some are confined to the house in which they work unable to seek help; Saudi Arabia is also a destination country for Nigerian, Yemeni, Pakistani, Afghan, Somali, Malian, and Sudanese children trafficked for forced begging and involuntary servitude as street vendors; some Nigerian women were reportedly trafficked into Saudi Arabia for commercial sexual exploitation tier rating: Tier 3 - Saudi Arabia does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government continues to lack adequate anti-trafficking laws and, despite evidence of widespread trafficking abuses, did not report any criminal prosecutions, convictions, or prison sentences for trafficking crimes committed against foreign domestic workers (2008) South Africa current situation: South Africa is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for forced labor and sexual exploitation; women and girls are trafficked internally - and occasionally to European and Asian countries - for sexual exploitation; women from other African countries are trafficked to South Africa and, less frequently, onward to Europe for sexual exploitation; men and boys are trafficked from neighboring countries for forced agricultural labor; Asian and Eastern European women are trafficked to South Africa for debt-bonded sexual exploitation tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - South Africa is on the Tier 2 Watch List for a fourth consecutive year for its failure to show increasing efforts to address trafficking; the government provided inadequate data in 2007 on trafficking crimes investigated or prosecuted, or on resulting convictions or sentences; it also did not provide information on its efforts to protect victims of trafficking; the country continues to deport and/or prosecute suspected foreign victims without providing appropriate protective services (2008) Sri Lanka current situation: Sri Lanka is a source and destination country for men and women trafficked for the purposes of involuntary servitude and commercial sexual exploitation; Sri Lankan men and women migrate willingly to the Persian Gulf, Middle East, and East Asia to work as construction workers, domestic servants, or garment factory workers, where some find themselves in situations of involuntary servitude when faced with restrictions on movement, withholding of passports, threats, physical or sexual abuse, and debt bondage; children are trafficked internally for commercial sexual exploitation and, less frequently, for forced labor tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - for a second consecutive year, Sri Lanka is on the Tier 2 Watch List for failing to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat severe forms of human trafficking, particularly in the area of law enforcement; the government failed to arrest, prosecute, or convict any person for trafficking offenses and continued to punish some victims of trafficking for crimes committed as a result of being trafficked; Sri Lanka has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008) Sudan current situation: Sudan is a source country for men, women, and children trafficked internally for the purposes of forced labor and sexual exploitation; Sudan is also a transit and destination country for Ethiopian women trafficked abroad for domestic servitude; Sudanese women and girls are trafficked within the country, as well as possibly to Middle Eastern countries for domestic servitude; the terrorist rebel organization, Lord's Resistance Army, continues to harbor small numbers of Sudanese and Ugandan children in the southern part of the country for use as cooks, porters, and combatants; some of these children are also trafficked across borders into Uganda or the Democratic Republic of the Congo; militia groups in Darfur, some of which are linked to the government, abduct women for short periods of forced labor and to perpetrate sexual violence; during the two decades-long north-south civil war, thousands of Dinka women and children were abducted and subsequently enslaved by members of the Missiriya and Rezeigat tribes; while there have been no known new abductions of Dinka by members of Baggara tribes in the last few years, inter-tribal abductions continue in southern Sudan tier rating: Tier 3 - Sudan does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; combating human trafficking through law enforcement or prevention measures was not a priority for the government in 2007 (2008) Syria current situation: Syria is a destination and transit country for women and children trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor; a significant number of women and children in the large and expanding Iraqi refugee community in Syria are reportedly forced into commercial sexual exploitation by Iraqi gangs or, in some cases, their families; women from Indonesia, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Ethiopia, and Sierra Leone are recruited for work in Syria as domestic servants, but some face conditions of involuntary servitude, including long hours, non-payment of wages, withholding of passports, restrictions on movement, threats, and physical or sexual abuse tier rating: Tier 3 - Syria again failed to report any law enforcement efforts to punish trafficking offenses in 2007; in addition, the government did not offer protection services to victims of trafficking and may have arrested, prosecuted, or deported some victims for prostitution or immigration violations; Syria has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008) Tajikistan current situation: Tajikistan is a source country for women trafficked through Kyrgyzstan and Russia to the UAE, Turkey, and Russia for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation; men are trafficked to Russia and Kazakhstan for the purpose of forced labor, primarily in the construction and agricultural industries; boys and girls are trafficked internally for various purposes, including forced labor and forced begging tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Tajikistan is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking, especially efforts to investigate, prosecute, convict, and sentence traffickers; despite evidence of low- and mid-level officials' complicity in trafficking, the government did not punish any public officials for trafficking complicity during 2007; lack of capacity and poor coordination between government institutions remained key obstacles to effective anti-trafficking efforts (2008) Uzbekistan current situation: Uzbekistan is a source country for women and girls trafficked to Kazakhstan, Russia, Middle East, and Asia for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation; men are trafficked to Kazakhstan and Russia for purposes of forced labor in the construction, cotton, and tobacco industries; men and women are also trafficked internally for the purposes of domestic servitude, forced labor in the agricultural and construction industries, and for commercial sexual exploitation tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Uzbekistan is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat severe forms of trafficking in 2007; the government did not amend its criminal code to increase penalties for convicted traffickers; in March 2008, Uzbekistan adopted ILO Conventions on minimum age of employment and on the elimination of the worst forms of child labor and is working with the ILO on implementation; the government also demonstrated its increasing commitment to combat trafficking in March 2008 by adopting a comprehensive anti-trafficking law; Uzbekistan has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008) Venezuela current situation: Venezuela is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor; Venezuelan women and girls are trafficked within the country for sexual exploitation, lured from the nation's interior to urban and tourist areas; child prostitution in urban areas and child sex tourism in resort destinations appear to be growing; Venezuelan women and girls are trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation to Western Europe, Mexico, and Caribbean destinations tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Venezuela is placed on the Tier 2 Watch List, up from Tier 3, as it showed greater resolve to address trafficking through law enforcement measures and prevention efforts in 2007, although stringent punishment of offenders and victim assistance remain lacking (2008) World current situation: approximately 800,000 people, mostly women and children, are trafficked annually across national borders, not including millions trafficked within their own countries; at least 80% of the victims are female and up to 50% are minors; 75% of all victims are trafficked into commercial sexual exploitation; almost two-thirds of the global victims are trafficked intra-regionally within East Asia and the Pacific (260,000 to 280,000 people) and Europe and Eurasia (170,000 to 210,000 people) Tier 2 Watch List: Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cyprus, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, The Gambia, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, India, Jordan, Libya, Malaysia, Montenegro, Mozambique, Niger, Panama, Republic of the Congo, Russia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe Tier 3: Algeria, Burma, Cuba, Fiji, Iran, Kuwait, Moldova, North Korea, Oman, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria (2008) Zambia current situation: Zambia is a source, transit, and destination country for women and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and sexual exploitation; many Zambian child laborers, particularly those in the agriculture, domestic service, and fishing sectors, are also victims of human trafficking; Zambian women, lured by false employment or marriage offers abroad, are trafficked to South Africa via Zimbabwe and to Europe via Malawi for sexual exploitation; Zambia is a transit point for regional trafficking of women and children, particularly from Angola to Namibia and from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to South Africa for agricultural labor tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Zambia is on the Tier 2 Watch List for failing to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat severe forms of trafficking, particularly in regard to its inability to bring alleged traffickers to justice through prosecutions and convictions; unlike 2006, there were no new prosecutions or convictions of alleged traffickers in 2007; government efforts to protect victims of trafficking remained extremely limited throughout the year (2008) Zimbabwe current situation: Zimbabwe is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and sexual exploitation; large scale migration of Zimbabweans to surrounding countries - as they flee a progressively more desperate situation at home - has increased; rural Zimbabwean men, women, and children are trafficked internally to farms for agricultural labor and domestic servitude and to cities for domestic labor and commercial sexual exploitation; young men and boys are trafficked to South Africa for farm work, often laboring for months in South Africa without pay before "employers" have them arrested and deported as illegal immigrants; young women and girls are lured abroad with false employment offers that result in involuntary domestic servitude or commercial sexual exploitation; men, women, and children from neighboring states are trafficked through Zimbabwe en route to South Africa tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Zimbabwe is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat severe forms of human trafficking, and because the absolute number of victims of severe forms of trafficking is significantly increasing; the trafficking situation in the country is worsening as more of the population is made vulnerable by declining socio-economic conditions (2008) ====================================================================== @2198 Field Listing :: Stock of direct foreign investment - at home This entry gives the cumulative US dollar value of all investments in the home country made directly by residents - primarily companies - of other countries as of the end of the time period indicated. Direct investment excludes investment through purchase of shares. Country Comparison to the World Country Stock of direct foreign investment - at home Algeria $13.76 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $11.91 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Angola $16.36 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $14.51 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Argentina $73.98 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $66 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Australia $366.5 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $337.5 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Austria $261.9 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $247.9 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Azerbaijan $7.844 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $7.829 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Bahrain $15.01 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $13.31 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Bangladesh $5.971 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $5.261 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Belgium $821 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $747.5 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Bermuda $15.01 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Bolivia $5.998 billion (31 December 2008) Brazil $294 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $248.9 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Bulgaria $42.91 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $33.91 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Canada $433.4 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $506.9 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Cayman Islands $NA Chad $4.5 billion (2006 est.) Chile $108.3 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $91.49 billion (31 December 2007 est.) China $758.9 billion (2007 est.) Colombia $67.23 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $56.45 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Costa Rica $18.96 billion (31 December 2008) $8.803 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Cote d'Ivoire $NA Croatia $27.17 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $23.17 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Cuba $11.24 billion (2006 est.) Cyprus $15.69 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $13.83 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Czech Republic $111.9 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $101.1 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Denmark $142.7 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $131.3 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Dominican Republic $15.59 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $12.71 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Ecuador $16.99 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $16.31 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Egypt $59.13 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $49.23 billion (31 December 2007 est.) El Salvador $6.702 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $5.918 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Estonia $18.62 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $16.59 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Fiji $6.702 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Finland $84.44 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $88.69 billion (31 December 2007 est.) France $1.147 trillion (31 December 2008 est.) $1.026 trillion (31 December 2007 est.) Germany $1.027 trillion (31 December 2008 est.) $1.002 trillion (31 December 2007 est.) Ghana $NA Greece $36.7 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $53.22 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Hong Kong $1.241 trillion (31 December 2008 est.) $1.178 trillion (31 December 2007 est.) Hungary $237.1 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $164.7 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Iceland $NA India $144.2 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $103.1 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Indonesia $67.3 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $58.96 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Iran $6.954 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $6.054 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Ireland $179 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Israel $56.93 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $55.7 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Italy $376.6 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $364.8 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Japan $135.4 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $110.8 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Jordan $16.5 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $14.55 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Kazakhstan $55.63 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $41.08 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Kenya $2.541 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $1.891 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Korea, South $124.2 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $122 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Kuwait $1.22 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $942 million (31 December 2007 est.) Kyrgyzstan $16.5 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Latvia $11.21 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $9.779 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Lebanon $NA Liberia $124.2 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Libya $11.23 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $8.775 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Lithuania $12.85 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $15.06 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Luxembourg $11.21 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Macau $7.9 billion (2007) $6.5 billion (2006) Macedonia $2.405 billion (2007 est.) Madagascar $NA Malawi $11.23 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Malaysia $83.35 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $76.75 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Malta $NA Mauritius $NA Mexico $289.8 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $267.8 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Moldova $1.813 billion (2008) Mongolia $NA Morocco $40.92 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Namibia $NA Nepal $NA Netherlands $644.6 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $724.1 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Netherlands Antilles $NA New Zealand $72.92 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $70.94 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Nigeria $68.84 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $58.84 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Norway $91.49 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $93.69 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Oman $NA Pakistan $25.44 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $20.01 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Panama $NA Papua New Guinea $NA Paraguay $2.057 million (2007) Peru $30.31 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $24.74 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Philippines $21.4 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $19.88 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Poland $161.4 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $176.1 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Portugal $117.8 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $114.2 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Qatar $3.627 billion (2008 est.) $2.601 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Romania $72.61 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $62.86 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Russia $491.2 billion (2007) $271.6 billion (2006) Saudi Arabia $108.5 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $92 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Serbia $11.95 billion (2006 est.) Singapore $250.2 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $232.8 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Slovakia $44.12 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $40.7 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Slovenia $11.96 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $10.41 billion (31 December 2007 est.) South Africa $120 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $110.4 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Spain $636.5 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $570.7 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Sri Lanka $250.2 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Swaziland $NA Sweden $290.4 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $252.3 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Switzerland $405.1 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $365.8 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Taiwan $102.3 billion (2008) $52.65 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Tajikistan $102 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $94.76 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Tanzania $NA Thailand $80.83 billion (2007 est.) Trinidad and Tobago $102 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $12.44 billion (2007) Tunisia $28.67 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $26.22 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Turkey $128.7 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $110.5 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Uganda $NA Ukraine $41.77 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $31.08 billion (31 December 2007 est.) United Arab Emirates $62.69 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $51.54 billion (31 December 2007 est.) United Kingdom $1.445 trillion (31 December 2008 est.) $1.348 trillion (31 December 2007 est.) United States $2.367 trillion (31 December 2008 est.) $2.093 trillion (31 December 2007 est.) Uruguay $4.19 billion (2007) Uzbekistan $NA Venezuela $41.38 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $43.96 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Vietnam $40.34 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $32.74 billion (31 December 2007 est.) World $16.65 trillion (31 December 2008 est.) $14.77 trillion (31 December 2007 est.) Zambia $40.34 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Zimbabwe $NA ====================================================================== @2199 Field Listing :: Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad This entry gives the cumulative US dollar value of all investments in foreign countries made directly by residents - primarily companies - of the home country, as of the end of the time period indicated. Direct investment excludes investment through purchase of shares. Country Comparison to the World Country Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad Algeria $1.162 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $962 million (31 December 2007 est.) Angola $2.477 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Argentina $28.75 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $26.92 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Australia $197.2 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $290.4 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Austria $270 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $240.9 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Azerbaijan $5.232 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $4.677 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Bahrain $9.34 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $7.72 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Bangladesh $97 million (31 December 2008 est.) Belgium $661.9 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $593 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Bermuda $NA Bolivia $NA Brazil $127.5 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $107.1 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Bulgaria $1.292 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $559 million (31 December 2007 est.) Canada $520.4 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $520.7 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Cayman Islands $NA Chad $NA Chile $25.7 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $24.68 billion (31 December 2007 est.) China $149.3 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $95.8 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Colombia $13.18 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $10.93 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Costa Rica $532 million (31 December 2008 est.) $525.9 million (31 December 2007 est.) Cote d'Ivoire $NA Croatia $3.343 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $3.124 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Cuba $4.138 billion (2006 est.) Cyprus $7.097 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $5.591 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Czech Republic $9.913 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $6.971 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Denmark $181.9 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $153.3 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Dominican Republic $59 million (31 December 2008 est.) Ecuador $8.487 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $10.77 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Egypt $12.08 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $11.58 billion (31 December 2007 est.) El Salvador $440 million (31 December 2008 est.) $384 million (31 December 2007 est.) Estonia $6.686 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $5.873 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Fiji $NA Finland $116 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $114.2 billion (31 December 2007 est.) France $1.624 trillion (31 December 2008 est.) $1.399 trillion (31 December 2007 est.) Germany $1.407 trillion (31 December 2008 est.) $1.249 trillion (31 December 2007 est.) Ghana $NA Greece $32.44 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $31.65 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Hong Kong $776 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $1.011 trillion (31 December 2007 est.) Hungary $159.7 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $97.42 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Iceland $NA India $61.77 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $38.82 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Indonesia $6.656 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $9.225 billion (2006 est.) Iran $993 million (31 December 2008 est.) $903 million (31 December 2007 est.) Ireland $152.9 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $139.6 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Israel $54.55 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $48.47 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Italy $565.3 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $520.1 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Japan $663.9 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $533.1 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Kazakhstan $4.617 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $3.97 billion (September 2007 est.) Kenya $12.4 million (31 December 2008 est.) $31.4 million (31 December 2007 est.) Korea, South $74.6 billion (30 June 2008) $82.1 billion (2006) Kuwait $25.68 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $16.93 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Kyrgyzstan $NA Latvia $1.083 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $782 million (31 December 2007 est.) Lebanon $NA Liberia $NA Libya $5.15 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $3.7 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Lithuania $1.985 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $1.65 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Luxembourg $NA Macau $1.9 billion (2007) $1.1 billion (2006) Macedonia $NA Madagascar $NA Malawi $NA Malaysia $71.2 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $58.18 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Malta $NA Mauritius $NA Mexico $45.39 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $44.7 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Moldova $NA Mongolia $NA Morocco $966 million (31 December 2008 est.) $1.337 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Namibia $NA Nepal $NA Netherlands $843.7 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $876.9 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Netherlands Antilles $NA New Zealand $NA Nigeria $13.02 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $12.72 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Norway $160.1 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $133.3 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Oman $NA Pakistan $1.017 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $982 million (31 December 2007 est.) Panama $NA Papua New Guinea $NA Paraguay $NA Peru $1.694 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $2.284 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Philippines $5.81 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $5.584 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Poland $21.81 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $19.39 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Portugal $69.24 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $69.24 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Qatar $5.363 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $6.993 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Romania $921 million (31 December 2008 est.) $1.238 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Russia $176.7 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $209.6 billion (2006) Saudi Arabia $18.07 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $16.99 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Serbia $NA Singapore $173.6 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $169.9 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Slovakia $1.867 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $1.609 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Slovenia $7.592 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $6.127 billion (31 December 2007 est.) South Africa $63.57 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $65.88 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Spain $605.3 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $687.4 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Sri Lanka $NA Swaziland $NA Sweden $333.9 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $306.4 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Switzerland $726.3 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $659.9 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Taiwan $107.1 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $96.81 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Tajikistan $10.86 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $8.022 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Tanzania $NA Thailand $7.013 billion (2007 est.) Trinidad and Tobago $3.829 billion (2007) Tunisia $162 million (31 December 2008 est.) $118 million (31 December 2007 est.) Turkey $14.8 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $10.97 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Uganda $NA Ukraine $1.905 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $895 million (31 December 2007 est.) United Arab Emirates $28.95 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $24.95 billion (31 December 2007 est.) United Kingdom $1.567 trillion (31 December 2008 est.) $1.705 trillion (31 December 2007 est.) United States $3.162 trillion (31 December 2008 est.) $2.791 trillion (31 December 2007 est.) Uruguay $156 million (2007) Uzbekistan $NA Venezuela $16.62 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $13.81 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Vietnam $NA World $16.22 trillion (31 December 2008 est.) $15.43 trillion (31 December 2007 est.) Zambia $NA Zimbabwe $NA ====================================================================== @2200 Field Listing :: Market value of publicly traded shares This entry gives the value of shares issued by publicly traded companies at a price determined in the national stock markets on the final day of the period indicated. It is simply the latest price per share multiplied by the total number of outstanding shares, cumulated over all companies listed on the particular exchange. Country Comparison to the World Country Market value of publicly traded shares Afghanistan $NA Albania $NA Algeria $NA Argentina $52.31 billion (31 December 2008) $86.68 billion (31 December 2007) $79.73 billion (31 December 2006) Armenia $NA (31 December 2008) $105 million (31 December 2007) $60.17 million (31 December 2006) Australia $NA (31 December 2008) $1.298 trillion (31 December 2007) $1.096 trillion (31 December 2006) Austria $NA (31 December 2008) $228.7 billion (31 December 2007) $191.3 billion (31 December 2006) Azerbaijan $NA Bahamas, The $NA Bahrain $21.18 billion (31 December 2008) $28.13 billion (31 December 2007) $21.12 billion (31 December 2006) Bangladesh $6.671 billion (31 December 2008) $6.793 billion (31 December 2007) $3.61 billion (31 December 2006) Barbados $NA (31 December 2008) $5.599 billion (31 December 2007) $4.954 billion (31 December 2006) Belarus $NA Belgium $NA (31 December 2008) $386.4 billion (31 December 2007) $396.2 billion (31 December 2006) Belize $NA Benin $NA Bermuda $NA (31 December 2008) $2.731 billion (31 December 2007) $2.704 billion (31 December 2006) Bhutan $NA Bolivia $NA (31 December 2008) $2.263 billion (31 December 2007) $2.223 billion (31 December 2006) Bosnia and Herzegovina $NA Botswana $3.556 billion (31 December 2008) $5.887 billion (31 December 2007) $3.947 billion (31 December 2006) Brazil $589.4 billion (31 December 2008) $1.37 trillion (31 December 2007) $711.1 billion (31 December 2006) Brunei $NA Bulgaria $8.858 billion (31 December 2008) $21.79 billion (31 December 2007) $10.32 billion (31 December 2006) Burkina Faso $NA Burma $NA Burundi $NA Cambodia $NA Cameroon $NA Canada $NA (31 December 2008) $2.187 trillion (31 December 2007) $1.701 trillion (31 December 2006) Cayman Islands $NA (31 December 2008) $183.5 million (31 December 2007) $188.4 million (31 December 2006) Central African Republic $NA Chad $NA Chile $132.4 billion (31 December 2008) $212.9 billion (31 December 2007) $174.6 billion (31 December 2006) China $2.794 trillion (31 December 2008 est.) $6.226 trillion (31 December 2007) $2.426 trillion (31 December 2006) Colombia $87.03 billion (31 December 2008) $102 billion (31 December 2007) $56.2 billion (31 December 2006) Congo, Democratic Republic of the $NA Congo, Republic of the $NA Costa Rica $NA (31 December 2008) $2.035 billion (31 December 2007) $1.944 billion (31 December 2006) Cote d'Ivoire $7.071 billion (31 December 2008) $8.353 billion (31 December 2007) $4.155 billion (31 December 2006) Croatia $26.79 billion (31 December 2008) $65.98 billion (31 December 2007) $29.01 billion (31 December 2006) Cyprus $NA (31 December 2008) $29.48 billion (31 December 2007) $15.9 billion (31 December 2006) Czech Republic $48.85 billion (31 December 2008) $73.42 billion (31 December 2007) $48.6 billion (31 December 2006) Denmark $NA (31 December 2008) $277.7 billion (31 December 2007) $231 billion (31 December 2006) Dominican Republic $NA Ecuador $4.562 billion (31 December 2008) $4.266 billion (31 December 2007) $4.04 billion (31 December 2006) Egypt $85.89 billion (31 December 2008) $139.3 billion (31 December 2007) $93.48 billion (31 December 2006) El Salvador $NA (31 December 2008) $6.743 billion (31 December 2007) $5.465 billion (31 December 2006) Estonia $1.951 billion (31 December 2008) $6.037 billion (31 December 2007) $5.963 billion (31 December 2006) Ethiopia $NA European Union $NA (31 December 2008 est.) $15.57 trillion (31 December 2008) $13.5 trillion (31 December 2006 est.) Fiji $NA (31 December 2008) $522.2 million (31 December 2007) $636.7 million (31 December 2006) Finland $NA (31 December 2008) $369.2 billion (31 December 2007) $265.5 billion (31 December 2006) France $NA (31 December 2008) $2.771 trillion (31 December 2007) $2.429 trillion (31 December 2006) French Polynesia $NA Gabon $NA Gambia, The $NA Georgia $NA (31 December 2008) $1.389 billion (31 December 2007) $668.3 million (31 December 2006) Germany $NA (31 December 2008) $2.106 trillion (31 December 2007) $1.638 trillion (31 December 2006) Ghana $3.394 billion (31 December 2008) $2.38 billion (31 December 2007) $3.233 billion (31 December 2006) Greece $NA (31 December 2008) $264.9 billion (31 December 2007) $208.3 billion (31 December 2006) Grenada $NA Guatemala $NA Guinea $NA Guinea-Bissau $NA Guyana $NA (31 December 2008) $262.4 million (31 December 2007) $187.4 million (31 December 2006) Haiti $NA Honduras $NA Hong Kong $1.32 trillion (31 December 2008) $1.163 trillion (31 December 2007) $895.2 billion (31 December 2006 est.) Hungary $21.9 billion (31 December 2008) $47.65 billion (31 December 2007) $41.93 billion (31 December 2006) Iceland $NA (31 December 2008) $40.56 billion (31 December 2007) $36.1 billion (31 December 2006) India $645.5 billion (31 December 2008) $1.819 trillion (31 December 2007) $818.9 billion (31 December 2006) Indonesia $98.76 billion (31 December 2008) $211.7 billion (31 December 2007) $138.9 billion (31 December 2006) Iran $NA (31 December 2008) $45.57 billion (31 December 2007) $37.94 billion (31 December 2006) Iraq $1.878 billion (31 March 2008) $NA (31 December 2007) $NA (31 December 2006) Ireland $NA (31 December 2008) $144 billion (31 December 2007) $163.4 billion (31 December 2006) Isle of Man $NA Israel $134.5 billion (31 December 2008) $236.4 billion (31 December 2007) $173.3 billion (31 December 2006) Italy $NA (31 December 2008) $1.073 trillion (31 December 2007) $1.027 trillion (31 December 2006) Jamaica $7.513 billion (31 December 2008) $12.33 billion (31 December 2007) $12.28 billion (31 December 2006) Japan $NA (31 December 2008) $4.453 trillion (31 December 2007) $4.726 trillion (31 December 2006) Jersey $NA Jordan $35.85 billion (31 December 2008) $41.22 billion (31 December 2007) $29.73 billion (31 December 2006) Kazakhstan $31.08 billion (31 December 2008) $41.38 billion (31 December 2007) $43.69 billion (31 December 2006) Kenya $10.92 billion (31 December 2008) $13.39 billion (31 December 2007) $11.38 billion (31 December 2006) Kiribati $NA Korea, South $494.6 billion (31 December 2008) $1.124 trillion (31 December 2007) $835.2 billion (31 December 2006) Kuwait $107.2 billion (31 December 2008) $188 billion (31 December 2007) $128.9 billion (31 December 2006) Kyrgyzstan $NA (31 December 2008) $121 million (31 December 2007) $92.69 million (31 December 2006) Latvia $1.609 billion (31 December 2008) $3.111 billion (31 December 2007) $2.705 billion (31 December 2006) Lebanon $9.641 billion (31 December 2008) $10.86 billion (31 December 2007) $8.279 billion (31 December 2006) Liberia $NA Libya $NA Liechtenstein $NA Lithuania $3.625 billion (31 December 2008) $10.13 billion (31 December 2007) $10.19 billion (31 December 2006) Luxembourg $NA (31 December 2008) $166.1 billion (31 December 2007) $79.52 billion (31 December 2006) Macau $2.3 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $NA (31 December 2007) $413.1 million (2004 est.) Macedonia $NA (31 December 2008) $2.715 billion (31 December 2007) $1.098 billion (31 December 2006) Madagascar $NA Malawi $NA (31 December 2008) $NA (31 December 2007) $587.2 million (31 December 2006) Malaysia $187.1 billion (31 December 2008) $325.7 billion (31 December 2007) $235.4 billion (31 December 2006) Maldives $NA Mali $NA Malta $NA (31 December 2008) $5.633 billion (31 December 2007) $4.504 billion (31 December 2006) Mauritania $NA Mauritius $3.443 billion (31 December 2008) $5.666 billion (31 December 2007) $3.598 billion (31 December 2006) Mayotte $NA Mexico $232.6 billion (31 December 2008) $397.7 billion (31 December 2007) $348.3 billion (31 December 2006) Moldova $NA (31 December 2008) $573.9 million (2004) Monaco $NA Mongolia $412 million (31 December 2008) $612.2 million (31 December 2007) $112.6 million (31 December 2006) Montenegro $NA (31 December 2008) $3.699 billion (31 December 2007) $1.754 billion (31 December 2006) Morocco $65.75 billion (31 December 2008) $75.49 billion (31 December 2007) $49.36 billion (31 December 2006) Mozambique $NA Namibia $618.7 million (31 December 2008) $702 million (31 December 2007) $541.8 million (31 December 2006) Nepal $5.5 billion (31 December 2008) $4.909 billion (31 December 2007) $1.805 billion (31 December 2006) Netherlands $456.2 billion (31 December 2008) $956.5 billion (31 December 2007) $779.6 billion (31 December 2006) Netherlands Antilles $NA (31 December 2008) $488.6 billion (2003) New Caledonia $NA New Zealand $NA (31 December 2008) $47.45 billion (31 December 2007) $44.94 billion (31 December 2006) Nicaragua $NA Niger $NA Nigeria $49.8 billion (31 December 2008) $86.35 billion (31 December 2007) $32.82 billion (31 December 2006) Norway $142.5 billion (31 December 2008) $357.4 billion (31 December 2007) $281.1 billion (31 December 2006) Oman $14.91 billion (31 December 2008) $23.06 billion (31 December 2007) $16.16 billion (31 December 2006) Pakistan $23.49 billion (31 December 2008) $70.26 billion (31 December 2007) $45.52 billion (31 December 2006) Palau $NA Panama $6.568 billion (31 December 2008) $6.219 billion (31 December 2007) $5.716 billion (31 December 2006) Papua New Guinea $NA (31 December 2008) $NA (31 December 2007) $6.632 billion (31 December 2006) Paraguay $NA (31 December 2008) $NA (31 December 2007) $409.1 million (31 December 2006) Peru $55.63 billion (31 December 2008) $106 billion (31 December 2007) $59.66 billion (31 December 2006) Philippines $52.1 billion (31 December 2008) $103.2 billion (31 December 2007) $68.38 billion (31 December 2006) Poland $90.23 billion (31 December 2008) $207.3 billion (31 December 2007) $149.1 billion (31 December 2006) Portugal $NA (31 December 2008) $132.3 billion (31 December 2007) $104.2 billion (31 December 2006) Puerto Rico $NA Qatar $76.31 billion (31 December 2008) $95.49 billion (31 December 2007) $61.56 billion (31 December 2006) Romania $19.92 billion (31 December 2008) $44.93 billion (31 December 2007) $32.78 billion (31 December 2006) Russia $397.2 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $1.503 trillion (31 December 2007) $1.057 trillion (31 December 2006 est.) Rwanda $NA Saint Kitts and Nevis $NA (31 December 2008) $439.7 million (31 December 2007) $304.5 million (31 December 2006) Samoa $NA San Marino $NA Sao Tome and Principe $NA Saudi Arabia $246.3 billion (31 December 2008) $515.1 billion (31 December 2007) $326.9 billion (31 December 2006) Senegal $NA Serbia $NA (31 December 2008) $23.93 billion (31 December 2007) $10.99 billion (31 December 2006) Seychelles $NA Sierra Leone $NA Singapore $268.6 billion (31 December 2008) $353.5 billion (31 December 2007) $276.3 billion (31 December 2006) Slovakia $5.079 billion (31 December 2008) $6.971 billion (31 December 2007) $5.574 billion (31 December 2006) Slovenia $11.77 billion (31 December 2008) $28.96 billion (31 December 2007) $15.18 billion (31 December 2006) South Africa $491.3 billion (31 December 2008) $833.5 billion (31 December 2007) $715 billion (31 December 2006) Spain $1.132 trillion (31 December 2008) $1.8 trillion (31 December 2007) $1.323 trillion (31 December 2006) Sri Lanka $4.326 billion (31 December 2008) $7.553 billion (31 December 2007) $7.769 billion (31 December 2006) Sudan $NA Suriname $NA Swaziland $NA (31 December 2008) $203.1 million (31 December 2007) $199.9 million (31 December 2006) Sweden $NA (31 December 2008) $612.5 billion (31 December 2007) $573.3 billion (31 December 2006) Switzerland $NA (31 December 2008) $1.275 trillion (31 December 2007) $1.213 trillion (31 December 2006) Syria $NA Taiwan $NA (31 December 2008) $654 billion (28 December 2007) $654 billion (28 December 2007) Tajikistan $NA Tanzania $NA (31 December 2008) $NA (31 December 2007) $541.1 million (31 December 2006) Thailand $102.6 billion (31 December 2008) $196 billion (31 December 2007) $141.1 billion (31 December 2006) Timor-Leste $NA Togo $NA Tonga $NA Trinidad and Tobago $12.16 billion (31 December 2008) $15.61 billion (31 December 2007) $15.57 billion (31 December 2006) Tunisia $6.374 billion (31 December 2008) $5.355 billion (31 December 2007) $4.446 billion (31 December 2006) Turkey $117.9 billion (31 December 2008) $286.6 billion (31 December 2007) $162.4 billion (31 December 2006) Turkmenistan $NA Uganda $NA (31 December 2008) $NA (31 December 2007) $116.3 million (31 December 2006) Ukraine $24.36 billion (31 December 2008) $111.8 billion (31 December 2007) $42.87 billion (31 December 2006) United Arab Emirates $97.85 billion (31 December 2008) $224.7 billion (31 December 2007) $138.5 billion (31 December 2006) United Kingdom $NA (31 December 2008) $3.859 trillion (31 December 2007) $3.794 trillion (31 December 2006) United States $NA (31 December 2008) $19.95 trillion (31 December 2007) $19.43 trillion (31 December 2006) Uruguay $NA (31 December 2008) $159 million (31 December 2007) $125.1 million (31 December 2006) Uzbekistan $NA (31 December 2008) $NA (31 December 2007) $715.3 million (31 December 2006) Vanuatu $NA Venezuela $NA (31 December 2008) $NA (31 December 2007) $8.251 billion (31 December 2006) Vietnam $9.589 billion (31 December 2008) $19.54 billion (31 December 2007) $9.093 billion (31 December 2006) West Bank $NA (31 December 2008) $2.475 billion (31 December 2007) $2.729 billion (31 December 2006) World $NA (31 December 2008 est.) $64.99 trillion (31 December 2007) $53.38 trillion (31 December 2006 est.) Yemen $NA Zambia $NA (31 December 2008) $2.346 billion (31 December 2007) $1.186 billion (31 December 2006) Zimbabwe $NA (31 December 2008) $5.333 billion (31 December 2007) $26.56 billion (31 December 2006) ====================================================================== @2201 Field Listing :: Total renewable water resources This entry provides the long-term average water availability for a country in cubic kilometers of precipitation, recharged ground water, and surface inflows from surrounding countries. The values have been adjusted to account for overlap resulting from surface flow recharge of groundwater sources. Total renewable water resources provides the water total available to a country but does not include water resource totals that have been reserved for upstream or downstream countries through international agreements. Note that these values are averages and do not accurately reflect the total available in any given year. Annual available resources can vary greatly due to short-term and long-term climatic and weather variations. Country Total renewable water resources(cu km) Afghanistan 65 cu km (1997) Albania 41.7 cu km (2001) Algeria 14.3 cu km (1997) Angola 184 cu km (1987) Antigua and Barbuda 0.1 cu km (2000) Argentina 814 cu km (2000) Armenia 10.5 cu km (1997) Australia 398 cu km (1995) Austria 84 cu km (2005) Azerbaijan 30.3 cu km (1997) Bahamas, The NA Bahrain 0.1 cu km (1997) Bangladesh 1,210.6 cu km (1999) Barbados 0.1 cu km (2003) Belarus 58 cu km (1997) Belgium 20.8 cu km (2005) Belize 18.6 cu km (2000) Benin 25.8 cu km (2001) Bhutan 95 cu km (1987) Bolivia 622.5 cu km (2000) Bosnia and Herzegovina 37.5 cu km (2003) Botswana 14.7 cu km (2001) Brazil 8,233 cu km (2000) Brunei 8.5 cu km (1999) Bulgaria 19.4 cu km (2005) Burkina Faso 17.5 cu km (2001) Burma 1,045.6 cu km (1999) Burundi 3.6 cu km (1987) Cambodia 476.1 cu km (1999) Cameroon 285.5 cu km (2003) Canada 3,300 cu km (1985) Cape Verde 0.3 cu km (1990) Central African Republic 144.4 cu km (2003) Chad 43 cu km (1987) Chile 922 cu km (2000) China 2,829.6 cu km (1999) Colombia 2,132 cu km (2000) Comoros 1.2 cu km (2003) Congo, Democratic Republic of the 1,283 cu km (2001) Congo, Republic of the 832 cu km (1987) Costa Rica 112.4 cu km (2000) Cote d'Ivoire 81 cu km (2001) Croatia 105.5 cu km (1998) Cuba 38.1 cu km (2000) Cyprus 0.4 cu km (2005) Czech Republic 16 cu km (2005) Denmark 6.1 cu km (2003) Djibouti 0.3 cu km (1997) Dominica NA Dominican Republic 21 cu km (2000) Ecuador 432 cu km (2000) Egypt 86.8 cu km (1997) El Salvador 25.2 cu km (2001) Equatorial Guinea 26 cu km (2001) Eritrea 6.3 cu km (2001) Estonia 21.1 cu km (2005) Ethiopia 110 cu km (1987) Fiji 28.6 cu km (1987) Finland 110 cu km (2005) France 189 cu km (2005) Gabon 164 cu km (1987) Gambia, The 8 cu km (1982) Georgia 63.3 cu km (1997) Germany 188 cu km (2005) Ghana 53.2 cu km (2001) Greece 72 cu km (2005) Grenada NA Guatemala 111.3 cu km (2000) Guinea 226 cu km (1987) Guinea-Bissau 31 cu km (2003) Guyana 241 cu km (2000) Haiti 14 cu km (2000) Honduras 95.9 cu km (2000) Hungary 120 cu km (2005) Iceland 170 cu km (2005) India 1,907.8 cu km (1999) Indonesia 2,838 cu km (1999) Iran 137.5 cu km (1997) Iraq 96.4 cu km (1997) Ireland 46.8 cu km (2003) Israel 1.7 cu km (2001) Italy 175 cu km (2005) Jamaica 9.4 cu km (2000) Japan 430 cu km (1999) Jordan 0.9 cu km (1997) Kazakhstan 109.6 cu km (1997) Kenya 30.2 cu km (1990) Korea, North 77.1 cu km (1999) Korea, South 69.7 cu km (1999) Kuwait 0.02 cu km (1997) Kyrgyzstan 46.5 cu km (1997) Laos 333.6 cu km (2003) Latvia 49.9 cu km (2005) Lebanon 4.8 cu km (1997) Lesotho 5.2 cu km (1987) Liberia 232 cu km (1987) Libya 0.6 cu km (1997) Lithuania 24.5 cu km (2005) Luxembourg 1.6 cu km (2005) Macedonia 6.4 cu km (2001) Madagascar 337 cu km (1984) Malawi 17.3 cu km (2001) Malaysia 580 cu km (1999) Maldives 0.03 cu km (1999) Mali 100 cu km (2001) Malta 0.07 cu km (2005) Mauritania 11.4 cu km (1997) Mauritius 2.2 cu km (2001) Mexico 457.2 cu km (2000) Moldova 11.7 cu km (1997) Mongolia 34.8 cu km (1999) Morocco 29 cu km (2003) Mozambique 216 cu km (1992) Namibia 45.5 cu km (1991) Nepal 210.2 cu km (1999) Netherlands 89.7 cu km (2005) New Zealand 397 cu km (1995) Nicaragua 196.7 cu km (2000) Niger 33.7 cu km (2003) Nigeria 286.2 cu km (2003) Norway 381.4 cu km (2005) Oman 1 cu km (1997) Pakistan 233.8 cu km (2003) Panama 148 cu km (2000) Papua New Guinea 801 cu km (1987) Paraguay 336 cu km (2000) Peru 1,913 cu km (2000) Philippines 479 cu km (1999) Poland 63.1 cu km (2005) Portugal 73.6 cu km (2005) Qatar 0.1 cu km (1997) Romania 42.3 cu km (2003) Russia 4,498 cu km (1997) Rwanda 5.2 cu km (2003) Saint Kitts and Nevis 0.02 cu km (2000) Saudi Arabia 2.4 cu km (1997) Senegal 39.4 cu km (1987) Serbia 208.5 cu km (note - includes Kosovo) (2003) Sierra Leone 160 cu km (1987) Singapore 0.6 cu km (1975) Slovakia 50.1 cu km (2003) Slovenia 32.1 cu km (2005) Solomon Islands 44.7 cu km (1987) Somalia 15.7 cu km (1997) South Africa 50 cu km (1990) Spain 111.1 cu km (2005) Sri Lanka 50 cu km (1999) Sudan 154 cu km (1997) Suriname 122 cu km (2003) Swaziland 4.5 cu km (1987) Sweden 179 cu km (2005) Switzerland 53.3 cu km (2005) Syria 46.1 cu km (1997) Taiwan 67 cu km (2000) Tajikistan 99.7 cu km (1997) Tanzania 91 cu km (2001) Thailand 409.9 cu km (1999) Togo 14.7 cu km (2001) Trinidad and Tobago 3.8 cu km (2000) Tunisia 4.6 cu km (2003) Turkey 234 cu km (2003) Turkmenistan 60.9 cu km (1997) Uganda 66 cu km (1970) Ukraine 139.5 cu km (1997) United Arab Emirates 0.2 cu km (1997) United Kingdom 160.6 cu km (2005) United States 3,069 cu km (1985) Uruguay 139 cu km (2000) Uzbekistan 72.2 cu km (2003) Venezuela 1,233.2 cu km (2000) Vietnam 891.2 cu km (1999) Yemen 4.1 cu km (1997) Zambia 105.2 cu km (2001) Zimbabwe 20 cu km (1987) ====================================================================== @2202 Field Listing :: Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural) This entry provides the annual quantity of water in cubic kilometers removed from available sources for use in any purpose. Water drawn-off is not necessarily entirely consumed and some portion may be returned for further use downstream. Domestic sector use refers to water supplied by public distribution systems. Note that some of this total may be used for small industrial and/or limited agricultural purposes. Industrial sector use is the quantity of water used by self-supplied industries not connected to a public distribution system. Agricultural sector use includes water used for irrigation and livestock watering, and does not account for agriculture directly dependent on rainfall. Included are figures for total annual water withdrawal and per capita water withdrawal. Country Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)() Afghanistan total: 23.26 cu km/yr (2%/0%/98%) per capita: 779 cu m/yr (2000) Albania total: 1.71 cu km/yr (27%/11%/62%) per capita: 546 cu m/yr (2000) Algeria total: 6.07 cu km/yr (22%/13%/65%) per capita: 185 cu m/yr (2000) Angola total: 0.35 cu km/yr (23%/17%/60%) per capita: 22 cu m/yr (2000) Antigua and Barbuda total: 0.005 cu km/yr (60%/20%/20%) per capita: 63 cu m/yr (1990) Argentina total: 29.19 cu km/yr (17%/9%/74%) per capita: 753 cu m/yr (2000) Armenia total: 2.95 cu km/yr (30%/4%/66%) per capita: 977 cu m/yr (2000) Australia total: 24.06 cu km/yr (15%/10%/75%) per capita: 1,193 cu m/yr (2000) Austria total: 3.67 cu km/yr (35%/64%/1%) per capita: 448 cu m/yr (1999) Azerbaijan total: 17.25 cu km/yr (5%/28%/68%) per capita: 2,051 cu m/yr (2000) Bahrain total: 0.3 cu km/yr (40%/3%/57%) per capita: 411 cu m/yr (2000) Bangladesh total: 79.4 cu km/yr (3%/1%/96%) per capita: 560 cu m/yr (2000) Barbados total: 0.09 cu km/yr (33%/44%/22%) per capita: 333 cu m/yr (2000) Belarus total: 2.79 cu km/yr (23%/47%/30%) per capita: 286 cu m/yr (2000) Belgium total: 7.44 cu km/yr (13%/85%/1%) per capita: 714 cu m/yr (1998) Belize total: 0.15 cu km/yr (7%/73%/20%) per capita: 556 cu m/yr (2000) Benin total: 0.13 cu km/yr (32%/23%/45%) per capita: 15 cu m/yr (2001) Bhutan total: 0.43 cu km/yr (5%/1%/94%) per capita: 199 cu m/yr (2000) Bolivia total: 1.44 cu km/yr (13%/7%/81%) per capita: 157 cu m/yr (2000) Botswana total: 0.19 cu km/yr (41%/18%/41%) per capita: 107 cu m/yr (2000) Brazil total: 59.3 cu km/yr (20%/18%/62%) per capita: 318 cu m/yr (2000) Brunei total: 0.09 per capita: 243 cu m/yr (1994) Bulgaria total: 6.92 cu km/yr (3%/78%/19%) per capita: 895 cu m/yr (2003) Burkina Faso total: 0.8 cu km/yr (13%/1%/86%) per capita: 60 cu m/yr (2000) Burma total: 33.23 cu km/yr (1%/1%/98%) per capita: 658 cu m/yr (2000) Burundi total: 0.29 cu km/yr (17%/6%/77%) per capita: 38 cu m/yr (2000) Cambodia total: 4.08 cu km/yr (1%/0%/98%) per capita: 290 cu m/yr (2000) Cameroon total: 0.99 cu km/yr (18%/8%/74%) per capita: 61 cu m/yr (2000) Canada total: 44.72 cu km/yr (20%/69%/12%) per capita: 1,386 cu m/yr (1996) Cape Verde total: 0.02 cu km/yr (7%/2%/91%) per capita: 39 cu m/yr (2000) Central African Republic total: 0.03 cu km/yr (80%/16%/4%) per capita: 7 cu m/yr (2000) Chad total: 0.23 cu km/yr (17%/0%/83%) per capita: 24 cu m/yr (2000) Chile total: 12.55 cu km/yr (11%/25%/64%) per capita: 770 cu m/yr (2000) China total: 549.76 cu km/yr (7%/26%/68%) per capita: 415 cu m/yr (2000) Colombia total: 10.71 cu km/yr (50%/4%/46%) per capita: 235 cu m/yr (2000) Comoros total: 0.01 cu km/yr (48%/5%/47%) per capita: 13 cu m/yr (1999) Congo, Democratic Republic of the total: 0.36 cu km/yr (53%/17%/31%) per capita: 6 cu m/yr (2000) Congo, Republic of the total: 0.03 cu km/yr (59%/29%/12%) per capita: 8 cu m/yr (2000) Costa Rica total: 2.68 cu km/yr (29%/17%/53%) per capita: 619 cu m/yr (2000) Cote d'Ivoire total: 0.93 cu km/yr (24%/12%/65%) per capita: 51 cu m/yr (2000) Cuba total: 8.2 cu km/yr (19%/12%/69%) per capita: 728 cu m/yr (2000) Cyprus total: 0.21 cu km/yr (27%/1%/71%) per capita: 250 cu m/yr (2000) Czech Republic total: 1.91 cu km/yr (41%/57%/2%) per capita: 187 cu m/yr (2002) Denmark total: 0.67 cu km/yr (32%/26%/42%) per capita: 123 cu m/yr (2002) Djibouti total: 0.02 cu km/yr (84%/0%/16%) per capita: 25 cu m/yr (2000) Dominica total: 0.02 cu km/yr per capita: 213 cu m/yr (1996) Dominican Republic total: 3.39 cu km/yr (32%/2%/66%) per capita: 381 cu m/yr (2000) Ecuador total: 16.98 cu km/yr (12%/5%/82%) per capita: 1,283 cu m/yr (2000) Egypt total: 68.3 cu km/yr (8%/6%/86%) per capita: 923 cu m/yr (2000) El Salvador total: 1.28 cu km/yr (25%/16%/59%) per capita: 186 cu m/yr (2000) Equatorial Guinea total: 0.11 cu km/yr (83%/16%/1%) per capita: 220 cu m/yr (2000) Eritrea total: 0.3 cu km/yr (3%/0%/97%) per capita: 68 cu m/yr (2000) Estonia total: 1.41 cu km/yr (56%/39%/5%) per capita: 1,060 cu m/yr (2002) Ethiopia total: 5.56 cu km/yr (6%/0%/94%) per capita: 72 cu m/yr (2002) Fiji total: 0.07 cu km/yr (14%/14%/71%) per capita: 82 cu m/yr (2000) Finland total: 2.33 cu km/yr (14%/84%/3%) per capita: 444 cu m/yr (1999) France total: 33.16 cu km/yr (16%/74%/10%) per capita: 548 cu m/yr (2000) Gabon total: 0.12 cu km/yr (50%/8%/42%) per capita: 87 cu m/yr (2000) Gambia, The total: 0.03 cu km/yr (23%/12%/65%) per capita: 20 cu m/yr (2000) Georgia total: 3.61 cu km/yr (20%/21%/59%) per capita: 808 cu m/yr (2000) Germany total: 38.01 cu km/yr (12%/68%/20%) per capita: 460 cu m/yr (2001) Ghana total: 0.98 cu km/yr (24%/10%/66%) per capita: 44 cu m/yr (2000) Greece total: 8.7 cu km/yr (16%/3%/81%) per capita: 782 cu m/yr (1997) Guatemala total: 2.01 cu km/yr (6%/13%/80%) per capita: 160 cu m/yr (2000) Guinea total: 1.51 cu km/yr (8%/2%/90%) per capita: 161 cu m/yr (2000) Guinea-Bissau total: 0.18 cu km/yr (13%/5%/82%) per capita: 113 cu m/yr (2000) Guyana total: 1.64 cu km/yr (2%/1%/98%) per capita: 2,187 cu m/yr (2000) Haiti total: 0.99 cu km/yr (5%/1%/94%) per capita: 116 cu m/yr (2000) Honduras total: 0.86 cu km/yr (8%/12%/80%) per capita: 119 cu m/yr (2000) Hungary total: 21.03 cu km/yr (9%/59%/32%) per capita: 2,082 cu m/yr (2001) Iceland total: 0.17 cu km/yr (34%/66%/0%) per capita: 567 cu m/yr (2003) India total: 645.84 cu km/yr (8%/5%/86%) per capita: 585 cu m/yr (2000) Indonesia total: 82.78 cu km/yr (8%/1%/91%) per capita: 372 cu m/yr (2000) Iran total: 72.88 cu km/yr (7%/2%/91%) per capita: 1,048 cu m/yr (2000) Iraq total: 42.7 cu km/yr (3%/5%/92%) per capita: 1,482 cu m/yr (2000) Ireland total: 1.18 cu km/yr (23%/77%/0%) per capita: 284 cu m/yr (1994) Israel total: 2.05 cu km/yr (31%/7%/62%) per capita: 305 cu m/yr (2000) Italy total: 41.98 cu km/yr (18%/37%/45%) per capita: 723 cu m/yr (1998) Jamaica total: 0.41 cu km/yr (34%/17%/49%) per capita: 155 cu m/yr (2000) Japan total: 88.43 cu km/yr (20%/18%/62%) per capita: 690 cu m/yr (2000) Jordan total: 1.01 cu km/yr (21%/4%/75%) per capita: 177 cu m/yr (2000) Kazakhstan total: 35 cu km/yr (2%/17%/82%) per capita: 2,360 cu m/yr (2000) Kenya total: 1.58 cu km/yr (30%/6%/64%) per capita: 46 cu m/yr (2000) Korea, North total: 9.02 cu km/yr (20%/25%/55%) per capita: 401 cu m/yr (2000) Korea, South total: 18.59 cu km/yr (36%/16%/48%) per capita: 389 cu m/yr (2000) Kuwait total: 0.44 cu km/yr (45%/2%/52%) per capita: 164 cu m/yr (2000) Kyrgyzstan total: 10.08 cu km/yr (3%/3%/94%) per capita: 1,916 cu m/yr (2000) Laos total: 3 cu km/yr (4%/6%/90%) per capita: 507 cu m/yr (2000) Latvia total: 0.25 cu km/yr (55%/33%/12%) per capita: 108 cu m/yr (2003) Lebanon total: 1.38 cu km/yr (33%/1%/67%) per capita: 385 cu m/yr (2000) Lesotho total: 0.05 cu km/yr (40%/40%/20%) per capita: 28 cu m/yr (2000) Liberia total: 0.11 cu km/yr (27%/18%/55%) per capita: 34 cu m/yr (2000) Libya total: 4.27 cu km/yr (14%/3%/83%) per capita: 730 cu m/yr (2000) Lithuania total: 3.33 cu km/yr (78%/15%/7%) per capita: 971 cu m/yr (2003) Luxembourg total: 0.06 cu km/yr (42%/45%/13%) per capita: 121 cu m/yr (1999) Macedonia total: 2.27 per capita: 1,118 cu m/yr (2000) Madagascar total: 14.96 cu km/yr (3%/2%/96%) per capita: 804 cu m/yr (2000) Malawi total: 1.01 cu km/yr (15%/5%/80%) per capita: 78 cu m/yr (2000) Malaysia total: 9.02 cu km/yr (17%/21%/62%) per capita: 356 cu m/yr (2000) Maldives total: 0.003 cu km/yr (98%/2%/0%) per capita: 9 cu m/yr (1987) Mali total: 6.55 cu km/yr (9%/1%/90%) per capita: 484 cu m/yr (2000) Malta total: 0.02 cu km/yr (74%/1%/25%) per capita: 50 cu m/yr (2000) Mauritania total: 1.7 cu km/yr (9%/3%/88%) per capita: 554 cu m/yr (2000) Mauritius total: 0.61 cu km/yr (25%/14%/60%) per capita: 488 cu m/yr (2000) Mexico total: 78.22 cu km/yr (17%/5%/77%) per capita: 731 cu m/yr (2000) Moldova total: 2.31 cu km/yr (10%/58%/33%) per capita: 549 cu m/yr (2000) Mongolia total: 0.44 cu km/yr (20%/27%/52%) per capita: 166 cu m/yr (2000) Morocco total: 12.6 cu km/yr (10%/3%/87%) per capita: 400 cu m/yr (2000) Mozambique total: 0.63 cu km/yr (11%/2%/87%) per capita: 32 cu m/yr (2000) Namibia total: 0.3 cu km/yr (24%/5%/71%) per capita: 148 cu m/yr (2000) Nepal total: 10.18 cu km/yr (3%/1%/96%) per capita: 375 cu m/yr (2000) Netherlands total: 8.86 cu km/yr (6%/60%/34%) per capita: 544 cu m/yr (2001) New Zealand total: 2.11 cu km/yr (48%/9%/42%) per capita: 524 cu m/yr (2000) Nicaragua total: 1.3 cu km/yr (15%/2%/83%) per capita: 237 cu m/yr (2000) Niger total: 2.18 cu km/yr (4%/0%/95%) per capita: 156 cu m/yr (2000) Nigeria total: 8.01 cu km/yr (21%/10%/69%) per capita: 61 cu m/yr (2000) Norway total: 2.4 cu km/yr (23%/67%/10%) per capita: 519 cu m/yr (1996) Oman total: 1.36 cu km/yr (7%/2%/90%) per capita: 529 cu m/yr (2000) Pakistan total: 169.39 cu km/yr (2%/2%/96%) per capita: 1,072 cu m/yr (2000) Panama total: 0.82 cu km/yr (67%/5%/28%) per capita: 254 cu m/yr (2000) Papua New Guinea total: 0.1 cu km/yr (56%/43%/1%) per capita: 17 cu m/yr (1987) Paraguay total: 0.49 cu km/yr (20%/8%/71%) per capita: 80 cu m/yr (2000) Peru total: 20.13 cu km/yr (8%/10%/82%) per capita: 720 cu m/yr (2000) Philippines total: 28.52 cu km/yr (17%/9%/74%) per capita: 343 cu m/yr (2000) Poland total: 11.73 cu km/yr (13%/79%/8%) per capita: 304 cu m/yr (2002) Portugal total: 11.09 cu km/yr (10%/12%/78%) per capita: 1,056 cu m/yr (1998) Qatar total: 0.29 cu km/yr (24%/3%/72%) per capita: 358 cu m/yr (2000) Romania total: 6.5 cu km/yr (9%/34%/57%) per capita: 299 cu m/yr (2003) Russia total: 76.68 cu km/yr (19%/63%/18%) per capita: 535 cu m/yr (2000) Rwanda total: 0.15 cu km/yr (24%/8%/68%) per capita: 17 cu m/yr (2000) Saint Lucia total: 0.01 per capita: 81 cu m/yr (1997) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines total: 0.01 per capita: 83 cu m/yr (1995) Saudi Arabia total: 17.32 cu km/yr (10%/1%/89%) per capita: 705 cu m/yr (2000) Senegal total: 2.22 cu km/yr (4%/3%/93%) per capita: 190 cu m/yr (2002) Sierra Leone total: 0.38 cu km/yr (5%/3%/92%) per capita: 69 cu m/yr (2000) Singapore total: 0.19 cu km/yr (45%/51%/4%) per capita: 44 cu m/yr (1975) Slovakia total: 1.04 per capita: 193 cu m/yr (2003) Slovenia total: 0.9 per capita: 457 cu m/yr (2002) Somalia total: 3.29 cu km/yr (0%/0%/100%) per capita: 400 cu m/yr (2000) South Africa total: 12.5 cu km/yr (31%/6%/63%) per capita: 264 cu m/yr (2000) Spain total: 37.22 cu km/yr (13%/19%/68%) per capita: 864 cu m/yr (2002) Sri Lanka total: 12.61 cu km/yr (2%/2%/95%) per capita: 608 cu m/yr (2000) Sudan total: 37.32 cu km/yr (3%/1%/97%) per capita: 1,030 cu m/yr (2000) Suriname total: 0.67 cu km/yr (4%/3%/93%) per capita: 1,489 cu m/yr (2000) Swaziland total: 1.04 cu km/yr (2%/1%/97%) per capita: 1,010 cu m/yr (2000) Sweden total: 2.68 cu km/yr (37%/54%/9%) per capita: 296 cu m/yr (2002) Switzerland total: 2.52 cu km/yr (24%/74%/2%) per capita: 348 cu m/yr (2002) Syria total: 19.95 cu km/yr (3%/2%/95%) per capita: 1,048 cu m/yr (2000) Tajikistan total: 11.96 cu km/yr (4%/5%/92%) per capita: 1,837 cu m/yr (2000) Tanzania total: 5.18 cu km/yr (10%/0%/89%) per capita: 135 cu m/yr (2000) Thailand total: 82.75 cu km/yr (2%/2%/95%) per capita: 1,288 cu m/yr (2000) Togo total: 0.17 cu km/yr (53%/2%/45%) per capita: 28 cu m/yr (2000) Trinidad and Tobago total: 0.31 cu km/yr (68%/26%/6%) per capita: 237 cu m/yr (2000) Tunisia total: 2.64 cu km/yr (14%/4%/82%) per capita: 261 cu m/yr (2000) Turkey total: 39.78 cu km/yr (15%/11%/74%) per capita: 544 cu m/yr (2001) Turkmenistan total: 24.65 cu km/yr (2%/1%/98%) per capita: 5,104 cu m/yr (2000) Uganda total: 0.3 cu km/yr (43%/17%/40%) per capita: 10 cu m/yr (2002) Ukraine total: 37.53 cu km/yr (12%/35%/52%) per capita: 807 cu m/yr (2000) United Arab Emirates total: 2.3 cu km/yr (23%/9%/68%) per capita: 511 cu m/yr (2000) United Kingdom total: 11.75 cu km/yr (22%/75%/3%) per capita: 197 cu m/yr (1994) United States total: 477 cu km/yr (13%/46%/41%) per capita: 1,600 cu m/yr (2000) Uruguay total: 3.15 cu km/yr (2%/1%/96%) per capita: 910 cu m/yr (2000) Uzbekistan total: 58.34 cu km/yr (5%/2%/93%) per capita: 2,194 cu m/yr (2000) Venezuela total: 8.37 cu km/yr (6%/7%/47%) per capita: 313 cu m/yr (2000) Vietnam total: 71.39 cu km/yr (8%/24%/68%) per capita: 847 cu m/yr (2000) Yemen total: 6.63 cu km/yr (4%/1%/95%) per capita: 316 cu m/yr (2000) Zambia total: 1.74 cu km/yr (17%/7%/76%) per capita: 149 cu m/yr (2000) Zimbabwe total: 4.21 cu km/yr (14%/7%/79%) per capita: 324 cu m/yr (2002) ====================================================================== @2203 Field Listing :: Geographic overview Country Geographic overview World The surface of the earth is approximately 70.9% water and 29.1% land. The former portion is divided into large water bodies termed oceans. The World Factbook recognizes and describes five oceans, which are in decreasing order of size: the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, and Arctic Ocean. The land portion is generally divided into several, large, discrete landmasses termed continents. Depending on the convention used, the number of continents can vary from five to seven. The most common classification recognizes seven, which are (from largest to smallest): Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia. Asia and Europe are sometimes lumped together into a Eurasian continent resulting in six continents. Alternatively, North and South America are sometimes grouped as simply the Americas, resulting in a continent total of six (or five, if the Eurasia designation is used). North America is commonly understood to include the island of Greenland, the isles of the Caribbean, and to extend south all the way to the Isthmus of Panama. The easternmost extent of Europe is generally defined as being the Ural Mountains and the Ural River; on the southeast the Caspian Sea; and on the south the Caucasus Mountains, the Black Sea, and the Mediterranean. Africa's northeast extremity is frequently delimited at the Isthmus of Suez, but for geopolitical purposes, the Egyptian Sinai Peninsula is often included as part of Africa. Asia usually incorporates all the islands of the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The islands of the Pacific are often lumped with Australia into a "land mass" termed Oceania or Australasia. Although the above groupings are the most common, different continental dispositions are recognized or taught in certain parts of the world, with some arrangements more heavily based on cultural spheres rather than physical geographic considerations. ====================================================================== @2204 Field Listing :: Economy of the area administered by Turkish Cypriots Country Economy of the area administered by Turkish Cypriots Cyprus Economy - overview: The Turkish Cypriot economy has roughly 40% of the per capita GDP of the south, and economic growth tends to be volatile, given the north's relative isolation, bloated public sector, reliance on the Turkish lira, and small market size. Agriculture and services, together, employ more than half of the work force. The Turkish Cypriot economy grew around 10.6% in 2006, fueled by growth in the construction and education sectors, as well as increased employment of Turkish Cypriots in the area under government control. GDP declined about 2.0% in 2007. The Turkish Cypriots are heavily dependent on transfers from the Turkish Government. Ankara directly finances about one-third of the "TRNC's" budget. Aid from Turkey has exceeded $400 million annually in recent years. The Turkish Cypriot economy probably will experience a sharp slowdown in 2008-2009 due to the global financial crisis, because the Turkish Cypriot financial sector is dominated by mainland Turkish banks, and because of its reliance on British and Turkish tourism, which has declined due to the recession. GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.829 billion (2007 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -2% (2007 est.) GDP - per capita: $11,700 (2007 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 8.6%, industry: 22.5%, services: 69.1% (2006 est.) Labor force: 95,030 (2007 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 14.5%, industry: 29%, services: 56.5% (2004) Unemployment rate: 9.4% (2005 est.) Population below poverty line: %NA Inflation rate: 11.4% (2006) Budget: revenues: $2.5 billion, expenditures: $2.5 billion (2006) Agriculture - products: citrus fruit, dairy, potatoes, grapes, olives, poultry, lamb Industries: foodstuffs, textiles, clothing, ship repair, clay, gypsum, copper, furniture Industrial production growth rate: -0.3% (2007 est.) Electricity production: 998.9 million kWh (2005) Electricity consumption: 797.9 million kWh (2005) Exports: $68.1 million, f.o.b. (2007 est.) Export - commodities: citrus, dairy, potatoes, textiles Export - partners: Turkey 40%; direct trade between the area administered by Turkish Cypriots and the area under government control remains limited Imports: $1.2 billion, f.o.b. (2007 est.) Import - commodities: vehicles, fuel, cigarettes, food, minerals, chemicals, machinery Import - partners: Turkey 60%; direct trade between the area administered by Turkish Cypriots and the area under government control remains limited Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $NA Debt - external: $NA Currency (code): Turkish new lira (YTL) Exchange rates: Turkish new lira per US dollar: 1.319 (2007) 1.4286 (2006) 1.3436 (2005) 1.4255 (2004) 1.5009 (2003) ====================================================================== @2205 Field Listing :: School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) School life expectancy (SLE) is the total number of years of schooling (primary to tertiary) that a child can expect to receive, assuming that the probability of his or her being enrolled in school at any particular future age is equal to the current enrollment ratio at that age. Caution must be maintained when utilizing this indicator in international comparisons. For example, a year or grade completed in one country is not necessarily the same in terms of educational content or quality as a year or grade completed in another country. SLE represents the expected number of years of schooling that will be completed, including years spent repeating one or more grades. Country School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)(years) Afghanistan total: 8 years male: 11 years female: 4 years (2004) Albania total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 11 years (2004) Algeria total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 13 years (2005) Andorra total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 11 years (2006) Anguilla total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 11 years (2006) Argentina total: 15 years male: 14 years female: 16 years (2005) Armenia total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 12 years (2006) Aruba total: 14 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2006) Australia total: 20 years male: 20 years female: 21 years (2006) Austria total: 15 years male: 15 years female: 16 years (2006) Azerbaijan total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 11 years (2006) Bahrain total: 15 years male: 14 years female: 16 years (2006) Bangladesh total: 8 years male: 8 years female: 8 years (2004) Barbados total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2001) Belarus total: 15 years male: 14 years female: 15 years (2006) Belgium total: 16 years male: 16 years female: 16 years (2006) Belize total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 13 years (2004) Benin total: 7 years male: 9 years female: 6 years (2001) Bermuda total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2005) Bhutan total: 10 years male: 11 years female: 10 years (2006) Botswana total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 12 years (2005) Brazil total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 15 years (2005) British Virgin Islands total: 17 years male: 15 years female: 19 years (2005) Brunei total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 14 years (2006) Bulgaria total: 14 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2006) Burkina Faso total: 5 years male: 5 years female: 4 years (2006) Burma total: 8 years male: 8 years female: 8 years (2001) Burundi total: 7 years male: 8 years female: 7 years (2006) Cambodia total: 10 years male: 10 years female: 9 years (2006) Cameroon total: 9 years male: 10 years female: 8 years (2006) Canada total: 17 years male: 17 years female: 17 years (2004) Cape Verde total: 12 years male: 11 years female: 12 years (2006) Cayman Islands total: 13 years male: 12 years female: 13 years (2001) Chad total: 6 years male: 7 years female: 4 years (2005) Chile total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 14 years (2006) China total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 11 years (2006) Colombia total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 13 years (2006) Comoros total: 8 years male: 9 years female: 7 years (2004) Congo, Republic of the total: 9 years male: 10 years female: 8 years (2003) Cook Islands total: 10 years male: 10 years female: 10 years (2005) Costa Rica total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 12 years (2005) Croatia total: 14 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2006) Cuba total: 16 years male: 15 years female: 17 years (2006) Cyprus total: 14 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2006) Czech Republic total: 15 years male: 15 years female: 15 years (2006) Denmark total: 17 years male: 16 years female: 17 years (2006) Djibouti total: 4 years male: 5 years female: 4 years (2006) Dominica total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2005) Dominican Republic total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 13 years (2004) El Salvador total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 12 years (2006) Equatorial Guinea total: 10 years male: 10 years female: 9 years (2000) Eritrea total: 5 years male: 6 years female: 4 years (2004) Estonia total: 16 years male: 15 years female: 17 years (2006) Ethiopia total: 8 years male: 8 years female: 7 years (2007) Fiji total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 13 years (2005) Finland total: 17 years male: 17 years female: 18 years (2006) France total: 16 years male: 16 years female: 17 years (2006) Gambia, The total: 7 years male: 7 years female: 7 years (2004) Gaza Strip total: 14 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2006) Georgia total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 13 years (2006) Germany total: 16 years male: 16 years female: 16 years (2006) Ghana total: 9 years male: 10 years female: 9 years (2007) Greece total: 17 years male: 17 years female: 17 years (2006) Grenada total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 12 years (2005) Guatemala total: 10 years male: 11 years female: 10 years (2006) Guinea total: 8 years male: 10 years female: 7 years (2006) Guinea-Bissau total: 5 years male: 7 years female: 4 years (2001) Guyana total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2005) Honduras total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 12 years (2004) Hong Kong total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 13 years (2006) Hungary total: 15 years male: 15 years female: 16 years (2006) Iceland total: 18 years male: 17 years female: 19 years (2006) India total: 10 years male: 11 years female: 9 years (2005) Indonesia total: 11 years male: 12 years female: 11 years (2005) Iran total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 13 years (2005) Iraq total: 10 years male: 11 years female: 8 years (2005) Ireland total: 18 years male: 17 years female: 18 years (2006) Israel total: 15 years male: 15 years female: 16 years (2006) Italy total: 16 years male: 16 years female: 17 years (2006) Jamaica total: 12 years male: 11 years female: 12 years (2003) Japan total: 15 years male: 15 years female: 15 years (2006) Jordan total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 13 years (2006) Kazakhstan total: 15 years male: 15 years female: 16 years (2007) Kenya total: 10 years male: 10 years female: 9 years (2004) Kiribati total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 13 years (2005) Korea, South total: 17 years male: 18 years female: 15 years (2007) Kuwait total: 13 years male: 12 years female: 13 years (2006) Kyrgyzstan total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 13 years (2006) Laos total: 9 years male: 10 years female: 8 years (2006) Latvia total: 16 years male: 14 years female: 17 years (2006) Lebanon total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 13 years (2006) Lesotho total: 10 years male: 10 years female: 10 years (2006) Liberia total: 10 years male: 11 years female: 8 years (2000) Libya total: 17 years male: 16 years female: 17 years (2003) Liechtenstein total: 15 years male: 16 years female: 13 years (2004) Lithuania total: 16 years male: 15 years female: 17 years (2006) Luxembourg total: 14 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2006) Macau total: 15 years male: 16 years female: 14 years (2006) Macedonia total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 12 years (2005) Madagascar total: 9 years male: 10 years female: 9 years (2006) Malawi total: 9 years male: 10 years female: 9 years (2004) Malaysia total: 13 years male: 12 years female: 13 years (2005) Maldives total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 12 years (2006) Mali total: 7 years male: 8 years female: 5 years (2005) Malta total: 15 years male: 15 years female: 15 years (2005) Marshall Islands total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 13 years (2003) Mauritania total: 8 years male: 8 years female: 8 years (2006) Mauritius total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 13 years (2005) Mexico total: 13 years male: 14 years female: 13 years (2006) Moldova total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 13 years (2006) Mongolia total: 13 years male: 12 years female: 14 years (2006) Montserrat total: 16 years male: 15 years female: 16 years (2006) Morocco total: 10 years male: 11 years female: 9 years (2005) Mozambique total: 8 years male: 9 years female: 7 years (2005) Namibia total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 11 years (2006) Nauru total: 8 years male: 8 years female: 9 years (2006) Nepal total: 9 years male: 10 years female: 8 years (2003) Netherlands total: 16 years male: 17 years female: 16 years (2006) Netherlands Antilles total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 15 years (2002) New Zealand total: 19 years male: 19 years female: 20 years (2006) Nicaragua total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 11 years (2003) Niger total: 4 years male: 5 years female: 3 years (2006) Nigeria total: 8 years male: 9 years female: 7 years (2004) Niue total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 12 years (2005) Norway total: 17 years male: 17 years female: 18 years (2006) Oman total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 11 years (2006) Pakistan total: 7 years male: 7 years female: 6 years (2006) Palau total: 15 years male: 14 years female: 15 years (2000) Panama total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2006) Paraguay total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 12 years (2005) Peru total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 14 years (2006) Philippines total: 12 years male: 11 years female: 12 years (2006) Poland total: 15 years male: 15 years female: 16 years (2006) Portugal total: 15 years male: 15 years female: 16 years (2006) Qatar total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2006) Romania total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 14 years (2006) Russia total: 14 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2006) Rwanda total: 9 years male: 8 years female: 9 years (2005) Saint Kitts and Nevis total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 13 years (2005) Saint Lucia total: 14 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2006) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 12 years (2005) Samoa total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 12 years (2001) Sao Tome and Principe total: 10 years male: 10 years female: 10 years (2006) Seychelles total: 15 years male: 14 years female: 15 years (2007) Sierra Leone total: 7 years male: 8 years female: 6 years (2001) Slovakia total: 15 years male: 14 years female: 15 years (2006) Slovenia total: 17 years male: 16 years female: 17 years (2006) Solomon Islands total: 8 years male: 9 years female: 8 years (2005) South Africa total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 13 years (2004) Spain total: 16 years male: 16 years female: 17 years (2006) Suriname total: 12 years male: 11 years female: 13 years (2002) Swaziland total: 10 years male: 10 years female: 10 years (2005) Sweden total: 16 years male: 15 years female: 17 years (2006) Switzerland total: 15 years male: 15 years female: 15 years (2006) Tajikistan total: 11 years male: 12 years female: 10 years (2006) Thailand total: 14 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2006) Togo total: 9 years male: 11 years female: 7 years (2000) Tokelau total: 11 years male: 10 years female: 11 years (2004) Tonga total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 13 years (2004) Trinidad and Tobago total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 11 years (2005) Tunisia total: 14 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2006) Turkey total: 11 years male: 12 years female: 11 years (2006) Turks and Caicos Islands total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 12 years (2005) Tuvalu total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 11 years (2001) Uganda total: 10 years male: 11 years female: 10 years (2004) Ukraine total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 15 years (2006) United Arab Emirates total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 12 years (2003) United Kingdom total: 16 years male: 16 years female: 17 years (2006) United States total: 16 years male: 15 years female: 16 years (2006) Uruguay total: 15 years male: 14 years female: 16 years (2006) Uzbekistan total: 11 years male: 12 years female: 11 years (2007) Vanuatu total: 10 years male: 11 years female: 10 years (2004) Venezuela total: 12 years male: 11 years female: 12 years (2003) Vietnam total: 10 years male: 11 years female: 10 years (2000) West Bank total: 14 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2006) Yemen total: 9 years male: 11 years female: 7 years (2005) Zambia total: 7 years male: 7 years female: 7 years (2000) Zimbabwe total: 9 years male: 9 years female: 9 years (2003) ====================================================================== @2206 Field Listing :: Education expenditures This entry provides the public expenditure on education as a percent of GDP. Country Comparison to the World Country Education expenditures(% of GDP) Afghanistan NA Albania 2.9% of GDP (2002) Algeria 5.1% of GDP (1999) American Samoa NA Andorra 2.3% of GDP (2006) Angola 2.4% of GDP (2005) Anguilla 4% of GDP (2005) Antigua and Barbuda 3.9% of GDP (2002) Argentina 3.8% of GDP (2004) Armenia 3.2% of GDP (2001) Aruba 4.8% of GDP (2005) Australia 4.5% of GDP (2005) Austria 5.4% of GDP (2005) Azerbaijan 2.1% of GDP (2006) Bahamas, The 3.6% of GDP (2000) Bahrain 3.9% of GDP (1991) Bangladesh 2.7% of GDP (2005) Barbados 6.9% of GDP (2005) Belarus 6.1% of GDP (2006) Belgium 6% of GDP (2004) Belize 5.3% of GDP (2004) Benin 4.4% of GDP (2004) Bermuda 1.2% of GDP (2006) Bhutan 7% of GDP (2005) Bolivia 6.4% of GDP (2003) Bosnia and Herzegovina NA Botswana 8.7% of GDP (2007) Brazil 4% of GDP (2004) British Virgin Islands 3.7% of GDP (2006) Brunei 5.2% of GDP (2000) Bulgaria 4.5% of GDP (2005) Burkina Faso 4.2% of GDP (2006) Burma 1.2% of GDP (2001) Burundi 5.1% of GDP (2005) Cambodia 1.7% of GDP (2004) Cameroon 3.3% of GDP (2006) Canada 5.2% of GDP (2002) Cape Verde 6.3% of GDP (2006) Cayman Islands 2.8% of GDP (2005) Central African Republic 1.4% of GDP (2006) Chad 1.9% of GDP (2005) Chile 3.2% of GDP (2006) China 1.9% of GDP (1999) Colombia 4.7% of GDP (2006) Comoros 3.8% of GDP (2002) Congo, Democratic Republic of the NA Congo, Republic of the 1.9% of GDP (2005) Cook Islands 0.2% of GDP (2001) Costa Rica 4.9% of GDP (2004) Cote d'Ivoire 4.6% of GDP (2001) Croatia 4.5% of GDP (2004) Cuba 9.1% of GDP (2006) Cyprus 6.3% of GDP (2004) Czech Republic 4.4% of GDP (2004) Denmark 8.3% of GDP (2005) Djibouti 8.4% of GDP (2006) Dominica 5% of GDP (1999) Dominican Republic 3.6% of GDP (2006) Ecuador 1% of GDP (2001) Egypt 4.2% of GDP (2006) El Salvador 3.1% of GDP (2006) Equatorial Guinea 0.6% of GDP (2003) Eritrea 2.4% of GDP (2006) Estonia 5.1% of GDP (2004) Ethiopia 6% of GDP (2006) Fiji 6.5% of GDP (2004) Finland 6.4% of GDP (2005) France 5.7% of GDP (2005) French Polynesia NA Gabon 3.8% of GDP (2000) Gambia, The 2% of GDP (2004) Gaza Strip NA Georgia 3.1% of GDP (2006) Germany 4.6% of GDP (2004) Ghana 5.4% of GDP (2005) Gibraltar NA Greece 4.4% of GDP (2005) Greenland NA Grenada 5.2% of GDP (2003) Guam NA Guatemala 2.6% of GDP (2006) Guernsey NA Guinea 1.6% of GDP (2005) Guinea-Bissau 5.2% of GDP (1999) Guyana 8.3% of GDP (2006) Haiti 1.4% of GDP (1991) Honduras 3.8% of GDP (1991) Hong Kong 3.9% of GDP (2006) Hungary 5.5% of GDP (2005) Iceland 7.6% of GDP (2004) India 3.2% of GDP (2005) Indonesia 3.6% of GDP (2006) Iran 5.1% of GDP (2006) Iraq NA Ireland 4.7% of GDP (2005) Isle of Man NA Israel 6.9% of GDP (2004) Italy 4.5% of GDP (2005) Jamaica 5.3% of GDP (2005) Japan 3.5% of GDP (2005) Jersey NA Jordan 4.9% of GDP (1999) Kazakhstan 2.3% of GDP (2005) Kenya 6.9% of GDP (2006) Kiribati 17.8% of GDP (2002) Korea, North NA Korea, South 4.6% of GDP (2004) Kuwait 3.8% of GDP (2006) Kyrgyzstan 4.9% of GDP (2005) Laos 3% of GDP (2006) Latvia 5.1% of GDP (2004) Lebanon 2.7% of GDP (2006) Lesotho 13% of GDP (2006) Liberia NA Libya 2.7% of GDP (1999) Liechtenstein NA Lithuania 5% of GDP (2005) Luxembourg 3.4% of GDP (1999) Macau 2.4% of GDP (2005) Macedonia 3.5% of GDP (2002) Madagascar 3.1% of GDP (2006) Malawi 5.8% of GDP (2003) Malaysia 6.2% of GDP (2004) Maldives 8% of GDP (2006) Mali 4.5% of GDP (2006) Malta 5.1% of GDP (2004) Marshall Islands 11.8% of GDP (2004) Mauritania 2.9% of GDP (2006) Mauritius 3.9% of GDP (2006) Mayotte NA Mexico 5.5% of GDP (2005) Micronesia, Federated States of 7.3% of GDP (2000) Moldova 7.6% of GDP (2006) Monaco 4.4% of GDP (2004) Mongolia 5% of GDP (2004) Montenegro NA Montserrat 3.3% of GDP (2004) Morocco NA Mozambique 5% of GDP (2005) Namibia 6.9% of GDP (2003) Nauru NA Nepal 3.4% of GDP (2003) Netherlands 5.3% of GDP (2005) Netherlands Antilles NA New Zealand 6.2% of GDP (2006) Nicaragua 3.1% of GDP (2003) Niger 3.4% of GDP (2006) Nigeria 0.9% of GDP (1991) Niue NA Norfolk Island NA Northern Mariana Islands NA Norway 7.2% of GDP (2005) Oman 4% of GDP (2006) Pakistan 2.6% of GDP (2006) Palau 10.3% of GDP (2002) Panama 3.8% of GDP (2004) Papua New Guinea NA Paraguay 4% of GDP (2004) Peru 2.5% of GDP (2006) Philippines 2.5% of GDP (2005) Poland 5.5% of GDP (2005) Portugal 5.5% of GDP (2005) Puerto Rico NA Qatar 3.3% of GDP (2005) Romania 3.5% of GDP (2005) Russia 3.8% of GDP (2005) Rwanda 3.8% of GDP (2005) Saint Helena NA Saint Kitts and Nevis 9.3% of GDP (2005) Saint Lucia 6.6% of GDP (2006) Saint Pierre and Miquelon NA Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 8.1% of GDP (2005) Samoa 4.3% of GDP (2002) San Marino NA Sao Tome and Principe NA Saudi Arabia 6.8% of GDP (2004) Senegal 5% of GDP (2006) Serbia NA Seychelles 6.5% of GDP (2006) Sierra Leone 3.8% of GDP (2005) Singapore 3.7% of GDP (2001) Slovakia 3.9% of GDP (2005) Slovenia 6% of GDP (2005) Solomon Islands 3.3% of GDP (1999) Somalia NA South Africa 5.4% of GDP (2006) Spain 4.2% of GDP (2005) Sri Lanka NA Sudan 6% of GDP (1991) Suriname NA Swaziland 7% of GDP (2005) Sweden 7.1% of GDP (2005) Switzerland 5.8% of GDP (2005) Syria 3.9% of GDP (1999) Taiwan NA Tajikistan 3.4% of GDP (2006) Tanzania 2.2% of GDP (1999) Thailand 4.2% of GDP (2005) Timor-Leste NA Togo 2.6% of GDP (2002) Tokelau NA Tonga 5% of GDP (2004) Trinidad and Tobago 4.2% of GDP (2002) Tunisia 7.3% of GDP (2005) Turkey 4% of GDP (2004) Turkmenistan 3.9% of GDP (1991) Turks and Caicos Islands NA Tuvalu NA Uganda 5.2% of GDP (2004) Ukraine 6.3% of GDP (2006) United Arab Emirates 1.3% of GDP (2005) United Kingdom 5.6% of GDP (2005) United States 5.3% of GDP (2005) Uruguay 2.9% of GDP (2006) Uzbekistan 9.4% of GDP (1991) Vanuatu 9.5% of GDP (2003) Venezuela 3.7% of GDP (2006) Vietnam 1.8% of GDP (1991) Virgin Islands NA West Bank NA Yemen 9.6% of GDP (2001) Zambia 2% of GDP (2005) Zimbabwe 4.6% of GDP (2000) ====================================================================== @2207 Field Listing :: Central bank discount rate This entry provides the annualized interest rate a country's central bank charges commercial, depository banks for loans to meet temporary shortages of funds. Country Comparison to the World Country Central bank discount rate(%) Albania 6.25% (31 December 2008) 6.25% (31 December 2007) Algeria 4% (31 December 2008) 4% (31 December 2007) Angola 19.57% (31 December 2008) 19.57% (31 December 2007) Anguilla 6.5% (31 December 2008) 6.5% (31 December 2007) Antigua and Barbuda 6.5% (31 December 2008) 6.5% (31 December 2007) Argentina NA Armenia 7.25% (2 December 2008) NA% (31 December 2007) note: this is the Refinancing Rate, the key monetary policy instrument of the Armenian National Bank Aruba 5% (31 December 2008) 5% (31 December 2007) Azerbaijan 8% (31 December 2008) 13% (31 December 2007) note: this is the Refinancing Rate, the key policy rate for the National Bank of Azerbaijan Bahamas, The 5.25% (31 December 2008) 5.25% (31 December 2007) Bangladesh 5% (31 December 2008) 5% (31 December 2007) Barbados 10% (31 December 2008) 12% (31 December 2007) Belarus 12% (31 December 2008) 10% (31 December 2007) Belgium 3% (31 December 2008) 5% (31 December 2007) note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area Belize 12% (31 December 2008) 12% (31 December 2007) Benin 4.75% (31 December 2008) 4.25% (31 December 2007) Bolivia 13% (31 December 2008) 6.5% (31 December 2007) Botswana 15% (31 December 2008) 14.5% (31 December 2007) Brazil 20.48% (31 December 2008) 17.85% (31 December 2007) Bulgaria 5.77% (31 December 2008) 4.58% (31 December 2007) Burkina Faso 4.75% (31 December 2008) 4.25% (31 December 2007) Burma 12% (31 December 2008) 12% (31 December 2007) Burundi 10.08% (31 December 2008) 10.12% (31 December 2007) Cambodia NA% (31 December 2008) 5.25% (31 December 2007) Cameroon 4.75% (31 December 2008) 5.25% (31 December 2007) Canada 1.75% (31 December 2008) 4.5% (31 December 2007) Cape Verde 7.5% (31 December 2008) 8.5% (31 December 2007) Central African Republic 4.75% (31 December 2008) 5.25% (31 December 2007) Chad 4.75% (31 December 2008) 5.25% (31 December 2007) Chile 8.25% (31 December 2008) 6% (31 December 2007) China 2.79% (31 December 2008) 3.33% (31 December 2007) Colombia 11.5% (31 December 2008) 11.5% (31 December 2007) Comoros 5.36% (31 December 2008) 5.36% (31 December 2007) Congo, Democratic Republic of the NA% (31 December 2008) 5.25% (31 December 2007) Congo, Republic of the 4.75% (31 December 2008) 5.25% (31 December 2007) Costa Rica 25% (31 December 2008) 17% (31 December 2007) Cote d'Ivoire 4.75% (31 December 2008) 4.25% (31 December 2007) Croatia 9% (31 December 2008) 9% (31 December 2007) Cuba NA% Cyprus 3% (31 December 2008) 5% (31 December 2007) note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area Czech Republic 2.25% (31 December 2008) 3.5% (31 December 2007) Denmark 3.5% (31 December 2008) 4% (31 December 2007) Dominica 6.5% (31 December 2008) 6.5% (31 December 2007) Ecuador 9.14% (31 December 2008) 10.72% (31 December 2007) Egypt 11.5% (31 December 2008) 9% (31 December 2007) Equatorial Guinea 4.75% (31 December 2008) 5.25% (31 December 2007) European Union 3% (31 December 2008) 5% (31 December 2007) note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area Fiji 6.32% (31 December 2008) 9.25% (31 December 2007) Finland 3% (31 December 2008) 5% (31 December 2007) note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area France 3% (31 December 2008) 5% (31 December 2007) note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area Gabon 4.75% (31 December 2008) 5.25% (31 December 2007) Gambia, The NA% (31 December 2008) 10% (31 December 2007) Georgia 8% (25 December 2008) NA% (31 December 2007) note: this is the Refinancing Rate, the key monetary policy rate of the Georgian National Bank Germany 3% (31 December 2008) 5% (31 December 2007) note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area Ghana 17% (31 December 2008) 13.5% (31 December 2007) Greece 3% (31 December 2008) 5% (31 December 2007) note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area Grenada 6.5% (31 December 2008) 6.5% (31 December 2007) Guatemala NA% Guinea NA% (31 December 2008) 22.25% (31 December 2005) Guinea-Bissau 4.75% (31 December 2008) 4.25% (31 December 2007) Guyana 6.75% (31 December 2008) 6.5% (31 December 2007) Honduras NA% Hong Kong 0.5% (31 December 2008) 5.75% (31 December 2007) Hungary 10% (31 December 2008) 7.5% (31 December 2007) Iceland 22% (31 December 2008) 15.25% (31 December 2007) India 6% (31 December 2008) 6% (31 December 2007) Indonesia 10.83% (31 December 2008) 8% (31 December 2007) Iraq NA% (31 December 2008) 20% (31 December 2007) Ireland 3% (31 December 2008) 5% (31 December 2007) note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area Israel 2.5% (31 December 2008) 4% (31 December 2007) Italy 3% (31 December 2008) 5% (31 December 2007) note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area Japan 0.3% (31 December 2008) 0.75% (31 December 2007) Jordan 6.25% (31 December 2008) 7% (31 December 2007) Kazakhstan 10.5% (31 December 2008) 11% (31 December 2007) Korea, South 1.75% (31 December 2008) 3.25% (31 December 2007) Kuwait 3.75% (31 December 2008) 6.25% (31 December 2007) Laos 7.67% (31 December 2008) 12.67% (31 December 2007) Latvia 6% (31 December 2008) 6% (31 December 2007) Lebanon 12% (31 December 2008) 12% (31 December 2007) Lesotho 14.05% (31 December 2008) 12.82% (31 December 2007) Libya 5% (31 December 2008) 4% (31 December 2007) Lithuania 4.73% (31 December 2008) 4.85% (31 December 2007) Luxembourg 3% (31 December 2008) 5% (31 December 2007) note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area Macedonia 6.5% (31 December 2008) 6.5% (31 December 2007) Malawi 15% (31 December 2008) 15% (31 December 2007) Maldives 13% (31 December 2008) 12.5% (31 December 2007) Mali 4.75% (31 December 2008) 4.25% (31 December 2007) Malta 3% (31 December 2008) note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area Mauritania NA% (31 December 2008) 12% (31 December 2007) Mexico NA% (31 December 2008) Mongolia 14.78% (31 December 2008) 9.87% (31 December 2007) Montserrat 6.5% (31 December 2008) 6.5% (31 December 2007) Morocco 3.32% (31 December 2008) 3.25% (31 December 2007) Mozambique 9.95% (31 December 2008) 9.95% (31 December 2007) Namibia 10% (31 December 2008) 10.5% (31 December 2007) Nepal 6.5% (31 December 2008) 6.25% (31 December 2007) Netherlands 3% (31 December 2008) 5% (31 December 2007) note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area Netherlands Antilles NA% New Zealand 5% (31 December 2008) 8.25% (31 December 2007) Nicaragua NA% Niger 4.75% (31 December 2008) 4.25% (31 December 2007) Nigeria 9.75% (31 December 2008) 9.5% (31 December 2007) Norway 4% (31 December 2008) 6.25% (31 December 2007) Oman 0.91% (31 December 2008) 1.98% (31 December 2007) Pakistan 15% (31 December 2008) 10% (31 December 2007) Papua New Guinea 7% (31 December 2008) 7.38% (31 December 2007) Paraguay 20% (31 December 2008) 20% (31 December 2007) Peru 7.25% (31 December 2008) 5.75% (31 December 2007) Philippines 6% (31 December 2008) 4.28% (31 December 2007) Poland 5% (31 December 2008) 5% (31 December 2007) Portugal 3% (31 December 2008) 5% (31 December 2007) note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area Qatar 5.5% (31 December 2008) 5.5% (31 December 2007) Romania NA% Russia 13% (31 December 2008) 10% (31 December 2007) Rwanda 11.25% (31 December 2008) 12.5% (31 December 2007) Saint Kitts and Nevis 6.5% (31 December 2008) 6.5% (31 December 2007) Saint Lucia 6.5% (31 December 2008) 6.5% (31 December 2007) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 6.5% (31 December 2008) 6.5% (31 December 2007) Sao Tome and Principe 28% (31 December 2008) 28% (31 December 2007) Saudi Arabia 2.5% (31 December 2008) NA% (31 December 2007) Senegal 4.75% (31 December 2008) 4.25% (31 December 2007) Serbia 17.75% (31 December 2008) 9.57% (31 December 2007) Seychelles NA% (31 December 2008) 5.13% (31 December 2007) Sierra Leone NA% (31 December 2008) Slovakia 3% (31 December 2008) 4.25% (31 December 2007) note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks from the euro area; as of 1 January 2009 Slovakia became a member of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) Slovenia 3% (31 December 2008) 5% (31 December 2007) note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area South Africa 11.5% (31 December 2008) 11% (31 December 2007) Spain 3% (31 December 2008) 5% (31 December 2007) note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area Sri Lanka 15% (31 December 2008) 15% (31 December 2007) Swaziland 11% (31 December 2008) 11% (31 December 2007) Sweden 2% (31 December 2008) 3.5% (31 December 2007) Switzerland 0.05% (31 December 2008) 2.05% (31 December 2007) Syria NA% (31 December 2008) 5% (31 December 2007) Taiwan 1.5% (January 2009) Tajikistan NA% (31 December 2008) 15% (31 December 2007) Tanzania 15.99% (31 December 2008) 16.4% (31 December 2007) Thailand 3.25% (31 December 2008) 3.75% (31 December 2007) Togo 4.75% (31 December 2008) 4.25% (31 December 2007) Trinidad and Tobago 10.75% (31 December 2008) 10% (31 December 2007) Turkey 25% (31 December 2008) 25% (31 December 2007) Uganda 19.42% (31 December 2008) 14.68% (31 December 2007) Ukraine 12% (31 December 2008) 8% (31 December 2007) United Arab Emirates NA% (31 December 2008) United Kingdom 0.86% (31 December 2008) United States 0.5% (31 March 2009) 4.83% (31 December 2007) Uruguay 10% (31 December 2008) 10% (31 December 2007) Vanuatu 6% (31 December 2008) 6% (31 December 2007) Venezuela 33.5% (31 December 2008) 28.5% (31 December 2007) Vietnam 10.25% (31 December 2008) 6.5% (31 December 2007) Yemen NA% Zambia 14.49% (31 December 2008) 11.73% (31 December 2007) Zimbabwe NA% (31 December 2008) 975% (31 December 2007) ====================================================================== @2208 Field Listing :: Commercial bank prime lending rate This entry provides a simple average of annualized interest rates commercial banks charge on new loans, denominated in the national currency, to their most credit-worthy customers. Country Comparison to the World Country Commercial bank prime lending rate(%) Afghanistan 14.92% (31 December 2008) 18.14% (31 December 2007) Albania 13.02% (31 December 2008) 14.1% (31 December 2007) Algeria 8% (31 December 2008) 8% (31 December 2007) Angola 12.53% (31 December 2008) 17.7% (31 December 2007) Anguilla 9.51% (31 December 2008) 9.76% (31 December 2007) Antigua and Barbuda 10.43% (31 December 2008) 10.44% (31 December 2007) Argentina 19.47% (31 December 2008) 28% (28 November 2008) Armenia 17.05% (31 December 2008) 17.52% (31 December 2007) Aruba 11.23% (31 December 2008) 11.01% (31 December 2007) Australia 8.91% (31 December 2008) 10.02% (31 December 2007) Austria 6.82% (31 December 2008) 6.3% (31 December 2007) Azerbaijan 19.76% (31 December 2008) 19.13% (31 December 2007) Bahamas, The 5.5% (31 December 2008) 5.5% (31 December 2007) Bahrain NA% (31 December 2008) 8.35% (31 December 2007) Bangladesh 16.38% (31 December 2008) 16% (31 December 2007) Barbados 10.03% (31 December 2008) 10.8% (31 December 2007) Belarus 8.55% (31 December 2008) 8.58% (31 December 2007) Belgium 7.03% (31 December 2008) Belize 14.14% (31 December 2008) 14.33% (31 December 2007) Benin NA Bhutan NA% (31 December 2008) 14% (31 December 2007) Bolivia 13.87% (31 December 2008) 12.86% (31 December 2007) Bosnia and Herzegovina 6.98% (31 December 2008) 7.17% (31 December 2007) Botswana 16.54% (31 December 2008) 16.22% (31 December 2007) Brazil 47.25% (31 December 2008) 43.72% (31 December 2007) Brunei 5.5% (31 December 2008) 5.5% (February 2009) Bulgaria 10.86% (31 December 2008) 10% (31 December 2007) Burkina Faso NA Burma 17% (31 December 2008) 17% (31 December 2007) Burundi 16.52% (31 December 2008) 16.84% (31 December 2007) Cambodia 16.01% (31 December 2008) 16.18% (31 December 2007) Cameroon NA% (31 December 2008) 15% (31 December 2007) Canada 4.73% (31 December 2008) 6.1% (31 December 2007) Cape Verde 9.99% (31 December 2008) 10.55% (31 December 2007) Central African Republic NA% (31 December 2008) 15% (31 December 2007) Chad NA% (31 December 2008) 15% (31 December 2007) Chile 13.26% (31 December 2008) 8.67% (31 December 2007) China 5.31% (31 December 2008) 5.58% (17 December 2007) Colombia 17.18% (31 December 2008) Comoros 7% (31 December 2008) 10.5% (31 December 2007) Congo, Democratic Republic of the NA Congo, Republic of the NA% (31 December 2008) 15% (31 December 2007) Costa Rica 15.83% (31 December 2008) 12.8% (31 December 2007) Cote d'Ivoire NA Croatia 10.07% (31 December 2008) Cuba NA% Cyprus 7.19% (31 December 2008) 6.74% (31 December 2007) Czech Republic 6.25% (31 December 2008) 5.79% (31 December 2007) Denmark NA Djibouti NA Dominica 9.06% (31 December 2008) 9.17% (31 December 2007) Dominican Republic 19.95% (31 December 2008) 15.83% (31 December 2007) Ecuador 9.71% (31 December 2008) Egypt NA% (31 December 2008) 12.51% (31 December 2007) El Salvador 12.33% (31 December 2008) 7.81% (31 December 2007) Equatorial Guinea NA% (31 December 2008) 15% (31 December 2007) Estonia 8.55% (31 December 2008) 6.46% (31 December 2007) Ethiopia 8% (31 December 2008) 7% (31 December 2006) European Union 8.6% (31 December 2008) 8.03% (31 December 2007) Fiji 7.97% (31 December 2008) 9.01% (31 December 2007) Finland 5.79% (31 December 2008) France 8.13% (31 December 2008) Gabon NA% (31 December 2008) 15% (31 December 2007) Gambia, The NA% (31 December 2008) 27.92% (31 December 2007) Gaza Strip 7.19% (31 December 2008) 7.73% (31 December 2006) Georgia 21.24% (31 December 2008) 20.41% (31 December 2007) Germany 5.97% (31 December 2008) 5.96% (31 December 2007) Ghana NA Greece 8.65% (31 December 2008) 7.71% (31 December 2007) Grenada 9.53% (31 December 2008) 9.76% (31 December 2007) Guatemala 13.39% (31 December 2008) 12.84% (31 December 2007) Guinea NA% Guyana 14.58% (31 December 2008) 14.61% (31 December 2007) Haiti 17.81% (31 December 2008) 46.99% (31 December 2007) Honduras 17.94% (31 December 2008) 16.61% (31 December 2007) Hong Kong 5% (31 December 2008) Hungary 10.18% (31 December 2008) Iceland NA% (31 December 2008) 19.29% (31 December 2007) India 13.31% (31 December 2008) Indonesia 13.6% (31 December 2008) 7.21% (31 December 2007) Iran NA% (31 December 2008) 12% (31 December 2007) Iraq NA% (31 December 2008) 19.74% (31 December 2007) Ireland 6.76% (31 December 2008) 6.52% (31 December 2007) Israel 6.06% (31 December 2008) 6.27% (31 December 2007) Italy 11.34% (31 December 2008) 10.93% (31 December 2007) Jamaica 16.83% (31 December 2008) 17.2% (31 December 2007) Japan 1.91% (31 December 2008) Jordan 9.03% (31 December 2008) Kenya 14.02% (31 December 2008) 13.34% (31 December 2007) Korea, South 7.17% (31 December 2008) Kosovo 13.79% (31 December 2008) Kuwait 7.61% (31 December 2008) 8.54% (31 December 2007) Kyrgyzstan 19.86% (31 December 2008) 25.32% (31 December 2007) Laos 24% (31 December 2008) 28.5% (31 December 2007) Latvia 11.85% (31 December 2008) Lebanon 9.96% (31 December 2008) 10.26% (31 December 2007) Lesotho 16.19% (31 December 2008) 14.13% (31 December 2007) Liberia 14.4% (31 December 2008) 15.05% (31 December 2007) Libya 8.41% (31 December 2008) 6% (31 December 2007) Lithuania 6.29% (31 December 2008) 6.86% (31 December 2007) Macau 5.43% (31 December 2008) Macedonia 9.68% (31 December 2008) 10.23% (31 December 2007) Madagascar 45% (31 December 2008) 45% (31 December 2007) Malawi 25.28% (31 December 2008) 27.72% (31 December 2007) Malaysia 6.08% (31 December 2008) 6.41% (31 December 2007) Maldives 13% (31 December 2008) 13% (31 December 2007) Mali NA% Malta 5.89% (31 December 2008) 6.24% (31 December 2007) Mauritius 21.54% (31 December 2008) 21.87% (31 December 2007) Mexico 8.71% (31 December 2008) 7.56% (31 December 2007) Micronesia, Federated States of 14.38% (31 December 2008) 14.03% (31 December 2007) Moldova 21.06% (31 December 2008) 18.83% (31 December 2007) Mongolia 18% (31 December 2008) 17.54% (31 December 2007) Montenegro 9.24% (31 December 2008) 9.09% (31 December 2007) Montserrat 9.89% (31 December 2008) 10.4% (31 December 2007) Morocco NA% Mozambique 18.31% (31 December 2008) 19.52% (31 December 2007) Namibia 13.74% (31 December 2008) 12.88% (31 December 2007) Nepal NA% (31 December 2008) Netherlands 10.37% (31 December 2008) 8.72% (31 December 2007) Netherlands Antilles 8.33% (31 December 2008) 9.21% (31 December 2007) New Zealand 12.06% (31 December 2008) 12.83% (31 December 2007) Nicaragua 13.17% (31 December 2008) 13.04% (31 December 2007) Niger NA% Nigeria 15.48% (31 December 2008) 16.94% (31 December 2007) Norway 7.28% (31 December 2008) 3.5% (1st quarter 2009) Oman 7.1% (31 December 2008) 7.29% (31 December 2007) Panama 8.16% (31 December 2008) 8.25% (31 December 2007) Papua New Guinea 9.27% (31 December 2008) 9.78% (31 December 2007) Paraguay 25.81% (31 December 2008) 25.03% (31 December 2007) Peru 23.67% (31 December 2008) 24.1% (December 2008) Philippines 8.75% (31 December 2008) 8.69% (31 December 2007) Poland 5.99% (31 December 2008) 5.72% (31 December 2007) Portugal 8.35% (31 December 2008) 7.92% (31 December 2007) Qatar 6.84% (31 December 2008) 7.43% (31 December 2007) Romania 14.99% (31 December 2008) 13.35% (31 December 2007) Russia 12.23% (31 December 2008) NA% (31 December 2007) Rwanda 16.51% (31 December 2008) 15.84% (31 December 2007) Saint Kitts and Nevis 8.69% (31 December 2008) 8.89% (31 December 2007) Saint Lucia 10.08% (31 December 2008) 8.34% (31 December 2007) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 9.52% (31 December 2008) 8.8% (31 December 2007) Samoa 12.66% (31 December 2008) 12.65% (31 December 2007) San Marino NA% (31 December 2008) 7.58% (31 December 2007) Sao Tome and Principe 32.4% (31 December 2008) 32.4% (31 December 2007) Saudi Arabia NA% (31 December 2008) Senegal NA% (31 December 2008) NA% (31 December 2007) Serbia 18.11% (31 December 2008) 11.13% (31 December 2007) Seychelles 11.81% (31 December 2008) 10.89% (31 December 2007) Sierra Leone 24.5% (31 December 2008) 25% (31 December 2007) Singapore 5.38% (31 December 2008) Slovakia 6.42% (31 December 2008) Slovenia 7.41% (31 December 2008) 6.82% (31 December 2007) Solomon Islands 14.44% (31 December 2008) 14.12% (31 December 2007) South Africa 15.13% (31 December 2008) 13.17% (31 December 2007) Spain 11.02% (31 December 2008) Sri Lanka 18.89% (31 December 2008) Suriname 12.23% (31 December 2008) 9.71% (31 December 2007) Swaziland 14.83% (31 December 2008) 13.17% (31 December 2007) Sweden NA% (31 December 2008) 4% (2004) Switzerland 3.34% (31 December 2008) 3.15% (31 December 2007) Syria NA% (31 December 2008) Taiwan 4.06% (2008 est.) Tajikistan 23.1% (31 December 2008) Tanzania 14.98% (31 December 2008) 16.03% (31 December 2007) Thailand 7.04% (31 December 2008) 7.25% (31 December 2007) Timor-Leste 13.11% (31 December 2008) 15.05% (31 December 2007) Togo NA% Tonga 12.46% (31 December 2008) 12.16% (31 December 2007) Trinidad and Tobago 12.44% (31 December 2008) 11.75% (31 December 2007) Uganda 20.45% (31 December 2008) 19.11% (31 December 2007) Ukraine 17.49% (31 December 2008) 11.33% (31 December 2007) United Kingdom 4.63% (31 December 2008) 5.52% (31 December 2007) United States 5.09% (31 December 2008) 8.05% (31 December 2007) Uruguay 12.45% (31 December 2008) 7.25% (31 December 2007) Vanuatu 5.29% (31 December 2008) 8.16% (31 December 2007) Venezuela 22.37% (31 December 2008) 17.11% (31 December 2007) Vietnam 15.78% (31 December 2008) 11.18% (31 December 2007) West Bank 7.19% (31 December 2008) 7.73% (31 December 2006) Yemen 18% (31 December 2008) 18% (31 December 2007) Zambia 19.06% (31 December 2008) 18.89% (31 December 2007) Zimbabwe NA% (31 December 2008) 578.96% (31 December 2007) ====================================================================== @2209 Field Listing :: Stock of money This entry, also known as "M1," comprises the total quantity of currency in circulation (notes and coins) plus demand deposits denominated in the national currency, held by nonbank financial institutions, state and local governments, nonfinancial public enterprises, and the private sector of the economy. The national currency units have been converted to US dollars at the closing exchange rate on the date of the information. Country Comparison to the World Country Stock of money Afghanistan $1.688 billion (31 December 2008) $1.426 billion (31 December 2007) Albania $3.028 billion (31 December 2008) $2.707 billion (31 December 2007) Algeria $60.91 billion (31 December 2008) $55.43 billion (31 December 2007) Angola $8.446 billion (31 December 2008) $4.153 billion (31 December 2007) Anguilla $21.12 million (31 December 2008) $23.57 million (31 December 2007) Antigua and Barbuda $296.4 million (31 December 2008) $294.8 million (31 December 2007) Argentina $NA (31 December 2008) $33.93 billion (31 December 2007) Armenia $1.359 billion (31 December 2008) $1.507 billion (31 December 2007) Aruba $780.4 million (31 December 2008) $640.9 million (31 December 2007) Australia $NA (31 December 2008) $298.5 billion (31 December 2007) Azerbaijan $6.381 billion (31 December 2008) $4.261 billion (31 December 2007) Bahamas, The $1.255 billion (31 December 2008) $1.274 billion (31 December 2007) Bahrain $NA (31 December 2008) $4.169 billion (31 December 2007) Bangladesh $9.294 billion (31 December 2008) $8.444 billion (31 December 2007) Barbados $1.637 billion (31 December 2008) $1.478 billion (31 December 2007) Belarus $4.872 billion (31 December 2008) $4.065 billion (31 December 2007) Belgium NA (31 December 2008) NA (31 December 2007) note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi money circulating within their own borders Belize $345.7 million (31 December 2008) $323.9 million (31 December 2007) Benin $NA (31 December 2008) $1.324 billion (31 December 2007) Bhutan $NA (31 December 2008) $381.1 million (31 December 2007) Bolivia $3.998 billion (31 December 2008) $3.032 billion (31 December 2007) Bosnia and Herzegovina $4.49 billion (31 December 2008) $5.13 billion (31 December 2007) Botswana $1.008 billion (31 December 2008) $1.026 billion (31 December 2007) Brazil $95.03 billion (31 December 2008) $131.1 billion (31 December 2007) Brunei $3.046 billion (31 December 2008) $2.674 billion (31 December 2007) Bulgaria $14.29 billion (31 December 2008) $15.58 billion (31 December 2007) Burkina Faso $NA (31 December 2008) $1.051 billion (31 December 2007) Burma $NA (31 December 2008) $598 billion (31 December 2007) note: this number reflects the vastly overvalued official exchange rate of 5.38 kyat per dollar; at the unofficial black market rate of 1305 kyat per dollar, the stock of kyats would equal only US$2.465 billion and Burma's velocity of money (the number of times money turns over in the course of a year) would be six, in line with the velocity of money for other countries in the region Burundi $261.6 million (31 December 2008) $208.7 million (31 December 2007) Cambodia $591.7 million (31 December 2008) $513.6 million (31 December 2007) Cameroon $NA (31 December 2008) $2.616 billion (31 December 2007) Canada $356.2 billion (31 December 2008) $391.6 billion (31 December 2007) Cape Verde $563.4 million (31 December 2008) $574 million (31 December 2007) Central African Republic $NA (31 December 2008) $218.3 million (31 December 2007) Chad $NA (31 December 2008) $874.5 million (31 December 2007) Chile $14.72 billion (31 December 2008) $16.6 billion (31 December 2007) China $2.434 trillion (31 December 2008) $2.09 trillion (31 December 2007) Colombia $21.58 billion (31 December 2008) $21.81 billion (31 December 2007) Comoros $100.6 million (31 December 2008) $76.68 million (31 December 2007) Congo, Democratic Republic of the $NA (31 December 2008) $597 million (31 December 2007) Congo, Republic of the $NA (31 December 2008) $1.4 billion (31 December 2007) Costa Rica $4.209 billion (31 December 2008) $4.504 billion (31 December 2007) Cote d'Ivoire $NA (31 December 2008) $4.451 billion (31 December 2007) Croatia $10.71 billion (31 December 2008) $11.61 billion (31 December 2007) Cuba $NA Cyprus $NA (31 December 2008) $4.094 billion (31 December 2007) note: this figure represents the US dollar value of Cypriot pounds in circulation prior to Cyprus joining the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the EMU; individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi money circulating within their own borders Czech Republic $86.55 billion (31 December 2008) $84.43 billion (31 December 2007) Denmark $143 billion (31 December 2008) $148.7 billion (31 December 2007) Djibouti $462.7 million (31 December 2008) $380 million (31 December 2007) Dominica $72.1 million (31 December 2008) $73.71 million (31 December 2007) Dominican Republic $3.619 billion (31 December 2008) $4.074 billion (31 December 2007) Ecuador $5.907 billion (31 December 2008) $4.395 billion (31 December 2007) Egypt $31.72 billion (31 December 2008) $27.6 billion (31 December 2007) El Salvador $213.7 million (31 December 2008) $209.7 million (31 December 2007) Equatorial Guinea $NA (31 December 2008) $835.2 million (31 December 2007) Eritrea $896.2 million (31 December 2008) $749.1 million (31 December 2007) Estonia $6.106 billion (31 December 2008) $7.158 billion (31 December 2007) Ethiopia $NA (31 December 2008) $3.651 billion (31 December 2006) European Union $5.542 trillion (31 December 2008) $5.649 trillion (31 December 2007) note: this is the quantity of money, M1, for the euro area, converted into US dollars at the exchange rate for the date indicated; it excludes the stock of money carried by non-euro-area members of the European Union Fiji $NA (31 December 2008) $1.042 billion (31 December 2007) Finland $NA (31December 2008) $NA (31 December 2007) note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi money circulating within their own borders France $NA note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi money circulating within their own borders Gabon $NA (31 December 2008) $1.547 billion (31 December 2007) Gambia, The $NA (31 December 2008) $186.7 million (31 December 2007) Gaza Strip $NA (31 December 2008) $1.574 billion (31 December 2007) Georgia $972.4 million (31 December 2008) $1.154 billion (31 December 2007) Germany $NA note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi money circulating within their own borders Ghana $NA (31 December 2008) $2.179 billion (31 December 2006) Greece $NA note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi money circulating within their own borders Grenada $141.4 million (31 December 2008) $151.2 million (31 December 2007) Guatemala $6.106 billion (31 December 2008) $6.227 billion (31 December 2007) Guinea $NA (31 December 2008) $309.8 million (31 December 2005) Guinea-Bissau $NA (31 December 2008) $142.5 million (31 December 2007) Guyana $344.2 million (31 December 2008) $315.2 million (31 December 2007) Haiti $NA (31 December 2008) $704.7 million (31 December 2007) Honduras $1.633 billion (31 December 2008) $1.6 billion (31 December 2007) Hong Kong $63.03 billion (31 December 2008) $51.25 billion (31 December 2007) Hungary $32.78 billion (31 December 2008) $36.78 billion (31 December 2007) Iceland $NA (31 December 2008) $6.64 billion (31 December 2007) India $NA (31 December 2008) $250.9 billion (31 December 2007) Indonesia $41.71 billion (31 December 2008) $47.78 billion (31 December 2007) Iran $NA (31 December 2008) $46.13 billion (31 December 2007) Iraq $26.1 billion (31 December 2008) $18.81 billion (31 December 2007) Ireland $NA note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi money circulating within their own borders Israel $NA (31 December 2008) $15.36 billion (31 December 2006) Jamaica $1.253 billion (31 December 2008) $1.369 billion (31 December 2007) Japan $5.417 trillion (31 December 2008) $4.37 trillion (31 December 2007) Jordan $NA (31 December 2008) $6.765 billion (31 December 2007) Kazakhstan $16.12 billion (31 December 2008) $12.74 billion (31 December 2007) Kenya $6.068 billion (31 December 2008) $5.912 billion (31 December 2007) Korea, South $80.66 billion (31 December 2008) $92.59 billion (31 December 2007) Kuwait $15.31 billion (31 December 2008) $15.12 billion (31 December 2007) Kyrgyzstan $NA (31 December 2008) $911.1 million (31 December 2007) Laos $NA (31 December 2008) $327.9 million (31 December 2007) Latvia $6.688 billion (31 December 2008) $8.196 billion (31 December 2007) Lebanon $NA (31 December 2008) $2.374 billion (31 December 2007) Lesotho $416.5 million (31 December 2008) $439.2 million (31 December 2007) Liberia $NA (31 December 2008) $145.6 million (31 December 2007) Libya $26.66 billion (31 December 2008) $18.04 billion (31 December 2007) Lithuania $9.519 billion (31 December 2008) $11.84 billion (31 December 2007) Luxembourg $NA note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi money circulating within their own borders Macau $1.591 billion (31 December 2008) $1.16 billion (31 December 2007) Macedonia $1.307 billion (31 December 2008) $1.173 billion (31 December 2007) Madagascar $1.217 billion (31 December 2008) $1.161 billion (31 December 2007) Malawi $NA (31 December 2008) $361.5 million (31 December 2007) Malaysia $51.51 billion (31 December 2008) $49.41 billion (31 December 2007) Maldives $475.2 million (31 December 2008) $344.1 million (31 December 2007) Mali $NA (31 December 2008) $1.58 billion (31 December 2007) Malta $4.639 billion (31 January 2008) $4.603 billion (31 December 2007) note: this figure represents the US dollar value of Maltese liri in circulation prior to Malta joining the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the EMU; individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi money circulating within their own borders Mauritania $NA (31 December 2008) Mauritius $1.68 billion (31 December 2008) $1.673 billion (31 December 2007) Mexico $92.34 billion (31 December 2008) $103.5 billion (31 December 2007) Micronesia, Federated States of $NA (31 December 2008) $22.45 million (31 December 2007) Moldova $1.116 billion (31 December 2008) $965 million (31 December 2007) Mongolia $521.2 million (31 December 2008) $504.7 million (31 December 2007) Montenegro $NA (31 December 2008) $1.172 billion (31 December 2007) Montserrat $16.71 million (31 December 2008) $17.9 million (31 December 2007) Morocco $NA (31 December 2008) $67.42 billion (31 December 2007) Mozambique $1.406 billion (31 December 2008) $1.261 billion (31 December 2007) Namibia $1.983 billion (31 December 2008) $2.149 billion (31 December 2007) Nepal $2.106 billion (31 December 2008) $2.184 billion (31 December 2007) Netherlands $NA note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi money circulating within their own borders Netherlands Antilles $NA (31 December 2008) $997.8 million (31 December 2007) New Zealand $13.7 billion (31 December 2008) $17.85 billion (31 December 2007) Nicaragua $507.5 million (31 December 2008) $465.1 million (31 December 2007) Niger $NA (31 December 2008) $604.5 million (31 December 2007) Nigeria $35.29 billion (31 December 2008) $26.82 billion (31 December 2007) Norway $NA Oman $5.25 billion (31 December 2008) $5.044 billion (31 December 2007) Pakistan $NA (31 December 2008) $52.76 billion (31 December 2007) Panama $3.764 billion (31 December 2008) $3.054 billion (31 December 2007) Papua New Guinea $2.005 billion (31 December 2008) $1.685 billion (31 December 2007) Paraguay $2.062 billion (31 December 2008) $1.943 billion (31 December 2007) Peru $15.42 billion (31 December 2008) $14.66 billion (31 December 2007) Philippines $22.53 billion (31 December 2008) $21.27 billion (31 December 2007) Poland $118.2 billion (31 December 2008) $137.4 billion (31 December 2007) Portugal $NA note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi money circulating within their own borders Qatar $13.98 billion (31 December 2008) $9.718 billion (31 December 2007) Romania $25.3 billion (31 December 2008) $25.17 billion (31 December 2007) Russia $252.5 billion (31 December 2008) $303.7 billion (31 December 2007) Rwanda $233.6 million (31 December 2005) Saint Kitts and Nevis $107.2 million (31 December 2008) $97.31 million (31 December 2007) Saint Lucia $261.3 million (31 December 2008) $264.7 million (31 December 2007) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines $150.8 million (31 December 2008) $155.5 million (31 December 2007) Samoa $60.13 million (31 December 2008) $69.97 million (31 December 2007) San Marino $NA (31 December 2008) $1.326 billion (31 December 2007) Sao Tome and Principe $27.84 million (31 December 2008) $19.99 million (31 December 2007) Saudi Arabia $113.2 billion (31 December 2008) $102.4 billion (31 December 2007) Senegal $NA (31 December 2008) $2.842 billion (31 December 2007) Serbia $3.831 billion (31 December 2008) $4.632 billion (31 December 2007) Seychelles $164.8 million (31 December 2008) $330.8 million (31 December 2007) Sierra Leone $NA (31 December 2008) $184.6 million (31 December 2007) Singapore $52.57 billion (31 December 2008) $44.4 billion (31 December 2007) Slovakia $25.52 billion (31 December 2008) $26.17 billion (31 December 2007) note: this figure represents the US dollar value of Slovak koruny in circulation prior to Slovakia joining the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi money circulating within their own borders Slovenia $NA (31 December 2008) $9.347 billion (31 December 2006) note: the figure for 2006 represents the US dollar value of tolars in circulation prior to Slovenia joining the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi money circulating within their own borders Solomon Islands $86.96 million (31 December 2008) $94 million (31 December 2007) South Africa $44.66 billion (31 December 2008) $58.49 billion (31 December 2007) Spain $NA note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi money circulating within their own borders Sri Lanka $2.55 billion (30 September 2008) $2.465 billion (31 December 2007) Sudan $NA (31 December 2008) $5.549 billion (31 December 2007) Suriname $484.7 million (31 December 2008) $416.6 million (31 December 2007) Swaziland $211.8 million (31 December 2008) $244.8 million (31 December 2007) Sweden $185.4 billion (31 December 2008) $217.1 billion (31 December 2007) Switzerland $207 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $213.9 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Syria $73.54 billion (31 December 2008) $15.21 billion (31 December 2007) Tajikistan $NA (31 December 2008) $329.2 million (31 December 2007) Tanzania $2.464 billion (31 December 2008) $2.285 billion (31 December 2007) Thailand $28.76 billion (31 December 2008) $28.63 billion (31 December 2007) Timor-Leste $102.8 million (31 December 2008) $74.94 million (31 December 2007) Togo $NA (31 December 2008) $624.9 million (31 December 2007) Tonga $36.16 million (31 December 2008) $46.38 million (31 December 2007) Trinidad and Tobago $2.39 billion (31 December 2008) $2.646 billion (31 December 2007) Tunisia $9.892 billion (31 December 2008) $9.491 billion (31 December 2007) Turkey $53.25 billion (31 December 2008) $63.88 billion (31 December 2007) Uganda $1.488 billion (31 December 2008) $1.347 billion (31 December 2007) Ukraine $29.24 billion (31 December 2008) $35.97 billion (31 December 2007) United Arab Emirates $NA (31 December 2008) $49.5 billion (31 December 2007) United Kingdom $NA (31 December 2008) United States $1.436 trillion (31 December 2008) $1.395 trillion (31 December 2007) Uruguay $2.247 billion (31 December 2008) $2.145 billion (31 December 2007) Vanuatu $101.6 million (31 December 2008) $107.1 million (31 December 2007) Venezuela $79.91 billion (31 December 2008) $63.18 billion (31 December 2007) Vietnam $NA (31 December 2008) $27.01 billion (31 December 2007) West Bank $NA (31 December 2008) $1.574 billion (31 December 2007) World $12.35 trillion (31 December 2007) Yemen $NA (31 December 2008) $3.076 billion (31 December 2007) Zambia $1.034 billion (31 December 2008) $995.8 million (31 December 2007) Zimbabwe $NA (31 December 2008) $14.18 billion (31 December 2007) note: this number reflects the vastly overvalued official exchange rate of 30,000 Zimbabwe dollars per US dollar; at an unofficial rate of 800,000 Zimbabwe dollars per US dollar, the stock of Zimbabwe dollars would equal only about US$500 million and Zimbabwe's velocity of money (the number of times money turns over in the course of a year) would be nine, in line with the velocity of money for other countries in the region ====================================================================== @2210 Field Listing :: Stock of quasi money This entry comprises the total quantity of time and savings deposits denominated in the national currency, held by nonbank financial institutions, state and local governments, nonfinancial public enterprises, and the private sector of the economy. When added together with "M1" the total money supply is known as "M2." The national currency units have been converted to US dollars at the closing exchange rate on the date of the information. Country Comparison to the World Country Stock of quasi money Afghanistan $1.219 billion (31 December 2008) $958.6 million (31 December 2007) Albania $6.251 billion (31 December 2008) $6.433 billion (31 December 2007) Algeria $30.36 billion (31 December 2008) $28.59 billion (31 December 2007) Angola $10.41 billion (31 December 2008) $7.216 billion (31 December 2007) Anguilla $449.5 million (31 December 2008) $470.1 million (31 December 2007) Antigua and Barbuda $939.9 million (31 December 2008) $902 million (31 December 2007) Argentina $NA (31 December 2008) $45.92 billion (31 December 2007) Armenia $950.1 million (31 December 2008) $765.2 million (31 December 2007) Aruba $890.3 million (31 December 2008) $792.9 million (31 December 2007) Australia $NA (31 December 2008) $667.2 billion (31 December 2007) Azerbaijan $4.125 billion (31 December 2008) $2.593 billion (31 December 2007) Bahamas, The $4.637 billion (31 December 2008) $4.324 billion (31 December 2007) Bahrain $NA (31 December 2008) $10.63 billion (31 December 2007) Bangladesh $37.98 billion (31 December 2008) $32.35 billion (31 December 2007) Barbados $3.701 billion (31 December 2008) $2.717 billion (31 December 2007) Belarus $8.784 billion (31 December 2008) $6.823 billion (31 December 2007) Belgium NA (31 December 2008) NA (31 December 2007) Belize $653.8 million (31 December 2008) $549 million (31 December 2007) Benin $NA (31 December 2008) $627.2 million (31 December 2007) Bhutan $NA (31 December 2008) $220.3 million (31 December 2007) Bolivia $6.339 billion (31 December 2008) $4.729 billion (31 December 2007) Bosnia and Herzegovina $5.614 billion (31 December 2008) $5.597 billion (31 December 2007) Botswana $4.183 billion (31 December 2008) $4.336 billion (31 December 2007) Brazil $724.5 billion (31 December 2008) $792.8 billion (31 December 2007) Brunei $4.551 billion (31 December 2008) $4.258 billion (31 December 2007) Bulgaria $19.67 billion (31 December 2008) $17.03 billion (31 December 2007) Burkina Faso $NA (31 December 2008) $663 million (31 December 2007) Burma $NA (31 December 2008) $216.9 billion (31 December 2007) Burundi $189.9 million (31 December 2008) $141 million (31 December 2007) Cambodia $2.328 billion (31 December 2008) $2.309 billion (31 December 2007) Cameroon $NA (31 December 2008) $1.698 billion (31 December 2007) Canada $1.299 trillion (31 December 2008) $1.381 trillion (31 December 2007) Cape Verde $721.3 million (31 December 2008) $689 million (31 December 2007) Central African Republic $NA (31 December 2008) $47.58 million (31 December 2007) Chad $NA (31 December 2008) $55.23 million (31 December 2007) Chile $73.66 billion (31 December 2008) $80.42 billion (31 December 2007) China $4.523 trillion (31 December 2008) $3.437 trillion (31 December 2007) Colombia $26.57 billion (31 December 2008) $27.25 billion (31 December 2007) Comoros $41.74 million (31 December 2008) $23.39 million (31 December 2007) Congo, Democratic Republic of the $NA (31 December 2008) $677.9 million (31 December 2007) Congo, Republic of the $NA (31 December 2008) $204.3 million (31 December 2007) Costa Rica $3.143 billion (31 December 2008) $2.87 billion (31 December 2007) Cote d'Ivoire $NA (31 December 2008) $1.915 billion (31 December 2007) Croatia $33.17 billion (31 December 2008) $31.86 billion (31 December 2007) Cuba $NA Cyprus $NA (31 December 2008) $43.93 billion (31 December 2007) Czech Republic $58.6 billion (31 December 2008) $58.77 billion (31 December 2007) Denmark $95.82 billion (31 December 2008) $81.64 billion (31 December 2007) Djibouti $338 million (31 December 2008) $284.1 million (31 December 2007) Dominica $289.9 million (31 December 2008) $269.1 million (31 December 2007) Dominican Republic $5.902 billion (31 December 2008) $5.631 billion (31 December 2007) Ecuador $9.383 billion (31 December 2008) $7.974 billion (31 December 2007) Egypt $112.2 billion (31 December 2008) $102.6 billion (31 December 2007) El Salvador $788.7 million (31 December 2008) $797.1 million (31 December 2007) Equatorial Guinea $NA (31 December 2008) $174.5 million (31 December 2007) Eritrea $1.053 billion (31 December 2008) $932.9 million (31 December 2007) Estonia $5.478 billion (31 December 2008) $4.253 billion (31 December 2007) Ethiopia $NA (31 December 2008) $3.258 billion (31 December 2007) European Union $5.631 trillion (31 December 2008) $5.18 trillion (31 December 2007) note: this is the quantity of quasi money, M2-M1, for the euro area, converted into US dollars at the exchange rate for the date indicated; it excludes the stock of quasi money carried by non-euro-area members of the European Union Fiji $NA (31 December 2008) $1.088 billion (31 December 2007) Finland $NA (31 December 2008) $NA (31 December 2007) France $NA Gabon $NA (31 December 2008) $799.3 million (31 December 2007) Gambia, The $NA (31 December 2008) $180.4 million (31 December 2007) Gaza Strip $5.251 billion (31 December 2008) $1.206 billion (31 December 2007) Georgia $1.606 billion (31 December 2008) $1.379 billion (31 December 2007) Germany $NA Ghana $NA (31 December 2008) $2.174 billion (31 December 2006) Greece $NA Grenada $578.1 million (31 December 2008) $533.4 million (31 December 2007) Guatemala $9.7 billion (31 December 2008) $8.928 billion (31 December 2007) Guinea $NA Guinea-Bissau $NA (31 December 2008) $12.04 million (31 December 2007) Guyana $817.6 million (31 December 2008) $728.8 million (31 December 2007) Haiti $NA (31 December 2008) $1.561 billion (31 December 2007) Honduras $5.574 billion (31 December 2008) $5.239 billion (31 December 2007) Hong Kong $352.4 billion (31 December 2008) $578.1 billion (31 December 2007) Hungary $47.49 billion (31 December 2008) $43.07 billion (31 December 2007) Iceland $15.05 billion (31 December 2006) $NA (31 December 2007) India $NA (31 December 2008) $647.3 billion (31 December 2007) Indonesia $131.5 billion (31 December 2008) $127 billion (31 December 2007) Iran $NA (31 December 2008) $68.71 billion (31 December 2007) Iraq $5.415 billion (31 December 2008) $3.67 billion (31 December 2007) Ireland $NA Israel $NA (31 December 2008) $154.3 billion (31 December 2007) Jamaica $4.244 billion (31 December 2008) $4.54 billion (31 December 2007) Japan $6.16 trillion (31 December 2008) $4.783 trillion (31 December 2007) Jordan $17.98 billion (31 December 2008) $15.38 billion (31 December 2007) Kazakhstan $35.76 billion (31 December 2008) $25.75 billion (31 December 2007) Kenya $5.468 billion (31 December 2008) $6.464 billion (31 December 2007) Korea, South $478 billion (31 December 2008) $541.7 billion (31 December 2007) Kuwait $63.08 billion (31 December 2008) $55.2 billion (31 December 2007) Kyrgyzstan $NA (31 December 2008) $303.7 million (31 December 2007) Laos $NA (31 December 2008) $717.9 million (31 December 2007) Latvia $5.572 billion (31 December 2008) $5.113 billion (31 December 2007) Lebanon $NA (31 December 2008) $57.4 billion (31 December 2007) Lesotho $108.1 million (31 December 2008) $160.2 million (31 December 2007) Liberia $NA (31 December 2008) $49.89 million (31 December 2007) Libya $4.264 billion (31 December 2008) $3.192 billion (31 December 2007) Lithuania $8.419 billion (31 December 2008) $6.917 billion (31 December 2007) Luxembourg $NA Macau $22.15 billion (31 December 2008) $21.91 billion (31 December 2007) Macedonia $3.254 billion (31 December 2008) $3.127 billion (31 December 2007) Madagascar $667.2 million (31 December 2008) $577.4 million (31 December 2007) Malawi $NA (31 December 2008) $250.4 million (31 December 2007) Malaysia $200.9 billion (31 December 2008) $187.6 billion (31 December 2007) Maldives $487.8 million (31 December 2008) $434.9 million (31 December 2007) Mali $NA (31 December 2008) $697.1 million (31 December 2007) Malta $8.771 billion (31 January 2008 est.) $7.645 billion (31 December 2007) Mauritania $NA (31 December 2008) Mauritius $6.914 billion (31 December 2008) $6.759 billion (31 December 2007) Mexico $147.4 billion (31 December 2008) $168.4 billion (31 December 2007) Micronesia, Federated States of $NA (31 December 2008) $72.49 million (31 December 2007) Moldova $1.928 billion (31 December 2008) $1.449 billion (31 December 2007) Mongolia $1.288 billion (31 December 2008) $1.53 billion (31 December 2007) Montenegro $NA (31 December 2008) $1.446 billion (31 December 2007) Montserrat $45.42 million (31 December 2008) $43.9 million (31 December 2007) Morocco $NA (31 December 2008) $16.23 billion (31 December 2007) Mozambique $1.752 billion (31 December 2008) $1.467 billion (31 December 2007) Namibia $1.158 billion (31 December 2008) $1.493 billion (31 December 2007) Nepal $4.885 billion (31 December 2008) $4.745 billion (31 December 2007) Netherlands $NA Netherlands Antilles $NA (31 December 2008) $2.309 billion (31 December 2007) New Zealand $99.91 billion (31 December 2008) $117.8 billion (31 December 2007) Nicaragua $1.81 billion (31 December 2008) $1.802 billion (31 December 2007) Niger $NA (31 December 2008) $193.7 million (31 December 2007) Nigeria $32.04 billion (31 December 2008) $22.78 billion (31 December 2007) Norway $NA Oman $14.57 billion (31 December 2008) $11.04 billion (31 December 2007) Pakistan $NA (31 December 2008) $18.42 billion (31 December 2007) Panama $15.84 billion (31 December 2008) $14.26 billion (31 December 2007) Papua New Guinea $1.726 billion (31 December 2008) $1.482 billion (31 December 2007) Paraguay $1.599 billion (31 December 2008) $1.368 billion (31 December 2007) Peru $25.32 billion (31 December 2008) $19.95 billion (31 December 2007) Philippines $NA (31 December 2008) $65.85 billion (31 December 2007) Poland $109 billion (31 December 2008) $93.98 billion (31 December 2007) Portugal $NA Qatar $36.58 billion (31 December 2008) $22.6 billion (31 December 2007) Romania $36.09 billion (31 December 2008) $34.96 billion (31 December 2007) Russia $318.4 billion (31 December 2008) $292.5 billion (31 December 2007) Rwanda $227.4 million (31 December 2005) Saint Kitts and Nevis $680.6 million (31 December 2008) $688.6 million (31 December 2007) Saint Lucia $800.1 million (31 December 2008) $720.9 million (31 December 2007) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines $302.7 million (31 December 2008) $280.2 million (31 December 2007) Samoa $162.8 million (31 December 2008) $168.7 million (31 December 2007) San Marino $NA (31 December 2008) $4.584 billion (31 December 2007) Sao Tome and Principe $36.95 million (31 December 2008) $33.5 million (31 December 2007) Saudi Arabia $134.3 billion (31 December 2008) $109.5 billion (31 December 2007) Senegal $NA (31 December 2008) $1.579 billion (31 December 2007) Serbia $11.95 billion (31 December 2008) $12.19 billion (31 December 2007) Seychelles $188.5 million (31 December 2008) $249 million (31 December 2007) Sierra Leone $NA (31 December 2008) $177.7 million (31 December 2007) Singapore $179 billion (31 December 2008) $162.2 billion (31 December 2007) Slovakia $27.71 billion (31 December 2008) $21.11 billion (31 December 2007) Slovenia $NA (31 December 2008) $12.69 billion (31 December 2006) Solomon Islands $96.79 million (31 December 2008) $85.47 million (31 December 2007) South Africa $124.1 billion (31 December 2008) $141.9 billion (31 December 2007) Spain $NA Sri Lanka $9.01 billion (30 September 2008) $10.46 billion (31 December 2007) Sudan $NA (31 December 2008) $4.068 billion (31 December 2007) Suriname $1.018 billion (31 December 2008) $824.4 million (31 December 2007) Swaziland $441.5 million (31 December 2008) $529.4 million (31 December 2007) Sweden $54.55 billion (31 December 2008) $48.49 billion (31 December 2007) Switzerland $477.6 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $450.7 billion (31 December 2007) Syria $73.93 billion (31 December 2008) $12.29 billion (31 December 2007) Taiwan $618 billion (November 2008) $NA (31 December 2007) Tajikistan $544 million (31 December 2008) $350.3 million (31 December 2007) Tanzania $3.362 billion (31 December 2008) $3.212 billion (31 December 2007) Thailand $237.5 billion (31 December 2008) $224.9 billion (31 December 2007) Timor-Leste $89.88 million (31 December 2008) $68.78 million (31 December 2007) Togo $NA (31 December 2008) $383.9 million (31 December 2007) Tonga $100.7 million (31 December 2008) $106.8 million (31 December 2007) Trinidad and Tobago $3.506 billion (31 December 2008) $5.707 billion (31 December 2007) Tunisia $14.72 billion (31 December 2008) $13.56 billion (31 December 2007) Turkey $248.4 billion (31 December 2008) $252.1 billion (31 December 2007) Uganda $1.485 billion (31 December 2008) $1.258 billion (31 December 2007) Ukraine $37.32 billion (31 December 2008) $41.51 billion (31 December 2007) United Arab Emirates $NA (31 December 2008) $104.6 billion (31 December 2007) United Kingdom $NA (31 December 2008) United States $10.99 trillion (31 December 2008) $7.466 trillion (31 December 2007) Uruguay $9.409 billion (31 December 2008) $7.919 billion (31 December 2007) Vanuatu $430 million (31 December 2008) $421.8 million (31 December 2007) Venezuela $10.93 billion (31 December 2008) $8.889 billion (31 December 2007) Vietnam $NA (31 December 2008) $50.81 billion (31 December 2007) West Bank $5.251 billion (31 December 2008) $3.048 billion (31 December 2007) World $27.31 trillion (31 December 2007) Yemen $NA (31 December 2008) $4.526 billion (31 December 2007) Zambia $1.618 billion (31 December 2008) $1.709 billion (31 December 2007) Zimbabwe $NA (31 December 2008) $5.349 billion (31 December 2007) ====================================================================== @2211 Field Listing :: Stock of domestic credit This entry is the total quantity of credit, denominated in the domestic currency, provided by banks to nonbanking institutions. The national currency units have been converted to US dollars at the closing exchange rate on the date of the information. Country Comparison to the World Country Stock of domestic credit Afghanistan $363.6 million (31 December 2008) $12.04 million (31 December 2007) Albania $8.176 billion (31 December 2008) $7.247 billion (31 December 2007) Algeria $NA (31 December 2008) $NA (31 December 2007) Angola $7.893 billion (31 December 2008) $1.166 billion (31 December 2007) Anguilla $529.6 million (31 December 2008) $447.7 million (31 December 2007) Antigua and Barbuda $1.13 billion (31 December 2008) $1.002 billion (31 December 2007) Argentina $NA (31 December 2008) $72.55 billion (31 December 2007) Armenia $1.98 billion (31 December 2008) $1.256 billion (31 December 2007) Aruba $1.321 billion (31 December 2008) $1.348 billion (31 December 2007) Australia $NA (31 December 2008) $1.312 trillion (31 December 2007) Austria $606.2 billion (31 December 2008) $504.8 billion (31 December 2007) Azerbaijan $8.135 billion (31 December 2008) $5.726 billion (31 December 2007) Bahamas, The $7.883 billion (31 December 2008) $7.395 billion (31 December 2007) Bahrain $NA (31 December 2008) $10.32 billion (31 December 2007) Bangladesh $47.03 billion (31 December 2008) $40.1 billion (31 December 2007) Barbados $4.554 billion (31 December 2008) $3.533 billion (31 December 2007) Belarus $18.42 billion (31 December 2008) $12.16 billion (31 December 2007) Belgium $767.1 billion (31 December 2008) $552 billion (31 December 2007) Belize $955 million (31 December 2008) $877.6 million (31 December 2007) Benin $NA (31 December 2008) $520.6 million (31 December 2007) Bhutan $NA (31 December 2008) $169.9 million (31 December 2007) Bolivia $5.433 billion (31 December 2008) $4.759 billion (31 December 2007) Bosnia and Herzegovina $10.26 billion (31 December 2008) $8.895 billion (31 December 2007) Botswana $NA (31 December 2008) $NA (31 December 2007) Brazil $1.249 trillion (31 December 2008) $1.377 trillion (31 December 2007) Brunei $1.274 billion (31 December 2008) $2.38 billion (31 December 2007) Bulgaria $32.04 billion (31 December 2008) $25.18 billion (31 December 2007) Burkina Faso $NA (31 December 2008) $905.1 million (31 December 2007) Burma $NA (31 December 2008) $887.7 billion (31 December 2007) Burundi $370 million (31 December 2008) $342 million (31 December 2007) Cambodia $1.67 billion (31 December 2008) $1.131 billion (31 December 2007) Cameroon $NA (31 December 2008) $1.3 billion (31 December 2007) Canada $2.335 trillion (31 December 2008) $2.382 trillion (31 December 2007) Cape Verde $1.153 billion (31 December 2008) $1.049 billion (31 December 2007) Central African Republic $NA (31 December 2008) $320.2 million (31 December 2007) Chad $NA (31 December 2008) $82.81 million (31 December 2007) Chile $116.4 billion (31 December 2008) $127.1 billion (31 December 2007) China $5.555 trillion (31 December 2008) $4.653 trillion (31 December 2007) Colombia $89.69 billion (31 December 2008) $85.34 billion (31 December 2007) Comoros $79.52 million (31 December 2008) $45.09 million (31 December 2007) Congo, Democratic Republic of the $NA (31 December 2008) $559.5 million (31 December 2007) Congo, Republic of the $NA (31 December 2008) $NA (31 December 2007) Costa Rica $15.15 billion (31 December 2008) $12.91 billion (31 December 2007) Cote d'Ivoire $NA (31 December 2008) $4.404 billion (31 December 2007) Croatia $49.79 billion (31 December 2008) $45.7 billion (31 December 2007) Cuba $NA Cyprus $80.68 billion (31 December 2008) $52.09 billion (31 December 2007) Czech Republic $110.5 billion (31 December 2008) $103.9 billion (31 December 2007) Denmark $695.8 billion (31 December 2008) $684.7 billion (31 December 2007) Djibouti $269.9 million (31 December 2008) $224.7 million (31 December 2007) Dominica $213.6 million (31 December 2008) $193.1 million (31 December 2007) Dominican Republic $17.37 billion (31 December 2008) $15.92 billion (31 December 2007) Ecuador $10.13 billion (31 December 2008) $8.926 billion (31 December 2007) Egypt $126.5 billion (31 December 2008) $113.9 billion (31 December 2007) El Salvador $1.19 billion (31 December 2008) $1.15 billion (31 December 2007) Equatorial Guinea $NA (31 December 2008) $NA (31 December 2007) Eritrea $1.851 billion (31 December 2008) $1.711 billion (31 December 2007) Estonia $22.02 billion (31 December 2008) $21.35 billion (31 December 2007) Ethiopia $NA (31 December 2008) $6.694 billion (31 December 2006) European Union $21.17 trillion (31 December 2008) $20.94 trillion (31 December 2007) note: this figure refers to the euro area only; it excludes credit data for non-euro-area members of the EU Fiji $NA (31 December 2008) $1.948 billion (31 December 2007) Finland $241.1 billion (31 December 2008) $225.4 billion (31 December 2007) France $4.102 trillion (31 December 2008) $3.397 trillion (31 December 2007) Gabon $NA (31 December 2008) $359.8 million (31 December 2007) Gambia, The $NA (31 December 2008) $169.9 million (31 December 2007) Gaza Strip $1.367 billion (31 December 2008) $368.2 million (31 December 2007) Georgia $3.754 billion (31 December 2008) $3.374 billion (31 December 2007) Germany $5.019 trillion (31 December 2008) $4.457 trillion (31 December 2007) Ghana $4.179 billion (31 December 2006) Greece $394.6 billion (31 December 2008) $365.9 billion (31 December 2007) Grenada $658 million (31 December 2008) $575.8 million (31 December 2007) Guatemala $14.82 billion (31 December 2008) $13.96 billion (31 December 2007) Guinea $422.1 million (31 December 2005) Guinea-Bissau $NA (31 December 2008) $46.44 million (31 December 2007) Guyana $829.4 million (31 December 2008) $739.3 million (31 December 2007) Haiti $NA (31 December 2008) $1.537 billion (31 December 2007) Honduras $7.172 billion (31 December 2008) $6.298 billion (31 December 2007) Hong Kong $NA (31 December 2008) $259.7 billion (31 December 2007) Hungary $114.3 billion (31 December 2008) $109.5 billion (31 December 2007) Iceland $NA (31 December 2008) $49.67 billion (31 December 2006) India $NA (31 December 2008) $769.3 billion (31 December 2007) Indonesia $166.2 billion (31 December 2008) $170.2 billion (31 December 2007) Iran $NA (31 December 2008) $109.7 billion (31 December 2007) Iraq $NA (31 December 2008) $NA (31 December 2007) Ireland $738.6 billion (31 December 2008) $545.2 billion (31 December 2007) Israel $NA (31 December 2008) $113.4 billion (31 December 2006) Italy $3.046 trillion (31 December 2008) $2.932 trillion (31 December 2007) Jamaica $7.175 billion (31 December 2008) $6.609 billion (31 December 2007) Japan $12.34 trillion (31 December 2008) $9.653 trillion (31 December 2007) Jordan $25.05 billion (31 December 2008) $19.53 billion (31 December 2007) Kazakhstan $44.53 billion (31 December 2008) $43.75 billion (31 December 2007) Kenya $10.83 billion (31 December 2008) $10.67 billion (31 December 2007) Korea, South $937 billion (31 December 2008) $1.061 trillion (31 December 2007) Kuwait $88.77 billion (31 December 2008) $78.25 billion (31 December 2007) Kyrgyzstan $NA (31 December 2008) $558.3 million (31 December 2007) Laos $NA (31 December 2008) $285.8 million (31 December 2007) Latvia $28.96 billion (31 December 2008) $27.56 billion (31 December 2007) Lebanon $NA (31 December 2008) $45.51 billion (31 December 2007) Lesotho $NA (31 December 2008) $NA (31 December 2007) Liberia $NA (31 December 2008) $1.157 billion (31 December 2007) Libya $NA (31 December 2008) $NA (31 December 2007) Lithuania $29.21 billion (31 December 2008) $25.05 billion (31 December 2007) Luxembourg $369.6 billion (31 December 2008) $100.9 billion (31 December 2007) Macau $11.5 billion (31 December 2008) $NA (31 December 2007) Macedonia $3.906 billion (31 December 2008) $2.924 billion (31 December 2007) Madagascar $820.3 million (31 December 2008) $767.5 million (31 December 2007) Malawi $NA (31 December 2008) $406.2 million (31 December 2007) Malaysia $246.7 billion (31 December 2008) $220 billion (31 December 2007) Maldives $1.548 billion (31 December 2008) $1.08 billion (31 December 2007) Mali $NA (31 December 2008) $1.099 billion (31 December 2007) Malta $16.17 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $10.99 billion (31 December 2007) Mauritania $NA (31 December 2008) Mauritius $9.323 billion (31 December 2008) $8.582 billion (31 December 2007) Mexico $287 billion (31 December 2008) $349.1 billion (31 December 2007) Micronesia, Federated States of $NA (31 December 2008) $NA (31 December 2007) Moldova $2.406 billion (31 December 2008) $1.896 billion (31 December 2007) Mongolia $1.743 billion (31 December 2008) $1.183 billion (31 December 2007) Montenegro $NA (31 December 2008) $3.083 billion (31 December 2007) Montserrat $9.93 million (31 December 2008) $5.537 million (31 December 2007) Morocco $NA (31 December 2008) $71.9 billion (31 December 2007) Mozambique $1.315 billion (31 December 2008) $877.2 million (31 December 2007) Namibia $3.43 billion (31 December 2008) $4.446 billion (31 December 2007) Nepal $5.556 billion (31 December 2008) $5.636 billion (31 December 2007) Netherlands $1.824 trillion (31 December 2008) $1.684 trillion (31 December 2007) Netherlands Antilles $NA (31 December 2008) $2.927 billion (31 December 2007) New Zealand $164.4 billion (31 December 2008) $200.1 billion (31 December 2007) Nicaragua $4.272 billion (31 December 2008) $4.133 billion (31 December 2007) Niger $NA (31 December 2008) $318.9 million (31 December 2007) Nigeria $49.51 billion (31 December 2008) $35.68 billion (31 December 2007) Norway $NA Oman $17.83 billion (31 December 2008) $13.88 billion (31 December 2007) Pakistan $NA (31 December 2008) $65.05 billion (31 December 2007) Panama $19.8 billion (31 December 2008) $17.4 billion (31 December 2007) Papua New Guinea $2.065 billion (31 December 2008) $1.486 billion (31 December 2007) Paraguay $3.098 billion (31 December 2008) $2.457 billion (31 December 2007) Peru $21.98 billion (31 December 2008) $17.88 billion (31 December 2007) Philippines $NA (31 December 2008) $65.66 billion (31 December 2007) Poland $258.3 billion (31 December 2008) $223.2 billion (31 December 2007) Portugal $491 billion (31 December 2008) $412.7 billion (31 December 2007) Qatar $59.43 billion (31 December 2008) $30.52 billion (31 December 2007) Romania $72.85 billion (31 December 2008) $58.76 billion (31 December 2007) Russia $367.2 billion (31 December 2008) $339.1 billion (31 December 2007) Rwanda $NA (31 December 2008) $209.2 million (31 December 2005) Saint Kitts and Nevis $790.8 million (31 December 2008) $782.4 million (31 December 2007) Saint Lucia $1.378 billion (31 December 2008) $1.217 billion (31 December 2007) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines $417.4 million (31 December 2008) $387.8 million (31 December 2007) Samoa $208.5 million (31 December 2008) $215.1 million (31 December 2007) San Marino $NA (31 December 2008) $7.511 billion (31 December 2007) Sao Tome and Principe $20.42 million (31 December 2008) $31.84 million (31 December 2007) Saudi Arabia $NA (31 December 2008) $66.94 billion (31 December 2007) Senegal $NA (31 December 2008) $2.97 billion (31 December 2007) Serbia $17.06 billion (31 December 2008) $13.44 billion (31 December 2007) Seychelles $375.6 million (31 December 2008) $660.2 million (31 December 2007) Sierra Leone $NA (31 December 2008) $162.9 million (31 December 2007) Singapore $143.6 billion (31 December 2008) $129.2 billion (31 December 2007) Slovakia $50.94 billion (31 December 2008) $41.76 billion (31 December 2007) Slovenia $50.31 billion (31 December 2008) $41.63 billion (31 December 2007) Solomon Islands $166.1 million (31 December 2008) $126.5 million (31 December 2007) South Africa $214.8 billion (31 December 2008) $254.9 billion (31 December 2007) Spain $3.45 trillion (31 December 2008) $2.976 trillion (31 December 2007) Sri Lanka $15.92 billion (30 September 2008) $14.82 billion (31 December 2007) Sudan $NA (31 December 2008) $8.659 billion (31 December 2007) Suriname $793.1 million (31 December 2008) $651 million (31 December 2007) Swaziland $51.55 million (31 December 2008) $204.1 million (31 December 2007) Sweden $549 billion (31 December 2008) $630.8 billion (31 December 2007) Switzerland $864.4 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $855.4 billion (31 December 2007) Syria $84.31 billion (31 December 2008) $15.19 billion (31 December 2007) Taiwan $677.8 billion (November 2008) $NA (31 December 2007) Tajikistan $889 million (31 December 2008) $NA (31 December 2007) Tanzania $3.297 billion (31 December 2008) $2.501 billion (31 December 2007) Thailand $274.1 billion (31 December 2008) $263.5 billion (31 December 2007) Timor-Leste $NA (31 December 2008) $NA (31 December 2007) Togo $674,300 (31 December 2008) $590.7 million (31 December 2007) Tonga $NA (31 December 2008) $163.1 million (31 December 2007) Trinidad and Tobago $3.423 billion (31 December 2008) $3.73 billion (31 December 2007) Tunisia $26.5 billion (31 December 2008) $25.23 billion (31 December 2007) Turkey $326.4 billion (31 December 2008) $355 billion (31 December 2007) Uganda $1.464 billion (31 December 2008) $640.3 million (31 December 2007) Ukraine $101.1 billion (31 December 2008) $87.13 billion (31 December 2007) United Arab Emirates $NA (31 December 2008) $155.4 billion (31 December 2007) United Kingdom $NA (31 December 2008) $5.277 trillion (31 December 2007) United States $15.06 trillion (31 December 2008) $14.21 trillion (31 December 2007) Uruguay $9.096 billion (31 December 2008) $6.396 billion (31 December 2007) Vanuatu $274 million (31 December 2008) $229.5 million (31 December 2007) Venezuela $62.42 billion (31 December 2008) $50.24 billion (31 December 2007) Vietnam $NA (31 December 2008) $68.27 billion (31 December 2007) West Bank $1.367 billion (31 December 2008) $368.2 million (31 December 2007) World $69.9 trillion (31 December 2007) Yemen $NA (31 December 2008) $2.224 billion (31 December 2007) Zambia $2.138 billion (31 December 2008) $1.968 billion (31 December 2007) Zimbabwe $NA (31 December 2008) $24.91 billion (31 December 2007) ====================================================================== @2212 Field Listing :: Urbanization This entry provides two measures of the degree of urbanization of a population. The first, urban population, describes the percentage of the total population living in urban areas, as defined by the country. The second, rate of urbanization, describes the projected average rate of change of the size of the urban population over the given period of time. Additionally, the World entry includes a list of the ten largest urban agglomerations. An urban agglomeration is defined as comprising the city or town proper and also the suburban fringe or thickly settled territory lying outside of, but adjacent to, the boundaries of the city. Country Urbanization(%) Afghanistan urban population: 24% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 5.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Albania urban population: 47% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Algeria urban population: 65% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) American Samoa urban population: 92% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Andorra urban population: 89% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: -0.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Angola urban population: 57% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Anguilla urban population: 100% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Antigua and Barbuda urban population: 30% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Argentina urban population: 92% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Armenia urban population: 64% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: -0.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Aruba urban population: 47% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Australia urban population: 89% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Austria urban population: 67% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Azerbaijan urban population: 52% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Bahamas, The urban population: 84% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Bahrain urban population: 89% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Bangladesh urban population: 27% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Barbados urban population: 40% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Belarus urban population: 73% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Belgium urban population: 97% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Belize urban population: 52% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Benin urban population: 41% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Bermuda urban population: 100% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Bhutan urban population: 35% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Bolivia urban population: 66% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Bosnia and Herzegovina urban population: 47% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Botswana urban population: 60% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Brazil urban population: 86% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) British Virgin Islands urban population: 40% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Brunei urban population: 75% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Bulgaria urban population: 71% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: -0.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Burkina Faso urban population: 20% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Burma urban population: 33% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Burundi urban population: 10% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 6.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Cambodia urban population: 22% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Cameroon urban population: 57% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Canada urban population: 80% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Cape Verde urban population: 60% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Cayman Islands urban population: 100% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Central African Republic urban population: 39% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Chad urban population: 27% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Chile urban population: 88% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) China urban population: 43% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Colombia urban population: 74% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Comoros urban population: 28% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Congo, Democratic Republic of the urban population: 34% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 5.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Congo, Republic of the urban population: 61% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Cook Islands urban population: 74% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: -0.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Costa Rica urban population: 63% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Cote d'Ivoire urban population: 49% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Croatia urban population: 57% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Cuba urban population: 76% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Cyprus urban population: 70% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Czech Republic urban population: 73% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Denmark urban population: 87% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Djibouti urban population: 87% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Dominica urban population: 74% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Dominican Republic urban population: 69% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Ecuador urban population: 66% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Egypt urban population: 43% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) El Salvador urban population: 61% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Equatorial Guinea urban population: 39% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Eritrea urban population: 21% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 5.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Estonia urban population: 69% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: -0.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Ethiopia urban population: 17% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) urban population: 92% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Faroe Islands urban population: 41% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Fiji urban population: 52% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Finland urban population: 63% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) France urban population: 77% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) French Polynesia urban population: 52% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Gabon urban population: 85% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Gambia, The urban population: 57% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Gaza Strip urban population: 72% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Georgia urban population: 53% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: -0.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Germany urban population: 74% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Ghana urban population: 50% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Gibraltar urban population: 100% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Greece urban population: 61% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Greenland urban population: 84% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Grenada urban population: 31% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Guam urban population: 93% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Guatemala urban population: 49% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Guernsey urban population: 31% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Guinea urban population: 34% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Guinea-Bissau urban population: 30% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Guyana urban population: 28% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Haiti urban population: 47% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Holy See (Vatican City) urban population: 100% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Honduras urban population: 48% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Hong Kong urban population: 100% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Hungary urban population: 68% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Iceland urban population: 92% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) India urban population: 29% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Indonesia urban population: 52% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Iran urban population: 68% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Iraq urban population: 67% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Ireland urban population: 61% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Isle of Man urban population: 51% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: -0.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Israel urban population: 92% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Italy urban population: 68% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Jamaica urban population: 53% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Japan urban population: 66% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Jersey urban population: 31% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Jordan urban population: 78% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Kazakhstan urban population: 58% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Kenya urban population: 22% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Kiribati urban population: 44% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Korea, North urban population: 63% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Korea, South urban population: 81% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Kuwait urban population: 98% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Kyrgyzstan urban population: 36% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Laos urban population: 31% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 5.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Latvia urban population: 68% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: -0.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Lebanon urban population: 87% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Lesotho urban population: 25% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Liberia urban population: 60% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 5.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Libya urban population: 78% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Liechtenstein urban population: 14% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Lithuania urban population: 67% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: -0.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Luxembourg urban population: 82% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Macau urban population: 100% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Macedonia urban population: 67% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Madagascar urban population: 29% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Malawi urban population: 19% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 5.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Malaysia urban population: 70% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Maldives urban population: 38% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 5.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Mali urban population: 32% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Malta urban population: 94% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Marshall Islands urban population: 71% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Mauritania urban population: 41% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Mauritius urban population: 42% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Mexico urban population: 77% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Micronesia, Federated States of urban population: 22% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Moldova urban population: 42% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: -1.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Monaco urban population: 100% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Mongolia urban population: 57% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Montenegro urban population: 60% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: -0.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Montserrat urban population: 14% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Morocco urban population: 56% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Mozambique urban population: 37% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Namibia urban population: 37% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Nauru urban population: 100% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Nepal urban population: 17% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Netherlands urban population: 82% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Netherlands Antilles urban population: 93% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) New Caledonia urban population: 65% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) New Zealand urban population: 87% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Nicaragua urban population: 57% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Niger urban population: 16% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Nigeria urban population: 48% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Niue urban population: 39% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: -0.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Northern Mariana Islands urban population: 91% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Norway urban population: 77% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Oman urban population: 72% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Pakistan urban population: 36% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Palau urban population: 81% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Panama urban population: 73% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Papua New Guinea urban population: 12% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Paraguay urban population: 60% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Peru urban population: 71% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Philippines urban population: 65% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Pitcairn Islands urban population: 0% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Poland urban population: 61% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: -0.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Portugal urban population: 59% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Puerto Rico urban population: 98% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Qatar urban population: 96% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Romania urban population: 54% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: -0.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Russia urban population: 73% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: -0.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Rwanda urban population: 18% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Saint Helena urban population: 39% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Saint Kitts and Nevis urban population: 32% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Saint Lucia urban population: 28% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Saint Pierre and Miquelon urban population: 89% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines urban population: 47% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Samoa urban population: 23% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) San Marino urban population: 94% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sao Tome and Principe urban population: 61% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Saudi Arabia urban population: 82% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Senegal urban population: 42% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Serbia urban population: 52% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Seychelles urban population: 54% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sierra Leone urban population: 38% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Singapore urban population: 100% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Slovakia urban population: 56% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Slovenia urban population: 48% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: -0.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Solomon Islands urban population: 18% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Somalia urban population: 37% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) South Africa urban population: 61% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Spain urban population: 77% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sri Lanka urban population: 15% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sudan urban population: 43% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Suriname urban population: 75% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Swaziland urban population: 25% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sweden urban population: 85% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Switzerland urban population: 73% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Syria urban population: 54% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Tajikistan urban population: 26% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Tanzania urban population: 25% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Thailand urban population: 33% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Timor-Leste urban population: 27% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Togo urban population: 42% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Tokelau urban population: 0% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Tonga urban population: 25% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Trinidad and Tobago urban population: 13% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Tunisia urban population: 67% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Turkey urban population: 69% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Turkmenistan urban population: 49% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Turks and Caicos Islands urban population: 92% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Tuvalu urban population: 49% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Uganda urban population: 13% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Ukraine urban population: 68% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: -0.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) United Arab Emirates urban population: 78% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) United Kingdom urban population: 90% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) United States urban population: 82% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Uruguay urban population: 92% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Uzbekistan urban population: 37% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Vanuatu urban population: 25% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Venezuela urban population: 93% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Vietnam urban population: 28% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Virgin Islands urban population: 95% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Wallis and Futuna urban population: 0% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) West Bank urban population: 72% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Western Sahara urban population: 81% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) World urban population: 48.6% of total population (2005) rate of urbanization: 1.98% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) ten largest urban agglomerations: Tokyo (Japan) - 35,676,000; New York-Newark (US) - 19,040,000; Ciudad de Mexico (Mexico) - 19,028,000; Mumbai (India) - 18,978,000; Sao Paulo (Brazil) - 18,845,000; Delhi (India) - 15,926,000; Shanghai (China) - 14,987,000; Kolkata (India) - 14,787,000; Dhaka (Bangladesh) - 13,458,000; Buenos Aires (Argentina) - 12,795,000 (2007) Yemen urban population: 31% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Zambia urban population: 35% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Zimbabwe urban population: 37% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) ====================================================================== Rank code: 2001 Country Comparison :: GDP (purchasing power parity) This entry gives the gross domestic product (GDP) or value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year. A nation's GDP at purchasing power parity (PPP) exchange rates is the sum value of all goods and services produced in the country valued at prices prevailing in the United States. This is the measure most economists prefer when looking at per-capita welfare and when comparing living conditions or use of resources across countries. The measure is difficult to compute, as a US dollar value has to be assigned to all goods and services in the country regardless of whether these goods and services have a direct equivalent in the United States (for example, the value of an ox-cart or non-US military equipment); as a result, PPP estimates for some countries are based on a small and sometimes different set of goods and services. In addition, many countries do not formally participate in the World Bank's PPP project that calculates these measures, so the resulting GDP estimates for these countries may lack precision. For many developing countries, PPP-based GDP measures are multiples of the official exchange rate (OER) measure. The differences between the OER- and PPP-denominated GDP values for most of the wealthy industrialized countries are generally much smaller. Rank country GDP (purchasing power parity) Date of Information 1 European Union $ 14,940,000,000,000 2008 est. 2 United States $ 14,440,000,000,000 2008 est. 3 China $ 7,992,000,000,000 2008 est. 4 Japan $ 4,340,000,000,000 2008 est. 5 India $ 3,304,000,000,000 2008 est. 6 Germany $ 2,925,000,000,000 2008 est. 7 Russia $ 2,271,000,000,000 2008 est. 8 United Kingdom $ 2,236,000,000,000 2008 est. 9 France $ 2,133,000,000,000 2008 est. 10 Brazil $ 1,998,000,000,000 2008 est. 11 Italy $ 1,827,000,000,000 2008 est. 12 Mexico $ 1,567,000,000,000 2008 est. 13 Spain $ 1,402,000,000,000 2008 est. 14 Korea, South $ 1,338,000,000,000 2008 est. 15 Canada $ 1,303,000,000,000 2008 est. 16 Indonesia $ 916,700,000,000 2008 est. 17 Turkey $ 903,900,000,000 2008 est. 18 Iran $ 843,700,000,000 2008 est. 19 Australia $ 802,900,000,000 2008 est. 20 Taiwan $ 713,700,000,000 2008 est. 21 Netherlands $ 673,500,000,000 2008 est. 22 Poland $ 670,700,000,000 2008 est. 23 Saudi Arabia $ 577,900,000,000 2008 est. 24 Argentina $ 575,200,000,000 2008 est. 25 Thailand $ 548,700,000,000 2008 est. 26 South Africa $ 492,200,000,000 2008 est. 27 Egypt $ 444,800,000,000 2008 est. 28 Pakistan $ 431,200,000,000 2008 est. 29 Colombia $ 396,000,000,000 2008 est. 30 Belgium $ 390,200,000,000 2008 est. 31 Malaysia $ 385,200,000,000 2008 est. 32 Venezuela $ 356,300,000,000 2008 est. 33 Sweden $ 345,100,000,000 2008 est. 34 Greece $ 343,800,000,000 2008 est. 35 Ukraine $ 338,600,000,000 2008 est. 36 Nigeria $ 336,200,000,000 2008 est. 37 Austria $ 331,200,000,000 2008 est. 38 Philippines $ 318,200,000,000 2008 est. 39 Switzerland $ 318,100,000,000 2008 est. 40 Hong Kong $ 307,300,000,000 2008 est. 41 Norway $ 276,300,000,000 2008 est. 42 Romania $ 272,000,000,000 2008 est. 43 Czech Republic $ 264,800,000,000 2008 est. 44 Peru $ 247,900,000,000 2008 est. 45 Chile $ 245,100,000,000 2008 est. 46 Vietnam $ 242,300,000,000 2008 est. 47 Singapore $ 237,900,000,000 2008 est. 48 Portugal $ 237,300,000,000 2008 est. 49 Algeria $ 233,500,000,000 2008 est. 50 Bangladesh $ 226,400,000,000 2008 est. 51 United Arab Emirates $ 206,300,000,000 2008 est. 52 Denmark $ 204,100,000,000 2008 est. 53 Israel $ 203,400,000,000 2008 est. 54 Hungary $ 196,700,000,000 2008 est. 55 Finland $ 194,000,000,000 2008 est. 56 Ireland $ 189,000,000,000 2008 est. 57 Kazakhstan $ 176,200,000,000 2008 est. 58 Kuwait $ 149,500,000,000 2008 est. 59 Morocco $ 137,900,000,000 2008 est. 60 Slovakia $ 119,800,000,000 2008 est. 61 New Zealand $ 116,600,000,000 2008 est. 62 Belarus $ 114,300,000,000 2008 est. 63 Angola $ 112,800,000,000 2008 est. 64 Cuba $ 108,400,000,000 2008 est. 65 Ecuador $ 108,000,000,000 2008 est. 66 Syria $ 99,060,000,000 2008 est. 67 Bulgaria $ 93,980,000,000 2008 est. 68 Sri Lanka $ 92,090,000,000 2008 est. 69 Qatar $ 91,550,000,000 2008 est. 70 Iraq $ 90,230,000,000 2008 est. 71 Sudan $ 88,370,000,000 2008 est. 72 Libya $ 87,720,000,000 2008 est. 73 Croatia $ 82,580,000,000 2008 est. 74 Tunisia $ 81,980,000,000 2008 est. 75 Serbia $ 79,770,000,000 2008 est. 76 Dominican Republic $ 78,190,000,000 2008 est. 77 Azerbaijan $ 77,790,000,000 2008 est. 78 Uzbekistan $ 71,840,000,000 2008 est. 79 Ethiopia $ 70,230,000,000 2008 est. 80 Puerto Rico $ 70,230,000,000 2008 est. 81 Guatemala $ 68,750,000,000 2008 est. 82 Oman $ 66,870,000,000 2008 est. 83 Lithuania $ 63,370,000,000 2008 est. 84 Kenya $ 61,650,000,000 2008 est. 85 Slovenia $ 59,490,000,000 2008 est. 86 Yemen $ 55,410,000,000 2008 est. 87 Burma $ 55,270,000,000 2008 est. 88 Tanzania $ 54,380,000,000 2008 est. 89 Costa Rica $ 48,840,000,000 2008 est. 90 Lebanon $ 44,160,000,000 2008 est. 91 El Salvador $ 43,730,000,000 2008 est. 92 Bolivia $ 43,380,000,000 2008 est. 93 Uruguay $ 43,270,000,000 2008 est. 94 Cameroon $ 42,690,000,000 2008 est. 95 Uganda $ 40,080,000,000 2008 est. 96 Korea, North $ 40,000,000,000 2008 est. 97 Luxembourg $ 39,470,000,000 2008 est. 98 Latvia $ 38,950,000,000 2008 est. 99 Panama $ 38,920,000,000 2008 est. 100 Ghana $ 34,520,000,000 2008 est. 101 Cote d'Ivoire $ 34,120,000,000 2008 est. 102 Honduras $ 33,800,000,000 2008 est. 103 Jordan $ 31,680,000,000 2008 est. 104 Nepal $ 31,390,000,000 2008 est. 105 Turkmenistan $ 31,280,000,000 2008 est. 106 Bosnia and Herzegovina $ 29,770,000,000 2008 est. 107 Trinidad and Tobago $ 29,090,000,000 2008 est. 108 Paraguay $ 28,950,000,000 2008 est. 109 Estonia $ 28,030,000,000 2008 est. 110 Cambodia $ 28,010,000,000 2008 est. 111 Botswana $ 27,110,000,000 2008 est. 112 Bahrain $ 26,890,000,000 2008 est. 113 Jamaica $ 24,040,000,000 2008 est. 114 Equatorial Guinea $ 23,000,000,000 2008 est. 115 Cyprus $ 22,760,000,000 2008 est. 116 Afghanistan $ 22,320,000,000 2008 est. 117 Albania $ 21,860,000,000 2008 est. 118 Senegal $ 21,780,000,000 2008 est. 119 Georgia $ 21,560,000,000 2008 est. 120 Gabon $ 21,160,000,000 2008 est. 121 Congo, Democratic Republic of the $ 20,760,000,000 2008 est. 122 Madagascar $ 20,180,000,000 2008 est. 123 Brunei $ 19,580,000,000 2008 est. 124 Mozambique $ 19,110,000,000 2008 est. 125 Macedonia $ 18,830,000,000 2008 est. 126 Armenia $ 18,810,000,000 2008 est. 127 Macau $ 18,140,000,000 2008 est. 128 Burkina Faso $ 17,960,000,000 2008 est. 129 Zambia $ 17,540,000,000 2008 est. 130 Nicaragua $ 16,830,000,000 2008 est. 131 Chad $ 15,820,000,000 2008 est. 132 Mauritius $ 15,430,000,000 2008 est. 133 Congo, Republic of the $ 15,390,000,000 2008 est. 134 Mali $ 14,750,000,000 2008 est. 135 Laos $ 14,010,000,000 2008 est. 136 Namibia $ 13,280,000,000 2008 est. 137 Tajikistan $ 13,190,000,000 2008 est. 138 Papua New Guinea $ 13,170,000,000 2008 est. 139 Iceland $ 12,870,000,000 2008 est. 140 Benin $ 12,860,000,000 2008 est. 141 Gaza Strip $ 11,950,000,000 2008 est. 142 West Bank $ 11,950,000,000 2008 est. 143 Malawi $ 11,950,000,000 2008 est. 144 Kyrgyzstan $ 11,640,000,000 2008 est. 145 Haiti $ 11,530,000,000 2008 est. 146 Moldova $ 10,800,000,000 2008 est. 147 Guinea $ 10,620,000,000 2008 est. 148 Niger $ 10,290,000,000 2008 est. 149 Malta $ 9,933,000,000 2008 est. 150 Rwanda $ 9,729,000,000 2008 est. 151 Mongolia $ 9,499,000,000 2008 est. 152 Bahamas, The $ 9,352,000,000 2008 est. 153 Montenegro $ 6,832,000,000 2008 est. 154 Mauritania $ 6,323,000,000 2008 est. 155 Swaziland $ 5,826,000,000 2008 est. 156 Somalia $ 5,524,000,000 2008 est. 157 Barbados $ 5,367,000,000 2008 est. 158 Togo $ 5,130,000,000 2008 est. 159 Jersey $ 5,100,000,000 2005 est. 160 Kosovo $ 5,000,000,000 2007 est. 161 French Polynesia $ 4,718,000,000 2004 est. 162 Bermuda $ 4,500,000,000 2004 est. 163 Sierra Leone $ 4,388,000,000 2008 est. 164 Suriname $ 4,226,000,000 2008 est. 165 Liechtenstein $ 4,160,000,000 2007 166 Eritrea $ 3,954,000,000 2008 est. 167 Andorra $ 3,660,000,000 2007 168 Fiji $ 3,587,000,000 2008 est. 169 Bhutan $ 3,533,000,000 2008 est. 170 Lesotho $ 3,301,000,000 2008 est. 171 Central African Republic $ 3,184,000,000 2008 est. 172 New Caledonia $ 3,158,000,000 2003 est. 173 Burundi $ 3,109,000,000 2008 est. 174 Guyana $ 2,973,000,000 2008 est. 175 Netherlands Antilles $ 2,800,000,000 2004 est. 176 Guernsey $ 2,742,000,000 2005 177 Isle of Man $ 2,719,000,000 2005 est. 178 Belize $ 2,542,000,000 2008 est. 179 Timor-Leste $ 2,526,000,000 2008 est. 180 Gambia, The $ 2,277,000,000 2008 est. 181 Aruba $ 2,258,000,000 2005 est. 182 Cayman Islands $ 1,939,000,000 2004 est. 183 Zimbabwe $ 1,925,000,000 2008 est. 184 Djibouti $ 1,891,000,000 2008 est. 185 Seychelles $ 1,821,000,000 2008 est. 186 Saint Lucia $ 1,774,000,000 2008 est. 187 Maldives $ 1,723,000,000 2008 est. 188 San Marino $ 1,662,000,000 2007 189 Antigua and Barbuda $ 1,639,000,000 2008 est. 190 Cape Verde $ 1,630,000,000 2008 est. 191 Virgin Islands $ 1,577,000,000 2004 est. 192 Solomon Islands $ 1,546,000,000 2008 est. 193 Liberia $ 1,531,000,000 2008 est. 194 Grenada $ 1,190,000,000 2008 est. 195 Greenland $ 1,100,000,000 2001 est. 196 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines $ 1,072,000,000 2008 est. 197 Gibraltar $ 1,066,000,000 2005 est. 198 Samoa $ 1,021,000,000 2008 est. 199 Faroe Islands $ 1,000,000,000 2001 est. 200 Vanuatu $ 990,800,000 2008 est. 201 Monaco $ 976,300,000 2006 est. 202 Mayotte $ 953,600,000 2005 est. 203 Northern Mariana Islands $ 900,000,000 2000 est. 204 Western Sahara $ 900,000,000 2007 est. 205 Guinea-Bissau $ 896,500,000 2008 est. 206 British Virgin Islands $ 853,400,000 2004 est. 207 Saint Kitts and Nevis $ 759,500,000 2008 est. 208 Comoros $ 741,700,000 2008 est. 209 Dominica $ 726,300,000 2008 est. 210 Kiribati $ 580,800,000 2008 est. 211 American Samoa $ 575,300,000 2007 est. 212 Tonga $ 548,100,000 2008 est. 213 Sao Tome and Principe $ 277,100,000 2008 est. 214 Micronesia, Federated States of $ 238,100,000 2008 est. 215 Turks and Caicos Islands $ 216,000,000 2002 est. 216 Cook Islands $ 183,200,000 2005 est. 217 Palau $ 164,000,000 2008 est. 218 Marshall Islands $ 133,500,000 2008 est. 219 Anguilla $ 108,900,000 2004 est. 220 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) $ 105,100,000 2002 est. 221 Nauru $ 60,000,000 2005 est. 222 Wallis and Futuna $ 60,000,000 2004 est. 223 Saint Pierre and Miquelon $ 48,300,000 2003 est. 224 Montserrat $ 29,000,000 2002 est. 225 Saint Helena $ 18,000,000 1998 est. 226 Tuvalu $ 14,940,000 2002 est. 227 Niue $ 10,010,000 2003 est. 228 Tokelau $ 1,500,000 1993 est. ====================================================================== Rank code: 2002 Country Comparison :: Population growth rate The average annual percent change in the population, resulting from a surplus (or deficit) of births over deaths and the balance of migrants entering and leaving a country. The rate may be positive or negative. The growth rate is a factor in determining how great a burden would be imposed on a country by the changing needs of its people for infrastructure (e.g., schools, hospitals, housing, roads), resources (e.g., food, water, electricity), and jobs. Rapid population growth can be seen as threatening by neighboring countries. Rank country (%) Date of Information 1 United Arab Emirates 3.69 2009 est. 2 Niger 3.68 2009 est. 3 Kuwait 3.55 2009 est. 4 Yemen 3.45 2009 est. 5 Gaza Strip 3.35 2009 est. 6 Mayotte 3.32 2009 est. 7 Burundi 3.28 2009 est. 8 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 3.21 2009 est. 9 Ethiopia 3.21 2009 est. 10 Oman 3.14 2009 est. 11 Burkina Faso 3.10 2009 est. 12 Sao Tome and Principe 3.09 2009 est. 13 Madagascar 3.00 2009 est. 14 Benin 2.98 2009 est. 15 Western Sahara 2.83 2009 est. 16 Somalia 2.82 2009 est. 17 Rwanda 2.78 2009 est. 18 Comoros 2.77 2009 est. 19 Mali 2.77 2009 est. 20 Congo, Republic of the 2.75 2009 est. 21 Togo 2.71 2009 est. 22 Senegal 2.71 2009 est. 23 Equatorial Guinea 2.70 2009 est. 24 Uganda 2.69 2009 est. 25 Kenya 2.69 2009 est. 26 Gambia, The 2.67 2009 est. 27 Liberia 2.67 2009 est. 28 Afghanistan 2.63 2009 est. 29 Eritrea 2.58 2009 est. 30 Guinea 2.57 2009 est. 31 Turks and Caicos Islands 2.56 2009 est. 32 Iraq 2.51 2009 est. 33 Mauritania 2.40 2009 est. 34 Cayman Islands 2.39 2009 est. 35 Solomon Islands 2.39 2009 est. 36 Malawi 2.39 2009 est. 37 Paraguay 2.36 2009 est. 38 Laos 2.32 2009 est. 39 Northern Mariana Islands 2.29 2009 est. 40 Sierra Leone 2.28 2009 est. 41 Anguilla 2.27 2009 est. 42 Jordan 2.26 2009 est. 43 Kiribati 2.24 2009 est. 44 Cameroon 2.19 2009 est. 45 West Bank 2.18 2009 est. 46 Libya 2.17 2009 est. 47 Belize 2.15 2009 est. 48 Sudan 2.14 2009 est. 49 Cote d'Ivoire 2.13 2009 est. 50 Syria 2.13 2009 est. 51 Angola 2.10 2009 est. 52 Marshall Islands 2.08 2009 est. 53 Chad 2.07 2009 est. 54 Papua New Guinea 2.07 2009 est. 55 Guatemala 2.07 2009 est. 56 Tanzania 2.04 2009 est. 57 Timor-Leste 2.03 2009 est. 58 Guinea-Bissau 2.02 2009 est. 59 Nigeria 2.00 2009 est. 60 Macau 2.00 2009 est. 61 Philippines 1.96 2009 est. 62 Honduras 1.96 2009 est. 63 Pakistan 1.95 2009 est. 64 Botswana 1.94 2009 est. 65 Gabon 1.93 2009 est. 66 Djibouti 1.90 2009 est. 67 Ghana 1.88 2009 est. 68 Tajikistan 1.88 2009 est. 69 Saudi Arabia 1.85 2009 est. 70 Haiti 1.84 2009 est. 71 British Virgin Islands 1.84 2009 est. 72 Mozambique 1.79 2009 est. 73 Nicaragua 1.78 2009 est. 74 Bolivia 1.77 2009 est. 75 Cambodia 1.77 2009 est. 76 Brunei 1.76 2009 est. 77 Nauru 1.75 2009 est. 78 Malaysia 1.72 2009 est. 79 Israel 1.67 2009 est. 80 El Salvador 1.66 2009 est. 81 Egypt 1.64 2009 est. 82 Zambia 1.63 2009 est. 83 Tuvalu 1.62 2009 est. 84 India 1.55 2009 est. 85 Zimbabwe 1.53 2009 est. 86 Venezuela 1.51 2009 est. 87 Panama 1.50 2009 est. 88 Ecuador 1.50 2009 est. 89 Mongolia 1.49 2009 est. 90 Central African Republic 1.49 2009 est. 91 Dominican Republic 1.49 2009 est. 92 Tonga 1.48 2009 est. 93 Morocco 1.48 2009 est. 94 Aruba 1.48 2009 est. 95 Vanuatu 1.40 2009 est. 96 Kyrgyzstan 1.40 2009 est. 97 French Polynesia 1.39 2009 est. 98 Fiji 1.38 2009 est. 99 Colombia 1.38 2009 est. 100 Costa Rica 1.36 2009 est. 101 Samoa 1.35 2009 est. 102 Turkey 1.31 2009 est. 103 Antigua and Barbuda 1.30 2009 est. 104 Bangladesh 1.29 2009 est. 105 Bahrain 1.29 2009 est. 106 Nepal 1.28 2009 est. 107 Bhutan 1.27 2009 est. 108 Peru 1.23 2009 est. 109 American Samoa 1.22 2009 est. 110 Brazil 1.20 2009 est. 111 Algeria 1.20 2009 est. 112 Australia 1.20 2009 est. 113 Luxembourg 1.17 2009 est. 114 World 1.17 2009 est. 115 San Marino 1.15 2009 est. 116 Turkmenistan 1.14 2009 est. 117 Indonesia 1.14 2009 est. 118 New Caledonia 1.14 2009 est. 119 Andorra 1.14 2009 est. 120 Mexico 1.13 2009 est. 121 Ireland 1.12 2009 est. 122 Lebanon 1.11 2009 est. 123 Suriname 1.10 2009 est. 124 Argentina 1.05 2009 est. 125 Seychelles 1.00 2009 est. 126 Singapore 1.00 2009 est. 127 Tunisia 0.98 2009 est. 128 Vietnam 0.98 2009 est. 129 United States 0.98 2009 est. 130 Qatar 0.96 2009 est. 131 Namibia 0.95 2009 est. 132 New Zealand 0.94 2009 est. 133 Uzbekistan 0.94 2009 est. 134 Sri Lanka 0.90 2009 est. 135 Iran 0.88 2009 est. 136 Chile 0.88 2009 est. 137 Saint Kitts and Nevis 0.85 2009 est. 138 Canada 0.82 2009 est. 139 Burma 0.78 2009 est. 140 Mauritius 0.78 2009 est. 141 Azerbaijan 0.76 2009 est. 142 Jamaica 0.76 2009 est. 143 Iceland 0.74 2009 est. 144 Netherlands Antilles 0.73 2009 est. 145 Liechtenstein 0.70 2009 est. 146 China 0.66 2009 est. 147 Bermuda 0.65 2009 est. 148 Thailand 0.62 2009 est. 149 Cape Verde 0.56 2009 est. 150 France 0.55 2009 est. 151 Albania 0.55 2009 est. 152 Bahamas, The 0.54 2009 est. 153 Isle of Man 0.52 2009 est. 154 Cyprus 0.52 2009 est. 155 Hong Kong 0.50 2009 est. 156 Grenada 0.47 2009 est. 157 Uruguay 0.47 2009 est. 158 Saint Helena 0.45 2009 est. 159 Palau 0.43 2009 est. 160 Korea, North 0.42 2009 est. 161 Saint Lucia 0.42 2009 est. 162 Netherlands 0.41 2009 est. 163 Malta 0.40 2009 est. 164 Faroe Islands 0.40 2009 est. 165 Monaco 0.39 2009 est. 166 Kazakhstan 0.39 2009 est. 167 Montserrat 0.39 2009 est. 168 Barbados 0.38 2009 est. 169 Wallis and Futuna 0.35 2009 est. 170 Norway 0.34 2009 est. 171 Puerto Rico 0.34 2009 est. 172 Bosnia and Herzegovina 0.34 2009 est. 173 South Africa 0.28 2009 est. 174 Denmark 0.28 2009 est. 175 United Kingdom 0.28 2009 est. 176 Switzerland 0.28 2009 est. 177 Portugal 0.28 2009 est. 178 Korea, South 0.27 2009 est. 179 Macedonia 0.26 2009 est. 180 Cuba 0.23 2009 est. 181 Taiwan 0.23 2009 est. 182 Jersey 0.21 2009 est. 183 Guernsey 0.21 2009 est. 184 Dominica 0.21 2009 est. 185 Guyana 0.18 2009 est. 186 Sweden 0.16 2009 est. 187 Slovakia 0.14 2009 est. 188 Greece 0.13 2009 est. 189 Lesotho 0.12 2009 est. 190 Gibraltar 0.11 2009 est. 191 Finland 0.10 2009 est. 192 Belgium 0.09 2009 est. 193 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0.09 2009 est. 194 Spain 0.07 2009 est. 195 Greenland 0.06 2009 est. 196 Austria 0.05 2009 est. 197 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 0.01 2009 est. 198 Norfolk Island 0.01 2009 est. 199 Holy See (Vatican City) 0.00 2009 est. 200 Cocos (Keeling) Islands 0.00 2009 est. 201 Pitcairn Islands 0.00 2009 est. 202 Christmas Island 0.00 2009 est. 203 Tokelau -0.01 2009 est. 204 Svalbard -0.02 2009 est. 205 Virgin Islands -0.03 2009 est. 206 Armenia -0.03 2009 est. 207 Niue -0.03 2009 est. 208 Italy -0.05 2009 est. 209 Poland -0.05 2009 est. 210 Croatia -0.05 2009 est. 211 Germany -0.05 2009 est. 212 Moldova -0.08 2009 est. 213 Czech Republic -0.09 2009 est. 214 Trinidad and Tobago -0.10 2009 est. 215 Slovenia -0.11 2009 est. 216 Romania -0.15 2009 est. 217 Maldives -0.17 2009 est. 218 Japan -0.19 2009 est. 219 Micronesia, Federated States of -0.24 2009 est. 220 Hungary -0.26 2009 est. 221 Lithuania -0.28 2009 est. 222 Georgia -0.33 2009 est. 223 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines -0.34 2009 est. 224 Belarus -0.38 2009 est. 225 Swaziland -0.46 2009 est. 226 Russia -0.47 2009 est. 227 Serbia -0.47 2009 est. 228 Latvia -0.61 2009 est. 229 Estonia -0.63 2009 est. 230 Ukraine -0.63 2009 est. 231 Bulgaria -0.79 2009 est. 232 Montenegro -0.85 2009 est. 233 Cook Islands -3.30 2009 est. ====================================================================== Rank code: 2003 Country Comparison :: GDP - real growth rate This entry gives GDP growth on an annual basis adjusted for inflation and expressed as a percent. Rank country (%) Date of Information 1 Bhutan 21.40 2008 est. 2 Macau 15.00 2008 3 Qatar 13.40 2008 est. 4 Timor-Leste 12.80 2008 est. 5 Angola 12.30 2008 est. 6 Ethiopia 11.60 2008 est. 7 Rwanda 11.20 2008 est. 8 Azerbaijan 10.80 2008 est. 9 Equatorial Guinea 10.60 2008 est. 10 Anguilla 10.20 2004 est. 11 Belarus 10.00 2008 est. 12 Peru 9.80 2008 est. 13 Turkmenistan 9.80 2008 est. 14 Malawi 9.70 2008 est. 15 Niger 9.50 2008 est. 16 Panama 9.20 2008 est. 17 China 9.00 2008 est. 18 Uzbekistan 9.00 2008 est. 19 Mongolia 9.00 2008 est. 20 Uruguay 8.90 2008 est. 21 Kuwait 8.50 2008 est. 22 Uganda 8.30 2008 est. 23 Tajikistan 7.90 2008 est. 24 Iraq 7.80 2008 est. 25 Kyrgyzstan 7.60 2008 est. 26 Laos 7.50 2008 est. 27 Montenegro 7.50 2008 est. 28 United Arab Emirates 7.40 2008 est. 29 India 7.40 2008 est. 30 Solomon Islands 7.30 2008 est. 31 Ghana 7.30 2008 est. 32 Egypt 7.20 2008 est. 33 Moldova 7.20 2008 est. 34 Liberia 7.10 2008 est. 35 Romania 7.10 2008 est. 36 Tanzania 7.10 2008 est. 37 Gibraltar 7.00 2005 est. 38 Madagascar 7.00 2008 est. 39 Papua New Guinea 7.00 2008 est. 40 Armenia 6.80 2008 est. 41 Argentina 6.80 2008 est. 42 Mozambique 6.80 2008 est. 43 Lesotho 6.80 2008 est. 44 Vanuatu 6.60 2008 est. 45 Sudan 6.60 2008 est. 46 Ecuador 6.50 2008 est. 47 Iran 6.50 2008 est. 48 Congo, Republic of the 6.40 2008 est. 49 Oman 6.40 2008 est. 50 Slovakia 6.40 2008 est. 51 Bahrain 6.30 2008 est. 52 Lebanon 6.30 2008 est. 53 Morocco 6.20 2008 est. 54 Vietnam 6.20 2008 est. 55 Niue 6.20 2003 est. 56 Albania 6.10 2008 est. 57 Bolivia 6.10 2008 est. 58 Indonesia 6.10 2008 est. 59 Bulgaria 6.00 2008 est. 60 Zambia 6.00 2008 est. 61 Suriname 6.00 2008 est. 62 Sri Lanka 6.00 2008 est. 63 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 5.90 2008 est. 64 Djibouti 5.90 2008 est. 65 Libya 5.90 2008 est. 66 Gambia, The 5.90 2008 est. 67 Bangladesh 5.80 2008 est. 68 Paraguay 5.80 2008 est. 69 Maldives 5.80 2008 est. 70 Jordan 5.60 2008 est. 71 Russia 5.60 2008 est. 72 Bosnia and Herzegovina 5.50 2008 est. 73 Cape Verde 5.50 2008 est. 74 Sao Tome and Principe 5.50 2008 est. 75 Sierra Leone 5.50 2008 est. 76 Palau 5.50 2005 est. 77 Serbia 5.40 2008 est. 78 Dominican Republic 5.30 2008 est. 79 Macedonia 5.30 2008 est. 80 Mauritius 5.30 2008 est. 81 Nepal 5.30 2008 est. 82 Nigeria 5.30 2008 est. 83 Isle of Man 5.20 2005 84 Brazil 5.10 2008 est. 85 Syria 5.10 2008 est. 86 Mali 5.10 2008 est. 87 Kosovo 5.10 2007 est. 88 Cambodia 5.00 2008 est. 89 Poland 5.00 2008 est. 90 Burkina Faso 5.00 2008 est. 91 Turks and Caicos Islands 4.90 2000 est. 92 Benin 4.80 2008 est. 93 Venezuela 4.80 2008 est. 94 Bermuda 4.60 2004 est. 95 Malaysia 4.60 2008 est. 96 Burundi 4.50 2008 est. 97 Guinea 4.50 2008 est. 98 Saudi Arabia 4.40 2008 est. 99 Tunisia 4.40 2008 est. 100 Cuba 4.30 2008 est. 101 San Marino 4.30 2007 est. 102 Israel 4.20 2008 est. 103 Guatemala 4.00 2008 est. 104 Honduras 4.00 2008 est. 105 Philippines 3.80 2008 est. 106 Cyprus 3.70 2008 est. 107 Korea, North 3.70 2008 est. 108 Algeria 3.50 2008 est. 109 Trinidad and Tobago 3.50 2008 est. 110 Slovenia 3.50 2008 est. 111 Mauritania 3.50 2008 est. 112 Afghanistan 3.40 2008 est. 113 Kiribati 3.40 2008 est. 114 Pakistan 3.40 2008 est. 115 Cameroon 3.30 2008 est. 116 Guinea-Bissau 3.30 2008 est. 117 Chile 3.20 2008 est. 118 Yemen 3.20 2008 est. 119 Nicaragua 3.20 2008 est. 120 Dominica 3.20 2008 est. 121 Liechtenstein 3.10 2007 est. 122 South Africa 3.10 2008 est. 123 American Samoa 3.00 2003 124 Belize 3.00 2008 est. 125 Guernsey 3.00 2005 est. 126 Guyana 3.00 2008 est. 127 Tuvalu 3.00 2006 est. 128 Lithuania 3.00 2008 est. 129 Botswana 2.90 2008 est. 130 Namibia 2.90 2008 est. 131 World 2.90 2008 est. 132 Greece 2.90 2008 est. 133 Antigua and Barbuda 2.80 2008 est. 134 French Polynesia 2.70 2005 135 Swaziland 2.70 2008 est. 136 Costa Rica 2.60 2008 est. 137 Thailand 2.60 2008 est. 138 Czech Republic 2.60 2008 est. 139 Somalia 2.60 2008 est. 140 El Salvador 2.50 2008 est. 141 Senegal 2.50 2008 est. 142 Norway 2.50 2008 est. 143 Aruba 2.40 2005 est. 144 Saint Kitts and Nevis 2.40 2008 est. 145 Kazakhstan 2.40 2008 est. 146 Croatia 2.40 2008 est. 147 Hong Kong 2.40 2008 est. 148 Faroe Islands 2.40 2005 est. 149 Australia 2.40 2008 est. 150 Colombia 2.40 2008 est. 151 Cote d'Ivoire 2.30 2008 est. 152 Malta 2.30 2008 est. 153 Central African Republic 2.20 2008 est. 154 Grenada 2.20 2008 est. 155 Korea, South 2.20 2008 est. 156 Georgia 2.10 2008 est. 157 Ukraine 2.10 2008 est. 158 Andorra 2.00 2007 est. 159 Austria 2.00 2008 est. 160 Virgin Islands 2.00 2002 est. 161 Netherlands 2.00 2008 est. 162 Greenland 2.00 2005 est. 163 Gabon 2.00 2008 est. 164 Eritrea 2.00 2008 est. 165 Switzerland 1.80 2008 est. 166 Kenya 1.70 2008 est. 167 Germany 1.30 2008 est. 168 Haiti 1.30 2008 est. 169 Iceland 1.30 2008 est. 170 Mexico 1.30 2008 est. 171 Burma 1.10 2008 est. 172 Togo 1.10 2008 est. 173 Singapore 1.10 2008 est. 174 Belgium 1.00 2008 est. 175 Netherlands Antilles 1.00 2004 est. 176 British Virgin Islands 1.00 2002 est. 177 Cayman Islands 0.90 2004 est. 178 Turkey 0.90 2008 est. 179 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0.90 2008 est. 180 Spain 0.90 2008 est. 181 European Union 0.90 2008 est. 182 Monaco 0.90 183 Finland 0.80 2008 est. 184 Gaza Strip 0.80 2008 est. 185 West Bank 0.80 2008 est. 186 Tonga 0.80 2008 est. 187 Barbados 0.70 2008 est. 188 United Kingdom 0.70 2008 est. 189 Saint Lucia 0.70 2008 est. 190 Hungary 0.60 2008 est. 191 Comoros 0.50 2008 est. 192 Canada 0.40 2008 est. 193 United States 0.40 2008 est. 194 France 0.30 2008 est. 195 Fiji 0.20 2008 est. 196 Cook Islands 0.10 2005 est. 197 Taiwan 0.10 2008 est. 198 New Zealand 0.00 2008 est. 199 Portugal 0.00 2008 est. 200 Chad -0.20 2008 est. 201 Marshall Islands -0.30 2008 est. 202 Sweden -0.40 2008 est. 203 Jamaica -0.60 2008 est. 204 Japan -0.70 2008 est. 205 Luxembourg -0.90 2008 est. 206 Seychelles -0.90 2008 est. 207 Italy -1.00 2008 est. 208 Montserrat -1.00 2002 est. 209 Denmark -1.20 2008 est. 210 Bahamas, The -1.50 2008 est. 211 Brunei -1.90 2008 est. 212 Puerto Rico -2.50 2008 est. 213 Ireland -3.00 2008 est. 214 Samoa -3.40 2008 est. 215 Estonia -3.60 2008 est. 216 Latvia -4.60 2008 est. 217 Zimbabwe -14.40 2008 est. ====================================================================== Rank code: 2004 Country Comparison :: GDP - per capita (PPP) This entry shows GDP on a purchasing power parity basis divided by population as of 1 July for the same year. Rank country GDP - per capita (PPP) Date of Information 1 Liechtenstein $ 118,000 2007 est. 2 Qatar $ 111,000 2008 est. 3 Luxembourg $ 81,200 2008 est. 4 Bermuda $ 69,900 2004 est. 5 Norway $ 59,500 2008 est. 6 Kuwait $ 57,500 2008 est. 7 Jersey $ 57,000 2005 est. 8 Singapore $ 51,600 2008 est. 9 Brunei $ 51,300 2008 est. 10 United States $ 47,500 2008 est. 11 Ireland $ 45,500 2008 est. 12 United Arab Emirates $ 44,600 2008 est. 13 Guernsey $ 44,600 2005 14 Cayman Islands $ 43,800 2004 est. 15 Hong Kong $ 43,800 2008 est. 16 Andorra $ 42,500 2007 17 Iceland $ 42,300 2008 est. 18 Switzerland $ 42,000 2008 est. 19 San Marino $ 41,900 2007 20 Netherlands $ 40,500 2008 est. 21 Austria $ 40,400 2008 est. 22 Canada $ 39,200 2008 est. 23 British Virgin Islands $ 38,500 2004 est. 24 Australia $ 38,200 2008 est. 25 Sweden $ 38,200 2008 est. 26 Gibraltar $ 38,200 2005 est. 27 Belgium $ 37,500 2008 est. 28 Bahrain $ 37,400 2008 est. 29 Equatorial Guinea $ 37,300 2008 est. 30 Denmark $ 37,200 2008 est. 31 Finland $ 37,000 2008 est. 32 United Kingdom $ 36,700 2008 est. 33 Germany $ 35,500 2008 est. 34 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) $ 35,400 2002 est. 35 Isle of Man $ 35,000 2005 est. 36 Spain $ 34,600 2008 est. 37 Japan $ 34,100 2008 est. 38 European Union $ 33,700 2008 est. 39 France $ 33,300 2008 est. 40 Greece $ 32,100 2008 est. 41 Italy $ 31,400 2008 est. 42 Taiwan $ 31,100 2008 est. 43 Faroe Islands $ 31,000 2001 est. 44 Bahamas, The $ 30,700 2008 est. 45 Macau $ 30,000 2007 46 Monaco $ 30,000 2006 est. 47 Slovenia $ 29,600 2008 est. 48 Israel $ 28,600 2008 est. 49 New Zealand $ 27,900 2008 est. 50 Korea, South $ 27,700 2008 est. 51 Czech Republic $ 25,900 2008 est. 52 Malta $ 24,600 2008 est. 53 Trinidad and Tobago $ 23,600 2008 est. 54 Portugal $ 22,200 2008 est. 55 Slovakia $ 22,000 2008 est. 56 Aruba $ 21,800 2004 est. 57 Estonia $ 21,400 2008 est. 58 Cyprus $ 21,300 2008 est. 59 Seychelles $ 21,000 2008 est. 60 Saudi Arabia $ 20,500 2008 est. 61 Oman $ 20,200 2008 est. 62 Greenland $ 20,000 2001 est. 63 Hungary $ 19,800 2008 est. 64 Antigua and Barbuda $ 19,400 2008 est. 65 Saint Kitts and Nevis $ 19,100 2008 est. 66 Barbados $ 18,900 2008 est. 67 Croatia $ 18,400 2008 est. 68 French Polynesia $ 18,000 2004 est. 69 Lithuania $ 17,800 2008 est. 70 Puerto Rico $ 17,800 2008 est. 71 Poland $ 17,400 2008 est. 72 Latvia $ 17,300 2008 est. 73 Russia $ 16,100 2008 est. 74 Netherlands Antilles $ 16,000 2004 est. 75 Malaysia $ 15,200 2008 est. 76 New Caledonia $ 15,000 2003 est. 77 Chile $ 14,900 2008 est. 78 Virgin Islands $ 14,500 2004 est. 79 Mexico $ 14,300 2008 est. 80 Argentina $ 14,200 2008 est. 81 Gabon $ 14,200 2008 est. 82 Libya $ 14,200 2008 est. 83 Botswana $ 13,900 2008 est. 84 Venezuela $ 13,500 2008 est. 85 Grenada $ 13,200 2008 est. 86 Bulgaria $ 12,900 2008 est. 87 Iran $ 12,800 2008 est. 88 Northern Mariana Islands $ 12,500 2000 est. 89 Uruguay $ 12,400 2008 est. 90 Romania $ 12,200 2008 est. 91 Mauritius $ 12,100 2008 est. 92 Turkey $ 11,900 2008 est. 93 Belarus $ 11,800 2008 est. 94 Panama $ 11,800 2008 est. 95 Costa Rica $ 11,600 2008 est. 96 Kazakhstan $ 11,500 2008 est. 97 Turks and Caicos Islands $ 11,500 2002 est. 98 Lebanon $ 11,100 2008 est. 99 Saint Lucia $ 11,100 2008 est. 100 Serbia $ 10,800 2008 est. 101 World $ 10,500 2008 est. 102 Brazil $ 10,200 2008 est. 103 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines $ 10,200 2008 est. 104 Montenegro $ 10,100 2008 est. 105 South Africa $ 10,100 2008 est. 106 Dominica $ 10,000 2008 est. 107 Azerbaijan $ 9,500 2008 est. 108 Cuba $ 9,500 2008 est. 109 Colombia $ 9,200 2008 est. 110 Cook Islands $ 9,100 2005 est. 111 Macedonia $ 9,100 2008 est. 112 Angola $ 9,000 2008 est. 113 Suriname $ 8,900 2008 est. 114 Anguilla $ 8,800 2004 est. 115 Jamaica $ 8,600 2008 est. 116 Peru $ 8,500 2008 est. 117 Belize $ 8,400 2008 est. 118 Thailand $ 8,400 2008 est. 119 Dominican Republic $ 8,200 2008 est. 120 Palau $ 8,100 2008 est. 121 American Samoa $ 8,000 2007 est. 122 Tunisia $ 7,900 2008 est. 123 Ecuador $ 7,500 2008 est. 124 Ukraine $ 7,400 2008 est. 125 Saint Pierre and Miquelon $ 7,000 2001 est. 126 Algeria $ 6,900 2008 est. 127 Bosnia and Herzegovina $ 6,500 2008 est. 128 Turkmenistan $ 6,500 2008 est. 129 Namibia $ 6,400 2008 est. 130 Armenia $ 6,300 2008 est. 131 El Salvador $ 6,200 2008 est. 132 Albania $ 6,000 2008 est. 133 China $ 6,000 2008 est. 134 Egypt $ 5,800 2008 est. 135 Niue $ 5,800 2003 est. 136 Guatemala $ 5,300 2008 est. 137 Kiribati $ 5,300 2008 est. 138 Bhutan $ 5,200 2008 est. 139 Jordan $ 5,200 2008 est. 140 Nauru $ 5,000 2005 est. 141 Mayotte $ 4,900 2005 est. 142 Georgia $ 4,700 2008 est. 143 Samoa $ 4,700 2008 est. 144 Vanuatu $ 4,600 2008 est. 145 Tonga $ 4,600 2008 est. 146 Syria $ 4,600 2008 est. 147 Bolivia $ 4,500 2008 est. 148 Morocco $ 4,500 2008 est. 149 Maldives $ 4,500 2008 est. 150 Sri Lanka $ 4,400 2008 est. 151 Swaziland $ 4,400 2008 est. 152 Honduras $ 4,400 2008 est. 153 Paraguay $ 4,200 2008 est. 154 Congo, Republic of the $ 3,900 2008 est. 155 Indonesia $ 3,900 2008 est. 156 Guyana $ 3,900 2008 est. 157 Cape Verde $ 3,800 2008 est. 158 Wallis and Futuna $ 3,800 2004 est. 159 Fiji $ 3,800 2008 est. 160 Montserrat $ 3,400 2002 est. 161 Philippines $ 3,300 2008 est. 162 Iraq $ 3,200 2008 est. 163 Mongolia $ 3,200 2008 est. 164 Gaza Strip $ 2,900 2008 est. 165 Nicaragua $ 2,900 2008 est. 166 West Bank $ 2,900 2008 est. 167 India $ 2,900 2008 est. 168 Vietnam $ 2,800 2008 est. 169 Solomon Islands $ 2,700 2008 est. 170 Djibouti $ 2,700 2008 est. 171 Uzbekistan $ 2,600 2008 est. 172 Moldova $ 2,500 2008 est. 173 Pakistan $ 2,500 2008 est. 174 Western Sahara $ 2,500 2007 est. 175 Yemen $ 2,500 2008 est. 176 Saint Helena $ 2,500 1998 est. 177 Marshall Islands $ 2,500 2008 est. 178 Cameroon $ 2,300 2008 est. 179 Kosovo $ 2,300 2007 est. 180 Timor-Leste $ 2,300 2008 est. 181 Papua New Guinea $ 2,300 2008 est. 182 Nigeria $ 2,300 2008 est. 183 Micronesia, Federated States of $ 2,200 2008 est. 184 Kyrgyzstan $ 2,200 2008 est. 185 Sudan $ 2,200 2008 est. 186 Laos $ 2,100 2008 est. 187 Mauritania $ 2,100 2008 est. 188 Cambodia $ 2,000 2008 est. 189 Korea, North $ 1,800 2008 est. 190 Tajikistan $ 1,800 2008 est. 191 Cote d'Ivoire $ 1,700 2008 est. 192 Chad $ 1,600 2008 est. 193 Kenya $ 1,600 2008 est. 194 Lesotho $ 1,600 2008 est. 195 Tuvalu $ 1,600 2002 est. 196 Senegal $ 1,600 2008 est. 197 Bangladesh $ 1,500 2008 est. 198 Ghana $ 1,500 2008 est. 199 Benin $ 1,500 2008 est. 200 Zambia $ 1,500 2008 est. 201 Tanzania $ 1,400 2008 est. 202 Gambia, The $ 1,300 2008 est. 203 Haiti $ 1,300 2008 est. 204 Uganda $ 1,300 2008 est. 205 Sao Tome and Principe $ 1,300 2008 est. 206 Burma $ 1,200 2008 est. 207 Burkina Faso $ 1,200 2008 est. 208 Guinea $ 1,100 2008 est. 209 Mali $ 1,100 2008 est. 210 Nepal $ 1,100 2008 est. 211 Comoros $ 1,000 2008 est. 212 Madagascar $ 1,000 2008 est. 213 Tokelau $ 1,000 1993 est. 214 Ethiopia $ 900 2008 est. 215 Mozambique $ 900 2008 est. 216 Togo $ 900 2008 est. 217 Sierra Leone $ 900 2008 est. 218 Rwanda $ 900 2008 est. 219 Afghanistan $ 800 2008 est. 220 Malawi $ 800 2008 est. 221 Central African Republic $ 700 2008 est. 222 Niger $ 700 2008 est. 223 Eritrea $ 700 2008 est. 224 Guinea-Bissau $ 600 2008 est. 225 Somalia $ 600 2008 est. 226 Liberia $ 500 2008 est. 227 Burundi $ 300 2008 est. 228 Congo, Democratic Republic of the $ 300 2008 est. 229 Zimbabwe $ 200 2008 est. ====================================================================== Rank code: 2005 Country Comparison :: Affiliation Rank country Affiliation Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2006 Country Comparison :: Dependency status This entry describes the formal relationship between a particular nonindependent entity and an independent state. Rank country Dependency status Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2007 Country Comparison :: Diplomatic representation from the US This entry includes the chief of mission, embassy address, mailing address, telephone number, FAX number, branch office locations, consulate general locations, and consulate locations. Rank country Diplomatic representation from the USDate of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2008 Country Comparison :: Transportation - note This entry includes miscellaneous transportation information of significance not included elsewhere. Rank country Transportation - note Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2010 Country Comparison :: Age structure This entry provides the distribution of the population according to age. Information is included by sex and age group (0-14 years, 15-64 years, 65 years and over). The age structure of a population affects a nation's key socioeconomic issues. Countries with young populations (high percentage under age 15) need to invest more in schools, while countries with older populations (high percentage ages 65 and over) need to invest more in the health sector. The age structure can also be used to help predict potential political issues. For example, the rapid growth of a young adult population unable to find employment can lead to unrest. Rank country (%) Date of Information 1 Northern Mariana Islands 80.30 2009 est. 2 United Arab Emirates 78.70 2009 est. 3 Qatar 76.80 2009 est. 4 Singapore 76.70 2009 est. 5 Macau 76.20 2009 est. 6 Hong Kong 74.60 2009 est. 7 British Virgin Islands 74.40 2009 est. 8 Maldives 73.80 2009 est. 9 Moldova 73.30 2009 est. 10 Iran 72.90 2009 est. 11 Trinidad and Tobago 72.60 2009 est. 12 Taiwan 72.60 2009 est. 13 Korea, South 72.30 2009 est. 14 Andorra 72.20 2009 est. 15 China 72.10 2009 est. 16 Slovakia 71.70 2009 est. 17 Poland 71.60 2009 est. 18 Russia 71.50 2009 est. 19 Barbados 71.30 2009 est. 20 Belarus 71.30 2009 est. 21 Armenia 71.10 2009 est. 22 Cayman Islands 71.10 2009 est. 23 Czech Republic 71.00 2009 est. 24 Palau 70.80 2009 est. 25 Bosnia and Herzegovina 70.70 2009 est. 26 Kuwait 70.70 2009 est. 27 Saint Barthelemy 70.60 2009 est. 28 Thailand 70.50 2009 est. 29 Cuba 70.40 2009 est. 30 Mauritius 70.40 2009 est. 31 Saint Helena 70.40 2009 est. 32 Aruba 70.30 2009 est. 33 Montenegro 70.30 2009 est. 34 Ukraine 70.30 2009 est. 35 Bahrain 70.20 2009 est. 36 Kazakhstan 70.20 2009 est. 37 Brunei 70.10 2009 est. 38 Greenland 70.10 2009 est. 39 Tunisia 70.10 2009 est. 40 Seychelles 70.10 2009 est. 41 Slovenia 69.90 2009 est. 42 Romania 69.70 2009 est. 43 Latvia 69.60 2009 est. 44 Lithuania 69.60 2009 est. 45 Algeria 69.50 2009 est. 46 Azerbaijan 69.40 2009 est. 47 Liechtenstein 69.40 2009 est. 48 Vietnam 69.40 2009 est. 49 Malta 69.40 2009 est. 50 Macedonia 69.40 2009 est. 51 Korea, North 69.40 2009 est. 52 Burma 69.30 2009 est. 53 Hungary 69.30 2009 est. 54 French Polynesia 68.90 2009 est. 55 Canada 68.70 2009 est. 56 Guyana 68.70 2009 est. 57 Bulgaria 68.50 2009 est. 58 Cyprus 68.50 2009 est. 59 Switzerland 68.10 2009 est. 60 Sri Lanka 68.00 2009 est. 61 Australia 67.90 2009 est. 62 Mongolia 67.90 2009 est. 63 Anguilla 67.80 2009 est. 64 Chile 67.80 2009 est. 65 Serbia 67.80 2009 est. 66 Jersey 67.70 2009 est. 67 Netherlands 67.70 2009 est. 68 Netherlands Antilles 67.70 2009 est. 69 Georgia 67.60 2009 est. 70 Austria 67.50 2009 est. 71 Croatia 67.50 2009 est. 72 Guernsey 67.50 2009 est. 73 Saint Martin 67.50 2009 est. 74 Estonia 67.50 2009 est. 75 Bermuda 67.50 2009 est. 76 Spain 67.40 2009 est. 77 European Union 67.22 2009 est. 78 Bahamas, The 67.20 2009 est. 79 Albania 67.10 2009 est. 80 Costa Rica 67.10 2009 est. 81 Lebanon 67.10 2009 est. 82 Iceland 67.10 2009 est. 83 United Kingdom 67.10 2009 est. 84 Ireland 67.10 2009 est. 85 United States 67.00 2009 est. 86 Uzbekistan 67.00 2009 est. 87 Gibraltar 66.90 2009 est. 88 Turkmenistan 66.90 2009 est. 89 Brazil 66.80 2009 est. 90 Finland 66.80 2009 est. 91 Luxembourg 66.70 2009 est. 92 Turkey 66.70 2009 est. 93 Antigua and Barbuda 66.60 2009 est. 94 Greece 66.60 2009 est. 95 Suriname 66.60 2009 est. 96 New Zealand 66.50 2009 est. 97 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 66.50 2009 est. 98 Saint Lucia 66.40 2009 est. 99 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 66.40 2009 est. 100 Belgium 66.30 2009 est. 101 Wallis and Futuna 66.30 2009 est. 102 Italy 66.30 2009 est. 103 Norway 66.20 2009 est. 104 Germany 66.10 2009 est. 105 Portugal 66.10 2009 est. 106 Indonesia 66.00 2009 est. 107 Puerto Rico 66.00 2009 est. 108 Isle of Man 66.00 2009 est. 109 Saint Kitts and Nevis 65.90 2009 est. 110 Virgin Islands 65.90 2009 est. 111 Denmark 65.80 2009 est. 112 New Caledonia 65.80 2009 est. 113 South Africa 65.80 2009 est. 114 Dominica 65.80 2009 est. 115 San Marino 65.80 2009 est. 116 Kosovo 65.70 2009 est. 117 Turks and Caicos Islands 65.60 2009 est. 118 Tuvalu 65.60 2009 est. 119 Montserrat 65.50 2009 est. 120 Sweden 65.50 2009 est. 121 Colombia 65.40 2009 est. 122 Vanuatu 65.30 2009 est. 123 Grenada 65.20 2009 est. 124 Peru 65.20 2009 est. 125 France 65.00 2009 est. 126 Fiji 64.90 2009 est. 127 Morocco 64.70 2009 est. 128 Mexico 64.60 2009 est. 129 Jordan 64.50 2009 est. 130 Kyrgyzstan 64.50 2009 est. 131 Bhutan 64.30 2009 est. 132 Japan 64.30 2009 est. 133 Venezuela 64.30 2009 est. 134 Uruguay 64.30 2009 est. 135 Faroe Islands 64.00 2009 est. 136 Norfolk Island 63.90 2009 est. 137 Panama 63.90 2009 est. 138 Cambodia 63.80 2009 est. 139 Egypt 63.80 2009 est. 140 Cook Islands 63.70 2009 est. 141 India 63.60 2009 est. 142 Malaysia 63.60 2009 est. 143 Argentina 63.50 2009 est. 144 Nauru 63.20 2009 est. 145 Nicaragua 62.90 2009 est. 146 Tonga 62.90 2009 est. 147 American Samoa 62.70 2009 est. 148 Ecuador 62.70 2009 est. 149 Libya 62.70 2009 est. 150 Dominican Republic 62.70 2009 est. 151 Monaco 62.40 2009 est. 152 Micronesia, Federated States of 62.30 2009 est. 153 Israel 62.30 2009 est. 154 Tajikistan 62.10 2009 est. 155 Timor-Leste 61.90 2009 est. 156 Botswana 61.40 2009 est. 157 Bangladesh 61.40 2009 est. 158 Jamaica 61.10 2009 est. 159 Syria 60.80 2009 est. 160 Philippines 60.60 2009 est. 161 Lesotho 60.20 2009 est. 162 Namibia 60.20 2009 est. 163 Bolivia 60.00 2009 est. 164 Saudi Arabia 59.50 2009 est. 165 El Salvador 59.30 2009 est. 166 Nepal 59.20 2009 est. 167 Ghana 59.10 2009 est. 168 West Bank 59.10 2009 est. 169 Kiribati 59.00 2009 est. 170 Papua New Guinea 59.00 2009 est. 171 Belize 58.60 2009 est. 172 Pakistan 58.60 2009 est. 173 Cape Verde 58.50 2009 est. 174 Haiti 58.50 2009 est. 175 Marshall Islands 58.50 2009 est. 176 Honduras 58.30 2009 est. 177 Iraq 58.20 2009 est. 178 Paraguay 58.10 2009 est. 179 Solomon Islands 57.10 2009 est. 180 Swaziland 56.90 2009 est. 181 Guatemala 56.80 2009 est. 182 Sudan 56.80 2009 est. 183 Samoa 56.70 2009 est. 184 Cote d'Ivoire 56.60 2009 est. 185 Laos 56.10 2009 est. 186 Guinea-Bissau 56.10 2009 est. 187 Cameroon 55.90 2009 est. 188 Mauritania 55.70 2009 est. 189 Togo 55.70 2009 est. 190 Nigeria 55.50 2009 est. 191 Rwanda 55.40 2009 est. 192 Kenya 55.10 2009 est. 193 Central African Republic 55.00 2009 est. 194 Comoros 54.80 2009 est. 195 Senegal 54.80 2009 est. 196 Oman 54.50 2009 est. 197 Tanzania 54.10 2009 est. 198 Equatorial Guinea 54.00 2009 est. 199 Gabon 53.90 2009 est. 200 Angola 53.70 2009 est. 201 Guinea 53.70 2009 est. 202 Eritrea 53.70 2009 est. 203 Gambia, The 53.60 2009 est. 204 Madagascar 53.50 2009 est. 205 Afghanistan 53.00 2009 est. 206 Djibouti 53.00 2009 est. 207 Liberia 53.00 2009 est. 208 Gaza Strip 53.00 2009 est. 209 Tokelau 53.00 2009 est. 210 Mayotte 52.90 2009 est. 211 Mozambique 52.80 2009 est. 212 Western Sahara 52.80 2009 est. 213 Somalia 52.60 2009 est. 214 Zambia 52.60 2009 est. 215 Sierra Leone 52.20 2009 est. 216 Zimbabwe 52.20 2009 est. 217 Benin 52.10 2009 est. 218 Malawi 51.50 2009 est. 219 Burundi 51.30 2009 est. 220 Yemen 51.30 2009 est. 221 Burkina Faso 51.30 2009 est. 222 Congo, Republic of the 51.20 2009 est. 223 Ethiopia 51.20 2009 est. 224 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 50.60 2009 est. 225 Chad 50.40 2009 est. 226 Uganda 50.00 2009 est. 227 Sao Tome and Principe 49.70 2009 est. 228 Niger 49.60 2009 est. 229 Mali 48.70 2009 est. 230 Mali 48.30 2009 est. 231 Niger 48.00 2009 est. 232 Uganda 47.90 2009 est. 233 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 46.90 2009 est. 234 Sao Tome and Principe 46.90 2009 est. 235 Chad 46.70 2009 est. 236 Burundi 46.20 2009 est. 237 Burkina Faso 46.20 2009 est. 238 Yemen 46.20 2009 est. 239 Ethiopia 46.10 2009 est. 240 Congo, Republic of the 45.90 2009 est. 241 Malawi 45.80 2009 est. 242 Mayotte 45.30 2009 est. 243 Benin 45.20 2009 est. 244 Zambia 45.10 2009 est. 245 Somalia 45.00 2009 est. 246 Western Sahara 44.90 2009 est. 247 Afghanistan 44.50 2009 est. 248 Sierra Leone 44.50 2009 est. 249 Gaza Strip 44.40 2009 est. 250 Mozambique 44.30 2009 est. 251 Liberia 44.10 2009 est. 252 Zimbabwe 43.90 2009 est. 253 Gambia, The 43.60 2009 est. 254 Angola 43.50 2009 est. 255 Madagascar 43.50 2009 est. 256 Djibouti 43.30 2009 est. 257 Tanzania 43.00 2009 est. 258 Eritrea 42.80 2009 est. 259 Guinea 42.80 2009 est. 260 Oman 42.70 2009 est. 261 Kenya 42.30 2009 est. 262 Comoros 42.20 2009 est. 263 Senegal 42.20 2009 est. 264 Gabon 42.10 2009 est. 265 Rwanda 42.10 2009 est. 266 Tokelau 42.00 2009 est. 267 Equatorial Guinea 41.90 2009 est. 268 Nigeria 41.50 2009 est. 269 Togo 41.50 2009 est. 270 Mauritania 41.00 2009 est. 271 Cameroon 40.90 2009 est. 272 Central African Republic 40.90 2009 est. 273 Laos 40.80 2009 est. 274 Guinea-Bissau 40.80 2009 est. 275 Sudan 40.70 2009 est. 276 Cote d'Ivoire 40.60 2009 est. 277 Solomon Islands 39.50 2009 est. 278 Guatemala 39.40 2009 est. 279 Swaziland 39.40 2009 est. 280 Iraq 38.80 2009 est. 281 Marshall Islands 38.60 2009 est. 282 Haiti 38.10 2009 est. 283 Honduras 38.10 2009 est. 284 Saudi Arabia 38.00 2009 est. 285 Belize 37.90 2009 est. 286 Kiribati 37.60 2009 est. 287 Samoa 37.60 2009 est. 288 Ghana 37.30 2009 est. 289 West Bank 37.30 2009 est. 290 Pakistan 37.20 2009 est. 291 Papua New Guinea 36.90 2009 est. 292 Paraguay 36.70 2009 est. 293 Nepal 36.60 2009 est. 294 Syria 35.90 2009 est. 295 Namibia 35.90 2009 est. 296 Bolivia 35.50 2009 est. 297 El Salvador 35.40 2009 est. 298 Cape Verde 35.20 2009 est. 299 Philippines 35.20 2009 est. 300 Botswana 34.80 2009 est. 301 Lesotho 34.80 2009 est. 302 Micronesia, Federated States of 34.80 2009 est. 303 Nauru 34.70 2009 est. 304 Timor-Leste 34.70 2009 est. 305 Bangladesh 34.60 2009 est. 306 Tajikistan 34.30 2009 est. 307 Nicaragua 33.80 2009 est. 308 American Samoa 33.40 2009 est. 309 Libya 33.00 2009 est. 310 Tonga 32.80 2009 est. 311 Cambodia 32.60 2009 est. 312 Grenada 32.00 2009 est. 313 Dominican Republic 31.40 2009 est. 314 Egypt 31.40 2009 est. 315 Jamaica 31.40 2009 est. 316 Malaysia 31.40 2009 est. 317 Jordan 31.30 2009 est. 318 Ecuador 31.10 2009 est. 319 India 31.10 2009 est. 320 Vanuatu 30.70 2009 est. 321 Venezuela 30.50 2009 est. 322 Fiji 30.30 2009 est. 323 Bhutan 30.20 2009 est. 324 Turks and Caicos Islands 30.20 2009 est. 325 Morocco 30.00 2009 est. 326 Kyrgyzstan 29.70 2009 est. 327 Panama 29.30 2009 est. 328 Tuvalu 29.20 2009 est. 329 Mexico 29.10 2009 est. 330 Peru 29.10 2009 est. 331 Colombia 28.90 2009 est. 332 South Africa 28.90 2009 est. 333 Turkmenistan 28.90 2009 est. 334 Indonesia 28.10 2009 est. 335 Uzbekistan 28.10 2009 est. 336 Mongolia 28.10 2009 est. 337 Israel 27.90 2009 est. 338 Kosovo 27.70 2009 est. 339 Montserrat 27.60 2009 est. 340 Turkey 27.20 2009 est. 341 Cook Islands 27.10 2009 est. 342 Suriname 27.10 2009 est. 343 Saint Martin 27.00 2009 est. 344 Antigua and Barbuda 26.80 2009 est. 345 New Caledonia 26.80 2009 est. 346 Brazil 26.70 2009 est. 347 Costa Rica 26.70 2009 est. 348 Wallis and Futuna 26.70 2009 est. 349 Brunei 26.60 2009 est. 350 Kuwait 26.40 2009 est. 351 Saint Kitts and Nevis 26.30 2009 est. 352 Bahrain 25.90 2009 est. 353 Bahamas, The 25.90 2009 est. 354 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 25.90 2009 est. 355 Lebanon 25.80 2009 est. 356 Guyana 25.70 2009 est. 357 Argentina 25.60 2009 est. 358 Algeria 25.40 2009 est. 359 Burma 25.30 2009 est. 360 Vietnam 24.90 2009 est. 361 Anguilla 24.50 2009 est. 362 Saint Lucia 24.40 2009 est. 363 French Polynesia 24.30 2009 est. 364 Dominica 24.00 2009 est. 365 Azerbaijan 23.90 2009 est. 366 Sri Lanka 23.90 2009 est. 367 Chile 23.20 2009 est. 368 Albania 23.10 2009 est. 369 Greenland 23.00 2009 est. 370 Monaco 23.00 2009 est. 371 Palau 22.90 2009 est. 372 Seychelles 22.80 2009 est. 373 Netherlands Antilles 22.70 2009 est. 374 Tunisia 22.70 2009 est. 375 Mauritius 22.50 2009 est. 376 Uruguay 22.40 2009 est. 377 Maldives 22.30 2009 est. 378 Japan 22.20 2009 est. 379 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 21.90 2009 est. 380 Kazakhstan 21.80 2009 est. 381 Qatar 21.80 2009 est. 382 Iran 21.70 2009 est. 383 Faroe Islands 21.60 2009 est. 384 Korea, North 21.30 2009 est. 385 Ireland 20.90 2009 est. 386 Thailand 20.80 2009 est. 387 Iceland 20.70 2009 est. 388 New Zealand 20.70 2009 est. 389 United Arab Emirates 20.40 2009 est. 390 Virgin Islands 20.40 2009 est. 391 Germany 20.30 2009 est. 392 Italy 20.20 2009 est. 393 United States 20.20 2009 est. 394 Norfolk Island 20.20 2009 est. 395 Puerto Rico 19.90 2009 est. 396 China 19.80 2009 est. 397 British Virgin Islands 19.80 2009 est. 398 Cayman Islands 19.60 2009 est. 399 Trinidad and Tobago 19.60 2009 est. 400 Barbados 19.20 2009 est. 401 Greece 19.20 2009 est. 402 Macedonia 19.20 2009 est. 403 Saint Barthelemy 19.20 2009 est. 404 Aruba 19.10 2009 est. 405 Cyprus 19.10 2009 est. 406 Sweden 18.80 2009 est. 407 Australia 18.60 2009 est. 408 France 18.60 2009 est. 409 Luxembourg 18.50 2009 est. 410 Norway 18.50 2009 est. 411 Bermuda 18.30 2009 est. 412 Cuba 18.30 2009 est. 413 Saint Helena 18.30 2009 est. 414 Armenia 18.20 2009 est. 415 Denmark 18.10 2009 est. 416 Spain 18.10 2009 est. 417 Guernsey 18.10 2009 est. 418 Austria 18.00 2009 est. 419 Northern Mariana Islands 18.00 2009 est. 420 Bulgaria 17.70 2009 est. 421 Belgium 17.60 2009 est. 422 Estonia 17.60 2009 est. 423 Portugal 17.60 2009 est. 424 Netherlands 17.40 2009 est. 425 San Marino 17.40 2009 est. 426 European Union 17.34 2009 est. 427 Isle of Man 17.10 2009 est. 428 Croatia 17.00 2009 est. 429 Latvia 17.00 2009 est. 430 Isle of Man 16.90 2009 est. 431 Finland 16.80 2009 est. 432 Serbia 16.80 2009 est. 433 San Marino 16.80 2009 est. 434 Korea, South 16.80 2009 est. 435 Gibraltar 16.70 2009 est. 436 United Kingdom 16.70 2009 est. 437 Taiwan 16.70 2009 est. 438 Liechtenstein 16.60 2009 est. 439 Gibraltar 16.50 2009 est. 440 Slovenia 16.50 2009 est. 441 Finland 16.40 2009 est. 442 France 16.40 2009 est. 443 Georgia 16.40 2009 est. 444 Jersey 16.30 2009 est. 445 Switzerland 16.30 2009 est. 446 Portugal 16.30 2009 est. 447 Lithuania 16.20 2009 est. 448 United Kingdom 16.20 2009 est. 449 Belgium 16.10 2009 est. 450 Denmark 16.10 2009 est. 451 Jersey 16.10 2009 est. 452 Macau 16.10 2009 est. 453 Malta 16.10 2009 est. 454 Georgia 16.10 2009 est. 455 Canada 16.10 2009 est. 456 Montenegro 16.00 2009 est. 457 Moldova 15.90 2009 est. 458 Norfolk Island 15.90 2009 est. 459 Ukraine 15.90 2009 est. 460 Hungary 15.80 2009 est. 461 Slovakia 15.80 2009 est. 462 Sweden 15.70 2009 est. 463 Croatia 15.60 2009 est. 464 Switzerland 15.60 2009 est. 465 Andorra 15.50 2009 est. 466 Romania 15.50 2009 est. 467 Czech Republic 15.50 2009 est. 468 European Union 15.44 2009 est. 469 Serbia 15.40 2009 est. 470 Canada 15.20 2009 est. 471 Norway 15.20 2009 est. 472 Hungary 15.00 2009 est. 473 Poland 15.00 2009 est. 474 Estonia 14.90 2009 est. 475 Netherlands 14.90 2009 est. 476 Bosnia and Herzegovina 14.80 2009 est. 477 Luxembourg 14.80 2009 est. 478 Russia 14.80 2009 est. 479 Romania 14.70 2009 est. 480 Monaco 14.60 2009 est. 481 Austria 14.50 2009 est. 482 Belarus 14.50 2009 est. 483 Spain 14.50 2009 est. 484 Malta 14.50 2009 est. 485 Bosnia and Herzegovina 14.50 2009 est. 486 Faroe Islands 14.40 2009 est. 487 Guernsey 14.40 2009 est. 488 Singapore 14.40 2009 est. 489 Belarus 14.30 2009 est. 490 Greece 14.30 2009 est. 491 Bermuda 14.20 2009 est. 492 Lithuania 14.20 2009 est. 493 Puerto Rico 14.10 2009 est. 494 Liechtenstein 13.90 2009 est. 495 Bulgaria 13.80 2009 est. 496 Ukraine 13.80 2009 est. 497 Germany 13.70 2009 est. 498 Russia 13.70 2009 est. 499 Montenegro 13.70 2009 est. 500 Czech Republic 13.60 2009 est. 501 Virgin Islands 13.60 2009 est. 502 Australia 13.50 2009 est. 503 Italy 13.50 2009 est. 504 Slovenia 13.50 2009 est. 505 Japan 13.50 2009 est. 506 Poland 13.40 2009 est. 507 Latvia 13.30 2009 est. 508 Uruguay 13.30 2009 est. 509 Hong Kong 13.10 2009 est. 510 New Zealand 12.80 2009 est. 511 United States 12.80 2009 est. 512 Slovakia 12.50 2009 est. 513 Andorra 12.30 2009 est. 514 Cyprus 12.30 2009 est. 515 Hong Kong 12.20 2009 est. 516 Iceland 12.20 2009 est. 517 Ireland 12.00 2009 est. 518 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 11.60 2009 est. 519 Macedonia 11.40 2009 est. 520 Saint Helena 11.40 2009 est. 521 Cuba 11.20 2009 est. 522 Argentina 10.80 2009 est. 523 Korea, South 10.80 2009 est. 524 Moldova 10.80 2009 est. 525 Taiwan 10.70 2009 est. 526 Aruba 10.60 2009 est. 527 Armenia 10.60 2009 est. 528 Dominica 10.20 2009 est. 529 Saint Barthelemy 10.20 2009 est. 530 Israel 9.90 2009 est. 531 Albania 9.80 2009 est. 532 Netherlands Antilles 9.60 2009 est. 533 Barbados 9.50 2009 est. 534 Korea, North 9.40 2009 est. 535 Cayman Islands 9.30 2009 est. 536 Cook Islands 9.20 2009 est. 537 Saint Lucia 9.20 2009 est. 538 Chile 9.10 2009 est. 539 Singapore 8.90 2009 est. 540 Thailand 8.70 2009 est. 541 Sri Lanka 8.10 2009 est. 542 China 8.10 2009 est. 543 Kazakhstan 7.90 2009 est. 544 Trinidad and Tobago 7.90 2009 est. 545 Saint Kitts and Nevis 7.90 2009 est. 546 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 7.80 2009 est. 547 Anguilla 7.70 2009 est. 548 Macau 7.70 2009 est. 549 Jamaica 7.50 2009 est. 550 New Caledonia 7.30 2009 est. 551 Lebanon 7.20 2009 est. 552 Tunisia 7.20 2009 est. 553 Mauritius 7.10 2009 est. 554 Seychelles 7.10 2009 est. 555 Wallis and Futuna 7.10 2009 est. 556 Bahamas, The 6.90 2009 est. 557 Greenland 6.90 2009 est. 558 Montserrat 6.90 2009 est. 559 French Polynesia 6.80 2009 est. 560 Panama 6.80 2009 est. 561 Azerbaijan 6.70 2009 est. 562 Antigua and Barbuda 6.60 2009 est. 563 Kosovo 6.60 2009 est. 564 Brazil 6.40 2009 est. 565 Cape Verde 6.40 2009 est. 566 Suriname 6.30 2009 est. 567 Costa Rica 6.20 2009 est. 568 Mexico 6.20 2009 est. 569 Palau 6.20 2009 est. 570 Ecuador 6.20 2009 est. 571 Turkey 6.10 2009 est. 572 Indonesia 6.00 2009 est. 573 Dominican Republic 5.90 2009 est. 574 Kyrgyzstan 5.80 2009 est. 575 British Virgin Islands 5.80 2009 est. 576 Peru 5.70 2009 est. 577 Vietnam 5.70 2009 est. 578 Samoa 5.70 2009 est. 579 Colombia 5.60 2009 est. 580 Bhutan 5.50 2009 est. 581 Saint Martin 5.50 2009 est. 582 Guyana 5.50 2009 est. 583 Burma 5.40 2009 est. 584 Iran 5.40 2009 est. 585 South Africa 5.40 2009 est. 586 El Salvador 5.30 2009 est. 587 India 5.30 2009 est. 588 Morocco 5.20 2009 est. 589 Tuvalu 5.20 2009 est. 590 Venezuela 5.20 2009 est. 591 Paraguay 5.20 2009 est. 592 Algeria 5.10 2009 est. 593 Lesotho 5.00 2009 est. 594 Tokelau 5.00 2009 est. 595 Malaysia 5.00 2009 est. 596 Uzbekistan 4.90 2009 est. 597 Egypt 4.80 2009 est. 598 Fiji 4.80 2009 est. 599 Bolivia 4.50 2009 est. 600 Libya 4.30 2009 est. 601 Turkmenistan 4.30 2009 est. 602 Tonga 4.30 2009 est. 603 Jordan 4.20 2009 est. 604 Turks and Caicos Islands 4.20 2009 est. 605 Nepal 4.20 2009 est. 606 Pakistan 4.20 2009 est. 607 Central African Republic 4.10 2009 est. 608 Philippines 4.10 2009 est. 609 Equatorial Guinea 4.10 2009 est. 610 Papua New Guinea 4.10 2009 est. 611 Bangladesh 4.00 2009 est. 612 Vanuatu 4.00 2009 est. 613 Mongolia 4.00 2009 est. 614 American Samoa 3.90 2009 est. 615 Bahrain 3.90 2009 est. 616 Botswana 3.90 2009 est. 617 Namibia 3.90 2009 est. 618 Maldives 3.90 2009 est. 619 Zimbabwe 3.90 2009 est. 620 Gabon 3.90 2009 est. 621 Guatemala 3.80 2009 est. 622 Djibouti 3.70 2009 est. 623 Swaziland 3.70 2009 est. 624 West Bank 3.70 2009 est. 625 Cambodia 3.60 2009 est. 626 Ghana 3.60 2009 est. 627 Tajikistan 3.60 2009 est. 628 Honduras 3.60 2009 est. 629 Eritrea 3.60 2009 est. 630 Belize 3.50 2009 est. 631 Sao Tome and Principe 3.50 2009 est. 632 Solomon Islands 3.50 2009 est. 633 Guinea 3.50 2009 est. 634 Kiribati 3.50 2009 est. 635 Haiti 3.40 2009 est. 636 Mauritania 3.40 2009 est. 637 Timor-Leste 3.40 2009 est. 638 Syria 3.40 2009 est. 639 Brunei 3.30 2009 est. 640 Cameroon 3.30 2009 est. 641 Nicaragua 3.30 2009 est. 642 Sierra Leone 3.20 2009 est. 643 Comoros 3.10 2009 est. 644 Laos 3.10 2009 est. 645 Guinea-Bissau 3.10 2009 est. 646 Nigeria 3.10 2009 est. 647 Mali 3.10 2009 est. 648 Iraq 3.00 2009 est. 649 Madagascar 3.00 2009 est. 650 Senegal 3.00 2009 est. 651 Chad 2.90 2009 est. 652 Tanzania 2.90 2009 est. 653 Marshall Islands 2.90 2009 est. 654 Mozambique 2.90 2009 est. 655 Kuwait 2.90 2009 est. 656 Cote d'Ivoire 2.90 2009 est. 657 Micronesia, Federated States of 2.90 2009 est. 658 Congo, Republic of the 2.80 2009 est. 659 Liberia 2.80 2009 est. 660 Togo 2.80 2009 est. 661 Oman 2.80 2009 est. 662 Gambia, The 2.80 2009 est. 663 Grenada 2.80 2009 est. 664 Angola 2.70 2009 est. 665 Malawi 2.70 2009 est. 666 Ethiopia 2.70 2009 est. 667 Benin 2.60 2009 est. 668 Gaza Strip 2.60 2009 est. 669 Kenya 2.60 2009 est. 670 Burundi 2.50 2009 est. 671 Sudan 2.50 2009 est. 672 Yemen 2.50 2009 est. 673 Burkina Faso 2.50 2009 est. 674 Somalia 2.50 2009 est. 675 Saudi Arabia 2.50 2009 est. 676 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 2.50 2009 est. 677 Afghanistan 2.40 2009 est. 678 Rwanda 2.40 2009 est. 679 Niger 2.30 2009 est. 680 Zambia 2.30 2009 est. 681 Western Sahara 2.30 2009 est. 682 Nauru 2.10 2009 est. 683 Uganda 2.10 2009 est. 684 Mayotte 1.80 2009 est. 685 Northern Mariana Islands 1.70 2009 est. 686 Qatar 1.40 2009 est. 687 United Arab Emirates 0.90 2009 est. ====================================================================== Rank code: 2011 Country Comparison :: Geographic coordinates This entry includes rounded latitude and longitude figures for the purpose of finding the approximate geographic center of an entity and is based on the locations provided in the Geographic Names Server (GNS), maintained by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency on behalf of the US Board on Geographic Names. Rank country Geographic coordinates Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2012 Country Comparison :: GDP - composition by sector This entry gives the percentage contribution of agriculture, industry, and services to total GDP. The distribution will total less than 100 percent if the data are incomplete. Rank country (%) Date of Information 1 Macau 97.10 2007 est. 2 Jersey 97.00 2005 3 Cayman Islands 95.40 1994 est. 4 Monaco 95.10 2005 5 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 95.00 1996 6 Equatorial Guinea 93.70 2008 est. 7 Hong Kong 92.70 2008 est. 8 British Virgin Islands 92.00 1996 est. 9 Bahamas, The 90.00 2001 est. 10 Bermuda 89.00 2002 est. 11 Guernsey 87.00 2000 12 Isle of Man 86.00 2000 est. 13 Luxembourg 86.00 2007 est. 14 Netherlands Antilles 84.00 2000 est. 15 Saint Martin 84.00 2000 16 Djibouti 81.90 2006 est. 17 Palau 81.80 2003 18 Malta 80.60 2007 est. 19 Saint Lucia 80.00 2005 est. 20 Virgin Islands 80.00 2003 est. 21 United States 79.60 2008 est. 22 Gaza Strip 79.00 2007 est. 23 West Bank 79.00 2007 est. 24 Cyprus 78.30 2008 est. 25 Anguilla 78.00 2002 est. 26 Barbados 78.00 2000 est. 27 Fiji 77.60 2004 est. 28 France 77.60 2008 est. 29 Liberia 76.90 2002 est. 30 Grenada 76.60 2003 31 Panama 76.40 2008 est. 32 New Caledonia 76.20 2003 33 Belgium 76.10 2008 est. 34 French Polynesia 76.10 2005 35 Lebanon 76.10 2008 est. 36 Maldives 76.00 2006 est. 37 Greece 75.70 2008 est. 38 Montserrat 75.70 1999 est. 39 Cook Islands 75.30 2004 40 Samoa 75.30 2004 est. 41 Brunei 75.00 2005 est. 42 Qatar 74.90 2008 est. 43 United Kingdom 74.50 2008 est. 44 Cape Verde 74.40 2008 est. 45 Antigua and Barbuda 74.30 2002 est. 46 Latvia 74.20 2008 est. 47 Taiwan 73.20 2008 est. 48 Netherlands 72.90 2008 est. 49 Cuba 72.80 2008 est. 50 Denmark 72.60 2008 est. 51 Japan 72.30 2008 est. 52 Portugal 72.20 2008 est. 53 Singapore 72.20 2008 est. 54 Italy 71.00 2008 est. 55 European Union 70.90 2008 est. 56 Libya 70.90 2008 est. 57 Sao Tome and Principe 70.80 2008 est. 58 Saint Kitts and Nevis 70.70 2001 59 Mauritius 70.50 2008 est. 60 Sweden 70.50 2008 est. 61 Peru 70.30 2008 est. 62 New Zealand 69.90 2008 est. 63 Australia 69.80 2008 est. 64 Iceland 69.80 2008 est. 65 Canada 69.60 2008 est. 66 Seychelles 69.20 2008 est. 67 Germany 69.10 2008 est. 68 Estonia 68.40 2008 est. 69 Iraq 68.00 2006 est. 70 Costa Rica 67.60 2008 est. 71 Spain 67.60 2008 est. 72 Austria 67.40 2008 est. 73 Uruguay 67.10 2008 est. 74 Kiribati 66.80 2004 75 Jordan 66.50 2008 est. 76 Aruba 66.30 2002 est. 77 Croatia 66.30 2008 est. 78 Dominican Republic 66.30 2008 est. 79 Bahrain 66.20 2008 est. 80 Bosnia and Herzegovina 66.00 2006 est. 81 Angola 65.80 2008 est. 82 Brazil 65.30 2008 est. 83 Israel 65.00 2008 est. 84 Somalia 65.00 2005 est. 85 Finland 64.90 2008 est. 86 Suriname 64.80 2005 est. 87 Senegal 64.60 2008 est. 88 Switzerland 64.50 2003 est. 89 Poland 64.30 2008 est. 90 Slovenia 64.30 2008 est. 91 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 64.00 2001 est. 92 Turkey 63.80 2008 est. 93 Serbia 63.50 2007 est. 94 Lithuania 63.30 2008 est. 95 South Africa 63.00 2008 est. 96 United Arab Emirates 62.70 2008 est. 97 Algeria 62.30 2008 est. 98 Trinidad and Tobago 62.30 2008 est. 99 Bulgaria 62.20 2008 est. 100 Jamaica 62.20 2008 est. 101 Faroe Islands 62.00 1999 102 Guinea-Bissau 62.00 1999 est. 103 Vanuatu 62.00 2000 est. 104 Guatemala 61.90 2008 est. 105 Saudi Arabia 61.90 2008 est. 106 Oman 61.80 2008 est. 107 Mexico 61.00 2008 est. 108 Macedonia 60.70 2008 est. 109 El Salvador 60.60 2008 est. 110 Moldova 60.60 2008 est. 111 Azerbaijan 60.50 2008 est. 112 Hungary 60.20 2008 est. 113 Czech Republic 60.10 2008 est. 114 Kosovo 60.00 2007 est. 115 Albania 59.70 2008 est. 116 Georgia 59.60 2008 est. 117 Kenya 59.50 2007 est. 118 Eritrea 59.40 2008 est. 119 Zimbabwe 59.30 2008 est. 120 Ecuador 59.00 2008 est. 121 Gambia, The 59.00 2008 est. 122 Slovakia 59.00 2008 est. 123 Ukraine 58.90 2008 est. 124 Venezuela 58.60 2008 est. 125 Madagascar 58.50 2008 est. 126 Paraguay 58.20 2008 est. 127 Gabon 57.80 2008 est. 128 Russia 57.70 2008 est. 129 Korea, South 57.60 2008 est. 130 Argentina 57.40 2008 est. 131 Zambia 57.40 2008 est. 132 Sri Lanka 57.30 2008 est. 133 Nicaragua 57.30 2008 est. 134 Congo, Republic of the 57.10 2006 est. 135 Tonga 57.00 FY05/06 est. 136 Honduras 56.90 2008 est. 137 Yemen 56.50 2008 est. 138 Tuvalu 56.20 2002 139 Comoros 56.00 2001 est. 140 Micronesia, Federated States of 55.90 2004 est. 141 Romania 55.90 2008 est. 142 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 55.00 2000 est. 143 Timor-Leste 55.00 2005 144 Central African Republic 55.00 2001 est. 145 Syria 54.60 2008 est. 146 Belize 54.10 2008 est. 147 Morocco 54.10 2008 est. 148 Liechtenstein 54.00 2007 149 Puerto Rico 54.00 2005 est. 150 Namibia 54.00 2008 est. 151 Uganda 53.90 2008 est. 152 Kazakhstan 53.80 2008 est. 153 Norway 53.80 2008 est. 154 Philippines 53.70 2008 est. 155 India 53.40 2008 est. 156 Marshall Islands 53.40 2004 est. 157 San Marino 53.40 2007 158 Pakistan 53.00 2008 est. 159 Colombia 52.90 2008 est. 160 Botswana 52.60 2008 est. 161 Tunisia 52.50 2008 est. 162 Bangladesh 52.30 2008 est. 163 Benin 52.30 2007 est. 164 Kuwait 52.20 2008 est. 165 Haiti 52.00 2004 est. 166 Turkmenistan 51.90 2008 est. 167 Bolivia 51.80 2008 est. 168 Burkina Faso 51.00 2008 est. 169 Nepal 50.90 FY07 est. 170 Nigeria 50.80 2008 est. 171 Kyrgyzstan 50.60 2008 est. 172 Chile 50.50 2008 est. 173 Cote d'Ivoire 50.40 2008 est. 174 Tanzania 50.40 2008 est. 175 Belarus 50.30 2008 est. 176 Guyana 50.20 2008 est. 177 Tajikistan 50.20 2008 est. 178 Dominica 49.50 2004 est. 179 Niue 49.50 2003 180 Armenia 49.40 2008 est. 181 Ireland 49.00 2002 est. 182 Sierra Leone 49.00 2005 est. 183 China 48.60 2008 est. 184 Egypt 48.10 2008 est. 185 Indonesia 48.10 2008 est. 186 Chad 48.00 2008 est. 187 Iran 47.80 2008 est. 188 Kuwait 47.50 2008 est. 189 Solomon Islands 47.00 2005 est. 190 Mauritania 46.70 2008 est. 191 San Marino 46.50 2007 192 Lesotho 46.40 2008 est. 193 Malaysia 46.30 2008 est. 194 Ireland 46.00 2002 est. 195 Swaziland 46.00 2008 est. 196 Botswana 45.80 2008 est. 197 Burundi 45.60 2008 est. 198 Mozambique 45.60 2008 est. 199 Thailand 45.10 2008 est. 200 Mali 45.00 2001 est. 201 Puerto Rico 45.00 2005 est. 202 Ethiopia 44.90 2008 est. 203 Chile 44.70 2008 est. 204 Norway 44.20 2008 est. 205 Malawi 44.00 2008 est. 206 Niger 44.00 2001 207 Malaysia 43.70 2008 est. 208 Cameroon 43.60 2008 est. 209 Thailand 43.30 2008 est. 210 Rwanda 43.20 2008 est. 211 Korea, North 43.10 2002 est. 212 Afghanistan 43.00 2008 est. 213 Uzbekistan 42.80 2008 est. 214 Swaziland 42.80 2008 est. 215 Mongolia 42.70 2008 216 Ethiopia 42.30 2008 est. 217 Solomon Islands 42.00 2005 est. 218 Iran 41.90 2008 est. 219 Belarus 41.20 2008 est. 220 Cambodia 41.00 2007 est. 221 Burma 40.90 2008 est. 222 Kazakhstan 40.90 2008 est. 223 Mauritania 40.70 2008 est. 224 Cameroon 40.50 2008 est. 225 China 40.10 2008 est. 226 Comoros 40.00 2001 est. 227 Western Sahara 40.00 2007 est. 228 Togo 40.00 2008 est. 229 Vietnam 39.90 2008 est. 230 Bhutan 39.80 2006 231 Guinea 39.50 2008 est. 232 Korea, South 39.50 2008 est. 233 Burma 39.20 2008 est. 234 Malawi 39.20 2008 est. 235 Laos 39.20 2008 est. 236 Liechtenstein 39.00 2007 237 Niger 39.00 2001 238 Turkmenistan 39.00 2008 est. 239 Egypt 38.70 2008 est. 240 Lesotho 38.50 2008 est. 241 Mongolia 38.50 2008 242 Colombia 38.10 2008 est. 243 Vietnam 38.10 2008 est. 244 Mali 38.00 2001 est. 245 Bhutan 37.90 2006 246 Czech Republic 37.60 2008 est. 247 Russia 37.60 2008 est. 248 Venezuela 37.60 2008 est. 249 Ghana 37.50 2006 est. 250 Indonesia 37.50 2008 est. 251 Congo, Republic of the 37.30 2006 est. 252 Ghana 37.30 2006 est. 253 Guinea 37.30 2008 est. 254 Slovakia 37.20 2008 est. 255 Trinidad and Tobago 37.20 2008 est. 256 Tunisia 37.00 2008 est. 257 Namibia 37.00 2008 est. 258 Bolivia 36.90 2008 est. 259 Hungary 36.90 2008 est. 260 Gabon 36.60 2008 est. 261 Papua New Guinea 36.30 2008 est. 262 Oman 36.10 2008 est. 263 Romania 36.00 2008 est. 264 United Arab Emirates 35.70 2008 est. 265 Mexico 35.20 2008 est. 266 Saudi Arabia 35.00 2008 est. 267 Togo 35.00 2008 est. 268 Sudan 34.70 2008 est. 269 Rwanda 34.50 2008 est. 270 Ecuador 34.30 2008 est. 271 Laos 34.30 2008 est. 272 Sudan 34.30 2008 est. 273 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 34.00 2000 est. 274 Switzerland 34.00 2003 est. 275 Armenia 33.80 2008 est. 276 South Africa 33.70 2008 est. 277 Korea, North 33.60 2002 est. 278 Azerbaijan 33.50 2008 est. 279 Burundi 33.40 2008 est. 280 Slovenia 33.40 2008 est. 281 Aruba 33.30 2002 est. 282 Gambia, The 33.30 2008 est. 283 Bahrain 33.30 2008 est. 284 Papua New Guinea 33.30 2008 est. 285 Benin 33.20 2007 est. 286 Yemen 33.20 2008 est. 287 Dominica 32.80 2004 est. 288 Argentina 32.70 2008 est. 289 Jamaica 32.60 2008 est. 290 Nepal 32.50 FY07 est. 291 Finland 32.40 2008 est. 292 Israel 32.40 2008 est. 293 Lithuania 32.20 2008 est. 294 Timor-Leste 32.20 2005 295 Marshall Islands 31.70 2004 est. 296 Ukraine 31.70 2008 est. 297 Philippines 31.60 2008 est. 298 Chad 31.50 2008 est. 299 Uzbekistan 31.40 2008 est. 300 Poland 31.20 2008 est. 301 Nigeria 31.10 2008 est. 302 Afghanistan 31.00 2008 est. 303 Sudan 31.00 2008 est. 304 Sierra Leone 31.00 2005 est. 305 Mozambique 30.90 2008 est. 306 Austria 30.70 2008 est. 307 Bulgaria 30.50 2008 est. 308 Papua New Guinea 30.40 2008 est. 309 Germany 30.10 2008 est. 310 Morocco 30.10 2008 est. 311 Cambodia 30.00 2007 est. 312 Honduras 30.00 2008 est. 313 Jordan 29.90 2008 est. 314 Kyrgyzstan 29.80 2008 est. 315 Algeria 29.40 2008 est. 316 Sri Lanka 29.40 2008 est. 317 Burkina Faso 29.10 2008 est. 318 Belize 29.00 2008 est. 319 Estonia 29.00 2008 est. 320 Cambodia 29.00 2007 est. 321 Spain 29.00 2008 est. 322 India 29.00 2008 est. 323 Micronesia, Federated States of 28.90 2004 est. 324 Seychelles 28.90 2008 est. 325 El Salvador 28.80 2008 est. 326 Bangladesh 28.60 2008 est. 327 Canada 28.40 2008 est. 328 Brazil 28.00 2008 est. 329 Sweden 28.00 2008 est. 330 Cote d'Ivoire 28.00 2008 est. 331 Haiti 28.00 2004 est. 332 Georgia 27.90 2008 est. 333 Macedonia 27.80 2008 est. 334 Singapore 27.80 2008 est. 335 Croatia 27.70 2008 est. 336 Turkey 27.50 2008 est. 337 Libya 27.40 2008 est. 338 Tuvalu 27.20 2002 339 European Union 27.10 2008 est. 340 Tanzania 27.10 2008 est. 341 Tajikistan 27.10 2008 est. 342 Faroe Islands 27.00 1999 343 Italy 27.00 2008 est. 344 Iraq 27.00 2006 est. 345 Niue 26.90 2003 346 Syria 26.90 2008 est. 347 Australia 26.80 2008 est. 348 Pakistan 26.60 2008 est. 349 Zambia 26.60 2008 est. 350 Laos 26.50 2008 est. 351 Japan 26.30 2008 est. 352 Madagascar 26.20 2008 est. 353 Denmark 26.10 2008 est. 354 Afghanistan 26.00 2008 est. 355 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 26.00 2001 est. 356 Guinea-Bissau 26.00 1999 est. 357 Vanuatu 26.00 2000 est. 358 Costa Rica 25.90 2008 est. 359 Nicaragua 25.80 2008 est. 360 Saint Kitts and Nevis 25.80 2001 361 Uzbekistan 25.80 2008 est. 362 New Zealand 25.70 2008 est. 363 Netherlands 25.50 2008 est. 364 Ghana 25.30 2006 est. 365 Iceland 25.20 2008 est. 366 Qatar 25.10 2008 est. 367 Taiwan 25.10 2008 est. 368 Brunei 25.00 2005 est. 369 Guatemala 25.00 2008 est. 370 Togo 25.00 2008 est. 371 Tonga 25.00 FY05/06 est. 372 Somalia 25.00 2005 est. 373 Portugal 25.00 2008 est. 374 Central African Republic 25.00 2001 est. 375 Guyana 24.90 2008 est. 376 Guyana 24.90 2008 est. 377 Mauritius 24.90 2008 est. 378 Angola 24.60 2008 est. 379 Uganda 24.60 2008 est. 380 Suriname 24.40 2005 est. 381 Kiribati 24.20 2004 382 Serbia 24.20 2007 est. 383 United Kingdom 24.20 2008 est. 384 Bosnia and Herzegovina 23.90 2006 est. 385 Kenya 23.80 2007 est. 386 Mozambique 23.50 2008 est. 387 Niue 23.50 2003 388 Paraguay 23.40 2008 est. 389 Uruguay 23.40 2008 est. 390 Korea, North 23.30 2002 est. 391 Belgium 23.20 2008 est. 392 Guinea 23.20 2008 est. 393 Eritrea 23.20 2008 est. 394 Montserrat 23.10 1999 est. 395 Dominican Republic 22.90 2008 est. 396 Cuba 22.80 2008 est. 397 Latvia 22.70 2008 est. 398 Tajikistan 22.70 2008 est. 399 Zimbabwe 22.60 2008 est. 400 Tanzania 22.50 2008 est. 401 Bhutan 22.30 2006 402 Rwanda 22.30 2008 est. 403 Antigua and Barbuda 22.00 2002 est. 404 Vietnam 22.00 2008 est. 405 Cote d'Ivoire 21.60 2008 est. 406 Uganda 21.50 2008 est. 407 Peru 21.20 2008 est. 408 Burundi 21.00 2008 est. 409 Sierra Leone 21.00 2005 est. 410 Greece 20.60 2008 est. 411 Albania 20.50 2008 est. 412 Chad 20.50 2008 est. 413 French Polynesia 20.40 2005 414 Pakistan 20.40 2008 est. 415 France 20.40 2008 est. 416 Central African Republic 20.00 2001 est. 417 Moldova 20.00 2008 est. 418 Kosovo 20.00 2007 est. 419 Kosovo 20.00 2007 est. 420 Haiti 20.00 2004 est. 421 Burkina Faso 19.90 2008 est. 422 Albania 19.80 2008 est. 423 Burma 19.80 2008 est. 424 Kyrgyzstan 19.70 2008 est. 425 Cyprus 19.60 2008 est. 426 Moldova 19.40 2008 est. 427 Senegal 19.30 2008 est. 428 United States 19.20 2008 est. 429 Bangladesh 19.10 2008 est. 430 Virgin Islands 19.00 2003 est. 431 Lebanon 18.80 2008 est. 432 Mongolia 18.80 2008 433 Syria 18.50 2008 est. 434 Paraguay 18.40 2008 est. 435 Nigeria 18.10 2008 est. 436 Zimbabwe 18.10 2008 est. 437 Anguilla 18.00 2002 est. 438 Malta 18.00 2007 est. 439 Grenada 18.00 2003 440 Dominica 17.70 2004 est. 441 Liberia 17.70 2002 est. 442 India 17.60 2008 est. 443 Eritrea 17.40 2008 est. 444 Panama 17.20 2008 est. 445 Mali 17.00 2001 est. 446 Maldives 17.00 2006 est. 447 Tonga 17.00 FY05/06 est. 448 Niger 17.00 2001 449 Belize 16.90 2008 est. 450 Nicaragua 16.90 2008 est. 451 Malawi 16.80 2008 est. 452 Armenia 16.70 2008 est. 453 Kenya 16.70 2007 est. 454 Cape Verde 16.60 2008 est. 455 Tuvalu 16.60 2002 456 Nepal 16.60 FY07 est. 457 Senegal 16.10 2008 est. 458 Barbados 16.00 2000 est. 459 Zambia 16.00 2008 est. 460 Cameroon 15.90 2008 est. 461 Morocco 15.70 2008 est. 462 Micronesia, Federated States of 15.20 2004 est. 463 Madagascar 15.20 2008 est. 464 Cook Islands 15.10 2004 465 Lesotho 15.10 2008 est. 466 New Caledonia 15.00 2003 467 Saint Lucia 15.00 2005 est. 468 Netherlands Antilles 15.00 2000 est. 469 Saint Martin 15.00 2000 470 Djibouti 14.90 2006 est. 471 Marshall Islands 14.90 2004 est. 472 Philippines 14.70 2008 est. 473 Sao Tome and Principe 14.60 2008 est. 474 Sao Tome and Principe 14.60 2008 est. 475 Benin 14.50 2007 est. 476 Indonesia 14.40 2008 est. 477 Luxembourg 13.60 2007 est. 478 Fiji 13.50 2004 est. 479 Sri Lanka 13.40 2008 est. 480 Egypt 13.20 2008 est. 481 Guatemala 13.10 2008 est. 482 Honduras 13.10 2008 est. 483 Samoa 13.10 2004 est. 484 Gaza Strip 13.00 2007 est. 485 Isle of Man 13.00 2000 est. 486 West Bank 13.00 2007 est. 487 Ethiopia 12.80 2008 est. 488 Timor-Leste 12.80 2005 489 Georgia 12.50 2008 est. 490 Mauritania 12.50 2008 est. 491 Serbia 12.30 2007 est. 492 Vanuatu 12.00 2000 est. 493 Guinea-Bissau 12.00 1999 est. 494 Palau 12.00 2003 495 Thailand 11.60 2008 est. 496 Samoa 11.60 2004 est. 497 Macedonia 11.50 2008 est. 498 Bolivia 11.30 2008 est. 499 China 11.30 2008 est. 500 Swaziland 11.20 2008 est. 501 Solomon Islands 11.00 2005 est. 502 Faroe Islands 11.00 1999 503 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 11.00 2000 est. 504 Dominican Republic 10.80 2008 est. 505 Suriname 10.80 2005 est. 506 El Salvador 10.70 2008 est. 507 Tunisia 10.50 2008 est. 508 Yemen 10.30 2008 est. 509 Bosnia and Herzegovina 10.20 2006 est. 510 Iran 10.20 2008 est. 511 Malaysia 10.10 2008 est. 512 Bermuda 10.00 2002 est. 513 Somalia 10.00 2005 est. 514 Guernsey 10.00 2000 515 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 10.00 2001 est. 516 Argentina 9.90 2008 est. 517 Cook Islands 9.60 2004 518 Uruguay 9.50 2008 est. 519 Ukraine 9.30 2008 est. 520 Angola 9.20 2008 est. 521 Cape Verde 9.10 2008 est. 522 Turkmenistan 9.10 2008 est. 523 Colombia 9.00 2008 est. 524 Namibia 9.00 2008 est. 525 Fiji 8.90 2004 est. 526 Kiribati 8.90 2004 527 New Caledonia 8.80 2003 528 Turkey 8.80 2008 est. 529 Belarus 8.50 2008 est. 530 Peru 8.50 2008 est. 531 Algeria 8.30 2008 est. 532 Romania 8.10 2008 est. 533 Gaza Strip 8.00 2007 est. 534 West Bank 8.00 2007 est. 535 Liechtenstein 8.00 2007 536 Gambia, The 7.60 2008 est. 537 Hong Kong 7.40 2008 est. 538 Bulgaria 7.30 2008 est. 539 Bahamas, The 7.00 2001 est. 540 Maldives 7.00 2006 est. 541 Brazil 6.70 2008 est. 542 Ecuador 6.70 2008 est. 543 Costa Rica 6.50 2008 est. 544 Panama 6.40 2008 est. 545 Palau 6.20 2003 546 British Virgin Islands 6.20 1996 est. 547 Azerbaijan 6.00 2008 est. 548 Croatia 6.00 2008 est. 549 Barbados 6.00 2000 est. 550 Congo, Republic of the 5.60 2006 est. 551 Gabon 5.60 2008 est. 552 Grenada 5.40 2003 553 Liberia 5.40 2002 est. 554 Kazakhstan 5.30 2008 est. 555 Jamaica 5.20 2008 est. 556 Lebanon 5.10 2008 est. 557 Ireland 5.00 2002 est. 558 Saint Lucia 5.00 2005 est. 559 Iceland 5.00 2008 est. 560 Iraq 5.00 2006 est. 561 Monaco 4.90 2005 562 Chile 4.80 2008 est. 563 Russia 4.70 2008 est. 564 Mauritius 4.60 2008 est. 565 Lithuania 4.50 2008 est. 566 Poland 4.50 2008 est. 567 Cuba 4.40 2008 est. 568 New Zealand 4.40 2008 est. 569 Anguilla 4.00 2002 est. 570 Comoros 4.00 2001 est. 571 Equatorial Guinea 3.90 2008 est. 572 Antigua and Barbuda 3.80 2002 est. 573 Mexico 3.80 2008 est. 574 Venezuela 3.80 2008 est. 575 Greece 3.70 2008 est. 576 Slovakia 3.70 2008 est. 577 Jordan 3.60 2008 est. 578 French Polynesia 3.50 2005 579 Saint Kitts and Nevis 3.50 2001 580 Australia 3.40 2008 est. 581 Spain 3.40 2008 est. 582 South Africa 3.30 2008 est. 583 Cayman Islands 3.20 1994 est. 584 Djibouti 3.20 2006 est. 585 Latvia 3.10 2008 est. 586 Saudi Arabia 3.10 2008 est. 587 Bahamas, The 3.00 2001 est. 588 Korea, South 3.00 2008 est. 589 Guernsey 3.00 2000 590 Hungary 2.90 2008 est. 591 Finland 2.80 2008 est. 592 Portugal 2.80 2008 est. 593 Macau 2.80 2007 est. 594 Estonia 2.60 2008 est. 595 Israel 2.60 2008 est. 596 Equatorial Guinea 2.30 2008 est. 597 Czech Republic 2.30 2008 est. 598 Slovenia 2.20 2008 est. 599 Cyprus 2.10 2008 est. 600 Oman 2.10 2008 est. 601 Canada 2.00 2008 est. 602 Seychelles 2.00 2008 est. 603 Norway 2.00 2008 est. 604 European Union 2.00 2008 est. 605 France 2.00 2008 est. 606 Jersey 2.00 2005 607 Italy 2.00 2008 est. 608 Austria 1.90 2008 est. 609 British Virgin Islands 1.80 1996 est. 610 Libya 1.70 2008 est. 611 Taiwan 1.70 2008 est. 612 Netherlands 1.70 2008 est. 613 Botswana 1.60 2008 est. 614 Sweden 1.60 2008 est. 615 United Arab Emirates 1.50 2008 est. 616 Japan 1.50 2008 est. 617 Switzerland 1.50 2003 est. 618 Cayman Islands 1.40 1994 est. 619 Malta 1.40 2007 est. 620 Denmark 1.30 2008 est. 621 United Kingdom 1.30 2008 est. 622 Montserrat 1.20 1999 est. 623 United States 1.20 2008 est. 624 Bermuda 1.00 2002 est. 625 Isle of Man 1.00 2000 est. 626 Virgin Islands 1.00 2003 est. 627 Saint Martin 1.00 2000 628 Puerto Rico 1.00 2005 est. 629 Netherlands Antilles 1.00 2000 est. 630 Jersey 1.00 2005 631 Germany 0.90 2008 est. 632 Belgium 0.80 2008 est. 633 Brunei 0.70 2005 est. 634 Trinidad and Tobago 0.50 2008 est. 635 Aruba 0.40 2002 est. 636 Luxembourg 0.40 2007 est. 637 Bahrain 0.40 2008 est. 638 Kuwait 0.30 2008 est. 639 Macau 0.10 2007 est. 640 Qatar 0.10 2008 est. 641 San Marino 0.10 2007 642 Hong Kong 0.00 2008 est. 643 Monaco 0.00 2005 644 Singapore 0.00 2008 est. ====================================================================== Rank code: 2013 Country Comparison :: Radio broadcast stations This entry includes the total number of AM, FM, and shortwave broadcast stations. Rank country Radio broadcast stations Date of Information 1 European Union 13,655.00 NA 2 United States 8,961.00 2006 3 United States 4,789.00 2006 4 Italy 4,600.00 1998 5 France 3,500.00 1998 6 Russia 1,500.00 2004 7 Brazil 1,365.00 1999 8 European Union 930.00 NA 9 Mexico 850.00 2003 10 Germany 787.00 1998 11 Romania 698.00 2006 12 United Kingdom 696.00 2008 13 Indonesia 678.00 1998 14 Philippines 628.00 2007 15 Canada 582.00 2004 16 Netherlands 567.00 2008 17 Mexico 545.00 2003 18 Ukraine 524.00 2006 19 Guatemala 487.00 2000 20 Peru 472.00 1999 21 Colombia 454.00 1999 22 Ecuador 392.00 2001 23 Malaysia 391.00 2001 24 Philippines 381.00 2007 25 China 369.00 1998 26 Denmark 355.00 1998 27 Thailand 351.00 2007 28 South Africa 347.00 1998 29 Australia 345.00 1998 30 Russia 323.00 2004 31 Korea, South 322.00 2008 32 Czech Republic 304.00 2000 33 Brazil 296.00 1999 34 New Zealand 290.00 1998 35 Australia 262.00 1998 36 Argentina 260.00 1998 37 China 259.00 1998 38 Spain 250.00 2008 39 Canada 245.00 2004 40 Honduras 241.00 1998 41 Thailand 238.00 2007 42 Mali 230.00 2001 43 Slovenia 230.00 2006 44 Japan 215.00 2001 45 United Kingdom 206.00 2008 46 Venezuela 201.00 1998 47 Peru 198.00 1999 48 Uruguay 191.00 2005 49 Peru 189.00 1999 50 Chile 180.00 1998 51 Bolivia 171.00 1999 52 Cuba 169.00 1998 53 Brazil 161.00 1999 54 Norway 160.00 2008 55 India 153.00 1998 56 Serbia 153.00 2001 57 El Salvador 144.00 2005 58 Taiwan 143.00 2008 59 Lithuania 142.00 2001 60 Panama 134.00 1998 61 Guatemala 130.00 2000 62 New Zealand 124.00 1998 63 Sweden 124.00 2008 64 Paraguay 121.00 2006 65 Dominican Republic 120.00 1998 66 Mongolia 115.00 2006 67 Turkey 107.00 2001 68 Ireland 106.00 1998 69 Switzerland 106.00 2008 70 Panama 101.00 1998 71 Italy 100.00 1998 72 Croatia 98.00 1999 73 Korea, South 96.00 2008 74 Uruguay 93.00 2005 75 India 91.00 1998 76 Hungary 90.00 2008 77 Japan 89.00 2001 78 Greece 88.00 1998 79 Ghana 86.00 2007 80 Nigeria 83.00 2001 81 Indonesia 82.00 1998 82 Kenya 82.00 2008 83 Nepal 80.00 2008 84 Belgium 79.00 1998 85 Bolivia 77.00 1999 86 Cyprus 76.00 2004 87 Puerto Rico 74.00 2008 88 Bolivia 73.00 1999 89 Iran 72.00 1998 90 European Union 71.00 NA 91 Iceland 70.00 2008 92 India 68.00 1998 93 Pakistan 68.00 2006 94 Austria 65.00 2001 95 Vietnam 65.00 1999 96 Costa Rica 65.00 2002 97 Chile 64.00 1998 98 Bulgaria 63.00 2001 99 Poland 63.00 2008 100 Portugal 63.00 2008 101 Nicaragua 63.00 1998 102 Latvia 62.00 2008 103 Russia 62.00 2004 104 Kazakhstan 60.00 2008 105 Finland 59.00 2008 106 Dominican Republic 56.00 1998 107 Cuba 55.00 1998 108 Honduras 53.00 1998 109 Puerto Rico 53.00 2008 110 Sri Lanka 52.00 2007 111 El Salvador 52.00 2005 112 Iraq 52.00 2008 113 Costa Rica 51.00 2002 114 Germany 51.00 1998 115 Cambodia 50.00 2008 116 Albania 46.00 2005 117 China 45.00 1998 118 Indonesia 43.00 1998 119 Saudi Arabia 43.00 1998 120 Egypt 42.00 1999 121 France 41.00 1998 122 Haiti 41.00 1999 123 Paraguay 41.00 2006 124 Fiji 40.00 1998 125 Namibia 39.00 2001 126 Tunisia 38.00 2007 127 Belarus 37.00 1998 128 Nigeria 36.00 2001 129 Ecuador 35.00 2001 130 Malaysia 35.00 2001 131 Benin 34.00 2007 132 Colombia 34.00 1999 133 Uganda 33.00 2001 134 Estonia 32.00 2007 135 Lebanon 32.00 2007 136 Nicaragua 32.00 1998 137 Macedonia 32.00 2008 138 Bulgaria 31.00 2001 139 Saudi Arabia 31.00 1998 140 Pakistan 31.00 2006 141 Montenegro 31.00 2004 142 Czech Republic 31.00 2000 143 Jordan 31.00 2007 144 Ecuador 29.00 2001 145 Macedonia 29.00 2008 146 Lithuania 29.00 2001 147 Vietnam 29.00 1999 148 Moldova 29.00 2006 149 Belarus 28.00 1998 150 Papua New Guinea 28.00 1998 151 Colombia 27.00 1999 152 Morocco 27.00 1998 153 Greece 26.00 1998 154 Haiti 26.00 1999 155 Burkina Faso 26.00 2007 156 Algeria 25.00 1999 157 West Bank 25.00 2008 158 Morocco 25.00 1998 159 Kenya 24.00 2008 160 Israel 23.00 1998 161 Kyrgyzstan 23.00 2007 162 Cape Verde 22.00 2001 163 Slovakia 22.00 2008 164 Afghanistan 21.00 2006 165 Angola 21.00 2001 166 Taiwan 21.00 2008 167 Japan 21.00 2001 168 Lebanon 20.00 2007 169 Senegal 20.00 2001 170 Zimbabwe 20.00 1998 171 Costa Rica 19.00 2002 172 Netherlands Antilles 19.00 2003 173 Singapore 19.00 2008 174 United States 19.00 2006 175 Zambia 19.00 2001 176 Papua New Guinea 19.00 1998 177 Kazakhstan 18.00 2008 178 Malta 18.00 1999 179 Spain 18.00 2008 180 Trinidad and Tobago 18.00 2001 181 Azerbaijan 17.00 1998 182 Czech Republic 17.00 2000 183 Chile 17.00 1998 184 Mozambique 17.00 2001 185 Korea, North 17.00 2006 186 Aruba 16.00 2004 187 Bosnia and Herzegovina 16.00 1998 188 Tajikistan 16.00 2009 189 Turkmenistan 16.00 1998 190 Virgin Islands 16.00 2005 191 Turkey 16.00 2001 192 Belize 16.00 2006 193 Libya 16.00 2001 194 Croatia 16.00 1999 195 Armenia 16.00 2006 196 Bangladesh 15.00 2006 197 Malaysia 15.00 2001 198 Mexico 15.00 2003 199 Israel 15.00 1998 200 Guatemala 15.00 2000 201 Sri Lanka 15.00 2007 202 French Polynesia 14.00 1998 203 Korea, North 14.00 2006 204 Poland 14.00 2008 205 Syria 14.00 1998 206 South Africa 14.00 1998 207 Laos 14.00 2006 208 Mauritania 14.00 2001 209 Korea, North 14.00 2006 210 Greenland 14.00 2008 211 United Arab Emirates 13.00 2004 212 Albania 13.00 2005 213 Bangladesh 13.00 2006 214 Fiji 13.00 1998 215 Suriname 13.00 1998 216 Mozambique 13.00 2001 217 Jamaica 13.00 1998 218 Grenada 13.00 1998 219 Faroe Islands 13.00 1998 220 Botswana 13.00 2001 221 Georgia 12.00 1998 222 Honduras 12.00 1998 223 Uzbekistan 12.00 2008 224 Tanzania 12.00 1998 225 Sudan 12.00 1998 226 Belarus 11.00 1998 227 Egypt 11.00 1999 228 Monaco 11.00 2008 229 Venezuela 11.00 1998 230 Mozambique 11.00 2001 231 Tanzania 11.00 1998 232 Somalia 11.00 2001 233 Nigeria 11.00 2001 234 Kuwait 11.00 1998 235 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 11.00 2001 236 Azerbaijan 10.00 1998 237 Slovenia 10.00 2006 238 Rwanda 10.00 2007 239 Liberia 10.00 2007 240 Jamaica 10.00 1998 241 Hong Kong 10.00 2008 242 Gaza Strip 10.00 2008 243 Armenia 9.00 2006 244 Bhutan 9.00 2007 245 Cameroon 9.00 2001 246 Luxembourg 9.00 1999 247 Togo 9.00 1998 248 Sierra Leone 9.00 2001 249 Oman 9.00 1999 250 Mauritius 9.00 2001 251 Malawi 9.00 2001 252 Madagascar 9.00 2001 253 Kazakhstan 9.00 2008 254 Cote d'Ivoire 9.00 1998 255 Italy 9.00 1998 256 Ireland 9.00 1998 257 United Arab Emirates 8.00 2004 258 Algeria 8.00 1999 259 Ethiopia 8.00 2001 260 Botswana 8.00 2001 261 Turkmenistan 8.00 1998 262 Senegal 8.00 2001 263 Papua New Guinea 8.00 1998 264 Netherlands Antilles 8.00 2003 265 Latvia 8.00 2008 266 Bosnia and Herzegovina 8.00 1998 267 Angola 7.00 2001 268 Anguilla 7.00 2004 269 Saint Lucia 7.00 2003 270 Zimbabwe 7.00 1998 271 Vietnam 7.00 1999 272 Uruguay 7.00 2005 273 Uganda 7.00 2001 274 Tunisia 7.00 2007 275 Turks and Caicos Islands 7.00 2003 276 Gabon 7.00 2001 277 Mongolia 7.00 2006 278 Laos 7.00 2006 279 Georgia 7.00 1998 280 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 7.00 2006 281 Belgium 7.00 1998 282 Angola 6.00 2001 283 Barbados 6.00 2004 284 Qatar 6.00 1998 285 Paraguay 6.00 2006 286 Nepal 6.00 2008 287 Niger 6.00 2001 288 Malta 6.00 1999 289 Morocco 6.00 1998 290 Madagascar 6.00 2001 291 Kuwait 6.00 1998 292 Kenya 6.00 2008 293 Iran 6.00 1998 294 Hong Kong 6.00 2008 295 Yemen 6.00 1998 296 Virgin Islands 6.00 2005 297 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 6.00 2004 298 Turkey 6.00 2001 299 Thailand 6.00 2007 300 Gabon 6.00 2001 301 Northern Mariana Islands 6.00 2005 302 Canada 6.00 2004 303 Argentina 6.00 1998 304 Afghanistan 5.00 2006 305 Chad 5.00 2001 306 Cyprus 5.00 2004 307 Gibraltar 5.00 1998 308 Niger 5.00 2001 309 New Caledonia 5.00 1998 310 Malawi 5.00 2001 311 Mayotte 5.00 2001 312 Iran 5.00 1998 313 Hungary 5.00 2008 314 Croatia 5.00 1999 315 Guinea 5.00 2006 316 Greenland 5.00 2008 317 Zambia 5.00 2001 318 Samoa 5.00 2004 319 Holy See (Vatican City) 5.00 2008 320 Holy See (Vatican City) 5.00 2008 321 British Virgin Islands 5.00 2004 322 Sao Tome and Principe 5.00 2001 323 Qatar 5.00 1998 324 Norway 5.00 2008 325 Micronesia, Federated States of 5.00 2004 326 Equatorial Guinea 5.00 2001 327 Central African Republic 5.00 2001 328 Congo, Republic of the 5.00 2001 329 Bahamas, The 5.00 2006 330 Bermuda 5.00 2005 331 Antigua and Barbuda 4.00 1998 332 Chad 4.00 2001 333 Niger 4.00 2001 334 Mauritius 4.00 2001 335 Mongolia 4.00 2006 336 Liechtenstein 4.00 1998 337 Lebanon 4.00 2007 338 Greece 4.00 1998 339 Germany 4.00 1998 340 Georgia 4.00 1998 341 Gabon 4.00 2001 342 Zambia 4.00 2001 343 Namibia 4.00 2001 344 Uzbekistan 4.00 2008 345 Togo 4.00 1998 346 Tonga 4.00 2001 347 Trinidad and Tobago 4.00 2001 348 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 4.00 1998 349 Philippines 4.00 2007 350 Guinea-Bissau 4.00 2001 351 Palau 4.00 2001 352 New Zealand 4.00 1998 353 Suriname 4.00 1998 354 Nepal 4.00 2008 355 Netherlands 4.00 2008 356 Vanuatu 4.00 2001 357 Dominican Republic 4.00 1998 358 Dominica 4.00 2003 359 Comoros 4.00 2001 360 Cayman Islands 4.00 2004 361 Sri Lanka 4.00 2007 362 Botswana 4.00 2001 363 Burundi 4.00 2001 364 American Samoa 3.00 2005 365 Swaziland 3.00 2004 366 Swaziland 3.00 2004 367 Holy See (Vatican City) 3.00 2008 368 Uzbekistan 3.00 2008 369 Burkina Faso 3.00 2007 370 United Kingdom 3.00 2008 371 Switzerland 3.00 2008 372 Switzerland 3.00 2008 373 Saint Kitts and Nevis 3.00 2003 374 Saint Kitts and Nevis 3.00 2003 375 Saint Martin 3.00 2007 376 Marshall Islands 3.00 2005 377 Norfolk Island 3.00 2005 378 Oman 3.00 1999 379 Libya 3.00 2001 380 Libya 3.00 2001 381 Lesotho 3.00 2007 382 Kyrgyzstan 3.00 2007 383 Cote d'Ivoire 3.00 1998 384 Iceland 3.00 2008 385 Guyana 3.00 1998 386 Guyana 3.00 1998 387 Guinea 3.00 2006 388 Ghana 3.00 2007 389 Gambia, The 3.00 2001 390 Equatorial Guinea 3.00 2001 391 Egypt 3.00 1999 392 Congo, Republic of the 3.00 2001 393 Cameroon 3.00 2001 394 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 3.00 2001 395 Bermuda 3.00 2005 396 Burma 3.00 2007 397 Bahamas, The 3.00 2006 398 Bahrain 3.00 1998 399 Aruba 2.00 2004 400 Dominica 2.00 2003 401 Djibouti 2.00 2001 402 Cameroon 2.00 2001 403 Cocos (Keeling) Islands 2.00 2004 404 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 2.00 2001 405 Chad 2.00 2001 406 Brunei 2.00 2006 407 Bulgaria 2.00 2001 408 Burma 2.00 2007 409 Bangladesh 2.00 2006 410 Barbados 2.00 2004 411 Bahrain 2.00 1998 412 Antarctica 2.00 2007 413 Anguilla 2.00 2004 414 Austria 2.00 2001 415 Israel 2.00 1998 416 Grenada 2.00 1998 417 Gambia, The 2.00 2001 418 France 2.00 1998 419 French Polynesia 2.00 1998 420 French Polynesia 2.00 1998 421 Finland 2.00 2008 422 Finland 2.00 2008 423 Eritrea 2.00 2000 424 Eritrea 2.00 2000 425 Yemen 2.00 1998 426 Swaziland 2.00 2004 427 Samoa 2.00 2004 428 Western Sahara 2.00 1998 429 Namibia 2.00 2001 430 Togo 2.00 1998 431 Turks and Caicos Islands 2.00 2003 432 Syria 2.00 1998 433 Saint Lucia 2.00 2003 434 Spain 2.00 2008 435 San Marino 2.00 2008 436 Seychelles 2.00 2001 437 Saudi Arabia 2.00 1998 438 Madagascar 2.00 2001 439 Burkina Faso 2.00 2007 440 Uganda 2.00 2001 441 Tanzania 2.00 1998 442 Turkmenistan 2.00 1998 443 Tunisia 2.00 2007 444 Luxembourg 2.00 1999 445 Luxembourg 2.00 1999 446 Liberia 2.00 2007 447 Laos 2.00 2006 448 Christmas Island 2.00 2006 449 Kiribati 2.00 2002 450 Cote d'Ivoire 2.00 1998 451 British Indian Ocean Territory 2.00 1998 452 Portugal 2.00 2008 453 Poland 2.00 2008 454 Vanuatu 2.00 2001 455 Oman 2.00 1999 456 Malawi 2.00 2001 457 Montserrat 2.00 1998 458 Moldova 2.00 2006 459 Macau 2.00 2008 460 American Samoa 2.00 2005 461 Antigua and Barbuda 2.00 1998 462 United Arab Emirates 2.00 2004 463 Afghanistan 1.00 2006 464 Azerbaijan 1.00 1998 465 Armenia 1.00 2006 466 Andorra 1.00 2007 467 Australia 1.00 1998 468 Bhutan 1.00 2007 469 Solomon Islands 1.00 2004 470 Solomon Islands 1.00 2004 471 Solomon Islands 1.00 2004 472 Benin 1.00 2007 473 Benin 1.00 2007 474 Burma 1.00 2007 475 Bosnia and Herzegovina 1.00 1998 476 Belize 1.00 2006 477 Ethiopia 1.00 2001 478 Cuba 1.00 1998 479 Central African Republic 1.00 2001 480 Central African Republic 1.00 2001 481 Northern Mariana Islands 1.00 2005 482 Northern Mariana Islands 1.00 2005 483 Comoros 1.00 2001 484 Comoros 1.00 2001 485 Cocos (Keeling) Islands 1.00 2004 486 Cayman Islands 1.00 2004 487 Congo, Republic of the 1.00 2001 488 Cambodia 1.00 2008 489 Burundi 1.00 2001 490 Brunei 1.00 2006 491 Jersey 1.00 2008 492 British Indian Ocean Territory 1.00 1998 493 Isle of Man 1.00 1998 494 Isle of Man 1.00 1998 495 Iceland 1.00 2008 496 Hungary 1.00 2008 497 Guyana 1.00 1998 498 Guernsey 1.00 1998 499 Guernsey 1.00 1998 500 Gibraltar 1.00 1998 501 Zimbabwe 1.00 1998 502 Yemen 1.00 1998 503 Wallis and Futuna 1.00 2000 504 British Virgin Islands 1.00 2004 505 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1.00 2004 506 Taiwan 1.00 2008 507 Tuvalu 1.00 2004 508 Tuvalu 1.00 2004 509 Sao Tome and Principe 1.00 2001 510 Sao Tome and Principe 1.00 2001 511 Tonga 1.00 2001 512 Tonga 1.00 2001 513 Syria 1.00 1998 514 Sweden 1.00 2008 515 Svalbard 1.00 1998 516 Svalbard 1.00 1998 517 Sudan 1.00 1998 518 Sudan 1.00 1998 519 Somalia 1.00 2001 520 Singapore 1.00 2008 521 Sierra Leone 1.00 2001 522 Sierra Leone 1.00 2001 523 Saint Helena 1.00 2005 524 Saint Helena 1.00 2005 525 Saint Helena 1.00 2005 526 Saint Helena 1.00 2005 527 Saint Helena 1.00 2005 528 Senegal 1.00 2001 529 South Africa 1.00 1998 530 Seychelles 1.00 2001 531 Seychelles 1.00 2001 532 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 1.00 1998 533 Marshall Islands 1.00 2005 534 Qatar 1.00 1998 535 Guinea-Bissau 1.00 2001 536 Palau 1.00 2001 537 Palau 1.00 2001 538 Portugal 1.00 2008 539 Pitcairn Islands 1.00 2004 540 Nicaragua 1.00 1998 541 Suriname 1.00 1998 542 Nauru 1.00 1998 543 Norway 1.00 2008 544 Netherlands 1.00 2008 545 Vanuatu 1.00 2001 546 Norfolk Island 1.00 2005 547 Niue 1.00 1998 548 Niue 1.00 1998 549 New Caledonia 1.00 1998 550 Maldives 1.00 1998 551 Maldives 1.00 1998 552 Maldives 1.00 1998 553 Malta 1.00 1999 554 Mauritania 1.00 2001 555 Mauritania 1.00 2001 556 Monaco 1.00 2008 557 Monaco 1.00 2008 558 Mali 1.00 2001 559 Mali 1.00 2001 560 Montserrat 1.00 1998 561 Mayotte 1.00 2001 562 Macau 1.00 2008 563 Lesotho 1.00 2007 564 Lesotho 1.00 2007 565 Slovakia 1.00 2008 566 Slovakia 1.00 2008 567 Lithuania 1.00 2001 568 Latvia 1.00 2008 569 Kuwait 1.00 1998 570 Christmas Island 1.00 2006 571 Korea, South 1.00 2008 572 Kiribati 1.00 2002 573 Kiribati 1.00 2002 574 Faroe Islands 1.00 1998 575 Micronesia, Federated States of 1.00 2004 576 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 1.00 2006 577 Dhekelia 1.00 2006 578 Djibouti 1.00 2001 579 Denmark 1.00 1998 580 Cook Islands 1.00 2004 581 Cook Islands 1.00 2004 582 Belgium 1.00 1998 583 Antarctica 1.00 2007 584 Akrotiri 1.00 2006 585 Austria 1.00 2001 586 Albania 1.00 2005 587 Algeria 1.00 1999 588 Aruba 0.00 2004 589 Barbados 0.00 2004 590 Samoa 0.00 2004 591 Wake Island 0.00 2005 592 Wake Island 0.00 2005 593 Wake Island 0.00 2005 594 Western Sahara 0.00 1998 595 Western Sahara 0.00 1998 596 Wallis and Futuna 0.00 2000 597 Wallis and Futuna 0.00 2000 598 West Bank 0.00 2008 599 West Bank 0.00 2008 600 Virgin Islands 0.00 2005 601 British Virgin Islands 0.00 2004 602 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0.00 2004 603 Tuvalu 0.00 2004 604 Turks and Caicos Islands 0.00 2003 605 Trinidad and Tobago 0.00 2001 606 South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands0.00 2003 607 Sweden 0.00 2008 608 Svalbard 0.00 1998 609 Saint Lucia 0.00 2003 610 Somalia 0.00 2001 611 Singapore 0.00 2008 612 San Marino 0.00 2008 613 San Marino 0.00 2008 614 Slovenia 0.00 2006 615 Saint Helena 0.00 2005 616 Saint Kitts and Nevis 0.00 2003 617 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0.00 1998 618 Rwanda 0.00 2007 619 Puerto Rico 0.00 2008 620 Saint Martin 0.00 2007 621 Saint Martin 0.00 2007 622 Marshall Islands 0.00 2005 623 Guinea-Bissau 0.00 2001 624 Panama 0.00 1998 625 Pitcairn Islands 0.00 2004 626 Pitcairn Islands 0.00 2004 627 Netherlands Antilles 0.00 2003 628 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 0.00 2006 629 Fiji 0.00 1998 630 Ethiopia 0.00 2001 631 El Salvador 0.00 2005 632 Estonia 0.00 2007 633 Estonia 0.00 2007 634 Equatorial Guinea 0.00 2001 635 Ireland 0.00 1998 636 Cape Verde 0.00 2001 637 Nauru 0.00 1998 638 Nauru 0.00 1998 639 Norfolk Island 0.00 2005 640 Niue 0.00 1998 641 New Caledonia 0.00 1998 642 Mauritius 0.00 2001 643 Macedonia 0.00 2008 644 Montserrat 0.00 1998 645 Mayotte 0.00 2001 646 Macau 0.00 2008 647 Liechtenstein 0.00 1998 648 Liechtenstein 0.00 1998 649 Jamaica 0.00 1998 650 Jersey 0.00 2008 651 British Indian Ocean Territory 0.00 1998 652 Isle of Man 0.00 1998 653 Hong Kong 0.00 2008 654 Haiti 0.00 1999 655 Gaza Strip 0.00 2008 656 Gaza Strip 0.00 2008 657 Guinea 0.00 2006 658 Liberia 0.00 2007 659 Christmas Island 0.00 2006 660 Greenland 0.00 2008 661 Guernsey 0.00 1998 662 Grenada 0.00 1998 663 Gibraltar 0.00 1998 664 Ghana 0.00 2007 665 Gambia, The 0.00 2001 666 Faroe Islands 0.00 1998 667 Micronesia, Federated States of 0.00 2004 668 Cape Verde 0.00 2001 669 Cocos (Keeling) Islands 0.00 2004 670 Cayman Islands 0.00 2004 671 Burundi 0.00 2001 672 Brunei 0.00 2006 673 Bhutan 0.00 2007 674 Belize 0.00 2006 675 Bahamas, The 0.00 2006 676 Dominica 0.00 2003 677 Djibouti 0.00 2001 678 Denmark 0.00 1998 679 Cyprus 0.00 2004 680 Cook Islands 0.00 2004 681 Bermuda 0.00 2005 682 Bahrain 0.00 1998 683 Anguilla 0.00 2004 684 Andorra 0.00 2007 685 American Samoa 0.00 2005 686 Andorra 0.00 2007 687 Antigua and Barbuda 0.00 1998 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2014 Country Comparison :: Radios Rank country Radios Date of Information 1 United States 575,000,000.00 1997 2 China 417,000,000.00 1997 3 Japan 120,500,000.00 1997 4 India 116,000,000.00 1997 5 United Kingdom 84,500,000.00 1997 6 Germany 77,800,000.00 1997 7 Brazil 71,000,000.00 1997 8 Russia 61,500,000.00 1997 9 France 55,300,000.00 1997 10 Italy 50,500,000.00 1997 11 Korea, South 47,500,000.00 2000 12 Ukraine 45,050,000.00 1997 13 Canada 32,300,000.00 1997 14 Indonesia 31,500,000.00 1997 15 Mexico 31,000,000.00 1997 16 Australia 25,500,000.00 1997 17 Argentina 24,300,000.00 1997 18 Nigeria 23,500,000.00 1997 19 Colombia 21,000,000.00 1997 20 Egypt 20,500,000.00 1997 21 Poland 20,200,000.00 1997 22 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 18,030,000.00 1997 23 Iran 17,000,000.00 1997 24 South Africa 17,000,000.00 2001 25 Taiwan 16,000,000.00 1994 26 Netherlands 15,300,000.00 1996 27 Ethiopia 15,200,000.00 2002 28 Thailand 13,960,000.00 1997 29 Pakistan 13,500,000.00 1997 30 Spain 13,100,000.00 1997 31 Ghana 12,500,000.00 2001 32 Philippines 11,500,000.00 1997 33 Turkey 11,300,000.00 1997 34 Malaysia 10,900,000.00 1999 35 Uzbekistan 10,800,000.00 1997 36 Venezuela 10,750,000.00 1997 37 Tanzania 8,800,000.00 1997 38 Sweden 8,250,000.00 1997 39 Vietnam 8,200,000.00 1997 40 Belgium 8,075,000.00 1997 41 Finland 7,700,000.00 1997 42 Sudan 7,550,000.00 1997 43 Romania 7,200,000.00 1997 44 Algeria 7,100,000.00 1997 45 Switzerland 7,100,000.00 1997 46 Hungary 7,010,000.00 1997 47 Peru 6,650,000.00 1997 48 Morocco 6,640,000.00 1997 49 Kazakhstan 6,470,000.00 1997 50 Saudi Arabia 6,250,000.00 1997 51 Bangladesh 6,150,000.00 1997 52 Austria 6,080,000.00 1997 53 Denmark 6,020,000.00 1997 54 Bolivia 5,250,000.00 1997 55 Chile 5,180,000.00 1997 56 Greece 5,020,000.00 1997 57 Ecuador 5,000,000.00 2001 58 Uganda 5,000,000.00 2001 59 Iraq 4,850,000.00 1997 60 Bulgaria 4,510,000.00 1997 61 Hong Kong 4,450,000.00 1997 62 Burma 4,200,000.00 1997 63 Syria 4,150,000.00 1997 64 Norway 4,030,000.00 1997 65 Cuba 3,900,000.00 1997 66 Sri Lanka 3,850,000.00 1997 67 New Zealand 3,750,000.00 1997 68 Korea, North 3,360,000.00 1997 69 Moldova 3,220,000.00 1997 70 Czech Republic 3,159,134.00 December 2000 71 Slovakia 3,120,000.00 1997 72 Israel 3,070,000.00 1997 73 Kenya 3,070,000.00 1997 74 Madagascar 3,050,000.00 1997 75 Belarus 3,020,000.00 1997 76 Portugal 3,020,000.00 1997 77 Georgia 3,020,000.00 1997 78 Lebanon 2,850,000.00 1997 79 El Salvador 2,750,000.00 1997 80 Puerto Rico 2,700,000.00 1997 81 Malawi 2,600,000.00 1997 82 Singapore 2,600,000.00 2000 83 Ireland 2,550,000.00 1997 84 Honduras 2,450,000.00 1997 85 Cameroon 2,270,000.00 1997 86 Cote d'Ivoire 2,260,000.00 1997 87 Tunisia 2,060,000.00 1997 88 Uruguay 1,970,000.00 1997 89 Lithuania 1,900,000.00 1997 90 Latvia 1,760,000.00 1997 91 Chad 1,670,000.00 1997 92 Jordan 1,660,000.00 1997 93 Croatia 1,510,000.00 1997 94 Dominican Republic 1,440,000.00 1997 95 Oman 1,400,000.00 1997 96 Libya 1,350,000.00 1997 97 Cambodia 1,340,000.00 1997 98 Tajikistan 1,291,000.00 1991 99 Nicaragua 1,240,000.00 1997 100 Senegal 1,240,000.00 1997 101 Turkmenistan 1,225,000.00 1997 102 Jamaica 1,215,000.00 1997 103 Zambia 1,200,000.00 2001 104 Kuwait 1,175,000.00 1997 105 Zimbabwe 1,140,000.00 1997 106 Sierra Leone 1,120,000.00 1997 107 Yemen 1,050,000.00 1997 108 Estonia 1,010,000.00 1997 109 Albania 1,000,000.00 2001 110 Costa Rica 980,000.00 1997 111 Bosnia and Herzegovina 940,000.00 1997 112 Togo 940,000.00 1997 113 Paraguay 925,000.00 1997 114 Armenia 850,000.00 1997 115 Nepal 840,000.00 1997 116 Guatemala 835,000.00 1997 117 United Arab Emirates 820,000.00 1997 118 Angola 815,000.00 2000 119 Panama 815,000.00 1997 120 Slovenia 805,000.00 1997 121 Liberia 790,000.00 1997 122 Laos 730,000.00 1997 123 Mozambique 730,000.00 1997 124 Niger 680,000.00 1997 125 Trinidad and Tobago 680,000.00 1997 126 Benin 660,000.00 2000 127 Rwanda 601,000.00 1997 128 Mali 570,000.00 1997 129 Fiji 541,476.00 1999 130 Kyrgyzstan 520,000.00 1997 131 Somalia 470,000.00 1997 132 Burundi 440,000.00 2001 133 Guyana 420,000.00 1997 134 Mauritius 420,000.00 1997 135 Haiti 415,000.00 1997 136 Macedonia 410,000.00 1997 137 Mauritania 410,000.00 2001 138 Papua New Guinea 410,000.00 1997 139 Burkina Faso 394,020.00 2000 140 Guinea 357,000.00 1997 141 Eritrea 345,000.00 1997 142 Congo, Republic of the 341,000.00 1997 143 Bahrain 338,000.00 1997 144 Brunei 329,000.00 1998 145 Cyprus 310,000.00 NA 146 Suriname 300,000.00 1997 147 Luxembourg 285,000.00 1997 148 Central African Republic 283,000.00 1997 149 Iceland 260,000.00 1997 150 Qatar 256,000.00 1997 151 Malta 255,000.00 1997 152 Botswana 252,720.00 2000 153 Barbados 237,000.00 1997 154 Namibia 232,000.00 1997 155 Netherlands Antilles 217,000.00 1997 156 Bahamas, The 215,000.00 1997 157 Gabon 208,000.00 1997 158 Gambia, The 196,000.00 1997 159 Equatorial Guinea 180,000.00 1997 160 Azerbaijan 175,000.00 1997 161 Samoa 174,849.00 1997 162 Swaziland 170,000.00 1999 163 Afghanistan 167,000.00 1999 164 Macau 160,000.00 1997 165 Mongolia 155,900.00 1999 166 Belize 133,000.00 1997 167 French Polynesia 128,000.00 1997 168 Saint Lucia 111,000.00 1997 169 New Caledonia 107,000.00 1997 170 Virgin Islands 107,000.00 1997 171 Cape Verde 100,000.00 2002 est. 172 Comoros 90,000.00 1997 173 Bermuda 82,000.00 1997 174 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 77,000.00 1997 175 Vanuatu 67,000.00 1997 176 Tonga 61,000.00 1997 177 American Samoa 57,000.00 1997 178 Solomon Islands 57,000.00 1997 179 Grenada 57,000.00 1997 180 Cyprus 56,450.00 NA 181 Western Sahara 56,000.00 1997 182 Djibouti 52,000.00 1997 183 Aruba 50,000.00 1997 184 Guinea-Bissau 49,000.00 1997 185 Dominica 46,000.00 1997 186 Seychelles 42,000.00 1997 187 Sao Tome and Principe 38,000.00 1997 188 Bhutan 37,000.00 1997 189 Gibraltar 37,000.00 1997 190 Antigua and Barbuda 36,000.00 1997 191 Cayman Islands 36,000.00 1997 192 Maldives 35,000.00 1999 193 Monaco 34,000.00 1997 194 Greenland 30,000.00 1998 est. 195 Saint Kitts and Nevis 28,000.00 1997 196 Faroe Islands 26,000.00 1997 197 Liechtenstein 21,000.00 1997 198 Kiribati 17,000.00 1997 199 Andorra 16,000.00 1997 200 San Marino 16,000.00 1997 201 Cook Islands 14,000.00 1997 202 Palau 12,000.00 1997 203 Micronesia, Federated States of 9,400.00 1996 204 British Virgin Islands 9,000.00 1997 205 Turks and Caicos Islands 8,000.00 1997 206 Montserrat 7,000.00 1997 207 Nauru 7,000.00 1997 208 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 4,000.00 1997 209 Tuvalu 4,000.00 1997 210 Anguilla 3,000.00 1997 211 Saint Helena 3,000.00 1997 212 Norfolk Island 2,500.00 1996 213 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 1,000.00 1997 214 Tokelau 1,000.00 1997 215 Christmas Island 1,000.00 1997 216 Niue 1,000.00 1997 217 Cocos (Keeling) Islands 300.00 1992 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2015 Country Comparison :: Television broadcast stations This entry gives the total number of separate broadcast stations plus any repeater stations. Rank country Television broadcast stations Date of Information 1 Russia 7,306.00 1998 2 China 3,240.00 1997 3 European Union 2,700.00 NA 4 United States 2,218.00 2006 5 United Kingdom 940.00 2008 6 Ukraine 647.00 2006 7 Turkey 635.00 1995 8 Romania 623.00 2006 9 France 584.00 1995 10 India 562.00 1997 11 South Africa 556.00 1997 12 Spain 379.00 2008 13 Germany 373.00 1995 14 Italy 358.00 1995 15 Netherlands 342.00 2008 16 Sweden 252.00 2008 17 Philippines 250.00 2007 18 Mexico 236.00 1997 19 Japan 211.00 1999 20 Denmark 172.00 2008 21 Canada 148.00 2007 22 Brazil 138.00 1997 23 Finland 120.00 NA 24 Saudi Arabia 117.00 1997 25 Thailand 111.00 2006 26 Switzerland 106.00 2007 27 Australia 104.00 1997 28 Egypt 98.00 September 1995 29 Hungary 95.00 2008 30 Malaysia 88.00 2006 31 Taiwan 76.00 2007 32 Poland 75.00 2008 33 Czech Republic 71.00 2008 34 Norway 69.00 2008 35 Mongolia 68.00 2008 36 Vietnam 67.00 2006 37 Venezuela 66.00 1997 38 Albania 65.00 2005 39 Chile 63.00 1997 40 Uruguay 62.00 2005 41 Colombia 60.00 1997 42 Cuba 58.00 1997 43 Korea, South 57.00 2008 44 Indonesia 54.00 2006 45 Macedonia 52.00 2007 46 Armenia 48.00 2006 47 Bolivia 48.00 1997 48 Belarus 47.00 1995 49 Iraq 47.00 2008 50 Algeria 46.00 1995 51 Lithuania 44.00 2008 52 Syria 44.00 1995 53 Argentina 42.00 1997 54 Portugal 42.00 2008 55 New Zealand 41.00 1997 56 Moldova 40.00 2006 57 Bulgaria 39.00 2001 58 Panama 38.00 1998 59 Latvia 37.00 2008 60 Slovakia 37.00 2008 61 Greece 36.00 1995 62 Croatia 36.00 1995 63 Morocco 35.00 1995 64 Puerto Rico 34.00 2008 65 Bosnia and Herzegovina 33.00 September 1995 66 Slovenia 31.00 2006 67 West Bank 30.00 2008 68 Iran 29.00 1997 69 Uzbekistan 28.00 2006 70 Guatemala 26.00 1997 71 Tunisia 26.00 1995 72 Belgium 25.00 1997 73 Dominican Republic 25.00 2003 74 Tajikistan 24.00 2009 75 Jordan 22.00 2007 76 Costa Rica 20.00 2002 77 Pakistan 20.00 2006 78 Israel 17.00 1995 79 Zimbabwe 16.00 1997 80 United Arab Emirates 15.00 2004 81 Bangladesh 15.00 1999 82 Lebanon 15.00 1995 83 Sri Lanka 14.00 2006 84 Iceland 14.00 1997 85 Cote d'Ivoire 14.00 1998 86 Kuwait 13.00 1997 87 Peru 13.00 1997 88 Montenegro 13.00 2004 89 Oman 13.00 1999 90 Georgia 12.00 1998 91 Swaziland 12.00 2004 92 Libya 12.00 1999 93 Kazakhstan 12.00 1998 94 Honduras 11.00 1997 95 Austria 10.00 2001 96 Nepal 9.00 2008 97 Zambia 9.00 2001 98 Cambodia 8.00 2008 99 Kyrgyzstan 8.00 2007 100 Cyprus 8.00 2004 101 Kenya 8.00 2008 102 Uganda 8.00 2001 103 Afghanistan 7.00 2006 104 Jamaica 7.00 1997 105 Ghana 7.00 2007 106 French Polynesia 7.00 1997 107 Laos 7.00 2006 108 Belize 7.00 2008 109 Ecuador 7.00 2000 110 Angola 6.00 2000 111 Trinidad and Tobago 6.00 2005 112 New Caledonia 6.00 1997 113 Guinea 6.00 2001 114 Benin 6.00 2007 115 El Salvador 5.00 1997 116 Luxembourg 5.00 1999 117 Monaco 5.00 1998 118 Niger 5.00 2007 119 Virgin Islands 5.00 2006 120 Paraguay 5.00 2007 121 Malta 5.00 2006 122 Bahrain 4.00 1997 123 Brunei 4.00 2006 124 Burma 4.00 2008 125 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 4.00 2001 126 Cocos (Keeling) Islands 4.00 2007 127 Estonia 4.00 2007 128 Turkmenistan 4.00 2004 129 Somalia 4.00 2001 130 Senegal 4.00 2007 131 Mozambique 4.00 2008 132 Liberia 4.00 2007 133 Korea, North 4.00 2003 134 Gabon 4.00 2001 135 Ireland 4.00 2008 136 Cayman Islands 4.00 2004 137 Bermuda 3.00 2005 138 Nigeria 3.00 2001 139 Burkina Faso 3.00 NA 140 Tanzania 3.00 1999 141 Togo 3.00 1997 142 Tonga 3.00 2004 143 Sudan 3.00 1997 144 Papua New Guinea 3.00 2004 145 Nicaragua 3.00 1997 146 Netherlands Antilles 3.00 2003 147 Suriname 3.00 2000 148 Yemen 3.00 2007 149 Mayotte 3.00 2001 150 Micronesia, Federated States of 3.00 2004 151 Guyana 3.00 1997 152 Faroe Islands 3.00 September 1995 153 Antigua and Barbuda 2.00 1997 154 Bahamas, The 2.00 2006 155 Botswana 2.00 NA 156 Azerbaijan 2.00 1997 157 Samoa 2.00 2002 158 Wallis and Futuna 2.00 2000 159 Namibia 2.00 2007 160 Sao Tome and Principe 2.00 2001 161 Saint Lucia 2.00 2003 162 Sierra Leone 2.00 1999 163 Seychelles 2.00 1997 164 Rwanda 2.00 2004 165 Marshall Islands 2.00 2005 166 Mauritius 2.00 1997 167 Mali 2.00 2007 168 Jersey 2.00 2008 169 Hong Kong 2.00 2008 170 Haiti 2.00 1997 171 Grenada 2.00 1997 172 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 2.00 2006 173 Eritrea 2.00 2006 174 Aruba 1.00 1997 175 Anguilla 1.00 1997 176 Barbados 1.00 2004 177 Antarctica 1.00 2002 178 Burundi 1.00 2001 179 Congo, Republic of the 1.00 2001 180 Northern Mariana Islands 1.00 2006 181 Cape Verde 1.00 2001 182 Holy See (Vatican City) 1.00 2008 183 British Virgin Islands 1.00 1997 184 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1.00 2004 185 Timor-Leste 1.00 NA 186 Singapore 1.00 2008 187 San Marino 1.00 1997 188 Saint Kitts and Nevis 1.00 2003 189 Palau 1.00 2005 190 Nauru 1.00 1997 191 Vanuatu 1.00 2004 192 Norfolk Island 1.00 2005 193 Niue 1.00 1997 194 Maldives 1.00 2006 195 Mauritania 1.00 2002 196 Malawi 1.00 2001 197 Montserrat 1.00 1997 198 Qatar 1.00 2001 199 Guinea-Bissau 1.00 2007 200 Macau 1.00 2008 201 Madagascar 1.00 2001 202 Lesotho 1.00 2007 203 Kiribati 1.00 2002 204 British Indian Ocean Territory 1.00 1997 205 Gaza Strip 1.00 2008 206 Greenland 1.00 1997 207 Guernsey 1.00 1997 208 Gibraltar 1.00 1997 209 Gambia, The 1.00 1997 210 Ethiopia 1.00 2001 211 Equatorial Guinea 1.00 2001 212 Dominica 1.00 2004 213 Djibouti 1.00 2001 214 Cook Islands 1.00 2004 215 Central African Republic 1.00 2001 216 Cameroon 1.00 2001 217 Chad 1.00 2001 218 Bhutan 1.00 2007 219 American Samoa 1.00 2006 220 Andorra 1.00 2007 221 Akrotiri 0.00 2006 222 Turks and Caicos Islands 0.00 2003 223 Wake Island 0.00 2005 224 Tuvalu 0.00 2004 225 South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands0.00 2003 226 Isle of Man 0.00 1999 227 Christmas Island 0.00 2006 228 Saint Helena 0.00 2005 229 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0.00 1997 230 Dhekelia 0.00 2006 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2016 Country Comparison :: Televisions Rank country Televisions Date of Information 1 China 400,000,000 1997 2 United States 219,000,000 1997 3 Japan 86,500,000 1997 4 India 63,000,000 1997 5 Russia 60,500,000 1997 6 Germany 51,400,000 1998 7 Brazil 36,500,000 1997 8 France 34,800,000 1997 9 United Kingdom 30,500,000 1997 10 Italy 30,300,000 1997 11 Mexico 25,600,000 1997 12 Canada 21,500,000 1997 13 Turkey 20,900,000 1997 14 Ukraine 18,050,000 1997 15 Spain 16,200,000 1997 16 Korea, South 15,900,000 1997 17 Thailand 15,190,000 1997 18 Indonesia 13,750,000 1997 19 Poland 13,050,000 1997 20 Malaysia 10,800,000 1999 21 Australia 10,150,000 1997 22 Taiwan 8,800,000 1998 23 Netherlands 8,100,000 1997 24 Argentina 7,950,000 1997 25 Egypt 7,700,000 1997 26 Nigeria 6,900,000 1997 27 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 6,478,000 1997 28 Uzbekistan 6,400,000 1997 29 South Africa 6,000,000 2000 30 Romania 5,250,000 1997 31 Saudi Arabia 5,100,000 1997 32 Belgium 4,720,000 1997 33 Iran 4,610,000 1997 34 Sweden 4,600,000 1997 35 Colombia 4,590,000 1997 36 Hungary 4,420,000 1997 37 Austria 4,250,000 1997 38 Venezuela 4,100,000 1997 39 Kazakhstan 3,880,000 1997 40 Philippines 3,700,000 1997 41 Vietnam 3,570,000 1997 42 Czech Republic 3,405,834 December 2000 43 Bulgaria 3,310,000 1997 44 Portugal 3,310,000 1997 45 Switzerland 3,310,000 1997 46 Finland 3,200,000 1997 47 Chile 3,150,000 1997 48 Denmark 3,121,000 1997 49 Algeria 3,100,000 1997 50 Morocco 3,100,000 1997 51 Pakistan 3,100,000 1997 52 Peru 3,060,000 1997 53 Cuba 2,640,000 1997 54 Slovakia 2,620,000 1997 55 Georgia 2,570,000 1997 56 Greece 2,540,000 1997 57 Belarus 2,520,000 1997 58 Ecuador 2,500,000 2001 59 Sudan 2,380,000 1997 60 Norway 2,030,000 1997 61 New Zealand 1,926,000 1997 62 Ghana 1,900,000 2001 63 Hong Kong 1,840,000 1997 64 Ireland 1,820,000 2001 65 Iraq 1,750,000 1997 66 Lithuania 1,700,000 1997 67 Israel 1,690,000 1997 68 Oman 1,600,000 1997 69 Sri Lanka 1,530,000 1997 70 Singapore 1,330,000 1997 71 Guatemala 1,323,000 1997 72 Moldova 1,260,000 1997 73 Croatia 1,220,000 1997 74 Latvia 1,220,000 1997 75 Korea, North 1,200,000 1997 76 Lebanon 1,180,000 1997 77 Cote d'Ivoire 1,090,000 2000 78 Syria 1,050,000 1997 79 Puerto Rico 1,021,000 1997 80 Paraguay 990,000 2001 81 Tunisia 920,000 1997 82 Bolivia 900,000 1997 83 Kuwait 875,000 1997 84 Armenia 825,000 1997 85 Tajikistan 820,000 1997 86 Turkmenistan 820,000 1997 87 Uruguay 782,000 1997 88 Bangladesh 770,000 1997 89 Dominican Republic 770,000 1997 90 Kenya 730,000 1997 91 Libya 730,000 1997 92 Slovenia 710,000 1997 93 Albania 700,000 2001 94 Ethiopia 682,000 2002 95 Estonia 605,000 1997 96 El Salvador 600,000 1990 97 Honduras 570,000 1997 98 Costa Rica 525,000 1997 99 Macedonia 510,000 1997 100 Panama 510,000 1997 101 Jordan 500,000 1997 102 Uganda 500,000 2001 103 Yemen 470,000 1997 104 Jamaica 460,000 1997 105 Cameroon 450,000 1997 106 Trinidad and Tobago 425,000 1997 107 Zimbabwe 370,000 1997 108 Senegal 361,000 1997 109 Madagascar 325,000 1997 110 Burma 320,000 2000 111 Nicaragua 320,000 1997 112 United Arab Emirates 310,000 1997 113 Luxembourg 285,000 1998 est. 114 Malta 280,000 1997 115 Zambia 277,000 1997 116 Bahrain 275,000 1997 117 Mauritius 258,000 1997 118 Cyprus 248,000 NA 119 Qatar 230,000 1997 120 Kyrgyzstan 210,000 1997 121 Brunei 201,900 1998 122 Angola 196,000 2000 123 Azerbaijan 170,000 1997 124 Mongolia 168,800 1999 125 Somalia 135,000 1997 126 Burkina Faso 131,340 2002 127 Nepal 130,000 1997 128 Niger 125,000 1997 129 Tanzania 103,000 1997 130 Afghanistan 100,000 1999 131 Iceland 98,000 1997 132 Mauritania 98,000 2001 133 Cambodia 94,000 1997 134 Fiji 88,110 1999 135 Guinea 85,000 1997 136 Barbados 76,000 1997 137 Togo 73,000 1997 138 Liberia 70,000 1997 139 Netherlands Antilles 69,000 1997 140 Virgin Islands 68,000 1997 141 Mozambique 67,600 2000 142 Bahamas, The 67,000 1997 143 Bermuda 66,000 1997 144 Benin 66,000 2000 145 Gabon 63,000 1997 146 Suriname 63,000 1997 147 Namibia 60,000 1997 148 Papua New Guinea 59,841 1999 149 Sierra Leone 53,000 1997 150 Cyprus 52,300 NA 151 Laos 52,000 1997 152 New Caledonia 52,000 1997 153 Macau 49,000 1997 154 Guyana 46,000 1997 155 Mali 45,000 1997 156 Belize 41,000 1997 157 French Polynesia 40,000 1997 158 Haiti 38,000 1997 159 Congo, Republic of the 33,000 1997 160 Grenada 33,000 1997 161 Saint Lucia 32,000 1997 162 Antigua and Barbuda 31,000 1997 163 Botswana 31,000 1997 164 Greenland 30,000 1998 est. 165 Djibouti 28,000 1997 166 Isle of Man 27,490 1999 167 Andorra 27,000 1997 168 Burundi 25,000 1997 169 Monaco 25,000 1997 170 Sao Tome and Principe 23,000 1997 171 Swaziland 23,000 2000 172 Aruba 20,000 1997 173 Central African Republic 18,000 1997 174 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 18,000 1997 175 Cape Verde 15,000 2002 est. 176 Faroe Islands 15,000 1997 177 American Samoa 14,000 1997 178 Liechtenstein 12,000 1997 179 Bhutan 11,000 1997 180 Palau 11,000 1997 181 Seychelles 11,000 1997 182 Chad 10,000 1997 183 Gibraltar 10,000 1997 184 Saint Kitts and Nevis 10,000 1997 185 Maldives 10,000 1999 186 San Marino 9,000 1997 187 Samoa 8,634 1999 188 Cayman Islands 7,000 1997 189 Dominica 6,000 1997 190 Western Sahara 6,000 1997 191 Gambia, The 5,000 2000 192 Cook Islands 4,000 1997 193 Equatorial Guinea 4,000 1997 194 British Virgin Islands 4,000 1997 195 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 4,000 1997 196 Mayotte 3,500 1994 197 Solomon Islands 3,000 1997 198 Montserrat 3,000 1997 199 Micronesia, Federated States of 2,800 1999 200 Vanuatu 2,300 1999 201 Saint Helena 2,000 1997 202 Tonga 2,000 1997 203 Norfolk Island 1,200 1996 204 Anguilla 1,000 1997 205 Kiribati 1,000 1997 206 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 1,000 1997 207 Eritrea 1,000 1997 208 Comoros 1,000 1997 209 Tuvalu 800 NA 210 Christmas Island 600 1997 211 Nauru 500 1997 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2018 Country Comparison :: Sex ratio This entry includes the number of males for each female in five age groups - at birth, under 15 years, 15-64 years, 65 years and over, and for the total population. Sex ratio at birth has recently emerged as an indicator of certain kinds of sex discrimination in some countries. For instance, high sex ratios at birth in some Asian countries are now attributed to sex-selective abortion and infanticide due to a strong preference for sons. This will affect future marriage patterns and fertility patterns. Eventually, it could cause unrest among young adult males who are unable to find partners. Rank country (male(s)/female) Date of Information 1 United Arab Emirates 2.74 2009 est. 2 Qatar 2.46 2009 est. 3 United Arab Emirates 2.19 2009 est. 4 Qatar 2.00 2009 est. 5 Montserrat 1.95 2009 est. 6 United Arab Emirates 1.82 2009 est. 7 Kuwait 1.78 2009 est. 8 Kuwait 1.66 2009 est. 9 Maldives 1.62 2009 est. 10 Kuwait 1.54 2009 est. 11 Maldives 1.44 2009 est. 12 Oman 1.38 2009 est. 13 Qatar 1.38 2009 est. 14 Bahrain 1.34 2009 est. 15 Oman 1.32 2009 est. 16 Saudi Arabia 1.29 2009 est. 17 Palau 1.26 2009 est. 18 Bahrain 1.24 2009 est. 19 Oman 1.22 2009 est. 20 Saint Barthelemy 1.19 2009 est. 21 Saudi Arabia 1.18 2009 est. 22 Greenland 1.16 2009 est. 23 Mayotte 1.16 2009 est. 24 Armenia 1.15 2009 est. 25 Faroe Islands 1.15 2009 est. 26 Georgia 1.15 2009 est. 27 Jordan 1.15 2009 est. 28 Armenia 1.14 2009 est. 29 Palau 1.14 2009 est. 30 Saint Barthelemy 1.14 2009 est. 31 Macau 1.14 2009 est. 32 Azerbaijan 1.13 2009 est. 33 Georgia 1.13 2009 est. 34 Cook Islands 1.13 2009 est. 35 Bhutan 1.13 2009 est. 36 China 1.13 2009 est. 37 Azerbaijan 1.12 2009 est. 38 India 1.12 2009 est. 39 Greenland 1.12 2009 est. 40 Bhutan 1.12 2009 est. 41 Bahrain 1.12 2009 est. 42 Grenada 1.12 2009 est. 43 Wallis and Futuna 1.11 2009 est. 44 Albania 1.10 2009 est. 45 Albania 1.10 2009 est. 46 Samoa 1.10 2009 est. 47 Turks and Caicos Islands 1.10 2009 est. 48 Korea, South 1.10 2009 est. 49 Jordan 1.10 2009 est. 50 India 1.10 2009 est. 51 Northern Mariana Islands 1.10 2009 est. 52 China 1.10 2009 est. 53 Bhutan 1.10 2009 est. 54 Andorra 1.09 2009 est. 55 Faroe Islands 1.09 2009 est. 56 Hong Kong 1.09 2009 est. 57 Taiwan 1.09 2009 est. 58 San Marino 1.09 2009 est. 59 Portugal 1.09 2009 est. 60 Kosovo 1.09 2009 est. 61 Kosovo 1.09 2009 est. 62 Kosovo 1.09 2009 est. 63 Northern Mariana Islands 1.08 2009 est. 64 French Polynesia 1.08 2009 est. 65 Mayotte 1.08 2009 est. 66 Montenegro 1.08 2009 est. 67 Macedonia 1.08 2009 est. 68 Vietnam 1.08 2009 est. 69 Taiwan 1.08 2009 est. 70 Switzerland 1.08 2009 est. 71 Singapore 1.08 2009 est. 72 Singapore 1.08 2009 est. 73 San Marino 1.08 2009 est. 74 Seychelles 1.08 2009 est. 75 Macedonia 1.08 2009 est. 76 Montenegro 1.08 2009 est. 77 Montserrat 1.08 2009 est. 78 Hong Kong 1.08 2009 est. 79 Jersey 1.08 2009 est. 80 Jersey 1.08 2009 est. 81 Grenada 1.08 2009 est. 82 Andorra 1.07 2009 est. 83 Ireland 1.07 2009 est. 84 Vietnam 1.07 2009 est. 85 Tunisia 1.07 2009 est. 86 Tunisia 1.07 2009 est. 87 Turks and Caicos Islands 1.07 2009 est. 88 Sudan 1.07 2009 est. 89 Spain 1.07 2009 est. 90 Slovenia 1.07 2009 est. 91 Serbia 1.07 2009 est. 92 Serbia 1.07 2009 est. 93 Portugal 1.07 2009 est. 94 Suriname 1.07 2009 est. 95 Malaysia 1.07 2009 est. 96 Luxembourg 1.07 2009 est. 97 Korea, South 1.07 2009 est. 98 Italy 1.07 2009 est. 99 Faroe Islands 1.07 2009 est. 100 Faroe Islands 1.07 2009 est. 101 Ireland 1.07 2009 est. 102 Djibouti 1.07 2009 est. 103 Bosnia and Herzegovina 1.07 2009 est. 104 Bosnia and Herzegovina 1.07 2009 est. 105 Cook Islands 1.07 2009 est. 106 Andorra 1.07 2009 est. 107 Andorra 1.06 2009 est. 108 Belarus 1.06 2009 est. 109 Samoa 1.06 2009 est. 110 West Bank 1.06 2009 est. 111 Virgin Islands 1.06 2009 est. 112 British Virgin Islands 1.06 2009 est. 113 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1.06 2009 est. 114 Uzbekistan 1.06 2009 est. 115 Ukraine 1.06 2009 est. 116 Ukraine 1.06 2009 est. 117 Saint Barthelemy 1.06 2009 est. 118 Syria 1.06 2009 est. 119 Syria 1.06 2009 est. 120 Sweden 1.06 2009 est. 121 Sweden 1.06 2009 est. 122 Saint Lucia 1.06 2009 est. 123 Spain 1.06 2009 est. 124 Slovenia 1.06 2009 est. 125 Saint Kitts and Nevis 1.06 2009 est. 126 Saudi Arabia 1.06 2009 est. 127 Russia 1.06 2009 est. 128 Romania 1.06 2009 est. 129 Qatar 1.06 2009 est. 130 Qatar 1.06 2009 est. 131 Poland 1.06 2009 est. 132 Pakistan 1.06 2009 est. 133 Nigeria 1.06 2009 est. 134 Vanuatu 1.06 2009 est. 135 Malaysia 1.06 2009 est. 136 Malta 1.06 2009 est. 137 Malta 1.06 2009 est. 138 Monaco 1.06 2009 est. 139 Gaza Strip 1.06 2009 est. 140 Palau 1.06 2009 est. 141 Palau 1.06 2009 est. 142 Papua New Guinea 1.06 2009 est. 143 Poland 1.06 2009 est. 144 Greece 1.06 2009 est. 145 Greece 1.06 2009 est. 146 Germany 1.06 2009 est. 147 Czech Republic 1.06 2009 est. 148 Czech Republic 1.06 2009 est. 149 Estonia 1.06 2009 est. 150 Estonia 1.06 2009 est. 151 Cook Islands 1.06 2009 est. 152 Moldova 1.06 2009 est. 153 Moldova 1.06 2009 est. 154 Libya 1.06 2009 est. 155 Luxembourg 1.06 2009 est. 156 Lithuania 1.06 2009 est. 157 Kazakhstan 1.06 2009 est. 158 Kosovo 1.06 2009 est. 159 Korea, North 1.06 2009 est. 160 Jordan 1.06 2009 est. 161 Japan 1.06 2009 est. 162 Japan 1.06 2009 est. 163 Italy 1.06 2009 est. 164 India 1.06 2009 est. 165 India 1.06 2009 est. 166 Hungary 1.06 2009 est. 167 Hungary 1.06 2009 est. 168 Croatia 1.06 2009 est. 169 Gaza Strip 1.06 2009 est. 170 Cuba 1.06 2009 est. 171 Cuba 1.06 2009 est. 172 Northern Mariana Islands 1.06 2009 est. 173 China 1.06 2009 est. 174 China 1.06 2009 est. 175 Canada 1.06 2009 est. 176 Brunei 1.06 2009 est. 177 Bulgaria 1.06 2009 est. 178 French Polynesia 1.06 2009 est. 179 European Union 1.06 2009 est. 180 European Union 1.06 2009 est. 181 Denmark 1.06 2009 est. 182 Belarus 1.06 2009 est. 183 Burma 1.06 2009 est. 184 Australia 1.06 2009 est. 185 American Samoa 1.06 2009 est. 186 Antigua and Barbuda 1.05 2009 est. 187 Afghanistan 1.05 2009 est. 188 Afghanistan 1.05 2009 est. 189 Afghanistan 1.05 2009 est. 190 Bulgaria 1.05 2009 est. 191 Bhutan 1.05 2009 est. 192 Brazil 1.05 2009 est. 193 Anguilla 1.05 2009 est. 194 Austria 1.05 2009 est. 195 Austria 1.05 2009 est. 196 Australia 1.05 2009 est. 197 Argentina 1.05 2009 est. 198 Argentina 1.05 2009 est. 199 Angola 1.05 2009 est. 200 Albania 1.05 2009 est. 201 Algeria 1.05 2009 est. 202 Afghanistan 1.05 2009 est. 203 United Arab Emirates 1.05 2009 est. 204 United Arab Emirates 1.05 2009 est. 205 Cook Islands 1.05 2009 est. 206 Costa Rica 1.05 2009 est. 207 Chile 1.05 2009 est. 208 Chile 1.05 2009 est. 209 Canada 1.05 2009 est. 210 Brunei 1.05 2009 est. 211 Solomon Islands 1.05 2009 est. 212 Benin 1.05 2009 est. 213 Bolivia 1.05 2009 est. 214 Belize 1.05 2009 est. 215 Yemen 1.05 2009 est. 216 Samoa 1.05 2009 est. 217 Wallis and Futuna 1.05 2009 est. 218 West Bank 1.05 2009 est. 219 West Bank 1.05 2009 est. 220 British Virgin Islands 1.05 2009 est. 221 British Virgin Islands 1.05 2009 est. 222 British Virgin Islands 1.05 2009 est. 223 Venezuela 1.05 2009 est. 224 Uzbekistan 1.05 2009 est. 225 United States 1.05 2009 est. 226 United Kingdom 1.05 2009 est. 227 United Kingdom 1.05 2009 est. 228 Turkmenistan 1.05 2009 est. 229 Tuvalu 1.05 2009 est. 230 Turkey 1.05 2009 est. 231 Turkey 1.05 2009 est. 232 Timor-Leste 1.05 2009 est. 233 Tonga 1.05 2009 est. 234 Turks and Caicos Islands 1.05 2009 est. 235 Tajikistan 1.05 2009 est. 236 Thailand 1.05 2009 est. 237 Thailand 1.05 2009 est. 238 Trinidad and Tobago 1.05 2009 est. 239 Trinidad and Tobago 1.05 2009 est. 240 Saint Barthelemy 1.05 2009 est. 241 Switzerland 1.05 2009 est. 242 Syria 1.05 2009 est. 243 Syria 1.05 2009 est. 244 Sudan 1.05 2009 est. 245 Saint Lucia 1.05 2009 est. 246 Saint Helena 1.05 2009 est. 247 Seychelles 1.05 2009 est. 248 Saint Kitts and Nevis 1.05 2009 est. 249 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 1.05 2009 est. 250 Saudi Arabia 1.05 2009 est. 251 Russia 1.05 2009 est. 252 Puerto Rico 1.05 2009 est. 253 Puerto Rico 1.05 2009 est. 254 Philippines 1.05 2009 est. 255 Romania 1.05 2009 est. 256 Marshall Islands 1.05 2009 est. 257 Marshall Islands 1.05 2009 est. 258 Papua New Guinea 1.05 2009 est. 259 Pakistan 1.05 2009 est. 260 Pakistan 1.05 2009 est. 261 Peru 1.05 2009 est. 262 Paraguay 1.05 2009 est. 263 New Zealand 1.05 2009 est. 264 New Zealand 1.05 2009 est. 265 Nicaragua 1.05 2009 est. 266 Netherlands Antilles 1.05 2009 est. 267 Netherlands Antilles 1.05 2009 est. 268 Nauru 1.05 2009 est. 269 Norway 1.05 2009 est. 270 Norway 1.05 2009 est. 271 Netherlands 1.05 2009 est. 272 Netherlands 1.05 2009 est. 273 Nigeria 1.05 2009 est. 274 Vanuatu 1.05 2009 est. 275 New Caledonia 1.05 2009 est. 276 Mexico 1.05 2009 est. 277 Maldives 1.05 2009 est. 278 Oman 1.05 2009 est. 279 Mauritius 1.05 2009 est. 280 Morocco 1.05 2009 est. 281 Monaco 1.05 2009 est. 282 Mongolia 1.05 2009 est. 283 Macau 1.05 2009 est. 284 Libya 1.05 2009 est. 285 Libya 1.05 2009 est. 286 Slovakia 1.05 2009 est. 287 Slovakia 1.05 2009 est. 288 Lithuania 1.05 2009 est. 289 Latvia 1.05 2009 est. 290 Latvia 1.05 2009 est. 291 Lebanon 1.05 2009 est. 292 Laos 1.05 2009 est. 293 Kiribati 1.05 2009 est. 294 Kyrgyzstan 1.05 2009 est. 295 Jamaica 1.05 2009 est. 296 Iraq 1.05 2009 est. 297 Israel 1.05 2009 est. 298 Israel 1.05 2009 est. 299 Iran 1.05 2009 est. 300 Iran 1.05 2009 est. 301 Isle of Man 1.05 2009 est. 302 Isle of Man 1.05 2009 est. 303 Indonesia 1.05 2009 est. 304 Croatia 1.05 2009 est. 305 Honduras 1.05 2009 est. 306 Gaza Strip 1.05 2009 est. 307 Guyana 1.05 2009 est. 308 Guatemala 1.05 2009 est. 309 Germany 1.05 2009 est. 310 Greenland 1.05 2009 est. 311 Gibraltar 1.05 2009 est. 312 Gibraltar 1.05 2009 est. 313 France 1.05 2009 est. 314 France 1.05 2009 est. 315 French Polynesia 1.05 2009 est. 316 Egypt 1.05 2009 est. 317 Egypt 1.05 2009 est. 318 Ecuador 1.05 2009 est. 319 Dominica 1.05 2009 est. 320 Dominica 1.05 2009 est. 321 Dominica 1.05 2009 est. 322 Denmark 1.05 2009 est. 323 Cyprus 1.05 2009 est. 324 Costa Rica 1.05 2009 est. 325 Micronesia, Federated States of 1.05 2009 est. 326 Fiji 1.05 2009 est. 327 El Salvador 1.05 2009 est. 328 Algeria 1.04 2009 est. 329 Albania 1.04 2009 est. 330 Belgium 1.04 2009 est. 331 Belgium 1.04 2009 est. 332 Botswana 1.04 2009 est. 333 American Samoa 1.04 2009 est. 334 Bangladesh 1.04 2009 est. 335 Belize 1.04 2009 est. 336 Kazakhstan 1.04 2009 est. 337 Kuwait 1.04 2009 est. 338 Iceland 1.04 2009 est. 339 Honduras 1.04 2009 est. 340 Gaza Strip 1.04 2009 est. 341 Guyana 1.04 2009 est. 342 Germany 1.04 2009 est. 343 French Polynesia 1.04 2009 est. 344 Ecuador 1.04 2009 est. 345 Dominican Republic 1.04 2009 est. 346 Dominican Republic 1.04 2009 est. 347 Dominican Republic 1.04 2009 est. 348 Djibouti 1.04 2009 est. 349 Cyprus 1.04 2009 est. 350 Sri Lanka 1.04 2009 est. 351 Sri Lanka 1.04 2009 est. 352 Chad 1.04 2009 est. 353 Yemen 1.04 2009 est. 354 Samoa 1.04 2009 est. 355 Western Sahara 1.04 2009 est. 356 West Bank 1.04 2009 est. 357 Uruguay 1.04 2009 est. 358 United States 1.04 2009 est. 359 Tuvalu 1.04 2009 est. 360 Timor-Leste 1.04 2009 est. 361 Tonga 1.04 2009 est. 362 Turks and Caicos Islands 1.04 2009 est. 363 Tajikistan 1.04 2009 est. 364 Sudan 1.04 2009 est. 365 Saint Helena 1.04 2009 est. 366 Saint Helena 1.04 2009 est. 367 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 1.04 2009 est. 368 Saudi Arabia 1.04 2009 est. 369 Philippines 1.04 2009 est. 370 Saint Martin 1.04 2009 est. 371 Marshall Islands 1.04 2009 est. 372 Marshall Islands 1.04 2009 est. 373 Papua New Guinea 1.04 2009 est. 374 Panama 1.04 2009 est. 375 Panama 1.04 2009 est. 376 Pakistan 1.04 2009 est. 377 Peru 1.04 2009 est. 378 Nicaragua 1.04 2009 est. 379 Suriname 1.04 2009 est. 380 Nauru 1.04 2009 est. 381 Nauru 1.04 2009 est. 382 Nepal 1.04 2009 est. 383 Nepal 1.04 2009 est. 384 Nigeria 1.04 2009 est. 385 Nigeria 1.04 2009 est. 386 Vanuatu 1.04 2009 est. 387 Vanuatu 1.04 2009 est. 388 Vanuatu 1.04 2009 est. 389 New Caledonia 1.04 2009 est. 390 Mexico 1.04 2009 est. 391 Maldives 1.04 2009 est. 392 Oman 1.04 2009 est. 393 Morocco 1.04 2009 est. 394 Mongolia 1.04 2009 est. 395 Mayotte 1.04 2009 est. 396 Kuwait 1.04 2009 est. 397 Korea, South 1.04 2009 est. 398 Kyrgyzstan 1.04 2009 est. 399 Jordan 1.04 2009 est. 400 Cote d'Ivoire 1.04 2009 est. 401 Fiji 1.04 2009 est. 402 Finland 1.04 2009 est. 403 Finland 1.04 2009 est. 404 El Salvador 1.04 2009 est. 405 Libya 1.04 2009 est. 406 Lebanon 1.04 2009 est. 407 Cambodia 1.04 2009 est. 408 Bhutan 1.04 2009 est. 409 Brazil 1.04 2009 est. 410 Solomon Islands 1.04 2009 est. 411 Benin 1.04 2009 est. 412 Bolivia 1.04 2009 est. 413 Antigua and Barbuda 1.03 2009 est. 414 Botswana 1.03 2009 est. 415 Kiribati 1.03 2009 est. 416 Korea, North 1.03 2009 est. 417 Jamaica 1.03 2009 est. 418 Iraq 1.03 2009 est. 419 Iraq 1.03 2009 est. 420 Cote d'Ivoire 1.03 2009 est. 421 Cote d'Ivoire 1.03 2009 est. 422 Italy 1.03 2009 est. 423 Israel 1.03 2009 est. 424 Indonesia 1.03 2009 est. 425 Iceland 1.03 2009 est. 426 Tanzania 1.03 2009 est. 427 Timor-Leste 1.03 2009 est. 428 Timor-Leste 1.03 2009 est. 429 Sao Tome and Principe 1.03 2009 est. 430 Sao Tome and Principe 1.03 2009 est. 431 Togo 1.03 2009 est. 432 Trinidad and Tobago 1.03 2009 est. 433 Sweden 1.03 2009 est. 434 Sudan 1.03 2009 est. 435 Zimbabwe 1.03 2009 est. 436 Zambia 1.03 2009 est. 437 Yemen 1.03 2009 est. 438 Yemen 1.03 2009 est. 439 Swaziland 1.03 2009 est. 440 Western Sahara 1.03 2009 est. 441 Namibia 1.03 2009 est. 442 Virgin Islands 1.03 2009 est. 443 British Virgin Islands 1.03 2009 est. 444 Venezuela 1.03 2009 est. 445 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1.03 2009 est. 446 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1.03 2009 est. 447 Uruguay 1.03 2009 est. 448 Burkina Faso 1.03 2009 est. 449 United Kingdom 1.03 2009 est. 450 Uganda 1.03 2009 est. 451 Somalia 1.03 2009 est. 452 Sierra Leone 1.03 2009 est. 453 Saint Helena 1.03 2009 est. 454 Senegal 1.03 2009 est. 455 Seychelles 1.03 2009 est. 456 Seychelles 1.03 2009 est. 457 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 1.03 2009 est. 458 Rwanda 1.03 2009 est. 459 Haiti 1.03 2009 est. 460 Guinea 1.03 2009 est. 461 Guatemala 1.03 2009 est. 462 Greenland 1.03 2009 est. 463 Guernsey 1.03 2009 est. 464 Guernsey 1.03 2009 est. 465 Gibraltar 1.03 2009 est. 466 Ghana 1.03 2009 est. 467 Guinea-Bissau 1.03 2009 est. 468 Papua New Guinea 1.03 2009 est. 469 Paraguay 1.03 2009 est. 470 Norway 1.03 2009 est. 471 Niger 1.03 2009 est. 472 Malta 1.03 2009 est. 473 Mauritania 1.03 2009 est. 474 Mauritius 1.03 2009 est. 475 Mali 1.03 2009 est. 476 Montserrat 1.03 2009 est. 477 Mayotte 1.03 2009 est. 478 Madagascar 1.03 2009 est. 479 Gabon 1.03 2009 est. 480 Gambia, The 1.03 2009 est. 481 Micronesia, Federated States of 1.03 2009 est. 482 Ethiopia 1.03 2009 est. 483 Eritrea 1.03 2009 est. 484 Equatorial Guinea 1.03 2009 est. 485 Equatorial Guinea 1.03 2009 est. 486 Cyprus 1.03 2009 est. 487 Lesotho 1.03 2009 est. 488 Liberia 1.03 2009 est. 489 Cape Verde 1.03 2009 est. 490 Central African Republic 1.03 2009 est. 491 Colombia 1.03 2009 est. 492 Comoros 1.03 2009 est. 493 Cameroon 1.03 2009 est. 494 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 1.03 2009 est. 495 Congo, Republic of the 1.03 2009 est. 496 Chad 1.03 2009 est. 497 Dominican Republic 1.03 2009 est. 498 Djibouti 1.03 2009 est. 499 Burundi 1.03 2009 est. 500 Bahrain 1.03 2009 est. 501 Burma 1.03 2009 est. 502 Angola 1.03 2009 est. 503 Belize 1.03 2009 est. 504 Australia 1.03 2009 est. 505 American Samoa 1.03 2009 est. 506 Aruba 1.02 2009 est. 507 Cambodia 1.02 2009 est. 508 Canada 1.02 2009 est. 509 Bahamas, The 1.02 2009 est. 510 Belgium 1.02 2009 est. 511 Bermuda 1.02 2009 est. 512 Bermuda 1.02 2009 est. 513 Bahrain 1.02 2009 est. 514 Anguilla 1.02 2009 est. 515 American Samoa 1.02 2009 est. 516 Angola 1.02 2009 est. 517 Angola 1.02 2009 est. 518 Zimbabwe 1.02 2009 est. 519 Swaziland 1.02 2009 est. 520 Namibia 1.02 2009 est. 521 Namibia 1.02 2009 est. 522 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1.02 2009 est. 523 Turkmenistan 1.02 2009 est. 524 Taiwan 1.02 2009 est. 525 Taiwan 1.02 2009 est. 526 Turkey 1.02 2009 est. 527 Turkey 1.02 2009 est. 528 Trinidad and Tobago 1.02 2009 est. 529 Switzerland 1.02 2009 est. 530 Slovenia 1.02 2009 est. 531 South Africa 1.02 2009 est. 532 South Africa 1.02 2009 est. 533 Panama 1.02 2009 est. 534 Panama 1.02 2009 est. 535 Netherlands 1.02 2009 est. 536 Niger 1.02 2009 est. 537 Mozambique 1.02 2009 est. 538 Mali 1.02 2009 est. 539 Macedonia 1.02 2009 est. 540 Malawi 1.02 2009 est. 541 Luxembourg 1.02 2009 est. 542 Kenya 1.02 2009 est. 543 Japan 1.02 2009 est. 544 Iraq 1.02 2009 est. 545 Cote d'Ivoire 1.02 2009 est. 546 Iran 1.02 2009 est. 547 Iran 1.02 2009 est. 548 Iceland 1.02 2009 est. 549 Haiti 1.02 2009 est. 550 Guyana 1.02 2009 est. 551 Guinea 1.02 2009 est. 552 Ghana 1.02 2009 est. 553 French Polynesia 1.02 2009 est. 554 Finland 1.02 2009 est. 555 Egypt 1.02 2009 est. 556 Egypt 1.02 2009 est. 557 Dominica 1.02 2009 est. 558 Costa Rica 1.02 2009 est. 559 Costa Rica 1.02 2009 est. 560 Colombia 1.02 2009 est. 561 Cameroon 1.02 2009 est. 562 Cayman Islands 1.02 2009 est. 563 Solomon Islands 1.02 2009 est. 564 Solomon Islands 1.02 2009 est. 565 Bosnia and Herzegovina 1.02 2009 est. 566 Belize 1.02 2009 est. 567 Algeria 1.02 2009 est. 568 Aruba 1.02 2009 est. 569 Algeria 1.01 2009 est. 570 Congo, Republic of the 1.01 2009 est. 571 Djibouti 1.01 2009 est. 572 Denmark 1.01 2009 est. 573 Cape Verde 1.01 2009 est. 574 Central African Republic 1.01 2009 est. 575 Comoros 1.01 2009 est. 576 Cameroon 1.01 2009 est. 577 Cameroon 1.01 2009 est. 578 Cayman Islands 1.01 2009 est. 579 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 1.01 2009 est. 580 Zambia 1.01 2009 est. 581 Wallis and Futuna 1.01 2009 est. 582 Namibia 1.01 2009 est. 583 Burkina Faso 1.01 2009 est. 584 Uganda 1.01 2009 est. 585 Uganda 1.01 2009 est. 586 Tunisia 1.01 2009 est. 587 Tunisia 1.01 2009 est. 588 Togo 1.01 2009 est. 589 Sudan 1.01 2009 est. 590 Spain 1.01 2009 est. 591 Paraguay 1.01 2009 est. 592 Paraguay 1.01 2009 est. 593 New Caledonia 1.01 2009 est. 594 New Caledonia 1.01 2009 est. 595 Mozambique 1.01 2009 est. 596 Malaysia 1.01 2009 est. 597 Malaysia 1.01 2009 est. 598 Mauritania 1.01 2009 est. 599 Lesotho 1.01 2009 est. 600 Senegal 1.01 2009 est. 601 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 1.01 2009 est. 602 Rwanda 1.01 2009 est. 603 Peru 1.01 2009 est. 604 Peru 1.01 2009 est. 605 Liechtenstein 1.01 2009 est. 606 Laos 1.01 2009 est. 607 Kenya 1.01 2009 est. 608 Kenya 1.01 2009 est. 609 Isle of Man 1.01 2009 est. 610 Indonesia 1.01 2009 est. 611 Honduras 1.01 2009 est. 612 Guyana 1.01 2009 est. 613 Malawi 1.01 2009 est. 614 Montserrat 1.01 2009 est. 615 Mayotte 1.01 2009 est. 616 Madagascar 1.01 2009 est. 617 Greenland 1.01 2009 est. 618 Grenada 1.01 2009 est. 619 Gabon 1.01 2009 est. 620 Gambia, The 1.01 2009 est. 621 Fiji 1.01 2009 est. 622 Czech Republic 1.01 2009 est. 623 Eritrea 1.01 2009 est. 624 Djibouti 1.01 2009 est. 625 Burundi 1.01 2009 est. 626 Barbados 1.01 2009 est. 627 Bangladesh 1.01 2009 est. 628 Botswana 1.01 2009 est. 629 Brunei 1.01 2009 est. 630 Austria 1.01 2009 est. 631 Argentina 1.00 2009 est. 632 Australia 1.00 2009 est. 633 Gambia, The 1.00 2009 est. 634 France 1.00 2009 est. 635 Micronesia, Federated States of 1.00 2009 est. 636 Fiji 1.00 2009 est. 637 Ethiopia 1.00 2009 est. 638 Ireland 1.00 2009 est. 639 European Union 1.00 2009 est. 640 Cyprus 1.00 2009 est. 641 Cuba 1.00 2009 est. 642 Jersey 1.00 2009 est. 643 Cote d'Ivoire 1.00 2009 est. 644 Israel 1.00 2009 est. 645 Indonesia 1.00 2009 est. 646 Iceland 1.00 2009 est. 647 Honduras 1.00 2009 est. 648 Guinea 1.00 2009 est. 649 Guinea 1.00 2009 est. 650 Greece 1.00 2009 est. 651 Grenada 1.00 2009 est. 652 Gibraltar 1.00 2009 est. 653 Ghana 1.00 2009 est. 654 Ghana 1.00 2009 est. 655 Gabon 1.00 2009 est. 656 Gambia, The 1.00 2009 est. 657 Zambia 1.00 2009 est. 658 Zambia 1.00 2009 est. 659 Wallis and Futuna 1.00 2009 est. 660 United States 1.00 2009 est. 661 Uganda 1.00 2009 est. 662 Tanzania 1.00 2009 est. 663 Somalia 1.00 2009 est. 664 Somalia 1.00 2009 est. 665 Somalia 1.00 2009 est. 666 South Africa 1.00 2009 est. 667 Saint Kitts and Nevis 1.00 2009 est. 668 Rwanda 1.00 2009 est. 669 Philippines 1.00 2009 est. 670 Philippines 1.00 2009 est. 671 Serbia 1.00 2009 est. 672 Guinea-Bissau 1.00 2009 est. 673 New Zealand 1.00 2009 est. 674 Nicaragua 1.00 2009 est. 675 Nicaragua 1.00 2009 est. 676 Nauru 1.00 2009 est. 677 Niger 1.00 2009 est. 678 Maldives 1.00 2009 est. 679 Morocco 1.00 2009 est. 680 Macedonia 1.00 2009 est. 681 Malawi 1.00 2009 est. 682 Malawi 1.00 2009 est. 683 Mongolia 1.00 2009 est. 684 Mongolia 1.00 2009 est. 685 Liberia 1.00 2009 est. 686 Korea, South 1.00 2009 est. 687 Kenya 1.00 2009 est. 688 Chile 1.00 2009 est. 689 Brunei 1.00 2009 est. 690 Benin 1.00 2009 est. 691 Bahamas, The 1.00 2009 est. 692 Botswana 1.00 2009 est. 693 Barbados 1.00 2009 est. 694 Benin 0.99 2009 est. 695 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 0.99 2009 est. 696 Uzbekistan 0.99 2009 est. 697 Uruguay 0.99 2009 est. 698 Burkina Faso 0.99 2009 est. 699 Burkina Faso 0.99 2009 est. 700 Tonga 0.99 2009 est. 701 Tonga 0.99 2009 est. 702 Tajikistan 0.99 2009 est. 703 Saint Barthelemy 0.99 2009 est. 704 Liberia 0.99 2009 est. 705 Western Sahara 0.99 2009 est. 706 Vietnam 0.99 2009 est. 707 Uzbekistan 0.99 2009 est. 708 Kiribati 0.99 2009 est. 709 Croatia 0.99 2009 est. 710 Gabon 0.99 2009 est. 711 Micronesia, Federated States of 0.99 2009 est. 712 Ireland 0.99 2009 est. 713 Ecuador 0.99 2009 est. 714 Cuba 0.99 2009 est. 715 Central African Republic 0.99 2009 est. 716 Senegal 0.99 2009 est. 717 South Africa 0.99 2009 est. 718 Saint Kitts and Nevis 0.99 2009 est. 719 Rwanda 0.99 2009 est. 720 Romania 0.99 2009 est. 721 Saint Martin 0.99 2009 est. 722 Portugal 0.99 2009 est. 723 Poland 0.99 2009 est. 724 New Zealand 0.99 2009 est. 725 Suriname 0.99 2009 est. 726 Suriname 0.99 2009 est. 727 Niger 0.99 2009 est. 728 Malta 0.99 2009 est. 729 Mauritius 0.99 2009 est. 730 Morocco 0.99 2009 est. 731 Mali 0.99 2009 est. 732 Mali 0.99 2009 est. 733 Montenegro 0.99 2009 est. 734 Madagascar 0.99 2009 est. 735 Madagascar 0.99 2009 est. 736 Liechtenstein 0.99 2009 est. 737 Slovakia 0.99 2009 est. 738 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 0.99 2009 est. 739 Congo, Republic of the 0.99 2009 est. 740 Burundi 0.99 2009 est. 741 Burundi 0.99 2009 est. 742 Congo, Republic of the 0.99 2009 est. 743 Andorra 0.98 2009 est. 744 Bolivia 0.98 2009 est. 745 Burma 0.98 2009 est. 746 Vietnam 0.98 2009 est. 747 Venezuela 0.98 2009 est. 748 United Kingdom 0.98 2009 est. 749 Tanzania 0.98 2009 est. 750 Turkmenistan 0.98 2009 est. 751 Turkmenistan 0.98 2009 est. 752 Sao Tome and Principe 0.98 2009 est. 753 Tajikistan 0.98 2009 est. 754 Thailand 0.98 2009 est. 755 Thailand 0.98 2009 est. 756 Sweden 0.98 2009 est. 757 Senegal 0.98 2009 est. 758 Monaco 0.98 2009 est. 759 Liechtenstein 0.98 2009 est. 760 Liberia 0.98 2009 est. 761 Laos 0.98 2009 est. 762 Laos 0.98 2009 est. 763 Kiribati 0.98 2009 est. 764 Korea, North 0.98 2009 est. 765 Jamaica 0.98 2009 est. 766 Haiti 0.98 2009 est. 767 Haiti 0.98 2009 est. 768 Guernsey 0.98 2009 est. 769 Gambia, The 0.98 2009 est. 770 Eritrea 0.98 2009 est. 771 Equatorial Guinea 0.98 2009 est. 772 Denmark 0.98 2009 est. 773 Central African Republic 0.98 2009 est. 774 Norway 0.98 2009 est. 775 Netherlands 0.98 2009 est. 776 Comoros 0.98 2009 est. 777 Comoros 0.98 2009 est. 778 Chile 0.98 2009 est. 779 Canada 0.98 2009 est. 780 Brazil 0.98 2009 est. 781 Brazil 0.98 2009 est. 782 Burma 0.98 2009 est. 783 Azerbaijan 0.97 2009 est. 784 Luxembourg 0.97 2009 est. 785 Jamaica 0.97 2009 est. 786 Jersey 0.97 2009 est. 787 Hungary 0.97 2009 est. 788 Guatemala 0.97 2009 est. 789 Germany 0.97 2009 est. 790 Grenada 0.97 2009 est. 791 Ethiopia 0.97 2009 est. 792 Ecuador 0.97 2009 est. 793 Cook Islands 0.97 2009 est. 794 Cape Verde 0.97 2009 est. 795 Western Sahara 0.97 2009 est. 796 Venezuela 0.97 2009 est. 797 United States 0.97 2009 est. 798 Tanzania 0.97 2009 est. 799 Togo 0.97 2009 est. 800 Switzerland 0.97 2009 est. 801 Nauru 0.97 2009 est. 802 Mozambique 0.97 2009 est. 803 Mauritius 0.97 2009 est. 804 Bosnia and Herzegovina 0.97 2009 est. 805 Sri Lanka 0.97 2009 est. 806 Bulgaria 0.97 2009 est. 807 Bahamas, The 0.97 2009 est. 808 Barbados 0.97 2009 est. 809 Bermuda 0.97 2009 est. 810 Argentina 0.97 2009 est. 811 Azerbaijan 0.96 2009 est. 812 Sierra Leone 0.96 2009 est. 813 Nepal 0.96 2009 est. 814 Mozambique 0.96 2009 est. 815 Mexico 0.96 2009 est. 816 Montenegro 0.96 2009 est. 817 Libya 0.96 2009 est. 818 Lesotho 0.96 2009 est. 819 Lesotho 0.96 2009 est. 820 Lithuania 0.96 2009 est. 821 Kyrgyzstan 0.96 2009 est. 822 Kyrgyzstan 0.96 2009 est. 823 Tuvalu 0.96 2009 est. 824 Tuvalu 0.96 2009 est. 825 Togo 0.96 2009 est. 826 Saint Lucia 0.96 2009 est. 827 Spain 0.96 2009 est. 828 Italy 0.96 2009 est. 829 Isle of Man 0.96 2009 est. 830 Greece 0.96 2009 est. 831 France 0.96 2009 est. 832 Finland 0.96 2009 est. 833 Ethiopia 0.96 2009 est. 834 Eritrea 0.96 2009 est. 835 Equatorial Guinea 0.96 2009 est. 836 Colombia 0.96 2009 est. 837 Cayman Islands 0.96 2009 est. 838 Sri Lanka 0.96 2009 est. 839 Cambodia 0.96 2009 est. 840 Bolivia 0.96 2009 est. 841 Bahamas, The 0.96 2009 est. 842 Belgium 0.96 2009 est. 843 Austria 0.95 2009 est. 844 Swaziland 0.95 2009 est. 845 Uruguay 0.95 2009 est. 846 Turks and Caicos Islands 0.95 2009 est. 847 Singapore 0.95 2009 est. 848 Singapore 0.95 2009 est. 849 Slovenia 0.95 2009 est. 850 Romania 0.95 2009 est. 851 Serbia 0.95 2009 est. 852 Guinea-Bissau 0.95 2009 est. 853 Portugal 0.95 2009 est. 854 Latvia 0.95 2009 est. 855 Lebanon 0.95 2009 est. 856 Kazakhstan 0.95 2009 est. 857 Korea, North 0.95 2009 est. 858 Japan 0.95 2009 est. 859 Hong Kong 0.95 2009 est. 860 Czech Republic 0.95 2009 est. 861 El Salvador 0.95 2009 est. 862 Cambodia 0.95 2009 est. 863 Colombia 0.95 2009 est. 864 Cayman Islands 0.95 2009 est. 865 Cape Verde 0.95 2009 est. 866 Anguilla 0.94 2009 est. 867 Bermuda 0.94 2009 est. 868 Bangladesh 0.94 2009 est. 869 Belarus 0.94 2009 est. 870 Sierra Leone 0.94 2009 est. 871 Marshall Islands 0.94 2009 est. 872 Poland 0.94 2009 est. 873 Nigeria 0.94 2009 est. 874 Mexico 0.94 2009 est. 875 Moldova 0.94 2009 est. 876 Liechtenstein 0.94 2009 est. 877 Slovakia 0.94 2009 est. 878 Liberia 0.94 2009 est. 879 Taiwan 0.94 2009 est. 880 Sao Tome and Principe 0.94 2009 est. 881 Saint Lucia 0.94 2009 est. 882 Hong Kong 0.94 2009 est. 883 Guatemala 0.94 2009 est. 884 Guernsey 0.94 2009 est. 885 Barbados 0.94 2009 est. 886 Afghanistan 0.93 2009 est. 887 Anguilla 0.93 2009 est. 888 Bangladesh 0.93 2009 est. 889 Brunei 0.93 2009 est. 890 Swaziland 0.93 2009 est. 891 Puerto Rico 0.93 2009 est. 892 Guinea-Bissau 0.93 2009 est. 893 Netherlands Antilles 0.93 2009 est. 894 Netherlands Antilles 0.93 2009 est. 895 Mauritania 0.93 2009 est. 896 Kazakhstan 0.93 2009 est. 897 Jordan 0.93 2009 est. 898 Croatia 0.93 2009 est. 899 Ecuador 0.93 2009 est. 900 Georgia 0.93 2009 est. 901 Aruba 0.92 2009 est. 902 Macau 0.92 2009 est. 903 Yemen 0.92 2009 est. 904 Ukraine 0.92 2009 est. 905 San Marino 0.92 2009 est. 906 Sierra Leone 0.92 2009 est. 907 Russia 0.92 2009 est. 908 Puerto Rico 0.92 2009 est. 909 Saint Martin 0.92 2009 est. 910 Nepal 0.92 2009 est. 911 Montserrat 0.92 2009 est. 912 Lebanon 0.92 2009 est. 913 Iran 0.92 2009 est. 914 Bulgaria 0.92 2009 est. 915 European Union 0.92 2009 est. 916 Chad 0.92 2009 est. 917 Belize 0.92 2009 est. 918 Antigua and Barbuda 0.91 2009 est. 919 Timor-Leste 0.91 2009 est. 920 San Marino 0.91 2009 est. 921 Saint Martin 0.91 2009 est. 922 Monaco 0.91 2009 est. 923 Moldova 0.91 2009 est. 924 Hungary 0.91 2009 est. 925 Georgia 0.91 2009 est. 926 El Salvador 0.91 2009 est. 927 Estonia 0.91 2009 est. 928 China 0.91 2009 est. 929 Anguilla 0.91 2009 est. 930 Aruba 0.90 2009 est. 931 Iraq 0.90 2009 est. 932 Zimbabwe 0.90 2009 est. 933 Virgin Islands 0.90 2009 est. 934 Saint Helena 0.90 2009 est. 935 Solomon Islands 0.90 2009 est. 936 India 0.90 2009 est. 937 Bangladesh 0.90 2009 est. 938 Armenia 0.89 2009 est. 939 Nepal 0.89 2009 est. 940 Syria 0.89 2009 est. 941 Peru 0.89 2009 est. 942 Mauritania 0.89 2009 est. 943 Faroe Islands 0.89 2009 est. 944 Lithuania 0.89 2009 est. 945 Cayman Islands 0.89 2009 est. 946 Armenia 0.88 2009 est. 947 Virgin Islands 0.88 2009 est. 948 Senegal 0.88 2009 est. 949 Pakistan 0.88 2009 est. 950 Macau 0.88 2009 est. 951 Macau 0.88 2009 est. 952 Hong Kong 0.88 2009 est. 953 American Samoa 0.88 2009 est. 954 Antigua and Barbuda 0.87 2009 est. 955 Albania 0.87 2009 est. 956 Belarus 0.87 2009 est. 957 Panama 0.87 2009 est. 958 Tunisia 0.87 2009 est. 959 Sri Lanka 0.87 2009 est. 960 Algeria 0.86 2009 est. 961 Latvia 0.86 2009 est. 962 Ukraine 0.86 2009 est. 963 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0.86 2009 est. 964 Russia 0.86 2009 est. 965 Papua New Guinea 0.86 2009 est. 966 Paraguay 0.86 2009 est. 967 New Caledonia 0.86 2009 est. 968 Guatemala 0.86 2009 est. 969 Costa Rica 0.86 2009 est. 970 Dominican Republic 0.86 2009 est. 971 Chad 0.85 2009 est. 972 Gibraltar 0.85 2009 est. 973 Cameroon 0.85 2009 est. 974 Ghana 0.85 2009 est. 975 Australia 0.84 2009 est. 976 Turkey 0.84 2009 est. 977 Sierra Leone 0.84 2009 est. 978 New Zealand 0.84 2009 est. 979 Kenya 0.84 2009 est. 980 Eritrea 0.84 2009 est. 981 Estonia 0.84 2009 est. 982 Comoros 0.84 2009 est. 983 Cuba 0.83 2009 est. 984 Iceland 0.83 2009 est. 985 Wallis and Futuna 0.83 2009 est. 986 Thailand 0.83 2009 est. 987 Fiji 0.82 2009 est. 988 Lebanon 0.82 2009 est. 989 Virgin Islands 0.82 2009 est. 990 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0.82 2009 est. 991 Sao Tome and Principe 0.82 2009 est. 992 Saint Lucia 0.82 2009 est. 993 Mexico 0.82 2009 est. 994 Honduras 0.82 2009 est. 995 Ireland 0.81 2009 est. 996 Jamaica 0.81 2009 est. 997 Niger 0.81 2009 est. 998 Zimbabwe 0.81 2009 est. 999 Namibia 0.81 2009 est. 1000 Saint Martin 0.81 2009 est. 1001 Indonesia 0.80 2009 est. 1002 Madagascar 0.80 2009 est. 1003 Jersey 0.80 2009 est. 1004 Samoa 0.80 2009 est. 1005 Venezuela 0.80 2009 est. 1006 Singapore 0.80 2009 est. 1007 Angola 0.79 2009 est. 1008 Bolivia 0.79 2009 est. 1009 Equatorial Guinea 0.79 2009 est. 1010 Sweden 0.79 2009 est. 1011 Malaysia 0.79 2009 est. 1012 Canada 0.78 2009 est. 1013 Cyprus 0.78 2009 est. 1014 Denmark 0.78 2009 est. 1015 Tanzania 0.78 2009 est. 1016 Zimbabwe 0.78 2009 est. 1017 Nicaragua 0.78 2009 est. 1018 El Salvador 0.78 2009 est. 1019 Guinea 0.78 2009 est. 1020 Greece 0.78 2009 est. 1021 Antigua and Barbuda 0.77 2009 est. 1022 Macedonia 0.77 2009 est. 1023 Turkmenistan 0.77 2009 est. 1024 Israel 0.77 2009 est. 1025 Mongolia 0.77 2009 est. 1026 Dominica 0.76 2009 est. 1027 Malta 0.76 2009 est. 1028 Suriname 0.76 2009 est. 1029 Puerto Rico 0.76 2009 est. 1030 United Kingdom 0.76 2009 est. 1031 San Marino 0.76 2009 est. 1032 Philippines 0.76 2009 est. 1033 Netherlands 0.76 2009 est. 1034 Liechtenstein 0.76 2009 est. 1035 Laos 0.76 2009 est. 1036 Burma 0.75 2009 est. 1037 Colombia 0.75 2009 est. 1038 Uzbekistan 0.75 2009 est. 1039 United States 0.75 2009 est. 1040 Trinidad and Tobago 0.75 2009 est. 1041 Norway 0.75 2009 est. 1042 Morocco 0.75 2009 est. 1043 Ethiopia 0.75 2009 est. 1044 Northern Mariana Islands 0.74 2009 est. 1045 Micronesia, Federated States of 0.74 2009 est. 1046 Guernsey 0.74 2009 est. 1047 Kiribati 0.74 2009 est. 1048 Tajikistan 0.74 2009 est. 1049 Mauritania 0.74 2009 est. 1050 Malawi 0.74 2009 est. 1051 Kosovo 0.74 2009 est. 1052 Japan 0.74 2009 est. 1053 Egypt 0.74 2009 est. 1054 Brazil 0.73 2009 est. 1055 Western Sahara 0.73 2009 est. 1056 Chad 0.73 2009 est. 1057 Chile 0.72 2009 est. 1058 Spain 0.72 2009 est. 1059 Somalia 0.72 2009 est. 1060 Saint Kitts and Nevis 0.72 2009 est. 1061 Italy 0.72 2009 est. 1062 France 0.72 2009 est. 1063 Germany 0.72 2009 est. 1064 Gabon 0.72 2009 est. 1065 Guyana 0.72 2009 est. 1066 Austria 0.71 2009 est. 1067 Belgium 0.71 2009 est. 1068 Switzerland 0.71 2009 est. 1069 Uganda 0.71 2009 est. 1070 West Bank 0.71 2009 est. 1071 Tonga 0.71 2009 est. 1072 Mozambique 0.71 2009 est. 1073 Argentina 0.70 2009 est. 1074 Bermuda 0.70 2009 est. 1075 Zambia 0.70 2009 est. 1076 Serbia 0.70 2009 est. 1077 Portugal 0.70 2009 est. 1078 Luxembourg 0.70 2009 est. 1079 Isle of Man 0.70 2009 est. 1080 Congo, Republic of the 0.70 2009 est. 1081 Benin 0.70 2009 est. 1082 Bahamas, The 0.69 2009 est. 1083 Bosnia and Herzegovina 0.69 2009 est. 1084 South Africa 0.69 2009 est. 1085 Romania 0.69 2009 est. 1086 Botswana 0.68 2009 est. 1087 Netherlands Antilles 0.68 2009 est. 1088 Guinea-Bissau 0.68 2009 est. 1089 Monaco 0.68 2009 est. 1090 Gaza Strip 0.68 2009 est. 1091 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 0.68 2009 est. 1092 European Union 0.68 2009 est. 1093 Montenegro 0.68 2009 est. 1094 Finland 0.68 2009 est. 1095 Bulgaria 0.68 2009 est. 1096 Northern Mariana Islands 0.67 2009 est. 1097 Uruguay 0.67 2009 est. 1098 Mauritius 0.67 2009 est. 1099 Korea, South 0.67 2009 est. 1100 Georgia 0.67 2009 est. 1101 Aruba 0.66 2009 est. 1102 Burundi 0.66 2009 est. 1103 Lesotho 0.66 2009 est. 1104 Rwanda 0.66 2009 est. 1105 Czech Republic 0.65 2009 est. 1106 Burkina Faso 0.65 2009 est. 1107 Togo 0.65 2009 est. 1108 Armenia 0.64 2009 est. 1109 Croatia 0.64 2009 est. 1110 Mali 0.64 2009 est. 1111 Slovenia 0.64 2009 est. 1112 Kyrgyzstan 0.64 2009 est. 1113 Haiti 0.64 2009 est. 1114 Barbados 0.63 2009 est. 1115 Vietnam 0.63 2009 est. 1116 Korea, North 0.63 2009 est. 1117 Central African Republic 0.63 2009 est. 1118 Poland 0.62 2009 est. 1119 Cambodia 0.60 2009 est. 1120 Slovakia 0.60 2009 est. 1121 Seychelles 0.59 2009 est. 1122 Tuvalu 0.59 2009 est. 1123 Swaziland 0.59 2009 est. 1124 Azerbaijan 0.58 2009 est. 1125 Cape Verde 0.58 2009 est. 1126 Moldova 0.58 2009 est. 1127 Hungary 0.57 2009 est. 1128 Kazakhstan 0.54 2009 est. 1129 Lithuania 0.53 2009 est. 1130 Ukraine 0.50 2009 est. 1131 Estonia 0.49 2009 est. 1132 Latvia 0.49 2009 est. 1133 Belarus 0.47 2009 est. 1134 Palau 0.45 2009 est. 1135 Russia 0.44 2009 est. ====================================================================== Rank code: 2019 Country Comparison :: Heliports This entry gives the total number of heliports with hard-surface runways, helipads, or landing areas that support routine sustained helicopter operations exclusively and have support facilities including one or more of the following facilities: lighting, fuel, passenger handling, or maintenance. It includes former airports used exclusively for helicopter operations but excludes heliports limited to day operations and natural clearings that could support helicopter landings and takeoffs. Rank country Heliports Date of Information 1 Korea, South 516.00 2009 2 United States 126.00 2009 3 European Union 100.00 2007 4 Antarctica 53.00 2007 5 Russia 48.00 2009 6 China 45.00 2009 7 India 37.00 2009 8 Indonesia 36.00 2009 9 Germany 25.00 2009 10 Korea, North 22.00 2009 11 Iraq 21.00 2009 12 Turkey 21.00 2009 13 Iran 19.00 2009 14 Pakistan 19.00 2009 15 Japan 15.00 2009 16 Brazil 13.00 2009 17 Canada 12.00 2009 18 Afghanistan 11.00 2009 19 United Kingdom 11.00 2009 20 Cyprus 9.00 2009 21 Saudi Arabia 9.00 2009 22 Spain 9.00 2009 23 Greece 9.00 2009 24 Hong Kong 9.00 2009 25 New Caledonia 8.00 2009 26 Timor-Leste 8.00 2009 27 Poland 7.00 2009 28 Ukraine 7.00 2009 29 Syria 7.00 2009 30 Egypt 6.00 2009 31 Italy 6.00 2009 32 United Arab Emirates 5.00 2009 33 Bosnia and Herzegovina 5.00 2009 34 Burma 5.00 2009 35 Hungary 5.00 2009 36 Kuwait 4.00 2009 37 Sudan 4.00 2009 38 Kazakhstan 4.00 2009 39 Thailand 4.00 2009 40 Venezuela 4.00 2009 41 Taiwan 4.00 2009 42 Solomon Islands 3.00 2009 43 Bulgaria 3.00 2009 44 Georgia 3.00 2009 45 Brunei 3.00 2009 46 Israel 3.00 2009 47 Panama 3.00 2009 48 Spratly Islands 3.00 2009 49 Nigeria 3.00 2009 50 Oman 3.00 2009 51 Algeria 2.00 2009 52 Argentina 2.00 2009 53 Papua New Guinea 2.00 2009 54 Romania 2.00 2009 55 Sweden 2.00 2009 56 Sierra Leone 2.00 2009 57 Philippines 2.00 2009 58 Serbia 2.00 2007 59 Kosovo 2.00 2009 60 Malaysia 2.00 2009 61 Macau 2.00 2009 62 Libya 2.00 2009 63 Ecuador 2.00 2009 64 Colombia 2.00 2009 65 Azerbaijan 1.00 2009 66 Qatar 1.00 2009 67 Peru 1.00 2009 68 Norway 1.00 2009 69 Netherlands 1.00 2009 70 Mexico 1.00 2009 71 Morocco 1.00 2009 72 Monaco 1.00 2007 73 Montenegro 1.00 2007 74 Mongolia 1.00 2009 75 Luxembourg 1.00 2009 76 Slovakia 1.00 2009 77 Jordan 1.00 2009 78 Croatia 1.00 2009 79 Gaza Strip 1.00 2009 80 France 1.00 2009 81 Vietnam 1.00 2009 82 Turkmenistan 1.00 2009 83 Switzerland 1.00 2009 84 Svalbard 1.00 2009 85 South Africa 1.00 2009 86 French Polynesia 1.00 2009 87 Czech Republic 1.00 2009 88 El Salvador 1.00 2009 89 Eritrea 1.00 2009 90 Estonia 1.00 2009 91 Northern Mariana Islands 1.00 2009 92 Cambodia 1.00 2009 93 Burundi 1.00 2009 94 Belarus 1.00 2009 95 Bahamas, The 1.00 2009 96 Belgium 1.00 2009 97 Albania 1.00 2009 98 Australia 1.00 2009 99 Bahrain 1.00 2009 100 Austria 1.00 2009 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2020 Country Comparison :: Elevation extremes This entry includes both the highest point and the lowest point. Rank country (m) Date of Information 1 China 8,850.00 NA 2 Nepal 8,850.00 NA 3 Pakistan 8,611.00 NA 4 India 8,598.00 NA 5 Bhutan 7,553.00 NA 6 Tajikistan 7,495.00 NA 7 Afghanistan 7,485.00 NA 8 Kyrgyzstan 7,439.00 NA 9 Kazakhstan 6,995.00 NA 10 Argentina 6,960.00 NA 11 Chile 6,880.00 NA 12 Peru 6,768.00 NA 13 Bolivia 6,542.00 NA 14 Ecuador 6,267.00 NA 15 United States 6,198.00 NA 16 Canada 5,959.00 NA 17 Tanzania 5,895.00 NA 18 Burma 5,881.00 NA 19 Colombia 5,775.00 NA 20 Mexico 5,700.00 NA 21 Iran 5,671.00 NA 22 Russia 5,633.00 NA 23 Georgia 5,201.00 NA 24 Kenya 5,199.00 NA 25 Turkey 5,166.00 NA 26 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 5,110.00 NA 27 Uganda 5,110.00 NA 28 Indonesia 5,030.00 NA 29 Venezuela 5,007.00 NA 30 Antarctica 4,897.00 NA 31 European Union 4,807.00 NA 32 France 4,807.00 NA 33 Italy 4,748.00 NA 34 Switzerland 4,634.00 NA 35 Ethiopia 4,533.00 NA 36 Rwanda 4,519.00 NA 37 Papua New Guinea 4,509.00 NA 38 Azerbaijan 4,485.00 NA 39 Mongolia 4,374.00 NA 40 Uzbekistan 4,301.00 NA 41 Guatemala 4,211.00 NA 42 Morocco 4,165.00 NA 43 Malaysia 4,100.00 NA 44 Cameroon 4,095.00 NA 45 Armenia 4,090.00 NA 46 Taiwan 3,952.00 NA 47 Costa Rica 3,810.00 NA 48 Austria 3,798.00 NA 49 Japan 3,776.00 NA 50 New Zealand 3,754.00 NA 51 Spain 3,718.00 NA 52 Greenland 3,700.00 NA 53 Yemen 3,667.00 NA 54 Lesotho 3,482.00 NA 55 Panama 3,475.00 NA 56 Chad 3,415.00 NA 57 South Africa 3,408.00 NA 58 Sudan 3,187.00 NA 59 Dominican Republic 3,175.00 NA 60 Vietnam 3,144.00 NA 61 Turkmenistan 3,139.00 NA 62 Saudi Arabia 3,133.00 NA 63 Lebanon 3,088.00 NA 64 Eritrea 3,018.00 NA 65 Brazil 3,014.00 NA 66 Equatorial Guinea 3,008.00 NA 67 Algeria 3,003.00 NA 68 Malawi 3,002.00 NA 69 Oman 2,980.00 NA 70 Germany 2,963.00 NA 71 Timor-Leste 2,963.00 NA 72 Philippines 2,954.00 NA 73 Andorra 2,946.00 NA 74 South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands2,934.00 NA 75 Bulgaria 2,925.00 NA 76 Greece 2,917.00 NA 77 Madagascar 2,876.00 NA 78 Honduras 2,870.00 NA 79 Slovenia 2,864.00 NA 80 Guyana 2,835.00 NA 81 Cape Verde 2,829.00 NA 82 Laos 2,817.00 NA 83 Syria 2,814.00 NA 84 Albania 2,764.00 NA 85 Macedonia 2,764.00 NA 86 Heard Island and McDonald Islands 2,745.00 NA 87 Korea, North 2,744.00 NA 88 El Salvador 2,730.00 NA 89 Haiti 2,680.00 NA 90 Burundi 2,670.00 NA 91 Kosovo 2,656.00 NA 92 Slovakia 2,655.00 NA 93 Egypt 2,629.00 NA 94 Angola 2,620.00 NA 95 Namibia 2,606.00 NA 96 Liechtenstein 2,599.00 NA 97 Zimbabwe 2,592.00 NA 98 Thailand 2,576.00 NA 99 Romania 2,544.00 NA 100 Sri Lanka 2,524.00 NA 101 Montenegro 2,522.00 NA 102 Poland 2,499.00 NA 103 Norway 2,469.00 NA 104 Solomon Islands 2,447.00 NA 105 Nicaragua 2,438.00 NA 106 Mozambique 2,436.00 NA 107 Nigeria 2,419.00 NA 108 Somalia 2,416.00 NA 109 Bosnia and Herzegovina 2,386.00 NA 110 Comoros 2,360.00 NA 111 Portugal 2,351.00 NA 112 Zambia 2,301.00 NA 113 Jan Mayen 2,277.00 NA 114 Libya 2,267.00 NA 115 Jamaica 2,256.00 NA 116 French Polynesia 2,241.00 NA 117 Australia 2,229.00 NA 118 Serbia 2,169.00 NA 119 Sweden 2,111.00 NA 120 Iceland 2,110.00 NA 121 Saint Helena 2,062.00 NA 122 Ukraine 2,061.00 NA 123 Djibouti 2,028.00 NA 124 Sao Tome and Principe 2,024.00 NA 125 Niger 2,022.00 NA 126 Cuba 2,005.00 NA 127 Cyprus 1,951.00 NA 128 Korea, South 1,950.00 NA 129 Sierra Leone 1,948.00 NA 130 Vanuatu 1,877.00 NA 131 Swaziland 1,862.00 NA 132 Samoa 1,857.00 NA 133 Brunei 1,850.00 NA 134 French Southern and Antarctic Lands1,850.00 NA 135 Croatia 1,830.00 NA 136 Cambodia 1,810.00 NA 137 Guinea 1,752.00 NA 138 Cote d'Ivoire 1,752.00 NA 139 Jordan 1,734.00 NA 140 Svalbard 1,717.00 NA 141 New Caledonia 1,628.00 NA 142 Czech Republic 1,602.00 NA 143 Gabon 1,575.00 NA 144 Tunisia 1,544.00 NA 145 United Arab Emirates 1,527.00 NA 146 Botswana 1,489.00 NA 147 Dominica 1,447.00 NA 148 Central African Republic 1,420.00 NA 149 Lesotho 1,400.00 NA 150 Liberia 1,380.00 NA 151 United Kingdom 1,343.00 NA 152 Puerto Rico 1,339.00 NA 153 Finland 1,328.00 NA 154 Fiji 1,324.00 NA 155 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1,234.00 NA 156 Bangladesh 1,230.00 NA 157 Suriname 1,230.00 NA 158 Israel 1,208.00 NA 159 Belize 1,160.00 NA 160 Saint Kitts and Nevis 1,156.00 NA 161 Mali 1,155.00 NA 162 French Southern and Antarctic Lands1,090.00 NA 163 Ireland 1,041.00 NA 164 Tonga 1,033.00 NA 165 West Bank 1,022.00 NA 166 Hungary 1,014.00 NA 167 Togo 986.00 NA 168 Northern Mariana Islands 965.00 NA 169 American Samoa 964.00 NA 170 Hong Kong 958.00 NA 171 Rwanda 950.00 NA 172 Saint Lucia 950.00 NA 173 Trinidad and Tobago 940.00 NA 174 Bouvet Island 935.00 NA 175 Montserrat 930.00 2006 176 Mauritania 915.00 NA 177 Seychelles 905.00 NA 178 Congo, Republic of the 903.00 NA 179 Faroe Islands 882.00 NA 180 Ghana 880.00 NA 181 French Southern and Antarctic Lands867.00 NA 182 Netherlands Antilles 862.00 NA 183 Saint Helena 859.00 NA 184 Paraguay 842.00 NA 185 Andorra 840.00 NA 186 Grenada 840.00 NA 187 Mauritius 828.00 NA 188 Saint Helena 818.00 NA 189 Western Sahara 805.00 NA 190 Micronesia, Federated States of 791.00 NA 191 Burundi 772.00 NA 192 Wallis and Futuna 765.00 NA 193 San Marino 755.00 NA 194 Burkina Faso 749.00 NA 195 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 705.00 NA 196 Belgium 694.00 NA 197 Mayotte 660.00 NA 198 Benin 658.00 NA 199 Cook Islands 652.00 NA 200 Isle of Man 621.00 NA 201 Uganda 621.00 NA 202 Senegal 581.00 NA 203 Luxembourg 559.00 NA 204 British Virgin Islands 521.00 NA 205 Mongolia 518.00 NA 206 Uruguay 514.00 NA 207 Botswana 513.00 NA 208 Virgin Islands 475.00 NA 209 Liechtenstein 430.00 NA 210 Moldova 430.00 NA 211 Gibraltar 426.00 NA 212 Saint Martin 424.00 NA 213 Antigua and Barbuda 402.00 NA 214 Armenia 400.00 NA 215 Christmas Island 361.00 NA 216 Pitcairn Islands 347.00 NA 217 Belarus 346.00 NA 218 Barbados 336.00 NA 219 Central African Republic 335.00 NA 220 Zambia 329.00 NA 221 Netherlands 322.00 NA 222 Norfolk Island 319.00 NA 223 Estonia 318.00 NA 224 Latvia 312.00 NA 225 Kuwait 306.00 NA 226 Guinea-Bissau 300.00 NA 227 Tajikistan 300.00 NA 228 Kosovo 297.00 NA 229 Lithuania 294.00 NA 230 Saint Barthelemy 286.00 NA 231 French Southern and Antarctic Lands272.00 NA 232 Afghanistan 258.00 NA 233 Malta 253.00 NA 234 Palau 242.00 NA 235 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 240.00 NA 236 Niger 200.00 NA 237 Burkina Faso 200.00 NA 238 Switzerland 195.00 NA 239 Aruba 188.00 NA 240 Denmark 173.00 NA 241 Macau 172.00 NA 242 Singapore 166.00 NA 243 Zimbabwe 162.00 NA 244 Chad 160.00 NA 245 Jersey 143.00 NA 246 Monaco 140.00 NA 247 Luxembourg 133.00 NA 248 Kyrgyzstan 132.00 NA 249 Bahrain 122.00 NA 250 Austria 115.00 NA 251 Czech Republic 115.00 NA 252 Guernsey 114.00 NA 253 Gaza Strip 105.00 NA 254 Qatar 103.00 NA 255 Bhutan 97.00 NA 256 Slovakia 94.00 NA 257 Bolivia 90.00 NA 258 Belarus 90.00 NA 259 Kiribati 81.00 NA 260 Hungary 78.00 NA 261 Navassa Island 77.00 NA 262 Bermuda 76.00 NA 263 Holy See (Vatican City) 75.00 NA 264 Laos 70.00 NA 265 Nepal 70.00 NA 266 Niue 68.00 NA 267 Anguilla 65.00 NA 268 Bahamas, The 63.00 NA 269 Nauru 61.00 NA 270 San Marino 55.00 NA 271 Gambia, The 53.00 NA 272 Macedonia 50.00 NA 273 Turks and Caicos Islands 49.00 NA 274 Paraguay 46.00 NA 275 Cayman Islands 43.00 NA 276 Malawi 37.00 NA 277 Clipperton Island 29.00 NA 278 French Southern and Antarctic Lands24.00 NA 279 Mali 23.00 NA 280 Swaziland 21.00 NA 281 Holy See (Vatican City) 19.00 NA 282 British Indian Ocean Territory 15.00 NA 283 Paracel Islands 14.00 NA 284 United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges13.00 NA 285 French Southern and Antarctic Lands12.00 NA 286 French Southern and Antarctic Lands10.00 NA 287 Marshall Islands 10.00 NA 288 United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges10.00 NA 289 United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges8.00 NA 290 French Southern and Antarctic Lands7.00 NA 291 United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges7.00 NA 292 Coral Sea Islands 6.00 NA 293 Wake Island 6.00 NA 294 Cocos (Keeling) Islands 5.00 NA 295 Tokelau 5.00 NA 296 Tuvalu 5.00 NA 297 Spratly Islands 4.00 NA 298 Ashmore and Cartier Islands 3.00 NA 299 United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges3.00 NA 300 United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges3.00 NA 301 French Southern and Antarctic Lands2.40 NA 302 Maldives 2.40 NA 303 Moldova 2.00 NA 304 United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges2.00 NA 305 Aruba 0.00 NA 306 Antigua and Barbuda 0.00 NA 307 United Arab Emirates 0.00 NA 308 American Samoa 0.00 NA 309 French Southern and Antarctic Lands0.00 NA 310 French Polynesia 0.00 NA 311 Faroe Islands 0.00 NA 312 Micronesia, Federated States of 0.00 NA 313 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 0.00 NA 314 Fiji 0.00 NA 315 Finland 0.00 NA 316 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 0.00 NA 317 Congo, Republic of the 0.00 NA 318 Benin 0.00 NA 319 Burma 0.00 NA 320 Bosnia and Herzegovina 0.00 NA 321 Belize 0.00 NA 322 Bangladesh 0.00 NA 323 Bahamas, The 0.00 NA 324 Belgium 0.00 NA 325 Bermuda 0.00 NA 326 Barbados 0.00 NA 327 Bahrain 0.00 NA 328 Anguilla 0.00 NA 329 Ashmore and Cartier Islands 0.00 NA 330 Coral Sea Islands 0.00 NA 331 Northern Mariana Islands 0.00 NA 332 Colombia 0.00 NA 333 Comoros 0.00 NA 334 Cameroon 0.00 NA 335 Cocos (Keeling) Islands 0.00 NA 336 Cayman Islands 0.00 NA 337 Chile 0.00 NA 338 Sri Lanka 0.00 NA 339 Grenada 0.00 NA 340 Gibraltar 0.00 NA 341 Ghana 0.00 NA 342 Georgia 0.00 NA 343 Gabon 0.00 NA 344 Gambia, The 0.00 NA 345 El Salvador 0.00 NA 346 Estonia 0.00 NA 347 Equatorial Guinea 0.00 NA 348 British Indian Ocean Territory 0.00 NA 349 India 0.00 NA 350 Isle of Man 0.00 NA 351 Indonesia 0.00 NA 352 Iceland 0.00 NA 353 Croatia 0.00 NA 354 Honduras 0.00 NA 355 Heard Island and McDonald Islands 0.00 NA 356 Hong Kong 0.00 NA 357 Liberia 0.00 NA 358 Lithuania 0.00 NA 359 Latvia 0.00 NA 360 Lebanon 0.00 NA 361 Kuwait 0.00 NA 362 Christmas Island 0.00 NA 363 Korea, South 0.00 NA 364 Kiribati 0.00 NA 365 Korea, North 0.00 NA 366 Nigeria 0.00 NA 367 Vanuatu 0.00 NA 368 Norfolk Island 0.00 NA 369 Niue 0.00 NA 370 New Caledonia 0.00 NA 371 Mozambique 0.00 NA 372 Malaysia 0.00 NA 373 Maldives 0.00 NA 374 Oman 0.00 NA 375 Pacific Ocean 0.00 NA 376 Atlantic Ocean 0.00 NA 377 Yemen 0.00 NA 378 Arctic Ocean 0.00 NA 379 Indian Ocean 0.00 NA 380 Samoa 0.00 NA 381 Wake Island 0.00 NA 382 Wallis and Futuna 0.00 NA 383 Namibia 0.00 NA 384 Virgin Islands 0.00 NA 385 Vietnam 0.00 NA 386 British Virgin Islands 0.00 NA 387 Venezuela 0.00 NA 388 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0.00 NA 389 Uruguay 0.00 NA 390 Ukraine 0.00 NA 391 United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges0.00 NA 392 Tanzania 0.00 NA 393 Taiwan 0.00 NA 394 Tuvalu 0.00 NA 395 Turkey 0.00 NA 396 Timor-Leste 0.00 NA 397 Sao Tome and Principe 0.00 NA 398 Togo 0.00 NA 399 Tonga 0.00 NA 400 Tokelau 0.00 NA 401 Turks and Caicos Islands 0.00 NA 402 Thailand 0.00 NA 403 Trinidad and Tobago 0.00 NA 404 Saint Barthelemy 0.00 NA 405 South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands0.00 NA 406 Svalbard 0.00 NA 407 Sudan 0.00 NA 408 Saint Lucia 0.00 NA 409 Spain 0.00 NA 410 Somalia 0.00 NA 411 Singapore 0.00 NA 412 Sierra Leone 0.00 NA 413 Slovenia 0.00 NA 414 Saint Helena 0.00 NA 415 Senegal 0.00 NA 416 South Africa 0.00 NA 417 Seychelles 0.00 NA 418 Saint Kitts and Nevis 0.00 NA 419 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0.00 NA 420 Saudi Arabia 0.00 NA 421 Puerto Rico 0.00 NA 422 Philippines 0.00 NA 423 Romania 0.00 NA 424 Saint Martin 0.00 NA 425 Marshall Islands 0.00 NA 426 Qatar 0.00 NA 427 Guinea-Bissau 0.00 NA 428 Palau 0.00 NA 429 Papua New Guinea 0.00 NA 430 Portugal 0.00 NA 431 Panama 0.00 NA 432 Pakistan 0.00 NA 433 Spratly Islands 0.00 NA 434 Paracel Islands 0.00 NA 435 Peru 0.00 NA 436 Pitcairn Islands 0.00 NA 437 New Zealand 0.00 NA 438 Nicaragua 0.00 NA 439 Netherlands Antilles 0.00 NA 440 Nauru 0.00 NA 441 Norway 0.00 NA 442 Malta 0.00 NA 443 Mauritius 0.00 NA 444 Monaco 0.00 NA 445 Montenegro 0.00 NA 446 Montserrat 0.00 2006 447 Mayotte 0.00 NA 448 Macau 0.00 NA 449 Madagascar 0.00 NA 450 Kenya 0.00 NA 451 Jan Mayen 0.00 NA 452 Jamaica 0.00 NA 453 Jersey 0.00 NA 454 Iraq 0.00 NA 455 Cote d'Ivoire 0.00 NA 456 Italy 0.00 NA 457 Clipperton Island 0.00 NA 458 Haiti 0.00 NA 459 Gaza Strip 0.00 NA 460 Guyana 0.00 NA 461 Guinea 0.00 NA 462 Guatemala 0.00 NA 463 Greece 0.00 NA 464 Greenland 0.00 NA 465 Guernsey 0.00 NA 466 Ireland 0.00 NA 467 Ecuador 0.00 NA 468 Dominica 0.00 NA 469 Cyprus 0.00 NA 470 Cook Islands 0.00 NA 471 Cape Verde 0.00 NA 472 Cuba 0.00 NA 473 Costa Rica 0.00 NA 474 Cambodia 0.00 NA 475 Canada 0.00 NA 476 Brunei 0.00 NA 477 Bouvet Island 0.00 NA 478 Bulgaria 0.00 NA 479 Brazil 0.00 NA 480 Navassa Island 0.00 NA 481 Solomon Islands 0.00 NA 482 Angola 0.00 NA 483 Albania 0.00 NA 484 France -2.00 NA 485 Suriname -2.00 NA 486 Poland -2.00 NA 487 Sweden -2.40 NA 488 Germany -3.54 NA 489 Japan -4.00 NA 490 United Kingdom -4.00 NA 491 Mauritania -5.00 NA 492 Denmark -7.00 NA 493 Netherlands -7.00 NA 494 European Union -7.00 NA 495 European Union -7.00 NA 496 Mexico -10.00 NA 497 Uzbekistan -12.00 NA 498 Australia -15.00 NA 499 Tunisia -17.00 NA 500 Azerbaijan -28.00 NA 501 Russia -28.00 NA 502 Iran -28.00 NA 503 Algeria -40.00 NA 504 Dominican Republic -46.00 NA 505 Libya -47.00 NA 506 Morocco -55.00 NA 507 Western Sahara -55.00 NA 508 Eritrea -75.00 NA 509 United States -86.00 NA 510 Argentina -105.00 NA 511 Ethiopia -125.00 NA 512 Kazakhstan -132.00 NA 513 Egypt -133.00 NA 514 China -154.00 NA 515 Djibouti -155.00 NA 516 Syria -200.00 NA 517 Israel -408.00 NA 518 Jordan -408.00 NA 519 West Bank -408.00 NA 520 Antarctica -2,540.00 NA 521 Arctic Ocean -4,665.00 NA 522 Indian Ocean -7,258.00 NA 523 Atlantic Ocean -8,605.00 NA 524 Pacific Ocean -10,924.00 NA ====================================================================== Rank code: 2021 Country Comparison :: Natural hazards This entry lists potential natural disasters. Rank country Natural hazards Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2022 Country Comparison :: People - note This entry includes miscellaneous demographic information of significance not included elsewhere. Rank country People - note Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2023 Country Comparison :: Area - comparative This entry provides an area comparison based on total area equivalents. Most entities are compared with the entire US or one of the 50 states based on area measurements (1990 revised) provided by the US Bureau of the Census. The smaller entities are compared with Washington, DC (178 sq km, 69 sq mi) or The Mall in Washington, DC (0.59 sq km, 0.23 sq mi, 146 acres). Rank country (sq km) Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2024 Country Comparison :: Military service age and obligation This entry gives the required ages for voluntary or conscript military service and the length of service obligation. Rank country (years of age) Date of Information 1 Spain 20.00 2004 2 Turkey 20.00 2004 3 Albania 19.00 2004 4 Germany 18.00 2004 5 Korea, North 17.00 2004 6 Libya 17.00 2004 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2025 Country Comparison :: Manpower fit for military service This entry gives the number of males and females falling in the military age range for a country (defined as being ages 16-49) and who are not otherwise disqualified for health reasons; accounts for the health situation in the country and provides a more realistic estimate of the actual number fit to serve. Rank country Manpower fit for military serviceDate of Information 1 China 314,459,083.00 2009 est. 2 China 296,763,134.00 2009 est. 3 India 243,276,310.00 2009 est. 4 India 237,042,868.00 2009 est. 5 United States 59,764,677.00 2009 est. 6 United States 59,437,663.00 2009 est. 7 Indonesia 52,997,922.00 2009 est. 8 Indonesia 52,503,046.00 2009 est. 9 Brazil 44,267,520.00 2009 est. 10 Brazil 38,043,555.00 2009 est. 11 Pakistan 33,690,322.00 2009 est. 12 Pakistan 32,602,910.00 2009 est. 13 Bangladesh 31,409,069.00 2009 est. 14 Russia 27,968,883.00 2009 est. 15 Mexico 25,149,027.00 2009 est. 16 Bangladesh 24,946,041.00 2009 est. 17 Japan 22,757,136.00 2009 est. 18 Mexico 22,541,654.00 2009 est. 19 Japan 21,920,703.00 2009 est. 20 Russia 21,098,306.00 2009 est. 21 Vietnam 20,768,508.00 2009 est. 22 Philippines 20,636,853.00 2009 est. 23 Nigeria 19,763,535.00 2009 est. 24 Vietnam 19,190,676.00 2009 est. 25 Philippines 19,169,298.00 2009 est. 26 Nigeria 18,850,650.00 2009 est. 27 Egypt 18,490,522.00 2009 est. 28 Egypt 17,719,905.00 2009 est. 29 Iran 17,658,573.00 2009 est. 30 Turkey 17,223,506.00 2009 est. 31 Iran 17,148,290.00 2009 est. 32 Turkey 16,995,299.00 2009 est. 33 Germany 15,747,493.00 2009 est. 34 Germany 14,899,416.00 2009 est. 35 Thailand 14,126,398.00 2009 est. 36 Thailand 13,086,106.00 2009 est. 37 United Kingdom 12,123,900.00 2009 est. 38 France 12,087,606.00 2009 est. 39 Ethiopia 12,017,073.00 2009 est. 40 France 11,811,260.00 2009 est. 41 United Kingdom 11,616,769.00 2009 est. 42 Italy 11,197,487.00 2009 est. 43 Ethiopia 11,078,847.00 2009 est. 44 Korea, South 10,991,263.00 2009 est. 45 Italy 10,574,250.00 2009 est. 46 Korea, South 10,356,604.00 2009 est. 47 Colombia 10,045,435.00 2009 est. 48 Burma 9,520,852.00 2009 est. 49 Ukraine 9,234,591.00 2009 est. 50 Burma 9,146,312.00 2009 est. 51 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 9,047,356.00 2009 est. 52 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 8,925,355.00 2009 est. 53 Algeria 8,367,005.00 2009 est. 54 Algeria 8,317,473.00 2009 est. 55 Argentina 8,268,498.00 2009 est. 56 Argentina 8,264,853.00 2009 est. 57 Colombia 8,212,944.00 2009 est. 58 Spain 8,139,020.00 2009 est. 59 Spain 7,899,157.00 2009 est. 60 Poland 7,898,892.00 2009 est. 61 Poland 7,888,035.00 2009 est. 62 Morocco 7,881,024.00 2009 est. 63 Morocco 7,779,589.00 2009 est. 64 South Africa 7,641,557.00 2009 est. 65 Saudi Arabia 7,486,622.00 2009 est. 66 Ukraine 7,056,742.00 2009 est. 67 Canada 6,647,513.00 2009 est. 68 Uzbekistan 6,559,769.00 2009 est. 69 South Africa 6,518,793.00 2009 est. 70 Canada 6,413,748.00 2009 est. 71 Peru 6,359,803.00 2009 est. 72 Uzbekistan 6,340,446.00 2009 est. 73 Iraq 6,203,425.00 2009 est. 74 Iraq 6,065,009.00 2009 est. 75 Sudan 5,942,043.00 2009 est. 76 Kenya 5,935,480.00 2009 est. 77 Peru 5,920,716.00 2009 est. 78 Venezuela 5,873,563.00 2009 est. 79 Sudan 5,836,971.00 2009 est. 80 Kenya 5,662,755.00 2009 est. 81 Saudi Arabia 5,652,819.00 2009 est. 82 Nepal 5,525,764.00 2009 est. 83 Malaysia 5,493,946.00 2009 est. 84 Tanzania 5,493,188.00 2009 est. 85 Tanzania 5,473,552.00 2009 est. 86 Malaysia 5,409,524.00 2009 est. 87 Venezuela 5,391,582.00 2009 est. 88 Taiwan 5,106,730.00 2009 est. 89 Taiwan 5,008,563.00 2009 est. 90 Nepal 4,886,103.00 2009 est. 91 Sri Lanka 4,693,895.00 2009 est. 92 Romania 4,604,484.00 2009 est. 93 Romania 4,542,720.00 2009 est. 94 Sri Lanka 4,498,667.00 2009 est. 95 Korea, North 4,492,374.00 2009 est. 96 Afghanistan 4,371,193.00 2009 est. 97 Syria 4,360,934.00 2009 est. 98 Syria 4,344,895.00 2009 est. 99 Australia 4,341,591.00 2009 est. 100 Australia 4,179,659.00 2009 est. 101 Korea, North 4,104,964.00 2009 est. 102 Afghanistan 4,072,945.00 2009 est. 103 Uganda 3,996,597.00 2009 est. 104 Uganda 3,899,717.00 2009 est. 105 Ghana 3,849,113.00 2009 est. 106 Ghana 3,840,083.00 2009 est. 107 Yemen 3,773,626.00 2009 est. 108 Yemen 3,733,704.00 2009 est. 109 Chile 3,573,165.00 2009 est. 110 Kazakhstan 3,550,014.00 2009 est. 111 Chile 3,523,649.00 2009 est. 112 Madagascar 3,404,988.00 2009 est. 113 Netherlands 3,224,790.00 2009 est. 114 Ecuador 3,165,489.00 2009 est. 115 Madagascar 3,150,043.00 2009 est. 116 Netherlands 3,143,096.00 2009 est. 117 Cote d'Ivoire 3,122,106.00 2009 est. 118 Cote d'Ivoire 2,936,391.00 2009 est. 119 Kazakhstan 2,888,931.00 2009 est. 120 Cambodia 2,763,256.00 2009 est. 121 Guatemala 2,725,572.00 2009 est. 122 Ecuador 2,708,470.00 2009 est. 123 Cambodia 2,673,383.00 2009 est. 124 Cameroon 2,645,601.00 2009 est. 125 Cameroon 2,574,948.00 2009 est. 126 Tunisia 2,569,403.00 2009 est. 127 Cuba 2,532,495.00 2009 est. 128 Tunisia 2,489,651.00 2009 est. 129 Cuba 2,468,631.00 2009 est. 130 Guatemala 2,401,297.00 2009 est. 131 Mozambique 2,366,897.00 2009 est. 132 Mozambique 2,209,764.00 2009 est. 133 Senegal 2,207,510.00 2009 est. 134 Burkina Faso 2,197,557.00 2009 est. 135 Burkina Faso 2,191,978.00 2009 est. 136 Portugal 2,103,558.00 2009 est. 137 Czech Republic 2,095,038.00 2009 est. 138 United Arab Emirates 2,081,491.00 2009 est. 139 Belarus 2,069,898.00 2009 est. 140 Greece 2,067,878.00 2009 est. 141 Dominican Republic 2,056,774.00 2009 est. 142 Greece 2,050,289.00 2009 est. 143 Portugal 2,049,032.00 2009 est. 144 Niger 2,046,906.00 2009 est. 145 Senegal 2,038,508.00 2009 est. 146 Niger 2,019,553.00 2009 est. 147 Czech Republic 2,011,531.00 2009 est. 148 Belgium 1,962,409.00 2009 est. 149 Azerbaijan 1,944,260.00 2009 est. 150 Hungary 1,934,019.00 2009 est. 151 Dominican Republic 1,921,836.00 2009 est. 152 Bolivia 1,906,396.00 2009 est. 153 Belgium 1,905,178.00 2009 est. 154 Hungary 1,887,755.00 2009 est. 155 Malawi 1,732,621.00 2009 est. 156 Azerbaijan 1,727,464.00 2009 est. 157 Belarus 1,720,049.00 2009 est. 158 Sweden 1,705,746.00 2009 est. 159 Bolivia 1,666,697.00 2009 est. 160 Mali 1,649,772.00 2009 est. 161 Sweden 1,645,070.00 2009 est. 162 Austria 1,607,456.00 2009 est. 163 Tajikistan 1,603,779.00 2009 est. 164 Jordan 1,593,919.00 2009 est. 165 Mali 1,579,601.00 2009 est. 166 Austria 1,576,335.00 2009 est. 167 Malawi 1,562,107.00 2009 est. 168 El Salvador 1,547,278.00 2009 est. 169 Hong Kong 1,543,443.00 2009 est. 170 Haiti 1,530,043.00 2009 est. 171 Haiti 1,518,840.00 2009 est. 172 Switzerland 1,510,259.00 2009 est. 173 Switzerland 1,475,993.00 2009 est. 174 Israel 1,474,966.00 2009 est. 175 Angola 1,467,833.00 2009 est. 176 Libya 1,466,578.00 2009 est. 177 Rwanda 1,456,207.00 2009 est. 178 Rwanda 1,452,768.00 2009 est. 179 Zimbabwe 1,436,232.00 2009 est. 180 Guinea 1,435,387.00 2009 est. 181 Tajikistan 1,428,218.00 2009 est. 182 Hong Kong 1,421,406.00 2009 est. 183 Serbia 1,415,007.00 2009 est. 184 Angola 1,411,468.00 2009 est. 185 Libya 1,409,684.00 2009 est. 186 Israel 1,404,712.00 2009 est. 187 Honduras 1,402,398.00 2009 est. 188 Honduras 1,397,938.00 2009 est. 189 Guinea 1,396,278.00 2009 est. 190 Paraguay 1,390,799.00 2009 est. 191 Jordan 1,382,097.00 2009 est. 192 Bulgaria 1,381,017.00 2009 est. 193 Serbia 1,379,541.00 2009 est. 194 Zambia 1,364,173.00 2009 est. 195 Paraguay 1,363,746.00 2009 est. 196 Somalia 1,351,649.00 2009 est. 197 Bulgaria 1,351,312.00 2009 est. 198 Nicaragua 1,339,413.00 2009 est. 199 Chad 1,315,620.00 2009 est. 200 Somalia 1,301,026.00 2009 est. 201 Benin 1,292,438.00 2009 est. 202 Benin 1,279,053.00 2009 est. 203 Nicaragua 1,277,878.00 2009 est. 204 Zambia 1,245,220.00 2009 est. 205 Kyrgyzstan 1,229,406.00 2009 est. 206 El Salvador 1,201,290.00 2009 est. 207 Zimbabwe 1,198,727.00 2009 est. 208 Slovakia 1,165,470.00 2009 est. 209 Slovakia 1,152,941.00 2009 est. 210 Turkmenistan 1,147,714.00 2009 est. 211 Papua New Guinea 1,127,758.00 2009 est. 212 Burundi 1,124,072.00 2009 est. 213 Papua New Guinea 1,110,175.00 2009 est. 214 Singapore 1,104,952.00 2009 est. 215 Chad 1,103,006.00 2009 est. 216 Burundi 1,102,729.00 2009 est. 217 Laos 1,085,197.00 2009 est. 218 Kyrgyzstan 1,083,777.00 2009 est. 219 Singapore 1,033,961.00 2009 est. 220 Turkmenistan 1,024,884.00 2009 est. 221 Laos 1,023,205.00 2009 est. 222 Denmark 1,013,223.00 2009 est. 223 Denmark 998,837.00 2009 est. 224 Bosnia and Herzegovina 991,953.00 2009 est. 225 Moldova 987,356.00 2009 est. 226 Costa Rica 971,224.00 2009 est. 227 Finland 962,479.00 2009 est. 228 Georgia 959,290.00 2009 est. 229 Bosnia and Herzegovina 959,226.00 2009 est. 230 Lebanon 954,663.00 2009 est. 231 Lebanon 948,765.00 2009 est. 232 Togo 943,967.00 2009 est. 233 Costa Rica 936,978.00 2009 est. 234 Kuwait 935,525.00 2009 est. 235 Togo 929,395.00 2009 est. 236 Finland 920,297.00 2009 est. 237 Georgia 908,282.00 2009 est. 238 Norway 888,219.00 2009 est. 239 Eritrea 887,495.00 2009 est. 240 Moldova 877,665.00 2009 est. 241 Norway 863,255.00 2009 est. 242 Ireland 857,162.00 2009 est. 243 Ireland 854,416.00 2009 est. 244 Croatia 849,957.00 2009 est. 245 New Zealand 837,553.00 2009 est. 246 Eritrea 834,018.00 2009 est. 247 New Zealand 825,981.00 2009 est. 248 Albania 800,665.00 2009 est. 249 Puerto Rico 790,482.00 2009 est. 250 United Arab Emirates 788,632.00 2009 est. 251 Croatia 770,798.00 2009 est. 252 Albania 768,536.00 2009 est. 253 Sierra Leone 762,239.00 2009 est. 254 Lithuania 743,468.00 2009 est. 255 Mongolia 740,550.00 2009 est. 256 Armenia 729,047.00 2009 est. 257 Panama 710,521.00 2009 est. 258 Uruguay 708,545.00 2009 est. 259 Mongolia 706,774.00 2009 est. 260 Panama 705,160.00 2009 est. 261 Puerto Rico 699,784.00 2009 est. 262 Uruguay 693,622.00 2009 est. 263 Sierra Leone 692,469.00 2009 est. 264 Lithuania 677,689.00 2009 est. 265 Oman 675,454.00 2009 est. 266 Armenia 642,734.00 2009 est. 267 Jamaica 586,426.00 2009 est. 268 Jamaica 573,520.00 2009 est. 269 Oman 563,890.00 2009 est. 270 Central African Republic 552,907.00 2009 est. 271 West Bank 545,653.00 2009 est. 272 Mauritania 544,598.00 2009 est. 273 Congo, Republic of the 538,202.00 2009 est. 274 Congo, Republic of the 527,649.00 2009 est. 275 Kuwait 519,854.00 2009 est. 276 West Bank 515,102.00 2009 est. 277 Central African Republic 512,611.00 2009 est. 278 Latvia 463,144.00 2009 est. 279 Mauritania 450,289.00 2009 est. 280 Macedonia 444,247.00 2009 est. 281 Kosovo 428,685.00 2009 est. 282 Macedonia 427,556.00 2009 est. 283 Latvia 410,374.00 2009 est. 284 Slovenia 402,484.00 2009 est. 285 Slovenia 390,559.00 2009 est. 286 Kosovo 388,848.00 2009 est. 287 Liberia 387,417.00 2009 est. 288 Liberia 382,334.00 2009 est. 289 Botswana 341,190.00 2009 est. 290 Namibia 329,614.00 2009 est. 291 Qatar 318,388.00 2009 est. 292 Botswana 315,588.00 2009 est. 293 Gaza Strip 312,003.00 2009 est. 294 Gaza Strip 297,380.00 2009 est. 295 Namibia 294,490.00 2009 est. 296 Mauritius 282,211.00 2009 est. 297 Mauritius 277,690.00 2009 est. 298 Trinidad and Tobago 276,224.00 2009 est. 299 Trinidad and Tobago 271,677.00 2009 est. 300 Lesotho 267,083.00 2009 est. 301 Estonia 260,408.00 2009 est. 302 Gambia, The 253,680.00 2009 est. 303 Lesotho 240,868.00 2009 est. 304 Timor-Leste 238,610.00 2009 est. 305 Gambia, The 238,454.00 2009 est. 306 Timor-Leste 230,534.00 2009 est. 307 Estonia 216,483.00 2009 est. 308 Fiji 204,410.00 2009 est. 309 Guinea-Bissau 200,660.00 2009 est. 310 Gabon 195,519.00 2009 est. 311 Guinea-Bissau 194,110.00 2009 est. 312 Fiji 192,363.00 2009 est. 313 Gabon 190,519.00 2009 est. 314 Bahrain 171,004.00 2009 est. 315 Cyprus 165,615.00 2009 est. 316 Cyprus 159,362.00 2009 est. 317 Montenegro 154,029.00 2009 est. 318 Guyana 150,307.00 2009 est. 319 Bhutan 150,210.00 2009 est. 320 Macau 148,809.00 2009 est. 321 Guyana 144,622.00 2009 est. 322 Bahrain 144,555.00 2009 est. 323 Maldives 138,746.00 2009 est. 324 Montenegro 136,847.00 2009 est. 325 Qatar 136,841.00 2009 est. 326 Bhutan 135,991.00 2009 est. 327 Comoros 135,707.00 2009 est. 328 Comoros 125,747.00 2009 est. 329 Swaziland 124,132.00 2009 est. 330 Macau 122,962.00 2009 est. 331 Solomon Islands 122,821.00 2009 est. 332 Solomon Islands 121,368.00 2009 est. 333 Swaziland 118,570.00 2009 est. 334 Suriname 111,000.00 2009 est. 335 Equatorial Guinea 107,919.00 2009 est. 336 Suriname 107,367.00 2009 est. 337 Equatorial Guinea 105,468.00 2009 est. 338 Luxembourg 95,840.00 2009 est. 339 Brunei 95,301.00 2009 est. 340 Luxembourg 94,641.00 2009 est. 341 Brunei 92,543.00 2009 est. 342 Cape Verde 90,154.00 2009 est. 343 Cape Verde 84,967.00 2009 est. 344 Maldives 82,247.00 2009 est. 345 Malta 80,186.00 2009 est. 346 Malta 76,426.00 2009 est. 347 French Polynesia 65,408.00 2009 est. 348 French Polynesia 64,421.00 2009 est. 349 Iceland 62,576.00 2009 est. 350 Iceland 61,159.00 2009 est. 351 Western Sahara 59,221.00 2009 est. 352 Barbados 58,866.00 2009 est. 353 Barbados 58,596.00 2009 est. 354 Belize 56,135.00 2009 est. 355 Djibouti 55,173.00 2009 est. 356 Belize 54,732.00 2009 est. 357 Djibouti 52,825.00 2009 est. 358 Western Sahara 52,267.00 2009 est. 359 Bahamas, The 51,690.00 2009 est. 360 Bahamas, The 50,764.00 2009 est. 361 New Caledonia 48,959.00 2009 est. 362 New Caledonia 48,288.00 2009 est. 363 Netherlands Antilles 47,325.00 2009 est. 364 Netherlands Antilles 46,461.00 2009 est. 365 Samoa 43,169.00 2009 est. 366 Vanuatu 42,837.00 2009 est. 367 Vanuatu 41,533.00 2009 est. 368 Samoa 40,957.00 2009 est. 369 Sao Tome and Principe 38,329.00 2009 est. 370 Saint Lucia 36,110.00 2009 est. 371 Mayotte 35,849.00 2009 est. 372 Sao Tome and Principe 35,216.00 2009 est. 373 Mayotte 34,456.00 2009 est. 374 Northern Mariana Islands 33,074.00 2009 est. 375 Saint Lucia 32,094.00 2009 est. 376 Tonga 27,715.00 2009 est. 377 Tonga 26,471.00 2009 est. 378 Micronesia, Federated States of 23,401.00 2009 est. 379 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 22,975.00 2009 est. 380 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 22,250.00 2009 est. 381 Micronesia, Federated States of 21,845.00 2009 est. 382 Aruba 21,232.00 2009 est. 383 Virgin Islands 21,193.00 2009 est. 384 Grenada 20,923.00 2009 est. 385 Kiribati 20,643.00 2009 est. 386 Grenada 20,483.00 2009 est. 387 Aruba 20,287.00 2009 est. 388 Seychelles 19,780.00 2009 est. 389 Seychelles 19,702.00 2009 est. 390 Antigua and Barbuda 19,586.00 2009 est. 391 Northern Mariana Islands 19,209.00 2009 est. 392 Andorra 18,617.00 2009 est. 393 Kiribati 18,129.00 2009 est. 394 Virgin Islands 17,820.00 2009 est. 395 Andorra 17,613.00 2009 est. 396 Antigua and Barbuda 17,271.00 2009 est. 397 Jersey 16,920.00 2009 est. 398 Jersey 16,826.00 2009 est. 399 Dominica 15,821.00 2009 est. 400 Dominica 15,291.00 2009 est. 401 Isle of Man 14,691.00 2009 est. 402 Isle of Man 14,338.00 2009 est. 403 American Samoa 13,875.00 2009 est. 404 American Samoa 13,517.00 2009 est. 405 Marshall Islands 13,199.00 2009 est. 406 Marshall Islands 13,041.00 2009 est. 407 Guernsey 12,566.00 2009 est. 408 Bermuda 12,496.00 2009 est. 409 Bermuda 12,486.00 2009 est. 410 Guernsey 12,447.00 2009 est. 411 Greenland 11,437.00 2009 est. 412 Greenland 10,809.00 2009 est. 413 Cayman Islands 10,145.00 2009 est. 414 Faroe Islands 9,759.00 2009 est. 415 Cayman Islands 9,735.00 2009 est. 416 Saint Kitts and Nevis 8,517.00 2009 est. 417 Faroe Islands 8,311.00 2009 est. 418 Saint Kitts and Nevis 8,159.00 2009 est. 419 Saint Martin 6,925.00 2009 est. 420 Liechtenstein 6,801.00 2009 est. 421 Liechtenstein 6,584.00 2009 est. 422 Saint Martin 6,336.00 2009 est. 423 San Marino 6,048.00 2009 est. 424 British Virgin Islands 5,979.00 2009 est. 425 British Virgin Islands 5,738.00 2009 est. 426 Monaco 5,495.00 2009 est. 427 Monaco 5,406.00 2009 est. 428 San Marino 5,343.00 2009 est. 429 Gibraltar 5,242.00 2009 est. 430 Gibraltar 5,234.00 2009 est. 431 Palau 5,177.00 2009 est. 432 Turks and Caicos Islands 4,937.00 2009 est. 433 Turks and Caicos Islands 4,648.00 2009 est. 434 Palau 3,936.00 2009 est. 435 Anguilla 3,308.00 2009 est. 436 Wallis and Futuna 3,297.00 2009 est. 437 Wallis and Futuna 3,273.00 2009 est. 438 Nauru 2,966.00 2009 est. 439 Anguilla 2,955.00 2009 est. 440 Tuvalu 2,631.00 2009 est. 441 Nauru 2,592.00 2009 est. 442 Tuvalu 2,462.00 2009 est. 443 Cook Islands 2,334.00 2009 est. 444 Cook Islands 2,286.00 2009 est. 445 Saint Helena 1,600.00 2009 est. 446 Saint Barthelemy 1,594.00 2009 est. 447 Saint Helena 1,586.00 2009 est. 448 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 1,427.00 2009 est. 449 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 1,406.00 2009 est. 450 Saint Barthelemy 1,340.00 2009 est. 451 Montserrat 1,226.00 2009 est. 452 Montserrat 1,126.00 2009 est. ====================================================================== Rank code: 2026 Country Comparison :: Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually This entry gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults. Rank country Manpower reaching militarily significant age annuallyDate of Information 1 India 11,795,000.00 2009 est. 2 India 10,820,590.00 2009 est. 3 China 10,621,373.00 2009 est. 4 China 9,533,880.00 2009 est. 5 Indonesia 2,197,323.00 2009 est. 6 United States 2,196,124.00 2009 est. 7 Indonesia 2,126,412.00 2009 est. 8 Pakistan 2,089,936.00 2009 est. 9 United States 2,085,085.00 2009 est. 10 Pakistan 1,964,090.00 2009 est. 11 Nigeria 1,697,030.00 2009 est. 12 Brazil 1,690,031.00 2009 est. 13 Bangladesh 1,666,670.00 2009 est. 14 Brazil 1,630,851.00 2009 est. 15 Nigeria 1,618,561.00 2009 est. 16 Bangladesh 1,538,865.00 2009 est. 17 Mexico 1,109,981.00 2009 est. 18 Mexico 1,072,094.00 2009 est. 19 Philippines 1,023,431.00 2009 est. 20 Philippines 986,434.00 2009 est. 21 Ethiopia 916,354.00 2009 est. 22 Ethiopia 908,384.00 2009 est. 23 Vietnam 893,726.00 2009 est. 24 Vietnam 834,279.00 2009 est. 25 Egypt 831,157.00 2009 est. 26 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 814,199.00 2009 est. 27 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 811,238.00 2009 est. 28 Egypt 792,330.00 2009 est. 29 Russia 741,692.00 2009 est. 30 Russia 706,081.00 2009 est. 31 Iran 700,213.00 2009 est. 32 Turkey 692,592.00 2009 est. 33 Iran 664,846.00 2009 est. 34 Turkey 663,689.00 2009 est. 35 Japan 621,254.00 2009 est. 36 Japan 589,270.00 2009 est. 37 Thailand 532,977.00 2009 est. 38 South Africa 511,616.00 2009 est. 39 Thailand 510,737.00 2009 est. 40 South Africa 510,540.00 2009 est. 41 Sudan 498,376.00 2009 est. 42 Tanzania 489,462.00 2009 est. 43 Tanzania 487,742.00 2009 est. 44 Sudan 479,005.00 2009 est. 45 Colombia 446,432.00 2009 est. 46 Colombia 437,164.00 2009 est. 47 Germany 431,508.00 2009 est. 48 Burma 426,110.00 2009 est. 49 Burma 417,674.00 2009 est. 50 Kenya 412,656.00 2009 est. 51 Germany 409,111.00 2009 est. 52 Kenya 408,657.00 2009 est. 53 Uganda 399,134.00 2009 est. 54 Uganda 395,505.00 2009 est. 55 United Kingdom 393,892.00 2009 est. 56 France 391,480.00 2009 est. 57 Afghanistan 382,720.00 2009 est. 58 United Kingdom 376,351.00 2009 est. 59 Algeria 375,852.00 2009 est. 60 France 373,334.00 2009 est. 61 Korea, South 371,728.00 2009 est. 62 Nepal 365,567.00 2009 est. 63 Algeria 362,158.00 2009 est. 64 Afghanistan 361,733.00 2009 est. 65 Morocco 356,014.00 2009 est. 66 Nepal 352,643.00 2009 est. 67 Morocco 343,520.00 2009 est. 68 Argentina 341,590.00 2009 est. 69 Argentina 326,342.00 2009 est. 70 Korea, South 322,605.00 2009 est. 71 Iraq 313,500.00 2009 est. 72 Uzbekistan 313,131.00 2009 est. 73 Peru 310,575.00 2009 est. 74 Uzbekistan 310,442.00 2009 est. 75 Iraq 304,923.00 2009 est. 76 Peru 300,838.00 2009 est. 77 Italy 287,845.00 2009 est. 78 Saudi Arabia 278,179.00 2009 est. 79 Venezuela 276,051.00 2009 est. 80 Venezuela 274,162.00 2009 est. 81 Yemen 273,624.00 2009 est. 82 Ghana 272,954.00 2009 est. 83 Italy 270,384.00 2009 est. 84 Ukraine 269,311.00 2009 est. 85 Saudi Arabia 267,905.00 2009 est. 86 Malaysia 266,267.00 2009 est. 87 Ghana 266,186.00 2009 est. 88 Mozambique 265,058.00 2009 est. 89 Mozambique 263,994.00 2009 est. 90 Yemen 263,402.00 2009 est. 91 Ukraine 257,656.00 2009 est. 92 Malaysia 252,543.00 2009 est. 93 Poland 246,667.00 2009 est. 94 Madagascar 236,500.00 2009 est. 95 Cote d'Ivoire 236,159.00 2009 est. 96 Madagascar 235,994.00 2009 est. 97 Poland 235,698.00 2009 est. 98 Cote d'Ivoire 232,617.00 2009 est. 99 Canada 223,238.00 2009 est. 100 Syria 213,513.00 2009 est. 101 Cameroon 213,027.00 2009 est. 102 Canada 210,797.00 2009 est. 103 Cameroon 208,642.00 2009 est. 104 Syria 201,055.00 2009 est. 105 Spain 199,124.00 2009 est. 106 Korea, North 191,759.00 2009 est. 107 Spain 187,224.00 2009 est. 108 Korea, North 184,641.00 2009 est. 109 Burkina Faso 182,540.00 2009 est. 110 Burkina Faso 180,051.00 2009 est. 111 Cambodia 177,881.00 2009 est. 112 Cambodia 175,332.00 2009 est. 113 Malawi 174,044.00 2009 est. 114 Malawi 173,828.00 2009 est. 115 Sri Lanka 173,256.00 2009 est. 116 Niger 170,060.00 2009 est. 117 Sri Lanka 167,645.00 2009 est. 118 Guatemala 165,910.00 2009 est. 119 Taiwan 165,738.00 2009 est. 120 Niger 163,996.00 2009 est. 121 Guatemala 163,760.00 2009 est. 122 Senegal 154,249.00 2009 est. 123 Taiwan 154,123.00 2009 est. 124 Senegal 153,679.00 2009 est. 125 Zimbabwe 149,717.00 2009 est. 126 Zimbabwe 149,592.00 2009 est. 127 Zambia 149,567.00 2009 est. 128 Zambia 148,889.00 2009 est. 129 Ecuador 148,010.00 2009 est. 130 Mali 147,846.00 2009 est. 131 Angola 146,738.00 2009 est. 132 Chile 145,766.00 2009 est. 133 Australia 144,959.00 2009 est. 134 Angola 143,478.00 2009 est. 135 Ecuador 143,291.00 2009 est. 136 Mali 140,543.00 2009 est. 137 Chile 139,648.00 2009 est. 138 Kazakhstan 139,262.00 2009 est. 139 Australia 137,333.00 2009 est. 140 Kazakhstan 133,047.00 2009 est. 141 Romania 124,356.00 2009 est. 142 Chad 121,585.00 2009 est. 143 Chad 121,080.00 2009 est. 144 Romania 118,430.00 2009 est. 145 Guinea 110,281.00 2009 est. 146 Haiti 108,444.00 2009 est. 147 Bolivia 108,304.00 2009 est. 148 Guinea 107,879.00 2009 est. 149 Rwanda 106,935.00 2009 est. 150 Rwanda 106,741.00 2009 est. 151 Haiti 106,243.00 2009 est. 152 Netherlands 105,194.00 2009 est. 153 Bolivia 104,882.00 2009 est. 154 Burundi 101,897.00 2009 est. 155 Benin 101,549.00 2009 est. 156 Burundi 101,402.00 2009 est. 157 Tunisia 100,478.00 2009 est. 158 Netherlands 100,341.00 2009 est. 159 Benin 97,856.00 2009 est. 160 Dominican Republic 97,766.00 2009 est. 161 Tunisia 94,055.00 2009 est. 162 Dominican Republic 93,922.00 2009 est. 163 Somalia 93,763.00 2009 est. 164 Somalia 93,738.00 2009 est. 165 Honduras 92,638.00 2009 est. 166 Azerbaijan 90,416.00 2009 est. 167 Honduras 88,993.00 2009 est. 168 Azerbaijan 85,344.00 2009 est. 169 Tajikistan 80,819.00 2009 est. 170 Tajikistan 78,460.00 2009 est. 171 El Salvador 77,473.00 2009 est. 172 Cuba 75,969.00 2009 est. 173 Sierra Leone 75,491.00 2009 est. 174 Laos 75,310.00 2009 est. 175 El Salvador 74,655.00 2009 est. 176 Laos 74,498.00 2009 est. 177 Paraguay 73,660.00 2009 est. 178 Nicaragua 72,366.00 2009 est. 179 Cuba 72,253.00 2009 est. 180 Paraguay 72,046.00 2009 est. 181 Sierra Leone 71,524.00 2009 est. 182 Togo 70,775.00 2009 est. 183 Nicaragua 70,118.00 2009 est. 184 Togo 70,051.00 2009 est. 185 Jordan 69,830.00 2009 est. 186 Jordan 67,292.00 2009 est. 187 Papua New Guinea 64,636.00 2009 est. 188 Portugal 64,047.00 2009 est. 189 Papua New Guinea 62,803.00 2009 est. 190 Belgium 62,722.00 2009 est. 191 Eritrea 62,328.00 2009 est. 192 Eritrea 62,265.00 2009 est. 193 Sweden 62,262.00 2009 est. 194 Israel 61,223.00 2009 est. 195 Libya 60,710.00 2009 est. 196 Hungary 60,248.00 2009 est. 197 Czech Republic 60,150.00 2009 est. 198 Belarus 60,009.00 2009 est. 199 Belgium 59,969.00 2009 est. 200 Sweden 59,340.00 2009 est. 201 Israel 58,219.00 2009 est. 202 Libya 58,219.00 2009 est. 203 Kyrgyzstan 57,659.00 2009 est. 204 Portugal 57,630.00 2009 est. 205 Hungary 57,280.00 2009 est. 206 Czech Republic 57,157.00 2009 est. 207 Turkmenistan 57,021.00 2009 est. 208 Belarus 56,834.00 2009 est. 209 Turkmenistan 56,064.00 2009 est. 210 Kyrgyzstan 55,557.00 2009 est. 211 Central African Republic 55,484.00 2009 est. 212 Central African Republic 55,168.00 2009 est. 213 Greece 53,401.00 2009 est. 214 Austria 50,540.00 2009 est. 215 Greece 50,084.00 2009 est. 216 Switzerland 48,076.00 2009 est. 217 Austria 48,042.00 2009 est. 218 Congo, Republic of the 46,976.00 2009 est. 219 Congo, Republic of the 46,490.00 2009 est. 220 Serbia 44,601.00 2009 est. 221 Switzerland 44,049.00 2009 est. 222 Hong Kong 42,330.00 2009 est. 223 Serbia 41,845.00 2009 est. 224 Costa Rica 40,698.00 2009 est. 225 Costa Rica 38,808.00 2009 est. 226 Hong Kong 38,797.00 2009 est. 227 Bulgaria 38,263.00 2009 est. 228 Denmark 37,231.00 2009 est. 229 Slovakia 36,552.00 2009 est. 230 Bulgaria 36,374.00 2009 est. 231 Oman 35,647.00 2009 est. 232 Denmark 35,306.00 2009 est. 233 Mauritania 35,272.00 2009 est. 234 Slovakia 34,783.00 2009 est. 235 Albania 34,778.00 2009 est. 236 Mauritania 34,546.00 2009 est. 237 Oman 34,407.00 2009 est. 238 Liberia 34,059.00 2009 est. 239 Finland 33,784.00 2009 est. 240 Liberia 33,281.00 2009 est. 241 Lebanon 33,018.00 2009 est. 242 Finland 32,621.00 2009 est. 243 Georgia 32,355.00 2009 est. 244 Norway 31,980.00 2009 est. 245 Jamaica 31,833.00 2009 est. 246 Lebanon 31,800.00 2009 est. 247 Albania 31,673.00 2009 est. 248 Moldova 31,633.00 2009 est. 249 New Zealand 31,461.00 2009 est. 250 Jamaica 31,257.00 2009 est. 251 Panama 31,089.00 2009 est. 252 Georgia 30,809.00 2009 est. 253 Norway 30,543.00 2009 est. 254 Puerto Rico 30,422.00 2009 est. 255 West Bank 30,233.00 2009 est. 256 Moldova 30,214.00 2009 est. 257 Panama 29,939.00 2009 est. 258 New Zealand 29,809.00 2009 est. 259 Puerto Rico 29,396.00 2009 est. 260 West Bank 28,745.00 2009 est. 261 Mongolia 28,251.00 2009 est. 262 Ireland 28,072.00 2009 est. 263 Singapore 27,715.00 2009 est. 264 Croatia 27,620.00 2009 est. 265 Uruguay 27,452.00 2009 est. 266 Bosnia and Herzegovina 27,368.00 2009 est. 267 Mongolia 27,344.00 2009 est. 268 Armenia 27,293.00 2009 est. 269 United Arab Emirates 26,659.00 2009 est. 270 Uruguay 26,479.00 2009 est. 271 Ireland 26,400.00 2009 est. 272 Singapore 26,290.00 2009 est. 273 Croatia 26,154.00 2009 est. 274 Lesotho 26,039.00 2009 est. 275 Lesotho 25,964.00 2009 est. 276 Namibia 25,857.00 2009 est. 277 Bosnia and Herzegovina 25,644.00 2009 est. 278 Armenia 25,574.00 2009 est. 279 Namibia 25,505.00 2009 est. 280 United Arab Emirates 23,793.00 2009 est. 281 Lithuania 23,556.00 2009 est. 282 Botswana 23,420.00 2009 est. 283 Botswana 22,904.00 2009 est. 284 Lithuania 22,404.00 2009 est. 285 Gambia, The 20,238.00 2009 est. 286 Gambia, The 20,167.00 2009 est. 287 Gaza Strip 19,147.00 2009 est. 288 Kuwait 18,865.00 2009 est. 289 Gaza Strip 18,200.00 2009 est. 290 Kuwait 18,122.00 2009 est. 291 Guinea-Bissau 17,172.00 2009 est. 292 Guinea-Bissau 16,957.00 2009 est. 293 Gabon 16,942.00 2009 est. 294 Gabon 16,933.00 2009 est. 295 Swaziland 15,985.00 2009 est. 296 Swaziland 15,754.00 2009 est. 297 Macedonia 14,596.00 2009 est. 298 Macedonia 13,881.00 2009 est. 299 Latvia 12,901.00 2009 est. 300 Timor-Leste 12,887.00 2009 est. 301 Timor-Leste 12,529.00 2009 est. 302 Latvia 12,497.00 2009 est. 303 Mauritius 10,901.00 2009 est. 304 Mauritius 10,796.00 2009 est. 305 Slovenia 10,192.00 2009 est. 306 Slovenia 9,717.00 2009 est. 307 Trinidad and Tobago 9,183.00 2009 est. 308 Fiji 9,107.00 2009 est. 309 Fiji 8,755.00 2009 est. 310 Trinidad and Tobago 8,662.00 2009 est. 311 Comoros 8,203.00 2009 est. 312 Comoros 8,188.00 2009 est. 313 Bhutan 7,668.00 2009 est. 314 Estonia 7,583.00 2009 est. 315 Bhutan 7,379.00 2009 est. 316 Estonia 7,111.00 2009 est. 317 Solomon Islands 7,091.00 2009 est. 318 Equatorial Guinea 6,983.00 2009 est. 319 Solomon Islands 6,837.00 2009 est. 320 Equatorial Guinea 6,726.00 2009 est. 321 Guyana 6,625.00 2009 est. 322 Bahrain 6,612.00 2009 est. 323 Bahrain 6,499.00 2009 est. 324 Guyana 6,365.00 2009 est. 325 Qatar 6,337.00 2009 est. 326 Cyprus 6,241.00 2009 est. 327 Cyprus 5,979.00 2009 est. 328 Djibouti 5,778.00 2009 est. 329 Djibouti 5,771.00 2009 est. 330 Cape Verde 5,471.00 2009 est. 331 Cape Verde 5,349.00 2009 est. 332 Qatar 5,059.00 2009 est. 333 Western Sahara 4,796.00 2009 est. 334 Western Sahara 4,679.00 2009 est. 335 Macau 4,578.00 2009 est. 336 Maldives 4,576.00 2009 est. 337 Suriname 4,265.00 2009 est. 338 Suriname 4,251.00 2009 est. 339 Macau 4,052.00 2009 est. 340 Montenegro 3,945.00 2009 est. 341 Maldives 3,942.00 2009 est. 342 Montenegro 3,907.00 2009 est. 343 Belize 3,632.00 2009 est. 344 Belize 3,500.00 2009 est. 345 Brunei 3,460.00 2009 est. 346 Brunei 3,399.00 2009 est. 347 Luxembourg 3,170.00 2009 est. 348 Bahamas, The 3,003.00 2009 est. 349 Luxembourg 2,995.00 2009 est. 350 Bahamas, The 2,992.00 2009 est. 351 Malta 2,695.00 2009 est. 352 French Polynesia 2,665.00 2009 est. 353 Samoa 2,597.00 2009 est. 354 French Polynesia 2,552.00 2009 est. 355 Sao Tome and Principe 2,534.00 2009 est. 356 Malta 2,533.00 2009 est. 357 Mayotte 2,517.00 2009 est. 358 Mayotte 2,511.00 2009 est. 359 Sao Tome and Principe 2,485.00 2009 est. 360 Samoa 2,477.00 2009 est. 361 Iceland 2,369.00 2009 est. 362 Vanuatu 2,368.00 2009 est. 363 Iceland 2,349.00 2009 est. 364 Vanuatu 2,272.00 2009 est. 365 New Caledonia 2,160.00 2009 est. 366 New Caledonia 2,087.00 2009 est. 367 Barbados 2,015.00 2009 est. 368 Barbados 2,007.00 2009 est. 369 Netherlands Antilles 1,920.00 2009 est. 370 Netherlands Antilles 1,827.00 2009 est. 371 Saint Lucia 1,607.00 2009 est. 372 Saint Lucia 1,511.00 2009 est. 373 Tonga 1,458.00 2009 est. 374 Tonga 1,403.00 2009 est. 375 Micronesia, Federated States of 1,273.00 2009 est. 376 Kiribati 1,264.00 2009 est. 377 Kiribati 1,242.00 2009 est. 378 Micronesia, Federated States of 1,212.00 2009 est. 379 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1,020.00 2009 est. 380 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1,009.00 2009 est. 381 Grenada 982.00 2009 est. 382 Grenada 937.00 2009 est. 383 Virgin Islands 873.00 2009 est. 384 Virgin Islands 831.00 2009 est. 385 American Samoa 820.00 2009 est. 386 American Samoa 802.00 2009 est. 387 Dominica 776.00 2009 est. 388 Antigua and Barbuda 744.00 2009 est. 389 Antigua and Barbuda 743.00 2009 est. 390 Dominica 731.00 2009 est. 391 Aruba 722.00 2009 est. 392 Seychelles 714.00 2009 est. 393 Aruba 711.00 2009 est. 394 Seychelles 685.00 2009 est. 395 Northern Mariana Islands 587.00 2009 est. 396 Jersey 586.00 2009 est. 397 Northern Mariana Islands 570.00 2009 est. 398 Jersey 541.00 2009 est. 399 Marshall Islands 540.00 2009 est. 400 Greenland 532.00 2009 est. 401 Marshall Islands 521.00 2009 est. 402 Greenland 491.00 2009 est. 403 Isle of Man 466.00 2009 est. 404 Isle of Man 446.00 2009 est. 405 Bermuda 426.00 2009 est. 406 Bermuda 413.00 2009 est. 407 Andorra 402.00 2009 est. 408 Faroe Islands 386.00 2009 est. 409 Saint Kitts and Nevis 376.00 2009 est. 410 Faroe Islands 375.00 2009 est. 411 Andorra 373.00 2009 est. 412 Guernsey 362.00 2009 est. 413 Saint Kitts and Nevis 362.00 2009 est. 414 Guernsey 351.00 2009 est. 415 Cayman Islands 345.00 2009 est. 416 Cayman Islands 334.00 2009 est. 417 Turks and Caicos Islands 226.00 2009 est. 418 Liechtenstein 222.00 2009 est. 419 Turks and Caicos Islands 218.00 2009 est. 420 Palau 214.00 2009 est. 421 Palau 207.00 2009 est. 422 Liechtenstein 199.00 2009 est. 423 Monaco 190.00 2009 est. 424 Gibraltar 186.00 2009 est. 425 Monaco 182.00 2009 est. 426 Gibraltar 179.00 2009 est. 427 Nauru 179.00 2009 est. 428 British Virgin Islands 178.00 2009 est. 429 Saint Martin 177.00 2009 est. 430 Wallis and Futuna 175.00 2009 est. 431 Nauru 174.00 2009 est. 432 British Virgin Islands 173.00 2009 est. 433 Wallis and Futuna 164.00 2009 est. 434 Saint Martin 162.00 2009 est. 435 San Marino 161.00 2009 est. 436 San Marino 160.00 2009 est. 437 Cook Islands 148.00 2009 est. 438 Cook Islands 125.00 2009 est. 439 Tuvalu 125.00 2009 est. 440 Tuvalu 121.00 2009 est. 441 Anguilla 107.00 2009 est. 442 Anguilla 106.00 2009 est. 443 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 61.00 2009 est. 444 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 57.00 2009 est. 445 Saint Helena 47.00 2009 est. 446 Saint Helena 45.00 2009 est. 447 Montserrat 36.00 2009 est. 448 Montserrat 33.00 2009 est. 449 Saint Barthelemy 21.00 2009 est. 450 Saint Barthelemy 20.00 2009 est. ====================================================================== Rank code: 2028 Country Comparison :: Background This entry usually highlights major historic events and current issues and may include a statement about one or two key future trends. Rank country Background Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2030 Country Comparison :: Airports - with paved runways This entry gives the total number of airports with paved runways (concrete or asphalt surfaces) by length. For airports with more than one runway, only the longest runway is included according to the following five groups - (1) over 3,047 m (over 10,000 ft), (2) 2,438 to 3,047 m (8,000 to 10,000 ft), (3) 1,524 to 2,437 m (5,000 to 8,000 ft), (4) 914 to 1,523 m (3,000 to 5,000 ft), and (5) under 914 m (under 3,000 ft). Only airports with usable runways are included in this listing. Not all airports have facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control. The type aircraft capable of operating from a runway of a given length is dependent upon a number of factors including elevation of the runway, runway gradient, average maximum daily temperature at the airport, engine types, flap settings, and take-off weight of the aircraft. Rank country Airports - with paved runways Date of Information 1 United States 5,174.00 2009 2 United States 2,309.00 2009 3 European Union 1,995.00 2009 4 United States 1,477.00 2009 5 United States 969.00 2009 6 Brazil 721.00 2009 7 Russia 595.00 2009 8 European Union 575.00 2009 9 European Union 543.00 2009 10 Canada 515.00 2009 11 Brazil 460.00 2009 12 China 425.00 2009 13 European Union 421.00 2009 14 European Union 341.00 2009 15 Germany 330.00 2009 16 Australia 325.00 2009 17 United Kingdom 307.00 2009 18 France 297.00 2009 19 Canada 251.00 2009 20 India 250.00 2009 21 Mexico 246.00 2009 22 United States 229.00 2009 23 Russia 198.00 2009 24 United States 190.00 2009 25 Ukraine 189.00 2009 26 Brazil 171.00 2009 27 Indonesia 164.00 2009 28 Argentina 156.00 2009 29 Sweden 152.00 2009 30 Canada 148.00 2009 31 South Africa 148.00 2009 32 Australia 145.00 2009 33 Japan 144.00 2009 34 Australia 142.00 2009 35 Germany 135.00 2009 36 China 133.00 2009 37 Iran 133.00 2009 38 Bulgaria 132.00 2009 39 China 132.00 2009 40 Venezuela 131.00 2009 41 Russia 129.00 2009 42 United Kingdom 125.00 2009 43 Russia 117.00 2009 44 Colombia 116.00 2009 45 European Union 115.00 2009 46 Ecuador 103.00 2009 47 Italy 101.00 2009 48 Russia 99.00 2009 49 Pakistan 98.00 2009 50 Bulgaria 97.00 2009 51 France 97.00 2009 52 Ukraine 96.00 2009 53 Spain 95.00 2009 54 Turkey 90.00 2009 55 Mexico 85.00 2009 56 Philippines 85.00 2009 57 India 84.00 2009 58 Poland 84.00 2009 59 France 82.00 2009 60 Mexico 82.00 2009 61 Chile 81.00 2009 62 Saudi Arabia 80.00 2009 63 Canada 79.00 2009 64 France 77.00 2009 65 United Kingdom 77.00 2009 66 India 76.00 2009 67 Sweden 76.00 2009 68 Finland 75.00 2009 69 Iraq 75.00 2009 70 China 72.00 2009 71 Egypt 72.00 2009 72 Korea, South 72.00 2009 73 Germany 72.00 2009 74 South Africa 68.00 2009 75 Greece 67.00 2009 76 Kazakhstan 67.00 2009 77 Norway 67.00 2009 78 Argentina 65.00 2009 79 Cuba 65.00 2009 80 Thailand 64.00 2009 81 United Kingdom 64.00 2009 82 China 63.00 2009 83 Venezuela 63.00 2009 84 Libya 59.00 2009 85 Germany 58.00 2009 86 Algeria 57.00 2009 87 Peru 57.00 2009 88 Brazil 56.00 2009 89 India 56.00 2009 90 Indonesia 56.00 2009 91 Ecuador 54.00 2009 92 Panama 54.00 2009 93 Germany 52.00 2009 94 South Africa 52.00 2009 95 Russia 52.00 2009 96 Argentina 51.00 2009 97 Ukraine 51.00 2009 98 Indonesia 51.00 2009 99 Colombia 50.00 2009 100 French Polynesia 47.00 2009 101 Czech Republic 44.00 2009 102 Portugal 43.00 2009 103 Switzerland 43.00 2009 104 Japan 42.00 2009 105 New Zealand 41.00 2009 106 Colombia 40.00 2009 107 Japan 40.00 2009 108 Iran 40.00 2009 109 Poland 39.00 2009 110 Costa Rica 38.00 2009 111 Mexico 38.00 2009 112 Malaysia 38.00 2009 113 Pakistan 38.00 2009 114 Taiwan 38.00 2009 115 Nigeria 38.00 2009 116 Burma 37.00 2009 117 Iraq 37.00 2009 118 Vietnam 37.00 2009 119 Korea, North 37.00 2009 120 Sweden 36.00 2009 121 Belarus 35.00 2009 122 Egypt 35.00 2009 123 Venezuela 35.00 2009 124 Philippines 35.00 2009 125 Indonesia 35.00 2009 126 French Polynesia 34.00 2009 127 Iran 34.00 2009 128 Turkey 33.00 2009 129 Uzbekistan 33.00 2009 130 Italy 32.00 2009 131 Morocco 32.00 2009 132 United Kingdom 32.00 2009 133 Lithuania 32.00 2009 134 Saudi Arabia 31.00 2009 135 Angola 30.00 2009 136 Israel 30.00 2009 137 Panama 30.00 2009 138 Poland 30.00 2009 139 Italy 30.00 2009 140 Algeria 29.00 2009 141 Syria 29.00 2009 142 Mexico 29.00 2009 143 Denmark 28.00 2009 144 Iran 28.00 2009 145 Philippines 28.00 2009 146 Japan 28.00 2009 147 Azerbaijan 27.00 2009 148 Brazil 27.00 2009 149 Saudi Arabia 27.00 2009 150 Madagascar 27.00 2009 151 Japan 27.00 2009 152 France 27.00 2009 153 Cuba 27.00 2009 154 Belgium 27.00 2009 155 Argentina 26.00 2009 156 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 26.00 2009 157 Kazakhstan 26.00 2009 158 Finland 26.00 2009 159 Austria 25.00 2009 160 Norway 25.00 2009 161 Ecuador 25.00 2009 162 China 25.00 2009 163 Iran 25.00 2009 164 New Zealand 25.00 2009 165 Sweden 25.00 2009 166 Romania 25.00 2009 167 United Arab Emirates 24.00 2009 168 Thailand 24.00 2009 169 Spain 24.00 2009 170 Chile 24.00 2009 171 Ukraine 24.00 2009 172 Bahamas, The 23.00 2009 173 Spain 23.00 2009 174 Libya 23.00 2009 175 Mozambique 23.00 2009 176 Croatia 23.00 2009 177 Libya 23.00 2009 178 Belarus 22.00 2009 179 Turkmenistan 22.00 2009 180 Korea, South 22.00 2009 181 Korea, South 22.00 2009 182 Korea, North 22.00 2009 183 Finland 22.00 2009 184 Costa Rica 22.00 2009 185 Chile 22.00 2009 186 Chile 22.00 2009 187 Papua New Guinea 21.00 2009 188 Namibia 21.00 2009 189 Greece 20.00 2009 190 Turkey 20.00 2009 191 Peru 20.00 2009 192 Netherlands 20.00 2009 193 Slovakia 20.00 2009 194 India 20.00 2009 195 Latvia 20.00 2009 196 Hungary 20.00 2009 197 Canada 19.00 2009 198 Zimbabwe 19.00 2009 199 Lithuania 19.00 2009 200 Iraq 19.00 2009 201 Pakistan 19.00 2009 202 Venezuela 19.00 2009 203 Sudan 19.00 2009 204 Bulgaria 18.00 2009 205 Ecuador 18.00 2009 206 Georgia 18.00 2009 207 Yemen 18.00 2009 208 Tajikistan 18.00 2009 209 Spain 18.00 2009 210 Spain 18.00 2009 211 Kyrgyzstan 18.00 2009 212 Indonesia 18.00 2009 213 Greece 18.00 2009 214 Czech Republic 18.00 2009 215 Canada 18.00 2009 216 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 17.00 2009 217 Madagascar 17.00 2009 218 Pakistan 17.00 2009 219 Turkey 17.00 2009 220 Switzerland 17.00 2009 221 Puerto Rico 17.00 2009 222 Panama 17.00 2009 223 Norway 17.00 2009 224 Kazakhstan 17.00 2009 225 Italy 17.00 2009 226 Ireland 17.00 2009 227 Ethiopia 17.00 2009 228 Cuba 17.00 2009 229 Afghanistan 16.00 2009 230 Bolivia 16.00 2009 231 Turkey 16.00 2009 232 Tunisia 16.00 2009 233 Syria 16.00 2009 234 Saudi Arabia 16.00 2009 235 Pakistan 16.00 2009 236 Kenya 16.00 2009 237 Dominican Republic 16.00 2009 238 Bangladesh 15.00 2009 239 Colombia 15.00 2009 240 Bulgaria 15.00 2009 241 Egypt 15.00 2009 242 Egypt 15.00 2009 243 Greece 15.00 2009 244 Jordan 15.00 2009 245 Thailand 15.00 2009 246 Australia 14.00 2009 247 Sri Lanka 14.00 2009 248 Finland 14.00 2009 249 France 14.00 2009 250 Paraguay 14.00 2009 251 Papua New Guinea 14.00 2009 252 Vietnam 14.00 2009 253 Switzerland 14.00 2009 254 Peru 14.00 2009 255 Mongolia 14.00 2009 256 India 14.00 2009 257 Austria 14.00 2009 258 Burma 14.00 2009 259 Azerbaijan 13.00 2009 260 Namibia 13.00 2009 261 Uzbekistan 13.00 2009 262 Portugal 13.00 2009 263 Peru 13.00 2009 264 Norway 13.00 2009 265 Korea, South 13.00 2009 266 Italy 13.00 2009 267 Guatemala 13.00 2009 268 Germany 13.00 2009 269 Gabon 13.00 2009 270 Estonia 13.00 2009 271 Cyprus 13.00 2009 272 Australia 13.00 2009 273 Angola 12.00 2009 274 Costa Rica 12.00 2009 275 Ukraine 12.00 2009 276 Sweden 12.00 2009 277 Spain 12.00 2009 278 South Africa 12.00 2009 279 New Zealand 12.00 2009 280 Norway 12.00 2009 281 Nigeria 12.00 2009 282 New Caledonia 12.00 2009 283 Mexico 12.00 2009 284 Korea, South 12.00 2009 285 Jamaica 12.00 2009 286 Honduras 12.00 2009 287 Denmark 12.00 2009 288 Czech Republic 12.00 2009 289 United Arab Emirates 11.00 2009 290 Algeria 11.00 2009 291 Australia 11.00 2009 292 Algeria 11.00 2009 293 Bahamas, The 11.00 2009 294 Burma 11.00 2009 295 Taiwan 11.00 2009 296 Thailand 11.00 2009 297 Romania 11.00 2009 298 Portugal 11.00 2009 299 Nicaragua 11.00 2009 300 Nepal 11.00 2009 301 Nigeria 11.00 2009 302 Morocco 11.00 2009 303 Mongolia 11.00 2009 304 Kyrgyzstan 11.00 2009 305 Cameroon 11.00 2009 306 Armenia 10.00 2009 307 Argentina 10.00 2009 308 Finland 10.00 2009 309 Guyana 10.00 2009 310 Macedonia 10.00 2009 311 Turkmenistan 10.00 2009 312 Senegal 10.00 2009 313 South Africa 10.00 2009 314 Philippines 10.00 2009 315 Romania 10.00 2009 316 Serbia 10.00 2009 317 Niger 10.00 2009 318 New Caledonia 10.00 2009 319 Mozambique 10.00 2009 320 Malaysia 10.00 2009 321 Oman 10.00 2009 322 Morocco 10.00 2009 323 Slovakia 10.00 2009 324 Kazakhstan 10.00 2009 325 Israel 10.00 2009 326 Greenland 10.00 2009 327 Angola 9.00 2009 328 Botswana 9.00 2009 329 Colombia 9.00 2009 330 Cape Verde 9.00 2009 331 Portugal 9.00 2009 332 Nepal 9.00 2009 333 Netherlands 9.00 2009 334 Kazakhstan 9.00 2009 335 Italy 9.00 2009 336 Croatia 9.00 2009 337 Greece 9.00 2009 338 Gabon 9.00 2009 339 Czech Republic 9.00 2009 340 Cuba 9.00 2009 341 Burma 9.00 2009 342 Belgium 9.00 2009 343 Zimbabwe 9.00 2009 344 Zambia 9.00 2009 345 Yemen 9.00 2009 346 Vietnam 9.00 2009 347 Vietnam 9.00 2009 348 Uruguay 9.00 2009 349 United Kingdom 9.00 2009 350 Tanzania 9.00 2009 351 Turkmenistan 9.00 2009 352 Sudan 9.00 2009 353 Mauritania 9.00 2009 354 Laos 9.00 2009 355 Belgium 8.00 2009 356 Hungary 8.00 2009 357 Iraq 8.00 2009 358 Latvia 8.00 2009 359 Malaysia 8.00 2009 360 Philippines 8.00 2009 361 Venezuela 8.00 2009 362 Taiwan 8.00 2009 363 Taiwan 8.00 2009 364 Thailand 8.00 2009 365 Singapore 8.00 2009 366 Seychelles 8.00 2009 367 Pakistan 8.00 2009 368 Mali 8.00 2009 369 Macedonia 8.00 2009 370 Korea, North 8.00 2009 371 Jordan 8.00 2009 372 Chile 8.00 2009 373 Chad 8.00 2009 374 Afghanistan 7.00 2009 375 Taiwan 7.00 2009 376 Tunisia 7.00 2009 377 Somalia 7.00 2009 378 Senegal 7.00 2009 379 Puerto Rico 7.00 2009 380 Poland 7.00 2009 381 Nigeria 7.00 2009 382 Lithuania 7.00 2009 383 Jamaica 7.00 2009 384 Japan 7.00 2009 385 Cote d'Ivoire 7.00 2009 386 Guyana 7.00 2009 387 Ghana 7.00 2009 388 Georgia 7.00 2009 389 French Polynesia 7.00 2009 390 Ethiopia 7.00 2009 391 Estonia 7.00 2009 392 Malaysia 7.00 2009 393 Malaysia 7.00 2009 394 Morocco 7.00 2009 395 Denmark 7.00 2009 396 Cuba 7.00 2009 397 Sri Lanka 7.00 2009 398 Brazil 7.00 2009 399 Belarus 7.00 2009 400 Bosnia and Herzegovina 7.00 2009 401 Azerbaijan 6.00 2009 402 Sri Lanka 6.00 2009 403 Israel 6.00 2009 404 Israel 6.00 2009 405 Iran 6.00 2009 406 Iceland 6.00 2009 407 Croatia 6.00 2009 408 Greenland 6.00 2009 409 Micronesia, Federated States of 6.00 2009 410 Equatorial Guinea 6.00 2009 411 Ireland 6.00 2009 412 Turks and Caicos Islands 6.00 2009 413 Tajikistan 6.00 2009 414 Thailand 6.00 2009 415 Niger 6.00 2009 416 Malaysia 6.00 2009 417 Malawi 6.00 2009 418 Madagascar 6.00 2009 419 Libya 6.00 2009 420 Libya 6.00 2009 421 Kenya 6.00 2009 422 Iraq 6.00 2009 423 Israel 6.00 2009 424 Venezuela 6.00 2009 425 Uzbekistan 6.00 2009 426 Uzbekistan 6.00 2009 427 Ukraine 6.00 2009 428 Slovenia 6.00 2009 429 South Africa 6.00 2009 430 Seychelles 6.00 2009 431 Peru 6.00 2009 432 Paraguay 6.00 2009 433 Cyprus 6.00 2009 434 Congo, Republic of the 6.00 2009 435 Cambodia 6.00 2009 436 Botswana 6.00 2009 437 Bahamas, The 6.00 2009 438 Bangladesh 6.00 2009 439 Belgium 6.00 2009 440 Algeria 5.00 2009 441 Switzerland 5.00 2009 442 Syria 5.00 2009 443 Kenya 5.00 2009 444 Jordan 5.00 2009 445 Iraq 5.00 2009 446 Guinea 5.00 2009 447 Greece 5.00 2009 448 Ethiopia 5.00 2009 449 Ireland 5.00 2009 450 Egypt 5.00 2009 451 Cuba 5.00 2009 452 Cameroon 5.00 2009 453 Chile 5.00 2009 454 Sudan 5.00 2009 455 Puerto Rico 5.00 2009 456 Portugal 5.00 2009 457 Portugal 5.00 2009 458 Panama 5.00 2009 459 Paraguay 5.00 2009 460 Netherlands Antilles 5.00 2009 461 Suriname 5.00 2009 462 Netherlands 5.00 2009 463 Zimbabwe 5.00 2009 464 Vietnam 5.00 2009 465 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 5.00 2009 466 Uganda 5.00 2009 467 Nigeria 5.00 2009 468 Mozambique 5.00 2009 469 Oman 5.00 2009 470 Mauritania 5.00 2009 471 Moldova 5.00 2009 472 Latvia 5.00 2009 473 Lebanon 5.00 2009 474 Kazakhstan 5.00 2009 475 Bolivia 5.00 2009 476 Austria 5.00 2009 477 Angola 5.00 2009 478 United Arab Emirates 4.00 2009 479 Afghanistan 4.00 2009 480 United Arab Emirates 4.00 2009 481 Albania 4.00 2009 482 Angola 4.00 2009 483 Zambia 4.00 2009 484 Yemen 4.00 2009 485 Uzbekistan 4.00 2009 486 Uzbekistan 4.00 2009 487 Uruguay 4.00 2009 488 Tanzania 4.00 2009 489 Taiwan 4.00 2009 490 Turkey 4.00 2009 491 Tunisia 4.00 2009 492 Tajikistan 4.00 2009 493 Switzerland 4.00 2009 494 Syria 4.00 2009 495 Somalia 4.00 2009 496 Singapore 4.00 2009 497 Saudi Arabia 4.00 2009 498 Rwanda 4.00 2009 499 Philippines 4.00 2009 500 Romania 4.00 2009 501 Marshall Islands 4.00 2009 502 Papua New Guinea 4.00 2009 503 Poland 4.00 2009 504 Poland 4.00 2009 505 Peru 4.00 2009 506 Suriname 4.00 2009 507 Mozambique 4.00 2009 508 Oman 4.00 2009 509 Mauritania 4.00 2009 510 Morocco 4.00 2009 511 Mali 4.00 2009 512 Malawi 4.00 2009 513 Laos 4.00 2009 514 Kosovo 4.00 2009 515 Kuwait 4.00 2009 516 Kiribati 4.00 2009 517 Kiribati 4.00 2009 518 Korea, North 4.00 2009 519 Kenya 4.00 2009 520 Cote d'Ivoire 4.00 2009 521 Indonesia 4.00 2009 522 Hungary 4.00 2009 523 Hungary 4.00 2009 524 Croatia 4.00 2009 525 Honduras 4.00 2009 526 Haiti 4.00 2009 527 Guatemala 4.00 2009 528 Georgia 4.00 2009 529 Georgia 4.00 2009 530 French Polynesia 4.00 2009 531 Micronesia, Federated States of 4.00 2009 532 Fiji 4.00 2009 533 El Salvador 4.00 2009 534 Eritrea 4.00 2009 535 Ireland 4.00 2009 536 Dominican Republic 4.00 2009 537 Dominican Republic 4.00 2009 538 Dominican Republic 4.00 2009 539 Denmark 4.00 2009 540 Comoros 4.00 2009 541 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 4.00 2009 542 Bolivia 4.00 2009 543 Bosnia and Herzegovina 4.00 2009 544 Belize 4.00 2009 545 Bangladesh 4.00 2009 546 Bahamas, The 4.00 2009 547 Austria 4.00 2009 548 Argentina 4.00 2009 549 Armenia 4.00 2009 550 Azerbaijan 4.00 2009 551 Bolivia 4.00 2009 552 United Arab Emirates 3.00 2009 553 Belgium 3.00 2009 554 Bahrain 3.00 2009 555 Bolivia 3.00 2009 556 Cambodia 3.00 2009 557 Congo, Republic of the 3.00 2009 558 Comoros 3.00 2009 559 Ecuador 3.00 2009 560 Ecuador 3.00 2009 561 Dominican Republic 3.00 2009 562 Djibouti 3.00 2009 563 Denmark 3.00 2009 564 Cyprus 3.00 2009 565 Cyprus 3.00 2009 566 Cape Verde 3.00 2009 567 Cape Verde 3.00 2009 568 Northern Mariana Islands 3.00 2009 569 Zimbabwe 3.00 2009 570 Yemen 3.00 2009 571 Western Sahara 3.00 2009 572 Western Sahara 3.00 2009 573 Namibia 3.00 2009 574 Namibia 3.00 2009 575 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3.00 2009 576 Uganda 3.00 2009 577 Tunisia 3.00 2009 578 Turks and Caicos Islands 3.00 2009 579 Tajikistan 3.00 2009 580 Tajikistan 3.00 2009 581 Trinidad and Tobago 3.00 2009 582 Switzerland 3.00 2009 583 Syria 3.00 2009 584 Sweden 3.00 2009 585 Sudan 3.00 2009 586 Puerto Rico 3.00 2009 587 Marshall Islands 3.00 2009 588 Serbia 3.00 2009 589 Serbia 3.00 2009 590 Qatar 3.00 2009 591 Nicaragua 3.00 2009 592 Nicaragua 3.00 2009 593 Netherlands 3.00 2009 594 Nigeria 3.00 2009 595 Vanuatu 3.00 2009 596 Niger 3.00 2009 597 Mozambique 3.00 2009 598 Maldives 3.00 2009 599 Montenegro 3.00 2009 600 Spratly Islands 3.00 2009 601 Paraguay 3.00 2009 602 Nicaragua 3.00 2009 603 Lesotho 3.00 2009 604 Slovakia 3.00 2009 605 Slovakia 3.00 2009 606 Slovakia 3.00 2009 607 Lithuania 3.00 2009 608 Latvia 3.00 2009 609 Latvia 3.00 2009 610 Laos 3.00 2009 611 Mali 3.00 2009 612 Korea, South 3.00 2009 613 Kyrgyzstan 3.00 2009 614 Kyrgyzstan 3.00 2009 615 Jamaica 3.00 2009 616 Iceland 3.00 2009 617 Honduras 3.00 2009 618 Honduras 3.00 2009 619 Guinea 3.00 2009 620 Guatemala 3.00 2009 621 Guatemala 3.00 2009 622 Guatemala 3.00 2009 623 Grenada 3.00 2009 624 Ghana 3.00 2009 625 Finland 3.00 2009 626 Czech Republic 3.00 2009 627 Ethiopia 3.00 2009 628 Haiti 3.00 2009 629 Cameroon 3.00 2009 630 Chad 3.00 2009 631 Belarus 3.00 2009 632 American Samoa 3.00 2009 633 Azerbaijan 3.00 2009 634 Albania 3.00 2009 635 Afghanistan 3.00 2009 636 Antigua and Barbuda 2.00 2009 637 Egypt 2.00 2009 638 Dominica 2.00 2009 639 Dominica 2.00 2009 640 Denmark 2.00 2009 641 Cape Verde 2.00 2009 642 Central African Republic 2.00 2009 643 Costa Rica 2.00 2009 644 Costa Rica 2.00 2009 645 Cameroon 2.00 2009 646 Cayman Islands 2.00 2009 647 Cayman Islands 2.00 2009 648 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 2.00 2009 649 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 2.00 2009 650 Congo, Republic of the 2.00 2009 651 Cambodia 2.00 2009 652 Solomon Islands 2.00 2009 653 Belarus 2.00 2009 654 Northern Mariana Islands 2.00 2009 655 Colombia 2.00 2009 656 Burma 2.00 2009 657 Bosnia and Herzegovina 2.00 2009 658 Belize 2.00 2009 659 Bangladesh 2.00 2009 660 Bangladesh 2.00 2009 661 Bahamas, The 2.00 2009 662 Botswana 2.00 2009 663 Bahrain 2.00 2009 664 Zimbabwe 2.00 2009 665 Zambia 2.00 2009 666 Zambia 2.00 2009 667 Samoa 2.00 2009 668 Wallis and Futuna 2.00 2009 669 West Bank 2.00 2009 670 Namibia 2.00 2009 671 Virgin Islands 2.00 2009 672 British Virgin Islands 2.00 2009 673 Uruguay 2.00 2009 674 Uruguay 2.00 2009 675 Burkina Faso 2.00 2009 676 Tanzania 2.00 2009 677 Tanzania 2.00 2009 678 Turkmenistan 2.00 2009 679 Timor-Leste 2.00 2009 680 Tunisia 2.00 2009 681 Sao Tome and Principe 2.00 2009 682 Togo 2.00 2009 683 Togo 2.00 2009 684 Turks and Caicos Islands 2.00 2009 685 Tajikistan 2.00 2009 686 Sudan 2.00 2009 687 Saint Lucia 2.00 2009 688 Somalia 2.00 2009 689 Singapore 2.00 2009 690 Slovenia 2.00 2009 691 Senegal 2.00 2009 692 Saint Kitts and Nevis 2.00 2009 693 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 2.00 2009 694 Saudi Arabia 2.00 2009 695 Rwanda 2.00 2009 696 Puerto Rico 2.00 2009 697 Serbia 2.00 2009 698 Serbia 2.00 2009 699 Qatar 2.00 2009 700 Guinea-Bissau 2.00 2009 701 Papua New Guinea 2.00 2009 702 Spratly Islands 2.00 2009 703 New Zealand 2.00 2009 704 Nicaragua 2.00 2009 705 Netherlands 2.00 2009 706 Mauritius 2.00 2009 707 Macedonia 2.00 2009 708 Montenegro 2.00 2009 709 Montserrat 2.00 2009 710 Montserrat 2.00 2009 711 Mongolia 2.00 2009 712 Moldova 2.00 2009 713 Moldova 2.00 2009 714 Madagascar 2.00 2009 715 Liberia 2.00 2009 716 Lithuania 2.00 2009 717 Lebanon 2.00 2009 718 Laos 2.00 2009 719 Kosovo 2.00 2009 720 Kuwait 2.00 2009 721 Korea, North 2.00 2009 722 Jamaica 2.00 2009 723 Cote d'Ivoire 2.00 2009 724 Israel 2.00 2009 725 Iceland 2.00 2009 726 Hungary 2.00 2009 727 Hungary 2.00 2009 728 Croatia 2.00 2009 729 Croatia 2.00 2009 730 Honduras 2.00 2009 731 Hong Kong 2.00 2009 732 Guyana 2.00 2009 733 Guinea 2.00 2009 734 Greenland 2.00 2009 735 Guernsey 2.00 2009 736 Ghana 2.00 2009 737 Georgia 2.00 2009 738 French Polynesia 2.00 2009 739 Micronesia, Federated States of 2.00 2009 740 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 2.00 2009 741 Fiji 2.00 2009 742 Czech Republic 2.00 2009 743 El Salvador 2.00 2009 744 Estonia 2.00 2009 745 Estonia 2.00 2009 746 Estonia 2.00 2009 747 Equatorial Guinea 2.00 2009 748 Equatorial Guinea 2.00 2009 749 Chad 2.00 2009 750 Chad 2.00 2009 751 Brunei 2.00 2009 752 Bulgaria 2.00 2009 753 Eritrea 2.00 2009 754 Eritrea 2.00 2009 755 Armenia 2.00 2009 756 Armenia 2.00 2009 757 Armenia 2.00 2009 758 United Arab Emirates 2.00 2009 759 Aruba 1.00 2009 760 Aruba 1.00 2009 761 Afghanistan 1.00 2009 762 American Samoa 1.00 2009 763 Dominican Republic 1.00 2009 764 Djibouti 1.00 2009 765 Djibouti 1.00 2009 766 Djibouti 1.00 2009 767 Cyprus 1.00 2009 768 Cook Islands 1.00 2009 769 Cook Islands 1.00 2009 770 Cape Verde 1.00 2009 771 Central African Republic 1.00 2009 772 Central African Republic 1.00 2009 773 Northern Mariana Islands 1.00 2009 774 Comoros 1.00 2009 775 Cameroon 1.00 2009 776 Cocos (Keeling) Islands 1.00 2009 777 Cocos (Keeling) Islands 1.00 2009 778 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 1.00 2009 779 Congo, Republic of the 1.00 2009 780 Sri Lanka 1.00 2009 781 Chad 1.00 2009 782 Guernsey 1.00 2009 783 Grenada 1.00 2009 784 Grenada 1.00 2009 785 Grenada 1.00 2009 786 Gibraltar 1.00 2009 787 Gibraltar 1.00 2009 788 Ghana 1.00 2009 789 Ghana 1.00 2009 790 Faroe Islands 1.00 2009 791 Zambia 1.00 2009 792 Yemen 1.00 2009 793 Yemen 1.00 2009 794 Swaziland 1.00 2009 795 Swaziland 1.00 2009 796 Samoa 1.00 2009 797 Samoa 1.00 2009 798 Wake Island 1.00 2009 799 Wake Island 1.00 2009 800 Wallis and Futuna 1.00 2009 801 Wallis and Futuna 1.00 2009 802 West Bank 1.00 2009 803 West Bank 1.00 2009 804 Virgin Islands 1.00 2009 805 Virgin Islands 1.00 2009 806 British Virgin Islands 1.00 2009 807 British Virgin Islands 1.00 2009 808 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1.00 2009 809 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1.00 2009 810 Uruguay 1.00 2009 811 Burkina Faso 1.00 2009 812 Burkina Faso 1.00 2009 813 Uganda 1.00 2009 814 Uganda 1.00 2009 815 Tanzania 1.00 2009 816 Turkmenistan 1.00 2009 817 Timor-Leste 1.00 2009 818 Timor-Leste 1.00 2009 819 Sao Tome and Principe 1.00 2009 820 Sao Tome and Principe 1.00 2009 821 Tonga 1.00 2009 822 Tonga 1.00 2009 823 Turks and Caicos Islands 1.00 2009 824 Trinidad and Tobago 1.00 2009 825 Trinidad and Tobago 1.00 2009 826 Trinidad and Tobago 1.00 2009 827 Saint Barthelemy 1.00 2009 828 Saint Barthelemy 1.00 2009 829 Syria 1.00 2009 830 Svalbard 1.00 2009 831 Svalbard 1.00 2009 832 Saint Lucia 1.00 2009 833 Saint Lucia 1.00 2009 834 Qatar 1.00 2009 835 Guinea-Bissau 1.00 2009 836 Guinea-Bissau 1.00 2009 837 Palau 1.00 2009 838 Palau 1.00 2009 839 Papua New Guinea 1.00 2009 840 Panama 1.00 2009 841 Panama 1.00 2009 842 Spratly Islands 1.00 2009 843 Paracel Islands 1.00 2009 844 Paracel Islands 1.00 2009 845 New Zealand 1.00 2009 846 New Zealand 1.00 2009 847 Netherlands Antilles 1.00 2009 848 Netherlands Antilles 1.00 2009 849 Netherlands Antilles 1.00 2009 850 Netherlands Antilles 1.00 2009 851 Netherlands Antilles 1.00 2009 852 Suriname 1.00 2009 853 Nauru 1.00 2009 854 Nauru 1.00 2009 855 Nepal 1.00 2009 856 Nepal 1.00 2009 857 Netherlands 1.00 2009 858 Vanuatu 1.00 2009 859 Vanuatu 1.00 2009 860 Vanuatu 1.00 2009 861 Niger 1.00 2009 862 Norfolk Island 1.00 2009 863 Norfolk Island 1.00 2009 864 Niue 1.00 2009 865 Niue 1.00 2009 866 New Caledonia 1.00 2009 867 New Caledonia 1.00 2009 868 Mozambique 1.00 2009 869 Maldives 1.00 2009 870 Maldives 1.00 2009 871 Maldives 1.00 2009 872 Oman 1.00 2009 873 Malta 1.00 2009 874 Malta 1.00 2009 875 Mauritius 1.00 2009 876 Mauritius 1.00 2009 877 Mali 1.00 2009 878 Montenegro 1.00 2009 879 Malawi 1.00 2009 880 Malawi 1.00 2009 881 Mongolia 1.00 2009 882 Mayotte 1.00 2009 883 Mayotte 1.00 2009 884 Moldova 1.00 2009 885 Macau 1.00 2009 886 Macau 1.00 2009 887 Madagascar 1.00 2009 888 Madagascar 1.00 2009 889 Libya 1.00 2009 890 Luxembourg 1.00 2009 891 Luxembourg 1.00 2009 892 Lesotho 1.00 2009 893 Lesotho 1.00 2009 894 Lesotho 1.00 2009 895 Slovakia 1.00 2009 896 Liberia 1.00 2009 897 Liberia 1.00 2009 898 Lithuania 1.00 2009 899 Latvia 1.00 2009 900 Lebanon 1.00 2009 901 Lebanon 1.00 2009 902 Lebanon 1.00 2009 903 Kosovo 1.00 2009 904 Kosovo 1.00 2009 905 Kuwait 1.00 2009 906 Kuwait 1.00 2009 907 Somalia 1.00 2009 908 Singapore 1.00 2009 909 Singapore 1.00 2009 910 Sierra Leone 1.00 2009 911 Sierra Leone 1.00 2009 912 Slovenia 1.00 2009 913 Slovenia 1.00 2009 914 Slovenia 1.00 2009 915 Slovenia 1.00 2009 916 Saint Helena 1.00 2009 917 Saint Helena 1.00 2009 918 Senegal 1.00 2009 919 Seychelles 1.00 2009 920 Seychelles 1.00 2009 921 Saint Kitts and Nevis 1.00 2009 922 Saint Kitts and Nevis 1.00 2009 923 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 1.00 2009 924 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 1.00 2009 925 Rwanda 1.00 2009 926 Rwanda 1.00 2009 927 Saint Martin 1.00 2009 928 Saint Martin 1.00 2009 929 Marshall Islands 1.00 2009 930 Christmas Island 1.00 2009 931 Christmas Island 1.00 2009 932 Korea, North 1.00 2009 933 Kyrgyzstan 1.00 2009 934 Kenya 1.00 2009 935 Jordan 1.00 2009 936 Jordan 1.00 2009 937 Jersey 1.00 2009 938 Jersey 1.00 2009 939 Cote d'Ivoire 1.00 2009 940 British Indian Ocean Territory 1.00 2009 941 British Indian Ocean Territory 1.00 2009 942 Isle of Man 1.00 2009 943 Isle of Man 1.00 2009 944 Iceland 1.00 2009 945 Hong Kong 1.00 2009 946 Hong Kong 1.00 2009 947 Haiti 1.00 2009 948 Gaza Strip 1.00 2009 949 Gaza Strip 1.00 2009 950 Guyana 1.00 2009 951 Greenland 1.00 2009 952 Greenland 1.00 2009 953 Guernsey 1.00 2009 954 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 1.00 2009 955 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 1.00 2009 956 Fiji 1.00 2009 957 Fiji 1.00 2009 958 Ethiopia 1.00 2009 959 Ethiopia 1.00 2009 960 El Salvador 1.00 2009 961 El Salvador 1.00 2009 962 Georgia 1.00 2009 963 Gabon 1.00 2009 964 Gabon 1.00 2009 965 Gabon 1.00 2009 966 Gabon 1.00 2009 967 Gambia, The 1.00 2009 968 Gambia, The 1.00 2009 969 Faroe Islands 1.00 2009 970 Cambodia 1.00 2009 971 Burundi 1.00 2009 972 Burundi 1.00 2009 973 Brunei 1.00 2009 974 Brunei 1.00 2009 975 Bhutan 1.00 2009 976 Bhutan 1.00 2009 977 Belarus 1.00 2009 978 Equatorial Guinea 1.00 2009 979 Equatorial Guinea 1.00 2009 980 Ireland 1.00 2009 981 Ireland 1.00 2009 982 Benin 1.00 2009 983 Benin 1.00 2009 984 Burma 1.00 2009 985 Bosnia and Herzegovina 1.00 2009 986 Belize 1.00 2009 987 Belize 1.00 2009 988 Bangladesh 1.00 2009 989 Botswana 1.00 2009 990 Solomon Islands 1.00 2009 991 Solomon Islands 1.00 2009 992 Barbados 1.00 2009 993 Barbados 1.00 2009 994 Bahrain 1.00 2009 995 Anguilla 1.00 2009 996 Anguilla 1.00 2009 997 Austria 1.00 2009 998 Austria 1.00 2009 999 American Samoa 1.00 2009 1000 Belgium 1.00 2009 1001 Bermuda 1.00 2009 1002 Bermuda 1.00 2009 1003 American Samoa 1.00 2009 1004 Azerbaijan 1.00 2009 1005 Albania 1.00 2009 1006 Algeria 1.00 2009 1007 Afghanistan 1.00 2009 1008 Antigua and Barbuda 1.00 2009 1009 Antigua and Barbuda 1.00 2009 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2031 Country Comparison :: Airports - with unpaved runways This entry gives the total number of airports with unpaved runways (grass, dirt, sand, or gravel surfaces) by length. For airports with more than one runway, only the longest runway is included according to the following five groups - (1) over 3,047 m (over 10,000 ft), (2) 2,438 to 3,047 m (8,000 to 10,000 ft), (3) 1,524 to 2,437 m (5,000 to 8,000 ft), (4) 914 to 1,523 m (3,000 to 5,000 ft), and (5) under 914 m (under 3,000 ft). Only airports with usable runways are included in this listing. Not all airports have facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control. The type aircraft capable of operating from a runway of a given length is dependent upon a number of factors including elevation of the runway, runway gradient, average maximum daily temperature at the airport, engine types, flap settings, and take-off weight of the aircraft. Rank country Airports - with unpaved runwaysDate of Information 1 United States 9,921.00 2009 2 United States 8,000.00 2009 3 Brazil 3,279.00 2009 4 United States 1,757.00 2009 5 Brazil 1,645.00 2009 6 Brazil 1,547.00 2009 7 Mexico 1,498.00 2009 8 European Union 1,396.00 2009 9 European Union 1,110.00 2009 10 Mexico 1,005.00 2009 11 Argentina 974.00 2009 12 Bolivia 936.00 2009 13 Colombia 876.00 2009 14 Canada 873.00 2009 15 Paraguay 784.00 2009 16 Bolivia 687.00 2009 17 Russia 621.00 2009 18 Colombia 612.00 2009 19 Papua New Guinea 539.00 2009 20 Argentina 522.00 2009 21 Indonesia 519.00 2009 22 Indonesia 489.00 2009 23 Paraguay 470.00 2009 24 Papua New Guinea 467.00 2009 25 South Africa 459.00 2009 26 Russia 453.00 2009 27 Canada 427.00 2009 28 Mexico 426.00 2009 29 Argentina 406.00 2009 30 Canada 373.00 2009 31 Guatemala 358.00 2009 32 Ecuador 317.00 2009 33 South Africa 298.00 2009 34 Paraguay 289.00 2009 35 Ecuador 279.00 2009 36 Chile 276.00 2009 37 Venezuela 275.00 2009 38 Guatemala 270.00 2009 39 European Union 257.00 2009 40 Ukraine 236.00 2009 41 Colombia 228.00 2009 42 Germany 220.00 2009 43 Ukraine 214.00 2009 44 Chile 212.00 2009 45 United Kingdom 199.00 2009 46 Zimbabwe 196.00 2009 47 Bolivia 186.00 2009 48 Germany 184.00 2009 49 Iran 183.00 2009 50 France 178.00 2009 51 United Kingdom 173.00 2009 52 Philippines 169.00 2009 53 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 168.00 2009 54 Kenya 165.00 2009 55 Angola 162.00 2009 56 United States 158.00 2009 57 Venezuela 155.00 2009 58 Peru 144.00 2009 59 Australia 139.00 2009 60 Iran 139.00 2009 61 Saudi Arabia 137.00 2009 62 Nicaragua 132.00 2009 63 South Africa 125.00 2009 64 Zimbabwe 119.00 2009 65 Oman 118.00 2009 66 Tanzania 116.00 2009 67 Nicaragua 115.00 2009 68 Costa Rica 113.00 2009 69 Australia 110.00 2009 70 Namibia 108.00 2009 71 France 107.00 2009 72 Kenya 105.00 2009 73 Venezuela 103.00 2009 74 Sudan 102.00 2009 75 India 99.00 2009 76 Philippines 99.00 2009 77 Sweden 97.00 2009 78 Costa Rica 94.00 2009 79 Honduras 94.00 2009 80 Iceland 93.00 2009 81 Sweden 92.00 2009 82 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 90.00 2009 83 Guyana 89.00 2009 84 Zambia 88.00 2009 85 Brazil 87.00 2009 86 Algeria 86.00 2009 87 Guatemala 84.00 2009 88 Russia 84.00 2009 89 Mozambique 82.00 2009 90 Bulgaria 80.00 2009 91 Malaysia 80.00 2009 92 New Zealand 79.00 2009 93 Peru 79.00 2009 94 Angola 78.00 2009 95 Libya 78.00 2009 96 Czech Republic 78.00 2009 97 Honduras 77.00 2009 98 Syria 75.00 2009 99 Guyana 74.00 2009 100 Zimbabwe 74.00 2009 101 Bulgaria 73.00 2009 102 Namibia 73.00 2009 103 Malaysia 73.00 2009 104 Finland 73.00 2009 105 Canada 73.00 2009 106 Saudi Arabia 72.00 2009 107 Cuba 71.00 2009 108 Finland 70.00 2009 109 France 70.00 2009 110 Botswana 68.00 2009 111 Russia 68.00 2009 112 Philippines 66.00 2009 113 Mexico 65.00 2009 114 Zambia 65.00 2009 115 Denmark 64.00 2009 116 Iceland 63.00 2009 117 Panama 63.00 2009 118 Papua New Guinea 63.00 2009 119 Tanzania 63.00 2009 120 Madagascar 62.00 2009 121 Denmark 61.00 2009 122 El Salvador 61.00 2009 123 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 59.00 2009 124 Syria 59.00 2009 125 Bolivia 58.00 2009 126 Cuba 58.00 2009 127 Spain 58.00 2009 128 China 57.00 2009 129 Sudan 56.00 2009 130 Lithuania 55.00 2009 131 Botswana 54.00 2009 132 Oman 52.00 2009 133 Somalia 52.00 2009 134 Lithuania 51.00 2009 135 Panama 51.00 2009 136 Chile 50.00 2009 137 Czech Republic 50.00 2009 138 Kenya 50.00 2009 139 Uruguay 48.00 2009 140 El Salvador 47.00 2009 141 India 47.00 2009 142 Pakistan 47.00 2009 143 Angola 46.00 2009 144 Ethiopia 46.00 2009 145 Chad 46.00 2009 146 Croatia 45.00 2009 147 Suriname 45.00 2009 148 New Zealand 45.00 2009 149 Argentina 44.00 2009 150 Korea, South 44.00 2009 151 India 42.00 2009 152 Korea, South 42.00 2009 153 Korea, North 42.00 2009 154 Algeria 41.00 2009 155 Libya 41.00 2009 156 Saudi Arabia 41.00 2009 157 Thailand 41.00 2009 158 Poland 41.00 2009 159 Belize 40.00 2009 160 Burma 40.00 2009 161 Suriname 40.00 2009 162 Bahamas, The 39.00 2009 163 Mozambique 39.00 2009 164 Spain 39.00 2009 165 Peru 39.00 2009 166 Madagascar 39.00 2009 167 Central African Republic 38.00 2009 168 Ecuador 38.00 2009 169 Croatia 37.00 2009 170 Yemen 37.00 2009 171 Nepal 36.00 2009 172 Afghanistan 35.00 2009 173 Colombia 35.00 2009 174 Solomon Islands 34.00 2009 175 Tanzania 34.00 2009 176 South Africa 34.00 2009 177 Germany 33.00 2009 178 Oman 33.00 2009 179 Mozambique 33.00 2009 180 Iran 33.00 2009 181 Angola 32.00 2009 182 Japan 32.00 2009 183 Kazakhstan 32.00 2009 184 Laos 32.00 2009 185 Gabon 31.00 2009 186 New Zealand 31.00 2009 187 Norway 31.00 2009 188 Italy 31.00 2009 189 Mongolia 31.00 2009 190 Liberia 31.00 2009 191 Austria 30.00 2009 192 Uganda 30.00 2009 193 Nepal 30.00 2009 194 Belarus 30.00 2009 195 Iraq 29.00 2009 196 Japan 28.00 2009 197 Romania 28.00 2009 198 Sudan 28.00 2009 199 Vanuatu 28.00 2009 200 Belize 27.00 2009 201 Thailand 27.00 2009 202 Iceland 27.00 2009 203 Czech Republic 27.00 2009 204 Austria 26.00 2009 205 Morocco 26.00 2009 206 Hungary 26.00 2009 207 Malawi 26.00 2009 208 China 26.00 2009 209 Antarctica 25.00 2009 210 Solomon Islands 25.00 2009 211 Cameroon 25.00 2009 212 Belarus 25.00 2009 213 Uruguay 25.00 2009 214 Paraguay 25.00 2009 215 Norway 25.00 2009 216 Oman 25.00 2009 217 Indonesia 25.00 2009 218 European Union 24.00 2009 219 Mongolia 24.00 2009 220 Pakistan 24.00 2009 221 Burkina Faso 24.00 2009 222 Peru 24.00 2009 223 Fiji 24.00 2009 224 Algeria 23.00 2009 225 Ethiopia 23.00 2009 226 Burma 23.00 2009 227 Latvia 23.00 2009 228 Lesotho 23.00 2009 229 Switzerland 23.00 2009 230 Switzerland 23.00 2009 231 Somalia 23.00 2009 232 Vanuatu 23.00 2009 233 Latvia 23.00 2009 234 Bahamas, The 22.00 2009 235 Portugal 22.00 2009 236 United Kingdom 22.00 2009 237 Namibia 22.00 2009 238 Ireland 22.00 2009 239 Cote d'Ivoire 21.00 2009 240 Uzbekistan 21.00 2009 241 Romania 21.00 2009 242 Portugal 21.00 2009 243 Madagascar 21.00 2009 244 Laos 21.00 2009 245 Chad 20.00 2009 246 Poland 20.00 2009 247 Uruguay 20.00 2009 248 Ireland 20.00 2009 249 Algeria 19.00 2009 250 Uzbekistan 19.00 2009 251 Tanzania 19.00 2009 252 Somalia 19.00 2009 253 Italy 19.00 2009 254 Fiji 19.00 2009 255 Dominican Republic 19.00 2009 256 Costa Rica 19.00 2009 257 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 19.00 2009 258 Congo, Republic of the 19.00 2009 259 Bosnia and Herzegovina 18.00 2009 260 Zambia 18.00 2009 261 Lesotho 18.00 2009 262 Niger 18.00 2009 263 Nigeria 18.00 2009 264 Sudan 18.00 2009 265 Serbia 18.00 2009 266 Mauritania 18.00 2009 267 Liberia 18.00 2009 268 United Arab Emirates 17.00 2009 269 Spain 17.00 2009 270 Libya 17.00 2009 271 Korea, North 17.00 2009 272 Israel 17.00 2009 273 Dominican Republic 17.00 2009 274 Central African Republic 17.00 2009 275 Australia 17.00 2009 276 Afghanistan 16.00 2009 277 Cameroon 16.00 2009 278 Saudi Arabia 16.00 2009 279 Tunisia 16.00 2009 280 Venezuela 16.00 2009 281 Nicaragua 16.00 2009 282 Belgium 16.00 2009 283 Belgium 15.00 2009 284 Uganda 15.00 2009 285 Syria 15.00 2009 286 Poland 15.00 2009 287 Malawi 15.00 2009 288 Slovakia 15.00 2009 289 Kiribati 15.00 2009 290 Jamaica 15.00 2009 291 Jamaica 15.00 2009 292 Honduras 15.00 2009 293 Gabon 14.00 2009 294 Israel 14.00 2009 295 Greece 14.00 2009 296 Guyana 14.00 2009 297 Korea, North 14.00 2009 298 Yemen 14.00 2009 299 Niger 14.00 2009 300 Mali 14.00 2009 301 Libya 14.00 2009 302 Chad 13.00 2009 303 Iraq 13.00 2009 304 China 13.00 2009 305 Nigeria 13.00 2009 306 Thailand 13.00 2009 307 Swaziland 13.00 2009 308 Burkina Faso 13.00 2009 309 Russia 13.00 2009 310 New Caledonia 13.00 2009 311 Cuba 13.00 2009 312 Kazakhstan 13.00 2009 313 El Salvador 13.00 2009 314 Egypt 13.00 2009 315 Australia 12.00 2009 316 Belize 12.00 2009 317 Ukraine 12.00 2009 318 Turkey 12.00 2009 319 Puerto Rico 12.00 2009 320 Pakistan 12.00 2009 321 Guinea 12.00 2009 322 Greece 12.00 2009 323 Chile 12.00 2009 324 Central African Republic 12.00 2009 325 Burma 12.00 2009 326 Bahamas, The 12.00 2009 327 Cambodia 11.00 2009 328 Kiribati 11.00 2009 329 Namibia 11.00 2009 330 Marshall Islands 11.00 2009 331 Panama 11.00 2009 332 Pakistan 11.00 2009 333 Kyrgyzstan 11.00 2009 334 Chad 11.00 2009 335 Hungary 11.00 2009 336 Italy 11.00 2009 337 Cote d'Ivoire 11.00 2009 338 Gabon 11.00 2009 339 Ethiopia 11.00 2009 340 Botswana 10.00 2009 341 Slovenia 10.00 2009 342 Puerto Rico 10.00 2009 343 Marshall Islands 10.00 2009 344 Morocco 10.00 2009 345 Malawi 10.00 2009 346 Kenya 10.00 2009 347 Hungary 10.00 2009 348 Haiti 10.00 2009 349 Eritrea 10.00 2009 350 Djibouti 10.00 2009 351 China 10.00 2009 352 Congo, Republic of the 10.00 2009 353 Bosnia and Herzegovina 10.00 2009 354 Afghanistan 9.00 2009 355 Ethiopia 9.00 2009 356 Yemen 9.00 2009 357 Senegal 9.00 2009 358 Serbia 9.00 2009 359 Papua New Guinea 9.00 2009 360 Mozambique 9.00 2009 361 Laos 9.00 2009 362 Kyrgyzstan 9.00 2009 363 Iran 9.00 2009 364 Antarctica 9.00 2009 365 Cambodia 9.00 2009 366 Solomon Islands 8.00 2009 367 Liberia 8.00 2009 368 Morocco 8.00 2009 369 Uganda 8.00 2009 370 Tajikistan 8.00 2009 371 Sierra Leone 8.00 2009 372 Saudi Arabia 8.00 2009 373 Serbia 8.00 2009 374 New Caledonia 8.00 2009 375 Mauritania 8.00 2009 376 Mauritania 8.00 2009 377 Slovakia 8.00 2009 378 Korea, North 8.00 2009 379 Central African Republic 8.00 2009 380 India 8.00 2009 381 Haiti 8.00 2009 382 Cook Islands 8.00 2009 383 Congo, Republic of the 8.00 2009 384 Azerbaijan 7.00 2009 385 Swaziland 7.00 2009 386 Vietnam 7.00 2009 387 Burkina Faso 7.00 2009 388 Ukraine 7.00 2009 389 Tajikistan 7.00 2009 390 Sierra Leone 7.00 2009 391 Romania 7.00 2009 392 Guinea-Bissau 7.00 2009 393 Netherlands 7.00 2009 394 Malaysia 7.00 2009 395 Oman 7.00 2009 396 Morocco 7.00 2009 397 Slovakia 7.00 2009 398 Turkey 7.00 2009 399 Tunisia 7.00 2009 400 Tunisia 7.00 2009 401 Cote d'Ivoire 7.00 2009 402 Croatia 7.00 2009 403 Guinea 7.00 2009 404 Bosnia and Herzegovina 7.00 2009 405 Burundi 7.00 2009 406 Azerbaijan 7.00 2009 407 Antarctica 6.00 2009 408 Iraq 6.00 2009 409 Yemen 6.00 2009 410 Swaziland 6.00 2009 411 United States 6.00 2009 412 Uganda 6.00 2009 413 Turkmenistan 6.00 2009 414 Togo 6.00 2009 415 Somalia 6.00 2009 416 Senegal 6.00 2009 417 Seychelles 6.00 2009 418 Norway 6.00 2009 419 Mali 6.00 2009 420 Moldova 6.00 2009 421 Kazakhstan 6.00 2009 422 Estonia 6.00 2009 423 Gabon 6.00 2009 424 French Polynesia 6.00 2009 425 Cameroon 6.00 2009 426 Bulgaria 6.00 2009 427 United Arab Emirates 5.00 2009 428 Afghanistan 5.00 2009 429 United Arab Emirates 5.00 2009 430 Mali 5.00 2009 431 Lesotho 5.00 2009 432 Liberia 5.00 2009 433 Kazakhstan 5.00 2009 434 Kazakhstan 5.00 2009 435 Indonesia 5.00 2009 436 Greenland 5.00 2009 437 Fiji 5.00 2009 438 Egypt 5.00 2009 439 Sweden 5.00 2009 440 Slovenia 5.00 2009 441 Seychelles 5.00 2009 442 Rwanda 5.00 2009 443 Poland 5.00 2009 444 Suriname 5.00 2009 445 Nepal 5.00 2009 446 Vanuatu 5.00 2009 447 New Caledonia 5.00 2009 448 Yemen 5.00 2009 449 Tonga 5.00 2009 450 Djibouti 5.00 2009 451 Cook Islands 5.00 2009 452 China 5.00 2009 453 Bahamas, The 5.00 2009 454 Antarctica 5.00 2009 455 United Arab Emirates 4.00 2009 456 Angola 4.00 2009 457 Burma 4.00 2009 458 Somalia 4.00 2009 459 Slovenia 4.00 2009 460 Philippines 4.00 2009 461 Netherlands 4.00 2009 462 Mongolia 4.00 2009 463 Libya 4.00 2009 464 Kiribati 4.00 2009 465 Japan 4.00 2009 466 Iraq 4.00 2009 467 Ghana 4.00 2009 468 Georgia 4.00 2009 469 French Polynesia 4.00 2009 470 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 4.00 2009 471 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 4.00 2009 472 Egypt 4.00 2009 473 Burkina Faso 4.00 2009 474 Turkmenistan 4.00 2009 475 Taiwan 4.00 2009 476 Turkey 4.00 2009 477 Timor-Leste 4.00 2009 478 Togo 4.00 2009 479 Macedonia 4.00 2009 480 Kosovo 4.00 2009 481 Kosovo 4.00 2009 482 Zambia 4.00 2009 483 Burundi 4.00 2009 484 Sri Lanka 4.00 2009 485 Benin 4.00 2009 486 Bolivia 4.00 2009 487 Botswana 4.00 2009 488 Antarctica 4.00 2009 489 Afghanistan 4.00 2009 490 Algeria 3.00 2009 491 Ethiopia 3.00 2009 492 Eritrea 3.00 2009 493 Eritrea 3.00 2009 494 Estonia 3.00 2009 495 Egypt 3.00 2009 496 European Union 3.00 2009 497 Djibouti 3.00 2009 498 Denmark 3.00 2009 499 Cameroon 3.00 2009 500 Zimbabwe 3.00 2009 501 Yemen 3.00 2009 502 Western Sahara 3.00 2009 503 Vietnam 3.00 2009 504 Vietnam 3.00 2009 505 Uruguay 3.00 2009 506 Ukraine 3.00 2009 507 United Kingdom 3.00 2009 508 Tonga 3.00 2009 509 Rwanda 3.00 2009 510 Russia 3.00 2009 511 Guinea-Bissau 3.00 2009 512 Guinea-Bissau 3.00 2009 513 New Zealand 3.00 2009 514 Netherlands 3.00 2009 515 Nigeria 3.00 2009 516 Mauritius 3.00 2009 517 Macedonia 3.00 2009 518 Trinidad and Tobago 3.00 2009 519 Svalbard 3.00 2009 520 Svalbard 3.00 2009 521 Moldova 3.00 2009 522 Moldova 3.00 2009 523 Lithuania 3.00 2009 524 Kazakhstan 3.00 2009 525 Kuwait 3.00 2009 526 Korea, North 3.00 2009 527 Iraq 3.00 2009 528 Iraq 3.00 2009 529 Mali 3.00 2009 530 Cote d'Ivoire 3.00 2009 531 Iceland 3.00 2009 532 Hungary 3.00 2009 533 Guinea 3.00 2009 534 Guatemala 3.00 2009 535 Germany 3.00 2009 536 Ghana 3.00 2009 537 Finland 3.00 2009 538 China 3.00 2009 539 Sri Lanka 3.00 2009 540 Burundi 3.00 2009 541 Austria 3.00 2009 542 United Arab Emirates 2.00 2009 543 Angola 2.00 2009 544 Bangladesh 2.00 2009 545 Chile 2.00 2009 546 Samoa 2.00 2009 547 Samoa 2.00 2009 548 Namibia 2.00 2009 549 British Virgin Islands 2.00 2009 550 British Virgin Islands 2.00 2009 551 Uzbekistan 2.00 2009 552 Turkmenistan 2.00 2009 553 Taiwan 2.00 2009 554 Taiwan 2.00 2009 555 Timor-Leste 2.00 2009 556 Timor-Leste 2.00 2009 557 Tunisia 2.00 2009 558 Togo 2.00 2009 559 Turks and Caicos Islands 2.00 2009 560 Trinidad and Tobago 2.00 2009 561 Spain 2.00 2009 562 Senegal 2.00 2009 563 Rwanda 2.00 2009 564 Qatar 2.00 2009 565 Palau 2.00 2009 566 Palau 2.00 2009 567 Peru 2.00 2009 568 Nigeria 2.00 2009 569 Niger 2.00 2009 570 Niger 2.00 2009 571 Maldives 2.00 2009 572 Maldives 2.00 2009 573 Mauritania 2.00 2009 574 Mauritius 2.00 2009 575 Montenegro 2.00 2009 576 Madagascar 2.00 2009 577 Libya 2.00 2009 578 Lebanon 2.00 2009 579 Lebanon 2.00 2009 580 Laos 2.00 2009 581 Kuwait 2.00 2009 582 Korea, South 2.00 2009 583 Jordan 2.00 2009 584 Jordan 2.00 2009 585 India 2.00 2009 586 Hungary 2.00 2009 587 Haiti 2.00 2009 588 Guinea 2.00 2009 589 Greece 2.00 2009 590 Greenland 2.00 2009 591 Greenland 2.00 2009 592 Georgia 2.00 2009 593 Georgia 2.00 2009 594 French Polynesia 2.00 2009 595 Eritrea 2.00 2009 596 Israel 2.00 2009 597 Honduras 2.00 2009 598 Estonia 2.00 2009 599 Ireland 2.00 2009 600 European Union 2.00 2009 601 Djibouti 2.00 2009 602 Cyprus 2.00 2009 603 Cyprus 2.00 2009 604 Cook Islands 2.00 2009 605 Northern Mariana Islands 2.00 2009 606 Belarus 2.00 2009 607 Chad 2.00 2009 608 Belarus 2.00 2009 609 Benin 2.00 2009 610 Anguilla 2.00 2009 611 Anguilla 2.00 2009 612 Antigua and Barbuda 1.00 2009 613 Argentina 1.00 2009 614 Dominican Republic 1.00 2009 615 Northern Mariana Islands 1.00 2009 616 Northern Mariana Islands 1.00 2009 617 Colombia 1.00 2009 618 Cayman Islands 1.00 2009 619 Cayman Islands 1.00 2009 620 Bulgaria 1.00 2009 621 Bhutan 1.00 2009 622 Bhutan 1.00 2009 623 Solomon Islands 1.00 2009 624 Belarus 1.00 2009 625 Benin 1.00 2009 626 Benin 1.00 2009 627 Burma 1.00 2009 628 Bolivia 1.00 2009 629 Poland 1.00 2009 630 Spratly Islands 1.00 2009 631 Spratly Islands 1.00 2009 632 Nicaragua 1.00 2009 633 Nepal 1.00 2009 634 Mozambique 1.00 2009 635 Mexico 1.00 2009 636 Mexico 1.00 2009 637 Morocco 1.00 2009 638 Zambia 1.00 2009 639 Western Sahara 1.00 2009 640 Western Sahara 1.00 2009 641 Western Sahara 1.00 2009 642 Vietnam 1.00 2009 643 Venezuela 1.00 2009 644 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1.00 2009 645 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1.00 2009 646 United Kingdom 1.00 2009 647 Uganda 1.00 2009 648 Tuvalu 1.00 2009 649 Tuvalu 1.00 2009 650 Turkey 1.00 2009 651 Tonga 1.00 2009 652 Tonga 1.00 2009 653 Turks and Caicos Islands 1.00 2009 654 Turks and Caicos Islands 1.00 2009 655 Tajikistan 1.00 2009 656 Thailand 1.00 2009 657 Trinidad and Tobago 1.00 2009 658 Syria 1.00 2009 659 Sierra Leone 1.00 2009 660 Slovenia 1.00 2009 661 Senegal 1.00 2009 662 South Africa 1.00 2009 663 South Africa 1.00 2009 664 Seychelles 1.00 2009 665 Puerto Rico 1.00 2009 666 Puerto Rico 1.00 2009 667 Marshall Islands 1.00 2009 668 Serbia 1.00 2009 669 Qatar 1.00 2009 670 Qatar 1.00 2009 671 Guinea-Bissau 1.00 2009 672 Portugal 1.00 2009 673 Panama 1.00 2009 674 Macedonia 1.00 2009 675 Montenegro 1.00 2009 676 Montenegro 1.00 2009 677 Malawi 1.00 2009 678 Mongolia 1.00 2009 679 Mongolia 1.00 2009 680 Mongolia 1.00 2009 681 Luxembourg 1.00 2009 682 Oman 1.00 2009 683 Mauritius 1.00 2009 684 Luxembourg 1.00 2009 685 Lithuania 1.00 2009 686 Kuwait 1.00 2009 687 Kyrgyzstan 1.00 2009 688 Kyrgyzstan 1.00 2009 689 Jan Mayen 1.00 2009 690 Jan Mayen 1.00 2009 691 Iran 1.00 2009 692 Croatia 1.00 2009 693 Guyana 1.00 2009 694 Guatemala 1.00 2009 695 Greenland 1.00 2009 696 Ghana 1.00 2009 697 France 1.00 2009 698 Czech Republic 1.00 2009 699 Dominican Republic 1.00 2009 700 Italy 1.00 2009 701 Israel 1.00 2009 702 Iran 1.00 2009 703 Cook Islands 1.00 2009 704 Cape Verde 1.00 2009 705 Cape Verde 1.00 2009 706 Central African Republic 1.00 2009 707 Congo, Republic of the 1.00 2009 708 Sri Lanka 1.00 2009 709 Cambodia 1.00 2009 710 Cambodia 1.00 2009 711 El Salvador 1.00 2009 712 Eritrea 1.00 2009 713 Eritrea 1.00 2009 714 Estonia 1.00 2009 715 Equatorial Guinea 1.00 2009 716 Equatorial Guinea 1.00 2009 717 Egypt 1.00 2009 718 Bosnia and Herzegovina 1.00 2009 719 Belize 1.00 2009 720 Bangladesh 1.00 2009 721 Bangladesh 1.00 2009 722 Belgium 1.00 2009 723 Antarctica 1.00 2009 724 Austria 1.00 2009 725 Argentina 1.00 2009 726 Armenia 1.00 2009 727 Armenia 1.00 2009 728 Albania 1.00 2009 729 Afghanistan 1.00 2009 730 Antigua and Barbuda 1.00 2009 731 Albania 1.00 2009 732 United Arab Emirates 1.00 2009 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2032 Country Comparison :: Environment - current issues This entry lists the most pressing and important environmental problems. The following terms and abbreviations are used throughout the entry: Acidification - the lowering of soil and water pH due to acid precipitation and deposition usually through precipitation; this process disrupts ecosystem nutrient flows and may kill freshwater fish and plants dependent on more neutral or alkaline conditions (see acid rain). Acid rain - characterized as containing harmful levels of sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxide; acid rain is damaging and potentially deadly to the earth's fragile ecosystems; acidity is measured using the pH scale where 7 is neutral, values greater than 7 are considered alkaline, and values below 5.6 are considered acid precipitation; note - a pH of 2.4 (the acidity of vinegar) has been measured in rainfall in New England. Aerosol - a collection of airborne particles dispersed in a gas, smoke, or fog. Afforestation - converting a bare or agricultural space by planting trees and plants; reforestation involves replanting trees on areas that have been cut or destroyed by fire. Asbestos - a naturally occurring soft fibrous mineral commonly used in fireproofing materials and considered to be highly carcinogenic in particulate form. Biodiversity - also biological diversity; the relative number of species, diverse in form and function, at the genetic, organism, community, and ecosystem level; loss of biodiversity reduces an ecosystem's ability to recover from natural or man-induced disruption. Bio-indicators - a plant or animal species whose presence, abundance, and health reveal the general condition of its habitat. Biomass - the total weight or volume of living matter in a given area or volume. Carbon cycle - the term used to describe the exchange of carbon (in various forms, e.g., as carbon dioxide) between the atmosphere, ocean, terrestrial biosphere, and geological deposits. Catchments - assemblages used to capture and retain rainwater and runoff; an important water management technique in areas with limited freshwater resources, such as Gibraltar. DDT (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloro-ethane) - a colorless, odorless insecticide that has toxic effects on most animals; the use of DDT was banned in the US in 1972. Defoliants - chemicals which cause plants to lose their leaves artificially; often used in agricultural practices for weed control, and may have detrimental impacts on human and ecosystem health. Deforestation - the destruction of vast areas of forest (e.g., unsustainable forestry practices, agricultural and range land clearing, and the over exploitation of wood products for use as fuel) without planting new growth. Desertification - the spread of desert-like conditions in arid or semi-arid areas, due to overgrazing, loss of agriculturally productive soils, or climate change. Dredging - the practice of deepening an existing waterway; also, a technique used for collecting bottom-dwelling marine organisms (e.g., shellfish) or harvesting coral, often causing significant destruction of reef and ocean-floor ecosystems. Drift-net fishing - done with a net, miles in extent, that is generally anchored to a boat and left to float with the tide; often results in an over harvesting and waste of large populations of non-commercial marine species (by-catch) by its effect of "sweeping the ocean clean." Ecosystems - ecological units comprised of complex communities of organisms and their specific environments. Effluents - waste materials, such as smoke, sewage, or industrial waste which are released into the environment, subsequently polluting it. Endangered species - a species that is threatened with extinction either by direct hunting or habitat destruction. Freshwater - water with very low soluble mineral content; sources include lakes, streams, rivers, glaciers, and underground aquifers. Greenhouse gas - a gas that "traps" infrared radiation in the lower atmosphere causing surface warming; water vapor, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, hydrofluorocarbons, and ozone are the primary greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere. Groundwater - water sources found below the surface of the earth often in naturally occurring reservoirs in permeable rock strata; the source for wells and natural springs. Highlands Water Project - a series of dams constructed jointly by Lesotho and South Africa to redirect Lesotho's abundant water supply into a rapidly growing area in South Africa; while it is the largest infrastructure project in southern Africa, it is also the most costly and controversial; objections to the project include claims that it forces people from their homes, submerges farmlands, and squanders economic resources. Inuit Circumpolar Conference (ICC) - represents the 145,000 Inuits of Russia, Alaska, Canada, and Greenland in international environmental issues; a General Assembly convenes every three years to determine the focus of the ICC; the most current concerns are long-range transport of pollutants, sustainable development, and climate change. Metallurgical plants - industries which specialize in the science, technology, and processing of metals; these plants produce highly concentrated and toxic wastes which can contribute to pollution of ground water and air when not properly disposed. Noxious substances - injurious, very harmful to living beings. Overgrazing - the grazing of animals on plant material faster than it can naturally regrow leading to the permanent loss of plant cover, a common effect of too many animals grazing limited range land. Ozone shield - a layer of the atmosphere composed of ozone gas (O3) that resides approximately 25 miles above the Earth's surface and absorbs solar ultraviolet radiation that can be harmful to living organisms. Poaching - the illegal killing of animals or fish, a great concern with respect to endangered or threatened species. Pollution - the contamination of a healthy environment by man-made waste. Potable water - water that is drinkable, safe to be consumed. Salination - the process through which fresh (drinkable) water becomes salt (undrinkable) water; hence, desalination is the reverse process; also involves the accumulation of salts in topsoil caused by evaporation of excessive irrigation water, a process that can eventually render soil incapable of supporting crops. Siltation - occurs when water channels and reservoirs become clotted with silt and mud, a side effect of deforestation and soil erosion. Slash-and-burn agriculture - a rotating cultivation technique in which trees are cut down and burned in order to clear land for temporary agriculture; the land is used until its productivity declines at which point a new plot is selected and the process repeats; this practice is sustainable while population levels are low and time is permitted for regrowth of natural vegetation; conversely, where these conditions do not exist, the practice can have disastrous consequences for the environment. Soil degradation - damage to the land's productive capacity because of poor agricultural practices such as the excessive use of pesticides or fertilizers, soil compaction from heavy equipment, or erosion of topsoil, eventually resulting in reduced ability to produce agricultural products. Soil erosion - the removal of soil by the action of water or wind, compounded by poor agricultural practices, deforestation, overgrazing, and desertification. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation - a portion of the electromagnetic energy emitted by the sun and naturally filtered in the upper atmosphere by the ozone layer; UV radiation can be harmful to living organisms and has been linked to increasing rates of skin cancer in humans. Waterborne diseases - those in which bacteria survive in, and are transmitted through, water; always a serious threat in areas with an untreated water supply. Rank country Environment - current issues Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2033 Country Comparison :: Environment - international agreements This entry separates country participation in international environmental agreements into two levels - party to and signed, but not ratified. Agreements are listed in alphabetical order by the abbreviated form of the full name. Rank country Environment - international agreementsDate of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2034 Country Comparison :: Military expenditures This entry gives spending on defense programs for the most recent year available as a percent of gross domestic product (GDP); the GDP is calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP). Rank country (% of GDP) Date of Information 1 Oman 11.40 2005 est. 2 Qatar 10.00 2005 est. 3 Saudi Arabia 10.00 2005 est. 4 Iraq 8.60 2006 5 Jordan 8.60 2006 6 Israel 7.30 2006 7 Yemen 6.60 2006 8 Armenia 6.50 FY01 9 Eritrea 6.30 2006 est. 10 Macedonia 6.00 2005 est. 11 Burundi 5.90 2006 est. 12 Syria 5.90 2005 est. 13 Angola 5.70 2006 14 Mauritania 5.50 2006 15 Maldives 5.50 2005 est. 16 Kuwait 5.30 2006 17 Turkey 5.30 2005 est. 18 El Salvador 5.00 2006 19 Morocco 5.00 2003 est. 20 Singapore 4.90 2005 est. 21 Swaziland 4.70 2006 22 Bahrain 4.50 2006 23 Bosnia and Herzegovina 4.50 2005 est. 24 Brunei 4.50 2006 25 China 4.30 2006 26 Greece 4.30 2005 est. 27 Chad 4.20 2006 28 United States 4.06 2005 est. 29 Libya 3.90 2005 est. 30 Russia 3.90 2005 31 Tajikistan 3.90 2005 est. 32 Cuba 3.80 2006 est. 33 Djibouti 3.80 2006 34 Cyprus 3.80 2005 est. 35 Zimbabwe 3.80 2006 36 Namibia 3.70 2006 37 Colombia 3.40 2005 est. 38 Gabon 3.40 2005 est. 39 Egypt 3.40 2005 est. 40 Turkmenistan 3.40 2005 est. 41 Algeria 3.30 2006 42 Botswana 3.30 2006 43 United Arab Emirates 3.10 2005 est. 44 Guinea-Bissau 3.10 2005 est. 45 Lebanon 3.10 2005 est. 46 Congo, Republic of the 3.10 2006 47 Solomon Islands 3.00 2006 48 Cambodia 3.00 2005 est. 49 Ethiopia 3.00 2006 50 Indonesia 3.00 2005 est. 51 Sudan 3.00 2005 est. 52 Pakistan 3.00 2007 est. 53 Rwanda 2.90 2006 est. 54 Comoros 2.80 2006 55 Ecuador 2.80 2006 56 Kenya 2.80 2006 57 Chile 2.70 2006 58 Korea, South 2.70 2006 59 Azerbaijan 2.60 2005 est. 60 Lesotho 2.60 2006 61 France 2.60 2005 est. 62 Brazil 2.60 2006 est. 63 Sri Lanka 2.60 2006 64 Bulgaria 2.60 2005 est. 65 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 2.50 2006 66 India 2.50 2006 67 Iran 2.50 2006 68 Vietnam 2.50 2005 est. 69 Australia 2.40 2006 70 United Kingdom 2.40 2005 est. 71 Croatia 2.39 2005 est. 72 Portugal 2.30 2005 est. 73 Sierra Leone 2.30 2006 74 Fiji 2.20 2005 est. 75 Taiwan 2.20 NA 76 Uganda 2.20 2006 77 Burma 2.10 2005 est. 78 Malaysia 2.03 2005 est. 79 Estonia 2.00 2005 est. 80 World 2.00 2005 est. 81 Uzbekistan 2.00 2005 est. 82 Seychelles 2.00 2006 est. 83 Finland 2.00 2005 est. 84 Afghanistan 1.90 2006 est. 85 Romania 1.90 2007 est. 86 Norway 1.90 2005 est. 87 Mali 1.90 2006 88 Bolivia 1.90 2006 89 Slovakia 1.87 2005 est. 90 Guyana 1.80 2006 91 Thailand 1.80 2005 est. 92 Zambia 1.80 2005 est. 93 Italy 1.80 2005 est. 94 Hungary 1.75 2005 est. 95 Poland 1.71 2005 est. 96 Benin 1.70 2006 97 Guinea 1.70 2006 98 South Africa 1.70 2006 99 Slovenia 1.70 2005 est. 100 Cote d'Ivoire 1.60 2005 est. 101 Netherlands 1.60 2005 est. 102 Togo 1.60 2005 est. 103 Uruguay 1.60 2006 104 Nepal 1.60 2006 105 Bangladesh 1.50 2006 106 Sweden 1.50 2005 est. 107 Peru 1.50 2006 108 Nigeria 1.50 2006 109 Germany 1.50 2005 est. 110 Albania 1.49 2005 est. 111 Czech Republic 1.46 2007 est. 112 Belize 1.40 2006 113 Ukraine 1.40 2005 est. 114 Tunisia 1.40 2006 115 Senegal 1.40 2005 est. 116 Mongolia 1.40 2006 117 Belarus 1.40 2005 est. 118 Papua New Guinea 1.40 2005 est. 119 Kyrgyzstan 1.40 2005 est. 120 Argentina 1.30 2005 est. 121 Cameroon 1.30 2006 122 Niger 1.30 2006 123 Malawi 1.30 2006 124 Liberia 1.30 2006 est. 125 Denmark 1.30 2007 est. 126 Belgium 1.30 2005 est. 127 Latvia 1.20 2005 est. 128 Spain 1.20 2005 est. 129 Burkina Faso 1.20 2006 130 Venezuela 1.20 2005 est. 131 Lithuania 1.20 2007 est. 132 Canada 1.10 2005 est. 133 Central African Republic 1.10 2006 est. 134 Bhutan 1.00 2005 est. 135 New Zealand 1.00 2005 est. 136 Madagascar 1.00 2006 137 Paraguay 1.00 2006 est. 138 Panama 1.00 2006 139 Switzerland 1.00 2005 est. 140 Austria 0.90 2005 est. 141 Luxembourg 0.90 2005 est. 142 Philippines 0.90 2005 est. 143 Somalia 0.90 2005 est. 144 Tonga 0.90 2006 est. 145 Kazakhstan 0.90 FY02 146 Ireland 0.90 2005 est. 147 Dominican Republic 0.80 2006 148 Sao Tome and Principe 0.80 2006 149 Mozambique 0.80 2006 150 Japan 0.80 2006 151 Ghana 0.80 2006 est. 152 Cape Verde 0.70 2005 153 Malta 0.70 2006 est. 154 Honduras 0.60 2006 est. 155 Jamaica 0.60 2006 est. 156 Suriname 0.60 2006 est. 157 Nicaragua 0.60 2006 158 Georgia 0.59 2005 est. 159 Barbados 0.50 2006 est. 160 Bahamas, The 0.50 2006 161 Mexico 0.50 2006 est. 162 Laos 0.50 2006 163 Gambia, The 0.50 2006 164 Costa Rica 0.40 2006 165 Guatemala 0.40 2006 166 Moldova 0.40 2005 est. 167 Haiti 0.40 2006 168 Mauritius 0.30 2006 est. 169 Trinidad and Tobago 0.30 2006 170 Tanzania 0.20 2005 est. 171 Bermuda 0.11 2005 est. 172 Equatorial Guinea 0.10 2006 est. 173 Iceland 0.00 2005 est. ====================================================================== Rank code: 2038 Country Comparison :: Electricity - production This entry is the annual electricity generated expressed in kilowatt-hours. The discrepancy between the amount of electricity generated and/or imported and the amount consumed and/or exported is accounted for as loss in transmission and distribution. Rank country (kWh) Date of Information 1 United States 4,110,000,000,000 2008 est. 2 European Union 3,044,000,000,000 2007 est. 3 China 3,041,000,000,000 2007 est. 4 Japan 1,058,000,000,000 2007 est. 5 Russia 958,000,000,000 2007 est. 6 India 761,700,000,000 2007 est. 7 Canada 620,700,000,000 2007 est. 8 Germany 593,400,000,000 2007 est. 9 France 535,700,000,000 2007 est. 10 Korea, South 440,000,000,000 2008 est. 11 Brazil 438,800,000,000 2007 est. 12 United Kingdom 368,600,000,000 2007 est. 13 Italy 289,700,000,000 2007 est. 14 Spain 283,200,000,000 2007 est. 15 Mexico 245,000,000,000 2008 est. 16 South Africa 240,300,000,000 2007 est. 17 Australia 239,900,000,000 2007 est. 18 Taiwan 225,000,000,000 2007 est. 19 Iran 192,600,000,000 2007 est. 20 Ukraine 185,200,000,000 2007 est. 21 Turkey 181,900,000,000 2007 est. 22 Saudi Arabia 179,100,000,000 2007 est. 23 Poland 149,100,000,000 2007 est. 24 Sweden 144,000,000,000 2007 est. 25 Norway 142,700,000,000 2008 est. 26 Thailand 135,200,000,000 2007 est. 27 Indonesia 134,400,000,000 2007 est. 28 Egypt 118,400,000,000 2007 est. 29 Venezuela 113,300,000,000 2007 est. 30 Argentina 109,500,000,000 2007 est. 31 Malaysia 103,200,000,000 2007 est. 32 Netherlands 97,190,000,000 2007 est. 33 Pakistan 90,800,000,000 2007 est. 34 Czech Republic 82,720,000,000 2007 est. 35 Belgium 82,170,000,000 2007 est. 36 Finland 77,240,000,000 2007 est. 37 Kazakhstan 72,410,000,000 2007 est. 38 United Arab Emirates 71,540,000,000 2007 est. 39 Vietnam 66,810,000,000 2007 est. 40 Switzerland 63,930,000,000 2007 est. 41 Chile 60,600,000,000 2007 est. 42 Greece 58,790,000,000 2007 est. 43 Austria 58,640,000,000 2007 est. 44 Romania 58,280,000,000 2007 est. 45 Philippines 56,570,000,000 2007 est. 46 Paraguay 53,190,000,000 2007 est. 47 Colombia 50,580,000,000 2007 est. 48 Israel 50,410,000,000 2007 est. 49 Uzbekistan 46,330,000,000 2007 est. 50 Kuwait 45,830,000,000 2007 est. 51 Portugal 44,470,000,000 2007 est. 52 New Zealand 42,400,000,000 2007 est. 53 Bulgaria 40,250,000,000 2007 est. 54 Singapore 38,670,000,000 2007 est. 55 Hong Kong 38,400,000,000 2008 est. 56 Hungary 37,740,000,000 2007 est. 57 Denmark 36,920,000,000 2007 est. 58 Iraq 36,920,000,000 2008 est. 59 Syria 36,500,000,000 2007 est. 60 Algeria 34,980,000,000 2007 est. 61 Serbia 33,870,000,000 2004 62 Peru 30,570,000,000 2008 est. 63 Belarus 29,920,000,000 2007 est. 64 Slovakia 26,530,000,000 2007 est. 65 Ireland 26,060,000,000 2007 est. 66 Libya 23,980,000,000 2007 est. 67 Puerto Rico 23,720,000,000 2007 est. 68 Bangladesh 22,990,000,000 2007 est. 69 Nigeria 21,920,000,000 2007 est. 70 Morocco 21,560,000,000 2007 est. 71 Korea, North 20,900,000,000 2007 est. 72 Azerbaijan 19,350,000,000 2007 est. 73 Tajikistan 17,300,000,000 2007 est. 74 Cuba 16,890,000,000 2007 est. 75 Ecuador 16,750,000,000 2007 est. 76 Kyrgyzstan 15,960,000,000 2007 est. 77 Mozambique 15,910,000,000 2007 est. 78 Qatar 15,110,000,000 2007 est. 79 Slovenia 14,140,000,000 2007 est. 80 Dominican Republic 14,020,000,000 2007 est. 81 Turkmenistan 13,990,000,000 2007 est. 82 Tunisia 13,790,000,000 2007 est. 83 Oman 13,580,000,000 2007 est. 84 Jordan 12,210,000,000 2007 est. 85 Lithuania 12,090,000,000 2007 est. 86 Iceland 11,710,000,000 2007 est. 87 Croatia 11,470,000,000 2007 est. 88 Estonia 11,460,000,000 2007 est. 89 Bosnia and Herzegovina 11,320,000,000 2007 est. 90 Bahrain 10,250,000,000 2007 est. 91 Zambia 9,752,000,000 2007 est. 92 Sri Lanka 9,507,000,000 2007 est. 93 Uruguay 9,265,000,000 2007 est. 94 Lebanon 9,030,000,000 2007 est. 95 Zimbabwe 8,890,000,000 2007 est. 96 Costa Rica 8,808,000,000 2007 est. 97 Guatemala 8,425,000,000 2007 est. 98 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 8,217,000,000 2007 est. 99 Georgia 8,170,000,000 2007 est. 100 Jamaica 7,324,000,000 2007 est. 101 Trinidad and Tobago 7,202,000,000 2007 est. 102 Ghana 6,746,000,000 2007 est. 103 Macedonia 6,376,000,000 2007 est. 104 Panama 6,322,000,000 2007 est. 105 Burma 6,286,000,000 2007 est. 106 Honduras 6,050,000,000 2007 est. 107 Yemen 5,665,000,000 2007 est. 108 Cameroon 5,601,000,000 2007 est. 109 Armenia 5,584,000,000 2007 est. 110 El Salvador 5,559,000,000 2007 est. 111 Bolivia 5,495,000,000 2007 est. 112 Cote d'Ivoire 5,275,000,000 2007 est. 113 Kenya 5,223,000,000 2008 est. 114 Latvia 4,620,000,000 2007 est. 115 Cyprus 4,502,000,000 2007 est. 116 Bhutan 4,475,000,000 2007 est. 117 Sudan 4,341,000,000 2007 est. 118 Mongolia 3,979,000,000 2008 119 Tanzania 3,786,000,000 2007 est. 120 Angola 3,722,000,000 2007 est. 121 Moldova 3,617,000,000 2007 est. 122 Ethiopia 3,460,000,000 2007 est. 123 Nicaragua 3,286,000,000 2007 est. 124 Brunei 3,091,000,000 2007 est. 125 Laos 3,075,000,000 2007 est. 126 Albania 2,888,000,000 2007 est. 127 Papua New Guinea 2,885,000,000 2007 est. 128 Montenegro 2,864,000,000 2005 est. 129 Nepal 2,781,000,000 2007 est. 130 Luxembourg 2,696,000,000 2007 est. 131 Mauritius 2,321,000,000 2007 est. 132 Uganda 2,256,000,000 2007 est. 133 Malta 2,146,000,000 2007 est. 134 Bahamas, The 2,045,000,000 2007 est. 135 Senegal 1,880,000,000 2007 est. 136 New Caledonia 1,825,000,000 2007 est. 137 Gabon 1,774,000,000 2007 est. 138 Malawi 1,690,000,000 2007 est. 139 Namibia 1,650,000,000 2007 est. 140 Suriname 1,605,000,000 2007 est. 141 Cambodia 1,273,000,000 2007 est. 142 Netherlands Antilles 1,220,000,000 2007 est. 143 Macau 1,106,000,000 2008 est. 144 Botswana 1,052,000,000 2007 est. 145 Madagascar 1,045,000,000 2007 est. 146 Barbados 1,003,000,000 2007 est. 147 Fiji 928,000,000 2007 est. 148 Aruba 850,000,000 2007 est. 149 Guinea 850,000,000 2007 est. 150 Afghanistan 839,000,000 2007 est. 151 Kosovo 832,000,000 2006 152 Guyana 821,000,000 2007 est. 153 Virgin Islands 776,400,000 2007 est. 154 Bermuda 675,600,000 2007 est. 155 French Polynesia 650,000,000 2007 est. 156 Burkina Faso 611,600,000 2007 est. 157 Cayman Islands 546,000,000 2007 est. 158 Mali 515,000,000 2007 est. 159 Lesotho 502,000,000 2007 est. 160 West Bank 500,000,000 NA 161 Haiti 448,000,000 2007 est. 162 Swaziland 441,000,000 2007 est. 163 Mauritania 415,300,000 2007 est. 164 Congo, Republic of the 400,000,000 2007 est. 165 Liberia 350,000,000 2007 est. 166 Greenland 325,000,000 2007 est. 167 Saint Lucia 325,000,000 2007 est. 168 Djibouti 280,000,000 2007 est. 169 Somalia 280,000,000 2007 est. 170 Eritrea 271,000,000 2007 est. 171 Cape Verde 250,000,000 2007 est. 172 Seychelles 250,000,000 2007 est. 173 Faroe Islands 243,700,000 2007 est. 174 Togo 230,000,000 2007 est. 175 Belize 213,500,000 2007 est. 176 Maldives 205,000,000 2007 est. 177 Micronesia, Federated States of 192,000,000 2002 178 American Samoa 185,000,000 2007 est. 179 Grenada 178,700,000 2007 est. 180 Gambia, The 160,000,000 2007 est. 181 Niger 150,000,000 2007 est. 182 Gibraltar 146,000,000 2007 est. 183 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 133,800,000 2007 est. 184 Saint Kitts and Nevis 130,000,000 2007 est. 185 Benin 124,000,000 2007 est. 186 Rwanda 120,000,000 2007 est. 187 Central African Republic 115,000,000 2007 est. 188 Antigua and Barbuda 110,000,000 2007 est. 189 Samoa 109,000,000 2007 est. 190 Chad 100,000,000 2007 est. 191 Burundi 92,000,000 2007 est. 192 Western Sahara 90,000,000 2007 est. 193 Dominica 85,000,000 2007 est. 194 Sierra Leone 80,000,000 2007 est. 195 Solomon Islands 71,000,000 2007 est. 196 Guinea-Bissau 65,000,000 2007 est. 197 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 53,000,000 2007 est. 198 British Virgin Islands 45,000,000 2007 est. 199 Tonga 43,000,000 2007 est. 200 Vanuatu 42,000,000 2007 est. 201 Cook Islands 31,000,000 2007 est. 202 Nauru 31,000,000 2007 est. 203 Equatorial Guinea 28,000,000 2007 est. 204 Comoros 22,000,000 2007 est. 205 Montserrat 22,000,000 2007 est. 206 Sao Tome and Principe 19,000,000 2007 est. 207 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 16,000,000 2007 est. 208 Kiribati 14,000,000 2007 est. 209 Turks and Caicos Islands 12,000,000 2007 est. 210 Saint Helena 8,000,000 2007 est. 211 Niue 3,000,000 2007 est. 212 Gaza Strip 140,000 2005 213 Northern Mariana Islands 60,600 January 2009 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2042 Country Comparison :: Electricity - consumption This entry consists of total electricity generated annually plus imports and minus exports, expressed in kilowatt-hours. The discrepancy between the amount of electricity generated and/or imported and the amount consumed and/or exported is accounted for as loss in transmission and distribution. Rank country (kWh) Date of Information 1 United States 3,873,000,000,000 2008 est. 2 European Union 2,884,000,000,000 2007 est. 3 China 2,835,000,000,000 2007 est. 4 Japan 1,007,000,000,000 2007 est. 5 Russia 840,400,000,000 2007 est. 6 India 568,000,000,000 2007 est. 7 Germany 547,300,000,000 2007 est. 8 Canada 536,100,000,000 2007 est. 9 France 447,200,000,000 2007 est. 10 Brazil 404,300,000,000 2007 est. 11 Korea, South 385,100,000,000 2008 est. 12 United Kingdom 345,800,000,000 2007 est. 13 Italy 315,000,000,000 2007 est. 14 Spain 276,100,000,000 2008 est. 15 Taiwan 233,000,000,000 2008 est. 16 Australia 222,000,000,000 2007 est. 17 South Africa 215,100,000,000 2007 est. 18 Mexico 200,900,000,000 2007 est. 19 Saudi Arabia 165,100,000,000 2007 est. 20 Iran 153,800,000,000 2007 est. 21 Turkey 153,700,000,000 2007 est. 22 Ukraine 153,100,000,000 2007 est. 23 Sweden 134,500,000,000 2007 est. 24 Thailand 129,500,000,000 2007 est. 25 Poland 129,300,000,000 2007 est. 26 Norway 128,800,000,000 2008 est. 27 Indonesia 119,300,000,000 2007 est. 28 Netherlands 110,200,000,000 2007 est. 29 Egypt 104,100,000,000 2007 est. 30 Malaysia 99,250,000,000 2007 est. 31 Argentina 99,210,000,000 2007 est. 32 Finland 86,900,000,000 2008 33 Belgium 84,880,000,000 2007 est. 34 Venezuela 83,020,000,000 2007 est. 35 Pakistan 72,200,000,000 2007 est. 36 United Arab Emirates 65,980,000,000 2007 est. 37 Kazakhstan 64,690,000,000 2007 est. 38 Austria 61,890,000,000 2007 est. 39 Czech Republic 61,650,000,000 2007 est. 40 Vietnam 59,300,000,000 2007 est. 41 Greece 58,280,000,000 2007 est. 42 Switzerland 57,620,000,000 2007 est. 43 Chile 57,290,000,000 2007 est. 44 Romania 49,440,000,000 2007 est. 45 Philippines 48,960,000,000 2007 est. 46 Portugal 48,780,000,000 2007 est. 47 Israel 46,150,000,000 2007 est. 48 Hong Kong 44,600,000,000 2008 est. 49 Uzbekistan 41,940,000,000 2007 est. 50 Kuwait 40,210,000,000 2007 est. 51 Iraq 39,880,000,000 2008 est. 52 New Zealand 39,240,000,000 2007 est. 53 Colombia 38,590,000,000 2007 est. 54 Hungary 37,770,000,000 2007 est. 55 Singapore 36,600,000,000 2007 est. 56 Denmark 35,790,000,000 2007 est. 57 Bulgaria 31,080,000,000 2007 est. 58 Belarus 30,540,000,000 2007 est. 59 Peru 28,970,000,000 2008 est. 60 Algeria 28,340,000,000 2007 est. 61 Syria 27,350,000,000 2007 est. 62 Slovakia 26,810,000,000 2007 est. 63 Ireland 25,120,000,000 2007 est. 64 Libya 22,170,000,000 2007 est. 65 Puerto Rico 22,060,000,000 2007 est. 66 Bangladesh 21,380,000,000 2007 est. 67 Morocco 20,780,000,000 2007 est. 68 Nigeria 19,210,000,000 2007 est. 69 Tajikistan 17,800,000,000 2008 70 Korea, North 17,490,000,000 2007 est. 71 Azerbaijan 15,680,000,000 2007 est. 72 Croatia 15,420,000,000 2007 est. 73 Cuba 13,930,000,000 2007 est. 74 Qatar 13,730,000,000 2007 est. 75 Slovenia 13,500,000,000 2007 est. 76 Dominican Republic 12,700,000,000 2007 est. 77 Tunisia 11,900,000,000 2007 est. 78 Oman 11,360,000,000 2007 est. 79 Iceland 11,220,000,000 2007 est. 80 Zimbabwe 10,890,000,000 2007 est. 81 Turkmenistan 10,450,000,000 2007 est. 82 Jordan 10,400,000,000 2007 est. 83 Mozambique 10,160,000,000 2007 est. 84 Bahrain 10,100,000,000 2007 est. 85 Ecuador 9,888,000,000 2007 est. 86 Lithuania 9,612,000,000 2007 est. 87 Kyrgyzstan 9,000,000,000 2007 est. 88 Zambia 8,838,000,000 2007 est. 89 Bosnia and Herzegovina 8,488,000,000 2007 est. 90 Lebanon 8,420,000,000 2007 est. 91 Costa Rica 8,064,000,000 2007 est. 92 Sri Lanka 7,946,000,000 2007 est. 93 Estonia 7,686,000,000 2007 est. 94 Macedonia 7,358,000,000 2007 est. 95 Uruguay 7,140,000,000 2007 est. 96 Guatemala 7,115,000,000 2007 est. 97 Trinidad and Tobago 7,034,000,000 2007 est. 98 Georgia 6,902,000,000 2007 est. 99 Latvia 6,822,000,000 2007 est. 100 Luxembourg 6,525,000,000 2007 est. 101 Jamaica 6,345,000,000 2007 est. 102 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 5,997,000,000 2007 est. 103 Ghana 5,702,000,000 2007 est. 104 Paraguay 5,337,000,000 2007 est. 105 Panama 5,170,000,000 2007 est. 106 Kenya 4,863,000,000 2008 est. 107 Cameroon 4,801,000,000 2007 est. 108 Armenia 4,776,000,000 2007 est. 109 Honduras 4,696,000,000 2007 est. 110 El Salvador 4,676,000,000 2007 est. 111 Bolivia 4,665,000,000 2007 est. 112 Burma 4,403,000,000 2007 est. 113 Moldova 4,370,000,000 2007 est. 114 Kosovo 4,281,000,000 2006 115 Cyprus 4,277,000,000 2007 est. 116 Yemen 4,133,000,000 2007 est. 117 Albania 3,603,000,000 2007 est. 118 Mongolia 3,491,000,000 2008 119 Sudan 3,438,000,000 2007 est. 120 Macau 3,311,000,000 2008 est. 121 West Bank 3,265,000,000 NA 122 Cote d'Ivoire 3,231,000,000 2007 est. 123 Tanzania 3,182,000,000 2007 est. 124 Namibia 3,175,000,000 2007 est. 125 Angola 3,173,000,000 2007 est. 126 Ethiopia 3,130,000,000 2007 est. 127 Laos 3,068,000,000 2007 est. 128 Brunei 2,926,000,000 2007 est. 129 Papua New Guinea 2,683,000,000 2007 est. 130 Botswana 2,648,000,000 2007 est. 131 Nicaragua 2,569,000,000 2007 est. 132 Nepal 2,243,000,000 2007 est. 133 Mauritius 2,158,000,000 2007 est. 134 Uganda 2,068,000,000 2007 est. 135 Bahamas, The 1,902,000,000 2007 est. 136 Malta 1,832,000,000 2007 est. 137 New Caledonia 1,697,000,000 2007 est. 138 Malawi 1,572,000,000 2007 est. 139 Suriname 1,467,000,000 2007 est. 140 Gabon 1,446,000,000 2007 est. 141 Senegal 1,384,000,000 2007 est. 142 Cambodia 1,272,000,000 2007 est. 143 Swaziland 1,266,000,000 2007 est. 144 Netherlands Antilles 1,013,000,000 2007 est. 145 Afghanistan 1,010,000,000 2007 est. 146 Madagascar 971,400,000 2007 est. 147 Barbados 939,900,000 2007 est. 148 Fiji 863,000,000 2007 est. 149 Aruba 790,500,000 2007 est. 150 Guinea 790,500,000 2007 est. 151 Virgin Islands 722,000,000 2007 est. 152 Guyana 667,000,000 2007 est. 153 Togo 640,000,000 2007 est. 154 Jersey 630,100,000 2004 est. 155 Bermuda 628,300,000 2007 est. 156 French Polynesia 604,500,000 2007 est. 157 Benin 597,000,000 2007 est. 158 Niger 589,500,000 2007 est. 159 Burkina Faso 568,800,000 2007 est. 160 Bhutan 528,800,000 2007 est. 161 Lesotho 516,900,000 2007 est. 162 Cayman Islands 507,800,000 2007 est. 163 Mali 479,000,000 2007 est. 164 Congo, Republic of the 471,000,000 2007 est. 165 Mauritania 386,200,000 2007 est. 166 Liberia 325,500,000 2007 est. 167 Greenland 302,300,000 2007 est. 168 Saint Lucia 302,200,000 2007 est. 169 Haiti 273,000,000 2007 est. 170 Djibouti 260,400,000 2007 est. 171 Somalia 260,400,000 2007 est. 172 Cape Verde 232,500,000 2007 est. 173 Seychelles 232,500,000 2007 est. 174 Rwanda 231,600,000 2007 est. 175 Eritrea 228,000,000 2007 est. 176 Faroe Islands 226,600,000 2007 est. 177 Belize 198,500,000 2007 est. 178 Maldives 190,700,000 2007 est. 179 Micronesia, Federated States of 178,600,000 2002 180 American Samoa 172,100,000 2007 est. 181 Grenada 155,700,000 2007 est. 182 Gambia, The 148,800,000 2007 est. 183 Gibraltar 146,000,000 2007 est. 184 Mayotte 139,200,000 2005 185 Burundi 125,600,000 2007 est. 186 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 124,400,000 2007 est. 187 Saint Kitts and Nevis 120,900,000 2007 est. 188 Central African Republic 107,000,000 2007 est. 189 Antigua and Barbuda 102,300,000 2007 est. 190 Samoa 101,400,000 2007 est. 191 Chad 93,000,000 2007 est. 192 Western Sahara 83,700,000 2007 est. 193 Dominica 79,050,000 2007 est. 194 Sierra Leone 74,400,000 2007 est. 195 Solomon Islands 66,030,000 2007 est. 196 Guinea-Bissau 60,450,000 2007 est. 197 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 49,290,000 2007 est. 198 British Virgin Islands 41,850,000 2007 est. 199 Tonga 39,990,000 2007 est. 200 Vanuatu 39,060,000 2007 est. 201 Cook Islands 28,830,000 2007 est. 202 Nauru 28,830,000 2007 est. 203 Equatorial Guinea 26,040,000 2007 est. 204 Comoros 20,460,000 2007 est. 205 Montserrat 20,460,000 2007 est. 206 Montenegro 18,600,000 2005 207 Sao Tome and Principe 17,670,000 2007 est. 208 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 14,880,000 2007 est. 209 Kiribati 13,020,000 2007 est. 210 Turks and Caicos Islands 11,160,000 2007 est. 211 Saint Helena 7,440,000 2007 est. 212 Niue 2,790,000 2007 est. 213 Gaza Strip 230,000 2005 214 Northern Mariana Islands 48,300 January 2009 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2043 Country Comparison :: Electricity - imports This entry is the total imported electricity in kilowatt-hours. Rank country (kWh) Date of Information 1 United States 57,020,000,000.00 2008 est. 2 Italy 43,000,000,000.00 2008 est. 3 Brazil 42,060,000,000.00 2008 est. 4 Germany 41,670,000,000.00 2008 est. 5 Switzerland 31,600,000,000.00 2008 est. 6 Netherlands 25,010,000,000.00 2008 est. 7 Canada 23,500,000,000.00 2008 est. 8 Austria 19,800,000,000.00 2008 est. 9 Belgium 17,160,000,000.00 2008 est. 10 Finland 16,110,000,000.00 2008 est. 11 Denmark 12,820,000,000.00 2008 est. 12 Hungary 12,770,000,000.00 2008 est. 13 Sweden 12,750,000,000.00 2008 est. 14 United Kingdom 12,290,000,000.00 2008 est. 15 Uzbekistan 11,360,000,000.00 2007 est. 16 Serbia 11,230,000,000.00 2004 17 Hong Kong 11,000,000,000.00 2008 est. 18 Portugal 10,740,000,000.00 2008 est. 19 France 10,680,000,000.00 2008 est. 20 South Africa 10,570,000,000.00 2008 est. 21 Argentina 10,280,000,000.00 2007 est. 22 Slovakia 9,412,000,000.00 2008 est. 23 Belarus 9,406,000,000.00 2007 est. 24 Czech Republic 8,520,000,000.00 2008 est. 25 Poland 8,480,000,000.00 2008 est. 26 Mozambique 8,278,000,000.00 2007 est. 27 Croatia 8,249,000,000.00 2008 est. 28 Greece 7,575,000,000.00 2008 est. 29 Luxembourg 6,830,000,000.00 2008 est. 30 Slovenia 6,218,000,000.00 2008 est. 31 Spain 5,880,000,000.00 2008 est. 32 Lithuania 5,649,000,000.00 2008 est. 33 India 4,960,000,000.00 2007 est. 34 Latvia 4,643,000,000.00 2008 est. 35 Tajikistan 4,361,000,000.00 2007 est. 36 China 3,842,000,000.00 2008 est. 37 Bosnia and Herzegovina 3,743,000,000.00 2007 est. 38 Morocco 3,455,000,000.00 2007 est. 39 Norway 3,414,000,000.00 2008 est. 40 Ukraine 3,383,000,000.00 2007 est. 41 Kazakhstan 3,270,000,000.00 2007 est. 42 Russia 3,105,000,000.00 2008 est. 43 Bulgaria 3,097,000,000.00 2008 est. 44 Iraq 2,950,000,000.00 2008 est. 45 Moldova 2,931,000,000.00 2007 est. 46 West Bank 2,800,000,000.00 NA 47 Thailand 2,784,000,000.00 2008 est. 48 Zimbabwe 2,691,000,000.00 2007 est. 49 Macedonia 2,491,000,000.00 2007 est. 50 Albania 2,475,000,000.00 2008 est. 51 Macau 2,215,000,000.00 2008 est. 52 Botswana 2,181,000,000.00 2008 est. 53 Namibia 2,045,000,000.00 2007 est. 54 Iran 1,842,000,000.00 2007 est. 55 Venezuela 1,651,000,000.00 2007 est. 56 Chile 1,628,000,000.00 2007 est. 57 Syria 1,400,000,000.00 2007 58 Estonia 1,369,000,000.00 2008 est. 59 Lebanon 972,000,000.00 2007 est. 60 Romania 921,000,000.00 2008 est. 61 Ecuador 861,000,000.00 2007 est. 62 Turkey 790,000,000.00 2008 est. 63 Uruguay 789,000,000.00 2007 est. 64 Swaziland 770,000,000.00 2008 est. 65 Ireland 753,000,000.00 2008 est. 66 Benin 588,000,000.00 2007 est. 67 Mexico 584,000,000.00 2008 est. 68 Azerbaijan 548,000,000.00 2007 est. 69 Togo 514,000,000.00 2007 est. 70 Laos 475,900,000.00 2007 est. 71 Niger 450,000,000.00 2007 est. 72 Congo, Republic of the 449,000,000.00 2007 est. 73 Ghana 435,000,000.00 2007 est. 74 Georgia 430,000,000.00 2007 est. 75 Armenia 418,700,000.00 2007 est. 76 Algeria 279,000,000.00 2007 est. 77 Egypt 251,000,000.00 2007 est. 78 Belize 248,400,000.00 2005 79 Afghanistan 230,000,000.00 2007 est. 80 Zambia 222,000,000.00 2008 est. 81 Nepal 213,000,000.00 2008 est. 82 Costa Rica 203,200,000.00 2007 est. 83 Jordan 200,000,000.00 2007 est. 84 Tanzania 200,000,000.00 2007 est. 85 Mongolia 197,500,000.00 2008 86 Cambodia 167,000,000.00 2007 est. 87 Tunisia 145,000,000.00 2007 est. 88 Rwanda 130,000,000.00 2007 est. 89 Libya 77,000,000.00 2007 est. 90 Nicaragua 63,950,000.00 2007 est. 91 Lesotho 50,000,000.00 2008 est. 92 Burundi 40,000,000.00 2007 est. 93 Colombia 39,400,000.00 2007 est. 94 El Salvador 38,000,000.00 2007 est. 95 Kenya 22,500,000.00 2007 est. 96 Honduras 11,800,000.00 2007 est. 97 Bhutan 11,000,000.00 2007 est. 98 Panama 8,740,000.00 2007 est. 99 Guatemala 8,110,000.00 2007 est. 100 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 6,000,000.00 2007 est. 101 Gaza Strip 90,000.00 2005 102 Aruba 0.00 2008 est. 103 Netherlands Antilles 0.00 2008 est. 104 Suriname 0.00 2008 est. 105 Nauru 0.00 2008 est. 106 Nigeria 0.00 2008 est. 107 Vanuatu 0.00 2008 est. 108 Niue 0.00 2008 est. 109 New Caledonia 0.00 2008 est. 110 Malaysia 0.00 2008 est. 111 Oman 0.00 2008 est. 112 Yemen 0.00 2008 est. 113 Samoa 0.00 2008 est. 114 Western Sahara 0.00 2008 est. 115 Wallis and Futuna 0.00 2002 116 Virgin Islands 0.00 2008 est. 117 Vietnam 0.00 2008 est. 118 British Virgin Islands 0.00 2008 est. 119 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0.00 2008 est. 120 Burkina Faso 0.00 2008 est. 121 Uganda 0.00 2008 est. 122 Turkmenistan 0.00 2008 est. 123 Taiwan 0.00 2008 est. 124 Timor-Leste 0.00 2007 est. 125 Sao Tome and Principe 0.00 2008 est. 126 Tonga 0.00 2008 est. 127 Turks and Caicos Islands 0.00 2008 est. 128 Trinidad and Tobago 0.00 2008 est. 129 Sudan 0.00 2008 est. 130 Saint Lucia 0.00 2008 est. 131 Somalia 0.00 2008 est. 132 Singapore 0.00 2008 est. 133 Sierra Leone 0.00 2008 est. 134 Saint Helena 0.00 2008 est. 135 Senegal 0.00 2008 est. 136 Seychelles 0.00 2008 est. 137 Saint Kitts and Nevis 0.00 2008 est. 138 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0.00 2008 est. 139 Saudi Arabia 0.00 2008 est. 140 Puerto Rico 0.00 2008 est. 141 Philippines 0.00 2008 est. 142 Qatar 0.00 2008 est. 143 Guinea-Bissau 0.00 2008 est. 144 Papua New Guinea 0.00 2008 est. 145 Pakistan 0.00 2008 est. 146 Peru 0.00 2008 est. 147 Paraguay 0.00 2008 est. 148 New Zealand 0.00 2008 est. 149 Malta 0.00 2008 est. 150 Mauritania 0.00 2008 est. 151 Mauritius 0.00 2008 est. 152 Mali 0.00 2008 est. 153 Montenegro 0.00 2005 154 Malawi 0.00 2008 est. 155 Montserrat 0.00 2008 est. 156 French Polynesia 0.00 2008 est. 157 Maldives 0.00 2008 est. 158 Faroe Islands 0.00 2008 est. 159 Micronesia, Federated States of 0.00 2002 160 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 0.00 2008 est. 161 Fiji 0.00 2008 est. 162 Ethiopia 0.00 2008 est. 163 Eritrea 0.00 2008 est. 164 Equatorial Guinea 0.00 2008 est. 165 Cook Islands 0.00 2008 est. 166 Madagascar 0.00 2008 est. 167 Liberia 0.00 2008 est. 168 Kuwait 0.00 2008 est. 169 Korea, South 0.00 2008 est. 170 Kiribati 0.00 2008 est. 171 Korea, North 0.00 2008 est. 172 Kyrgyzstan 0.00 2008 est. 173 Jamaica 0.00 2008 est. 174 Japan 0.00 2008 est. 175 Cote d'Ivoire 0.00 2008 est. 176 Israel 0.00 2008 est. 177 Indonesia 0.00 2008 est. 178 Iceland 0.00 2008 est. 179 Haiti 0.00 2008 est. 180 Guyana 0.00 2008 est. 181 Guinea 0.00 2008 est. 182 Greenland 0.00 2008 est. 183 Guernsey 0.00 2002 184 Grenada 0.00 2008 est. 185 Gibraltar 0.00 2008 est. 186 Gabon 0.00 2008 est. 187 Gambia, The 0.00 2008 est. 188 Cape Verde 0.00 2008 est. 189 Cuba 0.00 2008 est. 190 Central African Republic 0.00 2008 est. 191 Northern Mariana Islands 0.00 January 2009 est. 192 Comoros 0.00 2008 est. 193 Cameroon 0.00 2008 est. 194 Cayman Islands 0.00 2008 est. 195 Sri Lanka 0.00 2008 est. 196 Dominican Republic 0.00 2008 est. 197 Dominica 0.00 2008 est. 198 Djibouti 0.00 2008 est. 199 Cyprus 0.00 2008 est. 200 Chad 0.00 2008 est. 201 Brunei 0.00 2008 est. 202 Solomon Islands 0.00 2008 est. 203 Burma 0.00 2008 est. 204 Bolivia 0.00 2008 est. 205 Bangladesh 0.00 2008 est. 206 Bahamas, The 0.00 2008 est. 207 Bermuda 0.00 2008 est. 208 Barbados 0.00 2008 est. 209 Antigua and Barbuda 0.00 2008 est. 210 Angola 0.00 2008 est. 211 Australia 0.00 2008 est. 212 Bahrain 0.00 2008 est. 213 American Samoa 0.00 2008 est. 214 United Arab Emirates 0.00 2008 est. ====================================================================== Rank code: 2044 Country Comparison :: Electricity - exports This entry is the total exported electricity in kilowatt-hours. Rank country (kWh) Date of Information 1 Germany 61,700,000,000.00 2008 est. 2 France 58,690,000,000.00 2008 est. 3 Canada 55,730,000,000.00 2008 est. 4 Paraguay 45,140,000,000.00 2007 est. 5 Switzerland 32,740,000,000.00 2008 est. 6 United States 24,080,000,000.00 2008 est. 7 Czech Republic 19,990,000,000.00 2008 est. 8 Russia 18,600,000,000.00 2008 est. 9 Norway 17,290,000,000.00 2008 est. 10 Spain 16,920,000,000.00 2008 est. 11 China 16,640,000,000.00 2008 est. 12 Austria 14,930,000,000.00 2008 est. 13 Sweden 14,710,000,000.00 2008 est. 14 South Africa 14,160,000,000.00 2008 est. 15 Ukraine 12,550,000,000.00 2007 est. 16 Serbia 12,050,000,000.00 2004 est. 17 Mozambique 11,820,000,000.00 2007 est. 18 Uzbekistan 11,440,000,000.00 2007 est. 19 Denmark 11,360,000,000.00 2008 est. 20 Poland 9,703,000,000.00 2008 21 Netherlands 9,280,000,000.00 2008 est. 22 Slovakia 8,891,000,000.00 2008 est. 23 Hungary 8,871,000,000.00 2008 est. 24 Bulgaria 8,441,000,000.00 2008 est. 25 Slovenia 7,820,000,000.00 2008 est. 26 Lithuania 6,606,000,000.00 2008 est. 27 Belgium 6,561,000,000.00 2008 est. 28 Romania 5,169,000,000.00 2008 est. 29 Belarus 5,062,000,000.00 2007 est. 30 Bosnia and Herzegovina 4,344,000,000.00 2007 est. 31 Bhutan 3,644,000,000.00 2007 est. 32 Kazakhstan 3,617,000,000.00 2007 est. 33 Hong Kong 3,553,000,000.00 2008 est. 34 Italy 3,431,000,000.00 2008 est. 35 Finland 3,335,000,000.00 2008 est. 36 Argentina 2,628,000,000.00 2007 est. 37 Iran 2,520,000,000.00 2007 est. 38 Luxembourg 2,483,000,000.00 2008 est. 39 Kyrgyzstan 2,379,000,000.00 2007 est. 40 Estonia 2,310,000,000.00 2008 est. 41 Malaysia 2,268,000,000.00 2007 est. 42 Croatia 2,140,000,000.00 2008 est. 43 Latvia 2,123,000,000.00 2008 est. 44 Israel 2,081,000,000.00 2007 est. 45 Brazil 2,034,000,000.00 2007 est. 46 Greece 1,962,000,000.00 2008 est. 47 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 1,916,000,000.00 2007 est. 48 Turkmenistan 1,460,000,000.00 2007 est. 49 Portugal 1,313,000,000.00 2008 est. 50 Mexico 1,288,000,000.00 2008 est. 51 United Kingdom 1,272,000,000.00 2008 est. 52 Turkey 1,063,000,000.00 2008 est. 53 Tajikistan 1,000,000,000.00 2008 est. 54 Uruguay 996,000,000.00 2007 est. 55 Colombia 876,700,000.00 2007 est. 56 Egypt 814,000,000.00 2007 est. 57 Azerbaijan 786,000,000.00 2007 est. 58 Thailand 773,000,000.00 2008 est. 59 Cote d'Ivoire 772,000,000.00 2007 est. 60 Georgia 628,000,000.00 2007 est. 61 Venezuela 540,000,000.00 2007 est. 62 Armenia 451,300,000.00 2007 est. 63 Ireland 303,000,000.00 2008 est. 64 Algeria 273,000,000.00 2007 est. 65 Laos 268,000,000.00 2007 est. 66 Zambia 268,000,000.00 2007 67 Ghana 249,000,000.00 2007 est. 68 Moldova 240,000,000.00 2007 est. 69 India 216,000,000.00 2007 est. 70 Jordan 176,000,000.00 2007 est. 71 Nepal 140,000,000.00 2007 est. 72 Guatemala 131,900,000.00 2007 est. 73 Tunisia 130,000,000.00 2007 est. 74 Panama 124,900,000.00 2007 est. 75 Libya 104,000,000.00 2007 est. 76 Costa Rica 77,160,000.00 2008 est. 77 Kenya 58,300,000.00 2007 est. 78 Namibia 40,000,000.00 2007 est. 79 Ecuador 38,530,000.00 2007 est. 80 Zimbabwe 32,000,000.00 2007 est. 81 Uganda 30,000,000.00 2007 82 Mongolia 15,800,000.00 2008 83 Rwanda 10,000,000.00 2007 est. 84 El Salvador 7,000,000.00 2007 est. 85 Aruba 0.00 2008 est. 86 Antigua and Barbuda 0.00 2008 est. 87 Bahrain 0.00 2008 est. 88 Botswana 0.00 2008 est. 89 Cape Verde 0.00 2008 est. 90 Cuba 0.00 2008 est. 91 Central African Republic 0.00 2008 est. 92 Northern Mariana Islands 0.00 January 2009 est. 93 Comoros 0.00 2008 est. 94 Cameroon 0.00 2008 est. 95 Cayman Islands 0.00 2008 est. 96 Chile 0.00 2008 est. 97 Brunei 0.00 2008 est. 98 Liberia 0.00 2008 est. 99 Lebanon 0.00 2008 est. 100 Kuwait 0.00 2008 est. 101 Korea, South 0.00 2008 est. 102 Kiribati 0.00 2008 est. 103 Korea, North 0.00 2008 est. 104 Jamaica 0.00 2008 est. 105 Japan 0.00 2008 est. 106 Iraq 0.00 2008 est. 107 Yemen 0.00 2008 est. 108 Swaziland 0.00 2008 109 Samoa 0.00 2008 est. 110 Western Sahara 0.00 2008 est. 111 Wallis and Futuna 0.00 2002 112 Virgin Islands 0.00 2008 est. 113 Vietnam 0.00 2008 est. 114 British Virgin Islands 0.00 2008 est. 115 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0.00 2008 est. 116 Burkina Faso 0.00 2008 est. 117 Tanzania 0.00 2008 est. 118 Taiwan 0.00 2008 est. 119 Timor-Leste 0.00 2007 est. 120 Sao Tome and Principe 0.00 2008 121 Togo 0.00 2008 est. 122 Tonga 0.00 2008 123 Turks and Caicos Islands 0.00 2008 est. 124 Trinidad and Tobago 0.00 2008 est. 125 Syria 0.00 2008 est. 126 Sudan 0.00 2008 est. 127 Saint Lucia 0.00 2008 est. 128 Somalia 0.00 2008 est. 129 Singapore 0.00 2008 est. 130 Sierra Leone 0.00 2008 est. 131 Saint Helena 0.00 2008 est. 132 Senegal 0.00 2008 est. 133 Seychelles 0.00 2008 est. 134 Saint Kitts and Nevis 0.00 2008 est. 135 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0.00 2008 est. 136 Saudi Arabia 0.00 2008 est. 137 Puerto Rico 0.00 2008 est. 138 Philippines 0.00 2008 est. 139 Qatar 0.00 2008 est. 140 Guinea-Bissau 0.00 2008 est. 141 Papua New Guinea 0.00 2008 est. 142 Pakistan 0.00 2008 est. 143 Peru 0.00 2008 est. 144 New Zealand 0.00 2008 est. 145 Nicaragua 0.00 2008 est. 146 Netherlands Antilles 0.00 2008 est. 147 Suriname 0.00 2008 est. 148 Nauru 0.00 2008 est. 149 Nigeria 0.00 2008 est. 150 Vanuatu 0.00 2008 est. 151 Niger 0.00 2008 est. 152 Niue 0.00 2008 est. 153 New Caledonia 0.00 2008 est. 154 Maldives 0.00 2008 est. 155 Oman 0.00 2008 est. 156 Malta 0.00 2008 est. 157 Mauritania 0.00 2008 est. 158 Mauritius 0.00 2008 est. 159 Morocco 0.00 2008 est. 160 Mali 0.00 2008 est. 161 Macedonia 0.00 2008 est. 162 Montenegro 0.00 2005 163 Malawi 0.00 2008 est. 164 Montserrat 0.00 2008 est. 165 Macau 0.00 2008 est. 166 Madagascar 0.00 2008 est. 167 Lesotho 0.00 2008 est. 168 Indonesia 0.00 2008 est. 169 Iceland 0.00 2008 est. 170 Honduras 0.00 2008 est. 171 Haiti 0.00 2008 est. 172 Gaza Strip 0.00 2008 est. 173 Guyana 0.00 2008 est. 174 Guinea 0.00 2008 est. 175 Grenada 0.00 2008 est. 176 Gibraltar 0.00 2008 est. 177 Gabon 0.00 2008 est. 178 Gambia, The 0.00 2008 est. 179 French Polynesia 0.00 2008 est. 180 Faroe Islands 0.00 2008 est. 181 Micronesia, Federated States of 0.00 2002 182 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 0.00 2008 est. 183 Fiji 0.00 2008 est. 184 Greenland 0.00 2008 est. 185 Guernsey 0.00 2002 186 Ethiopia 0.00 2008 est. 187 Eritrea 0.00 2008 est. 188 Equatorial Guinea 0.00 2008 est. 189 Dominican Republic 0.00 2008 est. 190 Dominica 0.00 2008 est. 191 Djibouti 0.00 2008 est. 192 Cyprus 0.00 2008 est. 193 Cook Islands 0.00 2008 est. 194 Solomon Islands 0.00 2008 est. 195 Benin 0.00 2008 est. 196 Burma 0.00 2008 est. 197 Bolivia 0.00 2008 est. 198 Belize 0.00 2008 est. 199 Bangladesh 0.00 2008 est. 200 Bahamas, The 0.00 2008 est. 201 Bermuda 0.00 2008 est. 202 Congo, Republic of the 0.00 2008 est. 203 Sri Lanka 0.00 2008 est. 204 Chad 0.00 2008 est. 205 Cambodia 0.00 2008 est. 206 Burundi 0.00 2008 est. 207 Barbados 0.00 2008 est. 208 Australia 0.00 2008 est. 209 American Samoa 0.00 2008 est. 210 Angola 0.00 2008 est. 211 Albania 0.00 2008 est. 212 United Arab Emirates 0.00 2008 est. 213 Afghanistan 0.00 2008 est. ====================================================================== Rank code: 2045 Country Comparison :: Electricity - production by source Rank country (%) Date of Information 1 Aruba 100.00 2001 2 Antigua and Barbuda 100.00 2001 3 United Arab Emirates 100.00 2001 4 Bahrain 100.00 2001 5 American Samoa 100.00 2001 6 Barbados 100.00 2001 7 Bermuda 100.00 2001 8 Bahamas, The 100.00 2001 9 Botswana 100.00 2001 10 Gambia, The 100.00 2001 11 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 100.00 2001 12 Eritrea 100.00 2001 13 Djibouti 100.00 2001 14 Cyprus 100.00 2001 15 Cook Islands 100.00 2001 16 Cape Verde 100.00 2001 17 Cayman Islands 100.00 2001 18 Chad 100.00 2001 19 Libya 100.00 2001 20 Liberia 100.00 2001 21 Kuwait 100.00 2001 22 Kiribati 100.00 2001 23 Hong Kong 100.00 2001 24 Greenland 100.00 2001 25 Grenada 100.00 2001 26 Gibraltar 100.00 2001 27 Brunei 100.00 2001 28 Vanuatu 100.00 2001 29 Niger 100.00 2001 30 Niue 100.00 2001 31 Maldives 100.00 2001 32 Oman 100.00 2001 33 Malta 100.00 2001 34 Montserrat 100.00 2001 35 Mongolia 100.00 2001 36 Macau 100.00 2001 37 Tokelau 100.00 2001 38 Turks and Caicos Islands 100.00 2001 39 Saint Lucia 100.00 2001 40 Somalia 100.00 2001 41 Singapore 100.00 2001 42 Sierra Leone 100.00 2001 43 Saint Helena 100.00 2001 44 Senegal 100.00 2001 45 Seychelles 100.00 2001 46 Yemen 100.00 2001 47 Western Sahara 100.00 2001 48 West Bank 100.00 2001 49 Virgin Islands 100.00 2001 50 British Virgin Islands 100.00 2001 51 Timor-Leste 100.00 2001 52 Tonga 100.00 2001 53 Saint Kitts and Nevis 100.00 2001 54 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 100.00 2001 55 Saudi Arabia 100.00 2001 56 Qatar 100.00 2001 57 Guinea-Bissau 100.00 2001 58 Netherlands Antilles 100.00 2001 59 Nauru 100.00 2001 60 Solomon Islands 100.00 2001 61 Bhutan 99.90 2001 62 Israel 99.90 2001 63 Turkmenistan 99.90 2001 64 Paraguay 99.90 2001 65 Estonia 99.80 2001 66 Trinidad and Tobago 99.80 2001 67 Algeria 99.70 2001 68 Congo, Republic of the 99.70 2001 69 Belarus 99.50 2001 70 Tunisia 99.50 2001 71 Zambia 99.50 2001 72 Burundi 99.40 2001 73 Jordan 99.40 2001 74 Guyana 99.40 2001 75 Norway 99.30 2001 76 Puerto Rico 99.20 2001 77 Uganda 99.10 2001 78 Uruguay 99.10 2001 79 Marshall Islands 99.00 NA 80 Togo 98.70 2001 81 Laos 98.60 2001 82 Iraq 98.40 2001 83 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 98.20 2001 84 Poland 98.10 2001 85 Tajikistan 98.10 2001 86 Rwanda 97.70 2001 87 Ethiopia 97.60 2001 88 Cameroon 97.30 2001 89 Lebanon 97.20 2001 90 Albania 97.10 2001 91 Mozambique 97.10 2001 92 Iran 97.10 2001 93 Jamaica 96.80 2001 94 Malawi 96.70 2001 95 Ireland 95.90 2001 96 Morocco 95.40 2001 97 Ghana 95.00 2001 98 Greece 94.50 2001 99 Equatorial Guinea 94.30 2001 100 Cuba 93.90 2001 101 Bangladesh 93.70 2001 102 South Africa 93.50 2001 103 Kyrgyzstan 92.40 2001 104 Dominican Republic 92.00 2001 105 Nepal 91.50 2001 106 Thailand 91.30 2001 107 Australia 90.80 2001 108 Mauritius 90.80 2001 109 Comoros 90.60 2001 110 Moldova 90.60 2001 111 Netherlands 89.90 2001 112 Azerbaijan 89.70 2001 113 Malaysia 89.50 2001 114 Uzbekistan 88.20 2001 115 Indonesia 86.90 2001 116 Mauritania 85.90 2001 117 Benin 85.80 2001 118 Peru 84.70 2001 119 Kazakhstan 84.30 2001 120 Nicaragua 83.90 2001 121 Macedonia 83.70 2001 122 Brazil 82.70 2001 123 Denmark 82.70 2001 124 Iceland 82.50 2001 125 Costa Rica 81.90 2001 126 India 81.70 2001 127 Fiji 81.50 2001 128 Tanzania 81.10 2001 129 Ecuador 81.00 2001 130 Egypt 81.00 2001 131 Georgia 80.30 2001 132 China 80.20 2001 133 Central African Republic 80.20 2001 134 Turkey 79.30 2001 135 Mexico 78.70 2001 136 Italy 78.60 2001 137 Lithuania 77.70 2001 138 France 77.10 2001 139 New Caledonia 76.30 2001 140 Czech Republic 76.10 2001 141 Suriname 74.80 2001 142 United Kingdom 73.80 2001 143 Colombia 72.70 2001 144 Taiwan 71.40 2001 145 United States 71.40 2001 146 Kenya 71.00 2001 147 Korea, North 71.00 2001 148 Latvia 70.90 2001 149 Burkina Faso 69.90 2001 150 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 69.30 2001 151 Pakistan 68.80 2001 152 Venezuela 68.30 2001 153 Austria 67.20 2001 154 Russia 66.30 2003 155 Croatia 66.00 2001 156 Gabon 65.50 2001 157 Cambodia 65.00 2001 158 Portugal 64.50 2001 159 Madagascar 63.90 2001 160 Afghanistan 63.70 2001 161 Angola 63.60 2001 162 Romania 62.50 2001 163 Faroe Islands 62.40 2001 164 Korea, South 62.40 2001 165 Cote d'Ivoire 61.90 2001 166 Nigeria 61.90 2001 167 Germany 61.80 2001 168 Panama 61.30 2001 169 French Polynesia 60.70 2001 170 Haiti 60.30 2001 171 Hungary 60.10 2001 172 Japan 60.00 2001 173 Belize 59.90 2001 174 Switzerland 59.50 2001 175 Belgium 59.30 2001 176 Sao Tome and Principe 58.80 2001 177 Mali 58.30 2001 178 Samoa 58.00 2001 179 Swaziland 58.00 2001 180 Svalbard 58.00 NA 181 Canada 57.90 2001 182 New Zealand 57.80 2001 183 Syria 57.60 2001 184 Luxembourg 57.30 2001 185 Vietnam 56.30 2001 186 Philippines 55.60 2001 187 Guinea 54.50 2001 188 Papua New Guinea 54.10 2001 189 Bolivia 54.00 2001 190 Slovakia 53.60 2001 191 Bosnia and Herzegovina 53.50 2001 192 Zimbabwe 53.00 2001 193 Dominica 52.90 2001 194 Argentina 52.20 2001 195 Sudan 52.10 2001 196 Guatemala 51.90 2001 197 Sri Lanka 51.70 2001 198 Chile 51.50 2001 199 Sweden 50.80 2001 200 Spain 50.40 2001 201 Honduras 50.20 2001 202 Honduras 49.80 2001 203 Ukraine 48.60 2001 204 Sri Lanka 48.30 2001 205 Sudan 47.90 2001 206 Bulgaria 47.80 2001 207 Dominica 47.10 2001 208 Chile 47.00 2001 209 Zimbabwe 47.00 2001 210 Bosnia and Herzegovina 46.50 2001 211 Papua New Guinea 45.90 2001 212 Guinea 45.50 2001 213 Burma 44.50 2002 214 Bolivia 44.40 2001 215 Bulgaria 44.10 2001 216 El Salvador 44.00 2001 217 Vietnam 43.70 2001 218 Ukraine 43.50 2001 219 Burma 43.40 2002 220 Sweden 43.00 2001 221 Syria 42.40 2001 222 Armenia 42.30 2001 223 Svalbard 42.00 NA 224 Samoa 42.00 2001 225 Swaziland 42.00 2001 226 Mali 41.70 2001 227 Sao Tome and Principe 41.20 2001 228 Argentina 40.80 2001 229 Belize 40.10 2001 230 Haiti 39.70 2001 231 French Polynesia 39.30 2001 232 Finland 39.00 2001 233 Hungary 39.00 2001 234 Belgium 38.40 2001 235 Cote d'Ivoire 38.10 2001 236 Nigeria 38.10 2001 237 Faroe Islands 37.60 2001 238 Switzerland 37.10 2001 239 Panama 37.00 2001 240 Slovenia 36.80 2001 241 Korea, South 36.60 2001 242 Angola 36.40 2001 243 Afghanistan 36.30 2001 244 Madagascar 36.10 2001 245 Guatemala 35.20 2001 246 Slovenia 35.20 2001 247 Cambodia 35.00 2001 248 Gabon 34.50 2001 249 Croatia 33.60 2001 250 Venezuela 31.70 2001 251 New Zealand 31.60 2001 252 Portugal 31.30 2001 253 El Salvador 30.90 2001 254 Armenia 30.70 2001 255 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 30.70 2001 256 Finland 30.40 2001 257 Slovakia 30.30 2001 258 Burkina Faso 30.10 2001 259 Germany 29.90 2001 260 Japan 29.80 2001 261 Austria 29.30 2001 262 Latvia 29.10 2001 263 Korea, North 29.00 2001 264 Pakistan 28.20 2001 265 Canada 28.00 2001 266 Romania 27.60 2001 267 Slovenia 27.30 2001 268 Spain 27.20 2001 269 Armenia 27.00 2001 270 Philippines 26.90 2001 271 Colombia 26.00 2001 272 Luxembourg 25.20 2001 273 Suriname 25.20 2001 274 El Salvador 25.10 2001 275 New Caledonia 23.70 2001 276 United Kingdom 23.70 2001 277 Taiwan 22.60 2001 278 United States 20.70 2001 279 Turkey 20.40 2001 280 Czech Republic 20.00 2001 281 Central African Republic 19.80 2001 282 Georgia 19.70 2001 283 Ecuador 19.00 2001 284 Egypt 19.00 2001 285 Tanzania 18.90 2001 286 Finland 18.70 2001 287 China 18.50 2001 288 Fiji 18.50 2001 289 Italy 18.40 2001 290 Spain 18.20 2001 291 Kenya 17.70 2001 292 Iceland 17.50 2001 293 Luxembourg 17.50 2001 294 Philippines 17.50 2001 295 Denmark 17.30 2001 296 Russia 17.20 2003 297 Costa Rica 16.60 2001 298 Lithuania 16.50 2001 299 Russia 16.40 2003 300 Macedonia 16.30 2001 301 Slovakia 16.00 2001 302 Kazakhstan 15.70 2001 303 India 14.50 2001 304 Peru 14.50 2001 305 Benin 14.20 2001 306 Mexico 14.20 2001 307 Mauritania 14.10 2001 308 France 14.00 2001 309 Canada 12.90 2001 310 Guatemala 12.90 2001 311 Burma 12.10 2002 312 Finland 11.80 2001 313 Uzbekistan 11.80 2001 314 Kenya 11.30 2001 315 New Zealand 10.70 2001 316 Indonesia 10.50 2001 317 Malaysia 10.50 2001 318 Azerbaijan 10.30 2001 319 Romania 9.90 2001 320 Comoros 9.40 2001 321 Moldova 9.40 2001 322 Mauritius 9.20 2001 323 Nepal 8.50 2001 324 Japan 8.40 2001 325 Nicaragua 8.40 2001 326 Australia 8.30 2001 327 Brazil 8.30 2001 328 France 8.20 2001 329 Bulgaria 8.10 2001 330 Ukraine 7.90 2001 331 Nicaragua 7.70 2001 332 Dominican Republic 7.60 2001 333 Kyrgyzstan 7.60 2001 334 Argentina 6.70 2001 335 Thailand 6.40 2001 336 Bangladesh 6.30 2001 337 Taiwan 6.00 2001 338 Equatorial Guinea 5.70 2001 339 Lithuania 5.70 2001 340 Netherlands 5.70 2001 341 United States 5.60 2001 342 South Africa 5.50 2001 343 Cuba 5.40 2001 344 Ghana 5.00 2001 345 Brazil 4.60 2001 346 Morocco 4.60 2001 347 Brazil 4.40 2001 348 Netherlands 4.30 2001 349 Germany 4.20 2001 350 Mexico 4.20 2001 351 Germany 4.10 2001 352 Portugal 4.10 2001 353 Spain 4.10 2001 354 Sweden 4.00 2001 355 Greece 3.80 2001 356 Austria 3.50 2001 357 India 3.40 2001 358 Malawi 3.30 2001 359 Italy 3.00 2001 360 Pakistan 3.00 2001 361 Albania 2.90 2001 362 Iran 2.90 2001 363 Mexico 2.90 2001 364 Czech Republic 2.90 2001 365 Mozambique 2.90 2001 366 Lebanon 2.80 2001 367 Cameroon 2.70 2001 368 Indonesia 2.60 2001 369 Thailand 2.40 2001 370 Ireland 2.30 2001 371 Rwanda 2.30 2001 372 United States 2.30 2001 373 Sweden 2.30 2001 374 Switzerland 2.00 2001 375 Tajikistan 1.90 2001 376 Belgium 1.80 2001 377 Jamaica 1.80 2001 378 Japan 1.80 2001 379 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 1.80 2001 380 Ireland 1.70 2001 381 Panama 1.70 2001 382 Greece 1.70 2001 383 Iraq 1.60 2001 384 United Kingdom 1.60 2001 385 Bolivia 1.50 2001 386 Poland 1.50 2001 387 Costa Rica 1.50 2001 388 Chile 1.40 2001 389 Laos 1.40 2001 390 Jamaica 1.40 2001 391 Canada 1.30 2001 392 Ethiopia 1.30 2001 393 Switzerland 1.30 2001 394 Togo 1.30 2001 395 Colombia 1.30 2001 396 China 1.20 2001 397 Ethiopia 1.20 2001 398 South Africa 1.10 2001 399 Czech Republic 1.00 2001 400 Marshall Islands 1.00 NA 401 Australia 0.90 2001 402 United Kingdom 0.90 2001 403 Uganda 0.90 2001 404 Korea, South 0.80 2001 405 Puerto Rico 0.80 2001 406 Peru 0.80 2001 407 France 0.70 2001 408 Uruguay 0.70 2001 409 Slovenia 0.70 2001 410 Belgium 0.60 2001 411 Guyana 0.60 2001 412 Jordan 0.60 2001 413 Cuba 0.60 2001 414 Burundi 0.60 2001 415 Hungary 0.50 2001 416 Tunisia 0.50 2001 417 Zambia 0.50 2001 418 Belarus 0.40 2001 419 Poland 0.40 2001 420 Norway 0.40 2001 421 Dominican Republic 0.40 2001 422 Norway 0.40 2001 423 Croatia 0.40 2001 424 Algeria 0.30 2001 425 Uruguay 0.30 2001 426 Turkey 0.30 2001 427 India 0.30 2001 428 Hungary 0.30 2001 429 Congo, Republic of the 0.30 2001 430 Argentina 0.20 2001 431 Trinidad and Tobago 0.20 2001 432 Korea, South 0.20 2001 433 Estonia 0.20 2001 434 Belarus 0.10 2001 435 Bhutan 0.10 2001 436 Israel 0.10 2001 437 Turkmenistan 0.10 2001 438 Russia 0.10 2003 439 Paraguay 0.10 2001 440 Netherlands 0.10 2001 441 Iceland 0.10 2001 442 Estonia 0.10 2001 443 Denmark 0.10 2001 444 China 0.10 2001 445 Aruba 0.00 2001 446 Aruba 0.00 2001 447 Antigua and Barbuda 0.00 2001 448 United Arab Emirates 0.00 2001 449 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 0.00 2001 450 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 0.00 2001 451 Congo, Republic of the 0.00 2001 452 Congo, Republic of the 0.00 2001 453 Sri Lanka 0.00 2001 454 Sri Lanka 0.00 2001 455 Chad 0.00 2001 456 Chad 0.00 2001 457 Chad 0.00 2001 458 Cambodia 0.00 2001 459 Cambodia 0.00 2001 460 Burundi 0.00 2001 461 Burundi 0.00 2001 462 Brunei 0.00 2001 463 Brunei 0.00 2001 464 Brunei 0.00 2001 465 Bulgaria 0.00 2001 466 Bhutan 0.00 2001 467 Bhutan 0.00 2001 468 Solomon Islands 0.00 2001 469 Solomon Islands 0.00 2001 470 Solomon Islands 0.00 2001 471 Belarus 0.00 2001 472 Benin 0.00 2001 473 Benin 0.00 2001 474 Burma 0.00 2002 475 Bolivia 0.00 2001 476 Bosnia and Herzegovina 0.00 2001 477 Bosnia and Herzegovina 0.00 2001 478 Belize 0.00 2001 479 Belize 0.00 2001 480 Bermuda 0.00 2001 481 Colombia 0.00 2001 482 Comoros 0.00 2001 483 Comoros 0.00 2001 484 Cameroon 0.00 2001 485 Cameroon 0.00 2001 486 Cayman Islands 0.00 2001 487 Cayman Islands 0.00 2001 488 Cayman Islands 0.00 2001 489 Chile 0.00 2001 490 Djibouti 0.00 2001 491 Djibouti 0.00 2001 492 Djibouti 0.00 2001 493 Denmark 0.00 2001 494 Cyprus 0.00 2001 495 Cyprus 0.00 2001 496 Cyprus 0.00 2001 497 Cook Islands 0.00 2001 498 Cook Islands 0.00 2001 499 Fiji 0.00 2001 500 Ethiopia 0.00 2001 501 El Salvador 0.00 2001 502 Eritrea 0.00 2001 503 Eritrea 0.00 2001 504 Eritrea 0.00 2001 505 Estonia 0.00 2001 506 Equatorial Guinea 0.00 2001 507 Equatorial Guinea 0.00 2001 508 Ghana 0.00 2001 509 Ghana 0.00 2001 510 Georgia 0.00 2001 511 Georgia 0.00 2001 512 Gabon 0.00 2001 513 Gabon 0.00 2001 514 Gambia, The 0.00 2001 515 Gambia, The 0.00 2001 516 Gambia, The 0.00 2001 517 Zimbabwe 0.00 2001 518 Zimbabwe 0.00 2001 519 Zambia 0.00 2001 520 Zambia 0.00 2001 521 Yemen 0.00 2001 522 Yemen 0.00 2001 523 Yemen 0.00 2001 524 Swaziland 0.00 2001 525 Swaziland 0.00 2001 526 Samoa 0.00 2001 527 Samoa 0.00 2001 528 Western Sahara 0.00 2001 529 Western Sahara 0.00 2001 530 Western Sahara 0.00 2001 531 Wallis and Futuna 0.00 NA 532 Wallis and Futuna 0.00 NA 533 Wallis and Futuna 0.00 NA 534 Wallis and Futuna 0.00 NA 535 West Bank 0.00 2001 536 West Bank 0.00 2001 537 West Bank 0.00 2001 538 Virgin Islands 0.00 2001 539 Virgin Islands 0.00 2001 540 Virgin Islands 0.00 2001 541 Vietnam 0.00 2001 542 Vietnam 0.00 2001 543 British Virgin Islands 0.00 2001 544 British Virgin Islands 0.00 2001 545 British Virgin Islands 0.00 2001 546 Venezuela 0.00 2001 547 Venezuela 0.00 2001 548 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0.00 2001 549 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0.00 2001 550 Uzbekistan 0.00 2001 551 Uzbekistan 0.00 2001 552 Uruguay 0.00 2001 553 Burkina Faso 0.00 2001 554 Burkina Faso 0.00 2001 555 Ukraine 0.00 2001 556 Uganda 0.00 2001 557 Uganda 0.00 2001 558 Tanzania 0.00 2001 559 Tanzania 0.00 2001 560 Turkmenistan 0.00 2001 561 Turkmenistan 0.00 2001 562 Taiwan 0.00 2001 563 Turkey 0.00 2001 564 Timor-Leste 0.00 2001 565 Timor-Leste 0.00 2001 566 Timor-Leste 0.00 2001 567 Tunisia 0.00 2001 568 Tunisia 0.00 2001 569 Sao Tome and Principe 0.00 2001 570 Sao Tome and Principe 0.00 2001 571 Togo 0.00 2001 572 Togo 0.00 2001 573 Tonga 0.00 2001 574 Tonga 0.00 2001 575 Tonga 0.00 2001 576 Tokelau 0.00 2001 577 Tokelau 0.00 2001 578 Tokelau 0.00 2001 579 Turks and Caicos Islands 0.00 2001 580 Turks and Caicos Islands 0.00 2001 581 Turks and Caicos Islands 0.00 2001 582 Tajikistan 0.00 2001 583 Tajikistan 0.00 2001 584 Thailand 0.00 2001 585 Trinidad and Tobago 0.00 2001 586 Trinidad and Tobago 0.00 2001 587 Syria 0.00 2001 588 Syria 0.00 2001 589 Svalbard 0.00 NA 590 Svalbard 0.00 NA 591 Sudan 0.00 2001 592 Sudan 0.00 2001 593 Saint Lucia 0.00 2001 594 Saint Lucia 0.00 2001 595 Saint Lucia 0.00 2001 596 Somalia 0.00 2001 597 Somalia 0.00 2001 598 Somalia 0.00 2001 599 Singapore 0.00 2001 600 Singapore 0.00 2001 601 Singapore 0.00 2001 602 Sierra Leone 0.00 2001 603 Sierra Leone 0.00 2001 604 Sierra Leone 0.00 2001 605 Saint Helena 0.00 2001 606 Saint Helena 0.00 2001 607 Saint Helena 0.00 2001 608 Senegal 0.00 2001 609 Senegal 0.00 2001 610 Senegal 0.00 2001 611 South Africa 0.00 2001 612 Seychelles 0.00 2001 613 Seychelles 0.00 2001 614 Seychelles 0.00 2001 615 Saint Kitts and Nevis 0.00 2001 616 Saint Kitts and Nevis 0.00 2001 617 Saint Kitts and Nevis 0.00 2001 618 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0.00 2001 619 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0.00 2001 620 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0.00 2001 621 Saudi Arabia 0.00 2001 622 Saudi Arabia 0.00 2001 623 Saudi Arabia 0.00 2001 624 Rwanda 0.00 2001 625 Rwanda 0.00 2001 626 Puerto Rico 0.00 2001 627 Puerto Rico 0.00 2001 628 Philippines 0.00 2001 629 Romania 0.00 2001 630 Marshall Islands 0.00 NA 631 Marshall Islands 0.00 NA 632 Qatar 0.00 2001 633 Qatar 0.00 2001 634 Qatar 0.00 2001 635 Guinea-Bissau 0.00 2001 636 Guinea-Bissau 0.00 2001 637 Guinea-Bissau 0.00 2001 638 Papua New Guinea 0.00 2001 639 Papua New Guinea 0.00 2001 640 Portugal 0.00 2001 641 Panama 0.00 2001 642 Poland 0.00 2001 643 Pakistan 0.00 2001 644 Peru 0.00 2001 645 Paraguay 0.00 2001 646 Paraguay 0.00 2001 647 New Zealand 0.00 2001 648 Nicaragua 0.00 2001 649 Netherlands Antilles 0.00 2001 650 Netherlands Antilles 0.00 2001 651 Netherlands Antilles 0.00 2001 652 Suriname 0.00 2001 653 Suriname 0.00 2001 654 Nauru 0.00 2001 655 Nauru 0.00 2001 656 Nauru 0.00 2001 657 Nepal 0.00 2001 658 Nepal 0.00 2001 659 Norway 0.00 2001 660 Nigeria 0.00 2001 661 Nigeria 0.00 2001 662 Vanuatu 0.00 2001 663 Vanuatu 0.00 2001 664 Vanuatu 0.00 2001 665 Niger 0.00 2001 666 Niger 0.00 2001 667 Niger 0.00 2001 668 Norfolk Island 0.00 2002 669 Norfolk Island 0.00 2002 670 Norfolk Island 0.00 2002 671 Norfolk Island 0.00 2002 672 Niue 0.00 2001 673 Niue 0.00 2001 674 Niue 0.00 2001 675 New Caledonia 0.00 2001 676 New Caledonia 0.00 2001 677 Mozambique 0.00 2001 678 Mozambique 0.00 2001 679 Malaysia 0.00 2001 680 Malaysia 0.00 2001 681 Maldives 0.00 2001 682 Maldives 0.00 2001 683 Maldives 0.00 2001 684 Oman 0.00 2001 685 Oman 0.00 2001 686 Oman 0.00 2001 687 Malta 0.00 2001 688 Malta 0.00 2001 689 Malta 0.00 2001 690 Mauritania 0.00 2001 691 Mauritania 0.00 2001 692 Mauritius 0.00 2001 693 Mauritius 0.00 2001 694 Morocco 0.00 2001 695 Morocco 0.00 2001 696 Mali 0.00 2001 697 Mali 0.00 2001 698 Macedonia 0.00 2001 699 Macedonia 0.00 2001 700 Malawi 0.00 2001 701 Malawi 0.00 2001 702 Montserrat 0.00 2001 703 Montserrat 0.00 2001 704 Montserrat 0.00 2001 705 Mongolia 0.00 2001 706 Mongolia 0.00 2001 707 Mongolia 0.00 2001 708 Mayotte 0.00 NA 709 Mayotte 0.00 NA 710 Mayotte 0.00 NA 711 Mayotte 0.00 NA 712 Moldova 0.00 2001 713 Moldova 0.00 2001 714 Macau 0.00 2001 715 Macau 0.00 2001 716 Macau 0.00 2001 717 Madagascar 0.00 2001 718 Madagascar 0.00 2001 719 Libya 0.00 2001 720 Libya 0.00 2001 721 Libya 0.00 2001 722 Luxembourg 0.00 2001 723 Slovakia 0.00 2001 724 Liberia 0.00 2001 725 Liberia 0.00 2001 726 Liberia 0.00 2001 727 Lithuania 0.00 2001 728 Latvia 0.00 2001 729 Latvia 0.00 2001 730 Lebanon 0.00 2001 731 Lebanon 0.00 2001 732 Laos 0.00 2001 733 Laos 0.00 2001 734 Kazakhstan 0.00 2001 735 Kazakhstan 0.00 2001 736 Kuwait 0.00 2001 737 Kuwait 0.00 2001 738 Kuwait 0.00 2001 739 Kiribati 0.00 2001 740 Kiribati 0.00 2001 741 Kiribati 0.00 2001 742 Korea, North 0.00 2001 743 Korea, North 0.00 2001 744 Kyrgyzstan 0.00 2001 745 Kyrgyzstan 0.00 2001 746 Kenya 0.00 2001 747 Jordan 0.00 2001 748 Jordan 0.00 2001 749 Jamaica 0.00 2001 750 Iraq 0.00 2001 751 Iraq 0.00 2001 752 Cote d'Ivoire 0.00 2001 753 Cote d'Ivoire 0.00 2001 754 Italy 0.00 2001 755 Israel 0.00 2001 756 Israel 0.00 2001 757 Iran 0.00 2001 758 Iran 0.00 2001 759 Indonesia 0.00 2001 760 Iceland 0.00 2001 761 Croatia 0.00 2001 762 Honduras 0.00 2001 763 Honduras 0.00 2001 764 Hong Kong 0.00 2001 765 Hong Kong 0.00 2001 766 Hong Kong 0.00 2001 767 Haiti 0.00 2001 768 Haiti 0.00 2001 769 Guyana 0.00 2001 770 Guyana 0.00 2001 771 Guinea 0.00 2001 772 Guinea 0.00 2001 773 Guatemala 0.00 2001 774 Greece 0.00 2001 775 Greenland 0.00 2001 776 Greenland 0.00 2001 777 Greenland 0.00 2001 778 Grenada 0.00 2001 779 Grenada 0.00 2001 780 Grenada 0.00 2001 781 Gibraltar 0.00 2001 782 Gibraltar 0.00 2001 783 Gibraltar 0.00 2001 784 French Polynesia 0.00 2001 785 French Polynesia 0.00 2001 786 Faroe Islands 0.00 2001 787 Faroe Islands 0.00 2001 788 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 0.00 2001 789 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 0.00 2001 790 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 0.00 2001 791 Fiji 0.00 2001 792 Ireland 0.00 2001 793 Egypt 0.00 2001 794 Egypt 0.00 2001 795 Ecuador 0.00 2001 796 Ecuador 0.00 2001 797 Dominican Republic 0.00 2001 798 Dominica 0.00 2001 799 Dominica 0.00 2001 800 Cook Islands 0.00 2001 801 Cape Verde 0.00 2001 802 Cape Verde 0.00 2001 803 Cape Verde 0.00 2001 804 Cuba 0.00 2001 805 Central African Republic 0.00 2001 806 Central African Republic 0.00 2001 807 Costa Rica 0.00 2001 808 Bermuda 0.00 2001 809 Botswana 0.00 2001 810 Botswana 0.00 2001 811 Botswana 0.00 2001 812 Barbados 0.00 2001 813 Barbados 0.00 2001 814 Barbados 0.00 2001 815 Bahrain 0.00 2001 816 Bangladesh 0.00 2001 817 Bangladesh 0.00 2001 818 Bahamas, The 0.00 2001 819 Bahamas, The 0.00 2001 820 Bahamas, The 0.00 2001 821 Bermuda 0.00 2001 822 Bahrain 0.00 2001 823 Bahrain 0.00 2001 824 Austria 0.00 2001 825 Australia 0.00 2001 826 American Samoa 0.00 2001 827 American Samoa 0.00 2001 828 American Samoa 0.00 2001 829 Angola 0.00 2001 830 Angola 0.00 2001 831 Armenia 0.00 2001 832 Albania 0.00 2001 833 Albania 0.00 2001 834 Azerbaijan 0.00 2001 835 Azerbaijan 0.00 2001 836 Algeria 0.00 2001 837 Algeria 0.00 2001 838 Afghanistan 0.00 2001 839 Afghanistan 0.00 2001 840 United Arab Emirates 0.00 2001 841 United Arab Emirates 0.00 2001 842 Antigua and Barbuda 0.00 2001 843 Antigua and Barbuda 0.00 2001 844 Aruba 0.00 2001 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2046 Country Comparison :: Population below poverty line Rank country (%) Date of Information 1 Zambia 86.00 1993 2 Chad 80.00 2001 est. 3 Gaza Strip 80.00 2007 est. 4 Liberia 80.00 2000 est. 5 Haiti 80.00 2003 est. 6 Sierra Leone 70.20 2004 7 Mozambique 70.00 2001 est. 8 Nigeria 70.00 2007 est. 9 Suriname 70.00 2002 est. 10 Swaziland 69.00 2006 11 Burundi 68.00 2002 est. 12 Zimbabwe 68.00 2004 13 Niger 63.00 1993 est. 14 Bolivia 60.00 2006 est. 15 Rwanda 60.00 2001 est. 16 Tajikistan 60.00 2007 est. 17 Comoros 60.00 2002 est. 18 Guatemala 56.20 2004 est. 19 Senegal 54.00 2001 est. 20 Sao Tome and Principe 54.00 2004 est. 21 Afghanistan 53.00 2003 22 Malawi 53.00 2004 23 Honduras 50.70 2004 24 Eritrea 50.00 2004 est. 25 South Africa 50.00 2000 est. 26 Madagascar 50.00 2004 est. 27 Kenya 50.00 2000 est. 28 Colombia 49.20 2005 29 Lesotho 49.00 1999 30 Cameroon 48.00 2000 est. 31 Nicaragua 48.00 2005 32 Guinea 47.00 2006 est. 33 Burkina Faso 46.40 2004 34 West Bank 46.00 2007 est. 35 Yemen 45.20 2003 36 Bangladesh 45.00 2004 est. 37 Peru 44.50 2006 38 Dominican Republic 42.20 2004 39 Djibouti 42.00 2007 est. 40 Cote d'Ivoire 42.00 2006 est. 41 Timor-Leste 42.00 2003 est. 42 Angola 40.50 2006 est. 43 Kyrgyzstan 40.00 2004 est. 44 Sudan 40.00 2004 est. 45 Mauritania 40.00 2004 est. 46 Ethiopia 38.70 FY05/06 est. 47 Ecuador 38.30 2006 48 Venezuela 37.90 end 2005 est. 49 Ukraine 37.70 2003 50 Benin 37.40 2007 est. 51 Kosovo 37.00 2007 est. 52 Papua New Guinea 37.00 2002 est. 53 Mongolia 36.10 2004 54 Mali 36.10 2005 est. 55 Tanzania 36.00 2002 est. 56 Cambodia 35.00 2004 57 Uganda 35.00 2001 est. 58 Belize 33.50 2002 est. 59 Uzbekistan 33.00 2004 est. 60 Burma 32.70 2007 est. 61 Grenada 32.00 2000 62 Togo 32.00 1989 est. 63 Paraguay 32.00 2005 est. 64 Bhutan 31.70 2003 65 Brazil 31.00 2005 66 Georgia 31.00 2006 67 Nepal 30.90 2004 68 El Salvador 30.70 2006 est. 69 Laos 30.70 2005 est. 70 Botswana 30.30 2003 71 Cape Verde 30.00 2000 72 Turkmenistan 30.00 2004 est. 73 Philippines 30.00 2003 est. 74 Dominica 30.00 2002 est. 75 Macedonia 29.80 2006 76 Moldova 29.50 2005 77 Virgin Islands 28.90 2002 78 Panama 28.60 2006 est. 79 Ghana 28.50 2007 est. 80 Lebanon 28.00 1999 est. 81 Uruguay 27.40 2006 82 Belarus 27.10 2003 est. 83 Micronesia, Federated States of 26.70 2000 84 Armenia 26.50 2006 est. 85 Fiji 25.50 FY90/91 86 Albania 25.00 2004 est. 87 Romania 25.00 2005 est. 88 Bosnia and Herzegovina 25.00 2004 est. 89 India 25.00 2007 est. 90 Azerbaijan 24.00 2005 est. 91 Tonga 24.00 FY03/04 92 Pakistan 24.00 FY05/06 est. 93 Argentina 23.40 January-June 2007 94 Algeria 23.00 2006 est. 95 Anguilla 23.00 2002 96 Sri Lanka 22.00 2002 est. 97 Israel 21.60 2005 98 Slovakia 21.00 2002 99 Maldives 21.00 2004 100 Egypt 20.00 2005 est. 101 Turkey 20.00 2002 102 Spain 19.80 2005 103 United Arab Emirates 19.50 2003 104 Bermuda 19.00 2000 105 Chile 18.20 2005 106 Iran 18.00 2007 est. 107 Portugal 18.00 2006 108 Indonesia 17.80 2006 109 Poland 17.00 2003 est. 110 Trinidad and Tobago 17.00 2007 est. 111 Costa Rica 16.00 2006 est. 112 Russia 15.80 November 2007 113 Belgium 15.20 2007 est. 114 Korea, South 15.00 2003 est. 115 Morocco 15.00 2007 est. 116 Jamaica 14.80 2003 est. 117 Vietnam 14.80 2007 est. 118 Jordan 14.20 2002 119 Bulgaria 14.10 2003 est. 120 United Kingdom 14.00 2006 est. 121 Kazakhstan 13.80 2007 122 Mexico 13.80 2006 123 Slovenia 12.90 2004 124 United States 12.00 2004 est. 125 Syria 11.90 2006 est. 126 Germany 11.00 2001 est. 127 Croatia 11.00 2003 128 Canada 10.80 2005 129 Netherlands 10.50 2005 130 Thailand 10.00 2004 est. 131 Bahamas, The 9.30 2004 132 Hungary 8.60 1993 est. 133 China 8.00 2006 est. 134 Mauritius 8.00 2006 est. 135 Libya 7.40 2005 est. 136 Tunisia 7.40 2005 est. 137 Ireland 7.00 2005 est. 138 Montenegro 7.00 2007 est. 139 Serbia 6.50 2007 est. 140 France 6.20 2004 141 Austria 5.90 2004 142 Malaysia 5.10 2002 est. 143 Estonia 5.00 2003 144 Lithuania 4.00 2003 145 Taiwan 0.95 2007 est. ====================================================================== Rank code: 2047 Country Comparison :: Household income or consumption by percentage share Data on household income or consumption come from household surveys, the results adjusted for household size. Nations use different standards and procedures in collecting and adjusting the data. Surveys based on income will normally show a more unequal distribution than surveys based on consumption. The quality of surveys is improving with time, yet caution is still necessary in making inter-country comparisons. Rank country (%) Date of Information 1 Namibia 64.50 2003 2 Haiti 47.70 2001 3 Colombia 45.90 2006 4 South Africa 44.70 2000 5 Bolivia 44.10 2005 6 Ecuador 43.30 2007 7 Brazil 43.00 2007 8 Guatemala 42.40 2006 9 Paraguay 42.30 2007 10 Honduras 42.20 2006 11 Nicaragua 41.80 2005 12 Chile 41.70 2006 13 Madagascar 41.50 2005 14 Panama 41.40 2006 15 Armenia 41.30 2004 16 Taiwan 41.10 2002 est. 17 Guinea 41.00 2006 18 Swaziland 40.70 2001 19 Nepal 40.60 2006 20 Papua New Guinea 40.50 1996 21 Zimbabwe 40.40 1995 22 Sri Lanka 39.70 2004 23 Lesotho 39.40 2003 24 Mozambique 39.20 2003 25 Zambia 38.80 2004 26 Dominican Republic 38.70 2005 27 Rwanda 38.20 2000 28 Mexico 37.90 2006 29 Peru 37.90 2006 30 Kenya 37.80 2005 31 El Salvador 37.00 2005 32 Gambia, The 36.90 2003 33 Jamaica 35.80 2004 34 Niger 35.70 2005 35 Costa Rica 35.50 2005 36 Cameroon 35.40 2001 37 Argentina 35.00 January-March 2007 38 Uruguay 34.80 2006 39 Cambodia 34.20 2007 40 Uganda 34.10 2005 41 Cote d'Ivoire 34.00 2002 42 Guyana 33.80 1999 43 Thailand 33.70 2004 44 Sierra Leone 33.60 2003 45 Morocco 33.20 2007 46 Turkey 33.20 2005 47 Central African Republic 33.00 2003 48 Ghana 32.80 2006 49 Venezuela 32.70 2006 50 Burma 32.40 1998 51 Nigeria 32.40 2004 52 Indonesia 32.30 2006 53 Burkina Faso 32.20 2004 54 Malawi 31.90 2004 55 Turkmenistan 31.70 1998 56 Tunisia 31.50 2000 57 China 31.40 2004 58 Philippines 31.20 2006 59 India 31.10 2005 60 Yemen 30.80 2005 61 Jordan 30.70 2006 62 Mali 30.50 2006 63 Russia 30.40 September 2007 64 Senegal 30.10 2005 65 United States 30.00 2007 est. 66 Vietnam 29.80 2006 67 Iran 29.60 2005 68 Macedonia 29.60 2003 69 Uzbekistan 29.60 2003 70 Mauritania 29.50 2000 71 Benin 29.00 2003 72 Laos 28.50 2002 73 Malaysia 28.50 2004 est. 74 United Kingdom 28.50 1999 75 Belgium 28.40 2000 76 Portugal 28.40 1995 est. 77 Moldova 28.20 2004 78 Burundi 28.00 2006 79 Guinea-Bissau 28.00 2002 80 Estonia 27.70 2004 81 Egypt 27.60 2005 82 Bosnia and Herzegovina 27.40 2004 83 Lithuania 27.40 2003 84 Latvia 27.40 2004 85 Ireland 27.20 2000 86 Poland 27.20 2005 87 Bahamas, The 27.00 2000 88 Georgia 27.00 2005 89 Tanzania 26.90 2000 90 Algeria 26.80 1995 91 Italy 26.80 2000 92 Bangladesh 26.60 2005 93 Spain 26.60 2000 94 Kazakhstan 26.50 2004 est. 95 Pakistan 26.50 2005 96 Greece 26.00 2000 est. 97 Albania 25.90 2005 98 Kyrgyzstan 25.90 2004 99 Switzerland 25.90 2000 100 Ukraine 25.70 2006 101 Ethiopia 25.60 2005 102 Tajikistan 25.60 2007 est. 103 Bulgaria 25.50 2007 104 Australia 25.40 1994 105 European Union 25.20 2001 est. 106 Mongolia 24.90 2005 107 Canada 24.80 2000 108 France 24.80 2004 109 Finland 24.70 2007 110 Slovenia 24.60 2004 111 Israel 24.20 2007 112 Korea, South 24.20 2007 113 Hungary 24.10 2004 114 Denmark 24.00 2000 est. 115 Luxembourg 23.80 2000 116 Norway 23.40 2000 117 Singapore 23.20 2008 118 Croatia 23.10 2005 est. 119 Netherlands 22.90 1999 120 Austria 22.50 2004 121 Czech Republic 22.40 1996 122 Sweden 22.20 2000 123 Germany 22.10 2000 124 Belarus 22.00 2005 125 Japan 21.70 1993 126 Slovakia 20.90 1996 127 Romania 20.80 2006 128 Azerbaijan 17.50 2005 129 Taiwan 6.70 2002 est. 130 Azerbaijan 6.10 2005 131 Japan 4.80 1993 132 Singapore 4.40 2008 133 Bangladesh 4.30 2005 134 Czech Republic 4.30 1996 135 Burundi 4.10 2006 136 Ethiopia 4.10 2005 137 Egypt 3.90 2005 138 Norway 3.90 2000 139 Pakistan 3.90 2005 140 Belarus 3.60 2005 141 Croatia 3.60 2005 est. 142 Finland 3.60 2007 143 Kyrgyzstan 3.60 2004 144 Sweden 3.60 2000 145 India 3.60 2005 146 Hungary 3.50 2004 147 Luxembourg 3.50 2000 148 Belgium 3.40 2000 149 Ukraine 3.40 2006 150 Slovenia 3.40 2004 151 Laos 3.40 2002 152 Austria 3.30 2004 153 Kazakhstan 3.30 2004 est. 154 Tajikistan 3.30 2007 est. 155 Albania 3.20 2005 156 Germany 3.20 2000 157 Benin 3.10 2003 158 Vietnam 3.10 2006 159 Portugal 3.10 1995 est. 160 Slovakia 3.10 1996 161 Bulgaria 3.00 2007 162 Poland 3.00 2005 163 Malawi 3.00 2004 164 Jordan 3.00 2006 165 Cambodia 3.00 2007 166 France 3.00 2004 167 Moldova 3.00 2004 168 Indonesia 3.00 2006 169 Ireland 2.90 2000 170 Switzerland 2.90 2000 171 Tanzania 2.90 2000 172 Yemen 2.90 2005 173 Guinea-Bissau 2.90 2002 174 Mongolia 2.90 2005 175 Algeria 2.80 1995 176 Uzbekistan 2.80 2003 177 Burkina Faso 2.80 2004 178 European Union 2.80 2001 est. 179 Burma 2.80 1998 180 Bosnia and Herzegovina 2.80 2004 181 Estonia 2.70 2004 182 Korea, South 2.70 2007 183 Latvia 2.70 2004 184 Lithuania 2.70 2003 185 Morocco 2.70 2007 186 Nepal 2.70 2006 187 Mali 2.70 2006 188 Canada 2.60 2000 189 Iran 2.60 2005 190 Israel 2.60 2007 191 Malaysia 2.60 2004 est. 192 Sierra Leone 2.60 2003 193 Thailand 2.60 2004 194 Uganda 2.60 2005 195 Turkmenistan 2.60 1998 196 Spain 2.60 2000 197 Madagascar 2.60 2005 198 Greece 2.50 2000 est. 199 Mauritania 2.50 2000 200 Senegal 2.50 2005 201 Netherlands 2.50 1999 202 China 2.40 2004 203 Georgia 2.40 2005 204 Philippines 2.40 2006 205 Macedonia 2.40 2003 206 Cameroon 2.30 2001 207 Italy 2.30 2000 208 Niger 2.30 2005 209 Tunisia 2.30 2000 210 Central African Republic 2.10 2003 211 Jamaica 2.10 2004 212 United Kingdom 2.10 1999 213 Rwanda 2.10 2000 214 Mozambique 2.10 2003 215 Australia 2.00 1994 216 Zimbabwe 2.00 1995 217 United States 2.00 2007 est. 218 Nigeria 2.00 2004 219 Cote d'Ivoire 2.00 2002 220 Ghana 2.00 2006 221 Denmark 2.00 2000 est. 222 Gambia, The 2.00 2003 223 Guinea 1.90 2006 224 Russia 1.90 September 2007 225 Turkey 1.90 2005 226 Kenya 1.80 2005 227 Mexico 1.80 2006 228 Papua New Guinea 1.70 1996 229 Uruguay 1.70 2006 230 Venezuela 1.70 2006 231 Armenia 1.60 2004 232 Swaziland 1.60 2001 233 Chile 1.60 2006 234 Costa Rica 1.50 2005 235 Peru 1.50 2006 236 Dominican Republic 1.50 2005 237 Nicaragua 1.40 2005 238 Guatemala 1.30 2006 239 Guyana 1.30 1999 240 South Africa 1.30 2000 241 Ecuador 1.20 2007 242 Zambia 1.20 2004 243 Romania 1.20 2006 244 Brazil 1.10 2007 245 Sri Lanka 1.10 2004 246 Paraguay 1.10 2007 247 Argentina 1.00 January-March 2007 248 Lesotho 1.00 2003 249 El Salvador 1.00 2005 250 Colombia 0.80 2006 251 Panama 0.80 2006 252 Haiti 0.70 2001 253 Honduras 0.70 2006 254 Bolivia 0.50 2005 255 Namibia 0.50 2003 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2048 Country Comparison :: Labor force - by occupation This entry lists the percentage distribution of the labor force by occupation. The distribution will total less than 100 percent if the data are incomplete. Rank country (%) Date of Information 1 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 95.00 1996 2 Burundi 93.60 2002 est. 3 Malawi 90.00 2003 est. 4 Rwanda 90.00 2000 5 Norfolk Island 90.00 NA 6 Niger 90.00 1995 7 Timor-Leste 90.00 2006 est. 8 Burkina Faso 90.00 2000 est. 9 Cayman Islands 86.00 1995 10 Lesotho 86.00 2002 est. 11 Angola 85.00 2003 est. 12 Zambia 85.00 2004 13 Saint Martin 85.00 NA 14 Papua New Guinea 85.00 2005 est. 15 Gaza Strip 83.00 June 2008 16 Antigua and Barbuda 82.00 1983 17 Israel 82.00 30 September 2008 18 Uganda 82.00 1999 est. 19 Guinea-Bissau 82.00 2000 est. 20 Mozambique 81.00 1997 est. 21 Luxembourg 80.60 2007 est. 22 United Kingdom 80.40 2006 est. 23 Ethiopia 80.20 2005 24 Afghanistan 80.00 2004 est. 25 Chad 80.00 2006 est. 26 Comoros 80.00 1996 est. 27 Wallis and Futuna 80.00 2001 est. 28 Virgin Islands 80.00 2003 est. 29 Tanzania 80.00 2002 est. 30 Sudan 80.00 1998 est. 31 Netherlands 80.00 2005 est. 32 Mali 80.00 2005 est. 33 Laos 80.00 2005 est. 34 Eritrea 80.00 2004 est. 35 Andorra 79.00 2007 36 Bahrain 79.00 1997 est. 37 Netherlands Antilles 79.00 2005 est. 38 Puerto Rico 79.00 2005 39 United Arab Emirates 78.00 2000 est. 40 Iceland 78.00 2007 41 Suriname 78.00 2004 42 Senegal 77.50 2007 est. 43 Jordan 77.40 2001 est. 44 Singapore 77.40 2007 45 Argentina 76.00 2008 est. 46 Canada 76.00 2006 47 Uruguay 76.00 2007 est. 48 Nepal 76.00 2004 est. 49 Norway 76.00 2008 50 Guinea 76.00 2006 est. 51 Peru 75.50 2005 52 Australia 75.00 2005 est. 53 Barbados 75.00 1996 est. 54 Kenya 75.00 2003 est. 55 Gambia, The 75.00 1996 56 Cambodia 75.00 2004 est. 57 Solomon Islands 75.00 2000 est. 58 New Zealand 74.00 2006 est. 59 Seychelles 74.00 2006 60 Switzerland 73.20 2005 61 Belgium 73.00 2007 est. 62 Denmark 72.70 2005 est. 63 Saudi Arabia 71.90 2005 est. 64 France 71.80 2005 65 Belize 71.70 2007 66 Cyprus 71.00 2006 est. 67 Somalia 71.00 1975 68 Sweden 70.70 2008 est. 69 Ecuador 70.40 2005 70 Burma 70.00 2001 71 Nigeria 70.00 1999 est. 72 Liberia 70.00 2000 est. 73 Fiji 70.00 2001 est. 74 Cameroon 70.00 2001 est. 75 Spain 69.50 2008 est. 76 French Polynesia 68.00 2002 77 Cote d'Ivoire 68.00 2007 est. 78 Malta 68.00 2005 est. 79 Montenegro 68.00 2004 est. 80 West Bank 68.00 June 2008 81 Germany 67.80 2005 82 Korea, South 67.70 2007 83 Tajikistan 67.20 2000 est. 84 Austria 67.00 2005 est. 85 Ireland 67.00 2006 est. 86 Panama 67.00 2006 87 Faroe Islands 66.90 2007 88 European Union 66.70 2007 est. 89 Japan 66.40 2005 90 Syria 66.30 2006 est. 91 Brazil 66.00 2003 est. 92 Zimbabwe 66.00 1996 93 Haiti 66.00 1995 94 Kiribati 65.30 2000 95 Greece 65.10 2005 est. 96 Italy 65.10 2005 97 Vanuatu 65.00 2000 est. 98 Togo 65.00 1998 est. 99 South Africa 65.00 2007 est. 100 Micronesia, Federated States of 64.70 FY05 est. 101 Costa Rica 64.00 2006 est. 102 Venezuela 64.00 1997 est. 103 Jamaica 64.00 2006 104 Chile 63.90 2005 105 Croatia 63.60 2008 106 Brunei 63.10 2003 est. 107 Dominican Republic 63.10 2005 108 Bangladesh 63.00 FY95/96 109 Bhutan 63.00 2004 est. 110 Korea, North 63.00 2004 est. 111 Trinidad and Tobago 62.90 2007 est. 112 Hungary 62.60 2005 113 Russia 62.40 2007 est. 114 San Marino 62.20 2008 est. 115 Grenada 62.00 1999 est. 116 Latvia 61.80 2005 est. 117 Estonia 61.60 2007 118 Slovenia 61.50 2007 119 Mongolia 61.00 2008 120 Cuba 60.60 2005 121 Gabon 60.00 2000 est. 122 India 60.00 2003 123 New Caledonia 60.00 2002 124 Portugal 60.00 2007 est. 125 Maldives 60.00 1995 126 Gibraltar 60.00 2001 127 British Virgin Islands 59.40 2005 128 Libya 59.00 2004 est. 129 Mexico 59.00 2005 130 Colombia 58.80 2005 est. 131 Albania 58.00 September 2006 est. 132 El Salvador 58.00 2006 est. 133 Taiwan 58.00 2008 est. 134 Marshall Islands 57.70 2000 135 Bulgaria 57.00 2007 est. 136 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 57.00 1980 est. 137 Lithuania 56.90 2005 138 Slovakia 56.90 30 September 2008 139 Ukraine 56.40 2005 140 Czech Republic 56.20 2007 141 Cook Islands 56.00 1995 142 Ghana 56.00 2005 est. 143 Georgia 55.60 2006 est. 144 Vietnam 55.60 July 2005 145 Liechtenstein 55.40 31 December 2006 146 Tunisia 55.00 1995 est. 147 Saint Lucia 53.60 2002 est. 148 Poland 53.40 2005 149 Nicaragua 52.00 2006 est. 150 Paraguay 52.00 2007 151 Belarus 51.30 2003 est. 152 Egypt 51.00 2001 est. 153 Malaysia 51.00 2005 est. 154 Bahamas, The 50.00 2005 est. 155 Western Sahara 50.00 2005 est. 156 Western Sahara 50.00 2005 est. 157 Philippines 50.00 2008 est. 158 Mauritania 50.00 2001 est. 159 Macedonia 50.00 September 2007 160 Kazakhstan 50.00 2006 161 Guatemala 50.00 1999 est. 162 Azerbaijan 48.60 2005 163 Turkmenistan 48.20 2004 est. 164 Kyrgyzstan 48.00 2005 est. 165 Saint Helena 48.00 1987 est. 166 Bosnia and Herzegovina 47.60 2007 167 Romania 47.10 2006 168 Namibia 47.00 1999 est. 169 Armenia 46.20 2006 est. 170 Serbia 46.00 2002 171 Saint Helena 46.00 1987 est. 172 Turkey 45.80 2005 173 Iran 45.00 June 2007 174 Morocco 44.60 2006 est. 175 Uzbekistan 44.00 1995 176 Liechtenstein 43.50 31 December 2006 177 Moldova 43.30 2005 178 Bolivia 43.00 2006 est. 179 Pakistan 43.00 2005 est. 180 China 43.00 2006 est. 181 Hong Kong 42.90 2008 est. 182 Thailand 42.60 2005 est. 183 Indonesia 42.10 2006 est. 184 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 41.00 1996 est. 185 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 41.00 1996 est. 186 Moldova 40.60 2005 187 Czech Republic 40.20 2007 188 Bahamas, The 40.00 2005 est. 189 Bolivia 40.00 2006 est. 190 Dominica 40.00 2000 est. 191 British Virgin Islands 40.00 2005 192 Mauritania 40.00 2001 est. 193 Gibraltar 40.00 2001 194 Honduras 39.80 2005 est. 195 Kyrgyzstan 39.50 2005 est. 196 Azerbaijan 39.30 2005 197 Indonesia 39.30 2006 est. 198 Sri Lanka 39.20 30 September 2008 est. 199 Honduras 39.20 2005 est. 200 Slovakia 39.00 30 September 2008 201 Armenia 38.20 2006 est. 202 Turkmenistan 37.80 2004 est. 203 San Marino 37.70 2008 est. 204 Tonga 37.60 2003 est. 205 Thailand 37.10 2005 est. 206 Korea, North 37.00 2004 est. 207 Taiwan 36.80 2008 est. 208 Pakistan 36.60 2005 est. 209 Anguilla 36.00 2000 est. 210 Malaysia 36.00 2005 est. 211 Uzbekistan 36.00 1995 212 Slovenia 36.00 2007 213 Bulgaria 35.50 2007 est. 214 United States 35.50 2007 215 Morocco 35.50 2006 est. 216 Georgia 35.50 2006 est. 217 Guatemala 35.00 1999 est. 218 Philippines 35.00 2008 est. 219 Belarus 34.70 2003 est. 220 Sri Lanka 34.70 30 September 2008 est. 221 Micronesia, Federated States of 34.40 FY05 est. 222 American Samoa 34.00 1990 223 Mongolia 34.00 2008 224 Estonia 33.70 2007 225 American Samoa 33.00 1990 226 American Samoa 33.00 1990 227 Namibia 33.00 1999 est. 228 Bosnia and Herzegovina 32.60 2007 229 Brunei 32.40 2003 est. 230 Hungary 32.40 2005 231 Finland 32.40 2008 232 Algeria 32.00 2003 est. 233 Kiribati 32.00 2000 234 Egypt 32.00 2001 est. 235 China 32.00 2006 est. 236 Dominica 32.00 2000 est. 237 Tonga 31.80 2003 est. 238 Kazakhstan 31.50 2006 239 Croatia 31.30 2008 240 Bhutan 31.00 2004 est. 241 Paraguay 31.00 2007 242 Iran 31.00 June 2007 243 Italy 30.70 2005 244 Tonga 30.60 2003 est. 245 Macedonia 30.40 September 2007 246 Fiji 30.00 2001 est. 247 Montenegro 30.00 2004 est. 248 Mauritius 30.00 2007 249 Vanuatu 30.00 2000 est. 250 Togo 30.00 1998 est. 251 Serbia 30.00 2002 252 Portugal 30.00 2007 est. 253 Germany 29.70 2005 254 Romania 29.70 2006 255 Malta 29.60 2005 est. 256 Turkey 29.50 2005 257 Poland 29.20 2005 258 Lithuania 29.10 2005 259 Anguilla 29.00 2000 est. 260 Nicaragua 29.00 2006 est. 261 Somalia 29.00 1975 262 Ghana 29.00 2005 est. 263 Cook Islands 29.00 1995 264 Sweden 28.20 2008 est. 265 Dominica 28.00 2000 est. 266 India 28.00 2003 267 Japan 27.90 2005 268 European Union 27.70 2007 est. 269 Macau 27.70 2008 est. 270 Austria 27.50 2005 est. 271 Russia 27.40 2007 est. 272 Albania 27.00 September 2006 est. 273 Ireland 27.00 2006 est. 274 Spain 26.40 2008 est. 275 Sri Lanka 26.10 30 September 2008 est. 276 Bangladesh 26.00 FY95/96 277 South Africa 26.00 2007 est. 278 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 26.00 1980 est. 279 Latvia 25.80 2005 est. 280 Mexico 25.70 2005 281 Vietnam 25.50 July 2005 282 Tajikistan 25.30 2000 est. 283 Korea, South 25.10 2007 284 Belgium 25.00 2007 est. 285 Mauritius 25.00 2007 286 Kenya 25.00 2003 est. 287 Iran 25.00 June 2007 288 Haiti 25.00 1995 289 Gabon 25.00 2000 est. 290 China 25.00 2006 est. 291 United States 24.80 2007 292 Saint Lucia 24.70 2002 est. 293 Turkey 24.70 2005 294 France 24.30 2005 295 Ukraine 24.20 2005 296 Grenada 24.00 1999 est. 297 Zimbabwe 24.00 1996 298 Guinea 24.00 2006 est. 299 Serbia 24.00 2002 300 Denmark 23.80 2005 est. 301 Peru 23.80 2005 302 Romania 23.20 2006 303 Argentina 23.00 2008 est. 304 Chile 23.00 2005 305 Burma 23.00 2001 306 Venezuela 23.00 1997 est. 307 Tunisia 23.00 1995 est. 308 Seychelles 23.00 2006 309 Libya 23.00 2004 est. 310 El Salvador 23.00 2006 est. 311 Switzerland 22.80 2005 312 Singapore 22.60 2007 313 United States 22.60 2007 314 Senegal 22.50 2007 est. 315 Colombia 22.40 2005 est. 316 Greece 22.40 2005 est. 317 Dominican Republic 22.30 2005 318 Costa Rica 22.00 2006 est. 319 Maldives 22.00 1995 320 Tunisia 22.00 1995 est. 321 Liberia 22.00 2000 est. 322 Mauritius 22.00 2007 323 Faroe Islands 21.90 2007 324 Saint Lucia 21.70 2002 est. 325 Hong Kong 21.40 2008 est. 326 Saudi Arabia 21.40 2005 est. 327 Marshall Islands 21.40 2000 328 Ecuador 21.20 2005 329 Australia 21.10 2005 est. 330 Norway 21.10 2008 331 Bermuda 21.00 2004 est. 332 Honduras 20.90 2005 est. 333 Marshall Islands 20.90 2000 334 Andorra 20.80 2007 335 Cyprus 20.50 2006 est. 336 Trinidad and Tobago 20.40 2007 est. 337 Pakistan 20.30 2005 est. 338 Thailand 20.20 2005 est. 339 Bahrain 20.00 1997 est. 340 Comoros 20.00 1996 est. 341 Laos 20.00 2005 est. 342 New Caledonia 20.00 2002 343 Namibia 20.00 1999 est. 344 Uzbekistan 20.00 1995 345 Tanzania 20.00 2002 est. 346 Palau 20.00 1990 347 Netherlands Antilles 20.00 2005 est. 348 Nigeria 20.00 1999 est. 349 New Caledonia 20.00 2002 350 Mali 20.00 2005 est. 351 Jordan 20.00 2001 est. 352 Eritrea 20.00 2004 est. 353 Cuba 20.00 2005 354 Chad 20.00 2006 est. 355 Brazil 20.00 2003 est. 356 Solomon Islands 20.00 2000 est. 357 Bosnia and Herzegovina 19.80 2007 358 Morocco 19.80 2006 est. 359 Hong Kong 19.70 2008 est. 360 Macedonia 19.60 September 2007 361 Cuba 19.40 2005 362 Ukraine 19.40 2005 363 Syria 19.20 2006 est. 364 Bermuda 19.00 2004 est. 365 El Salvador 19.00 2006 est. 366 New Zealand 19.00 2006 est. 367 Virgin Islands 19.00 2003 est. 368 Puerto Rico 19.00 2005 369 Nicaragua 19.00 2006 est. 370 Jamaica 19.00 2006 371 Iceland 19.00 2007 372 Gambia, The 19.00 1996 373 French Polynesia 19.00 2002 374 Bermuda 19.00 2004 est. 375 Vietnam 18.90 July 2005 376 Colombia 18.80 2005 est. 377 Indonesia 18.60 2006 est. 378 Kazakhstan 18.40 2006 379 Finland 18.30 2008 380 United Kingdom 18.20 2006 est. 381 Belize 18.10 2007 382 Anguilla 18.00 2000 est. 383 Nepal 18.00 2004 est. 384 Guinea-Bissau 18.00 2000 est. 385 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 18.00 1996 est. 386 Panama 18.00 2006 387 Isle of Man 18.00 2001 388 Maldives 18.00 1995 389 Netherlands 18.00 2005 est. 390 Isle of Man 18.00 2001 391 Poland 17.40 2005 392 Luxembourg 17.20 2007 est. 393 Bermuda 17.00 2004 est. 394 Bolivia 17.00 2006 est. 395 Jamaica 17.00 2006 396 Libya 17.00 2004 est. 397 Paraguay 17.00 2007 398 West Bank 17.00 June 2008 399 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 17.00 1980 est. 400 Egypt 17.00 2001 est. 401 Cameroon 17.00 2001 est. 402 Kosovo 16.50 2007 est. 403 United States 16.50 2007 404 Algeria 16.00 2003 est. 405 Wallis and Futuna 16.00 2001 est. 406 Moldova 16.00 2005 407 Israel 16.00 30 September 2008 408 Finland 16.00 2008 409 Armenia 15.60 2006 est. 410 Mexico 15.10 2005 411 United Arab Emirates 15.00 2000 est. 412 Albania 15.00 September 2006 est. 413 Angola 15.00 2003 est. 414 Cook Islands 15.00 1995 415 Ghana 15.00 2005 est. 416 West Bank 15.00 June 2008 417 Uruguay 15.00 2007 est. 418 Philippines 15.00 2008 est. 419 Panama 15.00 2006 420 Guatemala 15.00 1999 est. 421 Gabon 15.00 2000 est. 422 Bermuda 15.00 2004 est. 423 Barbados 15.00 1996 est. 424 Algeria 14.60 2003 est. 425 Dominican Republic 14.60 2005 426 Finland 14.50 2008 427 Syria 14.50 2006 est. 428 Algeria 14.00 2003 est. 429 Turkmenistan 14.00 2004 est. 430 Suriname 14.00 2004 431 Macau 14.00 2008 est. 432 Lesotho 14.00 2002 est. 433 Lithuania 14.00 2005 434 Grenada 14.00 1999 est. 435 Costa Rica 14.00 2006 est. 436 Brazil 14.00 2003 est. 437 Belarus 14.00 2003 est. 438 Algeria 13.40 2003 est. 439 Chile 13.20 2005 440 Ethiopia 13.20 2005 441 Canada 13.00 2006 442 Venezuela 13.00 1997 est. 443 Uganda 13.00 1999 est. 444 Sudan 13.00 1998 est. 445 Mozambique 13.00 1997 est. 446 Malaysia 13.00 2005 est. 447 Cameroon 13.00 2001 est. 448 French Polynesia 13.00 2002 449 Trinidad and Tobago 12.80 2007 est. 450 Macau 12.70 2008 est. 451 Cayman Islands 12.60 1995 452 Macau 12.60 2008 est. 453 Kyrgyzstan 12.50 2005 est. 454 Macau 12.50 2008 est. 455 Greece 12.40 2005 est. 456 Azerbaijan 12.10 2005 457 Latvia 12.10 2005 est. 458 Gaza Strip 12.00 June 2008 459 India 12.00 2003 460 Faroe Islands 11.20 2007 461 Antigua and Barbuda 11.00 1983 462 Bangladesh 11.00 FY95/96 463 Isle of Man 11.00 2001 464 Isle of Man 11.00 2001 465 Belize 10.20 2007 466 Russia 10.20 2007 est. 467 Afghanistan 10.00 2004 est. 468 Barbados 10.00 1996 est. 469 Isle of Man 10.00 2001 470 Afghanistan 10.00 2004 est. 471 Algeria 10.00 2003 est. 472 Anguilla 10.00 2000 est. 473 Zimbabwe 10.00 1996 474 Burkina Faso 10.00 2000 est. 475 Rwanda 10.00 2000 476 Portugal 10.00 2007 est. 477 Nigeria 10.00 1999 est. 478 Norfolk Island 10.00 NA 479 Mauritania 10.00 2001 est. 480 Malawi 10.00 2003 est. 481 Isle of Man 10.00 2001 482 Haiti 9.00 1995 483 Mauritius 9.00 2007 484 South Africa 9.00 2007 est. 485 Zambia 9.00 2004 486 Uruguay 9.00 2007 est. 487 Georgia 8.90 2006 est. 488 Cyprus 8.50 2006 est. 489 Ecuador 8.30 2005 490 Isle of Man 8.00 2001 491 Liberia 8.00 2000 est. 492 Suriname 8.00 2004 493 Hong Kong 7.90 2008 est. 494 Bulgaria 7.50 2007 est. 495 Tajikistan 7.50 2000 est. 496 Macau 7.40 2008 est. 497 Finland 7.30 2008 498 Korea, South 7.20 2007 499 Antigua and Barbuda 7.00 1983 500 Sudan 7.00 1998 est. 501 New Zealand 7.00 2006 est. 502 Mauritius 7.00 2007 503 Finland 7.00 2008 504 Burma 7.00 2001 505 Bermuda 7.00 2004 est. 506 United Arab Emirates 7.00 2000 est. 507 Saudi Arabia 6.70 2005 est. 508 Ethiopia 6.60 2005 509 Hong Kong 6.10 2008 est. 510 Bhutan 6.00 2004 est. 511 Zambia 6.00 2004 512 Saint Helena 6.00 1987 est. 513 Nepal 6.00 2004 est. 514 Niger 6.00 1995 515 Canada 6.00 2006 516 Isle of Man 6.00 2001 517 Macau 6.00 2008 est. 518 Mozambique 6.00 1997 est. 519 Mauritius 6.00 2007 520 Gambia, The 6.00 1996 521 Ireland 6.00 2006 est. 522 European Union 5.60 2007 est. 523 Austria 5.50 2005 est. 524 Taiwan 5.10 2008 est. 525 Bahamas, The 5.00 2005 est. 526 Solomon Islands 5.00 2000 est. 527 Bahamas, The 5.00 2005 est. 528 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 5.00 1996 529 Croatia 5.00 2008 530 Hungary 5.00 2005 531 Macau 5.00 2008 est. 532 Uganda 5.00 1999 est. 533 Togo 5.00 1998 est. 534 Vanuatu 5.00 2000 est. 535 Mongolia 5.00 2008 536 Gaza Strip 5.00 June 2008 537 Estonia 4.70 2007 538 Brunei 4.50 2003 est. 539 Finland 4.50 2008 540 Japan 4.40 2005 541 Italy 4.20 2005 542 Burundi 4.10 2002 est. 543 Anguilla 4.00 2000 est. 544 Wallis and Futuna 4.00 2001 est. 545 Spain 4.00 2008 est. 546 Niger 4.00 1995 547 Slovakia 4.00 30 September 2008 548 Switzerland 3.90 2005 549 France 3.80 2005 550 Trinidad and Tobago 3.80 2007 est. 551 Australia 3.60 2005 est. 552 Czech Republic 3.60 2007 553 Anguilla 3.00 2000 est. 554 Iceland 3.00 2007 555 Isle of Man 3.00 2001 556 Seychelles 3.00 2006 557 Isle of Man 3.00 2001 558 Canada 3.00 2006 559 Bermuda 3.00 2004 est. 560 Denmark 2.90 2005 est. 561 Norway 2.90 2008 562 Jordan 2.70 2001 est. 563 Kiribati 2.70 2000 564 Slovenia 2.50 2007 565 Germany 2.40 2005 566 Burundi 2.30 2002 est. 567 Malta 2.30 2005 est. 568 Luxembourg 2.20 2007 est. 569 Macau 2.10 2008 est. 570 Puerto Rico 2.10 2005 571 Belgium 2.00 2007 est. 572 Montenegro 2.00 2004 est. 573 Canada 2.00 2006 574 Israel 2.00 30 September 2008 575 Isle of Man 2.00 2001 576 Netherlands 2.00 2005 est. 577 Hong Kong 1.90 2008 est. 578 Liechtenstein 1.70 31 December 2006 579 Cayman Islands 1.40 1995 580 United Kingdom 1.40 2006 est. 581 Sweden 1.10 2008 est. 582 Argentina 1.00 2008 est. 583 Bahrain 1.00 1997 est. 584 Virgin Islands 1.00 2003 est. 585 Netherlands Antilles 1.00 2005 est. 586 Micronesia, Federated States of 0.90 FY05 est. 587 Peru 0.70 2005 588 United States 0.60 2007 589 British Virgin Islands 0.60 2005 590 Andorra 0.30 2007 591 San Marino 0.10 2008 est. 592 Singapore 0.00 2007 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2049 Country Comparison :: Exports - commodities This entry provides a listing of the highest-valued exported products; it sometimes includes the percent of total dollar value. Rank country (%) Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2050 Country Comparison :: Exports - partners This entry provides a rank ordering of trading partners starting with the most important; it sometimes includes the percent of total dollar value. Rank country (%) Date of Information 1 Chad 92.80 2008 2 Bhutan 89.00 2008 3 Vanuatu 83.00 2008 4 Niger 80.40 2008 5 Mexico 80.20 2008 6 Djibouti 79.90 2008 7 Canada 77.70 2008 8 Sao Tome and Principe 77.50 2008 9 Mongolia 74.00 2008 10 Haiti 70.70 2008 11 Saint Kitts and Nevis 65.70 2008 12 Greenland 63.50 2008 13 Honduras 62.10 2008 14 Bolivia 60.10 2008 15 Nepal 59.20 2008 16 Lesotho 58.90 2008 17 Dominican Republic 58.10 2008 18 Guinea-Bissau 56.80 2008 19 Somalia 56.20 2008 20 Albania 55.90 2008 21 Mozambique 55.50 2008 22 Cambodia 54.40 2008 23 Burma 52.30 2008 24 Turkmenistan 51.70 2008 25 Sudan 49.80 2008 26 Hong Kong 48.50 2008 27 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 48.40 2008 28 Moldova 48.30 2008 29 Solomon Islands 47.70 2008 30 El Salvador 47.50 2008 31 Ecuador 45.30 2008 32 Congo, Republic of the 45.10 2008 33 Korea, North 45.00 2007 34 Trinidad and Tobago 44.50 2008 35 Mauritania 41.40 2008 36 Nigeria 41.40 2008 37 Brunei 40.80 2008 38 Venezuela 40.70 2008 39 Central African Republic 40.40 2008 40 Jamaica 40.30 2008 41 Azerbaijan 40.20 2008 42 Macau 39.90 2008 43 Guatemala 39.40 2008 44 Panama 39.20 2008 45 Madagascar 38.90 2008 46 Qatar 38.50 2008 47 Colombia 38.00 2008 48 Libya 38.00 2008 49 Cape Verde 37.50 2008 50 Iraq 37.30 2008 51 Lesotho 37.00 2008 52 Samoa 36.80 2008 53 Tajikistan 36.70 2008 54 Suriname 36.20 2008 55 Belize 35.60 2008 56 Sierra Leone 35.60 2008 57 Guinea-Bissau 35.60 2008 58 Laos 35.50 2008 59 Samoa 35.30 2008 60 Korea, North 35.00 2007 61 Maldives 34.40 2008 62 Iceland 33.80 2008 63 Dominica 33.50 2008 64 Sudan 33.40 2008 65 Angola 33.00 2008 66 Israel 32.50 2008 67 Congo, Republic of the 32.30 2008 68 Nicaragua 32.30 2008 69 Belarus 32.20 2008 70 Zimbabwe 32.10 2008 71 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 31.80 2008 72 Oman 31.70 2008 73 Paraguay 31.70 2008 74 Syria 30.90 2008 75 Mauritius 30.80 2008 76 Czech Republic 30.60 2008 77 Gambia, The 30.50 2008 78 Tonga 29.60 2008 79 Austria 29.50 2008 80 Taiwan 29.20 2008 est. 81 Guinea 28.90 2008 82 Angola 28.70 2008 83 Cape Verde 28.50 2008 84 Yemen 28.40 2008 85 Tunisia 28.30 2008 86 Burundi 27.90 2008 87 Cuba 27.80 2008 88 Faroe Islands 27.30 2008 89 Uzbekistan 27.30 2008 90 Kyrgyzstan 27.20 2008 91 Papua New Guinea 27.20 2008 92 Comoros 27.10 2008 93 Norway 27.00 2008 94 Mali 26.70 2008 95 Cuba 26.60 2008 96 Hungary 26.50 2008 97 Liberia 26.50 2008 98 Tajikistan 26.50 2008 99 Portugal 25.70 2008 100 Gambia, The 25.60 2008 101 Netherlands 25.50 2008 102 Gabon 25.40 2008 103 Eritrea 25.30 2008 104 Lebanon 24.90 2008 105 Poland 24.90 2008 106 Bermuda 24.70 2008 107 Algeria 23.90 2008 108 Costa Rica 23.90 2008 109 Saint Lucia 23.60 2008 110 Yemen 23.60 2008 111 Ukraine 23.50 2008 112 New Zealand 23.10 2008 113 United Arab Emirates 23.00 2008 114 Equatorial Guinea 22.70 2008 115 Aruba 22.30 2008 116 Australia 22.20 2008 117 Luxembourg 21.80 2008 118 Bahamas, The 21.60 2008 119 Brunei 21.60 2008 120 Sri Lanka 21.60 2008 121 Belize 21.50 2008 122 Korea, South 21.40 2008 123 Seychelles 21.10 2008 124 Bangladesh 21.00 2008 125 Somalia 21.00 2008 126 Qatar 20.90 2008 127 Guyana 20.80 2008 128 Bosnia and Herzegovina 20.70 2008 129 Afghanistan 20.50 2008 130 Macedonia 20.40 2008 131 Madagascar 20.30 2008 132 Armenia 20.20 2008 133 Indonesia 20.20 2008 134 Cyprus 20.10 2008 135 Sierra Leone 20.10 2008 136 United States 20.10 2008 137 Slovakia 20.00 2008 138 Peru 20.00 2008 139 Belgium 19.80 2008 140 Switzerland 19.80 2008 141 Cameroon 19.80 2008 142 Macau 19.70 2008 143 Senegal 19.60 2008 144 Uzbekistan 19.60 2008 145 Aruba 19.50 2008 146 Saint Lucia 19.30 2008 147 Kyrgyzstan 19.20 2008 148 Morocco 19.20 2008 149 Gabon 19.10 2008 150 Seychelles 19.10 2008 151 Bahamas, The 19.00 2008 152 Netherlands Antilles 19.00 2008 153 Argentina 18.90 2008 154 New Caledonia 18.90 2008 155 Vietnam 18.90 2008 156 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 18.90 2008 157 Croatia 18.90 2008 158 Slovenia 18.70 2008 159 Uruguay 18.70 2008 160 Ireland 18.60 2008 161 Faroe Islands 18.60 2008 162 Ireland 18.60 2008 163 Afghanistan 18.50 2008 164 Kuwait 18.40 2008 165 Spain 18.40 2008 166 Estonia 18.30 2008 167 New Caledonia 18.30 2008 168 Bahamas, The 18.20 2008 169 Equatorial Guinea 18.20 2008 170 Denmark 18.00 2008 171 Liberia 17.90 2008 172 Tunisia 17.90 2008 173 Dominica 17.80 2008 174 Japan 17.80 2008 175 China 17.70 2008 176 Morocco 17.60 2008 177 Cape Verde 17.50 2008 178 Belgium 17.40 2008 179 Luxembourg 17.40 2008 180 Afghanistan 17.20 2008 181 Armenia 17.20 2008 182 Eritrea 17.20 2008 183 Aruba 17.10 2008 184 Saudi Arabia 17.10 2008 185 Oman 17.00 2008 186 Burkina Faso 17.00 2008 187 Belarus 16.90 2008 188 Georgia 16.90 2008 189 Bosnia and Herzegovina 16.70 2008 190 Bosnia and Herzegovina 16.70 2008 191 Philippines 16.70 2008 192 Saint Lucia 16.60 2008 193 Romania 16.50 2008 194 Grenada 16.40 2008 195 Bermuda 16.20 2008 196 Colombia 16.20 2008 197 Jordan 16.20 2008 198 Jordan 16.10 2008 199 Yemen 16.10 2008 200 Japan 16.00 2008 201 Lithuania 16.00 2008 202 Pakistan 16.00 2008 203 Paraguay 15.90 2008 204 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 15.80 2008 205 Eritrea 15.80 2008 206 Philippines 15.70 2008 207 Barbados 15.60 2008 208 Benin 15.60 2008 209 Romania 15.60 2008 210 Algeria 15.50 2008 211 Latvia 15.50 2008 212 Laos 15.50 2008 213 Brunei 15.40 2008 214 Macedonia 15.40 2008 215 Croatia 15.30 2008 216 Iran 15.30 2008 217 Comoros 15.20 2008 218 Moldova 15.20 2008 219 Sierra Leone 15.20 2008 220 Saudi Arabia 15.20 2008 221 Peru 15.20 2008 222 Fiji 15.20 2008 223 Guyana 15.20 2008 224 Mauritius 15.10 2008 225 Ireland 14.70 2008 226 Malaysia 14.70 2008 227 Equatorial Guinea 14.70 2008 228 Latvia 14.70 2008 229 Australia 14.60 2008 230 Nicaragua 14.60 2008 231 Kuwait 14.60 2008 232 Denmark 14.50 2008 233 Brazil 14.40 2008 234 France 14.30 2008 235 Iran 14.30 2008 236 Kyrgyzstan 14.30 2008 237 Uganda 14.30 2008 238 Chile 14.20 2008 239 Malawi 14.20 2008 240 Zambia 14.20 2008 241 El Salvador 14.20 2008 242 Barbados 13.90 2008 243 Liberia 13.90 2008 244 Aruba 13.80 2008 245 Estonia 13.80 2008 246 Iraq 13.80 2008 247 Maldives 13.80 2008 248 United Kingdom 13.80 2008 249 Netherlands 13.80 2008 250 Vietnam 13.60 2008 251 Cameroon 13.50 2008 252 Ghana 13.50 2008 253 Malta 13.50 2008 254 Kazakhstan 13.50 2008 255 Yemen 13.40 2008 256 Afghanistan 13.30 2008 257 Costa Rica 13.30 2008 258 China 13.30 2008 259 Bangladesh 13.20 2008 260 Latvia 13.20 2008 261 Jordan 13.20 2008 262 Slovakia 13.10 2008 263 Bosnia and Herzegovina 13.00 2008 264 Malta 13.00 2008 265 Costa Rica 12.90 2008 266 Burkina Faso 12.90 2008 267 Lebanon 12.90 2008 268 Hong Kong 12.80 2008 269 Italy 12.80 2008 270 Norway 12.80 2008 271 Burma 12.70 2008 272 Togo 12.70 2008 273 Portugal 12.70 2008 274 Azerbaijan 12.60 2008 275 Guatemala 12.60 2008 276 Malaysia 12.50 2008 277 Suriname 12.50 2008 278 Brazil 12.40 2008 279 Suriname 12.40 2008 280 Macedonia 12.40 2008 281 Georgia 12.40 2008 282 Guyana 12.30 2008 283 India 12.30 2008 284 Macau 12.30 2008 285 Armenia 12.20 2008 286 Bermuda 12.20 2008 287 Maldives 12.20 2008 288 Malta 12.20 2008 289 Belgium 12.20 2008 290 Singapore 12.10 2008 291 Benin 12.00 2008 292 Tonga 12.00 2008 293 Taiwan 12.00 2008 est. 294 Tonga 12.00 2008 295 Faroe Islands 12.00 2008 296 Libya 12.00 2008 297 Kazakhstan 12.00 2008 298 Sri Lanka 11.90 2008 299 Ethiopia 11.80 2008 300 Ghana 11.80 2008 301 Faroe Islands 11.70 2008 302 Iceland 11.70 2008 303 Slovenia 11.70 2008 304 United States 11.70 2008 305 Pakistan 11.70 2008 306 Paraguay 11.70 2008 307 Oman 11.70 2008 308 Albania 11.60 2008 309 Finland 11.60 2008 310 Lithuania 11.60 2008 311 Fiji 11.60 2008 312 El Salvador 11.50 2008 313 United Kingdom 11.50 2008 314 Iceland 11.50 2008 315 Kuwait 11.50 2008 316 Greece 11.50 2008 317 Algeria 11.40 2008 318 Thailand 11.40 2008 319 Thailand 11.40 2008 320 Kyrgyzstan 11.40 2008 321 Grenada 11.40 2008 322 Chile 11.30 2008 323 Burkina Faso 11.30 2008 324 Grenada 11.30 2008 325 Italy 11.20 2008 326 Russia 11.20 2008 327 Grenada 11.10 2008 328 Qatar 11.10 2008 329 South Africa 11.10 2008 330 South Africa 11.10 2008 331 Philippines 11.10 2008 332 Portugal 11.10 2008 333 Greenland 11.10 2008 334 Burundi 11.00 2008 335 Oman 11.00 2008 336 Togo 11.00 2008 337 Cote d'Ivoire 10.90 2008 338 Korea, South 10.90 2008 339 Aruba 10.80 2008 340 Malaysia 10.80 2008 341 Cyprus 10.80 2008 342 Croatia 10.70 2008 343 Panama 10.70 2008 344 Mali 10.70 2008 345 Cameroon 10.60 2008 346 Jamaica 10.60 2008 347 Kazakhstan 10.60 2008 348 Spain 10.60 2008 349 Netherlands Antilles 10.60 2008 350 Greece 10.50 2008 351 Singapore 10.50 2008 352 Chile 10.40 2008 353 Sweden 10.40 2008 354 Nigeria 10.40 2008 355 Norway 10.40 2008 356 Iran 10.40 2008 357 Bosnia and Herzegovina 10.30 2008 358 Estonia 10.30 2008 359 Singapore 10.30 2008 360 Fiji 10.20 2008 361 Gabon 10.20 2008 362 Mauritania 10.20 2008 363 Cote d'Ivoire 10.10 2008 364 Liberia 10.10 2008 365 Macedonia 10.10 2008 366 Philippines 10.10 2008 367 Seychelles 10.10 2008 368 Saudi Arabia 10.10 2008 369 New Zealand 10.10 2008 370 Brunei 10.00 2008 371 Finland 10.00 2008 372 Finland 10.00 2008 373 Estonia 10.00 2008 374 Grenada 10.00 2008 375 Guinea 10.00 2008 376 Turkmenistan 10.00 2008 377 Luxembourg 10.00 2008 378 Kenya 10.00 2008 379 Grenada 10.00 2008 380 Faroe Islands 10.00 2008 381 Barbados 9.90 2008 382 Bulgaria 9.90 2008 383 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 9.90 2008 384 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 9.80 2008 385 Syria 9.80 2008 386 Taiwan 9.80 2008 est. 387 Turkey 9.80 2008 388 Togo 9.80 2008 389 Central African Republic 9.80 2008 390 Malawi 9.80 2008 391 Germany 9.70 2008 392 Zimbabwe 9.70 2008 393 Syria 9.70 2008 394 Cote d'Ivoire 9.70 2008 395 Malta 9.60 2008 396 Tunisia 9.60 2008 397 Switzerland 9.60 2008 398 Burundi 9.50 2008 399 Uganda 9.50 2008 400 Sweden 9.50 2008 401 Malaysia 9.50 2008 402 Indonesia 9.50 2008 403 Guinea 9.50 2008 404 Guatemala 9.50 2008 405 Comoros 9.50 2008 406 United Arab Emirates 9.40 2008 407 Comoros 9.40 2008 408 Indonesia 9.40 2008 409 India 9.40 2008 410 Norway 9.40 2008 411 Nigeria 9.40 2008 412 Mongolia 9.40 2008 413 Iraq 9.40 2008 414 Egypt 9.40 2008 415 Dominican Republic 9.30 2008 416 India 9.30 2008 417 Netherlands Antilles 9.30 2008 418 Saudi Arabia 9.30 2008 419 Cote d'Ivoire 9.30 2008 420 Bulgaria 9.20 2008 421 Czech Republic 9.20 2008 422 Jamaica 9.20 2008 423 Thailand 9.20 2008 424 Singapore 9.20 2008 425 Papua New Guinea 9.20 2008 426 Mozambique 9.20 2008 427 Kenya 9.20 2008 428 Ecuador 9.20 2008 429 Argentina 9.10 2008 430 Burkina Faso 9.10 2008 431 Rwanda 9.10 2008 432 Kenya 9.00 2008 433 Uganda 9.00 2008 434 Maldives 9.00 2008 435 Bermuda 8.90 2008 436 Comoros 8.90 2008 437 Burma 8.90 2008 438 Bulgaria 8.90 2008 439 Haiti 8.90 2008 440 Kuwait 8.90 2008 441 Suriname 8.90 2008 442 Netherlands 8.90 2008 443 Eritrea 8.80 2008 444 Netherlands 8.80 2008 445 Macedonia 8.80 2008 446 Barbados 8.70 2008 447 Zimbabwe 8.70 2008 448 Switzerland 8.70 2008 449 France 8.70 2008 450 Kenya 8.70 2008 451 Spain 8.70 2008 452 Nepal 8.70 2008 453 Ethiopia 8.70 2008 454 Austria 8.60 2008 455 Tajikistan 8.60 2008 456 Switzerland 8.60 2008 457 Rwanda 8.60 2008 458 Pakistan 8.60 2008 459 Mauritius 8.60 2008 460 Malawi 8.60 2008 461 Ethiopia 8.60 2008 462 Bangladesh 8.60 2008 463 Armenia 8.50 2008 464 Benin 8.50 2008 465 Bulgaria 8.50 2008 466 Belarus 8.50 2008 467 Indonesia 8.50 2008 468 Zambia 8.50 2008 469 Uruguay 8.50 2008 470 Niger 8.50 2008 471 Maldives 8.50 2008 472 Laos 8.50 2008 473 Georgia 8.50 2008 474 Brazil 8.40 2008 475 New Zealand 8.40 2008 476 Georgia 8.40 2008 477 Bolivia 8.30 2008 478 France 8.30 2008 479 Peru 8.30 2008 480 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 8.30 2008 481 Slovenia 8.30 2008 482 Nepal 8.30 2008 483 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 8.30 2008 484 Australia 8.20 2008 485 Malta 8.20 2008 486 Georgia 8.20 2008 487 Denmark 8.20 2008 488 Central African Republic 8.20 2008 489 Cameroon 8.20 2008 490 China 8.10 2008 491 Moldova 8.10 2008 492 Russia 8.10 2008 493 Zambia 8.10 2008 494 Tanzania 8.10 2008 495 Turkmenistan 8.10 2008 496 Ethiopia 8.10 2008 497 Cameroon 8.10 2008 498 Ecuador 8.10 2008 499 Algeria 8.00 2008 500 Spain 8.00 2008 501 Ghana 8.00 2008 502 South Africa 8.00 2008 503 Russia 8.00 2008 504 United Arab Emirates 7.90 2008 505 Zambia 7.90 2008 506 Zambia 7.90 2008 507 Uganda 7.90 2008 508 Seychelles 7.90 2008 509 Kuwait 7.90 2008 510 Jamaica 7.90 2008 511 Equatorial Guinea 7.90 2008 512 Argentina 7.90 2008 513 Cameroon 7.90 2008 514 Algeria 7.80 2008 515 Barbados 7.80 2008 516 France 7.80 2008 517 Venezuela 7.80 2008 518 United Kingdom 7.80 2008 519 Trinidad and Tobago 7.80 2008 520 Seychelles 7.80 2008 521 Armenia 7.70 2008 522 Cambodia 7.70 2008 523 Georgia 7.70 2008 524 Zambia 7.70 2008 525 Sao Tome and Principe 7.70 2008 526 Latvia 7.70 2008 527 Suriname 7.70 2008 528 Croatia 7.70 2008 529 Ethiopia 7.70 2008 530 Bahamas, The 7.70 2008 531 Azerbaijan 7.60 2008 532 United Kingdom 7.60 2008 533 Japan 7.60 2008 534 France 7.60 2008 535 Bahamas, The 7.50 2008 536 Philippines 7.50 2008 537 Slovenia 7.50 2008 538 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 7.50 2008 539 Uzbekistan 7.50 2008 540 United Kingdom 7.50 2008 541 Saint Kitts and Nevis 7.50 2008 542 Israel 7.50 2008 543 Libya 7.40 2008 544 Malawi 7.40 2008 545 Netherlands Antilles 7.40 2008 546 Uganda 7.40 2008 547 Sweden 7.40 2008 548 Romania 7.40 2008 549 Aruba 7.30 2008 550 Barbados 7.30 2008 551 New Caledonia 7.30 2008 552 Togo 7.30 2008 553 Uruguay 7.30 2008 554 Uganda 7.30 2008 555 Sweden 7.30 2008 556 Rwanda 7.30 2008 557 Afghanistan 7.20 2008 558 Bulgaria 7.20 2008 559 Albania 7.20 2008 560 Belgium 7.20 2008 561 Vietnam 7.20 2008 562 Senegal 7.20 2008 563 Nigeria 7.20 2008 564 Lithuania 7.20 2008 565 Guyana 7.20 2008 566 Egypt 7.10 2008 567 Georgia 7.10 2008 568 Tonga 7.10 2008 569 Singapore 7.10 2008 570 Oman 7.10 2008 571 Morocco 7.10 2008 572 Germany 7.10 2008 573 Comoros 7.00 2008 574 Greece 7.00 2008 575 Ireland 7.00 2008 576 Burkina Faso 7.00 2008 577 Saudi Arabia 7.00 2008 578 Peru 7.00 2008 579 Mauritania 7.00 2008 580 Malawi 7.00 2008 581 Jordan 6.90 2008 582 Kazakhstan 6.90 2008 583 Libya 6.90 2008 584 Luxembourg 6.90 2008 585 Mauritania 6.90 2008 586 Zambia 6.90 2008 587 Ukraine 6.90 2008 588 Uganda 6.90 2008 589 Taiwan 6.90 2008 est. 590 Togo 6.90 2008 591 Trinidad and Tobago 6.90 2008 592 Trinidad and Tobago 6.90 2008 593 Nicaragua 6.90 2008 594 Algeria 6.80 2008 595 Liberia 6.80 2008 596 Iraq 6.80 2008 597 South Africa 6.80 2008 598 Nicaragua 6.80 2008 599 Comoros 6.80 2008 600 Sri Lanka 6.80 2008 601 Argentina 6.70 2008 602 Vietnam 6.70 2008 603 Spain 6.70 2008 604 Netherlands Antilles 6.70 2008 605 Kyrgyzstan 6.70 2008 606 Israel 6.70 2008 607 Indonesia 6.70 2008 608 Guinea 6.70 2008 609 Germany 6.70 2008 610 Eritrea 6.70 2008 611 Dominica 6.70 2008 612 Solomon Islands 6.70 2008 613 Malta 6.70 2008 614 Slovakia 6.70 2008 615 Belarus 6.60 2008 616 Guatemala 6.60 2008 617 Italy 6.60 2008 618 Germany 6.60 2008 619 Kazakhstan 6.60 2008 620 Sweden 6.60 2008 621 Tajikistan 6.60 2008 622 Romania 6.60 2008 623 Slovakia 6.60 2008 624 Lebanon 6.60 2008 625 Korea, South 6.60 2008 626 United Arab Emirates 6.50 2008 627 Czech Republic 6.50 2008 628 Eritrea 6.50 2008 629 Bhutan 6.50 2008 630 Uruguay 6.50 2008 631 Tanzania 6.50 2008 632 Norway 6.50 2008 633 New Caledonia 6.50 2008 634 Mauritius 6.50 2008 635 Macedonia 6.50 2008 636 Luxembourg 6.50 2008 637 Finland 6.40 2008 638 Germany 6.40 2008 639 Iran 6.40 2008 640 Sao Tome and Principe 6.40 2008 641 Syria 6.40 2008 642 Paraguay 6.40 2008 643 Malta 6.40 2008 644 Mali 6.40 2008 645 Libya 6.40 2008 646 Cote d'Ivoire 6.40 2008 647 Iran 6.40 2008 648 Grenada 6.40 2008 649 Bangladesh 6.30 2008 650 Slovakia 6.30 2008 651 Tanzania 6.30 2008 652 Togo 6.30 2008 653 Sweden 6.30 2008 654 Gambia, The 6.30 2008 655 Kenya 6.30 2008 656 Italy 6.30 2008 657 Cuba 6.20 2008 658 Poland 6.20 2008 659 Latvia 6.20 2008 660 Turkey 6.20 2008 661 Greece 6.20 2008 662 Egypt 6.20 2008 663 Australia 6.10 2008 664 Lebanon 6.10 2008 665 Kuwait 6.10 2008 666 Ethiopia 6.10 2008 667 Egypt 6.10 2008 668 Angola 6.00 2008 669 Congo, Republic of the 6.00 2008 670 Cyprus 6.00 2008 671 Central African Republic 6.00 2008 672 Ethiopia 6.00 2008 673 Equatorial Guinea 6.00 2008 674 Turkey 6.00 2008 675 Tonga 6.00 2008 676 South Africa 6.00 2008 677 Seychelles 6.00 2008 678 Saint Kitts and Nevis 6.00 2008 679 Russia 6.00 2008 680 Poland 6.00 2008 681 Luxembourg 6.00 2008 682 Bulgaria 5.90 2008 683 Cambodia 5.90 2008 684 Slovakia 5.90 2008 685 Ireland 5.90 2008 686 Chile 5.90 2008 687 Netherlands Antilles 5.90 2008 688 Vanuatu 5.90 2008 689 Uzbekistan 5.90 2008 690 Turkey 5.90 2008 691 Saint Lucia 5.90 2008 692 Portugal 5.90 2008 693 France 5.80 2008 694 Iceland 5.80 2008 695 Lithuania 5.80 2008 696 Peru 5.80 2008 697 Tunisia 5.80 2008 698 Saint Lucia 5.80 2008 699 Panama 5.80 2008 700 New Zealand 5.80 2008 701 Slovakia 5.80 2008 702 Guinea 5.80 2008 703 Armenia 5.70 2008 704 Tanzania 5.70 2008 705 Tajikistan 5.70 2008 706 Thailand 5.70 2008 707 Slovenia 5.70 2008 708 Poland 5.70 2008 709 Paraguay 5.70 2008 710 Malawi 5.70 2008 711 Malawi 5.70 2008 712 Lithuania 5.70 2008 713 Kazakhstan 5.70 2008 714 Croatia 5.70 2008 715 Ghana 5.70 2008 716 Estonia 5.70 2008 717 Dominica 5.70 2008 718 Denmark 5.70 2008 719 Chile 5.70 2008 720 Central African Republic 5.60 2008 721 Kenya 5.60 2008 722 Thailand 5.60 2008 723 Tanzania 5.60 2008 724 Zimbabwe 5.60 2008 725 Thailand 5.60 2008 726 Poland 5.60 2008 727 Australia 5.50 2008 728 Cuba 5.50 2008 729 Cambodia 5.50 2008 730 Belarus 5.50 2008 731 United States 5.50 2008 732 Syria 5.50 2008 733 Sudan 5.50 2008 734 Senegal 5.50 2008 735 Gambia, The 5.50 2008 736 Faroe Islands 5.50 2008 737 Finland 5.50 2008 738 Ethiopia 5.50 2008 739 Solomon Islands 5.40 2008 740 Jamaica 5.40 2008 741 Mauritania 5.40 2008 742 Panama 5.40 2008 743 Syria 5.40 2008 744 Senegal 5.40 2008 745 Panama 5.40 2008 746 New Caledonia 5.40 2008 747 Kazakhstan 5.40 2008 748 Hungary 5.40 2008 749 Equatorial Guinea 5.40 2008 750 Gabon 5.40 2008 751 Germany 5.40 2008 752 United Arab Emirates 5.30 2008 753 Denmark 5.30 2008 754 United Kingdom 5.30 2008 755 Philippines 5.30 2008 756 Portugal 5.30 2008 757 Poland 5.30 2008 758 Nicaragua 5.30 2008 759 Mauritius 5.30 2008 760 Italy 5.30 2008 761 Hungary 5.30 2008 762 Gambia, The 5.30 2008 763 Czech Republic 5.30 2008 764 Belize 5.30 2008 765 Solomon Islands 5.20 2008 766 Germany 5.20 2008 767 Mali 5.20 2008 768 Burkina Faso 5.20 2008 769 Switzerland 5.20 2008 770 Saint Lucia 5.20 2008 771 South Africa 5.20 2008 772 Netherlands 5.20 2008 773 Jamaica 5.20 2008 774 Indonesia 5.20 2008 775 Honduras 5.20 2008 776 Ghana 5.20 2008 777 Fiji 5.20 2008 778 Chile 5.20 2008 779 China 5.20 2008 780 Azerbaijan 5.10 2008 781 United States 5.10 2008 782 Tanzania 5.10 2008 783 Tajikistan 5.10 2008 784 Syria 5.10 2008 785 Sweden 5.10 2008 786 Russia 5.10 2008 787 Philippines 5.10 2008 788 Romania 5.10 2008 789 Papua New Guinea 5.10 2008 790 Mauritius 5.10 2008 791 Japan 5.10 2008 792 Finland 5.10 2008 793 Estonia 5.10 2008 794 Sri Lanka 5.10 2008 795 Burundi 5.10 2008 796 Brazil 5.00 2008 797 Burundi 5.00 2008 798 Costa Rica 5.00 2008 799 Honduras 5.00 2008 800 Uzbekistan 5.00 2008 801 Turkey 5.00 2008 802 Tunisia 5.00 2008 803 Philippines 5.00 2008 804 Panama 5.00 2008 805 Nicaragua 5.00 2008 806 Nicaragua 5.00 2008 807 Mali 5.00 2008 808 Moldova 5.00 2008 809 Madagascar 5.00 2008 810 Korea, North 5.00 2007 811 Greece 5.00 2008 812 Azerbaijan 4.90 2008 813 Armenia 4.90 2008 814 Benin 4.90 2008 815 Uruguay 4.90 2008 816 Burkina Faso 4.90 2008 817 Turkey 4.90 2008 818 Togo 4.90 2008 819 Trinidad and Tobago 4.90 2008 820 Sweden 4.90 2008 821 Singapore 4.90 2008 822 Sierra Leone 4.90 2008 823 Senegal 4.90 2008 824 Lithuania 4.90 2008 825 Luxembourg 4.90 2008 826 Iceland 4.90 2008 827 Hungary 4.90 2008 828 Greenland 4.90 2008 829 Costa Rica 4.90 2008 830 Belgium 4.80 2008 831 Bosnia and Herzegovina 4.80 2008 832 Zimbabwe 4.80 2008 833 Togo 4.80 2008 834 Tonga 4.80 2008 835 Saint Lucia 4.80 2008 836 Slovenia 4.80 2008 837 Malaysia 4.80 2008 838 Greenland 4.80 2008 839 Czech Republic 4.80 2008 840 Estonia 4.80 2008 841 Ecuador 4.80 2008 842 Denmark 4.80 2008 843 Cape Verde 4.80 2008 844 Sri Lanka 4.80 2008 845 Belgium 4.70 2008 846 Burundi 4.70 2008 847 Czech Republic 4.70 2008 848 Slovakia 4.70 2008 849 Lithuania 4.70 2008 850 Lithuania 4.70 2008 851 Indonesia 4.70 2008 852 Hungary 4.70 2008 853 Hungary 4.70 2008 854 Guyana 4.70 2008 855 Guyana 4.70 2008 856 Greece 4.70 2008 857 Yemen 4.70 2008 858 Venezuela 4.70 2008 859 Uganda 4.70 2008 860 Malta 4.70 2008 861 Mauritania 4.70 2008 862 Egypt 4.70 2008 863 Dominica 4.70 2008 864 Dominica 4.70 2008 865 Bangladesh 4.70 2008 866 Sri Lanka 4.70 2008 867 Angola 4.60 2008 868 Benin 4.60 2008 869 Solomon Islands 4.60 2008 870 Taiwan 4.60 2008 est. 871 Nigeria 4.60 2008 872 New Caledonia 4.60 2008 873 Libya 4.60 2008 874 Korea, South 4.60 2008 875 Jordan 4.60 2008 876 Fiji 4.60 2008 877 Czech Republic 4.60 2008 878 El Salvador 4.60 2008 879 Egypt 4.60 2008 880 Denmark 4.60 2008 881 Barbados 4.50 2008 882 Belize 4.50 2008 883 Cambodia 4.50 2008 884 Brazil 4.50 2008 885 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 4.50 2008 886 Zimbabwe 4.50 2008 887 Uruguay 4.50 2008 888 Rwanda 4.50 2008 889 Russia 4.50 2008 890 Qatar 4.50 2008 891 Pakistan 4.50 2008 892 Netherlands Antilles 4.50 2008 893 Norway 4.50 2008 894 Morocco 4.50 2008 895 Morocco 4.50 2008 896 Lithuania 4.50 2008 897 Iran 4.50 2008 898 Hungary 4.50 2008 899 Guyana 4.50 2008 900 Egypt 4.50 2008 901 Egypt 4.50 2008 902 Burma 4.40 2008 903 Zimbabwe 4.40 2008 904 Ukraine 4.40 2008 905 Uganda 4.40 2008 906 Togo 4.40 2008 907 Tonga 4.40 2008 908 Sweden 4.40 2008 909 Saudi Arabia 4.40 2008 910 Qatar 4.40 2008 911 Netherlands Antilles 4.40 2008 912 Belarus 4.40 2008 913 Germany 4.40 2008 914 Greece 4.40 2008 915 Ethiopia 4.40 2008 916 Chile 4.40 2008 917 Central African Republic 4.40 2008 918 Australia 4.30 2008 919 Austria 4.30 2008 920 Uzbekistan 4.30 2008 921 Uruguay 4.30 2008 922 Togo 4.30 2008 923 Tonga 4.30 2008 924 Thailand 4.30 2008 925 Russia 4.30 2008 926 Nepal 4.30 2008 927 Malaysia 4.30 2008 928 Morocco 4.30 2008 929 Zimbabwe 4.30 2008 930 Latvia 4.30 2008 931 Hong Kong 4.30 2008 932 Guyana 4.30 2008 933 Comoros 4.30 2008 934 Benin 4.30 2008 935 Argentina 4.20 2008 936 Ireland 4.20 2008 937 Georgia 4.20 2008 938 Vietnam 4.20 2008 939 United States 4.20 2008 940 Spain 4.20 2008 941 Romania 4.20 2008 942 Pakistan 4.20 2008 943 Peru 4.20 2008 944 Lebanon 4.20 2008 945 Guinea 4.20 2008 946 Guatemala 4.20 2008 947 France 4.20 2008 948 Ecuador 4.20 2008 949 Austria 4.20 2008 950 Australia 4.20 2008 951 Angola 4.10 2008 952 Zambia 4.10 2008 953 Uzbekistan 4.10 2008 954 United States 4.10 2008 955 United Kingdom 4.10 2008 956 Netherlands Antilles 4.10 2008 957 Mauritius 4.10 2008 958 Kazakhstan 4.10 2008 959 Iceland 4.10 2008 960 Honduras 4.10 2008 961 Guinea 4.10 2008 962 Guatemala 4.10 2008 963 Gambia, The 4.10 2008 964 Fiji 4.10 2008 965 Singapore 4.10 2008 966 Rwanda 4.10 2008 967 Panama 4.10 2008 968 Djibouti 4.10 2008 969 Bolivia 4.10 2008 970 China 4.10 2008 971 Eritrea 4.10 2008 972 Djibouti 4.10 2008 973 Central African Republic 4.10 2008 974 Bulgaria 4.10 2008 975 Belize 4.00 2008 976 Mauritania 4.00 2008 977 Macau 4.00 2008 978 Cote d'Ivoire 4.00 2008 979 Hungary 4.00 2008 980 Germany 4.00 2008 981 Gabon 4.00 2008 982 Central African Republic 4.00 2008 983 Colombia 4.00 2008 984 Cameroon 4.00 2008 985 Somalia 3.60 2008 986 Bahrain 3.40 2008 987 Mongolia 3.30 2008 988 Haiti 3.10 2008 989 Dominican Republic 2.90 2008 990 Samoa 2.90 2008 991 Niger 2.90 2008 992 Bahrain 2.70 2008 993 Canada 2.70 2008 994 Mexico 2.40 2008 995 Canada 2.30 2008 996 Bahrain 2.20 2008 997 Chad 2.20 2008 998 Mozambique 2.10 2008 999 Vanuatu 1.80 2008 1000 Mexico 1.70 2008 1001 Chad 1.50 2008 1002 Bhutan 1.20 2008 1003 Lesotho 1.20 2008 1004 Guinea-Bissau 1.20 2008 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2051 Country Comparison :: Administrative divisions This entry generally gives the numbers, designatory terms, and first-order administrative divisions as approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (BGN). Changes that have been reported but not yet acted on by the BGN are noted. Rank country Administrative divisions Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2052 Country Comparison :: Agriculture - products This entry is an ordered listing of major crops and products starting with the most important. Rank country Agriculture - products Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2053 Country Comparison :: Airports This entry gives the total number of airports or airfields recognizable from the air. The runway(s) may be paved (concrete or asphalt surfaces) or unpaved (grass, earth, sand, or gravel surfaces) and may include closed or abandoned installations. Airports or airfields that are no longer recognizable (overgrown, no facilities, etc.) are not included. Note that not all airports have accommodations for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control. Rank country Airports Date of Information 1 United States 15,095 2009 2 Brazil 4,000 2009 3 Mexico 1,744 2009 4 Canada 1,388 2009 5 Russia 1,216 2009 6 Argentina 1,130 2009 7 Colombia 992 2009 8 Bolivia 952 2009 9 Paraguay 798 2009 10 Indonesia 683 2009 11 South Africa 607 2009 12 Papua New Guinea 560 2009 13 Germany 550 2009 14 United Kingdom 506 2009 15 China 482 2009 16 France 475 2009 17 Australia 464 2009 18 Ukraine 425 2009 19 Ecuador 420 2009 20 Venezuela 406 2009 21 Guatemala 371 2009 22 Chile 357 2009 23 India 349 2009 24 Iran 316 2009 25 Philippines 254 2009 26 Sweden 249 2009 27 Saudi Arabia 217 2009 28 Zimbabwe 215 2009 29 Bulgaria 212 2009 30 Peru 201 2009 31 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 194 2009 32 Angola 192 2009 33 Kenya 181 2009 34 Japan 176 2009 35 Spain 153 2009 36 Costa Rica 151 2009 37 Finland 148 2009 38 Pakistan 145 2009 39 Algeria 143 2009 40 Nicaragua 143 2009 41 Libya 137 2009 42 Cuba 136 2009 43 Italy 132 2009 44 Namibia 129 2009 45 Oman 128 2009 46 Poland 125 2009 47 Tanzania 125 2009 48 Czech Republic 122 2009 49 Sudan 121 2009 50 New Zealand 120 2009 51 Malaysia 118 2009 52 Panama 117 2009 53 Korea, South 116 2009 54 Honduras 106 2009 55 Mozambique 105 2009 56 Thailand 105 2009 57 Iraq 104 2009 58 Syria 104 2009 59 Turkey 102 2009 60 Guyana 99 2009 61 Kazakhstan 99 2009 62 Iceland 99 2009 63 Norway 98 2009 64 Zambia 97 2009 65 Denmark 92 2009 66 Madagascar 89 2009 67 Lithuania 87 2009 68 Egypt 85 2009 69 Greece 81 2009 70 Korea, North 79 2009 71 Botswana 77 2009 72 Burma 77 2009 73 Croatia 68 2009 74 Switzerland 66 2009 75 Belarus 65 2009 76 Portugal 65 2009 77 El Salvador 65 2009 78 Ethiopia 63 2009 79 Bahamas, The 62 2009 80 Somalia 59 2009 81 Morocco 58 2009 82 Uruguay 57 2009 83 Nigeria 56 2009 84 Austria 55 2009 85 Yemen 55 2009 86 Chad 54 2009 87 Uzbekistan 54 2009 88 French Polynesia 53 2009 89 Romania 53 2009 90 Afghanistan 51 2009 91 Suriname 50 2009 92 Israel 47 2009 93 Nepal 47 2009 94 Hungary 46 2009 95 Mongolia 45 2009 96 Belize 44 2009 97 Vietnam 44 2009 98 Gabon 44 2009 99 Belgium 43 2009 100 Latvia 43 2009 101 Taiwan 42 2009 102 United Arab Emirates 41 2009 103 Laos 41 2009 104 Central African Republic 40 2009 105 Ireland 39 2009 106 Solomon Islands 36 2009 107 Cameroon 36 2009 108 Dominican Republic 35 2009 109 Uganda 35 2009 110 Slovakia 35 2009 111 Azerbaijan 34 2009 112 Liberia 33 2009 113 Malawi 32 2009 114 Tunisia 32 2009 115 Vanuatu 31 2009 116 Kyrgyzstan 29 2009 117 Puerto Rico 29 2009 118 Fiji 28 2009 119 Niger 28 2009 120 Turkmenistan 28 2009 121 Serbia 28 2009 122 Cote d'Ivoire 28 2009 123 Jamaica 27 2009 124 Netherlands 27 2009 125 Mauritania 27 2009 126 Lesotho 26 2009 127 Burkina Faso 26 2009 128 Tajikistan 26 2009 129 Antarctica 25 2009 130 New Caledonia 25 2009 131 Congo, Republic of the 25 2009 132 Bosnia and Herzegovina 25 2009 133 Georgia 22 2009 134 Mali 22 2009 135 Estonia 19 2009 136 Senegal 19 2009 137 Kiribati 19 2009 138 Sri Lanka 18 2009 139 Bangladesh 17 2009 140 Cambodia 17 2009 141 Guinea 17 2009 142 Jordan 17 2009 143 Slovenia 16 2009 144 Cyprus 15 2009 145 Marshall Islands 15 2009 146 Greenland 15 2009 147 Eritrea 14 2009 148 Swaziland 14 2009 149 Seychelles 14 2009 150 Macedonia 14 2009 151 Haiti 14 2009 152 Djibouti 13 2009 153 Armenia 11 2009 154 Moldova 11 2009 155 Ghana 11 2009 156 Cape Verde 10 2009 157 Cook Islands 9 2009 158 Sierra Leone 9 2009 159 Rwanda 9 2009 160 Guinea-Bissau 9 2009 161 Burundi 8 2009 162 Togo 8 2009 163 Turks and Caicos Islands 8 2009 164 Singapore 8 2009 165 Kosovo 8 2009 166 Equatorial Guinea 7 2009 167 Lebanon 7 2009 168 Kuwait 7 2009 169 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 6 2009 170 Micronesia, Federated States of 6 2009 171 Tonga 6 2009 172 Timor-Leste 6 2009 173 Western Sahara 6 2009 174 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 6 2009 175 Trinidad and Tobago 6 2009 176 Albania 5 2009 177 Benin 5 2009 178 Qatar 5 2009 179 Netherlands Antilles 5 2009 180 Maldives 5 2009 181 Mauritius 5 2009 182 Montenegro 5 2009 183 Northern Mariana Islands 5 2009 184 Comoros 4 2009 185 British Virgin Islands 4 2009 186 Samoa 4 2009 187 Svalbard 4 2009 188 Spratly Islands 4 2009 189 French Southern and Antarctic Lands4 2006 190 Antigua and Barbuda 3 2009 191 Bahrain 3 2009 192 Anguilla 3 2009 193 Grenada 3 2009 194 American Samoa 3 2009 195 Palau 3 2009 196 Cayman Islands 3 2009 197 Bhutan 2 2009 198 Dominica 2 2009 199 Hong Kong 2 2009 200 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 2 2009 201 Saint Lucia 2 2009 202 Virgin Islands 2 2009 203 Wallis and Futuna 2 2009 204 West Bank 2 2009 205 Sao Tome and Principe 2 2009 206 Saint Kitts and Nevis 2 2009 207 Montserrat 2 2009 208 Luxembourg 2 2009 209 Guernsey 2 2009 210 Brunei 2 2009 211 Aruba 1 2009 212 Barbados 1 2009 213 Wake Island 1 2009 214 Tuvalu 1 2009 215 Saint Barthelemy 1 2009 216 Saint Helena 1 2009 217 Norfolk Island 1 2009 218 Niue 1 2009 219 Malta 1 2009 220 Mayotte 1 2009 221 Macau 1 2009 222 Christmas Island 1 2009 223 Jan Mayen 1 2009 224 Jersey 1 2009 225 British Indian Ocean Territory 1 2009 226 Saint Martin 1 2009 227 Paracel Islands 1 2009 228 Nauru 1 2009 229 Isle of Man 1 2009 230 Gaza Strip 1 2009 231 Gibraltar 1 2009 232 Gambia, The 1 2009 233 Faroe Islands 1 2009 234 Cocos (Keeling) Islands 1 2009 235 Bermuda 1 2009 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2054 Country Comparison :: Birth rate This entry gives the average annual number of births during a year per 1,000 persons in the population at midyear; also known as crude birth rate. The birth rate is usually the dominant factor in determining the rate of population growth. It depends on both the level of fertility and the age structure of the population. Rank country (births/1,000 population) Date of Information 1 Niger 51.60 2009 est. 2 Mali 49.15 2009 est. 3 Uganda 47.84 2009 est. 4 Afghanistan 45.46 2009 est. 5 Sierra Leone 44.73 2009 est. 6 Burkina Faso 44.33 2009 est. 7 Somalia 43.70 2009 est. 8 Angola 43.69 2009 est. 9 Ethiopia 43.66 2009 est. 10 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 42.63 2009 est. 11 Liberia 42.25 2009 est. 12 Yemen 42.14 2009 est. 13 Malawi 41.48 2009 est. 14 Burundi 41.42 2009 est. 15 Congo, Republic of the 41.37 2009 est. 16 Chad 40.86 2009 est. 17 Zambia 40.24 2009 est. 18 Rwanda 39.67 2009 est. 19 Western Sahara 39.54 2009 est. 20 Mayotte 39.26 2009 est. 21 Benin 39.22 2009 est. 22 Sao Tome and Principe 38.54 2009 est. 23 Madagascar 38.14 2009 est. 24 Djibouti 38.13 2009 est. 25 Mozambique 37.98 2009 est. 26 Gambia, The 37.87 2009 est. 27 Guinea 37.52 2009 est. 28 Gaza Strip 36.93 2009 est. 29 Senegal 36.84 2009 est. 30 Nigeria 36.65 2009 est. 31 Kenya 36.64 2009 est. 32 Equatorial Guinea 36.52 2009 est. 33 Togo 36.44 2009 est. 34 Guinea-Bissau 35.97 2009 est. 35 Gabon 35.57 2009 est. 36 Comoros 35.23 2009 est. 37 Oman 34.79 2009 est. 38 Tanzania 34.29 2009 est. 39 Eritrea 34.20 2009 est. 40 Mauritania 34.11 2009 est. 41 Cameroon 34.10 2009 est. 42 Laos 33.94 2009 est. 43 Sudan 33.74 2009 est. 44 Central African Republic 32.75 2009 est. 45 Cote d'Ivoire 32.11 2009 est. 46 Zimbabwe 31.49 2009 est. 47 Marshall Islands 30.70 2009 est. 48 Kiribati 30.20 2009 est. 49 Iraq 30.10 2009 est. 50 Haiti 29.10 2009 est. 51 Ghana 28.58 2009 est. 52 Saudi Arabia 28.55 2009 est. 53 Paraguay 28.17 2009 est. 54 Samoa 28.06 2009 est. 55 Guatemala 27.98 2009 est. 56 Solomon Islands 27.69 2009 est. 57 Pakistan 27.62 2009 est. 58 Papua New Guinea 27.55 2009 est. 59 Belize 27.33 2009 est. 60 Tajikistan 26.90 2009 est. 61 Honduras 26.27 2009 est. 62 Timor-Leste 26.25 2009 est. 63 Swaziland 26.25 2009 est. 64 Philippines 26.01 2009 est. 65 Syria 25.90 2009 est. 66 Bolivia 25.82 2009 est. 67 Cambodia 25.73 2009 est. 68 West Bank 25.44 2009 est. 69 El Salvador 25.31 2009 est. 70 Libya 25.15 2009 est. 71 Bangladesh 24.68 2009 est. 72 Lesotho 24.14 2009 est. 73 Nauru 23.90 2009 est. 74 Cape Verde 23.50 2009 est. 75 Kyrgyzstan 23.44 2009 est. 76 American Samoa 23.31 2009 est. 77 Nicaragua 23.25 2009 est. 78 Nepal 23.18 2009 est. 79 Tuvalu 23.11 2009 est. 80 Micronesia, Federated States of 23.10 2009 est. 81 Botswana 22.89 2009 est. 82 Namibia 22.51 2009 est. 83 Dominican Republic 22.39 2009 est. 84 Malaysia 22.24 2009 est. 85 Fiji 21.92 2009 est. 86 Kuwait 21.81 2009 est. 87 India 21.76 2009 est. 88 Egypt 21.70 2009 est. 89 Vanuatu 21.53 2009 est. 90 Grenada 21.32 2009 est. 91 Mongolia 21.05 2009 est. 92 Morocco 20.96 2009 est. 93 Turks and Caicos Islands 20.79 2009 est. 94 Ecuador 20.77 2009 est. 95 Venezuela 20.61 2009 est. 96 Panama 20.18 2009 est. 97 Bhutan 20.07 2009 est. 98 World 19.95 2009 est. 99 South Africa 19.93 2009 est. 100 Tonga 19.84 2009 est. 101 Israel 19.77 2009 est. 102 Mexico 19.71 2009 est. 103 Turkmenistan 19.69 2009 est. 104 Jamaica 19.68 2009 est. 105 Colombia 19.57 2009 est. 106 Jordan 19.55 2009 est. 107 Peru 19.38 2009 est. 108 Indonesia 18.84 2009 est. 109 Northern Mariana Islands 18.77 2009 est. 110 Turkey 18.66 2009 est. 111 Brazil 18.43 2009 est. 112 Brunei 18.20 2009 est. 113 Argentina 17.94 2009 est. 114 Saint Kitts and Nevis 17.67 2009 est. 115 Azerbaijan 17.62 2009 est. 116 Uzbekistan 17.58 2009 est. 117 Guyana 17.56 2009 est. 118 Costa Rica 17.43 2009 est. 119 Iran 17.17 2009 est. 120 Lebanon 17.10 2009 est. 121 New Caledonia 17.04 2009 est. 122 Bahrain 17.02 2009 est. 123 Burma 16.97 2009 est. 124 Algeria 16.90 2009 est. 125 Bahamas, The 16.81 2009 est. 126 Suriname 16.80 2009 est. 127 Kazakhstan 16.60 2009 est. 128 Antigua and Barbuda 16.59 2009 est. 129 Vietnam 16.31 2009 est. 130 Sri Lanka 16.26 2009 est. 131 Cook Islands 16.18 2009 est. 132 United Arab Emirates 16.02 2009 est. 133 French Polynesia 15.91 2009 est. 134 Seychelles 15.87 2009 est. 135 Dominica 15.73 2009 est. 136 Qatar 15.61 2009 est. 137 Tunisia 15.42 2009 est. 138 Albania 15.29 2009 est. 139 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 15.27 2009 est. 140 Saint Lucia 15.10 2009 est. 141 Korea, North 14.82 2009 est. 142 Greenland 14.76 2009 est. 143 Chile 14.64 2009 est. 144 British Virgin Islands 14.62 2009 est. 145 Maldives 14.55 2009 est. 146 Mauritius 14.41 2009 est. 147 Trinidad and Tobago 14.36 2009 est. 148 Ireland 14.23 2009 est. 149 Netherlands Antilles 14.19 2009 est. 150 China 14.00 2009 est. 151 New Zealand 13.94 2009 est. 152 Uruguay 13.91 2009 est. 153 United States 13.82 2009 est. 154 Iceland 13.43 2009 est. 155 Thailand 13.40 2009 est. 156 Faroe Islands 13.04 2009 est. 157 Anguilla 13.02 2009 est. 158 Aruba 12.79 2009 est. 159 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 12.76 2009 est. 160 Armenia 12.65 2009 est. 161 Cyprus 12.57 2009 est. 162 France 12.57 2009 est. 163 Barbados 12.55 2009 est. 164 Australia 12.47 2009 est. 165 Cayman Islands 12.36 2009 est. 166 Montserrat 12.36 2009 est. 167 Puerto Rico 12.12 2009 est. 168 Macedonia 11.97 2009 est. 169 Virgin Islands 11.95 2009 est. 170 Luxembourg 11.73 2009 est. 171 Bermuda 11.57 2009 est. 172 Palau 11.20 2009 est. 173 Montenegro 11.14 2009 est. 174 Cuba 11.13 2009 est. 175 Saint Helena 11.13 2009 est. 176 Moldova 11.12 2009 est. 177 Russia 11.10 2009 est. 178 Norway 10.99 2009 est. 179 Isle of Man 10.77 2009 est. 180 Gibraltar 10.67 2009 est. 181 Georgia 10.66 2009 est. 182 United Kingdom 10.65 2009 est. 183 Slovakia 10.60 2009 est. 184 Denmark 10.54 2009 est. 185 Romania 10.53 2009 est. 186 Netherlands 10.40 2009 est. 187 Finland 10.38 2009 est. 188 Estonia 10.37 2009 est. 189 Malta 10.36 2009 est. 190 Andorra 10.35 2009 est. 191 Portugal 10.29 2009 est. 192 Canada 10.28 2009 est. 193 Belgium 10.15 2009 est. 194 Sweden 10.13 2009 est. 195 Poland 10.04 2009 est. 196 Latvia 9.78 2009 est. 197 Liechtenstein 9.75 2009 est. 198 Spain 9.72 2009 est. 199 Belarus 9.71 2009 est. 200 Croatia 9.64 2009 est. 201 San Marino 9.63 2009 est. 202 Ukraine 9.60 2009 est. 203 Switzerland 9.59 2009 est. 204 Bulgaria 9.51 2009 est. 205 Hungary 9.51 2009 est. 206 Greece 9.45 2009 est. 207 Serbia 9.19 2009 est. 208 Lithuania 9.11 2009 est. 209 Monaco 9.10 2009 est. 210 Taiwan 8.99 2009 est. 211 Slovenia 8.97 2009 est. 212 Korea, South 8.93 2009 est. 213 Macau 8.88 2009 est. 214 Bosnia and Herzegovina 8.85 2009 est. 215 Czech Republic 8.83 2009 est. 216 Singapore 8.82 2009 est. 217 Austria 8.65 2009 est. 218 Jersey 8.63 2009 est. 219 Guernsey 8.46 2009 est. 220 Germany 8.18 2009 est. 221 Italy 8.18 2009 est. 222 Japan 7.64 2009 est. 223 Hong Kong 7.42 2009 est. ====================================================================== Rank code: 2055 Country Comparison :: Military branches This entry lists the service branches subordinate to defense ministries or the equivalent (typically ground, naval, air, and marine forces). Rank country Military branches Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2056 Country Comparison :: Budget This entry includes revenues, expenditures, and capital expenditures. These figures are calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. Rank country Budget Date of Information 1 United States $ 2,978,000,000,000 2008 est. 2 United States $ 2,524,000,000,000 2008 est. 3 Japan $ 1,788,000,000,000 2008 est. 4 Japan $ 1,720,000,000,000 2008 est. 5 Germany $ 1,591,000,000,000 2008 est. 6 Germany $ 1,591,000,000,000 2008 est. 7 France $ 1,506,000,000,000 2008 est. 8 France $ 1,407,000,000,000 2008 est. 9 United Kingdom $ 1,214,000,000,000 2008 est. 10 Italy $ 1,132,000,000,000 2008 est. 11 Italy $ 1,068,000,000,000 2008 est. 12 United Kingdom $ 1,056,000,000,000 2008 est. 13 China $ 861,600,000,000 2008 est. 14 China $ 847,800,000,000 2008 est. 15 Spain $ 659,100,000,000 2008 est. 16 Spain $ 598,100,000,000 2008 est. 17 Canada $ 594,100,000,000 2008 est. 18 Canada $ 573,700,000,000 2008 est. 19 Netherlands $ 405,900,000,000 2008 est. 20 Netherlands $ 397,300,000,000 2008 est. 21 Russia $ 364,600,000,000 2008 est. 22 Australia $ 350,300,000,000 2008 est. 23 Australia $ 332,400,000,000 2008 est. 24 Russia $ 304,600,000,000 2008 est. 25 Saudi Arabia $ 293,700,000,000 2008 est. 26 Norway $ 266,200,000,000 2008 est. 27 Sweden $ 259,900,000,000 2008 est. 28 Mexico $ 258,100,000,000 2008 est. 29 Mexico $ 257,100,000,000 2008 est. 30 Sweden $ 248,100,000,000 2008 est. 31 Belgium $ 245,700,000,000 2008 est. 32 Belgium $ 239,400,000,000 2008 est. 33 Korea, South $ 227,500,000,000 2008 est. 34 Korea, South $ 216,700,000,000 2008 est. 35 India $ 202,600,000,000 2008 est. 36 Austria $ 200,700,000,000 2008 est. 37 Austria $ 196,400,000,000 2008 est. 38 Switzerland $ 189,800,000,000 2008 est. 39 Denmark $ 188,600,000,000 2008 est. 40 Switzerland $ 185,200,000,000 2008 est. 41 Norway $ 178,100,000,000 2008 est. 42 Denmark $ 176,300,000,000 2008 est. 43 Turkey $ 173,600,000,000 2008 est. 44 Turkey $ 160,500,000,000 2008 est. 45 Greece $ 144,400,000,000 2008 est. 46 Finland $ 143,800,000,000 2008 est. 47 Saudi Arabia $ 136,000,000,000 2008 est. 48 Finland $ 132,300,000,000 2008 est. 49 India $ 126,700,000,000 2008 est. 50 Greece $ 126,500,000,000 2008 est. 51 Poland $ 115,700,000,000 2008 est. 52 Portugal $ 111,900,000,000 2008 est. 53 Ireland $ 109,900,000,000 2008 est. 54 Poland $ 105,500,000,000 2008 est. 55 Portugal $ 105,500,000,000 2008 est. 56 Kuwait $ 105,200,000,000 2008 est. 57 Iran $ 103,000,000,000 FY09/10 est. 58 Indonesia $ 98,880,000,000 2008 est. 59 Venezuela $ 97,690,000,000 2008 est. 60 Czech Republic $ 96,090,000,000 2008 est. 61 Venezuela $ 94,140,000,000 2008 est. 62 Czech Republic $ 93,420,000,000 2008 est. 63 Indonesia $ 92,620,000,000 2008 est. 64 Ireland $ 92,570,000,000 2008 est. 65 Argentina $ 86,650,000,000 2008 est. 66 Colombia $ 83,220,000,000 2008 est. 67 Colombia $ 82,920,000,000 2008 est. 68 Argentina $ 82,850,000,000 2008 est. 69 South Africa $ 79,900,000,000 2008 est. 70 United Arab Emirates $ 78,740,000,000 2008 est. 71 Taiwan $ 77,960,000,000 2008 est. 72 South Africa $ 77,430,000,000 2008 est. 73 Romania $ 74,990,000,000 2008 est. 74 Taiwan $ 73,020,000,000 2008 est. 75 Hungary $ 73,000,000,000 2008 est. 76 Algeria $ 70,060,000,000 2008 est. 77 Hungary $ 67,700,000,000 2008 est. 78 Romania $ 65,290,000,000 2008 est. 79 Israel $ 64,210,000,000 2008 est. 80 Israel $ 59,980,000,000 2008 est. 81 Ukraine $ 59,240,000,000 2008 est. 82 Malaysia $ 58,850,000,000 2008 est. 83 Kuwait $ 58,080,000,000 2008 est. 84 Libya $ 58,040,000,000 2008 est. 85 Ukraine $ 56,550,000,000 2008 est. 86 Algeria $ 56,040,000,000 2008 est. 87 New Zealand $ 55,930,000,000 2008 est. 88 New Zealand $ 54,410,000,000 2008 est. 89 Thailand $ 51,330,000,000 2008 est. 90 Egypt $ 51,070,000,000 2008 est. 91 Iran $ 51,000,000,000 FY09/10 est. 92 Cuba $ 49,960,000,000 2008 est. 93 Iraq $ 49,900,000,000 FY08 est. 94 Malaysia $ 48,490,000,000 2008 est. 95 United Arab Emirates $ 48,310,000,000 2008 est. 96 Thailand $ 48,240,000,000 2008 est. 97 Cuba $ 45,420,000,000 2008 est. 98 Chile $ 44,790,000,000 2008 est. 99 Iraq $ 42,400,000,000 FY08 est. 100 Egypt $ 40,220,000,000 2008 est. 101 Hong Kong $ 39,760,000,000 2008 est. 102 Hong Kong $ 39,040,000,000 2008 est. 103 Peru $ 38,010,000,000 2008 est. 104 Qatar $ 36,590,000,000 2008 est. 105 Kazakhstan $ 36,230,000,000 2008 est. 106 Peru $ 35,290,000,000 2008 est. 107 Libya $ 35,220,000,000 2008 est. 108 Chile $ 35,090,000,000 2008 est. 109 Kazakhstan $ 33,470,000,000 2008 est. 110 Slovakia $ 33,320,000,000 2008 est. 111 Pakistan $ 32,350,000,000 2008 est. 112 Slovakia $ 31,230,000,000 2008 est. 113 Singapore $ 29,250,000,000 2008 est. 114 Angola $ 28,990,000,000 2008 est. 115 Vietnam $ 28,850,000,000 2008 est. 116 Philippines $ 28,580,000,000 2008 est. 117 Croatia $ 28,540,000,000 2008 est. 118 Morocco $ 27,930,000,000 2008 est. 119 Qatar $ 27,140,000,000 2008 est. 120 Philippines $ 27,050,000,000 2008 est. 121 Croatia $ 26,860,000,000 2008 est. 122 Singapore $ 26,480,000,000 2008 est. 123 Morocco $ 26,160,000,000 2008 est. 124 Belarus $ 25,970,000,000 2008 est. 125 Belarus $ 25,150,000,000 2008 est. 126 Nigeria $ 24,720,000,000 2008 est. 127 Vietnam $ 24,270,000,000 2008 est. 128 Slovenia $ 22,700,000,000 2008 est. 129 Slovenia $ 22,550,000,000 2008 est. 130 Luxembourg $ 22,420,000,000 2008 est. 131 Pakistan $ 22,300,000,000 2008 est. 132 Bulgaria $ 22,240,000,000 2008 est. 133 Angola $ 21,440,000,000 2008 est. 134 Ecuador $ 21,350,000,000 2008 est. 135 Ecuador $ 21,090,000,000 2008 est. 136 Luxembourg $ 21,000,000,000 2008 est. 137 Bulgaria $ 20,740,000,000 2008 est. 138 Nigeria $ 19,760,000,000 2008 est. 139 Oman $ 18,130,000,000 2008 est. 140 Lithuania $ 16,660,000,000 2008 est. 141 Oman $ 15,950,000,000 2008 est. 142 Azerbaijan $ 15,670,000,000 2008 est. 143 Lithuania $ 15,150,000,000 2008 est. 144 Latvia $ 13,410,000,000 2008 est. 145 Syria $ 12,850,000,000 2008 est. 146 Azerbaijan $ 12,690,000,000 2008 est. 147 Sudan $ 12,670,000,000 2008 est. 148 Bangladesh $ 12,540,000,000 2008 est. 149 Latvia $ 12,060,000,000 2008 est. 150 Sudan $ 11,550,000,000 2008 est. 151 Tunisia $ 11,300,000,000 2008 est. 152 Syria $ 11,230,000,000 2008 est. 153 Cyprus $ 11,190,000,000 2008 est. 154 Sri Lanka $ 11,000,000,000 2009 est. 155 Cyprus $ 10,960,000,000 2008 est. 156 Yemen $ 10,360,000,000 2008 est. 157 Lebanon $ 9,955,000,000 2008 est. 158 Tunisia $ 9,843,000,000 2008 est. 159 Serbia $ 9,800,000,000 2007 est. 160 Serbia $ 9,600,000,000 2007 est. 161 Puerto Rico $ 9,600,000,000 FY99/00 162 Estonia $ 9,488,000,000 2008 est. 163 Yemen $ 9,243,000,000 2008 est. 164 Dominican Republic $ 9,027,000,000 2008 est. 165 Uzbekistan $ 8,884,000,000 2008 est. 166 Bosnia and Herzegovina $ 8,867,000,000 2008 est. 167 Bangladesh $ 8,825,000,000 2008 est. 168 Estonia $ 8,798,000,000 2008 est. 169 Uruguay $ 8,555,000,000 2008 est. 170 Bosnia and Herzegovina $ 8,516,000,000 2008 est. 171 Uzbekistan $ 8,474,000,000 2008 est. 172 Kenya $ 8,167,000,000 2008 est. 173 Uruguay $ 8,160,000,000 2008 est. 174 Bolivia $ 8,039,000,000 2008 est. 175 Sri Lanka $ 7,800,000,000 2009 est. 176 Jordan $ 7,660,000,000 2008 est. 177 Bolivia $ 7,500,000,000 2008 est. 178 Ghana $ 7,492,000,000 2008 est. 179 Dominican Republic $ 7,460,000,000 2008 est. 180 Trinidad and Tobago $ 7,421,000,000 2008 est. 181 Trinidad and Tobago $ 7,141,000,000 2008 est. 182 Lebanon $ 6,998,000,000 2008 est. 183 Bahrain $ 6,934,000,000 2008 est. 184 Brunei $ 6,889,000,000 2008 est. 185 Iceland $ 6,856,000,000 2008 est. 186 Puerto Rico $ 6,700,000,000 FY99/00 187 Iceland $ 6,657,000,000 2008 est. 188 Kenya $ 6,648,000,000 2008 est. 189 Equatorial Guinea $ 6,599,000,000 2008 est. 190 Macau $ 6,200,000,000 2008 191 Panama $ 6,020,000,000 2008 est. 192 Panama $ 5,923,000,000 2008 est. 193 Jordan $ 5,670,000,000 2008 est. 194 Bahrain $ 5,612,000,000 2008 est. 195 Georgia $ 5,345,000,000 2008 est. 196 Ethiopia $ 5,340,000,000 2008 est. 197 Guatemala $ 5,338,000,000 2008 est. 198 Ghana $ 5,256,000,000 2008 est. 199 Cote d'Ivoire $ 4,915,000,000 2008 est. 200 Jamaica $ 4,829,000,000 2008 est. 201 Cote d'Ivoire $ 4,823,000,000 2008 est. 202 Botswana $ 4,808,000,000 2008 est. 203 Cameroon $ 4,714,000,000 2008 est. 204 Guatemala $ 4,693,000,000 2008 est. 205 Costa Rica $ 4,600,000,000 2008 est. 206 Georgia $ 4,596,000,000 2008 est. 207 Costa Rica $ 4,531,000,000 2008 est. 208 Ethiopia $ 4,517,000,000 2008 est. 209 Tanzania $ 4,517,000,000 2008 est. 210 Congo, Republic of the $ 4,515,000,000 2008 est. 211 Gabon $ 4,511,000,000 2008 est. 212 Botswana $ 4,326,000,000 2008 est. 213 Cameroon $ 4,261,000,000 2008 est. 214 El Salvador $ 4,242,000,000 2008 est. 215 Albania $ 4,175,000,000 2008 est. 216 Tanzania $ 4,099,000,000 2008 est. 217 El Salvador $ 4,016,000,000 2008 est. 218 Brunei $ 4,000,000,000 2008 est. 219 Senegal $ 3,802,000,000 2008 est. 220 Jamaica $ 3,794,000,000 2008 est. 221 Malta $ 3,770,000,000 2008 est. 222 Equatorial Guinea $ 3,601,000,000 2008 est. 223 Zambia $ 3,578,000,000 2008 est. 224 Albania $ 3,458,000,000 2008 est. 225 Malta $ 3,378,000,000 2008 est. 226 Zambia $ 3,291,000,000 2008 est. 227 Mozambique $ 3,280,000,000 2008 est. 228 Macedonia $ 3,239,000,000 2008 est. 229 Macedonia $ 3,167,000,000 2008 est. 230 Honduras $ 3,090,000,000 2008 est. 231 Senegal $ 3,077,000,000 2008 est. 232 Korea, North $ 2,980,000,000 2005 233 Uganda $ 2,939,000,000 2008 est. 234 Gabon $ 2,932,000,000 2008 est. 235 Macau $ 2,900,000,000 2008 236 Korea, North $ 2,880,000,000 2005 237 Paraguay $ 2,856,000,000 2008 est. 238 Paraguay $ 2,826,000,000 2008 est. 239 Mozambique $ 2,801,000,000 2008 est. 240 Papua New Guinea $ 2,797,000,000 2008 est. 241 Honduras $ 2,754,000,000 2008 est. 242 Namibia $ 2,745,000,000 2008 est. 243 Congo, Republic of the $ 2,721,000,000 2008 est. 244 Afghanistan $ 2,700,000,000 2007 est. 245 Namibia $ 2,661,000,000 2008 est. 246 Armenia $ 2,626,000,000 2008 est. 247 Uganda $ 2,621,000,000 2008 est. 248 Papua New Guinea $ 2,620,000,000 2008 est. 249 Moldova $ 2,513,000,000 2008 est. 250 Armenia $ 2,481,000,000 2008 est. 251 Moldova $ 2,453,000,000 2008 est. 252 Chad $ 2,324,000,000 2008 est. 253 Gaza Strip $ 2,310,000,000 2006 254 West Bank $ 2,310,000,000 2006 255 Nepal $ 2,300,000,000 FY08 256 Mauritius $ 2,163,000,000 2008 est. 257 Madagascar $ 2,050,000,000 2008 est. 258 Congo, Democratic Republic of the $ 2,000,000,000 2006 est. 259 Mongolia $ 1,950,000,000 2008 260 Chad $ 1,910,000,000 2008 est. 261 Mauritius $ 1,871,000,000 2008 est. 262 Burma $ 1,805,000,000 2008 est. 263 Mali $ 1,800,000,000 2006 est. 264 Burkina Faso $ 1,786,000,000 2008 est. 265 Mongolia $ 1,710,000,000 2008 266 Nepal $ 1,700,000,000 FY08 267 Turkmenistan $ 1,667,000,000 2008 est. 268 Madagascar $ 1,612,000,000 2008 est. 269 Nicaragua $ 1,594,000,000 2008 est. 270 Cambodia $ 1,592,000,000 2008 est. 271 Mali $ 1,500,000,000 2006 est. 272 Burkina Faso $ 1,409,000,000 2008 est. 273 Benin $ 1,407,000,000 2008 est. 274 Turkmenistan $ 1,407,000,000 2008 est. 275 Fiji $ 1,376,000,000 2006 276 Fiji $ 1,363,000,000 2006 277 Greenland $ 1,360,000,000 2005 278 Malawi $ 1,351,000,000 2008 est. 279 Benin $ 1,291,000,000 2008 est. 280 Cambodia $ 1,274,000,000 2008 est. 281 Kyrgyzstan $ 1,274,000,000 2008 est. 282 Nicaragua $ 1,271,000,000 2008 est. 283 Greenland $ 1,270,000,000 2005 284 Malawi $ 1,254,000,000 2008 est. 285 Kyrgyzstan $ 1,231,000,000 2008 est. 286 Kosovo $ 1,220,000,000 2007 est. 287 Marshall Islands $ 1,213,000,000 2008 288 Kosovo $ 1,190,000,000 2007 est. 289 Haiti $ 1,162,000,000 2008 est. 290 Gaza Strip $ 1,149,000,000 2006 291 West Bank $ 1,149,000,000 2006 292 Swaziland $ 1,083,000,000 2008 est. 293 New Caledonia $ 1,072,000,000 2001 est. 294 Swaziland $ 1,055,000,000 2008 est. 295 Bahamas, The $ 1,030,000,000 FY04/05 296 Bahamas, The $ 1,030,000,000 FY04/05 297 Rwanda $ 1,023,000,000 2008 est. 298 Burma $ 1,000,000,000 2008 est. 299 Tajikistan $ 996,800,000 2008 est. 300 New Caledonia $ 996,000,000 2001 est. 301 Haiti $ 967,500,000 2008 est. 302 Isle of Man $ 965,000,000 FY05/06 est. 303 Laos $ 955,900,000 2008 est. 304 Netherlands Antilles $ 949,500,000 2004 305 Isle of Man $ 943,000,000 FY05/06 est. 306 Rwanda $ 930,400,000 2008 est. 307 Monaco $ 920,600,000 2005 est. 308 Tajikistan $ 899,600,000 2008 est. 309 Afghanistan $ 890,000,000 2007 est. 310 Barbados $ 886,000,000 2000 est. 311 Maldives $ 884,000,000 2008 est. 312 French Polynesia $ 865,000,000 1999 313 Monaco $ 863,000,000 2005 est. 314 Jersey $ 851,000,000 2005 315 Barbados $ 847,000,000 2000 est. 316 Guinea $ 837,700,000 2008 est. 317 Virgin Islands $ 837,000,000 FY08/09 318 Virgin Islands $ 837,000,000 FY08/09 319 Jersey $ 829,000,000 2005 320 Lesotho $ 825,100,000 2008 est. 321 Laos $ 811,600,000 2008 est. 322 Mauritania $ 770,000,000 2007 est. 323 Mauritania $ 770,000,000 2007 est. 324 Guinea $ 769,700,000 2008 est. 325 Maldives $ 762,000,000 2008 est. 326 Lesotho $ 758,700,000 2008 est. 327 Netherlands Antilles $ 757,900,000 2004 328 Bermuda $ 738,000,000 FY04/05 329 Timor-Leste $ 733,000,000 FY06/07 est. 330 Congo, Democratic Republic of the $ 700,000,000 2006 est. 331 San Marino $ 690,600,000 2006 332 Bermuda $ 665,000,000 FY04/05 333 San Marino $ 652,900,000 2006 334 French Polynesia $ 644,100,000 1999 335 Faroe Islands $ 623,000,000 2005 336 Faroe Islands $ 588,000,000 2005 337 Aruba $ 577,900,000 2005 est. 338 Guernsey $ 563,600,000 2005 339 Guyana $ 552,600,000 2008 est. 340 Cape Verde $ 540,200,000 2008 est. 341 Guernsey $ 530,900,000 2005 342 Eritrea $ 523,300,000 2008 est. 343 Togo $ 519,900,000 2008 est. 344 Cape Verde $ 508,000,000 2008 est. 345 Aruba $ 507,900,000 2005 est. 346 Andorra $ 496,900,000 2007 347 Andorra $ 496,800,000 2007 348 Guyana $ 488,700,000 2008 est. 349 Gibraltar $ 455,100,000 2005 est. 350 Togo $ 438,100,000 2008 est. 351 Suriname $ 425,900,000 2004 352 Liechtenstein $ 424,200,000 1998 est. 353 Cayman Islands $ 423,800,000 2004 354 Gibraltar $ 423,600,000 2005 est. 355 Mayotte $ 420,000,000 2005 356 Liechtenstein $ 414,100,000 1998 est. 357 Mayotte $ 394,000,000 2005 358 Cayman Islands $ 392,600,000 2004 359 Suriname $ 392,600,000 2004 360 Holy See (Vatican City) $ 388,000,000 2007 361 Belize $ 386,500,000 2008 est. 362 Holy See (Vatican City) $ 374,000,000 2007 363 Burundi $ 355,000,000 2008 est. 364 Sierra Leone $ 351,000,000 2000 est. 365 Bhutan $ 350,000,000 2005 366 Belize $ 347,000,000 2008 est. 367 Niger $ 320,000,000 2002 est. 368 Niger $ 320,000,000 2002 est. 369 Timor-Leste $ 309,000,000 FY06/07 est. 370 Burundi $ 295,200,000 2008 est. 371 Seychelles $ 291,200,000 2008 est. 372 Central African Republic $ 273,000,000 2007 est. 373 Bhutan $ 272,000,000 2005 374 Seychelles $ 260,500,000 2008 est. 375 Central African Republic $ 250,000,000 2007 est. 376 Eritrea $ 234,600,000 2008 est. 377 Northern Mariana Islands $ 223,000,000 FY01/02 est. 378 British Virgin Islands $ 204,700,000 2004 379 Northern Mariana Islands $ 193,000,000 FY01/02 est. 380 American Samoa $ 183,600,000 FY07 381 Djibouti $ 182,000,000 1999 est. 382 British Virgin Islands $ 180,400,000 2004 383 Samoa $ 171,300,000 FY04/05 est. 384 Gambia, The $ 167,300,000 2008 est. 385 Micronesia, Federated States of $ 166,000,000 FY07 est. 386 Gambia, The $ 155,600,000 2008 est. 387 American Samoa $ 155,400,000 FY07 388 Micronesia, Federated States of $ 152,700,000 FY07 est. 389 Saint Lucia $ 146,700,000 2000 est. 390 Antigua and Barbuda $ 145,900,000 2000 est. 391 Saint Lucia $ 141,200,000 2000 est. 392 Djibouti $ 135,000,000 1999 est. 393 Saint Kitts and Nevis $ 128,200,000 2003 est. 394 Antigua and Barbuda $ 123,700,000 2000 est. 395 Marshall Islands $ 123,300,000 2008 396 Palau $ 114,800,000 2008 est. 397 Tonga $ 109,800,000 FY07/08 est. 398 Grenada $ 102,100,000 1997 399 Palau $ 99,500,000 2008 est. 400 Sierra Leone $ 96,000,000 2000 est. 401 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines $ 94,600,000 2000 est. 402 Saint Kitts and Nevis $ 89,700,000 2003 est. 403 Grenada $ 85,800,000 1997 404 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines $ 85,800,000 2000 est. 405 Dominica $ 84,400,000 2001 406 Tonga $ 80,480,000 FY07/08 est. 407 Vanuatu $ 78,700,000 2005 est. 408 Samoa $ 78,100,000 FY04/05 est. 409 Solomon Islands $ 75,100,000 2003 410 Dominica $ 73,900,000 2001 411 Vanuatu $ 72,230,000 2005 est. 412 Cook Islands $ 70,950,000 FY05/06 413 Saint Pierre and Miquelon $ 70,000,000 1996 est. 414 Cook Islands $ 69,050,000 FY05/06 415 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) $ 67,900,000 FY98/99 est. 416 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) $ 66,200,000 FY98/99 est. 417 Saint Pierre and Miquelon $ 60,000,000 1996 est. 418 Kiribati $ 59,710,000 FY05 419 Kiribati $ 55,520,000 FY05 420 Sao Tome and Principe $ 51,480,000 2008 est. 421 Solomon Islands $ 49,700,000 2003 422 Sao Tome and Principe $ 47,650,000 2008 est. 423 Turks and Caicos Islands $ 47,000,000 1997-98 est. 424 Turks and Caicos Islands $ 33,600,000 1997-98 est. 425 Montserrat $ 31,600,000 1997 est. 426 Montserrat $ 31,400,000 1997 est. 427 Saint Helena $ 30,280,000 FY06/07 est. 428 Comoros $ 27,600,000 2001 est. 429 Svalbard $ 25,070,000 2004 est. 430 Tuvalu $ 23,050,000 2006 431 Anguilla $ 22,800,000 2000 est. 432 Anguilla $ 22,500,000 2000 est. 433 Tuvalu $ 21,540,000 2006 434 Niue $ 16,330,000 FY0405 435 Niue $ 15,070,000 FY0405 436 Nauru $ 13,500,000 2005 437 Nauru $ 13,500,000 2005 438 Saint Helena $ 12,330,000 FY06/07 est. 439 Norfolk Island $ 4,800,000 FY99/00 440 Norfolk Island $ 4,600,000 FY99/00 441 Tokelau $ 2,800,000 1987 est. 442 Zimbabwe $ 1,092,000 2008 est. 443 Pitcairn Islands $ 1,028,000 FY04/05 444 Zimbabwe $ 941,600 2008 est. 445 Pitcairn Islands $ 746,000 FY04/05 446 Tokelau $ 430,800 1987 est. 447 Wallis and Futuna $ 31,330 2004 448 Wallis and Futuna $ 29,730 2004 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2057 Country Comparison :: Capital This entry gives the name of the seat of government, its geographic coordinates, the time difference relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the time observed in Washington, DC, and, if applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those countries that have multiple time zones. Rank country Capital Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2058 Country Comparison :: Imports - commodities This entry provides a listing of the highest-valued imported products; it sometimes includes the percent of total dollar value. Rank country (%) Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2059 Country Comparison :: Climate This entry includes a brief description of typical weather regimes throughout the year. Rank country Climate Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2060 Country Comparison :: Coastline This entry gives the total length of the boundary between the land area (including islands) and the sea. Rank country (km) Date of Information 1 Canada 202,080.00 NA 2 Pacific Ocean 135,663.00 NA 3 Atlantic Ocean 111,866.00 NA 4 Indian Ocean 66,526.00 NA 5 European Union 65,992.90 NA 6 Indonesia 54,716.00 NA 7 Arctic Ocean 45,389.00 NA 8 Greenland 44,087.00 NA 9 Russia 37,653.00 NA 10 Philippines 36,289.00 NA 11 Japan 29,751.00 NA 12 Australia 25,760.00 NA 13 Norway 25,148.00 NA 14 United States 19,924.00 NA 15 Antarctica 17,968.00 NA 16 Southern Ocean 17,968.00 NA 17 New Zealand 15,134.00 NA 18 China 14,500.00 NA 19 Greece 13,676.00 NA 20 United Kingdom 12,429.00 NA 21 Mexico 9,330.00 NA 22 Italy 7,600.00 NA 23 Brazil 7,491.00 NA 24 Denmark 7,314.00 NA 25 Turkey 7,200.00 NA 26 India 7,000.00 NA 27 Chile 6,435.00 NA 28 Micronesia, Federated States of 6,112.00 NA 29 Croatia 5,835.00 NA 30 Solomon Islands 5,313.00 NA 31 Papua New Guinea 5,152.00 NA 32 Argentina 4,989.00 NA 33 Iceland 4,970.00 NA 34 Spain 4,964.00 NA 35 Madagascar 4,828.00 NA 36 Malaysia 4,675.00 NA 37 France 4,668.00 NA 38 Estonia 3,794.00 NA 39 Cuba 3,735.00 NA 40 Svalbard 3,587.00 NA 41 Bahamas, The 3,542.00 NA 42 Vietnam 3,444.00 NA 43 France 3,427.00 NA 44 Thailand 3,219.00 NA 45 Sweden 3,218.00 NA 46 Colombia 3,208.00 NA 47 Coral Sea Islands 3,095.00 NA 48 Somalia 3,025.00 NA 49 French Southern and Antarctic Lands2,800.00 NA 50 Venezuela 2,800.00 NA 51 South Africa 2,798.00 NA 52 Ukraine 2,782.00 NA 53 Saudi Arabia 2,640.00 NA 54 Vanuatu 2,528.00 NA 55 French Polynesia 2,525.00 NA 56 Korea, North 2,495.00 NA 57 Panama 2,490.00 NA 58 Mozambique 2,470.00 NA 59 Egypt 2,450.00 NA 60 Iran 2,440.00 NA 61 Peru 2,414.00 NA 62 Korea, South 2,413.00 NA 63 Germany 2,389.00 NA 64 New Caledonia 2,254.00 NA 65 Ecuador 2,237.00 NA 66 Eritrea 2,234.00 NA 67 Oman 2,092.00 NA 68 Burma 1,930.00 NA 69 Yemen 1,906.00 NA 70 Morocco 1,835.00 NA 71 Portugal 1,793.00 NA 72 Haiti 1,771.00 NA 73 Libya 1,770.00 NA 74 Angola 1,600.00 NA 75 Namibia 1,572.00 NA 76 Taiwan 1,566.30 NA 77 Palau 1,519.00 NA 78 Northern Mariana Islands 1,482.00 NA 79 Ireland 1,448.00 NA 80 Tanzania 1,424.00 NA 81 Sri Lanka 1,340.00 NA 82 United Arab Emirates 1,318.00 NA 83 Costa Rica 1,290.00 NA 84 Dominican Republic 1,288.00 NA 85 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 1,288.00 NA 86 Finland 1,250.00 NA 87 Tunisia 1,148.00 NA 88 Kiribati 1,143.00 NA 89 Fiji 1,129.00 NA 90 Faroe Islands 1,117.00 NA 91 Western Sahara 1,110.00 NA 92 Pakistan 1,046.00 NA 93 Jamaica 1,022.00 NA 94 Algeria 998.00 NA 95 Cape Verde 965.00 NA 96 Spratly Islands 926.00 NA 97 Nicaragua 910.00 NA 98 Gabon 885.00 NA 99 Nigeria 853.00 NA 100 Sudan 853.00 NA 101 Honduras 820.00 NA 102 Mauritania 754.00 NA 103 Hong Kong 733.00 NA 104 Timor-Leste 706.00 NA 105 British Indian Ocean Territory 698.00 NA 106 Uruguay 660.00 NA 107 Cyprus 648.00 NA 108 Maldives 644.00 NA 109 Bangladesh 580.00 NA 110 Liberia 579.00 NA 111 Qatar 563.00 NA 112 Ghana 539.00 NA 113 Kenya 536.00 NA 114 Senegal 531.00 NA 115 Paracel Islands 518.00 NA 116 Cote d'Ivoire 515.00 NA 117 Puerto Rico 501.00 NA 118 Kuwait 499.00 NA 119 Latvia 498.00 NA 120 Seychelles 491.00 NA 121 Guyana 459.00 NA 122 Netherlands 451.00 NA 123 Cambodia 443.00 NA 124 Poland 440.00 NA 125 Tonga 419.00 NA 126 Samoa 403.00 NA 127 Cameroon 402.00 NA 128 Sierra Leone 402.00 NA 129 Guatemala 400.00 NA 130 Turks and Caicos Islands 389.00 NA 131 Belize 386.00 NA 132 Suriname 386.00 NA 133 Marshall Islands 370.40 NA 134 Netherlands Antilles 364.00 NA 135 Albania 362.00 NA 136 Trinidad and Tobago 362.00 NA 137 Bulgaria 354.00 NA 138 Guinea-Bissau 350.00 NA 139 Comoros 340.00 NA 140 Guinea 320.00 NA 141 Djibouti 314.00 NA 142 Georgia 310.00 NA 143 El Salvador 307.00 NA 144 Equatorial Guinea 296.00 NA 145 Montenegro 293.50 NA 146 Israel 273.00 NA 147 Lebanon 225.00 NA 148 Romania 225.00 NA 149 Sao Tome and Principe 209.00 NA 150 Malta 196.80 NA 151 Singapore 193.00 NA 152 Syria 193.00 NA 153 Virgin Islands 188.00 NA 154 Mayotte 185.20 NA 155 Mauritius 177.00 NA 156 Congo, Republic of the 169.00 NA 157 Bahrain 161.00 NA 158 Brunei 161.00 NA 159 Cayman Islands 160.00 NA 160 Isle of Man 160.00 NA 161 Saint Lucia 158.00 NA 162 Antigua and Barbuda 153.00 NA 163 Dominica 148.00 NA 164 Christmas Island 138.90 NA 165 Saint Kitts and Nevis 135.00 NA 166 Wallis and Futuna 129.00 NA 167 Jan Mayen 124.10 NA 168 Benin 121.00 NA 169 Grenada 121.00 NA 170 Cook Islands 120.00 NA 171 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 120.00 NA 172 American Samoa 116.00 NA 173 Bermuda 103.00 NA 174 Heard Island and McDonald Islands 101.90 NA 175 Tokelau 101.00 NA 176 Barbados 97.00 NA 177 Lithuania 90.00 NA 178 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 84.00 NA 179 Gambia, The 80.00 NA 180 British Virgin Islands 80.00 NA 181 Ashmore and Cartier Islands 74.10 NA 182 Jersey 70.00 NA 183 Aruba 68.50 NA 184 Belgium 66.50 NA 185 Niue 64.00 NA 186 Anguilla 61.00 NA 187 Saint Helena 60.00 NA 188 Saint Martin 58.90 NA 189 Iraq 58.00 NA 190 Akrotiri 56.30 NA 191 Togo 56.00 NA 192 Pitcairn Islands 51.00 NA 193 Guernsey 50.00 NA 194 Slovenia 46.60 NA 195 Macau 41.00 NA 196 Gaza Strip 40.00 NA 197 Montserrat 40.00 NA 198 Saint Helena 40.00 NA 199 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 37.00 NA 200 French Southern and Antarctic Lands35.20 NA 201 French Southern and Antarctic Lands35.20 NA 202 United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges34.00 NA 203 Norfolk Island 32.00 NA 204 Nauru 30.00 NA 205 Bouvet Island 29.60 NA 206 French Southern and Antarctic Lands28.00 NA 207 Dhekelia 27.50 NA 208 Cocos (Keeling) Islands 26.00 NA 209 Jordan 26.00 NA 210 French Southern and Antarctic Lands24.10 NA 211 Tuvalu 24.00 NA 212 French Southern and Antarctic Lands22.20 NA 213 Bosnia and Herzegovina 20.00 NA 214 Wake Island 19.30 NA 215 United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges15.00 NA 216 United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges14.50 NA 217 Gibraltar 12.00 NA 218 Clipperton Island 11.10 NA 219 Navassa Island 8.00 NA 220 United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges8.00 NA 221 United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges6.40 NA 222 United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges4.80 NA 223 Monaco 4.10 NA 224 French Southern and Antarctic Lands3.70 NA 225 United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges3.00 NA 226 Afghanistan 0.00 NA 227 Bhutan 0.00 NA 228 Uganda 0.00 NA 229 Turkmenistan 0.00 NA 230 Mali 0.00 NA 231 Kazakhstan 0.00 NA 232 Kosovo 0.00 NA 233 Kyrgyzstan 0.00 NA 234 Hungary 0.00 NA 235 Czech Republic 0.00 NA 236 Ethiopia 0.00 NA 237 Central African Republic 0.00 NA 238 Chad 0.00 NA 239 Burundi 0.00 NA 240 Tajikistan 0.00 NA 241 Switzerland 0.00 NA 242 San Marino 0.00 NA 243 Rwanda 0.00 NA 244 Serbia 0.00 NA 245 Paraguay 0.00 NA 246 Nepal 0.00 NA 247 Niger 0.00 NA 248 Macedonia 0.00 NA 249 Zimbabwe 0.00 NA 250 Zambia 0.00 NA 251 Swaziland 0.00 NA 252 West Bank 0.00 NA 253 Holy See (Vatican City) 0.00 NA 254 Uzbekistan 0.00 NA 255 Burkina Faso 0.00 NA 256 Malawi 0.00 NA 257 Mongolia 0.00 NA 258 Moldova 0.00 NA 259 Luxembourg 0.00 NA 260 Lesotho 0.00 NA 261 Liechtenstein 0.00 NA 262 Slovakia 0.00 NA 263 Laos 0.00 NA 264 Belarus 0.00 NA 265 Bolivia 0.00 NA 266 Botswana 0.00 NA 267 Armenia 0.00 NA 268 Austria 0.00 NA 269 Andorra 0.00 NA 270 Azerbaijan 0.00 NA ====================================================================== Rank code: 2061 Country Comparison :: Imports - partners This entry provides a rank ordering of trading partners starting with the most important; it sometimes includes the percent of total dollar value. Rank country (%) Date of Information 1 Laos 68.50 2008 2 Saint Lucia 68.00 2008 3 Zimbabwe 60.10 2008 4 Belarus 59.80 2008 5 Bhutan 59.50 2008 6 Greenland 59.10 2008 7 Netherlands Antilles 58.80 2008 8 Sao Tome and Principe 55.80 2008 9 Nepal 55.40 2008 10 Aruba 53.30 2008 11 Canada 52.40 2008 12 Zambia 51.70 2008 13 Faroe Islands 50.40 2008 14 Honduras 50.00 2008 15 Mexico 49.00 2008 16 Saint Kitts and Nevis 46.80 2008 17 Hong Kong 46.60 2008 18 Korea, North 46.00 2007 19 Austria 44.50 2008 20 Dominica 43.20 2008 21 Costa Rica 42.90 2008 22 Papua New Guinea 42.60 2008 23 Malawi 41.50 2008 24 Cape Verde 40.30 2008 25 Grenada 39.60 2008 26 Jamaica 39.40 2008 27 Macau 39.30 2008 28 Dominican Republic 39.20 2008 29 Ireland 37.70 2008 30 Belize 37.40 2008 31 Afghanistan 36.90 2008 32 Tonga 36.80 2008 33 Guatemala 36.70 2008 34 Kyrgyzstan 36.60 2008 35 New Caledonia 36.60 2008 36 Brunei 36.50 2008 37 Benin 35.90 2008 38 Kazakhstan 35.90 2008 39 Lesotho 35.50 2008 40 Togo 34.20 2008 41 Mongolia 34.10 2008 42 Haiti 34.00 2008 43 Korea, North 34.00 2007 44 Switzerland 33.30 2008 45 Tajikistan 32.30 2008 46 Albania 32.20 2008 47 Gabon 32.20 2008 48 Burma 31.90 2008 49 Cote d'Ivoire 31.50 2008 50 Argentina 31.30 2008 51 Suriname 31.20 2008 52 Fiji 30.50 2008 53 Czech Republic 30.30 2008 54 Lithuania 30.10 2008 55 Cuba 30.00 2008 56 El Salvador 29.90 2008 57 Panama 29.60 2008 58 Colombia 29.20 2008 59 Somalia 29.20 2008 60 Mongolia 29.10 2008 61 Portugal 28.90 2008 62 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 28.70 2008 63 Eritrea 28.50 2008 64 Poland 28.30 2008 65 Malta 28.10 2008 66 Luxembourg 28.00 2008 67 Mozambique 27.40 2008 68 Liberia 27.20 2008 69 Maldives 27.20 2008 70 Oman 27.20 2008 71 Paraguay 27.20 2008 72 Barbados 27.10 2008 73 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 27.10 2008 74 Cambodia 26.80 2008 75 Trinidad and Tobago 26.80 2008 76 Bahrain 26.70 2008 77 Bolivia 26.70 2008 78 Burkina Faso 26.70 2008 79 Solomon Islands 26.70 2008 80 Iraq 26.40 2008 81 Bermuda 26.30 2008 82 Venezuela 26.30 2008 83 Barbados 25.60 2008 84 Liberia 25.50 2008 85 Hungary 25.40 2008 86 Bahamas, The 25.10 2008 87 Uzbekistan 24.70 2008 88 Bosnia and Herzegovina 24.60 2008 89 Guinea-Bissau 24.50 2008 90 Kazakhstan 24.30 2008 91 Luxembourg 24.00 2008 92 Tonga 23.90 2008 93 Peru 23.70 2008 94 Guyana 23.40 2008 95 Haiti 23.10 2008 96 Ukraine 22.70 2008 97 Grenada 22.50 2008 98 Guyana 22.30 2008 99 Libya 22.20 2008 100 Congo, Republic of the 22.10 2008 101 Lesotho 22.10 2008 102 Paraguay 22.10 2008 103 Tunisia 21.50 2008 104 Burma 21.20 2008 105 Jordan 21.20 2008 106 Cameroon 21.10 2008 107 Mauritius 21.10 2008 108 Nicaragua 21.00 2008 109 Denmark 20.90 2008 110 Greenland 20.90 2008 111 Burma 20.70 2008 112 Burundi 20.70 2008 113 Gambia, The 20.60 2008 114 Moldova 20.60 2008 115 Djibouti 20.50 2008 116 Fiji 20.50 2008 117 Djibouti 20.50 2008 118 Sri Lanka 20.30 2008 119 Central African Republic 20.20 2008 120 Faroe Islands 20.20 2008 121 Madagascar 20.10 2008 122 Samoa 20.10 2008 123 Slovakia 20.00 2008 124 Sudan 20.00 2008 125 Uruguay 19.90 2008 126 Iraq 19.70 2008 127 Senegal 19.70 2008 128 Moldova 19.50 2008 129 Belgium 19.40 2008 130 Vietnam 19.40 2008 131 Armenia 19.30 2008 132 Taiwan 19.30 2008 est. 133 Tunisia 19.30 2008 134 Iran 19.30 2008 135 Chile 19.10 2008 136 Lesotho 19.10 2008 137 Ecuador 19.10 2008 138 Brunei 19.00 2008 139 Cambodia 19.00 2008 140 Netherlands Antilles 19.00 2008 141 Japan 18.90 2008 142 Luxembourg 18.90 2008 143 Azerbaijan 18.80 2008 144 Thailand 18.80 2008 145 Bahamas, The 18.80 2008 146 Congo, Republic of the 18.70 2008 147 Burkina Faso 18.40 2008 148 Samoa 18.20 2008 149 Solomon Islands 18.10 2008 150 Samoa 18.10 2008 151 New Zealand 18.10 2008 152 Bermuda 18.00 2008 153 France 17.90 2008 154 Kyrgyzstan 17.90 2008 155 Eritrea 17.80 2008 156 Equatorial Guinea 17.70 2008 157 Korea, South 17.70 2008 158 Slovakia 17.70 2008 159 New Caledonia 17.70 2008 160 Angola 17.60 2008 161 Vanuatu 17.60 2008 162 Chad 17.50 2008 163 Sweden 17.50 2008 164 Seychelles 17.50 2008 165 Jamaica 17.50 2008 166 Bermuda 17.30 2008 167 Belgium 17.20 2008 168 Guinea-Bissau 17.20 2008 169 Slovenia 17.20 2008 170 Croatia 17.10 2008 171 Dominica 17.00 2008 172 Cyprus 16.90 2008 173 Indonesia 16.90 2008 174 Turkmenistan 16.90 2008 175 Maldives 16.90 2008 176 Mauritania 16.70 2008 177 Niger 16.60 2008 178 Netherlands 16.60 2008 179 Slovenia 16.60 2008 180 Algeria 16.50 2008 181 Uruguay 16.50 2008 182 United States 16.50 2008 183 Bahamas, The 16.40 2008 184 Bolivia 16.30 2008 185 Finland 16.30 2008 186 Romania 16.30 2008 187 Ethiopia 16.30 2008 188 Latvia 16.10 2008 189 Morocco 16.10 2008 190 Italy 16.00 2008 191 Vanuatu 15.90 2008 192 Turkmenistan 15.90 2008 193 Angola 15.70 2008 194 United States 15.70 2008 195 Mozambique 15.70 2008 196 Finland 15.70 2008 197 Ghana 15.60 2008 198 Papua New Guinea 15.60 2008 199 Oman 15.60 2008 200 Fiji 15.50 2008 201 Turkey 15.50 2008 202 Suriname 15.50 2008 203 Australia 15.40 2008 204 Uzbekistan 15.40 2008 205 Rwanda 15.20 2008 206 Senegal 15.20 2008 207 Brazil 14.90 2008 208 Paraguay 14.90 2008 209 Cote d'Ivoire 14.90 2008 210 Georgia 14.90 2008 211 Chad 14.80 2008 212 Saint Kitts and Nevis 14.80 2008 213 Bangladesh 14.70 2008 214 Bangladesh 14.70 2008 215 Yemen 14.70 2008 216 Ghana 14.70 2008 217 Bulgaria 14.60 2008 218 Moldova 14.60 2008 219 Cambodia 14.50 2008 220 Spain 14.50 2008 221 Norway 14.40 2008 222 Tanzania 14.40 2008 223 Nicaragua 14.30 2008 224 Estonia 14.20 2008 225 Suriname 14.20 2008 226 Kenya 14.10 2008 227 Pakistan 14.10 2008 228 Denmark 14.00 2008 229 Korea, South 14.00 2008 230 Turkmenistan 14.00 2008 231 Cameroon 13.80 2008 232 Ecuador 13.80 2008 233 Nigeria 13.80 2008 234 Central African Republic 13.60 2008 235 Uzbekistan 13.60 2008 236 Finland 13.60 2008 237 Morocco 13.50 2008 238 Malta 13.50 2008 239 Russia 13.50 2008 240 Bhutan 13.40 2008 241 Croatia 13.40 2008 242 Comoros 13.40 2008 243 Norway 13.40 2008 244 China 13.30 2008 245 Equatorial Guinea 13.30 2008 246 Greece 13.30 2008 247 Rwanda 13.30 2008 248 Nepal 13.30 2008 249 Macedonia 13.30 2008 250 Estonia 13.30 2008 251 United Arab Emirates 13.20 2008 252 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 13.20 2008 253 Russia 13.20 2008 254 New Zealand 13.20 2008 255 Benin 13.20 2008 256 Albania 13.10 2008 257 Comoros 13.10 2008 258 United Kingdom 13.10 2008 259 Mali 13.10 2008 260 Iran 13.00 2008 261 Taiwan 13.00 2008 est. 262 Belize 12.90 2008 263 Latvia 12.90 2008 264 Greece 12.80 2008 265 Philippines 12.80 2008 266 Malaysia 12.80 2008 267 Bosnia and Herzegovina 12.70 2008 268 Venezuela 12.70 2008 269 Burundi 12.60 2008 270 Germany 12.50 2008 271 Malaysia 12.50 2008 272 Argentina 12.40 2008 273 Seychelles 12.40 2008 274 Macedonia 12.40 2008 275 Bosnia and Herzegovina 12.30 2008 276 Israel 12.30 2008 277 Argentina 12.20 2008 278 Sri Lanka 12.20 2008 279 Saudi Arabia 12.20 2008 280 Dominica 12.10 2008 281 Gambia, The 12.10 2008 282 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 12.10 2008 283 Qatar 12.10 2008 284 Australia 12.00 2008 285 Pakistan 12.00 2008 286 Ethiopia 12.00 2008 287 Vanuatu 12.00 2008 288 Chile 11.90 2008 289 Tajikistan 11.90 2008 290 Somalia 11.90 2008 291 Kuwait 11.90 2008 292 Singapore 11.90 2008 293 Cuba 11.90 2008 294 Aruba 11.80 2008 295 Singapore 11.80 2008 296 Philippines 11.80 2008 297 Mauritius 11.80 2008 298 Liberia 11.80 2008 299 Lithuania 11.80 2008 300 Indonesia 11.80 2008 301 El Salvador 11.80 2008 302 Equatorial Guinea 11.80 2008 303 Cape Verde 11.80 2008 304 Bulgaria 11.80 2008 305 France 11.70 2008 306 Indonesia 11.70 2008 307 Yemen 11.70 2008 308 Syria 11.70 2008 309 Saint Lucia 11.70 2008 310 Brazil 11.60 2008 311 Vietnam 11.60 2008 312 Jamaica 11.60 2008 313 Portugal 11.60 2008 314 Ireland 11.60 2008 315 Comoros 11.50 2008 316 New Caledonia 11.50 2008 317 Kenya 11.50 2008 318 Colombia 11.50 2008 319 Mali 11.40 2008 320 Uganda 11.40 2008 321 Romania 11.40 2008 322 Azerbaijan 11.30 2008 323 Angola 11.30 2008 324 Yemen 11.30 2008 325 Uganda 11.30 2008 326 Mali 11.20 2008 327 Mexico 11.20 2008 328 Pakistan 11.20 2008 329 Slovenia 11.20 2008 330 Uruguay 11.20 2008 331 Thailand 11.20 2008 332 South Africa 11.20 2008 333 Gabon 11.10 2008 334 India 11.10 2008 335 Spain 11.10 2008 336 South Africa 11.10 2008 337 Algeria 11.00 2008 338 Liberia 11.00 2008 339 Switzerland 11.00 2008 340 Malaysia 11.00 2008 341 Papua New Guinea 11.00 2008 342 Belgium 11.00 2008 343 Equatorial Guinea 10.90 2008 344 Taiwan 10.90 2008 est. 345 Niger 10.90 2008 346 Iceland 10.90 2008 347 Eritrea 10.90 2008 348 Malaysia 10.80 2008 349 Vanuatu 10.80 2008 350 Cyprus 10.70 2008 351 Latvia 10.70 2008 352 Iraq 10.70 2008 353 Djibouti 10.60 2008 354 Haiti 10.60 2008 355 Peru 10.60 2008 356 Slovakia 10.60 2008 357 Bosnia and Herzegovina 10.50 2008 358 Croatia 10.50 2008 359 Lebanon 10.50 2008 360 Laos 10.50 2008 361 Bolivia 10.50 2008 362 Saudi Arabia 10.50 2008 363 Singapore 10.50 2008 364 United Arab Emirates 10.40 2008 365 Jordan 10.40 2008 366 Japan 10.40 2008 367 Uganda 10.40 2008 368 Equatorial Guinea 10.40 2008 369 Paraguay 10.40 2008 370 Iceland 10.40 2008 371 Georgia 10.40 2008 372 Algeria 10.30 2008 373 Venezuela 10.30 2008 374 Turkmenistan 10.30 2008 375 Sierra Leone 10.30 2008 376 Seychelles 10.30 2008 377 Philippines 10.30 2008 378 Egypt 10.30 2008 379 Cuba 10.10 2008 380 United States 10.10 2008 381 Macau 10.10 2008 382 Netherlands 10.10 2008 383 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 10.00 2008 384 Estonia 10.00 2008 385 Lithuania 10.00 2008 386 Luxembourg 10.00 2008 387 Kenya 10.00 2008 388 China 9.90 2008 389 Macedonia 9.90 2008 390 Poland 9.90 2008 391 Uruguay 9.90 2008 392 Mauritius 9.90 2008 393 Ecuador 9.90 2008 394 Egypt 9.90 2008 395 Canada 9.80 2008 396 Trinidad and Tobago 9.80 2008 397 Hong Kong 9.80 2008 398 Chad 9.80 2008 399 El Salvador 9.70 2008 400 Maldives 9.70 2008 401 Guatemala 9.70 2008 402 Georgia 9.60 2008 403 Niger 9.60 2008 404 Nigeria 9.60 2008 405 Sao Tome and Principe 9.60 2008 406 Guinea 9.60 2008 407 Afghanistan 9.50 2008 408 Chad 9.50 2008 409 New Zealand 9.50 2008 410 Lebanon 9.50 2008 411 Cameroon 9.50 2008 412 Bolivia 9.50 2008 413 Sweden 9.40 2008 414 Switzerland 9.40 2008 415 Chile 9.30 2008 416 Turkey 9.30 2008 417 Sao Tome and Principe 9.30 2008 418 Tonga 9.30 2008 419 Libya 9.30 2008 420 Lebanon 9.30 2008 421 Iran 9.20 2008 422 Kuwait 9.20 2008 423 Kyrgyzstan 9.20 2008 424 Australia 9.10 2008 425 Comoros 9.10 2008 426 Hungary 9.00 2008 427 Tanzania 9.00 2008 428 Tunisia 9.00 2008 429 Qatar 9.00 2008 430 Iceland 9.00 2008 431 Bahrain 8.90 2008 432 Estonia 8.90 2008 433 Estonia 8.90 2008 434 Qatar 8.90 2008 435 Korea, South 8.90 2008 436 United Arab Emirates 8.80 2008 437 Sierra Leone 8.80 2008 438 Tajikistan 8.80 2008 439 Vietnam 8.80 2008 440 Tonga 8.80 2008 441 Mauritania 8.80 2008 442 Chile 8.80 2008 443 Armenia 8.70 2008 444 Samoa 8.70 2008 445 United Kingdom 8.70 2008 446 Syria 8.70 2008 447 Netherlands 8.70 2008 448 Madagascar 8.70 2008 449 Gambia, The 8.70 2008 450 Ethiopia 8.70 2008 451 Ireland 8.70 2008 452 Cyprus 8.70 2008 453 Italy 8.60 2008 454 Sweden 8.60 2008 455 Libya 8.60 2008 456 Eritrea 8.50 2008 457 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 8.50 2008 458 Philippines 8.50 2008 459 Macau 8.50 2008 460 Vanuatu 8.50 2008 461 Azerbaijan 8.40 2008 462 Nigeria 8.40 2008 463 Ukraine 8.40 2008 464 Sudan 8.40 2008 465 Nicaragua 8.40 2008 466 Ecuador 8.40 2008 467 Dominica 8.40 2008 468 Burundi 8.40 2008 469 Bermuda 8.30 2008 470 New Zealand 8.30 2008 471 Germany 8.30 2008 472 France 8.30 2008 473 Cyprus 8.30 2008 474 Cyprus 8.20 2008 475 Kyrgyzstan 8.20 2008 476 Malta 8.20 2008 477 Mauritius 8.20 2008 478 Cambodia 8.10 2008 479 Uganda 8.10 2008 480 Singapore 8.10 2008 481 Seychelles 8.10 2008 482 Moldova 8.10 2008 483 Kuwait 8.10 2008 484 Iceland 8.00 2008 485 Kenya 8.00 2008 486 Zambia 8.00 2008 487 Portugal 8.00 2008 488 Qatar 8.00 2008 489 Nicaragua 8.00 2008 490 Azerbaijan 7.90 2008 491 Colombia 7.90 2008 492 Bulgaria 7.90 2008 493 Brazil 7.90 2008 494 Turkmenistan 7.90 2008 495 Trinidad and Tobago 7.90 2008 496 South Africa 7.90 2008 497 Georgia 7.90 2008 498 Bahrain 7.80 2008 499 Guinea 7.80 2008 500 Turkey 7.80 2008 501 Sierra Leone 7.80 2008 502 Nicaragua 7.80 2008 503 Korea, South 7.80 2008 504 Afghanistan 7.70 2008 505 Brunei 7.70 2008 506 Maldives 7.70 2008 507 Tanzania 7.70 2008 508 Saudi Arabia 7.70 2008 509 Suriname 7.70 2008 510 Guyana 7.70 2008 511 Central African Republic 7.70 2008 512 Gambia, The 7.70 2008 513 Dominican Republic 7.70 2008 514 Chad 7.70 2008 515 Belize 7.70 2008 516 Angola 7.60 2008 517 Somalia 7.60 2008 518 Mongolia 7.60 2008 519 Kuwait 7.60 2008 520 Hungary 7.60 2008 521 Honduras 7.60 2008 522 Guinea 7.60 2008 523 Sri Lanka 7.60 2008 524 Bangladesh 7.50 2008 525 Germany 7.50 2008 526 Solomon Islands 7.50 2008 527 India 7.50 2008 528 United Kingdom 7.50 2008 529 Togo 7.50 2008 530 Philippines 7.50 2008 531 Qatar 7.50 2008 532 Peru 7.50 2008 533 Netherlands 7.50 2008 534 Vanuatu 7.50 2008 535 Algeria 7.40 2008 536 Ghana 7.40 2008 537 Estonia 7.40 2008 538 Romania 7.40 2008 539 Burkina Faso 7.40 2008 540 United Kingdom 7.40 2008 541 Saint Lucia 7.40 2008 542 Spain 7.40 2008 543 Saudi Arabia 7.40 2008 544 Burundi 7.40 2008 545 Malta 7.40 2008 546 Niger 7.40 2008 547 Mongolia 7.40 2008 548 Iceland 7.40 2008 549 Sri Lanka 7.40 2008 550 Bahamas, The 7.30 2008 551 Egypt 7.30 2008 552 Malawi 7.30 2008 553 Lebanon 7.30 2008 554 Bulgaria 7.30 2008 555 Albania 7.20 2008 556 China 7.20 2008 557 Uzbekistan 7.20 2008 558 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 7.20 2008 559 Cote d'Ivoire 7.20 2008 560 Austria 7.10 2008 561 Barbados 7.10 2008 562 Bangladesh 7.10 2008 563 Belarus 7.10 2008 564 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 7.10 2008 565 Bolivia 7.10 2008 566 Armenia 7.00 2008 567 Iran 7.00 2008 568 Brazil 7.00 2008 569 Australia 7.00 2008 570 Kuwait 7.00 2008 571 Latvia 7.00 2008 572 Latvia 7.00 2008 573 Venezuela 7.00 2008 574 Seychelles 7.00 2008 575 Cambodia 6.90 2008 576 Costa Rica 6.90 2008 577 France 6.90 2008 578 Macedonia 6.90 2008 579 Yemen 6.90 2008 580 Tanzania 6.90 2008 581 Norway 6.90 2008 582 Slovakia 6.90 2008 583 Indonesia 6.90 2008 584 Angola 6.80 2008 585 France 6.80 2008 586 Zambia 6.80 2008 587 United Kingdom 6.80 2008 588 Togo 6.80 2008 589 Lebanon 6.80 2008 590 Iceland 6.80 2008 591 Georgia 6.80 2008 592 Egypt 6.80 2008 593 Azerbaijan 6.70 2008 594 Cape Verde 6.70 2008 595 Vanuatu 6.70 2008 596 Senegal 6.70 2008 597 Uganda 6.70 2008 598 Japan 6.70 2008 599 Denmark 6.70 2008 600 Albania 6.60 2008 601 Sierra Leone 6.60 2008 602 United States 6.60 2008 603 Uruguay 6.60 2008 604 Ukraine 6.60 2008 605 Sierra Leone 6.60 2008 606 Bosnia and Herzegovina 6.60 2008 607 India 6.60 2008 608 Czech Republic 6.60 2008 609 United Arab Emirates 6.50 2008 610 Peru 6.50 2008 611 Niger 6.50 2008 612 Morocco 6.50 2008 613 Iraq 6.50 2008 614 Israel 6.50 2008 615 Israel 6.50 2008 616 Cape Verde 6.50 2008 617 Benin 6.50 2008 618 Benin 6.50 2008 619 Bosnia and Herzegovina 6.50 2008 620 Ukraine 6.50 2008 621 Togo 6.50 2008 622 Russia 6.50 2008 623 Barbados 6.40 2008 624 Czech Republic 6.40 2008 625 Faroe Islands 6.40 2008 626 Malta 6.40 2008 627 Samoa 6.40 2008 628 Syria 6.40 2008 629 Thailand 6.40 2008 630 Suriname 6.40 2008 631 Norway 6.40 2008 632 Mauritania 6.40 2008 633 Hong Kong 6.40 2008 634 Cuba 6.40 2008 635 Bosnia and Herzegovina 6.30 2008 636 Taiwan 6.30 2008 est. 637 Spain 6.30 2008 638 Rwanda 6.30 2008 639 Macedonia 6.30 2008 640 Madagascar 6.30 2008 641 Costa Rica 6.30 2008 642 Cuba 6.30 2008 643 Denmark 6.30 2008 644 Finland 6.30 2008 645 Bahrain 6.20 2008 646 Qatar 6.20 2008 647 Trinidad and Tobago 6.20 2008 648 Sweden 6.20 2008 649 Sudan 6.20 2008 650 South Africa 6.20 2008 651 Poland 6.20 2008 652 Japan 6.20 2008 653 Italy 6.20 2008 654 Benin 6.20 2008 655 Germany 6.20 2008 656 Greece 6.20 2008 657 Czech Republic 6.20 2008 658 United Arab Emirates 6.10 2008 659 Vietnam 6.10 2008 660 Sudan 6.10 2008 661 Israel 6.10 2008 662 Indonesia 6.10 2008 663 Hungary 6.10 2008 664 Croatia 6.10 2008 665 Guyana 6.10 2008 666 Cameroon 6.10 2008 667 Armenia 6.10 2008 668 Belize 6.10 2008 669 Nicaragua 6.10 2008 670 Malawi 6.10 2008 671 Libya 6.10 2008 672 Japan 6.10 2008 673 Algeria 6.10 2008 674 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 6.00 2008 675 Djibouti 6.00 2008 676 Iceland 6.00 2008 677 Morocco 6.00 2008 678 United Kingdom 6.00 2008 679 Thailand 6.00 2008 680 Somalia 6.00 2008 681 Russia 6.00 2008 682 Romania 6.00 2008 683 Mauritania 6.00 2008 684 Korea, North 6.00 2007 685 Kazakhstan 6.00 2008 686 Jordan 6.00 2008 687 Iraq 6.00 2008 688 Israel 6.00 2008 689 Ethiopia 6.00 2008 690 Djibouti 6.00 2008 691 Burundi 5.90 2008 692 Uganda 5.90 2008 693 Tanzania 5.90 2008 694 Turkey 5.90 2008 695 Syria 5.90 2008 696 Netherlands Antilles 5.90 2008 697 Norway 5.90 2008 698 Mali 5.90 2008 699 Lesotho 5.90 2008 700 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 5.90 2008 701 Colombia 5.90 2008 702 Armenia 5.80 2008 703 Central African Republic 5.80 2008 704 Comoros 5.80 2008 705 Guatemala 5.80 2008 706 Libya 5.80 2008 707 Switzerland 5.80 2008 708 Syria 5.80 2008 709 Syria 5.80 2008 710 Papua New Guinea 5.80 2008 711 Netherlands 5.80 2008 712 Laos 5.80 2008 713 Belgium 5.70 2008 714 Georgia 5.70 2008 715 Guyana 5.70 2008 716 Sweden 5.70 2008 717 Romania 5.70 2008 718 Oman 5.70 2008 719 Madagascar 5.70 2008 720 Kenya 5.70 2008 721 Germany 5.70 2008 722 Denmark 5.70 2008 723 Belgium 5.60 2008 724 Turkmenistan 5.60 2008 725 Sweden 5.60 2008 726 Somalia 5.60 2008 727 Singapore 5.60 2008 728 Malaysia 5.60 2008 729 Morocco 5.60 2008 730 Macedonia 5.60 2008 731 Croatia 5.60 2008 732 Greece 5.60 2008 733 Czech Republic 5.60 2008 734 Ireland 5.60 2008 735 Chile 5.60 2008 736 Congo, Republic of the 5.60 2008 737 Chad 5.60 2008 738 Bulgaria 5.60 2008 739 Bhutan 5.60 2008 740 Algeria 5.50 2008 741 Bulgaria 5.50 2008 742 Uzbekistan 5.50 2008 743 Taiwan 5.50 2008 est. 744 Turkey 5.50 2008 745 Thailand 5.50 2008 746 Sudan 5.50 2008 747 Somalia 5.50 2008 748 Singapore 5.50 2008 749 South Africa 5.50 2008 750 Qatar 5.50 2008 751 Macau 5.50 2008 752 Ghana 5.50 2008 753 Equatorial Guinea 5.50 2008 754 Brunei 5.50 2008 755 Azerbaijan 5.40 2008 756 Bulgaria 5.40 2008 757 Fiji 5.40 2008 758 Malawi 5.40 2008 759 Seychelles 5.40 2008 760 Poland 5.40 2008 761 Pakistan 5.40 2008 762 Norway 5.40 2008 763 Netherlands 5.40 2008 764 Mauritania 5.40 2008 765 Morocco 5.40 2008 766 Indonesia 5.40 2008 767 Germany 5.40 2008 768 Gabon 5.40 2008 769 Costa Rica 5.40 2008 770 Dominican Republic 5.40 2008 771 Burundi 5.40 2008 772 Belarus 5.40 2008 773 Bermuda 5.30 2008 774 Mexico 5.30 2008 775 Macedonia 5.30 2008 776 Macau 5.30 2008 777 Italy 5.30 2008 778 Honduras 5.30 2008 779 Cyprus 5.30 2008 780 Central African Republic 5.30 2008 781 Comoros 5.30 2008 782 Rwanda 5.30 2008 783 Nigeria 5.30 2008 784 Comoros 5.30 2008 785 Afghanistan 5.20 2008 786 Austria 5.20 2008 787 Lithuania 5.20 2008 788 Sierra Leone 5.20 2008 789 Yemen 5.20 2008 790 Philippines 5.20 2008 791 Nicaragua 5.20 2008 792 Nigeria 5.20 2008 793 Slovakia 5.20 2008 794 Czech Republic 5.20 2008 795 Congo, Republic of the 5.20 2008 796 Bermuda 5.10 2008 797 Turkmenistan 5.10 2008 798 Mauritania 5.10 2008 799 Moldova 5.10 2008 800 Kenya 5.10 2008 801 Iran 5.10 2008 802 India 5.10 2008 803 Greece 5.10 2008 804 France 5.10 2008 805 Finland 5.10 2008 806 Equatorial Guinea 5.10 2008 807 Denmark 5.10 2008 808 Burma 5.10 2008 809 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 5.10 2008 810 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 5.10 2008 811 Saudi Arabia 5.10 2008 812 Peru 5.10 2008 813 Congo, Republic of the 5.10 2008 814 Australia 5.00 2008 815 Belize 5.00 2008 816 Gambia, The 5.00 2008 817 Morocco 5.00 2008 818 Panama 5.00 2008 819 Ukraine 5.00 2008 820 Sweden 5.00 2008 821 Philippines 5.00 2008 822 Panama 5.00 2008 823 Peru 5.00 2008 824 Slovakia 5.00 2008 825 Hong Kong 5.00 2008 826 Brunei 5.00 2008 827 Bahamas, The 5.00 2008 828 Armenia 4.90 2008 829 Uzbekistan 4.90 2008 830 Togo 4.90 2008 831 Romania 4.90 2008 832 Romania 4.90 2008 833 Qatar 4.90 2008 834 Maldives 4.90 2008 835 Madagascar 4.90 2008 836 Slovakia 4.90 2008 837 Lebanon 4.90 2008 838 Indonesia 4.90 2008 839 Croatia 4.90 2008 840 Czech Republic 4.90 2008 841 Ethiopia 4.90 2008 842 Egypt 4.90 2008 843 Dominican Republic 4.90 2008 844 China 4.90 2008 845 Burundi 4.90 2008 846 Tonga 4.90 2008 847 Portugal 4.90 2008 848 Angola 4.80 2008 849 Ecuador 4.80 2008 850 Bahrain 4.80 2008 851 Bolivia 4.80 2008 852 Lebanon 4.80 2008 853 Pakistan 4.80 2008 854 Saudi Arabia 4.80 2008 855 Venezuela 4.80 2008 856 Guinea-Bissau 4.80 2008 857 Poland 4.80 2008 858 Luxembourg 4.80 2008 859 Kuwait 4.80 2008 860 Guatemala 4.80 2008 861 Bahrain 4.70 2008 862 Brunei 4.70 2008 863 Sri Lanka 4.70 2008 864 United Kingdom 4.70 2008 865 Tajikistan 4.70 2008 866 Pakistan 4.70 2008 867 New Zealand 4.70 2008 868 New Caledonia 4.70 2008 869 Macau 4.70 2008 870 Libya 4.70 2008 871 Honduras 4.70 2008 872 Greece 4.70 2008 873 Greenland 4.70 2008 874 Georgia 4.70 2008 875 Gabon 4.70 2008 876 Costa Rica 4.70 2008 877 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 4.70 2008 878 Chad 4.70 2008 879 Brunei 4.70 2008 880 Somalia 4.70 2008 881 Slovenia 4.70 2008 882 Seychelles 4.70 2008 883 Aruba 4.60 2008 884 Estonia 4.60 2008 885 Cape Verde 4.60 2008 886 Chile 4.60 2008 887 Jordan 4.60 2008 888 Oman 4.60 2008 889 Malaysia 4.60 2008 890 Guinea-Bissau 4.60 2008 891 Uruguay 4.60 2008 892 United States 4.60 2008 893 Tunisia 4.60 2008 894 Switzerland 4.60 2008 895 Spain 4.60 2008 896 Singapore 4.60 2008 897 Senegal 4.60 2008 898 Romania 4.60 2008 899 Qatar 4.60 2008 900 Malaysia 4.60 2008 901 Maldives 4.60 2008 902 Lesotho 4.60 2008 903 Italy 4.60 2008 904 Armenia 4.60 2008 905 United Arab Emirates 4.50 2008 906 Albania 4.50 2008 907 Australia 4.50 2008 908 Zambia 4.50 2008 909 Turkey 4.50 2008 910 Tunisia 4.50 2008 911 Rwanda 4.50 2008 912 Russia 4.50 2008 913 Poland 4.50 2008 914 Peru 4.50 2008 915 Oman 4.50 2008 916 Mauritania 4.50 2008 917 Kazakhstan 4.50 2008 918 Jordan 4.50 2008 919 Haiti 4.50 2008 920 Ethiopia 4.50 2008 921 El Salvador 4.50 2008 922 Bahrain 4.50 2008 923 Albania 4.40 2008 924 Bermuda 4.40 2008 925 Benin 4.40 2008 926 Solomon Islands 4.40 2008 927 Congo, Republic of the 4.40 2008 928 Hungary 4.40 2008 929 Greenland 4.40 2008 930 Ghana 4.40 2008 931 Ghana 4.40 2008 932 Georgia 4.40 2008 933 Gabon 4.40 2008 934 El Salvador 4.40 2008 935 Eritrea 4.40 2008 936 Solomon Islands 4.40 2008 937 Sweden 4.40 2008 938 Spain 4.40 2008 939 Senegal 4.40 2008 940 Portugal 4.40 2008 941 New Zealand 4.40 2008 942 Netherlands 4.40 2008 943 Mexico 4.40 2008 944 Macedonia 4.40 2008 945 Madagascar 4.40 2008 946 Latvia 4.40 2008 947 Korea, South 4.40 2008 948 Iceland 4.40 2008 949 Hungary 4.40 2008 950 Argentina 4.40 2008 951 United Arab Emirates 4.30 2008 952 Solomon Islands 4.30 2008 953 Italy 4.30 2008 954 Latvia 4.30 2008 955 Syria 4.30 2008 956 Russia 4.30 2008 957 Philippines 4.30 2008 958 Papua New Guinea 4.30 2008 959 New Zealand 4.30 2008 960 Nigeria 4.30 2008 961 Mozambique 4.30 2008 962 Malaysia 4.30 2008 963 Moldova 4.30 2008 964 Jordan 4.30 2008 965 Japan 4.30 2008 966 Iran 4.30 2008 967 Hungary 4.30 2008 968 Germany 4.30 2008 969 France 4.30 2008 970 Australia 4.30 2008 971 Belgium 4.20 2008 972 Zimbabwe 4.20 2008 973 Burkina Faso 4.20 2008 974 Syria 4.20 2008 975 Sweden 4.20 2008 976 Saudi Arabia 4.20 2008 977 Qatar 4.20 2008 978 Qatar 4.20 2008 979 Panama 4.20 2008 980 Norway 4.20 2008 981 Niger 4.20 2008 982 Niger 4.20 2008 983 Oman 4.20 2008 984 Oman 4.20 2008 985 India 4.20 2008 986 Sierra Leone 4.20 2008 987 Romania 4.20 2008 988 India 4.20 2008 989 Honduras 4.20 2008 990 Germany 4.20 2008 991 Germany 4.20 2008 992 Gabon 4.20 2008 993 Faroe Islands 4.20 2008 994 Finland 4.20 2008 995 Costa Rica 4.20 2008 996 Lebanon 4.20 2008 997 Kuwait 4.20 2008 998 Iran 4.20 2008 999 India 4.20 2008 1000 Comoros 4.20 2008 1001 Comoros 4.20 2008 1002 Belize 4.20 2008 1003 Australia 4.10 2008 1004 Bangladesh 4.10 2008 1005 Barbados 4.10 2008 1006 Bulgaria 4.10 2008 1007 Burundi 4.10 2008 1008 Trinidad and Tobago 4.10 2008 1009 Sudan 4.10 2008 1010 Saint Kitts and Nevis 4.10 2008 1011 Saudi Arabia 4.10 2008 1012 Pakistan 4.10 2008 1013 Mexico 4.10 2008 1014 Maldives 4.10 2008 1015 Malawi 4.10 2008 1016 Libya 4.10 2008 1017 Libya 4.10 2008 1018 Slovakia 4.10 2008 1019 Uzbekistan 4.10 2008 1020 United Kingdom 4.10 2008 1021 Turkey 4.10 2008 1022 Thailand 4.10 2008 1023 Slovenia 4.10 2008 1024 Senegal 4.10 2008 1025 Faroe Islands 4.10 2008 1026 Czech Republic 4.10 2008 1027 Ecuador 4.10 2008 1028 Cyprus 4.10 2008 1029 Cape Verde 4.10 2008 1030 Canada 4.10 2008 1031 Burundi 4.10 2008 1032 Austria 4.10 2008 1033 Korea, South 4.10 2008 1034 Burma 4.00 2008 1035 Chad 4.00 2008 1036 Burundi 4.00 2008 1037 Eritrea 4.00 2008 1038 Korea, North 4.00 2007 1039 South Africa 4.00 2008 1040 Trinidad and Tobago 4.00 2008 1041 Thailand 4.00 2008 1042 Switzerland 4.00 2008 1043 Poland 4.00 2008 1044 Iceland 4.00 2008 1045 Cyprus 4.00 2008 1046 Solomon Islands 4.00 2008 1047 Zimbabwe 3.70 2008 1048 Grenada 3.30 2008 1049 Nepal 2.00 2008 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2062 Country Comparison :: Economic aid - donor Rank country Economic aid - donor Date of Information 1 United States 23,530,000,000.00 2006 2 United Kingdom 12,460,000,000.00 2006 3 Japan 11,190,000,000.00 2006 4 France 10,600,000,000.00 2006 5 Germany 10,440,000,000.00 2006 6 Netherlands 5,452,000,000.00 2006 7 Sweden 3,955,000,000.00 2006 8 Canada 3,900,000,000.00 2007 9 Spain 3,814,000,000.00 2006 10 Italy 3,641,000,000.00 2006 11 Norway 2,954,000,000.00 2006 12 Denmark 2,236,000,000.00 2006 13 Australia 2,123,000,000.00 2006 14 Belgium 1,978,000,000.00 2006 15 Switzerland 1,646,000,000.00 2006 16 Austria 1,498,000,000.00 2006 17 Finland 1,023,000,000.00 2007 18 Ireland 1,022,000,000.00 2006 19 Korea, South 455,300,000.00 2006 20 Greece 424,000,000.00 2006 21 Portugal 396,000,000.00 2006 22 Luxembourg 291,000,000.00 2006 23 New Zealand 259,000,000.00 2006 24 Cyprus 25,900,000.00 2006 25 Iceland 6,700,000.00 2004 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2063 Country Comparison :: Constitution This entry includes the dates of adoption, revisions, and major amendments. Rank country Constitution Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2064 Country Comparison :: Economic aid - recipient Rank country Economic aid - recipient Date of Information 1 Iraq 21,650,000,000.00 2005 2 Greece 8,000,000,000.00 NA 3 Nigeria 6,437,000,000.00 2005 4 Vietnam 5,400,000,000.00 2007 5 Afghanistan 2,775,000,000.00 2005 6 Indonesia 2,524,000,000.00 NA 7 Yemen 2,300,000,000.00 2003-07 disbursements 8 Serbia 2,000,000,000.00 NA 9 Sudan 1,829,000,000.00 2005 10 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 1,828,000,000.00 2005 11 India 1,724,000,000.00 2005 12 Pakistan 1,666,000,000.00 2005 13 China 1,641,000,000.00 FY07 14 Ethiopia 1,600,000,000.00 FY05/06 15 Poland 1,524,000,000.00 2004 16 Tanzania 1,505,000,000.00 2005 17 Congo, Republic of the 1,449,000,000.00 2005 18 Gaza Strip 1,400,000,000.00 2006 est. 19 West Bank 1,400,000,000.00 2006 est. 20 Bangladesh 1,321,000,000.00 2005 21 Ghana 1,316,000,000.00 2007 22 Mozambique 1,286,000,000.00 2005 23 Uganda 1,198,000,000.00 2005 24 Sri Lanka 1,189,000,000.00 2005 25 Russia 982,700,000.00 NA 26 Bhutan 941,200,000.00 2006 27 Madagascar 929,200,000.00 2005 28 Egypt 925,900,000.00 2005 29 Romania 914,300,000.00 2004 30 Kenya 768,300,000.00 2005 31 Jordan 752,000,000.00 2005 est. 32 Bulgaria 742,000,000.00 2005-06 est. 33 South Africa 700,000,000.00 2005 34 Cambodia 698,200,000.00 2007 35 Mali 691,500,000.00 2005 36 Honduras 680,800,000.00 2005 37 Burkina Faso 659,600,000.00 2005 38 Morocco 651,800,000.00 2005 39 Bolivia 582,900,000.00 2005 est. 40 French Polynesia 579,800,000.00 2004 41 Rwanda 576,000,000.00 2005 42 Malawi 575,300,000.00 2005 43 Bosnia and Herzegovina 546,100,000.00 2005 est. 44 New Caledonia 524,300,000.00 2004 45 Niger 515,400,000.00 2005 46 Haiti 515,000,000.00 2005 est. 47 Greenland 512,000,000.00 2005 48 Colombia 511,100,000.00 2005 49 Zambia 504,000,000.00 2007 50 Slovenia 484,000,000.00 2004-06 51 Senegal 477,000,000.00 2007 est. 52 Nicaragua 471,000,000.00 2006 est. 53 Turkey 464,000,000.00 2005 54 Philippines 451,400,000.00 2006 55 Angola 441,800,000.00 2005 56 Nepal 427,900,000.00 2005 57 Cameroon 413,800,000.00 2005 58 Ukraine 409,600,000.00 2005 59 Peru 397,800,000.00 2005 60 Chad 379,800,000.00 2005 61 Laos 379,000,000.00 2006 est. 62 Tunisia 376,500,000.00 2005 63 Benin 374,700,000.00 2006 64 Korea, North 372,000,000.00 2007 est. 65 Algeria 370,600,000.00 2005 est. 66 Zimbabwe 367,700,000.00 2005 est. 67 Burundi 365,000,000.00 2005 68 Eritrea 355,200,000.00 2005 69 Sierra Leone 343,400,000.00 2005 est. 70 Kosovo 324,000,000.00 2007 71 Albania 318,700,000.00 2005 est. 72 Georgia 309,800,000.00 2005 est. 73 Hungary 302,600,000.00 2004 74 Czech Republic 278,700,000.00 2004 75 Kyrgyzstan 268,500,000.00 2005 76 El Salvador 267,600,000.00 2005 77 Papua New Guinea 266,100,000.00 2005 78 Guatemala 253,600,000.00 2005 est. 79 Lithuania 249,700,000.00 2004 80 Tajikistan 241,400,000.00 2005 81 Israel 240,000,000.00 FY06 82 Somalia 236,400,000.00 2005 est. 83 Liberia 236,200,000.00 2005 84 Slovakia 235,000,000.00 2004 85 Macedonia 230,300,000.00 2005 86 Kazakhstan 229,200,000.00 2005 87 Azerbaijan 223,400,000.00 2005 est. 88 Syria 213,000,000.00 2008 est. 89 Ecuador 209,500,000.00 2005 90 Mayotte 201,300,000.00 2005 91 Solomon Islands 198,200,000.00 2005 est. 92 Brazil 191,900,000.00 2005 93 Moldova 191,800,000.00 2005 94 Mauritania 190,400,000.00 2005 95 Mexico 189,400,000.00 2005 96 Timor-Leste 184,700,000.00 2005 est. 97 Guinea 182,100,000.00 2005 98 Armenia 180,000,000.00 2007 99 Uzbekistan 172,300,000.00 2005 100 Thailand 171,100,000.00 2005 101 Latvia 162,000,000.00 2004 102 Cape Verde 160,600,000.00 2005 103 Mongolia 159,500,000.00 2006 104 Burma 144,700,000.00 2005 est. 105 Guyana 136,800,000.00 2005 106 Estonia 135,500,000.00 2004 107 Croatia 125,400,000.00 2005 108 Namibia 123,400,000.00 2005 est. 109 Micronesia, Federated States of 106,400,000.00 2005 110 Faroe Islands 105,000,000.00 2005 111 Iran 104,000,000.00 2005 est. 112 Bahrain 103,900,000.00 2004 113 Argentina 99,660,000.00 2005 114 Central African Republic 95,290,000.00 2005 est. 115 Cuba 87,800,000.00 2005 est. 116 Togo 86,710,000.00 2005 est. 117 Guinea-Bissau 79,120,000.00 2005 118 Djibouti 78,600,000.00 2005 119 Dominican Republic 76,990,000.00 2005 120 Botswana 70,890,000.00 2005 121 Lesotho 68,820,000.00 2005 122 Korea, South 68,070,000.00 2004 123 Maldives 66,830,000.00 2005 124 Fiji 63,960,000.00 2005 125 Cote d'Ivoire 60,000,000.00 2007 est. 126 Gambia, The 58,150,000.00 2005 127 Marshall Islands 56,560,000.00 2005 128 Gabon 53,870,000.00 2005 129 Belarus 53,760,000.00 2005 130 Paraguay 51,090,000.00 2005 131 Venezuela 48,660,000.00 2005 132 Swaziland 46,030,000.00 2005 133 Grenada 44,870,000.00 2005 134 Suriname 43,970,000.00 2005 135 Samoa 43,950,000.00 2005 136 Vanuatu 39,480,000.00 2005 137 Equatorial Guinea 39,000,000.00 2005 138 Jamaica 35,740,000.00 2005 139 Mauritius 31,930,000.00 2005 140 Sao Tome and Principe 31,900,000.00 2005 141 Tonga 31,750,000.00 2005 142 Malaysia 31,600,000.00 2005 143 Oman 30,680,000.00 2005 144 Costa Rica 29,510,000.00 2005 145 Turkmenistan 28,250,000.00 2005 146 Kiribati 27,840,000.00 2005 147 Saint Helena 27,840,000.00 FY06/07 148 Saudi Arabia 26,290,000.00 2005 149 Comoros 25,230,000.00 2005 est. 150 Libya 24,440,000.00 2005 est. 151 Palau 23,460,000.00 2005 152 Netherlands Antilles 21,320,000.00 2004 153 Nauru 20,000,000.00 2005 154 Panama 19,540,000.00 2005 155 Seychelles 18,810,000.00 2005 156 Dominica 15,170,000.00 2005 est. 157 Cyprus 15,000,000.00 NA 158 Uruguay 14,620,000.00 2005 159 Macau 13,700,000.00 2004 160 Cook Islands 13,100,000.00 1995 161 Belize 12,910,000.00 2005 162 Aruba 11,300,000.00 2004 163 Saint Lucia 11,060,000.00 2005 164 Tuvalu 10,490,000.00 2006 165 Anguilla 9,000,000.00 2004 est. 166 Svalbard 8,200,000.00 1998 167 Antigua and Barbuda 7,230,000.00 2005 168 Hong Kong 6,950,000.00 2004 169 Malta 6,190,000.00 2004 170 United Arab Emirates 5,360,000.00 2004 171 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 4,890,000.00 2005 172 Bahamas, The 4,780,000.00 2004 173 Turks and Caicos Islands 4,100,000.00 1997 174 Saint Kitts and Nevis 3,520,000.00 2005 175 Pitcairn Islands 3,465,000.00 2004 176 Kuwait 2,600,000.00 2004 177 Niue 2,600,000.00 2002 178 Qatar 2,180,000.00 2004 179 Barbados 2,070,000.00 2005 180 Brunei 770,000.00 2004 181 Cayman Islands 390,000.00 2004 182 Trinidad and Tobago 200,000.00 2007 est. 183 Bermuda 90,000.00 2004 184 Andorra 0.00 NA 185 Chile 0.00 2006 186 Singapore 0.00 2007 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2065 Country Comparison :: Currency (code) Rank country Currency (code) Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2066 Country Comparison :: Death rate This entry gives the average annual number of deaths during a year per 1,000 population at midyear; also known as crude death rate. The death rate, while only a rough indicator of the mortality situation in a country, accurately indicates the current mortality impact on population growth. This indicator is significantly affected by age distribution, and most countries will eventually show a rise in the overall death rate, in spite of continued decline in mortality at all ages, as declining fertility results in an aging population. Rank country (deaths/1,000 population) Date of Information 1 Swaziland 30.83 July 2009 est. 2 Angola 24.08 July 2009 est. 3 Lesotho 22.20 July 2009 est. 4 Sierra Leone 21.91 July 2009 est. 5 Zambia 21.34 July 2009 est. 6 Liberia 20.73 July 2009 est. 7 Mozambique 20.07 July 2009 est. 8 Afghanistan 19.18 July 2009 est. 9 Djibouti 19.10 July 2009 est. 10 Central African Republic 17.84 July 2009 est. 11 Malawi 17.60 July 2009 est. 12 South Africa 16.99 July 2009 est. 13 Nigeria 16.56 July 2009 est. 14 Zimbabwe 16.19 July 2009 est. 15 Chad 16.09 July 2009 est. 16 Russia 16.06 July 2009 est. 17 Mali 15.82 July 2009 est. 18 Ukraine 15.81 July 2009 est. 19 Guinea-Bissau 15.79 July 2009 est. 20 Somalia 15.55 July 2009 est. 21 Niger 14.83 July 2009 est. 22 Bulgaria 14.31 July 2009 est. 23 Rwanda 14.02 July 2009 est. 24 Belarus 13.86 July 2009 est. 25 Serbia 13.86 2009 est. 26 Latvia 13.62 July 2009 est. 27 Estonia 13.42 July 2009 est. 28 Burkina Faso 13.30 July 2009 est. 29 Namibia 13.30 July 2009 est. 30 Hungary 12.94 July 2009 est. 31 Sudan 12.94 July 2009 est. 32 Gabon 12.76 July 2009 est. 33 Monaco 12.74 July 2009 est. 34 Burundi 12.67 July 2009 est. 35 Tanzania 12.59 July 2009 est. 36 Cameroon 12.20 July 2009 est. 37 Uganda 12.09 July 2009 est. 38 Congo, Republic of the 12.01 July 2009 est. 39 Romania 11.88 July 2009 est. 40 Croatia 11.75 July 2009 est. 41 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 11.63 July 2009 est. 42 Ethiopia 11.55 July 2009 est. 43 Gambia, The 11.49 July 2009 est. 44 Western Sahara 11.49 July 2009 est. 45 Lithuania 11.18 July 2009 est. 46 Guinea 11.00 July 2009 est. 47 Germany 10.90 July 2009 est. 48 Cote d'Ivoire 10.78 July 2009 est. 49 Moldova 10.78 July 2009 est. 50 Laos 10.78 July 2009 est. 51 Isle of Man 10.76 July 2009 est. 52 Czech Republic 10.74 July 2009 est. 53 Italy 10.72 July 2009 est. 54 Portugal 10.68 July 2009 est. 55 Slovenia 10.62 July 2009 est. 56 Korea, North 10.52 July 2009 est. 57 Greece 10.51 July 2009 est. 58 Belgium 10.44 July 2009 est. 59 Denmark 10.22 July 2009 est. 60 Sweden 10.21 July 2009 est. 61 Guernsey 10.16 July 2009 est. 62 Finland 10.07 July 2009 est. 63 Poland 10.05 July 2009 est. 64 United Kingdom 10.02 July 2009 est. 65 Spain 9.99 July 2009 est. 66 Austria 9.98 July 2009 est. 67 Senegal 9.75 July 2009 est. 68 Kenya 9.72 July 2009 est. 69 Georgia 9.65 July 2009 est. 70 Gibraltar 9.56 July 2009 est. 71 Japan 9.54 July 2009 est. 72 Slovakia 9.53 July 2009 est. 73 Equatorial Guinea 9.49 July 2009 est. 74 Benin 9.45 July 2009 est. 75 Kazakhstan 9.39 July 2009 est. 76 Togo 9.33 July 2009 est. 77 Bahamas, The 9.32 July 2009 est. 78 Norway 9.29 July 2009 est. 79 Jersey 9.26 July 2009 est. 80 Ghana 9.24 July 2009 est. 81 Bangladesh 9.23 July 2009 est. 82 Mauritania 9.16 July 2009 est. 83 Burma 9.14 July 2009 est. 84 Uruguay 9.09 July 2009 est. 85 Macedonia 8.83 July 2009 est. 86 Netherlands 8.74 July 2009 est. 87 Faroe Islands 8.66 July 2009 est. 88 Haiti 8.65 July 2009 est. 89 Bosnia and Herzegovina 8.63 July 2009 est. 90 Montenegro 8.63 July 2009 est. 91 Switzerland 8.59 July 2009 est. 92 France 8.56 July 2009 est. 93 Botswana 8.52 July 2009 est. 94 San Marino 8.48 July 2009 est. 95 Luxembourg 8.44 July 2009 est. 96 Montserrat 8.44 July 2009 est. 97 Eritrea 8.43 July 2009 est. 98 Barbados 8.41 July 2009 est. 99 Armenia 8.39 July 2009 est. 100 Malta 8.38 July 2009 est. 101 United States 8.38 July 2009 est. 102 Guyana 8.31 July 2009 est. 103 Azerbaijan 8.30 July 2009 est. 104 Dominica 8.20 July 2009 est. 105 World 8.20 2009 est. 106 Greenland 8.14 July 2009 est. 107 Madagascar 8.14 July 2009 est. 108 Trinidad and Tobago 8.11 July 2009 est. 109 Cambodia 8.08 July 2009 est. 110 Saint Kitts and Nevis 8.05 July 2009 est. 111 Palau 7.89 July 2009 est. 112 Kiribati 7.85 July 2009 est. 113 Cyprus 7.80 July 2009 est. 114 Ireland 7.75 July 2009 est. 115 Puerto Rico 7.75 July 2009 est. 116 Canada 7.74 July 2009 est. 117 Aruba 7.71 July 2009 est. 118 Pakistan 7.68 July 2009 est. 119 Yemen 7.61 July 2009 est. 120 Comoros 7.57 July 2009 est. 121 Vanuatu 7.55 July 2009 est. 122 Argentina 7.41 July 2009 est. 123 Bhutan 7.39 July 2009 est. 124 Liechtenstein 7.39 July 2009 est. 125 Bermuda 7.30 July 2009 est. 126 Thailand 7.25 July 2009 est. 127 Cuba 7.24 July 2009 est. 128 Mayotte 7.20 July 2009 est. 129 China 7.06 July 2009 est. 130 Bolivia 7.05 July 2009 est. 131 New Zealand 7.05 July 2009 est. 132 Nepal 6.97 July 2009 est. 133 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 6.95 July 2009 est. 134 Tuvalu 6.95 July 2009 est. 135 Seychelles 6.93 July 2009 est. 136 Kyrgyzstan 6.91 July 2009 est. 137 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 6.91 July 2009 est. 138 Papua New Guinea 6.86 July 2009 est. 139 Iceland 6.85 July 2009 est. 140 Tajikistan 6.83 July 2009 est. 141 Saint Lucia 6.80 July 2009 est. 142 Hong Kong 6.76 July 2009 est. 143 Taiwan 6.76 July 2009 est. 144 Virgin Islands 6.75 July 2009 est. 145 Australia 6.74 July 2009 est. 146 Saint Helena 6.68 July 2009 est. 147 Mauritius 6.59 July 2009 est. 148 Netherlands Antilles 6.48 July 2009 est. 149 Jamaica 6.43 July 2009 est. 150 Nauru 6.42 July 2009 est. 151 Brazil 6.35 July 2009 est. 152 Turkmenistan 6.31 July 2009 est. 153 Indonesia 6.25 July 2009 est. 154 India 6.23 July 2009 est. 155 Cape Verde 6.22 July 2009 est. 156 Vietnam 6.17 July 2009 est. 157 Peru 6.14 July 2009 est. 158 Sri Lanka 6.13 July 2009 est. 159 Mongolia 6.12 July 2009 est. 160 Turkey 6.10 July 2009 est. 161 Grenada 6.09 July 2009 est. 162 Lebanon 6.03 July 2009 est. 163 Timor-Leste 5.98 July 2009 est. 164 Antigua and Barbuda 5.94 July 2009 est. 165 Korea, South 5.94 July 2009 est. 166 Andorra 5.89 July 2009 est. 167 Chile 5.84 July 2009 est. 168 Belize 5.80 July 2009 est. 169 Sao Tome and Principe 5.80 July 2009 est. 170 Samoa 5.79 July 2009 est. 171 Iran 5.72 July 2009 est. 172 New Caledonia 5.68 July 2009 est. 173 Fiji 5.66 July 2009 est. 174 Albania 5.55 July 2009 est. 175 Colombia 5.54 July 2009 est. 176 Suriname 5.51 July 2009 est. 177 El Salvador 5.47 July 2009 est. 178 Morocco 5.45 July 2009 est. 179 Israel 5.43 July 2009 est. 180 Honduras 5.41 July 2009 est. 181 Uzbekistan 5.29 July 2009 est. 182 Dominican Republic 5.28 July 2009 est. 183 Tunisia 5.20 July 2009 est. 184 Venezuela 5.12 July 2009 est. 185 Guatemala 5.11 July 2009 est. 186 Philippines 5.10 July 2009 est. 187 Egypt 5.08 July 2009 est. 188 Iraq 5.03 July 2009 est. 189 Malaysia 5.02 July 2009 est. 190 Tonga 5.02 July 2009 est. 191 Ecuador 4.99 July 2009 est. 192 Cayman Islands 4.89 July 2009 est. 193 Mexico 4.80 July 2009 est. 194 French Polynesia 4.73 July 2009 est. 195 Panama 4.66 July 2009 est. 196 Singapore 4.66 July 2009 est. 197 Algeria 4.64 July 2009 est. 198 Syria 4.61 July 2009 est. 199 Marshall Islands 4.49 July 2009 est. 200 Micronesia, Federated States of 4.46 July 2009 est. 201 Paraguay 4.46 July 2009 est. 202 Bahrain 4.37 July 2009 est. 203 British Virgin Islands 4.37 July 2009 est. 204 Anguilla 4.36 July 2009 est. 205 Costa Rica 4.34 July 2009 est. 206 Nicaragua 4.30 July 2009 est. 207 Turks and Caicos Islands 4.18 July 2009 est. 208 American Samoa 4.10 July 2009 est. 209 Solomon Islands 3.77 July 2009 est. 210 West Bank 3.66 July 2009 est. 211 Oman 3.65 July 2009 est. 212 Maldives 3.65 July 2009 est. 213 Macau 3.50 July 2009 est. 214 Libya 3.45 July 2009 est. 215 Gaza Strip 3.44 July 2009 est. 216 Brunei 3.29 July 2009 est. 217 Jordan 2.75 July 2009 est. 218 Saudi Arabia 2.47 July 2009 est. 219 Qatar 2.46 July 2009 est. 220 Kuwait 2.35 July 2009 est. 221 Northern Mariana Islands 2.32 July 2009 est. 222 United Arab Emirates 2.11 July 2009 est. ====================================================================== Rank code: 2068 Country Comparison :: Dependent areas This entry contains an alphabetical listing of all nonindependent entities associated in some way with a particular independent state. Rank country Dependent areas Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2070 Country Comparison :: Disputes - international This entry includes a wide variety of situations that range from traditional bilateral boundary disputes to unilateral claims of one sort or another. Information regarding disputes over international terrestrial and maritime boundaries has been reviewed by the US Department of State. References to other situations involving borders or frontiers may also be included, such as resource disputes, geopolitical questions, or irredentist issues; however, inclusion does not necessarily constitute official acceptance or recognition by the US Government. Rank country Disputes - international Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2075 Country Comparison :: Ethnic groups This entry provides an ordered listing of ethnic groups starting with the largest and normally includes the percent of total population. Rank country (%) Date of Information 1 Lesotho 99.70 NA 2 Mozambique 99.66 NA 3 Egypt 99.60 2006 census 4 Zambia 99.50 2000 Census 5 Morocco 99.10 NA 6 Algeria 99.00 NA 7 Gambia, The 99.00 2003 census 8 Guinea-Bissau 99.00 NA 9 Togo 99.00 NA 10 Tanzania 99.00 NA 11 Kiribati 98.80 2000 census 12 Japan 98.50 2004 13 Vanuatu 98.50 1999 Census 14 Bangladesh 98.00 1998 15 Jordan 98.00 NA 16 Zimbabwe 98.00 NA 17 Tunisia 98.00 NA 18 Armenia 97.90 2001 census 19 Argentina 97.00 NA 20 Swaziland 97.00 NA 21 Libya 97.00 NA 22 Poland 96.70 2002 census 23 Tuvalu 96.00 NA 24 Chile 95.40 2002 census 25 Albania 95.00 NA 26 Lebanon 95.00 NA 27 Paraguay 95.00 NA 28 Liberia 95.00 NA 29 Hong Kong 95.00 2006 census 30 Haiti 95.00 NA 31 Mongolia 94.90 2000 32 Solomon Islands 94.50 1999 census 33 Norway 94.40 2007 estimate 34 Macau 94.30 2006 census 35 Costa Rica 94.00 NA 36 Iceland 94.00 NA 37 Finland 93.40 2006 38 Greece 93.00 NA 39 Samoa 92.60 2001 census 40 Hungary 92.30 2001 census 41 Marshall Islands 92.10 2006 42 United Kingdom 92.10 2001 census 43 Australia 92.00 NA 44 American Samoa 91.60 2000 census 45 China 91.50 2000 census 46 Germany 91.50 NA 47 Jamaica 91.20 2001 census 48 Austria 91.10 2001 census 49 Antigua and Barbuda 91.00 2001 census 50 Azerbaijan 90.60 NA 51 Czech Republic 90.40 2001 census 52 Syria 90.30 NA 53 Anguilla 90.10 2001 census 54 Barbados 90.00 NA 55 Cambodia 90.00 NA 56 Honduras 90.00 NA 57 El Salvador 90.00 NA 58 Saudi Arabia 90.00 NA 59 Turks and Caicos Islands 90.00 NA 60 Sierra Leone 90.00 NA 61 Croatia 89.60 2001 census 62 Romania 89.50 2002 census 63 Greenland 88.00 2000 64 Kosovo 88.00 NA 65 Uruguay 88.00 NA 66 Cook Islands 87.70 2001 census 67 Namibia 87.50 NA 68 Ireland 87.40 2006 census 69 Dominica 86.80 2001 census 70 Vietnam 86.20 1999 census 71 Slovakia 85.80 2001 census 72 Equatorial Guinea 85.70 1994 census 73 Bahamas, The 85.00 NA 74 Somalia 85.00 NA 75 Turkmenistan 85.00 2003 76 Burundi 85.00 NA 77 Netherlands Antilles 85.00 NA 78 Rwanda 84.00 NA 79 Taiwan 84.00 NA 80 Bulgaria 83.90 2001 census 81 Georgia 83.80 2002 census 82 Lithuania 83.40 2001 census 83 British Virgin Islands 83.40 2004 Census 84 Slovenia 83.10 2002 census 85 West Bank 83.00 NA 86 Serbia 82.90 2002 census 87 Saint Lucia 82.50 2001 census 88 Grenada 82.00 NA 89 Belarus 81.20 1999 census 90 Netherlands 80.70 2008 est. 91 Aruba 80.00 NA 92 Uzbekistan 80.00 NA 93 United States 79.96 NA 94 Tajikistan 79.90 2000 census 95 Russia 79.80 2002 census 96 Botswana 79.00 NA 97 South Africa 79.00 2001 census 98 Moldova 78.20 NA 99 Niue 78.20 2001 census 100 French Polynesia 78.00 NA 101 Ukraine 77.80 2001 census 102 Cyprus 77.00 2001 103 Singapore 76.80 2000 census 104 Israel 76.40 NA 105 Puerto Rico 76.20 2007 106 Virgin Islands 76.20 2000 census 107 Thailand 75.00 NA 108 Sri Lanka 73.80 NA 109 Dominican Republic 73.00 NA 110 India 72.00 2000 111 Cape Verde 71.00 NA 112 Christmas Island 70.00 2001 113 Panama 70.00 NA 114 Palau 69.90 2000 census 115 New Zealand 69.80 2001 census 116 Nicaragua 69.00 NA 117 Burma 68.00 NA 118 Mauritius 68.00 NA 119 Estonia 67.90 2000 census 120 Brunei 66.30 2004 est. 121 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 66.00 NA 122 Liechtenstein 65.60 2000 census 123 Cuba 65.10 2002 census 124 Ecuador 65.00 NA 125 Switzerland 65.00 NA 126 Kyrgyzstan 64.90 1999 census 127 Macedonia 64.20 2002 census 128 Luxembourg 63.10 2000 census 129 Bahrain 62.40 2001 census 130 Djibouti 60.00 NA 131 Mexico 60.00 NA 132 Guatemala 59.40 2001 census 133 Belgium 58.00 NA 134 Colombia 58.00 NA 135 Nauru 58.00 NA 136 Latvia 57.70 2002 137 Fiji 57.30 2007 census 138 Northern Mariana Islands 56.30 2000 census 139 Niger 55.40 2001 census 140 Svalbard 55.40 1998 141 Laos 55.00 2005 census 142 Bermuda 54.80 2000 census 143 Brazil 53.70 2000 census 144 Kazakhstan 53.40 1999 census 145 Sudan 52.00 NA 146 Jersey 51.10 2001 census 147 Iran 51.00 NA 148 Malaysia 50.40 2004 est. 149 United Arab Emirates 50.00 NA 150 Eritrea 50.00 NA 151 Bhutan 50.00 NA 152 Saint Helena 50.00 NA 153 Mali 50.00 NA 154 Micronesia, Federated States of 48.80 2000 census 155 Belize 48.70 2000 census 156 Bosnia and Herzegovina 48.00 NA 157 Congo, Republic of the 48.00 NA 158 Monaco 47.00 NA 159 Ghana 45.30 2000 census 160 Kuwait 45.00 NA 161 Peru 45.00 NA 162 Pakistan 44.68 NA 163 Svalbard 44.30 1998 164 New Caledonia 44.10 1996 census 165 Guyana 43.50 2002 census 166 Senegal 43.30 NA 167 Andorra 43.00 1998 168 Montenegro 43.00 2003 census 169 Cote d'Ivoire 42.10 1998 170 Afghanistan 42.00 NA 171 Indonesia 40.60 2000 census 172 Cayman Islands 40.00 NA 173 Guinea 40.00 NA 174 Eritrea 40.00 NA 175 Qatar 40.00 NA 176 Trinidad and Tobago 40.00 2000 census 177 Mauritania 40.00 NA 178 Benin 39.20 2002 census 179 Sudan 39.00 NA 180 Brazil 38.50 2000 census 181 Bahrain 37.60 2001 census 182 Fiji 37.60 2007 census 183 Trinidad and Tobago 37.50 2000 census 184 Bosnia and Herzegovina 37.10 NA 185 Angola 37.00 NA 186 Suriname 37.00 NA 187 Peru 37.00 NA 188 Northern Mariana Islands 36.30 2000 census 189 Bhutan 35.00 NA 190 Kuwait 35.00 NA 191 Djibouti 35.00 NA 192 Jersey 34.80 2001 census 193 Liechtenstein 34.40 2000 census 194 Bermuda 34.10 2000 census 195 New Caledonia 34.10 1996 census 196 Andorra 33.00 1998 197 Central African Republic 33.00 NA 198 Nepal 32.70 2001 census 199 Ethiopia 32.10 1994 census 200 Montenegro 32.00 2003 census 201 Belgium 31.00 NA 202 Cameroon 31.00 NA 203 Suriname 31.00 NA 204 Guyana 30.20 2002 census 205 Ethiopia 30.10 1994 census 206 Bolivia 30.00 NA 207 Mexico 30.00 NA 208 Mauritania 30.00 NA 209 Mauritania 30.00 NA 210 Bolivia 30.00 NA 211 Kazakhstan 30.00 1999 census 212 Guinea 30.00 NA 213 Indonesia 29.90 2000 census 214 Latvia 29.60 2002 215 Uganda 29.60 2002 census 216 Nigeria 29.00 NA 217 Philippines 28.10 2000 census 218 Canada 28.00 NA 219 Cape Verde 28.00 NA 220 Chad 27.70 1993 census 221 Afghanistan 27.00 NA 222 Central African Republic 27.00 NA 223 Mauritius 27.00 NA 224 Canada 26.00 NA 225 Nauru 26.00 NA 226 Laos 26.00 2005 census 227 Estonia 25.60 2000 census 228 Philippines 25.30 2000 census 229 Macedonia 25.20 2002 census 230 Angola 25.00 NA 231 India 25.00 2000 232 Saint Helena 25.00 NA 233 Saint Helena 25.00 NA 234 Ecuador 25.00 NA 235 Bolivia 25.00 NA 236 Belize 24.90 2000 census 237 Cuba 24.80 2002 census 238 Micronesia, Federated States of 24.20 2000 census 239 Iran 24.00 NA 240 Senegal 23.80 NA 241 Malaysia 23.70 2004 est. 242 Israel 23.60 NA 243 United Arab Emirates 23.00 NA 244 Canada 23.00 NA 245 Angola 22.00 NA 246 Kenya 22.00 NA 247 Monaco 21.00 NA 248 Niger 21.00 2001 census 249 Nigeria 21.00 NA 250 Trinidad and Tobago 20.50 2000 census 251 Aruba 20.00 NA 252 Cayman Islands 20.00 NA 253 Colombia 20.00 NA 254 Christmas Island 20.00 2001 255 Guinea 20.00 NA 256 Cayman Islands 20.00 NA 257 Cayman Islands 20.00 NA 258 Congo, Republic of the 20.00 NA 259 Brunei 19.10 2004 est. 260 United Arab Emirates 19.00 NA 261 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 19.00 NA 262 Cameroon 19.00 NA 263 Cyprus 18.00 2001 264 Qatar 18.00 NA 265 Nigeria 18.00 NA 266 Qatar 18.00 NA 267 Switzerland 18.00 NA 268 Cote d'Ivoire 17.60 1998 269 Ukraine 17.30 2001 census 270 Congo, Republic of the 17.00 NA 271 Nicaragua 17.00 NA 272 West Bank 17.00 NA 273 Mali 17.00 NA 274 Uganda 16.90 2002 census 275 Guyana 16.70 2002 census 276 Cote d'Ivoire 16.50 1998 277 Dominican Republic 16.00 NA 278 Monaco 16.00 NA 279 Monaco 16.00 NA 280 Nepal 15.50 2001 census 281 Pakistan 15.42 NA 282 Ethiopia 15.40 1994 census 283 Palau 15.30 2000 census 284 Tajikistan 15.30 2000 census 285 Benin 15.20 2002 census 286 Ghana 15.20 2000 census 287 Bolivia 15.00 NA 288 Bhutan 15.00 NA 289 Canada 15.00 NA 290 Suriname 15.00 NA 291 Indonesia 15.00 2000 census 292 Kenya 15.00 NA 293 Netherlands Antilles 15.00 NA 294 Peru 15.00 NA 295 Somalia 15.00 NA 296 Rwanda 15.00 NA 297 Senegal 14.70 NA 298 Bosnia and Herzegovina 14.30 NA 299 Pakistan 14.10 NA 300 Burundi 14.00 NA 301 Kenya 14.00 NA 302 Thailand 14.00 NA 303 Taiwan 14.00 NA 304 Qatar 14.00 NA 305 Panama 14.00 NA 306 Colombia 14.00 NA 307 Singapore 13.90 2000 census 308 Kyrgyzstan 13.80 1999 census 309 Luxembourg 13.30 2000 census 310 Philippines 13.10 2000 census 311 Virgin Islands 13.10 2000 census 312 Angola 13.00 NA 313 Kenya 13.00 NA 314 Grenada 13.00 NA 315 Central African Republic 13.00 NA 316 Cameroon 13.00 NA 317 United States 12.85 NA 318 Kyrgyzstan 12.50 1999 census 319 Nepal 12.50 2001 census 320 Benin 12.30 2002 census 321 Chad 12.30 1993 census 322 Russia 12.10 2002 census 323 Bahamas, The 12.00 NA 324 Slovenia 12.00 2002 census 325 Puerto Rico 12.00 2007 326 French Polynesia 12.00 NA 327 Congo, Republic of the 12.00 NA 328 Kenya 12.00 NA 329 Mali 12.00 NA 330 Montenegro 12.00 2003 census 331 Greenland 12.00 2000 332 Saint Lucia 11.90 2001 census 333 Ghana 11.70 2000 census 334 Chad 11.50 1993 census 335 Belarus 11.40 1999 census 336 Brunei 11.20 2004 est. 337 Andorra 11.00 1998 338 Cameroon 11.00 NA 339 Kenya 11.00 NA 340 Malaysia 11.00 2004 est. 341 Thailand 11.00 NA 342 Laos 11.00 2005 census 343 Cote d'Ivoire 11.00 1998 344 Dominican Republic 11.00 NA 345 Botswana 11.00 NA 346 Belgium 11.00 NA 347 Belize 10.60 2000 census 348 Niue 10.20 2001 census 349 Cuba 10.10 2002 census 350 Sri Lanka 10.00 NA 351 Central African Republic 10.00 NA 352 Cameroon 10.00 NA 353 Guinea 10.00 NA 354 Cote d'Ivoire 10.00 1998 355 Christmas Island 10.00 2001 356 Turks and Caicos Islands 10.00 NA 357 Switzerland 10.00 NA 358 Sierra Leone 10.00 NA 359 Saudi Arabia 10.00 NA 360 Qatar 10.00 NA 361 Panama 10.00 NA 362 Suriname 10.00 NA 363 Nigeria 10.00 NA 364 Mali 10.00 NA 365 Belize 9.70 2000 census 366 Slovakia 9.70 2001 census 367 Syria 9.70 NA 368 South Africa 9.60 2001 census 369 British Virgin Islands 9.60 2004 Census 370 Uganda 9.50 2002 census 371 Bulgaria 9.40 2001 census 372 Senegal 9.40 NA 373 Niger 9.30 2001 census 374 Benin 9.20 2002 census 375 Guatemala 9.10 2001 census 376 Guyana 9.10 2002 census 377 Afghanistan 9.00 NA 378 Nicaragua 9.00 NA 379 New Caledonia 9.00 1996 census 380 Mexico 9.00 NA 381 Kuwait 9.00 NA 382 Chad 9.00 1993 census 383 Burma 9.00 NA 384 Afghanistan 9.00 NA 385 El Salvador 9.00 NA 386 Philippines 9.00 2000 census 387 Dominica 8.90 2001 census 388 South Africa 8.90 2001 census 389 Chad 8.70 1993 census 390 Guatemala 8.60 2001 census 391 China 8.50 2000 census 392 Niger 8.50 2001 census 393 Guatemala 8.40 2001 census 394 Uganda 8.40 2002 census 395 Moldova 8.40 NA 396 Pakistan 8.38 NA 397 United Arab Emirates 8.00 NA 398 Uruguay 8.00 NA 399 Serbia 8.00 2002 census 400 Nauru 8.00 NA 401 Nauru 8.00 NA 402 Montenegro 8.00 2003 census 403 Laos 8.00 2005 census 404 Iran 8.00 NA 405 Cameroon 8.00 NA 406 Guatemala 7.90 2001 census 407 Singapore 7.90 2000 census 408 New Zealand 7.90 2001 census 409 Ghana 7.80 2000 census 410 Malaysia 7.80 2004 est. 411 New Zealand 7.80 2001 census 412 Philippines 7.60 2000 census 413 Pakistan 7.57 NA 414 Ireland 7.50 2006 census 415 Philippines 7.50 2000 census 416 Ghana 7.30 2000 census 417 Luxembourg 7.30 2000 census 418 Sri Lanka 7.20 NA 419 Malaysia 7.10 2004 est. 420 Andorra 7.00 1998 421 Australia 7.00 NA 422 Greece 7.00 NA 423 Samoa 7.00 2001 census 424 Nepal 7.00 2001 census 425 Kosovo 7.00 NA 426 Kuwait 7.00 NA 427 Iran 7.00 NA 428 Honduras 7.00 NA 429 Botswana 7.00 NA 430 Ecuador 7.00 NA 431 Central African Republic 7.00 NA 432 British Virgin Islands 7.00 2004 Census 433 Cameroon 7.00 NA 434 Burma 7.00 NA 435 Benin 7.00 2002 census 436 Puerto Rico 6.90 2007 437 Uganda 6.90 2002 census 438 Chad 6.70 1993 census 439 Lithuania 6.70 2001 census 440 Jersey 6.60 2001 census 441 Romania 6.60 2002 census 442 Nepal 6.60 2001 census 443 Chad 6.50 1993 census 444 Namibia 6.50 NA 445 Georgia 6.50 2002 census 446 Equatorial Guinea 6.50 1994 census 447 Cook Islands 6.50 2001 census 448 Bermuda 6.40 2000 census 449 Uganda 6.40 2002 census 450 Jersey 6.40 2001 census 451 Chad 6.40 1993 census 452 Micronesia, Federated States of 6.40 2000 census 453 Chad 6.30 1993 census 454 Guatemala 6.30 2001 census 455 Lithuania 6.30 2001 census 456 Pakistan 6.28 NA 457 Brazil 6.20 2000 census 458 Ethiopia 6.20 1994 census 459 Jamaica 6.20 2001 census 460 Micronesia, Federated States of 6.20 2000 census 461 Belize 6.10 2000 census 462 Germany 6.10 NA 463 Uganda 6.10 2002 census 464 Virgin Islands 6.10 2000 census 465 Benin 6.10 2002 census 466 Andorra 6.00 1998 467 Barbados 6.00 NA 468 Namibia 6.00 NA 469 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 6.00 NA 470 Turkmenistan 6.00 2003 471 Switzerland 6.00 NA 472 Sudan 6.00 NA 473 Philippines 6.00 2000 census 474 Panama 6.00 NA 475 Mali 6.00 NA 476 Kenya 6.00 NA 477 Kenya 6.00 NA 478 Iceland 6.00 NA 479 French Polynesia 6.00 NA 480 Canada 6.00 NA 481 Ethiopia 5.90 1994 census 482 Marshall Islands 5.90 2006 483 Croatia 5.90 2001 census 484 Cook Islands 5.80 2001 census 485 Moldova 5.80 NA 486 Hungary 5.80 2001 census 487 Georgia 5.70 2002 census 488 New Zealand 5.70 2001 census 489 Kyrgyzstan 5.70 1999 census 490 Macau 5.70 2006 census 491 Finland 5.60 2006 492 Nepal 5.50 2001 census 493 Uzbekistan 5.50 NA 494 Nepal 5.40 2001 census 495 Micronesia, Federated States of 5.20 2000 census 496 New Caledonia 5.20 1996 census 497 Luxembourg 5.20 2000 census 498 Burma 5.00 NA 499 Nicaragua 5.00 NA 500 Netherlands 5.00 2008 est. 501 Mali 5.00 NA 502 Montenegro 5.00 2003 census 503 Mongolia 5.00 2000 504 Kosovo 5.00 NA 505 Iraq 5.00 NA 506 Cyprus 5.00 2001 507 Djibouti 5.00 NA 508 Uzbekistan 5.00 NA 509 Turkmenistan 5.00 2003 510 Paraguay 5.00 NA 511 Cambodia 5.00 NA 512 Haiti 5.00 NA 513 Grenada 5.00 NA 514 Kazakhstan 4.90 1999 census 515 Palau 4.90 2000 census 516 Northern Mariana Islands 4.80 2000 census 517 Netherlands 4.80 2008 est. 518 Bulgaria 4.70 2001 census 519 Chad 4.70 1993 census 520 Uganda 4.70 2002 census 521 Niger 4.70 2001 census 522 Anguilla 4.60 2001 census 523 Uganda 4.60 2002 census 524 Sri Lanka 4.60 NA 525 Micronesia, Federated States of 4.50 2000 census 526 Niue 4.50 2001 census 527 Luxembourg 4.50 2000 census 528 Croatia 4.50 2001 census 529 United States 4.43 NA 530 Antigua and Barbuda 4.40 2001 census 531 Moldova 4.40 NA 532 Puerto Rico 4.40 2007 533 New Zealand 4.40 2001 census 534 Bermuda 4.30 2000 census 535 Luxembourg 4.30 2000 census 536 Ethiopia 4.30 1994 census 537 American Samoa 4.20 2000 census 538 Nepal 4.20 2001 census 539 Uganda 4.20 2002 census 540 Latvia 4.10 2002 541 Vietnam 4.10 1999 census 542 Afghanistan 4.00 NA 543 Afghanistan 4.00 NA 544 Austria 4.00 2001 census 545 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 4.00 NA 546 Uruguay 4.00 NA 547 Turkmenistan 4.00 2003 548 Tuvalu 4.00 NA 549 Nigeria 4.00 NA 550 Lebanon 4.00 NA 551 Kuwait 4.00 NA 552 Ghana 4.00 2000 census 553 French Polynesia 4.00 NA 554 Czech Republic 4.00 2001 census 555 Eritrea 4.00 NA 556 Central African Republic 4.00 NA 557 Central African Republic 4.00 NA 558 Colombia 4.00 NA 559 Chile 4.00 2002 census 560 Cambodia 4.00 NA 561 Benin 4.00 2002 census 562 Burma 4.00 NA 563 Barbados 4.00 NA 564 Azerbaijan 3.90 NA 565 Serbia 3.90 2002 census 566 Nepal 3.90 2001 census 567 Nepal 3.90 2001 census 568 Niue 3.90 2001 census 569 Macedonia 3.90 2002 census 570 Fiji 3.90 2007 census 571 Belarus 3.90 1999 census 572 Sri Lanka 3.90 NA 573 New Zealand 3.80 2001 census 574 Russia 3.80 2002 census 575 Anguilla 3.70 2001 census 576 Senegal 3.70 NA 577 Czech Republic 3.70 2001 census 578 Kazakhstan 3.70 1999 census 579 Equatorial Guinea 3.60 1994 census 580 Lithuania 3.60 2001 census 581 Norway 3.60 2007 estimate 582 Ghana 3.60 2000 census 583 Pakistan 3.57 NA 584 Ethiopia 3.50 1994 census 585 Nigeria 3.50 NA 586 Virgin Islands 3.50 2000 census 587 Brunei 3.40 2004 est. 588 Philippines 3.40 2000 census 589 Indonesia 3.30 2000 census 590 Palau 3.20 2000 census 591 Saint Lucia 3.10 2001 census 592 Afghanistan 3.00 NA 593 Albania 3.00 NA 594 Bahamas, The 3.00 NA 595 Burma 3.00 NA 596 Eritrea 3.00 NA 597 Eritrea 3.00 NA 598 Ecuador 3.00 NA 599 Costa Rica 3.00 NA 600 Colombia 3.00 NA 601 Congo, Republic of the 3.00 NA 602 Solomon Islands 3.00 1999 census 603 Botswana 3.00 NA 604 Argentina 3.00 NA 605 Swaziland 3.00 NA 606 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3.00 NA 607 Uzbekistan 3.00 NA 608 Senegal 3.00 NA 609 Peru 3.00 NA 610 Niue 3.00 2001 census 611 Mauritius 3.00 NA 612 Libya 3.00 NA 613 Iran 3.00 NA 614 India 3.00 2000 615 Antigua and Barbuda 2.90 2001 census 616 Benin 2.90 2002 census 617 Dominica 2.90 2001 census 618 American Samoa 2.80 2000 census 619 Nepal 2.80 2001 census 620 Cote d'Ivoire 2.80 1998 621 Indonesia 2.70 2000 census 622 Latvia 2.70 2002 623 Poland 2.70 2002 census 624 Uganda 2.70 2002 census 625 Macedonia 2.70 2002 census 626 Ghana 2.60 2000 census 627 New Caledonia 2.60 1996 census 628 Tajikistan 2.60 2000 census 629 Jamaica 2.60 2001 census 630 Benin 2.50 2002 census 631 Uzbekistan 2.50 NA 632 Uzbekistan 2.50 NA 633 South Africa 2.50 2001 census 634 Romania 2.50 2002 census 635 Nigeria 2.50 NA 636 New Caledonia 2.50 1996 census 637 Liberia 2.50 NA 638 Liberia 2.50 NA 639 Latvia 2.50 2002 640 Kazakhstan 2.50 1999 census 641 Georgia 2.50 2002 census 642 Austria 2.40 2001 census 643 Saint Lucia 2.40 2001 census 644 Palau 2.40 2000 census 645 Netherlands 2.40 2008 est. 646 Germany 2.40 NA 647 Indonesia 2.40 2000 census 648 Kazakhstan 2.40 1999 census 649 Indonesia 2.40 2000 census 650 Ethiopia 2.40 1994 census 651 Belarus 2.40 1999 census 652 Luxembourg 2.30 2000 census 653 Azerbaijan 2.20 NA 654 Netherlands 2.20 2008 est. 655 Macedonia 2.20 2002 census 656 Estonia 2.20 2000 census 657 Estonia 2.10 2000 census 658 Hong Kong 2.10 2006 census 659 Afghanistan 2.00 NA 660 Albania 2.00 NA 661 Burma 2.00 NA 662 Bangladesh 2.00 1998 663 Angola 2.00 NA 664 Burma 2.00 NA 665 Bulgaria 2.00 2001 census 666 Canada 2.00 NA 667 United Kingdom 2.00 2001 census 668 Taiwan 2.00 NA 669 Sudan 2.00 NA 670 Slovenia 2.00 2002 census 671 Russia 2.00 2002 census 672 Marshall Islands 2.00 2006 673 Suriname 2.00 NA 674 Suriname 2.00 NA 675 Suriname 2.00 NA 676 Norway 2.00 2007 estimate 677 Netherlands 2.00 2008 est. 678 Netherlands 2.00 2008 est. 679 Mauritius 2.00 NA 680 Latvia 2.00 2002 681 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2.00 NA 682 Iran 2.00 NA 683 Iran 2.00 NA 684 Iran 2.00 NA 685 Indonesia 2.00 2000 census 686 Honduras 2.00 NA 687 Central African Republic 2.00 NA 688 Czech Republic 1.90 2001 census 689 Hungary 1.90 2001 census 690 Vietnam 1.90 1999 census 691 Palau 1.90 2000 census 692 Moldova 1.90 NA 693 Azerbaijan 1.80 NA 694 Micronesia, Federated States of 1.80 2000 census 695 Slovakia 1.80 2001 census 696 Northern Mariana Islands 1.80 2000 census 697 Serbia 1.80 2002 census 698 United Kingdom 1.80 2001 census 699 Ukraine 1.80 2001 census 700 Slovenia 1.80 2002 census 701 Macedonia 1.80 2002 census 702 Antigua and Barbuda 1.70 2001 census 703 Indonesia 1.70 2000 census 704 Vietnam 1.70 1999 census 705 Kazakhstan 1.70 1999 census 706 Slovakia 1.70 2001 census 707 United States 1.61 NA 708 Austria 1.60 2001 census 709 Equatorial Guinea 1.60 1994 census 710 United Kingdom 1.60 2001 census 711 Hong Kong 1.60 2006 census 712 Benin 1.60 2002 census 713 Ireland 1.60 2006 census 714 Azerbaijan 1.50 NA 715 Anguilla 1.50 2001 census 716 Georgia 1.50 2002 census 717 Micronesia, Federated States of 1.50 2000 census 718 Vanuatu 1.50 1999 Census 719 Vietnam 1.50 1999 census 720 Uzbekistan 1.50 NA 721 Equatorial Guinea 1.40 1994 census 722 Kazakhstan 1.40 1999 census 723 Latvia 1.40 2002 724 Palau 1.40 2000 census 725 Vietnam 1.40 1999 census 726 Singapore 1.40 2000 census 727 Serbia 1.40 2002 census 728 New Caledonia 1.40 1996 census 729 Ghana 1.40 2000 census 730 Micronesia, Federated States of 1.40 2000 census 731 Armenia 1.30 2001 census 732 United Kingdom 1.30 2001 census 733 Moldova 1.30 NA 734 Hong Kong 1.30 2006 census 735 Estonia 1.30 2000 census 736 Ireland 1.30 2006 census 737 Solomon Islands 1.20 1999 census 738 Russia 1.20 2002 census 739 United Kingdom 1.20 2001 census 740 Trinidad and Tobago 1.20 2000 census 741 Niger 1.20 2001 census 742 Kiribati 1.20 2000 census 743 Fiji 1.20 2007 census 744 American Samoa 1.10 2000 census 745 Solomon Islands 1.10 1999 census 746 Kyrgyzstan 1.10 1999 census 747 Vietnam 1.10 1999 census 748 Tajikistan 1.10 2000 census 749 Tajikistan 1.10 2000 census 750 Slovenia 1.10 2002 census 751 Senegal 1.10 NA 752 Russia 1.10 2002 census 753 Serbia 1.10 2002 census 754 Palau 1.10 2000 census 755 New Caledonia 1.10 1996 census 756 Virgin Islands 1.10 2000 census 757 Vietnam 1.10 1999 census 758 Jersey 1.10 2001 census 759 Ireland 1.10 2006 census 760 Equatorial Guinea 1.10 1994 census 761 Ireland 1.10 2006 census 762 Belarus 1.10 1999 census 763 Angola 1.00 NA 764 Costa Rica 1.00 NA 765 Costa Rica 1.00 NA 766 Zimbabwe 1.00 NA 767 Sudan 1.00 NA 768 Senegal 1.00 NA 769 Rwanda 1.00 NA 770 Suriname 1.00 NA 771 Kyrgyzstan 1.00 1999 census 772 Kyrgyzstan 1.00 1999 census 773 Kenya 1.00 NA 774 Jordan 1.00 NA 775 Jordan 1.00 NA 776 Iran 1.00 NA 777 Honduras 1.00 NA 778 Ghana 1.00 2000 census 779 Gambia, The 1.00 2003 census 780 El Salvador 1.00 NA 781 Vietnam 1.00 1999 census 782 Tanzania 1.00 NA 783 Tunisia 1.00 NA 784 Tunisia 1.00 NA 785 Switzerland 1.00 NA 786 Mexico 1.00 NA 787 Slovakia 1.00 2001 census 788 Lebanon 1.00 NA 789 Cape Verde 1.00 NA 790 Costa Rica 1.00 NA 791 Colombia 1.00 NA 792 Australia 1.00 NA 793 Burundi 1.00 NA 794 Cambodia 1.00 NA 795 United States 0.97 NA 796 Austria 0.90 2001 census 797 Brazil 0.90 2000 census 798 Serbia 0.90 2002 census 799 Estonia 0.90 2000 census 800 Northern Mariana Islands 0.80 2000 census 801 Trinidad and Tobago 0.80 2000 census 802 Netherlands 0.80 2008 est. 803 Dominica 0.80 2001 census 804 Brazil 0.70 2000 census 805 Morocco 0.70 NA 806 Dominica 0.70 2001 census 807 Bosnia and Herzegovina 0.60 NA 808 Ukraine 0.60 2001 census 809 Japan 0.60 2004 810 Chile 0.60 2002 census 811 Armenia 0.50 2001 census 812 Zambia 0.50 2000 Census 813 Ukraine 0.50 2001 census 814 Ukraine 0.50 2001 census 815 New Zealand 0.50 2001 census 816 Japan 0.50 2004 817 Guyana 0.50 2002 census 818 Finland 0.50 2006 819 Sri Lanka 0.50 NA 820 Bermuda 0.40 2000 census 821 Egypt 0.40 2006 census 822 Poland 0.40 2002 census 823 Ukraine 0.40 2001 census 824 Samoa 0.40 2001 census 825 Romania 0.40 2002 census 826 Japan 0.40 2004 827 Armenia 0.30 2001 census 828 Ukraine 0.30 2001 census 829 Ukraine 0.30 2001 census 830 Ukraine 0.30 2001 census 831 Svalbard 0.30 1998 832 Puerto Rico 0.30 2007 833 Romania 0.30 2002 census 834 Romania 0.30 2002 census 835 Finland 0.30 2006 836 American Samoa 0.30 2000 census 837 Chad 0.30 1993 census 838 Lesotho 0.30 NA 839 Solomon Islands 0.20 1999 census 840 Ukraine 0.20 2001 census 841 Puerto Rico 0.20 2007 842 Romania 0.20 2002 census 843 Romania 0.20 2002 census 844 Morocco 0.20 NA 845 Mozambique 0.20 NA 846 Niue 0.20 2001 census 847 Guatemala 0.20 2001 census 848 United States 0.18 NA 849 Finland 0.10 2006 850 Poland 0.10 2002 census 851 Poland 0.10 2002 census 852 Mongolia 0.10 2000 853 Guatemala 0.10 2001 census 854 Finland 0.10 2006 855 Mozambique 0.08 NA 856 Mozambique 0.06 NA ====================================================================== Rank code: 2076 Country Comparison :: Exchange rates This entry provides the official value of a country's monetary unit at a given date or over a given period of time, as expressed in units of local currency per US dollar and as determined by international market forces or official fiat. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 4217 alphabetic currency code for the national medium of exchange is presented in parenthesis. Rank country Exchange rates Date of Information 1 Zimbabwe 30,000.00 NA 2 Mozambique 23,061.00 NA 3 Mozambique 22,581.00 NA 4 Vietnam 16,548.30 NA 5 Vietnam 16,119.00 NA 6 Vietnam 15,983.00 NA 7 Vietnam 15,746.00 NA 8 Sao Tome and Principe 14,900.00 NA 9 Turkmenistan 14,250.00 NA 10 Sao Tome and Principe 13,700.00 NA 11 Sao Tome and Principe 12,050.00 NA 12 Laos 10,820.00 NA 13 Laos 10,585.50 NA 14 Laos 10,235.00 NA 15 Sao Tome and Principe 9,902.30 NA 16 Sao Tome and Principe 9,900.40 NA 17 Indonesia 9,704.70 NA 18 Indonesia 9,698.90 NA 19 Laos 9,658.00 NA 20 Iran 9,407.50 NA 21 Iran 9,227.10 NA 22 Ghana 9,174.80 NA 23 Indonesia 9,159.30 NA 24 Indonesia 9,143.00 NA 25 Iran 9,142.80 NA 26 Ghana 9,072.50 NA 27 Ghana 9,004.60 NA 28 Iran 8,964.00 NA 29 Indonesia 8,938.90 NA 30 Laos 8,760.69 NA 31 Iran 8,614.00 NA 32 Paraguay 6,178.00 NA 33 Paraguay 5,974.60 NA 34 Paraguay 5,672.80 NA 35 Guinea 5,500.00 NA 36 Guinea 5,350.00 NA 37 Paraguay 5,031.00 NA 38 Azerbaijan 4,913.48 NA 39 Zambia 4,778.90 NA 40 Azerbaijan 4,727.10 NA 41 Zambia 4,463.50 NA 42 Paraguay 4,337.70 NA 43 Guinea 4,122.80 NA 44 Cambodia 4,103.00 NA 45 Cambodia 4,092.50 NA 46 Cambodia 4,070.94 NA 47 Cambodia 4,016.25 NA 48 Cambodia 4,006.00 NA 49 Zambia 3,990.20 NA 50 Guinea 3,644.30 NA 51 Zambia 3,601.50 NA 52 Zambia 3,512.90 NA 53 Sierra Leone 2,961.70 NA 54 Sierra Leone 2,889.60 NA 55 Sierra Leone 2,701.30 NA 56 Colombia 2,628.61 NA 57 Colombia 2,358.60 NA 58 Sierra Leone 2,347.90 NA 59 Colombia 2,320.75 NA 60 Colombia 2,243.60 NA 61 Guinea 2,225.00 NA 62 Madagascar 2,161.40 NA 63 Belarus 2,160.26 NA 64 Belarus 2,150.00 NA 65 Venezuela 2,147.00 NA 66 Venezuela 2,147.00 NA 67 Belarus 2,145.00 NA 68 Belarus 2,144.60 NA 69 Belarus 2,130.00 NA 70 Venezuela 2,089.80 NA 71 Colombia 2,013.80 NA 72 Madagascar 2,003.00 NA 73 Venezuela 1,891.30 NA 74 Iraq 1,890.00 NA 75 Madagascar 1,880.00 NA 76 Madagascar 1,868.90 NA 77 Uganda 1,834.90 NA 78 Uganda 1,810.30 NA 79 Uganda 1,780.70 NA 80 Uganda 1,685.80 NA 81 Uganda 1,658.10 NA 82 Madagascar 1,654.78 NA 83 Lebanon 1,507.50 NA 84 Lebanon 1,507.50 NA 85 Lebanon 1,507.50 NA 86 Lebanon 1,507.50 NA 87 Lebanon 1,507.50 NA 88 Iraq 1,475.00 NA 89 Iraq 1,466.00 NA 90 Somalia 1,438.30 NA 91 Uzbekistan 1,317.00 NA 92 Burma 1,296.00 NA 93 Burma 1,280.00 NA 94 Mongolia 1,267.51 NA 95 Uzbekistan 1,263.80 NA 96 Iraq 1,255.00 NA 97 Tanzania 1,255.00 NA 98 Tanzania 1,251.90 NA 99 Uzbekistan 1,219.80 NA 100 Burma 1,205.00 NA 101 Mongolia 1,205.00 NA 102 Burundi 1,198.00 NA 103 Mongolia 1,185.30 NA 104 Tanzania 1,178.10 NA 105 Iraq 1,176.00 NA 106 Mongolia 1,170.00 NA 107 Mongolia 1,165.00 NA 108 Korea, South 1,145.30 NA 109 Burundi 1,138.00 NA 110 Tanzania 1,128.93 NA 111 Korea, South 1,101.70 NA 112 Burundi 1,100.91 NA 113 Tanzania 1,089.33 NA 114 Burundi 1,065.00 NA 115 Burundi 1,030.00 NA 116 Korea, South 1,024.10 NA 117 Uzbekistan 1,020.00 NA 118 Uzbekistan 971.27 NA 119 Korea, South 954.80 NA 120 Korea, South 929.20 NA 121 Rwanda 610.00 NA 122 Chile 609.37 NA 123 Rwanda 585.00 NA 124 Rwanda 574.62 NA 125 Chile 560.09 NA 126 Rwanda 560.00 NA 127 Rwanda 550.00 NA 128 Armenia 533.45 NA 129 Costa Rica 530.41 NA 130 Chile 530.29 NA 131 Benin 528.29 NA 132 Chad 528.29 NA 133 Congo, Republic of the 528.29 NA 134 Central African Republic 528.29 NA 135 Equatorial Guinea 528.29 NA 136 Burkina Faso 528.29 NA 137 Togo 528.29 NA 138 Senegal 528.29 NA 139 Guinea-Bissau 528.29 NA 140 Niger 528.29 NA 141 Mali 528.29 NA 142 Cote d'Ivoire 528.29 NA 143 Gabon 528.29 NA 144 Cameroon 528.29 NA 145 Benin 527.47 NA 146 Chad 527.47 NA 147 Cameroon 527.47 NA 148 Cote d'Ivoire 527.47 NA 149 Burkina Faso 527.47 NA 150 Togo 527.47 NA 151 Senegal 527.47 NA 152 Guinea-Bissau 527.47 NA 153 Niger 527.47 NA 154 Mali 527.47 NA 155 Gabon 527.47 NA 156 Equatorial Guinea 527.47 NA 157 Central African Republic 527.47 NA 158 Congo, Republic of the 527.47 NA 159 Chile 526.25 NA 160 Gabon 522.89 NA 161 Cote d'Ivoire 522.89 NA 162 Senegal 522.89 NA 163 Benin 522.59 NA 164 Burkina Faso 522.59 NA 165 Togo 522.59 NA 166 Guinea-Bissau 522.59 NA 167 Niger 522.59 NA 168 Mali 522.59 NA 169 Central African Republic 522.59 NA 170 Cameroon 522.59 NA 171 Congo, Republic of the 522.59 NA 172 Chad 522.59 NA 173 Equatorial Guinea 522.40 NA 174 Costa Rica 519.53 NA 175 Costa Rica 511.30 NA 176 Chile 509.02 NA 177 Benin 493.51 NA 178 Burkina Faso 493.51 NA 179 Guinea-Bissau 493.51 NA 180 Niger 493.51 NA 181 Mali 493.51 NA 182 Cameroon 493.51 NA 183 Congo, Republic of the 483.60 NA 184 Togo 482.71 NA 185 Equatorial Guinea 481.83 NA 186 Gabon 481.83 NA 187 Senegal 481.83 NA 188 Cote d'Ivoire 481.83 NA 189 Central African Republic 481.80 NA 190 Chad 480.10 NA 191 Costa Rica 477.79 NA 192 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 464.69 NA 193 Armenia 457.69 NA 194 Benin 447.81 NA 195 Chad 447.81 NA 196 Senegal 447.81 NA 197 Guinea-Bissau 447.81 NA 198 Niger 447.81 NA 199 Mali 447.81 NA 200 Cote d'Ivoire 447.81 NA 201 Gabon 447.81 NA 202 Equatorial Guinea 447.81 NA 203 Central African Republic 447.81 NA 204 Cameroon 447.81 NA 205 Burkina Faso 447.81 NA 206 Togo 447.81 NA 207 Congo, Republic of the 447.81 NA 208 Costa Rica 437.91 NA 209 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 437.86 NA 210 Comoros 435.90 NA 211 Armenia 414.69 NA 212 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 405.34 NA 213 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 401.04 NA 214 Comoros 396.21 NA 215 Comoros 395.60 NA 216 Comoros 391.80 NA 217 Comoros 361.40 NA 218 Armenia 344.06 NA 219 Armenia 303.93 NA 220 Mauritania 271.30 NA 221 Mauritania 267.04 NA 222 Mauritania 265.80 NA 223 Mauritania 263.03 NA 224 Hungary 210.39 NA 225 Guyana 203.86 NA 226 Hungary 202.75 NA 227 Guyana 201.89 NA 228 Guyana 200.79 NA 229 Guyana 200.28 NA 230 Yemen 199.76 NA 231 Hungary 199.58 NA 232 Yemen 199.14 NA 233 Guyana 198.31 NA 234 Yemen 197.18 NA 235 Yemen 192.67 NA 236 Yemen 184.78 NA 237 Hungary 183.83 NA 238 Djibouti 177.72 NA 239 Djibouti 177.72 NA 240 Djibouti 177.72 NA 241 Djibouti 177.71 NA 242 Djibouti 174.75 NA 243 Hungary 171.80 NA 244 Korea, North 170.00 NA 245 Zimbabwe 162.07 NA 246 Malawi 142.41 NA 247 Malawi 141.12 NA 248 Korea, North 141.00 NA 249 Korea, North 140.00 NA 250 Kazakhstan 136.04 NA 251 Malawi 135.96 NA 252 Nigeria 132.89 NA 253 Kazakhstan 132.88 NA 254 Nigeria 132.59 NA 255 Nigeria 127.46 NA 256 Nigeria 127.38 NA 257 Kazakhstan 126.09 NA 258 Kazakhstan 122.55 NA 259 Vanuatu 122.19 NA 260 Kazakhstan 120.25 NA 261 Japan 117.99 NA 262 Nigeria 117.80 NA 263 Japan 116.18 NA 264 Vanuatu 111.93 NA 265 Vanuatu 111.79 NA 266 Sri Lanka 110.78 NA 267 Japan 110.22 NA 268 Malawi 108.90 NA 269 Malawi 108.89 NA 270 Sri Lanka 108.33 NA 271 Japan 108.19 NA 272 French Polynesia 105.66 NA 273 New Caledonia 105.66 NA 274 Wallis and Futuna 105.66 NA 275 Sri Lanka 103.99 NA 276 Japan 103.58 NA 277 Albania 102.78 NA 278 Albania 102.65 NA 279 Sri Lanka 101.19 NA 280 Sri Lanka 100.50 NA 281 Albania 98.38 NA 282 French Polynesia 96.04 NA 283 New Caledonia 96.04 NA 284 Wallis and Futuna 96.04 NA 285 French Polynesia 95.89 NA 286 Wallis and Futuna 95.89 NA 287 New Caledonia 95.89 NA 288 French Polynesia 94.97 NA 289 Wallis and Futuna 94.97 NA 290 New Caledonia 94.97 NA 291 Albania 92.67 NA 292 Cape Verde 88.81 NA 293 Cape Verde 88.67 NA 294 Angola 88.60 NA 295 Cape Verde 87.95 NA 296 French Polynesia 87.59 NA 297 Wallis and Futuna 87.59 NA 298 New Caledonia 87.59 NA 299 Iceland 85.62 NA 300 Angola 83.54 NA 301 Cape Verde 81.24 NA 302 Angola 80.40 NA 303 Albania 79.55 NA 304 Kenya 79.17 NA 305 Zimbabwe 77.97 NA 306 Angola 76.60 NA 307 Kenya 75.55 NA 308 Angola 75.02 NA 309 Cape Verde 73.84 NA 310 Nepal 73.67 NA 311 Algeria 73.28 NA 312 Algeria 72.65 NA 313 Nepal 72.45 NA 314 Jamaica 72.24 NA 315 Nepal 72.16 NA 316 Kenya 72.10 NA 317 Algeria 72.06 NA 318 Pakistan 70.64 NA 319 Nepal 70.35 NA 320 Iceland 70.20 NA 321 Iceland 70.19 NA 322 Algeria 69.90 NA 323 Bangladesh 69.89 NA 324 Jamaica 69.03 NA 325 Bangladesh 69.03 NA 326 Bangladesh 68.55 NA 327 Kenya 68.36 NA 328 Kenya 68.31 NA 329 Jamaica 65.77 NA 330 Nepal 65.21 NA 331 Bangladesh 64.33 NA 332 Iceland 63.39 NA 333 Algeria 63.25 NA 334 Iceland 62.98 NA 335 Jamaica 62.51 NA 336 Jamaica 61.20 NA 337 Pakistan 60.63 NA 338 Pakistan 60.35 NA 339 Serbia 59.98 NA 340 Pakistan 59.52 NA 341 Bangladesh 59.51 NA 342 Liberia 59.43 NA 343 Liberia 59.38 NA 344 Pakistan 58.26 NA 345 Philippines 56.04 NA 346 Philippines 55.09 NA 347 Liberia 54.91 NA 348 Serbia 54.50 NA 349 Liberia 53.10 NA 350 Syria 51.69 NA 351 Philippines 51.25 NA 352 Syria 50.01 NA 353 Afghanistan 50.00 NA 354 Syria 50.00 NA 355 Macedonia 49.41 NA 356 Afghanistan 49.00 NA 357 Macedonia 48.98 NA 358 Macedonia 48.92 NA 359 Syria 48.50 NA 360 Afghanistan 48.00 NA 361 Afghanistan 47.70 NA 362 Bhutan 46.58 NA 363 Syria 46.53 NA 364 Philippines 46.15 NA 365 Afghanistan 46.00 NA 366 Bhutan 45.32 NA 367 India 45.32 NA 368 India 45.30 NA 369 Bhutan 45.28 NA 370 Macedonia 44.73 NA 371 Philippines 44.44 NA 372 Bhutan 44.10 NA 373 India 44.10 NA 374 India 43.32 NA 375 Kyrgyzstan 42.65 NA 376 Dominican Republic 42.12 NA 377 Bhutan 41.49 NA 378 India 41.49 NA 379 Macedonia 41.41 NA 380 Kyrgyzstan 41.01 NA 381 Haiti 40.45 NA 382 Haiti 40.23 NA 383 Thailand 40.22 NA 384 Thailand 40.22 NA 385 Kyrgyzstan 40.15 NA 386 Haiti 39.22 NA 387 Haiti 38.35 NA 388 Thailand 37.88 NA 389 Kyrgyzstan 37.75 NA 390 Haiti 37.14 NA 391 Kyrgyzstan 36.11 NA 392 Dominican Republic 34.78 NA 393 Thailand 34.52 NA 394 Taiwan 34.42 NA 395 Dominican Republic 33.41 NA 396 Thailand 33.37 NA 397 Dominican Republic 33.11 NA 398 Taiwan 32.84 NA 399 Taiwan 32.53 NA 400 Slovakia 32.26 NA 401 Mauritius 31.80 NA 402 Taiwan 31.71 NA 403 Mauritius 31.66 NA 404 Taiwan 31.53 NA 405 Slovakia 31.02 NA 406 Dominican Republic 30.41 NA 407 Gambia, The 30.03 NA 408 Slovakia 29.61 NA 409 Mauritius 29.50 NA 410 Russia 28.81 NA 411 Uruguay 28.70 NA 412 Gambia, The 28.58 NA 413 Russia 28.28 NA 414 Gambia, The 28.07 NA 415 Mauritius 27.97 NA 416 Gambia, The 27.79 NA 417 Mauritius 27.50 NA 418 Russia 27.19 NA 419 Mozambique 26.26 NA 420 Czech Republic 25.70 NA 421 Russia 25.66 NA 422 Mozambique 25.40 NA 423 Slovakia 24.92 NA 424 Uruguay 24.48 NA 425 Russia 24.30 NA 426 Mozambique 24.13 NA 427 Uruguay 24.05 NA 428 Czech Republic 23.96 NA 429 Uruguay 23.95 NA 430 Gambia, The 22.75 NA 431 Czech Republic 22.60 NA 432 Slovakia 21.05 NA 433 Uruguay 20.94 NA 434 Czech Republic 20.53 NA 435 Nicaragua 19.37 NA 436 Honduras 18.98 NA 437 Honduras 18.92 NA 438 Honduras 18.90 NA 439 Honduras 18.90 NA 440 Nicaragua 18.46 NA 441 Honduras 18.21 NA 442 Nicaragua 17.58 NA 443 Czech Republic 17.06 NA 444 Nicaragua 16.73 NA 445 Nicaragua 15.94 NA 446 Eritrea 15.50 NA 447 Eritrea 15.40 NA 448 Eritrea 15.38 NA 449 Eritrea 14.50 NA 450 Eritrea 13.79 NA 451 Moldova 13.13 NA 452 Maldives 12.80 NA 453 Maldives 12.80 NA 454 Maldives 12.80 NA 455 Maldives 12.80 NA 456 Maldives 12.80 NA 457 Moldova 12.60 NA 458 Estonia 12.60 NA 459 Estonia 12.58 NA 460 Estonia 12.47 NA 461 Moldova 12.33 NA 462 Moldova 12.18 NA 463 Estonia 11.54 NA 464 Mexico 11.29 NA 465 Mexico 11.02 NA 466 Mexico 10.90 NA 467 Mexico 10.90 NA 468 Mexico 10.80 NA 469 Estonia 10.70 NA 470 Moldova 10.33 NA 471 Ethiopia 9.57 NA 472 Ethiopia 8.96 NA 473 Morocco 8.87 NA 474 Western Sahara 8.87 NA 475 Morocco 8.87 NA 476 Western Sahara 8.87 NA 477 Morocco 8.77 NA 478 Western Sahara 8.77 NA 479 Ethiopia 8.69 NA 480 Ethiopia 8.68 NA 481 Ethiopia 8.64 NA 482 Morocco 8.36 NA 483 Western Sahara 8.36 NA 484 China 8.28 NA 485 China 8.19 NA 486 Bolivia 8.07 NA 487 Macau 8.02 NA 488 Macau 8.02 NA 489 Bolivia 8.02 NA 490 Macau 8.01 NA 491 Macau 8.01 NA 492 Macau 8.00 NA 493 Seychelles 8.00 NA 494 China 7.97 NA 495 South Africa 7.96 NA 496 Guatemala 7.95 NA 497 Bolivia 7.94 NA 498 Bolivia 7.86 NA 499 Hong Kong 7.80 NA 500 Hong Kong 7.79 NA 501 Hong Kong 7.78 NA 502 Hong Kong 7.77 NA 503 Hong Kong 7.75 NA 504 Lesotho 7.75 NA 505 Namibia 7.75 NA 506 Swaziland 7.75 NA 507 Guatemala 7.68 NA 508 Guatemala 7.63 NA 509 China 7.61 NA 510 Guatemala 7.60 NA 511 Guatemala 7.59 NA 512 Solomon Islands 7.53 NA 513 Morocco 7.53 NA 514 Western Sahara 7.53 NA 515 Solomon Islands 7.51 NA 516 Solomon Islands 7.48 NA 517 Sweden 7.47 NA 518 Swaziland 7.40 NA 519 Sweden 7.37 NA 520 Sweden 7.35 NA 521 Solomon Islands 7.34 NA 522 Bolivia 7.25 NA 523 Lesotho 7.25 NA 524 Namibia 7.18 NA 525 South Africa 7.05 NA 526 China 6.94 NA 527 Lesotho 6.85 NA 528 Swaziland 6.85 NA 529 Botswana 6.79 NA 530 South Africa 6.76 NA 531 Namibia 6.76 NA 532 Sweden 6.76 NA 533 Norway 6.73 NA 534 Svalbard 6.73 NA 535 Seychelles 6.50 NA 536 Lesotho 6.46 NA 537 Swaziland 6.46 NA 538 Namibia 6.46 NA 539 South Africa 6.46 NA 540 Norway 6.45 NA 541 Svalbard 6.45 NA 542 Norway 6.42 NA 543 Svalbard 6.42 NA 544 Sweden 6.41 NA 545 Lesotho 6.36 NA 546 Swaziland 6.36 NA 547 South Africa 6.36 NA 548 Namibia 6.36 NA 549 Trinidad and Tobago 6.33 NA 550 Trinidad and Tobago 6.31 NA 551 Trinidad and Tobago 6.30 NA 552 Trinidad and Tobago 6.29 NA 553 Trinidad and Tobago 6.28 NA 554 Botswana 6.20 NA 555 Egypt 6.20 NA 556 Croatia 6.04 NA 557 Denmark 6.00 NA 558 Faroe Islands 6.00 NA 559 Greenland 6.00 NA 560 Denmark 5.99 NA 561 Faroe Islands 5.99 NA 562 Greenland 5.99 NA 563 Croatia 5.95 NA 564 Denmark 5.95 NA 565 Greenland 5.95 NA 566 Faroe Islands 5.95 NA 567 Croatia 5.86 NA 568 Norway 5.86 NA 569 Svalbard 5.86 NA 570 Botswana 5.84 NA 571 Egypt 5.78 NA 572 Burma 5.76 NA 573 Burma 5.75 NA 574 Zimbabwe 5.73 NA 575 Egypt 5.73 NA 576 Egypt 5.67 NA 577 Norway 5.64 NA 578 Svalbard 5.64 NA 579 Seychelles 5.50 NA 580 Seychelles 5.50 NA 581 Seychelles 5.50 NA 582 Denmark 5.48 NA 583 Greenland 5.48 NA 584 Faroe Islands 5.48 NA 585 Egypt 5.40 NA 586 Croatia 5.37 NA 587 Ukraine 5.32 NA 588 Ukraine 5.12 NA 589 Botswana 5.11 NA 590 Ukraine 5.05 NA 591 Ukraine 5.05 NA 592 Denmark 5.02 NA 593 Faroe Islands 5.02 NA 594 Greenland 5.02 NA 595 Croatia 4.98 NA 596 Ukraine 4.95 NA 597 Botswana 4.69 NA 598 Gaza Strip 4.49 NA 599 Israel 4.49 NA 600 West Bank 4.49 NA 601 Gaza Strip 4.48 NA 602 Israel 4.48 NA 603 West Bank 4.48 NA 604 Gaza Strip 4.46 NA 605 West Bank 4.46 NA 606 Israel 4.46 NA 607 Gaza Strip 4.14 NA 608 Israel 4.14 NA 609 West Bank 4.14 NA 610 Malaysia 3.80 NA 611 Malaysia 3.80 NA 612 Saudi Arabia 3.75 NA 613 Saudi Arabia 3.75 NA 614 Saudi Arabia 3.75 NA 615 Saudi Arabia 3.75 NA 616 Saudi Arabia 3.75 NA 617 United Arab Emirates 3.67 NA 618 United Arab Emirates 3.67 NA 619 United Arab Emirates 3.67 NA 620 United Arab Emirates 3.67 NA 621 United Arab Emirates 3.67 NA 622 Malaysia 3.67 NA 623 Poland 3.66 NA 624 Qatar 3.64 NA 625 Qatar 3.64 NA 626 Qatar 3.64 NA 627 Qatar 3.64 NA 628 Qatar 3.64 NA 629 Gaza Strip 3.56 NA 630 West Bank 3.56 NA 631 Israel 3.56 NA 632 Malaysia 3.46 NA 633 Tajikistan 3.46 NA 634 Tajikistan 3.44 NA 635 Peru 3.41 NA 636 Malaysia 3.33 NA 637 Tajikistan 3.30 NA 638 Peru 3.30 NA 639 Peru 3.27 NA 640 Poland 3.24 NA 641 Papua New Guinea 3.22 NA 642 Peru 3.17 NA 643 Argentina 3.16 NA 644 Tajikistan 3.12 NA 645 Argentina 3.11 NA 646 Poland 3.10 NA 647 Papua New Guinea 3.08 NA 648 Papua New Guinea 3.06 NA 649 Argentina 3.05 NA 650 Papua New Guinea 3.03 NA 651 Romania 3.00 NA 652 Romania 3.00 NA 653 Samoa 2.97 NA 654 Tajikistan 2.97 NA 655 Brazil 2.93 NA 656 Argentina 2.92 NA 657 Peru 2.91 NA 658 Argentina 2.90 NA 659 Poland 2.81 NA 660 Romania 2.81 NA 661 Samoa 2.78 NA 662 Lithuania 2.78 NA 663 Lithuania 2.77 NA 664 Samoa 2.76 NA 665 Lithuania 2.75 NA 666 Suriname 2.75 NA 667 Suriname 2.75 NA 668 Suriname 2.73 NA 669 Suriname 2.73 NA 670 Samoa 2.71 NA 671 Antigua and Barbuda 2.70 NA 672 Antigua and Barbuda 2.70 NA 673 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2.70 NA 674 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2.70 NA 675 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2.70 NA 676 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2.70 NA 677 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2.70 NA 678 Saint Lucia 2.70 NA 679 Saint Lucia 2.70 NA 680 Saint Lucia 2.70 NA 681 Saint Lucia 2.70 NA 682 Saint Lucia 2.70 NA 683 Saint Kitts and Nevis 2.70 NA 684 Saint Kitts and Nevis 2.70 NA 685 Saint Kitts and Nevis 2.70 NA 686 Saint Kitts and Nevis 2.70 NA 687 Saint Kitts and Nevis 2.70 NA 688 Montserrat 2.70 NA 689 Montserrat 2.70 NA 690 Montserrat 2.70 NA 691 Montserrat 2.70 NA 692 Montserrat 2.70 NA 693 Grenada 2.70 NA 694 Grenada 2.70 NA 695 Grenada 2.70 NA 696 Grenada 2.70 NA 697 Grenada 2.70 NA 698 Dominica 2.70 NA 699 Dominica 2.70 NA 700 Dominica 2.70 NA 701 Dominica 2.70 NA 702 Dominica 2.70 NA 703 Anguilla 2.70 NA 704 Anguilla 2.70 NA 705 Anguilla 2.70 NA 706 Anguilla 2.70 NA 707 Anguilla 2.70 NA 708 Antigua and Barbuda 2.70 NA 709 Antigua and Barbuda 2.70 NA 710 Antigua and Barbuda 2.70 NA 711 Papua New Guinea 2.70 NA 712 Suriname 2.60 NA 713 Sudan 2.58 NA 714 Lithuania 2.54 NA 715 Romania 2.50 NA 716 Sudan 2.44 NA 717 Brazil 2.43 NA 718 Romania 2.43 NA 719 Lithuania 2.33 NA 720 Poland 2.30 NA 721 Brazil 2.18 NA 722 Sudan 2.17 NA 723 Venezuela 2.15 NA 724 Tonga 2.14 NA 725 Sudan 2.10 NA 726 Sudan 2.06 NA 727 Tonga 2.03 NA 728 Barbados 2.00 NA 729 Barbados 2.00 NA 730 Barbados 2.00 NA 731 Belize 2.00 NA 732 Belize 2.00 NA 733 Belize 2.00 NA 734 Belize 2.00 NA 735 Belize 2.00 NA 736 Barbados 2.00 NA 737 Tonga 1.97 NA 738 Tonga 1.96 NA 739 Georgia 1.92 NA 740 Fiji 1.90 NA 741 Brazil 1.86 NA 742 Brazil 1.85 NA 743 Georgia 1.81 NA 744 Aruba 1.79 NA 745 Aruba 1.79 NA 746 Netherlands Antilles 1.79 NA 747 Netherlands Antilles 1.79 NA 748 Netherlands Antilles 1.79 NA 749 Netherlands Antilles 1.79 NA 750 Aruba 1.79 NA 751 Aruba 1.79 NA 752 Georgia 1.78 NA 753 Brunei 1.74 NA 754 Fiji 1.73 NA 755 Fiji 1.73 NA 756 Georgia 1.70 NA 757 Fiji 1.69 NA 758 Brunei 1.69 NA 759 Singapore 1.69 NA 760 Brunei 1.66 NA 761 Singapore 1.66 NA 762 Singapore 1.59 NA 763 Brunei 1.59 NA 764 Bosnia and Herzegovina 1.58 NA 765 Bulgaria 1.58 NA 766 Bulgaria 1.57 NA 767 Bosnia and Herzegovina 1.57 NA 768 Bosnia and Herzegovina 1.56 NA 769 Bulgaria 1.56 NA 770 Cook Islands 1.54 NA 771 Pitcairn Islands 1.54 NA 772 Tokelau 1.54 NA 773 Niue 1.54 NA 774 New Zealand 1.54 NA 775 Cook Islands 1.51 NA 776 Tokelau 1.51 NA 777 Pitcairn Islands 1.51 NA 778 New Zealand 1.51 NA 779 Niue 1.51 NA 780 Singapore 1.51 NA 781 Georgia 1.47 NA 782 Bosnia and Herzegovina 1.44 NA 783 Bulgaria 1.44 NA 784 Turkey 1.43 NA 785 Turkey 1.43 NA 786 Cook Islands 1.42 NA 787 Tokelau 1.42 NA 788 Pitcairn Islands 1.42 NA 789 New Zealand 1.42 NA 790 Niue 1.42 NA 791 Cook Islands 1.42 NA 792 Niue 1.42 NA 793 New Zealand 1.42 NA 794 Pitcairn Islands 1.42 NA 795 Tokelau 1.42 NA 796 Singapore 1.42 NA 797 Cook Islands 1.38 NA 798 Niue 1.38 NA 799 New Zealand 1.38 NA 800 Tokelau 1.38 NA 801 Pitcairn Islands 1.38 NA 802 Australia 1.36 NA 803 Cocos (Keeling) Islands 1.36 NA 804 Kiribati 1.36 NA 805 Tuvalu 1.36 NA 806 Nauru 1.36 NA 807 Norfolk Island 1.36 NA 808 Christmas Island 1.36 NA 809 Turkey 1.34 NA 810 Tunisia 1.33 NA 811 Australia 1.33 NA 812 Cocos (Keeling) Islands 1.33 NA 813 Nauru 1.33 NA 814 Tuvalu 1.33 NA 815 Norfolk Island 1.33 NA 816 Christmas Island 1.33 NA 817 Kiribati 1.33 NA 818 Turkey 1.32 NA 819 Turkey 1.32 NA 820 Bulgaria 1.32 NA 821 Libya 1.31 NA 822 Australia 1.31 NA 823 Tuvalu 1.31 NA 824 Nauru 1.31 NA 825 Norfolk Island 1.31 NA 826 Christmas Island 1.31 NA 827 Kiribati 1.31 NA 828 Cocos (Keeling) Islands 1.31 NA 829 Libya 1.31 NA 830 Bosnia and Herzegovina 1.31 NA 831 Libya 1.31 NA 832 Canada 1.30 NA 833 Tunisia 1.30 NA 834 Tunisia 1.28 NA 835 Libya 1.26 NA 836 Liechtenstein 1.25 NA 837 Switzerland 1.25 NA 838 Tunisia 1.25 NA 839 Liechtenstein 1.25 NA 840 Switzerland 1.25 NA 841 Liechtenstein 1.24 NA 842 Switzerland 1.24 NA 843 Australia 1.21 NA 844 Christmas Island 1.21 NA 845 Tuvalu 1.21 NA 846 Nauru 1.21 NA 847 Norfolk Island 1.21 NA 848 Kiribati 1.21 NA 849 Cocos (Keeling) Islands 1.21 NA 850 Canada 1.21 NA 851 Libya 1.21 NA 852 Tunisia 1.21 NA 853 Australia 1.21 NA 854 Tuvalu 1.21 NA 855 Christmas Island 1.21 NA 856 Cocos (Keeling) Islands 1.21 NA 857 Norfolk Island 1.21 NA 858 Nauru 1.21 NA 859 Kiribati 1.21 NA 860 Liechtenstein 1.20 NA 861 Switzerland 1.20 NA 862 Canada 1.13 NA 863 Ghana 1.10 NA 864 Liechtenstein 1.08 NA 865 Switzerland 1.08 NA 866 Canada 1.07 NA 867 Canada 1.04 NA 868 Bahamas, The 1.00 NA 869 Bahamas, The 1.00 NA 870 Bahamas, The 1.00 NA 871 Panama 1.00 NA 872 Panama 1.00 NA 873 Panama 1.00 NA 874 Panama 1.00 NA 875 Panama 1.00 NA 876 Bahamas, The 1.00 NA 877 Bahamas, The 1.00 NA 878 Ghana 0.95 NA 879 Cuba 0.93 NA 880 Cuba 0.93 NA 881 Cuba 0.92 NA 882 Azerbaijan 0.89 NA 883 Saint Barthelemy 0.89 NA 884 Azerbaijan 0.86 NA 885 Cayman Islands 0.85 NA 886 Azerbaijan 0.82 NA 887 Andorra 0.81 NA 888 Austria 0.81 NA 889 European Union 0.81 NA 890 Ireland 0.81 NA 891 Finland 0.81 NA 892 San Marino 0.81 NA 893 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0.81 NA 894 Saint Martin 0.81 NA 895 Portugal 0.81 NA 896 Netherlands 0.81 NA 897 Monaco 0.81 NA 898 Montenegro 0.81 NA 899 Mayotte 0.81 NA 900 Luxembourg 0.81 NA 901 Holy See (Vatican City) 0.81 NA 902 Saint Barthelemy 0.81 NA 903 Spain 0.81 NA 904 Italy 0.81 NA 905 Greece 0.81 NA 906 Germany 0.81 NA 907 France 0.81 NA 908 Belgium 0.81 NA 909 Andorra 0.80 NA 910 Austria 0.80 NA 911 European Union 0.80 NA 912 Holy See (Vatican City) 0.80 NA 913 Saint Barthelemy 0.80 NA 914 Spain 0.80 NA 915 San Marino 0.80 NA 916 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0.80 NA 917 Saint Martin 0.80 NA 918 Portugal 0.80 NA 919 Netherlands 0.80 NA 920 Monaco 0.80 NA 921 Montenegro 0.80 NA 922 Mayotte 0.80 NA 923 Luxembourg 0.80 NA 924 Italy 0.80 NA 925 Greece 0.80 NA 926 Germany 0.80 NA 927 France 0.80 NA 928 Finland 0.80 NA 929 Ireland 0.80 NA 930 Belgium 0.80 NA 931 Andorra 0.80 NA 932 Austria 0.80 NA 933 Holy See (Vatican City) 0.80 NA 934 Saint Barthelemy 0.80 NA 935 Spain 0.80 NA 936 San Marino 0.80 NA 937 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0.80 NA 938 Portugal 0.80 NA 939 Netherlands 0.80 NA 940 Monaco 0.80 NA 941 Montenegro 0.80 NA 942 Mayotte 0.80 NA 943 Luxembourg 0.80 NA 944 Italy 0.80 NA 945 Greece 0.80 NA 946 Germany 0.80 NA 947 Saint Martin 0.80 NA 948 France 0.80 NA 949 Finland 0.80 NA 950 Ireland 0.80 NA 951 European Union 0.80 NA 952 Belgium 0.80 NA 953 Austria 0.73 NA 954 Belgium 0.73 NA 955 France 0.73 NA 956 Holy See (Vatican City) 0.73 NA 957 Saint Barthelemy 0.73 NA 958 Spain 0.73 NA 959 San Marino 0.73 NA 960 Slovenia 0.73 NA 961 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0.73 NA 962 Saint Martin 0.73 NA 963 Portugal 0.73 NA 964 Netherlands 0.73 NA 965 Monaco 0.73 NA 966 Montenegro 0.73 NA 967 Mayotte 0.73 NA 968 Luxembourg 0.73 NA 969 Kosovo 0.73 NA 970 Italy 0.73 NA 971 Greece 0.73 NA 972 Germany 0.73 NA 973 Finland 0.73 NA 974 Ireland 0.73 NA 975 European Union 0.73 NA 976 Andorra 0.73 NA 977 Jordan 0.71 NA 978 Jordan 0.71 NA 979 Jordan 0.71 NA 980 Jordan 0.71 NA 981 Jordan 0.71 NA 982 Andorra 0.68 NA 983 Belgium 0.68 NA 984 Austria 0.68 NA 985 Cyprus 0.68 NA 986 Saint Martin 0.68 NA 987 Portugal 0.68 NA 988 Netherlands 0.68 NA 989 Malta 0.68 NA 990 Monaco 0.68 NA 991 Montenegro 0.68 NA 992 Luxembourg 0.68 NA 993 Kosovo 0.68 NA 994 Italy 0.68 NA 995 Greece 0.68 NA 996 Germany 0.68 NA 997 Holy See (Vatican City) 0.68 NA 998 Spain 0.68 NA 999 Slovenia 0.68 NA 1000 France 0.68 NA 1001 Finland 0.68 NA 1002 Ireland 0.68 NA 1003 European Union 0.68 NA 1004 Dhekelia 0.68 NA 1005 Akrotiri 0.68 NA 1006 Mayotte 0.67 NA 1007 San Marino 0.67 NA 1008 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0.67 NA 1009 Gibraltar 0.61 NA 1010 Latvia 0.56 NA 1011 Latvia 0.56 NA 1012 Gibraltar 0.55 NA 1013 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 0.55 NA 1014 Jersey 0.55 NA 1015 Isle of Man 0.55 NA 1016 Guernsey 0.55 NA 1017 Saint Helena 0.55 NA 1018 United Kingdom 0.55 NA 1019 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 0.55 NA 1020 Jersey 0.55 NA 1021 Isle of Man 0.55 NA 1022 Guernsey 0.55 NA 1023 United Kingdom 0.55 NA 1024 Saint Helena 0.55 NA 1025 Gibraltar 0.55 NA 1026 Gibraltar 0.54 NA 1027 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 0.54 NA 1028 United Kingdom 0.54 NA 1029 Saint Helena 0.54 NA 1030 Jersey 0.54 NA 1031 Isle of Man 0.54 NA 1032 Guernsey 0.54 NA 1033 Latvia 0.54 NA 1034 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 0.53 NA 1035 United Kingdom 0.53 NA 1036 Saint Helena 0.53 NA 1037 Jersey 0.53 NA 1038 Isle of Man 0.53 NA 1039 Guernsey 0.53 NA 1040 Latvia 0.52 NA 1041 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 0.50 NA 1042 Gibraltar 0.50 NA 1043 Guernsey 0.50 NA 1044 United Kingdom 0.50 NA 1045 Saint Helena 0.50 NA 1046 Jersey 0.50 NA 1047 Isle of Man 0.50 NA 1048 Latvia 0.47 NA 1049 Cyprus 0.47 NA 1050 Cyprus 0.46 NA 1051 Cyprus 0.46 NA 1052 Cyprus 0.43 NA 1053 Oman 0.38 NA 1054 Oman 0.38 NA 1055 Oman 0.38 NA 1056 Oman 0.38 NA 1057 Oman 0.38 NA 1058 Malta 0.38 NA 1059 Bahrain 0.38 NA 1060 Bahrain 0.38 NA 1061 Bahrain 0.38 NA 1062 Bahrain 0.38 NA 1063 Bahrain 0.38 NA 1064 Malta 0.37 NA 1065 Malta 0.35 NA 1066 Malta 0.34 NA 1067 Malta 0.31 NA 1068 Kuwait 0.29 NA 1069 Kuwait 0.29 NA 1070 Kuwait 0.29 NA 1071 Kuwait 0.28 NA 1072 Kuwait 0.27 NA ====================================================================== Rank code: 2077 Country Comparison :: Executive branch This entry includes several subfields. Chief of state includes the name and title of the titular leader of the country who represents the state at official and ceremonial functions but may not be involved with the day-to-day activities of the government. Head of government includes the name and title of the top administrative leader who is designated to manage the day-to-day activities of the government. For example, in the UK, the monarch is the chief of state, and the prime minister is the head of government. In the US, the president is both the chief of state and the head of government. Cabinet includes the official name for this body of high-ranking advisers and the method for selection of members. Elections includes the nature of election process or accession to power, date of the last election, and date of the next election. Election results includes the percent of vote for each candidate in the last election. Rank country Executive branch Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2078 Country Comparison :: Exports This entry provides the total US dollar amount of merchandise exports on an f.o.b. (free on board) basis. These figures are calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. Rank country Exports Date of Information 1 European Union $ 1,952,000,000,000 2007 2 Germany $ 1,498,000,000,000 2008 est. 3 China $ 1,435,000,000,000 2008 est. 4 United States $ 1,277,000,000,000 2008 est. 5 Japan $ 746,500,000,000 2008 est. 6 France $ 601,900,000,000 2008 est. 7 Italy $ 546,900,000,000 2008 est. 8 Netherlands $ 531,700,000,000 2008 est. 9 Russia $ 471,600,000,000 2008 est. 10 United Kingdom $ 466,300,000,000 2008 est. 11 Canada $ 459,100,000,000 2008 est. 12 Korea, South $ 433,500,000,000 2008 est. 13 Belgium $ 371,500,000,000 2008 est. 14 Hong Kong $ 365,200,000,000 2008 est. 15 Singapore $ 342,700,000,000 2008 est. 16 Saudi Arabia $ 313,400,000,000 2008 est. 17 Mexico $ 291,300,000,000 2008 est. 18 Spain $ 285,900,000,000 2008 est. 19 Taiwan $ 254,900,000,000 2008 est. 20 Switzerland $ 241,300,000,000 2008 est. 21 United Arab Emirates $ 239,200,000,000 2008 est. 22 Malaysia $ 198,700,000,000 2008 est. 23 Brazil $ 197,900,000,000 2008 est. 24 Australia $ 189,900,000,000 2008 est. 25 India $ 187,900,000,000 2008 est. 26 Sweden $ 185,900,000,000 2008 est. 27 Austria $ 179,100,000,000 2008 est. 28 Poland $ 178,400,000,000 2008 est. 29 Thailand $ 175,300,000,000 2008 est. 30 Norway $ 173,600,000,000 2008 est. 31 Czech Republic $ 145,700,000,000 2008 est. 32 Turkey $ 140,700,000,000 2008 est. 33 Indonesia $ 139,300,000,000 2008 est. 34 Ireland $ 119,800,000,000 2008 est. 35 Denmark $ 114,900,000,000 2008 est. 36 Hungary $ 106,600,000,000 2008 est. 37 Iran $ 98,420,000,000 2008 est. 38 Finland $ 96,620,000,000 2008 est. 39 Venezuela $ 93,540,000,000 2008 est. 40 Kuwait $ 86,940,000,000 2008 est. 41 South Africa $ 86,120,000,000 2008 est. 42 Algeria $ 78,230,000,000 2008 est. 43 Nigeria $ 76,030,000,000 2008 est. 44 Slovakia $ 72,570,000,000 2008 est. 45 Kazakhstan $ 71,970,000,000 2008 est. 46 Argentina $ 70,020,000,000 2008 est. 47 Ukraine $ 67,720,000,000 2008 est. 48 Chile $ 66,460,000,000 2008 est. 49 Angola $ 66,300,000,000 2008 est. 50 Libya $ 64,500,000,000 2008 est. 51 Vietnam $ 62,690,000,000 2008 est. 52 Iraq $ 58,810,000,000 2008 est. 53 Israel $ 57,160,000,000 2008 est. 54 Portugal $ 56,420,000,000 2008 est. 55 Qatar $ 55,730,000,000 2008 est. 56 Romania $ 49,410,000,000 2008 est. 57 Philippines $ 48,200,000,000 2008 est. 58 Puerto Rico $ 46,900,000,000 2001 59 Colombia $ 38,530,000,000 2008 est. 60 Oman $ 37,720,000,000 2008 est. 61 Belarus $ 33,040,000,000 2008 est. 62 Peru $ 31,530,000,000 2008 est. 63 New Zealand $ 31,190,000,000 2008 est. 64 Azerbaijan $ 30,590,000,000 2008 est. 65 Egypt $ 29,850,000,000 2008 est. 66 Slovenia $ 29,610,000,000 2008 est. 67 Greece $ 29,140,000,000 2008 est. 68 Lithuania $ 23,740,000,000 2008 est. 69 Bulgaria $ 22,710,000,000 2008 est. 70 Luxembourg $ 21,430,000,000 2008 est. 71 Pakistan $ 21,090,000,000 2008 est. 72 Morocco $ 20,170,000,000 2008 est. 73 Tunisia $ 19,220,000,000 2008 est. 74 Ecuador $ 19,150,000,000 2008 est. 75 Bahrain $ 17,490,000,000 2008 est. 76 Trinidad and Tobago $ 15,850,000,000 2008 est. 77 Bangladesh $ 15,440,000,000 2008 est. 78 Croatia $ 14,360,000,000 2008 est. 79 Syria $ 13,970,000,000 2008 est. 80 Equatorial Guinea $ 13,030,000,000 2008 est. 81 Estonia $ 12,630,000,000 2008 est. 82 Turkmenistan $ 11,920,000,000 2008 est. 83 Sudan $ 11,670,000,000 2008 est. 84 Congo, Republic of the $ 10,850,000,000 2008 est. 85 Uzbekistan $ 10,370,000,000 2008 est. 86 Panama $ 10,290,000,000 2008 est. 87 Cote d'Ivoire $ 10,090,000,000 2008 est. 88 Costa Rica $ 9,738,000,000 2008 est. 89 Latvia $ 9,634,000,000 2008 est. 90 Gabon $ 9,333,000,000 2008 est. 91 Yemen $ 8,977,000,000 2008 est. 92 Serbia $ 8,824,000,000 2007 est. 93 Brunei $ 8,250,000,000 2007 94 Sri Lanka $ 8,137,000,000 2008 est. 95 Guatemala $ 7,848,000,000 2008 est. 96 Jordan $ 7,782,000,000 2008 est. 97 Paraguay $ 7,769,000,000 2008 est. 98 Uruguay $ 7,084,000,000 2008 est. 99 Dominican Republic $ 6,950,000,000 2008 est. 100 Burma $ 6,677,000,000 2008 est. 101 Bolivia $ 6,448,000,000 2008 est. 102 Congo, Democratic Republic of the $ 6,100,000,000 2007 103 Honduras $ 6,046,000,000 2008 est. 104 Papua New Guinea $ 5,719,000,000 2008 est. 105 Iceland $ 5,399,000,000 2008 est. 106 Ghana $ 5,275,000,000 2008 est. 107 Bosnia and Herzegovina $ 5,194,000,000 2008 est. 108 Kenya $ 5,040,000,000 2008 est. 109 Lebanon $ 5,023,000,000 2008 est. 110 Zambia $ 4,818,000,000 2008 est. 111 Cambodia $ 4,708,000,000 2008 est. 112 Botswana $ 4,707,000,000 2008 est. 113 Cameroon $ 4,707,000,000 2008 est. 114 San Marino $ 4,628,000,000 2007 115 El Salvador $ 4,611,000,000 2008 est. 116 Chad $ 4,342,000,000 2008 est. 117 Virgin Islands $ 4,234,000,000 2001 118 Macedonia $ 3,971,000,000 2008 est. 119 Netherlands Antilles $ 3,710,000,000 2006 120 Cuba $ 3,680,000,000 2008 est. 121 Namibia $ 3,167,000,000 2008 est. 122 Malta $ 3,060,000,000 2008 est. 123 Uganda $ 2,688,000,000 2008 est. 124 Nicaragua $ 2,675,000,000 2008 est. 125 Mozambique $ 2,653,000,000 2008 est. 126 Jamaica $ 2,602,000,000 2008 est. 127 Mongolia $ 2,539,000,000 2008 128 Georgia $ 2,428,000,000 2008 est. 129 Tanzania $ 2,413,000,000 2008 est. 130 Mauritius $ 2,400,000,000 2008 est. 131 Senegal $ 2,053,000,000 2008 est. 132 Macau $ 2,000,000,000 2008 est. 133 Cyprus $ 1,906,000,000 2008 est. 134 Kyrgyzstan $ 1,847,000,000 2008 est. 135 Swaziland $ 1,756,000,000 2008 est. 136 Korea, North $ 1,684,000,000 2007 137 Moldova $ 1,641,000,000 2008 est. 138 Tajikistan $ 1,575,000,000 2008 est. 139 Ethiopia $ 1,555,000,000 2008 est. 140 Zimbabwe $ 1,396,000,000 2008 est. 141 Mauritania $ 1,395,000,000 2006 142 Guinea $ 1,392,000,000 2008 est. 143 Suriname $ 1,391,000,000 2006 est. 144 Albania $ 1,345,000,000 2008 est. 145 New Caledonia $ 1,341,000,000 2006 146 Madagascar $ 1,254,000,000 2008 est. 147 Fiji $ 1,202,000,000 2006 148 Liberia $ 1,197,000,000 2006 149 Laos $ 1,163,000,000 2008 est. 150 Benin $ 1,127,000,000 2008 est. 151 Armenia $ 1,124,000,000 2008 est. 152 Lesotho $ 956,000,000 2008 est. 153 Nepal $ 868,000,000 2008 154 Malawi $ 830,000,000 2008 est. 155 Guyana $ 797,000,000 2008 est. 156 Togo $ 777,000,000 2008 est. 157 Bermuda $ 763,000,000 2006 158 Monaco $ 716,300,000 2005 159 Bahamas, The $ 674,000,000 2006 160 Faroe Islands $ 634,000,000 2006 161 Burkina Faso $ 544,000,000 2008 est. 162 Seychelles $ 495,000,000 2008 est. 163 Haiti $ 490,000,000 2008 est. 164 Greenland $ 480,000,000 2006 165 Belize $ 464,700,000 2008 est. 166 American Samoa $ 445,600,000 FY04 est. 167 Niger $ 428,000,000 2006 168 Barbados $ 385,000,000 2006 169 Bhutan $ 350,000,000 2006 170 Djibouti $ 340,000,000 2006 171 Gaza Strip $ 339,000,000 2006 172 West Bank $ 339,000,000 2006 173 Afghanistan $ 327,000,000 2007 174 Somalia $ 300,000,000 2006 175 Mali $ 294,000,000 2006 176 Saint Lucia $ 288,000,000 2006 177 Gibraltar $ 271,000,000 2004 est. 178 Solomon Islands $ 237,000,000 2006 179 Sierra Leone $ 216,000,000 2006 180 French Polynesia $ 211,000,000 2005 est. 181 Rwanda $ 210,000,000 2008 est. 182 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines $ 193,000,000 2006 183 Montenegro $ 171,300,000 2003 184 Turks and Caicos Islands $ 169,200,000 2000 185 Central African Republic $ 146,700,000 2007 est. 186 Guinea-Bissau $ 133,000,000 2006 187 Samoa $ 131,000,000 2006 188 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) $ 125,000,000 2004 est. 189 Aruba $ 124,000,000 2006 190 Andorra $ 117,100,000 2007 191 Maldives $ 113,000,000 2008 est. 192 Cape Verde $ 105,000,000 2008 est. 193 Northern Mariana Islands $ 98,200,000 2008 194 Dominica $ 94,000,000 2006 195 Gambia, The $ 85,000,000 2008 est. 196 Antigua and Barbuda $ 84,300,000 2007 est. 197 Saint Kitts and Nevis $ 84,000,000 2006 198 Burundi $ 79,000,000 2008 est. 199 Vanuatu $ 40,000,000 2006 200 Grenada $ 38,000,000 2006 201 Comoros $ 32,000,000 2006 202 British Virgin Islands $ 25,300,000 2002 203 Tonga $ 22,000,000 2006 204 Marshall Islands $ 19,400,000 2008 est. 205 Saint Helena $ 19,000,000 2004 est. 206 Kiribati $ 17,000,000 2004 est. 207 Micronesia, Federated States of $ 14,000,000 2004 est. 208 Anguilla $ 13,000,000 2006 209 Eritrea $ 13,000,000 2008 est. 210 Timor-Leste $ 10,000,000 2005 est. 211 Sao Tome and Principe $ 8,000,000 2008 est. 212 Mayotte $ 6,500,000 2005 213 Palau $ 5,882,000 2004 est. 214 Saint Pierre and Miquelon $ 5,500,000 2005 est. 215 Cook Islands $ 5,222,000 2005 216 Cayman Islands $ 2,520,000 2004 217 Norfolk Island $ 1,500,000 FY91/92 218 Tuvalu $ 1,000,000 2004 est. 219 Montserrat $ 700,000 2001 220 Niue $ 201,400 2004 221 Nauru $ 64,000 2005 est. 222 Wallis and Futuna $ 47,450 2004 223 Tokelau $ 0 2002 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2079 Country Comparison :: Debt - external This entry gives the total public and private debt owed to nonresidents repayable in foreign currency, goods, or services. These figures are calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. Rank country Debt - external Date of Information 1 United States $ 13,750,000,000,000 31 December 2008 2 United Kingdom $ 9,041,000,000,000 31 December 2008 3 Germany $ 5,158,000,000,000 31 December 2008 4 France $ 4,935,000,000,000 31 December 2008 5 Netherlands $ 2,461,000,000,000 31 December 2008 6 Ireland $ 2,356,000,000,000 31 December 2008 7 Italy $ 2,328,000,000,000 31 December 2008 8 Spain $ 2,317,000,000,000 31 December 2008 9 Japan $ 2,231,000,000,000 31 December 2008 10 Luxembourg $ 2,020,000,000,000 31 December 2008 11 Belgium $ 1,354,000,000,000 31 December 2008 12 Switzerland $ 1,305,000,000,000 31 December 2008 13 Austria $ 832,800,000,000 31 December 2008 14 Australia $ 799,800,000,000 31 December 2008 15 Canada $ 781,100,000,000 31 December 2008 16 Hong Kong $ 659,900,000,000 31 December 2008 17 Sweden $ 617,300,000,000 31 December 2008 18 Denmark $ 588,800,000,000 31 December 2008 19 Greece $ 504,600,000,000 31 December 2008 20 Portugal $ 484,700,000,000 31 December 2008 21 Russia $ 483,500,000,000 31 December 2008 22 Norway $ 475,900,000,000 31 December 2008 23 China $ 400,600,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 24 Korea, South $ 381,100,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 25 Finland $ 339,500,000,000 31 December 2008 26 Turkey $ 278,100,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 27 Brazil $ 262,900,000,000 31 December 2008 28 Poland $ 243,500,000,000 31 December 2008 29 India $ 229,300,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 30 Hungary $ 212,100,000,000 31 December 2008 31 Mexico $ 200,400,000,000 31 December 2008 32 Indonesia $ 155,100,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 33 United Arab Emirates $ 134,700,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 34 Argentina $ 128,200,000,000 31 December 2008 35 Kazakhstan $ 107,800,000,000 31 December 2008 36 Romania $ 102,200,000,000 31 December 2008 37 Ukraine $ 101,700,000,000 31 December 2008 38 Taiwan $ 93,020,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 39 Israel $ 86,080,000,000 31 December 2008 40 Saudi Arabia $ 82,130,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 41 Czech Republic $ 80,430,000,000 31 December 2008 42 Malaysia $ 75,330,000,000 31 December 2008 43 South Africa $ 71,810,000,000 31 December 2008 44 Iraq $ 67,740,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 45 Philippines $ 66,270,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 46 Thailand $ 65,090,000,000 31 December 2008 47 Chile $ 64,770,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 48 New Zealand $ 59,080,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 49 Qatar $ 57,370,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 50 Croatia $ 54,790,000,000 31 December 2008 51 Slovenia $ 54,610,000,000 31 December 2008 52 Slovakia $ 52,530,000,000 31 December 2008 53 Bulgaria $ 51,460,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 54 Venezuela $ 47,030,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 55 Pakistan $ 46,390,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 56 Colombia $ 46,380,000,000 31 December 2008 57 Latvia $ 42,260,000,000 31 December 2008 58 Kuwait $ 36,890,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 59 Peru $ 34,590,000,000 31 December 2008 60 Sudan $ 33,720,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 61 Lebanon $ 33,280,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 62 Cyprus $ 32,860,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 63 Lithuania $ 32,470,000,000 31 December 2008 64 Egypt $ 32,120,000,000 31 December 2008 65 Estonia $ 26,840,000,000 31 December 2008 66 Serbia $ 26,240,000,000 2007 est. 67 Vietnam $ 25,890,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 68 Singapore $ 25,520,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 69 Bangladesh $ 22,830,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 70 Iran $ 21,060,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 71 Tunisia $ 20,810,000,000 31 December 2008 72 Morocco $ 20,120,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 73 Cuba $ 19,040,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 74 Ecuador $ 18,110,000,000 31 December 2008 75 Monaco $ 18,000,000,000 2000 est. 76 Sri Lanka $ 16,780,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 77 Belarus $ 15,150,000,000 31 December 2008 78 Angola $ 14,090,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 79 Cote d'Ivoire $ 14,050,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 80 Korea, North $ 12,500,000,000 2001 est. 81 Dominican Republic $ 11,420,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 82 Panama $ 11,260,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 83 Uruguay $ 10,730,000,000 31 December 2008 84 El Salvador $ 10,690,000,000 31 December 2008 85 Jamaica $ 10,650,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 86 Bahrain $ 10,330,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 87 Congo, Democratic Republic of the $ 10,000,000,000 2007 est. 88 Nigeria $ 9,996,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 89 Costa Rica $ 9,249,000,000 31 December 2008 90 Afghanistan $ 8,000,000,000 2004 91 Burma $ 7,946,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 92 Kenya $ 7,855,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 93 Georgia $ 7,711,000,000 31 December 2008 94 Oman $ 7,680,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 95 Bosnia and Herzegovina $ 7,388,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 96 Syria $ 7,167,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 97 Jordan $ 6,794,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 98 Guatemala $ 6,500,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 99 Libya $ 6,223,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 100 Tanzania $ 6,195,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 101 Yemen $ 5,977,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 102 Bolivia $ 5,931,000,000 31 December 2008 103 Zimbabwe $ 5,669,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 104 Mauritius $ 5,077,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 105 Ghana $ 5,055,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 106 Congo, Republic of the $ 5,000,000,000 2000 est. 107 Macedonia $ 4,667,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 108 Nicaragua $ 4,596,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 109 Cambodia $ 4,127,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 110 Moldova $ 4,125,000,000 31 December 2008 111 Uzbekistan $ 4,022,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 112 Mozambique $ 3,826,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 113 Algeria $ 3,753,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 114 Paraguay $ 3,507,000,000 31 December 2008 115 Kyrgyzstan $ 3,467,000,000 31 December 2008 116 Armenia $ 3,449,000,000 31 December 2008 117 Trinidad and Tobago $ 3,289,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 118 Nepal $ 3,285,000,000 2008 119 Guinea $ 3,222,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 120 Honduras $ 3,209,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 121 Liberia $ 3,200,000,000 2005 est. 122 Laos $ 3,179,000,000 2006 123 Ethiopia $ 3,155,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 124 Zambia $ 3,095,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 125 Iceland $ 3,073,000,000 2002 126 Cameroon $ 3,066,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 127 Somalia $ 3,000,000,000 2001 est. 128 Gabon $ 2,986,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 129 Mali $ 2,800,000,000 2002 130 Netherlands Antilles $ 2,680,000,000 2004 131 Azerbaijan $ 2,635,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 132 Senegal $ 2,627,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 133 Papua New Guinea $ 2,511,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 134 Niger $ 2,100,000,000 2003 est. 135 Madagascar $ 2,023,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 136 Togo $ 2,000,000,000 2005 137 Uganda $ 1,835,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 138 Haiti $ 1,817,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 139 Burkina Faso $ 1,665,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 140 Sierra Leone $ 1,610,000,000 2003 est. 141 Chad $ 1,600,000,000 2005 est. 142 Mongolia $ 1,600,000,000 2008 143 Albania $ 1,550,000,000 2004 144 Tajikistan $ 1,503,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 145 Seychelles $ 1,422,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 146 Rwanda $ 1,400,000,000 2004 est. 147 Turkmenistan $ 1,400,000,000 2004 est. 148 Gaza Strip $ 1,300,000,000 2007 est. 149 West Bank $ 1,300,000,000 2007 est. 150 Benin $ 1,200,000,000 2007 151 Burundi $ 1,200,000,000 2003 152 Central African Republic $ 1,153,000,000 2007 est. 153 Malawi $ 1,005,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 154 Belize $ 954,100,000 2008 est. 155 Guinea-Bissau $ 941,500,000 2000 est. 156 Namibia $ 807,300,000 31 December 2008 est. 157 Guyana $ 804,300,000 30 September 2008 158 Bhutan $ 713,300,000 2006 159 Barbados $ 668,000,000 2003 160 Montenegro $ 650,000,000 2006 161 Gambia, The $ 628,800,000 2003 est. 162 Lesotho $ 619,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 163 Swaziland $ 554,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 164 Suriname $ 504,300,000 2005 est. 165 Aruba $ 478,600,000 2005 est. 166 Maldives $ 477,000,000 2008 est. 167 Djibouti $ 428,000,000 2006 168 Botswana $ 409,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 169 Antigua and Barbuda $ 359,800,000 June 2006 170 Grenada $ 347,000,000 2004 171 Bahamas, The $ 342,600,000 2004 est. 172 Cape Verde $ 325,000,000 2002 173 Sao Tome and Principe $ 318,000,000 2002 174 Saint Kitts and Nevis $ 314,000,000 2004 175 Eritrea $ 311,000,000 2000 est. 176 Saint Lucia $ 257,000,000 2004 177 Comoros $ 232,000,000 2000 est. 178 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines $ 223,000,000 2004 179 Dominica $ 213,000,000 2004 180 Equatorial Guinea $ 190,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 181 Malta $ 188,800,000 2005 182 Samoa $ 177,000,000 2004 183 Solomon Islands $ 166,000,000 2004 184 Bermuda $ 160,000,000 FY99/00 185 Cook Islands $ 141,000,000 1996 est. 186 Fiji $ 127,000,000 2004 est. 187 Marshall Islands $ 87,000,000 2008 est. 188 Vanuatu $ 81,200,000 2004 189 Tonga $ 80,700,000 2004 190 New Caledonia $ 79,000,000 1998 est. 191 Cayman Islands $ 70,000,000 1996 192 Faroe Islands $ 64,000,000 1999 193 Micronesia, Federated States of $ 60,800,000 FY05 est. 194 British Virgin Islands $ 36,100,000 1997 195 Nauru $ 33,300,000 196 Greenland $ 25,000,000 1999 197 Kiribati $ 10,000,000 1999 est. 198 Montserrat $ 8,900,000 1997 199 Anguilla $ 8,800,000 1998 200 Wallis and Futuna $ 3,670,000 2004 201 Niue $ 418,000 2002 est. 202 Brunei $ 0 2005 203 Liechtenstein $ 0 2001 204 Palau $ 0 FY99/00 205 Macau $ 0 2006 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2080 Country Comparison :: Fiscal year Rank country Fiscal year Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2081 Country Comparison :: Flag description This entry provides a written flag description produced from actual flags or the best information available at the time the entry was written. The flags of independent states are used by their dependencies unless there is an officially recognized local flag. Some disputed and other areas do not have flags. Rank country Flag description Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2085 Country Comparison :: Roadways This entry gives the total length of the road network and includes the length of the paved and unpaved portions. Rank country (km) Date of Information 1 United States 6,465,799 2007 2 India 3,316,452 2006 3 China 1,930,544 2005 4 Brazil 1,751,868 2004 5 Japan 1,196,999 2006 6 Canada 1,042,300 2006 7 France 951,500 2006 8 Russia 933,000 2006 9 Australia 812,972 2004 10 Spain 681,224 2006 11 Germany 644,480 2006 12 Italy 487,700 2005 13 Turkey 426,951 2006 14 Sweden 425,300 2008 15 Poland 423,997 2006 16 United Kingdom 398,366 2006 17 Indonesia 391,009 2005 18 South Africa 362,099 2002 19 Mexico 356,945 2006 20 Pakistan 259,197 2007 21 Bangladesh 239,226 2003 22 Argentina 231,374 2004 23 Vietnam 222,179 2004 24 Saudi Arabia 221,372 2006 25 Philippines 201,910 2008 26 Romania 198,817 2004 27 Nigeria 193,200 2004 28 Thailand 180,053 2006 29 Iran 172,927 2006 30 Ukraine 169,422 2007 31 Colombia 164,257 2005 32 Hungary 159,568 2005 33 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 153,497 2004 34 Belgium 152,256 2006 35 Netherlands 135,470 2007 36 Czech Republic 128,512 2007 37 Greece 117,533 2005 38 Algeria 108,302 2004 39 Austria 107,262 2006 40 Korea, South 103,029 2008 41 Libya 100,024 2003 42 Malaysia 98,721 2004 43 Syria 97,401 2006 44 Sri Lanka 97,286 2003 45 Zimbabwe 97,267 2002 46 Ireland 96,602 2003 47 Venezuela 96,155 2002 48 Belarus 94,797 2005 49 New Zealand 93,576 2006 50 Norway 92,946 2007 51 Burkina Faso 92,495 2004 52 Egypt 92,370 2004 53 Kazakhstan 91,563 2006 54 Zambia 91,440 2001 55 Uzbekistan 86,496 2000 56 Portugal 82,900 2005 57 Lithuania 80,715 2007 58 Chile 80,505 2004 59 Cote d'Ivoire 80,000 2006 60 Tanzania 78,891 2003 61 Peru 78,829 2004 62 Finland 78,141 2009 63 Uruguay 77,732 2004 64 Denmark 72,362 2006 65 Yemen 71,300 2005 66 Switzerland 71,298 2006 67 Uganda 70,746 2003 68 Latvia 69,675 2006 69 Madagascar 65,663 2003 70 Kenya 63,574 2008 71 Bolivia 62,479 2004 72 Ghana 62,221 2006 73 Cuba 60,858 2000 74 Azerbaijan 59,141 2004 75 Turkmenistan 58,592 2002 76 Morocco 57,625 2006 77 Estonia 57,016 2005 78 Angola 51,429 2001 79 Cameroon 50,000 2004 80 Mongolia 49,249 2008 81 Iraq 44,900 2002 82 Guinea 44,348 2003 83 Slovakia 43,761 2006 84 Ecuador 43,670 2006 85 Oman 42,300 2005 86 Namibia 42,237 2002 87 Afghanistan 42,150 2006 88 Taiwan 40,262 2007 89 Bulgaria 40,231 2005 90 Slovenia 38,709 2007 91 Cambodia 38,093 2007 92 Serbia 36,875 2006 93 Ethiopia 36,469 2004 94 Costa Rica 35,330 2004 95 Chad 33,400 2002 96 Mozambique 30,400 2000 97 Laos 29,811 2006 98 Paraguay 29,500 2000 99 Croatia 28,788 2006 100 Tajikistan 27,767 2000 101 Burma 27,000 2006 102 Puerto Rico 26,186 2007 103 Botswana 25,798 2005 104 Korea, North 25,554 2006 105 Central African Republic 24,307 2000 106 Somalia 22,100 2000 107 Bosnia and Herzegovina 21,846 2006 108 Jamaica 21,552 2005 109 Georgia 20,329 2006 110 Dominican Republic 19,705 2002 111 Papua New Guinea 19,600 2000 112 Tunisia 19,232 2004 113 Nicaragua 19,036 2005 114 Mali 18,709 2004 115 Niger 18,550 2006 116 Kyrgyzstan 18,500 2003 117 Albania 18,000 2002 118 Israel 17,870 2007 119 Congo, Republic of the 17,289 2004 120 Nepal 17,282 2007 121 Benin 16,000 2006 122 Malawi 15,451 2003 123 Cyprus 14,630 2006 124 Guatemala 14,095 2000 125 Rwanda 14,008 2004 126 Honduras 13,600 2000 127 Senegal 13,576 2003 128 Macedonia 13,182 2002 129 Iceland 13,058 2007 130 Moldova 12,666 2007 131 Burundi 12,322 2004 132 Panama 11,978 2002 133 Sudan 11,900 2000 134 Sierra Leone 11,300 2002 135 Mauritania 11,066 2006 136 El Salvador 10,886 2000 137 Liberia 10,600 2000 138 Gabon 9,170 2004 139 Trinidad and Tobago 8,320 2000 140 Bhutan 8,050 2003 141 Jordan 8,002 2007 142 Guyana 7,970 2000 143 Qatar 7,790 2006 144 Armenia 7,700 2006 145 Togo 7,520 2000 146 Montenegro 7,368 2006 147 Lesotho 7,091 2003 148 Lebanon 6,970 2005 149 Timor-Leste 6,040 2005 150 Kuwait 5,749 2004 151 New Caledonia 5,622 2006 152 Luxembourg 5,227 2004 153 West Bank 5,147 2006 154 Suriname 4,304 2003 155 Haiti 4,160 2000 156 United Arab Emirates 4,080 2008 157 Eritrea 4,010 2000 158 Gambia, The 3,742 2004 159 Brunei 3,650 2005 160 Swaziland 3,594 2002 161 Bahrain 3,498 2003 162 Guinea-Bissau 3,455 2002 163 Fiji 3,440 2000 164 Singapore 3,297 2007 165 Djibouti 3,065 2000 166 Belize 3,007 2006 167 Equatorial Guinea 2,880 2000 168 Bahamas, The 2,717 2002 169 French Polynesia 2,590 1999 170 Samoa 2,337 2001 171 Malta 2,227 2005 172 Hong Kong 2,040 2008 173 Mauritius 2,028 2007 174 Marshall Islands 2,028 2007 175 Kosovo 1,924 2006 176 Barbados 1,600 2004 177 Solomon Islands 1,360 2002 178 Cape Verde 1,350 2000 179 Virgin Islands 1,257 2007 180 Saint Lucia 1,210 2002 181 Antigua and Barbuda 1,165 2002 182 Grenada 1,127 2000 183 Vanuatu 1,070 1999 184 Comoros 880 2002 185 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 829 2003 186 Cayman Islands 785 2007 187 Dominica 780 2000 188 Tonga 680 2000 189 Kiribati 670 2000 190 Northern Mariana Islands 536 2007 191 Isle of Man 500 2008 192 Faroe Islands 463 2006 193 Seychelles 458 2003 194 Bermuda 447 2007 195 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 440 2008 196 Macau 404 2008 197 Saint Kitts and Nevis 383 2002 198 Liechtenstein 380 2007 199 Jersey 358 2002 200 Cook Islands 320 2003 201 Sao Tome and Principe 320 2000 202 San Marino 292 2006 203 Andorra 270 1994 204 Micronesia, Federated States of 240 2000 205 American Samoa 221 2007 206 British Virgin Islands 200 2007 207 Saint Helena 198 2002 208 Anguilla 175 2004 209 Christmas Island 140 2007 210 Turks and Caicos Islands 121 2003 211 Niue 120 2008 212 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 117 2000 213 Maldives 88 2006 214 Norfolk Island 80 2008 215 Monaco 50 2007 216 Gibraltar 29 2007 217 Nauru 24 2002 218 Cocos (Keeling) Islands 22 2006 219 Tuvalu 8 2002 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2086 Country Comparison :: Illicit drugs This entry gives information on the five categories of illicit drugs - narcotics, stimulants, depressants (sedatives), hallucinogens, and cannabis. These categories include many drugs legally produced and prescribed by doctors as well as those illegally produced and sold outside of medical channels. Cannabis (Cannabis sativa) is the common hemp plant, which provides hallucinogens with some sedative properties, and includes marijuana (pot, Acapulco gold, grass, reefer), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, Marinol), hashish (hash), and hashish oil (hash oil). Coca (mostly Erythroxylum coca) is a bush with leaves that contain the stimulant used to make cocaine. Coca is not to be confused with cocoa, which comes from cacao seeds and is used in making chocolate, cocoa, and cocoa butter. Cocaine is a stimulant derived from the leaves of the coca bush. Depressants (sedatives) are drugs that reduce tension and anxiety and include chloral hydrate, barbiturates (Amytal, Nembutal, Seconal, phenobarbital), benzodiazepines (Librium, Valium), methaqualone (Quaalude), glutethimide (Doriden), and others (Equanil, Placidyl, Valmid). Drugs are any chemical substances that effect a physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral change in an individual. Drug abuse is the use of any licit or illicit chemical substance that results in physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral impairment in an individual. Hallucinogens are drugs that affect sensation, thinking, self-awareness, and emotion. Hallucinogens include LSD (acid, microdot), mescaline and peyote (mexc, buttons, cactus), amphetamine variants (PMA, STP, DOB), phencyclidine (PCP, angel dust, hog), phencyclidine analogues (PCE, PCPy, TCP), and others (psilocybin, psilocyn). Hashish is the resinous exudate of the cannabis or hemp plant (Cannabis sativa). Heroin is a semisynthetic derivative of morphine. Mandrax is a trade name for methaqualone, a pharmaceutical depressant. Marijuana is the dried leaf of the cannabis or hemp plant (Cannabis sativa). Methaqualone is a pharmaceutical depressant, referred to as mandrax in Southwest Asia and Africa. Narcotics are drugs that relieve pain, often induce sleep, and refer to opium, opium derivatives, and synthetic substitutes. Natural narcotics include opium (paregoric, parepectolin), morphine (MS-Contin, Roxanol), codeine (Tylenol with codeine, Empirin with codeine, Robitussin AC), and thebaine. Semisynthetic narcotics include heroin (horse, smack), and hydromorphone (Dilaudid). Synthetic narcotics include meperidine or Pethidine (Demerol, Mepergan), methadone (Dolophine, Methadose), and others (Darvon, Lomotil). Opium is the brown, gummy exudate of the incised, unripe seedpod of the opium poppy. Opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) is the source for the natural and semisynthetic narcotics. Poppy straw is the entire cut and dried opium poppy-plant material, other than the seeds. Opium is extracted from poppy straw in commercial operations that produce the drug for medical use. Qat (kat, khat) is a stimulant from the buds or leaves of Catha edulis that is chewed or drunk as tea. Quaaludes is the North American slang term for methaqualone, a pharmaceutical depressant. Stimulants are drugs that relieve mild depression, increase energy and activity, and include cocaine (coke, snow, crack), amphetamines (Desoxyn, Dexedrine), ephedrine, ecstasy (clarity, essence, doctor, Adam), phenmetrazine (Preludin), methylphenidate (Ritalin), and others (Cylert, Sanorex, Tenuate). Rank country Illicit drugs Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2087 Country Comparison :: Imports This entry provides the total US dollar amount of merchandise imports on a c.i.f. (cost, insurance, and freight) or f.o.b. (free on board) basis. These figures are calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. Rank country Imports Date of Information 1 United States $ 2,117,000,000,000 2008 est. 2 European Union $ 1,690,000,000,000 2007 3 Germany $ 1,232,000,000,000 2008 est. 4 China $ 1,074,000,000,000 2008 est. 5 Japan $ 708,300,000,000 2008 est. 6 France $ 692,000,000,000 2008 est. 7 United Kingdom $ 639,300,000,000 2008 est. 8 Italy $ 546,900,000,000 2008 est. 9 Netherlands $ 474,800,000,000 2008 est. 10 Korea, South $ 427,400,000,000 2008 est. 11 Spain $ 415,500,000,000 2008 est. 12 Canada $ 415,200,000,000 2008 est. 13 Hong Kong $ 388,400,000,000 2008 est. 14 Belgium $ 387,700,000,000 2008 est. 15 India $ 315,100,000,000 2008 est. 16 Singapore $ 309,600,000,000 2008 est. 17 Mexico $ 308,600,000,000 2008 est. 18 Russia $ 291,900,000,000 2008 est. 19 Taiwan $ 236,700,000,000 2008 est. 20 Switzerland $ 227,400,000,000 2008 est. 21 Poland $ 204,400,000,000 2008 est. 22 Australia $ 194,200,000,000 2008 est. 23 Turkey $ 193,900,000,000 2008 est. 24 Austria $ 179,200,000,000 2008 est. 25 United Arab Emirates $ 176,300,000,000 2008 est. 26 Brazil $ 173,100,000,000 2008 est. 27 Sweden $ 167,800,000,000 2008 est. 28 Thailand $ 157,300,000,000 2008 est. 29 Malaysia $ 154,700,000,000 2008 est. 30 Czech Republic $ 139,400,000,000 2008 est. 31 Denmark $ 116,400,000,000 2008 est. 32 Indonesia $ 116,000,000,000 2008 est. 33 Saudi Arabia $ 108,300,000,000 2008 est. 34 Hungary $ 106,500,000,000 2008 est. 35 Greece $ 93,910,000,000 2008 est. 36 South Africa $ 90,570,000,000 2008 est. 37 Portugal $ 87,830,000,000 2008 est. 38 Finland $ 87,510,000,000 2008 est. 39 Norway $ 85,950,000,000 2008 est. 40 Ireland $ 84,820,000,000 2008 est. 41 Ukraine $ 83,810,000,000 2008 est. 42 Romania $ 76,170,000,000 2008 est. 43 Vietnam $ 75,470,000,000 2008 est. 44 Slovakia $ 73,620,000,000 2008 est. 45 Iran $ 67,250,000,000 2008 est. 46 Israel $ 64,400,000,000 2008 est. 47 Philippines $ 60,780,000,000 2008 est. 48 Chile $ 57,610,000,000 2008 est. 49 Egypt $ 56,620,000,000 2008 est. 50 Argentina $ 54,560,000,000 2008 est. 51 Venezuela $ 48,100,000,000 2008 est. 52 Nigeria $ 46,300,000,000 2008 est. 53 Morocco $ 39,350,000,000 2008 est. 54 Algeria $ 39,160,000,000 2008 est. 55 Belarus $ 39,160,000,000 2008 est. 56 Kazakhstan $ 38,450,000,000 2008 est. 57 Pakistan $ 38,190,000,000 2008 est. 58 Colombia $ 37,560,000,000 2008 est. 59 Iraq $ 37,220,000,000 2008 est. 60 Bulgaria $ 35,640,000,000 2008 est. 61 Slovenia $ 33,490,000,000 2008 est. 62 New Zealand $ 32,760,000,000 2008 est. 63 Croatia $ 30,420,000,000 2008 est. 64 Lithuania $ 29,300,000,000 2008 est. 65 Peru $ 28,440,000,000 2008 est. 66 Luxembourg $ 27,730,000,000 2008 est. 67 Libya $ 26,550,000,000 2008 est. 68 Qatar $ 25,110,000,000 2008 est. 69 Tunisia $ 23,230,000,000 2008 est. 70 Kuwait $ 22,940,000,000 2008 est. 71 Bangladesh $ 21,510,000,000 2008 est. 72 Oman $ 20,710,000,000 2008 est. 73 Serbia $ 18,350,000,000 2007 est. 74 Ecuador $ 17,790,000,000 2008 est. 75 Angola $ 17,080,000,000 2008 est. 76 Lebanon $ 16,250,000,000 2008 est. 77 Dominican Republic $ 16,100,000,000 2008 est. 78 Syria $ 15,970,000,000 2008 est. 79 Netherlands Antilles $ 15,740,000,000 2006 80 Latvia $ 15,650,000,000 2008 est. 81 Estonia $ 15,350,000,000 2008 est. 82 Panama $ 15,000,000,000 2008 est. 83 Jordan $ 14,990,000,000 2008 est. 84 Costa Rica $ 14,550,000,000 2008 est. 85 Bahrain $ 14,250,000,000 2008 est. 86 Cuba $ 14,250,000,000 2008 est. 87 Guatemala $ 13,420,000,000 2008 est. 88 Sri Lanka $ 12,610,000,000 2008 est. 89 Bosnia and Herzegovina $ 12,290,000,000 2008 est. 90 Kenya $ 10,690,000,000 2008 est. 91 Cyprus $ 10,540,000,000 2008 est. 92 Honduras $ 10,390,000,000 2008 est. 93 Ghana $ 10,260,000,000 2008 est. 94 Trinidad and Tobago $ 9,788,000,000 2008 est. 95 El Salvador $ 9,003,000,000 2008 est. 96 Yemen $ 8,829,000,000 2008 est. 97 Paraguay $ 8,809,000,000 2008 est. 98 Uruguay $ 8,799,000,000 2008 est. 99 Sudan $ 8,229,000,000 2008 est. 100 Azerbaijan $ 7,575,000,000 2008 est. 101 Ethiopia $ 7,206,000,000 2008 est. 102 Jamaica $ 7,185,000,000 2008 est. 103 Liberia $ 7,143,000,000 2006 104 Tanzania $ 7,080,000,000 2008 est. 105 Uzbekistan $ 7,070,000,000 2008 est. 106 Cote d'Ivoire $ 6,760,000,000 2008 est. 107 Cambodia $ 6,534,000,000 2008 est. 108 Macedonia $ 6,523,000,000 2008 est. 109 Georgia $ 6,261,000,000 2008 est. 110 Iceland $ 5,699,000,000 2008 est. 111 Turkmenistan $ 5,654,000,000 2008 est. 112 Macau $ 5,400,000,000 2008 est. 113 Congo, Democratic Republic of the $ 5,200,000,000 2007 114 Albania $ 4,898,000,000 2008 est. 115 Moldova $ 4,870,000,000 2008 est. 116 Afghanistan $ 4,850,000,000 2007 117 Nicaragua $ 4,848,000,000 2008 est. 118 Malta $ 4,792,000,000 2008 est. 119 Zambia $ 4,694,000,000 2008 est. 120 Bolivia $ 4,641,000,000 2008 est. 121 Virgin Islands $ 4,609,000,000 2001 122 Botswana $ 4,486,000,000 2008 est. 123 Mauritius $ 4,399,000,000 2008 est. 124 Cameroon $ 4,303,000,000 2008 est. 125 Senegal $ 4,263,000,000 2008 est. 126 Uganda $ 3,980,000,000 2008 est. 127 Namibia $ 3,849,000,000 2008 est. 128 Armenia $ 3,763,000,000 2008 est. 129 Kyrgyzstan $ 3,754,000,000 2008 est. 130 San Marino $ 3,744,000,000 2007 131 Tajikistan $ 3,699,000,000 2008 est. 132 Mongolia $ 3,615,000,000 2008 133 Mozambique $ 3,458,000,000 2008 est. 134 Burma $ 3,388,000,000 2008 est. 135 Nepal $ 3,229,000,000 2008 136 Papua New Guinea $ 3,124,000,000 2008 est. 137 Fiji $ 3,120,000,000 2006 138 Equatorial Guinea $ 3,114,000,000 2008 est. 139 Congo, Republic of the $ 3,105,000,000 2008 est. 140 Korea, North $ 3,055,000,000 2007 141 Gibraltar $ 2,967,000,000 2004 est. 142 Gaza Strip $ 2,840,000,000 2006 143 Gabon $ 2,577,000,000 2008 est. 144 Madagascar $ 2,419,000,000 2008 est. 145 Bahamas, The $ 2,401,000,000 2006 146 Mali $ 2,358,000,000 2006 147 Haiti $ 2,107,000,000 2008 est. 148 Brunei $ 2,055,000,000 2007 est. 149 New Caledonia $ 1,998,000,000 2006 150 Chad $ 1,927,000,000 2008 est. 151 Zimbabwe $ 1,915,000,000 2008 est. 152 Lesotho $ 1,880,000,000 2008 est. 153 Swaziland $ 1,855,000,000 2008 est. 154 Benin $ 1,843,000,000 2008 est. 155 Andorra $ 1,789,000,000 2007 156 French Polynesia $ 1,706,000,000 2005 est. 157 Malawi $ 1,587,000,000 2008 est. 158 Barbados $ 1,586,000,000 2006 159 Djibouti $ 1,555,000,000 2006 160 Togo $ 1,541,000,000 2008 est. 161 Mauritania $ 1,475,000,000 2006 162 Guinea $ 1,389,000,000 2008 est. 163 Laos $ 1,384,000,000 2008 est. 164 Burkina Faso $ 1,343,000,000 2008 est. 165 West Bank $ 1,300,000,000 2006 166 Suriname $ 1,297,000,000 2006 est. 167 Guyana $ 1,294,000,000 2008 est. 168 Maldives $ 1,276,000,000 2008 est. 169 Bermuda $ 1,162,000,000 2006 170 Aruba $ 1,054,000,000 2006 171 Seychelles $ 1,018,000,000 2008 est. 172 Monaco $ 916,100,000 2005 173 Cayman Islands $ 866,900,000 2004 174 Cape Verde $ 864,000,000 2008 est. 175 Rwanda $ 834,000,000 2008 est. 176 Niger $ 800,000,000 2006 177 Somalia $ 798,000,000 2006 178 Saint Lucia $ 791,000,000 2006 179 Belize $ 788,100,000 2008 est. 180 Faroe Islands $ 751,000,000 2006 181 Greenland $ 712,000,000 2006 182 Montenegro $ 601,700,000 2003 183 Eritrea $ 601,000,000 2008 est. 184 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines $ 578,000,000 2006 185 Sierra Leone $ 560,000,000 2006 186 Antigua and Barbuda $ 522,800,000 2007 est. 187 Saint Kitts and Nevis $ 383,000,000 2006 188 Burundi $ 350,000,000 2008 est. 189 Grenada $ 343,000,000 2006 190 Mayotte $ 341,000,000 2005 191 Samoa $ 324,000,000 2006 192 Bhutan $ 320,000,000 2006 193 American Samoa $ 308,800,000 FY04 est. 194 Gambia, The $ 299,000,000 2008 est. 195 Dominica $ 296,000,000 2006 196 Solomon Islands $ 256,000,000 2006 197 Central African Republic $ 237,300,000 2007 est. 198 Northern Mariana Islands $ 214,400,000 2001 199 Timor-Leste $ 202,000,000 2004 est. 200 Guinea-Bissau $ 200,000,000 2006 201 Vanuatu $ 156,000,000 2006 202 Anguilla $ 143,000,000 2006 203 Comoros $ 143,000,000 2006 204 Tonga $ 139,000,000 2006 205 Micronesia, Federated States of $ 132,700,000 2004 206 Palau $ 107,300,000 2004 est. 207 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) $ 90,000,000 2004 est. 208 Sao Tome and Principe $ 87,000,000 2008 est. 209 Cook Islands $ 81,040,000 2005 210 Marshall Islands $ 79,400,000 2008 est. 211 Saint Pierre and Miquelon $ 68,200,000 2005 est. 212 Kiribati $ 62,000,000 2004 est. 213 Wallis and Futuna $ 61,170,000 2004 214 Saint Helena $ 45,000,000 2004 est. 215 Nauru $ 20,000,000 2004 est. 216 Tuvalu $ 12,910,000 2005 217 Niue $ 9,038,000 2004 218 Tokelau $ 969,200 2002 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2088 Country Comparison :: Independence For most countries, this entry gives the date that sovereignty was achieved and from which nation, empire, or trusteeship. For the other countries, the date given may not represent "independence" in the strict sense, but rather some significant nationhood event such as the traditional founding date or the date of unification, federation, confederation, establishment, fundamental change in the form of government, or state succession. Dependent areas include the notation "none" followed by the nature of their dependency status. Also see the Terminology note. Rank country Independence Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2089 Country Comparison :: Industrial production growth rate This entry gives the annual percentage increase in industrial production (includes manufacturing, mining, and construction). Rank country (%) Date of Information 1 Angola 14.30 2008 est. 2 Panama 14.20 2008 est. 3 Qatar 13.00 2008 est. 4 Uzbekistan 12.70 2008 est. 5 Belarus 12.00 2008 est. 6 Bosnia and Herzegovina 11.60 2008 est. 7 Equatorial Guinea 11.30 2008 est. 8 Laos 11.00 2008 est. 9 Kyrgyzstan 10.70 2008 est. 10 Bolivia 10.60 2008 est. 11 Iraq 10.50 2008 est. 12 Ethiopia 10.40 2008 est. 13 Lesotho 10.00 2008 est. 14 Sao Tome and Principe 9.50 2008 est. 15 China 9.30 2008 est. 16 Tanzania 9.10 2008 est. 17 Mozambique 9.00 2008 est. 18 Timor-Leste 8.50 2004 est. 19 Ghana 8.10 2008 est. 20 Cambodia 8.00 2008 est. 21 Faroe Islands 8.00 1999 est. 22 Peru 8.00 2008 est. 23 Uruguay 8.00 2008 est. 24 Kuwait 8.00 2008 est. 25 Burma 7.80 2008 est. 26 Rwanda 7.50 2008 est. 27 Romania 7.10 2008 est. 28 Congo, Republic of the 7.00 2008 est. 29 Guinea 7.00 2008 est. 30 Uganda 7.00 2008 est. 31 Bangladesh 6.90 2008 est. 32 United Arab Emirates 6.70 2008 est. 33 Suriname 6.50 1994 est. 34 Switzerland 6.50 2006 est. 35 Bahrain 6.30 2008 est. 36 Vietnam 6.30 2008 est. 37 Libya 6.20 2008 est. 38 Egypt 6.10 2008 est. 39 Azerbaijan 6.00 2008 est. 40 Zambia 6.00 2008 est. 41 Sri Lanka 5.90 2008 est. 42 Jordan 5.70 2008 est. 43 Papua New Guinea 5.60 2008 est. 44 Ecuador 5.50 2008 est. 45 Niger 5.10 2003 est. 46 Burundi 5.00 2008 est. 47 Mauritius 5.00 2008 est. 48 Philippines 5.00 2008 est. 49 Cape Verde 5.00 2008 est. 50 Ireland 5.00 2007 est. 51 India 4.80 2008 est. 52 Kenya 4.80 2008 est. 53 Poland 4.80 2008 est. 54 Morocco 4.70 2008 est. 55 Guinea-Bissau 4.70 2003 est. 56 Pakistan 4.60 2008 est. 57 Iran 4.50 2008 est. 58 Burkina Faso 4.50 2008 est. 59 Senegal 4.50 2008 est. 60 Honduras 4.40 2008 est. 61 Argentina 4.30 2008 est. 62 Brazil 4.30 2008 est. 63 Cameroon 4.20 2008 est. 64 Cyprus 4.10 2008 est. 65 Trinidad and Tobago 4.10 2008 est. 66 Malawi 4.00 2008 est. 67 Macedonia 4.00 2008 est. 68 Paraguay 4.00 2008 est. 69 Czech Republic 3.80 2008 est. 70 Indonesia 3.70 2008 est. 71 Benin 3.50 2008 est. 72 Israel 3.50 2008 est. 73 Oman 3.50 2008 est. 74 Russia 3.50 2008 est. 75 Thailand 3.40 2008 est. 76 Algeria 3.20 2008 est. 77 Greece 3.20 2008 est. 78 San Marino 3.10 2007 79 Albania 3.00 2008 est. 80 Togo 3.00 2008 est. 81 Nicaragua 3.00 2008 est. 82 Mongolia 3.00 2006 est. 83 Madagascar 3.00 2008 est. 84 Cote d'Ivoire 3.00 2008 est. 85 Central African Republic 3.00 2002 86 Australia 3.00 2008 est. 87 Netherlands 2.90 2008 est. 88 Nigeria 2.80 2008 est. 89 Yemen 2.80 2008 est. 90 Samoa 2.80 2000 91 Tunisia 2.70 2008 est. 92 Venezuela 2.50 2008 est. 93 Armenia 2.40 2008 est. 94 Kazakhstan 2.40 2008 est. 95 Gaza Strip 2.40 2005 96 West Bank 2.40 2005 97 Saudi Arabia 2.40 2008 est. 98 Austria 2.40 2008 est. 99 Guyana 2.40 2008 est. 100 Syria 2.30 2008 est. 101 Korea, South 2.20 2008 est. 102 Belgium 2.00 2008 est. 103 Eritrea 2.00 2008 est. 104 Mauritania 2.00 2000 est. 105 Seychelles 2.00 2008 est. 106 Chad 2.00 2008 est. 107 Cuba 1.90 2008 est. 108 Belize 1.80 2008 est. 109 Brunei 1.80 2006 est. 110 Nepal 1.80 FY08 111 Serbia 1.80 2007 est. 112 Croatia 1.70 2008 est. 113 Luxembourg 1.70 2007 est. 114 Slovenia 1.70 2008 est. 115 Bulgaria 1.50 2008 est. 116 Lithuania 1.50 2008 est. 117 El Salvador 1.50 2008 est. 118 Guatemala 1.40 2008 est. 119 Dominican Republic 1.30 2008 est. 120 Swaziland 1.10 2008 est. 121 Cook Islands 1.00 2002 122 Tonga 1.00 2003 est. 123 South Africa 1.00 2008 est. 124 Gabon 1.00 2008 est. 125 Malaysia 1.00 2008 est. 126 Colombia 0.80 2008 est. 127 Namibia 0.80 2008 est. 128 Chile 0.70 2008 est. 129 Finland 0.40 2008 est. 130 Gambia, The 0.30 2008 est. 131 Germany 0.10 2008 est. 132 Sudan 0.10 2008 est. 133 Haiti 0.00 2008 est. 134 Iceland 0.00 2008 est. 135 Norway -0.20 2008 est. 136 Jamaica -0.50 2008 est. 137 European Union -0.60 2008 est. 138 Turkey -0.60 2008 est. 139 Mexico -0.70 2008 est. 140 Singapore -0.80 2008 est. 141 Maldives -0.90 2004 est. 142 Georgia -1.00 2008 est. 143 Moldova -1.00 2008 est. 144 Hungary -1.00 2008 est. 145 Costa Rica -1.10 2008 est. 146 Hong Kong -1.20 2008 est. 147 Taiwan -1.20 2008 est. 148 Turkmenistan -1.50 2008 est. 149 France -1.80 2008 est. 150 Sweden -1.80 2008 est. 151 Comoros -2.00 1999 est. 152 United States -2.00 2008 est. 153 Japan -2.00 2008 est. 154 United Kingdom -2.00 2008 est. 155 New Zealand -2.20 2008 est. 156 Portugal -2.20 2008 est. 157 Spain -2.30 2008 est. 158 Botswana -2.40 2008 est. 159 Canada -2.80 2008 est. 160 Italy -2.80 2008 est. 161 Denmark -3.00 2008 est. 162 Barbados -3.20 2000 est. 163 Slovakia -3.70 2008 est. 164 Tajikistan -4.00 2008 est. 165 Latvia -4.50 2008 est. 166 Estonia -4.80 2008 est. 167 Ukraine -5.00 2008 est. 168 Zimbabwe -14.70 2008 est. ====================================================================== Rank code: 2090 Country Comparison :: Industries This entry provides a rank ordering of industries starting with the largest by value of annual output. Rank country Industries Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2091 Country Comparison :: Infant mortality rate This entry gives the number of deaths of infants under one year old in a given year per 1,000 live births in the same year; included is the total death rate, and deaths by sex, male and female. This rate is often used as an indicator of the level of health in a country. Rank country (deaths/1,000 live births) Date of Information 1 Angola 180.21 2009 est. 2 Sierra Leone 154.43 2009 est. 3 Afghanistan 151.95 2009 est. 4 Liberia 138.24 2009 est. 5 Niger 116.66 2009 est. 6 Somalia 109.19 2009 est. 7 Mozambique 105.80 2009 est. 8 Mali 102.05 2009 est. 9 Zambia 101.20 2009 est. 10 Guinea-Bissau 99.82 2009 est. 11 Chad 98.69 2009 est. 12 Djibouti 97.51 2009 est. 13 Nigeria 94.35 2009 est. 14 Malawi 89.05 2009 est. 15 Burkina Faso 84.49 2009 est. 16 Sudan 82.43 2009 est. 17 Rwanda 81.61 2009 est. 18 Equatorial Guinea 81.58 2009 est. 19 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 81.21 2009 est. 20 Ethiopia 80.80 2009 est. 21 Central African Republic 80.62 2009 est. 22 Congo, Republic of the 79.78 2009 est. 23 Laos 77.82 2009 est. 24 Lesotho 77.40 2009 est. 25 Western Sahara 69.66 2009 est. 26 Tanzania 69.28 2009 est. 27 Swaziland 68.63 2009 est. 28 Cote d'Ivoire 68.06 2009 est. 29 Gambia, The 67.33 2009 est. 30 Comoros 66.57 2009 est. 31 Guinea 65.22 2009 est. 32 Pakistan 65.14 2009 est. 33 Uganda 64.82 2009 est. 34 Benin 64.64 2009 est. 35 Mauritania 63.42 2009 est. 36 Cameroon 63.34 2009 est. 37 Haiti 59.69 2009 est. 38 Burundi 59.64 2009 est. 39 Bangladesh 59.02 2009 est. 40 Senegal 58.94 2009 est. 41 Mayotte 56.29 2009 est. 42 Togo 56.24 2009 est. 43 Cambodia 54.79 2009 est. 44 Kenya 54.70 2009 est. 45 Yemen 54.70 2009 est. 46 Azerbaijan 54.60 2009 est. 47 Madagascar 54.20 2009 est. 48 Gabon 51.78 2009 est. 49 Korea, North 51.34 2009 est. 50 Ghana 51.09 2009 est. 51 Vanuatu 49.45 2009 est. 52 Bhutan 49.36 2009 est. 53 Burma 47.61 2009 est. 54 Nepal 47.46 2009 est. 55 Namibia 45.51 2009 est. 56 Turkmenistan 45.36 2009 est. 57 Papua New Guinea 45.23 2009 est. 58 Bolivia 44.66 2009 est. 59 South Africa 44.42 2009 est. 60 Iraq 43.82 2009 est. 61 Kiribati 43.48 2009 est. 62 Eritrea 43.33 2009 est. 63 Cape Verde 41.35 2009 est. 64 Tajikistan 41.03 2009 est. 65 World 40.85 2009 est. 66 Timor-Leste 40.65 2009 est. 67 Mongolia 39.88 2009 est. 68 Sao Tome and Principe 37.12 2009 est. 69 Morocco 36.88 2009 est. 70 Iran 35.78 2009 est. 71 Zimbabwe 32.31 2009 est. 72 Kyrgyzstan 31.26 2009 est. 73 India 30.15 2009 est. 74 Indonesia 29.97 2009 est. 75 Trinidad and Tobago 29.93 2009 est. 76 Guyana 29.65 2009 est. 77 Maldives 29.53 2009 est. 78 Peru 28.62 2009 est. 79 Guatemala 27.84 2009 est. 80 Algeria 27.73 2009 est. 81 Egypt 27.26 2009 est. 82 Micronesia, Federated States of 26.10 2009 est. 83 Dominican Republic 25.96 2009 est. 84 Syria 25.87 2009 est. 85 Turkey 25.78 2009 est. 86 Kazakhstan 25.73 2009 est. 87 Marshall Islands 25.45 2009 est. 88 Nicaragua 25.02 2009 est. 89 Paraguay 24.68 2009 est. 90 Samoa 24.22 2009 est. 91 Honduras 24.03 2009 est. 92 Uzbekistan 23.43 2009 est. 93 Bahamas, The 23.17 2009 est. 94 Belize 23.07 2009 est. 95 Romania 22.90 2009 est. 96 Vietnam 22.88 2009 est. 97 Brazil 22.58 2009 est. 98 Tunisia 22.57 2009 est. 99 Lebanon 21.82 2009 est. 100 Venezuela 21.54 2009 est. 101 El Salvador 21.52 2009 est. 102 Libya 21.05 2009 est. 103 Ecuador 20.90 2009 est. 104 Philippines 20.56 2009 est. 105 China 20.25 2009 est. 106 Armenia 20.21 2009 est. 107 Solomon Islands 19.03 2009 est. 108 Colombia 18.90 2009 est. 109 Suriname 18.81 2009 est. 110 Albania 18.62 2009 est. 111 Sri Lanka 18.57 2009 est. 112 Tuvalu 18.43 2009 est. 113 Mexico 18.42 2009 est. 114 Gaza Strip 18.35 2009 est. 115 Bulgaria 17.87 2009 est. 116 Saint Helena 17.63 2009 est. 117 Thailand 17.63 2009 est. 118 Cook Islands 16.90 2009 est. 119 Oman 16.88 2009 est. 120 Antigua and Barbuda 16.25 2009 est. 121 Georgia 16.22 2009 est. 122 Montserrat 16.08 2009 est. 123 West Bank 15.96 2009 est. 124 Malaysia 15.87 2009 est. 125 Bahrain 15.25 2009 est. 126 Jamaica 15.22 2009 est. 127 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 15.14 2009 est. 128 Jordan 14.97 2009 est. 129 British Virgin Islands 14.65 2009 est. 130 Saint Kitts and Nevis 13.94 2009 est. 131 Turks and Caicos Islands 13.89 2009 est. 132 Aruba 13.79 2009 est. 133 Dominica 13.65 2009 est. 134 Saint Lucia 13.43 2009 est. 135 Grenada 13.23 2009 est. 136 Palau 13.14 2009 est. 137 Moldova 13.13 2009 est. 138 United Arab Emirates 12.70 2009 est. 139 Panama 12.67 2009 est. 140 Qatar 12.66 2009 est. 141 Botswana 12.59 2009 est. 142 Seychelles 12.30 2009 est. 143 Barbados 12.29 2009 est. 144 Brunei 12.27 2009 est. 145 Mauritius 12.20 2009 est. 146 Fiji 11.58 2009 est. 147 Tonga 11.58 2009 est. 148 Saudi Arabia 11.57 2009 est. 149 Argentina 11.44 2009 est. 150 Uruguay 11.32 2009 est. 151 Greenland 10.72 2009 est. 152 Russia 10.56 2009 est. 153 American Samoa 10.18 2009 est. 154 Nauru 9.25 2009 est. 155 Bosnia and Herzegovina 9.10 2009 est. 156 Netherlands Antilles 9.09 2009 est. 157 Macedonia 9.01 2009 est. 158 Ukraine 8.98 2009 est. 159 Kuwait 8.96 2009 est. 160 Costa Rica 8.77 2009 est. 161 Latvia 8.77 2009 est. 162 Puerto Rico 8.42 2009 est. 163 Hungary 7.86 2009 est. 164 Chile 7.71 2009 est. 165 Virgin Islands 7.56 2009 est. 166 French Polynesia 7.55 2009 est. 167 Estonia 7.32 2009 est. 168 New Caledonia 7.05 2009 est. 169 Cayman Islands 6.94 2009 est. 170 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 6.87 2009 est. 171 Slovakia 6.84 2009 est. 172 Poland 6.80 2009 est. 173 Serbia 6.75 2009 est. 174 Cyprus 6.60 2009 est. 175 Northern Mariana Islands 6.59 2009 est. 176 Lithuania 6.47 2009 est. 177 Belarus 6.43 2009 est. 178 Croatia 6.37 2009 est. 179 Faroe Islands 6.32 2009 est. 180 United States 6.26 2009 est. 181 Cuba 5.82 2009 est. 182 European Union 5.72 2009 est. 183 Italy 5.51 2009 est. 184 Isle of Man 5.37 2009 est. 185 Taiwan 5.35 2009 est. 186 San Marino 5.34 2009 est. 187 Greece 5.16 2009 est. 188 Ireland 5.05 2009 est. 189 Canada 5.04 2009 est. 190 Wallis and Futuna 5.02 2009 est. 191 Monaco 5.00 2009 est. 192 New Zealand 4.92 2009 est. 193 United Kingdom 4.85 2009 est. 194 Gibraltar 4.83 2009 est. 195 Portugal 4.78 2009 est. 196 Australia 4.75 2009 est. 197 Jersey 4.73 2009 est. 198 Netherlands 4.73 2009 est. 199 Luxembourg 4.56 2009 est. 200 Guernsey 4.47 2009 est. 201 Belgium 4.44 2009 est. 202 Austria 4.42 2009 est. 203 Denmark 4.34 2009 est. 204 Korea, South 4.26 2009 est. 205 Liechtenstein 4.25 2009 est. 206 Slovenia 4.25 2009 est. 207 Israel 4.22 2009 est. 208 Spain 4.21 2009 est. 209 Switzerland 4.18 2009 est. 210 Germany 3.99 2009 est. 211 Czech Republic 3.79 2009 est. 212 Andorra 3.76 2009 est. 213 Malta 3.75 2009 est. 214 Norway 3.58 2009 est. 215 Anguilla 3.52 2009 est. 216 Finland 3.47 2009 est. 217 France 3.33 2009 est. 218 Iceland 3.23 2009 est. 219 Macau 3.22 2009 est. 220 Hong Kong 2.92 2009 est. 221 Japan 2.79 2009 est. 222 Sweden 2.75 2009 est. 223 Bermuda 2.46 2009 est. 224 Singapore 2.31 2009 est. ====================================================================== Rank code: 2092 Country Comparison :: Inflation rate (consumer prices) This entry furnishes the annual percent change in consumer prices compared with the previous year's consumer prices. Rank country (%) Date of Information 1 San Marino -3.50 2008 2 Northern Mariana Islands -0.80 2000 3 Niger 0.10 2007 est. 4 Kiribati 0.20 2007 est. 5 Brunei 0.30 2007 est. 6 Central African Republic 0.90 2007 est. 7 Greenland 1.00 2005 est. 8 Liechtenstein 1.00 2001 9 French Polynesia 1.10 2007 10 Japan 1.40 2008 est. 11 New Caledonia 1.40 2000 est. 12 Antigua and Barbuda 1.50 2007 est. 13 Mayotte 1.70 2005 14 Faroe Islands 1.80 2005 15 Monaco 1.90 2000 16 Saint Lucia 1.90 2007 est. 17 British Virgin Islands 2.00 2005 18 Cook Islands 2.10 2005 est. 19 Netherlands Antilles 2.10 2003 est. 20 Micronesia, Federated States of 2.20 2005 21 Virgin Islands 2.20 2003 22 Bahamas, The 2.40 2007 est. 23 Canada 2.40 2008 est. 24 Switzerland 2.40 2008 est. 25 Mali 2.50 2007 est. 26 Netherlands 2.50 2008 est. 27 Montserrat 2.60 2002 est. 28 Portugal 2.60 2008 est. 29 Dominica 2.70 2007 est. 30 Palau 2.70 2005 est. 31 Germany 2.70 2008 est. 32 Bermuda 2.80 November 2005 33 Wallis and Futuna 2.80 2005 34 Iraq 2.80 2008 est. 35 France 2.80 2008 est. 36 Gibraltar 2.90 2005 37 Comoros 3.00 2007 est. 38 Isle of Man 3.10 December 2006 est. 39 Austria 3.20 2008 est. 40 Saint Helena 3.20 1997 est. 41 Aruba 3.40 2005 42 Denmark 3.40 2008 est. 43 Montenegro 3.40 2007 44 Luxembourg 3.40 2008 est. 45 Italy 3.40 2008 est. 46 Guernsey 3.40 June 2006 47 Albania 3.40 2008 est. 48 Cuba 3.40 2008 est. 49 European Union 3.50 2008 est. 50 Sweden 3.50 2008 est. 51 Taiwan 3.50 2008 est. 52 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 3.60 1998 53 United Kingdom 3.60 2008 est. 54 Grenada 3.70 2007 est. 55 Jersey 3.70 December 2006 56 Morocco 3.80 2008 est. 57 Norway 3.80 2008 est. 58 Tuvalu 3.80 2006 est. 59 United States 3.80 2008 est. 60 Guinea-Bissau 3.80 2007 est. 61 Andorra 3.90 2007 62 Vanuatu 3.90 2007 est. 63 Niue 4.00 2005 64 New Zealand 4.00 2008 est. 65 Turks and Caicos Islands 4.00 1995 66 Ireland 4.10 2008 est. 67 Greece 4.10 2008 est. 68 Spain 4.10 2008 est. 69 Finland 4.10 2008 est. 70 Poland 4.20 2008 est. 71 Hong Kong 4.30 2008 est. 72 Malta 4.30 2008 est. 73 Algeria 4.40 2008 est. 74 Cayman Islands 4.40 2004 75 Australia 4.40 2008 est. 76 Belgium 4.50 2008 est. 77 Gambia, The 4.50 2008 est. 78 Saint Kitts and Nevis 4.50 2007 est. 79 Israel 4.60 2008 est. 80 Slovakia 4.60 2008 est. 81 Cyprus 4.70 2008 est. 82 Korea, South 4.70 2008 est. 83 Fiji 4.80 2007 84 Bhutan 4.90 2007 est. 85 Djibouti 5.00 2007 est. 86 Tunisia 5.00 2008 est. 87 Mexico 5.10 2008 est. 88 Anguilla 5.30 2006 est. 89 Cameroon 5.30 2008 est. 90 Kosovo 5.30 2007 est. 91 Gabon 5.30 2008 est. 92 Malaysia 5.40 2008 est. 93 Barbados 5.50 2007 est. 94 Thailand 5.50 2008 est. 95 Brazil 5.70 2008 est. 96 Slovenia 5.70 2008 est. 97 Peru 5.80 2008 est. 98 Senegal 5.80 2008 est. 99 China 5.90 2008 est. 100 Tonga 5.90 2007 est. 101 Samoa 6.00 2007 est. 102 Croatia 6.10 2008 est. 103 Hungary 6.10 2008 est. 104 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 6.10 2007 est. 105 Macau 6.20 December 2008 106 Solomon Islands 6.30 2007 est. 107 Czech Republic 6.30 2008 est. 108 Cote d'Ivoire 6.30 2008 est. 109 Belize 6.40 2008 est. 110 Suriname 6.40 2007 est. 111 Puerto Rico 6.50 2003 est. 112 Singapore 6.50 2008 est. 113 Cape Verde 6.80 2008 est. 114 Serbia 6.80 2007 115 Bahrain 7.00 2008 est. 116 Colombia 7.00 2008 est. 117 Bosnia and Herzegovina 7.30 2008 est. 118 Congo, Republic of the 7.30 2008 est. 119 Mauritania 7.30 2007 est. 120 El Salvador 7.30 2008 est. 121 Equatorial Guinea 7.50 2008 est. 122 Nepal 7.70 2008 est. 123 Romania 7.80 2008 est. 124 Timor-Leste 7.80 2007 est. 125 Benin 7.90 2008 est. 126 Uruguay 7.90 2008 est. 127 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 8.10 2005 128 Ecuador 8.30 2008 est. 129 India 8.30 2008 est. 130 Macedonia 8.30 2008 est. 131 Guyana 8.30 2008 est. 132 Argentina 8.60 2008 est. 133 Laos 8.60 2008 est. 134 Chile 8.70 2008 est. 135 Malawi 8.70 2008 est. 136 Togo 8.70 2008 est. 137 Panama 8.80 2008 est. 138 Bangladesh 8.90 2008 est. 139 Armenia 9.00 2008 est. 140 Madagascar 9.20 2008 est. 141 Philippines 9.30 2008 est. 142 Mauritius 9.70 2008 est. 143 Indonesia 9.90 2008 est. 144 Saudi Arabia 9.90 2008 est. 145 Georgia 10.00 2008 est. 146 Lebanon 10.00 2008 est. 147 Paraguay 10.20 2008 est. 148 Chad 10.30 2008 est. 149 Tanzania 10.30 2008 est. 150 Mozambique 10.30 2008 est. 151 Namibia 10.30 2008 est. 152 Estonia 10.40 2008 est. 153 Libya 10.40 2008 est. 154 Turkey 10.40 2008 est. 155 Dominican Republic 10.60 2008 est. 156 Kuwait 10.60 2008 est. 157 Lesotho 10.70 2008 est. 158 Burkina Faso 10.70 2008 est. 159 Papua New Guinea 10.70 2008 est. 160 Lithuania 10.90 2008 est. 161 Liberia 11.20 2007 est. 162 South Africa 11.30 2008 est. 163 Guatemala 11.40 2008 est. 164 Honduras 11.40 2008 est. 165 Gaza Strip 11.50 2008 166 West Bank 11.50 2008 167 Nigeria 11.60 2008 est. 168 Sierra Leone 11.70 2007 est. 169 Trinidad and Tobago 12.00 2008 est. 170 Uganda 12.10 2008 est. 171 Bulgaria 12.30 2008 est. 172 Zambia 12.40 2008 est. 173 Angola 12.50 2008 est. 174 Oman 12.50 2008 est. 175 Botswana 12.60 2008 est. 176 Iceland 12.70 2008 est. 177 Moldova 12.80 2008 est. 178 Maldives 12.80 October 2008 est. 179 Marshall Islands 12.90 2008 est. 180 Afghanistan 13.00 2007 est. 181 Turkmenistan 13.00 2008 est. 182 Costa Rica 13.40 2008 est. 183 Swaziland 13.40 2008 est. 184 Bolivia 14.00 2008 est. 185 Uzbekistan 14.00 2008 est. 186 Russia 14.10 2008 est. 187 Sudan 14.30 2008 est. 188 Belarus 14.80 2008 est. 189 Jordan 14.90 2008 est. 190 Guinea 15.00 2008 est. 191 Qatar 15.20 2008 est. 192 Latvia 15.40 2008 est. 193 Rwanda 15.40 2008 est. 194 Haiti 15.50 2008 est. 195 Syria 15.70 2008 est. 196 United Arab Emirates 15.80 2008 est. 197 Ghana 16.50 2008 est. 198 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 16.70 2007 est. 199 Kazakhstan 17.00 2008 est. 200 Eritrea 18.00 2008 est. 201 Egypt 18.30 2008 est. 202 Yemen 19.00 2008 est. 203 Nicaragua 19.80 2008 est. 204 Pakistan 20.30 2008 est. 205 Tajikistan 20.50 2008 est. 206 Azerbaijan 20.80 2008 est. 207 Jamaica 22.00 2008 est. 208 Sri Lanka 22.60 2008 est. 209 Vietnam 23.10 2008 est. 210 Burundi 24.10 2008 est. 211 Kyrgyzstan 24.50 2008 est. 212 Cambodia 25.00 2008 est. 213 Ukraine 25.20 2008 est. 214 Iran 25.60 2008 est. 215 Sao Tome and Principe 26.00 2008 est. 216 Kenya 26.20 2008 est. 217 Burma 26.80 2008 est. 218 Mongolia 28.00 2008 est. 219 Venezuela 30.40 2008 est. 220 Seychelles 37.00 2008 est. 221 Ethiopia 44.40 2008 est. 222 Zimbabwe 14,930,000,000.00 2008 est. ====================================================================== Rank code: 2093 Country Comparison :: Waterways This entry gives the total length of navigable rivers, canals, and other inland bodies of water. Rank country (km) Date of Information 1 China 110,000 2008 2 Russia 102,000 2007 3 Brazil 50,000 2008 4 United States 41,009 2008 5 Indonesia 21,579 2008 6 Colombia 18,000 2008 7 Vietnam 17,702 2008 8 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 15,000 2008 9 India 14,500 2008 10 Burma 12,800 2008 11 Argentina 11,000 2007 12 Papua New Guinea 11,000 2006 13 Bolivia 10,000 2007 14 Peru 8,808 2008 15 Nigeria 8,600 2008 16 France 8,501 2008 17 Bangladesh 8,370 2007 18 Finland 7,842 2008 19 Germany 7,467 2008 20 Malaysia 7,200 2008 21 Venezuela 7,100 2008 22 Netherlands 6,215 2007 23 Iraq 5,279 2008 24 Laos 4,600 2008 25 Sudan 4,068 2008 26 Kazakhstan 4,000 2008 27 Thailand 4,000 2008 28 Poland 3,997 2007 29 France 3,760 2008 30 Egypt 3,500 2007 31 Philippines 3,219 2008 32 United Kingdom 3,200 2008 33 Paraguay 3,100 2008 34 Mexico 2,900 2008 35 Central African Republic 2,800 2007 36 Belarus 2,500 2003 37 Cambodia 2,400 2008 38 Italy 2,400 2008 39 Korea, North 2,250 2008 40 Zambia 2,250 2008 41 Nicaragua 2,220 2008 42 Ukraine 2,176 2007 43 Sweden 2,052 2007 44 Belgium 2,043 2008 45 Australia 2,000 2006 46 Mali 1,800 2008 47 Japan 1,770 2007 48 Romania 1,731 2006 49 Hungary 1,622 2008 50 Korea, South 1,608 2008 51 Gabon 1,600 2008 52 Uruguay 1,600 2008 53 Norway 1,577 2008 54 Ecuador 1,500 2008 55 Angola 1,300 2008 56 Turkmenistan 1,300 2008 57 Guinea 1,300 2008 58 Ghana 1,293 2008 59 Afghanistan 1,200 2008 60 Turkey 1,200 2008 61 Suriname 1,200 2008 62 Congo, Republic of the 1,120 2008 63 Uzbekistan 1,100 2008 64 Senegal 1,000 2008 65 Spain 1,000 2008 66 Guatemala 990 2007 67 Cote d'Ivoire 980 2008 68 Ireland 956 2008 69 Syria 900 2008 70 Iran 850 2008 71 Belize 825 2008 72 Panama 800 2008 73 Sierra Leone 800 2007 74 Croatia 785 2008 75 Costa Rica 730 2008 76 Malawi 700 2008 77 Czech Republic 664 2008 78 Canada 636 2008 79 Kyrgyzstan 600 2008 80 Madagascar 600 2008 81 Serbia 587 2008 82 Mongolia 580 2007 83 Bulgaria 470 2008 84 Honduras 465 2008 85 Mozambique 460 2008 86 Lithuania 441 2007 87 Moldova 424 2008 88 Denmark 400 2008 89 Gambia, The 390 2008 90 Austria 358 2007 91 Guyana 330 2008 92 Estonia 320 2008 93 Latvia 300 2007 94 Niger 300 2008 95 Cuba 240 2008 96 Portugal 210 2008 97 Brunei 209 2008 98 Fiji 203 2008 99 Tajikistan 200 2008 100 Slovakia 172 2008 101 Sri Lanka 160 2008 102 Benin 150 2007 103 Switzerland 65 2008 104 Togo 50 2008 105 Albania 43 2008 106 Luxembourg 37 2008 107 Liechtenstein 28 2008 108 Greece 6 2008 109 Kiribati 5 2007 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2094 Country Comparison :: Judicial branch This entry contains the name(s) of the highest court(s) and a brief description of the selection process for members. Rank country Judicial branch Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2095 Country Comparison :: Labor force This entry contains the total labor force figure. Rank country Labor force Date of Information 1 China 807,300,000 2008 est. 2 India 523,500,000 2008 est. 3 European Union 224,400,000 2008 est. 4 United States 154,300,000 2008 est. 5 Indonesia 112,000,000 2008 est. 6 Brazil 93,650,000 2008 est. 7 Russia 75,700,000 2008 est. 8 Bangladesh 70,860,000 2008 est. 9 Japan 66,500,000 2008 est. 10 Nigeria 51,040,000 2008 est. 11 Pakistan 50,580,000 2008 est. 12 Vietnam 47,410,000 2008 est. 13 Mexico 45,320,000 2008 est. 14 Germany 43,600,000 2008 est. 15 Ethiopia 37,900,000 2007 16 Thailand 37,780,000 2008 est. 17 Philippines 36,810,000 2008 est. 18 United Kingdom 31,230,000 2008 est. 19 Burma 30,040,000 2008 est. 20 France 27,970,000 2008 est. 21 Italy 25,110,000 2008 est. 22 Egypt 24,600,000 2008 est. 23 Iran 24,350,000 2008 est. 24 Korea, South 24,350,000 2008 est. 25 Turkey 24,060,000 2008 est. 26 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 23,530,000 2007 est. 27 Spain 22,850,000 2008 est. 28 Ukraine 21,570,000 2008 est. 29 Colombia 21,300,000 2008 est. 30 Tanzania 21,060,000 2008 est. 31 Korea, North 20,000,000 2004 est. 32 Canada 18,220,000 2008 est. 33 South Africa 17,790,000 2008 est. 34 Kenya 17,370,000 2007 est. 35 Poland 17,010,000 2008 est. 36 Argentina 16,270,000 2008 est. 37 Uzbekistan 15,370,000 2008 est. 38 Afghanistan 15,000,000 2004 est. 39 Nepal 14,600,000 2008 est. 40 Uganda 14,540,000 2008 est. 41 Turkmenistan 13,510,000 2007 est. 42 Venezuela 12,590,000 2008 est. 43 Sudan 11,920,000 2007 est. 44 Morocco 11,290,000 2008 est. 45 Australia 11,250,000 2008 est. 46 Malaysia 11,090,000 2008 est. 47 Taiwan 10,850,000 2008 est. 48 Peru 10,200,000 2008 est. 49 Ghana 10,120,000 2008 est. 50 Mozambique 9,650,000 2008 est. 51 Madagascar 9,504,000 2007 52 Algeria 9,464,000 2008 est. 53 Romania 9,320,000 2008 est. 54 Cambodia 8,600,000 2008 est. 55 Kazakhstan 8,412,000 2008 est. 56 Iraq 7,740,000 2008 est. 57 Netherlands 7,715,000 2008 est. 58 Angola 7,569,000 2008 est. 59 Sri Lanka 7,569,000 2008 est. 60 Cote d'Ivoire 7,346,000 2008 est. 61 Chile 7,267,000 2008 est. 62 Cameroon 6,759,000 2008 est. 63 Saudi Arabia 6,740,000 2008 est. 64 Burkina Faso 6,668,000 2007 65 Yemen 6,454,000 2008 est. 66 Azerbaijan 5,782,000 2008 est. 67 Malawi 5,747,000 2007 est. 68 Portugal 5,625,000 2008 est. 69 Syria 5,593,000 2008 est. 70 Czech Republic 5,360,000 2008 est. 71 Zambia 5,235,000 2008 est. 72 Belgium 4,990,000 2008 73 Senegal 4,973,000 2008 est. 74 Cuba 4,962,000 2008 est. 75 Greece 4,960,000 2008 est. 76 Sweden 4,897,000 2008 est. 77 Belarus 4,869,000 2007 78 Niger 4,688,000 2007 79 Ecuador 4,640,000 2008 est. 80 Bolivia 4,454,000 2008 est. 81 Rwanda 4,446,000 2007 82 Guinea 4,392,000 2007 est. 83 Chad 4,293,000 2007 84 Burundi 4,245,000 2007 85 Hungary 4,200,000 2008 est. 86 Dominican Republic 4,119,000 2008 est. 87 Guatemala 4,056,000 2008 est. 88 Switzerland 4,053,000 2008 est. 89 Zimbabwe 4,039,000 2008 est. 90 Benin 3,662,000 2007 est. 91 Hong Kong 3,660,000 2008 est. 92 Tunisia 3,660,000 2008 est. 93 Haiti 3,643,000 2007 94 Papua New Guinea 3,639,000 2008 est. 95 Austria 3,633,000 2008 est. 96 Somalia 3,447,000 2007 97 United Arab Emirates 3,266,000 2008 est. 98 Mali 3,241,000 2007 est. 99 Honduras 2,991,000 2008 est. 100 Serbia 2,961,000 2002 est. 101 Israel 2,957,000 2008 est. 102 El Salvador 2,947,000 2008 est. 103 Singapore 2,940,000 2008 est. 104 Denmark 2,880,000 2008 est. 105 Paraguay 2,839,000 2008 est. 106 Finland 2,703,000 2008 est. 107 Bulgaria 2,670,000 2008 est. 108 Togo 2,595,000 2007 109 Norway 2,591,000 2008 est. 110 Kyrgyzstan 2,344,000 2007 111 Nicaragua 2,322,000 2008 est. 112 Georgia 2,317,000 2007 est. 113 Slovakia 2,254,000 2008 est. 114 New Zealand 2,250,000 2008 est. 115 Ireland 2,241,000 2008 est. 116 Sierra Leone 2,207,000 2007 est. 117 Laos 2,100,000 2006 est. 118 Tajikistan 2,100,000 2008 119 Kuwait 2,088,000 2008 est. 120 Costa Rica 2,060,000 2008 est. 121 Central African Republic 1,926,000 2007 122 Bosnia and Herzegovina 1,863,000 2007 123 Croatia 1,731,000 2008 est. 124 Uruguay 1,641,000 2008 est. 125 Libya 1,640,000 2008 est. 126 Jordan 1,615,000 2008 est. 127 Lithuania 1,614,000 2008 est. 128 Armenia 1,481,000 2007 est. 129 Lebanon 1,481,000 2007 est. 130 Puerto Rico 1,479,000 2007 131 Panama 1,392,000 2008 est. 132 Moldova 1,327,000 2008 est. 133 Mauritania 1,318,000 2007 134 Jamaica 1,304,000 2008 est. 135 Latvia 1,193,000 2008 est. 136 Qatar 1,119,000 2008 est. 137 Albania 1,103,000 2007 est. 138 Mongolia 1,068,000 2008 139 Oman 968,800 2007 140 Slovenia 940,000 2008 est. 141 Macedonia 925,000 2008 est. 142 Lesotho 854,600 2007 est. 143 Gambia, The 777,100 2007 144 Estonia 693,000 2008 est. 145 Namibia 686,000 2008 est. 146 Botswana 685,300 2007 147 Guinea-Bissau 632,700 2007 148 Trinidad and Tobago 620,800 2008 est. 149 West Bank 605,000 2006 150 Mauritius 584,000 2008 est. 151 Gabon 581,000 2008 est. 152 Bahrain 557,000 2008 est. 153 Kosovo 550,000 2007 est. 154 Swaziland 457,900 2007 155 Cyprus 397,000 2008 est. 156 Djibouti 351,700 2007 157 Macau 337,400 2008 est. 158 Fiji 335,000 2007 est. 159 Guyana 333,900 2007 est. 160 Comoros 268,500 2007 est. 161 Gaza Strip 267,000 2006 162 Montenegro 259,100 2004 163 Luxembourg 206,000 2008 est. 164 Solomon Islands 202,500 2007 165 Cape Verde 196,100 2007 166 Brunei 188,800 2008 est. 167 Iceland 184,000 2008 est. 168 Bahamas, The 175,500 2007 169 Barbados 175,000 2007 est. 170 Malta 173,000 2008 171 Suriname 165,600 2007 172 Maldives 136,100 2007 173 Belize 122,300 2008 est. 174 French Polynesia 116,000 2007 175 Vanuatu 115,900 2007 176 New Caledonia 102,600 2007 177 Netherlands Antilles 91,470 2007 178 Saint Lucia 79,700 2007 179 Samoa 66,270 2007 est. 180 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 57,520 2007 est. 181 Jersey 53,560 June 2006 182 Sao Tome and Principe 52,490 2007 183 Virgin Islands 49,820 2007 est. 184 Mayotte 44,560 2002 185 Monaco 44,000 2005 est. 186 Grenada 42,300 1996 187 Andorra 42,230 2007 188 Aruba 41,500 2004 est. 189 Tonga 39,960 2007 190 Isle of Man 39,690 2001 191 Seychelles 39,560 2006 192 Northern Mariana Islands 38,450 2005 est. 193 Bermuda 38,360 2004 194 Liechtenstein 32,440 2007 195 Greenland 32,120 2004 196 Guernsey 31,470 March 2006 197 Antigua and Barbuda 30,000 1991 198 Dominica 25,000 2000 est. 199 Faroe Islands 24,250 October 2000 200 Cayman Islands 23,450 2004 201 San Marino 22,660 2008 202 Saint Kitts and Nevis 18,170 June 1995 203 American Samoa 17,630 2005 204 Micronesia, Federated States of 16,360 2008 205 Marshall Islands 14,680 2000 206 British Virgin Islands 12,770 2004 207 Gibraltar 12,690 2001 208 Western Sahara 12,000 2005 est. 209 Palau 9,777 2005 210 Kiribati 7,870 2001 est. 211 Cook Islands 6,820 2001 212 Anguilla 6,049 2001 213 Turks and Caicos Islands 4,848 1990 est. 214 Tuvalu 3,615 2004 est. 215 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 3,450 2005 216 Wallis and Futuna 3,104 2003 217 Saint Helena 2,486 1998 est. 218 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 1,724 1996 219 Niue 663 2001 220 Tokelau 440 2001 221 Pitcairn Islands 15 2004 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2096 Country Comparison :: Land boundaries This entry contains the total length of all land boundaries and the individual lengths for each of the contiguous border countries. When available, official lengths published by national statistical agencies are used. Because surveying methods may differ, country border lengths reported by contiguous countries may differ. Rank country (km) Date of Information 1 China 22,117.00 NA 2 Russia 20,241.50 NA 3 Brazil 16,885.00 NA 4 India 14,103.00 NA 5 European Union 12,440.80 NA 6 Kazakhstan 12,185.00 NA 7 United States 12,034.00 NA 8 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 10,730.00 NA 9 Argentina 9,861.00 NA 10 Canada 8,893.00 NA 11 Canada 8,893.00 NA 12 United States 8,893.00 NA 13 Mongolia 8,220.00 NA 14 Sudan 7,687.00 NA 15 Peru 7,461.00 NA 16 Mali 7,243.00 NA 17 Bolivia 6,940.00 NA 18 Kazakhstan 6,846.00 NA 19 Russia 6,846.00 NA 20 Pakistan 6,774.00 NA 21 Algeria 6,343.00 NA 22 Chile 6,339.00 NA 23 Colombia 6,309.00 NA 24 Uzbekistan 6,221.00 NA 25 Chad 5,968.00 NA 26 Burma 5,876.00 NA 27 Niger 5,697.00 NA 28 Zambia 5,664.00 NA 29 Afghanistan 5,529.00 NA 30 Congo, Republic of the 5,504.00 NA 31 Iran 5,440.00 NA 32 Ethiopia 5,328.00 NA 33 Argentina 5,308.00 NA 34 Chile 5,308.00 NA 35 Central African Republic 5,203.00 NA 36 Angola 5,198.00 NA 37 Laos 5,083.00 NA 38 Mauritania 5,074.00 NA 39 Venezuela 4,993.00 NA 40 Thailand 4,863.00 NA 41 South Africa 4,862.00 NA 42 China 4,677.00 NA 43 Mongolia 4,677.00 NA 44 Vietnam 4,639.00 NA 45 Cameroon 4,591.00 NA 46 Mozambique 4,571.00 NA 47 Ukraine 4,566.00 NA 48 Saudi Arabia 4,431.00 NA 49 Mexico 4,353.00 NA 50 Libya 4,348.00 NA 51 Bangladesh 4,246.00 NA 52 Bangladesh 4,053.00 NA 53 India 4,053.00 NA 54 Nigeria 4,047.00 NA 55 Botswana 4,013.00 NA 56 Paraguay 3,995.00 NA 57 Namibia 3,936.00 NA 58 Tanzania 3,861.00 NA 59 Turkmenistan 3,736.00 NA 60 Tajikistan 3,651.00 NA 61 Iraq 3,650.00 NA 62 Germany 3,621.00 NA 63 China 3,605.00 NA 64 Russia 3,605.00 NA 65 Mongolia 3,543.00 NA 66 Kenya 3,477.00 NA 67 Russia 3,441.00 NA 68 Bolivia 3,423.00 NA 69 Brazil 3,423.00 NA 70 Guinea 3,399.00 NA 71 China 3,380.00 NA 72 India 3,380.00 NA 73 Belarus 3,306.00 NA 74 Burkina Faso 3,193.00 NA 75 Mexico 3,141.00 NA 76 United States 3,141.00 NA 77 Cote d'Ivoire 3,110.00 NA 78 Zimbabwe 3,066.00 NA 79 Kyrgyzstan 3,051.00 NA 80 Poland 3,047.00 NA 81 Brazil 2,995.00 NA 82 Peru 2,995.00 NA 83 Guyana 2,949.00 NA 84 Nepal 2,926.00 NA 85 India 2,912.00 NA 86 Pakistan 2,912.00 NA 87 France 2,889.00 NA 88 Malawi 2,881.00 NA 89 Indonesia 2,830.00 NA 90 Uganda 2,698.00 NA 91 Malaysia 2,669.00 NA 92 Egypt 2,665.00 NA 93 Finland 2,654.00 NA 94 Turkey 2,648.00 NA 95 Senegal 2,640.00 NA 96 Cambodia 2,572.00 NA 97 Austria 2,562.00 NA 98 Gabon 2,551.00 NA 99 Norway 2,542.00 NA 100 Angola 2,511.00 NA 101 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 2,511.00 NA 102 Romania 2,508.00 NA 103 Afghanistan 2,430.00 NA 104 Pakistan 2,430.00 NA 105 Congo, Republic of the 2,410.00 NA 106 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 2,410.00 NA 107 European Union 2,348.00 NA 108 Somalia 2,340.00 NA 109 European Union 2,257.00 NA 110 Syria 2,253.00 NA 111 Mali 2,237.00 NA 112 Mauritania 2,237.00 NA 113 Sweden 2,233.00 NA 114 Kazakhstan 2,203.00 NA 115 Uzbekistan 2,203.00 NA 116 Brazil 2,200.00 NA 117 Venezuela 2,200.00 NA 118 Burma 2,185.00 NA 119 China 2,185.00 NA 120 Hungary 2,185.00 NA 121 Laos 2,130.00 NA 122 Vietnam 2,130.00 NA 123 Ghana 2,094.00 NA 124 Colombia 2,050.00 NA 125 Venezuela 2,050.00 NA 126 Western Sahara 2,046.00 NA 127 Serbia 2,026.00 NA 128 Morocco 2,017.90 NA 129 Azerbaijan 2,013.00 NA 130 Ecuador 2,010.00 NA 131 Benin 1,989.00 NA 132 Czech Republic 1,989.00 NA 133 Croatia 1,982.00 NA 134 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 1,930.00 NA 135 Zambia 1,930.00 NA 136 Spain 1,917.80 NA 137 Congo, Republic of the 1,903.00 NA 138 Gabon 1,903.00 NA 139 Italy 1,899.20 NA 140 Argentina 1,880.00 NA 141 Paraguay 1,880.00 NA 142 Switzerland 1,852.00 NA 143 Botswana 1,840.00 NA 144 South Africa 1,840.00 NA 145 European Union 1,811.00 NA 146 Bulgaria 1,808.00 NA 147 Burma 1,800.00 NA 148 Colombia 1,800.00 NA 149 Thailand 1,800.00 NA 150 Peru 1,800.00 NA 151 Indonesia 1,782.00 NA 152 Malaysia 1,782.00 NA 153 Laos 1,754.00 NA 154 Thailand 1,754.00 NA 155 Yemen 1,746.00 NA 156 Suriname 1,703.00 NA 157 Cameroon 1,690.00 NA 158 India 1,690.00 NA 159 Nigeria 1,690.00 NA 160 Nepal 1,690.00 NA 161 Guatemala 1,687.00 NA 162 Korea, North 1,673.00 NA 163 Uruguay 1,648.00 NA 164 Togo 1,647.00 NA 165 Brazil 1,644.00 NA 166 Colombia 1,644.00 NA 167 Jordan 1,635.00 NA 168 Eritrea 1,626.00 NA 169 Turkmenistan 1,621.00 NA 170 Uzbekistan 1,621.00 NA 171 Norway 1,619.00 NA 172 Sweden 1,619.00 NA 173 Brazil 1,606.00 NA 174 Guyana 1,606.00 NA 175 Ethiopia 1,606.00 NA 176 Sudan 1,606.00 NA 177 Ethiopia 1,600.00 NA 178 Somalia 1,600.00 NA 179 Liberia 1,585.00 NA 180 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 1,577.00 NA 181 Central African Republic 1,577.00 NA 182 Russia 1,576.00 NA 183 Ukraine 1,576.00 NA 184 Lithuania 1,574.00 NA 185 Malawi 1,569.00 NA 186 Mozambique 1,569.00 NA 187 Mauritania 1,561.00 NA 188 Western Sahara 1,561.00 NA 189 Algeria 1,559.00 NA 190 Morocco 1,559.00 NA 191 Bosnia and Herzegovina 1,538.00 NA 192 China 1,533.00 NA 193 Kazakhstan 1,533.00 NA 194 Honduras 1,520.00 NA 195 Niger 1,497.00 NA 196 Nigeria 1,497.00 NA 197 Slovakia 1,474.00 NA 198 Burma 1,463.00 NA 199 India 1,463.00 NA 200 Georgia 1,461.00 NA 201 Iran 1,458.00 NA 202 Iraq 1,458.00 NA 203 Yemen 1,458.00 NA 204 Saudi Arabia 1,458.00 NA 205 Tunisia 1,424.00 NA 206 Ecuador 1,420.00 NA 207 Peru 1,420.00 NA 208 China 1,416.00 NA 209 Korea, North 1,416.00 NA 210 Moldova 1,390.00 NA 211 Belgium 1,385.00 NA 212 Latvia 1,382.00 NA 213 Algeria 1,376.00 NA 214 Mali 1,376.00 NA 215 Namibia 1,376.00 NA 216 Angola 1,376.00 NA 217 Oman 1,374.00 NA 218 Brazil 1,365.00 NA 219 Paraguay 1,365.00 NA 220 Botswana 1,360.00 NA 221 Chad 1,360.00 NA 222 Namibia 1,360.00 NA 223 Sudan 1,360.00 NA 224 Finland 1,313.00 NA 225 Russia 1,313.00 NA 226 China 1,281.00 NA 227 Vietnam 1,281.00 NA 228 Egypt 1,273.00 NA 229 Sudan 1,273.00 NA 230 Argentina 1,261.00 NA 231 Brazil 1,261.00 NA 232 European Union 1,257.00 NA 233 Armenia 1,254.00 NA 234 China 1,236.00 NA 235 Nepal 1,236.00 NA 236 Mozambique 1,231.00 NA 237 Nicaragua 1,231.00 NA 238 Zimbabwe 1,231.00 NA 239 Cambodia 1,228.00 NA 240 Greece 1,228.00 NA 241 Vietnam 1,228.00 NA 242 Kyrgyzstan 1,224.00 NA 243 Kazakhstan 1,224.00 NA 244 Portugal 1,214.00 NA 245 Spain 1,214.00 NA 246 Portugal 1,214.00 NA 247 Afghanistan 1,206.00 NA 248 Tajikistan 1,206.00 NA 249 Chad 1,197.00 NA 250 Central African Republic 1,197.00 NA 251 France 1,183.00 NA 252 Chad 1,175.00 NA 253 Niger 1,175.00 NA 254 Central African Republic 1,165.00 NA 255 Sudan 1,165.00 NA 256 Tajikistan 1,161.00 NA 257 Uzbekistan 1,161.00 NA 258 Egypt 1,115.00 NA 259 Libya 1,115.00 NA 260 Angola 1,110.00 NA 261 Zambia 1,110.00 NA 262 Kyrgyzstan 1,099.00 NA 263 Uzbekistan 1,099.00 NA 264 Chad 1,094.00 NA 265 Cameroon 1,094.00 NA 266 Slovenia 1,086.00 NA 267 Bolivia 1,075.00 NA 268 Bhutan 1,075.00 NA 269 Peru 1,075.00 NA 270 Brazil 1,068.00 NA 271 Uruguay 1,068.00 NA 272 Chad 1,055.00 NA 273 Libya 1,055.00 NA 274 European Union 1,050.00 NA 275 Netherlands 1,027.00 NA 276 Israel 1,017.00 NA 277 Mali 1,000.00 NA 278 Burkina Faso 1,000.00 NA 279 European Union 999.00 NA 280 Iran 992.00 NA 281 Turkmenistan 992.00 NA 282 Algeria 982.00 NA 283 Libya 982.00 NA 284 Burundi 974.00 NA 285 South Africa 967.00 NA 286 Namibia 967.00 NA 287 Algeria 965.00 NA 288 Tunisia 965.00 NA 289 Guatemala 962.00 NA 290 Mexico 962.00 NA 291 Belarus 959.00 NA 292 Russia 959.00 NA 293 Sierra Leone 958.00 NA 294 Algeria 956.00 NA 295 Niger 956.00 NA 296 European Union 945.00 NA 297 Moldova 940.00 NA 298 Ukraine 940.00 NA 299 Afghanistan 936.00 NA 300 Iran 936.00 NA 301 Kenya 933.00 NA 302 Uganda 933.00 NA 303 Bosnia and Herzegovina 932.00 NA 304 Croatia 932.00 NA 305 Honduras 922.00 NA 306 Nicaragua 922.00 NA 307 Eritrea 912.00 NA 308 Ethiopia 912.00 NA 309 Iran 909.00 NA 310 Pakistan 909.00 NA 311 South Africa 909.00 NA 312 Lesotho 909.00 NA 313 Lesotho 909.00 NA 314 Rwanda 893.00 NA 315 Belarus 891.00 NA 316 Ukraine 891.00 NA 317 Ghana 877.00 NA 318 Togo 877.00 NA 319 Kyrgyzstan 870.00 NA 320 Tajikistan 870.00 NA 321 United Arab Emirates 867.00 NA 322 Ethiopia 861.00 NA 323 Kenya 861.00 NA 324 Bolivia 860.00 NA 325 Chile 860.00 NA 326 China 858.00 NA 327 Guinea 858.00 NA 328 Mali 858.00 NA 329 Kyrgyzstan 858.00 NA 330 Malawi 837.00 NA 331 Zambia 837.00 NA 332 Argentina 832.00 NA 333 Bolivia 832.00 NA 334 Syria 822.00 NA 335 Turkey 822.00 NA 336 Mali 821.00 NA 337 Niger 821.00 NA 338 Indonesia 820.00 NA 339 Papua New Guinea 820.00 NA 340 Papua New Guinea 820.00 NA 341 Czech Republic 815.00 NA 342 Iraq 814.00 NA 343 Saudi Arabia 814.00 NA 344 Botswana 813.00 NA 345 Zimbabwe 813.00 NA 346 Senegal 813.00 NA 347 Mauritania 813.00 NA 348 Cambodia 803.00 NA 349 Thailand 803.00 NA 350 Cameroon 797.00 NA 351 Zimbabwe 797.00 NA 352 Central African Republic 797.00 NA 353 Zambia 797.00 NA 354 Austria 784.00 NA 355 Germany 784.00 NA 356 Benin 773.00 NA 357 Nigeria 773.00 NA 358 Kenya 769.00 NA 359 Tanzania 769.00 NA 360 Macedonia 766.00 NA 361 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 765.00 NA 362 Uganda 765.00 NA 363 Mozambique 756.00 NA 364 Tanzania 756.00 NA 365 Bolivia 750.00 NA 366 Paraguay 750.00 NA 367 Afghanistan 744.00 NA 368 Turkmenistan 744.00 NA 369 Saudi Arabia 744.00 NA 370 Jordan 744.00 NA 371 Guyana 743.00 NA 372 Venezuela 743.00 NA 373 Gambia, The 740.00 NA 374 Italy 740.00 NA 375 Senegal 740.00 NA 376 Switzerland 740.00 NA 377 Gambia, The 740.00 NA 378 Brazil 730.00 NA 379 Finland 727.00 NA 380 Norway 727.00 NA 381 Guinea-Bissau 724.00 NA 382 Georgia 723.00 NA 383 Russia 723.00 NA 384 Albania 717.00 NA 385 Cote d'Ivoire 716.00 NA 386 Liberia 716.00 NA 387 Kosovo 702.00 NA 388 Kenya 682.00 NA 389 Somalia 682.00 NA 390 Belarus 680.00 NA 391 Lithuania 680.00 NA 392 Hungary 676.00 NA 393 Saudi Arabia 676.00 NA 394 Oman 676.00 NA 395 Slovakia 676.00 NA 396 France 673.00 NA 397 Ghana 668.00 NA 398 Cote d'Ivoire 668.00 NA 399 Guinea 652.00 NA 400 Sierra Leone 652.00 NA 401 Germany 646.00 NA 402 Benin 644.00 NA 403 Togo 644.00 NA 404 Costa Rica 639.00 NA 405 Estonia 633.00 NA 406 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 628.00 NA 407 Sudan 628.00 NA 408 Niger 628.00 NA 409 Burkina Faso 628.00 NA 410 Montenegro 625.00 NA 411 France 623.00 NA 412 Spain 623.00 NA 413 Belgium 620.00 NA 414 France 620.00 NA 415 Czech Republic 615.00 NA 416 Poland 615.00 NA 417 Finland 614.00 NA 418 Sweden 614.00 NA 419 Guinea 610.00 NA 420 Cote d'Ivoire 610.00 NA 421 Bulgaria 608.00 NA 422 Romania 608.00 NA 423 Belarus 605.00 NA 424 India 605.00 NA 425 Syria 605.00 NA 426 Sudan 605.00 NA 427 Poland 605.00 NA 428 Iraq 605.00 NA 429 Bhutan 605.00 NA 430 Eritrea 605.00 NA 431 Guyana 600.00 NA 432 Suriname 600.00 NA 433 Brazil 593.00 NA 434 Suriname 593.00 NA 435 Colombia 590.00 NA 436 Ecuador 590.00 NA 437 Cote d'Ivoire 584.00 NA 438 Burkina Faso 584.00 NA 439 Argentina 580.00 NA 440 Uruguay 580.00 NA 441 Germany 577.00 NA 442 Netherlands 577.00 NA 443 Latvia 576.00 NA 444 Lithuania 576.00 NA 445 France 573.00 NA 446 Switzerland 573.00 NA 447 Azerbaijan 566.00 NA 448 Armenia 566.00 NA 449 Guinea 563.00 NA 450 Liberia 563.00 NA 451 Panama 555.00 NA 452 Ghana 549.00 NA 453 Burkina Faso 549.00 NA 454 El Salvador 545.00 NA 455 Cambodia 541.00 NA 456 Laos 541.00 NA 457 Equatorial Guinea 539.00 NA 458 Swaziland 535.00 NA 459 Cote d'Ivoire 532.00 NA 460 Mali 532.00 NA 461 Congo, Republic of the 523.00 NA 462 Pakistan 523.00 NA 463 Cameroon 523.00 NA 464 China 523.00 NA 465 Belize 516.00 NA 466 Djibouti 516.00 NA 467 France 510.00 NA 468 Suriname 510.00 NA 469 Malaysia 506.00 NA 470 Thailand 506.00 NA 471 Iran 499.00 NA 472 Turkey 499.00 NA 473 Bulgaria 494.00 NA 474 Greece 494.00 NA 475 Mozambique 491.00 NA 476 South Africa 491.00 NA 477 France 488.00 NA 478 Italy 488.00 NA 479 Serbia 476.00 NA 480 Romania 476.00 NA 481 Malawi 475.00 NA 482 Tanzania 475.00 NA 483 Bhutan 470.00 NA 484 China 470.00 NA 485 Congo, Republic of the 467.00 NA 486 Central African Republic 467.00 NA 487 Algeria 463.00 NA 488 Mauritania 463.00 NA 489 Kuwait 462.00 NA 490 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 459.00 NA 491 Tanzania 459.00 NA 492 Libya 459.00 NA 493 Tunisia 459.00 NA 494 United Arab Emirates 457.00 NA 495 Saudi Arabia 457.00 NA 496 Germany 456.00 NA 497 Poland 456.00 NA 498 Croatia 455.00 NA 499 Slovenia 455.00 NA 500 Lebanon 454.00 NA 501 Burundi 451.00 NA 502 France 451.00 NA 503 Tanzania 451.00 NA 504 Germany 451.00 NA 505 Belgium 450.00 NA 506 Moldova 450.00 NA 507 Netherlands 450.00 NA 508 Romania 450.00 NA 509 European Union 450.00 NA 510 European Union 446.00 NA 511 Hungary 443.00 NA 512 Western Sahara 443.00 NA 513 Morocco 443.00 NA 514 Romania 443.00 NA 515 Sudan 435.00 NA 516 Uganda 435.00 NA 517 Azerbaijan 432.00 NA 518 Iran 432.00 NA 519 Russia 432.00 NA 520 Poland 432.00 NA 521 Austria 430.00 NA 522 Swaziland 430.00 NA 523 South Africa 430.00 NA 524 Italy 430.00 NA 525 Poland 428.00 NA 526 Ukraine 428.00 NA 527 China 423.00 NA 528 Laos 423.00 NA 529 Slovakia 420.00 NA 530 Poland 420.00 NA 531 Mali 419.00 NA 532 Zambia 419.00 NA 533 Senegal 419.00 NA 534 Mozambique 419.00 NA 535 China 414.00 NA 536 Tajikistan 414.00 NA 537 United Arab Emirates 410.00 NA 538 Oman 410.00 NA 539 West Bank 404.00 NA 540 Tanzania 396.00 NA 541 Uganda 396.00 NA 542 European Union 394.00 NA 543 Guinea 386.00 NA 544 Guinea-Bissau 386.00 NA 545 Libya 383.00 NA 546 Sudan 383.00 NA 547 Brunei 381.00 NA 548 Brunei 381.00 NA 549 Malaysia 381.00 NA 550 Kazakhstan 379.00 NA 551 Turkmenistan 379.00 NA 552 Jordan 375.00 NA 553 Syria 375.00 NA 554 Lebanon 375.00 NA 555 Syria 375.00 NA 556 Austria 366.00 NA 557 Hungary 366.00 NA 558 Austria 362.00 NA 559 Romania 362.00 NA 560 Ukraine 362.00 NA 561 Czech Republic 362.00 NA 562 Dominican Republic 360.00 NA 563 Haiti 360.00 NA 564 United Kingdom 360.00 NA 565 United Kingdom 360.00 NA 566 Haiti 360.00 NA 567 Ireland 360.00 NA 568 Dominican Republic 360.00 NA 569 Ireland 360.00 NA 570 Luxembourg 359.00 NA 571 Bosnia and Herzegovina 357.00 NA 572 Libya 354.00 NA 573 Niger 354.00 NA 574 Iraq 352.00 NA 575 Kosovo 352.00 NA 576 Turkey 352.00 NA 577 Serbia 352.00 NA 578 Equatorial Guinea 350.00 NA 579 Gabon 350.00 NA 580 Djibouti 349.00 NA 581 Ethiopia 349.00 NA 582 Estonia 343.00 NA 583 Latvia 343.00 NA 584 El Salvador 342.00 NA 585 Honduras 342.00 NA 586 Guinea-Bissau 338.00 NA 587 Zambia 338.00 NA 588 Tanzania 338.00 NA 589 Senegal 338.00 NA 590 Germany 334.00 NA 591 Switzerland 334.00 NA 592 Austria 330.00 NA 593 Costa Rica 330.00 NA 594 Slovenia 330.00 NA 595 Senegal 330.00 NA 596 Panama 330.00 NA 597 Guinea 330.00 NA 598 Croatia 329.00 NA 599 Hungary 329.00 NA 600 Azerbaijan 322.00 NA 601 Georgia 322.00 NA 602 Bulgaria 318.00 NA 603 Serbia 318.00 NA 604 Costa Rica 309.00 NA 605 Nicaragua 309.00 NA 606 Israel 307.00 NA 607 West Bank 307.00 NA 608 Benin 306.00 NA 609 Sierra Leone 306.00 NA 610 Liberia 306.00 NA 611 Burkina Faso 306.00 NA 612 Serbia 302.00 NA 613 Cameroon 298.00 NA 614 Gabon 298.00 NA 615 Latvia 292.00 NA 616 Russia 292.00 NA 617 Burundi 290.00 NA 618 Russia 290.00 NA 619 Rwanda 290.00 NA 620 Estonia 290.00 NA 621 Oman 288.00 NA 622 Yemen 288.00 NA 623 Azerbaijan 284.00 NA 624 Russia 284.00 NA 625 Albania 282.00 NA 626 European Union 282.00 NA 627 Greece 282.00 NA 628 Armenia 268.00 NA 629 Turkey 268.00 NA 630 Belize 266.00 NA 631 Guatemala 266.00 NA 632 Niger 266.00 NA 633 Israel 266.00 NA 634 Benin 266.00 NA 635 Egypt 266.00 NA 636 Guatemala 256.00 NA 637 Honduras 256.00 NA 638 Georgia 252.00 NA 639 Turkey 252.00 NA 640 Belize 250.00 NA 641 Mexico 250.00 NA 642 Bosnia and Herzegovina 249.00 NA 643 Greece 246.00 NA 644 Macedonia 246.00 NA 645 Croatia 241.00 NA 646 Serbia 241.00 NA 647 Bulgaria 240.00 NA 648 Kuwait 240.00 NA 649 Iraq 240.00 NA 650 Turkey 240.00 NA 651 Israel 238.00 NA 652 Jordan 238.00 NA 653 Korea, South 238.00 NA 654 Korea, South 238.00 NA 655 Korea, North 238.00 NA 656 Burma 235.00 NA 657 Laos 235.00 NA 658 Burundi 233.00 NA 659 Zambia 233.00 NA 660 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 233.00 NA 661 Namibia 233.00 NA 662 Kenya 232.00 NA 663 Sudan 232.00 NA 664 Indonesia 228.00 NA 665 Timor-Leste 228.00 NA 666 Timor-Leste 228.00 NA 667 Lithuania 227.00 NA 668 Russia 227.00 NA 669 Colombia 225.00 NA 670 Zimbabwe 225.00 NA 671 Panama 225.00 NA 672 South Africa 225.00 NA 673 Montenegro 225.00 NA 674 Kuwait 222.00 NA 675 Saudi Arabia 222.00 NA 676 Azerbaijan 221.00 NA 677 Armenia 221.00 NA 678 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 217.00 NA 679 Rwanda 217.00 NA 680 Rwanda 217.00 NA 681 Tanzania 217.00 NA 682 Greece 206.00 NA 683 Turkey 206.00 NA 684 El Salvador 203.00 NA 685 Guatemala 203.00 NA 686 Angola 201.00 NA 687 Congo, Republic of the 201.00 NA 688 Italy 199.00 NA 689 Slovenia 199.00 NA 690 Czech Republic 197.00 NA 691 Slovakia 197.00 NA 692 Norway 196.00 NA 693 Russia 196.00 NA 694 Bangladesh 193.00 NA 695 Burma 193.00 NA 696 Cameroon 189.00 NA 697 Equatorial Guinea 189.00 NA 698 Iraq 181.00 NA 699 Jordan 181.00 NA 700 Azerbaijan 179.00 NA 701 Iran 179.00 NA 702 Ukraine 176.00 NA 703 Albania 172.00 NA 704 Montenegro 172.00 NA 705 Belarus 171.00 NA 706 Latvia 171.00 NA 707 Chile 171.00 NA 708 Peru 171.00 NA 709 Romania 169.00 NA 710 Uganda 169.00 NA 711 Rwanda 169.00 NA 712 Belgium 167.00 NA 713 Germany 167.00 NA 714 Hungary 166.00 NA 715 Armenia 164.00 NA 716 Switzerland 164.00 NA 717 Georgia 164.00 NA 718 Austria 164.00 NA 719 Kosovo 159.00 NA 720 Macedonia 159.00 NA 721 Albania 151.00 NA 722 Macedonia 151.00 NA 723 Serbia 151.00 NA 724 Cyprus 150.40 NA 725 Belgium 148.00 NA 726 Macedonia 148.00 NA 727 Luxembourg 148.00 NA 728 Bulgaria 148.00 NA 729 Germany 138.00 NA 730 Luxembourg 138.00 NA 731 Afghanistan 137.00 NA 732 Uzbekistan 137.00 NA 733 Togo 126.00 NA 734 Burkina Faso 126.00 NA 735 Montenegro 124.00 NA 736 Serbia 124.00 NA 737 Andorra 120.30 NA 738 European Union 120.30 NA 739 Albania 112.00 NA 740 Kosovo 112.00 NA 741 Djibouti 109.00 NA 742 Eritrea 109.00 NA 743 Mozambique 105.00 NA 744 Swaziland 105.00 NA 745 Dhekelia 103.00 NA 746 Hungary 103.00 NA 747 Ukraine 103.00 NA 748 Dhekelia 103.00 NA 749 Hungary 102.00 NA 750 Slovenia 102.00 NA 751 Jordan 97.00 NA 752 West Bank 97.00 NA 753 Austria 91.00 NA 754 Slovakia 91.00 NA 755 Poland 91.00 NA 756 Lithuania 91.00 NA 757 Slovakia 90.00 NA 758 Ukraine 90.00 NA 759 Chad 87.00 NA 760 Nigeria 87.00 NA 761 Israel 79.00 NA 762 Kosovo 79.00 NA 763 Montenegro 79.00 NA 764 Lebanon 79.00 NA 765 Afghanistan 76.00 NA 766 Syria 76.00 NA 767 Liechtenstein 76.00 NA 768 Israel 76.00 NA 769 China 76.00 NA 770 France 73.00 NA 771 Luxembourg 73.00 NA 772 Denmark 68.00 NA 773 Denmark 68.00 NA 774 Germany 68.00 NA 775 Andorra 63.70 NA 776 Spain 63.70 NA 777 Gaza Strip 62.00 NA 778 Macedonia 62.00 NA 779 Serbia 62.00 NA 780 Qatar 60.00 NA 781 Qatar 60.00 NA 782 Saudi Arabia 60.00 NA 783 Djibouti 58.00 NA 784 Somalia 58.00 NA 785 Andorra 56.60 NA 786 France 56.60 NA 787 Gaza Strip 51.00 NA 788 Israel 51.00 NA 789 Akrotiri 47.40 NA 790 Akrotiri 47.40 NA 791 Algeria 42.00 NA 792 Western Sahara 42.00 NA 793 Liechtenstein 41.10 NA 794 Switzerland 41.00 NA 795 China 40.00 NA 796 Russia 40.00 NA 797 European Union 39.00 NA 798 Italy 39.00 NA 799 San Marino 39.00 NA 800 San Marino 39.00 NA 801 Armenia 35.00 NA 802 Austria 35.00 NA 803 Iran 35.00 NA 804 European Union 34.90 NA 805 Liechtenstein 34.90 NA 806 China 30.00 NA 807 Hong Kong 30.00 NA 808 Hong Kong 30.00 NA 809 Cuba 29.00 NA 810 Cuba 29.00 NA 811 Croatia 25.00 NA 812 Montenegro 25.00 NA 813 Korea, North 19.00 NA 814 Russia 17.50 NA 815 Netherlands Antilles 15.00 NA 816 Saint Martin 15.00 NA 817 Saint Martin 15.00 NA 818 Netherlands Antilles 15.00 NA 819 Egypt 11.00 NA 820 Gaza Strip 11.00 NA 821 Morocco 9.60 NA 822 Spain 9.60 NA 823 Azerbaijan 9.00 NA 824 Turkey 9.00 NA 825 Morocco 6.30 NA 826 Spain 6.30 NA 827 European Union 4.40 NA 828 France 4.40 NA 829 Monaco 4.40 NA 830 Monaco 4.40 NA 831 European Union 3.20 NA 832 Italy 3.20 NA 833 Holy See (Vatican City) 3.20 NA 834 Holy See (Vatican City) 3.20 NA 835 Gibraltar 1.20 NA 836 Spain 1.20 NA 837 Gibraltar 1.20 NA 838 China 0.34 NA 839 Macau 0.34 NA 840 Macau 0.34 NA 841 Aruba 0.00 NA 842 American Samoa 0.00 NA 843 Australia 0.00 NA 844 Antarctica 0.00 NA 845 Barbados 0.00 NA 846 Bahamas, The 0.00 NA 847 Navassa Island 0.00 NA 848 Sri Lanka 0.00 NA 849 Niue 0.00 NA 850 New Caledonia 0.00 NA 851 Maldives 0.00 NA 852 Malta 0.00 NA 853 Mauritius 0.00 NA 854 Montserrat 0.00 NA 855 Mayotte 0.00 NA 856 Madagascar 0.00 NA 857 Jamaica 0.00 NA 858 Sao Tome and Principe 0.00 NA 859 Tonga 0.00 NA 860 Tokelau 0.00 NA 861 Turks and Caicos Islands 0.00 NA 862 Trinidad and Tobago 0.00 NA 863 Saint Barthelemy 0.00 NA 864 South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands0.00 NA 865 Svalbard 0.00 NA 866 Saint Lucia 0.00 NA 867 Samoa 0.00 NA 868 Wake Island 0.00 NA 869 Wallis and Futuna 0.00 NA 870 Virgin Islands 0.00 NA 871 British Virgin Islands 0.00 NA 872 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0.00 NA 873 Taiwan 0.00 NA 874 Tuvalu 0.00 NA 875 Singapore 0.00 NA 876 Saint Helena 0.00 NA 877 Seychelles 0.00 NA 878 Saint Kitts and Nevis 0.00 NA 879 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0.00 NA 880 Puerto Rico 0.00 NA 881 Philippines 0.00 NA 882 Marshall Islands 0.00 NA 883 Palau 0.00 NA 884 Spratly Islands 0.00 NA 885 Paracel Islands 0.00 NA 886 Pitcairn Islands 0.00 NA 887 New Zealand 0.00 NA 888 Nauru 0.00 NA 889 Vanuatu 0.00 NA 890 Norfolk Island 0.00 NA 891 Jersey 0.00 NA 892 Japan 0.00 NA 893 Clipperton Island 0.00 NA 894 British Indian Ocean Territory 0.00 NA 895 Isle of Man 0.00 NA 896 Iceland 0.00 NA 897 Heard Island and McDonald Islands 0.00 NA 898 Fiji 0.00 NA 899 Christmas Island 0.00 NA 900 Kiribati 0.00 NA 901 Jan Mayen 0.00 NA 902 Dominica 0.00 NA 903 Cook Islands 0.00 NA 904 Cape Verde 0.00 NA 905 Coral Sea Islands 0.00 NA 906 Northern Mariana Islands 0.00 NA 907 Comoros 0.00 NA 908 Cocos (Keeling) Islands 0.00 NA 909 Cayman Islands 0.00 NA 910 Greenland 0.00 NA 911 Guernsey 0.00 NA 912 Grenada 0.00 NA 913 French Southern and Antarctic Lands0.00 NA 914 French Polynesia 0.00 NA 915 Faroe Islands 0.00 NA 916 Micronesia, Federated States of 0.00 NA 917 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 0.00 NA 918 Bouvet Island 0.00 NA 919 Solomon Islands 0.00 NA 920 Bermuda 0.00 NA 921 Bahrain 0.00 NA 922 Anguilla 0.00 NA 923 Ashmore and Cartier Islands 0.00 NA 924 Antigua and Barbuda 0.00 NA ====================================================================== Rank code: 2097 Country Comparison :: Land use This entry contains the percentage shares of total land area for three different types of land use: arable land - land cultivated for crops like wheat, maize, and rice that are replanted after each harvest; permanent crops - land cultivated for crops like citrus, coffee, and rubber that are not replanted after each harvest; includes land under flowering shrubs, fruit trees, nut trees, and vines, but excludes land under trees grown for wood or timber; other - any land not arable or under permanent crops; includes permanent meadows and pastures, forests and woodlands, built-on areas, roads, barren land, etc. Rank country (%) Date of Information 1 Ashmore and Cartier Islands 100.00 2005 2 Anguilla 100.00 2005 3 Navassa Island 100.00 2005 4 Antarctica 100.00 2005 5 Bouvet Island 100.00 2005 6 Cocos (Keeling) Islands 100.00 2005 7 Coral Sea Islands 100.00 2005 8 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 100.00 2005 9 Gibraltar 100.00 2005 10 South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands100.00 2005 11 Svalbard 100.00 2005 12 Spratly Islands 100.00 2005 13 Paracel Islands 100.00 2005 14 Nauru 100.00 2005 15 Norfolk Island 100.00 2005 16 Monaco 100.00 2005 17 Macau 100.00 2005 18 Christmas Island 100.00 2005 19 Wake Island 100.00 2005 20 Holy See (Vatican City) 100.00 2005 21 United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges100.00 2008 22 Tokelau 100.00 2005 23 Jan Mayen 100.00 2005 24 Jersey 100.00 2005 25 Clipperton Island 100.00 2005 26 British Indian Ocean Territory 100.00 2005 27 Heard Island and McDonald Islands 100.00 2005 28 Greenland 100.00 2005 29 Western Sahara 99.98 2005 30 Djibouti 99.96 2005 31 Iceland 99.93 2005 32 Mauritania 99.79 2005 33 Oman 99.74 2005 34 Suriname 99.58 2005 35 New Caledonia 99.46 2005 36 Botswana 99.34 2005 37 Mongolia 99.24 2005 38 Bahamas, The 99.13 2005 39 Namibia 99.00 2005 40 Kuwait 98.99 2005 41 Libya 98.78 2005 42 Congo, Republic of the 98.40 2005 43 Somalia 98.32 2005 44 Saudi Arabia 98.24 2005 45 Gabon 98.15 2005 46 Papua New Guinea 98.11 2005 47 Qatar 98.09 2005 48 Andorra 97.87 2005 49 Faroe Islands 97.86 2005 50 Turks and Caicos Islands 97.67 2005 51 Guyana 97.63 2005 52 Solomon Islands 97.34 2005 53 Norway 97.30 2005 54 Bhutan 97.27 2005 55 Chad 97.18 2005 56 Angola 97.12 2005 57 Singapore 97.06 2005 58 Brunei 97.05 2005 59 Bolivia 97.03 2005 60 United Arab Emirates 96.96 2005 61 Chile 96.95 2005 62 Yemen 96.84 2005 63 Central African Republic 96.75 2005 64 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 96.67 2005 65 Peru 96.65 2005 66 Colombia 96.62 2005 67 Egypt 96.58 2005 68 Algeria 96.55 2005 69 Venezuela 96.27 2005 70 Mali 96.21 2005 71 Cayman Islands 96.15 2005 72 Laos 95.65 2005 73 Belize 95.56 2005 74 Jordan 95.50 2005 75 Turkmenistan 95.35 2005 76 Eritrea 95.19 2005 77 Canada 94.78 2005 78 Tanzania 94.61 2005 79 Liberia 94.59 2005 80 Mozambique 94.28 2005 81 Sweden 94.06 2005 82 Madagascar 93.95 2005 83 Hong Kong 93.94 2001 84 Australia 93.81 2005 85 French Polynesia 93.75 2005 86 Finland 93.44 2005 87 Kyrgyzstan 93.17 2005 88 Sudan 93.05 2005 89 Zambia 92.97 2005 90 Guinea 92.89 2005 91 Russia 92.72 2005 92 Tajikistan 92.59 2005 93 Paraguay 92.29 2005 94 Brazil 92.18 2005 95 Uruguay 91.99 2005 96 Equatorial Guinea 91.80 2005 97 Kazakhstan 91.67 2005 98 Bahrain 91.55 2005 99 Virgin Islands 91.43 2005 100 Zimbabwe 91.43 2005 101 Vanuatu 91.39 2005 102 Kenya 91.02 2005 103 Isle of Man 91.00 2002 104 Sierra Leone 91.00 2005 105 Panama 90.79 2005 106 Puerto Rico 90.72 2005 107 Slovenia 90.04 2005 108 Netherlands Antilles 90.00 2005 109 Costa Rica 89.73 2005 110 Argentina 89.61 2005 111 Switzerland 89.51 2005 112 Ecuador 89.48 2005 113 Aruba 89.47 2005 114 Ethiopia 89.34 2005 115 Lesotho 89.00 2005 116 Swaziland 88.94 2005 117 Iran 88.93 2005 118 Uzbekistan 88.73 2005 119 Niger 88.56 2005 120 Cape Verde 87.85 2005 121 Afghanistan 87.66 2005 122 Estonia 87.60 2005 123 New Zealand 87.54 2005 124 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 87.50 2005 125 Japan 87.46 2005 126 Honduras 87.26 2005 127 Senegal 87.25 2005 128 Timor-Leste 87.23 2005 129 South Africa 87.11 2005 130 Saint Helena 87.10 2005 131 Palau 86.95 2005 132 Iraq 86.27 2005 133 Mexico 86.06 2005 134 Montenegro 85.30 NA 135 Cameroon 84.94 2005 136 Cyprus 84.87 2005 137 Seychelles 84.79 2005 138 Guinea-Bissau 84.77 2005 139 Georgia 84.70 2005 140 Fiji 84.40 2005 141 China 83.87 2005 142 Burma 83.77 2005 143 Nicaragua 83.37 2005 144 San Marino 83.33 2005 145 Ireland 83.15 2005 146 Nepal 83.08 2005 147 Northern Mariana Islands 82.61 2005 148 Austria 82.56 2005 149 Burkina Faso 82.12 2005 150 Indonesia 81.93 2005 151 United States 81.78 2005 152 Korea, South 81.41 2005 153 Armenia 81.21 2005 154 Guatemala 81.18 2005 155 Israel 80.67 2005 156 Bermuda 80.00 2005 157 Montserrat 80.00 2005 158 Morocco 79.00 2005 159 Cambodia 78.97 2005 160 Cote d'Ivoire 78.61 2005 161 Bosnia and Herzegovina 78.50 2005 162 Malawi 78.14 2005 163 Saint Kitts and Nevis 77.78 2005 164 Antigua and Barbuda 77.27 2005 165 Netherlands 77.27 2005 166 Malaysia 77.00 2005 167 Azerbaijan 76.77 2005 168 United Kingdom 76.57 2005 169 Trinidad and Tobago 76.22 2005 170 Macedonia 76.20 2005 171 Korea, North 75.94 2005 172 Albania 75.69 2005 173 American Samoa 75.00 2005 174 Liechtenstein 75.00 2005 175 Taiwan 75.00 2001 176 Cook Islands 75.00 2005 177 Portugal 74.87 2005 178 Pakistan 74.72 2005 179 Jamaica 74.16 2005 180 Benin 74.10 2005 181 British Virgin Islands 73.33 2005 182 Ghana 73.24 2005 183 Niue 73.08 2005 184 Vietnam 72.93 2005 185 Belarus 72.63 2005 186 Dominica 72.00 2005 187 Croatia 71.99 2005 188 Belgium 71.89 2005 189 Luxembourg 71.89 2005 190 Gambia, The 71.68 2005 191 Latvia 71.36 2005 192 Saint Lucia 70.97 2005 193 Greece 70.96 2005 194 Sri Lanka 70.80 2005 195 Syria 70.73 2005 196 Lebanon 69.90 2005 197 Tunisia 69.87 2005 198 Uganda 69.51 2005 199 Bulgaria 68.16 2005 200 Slovakia 68.10 2005 201 Dominican Republic 67.25 2005 202 Turkey 66.80 2005 203 Tuvalu 66.67 2005 204 Germany 66.27 2005 205 Cuba 65.83 2005 206 Malta 65.62 2005 207 Thailand 65.53 2005 208 Tonga 65.33 2005 209 Grenada 64.71 2005 210 France 64.51 2005 211 Italy 64.50 2005 212 Philippines 64.33 2005 213 West Bank 64.13 2001 214 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 64.10 2005 215 Nigeria 63.84 2005 216 Spain 62.97 2005 217 Barbados 60.46 2005 218 Haiti 60.36 2005 219 Poland 58.75 2005 220 Romania 58.59 2005 221 Czech Republic 58.18 2005 222 Wallis and Futuna 57.15 2005 223 El Salvador 56.75 2005 224 Maldives 56.67 2005 225 Bangladesh 55.39 2005 226 Samoa 54.57 2005 227 Moldova 54.52 2005 228 Lithuania 54.29 2005 229 Ukraine 53.80 2005 230 Togo 53.69 2005 231 Denmark 52.59 2005 232 Burundi 51.31 2005 233 Gaza Strip 50.00 2002 234 Hungary 49.58 2005 235 Kiribati 49.31 2005 236 Mauritius 49.02 2005 237 Sao Tome and Principe 48.96 2005 238 India 48.83 2005 239 Micronesia, Federated States of 48.58 2005 240 India 48.37 2005 241 Hungary 48.36 2005 242 Mauritius 48.04 2005 243 Kiribati 47.95 2005 244 Denmark 47.22 2005 245 Micronesia, Federated States of 45.71 2005 246 Rwanda 45.56 2005 247 Lithuania 44.81 2005 248 Ukraine 44.70 2005 249 Marshall Islands 44.45 2005 250 Marshall Islands 44.44 2005 251 Togo 44.20 2005 252 Rwanda 44.19 2005 253 Sao Tome and Principe 42.71 2005 254 Bangladesh 41.53 2005 255 Comoros 40.81 2005 256 Poland 40.25 2005 257 Romania 39.49 2005 258 Czech Republic 38.82 2005 259 Barbados 37.21 2005 260 Moldova 36.67 2005 261 Comoros 35.87 2005 262 Wallis and Futuna 35.71 2005 263 Burundi 35.57 2005 264 France 33.46 2005 265 Tuvalu 33.33 2005 266 Germany 33.13 2005 267 Nigeria 33.02 2005 268 El Salvador 31.37 2005 269 Malta 31.25 2005 270 Maldives 30.00 2005 271 Bulgaria 29.94 2005 272 Turkey 29.81 2005 273 Grenada 29.41 2005 274 Slovakia 29.23 2005 275 Gaza Strip 29.00 2002 276 Latvia 28.19 2005 277 Haiti 28.11 2005 278 Gambia, The 27.88 2005 279 Cuba 27.63 2005 280 Thailand 27.54 2005 281 Belgium 27.42 2005 282 Luxembourg 27.42 2005 283 Spain 27.18 2005 284 Belarus 26.77 2005 285 Italy 26.41 2005 286 Croatia 25.82 2005 287 Liechtenstein 25.00 2005 288 Syria 24.80 2005 289 Pakistan 24.44 2005 290 Samoa 24.30 2005 291 Taiwan 24.00 2001 292 Benin 23.53 2005 293 Comoros 23.32 2005 294 United Kingdom 23.23 2005 295 Saint Lucia 22.58 2005 296 Dominican Republic 22.49 2005 297 Korea, North 22.40 2005 298 Macedonia 22.01 2005 299 Netherlands 21.96 2005 300 Uganda 21.57 2005 301 Dominica 21.33 2005 302 Samoa 21.13 2005 303 Gaza Strip 21.00 2002 304 Malawi 20.68 2005 305 Azerbaijan 20.62 2005 306 Greece 20.45 2005 307 Cambodia 20.44 2005 308 Vietnam 20.14 2005 309 Albania 20.10 2005 310 Bermuda 20.00 2005 311 British Virgin Islands 20.00 2005 312 Montserrat 20.00 2005 313 Tonga 20.00 2005 314 Bosnia and Herzegovina 19.61 2005 315 Saint Kitts and Nevis 19.44 2005 316 Morocco 19.00 2005 317 Philippines 19.00 2005 318 West Bank 18.97 2001 319 Antigua and Barbuda 18.18 2005 320 United States 18.01 2005 321 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 17.95 2005 322 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 17.95 2005 323 Burkina Faso 17.66 2005 324 Ghana 17.54 2005 325 Malaysia 17.54 2005 326 Portugal 17.29 2005 327 Tunisia 17.05 2005 328 West Bank 16.90 2001 329 Ireland 16.82 2005 330 Armenia 16.78 2005 331 Cook Islands 16.67 2005 332 San Marino 16.67 2005 333 Philippines 16.67 2005 334 Austria 16.59 2005 335 Korea, South 16.58 2005 336 Lebanon 16.35 2005 337 Nepal 16.07 2005 338 Jamaica 15.83 2005 339 Israel 15.45 2005 340 Niue 15.38 2005 341 Sri Lanka 15.24 2005 342 American Samoa 15.00 2005 343 Burma 14.92 2005 344 China 14.86 2005 345 Nicaragua 14.81 2005 346 Tonga 14.67 2005 347 Trinidad and Tobago 14.62 2005 348 Sri Lanka 13.96 2005 349 Lebanon 13.75 2005 350 Montenegro 13.70 NA 351 Maldives 13.33 2005 352 Guatemala 13.22 2005 353 Burundi 13.12 2005 354 Iraq 13.12 2005 355 Tunisia 13.08 2005 356 Northern Mariana Islands 13.04 2005 357 Seychelles 13.04 2005 358 Saint Helena 12.90 2005 359 Mexico 12.66 2005 360 Cameroon 12.54 2005 361 Senegal 12.51 2005 362 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 12.50 2005 363 Afghanistan 12.13 2005 364 South Africa 12.10 2005 365 Estonia 12.05 2005 366 El Salvador 11.88 2005 367 Japan 11.64 2005 368 Niue 11.54 2005 369 Haiti 11.53 2005 370 Georgia 11.51 2005 371 Niger 11.43 2005 372 Cape Verde 11.41 2005 373 Cote d'Ivoire 11.16 2005 374 Marshall Islands 11.11 2005 375 Indonesia 11.03 2005 376 Fiji 10.95 2005 377 Lesotho 10.87 2005 378 Cyprus 10.81 2005 379 Aruba 10.53 2005 380 Uzbekistan 10.51 2005 381 Dominican Republic 10.26 2005 382 Rwanda 10.25 2005 383 Swaziland 10.25 2005 384 Cote d'Ivoire 10.23 2005 385 Argentina 10.03 2005 386 Ethiopia 10.01 2005 387 Jamaica 10.01 2005 388 American Samoa 10.00 2005 389 Netherlands Antilles 10.00 2005 390 Switzerland 9.91 2005 391 Spain 9.85 2005 392 Iran 9.78 2005 393 Honduras 9.53 2005 394 Ghana 9.22 2005 395 Trinidad and Tobago 9.16 2005 396 Italy 9.09 2005 397 Isle of Man 9.00 2002 398 Uganda 8.92 2005 399 Moldova 8.81 2005 400 Palau 8.70 2005 401 Greece 8.59 2005 402 Slovenia 8.53 2005 403 Cook Islands 8.33 2005 404 Sao Tome and Principe 8.33 2005 405 Guinea-Bissau 8.31 2005 406 Kazakhstan 8.28 2005 407 Zimbabwe 8.24 2005 408 Timor-Leste 8.20 2005 409 Kenya 8.01 2005 410 Sierra Leone 7.95 2005 411 Portugal 7.84 2005 412 Uruguay 7.77 2005 413 Paraguay 7.47 2005 414 Panama 7.26 2005 415 Russia 7.17 2005 416 Wallis and Futuna 7.14 2005 417 Indonesia 7.04 2005 418 Zambia 6.99 2005 419 Vanuatu 6.97 2005 420 Brazil 6.93 2005 421 Thailand 6.93 2005 422 Vietnam 6.93 2005 423 New Zealand 6.92 2005 424 Guinea-Bissau 6.92 2005 425 Sudan 6.78 2005 426 Dominica 6.67 2005 427 British Virgin Islands 6.67 2005 428 Kyrgyzstan 6.55 2005 429 Cuba 6.54 2005 430 Finland 6.54 2005 431 Tajikistan 6.52 2005 432 Saint Lucia 6.45 2005 433 Australia 6.15 2005 434 Sweden 5.93 2005 435 Grenada 5.88 2005 436 Costa Rica 5.87 2005 437 Ecuador 5.71 2005 438 Virgin Islands 5.71 2005 439 Micronesia, Federated States of 5.71 2005 440 Bahrain 5.63 2005 441 Guatemala 5.60 2005 442 Puerto Rico 5.59 2005 443 New Zealand 5.54 2005 444 French Polynesia 5.50 2005 445 Malaysia 5.46 2005 446 Mozambique 5.43 2005 447 Hong Kong 5.05 2001 448 Madagascar 5.03 2005 449 Ecuador 4.81 2005 450 Eritrea 4.78 2005 451 Fiji 4.65 2005 452 Equatorial Guinea 4.63 2005 453 Canada 4.57 2005 454 Timor-Leste 4.57 2005 455 Antigua and Barbuda 4.55 2005 456 Turkmenistan 4.51 2005 457 Guinea 4.47 2005 458 Syria 4.47 2005 459 Costa Rica 4.40 2005 460 Northern Mariana Islands 4.35 2005 461 Palau 4.35 2005 462 Cyprus 4.32 2005 463 Tanzania 4.23 2005 464 Albania 4.21 2005 465 Laos 4.01 2005 466 Israel 3.88 2005 467 Cayman Islands 3.85 2005 468 Georgia 3.79 2005 469 Mali 3.76 2005 470 Puerto Rico 3.69 2005 471 Equatorial Guinea 3.57 2005 472 Liberia 3.43 2005 473 Turkey 3.39 2005 474 Jordan 3.32 2005 475 Honduras 3.21 2005 476 Algeria 3.17 2005 477 Nigeria 3.14 2005 478 Malta 3.13 2005 479 Central African Republic 3.10 2005 480 Bangladesh 3.08 2005 481 Belize 3.05 2005 482 Czech Republic 3.00 2005 483 Mauritius 2.94 2005 484 Egypt 2.92 2005 485 Yemen 2.91 2005 486 Peru 2.88 2005 487 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 2.86 2005 488 Virgin Islands 2.86 2005 489 Venezuela 2.85 2005 490 Bahrain 2.82 2005 491 Chad 2.80 2005 492 India 2.80 2005 493 Bolivia 2.78 2005 494 Saint Kitts and Nevis 2.78 2005 495 Kiribati 2.74 2005 496 Norway 2.70 2005 497 Slovakia 2.67 2005 498 Angola 2.65 2005 499 Guinea 2.64 2005 500 Chile 2.62 2005 501 Azerbaijan 2.61 2005 502 Cameroon 2.52 2005 503 Benin 2.37 2005 504 Barbados 2.33 2005 505 Turks and Caicos Islands 2.33 2005 506 Bhutan 2.30 2005 507 United Arab Emirates 2.27 2005 508 Guyana 2.23 2005 509 Croatia 2.19 2005 510 Seychelles 2.17 2005 511 Faroe Islands 2.14 2005 512 Andorra 2.13 2005 513 Togo 2.11 2005 514 Brunei 2.08 2005 515 Hungary 2.06 2005 516 Solomon Islands 2.04 2005 517 France 2.03 2005 518 Armenia 2.01 2005 519 Colombia 2.01 2005 520 Korea, South 2.01 2005 521 Morocco 2.00 2005 522 Liberia 1.98 2005 523 Panama 1.95 2005 524 Romania 1.92 2005 525 Bulgaria 1.90 2005 526 Bosnia and Herzegovina 1.89 2005 527 Nicaragua 1.82 2005 528 Macedonia 1.79 2005 529 Saudi Arabia 1.67 2005 530 Korea, North 1.66 2005 531 Vanuatu 1.64 2005 532 Somalia 1.64 2005 533 Qatar 1.64 2005 534 Ukraine 1.50 2005 535 Singapore 1.47 2005 536 Singapore 1.47 2005 537 Congo, Republic of the 1.45 2005 538 Slovenia 1.43 2005 539 Papua New Guinea 1.40 2005 540 Belize 1.39 2005 541 Colombia 1.37 2005 542 Burma 1.31 2005 543 Iran 1.29 2005 544 Mexico 1.28 2005 545 China 1.27 2005 546 Gabon 1.21 2005 547 Jordan 1.18 2005 548 Malawi 1.18 2005 549 Tanzania 1.16 2005 550 Sierra Leone 1.05 2005 551 Libya 1.03 2005 552 Madagascar 1.02 2005 553 Hong Kong 1.01 2001 554 Montenegro 1.00 NA 555 Poland 1.00 2005 556 Taiwan 1.00 2001 557 Namibia 0.99 2005 558 Kenya 0.97 2005 559 Japan 0.90 2005 560 Lithuania 0.90 2005 561 Brazil 0.89 2005 562 Tajikistan 0.89 2005 563 Venezuela 0.88 2005 564 Brunei 0.87 2005 565 Austria 0.85 2005 566 Nepal 0.85 2005 567 Kuwait 0.84 2005 568 Pakistan 0.84 2005 569 Swaziland 0.81 2005 570 South Africa 0.79 2005 571 United Arab Emirates 0.77 2005 572 Netherlands 0.77 2005 573 Mongolia 0.76 2005 574 Uzbekistan 0.76 2005 575 French Polynesia 0.75 2005 576 Cape Verde 0.74 2005 577 Belgium 0.69 2005 578 Luxembourg 0.69 2005 579 Botswana 0.65 2005 580 Ethiopia 0.65 2005 581 Canada 0.65 2005 582 Gabon 0.64 2005 583 Solomon Islands 0.62 2005 584 Iraq 0.61 2005 585 Belarus 0.60 2005 586 Germany 0.60 2005 587 Cambodia 0.59 2005 588 Bahamas, The 0.58 2005 589 Switzerland 0.58 2005 590 Egypt 0.50 2005 591 Papua New Guinea 0.49 2005 592 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 0.47 2005 593 Peru 0.47 2005 594 Latvia 0.45 2005 595 Gambia, The 0.44 2005 596 Bhutan 0.43 2005 597 Chile 0.43 2005 598 Argentina 0.36 2005 599 Suriname 0.36 2005 600 Estonia 0.35 2005 601 Laos 0.34 2005 602 Zimbabwe 0.33 2005 603 New Caledonia 0.32 2005 604 Bahamas, The 0.29 2005 605 Mozambique 0.29 2005 606 Algeria 0.28 2005 607 Kyrgyzstan 0.28 2005 608 Qatar 0.27 2005 609 Yemen 0.25 2005 610 Paraguay 0.24 2005 611 Uruguay 0.24 2005 612 Senegal 0.24 2005 613 Angola 0.23 2005 614 New Caledonia 0.22 2005 615 Burkina Faso 0.22 2005 616 Afghanistan 0.21 2005 617 United States 0.21 2005 618 Mauritania 0.20 2005 619 United Kingdom 0.20 2005 620 Bolivia 0.19 2005 621 Libya 0.19 2005 622 Denmark 0.19 2005 623 Kuwait 0.17 2005 624 Sudan 0.17 2005 625 Congo, Republic of the 0.15 2005 626 Central African Republic 0.15 2005 627 Guyana 0.14 2005 628 Oman 0.14 2005 629 Turkmenistan 0.14 2005 630 Lesotho 0.13 2005 631 Oman 0.12 2005 632 Russia 0.11 2005 633 Saudi Arabia 0.09 2005 634 Iceland 0.07 2005 635 Suriname 0.06 2005 636 Kazakhstan 0.05 2005 637 Australia 0.04 2005 638 Zambia 0.04 2005 639 Somalia 0.04 2005 640 Djibouti 0.04 2005 641 Ireland 0.03 2005 642 Eritrea 0.03 2005 643 Mali 0.03 2005 644 Chad 0.02 2005 645 Western Sahara 0.02 2005 646 Finland 0.02 2005 647 Botswana 0.01 2005 648 Namibia 0.01 2005 649 Sweden 0.01 2005 650 Niger 0.01 2005 651 Mauritania 0.01 2005 652 Aruba 0.00 2005 653 Ashmore and Cartier Islands 0.00 2005 654 Anguilla 0.00 2005 655 Antarctica 0.00 2005 656 Navassa Island 0.00 2005 657 Bouvet Island 0.00 2005 658 Svalbard 0.00 2005 659 Svalbard 0.00 2005 660 San Marino 0.00 2005 661 Saint Helena 0.00 2005 662 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0.00 2005 663 Spratly Islands 0.00 2005 664 Paracel Islands 0.00 2005 665 Paracel Islands 0.00 2005 666 Netherlands Antilles 0.00 2005 667 Nauru 0.00 2005 668 Nauru 0.00 2005 669 Norway 0.00 2005 670 Norfolk Island 0.00 2005 671 Norfolk Island 0.00 2005 672 Spratly Islands 0.00 2005 673 Monaco 0.00 2005 674 Monaco 0.00 2005 675 Montserrat 0.00 2005 676 Mongolia 0.00 2005 677 Macau 0.00 2005 678 Macau 0.00 2005 679 Liechtenstein 0.00 2005 680 Christmas Island 0.00 2005 681 Wake Island 0.00 2005 682 Wake Island 0.00 2005 683 Western Sahara 0.00 2005 684 Holy See (Vatican City) 0.00 2005 685 Holy See (Vatican City) 0.00 2005 686 United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges0.00 2008 687 United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges0.00 2008 688 Jan Mayen 0.00 2005 689 Jan Mayen 0.00 2005 690 Jersey 0.00 2005 691 Jersey 0.00 2005 692 Clipperton Island 0.00 2005 693 Clipperton Island 0.00 2005 694 British Indian Ocean Territory 0.00 2005 695 Faroe Islands 0.00 2005 696 Tuvalu 0.00 2005 697 Tokelau 0.00 2005 698 Tokelau 0.00 2005 699 Turks and Caicos Islands 0.00 2005 700 South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands0.00 2005 701 South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands0.00 2005 702 Christmas Island 0.00 2005 703 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 0.00 2005 704 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 0.00 2005 705 Djibouti 0.00 2005 706 Coral Sea Islands 0.00 2005 707 Coral Sea Islands 0.00 2005 708 Cocos (Keeling) Islands 0.00 2005 709 Cocos (Keeling) Islands 0.00 2005 710 Cayman Islands 0.00 2005 711 British Indian Ocean Territory 0.00 2005 712 Isle of Man 0.00 2002 713 Iceland 0.00 2005 714 Heard Island and McDonald Islands 0.00 2005 715 Heard Island and McDonald Islands 0.00 2005 716 Greenland 0.00 2005 717 Greenland 0.00 2005 718 Gibraltar 0.00 2005 719 Gibraltar 0.00 2005 720 Bouvet Island 0.00 2005 721 Navassa Island 0.00 2005 722 Bermuda 0.00 2005 723 Antarctica 0.00 2005 724 Anguilla 0.00 2005 725 Ashmore and Cartier Islands 0.00 2005 726 Andorra 0.00 2005 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2098 Country Comparison :: Languages This entry provides a rank ordering of languages starting with the largest and sometimes includes the percent of total population speaking that language. Rank country (%) Date of Information 1 France 100.00 NA 2 Greece 99.00 NA 3 Marshall Islands 98.20 NA 4 Poland 97.80 2002 census 5 Armenia 97.70 2001 census 6 Nicaragua 97.50 NA 7 Croatia 96.10 2001 census 8 Cambodia 95.00 NA 9 Cayman Islands 95.00 1999 census 10 Kazakhstan 95.00 2001 est. 11 Czech Republic 94.90 2001 census 12 Jersey 94.50 2001 census 13 Hungary 93.60 2001 census 14 Mexico 92.70 2005 15 Seychelles 91.80 2002 census 16 Finland 91.20 2007 17 Slovenia 91.10 2002 census 18 Romania 91.00 NA 19 American Samoa 90.60 2000 census 20 Azerbaijan 90.30 1999 census 21 Malta 90.20 2005 census 22 Mongolia 90.00 1999 23 Hong Kong 89.20 2001 census 24 Austria 88.60 2001 census 25 Serbia 88.30 NA 26 Macau 85.70 2001 census 27 Bulgaria 84.50 2001 census 28 Slovakia 83.90 2001 census 29 United States 82.10 NA 30 Lithuania 82.00 2001 census 31 Mauritius 80.50 2000 census 32 Mali 80.00 NA 33 Australia 78.50 2006 Census 34 Botswana 78.20 2001 census 35 Virgin Islands 74.70 2000 census 36 Uzbekistan 74.30 NA 37 Sri Lanka 74.00 NA 38 Spain 74.00 NA 39 Vanuatu 72.60 1999 Census 40 Turkmenistan 72.00 NA 41 Georgia 71.00 NA 42 Equatorial Guinea 67.60 1994 census 43 Estonia 67.30 2000 census 44 Ukraine 67.00 NA 45 Macedonia 66.50 2002 census 46 Aruba 66.30 2000 census 47 Netherlands Antilles 65.40 2001 census 48 Kyrgyzstan 64.70 1999 census 49 Palau 64.70 2000 census 50 Kazakhstan 64.40 2001 est. 51 Switzerland 63.70 NA 52 Montenegro 63.60 2003 census 53 French Polynesia 61.10 2002 census 54 Bolivia 60.70 2001 census 55 Belgium 60.00 NA 56 Guatemala 60.00 NA 57 Wallis and Futuna 58.90 2003 census 58 Canada 58.80 2006 Census 59 Latvia 58.20 2000 census 60 Iran 58.00 NA 61 Malawi 57.20 1998 census 62 Afghanistan 50.00 NA 63 Pakistan 48.00 NA 64 Nepal 47.80 2001 est. 65 Belize 46.00 2000 census 66 India 41.00 2001 census 67 Belgium 40.00 NA 68 Guatemala 40.00 NA 69 Latvia 37.50 2000 census 70 Ghana 36.10 2000 census 71 Afghanistan 35.00 NA 72 Singapore 35.00 2000 census 73 Belize 32.90 2000 census 74 Ethiopia 32.70 1994 census 75 Equatorial Guinea 32.40 1994 census 76 Mozambique 32.00 1997 census 77 Namibia 32.00 NA 78 Ethiopia 31.60 1994 census 79 French Polynesia 31.40 2002 census 80 Wallis and Futuna 30.10 2003 census 81 Zambia 30.10 2000 Census 82 Estonia 29.70 2000 census 83 Mozambique 26.10 1997 census 84 Iran 26.00 NA 85 Macedonia 25.10 2002 census 86 Northern Mariana Islands 24.40 2000 census 87 Ukraine 24.00 NA 88 South Africa 23.80 2001 census 89 Northern Mariana Islands 23.40 2000 census 90 Vanuatu 23.10 1999 Census 91 Singapore 23.00 2000 census 92 Zambia 22.50 2000 Census 93 Northern Mariana Islands 22.40 2000 census 94 Montenegro 22.00 2003 census 95 Canada 21.60 2006 Census 96 Bolivia 21.20 2001 census 97 Switzerland 20.40 NA 98 Liberia 20.00 NA 99 Canada 19.60 2006 Census 100 Sri Lanka 18.00 NA 101 South Africa 17.60 2001 census 102 Spain 17.00 NA 103 Virgin Islands 16.80 2000 census 104 Netherlands Antilles 15.90 2001 census 105 Ethiopia 14.80 1994 census 106 Ghana 14.80 2000 census 107 Bolivia 14.60 2001 census 108 Uzbekistan 14.20 NA 109 Singapore 14.10 2000 census 110 Kyrgyzstan 13.60 1999 census 111 Palau 13.50 2000 census 112 South Africa 13.30 2001 census 113 Malawi 12.80 1998 census 114 Ghana 12.70 2000 census 115 Aruba 12.60 2000 census 116 Kyrgyzstan 12.50 1999 census 117 Mauritius 12.10 2000 census 118 Nepal 12.10 2001 est. 119 Pakistan 12.00 NA 120 Turkmenistan 12.00 NA 121 Singapore 11.40 2000 census 122 Mozambique 11.30 1997 census 123 Afghanistan 11.00 NA 124 Northern Mariana Islands 10.80 2000 census 125 Wallis and Futuna 10.80 2003 census 126 Slovakia 10.70 2001 census 127 United States 10.70 NA 128 Zambia 10.70 2000 Census 129 Zambia 10.60 2000 Census 130 Malawi 10.10 1998 census 131 Nepal 10.00 2001 est. 132 Pakistan 10.00 NA 133 Ghana 9.90 2000 census 134 Bulgaria 9.60 2001 census 135 Northern Mariana Islands 9.60 2000 census 136 Northern Mariana Islands 9.50 2000 census 137 Malawi 9.50 1998 census 138 Palau 9.40 2000 census 139 South Africa 9.40 2001 census 140 Georgia 9.00 NA 141 Ukraine 9.00 NA 142 Iran 9.00 NA 143 Turkmenistan 9.00 NA 144 Belize 8.90 2000 census 145 Mozambique 8.80 1997 census 146 Botswana 8.60 2001 census 147 Australia 8.20 2006 Census 148 South Africa 8.20 2001 census 149 South Africa 8.20 2001 census 150 Kyrgyzstan 8.20 1999 census 151 India 8.10 2001 census 152 Sri Lanka 8.00 NA 153 Lithuania 8.00 2001 census 154 Pakistan 8.00 NA 155 Pakistan 8.00 NA 156 Pakistan 8.00 NA 157 Botswana 7.90 2001 census 158 South Africa 7.90 2001 census 159 Aruba 7.70 2000 census 160 Mozambique 7.60 1997 census 161 Nepal 7.40 2001 est. 162 Netherlands Antilles 7.30 2001 census 163 India 7.20 2001 census 164 South Africa 7.20 2001 census 165 Uzbekistan 7.10 NA 166 Georgia 7.00 NA 167 India 7.00 2001 census 168 Spain 7.00 NA 169 Turkmenistan 7.00 NA 170 Namibia 7.00 NA 171 Georgia 7.00 NA 172 Mozambique 6.80 1997 census 173 Romania 6.70 NA 174 Virgin Islands 6.60 2000 census 175 Switzerland 6.50 NA 176 Hong Kong 6.40 2001 census 177 Hungary 6.40 2001 census 178 Ethiopia 6.10 1994 census 179 Netherlands Antilles 6.10 2001 census 180 Ethiopia 6.00 1994 census 181 French Polynesia 6.00 2002 census 182 Malta 6.00 2005 census 183 Georgia 6.00 NA 184 India 5.90 2001 census 185 India 5.90 2001 census 186 Aruba 5.80 2000 census 187 Nepal 5.80 2001 est. 188 Mozambique 5.80 1997 census 189 Australia 5.70 2006 Census 190 Mexico 5.70 2005 191 Singapore 5.70 2000 census 192 Zambia 5.70 2000 Census 193 Palau 5.70 2000 census 194 Lithuania 5.60 2001 census 195 Finland 5.50 2007 196 Montenegro 5.50 2003 census 197 Aruba 5.30 2000 census 198 Montenegro 5.30 2003 census 199 Austria 5.30 2001 census 200 Nepal 5.10 2001 est. 201 India 5.00 2001 census 202 Seychelles 4.90 2002 census 203 Singapore 4.90 2000 census 204 Zambia 4.90 2000 Census 205 Ghana 4.60 2000 census 206 Jersey 4.60 2001 census 207 India 4.50 2001 census 208 Slovenia 4.50 2002 census 209 Lithuania 4.40 2001 census 210 Slovenia 4.40 2002 census 211 South Africa 4.40 2001 census 212 Uzbekistan 4.40 NA 213 Ghana 4.30 2000 census 214 Latvia 4.30 2000 census 215 Ghana 4.30 2000 census 216 Bulgaria 4.10 2001 census 217 Serbia 4.10 NA 218 Afghanistan 4.00 NA 219 Macau 4.00 2001 census 220 Belize 3.90 2000 census 221 Serbia 3.80 NA 222 United States 3.80 NA 223 Ghana 3.70 2000 census 224 India 3.70 2001 census 225 Montenegro 3.70 2003 census 226 Mauritius 3.70 2000 census 227 Malawi 3.60 1998 census 228 Nepal 3.60 2001 est. 229 Ethiopia 3.50 1994 census 230 Macedonia 3.50 2002 census 231 Ethiopia 3.50 1994 census 232 Belize 3.40 2000 census 233 Ghana 3.40 2000 census 234 Zambia 3.40 2000 Census 235 Mauritius 3.40 2000 census 236 Ghana 3.40 2000 census 237 Azerbaijan 3.30 1999 census 238 Finland 3.30 2007 239 Nepal 3.30 2001 est. 240 Belize 3.30 2000 census 241 Cayman Islands 3.20 1999 census 242 Hong Kong 3.20 2001 census 243 India 3.20 2001 census 244 India 3.20 2001 census 245 Singapore 3.20 2000 census 246 Macau 3.20 2001 census 247 Seychelles 3.10 2002 census 248 Malta 3.00 2005 census 249 Pakistan 3.00 NA 250 American Samoa 2.90 2000 census 251 Ghana 2.90 2000 census 252 Croatia 2.90 2001 census 253 Botswana 2.80 2001 census 254 Switzerland 2.80 NA 255 India 2.80 2001 census 256 Macau 2.70 2001 census 257 Malawi 2.70 1998 census 258 United States 2.70 NA 259 Slovakia 2.60 2001 census 260 Australia 2.50 2006 Census 261 Zambia 2.50 2000 Census 262 Nepal 2.50 2001 est. 263 American Samoa 2.40 2000 census 264 Bolivia 2.40 2001 census 265 Nepal 2.40 2001 est. 266 Malawi 2.40 1998 census 267 Austria 2.30 2001 census 268 Estonia 2.30 2000 census 269 Palau 2.30 2000 census 270 Czech Republic 2.30 2001 census 271 Aruba 2.20 2000 census 272 Azerbaijan 2.20 1999 census 273 Austria 2.20 2001 census 274 Zambia 2.20 2000 Census 275 Poland 2.20 2002 census 276 American Samoa 2.10 2000 census 277 Botswana 2.10 2001 census 278 American Samoa 2.00 2000 census 279 Zambia 2.00 2000 Census 280 Zambia 2.00 2000 Census 281 Pakistan 2.00 NA 282 Iran 2.00 NA 283 Iran 2.00 NA 284 Czech Republic 2.00 2001 census 285 Macedonia 1.90 2002 census 286 Vanuatu 1.90 1999 Census 287 Virgin Islands 1.90 2000 census 288 Netherlands Antilles 1.90 2001 census 289 Azerbaijan 1.80 1999 census 290 Singapore 1.80 2000 census 291 Macedonia 1.80 2002 census 292 Cayman Islands 1.80 1999 census 293 Netherlands Antilles 1.80 2001 census 294 Marshall Islands 1.80 NA 295 Serbia 1.80 NA 296 Bulgaria 1.80 2001 census 297 Slovakia 1.80 2001 census 298 Ethiopia 1.70 1994 census 299 Zambia 1.70 2000 Census 300 Zambia 1.70 2000 Census 301 Nicaragua 1.70 NA 302 Malawi 1.70 1998 census 303 Australia 1.60 2006 Census 304 Austria 1.60 2001 census 305 Macau 1.60 2001 census 306 Netherlands Antilles 1.60 2001 census 307 Azerbaijan 1.50 1999 census 308 Switzerland 1.50 NA 309 Macau 1.50 2001 census 310 Palau 1.50 2000 census 311 Palau 1.50 2000 census 312 Palau 1.50 2000 census 313 Belize 1.40 2000 census 314 Vanuatu 1.40 1999 Census 315 Australia 1.30 2006 Census 316 Switzerland 1.30 NA 317 Mozambique 1.30 1997 census 318 Macau 1.30 2001 census 319 India 1.30 2001 census 320 Australia 1.20 2006 Census 321 Bolivia 1.20 2001 census 322 Macedonia 1.20 2002 census 323 Romania 1.20 NA 324 Switzerland 1.20 NA 325 Hong Kong 1.20 2001 census 326 India 1.20 2001 census 327 French Polynesia 1.20 2002 census 328 Serbia 1.10 NA 329 Switzerland 1.10 NA 330 Romania 1.10 NA 331 Azerbaijan 1.00 1999 census 332 Iran 1.00 NA 333 Namibia 1.00 NA 334 Switzerland 1.00 NA 335 Slovakia 1.00 2001 census 336 Kyrgyzstan 1.00 1999 census 337 Iran 1.00 NA 338 Iran 1.00 NA 339 Australia 1.00 2006 Census 340 Croatia 1.00 2001 census 341 Greece 1.00 NA 342 Armenia 1.00 2001 census 343 Pakistan 1.00 NA 344 Armenia 0.90 2001 census 345 Singapore 0.90 2000 census 346 Serbia 0.90 NA 347 Jersey 0.90 2001 census 348 Czech Republic 0.80 2001 census 349 Mexico 0.80 2005 350 Nicaragua 0.80 NA 351 Malta 0.80 2005 census 352 Estonia 0.70 2000 census 353 United States 0.70 NA 354 Vanuatu 0.70 1999 Census 355 Switzerland 0.50 NA 356 Armenia 0.40 2001 census 357 Botswana 0.40 2001 census 358 French Polynesia 0.30 2002 census 359 Mozambique 0.30 1997 census 360 Vanuatu 0.30 1999 Census 361 Mauritius 0.30 2000 census 362 Belize 0.20 2000 census 363 Wallis and Futuna 0.20 2003 census 364 Seychelles 0.20 2002 census ====================================================================== Rank code: 2100 Country Comparison :: Legal system This entry contains a brief description of the legal system's historical roots, role in government, and acceptance of International Court of Justice (ICJ) jurisdiction. Rank country Legal system Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2101 Country Comparison :: Legislative branch This entry contains information on the structure (unicameral, bicameral, tricameral), formal name, number of seats, and term of office. Elections includes the nature of the election process or accession to power, date of the last election, and date of the next election. Election results includes the percent of vote and/or number of seats held by each party in the last election. Rank country Legislative branch Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2102 Country Comparison :: Life expectancy at birth This entry contains the average number of years to be lived by a group of people born in the same year, if mortality at each age remains constant in the future. The entry includes total population as well as the male and female components. Life expectancy at birth is also a measure of overall quality of life in a country and summarizes the mortality at all ages. It can also be thought of as indicating the potential return on investment in human capital and is necessary for the calculation of various actuarial measures. Rank country (years) Date of Information 1 Macau 84.36 2009 est. 2 Andorra 82.51 2009 est. 3 Japan 82.12 2009 est. 4 Singapore 81.98 2009 est. 5 San Marino 81.97 2009 est. 6 Hong Kong 81.86 2009 est. 7 Australia 81.63 2009 est. 8 Canada 81.23 2009 est. 9 France 80.98 2009 est. 10 Sweden 80.86 2009 est. 11 Switzerland 80.85 2009 est. 12 Guernsey 80.77 2009 est. 13 Israel 80.73 2009 est. 14 Iceland 80.67 2009 est. 15 Anguilla 80.65 2009 est. 16 Cayman Islands 80.44 2009 est. 17 Bermuda 80.43 2009 est. 18 New Zealand 80.36 2009 est. 19 Italy 80.20 2009 est. 20 Gibraltar 80.19 2009 est. 21 Monaco 80.09 2009 est. 22 Liechtenstein 80.06 2009 est. 23 Spain 80.05 2009 est. 24 Norway 79.95 2009 est. 25 Jersey 79.75 2009 est. 26 Greece 79.66 2009 est. 27 Austria 79.50 2009 est. 28 Faroe Islands 79.44 2009 est. 29 Malta 79.44 2009 est. 30 Netherlands 79.40 2009 est. 31 Luxembourg 79.33 2009 est. 32 Germany 79.26 2009 est. 33 Belgium 79.22 2009 est. 34 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 79.07 2009 est. 35 Virgin Islands 79.05 2009 est. 36 United Kingdom 79.01 2009 est. 37 Finland 78.97 2009 est. 38 Jordan 78.87 2009 est. 39 Isle of Man 78.82 2009 est. 40 Korea, South 78.72 2009 est. 41 European Union 78.67 2009 est. 42 Puerto Rico 78.53 2009 est. 43 Bosnia and Herzegovina 78.50 2009 est. 44 Saint Helena 78.44 2009 est. 45 Cyprus 78.33 2009 est. 46 Denmark 78.30 2009 est. 47 Ireland 78.24 2009 est. 48 Portugal 78.21 2009 est. 49 Wallis and Futuna 78.20 2009 est. 50 United States 78.11 2009 est. 51 Albania 77.96 2009 est. 52 Taiwan 77.96 2009 est. 53 Kuwait 77.71 2009 est. 54 Costa Rica 77.58 2009 est. 55 Cuba 77.45 2009 est. 56 Chile 77.34 2009 est. 57 Libya 77.26 2009 est. 58 British Virgin Islands 77.26 2009 est. 59 Panama 77.25 2009 est. 60 Slovenia 76.92 2009 est. 61 Czech Republic 76.81 2009 est. 62 Georgia 76.72 2009 est. 63 French Polynesia 76.71 2009 est. 64 Northern Mariana Islands 76.70 2009 est. 65 Netherlands Antilles 76.65 2009 est. 66 Argentina 76.56 2009 est. 67 Saint Lucia 76.45 2009 est. 68 Uruguay 76.35 2009 est. 69 Saudi Arabia 76.30 2009 est. 70 United Arab Emirates 76.11 2009 est. 71 Mexico 76.06 2009 est. 72 Tunisia 75.78 2009 est. 73 Paraguay 75.77 2009 est. 74 Brunei 75.74 2009 est. 75 Poland 75.63 2009 est. 76 Dominica 75.55 2009 est. 77 Turks and Caicos Islands 75.42 2009 est. 78 Slovakia 75.40 2009 est. 79 Croatia 75.35 2009 est. 80 Qatar 75.35 2009 est. 81 Ecuador 75.30 2009 est. 82 Aruba 75.28 2009 est. 83 Bahrain 75.16 2009 est. 84 Sri Lanka 75.14 2009 est. 85 New Caledonia 74.98 2009 est. 86 Lithuania 74.90 2009 est. 87 Antigua and Barbuda 74.76 2009 est. 88 Macedonia 74.68 2009 est. 89 West Bank 74.54 2009 est. 90 Cook Islands 74.22 2009 est. 91 Oman 74.16 2009 est. 92 Algeria 74.02 2009 est. 93 Mauritius 74.00 2009 est. 94 Maldives 73.97 2009 est. 95 Barbados 73.94 2009 est. 96 Serbia 73.90 2009 est. 97 Suriname 73.73 2009 est. 98 American Samoa 73.72 2009 est. 99 Dominican Republic 73.70 2009 est. 100 Solomon Islands 73.69 2009 est. 101 Lebanon 73.66 2009 est. 102 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 73.65 2009 est. 103 Venezuela 73.61 2009 est. 104 Jamaica 73.53 2009 est. 105 China 73.47 2009 est. 106 Hungary 73.44 2009 est. 107 Gaza Strip 73.42 2009 est. 108 Malaysia 73.29 2009 est. 109 Saint Kitts and Nevis 73.20 2009 est. 110 Thailand 73.10 2009 est. 111 Bulgaria 73.09 2009 est. 112 Seychelles 73.02 2009 est. 113 Estonia 72.82 2009 est. 114 Colombia 72.81 2009 est. 115 Montserrat 72.76 2009 est. 116 Armenia 72.68 2009 est. 117 Romania 72.45 2009 est. 118 El Salvador 72.33 2009 est. 119 Latvia 72.15 2009 est. 120 Egypt 72.12 2009 est. 121 Brazil 71.99 2009 est. 122 Turkey 71.96 2009 est. 123 Uzbekistan 71.96 2009 est. 124 Samoa 71.86 2009 est. 125 Morocco 71.80 2009 est. 126 Cape Verde 71.61 2009 est. 127 Vietnam 71.58 2009 est. 128 Nicaragua 71.50 2009 est. 129 Palau 71.22 2009 est. 130 Marshall Islands 71.19 2009 est. 131 Syria 71.19 2009 est. 132 Iran 71.14 2009 est. 133 Philippines 71.09 2009 est. 134 Micronesia, Federated States of 70.94 2009 est. 135 Trinidad and Tobago 70.86 2009 est. 136 Moldova 70.80 2009 est. 137 Indonesia 70.76 2009 est. 138 Peru 70.74 2009 est. 139 Fiji 70.73 2009 est. 140 Tonga 70.73 2009 est. 141 Belarus 70.63 2009 est. 142 Guatemala 70.29 2009 est. 143 Greenland 70.07 2009 est. 144 Iraq 69.94 2009 est. 145 India 69.89 2009 est. 146 Kyrgyzstan 69.43 2009 est. 147 Honduras 69.40 2009 est. 148 Tuvalu 69.29 2009 est. 149 Sao Tome and Principe 68.32 2009 est. 150 Ukraine 68.25 2009 est. 151 Belize 68.20 2009 est. 152 Kazakhstan 67.87 2009 est. 153 Turkmenistan 67.87 2009 est. 154 Mongolia 67.65 2009 est. 155 Timor-Leste 67.27 2009 est. 156 Bolivia 66.89 2009 est. 157 Guyana 66.68 2009 est. 158 Azerbaijan 66.66 2009 est. 159 World 66.57 2009 est. 160 Papua New Guinea 66.34 2009 est. 161 Bhutan 66.13 2009 est. 162 Russia 66.03 2009 est. 163 Grenada 65.95 2009 est. 164 Bahamas, The 65.78 2009 est. 165 Nepal 65.46 2009 est. 166 Tajikistan 65.33 2009 est. 167 Pakistan 64.49 2009 est. 168 Nauru 64.20 2009 est. 169 Vanuatu 63.98 2009 est. 170 Korea, North 63.81 2009 est. 171 Comoros 63.47 2009 est. 172 Burma 63.39 2009 est. 173 Yemen 63.27 2009 est. 174 Kiribati 63.22 2009 est. 175 Mayotte 62.91 2009 est. 176 Madagascar 62.89 2009 est. 177 Cambodia 62.10 2009 est. 178 Botswana 61.85 2009 est. 179 Eritrea 61.78 2009 est. 180 Equatorial Guinea 61.61 2009 est. 181 Haiti 60.78 2009 est. 182 Mauritania 60.37 2009 est. 183 Bangladesh 60.25 2009 est. 184 Ghana 59.85 2009 est. 185 Benin 59.00 2009 est. 186 Senegal 59.00 2009 est. 187 Togo 58.69 2009 est. 188 Kenya 57.86 2009 est. 189 Guinea 57.09 2009 est. 190 Laos 56.68 2009 est. 191 Cote d'Ivoire 55.45 2009 est. 192 Ethiopia 55.41 2009 est. 193 Gambia, The 55.35 2009 est. 194 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 54.36 2009 est. 195 Western Sahara 54.32 2009 est. 196 Congo, Republic of the 54.15 2009 est. 197 Cameroon 53.69 2009 est. 198 Gabon 53.11 2009 est. 199 Burkina Faso 52.95 2009 est. 200 Uganda 52.72 2009 est. 201 Niger 52.60 2009 est. 202 Burundi 52.09 2009 est. 203 Tanzania 52.01 2009 est. 204 Sudan 51.42 2009 est. 205 Namibia 51.24 2009 est. 206 Rwanda 50.52 2009 est. 207 Mali 50.35 2009 est. 208 Somalia 49.63 2009 est. 209 South Africa 48.98 2009 est. 210 Guinea-Bissau 47.90 2009 est. 211 Chad 47.70 2009 est. 212 Nigeria 46.94 2009 est. 213 Zimbabwe 45.77 2009 est. 214 Afghanistan 44.64 2009 est. 215 Central African Republic 44.47 2009 est. 216 Malawi 43.82 2009 est. 217 Djibouti 43.37 2009 est. 218 Liberia 41.84 2009 est. 219 Sierra Leone 41.24 2009 est. 220 Mozambique 41.18 2009 est. 221 Lesotho 40.38 2009 est. 222 Zambia 38.63 2009 est. 223 Angola 38.20 2009 est. 224 Swaziland 31.99 2009 est. ====================================================================== Rank code: 2103 Country Comparison :: Literacy This entry includes a definition of literacy and Census Bureau percentages for the total population, males, and females. There are no universal definitions and standards of literacy. Unless otherwise specified, all rates are based on the most common definition - the ability to read and write at a specified age. Detailing the standards that individual countries use to assess the ability to read and write is beyond the scope of the Factbook. Information on literacy, while not a perfect measure of educational results, is probably the most easily available and valid for international comparisons. Low levels of literacy, and education in general, can impede the economic development of a country in the current rapidly changing, technology-driven world. Rank country (%) Date of Information 1 Andorra 100.00 NA 2 Finland 100.00 2000 est. 3 Greenland 100.00 2001 est. 4 Georgia 100.00 2004 est. 5 Norway 100.00 NA 6 Holy See (Vatican City) 100.00 NA 7 Luxembourg 100.00 2000 est. 8 Liechtenstein 100.00 NA 9 Cuba 99.80 2002 census 10 Poland 99.80 2003 est. 11 Estonia 99.80 2000 census 12 Barbados 99.70 2002 est. 13 Samoa 99.70 2003 est. 14 Slovenia 99.70 NA 15 Latvia 99.70 2000 census 16 Belarus 99.60 1999 census 17 Slovakia 99.60 2004 18 Lithuania 99.60 2001 census 19 Kazakhstan 99.50 1999 est. 20 Tajikistan 99.50 2000 census 21 Armenia 99.40 2001 census 22 Ukraine 99.40 2001 census 23 Russia 99.40 2002 census 24 Hungary 99.40 2003 est. 25 Uzbekistan 99.30 2003 est. 26 Moldova 99.10 2005 est. 27 Australia 99.00 2003 est. 28 Belgium 99.00 2003 est. 29 Denmark 99.00 2003 est. 30 Czech Republic 99.00 2003 est. 31 Japan 99.00 2002 32 Netherlands 99.00 2003 est. 33 United States 99.00 2003 est. 34 United Kingdom 99.00 2003 est. 35 Switzerland 99.00 2003 est. 36 Sweden 99.00 2003 est. 37 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 99.00 1982 est. 38 New Zealand 99.00 2003 est. 39 Monaco 99.00 2003 est. 40 Korea, North 99.00 NA 41 Iceland 99.00 2003 est. 42 Germany 99.00 2003 est. 43 France 99.00 2003 est. 44 Ireland 99.00 2003 est. 45 Canada 99.00 2003 est. 46 Tonga 98.90 1999 est. 47 Azerbaijan 98.80 1999 census 48 Turkmenistan 98.80 1999 est. 49 Guyana 98.80 2003 est. 50 Albania 98.70 2001 census 51 Kyrgyzstan 98.70 1999 census 52 Trinidad and Tobago 98.60 2003 est. 53 Italy 98.40 2001 census 54 Bulgaria 98.20 2001 census 55 Croatia 98.10 2001 census 56 Austria 98.00 NA 57 Bermuda 98.00 2005 est. 58 Uruguay 98.00 2003 est. 59 Turks and Caicos Islands 98.00 1970 est. 60 French Polynesia 98.00 1977 est. 61 Cayman Islands 98.00 1970 est. 62 Korea, South 97.90 2002 63 Spain 97.90 2003 est. 64 Mongolia 97.80 2000 census 65 British Virgin Islands 97.80 NA 66 Saint Kitts and Nevis 97.80 2003 est. 67 Cyprus 97.60 2001 census 68 Aruba 97.30 2000 census 69 Romania 97.30 2002 census 70 Argentina 97.20 2001 census 71 Israel 97.10 2004 est. 72 American Samoa 97.00 1980 est. 73 Saint Helena 97.00 1987 est. 74 Montserrat 97.00 1970 est. 75 Northern Mariana Islands 97.00 1980 est. 76 Bosnia and Herzegovina 96.70 2000 est. 77 Netherlands Antilles 96.70 2003 est. 78 Serbia 96.40 NA 79 Maldives 96.30 2000 census 80 New Caledonia 96.20 1996 census 81 Macedonia 96.10 2002 census 82 Taiwan 96.10 2003 83 Grenada 96.00 2003 est. 84 Greece 96.00 2001 census 85 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 96.00 1970 est. 86 San Marino 96.00 NA 87 Chile 95.70 2002 census 88 Bahamas, The 95.60 2003 est. 89 Anguilla 95.00 1984 est. 90 Cook Islands 95.00 NA 91 Niue 95.00 NA 92 Costa Rica 94.90 2000 census 93 Puerto Rico 94.10 2002 est. 94 Dominica 94.00 2003 est. 95 Paraguay 94.00 2003 est. 96 Fiji 93.70 2003 est. 97 Marshall Islands 93.70 1999 98 Hong Kong 93.50 2002 99 Kuwait 93.30 2005 census 100 Portugal 93.30 2003 est. 101 Venezuela 93.00 2001 census 102 Peru 92.90 2007 Census 103 Malta 92.80 2003 est. 104 Brunei 92.70 2001 census 105 Philippines 92.60 2000 census 106 Thailand 92.60 2000 census 107 Singapore 92.50 2000 census 108 Gaza Strip 92.40 2004 est. 109 West Bank 92.40 2004 est. 110 Palau 92.00 1980 est. 111 Kosovo 91.90 2007 Census 112 Panama 91.90 2000 census 113 Seychelles 91.80 2002 census 114 Macau 91.30 2001 census 115 Ecuador 91.00 2001 census 116 Mexico 91.00 2004 est. 117 China 90.90 2000 census 118 Sri Lanka 90.70 2001 census 119 Zimbabwe 90.70 2003 est. 120 Colombia 90.40 2005 census 121 Indonesia 90.40 2004 est. 122 Vietnam 90.30 2002 est. 123 Saint Lucia 90.10 2001 est. 124 Burma 89.90 2006 est. 125 Jordan 89.90 2003 est. 126 Suriname 89.60 2004 census 127 Micronesia, Federated States of 89.00 1980 est. 128 Qatar 89.00 2004 census 129 Malaysia 88.70 2000 census 130 Brazil 88.60 2004 est. 131 Jamaica 87.90 2003 est. 132 Lebanon 87.40 2003 est. 133 Turkey 87.40 2004 est. 134 Dominican Republic 87.00 2002 census 135 Equatorial Guinea 87.00 2000 est. 136 Bolivia 86.70 2001 census 137 Bahrain 86.50 2001 census 138 South Africa 86.40 2003 est. 139 Antigua and Barbuda 85.80 2003 est. 140 Kenya 85.10 2003 est. 141 Namibia 85.00 2001 census 142 Sao Tome and Principe 84.90 2001 census 143 Lesotho 84.80 2003 est. 144 Mauritius 84.40 2000 census 145 Congo, Republic of the 83.80 2003 est. 146 Libya 82.60 2003 est. 147 Swaziland 81.60 2003 est. 148 Oman 81.40 2003 census 149 Botswana 81.20 2003 est. 150 Zambia 80.60 2003 est. 151 El Salvador 80.20 2003 est. 152 Gibraltar 80.00 NA 153 Honduras 80.00 2001 census 154 Syria 79.60 2004 census 155 Saudi Arabia 78.80 2003 est. 156 United Arab Emirates 77.90 2003 est. 157 Iran 77.00 2002 est. 158 Belize 76.90 2000 census 159 Cape Verde 76.60 2003 est. 160 Tunisia 74.30 2004 census 161 Iraq 74.10 2000 est. 162 Vanuatu 74.00 1999 census 163 Cambodia 73.60 2004 est. 164 Egypt 71.40 2005 est. 165 Rwanda 70.40 2003 est. 166 Algeria 69.90 2002 est. 167 Tanzania 69.40 2002 census 168 Guatemala 69.10 2002 census 169 Madagascar 68.90 2003 est. 170 Laos 68.70 2001 est. 171 Nigeria 68.00 2003 est. 172 Cameroon 67.90 2001 est. 173 Djibouti 67.90 2003 est. 174 Nicaragua 67.50 2003 est. 175 Angola 67.40 2001 est. 176 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 67.20 2001 est. 177 Uganda 66.80 2002 census 178 Gabon 63.20 1995 est. 179 Malawi 62.70 2003 est. 180 Sudan 61.10 2003 est. 181 India 61.00 2001 census 182 Togo 60.90 2003 est. 183 Burundi 59.30 2000 est. 184 Eritrea 58.60 2003 est. 185 Timor-Leste 58.60 2002 186 Ghana 57.90 2000 census 187 Liberia 57.50 NA 188 Papua New Guinea 57.30 2000 census 189 Comoros 56.50 2003 est. 190 Haiti 52.90 2003 est. 191 Morocco 52.30 2004 census 192 Mauritania 51.20 2000 census 193 Yemen 50.20 2003 est. 194 Wallis and Futuna 50.00 1969 est. 195 Pakistan 49.90 2005 est. 196 Cote d'Ivoire 48.70 2000 est. 197 Central African Republic 48.60 2000 est. 198 Nepal 48.60 2001 census 199 Bangladesh 47.90 2001 Census 200 Mozambique 47.80 2003 est. 201 Bhutan 47.00 2003 est. 202 Mali 46.40 2003 est. 203 Ethiopia 42.70 2003 est. 204 Guinea-Bissau 42.40 2003 est. 205 Gambia, The 40.10 2003 est. 206 Senegal 39.30 2002 est. 207 Somalia 37.80 2001 est. 208 Sierra Leone 35.10 2004 est. 209 Benin 34.70 2002 census 210 Guinea 29.50 2003 est. 211 Niger 28.70 2005 est. 212 Afghanistan 28.10 2000 est. 213 Chad 25.70 2000 est. 214 Burkina Faso 21.80 2003 est. ====================================================================== Rank code: 2105 Country Comparison :: Manpower available for military service This entry gives the number of males and females falling in the military age range for a country (defined as being ages 16-49) and assumes that every individual is fit to serve. Rank country Manpower available for military serviceDate of Information 1 China 375,009,345.00 2008 est. 2 China 354,314,328.00 2008 est. 3 India 301,094,084.00 2008 est. 4 India 283,047,141.00 2008 est. 5 United States 72,715,332.00 2008 est. 6 United States 71,638,785.00 2008 est. 7 Indonesia 63,800,825.00 2008 est. 8 Indonesia 61,729,717.00 2008 est. 9 Brazil 52,449,957.00 2008 est. 10 Brazil 52,375,921.00 2008 est. 11 Pakistan 42,633,765.00 2008 est. 12 Bangladesh 41,199,340.00 2008 est. 13 Pakistan 40,114,017.00 2008 est. 14 Russia 37,019,853.00 2008 est. 15 Russia 36,219,908.00 2008 est. 16 Nigeria 31,929,204.00 2008 est. 17 Nigeria 30,638,979.00 2008 est. 18 Mexico 29,376,791.00 2008 est. 19 Japan 27,819,804.00 2008 est. 20 Mexico 27,774,688.00 2008 est. 21 Japan 26,863,794.00 2008 est. 22 Vietnam 24,586,328.00 2008 est. 23 Vietnam 24,335,132.00 2008 est. 24 Philippines 23,547,252.00 2008 est. 25 Philippines 23,177,487.00 2008 est. 26 Egypt 21,247,777.00 2008 est. 27 Egypt 20,406,408.00 2008 est. 28 Turkey 20,213,205.00 2008 est. 29 Iran 20,212,275.00 2008 est. 30 Iran 19,638,751.00 2008 est. 31 Germany 19,594,118.00 2008 est. 32 Turkey 19,432,688.00 2008 est. 33 Germany 18,543,955.00 2008 est. 34 Thailand 17,751,268.00 2008 est. 35 Ethiopia 17,666,967.00 2008 est. 36 Thailand 17,553,410.00 2008 est. 37 Ethiopia 17,530,211.00 2008 est. 38 United Kingdom 14,729,500.00 2008 est. 39 France 14,646,427.00 2008 est. 40 France 14,379,630.00 2008 est. 41 United Kingdom 14,125,600.00 2008 est. 42 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 14,101,263.00 2008 est. 43 Italy 13,884,079.00 2008 est. 44 Korea, South 13,691,809.00 2008 est. 45 Burma 13,437,042.00 2008 est. 46 Burma 13,402,788.00 2008 est. 47 Italy 13,158,378.00 2008 est. 48 Korea, South 13,029,859.00 2008 est. 49 Colombia 11,809,279.00 2008 est. 50 Ukraine 11,767,357.00 2008 est. 51 South Africa 11,622,507.00 2008 est. 52 South Africa 11,501,537.00 2008 est. 53 Colombia 11,478,109.00 2008 est. 54 Ukraine 11,457,562.00 2008 est. 55 Spain 10,033,069.00 2008 est. 56 Argentina 10,029,488.00 2008 est. 57 Argentina 9,889,002.00 2008 est. 58 Spain 9,764,937.00 2008 est. 59 Poland 9,741,508.00 2008 est. 60 Algeria 9,736,757.00 2008 est. 61 Sudan 9,639,923.00 2008 est. 62 Algeria 9,590,978.00 2008 est. 63 Poland 9,514,843.00 2008 est. 64 Sudan 9,321,106.00 2008 est. 65 Morocco 9,152,580.00 2008 est. 66 Tanzania 9,108,177.00 2008 est. 67 Morocco 9,080,830.00 2008 est. 68 Kenya 9,044,685.00 2008 est. 69 Kenya 8,805,736.00 2008 est. 70 Saudi Arabia 8,547,441.00 2008 est. 71 Canada 8,072,010.00 2008 est. 72 Canada 7,813,462.00 2008 est. 73 Peru 7,653,898.00 2008 est. 74 Uzbekistan 7,542,017.00 2008 est. 75 Peru 7,531,329.00 2008 est. 76 Uzbekistan 7,480,484.00 2008 est. 77 Afghanistan 7,431,147.00 2008 est. 78 Nepal 7,322,965.00 2008 est. 79 Iraq 7,086,200.00 2008 est. 80 Afghanistan 7,004,819.00 2008 est. 81 Nepal 6,859,064.00 2008 est. 82 Iraq 6,808,954.00 2008 est. 83 Venezuela 6,801,133.00 2008 est. 84 Venezuela 6,647,124.00 2008 est. 85 Uganda 6,532,894.00 2008 est. 86 Malaysia 6,440,338.00 2008 est. 87 Saudi Arabia 6,381,098.00 2008 est. 88 Uganda 6,352,416.00 2008 est. 89 Taiwan 6,283,134.00 2008 est. 90 Malaysia 6,280,826.00 2008 est. 91 Korea, North 6,225,747.00 2008 est. 92 Korea, North 6,188,270.00 2008 est. 93 Taiwan 6,098,599.00 2008 est. 94 Ghana 5,802,096.00 2008 est. 95 Ghana 5,729,939.00 2008 est. 96 Romania 5,682,299.00 2008 est. 97 Sri Lanka 5,594,006.00 2008 est. 98 Romania 5,557,098.00 2008 est. 99 Sri Lanka 5,458,720.00 2008 est. 100 Syria 5,251,875.00 2008 est. 101 Yemen 5,080,038.00 2008 est. 102 Australia 4,999,988.00 2008 est. 103 Syria 4,966,367.00 2008 est. 104 Australia 4,870,043.00 2008 est. 105 Yemen 4,852,555.00 2008 est. 106 Mozambique 4,545,975.00 2008 est. 107 Madagascar 4,443,341.00 2008 est. 108 Madagascar 4,441,124.00 2008 est. 109 Cote d'Ivoire 4,369,735.00 2008 est. 110 Cameroon 4,321,175.00 2008 est. 111 Cote d'Ivoire 4,287,042.00 2008 est. 112 Chile 4,242,912.00 2008 est. 113 Cameroon 4,228,625.00 2008 est. 114 Kazakhstan 4,219,636.00 2008 est. 115 Chile 4,182,509.00 2008 est. 116 Kazakhstan 4,176,731.00 2008 est. 117 Netherlands 3,950,825.00 2008 est. 118 Netherlands 3,850,800.00 2008 est. 119 Cambodia 3,784,333.00 2008 est. 120 Cambodia 3,759,034.00 2008 est. 121 Ecuador 3,559,188.00 2008 est. 122 Ecuador 3,536,602.00 2008 est. 123 Burkina Faso 3,364,288.00 2008 est. 124 Zimbabwe 3,264,258.00 2008 est. 125 Cuba 3,094,388.00 2008 est. 126 Guatemala 3,062,967.00 2008 est. 127 Malawi 3,050,444.00 2008 est. 128 Zimbabwe 3,048,049.00 2008 est. 129 Cuba 3,024,876.00 2008 est. 130 Tunisia 2,992,249.00 2008 est. 131 Senegal 2,955,179.00 2008 est. 132 Senegal 2,943,619.00 2008 est. 133 Tunisia 2,912,819.00 2008 est. 134 Niger 2,871,868.00 2008 est. 135 Guatemala 2,861,696.00 2008 est. 136 Angola 2,856,492.00 2008 est. 137 Angola 2,755,864.00 2008 est. 138 Niger 2,696,966.00 2008 est. 139 Zambia 2,678,668.00 2008 est. 140 Mali 2,603,700.00 2008 est. 141 Portugal 2,573,913.00 2008 est. 142 Zambia 2,567,433.00 2008 est. 143 Greece 2,535,174.00 2008 est. 144 Belarus 2,528,779.00 2008 est. 145 Czech Republic 2,522,383.00 2008 est. 146 Greece 2,517,273.00 2008 est. 147 Portugal 2,498,262.00 2008 est. 148 Belarus 2,491,643.00 2008 est. 149 Mali 2,441,776.00 2008 est. 150 Dominican Republic 2,440,203.00 2008 est. 151 Rwanda 2,430,469.00 2008 est. 152 Czech Republic 2,425,095.00 2008 est. 153 Belgium 2,407,128.00 2008 est. 154 United Arab Emirates 2,405,884.00 2008 est. 155 Rwanda 2,392,933.00 2008 est. 156 Hungary 2,391,400.00 2008 est. 157 Bolivia 2,366,828.00 2008 est. 158 Belgium 2,340,039.00 2008 est. 159 Hungary 2,337,240.00 2008 est. 160 Dominican Republic 2,326,694.00 2008 est. 161 Bolivia 2,295,746.00 2008 est. 162 Azerbaijan 2,291,770.00 2008 est. 163 Azerbaijan 2,278,888.00 2008 est. 164 Chad 2,258,758.00 2008 est. 165 Guinea 2,230,049.00 2008 est. 166 Guinea 2,193,236.00 2008 est. 167 Somalia 2,181,050.00 2008 est. 168 Somalia 2,125,558.00 2008 est. 169 Sweden 2,052,890.00 2008 est. 170 Haiti 2,047,953.00 2008 est. 171 Haiti 2,047,083.00 2008 est. 172 Austria 1,986,411.00 2008 est. 173 Sweden 1,980,550.00 2008 est. 174 Austria 1,944,834.00 2008 est. 175 Hong Kong 1,941,448.00 2008 est. 176 Tajikistan 1,911,594.00 2008 est. 177 Benin 1,908,457.00 2008 est. 178 Chad 1,906,545.00 2008 est. 179 Tajikistan 1,897,356.00 2008 est. 180 Benin 1,882,421.00 2008 est. 181 Burundi 1,878,544.00 2008 est. 182 Honduras 1,868,940.00 2008 est. 183 Switzerland 1,852,580.00 2008 est. 184 Burundi 1,851,676.00 2008 est. 185 Honduras 1,825,770.00 2008 est. 186 Jordan 1,812,551.00 2008 est. 187 Switzerland 1,807,667.00 2008 est. 188 El Salvador 1,775,474.00 2008 est. 189 Hong Kong 1,772,820.00 2008 est. 190 Israel 1,717,362.00 2008 est. 191 Bulgaria 1,701,979.00 2008 est. 192 Bulgaria 1,691,092.00 2008 est. 193 Libya 1,682,183.00 2008 est. 194 Israel 1,636,574.00 2008 est. 195 El Salvador 1,634,816.00 2008 est. 196 Libya 1,611,001.00 2008 est. 197 Paraguay 1,589,873.00 2008 est. 198 Paraguay 1,585,573.00 2008 est. 199 Laos 1,570,702.00 2008 est. 200 Jordan 1,559,155.00 2008 est. 201 Laos 1,549,774.00 2008 est. 202 Nicaragua 1,513,312.00 2008 est. 203 Nicaragua 1,507,999.00 2008 est. 204 Papua New Guinea 1,481,417.00 2008 est. 205 Slovakia 1,420,966.00 2008 est. 206 Kyrgyzstan 1,419,374.00 2008 est. 207 Kyrgyzstan 1,398,878.00 2008 est. 208 Slovakia 1,386,259.00 2008 est. 209 Papua New Guinea 1,385,040.00 2008 est. 210 Togo 1,374,993.00 2008 est. 211 Togo 1,365,505.00 2008 est. 212 Turkmenistan 1,331,005.00 2008 est. 213 Turkmenistan 1,316,698.00 2008 est. 214 Sierra Leone 1,315,561.00 2008 est. 215 Singapore 1,277,862.00 2008 est. 216 Denmark 1,235,067.00 2008 est. 217 Denmark 1,215,418.00 2008 est. 218 Bosnia and Herzegovina 1,212,007.00 2008 est. 219 Moldova 1,187,771.00 2008 est. 220 Bosnia and Herzegovina 1,170,645.00 2008 est. 221 Finland 1,169,910.00 2008 est. 222 Georgia 1,168,021.00 2008 est. 223 Moldova 1,161,924.00 2008 est. 224 Costa Rica 1,134,205.00 2008 est. 225 Lebanon 1,122,595.00 2008 est. 226 Finland 1,121,187.00 2008 est. 227 Georgia 1,113,251.00 2008 est. 228 Eritrea 1,108,836.00 2008 est. 229 Lebanon 1,106,879.00 2008 est. 230 Eritrea 1,096,120.00 2008 est. 231 Costa Rica 1,095,763.00 2008 est. 232 Norway 1,078,181.00 2008 est. 233 Norway 1,046,550.00 2008 est. 234 Croatia 1,037,896.00 2008 est. 235 Croatia 1,035,712.00 2008 est. 236 Central African Republic 1,032,828.00 2008 est. 237 Kuwait 1,032,408.00 2008 est. 238 Ireland 1,024,635.00 2008 est. 239 Ireland 1,024,276.00 2008 est. 240 New Zealand 1,009,298.00 2008 est. 241 Central African Republic 999,330.00 2008 est. 242 New Zealand 997,134.00 2008 est. 243 Albania 944,592.00 2008 est. 244 Lithuania 915,187.00 2008 est. 245 Albania 908,527.00 2008 est. 246 Lithuania 906,097.00 2008 est. 247 United Arab Emirates 884,853.00 2008 est. 248 Armenia 870,864.00 2008 est. 249 Mongolia 865,425.00 2008 est. 250 Mongolia 860,669.00 2008 est. 251 Panama 851,044.00 2008 est. 252 Congo, Republic of the 842,771.00 2008 est. 253 Uruguay 837,252.00 2008 est. 254 Congo, Republic of the 833,624.00 2008 est. 255 Uruguay 824,096.00 2008 est. 256 Armenia 809,576.00 2008 est. 257 Oman 802,455.00 2008 est. 258 Mauritania 744,709.00 2008 est. 259 Liberia 741,223.00 2008 est. 260 Mauritania 740,675.00 2008 est. 261 Liberia 729,813.00 2008 est. 262 Jamaica 709,548.00 2008 est. 263 Jamaica 688,480.00 2008 est. 264 Oman 626,841.00 2008 est. 265 Latvia 568,683.00 2008 est. 266 Kuwait 568,657.00 2008 est. 267 Latvia 565,826.00 2008 est. 268 Macedonia 532,856.00 2008 est. 269 Namibia 527,948.00 2008 est. 270 Lesotho 525,203.00 2008 est. 271 Lesotho 522,485.00 2008 est. 272 Macedonia 513,684.00 2008 est. 273 Slovenia 494,496.00 2008 est. 274 Botswana 487,853.00 2008 est. 275 Slovenia 481,180.00 2008 est. 276 Botswana 464,278.00 2008 est. 277 Gambia, The 384,438.00 2008 est. 278 Gambia, The 379,668.00 2008 est. 279 Guinea-Bissau 347,886.00 2008 est. 280 Guinea-Bissau 344,087.00 2008 est. 281 Mauritius 341,018.00 2008 est. 282 Gaza Strip 337,670.00 2008 est. 283 Gabon 332,498.00 2008 est. 284 Gabon 331,181.00 2008 est. 285 Qatar 320,383.00 2008 est. 286 Estonia 317,852.00 2008 est. 287 Estonia 306,273.00 2008 est. 288 Trinidad and Tobago 301,561.00 2008 est. 289 Timor-Leste 284,903.00 2008 est. 290 Timor-Leste 272,212.00 2008 est. 291 Swaziland 266,311.00 2008 est. 292 Trinidad and Tobago 264,225.00 2008 est. 293 Fiji 242,567.00 2008 est. 294 Fiji 238,556.00 2008 est. 295 Guyana 220,797.00 2008 est. 296 Bahrain 210,938.00 2008 est. 297 Cyprus 199,767.00 2008 est. 298 Cyprus 190,665.00 2008 est. 299 Bhutan 190,104.00 2008 est. 300 Bahrain 170,471.00 2008 est. 301 Comoros 167,850.00 2008 est. 302 Qatar 167,475.00 2008 est. 303 Comoros 167,362.00 2008 est. 304 Bhutan 167,289.00 2008 est. 305 Solomon Islands 141,051.00 2008 est. 306 Equatorial Guinea 138,018.00 2008 est. 307 Equatorial Guinea 136,725.00 2008 est. 308 Suriname 130,534.00 2008 est. 309 Suriname 130,243.00 2008 est. 310 Macau 121,825.00 2008 est. 311 Luxembourg 116,305.00 2008 est. 312 Luxembourg 114,566.00 2008 est. 313 Djibouti 111,274.00 2008 est. 314 Brunei 110,153.00 2008 est. 315 Brunei 108,356.00 2008 est. 316 Djibouti 105,168.00 2008 est. 317 Cape Verde 103,650.00 2008 est. 318 Cape Verde 103,553.00 2008 est. 319 Malta 96,309.00 2008 est. 320 Malta 92,242.00 2008 est. 321 Maldives 89,505.00 2008 est. 322 Maldives 85,745.00 2008 est. 323 Bahamas, The 80,200.00 2008 est. 324 French Polynesia 79,540.00 2008 est. 325 Barbados 75,389.00 2008 est. 326 Barbados 75,265.00 2008 est. 327 Iceland 74,896.00 2008 est. 328 Belize 74,605.00 2008 est. 329 Belize 72,926.00 2008 est. 330 Vanuatu 58,900.00 2008 est. 331 New Caledonia 57,738.00 2008 est. 332 Netherlands Antilles 57,060.00 2008 est. 333 Netherlands Antilles 55,365.00 2008 est. 334 Samoa 53,417.00 2008 est. 335 Saint Lucia 48,358.00 2008 est. 336 Sao Tome and Principe 43,781.00 2008 est. 337 Sao Tome and Principe 42,340.00 2008 est. 338 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 34,373.00 2008 est. 339 Tonga 32,053.00 2008 est. 340 Tonga 30,981.00 2008 est. 341 Grenada 27,309.00 2008 est. 342 Micronesia, Federated States of 26,686.00 2008 est. 343 Kiribati 26,377.00 2008 est. 344 Aruba 25,742.00 2008 est. 345 Aruba 24,585.00 2008 est. 346 Seychelles 24,424.00 2008 est. 347 Seychelles 23,598.00 2008 est. 348 Antigua and Barbuda 19,560.00 2008 est. 349 Antigua and Barbuda 18,977.00 2008 est. 350 Andorra 18,685.00 2008 est. 351 Dominica 18,584.00 2008 est. 352 Marshall Islands 15,708.00 2008 est. 353 Bermuda 15,623.00 2008 est. 354 Greenland 15,221.00 2008 est. 355 Cayman Islands 11,790.00 2008 est. 356 Faroe Islands 11,725.00 2008 est. 357 Saint Kitts and Nevis 10,095.00 2008 est. 358 Saint Kitts and Nevis 10,081.00 2008 est. 359 Liechtenstein 8,102.00 2008 est. 360 British Virgin Islands 7,101.00 2008 est. 361 Monaco 6,687.00 2008 est. 362 San Marino 6,613.00 2008 est. 363 Gibraltar 6,308.00 2008 est. 364 Palau 5,973.00 2008 est. 365 Anguilla 3,538.00 2008 est. 366 Nauru 3,470.00 2008 est. 367 Montserrat 2,528.00 2008 est. ====================================================================== Rank code: 2106 Country Comparison :: Maritime claims This entry includes the following claims, the definitions of which are excerpted from the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which alone contains the full and definitive descriptions: territorial sea - the sovereignty of a coastal state extends beyond its land territory and internal waters to an adjacent belt of sea, described as the territorial sea in the UNCLOS (Part II); this sovereignty extends to the air space over the territorial sea as well as its underlying seabed and subsoil; every state has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles; the normal baseline for measuring the breadth of the territorial sea is the mean low-water line along the coast as marked on large-scale charts officially recognized by the coastal state; the UNCLOS describes specific rules for archipelagic states. contiguous zone - according to the UNCLOS (Article 33), this is a zone contiguous to a coastal state's territorial sea, over which it may exercise the control necessary to: prevent infringement of its customs, fiscal, immigration, or sanitary laws and regulations within its territory or territorial sea; punish infringement of the above laws and regulations committed within its territory or territorial sea; the contiguous zone may not extend beyond 24 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured (e.g. the US has claimed a 12-nautical mile contiguous zone in addition to its 12-nautical mile territorial sea). exclusive economic zone (EEZ) - the UNCLOS (Part V) defines the EEZ as a zone beyond and adjacent to the territorial sea in which a coastal state has: sovereign rights for the purpose of exploring and exploiting, conserving and managing the natural resources, whether living or non-living, of the waters superjacent to the seabed and of the seabed and its subsoil, and with regard to other activities for the economic exploitation and exploration of the zone, such as the production of energy from the water, currents, and winds; jurisdiction with regard to the establishment and use of artificial islands, installations, and structures; marine scientific research; the protection and preservation of the marine environment; the outer limit of the exclusive economic zone shall not exceed 200 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured. continental shelf - the UNCLOS (Article 76) defines the continental shelf of a coastal state as comprising the seabed and subsoil of the submarine areas that extend beyond its territorial sea throughout the natural prolongation of its land territory to the outer edge of the continental margin, or to a distance of 200 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured where the outer edge of the continental margin does not extend up to that distance; the continental margin comprises the submerged prolongation of the landmass of the coastal state, and consists of the seabed and subsoil of the shelf, the slope and the rise; wherever the continental margin extends beyond 200 nautical miles from the baseline, coastal states may extend their claim to a distance not to exceed 350 nautical miles from the baseline or 100 nautical miles from the 2500 meter isobath; it does not include the deep ocean floor with its oceanic ridges or the subsoil thereof. exclusive fishing zone - while this term is not used in the UNCLOS, some states (e.g., the United Kingdom) have chosen not to claim an EEZ, but rather to claim jurisdiction over the living resources off their coast; in such cases, the term exclusive fishing zone is often used; the breadth of this zone is normally the same as the EEZ or 200 nautical miles. Rank country Maritime claims Date of Information 1 Antigua and Barbuda 200.00 NA 2 Antigua and Barbuda 200.00 NA 3 United Arab Emirates 200.00 NA 4 Angola 200.00 NA 5 American Samoa 200.00 NA 6 Argentina 200.00 NA 7 Australia 200.00 NA 8 Anguilla 200.00 NA 9 Bermuda 200.00 NA 10 Navassa Island 200.00 NA 11 Solomon Islands 200.00 NA 12 Solomon Islands 200.00 NA 13 Benin 200.00 NA 14 Burma 200.00 NA 15 Burma 200.00 NA 16 Belize 200.00 NA 17 Bangladesh 200.00 NA 18 Bahamas, The 200.00 NA 19 China 200.00 NA 20 China 200.00 NA 21 Congo, Republic of the 200.00 NA 22 Sri Lanka 200.00 NA 23 Sri Lanka 200.00 NA 24 Cambodia 200.00 NA 25 Cambodia 200.00 NA 26 Canada 200.00 NA 27 Canada 200.00 NA 28 Brunei 200.00 NA 29 Bulgaria 200.00 NA 30 Brazil 200.00 NA 31 Brazil 200.00 NA 32 El Salvador 200.00 NA 33 Equatorial Guinea 200.00 NA 34 Ireland 200.00 NA 35 Egypt 200.00 NA 36 Ecuador 200.00 NA 37 Dominican Republic 200.00 NA 38 Dominican Republic 200.00 NA 39 Dominica 200.00 NA 40 Djibouti 200.00 NA 41 Denmark 200.00 NA 42 Cook Islands 200.00 NA 43 Cook Islands 200.00 NA 44 Cape Verde 200.00 NA 45 Cuba 200.00 NA 46 Costa Rica 200.00 NA 47 Greenland 200.00 NA 48 Greenland 200.00 NA 49 Grenada 200.00 NA 50 Ghana 200.00 NA 51 Ghana 200.00 NA 52 Georgia 200.00 NA 53 Gabon 200.00 NA 54 Gambia, The 200.00 NA 55 French Southern and Antarctic Lands200.00 NA 56 Cote d'Ivoire 200.00 NA 57 Cote d'Ivoire 200.00 NA 58 Clipperton Island 200.00 NA 59 British Indian Ocean Territory 200.00 NA 60 India 200.00 NA 61 India 200.00 NA 62 Indonesia 200.00 NA 63 Iceland 200.00 NA 64 Iceland 200.00 NA 65 Morocco 200.00 NA 66 Montserrat 200.00 NA 67 Mayotte 200.00 NA 68 Madagascar 200.00 NA 69 Madagascar 200.00 NA 70 Liberia 200.00 NA 71 Latvia 200.00 NA 72 Christmas Island 200.00 NA 73 Korea, South 200.00 NA 74 Netherlands 200.00 NA 75 Nigeria 200.00 NA 76 Vanuatu 200.00 NA 77 Vanuatu 200.00 NA 78 Norfolk Island 200.00 NA 79 Niue 200.00 NA 80 New Caledonia 200.00 NA 81 Mozambique 200.00 NA 82 Malaysia 200.00 NA 83 Yemen 200.00 NA 84 Yemen 200.00 NA 85 Samoa 200.00 NA 86 Wake Island 200.00 NA 87 Wallis and Futuna 200.00 NA 88 Namibia 200.00 NA 89 Virgin Islands 200.00 NA 90 Vietnam 200.00 NA 91 Vietnam 200.00 NA 92 British Virgin Islands 200.00 NA 93 Venezuela 200.00 NA 94 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 200.00 NA 95 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 200.00 NA 96 Uruguay 200.00 NA 97 United States 200.00 NA 98 Ukraine 200.00 NA 99 United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges200.00 NA 100 United Kingdom 200.00 NA 101 Tanzania 200.00 NA 102 Taiwan 200.00 NA 103 Tuvalu 200.00 NA 104 Timor-Leste 200.00 NA 105 Sao Tome and Principe 200.00 NA 106 Togo 200.00 NA 107 Tonga 200.00 NA 108 Tokelau 200.00 NA 109 Turks and Caicos Islands 200.00 NA 110 Thailand 200.00 NA 111 Trinidad and Tobago 200.00 NA 112 Trinidad and Tobago 200.00 NA 113 South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands200.00 NA 114 Svalbard 200.00 NA 115 Saint Lucia 200.00 NA 116 Saint Lucia 200.00 NA 117 Spain 200.00 NA 118 Somalia 200.00 NA 119 Sierra Leone 200.00 NA 120 Sierra Leone 200.00 NA 121 Saint Helena 200.00 NA 122 Senegal 200.00 NA 123 Senegal 200.00 NA 124 South Africa 200.00 NA 125 South Africa 200.00 NA 126 Seychelles 200.00 NA 127 Seychelles 200.00 NA 128 Saint Kitts and Nevis 200.00 NA 129 Saint Kitts and Nevis 200.00 NA 130 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 200.00 NA 131 Russia 200.00 NA 132 Puerto Rico 200.00 NA 133 Philippines 200.00 NA 134 Romania 200.00 NA 135 Marshall Islands 200.00 NA 136 Guinea-Bissau 200.00 NA 137 Palau 200.00 NA 138 Papua New Guinea 200.00 NA 139 Portugal 200.00 NA 140 Panama 200.00 NA 141 Pakistan 200.00 NA 142 Pakistan 200.00 NA 143 Peru 200.00 NA 144 Peru 200.00 NA 145 Pitcairn Islands 200.00 NA 146 New Zealand 200.00 NA 147 New Zealand 200.00 NA 148 Suriname 200.00 NA 149 Nauru 200.00 NA 150 Norway 200.00 NA 151 Norway 200.00 NA 152 Mexico 200.00 NA 153 Mexico 200.00 NA 154 Maldives 200.00 NA 155 Oman 200.00 NA 156 Mauritania 200.00 NA 157 Mauritania 200.00 NA 158 Mauritius 200.00 NA 159 Mauritius 200.00 NA 160 Kiribati 200.00 NA 161 Korea, North 200.00 NA 162 Kenya 200.00 NA 163 Kenya 200.00 NA 164 Jan Mayen 200.00 NA 165 Jamaica 200.00 NA 166 Jamaica 200.00 NA 167 Japan 200.00 NA 168 Honduras 200.00 NA 169 Heard Island and McDonald Islands 200.00 NA 170 Haiti 200.00 NA 171 Guyana 200.00 NA 172 Guyana 200.00 NA 173 Guinea 200.00 NA 174 Guatemala 200.00 NA 175 Germany 200.00 NA 176 France 200.00 NA 177 French Polynesia 200.00 NA 178 Faroe Islands 200.00 NA 179 Faroe Islands 200.00 NA 180 Micronesia, Federated States of 200.00 NA 181 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 200.00 NA 182 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 200.00 NA 183 Fiji 200.00 NA 184 Costa Rica 200.00 NA 185 Coral Sea Islands 200.00 NA 186 Northern Mariana Islands 200.00 NA 187 Colombia 200.00 NA 188 Comoros 200.00 NA 189 Cocos (Keeling) Islands 200.00 NA 190 Cayman Islands 200.00 NA 191 Chile 200.00 NA 192 Barbados 200.00 NA 193 Ashmore and Cartier Islands 200.00 NA 194 Australia 200.00 NA 195 Argentina 200.00 NA 196 United Arab Emirates 200.00 NA 197 Libya 62.00 NA 198 Togo 30.00 NA 199 Malta 25.00 NA 200 Antigua and Barbuda 24.00 NA 201 United Arab Emirates 24.00 NA 202 Angola 24.00 NA 203 Finland 24.00 NA 204 El Salvador 24.00 NA 205 Egypt 24.00 NA 206 Dominican Republic 24.00 NA 207 China 24.00 NA 208 Sri Lanka 24.00 NA 209 Cambodia 24.00 NA 210 Canada 24.00 NA 211 Bulgaria 24.00 NA 212 Brazil 24.00 NA 213 Burma 24.00 NA 214 Belgium 24.00 NA 215 Bahrain 24.00 NA 216 Yemen 24.00 NA 217 Samoa 24.00 NA 218 Namibia 24.00 NA 219 Vietnam 24.00 NA 220 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 24.00 NA 221 Uruguay 24.00 NA 222 United States 24.00 NA 223 Tuvalu 24.00 NA 224 Timor-Leste 24.00 NA 225 Tunisia 24.00 NA 226 Trinidad and Tobago 24.00 NA 227 Syria 24.00 NA 228 Saint Lucia 24.00 NA 229 Spain 24.00 NA 230 Sierra Leone 24.00 NA 231 Senegal 24.00 NA 232 South Africa 24.00 NA 233 Seychelles 24.00 NA 234 Saint Kitts and Nevis 24.00 NA 235 Russia 24.00 NA 236 Romania 24.00 NA 237 Marshall Islands 24.00 NA 238 Qatar 24.00 NA 239 Portugal 24.00 NA 240 Panama 24.00 NA 241 Pakistan 24.00 NA 242 New Zealand 24.00 NA 243 Nicaragua 24.00 NA 244 Nauru 24.00 NA 245 Netherlands 24.00 NA 246 Vanuatu 24.00 NA 247 Mexico 24.00 NA 248 Maldives 24.00 NA 249 Oman 24.00 NA 250 Malta 24.00 NA 251 Mauritania 24.00 NA 252 Morocco 24.00 NA 253 Madagascar 24.00 NA 254 Korea, South 24.00 NA 255 Jamaica 24.00 NA 256 Japan 24.00 NA 257 Iran 24.00 NA 258 India 24.00 NA 259 Honduras 24.00 NA 260 Haiti 24.00 NA 261 Ghana 24.00 NA 262 Gabon 24.00 NA 263 France 24.00 NA 264 Dominica 24.00 NA 265 Djibouti 24.00 NA 266 Denmark 24.00 NA 267 Cyprus 24.00 NA 268 Cape Verde 24.00 NA 269 Cuba 24.00 NA 270 Cameroon 24.00 NA 271 Chile 24.00 NA 272 Australia 24.00 NA 273 Argentina 24.00 NA 274 Bangladesh 18.00 NA 275 Gambia, The 18.00 NA 276 Saudi Arabia 18.00 NA 277 Sudan 18.00 NA 278 Venezuela 15.00 NA 279 Aruba 12.00 NA 280 United Arab Emirates 12.00 NA 281 Algeria 12.00 NA 282 Australia 12.00 NA 283 Ashmore and Cartier Islands 12.00 NA 284 Solomon Islands 12.00 NA 285 Burma 12.00 NA 286 Belize 12.00 NA 287 Bangladesh 12.00 NA 288 Bahamas, The 12.00 NA 289 Belgium 12.00 NA 290 Bermuda 12.00 NA 291 Barbados 12.00 NA 292 Bahrain 12.00 NA 293 Finland 12.00 NA 294 Finland 12.00 NA 295 El Salvador 12.00 NA 296 Eritrea 12.00 NA 297 Estonia 12.00 NA 298 Equatorial Guinea 12.00 NA 299 Ireland 12.00 NA 300 Egypt 12.00 NA 301 Northern Mariana Islands 12.00 NA 302 Guyana 12.00 NA 303 Guinea 12.00 NA 304 Guatemala 12.00 NA 305 Greece 12.00 NA 306 Germany 12.00 NA 307 Guernsey 12.00 NA 308 Grenada 12.00 NA 309 Ghana 12.00 NA 310 Georgia 12.00 NA 311 Jersey 12.00 NA 312 Japan 12.00 NA 313 Iraq 12.00 NA 314 Cote d'Ivoire 12.00 NA 315 Italy 12.00 NA 316 Israel 12.00 NA 317 Iran 12.00 NA 318 Clipperton Island 12.00 NA 319 India 12.00 NA 320 Yemen 12.00 NA 321 Samoa 12.00 NA 322 Wake Island 12.00 NA 323 Wallis and Futuna 12.00 NA 324 Namibia 12.00 NA 325 Virgin Islands 12.00 NA 326 Vietnam 12.00 NA 327 Venezuela 12.00 NA 328 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 12.00 NA 329 Uruguay 12.00 NA 330 United States 12.00 NA 331 Ukraine 12.00 NA 332 United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges12.00 NA 333 United Kingdom 12.00 NA 334 Tanzania 12.00 NA 335 Taiwan 12.00 NA 336 Tuvalu 12.00 NA 337 Turkey 12.00 NA 338 Timor-Leste 12.00 NA 339 Tunisia 12.00 NA 340 Tunisia 12.00 NA 341 Sao Tome and Principe 12.00 NA 342 Tonga 12.00 NA 343 Tokelau 12.00 NA 344 Turks and Caicos Islands 12.00 NA 345 Thailand 12.00 NA 346 Trinidad and Tobago 12.00 NA 347 Syria 12.00 NA 348 South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands12.00 NA 349 Sweden 12.00 NA 350 Sudan 12.00 NA 351 Saint Lucia 12.00 NA 352 Spain 12.00 NA 353 Sierra Leone 12.00 NA 354 Slovenia 12.00 NA 355 Saint Helena 12.00 NA 356 Senegal 12.00 NA 357 South Africa 12.00 NA 358 Seychelles 12.00 NA 359 Saint Kitts and Nevis 12.00 NA 360 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 12.00 NA 361 Saudi Arabia 12.00 NA 362 Russia 12.00 NA 363 Puerto Rico 12.00 NA 364 Romania 12.00 NA 365 Marshall Islands 12.00 NA 366 Qatar 12.00 NA 367 Guinea-Bissau 12.00 NA 368 Papua New Guinea 12.00 NA 369 Portugal 12.00 NA 370 Panama 12.00 NA 371 Poland 12.00 NA 372 Pakistan 12.00 NA 373 New Zealand 12.00 NA 374 Nicaragua 12.00 NA 375 Netherlands Antilles 12.00 NA 376 Netherlands Antilles 12.00 NA 377 Suriname 12.00 NA 378 Nauru 12.00 NA 379 Norway 12.00 NA 380 Netherlands 12.00 NA 381 Nigeria 12.00 NA 382 Vanuatu 12.00 NA 383 Norfolk Island 12.00 NA 384 Niue 12.00 NA 385 New Caledonia 12.00 NA 386 Mozambique 12.00 NA 387 Malaysia 12.00 NA 388 Mexico 12.00 NA 389 Monaco 12.00 NA 390 Monaco 12.00 NA 391 Montenegro 12.00 NA 392 Mayotte 12.00 NA 393 Madagascar 12.00 NA 394 Libya 12.00 NA 395 Lithuania 12.00 NA 396 Latvia 12.00 NA 397 Lebanon 12.00 NA 398 Maldives 12.00 NA 399 Oman 12.00 NA 400 Malta 12.00 NA 401 Mauritania 12.00 NA 402 Mauritius 12.00 NA 403 Morocco 12.00 NA 404 Kuwait 12.00 NA 405 Christmas Island 12.00 NA 406 Christmas Island 12.00 NA 407 Korea, South 12.00 NA 408 Kiribati 12.00 NA 409 Korea, North 12.00 NA 410 Kenya 12.00 NA 411 Jamaica 12.00 NA 412 Isle of Man 12.00 NA 413 Isle of Man 12.00 NA 414 Indonesia 12.00 NA 415 Iceland 12.00 NA 416 Croatia 12.00 NA 417 Honduras 12.00 NA 418 Heard Island and McDonald Islands 12.00 NA 419 Haiti 12.00 NA 420 Gabon 12.00 NA 421 Gambia, The 12.00 NA 422 French Southern and Antarctic Lands12.00 NA 423 France 12.00 NA 424 French Polynesia 12.00 NA 425 Micronesia, Federated States of 12.00 NA 426 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 12.00 NA 427 Fiji 12.00 NA 428 Colombia 12.00 NA 429 Comoros 12.00 NA 430 Cameroon 12.00 NA 431 Cocos (Keeling) Islands 12.00 NA 432 Cayman Islands 12.00 NA 433 Chile 12.00 NA 434 China 12.00 NA 435 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 12.00 NA 436 Dominica 12.00 NA 437 Djibouti 12.00 NA 438 Denmark 12.00 NA 439 Cyprus 12.00 NA 440 Cook Islands 12.00 NA 441 Cape Verde 12.00 NA 442 Cuba 12.00 NA 443 Costa Rica 12.00 NA 444 Sri Lanka 12.00 NA 445 Cambodia 12.00 NA 446 Canada 12.00 NA 447 Brunei 12.00 NA 448 Bulgaria 12.00 NA 449 Brazil 12.00 NA 450 Navassa Island 12.00 NA 451 Ashmore and Cartier Islands 12.00 NA 452 Argentina 12.00 NA 453 American Samoa 12.00 NA 454 Angola 12.00 NA 455 Albania 12.00 NA 456 Antigua and Barbuda 12.00 NA 457 Jan Mayen 10.00 NA 458 Norway 10.00 NA 459 Dominican Republic 6.00 NA 460 Turkey 6.00 NA 461 Bouvet Island 4.00 NA 462 Jan Mayen 4.00 NA 463 Svalbard 4.00 NA 464 Anguilla 3.00 NA 465 British Virgin Islands 3.00 NA 466 Singapore 3.00 NA 467 Palau 3.00 NA 468 Pitcairn Islands 3.00 NA 469 Montserrat 3.00 NA 470 Jordan 3.00 NA 471 Jersey 3.00 NA 472 Gibraltar 3.00 NA 473 Guernsey 3.00 NA 474 Greenland 3.00 NA 475 British Indian Ocean Territory 3.00 NA 476 Hong Kong 3.00 NA 477 Faroe Islands 3.00 NA 478 Coral Sea Islands 3.00 NA ====================================================================== Rank code: 2107 Country Comparison :: International organization participation This entry lists in alphabetical order by abbreviation those international organizations in which the subject country is a member or participates in some other way. Rank country International organization participationDate of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2108 Country Comparison :: Merchant marine Merchant marine may be defined as all ships engaged in the carriage of goods; or all commercial vessels (as opposed to all nonmilitary ships), which excludes tugs, fishing vessels, offshore oil rigs, etc. This entry contains information in four fields - total, ships by type, foreign-owned, and registered in other countries. Total includes the number of ships (1,000 GRT or over), total DWT for those ships, and total GRT for those ships. DWT or dead weight tonnage is the total weight of cargo, plus bunkers, stores, etc., that a ship can carry when immersed to the appropriate load line. GRT or gross register tonnage is a figure obtained by measuring the entire sheltered volume of a ship available for cargo and passengers and converting it to tons on the basis of 100 cubic feet per ton; there is no stable relationship between GRT and DWT. Ships by type includes a listing of barge carriers, bulk cargo ships, cargo ships, chemical tankers, combination bulk carriers, combination ore/oil carriers, container ships, liquefied gas tankers, livestock carriers, multifunctional large-load carriers, petroleum tankers, passenger ships, passenger/cargo ships, railcar carriers, refrigerated cargo ships, roll-on/roll-off cargo ships, short-sea passenger ships, specialized tankers, and vehicle carriers. Foreign-owned are ships that fly the flag of one country but belong to owners in another. Registered in other countries are ships that belong to owners in one country but fly the flag of another. Rank country Merchant marine Date of Information 1 Panama 6,323 2008 2 Liberia 2,204 2008 3 China 1,826 2008 4 Malta 1,438 2008 5 Singapore 1,292 2008 6 Bahamas, The 1,223 2008 7 Antigua and Barbuda 1,146 2008 8 Hong Kong 1,114 2008 9 Russia 1,074 2008 10 Marshall Islands 1,049 2008 11 Indonesia 971 2008 12 Greece 869 2008 13 Cyprus 858 2008 14 Korea, South 812 2008 15 Norway 688 2008 16 Japan 683 2008 17 Cambodia 626 2008 18 Netherlands 622 2008 19 Turkey 612 2008 20 Italy 609 2008 21 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 525 2008 22 United Kingdom 518 2008 23 India 501 2008 24 United States 422 2008 25 Thailand 398 2008 26 Germany 393 2008 27 Philippines 391 2008 28 Vietnam 387 2008 29 Denmark 327 2008 30 Malaysia 306 2008 31 Isle of Man 273 2008 32 Gibraltar 240 2008 33 Belize 216 2008 34 Sweden 195 2008 35 Georgia 191 2008 36 Ukraine 189 2008 37 Sierra Leone 182 2008 38 Canada 175 2008 39 Korea, North 167 2008 40 Saint Kitts and Nevis 159 2008 41 Spain 158 2008 42 Netherlands Antilles 147 2008 43 France 138 2008 44 Bermuda 137 2008 45 Brazil 136 2008 46 Comoros 136 2008 47 Honduras 123 2008 48 Portugal 117 2008 49 Cayman Islands 109 2008 50 Taiwan 102 2008 51 Finland 98 2008 52 Azerbaijan 89 2008 53 Barbados 85 2008 54 Croatia 80 2008 55 Tuvalu 80 2008 56 Belgium 79 2008 57 Mongolia 77 2008 58 Syria 77 2008 59 Bulgaria 74 2008 60 Iran 74 2008 61 Monaco 70 2008 62 Nigeria 68 2008 63 Egypt 67 2008 64 Saudi Arabia 62 2008 65 Venezuela 62 2008 66 United Arab Emirates 58 2008 67 Mexico 55 2008 68 Vanuatu 54 2008 69 Dominica 53 2008 70 Slovakia 51 2008 71 Australia 50 2008 72 Argentina 46 2008 73 Lithuania 45 2008 74 Luxembourg 45 2008 75 Chile 44 2008 76 Kiribati 43 2008 77 Bangladesh 40 2008 78 Moldova 39 2008 79 Kuwait 38 2008 80 Ecuador 37 2008 81 Morocco 35 2008 82 Switzerland 35 2008 83 Algeria 33 2008 84 Lebanon 33 2008 85 Ireland 29 2008 86 Maldives 29 2008 87 Estonia 29 2008 88 Slovenia 29 2008 89 Sri Lanka 26 2008 90 Cook Islands 26 2008 91 Albania 24 2008 92 Burma 24 2008 93 Bolivia 23 2008 94 Paraguay 23 2008 95 Latvia 22 2008 96 Qatar 22 2008 97 Jordan 21 2008 98 Papua New Guinea 21 2008 99 Jamaica 20 2008 100 Colombia 17 2008 101 Libya 17 2008 102 Uruguay 17 2008 103 Romania 17 2008 104 French Polynesia 15 2008 105 Pakistan 15 2008 106 Poland 15 2008 107 Iraq 14 2008 108 New Zealand 13 2008 109 Tonga 13 2008 110 Faroe Islands 12 2008 111 Cuba 11 2008 112 Israel 11 2008 113 Togo 10 2008 114 Bahrain 9 2008 115 Ethiopia 9 2008 116 Fiji 9 2008 117 Tanzania 9 2008 118 Trinidad and Tobago 9 2008 119 Brunei 8 2008 120 Madagascar 8 2008 121 Seychelles 8 2008 122 Wallis and Futuna 8 2008 123 Peru 8 2008 124 Guyana 8 2008 125 Cape Verde 8 2008 126 Tunisia 7 2008 127 Turkmenistan 7 2008 128 Angola 6 2008 129 Montenegro 6 2008 130 Sao Tome and Principe 6 2008 131 Eritrea 5 2008 132 Kazakhstan 5 2008 133 Gambia, The 5 2008 134 Austria 4 2008 135 Yemen 4 2008 136 Ghana 4 2008 137 Micronesia, Federated States of 3 2008 138 South Africa 3 2008 139 Sudan 3 2008 140 Puerto Rico 3 2008 141 Mauritius 3 2008 142 Oman 3 2008 143 Gabon 2 2008 144 Greenland 2 2008 145 Iceland 2 2008 146 New Caledonia 2 2008 147 Mozambique 2 2008 148 Congo, Republic of the 1 2008 149 Dominican Republic 1 2008 150 Czech Republic 1 2008 151 Suriname 1 2008 152 Turks and Caicos Islands 1 2008 153 British Virgin Islands 1 2008 154 Samoa 1 2008 155 Namibia 1 2008 156 Timor-Leste 1 2008 157 Somalia 1 2008 158 Equatorial Guinea 1 2008 159 Laos 1 2008 160 Kenya 1 2008 161 Costa Rica 1 2008 162 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 1 2008 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2109 Country Comparison :: National holiday This entry gives the primary national day of celebration - usually independence day. Rank country National holiday Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2110 Country Comparison :: Nationality This entry provides the identifying terms for citizens - noun and adjective. Rank country Nationality Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2111 Country Comparison :: Natural resources This entry lists a country's mineral, petroleum, hydropower, and other resources of commercial importance. Rank country Natural resources Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2112 Country Comparison :: Net migration rate This entry includes the figure for the difference between the number of persons entering and leaving a country during the year per 1,000 persons (based on midyear population). An excess of persons entering the country is referred to as net immigration (e.g., 3.56 migrants/1,000 population); an excess of persons leaving the country as net emigration (e.g., -9.26 migrants/1,000 population). The net migration rate indicates the contribution of migration to the overall level of population change. High levels of migration can cause problems such as increasing unemployment and potential ethnic strife (if people are coming in) or a reduction in the labor force, perhaps in certain key sectors (if people are leaving). Rank country (migrant(s)/1,000 population) Date of Information 1 United Arab Emirates 22.98 2009 est. 2 Afghanistan 21.00 2009 est. 3 Cayman Islands 16.48 2009 est. 4 Kuwait 16.02 2009 est. 5 Macau 14.56 2009 est. 6 Anguilla 14.06 2009 est. 7 San Marino 10.32 2009 est. 8 Aruba 9.70 2009 est. 9 Turks and Caicos Islands 9.02 2009 est. 10 Luxembourg 8.44 2009 est. 11 British Virgin Islands 8.13 2009 est. 12 Monaco 7.58 2009 est. 13 Andorra 6.89 2009 est. 14 Northern Mariana Islands 6.47 2009 est. 15 Australia 6.23 2009 est. 16 Jordan 5.83 2009 est. 17 Singapore 5.82 2009 est. 18 Canada 5.63 2009 est. 19 Isle of Man 5.23 2009 est. 20 Liberia 5.13 2009 est. 21 Botswana 5.00 2009 est. 22 Ireland 4.71 2009 est. 23 Liechtenstein 4.66 2009 est. 24 Hong Kong 4.38 2009 est. 25 United States 4.31 2009 est. 26 Burundi 4.04 2009 est. 27 Guernsey 3.80 2009 est. 28 Bosnia and Herzegovina 3.17 2009 est. 29 Portugal 3.14 2009 est. 30 French Polynesia 2.73 2009 est. 31 Jersey 2.73 2009 est. 32 Brunei 2.69 2009 est. 33 Denmark 2.48 2009 est. 34 Netherlands 2.46 2009 est. 35 New Zealand 2.46 2009 est. 36 Antigua and Barbuda 2.38 2009 est. 37 Israel 2.37 2009 est. 38 Greece 2.33 2009 est. 39 Bermuda 2.20 2009 est. 40 Germany 2.19 2009 est. 41 Rwanda 2.17 2009 est. 42 United Kingdom 2.16 2009 est. 43 Italy 2.06 2009 est. 44 Malta 2.02 2009 est. 45 Austria 1.85 2009 est. 46 Switzerland 1.76 2009 est. 47 Norway 1.71 2009 est. 48 Sweden 1.66 2009 est. 49 Croatia 1.59 2009 est. 50 France 1.48 2009 est. 51 Angola 1.34 2009 est. 52 Belgium 1.22 2009 est. 53 Mayotte 1.11 2009 est. 54 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 1.07 2009 est. 55 Seychelles 1.05 2009 est. 56 Spain 0.99 2009 est. 57 Czech Republic 0.97 2009 est. 58 Palau 0.96 2009 est. 59 Hungary 0.87 2009 est. 60 Iceland 0.83 2009 est. 61 Finland 0.68 2009 est. 62 Sudan 0.63 2009 est. 63 Turkey 0.56 2009 est. 64 Slovenia 0.52 2009 est. 65 Costa Rica 0.47 2009 est. 66 Cyprus 0.42 2009 est. 67 Belarus 0.38 2009 est. 68 Gambia, The 0.30 2009 est. 69 Slovakia 0.30 2009 est. 70 Namibia 0.30 2009 est. 71 Russia 0.28 2009 est. 72 Oman 0.24 2009 est. 73 Bahrain 0.20 2009 est. 74 Taiwan 0.03 2009 est. 75 Argentina 0.00 2009 est. 76 Benin 0.00 2009 est. 77 Kenya 0.00 2009 est. 78 Gaza Strip 0.00 2009 est. 79 Serbia 0.00 2008 est. 80 Sierra Leone 0.00 2009 est. 81 West Bank 0.00 2009 est. 82 Somalia 0.00 2009 est. 83 Senegal 0.00 2009 est. 84 Guinea-Bissau 0.00 2009 est. 85 Gibraltar 0.00 2009 est. 86 Ethiopia -0.02 2009 est. 87 India -0.05 2009 est. 88 Mauritius -0.06 2009 est. 89 Paraguay -0.07 2009 est. 90 Brazil -0.09 2009 est. 91 Korea, North -0.09 2009 est. 92 Nigeria -0.10 2009 est. 93 Ukraine -0.11 2009 est. 94 Romania -0.13 2009 est. 95 South Africa -0.13 2009 est. 96 Uruguay -0.16 2009 est. 97 Egypt -0.20 2009 est. 98 Colombia -0.26 2009 est. 99 Suriname -0.26 2009 est. 100 Algeria -0.29 2009 est. 101 Barbados -0.31 2009 est. 102 Korea, South -0.33 2009 est. 103 Vietnam -0.38 2009 est. 104 China -0.39 2009 est. 105 Netherlands Antilles -0.39 2009 est. 106 Faroe Islands -0.41 2009 est. 107 Tunisia -0.41 2009 est. 108 Venezuela -0.42 2009 est. 109 Poland -0.47 2009 est. 110 Pakistan -0.48 2009 est. 111 Panama -0.49 2009 est. 112 Macedonia -0.52 2009 est. 113 Ghana -0.53 2009 est. 114 Niger -0.57 2009 est. 115 Lithuania -0.72 2009 est. 116 Morocco -0.72 2009 est. 117 Lesotho -0.78 2009 est. 118 Guinea -0.80 2009 est. 119 Ecuador -0.81 2009 est. 120 Peru -0.95 2009 est. 121 Mauritania -0.96 2009 est. 122 Puerto Rico -0.96 2009 est. 123 Bolivia -1.05 2009 est. 124 Sri Lanka -1.09 2009 est. 125 Nicaragua -1.11 2009 est. 126 Moldova -1.13 2009 est. 127 Saint Kitts and Nevis -1.15 2009 est. 128 Indonesia -1.24 2009 est. 129 Tajikistan -1.28 2009 est. 130 Honduras -1.30 2009 est. 131 Tanzania -1.30 2009 est. 132 Philippines -1.34 2009 est. 133 Cuba -1.56 2009 est. 134 Azerbaijan -1.69 2009 est. 135 Sao Tome and Principe -1.81 2009 est. 136 Congo, Republic of the -1.82 2009 est. 137 Turkmenistan -1.97 2009 est. 138 Haiti -2.07 2009 est. 139 Bahamas, The -2.13 2009 est. 140 Guatemala -2.21 2009 est. 141 Dominican Republic -2.22 2009 est. 142 Latvia -2.30 2009 est. 143 Fiji -2.47 2009 est. 144 Bangladesh -2.53 2009 est. 145 Kyrgyzstan -2.57 2009 est. 146 Zambia -2.59 2009 est. 147 Iran -2.62 2009 est. 148 Uzbekistan -2.94 2009 est. 149 Bulgaria -3.11 2009 est. 150 Estonia -3.26 2009 est. 151 El Salvador -3.27 2009 est. 152 Kazakhstan -3.30 2009 est. 153 Nepal -3.39 2009 est. 154 Gabon -3.48 2009 est. 155 Qatar -3.58 2009 est. 156 Mexico -3.61 2009 est. 157 Chad -4.08 2009 est. 158 Saint Lucia -4.14 2009 est. 159 Georgia -4.26 2009 est. 160 Albania -4.28 2009 est. 161 Armenia -4.56 2009 est. 162 Saint Pierre and Miquelon -4.96 2009 est. 163 Marshall Islands -5.41 2009 est. 164 Dominica -5.45 2009 est. 165 Virgin Islands -5.49 2009 est. 166 Mali -5.67 2009 est. 167 Jamaica -5.70 2009 est. 168 Greenland -5.99 2009 est. 169 Wallis and Futuna -6.08 2009 est. 170 American Samoa -6.99 2009 est. 171 Trinidad and Tobago -7.28 2009 est. 172 Guyana -7.44 2009 est. 173 Saudi Arabia -7.60 2009 est. 174 Samoa -8.81 2009 est. 175 Uganda -8.83 2009 est. 176 Grenada -10.55 2009 est. 177 Cape Verde -11.67 2009 est. 178 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines -11.80 2009 est. 179 Maldives -12.58 2009 est. 180 Micronesia, Federated States of -21.03 2009 est. ====================================================================== Rank code: 2113 Country Comparison :: Geography - note This entry includes miscellaneous geographic information of significance not included elsewhere. Rank country Geography - note Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2115 Country Comparison :: Political pressure groups and leaders This entry includes a listing of a country's political, social, labor, or religious organizations that are involved in politics, or that exert political pressure, but whose leaders do not stand for legislative election. International movements or organizations are generally not listed. Rank country Political pressure groups and leadersDate of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2116 Country Comparison :: Economy - overview This entry briefly describes the type of economy, including the degree of market orientation, the level of economic development, the most important natural resources, and the unique areas of specialization. It also characterizes major economic events and policy changes in the most recent 12 months and may include a statement about one or two key future macroeconomic trends. Rank country Economy - overview Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2117 Country Comparison :: Pipelines This entry gives the lengths and types of pipelines for transporting products like natural gas, crude oil, or petroleum products. Rank country (km) Date of Information 1 United States 548,665.00 2006 2 United States 244,620.00 2006 3 Russia 158,767.00 2008 4 Canada 74,980.00 2006 5 Russia 74,285.00 2008 6 Ukraine 33,327.00 2008 7 Argentina 28,138.00 2008 8 China 28,132.00 2008 9 Australia 27,105.00 2008 10 Germany 24,364.00 2008 11 Canada 23,564.00 2006 12 Mexico 22,705.00 2006 13 China 20,204.00 2008 14 Iran 19,246.00 2008 15 Italy 17,544.00 2008 16 France 14,688.00 2008 17 Algeria 14,648.00 2008 18 Russia 13,658.00 2008 19 Poland 13,631.00 2008 20 Kazakhstan 11,146.00 2008 21 Pakistan 10,402.00 2008 22 Kazakhstan 10,376.00 2008 23 Brazil 9,892.00 2008 24 China 9,746.00 2008 25 Uzbekistan 9,706.00 2008 26 Mexico 8,688.00 2006 27 Iran 7,936.00 2008 28 Spain 7,738.00 2008 29 India 7,678.00 2008 30 Algeria 7,579.00 2008 31 Turkey 7,555.00 2008 32 United Kingdom 7,541.00 2008 33 Iran 7,018.00 2008 34 Czech Republic 7,010.00 2008 35 Libya 6,987.00 2008 36 India 6,876.00 2008 37 Slovakia 6,769.00 2008 38 Venezuela 6,695.00 2008 39 Mexico 6,520.00 2006 40 Turkmenistan 6,417.00 2008 41 Colombia 6,094.00 2008 42 India 6,061.00 2008 43 Argentina 5,939.00 2008 44 Indonesia 5,797.00 2008 45 Indonesia 5,721.00 2008 46 Egypt 5,586.00 2008 47 Iraq 5,418.00 2008 48 Belarus 5,250.00 2008 49 France 5,080.00 2008 50 Venezuela 5,036.00 2008 51 Bolivia 4,883.00 2008 52 Colombia 4,560.00 2008 53 Brazil 4,517.00 2008 54 Ukraine 4,514.00 2008 55 Brazil 4,465.00 2008 56 United Kingdom 4,417.00 2008 57 Hungary 4,407.00 2008 58 Egypt 4,314.00 2008 59 Saudi Arabia 4,239.00 2008 60 Ukraine 4,211.00 2008 61 Oman 4,126.00 2008 62 Nigeria 4,090.00 2008 63 Sudan 4,070.00 2008 64 Japan 3,862.00 2008 65 Germany 3,843.00 2008 66 Netherlands 3,816.00 2008 67 Turkey 3,636.00 2008 68 Argentina 3,629.00 2008 69 Romania 3,588.00 2008 70 Oman 3,558.00 2008 71 Spain 3,445.00 2008 72 Nigeria 3,396.00 2008 73 Colombia 3,383.00 2008 74 Germany 3,379.00 2008 75 Azerbaijan 3,361.00 2008 76 Australia 3,258.00 2008 77 France 3,036.00 2008 78 Algeria 2,933.00 2008 79 Bulgaria 2,926.00 2008 80 Syria 2,900.00 2008 81 Libya 2,860.00 2008 82 Denmark 2,858.00 2008 83 Austria 2,721.00 2008 84 Chile 2,676.00 2008 85 Bangladesh 2,597.00 2008 86 Nigeria 2,560.00 2008 87 Iraq 2,501.00 2008 88 Bolivia 2,475.00 2008 89 Romania 2,424.00 2008 90 Armenia 2,233.00 2008 91 Burma 2,228.00 2008 92 India 2,156.00 2008 93 United Arab Emirates 2,129.00 2008 94 Tunisia 2,102.00 2008 95 Pakistan 2,076.00 2008 96 Syria 2,000.00 2008 97 Malaysia 1,965.00 2008 98 Algeria 1,937.00 2008 99 Serbia 1,921.00 2008 100 Moldova 1,906.00 2008 101 Saudi Arabia 1,880.00 2008 102 Mexico 1,875.00 2006 103 New Zealand 1,838.00 2008 104 Belarus 1,730.00 2008 105 Lithuania 1,695.00 2008 106 Switzerland 1,662.00 2008 107 Iraq 1,637.00 2008 108 Sudan 1,613.00 2008 109 Georgia 1,591.00 2008 110 Bolivia 1,589.00 2008 111 Ireland 1,550.00 2008 112 Belarus 1,528.00 2008 113 Venezuela 1,484.00 2008 114 Kazakhstan 1,465.00 2008 115 Turkmenistan 1,457.00 2008 116 Azerbaijan 1,424.00 2008 117 Korea, South 1,423.00 2008 118 Poland 1,384.00 2008 119 South Africa 1,379.00 2008 120 Ecuador 1,374.00 2008 121 Indonesia 1,370.00 2008 122 Yemen 1,367.00 2008 123 Thailand 1,348.00 2008 124 Belgium 1,330.00 2008 125 Croatia 1,327.00 2008 126 United Arab Emirates 1,310.00 2008 127 Ecuador 1,301.00 2008 128 Georgia 1,253.00 2008 129 Italy 1,241.00 2008 130 Greece 1,197.00 2008 131 Tunisia 1,195.00 2008 132 Saudi Arabia 1,183.00 2008 133 Saudi Arabia 1,148.00 2008 134 Portugal 1,098.00 2008 135 Kazakhstan 1,095.00 2008 136 Peru 1,078.00 2008 137 Peru 1,018.00 2008 138 Hungary 987.00 2008 139 South Africa 980.00 2008 140 Venezuela 980.00 2008 141 Qatar 978.00 2008 142 Egypt 956.00 2008 143 Latvia 948.00 2008 144 Kenya 928.00 2008 145 Iraq 918.00 2008 146 Mozambique 918.00 2008 147 South Africa 908.00 2008 148 Egypt 895.00 2008 149 Chile 892.00 2008 150 Cameroon 889.00 2008 151 Tanzania 888.00 2008 152 Uzbekistan 868.00 2008 153 Estonia 859.00 2008 154 Slovenia 840.00 2008 155 Morocco 830.00 2008 156 Korea, South 827.00 2008 157 Costa Rica 796.00 2008 158 Pakistan 792.00 2008 159 Sweden 786.00 2008 160 Poland 777.00 2008 161 Libya 776.00 2008 162 Zambia 771.00 2008 163 Chile 769.00 2008 164 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 756.00 2008 165 Indonesia 735.00 2008 166 Gabon 723.00 2008 167 Netherlands 716.00 2008 168 United Kingdom 699.00 2008 169 Finland 694.00 2008 170 Austria 663.00 2008 171 Trinidad and Tobago 659.00 2008 172 Kazakhstan 658.00 2008 173 Peru 654.00 2008 174 Croatia 583.00 2008 175 Iran 570.00 2008 176 Spain 560.00 2008 177 Burma 558.00 2008 178 Tajikistan 549.00 2008 179 Czech Republic 547.00 2008 180 Kuwait 540.00 2008 181 Laos 540.00 2008 182 Belgium 535.00 2008 183 Peru 533.00 2008 184 Chile 519.00 2008 185 Guatemala 480.00 2008 186 Afghanistan 466.00 2008 187 United Arab Emirates 458.00 2008 188 Israel 442.00 2008 189 Jordan 439.00 2008 190 Morocco 439.00 2008 191 Ecuador 435.00 2008 192 Slovakia 416.00 2008 193 Latvia 415.00 2008 194 Taiwan 406.00 2008 195 Qatar 382.00 2008 196 Tunisia 372.00 2008 197 Netherlands 365.00 2008 198 Brazil 353.00 2008 199 Albania 339.00 2008 200 Bulgaria 339.00 2008 201 Trinidad and Tobago 336.00 2008 202 Hungary 335.00 2008 203 New Zealand 331.00 2008 204 Serbia 323.00 2008 205 Thailand 323.00 2008 206 Egypt 320.00 2008 207 Ghana 309.00 2008 208 New Zealand 288.00 2008 209 Mozambique 278.00 2008 210 Zimbabwe 270.00 2008 211 Kuwait 269.00 2008 212 Macedonia 268.00 2008 213 Oman 263.00 2008 214 Israel 261.00 2008 215 Kyrgyzstan 254.00 2008 216 Tanzania 253.00 2008 217 Chad 250.00 2008 218 Australia 240.00 2008 219 Gabon 240.00 2008 220 Cuba 230.00 2008 221 Mexico 228.00 2006 222 Uruguay 226.00 2008 223 United Arab Emirates 220.00 2008 224 United Arab Emirates 212.00 2008 225 Saudi Arabia 212.00 2008 226 Albania 207.00 2008 227 Congo, Republic of the 207.00 2008 228 Vietnam 206.00 2008 229 New Zealand 198.00 2008 230 Papua New Guinea 195.00 2008 231 Portugal 188.00 2008 232 Cote d'Ivoire 180.00 2008 233 Israel 176.00 2008 234 New Zealand 172.00 2008 235 Japan 167.00 2008 236 Belgium 158.00 2008 237 Austria 157.00 2008 238 Bulgaria 156.00 2008 239 Sudan 156.00 2008 240 Luxembourg 155.00 2008 241 Uruguay 155.00 2008 242 Korea, North 154.00 2008 243 Qatar 145.00 2008 244 Venezuela 141.00 2008 245 Qatar 132.00 2008 246 Russia 127.00 2008 247 Russia 122.00 2008 248 Macedonia 120.00 2008 249 Lithuania 114.00 2008 250 Malaysia 114.00 2008 251 Philippines 112.00 2008 252 Denmark 107.00 2008 253 Philippines 107.00 2008 254 Singapore 106.00 2008 255 Nigeria 97.00 2008 256 Yemen 96.00 2008 257 Czech Republic 94.00 2008 258 Switzerland 94.00 2008 259 Cote d'Ivoire 92.00 2008 260 United Arab Emirates 90.00 2008 261 Qatar 90.00 2008 262 Angola 87.00 2008 263 Cote d'Ivoire 86.00 2008 264 Greece 75.00 2008 265 Indonesia 73.00 2008 266 Vietnam 66.00 2008 267 Norway 64.00 2008 268 Brazil 62.00 2008 269 Egypt 59.00 2008 270 United Kingdom 59.00 2008 271 Kuwait 57.00 2008 272 Nicaragua 54.00 2008 273 Japan 53.00 2008 274 Suriname 50.00 2008 275 Jordan 49.00 2008 276 Bolivia 47.00 2008 277 Indonesia 44.00 2008 278 Lebanon 43.00 2008 279 Senegal 43.00 2008 280 United Kingdom 43.00 2008 281 Vietnam 42.00 2008 282 Argentina 41.00 2008 283 Cuba 41.00 2008 284 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 39.00 2008 285 Equatorial Guinea 38.00 2008 286 Tajikistan 38.00 2008 287 Brunei 37.00 2008 288 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 37.00 2008 289 Bahrain 32.00 2008 290 Malaysia 31.00 2008 291 Norway 31.00 2008 292 Russia 23.00 2008 293 Yemen 22.00 2008 294 Nigeria 21.00 2008 295 Bahrain 20.00 2008 296 Liechtenstein 20.00 2008 297 Brunei 18.00 2008 298 Kyrgyzstan 16.00 2008 299 Peru 15.00 2008 300 Egypt 13.00 2008 301 Indonesia 12.00 2008 302 Iran 12.00 2008 303 Portugal 11.00 2008 304 South Africa 11.00 2008 305 Slovenia 11.00 2008 306 Egypt 9.00 2008 307 Senegal 8.00 2008 308 Tanzania 8.00 2008 309 Congo, Republic of the 7.00 2008 310 Switzerland 7.00 2008 311 Iran 7.00 2008 312 Ecuador 5.00 2008 313 Ghana 5.00 2008 314 Kenya 4.00 2008 315 Egypt 3.00 2008 316 Malaysia 3.00 2008 317 Angola 2.00 2008 318 India 2.00 2008 319 Azerbaijan 1.00 2008 320 Australia 1.00 2008 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2118 Country Comparison :: Political parties and leaders This entry includes a listing of significant political organizations and their leaders. Rank country Political parties and leaders Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2119 Country Comparison :: Population This entry gives an estimate from the US Bureau of the Census based on statistics from population censuses, vital statistics registration systems, or sample surveys pertaining to the recent past and on assumptions about future trends. The total population presents one overall measure of the potential impact of the country on the world and within its region. Note: Starting with the 1993 Factbook, demographic estimates for some countries (mostly African) have explicitly taken into account the effects of the growing impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. These countries are currently: The Bahamas, Benin, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Rank country Population Date of Information 1 China 1,338,612,968 July 2009 est. 2 India 1,166,079,217 July 2009 est. 3 United States 307,212,123 July 2009 est. 4 Indonesia 240,271,522 July 2009 est. 5 Brazil 198,739,269 July 2009 est. 6 Pakistan 176,242,949 July 2009 est. 7 Bangladesh 156,050,883 July 2009 est. 8 Nigeria 149,229,090 July 2009 est. 9 Russia 140,041,247 July 2009 est. 10 Japan 127,078,679 July 2009 est. 11 Mexico 111,211,789 July 2009 est. 12 Philippines 97,976,603 July 2009 est. 13 Vietnam 86,967,524 July 2009 est. 14 Ethiopia 85,237,338 July 2009 est. 15 Egypt 83,082,869 July 2009 est. 16 Germany 82,329,758 July 2009 est. 17 Turkey 76,805,524 July 2009 est. 18 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 68,692,542 July 2009 est. 19 Iran 66,429,284 July 2009 est. 20 Thailand 65,905,410 July 2009 est. 21 France 64,057,792 July 2009 est. 22 United Kingdom 61,113,205 July 2009 est. 23 Italy 58,126,212 July 2009 est. 24 South Africa 49,052,489 July 2009 est. 25 Korea, South 48,508,972 July 2009 est. 26 Burma 48,137,741 July 2009 est. 27 Ukraine 45,700,395 July 2009 est. 28 Colombia 45,644,023 July 2009 est. 29 Sudan 41,087,825 July 2009 est. 30 Tanzania 41,048,532 July 2009 est. 31 Argentina 40,913,584 July 2009 est. 32 Spain 40,525,002 July 2009 est. 33 Kenya 39,002,772 July 2009 est. 34 Poland 38,482,919 July 2009 est. 35 Morocco 34,859,364 July 2009 est. 36 Algeria 34,178,188 July 2009 est. 37 Canada 33,487,208 July 2009 est. 38 Uganda 32,369,558 July 2009 est. 39 Peru 29,546,963 July 2009 est. 40 Iraq 28,945,657 July 2009 est. 41 Saudi Arabia 28,686,633 July 2009 est. 42 Nepal 28,563,377 July 2009 est. 43 Afghanistan 28,396,000 NA 44 Uzbekistan 27,606,007 July 2009 est. 45 Venezuela 26,814,843 July 2009 est. 46 Malaysia 25,715,819 July 2009 est. 47 Ghana 23,832,495 July 2009 est. 48 Yemen 23,822,783 July 2009 est. 49 Taiwan 22,974,347 July 2009 est. 50 Korea, North 22,665,345 July 2009 est. 51 Romania 22,215,421 July 2009 est. 52 Mozambique 21,669,278 July 2009 est. 53 Sri Lanka 21,324,791 July 2009 est. 54 Australia 21,262,641 July 2009 est. 55 Madagascar 20,653,556 July 2009 est. 56 Cote d'Ivoire 20,617,068 July 2009 est. 57 Syria 20,178,485 July 2009 est. 58 Cameroon 18,879,301 July 2009 est. 59 Netherlands 16,715,999 July 2009 est. 60 Chile 16,601,707 July 2009 est. 61 Burkina Faso 15,746,232 July 2009 est. 62 Kazakhstan 15,399,437 July 2009 est. 63 Niger 15,306,252 July 2009 est. 64 Ecuador 14,573,101 July 2009 est. 65 Cambodia 14,494,293 July 2009 est. 66 Malawi 14,268,711 July 2009 est. 67 Senegal 13,711,597 July 2009 est. 68 Guatemala 13,276,517 July 2009 est. 69 Angola 12,799,293 July 2009 est. 70 Mali 12,666,987 July 2009 est. 71 Zambia 11,862,740 July 2009 est. 72 Cuba 11,451,652 July 2009 est. 73 Zimbabwe 11,392,629 July 2009 est. 74 Greece 10,737,428 July 2009 est. 75 Portugal 10,707,924 July 2009 est. 76 Tunisia 10,486,339 July 2009 est. 77 Rwanda 10,473,282 July 2009 est. 78 Belgium 10,414,336 July 2009 est. 79 Chad 10,329,208 July 2009 est. 80 Czech Republic 10,211,904 July 2009 est. 81 Guinea 10,057,975 July 2009 est. 82 Hungary 9,905,596 July 2009 est. 83 Somalia 9,832,017 July 2009 est. 84 Bolivia 9,775,246 July 2009 est. 85 Dominican Republic 9,650,054 July 2009 est. 86 Belarus 9,648,533 July 2009 est. 87 Sweden 9,059,651 July 2009 est. 88 Haiti 9,035,536 July 2009 est. 89 Burundi 8,988,091 July 2009 est. 90 Benin 8,791,832 July 2009 est. 91 Azerbaijan 8,238,672 July 2009 est. 92 Austria 8,210,281 July 2009 est. 93 Honduras 7,792,854 July 2009 est. 94 Switzerland 7,604,467 July 2009 est. 95 Serbia 7,379,339 July 2009 est. 96 Tajikistan 7,349,145 July 2009 est. 97 Israel 7,233,701 July 2009 est. 98 Bulgaria 7,204,687 July 2009 est. 99 El Salvador 7,185,218 July 2009 est. 100 Hong Kong 7,055,071 July 2009 est. 101 Paraguay 6,995,655 July 2009 est. 102 Laos 6,834,942 July 2009 est. 103 Sierra Leone 6,440,053 July 2009 est. 104 Jordan 6,342,948 July 2009 est. 105 Libya 6,310,434 July 2009 est. 106 Papua New Guinea 6,057,263 July 2009 est. 107 Togo 6,019,877 July 2009 est. 108 Nicaragua 5,891,199 July 2009 est. 109 Eritrea 5,647,168 July 2009 est. 110 Denmark 5,500,510 July 2009 est. 111 Slovakia 5,463,046 July 2009 est. 112 Kyrgyzstan 5,431,747 July 2009 est. 113 Finland 5,250,275 July 2009 est. 114 Turkmenistan 4,884,887 July 2009 est. 115 United Arab Emirates 4,798,491 July 2009 est. 116 Norway 4,660,539 July 2009 est. 117 Singapore 4,657,542 July 2009 est. 118 Georgia 4,615,807 July 2009 est. 119 Bosnia and Herzegovina 4,613,414 July 2009 est. 120 Central African Republic 4,511,488 July 2009 est. 121 Croatia 4,489,409 July 2009 est. 122 Moldova 4,320,748 July 2009 est. 123 Costa Rica 4,253,877 July 2009 est. 124 New Zealand 4,213,418 July 2009 est. 125 Ireland 4,203,200 July 2009 est. 126 Lebanon 4,017,095 July 2009 est. 127 Congo, Republic of the 4,012,809 July 2009 est. 128 Puerto Rico 3,971,020 July 2009 est. 129 Albania 3,639,453 July 2009 est. 130 Lithuania 3,555,179 July 2009 est. 131 Uruguay 3,494,382 July 2009 est. 132 Liberia 3,441,790 July 2009 est. 133 Oman 3,418,085 July 2009 est. 134 Panama 3,360,474 July 2009 est. 135 Mauritania 3,129,486 July 2009 est. 136 Mongolia 3,041,142 July 2009 est. 137 Armenia 2,967,004 July 2009 est. 138 Jamaica 2,825,928 July 2009 est. 139 Kuwait 2,691,158 July 2009 est. 140 West Bank 2,461,267 July 2009 est. 141 Latvia 2,231,503 July 2009 est. 142 Lesotho 2,130,819 July 2009 est. 143 Namibia 2,108,665 July 2009 est. 144 Macedonia 2,066,718 July 2009 est. 145 Slovenia 2,005,692 July 2009 est. 146 Botswana 1,990,876 July 2009 est. 147 Kosovo 1,804,838 July 2009 est. 148 Gambia, The 1,782,893 July 2009 est. 149 Gaza Strip 1,551,859 July 2009 est. 150 Guinea-Bissau 1,533,964 July 2009 est. 151 Gabon 1,514,993 July 2009 est. 152 Estonia 1,299,371 July 2009 est. 153 Mauritius 1,284,264 July 2009 est. 154 Trinidad and Tobago 1,229,953 July 2009 est. 155 Timor-Leste 1,131,612 July 2009 est. 156 Swaziland 1,123,913 July 2009 est. 157 Fiji 944,720 July 2009 est. 158 Qatar 833,285 July 2009 est. 159 Cyprus 796,740 July 2009 est. 160 Guyana 772,298 July 2009 est. 161 Comoros 752,438 July 2009 est. 162 Bahrain 727,785 July 2009 est. 163 Bhutan 691,141 July 2009 est. 164 Montenegro 672,180 July 2009 est. 165 Equatorial Guinea 633,441 July 2009 est. 166 Solomon Islands 595,613 July 2009 est. 167 Macau 559,846 July 2009 est. 168 Djibouti 516,055 July 2009 est. 169 Luxembourg 491,775 July 2009 est. 170 Suriname 481,267 July 2009 est. 171 Cape Verde 429,474 July 2009 est. 172 Western Sahara 405,210 July 2009 est. 173 Malta 405,165 July 2009 est. 174 Maldives 396,334 July 2009 est. 175 Brunei 388,190 July 2009 est. 176 Bahamas, The 309,156 July 2009 est. 177 Belize 307,899 July 2009 est. 178 Iceland 306,694 July 2009 est. 179 French Polynesia 287,032 July 2009 est. 180 Barbados 284,589 July 2009 est. 181 New Caledonia 227,436 July 2009 est. 182 Netherlands Antilles 227,049 July 2009 est. 183 Mayotte 223,765 July 2009 est. 184 Samoa 219,998 July 2009 est. 185 Vanuatu 218,519 July 2009 est. 186 Sao Tome and Principe 212,679 July 2009 est. 187 Saint Lucia 160,267 July 2009 est. 188 Tonga 120,898 July 2009 est. 189 Kiribati 112,850 July 2009 est. 190 Virgin Islands 109,825 July 2009 est. 191 Micronesia, Federated States of 107,434 July 2009 est. 192 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 104,574 July 2009 est. 193 Aruba 103,065 July 2009 est. 194 Jersey 91,626 July 2009 est. 195 Grenada 90,739 July 2009 est. 196 Northern Mariana Islands 88,662 July 2009 est. 197 Seychelles 87,476 July 2009 est. 198 Antigua and Barbuda 85,632 July 2009 est. 199 Andorra 83,888 July 2009 est. 200 Isle of Man 76,512 July 2009 est. 201 Dominica 72,660 July 2009 est. 202 Bermuda 67,837 July 2009 est. 203 Guernsey 65,870 July 2009 est. 204 American Samoa 65,628 July 2009 est. 205 Marshall Islands 64,522 July 2009 est. 206 Greenland 57,600 July 2009 est. 207 Cayman Islands 49,035 July 2009 est. 208 Faroe Islands 48,856 July 2009 est. 209 Saint Kitts and Nevis 40,131 July 2009 est. 210 Liechtenstein 34,761 July 2009 est. 211 Monaco 32,965 July 2009 est. 212 San Marino 30,324 July 2009 est. 213 Saint Martin 29,820 July 2009 est. 214 Gibraltar 28,034 July 2009 est. 215 British Virgin Islands 24,491 July 2009 est. 216 Turks and Caicos Islands 22,942 July 2009 est. 217 Palau 20,796 July 2009 est. 218 Akrotiri 15,700 NA 219 Dhekelia 15,700 NA 220 Wallis and Futuna 15,289 July 2009 est. 221 Anguilla 14,436 July 2009 est. 222 Nauru 14,019 July 2009 est. 223 Tuvalu 12,373 July 2009 est. 224 Cook Islands 11,870 July 2009 est. 225 Saint Helena 7,637 July 2009 est. 226 Saint Barthelemy 7,448 July 2009 est. 227 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 7,051 July 2009 est. 228 Montserrat 5,097 July 2009 est. 229 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 3,140 July 2008 est. 230 Norfolk Island 2,141 July 2009 est. 231 Svalbard 2,116 July 2009 est. 232 Tokelau 1,416 July 2009 est. 233 Christmas Island 1,402 July 2009 est. 234 Niue 1,398 July 2009 est. 235 Holy See (Vatican City) 826 July 2009 est. 236 Cocos (Keeling) Islands 596 July 2009 est. 237 Pitcairn Islands 48 July 2009 est. ====================================================================== Rank code: 2120 Country Comparison :: Ports and terminals This entry lists major ports and terminals primarily on the basis of the amount of cargo tonnage shipped through the facilities on an annual basis. In some instances, the number of containers handled or ship visits were also considered. Rank country Ports and terminals Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2121 Country Comparison :: Railways This entry states the total route length of the railway network and of its component parts by gauge: broad, standard, narrow, and dual. Other gauges are listed under note. Rank country (km) Date of Information 1 United States 226,427 2007 2 Russia 87,157 2006 3 China 77,834 2008 4 India 63,327 2007 5 Canada 46,688 2008 6 Germany 41,896 2008 7 Australia 37,855 2008 8 Argentina 31,409 2008 9 France 29,213 2008 10 Brazil 28,857 2008 11 Japan 23,506 2008 12 Poland 22,314 2007 13 Ukraine 21,655 2008 14 South Africa 20,872 2008 15 Italy 19,729 2008 16 Mexico 17,516 2008 17 United Kingdom 16,454 2008 18 Spain 15,288 2008 19 Kazakhstan 13,700 2008 20 Sweden 11,633 2008 21 Romania 10,788 2008 22 Czech Republic 9,620 2008 23 Turkey 8,697 2008 24 Cuba 8,598 2006 25 Indonesia 8,529 2008 26 Iran 8,442 2008 27 Hungary 8,057 2008 28 Pakistan 7,791 2007 29 Austria 6,399 2008 30 Sudan 5,978 2008 31 Finland 5,794 2008 32 Belarus 5,538 2008 33 Chile 5,481 2008 34 Korea, North 5,235 2006 35 Egypt 5,063 2008 36 Switzerland 4,888 2008 37 Mozambique 4,787 2008 38 Bulgaria 4,294 2008 39 New Zealand 4,128 2008 40 Norway 4,114 2009 41 Thailand 4,071 2008 42 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 4,007 2008 43 Algeria 3,973 2008 44 Burma 3,955 2008 45 Colombia 3,802 2008 46 Tanzania 3,689 2008 47 Uzbekistan 3,645 2008 48 Slovakia 3,622 2008 49 Nigeria 3,505 2008 50 Bolivia 3,504 2008 51 Korea, South 3,381 2008 52 Serbia 3,379 2006 53 Ireland 3,237 2008 54 Belgium 3,233 2008 55 Zimbabwe 3,077 2008 56 Turkmenistan 2,980 2008 57 Netherlands 2,811 2008 58 Portugal 2,786 2008 59 Kenya 2,778 2008 60 Bangladesh 2,768 2008 61 Angola 2,764 2008 62 Croatia 2,722 2008 63 Denmark 2,667 2008 64 Namibia 2,629 2008 65 Greece 2,548 2008 66 Vietnam 2,347 2008 67 Latvia 2,298 2008 68 Iraq 2,272 2008 69 Tunisia 2,159 2008 70 Zambia 2,157 2008 71 Azerbaijan 2,122 2008 72 Syria 2,052 2008 73 Peru 1,989 2008 74 Morocco 1,907 2008 75 Malaysia 1,849 2008 76 Mongolia 1,810 2008 77 Dominican Republic 1,784 2008 78 Lithuania 1,765 2008 79 Uruguay 1,641 2008 80 Georgia 1,612 2008 81 Taiwan 1,588 2007 82 Sri Lanka 1,449 2007 83 Saudi Arabia 1,392 2008 84 Uganda 1,244 2008 85 Slovenia 1,228 2007 86 Guinea 1,185 2008 87 Moldova 1,138 2008 88 Bosnia and Herzegovina 1,000 2008 89 Cameroon 987 2008 90 Ecuador 965 2008 91 Ghana 947 2008 92 Estonia 919 2008 93 Israel 913 2008 94 Senegal 906 2008 95 Philippines 897 2008 96 Albania 896 2008 97 Botswana 888 2008 98 Madagascar 854 2008 99 Armenia 845 2008 100 Gabon 814 2008 101 Venezuela 806 2008 102 Malawi 797 2008 103 Congo, Republic of the 795 2008 104 Honduras 699 2008 105 Macedonia 699 2008 106 Ethiopia 681 2008 107 Tajikistan 680 2008 108 Cote d'Ivoire 660 2008 109 Burkina Faso 622 2008 110 Cambodia 602 2008 111 Fiji 597 2008 112 Mali 593 2008 113 Benin 578 2008 114 Togo 532 2008 115 Jordan 507 2008 116 Kyrgyzstan 470 2008 117 Kosovo 430 2007 118 Liberia 429 2008 119 Lebanon 401 2008 120 Guatemala 332 2008 121 Eritrea 306 2008 122 Swaziland 301 2008 123 El Salvador 283 2008 124 Costa Rica 278 2008 125 Luxembourg 275 2008 126 Montenegro 250 2007 127 Djibouti 100 2008 128 Panama 76 2008 129 Isle of Man 63 2008 130 Nepal 59 2008 131 Saint Kitts and Nevis 50 2008 132 Paraguay 36 2008 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2122 Country Comparison :: Religions This entry is an ordered listing of religions by adherents starting with the largest group and sometimes includes the percent of total population. The core characteristics and beliefs of the world's major religions are described below. Baha'i - Founded by Mirza Husayn-Ali (known as Baha'u'llah) in Iran in 1852, Baha'i faith emphasizes monotheism and believes in one eternal transcendent God. Its guiding focus is to encourage the unity of all peoples on the earth so that justice and peace may be achieved on earth. Baha'i revelation contends the prophets of major world religions reflect some truth or element of the divine, believes all were manifestations of God given to specific communities in specific times, and that Baha'u'llah is an additional prophet meant to call all humankind. Bahais are an open community, located worldwide, with the greatest concentration of believers in South Asia. Buddhism - Religion or philosophy inspired by the 5th century B.C. teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (also known as Gautama Buddha "the enlightened one"). Buddhism focuses on the goal of spiritual enlightenment centered on an understanding of Gautama Buddha's Four Noble Truths on the nature of suffering, and on the Eightfold Path of spiritual and moral practice, to break the cycle of suffering of which we are a part. Buddhism ascribes to a karmic system of rebirth. Several schools and sects of Buddhism exist, differing often on the nature of the Buddha, the extent to which enlightenment can be achieved - for one or for all, and by whom - religious orders or laity. Basic Groupings Theravada Buddhism: The oldest Buddhist school, Theravada is practiced mostly in Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos, Burma, and Thailand, with minority representation elsewhere in Asia and the West. Theravadans follow the Pali Canon of Buddha's teachings, and believe that one may escape the cycle of rebirth, worldly attachment, and suffering for oneself; this process may take one or several lifetimes. Mahayana Buddhism, including subsets Zen and Tibetan Buddhism: Forms of Mahayana Buddhism are common in East Asia and Tibet, and parts of the West. Mahayanas have additional scriptures beyond the Pali Canon and believe the Buddha is eternal and still teaching. Unlike Theravada Buddhism, Mahayana schools maintain the Buddha-nature is present in all beings and all will ultimately achieve enlightenment. Christianity - Descending from Judaism, Christianity's central belief maintains Jesus of Nazareth is the promised messiah of the Hebrew Scriptures, and that his life, death, and resurrection are salvific for the world. Christianity is one of the three monotheistic Abrahamic faiths, along with Islam and Judaism, which traces its spiritual lineage to Abraham of the Hebrew Scriptures. Its sacred texts include the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament (or the Christian Gospels). Basic Groupings Catholicism (or Roman Catholicism): This is the oldest established western Christian church and the world's largest single religious body. It is supranational, and recognizes a hierarchical structure with the Pope, or Bishop of Rome, as its head, located at the Vatican. Catholics believe the Pope is the divinely ordered head of the Church from a direct spiritual legacy of Jesus' apostle Peter. Catholicism is comprised of 23 particular Churches, or Rites - one Western (Latin-Rite) and 22 Eastern. The Latin Rite is by far the largest, making up about 98% of Catholic membership. Eastern-Rite Churches, such as the Maronite Church and the Ukrainian Catholic Church, are in communion with Rome although they preserve their own worship traditions and their immediate hierarchy consists of clergy within their own rite. The Catholic Church has a comprehensive theological and moral doctrine specified for believers in its catechism, which makes it unique among most forms of Christianity. Mormonism (including the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints): Originating in 1830 in the United States under Joseph Smith, Mormonism is not characterized as a form of Protestant Christianity because it claims additional revealed Christian scriptures after the Hebrew Bible and New Testament. The Book of Mormon maintains there was an appearance of Jesus in the New World following the Christian account of his resurrection, and that the Americas are uniquely blessed continents. Mormonism believes earlier Christian traditions, such as the Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant reform faiths, are apostasies and that Joseph Smith's revelation of the Book of Mormon is a restoration of true Christianity. Mormons have a hierarchical religious leadership structure, and actively proselytize their faith; they are located primarily in the Americas and in a number of other Western countries. Orthodox Christianity: The oldest established eastern form of Christianity, the Holy Orthodox Church, has a ceremonial head in the Bishop of Constantinople (Istanbul), also known as a Patriarch, but its various regional forms (e.g., Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, Serbian Orthodox, Ukrainian Orthodox) are autocephalous (independent of Constantinople's authority, and have their own Patriarchs). Orthodox churches are highly nationalist and ethnic. The Orthodox Christian faith shares many theological tenets with the Roman Catholic Church, but diverges on some key premises and does not recognize the governing authority of the Pope. Protestant Christianity: Protestant Christianity originated in the 16th century as an attempt to reform Roman Catholicism's practices, dogma, and theology. It encompasses several forms or denominations which are extremely varied in structure, beliefs, relationship to state, clergy, and governance. Many protestant theologies emphasize the primary role of scripture in their faith, advocating individual interpretation of Christian texts without the mediation of a final religious authority such as the Roman Pope. The oldest Protestant Christianities include Lutheranism, Calvinism (Presbyterians), and Anglican Christianity (Episcopalians), which have established liturgies, governing structure, and formal clergy. Other variants on Protestant Christianity, including Pentecostal movements and independent churches, may lack one or more of these elements, and their leadership and beliefs are individualized and dynamic. Hinduism - Originating in the Vedic civilization of India (second and first millennium B.C.), Hinduism is an extremely diverse set of beliefs and practices with no single founder or religious authority. Hinduism has many scriptures; the Vedas, the Upanishads, and the Bhagavad-Gita are among some of the most important. Hindus may worship one or many deities, usually with prayer rituals within their own home. The most common figures of devotion are the gods Vishnu, Shiva, and a mother goddess, Devi. Most Hindus believe the soul, or atman, is eternal, and goes through a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara) determined by one's positive or negative karma, or the consequences of one's actions. The goal of religious life is to learn to act so as to finally achieve liberation (moksha) of one's soul, escaping the rebirth cycle. Islam - The third of the monotheistic Abrahamic faiths, Islam originated with the teachings of Muhammad in the 7th century. Muslims believe Muhammad is the final of all religious prophets (beginning with Abraham) and that the Qu'ran, which is the Islamic scripture, was revealed to him by God. Islam derives from the word submission, and obedience to God is a primary theme in this religion. In order to live an Islamic life, believers must follow the five pillars, or tenets, of Islam, which are the testimony of faith (shahada), daily prayer (salah), giving alms (zakah), fasting during Ramadan (sawm), and the pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj). Basic Groupings The two primary branches of Islam are Sunni and Shia, which split from each other over a religio-political leadership dispute about the rightful successor to Muhammad. The Shia believe Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law, Ali, was the only divinely ordained Imam (religious leader), while the Sunni maintain the first three caliphs after Muhammad were also legitimate authorities. In modern Islam, Sunnis and Shia continue to have different views of acceptable schools of Islamic jurisprudence, and who is a proper Islamic religious authority. Islam also has an active mystical branch, Sufism, with various Sunni and Shia subsets. Sunni Islam accounts for over 75% of the world's Muslim population. It recognizes the Abu Bakr as the first caliph after Muhammad. Sunni has four schools of Islamic doctrine and law - Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali - which uniquely interpret the Hadith, or recorded oral traditions of Muhammad. A Sunni Muslim may elect to follow any one of these schools, as all are considered equally valid. Shia Islam represents 10-20% of Muslims worldwide, and its distinguishing feature is its reverence for Ali as an infallible, divinely inspired leader, and as the first Imam of the Muslim community after Muhammad. A majority of Shia are known as "Twelvers," because they believe that the 11 familial successor imams after Muhammad culminate in a 12th Imam (al-Mahdi) who is hidden in the world and will reappear at its end to redeem the righteous. Variants Ismaili faith: A sect of Shia Islam, its adherents are also known as "Seveners," because they believe that the rightful seventh Imam in Islamic leadership was Isma'il, the elder son of Imam Jafar al-Sadiq. Ismaili tradition awaits the return of the seventh Imam as the Mahdi, or Islamic messianic figure. Ismailis are located in various parts of the world, particularly South Asia and the Levant. Alawi faith: Another Shia sect of Islam, the name reflects followers' devotion to the religious authority of Ali. Alawites are a closed, secretive religious group who assert they are Shia Muslims, although outside scholars speculate their beliefs may have a syncretic mix with other faiths originating in the Middle East. Alawis live mostly in Syria, Lebanon, and Turkey. Druze faith: A highly secretive tradition and a closed community that derives from the Ismaili sect of Islam; its core beliefs are thought to emphasize a combination of Gnostic principles believing that the Fatimid caliph, al-Hakin, is the one who embodies the key aspects of goodness of the universe, which are, the intellect, the word, the soul, the preceder, and the follower. The Druze have a key presence in Syria, Lebanon, and Israel. Jainism - Originating in India, Jain spiritual philosophy believes in an eternal human soul, the eternal universe, and a principle of "the own nature of things." It emphasizes compassion for all living things, seeks liberation of the human soul from reincarnation through enlightenment, and values personal responsibility due to the belief in the immediate consequences of one's behavior. Jain philosophy teaches non-violence and prescribes vegetarianism for monks and laity alike; its adherents are a highly influential religious minority in Indian society. Judaism - One of the first known monotheistic religions, likely dating to between 2000-1500 B.C., Judaism is the native faith of the Jewish people, based upon the belief in a covenant of responsibility between a sole omnipotent creator God and Abraham, the patriarch of Judaism's Hebrew Bible, or Tanakh. Divine revelation of principles and prohibitions in the Hebrew Scriptures form the basis of Jewish law, or halakhah, which is a key component of the faith. While there are extensive traditions of Jewish halakhic and theological discourse, there is no final dogmatic authority in the tradition. Local communities have their own religious leadership. Modern Judaism has three basic categories of faith: Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform/Liberal. These differ in their views and observance of Jewish law, with the Orthodox representing the most traditional practice, and Reform/Liberal communities the most accommodating of individualized interpretations of Jewish identity and faith. Shintoism - A native animist tradition of Japan, Shinto practice is based upon the premise that every being and object has its own spirit or kami. Shinto practitioners worship several particular kamis, including the kamis of nature, and families often have shrines to their ancestors' kamis. Shintoism has no fixed tradition of prayers or prescribed dogma, but is characterized by individual ritual. Respect for the kamis in nature is a key Shinto value. Prior to the end of World War II, Shinto was the state religion of Japan, and bolstered the cult of the Japanese emperor. Sikhism - Founded by the Guru Nanak (born 1469), Sikhism believes in a non-anthropomorphic, supreme, eternal, creator God; centering one's devotion to God is seen as a means of escaping the cycle of rebirth. Sikhs follow the teachings of Nanak and nine subsequent gurus. Their scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib - also known as the Adi Granth - is considered the living Guru, or final authority of Sikh faith and theology. Sikhism emphasizes equality of humankind and disavows caste, class, or gender discrimination. Taoism - Chinese philosophy or religion based upon Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching, which centers on belief in the Tao, or the way, as the flow of the universe and the nature of things. Taoism encourages a principle of non-force, or wu-wei, as the means to live harmoniously with the Tao. Taoists believe the esoteric world is made up of a perfect harmonious balance and nature, while in the manifest world - particularly in the body - balance is distorted. The Three Jewels of the Tao - compassion, simplicity, and humility - serve as the basis for Taoist ethics. Zoroastrianism - Originating from the teachings of Zoroaster in about the 9th or 10th century B.C., Zoroastrianism may be the oldest continuing creedal religion. Its key beliefs center on a transcendent creator God, Ahura Mazda, and the concept of free will. The key ethical tenets of Zoroastrianism expressed in its scripture, the Avesta, are based on a dualistic worldview where one may prevent chaos if one chooses to serve God and exercises good thoughts, good words, and good deeds. Zoroastrianism is generally a closed religion and members are almost always born to Zoroastrian parents. Prior to the spread of Islam, Zoroastrianism dominated greater Iran. Today, though a minority, Zoroastrians remain primarily in Iran, India, and Pakistan. Rank country (%) Date of Information 1 Mauritania 100.00 NA 2 Pitcairn Islands 100.00 NA 3 Saudi Arabia 100.00 NA 4 Turkey 99.80 NA 5 Gaza Strip 99.30 NA 6 Algeria 99.00 NA 7 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 99.00 NA 8 Wallis and Futuna 99.00 NA 9 Morocco 98.70 NA 10 Comoros 98.00 NA 11 Greece 98.00 NA 12 Timor-Leste 98.00 2005 13 Tunisia 98.00 NA 14 Iran 98.00 NA 15 Malta 98.00 NA 16 Moldova 98.00 NA 17 Honduras 97.00 NA 18 Libya 97.00 NA 19 Mayotte 97.00 NA 20 Tuvalu 97.00 NA 21 Iraq 97.00 NA 22 Cambodia 96.40 1998 census 23 United Arab Emirates 96.00 NA 24 Venezuela 96.00 NA 25 Bolivia 95.00 NA 26 Ecuador 95.00 NA 27 Dominican Republic 95.00 NA 28 Pakistan 95.00 NA 29 Denmark 95.00 NA 30 Armenia 94.70 NA 31 Thailand 94.60 2000 census 32 Djibouti 94.00 NA 33 Spain 94.00 NA 34 Senegal 94.00 NA 35 Azerbaijan 93.40 NA 36 Taiwan 93.00 NA 37 Argentina 92.00 NA 38 Jordan 92.00 NA 39 Colombia 90.00 NA 40 Egypt 90.00 NA 41 Hong Kong 90.00 NA 42 Gambia, The 90.00 NA 43 Mali 90.00 NA 44 Monaco 90.00 NA 45 Italy 90.00 NA 46 Poland 89.80 2002 47 Paraguay 89.60 2002 census 48 Burma 89.00 NA 49 Turkmenistan 89.00 NA 50 Uzbekistan 88.00 NA 51 Croatia 87.80 2001 census 52 Ireland 87.40 2006 census 53 Luxembourg 87.00 2000 54 Sweden 87.00 NA 55 Romania 86.80 2002 census 56 Indonesia 86.10 2000 census 57 British Virgin Islands 86.00 1991 58 Norway 85.70 2004 59 Guinea 85.00 NA 60 Tajikistan 85.00 2003 est. 61 Puerto Rico 85.00 NA 62 Serbia 85.00 2002 census 63 Panama 85.00 NA 64 Kuwait 85.00 NA 65 Portugal 84.50 2001 census 66 Georgia 83.90 2002 census 67 Japan 83.90 2005 68 Faroe Islands 83.80 2006 administrative data 69 Bangladesh 83.00 1998 70 Bulgaria 82.60 2001 census 71 Finland 82.50 2006 72 Seychelles 82.30 2002 census 73 Peru 81.30 2007 Census 74 Bahrain 81.20 2001 census 75 Philippines 80.90 2000 census 76 Aruba 80.80 NA 77 Vietnam 80.80 1999 census 78 Iceland 80.70 2006 est. 79 Nepal 80.60 NA 80 India 80.50 2001 census 81 Afghanistan 80.00 NA 82 Niger 80.00 NA 83 Haiti 80.00 NA 84 Cocos (Keeling) Islands 80.00 2002 est. 85 Belarus 80.00 NA 86 Malawi 79.90 1998 census 87 Lithuania 79.00 2001 census 88 Gibraltar 78.10 2001 census 89 Cyprus 78.00 NA 90 Qatar 77.50 2004 census 91 Mexico 76.50 2000 census 92 Israel 76.40 2004 93 Costa Rica 76.30 NA 94 Liechtenstein 76.20 June 2002 95 Belgium 75.00 NA 96 Oman 75.00 NA 97 West Bank 75.00 NA 98 Kyrgyzstan 75.00 NA 99 Bhutan 75.00 NA 100 Montenegro 74.20 2003 census 101 Syria 74.00 NA 102 Austria 73.60 2001 census 103 Brazil 73.60 2000 census 104 Netherlands Antilles 72.00 2001 census 105 Botswana 71.60 2001 census 106 United Kingdom 71.60 2001 census 107 Japan 71.40 2005 108 Sao Tome and Principe 70.30 2001 census 109 Albania 70.00 NA 110 Chile 70.00 2002 census 111 Tokelau 70.00 NA 112 Sudan 70.00 NA 113 Sri Lanka 69.10 NA 114 Slovakia 68.90 2001 census 115 Ghana 68.80 2000 census 116 Saint Lucia 67.50 2001 census 117 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 67.20 2006 census 118 Brunei 67.00 NA 119 Laos 67.00 2005 census 120 Burundi 67.00 NA 121 Macedonia 64.70 2002 census 122 Fiji 64.50 2007 census 123 Latvia 63.70 2006 124 Barbados 63.40 2008 est. 125 Jamaica 62.50 2001 census 126 Dominica 61.40 2001 census 127 Niue 61.10 2001 census 128 Ethiopia 60.80 1994 census 129 Malaysia 60.40 2000 census 130 New Caledonia 60.00 NA 131 Sierra Leone 60.00 NA 132 Lebanon 59.70 NA 133 Czech Republic 59.00 2001 census 134 Nicaragua 58.50 2005 census 135 Slovenia 57.80 2002 census 136 El Salvador 57.10 2003 est. 137 Rwanda 56.50 NA 138 Cook Islands 55.90 2001 census 139 Marshall Islands 54.80 1999 census 140 French Polynesia 54.00 NA 141 Chad 53.10 1993 census 142 Grenada 53.00 NA 143 Kiribati 52.00 1999 144 Madagascar 52.00 NA 145 Hungary 51.90 2001 census 146 United States 51.30 2007 est. 147 Togo 51.00 NA 148 Ukraine 50.40 2006 est. 149 American Samoa 50.00 NA 150 Zimbabwe 50.00 NA 151 Burkina Faso 50.00 NA 152 Guinea-Bissau 50.00 NA 153 Micronesia, Federated States of 50.00 NA 154 Macau 50.00 NA 155 Mongolia 50.00 2004 156 Nigeria 50.00 NA 157 Congo, Republic of the 50.00 NA 158 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 50.00 NA 159 Belize 49.60 NA 160 Korea, South 49.30 1995 census 161 Congo, Republic of the 48.00 NA 162 Mauritius 48.00 2000 census 163 Uruguay 47.10 2006 164 Angola 47.00 NA 165 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 47.00 NA 166 Kazakhstan 47.00 NA 167 Micronesia, Federated States of 47.00 NA 168 Kenya 45.00 NA 169 Kazakhstan 44.00 NA 170 Benin 42.80 2002 census 171 Canada 42.60 2001 census 172 Singapore 42.50 2000 census 173 Netherlands 42.00 2006 174 Virgin Islands 42.00 NA 175 Uganda 42.00 2002 census 176 Uganda 41.90 2002 census 177 Switzerland 41.80 2000 census 178 Palau 41.60 2000 census 179 Madagascar 41.00 NA 180 Bosnia and Herzegovina 40.00 NA 181 Cameroon 40.00 NA 182 Kiribati 40.00 1999 183 Guinea-Bissau 40.00 NA 184 Swaziland 40.00 NA 185 Burkina Faso 40.00 NA 186 Turks and Caicos Islands 40.00 NA 187 Mongolia 40.00 2004 188 Nigeria 40.00 NA 189 Liberia 40.00 NA 190 Liberia 40.00 NA 191 Cameroon 40.00 NA 192 Lebanon 39.00 NA 193 Cote d'Ivoire 38.60 NA 194 Angola 38.00 NA 195 Christmas Island 36.00 1997 196 South Africa 36.00 2001 census 197 Bahamas, The 35.40 2000 census 198 Nauru 35.40 2002 census 199 Switzerland 35.30 2000 census 200 Central African Republic 35.00 NA 201 Macau 35.00 NA 202 Tanzania 35.00 NA 203 Samoa 34.80 2001 census 204 Estonia 34.10 2000 census 205 Germany 34.00 NA 206 Germany 34.00 NA 207 Virgin Islands 34.00 NA 208 Macedonia 33.30 2002 census 209 Grenada 33.20 NA 210 Nauru 33.20 2002 census 211 Kenya 33.00 NA 212 Solomon Islands 32.80 1999 census 213 Ethiopia 32.80 1994 census 214 Cote d'Ivoire 32.80 NA 215 Estonia 32.00 2000 census 216 Norfolk Island 31.80 2006 census 217 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 31.50 2006 census 218 Laos 31.50 2005 census 219 Vanuatu 31.40 1999 Census 220 Bosnia and Herzegovina 31.00 NA 221 Anguilla 30.20 2001 census 222 American Samoa 30.00 NA 223 New Caledonia 30.00 NA 224 French Polynesia 30.00 NA 225 Netherlands 30.00 2006 226 Sierra Leone 30.00 NA 227 Tanzania 30.00 NA 228 Swaziland 30.00 NA 229 Anguilla 29.00 2001 census 230 Togo 29.00 NA 231 Guyana 28.40 2002 census 232 Germany 28.30 NA 233 Tokelau 28.00 NA 234 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 28.00 NA 235 Fiji 27.90 2007 census 236 Suriname 27.40 NA 237 Belize 27.00 NA 238 Papua New Guinea 27.00 2000 census 239 Czech Republic 26.80 2001 census 240 Korea, South 26.30 1995 census 241 Ukraine 26.10 2006 est. 242 Cayman Islands 26.00 1999 census 243 New Zealand 26.00 2001 census 244 Rwanda 26.00 NA 245 Trinidad and Tobago 26.00 2000 census 246 Australia 25.80 2006 Census 247 Marshall Islands 25.80 1999 census 248 Antigua and Barbuda 25.70 2001 census 249 Suriname 25.20 NA 250 Belgium 25.00 NA 251 Central African Republic 25.00 NA 252 Bhutan 25.00 NA 253 Zimbabwe 25.00 NA 254 Sudan 25.00 NA 255 Central African Republic 25.00 NA 256 Christmas Island 25.00 1997 257 Oman 25.00 NA 258 Benin 24.40 2002 census 259 Zimbabwe 24.00 NA 260 Anguilla 23.90 2001 census 261 United States 23.90 2007 est. 262 Mozambique 23.80 1997 census 263 Mauritius 23.60 2000 census 264 Canada 23.30 2001 census 265 Palau 23.30 2000 census 266 Korea, South 23.20 1995 census 267 Uruguay 23.20 2006 268 Mozambique 23.10 1997 census 269 United Kingdom 23.10 2001 census 270 Bermuda 23.00 2000 census 271 Slovenia 23.00 2002 census 272 Burundi 23.00 NA 273 Suriname 22.80 NA 274 Trinidad and Tobago 22.50 2000 census 275 Nicaragua 21.60 2005 census 276 El Salvador 21.20 2003 est. 277 Christmas Island 21.00 1997 278 Jamaica 20.90 2001 census 279 Barbados 20.60 2008 est. 280 Botswana 20.60 2001 census 281 Chad 20.10 1993 census 282 Albania 20.00 NA 283 American Samoa 20.00 NA 284 Swaziland 20.00 NA 285 Togo 20.00 NA 286 Niger 20.00 NA 287 Liberia 20.00 NA 288 Kyrgyzstan 20.00 NA 289 Cameroon 20.00 NA 290 Cocos (Keeling) Islands 20.00 2002 est. 291 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 20.00 NA 292 Belarus 20.00 NA 293 Norfolk Island 19.90 2006 census 294 Latvia 19.60 2006 295 Samoa 19.60 2001 census 296 Suriname 19.60 NA 297 Papua New Guinea 19.50 2000 census 298 Sao Tome and Principe 19.40 2001 census 299 Malaysia 19.20 2000 census 300 Afghanistan 19.00 NA 301 Solomon Islands 19.00 1999 census 302 Australia 18.70 2006 Census 303 Australia 18.70 2006 Census 304 Bermuda 18.00 2000 census 305 Turks and Caicos Islands 18.00 NA 306 Cyprus 18.00 NA 307 Christmas Island 18.00 1997 308 Mozambique 17.80 1997 census 309 Mozambique 17.80 1997 census 310 Guyana 17.70 2002 census 311 Montenegro 17.70 2003 census 312 Mozambique 17.50 1997 census 313 Benin 17.30 2002 census 314 New Zealand 17.20 2001 census 315 Uruguay 17.20 2006 316 Solomon Islands 17.00 1999 census 317 West Bank 17.00 NA 318 Virgin Islands 17.00 NA 319 Guyana 16.90 2002 census 320 Cook Islands 16.80 2001 census 321 El Salvador 16.80 2003 est. 322 Cote d'Ivoire 16.70 NA 323 Mauritius 16.60 2000 census 324 Norfolk Island 16.60 2006 census 325 Palau 16.40 2000 census 326 Faroe Islands 16.20 2006 administrative data 327 Bangladesh 16.00 1998 328 Haiti 16.00 NA 329 Syria 16.00 NA 330 Turks and Caicos Islands 16.00 NA 331 Israel 16.00 2004 332 Canada 16.00 2001 census 333 Ghana 15.90 2000 census 334 Hungary 15.90 2001 census 335 Nicaragua 15.70 2005 census 336 Benin 15.50 2002 census 337 Brazil 15.40 2000 census 338 Latvia 15.30 2006 339 Bahamas, The 15.20 2000 census 340 Bahamas, The 15.10 2000 census 341 Finland 15.10 2006 342 South Africa 15.10 2001 census 343 Chile 15.10 2002 census 344 Angola 15.00 NA 345 Bermuda 15.00 2000 census 346 Samoa 15.00 2001 census 347 Puerto Rico 15.00 NA 348 Panama 15.00 NA 349 Macau 15.00 NA 350 Kuwait 15.00 NA 351 Central African Republic 15.00 NA 352 Bosnia and Herzegovina 15.00 NA 353 New Zealand 14.90 2001 census 354 Singapore 14.90 2000 census 355 Singapore 14.80 2000 census 356 Hungary 14.50 2001 census 357 Chad 14.20 1993 census 358 Jamaica 14.20 2001 census 359 Nauru 14.10 2002 census 360 Bermuda 14.00 2000 census 361 Belize 14.00 NA 362 Bosnia and Herzegovina 14.00 NA 363 Turks and Caicos Islands 14.00 NA 364 Qatar 14.00 2004 census 365 Grenada 13.80 NA 366 Vanuatu 13.80 1999 Census 367 Mexico 13.80 2000 census 368 Costa Rica 13.70 NA 369 Estonia 13.60 2000 census 370 Bahamas, The 13.50 2000 census 371 India 13.40 2001 census 372 Vanuatu 13.40 1999 Census 373 Vanuatu 13.10 1999 Census 374 Brunei 13.00 NA 375 Slovakia 13.00 2001 census 376 Luxembourg 13.00 2000 377 Sweden 13.00 NA 378 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 13.00 NA 379 Estonia 12.80 2000 census 380 Malawi 12.80 1998 census 381 Samoa 12.70 2001 census 382 Peru 12.50 2007 Census 383 New Zealand 12.40 2001 census 384 Antigua and Barbuda 12.30 2001 census 385 Bulgaria 12.20 2001 census 386 Uganda 12.10 2002 census 387 United States 12.10 2007 est. 388 Austria 12.00 2001 census 389 Turks and Caicos Islands 12.00 NA 390 Bermuda 12.00 2000 census 391 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 12.00 NA 392 Cote d'Ivoire 11.90 NA 393 Canada 11.80 2001 census 394 Cayman Islands 11.80 1999 census 395 Norfolk Island 11.50 2006 census 396 Papua New Guinea 11.50 2000 census 397 Australia 11.30 2006 Census 398 Solomon Islands 11.20 1999 census 399 Hungary 11.10 2001 census 400 South Africa 11.10 2001 census 401 Uruguay 11.10 2006 402 Switzerland 11.10 2000 census 403 Rwanda 11.10 NA 404 Bermuda 11.00 2000 census 405 Netherlands 11.00 2006 406 Cayman Islands 11.00 1999 census 407 New Zealand 10.90 2001 census 408 Slovakia 10.80 2001 census 409 Trinidad and Tobago 10.80 2000 census 410 Vanuatu 10.80 1999 Census 411 Nepal 10.70 NA 412 Antigua and Barbuda 10.60 2001 census 413 Norfolk Island 10.60 2006 census 414 Liechtenstein 10.60 June 2002 415 Antigua and Barbuda 10.50 2001 census 416 Antigua and Barbuda 10.40 2001 census 417 Nauru 10.40 2002 census 418 Solomon Islands 10.30 1999 census 419 Slovenia 10.10 2002 census 420 Albania 10.00 NA 421 Burundi 10.00 NA 422 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 10.00 NA 423 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 10.00 NA 424 Colombia 10.00 NA 425 Monaco 10.00 NA 426 Kenya 10.00 NA 427 Kenya 10.00 NA 428 Italy 10.00 NA 429 Hong Kong 10.00 NA 430 French Polynesia 10.00 NA 431 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 10.00 NA 432 Sri Lanka 10.00 NA 433 Swaziland 10.00 NA 434 British Virgin Islands 10.00 1991 435 Burkina Faso 10.00 NA 436 Tajikistan 10.00 2003 est. 437 Syria 10.00 NA 438 Sierra Leone 10.00 NA 439 Guinea-Bissau 10.00 NA 440 Papua New Guinea 10.00 2000 census 441 Nigeria 10.00 NA 442 New Caledonia 10.00 NA 443 Brunei 10.00 NA 444 Brunei 10.00 NA 445 Georgia 9.90 2002 census 446 Bahrain 9.80 2001 census 447 Cayman Islands 9.80 1999 census 448 Singapore 9.80 2000 census 449 Vanuatu 9.60 1999 Census 450 Lithuania 9.50 2001 census 451 Belize 9.40 NA 452 New Zealand 9.40 2001 census 453 Vietnam 9.30 1999 census 454 Malaysia 9.10 2000 census 455 Bahrain 9.00 2001 census 456 Uzbekistan 9.00 NA 457 Turkmenistan 9.00 NA 458 Portugal 9.00 2001 census 459 Mali 9.00 NA 460 Egypt 9.00 NA 461 Papua New Guinea 8.90 2000 census 462 Czech Republic 8.80 2001 census 463 Niue 8.80 2001 census 464 Palau 8.80 2000 census 465 Cayman Islands 8.70 1999 census 466 Niue 8.70 2001 census 467 Mauritius 8.60 2000 census 468 Papua New Guinea 8.60 2000 census 469 Ghana 8.50 2000 census 470 Saint Lucia 8.50 2001 census 471 Singapore 8.50 2000 census 472 Qatar 8.50 2004 census 473 Niue 8.40 2001 census 474 Marshall Islands 8.40 1999 census 475 Chile 8.30 2002 census 476 Poland 8.30 2002 477 Cayman Islands 8.20 1999 census 478 South Africa 8.20 2001 census 479 Bahamas, The 8.10 2000 census 480 Guyana 8.10 2002 census 481 Norway 8.10 2004 482 Gambia, The 8.00 NA 483 Ukraine 8.00 2006 est. 484 West Bank 8.00 NA 485 Guinea 8.00 NA 486 Kiribati 8.00 1999 487 Antigua and Barbuda 7.90 2001 census 488 Cook Islands 7.90 2001 census 489 Australia 7.90 2006 Census 490 Japan 7.80 2005 491 Trinidad and Tobago 7.80 2000 census 492 Dominica 7.70 2001 census 493 Sri Lanka 7.60 NA 494 Romania 7.50 2002 census 495 Brazil 7.40 2000 census 496 Chad 7.30 1993 census 497 Guyana 7.20 2002 census 498 Niue 7.20 2001 census 499 Trinidad and Tobago 7.20 2000 census 500 Ukraine 7.20 2006 est. 501 Sri Lanka 7.10 NA 502 South Africa 7.10 2001 census 503 Barbados 7.00 2008 est. 504 Guinea 7.00 NA 505 Kazakhstan 7.00 NA 506 Madagascar 7.00 NA 507 Virgin Islands 7.00 NA 508 Liechtenstein 7.00 June 2002 509 Gibraltar 7.00 2001 census 510 Guyana 6.90 2002 census 511 South Africa 6.80 2001 census 512 Trinidad and Tobago 6.80 2000 census 513 South Africa 6.70 2001 census 514 Vietnam 6.70 1999 census 515 Samoa 6.60 2001 census 516 Seychelles 6.40 2002 census 517 Fiji 6.30 2007 census 518 Malaysia 6.30 2000 census 519 Mexico 6.30 2000 census 520 Sri Lanka 6.20 NA 521 Iceland 6.20 2006 est. 522 Paraguay 6.20 2002 census 523 Liechtenstein 6.20 June 2002 524 Dominica 6.10 2001 census 525 Ghana 6.10 2000 census 526 Estonia 6.10 2000 census 527 Botswana 6.00 2001 census 528 Djibouti 6.00 NA 529 Mongolia 6.00 2004 530 Spain 6.00 NA 531 Netherlands 6.00 2006 532 Jordan 6.00 NA 533 French Polynesia 6.00 NA 534 Dominica 6.00 2001 census 535 Bermuda 6.00 2000 census 536 Antigua and Barbuda 5.80 2001 census 537 Trinidad and Tobago 5.80 2000 census 538 Trinidad and Tobago 5.80 2000 census 539 Netherlands 5.80 2006 540 Cook Islands 5.80 2001 census 541 Cayman Islands 5.80 1999 census 542 Australia 5.70 2006 Census 543 Saint Lucia 5.70 2001 census 544 Anguilla 5.70 2001 census 545 Indonesia 5.70 2000 census 546 Cayman Islands 5.70 1999 census 547 Dominica 5.60 2001 census 548 Norfolk Island 5.60 2006 census 549 Vanuatu 5.60 1999 Census 550 Lithuania 5.50 2001 census 551 Serbia 5.50 2002 census 552 Antigua and Barbuda 5.40 2001 census 553 Cayman Islands 5.30 1999 census 554 Palau 5.30 2000 census 555 Anguilla 5.20 2001 census 556 Papua New Guinea 5.20 2000 census 557 Netherlands Antilles 5.20 2001 census 558 Croatia 5.20 2001 census 559 Aruba 5.10 NA 560 Saint Lucia 5.10 2001 census 561 Bolivia 5.00 NA 562 Guyana 5.00 2002 census 563 Ecuador 5.00 NA 564 Dominican Republic 5.00 NA 565 Suriname 5.00 NA 566 Tajikistan 5.00 2003 est. 567 Sudan 5.00 NA 568 Senegal 5.00 NA 569 Philippines 5.00 2000 census 570 Pakistan 5.00 NA 571 Kyrgyzstan 5.00 NA 572 Antigua and Barbuda 4.90 2001 census 573 Netherlands Antilles 4.90 2001 census 574 Barbados 4.80 2008 est. 575 Costa Rica 4.80 NA 576 Bahamas, The 4.80 2000 census 577 Singapore 4.80 2000 census 578 Austria 4.70 2001 census 579 Romania 4.70 2002 census 580 Aruba 4.60 NA 581 Thailand 4.60 2000 census 582 Rwanda 4.60 NA 583 Ethiopia 4.60 1994 census 584 Chile 4.60 2002 census 585 Antigua and Barbuda 4.50 2001 census 586 Samoa 4.50 2001 census 587 Taiwan 4.50 NA 588 Saint Lucia 4.50 2001 census 589 Philippines 4.50 2000 census 590 Nauru 4.50 2002 census 591 Solomon Islands 4.40 1999 census 592 Canada 4.40 2001 census 593 Croatia 4.40 2001 census 594 Anguilla 4.30 2001 census 595 Guyana 4.30 2002 census 596 Guyana 4.30 2002 census 597 Switzerland 4.30 2000 census 598 Switzerland 4.30 2000 census 599 Malawi 4.30 1998 census 600 Austria 4.20 2001 census 601 Barbados 4.20 2008 est. 602 Bahamas, The 4.20 2000 census 603 Netherlands Antilles 4.20 2001 census 604 Nepal 4.20 NA 605 Ireland 4.20 2006 census 606 Cook Islands 4.20 2001 census 607 Aruba 4.10 NA 608 Dominica 4.10 2001 census 609 Slovakia 4.10 2001 census 610 Lithuania 4.10 2001 census 611 United Arab Emirates 4.00 NA 612 Armenia 4.00 NA 613 Burma 4.00 NA 614 France 4.00 NA 615 United States 4.00 2007 est. 616 Trinidad and Tobago 4.00 2000 census 617 Singapore 4.00 2000 census 618 Mongolia 4.00 2004 619 Gibraltar 4.00 2001 census 620 Cyprus 4.00 NA 621 Bulgaria 4.00 2001 census 622 Burma 4.00 NA 623 Argentina 4.00 NA 624 Georgia 3.90 2002 census 625 Portugal 3.90 2001 census 626 Israel 3.90 2004 627 Cayman Islands 3.80 1999 census 628 South Africa 3.80 2001 census 629 Cook Islands 3.80 2001 census 630 Dominica 3.70 2001 census 631 Germany 3.70 NA 632 Iceland 3.60 2006 est. 633 Marshall Islands 3.60 1999 census 634 Nepal 3.60 NA 635 Austria 3.50 2001 census 636 Samoa 3.50 2001 census 637 Slovenia 3.50 2002 census 638 Netherlands Antilles 3.50 2001 census 639 Montenegro 3.50 2003 census 640 Indonesia 3.40 2000 census 641 Seychelles 3.40 2002 census 642 Sao Tome and Principe 3.40 2001 census 643 Czech Republic 3.30 2001 census 644 Papua New Guinea 3.30 2000 census 645 Peru 3.30 2007 Census 646 New Zealand 3.30 2001 census 647 Costa Rica 3.20 NA 648 Gibraltar 3.20 2001 census 649 Slovakia 3.20 2001 census 650 Ukraine 3.20 2006 est. 651 Serbia 3.20 2002 census 652 Papua New Guinea 3.20 2000 census 653 Norfolk Island 3.20 2006 census 654 Chad 3.10 1993 census 655 Netherlands Antilles 3.10 2001 census 656 Sao Tome and Principe 3.10 2001 census 657 Uganda 3.10 2002 census 658 Palau 3.10 2000 census 659 Mexico 3.10 2000 census 660 Australia 3.00 2006 Census 661 Cook Islands 3.00 2001 census 662 Denmark 3.00 NA 663 Haiti 3.00 NA 664 Uzbekistan 3.00 NA 665 Netherlands 3.00 2006 666 Montenegro 3.00 2003 census 667 Malawi 3.00 1998 census 668 Mayotte 3.00 NA 669 Libya 3.00 NA 670 Iraq 3.00 NA 671 Indonesia 3.00 2000 census 672 Iceland 3.00 2006 est. 673 Hungary 3.00 2001 census 674 Honduras 3.00 NA 675 Micronesia, Federated States of 3.00 NA 676 Bahamas, The 2.90 2000 census 677 Peru 2.90 2007 Census 678 New Zealand 2.90 2001 census 679 Netherlands Antilles 2.90 2001 census 680 Gibraltar 2.90 2001 census 681 Ireland 2.90 2006 census 682 Marshall Islands 2.80 1999 census 683 Philippines 2.80 2000 census 684 Australia 2.70 2006 Census 685 United Kingdom 2.70 2001 census 686 Cayman Islands 2.70 1999 census 687 Cook Islands 2.60 2001 census 688 Hungary 2.60 2001 census 689 Serbia 2.60 2002 census 690 Serbia 2.60 2002 census 691 Malaysia 2.60 2000 census 692 Jamaica 2.60 2001 census 693 Aruba 2.50 NA 694 United States 2.50 2007 est. 695 Taiwan 2.50 NA 696 Papua New Guinea 2.50 2000 census 697 Mauritius 2.50 2000 census 698 Iceland 2.50 2006 est. 699 Azerbaijan 2.50 NA 700 Australia 2.40 2006 Census 701 Norway 2.40 2004 702 Slovenia 2.40 2002 census 703 Nauru 2.40 2002 census 704 Niue 2.40 2001 census 705 Solomon Islands 2.40 1999 census 706 Iceland 2.40 2006 est. 707 Solomon Islands 2.40 1999 census 708 Azerbaijan 2.30 NA 709 Slovenia 2.30 2002 census 710 South Africa 2.30 2001 census 711 Philippines 2.30 2000 census 712 India 2.30 2001 census 713 El Salvador 2.30 2003 est. 714 Netherlands 2.20 2006 715 Ukraine 2.20 2006 est. 716 Ukraine 2.20 2006 est. 717 Portugal 2.20 2001 census 718 Australia 2.10 2006 Census 719 Seychelles 2.10 2002 census 720 Marshall Islands 2.10 1999 census 721 Ireland 2.10 2006 census 722 Saint Lucia 2.10 2001 census 723 Gibraltar 2.10 2001 census 724 Czech Republic 2.10 2001 census 725 Cambodia 2.10 1998 census 726 Antigua and Barbuda 2.00 2001 census 727 Turkmenistan 2.00 NA 728 Sao Tome and Principe 2.00 2001 census 729 Tokelau 2.00 NA 730 Saint Lucia 2.00 2001 census 731 Saint Lucia 2.00 2001 census 732 Philippines 2.00 2000 census 733 Kazakhstan 2.00 NA 734 Kenya 2.00 NA 735 Jordan 2.00 NA 736 Japan 2.00 2005 737 Iran 2.00 NA 738 Gambia, The 2.00 NA 739 France 2.00 NA 740 British Virgin Islands 2.00 1991 741 British Virgin Islands 2.00 1991 742 Venezuela 2.00 NA 743 Venezuela 2.00 NA 744 Denmark 2.00 NA 745 Comoros 2.00 NA 746 Congo, Republic of the 2.00 NA 747 Burma 2.00 NA 748 Austria 2.00 2001 census 749 Argentina 2.00 NA 750 Argentina 2.00 NA 751 Canada 1.90 2001 census 752 Samoa 1.90 2001 census 753 Trinidad and Tobago 1.90 2000 census 754 Paraguay 1.90 2002 census 755 Niue 1.90 2001 census 756 Lithuania 1.90 2001 census 757 India 1.90 2001 census 758 El Salvador 1.90 2003 est. 759 Ireland 1.90 2006 census 760 Azerbaijan 1.80 NA 761 Switzerland 1.80 2000 census 762 Sao Tome and Principe 1.80 2001 census 763 Philippines 1.80 2000 census 764 Norway 1.80 2004 765 Indonesia 1.80 2000 census 766 India 1.80 2001 census 767 Gibraltar 1.80 2001 census 768 Brazil 1.80 2000 census 769 Ethiopia 1.80 1994 census 770 Australia 1.70 2006 Census 771 United States 1.70 2007 est. 772 United States 1.70 2007 est. 773 Rwanda 1.70 NA 774 New Zealand 1.70 2001 census 775 Nicaragua 1.70 2005 census 776 Netherlands Antilles 1.70 2001 census 777 Israel 1.70 2004 778 Chad 1.70 1993 census 779 Guyana 1.70 2002 census 780 Anguilla 1.70 2001 census 781 Macedonia 1.63 2002 census 782 Dominica 1.60 2001 census 783 United States 1.60 2007 est. 784 United Kingdom 1.60 2001 census 785 Nicaragua 1.60 2005 census 786 Israel 1.60 2004 787 Iceland 1.60 2006 est. 788 Aruba 1.50 NA 789 Marshall Islands 1.50 1999 census 790 Seychelles 1.50 2002 census 791 Vietnam 1.50 1999 census 792 Saint Lucia 1.50 2001 census 793 South Africa 1.50 2001 census 794 Seychelles 1.50 2002 census 795 Moldova 1.50 NA 796 Malaysia 1.50 2000 census 797 Laos 1.50 2005 census 798 Ireland 1.50 2006 census 799 Botswana 1.40 2001 census 800 Tuvalu 1.40 NA 801 Trinidad and Tobago 1.40 2000 census 802 South Africa 1.40 2001 census 803 Niue 1.40 2001 census 804 Estonia 1.40 2000 census 805 Armenia 1.30 NA 806 Brazil 1.30 2000 census 807 Cambodia 1.30 1998 census 808 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 1.30 2006 census 809 Croatia 1.30 2001 census 810 Vanuatu 1.30 1999 Census 811 Samoa 1.30 2001 census 812 Poland 1.30 2002 813 New Zealand 1.30 2001 census 814 Netherlands Antilles 1.30 2001 census 815 Lebanon 1.30 NA 816 Korea, South 1.30 1995 census 817 Greece 1.30 NA 818 Dominica 1.30 2001 census 819 Costa Rica 1.30 NA 820 Aruba 1.20 NA 821 Bulgaria 1.20 2001 census 822 Dominica 1.20 2001 census 823 Netherlands Antilles 1.20 2001 census 824 Dominica 1.20 2001 census 825 Chile 1.10 2002 census 826 Finland 1.10 2006 827 Cayman Islands 1.10 1999 census 828 Finland 1.10 2006 829 Paraguay 1.10 2002 census 830 Serbia 1.10 2002 census 831 Vietnam 1.10 1999 census 832 Uruguay 1.10 2006 833 Saint Lucia 1.10 2001 census 834 Seychelles 1.10 2002 census 835 Seychelles 1.10 2002 census 836 Paraguay 1.10 2002 census 837 Morocco 1.10 NA 838 Guyana 1.10 2002 census 839 Afghanistan 1.00 NA 840 Bermuda 1.00 2000 census 841 Bangladesh 1.00 1998 842 Burma 1.00 NA 843 Algeria 1.00 NA 844 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 1.00 NA 845 Norway 1.00 2004 846 Norway 1.00 2004 847 Vanuatu 1.00 1999 Census 848 Mali 1.00 NA 849 Montenegro 1.00 2003 census 850 Latvia 1.00 2006 851 Hungary 1.00 2001 census 852 Haiti 1.00 NA 853 France 1.00 NA 854 Egypt 1.00 NA 855 Zimbabwe 1.00 NA 856 Zambia 1.00 NA 857 Wallis and Futuna 1.00 NA 858 United Kingdom 1.00 2001 census 859 Tuvalu 1.00 NA 860 Timor-Leste 1.00 2005 861 Timor-Leste 1.00 2005 862 Tunisia 1.00 NA 863 Tunisia 1.00 NA 864 Switzerland 1.00 2000 census 865 Senegal 1.00 NA 866 Marshall Islands 1.00 1999 census 867 Chile 1.00 2002 census 868 Gibraltar 0.90 2001 census 869 Nepal 0.90 NA 870 Croatia 0.90 2001 census 871 Nicaragua 0.90 2005 census 872 Uganda 0.90 2002 census 873 Slovenia 0.90 2002 census 874 Romania 0.90 2002 census 875 Palau 0.90 2000 census 876 Bahamas, The 0.80 2000 census 877 Malaysia 0.80 2000 census 878 Georgia 0.80 2002 census 879 Georgia 0.80 2002 census 880 Costa Rica 0.70 NA 881 Thailand 0.70 2000 census 882 Singapore 0.70 2000 census 883 El Salvador 0.70 2003 est. 884 Fiji 0.70 2007 census 885 Ghana 0.70 2000 census 886 Gaza Strip 0.70 NA 887 Greece 0.70 NA 888 Georgia 0.70 2002 census 889 United States 0.70 2007 est. 890 Montenegro 0.60 2003 census 891 Palau 0.60 2000 census 892 Philippines 0.60 2000 census 893 Tuvalu 0.60 NA 894 United States 0.60 2007 est. 895 Ukraine 0.60 2006 est. 896 Seychelles 0.60 2002 census 897 Chad 0.50 1993 census 898 Moldova 0.50 NA 899 Vietnam 0.50 1999 census 900 Botswana 0.40 2001 census 901 Switzerland 0.40 2000 census 902 Mauritius 0.40 2000 census 903 Latvia 0.40 2006 904 Israel 0.40 2004 905 Croatia 0.40 2001 census 906 Macedonia 0.37 2002 census 907 Solomon Islands 0.30 1999 census 908 Brazil 0.30 2000 census 909 Fiji 0.30 2007 census 910 Fiji 0.30 2007 census 911 Uruguay 0.30 2006 912 Papua New Guinea 0.30 2000 census 913 Portugal 0.30 2001 census 914 Poland 0.30 2002 915 Poland 0.30 2002 916 Mexico 0.30 2000 census 917 Mauritius 0.30 2000 census 918 Aruba 0.20 NA 919 Solomon Islands 0.20 1999 census 920 Turkey 0.20 NA 921 Cambodia 0.20 1998 census 922 Morocco 0.20 NA 923 Brazil 0.20 2000 census 924 Finland 0.10 2006 925 Vietnam 0.10 1999 census 926 Samoa 0.10 2001 census 927 Thailand 0.10 2000 census 928 Rwanda 0.10 NA 929 India 0.10 2001 census 930 Philippines 0.10 2000 census 931 Romania 0.10 2002 census ====================================================================== Rank code: 2123 Country Comparison :: Suffrage This entry gives the age at enfranchisement and whether the right to vote is universal or restricted. Rank country Suffrage Date of Information 1 Bolivia 21.00 NA 2 Solomon Islands 21.00 NA 3 Fiji 21.00 NA 4 Central African Republic 21.00 NA 5 Gabon 21.00 NA 6 Oman 21.00 NA 7 Malaysia 21.00 NA 8 Saudi Arabia 21.00 NA 9 Tokelau 21.00 NA 10 Samoa 21.00 NA 11 Tonga 21.00 NA 12 Singapore 21.00 NA 13 Maldives 21.00 NA 14 Lebanon 21.00 NA 15 Bahrain 20.00 NA 16 Nauru 20.00 NA 17 Japan 20.00 NA 18 Taiwan 20.00 NA 19 Cameroon 20.00 NA 20 Korea, South 19.00 NA 21 Aruba 18.00 NA 22 Antigua and Barbuda 18.00 NA 23 Afghanistan 18.00 NA 24 Algeria 18.00 NA 25 Azerbaijan 18.00 NA 26 Albania 18.00 NA 27 Armenia 18.00 NA 28 Barbados 18.00 NA 29 Burma 18.00 NA 30 Bolivia 18.00 NA 31 Bosnia and Herzegovina 18.00 NA 32 Belize 18.00 NA 33 Bangladesh 18.00 NA 34 Bahamas, The 18.00 NA 35 Belgium 18.00 NA 36 Bermuda 18.00 NA 37 Botswana 18.00 NA 38 Northern Mariana Islands 18.00 NA 39 Colombia 18.00 NA 40 Comoros 18.00 NA 41 Cocos (Keeling) Islands 18.00 NA 42 Cayman Islands 18.00 NA 43 Chile 18.00 NA 44 China 18.00 NA 45 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 18.00 NA 46 Congo, Republic of the 18.00 NA 47 Czech Republic 18.00 NA 48 Ethiopia 18.00 NA 49 El Salvador 18.00 NA 50 Eritrea 18.00 NA 51 Estonia 18.00 NA 52 Equatorial Guinea 18.00 NA 53 Ireland 18.00 NA 54 Egypt 18.00 NA 55 Ecuador 18.00 NA 56 Guyana 18.00 NA 57 Guinea 18.00 NA 58 Guatemala 18.00 NA 59 Greece 18.00 NA 60 Germany 18.00 NA 61 Greenland 18.00 NA 62 Grenada 18.00 NA 63 Gibraltar 18.00 NA 64 Ghana 18.00 NA 65 Libya 18.00 NA 66 Luxembourg 18.00 NA 67 Lesotho 18.00 NA 68 Liechtenstein 18.00 NA 69 Slovakia 18.00 NA 70 Liberia 18.00 NA 71 Lithuania 18.00 NA 72 Latvia 18.00 NA 73 Kiribati 18.00 NA 74 Mozambique 18.00 NA 75 Mexico 18.00 NA 76 Malta 18.00 NA 77 Mauritania 18.00 NA 78 Mauritius 18.00 NA 79 Morocco 18.00 NA 80 Monaco 18.00 NA 81 Mali 18.00 NA 82 Macedonia 18.00 NA 83 Zimbabwe 18.00 NA 84 Zambia 18.00 NA 85 Yemen 18.00 NA 86 Swaziland 18.00 NA 87 Wallis and Futuna 18.00 NA 88 Namibia 18.00 NA 89 Virgin Islands 18.00 NA 90 Vietnam 18.00 NA 91 British Virgin Islands 18.00 NA 92 Venezuela 18.00 NA 93 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 18.00 NA 94 Uzbekistan 18.00 NA 95 Uruguay 18.00 NA 96 United States 18.00 NA 97 Ukraine 18.00 NA 98 United Kingdom 18.00 NA 99 Uganda 18.00 NA 100 Tanzania 18.00 NA 101 Turkmenistan 18.00 NA 102 Tuvalu 18.00 NA 103 Turkey 18.00 NA 104 Tunisia 18.00 NA 105 Sao Tome and Principe 18.00 NA 106 Togo 18.00 NA 107 Turks and Caicos Islands 18.00 NA 108 Tajikistan 18.00 NA 109 Thailand 18.00 NA 110 Trinidad and Tobago 18.00 NA 111 Switzerland 18.00 NA 112 Syria 18.00 NA 113 Sweden 18.00 NA 114 Saint Lucia 18.00 NA 115 Spain 18.00 NA 116 Somalia 18.00 NA 117 San Marino 18.00 NA 118 Sierra Leone 18.00 NA 119 Slovenia 18.00 NA 120 Senegal 18.00 NA 121 South Africa 18.00 NA 122 Saint Kitts and Nevis 18.00 NA 123 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 18.00 NA 124 Rwanda 18.00 NA 125 Russia 18.00 NA 126 Puerto Rico 18.00 NA 127 Philippines 18.00 NA 128 Romania 18.00 NA 129 Saint Martin 18.00 NA 130 Marshall Islands 18.00 NA 131 Serbia 18.00 NA 132 Qatar 18.00 NA 133 Guinea-Bissau 18.00 NA 134 Palau 18.00 NA 135 Papua New Guinea 18.00 NA 136 Portugal 18.00 NA 137 Panama 18.00 NA 138 Poland 18.00 NA 139 Pakistan 18.00 NA 140 Peru 18.00 NA 141 Pitcairn Islands 18.00 NA 142 Paraguay 18.00 NA 143 New Zealand 18.00 NA 144 Netherlands Antilles 18.00 NA 145 Suriname 18.00 NA 146 Nepal 18.00 NA 147 Norway 18.00 NA 148 Netherlands 18.00 NA 149 Nigeria 18.00 NA 150 Vanuatu 18.00 NA 151 Niger 18.00 NA 152 Norfolk Island 18.00 NA 153 Niue 18.00 NA 154 New Caledonia 18.00 NA 155 Montenegro 18.00 NA 156 Malawi 18.00 NA 157 Montserrat 18.00 NA 158 Mongolia 18.00 NA 159 Mayotte 18.00 NA 160 Moldova 18.00 NA 161 Macau 18.00 NA 162 Madagascar 18.00 NA 163 Kyrgyzstan 18.00 NA 164 Kenya 18.00 NA 165 Jordan 18.00 NA 166 Jamaica 18.00 NA 167 Iraq 18.00 NA 168 Cote d'Ivoire 18.00 NA 169 Italy 18.00 NA 170 Israel 18.00 NA 171 Laos 18.00 NA 172 Kazakhstan 18.00 NA 173 Kosovo 18.00 NA 174 Christmas Island 18.00 NA 175 Iran 18.00 NA 176 India 18.00 NA 177 Iceland 18.00 NA 178 Hungary 18.00 NA 179 Croatia 18.00 NA 180 Honduras 18.00 NA 181 Hong Kong 18.00 NA 182 Haiti 18.00 NA 183 Georgia 18.00 NA 184 Gambia, The 18.00 NA 185 France 18.00 NA 186 French Polynesia 18.00 NA 187 Faroe Islands 18.00 NA 188 Micronesia, Federated States of 18.00 NA 189 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 18.00 NA 190 Finland 18.00 NA 191 Dominican Republic 18.00 NA 192 Dominica 18.00 NA 193 Djibouti 18.00 NA 194 Denmark 18.00 NA 195 Cyprus 18.00 NA 196 Cook Islands 18.00 NA 197 Cape Verde 18.00 NA 198 Costa Rica 18.00 NA 199 Sri Lanka 18.00 NA 200 Chad 18.00 NA 201 Cambodia 18.00 NA 202 Canada 18.00 NA 203 Bulgaria 18.00 NA 204 Bhutan 18.00 NA 205 Belarus 18.00 NA 206 Benin 18.00 NA 207 Anguilla 18.00 NA 208 Andorra 18.00 NA 209 Angola 18.00 NA 210 American Samoa 18.00 NA 211 Argentina 18.00 NA 212 Australia 18.00 NA 213 Indonesia 17.00 NA 214 Seychelles 17.00 NA 215 Timor-Leste 17.00 NA 216 Sudan 17.00 NA 217 Korea, North 17.00 NA 218 Austria 16.00 NA 219 Isle of Man 16.00 NA 220 Jersey 16.00 NA 221 Nicaragua 16.00 NA 222 Guernsey 16.00 NA 223 Cuba 16.00 NA ====================================================================== Rank code: 2124 Country Comparison :: Telephone system This entry includes a brief general assessment of the system with details on the domestic and international components. The following terms and abbreviations are used throughout the entry: Arabsat - Arab Satellite Communications Organization (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia). Autodin - Automatic Digital Network (US Department of Defense). CB - citizen's band mobile radio communications. Cellular telephone system - the telephones in this system are radio transceivers, with each instrument having its own private radio frequency and sufficient radiated power to reach the booster station in its area (cell), from which the telephone signal is fed to a telephone exchange. Central American Microwave System - a trunk microwave radio relay system that links the countries of Central America and Mexico with each other. Coaxial cable - a multichannel communication cable consisting of a central conducting wire, surrounded by and insulated from a cylindrical conducting shell; a large number of telephone channels can be made available within the insulated space by the use of a large number of carrier frequencies. Comsat - Communications Satellite Corporation (US). DSN - Defense Switched Network (formerly Automatic Voice Network or Autovon); basic general-purpose, switched voice network of the Defense Communications System (US Department of Defense). Eutelsat - European Telecommunications Satellite Organization (Paris). Fiber-optic cable - a multichannel communications cable using a thread of optical glass fibers as a transmission medium in which the signal (voice, video, etc.) is in the form of a coded pulse of light. GSM - a global system for mobile (cellular) communications devised by the Groupe Special Mobile of the pan-European standardization organization, Conference Europeanne des Posts et Telecommunications (CEPT) in 1982. HF - high frequency; any radio frequency in the 3,000- to 30,000-kHz range. Inmarsat - International Maritime Satellite Organization (London); provider of global mobile satellite communications for commercial, distress, and safety applications at sea, in the air, and on land. Intelsat - International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (Washington, DC). Intersputnik - International Organization of Space Communications (Moscow); first established in the former Soviet Union and the East European countries, it is now marketing its services worldwide with earth stations in North America, Africa, and East Asia. Landline - communication wire or cable of any sort that is installed on poles or buried in the ground. Marecs - Maritime European Communications Satellite used in the Inmarsat system on lease from the European Space Agency. Marisat - satellites of the Comsat Corporation that participate in the Inmarsat system. Medarabtel - the Middle East Telecommunications Project of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) providing a modern telecommunications network, primarily by microwave radio relay, linking Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen; it was initially started in Morocco in 1970 by the Arab Telecommunications Union (ATU) and was known at that time as the Middle East Mediterranean Telecommunications Network. Microwave radio relay - transmission of long distance telephone calls and television programs by highly directional radio microwaves that are received and sent on from one booster station to another on an optical path. NMT - Nordic Mobile Telephone; an analog cellular telephone system that was developed jointly by the national telecommunications authorities of the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden). Orbita - a Russian television service; also the trade name of a packet-switched digital telephone network. Radiotelephone communications - the two-way transmission and reception of sounds by broadcast radio on authorized frequencies using telephone handsets. PanAmSat - PanAmSat Corporation (Greenwich, CT). SAFE - South African Far East Cable Satellite communication system - a communication system consisting of two or more earth stations and at least one satellite that provide long distance transmission of voice, data, and television; the system usually serves as a trunk connection between telephone exchanges; if the earth stations are in the same country, it is a domestic system. Satellite earth station - a communications facility with a microwave radio transmitting and receiving antenna and required receiving and transmitting equipment for communicating with satellites. Satellite link - a radio connection between a satellite and an earth station permitting communication between them, either one-way (down link from satellite to earth station - television receive-only transmission) or two-way (telephone channels). SHF - super high frequency; any radio frequency in the 3,000- to 30,000-MHz range. Shortwave - radio frequencies (from 1.605 to 30 MHz) that fall above the commercial broadcast band and are used for communication over long distances. Solidaridad - geosynchronous satellites in Mexico's system of international telecommunications in the Western Hemisphere. Statsionar - Russia's geostationary system for satellite telecommunications. Submarine cable - a cable designed for service under water. TAT - Trans-Atlantic Telephone; any of a number of high-capacity submarine coaxial telephone cables linking Europe with North America. Telefax - facsimile service between subscriber stations via the public switched telephone network or the international Datel network. Telegraph - a telecommunications system designed for unmodulated electric impulse transmission. Telex - a communication service involving teletypewriters connected by wire through automatic exchanges. Tropospheric scatter - a form of microwave radio transmission in which the troposphere is used to scatter and reflect a fraction of the incident radio waves back to earth; powerful, highly directional antennas are used to transmit and receive the microwave signals; reliable over-the-horizon communications are realized for distances up to 600 miles in a single hop; additional hops can extend the range of this system for very long distances. Trunk network - a network of switching centers, connected by multichannel trunk lines. UHF - ultra high frequency; any radio frequency in the 300- to 3,000-MHz range. VHF - very high frequency; any radio frequency in the 30- to 300-MHz range. Rank country Telephone system Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2125 Country Comparison :: Terrain This entry contains a brief description of the topography. Rank country Terrain Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2127 Country Comparison :: Total fertility rate This entry gives a figure for the average number of children that would be born per woman if all women lived to the end of their childbearing years and bore children according to a given fertility rate at each age. The total fertility rate (TFR) is a more direct measure of the level of fertility than the crude birth rate, since it refers to births per woman. This indicator shows the potential for population change in the country. A rate of two children per woman is considered the replacement rate for a population, resulting in relative stability in terms of total numbers. Rates above two children indicate populations growing in size and whose median age is declining. Higher rates may also indicate difficulties for families, in some situations, to feed and educate their children and for women to enter the labor force. Rates below two children indicate populations decreasing in size and growing older. Global fertility rates are in general decline and this trend is most pronounced in industrialized countries, especially Western Europe, where populations are projected to decline dramatically over the next 50 years. Rank country (children born/woman) Date of Information 1 Niger 7.75 2009 est. 2 Mali 7.29 2009 est. 3 Uganda 6.77 2009 est. 4 Afghanistan 6.53 2009 est. 5 Somalia 6.52 2009 est. 6 Burundi 6.33 2009 est. 7 Yemen 6.32 2009 est. 8 Burkina Faso 6.28 2009 est. 9 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 6.20 2009 est. 10 Angola 6.12 2009 est. 11 Ethiopia 6.12 2009 est. 12 Sierra Leone 5.88 2009 est. 13 Congo, Republic of the 5.84 2009 est. 14 Liberia 5.79 2009 est. 15 Western Sahara 5.61 2009 est. 16 Malawi 5.59 2009 est. 17 Oman 5.53 2009 est. 18 Mayotte 5.50 2009 est. 19 Benin 5.49 2009 est. 20 Sao Tome and Principe 5.33 2009 est. 21 Chad 5.31 2009 est. 22 Rwanda 5.25 2009 est. 23 Guinea 5.20 2009 est. 24 Mozambique 5.18 2009 est. 25 Zambia 5.15 2009 est. 26 Madagascar 5.14 2009 est. 27 Equatorial Guinea 5.08 2009 est. 28 Djibouti 5.06 2009 est. 29 Gambia, The 5.04 2009 est. 30 Gaza Strip 5.03 2009 est. 31 Senegal 4.95 2009 est. 32 Nigeria 4.91 2009 est. 33 Comoros 4.84 2009 est. 34 Togo 4.79 2009 est. 35 Eritrea 4.72 2009 est. 36 Gabon 4.65 2009 est. 37 Guinea-Bissau 4.65 2009 est. 38 Kenya 4.56 2009 est. 39 Sudan 4.48 2009 est. 40 Tanzania 4.46 2009 est. 41 Mauritania 4.45 2009 est. 42 Laos 4.41 2009 est. 43 Cameroon 4.33 2009 est. 44 Samoa 4.16 2009 est. 45 Central African Republic 4.14 2009 est. 46 Cote d'Ivoire 4.12 2009 est. 47 Kiribati 4.04 2009 est. 48 Iraq 3.86 2009 est. 49 Saudi Arabia 3.83 2009 est. 50 Haiti 3.81 2009 est. 51 Paraguay 3.75 2009 est. 52 Zimbabwe 3.69 2009 est. 53 Ghana 3.68 2009 est. 54 Papua New Guinea 3.62 2009 est. 55 Pakistan 3.60 2009 est. 56 Marshall Islands 3.59 2009 est. 57 Solomon Islands 3.52 2009 est. 58 Guatemala 3.47 2009 est. 59 Belize 3.36 2009 est. 60 American Samoa 3.29 2009 est. 61 Timor-Leste 3.28 2009 est. 62 Honduras 3.27 2009 est. 63 Philippines 3.27 2009 est. 64 Swaziland 3.24 2009 est. 65 West Bank 3.22 2009 est. 66 Bolivia 3.17 2009 est. 67 Syria 3.12 2009 est. 68 Libya 3.08 2009 est. 69 Cape Verde 3.07 2009 est. 70 Lesotho 3.06 2009 est. 71 Cambodia 3.04 2009 est. 72 El Salvador 3.00 2009 est. 73 Tajikistan 2.99 2009 est. 74 Malaysia 2.95 2009 est. 75 Turks and Caicos Islands 2.95 2009 est. 76 Tuvalu 2.91 2009 est. 77 Micronesia, Federated States of 2.89 2009 est. 78 Nauru 2.85 2009 est. 79 Dominican Republic 2.76 2009 est. 80 Kuwait 2.76 2009 est. 81 Israel 2.75 2009 est. 82 Bangladesh 2.74 2009 est. 83 India 2.72 2009 est. 84 Namibia 2.69 2009 est. 85 Egypt 2.66 2009 est. 86 Fiji 2.65 2009 est. 87 Kyrgyzstan 2.65 2009 est. 88 Nepal 2.64 2009 est. 89 Botswana 2.60 2009 est. 90 World 2.58 2009 est. 91 Nicaragua 2.57 2009 est. 92 Panama 2.53 2009 est. 93 Ecuador 2.51 2009 est. 94 Morocco 2.51 2009 est. 95 Bahrain 2.50 2009 est. 96 Vanuatu 2.50 2009 est. 97 Cook Islands 2.49 2009 est. 98 Venezuela 2.48 2009 est. 99 Colombia 2.46 2009 est. 100 Qatar 2.45 2009 est. 101 Faroe Islands 2.44 2009 est. 102 United Arab Emirates 2.42 2009 est. 103 Jordan 2.39 2009 est. 104 Bhutan 2.38 2009 est. 105 South Africa 2.38 2009 est. 106 Peru 2.37 2009 est. 107 Argentina 2.35 2009 est. 108 Mexico 2.34 2009 est. 109 Indonesia 2.31 2009 est. 110 Saint Kitts and Nevis 2.26 2009 est. 111 Jamaica 2.25 2009 est. 112 Tonga 2.25 2009 est. 113 Grenada 2.23 2009 est. 114 Mongolia 2.23 2009 est. 115 Turkmenistan 2.22 2009 est. 116 Brazil 2.21 2009 est. 117 Turkey 2.21 2009 est. 118 Greenland 2.19 2009 est. 119 New Caledonia 2.18 2009 est. 120 Costa Rica 2.14 2009 est. 121 Bahamas, The 2.10 2009 est. 122 New Zealand 2.10 2009 est. 123 Dominica 2.09 2009 est. 124 Antigua and Barbuda 2.07 2009 est. 125 United States 2.05 2009 est. 126 Azerbaijan 2.04 2009 est. 127 Guyana 2.03 2009 est. 128 Albania 2.01 2009 est. 129 Bermuda 1.99 2009 est. 130 Suriname 1.99 2009 est. 131 Sri Lanka 1.99 2009 est. 132 France 1.98 2009 est. 133 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1.98 2009 est. 134 Netherlands Antilles 1.97 2009 est. 135 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 1.97 2009 est. 136 Korea, North 1.96 2009 est. 137 Uzbekistan 1.95 2009 est. 138 Seychelles 1.93 2009 est. 139 Chile 1.92 2009 est. 140 French Polynesia 1.92 2009 est. 141 Uruguay 1.92 2009 est. 142 Brunei 1.91 2009 est. 143 Iceland 1.90 2009 est. 144 Maldives 1.90 2009 est. 145 Burma 1.89 2009 est. 146 Cayman Islands 1.88 2009 est. 147 Kazakhstan 1.88 2009 est. 148 Wallis and Futuna 1.87 2009 est. 149 Aruba 1.85 2009 est. 150 Ireland 1.85 2009 est. 151 Virgin Islands 1.85 2009 est. 152 Lebanon 1.85 2009 est. 153 Saint Lucia 1.84 2009 est. 154 Vietnam 1.83 2009 est. 155 Palau 1.82 2009 est. 156 Mauritius 1.81 2009 est. 157 Algeria 1.79 2009 est. 158 China 1.79 2009 est. 159 Australia 1.78 2009 est. 160 Luxembourg 1.78 2009 est. 161 Norway 1.78 2009 est. 162 Cyprus 1.77 2009 est. 163 Anguilla 1.75 2009 est. 164 Monaco 1.75 2009 est. 165 Denmark 1.74 2009 est. 166 Finland 1.73 2009 est. 167 Trinidad and Tobago 1.72 2009 est. 168 Tunisia 1.72 2009 est. 169 Iran 1.71 2009 est. 170 British Virgin Islands 1.71 2009 est. 171 Puerto Rico 1.71 2009 est. 172 Barbados 1.68 2009 est. 173 Sweden 1.67 2009 est. 174 Netherlands 1.66 2009 est. 175 United Kingdom 1.66 2009 est. 176 Belgium 1.65 2009 est. 177 Gibraltar 1.65 2009 est. 178 Thailand 1.65 2009 est. 179 Isle of Man 1.65 2009 est. 180 Cuba 1.61 2009 est. 181 Canada 1.58 2009 est. 182 Macedonia 1.58 2009 est. 183 Jersey 1.57 2009 est. 184 Saint Helena 1.56 2009 est. 185 Liechtenstein 1.52 2009 est. 186 Malta 1.51 2009 est. 187 Portugal 1.49 2009 est. 188 Switzerland 1.45 2009 est. 189 Georgia 1.44 2009 est. 190 Estonia 1.42 2009 est. 191 Croatia 1.42 2009 est. 192 Bulgaria 1.41 2009 est. 193 Guernsey 1.41 2009 est. 194 Russia 1.41 2009 est. 195 Germany 1.41 2009 est. 196 Austria 1.39 2009 est. 197 Romania 1.39 2009 est. 198 Serbia 1.38 2009 est. 199 Greece 1.37 2009 est. 200 Armenia 1.36 2009 est. 201 San Marino 1.36 2009 est. 202 Hungary 1.35 2009 est. 203 Slovakia 1.35 2009 est. 204 Andorra 1.33 2009 est. 205 Italy 1.31 2009 est. 206 Spain 1.31 2009 est. 207 Latvia 1.30 2009 est. 208 Poland 1.28 2009 est. 209 Slovenia 1.28 2009 est. 210 Moldova 1.27 2009 est. 211 Ukraine 1.26 2009 est. 212 Bosnia and Herzegovina 1.25 2009 est. 213 Belarus 1.24 2009 est. 214 Czech Republic 1.24 2009 est. 215 Lithuania 1.23 2009 est. 216 Montserrat 1.23 2009 est. 217 Japan 1.21 2009 est. 218 Korea, South 1.21 2009 est. 219 Northern Mariana Islands 1.15 2009 est. 220 Taiwan 1.14 2009 est. 221 Singapore 1.09 2009 est. 222 Hong Kong 1.02 2009 est. 223 Macau 0.91 2009 est. ====================================================================== Rank code: 2128 Country Comparison :: Government type This entry gives the basic form of government. Definitions of the major governmental terms are as follows. (Note that for some countries more than one definition applies.): Absolute monarchy - a form of government where the monarch rules unhindered, i.e., without any laws, constitution, or legally organized opposition. Anarchy - a condition of lawlessness or political disorder brought about by the absence of governmental authority. Authoritarian - a form of government in which state authority is imposed onto many aspects of citizens' lives. Commonwealth - a nation, state, or other political entity founded on law and united by a compact of the people for the common good. Communist - a system of government in which the state plans and controls the economy and a single - often authoritarian - party holds power; state controls are imposed with the elimination of private ownership of property or capital while claiming to make progress toward a higher social order in which all goods are equally shared by the people (i.e., a classless society). Confederacy (Confederation) - a union by compact or treaty between states, provinces, or territories, that creates a central government with limited powers; the constituent entities retain supreme authority over all matters except those delegated to the central government. Constitutional - a government by or operating under an authoritative document (constitution) that sets forth the system of fundamental laws and principles that determines the nature, functions, and limits of that government. Constitutional democracy - a form of government in which the sovereign power of the people is spelled out in a governing constitution. Constitutional monarchy - a system of government in which a monarch is guided by a constitution whereby his/her rights, duties, and responsibilities are spelled out in written law or by custom. Democracy - a form of government in which the supreme power is retained by the people, but which is usually exercised indirectly through a system of representation and delegated authority periodically renewed. Democratic republic - a state in which the supreme power rests in the body of citizens entitled to vote for officers and representatives responsible to them. Dictatorship - a form of government in which a ruler or small clique wield absolute power (not restricted by a constitution or laws). Ecclesiastical - a government administrated by a church. Emirate - similar to a monarchy or sultanate, but a government in which the supreme power is in the hands of an emir (the ruler of a Muslim state); the emir may be an absolute overlord or a sovereign with constitutionally limited authority. Federal (Federation) - a form of government in which sovereign power is formally divided - usually by means of a constitution - between a central authority and a number of constituent regions (states, colonies, or provinces) so that each region retains some management of its internal affairs; differs from a confederacy in that the central government exerts influence directly upon both individuals as well as upon the regional units. Federal republic - a state in which the powers of the central government are restricted and in which the component parts (states, colonies, or provinces) retain a degree of self-government; ultimate sovereign power rests with the voters who chose their governmental representatives. Islamic republic - a particular form of government adopted by some Muslim states; although such a state is, in theory, a theocracy, it remains a republic, but its laws are required to be compatible with the laws of Islam. Maoism - the theory and practice of Marxism-Leninism developed in China by Mao Zedong (Mao Tse-tung), which states that a continuous revolution is necessary if the leaders of a communist state are to keep in touch with the people. Marxism - the political, economic, and social principles espoused by 19th century economist Karl Marx; he viewed the struggle of workers as a progression of historical forces that would proceed from a class struggle of the proletariat (workers) exploited by capitalists (business owners), to a socialist "dictatorship of the proletariat," to, finally, a classless society - Communism. Marxism-Leninism - an expanded form of communism developed by Lenin from doctrines of Karl Marx; Lenin saw imperialism as the final stage of capitalism and shifted the focus of workers' struggle from developed to underdeveloped countries. Monarchy - a government in which the supreme power is lodged in the hands of a monarch who reigns over a state or territory, usually for life and by hereditary right; the monarch may be either a sole absolute ruler or a sovereign - such as a king, queen, or prince - with constitutionally limited authority. Oligarchy - a government in which control is exercised by a small group of individuals whose authority generally is based on wealth or power. Parliamentary democracy - a political system in which the legislature (parliament) selects the government - a prime minister, premier, or chancellor along with the cabinet ministers - according to party strength as expressed in elections; by this system, the government acquires a dual responsibility: to the people as well as to the parliament. Parliamentary government (Cabinet-Parliamentary government) - a government in which members of an executive branch (the cabinet and its leader - a prime minister, premier, or chancellor) are nominated to their positions by a legislature or parliament, and are directly responsible to it; this type of government can be dissolved at will by the parliament (legislature) by means of a no confidence vote or the leader of the cabinet may dissolve the parliament if it can no longer function. Parliamentary monarchy - a state headed by a monarch who is not actively involved in policy formation or implementation (i.e., the exercise of sovereign powers by a monarch in a ceremonial capacity); true governmental leadership is carried out by a cabinet and its head - a prime minister, premier, or chancellor - who are drawn from a legislature (parliament). Presidential - a system of government where the executive branch exists separately from a legislature (to which it is generally not accountable). Republic - a representative democracy in which the people's elected deputies (representatives), not the people themselves, vote on legislation. Socialism - a government in which the means of planning, producing, and distributing goods is controlled by a central government that theoretically seeks a more just and equitable distribution of property and labor; in actuality, most socialist governments have ended up being no more than dictatorships over workers by a ruling elite. Sultanate - similar to a monarchy, but a government in which the supreme power is in the hands of a sultan (the head of a Muslim state); the sultan may be an absolute ruler or a sovereign with constitutionally limited authority. Theocracy - a form of government in which a Deity is recognized as the supreme civil ruler, but the Deity's laws are interpreted by ecclesiastical authorities (bishops, mullahs, etc.); a government subject to religious authority. Totalitarian - a government that seeks to subordinate the individual to the state by controlling not only all political and economic matters, but also the attitudes, values, and beliefs of its population. Rank country Government type Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2129 Country Comparison :: Unemployment rate This entry contains the percent of the labor force that is without jobs. Substantial underemployment might be noted. Rank country (%) Date of Information 1 Andorra 0.00 2007 2 Monaco 0.00 2005 3 Qatar 0.40 2008 est. 4 Azerbaijan 0.90 2008 est. 5 Guernsey 0.90 March 2006 est. 6 Uzbekistan 1.00 2008 est. 7 Faroe Islands 1.40 2007 8 Thailand 1.40 2008 est. 9 Isle of Man 1.50 December 2006 est. 10 Moldova 1.50 2008 est. 11 Liechtenstein 1.50 31 December 2007 12 Belarus 1.60 2005 13 Cuba 1.60 2008 est. 14 Iceland 1.60 2008 est. 15 Vanuatu 1.70 1999 16 Denmark 1.80 2008 est. 17 Papua New Guinea 1.90 2004 18 Kiribati 2.00 1992 est. 19 Seychelles 2.00 2006 est. 20 Bermuda 2.10 2004 est. 21 Jersey 2.20 2006 est. 22 Singapore 2.20 2008 est. 23 Kuwait 2.20 2004 est. 24 Tajikistan 2.30 2008 est. 25 United Arab Emirates 2.40 2001 26 Laos 2.40 2005 est. 27 Bangladesh 2.50 2008 est. 28 Bhutan 2.50 2004 29 Norway 2.60 2008 est. 30 Switzerland 2.60 2008 est. 31 Mongolia 2.80 2008 32 Gibraltar 3.00 2005 est. 33 Macau 3.00 2008 34 Ukraine 3.00 2008 est. 35 San Marino 3.10 2008 36 Guatemala 3.20 2005 est. 37 Korea, South 3.20 2008 est. 38 Malaysia 3.30 2008 est. 39 Cambodia 3.50 2007 est. 40 Honduras 3.50 2008 est. 41 Hong Kong 3.50 2008 est. 42 Cyprus 3.60 2008 est. 43 British Virgin Islands 3.60 1997 44 Brunei 3.70 2008 45 Austria 3.90 2008 est. 46 China 4.00 2008 est. 47 Mexico 4.00 2008 est. 48 Netherlands 4.00 2008 est. 49 Japan 4.00 2008 est. 50 Taiwan 4.10 2008 est. 51 Australia 4.20 2008 est. 52 Palau 4.20 2005 est. 53 New Zealand 4.20 2008 est. 54 Cayman Islands 4.40 2004 55 Luxembourg 4.40 2008 est. 56 Romania 4.40 2008 est. 57 Saint Kitts and Nevis 4.50 1997 58 Trinidad and Tobago 4.60 2008 est. 59 Vietnam 4.70 2008 est. 60 Costa Rica 4.90 2008 est. 61 Nigeria 4.90 2007 est. 62 Burma 5.00 2008 est. 63 Namibia 5.00 2008 est. 64 Sri Lanka 5.20 2008 est. 65 Czech Republic 5.40 2008 est. 66 Paraguay 5.40 2008 est. 67 Nicaragua 5.60 2008 est. 68 Panama 5.60 2008 est. 69 United Kingdom 5.60 2008 est. 70 Estonia 5.70 2008 est. 71 Lithuania 5.80 2008 est. 72 United States 5.80 2008 est. 73 Montserrat 6.00 1998 est. 74 Malta 6.00 2008 est. 75 Israel 6.10 2008 est. 76 Canada 6.20 2008 est. 77 Sweden 6.20 2008 est. 78 Virgin Islands 6.20 2004 79 Bulgaria 6.30 2008 est. 80 Ireland 6.30 2008 est. 81 Finland 6.40 2008 est. 82 Russia 6.40 2008 est. 83 Kazakhstan 6.60 2008 est. 84 Slovenia 6.70 2008 est. 85 Italy 6.80 2008 est. 86 Aruba 6.90 2005 est. 87 El Salvador 6.90 2008 est. 88 Belgium 7.00 2008 est. 89 Armenia 7.10 2007 est. 90 European Union 7.20 2008 est. 91 Mauritius 7.20 2008 est. 92 Ecuador 7.30 2008 est. 93 France 7.40 2008 est. 94 Philippines 7.40 2008 est. 95 Venezuela 7.40 2008 est. 96 Botswana 7.50 2007 est. 97 Latvia 7.50 2008 est. 98 Bolivia 7.50 2008 est. 99 Bahamas, The 7.60 2006 est. 100 Fiji 7.60 1999 101 Uruguay 7.60 2008 est. 102 Portugal 7.60 2008 est. 103 Greece 7.70 2008 est. 104 Slovakia 7.70 2008 est. 105 Chile 7.80 2008 est. 106 Germany 7.80 2008 est. 107 Hungary 7.80 2008 est. 108 Argentina 7.90 2008 est. 109 Brazil 7.90 2008 est. 110 Anguilla 8.00 2002 111 Central African Republic 8.00 2001 est. 112 Northern Mariana Islands 8.00 2005 est. 113 Belize 8.10 2008 114 Peru 8.10 2008 est. 115 Indonesia 8.40 2008 est. 116 Syria 8.60 2008 est. 117 Egypt 8.70 2008 est. 118 India 9.10 2008 est. 119 Lebanon 9.20 2007 est. 120 Greenland 9.30 2005 est. 121 Morocco 9.50 2008 est. 122 Suriname 9.50 2004 123 Poland 9.80 2008 est. 124 Turks and Caicos Islands 10.00 1997 est. 125 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 10.30 1999 126 Barbados 10.70 2003 est. 127 Antigua and Barbuda 11.00 2001 est. 128 Ghana 11.00 2000 est. 129 Jamaica 11.00 2008 est. 130 Turkey 11.00 2008 est. 131 Guyana 11.00 2007 132 Colombia 11.30 2008 est. 133 Spain 11.30 2008 est. 134 French Polynesia 11.70 2005 135 Saudi Arabia 11.80 2008 est. 136 Niue 12.00 2001 137 Puerto Rico 12.00 2002 138 Albania 12.50 2008 est. 139 Iran 12.50 2008 est. 140 Grenada 12.50 2000 141 Jordan 12.60 2008 est. 142 Algeria 12.80 2008 est. 143 Tonga 13.00 FY03/04 est. 144 Cook Islands 13.10 2005 145 Georgia 13.60 2006 est. 146 Pakistan 13.60 2008 est. 147 Croatia 13.70 2008 est. 148 Saint Helena 14.00 1998 est. 149 Dominican Republic 14.10 2008 est. 150 Tunisia 14.10 2008 est. 151 Maldives 14.40 2006 est. 152 Montenegro 14.70 2007 est. 153 Bahrain 15.00 2005 est. 154 Oman 15.00 2004 est. 155 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 15.00 2001 est. 156 Wallis and Futuna 15.20 2003 157 Netherlands Antilles 15.50 2002 est. 158 West Bank 16.30 2008 est. 159 New Caledonia 17.10 2004 160 Kyrgyzstan 18.00 2004 est. 161 Iraq 18.20 2008 est. 162 Sudan 18.70 2002 est. 163 Serbia 18.80 2007 est. 164 Comoros 20.00 1996 est. 165 Timor-Leste 20.00 2006 est. 166 Saint Lucia 20.00 2003 est. 167 Cape Verde 21.00 2000 est. 168 Gabon 21.00 2006 est. 169 Mozambique 21.00 1997 est. 170 Micronesia, Federated States of 22.00 2000 est. 171 South Africa 22.90 2008 est. 172 Dominica 23.00 2000 est. 173 Mayotte 25.40 2005 174 Bosnia and Herzegovina 29.00 2007 est. 175 American Samoa 29.80 2005 176 Cameroon 30.00 2001 est. 177 Mauritania 30.00 2008 est. 178 World 30.00 2007 est. 179 Mali 30.00 2004 est. 180 Libya 30.00 2004 est. 181 Equatorial Guinea 30.00 1998 est. 182 Macedonia 33.80 2008 est. 183 Yemen 35.00 2003 est. 184 Marshall Islands 36.00 2006 est. 185 Afghanistan 40.00 2008 est. 186 Swaziland 40.00 2006 est. 187 Kosovo 40.00 2007 est. 188 Kenya 40.00 2008 est. 189 Gaza Strip 41.30 June 2008 190 Lesotho 45.00 2002 191 Nepal 46.00 2008 est. 192 Senegal 48.00 2007 est. 193 Zambia 50.00 2000 est. 194 Djibouti 59.00 2007 est. 195 Cocos (Keeling) Islands 60.00 2000 est. 196 Turkmenistan 60.00 2004 est. 197 Burkina Faso 77.00 2004 198 Zimbabwe 80.00 2005 est. 199 Liberia 85.00 2003 est. 200 Nauru 90.00 2004 est. ====================================================================== Rank code: 2137 Country Comparison :: Military - note This entry includes miscellaneous military information of significance not included elsewhere. Rank country Military - note Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2138 Country Comparison :: Communications - note This entry includes miscellaneous communications information of significance not included elsewhere. Rank country Communications - note Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2140 Country Comparison :: Government - note This entry includes miscellaneous government information of significance not included elsewhere. Rank country Government - note Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2141 Country Comparison :: Group Rank country Group Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2142 Country Comparison :: Country name This entry includes all forms of the country's name approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (Italy is used as an example): conventional long form (Italian Republic), conventional short form (Italy), local long form (Repubblica Italiana), local short form (Italia), former (Kingdom of Italy), as well as the abbreviation. Also see the Terminology note. Rank country Country name Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2144 Country Comparison :: Location This entry identifies the country's regional location, neighboring countries, and adjacent bodies of water. Rank country Location Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2145 Country Comparison :: Map references This entry includes the name of the Factbook reference map on which a country may be found. Note that boundary representations on these maps are not necessarily authoritative. The entry on Geographic coordinates may be helpful in finding some smaller countries. Rank country Map references Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2146 Country Comparison :: Irrigated land This entry gives the number of square kilometers of land area that is artificially supplied with water. Rank country (sq km) Date of Information 1 India 558,080.00 2003 2 China 545,960.00 2003 3 United States 223,850.00 2003 4 Pakistan 182,300.00 2003 5 European Union 168,050.00 2003 est. 6 Iran 76,500.00 2003 7 Mexico 63,200.00 2003 8 Turkey 52,150.00 2003 9 Thailand 49,860.00 2003 10 Bangladesh 47,250.00 2003 11 Russia 46,000.00 2003 12 Indonesia 45,000.00 2003 13 Uzbekistan 42,810.00 2003 14 Spain 37,800.00 2003 15 Kazakhstan 35,560.00 2003 16 Iraq 35,250.00 2003 17 Egypt 34,220.00 2003 18 Romania 30,770.00 2003 19 Vietnam 30,000.00 2003 20 Brazil 29,200.00 2003 21 Italy 27,500.00 2003 22 Afghanistan 27,200.00 2003 23 Japan 25,920.00 2003 24 Australia 25,450.00 2003 25 Ukraine 22,080.00 2003 26 Chile 19,000.00 2003 27 Burma 18,700.00 2003 28 Sudan 18,630.00 2003 29 Turkmenistan 18,000.00 2003 30 Saudi Arabia 16,200.00 2003 31 Argentina 15,500.00 2003 32 Philippines 15,500.00 2003 33 South Africa 14,980.00 2003 34 Korea, North 14,600.00 2003 35 Azerbaijan 14,550.00 2003 36 Greece 14,530.00 2003 37 Morocco 14,450.00 2003 38 Syria 13,330.00 2003 39 Peru 12,000.00 2003 40 Nepal 11,700.00 2003 41 Madagascar 10,860.00 2003 42 Kyrgyzstan 10,720.00 2003 43 Colombia 9,000.00 2003 44 Korea, South 8,780.00 2003 45 Cuba 8,700.00 2003 46 Ecuador 8,650.00 2003 47 Canada 7,850.00 2003 48 Sri Lanka 7,430.00 2003 49 Tajikistan 7,220.00 2003 50 Portugal 6,500.00 2003 51 Bulgaria 5,880.00 2003 52 Venezuela 5,750.00 2003 53 Algeria 5,690.00 2003 54 Netherlands 5,650.00 2003 55 Yemen 5,500.00 2003 56 Germany 4,850.00 2003 57 Libya 4,700.00 2003 58 Georgia 4,690.00 2003 59 Denmark 4,490.00 2003 60 Tunisia 3,940.00 2003 61 Malaysia 3,650.00 2003 62 Albania 3,530.00 2003 63 Moldova 3,000.00 2003 64 Ethiopia 2,900.00 2003 65 Armenia 2,860.00 2003 66 New Zealand 2,850.00 2003 67 Nigeria 2,820.00 2003 68 Dominican Republic 2,750.00 2003 69 Cambodia 2,700.00 2003 70 Mali 2,360.00 2003 71 Hungary 2,300.00 2003 72 Uruguay 2,100.00 2003 73 Somalia 2,000.00 2003 74 Israel 1,940.00 2003 75 Tanzania 1,840.00 2003 76 Slovakia 1,830.00 2003 77 Laos 1,750.00 2003 78 Zimbabwe 1,740.00 2003 79 United Kingdom 1,700.00 2003 80 Zambia 1,560.00 2003 81 Guyana 1,500.00 2003 82 Bolivia 1,320.00 2003 83 Belarus 1,310.00 2003 84 Guatemala 1,300.00 2003 85 Norway 1,270.00 2003 86 Senegal 1,200.00 2003 87 Mozambique 1,180.00 2003 88 Sweden 1,150.00 2003 89 Costa Rica 1,080.00 2003 90 Timor-Leste 1,065.00 NA 91 Lebanon 1,040.00 2003 92 Kenya 1,030.00 2003 93 Poland 1,000.00 2003 94 Guinea 950.00 2003 95 Haiti 920.00 2003 96 Mongolia 840.00 2003 97 Angola 800.00 2003 98 Honduras 800.00 2003 99 United Arab Emirates 760.00 2003 100 Jordan 750.00 2003 101 Cote d'Ivoire 730.00 2003 102 Niger 730.00 2003 103 Oman 720.00 2003 104 Paraguay 670.00 2003 105 Finland 640.00 2003 106 Nicaragua 610.00 2003 107 Malawi 560.00 2003 108 Macedonia 550.00 2003 109 Suriname 510.00 2003 110 Swaziland 500.00 2003 111 Mauritania 490.00 2002 112 El Salvador 450.00 2003 113 Panama 430.00 2003 114 Belgium 400.00 2003 115 Bhutan 400.00 2003 116 Puerto Rico 400.00 2003 117 Cyprus 400.00 2003 118 Ghana 310.00 2003 119 Chad 300.00 2003 120 Sierra Leone 300.00 2003 121 Cameroon 260.00 2003 122 Jamaica 250.00 2002 123 Guinea-Bissau 250.00 2003 124 Switzerland 250.00 2003 125 Burkina Faso 250.00 2003 126 Czech Republic 240.00 2003 127 Mauritius 220.00 2003 128 Burundi 210.00 2003 129 Eritrea 210.00 2003 130 Latvia 200.00 2003 131 Kuwait 130.00 2003 132 Qatar 130.00 2002 133 Benin 120.00 2003 134 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 110.00 2003 135 Croatia 110.00 2003 136 New Caledonia 100.00 2003 137 Sao Tome and Principe 100.00 2003 138 Rwanda 90.00 2003 139 Uganda 90.00 2003 140 Namibia 80.00 2003 141 Gabon 70.00 2003 142 Togo 70.00 2003 143 Lithuania 70.00 2003 144 Barbados 50.00 2003 145 Austria 40.00 2003 146 Bahrain 40.00 2003 147 Trinidad and Tobago 40.00 2003 148 Estonia 40.00 2003 149 Belize 30.00 2003 150 Saint Lucia 30.00 2003 151 Slovenia 30.00 2003 152 Lesotho 30.00 2003 153 Liberia 30.00 2003 154 Fiji 30.00 2003 155 Cape Verde 30.00 2003 156 Bosnia and Herzegovina 30.00 2003 157 Congo, Republic of the 20.00 2003 158 Malta 20.00 2003 159 Hong Kong 20.00 1998 est. 160 Gambia, The 20.00 2003 161 Central African Republic 20.00 2003 162 Botswana 10.00 2003 163 Brunei 10.00 2003 164 French Polynesia 10.00 2003 165 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 10.00 2003 166 Djibouti 10.00 2003 167 Bahamas, The 10.00 2003 168 Aruba 0.01 1998 est. 169 Ashmore and Cartier Islands 0.00 NA 170 Heard Island and McDonald Islands 0.00 NA 171 British Indian Ocean Territory 0.00 NA 172 Jan Mayen 0.00 NA 173 Spratly Islands 0.00 NA 174 Wake Island 0.00 NA 175 Holy See (Vatican City) 0.00 NA 176 South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands0.00 NA 177 Marshall Islands 0.00 NA 178 Paracel Islands 0.00 NA 179 Clipperton Island 0.00 NA 180 Isle of Man 0.00 NA 181 French Southern and Antarctic Lands0.00 NA 182 Faroe Islands 0.00 NA 183 Coral Sea Islands 0.00 NA 184 Bouvet Island 0.00 NA ====================================================================== Rank code: 2147 Country Comparison :: Area This entry includes three subfields. Total area is the sum of all land and water areas delimited by international boundaries and/or coastlines. Land area is the aggregate of all surfaces delimited by international boundaries and/or coastlines, excluding inland water bodies (lakes, reservoirs, rivers). Water area is the sum of the surfaces of all inland water bodies, such as lakes, reservoirs, or rivers, as delimited by international boundaries and/or coastlines. Rank country (sq km) Date of Information 1 Russia 17,098,242 NA 2 Canada 9,984,670 NA 3 United States 9,826,675 NA 4 China 9,596,961 NA 5 Brazil 8,514,877 NA 6 Australia 7,741,220 NA 7 India 3,287,263 NA 8 Argentina 2,780,400 NA 9 Kazakhstan 2,724,900 NA 10 Sudan 2,505,813 NA 11 Algeria 2,381,741 NA 12 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 2,344,858 NA 13 Greenland 2,166,086 NA 14 Saudi Arabia 2,149,690 NA 15 Mexico 1,964,375 NA 16 Indonesia 1,904,569 NA 17 Libya 1,759,540 NA 18 Iran 1,648,195 NA 19 Mongolia 1,564,116 NA 20 Peru 1,285,216 NA 21 Chad 1,284,000 NA 22 Niger 1,267,000 NA 23 Angola 1,246,700 NA 24 Mali 1,240,192 NA 25 South Africa 1,219,090 NA 26 Colombia 1,138,914 NA 27 Ethiopia 1,104,300 NA 28 Bolivia 1,098,581 NA 29 Mauritania 1,030,700 NA 30 Egypt 1,001,450 NA 31 Tanzania 947,300 NA 32 Nigeria 923,768 NA 33 Venezuela 912,050 NA 34 Namibia 824,292 NA 35 Mozambique 799,380 NA 36 Pakistan 796,095 NA 37 Turkey 783,562 NA 38 Chile 756,102 NA 39 Zambia 752,618 NA 40 Burma 676,578 NA 41 Afghanistan 652,230 NA 42 France 643,427 NA 43 Somalia 637,657 NA 44 Central African Republic 622,984 NA 45 Ukraine 603,550 NA 46 Madagascar 587,041 NA 47 Botswana 581,730 NA 48 Kenya 580,367 NA 49 Yemen 527,968 NA 50 Thailand 513,120 NA 51 Spain 505,370 NA 52 Turkmenistan 488,100 NA 53 Cameroon 475,440 NA 54 Papua New Guinea 462,840 NA 55 Sweden 450,295 NA 56 Uzbekistan 447,400 NA 57 Morocco 446,550 NA 58 Iraq 438,317 NA 59 Paraguay 406,752 NA 60 Zimbabwe 390,757 NA 61 Japan 377,915 NA 62 Germany 357,022 NA 63 Congo, Republic of the 342,000 NA 64 Finland 338,145 NA 65 Vietnam 331,210 NA 66 Malaysia 329,847 NA 67 Norway 323,802 NA 68 Cote d'Ivoire 322,463 NA 69 Poland 312,685 NA 70 Oman 309,500 NA 71 Italy 301,340 NA 72 Philippines 300,000 NA 73 Ecuador 283,561 NA 74 Burkina Faso 274,200 NA 75 New Zealand 267,710 NA 76 Gabon 267,667 NA 77 Western Sahara 266,000 NA 78 Guinea 245,857 NA 79 United Kingdom 243,610 NA 80 Uganda 241,038 NA 81 Ghana 238,533 NA 82 Romania 238,391 NA 83 Laos 236,800 NA 84 Guyana 214,969 NA 85 Belarus 207,600 NA 86 Kyrgyzstan 199,951 NA 87 Senegal 196,722 NA 88 Syria 185,180 NA 89 Cambodia 181,035 NA 90 Uruguay 176,215 NA 91 Suriname 163,820 NA 92 Tunisia 163,610 NA 93 Nepal 147,181 NA 94 Bangladesh 143,998 NA 95 Tajikistan 143,100 NA 96 Greece 131,957 NA 97 Nicaragua 130,370 NA 98 Korea, North 120,538 NA 99 Malawi 118,484 NA 100 Eritrea 117,600 NA 101 Benin 112,622 NA 102 Honduras 112,090 NA 103 Liberia 111,369 NA 104 Bulgaria 110,879 NA 105 Cuba 110,860 NA 106 Guatemala 108,889 NA 107 Iceland 103,000 NA 108 Korea, South 99,720 NA 109 Hungary 93,028 NA 110 Portugal 92,090 NA 111 Jordan 89,342 NA 112 Azerbaijan 86,600 NA 113 Austria 83,871 NA 114 United Arab Emirates 83,600 NA 115 Czech Republic 78,867 NA 116 Serbia 77,474 NA 117 Panama 75,420 NA 118 Sierra Leone 71,740 NA 119 Ireland 70,273 NA 120 Georgia 69,700 NA 121 Sri Lanka 65,610 NA 122 Lithuania 65,300 NA 123 Latvia 64,589 NA 124 Svalbard 62,045 NA 125 Togo 56,785 NA 126 Croatia 56,594 NA 127 British Indian Ocean Territory 54,400 NA 128 Bosnia and Herzegovina 51,197 NA 129 Costa Rica 51,100 NA 130 Slovakia 49,035 NA 131 Dominican Republic 48,670 NA 132 Estonia 45,228 NA 133 Denmark 43,094 NA 134 Netherlands 41,543 NA 135 Switzerland 41,277 NA 136 Bhutan 38,394 NA 137 Guinea-Bissau 36,125 NA 138 Taiwan 35,980 NA 139 Moldova 33,851 NA 140 Belgium 30,528 NA 141 Lesotho 30,355 NA 142 Armenia 29,743 NA 143 Solomon Islands 28,896 NA 144 Albania 28,748 NA 145 Equatorial Guinea 28,051 NA 146 Burundi 27,830 NA 147 Haiti 27,750 NA 148 Rwanda 26,338 NA 149 Macedonia 25,713 NA 150 Djibouti 23,200 NA 151 Belize 22,966 NA 152 Israel 22,072 NA 153 El Salvador 21,041 NA 154 Slovenia 20,273 NA 155 New Caledonia 18,575 NA 156 Fiji 18,274 NA 157 Kuwait 17,818 NA 158 Swaziland 17,364 NA 159 Timor-Leste 14,874 NA 160 Bahamas, The 13,880 NA 161 Montenegro 13,812 NA 162 Puerto Rico 13,790 NA 163 Vanuatu 12,189 NA 164 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 12,173 NA 165 Qatar 11,586 NA 166 Gambia, The 11,295 NA 167 Jamaica 10,991 NA 168 Kosovo 10,887 NA 169 Lebanon 10,400 NA 170 Cyprus 9,251 NA 171 West Bank 5,860 NA 172 Brunei 5,765 NA 173 Trinidad and Tobago 5,128 NA 174 French Polynesia 4,167 NA 175 Cape Verde 4,033 NA 176 South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands3,903 NA 177 Samoa 2,831 NA 178 Luxembourg 2,586 NA 179 Comoros 2,235 NA 180 Mauritius 2,040 NA 181 Virgin Islands 1,910 NA 182 Faroe Islands 1,393 NA 183 Hong Kong 1,104 NA 184 Sao Tome and Principe 964 NA 185 Turks and Caicos Islands 948 NA 186 Kiribati 811 NA 187 Netherlands Antilles 800 NA 188 Dominica 751 NA 189 Tonga 747 NA 190 Bahrain 741 NA 191 Micronesia, Federated States of 702 NA 192 Singapore 697 NA 193 Saint Lucia 616 NA 194 Isle of Man 572 NA 195 Andorra 468 NA 196 Northern Mariana Islands 464 NA 197 Palau 459 NA 198 Seychelles 455 NA 199 Antigua and Barbuda 443 NA 200 Barbados 430 NA 201 Heard Island and McDonald Islands 412 NA 202 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 389 NA 203 Jan Mayen 377 NA 204 Mayotte 374 NA 205 Gaza Strip 360 NA 206 Grenada 344 NA 207 Malta 316 NA 208 Saint Helena 308 NA 209 Maldives 298 NA 210 Cayman Islands 264 NA 211 Saint Kitts and Nevis 261 NA 212 Niue 260 NA 213 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 242 NA 214 Cook Islands 236 NA 215 American Samoa 199 NA 216 Marshall Islands 181 NA 217 Aruba 180 NA 218 Liechtenstein 160 NA 219 British Virgin Islands 151 NA 220 Wallis and Futuna 142 NA 221 Christmas Island 135 NA 222 Dhekelia 131 NA 223 Akrotiri 123 NA 224 Jersey 116 NA 225 Montserrat 102 NA 226 Anguilla 91 NA 227 Guernsey 78 NA 228 San Marino 61 NA 229 French Southern and Antarctic Lands55 NA 230 Saint Martin 54 NA 231 Bermuda 54 NA 232 Bouvet Island 49 NA 233 Pitcairn Islands 47 NA 234 Norfolk Island 36 NA 235 Macau 28 NA 236 Tuvalu 26 NA 237 United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges22 NA 238 Nauru 21 NA 239 Cocos (Keeling) Islands 14 NA 240 Tokelau 12 NA 241 Gibraltar 7 NA 242 Wake Island 7 NA 243 Clipperton Island 6 NA 244 Navassa Island 5 NA 245 Ashmore and Cartier Islands 5 NA 246 Spratly Islands 5 NA 247 Coral Sea Islands 3 NA 248 Monaco 2 NA 249 Holy See (Vatican City) 0 NA ====================================================================== Rank code: 2149 Country Comparison :: Diplomatic representation in the US This entry includes the chief of mission, chancery, telephone, FAX, consulate general locations, and consulate locations. Rank country Diplomatic representation in the USDate of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2150 Country Comparison :: Telephones - main lines in use This entry gives the total number of main telephone lines in use. Rank country Telephones - main lines in useDate of Information 1 China 365,600,000 2007 2 United States 150,000,000 2008 3 Germany 51,500,000 2008 4 Japan 47,579,000 2008 5 Russia 44,200,000 2008 6 Brazil 41,141,000 2008 7 India 37,540,000 2009 8 France 35,909,000 2008 9 United Kingdom 33,209,000 2008 10 Indonesia 30,378,000 2008 11 Vietnam 29,591,000 2008 12 Iran 24,800,000 2008 13 Korea, South 21,325,000 2008 14 Mexico 20,539,000 2008 15 Spain 20,200,000 2008 16 Italy 20,031,000 2008 17 Canada 18,250,000 2008 18 Turkey 17,502,000 2008 19 Taiwan 14,273,000 2008 20 Ukraine 13,177,000 2008 21 Egypt 12,011,000 2008 22 Poland 10,336,000 2008 23 Argentina 9,631,000 2008 24 Australia 9,370,000 2008 25 Netherlands 7,324,000 2008 26 Thailand 7,024,000 2008 27 Colombia 6,820,000 2008 28 Venezuela 6,304,000 2008 29 Greece 5,975,000 2008 30 Sweden 5,323,000 2008 31 Romania 5,036,000 2007 32 Switzerland 4,820,000 2008 33 Pakistan 4,546,000 2008 34 Belgium 4,457,000 2008 35 South Africa 4,425,000 2008 36 Malaysia 4,292,000 2008 37 Portugal 4,121,000 2008 38 Hong Kong 4,108,000 2008 39 Saudi Arabia 4,100,000 2008 40 Philippines 3,905,000 2008 41 Belarus 3,718,000 2008 42 Syria 3,633,000 2008 43 Chile 3,526,000 2008 44 Sri Lanka 3,446,000 2008 45 Kazakhstan 3,410,000 2008 46 Algeria 3,314,000 2008 47 Austria 3,285,000 2008 48 Hungary 3,094,000 2008 49 Serbia 3,085,000 2008 50 Morocco 2,991,000 2008 51 Israel 2,900,000 2008 52 Peru 2,878,000 2008 53 Denmark 2,487,000 2008 54 Czech Republic 2,278,000 2008 55 Bulgaria 2,258,000 2008 56 Ireland 2,202,000 2008 57 Norway 1,928,000 2008 58 Ecuador 1,910,000 2008 59 Singapore 1,857,000 2008 60 Croatia 1,851,000 2008 61 Uzbekistan 1,850,000 2008 62 New Zealand 1,750,000 2008 63 Finland 1,650,000 2008 64 United Arab Emirates 1,508,000 2008 65 Guatemala 1,449,000 2008 66 Costa Rica 1,438,000 2008 67 Bangladesh 1,390,000 2009 68 Azerbaijan 1,311,000 2008 69 Nigeria 1,308,000 2008 70 Tunisia 1,239,000 2008 71 Korea, North 1,180,000 2008 72 Yemen 1,117,000 2008 73 Moldova 1,115,000 2008 74 Cuba 1,104,000 2008 75 Slovakia 1,098,000 2008 76 Iraq 1,082,000 2008 77 El Salvador 1,077,000 2008 78 Puerto Rico 1,038,000 2008 79 Libya 1,033,000 2008 80 Bosnia and Herzegovina 1,031,000 2008 81 Slovenia 1,010,000 2008 82 Dominican Republic 985,700 2008 83 Uruguay 959,300 2008 84 Ethiopia 908,900 2008 85 Burma 829,000 2008 86 Honduras 825,800 2008 87 Nepal 805,100 2008 88 Lithuania 784,900 2008 89 Lebanon 714,000 2008 90 Bolivia 690,000 2008 91 Armenia 650,000 2008 92 Latvia 644,000 2008 93 Georgia 618,000 2008 94 Kuwait 541,000 2008 95 Jordan 519,000 2008 96 Estonia 498,100 2008 97 Panama 495,800 2008 98 Turkmenistan 495,000 2008 99 Kyrgyzstan 494,500 2008 100 Afghanistan 460,000 2008 101 Macedonia 457,100 2008 102 Cyprus 413,300 NA 103 Mauritius 364,500 2008 104 Paraguay 363,000 2008 105 Montenegro 362,000 2008 106 Tajikistan 360,000 2008 107 Cote d'Ivoire 356,500 2008 108 Sudan 356,100 2008 109 Zimbabwe 354,000 2008 110 Gaza Strip 348,000 2008 111 West Bank 348,000 2008 112 Jamaica 316,600 2008 113 Albania 316,400 2008 114 Nicaragua 312,000 2008 115 Trinidad and Tobago 307,000 2008 116 Oman 274,200 2008 117 Qatar 263,400 2008 118 Luxembourg 260,600 2008 119 Kenya 252,300 2008 120 Malta 241,100 2008 121 Senegal 237,800 2008 122 Malawi 236,000 2008 123 Bahrain 220,000 2008 124 Cameroon 198,300 2008 125 Iceland 187,000 2008 126 Tanzania 179,849 2009 127 Macau 173,533 2009 128 Uganda 168,500 2008 129 Mongolia 165,000 2008 130 Madagascar 164,900 2008 131 Benin 159,000 2008 132 Barbados 150,000 2008 133 Burkina Faso 144,000 2008 134 Ghana 143,900 2008 135 Botswana 142,300 2008 136 Togo 140,900 2008 137 Namibia 140,000 2008 138 Bahamas, The 133,000 2008 139 Fiji 129,100 2008 140 Guyana 125,000 2008 141 Angola 114,300 2008 142 Haiti 108,000 2008 143 Kosovo 106,300 2006 144 Somalia 100,000 2008 145 Laos 97,600 2008 146 Zambia 90,600 2008 147 Netherlands Antilles 88,000 2008 148 Mali 82,800 2008 149 Suriname 81,500 2008 150 Mozambique 78,300 2008 151 Brunei 76,600 2008 152 Mauritania 76,400 2008 153 Virgin Islands 74,200 2008 154 Jersey 74,000 2008 155 Cape Verde 72,000 2008 156 Lesotho 65,200 2008 157 New Caledonia 63,000 2008 158 Papua New Guinea 60,000 2008 159 Bermuda 57,600 2008 160 French Polynesia 54,600 2008 161 Isle of Man 51,000 1999 162 Maldives 50,396 2009 163 Guinea 50,000 2008 164 Gambia, The 48,900 2008 165 Cambodia 45,100 2008 166 Guernsey 45,100 2008 167 Swaziland 44,000 2008 168 Saint Lucia 40,900 2008 169 Eritrea 40,400 2008 170 Aruba 38,500 2008 171 Antigua and Barbuda 38,000 2008 172 Cayman Islands 38,000 2008 173 Andorra 37,400 2008 174 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 37,300 2008 175 Monaco 35,000 2008 176 Sierra Leone 31,500 2008 177 Belize 31,100 2008 178 Burundi 30,400 2008 179 Samoa 28,800 2008 180 Grenada 28,600 2008 181 Bhutan 27,500 2008 182 Gabon 26,500 2008 183 Tonga 25,500 2008 184 Northern Mariana Islands 24,700 2008 185 Gibraltar 24,000 2008 186 Niger 24,000 2008 187 Comoros 23,300 2008 188 Seychelles 23,200 2008 189 Greenland 22,800 2008 190 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 22,800 2008 191 Congo, Republic of the 22,200 2008 192 Faroe Islands 21,800 2008 193 San Marino 21,300 2008 194 Saint Kitts and Nevis 20,400 2008 195 Liechtenstein 19,600 2008 196 British Virgin Islands 18,900 2008 197 Dominica 17,500 2008 198 Rwanda 16,800 2008 199 Chad 13,000 2008 200 Central African Republic 12,000 2008 201 Djibouti 10,800 2008 202 American Samoa 10,400 2008 203 Vanuatu 10,400 2008 204 Equatorial Guinea 10,000 2008 205 Mayotte 10,000 2008 206 Micronesia, Federated States of 8,700 2008 207 Solomon Islands 8,000 2008 208 Sao Tome and Principe 7,700 2008 209 Palau 7,500 2008 210 Cook Islands 6,700 2008 211 Anguilla 5,800 2008 212 Holy See (Vatican City) 5,120 2005 213 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 4,800 2008 214 Guinea-Bissau 4,600 2008 215 Marshall Islands 4,400 2008 216 Kiribati 4,000 2008 217 Turks and Caicos Islands 3,700 2008 218 Montserrat 2,800 2008 219 Wallis and Futuna 2,700 2008 220 Norfolk Island 2,532 2004 221 Timor-Leste 2,400 2008 222 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 2,300 2008 223 Saint Helena 2,300 2008 224 Liberia 2,000 2008 225 Nauru 1,800 2008 226 Tuvalu 1,500 2008 227 Niue 1,000 2008 228 Tokelau 300 2008 229 Cocos (Keeling) Islands 287 1992 230 Pitcairn Islands 1 2004 231 Antarctica 0 2001 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2151 Country Comparison :: Telephones - mobile cellular This entry gives the total number of mobile cellular telephone subscribers. Rank country Telephones - mobile cellular Date of Information 1 China 634,000,000 2008 2 India 427,300,000 2009 3 United States 270,000,000 2008 4 Russia 187,500,000 2008 5 Brazil 150,641,000 2008 6 Indonesia 140,578,000 2008 7 Japan 110,395,000 2008 8 Germany 107,245,000 2008 9 Pakistan 91,440,000 2009 10 Italy 88,580,000 2008 11 United Kingdom 75,565,000 2008 12 Mexico 75,304,000 2008 13 Vietnam 70,000,000 2008 14 Philippines 68,102,000 2008 15 Turkey 65,824,000 2008 16 Nigeria 62,988,000 2008 17 Thailand 62,000,000 2008 18 France 59,259,000 2008 19 Ukraine 55,695,000 2008 20 Spain 49,682,000 2008 21 Argentina 46,509,000 2008 22 Bangladesh 45,750,000 2009 23 Korea, South 45,607,000 2008 24 South Africa 45,000,000 2008 25 Poland 44,004,000 2008 26 Iran 43,000,000 2008 27 Colombia 41,365,000 2008 28 Egypt 41,272,000 2008 29 Saudi Arabia 36,000,000 2008 30 Algeria 31,871,000 2008 31 Malaysia 27,125,000 2008 32 Venezuela 27,084,000 2008 33 Taiwan 25,412,000 2008 34 Romania 24,467,000 2008 35 Morocco 22,816,000 2008 36 Australia 22,120,000 2008 37 Canada 21,455,000 2008 38 Peru 20,952,000 2008 39 Netherlands 19,927,000 2008 40 Iraq 17,529,000 2008 41 Kenya 16,234,000 2008 42 Guatemala 14,949,000 2008 43 Kazakhstan 14,911,000 2008 44 Portugal 14,910,000 2008 45 Chile 14,797,000 2008 46 Tanzania 14,723,000 2009 47 Greece 13,799,000 2008 48 Czech Republic 13,780,000 2008 49 Uzbekistan 12,734,000 2008 50 Hungary 12,224,000 2008 51 Belgium 11,822,000 2008 52 Ecuador 11,595,000 2008 53 Ghana 11,570,000 2008 54 Hong Kong 11,374,000 2008 55 Sudan 11,186,000 2008 56 Sri Lanka 11,082,000 2008 57 Sweden 10,988,000 2008 58 Austria 10,816,000 2008 59 Bulgaria 10,633,000 2008 60 Cote d'Ivoire 10,449,000 2008 61 Serbia 9,619,000 2008 62 United Arab Emirates 9,358,000 2008 63 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 9,263,000 2008 64 Israel 8,902,000 2008 65 Switzerland 8,780,000 2008 66 Belarus 8,693,000 2008 67 Tunisia 8,569,000 2008 68 Uganda 8,555,000 2008 69 Afghanistan 8,450,000 2008 70 Dominican Republic 7,210,000 2008 71 Syria 7,056,000 2008 72 El Salvador 6,951,000 2008 73 Finland 6,830,000 2008 74 Angola 6,773,000 2008 75 Denmark 6,551,000 2008 76 Azerbaijan 6,548,000 2008 77 Singapore 6,375,000 2008 78 Honduras 6,211,000 2008 79 Cameroon 6,161,000 2008 80 Croatia 5,924,000 2008 81 Paraguay 5,791,000 2008 82 Slovakia 5,520,000 2008 83 Senegal 5,389,000 2008 84 Jordan 5,314,000 2008 85 Norway 5,287,000 2008 86 Ireland 5,048,000 2008 87 Lithuania 5,023,000 2008 88 Madagascar 4,835,000 2008 89 Bolivia 4,830,000 2008 90 Libya 4,828,000 2008 91 New Zealand 4,620,000 2008 92 Mozambique 4,405,000 2008 93 Cambodia 4,237,000 2008 94 Nepal 4,200,000 2008 95 Panama 3,805,000 2008 96 Yemen 3,700,000 2008 97 Zambia 3,539,000 2008 98 Uruguay 3,508,000 2008 99 Tajikistan 3,500,000 2009 100 Benin 3,435,000 2008 101 Kyrgyzstan 3,394,000 2008 102 Puerto Rico 3,354,000 2005 103 Mali 3,267,000 2008 104 Oman 3,219,000 2008 105 Haiti 3,200,000 2008 106 Bosnia and Herzegovina 3,179,000 2008 107 Ethiopia 3,168,000 2008 108 Albania 3,141,000 2008 109 Nicaragua 3,039,000 2008 110 Kuwait 2,907,000 2008 111 Georgia 2,755,000 2008 112 Jamaica 2,723,000 2008 113 Guinea 2,600,000 2008 114 Burkina Faso 2,553,000 2008 115 Estonia 2,525,000 2008 116 Macedonia 2,502,000 2008 117 Moldova 2,423,000 2008 118 Armenia 2,336,000 2008 119 Latvia 2,234,000 2008 120 Mauritania 2,092,000 2008 121 Slovenia 2,055,000 2008 122 Costa Rica 1,887,000 2008 123 Laos 1,822,000 2008 124 Chad 1,809,000 2008 125 Congo, Republic of the 1,807,000 2008 126 Mongolia 1,796,000 2008 127 Malawi 1,781,000 2008 128 Qatar 1,683,000 2008 129 Niger 1,677,000 2008 130 Zimbabwe 1,655,000 2008 131 Togo 1,547,000 2008 132 Trinidad and Tobago 1,505,000 2008 133 Botswana 1,486,000 2008 134 Lebanon 1,430,000 2008 135 Bahrain 1,400,000 2008 136 Rwanda 1,323,000 2008 137 Gabon 1,300,000 2008 138 Gambia, The 1,166,000 2008 139 Gaza Strip 1,153,000 2008 140 West Bank 1,153,000 2008 141 Namibia 1,052,000 2008 142 Mauritius 1,033,000 2008 143 Cyprus 1,017,000 NA 144 Sierra Leone 1,009,000 2008 145 Macau 993,545 2009 146 Turkmenistan 810,000 2008 147 Montenegro 735,000 2008 148 Liberia 732,000 2008 149 Luxembourg 707,000 2008 150 Somalia 627,000 2008 151 Fiji 600,000 2008 152 Papua New Guinea 600,000 2008 153 Lesotho 581,000 2008 154 Kosovo 562,000 2007 155 Guinea-Bissau 500,200 2008 156 Burundi 480,600 2008 157 Swaziland 457,000 2008 158 Maldives 450,500 2009 159 Suriname 416,000 2008 160 Barbados 406,000 2008 161 Malta 385,600 2008 162 Brunei 376,000 2008 163 Burma 375,800 2008 164 Bahamas, The 358,000 2008 165 Equatorial Guinea 346,000 2008 166 Iceland 342,000 2008 167 Cuba 331,700 2008 168 Guyana 281,400 2005 169 Cape Verde 277,700 2008 170 Bhutan 251,000 2008 171 Netherlands Antilles 200,000 2004 172 New Caledonia 196,500 2008 173 French Polynesia 187,100 2008 174 Saint Lucia 169,600 2008 175 Belize 160,000 2008 176 Central African Republic 154,000 2008 177 Antigua and Barbuda 136,600 2008 178 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 130,100 2008 179 Aruba 127,100 2008 180 Samoa 124,000 2008 181 Eritrea 108,600 2008 182 Timor-Leste 101,000 2008 183 Dominica 100,000 2008 184 Seychelles 85,300 2008 185 Jersey 83,900 2004 186 Virgin Islands 80,300 2005 187 Saint Kitts and Nevis 80,000 2008 188 Bermuda 79,000 2008 189 Andorra 64,200 2008 190 Grenada 60,000 2008 191 Greenland 55,800 2008 192 Faroe Islands 54,900 2008 193 Tonga 50,500 2008 194 Sao Tome and Principe 49,000 2008 195 Mayotte 48,100 2005 196 Djibouti 44,100 2005 197 Guernsey 43,800 2004 198 Comoros 42,000 2008 199 Vanuatu 36,000 2008 200 Micronesia, Federated States of 34,000 2008 201 Liechtenstein 34,000 2008 202 Cayman Islands 33,800 2004 203 Turks and Caicos Islands 25,100 2004 204 British Virgin Islands 23,000 2008 205 Monaco 22,000 2008 206 Northern Mariana Islands 20,500 2004 207 Gibraltar 18,400 2004 208 San Marino 17,700 2008 209 Solomon Islands 14,000 2008 210 Anguilla 13,100 2005 211 Palau 12,000 2008 212 Cook Islands 6,700 2008 213 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 3,000 2008 214 Montserrat 3,000 2008 215 American Samoa 2,200 2004 216 Tuvalu 2,000 2008 217 Nauru 1,500 2002 218 Kiribati 1,000 2008 219 Marshall Islands 1,000 2008 220 Niue 600 2004 221 Norfolk Island 0 2002 222 Western Sahara 0 1999 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2152 Country Comparison :: Internet Service Providers (ISPs) Rank country Internet Service Providers (ISPs)Date of Information 1 United States 7,000.00 2002 est. 2 Canada 760.00 2000 est. 3 Australia 571.00 2002 4 Russia 300.00 June 2000 5 Ukraine 260.00 2001 6 Bulgaria 200.00 2001 7 Germany 200.00 2001 8 South Africa 150.00 2001 9 Iran 100.00 2002 10 Italy 93.00 2000 11 Puerto Rico 76.00 2000 12 Japan 73.00 2000 13 Kenya 65.00 2001 14 France 62.00 2000 15 Belgium 61.00 2000 16 Spain 56.00 2000 17 Netherlands 52.00 2000 18 Mexico 51.00 2000 19 Brazil 50.00 2000 20 Turkey 50.00 2001 21 Virgin Islands 50.00 2000 22 Egypt 50.00 2000 23 Liechtenstein 44.00 2000 24 Switzerland 44.00 2000 25 India 43.00 2000 26 Uzbekistan 42.00 2000 27 Latvia 41.00 2001 28 Estonia 38.00 2001 29 Romania 38.00 2000 30 Austria 37.00 2000 31 New Zealand 36.00 2000 32 Argentina 33.00 2000 33 Philippines 33.00 2000 34 Lithuania 32.00 2001 35 Ecuador 31.00 2001 36 Pakistan 30.00 2000 37 Sweden 29.00 2000 38 Greece 27.00 2000 39 Dominican Republic 24.00 2000 40 Indonesia 24.00 2000 41 Belarus 23.00 2002 42 Ireland 22.00 2000 43 Lebanon 22.00 2000 44 Saudi Arabia 22.00 2003 45 Israel 21.00 2000 46 Jamaica 21.00 2000 47 Bermuda 20.00 2000 48 Iceland 20.00 2001 49 Barbados 19.00 2000 50 Bahamas, The 19.00 2000 51 Poland 19.00 2000 52 Colombia 18.00 2000 53 Hong Kong 17.00 2000 54 Montserrat 17.00 2000 55 Trinidad and Tobago 17.00 2000 56 Antigua and Barbuda 16.00 2000 57 Anguilla 16.00 2000 58 British Virgin Islands 16.00 2000 59 Venezuela 16.00 2000 60 Saint Kitts and Nevis 16.00 2000 61 Portugal 16.00 2000 62 Hungary 16.00 2000 63 Dominica 16.00 2000 64 Cayman Islands 16.00 2000 65 Saint Lucia 15.00 2000 66 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 15.00 2000 67 Thailand 15.00 2000 68 Grenada 14.00 2000 69 Uruguay 14.00 2001 70 Turks and Caicos Islands 14.00 2000 71 Denmark 13.00 2000 72 Jan Mayen 13.00 2000 73 Mali 13.00 2001 74 Svalbard 13.00 2000 75 Norway 13.00 2000 76 Ghana 12.00 2000 77 Botswana 11.00 2001 78 Slovenia 11.00 2000 79 Nigeria 11.00 2000 80 Mozambique 11.00 2002 81 Korea, South 11.00 2000 82 Albania 10.00 2001 83 Kazakhstan 10.00 2001 84 Peru 10.00 2000 85 Bangladesh 10.00 2000 86 Armenia 9.00 2001 87 Singapore 9.00 2000 88 Bolivia 9.00 2000 89 Croatia 9.00 2000 90 Honduras 8.00 2000 91 Taiwan 8.00 2000 92 West Bank 8.00 1999 93 Morocco 8.00 2000 94 Luxembourg 8.00 2000 95 Chile 7.00 2000 96 Malaysia 7.00 2000 97 Cyprus 6.00 2000 98 Zimbabwe 6.00 2000 99 Tanzania 6.00 2000 100 Panama 6.00 2000 101 Netherlands Antilles 6.00 NA 102 Nepal 6.00 2000 103 Malta 6.00 2002 104 Macedonia 6.00 2000 105 Slovakia 6.00 2000 106 Georgia 6.00 2000 107 Sri Lanka 5.00 2000 108 Cuba 5.00 2001 109 Guatemala 5.00 2000 110 Zambia 5.00 2001 111 Swaziland 5.00 2002 112 Vietnam 5.00 2000 113 Mauritania 5.00 2001 114 Mongolia 5.00 2001 115 Jordan 5.00 2000 116 Cote d'Ivoire 5.00 2001 117 Eritrea 5.00 2001 118 Benin 4.00 2002 119 Guinea 4.00 2001 120 El Salvador 4.00 2000 121 Tajikistan 4.00 2002 122 Paraguay 4.00 2000 123 Bosnia and Herzegovina 3.00 2000 124 Cook Islands 3.00 2000 125 China 3.00 2000 126 Gaza Strip 3.00 1999 127 Kuwait 3.00 2000 128 Papua New Guinea 3.00 2000 129 Togo 3.00 2001 130 Somalia 3.00 2000 131 Nicaragua 3.00 2000 132 Malawi 3.00 2002 133 Haiti 3.00 2000 134 Guyana 3.00 2000 135 Finland 3.00 2002 136 Costa Rica 3.00 2000 137 Algeria 2.00 2000 138 Samoa 2.00 2000 139 Namibia 2.00 2000 140 Uganda 2.00 2000 141 Tonga 2.00 2000 142 Sudan 2.00 2002 143 San Marino 2.00 2000 144 Liberia 2.00 2001 145 Christmas Island 2.00 2000 146 Gibraltar 2.00 2000 147 Gambia, The 2.00 2001 148 French Polynesia 2.00 2000 149 Faroe Islands 2.00 2000 150 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 2.00 2000 151 Fiji 2.00 2000 152 Cocos (Keeling) Islands 2.00 2000 153 Rwanda 2.00 2002 154 Guinea-Bissau 2.00 2002 155 Suriname 2.00 2000 156 Norfolk Island 2.00 2000 157 Mauritius 2.00 2000 158 Monaco 2.00 2000 159 Moldova 2.00 1999 160 Madagascar 2.00 2000 161 Cambodia 2.00 2000 162 Brunei 2.00 2000 163 Belize 2.00 2000 164 Azerbaijan 2.00 2000 165 United Arab Emirates 1.00 2000 166 Andorra 1.00 2000 167 Burma 1.00 2000 168 Congo, Republic of the 1.00 2000 169 Yemen 1.00 2000 170 Western Sahara 1.00 2000 171 Wallis and Futuna 1.00 2000 172 Burkina Faso 1.00 2002 173 Tuvalu 1.00 2000 174 Tunisia 1.00 2000 175 Sao Tome and Principe 1.00 2002 176 Tokelau 1.00 2000 177 Syria 1.00 2000 178 Sierra Leone 1.00 2001 179 Palau 1.00 2002 180 Nauru 1.00 2000 181 Vanuatu 1.00 2000 182 Niger 1.00 2002 183 Niue 1.00 2000 184 New Caledonia 1.00 2000 185 Maldives 1.00 2000 186 Oman 1.00 2000 187 Macau 1.00 2000 188 Saint Helena 1.00 2000 189 Senegal 1.00 2002 190 Seychelles 1.00 2000 191 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 1.00 2000 192 Marshall Islands 1.00 2002 193 Qatar 1.00 2000 194 Libya 1.00 2002 195 Lesotho 1.00 2000 196 Laos 1.00 2000 197 Kiribati 1.00 2000 198 Korea, North 1.00 2000 199 Iraq 1.00 2000 200 British Indian Ocean Territory 1.00 2000 201 Ethiopia 1.00 2002 202 Equatorial Guinea 1.00 2002 203 Djibouti 1.00 2000 204 Cape Verde 1.00 2002 205 Central African Republic 1.00 2002 206 Northern Mariana Islands 1.00 2001 207 Comoros 1.00 2000 208 Cameroon 1.00 2002 209 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 1.00 2001 210 Greenland 1.00 2000 211 Gabon 1.00 2001 212 Micronesia, Federated States of 1.00 2000 213 Chad 1.00 2002 214 Burundi 1.00 2000 215 Solomon Islands 1.00 2000 216 Angola 1.00 2000 217 Bahrain 1.00 2000 218 American Samoa 1.00 2000 219 Afghanistan 1.00 2000 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2153 Country Comparison :: Internet users This entry gives the number of users within a country that access the Internet. Statistics vary from country to country and may include users who access the Internet at least several times a week to those who access it only once within a period of several months. Rank country Internet users Date of Information 1 China 298,000,000 2008 2 United States 231,000,000 2008 3 Japan 90,910,000 2008 4 India 81,000,000 2008 5 Brazil 64,948,000 2008 6 Germany 61,973,000 2008 7 United Kingdom 48,755,000 2008 8 Russia 45,250,000 2008 9 France 42,912,000 2008 10 Korea, South 37,476,000 2008 11 Indonesia 30,000,000 2008 12 Spain 25,240,000 2008 13 Canada 25,086,000 2008 14 Italy 24,992,000 2008 15 Turkey 24,483,000 2008 16 Mexico 23,260,000 2008 17 Iran 23,000,000 2008 18 Vietnam 20,834,000 2008 19 Poland 18,679,000 2008 20 Pakistan 18,500,000 2008 21 Colombia 17,117,000 2008 22 Malaysia 16,903,000 2008 23 Thailand 16,100,000 2008 24 Australia 15,170,000 2008 25 Taiwan 15,143,000 2008 26 Netherlands 14,273,000 2008 27 Egypt 11,414,000 2008 28 Argentina 11,212,000 2008 29 Nigeria 11,000,000 2008 30 Ukraine 10,354,000 2008 31 Morocco 10,300,000 2008 32 Sweden 8,100,000 2008 33 Saudi Arabia 7,700,000 2008 34 Belgium 7,292,000 2008 35 Venezuela 7,167,000 2008 36 Peru 7,128,000 2008 37 Romania 6,132,000 2008 38 Czech Republic 6,028,000 2008 39 Austria 5,937,000 2008 40 Hungary 5,873,000 2008 41 Switzerland 5,739,000 2008 42 Philippines 5,618,000 2008 43 Chile 5,456,000 2008 44 Denmark 4,579,000 2008 45 Portugal 4,476,000 2008 46 Finland 4,383,000 2008 47 Greece 4,253,000 2008 48 Sudan 4,200,000 2008 49 South Africa 4,187,000 2008 50 Hong Kong 4,124,000 2008 51 Algeria 4,100,000 2008 52 Norway 3,935,000 2008 53 Slovakia 3,566,000 2008 54 Syria 3,565,000 2008 55 Singapore 3,370,000 2008 56 Kenya 3,360,000 2008 57 Belarus 3,107,000 2008 58 New Zealand 3,047,000 2008 59 Serbia 2,936,000 2008 60 United Arab Emirates 2,922,000 2008 61 Ireland 2,830,000 2008 62 Tunisia 2,800,000 2008 63 Bulgaria 2,647,000 2008 64 Uganda 2,500,000 2008 65 Uzbekistan 2,469,000 2008 66 Kazakhstan 2,300,000 2008 67 Lebanon 2,190,000 2008 68 Dominican Republic 2,147,000 2008 69 Israel 2,106,000 2008 70 Guatemala 1,960,000 2008 71 Croatia 1,880,000 2008 72 Lithuania 1,777,000 2008 73 Jamaica 1,540,000 2008 74 Jordan 1,500,000 2008 75 Azerbaijan 1,485,000 2008 76 Costa Rica 1,460,000 2008 77 Cuba 1,450,000 2008 78 Zimbabwe 1,421,000 2008 79 Uruguay 1,340,000 2008 80 Ecuador 1,310,000 2008 81 Bosnia and Herzegovina 1,308,000 2008 82 Latvia 1,254,000 2008 83 Sri Lanka 1,164,000 2008 84 Slovenia 1,126,000 2008 85 Georgia 1,024,000 2008 86 Senegal 1,020,000 2008 87 Bolivia 1,000,000 2008 88 Kuwait 1,000,000 2008 89 Puerto Rico 1,000,000 2008 90 Haiti 1,000,000 2008 91 Ghana 997,000 2008 92 Panama 934,500 2008 93 Paraguay 894,200 2008 94 Estonia 888,100 2008 95 Kyrgyzstan 850,000 2008 96 Moldova 850,000 2008 97 Macedonia 847,900 2008 98 El Salvador 826,000 2008 99 Cameroon 725,000 2008 100 Zambia 700,000 2008 101 Cote d'Ivoire 660,000 2008 102 Honduras 658,500 2008 103 Tajikistan 600,000 2008 104 Bangladesh 556,000 2008 105 Angola 550,000 2008 106 Tanzania 520,000 2008 107 Afghanistan 500,000 2008 108 Nepal 499,000 2008 109 Albania 471,000 2008 110 Oman 465,000 2008 111 Qatar 436,000 2008 112 Bahrain 402,900 2008 113 Luxembourg 387,000 2008 114 Mauritius 380,000 2008 115 Yemen 370,000 2008 116 Ethiopia 360,000 2008 117 Gaza Strip 356,000 2008 118 West Bank 356,000 2008 119 Mozambique 350,000 2008 120 Togo 350,000 2008 121 Cyprus 334,400 2008 122 Mongolia 330,000 2008 123 Libya 323,000 2008 124 Madagascar 316,100 2008 125 Malawi 316,100 2008 126 Iraq 300,000 2008 127 Rwanda 300,000 2008 128 Montenegro 294,000 2008 129 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 290,000 2008 130 Macau 259,000 2008 131 Iceland 250,000 2008 132 Trinidad and Tobago 227,000 2008 133 Brunei 217,000 2008 134 Guyana 205,000 2008 135 Eritrea 200,000 2008 136 Mali 200,000 2008 137 Malta 198,800 2008 138 Armenia 191,000 2008 139 Barbados 188,000 2008 140 Nicaragua 185,000 2008 141 Benin 160,000 2008 142 Congo, Republic of the 155,000 2008 143 Burkina Faso 140,000 2008 144 Chad 130,000 2008 145 Laos 130,000 2008 146 Botswana 120,000 2008 147 Papua New Guinea 120,000 2008 148 Gambia, The 114,200 2008 149 Namibia 113,500 2008 150 Burma 108,900 2008 151 Bahamas, The 106,500 2008 152 Fiji 103,000 2008 153 Cape Verde 102,800 2008 154 Somalia 102,000 2008 155 Saint Lucia 100,000 2008 156 French Polynesia 90,000 2008 157 Guinea 90,000 2008 158 Gabon 90,000 2008 159 New Caledonia 85,000 2008 160 Niger 80,000 2008 161 Turkmenistan 75,000 2008 162 Cambodia 74,000 2008 163 Lesotho 73,300 2008 164 Maldives 71,700 2008 165 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 66,000 2008 166 Antigua and Barbuda 65,000 2008 167 Burundi 65,000 2008 168 Andorra 59,100 2008 169 Bermuda 51,000 2008 170 Suriname 50,000 2008 171 Swaziland 48,200 2008 172 Guernsey 46,100 2008 173 Mauritania 45,000 2008 174 Bhutan 40,000 2008 175 Faroe Islands 37,500 2008 176 Guinea-Bissau 37,100 2008 177 Greenland 36,000 2008 178 Belize 34,000 2008 179 Seychelles 32,000 2008 180 Virgin Islands 30,000 2008 181 Jersey 29,000 2008 182 Dominica 27,500 2008 183 Sao Tome and Principe 24,800 2008 184 Aruba 24,000 2008 185 Grenada 24,000 2008 186 Cayman Islands 23,000 2008 187 Liechtenstein 23,000 2008 188 Comoros 23,000 2008 189 Monaco 22,000 2008 190 Liberia 20,000 2008 191 Central African Republic 19,000 2008 192 Vanuatu 17,000 2008 193 San Marino 17,000 2008 194 Micronesia, Federated States of 16,000 2008 195 Saint Kitts and Nevis 16,000 2008 196 Sierra Leone 13,900 2008 197 Djibouti 13,000 2008 198 Equatorial Guinea 12,000 2008 199 Solomon Islands 10,000 2008 200 Samoa 9,000 2008 201 Tonga 8,400 2008 202 Gibraltar 6,500 2008 203 Cook Islands 5,000 2008 204 Anguilla 4,500 2008 205 Tuvalu 4,200 2008 206 British Virgin Islands 4,000 2002 207 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 2,800 2008 208 Marshall Islands 2,200 2008 209 Kiribati 2,000 2008 210 Timor-Leste 1,800 2008 211 Montserrat 1,200 2008 212 Wallis and Futuna 1,200 2008 213 Saint Helena 1,100 2008 214 Niue 1,000 2008 215 Tokelau 800 2008 216 Christmas Island 464 2001 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2154 Country Comparison :: Internet country code This entry includes the two-letter codes maintained by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in the ISO 3166 Alpha-2 list and used by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) to establish country-coded top-level domains (ccTLDs). Rank country Internet country code Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2155 Country Comparison :: HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate This entry gives an estimate of the percentage of adults (aged 15-49) living with HIV/AIDS. The adult prevalence rate is calculated by dividing the estimated number of adults living with HIV/AIDS at yearend by the total adult population at yearend. Rank country (%) Date of Information 1 Swaziland 26.10 2007 est. 2 Botswana 23.90 2007 est. 3 Lesotho 23.20 2007 est. 4 South Africa 18.10 2007 est. 5 Namibia 15.30 2007 est. 6 Zimbabwe 15.30 2007 est. 7 Zambia 15.20 2007 est. 8 Mozambique 12.50 2007 est. 9 Malawi 11.90 2007 est. 10 Kenya 6.70 2003 est. 11 Central African Republic 6.30 2007 est. 12 Tanzania 6.20 2007 est. 13 Gabon 5.90 2007 est. 14 Uganda 5.40 2007 est. 15 Cameroon 5.10 2007 est. 16 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 4.20 2003 est. 17 Cote d'Ivoire 3.90 2007 est. 18 Chad 3.50 2007 est. 19 Congo, Republic of the 3.50 2007 est. 20 Equatorial Guinea 3.40 2007 est. 21 Togo 3.30 2007 est. 22 Djibouti 3.10 2007 est. 23 Nigeria 3.10 2007 est. 24 Bahamas, The 3.00 2007 est. 25 Rwanda 2.80 2007 est. 26 Guyana 2.50 2007 est. 27 Suriname 2.40 2007 est. 28 Haiti 2.20 2007 est. 29 Angola 2.10 2007 est. 30 Belize 2.10 2007 est. 31 Ethiopia 2.10 2007 est. 32 Burundi 2.00 2007 est. 33 Ghana 1.90 2007 est. 34 Guinea-Bissau 1.80 2007 est. 35 Liberia 1.70 2007 est. 36 Mauritius 1.70 2007 est. 37 Sierra Leone 1.70 2007 est. 38 Guinea 1.60 2007 est. 39 Burkina Faso 1.60 2007 est. 40 Ukraine 1.60 2007 est. 41 Jamaica 1.60 2007 est. 42 Mali 1.50 2007 est. 43 Papua New Guinea 1.50 2007 est. 44 Trinidad and Tobago 1.50 2007 est. 45 Sudan 1.40 2007 est. 46 Thailand 1.40 2007 est. 47 Estonia 1.30 2007 est. 48 Eritrea 1.30 2007 est. 49 Barbados 1.20 2007 est. 50 Benin 1.20 2007 est. 51 Dominican Republic 1.10 2007 est. 52 Russia 1.10 2007 est. 53 Panama 1.00 2007 est. 54 Senegal 1.00 2007 est. 55 Gambia, The 0.90 2007 est. 56 Cambodia 0.80 2007 est. 57 World 0.80 2007 est. 58 Niger 0.80 2007 est. 59 Mauritania 0.80 2007 est. 60 Latvia 0.80 2007 est. 61 Guatemala 0.80 2007 est. 62 El Salvador 0.80 2007 est. 63 Venezuela 0.70 2001 est. 64 Burma 0.70 2007 est. 65 Honduras 0.70 2007 est. 66 Brazil 0.60 2007 est. 67 Uruguay 0.60 2007 est. 68 United States 0.60 2007 est. 69 Switzerland 0.60 2007 est. 70 Paraguay 0.60 2007 est. 71 Colombia 0.60 2007 est. 72 Argentina 0.50 2007 est. 73 Vietnam 0.50 2007 est. 74 Portugal 0.50 2007 est. 75 Spain 0.50 2007 est. 76 Somalia 0.50 2007 est. 77 Peru 0.50 2007 est. 78 Malaysia 0.50 2007 est. 79 Nepal 0.50 2007 est. 80 Canada 0.40 2007 est. 81 Moldova 0.40 2007 est. 82 Italy 0.40 2007 est. 83 France 0.40 2007 est. 84 Costa Rica 0.40 2007 est. 85 Chile 0.30 2007 est. 86 Ecuador 0.30 2007 est. 87 Tajikistan 0.30 2007 est. 88 Mexico 0.30 2007 est. 89 India 0.30 2007 est. 90 Libya 0.30 2001 est. 91 Bermuda 0.30 2005 92 Azerbaijan 0.20 2007 est. 93 Austria 0.20 2007 est. 94 Belgium 0.20 2007 est. 95 United Kingdom 0.20 2007 est. 96 Luxembourg 0.20 2007 est. 97 Laos 0.20 2007 est. 98 Iran 0.20 2007 est. 99 Indonesia 0.20 2007 est. 100 Iceland 0.20 2007 est. 101 Greece 0.20 2007 est. 102 Ireland 0.20 2007 est. 103 Denmark 0.20 2007 est. 104 Belarus 0.20 2007 est. 105 Singapore 0.20 2007 est. 106 Nicaragua 0.20 2007 est. 107 Netherlands 0.20 2007 est. 108 Bolivia 0.20 2007 est. 109 Australia 0.20 2007 est. 110 Bahrain 0.20 2001 est. 111 United Arab Emirates 0.18 2001 est. 112 Kuwait 0.12 2001 est. 113 Algeria 0.10 2007 est. 114 Armenia 0.10 2007 est. 115 China 0.10 2007 est. 116 Madagascar 0.10 2007 est. 117 Lithuania 0.10 2007 est. 118 Lebanon 0.10 2007 est. 119 Kazakhstan 0.10 2007 est. 120 Kyrgyzstan 0.10 2007 est. 121 Israel 0.10 2007 est. 122 Hungary 0.10 2007 est. 123 Germany 0.10 2007 est. 124 Georgia 0.10 2007 est. 125 Sweden 0.10 2007 est. 126 Romania 0.10 2007 est. 127 Poland 0.10 2007 est. 128 Pakistan 0.10 2007 est. 129 New Zealand 0.10 2007 est. 130 Norway 0.10 2007 est. 131 Malta 0.10 2007 est. 132 Morocco 0.10 2007 est. 133 Mongolia 0.10 2007 est. 134 Uzbekistan 0.10 2007 est. 135 Tunisia 0.10 2007 est. 136 Fiji 0.10 2007 est. 137 Finland 0.10 2007 est. 138 Cuba 0.10 2007 est. 139 Bhutan 0.10 2007 est. 140 Bangladesh 0.10 2001 est. 141 Bulgaria 0.10 2001 est. 142 Brunei 0.10 2003 est. 143 Cyprus 0.10 2003 est. 144 Slovenia 0.10 2007 est. 145 Philippines 0.10 2003 est. 146 Serbia 0.10 2009 est. 147 Maldives 0.10 2001 est. 148 Oman 0.10 2001 est. 149 Macedonia 0.10 2007 est. 150 Slovakia 0.10 2007 est. 151 Korea, South 0.10 2007 est. 152 Jordan 0.10 2001 est. 153 Japan 0.10 2003 est. 154 Iraq 0.10 2001 est. 155 Croatia 0.10 2007 est. 156 Hong Kong 0.10 2003 est. 157 Yemen 0.10 2001 est. 158 Turkmenistan 0.10 2007 est. 159 Turkey 0.10 2001 est. 160 Syria 0.10 2001 est. 161 Czech Republic 0.10 2001 est. 162 Egypt 0.10 2001 est. 163 Comoros 0.10 2007 est. 164 Sri Lanka 0.10 2001 est. 165 Bosnia and Herzegovina 0.10 2007 est. 166 Qatar 0.09 2001 est. 167 Cape Verde 0.04 NA 168 Afghanistan 0.01 2001 est. 169 Saudi Arabia 0.01 2001 est. 170 Svalbard 0.00 2001 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2156 Country Comparison :: HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS This entry gives an estimate of all people (adults and children) alive at yearend with HIV infection, whether or not they have developed symptoms of AIDS. Rank country HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDSDate of Information 1 World 33,000,000 2007 est. 2 South Africa 5,700,000 2007 est. 3 Nigeria 2,600,000 2007 est. 4 India 2,400,000 2007 est. 5 Mozambique 1,500,000 2007 est. 6 Tanzania 1,400,000 2007 est. 7 Zimbabwe 1,300,000 2007 est. 8 Kenya 1,200,000 2003 est. 9 United States 1,200,000 2007 est. 10 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 1,100,000 2003 est. 11 Zambia 1,100,000 2007 est. 12 Ethiopia 980,000 2007 est. 13 Russia 940,000 2007 est. 14 Uganda 940,000 2007 est. 15 Malawi 930,000 2007 est. 16 Brazil 730,000 2007 est. 17 China 700,000 2007 est. 18 Thailand 610,000 2007 est. 19 Cameroon 540,000 2007 est. 20 Cote d'Ivoire 480,000 2007 est. 21 Ukraine 440,000 2007 est. 22 Sudan 320,000 2007 est. 23 Botswana 300,000 2007 est. 24 Vietnam 290,000 2007 est. 25 Indonesia 270,000 2007 est. 26 Lesotho 270,000 2007 est. 27 Ghana 260,000 2007 est. 28 Burma 240,000 2007 est. 29 Chad 200,000 2007 est. 30 Mexico 200,000 2007 est. 31 Namibia 200,000 2007 est. 32 Angola 190,000 2007 est. 33 Swaziland 190,000 2007 est. 34 Colombia 170,000 2007 est. 35 Central African Republic 160,000 2007 est. 36 Italy 150,000 2007 est. 37 Rwanda 150,000 2007 est. 38 France 140,000 2007 est. 39 Spain 140,000 2007 est. 40 Togo 130,000 2007 est. 41 Burkina Faso 130,000 2007 est. 42 Argentina 120,000 2007 est. 43 Haiti 120,000 2007 est. 44 Burundi 110,000 2007 est. 45 Venezuela 110,000 1999 est. 46 Mali 100,000 2007 est. 47 Pakistan 96,000 2007 est. 48 Guinea 87,000 2007 est. 49 Iran 86,000 2007 est. 50 Malaysia 80,000 2007 est. 51 Congo, Republic of the 79,000 2007 est. 52 United Kingdom 77,000 2007 est. 53 Peru 76,000 2007 est. 54 Cambodia 75,000 2007 est. 55 Canada 73,000 2007 est. 56 Nepal 70,000 2007 est. 57 Senegal 67,000 2007 est. 58 Benin 64,000 2007 est. 59 Dominican Republic 62,000 2007 est. 60 Niger 60,000 2007 est. 61 Guatemala 59,000 2007 est. 62 Sierra Leone 55,000 2007 est. 63 Papua New Guinea 54,000 2007 est. 64 Germany 53,000 2007 est. 65 Gabon 49,000 2007 est. 66 Eritrea 38,000 2007 est. 67 El Salvador 35,000 2007 est. 68 Liberia 35,000 2007 est. 69 Portugal 34,000 2007 est. 70 Chile 31,000 2007 est. 71 Honduras 28,000 2007 est. 72 Jamaica 27,000 2007 est. 73 Ecuador 26,000 2007 est. 74 Switzerland 25,000 2007 est. 75 Somalia 24,000 2007 est. 76 Algeria 21,000 2007 est. 77 Morocco 21,000 2007 est. 78 Paraguay 21,000 2007 est. 79 Poland 20,000 2007 est. 80 Panama 20,000 2007 est. 81 Australia 18,000 2007 est. 82 Netherlands 18,000 2007 est. 83 Djibouti 16,000 2007 est. 84 Guinea-Bissau 16,000 2007 est. 85 Uzbekistan 16,000 2007 est. 86 Belgium 15,000 2007 est. 87 Romania 15,000 2007 est. 88 Madagascar 14,000 2007 est. 89 Trinidad and Tobago 14,000 2007 est. 90 Mauritania 14,000 2007 est. 91 Belarus 13,000 2007 est. 92 Mauritius 13,000 2007 est. 93 Korea, South 13,000 2007 est. 94 Guyana 13,000 2007 est. 95 Bangladesh 12,000 2007 est. 96 Yemen 12,000 2001 est. 97 Kazakhstan 12,000 2007 est. 98 Equatorial Guinea 11,000 2007 est. 99 Greece 11,000 2007 est. 100 Latvia 10,000 2007 est. 101 Libya 10,000 2001 est. 102 Uruguay 10,000 2007 est. 103 Tajikistan 10,000 2007 est. 104 Estonia 9,900 2007 est. 105 Austria 9,800 2007 est. 106 Costa Rica 9,700 2007 est. 107 Japan 9,600 2007 est. 108 Egypt 9,200 2007 est. 109 Moldova 8,900 2007 est. 110 Philippines 8,300 2007 est. 111 Gambia, The 8,200 2007 est. 112 Bolivia 8,100 2007 est. 113 Azerbaijan 7,800 2007 est. 114 Nicaragua 7,700 2007 est. 115 Puerto Rico 7,397 NA 116 Suriname 6,800 2007 est. 117 Serbia 6,400 2009 est. 118 Bahamas, The 6,200 2007 est. 119 Sweden 6,200 2007 est. 120 Cuba 6,200 2007 est. 121 Ireland 5,500 2007 est. 122 Laos 5,500 2007 est. 123 Israel 5,100 2007 est. 124 Denmark 4,800 2007 est. 125 Kyrgyzstan 4,200 2007 est. 126 Singapore 4,200 2007 est. 127 Sri Lanka 3,800 2007 est. 128 Tunisia 3,700 2007 est. 129 Belize 3,600 2007 est. 130 Hungary 3,300 2007 est. 131 Lebanon 3,000 2007 est. 132 Norway 3,000 2007 est. 133 Georgia 2,700 2007 est. 134 Hong Kong 2,600 2003 est. 135 Armenia 2,400 2007 est. 136 Finland 2,400 2007 est. 137 Barbados 2,200 2007 est. 138 Lithuania 2,200 2007 est. 139 Czech Republic 1,500 2007 est. 140 New Zealand 1,400 2007 est. 141 Oman 1,300 2001 est. 142 Cyprus 1,000 2007 est. 143 Bosnia and Herzegovina 900 2007 est. 144 Cape Verde 775 NA 145 Bahrain 600 2007 est. 146 Jordan 600 2007 est. 147 Fiji 600 2003 est. 148 Iraq 500 2003 est. 149 Mongolia 500 2007 est. 150 Malta 500 2007 est. 151 Syria 500 2003 est. 152 Luxembourg 500 2003 est. 153 Bulgaria 346 2001 est. 154 Slovenia 280 2007 est. 155 Iceland 220 2007 est. 156 Brunei 200 2003 est. 157 Slovakia 200 2007 est. 158 Croatia 200 2007 est. 159 Macedonia 200 2007 est. 160 Turkmenistan 200 2007 est. 161 Bermuda 163 2005 162 Bhutan 100 2007 est. 163 Maldives 100 2001 est. 164 Greenland 100 NA 165 Svalbard 0 2001 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2157 Country Comparison :: HIV/AIDS - deaths This entry gives an estimate of the number of adults and children who died of AIDS during a given calendar year. Rank country HIV/AIDS - deaths Date of Information 1 South Africa 350,000 2007 est. 2 India 310,000 2001 est. 3 Nigeria 170,000 2007 est. 4 Kenya 150,000 2003 est. 5 Zimbabwe 140,000 2007 est. 6 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 100,000 2003 est. 7 Tanzania 96,000 2007 est. 8 Mozambique 81,000 2007 est. 9 Uganda 77,000 2007 est. 10 Malawi 68,000 2007 est. 11 Ethiopia 67,000 2007 est. 12 Zambia 56,000 2007 est. 13 Russia 40,000 2007 est. 14 China 39,000 2007 est. 15 Cameroon 39,000 2007 est. 16 Cote d'Ivoire 38,000 2007 est. 17 Thailand 30,000 2007 est. 18 Burma 25,000 2007 est. 19 Sudan 25,000 2007 est. 20 Vietnam 24,000 2007 est. 21 United States 22,000 2007 est. 22 Ghana 21,000 2007 est. 23 Ukraine 19,000 2007 est. 24 Lesotho 18,000 2007 est. 25 Brazil 15,000 2007 est. 26 Chad 14,000 2007 est. 27 Angola 11,000 2007 est. 28 Botswana 11,000 2007 est. 29 Central African Republic 11,000 2007 est. 30 Mexico 11,000 2007 est. 31 Burundi 11,000 2007 est. 32 Swaziland 10,000 2007 est. 33 Colombia 9,800 2007 est. 34 Burkina Faso 9,200 2007 est. 35 Togo 9,100 2007 est. 36 Indonesia 8,700 2007 est. 37 Rwanda 7,800 2007 est. 38 Haiti 7,200 2007 est. 39 Argentina 7,000 2007 est. 40 Cambodia 6,900 2007 est. 41 Congo, Republic of the 6,400 2007 est. 42 Mali 5,800 2007 est. 43 Pakistan 5,100 2007 est. 44 Namibia 5,100 2007 est. 45 Nepal 5,000 2007 est. 46 Guinea 4,500 2007 est. 47 Iran 4,300 2007 est. 48 Dominican Republic 4,100 2007 est. 49 Venezuela 4,100 2003 est. 50 Niger 4,000 2007 est. 51 Guatemala 3,900 2007 est. 52 Malaysia 3,900 2007 est. 53 Benin 3,300 2007 est. 54 Sierra Leone 3,300 2007 est. 55 Peru 3,300 2007 est. 56 Eritrea 2,600 2007 est. 57 Gabon 2,300 2007 est. 58 Liberia 2,300 2007 est. 59 Spain 2,300 2007 est. 60 Honduras 1,900 2007 est. 61 Trinidad and Tobago 1,900 2003 est. 62 Italy 1,900 2007 est. 63 Senegal 1,800 2007 est. 64 El Salvador 1,700 2007 est. 65 France 1,600 2007 est. 66 Somalia 1,600 2007 est. 67 Jamaica 1,500 2007 est. 68 Ecuador 1,400 2007 est. 69 Belarus 1,100 2007 est. 70 Guinea-Bissau 1,100 2007 est. 71 Djibouti 1,100 2007 est. 72 Chile 1,100 2007 est. 73 Algeria 1,000 2007 est. 74 Guyana 1,000 2007 est. 75 Madagascar 1,000 2007 est. 76 Mauritania 1,000 2007 est. 77 Panama 1,000 2007 est. 78 Papua New Guinea 1,000 2007 est. 79 Paraguay 1,000 2007 est. 80 Morocco 1,000 2007 est. 81 Gambia, The 600 2003 est. 82 Bangladesh 500 2007 est. 83 Canada 500 2007 est. 84 Egypt 500 2007 est. 85 Germany 500 2007 est. 86 Uzbekistan 500 2007 est. 87 Uruguay 500 2007 est. 88 Switzerland 500 2007 est. 89 Portugal 500 2007 est. 90 Nicaragua 500 2007 est. 91 Suriname 500 2003 est. 92 Latvia 500 2007 est. 93 Kazakhstan 500 2007 est. 94 Korea, South 500 2007 est. 95 Jordan 500 2003 est. 96 Estonia 500 2007 est. 97 United Kingdom 500 2007 est. 98 Tajikistan 500 2007 est. 99 Bolivia 500 2007 est. 100 Bermuda 392 2005 101 Equatorial Guinea 370 2001 est. 102 Romania 350 2001 est. 103 Cape Verde 225 NA 104 Armenia 200 2007 est. 105 Bahrain 200 2003 est. 106 Belize 200 2007 est. 107 Oman 200 2003 est. 108 Mongolia 200 2003 est. 109 Lithuania 200 2007 est. 110 Lebanon 200 2007 est. 111 Kyrgyzstan 200 2007 est. 112 Israel 200 2007 est. 113 Hong Kong 200 2003 est. 114 Georgia 200 2003 est. 115 Fiji 200 2003 est. 116 Tunisia 200 2007 est. 117 Syria 200 2003 est. 118 Singapore 200 2007 est. 119 Philippines 200 2007 est. 120 Poland 200 2007 est. 121 New Zealand 200 2003 est. 122 Netherlands 200 2007 est. 123 Costa Rica 200 2007 est. 124 Sri Lanka 200 2003 est. 125 Brunei 200 2003 est. 126 Bahamas, The 200 2007 est. 127 Azerbaijan 100 2007 est. 128 Australia 100 2007 est. 129 Denmark 100 2003 est. 130 Ireland 100 2007 est. 131 Turkmenistan 100 2004 est. 132 Sweden 100 2007 est. 133 Slovenia 100 2007 est. 134 Serbia 100 2009 est. 135 Norway 100 2003 est. 136 Malta 100 2003 est. 137 Mauritius 100 2001 est. 138 Macedonia 100 2003 est. 139 Moldova 100 2007 est. 140 Luxembourg 100 2003 est. 141 Slovakia 100 2001 est. 142 Laos 100 2007 est. 143 Japan 100 2007 est. 144 Iceland 100 2003 est. 145 Hungary 100 2001 est. 146 Greece 100 2007 est. 147 Finland 100 2003 est. 148 Cuba 100 2007 est. 149 Bosnia and Herzegovina 100 2001 est. 150 Bulgaria 100 2001 est. 151 Belgium 100 2007 est. 152 Barbados 100 2007 est. 153 Austria 100 2003 est. 154 Czech Republic 10 2001 est. 155 Croatia 10 2001 est. 156 Svalbard 0 2001 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2158 Country Comparison :: Currency code Rank country Currency code Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2172 Country Comparison :: Distribution of family income - Gini index This index measures the degree of inequality in the distribution of family income in a country. The index is calculated from the Lorenz curve, in which cumulative family income is plotted against the number of families arranged from the poorest to the richest. The index is the ratio of (a) the area between a country's Lorenz curve and the 45 degree helping line to (b) the entire triangular area under the 45 degree line. The more nearly equal a country's income distribution, the closer its Lorenz curve to the 45 degree line and the lower its Gini index, e.g., a Scandinavian country with an index of 25. The more unequal a country's income distribution, the farther its Lorenz curve from the 45 degree line and the higher its Gini index, e.g., a Sub-Saharan country with an index of 50. If income were distributed with perfect equality, the Lorenz curve would coincide with the 45 degree line and the index would be zero; if income were distributed with perfect inequality, the Lorenz curve would coincide with the horizontal axis and the right vertical axis and the index would be 100. Rank country Distribution of family income - Gini indexDate of Information 1 Namibia 70.7 2003 2 South Africa 65.0 2005 3 Lesotho 63.2 1995 4 Botswana 63.0 1993 5 Sierra Leone 62.9 1989 6 Central African Republic 61.3 1993 7 Bolivia 59.2 2006 8 Haiti 59.2 2001 9 Paraguay 56.8 2008 10 Brazil 56.7 2005 11 Bosnia and Herzegovina 56.2 2007 12 Panama 56.1 2003 13 Guatemala 55.1 2007 14 Chile 54.9 2003 15 Colombia 53.8 2005 16 Honduras 53.8 2003 17 Hong Kong 53.3 2007 18 El Salvador 52.4 2002 19 Papua New Guinea 50.9 1996 20 Zambia 50.8 2004 21 Niger 50.5 1995 22 Swaziland 50.4 2001 23 Gambia, The 50.2 1998 24 Zimbabwe 50.1 2006 25 Dominican Republic 49.9 2005 26 Peru 49.8 2005 27 Argentina 49.0 January-March 2007 28 Sri Lanka 49.0 2004 29 Venezuela 48.2 2003 30 Singapore 48.1 2008 31 Costa Rica 48.0 2008 32 Mexico 47.9 2006 33 Madagascar 47.5 2001 34 Mozambique 47.3 2002 35 Nepal 47.2 2008 36 China 47.0 2007 37 Rwanda 46.8 2000 38 Malaysia 46.1 2002 39 Ecuador 46.0 2006 40 Philippines 45.8 2006 41 Uganda 45.7 2002 42 Jamaica 45.5 2004 43 Uruguay 45.2 2006 44 United States 45.0 2007 45 Cameroon 44.6 2001 46 Cote d'Ivoire 44.6 2002 47 Iran 44.5 2006 48 Nigeria 43.7 2003 49 Turkey 43.6 2003 50 Guyana 43.2 1999 51 Nicaragua 43.1 2001 52 Cambodia 43.0 2007 est. 53 Kenya 42.5 2008 est. 54 Burundi 42.4 1998 55 Thailand 42.0 2002 56 Russia 41.5 September 2008 57 Senegal 41.3 2001 58 Georgia 40.8 2005 59 Turkmenistan 40.8 1998 60 Mali 40.1 2001 61 Morocco 40.0 2005 est. 62 Tunisia 40.0 2005 est. 63 Jordan 39.7 2007 64 Burkina Faso 39.5 2007 65 Ghana 39.4 2005-06 66 Indonesia 39.4 2005 67 Malawi 39.0 2004 68 Macedonia 39.0 2003 69 Mauritius 39.0 2006 est. 70 Mauritania 39.0 2000 71 Israel 38.6 2005 72 Portugal 38.5 2007 73 Guinea 38.1 2006 74 Japan 38.1 2002 75 Timor-Leste 38.0 76 Yemen 37.7 2005 77 Armenia 37.0 2006 78 Vietnam 37.0 2004 79 India 36.8 2004 80 Uzbekistan 36.8 2003 81 Azerbaijan 36.5 2001 82 Benin 36.5 2003 83 New Zealand 36.2 1997 84 Latvia 36.0 2005 85 Lithuania 36.0 2005 86 Algeria 35.3 1995 87 Poland 34.9 2005 88 Laos 34.6 2002 89 Tanzania 34.6 2000 90 Egypt 34.4 2001 91 Estonia 34.0 2008 92 United Kingdom 34.0 2005 93 Switzerland 33.7 2008 94 Bangladesh 33.2 2005 95 Moldova 33.2 2003 96 Greece 33.0 2005 97 Mongolia 32.8 2002 98 France 32.7 2008 99 Tajikistan 32.6 2006 100 Canada 32.1 2005 101 Ireland 32.0 2005 102 Spain 32.0 2005 103 Romania 32.0 2008 104 Italy 32.0 2006 105 Korea, South 31.3 2007 106 European Union 31.0 2005 est. 107 Ukraine 31.0 2006 108 Netherlands 30.9 2007 109 Bulgaria 30.7 2007 110 Pakistan 30.6 FY07/08 111 Australia 30.5 2006 112 Kazakhstan 30.4 2005 113 Kyrgyzstan 30.3 2003 114 Ethiopia 30.0 2000 115 Montenegro 30.0 2003 116 Serbia 30.0 2003 117 Finland 29.5 2007 118 Cyprus 29.0 2005 119 Croatia 29.0 2008 120 Belgium 28.0 2005 121 Hungary 28.0 2005 122 Belarus 27.9 2005 123 Germany 27.0 2006 124 Albania 26.7 2005 125 Austria 26.0 2007 126 Luxembourg 26.0 2005 127 Malta 26.0 2007 128 Slovakia 26.0 2005 129 Czech Republic 26.0 2005 130 Iceland 25.0 2005 131 Norway 25.0 2008 132 Denmark 24.0 2005 133 Slovenia 24.0 2005 134 Sweden 23.0 2005 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2173 Country Comparison :: Oil - production This entry is the total oil produced in barrels per day (bbl/day). The discrepancy between the amount of oil produced and/or imported and the amount consumed and/or exported is due to the omission of stock changes, refinery gains, and other complicating factors. Rank country (bbl/day) Date of Information 1 Saudi Arabia 10,780,000 2008 est. 2 Russia 9,790,000 2008 est. 3 United States 8,514,000 2008 est. 4 Iran 4,174,000 2008 est. 5 China 3,973,000 2008 est. 6 Canada 3,350,000 2008 est. 7 Mexico 3,186,000 2008 est. 8 United Arab Emirates 3,046,000 2008 est. 9 Kuwait 2,741,000 2008 est. 10 Venezuela 2,643,000 2008 est. 11 European Union 2,538,000 2007 est. 12 Norway 2,466,000 2008 est. 13 Brazil 2,422,000 2008 est. 14 Iraq 2,385,000 2008 est. 15 Algeria 2,180,000 2008 est. 16 Nigeria 2,169,000 2008 est. 17 Angola 2,015,000 2008 est. 18 Libya 1,875,000 2008 est. 19 United Kingdom 1,584,000 2008 est. 20 Kazakhstan 1,429,000 2008 est. 21 Qatar 1,208,000 2008 est. 22 Indonesia 1,051,000 2008 est. 23 India 883,500 2008 est. 24 Azerbaijan 875,200 2008 est. 25 Argentina 792,300 2008 est. 26 Oman 761,000 2008 est. 27 Malaysia 727,200 2008 est. 28 Egypt 630,600 2008 est. 29 Colombia 600,600 2008 est. 30 Australia 586,400 2008 est. 31 Ecuador 505,100 2008 est. 32 Sudan 480,200 2008 est. 33 Syria 426,100 2008 est. 34 Thailand 361,300 2008 est. 35 Equatorial Guinea 359,200 2008 est. 36 Vietnam 313,600 2008 est. 37 Yemen 300,100 2008 est. 38 Denmark 288,800 2008 est. 39 Gabon 247,800 2008 est. 40 Congo, Republic of the 239,900 2008 est. 41 South Africa 195,000 2008 est. 42 Turkmenistan 189,400 2008 est. 43 Trinidad and Tobago 163,300 2008 est. 44 Italy 162,200 2008 est. 45 Brunei 157,400 2008 est. 46 Germany 150,800 2008 est. 47 Japan 133,100 2008 est. 48 Chad 127,000 2008 est. 49 Peru 120,200 2008 est. 50 Romania 115,200 2008 est. 51 Ukraine 101,300 2008 est. 52 Timor-Leste 100,000 2008 est. 53 Tunisia 86,930 2008 est. 54 Uzbekistan 83,820 2008 est. 55 Cameroon 81,720 2008 est. 56 Netherlands 72,090 2008 est. 57 France 70,800 2008 est. 58 New Zealand 65,400 2008 est. 59 Pakistan 61,870 2008 est. 60 Cote d'Ivoire 60,100 2008 est. 61 Cuba 52,630 2008 est. 62 Bolivia 51,360 2008 est. 63 Bahrain 48,520 2008 est. 64 Turkey 46,120 2008 est. 65 Papua New Guinea 38,100 2008 est. 66 Hungary 37,830 2008 est. 67 Poland 35,560 2008 est. 68 Belarus 32,950 2008 est. 69 Korea, South 30,440 2008 est. 70 Spain 28,130 2008 est. 71 Philippines 25,120 2008 est. 72 Austria 24,850 2008 est. 73 Croatia 22,200 2008 est. 74 Burma 22,120 2008 est. 75 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 19,960 2008 est. 76 Virgin Islands 17,620 2008 est. 77 Czech Republic 16,080 2008 est. 78 Guatemala 15,550 2008 est. 79 Suriname 15,280 2008 est. 80 Slovakia 14,000 2008 est. 81 Mauritania 12,830 2008 est. 82 Taiwan 12,310 2008 est. 83 Serbia 11,420 2008 est. 84 Belgium 11,220 2008 est. 85 Chile 11,190 2008 est. 86 Finland 9,789 2008 est. 87 Singapore 8,553 2008 est. 88 Lithuania 8,247 2008 est. 89 Portugal 7,861 2008 est. 90 Estonia 7,600 2008 est. 91 Ghana 7,399 2008 est. 92 Bangladesh 6,426 2008 est. 93 Albania 5,985 2008 est. 94 Israel 5,246 2008 est. 95 Greece 4,891 2008 est. 96 Morocco 4,310 2008 est. 97 Sweden 3,572 2008 est. 98 Belize 3,511 2008 est. 99 Bulgaria 3,357 2008 est. 100 Switzerland 3,244 2008 est. 101 Mongolia 3,216 2008 102 Aruba 2,351 2008 est. 103 Puerto Rico 1,354 2008 est. 104 Barbados 1,100 2008 est. 105 Georgia 977 2008 est. 106 Kyrgyzstan 958 2008 est. 107 Uruguay 946 2008 est. 108 Tajikistan 238 2008 est. 109 Zambia 159 2008 est. 110 Korea, North 121 2008 est. 111 Madagascar 85 2008 est. 112 Paraguay 27 2008 est. 113 Slovenia 5 2008 est. 114 Sierra Leone 3 2008 est. 115 Antigua and Barbuda 0 2008 est. 116 Botswana 0 2008 est. 117 Bosnia and Herzegovina 0 2008 est. 118 Solomon Islands 0 2008 est. 119 Zimbabwe 0 2008 est. 120 Swaziland 0 2008 est. 121 Samoa 0 2008 est. 122 Western Sahara 0 2008 est. 123 Namibia 0 2008 est. 124 British Virgin Islands 0 2008 est. 125 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0 2008 est. 126 Burkina Faso 0 2008 est. 127 Tanzania 0 2008 est. 128 Sao Tome and Principe 0 2008 est. 129 Togo 0 2008 est. 130 Tonga 0 2008 est. 131 Turks and Caicos Islands 0 2008 est. 132 Saint Lucia 0 2008 est. 133 Somalia 0 2008 est. 134 Saint Helena 0 2008 est. 135 Senegal 0 2008 est. 136 Seychelles 0 2008 est. 137 Saint Kitts and Nevis 0 2008 est. 138 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0 2008 est. 139 Rwanda 0 2008 est. 140 Guinea-Bissau 0 2008 est. 141 Panama 0 2008 est. 142 Luxembourg 0 2008 est. 143 Lesotho 0 2008 est. 144 Liberia 0 2008 est. 145 Latvia 0 2008 est. 146 Lebanon 0 2008 est. 147 Laos 0 2008 est. 148 Kosovo 0 2007 149 Kiribati 0 2008 est. 150 Kenya 0 2008 est. 151 Nicaragua 0 2008 est. 152 Netherlands Antilles 0 2008 est. 153 Nauru 0 2008 est. 154 Nepal 0 2008 est. 155 Vanuatu 0 2008 est. 156 Niger 0 2008 est. 157 Niue 0 2008 est. 158 New Caledonia 0 2008 est. 159 Mozambique 0 2008 est. 160 Maldives 0 2008 est. 161 Malta 0 2008 est. 162 Mauritius 0 2008 est. 163 Mali 0 2008 est. 164 Macedonia 0 2008 est. 165 Montenegro 0 2008 est. 166 Malawi 0 2008 est. 167 Montserrat 0 2008 est. 168 Moldova 0 2008 est. 169 Macau 0 2008 est. 170 Jordan 0 2008 est. 171 Jamaica 0 2008 est. 172 Gambia, The 0 2008 est. 173 French Polynesia 0 2008 est. 174 Faroe Islands 0 2008 est. 175 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 0 2008 est. 176 Fiji 0 2008 est. 177 Ethiopia 0 2008 est. 178 El Salvador 0 2008 est. 179 Eritrea 0 2008 est. 180 Ireland 0 2008 est. 181 Dominican Republic 0 2008 est. 182 Dominica 0 2008 est. 183 Djibouti 0 2008 est. 184 Cyprus 0 2008 est. 185 Cook Islands 0 2008 est. 186 Iceland 0 2008 est. 187 Honduras 0 2008 est. 188 Hong Kong 0 2008 est. 189 Haiti 0 2008 est. 190 Guyana 0 2008 est. 191 Guinea 0 2008 est. 192 Greenland 0 2008 est. 193 Grenada 0 2008 est. 194 Gibraltar 0 2008 est. 195 Cape Verde 0 2008 est. 196 Central African Republic 0 2008 est. 197 Costa Rica 0 2008 est. 198 Comoros 0 2008 est. 199 Cayman Islands 0 2008 est. 200 Sri Lanka 0 2008 est. 201 Cambodia 0 2008 est. 202 Burundi 0 2008 est. 203 Bhutan 0 2008 est. 204 Benin 0 2008 est. 205 Bahamas, The 0 2008 est. 206 Bermuda 0 2008 est. 207 Armenia 0 2008 est. 208 American Samoa 0 2008 est. 209 Afghanistan 0 2008 est. ====================================================================== Rank code: 2174 Country Comparison :: Oil - consumption This entry is the total oil consumed in barrels per day (bbl/day). The discrepancy between the amount of oil produced and/or imported and the amount consumed and/or exported is due to the omission of stock changes, refinery gains, and other complicating factors. Rank country (bbl/day) Date of Information 1 United States 19,500,000 2008 est. 2 European Union 14,440,000 2007 est. 3 China 7,850,000 2008 est. 4 Japan 4,785,000 2008 est. 5 India 2,940,000 2008 est. 6 Russia 2,900,000 2008 est. 7 Germany 2,569,000 2008 est. 8 Brazil 2,520,000 2008 est. 9 Saudi Arabia 2,380,000 2008 est. 10 Canada 2,260,000 2008 est. 11 Korea, South 2,175,000 2008 est. 12 Mexico 2,128,000 2008 est. 13 France 1,986,000 2008 est. 14 Iran 1,755,000 2008 est. 15 United Kingdom 1,710,000 2008 est. 16 Italy 1,639,000 2008 est. 17 Indonesia 1,564,000 2008 est. 18 Spain 1,562,000 2008 est. 19 Netherlands 962,900 2008 est. 20 Taiwan 959,000 2008 est. 21 Australia 953,700 2008 est. 22 Thailand 942,000 2008 est. 23 Singapore 896,000 2008 est. 24 Venezuela 760,000 2008 est. 25 Belgium 716,800 2008 est. 26 Egypt 697,000 2008 est. 27 Turkey 675,500 2008 est. 28 Iraq 638,000 2008 est. 29 Argentina 610,000 2008 est. 30 South Africa 583,000 2008 est. 31 Malaysia 547,000 2008 est. 32 Poland 544,800 2008 est. 33 United Arab Emirates 463,000 2008 est. 34 Greece 434,000 2008 est. 35 Pakistan 383,000 2008 est. 36 Hong Kong 366,000 2008 est. 37 Ukraine 353,000 2008 est. 38 Sweden 351,800 2008 est. 39 Kuwait 325,000 2008 est. 40 Philippines 320,000 2008 est. 41 Algeria 299,000 2008 est. 42 Portugal 291,700 2008 est. 43 Colombia 291,000 2008 est. 44 Vietnam 288,000 2008 est. 45 Nigeria 286,000 2008 est. 46 Austria 285,400 2008 est. 47 Chile 277,000 2008 est. 48 Switzerland 275,600 2008 est. 49 Libya 273,000 2008 est. 50 Syria 256,000 2008 est. 51 Kazakhstan 239,000 2008 est. 52 Israel 235,000 2008 est. 53 Norway 220,200 2008 est. 54 Romania 219,000 2008 est. 55 Finland 215,600 2008 est. 56 Czech Republic 212,800 2008 est. 57 Ireland 188,000 2008 est. 58 Morocco 187,000 2008 est. 59 Puerto Rico 185,300 2008 est. 60 Belarus 184,000 2008 est. 61 Denmark 181,100 2008 est. 62 Ecuador 178,000 2008 est. 63 Cuba 176,000 2008 est. 64 Hungary 162,100 2008 est. 65 Peru 160,000 2008 est. 66 New Zealand 154,100 2008 est. 67 Yemen 149,000 2008 est. 68 Uzbekistan 148,000 2008 est. 69 Qatar 129,000 2008 est. 70 Azerbaijan 126,000 2008 est. 71 Bulgaria 124,000 2008 est. 72 Dominican Republic 119,000 2008 est. 73 Turkmenistan 112,000 2008 est. 74 Jordan 108,000 2008 est. 75 Croatia 105,000 2008 est. 76 Bangladesh 95,000 2008 est. 77 Panama 94,000 2008 est. 78 Lebanon 92,000 2008 est. 79 Tunisia 90,000 2008 est. 80 Sri Lanka 89,000 2008 est. 81 Sudan 86,000 2008 est. 82 Slovakia 84,990 2008 est. 83 Oman 81,000 2008 est. 84 Jamaica 78,000 2008 est. 85 Guatemala 76,000 2008 est. 86 Kenya 75,000 2008 est. 87 Lithuania 73,000 2008 est. 88 Virgin Islands 72,860 2008 est. 89 Netherlands Antilles 71,000 2008 est. 90 Angola 64,000 2008 est. 91 Slovenia 61,000 2008 est. 92 Bolivia 60,000 2008 est. 93 Luxembourg 59,140 2008 est. 94 Cyprus 59,000 2008 est. 95 Ghana 56,000 2008 est. 96 Honduras 52,000 2008 est. 97 Armenia 48,000 2008 est. 98 Costa Rica 45,000 2008 est. 99 El Salvador 45,000 2008 est. 100 Burma 41,000 2008 est. 101 Trinidad and Tobago 41,000 2008 est. 102 Uruguay 41,000 2008 est. 103 Latvia 39,000 2008 est. 104 Bahrain 38,000 2008 est. 105 Senegal 38,000 2008 est. 106 Ethiopia 37,000 2008 est. 107 Tajikistan 36,000 2008 est. 108 Albania 34,000 2008 est. 109 Bahamas, The 34,000 2008 est. 110 Papua New Guinea 33,000 2008 est. 111 Tanzania 32,000 2008 est. 112 Bosnia and Herzegovina 29,000 2008 est. 113 Nicaragua 29,000 2008 est. 114 Estonia 29,000 2008 est. 115 Paraguay 28,000 2008 est. 116 Cameroon 26,000 2008 est. 117 Cote d'Ivoire 25,000 2008 est. 118 Gibraltar 24,000 2008 est. 119 Mauritius 23,000 2008 est. 120 Benin 21,000 2008 est. 121 Mauritania 21,000 2008 est. 122 Namibia 21,000 2008 est. 123 Macedonia 21,000 2008 est. 124 Madagascar 20,000 2008 est. 125 Togo 20,000 2008 est. 126 Iceland 19,880 2008 est. 127 Malta 19,000 2008 est. 128 Nepal 18,000 2008 est. 129 Moldova 17,000 2008 est. 130 Korea, North 16,000 2008 est. 131 Macau 16,000 2008 est. 132 Zambia 16,000 2008 est. 133 Mozambique 16,000 2008 est. 134 Botswana 15,000 2008 est. 135 Mongolia 15,000 2008 est. 136 Kyrgyzstan 15,000 2008 est. 137 Brunei 15,000 2008 est. 138 Gabon 14,000 2008 est. 139 Georgia 14,000 2008 est. 140 Suriname 14,000 2008 est. 141 Djibouti 13,000 2008 est. 142 New Caledonia 13,000 2008 est. 143 Zimbabwe 13,000 2008 est. 144 Uganda 13,000 2008 est. 145 Haiti 12,000 2008 est. 146 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 11,000 2008 est. 147 Guyana 11,000 2008 est. 148 Fiji 10,000 2008 est. 149 Barbados 9,000 2008 est. 150 Guinea 9,000 2008 est. 151 Sierra Leone 9,000 2008 est. 152 Burkina Faso 9,000 2008 est. 153 Congo, Republic of the 9,000 2008 est. 154 Aruba 8,000 2008 est. 155 Malawi 8,000 2008 est. 156 Belize 7,000 2008 est. 157 Seychelles 7,000 2008 est. 158 French Polynesia 7,000 2008 est. 159 Maldives 6,000 2008 est. 160 Rwanda 6,000 2008 est. 161 Niger 6,000 2008 est. 162 Antigua and Barbuda 5,000 2008 est. 163 Afghanistan 5,000 2008 est. 164 Bermuda 5,000 2008 est. 165 Faroe Islands 5,000 2008 est. 166 Somalia 5,000 2008 est. 167 Mali 5,000 2008 est. 168 Eritrea 5,000 2008 est. 169 American Samoa 4,000 2008 est. 170 Swaziland 4,000 2008 est. 171 Greenland 4,000 2008 est. 172 Liberia 4,000 2008 est. 173 Cambodia 4,000 2008 est. 174 Burundi 3,000 2008 est. 175 Cayman Islands 3,000 2008 est. 176 Saint Lucia 3,000 2008 est. 177 Guinea-Bissau 3,000 2008 est. 178 Laos 3,000 2008 est. 179 Grenada 3,000 2008 est. 180 Solomon Islands 2,000 2008 est. 181 Western Sahara 2,000 2008 est. 182 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2,000 2008 est. 183 Lesotho 2,000 2008 est. 184 Cape Verde 2,000 2008 est. 185 Gambia, The 2,000 2008 est. 186 Central African Republic 2,000 2008 est. 187 Bhutan 1,000 2008 est. 188 Samoa 1,000 2008 est. 189 British Virgin Islands 1,000 2008 est. 190 Sao Tome and Principe 1,000 2008 est. 191 Tonga 1,000 2008 est. 192 Saint Kitts and Nevis 1,000 2008 est. 193 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 1,000 2008 est. 194 Nauru 1,000 2008 est. 195 Vanuatu 1,000 2008 est. 196 Montserrat 1,000 2008 est. 197 Equatorial Guinea 1,000 2008 est. 198 Dominica 1,000 2008 est. 199 Chad 1,000 2008 est. 200 Cook Islands 1,000 2008 est. 201 Comoros 1,000 2008 est. 202 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 0 2008 est. 203 Turks and Caicos Islands 0 2008 est. 204 Saint Helena 0 2008 est. 205 Niue 0 2008 est. 206 Kiribati 0 2008 est. ====================================================================== Rank code: 2175 Country Comparison :: Oil - imports This entry is the total oil imported in barrels per day (bbl/day), including both crude oil and oil products. Rank country (bbl/day) Date of Information 1 United States 13,470,000 2008 est. 2 European Union 8,613,000 2007 est. 3 Japan 5,263,000 2008 est. 4 China 4,210,000 2007 5 Korea, South 2,982,000 2008 est. 6 Germany 2,777,000 2008 est. 7 Netherlands 2,678,000 2008 est. 8 India 2,518,000 2007 est. 9 France 2,346,000 2008 est. 10 Italy 2,205,000 2008 est. 11 Singapore 2,109,000 2007 est. 12 Spain 1,813,000 2008 est. 13 United Kingdom 1,651,000 2008 est. 14 Taiwan 1,251,000 2007 est. 15 Canada 1,165,000 2008 est. 16 Belgium 1,076,000 2008 est. 17 Thailand 826,000 2007 est. 18 Turkey 783,800 2008 est. 19 Australia 687,200 2008 est. 20 Indonesia 671,000 2007 est. 21 Brazil 632,900 2007 est. 22 Poland 595,400 2008 est. 23 Greece 553,000 2008 est. 24 Sweden 542,100 2008 est. 25 South Africa 490,500 2007 est. 26 Virgin Islands 480,600 2007 est. 27 Mexico 479,600 2008 est. 28 Belarus 444,800 2007 est. 29 Ukraine 354,100 2007 est. 30 Portugal 351,100 2008 est. 31 Finland 347,400 2008 est. 32 Philippines 342,200 2007 est. 33 Hong Kong 334,900 2008 34 Pakistan 319,500 2007 est. 35 Israel 318,900 2007 est. 36 Malaysia 314,600 2007 est. 37 Chile 311,200 2007 est. 38 Austria 305,000 2008 est. 39 Netherlands Antilles 298,500 2007 est. 40 Vietnam 254,000 2007 est. 41 Switzerland 247,200 2008 est. 42 Aruba 236,400 2007 est. 43 Bahrain 228,400 2007 est. 44 Puerto Rico 225,000 2007 est. 45 Romania 217,000 2007 est. 46 Czech Republic 213,900 2008 est. 47 Iran 212,200 2007 est. 48 Lithuania 204,000 2007 est. 49 Morocco 195,800 2007 est. 50 Hungary 195,400 2008 est. 51 United Arab Emirates 192,900 2007 est. 52 Ireland 190,800 2008 est. 53 Bulgaria 189,000 2007 est. 54 Nigeria 170,000 2007 est. 55 Kazakhstan 164,000 2007 est. 56 Denmark 153,800 2008 est. 57 Slovakia 148,600 2008 est. 58 New Zealand 147,600 2008 est. 59 Egypt 146,200 2007 est. 60 Peru 133,100 2007 est. 61 Croatia 122,100 2007 est. 62 Iraq 116,900 2007 est. 63 Dominican Republic 116,200 2007 est. 64 Jordan 108,200 2007 est. 65 Cuba 104,800 2007 est. 66 Norway 104,400 2008 est. 67 Trinidad and Tobago 92,480 2007 est. 68 Sri Lanka 87,690 2007 est. 69 Bangladesh 87,660 2007 est. 70 Tunisia 87,300 2007 est. 71 Panama 87,100 2007 est. 72 Lebanon 86,750 2007 est. 73 Cote d'Ivoire 80,960 2007 est. 74 Kenya 80,530 2007 est. 75 Saudi Arabia 79,250 2007 est. 76 Jamaica 77,720 2007 est. 77 Guatemala 72,440 2007 est. 78 Bahamas, The 72,420 2007 est. 79 Serbia 70,760 2005 est. 80 Yemen 65,860 2007 est. 81 Slovenia 63,080 2007 est. 82 Luxembourg 60,030 2008 est. 83 Cyprus 58,930 2007 est. 84 Syria 58,710 2007 est. 85 Ecuador 54,190 2007 est. 86 Uruguay 52,730 2007 est. 87 Argentina 52,290 2007 est. 88 Costa Rica 47,860 2007 est. 89 Russia 47,360 2007 est. 90 El Salvador 46,310 2007 est. 91 Honduras 46,130 2007 est. 92 Cameroon 45,520 2007 est. 93 Ghana 45,380 2007 est. 94 Armenia 45,200 2007 est. 95 Latvia 43,400 2007 est. 96 Senegal 42,850 2007 est. 97 Uzbekistan 35,810 2007 est. 98 Ethiopia 33,590 2007 est. 99 Cambodia 30,970 2007 est. 100 Estonia 30,590 2007 est. 101 Nicaragua 29,570 2007 est. 102 Benin 28,900 2007 est. 103 Angola 28,090 2007 est. 104 Tanzania 28,070 2007 est. 105 Macedonia 26,730 2007 est. 106 Bosnia and Herzegovina 25,990 2007 est. 107 Gibraltar 25,610 2007 est. 108 Paraguay 25,100 2007 est. 109 Albania 24,080 2007 est. 110 Mauritius 22,200 2007 est. 111 Mauritania 20,610 2007 est. 112 Fiji 20,340 2007 est. 113 Namibia 19,120 2007 est. 114 Burma 18,250 2007 est. 115 Malta 17,910 2007 est. 116 Mongolia 17,680 2008 117 Iceland 17,510 2008 est. 118 Oman 17,290 2007 est. 119 Madagascar 16,940 2007 est. 120 Nepal 16,920 2007 est. 121 Georgia 16,590 2007 est. 122 Colombia 16,540 2007 est. 123 Togo 15,270 2007 est. 124 Botswana 15,180 2007 est. 125 Zambia 14,730 2007 est. 126 New Caledonia 14,430 2007 est. 127 Papua New Guinea 14,380 2007 est. 128 Algeria 14,320 2007 est. 129 Moldova 14,230 2007 est. 130 Korea, North 13,890 2007 est. 131 Zimbabwe 13,830 2007 est. 132 Mozambique 13,760 2007 est. 133 Uganda 13,090 2007 est. 134 Kyrgyzstan 12,850 2007 est. 135 Haiti 12,280 2007 est. 136 Sudan 11,400 2007 est. 137 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 11,350 2007 est. 138 Guyana 10,550 2007 est. 139 Barbados 10,390 2007 est. 140 Tajikistan 10,100 2008 141 Guinea 8,674 2007 est. 142 Djibouti 8,476 2007 est. 143 Sierra Leone 8,316 2007 est. 144 Burkina Faso 8,283 2007 est. 145 Seychelles 7,653 2007 est. 146 Belize 7,204 2007 est. 147 Malawi 6,960 2007 est. 148 French Polynesia 6,701 2007 est. 149 Somalia 6,387 2007 est. 150 Suriname 6,296 2007 est. 151 Bolivia 6,172 2007 est. 152 Montenegro 6,093 2005 153 Rwanda 5,623 2007 est. 154 Maldives 5,406 2007 est. 155 Niger 5,367 2007 est. 156 Macau 5,027 2008 est. 157 Faroe Islands 4,922 2007 est. 158 Eritrea 4,790 2007 est. 159 Antigua and Barbuda 4,690 2007 est. 160 Bermuda 4,500 2007 est. 161 Afghanistan 4,404 2007 est. 162 Mali 4,402 2007 est. 163 Liberia 4,263 2007 est. 164 Gabon 4,185 2007 est. 165 Greenland 4,172 2007 est. 166 American Samoa 4,140 2007 est. 167 Swaziland 4,100 2007 est. 168 Cayman Islands 3,294 2007 est. 169 Laos 3,080 2007 est. 170 Azerbaijan 2,848 2007 est. 171 Saint Lucia 2,747 2007 est. 172 Guinea-Bissau 2,545 2007 est. 173 Turkmenistan 2,542 2007 est. 174 Burundi 2,495 2007 est. 175 Gambia, The 2,266 2007 est. 176 Central African Republic 2,203 2007 est. 177 Congo, Republic of the 2,136 2007 est. 178 Grenada 1,923 2007 est. 179 Western Sahara 1,702 2007 est. 180 Cape Verde 1,619 2007 est. 181 Chad 1,571 2007 est. 182 Lesotho 1,553 2007 est. 183 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1,451 2007 est. 184 Solomon Islands 1,323 2007 est. 185 Saint Kitts and Nevis 1,225 2007 est. 186 Tonga 1,173 2007 est. 187 Bhutan 1,168 2007 est. 188 Equatorial Guinea 1,114 2007 est. 189 Samoa 1,105 2007 est. 190 Nauru 1,026 2007 est. 191 Dominica 838 2007 est. 192 Comoros 766 2007 est. 193 Sao Tome and Principe 726 2007 est. 194 British Virgin Islands 691 2007 est. 195 Vanuatu 654 2007 est. 196 Libya 575 2007 est. 197 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 564 2007 est. 198 Montserrat 521 2007 est. 199 Cook Islands 495 2007 est. 200 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 271 2007 est. 201 Kiribati 261 2007 est. 202 Brunei 238 2007 est. 203 Turks and Caicos Islands 80 2007 est. 204 Saint Helena 80 2007 est. 205 Niue 31 2007 est. 206 Kuwait 0 2007 est. 207 Qatar 0 2007 est. 208 Venezuela 0 2007 est. ====================================================================== Rank code: 2176 Country Comparison :: Oil - exports This entry is the total oil exported in barrels per day (bbl/day), including both crude oil and oil products. Rank country (bbl/day) Date of Information 1 Saudi Arabia 8,728,000 2007 est. 2 Russia 6,845,000 2007 est. 3 Iran 2,719,000 2007 est. 4 United Arab Emirates 2,700,000 2007 est. 5 Canada 2,421,000 2008 est. 6 Norway 2,383,000 2008 est. 7 Kuwait 2,349,000 2007 est. 8 Nigeria 2,327,000 2007 est. 9 European Union 2,196,000 2007 est. 10 Venezuela 2,182,000 2007 est. 11 Mexico 1,986,000 2008 est. 12 Algeria 1,891,000 2007 est. 13 Iraq 1,830,000 2008 est. 14 Netherlands 1,647,000 2008 est. 15 United Kingdom 1,602,000 2008 est. 16 Libya 1,542,000 2007 est. 17 United States 1,433,000 2008 est. 18 Angola 1,407,000 2007 est. 19 Kazakhstan 1,313,000 2007 est. 20 Singapore 1,289,000 2007 est. 21 Qatar 1,043,000 2007 est. 22 Korea, South 800,000 2008 est. 23 India 671,200 2007 est. 24 Italy 667,100 2008 est. 25 Oman 593,700 2008 est. 26 Germany 582,900 2008 est. 27 Brazil 570,100 2007 est. 28 France 554,100 2008 est. 29 Azerbaijan 528,900 2007 est. 30 Malaysia 511,900 2007 est. 31 Belgium 507,500 2008 est. 32 China 419,200 2007 est. 33 Ecuador 417,000 2007 est. 34 Virgin Islands 388,000 2007 est. 35 Equatorial Guinea 362,900 2007 est. 36 Vietnam 347,400 2007 est. 37 Australia 332,400 2008 est. 38 Argentina 314,400 2007 est. 39 Belarus 303,900 2007 est. 40 Sudan 303,800 2007 est. 41 Taiwan 303,500 2007 est. 42 Colombia 294,000 2008 est. 43 Denmark 287,100 2008 est. 44 Yemen 274,400 2007 est. 45 Japan 268,300 2008 est. 46 Trinidad and Tobago 248,300 2007 est. 47 Congo, Republic of the 241,100 2007 est. 48 Bahrain 238,300 2007 est. 49 Aruba 231,100 2007 est. 50 Gabon 227,300 2007 est. 51 Spain 226,900 2008 est. 52 Netherlands Antilles 224,600 2007 est. 53 Sweden 219,300 2008 est. 54 Thailand 216,400 2007 est. 55 Brunei 207,500 2007 est. 56 Chad 157,900 2007 est. 57 Egypt 155,200 2007 est. 58 Syria 155,000 2008 est. 59 Greece 151,300 2008 est. 60 Turkey 141,700 2008 est. 61 Lithuania 137,200 2007 est. 62 Finland 133,000 2008 est. 63 South Africa 128,500 2007 est. 64 Cote d'Ivoire 115,700 2007 est. 65 Romania 115,600 2007 est. 66 Cameroon 107,100 2007 est. 67 Ukraine 97,200 2007 est. 68 Indonesia 85,000 2008 est. 69 Turkmenistan 84,770 2007 est. 70 Tunisia 77,130 2007 est. 71 Bulgaria 76,570 2007 est. 72 Slovakia 74,070 2008 est. 73 Hungary 72,050 2008 est. 74 Israel 69,580 2007 est. 75 Peru 68,640 2007 est. 76 Poland 67,340 2008 est. 77 Portugal 53,260 2008 est. 78 Chile 49,250 2007 est. 79 Austria 45,580 2008 est. 80 Croatia 43,750 2007 est. 81 Bahamas, The 41,570 2007 est. 82 Philippines 36,720 2007 est. 83 New Zealand 34,260 2008 est. 84 Papua New Guinea 32,490 2007 est. 85 Mauritania 30,620 2007 est. 86 Pakistan 30,090 2007 est. 87 Ireland 22,710 2008 est. 88 Czech Republic 22,560 2008 est. 89 Guatemala 21,850 2007 est. 90 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 20,090 2007 est. 91 Hong Kong 19,480 2008 92 Morocco 17,420 2007 est. 93 Puerto Rico 16,520 2007 est. 94 Bolivia 10,950 2007 est. 95 Switzerland 10,310 2008 est. 96 Benin 8,770 2007 est. 97 Slovenia 8,450 2007 est. 98 Macedonia 7,410 2007 est. 99 Estonia 7,280 2007 est. 100 Kenya 7,270 2007 est. 101 Uruguay 7,100 2007 est. 102 Uzbekistan 6,104 2007 est. 103 Latvia 5,873 2007 est. 104 Senegal 5,653 2007 est. 105 Ghana 4,843 2007 est. 106 Panama 4,803 2007 est. 107 Suriname 4,308 2007 est. 108 Serbia 3,641 2005 109 Iceland 2,975 2008 est. 110 Bangladesh 2,612 2007 est. 111 Fiji 2,455 2007 est. 112 Belize 2,260 2007 est. 113 Burma 2,200 2007 est. 114 Costa Rica 2,117 2007 est. 115 El Salvador 1,927 2007 est. 116 Kyrgyzstan 1,890 2007 est. 117 Barbados 1,750 2007 est. 118 Togo 1,547 2005 119 Georgia 1,486 2007 est. 120 Somalia 1,475 2007 est. 121 Sri Lanka 968 2007 est. 122 Albania 749 2005 est. 123 New Caledonia 645 2007 est. 124 Sierra Leone 502 2007 est. 125 Madagascar 365 2007 est. 126 Tajikistan 349 NA 127 Montenegro 314 2005 128 Zambia 275 2007 est. 129 Antigua and Barbuda 219 2007 est. 130 Nicaragua 213 2007 est. 131 Bosnia and Herzegovina 192 2007 est. 132 Luxembourg 168 2008 est. 133 Greenland 150 2007 est. 134 Gambia, The 42 2007 est. 135 Moldova 36 2007 est. 136 Liberia 23 2007 est. 137 Djibouti 19 2007 est. 138 Afghanistan 0 2007 est. 139 Bermuda 0 2007 est. 140 Bhutan 0 2007 est. 141 Cambodia 0 2007 est. 142 Comoros 0 2007 est. 143 Cuba 0 2007 est. 144 Rwanda 0 2007 est. 145 Guinea-Bissau 0 2007 est. 146 Paraguay 0 2007 est. 147 Nauru 0 2007 est. 148 Nepal 0 2007 est. 149 Vanuatu 0 2007 est. 150 Niger 0 2007 est. 151 Niue 0 2007 est. 152 Macau 0 2007 est. 153 Swaziland 0 2007 est. 154 Samoa 0 2007 est. 155 Western Sahara 0 2007 est. 156 Namibia 0 2007 est. 157 British Virgin Islands 0 2007 est. 158 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0 2007 est. 159 Burkina Faso 0 2007 est. 160 Uganda 0 2007 est. 161 Tanzania 0 2007 est. 162 Zimbabwe 0 2007 est. 163 Sao Tome and Principe 0 2007 est. 164 Tonga 0 2007 est. 165 Turks and Caicos Islands 0 2007 est. 166 Saint Lucia 0 2007 est. 167 Saint Helena 0 2007 est. 168 Seychelles 0 2007 est. 169 Saint Kitts and Nevis 0 2007 est. 170 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0 2007 est. 171 Lesotho 0 2007 est. 172 Lebanon 0 2007 est. 173 Laos 0 2007 est. 174 Kiribati 0 2007 est. 175 Korea, North 0 2007 est. 176 Jordan 0 2007 est. 177 Jamaica 0 2007 est. 178 Faroe Islands 0 2007 est. 179 Mozambique 0 2007 est. 180 Maldives 0 2007 est. 181 Malta 0 2007 est. 182 Mauritius 0 2007 est. 183 Mali 0 2007 est. 184 Malawi 0 2007 est. 185 Montserrat 0 2007 est. 186 Mongolia 0 2007 est. 187 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 0 2007 est. 188 Ethiopia 0 2007 est. 189 Eritrea 0 2007 est. 190 Dominican Republic 0 2007 est. 191 Dominica 0 2007 est. 192 Cyprus 0 2007 est. 193 Cook Islands 0 2007 est. 194 Cape Verde 0 2007 est. 195 Honduras 0 2007 est. 196 Haiti 0 2007 est. 197 Guyana 0 2007 est. 198 Guinea 0 2007 est. 199 Grenada 0 2007 est. 200 Gibraltar 0 2007 est. 201 French Polynesia 0 2007 est. 202 Central African Republic 0 2007 est. 203 Cayman Islands 0 2007 est. 204 Burundi 0 2007 est. 205 Solomon Islands 0 2007 est. 206 American Samoa 0 2007 est. 207 Botswana 0 2007 est. 208 Armenia 0 2007 est. ====================================================================== Rank code: 2177 Country Comparison :: Median age This entry is the age that divides a population into two numerically equal groups; that is, half the people are younger than this age and half are older. It is a single index that summarizes the age distribution of a population. Currently, the median age ranges from a low of about 15 in Uganda and Gaza Strip to 40 or more in several European countries and Japan. See the entry for "Age structure" for the importance of a young versus an older age structure and, by implication, a low versus a higher median age. Rank country (years) Date of Information 1 Monaco 45.70 2009 est. 2 Japan 44.20 2009 est. 3 Germany 43.80 2009 est. 4 Italy 43.30 2009 est. 5 Jersey 42.90 2009 est. 6 Guernsey 42.50 2009 est. 7 Hong Kong 42.30 2009 est. 8 Austria 42.20 2009 est. 9 Finland 42.10 2009 est. 10 Greece 41.80 2009 est. 11 Belgium 41.70 2009 est. 12 Slovenia 41.70 2009 est. 13 San Marino 41.50 2009 est. 14 Sweden 41.50 2009 est. 15 Bulgaria 41.40 2009 est. 16 Bermuda 41.30 2009 est. 17 Spain 41.10 2009 est. 18 Croatia 41.00 2009 est. 19 Switzerland 41.00 2009 est. 20 Liechtenstein 41.00 2009 est. 21 Serbia 41.00 2009 est. 22 Denmark 40.50 2009 est. 23 Gibraltar 40.50 2009 est. 24 Canada 40.40 2009 est. 25 Netherlands 40.40 2009 est. 26 Isle of Man 40.20 2009 est. 27 United Kingdom 40.20 2009 est. 28 Czech Republic 40.10 2009 est. 29 Latvia 40.10 2009 est. 30 Estonia 39.90 2009 est. 31 Bosnia and Herzegovina 39.80 2009 est. 32 Malta 39.50 2009 est. 33 Ukraine 39.50 2009 est. 34 Andorra 39.40 2009 est. 35 France 39.40 2009 est. 36 Norway 39.40 2009 est. 37 Portugal 39.40 2009 est. 38 Hungary 39.40 2009 est. 39 Lithuania 39.30 2009 est. 40 Luxembourg 39.20 2009 est. 41 Saint Barthelemy 39.10 2009 est. 42 Virgin Islands 39.10 2009 est. 43 Singapore 39.00 2009 est. 44 Belarus 38.60 2009 est. 45 Georgia 38.60 2009 est. 46 Russia 38.40 2009 est. 47 Cayman Islands 38.10 2009 est. 48 Poland 37.90 2009 est. 49 Aruba 37.80 2009 est. 50 Romania 37.70 2009 est. 51 Saint Helena 37.60 2009 est. 52 Australia 37.30 2009 est. 53 Cuba 37.30 2009 est. 54 Korea, South 37.30 2009 est. 55 Faroe Islands 36.90 2009 est. 56 Slovakia 36.90 2009 est. 57 Montenegro 36.70 2009 est. 58 United States 36.70 2009 est. 59 New Zealand 36.60 2009 est. 60 Taiwan 36.50 2009 est. 61 Puerto Rico 36.20 2009 est. 62 Barbados 35.80 2009 est. 63 Cyprus 35.50 2009 est. 64 Macau 35.20 2009 est. 65 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 35.20 2009 est. 66 Iceland 35.10 2009 est. 67 Macedonia 35.10 2009 est. 68 Ireland 35.00 2009 est. 69 Moldova 34.60 2009 est. 70 China 34.10 2009 est. 71 Netherlands Antilles 33.70 2009 est. 72 Greenland 33.50 2009 est. 73 Korea, North 33.50 2009 est. 74 Uruguay 33.40 2009 est. 75 Thailand 33.30 2009 est. 76 Anguilla 32.60 2009 est. 77 British Virgin Islands 32.30 2009 est. 78 Palau 32.20 2009 est. 79 Trinidad and Tobago 32.10 2009 est. 80 Mauritius 31.90 2009 est. 81 Armenia 31.50 2009 est. 82 Chile 31.40 2009 est. 83 Seychelles 31.40 2009 est. 84 Sri Lanka 30.90 2009 est. 85 Qatar 30.80 2009 est. 86 Cook Islands 30.50 2009 est. 87 Saint Martin 30.50 2009 est. 88 United Arab Emirates 30.10 2009 est. 89 Northern Mariana Islands 30.10 2009 est. 90 Bahrain 30.10 2009 est. 91 Argentina 30.00 2009 est. 92 Albania 29.90 2009 est. 93 Dominica 29.80 2009 est. 94 Saint Lucia 29.80 2009 est. 95 Antigua and Barbuda 29.70 2009 est. 96 Kazakhstan 29.60 2009 est. 97 Lebanon 29.30 2009 est. 98 Tunisia 29.20 2009 est. 99 French Polynesia 29.10 2009 est. 100 Israel 29.10 2009 est. 101 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 28.90 2009 est. 102 Bahamas, The 28.70 2009 est. 103 Guyana 28.70 2009 est. 104 New Caledonia 28.70 2009 est. 105 Brazil 28.60 2009 est. 106 Saint Kitts and Nevis 28.60 2009 est. 107 Montserrat 28.50 2009 est. 108 Azerbaijan 28.20 2009 est. 109 Burma 28.20 2009 est. 110 Suriname 27.90 2009 est. 111 Turks and Caicos Islands 27.90 2009 est. 112 Brunei 27.80 2009 est. 113 Turkey 27.70 2009 est. 114 Indonesia 27.60 2009 est. 115 Costa Rica 27.50 2009 est. 116 Vietnam 27.40 2009 est. 117 Wallis and Futuna 27.20 2009 est. 118 Colombia 27.10 2009 est. 119 Iran 27.00 2009 est. 120 Panama 27.00 2009 est. 121 Algeria 26.60 2009 est. 122 Mexico 26.30 2009 est. 123 Kuwait 26.20 2009 est. 124 Peru 26.10 2009 est. 125 Kosovo 25.90 2009 est. 126 Maldives 25.70 2009 est. 127 Fiji 25.50 2009 est. 128 Venezuela 25.50 2009 est. 129 Tuvalu 25.40 2009 est. 130 India 25.30 2009 est. 131 Mongolia 25.30 2009 est. 132 Ecuador 25.00 2009 est. 133 Morocco 25.00 2009 est. 134 Dominican Republic 24.90 2009 est. 135 Malaysia 24.90 2009 est. 136 Egypt 24.80 2009 est. 137 Uzbekistan 24.70 2009 est. 138 Kyrgyzstan 24.40 2009 est. 139 South Africa 24.40 2009 est. 140 Turkmenistan 24.40 2009 est. 141 Jordan 24.30 2009 est. 142 Vanuatu 24.20 2009 est. 143 Bhutan 23.90 2009 est. 144 Libya 23.90 2009 est. 145 Jamaica 23.70 2009 est. 146 Bangladesh 23.30 2009 est. 147 American Samoa 23.10 2009 est. 148 Grenada 22.80 2009 est. 149 El Salvador 22.50 2009 est. 150 Philippines 22.50 2009 est. 151 Tonga 22.30 2009 est. 152 Cambodia 22.10 2009 est. 153 Nicaragua 22.10 2009 est. 154 Micronesia, Federated States of 22.00 2009 est. 155 Bolivia 21.90 2009 est. 156 Tajikistan 21.90 2009 est. 157 Paraguay 21.90 2009 est. 158 Timor-Leste 21.80 2009 est. 159 Botswana 21.70 2009 est. 160 Syria 21.70 2009 est. 161 Papua New Guinea 21.70 2009 est. 162 Nauru 21.60 2009 est. 163 Saudi Arabia 21.60 2009 est. 164 Lesotho 21.40 2009 est. 165 Marshall Islands 21.20 2009 est. 166 Cape Verde 21.10 2009 est. 167 Namibia 21.00 2009 est. 168 Kiribati 20.80 2009 est. 169 Samoa 20.80 2009 est. 170 Nepal 20.80 2009 est. 171 Pakistan 20.80 2009 est. 172 Ghana 20.70 2009 est. 173 West Bank 20.50 2009 est. 174 Belize 20.40 2009 est. 175 Iraq 20.40 2009 est. 176 Honduras 20.30 2009 est. 177 Haiti 20.20 2009 est. 178 Solomon Islands 19.70 2009 est. 179 Guatemala 19.40 2009 est. 180 Laos 19.30 2009 est. 181 Guinea-Bissau 19.30 2009 est. 182 Cameroon 19.20 2009 est. 183 Cote d'Ivoire 19.20 2009 est. 184 Mauritania 19.20 2009 est. 185 Sudan 19.10 2009 est. 186 Nigeria 19.00 2009 est. 187 Equatorial Guinea 18.90 2009 est. 188 Comoros 18.80 2009 est. 189 Central African Republic 18.80 2009 est. 190 Swaziland 18.80 2009 est. 191 Oman 18.80 2009 est. 192 Kenya 18.70 2009 est. 193 Rwanda 18.70 2009 est. 194 Togo 18.70 2009 est. 195 Gabon 18.60 2009 est. 196 Senegal 18.60 2009 est. 197 Guinea 18.50 2009 est. 198 Eritrea 18.40 2009 est. 199 Djibouti 18.10 2009 est. 200 Angola 18.00 2009 est. 201 Liberia 18.00 2009 est. 202 Tanzania 18.00 2009 est. 203 Madagascar 18.00 2009 est. 204 Gambia, The 17.90 2009 est. 205 Afghanistan 17.60 2009 est. 206 Zimbabwe 17.60 2009 est. 207 Sierra Leone 17.50 2009 est. 208 Somalia 17.50 2009 est. 209 Gaza Strip 17.40 2009 est. 210 Mozambique 17.40 2009 est. 211 Western Sahara 17.30 2009 est. 212 Benin 17.20 2009 est. 213 Mayotte 17.20 2009 est. 214 Zambia 17.00 2009 est. 215 Ethiopia 16.90 2009 est. 216 Congo, Republic of the 16.80 2009 est. 217 Yemen 16.80 2009 est. 218 Burkina Faso 16.80 2009 est. 219 Malawi 16.80 2009 est. 220 Burundi 16.70 2009 est. 221 Chad 16.50 2009 est. 222 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 16.40 2009 est. 223 Sao Tome and Principe 16.40 2009 est. 224 Mali 15.80 2009 est. 225 Niger 15.20 2009 est. 226 Uganda 15.00 2009 est. ====================================================================== Rank code: 2178 Country Comparison :: Oil - proved reserves This entry is the stock of proved reserves of crude oil in barrels (bbl). Proved reserves are those quantities of petroleum which, by analysis of geological and engineering data, can be estimated with a high degree of confidence to be commercially recoverable from a given date forward, from known reservoirs and under current economic conditions. Rank country (bbl) Date of Information 1 Saudi Arabia 266,700,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 2 Canada 178,100,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 3 Iran 136,200,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 4 Iraq 115,000,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 5 Kuwait 104,000,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 6 Venezuela 99,380,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 7 United Arab Emirates 97,800,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 8 Russia 60,000,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 9 Libya 43,660,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 10 Nigeria 36,220,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 11 Kazakhstan 30,000,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 12 United States 21,320,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 13 China 16,000,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 14 Qatar 15,210,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 15 Brazil 12,620,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 16 Algeria 12,200,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 17 Mexico 10,500,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 18 Angola 9,040,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 19 Azerbaijan 7,000,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 20 Norway 6,680,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 21 European Union 5,718,000,000 1 January 2008 22 India 5,625,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 23 Oman 5,500,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 24 Sudan 5,000,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 25 Ecuador 4,660,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 26 Malaysia 4,000,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 27 Indonesia 3,990,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 28 Egypt 3,700,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 29 United Kingdom 3,410,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 30 Yemen 3,000,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 31 Argentina 2,616,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 32 Syria 2,500,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 33 Gabon 2,000,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 34 Congo, Republic of the 1,600,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 35 Australia 1,500,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 36 Chad 1,500,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 37 Colombia 1,355,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 38 Brunei 1,100,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 39 Equatorial Guinea 1,100,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 40 Denmark 1,060,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 41 Trinidad and Tobago 728,300,000 1 January 2009 est. 42 Romania 600,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 43 Turkmenistan 600,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 44 Vietnam 600,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 45 Uzbekistan 594,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 46 Timor-Leste 553,800,000 1 January 2008 47 Bolivia 465,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 48 Thailand 441,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 49 Tunisia 425,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 50 Peru 415,800,000 1 January 2009 est. 51 Italy 406,500,000 1 January 2009 est. 52 Ukraine 395,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 53 Pakistan 339,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 54 Turkey 300,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 55 Germany 276,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 56 Cameroon 200,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 57 Albania 199,100,000 1 January 2009 est. 58 Belarus 198,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 59 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 180,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 60 Chile 150,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 61 Spain 150,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 62 Philippines 138,500,000 1 January 2009 est. 63 Bahrain 124,600,000 1 January 2009 est. 64 Cuba 124,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 65 France 103,300,000 1 January 2009 est. 66 Cote d'Ivoire 100,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 67 Mauritania 100,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 68 Netherlands 100,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 69 Poland 96,380,000 1 January 2009 est. 70 Papua New Guinea 88,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 71 Guatemala 83,070,000 1 January 2009 est. 72 Suriname 79,600,000 1 January 2009 est. 73 Croatia 79,300,000 1 January 2009 est. 74 Serbia 77,500,000 1 January 2009 est. 75 New Zealand 60,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 76 Austria 50,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 77 Burma 50,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 78 Japan 44,120,000 1 January 2009 est. 79 Kyrgyzstan 40,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 80 Georgia 35,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 81 Bangladesh 28,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 82 Hungary 20,180,000 1 January 2009 est. 83 Bulgaria 15,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 84 Czech Republic 15,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 85 South Africa 15,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 86 Ghana 15,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 87 Lithuania 12,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 88 Tajikistan 12,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 89 Greece 10,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 90 Slovakia 9,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 91 Benin 8,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 92 Belize 6,700,000 1 January 2009 est. 93 Taiwan 2,380,000 1 January 2009 est. 94 Barbados 2,170,000 1 January 2009 est. 95 Israel 1,940,000 1 January 2009 est. 96 Jordan 1,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 97 Morocco 750,000 1 January 2009 est. 98 Ethiopia 430,000 1 January 2009 est. 99 Aruba 0 NA 100 Afghanistan 0 1 January 2009 est. 101 Botswana 0 1 January 2009 est. 102 Macedonia 0 1 January 2009 est. 103 Montenegro 0 1 January 2009 est. 104 Malawi 0 1 January 2009 est. 105 Montserrat 0 1 January 2009 est. 106 Mongolia 0 NA 107 Moldova 0 1 January 2009 est. 108 Macau 0 1 January 2009 est. 109 Madagascar 0 1 January 2009 est. 110 Luxembourg 0 1 January 2009 est. 111 Zimbabwe 0 1 January 2009 est. 112 Zambia 0 NA 113 Swaziland 0 1 January 2009 est. 114 Samoa 0 1 January 2009 est. 115 Western Sahara 0 1 January 2009 est. 116 Namibia 0 1 January 2009 est. 117 Virgin Islands 0 NA 118 British Virgin Islands 0 1 January 2009 est. 119 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0 1 January 2009 est. 120 Uruguay 0 NA 121 Burkina Faso 0 1 January 2009 est. 122 Uganda 0 1 January 2009 est. 123 Tanzania 0 1 January 2009 est. 124 Sao Tome and Principe 0 1 January 2009 est. 125 Togo 0 1 January 2009 est. 126 Tonga 0 1 January 2009 est. 127 Turks and Caicos Islands 0 1 January 2009 est. 128 Switzerland 0 NA 129 Sweden 0 1 January 2009 est. 130 Saint Lucia 0 1 January 2009 est. 131 Somalia 0 1 January 2009 est. 132 Singapore 0 1 January 2009 est. 133 Sierra Leone 0 1 January 2009 est. 134 Slovenia 0 1 January 2009 est. 135 Saint Helena 0 1 January 2009 est. 136 Senegal 0 1 January 2009 est. 137 Seychelles 0 1 January 2009 est. 138 Saint Kitts and Nevis 0 1 January 2009 est. 139 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0 1 January 2009 est. 140 Rwanda 0 1 January 2009 est. 141 Puerto Rico 0 1 January 2009 est. 142 Guinea-Bissau 0 1 January 2009 est. 143 Portugal 0 NA 144 Panama 0 1 January 2009 est. 145 Paraguay 0 1 January 2009 est. 146 Nicaragua 0 1 January 2009 est. 147 Netherlands Antilles 0 1 January 2009 est. 148 Nauru 0 1 January 2009 est. 149 Nepal 0 1 January 2009 est. 150 Vanuatu 0 1 January 2009 est. 151 Niger 0 NA 152 Niue 0 1 January 2009 est. 153 New Caledonia 0 1 January 2009 est. 154 Mozambique 0 1 January 2009 est. 155 Maldives 0 1 January 2009 est. 156 Malta 0 1 January 2009 est. 157 Mauritius 0 1 January 2009 est. 158 Mali 0 1 January 2009 est. 159 Lesotho 0 1 January 2009 est. 160 Iceland 0 1 January 2009 est. 161 Honduras 0 1 January 2009 est. 162 Hong Kong 0 1 January 2009 est. 163 Haiti 0 1 January 2009 est. 164 Guyana 0 1 January 2009 est. 165 Guinea 0 1 January 2009 est. 166 Gambia, The 0 1 January 2009 est. 167 French Polynesia 0 1 January 2009 est. 168 Faroe Islands 0 1 January 2009 est. 169 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 0 1 January 2009 est. 170 Fiji 0 1 January 2009 est. 171 Finland 0 NA 172 El Salvador 0 1 January 2009 est. 173 Eritrea 0 1 January 2009 est. 174 Estonia 0 1 January 2009 est. 175 Greenland 0 1 January 2009 est. 176 Grenada 0 1 January 2009 est. 177 Gibraltar 0 1 January 2009 est. 178 Ireland 0 1 January 2009 est. 179 Dominican Republic 0 NA 180 Dominica 0 1 January 2009 est. 181 Djibouti 0 1 January 2009 est. 182 Cyprus 0 NA 183 Cook Islands 0 1 January 2009 est. 184 Cape Verde 0 1 January 2009 est. 185 Central African Republic 0 1 January 2009 est. 186 Liberia 0 1 January 2009 est. 187 Latvia 0 1 January 2009 est. 188 Lebanon 0 1 January 2009 est. 189 Laos 0 1 January 2009 est. 190 Korea, South 0 NA 191 Kiribati 0 1 January 2009 est. 192 Korea, North 0 NA 193 Kenya 0 1 January 2009 est. 194 Jamaica 0 1 January 2009 est. 195 Costa Rica 0 NA 196 Comoros 0 1 January 2009 est. 197 Cayman Islands 0 1 January 2009 est. 198 Sri Lanka 0 1 January 2009 est. 199 Cambodia 0 1 January 2009 est. 200 Burundi 0 1 January 2009 est. 201 Bhutan 0 1 January 2009 est. 202 Solomon Islands 0 1 January 2009 est. 203 Bosnia and Herzegovina 0 1 January 2009 est. 204 Belgium 0 1 January 2009 est. 205 Bahamas, The 0 1 January 2009 est. 206 Bermuda 0 1 January 2009 est. 207 Armenia 0 1 January 2009 est. 208 American Samoa 0 1 January 2009 est. 209 Antigua and Barbuda 0 1 January 2009 est. ====================================================================== Rank code: 2179 Country Comparison :: Natural gas - proved reserves This entry is the stock of proved reserves of natural gas in cubic meters (cu m). Proved reserves are those quantities of natural gas, which, by analysis of geological and engineering data, can be estimated with a high degree of confidence to be commercially recoverable from a given date forward, from known reservoirs and under current economic conditions. Rank country (cu m) Date of Information 1 Russia 47,570,000,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 2 Iran 28,080,000,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 3 Qatar 25,260,000,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 4 Saudi Arabia 7,319,000,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 5 United States 6,731,000,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 6 United Arab Emirates 6,071,000,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 7 Nigeria 5,215,000,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 8 Venezuela 4,840,000,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 9 Algeria 4,502,000,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 10 Iraq 3,170,000,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 11 Indonesia 3,001,000,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 12 Turkmenistan 2,662,000,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 13 Kazakhstan 2,407,000,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 14 Malaysia 2,350,000,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 15 European Union 2,318,000,000,000 1 January 2008 est. 16 Norway 2,313,000,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 17 China 2,265,000,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 18 Uzbekistan 1,841,000,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 19 Kuwait 1,794,000,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 20 Egypt 1,656,000,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 21 Canada 1,640,000,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 22 Libya 1,540,000,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 23 Netherlands 1,416,000,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 24 Ukraine 1,104,000,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 25 India 1,075,000,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 26 Pakistan 885,300,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 27 Azerbaijan 849,500,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 28 Australia 849,500,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 29 Oman 849,500,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 30 Bolivia 750,400,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 31 Trinidad and Tobago 531,500,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 32 Yemen 478,500,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 33 Argentina 441,700,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 34 Brunei 390,800,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 35 Mexico 372,700,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 36 Brazil 365,000,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 37 United Kingdom 342,900,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 38 Peru 335,300,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 39 Thailand 317,100,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 40 Burma 283,200,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 41 Angola 269,800,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 42 Syria 240,700,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 43 Papua New Guinea 226,500,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 44 Timor-Leste 200,000,000,000 1 January 2006 est. 45 Vietnam 192,500,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 46 Germany 175,600,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 47 Poland 164,800,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 48 Bangladesh 141,600,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 49 Cameroon 135,100,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 50 Mozambique 127,400,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 51 Colombia 105,900,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 52 Philippines 98,540,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 53 Chile 97,970,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 54 Italy 94,150,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 55 Bahrain 92,030,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 56 Congo, Republic of the 90,610,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 57 Sudan 84,950,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 58 Cuba 70,790,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 59 Tunisia 65,130,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 60 Romania 63,000,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 61 Namibia 62,290,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 62 Denmark 61,300,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 63 Rwanda 56,630,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 64 Korea, South 50,000,000,000 1 January 2008 est. 65 Afghanistan 49,550,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 66 Serbia 48,140,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 67 Equatorial Guinea 36,810,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 68 New Zealand 33,980,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 69 Croatia 30,580,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 70 Israel 30,440,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 71 Gabon 28,320,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 72 Mauritania 28,320,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 73 Cote d'Ivoire 28,320,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 74 Ethiopia 24,920,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 75 Ghana 22,650,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 76 Japan 20,900,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 77 Austria 16,140,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 78 Slovakia 14,160,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 79 Ireland 9,911,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 80 Ecuador 8,919,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 81 Georgia 8,495,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 82 Turkey 8,495,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 83 Hungary 8,098,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 84 France 6,937,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 85 Tanzania 6,513,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 86 Taiwan 6,229,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 87 Jordan 6,031,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 88 Bulgaria 5,663,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 89 Somalia 5,663,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 90 Tajikistan 5,663,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 91 Kyrgyzstan 5,663,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 92 Czech Republic 3,964,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 93 Guatemala 2,960,000,000 1 January 2006 est. 94 Belarus 2,832,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 95 Spain 2,548,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 96 Greece 1,982,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 97 Morocco 1,501,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 98 Benin 1,133,000,000 1 January 2009 est. 99 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 991,100,000 1 January 2009 est. 100 Albania 849,500,000 1 January 2009 est. 101 Barbados 141,600,000 1 January 2009 est. 102 South Africa 27,160,000 1 January 2006 est. 103 Macau 300,000 1 January 2008 est. 104 Aruba 0 1 January 2009 est. 105 Botswana 0 1 January 2009 est. 106 Belgium 0 1 January 2009 est. 107 Solomon Islands 0 1 January 2009 est. 108 Mauritius 0 1 January 2009 est. 109 Mali 0 1 January 2009 est. 110 Macedonia 0 1 January 2009 est. 111 Malawi 0 1 January 2009 est. 112 Montserrat 0 1 January 2009 est. 113 Mongolia 0 1 January 2009 est. 114 Moldova 0 1 January 2009 est. 115 Madagascar 0 1 January 2006 est. 116 Liberia 0 1 January 2009 est. 117 Zimbabwe 0 1 January 2009 est. 118 Zambia 0 1 January 2009 est. 119 Swaziland 0 1 January 2009 est. 120 Samoa 0 1 January 2009 est. 121 Western Sahara 0 1 January 2009 est. 122 Virgin Islands 0 1 January 2009 est. 123 British Virgin Islands 0 1 January 2009 est. 124 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0 1 January 2009 est. 125 Uruguay 0 1 January 2009 est. 126 Burkina Faso 0 1 January 2009 est. 127 Uganda 0 1 January 2009 est. 128 Sao Tome and Principe 0 1 January 2009 est. 129 Togo 0 1 January 2009 est. 130 Tonga 0 1 January 2009 est. 131 Turks and Caicos Islands 0 1 January 2009 est. 132 Switzerland 0 1 January 2006 est. 133 Sweden 0 1 January 2009 est. 134 Saint Lucia 0 1 January 2009 est. 135 Singapore 0 1 January 2009 est. 136 Sierra Leone 0 1 January 2009 est. 137 Slovenia 0 1 January 2009 est. 138 Saint Helena 0 1 January 2009 est. 139 Senegal 0 NA 140 Seychelles 0 1 January 2009 est. 141 Saint Kitts and Nevis 0 1 January 2009 est. 142 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0 1 January 2009 est. 143 Puerto Rico 0 1 January 2009 est. 144 Guinea-Bissau 0 1 January 2009 est. 145 Portugal 0 1 January 2009 est. 146 Panama 0 1 January 2009 est. 147 Paraguay 0 1 January 2009 est. 148 Nicaragua 0 1 January 2009 est. 149 Netherlands Antilles 0 1 January 2009 est. 150 Suriname 0 1 January 2009 est. 151 Nauru 0 1 January 2009 est. 152 Nepal 0 1 January 2009 est. 153 Vanuatu 0 1 January 2009 est. 154 Niger 0 1 January 2009 est. 155 Niue 0 1 January 2009 est. 156 New Caledonia 0 1 January 2009 est. 157 Maldives 0 1 January 2009 est. 158 Malta 0 1 January 2009 est. 159 Lithuania 0 1 January 2009 est. 160 Lebanon 0 1 January 2009 est. 161 Laos 0 1 January 2009 est. 162 Kiribati 0 1 January 2009 est. 163 Korea, North 0 1 January 2009 est. 164 Kenya 0 1 January 2009 est. 165 Jamaica 0 1 January 2009 est. 166 Iceland 0 1 January 2009 est. 167 Luxembourg 0 1 January 2009 est. 168 Lesotho 0 1 January 2009 est. 169 Honduras 0 1 January 2009 est. 170 Hong Kong 0 1 January 2009 est. 171 Haiti 0 1 January 2009 est. 172 Guyana 0 1 January 2009 est. 173 Guinea 0 1 January 2009 est. 174 Greenland 0 1 January 2009 est. 175 Grenada 0 1 January 2009 est. 176 Gibraltar 0 1 January 2009 est. 177 Gambia, The 0 1 January 2009 est. 178 French Polynesia 0 1 January 2009 est. 179 Faroe Islands 0 1 January 2009 est. 180 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 0 1 January 2009 est. 181 Fiji 0 1 January 2009 est. 182 Finland 0 1 January 2009 est. 183 El Salvador 0 1 January 2009 est. 184 Eritrea 0 1 January 2009 est. 185 Estonia 0 1 January 2009 est. 186 Dominican Republic 0 1 January 2009 est. 187 Dominica 0 1 January 2009 est. 188 Djibouti 0 1 January 2009 est. 189 Cyprus 0 1 January 2009 est. 190 Cook Islands 0 1 January 2009 est. 191 Cape Verde 0 1 January 2009 est. 192 Central African Republic 0 1 January 2009 est. 193 Costa Rica 0 1 January 2009 est. 194 Comoros 0 1 January 2009 est. 195 Cayman Islands 0 1 January 2009 est. 196 Sri Lanka 0 1 January 2009 est. 197 Chad 0 1 January 2009 est. 198 Cambodia 0 1 January 2009 est. 199 Burundi 0 1 January 2009 est. 200 Bhutan 0 1 January 2009 est. 201 Belize 0 1 January 2009 est. 202 Bosnia and Herzegovina 0 1 January 2009 est. 203 Bahamas, The 0 1 January 2006 est. 204 Bermuda 0 1 January 2009 est. 205 Armenia 0 1 January 2009 est. 206 American Samoa 0 1 January 2009 est. 207 Antigua and Barbuda 0 1 January 2009 est. ====================================================================== Rank code: 2180 Country Comparison :: Natural gas - production This entry is the total natural gas produced in cubic meters (cu m). The discrepancy between the amount of natural gas produced and/or imported and the amount consumed and/or exported is due to the omission of stock changes and other complicating factors. Rank country (cu m) Date of Information 1 Russia 662,200,000,000 2008 est. 2 United States 582,200,000,000 2008 est. 3 European Union 201,900,000,000 2007 est. 4 Canada 170,900,000,000 2008 est. 5 Iran 116,300,000,000 2008 est. 6 Norway 99,200,000,000 2008 est. 7 Algeria 86,500,000,000 2008 est. 8 Netherlands 84,690,000,000 2008 est. 9 Saudi Arabia 80,440,000,000 2008 est. 10 Qatar 76,980,000,000 2008 est. 11 China 76,040,000,000 2008 est. 12 Turkmenistan 70,500,000,000 2008 est. 13 Indonesia 70,000,000,000 2008 est. 14 United Kingdom 69,900,000,000 2008 est. 15 Uzbekistan 67,600,000,000 2008 est. 16 Malaysia 57,300,000,000 2008 est. 17 Mexico 52,150,000,000 2008 est. 18 United Arab Emirates 50,240,000,000 2008 est. 19 Egypt 48,300,000,000 2008 est. 20 Australia 45,220,000,000 2008 est. 21 Argentina 44,060,000,000 2008 est. 22 Trinidad and Tobago 39,300,000,000 2008 est. 23 Pakistan 37,500,000,000 2008 est. 24 Kazakhstan 33,380,000,000 2008 est. 25 Nigeria 32,820,000,000 2008 est. 26 India 32,200,000,000 2008 est. 27 Thailand 28,760,000,000 2008 est. 28 Venezuela 24,010,000,000 2008 est. 29 Oman 24,000,000,000 2008 est. 30 Ukraine 19,800,000,000 2008 est. 31 Bangladesh 17,900,000,000 2008 est. 32 Germany 16,360,000,000 2008 est. 33 Azerbaijan 16,200,000,000 2008 est. 34 Libya 15,900,000,000 2008 est. 35 Bolivia 14,200,000,000 2008 est. 36 Brunei 13,400,000,000 2008 est. 37 Kuwait 12,700,000,000 2008 est. 38 Bahrain 12,640,000,000 2008 est. 39 Brazil 12,620,000,000 2008 est. 40 Burma 12,400,000,000 2008 est. 41 Romania 11,420,000,000 2008 est. 42 Denmark 10,090,000,000 2008 est. 43 Italy 9,255,000,000 2008 est. 44 Colombia 9,000,000,000 2008 est. 45 Equatorial Guinea 6,670,000,000 2008 est. 46 Vietnam 6,600,000,000 2008 est. 47 Syria 6,040,000,000 2008 est. 48 Poland 5,719,000,000 2008 est. 49 Japan 5,360,000,000 2008 est. 50 New Zealand 4,275,000,000 2008 est. 51 Peru 3,390,000,000 2008 est. 52 Mozambique 3,300,000,000 2008 est. 53 South Africa 3,250,000,000 2008 est. 54 Tunisia 2,970,000,000 2008 est. 55 Philippines 2,940,000,000 2008 est. 56 Hungary 2,643,000,000 2008 est. 57 Iraq 1,880,000,000 2008 est. 58 Chile 1,650,000,000 2008 est. 59 Croatia 1,580,000,000 2008 est. 60 Austria 1,532,000,000 2008 est. 61 Cote d'Ivoire 1,300,000,000 2008 est. 62 Israel 1,190,000,000 2008 est. 63 Turkey 1,013,000,000 2008 est. 64 France 920,000,000 2008 est. 65 Angola 680,000,000 2008 est. 66 Serbia 650,000,000 2005 est. 67 Tanzania 560,700,000 2008 est. 68 Korea, South 443,000,000 2008 est. 69 Ireland 438,000,000 2008 est. 70 Cuba 400,000,000 2008 est. 71 Taiwan 360,000,000 2008 est. 72 Bulgaria 300,000,000 2008 est. 73 Ecuador 260,000,000 2008 est. 74 Jordan 250,000,000 2008 est. 75 Czech Republic 192,000,000 2008 est. 76 Congo, Republic of the 180,000,000 2008 est. 77 Belarus 152,000,000 2008 est. 78 Slovakia 102,000,000 2008 est. 79 Papua New Guinea 100,000,000 2008 est. 80 Gabon 90,000,000 2008 est. 81 Morocco 60,000,000 2008 est. 82 Moldova 50,000,000 2007 est. 83 Senegal 50,000,000 2008 est. 84 Afghanistan 30,000,000 2008 est. 85 Kyrgyzstan 30,000,000 2008 est. 86 Albania 30,000,000 2008 est. 87 Barbados 29,170,000 2008 est. 88 Cameroon 20,000,000 2008 est. 89 Spain 17,000,000 2008 est. 90 Tajikistan 15,300,000 2008 est. 91 Greece 14,000,000 2008 est. 92 Georgia 8,000,000 2008 est. 93 Aruba 0 2008 est. 94 Botswana 0 2008 est. 95 Belgium 0 2008 est. 96 Belize 0 2008 est. 97 Benin 0 2008 est. 98 Bhutan 0 2008 est. 99 Haiti 0 2008 est. 100 Guyana 0 2008 est. 101 Guinea 0 2008 est. 102 Guatemala 0 2008 est. 103 Greenland 0 2008 est. 104 Grenada 0 2008 est. 105 Gibraltar 0 2008 est. 106 Ghana 0 2008 est. 107 Gambia, The 0 2008 est. 108 Zimbabwe 0 2008 est. 109 Zambia 0 2008 est. 110 Yemen 0 2008 est. 111 Swaziland 0 2008 est. 112 Samoa 0 2008 est. 113 Western Sahara 0 2008 est. 114 Namibia 0 2008 est. 115 Virgin Islands 0 2008 est. 116 British Virgin Islands 0 2008 est. 117 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0 2008 est. 118 Uruguay 0 2008 est. 119 Burkina Faso 0 2008 est. 120 Uganda 0 2008 est. 121 Timor-Leste 0 2008 est. 122 Sao Tome and Principe 0 2008 est. 123 Togo 0 2008 est. 124 Tonga 0 2008 est. 125 Turks and Caicos Islands 0 2008 est. 126 Switzerland 0 2008 est. 127 Sweden 0 2008 est. 128 Sudan 0 2008 est. 129 Saint Lucia 0 2008 est. 130 Somalia 0 2008 est. 131 Singapore 0 2008 est. 132 Sierra Leone 0 2008 est. 133 Slovenia 0 2008 est. 134 Saint Helena 0 2008 est. 135 Seychelles 0 2008 est. 136 Saint Kitts and Nevis 0 2008 est. 137 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0 2008 est. 138 Rwanda 0 2008 est. 139 Puerto Rico 0 2008 est. 140 Guinea-Bissau 0 2008 est. 141 Portugal 0 2008 est. 142 Panama 0 2008 est. 143 Suriname 0 2008 est. 144 Nauru 0 2008 est. 145 Nepal 0 2008 est. 146 Vanuatu 0 2008 est. 147 Niger 0 2008 est. 148 Niue 0 2008 est. 149 New Caledonia 0 2008 est. 150 Maldives 0 2008 est. 151 Malta 0 2008 est. 152 Paraguay 0 2008 est. 153 Nicaragua 0 2008 est. 154 Netherlands Antilles 0 2008 est. 155 Mauritania 0 2008 est. 156 Mauritius 0 2008 est. 157 Mali 0 2008 est. 158 Macedonia 0 2008 est. 159 Malawi 0 2008 est. 160 Montserrat 0 2008 est. 161 Mongolia 0 2008 est. 162 Macau 0 2008 est. 163 Madagascar 0 2008 est. 164 Luxembourg 0 2008 est. 165 Lesotho 0 2008 est. 166 Liberia 0 2008 est. 167 Lithuania 0 2008 est. 168 Latvia 0 2008 est. 169 Lebanon 0 2008 est. 170 Laos 0 2008 est. 171 Kosovo 0 2007 172 Kiribati 0 2008 est. 173 Korea, North 0 2008 est. 174 Kenya 0 2008 est. 175 Jamaica 0 2008 est. 176 Iceland 0 2008 est. 177 Honduras 0 2008 est. 178 Hong Kong 0 2008 est. 179 French Polynesia 0 2008 est. 180 Faroe Islands 0 2008 est. 181 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 0 2008 est. 182 Fiji 0 2008 est. 183 Finland 0 2008 est. 184 Ethiopia 0 2008 est. 185 El Salvador 0 2008 est. 186 Eritrea 0 2008 est. 187 Estonia 0 2008 est. 188 Dominican Republic 0 2008 est. 189 Dominica 0 2008 est. 190 Djibouti 0 2008 est. 191 Cyprus 0 2008 est. 192 Cook Islands 0 2008 est. 193 Cape Verde 0 2008 est. 194 Central African Republic 0 2008 est. 195 Costa Rica 0 2008 est. 196 Comoros 0 2008 est. 197 Cayman Islands 0 2008 est. 198 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 0 2008 est. 199 Sri Lanka 0 2008 est. 200 Chad 0 2008 est. 201 Cambodia 0 2008 est. 202 Burundi 0 2008 est. 203 Solomon Islands 0 2008 est. 204 Bosnia and Herzegovina 0 2008 est. 205 Bahamas, The 0 2008 est. 206 Bermuda 0 2008 est. 207 Armenia 0 2008 est. 208 American Samoa 0 2008 est. 209 Antigua and Barbuda 0 2008 est. ====================================================================== Rank code: 2181 Country Comparison :: Natural gas - consumption This entry is the total natural gas consumed in cubic meters (cu m). The discrepancy between the amount of natural gas produced and/or imported and the amount consumed and/or exported is due to the omission of stock changes and other complicating factors. Rank country (cu m) Date of Information 1 United States 657,200,000,000 2008 est. 2 European Union 516,900,000,000 2007 est. 3 Russia 475,700,000,000 2008 est. 4 Iran 119,000,000,000 2008 est. 5 Japan 101,100,000,000 2008 est. 6 United Kingdom 95,940,000,000 2008 est. 7 Germany 95,790,000,000 2008 est. 8 Italy 84,880,000,000 2008 est. 9 Ukraine 84,000,000,000 2008 est. 10 Canada 82,930,000,000 2008 est. 11 Saudi Arabia 80,440,000,000 2008 est. 12 China 77,180,000,000 2008 est. 13 Mexico 66,880,000,000 2008 est. 14 United Arab Emirates 59,420,000,000 2008 est. 15 Uzbekistan 52,600,000,000 2008 est. 16 France 49,270,000,000 2008 est. 17 Netherlands 48,340,000,000 2008 est. 18 Argentina 44,470,000,000 2008 est. 19 India 42,990,000,000 2008 est. 20 Spain 38,180,000,000 2008 est. 21 Pakistan 37,500,000,000 2008 est. 22 Thailand 37,310,000,000 2008 est. 23 Turkey 37,180,000,000 2008 est. 24 Indonesia 36,500,000,000 2008 est. 25 Korea, South 34,760,000,000 2008 est. 26 Australia 34,200,000,000 2008 est. 27 Kazakhstan 33,680,000,000 2008 est. 28 Egypt 31,380,000,000 2008 est. 29 Algeria 26,830,000,000 2008 est. 30 Malaysia 26,270,000,000 2008 est. 31 Venezuela 25,510,000,000 2008 est. 32 Brazil 23,650,000,000 2008 est. 33 Trinidad and Tobago 21,940,000,000 2008 est. 34 Belarus 21,750,000,000 2008 est. 35 Turkmenistan 21,000,000,000 2008 est. 36 Qatar 20,200,000,000 2008 est. 37 Bangladesh 17,900,000,000 2008 est. 38 Belgium 17,330,000,000 2008 est. 39 Romania 16,920,000,000 2008 est. 40 Poland 16,550,000,000 2008 est. 41 Oman 13,460,000,000 2008 est. 42 Hungary 13,170,000,000 2008 est. 43 Kuwait 12,700,000,000 2008 est. 44 Bahrain 12,640,000,000 2008 est. 45 Taiwan 12,440,000,000 2008 est. 46 Nigeria 12,280,000,000 2008 est. 47 Azerbaijan 10,640,000,000 2008 est. 48 Iraq 9,454,000,000 2008 est. 49 Czech Republic 8,719,000,000 2008 est. 50 Austria 8,650,000,000 2008 est. 51 Singapore 8,270,000,000 2008 est. 52 Colombia 8,100,000,000 2008 est. 53 Vietnam 6,600,000,000 2008 est. 54 South Africa 6,450,000,000 2008 est. 55 Slovakia 6,308,000,000 2008 est. 56 Syria 6,180,000,000 2008 est. 57 Libya 5,500,000,000 2008 est. 58 Ireland 5,217,000,000 2008 est. 59 Portugal 4,754,000,000 2008 est. 60 Finland 4,735,000,000 2008 est. 61 Denmark 4,590,000,000 2008 est. 62 New Zealand 4,276,000,000 2008 est. 63 Tunisia 4,220,000,000 2008 est. 64 Greece 4,206,000,000 2008 est. 65 Brunei 4,200,000,000 2008 est. 66 Norway 3,970,000,000 2008 est. 67 Burma 3,850,000,000 2008 est. 68 Lithuania 3,530,000,000 2008 est. 69 Switzerland 3,429,000,000 2008 est. 70 Bulgaria 3,400,000,000 2008 est. 71 Peru 3,390,000,000 2008 est. 72 Hong Kong 3,360,000,000 2008 est. 73 Jordan 2,970,000,000 2008 est. 74 Philippines 2,940,000,000 2008 est. 75 Croatia 2,840,000,000 2008 est. 76 Serbia 2,550,000,000 2005 est. 77 Moldova 2,520,000,000 2008 est. 78 Bolivia 2,410,000,000 2008 est. 79 Chile 2,340,000,000 2008 est. 80 Latvia 2,050,000,000 2008 est. 81 Armenia 1,930,000,000 2008 est. 82 Georgia 1,730,000,000 2008 est. 83 Estonia 1,510,000,000 2008 est. 84 Equatorial Guinea 1,500,000,000 2008 est. 85 Cote d'Ivoire 1,300,000,000 2008 est. 86 Luxembourg 1,255,000,000 2008 est. 87 Israel 1,190,000,000 2008 est. 88 Slovenia 1,000,000,000 2008 est. 89 Sweden 913,000,000 2008 est. 90 Puerto Rico 806,600,000 2008 est. 91 Kyrgyzstan 750,000,000 2008 est. 92 Angola 680,000,000 2008 est. 93 Tanzania 560,700,000 2008 est. 94 Morocco 560,000,000 2008 est. 95 Tajikistan 515,300,000 2008 est. 96 Dominican Republic 470,000,000 2008 est. 97 Cuba 400,000,000 2008 est. 98 Bosnia and Herzegovina 310,000,000 2008 est. 99 Ecuador 260,000,000 2008 est. 100 Congo, Republic of the 180,000,000 2008 est. 101 Mozambique 100,000,000 2008 est. 102 Papua New Guinea 100,000,000 2008 est. 103 Gabon 90,000,000 2008 est. 104 Macau 81,600,000 2008 est. 105 Macedonia 70,000,000 2008 est. 106 Uruguay 70,000,000 2008 est. 107 Senegal 50,000,000 2008 est. 108 Afghanistan 30,000,000 2008 est. 109 Albania 30,000,000 2008 est. 110 Barbados 29,170,000 2008 est. 111 Cameroon 20,000,000 2008 est. 112 Aruba 0 2008 est. 113 Bahamas, The 0 2008 est. 114 Solomon Islands 0 2008 est. 115 Burundi 0 2008 est. 116 Zimbabwe 0 2008 est. 117 Zambia 0 2008 est. 118 Yemen 0 2008 est. 119 Swaziland 0 2008 est. 120 Samoa 0 2008 est. 121 Western Sahara 0 2008 est. 122 Namibia 0 2008 est. 123 Virgin Islands 0 2008 est. 124 British Virgin Islands 0 2008 est. 125 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0 2008 est. 126 Burkina Faso 0 2008 est. 127 Uganda 0 2008 est. 128 Timor-Leste 0 2008 est. 129 Sao Tome and Principe 0 2008 est. 130 Togo 0 2008 est. 131 Tonga 0 2008 est. 132 Turks and Caicos Islands 0 2008 est. 133 Sudan 0 2008 est. 134 Saint Lucia 0 2008 est. 135 Somalia 0 2008 est. 136 Sierra Leone 0 2008 est. 137 Saint Helena 0 2008 est. 138 Seychelles 0 2008 est. 139 Saint Kitts and Nevis 0 2008 est. 140 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0 2008 est. 141 Rwanda 0 2008 est. 142 Netherlands Antilles 0 2008 est. 143 Suriname 0 2008 est. 144 Nauru 0 2008 est. 145 Nepal 0 2008 est. 146 Vanuatu 0 2008 est. 147 Niger 0 2008 est. 148 Niue 0 2008 est. 149 New Caledonia 0 2008 est. 150 Maldives 0 2008 est. 151 Guinea-Bissau 0 2008 est. 152 Panama 0 2008 est. 153 Paraguay 0 2008 est. 154 Nicaragua 0 2008 est. 155 Malta 0 2008 est. 156 Mauritania 0 2008 est. 157 Mauritius 0 2008 est. 158 Mali 0 2008 est. 159 Malawi 0 2008 est. 160 Montserrat 0 2008 est. 161 Mongolia 0 2008 est. 162 Madagascar 0 2008 est. 163 Lesotho 0 2008 est. 164 Liberia 0 2008 est. 165 Lebanon 0 2008 est. 166 Laos 0 2008 est. 167 Kosovo 0 2007 168 Kiribati 0 2008 est. 169 Korea, North 0 2008 est. 170 Kenya 0 2008 est. 171 Jamaica 0 2008 est. 172 Iceland 0 2008 est. 173 Honduras 0 2008 est. 174 Haiti 0 2008 est. 175 Guyana 0 2008 est. 176 Guinea 0 2008 est. 177 Guatemala 0 2008 est. 178 Greenland 0 2008 est. 179 Grenada 0 2008 est. 180 Gibraltar 0 2008 est. 181 Ghana 0 2008 est. 182 Gambia, The 0 2008 est. 183 French Polynesia 0 2008 est. 184 Faroe Islands 0 2008 est. 185 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 0 2008 est. 186 Fiji 0 2008 est. 187 Ethiopia 0 2008 est. 188 El Salvador 0 2008 est. 189 Eritrea 0 2008 est. 190 Dominica 0 2008 est. 191 Djibouti 0 2008 est. 192 Cyprus 0 2008 est. 193 Cook Islands 0 2008 est. 194 Cape Verde 0 2008 est. 195 Central African Republic 0 2008 est. 196 Costa Rica 0 2008 est. 197 Comoros 0 2008 est. 198 Cayman Islands 0 2008 est. 199 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 0 2008 est. 200 Sri Lanka 0 2008 est. 201 Chad 0 2008 est. 202 Cambodia 0 2008 est. 203 Bhutan 0 2008 est. 204 Benin 0 2008 est. 205 Belize 0 2008 est. 206 Bermuda 0 2008 est. 207 American Samoa 0 2008 est. 208 Botswana 0 2008 est. 209 Antigua and Barbuda 0 2008 est. ====================================================================== Rank code: 2182 Country Comparison :: Natural gas - imports This entry is the total natural gas imported in cubic meters (cu m). Rank country (cu m) Date of Information 1 United States 112,700,000,000 2008 est. 2 Japan 95,390,000,000 2008 est. 3 Germany 91,990,000,000 2008 est. 4 Italy 76,860,000,000 2008 est. 5 Ukraine 64,200,000,000 2008 est. 6 Russia 56,900,000,000 2008 est. 7 France 49,350,000,000 2008 est. 8 Spain 38,590,000,000 2008 est. 9 Turkey 36,720,000,000 2008 est. 10 United Kingdom 36,540,000,000 2008 est. 11 Korea, South 36,210,000,000 2008 est. 12 Netherlands 25,340,000,000 2008 est. 13 Belarus 21,600,000,000 2008 est. 14 Belgium 17,420,000,000 2008 est. 15 United Arab Emirates 16,750,000,000 2008 est. 16 Canada 14,840,000,000 2008 est. 17 Mexico 12,610,000,000 2008 est. 18 Taiwan 12,080,000,000 2008 est. 19 Hungary 11,470,000,000 2008 est. 20 Poland 11,200,000,000 2008 est. 21 Brazil 11,030,000,000 2008 est. 22 India 10,790,000,000 2008 est. 23 Austria 10,050,000,000 2008 est. 24 Czech Republic 9,573,000,000 2008 est. 25 Kazakhstan 9,517,000,000 2008 est. 26 Thailand 8,550,000,000 2008 est. 27 Singapore 8,270,000,000 2008 est. 28 Iran 6,900,000,000 2008 est. 29 Slovakia 6,266,000,000 2008 est. 30 Romania 5,500,000,000 2008 est. 31 Australia 5,377,000,000 2008 est. 32 Ireland 4,798,000,000 2008 est. 33 Portugal 4,763,000,000 2008 est. 34 Finland 4,739,000,000 2008 est. 35 China 4,500,000,000 2008 est. 36 Greece 4,205,000,000 2008 est. 37 Lithuania 3,530,000,000 2008 est. 38 Switzerland 3,429,000,000 2008 est. 39 Hong Kong 3,360,000,000 2008 est. 40 South Africa 3,200,000,000 2008 est. 41 Bulgaria 3,100,000,000 2008 est. 42 Jordan 2,720,000,000 2008 est. 43 Moldova 2,520,000,000 2008 est. 44 Serbia 2,100,000,000 2004 est. 45 Latvia 2,050,000,000 2008 est. 46 Armenia 1,930,000,000 2008 est. 47 Georgia 1,720,000,000 2008 est. 48 Estonia 1,510,000,000 2008 est. 49 Venezuela 1,500,000,000 2008 est. 50 Argentina 1,300,000,000 2008 est. 51 Croatia 1,260,000,000 2008 est. 52 Luxembourg 1,255,000,000 2008 est. 53 Tunisia 1,250,000,000 2008 est. 54 Slovenia 1,000,000,000 2008 est. 55 Sweden 913,000,000 2008 est. 56 Puerto Rico 806,600,000 2008 est. 57 Kyrgyzstan 720,000,000 2008 est. 58 Chile 690,000,000 2008 est. 59 Morocco 500,000,000 2008 est. 60 Tajikistan 500,000,000 2008 est. 61 Dominican Republic 470,000,000 2008 est. 62 Oman 350,000,000 2008 est. 63 Bosnia and Herzegovina 310,000,000 NA 64 Syria 140,000,000 2008 est. 65 Macau 81,900,000 2008 est. 66 Macedonia 70,000,000 2008 est. 67 Uruguay 70,000,000 2008 est. 68 Aruba 0 2008 est. 69 Afghanistan 0 2008 est. 70 Bahrain 0 2008 est. 71 Botswana 0 2008 est. 72 Bhutan 0 2008 est. 73 Solomon Islands 0 2008 est. 74 Benin 0 2008 est. 75 Burma 0 2008 est. 76 Bolivia 0 2008 est. 77 Belize 0 2008 est. 78 Bangladesh 0 2008 est. 79 Bahamas, The 0 2008 est. 80 Bermuda 0 2008 est. 81 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 0 2008 est. 82 Fiji 0 2008 est. 83 Ethiopia 0 2008 est. 84 El Salvador 0 2008 est. 85 Eritrea 0 2008 est. 86 Equatorial Guinea 0 2008 est. 87 Egypt 0 2008 est. 88 Ecuador 0 2008 est. 89 Denmark 0 2008 est. 90 Maldives 0 2008 est. 91 Malta 0 2008 est. 92 Mauritania 0 2008 est. 93 Mauritius 0 2008 est. 94 Mali 0 2008 est. 95 Malawi 0 2008 est. 96 Montserrat 0 2008 est. 97 Mongolia 0 2008 est. 98 Lebanon 0 2008 est. 99 Pakistan 0 2008 est. 100 Peru 0 2008 est. 101 Paraguay 0 2008 est. 102 New Zealand 0 2008 est. 103 Nicaragua 0 2008 est. 104 Netherlands Antilles 0 2008 est. 105 Suriname 0 2008 est. 106 Nauru 0 2008 est. 107 Nepal 0 2008 est. 108 Zimbabwe 0 2008 est. 109 Zambia 0 2008 est. 110 Yemen 0 2008 est. 111 Swaziland 0 2008 est. 112 Samoa 0 2008 est. 113 Western Sahara 0 2008 est. 114 Namibia 0 2008 est. 115 Virgin Islands 0 2008 est. 116 Vietnam 0 2008 est. 117 British Virgin Islands 0 2008 est. 118 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0 2008 est. 119 Uzbekistan 0 2008 est. 120 Burkina Faso 0 2008 est. 121 Uganda 0 2008 est. 122 Tanzania 0 2008 est. 123 Turkmenistan 0 2008 est. 124 Timor-Leste 0 2008 est. 125 Sao Tome and Principe 0 2008 est. 126 Togo 0 2008 est. 127 Tonga 0 2008 est. 128 Turks and Caicos Islands 0 2008 est. 129 Trinidad and Tobago 0 2008 est. 130 Sudan 0 2008 est. 131 Saint Lucia 0 2008 est. 132 Somalia 0 2008 est. 133 Sierra Leone 0 2008 est. 134 Saint Helena 0 2008 est. 135 Senegal 0 2008 est. 136 Seychelles 0 2008 est. 137 Saint Kitts and Nevis 0 2008 est. 138 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0 2008 est. 139 Saudi Arabia 0 2008 est. 140 Rwanda 0 2008 est. 141 Philippines 0 2008 est. 142 Qatar 0 2008 est. 143 Guinea-Bissau 0 2008 est. 144 Papua New Guinea 0 2008 est. 145 Panama 0 2008 est. 146 Norway 0 2008 est. 147 Nigeria 0 2008 est. 148 Vanuatu 0 2008 est. 149 Niger 0 2008 est. 150 Niue 0 2008 est. 151 New Caledonia 0 2008 est. 152 Mozambique 0 2008 est. 153 Malaysia 0 2008 est. 154 Laos 0 2008 est. 155 Kuwait 0 2008 est. 156 Kiribati 0 2008 est. 157 Korea, North 0 2008 est. 158 Kenya 0 2008 est. 159 Jamaica 0 2008 est. 160 Iraq 0 2008 est. 161 Cote d'Ivoire 0 2008 est. 162 Madagascar 0 2008 est. 163 Libya 0 2008 est. 164 Lesotho 0 2008 est. 165 Liberia 0 2008 est. 166 Israel 0 2008 est. 167 Indonesia 0 2008 est. 168 Iceland 0 2008 est. 169 Honduras 0 2008 est. 170 Haiti 0 2008 est. 171 Guyana 0 2008 est. 172 Guinea 0 2008 est. 173 Guatemala 0 2008 est. 174 Greenland 0 2008 est. 175 Grenada 0 2008 est. 176 Gibraltar 0 2008 est. 177 Ghana 0 2008 est. 178 Gabon 0 2008 est. 179 Gambia, The 0 2008 est. 180 French Polynesia 0 2008 est. 181 Faroe Islands 0 2008 est. 182 Cyprus 0 2008 est. 183 Cook Islands 0 2008 est. 184 Cape Verde 0 2008 est. 185 Cuba 0 2008 est. 186 Central African Republic 0 2008 est. 187 Costa Rica 0 2008 est. 188 Colombia 0 2008 est. 189 Comoros 0 2008 est. 190 Dominica 0 2008 est. 191 Djibouti 0 2008 est. 192 Cameroon 0 2008 est. 193 Cayman Islands 0 2008 est. 194 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 0 2008 est. 195 Congo, Republic of the 0 2008 est. 196 Chad 0 2008 est. 197 Cambodia 0 2008 est. 198 Burundi 0 2008 est. 199 Brunei 0 2008 est. 200 Barbados 0 2008 est. 201 Azerbaijan 0 2008 est. 202 American Samoa 0 2008 est. 203 Angola 0 2008 est. 204 Albania 0 2008 est. 205 Algeria 0 2008 est. 206 Antigua and Barbuda 0 2008 est. ====================================================================== Rank code: 2183 Country Comparison :: Natural gas - exports This entry is the total natural gas exported in cubic meters (cu m). Rank country (cu m) Date of Information 1 Russia 243,400,000,000 2008 2 Canada 102,800,000,000 2008 3 Norway 95,230,000,000 2008 4 Netherlands 61,720,000,000 2008 5 Algeria 59,670,000,000 2008 6 Qatar 56,780,000,000 2008 7 Turkmenistan 48,500,000,000 2008 8 Indonesia 33,500,000,000 2008 9 Malaysia 31,030,000,000 2008 10 United States 28,490,000,000 2008 11 Nigeria 20,550,000,000 2008 12 Australia 19,480,000,000 2008 13 Trinidad and Tobago 17,360,000,000 2008 14 Egypt 16,920,000,000 2008 15 Uzbekistan 15,000,000,000 2008 16 Germany 12,680,000,000 2008 17 Bolivia 11,790,000,000 2008 18 Oman 10,890,000,000 2008 19 United Kingdom 10,500,000,000 2008 20 Libya 10,400,000,000 2008 21 Kazakhstan 9,221,000,000 2008 22 Brunei 9,200,000,000 2008 23 Burma 8,550,000,000 2008 24 United Arab Emirates 7,567,000,000 2008 25 Azerbaijan 5,564,000,000 2008 26 Denmark 5,516,000,000 2008 27 Equatorial Guinea 5,170,000,000 2008 28 Iran 4,246,000,000 2008 29 China 3,360,000,000 2008 30 Mozambique 3,200,000,000 2008 31 Ukraine 3,200,000,000 2007 32 Austria 2,788,000,000 2008 33 Mexico 1,136,000,000 2008 34 France 1,000,000,000 2008 35 Czech Republic 968,000,000 2008 36 Colombia 900,000,000 2008 37 Argentina 890,000,000 2008 38 Turkey 435,000,000 2008 39 Croatia 310,000,000 2007 40 Italy 210,000,000 2008 41 Slovakia 186,000,000 2008 42 Poland 39,000,000 2008 43 Hungary 21,000,000 2008 44 Aruba 0 2008 45 Bahrain 0 2008 46 Botswana 0 2008 47 Solomon Islands 0 2008 48 Belarus 0 2008 49 Benin 0 2008 50 Bosnia and Herzegovina 0 2008 51 Belize 0 2008 52 Bangladesh 0 2008 53 Bahamas, The 0 2008 54 Belgium 0 2008 55 Bermuda 0 2008 56 Faroe Islands 0 2008 57 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 0 2008 58 Fiji 0 2008 59 Finland 0 2008 60 Ethiopia 0 2008 61 El Salvador 0 2008 62 Eritrea 0 2008 63 Estonia 0 2008 64 Cape Verde 0 2008 65 India 0 2008 66 Iceland 0 2008 67 Honduras 0 2008 68 Hong Kong 0 2008 69 Haiti 0 2008 70 Guyana 0 2008 71 Guinea 0 2008 72 Guatemala 0 2008 73 Greece 0 2008 74 Liberia 0 2008 75 Lithuania 0 2008 76 Latvia 0 2008 77 Lebanon 0 2008 78 Laos 0 2008 79 Kuwait 0 2008 80 Korea, South 0 2008 81 Kiribati 0 2008 82 Korea, North 0 2008 83 Zimbabwe 0 2008 84 Zambia 0 2008 85 Yemen 0 2008 86 Swaziland 0 2008 87 Samoa 0 2008 88 Western Sahara 0 2008 89 Namibia 0 2008 90 Virgin Islands 0 2008 91 Vietnam 0 2008 92 British Virgin Islands 0 2008 93 Venezuela 0 2008 94 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0 2008 95 Uruguay 0 2008 96 Burkina Faso 0 2008 97 Uganda 0 2008 98 Tanzania 0 2008 99 Taiwan 0 2008 100 Timor-Leste 0 2008 101 Tunisia 0 2008 102 Sao Tome and Principe 0 2008 103 Togo 0 2008 104 Tonga 0 2008 105 Turks and Caicos Islands 0 2008 106 Tajikistan 0 2008 107 Thailand 0 2008 108 Switzerland 0 2008 109 Syria 0 NA 110 Sweden 0 2008 111 Sudan 0 2008 112 Saint Lucia 0 2008 113 Spain 0 2008 114 Somalia 0 2008 115 Singapore 0 2008 116 Sierra Leone 0 2008 117 Slovenia 0 2008 118 Saint Helena 0 2008 119 Senegal 0 2008 120 South Africa 0 2008 121 Seychelles 0 2008 122 Saint Kitts and Nevis 0 2008 123 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0 2008 124 Saudi Arabia 0 2008 125 Rwanda 0 2008 126 Puerto Rico 0 2008 127 Philippines 0 2008 128 Romania 0 2008 129 Serbia 0 2005 130 Guinea-Bissau 0 2008 131 Papua New Guinea 0 2008 132 Portugal 0 2008 133 Panama 0 2008 134 Pakistan 0 2008 135 Peru 0 2008 136 Paraguay 0 2008 137 New Zealand 0 2008 138 Nicaragua 0 2008 139 Netherlands Antilles 0 2008 140 Suriname 0 2008 141 Nauru 0 2008 142 Nepal 0 2008 143 Vanuatu 0 2008 144 Niger 0 2008 145 Niue 0 2008 146 New Caledonia 0 2008 147 Maldives 0 2008 148 Malta 0 2008 149 Mauritania 0 2008 150 Mauritius 0 2008 151 Morocco 0 2008 152 Mali 0 2008 153 Macedonia 0 2008 154 Malawi 0 2008 155 Montserrat 0 2008 156 Mongolia 0 2008 157 Moldova 0 2008 158 Macau 0 2008 159 Madagascar 0 2008 160 Luxembourg 0 2008 161 Lesotho 0 2008 162 Kyrgyzstan 0 2008 163 Kenya 0 2008 164 Jordan 0 2008 165 Jamaica 0 2008 166 Japan 0 2008 167 Iraq 0 2008 168 Cote d'Ivoire 0 2008 169 Israel 0 2008 170 Greenland 0 2008 171 Grenada 0 2008 172 Gibraltar 0 2008 173 Ghana 0 2008 174 Georgia 0 2008 175 Gabon 0 2008 176 Gambia, The 0 2008 177 French Polynesia 0 2008 178 Cuba 0 2008 179 Central African Republic 0 2008 180 Costa Rica 0 2008 181 Comoros 0 2008 182 Cameroon 0 2008 183 Cayman Islands 0 2008 184 Chile 0 2008 185 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 0 2008 186 Ireland 0 2008 187 Ecuador 0 2008 188 Dominican Republic 0 2008 189 Dominica 0 2008 190 Djibouti 0 2008 191 Cyprus 0 2008 192 Cook Islands 0 2008 193 Congo, Republic of the 0 2008 194 Sri Lanka 0 2008 195 Chad 0 2008 196 Cambodia 0 2008 197 Burundi 0 2008 198 Bulgaria 0 2008 199 Bhutan 0 2008 200 Brazil 0 2008 201 Barbados 0 2008 202 Armenia 0 2008 203 American Samoa 0 2008 204 Angola 0 2008 205 Albania 0 2008 206 Afghanistan 0 2008 207 Antigua and Barbuda 0 2008 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2184 Country Comparison :: Internet hosts This entry lists the number of Internet hosts available within a country. An Internet host is a computer connected directly to the Internet; normally an Internet Service Provider's (ISP) computer is a host. Internet users may use either a hard-wired terminal, at an institution with a mainframe computer connected directly to the Internet, or may connect remotely by way of a modem via telephone line, cable, or satellite to the Internet Service Provider's host computer. The number of hosts is one indicator of the extent of Internet connectivity. Rank country Internet hosts Date of Information 1 United States 383,000,000 NA 2 Japan 47,249,000 2009 3 Germany 23,796,000 2009 4 Italy 22,152,000 2009 5 Brazil 15,929,000 2009 6 France 14,327,000 2009 7 China 14,156,000 2009 8 Mexico 12,716,000 2009 9 Netherlands 12,388,000 2009 10 Australia 11,756,000 2009 11 United Kingdom 9,322,000 2009 12 Poland 8,906,000 2009 13 Russia 7,663,000 2009 14 Canada 7,193,000 2009 15 Taiwan 5,704,000 2009 16 Argentina 4,906,000 2009 17 Belgium 4,367,000 2009 18 Finland 4,205,000 2009 19 Denmark 3,991,000 2009 20 Sweden 3,886,000 2009 21 Switzerland 3,697,000 2009 22 India 3,611,000 2009 23 Spain 3,537,000 2009 24 Czech Republic 3,233,000 2009 25 Norway 3,198,000 2009 26 Austria 2,992,000 2009 27 Turkey 2,961,000 2009 28 Greece 2,342,000 2009 29 Hungary 2,261,000 2009 30 Colombia 2,217,000 2009 31 Romania 2,188,000 2009 32 New Zealand 2,007,000 2009 33 Portugal 1,967,000 2009 34 South Africa 1,730,000 2009 35 Israel 1,544,000 2009 36 Ireland 1,303,000 2009 37 Thailand 1,231,000 2009 38 Croatia 1,230,000 2009 39 Lithuania 885,064 2009 40 Chile 877,817 2009 41 Slovakia 867,615 2009 42 Indonesia 865,309 2009 43 Singapore 864,943 2009 44 Hong Kong 813,980 2009 45 Bulgaria 706,648 2009 46 Ukraine 706,485 2009 47 Estonia 706,449 2009 48 Uruguay 498,232 2009 49 Saudi Arabia 471,217 2009 50 Niue 396,370 2009 51 United Arab Emirates 379,106 2009 52 Moldova 367,150 2009 53 Malaysia 362,968 2009 54 Korea, South 301,270 2009 55 Philippines 283,607 2009 56 Dominican Republic 280,457 2009 57 Morocco 276,521 2009 58 Peru 274,592 2009 59 Iceland 272,201 2009 60 Latvia 257,414 2009 61 Pakistan 226,236 2009 62 Luxembourg 220,107 2009 63 Cyprus 185,451 2009 64 Serbia 181,313 2009 65 Egypt 177,443 2009 66 Vietnam 170,689 2009 67 Trinidad and Tobago 162,849 2009 68 Venezuela 155,139 2009 69 Guatemala 132,049 2009 70 Belarus 113,115 2009 71 Bolivia 105,031 2009 72 Georgia 104,243 2009 73 Tuvalu 103,041 2009 74 Nicaragua 88,742 2009 75 Slovenia 88,567 2009 76 Kyrgyzstan 82,496 2009 77 Netherlands Antilles 71,671 2009 78 Paraguay 71,487 2009 79 Bosnia and Herzegovina 69,370 2009 80 Ecuador 57,785 2009 81 Macedonia 57,763 2009 82 Bahrain 51,489 2009 83 Uzbekistan 50,228 2009 84 Kazakhstan 48,873 2009 85 Iran 45,678 2009 86 Lebanon 45,352 2009 87 Nepal 43,411 2009 88 Armenia 36,354 2009 89 Costa Rica 34,066 2009 90 Kenya 32,913 2009 91 Zimbabwe 29,094 2009 92 Jordan 28,896 2009 93 Madagascar 27,807 2009 94 Malta 25,139 2009 95 Aruba 25,051 2009 96 Tanzania 24,724 2009 97 Ghana 23,850 2009 98 Andorra 23,421 2009 99 Mauritius 22,813 2009 100 Monaco 22,608 2009 101 New Caledonia 22,448 2009 102 Cayman Islands 21,428 2009 103 Mozambique 21,388 2009 104 Tonga 20,107 2009 105 Namibia 17,840 2009 106 Honduras 15,691 2009 107 Bermuda 15,548 2009 108 Brunei 14,978 2009 109 Zambia 14,951 2009 110 Albania 14,245 2009 111 Greenland 14,134 2009 112 Samoa 13,985 2009 113 French Polynesia 13,796 2009 114 Fiji 12,747 2009 115 Libya 11,751 2009 116 Cote d'Ivoire 9,822 2009 117 Turks and Caicos Islands 9,445 2009 118 Liechtenstein 9,287 2009 119 Bhutan 9,096 2009 120 Faroe Islands 8,833 2009 121 Virgin Islands 8,726 2009 122 Bahamas, The 8,325 2009 123 El Salvador 8,177 2009 124 Panama 8,067 2009 125 Syria 7,879 2009 126 Antarctica 7,758 2009 127 Antigua and Barbuda 7,421 2009 128 Botswana 7,341 2009 129 Guyana 7,116 2009 130 Azerbaijan 7,045 2009 131 Uganda 6,757 2009 132 San Marino 6,734 2009 133 Oman 6,346 2009 134 Sri Lanka 6,090 2009 135 Bangladesh 4,209 2009 136 Solomon Islands 4,067 2009 137 Jamaica 3,961 2009 138 Cuba 3,637 2009 139 Angola 3,508 2009 140 Papua New Guinea 3,432 2009 141 Montenegro 3,245 2009 142 Belize 3,017 2009 143 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 3,015 2009 144 Swaziland 2,609 2009 145 Christmas Island 2,598 2009 146 Cambodia 2,480 2009 147 Cook Islands 2,480 2009 148 Kuwait 2,305 2009 149 Gibraltar 1,955 2009 150 Burkina Faso 1,951 2009 151 Maldives 1,732 2009 152 Laos 1,661 2009 153 American Samoa 1,606 2009 154 Wallis and Futuna 1,480 2009 155 Sao Tome and Principe 1,345 2009 156 Eritrea 1,307 2009 157 Benin 1,155 2009 158 Nigeria 1,098 2009 159 Micronesia, Federated States of 1,050 2009 160 Vanuatu 1,023 2009 161 Tajikistan 987 2009 162 Gambia, The 895 2009 163 Togo 784 2009 164 Turkmenistan 755 2009 165 Malawi 741 2009 166 Qatar 722 2009 167 Puerto Rico 700 2009 168 Montserrat 688 2009 169 British Virgin Islands 581 2009 170 Mongolia 524 2009 171 Mali 519 2009 172 Algeria 510 2009 173 Dominica 485 2009 174 Isle of Man 478 2009 175 Tunisia 406 2009 176 South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands363 2009 177 Tokelau 360 2009 178 Saint Helena 343 2009 179 Seychelles 324 2009 180 Sierra Leone 273 2009 181 Anguilla 258 2009 182 Niger 253 2009 183 Macau 244 2009 184 Yemen 242 2009 185 Barbados 235 2009 186 Senegal 227 2009 187 Jersey 219 2009 188 Djibouti 199 2009 189 Burundi 191 2009 190 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 181 2009 191 Guernsey 174 2009 192 Timor-Leste 169 2009 193 Suriname 162 2009 194 British Indian Ocean Territory 160 2009 195 Ethiopia 136 2009 196 Burma 128 2009 197 Lesotho 127 2009 198 Saint Lucia 103 2009 199 Gabon 91 2009 200 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 90 2009 201 Norfolk Island 89 2009 202 Guinea-Bissau 82 2009 203 Rwanda 81 2009 204 Cameroon 70 2009 205 Holy See (Vatican City) 63 2009 206 Saint Kitts and Nevis 53 2009 207 Sudan 48 2009 208 Afghanistan 47 2009 209 Nauru 47 2009 210 French Southern and Antarctic Lands44 2009 211 Grenada 42 2009 212 Kiribati 41 2009 213 Pitcairn Islands 26 2009 214 Cape Verde 24 2009 215 Central African Republic 21 2009 216 Congo, Republic of the 18 2009 217 Mauritania 15 2009 218 Guinea 14 2009 219 Iraq 11 2009 220 Northern Mariana Islands 9 2009 221 Equatorial Guinea 9 2009 222 Haiti 9 2009 223 Comoros 7 2009 224 Marshall Islands 6 2009 225 Chad 5 2009 226 Liberia 5 2009 227 Korea, North 3 2009 228 Palau 2 2009 229 Mayotte 1 2009 230 Bouvet Island 0 2009 231 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0 2009 232 Somalia 0 2009 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2185 Country Comparison :: Investment (gross fixed) This entry records total business spending on fixed assets, such as factories, machinery, equipment, dwellings, and inventories of raw materials, which provide the basis for future production. It is measured gross of the depreciation of the assets, i.e., it includes investment that merely replaces worn-out or scrapped capital. Rank country (% of GDP) Date of Information 1 Vietnam 41.90 2008 est. 2 Cape Verde 41.60 2008 est. 3 Lesotho 40.80 2008 est. 4 China 40.50 2008 est. 5 Armenia 39.00 2008 est. 6 India 39.00 2008 est. 7 Sao Tome and Principe 38.80 2008 est. 8 Guyana 35.30 2008 est. 9 Congo, Republic of the 34.50 2008 est. 10 Nicaragua 34.50 2008 est. 11 Bulgaria 33.40 2008 est. 12 Honduras 33.40 2008 est. 13 Romania 33.30 2008 est. 14 Moldova 32.50 2008 est. 15 Jordan 32.30 2008 est. 16 Ghana 32.10 2008 est. 17 Morocco 32.10 2008 est. 18 Qatar 32.10 2008 est. 19 Belarus 31.90 2008 est. 20 Equatorial Guinea 31.80 2008 est. 21 Croatia 31.10 2008 est. 22 Montenegro 30.50 2006 est. 23 Latvia 30.20 2008 est. 24 Kosovo 30.00 2007 est. 25 Spain 29.40 2008 est. 26 Haiti 28.90 2008 est. 27 Australia 28.70 2008 est. 28 Singapore 28.50 2008 est. 29 Estonia 28.40 2008 est. 30 Gambia, The 28.00 2008 est. 31 Slovenia 28.00 2008 est. 32 Belize 27.80 2008 est. 33 Kazakhstan 27.80 2008 est. 34 Gabon 27.30 2008 est. 35 Thailand 27.30 2008 est. 36 Oman 27.20 2008 est. 37 Ukraine 27.20 2008 est. 38 Korea, South 27.10 2008 est. 39 Bahrain 26.60 2008 est. 40 Madagascar 26.60 2008 est. 41 Jamaica 26.50 2008 est. 42 Iran 26.30 2008 est. 43 Algeria 26.10 2008 est. 44 Slovakia 25.90 2008 est. 45 Yemen 25.90 2008 est. 46 Peru 25.90 2008 est. 47 Panama 25.70 2008 est. 48 Zambia 25.50 2008 est. 49 Mauritius 25.40 2008 est. 50 Senegal 25.30 2008 est. 51 Ethiopia 25.20 2008 est. 52 Mozambique 24.90 2008 est. 53 Lithuania 24.80 2008 est. 54 Sri Lanka 24.50 2008 est. 55 Bangladesh 24.30 2008 est. 56 Colombia 24.30 2008 est. 57 Costa Rica 24.30 2008 est. 58 Chile 24.00 2008 est. 59 Czech Republic 24.00 2008 est. 60 Iceland 23.90 2008 est. 61 Indonesia 23.60 2008 62 Botswana 23.40 2008 est. 63 Namibia 23.40 2008 est. 64 Cyprus 23.30 2008 est. 65 Argentina 23.20 2008 est. 66 South Africa 23.20 2008 est. 67 Uganda 23.20 2008 est. 68 Kyrgyzstan 23.20 2008 est. 69 Albania 23.10 2008 est. 70 Japan 23.00 2008 est. 71 United Arab Emirates 22.80 2008 est. 72 Belgium 22.70 2008 est. 73 Canada 22.60 2008 est. 74 Tanzania 22.60 2008 est. 75 Georgia 22.50 2008 est. 76 Austria 22.40 2008 est. 77 Lebanon 22.40 2008 est. 78 New Zealand 22.40 2008 est. 79 Cambodia 22.40 2008 est. 80 Ecuador 22.10 2008 est. 81 Russia 22.10 2008 est. 82 Mexico 22.10 2008 est. 83 Poland 22.00 2008 est. 84 Rwanda 22.00 2008 est. 85 France 21.90 2008 est. 86 Tunisia 21.80 2008 est. 87 World 21.80 2008 est. 88 Nigeria 21.70 2008 est. 89 Portugal 21.70 2008 est. 90 Syria 21.70 2008 est. 91 Denmark 21.60 2008 est. 92 Kenya 21.30 2008 est. 93 Azerbaijan 21.20 2008 est. 94 Switzerland 21.20 2008 est. 95 Ireland 21.20 2008 est. 96 European Union 21.10 2008 est. 97 Italy 20.90 2008 est. 98 Norway 20.80 2008 est. 99 Greece 20.70 2008 est. 100 Finland 20.60 2008 est. 101 Macedonia 20.60 2008 est. 102 Taiwan 20.60 2008 est. 103 Netherlands 20.50 2008 est. 104 Turkey 20.30 2008 est. 105 Eritrea 20.20 2008 est. 106 Luxembourg 20.20 2008 est. 107 Togo 20.20 2008 est. 108 Hungary 20.20 2008 est. 109 Serbia 20.10 2007 est. 110 Pakistan 20.00 2008 est. 111 Hong Kong 19.70 2008 est. 112 Malaysia 19.70 2008 est. 113 Venezuela 19.70 2008 est. 114 Paraguay 19.60 2008 est. 115 Burkina Faso 19.60 2008 est. 116 Sweden 19.50 2008 est. 117 Dominican Republic 19.40 2008 est. 118 Papua New Guinea 19.40 2008 est. 119 Saudi Arabia 19.40 2008 est. 120 Benin 19.20 2008 est. 121 Germany 19.20 2008 est. 122 Egypt 19.10 2008 est. 123 Brazil 19.00 2008 est. 124 Swaziland 18.80 2008 est. 125 Uruguay 18.70 2008 est. 126 Guatemala 18.60 2008 est. 127 Kuwait 18.30 2008 est. 128 Israel 18.10 2008 est. 129 Sudan 18.10 2008 est. 130 Bolivia 18.00 2008 est. 131 Cameroon 17.70 2008 est. 132 Zimbabwe 17.70 2008 est. 133 Trinidad and Tobago 16.70 2008 est. 134 United Kingdom 16.70 2008 est. 135 Malta 16.20 2008 est. 136 El Salvador 14.90 2008 est. 137 Philippines 14.80 2008 est. 138 United States 14.30 2008 est. 139 Burma 14.10 2008 est. 140 Chad 13.70 2008 est. 141 Seychelles 13.70 2008 est. 142 Burundi 12.50 2008 est. 143 Guinea 12.30 2008 est. 144 Tajikistan 12.00 2008 est. 145 Cuba 10.50 2008 est. 146 Cote d'Ivoire 9.50 2008 est. 147 Libya 9.30 2008 est. 148 Angola 9.00 2008 est. 149 Malawi 8.40 2008 est. 150 Turkmenistan 1.20 2008 est. ====================================================================== Rank code: 2186 Country Comparison :: Public debt This entry records the cumulative total of all government borrowings less repayments that are denominated in a country's home currency. Public debt should not be confused with external debt, which reflects the foreign currency liabilities of both the private and public sector and must be financed out of foreign exchange earnings. Rank country (% of GDP) Date of Information 1 Zimbabwe 265.60 2008 est. 2 Japan 172.10 2008 est. 3 Lebanon 160.30 2008 est. 4 Jamaica 116.30 2008 est. 5 Italy 105.80 2008 est. 6 Sudan 100.00 2008 est. 7 Singapore 99.20 2008 est. 8 Greece 97.40 2008 est. 9 Belgium 89.60 2008 est. 10 Egypt 86.50 2008 est. 11 Bhutan 81.40 2004 12 Israel 76.80 2008 est. 13 Sri Lanka 76.70 2008 est. 14 Nicaragua 74.80 2008 est. 15 Seychelles 74.20 2008 est. 16 France 68.10 2008 est. 17 Hungary 67.70 2008 est. 18 Cote d'Ivoire 66.40 2008 est. 19 Portugal 66.40 2008 est. 20 Germany 66.00 2008 est. 21 Canada 63.80 2008 est. 22 Austria 62.60 2008 est. 23 Jordan 62.20 2008 est. 24 Kenya 60.10 2008 est. 25 Uruguay 59.80 2008 est. 26 Netherlands 58.20 2008 est. 27 Philippines 56.90 2008 est. 28 Iceland 56.50 2008 est. 29 Mauritius 56.50 2008 est. 30 India 56.40 2008 est. 31 Norway 55.70 2008 est. 32 Morocco 55.60 2008 est. 33 Ghana 53.80 2008 est. 34 Albania 51.90 2008 est. 35 United Kingdom 51.80 2008 est. 36 Pakistan 51.20 2008 est. 37 Cyprus 49.10 2008 est. 38 Malawi 49.10 2008 est. 39 Vietnam 48.80 2008 est. 40 Argentina 48.60 2008 est. 41 Tunisia 48.40 2008 est. 42 Aruba 46.30 2005 43 Bolivia 45.20 2008 est. 44 Poland 45.20 2008 est. 45 Panama 45.00 2008 est. 46 El Salvador 44.70 2008 est. 47 Ireland 44.20 2008 est. 48 Croatia 42.70 2008 est. 49 Colombia 42.60 2008 est. 50 Costa Rica 42.20 2008 est. 51 United Arab Emirates 40.70 2008 est. 52 Spain 40.70 2008 est. 53 Switzerland 40.20 2008 est. 54 Bosnia and Herzegovina 40.00 2008 est. 55 Turkey 40.00 2008 est. 56 Malaysia 40.00 2008 est. 57 Bangladesh 39.40 2008 est. 58 Brazil 38.80 2008 est. 59 Montenegro 38.00 2006 60 Thailand 37.90 2008 est. 61 United States 37.50 2008 est. 62 Dominican Republic 37.40 2008 est. 63 Serbia 37.00 2007 est. 64 Sweden 36.70 2008 est. 65 Mexico 35.80 2008 est. 66 Cuba 34.80 2008 est. 67 Finland 33.70 2008 est. 68 Denmark 33.50 2008 est. 69 Papua New Guinea 32.20 2008 est. 70 Ethiopia 32.00 2008 est. 71 South Africa 31.60 2008 est. 72 Zambia 29.50 2008 est. 73 Taiwan 29.40 2008 est. 74 Indonesia 29.30 2008 est. 75 Bahrain 28.70 2008 est. 76 Slovakia 28.70 2008 est. 77 Yemen 28.10 2008 est. 78 Czech Republic 26.80 2008 est. 79 Trinidad and Tobago 26.60 2008 est. 80 Guatemala 25.70 2008 est. 81 Syria 25.40 2008 est. 82 Ecuador 25.10 2008 est. 83 Gabon 24.70 2008 est. 84 Korea, South 24.40 2008 est. 85 New Zealand 24.40 2008 est. 86 Peru 24.00 2008 est. 87 Tanzania 23.20 2008 est. 88 Slovenia 23.00 2008 est. 89 Moldova 22.30 2008 est. 90 Mozambique 21.40 2008 est. 91 Senegal 21.40 2008 est. 92 Macedonia 20.80 2008 est. 93 Honduras 20.40 2008 est. 94 Namibia 20.00 2008 est. 95 Paraguay 19.90 2008 est. 96 Latvia 19.50 2008 est. 97 Iran 19.40 2008 est. 98 Saudi Arabia 18.90 2008 est. 99 Uganda 18.80 2008 est. 100 Gibraltar 15.70 2005 est. 101 China 15.60 2008 est. 102 Lithuania 15.60 2008 est. 103 Angola 15.50 2008 est. 104 Australia 14.70 2008 est. 105 Romania 14.70 2008 est. 106 Bulgaria 14.10 2008 est. 107 Hong Kong 13.90 2008 est. 108 Venezuela 13.80 2008 est. 109 Cameroon 13.50 2008 est. 110 Nigeria 13.40 2008 est. 111 Uzbekistan 10.40 2008 est. 112 Ukraine 10.30 2008 est. 113 Luxembourg 10.20 2008 est. 114 Kazakhstan 8.60 2008 est. 115 Algeria 8.40 2008 est. 116 Kuwait 7.60 2008 est. 117 Russia 6.50 2008 est. 118 Botswana 5.90 2008 est. 119 Wallis and Futuna 5.60 2004 est. 120 Chile 5.20 2008 est. 121 Qatar 5.10 2008 est. 122 Estonia 4.80 2008 est. 123 Azerbaijan 4.10 2008 est. 124 Libya 4.00 2008 est. 125 Oman 2.80 2008 est. 126 Equatorial Guinea 0.90 2008 est. ====================================================================== Rank code: 2187 Country Comparison :: Current account balance This entry records a country's net trade in goods and services, plus net earnings from rents, interest, profits, and dividends, and net transfer payments (such as pension funds and worker remittances) to and from the rest of the world during the period specified. These figures are calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. Rank country Current account balance Date of Information 1 China $ 426,100,000,000 2008 est. 2 Germany $ 243,600,000,000 2008 est. 3 Japan $ 156,600,000,000 2008 est. 4 Saudi Arabia $ 132,600,000,000 2008 est. 5 Russia $ 102,400,000,000 2008 est. 6 Norway $ 88,340,000,000 2008 est. 7 Kuwait $ 64,780,000,000 2008 est. 8 European Union $ 51,400,000,000 2008 est. 9 Netherlands $ 41,930,000,000 2008 est. 10 Switzerland $ 41,210,000,000 2008 est. 11 Sweden $ 40,320,000,000 2008 est. 12 Venezuela $ 39,210,000,000 2008 est. 13 Libya $ 37,390,000,000 2008 est. 14 Algeria $ 35,270,000,000 2008 est. 15 Malaysia $ 33,760,000,000 2008 est. 16 Hong Kong $ 30,520,000,000 2008 est. 17 Singapore $ 25,780,000,000 2008 est. 18 Taiwan $ 24,890,000,000 2008 est. 19 United Arab Emirates $ 22,310,000,000 2008 est. 20 Iran $ 20,190,000,000 2008 est. 21 Angola $ 17,110,000,000 2008 est. 22 Azerbaijan $ 16,450,000,000 2008 est. 23 Qatar $ 15,070,000,000 2008 est. 24 Austria $ 14,270,000,000 2008 est. 25 Iraq $ 14,050,000,000 2008 est. 26 Canada $ 7,610,000,000 2008 est. 27 Brunei $ 7,101,000,000 2007 est. 28 Argentina $ 7,077,000,000 2008 est. 29 Kazakhstan $ 6,978,000,000 2008 est. 30 Denmark $ 6,938,000,000 2008 est. 31 Uzbekistan $ 6,257,000,000 2008 est. 32 Oman $ 5,523,000,000 2008 est. 33 Finland $ 5,518,000,000 2008 est. 34 Trinidad and Tobago $ 5,401,000,000 2008 est. 35 Turkmenistan $ 4,669,000,000 2008 est. 36 Philippines $ 4,227,000,000 2008 est. 37 Nigeria $ 3,877,000,000 2008 est. 38 Luxembourg $ 2,979,000,000 2008 est. 39 Gabon $ 2,727,000,000 2008 est. 40 Bahrain $ 2,257,000,000 2008 est. 41 Israel $ 2,213,000,000 2008 est. 42 Bolivia $ 2,015,000,000 2008 est. 43 Equatorial Guinea $ 1,420,000,000 2008 est. 44 Burma $ 1,281,000,000 2008 est. 45 Ecuador $ 1,194,000,000 2008 est. 46 Timor-Leste $ 1,161,000,000 2007 est. 47 Bangladesh $ 1,032,000,000 2008 est. 48 Congo, Republic of the $ 848,000,000 2008 est. 49 Botswana $ 750,300,000 2008 est. 50 Papua New Guinea $ 710,000,000 2008 est. 51 Indonesia $ 604,000,000 2008 est. 52 Cote d'Ivoire $ 488,000,000 2008 est. 53 Nepal $ 241,000,000 2008 54 Namibia $ 239,800,000 2008 est. 55 British Virgin Islands $ 134,300,000 1999 56 Lesotho $ 121,000,000 2008 est. 57 Bhutan $ 116,000,000 2007 est. 58 Tajikistan $ 47,600,000 2008 est. 59 Cook Islands $ 26,670,000 2005 60 Suriname $ 24,000,000 2007 est. 61 Palau $ 15,090,000 FY03/04 62 Comoros $ 8,000,000 2007 est. 63 Guinea-Bissau $ -6,000,000 2007 est. 64 Tuvalu $ -11,680,000 2003 65 Kiribati $ -21,000,000 2007 est. 66 Tonga $ -23,000,000 2007 est. 67 Samoa $ -24,000,000 2007 est. 68 Swaziland $ -33,000,000 2008 est. 69 Micronesia, Federated States of $ -34,300,000 FY05 est. 70 Anguilla $ -42,870,000 2003 est. 71 Laos $ -52,000,000 2008 est. 72 Vanuatu $ -60,000,000 2007 est. 73 Sierra Leone $ -63,000,000 2007 est. 74 Afghanistan $ -67,000,000 2007 est. 75 Sao Tome and Principe $ -67,000,000 2008 est. 76 Dominica $ -72,000,000 2007 est. 77 Central African Republic $ -77,000,000 2007 est. 78 Cameroon $ -96,000,000 2008 est. 79 Thailand $ -113,000,000 2008 est. 80 Gambia, The $ -127,000,000 2008 est. 81 Grenada $ -138,000,000 2007 est. 82 Solomon Islands $ -143,000,000 2007 est. 83 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines $ -149,000,000 2007 est. 84 Belize $ -153,700,000 2008 est. 85 Saint Kitts and Nevis $ -163,000,000 2007 est. 86 Burundi $ -182,000,000 2008 est. 87 Mauritania $ -184,000,000 2007 est. 88 Saint Lucia $ -199,000,000 2007 est. 89 Antigua and Barbuda $ -211,000,000 2007 est. 90 Djibouti $ -212,000,000 2007 est. 91 Liberia $ -224,000,000 2007 92 Eritrea $ -229,000,000 2008 est. 93 Malawi $ -241,000,000 2008 est. 94 Barbados $ -254,000,000 2007 est. 95 Cape Verde $ -259,000,000 2008 est. 96 Togo $ -272,000,000 2008 est. 97 Rwanda $ -292,000,000 2008 est. 98 Niger $ -321,000,000 2007 est. 99 Paraguay $ -345,000,000 2008 est. 100 Guyana $ -362,000,000 2008 est. 101 Congo, Democratic Republic of the $ -402,000,000 2007 est. 102 Seychelles $ -430,000,000 2008 est. 103 Malta $ -445,000,000 2008 est. 104 Mali $ -446,000,000 2007 est. 105 Guinea $ -489,000,000 2008 est. 106 Fiji $ -507,000,000 2007 est. 107 Zimbabwe $ -584,600,000 2008 est. 108 Haiti $ -611,000,000 2008 est. 109 Maldives $ -638,000,000 2008 est. 110 Kyrgyzstan $ -680,000,000 2008 est. 111 Benin $ -735,000,000 2008 est. 112 Syria $ -791,000,000 2008 est. 113 Burkina Faso $ -931,000,000 2008 est. 114 Mauritius $ -972,800,000 2008 est. 115 Senegal $ -975,000,000 2008 est. 116 Mozambique $ -975,300,000 2008 est. 117 Zambia $ -977,000,000 2008 est. 118 Mongolia $ -1,000,000,000 2008 est. 119 Moldova $ -1,015,000,000 2008 est. 120 Chad $ -1,019,000,000 2008 est. 121 Madagascar $ -1,030,000,000 2008 est. 122 Cambodia $ -1,060,000,000 2008 est. 123 Uganda $ -1,088,000,000 2008 est. 124 Montenegro $ -1,102,000,000 2007 est. 125 Yemen $ -1,113,000,000 2008 est. 126 Macedonia $ -1,210,000,000 2008 est. 127 Sudan $ -1,314,000,000 2008 est. 128 Egypt $ -1,331,000,000 2008 est. 129 Armenia $ -1,355,000,000 2008 est. 130 Bahamas, The $ -1,442,000,000 2007 est. 131 Nicaragua $ -1,475,000,000 2008 est. 132 Uruguay $ -1,484,000,000 2008 est. 133 El Salvador $ -1,595,000,000 2008 est. 134 Tunisia $ -1,667,000,000 2008 est. 135 Ethiopia $ -1,806,000,000 2008 est. 136 Albania $ -1,906,000,000 2008 est. 137 Guatemala $ -1,932,000,000 2008 est. 138 Honduras $ -1,977,000,000 2008 est. 139 Kenya $ -1,978,000,000 2008 est. 140 Estonia $ -2,192,000,000 2008 est. 141 Jordan $ -2,390,000,000 2008 est. 142 Cuba $ -2,580,000,000 2008 est. 143 Costa Rica $ -2,648,000,000 2008 est. 144 Jamaica $ -2,745,000,000 2008 est. 145 Bosnia and Herzegovina $ -2,764,000,000 2008 est. 146 Panama $ -2,792,000,000 2008 est. 147 Georgia $ -2,915,000,000 2008 est. 148 Lebanon $ -2,987,000,000 2008 est. 149 Slovenia $ -3,323,000,000 2008 est. 150 Chile $ -3,440,000,000 2008 est. 151 Ghana $ -3,471,000,000 2008 est. 152 Tanzania $ -3,536,000,000 2008 est. 153 Sri Lanka $ -3,876,000,000 2008 est. 154 Peru $ -4,180,000,000 2008 est. 155 Dominican Republic $ -4,436,000,000 2008 est. 156 Cyprus $ -4,479,000,000 2008 est. 157 Latvia $ -4,492,000,000 2008 est. 158 Belarus $ -5,063,000,000 2008 est. 159 Lithuania $ -5,629,000,000 2008 est. 160 Morocco $ -5,836,000,000 2008 est. 161 Korea, South $ -6,349,000,000 2008 est. 162 Croatia $ -6,397,000,000 2008 est. 163 Slovakia $ -6,430,000,000 2008 est. 164 Iceland $ -6,606,000,000 2008 est. 165 Czech Republic $ -6,642,000,000 2008 est. 166 Colombia $ -6,712,000,000 2008 est. 167 Serbia $ -6,889,000,000 2007 est. 168 Vietnam $ -10,710,000,000 2008 est. 169 New Zealand $ -11,340,000,000 2008 est. 170 Bulgaria $ -12,650,000,000 2008 est. 171 Ukraine $ -12,760,000,000 2008 est. 172 Belgium $ -12,880,000,000 2008 est. 173 Hungary $ -12,980,000,000 2008 est. 174 Ireland $ -13,880,000,000 2008 est. 175 Pakistan $ -15,680,000,000 2008 est. 176 Mexico $ -15,810,000,000 2008 est. 177 South Africa $ -20,980,000,000 2008 est. 178 Romania $ -24,810,000,000 2008 est. 179 Poland $ -26,910,000,000 2008 est. 180 Brazil $ -28,190,000,000 2008 est. 181 Portugal $ -29,600,000,000 2008 est. 182 India $ -36,090,000,000 2008 est. 183 Turkey $ -41,690,000,000 2008 est. 184 Australia $ -44,040,000,000 2008 est. 185 United Kingdom $ -45,680,000,000 2008 est. 186 Greece $ -51,530,000,000 2008 est. 187 France $ -52,910,000,000 2008 est. 188 Italy $ -78,030,000,000 2008 est. 189 Spain $ -154,100,000,000 2008 est. 190 United States $ -706,100,000,000 2008 est. ====================================================================== Rank code: 2188 Country Comparison :: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold This entry gives the dollar value for the stock of all financial assets that are available to the central monetary authority for use in meeting a country's balance of payments needs as of the end-date of the period specified. This category includes not only foreign currency and gold, but also a country's holdings of Special Drawing Rights in the International Monetary Fund, and its reserve position in the Fund. Rank country Reserves of foreign exchange and goldDate of Information 1 China $ 1,955,000,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 2 Japan $ 1,011,000,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 3 Russia $ 427,100,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 4 Taiwan $ 296,400,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 5 India $ 254,000,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 6 Korea, South $ 201,200,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 7 Brazil $ 193,800,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 8 Hong Kong $ 182,500,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 9 Singapore $ 174,200,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 10 Algeria $ 143,500,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 11 Germany $ 138,000,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 12 Thailand $ 111,000,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 13 Italy $ 105,300,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 14 France $ 102,900,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 15 Iran $ 96,560,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 16 Mexico $ 95,300,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 17 Libya $ 92,510,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 18 Malaysia $ 91,210,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 19 United States $ 77,650,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 20 Switzerland $ 74,070,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 21 Turkey $ 73,660,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 22 Poland $ 62,180,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 23 Nigeria $ 53,000,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 24 United Kingdom $ 52,980,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 25 Indonesia $ 51,640,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 26 Norway $ 50,950,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 27 Iraq $ 49,800,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 28 Argentina $ 46,370,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 29 Canada $ 43,870,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 30 Israel $ 42,510,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 31 Denmark $ 42,320,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 32 Venezuela $ 42,300,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 33 Romania $ 39,470,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 34 Philippines $ 37,550,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 35 Czech Republic $ 36,680,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 36 South Africa $ 34,070,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 37 Hungary $ 33,870,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 38 Egypt $ 33,850,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 39 Australia $ 32,920,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 40 United Arab Emirates $ 31,690,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 41 Ukraine $ 31,540,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 42 Peru $ 31,250,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 43 Saudi Arabia $ 30,590,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 44 Sweden $ 29,720,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 45 Netherlands $ 28,510,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 46 Lebanon $ 28,280,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 47 Vietnam $ 24,180,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 48 Colombia $ 23,670,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 49 Chile $ 23,080,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 50 Morocco $ 22,720,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 51 Spain $ 20,250,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 52 Kazakhstan $ 19,870,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 53 Slovakia $ 18,780,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 54 Angola $ 18,360,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 55 Bulgaria $ 17,930,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 56 Kuwait $ 17,230,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 57 Austria $ 16,700,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 58 Belgium $ 15,650,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 59 Serbia $ 14,220,000,000 2007 est. 60 Turkmenistan $ 13,880,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 61 Croatia $ 12,960,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 62 Portugal $ 11,950,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 63 Oman $ 11,580,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 64 New Zealand $ 11,150,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 65 Uzbekistan $ 10,150,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 66 Qatar $ 9,998,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 67 Trinidad and Tobago $ 9,496,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 68 Botswana $ 9,119,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 69 Jordan $ 8,918,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 70 Pakistan $ 8,903,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 71 Tunisia $ 8,853,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 72 Finland $ 8,346,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 73 Yemen $ 8,157,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 74 Bolivia $ 7,722,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 75 Slovenia $ 7,570,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 76 Syria $ 6,765,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 77 Azerbaijan $ 6,519,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 78 Lithuania $ 6,441,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 79 Uruguay $ 6,360,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 80 Bangladesh $ 5,789,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 81 Latvia $ 5,248,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 82 Ecuador $ 4,473,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 83 Guatemala $ 4,471,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 84 Equatorial Guinea $ 4,431,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 85 Cuba $ 4,047,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 86 Estonia $ 3,972,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 87 Congo, Republic of the $ 3,873,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 88 Bahrain $ 3,803,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 89 Costa Rica $ 3,799,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 90 Bosnia and Herzegovina $ 3,516,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 91 Greece $ 3,473,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 92 Burma $ 3,412,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 93 Cameroon $ 3,091,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 94 Kenya $ 2,879,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 95 Tanzania $ 2,869,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 96 Paraguay $ 2,863,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 97 Panama $ 2,693,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 98 Belarus $ 2,687,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 99 Sri Lanka $ 2,655,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 100 Cambodia $ 2,641,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 101 El Salvador $ 2,545,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 102 Iceland $ 2,500,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 103 Honduras $ 2,492,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 104 Albania $ 2,364,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 105 Uganda $ 2,301,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 106 Dominican Republic $ 2,288,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 107 Cote d'Ivoire $ 2,252,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 108 Macedonia $ 2,109,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 109 Ghana $ 2,028,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 110 Papua New Guinea $ 1,987,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 111 Gabon $ 1,925,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 112 Mauritius $ 1,785,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 113 Jamaica $ 1,767,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 114 Moldova $ 1,672,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 115 Senegal $ 1,601,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 116 Mozambique $ 1,578,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 117 Georgia $ 1,480,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 118 Armenia $ 1,407,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 119 Sudan $ 1,399,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 120 Chad $ 1,347,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 121 Namibia $ 1,293,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 122 Benin $ 1,261,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 123 Kyrgyzstan $ 1,225,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 124 Nicaragua $ 1,141,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 125 Zambia $ 1,096,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 126 Ireland $ 1,023,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 127 Cyprus $ 1,003,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 128 Lesotho $ 993,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 129 Madagascar $ 982,300,000 31 December 2008 est. 130 Burkina Faso $ 926,300,000 31 December 2008 est. 131 Ethiopia $ 870,500,000 31 December 2008 est. 132 Laos $ 803,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 133 Swaziland $ 752,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 134 Haiti $ 708,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 135 Barbados $ 620,000,000 2007 136 Rwanda $ 596,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 137 Togo $ 580,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 138 Luxembourg $ 397,800,000 31 December 2008 est. 139 Malta $ 373,400,000 31 December 2008 est. 140 Guyana $ 355,900,000 31 December 2008 est. 141 Burundi $ 266,700,000 31 December 2008 est. 142 Suriname $ 263,300,000 2006 143 Cape Verde $ 258,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 144 Tajikistan $ 195,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 145 Malawi $ 185,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 146 Belize $ 166,200,000 31 December 2008 est. 147 Gambia, The $ 140,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 148 Zimbabwe $ 96,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 149 Guinea $ 93,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 150 Samoa $ 70,150,000 FY03/04 151 Seychelles $ 64,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 152 Sao Tome and Principe $ 43,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 153 Tonga $ 40,830,000 yearend, FY04/05 154 Vanuatu $ 40,540,000 2003 155 Eritrea $ 24,000,000 31 December 2008 est. ====================================================================== Rank code: 2189 Country Comparison :: Union name Rank country Union name Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2190 Country Comparison :: Political structure Rank country Political structure Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2191 Country Comparison :: Member states Rank country Member states Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2192 Country Comparison :: Preliminary statement Rank country Preliminary statement Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2193 Country Comparison :: Major infectious diseases This entry lists major infectious diseases likely to be encountered in countries where the risk of such diseases is assessed to be very high as compared to the United States. These infectious diseases represent risks to US government personnel traveling to the specified country for a period of less than three years. The degree of risk is assessed by considering the foreign nature of these infectious diseases, their severity, and the probability of being affected by the diseases present. The diseases listed do not necessarily represent the total disease burden experienced by the local population. The risk to an individual traveler varies considerably by the specific location, visit duration, type of activities, type of accommodations, time of year, and other factors. Consultation with a travel medicine physician is needed to evaluate individual risk and recommend appropriate preventive measures such as vaccines. Diseases are organized into the following six exposure categories shown in italics and listed in typical descending order of risk. Note: The sequence of exposure categories listed in individual country entries may vary according to local conditions. food or waterborne diseases acquired through eating or drinking on the local economy: Hepatitis A - viral disease that interferes with the functioning of the liver; spread through consumption of food or water contaminated with fecal matter, principally in areas of poor sanitation; victims exhibit fever, jaundice, and diarrhea; 15% of victims will experience prolonged symptoms over 6-9 months; vaccine available. Hepatitis E - water-borne viral disease that interferes with the functioning of the liver; most commonly spread through fecal contamination of drinking water; victims exhibit jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain, and dark colored urine. Typhoid fever - bacterial disease spread through contact with food or water contaminated by fecal matter or sewage; victims exhibit sustained high fevers; left untreated, mortality rates can reach 20%. vectorborne diseases acquired through the bite of an infected arthropod: Malaria - caused by single-cell parasitic protozoa Plasmodium; transmitted to humans via the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito; parasites multiply in the liver attacking red blood cells resulting in cycles of fever, chills, and sweats accompanied by anemia; death due to damage to vital organs and interruption of blood supply to the brain; endemic in 100, mostly tropical, countries with 90% of cases and the majority of 1.5-2.5 million estimated annual deaths occurring in sub-Saharan Africa. Dengue fever - mosquito-borne (Aedes aegypti) viral disease associated with urban environments; manifests as sudden onset of fever and severe headache; occasionally produces shock and hemorrhage leading to death in 5% of cases. Yellow fever - mosquito-borne viral disease; severity ranges from influenza-like symptoms to severe hepatitis and hemorrhagic fever; occurs only in tropical South America and sub-Saharan Africa, where most cases are reported; fatality rate is less than 20%. Japanese Encephalitis - mosquito-borne (Culex tritaeniorhynchus) viral disease associated with rural areas in Asia; acute encephalitis can progress to paralysis, coma, and death; fatality rates 30%. African Trypanosomiasis - caused by the parasitic protozoa Trypanosoma; transmitted to humans via the bite of bloodsucking Tsetse flies; infection leads to malaise and irregular fevers and, in advanced cases when the parasites invade the central nervous system, coma and death; endemic in 36 countries of sub-Saharan Africa; cattle and wild animals act as reservoir hosts for the parasites. Cutaneous Leishmaniasis - caused by the parasitic protozoa leishmania; transmitted to humans via the bite of sandflies; results in skin lesions that may become chronic; endemic in 88 countries; 90% of cases occur in Iran, Afghanistan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, and Peru; wild and domesticated animals as well as humans can act as reservoirs of infection. Plague - bacterial disease transmitted by fleas normally associated with rats; person-to-person airborne transmission also possible; recent plague epidemics occurred in areas of Asia, Africa, and South America associated with rural areas or small towns and villages; manifests as fever, headache, and painfully swollen lymph nodes; disease progresses rapidly and without antibiotic treatment leads to pneumonic form with a death rate in excess of 50%. Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever - tick-borne viral disease; infection may also result from exposure to infected animal blood or tissue; geographic distribution includes Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe; sudden onset of fever, headache, and muscle aches followed by hemorrhaging in the bowels, urine, nose, and gums; mortality rate is approximately 30%. Rift Valley fever - viral disease affecting domesticated animals and humans; transmission is by mosquito and other biting insects; infection may also occur through handling of infected meat or contact with blood; geographic distribution includes eastern and southern Africa where cattle and sheep are raised; symptoms are generally mild with fever and some liver abnormalities, but the disease may progress to hemorrhagic fever, encephalitis, or ocular disease; fatality rates are low at about 1% of cases. Chikungunya - mosquito-borne (Aedes aegypti) viral disease associated with urban environments, similar to Dengue Fever; characterized by sudden onset of fever, rash, and severe joint pain usually lasting 3-7 days, some cases result in persistent arthritis. water contact diseases acquired through swimming or wading in freshwater lakes, streams, and rivers: Leptospirosis - bacterial disease that affects animals and humans; infection occurs through contact with water, food, or soil contaminated by animal urine; symptoms include high fever, severe headache, vomiting, jaundice, and diarrhea; untreated, the disease can result in kidney damage, liver failure, meningitis, or respiratory distress; fatality rates are low but left untreated recovery can take months. Schistosomiasis - caused by parasitic trematode flatworm Schistosoma; fresh water snails act as intermediate host and release larval form of parasite that penetrates the skin of people exposed to contaminated water; worms mature and reproduce in the blood vessels, liver, kidneys, and intestines releasing eggs, which become trapped in tissues triggering an immune response; may manifest as either urinary or intestinal disease resulting in decreased work or learning capacity; mortality, while generally low, may occur in advanced cases usually due to bladder cancer; endemic in 74 developing countries with 80% of infected people living in sub-Saharan Africa; humans act as the reservoir for this parasite. aerosolized dust or soil contact disease acquired through inhalation of aerosols contaminated with rodent urine: Lassa fever - viral disease carried by rats of the genus Mastomys; endemic in portions of West Africa; infection occurs through direct contact with or consumption of food contaminated by rodent urine or fecal matter containing virus particles; fatality rate can reach 50% in epidemic outbreaks. respiratory disease acquired through close contact with an infectious person: Meningococcal meningitis - bacterial disease causing an inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord; one of the most important bacterial pathogens is Neisseria meningitidis because of its potential to cause epidemics; symptoms include stiff neck, high fever, headaches, and vomiting; bacteria are transmitted from person to person by respiratory droplets and facilitated by close and prolonged contact resulting from crowded living conditions, often with a seasonal distribution; death occurs in 5-15% of cases, typically within 24-48 hours of onset of symptoms; highest burden of meningococcal disease occurs in the hyperendemic region of sub-Saharan Africa known as the "Meningitis Belt" which stretches from Senegal east to Ethiopia. animal contact disease acquired through direct contact with local animals: Rabies - viral disease of mammals usually transmitted through the bite of an infected animal, most commonly dogs; virus affects the central nervous system causing brain alteration and death; symptoms initially are non-specific fever and headache progressing to neurological symptoms; death occurs within days of the onset of symptoms. Rank country Major infectious diseases Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2194 Country Comparison :: Refugees and internally displaced persons This entry includes those persons residing in a country as refugees or internally displaced persons (IDPs). The definition of a refugee according to a United Nations Convention is "a person who is outside his/her country of nationality or habitual residence; has a well-founded fear of persecution because of his/her race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion; and is unable or unwilling to avail himself/herself of the protection of that country, or to return there, for fear of persecution." The UN established the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 1950 to handle refugee matters worldwide. The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has a different operational definition for a Palestinian refugee: "a person whose normal place of residence was Palestine during the period 1 June 1946 to 15 May 1948 and who lost both home and means of livelihood as a result of the 1948 conflict." However, UNHCR also assists some 400,000 Palestinian refugees not covered under the UNRWA definition. The term "internally displaced person" is not specifically covered in the UN Convention; it is used to describe people who have fled their homes for reasons similar to refugees, but who remain within their own national territory and are subject to the laws of that state. Rank country Refugees and internally displaced personsDate of Information 1 Iraq 2,400,000.00 2007 2 Jordan 1,835,704.00 2007 3 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 1,400,000.00 2007 4 Uganda 1,270,000.00 2007 5 Somalia 1,100,000.00 2007 6 Pakistan 1,043,984.00 2007 7 Gaza Strip 1,017,000.00 2007 8 Iran 914,268.00 2007 9 West Bank 722,000.00 2007 10 Cote d'Ivoire 709,000.00 2007 11 Zimbabwe 569,685.00 2007 12 Syria 522,100.00 2007 13 Burma 503,000.00 2007 14 Jordan 500,000.00 2007 15 Sri Lanka 460,000.00 2007 16 Lebanon 405,425.00 2007 17 Tanzania 352,640.00 2007 18 Syria 305,000.00 2007 19 China 300,897.00 2007 20 Philippines 300,000.00 2007 21 Saudi Arabia 240,015.00 2007 22 Chad 234,000.00 2007 23 Uganda 215,700.00 2007 24 Cyprus 210,000.00 2007 25 Serbia 206,000.00 2007 26 Ethiopia 200,000.00 2007 27 Lebanon 200,000.00 2007 28 Central African Republic 197,000.00 2007 29 Chad 178,918.00 2007 30 Kenya 173,702.00 2007 31 Jordan 160,000.00 2007 32 Sudan 157,220.00 2007 33 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 132,295.00 2007 34 Thailand 132,241.00 2007 35 Bosnia and Herzegovina 131,600.00 2007 36 Tanzania 127,973.00 2007 37 Armenia 113,295.00 2007 38 Nepal 107,803.00 2007 39 Burundi 100,000.00 2007 40 Timor-Leste 100,000.00 2007 41 Yemen 91,587.00 2007 42 Algeria 90,000.00 2007 43 China 90,000.00 2007 44 India 77,200.00 2007 45 Kenya 73,004.00 2007 46 Serbia 71,111.00 2007 47 Egypt 70,198.00 2007 48 India 69,609.00 2007 49 Ethiopia 66,980.00 2007 50 Bangladesh 65,000.00 2007 51 Angola 61,700.00 2007 52 Zambia 60,874.00 2007 53 Chad 54,200.00 2007 54 Iran 54,024.00 2007 55 Congo, Republic of the 48,000.00 2007 56 Congo, Republic of the 46,341.00 2007 57 Rwanda 46,272.00 2007 58 Zambia 42,565.00 2007 59 Uzbekistan 39,202.00 2007 60 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 37,313.00 2007 61 Ghana 35,653.00 2007 62 Pakistan 34,000.00 2007 63 Eritrea 32,000.00 2007 64 Uganda 28,880.00 2007 65 Serbia 27,414.00 2007 66 Sierra Leone 27,311.00 2007 67 Bangladesh 26,268.00 2007 68 Cote d'Ivoire 25,615.00 2007 69 Sudan 25,023.00 2007 70 Uganda 24,900.00 2007 71 Cameroon 24,000.00 2007 72 Senegal 22,400.00 2007 73 Guinea 21,856.00 2007 74 Malaysia 21,544.00 2007 75 Kosovo 21,000.00 2007 76 Nepal 20,153.00 2007 77 Senegal 19,630.00 2007 78 Guinea 19,000.00 2007 79 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 17,777.00 2007 80 Lebanon 17,000.00 2007 81 Iraq 16,832.00 2007 82 Ethiopia 16,576.00 2007 83 Kenya 16,428.00 2007 84 Montenegro 16,192.00 2007 85 Malaysia 15,174.00 2007 86 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 13,904.00 2007 87 Ethiopia 13,078.00 2007 88 Liberia 13,000.00 2007 89 Angola 12,615.00 2007 90 Liberia 12,600.00 2007 91 Egypt 12,157.00 2007 92 Iraq 11,773.00 2007 93 Ecuador 11,526.00 2007 94 Turkmenistan 11,173.00 2007 95 Sudan 11,009.00 2007 96 South Africa 10,772.00 2007 97 United States 10,586.00 2006 98 Papua New Guinea 10,177.00 2007 99 Burundi 9,849.00 2007 100 India 9,472.00 2007 101 Benin 9,444.00 2007 102 Djibouti 8,642.00 2007 103 United States 8,549.00 2006 104 Ghana 8,517.00 2007 105 Armenia 8,400.00 2007 106 Libya 8,000.00 2007 107 Central African Republic 7,900.00 2007 108 Sudan 7,895.00 2007 109 South Africa 7,818.00 2007 110 Guinea-Bissau 7,454.00 2007 111 Bosnia and Herzegovina 7,269.00 2007 112 Gabon 7,178.00 2007 113 Montenegro 7,000.00 2007 114 United States 6,666.00 2006 115 Congo, Republic of the 6,564.00 2007 116 United States 6,479.00 2006 117 Mali 6,300.00 2007 118 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 6,181.00 2007 119 Gambia, The 5,955.00 2007 120 Nigeria 5,778.00 2007 121 South Africa 5,759.00 2007 122 Solomon Islands 5,400.00 2007 123 Guinea 5,259.00 2007 124 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 5,243.00 2007 125 Sudan 5,023.00 2007 126 Togo 5,000.00 2007 127 Namibia 4,700.00 2007 128 Rwanda 4,400.00 2007 129 Zambia 4,100.00 2007 130 Guinea 3,900.00 2007 131 Central African Republic 3,700.00 2007 132 Kazakhstan 3,700.00 2007 133 Uzbekistan 3,400.00 2007 134 United States 3,100.00 2006 135 Cameroon 3,000.00 2007 136 Zimbabwe 2,500.00 2007 137 Azerbaijan 2,400.00 2007 138 United States 2,136.00 2006 139 Togo 1,500.00 2007 140 Georgia 1,100.00 2007 141 Uzbekistan 1,060.00 2007 142 Kazakhstan 508.00 2007 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2195 Country Comparison :: GDP (official exchange rate) This entry gives the gross domestic product (GDP) or value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year. A nation's GDP at official exchange rates (OER) is the home-currency-denominated annual GDP figure divided by the bilateral average US exchange rate with that country in that year. The measure is simple to compute and gives a precise measure of the value of output. Many economists prefer this measure when gauging the economic power an economy maintains vis-a-vis its neighbors, judging that an exchange rate captures the purchasing power a nation enjoys in the international marketplace. Official exchange rates, however, can be artificially fixed and/or subject to manipulation - resulting in claims of the country having an under- or over-valued currency - and are not necessarily the equivalent of a market-determined exchange rate. Moreover, even if the official exchange rate is market-determined, market exchange rates are frequently established by a relatively small set of goods and services (the ones the country trades) and may not capture the value of the larger set of goods the country produces. Furthermore, OER-converted GDP is not well suited to comparing domestic GDP over time, since appreciation/depreciation from one year to the next will make the OER GDP value rise/fall regardless of whether home-currency-denominated GDP changed. Rank country GDP (official exchange rate) Date of Information 1 European Union $ 18,140,000,000,000 2008 est. 2 United States $ 14,440,000,000,000 2008 est. 3 Japan $ 4,911,000,000,000 2008 est. 4 China $ 4,327,000,000,000 2008 est. 5 Germany $ 3,673,000,000,000 2008 est. 6 France $ 2,867,000,000,000 2008 est. 7 United Kingdom $ 2,680,000,000,000 2008 est. 8 Italy $ 2,314,000,000,000 2008 est. 9 Russia $ 1,677,000,000,000 2008 est. 10 Spain $ 1,602,000,000,000 2008 est. 11 Brazil $ 1,573,000,000,000 2008 est. 12 Canada $ 1,500,000,000,000 2008 est. 13 India $ 1,207,000,000,000 2008 est. 14 Mexico $ 1,088,000,000,000 2008 est. 15 Australia $ 1,013,000,000,000 2008 est. 16 Korea, South $ 929,100,000,000 2008 est. 17 Netherlands $ 877,000,000,000 2008 est. 18 Turkey $ 730,000,000,000 2008 est. 19 Poland $ 527,900,000,000 2008 est. 20 Indonesia $ 511,800,000,000 2008 est. 21 Belgium $ 506,200,000,000 2008 22 Switzerland $ 500,300,000,000 2008 est. 23 Sweden $ 479,000,000,000 2008 est. 24 Saudi Arabia $ 469,400,000,000 2008 est. 25 Norway $ 451,800,000,000 2008 est. 26 Austria $ 414,800,000,000 2008 est. 27 Taiwan $ 391,400,000,000 2008 est. 28 Greece $ 357,500,000,000 2008 est. 29 Denmark $ 340,000,000,000 2008 est. 30 Iran $ 335,200,000,000 2008 est. 31 Argentina $ 324,800,000,000 2008 est. 32 Venezuela $ 319,400,000,000 2008 est. 33 South Africa $ 276,800,000,000 2008 est. 34 Thailand $ 273,300,000,000 2008 est. 35 Finland $ 271,900,000,000 2008 est. 36 Ireland $ 267,600,000,000 2008 est. 37 United Arab Emirates $ 262,200,000,000 2008 est. 38 Portugal $ 244,600,000,000 2008 est. 39 Colombia $ 240,800,000,000 2008 est. 40 Malaysia $ 221,600,000,000 2008 est. 41 Czech Republic $ 216,400,000,000 2008 est. 42 Hong Kong $ 215,400,000,000 2008 est. 43 Nigeria $ 207,100,000,000 2008 est. 44 Israel $ 202,100,000,000 2008 est. 45 Romania $ 200,100,000,000 2008 est. 46 Singapore $ 181,900,000,000 2008 est. 47 Ukraine $ 179,600,000,000 2008 est. 48 Chile $ 169,500,000,000 2008 est. 49 Philippines $ 166,900,000,000 2008 est. 50 Pakistan $ 164,600,000,000 2008 est. 51 Egypt $ 162,600,000,000 2008 est. 52 Algeria $ 159,700,000,000 2008 est. 53 Kuwait $ 158,100,000,000 2008 est. 54 Hungary $ 155,900,000,000 2008 est. 55 Kazakhstan $ 135,600,000,000 2008 est. 56 New Zealand $ 128,400,000,000 2008 est. 57 Peru $ 127,500,000,000 2008 est. 58 Qatar $ 102,300,000,000 2008 est. 59 Slovakia $ 95,400,000,000 2008 est. 60 Iraq $ 91,450,000,000 2008 est. 61 Libya $ 89,920,000,000 2008 est. 62 Vietnam $ 89,830,000,000 2008 est. 63 Morocco $ 88,880,000,000 2008 est. 64 Puerto Rico $ 88,000,000,000 2008 est. 65 Angola $ 84,950,000,000 2008 est. 66 Bangladesh $ 84,200,000,000 2008 est. 67 Croatia $ 69,360,000,000 2008 est. 68 Belarus $ 60,300,000,000 2008 est. 69 Oman $ 59,950,000,000 2008 est. 70 Sudan $ 58,030,000,000 2008 est. 71 Syria $ 55,020,000,000 2008 est. 72 Luxembourg $ 54,970,000,000 2008 est. 73 Cuba $ 54,710,000,000 2008 est. 74 Ecuador $ 54,690,000,000 2008 est. 75 Slovenia $ 54,640,000,000 2008 est. 76 Serbia $ 50,060,000,000 2008 est. 77 Bulgaria $ 49,900,000,000 2008 78 Lithuania $ 47,300,000,000 2008 est. 79 Azerbaijan $ 46,380,000,000 2008 est. 80 Dominican Republic $ 44,440,000,000 2008 est. 81 Tunisia $ 40,840,000,000 2008 est. 82 Sri Lanka $ 39,600,000,000 2008 est. 83 Guatemala $ 38,980,000,000 2008 est. 84 Latvia $ 33,980,000,000 2008 est. 85 Uruguay $ 32,190,000,000 2008 est. 86 Costa Rica $ 29,660,000,000 2008 est. 87 Kenya $ 29,560,000,000 2008 est. 88 Lebanon $ 29,350,000,000 2008 est. 89 Turkmenistan $ 29,160,000,000 2008 est. 90 Uzbekistan $ 27,920,000,000 2008 est. 91 Yemen $ 26,910,000,000 2008 est. 92 Ethiopia $ 26,390,000,000 2008 est. 93 Burma $ 26,210,000,000 2008 est. 94 Korea, North $ 26,200,000,000 2008 est. 95 Trinidad and Tobago $ 25,930,000,000 2008 est. 96 Cyprus $ 24,920,000,000 2008 est. 97 Cameroon $ 23,730,000,000 2008 est. 98 Estonia $ 23,550,000,000 2008 est. 99 Cote d'Ivoire $ 23,510,000,000 2008 est. 100 Panama $ 23,090,000,000 2008 est. 101 El Salvador $ 22,120,000,000 2008 est. 102 Macau $ 22,040,000,000 2008 est. 103 Bahrain $ 21,240,000,000 2008 est. 104 Jordan $ 21,230,000,000 2008 est. 105 Tanzania $ 20,670,000,000 2008 est. 106 Equatorial Guinea $ 18,530,000,000 2008 est. 107 Bosnia and Herzegovina $ 18,470,000,000 2008 est. 108 Iceland $ 16,790,000,000 2008 est. 109 Ghana $ 16,650,000,000 2008 est. 110 Bolivia $ 16,600,000,000 2008 est. 111 Paraguay $ 16,010,000,000 2008 est. 112 Zambia $ 14,650,000,000 2008 est. 113 Uganda $ 14,570,000,000 2008 est. 114 Brunei $ 14,550,000,000 2008 est. 115 Gabon $ 14,540,000,000 2008 est. 116 Jamaica $ 14,030,000,000 2008 est. 117 Honduras $ 14,000,000,000 2008 est. 118 Botswana $ 13,460,000,000 2008 est. 119 Senegal $ 13,350,000,000 2008 est. 120 Albania $ 12,960,000,000 2008 est. 121 Georgia $ 12,860,000,000 2008 est. 122 Nepal $ 12,280,000,000 2008 est. 123 Armenia $ 11,920,000,000 2008 est. 124 Afghanistan $ 11,710,000,000 2008 est. 125 Congo, Democratic Republic of the $ 11,630,000,000 2008 est. 126 Cambodia $ 11,250,000,000 2008 est. 127 Congo, Republic of the $ 10,770,000,000 2008 est. 128 Zimbabwe $ 10,580,000,000 2008 est. 129 Mozambique $ 9,897,000,000 2008 est. 130 Macedonia $ 9,569,000,000 2008 est. 131 Madagascar $ 9,463,000,000 2008 est. 132 Namibia $ 8,835,000,000 2008 est. 133 Mali $ 8,774,000,000 2008 est. 134 Mauritius $ 8,738,000,000 2008 est. 135 Chad $ 8,400,000,000 2008 est. 136 Malta $ 8,370,000,000 2008 est. 137 Burkina Faso $ 8,116,000,000 2008 est. 138 Papua New Guinea $ 8,092,000,000 2008 est. 139 Bahamas, The $ 7,564,000,000 2008 est. 140 Haiti $ 6,943,000,000 2008 est. 141 Benin $ 6,712,000,000 2008 est. 142 Gaza Strip $ 6,641,000,000 2008 est. 143 West Bank $ 6,641,000,000 2008 est. 144 Nicaragua $ 6,365,000,000 2008 est. 145 French Polynesia $ 6,100,000,000 2004 146 Moldova $ 6,047,000,000 2008 est. 147 Niger $ 5,382,000,000 2008 est. 148 Laos $ 5,374,000,000 2008 est. 149 Mongolia $ 5,243,000,000 2008 est. 150 Tajikistan $ 5,135,000,000 2008 est. 151 Jersey $ 5,100,000,000 2005 est. 152 Kyrgyzstan $ 5,050,000,000 2008 est. 153 Liechtenstein $ 4,993,000,000 2007 154 Montenegro $ 4,848,000,000 2008 est. 155 Guinea $ 4,517,000,000 2008 est. 156 Rwanda $ 4,459,000,000 2008 est. 157 Malawi $ 4,268,000,000 2008 est. 158 Barbados $ 3,670,000,000 2008 est. 159 Fiji $ 3,589,000,000 2008 est. 160 New Caledonia $ 3,300,000,000 2003 est. 161 Kosovo $ 3,237,000,000 2007 est. 162 Mauritania $ 3,161,000,000 2008 est. 163 Suriname $ 2,933,000,000 2008 est. 164 Togo $ 2,890,000,000 2008 est. 165 Swaziland $ 2,840,000,000 2008 est. 166 Guernsey $ 2,742,000,000 2005 167 Isle of Man $ 2,719,000,000 2005 est. 168 Somalia $ 2,600,000,000 2008 est. 169 Aruba $ 2,258,000,000 2005 est. 170 Central African Republic $ 1,997,000,000 2008 est. 171 Sierra Leone $ 1,953,000,000 2008 est. 172 Cape Verde $ 1,744,000,000 2008 est. 173 Faroe Islands $ 1,700,000,000 2005 est. 174 Greenland $ 1,700,000,000 2005 175 Lesotho $ 1,618,000,000 2008 est. 176 Eritrea $ 1,479,000,000 2008 est. 177 Bhutan $ 1,389,000,000 2008 est. 178 Belize $ 1,359,000,000 2008 est. 179 Maldives $ 1,261,000,000 2008 est. 180 Antigua and Barbuda $ 1,224,000,000 2008 est. 181 Guyana $ 1,154,000,000 2008 est. 182 Burundi $ 1,097,000,000 2008 est. 183 Gibraltar $ 1,066,000,000 2005 est. 184 San Marino $ 1,048,000,000 2004 185 Saint Lucia $ 987,000,000 2008 est. 186 Djibouti $ 982,000,000 2008 est. 187 Liberia $ 850,000,000 2008 est. 188 British Virgin Islands $ 839,700,000 2003 189 Seychelles $ 822,000,000 2008 est. 190 Gambia, The $ 810,000,000 2008 est. 191 Grenada $ 678,000,000 2008 est. 192 Solomon Islands $ 642,000,000 2008 est. 193 Northern Mariana Islands $ 633,400,000 2000 194 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines $ 601,000,000 2008 est. 195 Vanuatu $ 573,000,000 2008 est. 196 Saint Kitts and Nevis $ 546,000,000 2008 est. 197 Comoros $ 532,000,000 2008 est. 198 Samoa $ 500,000,000 2008 est. 199 Timor-Leste $ 499,000,000 2008 est. 200 American Samoa $ 462,200,000 2005 201 Guinea-Bissau $ 461,000,000 2008 est. 202 Dominica $ 364,000,000 2008 est. 203 Tonga $ 258,000,000 2008 est. 204 Micronesia, Federated States of $ 238,100,000 2008 205 Cook Islands $ 183,200,000 2005 est. 206 Sao Tome and Principe $ 175,000,000 2008 est. 207 Palau $ 164,000,000 2008 208 Marshall Islands $ 161,700,000 2008 est. 209 Kiribati $ 137,000,000 2008 est. 210 Anguilla $ 108,900,000 2004 est. 211 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) $ 105,100,000 2002 est. 212 Tuvalu $ 14,940,000 2002 213 Niue $ 10,010,000 2003 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2196 Country Comparison :: Trafficking in persons Trafficking in persons is modern-day slavery, involving victims who are forced, defrauded, or coerced into labor or sexual exploitation. The International Labor Organization (ILO), the UN agency charged with addressing labor standards, employment, and social protection issues, estimates that 12.3 million people worldwide are enslaved in forced labor, bonded labor, forced child labor, sexual servitude, and involuntary servitude at any given time. Human trafficking is a multi-dimensional threat, depriving people of their human rights and freedoms, risking global health, promoting social breakdown, inhibiting development by depriving countries of their human capital, and helping fuel the growth of organized crime. In 2000, the US Congress passed the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), reauthorized in 2003 and 2005, which provides tools for the US to combat trafficking in persons, both domestically and abroad. One of the law's key components is the creation of the US Department of State's annual Trafficking in Persons Report, which assesses the government response (i.e., the current situation) in some 150 countries with a significant number of victims trafficked across their borders who are recruited, harbored, transported, provided, or obtained for forced labor or sexual exploitation. Countries in the annual report are rated in three tiers, based on government efforts to combat trafficking. The countries identified in this entry are those listed in the 2008 Trafficking in Persons Report as Tier 2 Watch List or Tier 3 based on the following tier rating definitions: Tier 2 Watch List countries do not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but are making significant efforts to do so, and meet one of the following criteria: 1. they display high or significantly increasing number of victims, 2. they have failed to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in persons, or, 3. they have committed to take action over the next year. Tier 3 countries neither satisfy the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking nor demonstrate a significant effort to do so. Countries in this tier are subject to potential non-humanitarian and non-trade sanctions. Rank country Trafficking in persons Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2198 Country Comparison :: Stock of direct foreign investment - at home This entry gives the cumulative US dollar value of all investments in the home country made directly by residents - primarily companies - of other countries as of the end of the time period indicated. Direct investment excludes investment through purchase of shares. Rank country Stock of direct foreign investment - at homeDate of Information 1 United States $ 2,367,000,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 2 United Kingdom $ 1,445,000,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 3 Hong Kong $ 1,241,000,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 4 France $ 1,147,000,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 5 Germany $ 1,027,000,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 6 Belgium $ 821,000,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 7 China $ 758,900,000,000 2007 est. 8 Netherlands $ 644,600,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 9 Spain $ 636,500,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 10 Russia $ 491,200,000,000 2007 11 Canada $ 433,400,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 12 Switzerland $ 405,100,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 13 Italy $ 376,600,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 14 Australia $ 366,500,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 15 Brazil $ 294,000,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 16 Sweden $ 290,400,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 17 Mexico $ 289,800,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 18 Austria $ 261,900,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 19 Sri Lanka $ 250,200,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 20 Singapore $ 250,200,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 21 Hungary $ 237,100,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 22 Poland $ 161,400,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 23 India $ 144,200,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 24 Denmark $ 142,700,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 25 Japan $ 135,400,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 26 Turkey $ 128,700,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 27 Korea, South $ 124,200,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 28 Liberia $ 124,200,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 29 South Africa $ 120,000,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 30 Portugal $ 117,800,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 31 Czech Republic $ 111,900,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 32 Saudi Arabia $ 108,500,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 33 Chile $ 108,300,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 34 Taiwan $ 102,300,000,000 2008 35 Trinidad and Tobago $ 102,000,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 36 Tajikistan $ 102,000,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 37 Norway $ 91,490,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 38 Finland $ 84,440,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 39 Malaysia $ 83,350,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 40 Thailand $ 80,830,000,000 2007 est. 41 Argentina $ 73,980,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 42 New Zealand $ 72,920,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 43 Romania $ 72,610,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 44 Nigeria $ 68,840,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 45 Indonesia $ 67,300,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 46 Colombia $ 67,230,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 47 United Arab Emirates $ 62,690,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 48 Egypt $ 59,130,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 49 Israel $ 56,930,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 50 Kazakhstan $ 55,630,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 51 Slovakia $ 44,120,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 52 Bulgaria $ 42,910,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 53 Ukraine $ 41,770,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 54 Venezuela $ 41,380,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 55 Vietnam $ 40,340,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 56 Zambia $ 40,340,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 57 Greece $ 36,700,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 58 Peru $ 30,310,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 59 Tunisia $ 28,670,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 60 Croatia $ 27,170,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 61 Pakistan $ 25,440,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 62 Philippines $ 21,400,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 63 Costa Rica $ 18,960,000,000 31 December 2008 64 Estonia $ 18,620,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 65 Ecuador $ 16,990,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 66 Jordan $ 16,500,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 67 Kyrgyzstan $ 16,500,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 68 Angola $ 16,360,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 69 Cyprus $ 15,690,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 70 Dominican Republic $ 15,590,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 71 Bahrain $ 15,010,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 72 Bermuda $ 15,010,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 73 Algeria $ 13,760,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 74 Lithuania $ 12,850,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 75 Slovenia $ 11,960,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 76 Serbia $ 11,950,000,000 2006 est. 77 Cuba $ 11,240,000,000 2006 est. 78 Libya $ 11,230,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 79 Malawi $ 11,230,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 80 Latvia $ 11,210,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 81 Luxembourg $ 11,210,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 82 Macau $ 7,900,000,000 2007 83 Azerbaijan $ 7,844,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 84 Iran $ 6,954,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 85 El Salvador $ 6,702,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 86 Fiji $ 6,702,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 87 Bolivia $ 5,998,000,000 31 December 2008 88 Bangladesh $ 5,971,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 89 Chad $ 4,500,000,000 2006 est. 90 Uruguay $ 4,190,000,000 2007 91 Qatar $ 3,627,000,000 2008 est. 92 Kenya $ 2,541,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 93 Macedonia $ 2,405,000,000 2007 est. 94 Moldova $ 1,813,000,000 2008 95 Kuwait $ 1,220,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 96 Paraguay $ 2,057,000 2007 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2199 Country Comparison :: Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad This entry gives the cumulative US dollar value of all investments in foreign countries made directly by residents - primarily companies - of the home country, as of the end of the time period indicated. Direct investment excludes investment through purchase of shares. Rank country Stock of direct foreign investment - abroadDate of Information 1 United States $ 3,162,000,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 2 France $ 1,624,000,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 3 United Kingdom $ 1,567,000,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 4 Germany $ 1,407,000,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 5 Netherlands $ 843,700,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 6 Hong Kong $ 776,000,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 7 Switzerland $ 726,300,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 8 Japan $ 663,900,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 9 Belgium $ 661,900,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 10 Spain $ 605,300,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 11 Italy $ 565,300,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 12 Canada $ 520,400,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 13 Sweden $ 333,900,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 14 Austria $ 270,000,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 15 Australia $ 197,200,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 16 Denmark $ 181,900,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 17 Russia $ 176,700,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 18 Singapore $ 173,600,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 19 Norway $ 160,100,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 20 Hungary $ 159,700,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 21 Ireland $ 152,900,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 22 China $ 149,300,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 23 Brazil $ 127,500,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 24 Finland $ 116,000,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 25 Taiwan $ 107,100,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 26 Korea, South $ 74,600,000,000 30 June 2008 27 Malaysia $ 71,200,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 28 Portugal $ 69,240,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 29 South Africa $ 63,570,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 30 India $ 61,770,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 31 Israel $ 54,550,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 32 Mexico $ 45,390,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 33 Greece $ 32,440,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 34 United Arab Emirates $ 28,950,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 35 Argentina $ 28,750,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 36 Chile $ 25,700,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 37 Kuwait $ 25,680,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 38 Poland $ 21,810,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 39 Saudi Arabia $ 18,070,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 40 Venezuela $ 16,620,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 41 Turkey $ 14,800,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 42 Colombia $ 13,180,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 43 Nigeria $ 13,020,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 44 Egypt $ 12,080,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 45 Tajikistan $ 10,860,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 46 Czech Republic $ 9,913,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 47 Bahrain $ 9,340,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 48 Ecuador $ 8,487,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 49 Slovenia $ 7,592,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 50 Cyprus $ 7,097,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 51 Thailand $ 7,013,000,000 2007 est. 52 Estonia $ 6,686,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 53 Indonesia $ 6,656,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 54 Philippines $ 5,810,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 55 Qatar $ 5,363,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 56 Azerbaijan $ 5,232,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 57 Libya $ 5,150,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 58 Kazakhstan $ 4,617,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 59 Cuba $ 4,138,000,000 2006 est. 60 Trinidad and Tobago $ 3,829,000,000 2007 61 Croatia $ 3,343,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 62 Angola $ 2,477,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 63 Lithuania $ 1,985,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 64 Ukraine $ 1,905,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 65 Macau $ 1,900,000,000 2007 66 Slovakia $ 1,867,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 67 Peru $ 1,694,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 68 Bulgaria $ 1,292,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 69 Algeria $ 1,162,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 70 Latvia $ 1,083,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 71 Pakistan $ 1,017,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 72 Iran $ 993,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 73 Morocco $ 966,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 74 Romania $ 921,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 75 Costa Rica $ 532,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 76 El Salvador $ 440,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 77 Tunisia $ 162,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 78 Uruguay $ 156,000,000 2007 79 Bangladesh $ 97,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 80 Dominican Republic $ 59,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 81 Kenya $ 12,400,000 31 December 2008 est. ====================================================================== Rank code: 2200 Country Comparison :: Market value of publicly traded shares This entry gives the value of shares issued by publicly traded companies at a price determined in the national stock markets on the final day of the period indicated. It is simply the latest price per share multiplied by the total number of outstanding shares, cumulated over all companies listed on the particular exchange. Rank country Market value of publicly traded sharesDate of Information 1 United States $ 19,950,000,000,000 31 December 2007 2 European Union $ 15,570,000,000,000 31 December 2008 3 China $ 6,226,000,000,000 31 December 2007 4 Japan $ 4,453,000,000,000 31 December 2007 5 United Kingdom $ 3,859,000,000,000 31 December 2007 6 France $ 2,771,000,000,000 31 December 2007 7 Canada $ 2,187,000,000,000 31 December 2007 8 Germany $ 2,106,000,000,000 31 December 2007 9 India $ 1,819,000,000,000 31 December 2007 10 Spain $ 1,800,000,000,000 31 December 2007 11 Russia $ 1,503,000,000,000 31 December 2007 12 Brazil $ 1,370,000,000,000 31 December 2007 13 Australia $ 1,298,000,000,000 31 December 2007 14 Switzerland $ 1,275,000,000,000 31 December 2007 15 Hong Kong $ 1,163,000,000,000 31 December 2007 16 Korea, South $ 1,124,000,000,000 31 December 2007 17 Italy $ 1,073,000,000,000 31 December 2007 18 Netherlands $ 956,500,000,000 31 December 2007 19 South Africa $ 833,500,000,000 31 December 2007 20 Taiwan $ 654,000,000,000 28 December 2007 21 Sweden $ 612,500,000,000 31 December 2007 22 Saudi Arabia $ 515,100,000,000 31 December 2007 23 Netherlands Antilles $ 488,600,000,000 2003 24 Mexico $ 397,700,000,000 31 December 2007 25 Belgium $ 386,400,000,000 31 December 2007 26 Finland $ 369,200,000,000 31 December 2007 27 Norway $ 357,400,000,000 31 December 2007 28 Singapore $ 353,500,000,000 31 December 2007 29 Malaysia $ 325,700,000,000 31 December 2007 30 Turkey $ 286,600,000,000 31 December 2007 31 Denmark $ 277,700,000,000 31 December 2007 32 Greece $ 264,900,000,000 31 December 2007 33 Israel $ 236,400,000,000 31 December 2007 34 Austria $ 228,700,000,000 31 December 2007 35 United Arab Emirates $ 224,700,000,000 31 December 2007 36 Chile $ 212,900,000,000 31 December 2007 37 Indonesia $ 211,700,000,000 31 December 2007 38 Poland $ 207,300,000,000 31 December 2007 39 Thailand $ 196,000,000,000 31 December 2007 40 Kuwait $ 188,000,000,000 31 December 2007 41 Luxembourg $ 166,100,000,000 31 December 2007 42 Ireland $ 144,000,000,000 31 December 2007 43 Egypt $ 139,300,000,000 31 December 2007 44 Portugal $ 132,300,000,000 31 December 2007 45 Ukraine $ 111,800,000,000 31 December 2007 46 Peru $ 106,000,000,000 31 December 2007 47 Philippines $ 103,200,000,000 31 December 2007 48 Colombia $ 102,000,000,000 31 December 2007 49 Qatar $ 95,490,000,000 31 December 2007 50 Argentina $ 86,680,000,000 31 December 2007 51 Nigeria $ 86,350,000,000 31 December 2007 52 Morocco $ 75,490,000,000 31 December 2007 53 Czech Republic $ 73,420,000,000 31 December 2007 54 Pakistan $ 70,260,000,000 31 December 2007 55 Croatia $ 65,980,000,000 31 December 2007 56 Hungary $ 47,650,000,000 31 December 2007 57 New Zealand $ 47,450,000,000 31 December 2007 58 Iran $ 45,570,000,000 31 December 2007 59 Romania $ 44,930,000,000 31 December 2007 60 Kazakhstan $ 41,380,000,000 31 December 2007 61 Jordan $ 41,220,000,000 31 December 2007 62 Iceland $ 40,560,000,000 31 December 2007 63 Cyprus $ 29,480,000,000 31 December 2007 64 Slovenia $ 28,960,000,000 31 December 2007 65 Bahrain $ 28,130,000,000 31 December 2007 66 Serbia $ 23,930,000,000 31 December 2007 67 Oman $ 23,060,000,000 31 December 2007 68 Bulgaria $ 21,790,000,000 31 December 2007 69 Vietnam $ 19,540,000,000 31 December 2007 70 Trinidad and Tobago $ 15,610,000,000 31 December 2007 71 Kenya $ 13,390,000,000 31 December 2007 72 Jamaica $ 12,330,000,000 31 December 2007 73 Lebanon $ 10,860,000,000 31 December 2007 74 Lithuania $ 10,130,000,000 31 December 2007 75 Cote d'Ivoire $ 8,353,000,000 31 December 2007 76 Sri Lanka $ 7,553,000,000 31 December 2007 77 Slovakia $ 6,971,000,000 31 December 2007 78 Bangladesh $ 6,793,000,000 31 December 2007 79 El Salvador $ 6,743,000,000 31 December 2007 80 Panama $ 6,219,000,000 31 December 2007 81 Estonia $ 6,037,000,000 31 December 2007 82 Botswana $ 5,887,000,000 31 December 2007 83 Mauritius $ 5,666,000,000 31 December 2007 84 Malta $ 5,633,000,000 31 December 2007 85 Barbados $ 5,599,000,000 31 December 2007 86 Tunisia $ 5,355,000,000 31 December 2007 87 Zimbabwe $ 5,333,000,000 31 December 2007 88 Nepal $ 4,909,000,000 31 December 2007 89 Ecuador $ 4,266,000,000 31 December 2007 90 Montenegro $ 3,699,000,000 31 December 2007 91 Latvia $ 3,111,000,000 31 December 2007 92 Bermuda $ 2,731,000,000 31 December 2007 93 Macedonia $ 2,715,000,000 31 December 2007 94 West Bank $ 2,475,000,000 31 December 2007 95 Ghana $ 2,380,000,000 31 December 2007 96 Zambia $ 2,346,000,000 31 December 2007 97 Bolivia $ 2,263,000,000 31 December 2007 98 Costa Rica $ 2,035,000,000 31 December 2007 99 Georgia $ 1,389,000,000 31 December 2007 100 Namibia $ 702,000,000 31 December 2007 101 Mongolia $ 612,200,000 31 December 2007 102 Moldova $ 573,900,000 2004 103 Fiji $ 522,200,000 31 December 2007 104 Saint Kitts and Nevis $ 439,700,000 31 December 2007 105 Guyana $ 262,400,000 31 December 2007 106 Swaziland $ 203,100,000 31 December 2007 107 Cayman Islands $ 183,500,000 31 December 2007 108 Uruguay $ 159,000,000 31 December 2007 109 Kyrgyzstan $ 121,000,000 31 December 2007 110 Armenia $ 105,000,000 31 December 2007 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2201 Country Comparison :: Total renewable water resources This entry provides the long-term average water availability for a country in cubic kilometers of precipitation, recharged ground water, and surface inflows from surrounding countries. The values have been adjusted to account for overlap resulting from surface flow recharge of groundwater sources. Total renewable water resources provides the water total available to a country but does not include water resource totals that have been reserved for upstream or downstream countries through international agreements. Note that these values are averages and do not accurately reflect the total available in any given year. Annual available resources can vary greatly due to short-term and long-term climatic and weather variations. Rank country (cu km) Date of Information 1 Brazil 8,233.00 2000 2 Russia 4,498.00 1997 3 Canada 3,300.00 1985 4 United States 3,069.00 1985 5 Indonesia 2,838.00 1999 6 China 2,829.60 1999 7 Colombia 2,132.00 2000 8 Peru 1,913.00 2000 9 India 1,907.80 1999 10 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 1,283.00 2001 11 Venezuela 1,233.20 2000 12 Bangladesh 1,210.60 1999 13 Burma 1,045.60 1999 14 Chile 922.00 2000 15 Vietnam 891.20 1999 16 Congo, Republic of the 832.00 1987 17 Argentina 814.00 2000 18 Papua New Guinea 801.00 1987 19 Bolivia 622.50 2000 20 Malaysia 580.00 1999 21 Philippines 479.00 1999 22 Cambodia 476.10 1999 23 Mexico 457.20 2000 24 Ecuador 432.00 2000 25 Japan 430.00 1999 26 Thailand 409.90 1999 27 Australia 398.00 1995 28 New Zealand 397.00 1995 29 Norway 381.40 2005 30 Madagascar 337.00 1984 31 Paraguay 336.00 2000 32 Laos 333.60 2003 33 Nigeria 286.20 2003 34 Cameroon 285.50 2003 35 Guyana 241.00 2000 36 Turkey 234.00 2003 37 Pakistan 233.80 2003 38 Liberia 232.00 1987 39 Guinea 226.00 1987 40 Mozambique 216.00 1992 41 Nepal 210.20 1999 42 Serbia 208.50 2003 43 Nicaragua 196.70 2000 44 France 189.00 2005 45 Germany 188.00 2005 46 Angola 184.00 1987 47 Sweden 179.00 2005 48 Italy 175.00 2005 49 Iceland 170.00 2005 50 Gabon 164.00 1987 51 United Kingdom 160.60 2005 52 Sierra Leone 160.00 1987 53 Sudan 154.00 1997 54 Panama 148.00 2000 55 Central African Republic 144.40 2003 56 Ukraine 139.50 1997 57 Uruguay 139.00 2000 58 Iran 137.50 1997 59 Suriname 122.00 2003 60 Hungary 120.00 2005 61 Costa Rica 112.40 2000 62 Guatemala 111.30 2000 63 Spain 111.10 2005 64 Ethiopia 110.00 1987 65 Finland 110.00 2005 66 Kazakhstan 109.60 1997 67 Croatia 105.50 1998 68 Zambia 105.20 2001 69 Mali 100.00 2001 70 Tajikistan 99.70 1997 71 Iraq 96.40 1997 72 Honduras 95.90 2000 73 Bhutan 95.00 1987 74 Tanzania 91.00 2001 75 Netherlands 89.70 2005 76 Egypt 86.80 1997 77 Austria 84.00 2005 78 Cote d'Ivoire 81.00 2001 79 Korea, North 77.10 1999 80 Portugal 73.60 2005 81 Uzbekistan 72.20 2003 82 Greece 72.00 2005 83 Korea, South 69.70 1999 84 Taiwan 67.00 2000 85 Uganda 66.00 1970 86 Afghanistan 65.00 1997 87 Georgia 63.30 1997 88 Poland 63.10 2005 89 Turkmenistan 60.90 1997 90 Belarus 58.00 1997 91 Switzerland 53.30 2005 92 Ghana 53.20 2001 93 Slovakia 50.10 2003 94 Sri Lanka 50.00 1999 95 South Africa 50.00 1990 96 Latvia 49.90 2005 97 Ireland 46.80 2003 98 Kyrgyzstan 46.50 1997 99 Syria 46.10 1997 100 Namibia 45.50 1991 101 Solomon Islands 44.70 1987 102 Chad 43.00 1987 103 Romania 42.30 2003 104 Albania 41.70 2001 105 Senegal 39.40 1987 106 Cuba 38.10 2000 107 Bosnia and Herzegovina 37.50 2003 108 Mongolia 34.80 1999 109 Niger 33.70 2003 110 Slovenia 32.10 2005 111 Guinea-Bissau 31.00 2003 112 Azerbaijan 30.30 1997 113 Kenya 30.20 1990 114 Morocco 29.00 2003 115 Fiji 28.60 1987 116 Equatorial Guinea 26.00 2001 117 Benin 25.80 2001 118 El Salvador 25.20 2001 119 Lithuania 24.50 2005 120 Estonia 21.10 2005 121 Dominican Republic 21.00 2000 122 Belgium 20.80 2005 123 Zimbabwe 20.00 1987 124 Bulgaria 19.40 2005 125 Belize 18.60 2000 126 Burkina Faso 17.50 2001 127 Malawi 17.30 2001 128 Czech Republic 16.00 2005 129 Somalia 15.70 1997 130 Botswana 14.70 2001 131 Togo 14.70 2001 132 Algeria 14.30 1997 133 Haiti 14.00 2000 134 Moldova 11.70 1997 135 Mauritania 11.40 1997 136 Armenia 10.50 1997 137 Jamaica 9.40 2000 138 Brunei 8.50 1999 139 Gambia, The 8.00 1982 140 Macedonia 6.40 2001 141 Eritrea 6.30 2001 142 Denmark 6.10 2003 143 Lesotho 5.20 1987 144 Rwanda 5.20 2003 145 Lebanon 4.80 1997 146 Tunisia 4.60 2003 147 Swaziland 4.50 1987 148 Yemen 4.10 1997 149 Trinidad and Tobago 3.80 2000 150 Burundi 3.60 1987 151 Saudi Arabia 2.40 1997 152 Mauritius 2.20 2001 153 Israel 1.70 2001 154 Luxembourg 1.60 2005 155 Comoros 1.20 2003 156 Oman 1.00 1997 157 Jordan 0.90 1997 158 Libya 0.60 1997 159 Singapore 0.60 1975 160 Cyprus 0.40 2005 161 Cape Verde 0.30 1990 162 Djibouti 0.30 1997 163 United Arab Emirates 0.20 1997 164 Antigua and Barbuda 0.10 2000 165 Bahrain 0.10 1997 166 Qatar 0.10 1997 167 Barbados 0.10 2003 168 Malta 0.07 2005 169 Maldives 0.03 1999 170 Kuwait 0.02 1997 171 Saint Kitts and Nevis 0.02 2000 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2202 Country Comparison :: Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural) This entry provides the annual quantity of water in cubic kilometers removed from available sources for use in any purpose. Water drawn-off is not necessarily entirely consumed and some portion may be returned for further use downstream. Domestic sector use refers to water supplied by public distribution systems. Note that some of this total may be used for small industrial and/or limited agricultural purposes. Industrial sector use is the quantity of water used by self-supplied industries not connected to a public distribution system. Agricultural sector use includes water used for irrigation and livestock watering, and does not account for agriculture directly dependent on rainfall. Included are figures for total annual water withdrawal and per capita water withdrawal. Rank country () Date of Information 1 Turkmenistan 5,104.00 2000 2 Kazakhstan 2,360.00 2000 3 Uzbekistan 2,194.00 2000 4 Guyana 2,187.00 2000 5 Hungary 2,082.00 2001 6 Azerbaijan 2,051.00 2000 7 Kyrgyzstan 1,916.00 2000 8 Tajikistan 1,837.00 2000 9 United States 1,600.00 2000 10 Suriname 1,489.00 2000 11 Iraq 1,482.00 2000 12 Canada 1,386.00 1996 13 Thailand 1,288.00 2000 14 Ecuador 1,283.00 2000 15 Australia 1,193.00 2000 16 Macedonia 1,118.00 2000 17 Pakistan 1,072.00 2000 18 Estonia 1,060.00 2002 19 Portugal 1,056.00 1998 20 Iran 1,048.00 2000 21 Syria 1,048.00 2000 22 Sudan 1,030.00 2000 23 Swaziland 1,010.00 2000 24 Armenia 977.00 2000 25 Lithuania 971.00 2003 26 Egypt 923.00 2000 27 Uruguay 910.00 2000 28 Bulgaria 895.00 2003 29 Spain 864.00 2002 30 Vietnam 847.00 2000 31 Georgia 808.00 2000 32 Ukraine 807.00 2000 33 Madagascar 804.00 2000 34 Greece 782.00 1997 35 Afghanistan 779.00 2000 36 Chile 770.00 2000 37 Argentina 753.00 2000 38 Mexico 731.00 2000 39 Libya 730.00 2000 40 Cuba 728.00 2000 41 Italy 723.00 1998 42 Peru 720.00 2000 43 Belgium 714.00 1998 44 Saudi Arabia 705.00 2000 45 Japan 690.00 2000 46 Burma 658.00 2000 47 India 645.84 2000 48 Costa Rica 619.00 2000 49 Sri Lanka 608.00 2000 50 India 585.00 2000 51 Iceland 567.00 2003 52 Bangladesh 560.00 2000 53 Belize 556.00 2000 54 Mauritania 554.00 2000 55 China 549.76 2000 56 Moldova 549.00 2000 57 France 548.00 2000 58 Albania 546.00 2000 59 Netherlands 544.00 2001 60 Turkey 544.00 2001 61 Russia 535.00 2000 62 Oman 529.00 2000 63 New Zealand 524.00 2000 64 Norway 519.00 1996 65 United Arab Emirates 511.00 2000 66 Laos 507.00 2000 67 Mauritius 488.00 2000 68 Mali 484.00 2000 69 United States 477.00 2000 70 Germany 460.00 2001 71 Slovenia 457.00 2002 72 Austria 448.00 1999 73 Finland 444.00 1999 74 China 415.00 2000 75 Bahrain 411.00 2000 76 Korea, North 401.00 2000 77 Morocco 400.00 2000 78 Somalia 400.00 2000 79 Korea, South 389.00 2000 80 Lebanon 385.00 2000 81 Dominican Republic 381.00 2000 82 Nepal 375.00 2000 83 Indonesia 372.00 2000 84 Qatar 358.00 2000 85 Malaysia 356.00 2000 86 Switzerland 348.00 2002 87 Philippines 343.00 2000 88 Barbados 333.00 2000 89 Zimbabwe 324.00 2002 90 Brazil 318.00 2000 91 Yemen 316.00 2000 92 Venezuela 313.00 2000 93 Israel 305.00 2000 94 Poland 304.00 2002 95 Romania 299.00 2003 96 Sweden 296.00 2002 97 Cambodia 290.00 2000 98 Belarus 286.00 2000 99 Ireland 284.00 1994 100 South Africa 264.00 2000 101 Tunisia 261.00 2000 102 Panama 254.00 2000 103 Cyprus 250.00 2000 104 Brunei 243.00 1994 105 Nicaragua 237.00 2000 106 Trinidad and Tobago 237.00 2000 107 Colombia 235.00 2000 108 Equatorial Guinea 220.00 2000 109 Dominica 213.00 1996 110 Bhutan 199.00 2000 111 United Kingdom 197.00 1994 112 Slovakia 193.00 2003 113 Senegal 190.00 2002 114 Czech Republic 187.00 2002 115 El Salvador 186.00 2000 116 Algeria 185.00 2000 117 Jordan 177.00 2000 118 Pakistan 169.39 2000 119 Mongolia 166.00 2000 120 Kuwait 164.00 2000 121 Guinea 161.00 2000 122 Guatemala 160.00 2000 123 Bolivia 157.00 2000 124 Niger 156.00 2000 125 Jamaica 155.00 2000 126 Zambia 149.00 2000 127 Namibia 148.00 2000 128 Tanzania 135.00 2000 129 Denmark 123.00 2002 130 Luxembourg 121.00 1999 131 Honduras 119.00 2000 132 Haiti 116.00 2000 133 Guinea-Bissau 113.00 2000 134 Latvia 108.00 2003 135 Botswana 107.00 2000 136 Japan 88.43 2000 137 Gabon 87.00 2000 138 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 83.00 1995 139 Indonesia 82.78 2000 140 Thailand 82.75 2000 141 Fiji 82.00 2000 142 Saint Lucia 81.00 1997 143 Paraguay 80.00 2000 144 Bangladesh 79.40 2000 145 Mexico 78.22 2000 146 Malawi 78.00 2000 147 Russia 76.68 2000 148 Iran 72.88 2000 149 Ethiopia 72.00 2002 150 Vietnam 71.39 2000 151 Sierra Leone 69.00 2000 152 Egypt 68.30 2000 153 Eritrea 68.00 2000 154 Antigua and Barbuda 63.00 1990 155 Cameroon 61.00 2000 156 Nigeria 61.00 2000 157 Burkina Faso 60.00 2000 158 Brazil 59.30 2000 159 Uzbekistan 58.34 2000 160 Cote d'Ivoire 51.00 2000 161 Malta 50.00 2000 162 Kenya 46.00 2000 163 Canada 44.72 1996 164 Ghana 44.00 2000 165 Singapore 44.00 1975 166 Iraq 42.70 2000 167 Italy 41.98 1998 168 Turkey 39.78 2001 169 Cape Verde 39.00 2000 170 Germany 38.01 2001 171 Burundi 38.00 2000 172 Ukraine 37.53 2000 173 Sudan 37.32 2000 174 Spain 37.22 2002 175 Kazakhstan 35.00 2000 176 Liberia 34.00 2000 177 Burma 33.23 2000 178 France 33.16 2000 179 Mozambique 32.00 2000 180 Argentina 29.19 2000 181 Philippines 28.52 2000 182 Lesotho 28.00 2000 183 Togo 28.00 2000 184 Djibouti 25.00 2000 185 Turkmenistan 24.65 2000 186 Australia 24.06 2000 187 Chad 24.00 2000 188 Afghanistan 23.26 2000 189 Angola 22.00 2000 190 Hungary 21.03 2001 191 Peru 20.13 2000 192 Gambia, The 20.00 2000 193 Syria 19.95 2000 194 Korea, South 18.59 2000 195 Saudi Arabia 17.32 2000 196 Azerbaijan 17.25 2000 197 Papua New Guinea 17.00 1987 198 Rwanda 17.00 2000 199 Ecuador 16.98 2000 200 Benin 15.00 2001 201 Madagascar 14.96 2000 202 Comoros 13.00 1999 203 Sri Lanka 12.61 2000 204 Morocco 12.60 2000 205 Chile 12.55 2000 206 South Africa 12.50 2000 207 Tajikistan 11.96 2000 208 United Kingdom 11.75 1994 209 Poland 11.73 2002 210 Portugal 11.09 1998 211 Colombia 10.71 2000 212 Nepal 10.18 2000 213 Kyrgyzstan 10.08 2000 214 Uganda 10.00 2002 215 Korea, North 9.02 2000 216 Malaysia 9.02 2000 217 Maldives 9.00 1987 218 Netherlands 8.86 2001 219 Greece 8.70 1997 220 Venezuela 8.37 2000 221 Cuba 8.20 2000 222 Nigeria 8.01 2000 223 Congo, Republic of the 8.00 2000 224 Belgium 7.44 1998 225 Central African Republic 7.00 2000 226 Bulgaria 6.92 2003 227 Yemen 6.63 2000 228 Mali 6.55 2000 229 Romania 6.50 2003 230 Algeria 6.07 2000 231 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 6.00 2000 232 Ethiopia 5.56 2002 233 Tanzania 5.18 2000 234 Libya 4.27 2000 235 Zimbabwe 4.21 2002 236 Cambodia 4.08 2000 237 Austria 3.67 1999 238 Georgia 3.61 2000 239 Dominican Republic 3.39 2000 240 Lithuania 3.33 2003 241 Somalia 3.29 2000 242 Uruguay 3.15 2000 243 Laos 3.00 2000 244 Armenia 2.95 2000 245 Belarus 2.79 2000 246 Costa Rica 2.68 2000 247 Sweden 2.68 2002 248 Tunisia 2.64 2000 249 Switzerland 2.52 2002 250 Norway 2.40 1996 251 Finland 2.33 1999 252 Moldova 2.31 2000 253 United Arab Emirates 2.30 2000 254 Macedonia 2.27 2000 255 Senegal 2.22 2002 256 Niger 2.18 2000 257 New Zealand 2.11 2000 258 Israel 2.05 2000 259 Guatemala 2.01 2000 260 Czech Republic 1.91 2002 261 Zambia 1.74 2000 262 Albania 1.71 2000 263 Mauritania 1.70 2000 264 Guyana 1.64 2000 265 Kenya 1.58 2000 266 Guinea 1.51 2000 267 Bolivia 1.44 2000 268 Estonia 1.41 2002 269 Lebanon 1.38 2000 270 Oman 1.36 2000 271 Nicaragua 1.30 2000 272 El Salvador 1.28 2000 273 Ireland 1.18 1994 274 Slovakia 1.04 2003 275 Swaziland 1.04 2000 276 Jordan 1.01 2000 277 Malawi 1.01 2000 278 Cameroon 0.99 2000 279 Haiti 0.99 2000 280 Ghana 0.98 2000 281 Cote d'Ivoire 0.93 2000 282 Slovenia 0.90 2002 283 Honduras 0.86 2000 284 Panama 0.82 2000 285 Burkina Faso 0.80 2000 286 Denmark 0.67 2002 287 Suriname 0.67 2000 288 Mozambique 0.63 2000 289 Mauritius 0.61 2000 290 Paraguay 0.49 2000 291 Kuwait 0.44 2000 292 Mongolia 0.44 2000 293 Bhutan 0.43 2000 294 Jamaica 0.41 2000 295 Sierra Leone 0.38 2000 296 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 0.36 2000 297 Angola 0.35 2000 298 Trinidad and Tobago 0.31 2000 299 Bahrain 0.30 2000 300 Namibia 0.30 2000 301 Eritrea 0.30 2000 302 Uganda 0.30 2002 303 Burundi 0.29 2000 304 Qatar 0.29 2000 305 Latvia 0.25 2003 306 Chad 0.23 2000 307 Cyprus 0.21 2000 308 Botswana 0.19 2000 309 Singapore 0.19 1975 310 Guinea-Bissau 0.18 2000 311 Iceland 0.17 2003 312 Togo 0.17 2000 313 Belize 0.15 2000 314 Rwanda 0.15 2000 315 Benin 0.13 2001 316 Gabon 0.12 2000 317 Equatorial Guinea 0.11 2000 318 Liberia 0.11 2000 319 Papua New Guinea 0.10 1987 320 Barbados 0.09 2000 321 Brunei 0.09 1994 322 Fiji 0.07 2000 323 Luxembourg 0.06 1999 324 Lesotho 0.05 2000 325 Congo, Republic of the 0.03 2000 326 Central African Republic 0.03 2000 327 Gambia, The 0.03 2000 328 Cape Verde 0.02 2000 329 Djibouti 0.02 2000 330 Dominica 0.02 1996 331 Malta 0.02 2000 332 Comoros 0.01 1999 333 Saint Lucia 0.01 1997 334 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0.01 1995 335 Antigua and Barbuda 0.01 1990 336 Maldives 0.00 1987 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2203 Country Comparison :: Geographic overview Rank country Geographic overview Date of Information ====================================================================== Rank code: 2204 Country Comparison :: Economy of the area administered by Turkish Cypriots Rank country Economy of the area administered by Turkish CypriotsDate of Information 1 Cyprus 1.50 NA 2 Cyprus 1.43 NA 3 Cyprus 1.43 NA 4 Cyprus 1.34 NA 5 Cyprus 1.32 NA ====================================================================== Rank code: 2205 Country Comparison :: School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) School life expectancy (SLE) is the total number of years of schooling (primary to tertiary) that a child can expect to receive, assuming that the probability of his or her being enrolled in school at any particular future age is equal to the current enrollment ratio at that age. Caution must be maintained when utilizing this indicator in international comparisons. For example, a year or grade completed in one country is not necessarily the same in terms of educational content or quality as a year or grade completed in another country. SLE represents the expected number of years of schooling that will be completed, including years spent repeating one or more grades. Rank country (years) Date of Information 1 Australia 21.00 2006 2 Australia 20.00 2006 3 New Zealand 20.00 2006 4 Australia 20.00 2006 5 Iceland 19.00 2006 6 British Virgin Islands 19.00 2005 7 New Zealand 19.00 2006 8 New Zealand 19.00 2006 9 Ireland 18.00 2006 10 Ireland 18.00 2006 11 Iceland 18.00 2006 12 Norway 18.00 2006 13 Korea, South 18.00 2007 14 Finland 18.00 2006 15 Canada 17.00 2004 16 Canada 17.00 2004 17 Canada 17.00 2004 18 Cuba 17.00 2006 19 Ireland 17.00 2006 20 Italy 17.00 2006 21 Iceland 17.00 2006 22 Greece 17.00 2006 23 Greece 17.00 2006 24 Greece 17.00 2006 25 France 17.00 2006 26 Finland 17.00 2006 27 Finland 17.00 2006 28 Estonia 17.00 2006 29 United Kingdom 17.00 2006 30 Sweden 17.00 2006 31 Spain 17.00 2006 32 Slovenia 17.00 2006 33 Slovenia 17.00 2006 34 Norway 17.00 2006 35 Norway 17.00 2006 36 Netherlands 17.00 2006 37 Libya 17.00 2003 38 Libya 17.00 2003 39 Lithuania 17.00 2006 40 Latvia 17.00 2006 41 Korea, South 17.00 2007 42 British Virgin Islands 17.00 2005 43 Denmark 17.00 2006 44 Denmark 17.00 2006 45 Argentina 16.00 2005 46 Belgium 16.00 2006 47 Austria 16.00 2006 48 Bahrain 16.00 2006 49 Belgium 16.00 2006 50 Belgium 16.00 2006 51 Italy 16.00 2006 52 Italy 16.00 2006 53 Israel 16.00 2006 54 Hungary 16.00 2006 55 Germany 16.00 2006 56 Germany 16.00 2006 57 Germany 16.00 2006 58 France 16.00 2006 59 France 16.00 2006 60 United Kingdom 16.00 2006 61 United Kingdom 16.00 2006 62 Sweden 16.00 2006 63 Spain 16.00 2006 64 Spain 16.00 2006 65 Slovenia 16.00 2006 66 Portugal 16.00 2006 67 Poland 16.00 2006 68 Netherlands 16.00 2006 69 Uruguay 16.00 2006 70 United States 16.00 2006 71 United States 16.00 2006 72 Montserrat 16.00 2006 73 Montserrat 16.00 2006 74 Macau 16.00 2006 75 Libya 16.00 2003 76 Liechtenstein 16.00 2004 77 Lithuania 16.00 2006 78 Latvia 16.00 2006 79 Kazakhstan 16.00 2007 80 Netherlands 16.00 2006 81 Estonia 16.00 2006 82 Denmark 16.00 2006 83 Cuba 16.00 2006 84 Argentina 15.00 2005 85 Austria 15.00 2006 86 Austria 15.00 2006 87 Belarus 15.00 2006 88 Czech Republic 15.00 2006 89 Japan 15.00 2006 90 Japan 15.00 2006 91 Japan 15.00 2006 92 Israel 15.00 2006 93 Israel 15.00 2006 94 Hungary 15.00 2006 95 Hungary 15.00 2006 96 Czech Republic 15.00 2006 97 Czech Republic 15.00 2006 98 British Virgin Islands 15.00 2005 99 Uruguay 15.00 2006 100 United States 15.00 2006 101 Ukraine 15.00 2006 102 Switzerland 15.00 2006 103 Switzerland 15.00 2006 104 Switzerland 15.00 2006 105 Sweden 15.00 2006 106 Portugal 15.00 2006 107 Portugal 15.00 2006 108 Poland 15.00 2006 109 Poland 15.00 2006 110 Netherlands Antilles 15.00 2002 111 Malta 15.00 2005 112 Malta 15.00 2005 113 Malta 15.00 2005 114 Montserrat 15.00 2006 115 Seychelles 15.00 2007 116 Seychelles 15.00 2007 117 Palau 15.00 2000 118 Palau 15.00 2000 119 Macau 15.00 2006 120 Liechtenstein 15.00 2004 121 Slovakia 15.00 2006 122 Slovakia 15.00 2006 123 Lithuania 15.00 2006 124 Kazakhstan 15.00 2007 125 Kazakhstan 15.00 2007 126 Korea, South 15.00 2007 127 Estonia 15.00 2006 128 Brazil 15.00 2005 129 Cuba 15.00 2006 130 Belarus 15.00 2006 131 Bahrain 15.00 2006 132 Aruba 14.00 2006 133 Aruba 14.00 2006 134 Argentina 14.00 2005 135 West Bank 14.00 2006 136 West Bank 14.00 2006 137 Uruguay 14.00 2006 138 Ukraine 14.00 2006 139 Ukraine 14.00 2006 140 Tunisia 14.00 2006 141 Tunisia 14.00 2006 142 Thailand 14.00 2006 143 Thailand 14.00 2006 144 Saint Lucia 14.00 2006 145 Saint Lucia 14.00 2006 146 Seychelles 14.00 2007 147 Russia 14.00 2006 148 Russia 14.00 2006 149 Romania 14.00 2006 150 Romania 14.00 2006 151 Romania 14.00 2006 152 Qatar 14.00 2006 153 Palau 14.00 2000 154 Panama 14.00 2006 155 Peru 14.00 2006 156 Peru 14.00 2006 157 Peru 14.00 2006 158 Netherlands Antilles 14.00 2002 159 Netherlands Antilles 14.00 2002 160 Mexico 14.00 2006 161 Mauritius 14.00 2005 162 Mauritius 14.00 2005 163 Macau 14.00 2006 164 Luxembourg 14.00 2006 165 Luxembourg 14.00 2006 166 Slovakia 14.00 2006 167 Latvia 14.00 2006 168 Gaza Strip 14.00 2006 169 Gaza Strip 14.00 2006 170 Guyana 14.00 2005 171 Chile 14.00 2006 172 Mongolia 14.00 2006 173 Brunei 14.00 2006 174 Brunei 14.00 2006 175 Brunei 14.00 2006 176 Bulgaria 14.00 2006 177 Bulgaria 14.00 2006 178 Brazil 14.00 2005 179 Brazil 14.00 2005 180 Belarus 14.00 2006 181 Croatia 14.00 2006 182 Croatia 14.00 2006 183 Hong Kong 14.00 2006 184 Hong Kong 14.00 2006 185 Dominica 14.00 2005 186 Cyprus 14.00 2006 187 Cyprus 14.00 2006 188 Chile 14.00 2006 189 Chile 14.00 2006 190 Bermuda 14.00 2005 191 Barbados 14.00 2001 192 Bahrain 14.00 2006 193 Aruba 13.00 2006 194 Algeria 13.00 2005 195 Algeria 13.00 2005 196 Barbados 13.00 2001 197 Barbados 13.00 2001 198 West Bank 13.00 2006 199 Tunisia 13.00 2006 200 Tonga 13.00 2004 201 Tonga 13.00 2004 202 Tonga 13.00 2004 203 Thailand 13.00 2006 204 Saint Lucia 13.00 2006 205 South Africa 13.00 2004 206 South Africa 13.00 2004 207 South Africa 13.00 2004 208 Saint Kitts and Nevis 13.00 2005 209 Russia 13.00 2006 210 Marshall Islands 13.00 2003 211 Marshall Islands 13.00 2003 212 Marshall Islands 13.00 2003 213 Qatar 13.00 2006 214 Qatar 13.00 2006 215 Panama 13.00 2006 216 Panama 13.00 2006 217 Suriname 13.00 2002 218 Malaysia 13.00 2005 219 Malaysia 13.00 2005 220 Mexico 13.00 2006 221 Mexico 13.00 2006 222 Mauritius 13.00 2005 223 Lebanon 13.00 2006 224 Kuwait 13.00 2006 225 Kuwait 13.00 2006 226 Kiribati 13.00 2005 227 Kyrgyzstan 13.00 2006 228 Jordan 13.00 2006 229 Jordan 13.00 2006 230 Jordan 13.00 2006 231 Hong Kong 13.00 2006 232 Mongolia 13.00 2006 233 Moldova 13.00 2006 234 Luxembourg 13.00 2006 235 Liechtenstein 13.00 2004 236 Lebanon 13.00 2006 237 Lebanon 13.00 2006 238 Gaza Strip 13.00 2006 239 Guyana 13.00 2005 240 Guyana 13.00 2005 241 Georgia 13.00 2006 242 Fiji 13.00 2005 243 Fiji 13.00 2005 244 Fiji 13.00 2005 245 Cayman Islands 13.00 2001 246 Iran 13.00 2005 247 Iran 13.00 2005 248 Iran 13.00 2005 249 Croatia 13.00 2006 250 Cayman Islands 13.00 2001 251 Bulgaria 13.00 2006 252 Belize 13.00 2004 253 Belize 13.00 2004 254 Belize 13.00 2004 255 Bermuda 13.00 2005 256 Bermuda 13.00 2005 257 Algeria 13.00 2005 258 Dominican Republic 13.00 2004 259 Dominica 13.00 2005 260 Dominica 13.00 2005 261 Cyprus 13.00 2006 262 Colombia 13.00 2006 263 United Arab Emirates 12.00 2003 264 Botswana 12.00 2005 265 Botswana 12.00 2005 266 Colombia 12.00 2006 267 Costa Rica 12.00 2005 268 Costa Rica 12.00 2005 269 Cape Verde 12.00 2006 270 Samoa 12.00 2001 271 Samoa 12.00 2001 272 Samoa 12.00 2001 273 Venezuela 12.00 2003 274 Venezuela 12.00 2003 275 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 12.00 2005 276 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 12.00 2005 277 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 12.00 2005 278 Uzbekistan 12.00 2007 279 Turkey 12.00 2006 280 Turks and Caicos Islands 12.00 2005 281 Tajikistan 12.00 2006 282 Saint Kitts and Nevis 12.00 2005 283 Saint Kitts and Nevis 12.00 2005 284 Philippines 12.00 2006 285 Philippines 12.00 2006 286 Paraguay 12.00 2005 287 Paraguay 12.00 2005 288 Paraguay 12.00 2005 289 Suriname 12.00 2002 290 Niue 12.00 2005 291 Niue 12.00 2005 292 Niue 12.00 2005 293 Malaysia 12.00 2005 294 Maldives 12.00 2006 295 Maldives 12.00 2006 296 Maldives 12.00 2006 297 Oman 12.00 2006 298 Oman 12.00 2006 299 Macedonia 12.00 2005 300 Macedonia 12.00 2005 301 Macedonia 12.00 2005 302 Mongolia 12.00 2006 303 Moldova 12.00 2006 304 Moldova 12.00 2006 305 Kuwait 12.00 2006 306 Kiribati 12.00 2005 307 Kiribati 12.00 2005 308 Kyrgyzstan 12.00 2006 309 Kyrgyzstan 12.00 2006 310 Jamaica 12.00 2003 311 Jamaica 12.00 2003 312 Indonesia 12.00 2005 313 Honduras 12.00 2004 314 Grenada 12.00 2005 315 Grenada 12.00 2005 316 Grenada 12.00 2005 317 Georgia 12.00 2006 318 Georgia 12.00 2006 319 El Salvador 12.00 2006 320 El Salvador 12.00 2006 321 El Salvador 12.00 2006 322 Dominican Republic 12.00 2004 323 Dominican Republic 12.00 2004 324 Cape Verde 12.00 2006 325 Costa Rica 12.00 2005 326 Colombia 12.00 2006 327 Cayman Islands 12.00 2001 328 Botswana 12.00 2005 329 Armenia 12.00 2006 330 United Arab Emirates 11.00 2003 331 Albania 11.00 2004 332 Uzbekistan 11.00 2007 333 Uzbekistan 11.00 2007 334 Uganda 11.00 2004 335 Tuvalu 11.00 2001 336 Tuvalu 11.00 2001 337 Oman 11.00 2006 338 Morocco 11.00 2005 339 Liberia 11.00 2000 340 Cape Verde 11.00 2006 341 China 11.00 2006 342 China 11.00 2006 343 China 11.00 2006 344 Bhutan 11.00 2006 345 Anguilla 11.00 2006 346 Anguilla 11.00 2006 347 Trinidad and Tobago 11.00 2005 348 Trinidad and Tobago 11.00 2005 349 Trinidad and Tobago 11.00 2005 350 Philippines 11.00 2006 351 Nicaragua 11.00 2003 352 Nicaragua 11.00 2003 353 Nicaragua 11.00 2003 354 Suriname 11.00 2002 355 Vanuatu 11.00 2004 356 Yemen 11.00 2005 357 Namibia 11.00 2006 358 Namibia 11.00 2006 359 Namibia 11.00 2006 360 Vietnam 11.00 2000 361 Venezuela 11.00 2003 362 Tuvalu 11.00 2001 363 Turkey 11.00 2006 364 Turkey 11.00 2006 365 Togo 11.00 2000 366 Tokelau 11.00 2004 367 Tokelau 11.00 2004 368 Turks and Caicos Islands 11.00 2005 369 Turks and Caicos Islands 11.00 2005 370 Tajikistan 11.00 2006 371 Anguilla 11.00 2006 372 Andorra 11.00 2006 373 Andorra 11.00 2006 374 Andorra 11.00 2006 375 Armenia 11.00 2006 376 Armenia 11.00 2006 377 Albania 11.00 2004 378 Albania 11.00 2004 379 Jamaica 11.00 2003 380 Iraq 11.00 2005 381 India 11.00 2005 382 Indonesia 11.00 2005 383 Indonesia 11.00 2005 384 Honduras 11.00 2004 385 Honduras 11.00 2004 386 Guatemala 11.00 2006 387 Azerbaijan 11.00 2006 388 United Arab Emirates 11.00 2003 389 Afghanistan 11.00 2004 390 Azerbaijan 11.00 2006 391 Azerbaijan 11.00 2006 392 Bhutan 10.00 2006 393 Cambodia 10.00 2006 394 Congo, Republic of the 10.00 2003 395 Swaziland 10.00 2005 396 Swaziland 10.00 2005 397 Swaziland 10.00 2005 398 Vietnam 10.00 2000 399 Vietnam 10.00 2000 400 Uganda 10.00 2004 401 Uganda 10.00 2004 402 Sao Tome and Principe 10.00 2006 403 Sao Tome and Principe 10.00 2006 404 Sao Tome and Principe 10.00 2006 405 Tokelau 10.00 2004 406 Tajikistan 10.00 2006 407 Nepal 10.00 2003 408 Vanuatu 10.00 2004 409 Vanuatu 10.00 2004 410 Kenya 10.00 2004 411 Kenya 10.00 2004 412 Iraq 10.00 2005 413 India 10.00 2005 414 Guinea 10.00 2006 415 Guatemala 10.00 2006 416 Guatemala 10.00 2006 417 Ghana 10.00 2007 418 Equatorial Guinea 10.00 2000 419 Morocco 10.00 2005 420 Malawi 10.00 2004 421 Madagascar 10.00 2006 422 Lesotho 10.00 2006 423 Lesotho 10.00 2006 424 Lesotho 10.00 2006 425 Liberia 10.00 2000 426 Laos 10.00 2006 427 Equatorial Guinea 10.00 2000 428 Cook Islands 10.00 2005 429 Cook Islands 10.00 2005 430 Cook Islands 10.00 2005 431 Cameroon 10.00 2006 432 Cambodia 10.00 2006 433 Bhutan 10.00 2006 434 Benin 9.00 2001 435 Zimbabwe 9.00 2003 436 Zimbabwe 9.00 2003 437 Zimbabwe 9.00 2003 438 Yemen 9.00 2005 439 Nauru 9.00 2006 440 Nepal 9.00 2003 441 Nigeria 9.00 2004 442 Malawi 9.00 2004 443 Malawi 9.00 2004 444 Madagascar 9.00 2006 445 Madagascar 9.00 2006 446 Laos 9.00 2006 447 Kenya 9.00 2004 448 India 9.00 2005 449 Ghana 9.00 2007 450 Ghana 9.00 2007 451 Togo 9.00 2000 452 Rwanda 9.00 2005 453 Rwanda 9.00 2005 454 Mozambique 9.00 2005 455 Morocco 9.00 2005 456 Equatorial Guinea 9.00 2000 457 Cameroon 9.00 2006 458 Comoros 9.00 2004 459 Congo, Republic of the 9.00 2003 460 Cambodia 9.00 2006 461 Solomon Islands 9.00 2005 462 Afghanistan 8.00 2004 463 Burma 8.00 2001 464 Nauru 8.00 2006 465 Nauru 8.00 2006 466 Nepal 8.00 2003 467 Nigeria 8.00 2004 468 Ethiopia 8.00 2007 469 Ethiopia 8.00 2007 470 Comoros 8.00 2004 471 Cameroon 8.00 2006 472 Congo, Republic of the 8.00 2003 473 Sierra Leone 8.00 2001 474 Rwanda 8.00 2005 475 Burundi 8.00 2006 476 Solomon Islands 8.00 2005 477 Solomon Islands 8.00 2005 478 Burma 8.00 2001 479 Bangladesh 8.00 2004 480 Bangladesh 8.00 2004 481 Burma 8.00 2001 482 Bangladesh 8.00 2004 483 Mozambique 8.00 2005 484 Mauritania 8.00 2006 485 Mauritania 8.00 2006 486 Mauritania 8.00 2006 487 Mali 8.00 2005 488 Liberia 8.00 2000 489 Laos 8.00 2006 490 Iraq 8.00 2005 491 Guinea 8.00 2006 492 Benin 7.00 2001 493 Burundi 7.00 2006 494 Burundi 7.00 2006 495 Chad 7.00 2005 496 Gambia, The 7.00 2004 497 Yemen 7.00 2005 498 Togo 7.00 2000 499 Sierra Leone 7.00 2001 500 Guinea-Bissau 7.00 2001 501 Pakistan 7.00 2006 502 Pakistan 7.00 2006 503 Nigeria 7.00 2004 504 Mozambique 7.00 2005 505 Mali 7.00 2005 506 Zambia 7.00 2000 507 Zambia 7.00 2000 508 Zambia 7.00 2000 509 Gambia, The 7.00 2004 510 Guinea 7.00 2006 511 Gambia, The 7.00 2004 512 Ethiopia 7.00 2007 513 Comoros 7.00 2004 514 Benin 6.00 2001 515 Chad 6.00 2005 516 Eritrea 6.00 2004 517 Sierra Leone 6.00 2001 518 Pakistan 6.00 2006 519 Djibouti 5.00 2006 520 Eritrea 5.00 2004 521 Burkina Faso 5.00 2006 522 Burkina Faso 5.00 2006 523 Guinea-Bissau 5.00 2001 524 Niger 5.00 2006 525 Mali 5.00 2005 526 Afghanistan 4.00 2004 527 Burkina Faso 4.00 2006 528 Guinea-Bissau 4.00 2001 529 Niger 4.00 2006 530 Djibouti 4.00 2006 531 Eritrea 4.00 2004 532 Djibouti 4.00 2006 533 Chad 4.00 2005 534 Niger 3.00 2006 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2206 Country Comparison :: Education expenditures This entry provides the public expenditure on education as a percent of GDP. Rank country (% of GDP) Date of Information 1 Kiribati 17.80 2002 2 Lesotho 13.00 2006 3 Marshall Islands 11.80 2004 4 Palau 10.30 2002 5 Yemen 9.60 2001 6 Vanuatu 9.50 2003 7 Uzbekistan 9.40 1991 8 Saint Kitts and Nevis 9.30 2005 9 Cuba 9.10 2006 10 Botswana 8.70 2007 11 Djibouti 8.40 2006 12 Denmark 8.30 2005 13 Guyana 8.30 2006 14 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 8.10 2005 15 Maldives 8.00 2006 16 Iceland 7.60 2004 17 Moldova 7.60 2006 18 Micronesia, Federated States of 7.30 2000 19 Tunisia 7.30 2005 20 Norway 7.20 2005 21 Sweden 7.10 2005 22 Bhutan 7.00 2005 23 Swaziland 7.00 2005 24 Barbados 6.90 2005 25 Israel 6.90 2004 26 Namibia 6.90 2003 27 Kenya 6.90 2006 28 Saudi Arabia 6.80 2004 29 Saint Lucia 6.60 2006 30 Fiji 6.50 2004 31 Seychelles 6.50 2006 32 Bolivia 6.40 2003 33 Finland 6.40 2005 34 Cape Verde 6.30 2006 35 Cyprus 6.30 2004 36 Ukraine 6.30 2006 37 Malaysia 6.20 2004 38 New Zealand 6.20 2006 39 Belarus 6.10 2006 40 Belgium 6.00 2004 41 Slovenia 6.00 2005 42 Sudan 6.00 1991 43 Ethiopia 6.00 2006 44 Malawi 5.80 2003 45 Switzerland 5.80 2005 46 France 5.70 2005 47 United Kingdom 5.60 2005 48 Hungary 5.50 2005 49 Mexico 5.50 2005 50 Portugal 5.50 2005 51 Poland 5.50 2005 52 Austria 5.40 2005 53 South Africa 5.40 2006 54 Ghana 5.40 2005 55 Belize 5.30 2004 56 Jamaica 5.30 2005 57 United States 5.30 2005 58 Netherlands 5.30 2005 59 Brunei 5.20 2000 60 Guinea-Bissau 5.20 1999 61 Uganda 5.20 2004 62 Grenada 5.20 2003 63 Canada 5.20 2002 64 Algeria 5.10 1999 65 Malta 5.10 2004 66 Latvia 5.10 2004 67 Iran 5.10 2006 68 Estonia 5.10 2004 69 Burundi 5.10 2005 70 Dominica 5.00 1999 71 Tonga 5.00 2004 72 Lithuania 5.00 2005 73 Mongolia 5.00 2004 74 Senegal 5.00 2006 75 Mozambique 5.00 2005 76 Costa Rica 4.90 2004 77 Jordan 4.90 1999 78 Kyrgyzstan 4.90 2005 79 Aruba 4.80 2005 80 Colombia 4.70 2006 81 Ireland 4.70 2005 82 Germany 4.60 2004 83 Cote d'Ivoire 4.60 2001 84 Zimbabwe 4.60 2000 85 Korea, South 4.60 2004 86 Australia 4.50 2005 87 Mali 4.50 2006 88 Italy 4.50 2005 89 Croatia 4.50 2004 90 Bulgaria 4.50 2005 91 Benin 4.40 2004 92 Greece 4.40 2005 93 Monaco 4.40 2004 94 Czech Republic 4.40 2004 95 Samoa 4.30 2002 96 Egypt 4.20 2006 97 Spain 4.20 2005 98 Burkina Faso 4.20 2006 99 Thailand 4.20 2005 100 Trinidad and Tobago 4.20 2002 101 Anguilla 4.00 2005 102 Turkey 4.00 2004 103 Oman 4.00 2006 104 Paraguay 4.00 2004 105 Brazil 4.00 2004 106 Antigua and Barbuda 3.90 2002 107 Bahrain 3.90 1991 108 Turkmenistan 3.90 1991 109 Syria 3.90 1999 110 Mauritius 3.90 2006 111 Slovakia 3.90 2005 112 Hong Kong 3.90 2006 113 Argentina 3.80 2004 114 Panama 3.80 2004 115 Rwanda 3.80 2005 116 Sierra Leone 3.80 2005 117 Russia 3.80 2005 118 Gabon 3.80 2000 119 Kuwait 3.80 2006 120 Comoros 3.80 2002 121 Honduras 3.80 1991 122 Singapore 3.70 2001 123 British Virgin Islands 3.70 2006 124 Venezuela 3.70 2006 125 Bahamas, The 3.60 2000 126 Dominican Republic 3.60 2006 127 Indonesia 3.60 2006 128 Japan 3.50 2005 129 Romania 3.50 2005 130 Macedonia 3.50 2002 131 Luxembourg 3.40 1999 132 Tajikistan 3.40 2006 133 Nepal 3.40 2003 134 Niger 3.40 2006 135 Solomon Islands 3.30 1999 136 Qatar 3.30 2005 137 Montserrat 3.30 2004 138 Cameroon 3.30 2006 139 Armenia 3.20 2001 140 India 3.20 2005 141 Chile 3.20 2006 142 El Salvador 3.10 2006 143 Nicaragua 3.10 2003 144 Madagascar 3.10 2006 145 Georgia 3.10 2006 146 Laos 3.00 2006 147 Albania 2.90 2002 148 Uruguay 2.90 2006 149 Mauritania 2.90 2006 150 Cayman Islands 2.80 2005 151 Bangladesh 2.70 2005 152 Libya 2.70 1999 153 Lebanon 2.70 2006 154 Guatemala 2.60 2006 155 Pakistan 2.60 2006 156 Togo 2.60 2002 157 Peru 2.50 2006 158 Philippines 2.50 2005 159 Angola 2.40 2005 160 Macau 2.40 2005 161 Eritrea 2.40 2006 162 Andorra 2.30 2006 163 Kazakhstan 2.30 2005 164 Tanzania 2.20 1999 165 Azerbaijan 2.10 2006 166 Gambia, The 2.00 2004 167 Zambia 2.00 2005 168 Chad 1.90 2005 169 Congo, Republic of the 1.90 2005 170 China 1.90 1999 171 Vietnam 1.80 1991 172 Cambodia 1.70 2004 173 Guinea 1.60 2005 174 Central African Republic 1.40 2006 175 Haiti 1.40 1991 176 United Arab Emirates 1.30 2005 177 Bermuda 1.20 2006 178 Burma 1.20 2001 179 Ecuador 1.00 2001 180 Nigeria 0.90 1991 181 Equatorial Guinea 0.60 2003 182 Cook Islands 0.20 2001 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2207 Country Comparison :: Central bank discount rate This entry provides the annualized interest rate a country's central bank charges commercial, depository banks for loans to meet temporary shortages of funds. Rank country (%) Date of Information 1 Zimbabwe 975.00 31 December 2007 2 Venezuela 28.50 31 December 2007 3 Sao Tome and Principe 28.00 31 December 2007 4 Turkey 25.00 31 December 2007 5 Guinea 22.25 31 December 2005 6 Iraq 20.00 31 December 2007 7 Paraguay 20.00 31 December 2007 8 Angola 19.57 31 December 2007 9 Brazil 17.85 31 December 2007 10 Costa Rica 17.00 31 December 2007 11 Tanzania 16.40 31 December 2007 12 Iceland 15.25 31 December 2007 13 Sri Lanka 15.00 31 December 2007 14 Tajikistan 15.00 31 December 2007 15 Malawi 15.00 31 December 2007 16 Uganda 14.68 31 December 2007 17 Botswana 14.50 31 December 2007 18 Ghana 13.50 31 December 2007 19 Azerbaijan 13.00 31 December 2007 20 Lesotho 12.82 31 December 2007 21 Laos 12.67 31 December 2007 22 Maldives 12.50 31 December 2007 23 Rwanda 12.50 31 December 2007 24 Barbados 12.00 31 December 2007 25 Burma 12.00 31 December 2007 26 Belize 12.00 31 December 2007 27 Mauritania 12.00 31 December 2007 28 Lebanon 12.00 31 December 2007 29 Zambia 11.73 31 December 2007 30 Colombia 11.50 31 December 2007 31 Kazakhstan 11.00 31 December 2007 32 South Africa 11.00 31 December 2007 33 Swaziland 11.00 31 December 2007 34 Ecuador 10.72 31 December 2007 35 Namibia 10.50 31 December 2007 36 Burundi 10.12 31 December 2007 37 Belarus 10.00 31 December 2007 38 Russia 10.00 31 December 2007 39 Uruguay 10.00 31 December 2007 40 Trinidad and Tobago 10.00 31 December 2007 41 Gambia, The 10.00 31 December 2007 42 Pakistan 10.00 31 December 2007 43 Mozambique 9.95 31 December 2007 44 Mongolia 9.87 31 December 2007 45 Serbia 9.57 31 December 2007 46 Nigeria 9.50 31 December 2007 47 Fiji 9.25 31 December 2007 48 Egypt 9.00 31 December 2007 49 Croatia 9.00 31 December 2007 50 Cape Verde 8.50 31 December 2007 51 New Zealand 8.25 31 December 2007 52 Indonesia 8.00 31 December 2007 53 Ukraine 8.00 31 December 2007 54 Hungary 7.50 31 December 2007 55 Papua New Guinea 7.38 31 December 2007 56 Jordan 7.00 31 December 2007 57 Antigua and Barbuda 6.50 31 December 2007 58 Anguilla 6.50 31 December 2007 59 Bolivia 6.50 31 December 2007 60 Vietnam 6.50 31 December 2007 61 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 6.50 31 December 2007 62 Saint Lucia 6.50 31 December 2007 63 Saint Kitts and Nevis 6.50 31 December 2007 64 Macedonia 6.50 31 December 2007 65 Montserrat 6.50 31 December 2007 66 Guyana 6.50 31 December 2007 67 Grenada 6.50 31 December 2007 68 Dominica 6.50 31 December 2007 69 Albania 6.25 31 December 2007 70 Kuwait 6.25 31 December 2007 71 Norway 6.25 31 December 2007 72 Nepal 6.25 31 December 2007 73 Chile 6.00 31 December 2007 74 India 6.00 31 December 2007 75 Vanuatu 6.00 31 December 2007 76 Latvia 6.00 31 December 2007 77 Hong Kong 5.75 31 December 2007 78 Peru 5.75 31 December 2007 79 Qatar 5.50 31 December 2007 80 Comoros 5.36 31 December 2007 81 Bahamas, The 5.25 31 December 2007 82 Chad 5.25 31 December 2007 83 Gabon 5.25 31 December 2007 84 Equatorial Guinea 5.25 31 December 2007 85 Central African Republic 5.25 31 December 2007 86 Cameroon 5.25 31 December 2007 87 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 5.25 31 December 2007 88 Congo, Republic of the 5.25 31 December 2007 89 Cambodia 5.25 31 December 2007 90 Seychelles 5.13 31 December 2007 91 Aruba 5.00 31 December 2007 92 Greece 5.00 31 December 2007 93 Germany 5.00 31 December 2007 94 France 5.00 31 December 2007 95 Finland 5.00 31 December 2007 96 Ireland 5.00 31 December 2007 97 European Union 5.00 31 December 2007 98 Cyprus 5.00 31 December 2007 99 Bangladesh 5.00 31 December 2007 100 Belgium 5.00 31 December 2007 101 Syria 5.00 31 December 2007 102 Spain 5.00 31 December 2007 103 Slovenia 5.00 31 December 2007 104 Portugal 5.00 31 December 2007 105 Poland 5.00 31 December 2007 106 Netherlands 5.00 31 December 2007 107 Luxembourg 5.00 31 December 2007 108 Italy 5.00 31 December 2007 109 Lithuania 4.85 31 December 2007 110 United States 4.83 31 December 2007 111 Bulgaria 4.58 31 December 2007 112 Canada 4.50 31 December 2007 113 Philippines 4.28 31 December 2007 114 Benin 4.25 31 December 2007 115 Slovakia 4.25 31 December 2007 116 Cote d'Ivoire 4.25 31 December 2007 117 Burkina Faso 4.25 31 December 2007 118 Togo 4.25 31 December 2007 119 Senegal 4.25 31 December 2007 120 Guinea-Bissau 4.25 31 December 2007 121 Niger 4.25 31 December 2007 122 Mali 4.25 31 December 2007 123 Algeria 4.00 31 December 2007 124 Israel 4.00 31 December 2007 125 Libya 4.00 31 December 2007 126 Denmark 4.00 31 December 2007 127 Thailand 3.75 31 December 2007 128 Czech Republic 3.50 31 December 2007 129 Sweden 3.50 31 December 2007 130 China 3.33 31 December 2007 131 Korea, South 3.25 31 December 2007 132 Morocco 3.25 31 December 2007 133 Switzerland 2.05 31 December 2007 134 Oman 1.98 31 December 2007 135 Japan 0.75 31 December 2007 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2208 Country Comparison :: Commercial bank prime lending rate This entry provides a simple average of annualized interest rates commercial banks charge on new loans, denominated in the national currency, to their most credit-worthy customers. Rank country (%) Date of Information 1 Zimbabwe 578.96 31 December 2007 2 Haiti 46.99 31 December 2007 3 Madagascar 45.00 31 December 2007 4 Brazil 43.72 31 December 2007 5 Sao Tome and Principe 32.40 31 December 2007 6 Laos 28.50 31 December 2007 7 Argentina 28.00 28 November 2008 8 Gambia, The 27.92 31 December 2007 9 Malawi 27.72 31 December 2007 10 Kyrgyzstan 25.32 31 December 2007 11 Paraguay 25.03 31 December 2007 12 Sierra Leone 25.00 31 December 2007 13 Peru 24.10 December 2008 14 Mauritius 21.87 31 December 2007 15 Georgia 20.41 31 December 2007 16 Iraq 19.74 31 December 2007 17 Mozambique 19.52 31 December 2007 18 Iceland 19.29 31 December 2007 19 Azerbaijan 19.13 31 December 2007 20 Uganda 19.11 31 December 2007 21 Zambia 18.89 31 December 2007 22 Moldova 18.83 31 December 2007 23 Afghanistan 18.14 31 December 2007 24 Yemen 18.00 31 December 2007 25 Angola 17.70 31 December 2007 26 Mongolia 17.54 31 December 2007 27 Armenia 17.52 31 December 2007 28 Jamaica 17.20 31 December 2007 29 Venezuela 17.11 31 December 2007 30 Burma 17.00 31 December 2007 31 Nigeria 16.94 31 December 2007 32 Burundi 16.84 31 December 2007 33 Honduras 16.61 31 December 2007 34 Botswana 16.22 31 December 2007 35 Cambodia 16.18 31 December 2007 36 Tanzania 16.03 31 December 2007 37 Bangladesh 16.00 31 December 2007 38 Rwanda 15.84 31 December 2007 39 Dominican Republic 15.83 31 December 2007 40 Liberia 15.05 31 December 2007 41 Timor-Leste 15.05 31 December 2007 42 Chad 15.00 31 December 2007 43 Gabon 15.00 31 December 2007 44 Equatorial Guinea 15.00 31 December 2007 45 Central African Republic 15.00 31 December 2007 46 Congo, Republic of the 15.00 31 December 2007 47 Cameroon 15.00 31 December 2007 48 Guyana 14.61 31 December 2007 49 Belize 14.33 31 December 2007 50 Lesotho 14.13 31 December 2007 51 Solomon Islands 14.12 31 December 2007 52 Albania 14.10 31 December 2007 53 Micronesia, Federated States of 14.03 31 December 2007 54 Bhutan 14.00 31 December 2007 55 Romania 13.35 31 December 2007 56 Kenya 13.34 31 December 2007 57 South Africa 13.17 31 December 2007 58 Swaziland 13.17 31 December 2007 59 Nicaragua 13.04 31 December 2007 60 Maldives 13.00 31 December 2007 61 Namibia 12.88 31 December 2007 62 Bolivia 12.86 31 December 2007 63 Guatemala 12.84 31 December 2007 64 New Zealand 12.83 31 December 2007 65 Costa Rica 12.80 31 December 2007 66 Samoa 12.65 31 December 2007 67 Egypt 12.51 31 December 2007 68 Tonga 12.16 31 December 2007 69 Iran 12.00 31 December 2007 70 Trinidad and Tobago 11.75 31 December 2007 71 Ukraine 11.33 31 December 2007 72 Vietnam 11.18 31 December 2007 73 Serbia 11.13 31 December 2007 74 Aruba 11.01 31 December 2007 75 Italy 10.93 31 December 2007 76 Seychelles 10.89 31 December 2007 77 Barbados 10.80 31 December 2007 78 Cape Verde 10.55 31 December 2007 79 Comoros 10.50 31 December 2007 80 Antigua and Barbuda 10.44 31 December 2007 81 Montserrat 10.40 31 December 2007 82 Lebanon 10.26 31 December 2007 83 Macedonia 10.23 31 December 2007 84 Australia 10.02 31 December 2007 85 Bulgaria 10.00 31 December 2007 86 Papua New Guinea 9.78 31 December 2007 87 Anguilla 9.76 31 December 2007 88 Grenada 9.76 31 December 2007 89 Suriname 9.71 31 December 2007 90 Netherlands Antilles 9.21 31 December 2007 91 Dominica 9.17 31 December 2007 92 Montenegro 9.09 31 December 2007 93 Fiji 9.01 31 December 2007 94 Saint Kitts and Nevis 8.89 31 December 2007 95 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 8.80 31 December 2007 96 Netherlands 8.72 31 December 2007 97 Philippines 8.69 31 December 2007 98 Chile 8.67 31 December 2007 99 Belarus 8.58 31 December 2007 100 Kuwait 8.54 31 December 2007 101 Bahrain 8.35 31 December 2007 102 Saint Lucia 8.34 31 December 2007 103 Panama 8.25 31 December 2007 104 Vanuatu 8.16 31 December 2007 105 United States 8.05 31 December 2007 106 European Union 8.03 31 December 2007 107 Algeria 8.00 31 December 2007 108 Portugal 7.92 31 December 2007 109 El Salvador 7.81 31 December 2007 110 Gaza Strip 7.73 31 December 2006 111 West Bank 7.73 31 December 2006 112 Greece 7.71 31 December 2007 113 San Marino 7.58 31 December 2007 114 Mexico 7.56 31 December 2007 115 Qatar 7.43 31 December 2007 116 Oman 7.29 31 December 2007 117 Thailand 7.25 31 December 2007 118 Uruguay 7.25 31 December 2007 119 Indonesia 7.21 31 December 2007 120 Bosnia and Herzegovina 7.17 31 December 2007 121 Ethiopia 7.00 31 December 2006 122 Lithuania 6.86 31 December 2007 123 Slovenia 6.82 31 December 2007 124 Cyprus 6.74 31 December 2007 125 Ireland 6.52 31 December 2007 126 Estonia 6.46 31 December 2007 127 Malaysia 6.41 31 December 2007 128 Austria 6.30 31 December 2007 129 Israel 6.27 31 December 2007 130 Malta 6.24 31 December 2007 131 Canada 6.10 31 December 2007 132 Libya 6.00 31 December 2007 133 Germany 5.96 31 December 2007 134 Czech Republic 5.79 31 December 2007 135 Poland 5.72 31 December 2007 136 China 5.58 17 December 2007 137 United Kingdom 5.52 31 December 2007 138 Bahamas, The 5.50 31 December 2007 139 Brunei 5.50 February 2009 140 Sweden 4.00 2004 141 Norway 3.50 1st quarter 2009 142 Switzerland 3.15 31 December 2007 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2209 Country Comparison :: Stock of money This entry, also known as "M1," comprises the total quantity of currency in circulation (notes and coins) plus demand deposits denominated in the national currency, held by nonbank financial institutions, state and local governments, nonfinancial public enterprises, and the private sector of the economy. The national currency units have been converted to US dollars at the closing exchange rate on the date of the information. Rank country Stock of money Date of Information 1 European Union $ 5,542,000,000,000 31 December 2008 2 Japan $ 5,417,000,000,000 31 December 2008 3 China $ 2,434,000,000,000 31 December 2008 4 United States $ 1,436,000,000,000 31 December 2008 5 Canada $ 356,200,000,000 31 December 2008 6 Russia $ 252,500,000,000 31 December 2008 7 Switzerland $ 207,000,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 8 Sweden $ 185,400,000,000 31 December 2008 9 Denmark $ 143,000,000,000 31 December 2008 10 Poland $ 118,200,000,000 31 December 2008 11 Saudi Arabia $ 113,200,000,000 31 December 2008 12 Brazil $ 95,030,000,000 31 December 2008 13 Mexico $ 92,340,000,000 31 December 2008 14 Czech Republic $ 86,550,000,000 31 December 2008 15 Korea, South $ 80,660,000,000 31 December 2008 16 Venezuela $ 79,910,000,000 31 December 2008 17 Syria $ 73,540,000,000 31 December 2008 18 Hong Kong $ 63,030,000,000 31 December 2008 19 Algeria $ 60,910,000,000 31 December 2008 20 Turkey $ 53,250,000,000 31 December 2008 21 Singapore $ 52,570,000,000 31 December 2008 22 Malaysia $ 51,510,000,000 31 December 2008 23 South Africa $ 44,660,000,000 31 December 2008 24 Indonesia $ 41,710,000,000 31 December 2008 25 Nigeria $ 35,290,000,000 31 December 2008 26 Hungary $ 32,780,000,000 31 December 2008 27 Egypt $ 31,720,000,000 31 December 2008 28 Ukraine $ 29,240,000,000 31 December 2008 29 Thailand $ 28,760,000,000 31 December 2008 30 Libya $ 26,660,000,000 31 December 2008 31 Iraq $ 26,100,000,000 31 December 2008 32 Slovakia $ 25,520,000,000 31 December 2008 33 Romania $ 25,300,000,000 31 December 2008 34 Philippines $ 22,530,000,000 31 December 2008 35 Colombia $ 21,580,000,000 31 December 2008 36 Kazakhstan $ 16,120,000,000 31 December 2008 37 Peru $ 15,420,000,000 31 December 2008 38 Kuwait $ 15,310,000,000 31 December 2008 39 Chile $ 14,720,000,000 31 December 2008 40 Bulgaria $ 14,290,000,000 31 December 2008 41 Qatar $ 13,980,000,000 31 December 2008 42 New Zealand $ 13,700,000,000 31 December 2008 43 Croatia $ 10,710,000,000 31 December 2008 44 Tunisia $ 9,892,000,000 31 December 2008 45 Lithuania $ 9,519,000,000 31 December 2008 46 Bangladesh $ 9,294,000,000 31 December 2008 47 Angola $ 8,446,000,000 31 December 2008 48 Latvia $ 6,688,000,000 31 December 2008 49 Azerbaijan $ 6,381,000,000 31 December 2008 50 Estonia $ 6,106,000,000 31 December 2008 51 Guatemala $ 6,106,000,000 31 December 2008 52 Kenya $ 6,068,000,000 31 December 2008 53 Ecuador $ 5,907,000,000 31 December 2008 54 Oman $ 5,250,000,000 31 December 2008 55 Belarus $ 4,872,000,000 31 December 2008 56 Malta $ 4,639,000,000 31 January 2008 57 Bosnia and Herzegovina $ 4,490,000,000 31 December 2008 58 Costa Rica $ 4,209,000,000 31 December 2008 59 Bolivia $ 3,998,000,000 31 December 2008 60 Serbia $ 3,831,000,000 31 December 2008 61 Panama $ 3,764,000,000 31 December 2008 62 Dominican Republic $ 3,619,000,000 31 December 2008 63 Brunei $ 3,046,000,000 31 December 2008 64 Albania $ 3,028,000,000 31 December 2008 65 Sri Lanka $ 2,550,000,000 30 September 2008 66 Tanzania $ 2,464,000,000 31 December 2008 67 Trinidad and Tobago $ 2,390,000,000 31 December 2008 68 Uruguay $ 2,247,000,000 31 December 2008 69 Nepal $ 2,106,000,000 31 December 2008 70 Paraguay $ 2,062,000,000 31 December 2008 71 Papua New Guinea $ 2,005,000,000 31 December 2008 72 Namibia $ 1,983,000,000 31 December 2008 73 Afghanistan $ 1,688,000,000 31 December 2008 74 Mauritius $ 1,680,000,000 31 December 2008 75 Barbados $ 1,637,000,000 31 December 2008 76 Honduras $ 1,633,000,000 31 December 2008 77 Macau $ 1,591,000,000 31 December 2008 78 Uganda $ 1,488,000,000 31 December 2008 79 Mozambique $ 1,406,000,000 31 December 2008 80 Armenia $ 1,359,000,000 31 December 2008 81 Macedonia $ 1,307,000,000 31 December 2008 82 Bahamas, The $ 1,255,000,000 31 December 2008 83 Jamaica $ 1,253,000,000 31 December 2008 84 Madagascar $ 1,217,000,000 31 December 2008 85 Moldova $ 1,116,000,000 31 December 2008 86 Zambia $ 1,034,000,000 31 December 2008 87 Botswana $ 1,008,000,000 31 December 2008 88 Georgia $ 972,400,000 31 December 2008 89 Eritrea $ 896,200,000 31 December 2008 90 Aruba $ 780,400,000 31 December 2008 91 Cambodia $ 591,700,000 31 December 2008 92 Cape Verde $ 563,400,000 31 December 2008 93 Mongolia $ 521,200,000 31 December 2008 94 Nicaragua $ 507,500,000 31 December 2008 95 Suriname $ 484,700,000 31 December 2008 96 Maldives $ 475,200,000 31 December 2008 97 Djibouti $ 462,700,000 31 December 2008 98 Lesotho $ 416,500,000 31 December 2008 99 Belize $ 345,700,000 31 December 2008 100 Guyana $ 344,200,000 31 December 2008 101 Antigua and Barbuda $ 296,400,000 31 December 2008 102 Burundi $ 261,600,000 31 December 2008 103 Saint Lucia $ 261,300,000 31 December 2008 104 Rwanda $ 233,600,000 31 December 2005 105 El Salvador $ 213,700,000 31 December 2008 106 Swaziland $ 211,800,000 31 December 2008 107 Seychelles $ 164,800,000 31 December 2008 108 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines $ 150,800,000 31 December 2008 109 Grenada $ 141,400,000 31 December 2008 110 Saint Kitts and Nevis $ 107,200,000 31 December 2008 111 Timor-Leste $ 102,800,000 31 December 2008 112 Vanuatu $ 101,600,000 31 December 2008 113 Comoros $ 100,600,000 31 December 2008 114 Solomon Islands $ 86,960,000 31 December 2008 115 Dominica $ 72,100,000 31 December 2008 116 Samoa $ 60,130,000 31 December 2008 117 Tonga $ 36,160,000 31 December 2008 118 Sao Tome and Principe $ 27,840,000 31 December 2008 119 Anguilla $ 21,120,000 31 December 2008 120 Montserrat $ 16,710,000 31 December 2008 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2210 Country Comparison :: Stock of quasi money This entry comprises the total quantity of time and savings deposits denominated in the national currency, held by nonbank financial institutions, state and local governments, nonfinancial public enterprises, and the private sector of the economy. When added together with "M1" the total money supply is known as "M2." The national currency units have been converted to US dollars at the closing exchange rate on the date of the information. Rank country Stock of quasi money Date of Information 1 United States $ 10,990,000,000,000 31 December 2008 2 Japan $ 6,160,000,000,000 31 December 2008 3 European Union $ 5,631,000,000,000 31 December 2008 4 China $ 4,523,000,000,000 31 December 2008 5 Canada $ 1,299,000,000,000 31 December 2008 6 Brazil $ 724,500,000,000 31 December 2008 7 Taiwan $ 618,000,000,000 November 2008 8 Korea, South $ 478,000,000,000 31 December 2008 9 Switzerland $ 477,600,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 10 Hong Kong $ 352,400,000,000 31 December 2008 11 Russia $ 318,400,000,000 31 December 2008 12 Turkey $ 248,400,000,000 31 December 2008 13 Thailand $ 237,500,000,000 31 December 2008 14 Malaysia $ 200,900,000,000 31 December 2008 15 Singapore $ 179,000,000,000 31 December 2008 16 Mexico $ 147,400,000,000 31 December 2008 17 Saudi Arabia $ 134,300,000,000 31 December 2008 18 Indonesia $ 131,500,000,000 31 December 2008 19 South Africa $ 124,100,000,000 31 December 2008 20 Egypt $ 112,200,000,000 31 December 2008 21 Poland $ 109,000,000,000 31 December 2008 22 New Zealand $ 99,910,000,000 31 December 2008 23 Denmark $ 95,820,000,000 31 December 2008 24 Syria $ 73,930,000,000 31 December 2008 25 Chile $ 73,660,000,000 31 December 2008 26 Kuwait $ 63,080,000,000 31 December 2008 27 Czech Republic $ 58,600,000,000 31 December 2008 28 Sweden $ 54,550,000,000 31 December 2008 29 Hungary $ 47,490,000,000 31 December 2008 30 Bangladesh $ 37,980,000,000 31 December 2008 31 Ukraine $ 37,320,000,000 31 December 2008 32 Qatar $ 36,580,000,000 31 December 2008 33 Romania $ 36,090,000,000 31 December 2008 34 Kazakhstan $ 35,760,000,000 31 December 2008 35 Croatia $ 33,170,000,000 31 December 2008 36 Nigeria $ 32,040,000,000 31 December 2008 37 Algeria $ 30,360,000,000 31 December 2008 38 Slovakia $ 27,710,000,000 31 December 2008 39 Colombia $ 26,570,000,000 31 December 2008 40 Peru $ 25,320,000,000 31 December 2008 41 Macau $ 22,150,000,000 31 December 2008 42 Bulgaria $ 19,670,000,000 31 December 2008 43 Jordan $ 17,980,000,000 31 December 2008 44 Panama $ 15,840,000,000 31 December 2008 45 Iceland $ 15,050,000,000 31 December 2006 46 Tunisia $ 14,720,000,000 31 December 2008 47 Oman $ 14,570,000,000 31 December 2008 48 Serbia $ 11,950,000,000 31 December 2008 49 Venezuela $ 10,930,000,000 31 December 2008 50 Angola $ 10,410,000,000 31 December 2008 51 Guatemala $ 9,700,000,000 31 December 2008 52 Uruguay $ 9,409,000,000 31 December 2008 53 Ecuador $ 9,383,000,000 31 December 2008 54 Sri Lanka $ 9,010,000,000 30 September 2008 55 Belarus $ 8,784,000,000 31 December 2008 56 Malta $ 8,771,000,000 31 January 2008 est. 57 Lithuania $ 8,419,000,000 31 December 2008 58 Mauritius $ 6,914,000,000 31 December 2008 59 Bolivia $ 6,339,000,000 31 December 2008 60 Albania $ 6,251,000,000 31 December 2008 61 Dominican Republic $ 5,902,000,000 31 December 2008 62 Bosnia and Herzegovina $ 5,614,000,000 31 December 2008 63 Honduras $ 5,574,000,000 31 December 2008 64 Latvia $ 5,572,000,000 31 December 2008 65 Estonia $ 5,478,000,000 31 December 2008 66 Kenya $ 5,468,000,000 31 December 2008 67 Iraq $ 5,415,000,000 31 December 2008 68 Gaza Strip $ 5,251,000,000 31 December 2008 69 West Bank $ 5,251,000,000 31 December 2008 70 Nepal $ 4,885,000,000 31 December 2008 71 Bahamas, The $ 4,637,000,000 31 December 2008 72 Brunei $ 4,551,000,000 31 December 2008 73 Libya $ 4,264,000,000 31 December 2008 74 Jamaica $ 4,244,000,000 31 December 2008 75 Botswana $ 4,183,000,000 31 December 2008 76 Azerbaijan $ 4,125,000,000 31 December 2008 77 Barbados $ 3,701,000,000 31 December 2008 78 Trinidad and Tobago $ 3,506,000,000 31 December 2008 79 Tanzania $ 3,362,000,000 31 December 2008 80 Macedonia $ 3,254,000,000 31 December 2008 81 Costa Rica $ 3,143,000,000 31 December 2008 82 Cambodia $ 2,328,000,000 31 December 2008 83 Moldova $ 1,928,000,000 31 December 2008 84 Nicaragua $ 1,810,000,000 31 December 2008 85 Mozambique $ 1,752,000,000 31 December 2008 86 Papua New Guinea $ 1,726,000,000 31 December 2008 87 Zambia $ 1,618,000,000 31 December 2008 88 Georgia $ 1,606,000,000 31 December 2008 89 Paraguay $ 1,599,000,000 31 December 2008 90 Uganda $ 1,485,000,000 31 December 2008 91 Mongolia $ 1,288,000,000 31 December 2008 92 Afghanistan $ 1,219,000,000 31 December 2008 93 Namibia $ 1,158,000,000 31 December 2008 94 Eritrea $ 1,053,000,000 31 December 2008 95 Suriname $ 1,018,000,000 31 December 2008 96 Armenia $ 950,100,000 31 December 2008 97 Antigua and Barbuda $ 939,900,000 31 December 2008 98 Aruba $ 890,300,000 31 December 2008 99 Guyana $ 817,600,000 31 December 2008 100 Saint Lucia $ 800,100,000 31 December 2008 101 El Salvador $ 788,700,000 31 December 2008 102 Cape Verde $ 721,300,000 31 December 2008 103 Saint Kitts and Nevis $ 680,600,000 31 December 2008 104 Madagascar $ 667,200,000 31 December 2008 105 Belize $ 653,800,000 31 December 2008 106 Grenada $ 578,100,000 31 December 2008 107 Tajikistan $ 544,000,000 31 December 2008 108 Maldives $ 487,800,000 31 December 2008 109 Anguilla $ 449,500,000 31 December 2008 110 Swaziland $ 441,500,000 31 December 2008 111 Vanuatu $ 430,000,000 31 December 2008 112 Djibouti $ 338,000,000 31 December 2008 113 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines $ 302,700,000 31 December 2008 114 Dominica $ 289,900,000 31 December 2008 115 Rwanda $ 227,400,000 31 December 2005 116 Burundi $ 189,900,000 31 December 2008 117 Seychelles $ 188,500,000 31 December 2008 118 Samoa $ 162,800,000 31 December 2008 119 Lesotho $ 108,100,000 31 December 2008 120 Tonga $ 100,700,000 31 December 2008 121 Solomon Islands $ 96,790,000 31 December 2008 122 Timor-Leste $ 89,880,000 31 December 2008 123 Montserrat $ 45,420,000 31 December 2008 124 Comoros $ 41,740,000 31 December 2008 125 Sao Tome and Principe $ 36,950,000 31 December 2008 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2211 Country Comparison :: Stock of domestic credit This entry is the total quantity of credit, denominated in the domestic currency, provided by banks to nonbanking institutions. The national currency units have been converted to US dollars at the closing exchange rate on the date of the information. Rank country Stock of domestic credit Date of Information 1 European Union $ 21,170,000,000,000 31 December 2008 2 United States $ 15,060,000,000,000 31 December 2008 3 Japan $ 12,340,000,000,000 31 December 2008 4 China $ 5,555,000,000,000 31 December 2008 5 Germany $ 5,019,000,000,000 31 December 2008 6 France $ 4,102,000,000,000 31 December 2008 7 Spain $ 3,450,000,000,000 31 December 2008 8 Italy $ 3,046,000,000,000 31 December 2008 9 Canada $ 2,335,000,000,000 31 December 2008 10 Netherlands $ 1,824,000,000,000 31 December 2008 11 Brazil $ 1,249,000,000,000 31 December 2008 12 Korea, South $ 937,000,000,000 31 December 2008 13 Switzerland $ 864,400,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 14 Belgium $ 767,100,000,000 31 December 2008 15 Ireland $ 738,600,000,000 31 December 2008 16 Denmark $ 695,800,000,000 31 December 2008 17 Taiwan $ 677,800,000,000 November 2008 18 Austria $ 606,200,000,000 31 December 2008 19 Sweden $ 549,000,000,000 31 December 2008 20 Portugal $ 491,000,000,000 31 December 2008 21 Greece $ 394,600,000,000 31 December 2008 22 Luxembourg $ 369,600,000,000 31 December 2008 23 Russia $ 367,200,000,000 31 December 2008 24 Turkey $ 326,400,000,000 31 December 2008 25 Mexico $ 287,000,000,000 31 December 2008 26 Thailand $ 274,100,000,000 31 December 2008 27 Poland $ 258,300,000,000 31 December 2008 28 Malaysia $ 246,700,000,000 31 December 2008 29 Finland $ 241,100,000,000 31 December 2008 30 South Africa $ 214,800,000,000 31 December 2008 31 Indonesia $ 166,200,000,000 31 December 2008 32 New Zealand $ 164,400,000,000 31 December 2008 33 Singapore $ 143,600,000,000 31 December 2008 34 Egypt $ 126,500,000,000 31 December 2008 35 Chile $ 116,400,000,000 31 December 2008 36 Hungary $ 114,300,000,000 31 December 2008 37 Czech Republic $ 110,500,000,000 31 December 2008 38 Ukraine $ 101,100,000,000 31 December 2008 39 Colombia $ 89,690,000,000 31 December 2008 40 Kuwait $ 88,770,000,000 31 December 2008 41 Syria $ 84,310,000,000 31 December 2008 42 Cyprus $ 80,680,000,000 31 December 2008 43 Romania $ 72,850,000,000 31 December 2008 44 Venezuela $ 62,420,000,000 31 December 2008 45 Qatar $ 59,430,000,000 31 December 2008 46 Slovakia $ 50,940,000,000 31 December 2008 47 Slovenia $ 50,310,000,000 31 December 2008 48 Croatia $ 49,790,000,000 31 December 2008 49 Nigeria $ 49,510,000,000 31 December 2008 50 Bangladesh $ 47,030,000,000 31 December 2008 51 Kazakhstan $ 44,530,000,000 31 December 2008 52 Bulgaria $ 32,040,000,000 31 December 2008 53 Lithuania $ 29,210,000,000 31 December 2008 54 Latvia $ 28,960,000,000 31 December 2008 55 Tunisia $ 26,500,000,000 31 December 2008 56 Jordan $ 25,050,000,000 31 December 2008 57 Estonia $ 22,020,000,000 31 December 2008 58 Peru $ 21,980,000,000 31 December 2008 59 Panama $ 19,800,000,000 31 December 2008 60 Belarus $ 18,420,000,000 31 December 2008 61 Oman $ 17,830,000,000 31 December 2008 62 Dominican Republic $ 17,370,000,000 31 December 2008 63 Serbia $ 17,060,000,000 31 December 2008 64 Malta $ 16,170,000,000 31 December 2008 est. 65 Sri Lanka $ 15,920,000,000 30 September 2008 66 Costa Rica $ 15,150,000,000 31 December 2008 67 Guatemala $ 14,820,000,000 31 December 2008 68 Macau $ 11,500,000,000 31 December 2008 69 Kenya $ 10,830,000,000 31 December 2008 70 Bosnia and Herzegovina $ 10,260,000,000 31 December 2008 71 Ecuador $ 10,130,000,000 31 December 2008 72 Mauritius $ 9,323,000,000 31 December 2008 73 Uruguay $ 9,096,000,000 31 December 2008 74 Albania $ 8,176,000,000 31 December 2008 75 Azerbaijan $ 8,135,000,000 31 December 2008 76 Angola $ 7,893,000,000 31 December 2008 77 Bahamas, The $ 7,883,000,000 31 December 2008 78 Jamaica $ 7,175,000,000 31 December 2008 79 Honduras $ 7,172,000,000 31 December 2008 80 Nepal $ 5,556,000,000 31 December 2008 81 Bolivia $ 5,433,000,000 31 December 2008 82 Barbados $ 4,554,000,000 31 December 2008 83 Nicaragua $ 4,272,000,000 31 December 2008 84 Macedonia $ 3,906,000,000 31 December 2008 85 Georgia $ 3,754,000,000 31 December 2008 86 Namibia $ 3,430,000,000 31 December 2008 87 Trinidad and Tobago $ 3,423,000,000 31 December 2008 88 Tanzania $ 3,297,000,000 31 December 2008 89 Paraguay $ 3,098,000,000 31 December 2008 90 Moldova $ 2,406,000,000 31 December 2008 91 Zambia $ 2,138,000,000 31 December 2008 92 Papua New Guinea $ 2,065,000,000 31 December 2008 93 Armenia $ 1,980,000,000 31 December 2008 94 Eritrea $ 1,851,000,000 31 December 2008 95 Mongolia $ 1,743,000,000 31 December 2008 96 Cambodia $ 1,670,000,000 31 December 2008 97 Maldives $ 1,548,000,000 31 December 2008 98 Uganda $ 1,464,000,000 31 December 2008 99 Saint Lucia $ 1,378,000,000 31 December 2008 100 Gaza Strip $ 1,367,000,000 31 December 2008 101 West Bank $ 1,367,000,000 31 December 2008 102 Aruba $ 1,321,000,000 31 December 2008 103 Mozambique $ 1,315,000,000 31 December 2008 104 Brunei $ 1,274,000,000 31 December 2008 105 El Salvador $ 1,190,000,000 31 December 2008 106 Cape Verde $ 1,153,000,000 31 December 2008 107 Antigua and Barbuda $ 1,130,000,000 31 December 2008 108 Belize $ 955,000,000 31 December 2008 109 Tajikistan $ 889,000,000 31 December 2008 110 Guyana $ 829,400,000 31 December 2008 111 Madagascar $ 820,300,000 31 December 2008 112 Suriname $ 793,100,000 31 December 2008 113 Saint Kitts and Nevis $ 790,800,000 31 December 2008 114 Grenada $ 658,000,000 31 December 2008 115 Anguilla $ 529,600,000 31 December 2008 116 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines $ 417,400,000 31 December 2008 117 Seychelles $ 375,600,000 31 December 2008 118 Burundi $ 370,000,000 31 December 2008 119 Afghanistan $ 363,600,000 31 December 2008 120 Vanuatu $ 274,000,000 31 December 2008 121 Djibouti $ 269,900,000 31 December 2008 122 Dominica $ 213,600,000 31 December 2008 123 Samoa $ 208,500,000 31 December 2008 124 Solomon Islands $ 166,100,000 31 December 2008 125 Comoros $ 79,520,000 31 December 2008 126 Swaziland $ 51,550,000 31 December 2008 127 Sao Tome and Principe $ 20,420,000 31 December 2008 128 Montserrat $ 9,930,000 31 December 2008 129 Togo $ 674,300 31 December 2008 ====================================================================== Rank code: 2212 Country Comparison :: Urbanization This entry provides two measures of the degree of urbanization of a population. The first, urban population, describes the percentage of the total population living in urban areas, as defined by the country. The second, rate of urbanization, describes the projected average rate of change of the size of the urban population over the given period of time. Additionally, the World entry includes a list of the ten largest urban agglomerations. An urban agglomeration is defined as comprising the city or town proper and also the suburban fringe or thickly settled territory lying outside of, but adjacent to, the boundaries of the city. Rank country (%) Date of Information 1 Anguilla 100.00 NA 2 Bermuda 100.00 NA 3 Gibraltar 100.00 NA 4 Cayman Islands 100.00 NA 5 Hong Kong 100.00 NA 6 Holy See (Vatican City) 100.00 NA 7 Singapore 100.00 NA 8 Macau 100.00 NA 9 Monaco 100.00 NA 10 Nauru 100.00 NA 11 Kuwait 98.00 NA 12 Puerto Rico 98.00 NA 13 Belgium 97.00 NA 14 Qatar 96.00 NA 15 Virgin Islands 95.00 NA 16 Malta 94.00 NA 17 San Marino 94.00 NA 18 Netherlands Antilles 93.00 NA 19 Venezuela 93.00 NA 20 American Samoa 92.00 NA 21 Argentina 92.00 NA 22 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 92.00 NA 23 Uruguay 92.00 NA 24 Turks and Caicos Islands 92.00 NA 25 Israel 92.00 NA 26 Iceland 92.00 NA 27 Northern Mariana Islands 91.00 NA 28 United Kingdom 90.00 NA 29 Andorra 89.00 NA 30 Bahrain 89.00 NA 31 Australia 89.00 NA 32 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 89.00 NA 33 Chile 88.00 NA 34 Denmark 87.00 NA 35 New Zealand 87.00 NA 36 Lebanon 87.00 NA 37 Djibouti 87.00 NA 38 Brazil 86.00 NA 39 Gabon 85.00 NA 40 Sweden 85.00 NA 41 Bahamas, The 84.00 NA 42 Greenland 84.00 NA 43 Luxembourg 82.00 NA 44 Netherlands 82.00 NA 45 United States 82.00 NA 46 Saudi Arabia 82.00 NA 47 Korea, South 81.00 NA 48 Palau 81.00 NA 49 Western Sahara 81.00 NA 50 Canada 80.00 NA 51 United Arab Emirates 78.00 NA 52 Libya 78.00 NA 53 Jordan 78.00 NA 54 France 77.00 NA 55 Spain 77.00 NA 56 Norway 77.00 NA 57 Mexico 77.00 NA 58 Cuba 76.00 NA 59 Brunei 75.00 NA 60 Suriname 75.00 NA 61 Colombia 74.00 NA 62 Dominica 74.00 NA 63 Cook Islands 74.00 NA 64 Germany 74.00 NA 65 Belarus 73.00 NA 66 Panama 73.00 NA 67 Switzerland 73.00 NA 68 Russia 73.00 NA 69 Czech Republic 73.00 NA 70 Gaza Strip 72.00 NA 71 West Bank 72.00 NA 72 Oman 72.00 NA 73 Bulgaria 71.00 NA 74 Peru 71.00 NA 75 Marshall Islands 71.00 NA 76 Cyprus 70.00 NA 77 Malaysia 70.00 NA 78 Dominican Republic 69.00 NA 79 Estonia 69.00 NA 80 Turkey 69.00 NA 81 Hungary 68.00 NA 82 Italy 68.00 NA 83 Ukraine 68.00 NA 84 Latvia 68.00 NA 85 Iran 68.00 NA 86 Austria 67.00 NA 87 Macedonia 67.00 NA 88 Tunisia 67.00 NA 89 Lithuania 67.00 NA 90 Iraq 67.00 NA 91 Bolivia 66.00 NA 92 Japan 66.00 NA 93 Ecuador 66.00 NA 94 Algeria 65.00 NA 95 Philippines 65.00 NA 96 New Caledonia 65.00 NA 97 Armenia 64.00 NA 98 Costa Rica 63.00 NA 99 Korea, North 63.00 NA 100 Finland 63.00 NA 101 Congo, Republic of the 61.00 NA 102 Sao Tome and Principe 61.00 NA 103 Greece 61.00 NA 104 El Salvador 61.00 NA 105 Poland 61.00 NA 106 South Africa 61.00 NA 107 Ireland 61.00 NA 108 Botswana 60.00 NA 109 Cape Verde 60.00 NA 110 Paraguay 60.00 NA 111 Montenegro 60.00 NA 112 Liberia 60.00 NA 113 Portugal 59.00 NA 114 Kazakhstan 58.00 NA 115 Angola 57.00 NA 116 Cameroon 57.00 NA 117 Gambia, The 57.00 NA 118 Croatia 57.00 NA 119 Nicaragua 57.00 NA 120 Mongolia 57.00 NA 121 Slovakia 56.00 NA 122 Morocco 56.00 NA 123 Romania 54.00 NA 124 Seychelles 54.00 NA 125 Syria 54.00 NA 126 Georgia 53.00 NA 127 Jamaica 53.00 NA 128 Azerbaijan 52.00 NA 129 Fiji 52.00 NA 130 Indonesia 52.00 NA 131 Serbia 52.00 NA 132 French Polynesia 52.00 NA 133 Belize 52.00 NA 134 Isle of Man 51.00 NA 135 Ghana 50.00 NA 136 Guatemala 49.00 NA 137 Tuvalu 49.00 NA 138 Turkmenistan 49.00 NA 139 Cote d'Ivoire 49.00 NA 140 Honduras 48.00 NA 141 Nigeria 48.00 NA 142 Slovenia 48.00 NA 143 Aruba 47.00 NA 144 Bosnia and Herzegovina 47.00 NA 145 Albania 47.00 NA 146 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 47.00 NA 147 Haiti 47.00 NA 148 Kiribati 44.00 NA 149 China 43.00 NA 150 Egypt 43.00 NA 151 Sudan 43.00 NA 152 Moldova 42.00 NA 153 Mauritius 42.00 NA 154 Senegal 42.00 NA 155 Togo 42.00 NA 156 Benin 41.00 NA 157 Faroe Islands 41.00 NA 158 Mauritania 41.00 NA 159 Barbados 40.00 NA 160 British Virgin Islands 40.00 NA 161 Central African Republic 39.00 NA 162 Equatorial Guinea 39.00 NA 163 Niue 39.00 NA 164 Saint Helena 39.00 NA 165 Maldives 38.00 NA 166 Sierra Leone 38.00 NA 167 Mozambique 37.00 NA 168 Somalia 37.00 NA 169 Namibia 37.00 NA 170 Zimbabwe 37.00 NA 171 Uzbekistan 37.00 NA 172 Kyrgyzstan 36.00 NA 173 Pakistan 36.00 NA 174 Bhutan 35.00 NA 175 Zambia 35.00 NA 176 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 34.00 NA 177 Guinea 34.00 NA 178 Burma 33.00 NA 179 Thailand 33.00 NA 180 Mali 32.00 NA 181 Saint Kitts and Nevis 32.00 NA 182 Grenada 31.00 NA 183 Guernsey 31.00 NA 184 Laos 31.00 NA 185 Yemen 31.00 NA 186 Jersey 31.00 NA 187 Antigua and Barbuda 30.00 NA 188 Guinea-Bissau 30.00 NA 189 India 29.00 NA 190 Madagascar 29.00 NA 191 Comoros 28.00 NA 192 Saint Lucia 28.00 NA 193 Vietnam 28.00 NA 194 Guyana 28.00 NA 195 Bangladesh 27.00 NA 196 Timor-Leste 27.00 NA 197 Chad 27.00 NA 198 Tajikistan 26.00 NA 199 Lesotho 25.00 NA 200 Swaziland 25.00 NA 201 Vanuatu 25.00 NA 202 Tonga 25.00 NA 203 Tanzania 25.00 NA 204 Afghanistan 24.00 NA 205 Samoa 23.00 NA 206 Cambodia 22.00 NA 207 Micronesia, Federated States of 22.00 NA 208 Kenya 22.00 NA 209 Eritrea 21.00 NA 210 Burkina Faso 20.00 NA 211 Malawi 19.00 NA 212 Solomon Islands 18.00 NA 213 Rwanda 18.00 NA 214 Ethiopia 17.00 NA 215 Nepal 17.00 NA 216 Niger 16.00 NA 217 Sri Lanka 15.00 NA 218 Liechtenstein 14.00 NA 219 Montserrat 14.00 NA 220 Trinidad and Tobago 13.00 NA 221 Uganda 13.00 NA 222 Papua New Guinea 12.00 NA 223 Burundi 10.00 NA 224 Burundi 6.80 NA 225 Laos 5.60 NA 226 Liberia 5.60 NA 227 Afghanistan 5.40 NA 228 Eritrea 5.40 NA 229 Maldives 5.30 NA 230 Malawi 5.20 NA 231 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 5.10 NA 232 Timor-Leste 5.00 NA 233 Burkina Faso 5.00 NA 234 Bhutan 4.90 NA 235 Nepal 4.90 NA 236 Yemen 4.90 NA 237 Mali 4.80 NA 238 Chad 4.70 NA 239 Cambodia 4.60 NA 240 Haiti 4.50 NA 241 Angola 4.40 NA 242 Uganda 4.40 NA 243 Ethiopia 4.30 NA 244 Sudan 4.30 NA 245 Togo 4.30 NA 246 Gambia, The 4.20 NA 247 Somalia 4.20 NA 248 Tanzania 4.20 NA 249 Rwanda 4.20 NA 250 Solomon Islands 4.10 NA 251 Mozambique 4.10 NA 252 Vanuatu 4.10 NA 253 Benin 4.00 NA 254 Kenya 4.00 NA 255 Western Sahara 4.00 NA 256 Niger 4.00 NA 257 Madagascar 3.80 NA 258 Nigeria 3.80 NA 259 Bangladesh 3.50 NA 260 Lesotho 3.50 NA 261 Guinea 3.50 NA 262 Ghana 3.50 NA 263 Cape Verde 3.50 NA 264 Cameroon 3.50 NA 265 Guatemala 3.40 NA 266 Gaza Strip 3.30 NA 267 Indonesia 3.30 NA 268 West Bank 3.30 NA 269 Cote d'Ivoire 3.20 NA 270 Guinea-Bissau 3.20 NA 271 Belize 3.10 NA 272 Syria 3.10 NA 273 Vietnam 3.10 NA 274 Senegal 3.10 NA 275 Jordan 3.10 NA 276 Mauritania 3.00 NA 277 Philippines 3.00 NA 278 Sao Tome and Principe 3.00 NA 279 Pakistan 3.00 NA 280 Malaysia 3.00 NA 281 United Arab Emirates 2.90 NA 282 Namibia 2.90 NA 283 Trinidad and Tobago 2.90 NA 284 Sierra Leone 2.90 NA 285 Honduras 2.90 NA 286 Burma 2.90 NA 287 Equatorial Guinea 2.80 NA 288 Paraguay 2.80 NA 289 Congo, Republic of the 2.70 NA 290 Comoros 2.70 NA 291 China 2.70 NA 292 Panama 2.70 NA 293 Marshall Islands 2.70 NA 294 Brunei 2.60 NA 295 Dominican Republic 2.60 NA 296 Algeria 2.50 NA 297 Bolivia 2.50 NA 298 Botswana 2.50 NA 299 Saudi Arabia 2.50 NA 300 Kuwait 2.50 NA 301 American Samoa 2.40 NA 302 India 2.40 NA 303 Costa Rica 2.30 NA 304 Zambia 2.30 NA 305 Central African Republic 2.30 NA 306 Djibouti 2.20 NA 307 Zimbabwe 2.20 NA 308 Turkmenistan 2.20 NA 309 Ireland 2.20 NA 310 Libya 2.20 NA 311 Qatar 2.20 NA 312 Turks and Caicos Islands 2.20 NA 313 Montserrat 2.20 NA 314 Northern Mariana Islands 2.10 NA 315 Ecuador 2.10 NA 316 New Caledonia 2.10 NA 317 Iran 2.10 NA 318 Gabon 2.10 NA 319 Faroe Islands 2.00 NA 320 Venezuela 2.00 NA 321 Oman 2.00 NA 322 Albania 1.90 NA 323 El Salvador 1.90 NA 324 Papua New Guinea 1.90 NA 325 Turkey 1.90 NA 326 Bahrain 1.80 NA 327 Egypt 1.80 NA 328 Kiribati 1.80 NA 329 Palau 1.80 NA 330 Nicaragua 1.80 NA 331 Morocco 1.80 NA 332 Brazil 1.80 NA 333 Colombia 1.70 NA 334 Swaziland 1.70 NA 335 Samoa 1.70 NA 336 British Virgin Islands 1.70 NA 337 Tunisia 1.70 NA 338 Thailand 1.70 NA 339 Iraq 1.70 NA 340 Israel 1.70 NA 341 Fiji 1.60 NA 342 Tajikistan 1.60 NA 343 Uzbekistan 1.60 NA 344 Tonga 1.60 NA 345 Netherlands Antilles 1.60 NA 346 Kyrgyzstan 1.60 NA 347 Barbados 1.50 NA 348 Cayman Islands 1.50 NA 349 Mexico 1.50 NA 350 Saint Helena 1.50 NA 351 Anguilla 1.40 NA 352 Bahamas, The 1.40 NA 353 Portugal 1.40 NA 354 Bosnia and Herzegovina 1.40 NA 355 Saint Kitts and Nevis 1.40 NA 356 Saint Lucia 1.40 NA 357 South Africa 1.40 NA 358 Seychelles 1.40 NA 359 Chile 1.30 NA 360 French Polynesia 1.30 NA 361 United States 1.30 NA 362 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1.30 NA 363 Tuvalu 1.30 NA 364 Peru 1.30 NA 365 Cyprus 1.30 NA 366 Argentina 1.20 NA 367 Singapore 1.20 NA 368 Mongolia 1.20 NA 369 Lebanon 1.20 NA 370 Kazakhstan 1.20 NA 371 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 1.20 NA 372 Australia 1.20 NA 373 Azerbaijan 1.00 NA 374 Canada 1.00 NA 375 Luxembourg 1.00 NA 376 New Zealand 1.00 NA 377 Suriname 1.00 NA 378 Hong Kong 1.00 NA 379 Antigua and Barbuda 0.90 NA 380 Greenland 0.90 NA 381 San Marino 0.90 NA 382 Spain 0.90 NA 383 Mauritius 0.90 NA 384 Netherlands 0.90 NA 385 Jamaica 0.90 NA 386 Korea, North 0.90 NA 387 Finland 0.80 NA 388 France 0.80 NA 389 Puerto Rico 0.80 NA 390 Macedonia 0.80 NA 391 Iceland 0.80 NA 392 Micronesia, Federated States of 0.80 NA 393 Austria 0.70 NA 394 Norway 0.70 NA 395 Macau 0.70 NA 396 Guernsey 0.60 NA 397 Greece 0.60 NA 398 Jersey 0.60 NA 399 Malta 0.60 NA 400 Korea, South 0.60 NA 401 Sri Lanka 0.50 NA 402 Liechtenstein 0.50 NA 403 Serbia 0.50 NA 404 Switzerland 0.50 NA 405 United Kingdom 0.50 NA 406 Sweden 0.50 NA 407 Denmark 0.50 NA 408 Croatia 0.40 NA 409 Uruguay 0.40 NA 410 Italy 0.40 NA 411 Bermuda 0.30 NA 412 Belgium 0.30 NA 413 Nauru 0.30 NA 414 Monaco 0.30 NA 415 Hungary 0.30 NA 416 Grenada 0.30 NA 417 Dominica 0.20 NA 418 Japan 0.20 NA 419 Slovakia 0.20 NA 420 Virgin Islands 0.20 NA 421 Aruba 0.10 NA 422 Germany 0.10 NA 423 Gibraltar 0.10 NA 424 Holy See (Vatican City) 0.10 NA 425 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0.10 NA 426 Belarus 0.00 NA 427 Cuba 0.00 NA 428 Guyana 0.00 NA 429 Wallis and Futuna 0.00 NA 430 Wallis and Futuna 0.00 NA 431 Tokelau 0.00 NA 432 Tokelau 0.00 NA 433 Pitcairn Islands 0.00 NA 434 Pitcairn Islands 0.00 NA 435 Czech Republic 0.00 NA 436 Romania -0.10 NA 437 Andorra -0.20 NA 438 Isle of Man -0.20 NA 439 Niue -0.20 NA 440 Armenia -0.30 NA 441 Bulgaria -0.30 NA 442 Poland -0.30 NA 443 Estonia -0.30 NA 444 Lithuania -0.40 NA 445 Latvia -0.50 NA 446 Russia -0.50 NA 447 Georgia -0.60 NA 448 Slovenia -0.60 NA 449 Cook Islands -0.70 NA 450 Ukraine -0.70 NA 451 Montenegro -0.80 NA 452 Moldova -1.50 NA ====================================================================== Appendix A :: Abbreviations A ABEDA Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa ACCT Agency for the French-Speaking Community (see International Organization of the French-speaking World) ACP Group African, Caribbean, and Pacific Group of States AfDB African Development Bank AFESD Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development Air Pollution Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution Concerning the Control of Emissions of Nitrogen Oxides or Their Transboundary Fluxes Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Persistent Organic Pollutants Air Pollution-Sulphur 85 Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on the Reduction of Sulphur Emissions or Their Transboundary Fluxes by at Least 30% Air Pollution-Sulphur 94 Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Further Reduction of Sulphur Emissions Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution Concerning the Control of Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds or Their Transboundary Fluxes AMF Arab Monetary Fund Antarctic-Environmental Protocol Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty Antarctic Marine Living Resources Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources Antarctic Seals Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals ANZUS Australia-New Zealand-United States Security Treaty APEC Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Arabsat Arab Satellite Communications Organization ARF ASEAN Regional Forum ADB Asian Development Bank ASEAN Association of Southeast Asian Nations AU African Union Autodin Automatic Digital Network B BA Baltic Assembly bbl/day barrels per day BCIE Central American Bank for Economic Integration BDEAC Central African States Development Bank Benelux Benelux Economic Union BIMSTEC Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multisectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation Biodiversity Convention on Biological Diversity BGN United States Board on Geographic Names BIS Bank for International Settlements BSEC Black Sea Economic Cooperation Zone C C Commonwealth c.i.f. cost, insurance, and freight CACM Central American Common Market CAEU Council of Arab Economic Unity CAN Andean Community of Nations Caricom Caribbean Community and Common Market CB citizen's band mobile radio communications CBSS Council of the Baltic Sea States CCC Customs Cooperation Council CDB Caribbean Development Bank CE Council of Europe CEI Central European Initiative CEMAC Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa CEPGL Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research CEPT Conference Europeanne des Poste et Telecommunications CIS Commonwealth of Independent States CITES see Endangered Species Climate Change United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change COCOM Coordinating Committee on Export Controls Comsat Communications Satellite Corporation COMESA Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa CP Colombo Plan CPLP Comunidade dos Paises de Lingua Portuguesa CSTO Collective Security Treaty Organization CTBTO Preparation commission for the Nuclear-Ban-Treaty Operation CY calendar year D DC developed country DDT dichloro-diphenyl-trichloro-ethane Desertification United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa DIA United States Defense Intelligence Agency DSN Defense Switched Network DST daylight savings time DWT deadweight ton E EAC East African Community EADB East African Development Bank EAEC Eurasian Economic Community EAPC Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council EBRD European Bank for Reconstruction and Development EC European Community ECA Economic Commission for Africa ECE Economic Commission for Europe ECLAC Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean ECO Economic Cooperation Organization ECOSOC Economic and Social Council ECOWAS Economic Community of West African States ECSC European Coal and Steel Community EEC European Economic Community EFTA European Free Trade Association EEZ exclusive economic zone EIB European Investment Bank EMU European Monetary Union Endangered Species Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) Entente Council of the Entente Environmental Modification Convention on the Prohibition of Military or Any Other Hostile Use of Environmental Modification Techniques ESA European Space Agency ESCAP Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific ESCWA Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia est. estimate EU European Union Euratom European Atomic Energy Community Eutelsat European Telecommunications Satellite Organization Ex-Im Export-Import Bank of the United States F f.o.b. free on board FAO Food and Agriculture Organization FAX facsimile FLS Front Line States FOC flags of convenience FSU former Soviet Union FY fiscal year FZ Franc Zone G G-2 Group of 2 G-3 Group of 3 G-5 Group of 5 G-6 Group of 6 G-7 Group of 7 G-8 Group of 8 G-9 Group of 9 G-10 Group of 10 G-15 Group of 15 G-11 Group of 11 G-24 Group of 24 G-77 Group of 77 GATT General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade; now WTO GCC Gulf Cooperation Council GCTU General Confederation of Trade Unions GDP gross domestic product GMT Greenwich Mean Time GNP gross national product GRT gross register ton GSM global system for mobile cellular communications GUAM Organization for Democracy and Economic Development; acronym for member states - Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Moldova GWP gross world product H Hazardous Wastes Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal HF high-frequency HIV/AIDS human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome I IADB Inter-American Development Bank IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency IANA Internet Assigned Numbers Authority IBRD International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank) ICAO International Civil Aviation Organization ICC International Chamber of Commerce ICCt International Criminal Court ICJ International Court of Justice (World Court) ICRC International Committee of the Red Cross ICRM International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement ICSID International Center for Secretariat of Investment Disputes ICTR International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda ICTY International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia IDA International Development Association IDB Islamic Development Bank IDP Internally Displaced Person IEA International Energy Agency IFAD International Fund for Agricultural Development IFC International Finance Corporation IFRCS International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies IGAD Inter-Governmental Authority on Development IHO International Hydrographic Organization ILO International Labor Organization IMF International Monetary Fund IMO International Maritime Organization IMSO International Mobile Satellite Organization Inmarsat International Maritime Satellite Organization InOC Indian Ocean Commission INSTRAW International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women Intelsat International Telecommunications Satellite Organization Interpol International Criminal Police Organization Intersputnik International Organization of Space Communications IOC International Olympic Committee IOM International Organization for Migration IPU Inter-parliamentary Union ISO International Organization for Standardization ISP Internet Service Provider ITSO International Telecommunications Satellites Organization ITU International Telecommunication Union ITUC International Trade Union Confederation, the successor to ICFTU (International Confederation of Free Trade Unions) and the WCL (World Confederation of Labor) K kHz kilohertz km kilometer kW kilowatt kWh kilowatt-hour L LAES Latin American Economic System LAIA Latin American Integration Association LAS League of Arab States Law of the Sea United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (LOS) LDC less developed country LLDC least developed country London Convention see Marine Dumping LOS see Law of the Sea M m meter Marecs Maritime European Communications Satellite Marine Dumping Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping Wastes and Other Matter Marine Life Conservation Convention on Fishing and Conservation of Living Resources of the High Seas MARPOL see Ship Pollution Medarabtel Middle East Telecommunications Project of the International Telecommunications Union Mercosur Southern Cone Common Market MHz megahertz MICAH International Civilian Support Mission in Haiti MINURSO United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara MIGA Multilateral Investment Geographic Agency MINUSTAH United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti MONUC United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo N NA not available NAFTA North American Free Trade Agreement NAM Nonaligned Movement NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization NC Nordic Council NEA Nuclear Energy Agency NEGL negligible NGA National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency NIB Nordic Investment Bank NIC newly industrializing country NIE newly industrializing economy NIS new independent states nm nautical mile NMT Nordic Mobile Telephone NSG Nuclear Suppliers Group Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapons Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space, and Under Water NZ New Zealand O OAPEC Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries OAS Organization of American States OAU Organization of African Unity; see African Union ODA official development assistance OECD Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development OECS Organization of Eastern Caribbean States OHCHR Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights OIC Organization of the Islamic Conference OIF International Organization of the French-speaking World ONUB United Nations Operation in Burundi OOF other official flows OPANAL Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean OPCW Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons OPEC Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries OSCE Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Ozone Layer Protection Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer P PCA Permanent Court of Arbitration PFP Partnership for Peace PIF Pacific Islands Forum PPP purchasing power parity R Ramsar see Wetlands RG Rio Group S SAARC South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation SACU Southern African Customs Union SACEP South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme SADC Southern African Development Community SCO Shanghai Cooperation Organization SAFE South African Far East Cable SECI Southeast European Cooperative Initiative SHF super-high-frequency Ship Pollution Protocol of 1978 Relating to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution From Ships, 1973 (MARPOL) SICA Central American Integration System Sparteca South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement SPC Secretariat of the Pacific Communities SPF South Pacific Forum sq km square kilometer sq mi square mile T TAT Trans-Atlantic Telephone TEU Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit, a unit of measure for containerized cargo capacity Tropical Timber 83 International Tropical Timber Agreement, 1983 Tropical Timber 94 International Tropical Timber Agreement, 1994 U UAE United Arab Emirates UDEAC Central African Customs and Economic Union UHF ultra-high-frequency UK United Kingdom UMA Arab Maghreb Union UN United Nations UNAMSIL United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone UNCLOS United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, also know as LOS UNCTAD United Nations Conference on Trade and Development UNDCP United Nations Drug Control Program UNDOF United Nations Disengagement Observer Force UNDP United Nations Development Program UNEP United Nations Environment Program UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization UNFICYP United Nations Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus UNFPA United Nations Population Fund UNHCR United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNICEF United Nations Children's Fund UNICRI United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute UNIDIR United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research UNIDO United Nations Industrial Development Organization UNIFIL United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon UNITAR United Nations Institute for Training and Research UNMEE United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea UNMIK United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo UNMIL United Nations Mission in Liberia UNMIT United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste UNMOGIP United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan UNMOVIC United Nations Monitoring, Verification, and Inspection Commission UNOCI United Nations Operation in Cote d'Ivoire UNOMIG United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia UNOPS United Nations Office of Project Services UNRISD United Nations Research Institute for Social Development UNRWA United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East UNSC United Nations Security Council UNSSC Untied Nations System Staff College UNTSO United Nations Truce Supervision Organization UNU United Nations University UNWTO World Tourism Organization UPU Universal Postal Union US United States USSR Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (Soviet Union); used for information dated before 25 December 1991 UTC Coordinated Universal Time UV ultra violet V VHF very-high-frequency VSAT very small aperture terminal W WADB West African Development Bank WAEMU West African Economic and Monetary Union WCL World Confederation of Labor WCO World Customs Organization Wetlands Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially As Waterfowl Habitat WEU Western European Union WFP World Food Program WFTU World Federation of Trade Unions Whaling International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling WHO World Health Organization WIPO World Intellectual Property Organization WMO World Meteorological Organization WP Warsaw Pact WTO World Trade Organization Z ZC Zangger Committee CIA Central Intelligence Agency ====================================================================== Appendix B :: International Organizations and Groups A advanced developing countries another term for those less developed countries (LDCs) with particularly rapid industrial development; see newly industrializing economies (NIEs) advanced economies a term used by the International Monetary FUND (IMF) for the top group in its hierarchy of advanced economies, countries in transition, and developing countries; it includes the following 28 advanced economies: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Luxembourg, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, UK, US; note - this group would presumably also cover the following seven smaller countries of Andorra, Bermuda, Faroe Islands, Holy See, Liechtenstein, Monaco, and San Marino that are included in the more comprehensive group of "developed countries" African Development Bank Group (AfDB) note - regional multilateral development finance institution temporarily located in Tunis, Tunisia; the Bank Group consists of the African Development Bank, the African Development Fund, and the Nigerian Trust Fund established - 10 September 1964 aim - to promote economic development and social progress regional members - (53) Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe nonregional members - (24) Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US African Union (AU) note - replaces Organization of African Unity (OAU) established - 8 July 2001 aim - to achieve greater unity among African States; to defend states' integrity and independence; to accelerate political, social, and economic integration; to encourage international cooperation; to promote democratic principles and institutions members - (53) Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (Western Sahara), Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe African Union/United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) established - 31 July 2007 aim - to contribute to the restoration of security conditions which will allow safe humanitarian assistance throughout Darfur, to contribute to the protection of civilian populations under imminent threat of physical attack, to monitor, observe compliance with, and verify the implementation of various ceasefire agreements members - (31) Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Canada, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Libya, Malawi, Mali, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Uganda, UK, Yemen, Zambia African, Caribbean, and Pacific Group of States (ACP Group) established - 6 June 1975 aim - to manage their preferential economic and aid relationship with the EU members - (79) Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cook Islands, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Federated States of Micronesia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia, Zimbabwe Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (OPANAL) note - acronym from Organismo para la Proscripcion de las Armas Nucleares en la America Latina y el Caribe (OPANAL) established - 14 February 1967 under the Treaty of Tlatelolco; effective - 25 April 1969 on the 11th ratification aim - to encourage the peaceful uses of atomic energy and prohibit nuclear weapons members - (33) Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela Andean Community of Nations (CAN) note - formerly known as the Andean Group (AG) and the Andean Common Market (Ancom) established - 26 May 1969; present name established 1 October 1992; effective - 16 October 1969 aim - to promote harmonious development through economic integration members - (4) Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru associate members - (5) Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay observers - (2) Mexico, Panama Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (ABEDA) note - also known as Banque Arabe de Developpement Economique en Afrique (BADEA) established - 18 February 1974; effective - 16 September 1974 aim - to promote economic development members - (17 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, UAE, Palestine Liberation Organization; note - these are all the members of the Arab League excluding Comoros, Djibouti, Somalia, Yemen Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD) established - 16 May 1968 aim - to promote economic and social development members - (20 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq (suspended 1993), Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia (suspended 1993), Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, UAE, Yemen, Palestine Liberation Organization Arab Maghreb Union (AMU) established - 17 February 1989 aim - to promote cooperation and integration among the Arab states of northern Africa members - (5) Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia Arab Monetary Fund (AMF) established - 27 April 1976; effective - 2 February 1977 aim - to promote Arab cooperation, development, and integration in monetary and economic affairs members - (21 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, UAE, Yemen, Palestine Liberation Organization Arctic Council established - 18 September 1996 aim - to address the common concerns and challenges faced by Arctic governments and the people of the Arctic; to protect the Arctic environment members - (8) Canada, Denmark (Greenland, Faroe Islands), Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, US permanent participants - (6) Aleut International Association, Arctic Athabaskan Council, Gwich'in Council International, Inuit Circumpolar Conference, Russian Association of Indigenous People of the North, Saami Council observers - (8) China, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, UK ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) established - 25 July 1994 aim - to foster constructive dialogue and consultation on political and security issues of common interest and concern members - (26) Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Canada, China, EU, India, Indonesia, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, NZ, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, US, Vietnam Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) established - 7 November 1989 aim - to promote trade and investment in the Pacific basin members - (21) Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, NZ, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, US, Vietnam observers - (3) Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Pacific Economic Cooperation Council, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Asian Development Bank (ADB) established - 19 December 1966 aim - to promote regional economic cooperation members - (48) Afghanistan, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, China, Cook Islands, Fiji, Georgia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Mongolia, Nauru, Nepal, NZ, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam nonregional members - (19) Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, US Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) established - 8 August 1967 aim - to encourage regional economic, social, and cultural cooperation among the non-Communist countries of Southeast Asia members - (10) Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam dialogue partners - (11) Australia, Canada, China, EU, India, Japan, South Korea, NZ, Russia, US, UNDP; note - ASEAN promotes cooperation with Pakistan in some areas of mutual interest observers - (1) Papua New Guinea Australia Group (AG) established - June 1985 aim - to consult on and coordinate export controls related to chemical and biological weapons members - (41) Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, European Commission, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, UK, US Australia-New Zealand-United States Security Treaty (ANZUS) established - 1 September 1951; effective - 29 April 1952 aim - to implement a trilateral mutual security agreement, although the US suspended security obligations to NZ on 11 August 1986; Australia and the US continue to hold annual meetings members - (3) Australia, NZ, US B Baltic Assembly (BA) established - 12 May 1990 aim - to thoroughly discuss various cooperation issues between Baltic states members - (3) Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania Bank for International Settlements (BIS) established - 20 January 1930; effective - 17 March 1930 aim - to promote cooperation among central banks in international financial settlements members - (55) Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, European Central Bank, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, UK, US; note - Serbia and Montenegro have separate central banks; their links with BIS are currently under review Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) established - June 1997 aim - to foster socio-economic cooperation among members members - (7) Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand Benelux Economic Union (Benelux) note - acronym from Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg established - 3 February 1958; effective - 1 November 1960 aim - to develop closer economic cooperation and integration members - (3) Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands Big Seven note - membership is the same as the Group of 7 established - 1975 aim - to discuss and coordinate major economic policies members - (7) Big Six (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK) plus the US Black Sea Economic Cooperation Zone (BSEC) established - 25 June 1992 aim - to enhance regional stability through economic cooperation members - (12) Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine; note - Macedonia is in the process of joining observers - (17) Austria, Belarus, Black Sea Commission, Commission of the EC, Croatia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Energy Charter Secretariat, France, Germany, International Black Sea Club, Israel, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Tunisia, US; note - Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia have applied for observer status C Caribbean Community and Common Market (Caricom) established - 4 July 1973; effective - 1 August 1973 aim - to promote economic integration and development, especially among the less developed countries members - (15) Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago associate members - (5) Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands observers - (7) Aruba, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Netherlands Antilles, Puerto Rico, Venezuela Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) established - 18 October 1969; effective - 26 January 1970 aim - to promote economic development and cooperation regional members - (21) Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Colombia, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Venezuela nonregional members - (5) Canada, China, Germany, Italy, UK Central African Customs and Economic Union (UDEAC) see Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC) Central African States Development Bank (BDEAC) note - acronym from Banque de Developpement des Etats de l'Afrique Centrale established - 3 December 1975 aim - to provide loans for economic development members - (10) African Development Bank (AfDB), Cameroon, Central African States Bank (BEAC), Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, France, Gabon, Kuwait Central American Bank for Economic Integration (BCIE) note - acronym from Banco Centroamericano de Integracion Economico established - 13 December 1960 signature of Articles of Agreement; 31 May 1961 began operations aim - to promote economic integration and development members - (5) Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua nonregional members - (7) Argentina, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Panama, Spain, Taiwan Central American Common Market (CACM) established - 13 December 1960, collapsed in 1969, reinstated in 1991 aim - to promote establishment of a Central American Common Market members - (5) Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua; note - Panama, although not a member, pursues full regional cooperation Central American Integration System (SICA) established - 13 December 1991; operational 1 February 1993 aim - to strengthen democracy; to set up a new model of regional security; to promote freedom; to achieve a regional system of welfare and economic and social justice; to attain economic unity and strengthen the area as an economic bloc; to act as a bloc in international matters members - (7) Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama associated member - (1) Dominican Republic observers - (8) Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Spain Central European Initiative (CEI) note - evolved from the Quadrilateral Initiative and the Hexagonal Initiative established - 11 November 1989 as the Quadrilateral Initiative, 27 July 1991 became the Hexagonal Initiative, July 1992 its present name was adopted aim - to form an economic and political cooperation group for the region between the Adriatic and the Baltic Seas members - (18) Albania, Austria, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine centrally planned economies a term applied mainly to the traditionally Communist states that looked to the former USSR for leadership; most are now evolving toward more democratic and market-oriented systems; also known formerly as the Second World or as the Communist countries; through the 1980s, this group included Albania, Bulgaria, Cambodia, China, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, German Democratic Republic, Hungary, North Korea, Laos, Mongolia, Poland, Romania, USSR, Vietnam, Yugoslavia Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) established - 7 October 2002 aim - to coordinate military and political cooperation, to develop multilateral structures and mechanisms of cooperation for ensuring national security of the member states members - (7) Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan Colombo Plan (CP) established - May 1950 proposal was adopted; 1 July 1951 commenced full operations aim - to promote economic and social development in Asia and the Pacific members - (25) Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, NZ, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, US, Vietnam Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) note - formerly known as Preferential Trade Area for Eastern and Southern Africa (PTA) established - 5 November 1993 aim - recognizing, promoting and protecting fundamental human rights, commitment to the principles of liberty and rule of law, maintaining peace and stability through the promotion and strengthening of good neighborliness, commitment to peaceful settlement of disputes among member states members - (19) Burundi, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sudan, Swaziland, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe Commonwealth (C) note - also known as Commonwealth of Nations established - 31 December 1931 aim - to foster multinational cooperation and assistance, as a voluntary association that evolved from the British Empire members - (53) Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brunei, Cameroon, Canada, Cyprus, Dominica, Fiji (suspended), The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, NZ, Nigeria, Pakistan (reinstated 2004), Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, UK, Vanuatu, Zambia; note - on 7 December 2003 Zimbabwe withdrew its membership from the Commonwealth Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) established - 8 December 1991; effective - 21 December 1991 aim - to coordinate intercommonwealth relations and to provide a mechanism for the orderly dissolution of the USSR members - (12) Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan Communist countries traditionally the Marxist-Leninist states with authoritarian governments and command economies based on the Soviet model; most of the original and the successor states are no longer Communist; see centrally planned economies Comuinidade dos Paises de Lingua Portuguesa (CPLP) established - 1996 aim - to establish a forum for friendship among Portuguese-speaking nations where Portuguese is an official language members - (8) Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal, Sao Tome and Principe, Timor-Leste associate observers - (3) Equatorial Guinea, Mauritius, Senegal Coordinating Committee on Export Controls (COCOM) established in 1949 to control the export of strategic products and technical data from member countries to proscribed destinations; members were: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, UK, US; abolished 31 March 1994; COCOM members established a new organization, the Wassenaar Arrangement, with expanded membership on 12 July 1996 that focuses on nonproliferation export controls as opposed to East-West control of advanced technology Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (CEMA) note - also known as CMEA or Comecon established 25 January 1949 to promote the development of socialist economies and abolished 1 January 1991; members included Afghanistan (observer), Albania (had not participated since 1961 break with USSR), Angola (observer), Bulgaria, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Ethiopia (observer), GDR, Hungary, Laos (observer), Mongolia, Mozambique (observer), Nicaragua (observer), Poland, Romania, USSR, Vietnam, Yemen (observer), Yugoslavia (associate) Council of Arab Economic Unity (CAEU) established - 3 June 1957; effective - 30 May 1964 aim - to promote economic integration among Arab nations members - (10 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Mauritania, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, Palestine Liberation Organization Council of Europe (CE) established - 5 May 1949; effective - 3 August 1949 aim - to promote increased unity and quality of life in Europe members - (47) Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, UK observers - (5) Canada, Holy See, Japan, Mexico, US Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) established - 6 March 1992 aim - to promote cooperation among the Baltic Sea states in the areas of aid to new democratic institutions, economic development, humanitarian aid, energy and the environment, cultural programs and education, and transportation and communication members - (12) Denmark, Estonia, EC, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Russia, Sweden observers - (7) France, Italy, Netherlands, Slovakia, Ukraine, UK, US Council of the Entente (Entente) established - 29 May 1959 aim - to promote economic, social, and political coordination members - (5) Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Niger, Togo countries in transition a term used by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the middle group in its hierarchy of advanced economies, countries in transition, and developing countries; IMF statistics include the following 28 countries in transition: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan; note - this group is identical to the group traditionally referred to as the "former USSR/Eastern Europe" except for the addition of Mongolia Customs Cooperation Council (CCC) note - see World Customs Organization (WCO) D developed countries (DCs) the top group in the hierarchy of developed countries (DCs), former USSR/Eastern Europe (former USSR/EE), and less developed countries (LDCs); includes the market-oriented economies of the mainly democratic nations in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Bermuda, Israel, South Africa, and the European ministates; also known as the First World, high-income countries, the North, industrial countries; generally have a per capita GDP in excess of $10,000 although four OECD countries and South Africa have figures well under $10,000 and two of the excluded OPEC countries have figures of more than $10,000; the 34 DCs are: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, Canada, Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holy See, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, US; note - similar to the new International Monetary Fund (IMF) term "advanced economies" that adds Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan but drops Malta, Mexico, South Africa, and Turkey developing countries a term used by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the bottom group in its hierarchy of advanced economies, countries in transition, and developing countries; IMF statistics include the following 126 developing countries: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cyprus, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands Antilles, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, UAE, Uganda, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe; note - this category would presumably also cover the following 46 other countries that are traditionally included in the more comprehensive group of "less developed countries": American Samoa, Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Cayman Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, Cook Islands, Cuba, Eritrea, Falkland Islands, French Guiana, French Polynesia, Gaza Strip, Gibraltar, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey, North Korea, Macau, Martinique, Mayotte, Montserrat, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Norfolk Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Pitcairn Islands, Puerto Rico, Reunion, Saint Helena, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Tokelau, Tonga, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, Virgin Islands, Wallis and Futuna, West Bank, Western Sahara Developing Eight (D-8) established - 15 June 1997 aim - to improve developing countries' positions in the world economy, diversify and create new opportunities in trade relations, enhance participation in decision-making at the international level, provide better standards of living member - (8) Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Turkey E East African Community (EAC) note - originally established in 1967, it was disbanded in 1977 established - January 2001 aim - to establish a political and economic union among the countries members - (5) Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda East African Development Bank (EADB) established - 6 June 1967; effective - 1 December 1967 aim - to promote economic development members - (4) Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda East Asia Summit (EAS) established - 14 December 2005 aim - to promote cooperation in political and security issues; to promote development, financial stability, energy security, economic integration and growth; to eradicate poverty and narrow the development gap in East Asia, and to promote deeper cultural understanding members - (16) Australia, Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, NZ, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC) note - was formerly the Central African Customs and Economic Union (UDEAC) established - 8 December 1964; effective - 1 January 1966 aim - to promote the establishment of a Central African Common Market members - (6) Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) note - an integral part of the European Union; also known as the European Economic and Monetary Union established - 1-2 December 1969 (proposed at summit conference of heads of government; 7 February 1992 (Maastricht Treaty signed) aim - to promote a single market by creating a single currency, the euro; timetable - 2 May 1998: European exchange rates fixed for 1 January 1999; 1 January 1999: all banks and stock exchanges begin using euros; 1 January 2002: the euro goes into circulation; 1 July 2002 local currencies no longer accepted members - (16) Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) established - 26 June 1945; effective - 24 October 1945 aim - to coordinate the economic and social work of the UN; includes five regional commissions (Economic Commission for Africa, Economic Commission for Europe, Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia) and nine functional commissions (Commission for Social Development, Commission on Human Rights, Commission on Narcotic Drugs, Commission on the Status of Women, Commission on Population and Development, Statistical Commission, Commission on Science and Technology for Development, Commission on Sustainable Development, and Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice) members - (54) selected on a rotating basis from all regions Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries (CEPGL) note - acronym from Communaute Economique des Pays des Grands Lacs established - 20 September 1976 aim - to promote regional economic cooperation and integration members - (3) Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda; note - organization collapsed because of fighting in 1998; reactivated in 2006 Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) established - 28 May 1975 aim - to promote regional economic cooperation members - (15) Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cote d'Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) established - 27-29 January 1985 aim - to promote regional cooperation in trade, transportation, communications, tourism, cultural affairs, and economic development members - (10) Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan Eurasian Economic Community (EAEC or EurasEC) note - merged with Central Asian Cooperation Organization (CACO) in 2005 established - May 2001 aim - to create a common economic and energy policy members - (6) Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan observers - (3) Armenia, Moldova, Ukraine Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) note - began as the North Atlantic Cooperation Council (NACC); an extension of NATO established - 8 November 1991; effective - 20 December 1991 aim - to discuss cooperation on mutual political and security issues members - (50) Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, UK, US, Uzbekistan European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) established - 8-9 January 1990 (proposals made); 15 April 1991 (bank inaugurated) aim - to facilitate the transition of seven centrally planned economies in Europe (Bulgaria, former Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, former USSR, and former Yugoslavia) to market economies by committing 60% of its loans to privatization members - (63) Albania, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, EC, European Investment Bank (EIB), Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, UK, US, Uzbekistan European Community (or European Communities, EC) established 8 April 1965 to integrate the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom), the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), the European Economic Community (EEC or Common Market), and to establish a completely integrated common market and an eventual federation of Europe; merged into the European Union (EU) on 7 February 1992; member states at the time of merger were Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, UK European Free Trade Association (EFTA) established - 4 January 1960; effective - 3 May 1960 aim - to promote expansion of free trade members - (4) Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland European Investment Bank (EIB) established - 25 March 1957; effective - 1 January 1958 aim - to promote economic development of the EU and its predecessors, the EEC and the EC members - (27) Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, UK European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) note - acronym retained from the predecessor organization Conseil Europeenne pour la Recherche Nucleaire established - 1 July 1953; effective - 29 September 1954 aim - to foster nuclear research for peaceful purposes only members - (20) Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK observers - (8) EC, India, Israel, Japan, Russia, Turkey, United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), US European Space Agency (ESA) established - 31 May 1975 aim - to promote peaceful cooperation in space research and technology members - (17) Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK cooperating states - (5) Canada, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania European Union (EU) note - see European Union entry at the end of the "country" listings F First World another term for countries with advanced, industrialized economies; this term is fading from use; see developed countries (DCs) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) established - 16 October 1945 aim - to raise living standards and increase availability of agricultural products; a UN specialized agency members - (192) includes all UN member countries except Brunei, Liechtenstein, and Singapore (189 total); plus Cook Islands, EC, Faroe Islands, and Niue former Soviet Union (FSU) former term often used to identify as a group the successor nations to the Soviet Union or USSR; this group of 15 countries consists of: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan former USSR/Eastern Europe (former USSR/EE) the middle group in the hierarchy of developed countries (DCs), former USSR/Eastern Europe (former USSR/EE), and less developed countries (LDCs); these countries are in political and economic transition and may well be grouped differently in the near future; this group of 27 countries consists of: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Yugoslavia; this group is identical to the IMF group "countries in transition" except for the IMF's inclusion of Mongolia Four Dragons the four small Asian less developed countries (LDCs) that have experienced unusually rapid economic growth; also known as the Four Tigers; this group consists of Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan; these countries are included in the IMF's "advanced economies" group Franc Zone (FZ) note - also known as Conference des Ministres des Finances des Pays de la Zone Franc established - 1964 aim - to form a monetary union among countries whose currencies were linked to the French franc members - (16) Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, France, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Togo Front Line States (FLS) established to achieve black majority rule in South Africa; has since gone out of existence; members included Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe G G-20 established - created 1999; inaugerated 15-16 December 1999 aim - to promote open and constructive discussion between industrial and emerging-market countries on any issues related to global economic stability; helps to support growth and development across the globe members - (19) Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, UK, US General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) see the World Trade Organization (WTO) General Confederation of Trade Unions (GCTU) established - 16 April 1992 aim - to consolidate trade union actions to protect citizens' social and labor rights and interests, to help secure trade unions' rights and guarantees, and to strengthen international trade union solidarity members - (11) Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan Group of 10 (G-10) note - also known as the Paris Club; includes the wealthiest members of the IMF who provide most of the money to be loaned and act as the informal steering committee; name persists despite increased membership established - October 1962 aim - to coordinate credit policy members - (11) Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US observers - (4) BIS, EU, IMF, OECD Group of 11 (G-11) note - also known as the Cartagena Group established in 21-22 June 1984, in Cartagena, Colombia, aim was to provide a forum for largest debtor nations in Latin America; members were: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela Group of 15 (G-15) note - byproduct of the Nonaligned Movement; name persists despite increased membership established - September 1989 aim - to promote economic cooperation among developing nations; to act as the main political organ for the Nonaligned Movement members - (18) Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Venezuela, Zimbabwe Group of 2 (G-2) informal term that came into use about 1986; to facilitate bilateral economic cooperation between the two most powerful economic giants; members were Japan, US Group of 20 (G-20) established - created 1999; inaugurated 15-16 December 1999 aim - to promote open and constructive discussion between industrial and emerging-market countries on any issues related to global economic stability; helps to support growth and development across the globe members - (19) Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, UK, US Group of 24 (G-24) established - 1 August 1989 aim - to promote the interests of developing countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America within the IMF members - (24) Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Iran, Lebanon, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Syria, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela observers - (1) China Group of 3 (G-3) established - September 1990 aim - mechanism for policy coordination members - (2) Colombia, Mexico; note - Panama shows interest in joining Group of 5 (G-5) established - 22 September 1985 aim - to coordinate the economic policies of five major noncommunist economic powers members - (5) France, Germany, Japan, UK, US Group of 6 (G-6) also known as Groupe des Six Sur le Desarmement (not to be confused with the Big Six) was established in 22 May 1984 with the aim of achieving nuclear disarmament; its members were Argentina, Greece, India, Mexico, Sweden, Tanzania Group of 7 (G-7) note - membership is the same as the Big Seven established - 22 September 1985 aim - to facilitate economic cooperation among the seven major noncommunist economic powers members - (7) Group of 5 (France, Germany, Japan, UK, US) plus Canada and Italy Group of 77 (G-77) established - 15 June1964; October 1967 first ministerial meeting aim - to promote economic cooperation among developing countries; name persists in spite of increased membership members - (129 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, North Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Federated States of Micronesia, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, UAE, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Palestine Liberation Organization Group of 8 (G-8) established - October 1975 aim - to facilitate economic cooperation among the developed countries (DCs) that participated in the Conference on International Economic Cooperation (CIEC), held in several sessions between December 1975 and 3 June 1977 members - (8) Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, UK, US Group of 9 (G-9) established - NA aim - to discuss matters of mutual interest on an informal basis members - (9) Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Sweden Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) note - also known as the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf established - 25 May 1981 aim - to promote regional cooperation in economic, social, political, and military affairs members - (6) Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE H high income countries another term for the industrialized countries with high per capita GDPs; see developed countries (DCs) I Indian Ocean Commission (InOC) established - 21 December 1982 aim - to organize and promote regional cooperation in all sectors, especially economic members - (5) Comoros, France (for Reunion and Mayotte), Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles industrial countries another term for the developed countries; see developed countries (DCs) Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) note - also known as Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo (BID) established - 8 April 1959; effective - 30 December 1959 aim - to promote economic and social development in Latin America members - (47) Argentina, Austria, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Finland, France, Germany, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) note - formerly known as Inter-Governmental Authority on Drought and Development (IGADD) established - 15-16 January 1986 as the Inter- Governmental Authority on Drought and Development; revitalized - 21 March 1996 as the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development aim - to promote a social, economic, and scientific community among its members members - (6) Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Uganda; note - Eritrea declared its suspension in 2007 Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) established - 1889 aim - fosters contacts among parliamentarians, considers and expresses views of international interest and concern with the purpose of bringing about action by parliaments and parliamentarians, contributes to the defense and promotion of human rights, contributes to better knowledge of representative institutions members - (154 and the Palestine Liberation Organization) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Somalia, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Palestine Liberation Organization associate members - (8) Andean Parliament, Central American Parliament, East African Legislative Assembly, European Parliament, Inter-Parliamentary Committee of the West African Economic and Monetary Union, Latin American Parliament, Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States, Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) established - 26 October 1956; effective - 29 July 1957 aim - to promote peaceful uses of atomic energy members - (145) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Holy See, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe; note - membership pending for Bahrain, Burundi, Cape Verde, Republic of the Congo, Lesotho, Oman, Nepal until the necessary legal instruments are deposited with the IAEA International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) note - also known as the World Bank established - 22 July 1944; effective - 27 December 1945 aim - to provide economic development loans; a UN specialized agency members - (185) includes all UN member countries except Andorra, Cuba, North Korea, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Nauru, and Tuvalu International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) established - 1919 aim - to promote free trade and private enterprise and to represent business interests at national and international levels members - (91 national committees) Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Caribbean, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Kuwait, Lebanon, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela; note - Peru is restructuring International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) established - 7 December 1944; effective - 4 April 1947 aim - to promote international cooperation in civil aviation; a UN specialized agency members - (190) includes all UN member countries except Dominica, Liechtenstein, and Tuvalu (189 total); plus Cook Islands International Civilian Support Mission in Haiti (MICAH) established 17 December 1999 to promote respect for human rights; members included Argentina, Benin, Canada, France, India, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Togo, Tunisia, US; closed 2001 International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) established - 17 February 1863 aim - to provide humanitarian aid in wartime members - (15-25 individuals) all Swiss nationals International Court of Justice (ICJ) note - also known as the World Court established - 3 February 1946 superseded Permanent Court of International Justice aim - primary judicial organ of the UN members - (15 judges) elected by the UN General Assembly and Security Council to represent all principal legal systems International Criminal Court (ICCt) established - 11 April 2002 aim - to hold all individuals and countries accountable to international laws of conduct; to specify international standards of conduct; to provide an important mechanism for implementing these standards; to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice members (countries that have ratified the treaty) - (108) Afghanistan, Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Comoros, Cook Islands, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, South Korea, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Montenegro, Namibia, Nauru, Netherlands, NZ, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Samoa, San Marino, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, UK, Uruguay, Venezuela, Zambia International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) established - September 1923 set up as the International Criminal Police Commission; 13 June 1956 constitution modified and present name adopted aim - to promote international cooperation among police authorities in fighting crime members - (187) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Holy See, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe subbureaus - (11) American Samoa, Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Macau, Montserrat, Puerto Rico, Turks and Caicos Islands International Development Association (IDA) established - 26 January 1960; effective - 24 September 1960 aim - to provide economic loans for low-income countries; UN specialized agency and IBRD affiliate members - (168) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, EU, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe International Energy Agency (IEA) established - 15 November 1974 aim - to promote cooperation on energy matters, especially emergency oil sharing and relations between oil consumers and oil producers; established by the OECD members - (28) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Luxembourg, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, US International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRCS) note - formerly known as League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (LORCS) established - 5 May 1919 aim - to organize, coordinate, and direct international relief actions; to promote humanitarian activities; to represent and encourage the development of National Societies; to bring help to victims of armed conflicts, refugees, and displaced people; to reduce the vulnerability of people through development programs members - (185 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Palestine Liberation Organization observers - (2) Eritrea and Tuvalu International Finance Corporation (IFC) established - 25 May 1955; effective - 24 July 1956 aim - to support private enterprise in international economic development; a UN specialized agency and IBRD affiliate members - (181) includes all UN member countries except Andorra, Brunei, Cuba, North Korea, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Nauru, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Suriname, Tuvalu International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) established - November 1974 aim - to promote agricultural development; a UN specialized agency members - (165) List A - (23 industrialized aid contributors) Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US List B - (12 petroleum-exporting aid contributors) Algeria, Gabon, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Venezuela List C - (130 aid recipients) Afghanistan, Albania, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, The Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Israel, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Niue, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Serbia (suspended since 1992), Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Uruguay, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) note - name changed from International Hydrographic Bureau on 22 September 1970 established - June 1919; effective - June 1921 aim - to train hydrographic surveyors and nautical cartographers to achieve standardization in nautical charts and electronic chart displays; to provide advice on nautical cartography and hydrography; to develop the sciences in the field of hydrography and techniques used for descriptive oceanography members - (80) Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Burma, Canada, Chile, China (including Hong Kong and Macau), Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo (suspended), Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominican Republic (suspended), Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Latvia, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Mozambique, Netherlands, NZ, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname (suspended), Sweden, Syria, Thailand, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela International Labor Organization (ILO) established - 28 June 1919 set up as part of Treaty of Versailles; 11 April 1919 became operative; 14 December 1946 affiliated with the UN aim - to deal with world labor issues; a UN specialized agency members - (181) includes all UN member countries except Andorra, Bhutan, North Korea, Liechtenstein, Maldives, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Nauru, Palau, Tonga, and Tuvalu; note - includes the following dependencies: Netherlands (Netherlands Antilles and Aruba) International Maritime Organization (IMO) note - name changed from Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO) on 22 May 1982 established - 6 March 1948 set up as the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization; effective - 17 March 1958 aim - to deal with international maritime affairs; a UN specialized agency members - (167) includes all UN member countries except Afghanistan, Andorra, Armenia, Belarus, Bhutan, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Mali, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Niger, Palau, Rwanda, Tajikistan, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Zambia associate members - (3) Faroe Islands, Hong Kong, Macau International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO) established - 15 April 1999 aim - acts as watchdog over Inmarsat (International Maritime Satellite Organization), a private company, to make sure it follows ICAO standards and recommended practices; plays an active role in the development of international telecommunications policies members - (92) Algeria, Argentina, Australia, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, South Korea, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Malaysia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Netherlands, NZ, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Venezuela, Vietnam International Monetary Fund (IMF) established - 22 July 1944; effective - 27 December 1945 aim - to promote world monetary stability and economic development; a UN specialized agency members - (185) includes all UN member countries except Andorra, Cuba, North Korea, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Nauru, Tuvalu; note - includes the following dependencies or areas of special interest: China (Hong Kong and Macau), Netherlands (Netherlands Antilles and Aruba) International Olympic Committee (IOC) established - 23 June 1894 aim - to promote the Olympic ideals and administer the Olympic games: 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada; 2012 Summer Olympics in London, UK; 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia National Olympic Committees - (204 and the Palestine Liberation Organization) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cook 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, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guam, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Palestine Liberation Organization International Organization for Migration (IOM) note - established as Provisional Intergovernmental Committee for the Movement of Migrants from Europe; renamed Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration (ICEM) on 15 November 1952; renamed Intergovernmental Committee for Migration (ICM) in November 1980; current name adopted 14 November 1989 established - 5 December 1951 aim - to facilitate orderly international emigration and immigration members - (122) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, India, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liberia, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Rwanda, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe observers - (16) Bahrain, Bhutan, China, Cuba, Ethiopia, Guyana, Holy See, Indonesia, Macedonia, Mozambique, Namibia, Papua New Guinea, Russia, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Turkmenistan International Organization for Standardization (ISO) established - February 1947 aim - to promote the development of international standards with a view to facilitating international exchange of goods and services and to developing cooperation in the sphere of intellectual, scientific, technological and economic activity members - (105 national standards organizations) Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Netherlands, NZ, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saint Lucia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zimbabwe correspondent members - (41 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Afghanistan, Albania, Angola, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Burma, Cameroon, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Gabon, Georgia, Guatemala, Guinea, Hong Kong, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Macau, Madagascar, Malawi, Moldova, Montenegro, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, Swaziland, Tajikistan, Togo, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia, Palestine Liberation Organization subscriber members - (10) Antigua and Barbuda, Burundi, Cambodia, Dominica, Guyana, Honduras, Laos, Lesotho, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname International Organization of the French-speaking World (OIF) note - name changed from Agency of Cultural and Technical Cooperation (ACCT) in 1997; also known as Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie established - 20 March 1970 aim - founded around a common language to promote and spread the cultures of its members and to reinforce cultural and technical cooperation between them members - (53) Albania, Andorra, Belgium, Benin, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Canada - New Brunswick, Canada - Quebec, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Dominica, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, France, French Community of Belgium, Gabon, Greece, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Laos, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Moldova, Monaco, Morocco, Niger, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Switzerland, Togo, Tunisia, Vanuatu, Vietnam associates - (3) Armenia, Cyprus, Ghana observers - (14) Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Georgia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Mozambique, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Thailand, Ukraine International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (ICRM) established - 1928 aim - to promote worldwide humanitarian aid through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in wartime, and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRCS; formerly League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies or LORCS) in peacetime National Societies - (185 countries and the Palestine Liberation Organization); note - same as membership for International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRCS) International Telecommunication Union (ITU) established - 17 May 1865 set up as the International Telegraph Union; 9 December 1932 adopted present name; effective - 1 January 1934; affiliated with the UN - 15 November 1947 aim - to deal with world telecommunications issues; a UN specialized agency members - (191) includes all UN member countries except Palau, Timor-Leste (190 total); plus Holy See International Telecommunications Satellites Organization (ITSO) established - August 1964 aim - to act as a watchdog over Intelsat, Ltd., a private company, to make sure it provides on a global and non- discriminatory basis public telecommunication services members - (148) Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Holy See, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, the Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) note - its predecessors were the Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) and the World Confederation of Labor (WCL) established - 3 November 2006 aim - to promote the trade union movement members - (311 affiliated organizations in the following 154 countries and the Palestine Liberation Organization as of December 2007) Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bonaire, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Comoros, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Curacao, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, French Polynesia, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Holy See, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, South Korea, Kosovo, Kuwait, Latvia, Liberia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Netherlands, New Caledonia, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, UK, US, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and the Palestine Liberation Organization Islamic Development Bank (IDB) established - 15 December 1973 by declaration of intent; effective - 12 August 1974 aim - to promote Islamic economic aid and social development members - (55 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Comoros, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Gabon, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Tajikistan, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, UAE, Uzbekistan, Yemen, Palestine Liberation Organization L Latin American Economic System (LAES) note - also known as Sistema Economico Latinoamericana (SELA) established - 17 October 1975 aim - to promote economic and social development through regional cooperation members - (27) Argentina, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Secretaria General Iberoamericana (SEGIB), Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela Latin American Integration Association (LAIA) note - also known as Asociacion Latinoamericana de Integracion (ALADI) established - 12 August 1980; effective - 18 March 1981 aim - to promote freer regional trade members - (12) Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela observers - (26) China, Corporacion Andina de Fomento, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, EC, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Inter-American Development Bank, Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Latin America Economic System, Nicaragua, Organization of American States, Panama, Pan-American Health Organization, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Nations Development Program, United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean League of Arab States (LAS) note - also known as Arab League (AL) established - 22 March 1945 aim - aim - to promote economic, social, political, and military cooperation members - (21 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, UAE, Yemen, Palestine Liberation Organization observers - (3) Eritrea, India, Venezuela least developed countries (LLDCs) that subgroup of the less developed countries (LDCs) initially identified by the UN General Assembly in 1971 as having no significant economic growth, per capita GDPs normally less than $1,000, and low literacy rates; also known as the undeveloped countries; the 42 LLDCs are: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Kiribati, Laos, Lesotho, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Yemen less developed countries (LDCs) the bottom group in the hierarchy of developed countries (DCs), former USSR/Eastern Europe (former USSR/EE), and less developed countries (LDCs); mainly countries and dependent areas with low levels of output, living standards, and technology; per capita GDPs are generally below $5,000 and often less than $1,500; however, the group also includes a number of countries with high per capita incomes, areas of advanced technology, and rapid rates of growth; includes the advanced developing countries, developing countries, Four Dragons (Four Tigers), least developed countries (LLDCs), low-income countries, middle-income countries, newly industrializing economies (NIEs), the South, Third World, underdeveloped countries, undeveloped countries; the 172 LDCs are: Afghanistan, Algeria, American Samoa, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Falkland Islands, Fiji, French Guiana, French Polynesia, Gabon, The Gambia, Gaza Strip, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guatemala, Guernsey, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Isle of Man, Jamaica, Jersey, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Macau, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Martinique, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mayotte, Federated States of Micronesia, Mongolia, Montserrat, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands Antilles, New Caledonia, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Norfolk Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Oman, Palau, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Pitcairn Islands, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Reunion, Rwanda, Saint Helena, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tokelau, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, UAE, Uganda, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, Wallis and Futuna, West Bank, Western Sahara, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe; note - similar to the new International Monetary Fund (IMF) term "developing countries" which adds Malta, Mexico, South Africa, and Turkey but omits in its recently published statistics American Samoa, Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Cayman Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, Cook Islands, Cuba, Eritrea, Falkland Islands, French Guiana, French Polynesia, Gaza Strip, Gibraltar, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey, North Korea, Macau, Martinique, Mayotte, Montserrat, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Norfolk Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Pitcairn Islands, Puerto Rico, Reunion, Saint Helena, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Tokelau, Tonga, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, Virgin Islands, Wallis and Futuna, West Bank, Western Sahara low-income countries another term for those less developed countries with below-average per capita GDPs; see less developed countries (LDCs) M middle-income countries another term for those less developed countries with above-average per capita GDPs; see less developed countries (LDCs) Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) established - 12 April 1988 aim - encourages flow of foreign direct investment among member countries by offering investment insurance, consultation, and negotiation on conditions for foreign investment and technical assistance; a UN specialized agency members - (173) includes all UN member countries except Andorra, Bhutan, Brunei, Burma, Comoros, Cuba, Kiribati, North Korea, Liechtenstein, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Nauru, NZ, Niger, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Somalia, Tonga, Tuvalu N Near Abroad Russian term for the 14 non-Russian successor states of the USSR, in which 25 million ethnic Russians live and in which Moscow has expressed a strong national security interest; the 14 countries are Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan new independent states (NIS) a term referring to all the countries of the FSU except the Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) newly industrializing countries (NICs) former term for the newly industrializing economies; see newly industrializing economies (NIEs) newly industrializing economies (NIEs) that subgroup of the less developed countries (LDCs) that has experienced particularly rapid industrialization of their economies; formerly known as the newly industrializing countries (NICs); also known as advanced developing countries; usually includes the Four Dragons (Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan), and Brazil Nonaligned Movement (NAM) established - 1-6 September 1961 aim - to establish political and military cooperation apart from the traditional East or West blocs members - (117 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, North Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, UAE, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Palestine Liberation Organization observers - (15) Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Paraguay, Serbia, Ukraine, Uruguay guests - (24) Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Greece, Holy See, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland Nordic Council (NC) established - 16 March 1952; effective - 12 February 1953 aim - to promote regional economic, cultural, and environmental cooperation members - (5) Denmark (including Faroe Islands and Greenland), Finland (including Aland Islands), Iceland, Norway, Sweden observers - (3) the Sami (Lapp) local parliaments of Finland, Norway, and Sweden Nordic Investment Bank (NIB) established - 4 December 1975; effective - 1 June 1976 aim - to promote economic cooperation and development members - (8) Denmark (including Faroe Islands and Greenland), Estonia, Finland (including Aland Islands), Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden North a popular term for the rich industrialized countries generally located in the northern portion of the Northern Hemisphere; the counterpart of the South; see developed countries (DCs) North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) established - 17 December 1992 aim - to eliminate trade barriers, promote fair competition, increase investment opportunities, provide protection of intellectual property rights, and create procedures to settle disputes members - (3) Canada, Mexico, US North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) established - 4 April 1949 aim - to promote mutual defense and cooperation members - (28) Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, UK, US Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) note - also known as OECD Nuclear Energy Agency established - 1 February 1958 aim - to promote the peaceful uses of nuclear energy; associated with OECD members - (28) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, US Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) note - also known as the London Suppliers Group or the London Group established - 1974; effective - 1975 aim - to establish guidelines for exports of nuclear materials, processing equipment for uranium enrichment, and technical information to countries of proliferation concern and regions of conflict and instability members - (45) Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, UK, US observer - (1) European Commission (a policy-planning body for the EU) O Organization for Democracy and Economic Development (GUAM) note-acronym standing for the member countries, Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Moldova; formerly known as GUUAM before Uzbekistan withdrew in 5 May 2005 established - 7 June 2001 aim - commits the countries to cooperation and assistance in social and economic development, the strengthening and broadening of trade and economic relations, and the development and effective use of transport and communications, highways, and related infrastructure crossing the boundaries of the member states members - (4) Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) established - 14 December 1960; effective - 30 September 1961 aim - to promote economic cooperation and development members - (30) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, US special member - (1) EC accession states - (5) Chile, Estonia, Israel, Russia, Slovenia Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) note - formerly the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) established 3 July 1975 established - 1 January 1995 aim - to foster the implementation of human rights, fundamental freedoms, democracy, and the rule of law; to act as an instrument of early warning, conflict prevention, and crisis management; and to serve as a framework for conventional arms control and confidence building measures members - (56) Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Holy See, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, UK, US, Uzbekistan partners for cooperation - (11) Afghanistan, Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Mongolia, Morocco, Thailand, Tunisia Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) established - 29 April 1997 aim - to enforce the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling, and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction; to provide a forum for consultation and cooperation among the signatories of the Convention members (countries that have ratified the Convention) - (184) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Djibouti, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Holy See, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe signatory states (countries that have signed, but not ratified, the Convention) - (5) The Bahamas, Burma, Dominican Republic, Guinea-Bissau, Israel Organization of African Unity (OAU) see African Union Organization of American States (OAS) established - 14 April 1890 as the International Union of American Republics; 30 April 1948 adopted present charter; effective - 13 December 1951 aim - to promote regional peace and security as well as economic and social development members - (35) Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba (excluded from formal participation since 1962), Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, US, Uruguay, Venezuela observers - (63) Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, EU, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Holy See, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Latvia, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Morocco, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, UK, Vanuatu, Yemen Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) established - 9 January 1968 aim - to promote cooperation in the petroleum industry members - (11) Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia (suspended), UAE Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) established - 18 June 1981; effective - 4 July 1981 aim - to promote political, economic, and defense cooperation members - (9) Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) established - 14 September 1960 aim - to coordinate petroleum policies members - (13) Algeria, Angola, Ecuador, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Venezuela Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) established - 22-25 September 1969 aim - to promote Islamic solidarity in economic, social, cultural, and political affairs members - (56 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Comoros, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Gabon, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Tajikistan, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, UAE, Uzbekistan, Yemen, Palestine Liberation Organization observers - (14) AU, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Central African Republic, ECO, Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation, LAS, Moro National Liberation Front, NAM, OAU, Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States, Russia, Thailand, Turkish Muslim Community of Kibris, UN P Pacific Community (SPC) local name of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) note - formerly known as South Pacific Forum (SPF) established - 5 August 1971 aim - to promote regional cooperation in political matters members - (16) Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, NZ, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu associate members - (2) French Polynesia, New Caledonia partners - (13) Canada, China, EU, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, UK, US observers - (5) Asia Development Bank, The Commonwealth, Timor-Leste, Tokelau, Wallis and Futuna Paris Club established - 1956 aim - to provide a forum for debtor countries to negotiate rescheduling of debt service payments or loans extended by governments or official agencies of participating countries; to help restore normal trade and project finance to debtor countries members - (19) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US Partnership for Peace (PFP) established - 10-11 January 1994 aim - to expand and intensify political and military cooperation throughout Europe, increase stability, diminish threats to peace, and build relationships by promoting the spirit of practical cooperation and commitment to democratic principles that underpin NATO; program under the auspices of NATO members - (22) Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Finland, Georgia, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan; note - a nation that becomes a member of NATO is no longer a member of PFP Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) established - 29 July 1899 aim - to facilitate the settlement of international disputes members - (108) Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Togo, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe R Rio Group (RG) note - formerly known as Grupo de los Ocho, established NA December 1986; composed of the Contadora Group and the Lima Group established - 1988 aim - to consult on regional Latin American issues members - (21) Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, CARICOM, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela S Schengen Convention established - signed June 1990; effective March 1995 aim - to allow free movement within an area without internal border controls members - (25) Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland; note - UK and Ireland have not joined; Liechtenstein and Cyprus will probably join in 2009; Bulgaria and Romania are still not fully implemented Second World another term for the traditionally Marxist-Leninist states of the USSR and Eastern Europe, with authoritarian governments and command economies based on the Soviet model; the term is fading from use; see centrally planned economies Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) established - 6 February 1947; effective 29 July 1948 aim - to serve island development in 22 Pacific countries; to develop technical assistance and professional, scientific, and research support; to build planning and management capability members - (26) America Samoa, Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, France, French Polynesia, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Northern Mariana Islands, NZ, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, US, Wallis and Futuna Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) established - 15 June 2001 aim - to combat terrorism, extremism, and separatism; to safeguard regional security through mutual trust, disarmament, and cooperative security; and to increase cooperation in political, trade, economic, scientific and technological, cultural, and educational fields members - (6) China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan observers - (4) India, Iran, Mongolia, Pakistan guests - (6) Afghanistan, ASEAN, CIS, EurAsEC, Turkmenistan, UN socialist countries in general, countries in which the government owns and plans the use of the major factors of production; note - the term is sometimes used incorrectly as a synonym for Communist countries South a popular term for the poorer, less industrialized countries generally located south of the developed countries; the counterpart of the North; see less developed countries (LDCs) South American Community of Nations (CSN) established - 9 December 2004 aim - to coordinate common policies regarding multilateral organizations, to integrate physical infrastructure, and to consolidate the merger of CAN and Mercosur members - (12) Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Surinam, Uruguay, Venezuela observers - (2) Mexico, Panama South Asia Co-operative Environment Program (SACEP) established - January 1983 aim - to promote regional cooperation in South Asia in the field of environment, both natural and human, and on issues of economic and social development; to support conservation and management of natural resources of the region members - (8) Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) established - 8 December 1985 aim - to promote economic, social, and cultural cooperation members - (8) Afghanistan. Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka observers - (9) Australia, Burma, China, EU, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Mauritius, US South Pacific Forum (SPF) note - see Pacific Island Forum South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement (Sparteca) established - 1981 aim - to redress unequal trade relationships of Australia and New Zealand with small island economies in the Pacific region members - (16) Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, NZ, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu Southeast European Cooperative Initiative (SECI) established - 6 December 1996 aim - to encourage cooperation among participating states and to facilitate their integration into European structures members - (13) Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Turkey observers - (18) Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Canada, France, Georgia, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Ukraine, UK, US Southern African Customs Union (SACU) established - 11 December 1969 aim - to promote free trade and cooperation in customs matters members - (5) Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland Southern African Development Community (SADC) note - evolved from the Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC) established - 17 August 1992 aim - to promote regional economic development and integration members - (14) Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe Southern Cone Common Market (Mercosur) or Southern Common Market note - also known as Mercado Comun del Cono Sur (Mercosur) established - 26 March 1991 aim - to increase regional economic cooperation members - (4) Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay associate members - (5) Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela T Third World another term for the less developed countries; the term is obsolescent; see less developed countries (LDCs) U underdeveloped countries refers to those less developed countries with the potential for above- average economic growth; see less developed countries (LDCs) undeveloped countries refers to those extremely poor less developed countries (LDCs) with little prospect for economic growth; see least developed countries (LLDCs) Union Latina established - 15 May 1954; became functional 1983 aim - to project, protect, and promote the common heritage and unifying identities of the Latin, and Latin-influenced, world members - (37) Andorra, Angola, Bolivia, Brazil, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, Cote d'Ivoire, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Honduras, Italy, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Spain, Timor-Leste, Uruguay, Venezuela observers - (3) Argentina, Holy See, Order of Malta Union of South American Nations (UNASUR - Spanish; UNASUL - Portuguese) formerly South American Community of Nations which terminated on 16 April 2007 established - 23 May 2008 aim - to model a community after the European Union which will include a common currency, parliament, passport, and defense policy members - (12) Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela observers - (2) Mexico, Panama United Nations (UN) established - 26 June 1945; effective - 24 October 1945 aim - to maintain international peace and security and to promote cooperation involving economic, social, cultural, and humanitarian problems constituent organizations - the UN is composed of six principal organs and numerous subordinate agencies and bodies as follows: 1) Secretariat 2) General Assembly: Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UN-AIDS), International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW), Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Preparation Committee for the Nuclear-Test- Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), United Nations Center for Human Settlements (UN-Habitat), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF), United Nations Development Program (UNDP), United Nations Drug Control Program (UNDCP), United Nations Environment Program (UNEP),United Nations Fund for International Partnerships (UNFIP), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Office of Project Services (UNOPS), United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD), United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC), United Nations University (UNU), World Food Program (WFP) 3) Security Council: International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY), International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), United Nations Compensation Commission, United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), African Union/United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT), United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP), United Nations Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI), United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT), United Nations Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS), United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG), United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), United Nations Peace-Keeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), and United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) 4) Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC): Commission for Social Development, Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, Commission on Narcotics Drugs, Commission on Population and Development, Commission on Science and Technology for Development, Commission on Sustainable Development, Commission on the Status of Women, Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Economic Commission for Europe (ECE), Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), International Center for Secretariat of Investment Disputes (ICSID), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), International Development Association (IDA), International Finance Corporation (IFC), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), International Labor Organization (ILO), International Maritime Organization (IMO), International Monetary Fund (IMF), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Multilateral Investment Geographic Agency (MIGA), Statistical Commission, United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations Forum on Forests, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Universal Postal Union (UPU), World Health Organization (WHO), World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), World Meteorological Organization (WMO), World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), and World Trade Organization (WTO) 5) Trusteeship Council (inactive; no trusteeships at this time) 6) International Court of Justice (ICJ) United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) note - acronym retained from the predecessor organization, UN International Children's Emergency Fund established - 11 December 1946 aim - to help establish child health and welfare services members - (36) selected on a rotating basis from all regions United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) established - 30 December 1964 aim - to promote international trade members - (193) all UN members plus Holy See United Nations Development Program (UNDP) established - 22 November 1965 aim - to provide technical assistance to stimulate economic and social development members (executive board) - (36) selected on a rotating basis from all regions United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) established - 31 May 1974 aim - to observe the 1973 Arab-Israeli cease-fire; established by the UN Security Council members - (6) Austria, Canada, Croatia, India, Japan, Poland United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) established - 16 November 1945; effective - 4 November 1946 aim - to promote cooperation in education, science, and culture members - (193) includes all UN member countries except Liechtenstein (191 total); plus Cook Islands and Niue associate members - (6) Aruba, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Macau, Netherlands Antilles, Tokelau United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) established - 15 December 1972 aim - to promote international cooperation on all environmental matters members - (58) selected on a rotating basis from all regions United Nations General Assembly established - 26 June 1945; effective - 24 October 1945 aim - to function as the primary deliberative organ of the UN members - (192) all UN members are represented in the General Assembly United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) established - 3 December 1949; effective - 1 January 1951 aim - to ensure the humanitarian treatment of refugees and find permanent solutions to refugee problems members (executive committee) - (76) Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Benin, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cyprus, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Holy See, Hungary, India, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, South Korea, Lebanon, Lesotho, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Mexico, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, UK, US, Venezuela, Yemen, Zambia United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) established - 17 November 1966; effective - 1 January 1967 aim - UN specialized agency that promotes industrial development especially among the members members - (172) includes all UN member countries except Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Brunei, Canada, Estonia, Iceland, Kiribati, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Samoa, San Marino, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, US United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) established - 11 December 1963 adoption of the resolution establishing the Institute; effective - 24 March 1965 aim - to help the UN become more effective through training and research members (Board of Trustees) - (21) Algeria, Brazil, Burkina Faso, China, Republic of the Congo, Cuba, Estonia, France (2), Ghana, India, Iran, Japan, Kuwait, Norway, Russia, South Africa, Switzerland (2), Thailand, US; note - the UN Secretary General can appoint up to 30 members United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) established - 25 August 2006 aim - to support the Government, to support the electoral process, to ensure the restoration and maintenance of public security members - (14) Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Fiji, India, Malaysia, Nepal, NZ, Pakistan, Philippines, Portugal, Sierra Leone, Singapore United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) established - 10 June 1999 aim - to promote the establishment of substantial autonomy and self-government in Kosovo; to perform basic civilian administrative functions; to support the reconstruction of key infrastructure and humanitarian and disaster relief note - gives civilian support only; works closely with NATO Kosovo Force (KFOR) United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) established - 19 March 1978 aim - to confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and assist in reestablishing Lebanese authority in southern Lebanon; established by the UN Security Council members - (28) Belgium, China, Croatia, Cyprus, El Salvador, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, South Korea, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malaysia, Nepal, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Slovenia, Spain, Tanzania, Turkey United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) established - 24 January 1949 aim - to observe the 1949 India-Pakistan cease-fire; established by the UN Security Council members - (8) Chile, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, Italy, South Korea, Sweden, Uruguay United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) established - 29 April 1991 aim - to supervise the cease-fire and conduct a referendum in Western Sahara; established by the UN Security Council members - (28) Argentina, Austria, Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Croatia, Djibouti, Egypt, El Salvador, France, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Honduras, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Paraguay, Poland, Russia, Sri Lanka, Uruguay, Yemen United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) established 31 July 2000; aim was to monitor the cessation of hostilities; mandate ended July 2008; members were Algeria, Austria, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, India, Iran, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Romania, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Tanzania, Tunisia, Ukraine, US, Uruguay, Zambia United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) established - 19 September 2003 aim - to support the cease-fire agreement and peace process, protect UN facilities and people, support humanitarian activities, and assist in national security reform members - (45) Bangladesh, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Ghana, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Mali, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Russia, Senegal, Serbia, Togo, Ukraine, UK, US, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) established on 22 October 1999; aim was to cooperate with the Government of Sierra Leone and the other parties to the Peace Agreement in the implementation of the agreement; to monitor the military and security situation in Sierra Leone; to monitor the disarmament and demobilization of combatants and members of the Civil Defense Forces (CFD); to assist in monitoring respect for international humanitarian law; mandate ended 31 December 2005; members were Bangladesh, Bolivia, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Egypt, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Guinea, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Tanzania, Thailand, Ukraine, UK, Uruguay, Zambia United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT) established - 25 September 2007 aim - to create the security and conditions which will to contribute to the protection of refugees, displaced persons, and citizens in danger, to facilitate the provision of humanitarian assistance in eastern Chad and the northeastern Central African Republic, to create favorable conditions for the reconstruction and economic and social development of these areas members - (22) Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Egypt, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Mali, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Rwanda, Senegal, Spain, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia United Nations Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS) established - March 2005 aim - to support implementation of the comprehensive Peace Agreement by Monitoring and verifying the implementation of the Cease Fire Agreement, by observing and monitoring movements of armed groups, and by helping disarm, demobilizing and reintegrating armed bands members - (61) Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Canada, China, Croatia, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Fiji, Finland, Gabon, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Moldova, Mongolia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherland, NZ, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, Uruguay, UK, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET) established on 17 May 2002 to provide assistance to structures critical to public security and to assist in the development of law enforcement agencies; to contribute to external security; members were Australia, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Denmark, Fiji, Jordan, Malaysia, Mozambique, Nepal, NZ, Pakistan, Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Sweden; completed its mandate 20 May 2005 United Nations Monitoring, Verification, and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) formerly known as United Nations Special Commission for the Elimination of Iraq's Weapons of Mass Destruction (UNSCOM); established December 1999 with the aim to identify, account for, and eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and the capacity to produce them; commissioners were from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, UN Department for Disarmament Affairs, France, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia, Senegal, Ukraine, UK, US; finished operations 29 June 2007 United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) established - 24 August 1993 aim - to verify compliance with the cease-fire agreement, to monitor weapons exclusion zone, and to supervise CIS peacekeeping force for Abkhazia; established by the UN Security Council members - (32) Albania, Austria, Bangladesh, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Jordan, South Korea, Lithuania, Moldova, Mongolia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, UK, US, Uruguay, Yemen United Nations Operation in Burundi (ONUB) was established 21 May 2004 to support and help implement the efforts undertaken by Burundians to restore lasting peace and bring about national reconciliation; members were Algeria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Chad, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, India, Jordan, Kenya, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Senegal, Serbia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uruguay, Yemen, Zambia; mandate was completed 31 December 2006 United Nations Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI) established - 27 February 2004 aim - to facilitate the implementation by the Ivorian parties of the peace agreement signed by them in January 2003 members - (41) Bangladesh, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Chad, China, Croatia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, France, The Gambia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, India, Ireland, Jordan, Moldova, Morocco, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Russia, Senegal, Serbia, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) established - 30 November 1999 aim - to establish contacts with the signatories to the cease-fire agreement and to plan for the observation of the cease-fire and disengagement of forces members - (48) Algeria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, France, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Jordan, Kenya, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Romania, Russia, Senegal, Serbia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Ukraine, UK, Uruguay, Yemen, Zambia United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) established - 4 March 1964 aim - to serve as a peacekeeping force between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots in Cyprus; established by the UN Security Council members - (7) Argentina, Austria, Canada, Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia, UK United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) note - acronym retained from predecessor organization UN Fund for Population Activities established - July 1967 aim - to assist both developed and developing countries to deal with their population problems members (executive board ) - (36) selected on a rotating basis from all regions United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) established - 8 December 1949 aim - to provide assistance to Palestinian refugees members (advisory commission) - (22) Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, EC, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, Netherlands, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Turkey, UK, US United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD) established - 1963 aim - to conduct research into the problems of economic development during different phases of economic growth members - no country members, but a Board of Directors consisting of a chairman appointed by the UN secretary general and 12 individual members United Nations Secretariat established - 26 June 1945; effective - 24 October 1945 aim - to serve as the primary administrative organ of the UN; a Secretary General is appointed for a five-year term by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council members - the UN Secretary General and staff United Nations Security Council (UNSC) established - 26 June 1945; effective - 24 October 1945 aim - to maintain international peace and security permanent members - (5) China, France, Russia, UK, US nonpermanent members - (10) elected for two-year terms by the UN General Assembly; Austria (2009-10), Burkina Faso (2008-09), Costa Rica (2008-09), Croatia (2008-09), Japan (2009- 10), Libya (2008-09), Mexico (2009-10), Turkey (2009-10), Uganda (2009- 10), Vietnam (2008-09) United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) established - 30 April 2004 aim - to stabilize Haiti in many areas for at least six months members - (17) Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Ecuador, France, Guatemala, Jordan, Nepal, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Sri Lanka, US, Uruguay United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) established - June 1948 aim - to supervise the 1948 Arab-Israeli cease-fire; currently supports timely deployment of reinforcements to other peacekeeping operations in the region as needed; initially established by the UN Security Council members - (23) Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, China, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, US United Nations Trusteeship Council established on 26 June 1945, effective on 24 October 1945, to supervise the administration of the 11 UN trust territories; members were China, France, Russia, UK, US; it formally suspended operations 1 November 1995 after the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (Palau) became the Republic of Palau, a constitutional government in free association with the US; the Trusteeship Council was not dissolved United Nations University (UNU) established - 3 December 1973 aim - to conduct research in development, welfare, and human survival and to train scholars members - (24 members of UNU Council and the Rector are appointed by the Secretary General of the United Nations and the Director General of UNESCO) Universal Postal Union (UPU) established - 9 October 1874, affiliated with the UN 15 November 1947; effective - 1 July 1948 aim - to promote international postal cooperation; a UN specialized agency members - (191) includes all UN member countries except Andorra, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Palau (189 total); plus Holy See and Overseas Territories of the UK; note - includes the following dependencies or areas of special interest: Australia (Norfolk Island), China (Hong Kong, Macau), Denmark (Faroe Islands, Greenland), France (French Polynesia including Clipperton Island, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Mayotte, New Caledonia, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Martin, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Scattered Islands [Bassas da India, Europe, Juan de Nova, Glorioso Islands, Tromelin], Wallis and Futuna), Netherlands (Aruba, Netherlands Antilles), NZ (Cook Island, Niue, Tokelau), UK (Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey; Anguilla, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Pitcairn Islands, Saint Helena, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, Turks and Caicos), US (American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands) W Warsaw Pact (WP) established 14 May 1955 to promote mutual defense; members met 1 July 1991 to dissolve the alliance; member states at the time of dissolution were: Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and the USSR; earlier members included German Democratic Republic (GDR) and Albania West African Development Bank (WADB) note - also known as Banque Ouest-Africaine de Developpement (BOAD); is a financial institution of WAEMU established - 14 November 1973 aim - to promote regional economic development and integration regional members - (8) Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Togo West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) note - also known as Union Economique et Monetaire Ouest Africaine (UEMOA) established - 1 August 1994 aim - to increase competitiveness of members' economic markets; to create a common market members - (8) Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Togo Western European Union (WEU) established - 23 October 1954; effective - 6 May 1955 aim - to provide mutual defense and to move toward political unification members - (10) Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, UK associate members - (6) Czech Republic, Hungary, Iceland, Norway, Poland, Turkey associate partners - (7) Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia observers - (5) Austria, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Sweden World Bank Group includes International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), International Development Association (IDA), International Finance Corporation (IFC), and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) World Confederation of Labor (WCL) established 19 June 1920 as the International Federation of Christian Trade Unions (IFCTU), renamed 4 October 1968; aim was to promote the trade union movement; on 31 October 2006 it merged with the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) to form the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC); members were (105 national organizations) Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, French Guiana, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Martinique, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, Nicaragua, Niger, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Ukraine, US, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe World Customs Organization (WCO) note - began as the Customs Cooperation Council (CCC) established - 15 December 1950 aim - to promote international cooperation in customs matters members - (175) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, EC, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) established - 3 October 1945 aim - to promote the trade union movement members - (174 and the Palestine Liberation Organization) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bonaire, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Curacao, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, French Guiana, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Holy See, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Martinique, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mayotte, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Caledonia, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Reunion, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Eustatius, Saint Helena, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, Somaliland, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tahiti, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, US Virgin Islands, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Wallis and Futuna, Western Sahara, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Palestine Liberation Organization World Food Program (WFP) established - 24 November 1961 aim - to provide food aid in support of economic development or disaster relief; an ECOSOC organization members - (36) selected on a rotating basis from all regions World Health Organization (WHO) established - 22 July 1946; effective - 7 April 1948 aim - to deal with health matters worldwide; a UN specialized agency members - (193) includes all UN member countries except Liechtenstein (191 total); plus Cook Islands and Niue World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) established - 14 July 1967; effective - 26 April 1970 aim - to furnish protection for literary, artistic, and scientific works; a UN specialized agency members - (184) includes all UN member countries except Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, Vanuatu (183 total); plus Holy See World Meteorological Organization (WMO) established - 11 October 1947; effective - 4 April 1951 aim - to sponsor meteorological cooperation; a UN specialized agency members - (188) includes all UN member countries except Andorra, Equatorial Guinea, Grenada, Liechtenstein, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Timor- Leste, Tuvalu (180 total); plus Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles, British Caribbean Territories, Cook Islands, French Polynesia, Hong Kong, Macau, New Caledonia, and Niue World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) established - 2 January 1975 aim - to promote tourism as a means of contributing to economic development, international understanding, and peace members - (154) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Lithuania, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, UK, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe associate members - (7) Aruba, Flanders, Hong Kong, Macau, Madeira Islands, Netherlands Antilles, Puerto Rico observers - (1 plus Palestine Liberation Organization) Holy See, Palestine Liberation Organization World Trade Organization (WTO) note - succeeded General Agreement on Tariff and Trade (GATT) established - 15 April 1994; effective - 1 January 1995 aim - to provide a forum to resolve trade conflicts between members and to carry on negotiations with the goal of further lowering and/or eliminating tariffs and other trade barriers members - (153) Albania, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, EC, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe observers - (30) Afghanistan, Algeria, Andorra, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Belarus, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Comoros, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Holy See, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Montenegro, Russia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Serbia, Seychelles, Sudan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Yemen; note - with the exception of the Holy See, an observer must start accession negotiations within five years of becoming observers Z Zangger Committee (ZC) established - early 1970s aim - to establish guidelines for the export control provisions of the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty (NPT) members - (36) Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, UK, US observers - (1) European Commission ====================================================================== Appendix C :: Selected International Invironmental Agreements A Air Pollution see Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides see Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution Concerning the Control of Emissions of Nitrogen Oxides or Their Transboundary Fluxes Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants see Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Persistent Organic Pollutants Air Pollution-Sulphur 85 see Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on the Reduction of Sulphur Emissions or Their Transboundary Fluxes by at least 30% Air Pollution-Sulphur 94 see Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Further Reduction of Sulphur Emissions Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds see Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution Concerning the Control of Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds or Their Transboundary Fluxes Antarctic - Environmental Protocol see Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty Antarctic Treaty opened for signature - 1 December 1959 entered into force - 23 June 1961 objective - to ensure that Antarctica is used for peaceful purposes only (such as international cooperation in scientific research); to defer the question of territorial claims asserted by some nations and not recognized by others; to provide an international forum for management of the region; applies to land and ice shelves south of 60 degrees south latitude parties - (46) Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela B Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal note - abbreviated as Hazardous Wastes opened for signature - 22 March 1989 entered into force - 5 May 1992 objective - to reduce transboundary movements of wastes subject to the Convention to a minimum consistent with the environmentally sound and efficient management of such wastes; to minimize the amount and toxicity of wastes generated and ensure their environmentally sound management as closely as possible to the source of generation; and to assist LDCs in environmentally sound management of the hazardous and other wastes they generate parties - (172) Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cook 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, EU, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia countries that have signed, but not yet ratified - (3) Afghanistan, Haiti, US Biodiversity see Convention on Biological Diversity C Climate Change see United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol see Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals note - abbreviated as Antarctic Seals opened for signature - 1 June 1972 entered into force - 11 March 1978 objective - to promote and achieve the protection, scientific study, and rational use of Antarctic seals, and to maintain a satisfactory balance within the ecological system of Antarctica parties - (16) Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Poland, Russia, South Africa, UK, US countries that have signed, but not yet ratified - (1) NZ Convention on Biological Diversity note - abbreviated as Biodiversity opened for signature - 5 June 1992 entered into force - 29 December 1993 objective - to develop national strategies for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity parties - (191) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cook 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, EU, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor- Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe countries that have signed, but not yet ratified - (1) US Convention on Fishing and Conservation of Living Resources of the High Seas note - abbreviated as Marine Life Conservation opened for signature - 29 April 1958 entered into force - 20 March 1966 objective - to solve through international cooperation the problems involved in the conservation of living resources of the high seas, considering that because of the development of modern technology some of these resources are in danger of being overexploited parties - (38) Australia, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Colombia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Fiji, Finland, France, Haiti, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Montenegro, Netherlands, Nigeria, Portugal, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, UK, US, Venezuela countries that have signed, but not yet ratified - (21) Afghanistan, Argentina, Bolivia, Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ghana, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Lebanon, Liberia, Nepal, NZ, Pakistan, Panama, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Uruguay Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution note - abbreviated as Air Pollution opened for signature - 13 November 1979 entered into force - 16 March 1983 objective - to protect the human environment against air pollution and to gradually reduce and prevent air pollution, including long-range transboundary air pollution parties - (51) Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, EU, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, UK, US countries that have signed, but not yet ratified - (2) Holy See, San Marino Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar) note - abbreviated as Wetlands opened for signature - 2 February 1971 entered into force - 21 December 1975 objective - to stem the progressive encroachment on and loss of wetlands now and in the future, recognizing the fundamental ecological functions of wetlands and their economic, cultural, scientific, and recreational value parties - (154) Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea- Bissau, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Tajikistan, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zambia Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources note - abbreviated as Antarctic-Marine Living Resources opened for signature - 5 May 1980 entered into force - 7 April 1982 objective - to safeguard the environment and protect the integrity of the ecosystem of the seas surrounding Antarctica, and to conserve Antarctic marine living resources parties - (31) Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, EU, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mauritius, Namibia, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Peru, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, UK, US, Uruguay, Vanuatu Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) note - abbreviated as Endangered Species opened for signature - 3 March 1973 entered into force - 1 July 1975 objective - to protect certain endangered species from overexploitation by means of a system of import/export permits parties - (170) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, South Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Palau, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping Wastes and Other Matter (London Convention) note - abbreviated as Marine Dumping opened for signature - 29 December 1972 entered into force - 30 August 1975 objective - to control pollution of the sea by dumping and to encourage regional agreements supplementary to the Convention; the London Convention came into force in 1996 parties - (88) Afghanistan, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Finland, France, Gabon, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong (associate member), Hungary, Iceland, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, South Korea, Libya, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Nauru, Netherlands, NZ, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Seychelles, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Vanuatu associate members to the London Convention - (2) Faroe Islands, Macau countries that have signed, but not yet ratified - (3) Chad, Kuwait, Uruguay Convention on the Prohibition of Military or Any Other Hostile Use of Environmental Modification Techniques note - abbreviated as Environmental Modification opened for signature - 10 December 1976 entered into force - 5 October 1978 objective - to prohibit the military or other hostile use of environmental modification techniques in order to further world peace and trust among nations parties - (73) Afghanistan, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Egypt, Finland, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Lithuania, Malawi, Mauritius, Mongolia, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Romania, Russia, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Ukraine, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen countries that have signed, but not yet ratified - (16) Bolivia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Holy See, Iceland, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Liberia, Luxembourg, Morocco, Portugal, Sierra Leone, Syria, Turkey, Uganda D Desertification see United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa E Endangered Species see Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) Environmental Modification see Convention on the Prohibition of Military or Any Other Hostile Use of Environmental Modification Techniques H Hazardous Wastes see Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal I International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling note - abbreviated as Whaling opened for signature - 2 December 1946 entered into force - 10 November 1948 objective - to protect all species of whales from overhunting; to establish a system of international regulation for the whale fisheries to ensure proper conservation and development of whale stocks; and to safeguard for future generations the great natural resources represented by whale stocks parties - (84) Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Brazil, Cambodia, Cameroon, Chile, China, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote D'Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Ecuador, Eritrea, Estonia, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Kiribati, South Korea, Laos, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Nauru, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Norway, Oman, Palau, Panama, Peru, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Senegal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Togo, Tuvalu, UK, US, Uruguay International Tropical Timber Agreement, 1983 note - abbreviated as Tropical Timber 83 opened for signature - 18 November 1983 entered into force - 1 April 1985; this agreement expired when the International Tropical Timber Agreement, 1994, went into force objective - to provide an effective framework for cooperation between tropical timber producers and consumers and to encourage the development of national policies aimed at sustainable utilization and conservation of tropical forests and their genetic resources parties - (59) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, China, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, EU, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Liberia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nigeria, Norway, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, US, Vanuatu, Venezuela International Tropical Timber Agreement, 1994 note - abbreviated as Tropical Timber 94 opened for signature - 26 January 1994 entered into force - 1 January 1997 objective - to ensure that by the year 2000 exports of tropical timber originate from sustainably managed sources; to establish a fund to assist tropical timber producers in obtaining the resources necessary to reach this objective parties - (61) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, China, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, EU, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Liberia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nigeria, Norway, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, US, Vanuatu, Venezuela K Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change note - abbreviated as Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol opened for signature - 16 March 1998 entered into force - 23 February 2005 objective - to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions by enhancing the national programs of developed countries aimed at this goal and by establishing percentage reduction targets for the developed countries parties - (184) Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cook Island, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, EU, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia countries that have signed, but not yet ratified - (2) Kazakhstan, US L Law of the Sea see United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (LOS) M Marine Dumping see Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping Wastes and Other Matter (London Convention) Marine Life Conservation see Convention on Fishing and Conservation of Living Resources of the High Seas Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer note - abbreviated as Ozone Layer Protection opened for signature - 16 September 1987 entered into force - 1 January 1989 objective - to protect the ozone layer by controlling emissions of substances that deplete it parties - (194) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cook 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, EU, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Holy See, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe N Nuclear Test Ban see Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapons Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space, and Under Water O Ozone Layer Protection see Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer P Protocol of 1978 Relating to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution From Ships, 1973 (MARPOL) note - abbreviated as Ship Pollution opened for signature - 17 February 1978 entered into force - 2 October 1983 objective - to preserve the marine environment through the complete elimination of pollution by oil and other harmful substances and the minimization of accidental discharge of such substances parties - (139) Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burma, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Republic of Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Libya, Macau, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar Romania, Russia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Tuvalu, Ukraine, UK, US, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty note - abbreviated as Antarctic-Environmental Protocol opened for signature - 4 October 1991 entered into force - 14 January 1998 objective - to provide for comprehensive protection of the Antarctic environment and dependent and associated ecosystems; applies to the area covered by the Antarctic Treaty consultative parties - (31) Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Peru, Poland, Romania, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, UK, US, Uruguay non consultative parties - (12) Austria, Colombia, Cuba, Denmark, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, North Korea, Papua New Guinea, Slovakia, Switzerland, Turkey Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution Concerning the Control of Emissions of Nitrogen Oxides or Their Transboundary Fluxes note - abbreviated as Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides opened for signature - 31 October 1988 entered into force - 14 February 1991 objective - to provide for the control or reduction of nitrogen oxides and their transboundary fluxes parties - (32) Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, EU, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, UK, US countries that have signed, but not yet ratified - (1) Poland Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution Concerning the Control of Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds or Their Transboundary Fluxes note - abbreviated as Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds opened for signature - 18 November 1991 entered into force - 29 September 1997 objective - to provide for the control and reduction of emissions of volatile organic compounds in order to reduce their transboundary fluxes so as to protect human health and the environment from adverse effects parties - (23) Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK countries that have signed, but not yet ratified - (6) Canada, EU, Greece, Portugal, Ukraine, US Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Further Reduction of Sulphur Emissions note - abbreviated as Air Pollution-Sulphur 94 opened for signature - 14 June 1994 entered into force - 5 August 1998 objective - to provide for a further reduction in sulfur emissions or transboundary fluxes parties - (28) Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, EU, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK countries that have signed, but not yet ratified - (3) Poland, Russia, Ukraine Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Persistent Organic Pollutants note - abbreviated as Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants opened for signature - 24 June 1998 entered into force - 23 October 2003 objective - to provide for the control and reduction of emissions of persistent organic pollutants in order to reduce their transboundary fluxes so as to protect human health and the environment from adverse effects parties - (29) Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, EU, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, UK countries that have signed, but not yet ratified - (8) Armenia, Greece, Ireland, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Ukraine, US Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on the Reduction of Sulphur Emissions or Their Transboundary Fluxes by at Least 30% note - abbreviated as Air Pollution-Sulphur 85 opened for signature - 8 July 1985 entered into force - 2 September 1987 objective - to provide for a 30% reduction in sulfur emissions or transboundary fluxes by 1993 parties - (23) Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine S Ship Pollution see Protocol of 1978 Relating to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution From Ships, 1973 (MARPOL) T Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space, and Under Water note - abbreviated as Nuclear Test Ban opened for signature - 5 August 1963 entered into force - 10 October 1963 objective - to obtain an agreement on general and complete disarmament under strict international control in accordance with the objectives of the United Nations; to put an end to the armaments race and eliminate incentives for the production and testing of all kinds of weapons, including nuclear weapons parties - (113) Afghanistan, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belgium, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burma, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Fiji, Finland, Gabon, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, South Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Samoa, San Marino, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, UK, US, Venezuela, Zambia countries that have signed, but not yet ratified - (17) Algeria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Chile, Ethiopia, Haiti, Libya, Mali, Pakistan, Paraguay, Portugal, Somalia, Tanzania, Uruguay, Vietnam, Yemen Tropical Timber 83 see International Tropical Timber Agreement, 1983 Tropical Timber 94 see International Tropical Timber Agreement, 1994 U United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (LOS) note - abbreviated as Law of the Sea opened for signature - 10 December 1982 entered into force - 16 November 1994 objective - to set up a comprehensive new legal regime for the sea and oceans; to include rules concerning environmental standards as well as enforcement provisions dealing with pollution of the marine environment parties - (157) Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, EU, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, South Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Niue, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, UK, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe countries that have signed, but not yet ratified - (21) Afghanistan, Bhutan, Burundi, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Iran, North Korea, Libya, Liechtenstein, Malawi, Niger, Rwanda, Swaziland, Switzerland, Thailand, UAE United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa note - abbreviated as Desertification opened for signature - 14 October 1994 entered into force - 26 December 1996 objective - to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought through national action programs that incorporate long-term strategies supported by international cooperation and partnership arrangements parties - (193) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, EU, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change note - abbreviated as Climate Change opened for signature - 9 May 1992 entered into force - 21 March 1994 objective - to achieve stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a low enough level to prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system parties - (192) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cook 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, EU, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor- Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe W Wetlands see Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially As Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar) Whaling see International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling ====================================================================== Appendix D :: Cross-reference List of Country Data Codes FIPS 10: Countries, Dependencies, Areas of Special Sovereignty, and Their Principal Administrative Divisions (FIPS 10) is maintained by the Office of Targeting and Transnational Issues, National Geospatial- Intelligence Agency, and published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (Department of Commerce). FIPS 10 codes are intended for general use throughout the US Government, especially in activities associated with the mission of the Department of State and national defense programs. ISO 3166: Codes for the Representation of Names of Countries (ISO 3166) is prepared by the International Organization for Standardization. ISO 3166 includes two- and three-character alphabetic codes and three-digit numeric codes that may be needed for activities involving exchange of data with international organizations that have adopted that standard. Except for the numeric codes, ISO 3166 codes have been adopted in the US as FIPS 104-1: American National Standard Codes for the Representation of Names of Countries, Dependencies, and Areas of Special Sovereignty for Information Interchange. STANAG 1059: Letter Codes for Geographical Entities (8th edition, 2004) is a Standardization Agreement (STANAG) established and maintained by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO/OTAN) for the purpose of providing a common set of geo-spatial identifiers for countries, territories, and possessions. The 8th edition established trigraph codes for each country based upon the ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 character sets. These codes are used throughout NATO. Internet: The Internet country code is the two-letter digraph maintained by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in the ISO 3166 Alpha-2 list and used by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) to establish country-coded top-level domains (ccTLDs). A Entity FIPS 10 ISO 3166 Stanag Internet Comment Afghanistan AF AF AFG 004 AFG .af Albania AL AL ALB 008 ALB .al Algeria AG DZ DZA 012 DZA .dz American Samoa AQ AS ASM 016 ASM .as Andorra AN AD AND 020 AND .ad Angola AO AO AGO 024 AGO .ao Anguilla AV AI AIA 660 AIA .ai Antarctica AY AQ ATA 010 ATA .aq ISO defines as the territory south of 60 degrees south latitude Antigua and Barbuda AC AG ATG 028 ATG .ag Argentina AR AR ARG 032 ARG .ar Armenia AM AM ARM 051 ARM .am Aruba AA AW ABW 533 ABW .aw Ashmore and Cartier Islands AT - - - AUS - ISO includes with Australia Australia AS AU AUS 036 AUS .au ISO includes Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Coral Sea Islands Austria AU AT AUT 040 AUT .at Azerbaijan AJ AZ AZE 031 AZE .az B Entity FIPS 10 ISO 3166 Stanag Internet Comment Bahamas, The BF BS BHS 044 BHS .bs Bahrain BA BH BHR 048 BHR .bh Baker Island FQ - - - UMI - ISO includes with the US Minor Outlying Islands Bangladesh BG BD BGD 050 BGD .bd Barbados BB BB BRB 052 BRB .bb Bassas da India BS - - - - - administered as part of French Southern and Antarctic Lands; no ISO codes assigned Belarus BO BY BLR 112 BLR .by Belgium BE BE BEL 056 BEL .be Belize BH BZ BLZ 084 BLZ .bz Benin BN BJ BEN 204 BEN .bj Bermuda BD BM BMU 060 BMU .bm Bhutan BT BT BTN 064 BTN .bt Bolivia BL BO BOL 068 BOL .bo Bosnia and Herzegovina BK BA BIH 070 BIH .ba Botswana BC BW BWA 072 BWA .bw Bouvet Island BV BV BVT 074 BVT .bv Brazil BR BR BRA 076 BRA .br British Indian Ocean Territory IO IO IOT 086 IOT .io British Virgin IslandsVI VG VGB 092 VGB .vg Brunei BX BN BRN 096 BRN .bn Bulgaria BU BG BGR 100 BGR .bg Burkina Faso UV BF BFA 854 BFA .bf Burma BM MM MMR 104 MMR .mm ISO uses the name Myanmar Burundi BY BI BDI 108 BDI .bi C Entity FIPS 10 ISO 3166 Stanag Internet Comment Cambodia CB KH KHM 116 KHM .kh Cameroon CM CM CMR 120 CMR .cm Canada CA CA CAN 124 CAN .ca Cape Verde CV CV CPV 132 CPV .cv Cayman Islands CJ KY CYM 136 CYM .ky Central African Republic CT CF CAF 140 CAF .cf Chad CD TD TCD 148 TCD .td Chile CI CL CHL 152 CHL .cl China CH CN CHN 156 CHN .cn see also Taiwan Christmas Island KT CX CXR 162 CXR .cx Clipperton Island IP - - - FYP - ISO includes with French Polynesia Cocos (Keeling) Islands CK CC CCK 166 AUS .cc Colombia CO CO COL 170 COL .co Comoros CN KM COM 174 COM .km Congo, Democratic Republic of the CG CD COD 180 COD .cd formerly Zaire Congo, Republic of the CF CG COG 178 COG .cg Cook Islands CW CK COK 184 COK .ck Coral Sea Islands CR - - - AUS - ISO includes with Australia Costa Rica CS CR CRI 188 CRI .cr Cote d'Ivoire IV CI CIV 384 CIV .ci Croatia HR HR HRV 191 HRV .hr Cuba CU CU CUB 192 CUB .cu Cyprus CY CY CYP 196 CYP .cy Czech Republic EZ CZ CZE 203 CZE .cz D Entity FIPS 10 ISO 3166 Stanag Internet Comment Denmark DA DK DNK 208 DNK .dk Djibouti DJ DJ DJI 262 DJI .dj Dominica DO DM DMA 212 DMA .dm Dominican Republic DR DO DOM 214 DOM .do E Entity FIPS 10 ISO 3166 Stanag Internet Comment Ecuador EC EC ECU 218 ECU .ec Egypt EG EG EGY 818 EGY .eg El Salvador ES SV SLV 222 SLV .sv Equatorial Guinea EK GQ GNQ 226 GNQ .gq Eritrea ER ER ERI 232 ERI .er Estonia EN EE EST 233 EST .ee Ethiopia ET ET ETH 231 ETH .et Europa Island EU - - - - - administered as part of French Southern and Antarctic Lands; no ISO codes assigned F Entity FIPS 10 ISO 3166 Stanag Internet Comment Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) FK FK FLK 238 FLK .fk Faroe Islands FO FO FRO 234 FRO .fo Fiji FJ FJ FJI 242 FJI .fj Finland FI FI FIN 246 FIN .fi France FR FR FRA 250 FRA .fr France, Metropolitan - FX FXX 249 - .fx ISO limits to the European part of France, excluding French Guiana, French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, New Caledonia, Reunion, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Wallis and Futuna French Guiana FG GF GUF 254 GUF .gf French Polynesia FP PF PYF 258 PYF .pf ISO includes Clipperton Island French Southern and Antarctic Lands FS TF ATF 260 ATF .tf FIPS 10-4 does not include the French-claimed portion of Antarctica (Terre Adelie) G Entity FIPS 10 ISO 3166 Stanag Internet Comment Gabon GB GA GAB 266 GAB .ga Gambia, The GA GM GMB 270 GMB .gm Gaza Strip GZ PS PSE 275 PSE .ps ISO identifies as Occupied Palestinian Territory Georgia GG GE GEO 268 GEO .ge Germany GM DE DEU 276 DEU .de Ghana GH GH GHA 288 GHA .gh Gibraltar GI GI GIB 292 GIB .gi Glorioso Islands GO - - - - - administered as part of French Southern and Antarctic Lands; no ISO codes assigned Greece GR GR GRC 300 GRC .gr Greenland GL GL GRL 304 GRL .gl Grenada GJ GD GRD 308 GRD .gd Guadeloupe GP GP GLP 312 GLP .gp Guam GQ GU GUM 316 GUM .gu Guatemala GT GT GTM 320 GTM .gt Guernsey GK GG GGY 831 UK .gg Guinea GV GN GIN 324 GIN .gn Guinea-Bissau PU GW GNB 624 GNB .gw Guyana GY GY GUY 328 GUY .gy H Entity FIPS 10 ISO 3166 Stanag Internet Comment Haiti HA HT HTI 332 HTI .ht Heard Island and McDonald Islands HM HM HMD 334 HMD .hm Holy See (Vatican City)VT VA VAT 336 VAT .va Honduras HO HN HND 340 HND .hn Hong Kong HK HK HKG 344 HKG .hk Howland Island HQ - - - UMI - ISO includes with the US Minor Outlying Islands Hungary HU HU HUN 348 HUN .hu I Entity FIPS 10 ISO 3166 Stanag Internet Comment Iceland IC IS ISL 352 ISL .is India IN IN IND 356 IND .in Indonesia ID ID IDN 360 IDN .id Iran IR IR IRN 364 IRN .ir Iraq IZ IQ IRQ 368 IRQ .iq Ireland EI IE IRL 372 IRL .ie Isle of Man IM IM IMN 833 UK .im Israel IS IL ISR 376 ISR .il Italy IT IT ITA 380 ITA .it J Entity FIPS 10 ISO 3166 Stanag Internet Comment Jamaica JM JM JAM 388 JAM .jm Jan Mayen JN - - - SJM - ISO includes with Svalbard Japan JA JP JPN 392 JPN .jp Jarvis Island DQ - - - UMI - ISO includes with the US Minor Outlying Islands Jersey JE JE JEY 832 UK .je Johnston Atoll JQ - - - UMI - ISO includes with the US Minor Outlying Islands Jordan JO JO JOR 400 JOR .jo Juan de Nova Island JU - - - - - administered as part of French Southern and Antarctic Lands; no ISO codes assigned K Entity FIPS 10 ISO 3166 Stanag Internet Comment Kazakhstan KZ KZ KAZ 398 KAZ .kz Kenya KE KE KEN 404 KEN .ke Kingman Reef KQ - - - UMI - ISO includes with the US Minor Outlying Islands Kiribati KR KI KIR 296 KIR .ki Korea, North KN KP PRK 408 PRK .kp Korea, South KS KR KOR 410 KOR .kr Kosovo KV - - - - - ISO codes have not been designated Kuwait KU KW KWT 414 KWT .kw Kyrgyzstan KG KG KGZ 417 KGZ .kg L Entity FIPS 10 ISO 3166 Stanag Internet Comment Laos LA LA LAO 418 LAO .la Latvia LG LV LVA 428 LVA .lv Lebanon LE LB LBN 422 LBN .lb Lesotho LT LS LSO 426 LSO .ls Liberia LI LR LBR 430 LBR .lr Libya LY LY LBY 434 LBY .ly Liechtenstein LS LI LIE 438 LIE .li Lithuania LH LT LTU 440 LTU .lt Luxembourg LU LU LUX 442 LUX .lu M Entity FIPS 10 ISO 3166 Stanag Internet Comment Macau MC MO MAC 446 MAC .mo Macedonia MK MK MKD 807 FYR .mk Madagascar MA MG MDG 450 MDG .mg Malawi MI MW MWI 454 MWI .mw Malaysia MY MY MYS 458 MYS .my Maldives MV MV MDV 462 MDV .mv Mali ML ML MLI 466 MLI .ml Malta MT MT MLT 470 MLT .mt Marshall Islands RM MH MHL 584 MHL .mh Martinique MB MQ MTQ 474 MTQ .mq Mauritania MR MR MRT 478 MRT .mr Mauritius MP MU MUS 480 MUS .mu Mayotte MF YT MYT 175 FRA .yt Mexico MX MX MEX 484 MEX .mx Micronesia, Federated States of FM FM FSM 583 FSM .fm Midway Islands MQ - - - UMI - ISO includes with the US Minor Outlying Islands Moldova MD MD MDA 498 MDA .md Monaco MN MC MCO 492 MCO .mc Mongolia MG MN MNG 496 MNG .mn Montenegro MJ ME MNE 499 - .me Montserrat MH MS MSR 500 MSR .ms Morocco MO MA MAR 504 MAR .ma Mozambique MZ MZ MOZ 508 MOZ .mz Myanmar - - - - - - see Burma N Entity FIPS 10 ISO 3166 Stanag Internet Comment Namibia WA NA NAM 516 NAM .na Nauru NR NR NRU 520 NRU .nr Navassa Island BQ - - - US - ISO includes with the US Minor Outlying Islands Nepal NP NP NPL 524 NPL .np Netherlands NL NL NLD 528 NLD .nl Netherlands AntillesNT AN ANT 530 ANT .an New Caledonia NC NC NCL 540 NCL .nc New Zealand NZ NZ NZL 554 NZL .nz Nicaragua NU NI NIC 558 NIC .ni Niger NG NE NER 562 NER .ne Nigeria NI NG NGA 566 NGA .ng Niue NE NU NIU 570 NIU .nu Norfolk Island NF NF NFK 574 NFK .nf Northern Mariana Islands CQ MP MNP 580 MNP .mp Norway NO NO NOR 578 NOR .no O Entity FIPS 10 ISO 3166 Stanag Internet Comment Oman MU OM OMN 512 OMN .om P Entity FIPS 10 ISO 3166 Stanag Internet Comment Pakistan PK PK PAK 586 PAK .pk Palau PS PW PLW 585 PLW .pw Palmyra Atoll LQ - - - UMI - ISO includes with the US Minor Outlying Islands Panama PM PA PAN 591 PAN .pa Papua New Guinea PP PG PNG 598 PNG .pg Paracel Islands PF - - - - - Paraguay PA PY PRY 600 PRY .py Peru PE PE PER 604 PER .pe Philippines RP PH PHL 608 PHL .ph Pitcairn Islands PC PN PCN 612 PCN .pn Poland PL PL POL 616 POL .pl Portugal PO PT PRT 620 PRT .pt Puerto Rico RQ PR PRI 630 PRI .pr Q Entity FIPS 10 ISO 3166 Stanag Internet Comment Qatar QA QA QAT 634 QAT .qa R Entity FIPS 10 ISO 3166 Stanag Internet Comment Reunion RE RE REU 638 REU .re Romania RO RO ROU 642 ROU .ro Russia RS RU RUS 643 RUS .ru Rwanda RW RW RWA 646 RWA .rw S Entity FIPS 10 ISO 3166 Stanag Internet Comment Saint Barthelemy TB BL BLM 652 - .bl ccTLD .fr and .gp may also be used Saint Helena SH SH SHN 654 SHN .sh Saint Kitts and Nevis SC KN KNA 659 KNA .kn Saint Lucia ST LC LCA 662 LCA .lc Saint Martin RN MF MAF 663 - .mf ccTLD .fr and .gp may also be used Saint Pierre and Miquelon SB PM SPM 666 SPM .pm Saint Vincent and the Grenadines VC VC VCT 670 VCT .vc Samoa WS WS WSM 882 WSM .ws San Marino SM SM SMR 674 SMR .sm Sao Tome and Principe TP ST STP 678 STP .st Saudi Arabia SA SA SAU 682 SAU .sa Senegal SG SN SEN 686 SEN .sn Serbia RI RS SRB 688 - .rs Seychelles SE SC SYC 690 SYC .sc Sierra Leone SL SL SLE 694 SLE .sl Singapore SN SG SGP 702 SGP .sg Slovakia LO SK SVK 703 SVK .sk Slovenia SI SI SVN 705 SVN .si Solomon Islands BP SB SLB 090 SLB .sb Somalia SO SO SOM 706 SOM .so South Africa SF ZA ZAF 710 ZAF .za South Georgia and the Islands SX GS SGS 239 SGS .gs Spain SP ES ESP 724 ESP .es Spratly Islands PG - - - - - Sri Lanka CE LK LKA 144 LKA .lk Sudan SU SD SDN 736 SDN .sd Suriname NS SR SUR 740 SUR .sr Svalbard SV SJ SJM 744 SJM .sj ISO includes Jan Mayen Swaziland WZ SZ SWZ 748 SWZ .sz Sweden SW SE SWE 752 SWE .se Switzerland SZ CH CHE 756 CHE .ch Syria SY SY SYR 760 SYR .sy T Entity FIPS 10 ISO 3166 Stanag Internet Comment Taiwan TW TW TWN 158 TWN .tw Tajikistan TI TJ TJK 762 TJK .tj Tanzania TZ TZ TZA 834 TZA .tz Thailand TH TH THA 764 THA .th Timor-Leste TT TL TLS 626 TLS .tl Togo TO TG TGO 768 TGO .tg Tokelau TL TK TKL 772 TKL .tk Tonga TN TO TON 776 TON .to Trinidad and Tobago TD TT TTO 780 TTO .tt Tromelin Island TE - - - - - administered as part of French Southern and Antarctic Lands; no ISO codes assigned Tunisia TS TN TUN 788 TUN .tn Turkey TU TR TUR 792 TUR .tr Turkmenistan TX TM TKM 795 TKM .tm Turks and Caicos Islands TK TC TCA 796 TCA .tc Tuvalu TV TV TUV 798 TUV .tv U Entity FIPS 10 ISO 3166 Stanag Internet Comment Uganda UG UG UGA 800 UGA .ug Ukraine UP UA UKR 804 UKR .ua United Arab EmiratesAE AE ARE 784 ARE .ae United Kingdom UK GB GBR 826 GBR .uk United States US US USA 840 USA .us United States Minor Outlying Islands - UM UMI 581 - .um ISO includes Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Navassa Island, Palmyra Atoll, Wake Island Uruguay UY UY URY 858 URY .uy Uzbekistan UZ UZ UZB 860 UZB .uz V Entity FIPS 10 ISO 3166 Stanag Internet Comment Vanuatu NH VU VUT 548 VUT .vu Venezuela VE VE VEN 862 VEN .ve Vietnam VM VN VNM 704 VNM .vn Virgin Islands VQ VI VIR 850 VIR .vi Virgin Islands (UK) - - - - - .vg see British Virgin Islands Virgin Islands (US) - - - - - .vi see Virgin Islands W Entity FIPS 10 ISO 3166 Stanag Internet Comment Wake Island WQ - - - UMI - ISO includes with the US Minor Outlying Islands Wallis and Futuna WF WF WLF 876 WLF .wf West Bank WE PS PSE 275 PSE .ps ISO identifies as Occupied Palestinian Territory Western Sahara WI EH ESH 732 ESH .eh Western Samoa - - - - - .ws see Samoa World - - - - - - the Factbook uses the W data code from DIAM 65-18 Geopolitical Data Elements and Related Features, Data Standard No. 3, December 1994, published by the Defense Intelligence Agency Y Entity FIPS 10 ISO 3166 Stanag Internet Comment Yemen YM YE YEM 887 YEM .ye Z Entity FIPS 10 ISO 3166 Stanag Internet Comment Zaire - - - - - - see Democratic Republic of the Congo Zambia ZA ZM ZMB 894 ZMB .zm Zimbabwe ZI ZW ZWE 716 ZWE .zw ====================================================================== Appendix E :: Cross-reference List of Hydrographic Data Codes IHO 23-4th: Limits of Oceans and Seas, Special Publication 23, Draft 4th Edition 1986, published by the International Hydrographic Bureau of the International Hydrographic Organization. IHO 23-3rd: Limits of Oceans and Seas, Special Publication 23, 3rd Edition 1953, published by the International Hydrographic Organization. ACIC M 49-1: Chart of Limits of Seas and Oceans, revised January 1958, published by the Aeronautical Chart and Information Center (ACIC), United States Air Force. DIAM 65-18: Geopolitical Data Elements and Related Features, Data Standard No. 4, Defense Intelligence Agency Manual 65-18, December 1994, published by the Defense Intelligence Agency. The US Government has not yet adopted a standard for hydrographic codes similar to the Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 10-4 country codes. The names and limits of the following oceans and seas are not always directly comparable because of differences in the customers, needs, and requirements of the individual organizations. Even the number of principal water bodies varies from organization to organization. Factbook users, for example, find the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean entries useful, but none of the following standards include those oceans in their entirety. Nor is there any provision for combining codes or overcodes to aggregate water bodies. The recently delimited Southern Ocean is not included. Principal Oceans and Seas of the World With Hydrographic Codes by Institution IHO 23-4th IHO 23-3rd* ACIC M 49-1 DIAM 65-18 Arctic Ocean 9 17 A 5A Atlantic Ocean - - - - Baltic Sea 2 1 B26 7B Eastern Mediterranean 3.1.2 28 B - 8E Indian Ocean 5 45 F 6A Mediterranean Sea 3.1 28 B11 - North Atlantic Ocean 1 23 B 1A North Pacific Ocean 7 57 D 3A Pacific Ocean - - - - South Atlantic Ocean 4 32 C 2A South China and Eastern Archipelagic Seas 6 49, 48 D18 plus 3U plus others others South Pacific Ocean 8 61 E 4A Western Mediterranean 3.1.1 28 A - 8W *The letters after the numbers are subdivisions, not footnotes. ====================================================================== APPENDIX F :: CROSS-REFERENCE LIST OF GEOGRAPHIC NAMES This appendix cross-references a wide variety of geographic names to the appropriate Factbook "country" entry. Additional information is included in parentheses. A NAME ENTRY IN LATITUDE LONGITUDE THE WORLD FACTBOOK (DEG MIN) (DEG MIN) Abidjan (capital) Cote d'Ivoire 5 19 N 4 02 W Abkhazia (region) Georgia 43 00 N 41 00 E Abu Dhabi (capital) United Arab 24 28 N 54 22 E Emirates Abu Musa (island) Iran 25 52 N 55 03 E Abuja (capital) Nigeria 9 12 N 7 11 E Abyssinia (former name Ethiopia 8 00 N 38 00 E for Ethiopia) Acapulco (city) Mexico 16 51 N 99 55 W Accra (capital) Ghana 5 33 N 0 13 W Adamstown (capital) Pitcairn Islands 25 04 S 130 05 W Addis Ababa (capital) Ethiopia 9 02 N 38 42 E Adelie Land (claimed by Antarctica 66 30 S 139 00 E France; also Terre Adelie) Aden (city) Yemen 12 46 N 45 01 E Aden, Gulf of Indian Ocean 12 30 N 48 00 E Admiralty Island United States 57 44 N 134 20 W (Alaska) Admiralty Islands Papua New Guinea 2 10 S 147 00 E Adriatic Sea Atlantic Ocean 42 30 N 16 00 E Adygey (region) Russia 44 30 N 40 10 E Aegean Islands Greece 38 00 N 25 00 E Aegean Sea Atlantic Ocean 38 30 N 25 00 E Afars and Issas, French Djibouti 11 30 N 43 00 E Territory of the (or FTAI; former name for Djibouti) Afghanestan (local name Afghanistan 33 00 N 65 00 E for Afghanistan) Agalega Islands Mauritius 10 25 S 56 40 E Agana (city; former name Guam 13 28 N 144 45 E for Hagatna) Ajaccio (city) France (Corsica) 41 55 N 8 44 E Ajaria (region) Georgia 41 45 N 42 10 E Akmola (city; former Kazakhstan 51 10 N 71 30 E name for Astana) Aksai Chin (region) China (de facto), 35 00 N 79 00 E India (claimed) Al Arabiyah as Suudiyah Saudi Arabia 25 00 N 45 00 E (local name for Saudi Arabia) Al Bahrayn (local name Bahrain 26 00 N 50 33 E for Bahrain) Al Imarat al Arabiyah al United Arab 24 00 N 54 00 E Muttahidah (local name Emirates for the United Arab Emirates) Al Iraq (local name for Iraq 33 00 N 44 00 E Iraq) Al Jaza'ir (local name Algeria 28 00 N 3 00 E for Algeria) Al Kuwayt (local name Kuwait 29 30 N 45 45 E for Kuwait) Al Maghrib (local name Morocco 32 00 N 5 00 W for Morocco) Al Urdun (local name for Jordan 31 00 N 36 00 E Jordan) Al Yaman (local name for Yemen 15 00 N 48 00 E Yemen) Aland Islands Finland 60 15 N 20 00 E Alaska (state) United States 65 00 N 153 00 W Alaska, Gulf of Pacific Ocean 58 00 N 145 00 W Alboran Sea Atlantic Ocean 36 00 N 2 30 W Aldabra Islands (Groupe Seychelles 9 25 S 46 22 E d'Aldabra) Alderney (island) Guernsey 49 43 N 2 12 W Aleutian Islands United States 52 00 N 176 00 W (Alaska) Alexander Archipelago United States 57 00 N 134 00 W (island group) (Alaska) Alexander Island Antarctica 71 00 S 70 00 W Alexandretta (region; Turkey 36 34 N 36 08 E former name for Iskenderun) Alexandria (city) Egypt 31 12 N 29 54 E Algiers (capital) Algeria 36 47 N 2 03 E Alhucemas, Penon de Spain 35 13 N 3 53 W (island group) Alma-Ata (city; former Kazakhstan 43 15 N 76 57 E name for Almaty) Almaty (former capital) Kazakhstan 43 15 N 76 57 E Alofi (capital) Niue 19 01 S 169 55 W Alphonse Island Seychelles 7 01 S 52 45 E Alsace (region) France 48 30 N 7 20 E Amami Strait Pacific Ocean 28 40 N 129 30 E Amindivi Islands (former India 11 30 N 72 30 E name for Laccadive Islands) Amirante Isles (island Seychelles 6 00 S 53 10 E group; also Les Amirantes) Amman (capital) Jordan 31 57 N 35 56 E Amsterdam (capital) Netherlands 52 23 N 4 54 E Amsterdam Island (Ile French Southern 37 52 S 77 32 E Amsterdam) and Antarctic Lands Amundsen Sea Southern Ocean 72 30 S 112 00 W Amur River China, Russia 52 56 N 141 10 E Amurskiy Liman (strait) Pacific Ocean 53 00 N 141 30 E Anadyrskiy Zaliv (gulf) Pacific Ocean 64 00 N 177 00 E Anatolia (region) Turkey 39 00 N 35 00 E Andaman Islands India 12 00 N 92 45 E Andaman Sea Indian Ocean 10 00 N 95 00 E Andorra la Vella Andorra 42 30 N 1 30 E (capital) Andros (island) Greece 37 45 N 24 42 E Andros Island The Bahamas 24 26 N 77 57 W Anegada Passage Atlantic Ocean 18 30 N 63 40 W Angkor Wat (ruins) Cambodia 13 26 N 103 50 E Anglo-Egyptian Sudan Sudan 15 00 N 30 00 E (former name for Sudan) Anjouan (island) Comoros 12 15 S 44 25 E Ankara (capital) Turkey 39 56 N 32 52 E Annobon (island) Equatorial Guinea 1 25 S 5 36 E Antananarivo (capital) Madagascar 18 52 S 47 30 E Antigua (island) Antigua and 14 34 N 90 44 W Barbuda Antipodes Islands New Zealand 49 41 S 178 43 E Antwerp (city) Belgium 51 13 N 4 25 E Aomen (local Chinese Macau 22 10 N 113 33 E short-form name for Macau) Aozou Strip (region) Chad 22 00 N 18 00 E Apia (capital) Samoa 13 50 S 171 44 W Aqaba, Gulf of Indian Ocean 29 00 N 34 30 E Arab, Shatt al (river) Iran, Iraq 29 57 N 48 34 E Arabian Sea Indian Ocean 15 00 N 65 00 E Arafura Sea Pacific Ocean 9 00 S 133 00 E Aral Sea Kazakhstan, 45 00 N 60 00 E Uzbekistan Argun River China, Russia 53 20 N 121 28 E Aru Sea Pacific Ocean 6 15 S 135 00 E As-Sudan (local name for Sudan 15 00 N 30 00 E Sudan) Ascension Island Saint Helena 7 57 S 14 22 W Ashgabat, Ashkhabad Turkmenistan 37 57 N 58 23 E (capital) Asmara, Asmera (capital) Eritrea 15 20 N 38 53 E Assumption Island Seychelles 9 46 S 46 34 E Astana (capital; Kazakhstan 51 10 N 71 30 E formerly Akmola) Asuncion (capital) Paraguay 25 16 S 57 40 W Asuncion Island Northern Mariana 19 40 N 145 24 E Islands Atacama (desert) Chile 23 00 S 70 10 W Atacama (region) Chile 24 30 S 69 15 W Athens (capital) Greece 37 59 N 23 44 E Attu Island United States 52 55 N 172 57 E Auckland (city) New Zealand 36 52 S 174 46 E Auckland Islands New Zealand 51 00 S 166 30 E Australes, Iles (island French Polynesia 23 20 S 151 00 W group; also Iles Tubuai) Avarua (capital) Cook Islands 21 12 S 159 46 W Axel Heiberg Island Canada 79 30 N 90 00 W Azad Kashmir (region) Pakistan 34 30 N 74 00 E Azarbaycan, Azerbaidzhan Azerbaijan 40 30 N 47 30 E (local name for Azerbaijan) Azores (islands) Portugal 38 30 N 28 00 W Azov, Sea of Atlantic Ocean 49 00 N 36 00 E B NAME ENTRY IN LATITUDE LONGITUD THE WORLD FACTBOOK (DEG E MIN) (DEG MIN) Bab el Mandeb (strait) Indian Ocean 12 40 N 43 20 E Babuyan Channel Pacific Ocean 18 44 N 121 40 E Babuyan Islands Philippines 19 10 N 121 40 E Baffin Bay Arctic Ocean 73 00 N 66 00 W Baffin Island Canada 68 00 N 70 00 W Baghdad (capital) Iraq 33 21 N 44 25 E Baku (capital; also Azerbaijan 40 23 N 49 51 E Baki, Baky) Balabac Strait Pacific Ocean 7 35 N 117 00 E Balearic Islands Spain 39 30 N 3 00 E Balearic Sea (Iberian Atlantic Ocean 40 30 N 2 00 E Sea) Bali (island) Indonesia 8 20 S 115 00 E Bali Sea Indian Ocean 7 45 S 115 30 E Balintang Channel Pacific Ocean 19 49 N 121 40 E Balintang Islands Philippines 19 55 N 122 10 E Balkan Peninsula Albania, Bosnia 42 00 N 23 00 E and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Turkey (European part) Balleny Islands Antarctica 67 00 S 163 00 E Balochistan (region) Pakistan 28 00 N 63 00 E Baltic Sea Atlantic Ocean 57 00 N 19 00 E Bamako (capital) Mali 12 39 N 8 00 W Banaba (Ocean Island) Kiribati 0 52 S 169 35 E Banat (region) Hungary, Romania, 45 30 N 21 00 E Serbia Banda Sea Pacific Ocean 5 00 S 128 00 E Bandar Seri Begawan Brunei 4 53 N 114 56 E (capital) Bangka (island) Indonesia 2 30 S 106 00 E Bangkok (capital) Thailand 13 45 N 100 31 E Bangui (capital) Central African 4 22 N 18 35 E Republic Banjul (capital) The Gambia 13 28 N 16 39 W Banks Island Australia 10 12 S 142 16 E Banks Island Canada 75 15 N 121 30 W Banks Islands (Iles Vanuatu 14 00 S 167 30 E Banks) Barbuda (island) Antigua and 17 38 N 61 48 W Barbuda Barcelona (city) Spain 41 25 N 2 13 E Barents Sea Arctic Ocean 74 00 N 36 00 E Barranquilla (city) Colombia 10 59 N 74 48 W Bashi Channel Pacific Ocean 22 00 N 121 00 E Basilan Strait Pacific Ocean 6 49 N 122 05 E Basque Provinces Spain 43 00 N 2 30 W Bass Strait Pacific Ocean 39 20 S 145 30 E Basse-Terre (capital) France 16 00 N 61 44 W (Guadeloupe) Basseterre (capital) Saint Kitts and 17 18 N 62 43 W Nevis Bastia (city) France (Corsica) 42 42 N 9 27 E Basutoland (former name Lesotho 29 30 S 28 30 E for Lesotho) Batan Islands Philippines 20 30 N 121 50 E Bavaria (region; also Germany 48 30 N 11 30 E Bayern) Beagle Channel Atlantic Ocean 54 53 S 68 10 W Bear Island (see Svalbard 74 26 N 19 05 E Bjornoya) Beaufort Sea Arctic Ocean 73 00 N 140 00 W Bechuanaland (former Botswana 22 00 S 24 00 E name for Botswana) Beijing (capital) China 39 56 N 116 24 E Beirut (capital) Lebanon 33 53 N 35 30 E Bekaa Valley Lebanon 34 00 N 36 05 E Belau (Palau Islands) Palau 7 30 N 134 30 E Belep Islands (Iles New Caledonia 19 45 S 163 40 E Belep) Belfast (city) United Kingdom 54 36 N 5 55 W Belgian Congo (former Democratic 0 00 N 25 00 E name for Democratic Republic of the Republic of the Congo) Congo Belgie, Belgique (local Belgium 50 50 N 4 00 E name for Belgium) Belgrade (capital) Serbia 44 50 N 20 30 E Belize City Belize 17 30 N 88 12 W Belle Isle, Strait of Atlantic Ocean 51 35 N 56 30 W Bellingshausen Sea Southern Ocean 71 00 S 85 00 W Belmopan (capital) Belize 17 15 N 88 46 W Belorussia (former name Belarus 53 00 N 28 00 E for Belarus) Benadir (region; former Somalia 4 00 N 46 00 E name of Italian Somaliland) Bengal, Bay of Indian Ocean 15 00 N 90 00 E Berau, Gulf of Pacific Ocean 2 30 S 132 30 E Bering Island Russia 55 00 N 166 30 E Bering Sea Pacific Ocean 60 00 N 175 00 W Bering Strait Pacific Ocean 65 30 N 169 00 W Berkner Island Antarctica 79 30 S 49 30 W Berlin (capital) Germany 52 31 N 13 24 E Berlin, East (former Germany 52 30 N 13 33 E name for eastern sector of Berlin) Berlin, West (former Germany 52 30 N 13 20 E name for western sector of Berlin) Bern (capital) Switzerland 46 57 N 7 26 E Bessarabia (region) Moldova, Romania, 47 00 N 28 30 E Ukraine Bharat (local name for India 20 00 N 77 00 E India) Bhopal (city) India 23 16 N 77 24 E Biafra (region) Nigeria 5 30 N 7 30 E Big Diomede Island Russia 65 46 N 169 06 W Bijagos, Arquipelago dos Guinea-Bissau 11 25 N 16 20 W (island group) Bikini Atoll Marshall Islands 11 35 N 165 23 E Bilbao (city) Spain 43 15 N 2 58 W Bioko (island) Equatorial Guinea 3 30 N 8 42 E Biscay, Bay of Atlantic Ocean 44 00 N 4 00 W Bishkek (capital) Kyrgyzstan 42 54 N 74 36 E Bishop Rock United Kingdom 49 52 N 6 27 W Bismarck Archipelago Papua New Guinea 5 00 S 150 00 E (island group) Bismarck Sea Pacific Ocean 4 00 S 148 00 E Bissau (capital) Guinea-Bissau 11 51 N 15 35 W Bjornoya (Bear Island) Svalbard 74 26 N 19 05 E Black Forest (region) Germany 48 00 N 8 15 E Black Rock (island) South Georgia and 53 39 S 41 48 W the South Sandwich Islands Black Sea Atlantic Ocean 43 00 N 35 00 E Bloemfontein (judicial South Africa 29 12 S 26 07 E capital) Bo Hai (gulf) Pacific Ocean 38 00 N 120 00 E Boa Vista (island) Cape Verde 16 05 N 22 50 W Bogota (capital) Colombia 4 36 N 74 05 W Bohemia (region) Czech Republic 50 00 N 14 30 E Bombay (city; see India 18 58 N 72 50 E Mumbai) Bonaire (island) Netherlands 12 10 N 68 15 W Antilles Bonifacio, Strait of Atlantic Ocean 41 01 N 14 00 E Bonin Islands Japan 27 00 N 142 10 E Bonn (former capital) Germany 50 44 N 7 05 E Bophuthatswana (region; South Africa 26 30 S 25 30 E enclave) Bora-Bora (island) French Polynesia 16 30 S 151 45 W Bordeaux (city) France 44 50 N 0 34 W Borneo (island) Brunei, Indonesia, 0 30 N 114 00 E Malaysia Bornholm (island) Denmark 55 10 N 15 00 E Bosna i Hercegovina Bosnia and 44 00 N 18 00 E (local name for Bosnia Herzegovina and Herzegovina) Bosnia (political Bosnia and 44 00 N 18 00 E region) Herzegovina Bosporus (strait) Atlantic Ocean 41 00 N 29 00 E Bothnia, Gulf of Atlantic Ocean 63 00 N 20 00 E Bougainville (island) Papua New Guinea 6 00 S 155 00 E Bougainville Strait Pacific Ocean 6 40 S 156 10 E Bounty Islands New Zealand 47 43 S 174 00 E Bourbon Island (former Reunion 21 06 S 55 36 E name of Reunion) Brasilia (capital) Brazil 15 47 S 47 55 W Bratislava (capital) Slovakia 48 09 N 17 07 E Brazzaville (capital) Republic of the 4 16 S 15 17 E Congo Bridgetown (capital) Barbados 13 06 N 59 37 W Brisbane (city) Australia 27 28 S 153 02 E Bristol Bay Pacific Ocean 57 00 N 160 00 W Bristol Channel Atlantic Ocean 51 18 N 3 30 W Britain (see Great United Kingdom 54 00 N 2 00 W Britain) British Bechuanaland South Africa 27 30 S 23 30 E (region; former name for northwest South Africa) British Central African Malawi 13 30 S 34 00 E Protectorate (former name of Nyasaland) British East Africa Kenya, Tanzania, 1 00 N 38 00 E (former name for British Uganda possessions in eastern Africa) British Guiana (former Guyana 5 00 N 59 00 W name for Guyana) British Honduras (former Belize 17 15 N 88 45 W name for Belize) British Solomon Islands Solomon Islands 8 00 S 159 00 E (former name for Solomon Islands) British Somaliland Somalia 10 00 N 49 00 E (former name for northern Somalia) Brussels (capital) Belgium 50 50 N 4 20 E Bubiyan (island) Kuwait 29 47 N 48 10 E Bucharest (capital) Romania 44 26 N 26 06 E Budapest (capital) Hungary 47 30 N 19 05 E Buenos Aires (capital) Argentina 34 36 S 58 27 W Bujumbura (capital) Burundi 3 23 S 29 22 E Bukovina (region) Romania, Ukraine 48 00 N 26 00 E Byelarus (local name for Belarus 53 00 N 28 00 E Belarus) Byelorussia (former name Belarus 53 00 N 28 00 E for Belarus) C NAME ENTRY IN LATITUDE LONGITUD THE WORLD FACTBOOK (DEG E MIN) (DEG MIN) Cabinda (province) Angola 5 33 S 12 12 E Cabo Verde (local name Cape Verde 16 00 N 24 00 W for Cape Verde) Cabot Strait Atlantic Ocean 47 20 N 59 30 W Caicos Islands Turks and Caicos 21 56 N 71 58 W Islands Cairo (capital) Egypt 30 03 N 31 15 E Calcutta (city) India 22 32 N 88 21 E Calgary (city) Canada 51 02 N 114 04 W California, Gulf of Pacific Ocean 28 00 N 112 00 W Cameroun (local name for Cameroon 6 00 N 12 00 E Cameroon) Campbell Island New Zealand 52 33 S 169 09 E Campeche, Bay of Atlantic Ocean 20 00 N 94 00 W Canal Zone (former name Panama 9 00 N 79 45 W for US possessions in Panama) Canarias Sea Atlantic Ocean 28 00 N 16 00 W Canary Islands Spain 28 00 N 15 30 W Canberra (capital) Australia 35 17 S 149 08 E Cancun (city) Mexico 21 10 N 86 50 W Canton (city; now China 23 06 N 113 16 E Guangzhou) Canton Island (Kanton Kiribati 2 49 S 171 40 W Island) Cape Juby (region; Morocco 27 53 N 12 58 W former name for Southern Morocco) Cape Province (region; South Africa 31 30 S 22 30 E former name for Northern, Western, and Eastern Cape Provinces of South Africa) Cape Town (legislative South Africa 33 57 S 18 25 E capital) Cape of Good Hope (cape; South Africa 34 15 S 18 20 E also alternate name for Cape Province of South Africa) Caracas (capital) Venezuela 10 30 N 66 56 W Cargados Carajos Shoals Mauritius 16 25 S 59 38 E Caribbean Sea Atlantic Ocean 15 00 N 73 00 W Caroline Islands Federated States 7 30 N 148 00 E of Micronesia, Palau Carpatho-Ukraine Ukraine 48 22 N 23 32 E (region; former name for Zakarpats'ka oblast') Carpentaria, Gulf of Pacific Ocean 14 00 S 139 00 E Casablanca (city) Morocco 33 35 N 7 34 W Castries (capital) Saint Lucia 14 01 N 61 00 W Catalonia (region) Spain 42 00 N 2 00 E Cato Island Australia 23 15 S 155 32 E Caucasus (region) Russia 42 00 N 45 00 E Cayenne (capital) French Guiana 4 56 N 52 20 W Celebes (island) Indonesia 2 00 S 121 00 E Celebes Sea Pacific Ocean 3 00 N 122 00 E Celtic Sea Atlantic Ocean 51 00 N 6 30 W Central African Empire Central African 7 00 N 21 00 E (former name for Central Republic African Republic) Ceram (Seram) Sea Pacific Ocean 2 30 S 129 30 E Ceska Republika (local Czech Republic 49 45 N 15 30 E name for Czech Republic) Ceskoslovensko (former Czech Republic, 49 00 N 17 30 E local name for Slovakia Czechoslovakia) Cetinje (capital city) Montenegro 42 24 N 18 55 E Ceuta (city) Spain 35 53 N 5 19 W Ceylon (former name for Sri Lanka 7 00 N 81 00 E Sri Lanka) Chafarinas, Islas Spain 35 12 N 2 26 W (island) Chagos Archipelago (Oil British Indian 6 00 S 71 30 E Islands) Ocean Territory Challenger Deep (Mariana Pacific Ocean 11 22 N 142 36 E Trench) Channel Islands Guernsey, Jersey 49 20 N 2 20 W Charlotte Amalie Virgin Islands 18 21 N 64 56 W (capital) Chatham Islands New Zealand 44 00 S 176 30 W Chechnya (region; also Russia 43 15 N 45 40 E Chechnia) Cheju Strait Pacific Ocean 34 00 N 126 30 E Cheju-do (island) Korea, South 33 20 N 126 30 E Chengdu (city) China 30 43 N 104 04 E Chennai (city; also India 13 04 N 80 16 E Madras) Chesterfield Islands New Caledonia 19 52 S 158 15 E (Iles Chesterfield) Chihli, Gulf of (see Bo Pacific Ocean 38 30 N 120 00 E Hai) Chiloe (island) Chile 42 50 S 74 00 W China, People's Republic China 35 00 N 105 00 E of China, Republic of Taiwan 23 30 N 121 00 E Chisinau (capital; also Moldova 47 00 N 28 50 E Kishinev) Choiseul (island) Solomon Islands 7 05 S 121 00 E Choson (local name for North Korea 40 00 N 127 00 E North Korea) Christmas Island (Indian Australia 10 25 S 105 39 E Ocean) Christmas Island Kiribati 1 52 N 157 20 W (Pacific Ocean; also Kiritimati) Chukchi Sea Arctic Ocean 69 00 N 171 00 W Chuuk Islands (Truk Federated States 7 25 N 151 47 W Islands) of Micronesia Cilicia (region) Turkey 36 50 N 34 30 E Ciskei (enclave) South Africa 33 00 S 27 00 E Citta del Vaticano Holy See 41 54 N 12 27 E (local name for Vatican City) Cochin China (region) Vietnam 11 00 N 107 00 E Coco, Isla del (island) Costa Rica 5 32 N 87 04 W Cocos Islands Cocos (Keeling) 12 30 S 96 50 E Islands Colombo (capital) Sri Lanka 6 56 N 79 51 E Colon, Archipielago de Ecuador 0 00 N 90 30 W (Galapagos Islands) Commander Islands Russia 55 00 N 167 00 E (Komandorskiye Ostrova) Comores (local name for Comoros 12 10 S 44 15 E Comoros) Con Son (islands) Vietnam 8 43 N 106 36 E Conakry (capital) Guinea 9 31 N 13 43 W Confederatio Helvetica Switzerland 47 00 N 8 00 E (local name for Switzerland) Congo (Brazzaville) Republic of the 1 00 S 15 00 E (former name for Congo Republic of the Congo) Congo (Leopoldville) Democratic 0 00 N 25 00 E (former name for the Republic of the Democratic Republic of Congo the Congo) Constantinople (city; Turkey 41 01 N 28 58 E former name for Istanbul) Cook Strait Pacific Ocean 41 15 S 174 30 E Copenhagen (capital) Denmark 55 40 N 12 35 E Coral Sea Pacific Ocean 15 00 S 150 00 E Corfu (island) Greece 39 40 N 19 45 E Corinth (region) Greece 37 56 N 22 56 E Corisco (island) Equatorial Guinea 0 55 N 9 19 E Corn Islands (Islas del Nicaragua 12 15 N 83 00 W Maiz) Corocoro Island Guyana, Venezuela 3 38 N 66 50 W Corsica (island; also France 42 00 N 9 00 E Corse) Cosmoledo Group (island Seychelles 9 43 S 47 35 E group; also Atoll de Cosmoledo) Cotonou (former capital) Benin 6 21 N 2 26 E Cotopaxi (volcano) Ecuador 0 39 S 78 26 W Courantyne River Guyana, Suriname 5 57 N 57 06 W Cozumel (island) Mexico 20 30 N 86 55 W Crete (island) Greece 35 15 N 24 45 E Crimea (region) Ukraine 45 00 N 34 00 E Crimean Peninsula Ukraine 45 00 N 34 00 E Crooked Island Passage Atlantic Ocean 22 55 N 74 35 W Crozet Islands (Iles French Southern 46 30 S 51 00 E Crozet) and Antarctic Lands Cyclades (island group) Greece 37 00 N 25 10 E Cyrenaica (region) Libya 31 00 N 22 00 E Czechoslovakia (former Czech Republic, 49 00 N 18 00 E name for the entity that Slovakia subsequently split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia) D NAME ENTRY IN LATITUDE LONGITUD THE WORLD FACTBOOK (DEG E MIN) (DEG MIN) D'Entrecasteaux Islands Papua New Guinea 9 30 S 150 40 E Dagestan (region) Russia 43 00 N 47 00 E Dahomey (former name for Benin 9 30 N 2 15 E Benin) Daito Islands Japan 43 00 N 17 00 E Dakar (capital) Senegal 14 40 N 17 26 W Dalmatia (region) Croatia 43 00 N 17 00 E Daman (city; also Damao) India 20 10 N 73 00 E Damascus (capital) Syria 33 30 N 36 18 E Danger Islands (see Cook Islands 10 53 S 165 49 W Pukapuka Atoll) Danish Straits Atlantic Ocean 58 00 N 11 00 E Danish West Indies Virgin Islands 18 20 N 64 50 W (former name for the Virgin Islands) Danmark (local name) Denmark 56 00 N 10 00 E Danzig (city; former Poland 54 23 N 18 40 E name for Gdansk) Dao Bach Long Vi Vietnam 20 08 N 107 44 E (island) Dar es Salaam (capital) Tanzania 6 48 S 39 17 E Dardanelles (strait) Atlantic Ocean 40 15 N 26 25 E Davis Strait Atlantic Ocean 67 00 N 57 00 W Dead Sea Israel, Jordan, 32 30 N 35 30 E West Bank Deception Island Antarctica 62 56 S 60 34 W Denmark Strait Atlantic Ocean 67 00 N 24 00 W Desolation Islands French Southern 49 30 S 69 30 E (Isles Kerguelen) and Antarctic Lands Deutschland (local name Germany 51 00 N 9 00 E for Germany) Devils Island (Ile du French Guiana 5 17 N 52 35 W Diable) Devon Island Canada 76 00 N 87 00 W Dhaka (capital) Bangladesh 23 43 N 90 25 E Dhivehi Raajje (local Maldives 3 15 N 73 00 E name for Maldives) Dhofar (region) Oman 17 00 N 54 10 E Diego Garcia (island) British Indian 7 20 S 72 25 E Ocean Territory Diego Ramirez (islands) Chile 56 30 S 68 43 W Dili (capital) Timor-Leste 8 35 S 125 36 E Dilmun (former name for Bahrain 7 00 N 81 00 E Bahrain) Diomede Islands Russia (Big 65 47 N 169 00 W Diomede), United States (Little Diomede) Diu (region) India 20 42 N 70 59 E Djibouti (capital) Djibouti 11 30 N 43 15 E Dnieper (river) Belarus, Russia, 46 30 N 32 18 E Ukraine (Dnyapro, Dnepr, Dnipro) Dniester (river) Moldova, Ukraine 46 18 N 30 17 E (Nistru, Dnister) Dobruja (region) Bulgaria, Romania 43 30 N 28 00 E Dodecanese (island Greece 36 00 N 27 05 E group) Dodoma (city) Tanzania 6 11 S 35 45 E Doha (capital) Qatar 25 17 N 51 32 E Donets Basin Russia, Ukraine 48 15 N 38 30 E Douala (city) Cameroon 4 03 N 9 42 E Douglas (capital) Man, Isle of 54 09 N 4 28 W Dover, Strait of Atlantic Ocean 51 00 N 1 30 E Drake Passage Atlantic Ocean, 60 00 S 60 00 W Southern Ocean Druk Yul (local name for Bhutan 27 30 N 90 30 E Bhutan) Dubai, Dubayy (city) United Arab 25 18 N 55 18 E Emirates Dublin (capital) Ireland 53 20 N 6 15 W Duesseldorf (city) Germany 51 13 N 6 47 E Durban (city) South Africa 29 51 S 31 02 E Dushanbe (capital) Tajikistan 38 35 N 68 48 E Dutch Antilles (former Netherlands 12 10 N 68 30 W name for the Netherlands Antilles Antilles) Dutch East Indies Indonesia 5 00 S 120 00 E (former name for Indonesia) Dutch Guiana (former Suriname 4 00 N 56 00 W name for Suriname) Dutch West Indies Netherlands 12 10 N 68 30 W (former name for the Antilles Netherlands Antilles) Dzungarian Gate (valley) China, Kazakhstan 45 25 N 82 25 E E NAME ENTRY IN LATITUDE LONGITUD THE WORLD FACTBOOK (DEG E MIN) (DEG MIN) East China Sea Pacific Ocean 30 00 N 126 00 E East Frisian Islands Germany 53 44 N 7 25 E East Germany (German Germany 52 00 N 13 00 E Democratic Republic; former name for eastern portion of Germany) East Korea Strait Pacific Ocean 34 00 N 129 00 E (Eastern Channel or Tsushima Strait) East Pakistan (former Bangladesh 24 00 N 90 00 E name for Bangladesh) East Siberian Sea Arctic Ocean 74 00 N 166 00 E Easter Island (Isla de Chile 27 07 S 109 22 W Pascua) Eastern Channel (East Pacific Ocean 34 00 N 129 00 E Korea Strait or Tsushima Strait) Eastern Samoa (former American Samoa 14 20 S 170 00 W name for American Samoa) Edinburgh (city) United Kingdom 55 57 N 3 11 W Eesti (local name for Estonia 59 00 N 26 00 E Estonia) Eire (local name for Ireland 53 00 N 8 00 W Ireland) Elba (island) Italy 42 46 N 10 17 E Elemi Triangle (region) Ethiopia 5 00 N 35 30 E (claimed), Kenya (de facto), Sudan (claimed) Ellada, Ellas (local Greece 39 00 N 22 00 E name for Greece) Ellef Ringnes Island Canada 78 00 N 103 00 W Ellesmere Island Canada 81 00 N 80 00 W Ellice Islands Tuvalu 8 00 S 178 00 E Ellsworth Land (region) Antarctica 75 00 S 92 00 W Elobey, Islas de (island Equatorial Guinea 0 59 N 9 33 E group) Enderbury Island Kiribati 3 08 S 171 05 W Enewetak Atoll (Eniwetok Marshall Islands 11 30 N 162 15 E Atoll) England (region) United Kingdom 52 30 N 1 30 W English Channel Atlantic Ocean 50 20 N 1 00 W Eniwetok Atoll (see Marshall Islands 11 30 N 162 15 E Enewetak Atoll) Eolie, Isole (island Italy 38 30 N 15 00 E group) Epirus, Northern Albania, Greece 40 00 N 20 30 E (region) Episkopi Cantonment Akrotiri, Dhekelia 34 40 N 32 51 E (capital) Ertra (local name for Eritrea 15 00 N 39 00 E Eritrea) Espana Spain 40 00 N 4 00 W Essequibo (region; Guyana 6 59 N 58 23 W claimed by Venezuela) Etorofu (island; also Russia (de facto) 44 55 N 147 40 E Iturup) F NAME ENTRY IN LATITUDE LONGITUD THE WORLD FACTBOOK (DEG E MIN) (DEG MIN) Farquhar Group (island Seychelles 10 10 S 51 10 E group; also Atoll de Farquhar) Fergana Valley Kyrgyzstan, 41 00 N 72 00 E Tajikistan, Uzbekistan Fernando Po (island; see Equatorial Guinea 3 30 N 8 42 E Bioko) Fernando de Noronha Brazil 3 51 S 32 25 W (island group) Filipinas (local name Philippines 13 00 N 122 00 E for the Philippines; also Pilipinas) Finland, Gulf of Atlantic Ocean 60 00 N 27 00 E Fiume (city; former name Croatia 45 19 N 14 25 E for Rijeka) Florence (city) Italy 43 46 N 11 16 E Flores (island) Indonesia 8 45 S 121 00 E Flores Sea Pacific Ocean 7 40 S 119 45 E Florida, Straits of Atlantic Ocean 25 00 N 79 45 W Fongafale (largest Tuvalu 8 30 S 179 12 E island of Funafuti) Former Soviet Union Armenia, (FSU) Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan Formosa (island) Taiwan 23 30 N 121 00 E Formosa Strait (see Pacific Ocean 24 00 N 119 00 E Taiwan Strait) Foroyar (local name for Faroe Islands 62 00 N 7 00 W Faroe Islands) Fort-de-France (capital) Martinique 14 36 N 61 05 W Frankfurt am Main (city) Germany 50 07 N 8 41 E Franz Josef Land (island Russia 81 00 N 55 00 E group) Freetown (capital) Sierra Leone 8 30 N 13 15 W French Cameroon (former Cameroon 6 00 N 12 00 E name for Cameroon) French Guinea (former Guinea 11 00 N 10 00 W name for Guinea) French Indochina (former Cambodia, Laos, 15 00 N 107 00 E name for French Vietnam possessions in southeast Asia) French Morocco (former Morocco 32 00 N 5 00 W name for Morocco) French Somaliland Djibouti 11 30 N 43 00 E (former name for Djibouti) French Sudan (former Mali 17 00 N 4 00 W name for Mali) French Territory of the Djibouti 11 30 N 43 00 E Afars and Issas (or FTAI; former name for Djibouti) French Togoland (former Togo 8 00 N 1 10 E name for Togo) French West Indies Guadeloupe, 16 30 N 62 00 W (former name for French Martinique possessions in the West Indies) Friendly Islands Tonga 20 00 S 175 00 W Frisian Islands Denmark, Germany, 53 35 N 6 40 E Netherlands Frunze (city; former Kyrgyzstan 42 54 N 74 36 E name for Bishkek) Funafuti (capital, Tuvalu 8 30 S 179 12 E atoll) Fundy, Bay of Atlantic Ocean 45 00 N 66 00 W Futuna Islands (Hoorn Wallis and Futuna 14 19 S 178 05 W Islands/Iles de Horne) Fyn (island) Denmark 55 20 N 10 25 E G NAME ENTRY IN LATITUDE LONGITUD THE WORLD FACTBOOK (DEG E MIN) (DEG MIN) Gaborone (capital) Botswana 24 45 S 25 55 E Galapagos Islands Ecuador 0 00 N 90 30 W (Archipielago de Colon) Galicia (region) Poland, Ukraine 49 30 N 23 00 E Galicia (region) Spain 42 45 N 8 10 E Galilee (region) Israel 32 54 N 35 20 E Galleons Passage Atlantic Ocean 11 00 N 60 55 W Gambier Islands (Iles French Polynesia 23 09 S 134 58 W Gambier) Gaspar Strait Pacific Ocean 3 00 S 107 00 E Gdansk (city; formerly Poland 54 23 N 18 40 E Danzig) Geneva (city) Switzerland 46 12 N 6 10 E Genoa (city) Italy 44 25 N 8 57 E George Town (capital) Cayman Islands 19 20 N 81 23 W George Town (city) Malaysia 5 26 N 100 16 E George Town (city) The Bahamas 23 30 N 75 46 W Georgetown (capital) Guyana 6 48 N 58 10 W Georgetown (city) The Gambia 13 30 N 14 47 W German Democratic Germany 52 00 N 13 00 E Republic (East Germany; former name for eastern portion of Germany) German Southwest Africa Namibia 22 00 S 17 00 E (former name for Namibia) Germany, Federal Germany 51 00 N 9 00 E Republic of Gibraltar (city, Gibraltar 36 11 N 5 22 W peninsula) Gibraltar, Strait of Atlantic Ocean 35 57 N 5 36 W Gidi Pass Egypt 30 13 N 33 09 E Gilbert Islands Kiribati 1 25 N 173 00 E Goa (state) India 15 20 N 74 00 E Gobi (desert) China, Mongolia 42 30 N 107 00 E Godthab (capital; also Greenland 64 11 N 51 44 W Nuuk) Golan Heights (region) Syria 33 00 N 35 45 E Gold Coast (former name Ghana 8 00 N 2 00 W for Ghana) Golfo San Jorge (gulf) Atlantic Ocean 46 00 S 66 00 W Golfo San Matias (gulf) Atlantic Ocean 41 30 S 64 00 W Good Hope, Cape of South Africa 34 24 S 18 30 E Goteborg (city) Sweden 57 43 N 11 58 E Gotland (island) Sweden 57 30 N 18 33 E Gough Island Saint Helena 40 20 S 9 55 W Graham Land (region) Antarctica 65 00 S 64 00 W Gran Chaco (region) Argentina, 24 00 S 60 00 W Paraguay Grand Bahama (island) The Bahamas 26 40 N 78 35 W Grand Banks (fishing Atlantic Ocean 47 06 N 55 48 W ground) Grand Cayman (island) Cayman Islands 19 20 N 81 20 W Grand Turk (capital; Turks and Caicos 21 28 N 71 08 W also Cockburn Town) Islands Great Australian Bight Indian Ocean 35 00 S 130 00 E Great Belt (strait; also Atlantic Ocean 55 30 N 11 00 E Store Baelt) Great Bitter Lake Egypt 30 20 N 32 23 E Great Britain (island) United Kingdom 54 00 N 2 00 W Great Channel Indian Ocean 6 25 N 94 20 E Great Inagua (island) The Bahamas 21 00 N 73 20 W Great Rift Valley Ethiopia, Kenya 0 30 N 36 00 E Greater Sunda Islands Brunei, Indonesia, 2 00 S 110 00 E Malaysia Green Islands Papua New Guinea 4 30 S 154 10 E Greenland Sea Arctic Ocean 79 00 N 5 00 W Grenadines, Northern Saint Vincent and 13 15 N 61 12 W (island group) the Grenadines Grenadines, Southern Grenada 12 07 N 61 40 W (island group) Grytviken (town; on South Georgia and 54 15 S 36 45 W South Georgia) the South Sandwich Islands Guadalahara (city) Mexico 20 40 N 103 24 W Guadalcanal (island) Solomon Islands 9 32 S 160 12 E Guadalupe, Isla de Mexico 29 11 N 118 17 W (island) Guangzhou (city; also China 23 09 N 113 21 E Canton) Guantanamo Bay (US Naval Cuba 20 00 N 75 08 W Base) Guatemala (capital) Guatemala 14 38 N 90 31 W Guine-Bissau (local name Guinea-Bissau 12 00 N 15 00 W for Guinea-Bissau) Guinea Ecuatorial (local Equatorial Guinea 2 00 N 10 00 E name for Equatorial Guinea) Guinea, Gulf of Atlantic Ocean 3 00 N 2 30 E Guinee (local name for Guinea 11 00 N 10 00 W Guinea) Gustavia (capital) Saint Barthelemy 17 53 N 62 51 W Guyane Francaise (local French Guiana 4 00 N 53 00 W name for French Guiana) H NAME ENTRY IN LATITUDE LONGITUD THE WORLD FACTBOOK (DEG E MIN) (DEG MIN) Ha'apai Group (island Tonga 19 42 S 174 29 W group) Habomai Islands Russia (de facto) 43 30 N 146 10 E Hadhramaut (region) Yemen 15 00 N 50 00 E Hagatna (capital; Guam 13 28 N 144 45 E formerly Agana) Hague, The (seat of Netherlands 52 05 N 4 18 E government) Haifa (city) Israel 32 50 N 35 00 E Hainan Dao (island) China 19 00 N 109 30 E Haiphong (city) Vietnam 20 52 N 106 41 E Hala'ib Triangle Egypt (claimed), 22 30 N 35 00 E (region) Sudan (de facto) Halifax (city) Canada 44 39 N 63 36 W Halmahera (island) Indonesia 1 00 N 128 00 E Halmahera Sea Pacific Ocean 0 30 S 129 00 E Hamburg (city) Germany 53 34 N 9 59 E Hamilton (capital) Bermuda 32 17 N 64 46 W Han-guk (local name for South Korea 37 00 N 127 30 E South Korea Hanoi (capital) Vietnam 21 02 N 105 51 E Harare (capital) Zimbabwe 17 50 S 31 03 E Harvey Islands (former Cook Islands 21 14 S 159 46 W name for Cook Islands) Hatay (province) Turkey 36 30 N 36 15 E Havana (capital) Cuba 23 08 N 82 22 W Hawaii (island) United States 19 45 N 155 45 W Hawaiian Islands United States 21 00 N 157 45 W Hawar (island) Bahrain 25 40 N 50 47 E Hayastan (local name for Armenia 40 00 N 45 00 E Armenia) Heard Island Heard Island and 53 06 S 73 30 E McDonald Islands Hejaz (region) Saudi Arabia 24 30 N 38 30 E Helsinki (capital) Finland 60 10 N 24 58 E Herzegovina (political Bosnia and 44 00 N 18 00 E region) Herzegovina Hiiumaa (island) Estonia 58 50 N 22 30 E Hispaniola (island) Dominican 18 45 N 71 00 W Republic, Haiti Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam 10 45 N 106 40 E (formerly Saigon) Hokkaido (island) Japan 44 00 N 143 00 E Holland (region) Netherlands 52 30 N 5 45 E Hong Kong (special Hong Kong 22 15 N 114 10 E administrative region) Honiara (capital) Solomon Islands 9 26 S 159 57 E Honshu (island) Japan 36 00 N 138 00 E Hormuz, Strait of Indian Ocean 26 34 N 56 15 E Horn of Africa (region) Djibouti, Eritrea, 8 00 N 48 00 E Ethiopia, Somalia Horn, Cape (Cabo de Chile 55 59 S 67 16 W Hornos) Horne, Iles de (island Wallis and Futuna 14 19 S 178 05 W group) Hrvatska (local name for Croatia 45 10 N 15 30 E Croatia) Hudson Bay Arctic Ocean 60 00 N 86 00 W Hudson Strait Arctic Ocean 62 00 N 71 00 W Hunter Island New Caledonia, 22 24 S 172 06 E Vanuatu I NAME ENTRY IN LATITUDE LONGITUD THE WORLD FACTBOOK (DEG E MIN) (DEG MIN) Iberian Peninsula Portugal, Spain 40 00 N 5 00 W Iceland Sea Arctic Ocean 68 00 N 20 00 W Ifni (region; former Morocco 29 22 N 10 09 W name of part of Spanish West Africa) Inaccessible Island Saint Helena 37 17 S 12 40 W Indochina (region) Cambodia, Laos, 15 00 N 107 00 E Vietnam Ingushetia (region) Russia 43 15 N 45 00 E Inhambane (region) Mozambique 22 30 S 34 30 E Inini (former name for French Guiana 4 00 N 53 00 W French Guiana) Inland Sea Japan 34 20 N 133 30 E Inner Hebrides (islands) United Kingdom 56 30 N 6 20 W Inner Mongolia (region; China 42 00 N 113 00 E also Nei Mongol) Ionian Islands Greece 38 30 N 20 30 E Ionian Sea Atlantic Ocean 38 30 N 18 00 E Irian Jaya (province) Indonesia 5 00 S 138 00 E Irish Sea Atlantic Ocean 53 30 N 5 20 W Iron Gate (river gorge) Romania, Serbia 44 41 N 22 31 E Iskenderun (region; Turkey 36 34 N 36 08 E formerly Alexandretta) Islamabad (capital) Pakistan 33 42 N 73 10 E Island (local name for Iceland 65 00 N 18 00 W Iceland) Islas Malvinas (island Falkland Islands 51 45 S 59 00 W group) (Islas Malvinas) Istanbul (city) Turkey 41 01 N 28 58 E Istrian Peninsula Croatia, Slovenia 45 00 N 14 00 E Italia (local name for Italy 42 50 N 12 50 E Italy) Italian East Africa Eritrea, Ethiopia, 8 00 N 38 00 E (former name for Italian Somalia possessions in eastern Africa) Italian Somaliland Somalia 10 00 N 49 00 E (former name for southern Somalia) Ittihad al-Imarat al- United Arab 24 00 N 54 00 E Arabiyah (local name for Emirates the United Arab Emirates) Iturup (island; see Russia (de facto) 44 55 N 147 40 E Etorofu) Ityop'iya (local name Ethiopia 8 00 N 38 00 E for Ethiopia) Ivory Coast (former name Cote d'Ivoire 8 00 N 5 00 W for Cote d'Ivoire) Iwo Jima (island) Japan 24 47 N 141 20 E Izmir (region) Turkey 38 25 N 27 10 E J NAME ENTRY IN LATITUDE LONGITUD THE WORLD FACTBOOK (DEG E MIN) (DEG MIN) Jakarta (capital) Indonesia 6 10 S 106 48 E James Bay Arctic Ocean 54 00 N 80 00 W Jamestown (capital) Saint Helena 15 56 S 5 44 W Jammu (city) India 32 42 N 74 52 E Jammu and Kashmir India, Pakistan 34 00 N 76 00 E (region) Japan, Sea of Pacific Ocean 40 00 N 135 00 E Jars, Plain of Laos 19 27 N 103 10 E Java (island) Indonesia 7 30 S 110 00 E Java Sea Pacific Ocean 5 00 S 110 00 E Jerusalem (capital, Israel, West Bank 31 47 N 35 14 E proclaimed) Jiddah, Jeddah (city) Saudi Arabia 21 30 N 39 12 E Johannesburg (city) South Africa 26 15 S 28 00 E Joseph Bonaparte Gulf Pacific Ocean 14 00 S 128 45 E Juan Fernandez, Islas de Chile 33 00 S 80 00 W (island group) Juan de Fuca, Strait of Pacific Ocean 48 18 N 124 00 W Jubal, Strait of Indian Ocean 27 40 N 33 55 E Judaea (region) Israel, West Bank 31 35 N 35 00 E Jugoslavia, Jugoslavija Bosnia and 43 00 N 21 00 E (local names for Herzegovina, Yugoslavia, a former Croatia, Balkan federation) Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia Jutland (region) Denmark 56 00 N 9 15 E Juventud, Isla de la Cuba 21 40 N 82 50 W (Isle of Youth) K NAME ENTRY IN LATITUDE LONGITUD THE WORLD FACTBOOK (DEG E MIN) (DEG MIN) Kabardino-Balkaria Russia 43 30 N 43 30 E (region) Kabul (capital) Afghanistan 34 31 N 69 12 E Kaduna (city) Nigeria 10 33 N 7 27 E Kailas Range China, India 30 00 N 82 00 E Kalaallit Nunaat (local Greenland 72 00 N 40 00 W name for Greenland) Kalahari (desert) Botswana, Namibia 24 30 S 21 00 E Kalimantan (region) Indonesia 0 00 N 115 00 E Kaliningrad (region; Russia 54 30 N 21 00 E formerly part of East Prussia) Kamaran (island) Yemen 15 21 N 42 34 E Kamchatka Peninsula Russia 56 00 N 160 00 E (Poluostrov Kamchatka) Kampala (capital) Uganda 0 19 N 32 25 E Kampuchea (former name Cambodia 13 00 N 105 00 E for Cambodia) Kane Basin (portion of Arctic Ocean 79 30 N 68 00 W channel) Kanton Island Kiribati 2 49 S 171 40 W Kara Sea Arctic Ocean 76 00 N 80 00 E Karachevo-Cherkessia Russia 43 40 N 41 50 E (region) Karachi (city) Pakistan 24 51 N 67 03 E Karafuto (island; former Russia 50 00 N 143 00 E name for southern Sakhalin Island) Karakoram Pass China, India 35 30 N 77 50 E Karelia, Kareliya Finland, Russia 63 15 N 30 48 E (region) Karelian Isthmus Russia 60 25 N 30 00 E Karimata Strait Pacific Ocean 2 05 S 108 40 E Kashmir (region) India, Pakistan 34 00 N 76 00 E Katanga (region) Democratic 10 00 S 26 00 E Republic of the Congo Kathmandu (capital) Nepal 27 43 N 85 19 E Kattegat (strait) Atlantic Ocean 57 00 N 11 00 E Kauai Channel Pacific Ocean 21 45 N 158 50 W Kazakstan (former name Kazakhstan 48 00 N 68 00 E for Kazakhstan) Keeling Islands Cocos (Keeling) 12 30 S 96 50 E Islands Kerguelen, Iles (island French Southern 49 30 S 69 30 E group) and Antarctic Lands Kermadec Islands New Zealand 29 50 S 178 15 W Kerulen River China, Mongolia 48 48 N 117 00 E Khabarovsk (city) Russia 48 27 N 135 06 E Khanka, Lake China, Russia 45 00 N 132 24 E Khartoum (capital) Sudan 15 36 N 32 32 E Khios (island) Greece 38 22 N 26 04 E Khmer Republic (former Cambodia 13 00 N 105 00 E name for Cambodia) Khuriya Muriya Islands Oman 17 30 N 56 00 E (Kuria Muria Islands) Khyber Pass Afghanistan, 34 05 N 71 10 E Pakistan Kibris (Turkish local Cyprus 35 00 N 33 00 E name for Cyprus) Kiel Canal (Nord-Ostsee Atlantic Ocean 53 53 N 9 08 E Kanal) Kiev (city; former name Ukraine 50 26 N 30 31 E for Kyiv) Kigali (capital) Rwanda 1 57 S 30 04 E Kingston (capital) Jamaica 18 00 N 76 48 W Kingston (capital) Norfolk Island 29 03 S 167 58 E Kingstown (capital) Saint Vincent and 13 09 N 61 14 W the Grenadines Kinshasa (capital) Democratic 4 18 S 15 18 E Republic of the Congo Kipros (Greek local name Cyprus 35 00 N 33 00 E for Cyprus) Kirghiziya, Kirgizia Kyrgyzstan 41 00 N 75 00 E (former name for Kyrgyzstan) Kirguizstan (local name Kyrgyzstan 41 00 N 75 00 E for Kyrgyzstan) Kiritimati (Christmas Kiribati 1 52 N 157 20 W Island) Kishinev (see Chisinau) Moldova 47 00 N 28 50 E Kithira Strait Atlantic Ocean 36 00 N 23 00 E Kobe (city) Japan 34 41 N 135 10 E Kodiak Island United States 57 49 N 152 23 W Kola Peninsula (Kol'skiy Russia 67 20 N 37 00 E Poluostrov) Kolonia (town; former Federated States 6 58 N 158 13 E capital; changed to of Micronesia Palikir) Korea Bay Pacific Ocean 39 00 N 124 00 E Korea Strait Pacific Ocean 34 00 N 129 00 E Korea, Democratic North Korea 40 00 N 127 00 E People's Republic of Korea, Republic of South Korea 37 00 N 127 30 E Koror (capital) Palau 7 20 N 134 29 E Kosovo (region) Kosovo 42 30 N 21 00 E Kosrae (island) Federated States 5 20 N 163 00 E of Micronesia Kowloon (city) Hong Kong 22 18 N 114 10 E Kra, Isthmus of Burma, Thailand 10 20 N 99 00 E Krakatoa (volcano) Indonesia 6 07 S 105 24 E Krakow (city) Poland 50 03 N 19 56 E Kuala Lumpur (capital) Malaysia 3 10 N 101 42 E Kunashiri (island; also Russia (de facto) 44 20 N 146 00 E Kunashir) Kunlun Mountains China 36 00 N 84 00 E Kuril Islands Russia (de facto) 46 10 N 152 00 E Kuwait (capital) Kuwait 29 20 N 47 59 E Kuznetsk Basin Russia 54 00 N 86 00 E Kwajalein Atoll Marshall Islands 9 05 N 167 20 E Kyiv (capital) Ukraine 50 26 N 30 31 E Kyushu (island) Japan 33 00 N 131 00 E L NAME ENTRY IN LATITUDE LONGITUD THE WORLD FACTBOOK (DEG E MIN) (DEG MIN) La Paz (administrative Bolivia 16 30 S 68 09 W capital) La Perouse Strait Pacific Ocean 45 45 N 142 00 E Labrador (peninsula, Canada 54 00 N 62 00 W region) Labrador Sea Atlantic Ocean 60 00 N 55 00 W Laccadive Islands India 10 00 N 73 00 E Laccadive Sea Indian Ocean 7 00 N 76 00 E Lagos (former capital) Nigeria 6 27 N 3 24 E Lahore (city) Pakistan 31 33 N 74 23 E Lake Erie Atlantic Ocean 42 30 N 81 00 W Lake Huron Atlantic Ocean 45 00 N 83 00 W Lake Michigan Atlantic Ocean 43 30 N 87 30 W Lake Ontario Atlantic Ocean 43 30 N 78 00 W Lake Superior Atlantic Ocean 48 00 N 88 00 W Lakshadweep (Laccadive India 10 00 N 73 00 E Islands) Lantau Island Hong Kong 22 15 N 113 55 E Lao (local name for Laos 18 00 N 105 00 E Laos) Laptev Sea Arctic Ocean 76 00 N 126 00 E Las Palmas (city) Spain (Canary 28 06 N 15 24 W Islands) Latakia (region) Syria 36 00 N 35 50 E Latvija (local name for Latvia 57 00 N 25 00 E Latvia) Lau Group (island group) Fiji 18 20 S 178 30 E Lefkosa (see Nicosia) Cyprus 35 10 N 33 22 E Leipzig (city) Germany 51 21 N 12 23 E Lemnos (island) Greece 39 54 N 25 21 E Leningrad (city; former Russia 59 55 N 30 15 E name for Saint Petersburg) Lesser Sunda Islands Indonesia 9 00 S 120 00 E Lesvos (island) Greece 39 15 N 26 15 E Leyte (island) Philippines 10 50 N 124 50 E Liancourt Rocks (claimed South Korea 37 15 N 131 50 E by Japan) Liaodong Wan (gulf) Pacific Ocean 40 30 N 121 20 E Liban (local name for Lebanon 33 50 N 36 50 E Lebanon) Libreville (capital) Gabon 0 23 N 9 27 E Lietuva (local name for Lithuania 56 00 N 24 00 E Lithuania) Ligurian Sea Atlantic Ocean 43 30 N 9 00 E Lilongwe (capital) Malawi 13 59 S 33 44 E Lima (capital) Peru 12 03 S 77 03 W Lincoln Sea Arctic Ocean 83 00 N 56 00 W Line Islands Jarvis Island, 0 05 N 157 00 W Kingman Reef, Kiribati, Palmyra Atoll Lion, Gulf of Atlantic Ocean 43 20 N 4 00 E Lisbon (capital) Portugal 38 43 N 9 08 W Little Belt (strait; Atlantic Ocean 55 05 N 9 55 E also Lille Baelt) Ljubljana (capital) Slovenia 46 03 N 14 31 E Llanos (region) Venezuela 8 00 N 68 00 W Lobamba (city) Swaziland 26 27 S 31 12 E Lombok (island) Indonesia 8 28 S 116 40 E Lombok Strait Indian Ocean 8 30 S 115 50 E Lome (capital) Togo 6 08 N 1 13 E London (capital) United Kingdom 51 30 N 0 10 W Longyearbyen (capital) Svalbard 78 13 N 15 33 E Lord Howe Island Australia 31 30 S 159 00 E Lorraine (region) France 48 42 N 6 11 E Louisiade Archipelago Papua New Guinea 11 00 S 153 00 E Lourenco Marques (city; Mozambique 25 56 S 32 34 E former name for Maputo) Loyalty Islands (Iles New Caledonia 21 00 S 167 00 E Loyaute) Luanda (capital) Angola 8 48 S 13 14 E Lubnan (local name for Lebanon 33 50 N 36 50 E Lebanon) Lubumbashi (city) Democratic 11 40 S 27 28 E Republic of the Congo Lusaka (capital) Zambia 15 25 S 28 17 E Luxembourg (capital) Luxembourg 49 45 N 6 10 E Luzon (island) Philippines 16 00 N 121 00 E Luzon Strait Pacific Ocean 20 30 N 121 00 E Lyakhov Islands Russia 73 45 N 138 00 E M NAME ENTRY IN LATITUDE LONGITUD THE WORLD FACTBOOK (DEG E MIN) (DEG MIN) Macao Macau 22 10 N 113 33 E Macau (special China 22 10 N 113 33 E administrative region) Macquarie Island Australia 54 36 S 158 54 E Madagasikara (local name Madagascar 20 00 S 47 00 E for Madagascar) Maddalena, Isola Italy 41 13 N 09 24 E Madeira Islands Portugal 32 40 N 16 45 W Madras (city; see India 13 04 N 80 16 E Chennai) Madrid (capital) Spain 40 24 N 3 41 W Magellan, Strait of Atlantic Ocean 54 00 S 71 00 W Maghreb (region) Algeria, Libya, 34 00 N 3 00 E Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia Magreb (local name for Morocco 32 00 N 5 00 W Morocco) Magyarorszag (local name Hungary 47 00 N 20 00 E for Hungary) Mahe Island Seychelles 4 41 S 55 30 E Maiz, Islas del (Corn Nicaragua 12 15 N 83 00 W Islands) Majorca Island (Isla de Spain 39 30 N 3 00 E Mallorca) Majuro (capital) Marshall Islands 7 05 N 171 08 E Makassar Strait Pacific Ocean 2 00 S 117 30 E Makedonija (local name Macedonia 41 50 N 22 00 E for Macedonia) Malabo (capital) Equatorial Guinea 3 45 N 8 47 E Malacca, Strait of Indian Ocean 2 30 N 101 20 E Malagasy Republic Madagascar 20 00 S 47 00 E Malay Archipelago Brunei, Indonesia, 2 30 N 120 00 E Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines Malay Peninsula Malaysia, Thailand 7 10 N 100 35 E Male (capital) Maldives 4 10 N 73 31 E Mallorca, Isla de Spain 39 30 N 3 00 E (island; also Majorca) Malmady (region) Belgium 50 26 N 6 02 E Malpelo, Isla de Colombia 4 00 N 90 30 W (island) Malta Channel Atlantic Ocean 56 44 N 26 53 E Malvinas, Islas (island Falkland Islands 51 45 S 59 00 W group) (Islas Malvinas) Mamoutzou (capital) Mayotte 12 47 S 45 14 E Managua (capital) Nicaragua 12 09 N 86 17 W Manama (capital) Bahrain 26 13 N 50 35 E Manchukuo (former state) China 44 00 N 124 00 E Manchuria (region) China 44 00 N 124 00 E Manila (capital) Philippines 14 35 N 121 00 E Manipa Strait Pacific Ocean 3 20 S 127 23 E Mannar, Gulf of Indian Ocean 8 30 N 79 00 E Manua Islands American Samoa 14 13 S 169 35 W Maputo (capital) Mozambique 25 58 S 32 35 E Marcus Island (Minami- Japan 24 16 N 154 00 E tori-shima) Margarita, Isla (island) Venezuela 10 00 N 64 00 W Mariana Islands Guam, Northern 16 00 N 145 30 E Mariana Islands Marie Byrd Land (region) Antarctica 77 00 S 130 00 W Marigot (capital) Saint Martin 18 04 N 63 05 W Marion Island South Africa 46 51 S 37 52 E Marmara, Sea of Atlantic Ocean 40 40 N 28 15 E Marquesas Islands (Iles French Polynesia 9 00 S 139 30 W Marquises) Marseille (city) France 43 18 N 5 23 E Martin Vaz, Ilhas Brazil 20 30 S 28 51 W (island group) Mas a Tierra (Robinson Chile 33 38 S 78 52 W Crusoe Island) Mascarene Islands Mauritius, Reunion 21 00 S 57 00 E Maseru (capital) Lesotho 29 28 S 27 30 E Mata-Utu (capital) Wallis and Futuna 13 57 S 171 56 W Matsu (island) Taiwan 26 13 N 119 56 E Matthew Island New Caledonia, 22 20 S 171 20 E Vanuatu Mauritanie (local name Mauritania 20 00 N 12 00 W for Mauritania) Mazatlan (city) Mexico 23 13 N 106 25 W Mbabane (capital) Swaziland 26 18 S 31 06 E McDonald Islands Heard Island and 53 06 S 73 30 E McDonald Islands Mecca (city) Saudi Arabia 21 27 N 39 49 E Mediterranean Sea Atlantic Ocean 36 00 N 15 00 E Melbourne (city) Australia 37 49 S 144 58 E Melilla (exclave) Spain 35 19 N 2 58 W Memel (region) Lithuania 55 43 N 21 30 E Mesopotamia (region) Iraq 33 00 N 44 00 E Messina, Strait of Atlantic Ocean 38 15 N 15 35 E Mexico City (capital) Mexico 19 24 N 99 09 W Mexico, Gulf of Atlantic Ocean 25 00 N 90 00 W Middle Congo (former Republic of the 1 00 S 15 00 E name for Republic of the Congo Congo) Milan (city) Italy 45 28 N 9 11 E Milwaukee Deep (Puerto Atlantic Ocean 19 55 N 65 27 W Rico Trench) Minami-tori-shima Japan 24 16 N 154 00 E (Marcus Island) Mindanao (island) Philippines 8 00 N 125 00 E Mindanao Sea Pacific Ocean 9 15 N 124 30 E Mindoro (island) Philippines 12 50 N 121 05 E Mindoro Strait Pacific Ocean 12 20 N 120 40 E Mingrelia (region) Georgia 42 30 N 41 52 E Minicoy Island India 8 17 N 73 02 E Minorca Island (Isla de Spain 40 00 N 4 00 E Menorca) Minsk (capital) Belarus 53 54 N 27 34 E Misr (local name for Egypt 27 00 N 30 00 E Egypt) Mitla Pass Egypt 30 02 N 32 54 E Mocambique (local name Mozambique 18 15 S 35 00 E for Mozambique) Mogadishu (capital) Somalia 2 04 N 45 22 E Moldavia (region) Moldova, Romania 47 00 N 29 00 E Molucca Sea Pacific Ocean 2 00 N 127 00 E Moluccas (Spice Islands) Indonesia 2 00 S 128 00 E Mombasa (city) Kenya 4 03 S 39 40 E Mona Passage Atlantic Ocean 18 30 N 67 45 W Monaco (capital) Monaco 43 44 N 7 25 E Mongol Uls (local name Mongolia 46 00 N 105 00 E for Mongolia) Monrovia (capital) Liberia 6 18 N 10 47 W Monterrey (city) Mexico 25 40 N 100 19 W Montevideo (capital) Uruguay 34 53 S 56 11 W Montreal (city) Canada 45 31 N 73 34 W Moravia (region) Czech Republic 49 30 N 17 00 E Moravian Gate (pass) Czech Republic 49 35 N 17 50 E Moroni (capital) Comoros 11 41 S 43 16 E Mortlock Islands (Nomoi Federated States 5 30 N 153 40 E Islands) of Micronesia Moscow (capital) Russia 55 45 N 37 35 E Mount Pinatubo (volcano) Philippines 15 08 N 120 21 E Mozambique Channel Indian Ocean 19 00 S 41 00 E Mumbai (city; also India 18 58 N 72 50 E Bombay) Munich, Muenchen (city) Germany 48 08 N 11 35 E Muritaniyah (local name Mauritania 20 00 N 12 00 W for Mauritania) Musandam Peninsula Oman, United Arab 26 18 N 56 24 E Emirates Muscat (capital) Oman 23 37 N 58 35 E Muscat and Oman (former Oman 21 00 N 57 00 E name for Oman) Myanma, Myanmar Burma 22 00 N 98 00 E N NAME ENTRY IN LATITUDE LONGITUD THE WORLD FACTBOOK (DEG E MIN) (DEG MIN) N'Djamena (capital) Chad 12 07 N 15 03 E Nagorno-Karabakh Azerbaijan 40 00 N 46 40 E (region) Nairobi (capital) Kenya 1 17 S 36 49 E Namib (desert) Namibia 24 00 S 15 00 E Nampo-shoto (island Japan 30 00 N 140 00 E group) Nan Madol (ruins) Federated States 6 85 N 158 35 E of Micronesia Naples (city) Italy 40 51 N 14 15 E Nassau (capital) The Bahamas 25 05 N 77 21 W Natal (region) South Africa 29 00 S 30 25 E Natuna Besar Islands Indonesia 3 30 N 102 30 E Natuna Sea Pacific Ocean 3 30 N 108 00 E Naxcivan (region) Azerbaijan 39 20 N 45 20 E Naxos (island) Greece 37 05 N 25 30 E Nederland (local name Netherlands 52 30 N 5 45 E for the Netherlands) Nederlandse Antillen Netherlands 12 15 N 68 45 W (local name for the Antilles Netherlands Antilles) Negev (region) Israel 30 30 N 34 55 E Negros (island) Philippines 10 00 N 123 00 E Nejd (region) Saudi Arabia 24 05 N 45 15 E Netherlands East Indies Indonesia 5 00 S 120 00 E (former name for Indonesia) Netherlands Guiana Suriname 4 00 N 56 00 W (former name for Suriname) Nevis (island) Saint Kitts and 17 09 N 62 35 W Nevis New Britain (island) Papua New Guinea 6 00 S 150 00 E New Delhi (capital) India 28 36 N 77 12 E New Guinea (island) Indonesia, Papua 5 00 S 140 00 E New Guinea New Hebrides (island Vanuatu 16 00 S 167 00 E group) New Ireland (island) Papua New Guinea 3 20 N 152 00 E New Siberian Islands Russia 75 00 N 142 00 E New Territories Hong Kong 22 24 N 114 10 E (mainland region) Newfoundland (island, Canada 52 00 N 56 00 W with mainland area, and a province) Niamey (capital) Niger 13 31 N 2 07 E Nicobar Islands India 8 00 N 93 30 E Nicosia (capital; also Cyprus 35 10 N 33 22 E Lefkosia) Nightingale Island Saint Helena 37 25 S 12 30 W Nihon, Nippon (local Japan 36 00 N 138 00 E name for Japan) Nomoi Islands (Mortlock Federated States 5 30 N 153 40 E Islands) of Micronesia Norge (local name for Norway 62 00 N 10 00 E Norway) Norman Isles (Channel Guernsey, Jersey 49 20 N 2 20 W Islands) North Atlantic Ocean Atlantic Ocean 30 00 N 45 00 W North Channel Atlantic Ocean 55 10 N 5 40 W North Frisian Islands Denmark, Germany 54 50 N 8 12 E North Greenland Sea Arctic Ocean 78 00 N 5 00 W North Island New Zealand 39 00 S 176 00 E North Ossetia (region) Russia 43 00 N 44 10 E North Pacific Ocean Pacific Ocean 30 00 N 165 00 W North Sea Atlantic Ocean 56 00 N 4 00 E North Vietnam (former Vietnam 23 00 N 106 00 E name for northern portion of Vietnam) North Yemen (Yemen Arab Yemen 15 00 N 44 00 E Republic; now part of Yemen) Northeast Providence Atlantic Ocean 25 40 N 77 09 W Channel Northern Areas Pakistan 36 0 N 75 0 E Northern Cyprus (region) Cyprus 35 15 N 33 44 E Northern Epirus (region) Albania, Greece 40 00 N 20 30 E Northern Grenadines Saint Vincent and 12 45 N 61 15 W (political region) the Grenadines Northern Ireland United Kingdom 54 40 N 6 45 W Northern Rhodesia Zambia 15 00 S 30 00 E (former name for Zambia) Northwest Passages Arctic Ocean 74 40 N 100 00 W Norwegian Sea Atlantic Ocean 66 00 N 6 00 E Nouakchott (capital) Mauritania 18 06 N 15 57 W Noumea (capital) New Caledonia 22 16 S 166 27 E Nouvelle-Caledonie New Caledonia 21 30 S 165 30 E (local name for New Caledonia) Nouvelles Hebrides Vanuatu 16 00 S 167 00 E (former name for Vanuatu) Novaya Zemlya (islands) Russia 74 00 N 57 00 E Nubia (region) Egypt, Sudan 20 30 N 33 00 E Nuku'alofa (capital) Tonga 21 08 S 175 12 W Nunavut (region) Canada 72 00 N 90 00 W Nuuk (capital; also Greenland 64 11 N 51 44 W Godthab) Nyasaland (former name Malawi 13 30 S 34 00 E for Malawi) Nyassa (region) Mozambique 13 30 S 37 00 E O NAME ENTRY IN LATITUDE LONGITUD THE WORLD FACTBOOK (DEG E MIN) (DEG MIN) Oahu (island) United States 21 30 N 158 00 W (Hawaii) Ocean Island (Banaba) Kiribati 0 52 S 169 35 E Ocean Island (Kure United States 28 25 N 178 20 W Island) Oesterreich (local name Austria 47 20 N 13 20 E for Austria) Ogaden (region) Ethiopia, Somalia 7 00 N 46 00 E Oil Islands (Chagos British Indian 6 00 S 71 30 E Archipelago) Ocean Territory Okhotsk, Sea of Pacific Ocean 53 00 N 150 00 E Okinawa (island group) Japan 26 30 N 128 00 E Oland (island) Sweden 56 45 N 16 40 E Oman, Gulf of Indian Ocean 24 30 N 58 30 E Ombai Strait Pacific Ocean 8 30 S 125 00 E Oran (city) Algeria 35 43 N 0 43 W Orange River Colony South Africa 28 20 S 26 40 E (region; former name of Free State Province of South Africa) Oranjestad (capital) Aruba 12 33 N 70 06 W Oresund (The Sound) Atlantic Ocean 55 50 N 12 40 E (strait) Orkney Islands United Kingdom 59 00 N 3 00 W Osaka (city) Japan 34 42 N 135 30 E Oslo (capital) Norway 59 55 N 10 45 E Osumi Strait (Van Diemen Pacific Ocean 31 00 N 131 00 E Strait) Otranto, Strait of Atlantic Ocean 40 00 N 19 00 E Ottawa (capital) Canada 45 25 N 75 40 W Ouagadougou (capital) Burkina Faso 12 22 N 1 31 W Outer Hebrides (islands) United Kingdom 57 45 N 7 00 W Outer Mongolia (region) Mongolia 46 00 N 105 00 E P NAME ENTRY IN LATITUDE LONGITUD THE WORLD FACTBOOK (DEG E MIN) (DEG MIN) P'yongyang (capital) North Korea 39 01 N 125 45 E Pacific Islands, Trust Marshall Islands, 10 00 N 155 00 E Territory of the (former Federated States name of a large area of of Micronesia, the western North Northern Mariana Pacific Ocean) Islands, Palau Pagan (island) Northern Mariana 18 08 N 145 47 E Islands Pago Pago (capital) American Samoa 14 16 S 170 42 W Palawan (island) Philippines 9 30 N 118 30 E Palermo (city) Italy 38 07 N 13 21 E Palestine (region) Israel, West Bank 32 00 N 35 15 E Palikir (capital) Federated States 6 55 N 158 08 E of Micronesia Palk Strait Indian Ocean 10 00 N 79 45 E Pamirs (mountains) China, Tajikistan 38 00 N 73 00 E Pampas (region) Argentina 35 00 S 63 00 W Panama (capital) Panama 8 58 N 79 32 W Panama Canal Panama 9 00 N 79 45 W Panama, Gulf of Pacific Ocean 8 00 N 79 30 W Panay (island) Philippines 11 15 N 122 30 E Pantelleria, Isola di Italy 36 47 N 12 00 E (island) Papeete (capital) French Polynesia 17 32 S 149 34 W Paramaribo (capital) Suriname 5 50 N 55 10 W Parece Vela (island) Japan 20 20 N 136 00 E Paris (capital) France 48 52 N 2 20 E Pascua, Isla de (Easter Chile 27 07 S 109 22 W Island) Pashtunistan (region) Afghanistan, 32 00 N 69 00 E Pakistan Passion, Ile de la Clipperton Island 10 17 N 109 13 W (island) Patagonia (region) Argentina 48 00 S 61 00 W Peking (see Beijing) China 39 56 N 116 24 E Pelagian Islands (Isole Italy 35 40 N 12 40 E Pelagie) Peleliu (Beliliou) Palau 7 01 N 134 15 E (island) Peloponnese (peninsula) Greece 37 30 N 22 25 E Pemba Island Tanzania 5 20 S 39 45 E Penang Island Malaysia 5 23 N 100 15 E Pentland Firth (channel) Atlantic Ocean 58 44 N 3 13 W Perim (island) Yemen 12 39 N 43 25 E Perouse Strait, La Pacific Ocean 44 45 N 142 00 E Persia (former name for Iran 32 00 N 53 00 E Iran) Persian Gulf Indian Ocean 27 00 N 51 00 E Perth (city) Australia 31 56 S 115 50 E Pescadores (islands) Taiwan 23 30 N 119 30 E Peshawar (city) Pakistan 34 01 N 71 40 E Peter I Island Antarctica 68 48 S 90 35 W Petrograd (city; former Russia 59 55 N 30 15 E name for Saint Petersburg) Philip Island Norfolk Island 29 08 S 167 57 E Philippine Sea Pacific Ocean 20 00 N 134 00 E Phnom Penh (capital) Cambodia 11 33 N 104 55 E Phoenix Islands Kiribati 3 30 S 172 00 W Pinatubo, Mount Philippines 15 08 N 120 21 E (volcano) Pines, Isle of (island; Cuba 21 40 N 82 50 W former name for Isla de la Juventud) Pleasant Island Nauru 0 32 S 166 55 E Plymouth (capital) Montserrat 16 44 N 62 14 W Podgorica Montenegro 42 26 N 19 16 E (administrative capital) Polska (local name) Poland 52 00 N 20 00 E Polynesie Francaise French Polynesia 15 00 S 140 00 W (local name for French Polynesia) Pomerania (region) Germany, Poland 53 40 N 15 35 E Ponape (Pohnpei) Federated States 6 55 N 158 15 E (island) of Micronesia Port Louis (capital) Mauritius 20 10 S 57 30 E Port Moresby (capital) Papua New Guinea 9 30 S 147 10 E Port-Vila (capital) Vanuatu 17 44 S 168 19 E Port-au-Prince (capital) Haiti 18 32 N 72 20 W Port-of-Spain (capital) Trinidad and 10 39 N 61 31 W Tobago Porto-Novo (capital) Benin 6 29 N 2 37 E Portuguese East Africa Mozambique 18 15 S 35 00 E (former name for Mozambique) Portuguese Guinea Guinea-Bissau 12 00 N 15 00 W (former name for Guinea- Bissau) Portuguese Timor (former Timor-Leste 9 00 S 126 00 E name for Timor-Leste) Poznan (city) Poland 52 25 N 16 55 E Prague (capital) Czech Republic 50 05 N 14 28 E Praia (capital) Cape Verde 14 55 N 23 31 W Prathet Thai (local name Thailand 15 00 N 100 00 E for Thailand) Pretoria (administrative South Africa 25 42 S 28 13 E capital) Prevlaka peninsula Croatia 42 24 N 18 31 E Pribilof Islands United States 57 00 N 170 00 W Prince Edward Island Canada 46 20 N 63 20 W Prince Edward Islands South Africa 46 35 S 38 00 E Prince Patrick Island Canada 76 30 N 119 00 W Principe (island) Sao Tome and 1 38 N 7 25 E Principe Pristina, Prishtina, Kosovo 42 40 N 21 10 E Prishtine (capital) Prussia (region) Germany, Poland, 53 00 N 14 00 E Russia Pukapuka Atoll Cook Islands 10 53 S 165 49 W Punjab (region) India, Pakistan 30 50 N 73 30 E Puntland (region) Somalia 8 21 N 49 08 E Q NAME ENTRY IN LATITUDE LONGITUD THE WORLD FACTBOOK (DEG E MIN) (DEG MIN) Qazaqstan (local name Kazakhstan 48 00 N 68 00 E for Kazakhstan) Qita Ghazzah (local name Gaza Strip 31 25 N 34 20 E Gaza Strip) Quebec (city) Canada 46 48 N 71 15 W Queen Charlotte Islands Canada 53 00 N 132 00 W Queen Elizabeth Islands Canada 78 00 N 95 00 W Queen Maud Land (claimed Antarctica 73 30 S 12 00 E by Norway) Quemoy (island) Taiwan 24 27 N 118 23 E Quito (capital) Ecuador 0 13 S 78 30 W R NAME ENTRY IN LATITUDE LONGITUD THE WORLD FACTBOOK (DEG E MIN) (DEG MIN) Rabat (capital) Morocco 34 02 N 6 51 W Ralik Chain (island Marshall Islands 8 00 N 167 00 E group) Rangoon (capital; also Burma 16 47 N 96 10 E Yangon) Rapa Nui (Easter Island) Chile 27 07 S 109 22 W Ratak Chain (island Marshall Islands 9 00 N 171 00 E group) Red Sea Indian Ocean 20 00 N 38 00 E Redonda (island) Antigua and 16 55 N 62 19 W Barbuda Republica Dominicana Dominican Republic 19 00 N 70 40 W (local name for Dominican Republic) Republique Centrafricain Central African 7 00 N 21 00 E (local name for Central Republic African Republic) Republique Francaise France 46 00 N 2 00 E (local name for France) Republique Gabonaise Gabon 1 00 S 11 45 E (local name for Gabon) Republique Rwandaise Rwanda 2 00 S 30 00 E (local name for Rwanda) Republique Togolaise Togo 8 00 N 1 10 E (local name for Togo) Revillagigedo Island United States 55 35 N 131 06 W (Alaska) Revillagigedo Islands Mexico 19 00 N 112 45 W Reykjavik (capital) Iceland 64 09 N 21 57 W Rhodes (island) Greece 36 10 N 28 00 E Rhodesia, Northern Zambia 15 00 S 30 00 E (former name for Zambia) Rhodesia, Southern Zimbabwe 20 00 S 30 00 E (former name for Zimbabwe) Riga (capital) Latvia 56 57 N 24 06 E Riga, Gulf of Atlantic Ocean 57 30 N 23 30 E Rio Muni (mainland Equatorial Guinea 1 30 N 10 00 E region) Rio de Janiero (city) Brazil 22 55 S 43 17 W Rio de Oro (region) Western Sahara 23 45 N 15 45 W Rio de la Plata (gulf) Atlantic Ocean 35 00 S 59 00 W Riyadh (capital) Saudi Arabia 24 38 N 46 43 E Road Town (capital) British Virgin 18 27 N 64 37 W Islands Robinson Crusoe Island Chile 33 38 S 78 52 W (Mas a Tierra) Rocas, Atol das (island) Brazil 3 51 S 33 49 W Rockall (island) United Kingdom 57 35 N 13 48 W Rodrigues (island) Mauritius 19 42 S 63 25 E Rome (capital) Italy 41 54 N 12 29 E Roncador Cay (island) Colombia 13 32 N 80 03 W Roosevelt Island Antarctica 79 30 S 162 00 W Roseau (capital) Dominica 15 18 N 61 24 W Ross Dependency (claimed Antarctica 80 00 S 180 00 E by New Zealand) Ross Island Antarctica 81 30 S 175 00 W Ross Sea Antarctica, 76 00 S 175 00 W Southern Ocean Rossiya (local name for Russia 60 00 N 100 00 E Russia) Rota (island) Northern Mariana 14 10 N 145 12 E Islands Rotuma (island) Fiji 12 30 S 177 05 E Ruanda (former name for Rwanda 2 00 S 30 00 E Rwanda) Rub al Khali (desert) Saudi Arabia 19 30 N 49 00 E Rumelia (region) Albania, Bulgaria, 42 00 N 22 30 E Macedonia Ruthenia (region; former Ukraine 48 22 N 23 32 E name for Carpatho- Ukraine) Ryukyu Islands Japan 26 30 N 128 00 E S NAME ENTRY IN LATITUDE LONGITUD THE WORLD FACTBOOK (DEG E MIN) (DEG MIN) Saar (region) Germany 49 25 N 7 00 E Saaremaa (island) Estonia 58 25 N 22 30 E Saba (island) Netherlands 17 38 N 63 10 W Antilles Sabah (state) Malaysia 5 20 N 117 10 E Sable Island Canada 43 55 N 59 50 W Safety Islands (Iles du French Guiana 5 20 N 52 37 W Salut) Sahara Occidental Western Sahara 24 30 N 13 00 W (former name for Western Sahara) Sahel (region) Burkina Faso, 15 00 N 8 00 W Chad, The Gambia, Guinea- Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal Saigon (city; former Vietnam 10 45 N 106 40 E name for Ho Chi Minh City) Saint Brandon (Cargados Mauritius 16 25 S 59 38 E Carajos Shoals) Saint Christopher Saint Kitts and 17 20 N 62 45 W (island) Nevis Saint Christopher and Saint Kitts and 17 20 N 62 45 W Nevis Nevis Saint Eustatius (island) Netherlands 17 30 N 63 00 W Antilles Saint George's (capital) Grenada 12 03 N 61 45 W Saint George's Channel Atlantic Ocean 52 00 N 6 00 W Saint Helena Island Saint Helena 15 57 S 5 42 W Saint Helens, Mount United States 46 15 N 122 12 W (volcano) Saint Helier (capital) Jersey 49 12 N 2 07 W Saint John (city) Canada (New 45 16 N 66 04 W Brunswick) Saint John's (capital) Antigua and 17 06 N 61 51 W Barbuda Saint Lawrence Island United States 49 30 N 67 00 W Saint Lawrence Seaway Atlantic Ocean 49 15 N 67 00 W Saint Lawrence, Gulf of Atlantic Ocean 48 00 N 62 00 W Saint Paul Island Canada 47 12 N 60 09 W Saint Paul Island United States 57 11 N 170 16 W Saint Paul Island (Ile French Southern 38 43 S 77 29 E Saint-Paul) and Antarctic Lands Saint Peter Port Guernsey 49 27 N 2 32 W (capital) Saint Peter and Saint Brazil 0 23 N 29 23 W Paul Rocks (Penedos de Sao Pedro e Sao Paulo) Saint Petersburg (city; Russia 59 55 N 30 15 E former capital) Saint Thomas (island) Virgin Islands 18 21 N 64 55 W Saint Vincent Passage Atlantic Ocean 13 30 N 61 00 W Saint-Denis (capital) Reunion 20 52 S 55 28 E Saint-Pierre (capital) Saint Pierre and 46 46 N 56 11 W Miquelon Saipan (island) Northern Mariana 15 12 N 145 45 E Islands Sak'art'velo (local name Georgia 42 00 N 43 30 E for Georgia) Sakhalin Island (Ostrov Russia 51 00 N 143 00 E Sakhalin) Sakishima Islands Japan 24 30 N 124 00 E Sala y Gomez, Isla Chile 26 28 S 105 00 W (island) Salisbury (city; former Zimbabwe 17 50 S 105 00 W name for Harare) Salzburg (city) Austria 47 48 N 13 02 E Samar (island) Philippines 12 00 N 125 00 E Samaria (region) West Bank 32 15 N 35 10 E Samoa Islands American Samoa, 14 00 S 171 00 W Samoa Samos (island) Greece 37 48 N 26 44 E San Ambrosio, Isla Chile 26 21 S 79 52 W (island) San Andres y Colombia 13 00 N 81 30 W Providencia, Archipielago (island group) San Bernardino Strait Pacific Ocean 12 32 N 124 10 E San Felix, Isla (island) Chile 26 17 S 80 05 W San Jose (capital) Costa Rica 9 56 N 84 05 W San Juan (capital) Puerto Rico 18 28 N 66 07 W San Marino (capital) San Marino 43 56 N 12 25 E San Salvador (capital) El Salvador 13 42 N 89 12 W Sanaa (capital) Yemen 15 21 N 44 12 E Sandzak (region) Montenegro, Serbia 43 05 N 19 45 E Santa Cruz (city) Bolivia 17 48 S 63 10 W Santa Cruz Islands Solomon Islands 11 00 S 166 15 E Santa Sede (local name Holy See 41 54 N 12 27 E for the Holy See) Santiago (capital) Chile 33 27 S 70 40 W Santo Antao (island) Cape Verde 17 05 N 25 10 W Santo Domingo (capital) Dominican Republic 18 28 N 69 54 W Sao Paulo (city) Brazil 23 35 S 46 43 W Sao Pedro e Sao Paulo, Brazil 0 23 N 29 23 W Penedos de (rocks) Sao Tiago (island) Cape Verde 15 05 N 23 40 W Sao Tome (island) Sao Tome and 0 12 N 6 39 E Principe Sapporo (city) Japan 43 04 N 141 20 E Sapudi Strait Pacific Ocean 7 05 S 114 10 E Sarajevo (capital) Bosnia and 43 52 N 18 25 E Herzegovina Sarawak (state) Malaysia 2 30 N 113 30 E Sardinia (island) Italy 40 00 N 9 00 E Sargasso Sea (region) Atlantic Ocean 30 00 N 55 00 W Sark (island) Guernsey 49 26 N 2 21 W Savage Island (former Niue 19 02 S 169 52 W name for Niue) Savu Sea Pacific Ocean 9 30 S 122 00 E Saxony (region) Germany 51 00 N 13 00 E Schleswig-Holstein Germany 54 31 N 9 33 E (region) Schweiz (local German Switzerland 47 00 N 8 00 E name for Switzerland) Scopus, Mount Israel, West Bank 31 48 N 35 14 E Scotia Sea Atlantic Ocean, 56 00 S 40 00 W Southern Ocean Scotland (region) United Kingdom 57 00 N 4 00 W Scott Island Antarctica 67 24 S 179 55 W Senegambia (region; The Gambia, 13 50 N 15 25 W former name of Senegal confederation of Senegal and The Gambia) Senyavin Islands Federated States 6 55 N 158 00 E of Micronesia Seoul (capital) South Korea 37 34 N 127 00 E Serendib (former name Sri Lanka 7 00 N 81 00 E for Sri Lanka) Serrana Bank (shoal) Colombia 14 25 N 80 16 W Serranilla Bank (shoal) Colombia 15 51 N 79 46 W Settlement, The Christmas Island 10 25 S 105 43 E (capital) Severnaya Zemlya (island Russia 79 30 N 98 00 E group; also Northland) Shaba (region) Democratic 8 00 S 27 00 E Republic of the Congo Shag Island Heard Island and 53 00 S 72 30 E McDonald Islands Shag Rocks South Georgia and 53 33 S 42 02 W the South Sandwich Islands Shanghai (city) China 31 14 N 121 30 E Shenyang (city; also China 41 46 N 123 24 E Mukden) Shetland Islands United Kingdom 60 30 N 1 30 W Shikoku (island) Japan 33 45 N 133 30 E Shikotan (island) Russia (de facto) 43 47 N 146 45 E Shqiperia (local name Albania 41 00 N 20 00 E for Albania) Siam (former name for Thailand 15 00 N 100 00 E Thailand) Siberia (region) Russia 60 00 N 100 00 E Sibutu Passage Pacific Ocean 4 50 N 119 35 E Sicily (island) Italy 37 30 N 14 00 E Sicily, Strait of Atlantic Ocean 37 20 N 11 20 E Sidra, Gulf of Atlantic Ocean 31 30 N 18 00 E Sikkim (state) India 27 50 N 88 30 E Silesia (region) Czech Republic, 51 00 N 17 00 E Germany, Poland Sinai Peninsula Egypt 29 30 N 34 00 E Singapore (capital) Singapore 1 17 N 103 51 E Singapore Strait Pacific Ocean 1 15 N 104 00 E Sinkiang (autonomous China 42 00 N 86 00 E region; also Xinjiang) Sint Eustatius (island) Netherlands 17 29 N 62 58 W Antilles Sint Maarten (island; Netherlands 18 04 N 63 04 W also Saint-Martin) Antilles Sjaelland (island) Denmark 55 30 N 12 00 E Skagerrak (strait) Atlantic Ocean 57 45 N 9 00 E Skopje (capital) Macedonia 41 59 N 21 26 E Slavonia (region) Croatia 45 27 N 18 00 E Slovenija (local name Slovenia 46 00 N 15 00 E for Slovenia) Slovensko (local name Slovakia 48 40 N 19 30 E for Slovakia) Smyrna (region; former Turkey 38 25 N 27 10 E name for Izmir) Society Islands (Iles de French Polynesia 17 00 S 150 00 W la Societe) Socotra (island) Yemen 12 30 N 54 00 E Sofia (capital) Bulgaria 42 41 N 23 19 E Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea 6 00 S 155 00 E northern Solomon Islands, Solomon Islands 8 00 S 159 00 E southern Solomon Sea Pacific Ocean 8 00 S 153 00 E Somaliland (region) Somalia 9 30 N 46 00 E Somers Islands (former Bermuda 32 20 N 64 45 W name for Bermuda) Songkhla (city) Thailand 7 12 N 100 36 E Sound, The (strait; also Atlantic Ocean 55 50 N 12 40 E Oresund) South Atlantic Ocean Atlantic Ocean 30 00 S 15 00 W South China Sea Pacific Ocean 10 00 N 113 00 E South Georgia (island) South Georgia and 54 15 S 36 45 W the South Sandwich Islands South Island New Zealand 43 00 S 171 00 E South Korea South Korea 37 00 N 127 30 E South Orkney Islands Antarctica 61 00 S 45 00 W South Ossetia (region) Georgia 42 20 N 44 00 E South Pacific Ocean Pacific Ocean 30 00 S 130 00 W South Sandwich Islands South Georgia and 57 45 S 26 30 W the South Sandwich Islands South Shetland Islands Antarctica 62 00 S 59 00 W South Tyrol (region) Italy 46 30 N 10 30 E South Vietnam (former Vietnam 12 00 N 108 00 E name for the southern portion of Vietnam) South Yemen (People's Yemen 14 00 N 48 00 E Democratic Republic of Yemen; now part of Yemen) South-West Africa Namibia 22 00 S 17 00 E (former name for Namibia) Southern Grenadines Grenada 12 20 N 61 30 W (island group) Southern Rhodesia Zimbabwe 20 00 S 30 00 E (former name for Zimbabwe) Soviet Union (former Armenia, name of a large Eurasian Azerbaijan, empire, roughly coequal Belarus, Estonia, with the former Russian Georgia, Empire) Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan Spanish Guinea (former Equatorial Guinea 2 00 N 10 00 E name for Equatorial Guinea) Spanish Morocco (former Morocco 32 00 N 7 00 W name for northern Morocco) Spanish North Africa Spain (Ceuta, 35 15 N 4 00 W (exclaves) Islas Chafarinas, Melilla, Penon de Alhucemas, Penon de Velez de la Gomera) Spanish Sahara (former Western Sahara 24 30 N 13 00 W name) Spanish West Africa Morocco, Western 25 00 N 13 00 W (former name for Ifni Sahara and Spanish Sahara) Spice Islands (Moluccas) Indonesia 2 00 S 28 00 E Spitsbergen (island) Svalbard 78 00 N 20 00 E Srbija (local name for Serbia 44 00 N 21 00 E Serbia) St. John's (city) Canada 47 34 N 52 43 W (Newfoundland) Stanley (capital) Falkland Islands 51 42 S 57 41 W (Islas Malvinas) Stockholm (capital) Sweden 59 20 N 18 03 E Strasbourg (city) France 48 35 N 7 44 E Stuttgart (city) Germany 48 46 N 9 11 E Sucre (constitutional Bolivia 19 02 S 65 17 W capital) Suez Canal Egypt 29 55 N 32 33 E Suez, Gulf of Indian Ocean 28 10 N 33 27 E Suisse (local French Switzerland 47 00 N 8 00 E name for Switzerland) Sulawesi (island; Indonesia 2 00 S 121 00 E Celebes) Sulawesi Sea Pacific Ocean 3 00 N 122 00 E Sulu Archipelago (island Philippines 6 00 N 121 00 E group) Sulu Sea Pacific Ocean 8 00 N 120 00 E Sumatra (island) Indonesia 0 00 N 102 00 E Sumba (island) Indonesia 10 00 S 120 00 E Sumba Strait Pacific Ocean 9 10 S 120 00 E Sumbawa (island) Indonesia 8 30 S 118 00 E Sunda Islands (Soenda Indonesia, 2 00 S 110 00 E Isles) Malaysia Sunda Strait Indian Ocean 6 00 S 105 45 E Suomi (local name for Finland 64 00 N 26 00 E Finland) Surabaya (city) Indonesia 7 13 S 112 45 E Surigao Strait Pacific Ocean 10 15 N 125 23 E Surinam (former name for Suriname 4 00 N 56 00 W Suriname) Suriyah (local name for Syria 35 00 N 38 00 E Syria) Surtsey (volcanic Iceland 63 17 N 20 40 W island) Suva (capital) Fiji 18 08 S 178 25 E Sverdlovsk (city; also Russia 56 50 N 60 39 E Yekaterinburg) Sverige (local name for Sweden 62 00 N 15 00 E Sweden) Svizzera (local Italian Switzerland 47 00 N 8 00 E name for Switzerland) Swains Island American Samoa 11 03 S 171 15 W Swan Islands Honduras 17 25 S 83 56 W Sydney (city) Australia 33 53 S 151 13 E T NAME ENTRY IN LATITUDE LONGITUD THE WORLD FACTBOOK (DEG E MIN) (DEG MIN) T'bilisi (capital) Georgia 41 43 N 44 49 E Tadzhikistan (former Tajikistan 39 00 N 71 00 E name for Tajikistan) Tahiti (island) French Polynesia 17 37 S 149 27 W Taipei (capital) Taiwan 25 03 N 121 30 E Taiwan Strait Pacific Ocean 24 00 N 119 00 E Tallinn (capital) Estonia 59 25 N 24 45 E Tanganyika (former name Tanzania 6 00 S 35 00 E for the mainland portion of Tanzania) Tangier (city) Morocco 35 48 N 5 45 W Tannu-Tuva (region) Russia 51 25 N 94 45 E Tarawa (island) Kiribati 1 25 N 173 00 E Tartary, Gulf of Pacific Ocean 50 00 N 141 00 E Tashkent (capital) Uzbekistan 41 20 N 69 18 E Tasman Sea Pacific Ocean 4 30 S 168 00 E Tasmania (island) Australia 43 00 S 147 00 E Tatar Strait Pacific Ocean 50 00 N 141 00 E Taymyr Peninsula Russia 76 00 N 104 00 E (Poluostrov Taymyr) Tchad (local name for Chad 15 00 N 19 00 E Chad) Tegucigalpa (capital) Honduras 14 06 N 87 13 W Tehran (capital) Iran 35 40 N 51 26 E Tel Aviv (capital, de Israel 32 05 N 34 48 E facto) Teluk Bone (gulf) Pacific Ocean 4 00 S 120 45 E Teluk Tomini (gulf) Pacific Ocean 0 30 S 121 00 E Terre Adelie (claimed by Antarctica 66 30 S 139 00 E France; also Adelie Land) Terres Australes et French Southern 43 00 S 67 00 E Antarctiques Francaises and Antarctic (local name for the Lands French Southern and Antarctic Lands) Thailand, Gulf of Pacific Ocean 10 00 N 101 00 E The Former Yugoslav Macedonia 41 50 N 22 00 E Republic of Macedonia Thessaloniki (city; also Greece 40 38 N 22 57 E Salonika) Thimphu (capital) Bhutan 27 28 N 89 39 E Thuringia (region) Germany 51 00 N 11 00 E Thurston Island Antarctica 72 20 S 99 00 W Tiberias, Lake Israel 32 48 N 35 35 E Tibet (autonomous China 32 00 N 90 00 E region; also Xizang) Tibilisi (see T'bilisi) Georgia 41 43 N 44 49 E Tien Shan (mountains) China, Kyrgyzstan 42 00 N 80 00 E Tierra del Fuego Argentina, Chile 54 00 S 69 00 W (island, island group) Timor (island) Timor-Leste, 9 00 S 125 00 E Indonesia Timor Lorosa'e (local Timor-Leste 9 00 N 126 00 E name for Timor-Leste) Timor Sea Pacific Ocean 11 00 S 128 00 E Tinian (island) Northern Mariana 15 00 N 145 38 E Islands Tiran, Strait of Indian Ocean 28 00 N 34 27 E Tirana, Tirane (capital) Albania 41 20 N 19 50 E Tirol, Tyrol (region) Austria, Italy 47 00 N 11 00 E Tobago (island) Trinidad and 11 15 N 60 40 W Tobago Tokyo (capital) Japan 35 42 N 139 46 E Tonkin, Gulf of Pacific Ocean 20 00 N 108 00 E Toronto (city) Canada 43 40 N 79 23 W Torres Strait Pacific Ocean 10 25 S 142 10 E Torshavn (capital) Faroe Islands 62 01 N 6 46 W Toshkent (see Tashkent) Uzbekistan 41 20 N 69 18 E Transcarpathia (region; Ukraine 48 22 N 23 32 E alternate name for Carpatho-Ukraine) Transjordan (former name Jordan 31 00 N 36 00 E for Jordan) Transkei (enclave) South Africa 32 15 S 28 15 E Transvaal (region; South Africa 25 10 S 29 25 E former name for northeastern South Africa) Transylvania (region) Romania 46 30 N 24 00 E Trindade, Ilha de Brazil 20 31 S 29 20 W (island) Trinidad (island) Trinidad and 10 22 N 61 15 W Tobago Tripoli (capital) Libya 32 54 N 13 11 E Tripoli (city) Lebanon 34 26 N 35 51 E Tripolitania (region) Libya 31 00 N 14 00 E Tristan da Cunha Group Saint Helena 37 15 S 12 30 W (island group) Trobriand Islands Papua New Guinea 8 38 S 151 04 E Trucial Coast (former United Arab 24 00 N 54 00 E name for the United Arab Emirates Emirates) Trucial Oman (former United Arab 24 00 N 54 00 E name for the United Arab Emirates Emirates) Trucial States (former United Arab 24 00 N 54 00 E name for the United Arab Emirates Emirates) Truk Islands (former Federated States 7 25 N 151 47 E name for the Chuuk of Micronesia Islands) Tsugaru Strait Pacific Ocean 41 35 N 141 00 E Tuamotu Islands (Iles French Polynesia 19 00 S 142 00 W Tuamotu) Tubuai Islands (Iles French Polynesia 23 00 S 150 00 W Tubuai) Tunb al Kubra (island) Iran 26 14 N 55 19 E Tunb as Sughra (island) Iran 26 14 N 55 09 E Tunis (capital) Tunisia 36 48 N 10 11 E Turin (city) Italy 45 04 N 7 40 E Turkish Straits (see Atlantic Ocean 40 40 N 28 00 E Bosporus and Dardenelles) Turkiye (local name for Turkey 39 00 N 35 00 E Turkey) Turkmenia, Turkmeniya Turkmenistan 40 00 N 60 00 E (former name for Turkmenistan) Turks Island Passage Atlantic Ocean 21 40 N 71 00 W Tuscany (region) Italy 43 25 N 11 00 E Tutuila (island) American Samoa 14 18 S 170 42 W Tyrrhenian Sea Atlantic Ocean 40 00 N 12 00 E U NAME ENTRY IN LATITUDE LONGITUD THE WORLD FACTBOOK (DEG E MIN) (DEG MIN) Ubangi-Shari (former Central African 6 38 N 20 33 E name for the Central Republic African Republic Ukrayina (local name for Ukraine 49 00 N 32 00 E Ukraine) Ulaanbaatar (capital) Mongolia 47 55 N 106 53 E Ullung-do (island) South Korea 37 29 N 130 52 E Ulster (region) Ireland, United 54 35 N 7 00 W Kingdom Uman (local name for Oman 21 00 N 57 00 E Oman) Unimak Pass (strait) Pacific Ocean 54 20 N 164 50 W Union of Soviet Armenia, Socialist Republics or Azerbaijan, USSR (former name of a Belarus, Estonia, large Eurasian empire, Georgia, roughly coequal with the Kazakhstan, former Russian Empire) Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan United Arab Republic or Egypt, Syria UAR (former name for a federation between Egypt and Syria) Upper Volta (former name Burkina Faso 13 00 N 2 00 W for Burkina Faso) Ural Mountains Kazakhstan, Russia 60 00 N 60 00 E Urdunn (local name for Jordan 31 00 N 36 00 E Jordan) Urundi (former name for Burundi 3 30 S 30 00 E Burundi) Ussuri River China, Russia 48 28 N 135 02 E V NAME ENTRY IN LATITUDE LONGITUD THE WORLD FACTBOOK (DEG E MIN) (DEG MIN) Vaduz (capital) Liechtenstein 47 09 N 9 31 E Vakhan (Wakhan Corridor) Afghanistan 37 00 N 73 00 E Valletta (capital) Malta 35 54 N 14 31 E Valley, The (capital) Anguilla 18 13 N 63 04 W Van Diemen Strait (Osumi Pacific Ocean 31 00 N 131 00 E Strait) Vancouver (city) Canada 49 16 N 123 08 W Vancouver Island Canada 49 45 N 126 00 W Vatican City (capital) Holy See 41 54 N 12 27 E Velez de la Gomera, Spain 35 11 N 4 18 W Penon de (island) Venda (enclave) South Africa 23 00 S 31 00 E Verde Island Passage Pacific Ocean 13 34 N 120 51 E Victoria (capital) Seychelles 4 38 S 55 27 E Victoria (island) Canada 71 00 N 110 00 W Victoria Land (region) Antarctica 72 00 S 155 00 E Vienna (capital) Austria 48 12 N 16 22 E Vientiane (capital) Laos 17 58 N 102 36 E Vilnius (capital) Lithuania 54 41 N 25 19 E Viti Levu (island) Fiji 18 00 S 178 00 E Vladivostok (city) Russia 43 10 N 131 56 E Vojvodina (region) Serbia 45 35 N 20 00 E Volcano Islands Japan 25 00 N 141 00 E Vostok Island Kiribati 10 06 S 152 23 W W NAME ENTRY IN LATITUDE LONGITUD THE WORLD FACTBOOK (DEG E MIN) (DEG MIN) Wake Atoll Wake Island 19 17 N 166 39 E Wakhan Corridor (see Afghanistan 37 00 N 73 00 E Vakhan) Walachia (region) Romania 44 45 N 26 05 E Wales (region) United Kingdom 52 30 N 3 30 W Wallis Islands Wallis and Futuna 13 17 S 176 10 W Walvis Bay (city; former Namibia 22 59 S 14 31 E exclave) Warsaw (capital) Poland 52 15 N 21 00 E Washington, DC (capital) United States 38 53 N 77 02 W Weddell Sea Southern Ocean 72 00 S 45 00 W Wellington (capital) New Zealand 41 28 S 174 51 E West Frisian Islands Netherlands 53 26 N 5 30 E West Germany (Federal Germany 53 22 N 5 20 E Republic of Germany; former name for western portion of Germany) West Island (capital) Cocos (Keeling) 12 10 S 96 55 E Islands West Korea Strait Pacific Ocean 34 40 N 129 00 E (Western Channel) West Pakistan (former Pakistan 30 00 N 70 00 E name for present-day Pakistan) West Siberian Plain Russia 60 00 N 75 00 E Western Channel (West Pacific Ocean 34 40 N 129 00 E Korea Strait) Western Samoa (former Samoa 13 35 S 172 20 W name for Samoa) Wetar Strait Pacific Ocean 8 20 S 126 30 E White Sea Arctic Ocean 65 30 N 38 00 E Wilkes Land (region) Antarctica 71 00 S 120 00 E Willemstad (capital) Netherlands 12 06 N 68 56 W Antilles Windhoek (capital) Namibia 22 34 S 17 06 E Windward Passage Atlantic Ocean 20 00 N 73 50 W Winnipeg (city) Canada 49 53 N 97 10 W Wrangel Island (Ostrov Russia 71 14 N 179 36 W Vrangelya) X NAME ENTRY IN LATITUDE LONGITUD THE WORLD FACTBOOK (DEG E MIN) (DEG MIN) Xianggang (local name Hong Kong 22 15 N 114 10 E for Hong Kong) Y NAME ENTRY IN LATITUDE LONGITUD THE WORLD FACTBOOK (DEG E MIN) (DEG MIN) Y'israel (local name for Israel 31 30 N 34 45 E Israel) Yaitopya (local name for Ethiopia 8 00 N 38 00 E Ethiopia) Yalu River China, North Korea 39 55 N 124 20 E Yamoussoukro (capital) Cote d'Ivoire 6 49 N 5 17 W Yangon (see Rangoon) Burma 16 47 N 96 10 E Yaounde (capital) Cameroon 3 52 N 11 31 E Yap Islands Federated States 9 30 N 138 00 E of Micronesia Yaren (governmental Nauru 0 32 S 166 55 E center) Yekaterinburg (city; Russia 56 50 N 60 39 E formerly Sverdlovsk) Yellow Sea Pacific Ocean 36 00 N 123 00 E Yemen Arab Republic Yemen 15 00 N 44 00 E (also Yemen (Sanaa); former name for northern portion of Yemen) Yemen, People's Yemen 14 00 N 46 00 E Democratic Republic of (also Yemen (Aden); former name for southern portion of Yemen) Yerevan (capital) Armenia 40 11 N 44 30 E Yokohama (city) Japan 35 26 N 139 37 E Youth, Isle of (Isla de Cuba 21 40 N 82 50 W la Juventud) Yucatan Channel Atlantic Ocean 21 45 N 85 45 W Yucatan Peninsula Mexico 19 30 N 89 00 W Yugoslavia (former name Montenegro, Serbia 43 00 N 21 00 E for a federation of Serbia and Montenegro) Yugoslavia, Kingdom of Bosnia and 43 00 N 19 00 E (former name for a Herzegovina, Balkan federation) Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia Yugoslavia, Socialist Bosnia and 43 00 N 19 00 E Federal Republic of Herzegovina, (former name for a Croatia, Balkan federation) Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia Z NAME ENTRY IN LATITUDE LONGITUD THE WORLD FACTBOOK (DEG E MIN) (DEG MIN) Zagreb (capital) Croatia 45 48 N 15 58 E Zaire (former name for Democratic 15 00 S 30 00 E the Democratic Republic Republic of the of the Congo) Congo Zakhalinskiy Zaliv (bay) Pacific Ocean 54 00 N 142 00 E Zaliv Shelikhova (bay) Pacific Ocean 60 00 N 157 30 E Zambezia (region) Mozambique 16 00 S 37 00 E Zanzibar (island) Tanzania 6 10 S 39 11 E Zhong Guo, Zhonghua China 35 00 N 105 00 E (local name for China) Zion, Mount (locale in Israel, West Bank 31 46 N 35 14 E Jerusalem) Zurich (city) Switzerland 47 23 N 8 32 E ====================================================================== APPENDIX G :: WEIGHTS AND MEASURES Note: At this time, only three countries - Burma, Liberia, and the US - have not adopted the International System of Units (SI, or metric system) as their official system of weights and measures. Although use of the metric system has been sanctioned by law in the US since 1866, it has been slow in displacing the American adaptation of the British Imperial System known as the US Customary System. The US is the only industrialized nation that does not mainly use the metric system in its commercial and standards activities, but there is increasing acceptance in science, medicine, government, and many sectors of industry. MATHEMATICAL NOTATION MATHEMATICAL POWER NAME 10^18 or 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 one quintillion 10^15 or 1,000,000,000,000,000 one quadrillion 10^12 or 1,000,000,000,000 one trillion 10^9 or 1,000,000,000 one billion 10^6 or 1,000,000 one million 10^3 or 1,000 one thousand 10^2 or 100 one hundred 10^1 or 10 ten 100 or 1 one 10^-1 or 0.1 one-tenth 10^-2 or 0.01 one-hundredth 10^-3 or 0.001 one-thousandth 10^-6 or 0.000 001 one-millionth 10^-9 or 0.000 000 001 one-billionth 10^-12 or 0.000 000 000 001 one-trillionth 10^-15 or 0.000 000 000 000 001 one-quadrillionth 10^-18 or 0.000 000 000 000 000 001 one-quintillionth METRIC INTERRELATIONSHIPS PREFIX SYMBOL LENGTH, WEIGHT, OR CAPACITY yotta Y 1024 Zetta Z 1021 Exa E 1018 peta P 1015 tera T 1012 giga G 109 mega M 106 kilo k 103 Hecto h 102 Deka da 101 Basic unit - 1 meter, 1 gram, 1 liter deci d 10-1 Centi c 10-2 Milli m 10 -3 Micro u 10-6 nano n 10-9 pico p 10-12 Femto f 10-15 atto a 10-18 Zepto z 10-21 Yocto y 10-24 CONVERSION FACTORS TO CONVERT FROM TO MULTIPLY BY acres ares 40.468 564 224 acres hectares 0.404 685 642 24 acres square feet 43,560 acres square kilometers 0.004 046 856 422 4 acres square meters 4,046.856 422 4 acres square miles 0.001 562 50 (statute) acres square yards 4,840 ares square meters 100 ares square yards 119.599 barrels, US beer gallons 31 barrels, US beer liters 117.347 77 barrels, US petroleum gallons (British) 34.97 barrels, US petroleum gallons (US) 42 barrels, US petroleum liters 158.987 29 barrels, US proof gallons 40 spirits barrels, US proof liters 151.416 47 spirits bushels (US) bushels (British) 0.968 9 bushels (US) cubic feet 1.244 456 bushels (US) cubic inches 2,150.42 bushels (US) cubic meters 0.035 239 07 bushels (US) cubic yards 0.046 090 96 bushels (US) dekaliters 3.523 907 bushels (US) dry pints 64 bushels (US) dry quarts 32 bushels (US) liters 35.239 070 17 bushels (US) pecks 4 cables fathoms 120 cables meters 219.456 cables yards 240 carat milligrams 200 centimeters feet 0.032 808 40 centimeters inches 0.393 700 8 centimeters meters 0.01 centimeters yards 0.010 936 13 centimeters, cubic cubic inches 0.061 023 744 centimeters, square square feet 0.001 076 39 centimeters, square square inches 0.155 000 31 centimeters, square square meters 0.000 1 centimeters, square square yards 0.000 119 599 chains, square ares 4.046 86 surveyor's chains, square square feet 4,356 surveyor's chains, surveyor's feet 66 chains, surveyor's meters 20.116 8 chains, surveyor's rods 4 cords of wood cubic feet 128 cords of wood cubic meters 3.624 556 cords of wood cubic yards 4.740 7 cups liquid ounces (US) 8 cups liters 0.236 588 2 degrees Celsius degrees Fahrenheit multiply by 1.8 and add 32 degrees Fahrenheit degrees Celsius subtract 32 and divide by 1.8 dekaliters bushels 0.283 775 9 dekaliters cubic feet 0.353 146 7 dekaliters cubic inches 610.237 4 dekaliters dry pints 18.161 66 dekaliters dry quarts 9.080 829 8 dekaliters liters 10 dekaliters pecks 1.135 104 drams, avoirdupois avoirdupois ounces 0.062 55 drams, avoirdupois grains 27.344 drams, avoirdupois grams 1.771 845 2 drams, troy grains 60 drams, troy grams 3.887 934 6 drams, troy scruples 3 drams, troy troy ounces 0.125 drams, liquid (US) cubic inches 0.226 drams, liquid (US) liquid drams 1.041 (British) drams, liquid (US) liquid ounces 0.125 drams, liquid (US) milliliters 3.696 69 drams, liquid (US) minims 60 fathoms feet 6 fathoms meters 1.828 8 feet centimeters 30.48 feet inches 12 feet kilometers 0.000 304 8 feet meters 0.304 8 feet statute miles 0.000 189 39 feet yards 0.333 333 3 feet, cubic bushels 0.803 563 95 feet, cubic cubic decimeters 28.316 847 feet, cubic cubic inches 1,728 feet, cubic cubic meters 0.028 316 846 592 feet, cubic cubic yards 0.037 037 04 feet, cubic dry pints 51.428 09 feet, cubic dry quarts 25.714 05 feet, cubic gallons 7.480 519 feet, cubic gills 239.376 6 feet, cubic liquid ounces 957.506 5 feet, cubic liquid pints 59.844 16 feet, cubic liquid quarts 29.922 08 feet, cubic liters 28.316 846 592 feet, cubic pecks 3.214 256 feet, square acres 0.000 022 956 8 feet, square square centimeters 929.030 4 feet, square square decimeters 9.290 304 feet, square square inches 144 feet, square square meters 0.092 903 04 feet, square square yards 0.111 111 1 furlongs feet 660 furlongs inches 7,920 furlongs meters 201.168 furlongs statute miles 0.125 furlongs yards 220 gallons, liquid (US) cubic feet 0.133 680 6 gallons, liquid (US) cubic inches 231 gallons, liquid (US) cubic meters 0.003 785 411 784 gallons, liquid (US) cubic yards 0.004 951 13 gallons, liquid (US) gills (US) 32 gallons, liquid (US) liquid gallons 0.832 67 (British) gallons, liquid (US) liquid ounces 128 gallons, liquid (US) liquid pints 8 gallons, liquid (US) liquid quarts 4 gallons, liquid (US) liters 3.785 411 784 gallons, liquid (US) milliliters 3,785.411 784 gallons, liquid (US) minims 61,440 gills (US) centiliters 11.829 4 gills (US) cubic feet 0.004 177 517 gills (US) cubic inches 7.218 75 gills (US) gallons 0.031 25 gills (US) gills (British) 0.832 67 gills (US) liquid ounces 4 gills (US) liquid pints 0.25 gills (US) liquid quarts 0.125 gills (US) liters 0.118 294 118 25 gills (US) milliliters 118.294 118 25 gills (US) minims 1,920 grains avoirdupois drams 0.036 571 43 grains avoirdupois ounces 0.002 285 71 grains avoirdupois pounds 0.000 142 86 grains grams 0.064 798 91 grains kilograms 0.000 064 798 91 grains milligrams 64.798 910 grains pennyweights 0.042 grains scruples 0.05 grains troy drams 0.016 6 grains troy ounces 0.002 083 33 grains troy pounds 0.000 173 61 grams avoirdupois drams 0.564 383 39 grams avoirdupois ounces 0.035 273 961 grams avoirdupois pounds 0.002 204 622 6 grams grains 15.432 361 grams kilograms 0.001 grams milligrams 1,000 grams troy ounces 0.032 150 746 6 grams troy pounds 0.002 679 23 hands (height of centimeters 10.16 horse) hands (height of inches 4 horse) hectares acres 2.471 053 8 hectares square feet 107,639.1 hectares square kilometers 0.01 hectares square meters 10,000 hectares square miles 0.003 861 02 hectares square yards 11,959.90 hundredweights, long avoirdupois pounds 112 hundredweights, long kilograms 50.802 345 hundredweights, long long tons 0.05 hundredweights, long metric tons 0.050 802 345 hundredweights, long short tons 0.056 hundredweights, short avoirdupois pounds 100 hundredweights, short kilograms 45.359 237 hundredweights, short long tons 0.044 642 86 hundredweights, short metric tons 0.045 359 237 hundredweights, short short tons 0.05 inches centimeters 2.54 inches feet 0.083 333 33 inches meters 0.025 4 inches millimeters 25.4 inches yards 0.027 777 78 inches, cubic bushels 0.000 465 025 inches, cubic cubic centimeters 16.387 064 inches, cubic cubic feet 0.000 578 703 7 inches, cubic cubic meters 0.000 016 387 064 inches, cubic cubic yards 0.000 021 433 47 inches, cubic dry pints 0.029 761 6 inches, cubic dry quarts 0.014 880 8 inches, cubic gallons 0.004 329 0 inches, cubic gills 0.138 528 1 inches, cubic liquid ounces 0.554 112 6 inches, cubic liquid pints 0.034 632 03 inches, cubic liquid quarts 0.017 316 02 inches, cubic liters 0.016 387 064 inches, cubic milliliters 16.387 064 inches, cubic minims (US) 265.974 0 inches, cubic pecks 0.001 860 10 inches, square square centimeters 6.451 600 inches, square square feet 0.006 944 44 inches, square square meters 0.000 645 16 inches, square square yards 0.000 771 605 kilograms avoirdupois drams 564.383 4 kilograms avoirdupois ounces 35.273 962 kilograms avoirdupois pounds 2.204 622 622 kilograms grains 15,432.36 kilograms grams 1,000 kilograms long tons 0.000 984 2 kilograms metric tons 0.001 kilograms short hundredweights 0.022 046 23 kilograms short tons 0.001 102 31 kilograms troy ounces 32.150 75 kilograms troy pounds 2.679 229 kilometers meters 1,000 kilometers statute miles 0.621 371 192 kilometers, square acres 247.105 38 kilometers, square hectares 100 kilometers, square square meters 1,000,000 kilometers, square statute miles 0.386 102 16 knots (nautical mi/hr) kilometers/hour 1.852 knots (nautical mi/hr) statute miles/hour 1.151 leagues, nautical kilometers 5.556 leagues, nautical nautical miles 3 leagues, statute kilometers 4.828 032 leagues, statute statute miles 3 links, square square centimeters 404.686 surveyor's links, square square inches 62.726 4 surveyor's links, surveyor's centimeters 20.116 8 links, surveyor's chains 0.01 links, surveyor's inches 7.92 liters bushels 0.028 377 59 liters cubic feet 0.035 314 67 liters cubic inches 61.023 74 liters cubic meters 0.001 liters cubic yards 0.001 307 95 liters dekaliters 0.1 liters dry pints 1.816 166 liters dry quarts 0.908 082 98 liters gallons 0.264 172 052 liters gills (US) 8.453 506 liters liquid ounces 33.814 02 liters liquid pints 2.113 376 liters liquid quarts 1.056 688 2 liters milliliters 1,000 liters pecks 0.113 510 4 meters centimeters 100 meters feet 3.280 839 895 meters inches 39.370 079 meters kilometers 0.001 meters millimeters 1,000 meters statute miles 0.000 621 371 meters yards 1.093 613 298 meters, cubic bushels 28.377 59 meters, cubic cubic feet 35.314 666 7 meters, cubic cubic inches 61,023.744 meters, cubic cubic yards 1.307 950 619 meters, cubic gallons 264.172 05 meters, cubic liters 1,000 meters, cubic pecks 113.510 4 meters, square acres 0.000 247 105 38 meters, square hectares 0.000 1 meters, square square centimeters 10,000 meters, square square feet 10.763 910 4 meters, square square inches 1,550.003 1 meters, square square yards 1.195 990 046 microns meters 0.000 001 microns inches 0.000 039 4 mils inches 0.001 mils millimeters 0.025 4 miles, nautical kilometers 1.852 0 miles, nautical statute miles 1.150 779 4 miles, statute centimeters 160,934.4 miles, statute feet 5,280 miles, statute furlongs 8 miles, statute inches 63,360 miles, statute kilometers 1.609 344 miles, statute meters 1,609.344 miles, statute rods 320 miles, statute yards 1,760 miles, square nautical square kilometers 3.429 904 miles, square nautical square statute miles 1.325 miles, square statute acres 640 miles, square statute hectares 258.998 811 033 6 miles, square statute sections 1 miles, square statute square kilometers 2.589 988 110 336 miles, square statute square nautical miles 0.755 miles miles, square statute square rods 102,400 milligrams grains 0.015 432 358 35 milliliters cubic inches 0.061 023 744 milliliters gallons 0.000 264 17 milliliters gills (US) 0.008 453 5 milliliters liquid ounces 0.033 814 02 milliliters liquid pints 0.002 113 4 milliliters liquid quarts 0.001 056 7 milliliters liters 0.001 milliliters minims 16.230 73 millimeters inches 0.039 370 078 7 minims (US) cubic inches 0.003 759 77 minims (US) gills (US) 0.000 520 83 minims (US) liquid ounces 0.002 083 33 minims (US) milliliters 0.061 611 52 minims (US) minims (British) 1.041 ounces, avoirdupois avoirdupois drams 16 ounces, avoirdupois avoirdupois pounds 0.062 5 ounces, avoirdupois grains 437.5 ounces, avoirdupois grams 28.349 523 125 ounces, avoirdupois kilograms 0.028 349 523 125 ounces, avoirdupois troy ounces 0.911 458 3 ounces, avoirdupois troy pounds 0.075 954 86 ounces, liquid (US) cubic feet 0.001 044 38 ounces, liquid (US) centiliters 2.957 35 ounces, liquid (US) cubic inches 1.804 687 5 ounces, liquid (US) gallons 0.007 812 5 ounces, liquid (US) gills (US) 0.25 ounces, liquid (US) liquid drams 8 ounces, liquid (US) liquid ounces 1.041 (British) ounces, liquid (US) liquid pints 0.062 5 ounces, liquid (US) liquid quarts 0.031 25 ounces, liquid (US) liters 0.029 573 53 ounces, liquid (US) milliliters 29.573 529 6 ounces, liquid (US) minims 480 ounces, troy avoirdupois drams 17.554 29 ounces, troy avoirdupois ounces 1.097 143 ounces, troy avoirdupois pounds 0.068 571 43 ounces, troy grains 480 ounces, troy grams 31.103 476 8 ounces, troy pennyweights 20 ounces, troy troy drams 8 ounces, troy troy pounds 0.083 333 3 paces (US) centimeters 76.2 paces (US) inches 30 pecks (US) bushels 0.25 pecks (US) cubic feet 0.311 114 pecks (US) cubic inches 537.605 pecks (US) cubic meters 0.008 809 77 pecks (US) cubic yards 0.011 522 74 pecks (US) dekaliters 0.880 976 75 pecks (US) dry pints 16 pecks (US) dry quarts 8 pecks (US) liters 8.809 767 5 pecks (US) pecks (British) 0.968 9 pennyweights grains 24 pennyweights grams 1.555 173 84 pennyweights troy ounces 0.05 pints, dry (US) bushels 0.015 625 pints, dry (US) cubic feet 0.019 444 63 pints, dry (US) cubic inches 33.600 312 5 pints, dry (US) dekaliters 0.055 061 05 pints, dry (US) dry pints (British) 0.968 9 pints, dry (US) dry quarts 0.5 pints, dry (US) liters 0.550 610 47 pints, liquid (US) cubic feet 0.016 710 07 pints, liquid (US) cubic inches 28.875 pints, liquid (US) deciliters 4.731 76 pints, liquid (US) gallons 0.125 pints, liquid (US) gills (US) 4 pints, liquid (US) liquid ounces 16 pints, liquid (US) liquid pints 0.832 67 (British) pints, liquid (US) liquid quarts 0.5 pints, liquid (US) liters 0.473 176 473 pints, liquid (US) milliliters 473.176 473 pints, liquid (US) minims 7,680 points (typographical) inches 0.013 837 points (typographical) millimeters 0.351 459 8 pounds, avoirdupois avoirdupois drams 256 pounds, avoirdupois avoirdupois ounces 16 pounds, avoirdupois grains 7,000 pounds, avoirdupois grams 453.592 37 pounds, avoirdupois kilograms 0.453 592 37 pounds, avoirdupois long tons 0.000 446 428 6 pounds, avoirdupois metric tons 0.000 453 592 37 pounds, avoirdupois quintals 0.004 535 92 pounds, avoirdupois short tons 0.000 5 pounds, avoirdupois troy ounces 14.583 33 pounds, avoirdupois troy pounds 1.215 278 pounds, troy avoirdupois drams 210.651 4 pounds, troy avoirdupois ounces 13.165 71 pounds, troy avoirdupois pounds 0.822 857 1 pounds, troy grains 5,760 pounds, troy grams 373.241 721 6 pounds, troy kilograms 0.373 241 721 6 pounds, troy pennyweights 240 pounds, troy troy ounces 12 quarts, dry (US) bushels 0.031 25 quarts, dry (US) cubic feet 0.038 889 25 quarts, dry (US) cubic inches 67.200 625 quarts, dry (US) dekaliters 0.110 122 1 quarts, dry (US) dry pints 2 quarts, dry (US) dry quarts (British) 0.968 9 quarts, dry (US) liters 1.101 221 quarts, dry (US) pecks 0.125 quarts, dry (US) pints, dry (US) 2 quarts, liquid (US) cubic feet 0.033 420 14 quarts, liquid (US) cubic inches 57.75 quarts, liquid (US) deciliters 9.463 53 quarts, liquid (US) gallons 0.25 quarts, liquid (US) gills (US) 8 quarts, liquid (US) liquid ounces 32 quarts, liquid (US) liquid pints (US) 2 quarts, liquid (US) liquid quarts 0.832 67 (British) quarts, liquid (US) liters 0.946 352 946 quarts, liquid (US) milliliters 946.352 946 quarts, liquid (US) minims 15,360 quintals avoirdupois pounds 220.462 26 quintals kilograms 100 quintals metric tons 0.1 rods feet 16.5 rods meters 5.029 2 rods yards 5.5 rods, square acres 0.006 25 rods, square square meters 25.292 85 rods, square square yards 30.25 scruples grains 20 scruples grams 1.295 978 2 scruples troy drams 0.333 sections (US) square kilometers 2.589 988 1 sections (US) square statute miles 1 spans centimeters 22.86 spans inches 9 steres cubic meters 1 steres cubic yards 1.307 95 tablespoons milliliters 14.786 76 tablespoons teaspoons 3 teaspoons milliliters 4.928 922 teaspoons tablespoons 0.333 333 ton-miles, long metric ton-kilometers 1.635 169 ton-miles, short metric ton-kilometers 1.459 972 tons, gross register cubic feet of 100 permanently enclosed space tons, gross register cubic meters of 2.831 684 7 permanently enclosed space tons, long avoirdupois ounces 35,840 (deadweight) tons, long avoirdupois pounds 2,240 (deadweight) tons, long kilograms 1,016.046 909 8 (deadweight) tons, long long hundredweights 20 (deadweight) tons, long metric tons 1.016 046 908 8 (deadweight) tons, long short hundredweights 22.4 (deadweight) tons, long short tons 1.12 (deadweight) tons, metric avoirdupois pounds 2,204.623 tons, metric kilograms 1,000 tons, metric long hundredweights 19.684 130 3 tons, metric long tons 0.984 206 5 tons, metric quintals 10 tons, metric short hundredweights 22.046 23 tons, metric short tons 1.102 311 3 tons, metric troy ounces 32,150.75 tons, net register cubic feet of 100 permanently enclosed space for cargo and passengers tons, net register cubic meters of 2.831 684 7 permanently enclosed space for cargo and passengers tons, shipping cubic feet of 42 permanently enclosed cargo space tons, shipping cubic meters of 1.189 307 574 permanently enclosed cargo space tons, short avoirdupois pounds 2,000 tons, short kilograms 907.184 74 tons, short long hundredweights 17.857 14 tons, short long tons 0.892 857 1 tons, short metric tons 0.907 184 74 tons, short short hundredweights 20 townships (US) sections 36 townships (US) square kilometers 93.239 572 townships (US) square statute miles 36 miles, square statute acres 640 miles, square statute hectares 258.998 811 033 6 miles, square statute square feet 27,878,400 miles, square statute square meters 2,589,988.110 336 miles, square statute square yards 3,097,600 yards centimeters 91.44 yards feet 3 yards inches 36 yards meters 0.914 4 yards miles 0.000 568 18 yards, cubic bushels 21.696 227 yards, cubic cubic feet 27 yards, cubic cubic inches 46,656 yards, cubic cubic meters 0.764 554 857 984 yards, cubic gallons 201.974 0 yards, cubic liters 764.554 857 984 yards, cubic pecks 86.784 91 yards, square acres 0.000 206 611 6 yards, square hectares 0.000 083 612 736 yards, square square centimeters 8,361.273 6 yards, square square feet 9 yards, square square inches 1,296 yards, square square meters 0.836 127 36 yards, square square miles 0.000 000 322 830 6 ====================================================================== End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The 2009 CIA World Factbook, by United States. 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